Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States, Part 86

Author: Chapman Brothers
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 894


USA > Ohio > Fayette County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 86
USA > Ohio > Madison County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 86
USA > Ohio > Pickaway County > Portrait and biographical record of Fayette, Pickaway and Madison counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the United States > Part 86


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109


Mrs. Millar, whose womanly graces and virtues are well known. was born on the 27th of April, 1819, and her parents, Elisha and Lonie Howell, were natives of Delaware. Her father was a soldier


3.1


712


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


in the War of 1812. and fought bravely and gal- lantly against oppression by the British. About 1827, he emigrated, with his family, to Pickaway County, Ohio, making the entire distance in a wagon, and was three weeks en route. After reach- ing this county, they resided in Walnut Township for a short time, and then made their advent into Scioto Township, this county, where Mr. Howell purchased one hundred and twenty acres of rich land, mostly covered with timber, which he at once commenced clearing. He erected a log house, and in this he and his worthy wife resided many years, and received their last summons.


Mrs. Millar was one of seven children born to her parents, and her youthful days were spent amid rude surroundings, and in the early schools. She is a faithful adherent of the Methodist Church, of which her parents were prominent members, and is a liberal contributor to its support. She has a host of friends, and well merits the respect and es- teem accorded her. Her portrait and that of her deceased husband are presented in connection with this biographical notice.


u RIAH F. PAULLIN, who is at present resid- ing on a farm in Paint Township, Fayette County, was born in Greene County, this State, February 24, 1813. He is the son of Jacob and Polly (Furnace) Paullin, the former of whom was born in New Jersey in 1787 and was taken to Kentucky by his parents when an infant of eigh- teen months. When about sixteen years of age, he went to Jackson County, Ohio, and engaged in making and selling salt in company with his father, Uriah Paullin. Jacob finally went to Greene County, where he was married, and where our subject was born.


Our subject was the second in order of birth of the parental family of eight children, and is the only one now living. lle grew to manhood in Greene County, receiving his education in the good common schools of that day, and was espe- cially well versed in mathematics. The father of our subject was very wealthy, and at the time


Uriah was married, presented him with a farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres in Paint Township, Fayette County. His wife, in her maidenhood, was Miss Martha Greene, also a na- tive of Greene County, but who had been taken by her parents to Fayette County when six weeks old. The young couple took up their abode in a log house, which was on their farm, and which gave way a few years later to a more comfortable frame structure, in which they still reside.


The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Paullin: Letitia, Mrs. Capt. Noah Jones, of Wash- ington C. H., who departed this life September 9, 1875; Samnel J., whose sketch will be found on another page in this work, was the next in order of birth; Mary Margaret, who married J. M. Klever, resides in Paint Township; Sarah C., Mrs. Albert Hankins, also makes her home in Fayette County, as does Matilda J., now Mrs. J. M. Clarke; Lewis M. and Willie died at the respective ages of seventeen months and two years.


In his political relations, our subject voted the Whig ticket, and took an active part in the cam- paign of 1840, supporting Harrison. He has been in sympathy with the Republican party since its organization, voting for Benjamin Harrison in 1888. With his wife, he is a member of the Christian Church, with which denomination he has been identified for the past ten years. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and very prominent in his locality.


C APT. WILLIAM H. KIRKENDALL. Among the old soldiers whose life records are to be found in the annals of Pickaway County, and whose bravery and endurance upon the bat- thefield and in the miserable prison pens of the South are a story well worth telling, we can give the name which appears at the head of this para- graph. His father, William Kirkendall, was a native Virginian, who came to Ohio by team at a very early date and began working on a farm near Mt. Sterling. Subsequently, he bought


713


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


property and began keeping one of the first ho- tels in Darbyville. Pickaway County. This he continued for years. and helped lay out the streets of that town. He was very popular with all classes, and on sporting matters he was a keen authority and judge. Ile was very fond of fine horses. He died about 1852. In polities. he was a Whig. His wife. who was formerly Miss Jane Trego, was a native of Ross County, Ohio. Iler father was killed by a runaway team (see sketch of Andrew Trego). She died in 1855. Of the four children born to this couple, three are now living: our subject, Dr. John Theo. of Darbyville, and Frances, Mrs. John Fissell.


The original of this notice was born on the 22d of June, 1841, in Darbyville, Ohio, and attended the Union School until seventeen years of age. when he went on a farm for a Mr. Mckinley. His home throughout life, except during his army ex- perience, has been in this county, and naturally his interests are centered here. Young Kirken- dall, when very little past nineteen years of age, enlisted, September 13, 1861, in Company D. Fif. teenth United States Infantry, and was mustered in at Newport, Ky. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and at the latter place, on the 19th of September, 1863, he received a slight wound in the head Ile was cap- tured by the Confederates and taken to Belle Island, Va., where he remained one month. He was then taken to Richmond, Pemberton Bluff, across from Libby, until November. 1863, when he was conveyed to Danville. Va. There he remained in prison until April 17, 1864, when he was transferred to Andersonville Prison, where he suffered horrors untold. Ile remained in the stockade until September 13. 1864, when he was taken to Florence, S. C., and paroled as a prisoner of war on the 10th of December, 1864. While at Danville, he was on the parole of honor to assist at the small-pox hospital, for he was young and had a good constitution, and he appeared to bear a charmed life. At Newport, he was made Sergeant, and after the battle of Stone River, Com- pany D was broken up and the men transferred to other companies, he being placed in Company A as Sergeant. After being paroled, he went to Ft.


Adams. R. I, and was exchanged, and dis- charged there in February, 1865, after serving three years and six months. His war record, or character on his discharge, says:


An excellent soldier: served with distinction and bravery in battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Corinth. Champion Hill. and Chickamauga, where he was captured and held by the enemy until re- cently, and consequently could not receive his discharge until exchanged.


O. L. SHEPARD. Colonel in command of Fifteenth Regiment. SAMUEL R. HONEY. Acting Adjutant of Fifteenth Regiment.


Returning home. our subject went to work on the farm, and after his marriage rented a farm in Scioto Township for two years. After this, he was in Darby Township for a year, and then located in Darbyville, where he clerked for six years. Subsequently. he engaged in general merchandis- ing in that place, continued it three years, and on the 6th of September, 1880. he came to Cireleville.


where he was proprietor of the Union House for four years. On the 1st of April. 1886, he was appointed by the State Board of Public Works as Foreman on the Ohio Canal, and had charge of that division of the canal from Columbus to West Fall. and was made Captain of the State canal boat with a crew of from eight to ten men.


Our subject was married in Darbyville on the 21st of December. 1865. to Miss Sarah A. Fissell. danghter of John Fissell, who was born in Penn- sylvania, but who came to Ohio, where he was en- gaged in business as a merchant in Circleville, Five Points and Darbyville. He died in Darbyville in 1876. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Diffenderfer. was also of Pennsylvania nativity, having been born in Lancaster. and died in Circle- ville, at the home of our subject, in 1886. when seventy years of age. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were the par- ents of ten children, four sons being in the late war. Mrs. Kirkendall was the fifth in order of birth of these children. and was born in Circleville, where she remained until thirteen years of age. After this she was at Five Points from 1859 to 1863. and after that in Darbyville. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkendall are the parents of six children. who


714


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


are as follows: John T., a mechanic in the North American Tube Works, of Mckeesport, Pa .; Frances, a graduate of the Class of '90, now a teacher in the public school in Circleville; Mabel was graduated in 1891, and is also a teacher; Mark, clerking in a grocery store; Estella and Harry, at home.


While a resident of Darbyville, Mr. Kirkendall was School Director for many years, was in the Council there for several years, and also served as Township Clerk. Ile was Assistant Postmaster for eight years. Since residing here, he has served in the City Council, and is an ardent Republican in his political views. Ile has been a delegate to the State conventions frequently, and was a dele- gate to the Ohio Republican League. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his wife, who is one of the most agreeable and pleasant of ladies, is also a member of the church. Socially, Mr. Kirkendall is a member of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, and Groce Post No. 156, G. A. R., of which he was a charter mem- ber, and is now Past Post Commander. He was Aide-de-Camp on Gen. Warner's Staff Department Committee, and Trustee of the Memorial Hotel. Mrs. Kirkendall is a member of the Groce Post No. 68, W. R. C., of which she is a Past President and charter member.


M RS. JULIA A. (CALHOUN) CONVERSE, who has a beautiful home on her extensive and well-appointed farm in Canaan Town- ship, situated five miles south of Plain City, is a native of Madison County, born amid its primitive scenes in the township where she has lived since her birth, October 30, 1826. She is a rep- resentative of the sturdy old pioneer stock of the State, her paternal grandfather, William Calhoun, a native of Ireland, who came to America when a young man, being one of the first settlers of Por- tage County, where her father, James Calhoun, was born in 1802.


The grandfather of our subject, a soldier in the War of 1812, afterward came to Madison County,


and was a pioneer of Little Darby; he died near Sandusky, Ohio. Mrs. Converse's mother was Elizabeth Carpenter in her maiden days, and was a native of Pennsylvania. She was about eight years old when she came to Ohio with her parents, Samuel and Sarah Carpenter, who were early settlers of Licking County, where she was reared. Her father was of Irish descent and her mother of German extraction. Mrs. Converse's grandmother, on her father's side, was Jane Mc Ol- aster, a native of Scotland.


The parents of our subject were married in Canaan Township in 1823, and located on a farm five miles southwest of Plain City. A rude log house, with no doors or windows, stood on the place, and was their first home after marriage. The mother died in 1844, and two years later the father married Lucretia Burnham; about 1867 he left his home farm and spent his last days with his daughter of whom we write, by whom he was ten- derly cared for until his death at the age of sixty- eight years. He was a strong Democrat in politics, and was a leader in township affairs. He was a man of sound common sense, keen and accurate in judgment, and of marked executive talent. His fellow-citizens placed great confidence in him, and often sought his advice, and his services were fre- quently required as administrator to settle estates. He was also an auctioneer and had charge of many sales. He held the office of Township Trustee, and various other local offices, and always acted for the best interests of the community. Of his five children, two died in infancy, and Mrs. Con- verse and Losson, a resident of Plain City, are the only ones that lived to maturity, she being the eldest of those who lived to be of any age.


Our subjeet was educated in the pioneer schools of Canaan Township, and in the home of her par- ents, of which she was an inmate until her marri- age, she was carefully instructed in all that goes to make a good housewife, while principles of right living were early instilled into her mind. She was thus well fitted for the duties and responsibilities of wedded life and to preside over a home of her own, when she gave her hand and heart in marri- age to James N. Converse, November 22, 1845. She cheerfully devoted herself to his interests,


715


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


and filled in a perfect measure her position as wife, friend, counselor and helper, and was thus potent in bringing about his prosperity. She is of an amiable, pleasant disposition, is thoughtful of others, and her social standing is high in the county, where she has always lived and has many friends. In her religious views, she is a strong Universalist, and is a prominent member of the society of that denomination that worships in Alder Chapel. Her husband willed her a farm of four hundred acres, which is under the manage- ment of her son Henry and her son-in-law, Cary Millikin.


James Converse was a native of Madison County, born in Darby Township, October 29, 1823, the eldest son of Charles and Phebe Converse. He was reared in his native township, and completed his education in its district schools. He early became a farmer, and after his marriage he and his bride began life together on a place five and one-half miles northwest of where she now resides, and they remained there some fifteen years. At the expiration of that time, they located on the farm that is now her home, and here he died May 24, 1887, and was laid to rest in the peaceful old cemetery at Plain City. He was a noble, whole- souled, large-hearted man, with a keen sense of honor and a genial nature, and the citizenship of his community met with a sad loss at his death. He was broad-minded and tolerant in his religious views and in his political sentiments. The former found expression in the Universalist faith, and he was a stanch member of the church of that de- nomination known as Alder Chapel, in Jefferson Township. In early life, he was an old-line Whig, but he later joined the Democracy, and ever after voted with that party. He was well known in township and county as a liberal contributor to all good causes, and as a promoter of the interests of the public in the various civic capacities in which he acted. He was at one time Trustee of the township, and he was Justice of the Peace, and also held all the school offices. Mr. and Mrs. Con- verse were blessed in their marriage by two chil- dren, a son and a daughter: Henry B., of whom a sketch appears in this volume, and Elizabeth Ann, wife of A. C. Millikin. They also adopted a


daughter, at the age of ten months. Eva JJ. Ste- phens, who has been carefully reared. She was born in this township, October 28, 1875, and is now seventeen years old.


AVID HOPKINS, a veteran of the late war, whose efficient soldiership raised him from the ranks to an official position, has a valuable farm in Fayette County, and is engaged in farming, although a resident of the city of Washington C. H. Ile is a son of Jeremiah Ilopkins, who. for many years prior to his death, was a prominent citizen of this part of the State. The father was born in Washington County, Pa., and was of English descent. During some period of his life, probably in early manhood, he re- moved from his native county to Ross County in the same State, and lived there until he came to Fayette County in 1827, and identified himself with its sturdy, hard-working, brave pioneers. He first located in Wayne Township, in the north- ern part of the county, where he bought sixty- two acres of land. During his long residence there, he was prominent as a farmer and in its public life as Trustee of the township, which posi- tion he held with honor several years. He was successful in the accumulation of property. and in 1871 he retired from active business to Washing- ton C. II. Here he passed from life to death in April, 1875, and thus closed the record of an up- right, honorable man, who was a genuine Chris- tian, and was for many years a leading member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. In politics, he was first a Whig, then a Free-soiler, and lastly a Republican. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Nancy Claypool, and she was a daugh- ter of a prominent pioneer of Ross County.


The subject of this biography is one of eleven children, of whom ten are still living. Hle was born January 29, 1834, in the pioneer home of his parents in Wayne Township, and was educated in the local public schools, and remained at home with his parents, affording his father valuable as- sistance in the management of his farm, until he


716


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


was twenty-seven years old. At that age, he en- tered upon his career as a soldier, springing with ready response and patriotic devotion to answer Lincoln's first call for seventy-five thousand vol- unteers to defend the honor of the Flag that had been fired upon at Ft. Sumter. His name ap- peared upon the roll of Company E, Twenty-see- ond Ohio Infantry, which was commanded by Capt. John M. Bell. At the end of his three months' term of enlistment, our subject re-entered the army as a member of Company C, Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry, and again re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company, and he stood stanchly by his eolors until after the war was closed, receiving his discharge papers in the middle of August. 1865. He had very soon shown that he possessed the rare qualities that make a good soldier, dis- playing true courage in the hour of danger, and always found at the post of duty, whether on the long and tedious marches or in camp, or on the battle-field, and always obedient to orders. His superiors trusted him implicitly, and he was pro- moted to the rank of Sergeant of his company. He saw much hard service, and was in many a bat- tle and skirmish. He was at the battle of Shiloh or Pittsburg Landing, and was present at the siege of Vicksburg, and was active in the memorable two-days' assault on that rebel stronghold on the 19th and 22d of May, 1863. He was with Gen. Sherman on his famous march to the sea, and did his share of fighting during the siege of At- lanta and in the numerous engagements around that city, and at other times during the campaign. He was at Raleigh, N. C., when news reached them of Lee's surrender, and he went to Washington to take part in the Grand Review of the armies after the war was finally ended.


When Mr. Hopkins returned home and resumed the duties of a private citizen after his experi- enees as a soldier during those long and trying years of the rebellion, he remained with his father for a short time, and then married and established a home of his own, Miss Kate Kerr becoming his wife December 28, 1865. Mrs. Hopkins is a daughter of James and Nancy Kerr, who were formerly residents of Ross County, of which her father was a prominent farmer. After his marriage, our sub-


ject settled on a farm in Marion Township, this county, as a renter. Seven years later, he bought a farm in Wayne Township, and lived on it seven years. At the expiration of that time, he took up his residence in Washington C. H., where he has since made his home, and he is very pleasantly situated here. He still conduets farming, how- ever, and with good profit, as he is an experi- enced farmer, and has a thorough knowledge of agriculture in all its branches, so that he is en- abled to manage his farm after the most approved methods. He is a popular man among his fellow- citizens in this county, as he is of a genial, gener- ous disposition, is friendly and helpful in his rela- tions with his neighbors, and is wise in counsel. His war-record is commemorated by his connec- tion with the Grand Army of the Republic. Po- litically, he is firm in his allegiance to the Repub- liean party.


R RANK REIF, a representative of the grocery trade at Washington C. II., with a fine loca- tion on the corner of North and Court Streets, was born February 1, 1833, in Bavaria, Ger- many, and was educated in the excellent public schools of the Fatherland. His father, John Reif, was also of German birth and antecedents. Ile came to this country and passed his remaining days in Cass County, Neb .. He had married Margaret Wetzel in the Old Country, and she bore him five children, and died when our subjeet was a year and a half old.


When he of whom we write was twenty years of age, he came to the I'nited States, and first located at Cincinnati, where he was variously employed some eight or nine months. Ile then went down the Ohio to Riverport, Ky., and remained there a short time, working at whatever he could find to do. From there he went to one place and another until he found himself in Washington C. II. in 1864. Here he first engaged in working in the spoke fac- ory, and then he entered the grocery business in partnership with Peter Scheiman, under the firm name of Seheiman & Reif. He continued with that


717


PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


gentleman from 1865 until 1870, and in the latter year went into business by himself. He continued so until 1877, when he entered the employ of Stimp- son & Bro., and was engaged in their wholesale house two years, and for eight years was on the road in their interests. His next engagement was with Dahl & Baer, and he was subsequently with Welton & Buker for about six months. John Blackmore was his next employer. In July, 1891, he opened a store for himself for the sale of groceries, and he has built up a good paying trade already, as he is well known, has a thorough knowledge of the business, and enjoys a high reputation for honesty and trustworthiness. He handles a full line of staple and fancy groceries of all kinds and of the best grades, and is up to the times in everything pertaining to the trade. He has made himself a good name in the city of his adoption and is regarded with favor by all who know him. The Presbyterian Church finds in him a useful mem- ber, and the Democratic party an unswerving adherent.


Our subject was married in 1854 to Anna Mary Bentz, a daughter of Jacob and Katherine Bentz, residents of Piketon, Pike County, and Germans by birth. By this union were born three children: John, who is thirty-five years of age, and is en- gaged in the grocery business in this city; Anna Katherine, wife of Oscar Mcclellan, City Marshal; and William, who is in partnership with his father.


b EZAKIAH J. CROWNOVER. In Perry Township, Pickaway County, lies a tract of well-improved land, adorned by a comfort- able residence, the usual buildings that advance so materially the success of the farmer, and the orchards that contribute so effectively to the enjoyment of rural life. The land is divided and subdivided into fields of convenient size for the raising of the various cereals and the pastnrage of stock. Since Mr. Crownover settled upon the farm, he has contributed greatly to its development and has introduced the latest and


best improvements in the way of farming ma- chinery and implements, so that it now needs but a single glance to prove that the proprietor is a thrifty man.


The remote ancestors of our subject were from England and Holland, while his immediate progenitors were of Pennsylvanian birth. His parents, Hezakiah and Ruth Crownover, removed from the Keystone State in 1830 and made settle- ment in South Bloomingville, Ilocking County, Ohio, where ten years later. on the 11th of Sep- tember, 1840, their son, the subject of this notice, was born. Ile was only two years old when his parents removed to MeCuneville, Perry County, this State, which was their home for ten years. Meanwhile, our subject attended the schools of the district and acquired a good knowledge of agricul- ture while working on his father's farm during the summer season.


In 1855, Mr. Crownover accompanied his pa- rents to Perry Township. Pickaway County, where he still resides. He began life for himself at the age of twenty-one years with no moneyed capital except fifty-four cents and a Mexican coin. Two years later, he was enabled by economy and industry to establish a home of his own, to which he brought his bride May 3, 1863. Mrs. Crown- over was known in maidenhood as Nancy Jane O'Neal, and was born in the Buckeye State, whither her parents had removed from Kentucky in 1828. The union of our subject and his estimable wife has been blessed by four children, who are living, namely: Ida M., who was born in 1864, and married John E. Busick. December 11, 1888; Esther E., born in 1867; Fanny M .. in 1872. and Ansel H., in 1878.




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.