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 88
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 88
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 88
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In connection with his home farm, Mr. Jones owns six hundred acres of well-improved land in Bates County, Mo., and is a stockholder in the National Bank of London, Ohio. He cast his first vote in 1840 for Gen. Harrison. and sup-
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ported the Whig party until 1856, since which time he has been a stanch Republican. IIe has never failed to support a Presidential candidate of his party, although at one time, when in ill health, the doctor told him if he went to the polls his death would result. Ile has filled the offices of Justice of the Peace, Town Trustee and a Director of the Infirmary. He has always been found on the side of morality, temperance and integrity, and is regarded as one of the valued citizens of the community, respected by all for his sterling worth.
b ENRY WRIGHT, who is the proprietor of a large and valuable farming property three miles south of Plain City, in Canaan Township, is a fine type of our self-made men, whose energy, persistent purpose and spirited enterprise have contributed in no small degree to the enduring prosperity of Madison County as one of the principal agricultural centers of the State.
Our subject was born in Frederick County, Md., February 17, 1827, a son of Henry Wright, who was a physician, and died when our subject was about seven years old. ITis mother bore the maiden name of Margaret Bogen, and was the daughter of German parents. She married a second time, be- coming the wife of John Sager. From that mar- riage there were five children, of whom two are living.
The subject of this biography was his father's only son. When he was nine years old, he came to Ohio with his mother and step-father, and at the age of eleven the sturdy, capable little lad be- came self-supporting, working out by the month on a farm for his board, and he was so engaged until he was twenty-three years old. He then de- voted the ensuing two years to learning the trade of wagon-maker with I. N. Worthington. At the expiration of that time, he bought the shop of his employer, and was interested in the manufacture of wagons for several years, winning a high repu- tation for his skill in that line. In 1864, he threw aside his business to join the brave boys in blue at
the front to help fight his country's battles, and from that time until after the war ended, he did good service as a member of Company D, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, receiving his discharge at Knoxville, Tenn.
Returning to Madison, Ohio, after his exciting and trying experiences of a soldier's life, Mr. Wright resumed his old business as a manufacturer of wagons, and conducted it successfully until 1877, when he sold his shop to John McWigin and Strickland and devoted himself exclusively to the management of his farm, which he had previously been carrying on in connection with his business. In the year 1875, he located in the village of Amity, and has lived here ever since. He has four hun- dred and twenty-eight acres of land in Canaan Township, which is divided into four different farms, each of which is well equipped and under the best of tillage. They are all under his super- vision, and he is carrying on a profitable general farming business. Ile has secured all this land since 1875, and has been the sole architect of his own fortunes, as he had no one to give him a good start in life, never having had as much as $50 given him, and he had very early to live on his own re- sources. This was no misfortune to him, however, as it developed his manhood in a fuller degree and brought into greater prominence those sturdy traits that have enabled him to win his way against odds. He is a man of fine character and spotless reputation, and his fellow-citizens think highly of him. He is a Republican in politics, and has borne his part in the administration of public affairs, hold- ing the responsible office of Treasurer of Canaan Township for many years. He is a devoted mem- ber of the Christian Church.
Mr. Wright was first married to Miss Elizabeth Mahaffey, who died in 1853, the year following their marriage, leaving one son, Albert, a success- ful school teacher in Canaan Township. Our sub- ject's second marriage was with Miss Nancy Harris, and took place in 1858. She died in 1860, leav- ing two daughters: Elizabeth, wife of William Carr, of Washington Township, Franklin County; and Iva, wife of Cassius M. Walker, of Brown Township, Franklin County. Our subject's present wife was formerly Polly Dominy, a native of
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Franklin County. They are the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are living, as follows: Har- riet, wife of Charles Taggart, of Norwich Town- ship, Franklin County; Ella, wife of Thomas Hum- mel, of Canaan Township; Howard. Maud, Laura, Della, Henry, Lissie, and Abby, all of whom are at home with their parents, with the exception of the married daughters.
W ILLIAM HI. PROFFITT, who resides in Midway, Madison County, was born in Rock Fish Township. Nelson County, Va .. Jannary 17, 1856, and is a son of Obediah Pick- ney and Mary Louisa (Walker) Proffitt. The father was born in Nelson County, Va., in De- cember, 1829, and for many years followed farm- ing, but about two years before his death went into a mill owned by his father-in-law, William Harrison Walker, who was a distant connection of Gen. William Henry Harrison. The Proffitt fam- ily was of Scotch origin. The father of our sub- ject died June 17, 1862, in his native county, leaving three children, who were cared for by the mother. Mrs. Proffitt was born in Louisa County, Va., June 30, 1839, came to Ohio in the fall of 1880, and is now living in Midway.
Our subject, the eldest child, was only about six years of age when his father died. Quite early, he began working in the tobacco fields in the sum- mer months, and in the winter season worked at the carpenter's trade with his maternal grand- father. Ile did not attend school between the ages of nine and fifteen years. After that, his education was not so badly neglected. At the age of nineteen, he came to the home of his uncle, Jolmn R. Winfield, near Midway, Ohio, and began working by the month as a farm hand. He at- tended school the following winter at Midway and the next winter at Bloomingburgh Academy, after which he passed an examination for a certificate, and began teaching in the spring of 1877. He has taught each succeeding winter since that time, except in 1882, 1884 and 1891. In 1881, he bought his little home of thirty-two acres, which
he operated for a few summers, and then sold, but in 1891 he again purchased it.
On the 10th of August, 1885, Mr. Proflitt wed- ded Miss Belle S. O'Day, of Midway, who was born in Madison County, January 3, 1860, and is a daughter of Thomas and Isabel (Timmons) ('Day. Her mother died when she was but a few weeks old. Her father was again married, and is a prosperous farmer of Pleasant Township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Proffitt have been born two chil- dren: Homer Franklin, born June 29, 1886; and Edgar Henry, born February 12, 1889.
Mr. Proffitt supports the Democratic party. Ile has served as a Councilman for five years, and was elected Clerk of Midway in April. 1892. Ile served as Clerk of the School Board for several years in Midway special school district, and in 1886 received the appointment of County School Examiner, which position he has since filled. He belongs to Leanore Lodge No. 512, A. F. & A. M., of Midway, and the Chapter of London. Him- self and wife hold membership with the Presby- terian Church, in which he is an Elder, and is serving his second year as Sunday-school Super- intendent. He has led a busy and useful life, and well merits the high regard in which he is held.
ADISON HAMMEL, M. D., a practicing physician and surgeon of Circleville, has the honor of being a native of this city. Ile was born December 22, 1840. and is a worthy representative of one of the honored pio- neer families of Pickaway County. Ilis grand- father. John llammel, was born in Virginia. and his father was a native of Germany and the founder of the family in America. John Hammel, accom- panied by his family, came to Ohio in 1806. mak- ing the journey with a team and wagon. He en- tered land in Clear Creek Township, Fairfield County, becoming one of the early settlers of that locality. He broke his arm the first winter and had to go forty miles to a doctor. ITis home was a log cabin, and wild game, which was to be found in abundance. formed the principal article of diet.
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Though he had many hardships to endure at first, he became a successful man and the owner of a highly improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres. Ile reared a family of twelve children.
The father of our subject, Isaac Hammel, was born on the new farm in 1813, and remained un- der the parental roof until twenty years of age, when he came to Circleville and learned the car- penter's trade. In 1837, he wedded Mary Funk, who was born in Fairfield Township, and was a daughter of Abraham Funk, a native of Virginia, who emigrated by team to Ohio in 1810. He en -. tered land on the present site of the State Reform School, built a log house and there engaged in farming. Ile afterward removed to Circleville, where his death occurred at the age of seventy- eight years. His father owned a large mill in Vir- ginia. His second son served in the Revolutionary War. Abraham Funk, although but a boy, drove a team in the Revolutionary War, carrying provisions.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hammel lo- cated in Circleville. He built a house in the midst of the cornfield, on what is now East Franklin Street, and became a successful contractor and en- gaged in business until seventy-five years of age, when he retired to private life. He died on the 13th of April, 1889. He was a prominent citizen, an upright, honorable man, and was a leading member of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he was a Democrat, and served for three terms as Township Trustee. Mrs. Hammel passed away on the 12th of September, 1873. In the family were seven children, five of whom are now living. Catherine is the wife of R. Il. Moore, of Circleville; the Doctor is the next younger; Ella makes her home in Circleville; Carrie is the wife of William Atkinson; Edson died in 1890; Martha is the wife of J. Christie; and Daniel is the Chief of the Fire Department in Chillicothe, Ohio.
Dr. Hammel began his education in the common schools and afterward attended the graded schools and the High School. The war came on, and, prompted by patriotic impulses, he enlisted in the United States service in 1861, but his father exer- cised his parental authority and the Doctor re-
turned home. On the 11th of August, 1862, he again enlisted, becoming a member of Company A, One Ilundred and Fourteenth Ohio Infan- try. He was mustered in at Camp Circleville, and then went South to Memphis. He par- ticipated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkan- sas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge and the siege of Vicksburg. He afterward went to Texas, and finally mustered out at Hous- ton, Tex., July 31, 1865. Ile was a faithful sol- dier, always found at his post of duty.
When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Hammel returned home, and in the autumn began the study of medicine under Drs. Griswold & Wilder. In the fall of 1866, he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, and the following year became a student in the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1868, with the degree of M. D. Hle located at Five Points, where he engaged in practice for six months, and then spent a half- year in Waterloo, but since the spring of 1869 he has made his home in Circleville and has success- fully engaged in practice. He served as Township Physician four successive years, from 1869 until 1873, was then County Jail Physician from 1874 until 1881, and in February, 1882, was employed as physician at the Infirmary, but in the latter part of the year he resigned on account of the mis- treatment of the inmates by the Superintendent and Matrons, who did not carry out his directions or see to the sanitary affairs of the building. In consequence, Dr. Hammel resigned, and denounced the management of the institution. Since that time he has given his attention to private practice, and his skill and ability have gained him a liberal patronage.
On the 25th of June, 1868, in Five Points, Dr. Hammel wedded Miss Martha Sommers, who was born near Bourneville, Ross County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Henry Sommers, an agriculturist. They have a pleasant home on the corner of Water and Court Streets, where the Doctor's office is also located. In his social relations, he is a member of Groce Post No. 156, G. A. R., of which he has been Surgeon, and belongs to the Knights of Py- thias, and has held all the offices. He was a Secre-
W. L. Morgan
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tary of the Monumental Committee of Groce Post, and largely through his influence and efforts a fine monument was erected and dedicated to the brave boys in blue, who gave their lives for the Union. In 1888, the Doctor attended the National Grand Army Encampment at Columbus, where he met many of his old comrades. In polities, he is inde- pendent. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, of which he has served as Elder. Ile was also President of the Pickaway County Medical Society, and has been a member of the State Medical Society.
W ILLIAM L. MORGAN. The portrait on the opposite page represents one of the prom- inent farmers of Scioto Township, Picka- way County. Ile has a fine, large brick residence only one-half mile from the village of Morgan, which is situated on the banks of Darby Creek and bears his name, as he was one of the most active in building up its interests. He was born in Frank- lin County Ohio, in Pleasant Township, February 24, 1837. His father, Joseph Morgan, also a native of Ohio, was born March 8, 1801, and was a son of William, and a grandson of John Morgan.
The great-grandfather of our subject was of Welsh birth and came to this country from London, England. Ile became a soldier of the Revolution- ary War and later farmed in Pulaski County. Va. lle was a pioneer preacher of the Methodist Church, devoting mueh of his time to preaching in the scattered settlements, and lived to a good old age. His son William was a farmer and an exten- sive stock-dealer. He was married in Virginia and came to Ohio in 1800, journeying by team and wagon across the mountains and making a settle- ment in Ross County at the mouth of Deer Creek. where he bought land and built a log house. Here he underwent the hardships of pioneer life, and used to journey on horseback to Zanesville with two sacks of wheat across his horse and return with two sacks of salt, obtained by barter. as there was practically no money in the State at that time. In 1808, William Morgan removed to Fayette
County, settling near Yankeetown, where Indians were all about him. He erceted a log house, in which the family lived for the first summer with- ont its being completed, as he had no time to go on with his building on account of the necessity that he should clear some ground and raise a crop. So through that summer they lived without roof, door or window, going in and out of this primitive abode by means of two ladders, one on the inside and one on the outside, the latter being taken in at night to prevent unexpected calls from the Indians. There this brave family lived and de- veloped a farm, and came in time to own more than fifteen hundred acres of land. The father was a large stock-raiser and used to drive cat- tle to the Philadelphia and New York markets. He was a man of large business capacity, a Whig in politics and a Methodist in religion. and lived to be seventy-six years of age.
The father of our subject married Rachel Foster. who was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1806. and they became the parents of nine children, of whom the following grew to maturity: William L ... John F .; Martha, who became Mrs. Chenoweth; Mary, Mrs. Chenoweth, and Elizabeth. The mother of these children died at the age of forty-two. She was an active member of the Methodist Church. Her father, John Foster, who was of Scotch deseent, was a native of Virginia and an early settler in Ross County, where he carried on the double calling of farmer and Methodist preacher. He was very prominent in the community. and m the opinion of his neighbors was a veritable sage, to whom they came for counsel under all circumstances, and he did much to establish the cause of religion in those pioneer days. He lived to a good old age, and reared twelve children. nine daughters. and three sons, all of whom grew to maturity and established families of their own.
Our subject passed his boyhood days as did all lads of pioneer times, and began for himself upon reaching his majority. about which time his father died. He carried on the home farm for three years before his marriage and finally settled upon it permanently. It was on the 6th of July, 1865, that he was united with Mary E. Morgan. Upon his beautiful estate of five hundred acres. he for-
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merly raised cattle in large numbers, but of late years has sold most of his grain and now rents out all his land.
In 1884, the Midland Railway was secured here by the efforts of Mr. Morgan and others, and on his land in 1885 he laid out the town of Morgan, which has grown to be quite a flourishing village. Mr. Morgan platted and laid out sixty lots, all of which, with the exception of six. have either been sold, or built upon by him. He has made three additions to the plat and expects soon to make another. In organizing the village of Morgan, he put a provision in every deed forbidding any one to keep a saloon on the lot. A man undertook to run contrary to this regulation last year and our subject began action in court, which action was sustained by law and the saloon had to close.
The Methodist Church is highly favored in hav- ing such active and liberal members within its number as Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, who are ever ready to devote time, effort and means to pro- mote its interests and the cause of religion, and whose intelligence and character make them people of influence in the community. Although in no sense a politician, our subject is stanch in his ad- herence to the principles of the Republican party. His beautiful home is elegantly furnished and is a delightful center of social life.
h ON. DANIEL HAAS, a well-known farmer residing on section 4, Washington Town- ship, and present Representative of his district in the Ohio Legislature, is one of the native-born sons of Pickaway County of whom she may well be proud, as he has won his way to positions of honor and trust solely through his ability and own merit. His birth occurred in Walnut Township, on the 14th of August, 1839, and he is a son of the venerable Jacob Haas, who is honored as a pioneer of this county, and is still living in Walnut Township. on the fine farm that he purchased in a wild condition more than sixty years ago and redeemed from its primitive state. The father was born in Berks County, Pa.,
in 1809. He learned the trade of a blacksmith in early life and worked at it several years. In 1830, he came to Ohio, and has since lived in Walnut Township. He has been prominent in its public life and in religious circles. He has been a devoted member of the Evangelical Association many years, and has been very active in church work, holding various official positions, such as exhorter, leader, steward, etc., and has been an influence for much good. IIe married Rebecca Miesse, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Miesse, who was a Pennsylvanian farmer until he established himself as a pioneer farmer of Fairfield County, this State. The mother of our subject was an earnest Christian, belonging to the same church as her husband, and she lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven years.
Hle of whom we write is one of nine children, four of whom are living. He was reared under the best home influences, principles of the highest in- tegrity being early instilled into his mind by his worthy parents. He was carly inured to farm work, but was also given excellent educational ad- vantages, by which he profited, as he was naturally a bright, quick scholar. From the local district school, he went to a school in Circleville, where he spent a short time, and for about eight months pursued a course of study in the academy at Greens- burgh, paying his own way and working with zeal and industry to obtain the means to do so. After leaving school, he entered the teacher's pro- fession at the age of twenty-two and soon made his mark as an intelligent educator, so that his ser- vices were always in demand. For some time, he was Principal of the Ringgold Schools and had charge of other schools in different localities, spending in all fourteen hundred and fifteen days in the school room. He had remained at home until he became of age, and during the time he was teaching found time to complete a commercial course in Lebanon.
Our subject eventually turned his attention to farming, locating in Walnut Township, where he owned a farm. In 1872, he sold that and purchased the one on which he now lives on section 4, Wash- ington Township. This contains one hundred and twenty acres of good land, under a high state of
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cultivation and provided with a neat and commo- dious set of buildings. The residence is a large and sightly brick house, erected since the farm came into Mr. Haas' possession. convenient in its arrange- ments and cozy and attractive as a home. Our sub- ject has not been actively engaged in farming the past few years, although he carefully superintends the management of his property, as his attention is given to other business; he has been appointed executor and trustee of estates, and has had many to settie since he entered upon the duties of his position. Ile is regarded as a man of fine judg- ment and of more than ordinary business acumen. and has a high reputation for unswerving honesty and sound integrity in looking after other people's interests. So highly is he regarded by his fellow- citizens, they have often honored him and them- selves by calling him to responsible offices, and his sagacity and talent for affairs have been of great help in administering public duties.
Mr. Haas is a leader among the Democrats of this section and has been delegate to several county, district and State conventions. He has served as Assessor of his township, and was Land Appraiser for the same in 1880. He was at one time made Justice of the Peace, but he resigned the of- fice before the expiration of his term. In the fall of 1891, his fellow-Democrats selected him as their most available candidate for the Legislature, and he was elected. He has shown by his course since he became an incumbent of the office that he is eminently fitted to fill it, as regards his native talent, and also by reason of his sense of the re- sponsibilities thus imposed upon him as a loyal and public-spirited citizen holding a high civic position. He is a member of the Water Commis- sion, of .the Committee on Federal Relations, and of that on Geology, Mines and Mining.
Our subject was married, in 1866, to Miss Sarah J. Gray, and their domestic relations are of the pleasantest character. Two children have been born unto them: Cora A., wife of Henry F. Hamp- shire, a farmer of Washington Township, and Florence M., who is at home with her parents. Mrs. Haas is also a native of Pickaway County and is the only daughter of John and Lucinda Gray, who were Pennsylvanians. Her paternal grand-
father, JJoseph Gray, was born in England, and came to this country during the Revolution. It was he who swam the Potomac River to deliver to Gen. Washington the news of the surrender of Gen. Cornwallis at Yorktown. John Gray, who was a farmer, came to Ohio in 1825, in the open- ing years of a vigorous manhood, did fine work as a pioneer of Pickaway County and died in 1888. aged eighty-six years. His wife, Lucinda Beavers, had been previously married to John Martin.
Mr. Ilaas has fought his own way in life. not staying to query whether or no it were worth liv- ing. but striving to make it so, and success has followed his efforts, if we are to judge by the re- spect that is paid to him. Both he and his wife are among the foremost members of the Evangelical Association, in which he has filled various posi- tions, and their names are associated with much that has been done to elevate the religions and social status of the community.
OSHUA BAILEY MORGRIDGE, of Darby Township, who is one of the wealthiest and best representatives of the farming, stock and landed interests of Madison County, is widely and prominently known throughout Ohio. as a leader in the People's party. Ile wields an important influence on the political destinies of this section as one of the most able and gifted expounders of the doctrines of his party within its ranks.
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