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 89
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 89
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 89
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Mr. Morgridge was born August 2, 1814. amid the beautiful hills of Vermont, in the town of Ber- lin, Washington County, three miles from Mont- pelier. Hle is the fourth son and seventh child of Richard and Sally Morgridge, who are represented in the biography of our subject's brother. When our subject was but two years old, the family mi- grated from his birthplace to the wilds of Ohio, and when he was five years old, they settled in Madison County. Occasionally in his boyhood he went to school in the primitive log school- houses of the time, with their rude home-made furnishings. and, in order to reach them, he had to
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go nearly two miles over the wet prairies. He only went to school about thirty-five days in the year, but was taught at home by his mother, and from her instructions learned more than he ever did at school.
At the boyish age of ten years, the lad became independent, going out to work for his own living, and when fourteen years old he was able to do a man's work, so vigorous, strong and industrious in his habits was he. Ile was an expert in hand- ling the scythe and hand-rake in haying time, and with a rope, used to haul the hay to stack it in the field, plowing around the stack to keep the fires from it. His father broke down in health before Mr. Morgridge was twenty-one years old, and he helped his mother carry on the farm. He also be- came noted as a teacher, and engaged in that pro- fession in fourteen counties, numbering among his pupils many who afterward became noted as prosperous farmers, merchants, inventors, mechan- ics, civil engineers, lawyers, doctors, educators and county sheriffs, and had one who afterward became a preacher. He received $1 a month from his pupils for their tuition.
When our subject turned his attention to farm- ing permanently he bought and located on one hundred and thirty acres of his present farm. He was not then able to pay for it, but devoted his energies to wiping out the debt, for he had a great aversion to owing any one. It happened that when he was a boy of ten years, his father was arrested for debt, but, though he was released in a short time, it made a great impression on the child's thoughtful mind, who then first began to realize that poverty wasinconvenient and oftentimes hu- miliating. Ile says that the purpose and fixed resolution of his life then rushed to his mind to avoid debt when possible, and that is the ad- vice that he would give to every young man if he values his comfort and freedom.
By dint of persistent hard labor, Mr. Morgridge was not long in paying for his first purchase, and he next added to it by the purchase of one hundred and forty acres at a sheriff's sale. At an- other time. he bought five hundred aeres of land, the largest tract that he ever bought in one lot. He now owns twenty-four hundred acres of fine
farming land in this vicinity, all of which has been developed under his supervision, is fenced into two convenient fields, and well drained by ditches and tiles. The comfortable and commodi- ous residence that he occupies is on his farm five miles south west of Plain City in Darby Township, where he has substantial and conveniently arranged buildings for every purpose, and all the modern improvements of a model farm. He has a large number of fine stock, comprising from one to three hundred cattle, from one thousand to twenty-four hundred sheep, and from twenty-five to sixty head of horses and colts.
Besides his valuable property in this State, Mr. Morgridge has large landed interests in Kansas, consisting of a farm of six hundred and forty acres and pasture land of more than ten thousand acres, which have come into his hand by the fore- closure of mortgages. His son resides on his Kan- sas farm, keeping bachelor's hall, and superintend- ing its management, and he has from one hun- dred and fifty to three hundred head of cattle there. Our subject has never taken stock in any joint stock company, except one, and then he found that the assessments amounted to more than the dividends. He has never had a partner in any of his transactions, or been helped to a dollar of his fortune by any friend. All that he has, and all that he is, he owes solely to his indomitable am- bition, determination to succeed in life, far-reach- ing foresight, and his ability to plan and exe- eute his undertakings with unerring sagacity.
Mr. Morgridge was married in 1850 to Miss Hannah Tuttle, a native of Connecticut, in whom he had a devoted wife. She had come from her native State to this at the age of twelve. She was a lady of strong character, well read and well ed- ucated, had a remarkable memory, and was posi- tive in her convictions. Her death, in March, 1889, caused great sorrow, not only in the house- hold, but among the many who knew her and appreciated her great worth. She was the mother of eight children, two sons and six daughters, namely: Josephine, wife of R. W. Thompson, of Union County; Blanche, wife of John Florence, of Madison County; No Ira, wife of A. Jay Dyer, of Delaware County; May, wife of Perry Rowlen,
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of East Pittsburg, Pa .; Ruth, wife of Al Williams, of Madison County; Harriet, wife of Charles But- ler, of Madison County; Hotchkiss and William.
As before mentioned, our subject is a prominent factor in local politics. He voted the Democratic ticket thirty-seven years without a scratch, but long before he left its ranks he saw and felt the need of a new party, for as a thoughtful man and an intelligent observer, he realized that the scope of the old one was not broad enough to suit the exigencies of the times. For seven years, he was - ready and waiting to join forces with others who held like views, and at length he had the happiness to assist in the organization of the first Farmers' Alliance in Madison County. He was present at the great Farmers' Convention at Galion in 1890, and was active in its deliberations as one of the Committee on Resolutions. Ile was sent as a del- egate to Cincinnati when the People's party was formed and named, and in the Camp of 1891 he was nominated by the People's party for State Senator, to represent the district composed of Mad- ison, Clarke and Champaign Counties, and was en- dorsed by the Democratie Central Committee of each of those counties, but the counties were so overwhelmingly Republican that he was defeated at the polls. Mr. Morgridge was a delegate to the great Labor Convention held at St. Louis is 1892, which excited so much interest among all classes that the largest hall in the city was found to be too small to hold all that wished to be present at the meetings.
The People's party has no more enthusiastic or devoted worker within its ranks than our subject, who has done important service in its organiza- tion and upbuilding in this section. He is thor- oughly conversant with its object and aims, and has done much to acquaint his fellow-citizens with its principles and to rouse their interests in the new movement by his earnest and eloquent speeches, which show careful study of the subject and are replete with facts bearing on the case that can only have been gathered through a wide range of reading. He is also a welcome speaker at farmers' institutes and similar gatherings, and his practical, interesting addresses, replete with useful information and containing frequent happy
hits, are of much benefit to his fellow-farmers, who are glad to profit by his experience and obser- vation. He served as delegate-at-large to the Omaha Convention, the first held by the People's party to nominate candidates for President and Vice-president. Ile is now (1892) a candidate on that ticket for Congress from the Seventh Con- gressional District, comprising the counties of Madison, Pickaway, Fayette, Clarke, and Miami.
ILAS M. SEEDS, M. D. This well-known physician and druggist at Commercial Point, Pickaway County, is an old resident of this vicinity, and was born on the south line of Franklin County, Ohio, September 22, 1836. His father, Dr. John Seeds, was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1801, and his grandfather, William. was a native of Ireland, who came to America alone when a young man, and after living for a number of years in Pennsylvania, journeyed by team and wagon to Ohio during the '20s. He located in the northern part of Scioto Township, Pickaway County, and although poor, bought some land, which he proceeded to develop. He was a hard worker and good manager, and became a prosper- ous farmer, living to be near seventy years old.
The father of our subject was a young man when he came here with his parents, and remained with them until he married, settling near the boundary line of Franklin County, Ohio. He there owned one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he cleared and improved, and, being a man of much intelligence and extensive reading and of indomitable energy and industry, he be- came a marked man in the community.
Dr. John Seeds was one of the mainstays of the Christian Church, and was most faithful in his devotion to the cause of religion. He married Asenath Britton. who was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1807, and who came here with her parents when only two years old. being brought hither across the mountains on horseback. Mr. Britton came with a colony of the Christian Church,
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and was their preacher and shoemaker, with which two vocations he mingled that of a farmer. They settled ten miles west of Columbus, and did their trading at Chillicothe. This good man did much to establish the church in that part of Ohio, and lived to be eighty odd years old, having reared a family of three sons and six daughters.
The mother of our subject is still living and now, in her eighty-fifth year, she resides with this son. His four brothers and sisters are Henry, Britton, William, Zenas, Eliza J. and Elizabeth. The father died when Silas was but twelve years of age, and his childhood and youth were spent upon a farm, and in the rudely-constructed dis- trict schoolhouse. He had been for two years under the instruction of his father, who was a teacher, and later pursued his studies with much zeal and interest. At seventeen years of age, he entered Central College, east of Columbus, and after two years there, attended the Capital Uni- versity, of Columbus, spending part of the year there.
The young man now undertook the calling in which his father had done honorable service, and taught much of the time for the next decade, read- ing medicine in the meantime under William J. Scott, of Shadeville. Franklin County, who is now a Professor in the Medical College at Cleveland. After two years of private study, he entered the Michigan University of Ann Arbor, but his pro- fessional studies were cut short by his enlistment in the Union army. He was given a commission as Surgeon in 1862, serving for over three years, being under Gen. Sherman all that time. Among the most important battles at which he was present were those of Nashville, Stone River, Resaca, and Chickamauga.
Upon being mustered out of service at San An- tonio, Tex., December 5, 1865, and receiving his discharge at Columbus in January, 1866, he located in Commercial Point, and for ten years carried on a practice here. Later, he practiced at Vernon, Shiawassee County, Mich., during which time he lost his wife, and subsequently returned to Com- mercial Point, where he has practiced since 1877. In 1883, he established a drug store in the two- story brick building which he erected, and he has
built up a very important and extensive practice. His first wife, to whom he was united in February, 1866, bore the maiden name of Emma M. Deyo, and was a native of Ann Arbor, Mich. Her one child, Jesse, is married and resides here, is a teacher in this township, beside having an interest in the drug store. Mrs. Emma Seeds died in 1876. She had for years been a member of the Presbyterian Church, but just previous to her decease united with the Methodist body.
The marriage of Dr. Seeds and Miss Lizzie Cass- ady took place in September, 1877. This lady was born in Ross County, Ohio, and is the mother of two children, Karl and Otto, both of whom are in school here. Both the Doctor and his wife are earnest and active members of the Methodist Church and faithful in their attendance upon its services. Their pleasant home is located in a fine. large frame residence which was put up in 1891. The Doctor is a Democrat in politics, and has served four years as Trustee of his township, two years as Clerk, and two years as Mayor of the vil- lage. He is a demitted member of the Masonic order, and belongs to the lodge of Odd Fellows at Commercial Point.
OHN L. MISER, who is prosperously en- gaged at his business as a blacksmith at Washington C. H., enjoys the reputation of being one of the most skilled of the men of his calling in this part of Fayette County. He was born in Cincinnati, January 8, 1851, and is a son of the late John Miser, who was for many years a prominent citizen of this city and town- ship. The father of our subject was born in Put- nam, Muskingum County, November 15, 1818, opening his eyes to the light of the world amid pioneer surroundings. Ilis father, Peter Miser, was also a resident of that county. Of his four children, three sons and one daugli- ter, the father of our subject was the eldest. He left his native place when he was a young man, having learned the trade of a blacksmith of his father, and, making his way to Illinois, he worked
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at his calling in Marietta and other towns until 1848, when he returned to his native State, and , for three or four years resided in Cincinnati. In the spring of 1852. he came from that city to this, and first engaged in blacksmithing with a Mr. Weller, who had learned his trade of Peter Miser, the grandfather of our subject. That partnership lasted several years, and then John Miser started up for himself, and continued in the business un- til 1864, when he went into the carriage business. Hle carried on that until 1876, when failing health obliged him to retire. He died April 9, 1889, and was greatly lamented by the entire community where he was so well known, and where he had passed thirty-seven years of his life. Ile was a strict Republican in politics, and stood by his party until death. His first Presidential vote was cast for Gen. Harrison, of Tippecanoe fame, and his last for his grandson, the Gen. Harrison of to- day. He was honored by his fellow-citizens by being placed in offices of trust. He was Town- ship Trustee for a number of years, and was a member of the City Council for a term or two. He was one of the leading members of Fayette Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M., in which he held the offices of Treasurer, Senior Warden and Sen- ior Deacon. John Miser was married in the city of Cincinnati to Miss Allie, daughter of James Warden, and they had a family of three children, two sons and one daughter: John L., Hiram R .. and Maggie, who is now dead. Hiram is a car- riage-trimmer in this city.
John L. Miser, of this sketch, was but a little over a year old when his parents brought him to Washington C. H. At that time, there were no railways in this vicinity, the nearest one being at Xenia, and from that point the family came to this city with a team. Our subject received a good education in the city schools, and when it was completed he turned his attention to learning the trade of a blacksmith, under the instruction of his father, and, like him, in due time he became an able mechanic, who could turn his hand to any- thing in his line, becoming very expert in the use of his tools. He is now in business for himself, and has a well-equipped smithy on East Street, be- tween Fayette and Main Streets. He has all the
business that he can handle, and is accumulating a comfortable competency by his industry and close attention to his work. He is a man of sound understanding, of correct habits, and is highly re- garded in this city. where the most of his life has been passed. In politics, he is an outspoken Re- publican. Socially, he is a member of Fayette Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M., and he is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The marriage of Mr. Miser with Miss Sallie Sny- der was solemnized October 23, 1877, and they have one son, Frank T., who was born December 25, 1881. Mrs. Miser is a daughter of William Snyder, who was in business in this city as a butcher at the time of her marriage, and had been a great stock dealer in his time, and was a promi- nent citizen of Washington C. II.
ARCELLU'S GOSSARD, one of the promi- nent farmers and stock-raisers of Range Township, Madison County, was born in Fayette County, May 11, 1847. He is a son of John V. and Phoebe (Cox) Gossard. natives respectively of Ross County, this State, and Mary- land, and made his advent into Madison County when a lad of seven years, and, locating in Stokes Township, there grew to manhood. When reaching his majority, he began life for himself, following the occupation of a farmer and stock- raiser, in which line of business he has been more than ordinarily successful. His marriage occurred October 31, 1861, at which time Miss Lydia E. Hoffman, daughter of Amos and Naney (Thomas) Hoffman, became his wife.
Mrs. Gossard's father was also a farmer and was born in Ross County, this State. in 1804, while her mother was born in Virginia, May 18, 1821. Mr. Gossard continued to live on his father's estate for five or six years after his marriage, and then purchased fifty-four and one-half aeres, where he is at present residing. He has erected sub- stantial buildings on his farm and by a proper rotation of erops the soil is made to yield a hand- some increase.
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The four children comprised in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Gossard are Ralph, who was born Febru- ary 13, 1874; Frank, June 4, 1879; Bessie, Novem- ber 1, 1888; and May, May 12, 1891. In his polit- ical relations, our subjeet is a Republican and cast his first Presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868. His interest in school affairs has caused him to be placed on the School Board at Midway for a num- ber of terms, and in all respects he is looked upon as one of the progressive and enterprising citizens.
The father of our subject was married three times, Marcellus being the third child in order of birth of the last marriage. The elder Mr. Gossard was born in 1811, and died June 3, 1880, in Stokes Township, Madison County. He was a conscientious and active member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and was well respected by all who knew him. Although not a politician, he voted the Whig ticket until the organization of the Republican party, and since that time has been a member of its ranks.
EROME P. BLACKER. There are quite a number of farms which lie in the beautiful Scioto Valley and border on the river of that name, and among them the estate of Mr. Blacker deserves especial mention. It includes one hundred and ten acres, finely improved and highly cultivated, and is watered by several springs. The location of the place is advantageous, as it lies along the old Frankelton Road, in Wayne Township, Pickaway County, and the many trav- elers along that highway invariably cast a glance of admiration at the neat buildings and improve- ments visible on every hand. A view of the resi- dence and pleasant rural surroundings appears on another page.
The owner of this farm was born in Deer Creek Township, Pickaway County, October 10, 1844. His father, Jacob Blacker, was born in Virginia, in 1811, and in his youth removed to Ohio, locating in Ross County and engaging in farming. Subse- quently, he came to Deer Creek Township, where he continued the vocation of a farmer and became
well-to-do. His death occurred in 1879, and re- moved from the county one who had always main- tained the deepest interest in its welfare. He was descended from an old Virginian family, and in- herited the qualities of honor and thrift which ever characterized them. The mother of our sub- ject was Mary, daughter of Henry Kirkendall, a farmer of Ross County. She attained the good old age of four-score years.
Seven children comprised the family of which our subject is a member, four of whom are now living, and he is the eldest son. His education was gained in the common schools of the district, which were of a primitive order. His first venture in agriculture was as a farmer in Wayne Township, where he purchased a tract of land north of where he now lives. Afterward he sold that place and bought the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1869 to Catherine Cloud, of Walnut Township, Pickaway County, daughter of William Cloud, a farmer of that township. Two children have been born to them: Clara M. and William F.
In his political belief, Mr. Blacker is a firm ad- herent of the platform of the Democratic party, and has served in various official capacities. He is the present Trustee of Wayne Township, has been a School Director for several years and has been a delegate to county conventions. His life is worthy the emulation of the rising generation, for he started in business with limited means, and, through tireless exertions, has become well-to-do. His ex- ample will doubtless encourage many to greater efforts for success in life and to noble deeds of gen- erosity for the public good. He has the highest respect of the best men of the county, and the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
M ICHAEL HENRY. The success which has attended the efforts of this highly-respected citizen of Pickaway County is not the re- sult of chance, but represents the arduous labor of years. In Wayne Township, he owns the homestead upon which he resides and which com- prises three hundred and eighty-two and one-half
SCALES
RESIDENCE OF J. P. BLACKER, WAYNE TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.
RESIDENCE OF MICHAEL HENRY, WAYNE TP., PICKAWAY CO., O.
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acres of good land, embellished with first-class im- provements. The owner occupies a position of prominence among his fellow-citizens and is highly esteemed wherever known.
Berkeley County, W. Va., was the birthplace of Mr. Henry and December 4, 1828, the date of his birth. He is descended from an old and distin- guished family of the Old Dominion and is the son of George Henry, a Virginian, who served in the War of 1812 and followed farming pursuits throughout his entire life. His death, which oc- curred at the age of seventy-seven, was the result of being accidentally thrown from a horse. A man of prominence in his community, he at one time owned a large plantation and had a number of slaves.
The youngest of ten children. Michael Henry was only eighteen months old when he was or- phaned by the death of his mother. Ile is now the only surviving member of the parental family, with the exception of one brother, Philip, who is en- gaged in farming in Jefferson County, W. Va. His childhood was passed in a somewhat uneventful manner, attending school during the winter season and assisting in tilling the soil during the summer, until he was fifteen, when his school days ended. However, he was accustomed to pursue his studies afterward alone by the fireside at night, and in that way gained a good education.
When sixteen years old, Mr. Henry worked out as a farm laborer, receiving at first $5 per month, and afterward his wages were increased. Decem- ber 5, 1848, he arrived in Piekaway County and located in Jackson Township, being at that time twenty years old, in the vigor of opening man- hood and maturing strength. After locating here, he was engaged for some time in various occupa- tions whereby he could gain an honest livelihood. and in the spring of 1850 entered the employ of Samuel Campbell, a farmer in Wayne Township. for whom he worked several months.
The spring of 1851 found Mr. Henry operating as a renter and engaging industriously in agricul- tural pursuits, which he followed for three years on his own account. He then engaged as a farm laborer for two years for the Hon. Nelson J. Tur- ney and in the fall of 1855 located on the farm of
James R. Hulse. Sr., remaining there three years. His next position was with Josiah Renick. in Cir- cleville Township, where he also carried on agri- cultural pursuits. During eight months of the year 1860 he was employed by John Fleming in raising broom corn, in which he was successful.
After farming for three years in Wayne Town- ship on rented land, Mr. Henry removed to Jack- son Township, where he resided seventeen years. becoming known as a painstaking farmer, reliable citizen and obliging neighbor. By the purchase in 1876 of two hundred and sixty-nine acres in Jackson Township, he became the owner of a splendid tract of farming land, which was his home for four years, until 1880, when he purchased his present place in Wayne Township and has since given his attention to its cultivation. A view of his homestead is shown on another page.
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