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 90

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 90
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 90
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 90


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The first marriage of Mr. Henry united him with Martha A. Moore, who, after twenty years of wedded life, passed away in 1870. They were the parents of five children, namely: George W., de- ceased; John W .; Elizabeth; Mary A .. deceased, and Ellen V. Mr. Henry afterward was married, in 1871. to Elizabeth. daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Zeamer) Metzger, natives of Ohio. now de- ceased. the father dying in 1868 and the mother in 1847. Mrs. Henry was born in Pickaway County and has passed her entire life within its limits. She is the mother of five children, as fol- lows: Emma B., Nellie M .. Fannie M., Kittie M. and one who died in infancy. The children have received good educational advantages and are un- usually bright and intelligent.


In connection with general farming, Mr. Henry raises all kinds of stock, having met with success in that department of agriculture. He has devoted considerable attention to draina e and by means of the twenty-seven hundred rods of tile on his land, has placed it in splendid condition for the raising of large crops. He is a Republican in bis political belief, but has little time for affairs of public moment, his personal duties having always engaged his attention. His wife is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as an active and faithful member. and is highly esteemed as a Christian lady and noble-hearted woman.


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Through an accident which occurred in August, 1880, Mr. Henry has since been badly crippled and suffers to a considerable extent. At that time, while working out his road tax, he was loading gravel, when the bank eaved in on him and crushed him so severely that his life was for a time de- spaired of. His right limb was crushed to such an extent as to render amputation necessary and his sufferings were intense for many weeks. He has recovered sufficiently to oversee the details of farm work, but cannot engage in active labor as in for- mer years.


RCH WALKER, an influential citizen of Canaan Township, residing on his home farm, three miles southeast of Plain City, is one of the successful farmers and stock- raisers of Madison County, and he is also associ- ated with the agricultural interests of Franklin County, as the proprietor of one of its valuable farms. Ile is a native of that county, born in Brown Township, July 31, 1849.


Our subject is of New England antecedents, his father, William Walker, being a native of Ver- mont, who came to Ohio when a young man. In Delaware County he met and was married to Cathi- erine Carpenter, a native of that county, and after their marriage they went to live in Brown Town- ship, Franklin County, where the father's busy life was terminated by his untimely death at the age of forty years. The mother is still living, and makes her home with her children. She owns a farm, that upon which she began her wedded life with her husband. She became the mother of seven children, of whom six are still living, whom she has carefully trained to good and useful lives.


Arch Walker is the sixth child and third son of the family. He grew to man's estate in his native place, and was educated in the local distriet schools. He remained with his mother until he was twenty-three years old, affording her great as- sistance in the management of her farming inter- ests. Since his marriage, in the latter part of 1872, he has resided on the old Dominy homestead


in Canaan Township. His farin here embraces one hundred and ninety-seven acres of land that is fertile and well cultivated, and is fully supplied with buildings that are of a substantial order. He also has a good farm of two hundred and fifteen aeres in Norwich Township, Franklin County, which is likewise finely improved, and from its rental he obtains a comfortable income. He is en- gaged in a mixed husbandry, and raises a good class of stock.


The marriage of Mr. Walker with Miss Sophro- nia, daughter of Alvin and Louisa ( Allin) Dominy, was solemnized December 17, 1872, and has been blessed to them by the birth of two daughters and one son, as follows: Louisa, sixteen years old; Alvin, fourteen years old; and Anna, eight years old. Mrs. Walker was born on the old Dominy homestead December 13, 1852, and here her en- tire life was passed, her death occurring February 15, 1890, while she was yet comparatively young. It was a sad blow to the members of her house- hold, to whom she was devoted, as she was ever an affectionate daughter, a loving wife and a ten- der mother, and her memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.


"She brightened all the joys of life. She softened every frown. * * * * *


* *


More home-like seems the vast unknown, Since she has entered there;


To follow her were not so hard, Wherever she may fare; She cannot be where God is not, On any sea or shore; Whate'er betides Thy love abides, Our God, forevermore."


Mrs. Walker's father was born in Darby Town- ship, this county, and died in Canaan Township, with whose farming interests he had been identi- fied for a good many years, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. The mother of Mrs. Walker was born in the village of Endfield, Mass., and came to Ohio when she was ten years old, with her par- ents, John and Anna Allen, who first settled in Delaware County, and then in Canaan Township, Madison County. She is the only surviving mem- ber of her family. Her three children, two daugh-


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ters and one son, are dead. She presides over our subject's household, and has charge of his and her daughter's children, to whom she gives a mother's care and love.


Mr. Walker bears a high reputation among his fellow-citizens as a true man, of unswerving recti- tude in all his dealings, and of exemplary habits, and they have called him to public offices occa- sionally. He was Trustee of the township two terms, has been School Director, and in the relig- ious life of the community he is a conspicuous fig- ure as Deacon of the Darby Baptist Church, of which he has long been a member, and takes an active interest in the Sunday-school. He believes firmly in temperance legislation in politics, and is an earnest advocate of Prohibition.


ENRY W. FOSNAUGH, the largest and most extensive contractor and builder in Pickaway County, and a member of the City Council from the Second Ward, is a native of Clear Creek, Fairfield County, Ohio, born on the 30th of April, 1845. His father, Eli Fosnangh, and his grandfather, Jacob Fosnaugh, were natives of Fairfield County, Ohio, but the great-grandfather, Adam Fosnaugh. came from Maryland to Ohio at a period antedating the Rev- olutionary War. He was one of the first settlers in Clear Creek and resided in a log cabin for many years. Indians were plentiful in those days. He died in Fairfield County when well along in years.


Grandfather Fosnangh was reared amid scenes of pioneer life and served in the War of 1812. Ile followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood and owned a farm of about six hundred acres m and around Clear Creek. He was of German de- scent and was a member of the German Lutheran Church. In politics, he affiliated with the Demo- cratic party. His death occurred at the age of eighty-seven years. Eli Fosnaugh, father of our subject, followed agricultural pursuits until eigh- teen years of age and then learned the blacksmith trade. He erected a shop on his farm of one hun-


dred acres in Clear Creek Township, and carried on both farming and blacksmithing for many years, although his principal attention was given to the latter occupation. He was a fine mechanic and coukl make almost anything in iron. Later. he gave up blacksmithing, settled on his farm, and there died when seventy-two years of age. He was also a member of the Lutheran Church. He married Miss Sarah Baumgartner. a native of Del- aware County, Ohio, and the daughter of John Baumgartner, who was from the Eastern States, but an early settler of Delaware County. Ohio. Mr. Baumgartner followed farming in the Buckeye State and there passed the closing scenes of his life. Mrs. Fosnaugh remained in her native county until seventeen years of age and then lo- cated in Fairfield County, where she was wedded to Mr. Fosnaugh. She is now a resident of Circle- ville, is seventy-four years of age, and enjoys comparatively good health. She became the mother of five children, four of whom are living at the present time.


Henry W. Fosnaugh, the second in order of birth and the only son born to his parents. was reared at Six Cross Roads, secured a good practi- cal education in the district school, and at an early age became familiar with the blacksmith trade, displaying much skill in handling the tools. When sixteen years of age. he started out to make this his calling in life, continued it for eighteen months, and then gave it up to engage in farming. He worked by the month until the fall of 1864, when he left the farm and went to Henry County, and on the 5th of December of that year he was ap- prenticed to learn the carpenter trade under David Hortman. a large contractor at Napoleon. Hle continued with him for eighteen months and then returned home, where he remained until 1866. In the spring of that year. he located at Circleville. and was foreman for Mr. Tyler for twelve years. He worked at his trade until September 23. 1883, when he engaged in contracting and building for himself, and has continued this ever since. He is thorough-going and enterprising, and has been the largest contractor here for the past five years. He has erected some of the finest frame houses in Circleville and vicinity. also numerous


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barns, and erected the Methodist Episcopal Church in Kingston in 1888, and the Odd Fellows' Hall the same season. In 1888, he also contracted for and built the Circleville Opera House, one of the finest in the State, and the Pickaway County Asy- Inm, at the County Infirmary in Washington Township. He employs from fifteen to twenty skilled workmen and his business is steadily in- creasing. He is interested in real estate in Circle- ville, owns twelve acres adjoining the city, and will soon lay it out in lots. He owns ten resi- dences here and built seven of them himself. He resides on Mingo Street.


On the 23d of February, 1869, he was married, in Circleville, to Miss Mattie Curry, a native of Circleville and a daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth Curry, of this place. This nion resulted in the birth of three children: J. William, who resides in Circleville; Frank M., employed by D. B. Wag- ner; and Minnie B. In 1890, Mr. Fosnangh was elected Councilman of the Second Ward on the Democratic ticket, and is an ardent supporter of Democratic principles. He is Chairman of the Water-works Company, and is a public-spirited and wide-awake citizen. Socially, he is a member of Columbia Lodge No. 32. I. O. O. F., also the Encampment and the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons.


RANCIS M. HARVEY. Oak Run Town- ship is the center of a rich and finely devel- oped farming country, and among the men who have helped to make it so, our subject occupies an honorable position, and none of the farmers and stock-raisers of Madison County are more worthy of representation in this volume than he. A native of this county, our subject was born De- eember 8, 1838, and is the son of Jonathan and Ann C. (Bell) Harvey.


The father of Francis M. was a native of Mary- land, and was orphaned by the death of his par- ents when four years of age. He was then brought to Ohio, and made his home with John Harris, in this county. He had his own way to make in the


world, and by prudent economy accumulated a handsome property, owning at one time four hun- dred and fifty acres of excellent land. He was born in 1808, and died July 29, 1857. His wife, who was born in Ross County, this State, May 4, 1811, still resides on the old homestead.


Of the twelve children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Harvey, we make the following mention: William is a carpenter residing in Columbus, this State; John H. is now deceased, as is also Thomas; our subject is the next in order of birth; Sarah died when two years of age; Andrew makes his home on the old homestead; Mary J. married Mar- tin Smith, and resides in Seneca County, this State; George makes his home in London, this State; Eliza became the wife of John Hammell, a grocer of London; Robert died in infancy; Annie, Mrs. Frank Young, is residing on a farm in Paint Township, Madison County; Wesley is also de- ceased.


Francis M. Harvey was reared on the home farm, and his father dying when he was eighteen years of age he and his elder brother managed the estate, and thus supported the mother and younger children. December 29, 1859, he established a home of his own, and was married to Mary E. Lane, of Oak Run Township, where she was born March 30, 1840, to Mitchell and Jemimah (Ashton) Lane. Mr. Harvey was engaged in farming for about two years, and then going to London was engaged as a grocer for the three years following. He has been very successful in all his undertakings, and may be properly termed a self-made man, hav- ing become the proprietor of a good tract of land of one hundred and sixty-seven acres. He has erected a comfortable residence on his place, which cost $3,000, and, in addition to general farming, makes a specialty of raising a high grade of sheep.


The three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were Elmer E., Frankie and Ida. The elder son, who was born June 11, 1861, in addition to re- ceiving a common-school education, took a special course of study at the schools in Lebanon, which incinded civil engineering, and at the present time has an office in London, where he is in the employ of the county. He is also Township Clerk of Oak Run, of which office he has been the incumbent for


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three years, and being a single man, makes his home with his father. Frankie, who was born January 1, 1864, died February 24, 1865; Ida M., who was born December 13, 1867, is an excellent musician, and is organist of the Lower Glade Methodist Episcopal Church.


Mr. Harvey cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He has been Assessor of his township for fifteen years, and was elected Land Appraiser in 1890. In social matters he is an Odd Fellow, and has a host of friends in that order.


E DGAR C. HAMILTON, D. D. S., of Wash- ington C. 11., was born in Springfield, Ohio, December 23, 1836. Ile is the son of HI. A. and Sarah A. (Philpott) Hamilton, his father being one of the pioneer merchants of Springfield. When about twelve years old, he accompanied his parents to Xenia, where he attended school and was gradu- ated from the High School.


When ready to start out in life for himself, our subject chose dentistry for his profession and com- menced to study with Dr. G. L. Paine, of Xenia, with whom he remained for four years after com- pleting his studies. He continued actively engaged in the practice of his profession until 1863, when he enlisted in the defense of the Union, becoming a member of the Seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, but on account of ill health was not mustered into service. Afterward, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Infantry and with his regiment marched to West Virginia. He participated in the battle of New Creek and in various skirmishes of minor importance, and was promoted to be Corporal as a reward for meritorious service. At the expiration of his term of service, he was honorably discharged, m 1864, and returned to Cincinnati, where he resumed his practice.


In the fall of 1865, Dr. Hamilton removed to Washington C. H., being forced to leave Cincinnati on account of sickness in his family. Locating in this city, he opened an office on Court Street for the practice of his profession and has remained in that suite of rooms ever since. He is one of the


prominent dentists of Washington C. H., and is also an influential member of the Miami Valley Dental Association, also the Southern Ohio Dental Association. The public affairs of Fayette County and the welfare of his fellow-citizens have ever awakened the deepest interest of the Doctor and he is especially interested in educational matters. For nearly fifteen years he has been a member of the School Board of Washington C. IL., of which he was President for a number of years, and is now Clerk and Chairman of the Supply Committee. For three years he has been Coroner, is now Clerk of the Board of Health, and has occupied varions other positions of honor. Socially, he is Adjutant of John M. Bell Post, G. A. R .; Recording Seere- tary of Temple Lodge, and Treasurer of Fayette Encampment, I. O. O. F. In his religious belief, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


The first marriage of the Doctor united him with Miss Amanda, daughter of George W. Wright, of Xenia. At her death she left one child, George E., who is now engaged in the tobacco business at Washington C. II. In 1869, Dr. Hamilton was married to Miss Lucy, daughter of Prof. O. N. Stoddard, then of Oxford, but now Professor of Natural Science in Wooster U'niversity, at Wooster, Ohio. They became the parents of four children, three of whom survive, namely: Grace M., Stod- dard E., and Carl M. Louise, the eldest child, mar- ried Stephen Grubbs, of Washington C. H., and died, leaving one child, Millicent, who resides with Dr. Hamilton.


ILLIAM E. BEALS. A long residence in a community gives to an individual a standing which can scarcely be otherwise acquired, especially if he has made for himself a good record as a citizen. If ordinarily intelligent and actively interested in the welfare of the peo- ple around him, he will have identified himself closely with their interests, and from this will have arisen a mutual benefit. These thoughts are in- voluntarily suggested by reviewing the career of Mr. Beals, who has become widely and favorably


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known to the people of this region, and the fact that he is uniformly well-spoken of is sufficient indication of his true character. In the fall of 1887. he was elected County Commissioner on the Dem- ocratic ticket and served one term. He has also been Township Trustee for several terms and pos- sesses those genial and companionable qualities which are a passport to the esteem and confidence of mankind, when supplemented by integrity and intelligence. Although in his sixty-second year, Mr. Beals is well preserved physically and men- tally.


Melzer and Eliza (Kelly) Beals, the parents of our subject, were natives respectively of Monon- gahela County, Va., and Baltimore, Md. After their marriage, they located in Hampshire County. Va., where they were residing at the time of the father's death. Mrs. Beals came West to Madison County, this State, in 1853, and departed this life in West Jefferson Township six years later. She reared a family of nine children, of whom William E. was the youngest but one.


The original of this sketch was born in Ilamp- shire County, Va., June 15,1830, and made this place his home until reaching his twentieth year. He was reared on his father's farm, which the latter carried on in connection with his business of an iron worker. William E., on attaining mature years. learned the miller's trade in his native State, and after coming to Madison County, operated a mill in Oak Run Township for several months. He also was similarly engaged in Clarke County, this State, for eighteen months and. aside from the time spent in that line of work, has always followed farming and stock-raising. buying and selling many ani- mals every year.


The lady to whom our subject was married. in Springfield, this State, Angust 11, 1854, was Miss Olive Hammond, who was born in Clarke County. After their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Beals located in Jefferson Township, where they resided for four years and then purchased a farm in Deer Creek Township. upon which they made their home for the following seventeen years. At the end of that time, our subject, disposing of his estate in that lo- cality, returned to this township and became the proprietor of the farm upon which he is at present


residing. His estate includes two hundred and eighty acres, which he has brought to a high state of cultivation, and the numerous substantial build- ings which adorn it are also the result of his enter- prise and zeal.


To Mr. and Mrs. Beals have been born eight children, those living being Manzilla, Alberta, Laura, Eliza, Henrietta and Pern E. The eldest is now the wife of John McClure, and Laura married John Garret. Two children died in infancy.


As before stated, he of whom we write was elected County Commissioner in 1887. He has always been very active in politics, and during elections casts a straight Democratic vote. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which denomination they are influen- tial and useful workers.


G EORGE M. BALDWIN. It gives us pleas- ure to record in this sketch the leading in- cidents in the career of this gentleman, who was born May 1, 1860, in Madison Township, Fay- ette County. where he is at present residing. IIe is the son of William and Mary J. (Houseman) Baldwin, and has added to the limited store of knowledge which was afforded him in the common schools by a systematic course of reading.


The lady to whom Mr. Baldwin was married September 4, 1884. was Miss Irene Armstrong, who was born in Jackson Township, Pike County, this State, February 24, 1868. She is the daughter of Stephen and Mary J. (Walls) Armstrong. Her father, who had been a soldier in the Civil War. died when she was about seven years of age, and her mother departed this life three years later, when A. J. Dietrick was appointed her guardian. Her only brother. Henry E., died June 2, 1891.


To Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin has been granted a family of four children, namely: William S., who was born November 9, 1885; JJames HI., March 29, 1887; Mary E .. March 28, 1889, and Agnes Irene September 14, 1891. Mr. Baldwin is a Democrat in politics, as was his father and grandfather before


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him. A peaceable and law-abiding citizen and a man of energy and intelligence, he has, by his kindly relations with his neighbors, gained their good-will and respect.


HILEMON N. GRAY. There is probably not in Seioto Township a more beautiful home than that of Mr. Gray, whose wealth and ability make him one of the most prominent farmers of the county. This elegant briek residence is fitted up with all modern eon- veniences and furnished in artistie taste. Mr. Gray was born in Franklin County, Ohio, April 25, 1829, and is a son of Littleton R. Gray, a na- tive of Maryland, who was born in 1804. The grandfather, Littleton Gray, was also a native of Maryland and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. By trade, he was a shoemaker, and he came to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Franklin County, where he followed his trade until his death, which took place when he was seventy-six years of age. He was highly esteemed in the community, and was a Democrat in his political views.


The father of our subject came to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1835, when he was twenty-one years old, journeying all the way (some six hun- dred miles) on foot over the mountains. He worked out by the month for one year, after which he married, and settled on school section No. 16 of Madison Township, Franklin County, Ohio, where he carried on a farm for one year. and then moved on to a rented farm. He was married about two years after coming here, and as the young couple were forced by poverty to most thorough economy, the young man himself manu- factured most of their furniture. He finally pur- chased one hundred and ten aeres of land near Asbury Chapel, upon which they lived for fifteen years, and after selling their property he bought and sold again, and then bought property near Columbus, which increased in value so that he was able to sell it at a considerable advance. IIe had just bought two hundred and ten aeres in an- other locality when he died. before moving upon


it. He was a hard worker and very successful. but his untimely death at the age of forty-eight cut short his career. His religious connection was with the Methodist Church, and he was a Whig in politics.


The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Ama Needles, and was born in Franklin County. Ohio, in 1804. Of her nine children these grew to maturity: Philemon N., Epoleta. Sarah A., Washington, Elizabeth, Leroy, Clara R., and Matilda R. The mother was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church all her life, and was sincerely mourned when she passed from earth at the age of seventy-six years. Iler father, Philemon Needles, was a native of Delaware, who came to Ohio in 1802, walking all the way by the side of his wife, who rode, and camping out on the way. He bought Government land in Madison Township, Franklin County, being one of the first settlers there. Ile built a log cabin in the woods, and developed a large tract of land, becoming one of the wealthiest men in this township, owning five hundred acres of land, beside giving liberally to his children. When he came to Ohio, he was a poor man, but was possessed of most excellent judgment, which aided him in becoming a prosperous man. He was over seventy years of age at the time of his de- eease.




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