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 97
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 97
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 97
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OSEPH HI. JOHNSON. Among the promi- nent residents of Madison County, we take pleasure in giving in outline the record of the life of Mr. Johnson, who, although re- eeiving only a common-school education, has by his natural mental ability advanced in what- ever field he has entered. He now resides on a beautiful estate in Jefferson Township, which is supplied with excellent buildings and everything necessary for the successful proseention of his life calling.
Before mentioning in detail the events which have characterized and individualized the life of our subject, it may be well to present a brief record of his ancestry. His great-grandfather, on his father's side, was born in Ireland about 1744, and
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emigrated to the United States about 1800, settling in Ohio, five miles northwest of where West Jeffer- son now stands. He was a member of the Bap- tist Church and a worthy and hard-working pioneer. His eight children were: John, Margaret, Sarah, Jacob, Katie, Henry, Michael and Polly. The fourth child, Jacob, was the grandfather of our subject, and was born in 1782 and died in 1838. He and his first wife, whose maiden name was Jemima Carria, were the parents of six chil- dren, namely: Abram, Cynthia, Abner, Rhoda, Polly and Lewis. After the death of this lady, Jacob Johnson married Phebe Carria, and their children were six in number: Luther. Henry, Cath- erine, Samuel, Sallie and Lyda.
The maternal great-grandparents of our subject came from England to the United States, and, on account of a storm, were six months in crossing the ocean. They settled in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, where they were prominently identi- fied with the best interests of the community, he serving as Clerk of the Court for several years. They reared a family of four children: Edward, Joseph, John and Parker. Joseph Gardner, the second child, was born in Chillicothe in 1813, and lived to be fifty-six years old. After being united in marriage with Jane Thomson, he came to Madi- son County, and settled five miles south of Lon- don. Ten children were born of this marriage: Eliza (mother of our subject), Parker, Thomas, Joseph, Jolm, Edward, Charles, Margaret, William and Clara.
Lewis Johnson, father of our subject, was the sixth child born of his father's first marriage, his birth occurring in Jefferson Township, April 29, 1820. On reaching mature years, he was married to Eliza Gardner, who was born January 15, 1829. When eleven years of age, she had accompanied her parents on their removal to Madison County, where her death occurred February 16, 1884. The parental family included six children, our subject, who was born January 22, 1854, being the third in order of birth. He received his education in the common schools, and was trained to farming pursuits, which occupation he has always fol- lowed.
At Georgesville, Franklin County, this State,
March 20, 1878, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Mary, daughter of the late Samuel Biggert. She was born in Franklin County September 29, 1852, received a good education, and prior to her mar- riage taught eight terms of school. By her union with our subject, she became the mother of two children, Samuel L. and Carrie A., and departed this life June 28, 1888. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she served as Steward for ten years.
John Biggert, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Johnson, was born in Ireland in 1758, and about 1800 emigrated to this country, being three months in crossing the ocean on a sailing-vessel. In Penn- sylvania, he married Margaret Gibson, who was born in 1782, and they became the parents of nine children, namely: William, Mary, John, Samuel, Rachel, Charlotte, Joshua, Tilla and Margaret. Of these, Margaret alone survives. The parents of this family were strict Presbyterians in their re- ligious faith, and both lived to advanced years, the father dying when ninety, and the mother when eighty years of age. Samuel, the fourth child, was born September 22, 1809, at the old Biggert homestead, three miles south of Georges- ville, Ohio, on the banks of Darby Creek, which was also the birthplace of the other children. At the age of twenty-five years, he married Mary R. Roberts, and of this union were born twelve chil- dren, as follows: Martha, Matilda M., Susan E., Thomas E., Samuel, Margaret, John R., Sebastian, Mary S., William, Lottie and Frank.
The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Georgesville, and the father followed the occupation of a farmer. He died at the age of seventy-nine years, while the mother still survives.
The maternal great-grandparents of Mrs. John- son emigrated from Ireland, settling in Virginia. Their six children were: Thomas, John, George, William, JJames and Elizabeth. Thomas was born in the year 1774, and in early manhood married Susan Poisel, they becoming parents of eleven children: John, Margaret, James, Elizabeth, Se- bastial, Nancy, Boston, George, Elias, Mary R. and Edward R. Thomas Roberts came to Ohio in 1802, and spent most of his life at Georgesville, which
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town was laid out by him in 1812. Hle was an extensive cattle merchant, and was accustomed to drive his cattle to market over the mountains on horseback. The tenth child in his family was Mary R., who was born in 1816.
The subject of this sketch has followed farming as his life occupation, and has spent the most of his married life on the farm where he now resides. Ilis estate of two hundred and fifty acres is under excellent cultivation, and by being properly man- aged, yields a handsome income. In addition to raising cereals, Mr. Johnson devotes considerable attention to breeding stock, and makes a specialty of hogs. In politics, he votes the straight Repub- lican ticket, and in social matters is a member of West Jefferson Lodge No. 41, I. O. O. F. Being strictly upright in all his dealings, his credit is good wherever he is known, and he is esteemed as one of the most devoted members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
UDGE OLIVER P. CRABB, Probate Judge of Madison County, is a man of high per- sonal standing, and enjoys a distinguished reputation throughout this part of the State for his well-known probity and professional honor, and is a public-spirited, progressive, loyal citizen. who has the dearest interests of his community at heart. He was born in this county June 26, 1826, and is a most worthy representative of the sons of whom she may well be proud. His parents were Henderson and Jemima (Downing) Crabb, who were natives respectively of Maryland and Vir- ginia, but were married in Ross County, this State. The father was engaged in the mercantile business, and was also a preacher of some local note in the Methodist Episcopal Church a number of years, and was very influential in its upbuild- ing. He lived retired for several years before his death, which occurred in the town of Jefferson. His wife died some years later in London, at the home of the Judge, our subject. He mingled somewhat in the political and public life of this community, espousing the cause of the Whig party. and he
was at one time an incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace. His father. Thomas Crabb, was a native of England, who came to this country some time during the last century. and settled at Hagerstown, Md., having a family of four children. Thirteen children were born to the parents of our subjeet, of whom five are living, namely: Mrs. Elizabeth Hayden. of Ft. Wayne. Ind .; Col. Ben- jamin F. Crabb. of York, Neb .; our subject; Ma- thias, of Chicago; and Alpheus, of Columbus.
Judge Crabh was educated in the schools of Jef- ferson. and remained at home on the farm until he was fifteen years old. At that youthful age, he began to clerk in his father's store. and continued thus engaged for his father and others, and in selling goods on his own account, until 1854. In that year, he was appointed Recorder of Madison County, and six months later abandoned that post to accept the . flice of Deputy Auditor, which po- sition be retained two and a half years, and was then promoted to the head of the department by his election to be Auditor of the county, in which capacity he acted three terms of two years each. Resuming the mercantile business when he retired from public life, the Judge was engaged in the grocery trade at London until 1868. Selling out his store and stock, he acted as Justice three years, and was also interested in the insurance business, which he carried on until 1876. In 1875, he was re- turned to public life as Probate Judge of Madison County, and he is still on the bench of the Probate Court. His whole course during these years, six- teen in number. that he has been an incumbent of this onerous office has proved the wisdom of his elevation to it, and all are agreed. irrespective of party. that no better man could have been selected for the place, which calls not only for a thorough familiarity with the common laws, but for intelli- gence in applying them to individual cases, for firmness in administering them. and for tact, self- control and ready wit at all times. Our subjeet is gifted with these and with other traits, that have gained him wide-spread popularity and the fullest trust of the people, who know that from his hands they will obtain justice tempered with mercy. The Judge is prominent in political circles as one of the chief counselors of the Republican
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party in his district, and he has attended numer- ous party conventions. During the war, his sym- pathies were with the Union cause, and in various ways he rendered valuable services in helping to carry it on. He was appointed by Gov. Todd one of a military committee to assist volunteers, to help in raising troops, in obtaining funds for paying soldiers, and in other ways to second the move- ments of the army in the field. Socially, our sub- jeet is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and was Worshipful Master of Madison Lodge No. 221, at Jefferson, in the years of 1853-54, and in 1855 was elected Worshipful Master of Chandler Lodge No. 138, at London, which he held continuously until 1869. Also High Priest of Adoniram Chapel No. 13, for a number of years, and G. I. M. of London Council No. 41, for several years. His home is on North Oak Street, and is very attractive in its appointments and surroundings.
Judge Crabb was married, in 1850, to Miss Sarah A. Putnam, of Jefferson, this county. Her parents were John and Sarah (Heath) Putnam, who were natives of New Hampshire, but passed their last years in this county, where the father was engaged as a farmer. Our subject and his wife have been blessed in their pleasant wedded life with these six children, four of whom are living: Willie P., a druggist at Streator, Ill., who married Miss Nellie Lawrence and has one child, Edith; Helen, who married R. II. McCloud. of the firm of McCloud & Converse, attorneys, at London; Mattie B .; and Oliver P., a clerk in his father's office. The two eldest children, Ella and Albert P., are deceased.
DAM McCREA is distinguished as one of the oldest residents of Circleville, and is nearly seventy-one years old, having been born within the Old Circle, August 19, 1821. lle is the son of Matthew MeCrea, who was born in County Down, Ireland, of Scotch par- ents and was one of the early settlers of Circleville, who ranked among its most active and progressive business men.
The grandparents of our subject were Adam and
Martha McCrea, the father a linen draper in Ire- land. His son, the father of our subject, came to America in company with his brother Joseph, stop- ping first at Hagerstown, Md., where he remained for two years. In 1817, he came to the village of Circleville, Pickaway County, whither he had been preceded by his brother. His first employment was in the store of Thomas Bell, who was carrying on a thriving dry-goods business. It was in this county that he met and married his wife, Miss Agnes, daughter of Hugh and Ruth Foresman. Her parents were Scotch people, the mother being a member of the Slocum family who suffered so terribly during the Wyoming massacre. Mrs. Mc Crea was born June 6, 1797, and was married to our subject's father September 16, 1819.
Matthew McCrea established in business on his own account in the fall of 1819 in the village of Jefferson. He rode all the way to Philadelphia, Pa., on horseback to purchase the goods for his store, returning with his small stock of dry-goods in a wagon. Not being satisfied with his location in Jefferson, Mr. McCrea purchased property in Circleville, and in the spring of 1821 removed buildings and stock to the east side of the Old Circle, where he prosecuted his trade successfully until 1828. Then being the owner of a fine tract of land, he disposed of his stock of goods and en- gaged in farming for the remainder of his life, with the exception of 1834-35, when he became a part- ner with S. S. Denny in the dry-goods business.
The father of our subject was probably the first successful adventurer in transporting pork, lard and flour from Circleville by way of the Scioto, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. His first trip, which was made in 1819, was undertaken in the interest of his brother-in-law, Thomas Bell. He continued this profitable, although somewhat risky, enterprise until retiring from the mercantile business. It was his custom after disposing of his provisions in the Crescent City to sail for Phila- delphia, Pa., where he purchased goods to sell in his store the ensuing year. He was a very genial and hospitable gentleman, and always made wel- come both friend and stranger to his home. He took especial pleasure in entertaining ministers, and if the number of those who accepted his kind-
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ness, and the frequency of their visits, afford any means by which to judge, we may be sure that they fully appreciated his hospitality. He was a man in whom the people reposed the highest de- gree of confidence, and at his death an attesta- tion of this fact was shown in his having in his possession a considerable sum of money which had been given him to hold in trust. As one of the founders of the Circleville Academy, he exhibited his interest in educational matters, giving to the cause both his mfluence and pecuniary support. He was for many years one of the Trustees of the institution and throughout its existence took great interest in its welfare and usefulness.
Always upon the side of good morals and right, Matthew McCrea became at an early day a strong advocate of temperance. He was one of the first to take the then unpopular step of dispensing with liquor in the harvest field. A man of strong and fine religious feeling-a quality perhaps in his Scotch blood-he was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he was Ruling Elder for twelve years or more. Politically, he was a strong Whig of the Henry Clay school. He was in 1845 elected by the legislature as Associate Judge of Pickaway County, a position which he held until his death, September 4, 1847.
Our subject was the eldest in the parental fam- ily of eight children, three of whom died in in- fancy. Joseph is now deccased, as is also Eveline A .; William resides at Trenton, Ill., and George makes his home in St. Louis, Mo. Adam of this sketch had the limited advantages offered by the schools of his district, and in 1837 entered the Miami University, from which institution he was graduated in the summer of 1842 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During the latter part of his college course, he read law, and on returning home entered an office for the purpose of studying for the profession. In the spring of 1843, however, he abandoned the project and to gratify the desire of his father became a farmer.
After the death of his father, Adam McCrea and his mother sold and settled the estate for which they were the administrators, and in January, 1848, he purchased an interest in a dry-goods store in company with his brother-in-law, Nelson J. Turney,
which connection lasted for two years, when Mr. C. F. Mackir bought out Mr. Turney, and the new firm of McCrea & Mackir continued for a twelve- month. The latter-named gentleman then retired and our subject took in as partner his brother Joseph. They continued thus together for six years, when the firm was dissolved and another brother, George, became his partner. In 1871, they disposed of their stock and Mr. McCrea soon after removed to New York City, where he remained for two years in the employ of Halstead, Haines & Co. In the winter of 1873-74, he returned to Circleville, and in April of the last-named year be- came the proprietor of the Pickaway House, operat- ing as "mine host" until 1882, when he sold out and engaged in the insurance business. His office is located in the Masonic Temple, he representing as good insurance companies as are in existence, viz: Commercial Union, of London; London As- surance; Niagara, of New York; American, of Phila- delphia; Home, of New York; Underwriters, of New York, and the Lloyd Plate Glass, which is the larg- est company of its kind in the United States.
The original of this sketch was married, Janu- ary 15, 1846, to Miss Isabella, daughter of Dr. Daniel and Janet (Sterling) Turney. Mrs. Mc Crea was born in Pickaway County and departed this life in April, 1889, after having become the mother of four children, three of whom died in in- fancy. Nelson Turney MeCrea, who was born November 12, 1850, is at present residing in Cir- cleville. Our subject served on the School Board during his younger days, being President of that body for seven years, during which time the first class in the High School was graduated. He was also a member of the first board of Teachers' Ex- aminers in this county, requiring the teachers to attain a much higher standard in education than formerly. He is at the present time a member of the Board of Trustees of the Miami University, which is his Alma Mater, being appointed to that position by Gov. Hoadley in 1884.
In his political views, Mr. MeCrea is a Republi- can. Ile is connected with the Presbyterian Church, having been for a number of years one of its Ruling Elders, being first elected to serve in that capacity by the death of his father, who was
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the incumbent of that position. He is Superintend- ent of the Sunday-school and has been intimately connected with it as such since 1847. Ile was President of the Pickaway Bible Society for more than twenty-one years and in consideration of his services was constituted a life Director of the Am- erican Bible Society and also a life Director of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. Mr. Mc Crea is widely known throughout this portion of the State and his friends are as numerous as his ac- quaintances.
OIIN W. KELLOUGH. This representative farmer of Range Township, Madison County, is also engaged in the manufacture of tile, brick and hollow building blocks, having his place of business and residence on the Yankee- town and Midway Pike, three and one-half miles from Cook. He is a native of the Hoosier State, having been born in Fountain County, July 5, 1839, to John and Rebecca (Pummill) Kellough, natives respectively of Kentucky and Virginia. The father departed this life May 17, 1839, six weeks before the birth of our subject. The parental family con- sists of two children: Mrs. Mary J. McClean, of Washington C. II., and John W.
The mother of our subject has always been a woman of tireless industry, and even now, in her seventy-seventh year, is rarely idle. Always kind and pleasant, she exhorts others to patience, perse- verance and charity. When left a widow with two small children, in a strange land, and far from home and friends, with zealous heart and hands she sought employment in the rural districts. She grew flax, assisted in the manufacture of linen, and took wool from the sheep's back, carding it into rolls, then warping and weaving it, and, as tailoress, making wearing apparel for men, women and children. In those days, she was regarded as an expert in cutting and fitting those suits that would scarcely wear out, and which were especi- ally comfortable for the people of log cabins. Since her girlhood she has been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has lived true to her religious faith. Her anxiety is now in
the well-doing and well-being of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
When our subject was quite young, his mother came to Highland County, this State, and made her home with her father, where they remained until John W. was a lad of six years. They then moved to Ross County, where he grew to manhood on a farm and received a fair education in the district school, which was supplemented by attend- ance at the South Salem Academy and the Chilli- cothe Select School. Mr. Kellough began teaching when seventeen years of age and was thus em- ployed during the fall and winter terms for six years.
The lady to whom our subject was married June 5, 1862, was Miss Senith V., daughter of Henry and Mary (Vincenthaler) Poole. She was born in Bourneville, Ross County, April 6, 1841, and, after her marriage to Mr. Kellough, they lived on rented property in that county for some time. In 1863, our subject enlisted for service in the Civil War, as a member of Company F, Fifty-fifth Battalion National Guards, and was placed on duty at Cin- cinnati, taking part in the Morgan raid, at which time he commanded his company as Lieutenant, and he was also in the one hundred day service.
In 1873, Mr. Kellough left the farm in Ross County which had been his home for ten years, and, on coming to this county, purchased his pleas- ant home of two hundred and four acres, which he has thoroughly drained, cleared and placed un- der the best of tillage. In 1882, he began the man- ufacture of brick by hand, and later, on account of the large demand for his product, he put in first-class machinery. He added the manufacture of tile in 1883, and six years later, hollow building blocks, giving employment to eight or ten hands and doing a business of $2,500 a year, besides the farm receipts. Ilis manufactures are of the best quality and find a ready sale in the home market.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kellough have been born ten. children, nine of whom are living: Mamie A. is now Mrs. Will Dodridge, of Dayton, Ohio; Charles is teaching school, which is the occupation of An- nie, who is residing in the Indian Territory; Nellie married Isaac Dixon, and lives in Washington C. Il .; Sallie, William St. P., Paul, Katie and R. Wal-
INTERIOR OF FACTORY
d
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SCALES
RES.& TILE AND BRICK FACTORY OF JOHN W. KELLOUGH, RANGE TP., MADISON CO., OHIO.
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RESIDENCE OF W. H. BLAIN , DARBY TP., PICKAWAY CO., OHIO.
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lace remain at home. Claudie died when seven years of age.
Mr. Kellough cast his first Presidential vote in 1860 for Stephen A. Douglas. IIe has represented his township in the positions of Clerk, Trustee and Land Appraiser, and is actively interested in all measures which tend to the upbuilding of his com- munity. With his wife and two children, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been an active worker in the Sunday-school.
Alex MeConnell, who is mentioned in the history of Ohio as a great Indian-fighter, was our subject's great-grandfather. Our subjeet's paternal grand- father, John Kellough, emigrated to America from his native heath, the region of the Grampian Ilills, in Scotland, and settled in Kentucky, whence he re- moved to Highland County, this State, and, pur- chasing one thousand acres, stocked his land with blooded horses and eattle, and also erected a distil- lery. At one time he was very wealthy, but, engag- ing as contractor on the Ohio Canal, lost much of his money. He was an active, shrewd business man, and an enterprising farmer and stock-raiser. His death occurred in the Buckeye State, and he lies buried upon the banks of the Scioto River, near Waverly.
W ILLIAM H. BLAIN. It is with pleasure that the biographer records the life work of William II. Blain, of whose brother, Joseph H., mention is made upon another page of this volume. The ancestry of the family is given at full length in the biography of the brother and will not be repeated here; it suffices to say that our subject inherits in like measure the excellent traits and sturdy character of those ancestors, and stands high in the community. Not only in his own per- son, but in that of his wife and family, is he worthy of honor, and his excellent management and untiring industry have made his farm one of the finest in Darby Township, Pickaway County.
Mr. Blain was born in Darby Township Deeem- ber 10, 1848, and received his early school educa- tion in the rudely-built and scantily-furnished log schoolhouse of that early day. Ilis independent
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