USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 54
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 54
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Our subject had several uncles who served in the late war, one of whom, Abner, was taken captive and died while confined in a rebel prison. Christopher, who held a commission in his regi- ment, is now living in this county on a farm sev- en miles north of Kenton. George, who was also an officer in the Union army, makes his home in Indiana. Charles is farming on land three miles north of this city. Andrew was formerly engaged in the hardware business, but at the present time is also following the life of an agriculturist, on property located four miles from Dunkirk.
The maiden name of our subject's mother was
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Elizabeth Marinda Gillen, a native of New Jer- sey and of Irish-Scotch descent. Her parents made the trip to Ohio in 1852, at once locating in this part of Hardin County, where Mr Gillen purchased a tract of land and prepared to make his permanent home. He was a very wealthy man, and as his business affairs were not entirely settled in New Jersey, he returned to that state, after making his family comfortable in their new home, and was never afterward heard from. The brothers of Mrs. Jones were George W., who fought as a soldier in the Civil War, and is now living in this county; John, residing near Dunkirk; and Charles, formerly one of the Com- missioners of Clarke County, this state, who died at Springfield in 1893.
To John M. and Elizabeth Jones were born six sons and two daughters, of whom our subject was the eldest but one. Of these, Sarah C. is de- ceased; Ed E. is a resident of Kenton; Ella J., the twin of Ed E., is the wife of Dr. W. D. Barn- hill; Christopher is at home with his father; Odell U. is reading medicine under the instruction of our subject; Adelbert M., the twin of the foriner, is living in Kenton; and John M., Jr., is living on the home farn1.
The early years of our subject were spent on the home farm in much the same manner as those of other farmer boys. After pursuing his studies for several years in the district school, he was sent to Kenton, at the age of seventeen, and for one year was a student in the schools of that city. Later, however, he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and after leaving that institu- tion taught several terms of school. It being his desire and anrbition to become a physician, he be gan reading medicine about this time in the office of Dr. Gemmill, of Forest, and when ready to at- tend lectures becanie a student in thic Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Med- icine in January, 1889. The next month he locat- ยท ed for practice in Kenton, where he soon became prominent among the skillful physicians, and built up a large and lucrative practice. I11 1891 he was chosen and elected Coroner of Hardin County, and on the expiration of his term was
re-elected to the same position on the Republican ticket. The Doctor is a member of the Ohio Med- ical Society, of which he was Secretary in 1893, and also belongs to the Northwestern Medical Association, which he has served acceptably as President. He stands very high among the learn- ed and skillful physicians of this section, and has been chosen by several insurance companies as their Medical Examiner. Socially he is an Odd Fellow, and is also a member of the Uniformed Rank of the Knights of Pythias.
Dr. B. K. Jones and Miss Alice Frederick were married May 3, 1883. Mrs. Jones was born in Hardin County, to William and Sarah A. Fred- erick, prominent farmers of this county. By her union with our subject there have been born three children: William Clay, a lad of ten years; Maude, eight years old; and Paul, who is three months old.
ENRY E. DICKINSON, well known in Hardin County as an energetic, pushing young business man, is the present Cashier of the Mt. Victory Bank, the duties of which of- fice he assumed in February, 1892. In partner- ship with W. I. Witcraft, he organized the bank in 1890. They own and occupy a good brick building and are among the leading business men of the place. It is therefore with pleasure that we give this record of his life and tribute to his worth a place in the history of the prominent men of the county.
Our subject was born July 16, 1857, in Logan County, Ohio, and was the fourth son of the par- ental family. His parents were Louis and Mary Ann ( Beck ) Dickinson. Of their household two died in infancy; Joshua N. is engaged in the wholesale medicine business at Howland, Neb .; Adelia is the wife of J. M. Keller, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, who is engaged in the insurance business; Margaret married W. S. Mussleman, who is a traveling salesman for the Mansfield Buggy Com-
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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pany; St. Leger is a farmer in Oklahoma; . Min- nie is teaching Latin in the Normal School at Ada, this state; Ella is a teacher in the schools of Rushsylvania, Ohio, and also is a music instruct- or; and Robert L. is farming on the old homestead in Logan County.
The father of our subject was born in Logan County near the city of Zanesfield. There he was reared and spent his entire life, dying when about sixty years old. He was successful in business, and as a genial, jovial gentleman enjoyed the highest regard not only of his own immediate circle of friends, but also of the residents of the township and county. He was very liberal in his gifts to worthy causes, and in religious affairs was a valued member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His parents were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Ohio, being among the very first to locate in Logan County. The Indians at that time were very troublesome, and on one oc- casion burned the dwellings of the pioneers, among them being the home of the grandparents of Mr. Dickinson. They were Quakers and made friends of all whom they met.
The mother of our subject was also born in Lo- gan County, and there died at the age of twenty- nine years. She, too, was a member of the Meth- odist Church, and was an active and valued work- er in the same. Her father served as a soldier in the War of 1812.
Henry E. Dickinson passed his early life upon the farm, attending the common schools in the neighborhood of his home, after which he took a business course at the Delaware College. For some time lie taught a district school, and was then engaged to give instruction in business branches in the college at Morrill, Kan. After resigning his position there, he farmed for about four years in that state, after which he returned to his native state and established himself in the implement business at Bellefontaine. One year later, however, we find him engaged in the hard- ware and implement business in Mt. Victory, where he formed a partnership with T. M. Wal- lace. The latter gives his attention to carrying on the store, while Mr. Dickinson is engaged in the bank. The latter is a reliable institution and
is receiving a large patronage from the business men and farmers of this locality. Mr. Dickinson and his partner, Mr. Witcraft, are also largely in- terested in real estate at Mt. Victory. They re- cently made an addition to the city, and the lots are selling rapidly at reasonable prices.
The lady to whom our subject was married, March 5, 1884, was Miss Lizzie Amanda Wal- lace. To them were born three children, name- ly: Louis, now deceased; Mary Twila and John A. Mr. Dickinson is a stanch Republican in politics, and for some time past has been a mem- ber of tlie Board of Education, a position which lie has creditably filled. He is a man of broad and liberal ideas, and does all that lies in his pow- er to upbuild his community and uphold the best interests of his many friends and neighbors. So- cially he is a member of Mt. Victory Lodge No. 693, I. O. O. F., and belongs to Diamond Lodge, K. of P., of Ridgeway. With his wife he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is first in all good works and ever ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and needy.
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EV. Z. B. CAMPBELL has been pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Ada, Ohio, for the past sixteen years, during which time the membership of the congregation has advanced from about fifty to three hundred and sixty. Un- told good is being done here by priest and people, who work in perfect harmony and united effort to promote the Master's cause.
The beautiful church edifice, which was erected at a cost of not far from $20,000, is one of the finest of the kind in the state for a town of this size. The credit of it is due largely to Mr. Camp- bell, who is an unusually good financier, and who carried the work through from beginning to end, in spite of all the opposition on the part of those who were afraid that the church could not afford to build a new house of worship. Going to Hon. Calvin S. Brice, of Lima, a personal friend of his,
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Mr. Campbell stated that they wanted to have a new church at Ada, and asked him to give $500 toward it, which he did. Next, going to Colum- bus, Mr. Campbell persuaded nearly every mem- ber of the Legislature and Governor Campbell and Major Mckinley to give liberally to this worthy cause. Thus the new temple of God was put up without calling too heavily upon the re- sources of Ada's citizens.
James Campbell, grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch-Irisli descent, and his wife was a Miss Gillespie, a relative of James G. Blaine. Z. B. Campbell, Sr., was a native of Stark Coun- ty, Ohio, born in 1819. For years he followed the tanner's trade, but is now living a retired life at Shreve, Ohio. He married Lydia A. Wyly, of Pennsylvania birth. Her father, Jacob Wyly, a man of some note in his day, wedded a fair Quakeress. George L., a brother of Mrs. Lydia Campbell, is a prominent attorney at Waynes- burg, Pa., and another brotlier, Rev. Jacob, is a retired Baptist minister, now of Granville, Olio, and a veteran of the late Civil War.
Rev. Mr. Campbell is one of eight children, six of whom grew to maturity. Maria M. lives with her father; G. P. is a leading physician of Fulton County, Ohio; Jennie is the wife of J. R. Wachtel, a dry-goods merchant at Shreve, Ohio; and L. W., a practicing physician of Ada, is a graduate of Rush Medical College, and was formerly a member of the Pension Board. Dr. G. P. is a strong Democrat, and went to St. Louis as a delegate to the convention held there in ISS8. He was appointed Trustee of the Toledo Insane Asylum by Governor Campbell, and was twice re-appointed by Governor McKinley.
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The birth of Z. B. Campbell took place in Waynesburg, Pa., November 25, 1849. When he was about three years old he came to Oliio with his parents, who first settled at Congress, Wayne County, and later went to Shreve, where the father ran a tannery. Our subject received his primary education in the public schools. After pursuing his studies for a time at Vermill- ion Institute, in Hayesville, Ohio, lie taught a country school, and later a select school at Shreve. Subsequently he was chosen Superin-
tendent of schools at Belleville, and for a period of four years was County Examiner of Wayne County. In 1870 lie entered Wooster College, graduating therefrom in 1875. In 1879 he was duly graduated from Princeton (N. J.) Theolog- ical Seminary, upon completing the prescribed course of three years.
The first ministerial work of Mr. Campbell was in the church with which he has ever since been. identified. It was in February, 1880, that he as- sumed the charge, with its half a hundred mem- bers, who at that time worshiped in the small frame church. Among his present membership there are thirteen young men who are fitting themselves for the ministry. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Wooster University, holds a similar position with the Normal Indus- trial department of Wilberforce University (hav- ing been appointed thereto by Governor McKin- ley), is Chairman of the Board of Home Missions of the Lima Presbytery, and is also a member of the State Board of Missions. In 1892 the Ohio University of Atliens conferred upon him the de- gree of Doctor of Divinity. His discourses are clear and show deep thought, while his impress- iveness and earnestness of purpose breathe through his every utterance.
Few ministers can take the practical and evi- dent interest in politics that Mr. Campbell does and not suffer in the esteem of his fellows. How- ever, it is certainly the duty of each citizen to strive in every possible way to advance his coun- try's welfare, and there is no more effective place to do this than the ballot. Mr. Campbell is a very influential man in all the circles of high repute, and if his friends desire to receive any public. benefit from state, general government or railroad corporation, they appeal to him to do what he can in the matter, and rarely does lie fail to accom- plish his mission. He is a stockholder and Di- rector in the Metropolitan Bank of Lima, Ohio. In1 1893 lie was present at the Scotch-Irish Con- vention hield at Springfield.
June 23, 1881, the marriage of Mr. Campbell and Anna Barrington, of St. Mary's, Ohio, was celebrated. The lady's father, Thomas Barring- ton, of the noted family of that nante in Ireland
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WILLIAM BROCKLESBY.
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came to America in 1847, and has been for more than thirty years connected with the public works in St. Mary's. He was a member of the Board of Education for twenty years, and has been a Dea- con in the Baptist Church for forty years. His wife was of Englishi descent, and two of her uncles were Episcopal ministers. She is one of seven children. Thomas and Richard are busi- ness men of St. Mary's; John is a railroad man; Mary E. is the wife of Justin Brewer, President of the Ada Bank; Edward is in business in Green- ville, Miss .; and Kate is now with her brother in the latter state.
Mrs. Campbell, who is a graduate of St. Mary's High School, was also a student in the Ohio Normal, and for several years taught school suc- cessfully, as did both lier sisters. For several years she was Principal of St. Mary's High School. She is a great worker in the church and is an especial favorite with the young people. The pleasant parsonage is brightened by the presence of two children, Lillie Bess and Mark Barrington.
ILLIAM T. BROCKLESBY is one of the representative men of Marion County, and until recently was one of her progressive agriculturists. For the past five years he has been living a retired life in his pleasant home in Caledonia, in the enjoyment of a rest and freedom from anxiety which he well deserves. He pos- sesses quite an extensive property, about four hundred acres being farin land, in addition to which he owns a fine business block in this place, besides residence property. He is now Secretary of the large estate of William Thew, and has set- tled a great many other estates. In religious, fraternal and social circles he occupies an envi- able place, and possesses the confidence of his fellow-citizens.
William Brocklesby, the father of our subject, was born in Lincolnshire, England, and in his youth learned the carriage and wagon maker's
trade. He crossed the Atlantic in June, 1843, and continued his trip to Sandusky, Ohio, from which city he drove to Marion County, and pur- chased land in Claridon Township. There he continued to work at his trade and to engage in farming until his death, which occurred June 30, 1876, at the age of seventy-one years. In polit- ical faith he was a Republican. His wife bore the maiden name of Emma Thew, and Lincoln- shire, England, was also the place of her birth. She died a short time after coming to this coun- ty, leaving five children. Both she and her husband were active members of the Methiodist Episcopal Church.
William T. Brocklesby, the eldest of his fa- ther's family, was born December 30, 1833, in Lincolnshire, England, and was about nine years of age when he emigrated to the United States. His mother's death occurring soon afterward, he made his home with his uncle, William Thew, until he was of age. He then rented that gentle- man's farm for some years, and at length was en- abled to buy a 'tract of two hundred acres adjoin- ing the homestead. This farm he continued to cultivate until 1890, when his sons undertook its management.
Robert, the eldest brother of our subject, is a resident of Morrow County, Ohio, and his young- est brother, John, died at Nashville, Tenn., from the effects of wounds received in the late war. Bettie T., his elder sister, died at the age of twenty years; and Mary M., the youngest of the family, died in childhood.
January 1, 1857, our subject married Abigail Curtis, of Richland County, Ohio, and eight chil- dren were the result of their union, namely: William T., Jr., who died at the age of seventeen years; Joseph C .; Emma E., Mrs. H. F. Thomas, of Allen County, Ohio; John B., who, with his elder brother, is farming on the old homestead; Charles Y., who died at the age of nine years; Mary O., whose death occurred at the age of two years; Ella A., now attending school and living at home; and one who died in infancy.
Politically a Republican, Mr. Brocklesby lias always taken quite an active part in local affairs. He was Township Trustee for eight years, and
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was a candidate for County Commissioner at one time, but was defeated. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 299, I. O. O. F., of Caledonia, and is its Secretary at present. In the Method- ist Episcopal Church he and his family are active workers. For thirty years Mr. Brocklesby has been a Class-Leader, and for a like period of time Sunday-school Superintendent; for some twenty-four years he was Recording Steward, and for a great many years he has also been one of the Trustees.
ILLIAM S. STROUPE, Station Agent for the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne Railway at Dunkirk, Hardin County, has faithfully served this company, in one capacity or another, for nineteen years. Nine years have passed since he was put in charge of affairs here, and besides standing well with the company he is one of the most popular officials of the road.
Our subject is one of eight children born to William and Margaret (Rankin) Stroupe, both natives of Madison County, Ohio. The former was a prominent merchant of Midway, and under President Buchanan was Postmaster of that place. The Stroupe and Rankin families were pioneers of Madison County, and were identified with its welfare from an early day. William Stroupe died in 1883, and his wife was called to her final rest about ten years previous. Their children are as follows: James, a well-to-do farmer of Madison County; Fannie, who married Will McEwen, of Columbiana County, Ohio, and died leaving two children; John M., a merchant at Midway, Ohio; Joshua T., agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad at Hobart, Ind .; Eva, Mrs. Charles Cook, of Chicago; Carrie M., Mrs. John Dupes, of Cin- cinnati; Harry L., train dispatcher for the Cin- cinnati, Portsmouth & Virginia Railroad at Cin- cinnati; and our subject.
W. S. Stroupe was born in Midway, Ohio, De- cember 15, 1855, and was educated in the public schools of that place and in those of London, Ohio, and Ada. While yet a mere youth, he learned the art of telegraphy in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Ada, and was success- ively stationed at Forest, Upper Sandusky, and Convoy, in Van Wert County, being agent at the last point nine years. At the expiration of that time, as we have stated before, he came to Dunkirk, where he has been ever since.
Fraternally, Mr. Stroupe is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, having been made a member of the local lodge soon after locating in Dunkirk. From time to time he has been called upon to fill leading positions in that honorable body, having been Junior Warden, and is now serving his second term.as Senior Warden. One of the charter members of Dunkirk Lodge, K. of P., he has always taken great interest in its pros- perity, and has just retired from the Chancellor's chair. In politics he is a Democrat, and though not desirous of public office, has held that of Township Clerk two terms, besides serving on the Board of Education.
The marriage of Mr. Stroupe was celebrated in 1876, the lady of his choice being Emma Nye, of Ada, Ohio. They have six children: Willie E., Emma P., Harry R., Donnie C., Eddie N. and Freddie W. Mr. Stroupe is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and does his share toward its advancement in all directions.
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I E. CHENEY. Probably no man in Marion is better known or more public-spirited than the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, and who now occupies the important position of secretary and general manager of the sales de- partment of the Marion Steam Shovel Company. He was born on a farm in Orleans County, Vt., near the city of Brownington, July 2, 1858. His father, John Cheney, is a native of the same coun-
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ty, where he is regarded as one of the well-to- do farmers. His wife was Mary Jane (Lyman) Cheney, who was born in South Manchester, Conn. She was accidentally killed when our subject was a lad of sixteen years. His younger brother, George A., is a traveling salesman for the Marion Steam Shovel Company, and also makes his home in Marion.
Our subject spent his early life on the home farm in the Green Mountain State, and at the age of seventeen had completed his education in Derby Seminary. About that time he went to Keene, N. H., where lie obtained a position as fireman on a steam shovel for the Manchester & Keene Railroad. He followed this occupation for the next ten years, during which time he not only performed his duties in a satisfactory man- ner, but also made a close study of the manu- facture of steam shovels, and soon became an ex- pert in that line.
Mr. Cheney canie West to this state about 1888, and when an opportunity presented itself, which it did very soon afterwards, made an ex- amination of the steam shovel manufactured and invented by H. M. Barnhart. He at once saw the superiority of this machine over all others, and, being an expert in this line, had no diffi- culty in obtaining employment with the Marion Steam Shovel Company, who were handling this article. He obtained the consent of the company to take one of the shovels to New Hampshire and Vermont, where it was given a trial on one of the roads being built through the mountains. Its success was at once assured, and the company, finding that they had a valuable man, made ar- rangements for him to continue in their employ as traveling salesman. In this capacity he brought them in much business, and so greatly in demand were his services that he was made one of the stockholders in the business. After two years he became general manager of the sales department, with offices in Marion. The following year he was elected one of the Directors of the company, and as such is proving himself very useful in extending the lines of the business. He was one of the original stockholders of the Marion Tool Company, with which he is still
connected, and is Secretary of the company. He pays close attention to the various enterprises in which he is interested, and on this account is one of the most successful business men of Marion.
Mr. Cheney was married, December 31; 1884, to Miss Kittie E. Atwood, of Rockford, Ill., who is the daugliter of David Atwood, a wealthy retired farmer living in that city. To our subject and his wife has been born a daughter, Ada Pearl, now nine years old.
In his political belief Mr. Cheney is firm in his adherence to the principles of the Republican party, which he is ever ready to support with his influence and ballot, and is a Knight Templar of prominence in this city.
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EORGE W. SIMPSON. No better repre- sentative of honest, upright manhood can be found than the above-named gentleman, who is the efficient and obliging agent of the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad Company at Kenton. He is a native of this state, and was born at Belle Center, April 6, 1864, to Wilson W. and Mary E. (Jeffers) Simpson. His father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania, the former becoming one of the early settlers of Logan County, Ohio. He served as a Union soldier in the Civil War, and his death, which occurred soon afterward, was the result of a disease con- tracted while in the service. His wife departed this life at Belle Center, in 1882. They were the parents of two sons, of whom George W. was the younger. J. L. is a resident of this city, and is connected at present with the Champion Iron Works.
Our subject is a well educated gentleman, and was graduated when nineteen years of age from the high school at Belle Center. After complet- ing his studies he obtained a position with the In- diana, Bloomington & Western Railroad Compa- ny as their agent at Belle Center. Like many of the young men at that time, he had the western
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fever, and, going to Texas, Colorado and Mon- tana, was engaged in railroading for five years. Returning to the Buckeye State at the expiration of that time, lie accepted a position as agent for the Cincinnati, Sandusky & Cleveland Railroad Company, now the Big Four, at Kenton. When that division was consolidated with the Big Four he resigned his position, and, going to Springfield, was employed by the same company as ticket agent. In 1893, however, he came to Kenton as agent for the company by whom he is employed at the present time. He is ably filling the posi- tion, as his general fitness for the office and his agreeable and pleasant manners make him a fa- vorite among the residents of this city.
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