USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 40
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Among the children of Joseph Jones was then appointed principal of the Me- was John K. Jones, whose birth occurred chanicstown Acadamy of Mechanicstown, Carroll county, Ohio, where he remained from 1886 to 1888. While there he was a member of the board of county school ex- aminers, and it was during that period that he received his first state certificate-a life common school state certificate- while in 1891 a high school life certificate was granted him, this being the highest state certificate recognized in Ohio. in Columbiana county, Ohio. He was reared in this state, and for many years remained one of its residents, but in 1883 he removed with his wife to Grundy county, Missouri, where both are still liv- ing. He was born in 1829 and his wife's birth occurred in 1837. She was a daugh- ter of Jacob Geisleman, a native of Penn- sylvania, who at an early epoch in Ohio's development, took up his abode in the For five years Professor Jones was su- perintendent of the schools at Marlboro, Ohio, his services there being concluded in 1893. when he came to West Liberty. At Marlboro the venerable Alfred Holbrook taught for three years, and that place was also the birthplace of the geologist, T. C. Mendenhall. western part of Columbiana county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John K. Jones were born fourteen children, twelve of whom reached years of maturity, namely: Winfield S .. Mary A .; Frank, Lawson : Olive, deceased ; William M .: John E .; Emma; Byron; Nancy, deceased; Warren: Webster Gar- fieid; and Joseph and David, who died in early childhood. The father of these chil- dren is an honored veteran of the Civil war, who in 1864 enlisted for service in the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a member of Com- pany K. He remained with the army for a year and was then honorably discharged at the close of the war.
Professor Jones, whose name intro- duces this record, acquired his early edu- cation in the common schools of Stark and Columbiana counties. He was for a time a student in the graded schools in Mi- nerva, Ohio, and later entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he was graduated with the class of 1886. He also pursued a course in the Spencerian Busi- ness College at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1883. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with educational work. In early manhood he was a teacher in Stark and Columbiana counties for some years, and
On his removal to West Liberty Pro- fessor Jones became superintendent of the schools acting in that capacity for a year, when he was elected at an increased salary for two years. Since that time he has been elected for three successive terms of three years each as the unanimous choice of the board, his present term to expire in 1905. Under the leadership of no other man have the schools of West Liberty made such rapid and satisfactory advance- ment, and under his supervision the high school has been recently classified by the state authorities among the one hundred and seventy-nine first class high schools of the state. Professor Jones is widely rec. ognized as one of the most capable edu- cators connected with the public schools of Ohio. He inspires others with his own zeal and interest in his work, and his methods are practical and progressive, looking to the ultimate good of the stu- dents who come under his care. For nine
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years he has been a member of the Logan seals. His membership relations likewise county board of school examiners, and conneet him with the Knights of the Mac- cabees, the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Protective Home Cir- cle. for three consecutive years has been presi- dent of the County Teachers' Association. In connection with his duties in West Lib- erty in 1900 and 1901 he was also superin- tendent of the schools of Union township. Professor Jones was one of the promoters of the public school building which was erected in West Liberty of corniferous limestone, obtained from the Piatt quarry, two miles east of the town. This building was completed at a cost of about twenty- five thousand dollars in 1901 and is one of the best equipped school buildings of the state. Attractive in its architectural style, it was also built with due regard to light, heat and sanitary arrangements and is thoroughly supplied with all needed helps in improving knowledge. At the time of the ereetion of the school building the board of education was composed of the following named gentlemen: B. S. Leonard, president : C. H. Neel. clerk ; R. M. Fulwider, treasurer; J. W. Kennedy F. H. Draper and E. Dodson.
Professor Jones is to some extent iden- tified with business affairs in West Liberty and for five years he has been president and director of the People's Saving and Loan Company. He has also been a di- rector of the Farmers' Banking Company of West Liberty for six years, and his sound business judgment and keen fore- sight are valued factors in the control of these enterprises. His fraternal connec- tion extends to the Masonie fraternity and he is a past master of the blue lodge. He likewise belongs to LaFayette Chapter. R. A. M., of Bellefontaine, and he is a past chancellor in Gauntlet Lodge, No. 322, K. P., and also keeper of records and
On the 19th of March, 1885. occurred the marriage of Professor Jones and Miss Helen A. Mclaughlin, a daughter of John and Janet (Johnston) Mclaughlin. Her material grandmother. prior to her mar- riage, bore the name of Elizabeth Scott and died in eastern Ohio in 1901 in her ninetieth year. Janet Johnston, the mother of Mrs. Jones, was born in Scot- land and in 1832, when but six weeks old, was brought by her parents to America. On account of Asiatic cholera the ship was quarantined and thus was sometime de- layed. When the passengers were al- lowed to land the Johnston family proceed- ed at once to Ohio, where in due course of time the little daughter gave her hand in marriage to John MeLaughlin. He was a farmer by occupation and died in 1871, at the age of forty-two years, but his widow still survives at the age of seventy-one years. Unto the marriage of the Professor and his wife have been born four children: Roscoe Warren, Nellie Marie, John Paul and Olive May.
Professor Jones holds membership in the Disciple church at Bellefontaine and Mrs. Jones is a member of the Presbyterian church of West Liberty. They occupy a very enviable position in social circles. while their own home in West Liberty is justly celebrated for its gracious and charming hospitality. In the line of his chosen profession Professor Jones has be- come widely known. All education is but a preparation for life's work and with a realization of this fact he has put forth
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every effort in his power to establish a and Margaret Huber. Her father died system of teaching in the schools of which he has had charge that would result in qualifying the young to meet the difficul- ties of life as well as its pleasures. In as far as possible he gains a personal know- ledge of each student who comes under his direction and labors for the individual good. It would be almost tautological in this con- nection to enter into any series of state- ments as showing him to be a man of ex- cellent scholarly attainments and broad intellectually for these have been shad- owed forth between the lines of this re- view.
REV. ABEDNEGO MILLER.
Rev. Abednego Miller is a minister of the Brethren church and one of the most highly respected citizens of Union town- ship, where he is engaged in farming two miles and a half southeast of De Graff. He was born in that town. about a mile and a half north of his present home. Feb- ruary 13, 1845, and is a son of Rev. Jacob and Diana (Huber) Miller. The birth of his father occurred in Rockingham county. Virginia, September 15. 1810, his parents being Martin and Magdalene (Bowman) Miller, both of whom died in the Old Do- minion. When about twenty-one years of age the father came to Logan county. Ohio, and invested in one hundred and twenty acres of land in Union township, after which he returned to Virginia and remained about a year. It was during that time that his wife's family removed to this state in September. 1832. Mrs. Miller was also a native of Rockingham county, Virginia, and a daughter of John
in that state and the mother, accompanied by her six children came to Ohio, as pre- viously stated Mrs. Miller being a young lady at that time. She was five years older than her husband. They were married in this county and spent the remainder of their lives on the farm which he had pur- chased in Union township. Jacob Miller was chosen as a minister of what was then called the German Baptist Brethren church, now known as the Brethren church, and was pastor of the Logan church up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 14th of October, 1866. His wife died December 12, 1880, and thus passed away two of the most honored and respected citizens of Union township.
They had a family of seven children, two sons and five daughters; Margaret, the oldest, married Amos Miller and lives in Bellefontaine: Elizabeth is the wife of Peter Harner, a resident of West Liberty ; Polly married Hugh Newell, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Martin is also represented elsewhere in this work : Barbara wedded Boyd Douglas and died a few months after her marriage ; Abednego is the next of the family; and Susan is the wife of Martin Mohr and a resident of Lealman, Florida.
Abednego Miller obtained a good prac- tical education in the district schools near his boyhood home and also acquired an excellent knowledge of farm work. When about twenty years of age he and his brother began renting the home farm, con- sisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and by the father's will it came into their pos- session after they had paid the sisters their share of the property. The brothers con- tinued to operate the farm in partnership
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for several years and in the meantime pur- ler of this review cast his first presidential chased a tract of eighty-six acres where our subject now resides. In 1880 he sold his interest in the old homestead and bought his brother's interest in his pres- ent farm. In 1884-5 he erected thereon a good substantial residence and has made many other improvements upon the place, so that he now has a very desirable farm under a high state of cultivation.
On the 13th of December. 1871. in Union township, Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Snyder, a daughter of John and Barbara (Detrick) Snyder. She was born in Harrison town- ship, this county on the farm now owned by Kinzer Emery and was educated in the public schools. Our subject and his wife have become the parents of seven children : Mary Frances, born December 13, 1872, died at the age of five years; Frank Alvin, born August 1, 1874, died at the age of three years, both dying of scarlet fever within two days; Amy Flor- ence, born December 7, 1876, was married December 12, 1894. to Daniel Huber and lives in Harrison township: Adda May, born December 26. 1878, is at home: Hugh, born March 7, 1881, married Arie Huber and now resides in Union township ; Stella D., born February 11, 1885. is now the wife of Rev. Alva J. Spacht and resides in Hancock county. Ohio; and Wilbur Abednego, born July 19. 1895, is at home with his parents.
Prior to the Civil war the father of our subject affiliated with the Democratic party but at that time he ceased to vote. With others of his church he was greatly opposed to slavery and also held to the doctrine that no member of the church should sell grain to distilleries. Mr. Mil-
vote in 1868 for Seymour, the Democratic candidate, but has not always voted. He is now a supporter and advocate of the Prohibition platform. On the 13th of Oc- tober, 1878. he was chosen a minister by the same congregation that had chosen his father and was ordained the following day. Since then he has officiated at thirty- nine marriages and has preached or as- sisted at one hundred and sixty funerals. In 1901 he assisted in organizing the Brethren church in Lima, Ohio, and dur- ing the long years of his connection with the ministry he has been actively associat- ed with the work of that denomination. His life has been noble and patterned after that of the Master. Quiet and unassum- ing, he has delighted in aiding those in need and has given liberally to suffering humanity and worthy causes.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON.
William Albert Johnson is the owner of a good general store in Pickrelltown, where he has been carrying on business for a number of years, and his constantly increasing trade is indicative of his excel- lent business methods and capable man- agement. He was born October 16. 1851, in Bethel township. Monroe county, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Maria (Hughes) Johnson. The father's birth occurred on the 28th of September. 1823, and the mother was born February 27. 1826. By their marriage they became the parents of four children : Henry A., born June 10, 1850; Wiliam A., born October 16, 1851 ; Irvin S., born October 14, 1853;
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and Benjamin, who was born October 14, eight children: Hattie C .. William, Min- 1855. and is now deceased. nie, Jennie, Charles, Elmer, John and Mattie.
The educational privileges afforded William A. Johnson were those of the common schools, wherein he pursued his studies until nineteen years of age, there- by gaining the knowledge which fitted him to cope with business problems in later life. At the age of nineteen he put aside his text-books and began learning the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for thirty years. He then went to Kenton, Ohio, where he was engaged in the meat business for a year after which he came to Pickrelltown and established a general store and blacksmith shop. He now rents the latter, but still continues his mercan- tile interests and has a well appointed store; in which he is receiving a liberal patronage. accorded him in recognition of his correct business principles and his earnest desire to please his patrons.
" Mr. Johnson has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Annorah Baringer, who was born September 13, 1858, in Osborn, Ohio, and they became the par- ents of three children: William H., who was born December 18, 1878; Charles C., born February 8, 1880; and Roy C., born January 6, 1885. The mother died Sep- tember 14, 1887, and on the 14th of Oc- tober, 1888, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Vorpe, a daugli- ter of John Vorpe, who was born in Ken- ton, this state, in 1845. He had a con- mon-school education and followed farm- ing throughout his entire life. His po- litical allegiance was given the Republican party and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Jennie Rubbert, and they became the parents of
Mr. Johnson holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, contributes liberally to its support and labors earnest- ly for its welfare. He votes with the Re- publican party and is deeply interested in whatever pertains to the improvement and progress of his town along lines of sub- stantial development and material im- provement.
OSCAR RALSTON, M. D.
Dr. Oscar Ralston, who is engaged in the practice of medicine as a representative of the Eclectic school and who has secured a liberal patronage in Bellefontaine, was born in Locust Grove in southern Ohio, March 6, 1872, and is the second of the four children. whose parents were Joseph and Rebecca (Hays) Ralston, who are now residents of Wilmington, Ohio. He attended the common and high schools of his native city and in early life was em- ployed as a traveling salesman for five or six years, representing a hat company of Chillicothe, Ohio.
He took up the study of medicine in Columbus, Ohio, in 1898 and afterward became a student in the Ada, Ohio, Nor- mal School, in which he was graduated in 1899 on the completion of the pharmaceu- tical course. He then entered the Cincin- nati Medical Institute, from which he was graduated in the class of 1902. He then - took up the practice of his profession locat- ing in Bellefountaine in June 1902. Al- though he has resided in Bellefountaine for
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but a brief period he has already gained the commendation of the public and secured a liberal patronage, which argues well for a successful future. He was a member of the Alumni Association of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati.
In June. 1895, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Ervin, who was born in Cedarville, Ohio, in 1874. and they now have three interesting children : Ferol. Madden and Wilhelmina. In his political views the Doctor is a Republican and he belongs to the Reformed Presby- terian church. He is now examining phy- sician for the Practical Home Circle and is a man whose interest in the welfare and progress of his community is deep and sin- cere as is manifested by his co-operation in many measures for the general good.
GEORGE ELWOOD EMERY
The subject of this review has long been identified with the farming interests of Logan county, Ohio. and is now suc- cessfully engaged in the cultivation of his fine farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Harrison township, two and a half miles northwest of Bellefontaine. on the McColley Bridge pike, where he now lives. He claims Pennsylvania as his native state, his birth having occurred in Chester county, March 13. 1846. In 1854. when only eight years of age, he was brought to Logan county, Ohio, by his parents. James and Eliza (Eagle) Emery, who located in Harrison township, where the father pur- chased a farm of one hundred and sixty
acres. Subsequently he bought the farm where our subject now lives, and still later purchased one hundred and thirty acres of land in Richland township, but his last days were spent in Bellefontaine, where he died on the 15th of January. 1888, at the age of sixty-four years. His parents were Peter and Mary (Clemens) Emery, who spent their entire lives in the Keystone state. His father was probably born near Philadelphia, and his death occurred in Chester county, Pennsylvania. From his father James Emery inherited about one thousand dollars, but this was all the as- sistance he ever had. and the success that he achieved in life was due entirely to his own well directed efforts. His wife died previous to his death. passing away in 1867. They were active members of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder, and by his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Republican party. For several years he filled the of- fice of justice of the peace, and always capably performed any duty which de- volved upon him.
Of the eight children born to James Emery and his wife our subject is the fourth in order of birth. Seven of the number reached years of maturity, but only three are now living. George E. be- ing the eldest of these. Lewis Theodore is a resident of Richland township, and William Kinzer makes his home in Har- rison township.
An older brother. Cyrus Eagle, an- listed during the Civil war in Company H. Ninety-sixth Ohio Volu :teer Infantry, go- ing to the front about the 16th of August. 1862. He was soon afterward sent to Vicksburg, where he was taken ill with measles and died. being buried at the fork
G. E. EMERY.
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MRS. G. E. EMERY.
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of the Arkansas and White rivers, proba- bly in Missouri.
Upon his father's farm George E. Em- ery passed the days of his boyhood and youth and attended the country schools until about twenty-one years of age, when he went to Poughkeepsie, New York, and took a commercial course in the business col- lege there. graduating in April. 1867. After his return home he spent some little time looking around and went to Chicago. but being in rather poor health, he did not remain long in that city, but took up farm- ing upon the home place. having since fol- lowed the occupation to which he was reared. Although he remained with his parents until his marriage, he purchased his present farm in 1869 and had an inter- est in the crops prior to locating thereon. He taught school for three winters. from the age of eighteen to twenty-one. but since his marriage has devoted his entire attention to the operation of his farm. He purchased the interests of the other heirs in this property, according to his father's will, and has made many improvements upon the place, having an elegant two- story modern residence, heated by hot water and supplied with all modern con- veniences. He also has a fine large barn. In fact. his place is one of the best farm properties in this portion of the state. Be- sides this farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty-three acres, he owns the farm of one hundred and seven acres on which his daughter resides, and his wife owns a half interest in a one hundred and sixty acre tract in Harrison township. He pre- viously had interests in three other farms which he sold, and is a stockholder in the Commercial Savings Bank.
On the 20th of February, 1872, in Lake township, Mr. Emery was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy M. Horn. who was born and reared in that township, and is a danghter of Jacob and Eliza (Laney) Horn. She received a good common school education. Unto them have been born three children: Effie Elma, born December 7. 1872, was educated in the common schools and is now the wife of Jonah Meredith, who lives on our sub- ject's farm of one hundred and seven acres in Lake township. They have one child, Emery, born June 8. 1895. Levie Eliza, born February 18, 1881, attended the pub- lic schools and displays considerable artis- tic taste in painting. She married Logan McPherson and lives on our subject's farm in Harrison township. They have two children. Bernice. born April 21, 1900, and. Walter A., born February 18, 1902. Clay- ton Elwood, our subject's only son, was born June 12. 1883. After attending the public schools, he took a commercial course at Lima, Ohio, where he was grad- uated in 1902.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Em- ery a stanch supporter of its principles, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability, have called upon him to serve as township treasurer for twelve years. Public spirited and progressive, he takes an active interest in the welfare of his community and does all in his power to advance the general welfare. He and his wife belong to the Lutheran church, in which she was reared, and their children have been confirmed in the same. The first Lutheran church in Logan county was at the home of Mrs. Emery's grand- father, John Horn.
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REV. FRANCIS M. TAYLOR.
In the face of difficulties and obstacles which would have utterly discouraged many a man of even considerable resolu- tion, Rev. Francis Taylor has worked his way upward to a position of affluence and at the same time has maintained an un- wavering faith in religion and aided ma- terially in the advancement of the cause of Christianity. His life has indeed been up- right, useful and honorable and his ex- ample is well worthy of emulation. He now lives about a mile and a quarter southeast of De Graff, on the West Lib- erty pike, in Miami township, where he has a farm of one hundred and one acres.
Rev. Taylor was born in Stokes town- ship, Logan county. March 2. 1856, his parents being Malachi and Malinda (Rob- inson) Taylor. The father was born near Westville, Champaign county, Ohio, March 17, 1828, obtained a good common- school education, was reared on the home farm and was married in Champaign county, where his wife, who is now living in Stokes township, was born and reared. For some years they remained in that county and then came to Logan county, where Mr. Taylor purchased fifty acres of land in Stokes township. After a few years lie sold that property, returning to Champaign county, where he lived upon a rented farm, near Terre Haute. Later he bought an eighty acre tract of land in Stokes township. Logan county, on which he built a hewed log house and made other improvements, but he never took up his abode thereon and subsequently sold it. After living on a rented farm for a time he purchased eighty acres in the Van Horn settlement, where he spent his remaining
days. In the family were the following : John, who died in infancy; Della, who be- came the wife of Sampson Van Horn, by whom she had four children. two sur- viving her at her death; George Wesley, a minister of the Baptist church in Jewell City, Kansas, who maried Lillie Marsh; Francis M .. the fourth in order of birth; James, who died in infancy ; David L., a farmer of Stokes township, who married Maggie Van Horn and has seven children ; Wiliam C .. of Stokes township, who wed- ded Mattie Hover and has four children ; Julia I., who resides on the old homestead in Stokes township ; and Amanda, the wife of Charles Flowers of Stokes township, by whom she has five children.
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