USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 48
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Since the organization of the Republican party John F. Lukens has been one of its stalwart advocates, and has been an earnest student of the political questions of the coun- try. Prior to the Civil war he was a strong abolitionist, and was connected with the "underground railroad," by which many a pcor negro was assisted on his way to Can- ada, where he could no longer be held in bondage. Mr. Lukens has ever taken a deep interest in the welfare of colored men, and rendered them all the assistance within his power during the war of the Re- bellion. He has served as notary public and county superintendent, but otherwise has not been a seeker for political prefer- ment. He is a man of exemplary habits, having never used tobacco in any form. and he has always been a strong advocate of temperance. His church relationship is with the Society of Friends, and he has been deeply interested in the growth and devel- opment of the cause of Christianity here. Mr. Lukens is now almost eighty years of age, but nature is kind to those who abuse not her laws, and he has been true to hier demands. He is therefore a well preserved
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man, retaining a deep and active interest in whatever pertains to the general welfare and substantial progress of this section of the state.
JEREMIAH ADAMS.
Jeremiah Adams has made an untar- nished record as a business man. In all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right. justly val- uing his own self-respect as infinitely more preferable than wealth, fame and position. He has also demonstrated in his career that honesty is the best policy and through his carefully controlled business affairs he has gained a very desirable financial re- turn, and is now enabled to live retired. He has been a resident of Logan county since 1853 and he makes his home at the present time at No. 132 North Main street, in Bellefontaine.
Mr. Adams is a native of the neighbor- ing state of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Perry county on the 20th of October. 1828. His parents were William and Rachel (Jones) Adams, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania. His father engaged in farming in Perry county for several years and afterward removed to Allegheny City, where he engaged in con- tracting and building until he was injured by falling from a building in 1833. His death resulted the same year and his wife also passed away there. In their family were thirteen children, all of whom have departed this life with the exception of Jeremiah and his sister, Ann, who now re- sides in Wheeling, West Virginia.
The circumstances which surrounded Jeremiah Adams in his early life were
those common to most lads of the period. He attended the public schools and at a very early age he was left an orphan. When but a youth of nine, his parents hav- ing died, he was sent to Bedford county. Pennsylvania, where he lived with rela- tives and also attended school until he was twenty-two years of age. He then went to Allegheny City. Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in steamboating for a year. and on the expiration of that time he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he carried on the butchering business. He not only conducted a meat-market there, however, but also drove an omnibus in Cin- cinnati for several years. On leaving that city he went to Carey, Ohio, where he was married. and following this important event in his life. he took up his abode in Wyandot county, Ohio, where he remained for two years. He next came to Logan county, settling on a farm in Lake township, two miles south of Bellefontaine, where he made his home for two years, and then came to the city. Here he was employed in a lumber-yard for seven years, and then turned his attention to the egg packing business, which he followed continuously until 1898, when he retired to private life.
At the outbreak of the Civil war Mr. Adams proved his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting in December. 1861, at Camp Dennison as a member of the Thir- teenth Ohio Battery. He was afterward transferred to the Fourteenth Ohio Bat- tery, and took part in a number of im- portant engagements, including the bat- tles of Kenesaw Mountain. Dallas. Resaca. Atlanta, Nashville and Pittsburg Landing. He was never injured in any way. being very fortunate in escaping all wounds, and at Camp Dennison he was discharged in
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August, 1865. He then returned to his ices of the Methodist Episcopal church. home with a most creditable military record. and the consciousness of having done effect- ive service in behalf of the stars and stripes. He is now a member of the Grand Army post at Bellefontaine and also the Union Veteran Union. His temperance sentiment is indicated by his membership connections with the Independent Order of Good Templars, and his political faith is exem- plified in the ballot which he casts for the men and measures of the Democracy.
In Carey, Ohio, Mr. Adams was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Burkhart, a native of Logan county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Fannie (Arnold) Burkhart, both of whom were natives of this state. At an early day they came to Logan county, settling near Bellefontaine, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. Both he and his wife lived here until called to the honie beyond, and were well known people of the community. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Adams have been born eight chil- dren. William is a railroad conductor. liv- ing in Cleveland, Ohio: Margaretta is the deceased wife of John Reeves; David is residing in Bellefontaine; Anna is the de- ceased wife of Marion Wilder, of Belle- fontaine ; Mary Belle resides with her par- ents and is the widow of Isam Waymack, who was a blacksmith of this city, and died here in 1881: Clara R. is the wife of George Rutherford. a sign painter of Bellefontaine; Charles was killed on the Big Four Railroad in this city in 1885 : and James, a barber by trade, resides in Craw- fordsville, Indiana. Mrs. Mary Belle Way- mack had two children. Edna and Isanı, the latter now deceased.
Mr. and Mrs. Adams attend the sery-
They reside at No. 132 North Main street. where they have a comfortable home, and there Mr. Adams is enjoying rest from fur- ther labor. In the field of business he gained the confidence of his fellow men and the success which should crown ear- nest, honest effort. He is always courte- ous and genial and possesses a social dis- position which has gained for him the warm friendship of many. Although he has never sought to figure prominently in public affairs, he commands the respect of all with whom he comes in contact, and his successful career receives their admira- tion.
JOHN MAY.
John May, whose home is pleasantly located in Jefferson township, near Belle- fontaine, was born November 9. 1837. on the National pike extending to Con- cord, in Muskingum county, Ohio. His father. Alexander May. was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1788. and after arriving at years of ma- turity wedded Margaret Mclaughlin. whose birth occurred in the same county in 1793. In 1833 Mr. May came to Logan county. Ohio. settling upon the farm which is now the home of our subject. He arrived on the Ist of April and within five months he passed away, his death result- ing from the ague.
In the fantily were the following chil- dren: Jane. Margaret, Nancy. James, Samuel and John.
In his boyhood John May attended the common schools of the neighborhood, where he continued his studies until seven-
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teen years of age, and then he became an active factor in farm work in this portion of the state. He was united in marriage to Sarah Minerva Rockwell and thus se- cured a companion and helpmate for life's journey. She was born August 21, 1840, in Holmes county, Ohio, a daughter of Charles Rockwell, who was a native of Cornwall, Vermont. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Marquis, and was born in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania. They were the parents of nine children-James, Clarinda A., Sarah Mi- nerva, George W., Nancy A., Helen C., Asenath S., Allen and Frank. Of this number George, Allen and Frank are now deceased.
Mrs. May was born in Holmes county, Ohio, August 21. 1840, and by her mar- riage has become the mother of one daughter, Helen May, who is now the wife of W. E. Smith, of Bellefontaine. and they have two living children, Emmett G. and Margaret. They also lost one son, Eugene. Mr. May votes with the Repub- lican party and keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day, thus being enabled to support his position by intelli- gent argument. In his church relations he is connected with the United Presbyterian denomination. All who know him esteem him for his genuine worth, and the circle of his friends in Logan county is an exten- sive one.
ROBERT S. KERR.
Robert S. Kerr, an honored veteran of the Civil war, who for thirty years has been a representative of the business interests of Bellefontaine, was born July 24, 1838,
and is a son of James and Martha {Mor- rison) Kerr, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. The father, on seeking a home in the Buckeye state first took up his abode in Harrison county, whence he removed to Logan county in 1836. Here he spent his re- maining days, passing away in 1847. when sixty-eight years of age. His wife long survived him and died in 1898, at the very advanced age of ninety-six years. Both were devoted members of the Presbyte- rian church and Mr. Kerr was a stanch Whig in politics.
Robert S. Kerr, of this review, ob- tained his education in the public schools and later devoted his attention to farm work until believing that he might win suc- cess more rapidly and find a more con- genial occupation in other lines, he became connected with merchandise, dealing in grain and wool. He was thus engaged at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war. The months passed and hotly contested battles were fought. The supremacy of the Union arms seemed to be a matter of doubt, and in August, 1862, no longer able to content himself at home, Mr. Kerr responded to the call of his coun- try. enlisting in the Ninety-third Illin- ois Regiment, with which he remained until after peace had perched upon the banners of the Northern arms. He then received an honorable discharge in August, 1865, and returned to his home. He had been a member of the Fifteenth Army Corps under General Logan, and at all times was found at his post of duty, loyally defending the old flag and the cause it represented. After his return home he again engaged in merchandising and since that time has purchased and sold
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grain, wool and coal. During the first 28. 1901, he became its cashier and is seven years after the close of the war he thus connected with the institution, the success of which is attributed in no small degree to his efforts. was located in Harper, Logan county, but since that time has resided in Bellefon- taine, where his business has grown in ex- tent and importance.
In 1861 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Kerr and Miss Mary L. Niven, a daughter of John D. Niven, and unto them have been born three children, Harry S .. Arthur Roy and Bessie Mame. The fam- ily is one widely and favorably known in this locality and Mr. Kerr has been hon- ored with public office. He served as township trustee for twelve years and for a similar period was a member of the school board, the cause of education find- ing in him a warm and helpful friend. In November, 1900, he was elected to the office of sheriff of Logan county and is now serving in that capacity, discharging his duties without fear or favor. His per- sonal popularity is indicated by the fact that he came within one vote of the presi- dential majority. A pronounced Republi- can he has never wavered in his allegiance to the party which stood as the defender of the Union in the hour of her country's peril, and which has ever been the champion of progress, improvement and reform.
Harry S. Kerr, the son of Robert S. Kerr, was born in Logan county in 1868 and pursued his education in the schools of Bellefontaine. Entering upon his busi- ness career he became connected with his father in the grain trade and later he ac- cepted the position of bookkeeper in the People's Bank where he remained from 1890 until 1898. He then again engaged in the grain trade as a partner of his broth- er, Arthur R. Kerr, but on the organization of the Commercial Savings Bank, October
MARCO W. LONG.
Marco W. Long is a farmer of Pleasant township, numbered among Logan coun- ty's native sons. He was born in Bloom- field township, September 21, 1853. and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Quick) Long. At the usual age he entered the common schools and when twenty years of age, having closely applied himself to the mastery of the branches of learning taught, he secured a teacher's certificate. The following year he began teaching and devoted his energies to that profession for thirteen years. He was acknowledged one of the capable educators of the county, having the ability to maintain discipline and to impart readily and clearly to others the knowledge that he had acquired.
In early manhood Mr. Long was mar- ried on the 6th of March, 1879, in Pleasant township, to Miss Lina Longbrake, who was born in that township and is a daugh- ter of Joseph and Ann (Strayer) Long- brake. For a year they resided in Logans- ville and then purchased a little home near the village which was their place of resi- dence for ten years. On abandoning the work of the school-room Mr. Long decided to then devote his attention to carpenter- ing, which he followed for three years, and in 1890 he purchased his present farm of eighty acres. In 1900 he erected the front part of the residence and he has built all of the barns, made many other sub-
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stantial improvements upon his place, parents being Holden and Elizabeth doing all the carpenter work himself upon both the outbuildings and the residence. His fields are well tilled, indicating his careful supervision and progressiveness.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Long has been blessed with six children. Forest. who was born February 17, 1880. attended the common schools and for two years was a student in the DeGraff high school. since which time he has engaged in teach- ing. Elsie B. is the second of the family. Grace was married March 19. 1901, to Charles Stoller and lives near Columbus. Mr. Stoller is employed in the car shops. and they have one child. Lydia Elizabeth. Homer W. was born September 14, 1886, and is at home. Strayer and Lydia, twins, were born March 26, 1891.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Hayes in 1876, Mr. Long has been an earnest Republican. In 1885 he was elect- ed township clerk and served in that office for two terms. He has been a member of the board of education for five years and the schools find in him a warm friend. He takes an active and helpful interest in po- litical matters and has been a delegate to various conventions of his party. In 1880 he was appointed census enumerator and again filled that position in 1890. His en- tire life has been passed in this section of the state and there are many elements in his career worthy of high commendation.
JOHN RANDOLPH LONG.
John Randolph Long, a respected and valued citizen of Pleasant township, was born in Towanda township, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1827, his
(Stratton) Long. The father died before the birth of his son. He was a son of James Long, a prominent farmer of Brad- ford county. Pennsylvania. The mother of our subject married again and when John R. Long was about fourteen years of age he left Pennsylvania with his mother's brother. Hiram Stratton, with whom he came to Ohio, settling in Seneca county, where he resided for a year. On the 4th of January. 1843. he arrived in Logan county. taking up his abode in Bloomfield township, where he lived until he had attained his majority. In his youth he was a student in one of the typical log schoolhouses of the time with its greased paper windows and slab benches. He. however, managed to acquire a fair edu- cation and at the age of nineteen years began teaching, receiving eight dollars per month for his services. while boarding around among the scholars. For seven terms he followed the profession, his last teaching being done in the winter of 1854- 5. when he received twenty-five dollars per month.
On the 27th of November. 1854, oc- curred the marriage of John R. Long and Miss Elizabeth Quick of Washington town- ship. Logan county. She was born in Licking county, June 28. 1836, a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Lain) Quick, who came to this county when the daughter was eleven years of age, settling in Wash- ington township. Mrs. Long obtained a fair common school education and has proven a faithful companion and helpmate to her husband. For a few years after their marriage he followed farming on a tract of land of forty-five acres, which he had purchased and which bordered the Miami river in Bloomfield township.
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Subsequently he sold that property and for a period of that time on the Demo- purchased his present home at that time becoming the owner of only three and a half acres and the water power which oper- ated the mill that had been established by James Moore in 1824. When a boy he had worked in a sawmill in Pennsylvania. doing this himself for the love of the work. He always had a desire to become a mil- ler and since purchasing the property he has operated the mill, which he conducted as a water-power mill until 1894. when he introduced steam power. Mr. Long also possesses a love for mathematics and kin- dred sciences, and. becoming interested in surveying, he has also followed it to a considerable extent. He has been em- ployed by the county commissioner to lay out county roads. . but has never been county surveyor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Long were born five children, the eldest of whom. Marco Wilson, is represented elsewhere in this volume. Jessie Benton, the next, died in infancy. Viola, born October 21. 1858. became a teacher and is now the wife of Theodore Morgan, of Washington town- ship. They live upon a farm there and have three children. Minnie Virginia. born October 9. 1862, was also a teacher prior to her marriage to Clinton Naugle, who is a carpenter of Logansville. They. too. have three children. Edwin Elmer Grant, born October 27. 1865. was for- merly a teacher. He married Rosa Naugle on the 16th of January, 1890, and they have a son, Roy St. Clair, born April 27, 1891. He is with his father and is engaged in the operation of the mill.
Mr. Long was reared in the Demo- cratic faith and served as township clerk for ten years, being elected to the office
cratic ticket. In 1854 he espoused the cause of the new Republican party, but still continued to be a Democratic clerk. His first presidential ballot was given to Lewis Cass in 1848 and in 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont, since which time he has never faltered in his adherence to Re- publican principles. At the time of the Civil war he was drafted for service, but instead of going to the front he hired a substitute at a cost of one thousand dol- lars, a sum which required much hard labor for him to pay. He was elected justice of the peace of Bloomfield township and served for about six months, when he re- signed because of his removal from the township. He tried several cases, one of which was appealed, but it was never brought to a second trial. In 1870 he be- came land appraiser in Pleasant township. He has, however, never been an office- seeker and refused to become a candidate for the position of county commissioner. He has been content to perform his duties as a private citizen and he has fully met every obligation that has rested upon him in that way. He prefers to devote his energies to his business affairs and his life has been an active and useful one, the suc- cess that he has achieved being the result of his own labors. He is well known in Logan county where he has so long re- sided and well does he deserve honorable mention in this volume.
DAVID SHAW.
David Shaw, now an honored resident of De Graff, where he located in March, 1903. was born near Bloomingburg, Fay-
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ette county, Ohio. April 11, 1835, and was a son of David and Margaret (McCoy) Shaw. His father was a native of Ken- tucky and his mother of Ross county, Ohio, being the first white child born in Chillicothe. Her father raised the first corn in that county, being one of its ear- liest settlers. Mrs. Margaret Shaw died at the birth of her son, David, and the father subsequently married again. He con- tinued his residence in Fayette county un- til the son was ten years old and then re- moved to Shelby county, this state, where he purchased land and engaged in farming.
There David Shaw. Jr., grew to man- hood. remaining with his father until he attained his majority. He had inherited forty' acres of land from his mother, but never operated it, working for others until the Civil war broke out. In November, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company C. Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served one year, participating in the battle of Cross Keys and other en- gagements. He was at Harper's Ferry when it was surrendered by Colonel Miles but was paroled the following morning, which put an end to his army life. While in camp at Gallipolis. Ohio, in the spring of 1862, he had inet his future wife, Miss Mary E. Hood, and theirs was a case of love at first sight in church. They kept up a correspondence while he was in the army and on the Ist of January, 1863. they were married at Steubenville. Mrs. Shaw was born near Steubenville. Jeffer- son county, March 10. 1845, and was about nine years old when she accompanied her parents, William and Nancy (Johnson) Hood, on their removal to Beaver. Penn- sylvania, where hier mother died. Before she was sixteen years of age she went to
live with an aunt at Gallipolis, Ohio, and it was there that she formed the acquaint- ance of Mr. Shaw as previously stated, though she afterward returned to Steuben- ville.
After his marriage Mr. Shaw sold his tract of forty acres and rented land in Shelby county, where he made his home until 1890. when he removed to Logan county, this being still his place of resi- dence. In politics he is a Republican but has never cared for tlie honors or emolu- ments of public office. He was reared in the United Presbyterian church, with which he held membership for some years. but his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Unto them were born eight children but two died in infancy. The others are Anna J., wife of Sylvester Bright : William E., who married Hetta Hess : Etta O., wife of John L. Hengsteler; Verna Myrrl and Ernest Earl, twins, the former of whom married Frank M. Swonger and the latter married Ella McClure ; and Maude Myra, at home with her parents.
WILLIAM MILLER.
For fifty years this gentleman has been identified with the agricultural interests of Rush Creek township, his home being near Harper, and he is accounted one of the lead- ing farmers of his community. He was born in Champaign county, this state, Jan- uary 15, 1826. His father. John Miller. was a native of Virginia, born in Loudoun county, December 17, 1794, and was a son of Valentine and Sarah ( Conrad) Miller, who settled in Champaign county, Ohio, in
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WM. MILLER.
MRS. WM. MILLER.
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1816. The parents of Valentine Miller She united with the German Baptist church were Christian and Mary Miller, whose early home was near the river Rhine in Ger- many, and on coming to this country they settled in a German colony in Virginia. In their family were two sons, Valentine and Christian. After reaching manhood John Miller was married in Clark county, Ohio, August 3. 1819. to Polly Ropp, who was also born in Loudoun county, Virginia, De- cember 14. ISoo. They became the parents of nine children, one of whom died in in- fancy, the others being Eliza, Sarah. Jo: seph, Catherine, John. William, Polly and Martha. Six of the number are still living. The father of this family was a Quaker. but the mother belonged to the Methodist church.
During his boyhood and youth William Miller pursued his studies in the local schools and he also acquired a thorough knowledge of farm work. After attaining his majority he worked as a farm hand for two years. and since his marriage has engaged in farm- ing on his own account. Success has at- tended his well directed efforts, and he is today the owner of a large and valuable farm, under a high state of cultivation and well improved with good buildings. This place is conveniently located near Harper. and is one of the most desirable farms of the locality. The old log house, which is still standing thereon, was his home for many years, and there many enjoyable days were passed, but he now occupies a far more commodious and modern residence.
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