USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 55
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intellectual activity and deep human sym- pathy. He has progressed until he has gained a reputation which many an older practitioner might well envy. Logan county may well be proud to number him among her native sons. His birth oc -. curred in DeGraff. October 15. 1871, and he was reared upon the old home farm. His father. George T. Pool, is now living with the Doctor. but for thirty-three years resided upon the old homestead farm and was recognized as one of the leading ag- riculturists here. He was married in this county to Miss Mary L. Strayer, who died October 8. 1902. Her father, George W. Strayer. is living in his eightieth year and also makes his home with the Doctor. He was a farmer by occupation and in 1860 came to Logan county, where he resided until about 1873. He then went west and followed farming in Missouri. after which he turned his attention to the real estate business and also dealt in stocks and bonds in Kansas City and Denver, but the financial panic of 1893 caused his fail- ure and he then returned to Bellefontaine, where he is now living retired. In connec-
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tion with his son. J. W. Strayer, he car- ried on real estate operations. handling property in San Francisco. Kansas City, Chicago, Buffalo, Boston and New York. being the vice-president of the Strayer Real Estate & Investment Company. Dr. Pool has one sister. Mrs. Georgiana Gregg, whose husband is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, now lo- cated at Boston, Massachusetts.
If a record were made to find amid what surroundings the greater majority of our successful business men were reared, it would be found that the larger per cent- age spent their days of boyhood and youth upon farms. The Doctor was reared amid the scenes of rural life, the family living upon a farm in Miami township, and he attended the district schools until fif- teen years of age, when he became a student in a high school of De Graff and was there graduated in 1800. He after- ward spent a year in Lebanon, Ohio, as a student in the National Normal University and during the year 1891 and 1892 was engaged in teaching in his home district. No. 4. Desirous of further improving his own education, he then entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and afterward entered the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, to take up the study of medicine. After completing the regular course he was graduated in 1807 and after- ward located in DeGraff. where he re- mained until November. 1898. He then came to Bellefontaine, where he has since remained and within this period he has se- cured already a large and profitable pat- ronage which is constantly growing.
The Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Zoe N. Thatcher in 1895. but their happy married life was of short duration.
Her death occurred on the 4th of No- vember. 1897. On the 22nd of Septem- ber. 1899. the Doctor was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Ellen Barker. a native of Bellefontaine and a daughter of L. B. Barker. Theirs is a pleasant and hospitable home and the circle of their friends in Logan county is a constantly broadening one.
The Doctor belongs to the Masonic lodge of Bellefontaine and is connected with the Knights of the Golden Eagle of DeGraff. In politics he is a stalwart Re- publican and he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. While in DeGraff lie served as health officer and is examining physician for a number of well known in- surance companies. He is now connected with the Logan county board of health and is a member of the Logan County Medical Society. In his professional ca- pacity he is known throughout this dis- trict. in fact. his reputation extends far beyond it for he is one who has continu- ally progressed in his profession because of earnest reading. diligent research and deep and abiding interest in his chosen vocation.
JAMES MADISON PUTNAM.
James M. Putnam, a retired farmer of Miami township, who is now living on Main street in Quincy, is accounted one of the respected and honored citizens of Lo- gan county, where he has lived much of the time since pioneer days. He was born near the village of Catawba, Clark county, Ohio, March 29, 1828. his parents being Isaac and Charlotte (Spellman) Putnam. The father was born in Hunterdon county, New Jer-
JAMES M. PUTNAM.
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sey, not far from Dingman's Ferry, on the Mr. Cartmell on Buck creek for a time, and Delaware river. December 14. 1796. The removed to Mechanicsburg, Champaign county, when our subject was but six weeks old. There, in connection with Benjamin Cheney, he established a carding factory. using a machine the power for which was supplied by oxen. In 1837 he came to Lo- gan county and purchased fifty-two acres of land. which is now owned by Jonathan Al- bright, adjoining the Big Four depot at Quincy. There he built a carding factory. which he operated by water power, but sold out when a distillery was built close by, as he did not wish to rear his children so near it. He then removed to the lot which our subject now owns, but soon afterward he bought a farm in Adams township, Cham- paign county, locating thereon about 1840, and making it his home for fifteen years. In his family were six children, but the first two died in infancy. Isaac Newton was killed by the kick of a horse which he was trying to drive away from feed which had been prepared for a cow; James is the fourth of the children. William Raper married Elvina Stayman, by whom he had four children, and his death occured in Mi- ami township, in March, 1868. Joseph Henry married Malissa Berry, and for his second wife chose Martha Stewart, of Pre- ble county, by whom he had a daughter. Mrs. Helen S. Jones, of Chicago. He also died in Miami township, in 1887. grandfather, Peter Putnam, was also prob- ably a native of New Jersey, and removed to Livingston county, New York, where the father of our subject was reared to man- hood upon the home farm. He learned the trade of carding and cloth dressing there. being employed in some of the woolen fac- tories of that locality. After arriving at years of maturity he married Charlotte Spellman, who was born in Steuben coun- ty, New York, in September, 1800. a daugh- ter of Henry and Charlotte ( Brandenburg) Spellman. Her father was a native of Maryland, whence he removed to the Em- pire state, where he was married, settling theu in Steuben county, where the birth of Mrs. Putnam occurred. It was after the removal of the Spellman family to Living- ston county that the parents of our subject became acquainted, and it was subsequent to their removal with their respective par- ents to Ohio that they were married. Sev- eral families forming a colony. they pro- ceeded down the Ohio river on rafts to where Cincinnati now stands, in 1818, and settled in Clark county. Isaac Putnam and Charlotte Spellman were there married in 1820. James M. Putnam has in his posses- sion a table which was made for his father before his marriage, and which is now a cherished heirloom. It is three feet and three inches in length, two feet and four inches in width, and a brass-headed tack driven into the edge shows the yard measure which the mother used. It was in constant use as the dining table of the family for many years, and at that hospitable board many a minister of the Methodist church has partaken of the viands furnished.
Isaac Putnam worked at his trade for
. James M. Putnam accompanied his par- ents on their various removals made during his youth, and assisted in the cultivation and improvement of. the home farm. After at- taining his majority he was married. April 6, 1847, in Adams township. Champaign county, to Miss Margaret Hart who was born in Warren county, Ohio, January 10, 1830. In 1855, with his father and brotli-
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ers, and the family of William R. Putnam. our subject removed to DeWitt county, Illi- nois, driving across the country with four teams. They spent a winter there, then reloaded their possessions and returned to Ohio. The father came on ahead and pur- chased the farm of two hundred and twenty acres, whereon James M. Putnam remained until November. 1902. The father and mother both died on that place, the former passing away at the age of eighty, while the latter, surviving her husband a few years, died at the age of eighty-two. Isaac Put- nam willed the farm to his wife as long as she should live, and it was then to go to his sons, James M. and Joseph H., with the pro- vision that they were to care for the widow and children of their brother, William, who had died in 1868, and had left three daugh- ters, Mary. Charlotte, and Dora. The el- dest is now the wife of Sabin Knoop, of Quincy, and has a son Henry. Charlotte became the wife of William Neer, and died in Miami township, leaving two children. Dora married David Neer, and died in Mi- ami township, leaving a daughter.
James M. and Joseph H. Putnam carried on the home farm together as long as the latter lived, and devoted the greater part of their attention to the raising of high-grade cattle. They brought to the neighborhood the first pure-blooded shorthorn bull, called Lyman Trumbull, and did much to improve the grade of stock raised. thereby enabling the farmers to procure better prices for their stock. They also made a specialty of fine Spanish Merino sheep.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. James M. Putnam . were born four children, three of whom reached mature years. Charlotte Belle is now the wife of P. B. Doren, who lives on the old homestead. It was the intention to first husband of his present wife, was also
name the second child John Sedgwick, if it should be a boy, but as it was a daughter she received the name of Fannie Sedgwick. She is now the wife of George M. Hill, also liv- ing on the old homestead, and their children are Clara Barton and Vincent Putnam. Hoping for a boy before their third child was born, Mr. and Mrs. Putnam decided upon the name of James A. Garfield, but again the baby was a girl and she was named Anna Garfield. She is now the wife of O. E. Slagle, of Pemberton, Shelby county, Ohio, and their children are Clifford Put- nam. Mildred G. and Donnie Lucile. In 1891 Mr. Putnam was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 30th of July, of that year. On the 12th of No- vember, 1898, he was again married, .his second union being with Mrs. Minerva J. Harrod, nee Donnel. She was born in Don- nelsville, Clark county. Her father was drowned in the Mississippi river when she was six years of age, and her mother after- ward became the wife of Josiah Carr, who was sheriff of Logan county for six years. Mrs. Putnam was ten years old when her mother came to Logan county, and here she was married, in 1867, to John Harrod. They became the parents of two children : Mame E., the wife of William Leaf, of Mc- Arthur township; and Addie, who died at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Harrod de- parted this life in 1892.
Mr. Putnam cast his first presidential vote for Winfield Scott in 1852. He lost his vote in 1856 by reason of his removal to Illinois, but in 1860 supported Lincoln, and has usually voted the Republican ticket since that time. He was elected county commis- sioner in 1882, and capably served for six years, during which time Mr. Harrod, the
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on the board, and they became very warm farm in Pleasant township, Logan county, friends. During Mr. Putnam's incumben- cy the Children's Home was built, and many substantial improvements made in the county. Much tiling was done, iron bridges were built, and miles and miles of pike were constructed. The court house was remod- eled and improved, and in all matters of progress Mr. Putnam was found as a ready endorser and co-operant. Socially he is a Mason. As soon as age made him eligible he became a member of Krider Lodge, No. 197. F. & A. M., in which he filled all the chairs, and for nine years he was the worthy master and represented the lodge in the grand lodge. There are many elements in the life record of James M. Putnam that are worthy of commendation. He has al- ways been a public-spirited citizen, a de- voted husband and father, and a faithful friend, has ever been honorable in business and reliable in office, and at all times has manifested marked fidelity to high manly principles.
CYRUS MAKEMSON.
Cyrus Makemson, an old and honored resident of Pleasant township, was born on the farm where he now lives, July 28, 1820, and is a son of Jolin and Mar- garet (Lindsey) Makemson, both natives of Kentucky, where their marriage was celebrated. The birthplace of the father was near Cynthiana, that state. They con- tinued to reside in Kentucky for a few years after their marriage and their eldest son, Vincent. was born there. In 1806 the father came to Olio, bringing his little family on horseback, and settled on the ed his present substantial two-story brick
now owned and occupied by our subject. Here he took up one hundred and sixty acres of government land, which he cleared and improved. He built thereon a double log cabin with room eighteen by eighteen feet. and heated by large fire places with stick chimneys. It was in this home that our subject was born and that the parents spent their remaining days. The fa- ther became the owner of four hundred acres of land in this county. He was an active and faithful member of the German Bap- tist church and was elected a minister a short time before his death, which oc- curred in 1843. when he was sixty-two years of age. He had served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. and was a Whig in politics, strongly opposed to slavery. His estimable wife lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years and passed away in 1875. Both were laid to rest in the Makemson graveyard on the old home farm. This worthy couple had seven children, of whom Cyrus was the sixth in order of birth, but only our sub- ject and one sister are now living.
During his boyhood Cyrus Makemson attended the subscription schools for about three months in a year. the remain- der of the time being devoted to farm work, in which he soon became quite pro- ficient. He was twenty-three years of age when his father died and he then took charge of the home farm, purchasing the interests of the other heirs. His mother made her home with him until she. too, was called to her final rest. In 1845 the log cabin was replaced by a good frame residence, which was the home of the fam- ily until 1871, when Mr. Makemson erect-
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house. He has made many other useful and valuable improvements upon his place and in his farming operations has met with creditable success.
On the 19th of June, 1845, Mr. Makemson was united in marriage to Miss Arabella Huber, who was born in Rock- ingham county. Virginia, and was seven years old when she came to Ohio. For forty-five years they traveled life's jour- ney together, sharing its joys and sorrows, its adversity and prosperity, but at length the wife was called to her final rest in 1890. Unto them were born six children, as fol- lows: Emanuel studied medicine in Cin- cinnati and was first engaged in practice in Pierceton, Indiana. but later removed to St. Mary's, that state, where his death occurred. He had married Ada Blue. John, the next of the family, is mentioned below. Mary is the wife of Benjamin Poole, of DeGraff. Margaret is the wife of Simpson Horn and lives in Huntsville. Logan county. Barbara is the wife of Fant Kinnan, a resident of Union town- ship. Winfield married Mattie Chase, of California. He also studied medicine in Cincinnati and later went to California for his health. being now located at Rio Vista, that state.
On attaining his majority Mr. Makem- son joined the ranks of the Whig party, and although he took an active part in the Harrison campaign of 1840, he was not old enough to vote. He cast his first presi- dential ballot for Henry Clay in 1844. In 1856 he supported Jolin C. Fremont and has since voted the Republican ticket but has always refused to become a candidate for office. At the age of twenty-eight years he united with the Methodist Episco- pal church in the country and is now a
member of the church at DeGraff. He assisted in the erection of both houses of worship at that place. the first being a frame structure which was blown down in a storin, and the second the present brick building now occupied, to which he con- tributed three hundred dollars. He has always given liberally to those enterprises calculated to advance the moral, social or material welfare of the county, and dur- ing the dark days of the Civil war took an active part in raising the funds to furnish soldiers for the township's quota. Al- though over eighty-two years of age. he is still hale and hearty and is able to look after his farming interests. Nature deals kindly with the man who abuses not her laws, and although he has always been a very industrious and active man age rests lightly upon him. His career has ever been such as to command the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and he is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family.
John Makemson, the second son of our subject, was born on the home farm, July 6. 1848, and he was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood. Throughout his active business life he has followed agricultural pursuits and has steadily prospered in his undertakings. In 1891 he purchased two hundred and three acres of land in Union township and bought forty-five acres in Pleasant town- ship in 1898. These he has converted into highly cultivated and well improved tracts. As a Republican he takes a very active and prominent part in local politics. At the age of twenty he became interested in public affairs and cast his first presidential vote for General Grant in 1872. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions,
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has served on the election board and as school director, and in December. 1901, was elected county commissioner. enter- ing upon the duties of that office the fol- lowing September. He is the present in- cumbent and is most capably and satisfac- torily discharging the duties of that posi- tion. He is a prominent Mason and has filled al the chairs in Boggs Lodge, No. 292, F. & A. M., at DeGraff. which he has also represented in the grand lodge. He took the chapter degree in Lafayette Chapter, No. 60, of Bellefontaine, and was made a Knight Templar at Raper Com- mandery. Urbana, but has since trans- ferred his membership to Sidney Com- mandery, No. 46; K. T., of which he be- came a charter member and the first cap- tain general. He has attained to the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and is a member of the consistory at Cin- cinnati. Genial and pleasant in manner. he is quite popular both in political and social circles.
OSCAR S. CROCKETT.
Oscar S. Crockett, who is conducting a carriage repair factory in Bellefontaine. his native eity, was born May 7. 1856, and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of this portion of the state. His father, Robert Crockett, was a native of Kentucky and at an early day removed to Logan county, where he be- came prominent in public affairs. He was the first Republican ever elected to the position of sheriff, being chosen to that office in the first year in which there was a Republican ticket in the field-1856. He
was afterward constable and was ever found most loyal in public office and true to the confidence and trust reposed in him. At the time of the Civil war he offered his services to the government to protect the Union cause, enlisting at Bellefontaine, at which time he was commissioned a lieu- tenant. Subsequently he was promoted to the rank of captain of Company B. Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment was attached to the army of General Banks. Upon the field of battle, on the long marches, or during the tedious waiting in winter quarters he was ever found to be true to the cause which he espoused, and the country owes much to his efforts in her behalf. In the later years of his life he engaged in the in- surance business and afterward lived re- tired until his death, which occurred in 1882. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Roberts, was born in Virginia and became the mother of seven children, those who are still living being : Mrs. Emerilla Crampton, of Moline, Illi- nois; Mrs. E. E. Newell, of Suisun, Cali- fornia; Mrs. Jennie McMeans, of Grand Island. Nebraska; Mrs. Octavia Batch, of Bellefontaine. Edward, of this city; and Oscar S .. of this review. One daughter, Mrs. Augusta Schmucker, died in Des Moines, Iowa.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine life for Oscar S. Crock- ett in his early boyhood days. He enjoyed the pleasures of the playground and per- formed the duties of the schoolroom, con- tinuing his education until he had pre- pared for entrance into the high school. He then entered upon his business career in the capacity of a clerk in the grocery house of E. J. Short, with whom he re-
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mained for three and a half years. On the A. M., of Bellefontaine. and to Raper expiration of that period he began learn- ing the trade of carriage trimming in the carriage factory of Duddy & Goodwin. serving an apprenticeship of three years," after which he went to the west. He visit- ed California and Nebraska, doing jour- neyman work for about fifteen years, five years of which time were spent in the west, and the remainder in Logan county. For a decade he was employed in the carriage factory at DeGraff and in 1893 he came to Bellefontaine, where, in connection with William T. Kingsbury he purchased and established the carriage business which he is still conducting. The annual output amounts to about forty carriages each year, and they also do all kinds of repair work in their line. employing several men. The business has reached profitable pro- portions and the owners well merit the trade accorded them.
In November. 1883. at Quincy, Ohio. occurred the marriage of Mr. Crockett and Miss Allie Cox, who was born in Quincy in 1866, the only child of John and Mary (Shipley) Cox. Her father, who was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as a pri- vate, died soon after his return from the army, but the mother is still living in Quincy. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crockett has been born one child. Robert Lynn. His birth occurred in 1886 and he is now a student in the high school. Their home is pleasantly located at No. 207 East Co- lumbus avenue.
Commandery. K. T .. of Urbana. He holds membership relations with the Royal Arcanum and with the First Presbyterian church, and in his political views he is a Republican, but the honors and emolu- ments of office have had little attraction for him as he has prefered to give his at- tention to his business interests. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict un- swerving integrity. His enterprise and progressive spirit have made him a typical Ohioan in every sense of the word and he well deserves mention in the history of his native county. What he is today he has made himself for he began in the world with nothing but his energy and willing hands to aid him, and by constant exer- tion associated with good judgment he has raised himself to a prominent position in industrial circles, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.
REV. DAVID PLANK.
Only the history of the good and great comes down to us through the ages. The true religion has been the strongest in- fluence known to man through all time. while many false doctrines have flourished only for a day and then vanished. More potent at the present than at any period in the world's ltistory are the work and influence of Christianity, and among those who are devoting their lives to its inculcation among men is Rev. David
Mr. Crockett is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, in which he is serving as past chancellor and for six years he has been a representative to the grand lodge. He also belongs to the Plank of the Amish Mennonite church. Masonic lodge. to Lafayette Chapter, R. who is pastor of the churches at Walnut
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Grove, Union township, and South Union on the West Liberty and Bellefontaine road.
Mr. Plank was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, May 15. 1833. and is a son of Samuel and Juliana ( Hartzler) Plank. The name has undergone two changes since the family was founded in America, it being originally spelled Blanck by our subject's great-grandfather. Melcher Blanck. but the grandfather changed it to Planck and the father to Plank, dropping the c. The father was born in either Lan- caster or Berks county, Pennsylvania. July 20, 1808, a son of Christian and Barbara (Yoder) Planck. Christian Planck was a native of Berks county and a son of Mel- cher Blanck. The birthplace of the latter was either Germany or Switzerland and there he grew to manhood and was mar- ried. Accompanying some friends on board a vessel bound for the new world. he was persuaded by the captain to re- main on board over night, being told that the vessel would not start until the next day, but in the morning he found that they were far from land and then realized that they had been kidnapped. On reaching Pennsylvania, he was sold to a Mr. Mor- gan, living either in Lancaster or Berks county, to pay his passage. He was a farmer by occupation and a member of the Monnonite church.
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