USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 76
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Returning to his home, Mr. Roach was variously employed. His first independent work was steamboating on the Muskingum and Ohio rivers and this he followed for two years. He was also engaged in farming for a time, and while in Washington county Mr. Roach was married, on the 5th of De- cember, 1867. to Miss Louise M. Sprague, a daughter of Elijah and Lydia (Sayles) Sprague. Her father was a son of Jonathan
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Sprague, a brother of Wilber Sprague be- fore mentioned. These brothers came to Ohio together in 1788 and they were sons of a Revolutionary soldier. Jonathan Sprague built on Wolf creek the first grist mill in the state, from which the Indians frequently drove them away.
About 1870 Mr. Roach removed to Athens county, Ohio, where he was en- gaged in the coal business until the big strike so interfered with the business that he sold out and removed to Hardin county. There he remained for three years, engaged in general farming, and later he became foreman of a saw and scroll mill. with which he was connected until 1880. In that year he removed to Bellefontaine and accepted the position of foreman in the scroll and chair factory, and in 1887 he was elected city marshal of Bellefontaine, in which position he served most acceptably. His ability and fidelity having been tested and proven in that position, in 1888 he was nominated and elected on the Republican ticket to the office of sheriff of Logan county and was re-elected in 1890. serving for two terms or until January. 1803. He filled the office very acceptably and when re-elected received a largely increased ma- jority. Upon his retirement to private life he became a traveling salesman for the Bellefontaine Bridge & Iron Company and did an extensive business for them through- out Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia until 1901, when he had to resign on account of his health. During that time. by appointment of Governor Bushnell, he had also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Dayton State Hospital. and while acting in that capacity the water system had been instituted and the ice plant added to the hospital, but ill health al- so forced him to resign that position.
Other interests have, at various times. claimed the attention and profited by the eo- operation and wise judgment of Mr. Roach. He was one of the organizers of a copper mining company of which he is the vice president and he is also a member of the Coal & Ice Company of Bellefontaine. Mr. Roach purchased and improved a fine su- burban residence, his land, adjoining the city, comprising sixty-five acres, and there he makes his home amid pleasant sur- roundings indicating culture and refinement. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Roach has been blessed with three children: Otto W., Marlen B. and Gertrude S., the last named the wife of R. M. Wissler, of Bellefontaine.
Throughout the years of manhood Mr. Roach has been active in politics and even before he attained his majority. He has served as a delegate to different party con- ventions, including the county, congression- al and state. He was chairman of the county executive committee in 1890, for several years was chairman of the county central committee, and his opinion has long been received with attention in party counsels for his ideas are practical and his labors have been effective in securing Re- publiean successes. Mr. Roach is a mem- ber of Bellefontaine Lodge, No. 209. F. & A. M .; Lafayette Chapter, R. A. M .; and was made a Knight Templar in the comman- dery at Urbana, but demitted to Sidney Commandery. No. 46. He also attained the eighteenth degree of the Scottish Rite in the Red Croix Lodge in Dayton and the thirty-second degree in Ohio Consistory of Cincinnati. His membership likewise extends to Antioch Temple of the Mystic Shrine. For many years he was very act- ive in the Odd Fellows society and in the lodge and uniformed rank of the Knights of Pythias. He was also a member of Eu-
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gene Reynolds Post. G. A. R., and for While he was devoting his energies to that two years served as its quartermaster. Hle profession his wife died. after a happy mar- ried life of four years, leaving a daughter. Correne, who is the wife of Bert Cornell. of Cleveland. Ohio, and the mother of two children. Arnold and Edna. and his wife hold membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and the extensive circle of their acquaintance is almost equal- led by the circle of their friends. A genial manner and cordial disposition, combined with the traits of sterling manhood. have made him a companionable gentleman worthy of the regard and friendship of those with whom he has been brought in contact, while acceptable service in public office has gained for him the confidence of those with whom he has been associated.
ISAIAH S. WILLIAMS.
Isaiah S. Williams, the founder of the Citizens Bank of DeGraff, was a business man of prominence here and when called to his final rest his loss was deeply deplored by those who knew him and recognized his worth of character and his value to the community. He was born in Kingston, Ross county. Ohio, May 3. 1834. his par- ents being Benjamin and Elizabeth Wil- liams, who removed from Ross county to Fairfield county. Ohio, where they reside upon a farm. The father died when the son Isaiah was fourteen years of age, leav- ing a widow and seven children.
When a young man Isaiah Williams supplemented his early educational privi- leges by attending school in Delaware. Ohio, and later he joined his brother in a mercantile enterprise in Oakland. this state. While thus engaged he was united in marriage in Delaware county to Miss Mary Elliott. of that county, and for a time he engaged in teaching school.
After the death of his wife Mr. Wil- liams removed to Kansas, where he con- ducted a store in connection with his brother-in-law. At the time of the Civil war he enlisted for service in the army. but after being at Camp Chase for about three weeks he was taken ill and was obliged to return home. He then hired a substitute to go in his place, but he never fully recovered his health. He became a clerk in a store at Eden and while there. after nineteen years spent as a widower, he was again married on the Ist of . June. 1880. his second union being with Miss Sarah J. Fryback. of Pickaway township. Pickaway county, Ohio, in which locality she was born and reared. her parents be- ing John and Letitia ( Emerson) Fryback.
Soon after this marriage Mr. Williams purchased a store at Ostrander. Delaware county, where he conducted business with good success until 1885. He then sold out and established a bank in Ostrander. but later disposed of his interests in that place and came to DeGraff, where he established the Citizens' Bank, remaining its president until his demise. which occurred on the Ist of June, 1800. He was a Republican, but never an office-seeker, although he kept well informed on the issues and questions of the day. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church while in Kan- sas and his life was characterized by up- right dealing and by honesty above ques- tion. In all of his business affairs he was reliable and trustworthy and through his
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enterprise and diligence he acquired a comfortable competence. His widow was reared in the Presbyterian faith and is now a member of the church of that denomina- tion in DeGraff. She is well known here and like her husband deserves mention among the representative citizens of Lo- gan county.
McELDIN DUN.
McEldin Dun, who is serving as presi- dent of the board of managers of the Ohio State Penitentiary, and is also prom- inently identified with various mining and agricultural interests, is a man of superior business ability, whose keen discrimination and unflagging energy have been the strongest elements in the successful con- duct of many enterprises. Mr. Dun is a native of Columbus, born April 15. 1848. his parents being John G. and Elizabeth (James) Dun. The paternal grandfather. Walter Dan, was a native of Edinburg, Scotland, wherce he came to the United States when seventeen years of age, arriv- ing in this country about 1794. He se- cured employment in connection with a land company that was locating sokliers' claims. In Virginia he was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy Angus and afterward removed to Lexington, Kentucky, where later he became the owner of a fine farm adjoining the place belonging to Henry Clay. As he prospered and his financial resources increased he located land for himself in Ohio and eventually became the owner of fifty thousand acres, which con- stituted his landed possessions at the time of his death, in fact, he was one of the
most extensive land-owners that has ever resided in Ohio, and the early maps of Logan and adjoining counties were made from his surveys. He was also one of the first importers of shorthorn Durham cattle and in this way did much to improve the grade of stock raised in Ohio. Subse- quently he removed to Chillicothe, this state, in order to be more convenient to his landed interests in Ohio. He displayed keen sagacity in making investments and in controlling and extending his business affairs, showed the possession of splendid executive force and unflagging enterprise. He died about the year 1833. leaving five children, Mary, who was the wife of Allen G. Thurman, and four sons, John G., James, Walter .A. and Robert G.
John G. Dun. the father of our subject. was born in Chillicothe. Ohio, September 21. 1814. He spent his youth. however. upon the farm near Lexington. Kentucky. which adjoined the property of Henry Clay. At the age of twenty-three years he was left in charge of his father's estate. which he managed. and also had the care of rearing and educating the younger chil- dren of the family.
After arriving at years of maturity he took up his abode in Madison county, Ohio, where he spent his remaining days. He was a prominent land holder. owning ten thousand acres in Logan, Madison and Hardin counties, including land where the town of Kenton now stands. Much of this he improved, transforming his property in Logan and Madison counties into valuable tracts. His Hardin county property, how- ever. he sold in early life. He was one of the early patrons of Colonel Allen, of Buf- falo. New York, who was the editor of the first American Herd Book in the United
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States, an unele of Grover Cleveland. Mr. erned from royalties arising from proper- Dun not only superintended extensive ties which were largely of a mining charac- ter, and invested in iron foundries. What- ever he undertook Mr. Dun carried for- ward to successful completion. He recog- nized not only business possibilities, but difficulties. and while utilizing the one he avoided the other. His managerial abil- ity was most marked, and his efforts re- sulted in the successful conduct of all the various interests with which he was asso- ciated. He died November 29. 1895, at his home in Madison county, Ohio, where for over fifty-five years he had lived happily with his wife, who survived him for only a brief period. passing away April 9. 1898. They left five living children. while four had previously passed away. The living members of the family are Wal- ter. Thomas, McEldin, Gertrude and John G. farming interests, in the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and elimate, but also he had large herds of fine stock and was one of the most progressive agri- culturists of his day. He was a director of the first gas company of Columbus and also a director of the Farmers' Home In- surance Company from the time of its or- ganization. His political support was given to the Democracy, and yet his worth as a citizen led to his selection for office during Republican administration. He was appointed by Governor Tod. a Repub- lican chief executive, to the office of a trus- tee of the Ohio State Asylum for the Blind, located at Columbus, and filled that position for a number of years. He was nominated by his party for congress in the Columbus district about 1868. but as the district had an overwhelming Repub- lican majority, he did not win election.
John G. Dun was united in marriage to Elizabeth James. a daughter of Thomas James, one of the most prominent and wealthy men of Chillicothe at that day and a leading iron master, who established the first blast furnace of Missouri. He also established a similar business at Rapid Forge, in Ohio. His father had been one of the earliest iron manufacturers of Vir- ginia. Thomas James was united in mar- riage to Miss Claypool and among their children was a daughter. Elizabeth, who became the wife of Mr. Dun. After the death of Mr. James, who left a large es- tate, Mr. Dun became the president of various companies organized by the estate to control the business interests in Mis- souri, and continued as president through- out his life, distributing the funds that ac-
MeEldin Dun was educated in the common schools of Columbus and after- ward attended a private school conducted by Chandler Robbins at Springfield, Ohio, this being at the time one of the oldest and best known schools in the state. There he prepared for college and later he en- tered the Maryland Military Institute at Baltimore, when seventeen years of age. After completing his studies there he re- turned home and pursued a course in the business college at Columbus, Ohio. Thus a comprehensive mental training well equipped him for the arduous and respon- sible duties which devolved upon him as he entered early ananhood. Going to Mis- souri, he became secretary of the Maranec Iron Company and remained in that state capably conducting the business until the financial paric which spread over the country in 1873. He was appointed by
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Mr. Belknap. United States Secretary of War. as clerk to Colonel W. A. Rucker. paymaster in the United States army, and was stationed at Portland, Oregon, and with Colonel Rucker made various trips over the northwestern portion of he country and into Alaska. He was at the famous Chilcoot Pass as early as 1875. In 1876 he removed to San Francisco, where he performed similar government duties. and later he was transferred to Fort Leav- enworth. Kansas, at which place he later resigned his position and then came to Logan county in 1878. He has since made his home in this county and is a valued addition to its business circles. He was first engaged in the lumber trade in con- nection with the supervision of his father's estate. Later he went to Springfield. where he was engaged in furnishing lum- ber to various prominent manufacturing concerns of that city for a year and a half. On the expiration of that brief interval. however, he returned to Bellefontaine, and his residence here has been continuous since that time. In connection with his wife he owns large land interests and has extensively improved the same. He has also been connected with the Maranec Iron Company of Missouri as its secretary and is also interested in the Cherry Valley Iron Company, the Thomas James Iron Company and the Maranec Spring Park Company, the last named being the suc- cessor of the Maranec Fron Company. . All of these are operating iron interests in Missouri, and with them Mr. Dun has been continuously connected since their forma- tion in 1872. except during the time that he was associated with the United States army. Thus he is representing extensive and important interests of Missouri.
Mr. Dun has been a lifelong Democrat. active in the work of the party. and for five years was chairman of the executive committee of this county. In 1896 he was nominated for congress in the eighth congressional district, and such was his popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens that he reduced the Republican majority from ten thou- sand to thirty-five hundred. On the 14th of February. 1900, he was appointed by Governor Nash to a position on the board of managers of the Ohio Penitentiary, and during his service on the board the institu- tion escaped criticism from the public and the press. in fact, the latter has nothing but words of commendation for his serv- ices. During the past year Mr. Dun has acted as president of the board, and he is putting forth every effort in his power to have the institution conducted in a manner that will bear the closest investigation and win the highest approval of the people of the commonwealth.
His further political activity is indi- cated by his connection with the Thurman Club of Columbus.
On the 20th of June. 1883. occurred the marriage of Mr. Dun and Miss May G. Emery, a daughter of George L. and Tabitha Emery. representatives of one of the old families of Bellefontaine. Mr. and Mrs. Dun now have one daughter. Lucile. Mr. Dun is serving as one of the directors of the Commercial Club. in which capacity he has acted from the time of its organiza- tion down to the present. This club has done much for the improvement of Belle- fontaine, and there is no man in this city who has taken a more active or helpful part in measures of public progress and improvement. In manner he is courteous
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and affable. in disposition kindly and gen- was united in marriage in Washington erous, and withal is a true gentleman, who commands the respect and admiration of those with whom he comes in contact, and thus he has won a large circle of friends. He is always well poised, is a man of keen discrimination, prompt in action and re- liable in his judgment.
THADDEUS LOUGHMAN.
Thaddeus Loughman has been a resi- dent of Logan county since 1886. Al- though he is one of the more recent ar- rivals here. he is yet widely known, and the qualities which constitute worth in citizenship are his and have made him a valued addition to the locality in which he resides. He was born May 10. 1835. in Greene county, Pennsylvania, and repre- sents an old family of that locality. ITis father. Daniel Loughman, was also a na- tive of Greene county and after he had reached adult age he sought a companion and helpmate for life's journey and wed- ded Miss Rachel Staehner, who was born in 1810. Their children are Thaddeus. John, Mary, Fred, Susan and Adeline.
Reared in the county of his nativity. Thaddeus Loughman entered the public schools wherein he pursued the branches of learning usually taught in such institu- tions until he had reached the age of fif- teen years. He then began learning the more difficult lessons in the school of ex- perience and throughout his business ca- reer he has carried on farming and stock- raising, winning advancement in this way as the result of his untiring labor and capable management. In the year 1857 he
county, Pennsylvania, and took up his abode in Greene county. There on the 9th of October. 1861. he offered his sery- ices to the government and his name was enrolled among the members of Company I. Eighty-fifth Regiment of Pennsylvania troops. He was under the command of Captain Horn and faithfully served for three years. being always found at his post of duty whether it called him into the thickest of the fight or to the lonely picket line. He was honorably discharged No- vember 4. 1863. in Pittsburg. Pennsyl- vania.
Mr. Loughman then returned to Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he resided continuously until 1886, when he came to Ohio, establishing his home near Big Springs, in Logan county. Here he purchased the farm upon which he now re- sides, and his land is under a high state of cultivation, and there are excellent buildings upon his place, together with the latest improved machinery and all evi- dences of modern farming.
Mr. Loughman had five children. John. who was born February 12. 1858, and is now deceased : George, who was born May 26, 1861, and is living in California : Ella. who was born June 19. 1866. and is the wife of William Parker, a resident of Frostburg. Maryland: Leonard, who was born September 13, 1870, and married Eva Oglesbee, and Otto, who was born Janu- ary 24. 1873, and is deceased. The young- est living son is still upon the home farm and materially assists his father in its care and cultivation.
Soon after the organization of the Re- publican party Mr. Loughman became one of its supporters and has never faltered in
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his allegiance to its principles. He belongs Jersey. After attaining his majority he to the Methodist Episcopal church and is came to Ohio and lived successively in Warren, Montgomery and Miami coun- ties. In the last named he married Sarah J. Lukemier, who was born in Clermont county. Ohio, a daughter of John Luke- mier. interested in its growth and development. his efforts in its behalf being helpful and beneficial. Coming to Logan county but seventeen years ago, he secured the farm which has since been his home. and in ad- dition to the cultivation of the fields he has carried on stock-raising. finding this a profitable source of income.
GEORGE M. HILL.
For some years George M. Hill was actively connected with educational work in Logan county and is now engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning and operat- ing a portion of what is known as the Fair View farm. He purchased eighty acres of this, in addition to which there is a tract of twenty-nine acres, which Mrs. Hill re- ceived from her father. The farm is sit- uated in Miami township, two and a half miles southwest of Quincy.
Mr. Hill was born in Washington township. Miami county, February 2. 1862, a son of Stephen and Sarah J. (Lukemier) Hill. On the old homestead he was reared to manhood and after com- pleting the branches of study that form the curriculum of the country schools, he en- tered the high school of Covington, Ohio, where he was graduated in the class of 1881. His father was born in Northamp- ton county, Pennsylvania, July 9. 1817, a son of Isaac and Susan ( Barton) Hill, who removed with their family to New Jersey and there died. Stephen Hill was then but a small boy and was reared by a Mr. Dusenberry, a hotel proprietor of New
At the age of nineteen, after complet- ing his education, George M. Hill began teaching school in Pleasant township. Lo- gan county, and followed that professio 1 for eighteen years. During that period he spent one year in pursuing a commercial course in the Ohio Business College at Mansfield, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1885. On account of failing eyesight he was also obliged to rest for a year. As an educator he advanced to a high posi- tion among the successful teachers of this part of the state, and the school consid- ered itself fortunate that secured the serv- ices of Mr. Hill.
On the 16th of September, 1888, in Sidney, Ohio. Mr. Hill was married to Miss Fannie Sedgwick Putnam. a daugh- ter of James M. and Margaret ( Hart) Put- nam. Four children have been born of this marriage, of whom two are still liv- ing. Clara Barton, born in Perry town- ship. Shelby county, October 31. 1898, and Vincent Putnam, born in Shelby county. August 2. 1901. Mrs. Hill's maternal grandmother was Charlotte Barton and Mr. Hill's paternal grandmother bore the maiden name of Susan Barton. It is not known whether they were related or not. but the name of Barton was given by Mr. and Mrs. Hill to their little daughter, and on making choice of a more feminine name they decided upon Clara, thus giving the child the name of the celebrated Red Cross leader. Clara Barton.
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At the time of their marriage Mr. and tract of land on which he carried on agri- cultural pursuits until his death. Our sub- ject has two sisters and two brothers. Henry. of Bellefontaine: Mrs. Mary Es- penshade. of Pennsylvania : Ephraim. also of Pennsylvania. and Christiana Enstine, of Logan county.
Mrs. Hill began housekeeping two miles north of Quincy. where they remained for three and a half years. They afterward spent five years in Miami township, and in 1897 Mr. Hill purchased twenty acres of land in Perry township. Shelby county. where he resided for five years. On the expiration of that period he sold his prop- erty and bought eighty acres in Miami township -- a part of the Putnam farm. He has now retired from teaching and is de- voting his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he is meeting with ex- cellent success. He cast his first vote for governor in support of J. B. Foraker and his first presidential vote for James G. Blaine. In 1896 he supported Bryan, and he may be said to be independent in poli- tics, casting his ballot for the men whom he thinks best qualified for the office. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias of Covington. Ohio. He is a man whose influence has been felt for good. and he is found as a strong advocate of measures promoting material. intellec- tual and moral progress.
ELAM BUCHWALTER.
For twenty years Mr. Buchwalter has been a resident of Bellefontaine. and dur- ing this period much of his farm has been included within the corporation limits of the city and divided into town lots. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylva- nia. in 1838. a son of Henry and Susan (Olmstead) Buchwalter. His grandfather was a native of Germany, and after com- ing to the United States he purchased a
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