USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 83
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Alonzo T. Kennedy came to Belle Cen- ter twenty-five years ago and for a number of years engaged in the lumber business. After retiring from that he turned his at- tention to the manufacture of tile and to the real estate business. In the former he was associated with Mr. Stewart until his death, and the enterprise proved a profit- able and capably conducted one.
On the evening of December 21, 1892. Mr. Kennedy was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Hemphill, who was a kind, loving and faithful wife. She was born in Adams county. Ohio, a daughter of Thomas H. and Lina (Collins) .Adams. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and came to Ohio at an early day. locating in Adams county. Throughout his active business career he followed farming, but is now living a retired life. His wife died in Adams county. Mrs. Kennedy has a sister who resides in Belle Center. the wife of Samuel Torrene. a blacksmith, and one of the respected citizens of this place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy was born a son, Claude Lorain, born in Belle Center, September 24, 1893. and now a student in the schools here.
Mr. Kennedy was a very industrious man and what he possessed he accumu- lated through his own efforts. In politics he was a Republican and as every true American citizen should do, kept well in- formed on the issues of the day, but was
seeking. He served, however, as a mem- ber of the city council for a time and exer- cised his official prerogatives for the wel- fare and improvement of the city. Intrin- sic worth of character. trustworthiness in business and fidelity in citizenship made him an honored and respected resident of Belle Center and one whose death was deeply deplored. For six years he was in ill health, during which time he received the utmost care and attention from his wife, who is a most estimable lady, well worthy the friendship which is so uni- formly given her.
GEORGE W. AIKIN.
George W. Aikin, who is carrying on general farming on section II, Harrison township, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, near Steubenville. April 9. 1826. His father, George Aikin, was a native of Ireland and when but seven years of age was brought to America. When the coun- try became involved in the second war with England he joined the American army and served under Colonel Croggin in the fall and re-capture of Detroit. In his political views he was an earnest Democrat and was a great admirer of General Jackson. In Columbiana county, Ohio, he married Mar- tha Patton, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and died in Tusea- rawas county, Ohio. They became the par- ents of ten children.
When George Washington Aikin was but a year old his parents removed from Jefferson to Columbiana county, Ohio, and in 1835 went to Tuscarawas county. The
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son received but limited educational privi- had no capital with which to start in life. leges for there was a large family reared in the midst of the forest and there was not much time nor opportunity for attending school, and the schools of that day were not conducted on the present public school plan, each student having to pay a certain tuition. Mr. Aikin was largely reared in Tuscarawas county and in 1853 came to Lo- gan county-the year in which the Center school was built. He was then about twen- ty-seven years of age.
In the following year, on the 10th of December, 1854. he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ann Dow, a cousin of Judge Duncan Dow of Bellefontaine and a daughter of Peter and Sallie (Campbell) Dow, the former born in Scotland and the latter in New Jersey. In the year 1828 her parents came to Logan county and in 1831 the father purchased from the government the land upon which our subject now re- sides, and Mr. Aikin has in his possession the original deed that was granted by An- drew Jackson and which bears his signa- ture, written with a quill pen. This land was afterward purchased from Peter Dow by Mr. Aikin. Only eighty acres of our subject's tract, however, was of the original Dow purchase and upon it there has never been a mortgage issued. Mrs. Aikin has two sisters and one brother : Mrs. Margaret Gebby, Mrs. Thomas Cook and Dr. Lyman Dow, the last named of Piedmont. Guern- sey county, Ohio. Mrs. Aikin was born in Harrison township August 26. 1832, and the following year her parents removed to the place upon which she and her husband are now living. After their marriage they took up their abode here and have always made the farm their home.
Mr. Aikin began by renting land for he
For sixteen years he continued to rent and there he labored unremittingly day aft- er day and year after year until at length his industry enabled him to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and to work his way steadily upward to success. He is now one of the substantial farmers of Logan county and the visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift is his excellent farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres. He has carried on general farming and stock- raising throughout his entire life and his fields return to him good harvests and in his pastures are seen good grades of cattle and horses.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Aiken were born the following children: Jennie is the wife of Rev. E. E. Cleland, a minister of the United Presbyterian church, now residing in Guers- ney county, Ohio, and their children are Kenneth W .. Laura. George .A., Mary A .. Florence M., Alfred E., Kathleen, Ronald and Eunice. Dow, an attorney of Belle- fontaine, married Jennie Piersol and has one child, Harold. Sally N. was formerly a teacher in the district schools but is now at home. Mary M. is teaching in the public schools of Bellefontaine. John P., who is engaged in the insurance and real-estate business in Bellefontaine, married Ethel Gustin and has four living children, Eliza- beth, Marguerite, Martha and Charles. Ralph is a minister of the United Presby- terian church at Rushville. Nebraska. He married Katie Caldwell and has one child, George. Edgar and Harry now have charge of the. homestead farm. The latter married Cora McCormick. Laura, a twin sister of Harry, died at the age of nine months. Mabel is at home.
Mr. Aikin has been a stalwart Repub-
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lican since the organization of the party. He has never missed an election since 1855 and thus has always indicated his prefer- ence for the measures he thinks will prove of the greatest good. He served as town- ship treasurer and was also assessor in 1880. He has also been township trustee and in all his positions has discharged his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. Since 1858 he has been a member of the United Presbyterian church, for a number of years acted as one of its trustees and for twenty years has been a ruling elder. He was one of the leading contributors to- ward the erection of the new house of wor- ship which was built in 1885. Whatever cause elicits the attention and approval of Mr. Aikin also receives from him hearty co- operation. He never feels a half interest in any movement but is strong in his ad- vocacy of whatever he believes to be right and whatever he thinks will prove of benefit. Mr. Aikin is a man of fine appear- ance with white beard, but though the snow's of many winters rest upor his head he has a heart that is young, and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He has, however, passed the seventy-seventh mile-stone in life's journey and yet he is actively engaged in business, personally superintending his farming interests. Such a life record is certainly well worthy of emulation, furnishing to his fellowmen an example that might be profitably followed by many.
SAMUEL J. ROGERS.
Samuel J. Rogers has reached the sey- enty-fourth mile-stone on life's journey. There have been a number of events in his
life history well worthy of recording, and his record is that of a man who has been true to duty in all life's relations and has faithfully met all his obligations and has ever endeavored to mold his actions into harmony with the principles of manhood which ever awaken respect and regard. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 12, 1829, and is a son of John and Rachel (Ely) Rogers. Their children were: Samuel. of this review; Amos. Isaac and Joseph, deceased ; and Sarah Ann.
A common school education gave Samuel J. Rogers a knowledge of the Eng- lish branches of learning usually taught in such institutions and after leaving school he learned and followed the blacksmith's trade. When the Civil war was in prog- ress, however. he put aside all business and personal considerations and. respond- ing to his country's call for aid, he joined the army on the 2d of May. 1864, becom- ing a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He remained with the command until the 6th of September following, when he re- ceived an honorable discharge. He par- ticipated in the battle of Fox Mills on the Ist of August of that year, and during the rest of the time was engaged in guard duty.
In 1851 Mr. Rogers was married to Miss Mahala Wagner, who was born in June, 1831, and after a happy married life of about twelve years, passed away in March, 1863. Later Mr. Rogers was again married. his second union being with Catherine Askren, whose birth occurred on the 30th of July, 1839. By the first marriage there were born three children. John, born August 1, 1852. married Dora Murdock and their children are Ora and
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Orpha; Frank, born December 6, 1854, triet schools of Harmony township, that wedded Alice Hughes and they have five county. His parents were Levi and Anna ( McQueen) Harrod, and the former was born in Knox county, Ohio, where he lived until he had attained his majority. His father had given him one hundred and sixty acres of land and, taking up his abode thereon. he made it his place of residence until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away at an advanced age several years prior to the demise of her husband. children, Leona, Myrtle, Harley, Gale and William; Mabel, born November 5, 1857, became the wife of Samuel Wilgus and their children are Cora, Hettie and Leo. By the second marriage there was one child. Samuel, who died in infancy. For his third wife Mr. Rogers married Mary E. Watkins, and his fourth wife was Cath- erine Callahan, by whom he had four chil- dren, Harry E., deceased; Ennis G .; Charles G. and Claud . 1.
Except when engaged in the service of his country at the time of the Civil war, Mr. Rogers has always followed farming since attaining man's estate. He has worked earnestly and untiringly and his labors have been directed by good man- agement and sound judgment. It is these qualities which have enabled him to secure a fair amount of capital and become the owner of property which annually returns to him a good living. His home is in Rush Creek township. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, to which he has since adhered, and his politi- cal endorsement of Republican principles is manifested by his ballot, which he always casts for the candidates of the party.
MINOR S. HARROD.
Minor S. Harrod was a farmer in busi- ness life in Logan county for a number of years and during his last years was en- gaged in conducting a hardware store in Belle Center. He was born in Morrow county, Ohio, February 3, 1836, and during his early boyhood days attended the dis-
Minor S. Harrod of this review remain- ed upon the home farm until about twenty- two years of age and during that time gained practical experience in the work of field and meadow. He then purchased a farm adjoining the old homestead and con- tinued to live in Morrow county until after the outbreak of the war caused by the dif- ferences of opinion in the north and the outh resulting from the slavery question. He then removed with his family to Wood county, Ohio, where he purchased a farm. upon which he established his wife and chil- dren. He then enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteers under the command of Captain McGowen. He was with that reg- iment for three years and was then com- missioned first lieutenant in a heavy artil- lery company with which he served until the close of the war. He was in the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, took part in sev- eral engagements in Virginia and was honorably discharged at Chattanooga, Ten- nessee, on the 7th of April. 1866.
When the war had ended Mr. Harrod returned to Ohio and purchased a farm near Chester, Morrow county, having in the meantime sold his other farming prop- erty. He lived near Chester for nine years,
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devoting his energies to general agricul- tural pursuits and stock raising. He then went to Alabama, but remained for only a few months, after which he returned to Ohio and settled in Belle Center in the fall of 1876. Here he was engaged in the man- ufacture of tile until about 1883. when he returned to Morrow county, Ohio, where he spent four years upon the farm owned by Mrs. Harrod's father. He then again came to Belle Center, where he purchased a hardware store, which he conducted suc- cessfully until his death on the 20th of November. 1899.
rod family, is engaged in the stove and tin- ware business at Belle Center. He married Rebecca Jordan and they have a daughter Zanade Helen. Cora is the wife of H. W. Sweatland, of Morrow county. where he follows farming, and they have five chil- dren: Homer, Glenn, Mary, Murray and Maurice. The members of the Harrod fam- ily who have passed away are: Lula, who died at the age of twenty months; Carrie, who was a twin sister of Cora and died at the age of two years; Ada, who died at the age of two years; and one that died in infancy.
On the 8th of November, 1857, Mr. In his political views Mr. Harrod was a Democrat and took a deep interest in the growth and success of his party. He served as a member of the board of alderman of Belle Center and as a member of the school board, yet he did not care for political pre- ferment. However, he was a public spirited man in favor of all movements that tended to benefit the community. He belonged to the Grand Army of the Republic and was a devoted and active member of the Christian church, in which he served as an elder for fifteen years. His life was in consistent harmony with his professions as a Christian and his genuine worth, his honor and his straightforward dealing made his life record one that is well worthy of commendation and emulation. Harrod was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Meredith, who was born in Har- mony township, Morrow county, where she lived until her marriage. Her parents were Thomas and Hannah ( Evans ) Meredith. The former was a native of Chester town- ship. Morrow county, and after arriving at years of maturity he carried on general farming and stock-raising. In his work he prospered and at his death he left five litin- dred acres of improved land in addition to other property. He was a very progessive man in his work, was reliable and trust- worthy and was held in high esteem. He died when about seventy-four years of age, having survived his wife for eight years. In their family were seven children of whom three are yet living. George, the eldest, is a timekeeper in the railroad shops at Madison, Illinois. He married Miss Anna McNeil and they have eight children SAMUEL E. POWELL. as follows: Marcus, who served for three years in the Spanish- American war : Mamie. Samuel E. Powell, who owns and op- erates a good farm of forty-four acres in Rush Creek township, is one of Ohio's native sons, as he was born in Champaign the wife of Real Smith of Belle Center, by whom she has a daughter, Gladys; Leslie ; Bryant; Ruth: Harry; Lula; and Tyra. Elwood W., the second member of the Har- county, this state, on the 19th of Novem-
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ber. 1871, his parents being John and Eliza (Clark) Powell. The father was born in the same county in 1842 and the mother .in 1843. Their children were Anna E .. Tempa J., Samuel E., Myrtle G., Raymond C., William H. and Clarence.
The educational privileges which our subject enjoyed were such as the common schools near his boyhood home afforded. and he continued his studies there until eighteen years of age. Since leaving the school room he has devoted his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he spent three years near Pickrelltown. Logan county, and on the expiration of that period he purchased his present farm in Walnut Grove. Rush Creek township, and here he has since made his home. being successfully en- gaged in the operation of his land.
Mr. Powell married Miss Rettie Stan- ley, who was born in Logan county, Octo- ber 2, 1856, and is a daughter of Jones E. and Clarissa (Marsh) Stanley. Her father was born March 13. 1830, and her moth- er's birth occurred . August 6. 1836. Their other children were Elsa and Gilford, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Powell have one child. Edson Stanley P., born January 28. 1886. Our subject uses his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and has always taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs. Religiously he is a men- ber of the Society of Friends.
JAMES WALKER.
man of the broadest reading and research. whose interest to his clients was proverb- ial. and yet who never forgot that he owed a higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. He was a native of Pennsyl- vania. born in Washington county in the year 1826, and was but eight years of age when he accompanied his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Walker, on their removal from the Keystone state to Ohio. The family home was established in Knox county, and in that locality the subject of this review obtained his early education in the public schools, while later he entered Martinsburg College and thus acquired a broad literary knowledge to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the super- structure of his professional learning.
In 1848. having determined to make the practice of law his life work. he be- came a student in the office and under the direction of the Hon. Columbus Delano. one of the most eminent legists and jurists that has ever graced the bench and bar of Ohio. He continued his reading under Mr. Delano at Mount Vernon until 1850. when he was admitted to the bar. His success in practice came soon because his equipment was unusually good. He re- moved at once to Bellefontaine, where he opened an office, and in the contest with lawyers of broader experience and older in practice he showed that he was thor- oughly familiar with the principles of jur- isprudence and capably met them in con- tests before the court. His mind, keenly analytical. grasped almost intuitively the strong points in a case and he marshaled his evidence with the precision of a mili- tary commander. In 1854 he entered into partnership with Judge William H. West.
One of the most distinguished mem- bers that has ever practiced at the bar of Logan county was James Walker. a constituting one of the strongest law
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firms ever connected with the bar of Lo- of this county. his associates being An- gan county. In 1867 General Robert P. Kennedy was also admitted to a partner- ship under the firm style of West. Walker & Kennedy. From the time that Mr. Walker became a practicing lawyer of Bellefontaine he maintained a leading po- sition in the ranks of the legal fraternity here. In 1854 he was elected prosecuting attorney and was re-elected in 1856, serv- ing with marked capability.
Other official honors came to him from time to time. In 1862 he was appointed by Senator Chase to the office of assessor of internal revenue and acted continuously in that position until 1866. His fellow townsmen manifested their appreciation of his trustworthiness, ability and loyalty to the welfare of Bellefontaine by choos- ing him for the office of mayor in 1868 and he served in that position continuously un- til 1879. It was a long term. marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of the po- sition and characterized by progress. re- form and improvement. Every official service which he performed won for him. no doubt a number of friends and in 1888 he was elected to represent Logan county in the Ohio legislature and therein served until his death. He was elected for three successive terms, an honor not accorded any other man in the county. On ques- tions of political moment Mr. Walker was a deep. earnest student. He formed his opinions from what he read and on facts. not from the ideas of others. He was a leader of men. not a follower, and his own strong mentality left its impress upon the public life and political action of Lo- gan county. He took a step in advance of many, when, in 1856, he with six others met and organized the Republican party
thony Casad. Benjamin Stanton, C. W. B. Allison, William Lawrence and W. II. West. Realizing the need of a party or- gan to advocate their views and present them to the public. he entered into part- nership with Judge West in the founding. of the Bellefontaine Republican, which is still published.
Mr. Walker was deeply interested in agriculture and gave much valuable aid to the formation and successful conduct of the Logan County Agricultural Society, and for several years acted as its secretary, putting forth every effort in its behalf.
In 1859 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Walker and Miss Mary Hanger. of Logan county, and unto them were born three daughters. Belle. Effie and Mabel.
Mr. Walker was a man ever fearless in defense of his honest convictions in the court room. on the public rostrum or in private life. He was not bitterly aggres- sive, yet he was never equivocal in the slightest degree. He stated fearlessly and clearly his views at the proper moment, and his opinions carried weight in the councils of his party, in the court room and among his friends. At the bar he stood as a high type of the great and good law- yer. who represents the profession which stands as the conservator of all human rights and liberties. His knowledge of the law was profound and comprehensive, his judgment clear and unbiased and his an- alysis of a case always comprehensive and accurate. He was a safe counselor. a strong advocate and he presented his cases with such clearness that he never failed to make a strong impression on the minds of his audience and seldom failed to win the verdict he desired. Prior to the Civil war
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he was a most earnest advocate of the of the leading. successful and prosperous anti-slavery movement, and labored untir- ingly in the work as an associate of Joshua R. Giddings. Wendell Phillips. Horace Mann and others. He was intellectually one of the strongest men that Logan county has ever produced and an enumera- tion of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon the bench and have hon- ored the state which has honored them would be incomplete without reference to James Walker. He passed away July 23, 1885, but he had engraven his name upon the keystone of the legal arch. and as one of the most distinguished lawyers that has ever practiced in Logan county his name will ever be found enrolled among the representative citizens of this county.
CHARLES J. FOLSOM.
Charles J. Folsom, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock- raising in Jefferson township. was born on the old homestead just across the road from his present farm, August 23. 1841. and comes of good old Revolutionary stock. His ancestry can be traced back to David Folsom, his great-grandfather, who at the time of the war for independ- ence joined the Continental army and val- iantly fought for the liberty of the nation until killed by the Indians.
George Folsom, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio. January 2. 1818. and in the year 1830 came to Zanesfield. purchasing fifteen hundred acres of land in Logan county. He devoted his attention to farm- ing throughout his entire life and was one
agriculturists of this portion of the state. He was also interested in the stock busi- ness. being an extensive dealer in horses, cattle. sheep and hogs, and was an excel- lent judge of the same. In politics he-was a Republican and in religious faith was a Methodist. Socially he was connected with Wapatonica Lodge No. 424. I. O. O. F .. of Zanesfield, of which he was a charter member and in which he filled all the chairs, taking an active interest in lodge work. On the 21st of October, 1840, he married Sarah Jane Fyffe, who died .Au- gust 17. 1885. and his death occurred Feb- ruary 11, 1874, the remains of both being interred in the Bellefontaine cemetery. Their children were Charles J., of this re- view ; William, who was born July 1. 1843. and died March 20, 1846; Ellen, born Jan- mary 3. 1846; Mary, who was born Octo- ber 10, 1848. and died March 21, 1862.
Under the parental roof Charles J. Folsom spent the days of his boyhood and is indebted to the common school system of the locality for the educational privi- leges lie enjoyed. Throughout his entire life he has followed farming, having gained practical experience in the business while assisting in the cultivation of the old homestead. He is an extensive breeder of Jersey cattle. having owned the Maple Shade herd, which he exhibited at a num- ber of fairs and which won many pre- miums, and he still has some of the same stock now. His farm consists of one hun- dred and sixty-five acres.
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