USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 84
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As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Folsom chose Miss Mary Yearsley, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, December 8. 1846, a daugh- ter of Robert Yearsley, whose birth oc-
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eurred on a farm near Coatesville, Chester December 2. 1877. is with his brother county, Pennsylvania. on the 7th of George in California and is a teacher in the public schools. He. too, is a member of Wapatonica Lodge. I. O. O. F. March, 1823. Her paternal grandparents were Thomas and Rebecca (Fawcett) Yearsley, the latter of whom died when their son Robert was only seven years old. The first of the family to come to America was Isaac Yearsley, Mrs. Folsom's great- grandfather, who was a native of England. and of good old Quaker stock. He lo- cated in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he became the owner of extensive landed interests. Robert Yearsley was a Republican in politics, his family having always affiliated with that party, and like most of his ancestors he was a member of the Presbyterian church, though his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 29th of January, 1846. he married Sarah Yearsley and to them were born three children. Mary Ann. the wife of our subject ; Rebecca Jane, who was born December 19, 1849. and is the wife of Elwood Pennock, a resident of Zanes- field: and Sally, who was born November 8. 1852, and died October 31. 1872. The father of this family died August 22, 1859.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Folsom has been blessed with four children, Clifton. born November 12. 1868, attended busi- ness college and became a fine book- keeper, but prefers to assist his father in the operation of the home farm. Edna, born April 27. 1871. is the wife of Orville Wickersham, who is conducting a hard- ware store in Rushsylvania. George, born April 9. 1874. is now carrying on a fruit farm at Colton. California. He is also a Republican and is a member of Wapaton- ica Lodge No. 424. I. O. O. F., at Zanes- field, Ohio, and the encampment at San Bernardino, California. Robert Y., born
In matters of citizenship Mr. Folsom lias always been public spirited and pro- gressive, and at the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting on the 4th of Septem- ber, 1864. as a member of the National Guard. being made second lieutenant. Later the company to which he belonged was about to be disbanded on account of many of its members having joined other companies, but it was finally reorganized and Mr. Folsom was made sergeant. He was under fire below Richmond for two months and continued in the army, a loyal defender of the Union cause. until after the close of the war, when he was honor- ably discharged in September, 1866. He now has in his possession a map which was drawn by Lanford Prater, of Company E. One Hundred and Thirty-second Regi- ment on the battle-field.
Mr. Folsom gives his political support to the party which stood by the Union in the dark hours of the Civil war. having ever been a stalwart Republican. In relig- ious faith he is a Methodist. and he is also identified with Wapatonica Lodge No. 424. I. O. O. F .. at Zanesfield : Belle- fontaine Encampment No. 72, and Re- bekah Lodge. No. 186. I. O. O. F., to which his wife also belongs. For four years he was a representative to the grand lodge of the state and was a member of the judi- ciary committee during his last term. He has passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, and is also a inem- ber of Kremlin St. Petersburg Lodge, Im- perial Order of Museovites, of Cleveland,
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Ohio, Mr. Folsom being the only member he was again married. his second union of the order living in Logan county.
Such. in brief. is the life history of Mr. Folsom, a man well known because of his reliability in business, his loyalty in citi- zenship and his faithfulness in friendship.
JOHN REA RENICK.
John Rea Renick was born upon the farm which is now his home, his natal day being April 25. 1846. The old homestead is located in Washington township, and through many long years has been the place of residence of the Renick family. His parents were John Hamilton and Elizabeth (Rea) Renick, and his paternal grandparents were Robert and Mary (Hamilton) Renick. The Hamiltons were an old family of Greenbriar county. Vir- ginia. The Renick family is of Scotch lineage and the name was originally spelled Renwick. Later the form of Ren- nick was assumed and subsequently the present mode of spelling was adopted. Robert Renick, the grandfather, was born in the Old Dominion ard for a number of years engaged in farming in Greenbriar county, subsequent to which time he went to Clark county, Ohio, where he con- ducted a gristmill and stillhouse. From the government he entered land and was at one time the owner of thirteen hundred acres, which is now included within the central portion of the city of Springfield. Ohio. Thinking to better his financial con- dition in the west. however, he traded his land and thereby lost all that he had. Unto him and his wife were born seven children and after the death of Mrs. Mary Renick
being with Elizabeth Knight. This wed- ding was celebrated on the 21st of April, 1813. Robert Renick died October 23. 1828, leaving his family in destitute cir- cumstances, and for this cause the children became separated, Henry going to Vir- ginia ; James to Lexington, Missouri: Rob- ert to St. Louis, Missouri, where he be- came a banker: William to Illinois: and John H. came to Logan county.
The last named is the father of our subject. He was born January 4. 1804. and in early life assisted his father in the mill. Removing to this county, he pur- chased two hundred and sixty acres of land from the government at the Piqua land sale. He had one yoke of oxen and one horse and thus he began farming in Logan county. A year later. however. he re- turned to Clark county for a visit, taking with him his oxen and horse. On his re- turn to Logan county about the year 1828 he began keeping house in an old log cabin on an adjoining farm, which had been va- cated by Indians, living in it until he could build a cabin of his own. His entire tract of land was heavily timbered and the sound of the ax had never been heard thereon save as the Indians had cut down trees in order to make trails through the forest. The family endured all the hard- ships of pioneer life and performed the arduous task of developing a new home in the midst of the forest. As the years passed ten children were added to the household. of whom four are now living. James Henry, who was born November 4. 1829, went to Illinois and there became acquainted with a Mr. Bradford, with whom he formed a partnership and en- gaged in the sale of hedge fences for a
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number of years. They afterward went to Whig party, and when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery. he joined its ranks. Several times he was called upon to fill local offices, the duties of which he dis- charged in a capable manner. Both he and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church, and for a number of years he served as one of its leaders. Mrs. Renick died October 12. 1876, and he aft- erward took up his abode near Huntsville. where his death occurred March 31. 1886. New Orleans in the same business, and while there James H. Renick informed his partner of his desire to get married. They went to the east. and there Mr. Bradford introduced Mr. Renick to Josephine Dunkley, of Concord. New Hampshire. He afterward wedded this lady and settled in Brooklyn, New York, and in connection with Mr. Bradford. engaged in business in New York city. They afterward con- ducted a lumber business in Port Huron. Michigan, where James H. Renick died. Mr. Renick obtained his education in the common schools of Lewistown and started out upon an independent business career when about twenty-three years of age. He had had broad experience in farm work. for from the time when he was old enough to handle the plow he had as- sisted in the cultivation of the fields on the old homestead. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Salina .A. Reed and the wedding occurred February 2. 1869. The lady was a daugh- ter of Robert and Martha Reed, of Logan county, and by her marriage became the mother of five children. Josie E., born De- cember 27. 1860: Robert H., who was born October 18. 1871. and married Min- nie Longbrake. a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann Longbrake; Edward B., born March 27. 1874: Euphemia M., who was born February 11, 1876, and is the wife of Edson Van Steenburg, a farmer of Lo- gan county, and Mattie Fern, who was born September 12. 1878, and is a teacher in the Lewistown schools. In 1879 Mr. Renick was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 4th of Febru- ary of that year. On the 6th of January. 1880, he wedded Mary J., a daughter of May 26, 1874. and his widow afterward be- came the wife of Mr. Bradford. William Andrew, the second of the family, was born November 10, 1831. and died at the age of four years. Nancy Jane, born Au- gust 15. 1834. became the wife of Dr. Pollock, who practiced successively in Lewistown, Kenton and Belle Center. He died in the last named place and his widow is now residing there. Robert Harvey. born August 31. 1837. erlisted in the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry in 1861 and after five months returned home. where he soon afterward died because of the exposure and hardships he had suffered in the serv- ice. Mary Isabel, porn December 17. 1838, died in infancy. Mary Elizabeth. born June 15. 1841. is the wife of George Reed. a farmer living near Huntsville. Ohio. Louisa Isabel, born October 18. 1843. is the wife of William H. Plum, an agriculturist of Washington township. John Rea is the next of the family. The ninth was a son, who was born November 1. 1849. and died in infancy. Sarah R .. born September 22, 1852. also died in in- fancy. The father of this family was a stanch advocate of abolition principles in ante bellum days. He voted with the James and Mary Fulton, and a native oi
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Logan county. They had one daughter, two children. Carrie Ethlyn, born Febru- Mary Bell, born June 2, 1882. The mother died July 31. 1895, and Mr. Renick was again married March 24. 1897. the lady of his choice being Mrs. Dora ( Monroe) Wil- son, a daughter of A. J. and Mary .A. Mon- roe, of Logan county.
Jolin Wilson was the father of John F. Wilson, Mrs. Renick's first husband, and was born near Charleston, Clark county, Ohio, in 1821. He came to Logan county in 1864. married Nancy Turner, of Clark county, and they became the parents of three children, Fidelia .A., John Franklin and Mary Jane. John Wilson's parents were married in Vermont and settled in Clark county, Ohio, in an early day. The mother was of German descent. From this union there were born eight children. Hiram, Isaac. Jacob. George, John, Nancy, Lovina and Mary. The grand- mother lived to be about one hundred years old. He died when about forty years old, leaving a family of eight small children destitute. John Wilson was one of the eight children and was bound out when at the age of eight years. He grew to be an industrious youth, was married when twenty-one years of age and became a wealthy man. He improved a farm in Logan county and was one of the fore- most and leading men of the county dur- ing his lifetime. His son, John Franklin, was born November 1, 1851, and was but seven years old when he came with his par- ents to Logan county. He was educated in the common schools of Lewistown and was a farmer all his life. Ile was married October 12, 1876, to Isadora Monroe, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, June 29. 1856, a daughter of A. J. and Mary A. (Brown) Monroe. By this union there were
ary 28, 1878, and John Horace, born Oc- tober 1. 1879. Carrie is the wife of James A. Metcalf, of Montana, and John married Margaret Knapp. They have a son. John Harold. born October 2. 1901. John Franklin Wilson died December 25. 1891. He was a member of the Methodist Prot- estant church, was a Democrat and was a well known and honored citizen. His son. Jolm Horace, is a Republican.
Mr. Renick has always followed farm- ing and stock-raising. He purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old home- stead and has since sold all except one hundred and ten acres of the land. On this he now lives, and his farm is well improved and equipped with every facility for carrying on agricultural pursuits in a progressive manner. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Prot- estant church of Lewistown, of which he is serving as a steward. In politics he is an earnest Republican and has filled the office of township treasurer, trustee and road commissioner.
The cause of education has also found in him a warm friend, and while serving on the schoo, board he has labored effect- ively for the interests of intellectual ad- vancement in this community.
JACOB C. IRWIN.
Jacob C. Irwin, the well known and pop- ular postmaster of DeGraff. is an important factor in the business circles of that place where for several years he has successfully engaged in merchant tailoring. A native of Ohio, he was born in the village of Rich-
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wood, Union county, on the 9th of Decem- ber. 1858. and is the only child of A. J. and Martha ( Sidle) Irwin. By profession the father was a physician and surgeon and during the Civil war he was commis- sioned surgeon of the One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. A year or so later he was transferred to the Second Tennessee Mounted Infantry and while stationed at Paducah, Kentucky, died in the hospital at that place in 1863. His wife went south and brough the body back to Richwood for interment. The exposure and grief caused her to go into decline and she died in May of the following year.
Thus left an orphan at the age of five years, Jacob C. Irwin made his home with his maternal grandparents. Jacob C. and Elizabeth ( Hamilton) Sidle, his early life being passed upon a farm until he was about fourteen years of age. when they removed to the village of Richwood. There he at- tended school at intervals until he was twenty years old. but in the meantime, when about seventeen, he began learning the tailor's trade, working the first year for little or nothing. Later he worked as a journeyman in different parts of the coun- try, spending some time in Emporia. Kan- sas.
In 1883 Mr. Irwin was married in Rich- wood, Ohio, to Miss Anna R. Walters, who was born in St. Paris, this state, and they have become the parents of one daughter. Martha H., born in Richwood. In 1893 Mr. Irwin came to DeGraff, where he has since engaged in business on his own ac- count and is meeting with good success. In December, 1902. he was appointed postmas- ter by President Roosevelt and is now ac- ceptably filling that office, discharging its duties in a creditable and satisfactory manner.
Since casting his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield. in 1880, Mr. Irwin has been unwavering in his support of the Republican party, and has taken an active part in politics, serving as a delegate to sev- eral conventions and as a member of the county Republican committee from the De- Graff precinct in Miami township for three years. He was made a Mason in Mt. Carmel Lodge. No. 303, but has since transferred his membership to Boggs Lodge, No. 292, F. & A. M., and he also be- longs to Marion Chapter, No. 62, R. A. M. Mr. and Mrs. Irwin are active members in Constance Chapter No. 78. Q. E. S., at De Graff. and do much for its advancement and exemplify its helpful and benevolent spirit in their lives.
JOHN D. NIVEN.
John D. Niven was born in Alyth. Perthshire, Scotland, May 20, 1814, and when a young man of sixteen years con- cluded to try his fortunes in the new world and first came to Quebec, Canada. He brought with him letters of intro- duction to important personages and among others one to the Governor General of Can- ada, but being of an exceedingly modest and retiring disposition he hesitated in present- ing his letter in person, and finally concluded to send it by mail, which he did. and very shortly thereafter, having determined to go on to the United States, left the city with- out waiting for a reply and proceeded on his way. The governor general upon the re- ceipt of the letter at once attempted to find young Niven with the intention of render- ing him such assistance as might be neces- sary to enable him to engage in business
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there, but finding that he had left the city, of honor and a most affectionate and tender with the intention of going to the United husband and father, a firm and true friend. States. dispatched a messenger after him for the purpose of bringing him back, but he had gone beyond recall. Had he been overtaken it is possible that other plans might have detained him in the Dominion and changed his life's purposes.
In the year 1831 he removed to Greene county, Ohio, and four years later, in 1835. became a resident of Logan county. On the ISth of November. 1839. he was married to Elizabeth Mclaughlin, a daugh- ter of John MeLaughlin, who was also of Scotch descent. Mr. Niven was appointed postmaster of Bellefontaine. under the ad- ministration of Millard Fillmore, and serv- ed one term of four years from 1849 to 1853. Upon the completion of the rail- roads. connecting Bellefontaine with points north, south, east and west and the estab- lishment of an express office in connection with them, Mr. Nevin was appointed agent of the United States Express Company, and for more than thirty-five years continued as their agent in this city until by reason of the change of companies the express busi- ness went into other hands.
He was a man of most exact and scru- pulous honesty, fair in his dealings with all mankind and most kind and courteous in his treatment of all men. With strong per- sonal opinions and convictions, he never ob- truded them upon others, but accorded to all the right to hold and entertain opinions of their own. His personal friendships were warm and lasting, and he was always ready to extend a helping hand. Attending closely to his business. he still found time to keep abreast of the times and be advised upon all questions of public interest. In his family and social relations he was the soul
It is not permitted many men to pass through life with fewer enemies and more friends than John P. Niven ; he plucked the flowers along the roadside leaving the thorns to grow untouched, and made his way gathering about him only the better and the tenderest element of human nature. He had been identified with Bellefontaine and its business interests for almost two-thirds of a century and had seen it grow from a rural village into one of the thriving cities of his adopted state: he had been closely associated with the growth and improve- ment of the times, and was always active to the best interests of the people among whom he had lived for so many years. Quiet. unostentatious and without pretense, he was everywhere recognized as a most substantial and representative citizen, and one who held the confidence and esteem of his fellow men. He died on the 12th of January, 1895. full of years and with a life well spent : he put his trust in the Master in whose service he had so long been a fol- lower and gathering his family about him passed from earthly things to the life be- yond. It was the ending of a life without a blemish and the closing of an earthly career which had been full of good deeds and kindly services to his fellow men.
SIMPSON L. HORN.
Extensive landed interests carefully controlled return to Simpson L. Horn a good income and he is now one of the pros- perous residents of Huntsville. In his early
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life, however, he met many privations and the country schools until about seventeen difficulties. but his persistency of purpose and marked energy have largely enabled him to overcome the obstacles in his path. He was born October 7. 1852. in Lake town- ship. Logan county, about two miles north of Bellefontaine. The Horn family is of German lineage. The great-grandfather came to America in his boyhood days about the year 1765 and was bound out to a black- smith for whom he was to work until he was twenty-one years of age, thus paying his passage to this country. There were three brothers that came to this country at that time, but soon after their arrival they were separated and never saw each other again. John Horn. the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia. The father. Jacob Horn, was a native of Preble county. Ohio, born in 1818, a son of John and Nancy Horn who were natives of Virginia and came to this state about 1814. After arriving at years of maturity Jacob Horn carried on general farming and stock-rais- ing. Ile wedded Eliza Laney whose birth occurred in Washington county. Pennsylva- nia, and who came to Logan county, Ohio, with her parents about 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Horn were married on the ad of April, 1844, and they became the parents of six children : John L., William H., Nancy M.,
years of age when he became a student in the Bellefontaine high school. In addition to the elementary branches of learning he pursued some of the higher studies, includ- ing bookkeeping. Subsequently he engaged in teaching during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he followed farm- ing. It was always his desire to study law, but his surroundings were such and the farm work so urgent that he could only devote his evenings to reading after the days' work was completed, and the day's work on the farm meant from twelve to fourteen hours of unremitting labor. He accompanied his parents on their removal from Lake town- ship to Harrison township in April. 1875. and there he engaged in farming and ship- ping stock. On the Ist of April. 1890, he located in Huntsville, and engaged in mer- chandising for nearly ten years, successfully conducting his store in connection with the supervision of his farming interests. On the expiration of a decade he sold his store and since that time has devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits and the im- provement of his farm property. He owns about nine hundred and fifty acres of val- uable farming land beside other real estate in towns and cities. He also writes some life insurance and is district agent for the Simpson L .. Columbia .A. and Mary E. John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Com- The father deported this life May 1. 1897, pany, of Boston, Massachusetts.
having for a number of years survived his wife who died September 30. 1879. She was a daughter of Simpson Laney who was born in Ireland and her mother was born on the Atlantic ocean while her parents, who were natives of Germany, were crossing to America.
Simpson L. Horn spent the days of his youth on the old home farm and attended
On the 22d of November, 1877. in Pleas- ant township, Logan county, Mr. Horn was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Makemson, a daughter of Cyrus Makemson, who was a resident farmer of Logan county, and is now living retired. He was born in July, 1820, and is still enjoying good health. His wife, who was born in Virginia. on Christmas day of 1824, passed away April
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30. 1890. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Horn were born three children: Tiry Wilbur, Bessie Arabell and Arthur Makemson. Mr. Horn's surroundings have always been pleasant and he has always enjoyed the blessing of a happy home and good neighbors. In his early youth his parents held their neighbors in the highest esteem and their truthfulness was never questioned. thereby Mr. Horn came to have a high regard for the pledge of humanity but has suffered financial losses on account of this. He is, however, more sorry to learn of the depravity of humanity than because of the losses which he has sus- tained. He is himself the soul of honor and integrity in all business transactions and he is always ready to aid in the promotion of any public enterprise for the general wel- fare. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican and while living in Harrison township he was a member of Harrison Grange. He is now a charter member of Huntsville Lodge. No. 656, K. P. and filled the office of master of exchequer until the Ist of January, 1902, when he was installed chancellor commander. He has been a member of Huntsville union school board since 1894, and its treasurer since Sep- tember, 1895. and he has also been treasurer of the Huntsville Gas Company since 1894. Both Mr. and Mrs. Horn are members of the Evangelical Lutheran church of Belle- fontaine, and are well known in the com- munity in which they have resided. Mr. Horn's success has been the result of earn- est, persistent effort in the line of honorable and manly dealing. His aims have always been to attain the best, and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken. His life has marked a steady growth and now he is in possession of an ample competence and more than all
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