USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 2 > Part 70
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DAVID W. De LAY, Principal of the South Charleston Union Schools. The sub- ject of this sketchi was born April 12, 1835, about one mile east of the town of Jack- ton, the county seat of Jackson County, and when about five years old, his father moved into the village where he resided one or two years, and from thence the family moved onto a farin about six miles from Jackson, on the road leading to McArthur, Ohio. His father's name was James. the eldest son of the Rev. Jacob DeLay, who was exten- sively known as one of the early pioneer preachers of the M. E. Church. and who was remarkable for great decision of character, as well as for his forcible and positive man- ner of preaching the. Gospel. He was the father of eleven sons and one daughter, and as Methodist preachers were not generally noted for their abundant wealth of this world's goods, James, the father of D. W., received but little as his share of the estate, and, as a consequence, was not able to give his children the best advantages of a good education. David was the fourth in a family of six children ; his mother was an excel- lently good and hopeful woman, who made the impress of her own character upon those of her children, when they were very young, and to her early pious training, they all, no doubt, owe much of whatever success they may have had in life; for if any one is destitute of a moral training, he can lay claim to but little of success in life. While living on the farm before referred to, and on another farm to which his father afterward moved, in the same vicinity, he received his first rudiments of an education while avail- ing himself of the advantages offered by the district school; these advantages were meager indeed-far inferior to these enjoyed by the youth of these later days. The old log schoolhouse, which all have so often heard described and read about, was the kind il which he received his first schooling. The length of the term was generally from three to four months in the winter season, taught by male teachers, who usually received about $15 per month; though these advantages were poor, they were sufficient to create a desire for something higher in the way of an education. In early life, he was particu- larly fond of reading biographies of great and good men; these had a good influence, and created in him an ambition to arise to something honorable, aud at the same time to do good in the world. At the age of twenty, having acquired a little money by his own exertions, he entered the preparatory department of the Ohio University, at Athens, Ohio; this department was at that time taught by Prof. W. H. Young, a very excellent teacher ; Dr. Solomon Howard was President of the college, supported by an able corps of teachers; here Mr. DeLay continued to prosecute a course of study, occasionally dropping out to teach a district school, to recruit his finances; at one time while in col- lege, a vacancy occurred in the principalship of the Ewingtou Academy, in Gallia County, Ohio, and application was made to the Vice President of the college to send them a suitable man to take charge of this institution; Mr. DeLay was recommended and employed; here he taught for a number of terms very successfully. In June, 1863, he assisted in recruiting a company for the 1st Orio Heavy Artillery, and entered that regiment as a Second Lieutenant in August of that year; a few months later, he was appointed as Aid-de- Camp and Quartermaster on the staff of Gen. Jacob Ammen, who was commanding the 4th Division, 23d Army Corps, with headquarters at Knox- ville, Tenn., with whom he served till the spring of 1865, when, Gen. Ammen resign- ing, Mr. DeLay returned to his regiment and remained with it till mustered out at the close of the war. On June 3, 1862, about one year before entering the army, he was married to Miss Cynthia Rowley, whose parents lived at Porter, Gallia Co., Ohio. Im- mediately on arriving at home after the close of the war, his services were sought in a high school near Gallipolis, Ohio, where he taught successfully several terms; but a vacancy occur- ring in the principalship of the Ewington Academy. where he taught before the war, the Trustees again applied to him to take charge of this institution ; he accepted the position, and taught here another year; during this year, the attendance was unusually good, and the school flourished as it had not done for many years, at the close of this year, Mr. Delay was elected to the principalship of the South Charleston Union School; he took charge of this school in September, 1869, as Principal and Teacher of the High School, which position he has filled until the present time, being now engaged in his twelfth year. It should have been said before, that at the close of the war, Mr. Delay
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sought and obtained the privilege of finishing bis course of study in the Ohio Univer- sity, at Athens, Ohio, which he did, passing the required examinations and graduating with the class of 1868, receiving the degree of A. B. and the degree of A. M. four years afterward; he also holds a State certificate, which was granted him after a thor- ough examination by John Hancock, A. J. Rickoff and T. C. Mendenhall, whose names his certificate bears. He is still, as he always has been, a diligent student, constantly seeking to give his pupils all the benefit of diligent research, and the thorough prepara- tion which he makes previous to hearing his classes recite. Since his connection with the schools of South Charleston, forty-one pupils have graduated from the High School ; of this number several have engaged in teaching, generally with good success; several of these have, from time to time, been employed in our public schools ; a number of the young men have gone to college and finished a classical course, after graduating in the High School. Mr. DeLay is now in the prime of life, and bids fair to do good work for many years to come.
CALEB HARRISON, farmer ; P. O. South Charleston ; was born in . Delaware Co., PenD., July 7, 1830, a son of John F. and Elizabeth Harrison ; they were both natives of Pennsylvania, he being born Feb. 2, 1804. and she Dec. 15, 1801. They came to Ohio in 1838. and located in Madison Township, Clark Co., where for several years they rented farms. Finally, they purchased a farm near Springfield, which is still in the hands of the heirs and widow. Their children were as follows : Charles P., Caleb, John F., Eliza, Abagail P. and Rebecca. Charles P. and Abagail P. are deceased. John F. Harrison, Sr., departed this life Feb. 26, 1875. Caleb assisted in the labors of his father's farm till 26 years of age, when he began life for himself. For several years, he followed farming in this county. In 1865, he moved to Louisa Co., Iowa, and was engaged in the mercantile business till 1869. In 1871, he began in the mail serv- ice, which he continued five years, being located at Burlington. In February, 1877, he returned to Clark County, and purchased a farm in Madison Township, where he NOW resides. He was united in marriage, March 3, 1857, with Catharine A. Foster. She was born in this county March 2, 1839. The fruits of this union were two chil- dren, Charles F. and William (deceased). Mrs. Harrison is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
SEYMOUR HARROLD, farmer ; P. O. South Charleston. Samuel Harrold, the name of the first of the Harrolds of whom we have any record, was born in Normandy. and was therefore a descendant of the Norsemen, those warriors, or " Vikings old," who became conspicuous by their conquests in Northern Europe, from the eighth to the tenth century. In their exploits by sea they are known to have touched the shores of America in the tenth century, and if, as some archaeologists believe, the old tower at Newport was built by them, who knows but some of our piratical progenitors were at the building of that antique structure. In consulting the old records of my grandfather, Judge David Harrold, who was a careful chronicler, I find the following: " Samuel Harrold was born in Normandy. He held a Lieutenant Colonel's commission in King William's army ( William III). He was in several battles in England and Ireland. Among other engagements, he was present and active in the famous battle of the Boyne in 1690, where he lost one of his legs by a cannon ball. For his services in the army, King William gave him a grant of land in the county of Cavan, Ireland, where he set- tled, married, and raised one son, named William, who, when he was grown, married into a family by the name of Eliott." William had but one child to survive him, named Samuel, born 1728., He came to America at the age of of 17; married a lady by the name of Russell, by whom he had five sons. His wife died in the year 1777. He afterward married Rachel Carver, widow, by whom he raised two children, Rebecca (who married Joseph Gillingham, of Philadelphia) and David. David Harrold was born December, 1780. He was married to Martha Wall, July 9, 1811. Martha Wall was born Jan. 7, 1776. David Harrold was born in Bucks County, Penn., where he fol- lowed farming and lumbering on the Delaware River. In 1812, he moved to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he purchased 400 acres of land. In the year 1817, he sold his farm at $30 per acre, and moved to Buffalo. In the following spring he moved to Ohio;
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helped lay out the town of Upper Sandusky (now Fremont). In February, 1820, he moved to Madison Co., Ohio, four miles south of South Charleston, Clark County, but has always been identified with the latter place. He purchased 3,000 acres of land in the counties of Clark, Madison and Fayette, and became prominent among the leading farmers and stock raisers. He was one of the first men in the State to engage in the breeding of thoroughbred cattle, making his first purchases from the importation of " Sanders, Smith and Teagarden, in the year 1817." I believe he was president of the first agricultural society organized outside of Hamilton Co., Ohio, which was held at South Charleston, in the year 1836. He was a great reader, investigating nearly all subjects of interest, and though raised a Quaker, he was a Liberal in his religious views. He filled the office of Associate Judge three different times during his life. He died at the Harrold homestead, May 13, 1862, a quiet and peaceful death. His wife died July 17, 1858. The following children were born to David Harrold; Solon, who died in infancy ; Caroline, who died when a child ; Alfred, born May 11, 1815, and died Aug. 17, 1836, not married ; William, born Nov, 9, 1818, died March 22, 1861, and Charles, born Dec. 22, 1813. Charles Harrold studied law under Mason & Torbert, in Spring- field, Ohio, and was admitted to practice in the year 1836. After practicing law a short time in London, Ohio, he retired to his estate in Fayette Co., Ohio, devoting his time to study, and improving his farm. He never married ; was a fine scholar, and collected an excellent library. Many sought him to obtain legal advice, which was always given free. He was found dead in his bed on the morning of June 28, 1873, as though quietly sleeping. William Harrold lived with his father, David Harrold, at the home- stead, engaged in farming and stock raising; he died nearly a year previous to his father's death. He married Margaret Jones in June, 1843. Eight children were born to them-Marcella, died in infancy ; Minnie and Olive, died in Chicago, Ill., cach at about the age of 18; Alfred, " killed at the battle of Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862, mem- ber of Co. C, 74th O. V. I., Col. Moody ; " Maria, who married Dr. H. D. Garrison, of Chicago, in London, England, in 1878; Emma, who resides with her mother, at Ellis Park, Chicago ; Annie, who married Wells S. Troder, now of Minneapolis, Minn., and Seymour, writer of this article, who married Laura, daughter of Edwin and Frances Pierce. Has three children now living -- Ralph, aged 12, who, with his father, are the only male members known to be alive of this family of Harrolds ; Bertha, aged 10 : Annie, aged 3. As I am writing to interest my own descendants, it may not be out of place to say that I (Seymour), with my mother and two sisters, Maria and Emma, spent the winter of 1878-79 in Europe, mostly in Rome, whither I went in search of health. My family has always been liberal in religion ; anti-slavery ; Republican in politics.
Respectfully, SEYMOUR HARROLD.
LABAN W. HAUGHEY, dealer in real estate; South Charleston. Among the solid, substantial business men of Clark Co., L. W. Haughey stands deservedly high ; a man of enterprising character, whose integrity and honesty in all the relations of life have never been questioned, we are pleased to be able to represent him in the pages of this work. His grandfather, Thomas Haughey, a native of Ireland, came to the Amer- cau Colonies before the Revolutionary war ; settling in Virginia, where he was married. of which union were eleven children -- John, the father of Laban W., being the eldest. He was born in Grayson Co., Va., Jan. 2, 1787, and was there married to Patience Sturdyven, a native of the same county, born in 1792, and in 1810, came to Clinton Co., Ohio, the town of Wilmington, being now partly built upon the land which he owned. Thomas Haughey was a Revolutionary soldier, and helped to humiliate the hereditary foe of his native land; and soon after John came to Ohio, he also came, settled in Clinton Co., removing thence to Greene Co., where he resided until his death. In 1818. John and family also removed to Greene Co., settling south of Jamestown. in Silver Creek Township, he and wife spending the balance of their days in that county, she dying in November, 1872, and her husband in April, 1976. The subject of this sketch was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Oct. 13, 1811, and was the second in a family of twelve children, as follows: James N., Laban W., Sarah J., Ann, Lourenna, Church- well M., Elizabeth, Nancy, John Q. A., Thomas J., Calvin A. and an infant unnamed ;
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Sarah J. and six brothers are the survivors. Laban W. grew to manhood in Greene Co., receiving a limited education in the log schoolhouse of the pioneer days, and fol- lowing farming as his general occupation. He was married in that county Nov. 17. 1841, to Cynthia Larkin, a native of the county, born April 2, 1819, and the third in a family of seven children ... She is the daughter of David and Nancy (Harper) Lar - kin, natives of Maryland where he was born Dec. 5, 1787, and she Oct. 7, 1792, both being old families of that State, " Harper's Ferry " receiving its name from her family. They were married in Maryland Feb. 14, 1810, and soon afterward moved to Ohio. settling finally in Greene Co., coming in 1849 to South Charleston, where he is now residing, with his daughter Mrs. Haughey, his wife baving died Jan. 28, 1881, a sin- cere member of the M. E. Church, after a union of seventy years, eleven months and fourteen days, an event almost unparalleled in the annals of married life. Mr. Haughey began life on his individual resources, and made a success from the first, owning a nice farm before his marriage, which he made by his own industry. In January, 1850, he came to South Charleston, and began dealing in grain and produce, in partnership with his father-in-law, this lasting four years, after which he followed stock-trading and money-loaning. In 1863, he was instrumental in establishing the First National Bank of South Charleston, upon the organization of which he was elected its President, oc- cupyiug this position until its charter was surrendered, March 24, 1877, the bank continuing as a private institution. For about fourteen years he has been a member of the M. E. Church, of which his wife has been a life-long adherent, and he has taken an active interest in the prosperity of Methodism throughout the county ; has been in official position the whole period, and helped all churches regardless of creed. Every public movement found in him an active and hearty supporter, and he is recognized as one of the public benefactors of South Charleston. Politically, a Republican, he was an earnest upholder of the Union cause, giving his time and money to support the Gov- ernment in that crisis, and to take care of the families of the soldiers in the field. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and was a Director in the School Board for about fif- teen years ; he is one of the Directors of the Mad River National Bank of Springfield ; . is the owner of 242 acres of land in Fayette Co., Ohio. and 900 in Indiana, beside property in South Charleston and Springfield, and is one of the wealthy men of this portion of Ohio. Mr. Haughey is a quiet, courteous gentleman, of retiring habits, whose character commands the confidence and respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
D. O. HEISKELL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. South, Charleston. As a resi- dent of the county since its organization, few are more deserving of space in this work than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. John Heiskell, his father, was of German parentage, born in Virginia, where he grew to manhood, learned the hatter's trade, and married Elizabeth Plummer. In 1818, they, with their five children, emi- grated from Virginia and settled in Springfield, where. for several years, he followed his trade. He received 96 bushels of oats for the first hat that he sold in this State. For several years, he kept hotel in Springfield, but, in 1829, he sold to Peter Murray and removed to South Charleston and engaged in the mercantile business with his son-in-law, Absolom Mattox. After a partnership of ten years, Mr. Mattox withdrew and returned to Springfield and became a partner of Pearson Spinning's ; was afterward elected Sheriff of the county. Mr. Heiskell then took his son, D. O., in as a partner, and the business was continued till 1847, when the son purchased his present farm and engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. John Heiskell spent the remainder of his life in South Charels-
ton. The names of his children are as follows: Margaret, afterward Mrs. Dr. Lawrence; Drusilla, wife of Absolum Mattox, Mary D., wife of Rufus Putnam ; Adam and Daniel O. The last named is the only survivor; he was born in Virginia May 1, 1817 ; his education was obtained in the schools of Springfield and South Charleston. He was a member of the Village Council of South Charleston at the time when the cemetery was established ; was appointed a committee of one to purchase the grounds for the same ; has also served his township as Justice of the Peace, and has been Commissioner of the county two terms. He is an energetic farmer, and pays considerable attention to raising
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stock ; his farm, located in Sec. 16, is under good cultivation, and is one of the most de- sirable in the township. He was united in marriage with Mary Paist in the fall of 1839; she was born in this township Oct. 1, 1821 ; her father, Charles Paist, was for a number of years a very prominent merchant here ; he first kept store on his farin in the country, and then in South Charleston ; he dealt largely in stock, slaughtered and packed pork in South Charleston. He was a rank Abolitionist, and was connected with the " Under- ground Railroad." The children of D. O. and Mary Heiskell were nine in number, five of whom are living-John, Elizabeth, Drusilla, William and Lawrence; Ada, Mary H. and two infants are deceased.
E. C. JONES, druggist, South Charleston. Thomas E. Jones, his father, was born in Maryland March 27, 1811, a son of Thomas and Charlotte Jones. Mrs. Charlotte Jones died in 1828, and, in the spring of 1830, Mr. Joues and eight of the children- Thomas E., William, Jacob, David, Mary, Daniel, Michael and Charlotte, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Clark Co. John, the oldest child, remained in Maryland a few years, but finally came to Ohio also. Their father lived to the age of 62; he died in Cham- paign Co. in January of 1839. Thomas E. was raised a farmer and was engaged in agricultural pursuits till 1847, when he commenced the tanning business in South Charles- ton and continued it till about the close of the civil war ; he then followed teaming for about four years, since which he has not been in any regular employment. He is serv- ing his second term as Street Commissioner of South Charleston. His marriage was con- summated June 30, 1839, with Nancy D. Schobey ; she was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Dec. 18, 1822 ; nine children are the fruits of this union-Martin V. B. (deceased), Mary C., Margaret, Emma, Marquis, William, Edward C., Milton and Thomas W. (de- deased). Mr. Jones and family, except one child, are members of the M. E. Church. Edward C., the subject of this memoir, was born Jan. 23, 1854 ; his time was occupied principally in attending school till he arrived at the age of 18, when he went iu partner- ship with A. N. Barlow in the printing business, editing the South Charleston Banner. At the expiration of three years, he engaged with Mr. Hudson to learn the drug busi- ness ; he was with Mr. Hudson three years, and then with his successor, Charles Paullin, as clerk till in October of 1879, when he purchased the stock, and has since been con- ducting the business himself ; his card will be seen in the business directory of this work. On the 7th of May, 1880, he married Miss Anna Schickedantz; Christopher Schicke- dantz, her father, was of German birth; he emigrated to America in 1831, and after- ward married Judith Ann Clemens, a native of this county, by whom he had nine chil- dren ; he died in 1874, having survived his wife about three years. Mrs. Anna Jones was born Aug. 30, 1860 ; she is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. E. C. Jones is a member of the M. E. Church.
PRESLY JONES, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. South Charleston. The grandfather of this enterprising and successful farmer was Daniel Jones, a native of Delaware, of Welsh descent, who was married in his native State to Mary Allston, born in Philadelphia, of English and Irish parentage, whose father was a prominent merchant of that city when the Revolutionary war broke out, his wife being the daughter of an Irish nobleman. Soon after marriage Daniel and wife moved to Virginia, remain- ing there a few years, thence went to Pennsylvania, and about 1812, removed to Haw- ilton Co., Ohio, settling on the Little Miami River, and in 1816 came to Clark Co., and settled in the southern part of Harmony Township, where they remained until death, dying as they had lived, faithful members of the Baptist Church. They were the parents of thirteen children, viz., Enoch; John, Susan, Abel, Lewis, David, Levi, James, Margaret, Mary, and Isaiah; two died in infancy. Enoch, the father of Presley, was born in Delaware July 29, 1789, grew to maturity in Pennsylvania, and was married in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio, July 29, 1818, to Rebecca Harvey, daughter of Andrew Harvey, a native of Maryland ; she was born in Elkton, Md., Oct. 21, 1791, moved with her parents to Hardy Co., Va., and about 1817 came to Clark Co., Ohio, with her brother-in-law ( James White and wife), where she married and ever afterward resided, her parents remaining in Virginia. Of this union were born six children, Maria, Mar- garet, Presley, Ann A., Emma and Morgan, all of whom are living but the oldest.
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Enoch lived on a portion of his father's farm until 1832, when he sold it and bought 300 acres of land on the line of Madison Co., a portion of it laying in both counties, and here he and his wife spent the balance of their lives, he dying March 2, 1852, his widow surviving him many years, dying Oct. 22, 1876, a sincere member of the Bap- tist Church, to which he also adhered, although never uniting with the church. Enoch Jones was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was under Hull, when that General cowardly surrendered Detroit to the English without firing a shot. Presley Jones was the third in the family, and was born on the old farm in Harmony Township, Sept. 19, 1824, grew to maturity in that and Madison Township, attending in his youth the district school, where he obtained an ordinary education. He was married in London, Ohio, Feb. 25, 1875, to Miss Louise Lemon, daughter of Milton and Sarah (Smith) Lemon; natives of Clark Co., Ohio, where he was born March 29, 1819, and his wife in December, 1817. His parents, John and Rebecca (Donaldson) Lemon, were natives of Virginia, who settled in Moorefield Township, before the war of 1812, where they remained until death. Dr. Milton Lemon completed the study of medicine in 1841, locating in Madison Co., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession until 1861. He was elected on an Independent ticket to the 55th General Assembly of Ohio, in which capacity he did his duty faithfully as a legislator, and when addressing the house, his fine, manly appear- ance, together with his fervor and animation, commanded the attention and respect of his cotemporaries. At the expiration of his term of office he was appointed as enrolling surgeon for the 7th District, serving until the close of the war. While at Columbus, he received a paralytic stroke from which he never fully recovered, dying April 24, 1878. His widow, who bore him eight children, five of whom are living, viz., Louise, Eliza- beth, Alice, Ida and Milton, is now residing in London, Ohio; his father. John Lemon, was a soldier under Gen. Harrison in the war of 1812. The old homestead in Madison Township was willed to Presley and his brother Morgan, but the subject of this sketch purchased his brother's interest for $10,000, and is now the owner of 340 acres in the old tract, and 40 acres of timber close at hand. The historical " Ludlow line," has its starting point on his farm close to his residence, and the head-waters of the Little Miami River are partly located on his land. In politics, Mr. Jones is an unflinching Republican, and all benefits find in him a hearty supporter; like most business men, he has had his "ups and downs," but his standing to-day is that of an honest man, and leading farmer, who is respected by all classes.
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