The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 100

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 100

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ters at London. Ohio. Mr. Peetrey was married September 11, 1861, to Fan- nie Vethake, a native of New York City, and a niece of Col. Henry Brush, a prominent Mason and politician of the Empire State. They have one child -Henrietta. Mrs. Peetrey and daughter are members of Trinity Episco- pal Church, of London.

ISAAC G. PEETREY, retired grocer, London, born in London Janu- ary 27, 1839. A sketch of his parents will be found in this work. Our subject was reared and educated in London, and in early life assisted his father on the farm. When sixteen years of age, he commenced active busi- ness as a clerk for John M. Smith, a pioneer merchant of London, in the dry goods line. He remained with him till his death, in the spring of 1858. Mr. Peetrey continued as a clerk until the war broke out. Then, with three others, including Charles L. Cover, of London, he went to Spring- field, Ohio, and enlisted in Company F., Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, "ninety-days men." He accompanied the regiment to Washing- ton, and participated in the first battle of Bull Run. At the expiration of the ninety days, he was mustered out. but immediately re-enlisted in the Twenty-seventh Regiment, but six weeks later, came home. In August, 1862, he again re-enlisted, this time in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regi- inent Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in 1863 was made Second Lieutenant of the company. The following year (1864) he was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He accompanied Sherman, when the latter " marched down to the sea," but was captured, in June, 1864, at Guntown, Miss., and was in the rebel prisons at Macon and Savannah, Ga .; was thence transported to those at Charleston and Columbia. S. C., and ex- changed at Wilmington, N. C., March 5, 1865, after nine months' impris- onment. He then returned home on a short furlough, but was soon ordered to report for duty at Mobile, Ala. He was finally mustered out in August, 1865. For two months, he was Provost Marshal of a war district in Mis- sissippi, with headquarters at Enterprise, in that State. After his return to London, he purchased the interest owned by James M. Warner, of Wild- man & Warner, grocers, and was in that business till May, 1882, a period of seventeen years. He then disposed of his stock to W. S. Squires and L. G. McCollum. Mr. Peetrey is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Council, of London, Palestine Commandery, Knights Templar, of Springfield, and Lyons Post, G. A. R., and American Legion of Honor, also of London. Politically, Mr. Peetrey is a strong Democrat. Gov. Bishop appointed him one of the Directors of the Ohio Penitentiary, which position he held two years. He has been Chairman of the County Demo- cratic Central Committee for a number of years. He was married, in August, 1863, to Delia Willis, a native of Pleasant Township. this county. They have two children-Willis G. and Donna P. Mrs. Peetroy is a member of the Universalist Church.

ELIJAH PETERSON, retired farmer, P. O. London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, January 30, 1825. He is the son of Michael and Susan Pe- terson, natives of Hardy County, Va., of German descent. He received his education in Clark and Madison Counties, and adopted the occupation of a farmer, which he has since followed. He was married, in 1848, to Mary Wilbur, by whom he had three children, viz .: Barger, married and living on the home farm; Clinton, a teacher, also married; and Cadmus, a farmer, married and at present living in London. Mrs. Peterson died in 1881. Mr. Peterson is a Republican in politics, and for eighteen years served as an officer of Paint Township. He owns a farm of 240 acres, well improved

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and most of it highly cultivated. Mr. Peterson has retired from the active duties of life, and is now taking the rest that his years merit, while the work of his farm is being performed by younger and stronger hands.

JAMES PHIFER, retired farmer and stock-raiser, London, was born in Stokes (now Paint) Township July 12, 1815. His paternal grandparents were John and Catherine (Rader) Phifer, natives of Virginia. One son, Abraham Phifer, the father of James, came to this county in 1809 or 1810, locating 270 acres of land in what was then Stokes Township (now Paint), where he resided till his death, April, 1875. He married Ann Withrow, probably a native of Pennsylvania, who departed this life in July, 1860. Our sub- ject is the oldest of four children, one daughter and three sons, all yet living. In early life, he assisted his father with the farm duties, ob- taining only an ordinary education. He married Phebe Harpolo, a native of Greene County, Ohio. Soon after marriage, he rented a piece of land for farming purposes, and three years later bought 310 acres. During the intervening years, by perseverance, energy and strict economy, he has added to his first purchase until he now owns over 1,700 acres, and he is considered one of the wealthy citizens of London and the county. About 1872, Mr. Phifer removed to London, where he has since resided. He is Republican in politics. Mr. Phifer and wife have four children --- Albert, who married Vinnie Neiberger and resides on the home farm; Van- dalia, wife of H. D. Strowbridge, of Washington, D. C .; Melissa, wife of Thomas Duncan, of Columbus, Ohio, and Mary. Mr. Phifer, wife and children are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

STEPHEN PHIFER, farmer, stock-raiser and horticulturist, P. O. London, was born in Madison County in 1833, and is a son of Abraham and Ann (Withrow) Phifer, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish descent. Our sub- ject was roared on the farm, and remained at home until 1852, when he went to California via Panama. In the next year, he went to Australia via the Sandwich Islands, landing at Sidney, New South Wales. From there he went to Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, where he engaged in min- ing and hotel-keeping for several years. He subsequently returned to America, and bought 215 acres of land in Paint Township. In 1875, he came to Union County, where he is engaged as above mentioned. He was married in Australia, in 1859, to Alice Haub, a native of Germany, by whom he has one child, Anna. Mrs. Phifer is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Phifer is comfortably situated in life, and enjoys the respect of the whole community.

FREDERICK PLACIER, London, proprietor London Mills, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, October 2, 1834. His father was George Placier, who married Katrina Boisal, also a native of Germany. They re- sided in their native country till their death, the former dying in 1861, and the latter in 1863. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven daughters and seven sons, thirteen now living, seven residents of America. but our subject the only one in this county. He was reared in Germany, and obtained a fair education. He learned the miller's trade, and when nineteen years of age came to America. He remained in New York State six months, and thence went to Lehigh County, Penn., where he worked on a farm for six years. In 1860, he located in Pickaway County, Ohio, en- gaged in farming a few years, married and then bought a flouring mill in Walnut Township. He operated this mill from 1865 to 1874, and then came to London. At this time, there was no grist mill in the village, all

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flour being shipped in from neighboring cities and villages. Mr. Placier erected the present London Mills at a cost of $12,000, and has been very successful in his milling operations. He was one of the organizers of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of London, and at present is a Trustee and Treasurer of the official board. He is Democratic in politics, but has never been an ardent politician. Mr. Placier was married April 17, 1854, to Sophronia Scothorn, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, and daughter of Louis and Susannah Scothorn, natives of Ohio. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Placier, four living -- Charles R., William A., Henry W. and Harry W. (twins), Lizietta is deceased. Mrs. Placier and sons are also members of, the Lutheran Church. Mr. Placier is a prominent German citizen of Madison County, an enterprising manufacturer, and a man highly esteemed by all of his acquaintances.

JOSEPH PLOWMAN, London, a prominent farmer of Paint Town- ship, residence, London, was born near London, England, September 25, 1827. He is a son of Joseph Plowinan, who came to America in 1828. He was a silversmith by trade, and first worked at his trade in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. He subsequently located at Springfield, Ohio, and in 1833, came to Madison County. He married Phebe Tankard, also a native of England. They were the parents of six children, three living, and our subject the only one in this county. Mr. Plowman died in September, 1849. The subject of this notice received but a limited education. He early worked on a farm (his mother having died in 1836, when he was but nine years of age), near South Solon, this county, for Joel Irvin, at $3.75 per month. He remained with him three years, and was then employed in a like capacity for Abraham Phifer, remaining with him for four years, wages averaging $10 per month. He then secured employment with Jacob Pearce, in Clark County (adjoining Stokes Township, this county), for four years at $200 per year. On December 24, 1851, he married Miss M. S. Phifer, sister of James Phifer, now of London. After marriage, he remained with his father-in-law, Abraham Phifer, for two years, and has since been engaged in farming for himself. While in the employ of Jacob Pearce, he was engaged in attending to thoroughbred cattle, and since that time, has always taken an interest in pure blooded stock. Mr. Plowman has been very successful in his farming operations, and now owns a good farm of 330 acres in Paint Township. Mr. Plowman and family reside on the farm during the summer months, and in London during the winter. Mr. Plowman has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty- four years. He is Republican in politics, and has served as Trustee of Paint Township. One child has been born to him, George, who married Lizzie Cooper, of this county. He is engaged in farming with his father. He has one child, Gertie, who resides with her grandparents. Mrs. Plow- man is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Miss Gertie of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday School.

JAMES G. PORTER, farmer and stockman, P. O. London, was born in Ross County, Ohio, February 2, 1825, and is the son of James and Eliza- beth (Kilburn) Porter. The former, a native of Maryland and a soldier of the war of 1812, came to this county soon after that war, and located where our subject now lives. He owned 1,000 acres of land, on which he, in 1813, planted an orchard which is still standing. He died in 1856. Our subject remained at home until twenty-two years of age, when he rented his father's place and farmed for himself. In 1847, he married Mahala Girard, by whom he had two children-Frances, wife of W. Wilson; Napoleon, a

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student of Dartmouth (N. H.) College, from which he graduated in 1881, and now studying law. Mrs. Porter died in 1872, and in 1879 Mr. Porter married Rachel G. Judy, of Clark County, by whom he has one child, Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican in politics, and an enthusiastic stockman, his farm of 142} acres being well stocked with the finest and best cattle and horses obtain- able. He spares no expense in getting the best breeds.

ISAAC POTEE, London, retired farmer, was born near the National pike, in Somerford Township, September 16, 1823. He is a son of Sutton Potee, a native of Maryland, who came from Baltimore to Somerford Town- ship, this county, in 1816. He purchased 270 acres of land, paying for a portion of it the sum of $16 per acre. He was a butcher by trade, and a farmer by occupation. He resided on his farm in Somerford Township till death ended his earthly labors, in March, 1863. He is buried in the "Old Wilson " or "Mill Graveyard." He married Hannah Makley, also a native of Maryland. Six children were the fruits of this union, four now living-one sister and three brothers. Mrs. Potee died in February, 1868,

and is buried near her husband. The subject of this notice was the young- est child, and consequently his education was somewhat limited. He grew up amid pioneer surroundings, often seeing a drove of twenty deer pass his father's door. He resided on the old homestead until twenty-four or twenty- five years of age, and in 1850 married Rachel Marsh, a native of Madison County, and daughter of Josiah L. Marsh. He remained with his father- in-law one year, and until his wife's death, which occurred the same year (1852). His second marriage occurred March 25, 1853, when he was united to Elmira, daughter of Claudius Mitchell, and a native of Cham- paiga County, Ohio, near Mechanicsburg. A year after this second mar- riage, Mr. Potee removed onto a farm of fifty acres in Somerford Township, and the following fall to Mr. Mitchell's farm in Champaign County. On March 10, 1857, he returned to Somerford Township, and bought a farm of 158 acres from Thomas Taylor, and located one mile northeast of Somerford Village, on the old Columbus road. He there resided, and was engaged in farming until January, 1880, when he removed to his present residence in London. Mr. Potee is connected with no organization whatever, except the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been an able member for over forty years. In 1873, while a resident of Somerford Township, he erected, at a cost to himself of over $2,500, what is known as the Somer ford Methodist Episcopal Church, and it was dedicated in fall of 1874 by the Rev. Granville Moody. Mr. Potee was a Trustee of the congregation at that time, and also served as a member of the school board, being Repub- lican politically. Ten children have been given Mr. and Mrs. Potee, seven living. They are as follows: Claudius D., who married Emma Brown, of Logan County, Ohio-he owns a farm of 105 acres, in Somerford Town- ship, but is now in the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company; Amelia, wife of Frank J. Kiefer, a farmer, residing two miles west of Som- erford; Idelia, Della, Gabriel, Isaac Milton and Cordelia. Both wives have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

PATRICK POWERS, grocer, London, was born in Ireland March 12, 1816. His father, Martin Powers, came to America about 1825, locating in Baltimore, Md. Two or three years later, he came to Zanesville, Ohio, and there resided four or five years. He subsequently resided at Columbus and Springfield, being naturalized in the latter place. He was a teacher by profession and went to Hocking County in 1838, where he died

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in 1840. He married Nancy Blanshaw, also a native of Ireland. They had six children born to them, two now living, and Patrick the only one in this county. Mrs. Powers departed this life in Clark County in 1838. Our subject came to Madison County in 1843, locating on the "Sawer place," near Somerford, and was engaged in farming for some time. He then removed to Somerford Village, and there resided twenty-five years, the greater part of this time being spent in "keeping tavern," etc. He removed to London in the spring of 1872, purchasing his present property. He opened a grocery, and has since been engaged in that business. He has met with fair success in business life. Mr. Powers is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Democratic party. He was married, in the fall of 1868, to Mrs. Catherine (Hayes) Rohan, widow of John Rohan. They have two children-Nannie and Margaret. Mrs. Powers is a member of the Roman Catholic Church.

THOMAS W. PRESTON, a prominent blacksmith, London, was born in Lancaster County, Ky., January 25, 1841. His father, Thomas Pres- ton, was also a native of Kentucky, and a carpenter by trade. He re- sided in his native State until his death, in 1851. He married Mary Owens, of Kentucky, and our subject was the only child born to this union. Mrs. Preston died in 1841. Our subject was reared by Mrs. Polly Baker, of Lancaster County, Ky., till sixteen or eighteen years of age, obtaining a

very fair education. He then went to Flat Rock, in his native State, and learned general blacksmithing, remaining there three and a half years. He then removed to Cincinnati, and two years later (in fall of 1860) located at Pittsburgh, Penn. He subsequently went to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1861 to Jefferson, in this county. Soon after, he came to London, and thence to Newport. He was there married, August 7, 1862, to Almira, daugh- ter of Laban Willoughby, of Range Township. On May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, under Capt. David Watson, and served one hundred days. He then re-enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Regiment, March 1, 1865, and received an honorable discharge at Baltimore, Md., in September, 1865. He then returned to Newport, and in 1870 removed to London. Mr. Preston has met with fair success in his trade. His shop is located on the south side Fourth, between North Main and North Oak streets, where he does blacksmithing and general repairing. Mr. Preston is a mem- ber of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), of London, Gilroy Lodge, No. 695, of Lilly Chapel, and London Encampment, No. 126 (I. O. O. F.). He is Republican in politics. Mr. Preston has been thrice married. His first wife died February 22, 1875. His second marriage, November 14, 1878, was to Lizzie Wilson, a native of Madison County, who died June 10, 1879. His third marriage occurred February 21, 1882, to Angie M. Fuller, a na- tive of New York. The first and second wives were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church: the present one, of Trinity Episcopal Church, of London. Seven children have been born to Mr. Preston-Viola, May, Katy (wife of John W. Maddux, of Lilly Chapel), Ada M., James E., Maud M., B. Frankie and Jessie M.

SAMUEL M. PRUGH, London, Auditor of Madison County, was born in Union Township, January 15, 1854. His grandparents, George and Mar- garet Prugh, were nativos of Maryland, and came to Ohio when their son, Samuel Prugh, the father of our subject, was but a year old. They lo- cated in Somerford Township, where Samuel was reared and educated. He has been a farmer all through life, and moderately successful. He married

A. M. Gardner

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Nancy Bradley, a native of Greene County, Ohio. Of the thirteen children given them eleven are living, all being of age, and nearly all married. Our subject was the eleventh child and fifth son of this large family, grew up on the farm, and received a fair education. When eighteen years of ago, he commenced teaching school, following this profession at intervals for a pe- riod of eight years. During this time he also engaged in the book and music trade, with a brother, at Springfield, Clark County, Ohio, and subse- quently attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. In 1875, he again engaged in business at Springfield, where he remained two years. On August 4, 1877, he married Mary F. Yeazell, a native of Clark County, Ohio. After marriage, he once more engaged in teaching, and continued the same until the summer of 1880, when he accepted a position on the edi- torial staff of the London Enterprise. On October 12, of the same year, ho was elected to his present position, for a term of three years. Mr. Prugh is a stanch Republican. Himself and wife have one child, Earl E .. a bright little son of three years of age.

ALBERT G. RANKIN (deceased) was born in Worcester County, Md., March 7, 1814. We will here endeavor to trace his ancestry back to about the middle of the eighteenth century. Rev. John Rankin was prob- ably a native of the North of Ireland, born in 1750. He located in Lan- caster County, Penn., thence went to Berlin, Md., and was the first pastor of Buckingham Church, of the Presbyterian denomination. Ho there died in 1798. He married Mary Atkinson, a resident of Berlin, Md., who bore him five children-John, James, George, Mary Priscilla and Sally Atkin- son. The second son, James, married Margaret Truitt, of Worcester Coun- ty, Md., and they started for Ohio in the spring of 1817. They were all summer on the road, and arrived in Madison County in the fall. The first winter, they stayed at the sugar camp of Mary Truitt, the entire par- ty. consisting of fourteen persons, sleeping in a log cabin of one room dur- ing the winter. The next spring. Mr. Rankin located on the land now known as the County Infirmary farm. He was a carpenter by trade, and a farmer by occupation. He was a prominent member of the Presbyterian denomination, and one of the original members of what is now the First Presbyterian Church of London, when it was re-organized in 1829. He was a Whig in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was born May 20, 1786, and died August 21, 1857. at the age of seventy one years. Mrs. Rankin was born January 1, 1788, and died December 12. 1871, aged eighty-three years. She was a daughter of George and Martha 'Truitt. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, near Lon- don. They were married February 10, 1808, and were the parents of ten children, namely: Sarah Maria Purnell, born April 2, 1809; John T. N. December 16, 1811; Albert G., March 7. 1814: Charlotte Ann Selby, Janu- ary 23. 1817; Eliza White, September 4, 1819; Caroline Matilda, October 25, 1821; Joshua Truitt. April 29, 1824: Mary Atkinson, May 3, 1826; James, May 11, 1829; and Washington Purnell, July 6, 1831. Five of these children are now living. and three residents of this county. Albert G. Rankin removed to this county with his parents, and grew to maturity here. About 1842, he commenced dealing in cattle, and about 1845 or 1846 engaged in the dry goods business at South Charleston, Clark County, Ohio, in company with his brother. John T. N. A short time after, he went to Midway, this county, and there engaged in the same business. He re- mained there for some years. and then bought a farm in Paint Township. He subsequently sold this land, and purchased the "Gossard farm," in the

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same township. He afterward purchased the old "Rayburn farm" of 400 acres, in Union Township, close to London, where he resided till his death. He was largely engaged in handling stock during his lifetime, and was, very prosperous in whatever occupation he engaged. At the time of his death, he owned over 1,000 acres of land in this county, and about a section in Illinois. He was reared a Presbyterian, but subsequently united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rankin lived a truly Christian life, enjoying the full confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. He was Re- publican in politics. He was married February 15, 1848, to Abigail Coop- er. They had one child -- George W., born November 3, 1848, and died December 6, 1878. She died November 29, 1848. On the 24th of Sep- tember, 1850, Mr. Rankin married for his second wife Margaret A., daugh- ter of Washington and Catherine (Truman) Withrow, honored pioneers of Paint Township. They were the parents of six children -- Harford Toland, an infant daughter, Fulton A., Carrie M. (now wife of A. J. Blue, of Union Township), Fannie (now wife of James Winans, of Xenia, Ohio), and William Moody. Mrs. Rankin married Isaac C. Kemp, December 21, 1865 and still resides on the old homestead.

J. T. RANKIN, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this coun- ty April 29, 1824. He is a son of James and Margaret (Truitt) Rankin, who were among the early settlers of . the county. Our sub- ject has been a farmer during the whole of his life. When twenty two years of age, he worked by the month, after which he rented land until able to buy. He finally purchased a small tract, to which he added from time to time until he owned 200 acres, on which he lived until he conclud- ed to retire from active life, when he sold it. He is now living on a small farm of thirty-two acres, on which he has erected a neat and comfortable home. He was married, in 1850, to Sarah E. Evans, a native of this State. She is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Rankin is a live and enthusi- astic Republican in politics.

JAMES RANKIN, farmer, P. O. London, was born three miles west of London May 11, 1829; he is the son of James and Margaret (Truitt) Ran- kin, natives of Maryland, the former of English and Irish, and the latter of Dutch descent; his father was one of the early settlers of this county; he became a prominent farmer, and was ever characterized by his honesty and fair dealing. Our subject attended the common schools in his younger days, and early adopted the occupation of a farmer, in which he still contin- ues. He owns a farm of 136 acres, part of which lies within the corpora- tion limits of London: he was married in 1852, to Ann Eliza Warner, a daughter of William Warner; they have three children-Flora L., Willie Mc. and James D. Mrs. Rankin is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Rankin is a prominent farmer and stock dealer of the county, and occupies a handsome residence adjoining the corporation.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 100

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180