The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 101

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 101

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CLINTON D. RAYBURN, London, an old citizen of Madison County, and a well-known grocer of London, was born in Range Township July 22, 1833. His father, John Rayburn, was a native of Ross County. Ohio, and a farmer by occupation; he died in 1838. He married Rebecca Dungan, a sister of John and Wilson Dungan; they were the parents of five children, four living-subject, and sister, Mrs. F. M. Chapman, being the only ones now residing in the county. Mrs. Rayburn is still living, and resides with her son James at Jamestown, Greene Co., Ohio. Our subject was the third child, and accompanied his parents to London when quite a child. They lived on a farm near the village, but "Clint " was mostly reared in Lon-

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con, learning the tanner's trade with John Dungan, and remaining with him several years. He was a resident of Finley, Hancock County, two years, and Superintendent of the Gwynne farm in Deer Creek Township for five years. He then removed onto the farm of Gideon Peck (now owned by James Phifer), in Paint Township, where he resided seven years. Mr. Rayburn then came to London, and for two years was associated with James Hamilton in the grain trade. On December 16, 1880, he purchased the grocery stock and trade of William Ronemus, and his success in this line of trade has been very good. Mr. Rayburn is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, is Republican in politics, and has served as a member of the City Council. He was united in marriage, September 22, 1853, to Sarah J., daughter of Gideon Peck, of Paint Township. Of their two chil- dren, one survives-Frank G., with his father in the store; Emma B., is de- ceased; Mrs. Rayburn is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ROBERT REA, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born on a farm in Union Township, this county (now in the corporate limits of London), September 6. 1831. His father, Matthew Rea, was born in Rock- bridge County, Va., June 22, 1793, and died at the house of his son-in-law, Marion Chenoweth, in Fairfield Township, September 23, 1873, aged eighty years. He removed with his father, Joseph, to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and was subsequently in the American Army. when Gen. Hull sur- rendered his forces to the British at Detroit, Mich He first visited Madi- son County in 1812, and purchased a large tract of land in Oak Run Town- ship. In 1818, he removed to Madison County, and up to within a few years of his death was one of the largest live-stock dealers in the county. Mr. Rea was as largely identified with the growth and prosperity of Madison County as any within its borders; he was a man of rare good judgment, fine business qualifications, renowned for his probity -- a man whose word was as good as his bond. He married Ann Amos, a native of Maryland; they were the parents of seven children, only three living, and those residents of this county. Mrs. Rea departed this life in 1857. The subject of this notice grew to manhood on the old homestead, and when young assisted his father in his stock operations, gaining a thorough knowl- edge of the business. He has been engaged in farming, and the raising, grazing and feeding of stock all through life. He resided in Oak Run Township till 1870, when he removed to his present residence on South Main street, London. Mr. Rea is the owner of 1,250 acres of land in Oak Run Township, and is still engaged in handling stock. He is Democratic in politics, and since his residence in London has served one term as mem- ber of the Village Council. He was united in marriage, September, 1856, to Ann Thomas, sister of M. M. and Owen Thomas, of London. One daugh- ter was born to them-Anna Laura (wife of John Pancake, who resides on the home farm in Oak Run Township). Mrs Rea departed this life in September, 1858, and Mr. Rea was again married, March 13, 1862, to Louisa G. Bales, a native of this county, and a daughter of Moses Bales, of Fairfield Township.

H. W. RICHMAN, farmer, stock raiser and dealer, London, was born in Salem County, N. J., May 7, 1824. He is a son of David Richman, a nativo of New Jersey, and there reared. He was a farmer and merchant by occupation, and came to Ohio in 1827, locating in Dayton, where he resided till his death, about 1838. He married Ruth Johnson, also a native of New Jer ey, who became the mother of four children, two living-William Rich- man, of Montgomery County, Ohio, and our subject. Mrs. Richman sub-

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sequently married Robert Hutchison. They had one child-Laura, wife of Augustus Prugh. Mrs. Hutchison died in July, 1879. Our subject was the eldest child, and as his mother was a widow during his early life, he re- ceived but a limited education. When twenty years of age, he took a drove of horses across the mountains to New Jersey. He returned to Somerford, in this county, where he sold general merchandise for three or four months. He then took another drove of horses to New Jersey, and finding that busi- ness profitable, engaged in it with his brother William for the succeeding thirty-five years. His business having proven good financially. he pur- chased a farm of 475 acres in Somerford Township. He subsequently purchased eighty acres in Deer Creek, and two farms in Union Township (one of the latter is his present home residence, fifty-five acres of which is in the corporate limits of London ), aggregating in all about 1,300 acres. Mr. Richman is still engaged in farming, stock-raising and dealing, although since the spring of 1870 he has resided in his beautiful residence on East High street, London. He is Democratic in politics, but never an office- seeker. Mr. Richman was married, September 23, 1856, to Emeline, daugh- ter of Valentine Wilson, and a sister of Mrs. Robert Boyd. They have three children-Alice, wife of Edward Armstrong, of Armstrong & Minshall. dealers in furniture and Queensware, London; Charles, engaged in same business as father; and Emma, the two latter being at home. Mrs. Rich- man and daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM RIDDLE, deceased, was born near Troy, Ohio, October 11, 1810, and died in London, Ohio, March 15, 1882. His father, Johu Riddle, came to Ohio from Virginia, and located near the town of Troy. He had five children, three sons and two daughters, of whom one son and two daughters survive, the other two sons, Abner and William, dying within twenty-three hours of each other. Our subject grew up on his father's farm; about the time of his majority he went to Iowa, where he engaged in farm- ing for two years. At the expiration of this time, he returned to Ohio, and located at Mt. Sterling, Madison County, where he engaged in business for fifteen years, first with William Graham, and afterward with J. Swetland, Harry Moore, Daniel Wickle and N. T. Tenny. He came to London about 1860. but during his residence here was engaged in no particular business, other than managing his farm, as he had a sufficiency of this world's goods to retire from active life. On October 21, 1853, he married Elizabeth Warner, a daughter of Henry Warner, and by her had three children, viz .: Sarah, wife of E. J. Robison, May and William H. The latter is engaged with Mr. Robison in the drug business in London. Mr. Riddle was con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for about eighteen years pre- vious to his death, and always lived a true Christian life. He was one of London's most highly respected citizens, a man of unquestionable integrity. generous, warm-hearted and affable in his manners, and just in all his business transactions. His death was a heavy blow to the community.

JOHN RILEY, of M. Riley & Son, grocers, London, was born at Mor- row, Warren Co., Ohio, May 8, 1859. His father, M. Riley, was born in County Meath. Ireland, May 9, 1830. His parents were Edward and Bridget Riley, both now deceased. Mr. Riley was reared in his native land, and when seventeen years of age came to America. He landed at New Orleans, and from there went to Morrow, Warren County, Ohio, where he was em- ployed as foreman of Alfred Watt's distillery. He there learned the distil- ling business thoroughly, remaining with Mr. Watts for fourteen years. During the last four years of this time, he was engaged in the manufacture

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of liquors for himself. In April, 1866, he came to London, and established a wholesale liquor and grocery trade. Mr. Riley enjoys a very large trade in both lines of goods, selling at wholesale and retail. In 1879, he erected his present building, which is a brick, 100x25 feet in size. three stories high. He is a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church and the Democratic party. He was married, July 3, 1856, to Anna Malloy, a native of Ireland. Of the four children born to them, three are living- John. Edward and Katy, the latter attending convent school. Mrs. Riley and the family are also mem- bers of the Roman Catholic Church. John Riley came to London with his parents when but seven years of age. He obtained only a fair education, and has been clerking in his father's store mostly during life. In June, 1877, he became associated with his father in business, and the firm have prospered exceedingly. Mr. Riley was married November 1, 1881, to Bessie, daughter of Dr. Toland Jones, of London.

JOHN J. ROBERTS, deceased, was born in Frederick County, MId., De- cember 17, 1782, and died in Somerford Township April 26, 1860. He was a pioneer in the fullest sense, as he came to what is now Columbiana County before Ohio was a State. He was compelled to flee into Virginia, by the Indians, and remained in that State one year, when he returned to his for- mer residence in this State. He removed to what was then called New Lancaster in the year 1809, and to Delaware, Delaware County, in 1810, where he resided till 1812. He was drafted as a soldier in 1812, but being sick at the time was unable to go, and procured a substitute. After this time, a volunteer company was enlisted in his neighborhood; he joined this company and marched to the frontier. The company to which he belonged built Fort Stephenson, which was afterward named Fort Croghan, in honor of its defender, who successfully defended the fort against the combined forces of British and Indians, August 2, 1813. He would have been in this engagement had he not been confined to his bed by a severe attack of camp fever. Several persons having been killed while conveying dispatches from this fort to the army which was stationed at Franklinton, in Franklin Co., Ohio, he volunteered to act as bearer of dispatches, which he did for some time, or until the headquarters of the army were removed from Franklinton. The carrying of the dispatches was the most difficult and dangerous service in the army, as they had to be carried through an unbroken wilderness, over fifty miles in one day, and nothing to indicate the route except blazed trees. The company to which he belonged was very unfortunate, and most of the members died of sickness brought on by exposure to the malaria of the wet, flat country in which they were compelled to encamp. During the war, his family, with many others, fled from Delaware to Franklinton, as a report had been circulated in the neighborhood that the Indians were coming from the north, killing all the white people they found in their line of march. He never returned to Delaware to live, but removed soon after the war closed to Darby Plains, in the northern part of Madison County. He removed to Somerford Township in 1823, where he resided until the time of his decease, except about three years which he spent in Illinois. He was a man of won- derful physical power, and was capable of performing a great deal of labor. He was engaged for several years in trading with the Indians, and was able to act as interpreter. Ho kept a tavern on the old Federal road, one mile north of Somerford, for several years, but the building of the National road diverted the travel from that route so much that he could no longer make the business pay, and so abandoned it. He built a grist mill, and had a small distillery for several years. His father was born in Wales, and in

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early life had followed the sea, and crossed the Atlantic thirteen times be- fore he settled in America. John J. Roberts' sister married a Colonel in the English, Army. This man was present at the meeting which Gen. Hull, of unsavory memory, had with the English officers who bought the men and stores composing the United States Army of Gen. Hull. This man said that Gen. Hull received so much money for every man surrendered by him to the English. This matter was revealed after Hull's trial and told to John J. Roberts by his brother-in-law, when he visited him in Canada. Charles Roberts, son of John J. Roberts, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1805, died in Madison County, Ohio, in 1853; married Harriet Macan, in 1832. He taught school in Madison and adjoining counties for eighteen years. He moved from Somerford Township, Madison County, to Union Township, in 1839, and built the Roberts Mill, in 1844. This mill, which is still running, is three miles west of London, contains two run of buhrs, and is capable of doing merchant work. It was property originally owned by Judge Jacob Garrard, who owned a custom mill with but one pair of raccoon buhrs. Judge Garrard also carried on the distilling business, up to 1839. Charles Roberts, however, being conscientiously opposed to the manufacture and sale of whisky, would not purchase the still-house and fixtures, so that business was discontinued when he took possession of the property. In 1849, Charles Roberts purchased 200 acres of land in Jeffer- son Township, and built a saw-mill on Little Darby, two miles south of Jefferson. Having contracted consumption by exposure while engaged in building the saw-mill, he leased the mill to Dr. J. Randall, and re- moved from Darby to Union Township, where, after a lingering illness, he died. A great many of the older citizens of London received their educa tion in the schools taught by Charles Roberts, and his name is frequently mentioned by them in speaking of the pioneer teachers of Madison County. He had traveled in nearly every county in Ohio, but was never outside of the limits of the State. He was the father of nine children, as follows : John U. Roberts, born August 21, 1833, married and resides in Union Town- ship, Madison County; William H. Roberts, born 1835, married and resides in Clinton, Henry Co., Mo .; Catharine M. Roberts, born 1837, died, never was married; B. F. Roberts, born 1839, unmarried, and resides in Jefferson Township; Mary E. Roberts, born 1841, unmarried, deceased; Charles C. Roberts, born 1843, married, resides in Union Township; Malvina Estelle, born 1819, married to Michael B. Wilson, resides in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio. Mrs. Harriet Roberts, nee Macan, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1814, married to Charles Roberts in 1832, resided in Madison County fifty years, and resides three miles west of London, near the Roberts Mill. She came to the county before the National road was surveyed, and was acquainted with the people of London before a solitary turnpike road was built in the county.

John M. Roberts received a common school edu- cation, and attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He has followed teaching since old enough; has taught twenty-seven years, twenty-five in this county. In 1859, he married Emeline Truitt, by whom he has three children -Flora, Alma and John F. Mr. Roberts is a Demo crat. Charles C. Roberts was married in 1872, to Virginia Ann Douglass, by whom he has two children-Olive and Charles W. Mr. Roberts enlisted in 1862, in Company A, Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Jones, and served until 1865. He was a merchant for a short time in Jeffer- son, and operated a lime-kiln in this county in 1861 and 1862. He also operated a saw mill for a time, and is now engaged in the Roberts flour mill.

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E. J. ROBISON, of Robison & Riddle, proprietors Eagle Drug House. London, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 7, 1850. His father, S. S. Robison, is a native of Ohio, and a farmer by occupation. He has been a resident of Pleasant Townsbip for many years. He married Margaret Fitzgerald, daughter of Judge Fitzgerald, a well-known citizen of Fairfield Township. They were the parents of three children, two now liv- ing. Mrs. Robison departed this life in December, 1878. E. J. Robi- son received a good collegiate education at the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, graduating in 1875. He then came to London, and, with Ed- ward Armstrong, engaged in the drug business. This relationship contin- ned about four years, when Dr. Platt King purchased Mr. Armstrong's in- terest, and the firm remained as Robison & King until July, 1882, when the junior partner was drowned at Lake Chautauqua, N. Y. In August of the same year Mr. Will Riddle became associated in the business with Mr. Rob- ison, under the firm name of Robison & Riddle. Mr. Robison is a young man possessing good business qualifications, and will certainly succeed in life. Ho is connected with the American Legion of Honor, the Masonic Lodge and Chapter. Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, an ear- nest and outspoken advocate of Republican principles. He was united in marriage, November 20, 1878, to Sarah K. Riddle, a native of Madison Coun- ty. They have one child -- Margaret C. Mrs. Robison is also a member of the Mothodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE RONEMUS, London, merchant tailor and gents' furnisher, was born in Jefferson County, Va .. February 12, 1824. He is a son of Con- rad Ronemus, a native of Germany, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Virginia when quite young, and died there in 1832. He married Sarah Fiz- er, a native of Jasper County. Va. They were the parents of eight chil- dren, six now living. Mrs. Ronemus departed this life in 1873. Our sub- ject was reared in the "Old Dominion." and obtained but a limited educa- tion. He learned the tailor's trade at Martinsburg, Berkeley Co., Va., and worked at it there for five years. He came to Ohio in 1855, locating at Springfield, and in 1863 came to London. He worked steadily at his trade until September 1, 1881. when he engaged in his present business. Mr. Ronemus is Democratic on political questions. and has served two years as Village Councilman. He was married. September 27, 1860, to Maggie Hea- ton, a native of Clark County, Ohio. They have nine children -- Florence, Charles S., Laura, Fannie, Ettie, Arthur, Lulu, Mabel and George, Jr. Mrs. Ronemns is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

GEORGE H. ROWLAND, Superintendent of construction of the Ohio Penitentiary, residence Columbus, was born in Chester County, Penn., July 8, 1836. He is a son of Charles Rowland, also a native of the same place, and whose ancestors came to America with William Penn. Charles Row- land was a stone mason by trade, and a farmer by occupation. Ho resided in Chester County, Penn., till his death, February 19, 1857. He married Margaret Shriver, born in the same county. They were the parents of sev- en children, our subject the only one in Ohio. Mrs. Rowland departed this life January 22, 1858. George H. resided in his native place till seventeen years of age. He then went to Philadelphia, and was employed as a ship. ping clerk in the B. & O. R. R. offices, for a period of three years. He thien went to East Tennessee, and was engaged in lead mining until the com- mencement of the war. In August, 1861, he started for Pennsylvania, and at London, Ohio, stopped off on account of sickness. Upon recovery from his illness, he went to work, and remained there one year. After a short

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time spent at home, he returned to London, and there remained till 1878. He was an architect and builder, and erected many of the business blocks and residences of London. He removed to Columbus, March 1, 1877, and worked at his trade till September, 1878, when he was appointed to his pres- ent position by Warden Mc Whorten. He was subsequently re-appointed by Warden Dyer, and twice by the present Warden, Noah Thomas, also a for- iner resident of Madison County. Mr. Rowland has had good success in his present position, and likes its duties very much. He is a member of Chand . ler Lodge, No. 138 (Masonic), of London, and Masonic Council and Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 1 Knights Templar, of Columbus; also McCoy Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of the latter city. Mr. Rowland is an Independent Democrat, and while a resident of London, was a member of the Village Council two terms. He was married. November 26. 1866, to Al- mira Betts, a native of London, and daughter of John Betts. They have one son-Neal C. Mr. Rowland and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of London.

JOHN P. SEARLE, blacksmith, London, and a well-known and es- teemed citizen of London, was born in Cornwall, England, July 16, 1833. He is a son of William Searle, also a native of Cornwall, and a farmer by oc- cupation. Onr subject was apprenticed for six years to a blacksmith in his native country, remaining with him till his trade was fully learned, besides buying his clothes, and paying his "master," $5 per annum. In December, 1857, he came to America on board the James Morton, forty - two day's passage. He came direct to Ohio, and first worked six miles east of Newark. He remained there nine months, and then went to work near Jacksontown, Licking County, on the National pike. He was employed on a threshing machine during the grain season, and in September following went to Thornville, Perry County, and worked five months for David Rank. He then rented a shop. and carried on his trade in that county for five years. He came to London, April 1, 1864, and went to work at his trade. This increased rapidly, and in the summer of 1867, he purchased thirty-four feet front on Main street, from William Farrar, paying therefor $3,100, and assuming an indebtedness on it of $1,600, with three years in which to pay it. When this purchase was made, after making tlie $1,500 cash payment, Mr. Searle had but $35 left, in his pocket, but in two years he had paid for the property. He remained there eight years; sore eyes caused him to quit work four months. He then purchased his present property for $2,500, and erected his shop. He came to London with $400 in ready cash, and by energy and perseverance, coupled with a thorough knowledge of his trade, has succeeded in gaining a comfortable competence, and is the owner of a nice brick cottage on South Main street; besides this he owns a large tene- ment property on Oak street, estimated at $3,500. When Mr. Searle landed at New York he had only $4.84, but his property in London to-day is valued at over $10,000, and this in spite of many obstacles which he has had to encounter. Mr. Searle is a member of the Madison Lodge, No. 70. and London Encampment, No. 126 (I. O. O. F.). He is Republican in National and State politics, but in local matters gives his support to the " right man in the right place." He was married April 27, 1857, to Eliza- beth R. Coplin, a native of St. Austle, Cornwall, England. Ten children have been sent to bless this union, only two living -- Kate A. and Spartan C. Mr. Searle, wife and daughter, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Searle sees in his life the guiding hand of an over-ruling Providence, which has more than once led him into paths that opened to

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success. It was only three days after his marriage that he bade his wife farewell in his native land, and started on his long journey to America. The future seemed uncertain to bim, and though he possessed a brave heart and a ready hand, he was unwilling to take her from her home to an un- known land. He went from St. Austle to Liverpool by steamer, and, on arriving, a tug approached to convey the passengers ashore; all except him boarded the tug, but an indescribable hesitancy held him back. As he stood there alone, a stranger on the quay inquired if he did not wish to land. His reluctance disappeared and he landed at once. This stranger, whom he only met by obeying his impulse to remain aboard the steamner, while the others landed, proved a friend indeed. He invited him to his house, treated him as a son, and in various ways assisted and befriended him. When in mid-ocean there appeared to Mr. Searle a distinct picture or vision of a blacksmith shop, which he afterward recognized as Mr. Lippen- cott's in Licking County. The vision and reality corresponded and agreed in every particular. After his arrival in Ohio, while walking along the rail- road between Newark and Louisville to his work in the harvest field, the thought flashed into his mind to inquire for a letter at the latter post office. He did so and received one, directed to himself and written by John Lip- pencott, an entire stranger to him, asking him to work in his shop. He ac- cepted the offer, and on approaching the shop recognized it at once as the shop he had beheld on the ocean. From that day to the present, he has never lacked work. His wife joined him in America after sixteen months' separation.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 101

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