The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 102

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 102

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JAMES SELF, architect and builder, London. Mr. Self was born in England May 12, 1829. He is a son of Stephen Self, a native of England. He married Lydia Loudon. Our subject was reared and educated in his native land, residing there till twenty-nine years of age. lle learned his present trade when sixteen years of age, working at it for five years. On September 11, 1857, he came to the United States and direct to London, Ohio, where he has since resided. Mr Self has resided here over a quarter of a century, and during that time has been prominently identified with the building interests of Madison County. He owns a farm of forty acres adjoining the village. where he manufactures brick. In 1881, he made over 1,000,000 He has been fairly successful in life, and owns rome good village property. He was married in 1856, to Lavina Johnson, also a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Self are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HENRY J. SHARP, physician and surgeon, London, was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 2, 1845. His father, Dr. E. T. Sharp, a native of Penn- sylvania, removed to Ohio at an early day, where he reared a large family, practicing his profession for over forty-five years and, by natural selection, the subject of our sketch has transferred tohis own the professional mantle which the father, through declining years, let drop from his shoulders. The father and mother both having surpassed the limit of life. as sung by the Psalmist, are now residing at. Worthington. Franklin County, Ohio. Henry was the ninth of a family of eleven children, and is the youngest of three brothers now living. Living so close to the border, and at the im- portant rendezvous, Gallipolis, the headquarters of the military department of West Virginia, during the late war he became imbued with the war spirit, and though too young for the volunteer service, enlisted while not yet six- teen years old in the Ohio National Guard, Company C, One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment. His company, during the raids and threatened

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raids of the rebel Gens. Wise and Morgan, was frequently under arms, doing guard duty at Gallipolis and other points on the Ohio River, until the call for the hundred-days men by President Lincoln, when the One Hun- dred and Forty-first Ohio National Guard, Col. Jaynes commanding, was transferred to West Virginia and divided into detachments, were stationed at the different garrisons on the line between Charleston and Guyandotte, West Virginia, thus relieving the garrisons at these places and permitting them to be transferred to the more active services at the front, under Grant in East Virginia. After about four months' service, the One Hundred and Forty-first was ordered to Gallipolis, discharged and mustered out of the service. The subject of our sketch entered a local academy, and after a few months here, his parents moving to Franklin County, he matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he continued his studies, leaving there in 1868, to take up the study of medicine. He studied medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. J. W. Hamilton, of Columbus, and being his only student for nearly two years, gained largely in valuable experience and practical participation, as an assistant to his preceptor in an extensive surgical and general practice. He graduated in medicine from Starling Medical College, in the spring of 1871, and settled during October of the same year in London, where he soon acquired a lucrative practico, and is now doing an extensive and remunerative business. Dr. Sharp be- longs to the students and progressive men of his profession, finding time. aside from the actual practice. to contribute to the literature of his profes- sion by articles written for the various medical journals, and for participa- tion in the proceedings of various medical societies, being a member of the American Medical Association, the Ohio State Medical Society, the Central Ohio Medical Society and the Madison County Medical Society. He was married to Miss E. C. Dooris, of Zanesville, Ohio, April 10, 1872. His wife is a lady of culture and of future promise in literature, she having contribut- ed in the past to different periodicals, and having only laid down her pon for devotion to the growing demands of an interesting family, that, for the time, overshadow all other pleasures and duties of less moment. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and by their devotion and work have aided largely in the erection of a handsome church building on Fourth street, in the city, where the society hold their services. They have living three children -- Henry J., Leighton and Wilfred. W. STALEY SHEPHERD, London, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 25, 1823. He received such an education as the public schools of that vicinity could give him, which, with a taste for read. ing, enabled him to become a well-informed man. He was married at Woodstock, Ohio, January 1, 1850, to M. Louise Clark, daughter of Jeremiah Clark, of Connecticut. In the spring of 1857, he re- moved to London, Madison County, and was soon thereafter appointed Deputy Sheriff of the county. He so discharged the duties devolved upon him that in the fall of 1858 he was elected Sheriff, and was re elected in 1860-serving out the two terms in succession to which he was restricted by the Constitution. At the expiration of his term as Sheriff, he was ap- pointed the first collector of Internal Revenue for his county, which office he held until 1866. retiring, with an unblemished record, to the business pursuits of private life. In 1870, he was elected to the position of Clerk in the House of Representatives of the Fifty-ninth General Assembly of Ohio, and discharged his duties with fidelity and efficiency. In 1872, he was appointed chief book-keeper in the Anditor of State's office, which posi-

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tion he held for eight years, a portion of which time he served as Deputy Auditor of State. Soon after retiring from the Auditor's office, he was ap- pointed to a clerkship in the Interior Department at Washington, D. C .; there he remained until June, 1881, when he resigned his position and re- turned to London. Soon after this, he purchased a half-interest in the Lon- don Times and entered at once upon the field of journalism, in which ca- pacity he now devotes all his time and energies. In politics. Mr. Shepherd is a firm but candid Republican. In manners, he is agreeable, and toler- ant of the views of others differing from him.

AUBURN SMITH (deceased). In 1862, two brothers, Mineher and John Littler, came from England to America. locating near Philadelphia. There is a tradition in the family that these two belonged to the colony founded by William Penn. The son of John, John Littler, Jr., settled near Winchester, Frederick County, Va .; he was the father of ten children, one of whom, Ann Littler, was born October 17. 1782. She was married in February, 1800, to Robert Smith, also a native of Virginia, and a soldier in the war of 1812. Robert Smith's father, a widower, with part of his children, emigrated from Virginia to this county, as early as 1804 or 1805, and occupied the land on Walnut Run, which belonged to the late Samuel Watson. The children became dissatisfied, and eventually dispersed, leav- ing the old gentleman alone, some going back to Virginia and others going back toward the southern part of the State. Robert and Ann Smith emi- grated to this county with five children, and had one born after their ar- rival. Mrs. Smith's father, John Littler, had previous to this purchased 4,000 acres of land in Union and Deer Creek Townships, paying about cents per acre. Ann inherited from her father 200 acres, what is now known as the "Phifer farm," where she and Robert lived. He died in 1816, about one year after their arrival. They had six children -John, Rosanna, Rachael, James, Samuel and Robert. Samuel is now liv- ing in Ligonier, Ind., and Rachael married William T. Davidson, whose son is now the Superintendent of the Infirmary. Mrs. Smith subsequently mar- ried William Noteman, by whom she had five children. She died in 1826. Her son, James Smith, was born in Virginia, but was reared in this county, coming here at the age of seven years. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and in 1833 married Ann Rosser, a native of England. They lived in Springfield for a time, and in Somerford, but permanently located in Lon- don about 1844. In 1851, he established himself in the drug business, and in 1854 lost most of his stock by fire. He died in September of that year, leaving four children, of whom Auburn, then aged fifteen, was the only son. He was born in Somerford December 14, 1839; came to London when four years of age, and resided here until his death. Having assisted his father in the drug store, he became imbued with a liking for the busi- ness, and in 1865, with JJ. S. Davidson, he purchased the Ridenour drug store. Three years afterward. he became sole proprietor, operating one of the largest and best regulated drug houses in Central Ohio. In 1870, he began dealing in ice, hauling it from Deer Creek. About 1875, he made a pond in the northern limits of London, and adjacent to the pond erected three ice-honses, from which he supplied the home demand and shipped a great deal of ice. He was married to Anna E., the third daughter of E. V. Arnett, of West Jefferson. in 1863, and by her had five children-Robert, Harriet, James, Arnett and Gertrude. Mr. Smith was a strong adherent to the doctrine of Methodism, having united himself with that church in 1864. He was for several years Assistant Superintendent and a regular attendant

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of the Sabbath school, and his whole church-work seemed to be devoted to the Missionary work and Sabbath school. He was a loving father and husband, a good neighbor and a most estimable citizen, whose place in life will not be easily filled either in a social or commercial relation, and whose loss is deeply felt and deplored by the church, State and community at large. He died on Tuesday, October 10, 1882, of Bright's disease, from which he had been suffering since 1876. The nature of his disease was unknown to him until several years later.

JONATHAN M. SMITH. farmer, P. O. London, was born in Greene County, Ohio. October 1, 1847. He is a son of John and Sophia (McFar- land) Smith, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. Our subject received a common school education, mostly in this county, and chose the occupation of a farmer, which he bas since followed. He was married, in 1875, to Rebecca M. Paine, a daughter of Zadock and Martha (Mooney) Paine. They have had one child-Pearl Raymond. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics; he has held several minor township offices. and is now one of the Trustees.

PHILIP SPEASMAKER, London, a well-known and popular hard- ware merchant of London, was born in Bavaria. Germany. May 1, 1837. He is a son of Cassimere and Catherine Does Speasmaker, both natives of Germany. Our subject was reared in his native land, and there educated. At the age of fifteen years he came to America, and apprenticed himself to learn the tinner's trade, at Brooklyn, N. Y. He remained there three years. and then came direct to London, this county. He was employed at his trade by John Dungan for one and a half years, and then worked for C. D. Ray- burn for a short time. He then purchased the stock and trade (stove and tinware business) of his employer, and has since been engaged in this busi- ness. This was in 1857, and it will therefore be seen that Mr. Speasmaker is the oldest merchant in his line of trade in London, and he certainly en- joys the largest trade. He deals in all kinds of agricultural implements. hardware and manufactured tinware, and as a business man is highly re- spected for his business qualifications and strict integrity. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge, Chapter and Council, of London, Palestine Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar, of Springfield, Ohio, and also of the I. O. O. F. He is Democratie in political views; is a member of the Board of Education of London, but no active politician. He was married, November 28. 1857, to Caroline Dies, a native of Franklin County. Ohio. They have ten children, all living.

J. B. SPRAGUE. London, a prominent physician and surgeon of London, was born in Harmony Township, Clark County, Ohio, June 15. 1821. His father, James Sprague, was a native of Massachusetts, and came to Ohio about 1816 or 1818. He was an early pioneer of Clark County, residing eight miles east of Springfield until his death. He was born De- cember 9, 1784. and died July 10, 1844, leaving an estate of 360 acres. and considerable personal property. He married Polly Bailey, a native of New Hampshire. Eight children were given them, five daughters and three sons. Six of these are living to-day, four daughters and two sons. Mrs. Sprague departed this life in 1871 or 1872. James B. Sprague was reared on a farm, receiving a high school education. He taught school in early life for seven years at different intervals, and during the latter part of this time studied medicine for two years with Dr. Rogers (now deceased), of Springfield, Ohio. He then took a course of lectures, studied another year, then a second course of lectures, and in 1851 graduated from the

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Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati. He first located at Vienna Cross Roads, Clark County, Ohio, and after a few years engaged in the practice of his profession with Dr. Burkley Gillett, of Springfield. The latter died a year later, and our subject then went to Plattsburg, and subsequently to Vienna Cross Roads once more. In 1871, he came to London, where he has since resided, and been engaged in attending to a very fair practice. In June, 1862, Dr. Sprague went into the United States service, as Assistant, Surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. serving in that po- sition nearly three years. By his own consent, he was detailed as surgeon of a colored regiment. They were located on the banks of a stream in the South, and soon after the measles and small-pox broke out among them Dr. Sprague vaccinated over four hundred of them, and never lost a man by either disease, although some of the men had both diseases at the same time. He remained with them two or three months and then returned home. Dr. Sprague was formerly and is now a member of the Clark County Medi cal Society, and is also connected with the State and Madison Societies of a like nature. He is thoroughly Democratic in his political views, and once, while a resident of Clark County, served as Justice of the Peace. He was married, November 8, 1843, to Sarah, daughter of Isaac Chamberlain, an old and respected pioneer of Clark County. Of the six children born to Dr. and Mrs. Sprague, only two are living-Cecelia F. (wife of William H. Wragg, of Plattsburg, Clark County, Ohio), and Milton C. (a graduate of the Cincinnati Medical College, and a practicing physician of Somerford, this county). Dr. Sprague has been a member of the Masonic order since about 1845, having been initiated at Fielding Lodge, South Charleston, Ohio. He is now a member of the Lodge, Chapter and Council at London, and of Mt. Vernon Commandery at Columbus. He has taken the first eight een and the Scottish Rite degrees, and will soon advance, if his life is spared, to the thirty-second degree. His connection with the I O. O. F. has been equally as long and honorable.

W. S. SQUIRES, of W. S. Squires & Co., grocers, London, was born in London, Madison County, January 2, 1814. His father, W. H. Squires, was a native of Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, who came to Lon- don at an early day and there carried on the saddler and harness trade for a number of years. He subsequently learned the dental trade, and also kept a hotel at London and Dayton for ten or twelve years. He died in Lon don January 15, 1870. He married Catherine Phifer, a native of Virginia, who bore him eight children, two now living-Laura (widow of L. G. Mc- Collum, deceased), and our subject. Mrs. Squires is still living, and re sides in a large and comfortable residence in west part of London, at sixty - seven years of age. Our subject grew to manhood in his native city, re- ceiving a good education. When young, he rented land of H. W. Smith, and " farmed it" for five years. He farmed eight years altogether and then came to London and engaged in the livery business. He subsequently learned paper-hanging, and worked at that and painting for about ten years. Then, in company with his brother-in-law, L. G. McCollum, he purchased the grocery stock and trade of Isaac G. Peetrey, May 9, 1882, the firm remaining as Squires & McCollum until August 26. 1882, when i: was dissolved. The firm of W. S. Squires & Co. was then formed, and they have since conducted the business with fair success. Mr. Squires is Demo- cratic in politics. He was married November 14, 1867, to Ellen A., dauglı- ter of H. W. Smith, a prominent attorney of London and Madison County. Of their three children, two are living-Jeanette and Catherine. Mrs. Squires

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is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. W. H. Squires raised Company K, of the Twenty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied it to the field. He finally became Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. Our subject enlisted in Company K, Sixth Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, from Cincinnati, serving three years and three months and being mustered out with the rank of Sergeant.

JOHN STAHL, London, the second oldest merchant in the boot and shoe line in London, was born in Germany April 11, 1831. His father, Henry Stahl, died in that country. Our subject was reared in Germany, and when of age came to America. He first located at Cincinnati, where he learned the shoe-maker's trade. He remained there only a short time, and then went to Covington, Ky., just across the river. Some time after, he went 10 Richmond, Ind .. and in July, 1857, came to London. He started a lit- tle shop for repairing purposes, and gradually worked himself into the re- tail trade, until now, he carries a very large stock and enjoys a custom in proportion. Mr. Stahl has done away with manufacturing and is still locat- ed on the spot where he first commenced business in London twenty-five years ago. He is one of the oldest members of the Catholic Church of London, and Trustee of the Catholic Benevolent Society. Politically, Mr. Stahl is Democratic, but has never aspired to office. He was united in marriage, March 19, 1857, to Mary Weber, native of Germany. Of the twelve children born to this union, ten are living-John P. (with father in business), Lizzie, Edward, Annie, Flora. Charlie, Frank, Walter, Benedict and Lee. William and Harry are deceased. Wife and family are also members of the church.

A. J. STRAIN. physician and surgeon, London, was born at Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, January 3, 1845. He is a son of Allan Strain, a native of South Carolina, whose father was John C. Strain, also a native of South Carolina, whose parents were from Pennsylvania. John C. Strain came to Highland County, Ohio, in 1809, where he lately died at the advanced age of ninety-three years. His son, Allan Strain, the father of our subject, has been a farmer through life, and now resides in that county at seventy-five years of age. He married Eliza McMillen, a native of Highland County, and danghter of William and Margaret Linn McMillen, the latter of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of a Mrs. Gettis, near Gettys- burg. Allan and Eliza Strain were the parents of eight children-four now living. Mother died in December, 1880. Our subject is the seventh child and fourth son of these parents, and grew to manhood on a farm in Highland County, to which his father removed when our subject was but ten years of age. He obtained a fair education at South Salem Academy, in Ross County, Ohio, and at twenty-three years of age commeneed the study of medicine with an uncle Dr. W. A Strain, of Greenfield, Ohio. Two years later, he entered the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati. graduating therefrom in March, 1873. He first located for practice at Dan- ville, Highland County, and seven months later, went to South Salem, Ross County, where he remained two and a half years. In October, 1876, he came to London and became associated in practice with an uncle, a prac- ticing physician of Madison County for thirty-five years. Two years later, this partnership was dissolved, and since that period Dr. Strain has been alone in his practice, having met with fair success. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical Society, and has been a member and Secretary of the Madison County Medical Society for the past two and a half years. Politically, Dr. Strain is Republican. He is also a member of the Presby-

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terian Church and the Knights of Honor. He was married, January 7, 1880, to Mary, daughter of Washington Wilson, of Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Strain is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

T. S. STRICKLAND, agent I. B. & W. Railway, London, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, October 3, 1845. He is a son of Franklin M. Strickland, a native of Vermont, who located in Ohio about 1840. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1852, when but twenty- nine years of age. He married Hannah Chapel, a native of Connecticut. They were the parents of three chilrden, all living, and our subject, the only one in Madison County. Mrs. Strickland subsequently married Rod- ney Mason, and one child was born to them, now deceased. Mrs. Mason resides with our subject in the sixty-sixth year of her age. T. S. was reared in Sandusky County, and early in life was in the commission busi- ness at Clyde, Ohio, under the firm name of M. C. Beamer & Co. This was in 1866. He remained with the firm six months, and then engaged in the clothing business. In the fall of 1869, he went to Iowa, coming back

to Ohio in the fall of 1870. He was next employed by the L. S. & M. S. R. R., at Clyde, Ohio, in the capacity of baggageman and yardman. He remained in that position until the spring of 1878, when he came to Lon don, and on April 1, accepted the position of agent of the C. S. & C. R. R. On May 1, 1881, this road was purchased by the I. B. & W., Mr. Strick- land still retaining his position. Since he took charge of the London office, he has labored earnestly and faithfully to secure better facilities to shippers to and from this point, and to the increase of public travel. It is safe to say his efforts have met with good and increasing success Mr. Strickland is a member of the Lodge and Encampment (I. O. O. F.), and Republican in politics. He was married the first Tuesday in 1867, to Kate Stokes, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio. They have two children - Frank- lin and Elta.

JERIAH SWETLAND, London, one of the more prominent retired merchants of this village, was born in Springfield, Sullivan County, N. H., April 28, 1817. His grandparents on his father's side were Jeriah Swetland and Mary Burnham, the latter of whom was an heir to a vast estate in En- gland. One of their sons, Roswell Swetland. was born in Connecticut, was a miller by trade and a farmer by occupation. He resided in Now Hamp- shire during his natural life, and there married Naomi Rockwell, also a native of Connecticut. Of the ten children born to bless this union, only three are living-our subject, a sister in San Francisco, Cal., and a brother in New Hampshire. Mrs. Swetland died in 1858, and her husband two years later (1860). Jeriah Swetland was the ninth child and fourth son of this large family, and consequently he did not receive the educational training afforded some of the older members of the family. He resided with his parents until nineteen years of age, and then learned the saddler and harness trade, working at that in his native village for eight years. On August 4, 1843, he arrived in London, and soon after engaged in mercan- tile pursuits, continuing in such two years. In 1847. he went to Pickaway County, and in 1850 to Mt. Sterling, in Pleasant Township, this county. In 1856, he returned to London, and again engaged in mercantile pursuits, this time associating himself in business with William H. Chandler, Sr. In 1866, Mr. Swetland disposed of his interest and retired from business, although the partnership between the two gentlemen has never yet been dissolved. They still own property together. Mr. Swetland, while in busi- ness, was very successful in a financial way, and at present owns a half-in-

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terest in 185 acres of good land, and also in Swetland and Dixon's business block, in London, and eight acres of home property, upon which is located a very large and comfortable residence. Mr. Swetland was made a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1850, and is connected by membership with the Lodge, Chapter and Council, at London. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and in 1856 was made a member of Mt. Vernon Com- mandery, Knights Templar, of Columbus, Ohio, the finest organization of its kind in the State. Politically. Mr. Swetland is an able advocate of Dem- ocratic principles, and in 1867-68 and 1868-69 represented his district in the Ohio Legislature, being the only Democrat in Madison County elected on the " straight ticket." He has also been a member of the Village Council of London. Mr. Swetland became a member of the Supreme Lodge, Ameri- can Legion of Honor some years ago. He was united in marriage, May 23, 1841, to Arabella Fellows, who was born at Hanover, N. H., February 5, 1816. Three children were born to them. all deceased-Isabella Miranda, born in Lebanon, N. H., June 20, 1842, died in London August 26, 1843; William Jeriah, born at Palestine, Ohio, July 1, 1848, died in London February 12, 1857; Sarah Willis was born at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, May 11, 1851, died in London September 7, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Swetland are earnest and consistent members of the Methodist, Episcopal denomination.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 102

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