The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 109

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 109

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she was born. They have ever since resided in Jefferson Township, where he now owns a good farm of 150 acres, and where he is an enterprising and well-to-do farmer. He and wife are the parents of eight children, of whom four are now living, viz., Joseph M., David C., Nancy E. and Lucy J. Eli- jah's twin brother, Elisha, is deceased.

WEBSTER BIDWELL, farmer. P. O. West Jefferson, son of Ephraim Bidwell, was born on the farm where he now lives March 28, 1853. He was raised to farm life, and, under the care of religious parents, he matured and received a common-school education. His pareutal roof was his home until his marriage, April 7, 1877, with Sarah. daughter of George Buswell, of this township. She was born in Jefferson Township in 1855. They set- tled on the farm where he now owns 163 acres of good land. He devotes considerable time to raising and feeding stock. He and wife have a family of three daughters, viz., Ada M., Minnie A. and Edith B.

NATHAN BIDWELL, farmer, P. O.' West Jefferson, is a son of Elisha and Dorotha (Nigh) Bidwell, both natives of Vermont, where they matured

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and married. and where they had born to them two sons. Early in the pres- ent century they came to Ohio and settled on the present site of Columbus, where he helped to grub a part of the land now occupied by that - city. While erecting his cabin there, he became crippled in his right arm for life. His residence in that vicinity only marked a short period, when he settled in Madison County in what is now Canaan Township, purchasing land at $1.25 per acre. His death occurred in 1849, in Monroe Township, Madison County, where he had lived a few years only. His widow returned to Ca- naan Township with her oldest son, Uriah. In 1856, she, Uriah and another son, Washington, died of small-pox. She and Elisha were the parents of seventeen children, viz., Uriah, Isaac, Dorotha, Ephraim, Mahlon, Nathan, Addison, Polly or Mary, Jackson and Washington, twins, Augustus, Joseph. Benjamin, Leonard and Elisha. The youngest was the strongest of the fam- ily, and he and Benjamin were both killed in the war of 1861-65. Nathan was born in Canaan Township September 6, 1820, and was raised to farm life in his native township, among the pioneer privations. He had few school privileges, and possesses only a limited education. He remained at home until his majority, when he engaged as a farm hand until September 5, 1844, on which day he married Eliza J. Kennedy. She was born and raised in this county and died January 15, 1855; she was the mother of five children, two of whom died in early life. Mr. Bidwell married, for his second wife, Elmira (Hall) Thomas, widow of Roland Thomas. This union has been blessed with two children. Mr. Bidwell has always followed farm- ing and stock-raising, and, in 1850, he settled in Jefferson Township. where he now owns 134 acres of good land.

GEORGE W. BLAIR, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is one of the pio- neers of the county and a grandson of Alexander Blair, who was a native of Virginia, of Scotch parentage. He matured in his native State, where he married Elizabeth Vestal, of English birth. They settled in Kentucky in 1788, and, in 1801, in Franklinton, Franklin County, Ohio, where Eliza- beth died. He subsequently came to Madison County, where he died in 1825. Of his eleven children, John (the father of our subject) was the eighth child, and was born near Harper's Ferry. Va., September 19, 1785. but from infancy he lived in Kentucky, when we find him in Ohio. He matured in Franklin County. and entered the war of 1812, from Franklin- ton, serving until Hull's surrender, when he was captured, but soon after paroled and sent him home. He hunted deer and other game and made sugar from the maple orchard that once occupied the grounds of the present beautiful city of Columbus. He learned the hatter's trade in Franklinton, and then settled in London, Madison County, in 1814, where he embarked in that business. In the latter part of the same year, he married Jennie. daughter of John Thompson, who was a pioneer settler on the lot now owned by Dr. Toland Jones. John Blair and wife remained in London un- til 1825. when they located on the Glade Run, and. in 1843. in Jefferson Township, where she died, in 1868, and he in IS70, both being interred in the Blair Cemetery. John was a man of tall and slender form, very wiry and energetic, but the last thirty years of his life he was unable to perform physical labor. He died aged eighty-two, and his wife seventy-eight. Of John Blair's seven children, four are now living. two in Madison County, of which George W. is the oldest; he was born in London May 20. 1817, and has since been a resident of his native county. He early imbibed the principles of farming, which he still follows. En 1841. while living on the Glade Run, he married a daughter of George and Rebecca Goodson.

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In 1843, George W. Blair and family settled on his present farm, which now consists of 300 acres. At the time of his settlement the land was near- ly all covered with either the original or second growth of timber. He has been a resident of the county almost from the time of its erection, and has watched its rise and progress. From 1868 to 1870, he was connected with the building of the Blair pike, of which he completed three miles. He claimed the honor of owning and operating the first steam thresher in Madi- son County, and of the introduction of the first reaping machine in the county. His children were ten in number, two died in early life-one, Mary E., at the age of twenty-four, and seven are now living, viz., John, George G., Charles W., William F., Uriah H., Belle and Emma C. This family, as well as the ancestors, are adherents of the Methodist Church. John, a native of Deer Creek Township, has always been a resident of the county; he is by occu- pation a farmer and machinist. He was three years in the late rebellion, participating in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and many others. He was taken prisoner at Guntown, Miss., and was nine months in Ander- sonville Prison. He then returned home and married Mary A. Ray, a na- tive of Indiana, who was raised in South Charleston, Clark Co., Ohio. Their children are two sons and three daughters. George G. Blair, as well as all the younger ones, is a native of Jefferson Township, where he was raised to farm life, and entered the service of the late war, in Company K, Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with his brother John, and returning - after a service of three years. He married Esther A. Clark, a native of Springfield, Ohio, of Irish parentage. They have one son and two dangh- ters. Charles W., the third son, is a farmer and machinist; he entered the United States Navy in 1863, and was assigned to the gunboat " Tawah." He was subsequently wounded at Clifton, Tenn., resulting in the loss of his left arm. His military service covered a period of one year. He afterward was appointed to and filled the position of Postmaster at West Jefferson. He was married, to Isabelle G. Melvin, a native of Jefferson. They have two sons and three daughters. William F. Blair has always resided at home, save eighteen months spent in Kansas, and devotes his time largely to machinery. U. H. has always followed farming; he married Margaret, daughter of George Buswell, whose biography appears in this township. Two children are the fruits of this union-Belle, is the wife of Jesse M. Mills, of Warren County, Ohio, his occupation is that of saw-miller; Emma C., is the wife of Jacob H. Knouff, a native of Washington County, Md., but since 1863 a resident of Ohio, and since 1872, of Madison County.

D. W. BLISS, grocer, Jefferson. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch is a son of Ezra Bliss, who was a native of Vermont, where he received his education and studied medicine. Soon after reaching manhood, he commenced the practice of medicine, and while thus engaged two of his sons, viz., Ezra and Hiram, studied medicine under him and be- came practitioners. One on his way home from Europe died in Canada, and the other died in Massachusetts. Ezra, Sr., in 1846, was induced by one of his sons, who then lived in Jefferson, Madison County, Ohio, to lo- cate there, but he was growing old, and only followed his profession a few years. He and wife both died here, she being his second companion. He was the father of twelve children, three of whom came to Ohio-D. W., whose name heads this sketch. is a native of Vermont, where he was born April 23, 1835; from 1839 to 1846, he was a resident of Indiana, but since the last date has resided at Jefferson, having come with his father from the Hoosier State; he was educated mostly in the schools of Jefferson, during

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his early life; at the same time he had experience as clerk in the store of his brother, thereby gaining a knowledge of business. He subsequently served as the first telegraph operator in Jefferson, and as freight. ticket and express agent, a period of fifteen years. In 1872, he took a trip to Europe to see a sick brother, and, after a stay of considerable time. he returned. In 1880. he opened out business in Jefferson similar to that which he is now conducting, but sold out to Hoe & Martin, and, in 1881, opened in his pres- ent stand, in which he carries a full line of groceries, provisions, glass and queensware. His wife was Amelia Stutson, to whom has been born four children, all deceased, and three died in infancy, one, Ormie H .. at the age of eighteen years.

QUINN BRADLEY, druggist, Jefferson, is a son of Daniel Brad. ley, who was a pioneer and native of Monroe Township, Madison County, where our subject was also born in 1843 He was left fatherless at an early age, and reared by a widowed mother. As soon as he was large enough, he was hired out as a farm hand, and thus continued until May, 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In fantry, serving until the expiration of his enlisted term, one hundred days. In 1863, he re-enlisted in Company C, Second Ohio Cavalry, and remained in service until the elose of the war. He participated in the common hard- ships connected with military life. He returned home and resumed farm ing, and, in 1869, married Miss Kate Zinn, of Franklin County, Ohio. The issue of this union is one child -Elta. Farming was Mr. Bradley's pursuit until the centennial year, when he located in Jefferson, and, two years later. opened a drug store. He carries a full line of drugs, druggists' sundries, paints, oils, varnishes and stationery.

LESTER A. BURNHAM, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson. James Burn- ham, who is more fully spoken of in the history of Jefferson Township, was the father of our subject and a son of James and Tama (Holt) Burnham He came to Jefferson Township in 1817. and, in 1823. married Mary Ann Jones, whose family were from Pemberton, N. J. In 1857, Mr. Burnham died, leaving his widow, who survived him nine years, and three sons and a daughter. Of these, the eldest, James C., is editor and publisher of the Index, a weekly paper at Minneapolis, Kan .; the second is the subject of this sketch; the third son, John, is located at San Jose, Cal .; the daughter Emma died in 1861. Besides these children, two daughters had died in infancy, and a third, Mary, in 1848, two years after her marriage to Thorn- ton Ross. The subject of this sketch was born at Hampton, Jefferson Town ship, April 15, 1833. and remained at home with his parents until he reached his majority, in the meantime attending the common school of his neighborhood. After leaving home, he, for a time, engaged in milling. In 1862, he married Miss Sarah Johns, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Snowden) Johns, of Greene County. By this marriage four children were born, of whom two died in infancy. The others were Edward S., deceased, and Emma. Mrs. Burnham died on June 6. 1882. Mr. Burnham has en- gaged in several occupations, but his life has been principally spent in farming. He was a Democrat until of late years, when he has cast his lot with the Prohibitionists.

GEORGE BUSWELL, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a native of England and a son of Thomas and Catharine Buswell, both natives of En- gland, the former bring by occupation a farmer. They both died in their native country. Their family consisted of eight children. of whom George, the fourth, was born September 21, 1820. He was brought up to agricult-

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ural pursuits, which he has always followed. His home was in his native country until April 18, 1855, when he embarked for the United States; he landed at Jefferson, Madison Co .. Ohio, on June 19, of the same year. He worked as a farm-hand about two and one-half years, and then leased several acres from Edwin Roberts, which he worked four years. Two years later, he became a land-owner, and now has a farm of 336 acres. He was mar- ried, August 25, 1861, to Nancy Toops. To this union has been given a family of six children. Mr. Buswell is always interested in all improve- ments of the county, and in the welfare of the community in which he re- sides.

THOMAS CARTMILL, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Will- iam and a grandson of Thomas Cartmill. The latter with his family moved from Virginia, to Bath County, Ky., about 1788. He and wife both died in that State at advanced ages. Of their eleven children. William, the sixth, was born in Virginia. in 1779, but from early boyhood lived in the county where his parents died. About the year 1807. he was married, and five years later located near Georgesville, Franklin Co., Ohio. About 1821 or 1822, he settled near London, Madison County, where he buried his wife in 1859, and where he died in 1873. He was through life a farmer, an ex- cellent marksman and a great hunter. One of the incidents of his life we record. though it occurred in Kentucky: "One evening, while watching a flock of turkeys, as they were going to their perch for the night, he chanced to hear a slight noise behind him, and, turning, saw, several paces up the hill from where he stood. a panther lying flat, ready to leap upon him. His gun was immediately leveled on the panther, which had seemingly al- ready began to leap, but the death shot entered the animal's heart, and so vicious was its leap, that, with a death-grip, it clung fast to a tree several feet above Mr. Cartmill's head." He also passed through some narrow escapes while hunting in Ohio, being a venturesome pioneer. His wife was a noble assistant in rearing the seven children. She spun and wove the fabric, and nade all their own clothing and attended to her domestic affairs besides. As a companion, she was true and amiable, and as a mother kind and affec- tionate and highly esteemed by her neighbors. Of the seven children all save one are now living. Thomas, the first born, was a native of Kentucky, but, in 1812, when he was five years old. his father came to Ohio, since which Thomas has been a resident of the Buckeye State. After remaining on his father's farm until the age of twenty two. he entered upon the duties of the carpenter trade, which he followed continuously until 1857, in which year he erected a grist-mill on Little Darby. This he conducted until 1881, when his successor, the present owner, took charge of it. He has been a land-owner in this township since 1851, and superintended his farm in connection with the mill. He now owns 200 acres, highly improved and well cultivated. He is a well to-do citizen, and has his daughter living with him.

J. T. COLLIVER, physician, Jefferson, is a son of Dr. John Col- liver, who was born in Kentucky in 1811. He was raised in his native State to farm life, which he followed in connection with trading. His marriage with Matilda Robinson was celebrated in 1831, and, ten years later, they moved to Ohio, locating in Madison County. Soon after reach- ing the latter county, he commenced reading medicine, and in due time was prepared and began practicing on the Eclectic system, in Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio. After a successful practice of ten years, he, in 1855, located in Amity, Madison County, where the whole family was attacked

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with small-pox. resulting in the death of one, a young lady, and severely .marking the remainder. Dr. John Colliver practiced there until 1857. when he located in Jefferson, where he practiced until his death, in 1865. His widow still survives. aged sixty-eight years. Their children were twelve in number, seven of whom are still living. Dr. J. T., the fifth, was born in 1841 in Kentucky, but from infancy he was reared in Ohio. He commenced reading medicine under his father, and began practicing in the fall of 1862, in Jefferson, where he has carried a heavy practice ever since. He graduated at the Eclectic College, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1864. In 1869, he married Frances, daughter of Dr. W. W. Adams, of De Witt County, Ill. Four children are the issue of this union.

JOHN CONKLIN, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania in 1800, and he was raised in his native State, where he married Jane Andrew, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1803. In 1830, they with three children came to Madison County, Ohio, and bought a farm of 160 acres, one mile north of the present site of Jefferson. The family lived in New Hampton a few weeks, while a log house was being constructed. In the fall of 1831, he assisted Col. Millikin to survey the lots of Jefferson, and he saw it grow from a hazel brush patch to a good-sized business town. He worked hard, was economical, and at his death owned 285 acres of land, which he had mostly cleared. He and wife lived together until October, 1873, when his death severed the union: she died in February, 1881. Their children were eight in number, four are now living, viz., Mary, wife of F. Waddle; Emily, D. S. and Amos. Emily was born on the farm where she now lives in 1833; she was raised and cared for by her parents, and remained in single life at home; she now owns a part of the farm and resides on it. D. S. was born on the farm in 1845, has ever resided in this township, and has followed farming for a livelihood. He now owns a good farm and raises a fair class of horses, cattle and sheep, and is one of the well-to-do farmers. He received a common-school education. which enables him to appreciate the cause of public schools, with which he has been officially connected for several years. He was married, May 1, 1872, to Frances Carter, by whom he has two children-John and Jessie. Amos, the youngest, was born in 1848, was raised to farm life and remained at home until 1868. when he engaged as baggage master on the Little Miami Railroad, which he fol- lowed five years. He then resumed his boyhood occupation, farming on the old homestead, a part of which he now owns. He was married, to Miss Jennie Carter, October 18, 1877.

JOHN DICKENSHEETS, miller, Jefferson, was born November 21, 1831, in Maryland. but from five years of age, lived in Montgomery County, Ohio, where his father operated a grist-mill on Stillwater a number of years. While residing there, the parents, David and Sidney (Smith) Dickensheets both died. John worked for his father, and under his instruc- tion until after his majority. Subsequently, he labored in different mills, in Dayton, then in Richmond, Ind., and various other places until 1879, when he came from Circleville, Ohio, to Jefferson, his present situation. He was married, on Christmas, 1856. to Charlotte Jackson, a native of En- gland, born December 4, 1836. In 1853. her parents settled in Dayton, Ohio, where both died. She is the second of a family of eight children. Mr. Dickensheets and wife have a family of four children, all now living, viz., Mary F., Mattie M., George W. and Luther M. The Dicken- sheets name is of English and German origin.

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A. J. DICKERSON, teacher and farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, was born in Harrisburg, Penn., February 14, 1833; he is a son of Alexander and Catharine (Bigler) Dickerson. The former was Secretary of the land office at Harrisburg at the time of his death, and his father, who was of Irish parentage, was a native of Pennsylvania. where he lived and died, and a General in the war of 1812. Catharine Bigler, above mentioned, is now residing in Philadelphia, and is a cousin of ex-Gov. William Bigler, of Pennsylvania, and ex-Senator from the same State. She is also a cousin to ex-Gov. John Bigler, of California. Her grandfather Bigler came from Germany, and married Catharine Pancake, of German descent. Our sub. ject was raised in his native State, where he was educated, and when twenty years of age, he engaged in teaching, which he has followed in connection with farming ever since. His residence in Madison County, Ohio, dates back to 1865; since that time he has taught almost every winter in four different districts. He owns a good farm, which he cultivates. He is among the leading members of the Foster Chapel Methodist Church, and a class leader. His marriage was solemnized in Pennsylvania, with Miss Rachel Andrew.

WILLIAM DURFLINGER, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel, is a grand- son of Henry Durflinger, a native of Germany, who came to America prior to the Continental war, in which he was a patriot. He settled, lived and died in Virginia. Of his five children, Thomas, the father of our subject, and the second child, was born in Loudoun County, Va., in 1773, and died in Jefferson Township. Madison County, Ohio, in 1851. He was raised to farm life in his native State, where he married Susan Gouldsberry, and, about 1803, with one child, came to Ross County, Ohio. He bought land near the present town of Frankfort, cleared and improved it and remained there until 1828, when the family settled in the Galaway Survey, of Jefferson Township, Madison County, and there bought 330 acres of land, on which one little field was cleared. but no house built. A log house was quickly erected. and they enjoyed the new home six years, when it was sold and another tract of land bought, most of which lies in the northeast corner of Fairfield Township. On this farm he diod, having lived a widower from 1822. He was industrious and economical, was three times in life reduced to limited circumstances by placing confidence in those not worthy of the trust. He was the father of nine children. Of the survivors, William and Daniel are the only two living in this State.

William was born November 18, 1812, in Ross County, Ohio, and, since 1828, was a resident in this township. He now owns 182 acres of good land. He was married. No- vember 11. 1838, to Clarine, daughter of Levi Hann, by whom he had five children, viz., Mary, died July 14, 1841; George, Thomas; Sarah, deceased March 26, 1856, and Cash M. The youngest daughter now resides at home. Mrs. Durflinger's parents, Levi and Sarah Hann, settled in Madison County about the same time of the Durflingers. They lived and died in Madison County. Their children were eight in number, one of whom, Ja- cob. died the next morning after settling in Jefferson Township. Their children all settled in Madison County, but one, who now resides in Indiana and one in Webb City, Mo. The other three are still residents of Madison County.

DANIEL DURFLINGER. farmer, P. O. West Jefferson. Of Thomas Durflinger's children, Daniel, the sixth, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 10, 1816, but since twelve years of age has been a resident of Madison County, where he has always followed farming. He now owns a

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good farm of 250 acres, and considerable land in Ottawa County, Kan. He is one of the well-to-do citizens, industrious and economical, and believes in furthering the interests of the county. His marriage with Margaret An - derson has resulted in the birth of nine children, seven are now living-two are in Kansas, and five are in their native county, Madison.

W. W. FELLOWS, retired merchant, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Ebenezer Fellows, who was a native of Hanover, N. H., where he followed farming through life. His wife was Deborah Ross, sister to Isaac Ross, who is the father of Editor George E. Ross, of London, Ohio. Of Ebene- zer's seven children. three are yet living, all residents of Madison County, Ohio, viz., Isabelle, wife of W. H. Chandler; Arabelle, twin sister to Isa- belle, and wife of J. Swetland, and the subject of this sketch, who is the youngest of the three. He was born in Plainfield, N. H., in 1818, and was raised and educated in his native State, where he imbibed the princi- pals of farming, but, in 1836, came to Jefferson, Madison County, where, for three years. he was engaged in the mercantile trade. In 1839, he took his stock to Marysville, Union County, where, after one year's experience, he sold out and began clerking in London. In the latter town, he bought out his brother Harvey's stock, in 1848, and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, W. H. Chandler. Three years later, he took the total re- sponsibility of the store upon himself, and conducted it until 1858, when he sold to Jonathan Arnett, and was induced to take his sons to the farm, in Oak Run Township. After an agricultural life of nine years, he located in Jefferson, and, with his son T. B., engaged in the dry goods trade, but, in 1872, he retired, leaving the business to his son, who is now doing a fair business. Since 1872, he has devoted most of his time to his farm, near Jefferson, where he still resides. In 1839, while engaged in business in Marysville, he married Lydia Hebbard, a native of Maryland, who was born in 1823. The issue of this union was thirteen children, three of whom died in early life, three when nearly grown, and seven are still living. viz., T. Byron; W. W., Jr., minister, of Michigan: Ida L., of Columbus, Ohio; Lucy, of Lebanon, Ohio; Eugene, attorney of Muskegon, Mich .; Ada L., of London, and Villa A. Mr. Fellows, though not possessing an extra edu cation himself, appreciates the value of that important feature, and has given his children school privileges, by which they are enabled to mostly earn their own livelihood. The total expenditure on their education was about $16,000. He now owns about 300 acres in the vicinity of Jefferson.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 109

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