The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 110

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

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P. C. FULLMER, Notary Public, Jefferson, is a son of George and Sophrona (Thresher) Fullmer, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Vermont. Their marriage was celebrated in Wisconsin about 1850, this being his second marriage. Four years after the unior, they settled in Madison County, Ohio, where our subject was born the same year. he being the second and youngest of the family. He was raised to farm life and acquired the rudiments of an education in the common schools during the winter season, after which he attended the National Normal Uni- versity at Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. He has devoted considerable time to reading medicine, and, since 1880, has lived in Jefferson, where he is serving as Town Clerk and conducting an office of the leading fire insurance compa- nies. He is also Notary Public and collecting agent.

J. H. GILBERT, farmer and teacher, P. O. West Jefferson. is a son of Samuel and Rebecca M. (Harlan) Gilbert, natives of Maryland, where they were married and lived until 1837, when they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Franklin County, near Hilliard's Station. He was by occupation

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a farmer throughout his residence in the last-named county, where he and wife both died. Their children were eight in number, of whom seven are now living. Our subject, the fourth, was born in 1836, in Maryland, but from one year old lived in Franklin County, Ohio, where he acquired a fair education, while growing up on the farm under the guidance of his parents. In 1863, he first came to Madison County, where he now has a farm of nearly one hundred acres, on which his summers are mostly devoted. For the past fourteen years, he has devoted most of his winters to teaching school. He has been twice married, first, to Lucy Baker, who died in 1874, leaving three children. He was married, to Mrs. Harriet McCollum, in 1878. They reside on their farm five miles northwest of Jefferson.

JAMES GILLIVAN, hardware merchant and dealer in all kinds of agricultural implements. Jefferson, is a son of Patrick J. and Ann (Caloo) Gillivan, both natives of Ireland, where they married and died. he in 1838, and she in 1853. He was by occupation a house carpenter. which he followed through life. His family consisted of eight children. The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland in 1832, and emigrated to Amer- ica in 1848, settling in Columbus, where he engaged in learning the tinner and coppersmith's trades. After completing his trade, he traveled as a journeyman until 1866, when he located in Jefferson and established his present business. He deals extensively in hardware, stoves, wagons, bug- gies, farm implements, paints, oils, tin and hollow ware, etc., and his an- nual sales amount to about $15,000. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Mary E. Manifold, by whom he has five children living and three deceased. Two brothers of Mr. Gillivan's came to America; one settled in Burlington Iowa, and the other in Kentucky.

GEORGE GOODSON, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a grandson of Thomas Goodson, a native of Virginia, and a patriot in the Continental war, who died in his native State. His wife was a native of Ireland. George, the father of our subject, was among the eldest of their family of several children. He was born in Franklin County, Va., July 9. 1783. He married, in 1805, Rebecca Wilson, a native of the same State, who was born October 16, 1787. Three years later, he and his small family came to Ohio and settled on Big Darby, in Franklin County, where he bought land in the dense wilderness, surrounded by the Delaware Indians. He improved and cultivated this farm, and lived on it until his death, October 2, 1851. His widow died October 14, 1853. He was by occupation a blacksmith. His farm consisted of 135 acres. He had eleven children, viz., Sarah, Mary, Jane, Thomas, Malinda. Elizabeth, William, Rachel, Robert, George and John. Of those, William and John died in early life, and now all are de- ceased save Elizabeth, Rachel and George. The latter was born February 3, 1824. in Franklin County, where he was raised to farm life, and mar- ried Eliza Huffman, of Pickaway County, Ohio, where she was born on the same day of her husband. They remained in Franklin County until No- vember, 1851, when they settled on their present farm, which consists of 255 acres. The farm has been mostly cleared through the efforts of its present owner. He has been associated with the School Board a number of years, and is interested in all public improvements. He and wife both adhere to the United Brethren Church. They have a family of five chil- dren, viz .. Thomas, Sarah. Rebecca (deceased), Alice and John W., all mar- ried except the youngest. .

A. A. GREGG. banker and farmer, Jefferson, is a son of John Gregg. who was born October 14. 1783. in Loudoun County, Va

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When but a child, his parents moved to near Brownsville, Penn., where they died, and where John matured. On June 24, 1812. he was married to Margaret Allen, who was born Jannary 18, 1790, in Virginia. John fol- lowed agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred about nine years after his marriage, when he left a widow with three fatherless children. About the year 1827, she, with her three children, moved to Ohio, settling about six miles west of London, Madison County, where she bought a piece of land, all in the dense forest. A double, hewed-log house was soon erect- ed, into which they moved. Her three sons, Carlton E., Ashton A. and Thomas, did noble work in opening this farm, of which each of them now own 100 acres. They are all heads of families. The old lady remained on the home farm until her death, April, 1SS1, having lived a widow over sixty years. Ashton A., whose name heads this sketch, is one of the elderly citizens of Madison County. He was raised to know the hardship connect- ed with pioneer life, and now owns considerable land. For the past six years, he has been a resident of Jefferson. where he is conducting a commercial bank, and at the same time superintending his farms. His life has mostly been devoted to farming. His marriage was celebrated May 7, 1846, with Mary M. Pearce, who was born June 11, 1826, at Chillicothe, Ohio. They have a family of nine children, one of whom died when twenty months old, and eight are still living.

ISAAC H. HAMBLETON, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, and Director of the Madison County Infirmary, is a son of Stephen G. Hambleton, who was born near Philadelphia, Penn., though mostly raised in Erie County, N. Y., and in early manhood came to Ohio with his cousin, and settled in Columbiana County, where he married Sarah Galbreath, of that county. Her father, James Galbreath, settled in the year the State was admitted to the Union. In 1835, they moved to Erie County, N. Y., and, five years later, in Miami County, Ohio. In 1843, they settled near Georgesville, Franklin Co., Ohio, and subsequently bought a farm in the same county, where he died March 25, 1860. His widow still survives, in Dayton, Ohio, with her son-in-law, Richard Van Horn. Stephen G. Hambleton was a stout, hearty man, possessing a robust constitution, six feet high, and weighed about one hundred and seventy-five pounds. He was one of the first in Central Ohio to advocate the principle of the Underground Railroad, and, in consequence thereof, became an early advocate of the newly organ- ized Republican party in 1854. to which he closely adhered through life. He died of cancer of the face. Of his twelve children, eight are now liv- ing-three sons and five daughters. Isaac H., the second child. was born in 1824, in Columbiana County, Ohio. Since 1840, his residence dates un- broken in Ohio, and, since 1854. in Madison County, where he now owns 149 acres. He also owns ninety-six acres in Franklin County. He is one of the well-to-do farmers, willing to encourage all enterprises having for their effect the good of the community. He was married, in 1853, to Jane Reynolds, of Franklin County, Ohio, where her father was a tanner of an early day. Mr. Hambleton and wife have two sons and two daughters. He has been connected with the Board of Trustees, and is now one of the Directors of the County Infirmary. He adheres to the Republican party. He started in life alone and empty-handed, but, by industry and economy, he has accumulated a neat competency.

OWEN HARBAGE, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Joseph and Sarah Harbage, natives of England, where they were married and had born a family of eight children. In 1854, they all started for America,

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but, while on the ocean, one child died. The family finally reached Mad- ison County, Ohio, and settled in Jefferson Township where they all bave lived since, save one child which returned to England and one now residing in Indiana. Our subject was born in England in 1839, but since fifteen years of age has been a resident of Jefferson Township, where he married Minerva F., sister of Ezekial Arnett, of Jefferson. This union has been blest with a family of seven children. Mr. Harbage is by occupation a farmer, which was the vocation of his ancestors in England for several generations back. He is the owner of 323 acres, under good cultivation, and is an enterprising citizen. He has always taken a deep interest in the schools of his township, and has repeatedly served as local Director, now being President of the Board of Education.

E. G. HAYNES, farmer. P. O. West Jefferson. A. R. Haynes, father of our subject, was born in Virginia August 30, 1799. At the age of seven years, his parents settled at Chillicothe, Ohio, where both died, and where A. R. remained until 1824, when he went to the State of New York, remain- ing four years. In the meantime, he married Hannah Bateham, of English birth, who was born in 1809, and emigrated to America in 1825. A. R. and wife reached Ross County, Ohio, in 1829, where he owned a saw-mill and farm. These he superintended, and at the same time conducted his trade -coopering. Thus he continued until 1855, when he located in Franklin County, and, four years later, in Madison County, near Jefferson. He there bought nearly two hundred acres of land, which had been settled many years, although but little improved. He was a robust and hearty man, ready to meet all emergencies. He was industrious, and strictly devoted his atten- tion to farming after reaching Madison County. From the age of twenty- five years to the day of his death, August 3, 1881, he was a close follower of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for the greater part of the time was officially therewith connected. He and wife had twelve children, five of whom died in early life. Seven reached maturity, and six are now living. One lost his life in the late war, at the battle of Guntown, or Brice's Cross Roads, Miss. The subject of this sketch, the second eldest son living, was born July 24, 1838, in Ross County, Obio. Since 1859, he has been a res ident of Madison County. By occupation he is a farmer, and now owns a farm of fifty acres, under good cultivation. He married Miss Rachel Bolds, of London, Ohio, by whom he has one child living, Louie. Mr. and Mrs. Haynes have for the past twenty-seven years both been members of the Methodist Church.

E. B. HAYNES, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, son of the late A. R. Haynes. and brother of E. G. Haynes above mentioned, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1836, and came with the family to Madison County in 1859. In the latter county he now owns a farm of 103 acres, which he cul- tivates. His entire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, save four months spent in the late war In 1881, he donated the lot for the Methodist Church now in progress of erection, known as the Blair Chapel. To this church he and wife both belong. They have a family of five chil- dren, all now living. Mr. Haynes is especially interested in all public im- provements of his county or township.

JOHN HEATH, stock-dealer, P. O. West Jefferson, was born in Pleasant Township February 29, 1822. He is the son of David and Nancy (Thomas) Heath. The former, who was raised near Chillicothe, came to this county about sixty years ago, and settled in Pleasant Township, where he married, and where he still lives. They had ten children-four boys and six girls

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-of whom three boys and four girls still survive. One subject remained at home until April 19, 1856, when he married Sarah A. Anderson, a native of Pleasant Township, and a daughter of Stephen and Margaret (Blackwell) Anderson, both natives of Kentucky, where they married in 1851, and, shortly after, moved to this county. They had five boys and five girls, of whom four boys and four girls still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Heath have had four children, viz., Emma, wife of Frank Howard, of this township; Alice, wife of Israel Brown, of Mechanicsburg; Louie, wife of John W. Burns; and Charley. Mr. Burns devoted his time largely to farmning, but, in the last few years. he turned his attention to raising, buying. trading and ship- ping cattle, which he carries on extensively. He is a Republican in poli- tics. Mrs. Heath is a member of the Methodist Church.

CHARLES G. HIGH, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Hosea and Mary Ann High, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Washington, D. C. Her father, in 1803, settled on the present site of Col- umbus, Ohio, where she grew up, married, and continued to reside until 1840, when Mr. High and family moved on their farm, seven miles north of Columbus. Fifteen years later. they settled in Brown Township, of the same county, where he died in 1875. His widow returned to Columbus, where she resides, aged about eighty years. Their children were eleven in number, eight of whom are still living, two in Madison County. Our sub- ject, the second eldest of the family, was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1826, and was raised there until the age of fourteen. in the meantime enjoying the privileges of the schools of that city. After moving to the farm, he, being among the eldest, was deprived of educational advantages, and kept constantly busy in the clearing-up of the land and in its cultivation. Thus he continued until his majority, when he went West. engaged as farm hand in different Western States, and settled in Missouri in 1859. having. two years previously, married Martha Brown. In the fall of 1864, he came to Madison County, Ohio, where he has since resided, and now owns a fine farm of 150 acres, which he cultivates with good success. Since residing here, he has filled the capacity of Township Trustee several terms. His ideas of religion are in accordance with the Universalist Church, to which he belongs. He is also one of the Trustees of the Alder Chapel property. He and wife have a family of four children, all now living. She is a daugh- fer of the late Israel Brown, and a great-granddaughter of the late Rev. Lewis Foster, founder of the Foster Chapel Methodist Church.

ABNER JOHNSON, deceased, son of Jacob and grandson of Michael Johnson, who are both mentioned in the pioneer history of this volume, was born in Madison County, Ohio, August 16, 1812. and died in his native county March 23, 1882. He was raised to farm life, and made farming his occupation through life. He was a man of strong constitution, which en- abled him, even although he started almost empty-handed in life, to accumu- late a neat competency. Apart from the land owned at his death was his original purchase, which was all in the wilds of nature. He at one period in his life followed butchering for fourteen years in Jefferson, which re- sulted favorably. He was married. in 1836, to Mary Lapin, grand-daugh- ter of the early pioneer. William Lapin, elsewhere mentioned in this work. She was born in Madison County April 25. 1819. Their children were ten in number, viz .. Lewis, Jacob, James, Rebecca (deceased). Abner (deceased), Charles (deceased). Thomas J., John W .. Albert and Alphis. Of these, Jacob. the second, was born January 1. 1839. and through life has been a farmer. Soon after his majority, he spent eight months in Illinois, but re-

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turned to Ohio, and, in 1864, married, but from 1868 to 1872 he lived in Franklin County. At the last date given, he bought his present farm of fifty acres. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is now one of the Township Trustees. Mrs. Johnson is Elizabeth A., daughter of John Crego. She was born in Madison County in 1842, and is a member of the Methodist Church.

JAMES JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, third child of Abner Johnson, deceased, who is represented in these pages, was born in 1841, and was raised to farm life, which he has ever since followed. He now owns 155 acres of land, under fair cultivation. He devotes some time and attention to stock-raising. He was married, in 1867, to Sarah, daughter of George Goodson, whose biography appears in this volume. She was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 21, 1847, and by her Mr. Johnson has four children, all now living.

ABNER JOHNSON. farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Abra ham and a grandson of Jacob Johnson. Abraham Johnson was born in Jeffer- son Township September 29, 1808, and died in his native township January 14, 1874. He was raised through the pioneer trials and difficulties when schools and many other privileges that the present generation so abundantly enjoy were not to be had. By occupation he was a farmer through life. He cleared considerable of the farm now owned by W. P. Olney, but about 1850 settled on the farm where our subject now resides, and put on nearly all the improvements now seen. On this farm he was living at the time of his death. He was married, January 7, 1844, to Elizabeth Keen, who was born August 20, 1825, and died July 10, 1861, and by her had eight chil- dren, one of whom died in early life; seven are now living, and five are in Jefferson, their native township. His second wife is now living with our subject. She was Lydia, widow of Judson Olney, mentioned in sketch of W. P. Olney, of this township. She was born in Georgesville, Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1826. Abner, whose name heads this sketch, was born No. vember 4, 1845. He was brought up to the pursuits which he still follows, and he now owns 175 acres of land. His marriage with Emma J., daughter of Judson and Lydia Olney. was celebrated August S. 1866. Abner John- son has represented his township in the Board of Trustees and as Assessor, discharging his duties with unwavering fidelity.

LEWIS JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, son of Jacob and grandson of Michael Johnson, was born in Jefferson Township, Madison County, April 29. 1820. He was raised to farm life, and assisted in the pioneer duties of supporting his father's family. He remained at home un- til 1844, when he married Eliza Gardner, by whom he has had six children, four now living, and married, viz., Mary J., wife of J. W. Booth; Margaret A., wife of Calvin Bradley; Joseph H. and Luther W. The two latter both married daughters of Samnel Biggert, of Georgesville. Lewis Johnson, himself one of Jefferson Township's pioneer representatives, has always worked hard, and now owns a good farm of 2 43 acres. He has for a number of years been connected with the School Board. He is favorably inclined to all improvements of the county or township. Mrs. Johnson is a daughter of Joseph and Jane (Thompson) Gardner, natives of Ross County, Ohio, where she was born January 15, 1829. From eleven years of age, her par- ents resided in Madison County, where she still lives. Her mother now resides with her, but her father died in Illinois. Mrs. Johnson's mother is a grand-daughter of Margaret (Tiffin) Gardner, sister to the first Governor of Ohio.

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LUTHER JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a descendant of. the early pioneer, Michael Johnson, who came to Madison County in 1797, and a son of Jacob Johnson, who is mentioned elsewhere in these pages. Our subject was born in Jefferson Township January 16, 1826. He was raised a farmer boy, and enjoyed only the privileges of the common schools. His attention through life has been more or less given to farm- ing. but for a period of twenty-one years he made a specialty of handling and shipping stock. He owns a good-sized farm, and now gives his entire attention to it, save the time taken up in the duties of his office, Justice of the Peace. He has been publicly connected with the township more or less for several years. He married Mary A. Thompson in 1844, and by her has had six children; four only survive.

CHARLES C. JONES, banker, Jefferson, is a grandson of Sam uel and a son of Isaac Jones, who were both natives of New Jersey, where the former matured and married. In 1819, he, wife and several children came to Ohio, locating in Jefferson Township, Madison County, purchasing land now occupied by Jefferson. His land joined Samuel Sexton's land, out of which two pioneers, on July 5, 1822, laid out New Hampton, just south of the present residence of John Heath, On September 15, 1823, Samuel Jones buried his wife, in the fifty-fourth year of her age. He soon after returned to New Jersey, where he married his second wife. On November 17, 1830, he and wife, Mary, deeded 110 acres of land, on the National road, just west of Little Darby, to his son Isaac. Isaac was born in New Jersey in 1802, but, from seventeen years of age, was a resident of Ohio. In 1821, he married Eliza, daughter of John Mills. She was born in New York April 30, 1804. He and wife settled in New Hampton. The north line of the 110 acres deeded to him by his father was the northern limit of Jeffer- son, which town he laid out into sixty-four lots, in the fall of 1831. Early in life, he joined the Baptist Church, and, during the third decade of the present century. he was ordained as a minister in that church. Through his efforts the original church was organized at New Hampton. He labored long and faithfully, and, on the 22d of September, 1842, died. He was a zealons Christian worker, of unwavering fidelity and unswerving integrity. He was licensed to solemnize marriages on July 9, 1830, and, on March 20. 1840, William Shannon, Governor of the State, appointed him Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the county of Madison, in which capacity he served until his death. He was interred in the Hampton Com- etery, where a suitable monument has been erected to his memory. His widow survived him several years. They had born to them eight children. viz., Sarah, wife of Dr. Col. Crabb, of York, Neb .; an infant. deceased; Charles C .; Thomas P., who served as Quartermaster of the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the late war; Col. William Jones, whose bior- raphy appears in Union Township; an infant, deceased; Samnel. who died in 1842, aged nine years; J. M .. who left Oberlin College and enlisted in the late war, but now is a resident of Clark County. Ohio: and Isaac C., Jr .. who was also a student in the same college, but, seeing the need of men to protect our country, left school, and, at Cincinnati, Ohio, enlisted in Com- pany C, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He rose to Lieutenant Colonel, participating in some of the severest battles, but, on November 27, 1863. while engaged in the battle at Ringgold, was mortally wounded, and, while lying in the last agonies of death, he said to his comrades. "I am happy to die for my country! " Of the entire family of Rev. Isaac Jones, four are now living, William and Charles, in Madison County. The latter was born

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in New Hampton October 7, 1826. He grew up in his native county, where he has always resided. He started in life with no means, but is now among the wealthiest citizens of Jefferson. He has devoted thirty-two years to auctioneering, in which he has been successful. He connected himself with the Baptist Church many years ago, and is now one of its Trustees. He has been associated with the interests of the township in various capacities; since 1874 has been, a Republican. He and wife have had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now living.

GEORGE KELLER. farmer, P. O. West Jefferson, is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Vandyke) Keller, natives of Pennsylvania. The former was a son of Mitchell Keller, who was of German parentage, and also native of Pennsylvania, where he lived and died; by occupation, a farmer. Peter was raised a farmer boy in his native State, but, about the time of his ma- jority, he drifted into Maryland, where he married. Three years after mar- riage, his wife died, leaving two children, viz., Mary, wife of Josiah Mell- vin, of Union Township, Madison County; and Elizabeth, widow of Jonah E. Laman, of Jefferson Township, Madison County. Peter's second mar- riage was celebrated in Maryland. with Rebecca (Vandyke) Herbert. They came to Ohio in 1834, settling in Deer Creek Township, Madison County, where he became a land-owner, and where both lived until their deaths; he died in 1845, and she in 1849. They had a family of four children, one of whom is now living, viz .. George, our subject, who was born in Washing- ton County, Md., in 1828, but, since six years of age, has been a resident of Madison County, Ohio, where he owns a good farm and devotes his time to its cultivation. He started in life with no means, but by industry and de- termination he has accumulated his present handsome property. He was married in 1858 to Eliza Fitzgerald, a native of Virginia, by whom he has had four children, viz., Ida C., William H., Edward J. and Mary J. Mr. Keller only possesses a common education, though he fully appreciates the value of a good education, and. in consequence, takes a decided interest in the schools of his township. Mrs. Keller is a daughter of Will- iam Fitzgerald and wife, who came from Virginia in 1830, with a family of three children, and settled in what is now Fairfield Township. He has ever since been a resident of the county, and has followed farming. On October 21, 1879, he buried his wife, who was the mother of eight children. Mr. Fitzgerald is by occupation a tanner, although he never fol- lowed it in Ohio.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 110

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