The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 116

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 116

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SAMUEL ERVIN, farmer, P. O. Bookwalter, Fayette County, was born in Stokes Township, Madison Co., Ohio, January 31, 1834, and is a son of Joel and Mary (Huffman) Ervin, who are mentioned in the sketch of William Ervin.

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Our subject was married twice, first, with Nursey Ann Gordon. January 20, 1856, with whom he lived until 1865, when she died; and next, on Novem- ber 10, 1869, with Rebecca Johnson. To these unions have been born seven children, of whom five survive-William H., John L., Jesse H., Ollio and Wallace. He has been engaged in farming all his life. He is, as were his first and second wives, a member of the Christian Church. He is a good citizen. and is well respected in the community in which he lives.

WILLIAM ERVIN, farmer, P. O. Jeffersonville, Fayette County, was born in Stokes Township, Madison Co., Ohio, June 16, 1835, and is a son of Joel and Mary (Huffman) Ervin, who were both natives of Ohio, where the former was born in 1811, and the latter in 1812. They were married in Clark County, Ohio, and moved to Madison County, where they remained a few years, and then moved to Fayette County. Fifteen years later, they came back to Madison County, where they remained until their death. He died February 5, 1864. and she. April 12, 1878. William remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself. on the land he inherited from his father. Ho has added to it since until he owns 122 acres, where he resides. He acquired a common school educa- tion and has held the office of Justice of the Peace of Stokes Township three years. Ho and wife are the parents of eleven children, of whom nine survive -- Orra L., Orpha V., Mary G., Orley W., Orpheous A .. Leonard L, Addie E. and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Ervin have been members of the Christian Church for nearly twenty-six years.

JOHN FOSTER (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania. January 7. 1821; he was a son of John and Jane Foster, natives of Pennsylva- nia, where they remained until their death. Our subject was united in marriage with Eliza Sampey February 26, 1846. She was born in Penn- sylvania April 13, 1823. They moved to West Virginia in 1849, and re- mained there two years, then emigrated to Ohio, in 1851, and settled in Fayette County, where they remained until his death, which occurred Octo- ber 15, 1863. The family then moved to Madison County, in 1866, and settled in Stokes Township. He acquired a common school education, and was engaged in farming through life. He was the father of eight children -Charlie, McDowell D., Rebecca J., Leander, Arabella. Cecelia, Benjamin and Julia.

SAMUEL FRALICK, farmer. P. O. South Solon, was born in Penn- sylvania June 2, 1837, and is a son of Joseph and Susan Fralick, natives of Pennsylvania, where the former was born January 13, 1S11, and the lat- ter January 3, 1816. They were married, October 12. 1834. emigrated to Ohio in 1853, and settled in Madison County, where they remained until his death, May 20, 1874. The widow still resides in Madison County. Our subject has been engaged in farming and raising stock all his life. He owns at present 150 acres of good land. He acquired a common school education, and has been Township Trustee of Stokes Township. an office he filled with credit.

WILLIAM S. GASKILL, retired, P. O. South Solon. The subject of this sketch, one of the Justices of the Peace in Stokes Township, Madison County, Ohio, was born in Clinton County, Ohio. September 6, 1826, and was a son of Eli and Hannah (Smith) Gaskill, both natives of Pennsylva- nia, where they were married. Eli was married twice; his first wife was Catharine Campbell, with whom he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in War- ren County, in 1804, where they remained until her death, which occurred in 1816. In 1822. ho married Hannah Smith, his second wife, and moved to

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Todds Fork, one and three-quarters miles north of Wilmington, in Clinton County, Ohio, where he remained until his death. He was a member of the Ohio Legislature from 1831 to 1836, a position he filled with honor to him- self and his constituents. William S. Gaskill was married June 26, 1848, to Miss Jane Hutson, who was born December 7, 1827, and was a daughter of John and Hannah Hutson. William, when twenty-two years of age, engaged in farming for himself, a business he followed until within the last few years. He is now retired. Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill are the parents of nine children, of whom eight survive-Hannah A., Calvin H., Walter S., Maria Louisa, Mary Belle, Nettie E., Albert S., and JJohn E. Mr. and Mrs. Gaskill live in South Solon, Ohio, and have a very pleasant home. surrounded with the comforts of life.

JOHN V. GOSSARD (deceased) was born in Ross County. Ohio, Sep- tember 15, 1811. and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Valentine) Gossard. who were natives of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Ohio, and were married. He died in 1840, and his wife in 1872. Our subject was united in marriage with Phebe Cox June 9, 1841. She was born in Ross County. Ohio, in November 27, 1814. When Mr. Gossard was twenty-one years of age, he engaged in farming on his father's farm, and in 1852 he bought 260 acres of land in Madison County, Ohio, where the widow now resides. He acquired a common school education, and was Trustee of Stokes Township. He was united in marriage three times. His first wife's name was Hannah Brown; after her death, he married Nancy Ritenour, who lived only one year, and then he married Miss Cox, who survives him. He died June 4, 1880. He was the father of six children-Robert, Joseph, Arther, Marcellus, John and David. Mr. Gossard had been a member of the Methodist Church for thirty years. He was a good citizen, much respected by all who know him.

J. H. HARROD (deceased) was born in Madison County, Ohio, De- cember 5, 1815, and was a son of Samuel and Mary Harrod; the former was born September 28, 1776, and the latter October 4, 1790. They were mar- ried in Greene County, Ohio. December 20, 1810. He died Februray 7, 1857, and his wife November 21, 1866. Our subject was united in mar- riage with Ellen Hughes, February 14, 1850; she was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 14, 1826. To this union have been born five chil- dren-William, Augusta, Charles G., Samuel L. and Mary E. Mr. Har rod was engaged in farming and trading stock through life. When he was married he owned 180 acres of land, and he afterward added to it until at the time of his death, September 13, 1874, he owned nearly seven hundred acres of well-improved land. He acquired a common school education, and was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He was a good citizen, loved and respected by the community in which he lived.

JOHN M. LUCAS, farmer, P. O. South Solon. The subject of this sketch was born in Clinton County, Ohio, February 18, 1823, and is a son of Thurman and Lida (Mock) Lueas. The former was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 17, 1799, and the latter in North Carolina Novem ber 18, 1801. They were married in Greene County, Ohio, in 1821, then went to Indiana, where they remained four years ; then returned to Ohio, Fayette County, remained a number of years ; then sold their farm and moved to Jamestown, Greene County, Ohio, where they remained until their death, he dying May, 1872, and she. August, 1863. Our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth Kilgore, October 23, 1843; she was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 19, IS24. He is a member of the I. O.

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O. F., and was elected County Commissioner of Madison County, and has held the office for two terms with credit to himself and his con- stituents. Mr. and Mrs. Lucas are the parents of ten children, of whom nine survive-Isadora, Mary C., Hezkiah, William, Alice, Ann, Willis, Sophrona and Douglas. Mr. Lucas has been engaged in farming all his life, and he and his wife now reside on a farm of 175 acres of land in Stokes Township, Madison County, Ohio.

STEPHEN W. MAXEY, liveryman, South Solon, was born in Madison County, Ohio, February 11, 1842, and is a son of John T. and Charity Maxey, who were both natives of Ohio. Mr. Maxey was born November 10, 1814, and his wife June 9, 1819. They were married in Greene County, Ohio, and moved into Madison County, where they remained until their death. Stephen was united in marriage with Anna Gaskill March 14, 1872. He first engaged in farming, then in keeping livery stable in South Solon, Ohio, a business he still follows. Mr. and Mrs. Maxey are the par- ents of four children-Wilson R., Nettie, John C., and Jessie. Mrs. Maxey is a member of the Methodist Church.

WILLIAM H. McHENRY, farmer. P. O. South Solon, was born in Stokes Township, Madison County, Ohio, January 31, 1825, and is a son of Isaac and Christena (Selsor) McHenry. The former was born in Ken- tucky June 4, 1801, and his wife in Virginia. Mr. McHenry emigrated to Ohio when a boy, and settled in Madison County, where his wife died in 1832. He then moved to Fayette County, and married, for his second wife, Miss Nancy Flood, who survived him, he dying in 1874. Our sub- ject was united in marriage with Sarah J. Hornbeck March 8, 1847; she was born in Stokes Township June 8, 1827, and died December 15, 1879. Mr. McHenry was twenty-five years of age when he engaged farming for himself. He first farmed on David Selsor's farm, but when he was married he moved on the farm of 270 acres, which Mr. Selsor gave him. He and wife are the parents of ten children, of whom nine survive -- Mary E., Mar- garet S., Julia Ann. Alva L., Laura Belle, Almeda, George W., David S. and Isaac E.

J. D. MOON, carpenter, South Solon, was born in Ohio, May 25, 1828, and is a son of Jonathan and Catharine (Davis) Moon. He was united in marriage with Sarah Bysher February 3, 1861; she was born in Highland County. Ohio, November 1, 1840. He was twenty years of age, when he began earning money for himself. He learned the carpenter trade before he was married, and has followed that trade ever since. He acquired a common school education, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. In 1862, he bought fifty-two acres of land where he resides, which he has put in a high state of cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Moon are the parents of four children -- Douglas B., born October 21, 1861; Samuel S., born March 31, 1863; Morgan D., born December 17, 1872: and Edith L., born July 4, 1880. Mr. Moon was Clerk and Treasurer of Stokes Township.

W. O'SHAUGHNESSY, merchant, South Solon, was born in County Galway, Ireland, February 2, 1842. He is a son of Martin and Judith (Raferty) O'Shaughnessy, natives of Ireland, where Martin was born in 1802. They were married in Ireland in 1837, and never came to the United States. He died March 16, 1847, and his wife is still living. Our subject was united in marriage with Mary C. Lucas, June 30, 1871; she is a daughter of John M. Lucas, whose sketch appears in this work, and was born in Fayette County, Ohio. April 26, 1847. Our subject was twenty- two years of age when he emigrated to the United States, where he landed

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August 3, 1864. He came to South Solon March 16, 1865, and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he has been engaged ever since," owning at present a nice country store. He and wife were the parents of two children, of whom one survives-Louis, born August 8, 1877. Our subject having been engaged in the mercantile business for a number of years, has quite an extensive custom throughout Stokes Township and is doing a successful business.

JOHN PANCAKE, farmer, P. O. South Charleston, was born in Mad- ison County, Ohio, August 1, 1835, and is a son of Jesse and Martha (Cooper) Pancake. The former was born in Virginia June 29, 1801, and the latter in Madison County, Ohio, in 1814. They were married in Madi- son County, in 1834, he having emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1812, landing first in Ross County, where they remained a few years, after which they came to Madison County, where they settled and remained until their death; the former, November 23, 1877, and the latter in 1839. Our subject was united in marriage with Serelda Paulin, January 15, 1862. She was born in Clark County, Ohio, July 20, 1839. Mr. Pancake, when seventeen years of age, began superintending his father's farm, which his father afterward divided between him and his sister, giving each about six hundred acres. To this Mr. Pancake has since added until he now owns 750 acres of fine land in a high state of cultivation. He has been en- gaged in farming and trading in stock all his life. He acquired a common school education, and has filled the office of Trustee of Stokes Township three terms. He and wife are the parents of five children-Jacob W., Mar- tha C., Mary P., Jessie and Addie. Mr. and Mrs. Pancake are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

DAVID W. PERKINS, farmer, P. O. Jeffersonville, was born in Washington County, Ohio, March 30, 1838, and is a son of Samuel and Frances (Ward) Perkins. The former was born in 1805, and his wife in 1810. They were both natives of Ohio, and settled in Washington County. He died in March, 1850, and his wife in 1863. David W. was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Ervin, November 3, 1864; she was born in Fayette County, Ohio, March 6, 1839. He has been engaged in farming and rais- ing stock through life. He acquired a common school education, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He and wife reside on a farm in Stokes Township, surrounded with all the comforts of life. They are both members of the Christian Church.

G. W. POWELL. farmer, P. O. South Solon. The subject of this sketch was born in Fayette County. Ohio, January 28, 1835. and is a son of Robert and Mary (James) Powell, who were natives of Virginia. They were married in Fayette County. Ohio, where they settled and remained until their death. They emigrated with their parents to Ohio when very young. G. W. Powell was united in marriage with Sarah Jane James November 3, 1859; she was born in Fayette County, Ohio, January 22, 1837. To this union have been born seven children, of whom five survive- James A., George W., Charles H., Delia F. and Lillie Iva. Mr. and Mrs. Powell are members of the Methodist Church.

MICHAEL E. RITENOUR, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Frederick County. Va., February 26, 1822, and is a son of Daniel B. and Elizabeth (Drake) Ritenour, natives of Virginia ; the former born October 27. 1796, and the latter July, 1796. They were married in Virginia, and remained there until her death, which occurred in 1842. In 1845, he emi- grated to Ohio, and settled in Greene County, where he remained until his

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death, February 26, 1874. After his emigration to Ohio, he was united in marriage with Sarah Walker, who died in March, 1879. Our subject was united in marriage the first time in Frederick County, Va., with Mary Jones, March 6, 1845; she was born in Virginia in 1822. They emigrated to Ohio and settled in Madison County, where they remained until her death, which occurred in 1850. Mr. Ritenonr remained a widower three years, when he was united in marriage with Adaline Blair, who was born in Vir- ginia February 12, 1833. He, at twenty-three years of age, engaged in working by the day on contract, and thus he continned for twenty-six years, when he bought fifty-eight acres of land where he resides, and engaged in farming. He is the father of ten children, two by his first wife and eight by his last, of whom nine survive-Delia E., Joseph H., Lucy E., Mary E., Georgianna, Robert E., Gladious O., Frederick G. and Fannie F.

DAVID SELSOR (deceased). Without a doubt, it can be truthfully said of the deceased that, as a stock-dealer, he had no equal in Madison County. He was born in Virginia, on the 30th of March, 1806, of parents John and Mary Selsor, Virginians by birth, and in which State their marriage was solemnized. The family emigrated to Ohio when David was quite young, and the parents remained here until their death. Our subject at the age of sixteen years engaged in farming and trading in stock, which occupation he followed through life, and at which he gained great success, both pecuniarily and in high standing in the business, hav- ing justly been awarded by his fellow-dealers the title of " Cattle King." On April 10, 1876, Mr. Selsor was united in marriage with Jennie Foster, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born December 8, 1852, and by this union there were born Delamie and Oran Belle. Mr. Selsor was the fore- most man in Madison County in introducing thoroughbred stock, and labor- ing to improve the growth of cattle in this vicinity. He was not only known within the borders of his own county, but his reputation extended abroad and he took rank with the leading cattle men of Ohio. He was accustomed to attend fairs with his blooded stock, and in many cases carried off the first premiums. He shipped extensively to the New York market. He died January 12, 1882, possessed of an estate of nearly three thousand acres of land, and is remembered as a man of sound judgment, and possessed of the rarest business qualifications. He was shrewd, capable, kind and honest; was liberal and obliging, yet unyielding in his principles of right and jus- tice.

CHRISTOPHER SELSOR, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Stokes Township, Madison County, Ohio, January 26, 1833, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (MeHenry) Selsor. Mr. Selsor was born in Virginia, and Mrs. Selsor in Kentucky. He emigrated to Ohio when a boy and settled in Stokes Township. They were married in Ohio and remained there until their death, he in 1842, and she in November, 1864. . Christopher was united in marriage with Lealı Kelley in 1866; she was born in Clark County. Ohio. April 9, 1838. To this union have been born two children-Charlie A. and Ida. Mr. Selsor acquired a common school education, and is a meni- ber of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life, and now resides on a farm of seventy-four acres of land that is in a high state of cultivation. Mrs. Selsor is a member of the Meth- odist Church.

WILLIAM SHOCKLEY, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Stokes Township. Madison County, Ohio, January 15, 1847, and is a son of Clement and Matilda (Briggs) Shockley, who are both natives of Ohio.

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Clement was born in May, 1823, and Matilda in May, 1825. They were married in Clark County, Ohio, in 1843 or 1844. William was united in marriage with Nancy J. Huffman October 10, 1871; she was a native of Greene County, Ohio, born in 1851. He bought 106 acres of land in Fayette County, Ohio, when twenty-five years of age, and engaged in farming. He sold that tract and purchased 1112 acres of land in Madison County, where he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Shockley are the parents of three children, of whom three survive-Franklin P. and Martha M.

REUBEN SLAUGHTER, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Juze 9, 1824, and is a son of John and Anna (Wright) Slaughter. The former was born in Virginia, in 1783, and the latter was born January 1, 1789. They were married in Highland County, Ohio, where he came when a young man. They remained there for some vears, then moved to Madison County, where he remained until his death, which occurred August 7, 1863. His wife died March 17, 1874. Our sub- ject was united in marriage with Matilda Denton, October 9, 1851. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, November 11, 1832. Mr. Slaughter engaged with his father in business, and remained with him until his death, when he began farming on 300 acres of land that was left to him by his father. He has since bought and added to the 300 acres until he owns at the present time 1,228 acres of fine land. He acquired a common school education and has been engaged in trading and selling stock. He and wife are the parents of six children, of whom four survive-Reuben L., born Oc- tober 11, 1854; James A., born July 9, 1859; Martin M., born August 21, 1861; and Sidney Belle, born September 3, 1864.

JACOB SMITH, retired farmer, P. O. South Solon. The subject of this sketch is the oldest man in Stokes Township, and deserves not only a place in the biographical chapter of Madison County, but in the State his- tory. He was born in Maryland June 10, 1803, and emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1806, stopping first at Cincinnati. In 1807, he pressed forward to Greene County, Ohio, where he remained until 1836, at which time he moved to Madison County, where he settled and is still living. He is a son of Mathias and Barbara (Beckel) Smith, who were natives of Mary- land. He was born in 1769, and lived until August 5, 1824, when he passed away; his wife died in 1839. The subject of our sketch was first united in marriage on December 8, 1831, to Amanda Harrod, a native of Greene County, Ohio, born October 11, 1811; she died October. 1872. On April 11, 1876, he married for his second wife, Julia Harris, who was born July 18, 1853, and died April 16, 1882. Mr. Smith has been en- gaged in farming all his life. He acquired a common school education, and has been Trustee of Stokes Township a number of years. He is the father of six children, of whom five now survive-Enziletta, Samuel H., Jonathan C., Frances M. and George.

SAMUEL H. SMITH. farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Madi- Hon County, Ohio, November 19, 1839, and is a son of Jacob and Amanda Smith. whose sketch appears in this work. Our subject was twenty-five years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself and has been en- gaged ever since in trading in stock and farming. He was united in mar- riage with Artinaca Moon September 11. 1875; she was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1849. They have three children, of whom one survives- Blanche, born February 17, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Smith reside one half mile from South Solon, Ohio, in a nice residence surrounded by many broad acres of land, owned by them.

R.R

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J. C. SMITH, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Stokes Town- ship, Madison County, Ohio, April 12, 1846, and is a son of Jacob and Amanda (Harrod) Smith, whose sketch appears in the biographical chapter of this work. Our subject was united in marriage with Sarah E. Stroup October 13, 1870; she is a native of Madison County, where she was born November 26, 1850. He was twenty-one years of age when he engaged in farming and trading in stock for himself, a business he has followed through life. In 1869 he bought 171 acres of land, sold that tract and bought 145 acres where he resides. He acquired a good common school education, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge. He and wife are the parents of two children, of whom one survives -- Samuel, born March 25. 1876. The name of the deceased was Luther, who was born August 4, 1872, and died May 23, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Smith reside one-half mile from South Solon; she is a member of the Methodist Church.

JOHN B. SNODGRASS, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Ross Township, Greene County, Ohio, August 12, 1838, and is a son of Robert and Phebe (Miller) Snodgrass. The former was born in Virginia in 1805, and the latter in Pennsylvania in 1810. He emigrated to Ohio in 1810, with his parents, and settled in Greene County, where he remained until their death, the former in 1839, and the latter in 1872. They were mar- ried in Greene County in 1830. Our subject, after his father's death, re- mained at home with his mother until he was twenty-five years of age, when he was united in marriage with Nancy McDorman, September 10, 1863. She was born in Greene County, Ohio, August 3, 1842. Soon after their marriage they moved on the farm of 150 acres, where they now reside, and he has since added to it until he owns at the present 200 acres. He has been engaged in farming and raising stock all his life. He acquired a good common school education, and has filled the office of Township Trustee of Stokes Township one term. He and wife are the parents of three children-Alvaretta, Susie and Genevra. The parents have been members of the Christian Church for eight years.

LOREN V. SNODGRASS, farmer, P. O. South Solon, was born in Greene County, Ohio, August 16, 1860, and is a son of R. V. Snodgrass, and Harriet Snodgrass, who were natives of Greene County, Ohio, where they were married. She died June 28, 1877, and Mr. Snodgrass afterward married Ann Lynch. Loren, when nineteen years of age, engaged in farming on a farm of eighty-four acres of land, where he resides. He was united in marriage with Almeda McHenry August 12, 1880. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, June 24, 1862, and was a daughter of William H. McHenry, whose sketch appears in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass are the parents of one child -- Bertha, born May 3, 1881.

B. THOMAS (deceased) was born in Virginia September 15, 1811, and was a son of Moses and Catharine (Williams) Thomas. The former was born in North Carolina, and the latter in Virginia. They were married in Virginia and emigrated to Ohio in 1825, first to Fayette County, then to Madison, where they settled and remained until their death. Our subject was twenty years of age when he engaged in farming; four years after- ward, he bought 100 acres of land, lost that by going security, but never feeling discouraged, purchased again, and had at his death 223 acres, all in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Thomas was engaged in farming and raising stock all his life, He was Deputy Revenue Collector four years, and also held the office of Township Assessor of Stokes Township for thirty- three years: these offices he filled with credit to himself and his constitu-

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 116

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