The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 126

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 126

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SAMUEL TRUITT, farmer, P. O. Lilly Chapel, was born in Madison County, Ohio, March 8, 1838, and is a son of James D. and Anna Truitt, he a native of Maryland and she of Warren County, Ohio. The grandparents were George and Martha Truitt, natives of Maryland, where he died about 1804. About 1811, his widow with her family removed to Ohio, and settled in Madison County, on land now owned by Augustus Bonner. Here she was one among the early settlers. She died at South Charleston about 1850. James

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D., the father of our subject, was about eleven years of age when brought to this county by his mother. and here he grew to manhood and married Anna Thomas, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Thomas. He settled on the old home place of his mother, where he lived till about 1836, when he sold that farm and purchased in the north part of Fairfield Township, where he resided till the spring of 1875, when he removed to London, where he died October 15, 1875. His wife died in February, 1862. They had twelve children, nine now surviv- ing-Mary, wife of James Hume; Martha, wife of William Anderson; Mar- garet, wife of David Rupert; George W .; Samuel; Joshna; Prudence, wife of John Baber; Ellen Amanda, wife of Rudolph Durflinger; and Thomas T. Mr. Truitt was raised in the days when schools were scarce, poor and far between; hence he obtained but little education, and that he received by going three miles to the nearest school. He made farming his occupation through life; was an industrious, hard-working man, and a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church for more than half a century. The subject of our sketch, the fifth child of his father, was brought up to farm labor, and on Feb- ruary 4, 1862, married Matilda II. Byers, who was born in this county, and whose ancestors are given in the sketch of Joel M. Byers. By this union Mr. Truitt has had seven children, six of whom now survive-Alma E., born Sep- tember 11, 1864; John B. and James T. (twins), born September 8, 1866; Rosa A., born September 7, 1868; Flora J., born January 23, 1872; and Charles K., born February 24, 1876. Mr. Truitt has devoted his life to farming within Fairfield Township. He has resided on the place where he now lives since December, 1871. He now owns over 300 acres of good land, and has a pleas- ant home, and is one of the reliable farmers of Fairfield Township. He is a member of the Gilroy Lodge. No. 695, I. O. O. F., at Lilly Chapel.

CHIARLES R. WARNER, farmer, P. O. Big Plain, was born in Madison County January 8, 1820; and is a son of Joseph and Sarah Warner; he is a native of Virginia, and she of Kentucky. The grandparents, Joseph and Ruth Warner, emigrated from Virginia to Ohio with their family about 1804, and settled in Madison County; subsequently they removed to near Cincinnati, where his wife died, aged ninety years. Thence he returned to Madison Coun- ty and lived several years with his son JJoseph, and while on a visit to one of his daughters in Indiana, he was taken sick and died at the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. He had been a man of powerful constitution, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. While a resident of Madison County, and at the advanced age of one hundred years. he rode on horseback to Washington. D. C., and back again, to see about obtaining a pension. This was a remarkable feat for one of his age, such as was perhaps never known in history before or since. And again, after his return from Washington, and when one hundred and three years of age, he rode the same horse to Indiana to see his daughter, and while there died as above stated. Joseph, the father of our subject, was a young single man when he came to Madison County. He received but little education in his native State, and after his arrival here he contracted to build a schoolhouse, for which he was to receive a year's school- ing. After this he continued working at his trade-that of a carpenter. He erected the first house in London, and then built and lived in the second house in the town. This was when lumber and nails were unattainable, and these were hewed-log houses, with puncheon floor and slab doors. He continued to follow his trade through life, combining with it more or less of farming. About 1813, he married Miss Sarah Atchison, by whom he had eight children who grew to maturity, and five now survive-John A., Eli G., Charles R., Rebec- ca A., and Rachel C., wife of James Scarf. Mr. Warner was a man of weakly constitution, but of good morals and temperate habits, and lived to quite an ad- vanced age. Ile and wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal

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Church to which he belonged forty-five years. He died August 30, 1865, in his eighty-tirst year: his wife died in April, 1850, aged fifty-four years. The subject of this sketch grew to manhood on the home farm, and has spent his entire life in this county. He was married, December 3. 1846. to Isabel Jane Chenoweth, whose ancestors are given in the sketch of Elijah Chenoweth. By this union they have had twelve chil- dren, eleven now surviving-Sarah Jane, born October 17, 1847, wife of Henry Luse; Frances M., born May 4. 1849; Thomas S., born June 1. 1851; John S., born October 21, 1853; Joseph H., born May 20, 1855: Milton C., boru June 4. 1857; Charles S., boru March 21, 1859; Belle M., born April 27. 1861: Minnie A., born July 21, 1863: William Grant, born May 19, 1865; and Olin E., born February S. 1868. In the fall of 1847, Mr. Warner settled on the place where he vow lives, and has since resided-a period of thirty-tive years. He owns 490 acres of land, consisting of two good farms, and is one of the substantial and reliable farmers of Fairfield Township. He and his wife are worthy and life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he hav- ing joined the church in 1837, and she in 1840. He has held the othees of Steward, Trustee and Class Leader for over a quarter of a century.

BENJAMIN F. WELCH, M. D., Big Plains, was born in Kentucky No- vember 7, 1835. His father. Thomas Bennett Welch, was born in Virginia. and at an early age emigrated to Kentucky, where he married Druzilla Drum- mond, a native of that State, by whom he had but one child-the subject of this sketch. Mr. Welch remained in Kentucky some years after his marriage, and then moved to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he engaged in merchandising. He afterward went South to some relatives in Tennessee, and since the rebellion nothing has been heard of him. Our subjeet's grandfather, with his wife, who was a sister of Gov. Worthington, moved from Virginia to Chillicothe, where they both died. Dr. Welch, when ten or twelve years of age, went to Cinein- nati, where he was raised by his uncle, Prof. A. H. Baker, of the Cineinnati School of Medicine. He read medicine under Mr. Baker and attended a full course of lectures at the school, graduating in 1854. He then located at West Jefferson, where he remained two or three years, after which he located at Cal- ifornia (Big Plain P. O.), in this county, where he is now enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. On October 7. 1871, he married Mrs. Isabella (Pelton) MeClimons, a native of New Hampshire, and widow of Edward MeClimons, deceased. By her he had one child-J. Leete, born August S, 1872. Mrs. Welch died June 2. 1875, and on December 14, 1877. the Doctor married Lottie MeHenry, a native of Chillicothe, who still survives. Dr. Welch is a firm advocate of Democracy and of the principles of State Sovereignty. In 1865, he received the nomination for Secretary of State on the State Rights tieket, but was defeated by the Republicans, who then held all the reins of power. He is a prominent and active member of the Ohio State Medical Soci- ety, and also of the Madison County Medical Society.

FREDERICK L. YOUNG, farmer, P. O. Big Plain, was born in Germany. September 10, 1834, and is a son of Jacob and Martha Young, natives of Ger- many, who still reside in their native country. Two of Jacob's brothers, Adam and Frederick, came to America in quite an early day, and settled near Mount Sterling, Madison Co., Ohio, where Frederick died soon after the war of the rebellion. AAdam still resides there now, about seventy years of age. Jacob and Martha Young had four sous and four daughters-Frederick L. (our sub- jeet), Adam, Jacob, Julius, Catharine, Laura, Martha and Mary, all of whom still remain in their native country. Frederick, the subject of this sketch, em- igrated to America, and to Madison County, Ohio, June 1. 1854, and here has since resided, a period of twenty-eight years. On December 19. 1859, he mar- ried Alvira Ann Young, born in this county August 28, 1842. and a daughter

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of Frederick and Lucinda M. Young; by this union they have had nine children, six now surviving Charles F., born June 1, 1864; Willis J., born March 22, 1867; Eliza L., born December 26, 1869; Perry L., born January 7, 1873; John W., born August 22, 1875; and Milton P., born February 17, 1880. Mr. Young came to this county a poor man. but, with a strong physical constitution, and energy and determination of character, he went to work with industry, married a frugal and an industrious wife, and abont 1867 bought and located on the place where he now lives. This place he purchased of Nelson Timmons, to which he has added more land by purchase, till he owns 118 acres of excellent land, and is now one of the reliable and well-to-do farmers of Fairfield Town . ship. He and wife are members of the United Brethren Church at Dennison Chapel, to which they have belonged twelve years.

SOMERFORD TOWNSHIP.

REV. ELI ADAMS, deceased. The subject of this sketch was born in Worcester County, Md., July 13, 1785. He was brought by his widowed mother to the Western wilds, and settled in what now constitutes the State of Kentucky, when he was but seven years of age. Here he remained until 1808, when he removed to Xenia, Ohio. In 1810, he was united in mar- riage to Elizabeth Beeks, with whom he lived long and happily In 1814, they both experienced religion, and nnited with the Methodist Episcopal Church and continued faithful members of the same until death gave them their discharge and reward. Mr. Adams was licensed to preach about fifty years ago; four years after, was ordained Deacon, and, four years from that, Elder. In his private and public relations to the church, he was always faitlı- ful, earnest and devoted. He preached a great deal, and was always re- spected as a very industrions and earnest minister of the Word, and only failed to work for the Master when old age and increasing infirmities ren- dered it impossible. As a citizen, he stood withont reproach or suspicion, strictly npright in all business relations, and much esteemed by his neigh- bors. His religious life was more distinctly marked by a holy, sweet exam- ple than by words or ontward professions. He lived well, and around his life there gathered a quiet, spiritual power. Thus was the church blessed through fifty years with this pure and devoted life. Many will rise up in heaven and call him blessed His form and words are gone, but his spirit is indelibly impressed upon our souls. His patience, love and wisdom are more sacred now than when he moved among us. His last sickness was at- tonded with much suffering; yet endured with Christian patience and resig- nation. Ho peacefully fell asleep in Jesus at the house of his son, Eli, in Madison County, Ohio, May 19, 1870, at the advanced ago of eighty-four years ten months and four days. His son, Eli H. Adams, who gave me the above facts, was born April 10, 1917, and is an extensive farmer and stock-raiser of Somerford Township, Madison County.

WILLIAM ALLEN, deceased, was born in Kentucky March 6, 1818, and was a son of Eliza and Nancy (Young) Allen natives of Virginia. At the age of twenty-one years, he engaged in farming for himself as a renter, and thus continued for five years, when he bought forty-three acres of land in Madison County, which he sold and located on 300 acres his wife inherited from her father's ostate. The widow has now 115 acres of the 300 left, to-

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gether with property in Somerford. Mr. Allen acquired a common school education, and was Township Trustee of Somerford Township for a number of years. He was married, December 24, 1840, to Lucinda Wilson, who was born January 7, 1820, in Madison County, Ohio. This union was blest with one child, now deceased. Mr. Allen died January 5, 1882.

WILLIAM ARBUCKLE, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Mad- ison County, Ohio, May 28, 1815, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Bishop) Arbuckle, who were both natives of Virginia. John was married twice.' His first wife was Nancy Sturgeon. William, at twenty-three years of age, engaged in working by the month. Thus he continued for one sum- mer, when he inherited 101 acres of land from his father, it being the farm he now occupies. He acquired a very limited education, and was united in marriage with Frances E. Taylor, February 10, 1842. In 1878, she died, leaving him to mourn her loss, and he has remained a widower. living on the farm with his children ever since. He is the father of six children, of whom three survive, viz., John H., Frances Rosaltha and Elmer. Mr. Arbuckle was elected School Director by his neighbors.

CHARLES ARBUCKLE, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Madi- son County, Ohio, February 1, 1821, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Bishop) Arbuckle, who are mentioned in the sketch of J. L. Arbuckle. Charles Arbuckle, at twenty-one years of age, engaged as a farm hand to work on a farm by the month, and thus continued for five months, when he inherited 170 acres from his father, and commenced farming on that. He acquired a common school education, and was united in marriage with E. J. Richmond February 27, 1845. She was a native of Ohio, born in 1829. To this union have been born four children, of whom three survive, viz. : Adelia Ann, Louisa Jane and Laura Frances. Mrs. Arbuckle died June 21, 1855.

J. L. ARBUCKLE, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born on the farm where he now resides, in Somerford Township, Madison County, Ohio, December 14, 1828, and is a son of John Arbuckle, who was born in Vir- ginia October 2, 1771. He was united in marriage with Nancy Sturgeon, October 3, 1799, emigrated to Ohio, October 27, 1805, and settled in Madi - son County, where he remained until his death, which occurred September 30, 1845. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Bishop, his second wife, February 2, 1813, and she died April 8, 1865. J. L. Arbuckle en- gaged in farming, when he was seventeen years of age, on 170 acres of land, which he had inherited from his father. He acquired a good common school education, and has filled the office of Township Trustee of Somer- ford Township for two years. He has voted the Republican ticket ever since the Republican party existed. He was united in marriage with Caro- line Houston, November 23, 1852. This union was blessed with four chil- dren, viz. : Violie, Walter, Lizzie M. and Flora. Mrs. Arbuckle died March 19, 1866. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Arbuckle has an excellent reputation as a man of correct business habits.

DAVID BALES, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Clark County, Ohio, September. 1836, and is a son of Moses and Catharine (Graves) Bales, who were both natives of Virginia. They emigrated to Ohio in 1833, and were married in Clark County, Ohio, in 1834. He was a farmer and en- gaged in farming. In 1837, they moved onto the farm now occupied by our subject. Mr. Bales was married three times. He was first united with Mary Fish, after her death with Rebecca Stanford, and when she had passed away from earth, he married our subject's mother, who yet survives him,

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now eighty-one years of age. He died September 1, 1849. David was thirteen years of age when his father died, and he engaged immediately in helping to manage the farm. When sixteen years old, he went West, and remained there two years, then returned to the old home farm in Madison County, where he has resided ever since. He was united in marriage Sep- tember 6, 1857, with Jennie Mitchell, a native of Madison County, who was born January 6, 1840. In 1862, he bought an interest in the home farm from one of the heirs, and has since that time purchased until he now has 281 acres of land, in a high state of cultivation. He and wife are the parents of four children-Newman F., Ida E., Charles W. and Flora M. Mr. Bales is a Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church.

DAVID BROWN, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, was born in Somer- ford Township, Madison Co., Ohio, April 8, 1833, and is a son of James and Mary Ann Brown. The former was born in New York June 21, 1795, and the latter in Virginia in 1803. James emigrated from New York to Canada when a small boy, and from Canada to Ohio, where he settled in Somerford Township, Madison County Mr. and Mrs. Brown were united in marriage in Madison County, where he died March 13, 1875. Our sub- ject engaged in farming for himself as a renter. when he was twenty-four years of age, and thus continued for three years, when he bought ninety acres of land, which he afterward sold, and in March, 1876, bought the old home farm, where he resides, consisting of 206 acres of land, in a high state of cultivation. He has held the office of Town- ship Treasurer of Somerford Township, has been Township Trustee nine years, and is at the present time Justice of the Peace. He has been married twice; the first wife that blessed his home was Isabella Patrick, to whom he was married April 29, 1857, and by her he had two children, of whom one survives-William Edgar. His first wife died April 21, 1861, and he remained a widower until June 15, 1864, when he was united in marriage with Sarah E. Taylor, by whom he has had eight children, seven surviving, viz .: Frank Irwin, Clara, Ida Belle, Charles D., John F., Eva G. and Nellie.

A. J. CLINGAN. tailor, Somerford, was born in Maryland August 21, 1820; emigrated to Ohio in 1839, and, locating in Somerford, has been a resident of this vicinity ever since. He learned the tailor's trade in Mary- land, and has since engaged in business for himself: being a practical tailor of long experience, he has secured for himself a large patronage. All the township offices have been intrusted to him, and he is now filling the office of Justice of the Peace of Somerford Township, an office he has held for a number of years. He was married, February 17, 1842, to Elizabeth Ann Clark, a native of Frederick County, Md., who was born January 24, 1824, and to whom have been born seven children, six now living, viz .: Alonzo P., Laura V., Mary J., William L., James H. and Fannie H. Mr. Clingan is a member of the Sons of Temperance and his wife is a member of the Christian Church.

L. H. CREAMER, farmer, P. O. Tradersville, was born February 18, 1840, in Fayette County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ben- son) Creamer, who were both natives of Fayette County. Jacob was born in 1809, and Elizabeth in 1813. Our subject was united in marriage No- vember 25, 1856, to Miss Electa Mitchell. a daughter of Newman Mitchell, whose sketch appears in this work. Our subject acquired a common school education, and was elected County Surveyor of Madison County in 1876.

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He is a member of the Masonic order, and has been for sixteen years. He is now engaged in farming on a tract of 200 acres of well-improved land, where he resides. Mr. and Mrs. Creamer are the parents of two children. viz., Iva Iona, born June 17, 1873, and Royalton, born December 1, 1878. Mr. Creamer is a young man of steady habits, and is much respected in the community in which he lives.

W. M. EVANS, hotel-keeper, Somerford, was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 27. 1832, and is a son of John and Sidney Evans, natives of Vir- ginia; the former born February 7, 1806, and the latter April 21, 1809. They were married in Clark County, Ohio. Mr. Evans emigrated with his par- ents when twelve years of age to Clark County, where he remained until 1848, when he moved to Champaign County, where he remained till his death, which occurred May 11, 1881. Our subject began business for himself when he was twenty-three years of age, by engaging in farming as a renter, and thus he continued five years, when he went to La Fayette, and commenced hotel life; he also farmed and traded in stock until 1867, when he moved to Somerford, and took charge of the hotel, a business he has fol lowed ever since. He was united in marriage with Anna Helmer February 6, 1855. She was born in Champaign County, Ohio, March 21, 1832. To this union have been born three children-Alice, John A. and Emma. Mrs. Evans is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

MATTHEW J. FANVER, grocer, Somerford, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 24, 1834, and is a son of John and Ann (Johnson) Fanver. John was born in New Jersey July 7, 1793, and Ann June 15, 1797. They were married in New Jersey in 1816, and emigrated to Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, May 16, 1828, where they remained until their death, he, March, 1877, and she March, 1879. They were the parents of nine children, of whom six are living. Our subject is the fifth son and eighth child of the family, and when he was eighteen years of age he began clerking in a store, and thus continued for eight years. He next engaged in farming, a business he followed for fifteen years. Becoming tired of farming, he moved to Somerford, bought property, and engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, which he has followed ever since. He acquired a common school ed- ucation, and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge for eight years. He is at this time Township Trustee of Somerford Township. He was united in marriage with Maria J. Prugh May 27, 1858. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, February 17, 1842, and is a daughter of G. W. Prugh, whose sketch appears in this work. To this union have been born three children, viz., Anna L., born January 1, 1861; Harry F., born October 30, 1864; and Augusta L., born July 27, 1875. Politically, Mr. Fanver is a Democrat; for more than fifteen years he and his wife have been inembers of the Christian Church.

I. N. GARDNER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Somerford, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, October 7, 1841, and is a son of David H. and Fannie F. (Harris) Gardner. David was a native of Maryland, and Fan- nie of Washington County, Penn., and they were married in Ohio. He emigrated to Ohio in an early day, and settled where he remained until his death, which occurred July 23, 1849. He was born in 1803. His wife died March 4, 1851; she was born in 1805. Our subject, when fifteen years old, began working by the month on a farm, and thus continued for two years, when he commenced trading in stock, principally horses, a business he has followed all his life. In 1865, he bought 155 acres of land, and has since added to it until he now owns 355 acres of good land. He acquired

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a very limited education. He has been a member of the Masonic order for twenty years, and is also a member of the American Legion of Honor. He was united in marriage with Cynthia O'Day October 7. 1863. To this union have been born four children, viz., Jeriah S., born November 8, 1864; Fannie, born May 15, 1870; Harvey, born June 4, 1867; and Baldwin G., born November 6, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are members of the Pres- byterian Church at London, Ohio.

JAMES Q. GEER, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Madison County, Ohio, September 12, 1837; he is a son of James and Rachel (Minchell) Geer, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ross County, Ohio. They were married in Madison County in 1823, and were the parents of eleven children, of whom nine survive, our subject being the fourth son and sixth child. His father died when he was but seven years of age, and he was compelled to go to work to help support the family. His mother died in 1855. He was married, October 6. 1859, to Elizabeth Heffley, and soon after his marriage he bought seventy-eight acres of land in Somerford Township, to which he has since added twenty acres, making in all ninety- eight acres of good land. Politically, he is a stanch Republican. By his marriage he has had seven children, of whom six are living-Charles, Luther, Wilbert, Cora L., Guy and Rea. A very sad accident befel Mr. and Mrs. Geer July 6, 1870, when they met with the loss of little Minnie Estella, who fell in the well and was drowned before aid could reach her.

MONMORTH P. GOODYEAR, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Pennsylvania June 4, 1830, and is a son of Samuel and Eliza (Timmons) Goodyear, who were both natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married in 1826. Eliza was his second wife; his first wife's maiden name was Sear. They emigrated to Ohio, in 1834. and settled at Springfield, Clark County, where he died August 25, 1878. Elizabeth is still living at the old resi- dence in Clark County, Ohio. Mommnorth, at twenty-one years of age, en- gaged to work by the month, and thus continued for three years, when he bought fifty acres of land in Somerford Township, but afterward traded it for 119 acres, where he now resides. He acquired a common school educa- tion, and was united in marriage with Miss Mary Elizabeth McCorkle, De- cember 16, 1856. To this union had been born fourteen children, of whom thirteen now survive, viz. : Naomi J., Charles A., Eliza A., George S., Mary, Lincoln, Thomas, Luther, Lawrence, Anborr, Emery, William B. and Ulysses G. Mr. Goodyear's son. Charles, is a young man of industry and energy, and is much respected in the community in which he lives. Mr. and Mrs. Goodyear are both members of the Christian Church, and are very pleasantly situated, surrounded with the comforts of life. as the result of their economy and industry.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 126

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