The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 92

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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VALENTINE BAUER. merchant tailor, London, was born at Gerbach, Rhine Bavaria. Germany, April 14, 1838. His father. Peter Bauer, came to America in 1849. He located in Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged in keeping tavern, and died in 1868. He married Catherine Bauer, also a native of Germany. Of their eight children, four are now living-two sons and two daughters-and only two residents of Madison County. Mrs. Bauer departed this life in Germany, January 12. 1848. Our subject was fourteen years of age when his father removed to Columbus, and he resided in that city eight years. He there finished learning his trade, which he had pre- viously commenced in Germany. On October 9, 1860, he came to London. and for eleven years was superintendent of the merchant tailoring department in the house of J. M. Winchester. On June 25, 1871. he commenced busi- ness for himself. Although having met with some reverses. Mr. Bauer still presses forward, and now enjoys a good patronage. He is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Chapter No. 73 (Masonic), Madison Lodge. No. 70 (Odd Fellows), of London, and Palestine Commandery. No. 33. Knights Templar. of. Springfield, Ohio. Politically, Mr. Baner is Republican, and has served several terins as member of the City Council. He was once the Republican nominee for Treasurer of London and defeated by only thir- teen votes. He was married, April 23, 1859, to Eva Michel, a native of Stahlberg, Rhine Bavaria, Germany. Ten children have been born to them. six living -- Emma. Frank, Clara, Edward, Eva and Robert. Mrs. Bauer is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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V NATHAN BOND BLAIR, retired merchant. London, was born in Lon- don on the present site of Houston & Burnham's hardware store, June 24, 1824. He is a son of John and Jency Blair, of Scotch and Irish descent. John Blair was an early pioneer of this county, and a moderate land-holder. He was also an early resident of London. He traded his town property for a small farm, on what is known as the " Lower Glade," five miles south of London, to which he removed when our subject was but nine years of age. There the latter's time was occupied in tilling the soil and attending school. When he had secured such an education as the schools of those days afforded, he returned to London, being eighteen years of age. He served a three years' apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, receiving, dur- ing this time, the munificent wages of $3 per month. After serving his ap- prenticeship, he commenced jour work, being recognized as a skillful car- penter and builder. In 1847, he was married to Mary Penny. To this union was born one son-Henry C. Mrs. Blair died in the spring of 1849, and the son the following fall. In the fall of 1850, Mr. Blair was again married, to Mrs. E. A. Lamb, who had one son-Oscar E. They have three children-Anna M., Amanda and Harry Nathan. all of whom are liv- ing. The latter is managing editor of the London Enterprise. At the time of his second union, Mr. Blair was engaged in milling at Blairtown (named after a member of the family who owned large tracts of land near there), but subsequently returned to London and resumed work at his trade. He was engaged at that for the next seven years, employing from ten to fifteen men. He again bought the saw-mill at Blairtown, and operated it for seven years. He then went to Jefferson and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in connection with his brother, J. C. Blair. After some time, the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Blair continued the busi- ness until the spring of 1877, when be removed his stock to Londou. He there carried on the same business for two years, and then disposed of his stock and trade to Lohr & Son. Mr. Blair united with the Methodist Epis- copal Church when seventeen years of age. He is a charter member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 112 (I. O. O. F.), and the Republican party. He is an honest, upright citizen, and highly esteemed by all.

A. J. BLUE, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this State October 31, 1849. He is a son of Harvey A. and Emily (Bowman) Blue, of German de- scent. the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Our subject attended the district schools of his native county and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from the latter in 1871. He then chose milling for an occupation, and accordingly purchased a grist-mill in London. He followed farming until January 31, 1877, when he married Carrie A. Rankin, a daughter of Albert and Margaret (Withlow) Rankin. She fell heir to 100 acres of land near London, on which they now reside. They have two children, viz .. Harford and Emily A. Mr. Blue is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. He is a Repub- lican in polities. His father was born in 1816, and is still living. His mother was born in 1826, and died in 1881.

T. J. BOLDS, the oldest boot and shoe merchant in London, and prob- ably of Madison County, was born in Maryland October 20, 1828. His father, Thomas Bolds, was also a native of Maryland, and a shoe-maker by trade. He came to London in 1851, and resided there till his death, in 1864, at which time he was the senior member of the boot and shoe firm of T. Bolds & Son. He married Louisa Jarman, a native of Maryland. They were the parents of eight children, two now living. Mrs. Rachel L

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Haynes, of Jefferson, and our subject. Mrs. Bolds departed this life February 19, 1837. Our subject was the fourth child of this family, and has been engaged in his present business all his life. He was a member of the firm of T. Bolds & Son, at the time of his father's death, and has since continued the business alone. Mr. Bolds is one of the oldest and most prominent merchants and citizens of London, and a man well respected by the entire community. He is a Republican in politics. He was married, July 18. 1865, to Amanda F. Bryan, a sister of M. L. Bryan, of the Madison County Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are members of the Episcopal Church.

ROBERT BOYD, farmer and stock-raiser, and President of the Lon- don Exchange Bank, residence, West High street, London, was born in Washington County, Penn., October 9, 1824. He is a son of James Boyd, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Madison County, Ohio, in September, 1830, locating in Canaan Township. Col. James Milliken had located 2,200 acres of land in this county, in 1829, and divided it equally among his nine children. One daughter, Martha, was the wife of James Boyd, and it was upon her portion of the estate (200 acres) that they settled. They were the parents of four children, all living, and resi- dents of this county-two sons at Plain City, Darby Township; a daughter, wife of Squire William Kilgore. of Canaan Township, and our subject. James Boyd was about thirty-three years of age at the time of his death. His widow is still living and in her eightieth year. Robert Boyd was the oldest child and grew to manhood on Darby Plains, Canaan Township. He as- sisted his mother on the farm till the date of his marriage. October 18, 1849, when he was married to Caroline M., daughter of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson. ^ They came to Ohio about 1810. and now reside in Som- erford Township. After marriage. Mr. Boyd engaged in farming for him- self. on 145 acres of the home farm. He then sold his land and purchased 400 acres in Jefferson Township (now a farm of 420 acres), where he resid- ed five years. He then removed to his present residence in London. When quite young. Mr. Boyd commenced dealing in stock, and has since contin- ned in that business. He is a member of the firm of Boyd & Byers, prob- ably the largest grazers and dealers in stock in Madison County. Mr. Boyd has been very successful in life, now owning 1.380 acres of land. 113 of which is in the corporate limits of London. and 110 acres constituting the home farm. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a Trustee in that body. His political views are Prohibition-Republican. He was one of the first Directors of the Madison County Infirmary; has been Township Trustee, and served six terms in the Village Council. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been blessed with five children -Nancy, wife of J. W. Byers, of Boyd & Byers: Martha A., wife of A. G. Carpenter, an attorney at law, of Cleveland, Ohio: Albert W., who married Myrtie L. Fowler, of Wyandot County, Ohio; Caroline M. and Robert W., the two latter grad- uates of the London High School.

J. C. BRIDGMAN, auctioneer, London, can trace back his ancestry to about the time of Oliver Cromwell, in England. He has in his posses- sion a wood-cut, engraved about that time, and bearing the following in- scription : " Charlotte Lady Middleton, daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Or- lando Bridgman, Knight and Baronet, Lord-Keeper of ve Great Seale of England, and Lady Dowager of Sir Thomas Middleton, Chirkcastle, iu Denbighshire, Baronet for ye advancement of this work, contributed this Plate to whose Patronage it is Humbly dedicated by R. Blome." It was in

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all probability his son, James Bridgman, who came to America in 1610. and is of the " Pilgrim Fathers " stock. He settled at Hartford, Conn., the samo year, thence moved to Springfield. Mass, and subsequently to North ampton. N. H. John. his only son, had six sons -- John, born in 1674. James, born in 1877: Isaac, born in 18SO: Ebenezer, born in 1686: Thom as, born in 16ss. and Orlando, born in 1701. John, the eldest son, had : son Jonathan, who was born in Connecticut. Ho afterward moved to a faru on Moose Mountain, in the Leming neighborhood, and noar Hanover. H H. He had six sous Isaac, John. Asa, Abel. Gideon and Orlando These sons were all ministers of the Baptist denomination, and wher one of them. Abel. died, another brother. Isaac. preached the funeral sermon, and the four remaining brothers acted as pall bearers. This Son. Abel, previously mentioned, married a Miss Fowler. a cousin of O. S. Fowler, the great phronologist of New York City. He was a laborious worker, and died at the comparativoly early age of forty fon Years His widow subsequently married a Mr. Bass. Abel's son. Prastas was born at Hanover. N. H., in 1796, and there resided during his life. He was a farmer through life and died in 1874. at the age of seventy eight years He married Mary Flagg. a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Dr. Bazalelo Flagg, a great lover of, and indulger in, practical jokes They were the parents of seven children, three daughters and four sons. three living- Mary Frances, John C. (our subject) and Nathan C. Adeline Charles. Augusta and Mendal are doceased. Mrs. Bridgman doparted this life in the summer of 1568, and both parents are buried near Hanover. \ H. in the old cemetery near the brick church where Abol Bridgman's ser mon was preached. Our subject, the fifth child and second son of this fat ilv, was born at Hanover. N. H., March 24, 1531. and was there roared He obtained a fair common-school education, and part of an academic one He was married. January 19, 1858. to Lucy B. Pelton, and, on April 13. 1564. Mr. Bridgman and wife arrived at London. this county. Mr. Bridg man secured a position as clerk for W. W. Follows, in the dry goods line. and remamed with him six months. He then secured a similar position with Samuel Tenny, and subsequently was with Shaw & Toland one year. He then purchased a half-interest in the grocery trade of William Smith, and the firm put out the following sign over their place of business: " Smith & Bridgman, Genius and Capital Combined " Either the former quality or Intter necessity failed, for the firm carried on the business but a few months. After engaging a short time in other enterprises, Mr. Bridgman commeneed at London in his present business. This was in 1856, at the be- grinning of the stock sales in Madison County. Since that time, Mr. Bridgman has devoted nearly all his time to this occupation, and his success as an ane tioneer is beyond doubt, and does not need any word from us. " Jack Bridgman," as he is familiarly called, is well known all over this and ad- joining counties, and his jovial manners, free and ready wit, and common- sense qualities have won for him the friendship of all. When his father's estate was being settled up, he generously relinquished his claim to any part of it to a younger brother who had stayed at home and taken care of the old folks. Mr. Bridgman commenced life in Madison County without a dollar in money, and has succeeded in life beyond his anticipations. His sales of every description during the year 1882 amounted to $350.000. Ho is a Royal and Soloet Master in Masonry, and connected with all the frater. nity organizations at London He is also a member of the Methodist Epis copal Church. Mr. and Mrs Bridgman had seven children given thom.

B. F. Welch. M.2.

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four living-Marion Frances, wife of William Chrisman, of London; Franklin Ross, with Jennings, Ford & Paxton. live stock commission mer chants, Cincinnati; Mary S. and Ollie. Charles M .. Flora and Orlando are deceased. Mr. Bridgman is a director in the Madison National Bank. Mrs. Bridgman is a lady of education and refinement, and as jovial in her manners as her husband. She is a daughter of David M. Pelton, who was born in Lyme, N. H., November 26, 1504. He was a son of David M. Pel ton, Sr., also a native of Lyme, N. H. He was a cattle drover, and died in 1818. He married Lucy Stone, and his widow subsequently went to New York State, and married the father of Millard Fillmore, thus becoming step-mother to the President of the United States. David M. Pelton. Jr., the father of Mrs. Bridgman. married Sally Ross, who was born in Hanover N. H. They were the parents of five children-Lucy B., born May 2. 153+. Isabel F., born Angust 3. 1840: David C., born June 26, 1913; Brewster, born August 23, 1848, and Franklin R., born August 20, 1852. Lucy B Bridgman and David C. are the two living. Mr. Pelton died April 3, 1872. aged sixty-eight years, and his wife February 8, 1871. Mrs. Bridgman's maternal grandfather was Thomas Ross, who enlisted in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war, at eighteen years of age, and subsequently died at Hanover, N. H.

BENJAMIN BROBST, with Houston & Burnham, hardware, London, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio. January 21, 1842. He is a son of Peter Brobst. a native of Berks County. Penn .. and a farmer by occupation He accompanied his father, Jacob Brobst, to Ohio in 1806, the latter lo cating in Fairfield, near Pickaway County. Peter Brobst is yet living and is in his seventy-seventh year. He married Elizabeth Fellers, a native of Fairfield County. They were the parents of ten children, seven now living, onr subject the only one in this county. Mrs. Brobst departed this life in 1879. Our subject was reared on the home farm in Pickaway County, and in early life "farmed it" for three years. Madison County. locating at Jefferson.

In the fall of 1565, he came to He there engaged in mercan- tile pursuits for four years. He then sold his stock and removed to London, engaging in the sewing-machine business. He remained at that for seven years, and then clerked for P. C. Cowling for four years. Since 1880, he has been connected with Houston & Burnham. Mr. Brobst is an influential member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Deacon and Clerk of the official board. Politically, he is Democratic. Mr. Brobst was married, April 7, 1862, to Loraine Culp, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio. They have three children -- Ernest E., Sarah E. and Anna F. Mrs Brobst is also a member of the Lutheran Church.

MARCELLUS L. BRYAN, editor and publisher of the Madison Dem- ocrat, was born at Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio. March 29, 1823. His grandfather. David C. Bryan, who died July 31, 1829, was born on Long Island in 1771, and, in 1792, married Ruth Bryan. In 1800, he moved to New Jersey, in 1803 to Williamsburg, this county, and, in 1825, to Bati- via. He was elected a Representative in the Legislature in 1806, but his seat was contested and given to Thomas Morris, and served as State Senator from 1807 to 1810, when he resigned to become Clerk of the Courts, which place he ably filled until his death, a period of nineteen years. His son, Malanethon A., was then Clerk for some two years. He was born Septem- ber 26. 1803. and died March 27. 1832. George S., another son, was born. September 3, 1792. and died November 28, 1832, and his wife Mary died July 16. 1844, aged forty-seven years. Our subject's father. whose name

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was also David C., was born on Long Island, and was quite young when brought to Batavia by his parents. In 1828, when only nineteen years of age, he married Miss Mary M. Moore, youngest daughter of Capt. Charles Moore, an ex-Captain of the war of 1812, and an early settler of Clermont County. from Philadelphia. To this union eight children were born, viz., Marcellus L. : Francis, wife of T. J. Bolds, of London; Charles M., of California; Beulah C., wife of Joseph Kewley, of Richmond, Ind .; Dr. A. S., of Point Pleasant, Clermont County; Rose, wife of Mr. Patterson, of Point Pleasant; Eva, wife of Allen Armacost, of Wayne County. Ind. ; Learner L., a printer in Chicago; and two daughters that died in infancy. The father was a man of prominence in his community, and at the time of his death was serving as Auditor of Clermont County. He was an Old-Line Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he became a Democrat. He was held in high esteem by the people and for many years occupied the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in 1867 from the effects of sunstroke received about a year previous. His wife still survives, at the age of seventy-three years. Our subject remained at home until nine- teen years of age, when he went to Columbus and engaged as a type setter on the Ohio Statesman. Before leaving home. he had learned the printer's trade under Andrew Gest. in the Clermont Courier office. After remaining in Columbus one year, Mr. Bryan went to Circleville, but after a year's resi- dence there returned to Columbus, where he married Miss Martha S. Mas. terson. a native of Ireland and a daughter of Prof. John O. Masterson. After his marriage, he went to Circleville, where he operated the Circleville Herald one year. He then returned to Columbus and remained there one year. after which he and John A. Kissinger came to London and took pos- session of the National Democrat, of which Mr. Bryan soon became sole proprietor. changing the name of the paper to the Madison Democrat. under which title he has since continued its publication. While in Columbus, he and four other journeymen printers established the Daily Reveille, and in this office the great humorist, Artemus Ward (Charles Brown) was employed for some time. Mr. Bryan withdrew from the Reveille company one year after its organization, and six months before it was discontinued Of his family of eight children, seven survive, viz .. Mary L., Ormand M .. Chester E., Charles M., Mattie T .. Marcellus and Addison. Annie O., the next to the youngest, is deceased. Mr. Bryan has been a Democrat ever since he cast his first vote. He served as Mayor of the village of London two terms and as County Recorder one term.

L. W. BURNHAM, of Houston & Burnham, hardware merchants, Lon- don, was born in Pike Township, Madison County. December 12, 1852. He is a son of Henry Burnham, a native of this county and a farmer by occu- pation. He married Eveline Williams, a native of this county. L. W. Burnham is the elder of five children, and when a young man accepted the position of Teller of the Trader's Bank of Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio. He remained in this position three years, and then came to London to accept a similar one in the Central Bank of that city. After three years he resigned that position, and engaged in his present business with T. J. Houston, under the firm name of Houston & Burnham. Mr. Burnham is a member of the M. E. Church, and Republican politically. He was married, October 5, 1875, to Ella M. Houston, a sister of his present partner. She was a member of the M. E. Church and departed this life June 6, 1880.

JOHN W. BYERS, deceased. The first of this name of whom any definite account can be given was Thomas Byers, who, with his son James,

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both natives of Scotland, emigrated from their native country to escape the persecutions their people were subjected to in that country, and made their home in Ireland, where they suffered in the siege of Londonderry. James, with his three sons, Thomas, Andrew and Samuel, emigrated to America at an early day, with other Scotch-Irish Covenanters. Andrew settled in Pennsylvania in 1791 or 1792. where he raised a family of children, of whom one son, James, married in Fayette County, Penn., and had four children, one son and three daughters. His wife died, and he was married the second time, to Elizabeth Watson, by whom he had seven children, five girls and two sons. John and Moses. In 1807, he moved to Ross County,

Ohio, where he lived nine years. He then purchased land in Fayette County, and, four years later, finding his title defective, he was persuaded to relinquish this land, receiving 300 acres in the wilds of Madison County as an inducement to peaceably give up possession. He located in Madison County in 1820. His son, John W., was born near Uniontown, Fayette Co .. Penn., May 9, 1800, and. in 1825, married Matilda Hunter, by whom he had three children, of whom one survives-Matilda, wife of Samuel Truitt. Mrs. Bvers died in 1831, and, in the fall of 1833, be married Sarah Painter, by whom he had ten children -Mary R., wife of N. P. Gardner; Louisa J., wife of Thomas Price; Missouri, deceased, wife of George Truitt; Joel M., who married Louisa Fitzgerald; James W., whose sketch appears elsewhere; John C., who married Josephine Rickabaugh; Andrew, who married Ida Bidwell; Mary E., deceased, and Laura and Kate, at home. Mr. Byers retired from active life nine years before his death and, after six weeks' illness, died, February 2, 1881, his remains being interred in Kirkwood Cemetery. Mrs. Byers' grandparents McGrew emigrated from Virginia to Westmoreland County, Penn., at a very early day, but the In- dians were so hostile that they were obliged to bury their possessions and return to Virginia several times, until finally they resorted to block-houses for safety. He was a surveyor in Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They had seven children, three sons and four daughters. The youngest, Rossanna, was Mrs. Byers' mother. Thomas Painter. Mrs. Byers' grandfather. had three sons and seven daughters. Of these, Joel, her father, was born in 1787, and moved to Pennsylvania from Harper's Ferry, Va .. when he was quite small. In 1809, he married Rosanna MeGrew, and had four sons and two daughters. Of the latter, Sarah was born in 1813, and when eleven years of age her mother died. In 1825, her father married Jemima Allen. On March 21. 1826 or 1827, they started for Cincinnati on a family flat- boat, arriving April 12. 1832. They then went to Dayton on a canal boat. Soon after. they returned to Cincinnati, and from there Mrs. Byers went to Jefferson in a stage. Mrs. Byers was married to Mr. Byers November 28. 1833, by Rev. Allen. They lived on a farm, one mile from Lilly Chapel, thirty-eight years, and moved to London in March, 1872. She joined the Presbyterian Church in 1832. While at Brownsville, she saw the first steamboat launched on the Ohio River. It was called the Reindeer, and was built by Robert Fulton, and was sent to Pittsburgh. Mrs. Byers is descended from an old family of Quakers who lived in Vir- ginia many years. The subject of this sketch united with the Presbyterian Church in 1829, being one of the original members in the organization of that church at London. For over fifty-one years, he continued a faithful, consistent member of the same church, with the exception of a few years, when he removed his membership to Jefferson to aid in organizing a church there. As a citizen and business man, the integrity, loyalty and

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generosity of his spirit were unquestioned. As a husband and father, he was affectionate and self-sacrificing to the last degree. He loved life and often expressed his gratitude to (tod that He had spared him to live so long. but with great composure and assurance he awaited the invitation to higher joys. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. G. Paterson at the family residence.

J. W. BYERS, of Boyd & Byers, stock-raisers and dealers. London. was born in Fairfield Township, this county, May 26, 1841. His grand- father, James Byers. was a native of Pennsylvania. and came to Ohio at an early day. He first located in Ross County, and subsequently in Fairfield Township. this county. One son, John W. Byers. was also a native of Pennsylvania. and was twelve years of age when his father came to Ohio. He was a farmer through life, and died February 2, 1881. He married Matilda Hunter, a native of Franklin County, Ohio. Two children were born to this union, one now living. Mr. Byers' second wife was Sarah J. Painter, also a native of the Keystone State. Ten children were given to them, eight living. Mrs. Byers is still living, and resides in London. Our subject was one of a pair of twins, and resided in Fairfield Township until twenty-one years of age. He then engaged in the grocery trade in London, remaining in that business fifteen years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in the cattle business with Robert Boyd (in 1879), and the firm are one of the most extensive in their line of trade in the county. Mr. Byers is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Council and the Presbyterian Church. He is Republican in politics, and one year served as Assessor of Union Township. He was married, January 31, 1871, to Nannie E., daughter of Robert Boyd. They have three living children-R. Boyd, Alice L. and John W. Mrs. Byers is a member of the M. E. Church.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 92

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