The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 94

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 94

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WILLIAM CRYDER, farmer, P. O. London. was born August 11, 1814. on the farm where he now lives, and on which he has lived all his life, with the exception of three years. He is a son of Philip and Nancy (McClintick) Cryder. natives of Virginia. the former of German and the lat- ter of Scotch- Irish descent. They emigrated to this county in 1806. and in 1807 settled on the farm where William nos lives. The father was a prom- inent farmer through life, and at his death owned 800 acres of land. Our Enbject has devoted his life to farming. He now owns 305 acres of land, all of which he has made by his own industry and economy. He was mar- ried, December 13, 1836, to Susan Carr, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Michael Carr. Mrs. Cryder was born October 13, 1816, and by her Mr. Cryder has had eleven children, eight surviving, namely: Mary. wife of Daniel Orcutt: Martha, wife of N. Creamer; Albert, Elizabeth. James B., Ellen E .. William and Bertha. Mrs. Cryder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cryder is a Republican. He i- a natural mechan- ie, and for some time carried on wagon-making in this township. having when he started the most extensive manufactory in the county.

J. S. DALBEY, farmer and stock-dealer. P. O. London, was born in this State July 10. 1833. He is a son of Rev. Joseph Dalbey and Emeline L. (Kiger) Dalbey, a native of Virginia, of Scotch and English descent. and a grand daughter of Gen. Kiger, of Revolutionary fame. Joseph Dalbey was a native of Virgina, of English and German descent, and a Captain in the war of 1812 Our subject received a good education. completing his studies in Weslyan University, Delaware, Ohio. When fifteen years of age, his name was n-ed, in connection with his brother's, in the formation of a firm engaged in buying and selling live stock. This occupation en- grossed Mr. Dalbey's attention for twenty years, and in 1876 he turned his attention to farming. He owns 247 acres of land in this township. In 1867, he married Matilda B., a daughter of William Fitzgerald, an early settler of this county. Four children have blest this union, viz .. J. Joseph, William, Hannah May and Charles Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Dalbey aro members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been Class- Leader for a number of years. His father was a preacher from the age of eighteen to the age of eighty-four years.

HON. JAMES A. DUN. farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. London, was born in this State August 20, 1824. He is the son of Robert and Lucy W. (Agnes) Dun. of Scotch descent. and the latter a native of Virginia. Our subject reached his majority working on a farin, after which he dealt in

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stock for six years. In 1852, he went to California, and for six years was engaged in mining. In 1858, he moved to Missouri and engaged in mer cantile pursuits and in dealing in town lots, being a partner of William James, with whom he laid out the town of St. James in 1862. In the latter year he went to Nevada, and, until 1868, speculated in mining stock, after which he worked a silver mine for one year. In 1869, he again went to San Francisco and acted for R. G. Dun & Co.'s mercantilo agency. He afterward engaged in the iron mines of Missouri until 1876, and in the silver mines of Colorado until 1881, when he returned to Ohio and pur- chased the Judge Thomas farm of 200 acres, four miles west of London. Mr. Dun is a Republican in politics. He was Assistant Provost Marsha! in Missouri during the war, was a member of the First Novada Legislature in 1864 Ho has experienced all the vicissitudes of a miner's life, and has undergone all the hardships of Western travel in the early days of the mining erazo. He was married. January 28, 1871, to Celestine Bon ner, a daughter of Matthew Bonner, of Clark County.

J. W. DIXON, an enterprising and well-known citizen of London, and member of the firm of J. W. Dixon & Co., dealers in dry goods, notious. etc., was born in Loudoun County, Va., June 2, 1841. He is a son of W H. Dixon, a nativo of and now rosiding in Maryland. He has been engaged in the milling business through life, and now, at the age of sixty-four years, has retired from active business on account of feeble health. He married Elizabeth Feller, a native of Loudoun County, Va., and yot living, at the age of sixty-three years. Our subjeet is the oldest of nine children, seven living, and obtained a good common school education in his native State. Ho subsequently attended Ponnsylvania College at Gettysburg, and in 1865 embarked in the mercantile trade at Lime Kiln, Md., in company with a Mr. Grove, and two years lator the firm divided stock, Mr. Dixon going to Baltimore. From 1868 to 1871. he traveled for a wholesale house, and in September of the latter year ho married Mrs. M. M. Bradfield, and soon after engaged again in the mercantile trade in Loudoun County, Va. Ho remainod thore two years, and, after closing out his business, went to Den ver. Colo. He remained in that city three yoars, but, owing to the ill health of himself and wife, returned East, suffering the loss of his wife in Virgin ia, March 20, 1876. Ho soon after went to Philadelphia, and was employed in the well-known house of John Wanamaker for a period of six years He came to London in September, 1877, and clerked for Dakin & Cowling until June, 1878, when he was united in marriage to Miss E. J. Morgan. born near Harrisburg, Ohio, and daughter of Mrs. Martha Morgan, whose family is well known throughout Madison County, and closely related to the Fosters, Chonoweths, Pancakes, Johnsons and others. The November fol. lowing this union. Mr. Dixon engaged in his present business, in the Swot- land & Dixon Block, on the corner of Main and High streets. In 1881, ho erected his present handsome block, and removed his stock thore in Fobru- ary, 1882. The building is of brick, three stories high, with a stone frout. It is 118x22 foet in size, with sixteen-foot coilings, and erected at a cost of about $12,000. Mr. Dixon carrios a largo stock of dry goods, notions und carpets, and. although in business hore but a short time, he has built up a very fine trade, omploying tive clerks, and with sales averaging $30,000 per annum. Mr. Dixon is a member of the Masonic fraternity. AAmerican Lo gion of Honor, is Superintendent of tho Methodist Episcopal Sunday School, and President of the Madison Conuty Bible Society. Politically,

he is a Prohibition-Republican.

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JOHN DUDDY, London, of Daddy & Duddy, dealers in dry goods, notions, etc., was born in Philadelphia Penn., February 14, 1842. He is a Fon of John Duddy, a native of Ireland, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Ohio when our subject was but five years of age. locating at Cin- cinnati, and subsequently in Logan County, Ohio. where he died about 1876. He married Alice Floyd, who died in 1850. Ii. second marriage was to Margaret Space. Mrs. Daddy was the mother of six children, three living two sons in Madison County and one in Indiana. Our subject early learned carriage painting, and came to London in 1864. He worked at his trade till 1867 and then went to Indiana. where he remained five year -. He returned to London. and with Richard Acton, commenced the manufacture of carriages and buggies. He engaged in his present business in 1878, in company with William Kinney, and, in August, 1880, the partner hip was dissolved. A brother, James, then became a full partner, and the firm of Duddy & Daddy enjoys a good, -teady trade. Mr. Duddy is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Honor. He is Democratic in poli ties, but has never been an aspirant for office. He was married, in 1867, to Sallie Bett-, a native of this county. One con was given them, Raphael C. Mrs. Diddy departed this life in May. 1874. and Mr. Duddy was again married, in June, 1876. to Mary E. daughter of Wilson Dangan. Mrs. Duddy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

NATHAN DUNCAN, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Deer Creek Township November 18, 1828. IFe is a son of Samuel and Susannah (Moore) Duncan, natives of Vermont, of Irish descent. Our subject has been a life long farmer. When sixteen years of age. he worked by the month and day. Three years later, he began renting, and finally he bought forty five acres where he now lives. He was married. in 1859. 1o Caroline Loofbour- cow, a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Glaize) Loofbonrrow, natives of this county. of German descent. Mrs. Duncan is a member of the Presby- terian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has been a School Di- ertor in this township fourteen years.

WILSON DUNGAN. an old and honored citizen of London, was Korn in Pennsylvania August 16. 1807. His father, Jesse Dungan, was om and raised on a farm about nine miles from Philadelphia, and 'earned the trade of a stone-cutter at the latter city. He married Jane Wilson, proprietress of the Red Horse Tavern, Philadelphia. They came to Madison County in September, 1809, locating on 320 acres of land in Range Township, six miles south of London. He had purchased this land n Philadelphia at $13 per acre. He resided there during life, and died Angst 16. 1823. Of their eight children, five are living, our subject the oldest of the latter. Mrs. Dungan subsequently married Joseph Pancake, a native of Virginia and a resident of this county. Mr. Pancake died Sep- tember 15. 1853. and his estimable wife, the mother of our subject, July 30, 1863. Wilson Dungan was reared on the old homestead, living there till seventeen years of age. He then came to London and learned the cab- inet and house carpenter's trade, manufacturing furniture, etc., for about twenty-two years, and being engaged in both trades almost forty four years in all. About 1877. he sold out his stock and trade and retired from active business. On one occasion during this period, money was very seared. Mr. Dungan made furniture and traded it for corn at 10 cents per bushel. He then sold corn at 8 cents per bushel (a loss of 2 cents a bushel to himself) to obtain the cash. which he then Lerded. For ten years he was engaged in hunting. and. during the season,

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was never out of dried venison. Mr. Dungan has beon a faithful and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over half a century. He was formerly a Whig, but of late years has been a Republican. He once served as Marshal of the village. Mr. Dungan was married. in Sep- tember, 1831, to Sarah Groves, a native of this county, and a daugh- ter of David Groves. They had six children born to them, three living-Amanda, wife of William Rayburn. of Bloomington, McLean Co., Ill. : David M., a leading undertaker of Monmouth, Warren Co., Ill .. for the past twenty-six years; and Mary E., wife of John Duddy, a prominent dry goods merchant of London. Mrs. Dungan departed this life in the winter of 1872-73. Our subject resides in London, with his daughter and her husband.

JOHN DUNGAN, one of the oldest and most respected merchants at London, was born on Bradford Creek, in Range Township, August 3, 1814. He was a son of Jesse Dungan, a native of Pennsylvania, who removed his family to Madison County, Ohio, in September, 1809. He was a farmer through life, and died on the old homestead. in Range Township, August 16, 1822. He married Jane Wilson at Philadelphia, Penn., who bore him eight children. Five of these children are now living. Mrs. Dungan sub sequently married Joseph Pancake, a native of Virginia, but residing here. Mr. Pancake died September 15, 1853, and the mother of our subject July 30. 1863. John Dungan remained on the old homestead till sixteen years of age. His educational facilities were those of pioneer days, and rather limited. At sixeen years of age, he went to Midway and there learned the tinner's trade. He remained there a few years, and, on May 1, 1834, mar- ried Susan Blue, a native of Ross County, Ohio. On June 5, 1835, he came to London and opened a shop for the manufacture of tinware. He subsequently commenced dealing in stoves, and afterward general hardware. His trade increased slowly but steadily, and for thirty-one years he enjoyed a large and remunerative trade. He had commenced life poor, his only capital being two willing hands, good health and a large stock of tireless energy. At the expiration of his thirty-one years of mercantile life, he had accumulated means sufficient for old age and its attending wants, and sold out to his son, James M. Dungan, and P. C. Cowling, with the intention of retiring from the business cares of life. A desire to assist his other sons induced him to engage in the furniture trade. He sold out to one of them two years later, and subsequently engaged in his present business. In this latter enterprise he has also met with fair success. Mr. Dungan has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for fifty years-half a century -and is at present a Trustee in that body. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Republican party. He served two years as member of the Village Council. Ten children have been born to himself and wife, six living-Elmira, wife of Stephon Watson, President of the Madison Na- tional Bank of London: James M., engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lima, Ohio; Martin W .. dealer in furniture, London; Elizabeth; LeRoy S., with his father in business; and Eliza, wife of Franklin N. Bobee, of Co luunbus. Mr. Dungan's oldest son and child, Josse W., enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Konesaw Mountain June 27. 1863. One log was subsequently amputated. from the effects of which he died on the following anniversary of the nation's independence. Mrs. Dungan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. John Dungan has been a life. long resident of Madison County, and an exemplary Christian in all his

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acts, both in mercantile aud social life. His integrity and sincerity in all business matters has never been questioned, and his influence has ever been asserted for the right. He has always taken an active interest in the wel- fare of this city, and is an enterprising citizen.

MARTIN W. DUNGAN, London, the oldest doaler in furniture, was born in that city December 25, 1843. He is a son of John Dungan, whose sketch can be found elsewhere in this volume. His mother's maiden name was Susan Blue. Our subject was roared in London, and has always resid- ed there. In September. 1861. he oulisted in the Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Crainor, of Darke County, commanding, and served two years. Ho then re enlisted in the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment, serving a like term, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. During this latter period of service, he participated in the battle of the Wilderness; witnessed Lee's surrender at Appomattox Conrt Honse, and came very near seeing Johnston's surrender. He returned home and assisted his father in the hardware trade until 1874, when he purchased the furniture stock and trade of his two brothers, Le Roy and Johial (the latter now deceased), and was a partner of his father until 1878, since which time the firm has been Dangan & Watson, the latter member being Algiers Watson, Cashier of the London Exchange Bank. The firm have met with very good success. Mr. Dungan is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Council of Lon- don. and Mt. Vernon Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar, of Columbus. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and its Board of Stewards, and connected with the American Legion of Honor. Mr. Dun gan was married. August 12, 1867, to Mary, daughter of George W. Lohr. Of their five children, four are living -Minnie, Emmett, Bessie and Frazia. Mrs. Dungan is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Mr Dangan is Republican in politics, and at present one of the Trustees of Union Township.

A. DUNKIN. farmer, and stock raiser, residence, London. was born in the village of London, November S. 1830. His father. David Dunkin, was a native of Pennsylvania. and came to Madison County, Ohio, about 1820. He located in London and engaged in the dry goods business. He was a pioneer merchant of the then small village. and his mercantile operations were very profitable. In after years, he was engaged in loaning money. He was a Whig in politics, and later a Republican, and for many years was Coroner of the county. David Dunkin married Nancy Turner, a nativo of London.and daughter of William Turner, They were the parents of three children, our subject the only survivor. Mrs. Dunkin departed this life in 1835. and Mr. Dunkin afterward married Jeanette E. Chenoweth, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. Three children were born to this union, only one living - Mrs. R. B. Cowling. Mr. Dunkin died in July, 1862. Our sub- ject was reared in London, and has resided there during life, the greater part of which he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns a farm in Range Township of 1,500 acres, and one of 237 acres in Deer Creek Township. For eight or nine years he was proprietor and landlord of the Madison House, London. He is Republican in politics, and once served as a member of the Village Council. He was married, July 11, 1848, to Sarah, daughter of Simon Kenton, the latter of whom was a neph- ew of old Simon Kenton, the Kentucky pioneer hunter and trapper. Thir- teen children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunkin, nine living -- S. Ken- ton; Nannie, wife of B. H. Lewis, an attorney at law of London; William B., proprietor Madison House, London: Faunie, wife of S. D. Kuumler, of

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London: McCloud. David Tod. Clara May, Nellie and Sarah. Mrs. Duu - kin's father. Simon Kenton, was one of the largest stock-dealers in Madison County, his principal operations extending from 1834 to 1844 .. He was a native of Kentucky. Mrs. Dunkin was born in 1832.

JAMES DWYER. merchant. London, was born in the town of Cahir, County Tipperary. Ireland, October 25, 1834. His parents were William and Johanna (Roach) Dwyer. living in Ireland till their death. The for- mer died in 1870, and the latter when our subject was but ten years old. He grew up in Ireland, and, when but sixteen years of age, came to Amor- ica. He had previously worked some at tailoring, and located in Philadel- phia. where he remained two years and finished his trade. He then came to Xenia. Ohio, and remained there till 1856, when he located in Spring- field. Clark County. He was working at his trade there for about three years, and then lived in Vienna. same county, one year. After six months' residence again in Springfield, in April. 1860, he came to London. He im- mediately opened a shop, and, by perseverance and energy, succeeded in building up a fine trade. and gradually worked himself into general mer- chandising He erected a portion of his present building in 1870. and fin- ished it in 1879. It is a two-story brick, containing four rooms, with sizes as follows: 22x80. 17x65. 16x45 and 16x25. The building was erected at a cost of $10,000 to $12.000, and the larger portion of it is filled with a general stock. embracing dry goods, boots, shoes and clothing. Mr. Dwyer enjoys a very good trade, and has been fairly successful during his business life. He is one of the more prominent members of the Catholic Church of London. and is Democratic in state and national politics, but in local affairs voting for the man who will best subserve the interests of the people. He was married. while residing at Xenia. December 30, 1856, by the Rev. Thomas Blake, to Margaret Anderson, also a native of Ireland. Of their ten children, eight are living-Johanna. wife of Thomas Maddigan, an as- sistant in the Central Ohio Insane Asylum at Columbus: Will, traveling salesman with R. W. Linen. of Columbus; John. Edmund. Walter, Joseph, Emmet and Robert. Mary and Edward are deceased. Mrs. Dwyer and family are also members of the Catholic Church.

E. R. EBNER, London, boot and shoe manufacturer and dealer, was born in the Province of Saxony. Germany, February 24, 1840. His father, Charles August Ebner, was also a native of Saxony, and during life has been a manufacturer of violins. He still resides in Germany, and is seventy-three years of age. He was united in marriage to Wilhemina Stark. who is still living. and in her sixty-eighth year. They are the parents of eight children, five living. Our subject is the fourth child, the oldest living one, and the only one of the family in America. He learned his present trade in Germany, when but fourteen years of age, and when twenty-six years old came to America, and direct to London, having been acquainted with, and worked for William Stahl, brother of John Stahl, in Germany. He obtained employment with John Stahl, and remained with him two or three years, and in 1869 went to Midway, Range Township, where he opened a shop. He returned to London in 1871, and in 1873 es- tablished his present business. He first commenced dealing in boots and shoes in May, 1881. and has had fair suceess in both branches of the busi- ness. Mr. Ebner is a member of the Democratic party. He was married October 14. 1869. to Dorotha Young, a native of Germany. Of the four children given them, two are living-Annie and Otto. Mr. Ebner and family are members of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church of London.

BENJAMIN THOMAS. (DECEASED]

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R. H. EDWARDS, proprietor Empire Livery, and a prominent grain dealer of London and Central Ohio, was born in Fayette County. Ohio. January 16. 1844. He is a son of James P. Edwards, a native of Pennsyl- vania. and a member of the Society of Friends. He came to Ohio about fifty years ago, locating in Jeffersonville, where he was a pioneer merchant. He subsequently removed to Charleston. Clark County. where he died in October, 1872. He married Susan, daughter of Col. Robert Hill, of Virginia, and a pioneer of Clark County, Ohio. Mrs. Edwards passed away from earth, in December. 1879. Our subject is the oldest of four children, three living, and two residents of Madison County. He was mostly reared in Charleston, Clark County, and when young assisted his father in the mercantile trade. He subsequently traveled for Erhart & Beeson, wholesale grocers of Columbus. remaining with them six years In 1862, he enlisted

in Company C. One Hundred and Tenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infan- try. but officiated as Private Secretary to Gen. Milroy, during his two years' services. After leaving the army, he traveled some, and finally located at Detroit, where he became a member of the firm L. W. Linker & Co., whole- sale grocers and tea dealers. He was engaged in this business eight or nine vears, and in 1879 came back to Ohio, locating in London. In April. 1880, Mr. Edwards purchased the Empire Livery Stable, where he has met with good success. He first commenced buying grain in 1878, and has purchased and shipped for Eastern parties since. He buys all over Cen- tral and Southern Ohio, his yearly trade averaging 1,000 to 1.200 cars. Mr. Edwards was one of the organizers, and is now a Director and Secretary of the London Driving Park Association. He is Unitarian in religious belief ind Republican in politics. He was married January 10. 1869, to Fannie 4. Thomas. of Delaware County. Penn. Mrs. Edwards died of consump- ion in October, 1876, while in attendance at the Centennial Exhibition, at . Philadelphia. He was again married, October 2, 1878. to Lydia M. Leach, a native of Fayette County. Ohio, a sister of Mrs. Jeremiah Rea. of Lon- don. and daughter of Benjamin Leach, a pioneer of Fayette County. Ohio. They have a son and daughter-Pierrepont and Wanah.

WILLIAM A. EVANS, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, April 25, 1846. He is the son of William B. and Sarah (Bowen) Evans, the former a native of Virginia, of Welsh descent, and the latter a native of New York, of German and English descent. His father died when our subject was eighteen years old, and the burden of supporting the family devolved largely on him. He took charge of the farm and operated it successfully. He is a natural machinist, and can set ap or use almost any piece of machinery. He was married, in 1869, to Victoria P. Orcutt, born in Greene County. January 14, 1848. and a daughter Henry Orcutt. They have had two children. viz. : P. B., born November 3, 1870, and Carrie E., born May 21, 1873. Mr. Evans is a Republican, and is now serving his third term as Trustee. He has served as a delegate to the Ohio State Convention. He has been an Odd Fellow twelve years.

WILLIAM FARRAR. London. Cashier of the Central Bank, was born at the mouth of Oak Run, in what is now Oak Run Township, this county November 26, 1832. His father, Jonathan Farrar, was born in Yorkshire, England, in August, 1790. He was there reared, and in April, 1820, came to America, locating near Lawrenceburg, Ind., where he remained three years. He then went to Cincinnati, and two years later to Columbus. Two years subsequently. he located on what is now the "Gwynne land." in both Pleasant and Oak Run Townships. He resided there two and a half or

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 94

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