The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 95

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 95

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three years, and then on Deer Creek, a short distance away. He bought a large amount of land, having at one time 1,300 or 1,400 acres in different farms throughout the county. He remained in Oak Run Township several years, and after a short residence at Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, located at London, where he died July 22, 1874, aged eighty-four years. He married Mary Kilby, a native of England, and daughter of Henry Kilby, one of the better class of farmers of Great Britain. They had born to them eleven children-six now living, and four residents of Madison County. Mrs. Farrar died about 1852, aged fifty-nine years. Jonathan Farrar was a great reader, and well read in Bible history. In early and middle life, he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but at the time of his death, of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was an honest, industrious man, fond of intelligent company, and when he hired a man to labor for him, the contract was made on the basis that the employe was to use no profane language while working for his employer. Mrs. Farrar was a very pious woman. and both were highly honored and respected. On one occasion (after his wife's death), Mr. Farrar, in company with Benjamin Browning and Charles Phellis, made a trip to England, for the Madison County Im- porting Company, and returned with a herd of fine cattle. At the time of his death, he was very comfortably fixed, financially and otherwise. William Farrar was reared on the home farm, receiving a common school edu- cation. In early life. he went to Dayton, Wis., and for a year was engaged in shipping grain and flour to Chicago. He then returned to Madison County. and on January 1, 1859, he, in company with his brother John, purchased the business now owned by Jones Bros., and soon after the property. He also bought wool, and was engaged there until January 1, 1876, when he. in company with his brother John, Robert Rea and others, organized the Central Bank, and was made Cashier, which position he still holds. He continued the wool business two years, and is now engaged in the grain trade with Thomas Wood, under the firm name of Farrar & Wood. The firm own the large elevator on the Pan-Handle Railroad, and have an office on Center street. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for the past eight or nine years has been a Trustee in that body. He is a strong Republican, and has served as Trustee of Union Township, member of Council and Clerk of the Village. Mr. Farrar was married, February 8, 1860. to Harriet S. Thomas, a native of Genesen County, N. Y. They have five children-Ida, Jessie, Colburn. Wade and Morton. Mrs. Farrar and the three eldest children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

FRANK FATH, London, retail dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, was born in Bavaria, Germany, August 2, 1845. He is a son of Jacob Fath, who came to America in 1851. He was a miller by trade, and located at Miamisburg, in Montgomery County, Ohio. ten miles from Dayton, where he died in 1875. He married Phebe Mayer, also a native of Bavaria, and who bore him eight children, four now living. Mrs. Fath resides in Dayton, and is sixty-four years of age. Our subject was the second child of this union, and was six years old when he accompanied his parents to America. In early life. he was in the butcher business, and subsequently learned the printer's trade. He came to London in the spring of 1875, and worked at his trade the greater part of the time for the succeeding five years. He thon engaged in his prosent business. In March, 1882, he refurnished his place of business, at a cost of over $3.000. His rooms are

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fitted up in magnificent style, and his trade is of the best. Mr. Fath is Democratic in politics.

E. R. FLORENCE. ex-Treasurer of Madison County, London, was born in Paint Township September 7, 1837. His father, Robinson Florence, is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, and came to Madison County about 1831 or 1832. He located in Paint, Township, where he still resides, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He married Elizabeth Williams, a native of this county. This union has been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living. Our subject is a second child and son, and ob- tained a very thorough English education at a private school. He was en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on the old home farm until January, 1873, when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County, on the Democratic ticket. He served four years in this position, and during that period was further honored by being nominated and elected to the position of Treasurer of Madison County. He took possession of the latter office in September, 1878, and was subsequently re-elected in 1879. His second term expired 1882. Mr. Florence was an able and efficient public official and well esteemed by all. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Presby. terian Church, and has ever been Democratic in political matters. He wa- united in marriage in the spring of 1879, to Mary E. Cover, a native of Madison County. They have no children. Mrs. Florence is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

A. W. GARDNER, of Gardner & Lohr, the popular clothing mer chants of London, was born in Adams County, Penn., November 17, 1846. His father, Daniel Gardner, was also a native of the Keystone State and a lime burner by occupation. He died in 1863, aged fifty-two years. Mr. Gard ner married Harriet Arnold, a native of Pennsylvania, who became the mother of four children, one daughter and three sons, the former now de- ceased. Mrs. Gardner is living in her native State, at the good age of six - ty-eight years. One son. J. M. Gardner, formerly of Gardner & Miles, re- sided in London from 1870 to 1877. Our subject's paternal grandfather was Jacob Gardner, and the maternal one Dr. Arnold. He was reared in old Pennsylvania, receiving a good common-school education, and subse- quently attending a college for two years. He taught school for six months. subsequently cultivating tobacco for one year. He was then em- ployed as a clerk five or six years, and in the spring of 1870 came to Lon- don, securing like employment from Gardner & Miles, with whom he re mained two years. Then, in connection with William Ronemus, he pur chased the stock and trade of his employer, and the firm enjoyed a good trade for six years, when Mr. Gardner purchased tho half-interest of Mr. Ronemus. and subsequently sold a third interest to William F. Lohr, the new firm being the present one of Gardner & Lohr. They have met with fine success and enjoy a rapidly increasing trade. A merchant tailoring department is connected with the house, with Charles C. Corey as cutter, and employs from twelve to fifteen hands. Mr. Gardner is a charter mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias Lodge of London, and connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Republican party. He was united in marriage, October 10, 1872, to Florence, daughter of George W. Lohr, a pioneer citizen of London. They have three children-Frank W. and How- ard L., twins, and George D. Mrs. Gardner is also a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

F. C. GILLETT, dealer in coal, London, was born in Clark County, Ohio, July 17, 1852. His father, Dr. J. H. Gillett, is a native of Medford,

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Mass., and a physician by profession. He came to Ohio about 1840, and located at Springfield, Clark County, where he was engaged in attend- ing a large and lucrative practice until his death. He was one of the oldest and most prominent physicians of Clark County, and died at Springfield October 16, 1881. He married Leonora Vickery, a native of one of the South- ern States. They were the parents of four children, all living, and resi- dents of Clark County except our subject. Mrs. Gillett is still living and resides in Clark County. Our subject was the youngest child, and was sent to Wittenberg College, Springfield, where he was in attendance only a short time. He left school to accept employment as clerk in a bookstore, and was engaged in that capacity four or five years. He then purchased a like business at Tiffin, Ohio, where he was in business three or four years. In 1880, he came to London and started a tobacco store. He then established his present business. in which he has an excellent trade and is meeting with increased success. Mr. Gillett is Republican in politics. He was married, October 16, 1877, to Hattie, daughter of Washington Wilson, a re- tired farmer of Springfield. Mrs. Gillett is a member of the Presbyter- jan Church.

JOHN GILLILAND. a well-known citizen of Madison County, and a merchant of London, was born in what is now Fairfield Township, July 25, 1812. His father, Andrew Gilliland, was a native of Virginia, and came to Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1807 or 1808. He removed to Logan County, but subsequently back to Pickaway County, where he died in August, 1832. He was a son of Samuel Gilliland and Elizabeth Smith. He married Mary, daughter of John Williams, and a native of Maryland. Of their nine chil- dren, six are living-three daughters and three sons. Our subject was the second child of this family, and was roared in Pickaway County. He has been engaged in farming nearly all his life, and resided in Fairfield Town- ship, where he now owns sixty-five acres of land. In March. 1874, he came to London, entering into the boot and shoe trade. He has gradually drifted into general merchandise, and his success has been fair. He was formerly a Democrat, but is now Republican in politics. He was married November 3, 1836, to Palmyra, daughter of Shubal and Esther Crippen Waldo, na- tives of the Eastern States. Of their ten children, six survive- all daugh- ters. Mrs. Gilliland is a member of the Christian Church.

E. J. GOULD, of E. J. Gould & Co .. proprietors of planing mill and lumber yard, London, was born in Essex County, N. J., January 6. 1828. He is a son of J. N. Gould, also a native of New Jersey, aud came to Ohio in 1841. He located in Pleasant Township, this county, and resided there for ten years. He was a Methodist Episcopal minister. but also carried on a farm,

with the aid of his sons. He sold the farm about 1851, and removed to London, where he resided till his death, about twenty years ago. He mar- ried Elizabeth Reeve, a native of New Jersey. There were born to them five sons-three living. Mrs. Gould died about 1879. Our subject is the only son in this county (other two residing in Newark, N. J.), and was reared to manhood in Pleasant Township. He was a farmer in early life, but accompanied his father when the latter removed to London. Mr. Gould then engaged in the lumber business,. in company with his brother William. They were also carpenters and builders, and remained together two or three years. Mr. Gould was in Oregon four years, building saw- mills, but still carried on his business in London. In the spring of 1875, Gerald Fitsgibbons became associated in business with Mr. Gonld, and the firm of E. J. Gould & Co. carry on the most extensive business in their line

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of trade in Madison County. Mr. Gould is a conservative Democrat, and while a resident of Oregon represented Coose and Curry Counties in the State Legislature. He has had fair success in his business operations. Mr. Gould was married October 5, 1864, to Anna G. Kellogg, a native of Georgia, and daughter of the Rev. Ezra Kellogg, D. D., an Episcopal minister. Seven children have been born to them, six living -- Theodore, Florence. Anna, Stephen, Donald and Cecil. Mrs. Gould is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of London, and Mr. Gould is a regular attendant on its services.

THOMAS GRAGG, farmer, P. O. London, was born in this township February 2, 1823. He is a son of Reuben and Phebe (Harpole) Gragg, natives of Virginia, of Dutch descont, who came to Ohio in 1810, and, after ono year's residence in Chillicothe, settled in Union Township, where the father died in 1828. His wife still survives, at the age of eighty-six years Our subject was the second child of a family of six children. His father died when he was a child, preventing him from obtaining more than a lim . ited education. He early began the work of a farmer, and has since fol- lowed that avocation, now owning 125 acres of land. He commenced work ing by the month at the age of fourteen years, soon after rented a place, and finally purchased a small farm. He was married, in 1851, to Hannah E. Wagoner, a native of Paint Township, and a daughter of James Wagoner. They have seven children -- Stephen D., Mary Elizabeth, Josephine M , Rhoda M., Emma, Grant W. and Lucy Lucinda. Mr. and Mrs. Gragg, and the four eldest children, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected twenty five years. He is a Re- publican in politics.

JOHN M. GRAHAM, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Pleasant Township July 19, 1836, and is a son of John and Lydia (Alkire) Graham, the former a native of Kentucky, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Virginia, of German descent. Our subject attended school at London, and remained on the farm until seventeen years of age, when his father moved to London and opened a store, and John became a clerk, in which capacity he continued five years. He was married, in 1859, to Gertrude, a daughter of John Smith, and by her he had seven children-John K., Anna S., A. L., Lydia J., Gertrude. Milton and James S. Mr. and Mrs. Graham ar-) members of the Christian Church. He is a Republican, and owns a well improved and highly cultivated farın.

CHARLES GULCHER, baker and confectioner, London, was born in Rhine Bavaria, Germany, November 30, 1837; his father was Charley Gulcher, a native and farmer of Germany; he married Mary Weber, also o? Germany. The former died about 1875 or 1876. The latter is still living in Germany, and is about sixty-five years of age. They have four living children. three in America. Our subject is the only one of the family in Madison County; he learned the baker's trade in the old country, and in July, 1855. came to America, locating in New York City. He there learned the confectioner's trade, and then came to Ohio: he worked at Waynesville, Warren County, two years, and then came to London. He was employed by his uncle, Peter Weber, for some time, and then returned to Waynes ville. He came back to London again in April, 1861, and was once more employed by his uncle. About 1867, he commenced business for himself, and has succeeded very well: he has a nice restaurant in connection, and enjoys a fine trade. Mr. Weber visited the Paris Exposition in 1878, and Centennial exhibition in 1876; he was Chief of the London Fire Depart-

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ment for five years, and with Philip Speasmaker purchased its first engine. (one worked by hand), from Springfield, Ohio. Mr. Gulcher is a member of Madison Lodge and Hiawatha Encampment (I. O. O. F.); Presbyterian in religious belief, and a " Jackson Democrat " in politics. He was mar- ried January 16, 1859, to Miss R. K. Giegley, a native of Baden, Germany. Of their eight children six are living, three daughters and three sons- Mollie, wife of Joseph Rea, a farmer of Oak Run Township; Barbara, Will- iam, Harry, Edward and Matilda. Mrs. Gulcher is also a believer in the religion taught by the Presbyterian denomination.

TIMOTHY HALEY, London, Deputy U. S. Marshal of the Eighth Ohio District, and U. S. Railway Postal Clerk, residence, London, was born in Ireland April 6, 1842. His father, Michael Haley, was a native of County Killarney, and came to America when our subject was seven years old; he located at Springfield, Ohio, and subsequently went to Mattoon, Ill., where he died. Mrs. Haley died in Ireland. Our subject came to London when but nine years of age; he was adopted by Mrs. Mary Free- man, and resided with her till of age; for two or three years, he was en- gaged in traveling over the Southern States. In 1861, he enlisted as a pri- vate in Company C, Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Acton, and served the three months' term of the regiment. He then re- enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment; was in the Army of the Cumberland, and with Sherman marched down to the sea; witnessed the destruction of Raleigh, N. C., and participated in the grand review at Washington, D. C. ; mustered out of the army as First Lieutenant of his com- pany. After returning to London, in company with S. E. Freeman, ho en- gaged in the grocery business, under the firm name of Freeman & Haley. Three years later the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Haley then conducted the business alone; he subsequently went to Panlding County, Ohio, remaining a short time. In December, 1880, he was appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal of the Eighth Ohio District, by Col. Ullery, of Cincinnati. In September, 1882, he was appointed U. S. Railway Postal Clerk. Mr. Haley is Adju- tant of Lyons Post, G. A. R., of London, a member of the Lodge and En- campment (I. O. O. F.), and Republican in politics. He was married, Octo- ber 25, 1880, to Ellen Holland, a native of Louisville, Ky. They have one daughter-Florence.

JAMES HAMILTON, dealer and shipper of grain, London, was born in Livingston County, N. Y., March 30, 1836. His father, James Hamilton, Sr., was a native of Scotland, and there reared. He came to America about 1831, locating in Livingston County, N. Y., where he died in 1878. He was a farmer by occupation. and married Grace Marvin, also a native of Scotland. They had eight children, six now living, James being the only one in Ohio. Mrs. Hamilton departed this life in 1875. Our subject was reared and educated in New York, and in early life was a school teacher. He located in Clark County, Ohio, in 1856, and taught school there for seven years. He was in the mercantile trade one year at Selma, that coun- ty, and next engaged in general merchandising at Plattsburg. He was there in business for nine years, and then sold his stock. He removed to Newark, Ohio. and resided there two years, being exclusively engaged in the grain trade. He came to London in the spring of 1876, and at present is probably the largest grain dealer in the county. He handles about 1,000,- 000 bushels of grain per year, buying and shipping from London and nine other points in Ohio. He employs an average force of twenty-five men during the grain season, and has the personal supervision of the entire

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business. On June 16, 1879, Mr. Hamilton suffered the loss, by fire, of his warehouse at London, containing 2,000 bushels of wheat, and 400 bushels of corn-total loss, over insurance, about $4,000. Mr. Hamilton is a reg- ular attendant on the services of the Presbyterian Church, and a Trustee in the official board. His politics are Republican, but he never aspired to office. Mr. Hamilton was married. March 8. 1866, to Addie Chamberlain, a native of Ohio. They have four children-Ralph, Grace. William L. and Mabel.

ROBERT M. HANSON (deceased), late United States Consul to Bre- men, was born in Madison County, Ohio, on the 14th of April, 1837, being the youngest son in a family of four brothers and three sisters. He was left an orphan at an early age by the death of his parents. In his boyhood days. he was distinguished among his fellows and playmates as a boy of more than common energy and determination. On arriving near the years of maturity, and foreseeing the necessity of it, he determined to avail himself of the advantages of a more thorough education than the facilities of his neighborhood supplied. Having prepared himself, ho entered the Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. The path of knowledge to him was no "flow- ery path of case," he being obliged to earn the means to pay for his tuition. This he accomplished by teaching part of the time, and attending his stnd -. ies the remainder. Having accomplished his studies. ho chose the profession of law. and began reading in the office of Hon. H. W. Smith, of this place. Here again stern necessity held him back, and he returned to teach - ing to procure means. This life was a laborious one, for as soon as school hours were over, he was reading Kent and Blackstone. He was admitted to the bar late in the winter of 1860-61. Before he could locate himself, the distant mutterings of that storm of civil war that for four years deluged our land with blood was heard, and when, on the memorable 14th of April the wires flashed the news to us of the fall of Fort Sumter, and then the immediate call for 75,000 men -- the formation of the first company of Mad- ison County's quota- the enlistment of the Madison Guards-their depar- ture for the front the wild enthusiasm that pervaded the community -- all these incidents are still fresh in the memory of most of us. Capt. Hanson was among the first to enlist under this call. His feelings and comprehen- sion of the work before him can be better shown by quoting from his own correspondence with the writer, dated at Camp Jackson, Columbus, Ohio, May 2. 1861. Referring to some of his comrades who wished to return home, he says: "As for myself, I feel in duty bound, by my oath, to stand by THAT flag, and that only, and I will do so at all hazards and all sacrifices, and as long as there is a pulse in my arm I will be seen under her wide folds." And again, when en route for the front, he writes from Parkers- burg, Va., June 24, 1861: "I have been sick for two or three days, but now feel better. and will go on with the regiment, live or die on the way. This war, my friend, will be no fool's play; thousands are entering the devouring jaws of death. " How well and truly he carried out these assertions, the result lies before you. The Eagle Guards were mustered in under Capt. Acton as Company C, Seventeenth Regiment, and served their three months in West Vir- ginia, and were discharged from service at the expiration of that time. The sec- ond call for troops was made soon afterward, and the Military Commission of the county appointed him Captain and gave him permission to recruit a company for service for three years. This was speedily done, and the com- pany was mustered at Camp Chase, by Gov. Tod, on the 19th of August. 1862, as Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment, and immediately started for

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the front. On the 30th of August, at Richmond. Ky., our army met the rebel forces under Kirby Smith, and the battle of Richmond was fought, resulting disastrously to our forces. Most of the Ninety-fifth were capt- ured, paroled and sent to Camp Chase. In December following, they were exchanged. re-equipped and arrived at Memphis, Tenn., about the 20th of January, 1863; from thence, about April 1 to Vicksburg, thence back with other regiments into the interior, and on the 12th of May fought the battle of Jackson Court House. Here. Company B, under Cupt. Hanson, took an active part. and distinguished themselves by capturing three pieces of artil- lery. Again they went back to the trenches at Vicksburg, and participated in that long. terrible siege that was followed by the fall of Vicksburg on the 4th of July. The regiment again went back to Jackson C. H., which had been re-occupied by the rebels and fortified, and after a siege of nine days again captured the town. From thence, they were sent out on the Charleston & Memphis Railway, to guard against the raids of Forrest, and were thus employed from October to the 1st of May, when a raid was made by our forces to a point near Ripley, Miss. A second raid was started from Memphis the Ist of June, of which the Ninety-fifth was a part, and on the 10th of June, near Guntown, Miss., they met Forrest with an overwhelm- ing force: a severe engagement ensued, our army was driven back fighting over the ground, foot by foot. About 3 o'clock P. M., Capt. Hanson fell, ter ribly wounded, being struck by a minie ball in the left breast near the heart, the ball lodging under the lower point of the shoulder blade. He was carried back by his own men a mile and placed in an ambulance, and taken about six miles, when the driver, supposing him dead, cut the harness loose from the ambulance and fled, leaving him to be captured. The next morning about daylight he returned to consciousness, and abont 10 o'clock was taken as prisoner a short distance to a cabin. Here the rebel surgeons removed the ball, and dressed the wounds. He lay at the cabin some two weeks, and was then taken to Catawba Prison, near Selma, on the Alabama River, where he was nursed by the Sisters of Charity until he was able to be paroled, about the 20th of November. All this time his friends sup.

posed him dead. He returned North about the Ist of December, when his wound opened again, and for nearly three months it was very doubtful if he would ever recover. Having sufficiently recovered, he was placed in the Reserve Corps, and ordered as Judge Advocate to report at Milwaukee, Wis. Here he remained until his term of enlistment expired, and he was honora bly discharged. Again we quote from his correspondence, dated July 5, 1865. He says: " On last Thursday I was made a citizen again. Con- gratulate me, for I am free to think and act for myself, and truly, my dear friend, after almost four years' service, it is no small gratification to be thus placed in this independent position. Knowing that I have faithfully labored for my Government, this people aud the people yet to come after me,

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 95

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