The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 96

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 96

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and that I can reflect on the past without scruple and without sorrow, only that I could not have done more." In the fall of 1865, after his return, he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature, and represented the county in the sessions of 1866 67, with credit to himself and the county. After the election of Gen. Grant as President in 1868, he received the appoint- ment of Consul to Bremen, and arrived there in June, 1869. His strength had almost returned from the long weakening influence of his wound. Un- der the effect of the cool summers he rapidly recuperated, and was much elated, thinking the elimate would make his recovery complete. But the long, northern winter began, and the piercing, chilly winds of the North

John 6 Jours

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Sea were more than his weak lungs could endure. In the spring, hemor- rhage set in. We again quote his own language. He says: "On May 28, I went to Hanover, to visit some American friends, and to tear myself away from business and relieve the mental exertions under which I had been la- boring for weeks. In the afternoon, we visited Herren Hausen, and other places of sight-seeing. Having walked several miles, wo returned, and feel- ing fatigued. I retired early and slept soundly all night. I awoke about 7 o'clock in the morning. and arose, feeling perfectly well and natural. I was immediately attacked by a hard cough, and the first I knew of anything like hemorrhage, the blood flow splattering over the mirror and wash-stand before me. I was not frightened, for I had seen blood before, and from the same source. It continned for near half an hour, and at first was so rapid that it almost produced strangulation. What was. and always will be, strange to me. this spell of bleeding was a repetition of Guntown to ine, in feeling. All the horrors of that day were emblazoned before my vision in a burning light, which produced a feeling as if I were again in the midst of the commingled reality. Artillery deafened my ears - powder burnt in my face --- the din and smell of battle filled my nostrils, and oh ! horrible ! the skrieks of the wounded and dying paralyzed my very soul; and all the while I sat 'gulping' out blood. I shall never be able to account for thi- strange turning back into the midst of one of the active scenes of my life The hemorrhage returned again about 6 P. M, and lasted near forty min utes. This attack was followed by a chill and fever, and was the climax of my case, and on my back I laid for thirteen days, and in my room for twen ty-one days. This attack brought me near the valley, where I could look over and see the 'dark shadows,'once beneath the shadow of which you are lost from the sight of all things earthly forever. The sighs, and love, and friendship of those whom one leaves behind may go out faintly across that vale of immortality and futurity. but the departed never returns, and we close our eyes, enshrouded with his memory around us that he was once among us, loved, but the still, deep, dead silence which comes back to us from the departed. says never to return '" From this attack, he never recovered his strength. and fearing to stay another winter in Bremen, he returned in December to the United States. On the 29th of February fol lowing, he was married to Miss Kate Williams, and with renewed hope and energy sailed again for Bremen on the 21st of March. From this time until his return, it was a gradual wasting away of life. Ho was advised by his physician to go to Meran, in the Tyrol Valley. among the Alps. From there they went to the Island of Sicily, and in early spring returned to Naples. Italy, where they remained until they embarked, on the 20th of August, 1873, for New York. He was then so weak that he had to be car- ried aboard the steamer, but he started with the strong hope of being able to reach home. A few days after the vessel sailed, the old wound opened again. externally, and from that time he sank rapidly. On September 14, while the bright sunshine of the calm Sabbath morn was throwing its first rays over the iron steamer. far out on the deep, rolling ocean -- there. in the midst of that grand scene of beanty and holiness, with none but the faithful. grief-stricken wife kneeling by his side -- the vail of man's immor- tal destiny was lifted, and long suffering and sorrow was with him no more. The officers of the steamer were very kind to the deoply-afflicted widow in her grief and loneliness, and did all they could with the means at hand. There was nothing aboard the steamer by which the body could be preserved. The carpenter made a coffin of pine, and it was placed on

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the upper deck to get the sea breeze, which was fortunately cool. On Tues- day evening at 6 o'clock P. M. the vessel arrived at her dock in New York. The remains were brought to this county and interred in Paint Township Cemetery.

CYRUS HORNBECK, deceased, was born west of Midway in this county January 27, 1823. At the age of twenty-one years, he married Elizabeth Miliner, daughter of John Miliner, of Highland County, Ohio. Mr. Miliner was born in Halifax County, Va., August 25, 1800. With his father, moved to Highland County, Ohio in 1807, where he married Mary Slaughter when twenty-one years of age. He settled on a farm three miles from Leesburg, where he has followed the occupation of farming and mill- ing ever since. His wife died three years after marriage leaving Elizabeth, who was the only child. She was taken when one year old, by her aunt, Elizabeth Slaughter, who cared for her until her marriage. Mr. Hornbeck started in life as a poor boy, but one year after marriage bought a farm of 200 acres, two and a half miles from London, on the Springfield road, which, by hard labor, he succeeded in paying for. He took great delight in raising fine stock, was of a cheerful disposition, kind to all, and at his death owned 400 acres of land. He died July 23, 1863, at the age of forty years. He was the father of four sons and three daughters, four surviving, viz .: Mary E .. Cyrus R., Sidney E. and Isaac W. Cyrus was married at the age of nineteen to Rolla Parker: he is a farmer, and also studied theology at Union Christian College. He is a member of the Christian Church, and the father of one child-Roscoe Garfield. Sidney E. is the wife of Jackson Hays, and the mother of two children, one deceased. Isaac W .. left the farm at the age sixteen, went to Colorado, and in two years came back to London, where he is engaged in photographing. Jolin Q. Hornbeck, Cyrus Hornbeck's eldest child, married Cornelia Watson, and was the father of two children, one, Owen Edgar, surviving; John enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Cavalry for three years, but was only in the service one month, when he sickened and died at Nashville, Tenn., at the age of twenty years, another martyr to freedom. He sacrificed wife, children and life for his flag.

T. J. HOUSTON, of Houston & Burnham, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements, London, was born in Somerford Township, this county, April 24, 1842. His grandfather, Joseph Honston, was a native of Kentucky, and located on Buck Creek, in Clark County, Ohio, in an early day. He subsequently removed to Charleston, same county. One son, J. M. Houston, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky, being only two years of age, when his parents came to Ohio. He was reared near Springfield, Clark County, and married Maria Cartmill, a native of Clark County, and daughter of Nathaniel Cartmill, shortly after he removed to a farm in Somerford Township, this county, where he resided some years. He died June 30, 1879. He was the father of ten children, only two living -our subject and sister. Mary E .. both residents of London. Mrs. Houston is still living, at the age of sixty-seven years. T. J. Houston was the fourth child of this family, and his early life was passed on the home farm in Somerford Township. He received only a common school education, and when young was engaged in trading and handling stock for a period of ten years. He then came to London, and, in connection with L. P. Burnham, purchased the hardware stock and trade of P. C. Cowling, the new firm being known as Houston & Burnham. They have been very successful for the short time they have been engaged in this business. Mr. Houston is Republican in politics. He was married, November 11, 1875, to Kate

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Locke, a sister of the Hon. John F. Locke. Of their three children, two are living-Eva and John L.

A. A. HUME, ex-Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, London, was born in Paint Township, this county. September 30, 1809. His parents were Robert and Isabella S. (Davis) Hume, natives of Virginia, and pioneers of Madison County. The subject of this sketch was abont two years of age when his parents removed to London, and he has since resided there. with the exception of four or five years in Kentucky. He enjoyed but limited educational facilities in early life, and when quite young was employed as a clerk. He soon after established himself in business on the northeast corner of Main and High streets, remaining in mercantile circles about four years. He subsequently engaged in bringing cattle into Madison County from the West, and in the business of hotel keeping. In 1841, he was appointed Clerk of the Courts of Madison County, and served in that position the remarkably long period of nearly forty-two years in succession, a case without parallel in the history of the State, and probably in the Union. He has now retired from public life, and is the oldest officer (that has served or is serving) in the county. Mr. Hume is a member of Madison Lodge. No. 70, and London Encampment, No. 36 (I. O. O. F.). In early life. he was a member of the Whig party, and of late years has been identi- fied with the Republicans. He has several times served as Councilman in the village of London. He was united in marriage in June, 1852, to Rachel Groves, a native of this county and a daughter of David Groves. Two children were sent to bless this union-a daughter and a son: the former is deceased, and the latter is a stock-broker at Quincy, Ill. Mrs. Hume died in 1860, and Mr. Hume's second marriage occurred in 1868, when he was united to Mrs. Matilda (Harpole) Cheney, widow of Jonathan Cheney. Mr. Hume's first wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the present wife of the Presbyterian denomination. Mr. Hume's son, James R., enlisted in Company K, Twenty- sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was subsequently appointed Captain of another company in the same regiment. He was elected First Lieutenant of Company K, and was sub- sequently made an aid to Brig. Gen. Haskell. He served about three years altogether. A. A. Hume has been a resident of Madison County for -eventy-three years, and his actions, in both public and social life. are well known to the present generation. The long term in which he held public office was a high appreciation of his sterling integrity and clerical qualifi- cations. He is a quiet, unostentatious citizen, and a pioneer of Madison County.

WILLIAM M. JACKSON, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Vir- ginia. February 29, 1820. He is a son of William and Nancy (Rea) Jackson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish descent, and the latter a native of Maryland, of Welsh descent. Our subject's education was limited to the subscription schools in the old log schoolhouses. He came to Madison County with his parents in 1828, and here grew up to farm life, which he still follows. He was married in 1851 to Melinda Peterson. daughter of Michael and Susan (Buffenbarger) Peterson, and has two children-Filmore and Eudora. Mr. Jackson is a Democrat, and he has served his county as a member of the board of Infirmary Directors.

JOHN F. JOHNSTON, London. Sheriff of Madison County. was born in Range Township, this county, June 15, 1844. His father, John Johnston, is a native of Ross County, Ohio. and a farmer by occupation. He came to this county with his parents, William and Margaret (McClimans) Johnston.

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They located in Range Township, where they reared a family of eight or nine children, and lived till death called them away from earth. Seven of this family of children are yet living. John Johnston has resided in Range Township all of his life. He married Elizabeth Mathers, a native of Ross County, Ohio. Our subject is the seventh child and second son of a family of eleven children, ten of whom are living. He obtained a good English education in early life, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1881, when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County, on the Demo- cratic ticket, for the term of two years, being the only man elected on that ticket. He took possession of his office January 2, 1882. Mr. Johnston is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, of the Masonic fraternity, and has always taken a great interest in church matters. He was married, March 19, 1872, to Ella, daughter of William and Massey Warner. Of their five children, the following four are living - Myrtle, Eva, Howard and Florence. Pryor died at the age of six years. Mrs. Johnston is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIS D. JOHNSTON, farmer and machinist, P. O. London, was born in Oak Run Township, August 15, 1853. He is the son of William and Felicity (Hall) Johnston, natives of Ohio, of Dutch, Irish and English descent. Our subject attended the common schools of his township, and the graded school of London, after which he took up the occupation of farming. He has a natural inclination for machinery, operated a self-binder andl steam thrasher, and is a good engineer of stationary engines, with which he has had a good deal of experience. He was married in 1879 to Mary K Hust, by whom he has three children-Irene and Inez (twins), and Wilson Cooper. Mr. Johnston's father is a prominent and wealthy farmer of Oak Run Township.

DR. TOLAND JONES, physician and surgeon, London, was born four miles west of London. in Union Township, Madison County. Ohio, January 10, 1820. His father. Thomas Jones, was a native of Worcester County, Md., a farmer by occupation, and came of English parents on both sides His great-grandfather, on his father's side. was among the early English settlers of Maryland. His mother, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Dr. Ed- ward Cropper, who also came from England. Thomas Jones, father of the subject of this sketch, becoming disgusted with the institution of slavery, and wanting more room for an increasing family, emigrated to Ohio in 1816. locating first in Ross, but soon moved to what is now known as Union Township, Madison County, Ohio. Here he purchased a small tract of land which was afterward increased to 1.000 acres.

Thomas Jones resided in Madison until his death at the old homestead in 1859. He was an Old-Line Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when his interest in the latter became as intense as it had previously been in the former. He took an active interest in politics, and under the old constitution served as Asso ciate Judge from 1841 to 1851 inclusive, and was also a member of the Board of County Commissioners for many years. He was a charitable. warm-hearted man, and an enthusiastic partisan. He married Mary L' .~ Trnitt, a native of Eastern Maryland, who died in 1865. Their children, seven boys and one girl, all grew to maturity, and five are now living. Dr. Jones was reared on the home farm, where he remained until twenty years of age, obtaining only a limited education. He then came to London, andl three months later went to Springfield, where he remained three months. Leaving Springfield he entered the preparatory department of Granville College, in which two terms completed his literary education. Delicate

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health and inability to do farm work were perhaps the main reasons for his being sent away to school. He was named after Dr. Aquila Toland, of London, with whom he read medicine three years, and in 1847-48, attended one course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati. Scarcity of money precluded graduation, but the degree of M. D. was subsequently conferred by the Cleveland Medical College for the first successful amputa- tion of the leg at the hip joint, in this State. After leaving college he commenced practice in London, ostensibly alone, but really under the tute- lage of Dr. Toland. In 1862, he left a lucrative practice to enlist as a pri- vate in a company then forming in London, to assist in putting down the rebellion. He was, however, elected Captain of his company by unanimous

choice. This was afterward Company A, of One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This position he continued to fill up to 1864, when he succeeded to the command of the regiment at the battle of the Kenesaw Mountain, and in this position continued to command it through all its fortunes, bivouacs. skirmishes and battles. His regiment belonged to that brigade which was always in the front-the Second Brigade of the Second Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps. At the battle of Jonesboro. it led the brigade that captured everything before it. Col. Jones halted his regiment within sixty yards of the enemy's works under a terrific fire, dressed it up for a final dash, and carried all before it. Gen. Goran, of the rebel army, surrendered in person to him on his own breastworks, with all his headquarters. papers, etc. The spoils of the day were many prisoners, two cannon, one battle flag, etc. He marched with Sherman to the sea and back through the Carolinas, and was in the last grand battle of Sherman's army, at Bentonville, where his regiment fought front and rear from both sides of its breastworks, capturing many prisoners. It was complimented by the Division Commander, in a general order with the remainder of the livision, for saving the army on that day. His term of service lasted until July 6, 1865, when he and his regiment were mustered out at Louisville, Ky. Col. Jones returned to London, and engaged in the practice of his profession. In 1878, he purchased the drug store of Dr. A. H. Underwood, and has since been engaged in that business, in connection with the prac- tice of medicine. He owns Toland Block. in London, and abont sixty acres of land within the corporate limits. He is a member of the Ohio Medical Society, Central Ohio Medical Society, Madison County Medical Society and the Masonic Fraternity. He has been President of the Madison County Medical Society, and has undoubtedly performed moro surgery than any other physician who has ever lived in this county. Politically, he is a Re- publican, and has served as member of the board of the City Council of London, and of the board of Public Schools. In 1866-68, Dr. Jones was a member of the Ohio State Senate. from Madison, Clark and Champaign Counties. Dr. Jones was married March 19, 1846. to Frances Ann, daughter of his preceptor, Dr. Aquila Toland. They have four children living, viz. : Imogene, wife of E. K. Stewart, of Columbus; Eva, widow of Z. T. Graham, and now the wife of W. B. Hamilton, of London; William Pitt, and Bessie Mary, wife of John Riley, of London. Dr. Jones is a man of much natural ability, and considerable culture, firm in his convictions and just in his deal - ings with his fellows. He takes a deep interest in the welfare of his town and county, lends his assistance freely to any enterprise tending to the good of the people, and is always found ready and willing to make any reasonable sacrifice for the upbuilding of the moral condition of the community. His

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military record, of which he may be justly proud, is one far above the average.

JOHN JONES, a well-known retired merchant of London, was born in that village October 31, 1818, and is probably the oldest native-born resident in it. His father, William Jones, was born and reared near Knoxville, Tenn. He accompanied his father, Solomon Jones, to Ohio, at a very early day. William Jones was a blacksmith and a pioneer in that trade in London, where he settled in November, 1814. He was also engaged in various oc- cupations through life, such as buying property, dealing in grain, buying and selling goods, etc., and became very wealthy. He was a very liberal man, giving a great deal of money to assist those who needed financial help and for various charitable purposes. He was familiarly known as "Dad Jones," and was " everybody's friend." He suffered severely in the " crash of 1837," by paying security debts, and removed to his farm. A few years later, he died at London. John Jones was reared in the village of London, and the entire period he attended school would probably not exceed two years He assisted his father in the store till of age, and was then employed as clerk in the store of William Warner, remaining in that position two years. In February, 1841, he married Jane H., daughter of John and Sarah Mel vin, and a native of this county. After marriage, he rented a piece of land near London, where he farmed that following summer. The same fall.

William Warner was elected Sheriff of Madison County, and Mr. Jones was .made his Deputy, removing to town, and serving in that position for four years. He was then elected Sheriff of the county on the Whig ticket, and served one term of two years. He refused a re-nomination, and since then has retired from official life, with the exception of serving twelve years as Justice of the Peace. Mr. Jones, like his father, has engaged in various occupations, and has accumulated a good property. He purchased a stock of groceries and started his three sons in business, and about 1875 retired from active business labor. He took charge of a younger brother, sent him to school, started him in business and subsequently studying law, and he is now a resident of Champaign, Ill. Mr. Jones was once a member of the Sons of Temperance, and on September 18, 1846, became a charter member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), of London. Six children have been born to himself and wife, four living-Frank, Horace, Dollie (wife of V. H. Wilson, of Lafayette), and Emma, wife of Harvey Chandler, of London. Frank, of Jones Brothers, wholesale and retail grocers, was born in London, February 26, 1847. He obtained a good education in the pub lic schools of his native village, and in early life was engaged in farming. He then entered the employ of his father as a clerk, and subsequently farmed one year in Illinois. Upon the completion of the Union Pacific Railroad, he made a trip to California, being absent eight or nine months In 1874, with his elder brother, Lucien, he purchased his father's stock and trade, and they remained together until the death of Lucion, in 1876. A younger brother, Horace, then became a partner. the firm name still re- maining " Jones Bros." The brothers have built up a very large trade, and no firm in London stand higher in the estimation of its citizens than they. Mr. Jones is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.), and is Re- publican in politics. He was married, September 30, 1875, to Lizzie Koog- ler, a native of Champaign County. Ill. They have one child -- Nina K. Horace, the junior member of the firm, was born in London, September 6. 1852. He received a good education, and early in life was employed in his father's grocery. He subsequently clerked for his brothers, Lucien and

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Frank, and upon the death of the former became a member of the present firm. He resides in a neat and pleasant frame cottage on East High street. Mr. Jones is connected by membership with Mystic Lodge, No. 36, Knights of Pythias, and Madison Lodge, No. 70 I. O. O. F. His political views are decidedly Republican. He was united in marriage, September 10, 1879, to Lizzie, only daughter of Dr. J. T. Houston, of London.

COL. WILLIAM JONES. ex-Sheriff of Madison County, London, is a life-resident of the county. He was born in JJefferson Township, No- vember 13. 1832. His father, Isaac Jones, was a farmer and miller by oc- cupation. He laid out the village of Jefferson; was its founder and principal citizen for some years. He was a minister of the Baptist denom- ination, and discoursed upon the views of that church whenever opportu- nity afforded. He married Eliza, daughter of " Old John Mills." who built a mill on Darby Creek in an early day, probably the first mill in that town- ship. Our subject was reared in Jefferson Township, and was about ten years of age at the time of his father's death. He resided with his mother on the old homestead until the fall of 1877, when he was elected Sheriff of Madison County, on the Republican ticket. He took possession of the office in January. 1875. and served two terms, giving way to his successor, John F. Johnston, in January, 1882. Mr. Jones. in 1861. took out an order from headquarters to raise Company A., Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. The order was speedily obeyed, and Mr. Jones made Captain. In the latter part of 1862, he was elected Major of the regiment, ard the fol- lowing February or March was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the latter position until April, 1864, when the regiment was mus- tered out of service. Col. Jones was married, January 1, 1858, to Jennie Hukill, a native of Columbus, Ohio, but reared in this county. They have seven living children -- Alta. Albert, Fannie (wife of Frank Speasmaker), Foster, Zura, Truman and Loraine. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Bap- tist Church.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 96

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