The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 97

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 97

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B. JUDY, manufacturer of wagons, carriages and buggies, London, was born in Clark County, Ohio. February 5. 1827. His father, John Judy, was a native of Kentucky, and emigrated to Clark County about 1812. He resided in the eastern part of that county about fifty years, being engaged in farming and stock dealing. He subsequently moved to Springfield, and later, to Lawrence County. Ill., where he died in 1878. aged eighty-three years. He was twice married. His first wife was Lydia Hull, who bore him one son --- Amaziah, now a resident of Plattsburg, Clark Co., Ohio. She died about 1824. His second wife was Ann Hull, a native of Pennsylva- nia. They were the parents of nine children, all living. Mrs. Judy de- parted this life at Sumner, Lawrence Co., Ill., in 1850, aged seventy -eight years. Our subject was the oldest child. and in early life received a good common school education. Soon after arriving at his majority, he went to Springfield, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He then went to Platts- burg, in the same county, and there erected a grain warehouse and other buildings. and resided there four years. He then removed to Lawrence County. Ill., and " farmed it" for four years. He then removed to Marion, Ind., the seat of the Christian Union College. for the purpose of better ed- ucating his three children. He was married in February, 1849, to Rosanna Markley. a native of this county She died in Marion in 1868. Mr. Judy then returned to Sumner. Ill., and engaged in mercantile pursuits for three years. He then located at Yellow Springs, Ohio, remaining there three years. After another three years' residence at Plattsburg, he came to Lon-

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don (March, 1877). He then established his present business. in which he has met with good success. He is a member of Yellow Springs Lodge, No. 329 (Masonic), and the Knights of Honor. He is also a member of the Christian Church, and the Republican party. Mr. Judy has been twice mar- ried. Three children were born to the first union-Laurette, wife of W. W. Shepherd. of Sumner. Ill. ; Charles C .. who married Caroline Burgett, and Arthur M. The latter attended Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio, and subsequently prepared for the ministry at the Theological Seminary at Cambridge. Mass. Mr. Jndy's second marriage was to Kate Miller, and oc- curred in 1870. She was a native of Clark County, and is the mother of three children, two living- Charity and Herbert B. Both wives were mem- bers of the Christian Church.

I. C. KEMP, farmer and stockman, P. O. London, was born in Mary- land June 18, 1829. He is the son of Jacob and Julia (Lutton) Kemp, na- tives of Maryland. of Dutch descent. He received a common school edu- cation, and since then has followed various occupations. His early life was spent with his parents. In 1855, he came to London, and for twenty years was engaged in the grocery business. In 1867, he began farming, and has since followed that avocation with good success. now being the owner of 202 acres of good. well-improved land. He married Ellen Fullerton, by whom he had one child- Albert, now living at Xenia. Mrs. Kemp died in 1862. and in 1866 he married Mrs. Margaret (Witherow) Rankin, by whom he had four children. viz. : Fulton, Findley, Charles and George. Mr. and Mrs. Kemp are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is a class-leader. He is an earnest advocate of total abstinence princi- ples, and votes the Prohibition ticket. He is the proprietor of the London stock yards, situated on the Little Miami Railroad. near London. These yards are conveniently situated. well watered, and furnished with ample accommodations for any amount of stock that may be consigned to him. The proprietor is an experienced stockman, and attends promptly to all or- ders. He keeps annually an average of 7.000 head of cattle. which are shipped to him to be sold at the London stock sales.

HENRY KILGORE. farmer. P. O. London, was born in Madison County. Ohio, September 14. 1828. He is a son of James and Sarah (Hut- son) Kilgore, natives of Kentucky, the former of Scotch and the latter of English descent. The former was a Captain in the war of 1812. Our sub- ject was reared on a farm and received a limited education. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He has followed farming during life, and now owns 116 acres of good land. He was married in 1872 to Martha Ellsworth, by whom he has two children -- Simon G. and Charles H. Mr. and Mrs. Kilgore are members of the Christian Church. He is a Repub- lican in politics. We append herewith a sketch of his mother, written by a member of the family: Sarah Kilgore was born in Bourbon County, Ky., in the year 1789, and was married to Jonathan Denton in the year 1806. During the few years they were permitted to live together, their lives were full of suffering and danger. they finally being driven by the Indians from their home to the fort. Here she remained, and at the risk of her life, rode home each day to attend to the stock they were obliged to leave behind. But a short time elapsed until her husband was killed in a skirmish with the Indians. and with her.three small children she was forced to flee to her parental roof. In the year 1814, she was married to James Kilgore, who still survives her. She departed this life

M. Mitchel

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November 2. 1872. in her eighty-fourth year, leaving behind a family of eight children. thirty-eight grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren and one of the fifth generation. She united with the Methodist Church at the early age of sixteen years, and the prayer and class meeting. in which she assisted as leader for many years, were her delight. When she united with the church there was no house of worship but the cabin of the early settler. The cares of domestic life, and the privations of the pioneer did not cause her to falter in the path of duty. With a cheerful and brave heart she did what she could, and her children rise up and called her blessed, and though her family and friends mourn her absence here, yet they rejoice in the prospect of a re-union on the evergreen shore.

THOMAS LANGEN, JR., farmer, P. O. London, was born in New York State in 1846, and is the son of Thomas and Ellen (McCarty) Langen, natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1832. In 1846, they came to Ohio, settling in Fayette County, where they remained until 1868, when they came to this township. The father died in 1873, leaving an eneum- bered estate. and making his son Thomas his executor. Thomas soon released the land from its encumbrances, made additions to it, but has recently sold it all with the intention of purchasing a larger tract. The family consisted of four children-Thomas, Francis. James and George. Thomas married Mary Mahan, of Clark County, in 1876, and has two chil- dren -- Charles F. and William. George, who is assisting Thomas on the home farm, was born in Fayette County, June 28, 1860, and now owns 127 acres of land. These boys are all energetic, steady, industrious farmers, who look well to the interest of themselves, and of their community.

B. W. LAWSON. photographic artist, London, was born at Baltimore, Md., March 14, 1844. He is a son of Alexander Lawson. also a native of Maryland, and a farmer by occupation. He died in 1877. He married Susan, daughter of Harrison Gould. Eleven children were born to this union, eight now living. Mrs. Lawson resides in Monongalia County, W. Va., aged about seventy years. When our subject was ten years of age, · his father removed to West Virginia, and he there remained till the war commenced. He then enlisted in the Third Virginia Cavalry, and served three years as a private. After the war closed, he went to St. Louis, Mo .. and there learned his present trade. For the past eight or nine years, he

has been located in Ohio. and came to London August IS, 1880. He has succeeded in establishing a very fine trade, and a far better one than antici- pated. Mr. Lawson is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.). He was married, in 1875, to Anna Gronauer, a native of Fort Wayne. Ind., and a daughter of Joseph Gronauer, who located at Fort Wayne when it contained but five houses. One son born to this union died in infancy. Mrs. Lawson studied ornamental painting, at St. Mary's-of-the- Woods Academy, four miles west of Terre Haute. Ind., and portrait painting at St. Louis, Mo. She works in water colors, oil and crayon, and teaches several classes. Mr. and Mrs. Lawson are members of the Presbyterian Church.

SAMUEL LENHART, manufacturer of buggies and spring wagons, London, was born in York County, Penn., April 27. 1840. His father, George Lenhart, is a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He now resides at Dover, Penn., in his sixty-seventh year. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Gerber, a native of Pennsylvania, who became the mother of four children, three sons living. Mrs. Lenhart is still living, at about the same age as her husband. The subject of this notice resided in

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Pennsylvania until twenty years of age. When seventeen years of age, he learned the blacksmith trade, and worked at it three years. He then came to London (in 1860) and worked at his trade for one year. In April, 1861. soon after the call for troops by President Lincoln, he enlisted in Company C. Seventeenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served during the three months term of the regiment. He re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and at the battle of Antietam was wounded through the left arm and body by a rifle ball. He was discharged on that account, and returned to London. He afterward went to Montana Territory, where he worked at his trade till 1868. He re- turned to London again, and in the fall of that year purchased his present shop of a Mr. Knapper, where he has since been engaged in business. Mr. Lenhart is a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70 (I. O. O. F.). Demo- cratic in politics, and has served as Councilman of the village. He was married March 11, 1869, to Isabella Crawford, a native of Paint Township. They have three sons-Eddie, Charlie and Samuel Glenn.

JAMES LILLY (deceased), was the youngest of his parents' nine chil dren; he was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 4, 1816. His paternal grandparents were William and Elizabeth (Pollet) Lilly, the former a de- scendant of English ancestors, and the latter a native of France. They re- sided in Fluvanna County, Va. Mr. Lilly's father, Thomas Lilly, was born in 1771, in Virginia, where he married Theodosia Riley, who was born in New Jersey in 1773. They came to Ohio in 1809, with five chil- dren, and located in Ross County, where the father died in 1823. In 1830. Mrs. Lilly and family came to Madison County, and located in Fairfield Township, near the present site of Lilly Chapel, where the mother died February 4, 1839, aged sixty-six years. Their family consisted of nine children, four daughters and five sons: two died single, and five are now living; of the latter, two reside in this county. James Lilly was fourteen years of age when his mother removed to this county. and grew to manhood on the farm near Lilly Chapel. Previous to and during the war he was largely engaged in the grazing, trading and shipping of stock. He subse- quently dealt extensively in land, and at the time of his death owned sev- eral large tracts. In 1866, he removed to London, and two years later re- moved to the " Judge Jones farm," four miles west of London. After a two years' residence on this farm, he returned to London, and there died of typhoid fever October 10, 1874. He was twice married, his first wife being Matilda Anderson, a native of Virginia, and a resident of this county, whom he married in 1843. By her he had seven children, four living, viz. : Emma, wife of J. B. Young, of Lexington, Iowa: Mary E., wife of J. S. Gardner. of Franklin County; George W., who graduated at Wesleyan University, Delaware, in 1879, with the degree of A. B., and at Michigan University in 1881, with the degree of C. E., since which he has been engaged as a civil engineer: and Eugene A. One son, William, enlisted when but seventeen years of age. in the Fortieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in a hospital in Kentucky. Mrs. Lilly died in 1859, aged thirty-six years, and in 1861 Mr. Lilly married Mrs. Susan (Melvin) Davidson, widow of George W. Davidson, deceased. Of their three children, two are living, viz .: Ella, a stu- dent at Wellesley (Mass.) College; and John W. A., who lives with his mother on East High street, London. James Lilly united with the Methodist Episco- pal Church when quite young, and in after years donated the site of the pres- ent church to that denomination, the new building taking the name of Lilly Chapel, and the village is now known by the same name. He was a Republican

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in politics, and at the time of his death was senior County Commissioner, serv- ing a term of three years. He owned property in the village of London, and laid out James Lilly's Subdivision of that town. Honest and upright, firm in character and decision, full of benevolence and charity, and a shrewd busi- ness man. he accumulated a considerable fortune, and occupied a prominent and influential position in the community. Few men were more useful to the town in which they lived, and but few men contributed more to the moral and material prosperity of the county than he. Eugene A. Lilly, dealer in real estate, London. was born on a farm in Fairfield Township (now the site of Lilly Chapel). May 9, 1858. He came to London when eight years of age, and was there reared. He took a course of study at the Ohio Wesleyan University, and subsequently attended the University of Michigan, graduating from the latter in the class of 1880, with the degree of Pharmaceutical Chemist. He then went to Chicago, where for a short time he was assistant to Prof. Wheeler, of the University of Chicago. He then returned to London, where he has since resided, with the intention. however, of resuming his work in chemistry in the future. He is still a young man, but so far in life has met with good success in his business transactions. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge, Chapter and Council, and a Republican in politics.

GEORGE W. LOHR, London, a resident of Madison County over sixty-two years. and the oldest liveryman in the business in the county, was born in Rockingham County, Va., December 24, 1813. His father, Michael Lohr, was a native of Virginia, and a farmer by occupation. He married Catherine Miller, also a native of the Old Dominion, who bore him four children-two daughters and two sons, three living in this and one in Fay- ette County, Ohio. Mr. Lohr died about 1818; Mrs. Lohr married for her second husband Samuel Messmore, a native of Pennsylvania. Of the three children given them, two are living. George W. Lohr accompanied his mother and step-father to Madison County in 1820, coming the entire dis- tance from Virginia in a one-horse wagon. They located on the present site of the Kreider farm, South Charleston pike, three miles from London, and subsequently moved to Paint Creek. Mr. Lohr was apprenticed to George Phifer, to learn the saddler's trade, and finished it with William H. Squires. He then started in business, in partnership with James Q. Lotspeich, on the present site of the storeroom now occupied by Gardner & Lohr. The firm was known as Lotspeich & Lohr; a year later the firm was dissolved, and Mr. Lohr commenced business alone, on his present property (fall of 1837), making saddles, and carrying on the business for fifteen years. During the latter five years of this time. he had been running a livery on a small scale, and finally concluded to go into the business. This was 1840 or 1842, and since that time. Mr. Lohr has attended to the wants of his customers to " anything on wheels." He has been in the undertaking business with his son, J. M. Lohr, for the past two years, and has been very successful in all his business operations; he owns a business block or two, and some other city property. Mr. Lohr's political views are Republican; he has served an unexpired term as Coroner of the county, and some time as Councilman of London: he was united in marriage, February 12, 1837, to Sarah F. Reeder, a native of Clark County. Ohio. Of their eight children, five are living -- James M., who married Molly K. Pringle, of Clark County, Ohio; Josephine: Mary H., wife of Martin Dungan, a merchant of London; Flor- ence, wife of Arnold W. Gardner, of Gardner & Lohr, and William H., Jr., member of the latter firm: Irvin. George and Fannie are deceased. Mrs

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Lohr departed this life December 3, 1875, aged fifty-eight years six months and twenty-two days; she was a faithful Christian, a member of the Moth- odist Episcopal Church, and a lady well respected by all.

JOHN LOHR, London, was born in Shenandoah County, Va., April 1. 1816. His father died when he was but three years old. His

mother afterward married Samuel Messmore, and the family moved to Madison County, Ohio, and settled within two miles of London, in 1820. Until eighteen years of age, Mr. Lohr worked on a farm, after which with the consent of his mother and step-father he learned the sad- dler's trade; was engaged at this trade about twelve years. and was travel- ing part of the time. Coming to the conclusion " that a rolling stone gath- ers no moss," he settled in business in London. In 1844, was united in- marriage with Ann Noteman. This lady was the fortunate possessor of an interest in a farm, and Mr. Lohr thinking to better himself by returning to agricultural pursuits, purchased his brother-in-law's interest in the farm, and selling his property in town moved to the farm in 1847, which is situ- ated only five miles distant from where he first settled in this county, and where he at present resides. Mr. Lohr has been the father of ten children, eight of whom are now living. When these children were growing up, Mr. and Mrs. Lohr realized that other and higher duties should claim their at- tention, and they united with the First Presbyterian Church at London. We here will quote whatMr. Lohr writes regarding this change. "This was one of the best steps of my life. In our Presbytery and Synod the question has often been discussed. What is the best mode of getting children to at- tend church? My experience is to go yourself and take the children with you; the result is, my family all belong to the church but one. A short time after I united with the church, I was elected one of the ruling mem- bers. "

JAMES Q. LOTSPEICH (deceased) was born in Ross County, Ohio, May 30, 1809. His father, Ralph Lotspeich, was a native of Tennessee, and located at Chillicothe. Ohio, in an early day. He was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and a pioneer in the missionary work in the State of Ohio. He was an able and earnest advocate of the religion of Christ, and possessing a remarkably tender heart, could never mention the name of his Master, or tell of His sufferings on the cross, without shedding tears of sympathy. In fact, it was seldom he preached without crying, and this gained for him the title of " the Weeping Prophet. " and by that name he was generally known. When twenty-four years of age, he married Ame- lia Rigby. who bore him one daughter and three sons, two now living. He died at the early age of thirty-two years. Our subje it was the oldest child, and came to Madison County about 1830, or perhaps a little earlier. He was a saddler by trade, and located in London, where he was engaged in busi- ness until 1874, a period of forty-three years, with the exception of two

years. He was an honorable, and upright citizen, and a man highly re- spocted. Ho was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Methodist Epis- , copal Church of London, and one of the Board of Directors of the Jeffer- son, South Charleston & Xenia Turnpike until it was sold to the county of Madison. In early life he was a Whig: later a Republican, and served as Justice of the Peace a number of years. Mr. Lotspeich married Sallie, daughter of William Jones, and a sister of John Jones, a retired grocer of London. They were the parents of two daughters and four sons, all living but one, and four in this county. Mr. Lotspeich died in February, 1875, aged sixty-six years. Mrs. Lotspeich is yet living. and in fair health. She is sixty-nine years old.

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W. RALPH LOTSPEICH, saddler and harness maker, London, was born in London June 8, 1834. He was the oldest child, and received a fair educa tion. At fourteen years of age he learned his present trade with his father, and in 1866 went to Iowa, where he was engaged in farming until 1873. He then returned to London, and in 1874 purchased the stock and trade of his father. He has since conducted the business with moderate success. Mr. Lotspeich is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Knights of Honor, and a Prohibition Republican in politics. He was married, Novem ber 13, 1859, to Ellen Melvin, a native of Union Township, this county. and daughter of Joseph B. Melvin and Elizabeth Gardner. Her grandfather was a pioneer of Georgesville, Franklin Co., Ohio. Two children have been given them-Leon and Joseph Edgar. Mrs. Lotspeich and her young est son are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN E. LOTSPIECH, with John Kinney, dry goods, and chief of the London Fire Department, was born in London September 12, 1837. He grew to manhood in his native place, and when quite young served as mes- senger in the Ohio House of Representatives, session of 1855 -56, and 1856 -57. He next entered the employ of Addison Shanklin, in the dry goods line, London, remaining with him four or five years. He then went to Spring field, but subsequently returned to London, and for the past thirteen year- has been connected with John Kinney in the dry goods business. Mr. Lots. piech has been a member of the London Fire Department since its purchase of a steamer. and in 1880 was elected to his present position. He has made an efficient officer, and takes an active interest in his business. He is a mem ber of the American Legion of Honor, and Republican in politics. He was united in marriage, May 23, 1866, to Mary L. Davidson, a native of Madi- son, Ind. They have four children -- Howard, Annie, William, and Robert Mrs. Lotspiech is a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination.

J. W. MACKINNON. Superintendent of the London Public Schools, London, was born in Logan County, Ohio, February 13, 1850. His grand- father, William Mackinnon, located in Logan County in an early day, and there became an Associate Judge of the Courts. One son, Daniel W., the father of our subject, was born in Clark County, and was a farmer and stock- raiser through life. He died at a son's house in Auglaize County, Ohio. March 16. 1864. He was united in marriage to Phebe Hogge, a native of Clark County. and daughter of John Hogge, a native of Ireland. Mrs Mackinnon still resides in Logan County, is fifty-three years of age, and in the enjoyment of good health. Our subject is the elder of five children, four living. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and when nineteen years of age entered Wittenberg College, Springfield. Ohio, where he re mained five years, and graduated in June. 1874. Soon after he was mad- Principal of the Bellefontaine High School, holding that position three years. He then came to London to accept his present position, tendered him by the School Board of the latter place. Prof. Mackinnon has had charge of the London schools for six years, and their high standing among the graded schools of the State is due in a great measure to his energetic and tireless energy in their behalf. Mr. Mackinnon is a member of and Secre- tary of each of the Ohio State Teachers' Associations and the Central Ohio Teachers' Association. He is also a member of the Madison County Teach ers' Association, the Knights of Honor, American Legion of Honor, and the Presbyterian Church. Previous to coming to London, Prof. Mackinnon was a member of the Logan County Board of School Examiners, and since his residence here has held a like position in Madison County for the past five

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years. He was married, July 23, 1874, to Clara E. Wallace, a native of Lo- gan County, Ohio, and daughter of Dr. John P. and Emeline (Hover) Wal- lace, of that county, both now deceased. They are the parents of one son -Lee. Mrs. Mackinnon is also a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JACOB MARCH, dealer in foreign and domestic marbles, and proprietor of the London Marble and Granite Works, London, was born in Pennsylvania February 25, 1839. He is a son of Daniel March, also a native of Pennsylvania, a farmer in early life, and subse- quently a merchant. He lived in Pennsylvania until his death, about seven years ago. He was united in marriage to Rebecca Sparh, also a native of Pennsylvania, who became the mother of ten children. Four of these are now living, and two residents of Madison County. Mrs. March died over thirty years ago. Mr. March was reared in his native State, and after his mother's death went to live with a drover, remaining with him over two years, and assisting in driving stock to Baltimore. He then learned the drug trade at East Berlin, Penn., where he was employed for four years. In 1858, he came to London, and learned the marble cutter's trade with Sam - uel Menter, remaining with him until his death, in September, 1861. He then carried on the business for his employer's widow until 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, Col. Wilcox commanding. He was in the service three years, serving as a private the greater part of the time, and was honorably discharged July 11, 1865. Upon coming back to Ohio, he engaged in busi- ness at Springfield until June, 1866, when he returned to London, and bought a half interest in the marble trade of M. M. Hutchinson. He be- came sole proprietor a year later, and has remained such, with the exception of six months, when his brother Levi was a partner. Mr. March is an enter- prising business man, and has succeeded in building up a good trade. He is a member of all the organizations in London pertaining to the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, the American Legion of Honor, and is a mem- ber of and Treasurer of the Board of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. March is also Treasurer of the Homestead Aid Association, of London. Politically, he is Democratic. He was married, November 27, 1867, to Katy Crawford, a native of this county. Of their five children, four are living-Arabell, Ida May, Kittie Z. and Algerans C. Mrs. March and daughter Arabell are also members of the Presbyterian denomination.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 97

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