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*
ADAIR, Preston, of Union Twp.
* ALLEN, William, of Darby Twp.
* AMANN, Charles, of Darby Twp.
* ARMSTRONG, Edward, of Union Twp.
* ARMSTRONG, Fulton, of Union Twp.
* BALLINGER,
William I., M.D. of Darby Twp.
* BARLOW, E. W. of Darby Twp.
* BARRETT, John
* BATES, Ansel
* BAUER, Valentine, of Union Twp.
* BEACH, I. W. of Darby Twp.
* BIDWELL, EPHRAIM W. of Darby Twp.
* BIGELOW, Israel Eliphaz of Darby Twp.
962
* BIGELOW, Filmore C. of Darby Twp.
963
* BLAIR, Nathan B., of Union Twp.
* BLUE, A. J., of Union Twp.
* BOLDS, T. J., of Union Twp.
* BOWERS, J. P., of Darby Twp.
* BOYD, Daniel, of Union Twp.
* BOYD, James, of Union Twp.
* BOYD, Robert, of Union Twp.
* BRADLEY, M. D. of Darby Twp.
* BRIDGMAN, J. C., of Union Twp.
* BROBST, Benjamin, of Union Twp.
* BRYAN, Marcellus L., of Union Twp.
* BUFFENBERGER, Peter
* BURNHAM, L. W., of Union Twp.
* BYERS, J. W., of Union Twp.
* BYERS, John W., of Union Twp. |
* CAREY, Abram, of
Darby Twp.
*
CARTZDAFNER, S. H., of Union Twp.
* CHANCE, J. W., of Union Twp.
*
CHAPPELL, George |
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PRESTON ADAIR, farmer and
stock-raiser, P. O. London. His ancestry can be traced back to Ireland.
John Adair, Sr., enlisted in the British Army, and when the
American colonies threw off the yoke of tyranny, he accompanied Gen.
Cornwallis to America. After the war, he settled in Augusta County, Va.,
where he married Jane Ross. They were the parents of seven
children. One son, John Adair, Jr., the father of
our subject, was born near Stanton, Va., November 11, 1788. His mother
dying young, he was taken to raise by an uncle. In 1808, when
twenty-five years of age, he accompanied his father to Ohio, stopping at
Chillicothe and remaining there as guests of Gen. McArthur for
some days. They then came to Madison County, where John, Sr.,
purchased a tract of land, about one mile north of the present site of
La Fayette, where he resided till his death, in 1815. John
Adair then married, and purchased a tract of land from Gen.
McArthur, located on the "Upper Glade," in Deer Creek Township,
and consisting of eighty acres. He married Jane Ross, a
native of Virginia, and the result of this union was the birth of twelve
children. Seven of these grew to mature years, and six are now living.
Mrs. Adair died in June, 1837, and Mr. Adair married for his second
wife, in 1840, Miss B. Plymell. No children were given them. Mr.
Adair died January 19,1859, and his widow resided with our subject until
the date of her death, in April, 1876. John Adair, Sr.,
was an extensive stockdealer of that time; in political life a "Whig,
but entertaining a strong dislike for office-holding. He was an earnest
Christian, a ad a pioneer Methodist of that community. The first
Methodist Episcopal "class meeting" in that vicinity was held in a
"squatters cabin," on his land. Preston Adair, his son and
our subject, was born on the old homestead June 11, 1829. He was there
reared, receiving only a limited education. His mother died, and his
older brothers had all left home, so, from the time he was twelve years
of age until thirty, he remained with his father and step-mother,
carrying on the farm. He was married, September 20, 1859, to Hannah
Street, a native of Knox County, Ohio, daughter of John
and Ann (Robison) Street, who came from England to
Ross County, Ohio, in 1840. After marriage, Mr. Adair
carried on the home farm for three years, and, in April, 1864, removed
to his present comfortable residence, on East High street, London. Upon
the death of his parents, he purchased the old homestead, and has since
added to it, until at present it consists of 400 acres of valuable land.
Mr. Adair is a thorough Republican in political views,
and, in the fall of 1880, was elected Infirmary Director for a term of
three years. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal
denomination since a boy of twelve years, and at present is a Steward
and class leader in the church at London. He is also connected with the
Masonic Lodge and Council. Five children have been given to Mr. and
Mrs. Adair, four living—Nettie; John W., in attendance
at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio; Bruce, who has been
blind for the past two years and is being educated at the Ohio State
Blind Asylum, at Columbus; and Byers. Mrs. Adair and the
two elder children are also members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Thomas Robison, grandfather of Mrs. Adair,
resides at Mount Vernon, Ohio, aged eighty-seven years. |
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WILLIAM ALLEN,
merchant, Plain City, was born in Vermont, Apr. 15, 1811. He is a
son of Calvin and Eunice (Delano) Allen, natives of Vermont, the
former of Irish and the latter of French descent, who emigrated to this
county in 1818. His father was a brick-mason. Our subject
was reared on the farm and worked with his father until twenty years of
age. He served a two-years' apprenticeship to the brick-mason's
trade, and followed his trade for nearly a quarter of a century.
In 1863, he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Plain City, where he still
continues. He was married, in 1839, to Harriet N. Ewing, a
daughter of Joshua Ewing, who settled here in 1822. By this
union eight children were born, five surviving, viz., A. W.,
Caroline, Lyman, Mary and Wilbur G. A.
W. Allen is the junior member of the firm of Hager & Allen,
dealers in groceries, boots, shoes and produce, and extensive shippers
of eggs. This firm shipped in 1881, 12,000 barrels of eggs, with
seventy-five dozen eggs in each barrel, making 1,080,000 eggs.
A. W. Allen enlisted in 1861 in Company G, Seventeenth Regiment Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, for three months, and, at the expiration of his
term, re-enlisted in Company I, Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry,
Col. James A. Garfield, and was honorably discharged at the end
of his term of service. He was wounded at the battle of Port
Gibson, and did not rejoin, his regiment until they were at the siege of
Vicksburg, in which they participated. Caroline is the wife
of Rev. C. S. Irwin. Lyman B. in a train dispatcher
and telegraph operator in California. Mary is the wife of
R. C. Hager, of Hager & Allen. Wilbur G. is
in the store with his father. Mrs. Allen died in 1868.
She and her husband were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he has
been an Elder and Deacon in the church at Plain City. He is a
Republican in politics, and has been Township Trustee and Justice of the
Peace. He is a man of reliable business principles and strict
morality. |
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CHARLES AMANN, Cashier
of the Exchange Bank, Plain City, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 6,
1842. His parents were Xavier and Bridget (Duplar) Amann,
the former a native of France and the latter of Switzerland. His
father emigrated to America when a young man, and, after stopping a
short time in New York, located at Cincinnati, where he worked at his
trade - tailoring. He was twice married, Charles being the
only child by his first wife. Our subject enjoyed the advantages
afforded by the graded schools of Cincinnati until eight years of age,
when he went to Sidney with his father, who engaged in the merchant
tailoring business there, and Charles attended the Sidney Public
Schools. He then learned the molder's trade, which he followed
until 1862, when he enlisted from Adams Township, Champaign County, in
Company H, Forth-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Rhodes.
On the 20th of Oct. 1863, he was captured, at Philadelphia, Tenn.,
together with a large number of others, and taken to the rebel prison at
Belle Isle, afterward being removed to Danville, Salisbury and Florence.
From the last-named place he was taken to Charleston, S. C., in 1864,
and placed, with 600 Union officers and 600 Union men, in a building,
under the fire of the Federal guns then shelling the city. On the
near approach of Gen. Sherman, Mr. Amann was removed to
the prison at Goldsboro, from whence the records show he was paroled
Feb. 24, 1865. He well remembers seeing emaciated and
fever-stricken prisoners, in great numbers, left by the rebels to die.
He was fever-stricken at Goldsboro, and, while unconscious, was thrown
into the "dead-wagon" and hauled off for burial, the records of
Wilmington, where the Goldsboro dead were buried, showing that "Charles
Amann, of Company H, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died
Mar. 26, 1865," and the buried in the National Cemetery. He has no
recollection of his release, and does not know how he regained his
release. It is said that, according to the prison records, he was
a prisoner longer than any Ohio soldier, with but one exception, during
the war. After the war, he engaged in business at Plain City, with
marked success, for twelve years, in the drug business, with Isaac
Leonard, and in 1881 he took his present position. He is a
member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, and of the Grand Army of the Republic,
and a Republican in politics. He has been Township Clerk and
Trustee, and Mayor and Councilman of Plain City. |
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EDWARD ARMSTRONG, of
Armstrong & Minshall, dealers in furniture and queensware,
London, was born on the "Old Bradford farm,'' in Union Township, this
county, January 1, 1850. His father was Robert Armstrong,
a native of Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio. He was twice married.
His second wife, and the mother of our subject, was Mrs. Maria (Cowling)
Cover, a sister of Maj. Cowling, so favorably known
throughout Madison County, and a native of England. There were born to
this union five children, four living. Mr. Armstrong was
the father of fifteen children by both marriages, and his wife, being
also twice married, was the mother of eleven children. The father died
in 1865, and the mother in 1873. Our subject was the fourth child of
this union, and grew to manhood on the farm. When fifteen years of age,
he came to London, and entered the public schools. In 1869, he entered
the drug store of Dr. Caldwell, of Cedarville, Greene
County, Ohio, as a clerk with him altogether about two years. He then
returned to London and engaged in the drug business with Dr. J. T.
Houston, the firm doing business for seven years. Mr. Armstrong
then formed a partnership with E. J. Robinson in the same
business, and, three years later, in January, 1880, sold his interest to
Dr. Platt King. In June, 1882, he formed a partnership with
Leon Minshall, in his present business, and, on the 23d day of
the month, the firm opened out with an elegant assortment of plain and
fancy furniture, queensware, etc. Their trade has exceeded their most
sanguine expectations. Mr. Armstrong is a member of Chandler
Lodge, No. 138, Masonic, the Methodist Episcopal Church, and,
politically, is a strong Republican. He was married, October 12, 1876,
to Alice, daughter of H. W. Richman, a prominent citizen of
London. Miss Armstrong is also a member of the
Presbyterian Church. |
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FULTON ARMSTRONG, farmer
and stock-dealer, P. O. London, was born in Union Township January 31,
1825. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Earl)
Armstrong, natives of Ohio, where they spent their lives. His father
was an extensive farmer and stockdealer, and at one time owned 3,500
acres of land in this county. His people were among the very early
settlers in this vicinity. Our subject received a limited education in
the schools of his native county, and early in life adopted the
occupation of farming. He commenced life by farming and stock-dealing in
Vermillion County, Ill., where he spent eighteen years. He owns 1,000
acres of very fine land in the county, in addition to which he rents
about 500 acres to increase his facilities for his extensive stock
operations. He usually keeps about 200 head of cattle on his place, in
addition to his stock cattle, and now has 350 head. He married Mary
Rankin, who died in 1868. She was the mother of four children, all now
deceased. In 1869, he married Elizabeth (Truitt)
McMillan, widow of George McMillan, deceased. She is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Armstrong is
a Republican in politics, but he has neither desired or accepted any
offices. |
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JONATHAN ARNETT, surveyor and civil engineer,
London, was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 30, 1819. His father,
William D. Arnett, was a native of Eastern Maryland, and a farmer by
occupation. He came to Ohio in 1817, locating in Ross County, where he
resided twelve years. He then removed to Jefferson Township of this
county, and lived there till his death, in 1859. He married Margaret
Vickers, also a native of Maryland. They had twelve children, six
now living. Mrs. Arnett departed this life December 30, 1874.
Jonathan Arnett was the sixth child of this large family, and
grew to manhood on the home farm. His early educational facilities were
those of pioneer days, and rather limited. He was engaged in farming
until twenty-two years of age. and then attended what was termed the
"Ohio Conference High School," at Springfield, Clark County, remaining
there two years. He then taught school in this and adjoining counties
for about ten years. During this time, he spent his leisure moments in
studying his present profession, and finally engaged in that occupation.
From 1854 to 1864. he was engaged in mercantile transactions in this and
adjoining counties. He was Acting Chief Engineer of the Dayton &
Michigan Railroad for eight years, surveying the line from Springfield
to Troy, Ohio, and subsequently to Union City, Ind. He has been a
resident of London since 1866. and during this period has devoted the
daytime to his labor, and the evenings to the study of his profession.
He was Surveyor of Madison County two terms; has been School Examiner of
Madison County for sixteen years: of Union School, London, same length
of time, and was a member of the London School Board for nine years.
Mr. Arnett is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Masonic,
and a Master Mason. Politically, he has always held the views adopted by
the Democratic party, but on local questions votes for the man and not
for or with the party. He has never been an aspirant for office. Mr.
Arnett was married in March, 1847, to Esther M.
Fellows, a native of Hanover, N. H. Two children were born to them,
one living—Delia A., wife of Clinton Morse,
County Surveyor. They have one daughter—Edna. Mrs.
Arnett was a member of the M. E. Church, and died in that faith,
August 25, 1871. Mr. A. was again married, April 22,1874, to
Mrs. Permelia Morse, daughter of Dr.
Colliver, of Jefferson, Ohio. She is a native of Kentucky and a
member of the Baptist Church. |
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WILLIAM I. BALLINGER, M.D.,
Plain City, is the oldest son of Joshua and Delilah (Inskeep)
Ballinger, of Logan County, Ohio, where he was born Oct. 18, 1828.
The former, who was born in New Jersey, came to Ohio with his parents in
1810, and settled on the head-waters of Big Darby Creek, where he died.
The latter was a native of Ohio, and still lives. The subject of
this sketch spent hsi youth and boyhood with his parents, brothers and
sisters, on a farm, until the spring of 1848. Then, having no
special appetite for the gymnastics and manual duties of farm life, he
was sent to the "Old Academy," in Marysville, Ohio, at that time under
the auspices of the Rev. James D. Smith, who was assisted by the
Rev. James A. Sterrett, as Principal. He spent three
summers in thisi institution, the last two of which were under the
tutelage of the now Hon. James W. Robinson, of Marysville, Ohio,
who took charge of the academy as Principal in 1849. Here he
acquired the rudiments of algebra, Latin and of such branches as are
usually taught in the high school departments in the graded system of
the present day. The winters were passed in teaching district
schools, and our subject remembers, with much regret, the mistakes of
those whose duty it was to employ teachers, and to look after the moral
and mental welfare of the youth, in employing young men and young women
to perform these sacred duties, whose only qualifications were a
"certificate to teach," and a sufficiency of muscular development to
assert their authority in the schoolroom by the help of the rod.
In Sept., 1850, he was sent to the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware,
Ohio, and entered the Senior Preparatory Class, and remained in the
university for three years, pursuing the classical course of study.
In the fall of 1863, he commenced the study of medicine in the office of
Dr. D. W. Henderson, of Marysville, Ohio; taught a district school at
Amity, in this county, during the following winter months; resumed his
studies in the office in March 1865, and, in October of the same year,
entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, for his first course
of lectures. In March of 1855, he returned to Dr. Henderson's
office, and there remained till the October following, when he went to
Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Cleveland Medical College, where he was
graduated a Doctor of Medicine early in March, 1856. Through the
kind offices of his much esteemed preceptor and friend, Dr. Henderson,
he was introduced to Hon. Dr. John N. Beach, then in Pleasant
Valley, now Plain City, this county, a partnership for business purposes
agreed upon, and, on the 9th of April, 1856, the subject of our sketch
became the object of curious eyes among the inhabitants of Pleasant
Valley and vicinity, trying to weigh the acumen and mental force of the
"new doctor." First impressions of Pleasant Valley were not
favorable. It was at a time of the year when mud reigned supreme
over foot-paths and highways. Teams were bemired in the main
streets, and had to be pried out with poles. Sidewalks were few
and far between. The town had a railroad and depot, but to reach
the same you had to travel - man, woman, child, horse, hog and cow -
from McCloud's corner over the entire length of Railroad street,
through a sea of much and water, the exact depth of which no man,
perhaps ever exactly fathomed. The late sleeper was aroused
from his dreams, of mornings, by the sonorous notes of "P-o-o-i-g,
p-o-o-i-g, piggy, piggy!" couple with the pleasing strain,
"S-o-o-k, boss! s-o-o-k, boss!" and, upon gaining the front door, the
foot-paths and streets were found to be the common feeding-yards; and
for the balance of the day Mr. Porker plied his snout diligently
to plowing the streets and grass plats. The moral and social
status was not wholly out of keeping with the physical comforts and
conveniences of the place. Although there were a number of
intelligent, generous-hearted and Christian people there, yet there were
a great many who had their "peculiar views" and their peculiar ways.
Bad whisky then, as now, was not unknown; and for many, Saturday was the
day of days for settling old scores. This element mostly came from
the country. They would commence coming in about 9 or 10 o'clock
A.M., and by 2 o'clock P.M. their ranks would be full, and the early
comers well fired up. Accounts were called, and the swearing would
begin. After exchanging a great many oaths and vulgar epithets,
and passing the bottle around several times, the preliminaries of battle
would be arranged; but not many hard battles were over fought.
Pleasant Valley at the time was a dead town so far as business and
building enterprises were concerned. From 1856 to 1866, one had to
count in all the barns built to make an average of one building per
year; and the business of the place was limited to three small dry goods
stores, one grocery, one drug store and one restaurant. To return
to our subject. The "new doctor" was kindly received by his new
acquaintances, and, in course of time, was intrusted with a fair
share of the afflicted portion of humanity to care for. He found
many warm hearts, and true and genial friends. On the 18th of
February, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Taylor,
the oldest daughter of John and Eliza Mark Taylor, who were both
born and raised in Madison county, and still reside two miles south of
Plain City. They have had five children, viz.: Charles,
who died in infancy; John T.; Oliver, who died aged
fourteen months; James Llew and Eve. Mr. Ballinger
is a member of the Methodist Church and of the Masonic Order, and in
politics is a Republican. The Doctor pursued his professional
duties assiduously until the spring of 1873, when he, in company with
Mr. Richard Woodruff, a merchant of Plain City, conceived the
project of building a flouring mill in Plain City. Neither party
knew anything about mills or milling, but he scheme was put into
execution, and the mill, a substantial brick structure, with two run of
buhrs for wheat, and one for corn, was put in operation about Christmas
of the same year, costing about $13,000. Mr. Woodruff dying
in 1875 left the entire care of the mill in the Doctor's hands.
This so interfered with his professional duties that he has given but
little attention to them since. The Plain City Mills have had a
fine reputation for the quality of their flour for several years, and
any one visiting the Doctor's sanctum will find his table covered with
both medical and milling literature, and will find him as ready to
discuss the best methods of milling as he is to discuss the best methods
of preventing and treating diseases. He is now decidedly in favor
of bread pills. |
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E. W. BARLOW, undertaker,
furniture-dealer and manufacturer, Plain City, was born in Darby
Township, Mar. 6, 1835. He is a son of E. W. and Polly C.
(Lawrence) Barlow, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter
of New York, and both of English descent. They emigrated to Clark
County, Ohio, and in 1820 moved to Madison County, coming to Plain City
in 1852. His father was a carpenter until he came to Ohio, when he
followed farming until his death in 1865. Our subject has worked
in the shop where he is now employed since he was seventeen years of
age. He was married, Nov. 4, 1857, to Electa I. Bigelow, a
daughter of Dr. D. K. Bigelow, and by her has one child, Cora
I., the wife of John R. Hill. Mrs. Barlow died
Mar. 9, 1858, and in 1859 he married Lucinda A. Kent, by whom he
has four children - Linden C., Elva R., Earl W. and Eddie B.
The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which
the father has been a Class Leader fifteen years. He was a
Republican, but is now a Prohibitionist. His father was a Major in
the war of 1812. |
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JOHN BARRETT, a native of
Maryland, was a brother-in-law of John Arbuckle, they having married
sisters; came to Ohio soon after Mr. Arbuckle came, and settled
on the same tract of land, and lived here till his death, dying with
that prevalent yet much-dreaded disease, milk-sickness. He had six
children, but all have moved away and sought other homes. Jacob Steele
settled where Rev. Overturf now lives about 1815. Thomas Taylor
came from Chillicothe, Ohio, and settled on Deer Creek, near the
gristmill, about 1815, where he lived about five years; thence he
settled on the place now owned by Thomas Woosley, on the old
Columbus & Springfield stage road, and there kept a tavern in an early
day. He made good improvements; was an excellent and intelligent man,
and a good citizen. He raised a family of six children, who all became
honored and worthy members of society. Late in life, he moved to the
village of Somerford, where he died at the age of about eighty years. |
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ANSEL BATES
came to this township and settled just north of Tradersville. on land
now owned by Thomas Bales, about 1818. He finally died in
Champaign County. Of his children, we mention Asa, Ansel,
Elijah, William, Sylvanus and Zenas. The
last two mentioned were twins. These sons for several years were quite
prominent and well known in the affairs of the township, but finally
they all emigrated to the West. William Scott settled near
the Charles Bigdon place about 1820. He married Betsey
Rigdon. Subsequently, he moved to Pekin, Ill., where he died.
They were a good family and esteemed citizens. Charles Rigdon
came here from Champaign County and settled about the same time—1820-21.
Richard Baldwin, it is believed, came here from
Chillicothe and settled on the Rigdon place, in Surveys 9,285 and
10,626, about 1820, where he resided till about 1837 He moved to
Mechanicsburg. where he resided till death. He was one of this
township's best citizens, and served as a Justice of the Peace several
years. Samuel Houston was a native of Pennsylvania, and
settled here about 1820. He married Elizabeth Arbuckle, by
whom he had two children, deceased. He was an intelligent and
well-educated man. He taught school, and was Township Clerk, and resided
here till his death. Michael Statler, a native of
Virginia, settled where his son now lives, on the "Urbana road, about
1824, where he died about 1842. His wife survived him about thirty
years. Mr. Statler was killed while cutting down a tree upon
which another had lodged, which fell on him. |
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VALENTINE
BAUER, merchant tailor, London, was born at Gerbach, Rhine
Bavaria, Germany, April 14, 1838. His father, Peter Bauer, came to
America in 1849. He located in Columbus, Ohio, where he was engaged in
keeping tavern, and died in 1868. He married Catherine Bauer, also a
native of Germany. Of their eight children, four are now living—two sons
and two daughters—and only two residents of Madison County. Mrs. Bauer
departed this life in Germany, January 12, 1848. Our subject was
fourteen years of age when his father removed to Columbus, and he
resided in that city eight years. He there finished learning his trade,
which he had previously commenced in Germany. On October 9, 1860, he
came to London, and for eleven years was superintendent of the merchant
tailoring department in the house of J. M. Winchester. On June 25, 1871,
he commenced business for himself. Although having met with some
reverses, Mr. Bauer still presses forward, and now enjoys a good
patronage. He is a member of Chandler Lodge, No. 138, Chapter No. 73
(Masonic), Madison Lodge, No. 70 (Odd Fellows), of London, and Palestine
Commandery, No. 33, Knights Templar, of Springfield, Ohio. Politically,
Mr. Bauer is Republican, and ' has served several terms as member of the
City Council. He was once the Republican nominee for Treasurer of London
and defeated by only thirteen votes. He was married, April 23, 1859, to
Eva Michel, a native of Stahlberg, Rhine Bavaria, Germany. Ten children
have been born to them, six living—Emma, Frank, Clara, Edward, Eva and
Robert. Mrs. Bauer is a member of the Presbyterian Church. |
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I. W. BEACH,
undertaker, and manufacturer and dealer in furniture, Plain City, was
born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 21, 1850. He is a son of
Uri and Elenore (Downing) Beach, the former a native of this county
and the latter of Pennsylvania, and both of English descent. Our
subject received his education in the common schools, at Ohio Wesleyan
University at Delaware, and at a commercial college in Pittsburgh, Penn.
He worked at farming until thirty one years of age when he came to Plain
City and embarked in his present enterprise, with Mr. Barlow,
under the firm name of Barlow & Beach. He was married, in
1874, to Ruth Alma Slyh, a daughter of Matthias Slyh.
They have one child, Lulu Ann, born Jan. 6, 1875. Mr.
and Mrs. Beach are Baptists, and he is a Republican, He served
one term as Township Assessor |
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EPHRAIM W. BIDWELL,
deceased, was born Oct. 28,1817, and was the fourth son of Elisha
Bidwell, one of the earliest settlers of Madison County, having
settled here as early as 1814. His mother's maiden name was
Dorothy Willy, and they came to Ohio from the State of Vermont, and were
Yankees, or New Englanders. Ephraim was a farmer, know only
to the early settlers of Madison County. Ephraim was a
farmer, as also were his father and most of his brothers. He
received only the limited education to be obtained in the district
schools of those days, and was a self-made man, being well informed on
all subjects, both political and religious. He held many offices
of trust both township and county offices, and was a member of the State
Legislature during the years of 1864 and 1865, and was also a teacher in
the district schools the years of 1864 and 1865, and was also a teacher
in the district schools both before and after his marriage. He was
united in marriage to Miss Laura Lombard, Nov. 4, 1841.
Ephraim and wife were the parents of six children - three daughters and
three sons - all of whom are living. The eldest daughter, Olive,
is now the wife of David D. Brooks, and resides in Nuckolls County, Neb.
The second daughter, Dorotha Ellen, is now the wife of J. H.
McKinnon, and now resides in Cass County, Neb. The third
daughter, Virginia Ann, now the wife of John D. Crego,
resides near Sedalia, Mo. Their husbands are all farmers.
The eldest son, Monroe Bidwell, married Miss Martha C. Kreamer
and resides on the old home farm, in the family homestead, where he was
born and raised and where his parents lived for thirty-three years.
Monroe is a farmer and stockraiser. The second son,
Webster Bidwell, who married Miss Sarah Buswell, also resides
on a part of the home farm, and is a farmer. The third and
youngest son, Hamilton Bidwell, married Miss Nettie Spink,
of Wooster, Ohio, and now resides in Lincoln, Neb. He is by
profession a lawyer, Ephraim Bidwell and wife commenced
life without means, but, by their united industry and economy, they
succeeded in securing an ample fortune, consisting of a fine farm of 500
acres, situated in securing an ample fortune, consisting of a fine farm
of 500 acres, situated between the Big and Little Darby.
Ephraim also owned a fine town property and residence near Plain
City, where he resided at the time of his death, and where his widow now
resides. He and wife were firm believers in universal salvation,
and members of the Universalist Church. He was very
public-spirited, and well-informed on all political and religious topics
of his day, and ever ready to uphold the right and denounce the wrong.
In politics, he was an ardent worker and a thorough Republican. He
died July 10, 1881, in the sixty-fourth year of his age, and lies in the
family burial grounds at Foster Chapel, Madison County, Ohio. We
will now give a short genealogy of Jesse Lombard and wife,
parents of Laura E., wife of Ephraim Bidwell; Jesse was
one of the earliest settlers of Madison County, having come here in an
early day, from the State of Vermont, and settled on what is known as
the Darby Plains, where his children still reside. He was a New
Englander. His wife, Olive Carlton, was of German
parentage, her mother being a German. Jesse and wife were
the parents of six children - three sons and three daughters - five of
whom are living. Jesse was a farmer, a firm believer in
universal salvation, and a Whig politically. He died in 1874, in
the eighty-second year of his age. His wife, Olive, died in
1858, in the sixty-fifth year of her age. |
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FILMORE C.
BIGELOW, P. O. Danville, Ill., born Jan. 23, 1848, at
Plain City, Madison Co., Ohio. His parents were Dr. Daniel K.
and Lydia (Custer) Bigelow. He was engaged in farming and
clerking in a grocery store up to 1866; then attended College at
Columbus, Ohio, and began telegraphing in 1867. He was married in
April 14, 1875, to Miss Annie M. Ball, at Clarksville, Tenn.,
after which he settled in Danville, Ill. Has two children,
Edith I., born Nov. 13, 1878, and Pearl K., born Nov. 11,
1880. In 1880, he quit telegraphing and commenced as billing clerk
for the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad Company, which position he
still holds. Mrs. Bigelow's parents were Ephraim and
Sarah (Peek) Ball. Her grandparents were John and Mary
(Grimes) Ball. Mres. Bigelow was born May 10, 1857 at
North Manchester, Wabash County, Ind. |
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NATHAN BOND
BLAIR, retired merchant, London, was born in London on the
present site of Houston & Burnham's hardware store, June
24, 1824. He is a son of John and Jency
Blair, of Scotch and Irish descent. John Blair was
an early pioneer of this county, and a moderate land-holder. He was also
an early resident of London. He traded his town property for a small
farm, on what is known as the "Lower Glade," five miles south of London,
to which he removed when our subject was but nine years of age. There
the latter's time was occupied in tilling the soil and attending school.
When he had secured such an education as the schools of those days
afforded, he returned to London, being eighteen years of age. He served
a three years' apprenticeship as carpenter and joiner, receiving, during
this time, the munificent wages of $3 per month. After serving his
apprenticeship, he commenced jour work, being recognized as a skillful
carpenter and builder. In 1847, he was married to Mary Penny.
To this union was born one son—Henry C. Mrs.
Blair died in the spring of 1849, and the son the following fall. In
the fall of 1850, Mr. Blair was again married, to Mrs.
E. A. Lamb, who had one son—Oscar E. They have
three children—Anna M., Amanda and Harry Nathan, all of
whom are living. The latter is managing editor of the London Enterprise.
At the time of his second union, Mr. Blair was engaged in milling
at Blairtown (named after a member of the family who owned large tracts
of land near there), but subsequently returned to London and resumed
work at his trade. He was engaged at that for the next seven years,
employing from ten to fifteen men. He again bought the sawmill at
Blairtown, and operated it for seven years. He then went to Jefferson
and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in connection with
his brother, J. C. Blair. After some time, the partnership was
dissolved, and Mr. Blair continued the business until the spring
of 1877, when he removed his stock to London. He there carried on the
same business for two years, and then disposed of his stock and trade to
Lohr & Son. Mr. Blair united with the Methodist Episcopal
Church when seventeen years of age. He is a charter member of Jefferson
Lodge, No. 412 (I O. O. F.), and the Republican party. He is an honest,
upright citizen, and highly esteemed by all. |
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A. J. BLUE,
farmer, P. O. London, was born in this State October 31, 1849. He is a
son of Harvey A. and Emily (Bowman) Blue, of
German descent, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio.
Our subject attended the district schools of his native county and the
National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from the latter
in 1871. He then chose milling for an occupation, and accordingly
purchased a grist-mill in London. He followed farming until January 31,
1877, when he married Carrie A. Rankin, a daughter of Albert
and Margaret (With low) Rankin. She fell. heir to 100 acres of land
near London, on which they now reside. They have two children, viz.,
Harford and Emily A. Mr. Blue is a member of the
Baptist Church, and his wife of the Methodist. He is a Republican in
politics. His father was born in 1816, and is still living. His mother
was born in 1826, and died in 1881. |
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T. J. BOLDS,
the oldest boot and shoe merchant in London, and probably of Madison
County, was born in Maryland October 20, 1828. His father, Thomas
Bolds, was also a native of Maryland, and a shoe-maker by
trade. He came to London in 1851, and resided there till his death, in
1864, at which time he was the senior member of the boot and shoe firm
of T. Bolds & Son. He married Louisa Jarman, a native of
Maryland. They were the parents of eight children, two now living.
Mrs. Rachel L Haynes, of Jefferson, and our subject. Mrs. Holds
departed this life February 19, 1837. Our subject was the fourth child
of this family, and has been engaged in his present business all his
life. He was a member of the firm of T. Bolds & Son, at the time
of his father's death, and has since continued the business alone.
Mr. Bolds is one of the oldest and most prominent merchants and
citizens of London, and a man well respected by the entire community. He
is a Republican in politics. He was married, July 18, 1865, to Amanda
F. Bryan, a sister of M. L. Bryan, of the Madison County
Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Bolds are members of the Episcopal
Church. |
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MRS. EMELINE BOND,
whose maiden name was Emeline Phillips, was born in the State of
New York in 1818. She was a daughter of Aaron and Catharine
(Lawson) Phillips, the former a native of Long Island of English
descent, and the latter a native of New York State, of German descent.
They came to Ohio in 1819. They had seven children, all of whom
are deceased but our subject. She was married in 1839, to S. O.
Worthington, of Franklin County, and in 1841 they moved into Plain
City and built the hotel in which she now resides. Mr.
Worthington died in 1853, leaving one child, Wilson S.,
who was born Jan. 29, 1843, and died Jan. 7, 1876. In 1876, Mrs.
Worthington married Hiram Bond, a native of Ontario County, N. Y., where
he was born in 1818. He is a miller by trade, but since 1876 has
been conducting the business of the hotel. |
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DANIEL BOYD, stock
dealer, Plain City, was born in Washington County, Penn., May 1, 1828.
He is the son of James and Martha (Millikin) Boyd, natives of
Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Ohio in 1831 and settled in Canaan
Township. Our subject was reared and educated in Canaan Township,
and has made stock-dealing a life occupation. He has also given
some attention to the wool trade during the past thirty years. He
was married, Feb. 14, 1850, to Mary A. Smith, a daughter of
Samuel Smith. By this union four children were born, viz.:
John S., a farmer of the township; Ella W., who died aged
four years; Dwight S., a farmer of this township; and Charles,
at home. Mr. Boyd is a Republican, and he has held the
offices of Township Trustee, Treasurer and Assessor, and for three years
was County Commissioner. He owns 125 acres of land, in addition to
other property. His wool and stock operations are very extensive,
but operated with care and sound judgment, and the profits from them
have enabled Mr. Boyd to amass a comfortable competency for his
declining years. |
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JAMES BOYD, farmer, P.
O. Plain City, was born in Washington County, Penn., June 5, 1826, and
moved with his parents to Madison County in 1831, locating in this
township in 1852. He was a son of James and
Martha (Millikin) Boyd, natives of Pennsylvania.
Our subject's education was limited to the common schools of this
county. He early began the work of a farmer, and has sine spent
his life in that useful occupation. He owns a farm of 356½
acres of land, near Plain City, where he resides. He was married,
Nov. 20, 1864, to Ann E. Williams, a native of
Franklin County, Ohio, and a daughter of Ebenezer Williams.
They have three children - Emma, James Grant and Robert
Colfax. Mr. Boyd was a Whig until the formation of the
Republican party, since which he has been a Republican. His
grandfather, Col. Millikin, an officer in the war of 1812, was a
surveyor by profession, and at one time owned 2,200 acres of land here.
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ROBERT BOYD, farmer and
stock-raiser, and President of the London Exchange Bank, residence, West
High street, London, was born in Washington County, Penn., October 9,
1824. He is a son of James Boyd, also a native of
Pennsylvania, and a farmer by occupation. He came to Madison. County,
Ohio, in September, 1830, locating in Canaan Township. Col.
James Milliken had located 2,200 acres of land in this
county, in 1829, and divided it equally among his nine children. One
daughter, Martha, was the wife of James Boyd, and
it was upon her portion of the estate (200 acres) that they settled.
They were the parents of four children, all living, and residents of
this county—two sons at Plain City, Darby Township; a daughter, wife of
Squire William Kilgore, of Canaan Township, and our
subject. James Boyd was about thirty-three years of age at
the time of his death. His widow is still living and in her eightieth
year. Robert Boyd was the oldest child and grew to manhood
on Darby Plains, Canaan Township. He assisted his mother on the farm
till the date of his marriage, October 18, 1849, when he was married to
Caroline M., daughter of Valentine and Nancy (Roberts) Wilson.
They came to Ohio about 1810, and now reside in Somerford Township.
After marriage, Mr. Boyd engaged in farming for himself, on 145
acres of the home farm. He then sold his land and purchased 400 acres in
Jefferson Township (now a farm of 420 acres), where he resided live
years. He then removed to his present residence in London. When quite
young, Mr. Boyd commenced dealing in stock, and has since
continued in that business. He is a member of the firm of Boyd
& Byers, probably the largest grazers and dealers in stock in
Madison County. Mr. Boyd has been very successful in life, now
owning 1,380 acres of land, 113 of which is in the corporate limits of
London, and 110 acres constituting the home farm. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church and a Trustee in that body. His political
views are Prohibition-Republican. He was one of the first Directors of
the Madison County Infirmary; has been Township Trustee, and served six
terms in the Village Council. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have been blessed
with five children—Nancy, wife of J. W. Byers, of Boyd
& Byers; Martha A., wife of A. G. Carpenter, an
attorney at law, of Cleveland, Ohio; Albert W., who married
Myrtie L. Fowler, of Wyandot County, Ohio; Caroline M. and Robert
W., the two latter graduates of the London High School. |
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J. C.
BRIDGMAN, auctioneer, London, can trace back his ancestry to
about the time of Oliver Cromwell, in England. He has in
his possession a wood-cut, engraved about that time, and bearing the
following inscription: "Charlotte Lady Middleton,
daughter of the Right Hon. Sir Orlando
Bridgman, Knight and Baronet, Lord-Keeper of ye Great Seale of
England, and Lady Dowager of Sir Thomas
Middleton, Chirkcastle, in Denbighshire, Baronet for ye advancement
of this work, contributed this Plate to whose Patronage it is Humbly
dedicated by R. Blome." It was in all probability his son,
James Bridgman, who came to America in 1640, and is of the "
Pilgrim Fathers " stock. He settled at Hartford, Conn., the same year,
thence moved to Springfield, Mass., and subsequently to Northampton,
N. H. John, his only son, had six sons—John, born in 1674:
James, born in 1677; Isaac, born in 1680; Ebenezer,
born in 1686; Thomas, born in 1688, and Orlando, born in
1701. John, the eldest son, had a son Jonathan, who was
born in Connecticut. He afterward moved to a farm on Moose Mountain, in
the Leming neighborhood, and near Hanover, H. H. He had six sons—Isaac,
John, Asa, Abel, Gideon and Orlando.
These sons were all ministers of the Baptist denomination, and when one
of them, Abel, died, another brother, Isaac, preached the
funeral sermon, and the four remaining brothers acted as pall-bearers.
This son, Abel, previously mentioned, married a Miss
Fowler, a cousin of O. S. Fowler, the great phrenologist of
New York City. He was a laborious worker, and died at the comparatively
early age of forty-four years. His widow subsequently married a Mr.
Bass. Abel's son, Erastus, was born at Hanover, N. H.,
in 1796, and there resided during his life. He was a farmer through life
and died in 1874, at the age of seventy-eight years. He married Mary
Flagg, a native of Massachusetts, and a daughter of Dr.
Bazalele Flagg, a great lover of, and indulger in, practical jokes.
They were the parents of seven children, three daughters and four sons,
three living—Mary Frances, John C. (our subject)
and Nathan C., Adeline, Charles, Augusta and
Mendal are deceased. Mrs. Bridgman departed this
life in the summer of 1868, and both parents are buried near Hanover. N
H., in the old cemetery near the brick church where Abel
Bridgman's sermon was preached. Our subject, the fifth child and
second son of this family, was born at Hanover, N. H., March 24, 1831,
and was there reared. He obtained a fair common-school education, and
part of an academic one. He was married, January 19, 1853, to Lucy B.
Pelton, and, on April 13. 1854, Mr. Bridgman and wife arrived
at London, this county. Mr. Bridgman secured a position as
clerk for W. W. Fellows, in the dry goods liner and remained with
him six months. He then secured a similar position with Samuel Tenny,
and subsequently was with Shaw & Toland one year. He then
purchased a half-interest in the grocery trade of William Smith,
and the firm put out the following sign over their place of business: "Smith
& Bridgman, Genius and Capital Combined" Either the former quality
or latter necessity failed, for the firm carried on the business but a
few months. After engaging a short time in other enterprises, Mr.
Bridgman commenced at London in his present business. This was in
1856, at the beginning of the stock sales in Madison County. Since that
time, Mr. Bridgman has devoted nearly all his time to this
occupation, and his success as an auctioneer is beyond doubt, and does
not need any word from us. "Jack Bridgman," as he is
familiarly called, is well known all over this and adjoining counties,
and his jovial manners, free and ready wit, and common-sense qualities
have won for him the friendship of all. When his father's estate was
being settled up, he generously relinquished his claim to any part of it
to a younger brother who had stayed at home and taken care of the old
folks. Mr. Bridgman commenced life in Madison County
without a dollar in money, and has succeeded in life beyond his
anticipations. His sales of every description during the year 1882
amounted to $350,000. He is a Royal and Select Master in Masonry, and
connected with all the fraternity organizations at London. He is also a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bridgman
had seven children given them four living—Marion Frances,
wife of William Chrisman, of London; Franklin
Ross, with Jennings, Ford & Paxtoa, live stock
commission merchants, Cincinnati; Mary S. and Ollie.
Charles M., Flora and Orlando are deceased. Mr.
Bridgman is a director in the Madison National Bank. Mrs.
Bridgman is a lady of education and refinement, and as jovial in her
manners as her husband. She is a daughter of David M. Pelton, who
was born in Lyme, N. H., November 26, 1804. He was a son of David M.
Pel-ton, Sr., also a native of Lyme, N. H. He was a cattle drover,
and died in 1818. He married Lucy Stone, and his widow
subsequently went to New York State, and married the father of
Millard Fillmore, thus becoming step-mother to the President
of the United States. David M. Pelton, Jr., the father of
Mrs. Bridgman, married Sally Boss, who was born in
Hanover, N. H. They were the parents of five children—Lucy B.,
born May 2, 1834; Isabel F., born August 3. 1840: David C.,
born June 26, 1843; Brewster, born August 23, 1848, and
Franklin R., born August 20, 1852. Lucy B. Bridgman
and David C. are the two living. Mr. Pelton died April 3,
1872, aged sixty-eight years, and his wife February 8, 1871. Mrs.
Bridgman's maternal grandfather was Thomas Ross, who
enlisted in the Colonial army during the Revolutionary war, at eighteen
years of age, and subsequently died at Hanover, N. H. |
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BENJAMIN
BROBST, with Houston & Burnham, hardware,
London, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 21, 1842. He is a son
of Peter Brobst, a native of Berks County, Penn., and a farmer by
occupation. He accompanied his father, Jacob Brobst, to Ohio in
1806, the latter locating in Fairfield, near Pickaway County. Peter
Brobst is yet living and is in his seventy-seventh year. He married
Elizabeth Fellers, a native of Fairfield County. They were the parents
of ten children, seven now living, our subject the only one in this
county. Mrs. Brobst departed this life in 1879.
Our subject was reared on the home farm in Pickaway County, and in early
life "farmed it" for three years. In the fall of 1865, he came to
Madison County, locating at Jefferson. He there engaged in mercantile
pursuits for four years. He then sold his stock and removed to London,
engaging in the sewing-machine business. He remained at that for seven
years, and then clerked for P. C. Cowling for four years. Since
1880, he has been connected with Houston & Burnham. Mr. Brobst
is an influential member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and
Deacon and Clerk of the official board. Politically, he is Democratic.
Mr. Brobst was married, April 7, 1862, to Loraine Culp, a
native of Pickaway County, Ohio. They have three children—Ernest E.,
Sarah E. and Anna F. Mrs. Brobst is also a
member of the Lutheran Church. |
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PETER BUFFENBERGER a
native of Virginia, while a young single man, emigrated to Madison
County, Ohio, and in 1810 located on Paint Creek, in this township, and
entered at once largely into the stock business on the prairie, and was
very successful. About 1816, he fenced in a large tract of these
prairies. He accumulated a large estate, and when, at the advanced age
of seventy-five years, married a young lady. Miss Angeline Hutson,
by whom he had two children—Eugene and May. The former
married a Mr. Crawford, of New York. Mr. Buffenberger died
a few years after his marriage, leaving his family 4,200 acres of fine
land, besides 700 acres which he had previously deeded in fee simple to
his wife. His wife subsequently married for her second husband Mr.
Colburn, and they now reside in New Jersey, and Mary, her
youngest daughter by her first marriage, who is unmarried, resides with
them. About 1810, George Linson, a native of Virginia, settled on
Paint Creek, just below the Buffenberger tract of land. He was
married in Virginia, and came here in very limited circumstances;
entered upon the stock business; was very successful and made money
rapidly, becoming the owner of over two thousand acres of excellent
land. He was the father of five sons and two daughters, of whom two now
survive— Margaret, now Mrs. Shough; and Jesse. The
former resides in Pleasant Township, this county; the latter in Fayette
County. |
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L. W. BURNHAM, of
Houston & Burnham, hardware merchants, London, was
born in Pike Township, Madison County, December 12,1852. He is a son of
Henry Burnham, a native of this county and a farmer by occupation. He
married Eveline Williams, a native of this county. L. W. Burnham is the
elder of five children, and when a young man accepted the position of
Teller of the Trader's Bank of Mechanicsburg, Champaign Co., Ohio. He
remained in this position three years, and then came to London to accept
a similar one in the Central Bank of that city. After three years he
resigned that position, and engaged in his present business with T. J.
Houston, under the firm name of Houston & Burnham. Mr. Burnham is a
member of the M. E. Church, and Republican politically. He was married,
October 5, 1875, to Ella M. Houston, a sister of his present partner.
She was a member of the M. E. Church and departed this life June 6,
1880. |
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MARCELLTIS L. BRYAN, editor and publisher of the Madison Democrat, was
born at Batavia, Clermont Co., Ohio, March 29, 1823. His grandfather,
David C. Bryan, who died July 31, 1829, was born on Long Island in 1771,
and, in 1792, married Ruth Bryan. In 1800, he moved to New Jersey, in
1803 to Williamsburg, this county, and, in 1825, to Batavia. He was
elected a Representative in the Legislature in 1806, but his seat was
contested and given to Thomas Morris, and served as State Senator
from 1807 to 1810, when he resigned to become Clerk of the Courts, which
place he ably filled until his death, a period of nineteen years. His
son, Malancthon A., was then Clerk for some two years. He was born
September 26, 1803, and died March 27, 1832. George S., another son, was
born September 3. 1792, and died November 28, 1832, and his wife Mary
died July 16, 1844, aged forty-seven years. Our subject's father, whose
name was also David C., was born on Long Island, and was quite young when
brought to Batavia by his parents. In 1828, when only nineteen years of
age, he married Miss Mary M. Moore, youngest daughter of Capt. Charles
Moore, an ex Captain of the war of 1812, and an early settler of
Clermont County, from Philadelphia. To this union eight children were
born, viz., Marcellus L.; Francis, wife of T. J. Bolds, of London;
Charles M., of California; Beuiah C., wife of Joseph Kewley, of Richmond,
Ind.; Dr. A. S., of Point Pleasant, Clermont County; Rose, wife of
Mr.
Patterson, of Point Pleasant; Eva, wife of Allen Armacost, of Wayne
County, Ind.; Learner L., a printer in Chicago; and two daughters that
died in infancy. The father was a man of prominence in his community,
and at the time of his death was serving as Auditor of Clermont County.
He was an Old-Line Whig until the organization of the Republican party,
when he became a Democrat. He was held in high esteem by the people and
for many years occupied the office of Justice of the Peace. He died in
1867 from the effects of sunstroke received about a year previous. His
wife still survives, at the age of seventy-three years. Our subject
remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he went to Columbus
and engaged as a type setter on the Ohio Statesman. Before leaving home,
he had learned the printer's trade under Andrew Gest, in the Clermont
Courier office. After remaining in Columbus one year, Mr. Bryan went to
Circleville, but after a year's residence there returned to Columbus,
where he married Miss Martha S. Masterson, a native of Ireland and a
daughter of Prof. John O. Masterson. After his marriage, he went to
Circleville, where he operated the Circleville Herald one year. He then
returned to Columbus and remained there one year, after which he and
John A Kissinger came to London and took possession of the National
Democrat, of which Mr. Bryan soon became sole proprietor, changing the
name of the paper to the Madison Democrat, under which title he has
since continued its publication. While in Columbus, he and four other
journeymen printers established the Daily Reveille, and in this office
the great humorist, Artemus Ward (Charles Brown) was employed for some
time. Mr. Bryan withdrew from the Reveille company one year after its
organization, and six months before it was discontinued. Of his family
of eight children, seven survive, viz., Mary L., Ormand M., Chester E.,
Charles M., Mattie T., Marcellus and Addison. Annie O., the next to the
youngest, is deceased. Mr. Bryan has been a Democrat ever since he cast
his first vote. He served as Mayor of the village of London two terms
and as County Recorder one term. |
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JOHN W. BYERS,
deceased. The first of this name of whom any definite account can be
given was Thomas Byers, who, with his son James, both natives of
Scotland, emigrated from their native country to escape the persecutions
their people were subjected to in that country, and made their home in
Ireland, where they suffered in the siege of Londonderry. James,
with his three sons, Thomas, Andrew and Samuel,
emigrated to America at an early day, with other Scotch-Irish
Covenanters. Andrew settled in Pennsylvania in 1791 or 1792,
where he raised a family of children, of whom one son, James,
married in Fayette County, Penn., and had four children, one son and
three daughters. His wife died, and he was married the second time, to
Elizabeth Watson, by whom he had seven children, five
girls and two sons, John and Moses. In 1807, he moved to
Ross County, Ohio, where he lived nine years. He then purchased land in
Fayette County, and, four years later, finding his title defective, he
was persuaded to relinquish this land, receiving 300 acres in the wilds
of Madison County as an inducement to peaceably give up possession. He
located in Madison County in 1820. His son, John W., was born
near Uniontown, Fayette Co., Penn., May 9, 1800, and, in 1825, married
Matilda Hunter, by whom he had three children, of whom one
survives—Matilda, wife of Samuel Truitt. Mrs.
Byers died in 1831, and, in the fall of 1833, be married Sarah
Painter, by whom he had ten children—Mary R., wife of
N. P. Gardner; Louisa J., wife of Thomas Price;
Missouri, deceased, wife of George Truitt; Joel M., who
married Louisa Fitzgerald; James W., whose sketch appears
elsewhere; John C, who married Josephine Rickabaugh;
Andrew, who married Ida Bidwell; Mary E.,
deceased, and Laura and Kate, at home. Mr. Byers
retired from active life nine years before his death and, after six
weeks' illness, died, February 2, 1881, his remains being interred in
Kirkwood Cemetery. Mrs. Byers' grandparents McGrew
emigrated from Virginia to Westmoreland County, Penn., at a very early
day, but the Indians were so hostile that they were obliged to bury
their possessions and return to Virginia several times, until finally
they resorted to block-houses for safety. He was a surveyor in
Pennsylvania and Kentucky. They had seven children, three sons and four
daughters. The youngest, Rossanna, was Mrs. Byers'
mother. Thomas Painter, Mrs. Byers'
grandfather, had three sons and seven daughters. Of these, Joel,
her father, was born in 1787, and moved to Pennsylvania from Harper's
Ferry, Va.. when he was quite small. In 1809, he married Rosanna
McGrew, and had four sons and two daughters. Of the latter,
Sarah was born in 1813, and when eleven years of age her mother
died. In 1825, her father married Jemima Allen. On March
21, 1826 or 1827, they started for Cincinnati on a family fiat-boat,
arriving April 12, 1832. They then went to Dayton on a canal boat. Soon
after, they returned to Cincinnati, and from there Mrs. Byers
went to Jefferson in a stage. Mrs. Byers was married to
Mr. Byers November 28, 1833, by Rev. Allen. They lived
on a farm, one mile from Lilly Chapel, thirty-eight years,
and moved to London in March, 1872. She joined the Presbyterian Church
in 1832. While at Brownsville, she saw the first steamboat launched on
the Ohio River. It was called the Reindeer, and was built by Robert
Fulton, and was sent to Pittsburgh. Mrs. Byers is
descended from an old family of Quakers who lived in Virginia many
years. The subject of this sketch united with the Presbyterian Church in
1829, being one of the original members in the organization of that
church at London. For over fifty-one years, he continued a faithful,
consistent member of the same church, with the exception of a few years,
when he removed his membership to Jefferson to aid in organizing a
church there. As a citizen and business man, the integrity, loyalty and
generosity of his spirit were unquestioned. As a husband and father, he
was affectionate and self-sacrificing to the last degree. He loved life
and often expressed his gratitude to God that He had spared him to live
so long, but with great composure and assurance he awaited the
invitation to higher joys. The funeral services were conducted by
Rev. J. G. Paterson at the family residence. |
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J. W. BYERS,
of Boyd & Byers, stock-raisers and dealers, London, was born in
Fairfield Township, this county, May 26, 1841. His grandfather, James
Byers, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at an early
day. He first located in Ross County, and subsequently in Fairfield
Township, this county. One son, John W. Byers, was also a native
of Pennsylvania, and was twelve years of age when his father came to
Ohio. He was a farmer through life, and died February 2, 1881. He
married Matilda Hunter, a native of Franklin County, Ohio. Two
children were born to this union, one now living. Mr. Byers'
second wife was Sarah J. Painter, also a native of the Keystone
State. Ten children were given to them, eight living. Mrs. Byers
is still living, and resides in London. Our subject was one of a pair of
twins, and resided in Fairfield Township until twenty-one years of age.
He then engaged in the grocery trade in London, remaining in that
business fifteen years. At the expiration of this time he engaged in the
cattle business with Robert Boyd (in 1879), and the firm are one
of the most extensive in their line of trade in the county. Mr. Byers
is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Council and the Presbyterian
Church. He is Republican in politics, and one year served as Assessor of
Union Township. He was married, January 31, 1871, to Nannie E.,
daughter of Robert Boyd. They have three living children—R.
Boyd, Alice L. and John W. Mrs. Byers is a member of the M.
E. Church. |
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S. H.
CARTZDAFNER, London, a prominent grocer, was born in Frederick
County, Md., April 14, 1826. He is a son of Michael Cartzdafner,
a native of that State, and there reared. He was a miller by trade, and
came to Ohio in 1854. He located at Georgesville, in Franklin County,
and in this county a year later. He came to London in 1860, and there
died in the spring of 1862. Mr. Cartzdafner married Maria
Connelly, a native of Montgomery County, Md. They were the parents
of ten children, six of whom are living. Mother died in April, 1881, and
sleeps beside her husband, in Oak Hill Cemetery, f»ast of London. Our
subject was the second child and son of this family, and, when nineteen
years of age, went to "Virginia, where he learned milling. He worked at
his trade six or seven years, in Jefferson County, that State,
principally at Harper's Ferry. In 1852, he came to Columbus, and soon
after to Madison County, being first employed by J. C. Smith in
the "Old Chrisman Mill," in Oak Run Township. He was in the Georgesville
Mill two years; three years in the Robert's Mill, three miles west of
London, and soon after located permanently in London. He became
associated in the grocery trade with John Jones, the partnership being
dissolved two and a half year later. Since that time Mr. Cartzdafner
has been in business alone, and has met with fair success in his
mercantile transactions. He became connected with Virginia Lodge, No. 1
(Odd Fellows), of Harper's Ferry, in 1849. and since his residence in
London has been a member of Madison Lodge, No. 70, and the Encampment of
the same fraternity. His political views are decidedly Democratic, and
he has been a member of both the Council and Board of Education of
London. He was united in marriage, June 25, 1850, to Mary S. Jones,
a native of Pennsylvania, then residing it Harper's Ferry, Va. Eleven
children have been given them, four living—Anna, wife of Will
H. Chandler, Jr., an enterprising business man of London;
Maria, William and Fannie. Mrs. Cartzdafner is
a member of the M. E. denomination. |
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J. W. CHANCE,
a rising and popular young dentist of this city was born in Clark
County, Ohio, August 29, 1848. His ancestry can be traced back in the
following: Jeremiah Change was an Englishman by birth, and came
to America between 1730 and 1740, locating in Maryland, where he lived
till his death. One son, John Chance, was born near Baltimore
about1762. He married Martha Watkins. One son
of this union, Samuel Chance was born in Maryland, eighteen miles
from .Baltimore, m 1781. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and married
Mary Smallwood, a native of Virginia, and daughter of Dean
Smallwood, and niece of Brig. Gen. Smallwood, of
Revolutionary fame. They were the parents of ten children, only three
living. The father died near Catawba, Clark Co., Ohio, October 21, 1838
and the mother in Catawba March 1, 1870, aged eighty-one years. One of
their three living children is William Chance, the father of our
subject. He was born in Pleasant Township, Clark County, Ohio, July 14,
1815, and is now a resident of Champaign County. He married Henrietta
Jones, born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 21, 1827, and
daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Wooley) Jones.
The latter was the daughter of Stephen Wooley, of
Revolutionary fame, who was the son of William Wooley.
This latter married Margaret Brown, a granddaughter of
Walford Weber, grandson of King William IV,
of Holland. He came to America in 1649, and purchased a goodly portion
of Manhattan Island, now the site of New York City. His sister, Aneke
Jans, left an estate embracing 192 acres of land in the heart of New
York City, and for which the heirs now lay claim. It will thus be seen
that William Chance's wife, the mother of our subject, is
of royal blood, sixth in line from King William IV, of Holland.
She has been the mother of eight children, five living, and two residing
in London, this county, subject and brother, John S., his
assistant. The subject of this notice was reared on a farm, obtaining a
very fair education. He was engaged in teaching school in Champaign
County for two years, and for five years in Jefferson and Deer Creek
Townships, of this county. About 1876, he commenced the practical study
of dentistry, at Columbus, with Dr. R. G. Warner, of that city, a
former resident of London. He remained with him one year and then came
to London. He immediately formed a partnership with Dr. Carter,
which was dissolved by the latter's death, in 1878. Dr. Chance
then took charge of the entire business, and has steadily increased it
until at present he has one of the finest offices in Central Ohio, and a
practice large and remunerative. He is an indefatigable worker, and well
merits the success that has followed his every effort. He is connected
by membership with the Ohio State Dental Association, the M E. Church,
and is a true believer in the principles of the Republican party. Dr.
Chance was married, November 30, 1876, to Allie E. Snyder, a
native of Madison County, and daughter of John and Drusilla
(Ellsworth) Snyder. They have two children—Paul A. and
Ethel, Mrs. Chance is also a consistent member of the M. E.
denomination. |
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GEORGE CHAPPELL settled
near Walnut Run about 1810, and remained a resident of this township
till death. He was a native of Virginia; married Margaret Green:
had four sons and two daughters, all deceased but two—Thomas and
Charles, who are now residents of Illinois. Mr. Chappell
served as a Justice of the Peace for many years, and while in that
office used his best efforts to get parties to compromise, and thus
avoid all litigation, if possible; was a most excellent man and faithful
officer. John C. Jones, though not an early settler of Paint
Township, having settled here in 1844, yet he was born in East Tennessee
in 1817, came to Ohio in 1821, grew to manhood, and has been prominently
identified with the growth and progress of the county from a very early
day. He has served as Director of the County Infirmary, as a Justice of
the Peace, as Township Trustee and other minor offices. He is now quite
advanced in years, having spent a long and useful life, devoted to the
interests of his county and the community in which he has lived. Rev.
William Sutton, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was,
it is believed, born in Virginia, but became a settler of Paint Township
about 1810, locating on the Hume land. He married Hannah
Coberly; resided here but a few years, when, as a Methodist
minister, he had to adopt the itinerant life they live; but the greater
portion of his life was spent in the service of the ministry within
Madison County. He died at Mt. Sterling, although his home and residence
at the time of his death was in London, and there his body was taken for
interment. He was an excellent man and faithful Christian minister
Lewis Higgins. a native of Virginia, settled on the Hume tract of
land about 1811. |
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