Adams County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1900 (part 6 of 8)
From History of Adams County, Ohio, published 1900. 15,956 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
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15,956 wordsMachine-read from scans of History of Adams County, Ohio, published 1900. Nothing has been corrected: fixing what looks like a misspelled name is how an invented one gets published. Source changes are marked where they occur.
was born September 26, 1861, three miles above Manchester, in Adams Countv. His father was Mark Pennvwit, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Cooper. He was educated in the Public schools of the county. Politically, he has always been a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Rome. He came with his father, Mark Penny wit, to Rome on September 18, 1880, where he engaged in business with him until the death of the latter on June 18, 1885, after which he conducted the business himself, which was a saw, planing and grist mill. In April, 1888, Mr. Penny wit's mill and all its contents were burned. There was no insurance whatever and the loss was quite heavy. Mr. Pennywit, with characteristic energ}% built the same year on a somewhat larger scale. He manufactures flour, meal, and dressed and undressed lumber of every description. 53a
He lives in the parental home with his only unmarried sister, Eugenie Penny wit. His other sisters are Artemesia Godfrey, Mary H. Roberts, and Martha J., the wife of E. A. Crawford, editor of the West Union Defender,
Mr. Pcnnywit is a gentleman of the highest character and integrity, and scrupiilrnisly exact in all his dealings with his fellow men, and has the highest respect and esteem of all with whom he cames in contact. He is one of the foremost business men of the county. He and his sister have a delightful home, surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of life, where it is a pleasure for their friends to meet them.
was born January 8, 1840, on Gift Ridge, Monroe Township, Adams County, Ohio. His father was Reuben Pennj'witt, who has a separate sketch herein, and his mother's maiden name was Jane Cooper. His mother was l)orn in September, 181 6, and is still living. Reuben Pennywitt and wife had nine children, eight of wnom are living. One died in infancy. Our subject is the eldest child of his father's family. He attended school on Gift Ridge, and his entire education was obtained in the common schools. His father was a builder of boats and a lumberman. Mr. Penny witt began steam boating at the age of eighteen. He continued in steamboatinpf for a short time, and was engaged in the lumber business until the fourth of July. 1861, when he enlisted in Company I, 39th O. V. I., for three years. He served until the twenty- fourth of August, 1864, when he was mustered out at the expiration of his term of service. He was never in the hospital and was never disabled while in the service. He was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged and never received a scratch.
On returning from the army, he folowed the lumber business in Manchester for two or three years. In 1867, he re-engaged in steamboating, bcj^nnninj^ as a watchman on the steamboat Robert Moore. He has continnccl in tlic same occupation ever since, and has served as second mate, mate, pilot, and master. He was master on steamboats in the Southern trade, notably the Courier and the Stella Wild, and others, for over ten years. He has resided in Manchester ever since the War. Since 1877, he has Ix'en engaged on the Ohio River on the Pomeroy and Pittsburg boats. V\>r the last five years he has been a mate on the Pittsburg and Cincinnati line, on the Hudson and the Virginia. He has been engaged on not fewer that two hundred different steamboats during his career as a steam!)oatman.
He has always been a Republican, and has been a member of the Methodist Protestant Church at Manchester for the last eight years. He was married June 21, 1869, to Miss Matilda C. Fleming, daughter of Alexander Fleming and granddaughter of James M. Cole. He has had three children: Edith C, born May 31, 1870, the wife of F. A. Mc- Conniek of Manchester; Rufus C, born June 5, 1872, a physician in the city of Dayton, located at 134 South Ludlow Street, where he has been four years. 1 le had a daughter. Pearl C, bom July 8, 1878, w^ho died Septeniher 7. iS()i. Our subject has but one grandchild, Rufus, son of F. A. ami I\dith McCormick, born December 9, 1891.
Captain Pennywitt is noted for his modesty and his substantial worth. One always knows just where to find him ; and when found, he can be depended upon. He is as different from the traditional old-time steamboat mate or master, as day is from night. His friend David Dunbar says that one can ascribe all good qualities to him, and then fall short of his real merits. He maintains the high character for honor and integrity set by his ancestors ever since they have been known to Adams County. They would have died for conscience* sake and counted it glory, and our subject is not a whit behind them.
was born on Brush Creek in Adams County just below Jacksonville, near Fristoe's, April 7, 1846. His father was John Platter, and his mother, Mary Davis, a daughter of John Davis. When he was six years of age, his father moved one and one-fourth miles east of Peebles, where our subject resided until he was twenty-five years of age. He obtained a common school education, and in 1871 he engaged in the mercantile business at Locust Grove. He resided there in the same business until 1881, and then he moved to the location of the town of Peebles. He built the first business house in Peebles, being the warehouse now occupied by J. F. Wickerham. After locating in Peebles, he engaged in the grain business for four years, and then took up the hardware business, which he has followed ever since. For several years he was in this business with his brother-in-law, James C. Copeland, but now Mr. Platter has the business alone. He has one of the largest business houses in Peebles and does very extensive business in hardware, farm machinery, wagons, etc. He enlisted in Company I, 141st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, May 2, 1864, and was discharged September 3, 1864. He is a Republican, and as such was a candidate for Auditor on that ticket in 1874, but was defeated. He was a member of the School Board of Franklin Township for several years. He has served as a member of the Peebles Council for three vears, and of the village School Board for four terms. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Peebles, and has been an elder in it since its organization.
He was married to Mary Copeland, daughter of Chambers Copeland, in 1867. Her father emigrated from Ireland, and was among the first settlers in Adams County. His widow, Salome Tener Copeland, is still living. Our subject has five children, two sons and three daughters; Raymond, Winifred, Anna, Susan, and Blanche, all living.
son of Philip and Hermena Pfeifer, was born in Buda-Pesth, Hungary, October 12, 1824, and died Febmary 28, 1899, at Blue Creek, Ohio. In boyhood, he clerked in a dry goods store in his native city, and when the Rebellion of 1847 came on, he enlisted as a soldier in the Army of Freedom. After this he fled to Germany to save his head, and joined the German army. In 1849, ^^ came to the United States and took out naturalization papers in 1856. He enlisted in the service of the United
States, ()cuA)Cr yj, 1861, First Ohio Light Artiller>'. Sergeant of Banerr Iv, ami was honorably discharged October 31, 1864, at Cedar Creek. Va.
He married Laura Jane Freeland. daughter of Edward and Sarah Wales Freeland, January 25. 1859. Shc^was bom July 8, 1841. and died March 30, 1887. There were born to this union Edward W.. Minnie, James A., Fannie B., Frank, who died in infancy, and Clara F.
James A. T'fcifer. born September 5, 1865. son of Samuel Pfeifer. is nr>w in the general merchandising business with his brother-in-law. Albert Jones, at Blue Creek. He is an active, thorough gcwng business man, and the firm is doing a thriving business.
iA Cherry Fork, is a lineal descendant of John Patton, of Virginia. His father was Nathaniel I^atton, of Harsha\nllc, who married 'Ann Thompson, daughter of Daniel Thompson, of Adams County. The subject of this sketch was born on the old Patton homestead at Harsha\'ille, October 13, 1850. Ik'ing of strong and robust frame during his boyhood days, and for over tv/enty years after his majority and marriage, he lived the busy and toilsome life of a farmer. He received the rudiments of an Knglish education, the best it afforded, in his home district country school, and later he attended the old academy at Cherry Fork, in its better days, under the tuition of Professors Coleman and Smith.
r)ctober 8, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Allison, daughter of David Allison, of Spring Mill, Center County, Pa. This marriage was a happy one, uniting as it did two old and respectable families, many of whose descendants are scattered throughout the Ohio Valley, and rea>gnized as active, honorable men and women.
ly the Sprin.u: of 1893, Mr. Patton purchased the farm implement and liardvvarc !)nsiness fand drug store) of Morrison Bros., of Cherry Fork, and removed there with his family, where he now conducts the above named business. From his well known integrity and upright <lealing with men, he has built up a business interest reaching into the conntry f<>r miles about him.
His family consists of Mary Maud, who married Frank E. Kirkpatriok : Maj^f^ie .Anna who married Charles H. Morrison ; Clyde, a promisinf^ youn^ man ensraged in business with his father; and Lorena and Sarah Helen, yet at home.
In politics, Mr. l\itton is a RepubHcan, having held many offices of tnist in his native township. He and his family are earnest supporters of tlio r. V. Congregation at Cherry Fork.
liveryman, of Wer.t Union, born December 28, 1857, is a son of Fredirick rilaiinuT. as the name was originally written, who was a native of W iirtrnihurg. Germany, and who came to America at the age of eighteen \c.n\s. lie tirst worked as a blacksmith and afterwards became a proslurous fanner near the Mt. Leigh Church in Scott To^vnship, this c^nuitv.
John F. Plummer is one of the best and most widely known citizens of Adams County. He was reared on a farm, where he was taught industry and frugality, and after attaining his manhood, he followed the occupation of farmer till his thirty-fourth year, when he disposed of his farmmg interest, and removed to Winchester, at which point he conducted the well known hostelry - the Plummer House - formerly the old Parker House. In November, 1895, he took up his residence in West Union, where he conducts a large livery and feed stable. In 1898, he also engaged in the undertaking business with O. C. Robuck. He is at present a trustee of the Wilson Children's Home. In politics, he is a Democrat of the old Jefferson school, in accordance with his ideas of simplicity, frugality and honesty. He and his accomplished wife, formerly Miss Nettie E. Custer, a near relative of the gallant Gen. George Custer, are both devout members of the Presbyterian Church of West Union. Mrs. Plummer began teaching school at the remarkably early age of thirteen, and was one of the first in her profession until her marriage, December 28, 1887. She is one of the brightest mathematicians in the county. Mr. Plummer is a member of Adams Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 484, of Winchester. He has one son, Harry C, born September 12, 1897.
was born December 16, 1844, near Buena Vista, in Scioto County, Ohio,, the son of Henry Prather and Mary Rape, his wife. His mother was a sister of the late William R. Rape, of West Union.
Our subject was the second child of their marriage. His father removed to West Union, when he was about two years old, and resided there until the year 1865. ^" that year his father, Henry Prather, removed to Manchester. Ohio, and started the daily omnibus line from Manchester to West Union, the first that was ever run, going to West Union every mOrning and returning in the afternoon to connect with the evening boats. William attended the schools in Manchester until the twenty-fourth of October, 1863. when he enlisted in Company E, 91st Regiment, O. V. I., at the age of eighteen years, for a period of three years. ?Ic was promoted on June i, 1865. to the office of Quartermaster Sergeant of the regiment wliich he held until he was mustered out on the twenty-fourth of June following. At the time he enlisted he left the school room to become a soldier. He was a conductor on the street car line in Louisville, Ky.. from 1865 to 1867. In that year, he married Miss Rebecca Shriver, daughter of Joseph M. Shriver, of Manchester. He located there and engaged in the stove and tinware business. He continued in that business at Manchester until 1894, when he removed to Portsmouth and engaged in the wholesale tinware and crockery business under the name of the "Portsmouth Tinware Company," with John K. Peyton. Charles IT. Zeigler and James \V. Oucary, his partners. He continued in that business in Portsmouth until 1898, when he returned to Manchester. Since 1898, he has been a traveling saleman for The James McDonald & Son's Company tinware and metal house of Cincinnati. He has a family of seven children, all living, as follows: Robert M., a dentist at Fort Worth, Texas; William Byron, city sales- man, in Cincinnati ; Mary, the wife of Frank Gilfillen, a contractor, Ihring in Northside, Ohio; Kate, the wife of A. F. McColm, a telegraph operator for the C. H. 8c D. Railroad at Carthage, Ohio; Mabel, the wife of Frank Cady, of Maysville, Ky. ; Grace, the wife oJF Charles C. Burt, a traveling salesman for the Drew-Selby Shoe Company, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and Nellie, who is at home.
Mr. Prather is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Ro\'al Arch Mason. He has always been a Republican. He is a good citizen, respected and highly esteemed by all who know him.
was born in Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1831, a son of Thomas E. Purdy and Eliza Wilson, his wife. Robert Purdy's grandfather was one of the first settlers of New Market, and was a native of Sharon Valley, Pennsylvania. He died in 1888 at the age of eighty.
He received a common school education, and at the age of seventeen began the study of medicine with Dr. J. W. Washburn, of New Market, Ohio, with whom he studied for five years, and in that period attended lectures at Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1858.
In the same year he was married to Ella Santee, daughter of Samuel Santee and Margaret Browne, his wife, and after the lapse of all these years, her hair is still as black as a raven's wing, as it was when the Doctor married her, and she is as young in spirit as forty-one years ago. In 1859, he practiced one year in connection with his preceptor, and in iR()0 IcKatcd in Brady ville. On August 11, 1862, he enlisted as a Private in Company E, 91st O. V. I., and served until February 18, 1863, when he was discharged by order of the War Department. He need not have enlisted as a private, and could have served as a surgeon, but he gave Ills services to the country as an ordinary soldier, though for a part of Ill's service he acted as a hospital steward, being detailed for that service. On his discharge from the Ninety-first, he returned to his home and practice. On August 21, 1864, he enlisted as a Private in Company H. iHj(1 O. V. I., for one year, and served until July 7, 1865. Again he miglit have gone as a physician, but went as a private. We take it his reasons were purelv patriotic.
Tie practiced medicine in Bradyville from i860 until t88o. when he removed to Ells]>errv in Brown Countv, where he remained for three years. In 1SS3. he hxMted in Mowrystown. Highland County, and remained a year. He then returned to Brad^'^'ille, where he has since resided and where he expects to remain till, to use a nautical phrase, after Admiral Dewey, "he is sunk by Death's superior weight of ni',^tal."
I^r. Pnrdv has had nine children, six of whom survive: Marearet. w ifc oi Phihp Flaugher, of Lexington, Ky. ; Mary E.. ^^^fe of Oscar Clu k. of Kokomo. 111. : Thomas. Letha, Edg^ar and Clifton. He is a RopiiMioan and is proud of it. He was Coroner of Adams County from I Sol to 1S03. ^^^^ ^^ proud also of his record as a soldier and well he i^\\\ ]\^ f. r he is the only man we have found in Adams Countv ;v'?o was content to serve his countr>' twice as a pri\*ate when he mijrht rave served it as a surgeon. He is a member of George Bailey Post, G. A. R., at Aberdeen, Ohio, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Bradyville.
The Doctor takes life easy. His record is about made up and he has found nothing in it to be ashamed of. He has been a very useful man; always ready to respond to every professional call, regardless of color, race, or previous condition of servitude, or otherwise. He has done a great deal of good in his community. He rests his religious faith in the grand old Methodist Church, his political faith in the Republican party, and having done his duty as patriot and citizen, with the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius and the faith of St. Paul, he is ready to meet the Last Enemy whenever required.
was born April 4, 1846, in Greene Township, Adams County, Ohio. His father was James Pitts, a native of Lewis County, Kentucky. His mother was Keziah Tucker, a native of Ohio. He was the youngest of four children. He was reared on a farm, and attended the District school. His father died when he was but ten years of age and he was thrown on his own resources. As a youth, he worked on a farm and drove teams for farmers in Scioto and Adams Counties in the vicinity of Buena Vista.
When the war broke out, he was fifteen years of age, but he was wild to go in. He was too young, but he gave his age as sixteen, and was accepted. He served until September 11, 1864, when he was discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. He left much broken in health, and on reaching home had pneumonia, typhoid, and remittent fever successively, and was given up to die. He ran away from his doctor as soon as he was able to travel, and on February 17, 1865, he re-enlisted in Com.pany C of the 8ist O. V. I., his former regiment, and was made company v/agoner. He served until July 13, 1865, when he was mustered out, as the war v/as over. He came home a second time much broken in health, and it took him some time to regain his strength. As soon as he was able, he went to teaming. On May 29, 1871, he was married to Miss Mary A. Young, daughter of Thomas Young, of Greene Township, Adams County. He and his wife went to housekeeping in Buena Vista, and resided there a year. Mr. Pitts was born a trader, and moved to near Rome, Adams County, where he resided for two years, and then moved back to Buena Vista and engaged in teaming and farming. He bought the Flagg farm near Buena Vista, and lived on it until 1878, when he sold it to William J. Flagg.
He then bought the Lorey Adams farm, consisting of one hundred and seventy acres, two miles north of Rome, on the Mineral Springs road, and resided there until 1882, when he sold it and purchased the Solomon B. McCall farm near Buena Vista. He resided there until 1886, when he sold it to Richard Young and bought two farms from Judge Ousler, in Greene Township, in Adams County. He moved on to the one where Jiul^e Ousler had had his residence, and residled there until February, 1890, when he traded his farms for lots in the city of Ports-
He enjoys the distinction of being almost the only man who went into the army at the age of fifteen, and came out at the age of nineteen, in July, 1865, having served nearly four years. He has two children: Elya Eleanor, former wife of Htnry Kept, who has a daughter Myrtie, aged six years; and William, his son, aged fifteen years.
Mr. Pitts has always maintained the most amicable relations with all his neighbors whereyer he has dwelt, and could go back and live pleasantly at any of his former homes. He is of an agreeable and obliging disposition, but he cannot refuse a trade when it is offered; and yet, with all his trading, he has made and saved money; and he is an exception to the rolling stone adage, if moss therein means money. In his political faith, he is a Democrat, but he has never sought or held ofTicc, nor has it sought him. He is a teamster by occupation, and follows it diligently. He is not a member of any church, but believes in the religion of humanity. He tries to meet every duty in life with a cheerful disposition, and so far has succeeded. He hopes to coatinue his biavery of spirit till he shall be called hence.
farmer, residing near Peebles, Ohio, was born July 5, 1854, near Newport, in Adams County. His father was Ralph Peterson, a native of Brown Couty, whose father, Ralph Peterson, came from the State of New Jersey. The name is Swedish, and Ralph Peterson's ancestors came to this country originally from Sweden.
Our subject's mother was Drusilla A. Wilson. Her father, Ralph Wilson, born in Pennsylvania, was in the War of 1812, and had nine brotluTs, all of whom were soldiers in the same war. He had fixe sisters. Our subject attended the common schools of his vicinity and early displayed a thirst for learning. He attended several Normal schools in the 0(Muity, began the work of teaching in 1873, and continned it for ten vears, working on the farm in the Summer months. From 18S3 to 1S85, he was engaged in merchandising at Dunbarton. Ohio, with J. \V. Rogers, under the firm name of Rogers & Peterson. Ill 1SS5. he went to farming on the farm where he now resides, and has followed that occupation ever since. He was Clerk of Meigs Township from iS()j to 1896.
Mr. Peterson is not a member of any church, but believes in the broad relic;i«Mi i)\ 'nimanity. He is one of those with whom it is pleasant to meet and converse, and after meeting him one feels that he has met a fellow man whom it is a pleasure to know. He possesses much magnetism and he aims to (\o g<.xid to all with whom he associates and makes iliose jhts^mis feel he ha> benefited them. He is always readv t'^ 'earn and e(]iially ready t(^ in^part h.is information in a wav to give pleasure to liis hearers. In his politierl beliefs, he is a Democrat. He is a. oitiren. hone<t. industrious and upright, whose life can ahva^-^ He cited for good and whose place in the community is for usefulness. He is a prudent and safe counselor, an obliging and considerate neighbor. As a friend, he is faithful and true. His convictions on any subject are strong and not easily changed. With all these good qualities fully known and understood, he is highly esteemed among his neighbors and in the circle of his associates.
was born at Mossgrove, County Cork, Ireland, November, 1816, where his family had resided for generations. His father, James Quarry, was a descendant of one of Cromwell's officers. His mother's maiden name was Jane Shorten. Her home was at PuMerwick, and often visited by the Wesleys in their visits to Ireland. Rev. Quarry was raised an Episcopalian and was baptized and confirmed in that church. In his boyhood, he enjoyed the advantages of the common school system in Ireland, but later on, when it entered his mind to preach, he was sent to Bandon, where he devoted himself to studying and teaching for eight years. In 1843, ^^ united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and was licensed to preach. In 1844, after the death of his father,* he concluded to emigrate to America, and he left Ireland on the fifth day of May, 1845, in the sailing ship "Virginia," with his sister. They were five weeks on their voyage to New York City. They came direct to Cincinnati, arriving there on the eighth of July. The following December, Bishop Hamlin sent Mr. Quarry to Patriot Circuit. In September, 1846, he was admitted on trial to the Ohio Conference, and from that time on he labored in the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal Church until 1879, when he retired from active work. In this period, he was preacher and pastor in twenty-one circuits and stations, first in the Ohio Conference, and afterwards in the Cincinnati Conference, and that without vacation or intermission. In 1852, while on the Lockland charge, on the ninth of September, he was married to Miss Harriet Elizabeth Bagby, who was a true helpmate and co-worker in all his ministerial labors, but especially in the Sunday School, where her natural talents found their best adaptation and the greatest success crowned her efforts.
In 185 1, and again in 1873, he was located at West Union, the last time remaining there until 1876, when he located at Felicity, in Clermont County.
April 7, 1890, Mrs. Quarry was stricken with paralysis, and, after a short illness, died. The years of Rev. Quarry's life after this event were years of great physical suffering, but filled with hope and rejoicing. His home was one where his hosts of friends loved to go with words of comfort and encouragement. On February 9, he passed away after twelve days' sickness, with La Grippe.
Rev. Quarry was a man who was loved by all who knew him. He was a true Irishman and one of the best types of his countrymen. In his preaching, he was enthusiastic and earnest, and very successful. He and his wife are lovingly remembered by all their old friends in Adams County.
of Wavcrly, Ohio, is one of the foremost educators and one of the best teachers in Southern Ohio. He was bom on the twenty-fourth of January, 1870, the sixth son and eighth child of Stephen Reynolds and Maria Moore, his wife, near where the town of Peebles is, on the old Dunbar farm. His mother was a daughter of Newton Moore, one of the most successful of the Brush Creek farmers. His father was an extensive farmer and stock rai.ser and was very successful in each of those occupations. Our subject attended the common schools near his home until 1887, when he attended the school at Lebanon, Ohio, and graduated in the Scientific course in 1889. He began his career as a teacher in the Fall of 1889, and few have accomplished as much as he in ten years. From 1889 ttntil 1892, he taught District schools in the Fall and Winter in Adams and Scioto Counties.
In the Summer of 1890 and 1891, he taught a Normal school at North T^iberty,Ohio,in connection with Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Summer of 1892, he read medicine with Dr. George F. Thomas, at Peebles. From tjic Fall of 1892 until June, 1895, he was principal of the High school in Manchester. In the Summers of 1893, 1894 and 1895, he taught Simimcr schools at Manchester in connection with Prof. J. W. Jones. In the Fall of 1895, he was elected Superintedent of the schools at Manchester, and served until June, 1899. In the Summer of 1896, he taught a Normal school at Manchester. In the Summer of 1898, he taught a Normal school at West Union in connection with Prof. J. E. Collins. In the Sum.mer of 1899, he attended the Summer postgraduate course at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In the Fall of 1809, he accepted the position of Superintendent of the schools at Waverly, Ohio.
In December. 1895. he was granted by the State Board of School Fxamincrs a Common School Life Certificate. In December, 1898, the same Board granted him a High School Life Certificate. Eighty per cent, of the teachers who taught in Adams County in the years 1898 and 1890 had been pupils of his in the County Normals, or Summer sch(K)ls. In i8()7, he was one of the County School Examiners of Adams County. Mr. Reynolds is a Free Mason. He is a member of the Blue Lodfjc and Chapter of Manchester, and of the Commandery in P(^rtsnionth. Tie is also an Odd Fellow and Knight of Pythias and a inmihcr of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Prof. Roync^lds is a man of stroni:^ personality and exceptional attainments in the branches of learning he has studied. His perceptions aif^ (jnick and keen. He is a disciplinarian and an organizer of rare ability. His inflnence for good, wherever he has taught, has been remarkable. His administration of the Manchester schools has been the 1 riLibtest in their hiUory. While the work in the common branches r.iuler his snoervision was well carried on. he introduced new subjects of stmly and infnsed in bis pupils a love of them and enthusiasm in the pursuit i'^i them. Since bis location at Waverly. he has become largely iiKtnimental in the fcnmding of the Riverside Tri-County Teachers' .\s<Ov^iat!on and is its President.
He has tireless zeal and energy in his chosen profession. He puts his whole soul into his work, and makes the tedious pursuit of learning attractive, delightful and interesting. He possesses strong will, wonderful energy and is full of confidence in his plans and projects. He has a fine constitution and excellent health. He has a sound mind in a sound body and conserves all his mental and physical forces. His carreer as a teacher fairly begun will be one of the best and most brilliant. He is a Democrat in his political principles, believing in "government of the people, by the pdople and for the people."
It was Upon the twenty-fourth day of February, 1870, that Walter Ellsworth Roberts received the first block from Time with which to build the structure of his life. He has not yet built with "massive deeds and great,*' nor with "ornaments of rhyme." Though fully as well has he built with the high prize of life, that crowning fortune of a man, which is to be born with a bias to some pursuit which ever finds him in employment and happiness.
He was the youngest son of a family of eleven children, born to Isaac and Lucinda E. Roberts. His ancestry will be found in the sketch of Lincoln J. Roberts, his brother. His parents, with two children, came from Virginia to Adams County, Ohio, in 1851. They purchased land in the northern part of Winchester Township, where the subject of this sketch was born and where he still resides. His childhood days were spent much the same as those of most boys upon a farm, where many people think that what boys do on a farm is of no consequence. A careful observer would see, as Charles Dudley Warner has so well expressed in his book, "Being a Boy," that "a farm without a boy would very soon come to grief."
His education was received in the District school which he attended until seventeen year? of age. He then attended the North Liberty Academy and the Garret Biblical Institute of Evanston, Illinois, where his standing in his classes was always good, having never received a grade under ninety per cent, in anv study.
He united with the Seaman Methodist Episcopal Church on February 23, 1893, ^"d v/as licensed a local preacher by the Quarterly Conference of Winchester charge in January, 1894. He has twice been chosen to represent liis local church in the Lay Electoral Conferences, the first in 1895, at Hamilton, Ohio, and the next in 1899, at Dayton, Ohio. He has taken an active part in the Farmers' Institutes of the county, having been elected President of one session of the Institute at North Liberty, Ohio. Since 1895, he has been prominently identified with the Sabbath School work of the county, having charge of the
Normal Department, and was the first Normal Secretary elected in the county. In November, 1898, at Riissellville, Ohio, he assisted in organizing a Normal Department in the Sabbath School work in Brown county, and enrolled the first student in that county, Mrs. Sallie Webster, a missionary to Santiago, Chili, S. A.
Mr. Roberts is actively engaged in farming, having an attractive and delightful home on a farm of two hundred and twenty-six acres. He is a constant reader and a great lover of books. His library is one of th^ largest and best in the county, and all who* call at Greenway Farm will be most hospitably received and entertained and find in Mr. Roberts a gentleman of delightful social qualities.
of Washington C. H., Ohio, was born June 7, 1839, at Mt. Leigh, in Adams County. His father was Joseph Rothrock, and his mother, Sarah McKinney. They wore from Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. He grew up on his father's farm, and after learning out at the District schools, attended the North Liberty Academy, and afterwards at Lebanon, Ohio.
For nine years, while a boy and a youth, he was a conductor on the Underground Railroad, and helped two hundred slaves to freedom. He entered the service of his country October 6, 1861, as a Private in Company B, 60th O. V. I., a year regiment. His brother, Philip, was Captain of the company. He was in the battle of Cross Keys and at Harper's Ferry. On June 25, 1863, he enlisted in the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery, Company R, and was made a Sergeant of the company, August 5, 1863. He was promoted Second Lieutenant and assigned to Company I, December 28, 1864. He was mustered out August 2}^, 1865. He took up his residence at Winchester, Ohio, and began to trade in cattle.
On the seventeenth of August, 1867, he was married to Miss EfiFie J. Davis. He has a son, Frank, who is married and has one child. He is conducting a steam laundry at Washington C. H. He has a daughter. Anna, who resides with her father.
In 1884, he removed from Winchester, Ohio, to Washington C. H., whore he has ever since resided. He is a Republican. He was born a Presbyterian and is a member of the church at Washington C. H., and a ruling elder therein.
lie is g^enia! and cordial in his disposition, ready to make friends and able to hold them. He is always interested in young people and desirous that they shall enjoy themselves. He is a man of strong busiiicss intei::rity and great fairness, honest and reliable in all his dealings. 'J'liose who know him best, admire him for his strong Christian charact rr. his devotion io religious convictions and to his church. He is wise in counsel, gentle in manner, devoted to duty and lived his faith nu roliaiu. of 1 K'ntonville. was born in Sprigg Township, December 2Q, 184-'. oil the farm now occupied by Michael Smith. His grandparents, Micliael and Marv Frve Rorsh. were married in Shenandoah Countv,
Virginia, in 1794, and removed to Adams County, in 1796, settling on the above mentioned farm. Michael Roush was a millwright and he built and ran a "horse mill," common in early times. It is remarkable that when Mr. Roush came to Adams County that stone was so scarce that he drove all the way down Suck Run without finding a wagon load for pillars for his house and used locust blocks instead, some of which may be seen under the old house to this day. Robert S. Roush, the father of our subject, was born September 6, 1814, at the old place. He married Mary Ann Hook, in 1837, the fruits of which union were Dobbins, Elizabeth, James Polk, Michael, Thomas H., John H., Franklin P., William W. and George W. Mr. Roush, the subject of this sketch, received a limited education in the common schools of the township, and has given his attention mostly to farming until the last three years since which time he has been engaged in the dry goods and grocery business in Bentonville. He was married October 15, 1863, to Caroline B. McNulty, daughter of Asa McNulty, of Brown County.
The children born to them are Ida M., married to Thos. Sinniger, of Bentonville ; Anna, married to James Sinniger, of Aberdeen, Ohio ; Eliza Jane, married to W. J. Flaugher, merchant, of Bentonville; George C, married to Bertha Shipley (deceased), daughter of Milton Shipley, and Frank, married to Identie Smith. Mr. Roush is a Democrat of the old school;, although he has never taken any active part in politics, preferring to give his whole attention to his business, at which he has been moderately successfully. He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township in iSigQ without any solicitation on his part. Mr. Roush is known far and wide as a man upright in all his dealings and is rated "good** as a merchant in Bradstreet's.
of Blue Creek, was l)orn in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1835. His mother's maiden name was Emaline Whittelsey, of the well-known family of that name in the days of Robert Bruce. In 1840, he came with his parents to the Territory of Michigan, and grew to manhood on a farm in that State. He studied at the University of Michigan, and at the beginning of the Civil War entered the Union Army with the Barry Guards of Ann Arbor. He was with McClellan in the Peninsular Campaign, and received his first wound at Malvern Hill. He had his horse shot under him at Antietam while bearing dispatches from Gen. Bumside to Griffin's Park of Artillery. He was wounded a second time at the first battle of Fredericksburg, and again under Hooker at the same place. In the Summer of 1863, he was on detached duty at Louisville, Kentucky, being no longer fit for field service on account of wounds. Was discharged in the Fall of 1863, and settled in Kenton County, Kentucky, and resumed the practice of medicine. In 1875, he came to Jeflferson Township, Adams County, Ohio, where he still resides and has a large and lucrative practice in his profession. He married Mary J. Taylor, a very intelligent and estimable woman. Thev have no children.
He received a good common school education and worked on his father's farm until his marriage with Miss Ella JackSon, in 1876, a daughter of Samuel Jackson and his wife, Catherine Kirker, of Liberty Township. He has, since his marriage, been engaged in farming and stock raising and is one of the wealthy farmers of Sprigg Township, owning one of the finest farms in that region. In 1897, he was nominated as the unanimous choice of his party, on the Democratic ticket for Commissioner, and was elected in November of that year, which position he is now filling to the satisfaction of his political friends, and the tax payers of the county in general. Mr. Roush is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Bradyville and is trustee and steward of that organization ; and also of Brady Lodge No. 624, Knights of Pythias. He is descended from the Roush family of the old "Dutch Settlement" in Sprigg Township, one of the pioneer families of Adams County.
of Blue Creek, better known as "Buck" Rowley, the "Bard of Blue Creek Valley," is a native Buckeye, having been bom at Syracuse, Meigs County, Ohio, May i, 1858. He spent his boyhood days in Middleport, and when in his teens removed to Pittsburgh, Pa., where he took up the occupation of steamboatman on the Ohio, and later made round trips from Pittsburg to New Orleans. Here he developed that free and easy manner so characteristic of "Buck" Rowley. Here he learned to take care of himself when men became turbulent, and here he learned to love nature, and to appreciate her grandeur, when all was silent, save the plashing of the wheels, as the boat cut the surface of the mighty Father of Waters. In December, 1877, he came to the beautiful Blue Creek Valley in Adams County to visit a brother residing there, and he was so impressed with the region that he determined to make it his future home. A year later he married Miss O'Ella Waters, who shared his joys and sorrows till her decease in March, 1899. She bore him four children, two boys and two girls.
While not learned in books, nor skilled in art, the stronger natural ability of "Buck" Rowley asserts itself in many ways. He has accumulated a competence, is a power in local politics, and has earned some prominence in a literary way.
He is recognized in the volume titled "National Poets of America," by giving space to some of his compositions, and terming him in a biographical sketch, "The Soldier Poet."
of Seaman, Scott Township, Adams County, was bom June i, 1865, in Winchester Township. His great-grandfather, Stephen Roberts, w-as born in lUicks County. Pennsylvania, August 29, 1762. He moved into Fairfax County, \'irginia, when a child. There he married Deborah Williams, who was a member of the Society of Friends. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity.
married and reared families. John Roberts, the third child, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born August 29, 1772. On the thirteenth of April, 1813, he enlisted in Captain Loudon Osborne's Company of the Fifth Regiment, Virginia Militia, and served for six months in the vicinity of Norfolk, Virginia. In the general call of 1814, he was again in the service and saw the British fires in the conflagration of Washington. He staid one month in the vicinity of Baltimore, and was one of the defenders, and had he remained in that vicinity, would, no doubt, have been one of the famous Society Defenders. He came to Adams County in 1835 and died there.
Isaac Roberts, the father of our subject, was born in Loudon County, Virginia, August 16, 1818. He was taught the necessity and dignity of manual labor. As a boy, he was apprenticed to a millwright in Washington County, Maryland, for three years and learned that trade. He afterwards worked at it for years and made money.
On October 18, 1846, he was married to Lucinda E. Wince, of Loudon County, Virgfinia, the daughter of Philip and Catherine Shaffer Wince. Mr. Roberts came to Adams County in 1850. He had eleven children, but he lost two sons and a daughter in childhood. He died in 1885.
Our subject attended the District schools, and attended the Normal school at Lebanon in 1881, 1884 and 1885. He began his career as a teacher in Adams County, and taught, when not attending school, until 1897. He was a resident of the city of Portsmouth in 1896 and 1897 and engaged in the grocery business in the Kendall Building. The business was not suited to his taste and he gave it up. From 1897 to 1899, he has been a teacher. He owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres on Buck Run in Scott Township, where he resides, and the writer having seen it, wonders why he ever left it for the city of Portsmouth, but does not wonder that he left city life and went back to the farm. He has as fine a farm and well equipped as any one would care to look upon. He owns another farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Winchester Township.
He was married May 11, 1887, to Miss Irene Chaney, of Hillsboro, Ohio, daughter of Adam L. Chaney. He has three children, Irving, aged ten years ; Ralph W., aged four years, and Virginia, aged two years. His name indicates his politics. He was named for the two Presidents, Lincoln and Johnson. He is a member of the Methodist Church at Seaman, and is surrounded by everything which could make life agreeable and happy, and if he is not happy, it is not on account of outward conditions. He is a man of the highest character and principles. He was and is a successful teacher, a loyal citizen, and a prosperous farmer.
miller, of Manchester, Ohio, was born June 27, 1847, in Sprigg Township, Adams county, Ohio, son of William and Margaret (Edgington) Roush. Michael Roush, great-grandfather of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came in 1796 with the Pence and Bowman families to established the "Dutch Settlement," in Sprigg Township. Parmenus, son Michael Roush, married Catherine Smith and raised a family of nine
William, the eldest of these, is the father of our subject. He was born April i6, 1824, and was married to Mar^ret Edgington, in 1849. She was the daughter of Azariah Edgington, of Sprigg Township. William Roush has been a very prosperous farmer, and is noted for his liberality in contributing toward the support of the church. He and his wife are members at Union, near Bentonville. The children of William and Margaret Roush are : Laura Ann, wife of D. C. Beam, of Bentonville, Ohio; Nancy Jane, wife of Hiram E. Pence, of Manchester, Ohio; Mary Catherine, wife of Rev. H. Allen Gaskins, of Manchester, Ohio; Alexander, the subject of this sketch; Frank, of Brady ville, Ohio, Commissioner, of Adams County ; Pangbum, of Coyville, Kansas ; Aaron, of Manchester, Ohio ; Robert, of Bradvville, Ohio ; and Sherman, of Manchester, Ohio.
1 87 1, to Olivine Pence, daughter of David Pence. David Pence was drowned while bathing in the Ohio River at the mouth of Crooked Creek. By this marriage were born two children: Harvey, bom September 16,
1872, cashier, of the Burnet House, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lillie, who married Walter Wilson. Mr. Wilson has charge of the coal office of Mr. Roush. Mrs. Roush died July 15, 1878, and on October 21, 1879, Mr. Roush married Mrs. Caroline Ellison, widow of John Ellison, of Manchester, Ohio.
Our subject remained on the farm until 1872, when he removed to Manchester, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business. In 1882. he entered the milling firm of Oliver Ashenhurst & Son, and since 1888 has had the entire control of the mill. Besides the mill, he carries on an extensive business in coal and salt.
Mr. Roush is one of the most enterprising citizens of Manchester, and is always found taking an active part in any project calculated to build up the business interests of the community. He is a member of Hawkeye Tribe 117, Improved Order of Red Men, at Manchester, Ohio. Also a member of %2'j I. O. O. F., Encampment, No. 203, at Manchester, Ohio. In his political views he is a Democrat.
was born April 28, i860, near West Union, Ohio. His father was Thomas Rol)uck and his mother Margaret Haines. He was educated in the common scii<»ls. He is by occupation a carpenter and undertaker.
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and a Republican in politics. He was married to Miss Margaret Simeral, October 30, 1884. 1 fc has been a member of the Town Council, and is at present a member of the West Union School Board. He is a young man, energetic in business and well thought of by his neighbors. He is at present engaged in the undertaking l)itsiness with John F. Plummer, and has by careful and upriglit business methods established a reputation that reaches far beyond the limits of his native county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
was born at Berea, Kentucky, December 26, 1868. His father, William Robe, was a native of Ohio, bom August 10, 1847. He enlisted in Company F, 59th O. V. I., on the sixteenth of September, 1861, and was discharged on August 15, 1862, by an order from the War Department. He enlisted again, December 18, 1863, in Battery F, First Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, and was mustered out July 27, 1865. Our subject's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Burdette, born in Berea, Kentucky, in 1848. He was educated in the common schools and began the study of medicine with Dr. O. B. Kirpatrick, of Cherry Fork, Ohio, at the age of eighteen. He attended the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, in the Winters of 1889 and 1890, and at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the Winters of 1890 and 1891. He graduated from the latter in the Spring of 1891. He began the practice of medicine with Dr. E. M. Gaston, at Tranquility, on the first of April, 1891. On the first of June, 1891, he located at Youngsvilie, Ohio, where he remained until the first of April, 1897, ^^^ ^^^^ Spring he took a post-graduate course at the Miami Medical College. He located at Peebles on the first of Noveml^er, 1897, where he has remained in practice ever since. He was Coroner of Adams County, C^hio, from 1894 to 1897, and was appointed one of the Pension Examining Surgeons of the county in November, 1898, which office he still holds.
As a boy and man he possessed and ix>s3esses a love of good horses. This taste was acquired whilca resident of Kentucky. He has a high sense of honor and justice. In this he much resembles his grandfather Burdette and his kinsman, Sir Francis Burdette, of England, who preferred rather to go to the Tower tlan to make any compromise with wrong.
What success Dr. Robe has obtained has been based upon a course of right an<l duty and not upon diplomacy. His motto has been **not expediency, but right," and he has lived up to it all his life.
Solicitor (general of tlie United States, son of Samuel and Sarah Ann (Kelvey) Richards, was born at I ronton, Lawrence County, Ohio, March I5» 1856. His father, Samuel Richards, - was bom near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1814, and died at fronton, Ohio, June 30. 1891. He was of Welsh-Quaker descent, being a great-great-grandson of Rowland Richards, who was born February 9, 1660, settled in Fredyffrin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, about 1686, and died in 1720. In 1824, Samuel Richards came overland with his parents to Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, and in the forties moved to Lawrence County, where he lived the rest of his life. He was one of the founders of Ironton, being for nearly thirty years the Secretary and General Manager of the Ohio Iron and Coal Company and the Iron Railroad Company and the two corporations which laid out and built up that town. Sarah Ann Kelvey was born in West Union. Adams County, Ohio, October 9, 1827. She married Samuel Richards at Burlington, Ohio, September 15, 1852, and died at fronton, Ohio, September i. 1863. She was the granddaughter of Thonias Kelvey, who was born October i, 1763, married (July 18. 1785) Ann Seeker, said to be a niece of Thomas Seeker, Archbishop of Canterbury, and came to America about 1801. Thomas Kelvey was of Scottish origin, the name being originally McKelvey. Thomas Kelvey was a man of education and means. Coming down the Ohio, he stopped awhile wath Blennerhasset, then pnxeeded to Maysville. Afterwards he moved to Highland County, Ohio, then to West L^nion, Adams County, where his wife died (March 7, 1831,) and was buried, and finally to Burlington, where he died (April 18, 1838,) at the home of his son, John. He was a watch and clock maker. Mr. John Means, of Ashland, Kentucky, has one of Thomas Kelvey 's clocks. Some interesting heirlooms are in existence. Among others a miniature painted of him, prolwibly in l^rance, when a young man, in the costume of that day, with powdered hair. lace, ruffles, etc. Also a parchment certificate of his membership in a French Lodge of Masons, '*La Lodge de L Hpperance," issued May 2, 1791. In this certificate he is described as being twenty-seven years of age and a native of Canterbury, Kent County. England. Thomas Kelvey had four children. John Seeker, born January 21. 1796; Johanna, born November 22, 1798; Thonias, Ix^rn August i, 1801, and Henry, lx)rn October 3, 1805. Johanna Kelvey married John Sparks, December 21. 1820, and died September 15, 1823, at West Union. Thonias Kelvey died June 11. 1831, unmarried, and was buried at Burlington. Henry Kelvey was married, and died May 8, 1834, leaving a son, who is still residing at Granville, Ohio. John Seeker Kelvey married Kerenhappuch Hussey, in Highland County, September 7, 1825, came to West Union, where he lived for several years and where his daughter Sarah was born and then with many Adams County people, moved to I^awrence County. He was a man of superior attainments for tliose (lays, was for years the Recorder of the county and died at lUirlington, July 2"/, 1851. His wife, who was bom July 28, 1809, survived him many years, finally passing away at Columbus, January 2, i89(). Slu' lies by his side in the iUirlington graveyard. Grandmother Kelvey was in many ways a remarkable woman. She was married at sixteen, raised a large fannly, endured many trials, and died at eighty-six, with mental faculties unimpaired and with scarcely a gray hair in her head. She was a direct descendent of Christopher Ifussey (1598-1685), one of the early settlers of Xew Fjigland. who with Tristram Coffin and Thomas Macey. were among the original owners of Nantucket Island. Kerrenhapjnich was also a descendant of the Rev. Stephen Rachiler (i 561 -1600 Whittier's "The wreck of Rivermouth"), who left England for Holland. and after a short residence there, came to America in the year 163 J. He went first to Lynn, Massachusetts, whei^e his daughter, Theodate. who married Christopher Hussey, preceded him. From Lynn, he went to Ipswich, thence to Xewhury, where he lived until 1638, when he settleil at I lampion, where he was installed first pastor of the Congregational Cluircli there. For an interesting account of this Puritan divine, the reader is referred to the life of John (i. Whittier, by Prichard. He mentions ilu' 'Rachiler eyes" as Ix'ing dark, deep-set and lustrous, with a tendency to re]>oat themselves from generation to generations. Daniel Webster and John G. Whittier. who were both descendants of Bachiler, had these eves.
The leading events in Solicitor General Richards* life may be thus summarized: Graduated at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, 1875: graduated at Harvard College, 1877; studied law and admitted to the bar, October, 1879; Prosecuting Attorney of Lawrence County, 1880 to 1882^ City Solicitor of Jronton, 1885 to iSSg: jNIaster Commissioner in the Cincinnati and Easter Railway case, 1885; State Senator from the Eighth Ohio District (Lawrence, Gallia, Meigs and V^inton Counties) from 1890 to 1892; Attorney Cxeneral of Ohio during McKinley's administration,^ 1892 to 1896; member of the Commission to Codify the Insurance Laws of Ohio, 1895 to 1896; of the Second General Assembly of Ohio. 1896; Special Counsel of the f^tate Board of Appraisers and Assessors of Ohio, 1896 to 1898: General Counsel of the State Board of Medical Registrations and Examination of Ohio, 1896 to 1898; Solicitor General of the LTnited States from July i, 1897, to the present time. Mr. Richards was married June \2, 1800, to Anna Williard Steece, of Ironton, Ohio. Two children have blessed this union, John Kelvey, Jr., born at Ironton, April 20, 1 891, and Anna Christine, born at Columbiis, September 29. 1894.
"Jack" Richards is an ardent Republican and has taken an active part in politics since leaving college. lie has been a member of Ward, City. District and State Committees engaged in the active organization and conduct of campaigns. Tie has been a delegate to City, County, District, State and National Conventions. He has spoken for the Republican party on the stump throughout Ohio and in other States. On becoming State Senator, he made a study of taxation in Ohio with special reference to constitutional limitations. The accepted opinion was then that, under the Constitution of Ohio, as it stood, nothing but property could be taxed for general revenue. Accordingly when several unsuccessful attempts, at great exj^ense, had been made to amend the Constitution and enlarge the taxing power, he took the position that no amendment was required, that rights, privileges, franchises and occupations could be taxed under the Constitution as it stood. These views have since been embodied in our tax laws, which have added largely to the revenues of the State and have been sustained by the highest courts. Among these are the laws levying taxes upon foreign corporations, upon telegraph, telephone and express companies, upon railroad, street railway, electric light, gas, water, pipe line and similar corporations, upon sleeping car companies, npon freight line and equipment companies, in fact practically upon all corporations, foreign and domestic, of a quasi public nature, enjoying peculiar franchises. In addition to drafting and sustaining these laws, Mr. Richards drafted the present election law of Ohio, a modification of the Australian ballot system and sustained it in the court. He drew the present law relating to the practice of medicine in Ohio, and as the counsel of the vState Medical Board maintained its validity in the courts. He sustained the constitutionality of the Compulsory Education law of Ohio in the Supreme Court, and subsequently redrafted the law, putting it in its present form. As Solicitor General, he is the representative of the Government before the Supreme Court of the United States and has argued the more important cases which have been submitted to that court during the present administration. Tn doing this, he has had to meet the leaders of the bar from every section of the countrv, but has been iu> less fortunate in the results tlian he was as Attome>' General of Ohio. Notable Miiong die cases now are the Joint Traffic Assodabon case (171 V. S., 505; argued for tlie railroad by Mr. Carter, the leader of tlif NVw York l>ar, Mr. Phelps, Ex- Minister to Eng^land. and Ex- Senator IvdniundS; of Vermont; the case of Niched v. Amis (173 U. S., 509 j, involving tlie validity of the Federal Tax on sales at exchange and board of trade in which Ex-Secretary Carlisle and Mr. Robinns, oi Chicago, presented the o|>position to the law and the Addystoo pipe case in J)ecifnil)er, likpLj, in which tlie Sherman anti-trust law was first applied to an industrial combination.
the subject of this sketch, was born near Lexington, Ky., on the twentyseventh day of September, 1832. His father, Joseph Russell Shaw, was a native of Berks CoiuUy, Pennsylvania, and his mother, Rachel Corns, was a native of Pike County, Ohio. They were married in Pike County, June ao, 1830.
His boyhood and youth, to manhood, were spent mainly on a farm in Adanis County, and his advantages for an education were limited to the Qppurtuniiies oflfered in those days by the Public schools.
liy special diligence and good use of the time usually allowed the farmer's boy for attending school, he prepared himself to teach in the Public siiuxiih. He received his first certificate from J. M. Wells (after ward a prominent attorney of West Union), and taught his first school iu what was known as Gilbert's District, in the northwestern part of the county iu the Winter of 1852 and 1853, He followed the occupation of a teacher of IHdiUc schools and in attending: school until 1861. At the breiikuig out of the Civil War, he was a member of the junior class of Antioch (\>llcge, then unvler the presidency of Horace Mann. He left his stuilics in the early Spring of 1862 and raised a company in Greene County, (>hio. The company was assigned to the iioth O. V. I., and he was chosen the First Lieutenant oi it. On August 7. 1862. he was detailed as .\ide-de-can\>> on eCiU. Elliot's Staff, Third Division. Third Army Corps, on November 14. 1863; he was prt.>moted Captain of Company E, DeceniUr <), 1864 On April J. 1865, he was brevetted Major tor gallant and nieriiori'^us c<nivluct on the ticl<l. This was Gen. J. Warren Keifer's regiment :\n<\ it was in no less than twenty-four battles and enga^ments, beginning with rnion Mills. June 13, 1863, ^^^ ending with Appomattox, April Q, 1865. He was discharged June -j6, 1865, and returned to Yellow Springs. C^hlo, aiul receiveii his college degree ot A. B. From this time until April. 1876, he was engaged in Public school work as a teacher or supcrinteadent till Apr»l. 1876, when he was appointed Superintendent or the ^^hii.» Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans* Home, at Xenia. Ohio. He reiualiicd in this position for two years, until the Summer of 1884^ when hy: \\a> iKsplaccil by a change of the State administration. In the Spring: "^A. he wiis -Mnplc>yed bv the Commissioners oi Adams Coinity ro Mi;»v; 'ulcikI the tinisliing and opening of the Children's Home, which he hy^ '.o iheir entire satisfaction. Ho is now and has been tor some liine 'M^t :he lessee and manager oi the Cherry Hotel at Wasbingtoa C. H. one ,>i ihe !nv.>>t popular hotels in the State. In ail matters for the public good, he is one of the foremost of his city, and is most highly esteemed as a successful business man and an enterprising and public spirited citizen. His political views from boyhood were always very positive and unswerving. His father belonged to the anti-slavery wing of the Whig party. This fact, supplemented by personal observation of the evil effect of slavery on the social conditions of both races, the injustice to the colored man and injury to the material prosperity of the South, confirmed him in his opposition to the institution. At the disruption of the Whig party, he allied himself with the Republican party and has always strenuously advocated its principles. He never sought nor held a political office.
The theological and religious views were Unitarian, and formed along the line of the teachings of Theodore Parker, Edward Everett Hale, Horace Mann, Thomas Hill, and others of like views.
On the twelth day of August, 1852, he was married to Rachel Jane Gutridge, daughter of James Gutridge, a citizen of Concord Township, Highland County, Ohio.
The Hon. John Little, of Greene County, says of him: "There is no better citizen than Major W. L. Shaw. He served his country faithfully and well in the Civil War. As a business man, he ranks among the first."
Gen. J. Warren Keifer, with whom he served, says of him: "He was devoted to his duties as Adjutant General and Inspector General while serving on my staff in the Civil War. He was efficient, intelligent and tireless. There was no better officer of his rank in the Volunteer Army."
was born February 22, 1822, in Richmond, Virginia. His parents were from near Belfast, in Ireland, and were Presbyterians. They had located in Richmond, Va., but a short time prior to the birth of their son, James. In 1827, they removed to Cincinnati, and in 1828, to a farm near Fayetteville. Brown County, Ohio.
James Sloane was raised a typical farmer's son. He worked hard all Summer and attended District school in Winter. At seventeen, he received a severe injury, caused by a log rolling on his side and fracturing his ribs, from which he never fully recovered. In 1839 ^^^ 1840, he taught school in Brown and Clinton Counties. In 1840, he began the study of law with Judg:e Barclay Harlan, in Wilmington, Ohio, and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School in 1844. In 1845, ^^ located in Hillsboro and began practice. In 1845, he was married to Miss Kate White, of Ross County, who bore him two sons, one of whom is Ulric Sloane, the eloquent advocate, now a resident of the city of Columbus, but well known to all the people of Adams County. In 1856, James Sloane was elected a Common Pleas Judge in the Fifth Judicial District on the Democratic ticket, but resigned after one year's service. He felt that he was made for the bar and not for the bench, and while his fellow members of the bar were of the opinion that he made an excellent Judge, he felt that the bar suited him better. He practiced law in Highland, Ross, Fayette, Bro.vn, Clinton and Adams Counties. When the war broke out he organized Company K, J2th O. V. I., three months service.
and w^nt ont as it;; Captain. He was wounded April 20, 186 r, and mn's.tf Ter\ otit July 6, r86i, to accept appointment as Captain in Company K. J 2th ^). W [.. three years' service. He was severely wounded in th^ West V'ir^na campai^. at Scary Creek, July 17. 1861. His health broke down and he resigned November 25. r86i. He soon Ifarnerl. after s^oin^ into the army, that the injury received at the age of sovrnte^n prev^ntf*d him from performing the duty of a soldier and hrnrf his f-nforced retirement. He practiced law in Hillsboro until 1868, when he opened an oftice in Cincinnati, where he remained until 1871. when hf retnrned to f fiIlsl>oro. He died September ij, 1873. ^^ congestion of the brain. Ffe p<^>sscssed high degree of natural talent. His inind was always clear and he possessed great analytic power. He was <apal)le of great and c^^mtinued mental eflFort and seemed to take pleasure in it.
He had a remarkable memory and a fertile imagination. In his temperatiicnt he was warm and impetuous. He was an eloquent and powerful advocate. His success was brillant, but with it all, he was a misanthrope and given to fits of melancholy. He could be a delightfni c<^)nipanion if he chose, but did not often so choose. His last days were clouded by his fits of melancholy and he stood aloof from most of hi.s friends. He is remembered by the bar in the counties before mentioned as a lawyer of wonderful power and application.
Ivinmons ilnchanan Stivers, a son of Lilley Stivers and his wife, Barbara Reynolds, was born in Fincastle, Brown County, Ohio, May 6, 1857. When in his fourth year his parents removed to a farm near Ash Ridge, Jackson Township, Browr County, where he was reared and where he received the rndimcnts of an English education in the District schools. In 1876, he began teaching school as a profession and follovverl it with remarkable success for fifteen years, having in the mean lime taken a (oursc in the Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio, then under the cf)ntrol of Tresident Alfred Holbrook.
Tn 1882-.^. he had charge of the academy at North Liberty, Adams (*nuniy, and in iIk^ Aniunni of the latter year was elected Superintendent of Schools at West Union, receiving the highest salary ever paid in that position. On December 27, 1883. he was married to Miss Ida Mc- Corniick, a tlaiightei of \ViIl»am McCormick, near Tranquility, Adams C<Minty. While a resident of West Union, Mr. Stivers edited and publi^lu'd The hidiw. afterwards merged into lite Democratic hidtw, a new>- pa]>er of wide circulation. He also, in 1885, published his "Outlines of T Suited States History.*' and a hand-book for teachers, titled "Recreations in v^^chool v^tudies," which has reached its tenth edition.
Having nndertak<*n the study of the law in the office of Hon F. D. Rayless, while residing in West Union, in the Autumn of 1887, ^I^- Stiver*? removed to Cincinnati to complete his course, and in 1888 he -was ailniittcd to practice by the Supreme Court at Columbus. Ohio.
Tn i8(X>, his health failing, he removed to his farm n«ar his boyhood home in Brown County, where he now resides, looking after his farming interests, his publications, and his legal practice.
In 1895, Mr. Stivers was elected by the Democratic party to represent Brown County in the Ohio Legislature, and he was re-elected to that position in 1897. In 1899, he was elected to the Ohio Senate from the 2d-4th District, composed of the counties of Brown, Clermont, Butler and Warren, which position he is now holding. From 1897 to 1899, he represented the Sixth Congressional District as a member of the Democratic State Committee. While a member of the Legislature, Mr. Stivers was placed on the most important committees such as the Judiciary, Railroads and Telegraphs, Insurance, Fees and Salaries, and Municipal Affairs.
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the K. of P. His domestic relations are most happy, and he has four bright and interesting children. His son, Ulric Stivers, was a Page in the 73rd Session of the Ohio Senate, at the age of nine years, being the youngest lad ever chosen to that position. He was chosen by the unanimous vote of the Senate regardless of politics, after the customary minority party Page had been appointed by the President of the Senate.
Joseph Patterson Smith, son of John M. and Matilda A. (Patterson) Smith, was born in West Union, August 7, 1856, and received the principal part of his education in the Public schools of his native place. He had a retentive mind and was especially proficient in mathematics and history. From his father, he inherited a splendid memory and a love of statistics, and from his mother an energy and ambition that were characteristic of the man in later years. Like many of his companions, during the Summer months in his youth, he learned the only trade for which an opportunity was offered in West Union - ^that of a printer. At about the age of sixteen, he was employed for a few months in a nail mill at Bellaire, Ohio, but his constitution was too delicate for such an occupation, and it was abandoned. For a time, he attended the University at Greencastle, Ind., supporting himself by labor at the printing case during the evening hours. Subsequently he taught for a few terms in the District schools of Ohio and Illinois.
From early boyhood, beginning with the "Reconstruction Period," Mr. Smith evinced a strong love for politics, and was noted among his townsmen for his knowledge and understanding of the questions at issue, and for his ardent Republicanism, long before he attained his majority. As an occasional local correspondent, he attracted the attention of the editor of the Cincinnati Commercial, and was employed by him as a "special" to travel over the State, in 1876, and write up the political outlook in each of the Congressional Districts. In this manner he became acquainted with the leading Ohio Republicans (of whom Major McKinley was one) and form.ed lasting friendships with many of those who afterwards became noted in history of the State and Nation. From that time, until the date of his death, Joseph P. Smith was a prominent factor in Ohio politics. Almost wholly through his own exertions, Mr. Smith was successful in becoming the Republican caucus nominee and was elected Journal Gerk of the Senate in the Sixty-fifth General Assembly. He was also for a time a Qerk in the Roster Department of the State Adjutant General's Office.
At diflferent times durinj^ the years covering and immediately following these periodsi he edited the Western Star at Lebanon, the Clernumt Courier at Batavia, and the Ne7v Era at West Union. In i88S, he became part owner and editor of the Daily Citisen, of Urbana, which gained a reputation under his management extending beyond the confines of the State. The Citizen was the first newspaper to advocate the selection of Wiliam McKinlev as the Gubematorisfl candidate of the Republican party, and his name was kept at the head of its editorial columns from the day following Major McKinley's defeat for Congress in the famous gerrymandered district, in 1890, until his triumphant election for Governor of Ohio, in 1891. A number of the campaign documents used by the Republican State Committee that year (as were a number in subsequent years and also in the National campaign of 1896) v/ere prepared by Joseph P. Smith. Throughout the period of his control of the Citizen its editorials were widely quoted.
In 1891, the late John A. Cockerill, then editor-in-chief of the New York Worlds tendered Mr. Smith a position on the editorial staff of that paper; but the flattering offer, while appreciated as a gracious compliment, was declined, as he did not want to leave the State. A tender of the editorship of the Toledo, Ohio, Daily Commercial was accepted in Dec, of that year. While serving on the latter paper (in 1892), Governor McKinley appointed him State Librarian. Many useful, rare and valuable works were added to the library during his incumbency of the office. Especially is this true as to works of reference. In May, 1896, he resigned the librarianship to take a confidential position with Major McKinJey, remaining with him throughout the Presidential campaign and until after the latter*s inaguration as President of the United States, March 4, 1897.
It is a fact, which none acquainted with the circumstances will dispute, that no other individual in the State did more to bring about the nomination of Major McKinley to the Presidency than Joseph P. Smith. Such was his love and esteem for the man that his every energy was exerted to the end that his friend might become the head of the Nation. His private papers, covering the years 1893, ^894, 1895 and 1896, now in possession of Mrs. Smith's executor and held as a legacy for his children, show that he was in correspondence and close touch with leading Republicans in every State and Territory in the Union during these years. No young man had a more extensive acquaintance,and none ever made more strenuous eflforts to redeem all political promises. He was a thorough organizer and could see further into the effects of a political move than almost any other person engaged therein. And yet no one ever heard him boast of his influence, or personally claim to have done anything superior to that of the ordinary party worker. His mind was a veritable encylopedia of political information and a magazine of reminis'Micos of the politics and the politicians of the past and present.
friendships among them, spoke only in praise of Joseph P. Smith. Of the expressions used, no more candid and truthful portrayal of his life and character can be found than is contained in this extract from the Canton, Ohio Repository, of February 5, 1898:
"Supremely faithful and loving to his family, combined with his beautiful qualities of heart and brighest of bright intellects, his greatest virtue was his unfaltering loyalty to the cause of which were enshrined his brightest earthly hopes and ambitions.
"Had his physical body possessed the strength to support his indomitable energy in the assiduous application of his remarkable intellect, few men would have equalled him in possibilities of attainment.
'*His fertile head was a vertiable store house. History, ancient and modern, were constant and living pictures in his always lively memory. His brain seemed incandescent with the knowlcdjg^e almost of the world, when ripe occasion made its demands on his resourceful mind. When v/orking in the cause he loved the most, he knew no night or day. Sleep could only come when utter physical exhaustion forced tired nature to assert herself. *****
"He was firm in the faith of Everlasting Peace to come. In Canton, in his tribute to a friend who had gone from earth, he wrote in paraphrase : {
"And yet, many is the heart that grieves, and myriad are the eyes that glisten today upon receiving the news from Florida at the taking away of an intellect so bright and a character so lovely, just as fame and fortune were at his feet in recognition of eminently patriotic service."
was (lie second son of Robert Stivers, and Jane Meharry. Until his eightcrnth year, he lived on his father's farm. Here under the prayeriul guidance of his pious mother, many lessons of patience and economy were learned ; and the foundation for his future successful business career was laid. In 1836, he removed to Ripley, where his faithfulness and uprightness of character soon established for him a permanent place as a business man and a citizen. In 1847, ^^^ began his long and successful career as a hanker : at that time the first bank in Ripley was founded, and for almost fifty years he was intimately associated with the Farmers' National Rank and Citizens* National Bank.
Mr. Stivers was married in 1845 to Miss Harriet Newall McCIain. After six years of married life, Mrs. Stivers died in August, 1851. Mr. Stivers was united in marriage a second time, December 13, 1859, ^^ ^^^^ Catherine Maddox, who proved a faithful and loving wife through years of innisiial happiness and prosperity, and who still survives him. ' The mantle of RTr. Stivers' unselfishness and prosperity has fallen upK>n his two snniving <;ons. John Robert and Frank Alexander Stivers, who are substantial business men of Ripley, Ohio, the latter being now President of tiic Citizens* National Bank, wnth which his father was connected for so many years. As a loving and devoted husband, a kind and generous father, a broad and honest business man and a loyal Christian gentleman, no words of eulogy are sufficient to express the nobility of character off Andrew Jackson Stivers, the subject of this sketch.
Andrew Jackson Stivers came from a long line of Virginia patriots and sturdy Irish ancestors. His grandfather, John Stivers, a native of Virginia, was born in 1764. He served his country in the Revolutionary War, as a member of the Virginia Militia, before he was sixteen years of age. Robert Stivers, father of A. J. Stivers, was bom March 26, 1789, in Westmoreland County, Pa. He served as a Volunteer in the War of 1812, as an Ensign of Lieutenant Daniel Coe's Company, First Regiment, Col. Edward's Ohio Militia, on a general call to Sandusky.
At the time of enlistment, he was a resident of Adams County, having come with his parents from Virginia to Brownsville (then Redstone), Fayette County, Pennsylvania, thence to Ohio, and settled near Manchester. It was here that Robert Stivers met Jane Meharry, and in 1815 they were married in Liberty Township.
Jane Meharry was a native of Ireland, born February 3, 1790, and came to this country in May, 1794, with her father, Alexander Meharry, and her stepmother, Jane Meharry. The family settled al Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in July, 1794, and in April, 1799, removed to Kentucky and shortly afterwards to Adams County, Ohio.
To Robert and Jane Stivers were born four sons and four daughters. Robert Stivers died July 12, 1855, and Jane Stivers died April 10, 1870. Both are buried in Briar Ridge cemetery, this county.
was born August 4, 1825, the youngest son of Willian and Esther Smalley, near Jaybird, in Adams County, on the same farm on which he died, December 21, 1899. He was a farmer all his life and had no ambition for public office. He was a prominent Free Mason. He was married January 24, 1848, to Miss Hannah Parks, who survived him. She was a daughter of John and Eliza Parks, both of Hillsboro, Highland County. He and his wife lived on the same farm for fifty-two years.
They had four children, three daughters and a son, Ora, who resides with his mother. As a farmer, Mr. Smalley was very successful and accumulated a competence. He was very fond of rearing live stock and especially horses. He was an excellent judge of horseflesh. He never held any office except that of Trustee of his Township. He was conservative in all his views and actions.
He was strong in his feelings of either love or hate, but was highly respected in the entire circle of his acquaintances. He could have had a summer resort and village on his home farm on account of its remarkable medicinal and pure water springs, located on it, but preferred to dispense with those improvements and to be undisturbed on his farm surrounded by some of the finest scenery in Adams County.
Alexander Boyd Steen, the fourth son and seventh child of Alexander and Agnes Nancy Steen, a twin brother of John W. Steen, was bom near Flemingsburg, Ky., May 5, 1813. He was brought by his parents to Ohio in
1820, and resided in the same locality, three miles northeast of Winchester, Adams County, Ohio, almost seventy-five years. He was a child of the Covenant, descended from a long line of staunch Scotch-Irish Presbyterian ancestors, who had endured persecution and suffered imprisonment for their religious faith. He was a most saintly man, greatly beloved by all who knew him, and his gentle manner, sweet devotion and absorbing zeal reminded one of the Apostle Saint John. He occupied comparatively a humble sphere in life, but no man in all that region extended a wider religious influence than he. In private conversation, his spiritual insight and heavenly-mindedness was elevating to the soul. His faith in God's Word was unbounded, and the Divine promises were to him, living realities. He was no mere dreamer, thinking of future glory, but insisted upon the faithful performance of the practical duties of every day. He was not a learned man, but was more familiar with the English Bible than many professors of theology. He would quote from memory the verse and chapter of the Bible to substantiate his position upon any subject of conversation. By a fall, some years before his death, he was severely injured in the hips, which largely confined him to the house. He spoke of this afterwards as a special blessing, inasmuch as it gave him a better opportunity to study the Scriptures. He brought up his family of eight children in the fear of the Lord and all became members of the Mt. Leigh Presbyterian Church with which he was connected for more than fifty years. He died at his home near Winchester, Ohio, March 8, 1895, aged eighty-one years, ten months and three days. His body rests in the cemetery at Mt. Leigh. Alexander B. Steen was married by the Rev. Robert Stewart, March 29, 1838, to Miss Nancy Jane McClure, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth McClure. She was bom in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio, September 11, 1821, and died March 18, 1893, aged seventy-one years, five months and seven days.
of Grimes Postoffice, was born March 11, 1838, in the old double log cabin at the mouth of Bayou Manyoupper, below the mouth of Ohio Brush Creek, the last bayou on the trip from New Orleans to Pittsburgh. His father was Richard Stevenson, a son of John Stevenson, a native of Donegal, Ireland, who made his escape to America at the time of the Emmett Rebellion, and built the double log cabin on the site of the old stone house at Pleasant Bottoms, at mouth of Ohio Brush Creek. Richard Stevenson was bom October it, 1798. in the old cabin above mentioned on the old Stevenson farm. He married Sarah Cummings, a daughter of Captain Samuel Cummings, of Lewis County, Kentucky, opposite the Stevenson home on the Ohio. He was a boat carpenter, and for years built flatboats at the mouth of Brush Creek and cordelled them to Kenhawah Licks, where thev were loaded with salt for New Orleans. He lived at the mouth of the bayou till 1838, when he built the present brick residence, now the home of the subject of this sketch. He died Julv 7, i8;s.
Samnel C. Stevenson, the subject of this sketch, followed steamboating on the Ohio and the Mississippi Rivers, and was a captain of vessels for many years. He first married Miss Maggie Lovell, of Lewis County,
Kentucky, January 31, 1866. She died September 2, 1871, and afterwards, (October 15, 1873, he married Miss Joanna B. Shumaker, daughter of the late Captain J. H. Shumaker, of Mason City, W. Va., who was killed by an explosion on the steamer Brilliant, at Gallipolis Island, August 22, 1878. Captain Stevenson has "hove anchor" from Pittsburgh to the Gulf of Mexico, experiencing thrilling adventures that would fill a volume. He is now retired from tlie river, and enjoys life at his home on the beautiful Ohio at Pleasant Bottoms. He is the owner of Wilson's or Brush Creek Island, where persons from the surrounding towns and villages spend the heated season outing and fishing under the direction of the genial Captain.
A few years ago, a party of young men from Winchester camped at Brush Creek Island to spend some time fishing in Brush Creek and the Ohio River. Nicholas Ivockwood, a member of the party, was drowned in the Ohio while bathing, and his companions made futile efforts to recover the body. Captain Stevenson was called on to assist in the search and he discovered the body of young Lockwood rolling on the bottom of the river in several feet of water - the river being low and the water clear. He dived and secured a hold on the body and by almost superhuman efforts conveyed it to the shore unassisted.
The Captain is one of the best known citizens of the county and numbers his friends by the score. In politics, he is a Democrat of the Jefferson type.
of Manchester, was born August 21, 1843, c^n Eagle Creek, in Union Township. Brown County, Ohio. When one year of age, his parents, Spencer Spear and Harriet Coburn, moved to Huntington Township in that county, where he was reared to manhood on a farm. He was imr years engaged in the white hurley leaf tobacco trade and was one of the most prominent dealers in the Ohio white hurley district. In 1893, he removed to Manchester, where he purchases and handles white hurley leaf. Since residing there he has been elected Trustee of Manchester Township and Mayor of the town of Manchester. While serving as Mayor, he instituted and maintained a rigid warfare against the evil doers of that town with the result of a decided change in favor of morality and good order. Some of his decisions and rulings caused much comment at the time but he was sustained in the higher courts.
In politics, Mr. Spear is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Lincoln, in 1864. He served in the 26th O. V. C, and took part in the pursuit and capture of the famous raider, General John Morgan, in his invasion of the North in 1863, an account of which is in this volume. While not a member of any church, Mr. Spear leans toward the Disciples organization, and is a firm supporter of the principles of morality and temperance.
is a prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Manchester. He was bom near Ripley, Brown County, Ohio, August 11, 1838, and coracs of a family of Irish origin, which was established in America about 1750, its representatives settling in Sussex County, Delaware. Captain John Stq)henson, the great-grandfather of our subject, commanded a sailing vessel which made trips between the Emerald Isle and Atlantic ports in the United States. His family lived in this country, and his son William, when a youth of seventeen years, ran away from home to avoid going on a sea voyage with his father.
William Stephenson afterwards settled in Pennsylvania, near the town of York, where he married. At the breaking out of the Revolution, he joined the Colonial army and served until American independence was achieved, after which he removed with his family to Fort Duquesne. now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he resided for several years. About 1793, he joined a party of emigrants destined for Limestone, now Maysville, Kentucky. Among the number was a Mr. Kilpatrick with his two motherless little girls. During the trip Kilpatrick was killed by an attacking party of Indians, and William Stephenson took charge of and cared for the orphans. One of them afterwards became the wife of his son, Colonel Mills Stephenson. The party proceeded to the town of Washington, founded by the noted Indian scout of that day, Simon Kenton. William Stephenson remained in Kentucky until 1798, when he crossed the Ohio and located his land warrant for services in the Revolution, on Eagle Creek, in Adams, now Brown County, where he erected a cabin and passed the remainder of his eventful career.
On reaching manhood. Colonel Mills Stephenson married Miss Kilpatrick, as above stated, and settled on a farm near his father. He was a leading spirit in Southern Ohio in affairs of business and politics, and in the second war with England served with the rank of Colonel, and built old Fort Stephenson, named in his honor, the post so heroically defended afterwards by young Croghan, where now stands the town of Fremont, Ohio. Colonel Stephenson was one of the early Sheriffs of Adams County before the formation of Brown County. He afterwards became interested in the milling business near Ripley, and built and ran tiatlx>ats from that p<:)int to Xew Orleans. On one of these trips he contracted a fever and died at \ icksburg, Mississippi, in 1823. Colonel Stephenson and his first wife had born to them the following children ; Ephriam, who died in childhood ; lilizabeth, who married Thomas Wallace, of Ottawa, Illinois ; Charlotte, who died at the age of twenty years ; Young, who became a steamboat captain on the ( )hio, and who, during the Mexican War. was in the employ of the (xovernment. transporting supplies from New Orleans to Matanioras, Mexico, where he died in 1847: and Lemuel, a steamboat engineer, who followed the river for years. In 1857. he quit the river and o])ene(l a hotel in Catlettslmrg, Kentucky, where he died in
Robert I'rettynian Stephenson, the father of our subject, was born in Ri])ley, ( )liio, June 22, 1801. and died February 2^, 1884. His wife ifice Mary A\*allace ) })assed away August 13, 1883. They were married September 23, iSk;, and had seven children.
Robert A. v^tephenson, whose name heads this record, spent his child- IkhkI (lays at the old homestead, and in September. i86r. entered the Unitcij States Arniv as a medical cadet. He was then stationed at Georgetown. I). C, where he remained until Sc])tember, 1862, when he entered Jefferson Medical College. IMiiladelphia, graduating from that institution in iH(>3. He soon after was made Assistant Surgeon^ and was assigned to duty with the Sixty-ninth Regiment, Ohio Volunteers, then at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He thus served, until May, 1865, when he was commissioned Surgeon and almost immediately afterwards appointed Brigadier Surgeon by General George P. Buell. At the close of the war, he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 25, 1865. While in front of Atlanta, on the twelfth of August, 1864, he was severely wounded in the head by a piece of shell, and yet suflfcrs from the injury. He was present at all the engagements in which the Sixty-ninth Regiment participated after April 20, 1863, and did much good service in healing the wounds and allaying the pains of those that rebel lead had injured. At the close of the war, Dr. Stephenson returned to the private practice of his profession, locating in Bentonville, Adams County, where he remained until 1873. In that year he removed to Manchester, where he has resided ever since, engaged in the successful labors of his chosen profession.
In politics the Doctor has always been a Jeffersonian DemcKrat, and when Cleveland became President, was appointed by him United States Examining Surgeon on the r>oard of Pension Examiners for Adams County, serving until 1889. He was again appointed to the position in 1893, during President Cleveland's second administration. On November 7, 1899, he was elected Auditor of Adams County on the Democratic ticket, and now holds that responsible position.
The Doctor was married October 27, 1867, to Miss Arcada Hopkins, daughter of William E. and Eliza (Brittingham) Hopkins. . They had bom to them William Prettyman, July 31, 1868; Mary, August 26, 1872; Robert Ellison, July 17, 1879, who was accidentally killed while duck hunting on Brush Creek Island, December 29, 1897; and Ralph, born Mav 16, 1884.
The Doctor is a member of the Masonic and Knights of Pythias Lodges, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of George Collings Post, No. 432. G. A. R. He is a close student of his profession, an untiring worker, and his abilities, both natural and acquired, have placed him in the front rank among his professional nrethren in Adams County. In stature, he is alxwe the medium, strongly knit frame, inclined to corpulency, of vital-sanguine temiH*rament, a rather strong face, and withal good i)ersonal appearance. He is sociable and courteous in his daily intercourse with his fellow men, and active and earnest in all matters pertaining to the advancement of the conmiunity in which he resides.
was lx)rn in P*rown County, Ohio, August 29, 1842. He is the son of William Shelton. At the age of three years, his father moved into Adams County. He was reared on his father's farm and attended the District school.
On the sixteenth of October, i8(:)i, he enlisted in Company F, 70th O. \. I. He was aj)i>ointed Coqx)ral, October 31, 1862, and Sergeant, April 30, 1864. He re-enlisted as a veteran, and was mustered out of the service August 14, 1865. He was wounded in the left shoulder at the battle of Shiloh. April 6, 1862. He was first duty Sergeant after his appointment, and in the last year of the war often had command of the company. He was with Major William B. Brown when he was killed, August
He has always l>een a Republican. He cast his first vote, while in the service, for John Brough for Governor of Ohio. He connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1865. He was elected Recording Secretary of his Quarterly Conference, and has held that office ever since. He was elected Treasurer of Sprigg Township on the Republican ticket in 1895, and served two years.
On (JctolKT 28, 1865, he was married to Miss Lucinda Lawrence, daughter of Jacob G. Lawrence. He has four children. His eldest daughter, Mary, is at home. His second daughter, Edith, is the wife of Henry Scott. His third daughter, Rertha, is the wife of Charles Little. His son, William L.. married a Miss Games, and is a farmer. Both his sons-in-law arc farmers. Mr. Shelton is one of the best farmers in the county, stands well in the estimation of all who know him, and is a citizen of the highest standing.
Provenance
Text from History of Adams County, Ohio, published 1900, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.