Fayette County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1914 (part 11 of 11)

Thaddeus T. Turner went to school to his own father, who was a public school teacher in the district schools of Morgan county, Ohio. His father was an excellent teacher and also practiced law. By the time he was old enough to teach school, Mr. Turner had no difficulty in securing a teacher's license, and then taught school in Morgan county until he was twenty-six years of age. In 1872 Mr. Turner came to Fayette county, Ohio, and taught school in various parts of the county, at one time being a teacher in the high school.

Mr. Turner was married in 1880 to Sarah Dick, the daughter of Charles. and Jane (Hankins) Dick, of Pickaway county, Ohio. To this union three children have been born, Florence, Clara and Orville. Florence married W. Boyer, and has two children, Walter and Wendell, and lives at Good Hope, Ohio. Clara and Orville are still at home and are public school teachers in Fayette county.

The Republican party has claimed the hearty support of Mr. Turner and he has taken an active part in his township and county in political affairs. It is but natural that he should be interested in educational matters, and as: president of the school board of his township he has done au service for the educational interests of his community.

Thomas A. Jenkins

A distinguished veteran of the Civil War and a prominent citizen of Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Thomas A. Jenkins, who is now living on the farm where he was born more than seventy years ago. He enlisted for service in the Union army in the Civil War when he was eighteen years of age and served with gallantry during the remainder of that terrible struggle. For more than fifty years he has taken a prominent part in every phase of his community life, and is one of the most highly respected citizens. of the locality where he has spent all of his life.

Thomas A. Jenkins, the son of Robert and Mary (Iron) Jenkins, was. born in January, 1844, in a log cabin on the farm where he is now living. He was one of four children born to his parents, the others being Mrs. Esther Stoughton, S. W., Mrs. Mary F. French. Thomas Jenkins was the son of Jacob Jenkins, a native of Rockbridge county, Virginia. When he was a young man Jacob Jenkins came to Fayette county, Ohio, where he was drafted for service in the War of 1812, but the war closed and he did not. have a chance to serve. He and his wife were the parents of six children, Hiram, John, Jacob, Mrs. Catherine Corbett, Willis and Elizabeth.

father's farm until he was eighteen years of age. He then enlisted on August 8, 1862, as a member of Company C, Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and participated in many of the bloodiest battles of the war, among them being the following: Stone River, Chickamauga, Dalton, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Burnt Hickory and Jonesboro. He was wounded in one battle and for some time was laid up in a hospital, but finally recovered and rejoined his regiment before the close of the war. He has always taken a great interest in the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Washington C. H. and been active in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. Mr. Jenkins was never married. Politically, he is a stanch Republican and has been active in local political matters. He has served as road supervisor of his township, and also as school director. Mr. Jenkins is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and forty-eight acres on the Jeffersonville and Washington C. H. pike, where he has spent the last fifty years. He is still enjoying good health and is highly regarded by everyone who knows him.

James W. Fitchthorn

A distinguished veteran of the Civil War and a substantial farmer of Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio, is James W. Fitchthorn, who has lived his entire life in the township where he is now residing. He is a son of Louis and Anna (Hage) Fitchthorn. Louis Fitchthorn was the son of Phillip and Magdalene (Harpoe) Fitchthorn, and was born in Franklin county, Virginia, in 1808. Phillip Fitchthorn was in the War of 1812 and settled in Fayette county some years before his death. Louis Fitchthorn came to Fayette county, Ohio, from Virginia when he was twenty-one years of age, although he had previously stopped for a short time in Ross county, Ohio.

James W. Fitchthorn was educated in a rude log school house in his home neighborhood, and worked upon the home farm until he was nineteen years of age. He then enlisted in the Ninetieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served for the Union until the close of the war. He has taken an active interest in the Grand Army of the Republic Post, and is now the commander of the post at Millersville, the S. M. Yoeman Post.

Fraternally, Mr. Fitchthorn is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons. He has long been identified with the Republican party in politics and has served for more than forty years as trustee of his township. It is possible that this record has never been equalled in the township, and is certainly a tribute to his efficiency as a public servant. No one in the community stands higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than Mr. Fitchthorn, and his everyday life has been such as to merit the universal esteem in which he is

James Riley Vannorsdall

One of the most extensive farmers of Fayette county, Ohio, is James Riley Vannorsdall, who was born more than eighty-three years ago in the township where he is now living. In fact, his whole career has been spent in the same locality and this long residence has endeared him to everyone in the township. As a farmer he has met with remarkable success; as a publicspirited citizen he has done his full duty; as a neighbor he has fully measured up to the highest standard. Such men lend stability to the community in which they live, and it is a pleasure to record the life of this sterling pioneer in the biographical annals of his county.

James R. Vannorsdall, the son of Garrett and Rosannah (Gray) Vannorsdall, was born in Jefferson township, Fayette county, Ohio, September 10, 1831. His father was the son of Abraham and Abigail (Johnson) Vannorsdall, natives and life-long residents of Virginia. Garrett Vannorsdall came from Berkeley county, Virginia, when a young man and located in Fayette county in Jefferson township. He and his wife were the pars of two children, James R. and Mrs. Sarah A. Gossard.

Mr. Vannorsdall received a very limited education, owing to the meager school facilities of his day. However, he was very much interested in education and by diligent study at home, qualified himself as a public school teacher. He taught school for a few years in his younger days and after his marriage at the age of twenty-two began to farm. He started out by renting eighty acres and later bought a farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, and with this small farm began a career which has seldom been equalled in Fayette county. Year after year found him more prosperous and able to add to his 'holdings, until at the present time he is the owner of sixteen hundred acres of fine farming land in Fayette and Greene counties. Two hundred and ten acres of his land is in Paint township, fifty acres in Greene county, 'and the rest in Jefferson township. It is needless to say that he has been progressive and enterprising in all of his business transactions, for his extensive land holdings are a sufficient proof that he has been very successful.

Mr. Vannorsdall was married September 4, 1853, to Susannah Horney, the daughter of Jefferson and Margaret (Griffith) Horney, and to this union twelve children have been born.

The family are all members of the Methodist Protestant church and have always been generous contributors to its maintenance. Mr. Vannorsdall is a heavy stockholder and a director in the Farmers Bank. Several years ago he was president of this bank, but on account of advancing age, retired from the active management of its affairs.

A self-made farmer and enterprising citizen of Paint township, Fayette county, Ohio, is Ford Ervin, who has a fine farm of one hundred and twentyfive acres on the Ervin pike, about twelve miles north of Washington C. H. He was born July 2, 1874, in Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Clara (Carr) Ervin. William Ervin was the son of Joel Ervin and was a native of this county. Ten children were born to William Ervin and wife, Ludema, who is married; Smith, deceased; Orpha, deceased, who was the wife of A. D. Lukens, and the mother of one son, Roy; Gertrude, who is married; Bethards, "Gi Sedalia, Ohio; 'O. W.; A. -O.,°%a physician and surgeon of New Holland, Ohio; Ford, whose history is here presented; L. L., who is farming the old home place in Madison county ; Addie, deceased, who was the wife of Mr. Duff, and left one daughter, Laurel; Clara, who is still at home.

Ford Ervin was educated in the district schools of Madison county and later attended the South Solon high school in the same county. He worked with his father on the home farm until he was married at the age of twentysix, when he and his brother bought a farm of twenty acres and began to farm it in partnership. A few years later he disposed of his interest in this farm and bought his present farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres. Heis a progressive young farmer and is deserving of much credit for the success' which has come to him.

Politically, Mr. Ervin is a Republican, but has never been active in political matters. He and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

There was born in Jasper township, Fayette county, Ohio, seventy-seven years ago, a lad who was destined to become one of the most substantial men of his township. Born in a rude log cabin near the present village of Octa, Thomas Harper, a gallant soldier of the Civil War and one of the largest land owners of Jasper township, has lived such a life as to merit the hearty esteem and respect with which he is held by every one with whom he is acquainted. His father was one of the early pioneers of this county and a worthy citizen who was deeply interested in the welfare of his community. It is needless to state that the man who accumulates a farm of seven hundred acres solely through his initiative and effort is deserving of a great. amount of credit. It takes close economy, good business methods and management as well as incessant industry to bring this about and these have been the characteristics which have marked the career of Mr. Harper. He still retains an unusual amount of energy, and although he is now seventyseven years of age, he worked in the harvest fields in the summer of 1914, performing a very satisfactory day's work. It is such men who have made this county what it is today.

Thomas Harper, the son of James and Christina (Rankin) Harper, was. born September 10, 1837, in a log cabin in Jasper township. His father was born in Virginia and came with his parents, also natives of Virginia, to Fayette county, Ohio, shortly after its organization in 1810. James Harper died in 1848 when Thomas was a lad of eleven years of age, leaving his widow with a family of six children, Mrs. Mahala Allen, Thomas, John, Mrs. Barbara Pierson, Mrs. Elizabeth Allen and Cyrus. Of these children, John and Barbara are deceased, while the others are still living.

Thomas Harper received the limited education which was afforded by the primitive schools of his day, although he was fortunate in being able to: attend a select school in his home neighborhood. He was married before the Civil War and started in life on a farm of forty-three acres, most of which was covered with brush and water. From this small beginning he has.

risen to a prominence which justifies his inclusion among the most substantial men of the township. His extensive land holdings of seven hundred acres bear ample witness of the prosperity which has attended his efforts and show that he is a man of more than ordinary ability. During the Civil War he and his brother, Cyrus, enlisted in the service of their country. Cyrus was a member of the cavalry branch of the service, and Thomas was a member of Company G, One Hundred Sixty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served one year and then returned to his farm where he has since resided.

Mr. Harper was married in 1859 to Rachel Hargrove, the daughter of Hubert and Millie (Oliver) Hargrove, and to this union have been born six children, Wallace, James, Charles, Lucinda, Christina and Estelle, all of whom are still living with the exception of James.

Mr. Harper is a loyal member of the Grand Army of the Republic and deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the old soldiers. He and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose welfare they are greatly interested.

Grant Dewitt

One of the most prominent stock dealers of Washington C. H. is Grant DeWitt, who was born in this county during the Civil War. He is engaged in farming, the buying and shipping of straw and has owned and developed one of the best racing horses which ever went out of Fayette county. Still later he engaged in the buying and shipping of cattle and is now engaged in this particular line of activity.

Grant DeWitt, the son of John and Martha (Rittenhouse) DeWitt, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, four miles south of Washington C. H., on the Chillicothe pike, July 7, 1862. His parents, who were natives of Washington C. H., and Ross county, Ohio, respectively, reared a family of seven children: Mary Jane, the wife of James Kearney, deceased; Arvilla, deceased, who was the wife of Christopher Parrett; Nellie, the wife of Charles Bowdell, of Hartford City, Indiana; Grant, of Washington C. H.; Frank, also of Washington C. H., and two who died in infancy, the eldest and voungest, both girls.

John H. DeWitt was reared on a farm four miles east of Washington C. H., in Wayne township, and was a farmer and stock buyer. He owned a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres on which he lived until his death at the age of sixty. His wife died September, 1902. She was a member of the United Brethren church. John H. DeWitt held various township offices and was also county commissioner at one time.

The paternal grandparents of Grant DeWitt were John and. Mary (Barker) DeWitt, natives of Kentucky and pioneer settlers in Fayette county, Ohio, where they lived in Wayne township until their death. They reared a large family of children: Stephen D., Anderson, Darlington, Greenup, John, Jesse, Jane Allen, Rachel Prior, Candace Goldsbury. The maternal grandparents of Grant DeWitt were Tillman and Permelia (Tully) Rittenhouse, natives of Virginia and pioneer settlers in Ross county, Ohio. Tillman Rittenhouse was a judge of the Ross county circuit court for twelve years and also a farmer. He lived on his farm of seven hundred acres all the time that he was serving as judge of the court. Tillman Rittenhouse and wife were the parents of four children, James, William, Betsey and Martha. After the death of his first wife, Tillman Rittenhouse married Susan Shobe, and to this second union five children were born, Amanda, Chlora, Jack, Lewis and Minerva.

Grant DeWitt was reared on his father's farm in Union township and attended the district schools of his home neighborhood. He remained on the home farm until he was grown and then went to farming on his own account, later buying and shipping straw from Washington C. H. Still later he engaged in the raising of race horses. He-owned and developed Lady Lancaster, a native track performer and the dam of six horses who made worthy records on the track throughout the state of Ohio. He finally discontinued the breeding of race horses and engaged in the buying and shipping of cattle and is still engaged in this particular line of business. He moved into Washington C. H. in 1912, and now has a comfortable home at No. 221 Columbus avenue.

Mr. DeWitt was married December 27, 1892, to Sarah Catherine Dick, the daughter of Camillus H. and Alsina Jane' (Arehart) Dick, and to this union three children have been born, Frank Harrod (known as "'Jack''), John Howard and Nellie Rittenhouse.

Mrs. DeWitt was born in Champaign county, Illinois, September 8, 1872. Her father was also anative of Illinois and her. mother of Fayette county, Ohio. Her father died in 1881, at the age of thirty-four, and her mother is still living at the age of sixty-one. Two children were born to her parents, Sarah Catherine and Otta May. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. DeWitt were John and Rebecca Dick, natives of Illinois, who died at an advanced age after rearing a large family of children, William, Martin,

John. Stewart, Camillus H., Mrs..Cass Ann Johnson and Mrs. Jane Grimm. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. DeWitt were Solomon and Sarah Ann (Myers) Arehart, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Fayette county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Arehart reared a large family of children, Amalgah, Oscar, Alsina J., Mary Catherine, Florence Virginia, Clara Elizabeth and Laura May. '

Mr. and Mrs. DeWitt are loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and generous contributors to its maintenance. Ine polities, Mi De- Witt is an independent voter, preferring to cast his ballot for the best men irrespective of their political affiliations.

George Smideey

A successful, self-made farmer of Marion township, is George Smidley, the owner of the "Elmwood Stock Farm" of three hundred and fifty acres. He is recognized as one of the energetic farmers of Fayette county, who, by his enterprise and progressive methods, has contributed in a material way to the advancement of the locality where he lives. In the course of an honorable career he has been successful along the lines to which his efforts have been directed, and enjoys distinctive prestige among the representative men of his community. He is a splendid type of a self-made American and has always borne his full share of the burden of civic life, being the trustee of his township at the present time. |

George Smidley, the son of William and Elizabeth (Boblet) Smidley, was born July 3, 1867, in Ross county, Ohio. His father is still living in Illinois, while his mother is deceased and buried in the New Holland cemetery in this county. William Smidley was the son of Philip Smidley, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in an early day.

George Smidley was the only child born to his parents and was educated in the common schools of Ross and Fayette counties, coming to this county when he was thirteen years of age with his parents. He worked on the farm by the month and day from the age of thirteen until he bought a farm of his own. It was located in Wayne township, Fayette county. He managed this farm for a number of years and then sold it and bought his present farm of three hundred.and fifty acres in Marion township. In addition to farming his own farm he rents an additional one hundred and fifty acres. This gives him a farm of five hundred acres to operate, one of the largest farms under the control of one farmer in the township. The farm is well improved and equipped with all the latest machinery for successful farming. While he raises all of the crops usually grown in this locality, he makes a specialty of stock raising and sells several car loads of stock annually.

Mr. Smidley was married December 20, 1889, to Minnie Whitmer, the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Brittenham) Whitmer. Mrs. Smidley's father was a native of Perry county, Ohio, while her mother was reared at New Holland in Fayette county. Mr. Smidley and his wife are the parents of six children: Mervin, deceased; an infant, deceased; and four. children who are still living, Floyd R., Iva, Roy and Gladys.

The Democratic party claimed the support of Mr. Smidley for many years but he votes now for the man he considers best qualified to fill the office. He is now serving as trustee of Marion township and filling this office to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens, irrespective of their politics. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, while religiously, he and his family are loyal and consistent members of the Christian church. Mr. Smidley has been a potent factor in the civic life of his community and has always taken a prominent part in the development of the best interests of his neighbors. He is a man of pleasing address and easily makes friends. Because of his upright character, marked ability and pleasing disposition, he is rightly classed among the representative men of his township and county.

David Long

A retired farmer of Bloomingburg, Ohio, who has a fine farm of two hundred acres in Madison township, is David Long, who was born in Ross county, near Chillicothe, Ohio. He is the son of John W. and Eliza (Leedone) Long, who came to this county when David was a lad of fourteen. Ten children were born to John W. Long and wife, Drusilla, Dawson, Cyrus H., David, Emma, William P., Allen, Francis F., John and Cora.

David Long attended the schools of his home county and later finished his education in the schools of Fayette county. He worked on his father's farm until his marriage and then began farming for himself. By diligent effort and good management he has accumulated a fine farm of two hundred acres, which is one of the most attractive farms of the township.

have been born, Warren, Willard R., Ruth E. and Glenn. Warren married Mary Hidy and has two children, Emmeline and Jane. Willard R. married L. Snyder, and has two sons, Robert and Ronald. Ruth E. and Glenn are still single and living with their parents.

Politically, Mr. Long is affiliated with the Democratic party, but has always preferred giving his attention to his agricultural affairs rather than taking an active part in political matters. He and his family are earnest members of the Methodist Protestant church, and takes a deep interest in its various activities. Mr. Long has always been interested in educational matters. He has served as a member of the Paint township school board and is now one of the five members of the county board of education.

Frank Dewitt

The DeWitt family was one of the first to settle in Fayette county, Ohio. Peter DeWitt came to this county from Kentucky in 1805, purchased one thousand acres of land on Turkey creek and built the first house in Wayne township, a rude log cabin, which is still standing. The DeWitt family is of German ancestry, the first member of the family to come to this country being Peter DeWitt, who came to America several years before the Revolutionary War. He fought during that struggle and later became one of the pioneer settlers of Kentucky. In 1805 he, with his wife, Jane Bray, and family, located in Wayne township, or rather on land which is now within that township. The county was not organized until 18ro and by that time he had a considerable tract cleared and in cultivation. It is not known how many children Peter DeWitt had, although it is certain that three sons, John, Henry and Gabriel, were the first settlers on the land now comprehended within Fayette county. Each of the three brothers built a brick house on his farm and all three of the houses are still standing and occupied. John DeWitt grew to manhood in this county and married Polly Barker. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and lived to the advanced age of ninety, his wife being past ninety-two years of age at the time of her death. John DeWitt and his wife, Polly Barker, were the parents of ten children, Eveline, Jane, Anderson, Darlington, Decatur, Greenup, Rachel, John, Jesse and Candace.

house, was born in Ross county, Ohio. He was a farmer and stock raiser and one of the most successful men of his township. At the time of his. death, November 8, 1888, he owned four hundred and fifty acres of fine farming land in Wayne township. His wife died in 1906, at the age of seventy-two. John DeWitt and wife were the parents of seven children: Janey, deceased, who was the wife of James Kearney; Arvilla, deceased, who was the wife of C. S. Parrett; Nellie, the wife of C. M. Bowdle, of Hartford City, Indiana; Grant, of Washington C. H.; Frank, of Washington C. H., and two who died in infancy.

The maternal grandparents of Frank DeWitt were Tillman and Matilda (Tully) Rittenhouse. They were natives of Ross county, Ohio, and died in that county at an advanced age. Tillman Rittenhouse was an extensive farmer, a lawyer and a circuit judge for several years. -He was twice married, and by his first marriage to Matilda Tully he had the following children: James, Amanda and Martha. His second wife was Betsy Shole, and to this union three children were born, Jackson, Minerva and Lewis. Cass. He was an educated and brilliant man, a man of marked influence in his day and generation.

Frank DeWitt, the fourth of the family in direct descent to live in this. county, was reared on the same farm on which his great-grandfather settled in 1805. He attended the district schools and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age. He then began teaching school and for fifteen or sixteen years taught school in this county. He made a splendid record as a school teacher, but finally gave up the profession for the farm. He operated a farm in Wayne township until about five years ago, when he moved to Washington C. H., and engaged in the buying and shipping of live stock, an industry in which he has been very successful.

Mr. DeWitt was married on December 27, 1896, in the Arlington Hotel, in Washington C. H., where his father was born. His wife is Cora Lucas, the daughter of William and Jeannette (White) Lucas, and to this union has been born one daughter, Winona. Mrs. DeWitt was born in Union township, both of her parents being natives of Wayne township, and now living in Washington C. H. William Lucas and wife are the parents of seven children, Alcester, Clara, Lelah, Sherman, Cora, Jessie and Orban. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. DeWitt were Richard and Matilda (Rowe) Lucas, natives of Ohio and pioneers in Fayette county. Richard Lucas and wife were the parents of four children, William, Samantha, Martha and Mary.

to Europe. He is well informed on all the current topics of the day and is able to discuss them in an intelligent manner. He is a public-spirited citizen - who is interested in every measure proposed for the benefit of his city, and a man highly esteemed by all who know him.

Joseph M. Arnott

Among the representative men and public-spirited citizens of Fayette county, Ohio, is Joseph F. Arnott, a prosperous farmer of Perry township, a man who has always been deeply interested in the welfare of his community. He has made his influence felt for good in his locality, and, being a man of sterling worth, whose life has been closely interwoven with the history of the community in which he resides, he well merits inclusion among the representative men of his county. His efforts have always been directed along proper lines and in the material advancement of his county, as well as its social and moral welfare, he has always been greatly interested. The well regulated life he has led has won for him the respect and admiration of his fellow citizens and in all the relations of life he has proved a man among men and is well deserving of the confidence which has been reposed in him.

Joseph M. Arnott, the present trustee of Perry township, was born September 2, 1862, in Madison township, in this county. He is the son of Nathan and Mary (Towne) Arnoit, his father also being a native of Madison township. Nathan Arnott was the son of Andrew and Jane (Douglass) Arnott, natives of Virginia and early settlers in Fayette county. Nathan Arnott and wife reared a family of nine children, Mrs. Cory Wilson, William, Joseph M., Mrs. Mary Wilson, Mrs Fisher Leverton, Frank, Mrs. Esther Limes, Mrs. Tirzah Odell and Elizabeth. All of these children are still living except Frank and Esther.

Joseph M. Arnott finished the common schools of Madison township and then entered the high school at Greenfield and completed the four years' course. Until he graduated from high school he spent all of his winters from the age of six in the school room while his summer vacations were spent on his father's farm assisting with the work of the farm. After leaving school he worked with his father on the home farm until he reached the land on the Chesterfield road in Perry township on which he grows all of the grains common to this section of the state. In addition he pays considerable attention to the raising of a high grade of live stock and is uniformly successful in both phases of farming.

Mr. Arnott was married January 21, 1886, to Sarah A. Dwyer, the daughter of Carey A. and Eliza J. (Irwin) Dwyer, and to this union has been born one son, Frank, who married Minnie Pinkerton.

Politically, Mr. Arnott is a Republican and a firm believer in the principles of that party. He has always taken an active part in the political affairs of his township and county, and his party, recognizing his ability as a man and his integrity as a public-spirited citizen, nominated him for the important office of trustee of Perry township. His subsequent election to this important office indicates that he has the confidence of his fellow citizens and his administration of the affairs of the office has shown that this confidence was not misplaced. He is a man of genial disposition and kindly impulses and has a host of friends throughout the township and county who admire him for his good qualities of head and heart.

Charles Herbert -Brow Neel

One of the old and well established business firms of Washington C. H., Fayette county, Ohio, is that of C. H. Brownell & Sons, which was established in this place more than half a century ago. Charles Herbert Brownell, who, with his brother, Henry B., conducts the business, has been a life-long resident of Washington C. H., and during his whole career has been actively interested in everything which has been advanced for the general welfare of the community.

Charles Herbert Brownell, of the firm of C. H. Brownell & Sons, was born in Washington C. H., Ohio, November 24, 1873. He is the son of Charles Henry and Ruth (Barnett) Brownell, natives of New York state, and the parents of four children, Lucy Richmond, John C., Harry B. and Charles Herbert. John C. died in infancy and the other three children are still living.

Charles Henry Brownell was born in Chautauqua county, New York, and was reared to manhood in that state. Upon reaching manhood he became a teacher in the public schools of New York, and later came to Ohio and located at Chillicothe. Here he met Ruth Barnett, who later became his wife, and they were married in her home in Rensselaer county, New York.

Charles Henry Brownell and his young bride came from Chillicothe to Washington C. H. on April 29, 1866, and Mr. Brownell at once became interested in the buying and selling of eggs and poultry. Success attended his efforts from the first and soon after the war he took his brother, David Sherman Brownell, in with him as his partner. They continued together until the death of David in 1892. From 1872 to 1882 the Brownell Brothers were engaged in the retail grocery business, but the growth of the poultry and egg trade was such that they felt that it demanded all of their attention, so they retired from the grocery business. For a period of fifty-two years the firm now known as C. H. Brownell & Sons has been the leading firm in the egg and poultry business in this section of the state. The business has grown by leaps and bounds, and now three large buildings are required to take care of the large trade. The company now has branch offices in Columbus, Ohio, Boston, Massachusetts, and Newark, New Jersey.

The paternal grandparents of Charles Herbert Brownell were David and Thankful (Brownell) Brownell, natives of New York and of English descent. David Brownell and his wife lived all of their days in Chautauqua county, New York, where they reared a family of nine children: Prudence Jane, Lucinda, Benjamin, Charles Henry, Simeon, David Sherman, Harriet and Huldah. The maternal grandparents, John and Jerusha (Sweet) Barnett, were also born in New York and died in Rensselaer, New York, at an advanced age. John Barnett and wife reared a large family of children: Smith, Esther, Sarah, Nathaniel, Mary, Ruth, George, Deborah, Betsey, Alphia and two who died in infancy. Charles Henry Brownell died July 9, 1902, at the age of sixty-seven, and his widow is still living at the advanced age of eighty. They were both loyal members of the Methodist Episcopal church and took a deep interest in its success.

Charles Herbert Brownell received his education in the public schools of Washington C. H., and then entered Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1896. He then entered the employ of his father in the egg and poultry business and later became a member of the firm, to which he has since devoted his sole attention. His brother, Henry Barnett' Brownell, is a member of the firm, which is still managed under the old firm name of C. H. Brownell & Sons. Mr. Brownell is a successful business man and the firm has built up a business which has assumed a place of first rank in Fayette county. He is president of Brownell Sons Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and also president of Brownell Boston Company, of Boston, Massachusetts.

Mr. Brownell was married December 6, 1899, at Clyde, Ohio, to Mabel Huntley, the daughter of George P. and Laura (Kennedy) Huntley. To this union six children have been born: Charles Huntley, born June 8, Igo1 ; Laura Huntley, born June 15, 1903; Elizabeth Huntley, born June 3, 1904; Roma Huntley, born June 8, 1906; George Huntley, born March 7, 190%, and Dean Huntley, born December 24, 1909. Mrs. Brownell has a brother and a sister, A. K. and Roma. À

Henry Barnett Brownell

The gentleman whose name heads this paragraph is widely known as one of the honored citizens of Washington C. H., Ohio. He has lived here all his life and for a number of years has been identified with the commercial interests of this community.

Henry Barnett Brownell, member of the old and well-known firm of C. H. Brownell & Sons, was born in Washington C. H., Ohio, on September 3, 1869. His parents, Charles Henry and Ruth (Barnett) Brownell, were natives of New York state, and they were the parents of four children: Lucy Richmond Brownell; John D., who died in infancy; Henry B., the immediate subject of this sketch, and Charles Herbert, the business partner ot the subject. Charles Henry Brownell was born in Chautauqua county, New York, but left there in young manhood. For a few years he engaged in teaching school and then settled at Chillicothe, Ohio. There he met her who became his wife and they were married in her old home at North Hoosic, Rensselaer county, New York. On April 29, 1862, they came from Chillicothe to Washington C. H., and here Mr. Brownell engaged in the egg and poultry business, on a small scale. He was successful in that enterprise and soon after the war his brother, David Sherman Brownell, became associated with him. This partnership was dissolved by the death of David in 1892. The brothers were also in the retail grocery business for ten years, from 1872 to 1882, when it was discontinued, but the poultry and egg business is still in active operation, as it has been for a period of fifty-two years, having long been known as the leading firm in the specific line in this section of the country. The business has enjoyed a steady and healthy growth and now three large buildings are employed in the local plant. The firm runs a store in

Reverting to the subject's ancestral record, it is noted that the paternal grandparents, David and Thankful (Brownell) Brownell, were natives of New York state and of English descent. They both died in Chautauqua county, New York, he at an advanced age and she in middle life. They had. nine children, Prudence Jane, Lucinda, Benjamin, Charles Henry, Simeon, David Sherman, Harriet and Huldah. The maternal grandparents, John and Jerusha (Sweet) Barnett, were also natives of New York, though of Scotch-Irish descent. They were farming folk, and they died in Rensselaer, when quite old. They had a large family, namely: Smith, Esther, Sarah, Nathaniel, Mary, Ruth, George, Deborah, Betsey, Alphia and two who died in infancy. The subject's father died on July 9, 1902, aged sixty-seven years. He is survived by his widow, who is now nearly eighty years old. They both affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which they were ever faithful.

Henry B. Brownell, the immediate subject of this review, was reared in Washington, C. H., securing his elementary education in its public schools. He then attended Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, where he was graduated in 1890. He then entered the employ of his father in the egg and poultry business and, upon the death of his uncle, David S., his father's partner, he was made a member of the firm and has from that time given his attention unremittingly to the development of the business. His brother, Charles H., is now a member of the firm, which is still conducted under the old firm name of C. H. Brownell & Sons.

Politically, Mr. Brownell is a supporter of the Republican party and has served two terms as a member of the city council and a term as a member of the board of education. Religiously, he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a steward and an active worker.

On the sth day of January, 1898, Mr. Brownell was married to Caroline Heltman, who was born in Ashland, Ohio, the daughter of William G. and Mary (Rebman) Heltman. To this union have been born six children, Ruth Heltman, David Sherman, Mary Helen, Portia Heltman, Henry Barnett and Alice Heltman.

Mrs. Brownell's parents are natives of Ohio and are now residing in Ashland. They have seven children living, J. Halleck, Mary Ellen, Emma, Caroline, Frank, George and Golda. Mrs. Brownell's paternal grandparents,

Joseph G. and Catherine (Goldman) Heltman, were natives of Germany, while her maternal grandparents, John and Fannie (Houseman) Redman, were natives of Pennsylvania, though of German descent.

Jacob C. Smith

The Smith family, now represented by Jacob C. Smith, one of the most substantial farmers of Paint township, this county, was probably the first family to locate in Fayette county on the present site of Washington C. H. Edward Smith, Sr., the grandfather of Jacob C. Smith, was born in Pennsylvania, married in that state and located in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1810, the same year the county was organized. He entered land along the waters of Paint creek, since called the East fork, and erected his rude wigwam in the midst of an unbroken forest. He commenced clearing and improving his land, but suddenly the War of 1812 broke in on his arrangements and, with his neighbors, he volunteered and served in the defense of his country. At the close of this war he returned to his home in this county and took up the task of clearing and improving his farm. Upon returning home one night from the county seat he attempted to cross a creek and was thrown from his horse and drowned. Edward Smith, Sr., married Margaret Casselman, in Pennsylvania, and to this marriage ten children were born, all of whom grew to maturity, married and reared families of their own. These children in the order of their ages are as follows: Sarah, Casselman, Mary, Susan, Rachel, Eliza, Selina, Edward, July and Maggie.

Edward Smith, Jr., was born in Pennsylvania and came here with his parents in 1810. He grew to manhood in Fayette county and married Nancy Kukel, and to this union ten children were born: Mary, Jacob C., Richard, James. Madison, Lewis, John R., Luther, Rachel, William and Noah. Of these ten children, Mary, Richard, John and Luther are deceased, while the others are married and have families of their own.

Jacob C. Smith, the grandson of the first member of the family: to come to this county, was born in Union township, this county, July 20, 1835. He has been life-long farmer and it is his boast that for seventy years he has never lost a summer in the harvest field. He received a very meager education, since the schools of his day were limited in their instruction. He remained at home until twenty-five years of age and then began renting land from his father. He moved upon his present farm, five miles north of Washington C. H., in 1873, and has now lived upon it more than forty years. As he las prospered from year to year he has added to his land holdings and now owns three separate farms, aggregating three hundred and four acres. One farm of one hundred and twenty-four acres is the one on which he is now residing; another of one hundred acres is near his own home place in Union township, while the other farm of eighty acres is in the same township. He has always been a heavy stock raiser, giving particular attention to the raising of hogs, in which he has been very successful.

Mr. Smith was married January 6, 1859, to Every MacLean, the daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Bush) MacLean, and to this union were born seven children: Mrs. Luella Bitsen, who has one son, Willard; Mrs. Nancy Droce, who has two children, Emma and Howard, deceased; Mrs. Ida Baughn; Joseph E., who married Miss Swinehart; Norman, deceased; Mrs. Mary Reed, who has two sons, Loren and Herbert; and William. The mother of these seven children died September 7, 1890. She was a faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Mr. Smith, while not taking an active part in politics, is interested in all matters of local interest, and always lends his influence to aid in promoting the good of the community in which he has resided so long.

James W. Campbell

A successful tiller of the soil is James W. Campbell, now farming the Humphrey Jones estate of three hundred acres in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio. Although not a native of this county, yet his many years of residence here have served to identify him with the various interests of the county. He is progressive in his agricultural methods and by good management and the proper application of the latest and most improved methods has become recognized as a good example of the twentieth century farmer.

James W. Campbell, the son of David and Susannah (Iman) Campbell, was born April 9, 1864, in Ross county, Ohio, near Bainbridge. David Campbell, the son of George Campbell, was born near Waverley, Ohio, and was one of nine children. David Campbell and wife reared a family of nine children, George, John, Jacob, Hezekiah, William, Kate, Nancy, James W.

James W. Campbell was educated in the common schools of Pike county, 'Ohio, and from his earliest boyhood days has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. He married at the age of eighteen and since that time has worked for various farmers. He worked for Martin Groves for eleven years and then spent two years in the service of William Rogers. He then worked two years for Allan Peters, a year for Kelly Dixon and then a short time on the Snyder farm. In March, 1914, he assumed the management of the Humphrey Jones estate of three hundred acres in Wayne township, Fayette county, Ohio, and is now in charge of this large farm. He has kept abreast of the latest methods of agriculture and by a judicious combination of stock and crop raising has become recognized as a farmer of ability.

Mr. Campbell was married January 20, 1882, to Emma D. Allison. To this union have been born nine children, Wilbur, Irene, Susan, Hugh K., Edgar, Porter, Alvin, Grace and George. This family are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Amorig the farniers of Fayette county who believe in following twentieth-century methods in the conduct of their business, is James T. Perrill, of the vicinity of Union township. He comes of a splendid family, one that has always been strong for right living and industrious habits, for education and morality and for all that contributes to the well-being of the commonwealth. Such people are welcomed in any community, for they are empire builders and as such have pushed the frontier of civilization ever westward and onward, leaving the green, wide-reaching wilderness and the far-stretching plains populous with contented people and beautiful with green fields and thriving villages and cities.

James T. Perrill, known as one of the most thorough and painstaking farmers of this section, living on his homestead of two hundred acres located about three and one-half miles from Washington C. H., first saw the light of day on November 23, 1866. He was .born on the old Perrill home in Jasper township, this county, the son of James and Rebecca (Chenoweth) Perrill. James, father of the subject, was born near Cynthiana in Pike county, his father having been a native of Virginia. He was a farmer throughout his life and came to this county when a boy of twelve years.

Previous to that, his father died and was buried in Pike county. Upon coming to this county, James Perrill settled in Jasper township, where he became known as one of the successful and influential citizens. He passed the remainder of his life there and is buried near his old home. The subject is one of a family of seven children, being the fourth child in order of birth. The oldest child of the family died in earliest infancy; the second child is Mrs. Jennie Shoup, whose husband is assistant superintendent of the Chicago (Illinois) schools and a man very prominent in educational circles, being assistant to Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, Chicago's famous woman superintendent. The third child of the family is May, then comes John, whose wife was Grace Burnett. Carrie married Charles Beard, who is a farmer near Oaktown, Indiana, in the fertile Wabash valley. Gilbert, the youngest of the family, married Anna Slagle.

When a youth, the subject received ån excellent education. He first attended the schools of Jasper township, near the Perrill home, later attending the Mallow school and received the higher grades at Waverly, this state. He was interested in the work about the home farm from the time of his early boyhood and received from his father careful training in all that goes to make a successful farmer. When twenty-two years of age he decided upon agriculture as his life vocation and at that time began working for himself. His first venture along this line was the renting of a certain tract of land, which he farmed for some time with good results. He some time later purchased his present farm and has made that his home for the past twentyfive years. He is an excellent farmer, meeting with excellent results in his crops and finding the raising of live stock a lucrative side line.

On March 27, 1889, Mr. Perrill was united in marriage with Nona Henkle, daughter of Curran and Caroline Henkle. Mr. and Mrs. Perrill have been blessed with three children, the eldest of whom is their daughter Ruth, who is the wife of John W. Shoup, and the mother of one daughter, Naomi Marion, who is a graduate of high school. Virgil, eldest son of the subject, received his elementary education in the schools of this locality, later attending the Chicago Western University at Chicago, Illinois, being graduated from that institution of learning with the class of 1910. Williard H., the youngest of the family, is in school.

Mr. Perrill is at present serving Union township as trustee, but as a rule does not desire public office for himself, being more interested in seeing others with such ambitions reach the goal for which they aspire. , Mri» Perrill's fraternal affiliation is with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and he feels a keen interest in all that pertains to the well-being of that society. In every avenue of life's activities Mr. Perrill has performed his part to the best of his ability, believing that what was worth doing at all was worthy of his best efforts, the result being that he has won and retains to a notable degree the sincere respect and confidence of all who know him. He has a vast field of acquaintances, among whom are many loyal, stanch and devoted friends and wherever he goes he receives a hearty welcome. Because of his genuine worth and interest in the community, he is specifically entitled to mention in a work of this character.

Joein Pr Inr Ted

The Perrill family was one'of the earliest pioneer families of Fayette county, Ohio, and the various members of this family have taken a prominent part in the history of the county for more than a century. John Perrill, a substantial farmer of Jasper township, was born December 8, 1859, on the old . Perrill farm and is a son of James and Rebecca (Chenoweth) Perrill. The reader is referred to the history of James Perrill found elsewhere in this volume for further information concerning the Perrill family.

John Perrill was educated in his home neighborhood and finished in the schools of Madison Mills. He remained at home until he was thirty-five years of age and then began farming for himself and now has a splendid farm of three hundred acres on the Jasper road, where he raises all of the crops common to this section of the state.

Mr. Perrill was married in 1905, to Grace Burnett, the daughter of Jesse and Mary (Johnson) Burnett, and to this union two children have been born, Helen and Eugene. Mr. Perrill is a Republican in politics and has been one of the leaders of his party in local political matters. At the present time he is serving with credit upon the school board of his township.