Madison County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (2 of 2 so headed), 1883 (part 13 of 13)

T. C. FOSTER, farmer, P. O. London. The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Oak Run Township, Madison County, November 12, 1849. His parents were John Foster and Elizabeth (Bowyer) Foster. On December 25, 1874, he was married to Ida F. Clingan, a daughter of A. J. Clingan, an old settler of Somerford Township. By this marriage three children have been born, viz., Forest, Blanche and Belva. Mr. Foster was reared on a farm, and receiving such an education as the surrounding schools afforded, and has spent his life as an agriculturist. Though comparatively young, he is energetic and industrious, and has gained for himself, the respect and esteem of his fellows.

CARLTON E. GREGG, farmer, R O. London, was born at Brownsville, Fayette County, Penn., September 18, 1813. His parents were John and Margaret (Allan) Gregg, the latter being a daughter of Nathan B. Allan, an old Indian fighter of Hampshire County, Ya. Our subject came to this county with his mother and two younger brothers in 1829, and settled in the township, where he has since resided. He was three times married. By his second wife he has two children, John and Mary, and by his last wife, Minnie (Plimell) Gregg, he has had three children - Carlton A., Amy and Noah. Air. Gregg owns a water-power grist-mill on Oak Run, which he has operated for twenty years. It was built in 1831 or 1832, the site having been chosen two or three years before. Mr. Gregg is well known and generallv respected for his many good qualities.

THO.M \S LADLEY, farmer, P* O. London, was born in "Union Township, in this county, November 1, 1829. He is the son of Andrew Ladley, an old pioneer of the county, who came from Preble County, in this State. and settled here in about 1828, locating first in Union Township, and finally settling in Oak Run in 1854.

ACHILLES C. MOORMAN, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Lynchburg, Va., February 7, 1833. He is the son of Thomas and Martha lane (Jennings) Moorman. They emigrated to this State in 1836, settling at Galloway Station, Franklin County, where the subject of this sketch was raised and educated. <>n November 12. 1854, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Hambleton, daughter of Stephen G. Hambleton. by whom he has a family of four children living, viz., Thomas A., Delos B., Lillian and E. W. ; and one dead - Frances Mary. In 1855, he moved to Washington County, Iowa, and after a residence there of three years, removed to Franklin County, where he remained until L864, when he moved to his present home ii ladison County. His educational facilities were, to a certain extent, li. ed; he had the good fortune however to spend the win ters of L851-52 arid '53, attending the Otterbein University at Westerville, where he Btudied the profession of land survej ing. He owns a very extensive farm in Oak Run Township, consistingof 650 acres, and is recog nized as one of the leading men in his neighborhood.

CEPHAS PANCAKE (deceased) was born in this county February 21, 1819. He was the son of Joseph and Susan (Linton) Pancake. The family emigrated from Virginia and set lied in Range Township this county, at a very early day. Our subject's early days were passed on his father's farm, during which time he managed to secure a moderate education. He was first married, February I. 1M1. to Miss Nancy Cooper, daughter of Peter Cooper; she died July 29, L855. The children by tin- marriage were as follows: Margaret (deceased), William (deceased), Mary .Jane (deceased), Thompson (deceased), John and David S. (deceased). On Nbvember21, l85o, he was again married to Miss Caroline V. Mahoy, daughter of Joseph Mahoy, by whom he had live children, viz., Joseph, Edmund B., E. Iva. Aquilla T. (deceased) and Cephas Pearl. in 1860, he moved into Oak Run Township where in course of time he became a large land-holder. He was a wn pop ular man and was known throughout the county as one of the most enter prising farmers and stock raisers. His death took place October 12, L874.

JOHN PANCAKE, farmer. P. 0. London. This well-known citizen of Oak Run Township was born in Paint Township, this county. November 15, 1851. He is the son of Cephas and Nancj (Cooper) Pancake. He was married, December 9, 1875, to Ann L. Ilea, daughter of Robert Pea. He is a live, energetic tanner, and has, by his gentlemanly demeanor, ac quired quite a prominence in the section in which he lives.

MATTHEW RE A (deceased) was horn in Rockbridge County. \a.. June 22, 1793. His father. Joseph Pea. was of Irish and Quaker extrac tion, and was born near Philadelphia. In 1810, young Matthew emigrated with his parents to Ross County. Joseph Pea'.- family consisted of nine children: Robert, who was a stock dealer at Coshocton, and died in middle life; Matthew, Joseph, John and Jesse, all farmers and Btock raiser Madison Countv: Sarah, who married John Lindsley and removed with him to Marion County; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Richard Wilson, a blacksmith of this count)', and who late in life went to Indiana: Nancy. wife of Willhim Jackson, a farmer of Madison County, and Mary, who married William B. Slyh. and settled in Wyandot County. When hostilities began in L8 12, young Matthew was a member of a militia company which was called into service. Ee served six months, commencing in August. L812, on the Ohio frontier, under Gen. Harrison. While marching to the front he passed through the site of London, which locality he then saw for the first time A few years later, he began the business of Btock-raising, which became his life pursuit. For a few years in earl) life he was engaged in buying pork and shipping it by flat-boat from the mouth of Deer Creek to New Orleans. This proved remunerative at first, but a decline in the market value afterward resulted in losses bo him, and de stroyed Ins previous profit-. His father came from Ross County to .Madison in 1818, settling about a mile south of London. Matthew preceded him several years in the occupancy of Madison Countysoil, having been engaged in herding cattle on the prairie land south of London. He was married, in 1823, to Ann Amos, whose father had emigrated to Madison County from Marvland. Soon after this important event in his history, he settled on the site of London, and there remained until 1835. He then removed to his large farm in Oak Run Township and lived there till his decease, which occurred September 23, 1873, in his eighty-first year. He had been an active man in business affairs and remained in charge of his extensive business until within a short time of his death. He was fond of the saddle, and when engaged in superintending the management of his stock always rode horseback. His wife preceded him to the grave about sixteen years. Of their seven children, but four grew to maturity - Jeremiah, of Oak Run Township: Joseph, who died in November, 1873, Robert, of London; and Margaret, wife of F. M. Chenoweth. of Fairfield Township.

JEREMIAH REA, R O. London, is a life resident of Madison County, and a prominent stock-raiser and farmer of Oak Run Township. His. grandfather, Joseph Rea. was born in January. 1754 (probably in Pennsylvania). He was married, January 10, 1783, to Elizabeth Conn, who was born January 1*7. 1762. They were residents of Rockbridge County, Va. , and removed to Ross County, Ohio, in 1810. They came to Madison County about 1818, locating on Walnut Run, in Union Township, where both died about 1829. They were the parents of nine children, all reaching maturity, but none now living. One son, Matthew Rea, the father of our subject, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., June 22. 1793. He came to this county with his parents in 1818, and resided in Union Township until 1835, when he removed to a farm on Deer Creek, in Pleasant (now Oak Run) Township, where he resided till his death, September 23, 1873. He was a man highly respected and enjoying the full confidence of all his acquaintances. He took a deep interest in stock matters, and the prosperity and advancement of Madison County. He married Ann Amos. born in Harford County. Md., November 15, 1802. They were married in London by Squire Patrick McLeue. Mrs. Rea departed this life February 22. L857, aged fifty-four years. They were the parents of seven children, three dying in childhood, one at the age of forty-four, and three now living - Robert, in London; Margaret, wife of Marion Chenowith, of Fairfield Township: and Jeremiah. Mr. Rea was a large land-holder, once owning 2.000 acres, and at his death leaving an estate of 800 acres. Both parents are buried in Kirkwood Cemetery. Union Township. Jeremiah Rea was born on the home farm in Union Township (now within the corporate limits of London). August 10. L824, and remained ' with his father till twenty-six year.-, of age. On August 23, 1850, he was married to Catherine Leach, a native of Pleasant Township, and daughter of Benjamin Leach. The following winter his father gave him some land (a portion of his present farm), where lie has since resided. He had 260 or 270 acres at first, w herited some, and purchased over 500, his present farm, consisting of over 1,400 acres. Mi-. Rea resides in a very handsome residence, and his land is supplied with all the conveniences necessary to successful farming. He is Democratic in politics, and has seiwed as Trustee and Clerk of Oak Run Township. Seven children have been given to himself and wife, two living - Matthew A. and Sarah L.. both residing at home. Mr. Rea has about retired from active life, and his son has entire management of the farm.

.1. C. SMITH, P. O. London, a prominent farmer and influential citizen of Oak Run Township, was born in Christian County, Ky. . April 7, 1M7. H< is a son of William W. Smith, a native of Virginia, who emigrate. 1 to Kentucky about 1815. After the birth of our subject, he went to Rockingham County, Va. , where he died in 1S'!T. Ee married Elizabeth Chrisman, a Qative of Virginia, and daughter of Jacob and Barbara Chris.

man. Mrs. Smith was the mother of only one child, our subject, and departed this life when he was but a few months old. The father then re turned to Virginia, as previously stated, and Jacob C. lived with his ojandmother till ten years of age. He was then taken by an uncle, with whom he remained till of age. He obtained only a limited education, and when twenty-three or twenty-four years of age. came to Ohio and engaged in mercantile pursuits at South Charleston. Clark Coirnty. He remained there nine years, and then came to Oak Run Township. He purchased what was known as the " Oak Run Mill." running it for eighteen month-. The mill was then destroyed by fire, and Mr. Smith subsequently removed to London, and was there engaged in business for six or seven years. He then bought 228 acres of the old Chrisman laud, and since added to it until it now comprises 260 acres. Mr. Smith formerly traded in stock, and deals largely in cattle and sheep. He has on the farm about sixty head of cattle and 1,100 head of sheep. He resides in a very neal and comfortable residence on the farm, and is a man well esteemed by his neighl tors and friend-. He is Republican in politics, and has officiated as Trustee and School Director in his township. He was married, March 14. 1844. to Amanda J. Evans, a native of Clark County, but reared in this county, and a daughter of Robert Evans (deceased). Nine children have been born to them, only two surviving - Peyton R. . a farmer and stock-raiser of Douglas County. Kan., and William P., at home. Peyton R. married .Mrs. Myra Clark. They have one child - Maud. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN WALTERS, farmer, P.O. Big Plain, was born February 18, loll, in Ross County, this State. He is the son of Levi and Sarah (Rile} ) Walters. In his seventh year he lost his father, and the family then moved into Pickaway County. May 26, L861. He enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, and followed the fortunes of that regiment until -Inly. 1864. sharing in the engagements of Shiloh. Stone River. Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. He then returned to Pickaway County, where, in October 11, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary E. Robison, daughter of Thomas Robison. The family now consists of five children, viz.. Effie Florence. Thomas F., Carrie, Sarah A.. Daisy Ellen. He first located near Antioch. in this county, in IST'J. residing there some two years, then returned to Pickaway County, and linally in L878, moved back to this county He now rents the Wilson farm, in Oak Run Township, which consist about 1,200 acres. Tn politics, he is a Republican.