Madison County, Ohio - Biographical sketches, 1915 (part 20 of 20)

Luther M.. Johnston. Sre

When: it is known that nearly half the ppoulation of the United: States is found upon farms, and that upon them existence depends, it becomes evident that 'agriculture is 'the basic industry' of national life. He, therefore, who makes: the waste places to blossom; who turns the desert into a garden, makes no 'small contribution to human health and happiness. 'The 'man whose life record is here briefly considered is one of the army of men who have thus placed humanity in their debt. Luther M. Johnston wa's born on June~8, 1851, in Range township, this county, and is the son 'of John and Elizabeth Resblalatbe Johnston, to whom lise Patio i were born, four being still alive. ;

» Luther M. Johnston has followed the same vocation as that of his father, who' was born -on: March 12, 1806, in' Ross county, Ohio. When a lad of eight years old John Johnston crossed the intervening country with: his parents' and came to' Madison county, they' purchasing land here. Subsequently; John Johnston fell heir 'to one hundred acres: of' land and 'to this he later-added real estate 'until he was at the time of death, July 29, 1882, the owner: of three' hundred and five acres.' Elizabeth Mathers was bern on April 20, 1811, and was a native of Ross' county. She died' on July 4, 1890..'The date of the: marriage 'of this worthy couple was October 6, 1831. °°

'The man whose life forms the theme of this brief chronicle had only -limited advantages'as a boy for he was born and'reared on a farm and attended 'the country' schools of' Range township. During his parents' lifetime he remained'at home. At his father's death -he inherited thirty-seven acres of good farm land to which he later added forty-five acres, 'buying' a: portion: of the' home place." On this he has built a fine: modern Home and has madé many improvements. He raises fine Poland China hogs, and' for the past six or eight years has frequently won gna at the Madison OES fair in London, for his exhibits of corn' 'and: potatoes.:

'Mrs. Johnston, to whom Mr: Johnston was married on March 4,'1875, at London, Mig" formerly Josephine Gregg, a 'native of Union township, 'being born there'on April 18, 1855. 'She 'is the daughter of Amos and Emiline (Wagner) Gregg, -who 'is°a farmer of Paint 'township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are the parents of 'ten children: as follow: Mrs. Bessie Ducker, of the state' of: Washington; Mrs. Daisy Dunkle, of Range township; John, who lives at home; Ray,-& resident of Range township; 'Mrs. Pearl Crismah and Mrs. May Junk,' both of' Range township; Guy and eat ED live at' UR and two children who passed: away in early childhood:

Mr. Johnston and his wifé'are active members of the Aeenddice RE atk the formet is prominent in the Farmers Grarige, taking a 'deep interest in the subject ° of agriculture and its allied interests. Mr. Johnston has been a member of the' school board serving in this capacity with honor and with loyalty. In his domestic relation Luther M. Johnston has been a devoted husband and loving father. In his relations to his fellowmen he has been just, conscientious and kind, a striking example of the power of perseverance and oneness of purpose in achieving one's ambition.

J. Clark Murray

A man of distinct ability who has eminently merited the high regard and confidence in which he is held in his community, and whose progressive qualities and inherent traits of honesty and thrift have made for him a prominent place in the agricultural world of Madison county, is J. Clark Murray, for many years manager of the "Lower Gwynne Farms." His knowledge of all branches of farming and his wide acquaintance throughout the rural district of Ohio, have given him a commanding standing both in the town of Mt. Sterling and the surrounding country. He is a man of alert and wellmatured mentality, who from his earliest years has been interested in the problems of the occupation which became his life work.

J. Clark Murray was born on the 19th of October, 1870, in Union township, Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of Maxwell and Elizabeth (Leach) Murray. His father was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on the 3rd of February, 1865, and moved to Ross county, Ohio, with his parents when he was only three years old. Three years later the father died and Maxwell was taken by the McCreary family of Ross county and reared by them. In 1826 he came to Madison county, and soon after married the daughter of Judge Armstrong. The first wife of Maxwell Murray was the widow of James Gibson. She had three children who are now deceased. They were Creighton, Mrs. Jane Rayburn and Elizabeth. By her second marriage she became the mother of Armstrong, Alexander, Robert and 'Mrs. Josephine Creath, all deceased.

After the death of Mrs. Jane (Armstrong) Murray, which occurred on the 6th of August, 1863, her husband, Maxwell. Murray, married again. His second wife was Elizabeth (Leach) Timmons, a widow, who was a native of Fayette county, Ohio, having been born near Mt. Sterling on the 19th of June, 1888. She died on the 18th of January. 1904. The children by her first marriage were Benjamin, Othello and Owen, who are deceased ; 'Layton, manager and superintendent of transportation for Mandel Brothers, Chicago ; Mrs. Susie Hewitt, who is deceased, and Mrs. Sallie Ford, of Champaign county, Ohio. After her marriage with Mr. Murray she became the mother of three children, Mrs. Belle Linson, who is superintendent 'and matron of the County Children's Home of Madison county ; Helen, who makes her 'home 'with her brother in Pleasant . township, and J. C., the subject of this sketch. Maxwell Murray reared and educated all of these children, giving them the educational advantages of the locality in which they lived. He farmed in Union township, .Madison county, until 1875, when he moved to Midway, Ohio, now known as Sedalia, where he died. Elizabeth Leach was the daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Bostwick) Leach, ithe former a native of Maryland and the latter a native of Virginia. -

Sedalia, Ohio, furnished the background for the boyhood days of J. C. Murray. Here, after learning what he could in the district school. where the common branches scarcely 'outnumbered three, he began to take part in the rugged occupations about the farm, and when only fourteen years old rented a farm'on his own account in' Range township and began' what might be called an independent life. The enthusiasm' 'and love of hard work which were so prominent in his character as a boy clung to him throughout his life, so that there is little to wonder atin reviewing his achievements when 'the fact that' they were laid on such early and' strong foundations, is considered. When he was just twenty-two years of age he become manager of a largé tract of land in Monroe township, Madison county, which proved to pe a very successful venture.

In October, 1894, he came to the farm where he now lives, and acts as manager of the farm land belonging to Mrs. Maria (Gwynne) Crotti, of Columbus, Ohio. Aside from the direct management of the farm he is general attorney for the four thousand and twenty acres of land. He is a breeder of purebred stock, consisting of .Shorthorn cattle. Belgian horses, Hampshire sheep and Duroc-Jersey hogs. The farm is given over to general stock and agriculture. The Gwynne farms have been under the management of the Murray family for about sixty years. With his brother, Layton, Mr. Murray owns two hundred and sixteen acres of land in Range township. Although his duties are anything but light, Mr. Murray has found time to show his interest outside the scope of agricultural pursuits, and is active in the affairs of Mt. Sterling, where he is a shareholder and director of the Citizens Bank. In 1909, he was nominated for the office of county commissioner, but resigned in favor of E. E. Breyfogel, of Mt. Sterling.

J. C. Murray has been married twice, his first wife, who was Ella C. Stout, was born on the 10th day of July, 1875, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, and died on the 12th of April, 1909. Their marriage took place on the 6th of March, 1899, and to the union one son, William F., who is now attending school, was born. On the 19th of October, 1910, Mr. Murray married his former wife's sister, Anna B. Stout, who was born in Pleasant township on the 6th of April, 1874. To this union one son, Robert C., was born. She is the daughter of Abraham and Lydia (Graham) Stout, one of the pioneer families of Madison county, and long identified with the activities of the Christian church. Her father was well known as a political leader and held many offices of public trust.

Mr. Murray is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Free and Accepted Masons. He and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church and have contributed liberally in every. instance of church building in Madison county.

Henry Bower

"The farm is and must always remain a chief source of our country's wealth, strength and power as well as the cradle of our ablest men." If this statement is true, every good farmer is a. benefactor to the race, because his work is creative. The charge of being a dependent, therefore, can never be laid at his door. The gentleman here considered lays another claim to greatness, for when the integrity of the Union hung in the balance, he tendered his service to his country, forgetful of his own personal affairs, thus not only being true to his idea of loyalty but also becoming a noble example for others to follow. A native son of Fairfield county, Henry Bower was born on April 5, 18438, his parents being George and Sophia (Macklin) Bower. This family is mentioned elsewhere in the present publication in the sketch of Jesse Bower.

Making the most of his early opportunities was characteristic of Henry Bower, for his later success was built upon his ability to get the best results out of every circumstance. Growing up on his father's farm he was early accustomed to arduous labor. After atttending school in Fairfield, Pickaway and Madison counties. he labored at home until: the breaking out of the Civil War. It was August 1, 1862, when he enlisted at Big Plain, Madison county, in Company B, Ninety-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. It was his fortune to see much active service during the war for he was in battles at Richmond, Kentucky, August, 1862; at Jackson, Mississippi, in 1863, and the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 18, 1868. During the siege he was wounded in the mouth. He also took part in the siege of Jackson, Mississippi, in July, 1863, and at Guntown, Mississippi, June 10, 1864, as well as the siege of Spanish Fort, Alabama, in 1865. He served with honor under the commands of Generals Grant,

About that time Henry Bower married and bought more land in Pleasant township. When this farm was purchased it contained only a log cabin and a barn, but improvements have been added since. Mrs. Bower was married to Mr. Bower in 1866, she being at the time Mrs. Lethy ( Roberson) Gilliland, the mother of Charles Gilliland, now deceased. Mrs. Bower's birth date was December 25, 1843, her parents being John S. and Maria (Riddle) Robison, who were natives of Madison county. Mrs. Bower passed away on November 10, 1914, leaving three children, John L., a machinist of Mt. Sterling; Eva M. Wickle, deceased, and Lela M., now Mrs. O. E. Loffbourrow, of Pleasant township. ;

Mr. Bower has always voted the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Christian church and an enthusiastic member of the Grand Army of the Republic., being the present commander of J. C. Bostwick Post No. 406, at Mt. Sterling. Having Jed an unusually active life Mr. Bower retired from business in 1912, and is now living in his own home in Mt. Sterling, where he owns also one hundred acres of ' valuable land.

The career of this estimable farmer and lover of his country has been a long, busy and useful one, and his service has been of a kind which it is impossible to estimate in the common standards of value. His qualities of head and heart, which go to make yp the full measure of a man, have endeared him not only to his immediate friends but to a neighborhood of extensive dimensions. He is the type of man who readily awakens esteem and admiration.

Mrs. Lydia J. Stout

One of the honored women who has marked the passing of years with large and worthy accomplishments and who has maintained her home in Madison county, Ohio, for over seventy years, is Mrs. Lydia J. Stout. Her gracious personality has endeared her to both young and old, and her memory of the early days in Ohio makes her company very interesting and pleasant.

Lydia J. Graham was born in Pleasant township, this county, April 20, 1844, the daughter of F. O. P. and Elizabeth (Robinson) Graham, Her only sister, Mrs. Mary Dunlap, lived in Florida. F. O. P. Graham was born in Madison county, in 1816. He was reared on the farm and found no other occupation as interesting, save that of the blacksmith's trade. in which capacity he assisted his father during the early years of his life. He depended upon his own resources in making his way in the world, had a deep respect for honest toil and was content, during his life, to improve the surroundings in which he worked, rather than seek fortune outside the locality in which he lived. He died in 1893. His wife. who died five years later, was born in Madison county in 1818, and proved a valuable companion to her husband, especially in the - affairs of the Christian church. where Mr. Graham held the office of deacon and was ever instant in good works in the various departments of church activity. Mr. Graham held the office of township trustee for a number of years, he was county infirmary director and was at one time elected county commissioner, but never assumed the duties of that office. The grandparents of Lydia J. Graham were John ane Lydia (Alkire) Graham, natives of Kentucky. They came to Madison county, in 1807, a few years after Ohio had been admitted as a state into the Union.

The district schools of her day afforded Lydia J. Graham few advantages save those of learning the three elementary branches. During her attendance at school her home life was spent on the farm. In 1873 she became the wife of Abraham Stout, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 27th of January, 1830. He was the son of George and Christina (Cortwright) Stout, natives of Germany. After his mar- 'riage Abraham Stout settled on the farm with his wife's parents «nd continued the occupation of farming until his death which occurred in 1899. He was very fond of horses, and on account of the attention given to their habits, became quite an authority on them. 'Throughout his life he exhibited characteristics of industry, sincerity of character and honesty of purpose. .

Mr. and Mrs. Stout were the parents of the following children: Mrs. Mary Hagens, who is a widow and lives in McClimansville, Ohio; Anna, who married J. C. McMurray, the husband of her deceased sister, Ella; Dr. Oliver G., an osteopath at Dayton, Ohio, and Amelia ¥., deceased.

The property belonging to Mrs. Stout iaelgaee two hundred and thirty-two acres of well-improved land in Pleasant township and a valuable piece of real estate near Mt. Sterling. The pleasant homestead in which she lives has been the scene of many happy gatherings and is still associated with memories of the past. Its hospitality is still enjoyed by the few who remain, to represent the friends she made in her girlhood days, in the county in which she was born.

In the industrial life of Madison county few enterprises have a greater reputation for excellence of output or a higher standing. in business circles throughout this part of 'the state than has the Thomas & Armstrong Company, manufacturers of the celebrated "Buckeye Goods," sheet-metal products, which find a wide and ready market throughout the country. As the president of this well-known company, M. B. Armstrong has a wide acquaintance in manufacturing and business circles in central Ohio and occupies a high place therein, his associates having unbounded confidence in the soundness of his judgments on industrial matters.

- M. B. Armstrong was born at Columbus, Ohio, on June 1, 1867, son of Frank and Amanda (Harker) Armstrong, both of whom were natives of Miami county, this state. Frank Armstrong was a well-known manufacturer of sheet-metal goods at Columbus, who died in 1885. His widow survived hima little more than ten years, her death not occurring until in 1896. They were the parents of four children, all sons) M. B. Armstrong having three brothers, Richard D., Frank H. and C. C. Armstrong, all of whom live at Marysville, this state.

His father having been in the sheet-metal trade, M. B. Armstrong may be said to have been born to the business in which he has made so great a success. He became thoroughly grounded in the details of this trade at Columbus and in 1892 came to this county,' locating at London, where, after working for a time as a mechanic in a local concern, he entered the sheet-metal trade for himself and was thus engaged until 1906, in which year he formed a partnership with the late M. M. Thomas, for years a wellknown hardware merchant of London, in the manufacture of sheet-metal goods of all kinds, under the firm name of Thomas & Armstrong. From the very start this enterprise was successful and the concern of which Mr. Armstrong is the strong and efficient head is now one of the best-known concerns of its kind in the country. Upon the death of M. M. Thomas in 1910 the company was incorporated as the Thomas & Armstrong Company, Mr. Armstrong being elected president, which position he ever since has held. On another page in this volume the important enterprise with which Mr. Armstrong is so prominently identified is dealt with at some length, the reader being respectfully referred to the same for further details regarding it.

In 1890 M. B. Armstrong was united in marriage to Charlotte Saunders of Columbus, Ohio, and to this union two children have been born, Marie, who married Dr. Peter Engard, of Columbus, this state, and Virginia.. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are active in the good works of their home city and are held in the highest esteem by. their many friends. Mr. Armstrong takes an earnest interest in the. civic. affairs of the .town and has an honorable record of service in the city council of London. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is very popular with his lodge associates, as well as with his associates in his extensive business operations and enjoys the utmost confidence of the entire community, in which he is held in the highest regard by reason of his fine public spirit and enterprising characteristics, he being generally recognized as one of the most forceful factors in the business life of the county.

In the Banta part of Madison county and the western part of. Franklin, county there are few. men who have a wider acquaintance or who have created for themselves a more firmly established position. in the affections. of the entire countryside than has Dr. Luther E. Evans, whose extensive medical practice, first in the village of Alton, in the latter named county, and then for the past ten years in West Jefferson, this, county, has brought him into the most intimate relations with the people. of that prosperous and highly favored section, - Since coming to Madison county Doctor Evans has taken a warm interest in the affairs of this county and is widely recognized as a man of high ideals, public spirited and progressive, who holds very dearly to heart the common weal. As president of the board of education of the village of 'West Jefferson, he has exerted his best influence in behalf of.the schools of that town and was particularly influential in securing the splendid new high school building which now graces that thriving, and enterprising. village. A conscientious practitioner of his noble profession, Doctor Hivans has brought to that practice a fine natural endowment of talents, supplemented by the most studious attention to the latest research in the ever-widening realm. of medical Science and his skill as a physician and surgeon is recognized. far and, wide in the field in which he has so devotedly applied his energies.

. Luther. KE. Evans was orn on a eaten in Pennsylvania in 1874, son of Lewis Evans,.and his boyhood was spent on the farm, his elementary education being received in the district schools in the neighborhood of his home. At seventeen years of age he began teaching school.and was thus engaged for three years. He then attended the Pennsylvania State Normal School, from which he was -graduated, and later took a course in pharmacy .in the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Upon the completion of this admirable preparatory course he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, this state, from which excellent old institution he was graduated after the full course of four years. It is but proper to say that in his efforts to secure an. education, this ambitious student was unaided by outside sources, having been compelled laboriously to "work his way" through college, it thus being apparent that there. was. very little playtime 'mixed -with the years he spent acquiring his fine professional and practical education.- Upon receiving his degree, Doctor Evans located for the practice of his chosen profession in the village of Alton, in Franklin county, this state, and after spending four years there moved over the line into Madison. county, locating at West Jefferson, where he ever since has been successfully engaged in practice. It was in 1905 that Doctor Evans located at West Jefferson and since that time he has established himself very firmly in the good graces and affections of the people. with whom he 'has thus been thrown in such intimate relations.

'Dr. Luther E. Evans was united in marriage to Mrs. Laura (Howks) Gregg. who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, whose son, Albert A. Gregg, a graduate of the West Jefferson high school, is now a sade aicaes at zenene set ited Lafayette,

Indiana, taking the course in electrical engineering. Mrs. Evans is a woman of fine culture, an admirable helpmeet to the doctor in his exacting duties in behalf of the people, and both are held in the very highest esteem by their large circle of friends in and about West Jefferson. They are members of the Methodist church and are earnestly interested in the various beneficences of that church, as well as in all good 'works of the neighborhood, being regarded as among the leaders in whatever movements are designed to advance the common interest thereabout.

Doctor Evans is a thirty-second degree Mason. his local membership being in the lvudge at West Jefferson. his affiliation with the Scottish rite being through the consistory at Columbus. He also is a member of the Mystic Shrine at Columbus; He is a Republican and takes an earnest interest in the political affairs of the county. being xn ardent advocate of good government. As president of the school board of West Jefferson his influence in educational affairs in that villege has been pronounced and beneficial and his services in that connection are much appreciated by the people generally. Doctor Evans is interested in several enterprises of a local character and is also a stockholder in the Centra] National Bank of Columbus. He is a member of the Madison County Medical Society and of the Olio State Medical Society, in the affairs of both of which organizations he takes 2 warm interest, his connection therewith being recognized as most valuable by his confreres. all of whom not only hold him in the higkest regard but have the utmost confidence in his judgment on professional questions.

Benjamin KF. Corson, born on March 6, 1848, in Fayette county. Ohio, lived at a period in the early history of his state, when luxurious accommodations were unknown, for he and his hardy ancestors cleared the forests for agriculture and hewed. from the timber, the material with which they constructed their homes and barns.

John and Elizabeth (Blizzard) Corson were the parents of Benjamin F. Corson, and to them were born eight children, four of whom are now living. John Corson was born on September 30, 1809, in the state of Virginia. and when two years of age. came to Ohio with his parents and during these early pioneer days he grew to manhood in Fayette county, Ohio. In the year of 1862, he again changed locations and removed to Madison county, Ohio, and two years later he selected the farm in Range township for a' permanent home, and on this property he farmed until his death in 1875. With a mechanical turn of mind, John Corson had learned the carpenter's trade when a young -man, and with this important accomplishment, so necessary for the providing of shelter for man and beast, he constructed his own buildings.

In 1813, in Madison county, Ohio, Elizabeth (Blizzard) Corson, the mother of Benjamin IF. Corson, was born. She died at the advanced age of seventy-two years, in 1885.

Content to remain one of the multitude. who, from agricultural pursuits, have made possible the permanent prosperity of this nation, Benjamin F. Corson, with wise judgment, secured an ample education in the district schools of Range township and in Fayette county, Ohio, and remained on the old farm. purchasing from the heir his unowned interest in this valuable estate, at the time of his mother's death in 1885. This farm consists of one hundred and seventy-two acres, located in Range and Paint townships, Ohio.

At the age of twenty-seven years, Benjamin F. Corson joined his fortune to that of Louise Ellars, who was born in 1847, in Range township, Madison county, Ohio, and who remained his faithful, capable, loving_companion during their many years together, until her death on May 7. 1913. From this union three children were born, Ernest, living on the home place; Edna. deceased, and Emmet, located in Paint township. Ohio.

Politically, Benjamin EF. Corson is a consistent Democrat. He is a regular church attendant. Officially he has faithfully served the interests of his community, for four years, as tow nship trustee.

To this man, Benjamin IF. Corson, reared in the days of hardship and struggle, too much commendation cannot be bestowed, for he has wrought out his life in honest endeavor and ultimate success, with a spirit of tenacity and a well-regulated mind. He has achieved much for his family and himself and, in that achieving, will leave to posterity the culmination of his labors, which has reduced the virgin forest to the home of comfort, connected with all the modern utilities of the present age.

Ira Converse

Ira A. Converse, farmer, Plain City, Ohio, was born on March 29, 1844, in Darby township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of Cyrus D. and Harriet (Whitman) sonverse. He was educated and reared in Darby township, and after leaving school he followed farming until about 1862, when he divided his time between farming und teaching school. He went to the Civil War in Company B, Sixty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with his regiment to Virginia. He was twenty years old when he went to war, and twenty-two when he returned. Mr. Converse is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Plain City, Ohio, and also belongs to the Grange of Darby township. His farm of eighty-five acres is classed with the best land in Ohio, but was originally 2 swamp.

The parents of Ira Converse were Cyrus D. and Harriet (Whitman) Converse. Cyrus Converse was born on September 5, 1814, and was as on of Jeremiah and Malinda Darby. Cyrus D. Converse was reared in the neighborhood of Plain City, Ohio, where he attended the common schools. He lived there until fifty years of age, when he moved to near London, Ohio, and lived on a farm, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Converse died on March 18, 1900, and his wife, Harriet (Whitman) Converse, died on November 9, 1914. They were united in marriage on November 6, 1836, and were the parents of three children. Hiram K. married Eilen Morelook, by whom he had five children. His death occurred on September 2? 1914. Louisa M. became the wife of Lucius Burnman. She died in 1862, leaving surviving, her husband and two daughters. Ira A. is the-subject of this sketch.

The paternal grandparents were Jeremiah and Malinda (Darby) Converse. Jeremiabh Converse was 2 son of Jeremiah Converse, Sr., who was a soldier in the Revolutiopary War, and a native of Vermont, the f>mily, including Jeremiah, Jr., came from Vermont to Darby Plains in 1814, locating southwest of Plain City, Ohio, where they bought land, and where Jeremiah Converse, Sr., lived until he passed to the "srent beyond." Malinda (Darby) Converse. his wife, was of English lineage. Her family came. from Vermont at an early day, and settled in Ohio. To Jeremiah, Jr., and Malinda (Darby) Converse, were born ten children. Jeremiah, Cyrus D., Erastus, Lemuel. Zelotos. Malinda, Lucius, Rosannah, Rhoda and -Samantha.

The Converse family originally came from France. and the great-grandfather on the paternal side. Jeremiah Converse, Sr., came from Vermont to Plain City. He was the father of fourteen children - twelve sons and two daughters.

Ira A. Converse was united in marriage on September 15, 1867, to Alma Lingofelter, 2 native of Montgomery county, Illinois, where she was reared, receiving her education in the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Converse settled in Darby townwhere Mrs. Converse died on March 23, 1912. To this union were born five children, four of whom are living. Cyrus D. was married to Mariah Nunameker ; Anna was a student in the high school, and is now the wife of Ernest Chapman, and they live in Mississippi: Emma, the wife of Charles Andrews, was a graduate of the Plain City high school; Frederick H. married Hattie Giffins,, and lives at Russels Point,. Logan county, Ohio; Bertha is.a graduate of the Milford Center high school, and is the wife of Sidney G. Young, of Darby township.

Ira A.. Converse is a descendant of an honorable and upright old pioneer ae of. Madison. county, Ohio, whose reputation he is still bearing out. Mr. Converse is very fond of.travel, and in 1912, he spent the summer in Europe, visiting Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Scotland, England and the Azore Islands.

Oscar W. Finley

Near Plain City, Ohio, in Darby township, Madison county, is "Oak Lawn Farm," a tract of forty acres, owned by Oscar W. Finley, a prominent stockman and horse fancier, distinguished for' having bred "Finley Boy," a standard bred horse with a mark of 2:15. besides "Finley Boy," he has also bred many other fast horses and is a prominent citizen in this section of Madison county. E

Oscar W. Finley was born: in Monroe township, Madison county, October 25, 1878, the son of H. T. and Ada' (Dillon) Finley, the former ef whom is still a resident of Monroe township and the latter died in 1915. H. T. Finley, a prominent farmer of Monroe township, is the son of John Finley, who was an early settler in this township and who owned over 'eight hundred acres of land at one time. He was the father of seven children, four of whom aré now living, Winfield 'S., H. T., Wallace and Mrs. E. W. Fisher.

H. T. Finley was born in West Virginia and, by his marriage to Ada Dillon, was the father of five children, of whom three are now living. J. Tilden, who is a farmer in Monroe township; Oscar W., the subject of this sketch, and Faye W., who lives at home with her father. Bertha and Ethel} are deceased. . .

Oscar W. Finley, who was reared on a farm in Monroe township and educated in the district schools, worked on the farm until reaching his ict akc when he engaged in farming on his own responsibility.

On Mareh 15, 1899, Mr. Finley was married to Gwendolyn Thomas, the 'asian of Moses and Phoebe C. (Blessing) Thomas, who was born in Stokes township, Madison county, December 30, 1878, and who was educated in the public schools of Stokes township, is the son of John Finley, who was an early settler in this township and-who owned township on December 30, 1835, the son of William and Lavina (Beecher) Thomas, the former of whom was born in Virginia and came to Ohio when a young man. He was married in Fayette county and to him and his wife were born twelve children, four of whom are now living, E. S., who is a farmer of Madison county; Jasper,: who lives in Springfield, Ohio; Flora, who is the wife of William Blessing, of South Solon, -in Madison county, and O. B., who is a professor of music in New York city. The deceased children are, Robert, who was a professor of music; William, who was a teacher and prominent in' politics in this section of the state; Noah, who was superintendent of the Ohio Sailors and Soldiers' Orphans' Home at Xenia, and: also warden of the Ohio state penitentiary, mayor of London and auditor of Madison county. 'The father of these children, Moses Thomas, was a farmer and stock breeder and raised many fine draft horses. He was prominent in local politics, especially in the councils of the Republican party. Phoebe C. Blessing was a descendant of Abraham and Catherine Blessing, who were pioneers in Fayette county and wealthy citizens of that ocunty. She was educated in the public schools and was the mother of nine children: ' Dora, the wife of George C. Adams; Amy, the wife of A. B. Mendenhall; Amanda, who married .R. W. Chapman; Lavina, who married D. S. McHenry; Austin B., whe married Cora Linson; Gwendolyn, who is the wife of Mr. Finley; Carrie, who married J. M. Horney; Ralph W., who married Ada Burnham, and Ried; who married Ella Baer.

After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Finley moved to a farm in Deer Creek township, which they rented for a time and then bought the farm in Darby township, where they now live. It is located one mile southwest of Plain City. Mr. and Mrs. Finley have one daughter, Ada C., born on August 31, 1904, who is now a student in the public schools.

Mr: and Mrs. Finley are members of the Presbyterian church. They are pleasant, affable people and prominent socially in the life of this community. Mrs. Finley is president of the Bible class of Plain City, Ohio, secretary of the 'Women's Club and vice-president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Fraternally, she is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Plain City Lodge of the Daughters of Rebekah, of which she is a past noble grand. Mr. Finley votes the Democratic ticket.

Thomas C. Enright, who owns a magnificent: farm: of one hundred and eleven: acres, located on rural' route No. 6, out of London, in Paint.township, Madison county, Ohio, was a near Rosedale, this. county, December 1, 1869.

., Enright is the son of Morris: and Catherine (Sullivan) Enright, thes former. of pone was born in County Limerick, Ireland, and the latter of whom was born in County: Cork, Ireland. The former came to the: United States when a young man and settled in Ohio. The mother came with her elder sister when a young woman. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Enright were married in London, Madison county. 'They had: nine children, eight of whom are living. Mary died at the age of .twenty-three;.Thomas C. is the subject of this sketch; Jeremiah lives at Dayton; John also lives at .Dayton; Daniel lives at Buffalo, New York; Nellie lives at Dayton; Morris lives. at Dayton; Joseph lives' at Detroit, Michigan, and Margaret lives at Dayton. The late Morris Enright was a farmer all his life. He rented land in Madison county, and: died here in 1911. Mrs. Morris Enright: is living in Dayton.

Thomas C. Enright received a common-school education in 'the public schools of London and worked with his father on the farm. .He was married on April. 13, 1899, to EHa Gallagher, a daughter of John and Ann (Dean) Gallagher. Mrs. Enright's father was born in County Sligo, Treland, in 1826,-and in 1847 came to America. After landing at New Orleans,- he traveled to Cincinnati, where he remained. for two years.' Subsequently, he removed to South Charleston, where his parents, Patrick and Ann (McDermont) Gallagher, had settled on coming from Ireland in 1849. He engaged with his father. in working out a lease in that county, and after ten years took. charge of the lease himself, on David Herold's farm. He worked there for six years, and then purchased one hundred and fifty-three acres and added to it until he owned at one time nearly twelve hundred acres of the finest land in Madison county. When he was twentyfive years of age, he married Bridget Gilmore, of Cincinnati, by whom he had one child, Mary Jane. She died in infancy, and, three months after the ehild's:death, the mother died. One year later Mr. Gallagher was married to Ann Dean, of Xenia. Thirteen children, including two who died in infancy, were born to this second marriage. John lives in London; Frank lives in London; Anna is the wife of Jerry C. Deneen, of Springfield, Ohio; Catherine is the wife of William Dunn, of London; Margaret is the wife of Thomas F. Moor. of Columbus; Ella is the wife of Mr., Enright; James lives in London; Thomas lives in London; William died at the age of twenty-one; Edward died at the age of thirty; Mary is the wife of John Murray, of West Jefferson, Ohio.. Mr. and Mrs. Gallagher died in 1912. They were members of the Catholic church.

Mr. Enright owns one hundred and eleven acres of fine, well-improved land in: Paint township. He is a general farmer -and stock raiser, and has been very successful.

Kraternally, Thomas C. Enright is a member of the Foresters lodge, No. 703, of London. He is a Democrat in politics and as such served as township trustee for one term. He was also school director for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Enright's family are members of the Catholic church.

George R. Fitzgerald

The success of men depends upon character as well as upon knowledge, since it is a self-evident proposition that honesty is the best policy. Business demands confidence and, where it is lacking, business ends. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth, as well as for their success in the material pursuits of life. Neighbors and acquaintances respect them and the younger generation heeds their example. They win their way as a consequence of untiring energy and right principles. Among the citizens of Madison county, Ohio, who have won for themselves success in agriculture and who have been honored by their fellow citizens, is George R. Fitzgerald, of Fairfield township, who is at present one of the efficient commissioners of Madison county.

George R. Fitzgerald was born on September 11, 1851, in Fairfield township. Madison county. and is the son of Edward O. and Lacy Ann (Taylor) Fitzgerald, the former of whom was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, August 26, 1806. and the latter February 18, 1810, in Virginia. They were married on October 15, 1827.

Edward O. Fitzgerald was the son of Thomas and Mary Fitzgerald, the former of whom, it is said, was born on the ocean and the latter in Virginia. Thomas Fitzgerald, Sr., was a native of north Ireland and married Eleanor O'Farrel, with whom he immigrated to America in 1778. They settled in Virginia and there lived and died. Thomas Fitzgerald, Jr., was the eldest child of his parents and was born in 1778, on the voyage to America. He was reared in the Old Dominion state and on September 138, 1799, was married to Mary Buffington, who was born on January 18, 1780. She was the daughter of William and Mary Buffington, natives of England, who immigrated to America about the same time as'the Fitzgerald family and located in the same town, Romney, Virginia, where they remained until their deaths. Thomas and Mary (Buffington) Fitzgerald were the parents of eight children, four of whom grew to maturity, William B., Edward, Eliza and Mary. Thomas Fitzgerald died on March 28, 1815, and his widow afterward married Jonathan Black. . In 1827 they came to Ohio and settled in Madison county, where she died in 1873, at the age of ninety-three years. By her second marriage she had two daughters, Rebecca and Sarah Ann, both of whom have been dead for many years.

Kdward Fitzgerald was the second child born to his parents. He grew to manhood in his native state and, after his merringe to Lacy Ann Taylor, the daughter of Edward and Margaret (Means) Taylor, he started with his bride for the wilds of Ohio. Mrs. Kdward Fitzgerald's parents were natives of Virginia, who lived and died in the Old Dominion state, the father in 1889 and the mother in 1854. Edward Fitzgerald and his bride undertook the journey to Ohio in 1827. They settled first near Newark, Ohio, where they remained until April 1. 1828, when they moved to Lancaster, Ohio. There they resided for one year. In April, 1829, they came to Madison county and settled on the old Fitzgerald farm. He first purchased one hundred and forty acres of land from General McArthur and added to this by purchase until he owned over nine hundred acres of excellent land. He began life in a log house with a clapboard roof, which, however, was one of the best houses in the neighborhood. Before coming to Madison county, he built within a half-mile of the canal near Westfall.

Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald were the parents of eleven children, among whom were the following: Margaret E., born on September 11, 1828, married Samuel Robin- son in September, 1849, and died on December 9, 1879, after having borne three children, two of whom, Edward J. and Mary E., still survive; Mary E., July 28, 1830, is the wife of W. L. Morgan; Harriet, June 14, 1882, married Robert Alkire; William H., February 15, 1834; Sarah Ann, April 15, 1836, is the wife of Alfred Pringle; Warner T., November 2, 1838; Louisa, June 15, 1841, married Joel W. Byers; Lydia, March 28, 1849, is the wife of Elias Florence, and George F., the subject of this sketch.

The late Edward Fitzgerald held the office of justice of the peace for twenty years. He served aS a member of the Legislature during the session of 1845 and 1846 and served as associate judge for two years. In addition to this he filled various township offices. At the time of his death, Judge Fitzgerald was one of the oldest surviving pioneers of Madison county and one of its most esteemed and worthy citizens. Mrs. Edward Fitzgerald died in February, 1889, and her husband on September 26, 1890.

George Fitzgerald received a common-school education and lived at home with his parents for many years, having been engaged in business with his father, buying and feeding sheep, from about 1870 to 1888. After his father retired, Mr. Fitzgerald carried on the business alone for a number of years. He has improved the farm by ditching and tiling and has built a commodious country house. He owns one hundred and fourteen acres of magnificent land and, for a long time, has been engaged in raising a high grade of cattle.

On November 17, 1875, George Fitzgerald was married to Emma Crookham, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, and who was the daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Phillips) Crookham, who spent their entire lives in Pickaway county. The father of Emma (Crookham) Fitzgerald was born and reared in Ross county and was a farmer by occupation. To this marriage there were born two children, both of whom are living, Warnie T., born on November 28, 1876, who married Frank Taylor and lives in Montana, where he owns a large ranch. They have one daughter, Nancy J. Cecil, the second child, was born on June 27, 1878, and lives in Montana, where he is in partnership with his brother-in-law, Frank Taylor.

On December 24, 1904, Mr. Fitzgerald was married, secondly, to Lottie Brown, a daughter of William and Hannah (Smith) Brown, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and who settled in Pickaway county, Ohio, in an early day. He was married in Madison county and spent the greater part of his life in this county. He died many years ago. Mrs. Brown lives in Dayton, Ohio, with a daughter.

Before his election to the office of county commissioner, Mr. Witzgerald served as trustee of Fairfield township and as school director during a period of fourteen years. He is now serving his first term as county commissioner, but has already been elected to the second term, a very high tribute to the efficiency of his administration and the satisfaction he has given to the taxpayers of Madison county.

Dewitt Clinton Burnham

Eminently prosperous on the list of progressive and up-to-date farmers of Madison county, stands the name of Dewitt Clinton Burnham, who is descended from good tel Mioncex stock, from whom he inherited the spirit of thrift and forceful determination. With such an inheritance and a good education, he began his life work on a more solid foundation than wealth alone could have given him. ae reputation as an industrious worker and his splendid judgment along agricultural lines, attested by his present valuable acres. speak for his character of good citizenship.

Dewitt Clinton Burnham, farmer, Irwin, Ohio, was pom on June 22, 1858, in Pike township, Madison county, Ohio, and is a son of Dwight and Sylvia (Mann) Burnham. He was reared to manhood in the township where he now resides, and

Delaware, Ohio. After completing his college course, Mr. Burnham very wisely selected agriculture as a means of making his way in the world, and has' every reason for feeling well satisfied with his choice, since he is the present owner of a fine tract of land, consisting' of four hundred and eighty-eight acres, the most of which is under cultivation. Politically, he is a stanch Republican, but has never taken an active interest in local politics. ;

Dwight Burnham, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born on July 5, 1830, in Pike township, and is a son of Darius Burnham. His wife was Sylvia Mann, by whom he had four children, all of whom are living in 1915: Ollie, Dewitt Clinton, Celia and Elizabeth. Ollie became the wife of T. E. Burnham (not related), and lives in Mechanicsburg; Celia became the wife of A. L. Mumma, of Mechanicsburg, and Elizabeth was married to C. R. Hunter, also a resident of Mechanicsburg, Ohio.

Darius Burnham, the paternal grandfather, came from Vermont to Ohio, locating in Madison county, where he lived until his death. He was one of the pioneers of the county. *

Dewitt Clinton Burnham was united in marriage on September 28, 1900, with Alice McAlliser. She was born in Union county, Ohio, where she received her education in the district schools. ' a

As a successful agriculturist, Mr. Burnham takes his place in the front ranks, and is known throughout the entire township as a man of high principles in his dealings with his fellow men. 3 '