Pickaway Township (part 8 of 49)

At this writing, the Colville family descendants living in Pickaway County are Judy, Anna, and Alice Beckman, who live on the family farm on Thompson Road in Scioto Township, and Mallory (Beckman) Hartley and Bryce Beckman, who live nearby on Walker Road.

Pictured are Brice and Edith (Deyo) Connell. They were born and raised in and around the Mr. Sterling and Derby, Ohio area. They were residents of Derby, Ohio for 51 years.

Brice graduated from Mt. Sterling High School and went on to receive his Bachelors degree in education from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He received his Masters degree in teaching from Ohio State University.

Brice began teaching in the Darby Township School District and went on to become principal and then superintendent. In 1958, he retired after thirty-six years.

Brice served as member and president of the Central District High School Athletic Association; along with being a member and president of the State High School Athletic Association for more than 20 years. During this time Brice received the Naismith Award and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, for his contribution to high school basketball.

During his tenure he was clerk of the Darby Township School Board. After his retirement, he served as clerk of the Westfall School Board for a period of ten years.

He was superintendent of the Derby Methodist Church for 51 years, and taught the Young Adult's class. He was also a 32 degree Mason in the Mt. Sterling Lodge.

Brice and Edith were the parents of four children: Robynell (deceased) (Carl) Curl, Kathleen (Don) Kolodgy, Emerson (Betty) Connell and Roger (Joyce) Connell. Robynell and Carl had no children. Kathleen and Don's children are: Sharon, Linda and Richard; they have three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Emerson and Betty's children are: Penny and Keith; they have five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Roger and Joyce's children are: Rhonda, Rebecca and Robyn; they have six grandchildren.

Audry Blanche Cook

Audry was born October 15, 1895 in Yellowbud area to Eliza and Zula (Henry) Cook. She departed this life on October 20, 1939. She is buried at Springbank Cemetery next to her husband.

She had two sisters: Mrs. Iris (John) Martindale and Mrs. Marlene (Earl) Metzger. One brother, Silas Cook, died in infancy. Two halfsisters from her mother's second marriage to Henry Young, Mrs. Cecil Bennadum and Mrs. Ruth (Homer) Dum who died March 13, 1939.

Audry married William Major McCollister on Jan. 1, 1919 and to this union, they had one son who died in infancy and a daughter Gwendolyn born February 9, 1920.

Gwen married twice, first to her mother's half-sister's husband Homer Dum on February 26, 1940. They had one child, Boyd Rife, born on December 12, 1940.

Elias Parker Cook was born on January 25, 1861 in Columbia Township, Meigs County, Ohio, the son of Warren Josephus and Clarissa (Wood) Cook. He was one of 12 children. Margaret Virina Harris was born July 9, 1863 in Vinton Township, Vinton County, Ohio near Vales Mills. She was the daughter of John and Jane (Bowen) Harris. Elias and Margaret were married on May 16, 1885 in Vinton County. They moved to the Ashville area in 1892 and soon built ahome which still stands today at 544 North Long Street. Elias worked as a farm laborer.

There were 7 children born to this union, six of whom survived to adulthood. They were: Goldie (Harold Stewart), Alfred (Ida Edwards), Claude (Pearl Thompson), Lafe (Carrie Blair), Parker (Lela Arnold), and Roland (Mabel Brown). The children attended the Greenfield School north of Ashville and the Ashville United Brethren Church. Goldie married in 1902 and moved to Vinton County. Elias Cook died a year later on February 7, 1903.

The 1910 US Census shows Margaret as head of the household but with the last name of Shelpman. The census record states she had been married for 5 years. Her husband's name was not listed at the same address. Margaret's occupation was listed as laundress working out of her home. The census record also shows that Alfred and Ida lived with his mother and had been married less than one year. Alfred and Claude's occupations were railroad laborers, and Parker was a farm laborer. Lafe and Roland were not old enough for employment.

A postcard from Goldie to her mother written around 1910 told of abundant harvests and the need for workers in the Midwest. Consequently, Goldie and her husband, then one by one her single brothers moved to Nebraska becoming farmers and ranchers. They met and married Nebraska girls. Margaret also went to Nebraska between 1910 and 1915. She operated a boarding house in Ord, Nebraska for a time. Alfred and Ida stayed behind and began raising their family. Four children were born in Ohio before they went to Nebraska about 1918. Another son was born to them while living in Nebraska.

Margaret married Silas B. Clift at the courthouse in Grand Island, Nebraska on January 14, 1915. The new Mrs. Clift and her husband returned to Ashville within the next 5 years. The 1920 US Census shows Margaret employed as a toiletry salesperson and Clift as a salesman of nursery products.

in Columbus. Roland and Mabel raised six children who were all born in Ashville and remained in the central Ohio area. Goldie stayed in Ord, Nebraska raising 4 children. Lafe moved to Mc- Cook, Nebraska where he was a barber. He and his wife raised two sons. Claude had two sons born in Nebraska and in 1933 moved his family to Vancouver, Washington. Both Claude and Lafe served during WWI. Alfred and his family returned to Ashville about 1930. He too found work at Buckeye Steel Castings. Another child was born in Ashville in 1931. All of Alfred and Ida's children remained in the central Ohio area. Parker did not return to the Ashville area until 1937. He and Lela had had 6 children, and the two oldest daughters were married and remained in Nebraska until about 1944. Two additional children were born in Ohio. Parker worked as a carpenter/handyman while Lela cleaned homes and worked at Brinker's (currently The Bus Stop Café). None of Parker and Lela's children returned to Nebraska. Most stayed in Ohio. Mr. Clift had died in 1928 after falling out of a tree on the Cook property. Mrs. Cook-Clift supported herself by taking in boarders and by selling Watkins Products. She died in January 1950 at the home place. Margaret and Elias, and Silas Clift are buried at the Harrison Township Cemetery in South Bloomfield, Ohio. Elias and Margaret leave an estimated 296 living descendants from the 3" through the 6" generation. -Submitted by Sue Cook

Franklin Coon Family

Franklin Coon was born in 1831 on the family farm in Madison Township, Pickaway County. He was the son of George and Sarah Cutler Coon. On January 7, 1857 he married his neighbor, Margaret McDavitt. Margaret was born September 23, 1836, the daughter of Levi and Susannah Hott McDavitt.

The Coons migrated to Piatt County, Illinois the same year they were married. They bought a farm that was valued at $1600 in 1860. Their children were: Thomas F. born October 11, 1857, Louisa J. born March 1, 1859 and Jessie Benton born March 27, 1862.

On September 4, 1862 Franklin enlisted in Company K of the 107" Illinois Infantry Regiment. Franklin received a flesh wound to his left hand on May 27, 1864 during a skirmish with enemy forces near Dallas, Georgia. He was sent to the U.S. Army General Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana for treatment. While there he contracted typhoid pneumonia and as a result died July 4, 1864.

After Franklin's death Margaret married Edward Wollington May 17, 1874 in Piatt County. The marriage ended in divorce September 11, 1883. Margaret moved to Macon County, Illinois where she married John R. Bailey, a minister, on August 24, 1897. Margaret died May 25, 1920 in Decatur, Illinois.

Thomas married Catherine Ann Hayes in Macon, Missouri in March 1881. They moved to Burlington, lowa where they raised their nine children. Their children were: Judson L., Robert Franklin, Harry Iowa, Pearl Burlington, John Leroy, James Alvin, Charles Clarence, Hazel Mae and Ruth Blanche.

Jessie married William Grabill on March 23, 1879 in Piatt County, Illinois. Their children were: Ida Mae born February 8, 1880; Olive who died in infancy; Goldie Pearl born December 26, 1886 and Laura Birdell born June 5, 1889. William had a new/used furniture business in Decatur where he used his dandy pony named Billy to pull a wagon that had quite small wheels. The idea was that he would not have to lift any furniture very high to load it.

Ida Mae Grabill married Daniel Condon. They had no children. Goldie married William C. Hall. Their children were: Inez, Theodore Kenniston, Virginia Elinore, and twins Nancy Caroline and Marjorie Ann.

Laura married Benjamin Thomas Strongman in Springfield, Mlinois June 25, 1907. Benjamin, the son of Thomas and Anne Tillings Strongman, was born August 27, 1883 in Williamstown, Wales. He died June 21, 1974 in Decatur. Laura died April 22, 1988 in Decatur. The Strongman children were: William Edward born 1908, Robert Eugene born 1914, Jack Milton born 1917, Benjamin Thomas Jr. born 1921 and Rosemary Jean born 1925.

Jack Strongman married Mary Margaret Burns. Their children were: Larry Lee, Linda Irene, Starleen M., Dreamlet L. and Roseana Marie. Jack and Mary moved from Decatur to Thousand Oaks, California in 1959.

George Coon Family

George Coon, born March 25, 1788 near Romney in Hampshire County, Virginia, arrived in Madison Township in 1806. March 10, 1812 he married Sarah Cutler, born 1787, the daughter of Enos and Mary Cutler. George served in the War of 1812. Dec. 10, 1817 he purchased 77 acres at St. Paul, near Ashville, Ohio. The Coons had seven children. George married Sarah Ann Wilson. Julia married Joseph Dildine and had children George, Julian, and Joseph. John died young. Emily married Noah Cardiff and died in Monroe Township. Luke married Susanna Arndt and had children George, Susan, Sarah, John, Helena, and Jennie. Enos married Mary Shannon and had children George, Neil, Sarah, Enos, Rebecca, and Mary. Franklin married Margaret McDavitt and had children Thomas, Louisa, and Jessie. Enos and Franklin fought in the Civil War and died during service. George, Sr. died Sept. 1, 1846, and Sarah died May 3, 1852.

Sons George and Enos purchased the farm at auction June 1, 1852. After Enos' death in 1863, George and his family continued farming. George, born June 28, 1818 was married Oct. 19, 1847. Mrs. Coon, who went by Anna, was born Feb. 27, 1824, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Gordy Wilson. Their first child, Sarah Jane, married Lewis Fridley and had three daughters: Lenora, Alberta, and Anna. Enos married Phoebe Elizabeth Hoover and they had children Katie and James Arthur. John married first Maggie Kelly and they had Charles, Mabel, and Anna. John married second Sidna Beckett. Hannah Catherine married John W. Teegardin, and they had daughter Florence. Rachel Elizabeth died unmarried from typhoid fever. Clinton married Mary Barrick, and they had daughters Elizabeth and Mildred. Clarence married first Hattie Betts. Second he married Gertrude Powell, and they had son Wilson. George and Anna Coon were St. Paul Lutheran Church members. The couple both died in Feb. 1889 and one funeral was performed, with burial at Reber Hill Cemetery.

In 1897 Enos Cutler Coon, born Aug. 13, 1852, purchased the Harrison Township farm where his wife was raised. Mrs. Coon, born Nov. 26, 1857, was the daughter of Jacob and Ivy Kiles Hoover. Children Katie and Arthur were graduates of Ashville High School. Katie married Frank Reber from Royalton, later moving to a farm in Marion, Ohio. Enos died July 13, 1914, and his wife died Mar. 24, 1927.

February 9, 1910, Arthur, a farmer, married Edna Humble, daughter of Gilbert and Lida Brinker Humble. Arthur was born Aug. 21, 1881, and Edna was born May 4, 1886. Edna and Arthur had children: Helen, George, Donald, Frank and Normagene. Helen, Donald, and Frank never married and lived in the family home their whole lives. Arthur died Sept. 27, 1956, and Edna died Noy. 28, 1960. Helen, a Capital University graduate, died in1973. Donald died in 1979, and Frank in 2003.

George Humble Coon, born Jan. 15,1914 was a graduate of Walnut Twp. High School and a WWII veteran. On July 10, 1949, he married Ethelyn Burdell Stir at Hopewell Church. She was born Jan. 1, 1914, daughter of Ralph Sr. and Anna Ruth Stir. Their children are Mark and Ruth. Ruth married Edward Eberts, Jr. Their children are Sheila, Robert and Erin. Sheila married Brad Thomas, and they have daughters Kayley and Hannah. Mark Coon married Lisa Sawvel. Their children are Lindsay, Christopher, and Jonathon.

Respected farmers, George and his brothers farmed near Ashville, Ohio as Coon Brothers. The brothers weré long time exhibitors of pumpkins, squash, and gourds at the Ohio State Farm and Circleville Pumpkin Show. With his wife, George operated Coon's Farm Market for over 30 years. He served as a director of Ashville

Grain Company for 30 years and served on the Ashville Citizen's Bank board of directors 25 years. George died Jan. 20, 1980, and Burdell died Dec. 12, 1995. They are buried at Reber Hill Cemetery.

Normagene Coon married David George Cornwell in Columbus, and their children are Karen and David. Karen married Michael Mc- Coy and had children Michael, Stephen, and Kelly. David married Donna Morris and their sons are Jeremy and Andrew.

Absalom Coontz-Esther Dechert

Absalom Coontz was born 8-11-1811 in Virginia and died 2-1-1891. He moved to Scioto Township, Commercial Point, Pickaway County, Ohio about 1830. On 11-5-1835 by Charles Bell, Justice of the Peace, he married Esther Dechert, daughter of Peter and Margaret Dechert. Esther was born 6-14-1814 in Virginia and died 8-16- 1879. Absalom was a farmer and he and Esther built their house on Coontz Road. They are buried at the Presbyterian Cemetery on Walker Road, Pickaway County.

John was born 12-8-1837 and died 5-29-1914. On 12- 8-1864 he married Maggie Welsh who was born 3-17-1840 and died 5-13-1918. They are buried at the Presbyterian Cemetery. John was a soldier in the 6" United States Cavalry. John and Maggie had one child: William A. born 1-11-1866 and died 2-20-1937. On 9-6-1891 he married Rachel Lerch, who was born 7-27-1866 and died 1-25-1928. They had 8 children: Clyde, Edna Ross, Vera Jenkins, Peter F., Pauline Miller, Oscar Huber, Pansy Gease, and Mary Emma Derflinger. William, Rachel, Clyde, Vera, Peter, and Mary Emma are buried in Concord Cemetery, Grove City, Ohio.

Peter was born 1-11-1839 and married Elizabeth, born in 1837. Their 6 children were: Allen, born 1891; William, born 1894; Mary, born 1895; George, born 1896; John, born 1898; and Absalom, born 1900. Peter was living in Throckmorton, Texas when Absalom died in 1891.

Absalom and Esther Coontz Home Place on Coontz Road. Catherine Crabill Coontz (married to Absolm and Esther's son Walter) and two of her sons John Allen and Jesse.

William Jacob was born 1849 and died 1898. He was never married and had no children. He lived in Vanita Indiana Territory but was back in Pickaway County in 1891 when Absalom died.

Margaret E. was born 8-10-1851 and died 12-13-1917. On 8-26-1869 she married Theodore Birkhead, who was born 4-7-1844 and died 3-13-1926. They are buried at Grove City Cemetery, Grove City, Ohio. They had 6 children: George O., born 12- 1-1875 and died 5-5-1965. He married Maude, born 3-22-1882 and died 1-27-1987 at 104 years 10 months old. They had 2 children: Howard and Helen Kraft. Howard's 2 children are Barbara Major, Columbus, Ohio and Mary Stewart, Mansfield, Ohio. George, Maude, Howard, and Barbara are buried at Union Cemetery, Columbus, Ohio. Stella Belle was born 8-3-1878 and died 12-26-1969. She married Prentiss Borror who was born 11-7-1878 and died 2-20-1936. They are buried at Grove City Cemetery, Grove City, Ohio. Hetty was born 9-28-1880, Clara was born 6-17-1883, Leslie Absalom (Mart) was born 1-30-1886 and died 9-25-1958. Leslie is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, West Jefferson, Ohio. Jesse was born 10-2-1888.

Perry B. was born 7-18-1857 and died 1-5- 1917. He married Melissa Henry on 4-10-1880. Melissa died 3-4-1894. Perry is buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Worthington, Ohio. On 11-5- 1914 he married Maria Brooks, who was born

Melissa and Perry's 5 children were: Chlora E. born 11-11-1881 and died 5-8-1918. She married Charles Rhodes, born 3-24-1882. Chlora is buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Worthington.

Abbie was born 2-13-1883 and died 1-23- 1919. On 9-12-1912 she married Leonard Davis who was born 5-24-1892 and died 7-4-1965. Abbie is buried with a son who died in 1914 at Presbyterian Cemetery on Walker Road. Also, a daughter, Wanda Davis Miller.

Frank Cleveland was born 2-16-1885 and died 3-1-1958. Frank married Martha Lewis on 5-22-1909 who was born 2-5-1894 and died 4-27- 1981. They are buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Worthington. They had 5 children: William E. born 2-12-1910 and died 8-3-1984. On 5-4-1934 he married Margaret Fraker who was born 10- 9-1914 and died 5-26-1980. They are buried at Fairview Memorial, Delaware, Ohio. Their two children are: William A. Coontz who resides in Canal Winchester, Ohio and Sandra Coontz Shough who resides in Columbus, Ohio.

Helen was born 1-9-1916 and died 9-6-1981. On 6-11-1931 she married Wray Wickline who was born 9-6-1910 and died 5-9-1974. They are buried at Blendon Central Cemetery, Westerville, Ohio.

Dorothy was born 5-2-1927 and married Garnold Townsend, Carl Shaw, and Robert Townley. Robert was born 5-26-1920. They reside in Columbus, Ohio.

8-21-1999. He married Avanell on 6-22-1950. Avanell was born 1-29-1924. He is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ada, Ohio. Avanell resides in Ada, Ohio.

Dora Mae was born 6-5-1892 and died 9-24-1977. Dora married Sheridan Boyer on 8-23-1910. Sheridan was born 7-25-1890 and died 3-23-1952. They are buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, Stoutsville, Ohio. Their 4 children were: Mary E. who was born 4-25-1912 and died 1-31-1990. She married Arthur Henthorne who was born 3-12-1909 and died 1-26-1977. They are buried at Glen Rest Cemetery, Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Ellsworth was born 12-20-1913 and died 11-16-1934 and is buried at Maple Hill Cemetery, Stoutsville. Wayne was born 11-26- 1915 and married Lucille on 11-2-1940. Lucille was born 11-8-1917. They reside in Groveport, Ohio. Lelah Belle was born 11-5-1917 and died 10-18-1989. Lelah married Leonard Paul Forgery who was born 2-21-1913 and died 11-5-1985. They are buried at Dutch Hollow Cemetery, Amanda, Ohio.

Absalom Coontz is a brother to Anthony and Elizabeth Coontz Lentz. Esther and Rebecca (Dechert) Coontz are sisters. There are descendants of Absalom and Esther in Ohio and various states.

Rebecca Dechert

Anthony Coontz was born in Virginia 1-18- 1801. He was a farmer and around 1825, he was one of the first settlers of Scioto Township, Pickaway County, Commercial Point, Ohio. He died 11-16-1856. He married Rebecca Dechert, daughter of Peter and Margaret Dechert on 9- 13-1827 by James Miller. Rebecca was born 5-28-1804 in Virginia and died 10-22-1865. They built their house on Coontz Road on land given to them by her father. They are buried at Presbyterian Cemetery, Commercial Point, Ohio. They had 7 children. Margaret was born 7-26-1828 and died 8-2-1887. On 9-22-1846 she married James A. Beckett, born in Virginia on 9-8-1820 and died 9-11-1846. James's father, Wiley H. Beckett established, in 1844, the first store in Commercial Point. They are buried at Beckett Cemetery, Commercial Point, Ohio. They had 3 children: Ellen born 1848, John E. born 10-22- 1852 and died 5-6-1938. He married Ermina, born 10-8-1856 and died 3-17-1946. They are buried at Beckett Cemetery. Clara was born 5- 19-1855 and died 5-2-1921. Clara married John Peters on 1-21-1875, born 10-27-1847 and died 1-11-1928. They are buried at Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio.

Elizabeth, born 4-14-1840 and died 3-11- 1908, married Oliver Brant and they lived in Iowa. They had 3 children: Charles, born 1868 and died 1917, Mary and Lillie.

Anthony Polk, born 11-16-1846 and died 10-13-1925. Anthony married Cynthia Newlin 2-20-1873. All 12 of their children were born in Iowa. On 8-27-1896, Charles K., born 1873, married Effie Nora Davis, born 1872. Jesse S., born 1875 married Harriet Alice. Hattie, stillborn 1878. Jesse was a doctor in Iowa. Henry Lee, born 1877 married Susie Sears, born 1867. Jacob E., born 1879 and Edgar O., born 1880. Edgar was a school teacher. Sarah R., born 1882, married MT Barr. Melvin Floyd, born 1884. Durbin Bliss, born 1886, married Lena B. Trisler, born 1891, William Ivan, born 1888, Roland Pearl, born 1891, Archie, born 1894, and Olive B., born 1896 married Lawrence Barry.

Anthony Coontz is a brother to Elizabeth (Coontz) Lentz and Absalom Coontz. Rebecca and Esterh (Dechert) Coontz are sisters. They are descendants of Anthony and Rebecca in Ohio and various states.

Elizabeth Coontz Erhardt Lentz

Elizabeth Coontz was born 12-30-1802 in Virginia. Elizabeth died in Commercial Point, Scioto Twp., Pickaway Co., Ohio on 8-27-1847. Elizabeth is buried at the Presbyterian Cemetery in Commercial Point, Ohio. She married Erhardt Lentz on 11-14-1825 in Hardy Co., Virginia. Erhardt was born in Stuttgard Wurtemburg, Germany on 1-2-1797 and died 3-5-1873. Erhardt is buried in Lentz's Cemetery in Decatur Co., lowa. In 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, Erhardt was the drummer boy. The battle was fought between France and England and was Napoleon's first and only defeat.

They had 5 children. Henry William, born 1-25-1825 in Hardy Co., Virginia and died in Washington in 1908. Henry married Mary Ann, born in Ohio, January 1825 and died 2-13-1885 in Marion, Mo. Jacob Lewis, born 7-14-1829 in Hardy Co., Virginia and died 5-1-1891 in Woodland Top., Decatur, lowa on 10-10-1850 in Darbyville, Scioto Twp., Pickaway County, Ohio. Jacob married Jane Beavers. She was born 9-3-1833 in Scioto Twp., Pickaway Co., Ohio and died 8-26-1905 in Woodland Twp., Decatur Co., lowa. Solomon C., born 1-15- 1832 and died 5-18-1858 in Decatur, lowa. In

1855 Solomon married Mary Ann Riddle, born 11-7-1835 in Highland Co., Ohio. Mary died 9-7-1936 at Siam, Taylor Co., Iowa. Elizabeth A., born 1835 in Hardy Co., Virginia and died 3-19-1905 in Decatur Co., lowa. She married Jefferson Baker, born 1824 in New York. Jefferson died 6-20-1890 in Decatur Co., Iowa. Frederica, born in Scioto Twp., Commercial Point, Pickaway Co., on 2-28-1843. Frederica died on 3-15-1914 in Woodland Twp., Decatur Co., Iowa. Frederica married George Rains 10-10-1861 in Iowa. George, born 2-22-1839 in Highland Co., Ohio and died 10-6-1906 in Woodland Twp., Decatur Co., Iowa. Elizabeth and Erhardt moved to Pickaway Co. after 1835. After Elizabeth's death, Erhardt remarried and moved back to Decatur Co., Iowa. There are Lentz descendants living in Ohio, Iowa, Colorado and other states. Elizabeth Coontz Lentz is the sister of Anthony and Absalom Coontz. -Submitted by B.J. Shouh

Cooper

John Edward Cooper, II, and Krista Michelle Agin, were married on June 9, 1990, at the Circleville Church of the Nazarene by Pastor Calvin Alexander and Pastor William G. Hill. John is the son of John Edward Cooper and Christine Louise Warner Cooper, both originally from the Charleston, West Virginia areas and Krista is the daughter of Terry Dean Agin and Carolyn Ruth (Greenlee) Agin, both of Circleville, and the granddaughter of the late Carl Manford Agin and Mary Lorena (Turner) Agin of Circleville, originally of Woodsfield, Ohio, and the late Gaylord Greenlee and Mary Ann (Stapleton) Greenlee Struckman of Circleville.

John and Krista are the parents of Kassandra Michelle Cooper, born November 17, 1991; Kortney Elisabeth Cooper, born October 19, 1993; and Konner Thomas Cooper, born July 7, 2004. John is a graduate of Logan Elm High school and Hocking Technical College, Nelsonville, Ohio, and is a senior developer analyst for The McGraw Hill Companies, Columbus, and Krista is a graduate of Circleville High School, and is a legal secretary for Steely Law Office, Circleville. John, Krista and their son, Konner, are "Berger Babies", all three having been born at Berger Hospital, Circleville. -Submitted by John Edward Cooper II

Charles A. Cordle Family

Charles A. Cordle was born June 24, 1926 at Ashland, Kentucky. He is the son of A. Alfred Cordle and Ann Lykins. Alfred and Ann are buried in Greenlawn Cemetery at Louisa, Kentucky.

Charles went to a one room school at Wilbur, Kentucky in Lawrence Co. He arrived in Ashville, Ohio on a Norfolk and Western passenger train, July 26, 1942. The reason for coming to Ashville was to work at

Taken after 1825. Crites Canning Factory. This was his first job. He next worked at Oman Bakery, Columbus, Ohio. Staring in 1943, he worked at David Packing Company, Columbus, Ohio, until their closing, November 1969. Charles then got a job at Lockbourne Air Base, Ohio, in the Commissary Meat Department in 1970. In 980, the base was deactivated and became Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base with the commissary closing that December. That January 1981, Charles became a Department of Defense Police Officer at Rickenbacker until his retirement, July 2, 1988. He has been a member of The Ashville Area Heritage Society since soon after it was organized and volunteer worker and tour guide at the museum.

Charles married December 1, 1946 in Ashville, Ohio to Cleora Marie Myers, born September 3, 1928 in Ashville, daughter of William and Rosa Payne Myers. They still live in Ashville as do their 3 children: Carol Ann, born May 24, 1949 in Circleville, married June 13, 1964 in Clintwood, Virginia to Donald Harry (Butch) Webster, born October 29, 1946 in Columbus, OhiosCharlene Marie, born September 18, 1951 in Circleville, Ohio married December 1, 1971 in Ashville to Charles Edward (Chuck) Malone, born March 13, 1947 in Jackson Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and Charles Alfred Jr., born July 18, 1957 in Circleville, married September 16, 1980 in Circleville, Ohio to Rose Marie Russell, born August 8, 1958 in Circleville, Ohio. Charles and Cleora also have 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren all living in Pickaway County. Donald Harry (Donnie) Webster Jr., born January 16, 1965 in Circleville, married June 13, 1992 in Ashville, Ohio to Joyce Lynn Hamilton, born May 24, 1969 in Zanesville, Ohio. They have | daughter, Blaike Madison, born December 18, 1992 in Columbus, Ohio. Twila Marie Webster, born August 9, 1968 in Circleville, Ohio, married August 1, 1987 in South Bloomfield, Ohio to James Elmer (Jimbo) Brady, born January 4, 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. They have 3 children: Scott Andrew (Scotty), born September 16, 1985 in Chillicothe, Ohio, Kayla Ann, born December 3, 1989 in Columbus, Ohio, and Nathaniel Celtic, born July 29, 1991 I Columbus, Ohio. Christina Marie Malone, born May 23, 1973 in Circleville, Ohio, married August 14, 1994 in South Bloomfield, Ohio, to David Gene Jordan, born January 31, 1973 in Columbus, Ohio. They have 2 children: Hannah Marie, born January 11, 996 in Lancaster, Ohio, and Christopher David Jordan, born March 2, 2000 in Lancaster, Ohio. Craig Michael Malone, born September 16, 1978 in Circleville, Ohio, married July 24, 2004 in Ashville, Ohio to Kristi Lynn Gregory, born November 30, 1979 in Circleville, Ohio. Charles Michael Cordle was born February 19, 1981 and Ryan Russell Cordle was born June 20, 1985, both in Chillicothe, Ohio. -Submitted by Charles Cordle

Donald P. Courtright

Jesse D. Courtright was born 1811 in Bloom Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. He married Sarah Stout in 1831. She was born in 1808 and died in 1881. In 1834 he moved to Walnut Township. He was a big land owner and farmer in Pickaway County. He was an elected official and served in the Ohio State Legislature. He and his family attended the Presbyterian church. He was a member of the Democratic party and was a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Courtright prospered and was able to leave each of his nine children farm land in Pickaway County. His children were: John, George S., Edson, Samuel W., Sarah, Jane, Elizabeth,

Alva Paul, and Amanda. Jesse's son, George S., became a physician. He had a practice in Lithopolis, Ohio. He served with General Burnsides in the army and accompanied him on an expedition against the Indians. The commander he served under was Kit Carson. George S. was the surgeon for the

George married Cora Stevens. Her father was also a surgeon. George and Cora had a son, Jesse S. who married Evalena Pontius. To this union were born 6 children. Their first son, George, drowned in the Scioto River during a graduation party. His brother Donald nearly drowned trying to save him. The other children were: Donald, Anna (Hedges), Bertha (Clellan), Helen (Beck), Mary (Doherty) and Jesse E. (Jim). Jim is the only one of these children still living at this writing.

Donald was born in 1896. He married Grace W. Miller in 1918. (Information on the Miller family can be found elsewhere in this volume). Donald was a dairy and grain farmer. His farm was located on Rt. 316, west of Ashville, Ohio.

His wife, Grace attended Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, obtaining her degree in Home Economics. In 1917 she taught at Jackson High School. After her marriage she remained at home and became a wonderful mother and homemaker. She was a great baker and loved taking care of her children. Donald and Grace made sure that their children had opportunity to succeed. They attended the Methodist church in Ashville. Grace had a drivers license, but her parents were killed in a tragic auto accident involving the interurban railroad in Ashville and after that time she never drove again. Their children were: Ruth (Hugh Miller), Robert (Dorothy Schludecker), Charlotte (Harry Rife), Donna (Gervaise Peters), Barbara (Edwin Leifheit), George William (Patricia Metzger), and Carolyn (Chester Peters (died) and Benis Lutz).

Ruth worked at the Ohio State University in the registrar's office. Charlotte graduated from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio and taught at Teays Valley High School, Ashville, Ohio. Donna was a graduate of Ohio University. Barbara graduated from Lancaster Hospital School of Nursing, and Carolyn also graduated from Ohio University and taught at Teays Valley High School. Robert served in the U.S. Army during World War IT and returned to the home to work on the farm with his father. Robert and his wife were the parents of 7 children. George William was also a farmer

Carolyn had 2 children, Karen and Richard (Rick). Karen, born in 1953, married Michael Snyder. She is a graduate of Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, with a business degree and is currently living in Springfield. Rick was born in 1956 and is a graduate of Ohio State University. He has his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. He is the president of The International Society of Manufacturing Engineers and travels worldwide with this position.

George Washington Cox

George was the son of James and Elizabeth Stump Cox born on Sept. 6, 1868, near South Perry in Hocking County. Later his family moved to Saltcreek Township in Pickaway County on Punkin Ridge Road now called the South Perry Road. He was united in marriage to Ellen Weaver, daughter of Levi and Sarah Weaver on October 14, 1898. To this marriage was born four sons and one daughter: Earnest, Samuel, Russell, Johnny and Ethel. His wife, Ellen, died February 1, 1924, leaving him to finish raising their children; Johnny, the youngest, was 13 at the time.

Seated George Washington Cox. His children left to right: Johnny L., Russell, Ethel Marie Cox Hunt, Earnest and Samuel Allen Cox. Taken at Ethel's home on Moccasin Road, Saltcreek Twp.

George was a farmer in Saltcreek Township and owned land on the South Perry Road, Armstrong Road, and on Moccasin Road where he resided with his daughter Ethel and her husband Edison Hunt before they moved to Laurelville, four years before his death.

After giving up his beloved animals on the farm, he still managed to keep a few chickens in Laurelville. He died suddenly of a heart attack in the chicken house on December 28 1950. He and his wife Ellen are buried in Tarlton Cemetery.

Ernest Cox married Clara Julian and had five children: Ralph, Evelyn, Leonard, Bernadine and Lawrence. Clara died in 1976 and Earnest in 1978. They are buried in Bethany Cemetery in Hocking County.

and Sally. Russell died in 1967 and is buried in Green Summit Cemetery, Adelphia, Ohio. After Russell's death, Billie married Fred Fee Jr. who became a father to Russell's and Billie's small children. Fred was the owner of Fees' Fruit Orchard on County Line Road near Stoutsville. Fred died in 1995 and is buried in Forest Cemetery, Circleville.

Johnny married Mabel Davis and had three children: Wanda, Ruth and George. Johnny worked for the Defenbaugh Funeral Home in Tarlton, farmed, and was an employee of Eshelman's Mill in Circleville. Mabel Cox died from the result of an automobile accident on December 11, 1994, and Johnny died November 19, 1995, from a heart ailment. They are buried in Tarlton Cemetery along with their son, George, who died in 1970 at the age of 25.

Ruth Cox married Dallas Dingess and have a son Charles (Andy) and he and his wife April have two sons, Jonathon and Joshua and all live in Chillicothe, Ohio.

This is being submitted by George W. Cox's granddaughter, Wanda Cox Hartranft, wife of David Hartranft, son of Roy and E. Viola Rhymer Hartranft, and we reside in Pickaway County on Route 159 near Tarlton. We are the parents of six children: Timothy, Tracy, Thomas, Teryl, Trina, and Trent. Those living in Pickaway County are Tracy (Tammie), Teryl Seitz and son Dustin,

John Adam Creutz, Creitz, Critz Crites Family

John Adams Creutz/Creitz, the son of John and Dorothea Creutz, was born in Germany, September 13, 1737. He came to this country in 1753 and settled in what became Albany Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. John Adam Creutz married Anna Catharina Schmitt in 1762. John Adam Creutz was a Revolutionary War soldier and his record can be found in the Pennsylvania archives, 5" series-Vol. VIII, Page 504, served as Pvt. 2" class, beginning in 1772 through 1788.

John Adam is listed in Lynn Township, Pennsylvania as a farmer and weaver with 275 acres of land. John Adam and wife Catharina are buried in the New Bethel Church Cemetery, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Their children were John Daniel, John, George, Jacob, Adam, Christian, Samuel, Henry and Catherine.

John Daniel Creitz/Critz was born May 21, 1778 in Lynn Township, Northhampton County, Pennsylvania. He married Catharine Petrie, born November 6, 1779, Berks County, Pennsylvania. Children born in Berks Country were Reuben, Samuel, John, Julianna, Charles and Cyrus. In 1812 this family came by covered wagon to Pickaway County, Ohio, Salt Creek Township, and settled on their 100-acre farm. John Daniel served in the War of 1812. Five children were born to this family in Salt Creek Township: Amos, Levi, Catherine, Jacob and Elias. John Daniel was a farmer and worked at the weaving trade. John Daniel and Catharine are buried in Stump's Cemetery in Salt Creek Township.

Amos Crites, born 1813, Salt Creek Township, married Priscilla Aldenderfer, born 1817, who was the daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Reichelderfer) Aldenderfer. Amos was a farmer and weaver and did not speak English. Their farm was south of Dutch Hollow, East of Circleville, Ohio in Fairfield County. Their children were David, Sarah, Malinda and Mary. Amos and Priscilla are buried in the Dutch Hollow Cemetery, Fairfield County.

David Crites, born 1844 Amanda Township, Fairfield County, married Mary Myers, born 1845, daughter of Thomas Myers. David was a thresher, lumberman and farmer. Many homes and barns were constructed with lumber from the Crites Sawmill. Their children were Harley Albert, Elmer, Carrie and Mary. David Crites and Mary are buried in Dutch Hollow Cemetery.

Harlen Albert Crites, born 1872 Amanda Township, Fairfield County, married Melzine Stebelton, born 1869, daughter of Noah and Elizabeth (Dickson) Stebelton. Harley Albert, or H.A. as he was well known, followed the footsteps of his father as a thresher, lumberman and farmer. During World War II Crites cut and sawed some of the last virgin white oak timber standing in Fairfield County as directed by the U.S. Navy for use in the shipyards. H.A. Crites and Melzine raised two children: Mildred Leona and Frank W. Crites. H.A. and Melzine are buried in the Dutch Hollow Cemetery.

Mildred Leona Crites was born August 9, 1895 in Amanda Township, Fairfield County, and married Herbert Young, born September 15, 1890, in Amanda Township. Their children were Geraldine E., Ned R., Victor H., Joe F., David A. and Janet S. Mildred Leona, or "Lee" as she was known, was a cook for the Amanda School, Amanda, Ohio. Herbert Young operated a Ford garage in Amanda, Ohio from 1916 until 1931. Herbert and Mildred Leona Crites Young are buried in Dutch Hollow Cemetery.

C. and Grace May (Woolever) Leist of Pickaway and Fairfiled Counties. Ned R. is a member of all Masonic Bodies of Pickaway County and the Sons of the American Revolution. Rebecca J. is a member of the Eastern Star and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Ned R. and Rebecca J. have three children: Ronald Richard, born December 2, 1939, a retired Electrical Engineer of the General Electric Company and resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Rosalyn Carole, born July 29, 1943, 1 works for the Veterans Hospital and resides near Chillicothe, Ohio; Patricia Louise, born October 16, 1947, a school administrator and resides in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Ned R. Young served in the U.S. Navy in World War II, Electrician Mate First Class and is a retired senior electrical design engineer of Abbott Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio. Ned R. and Rebecca J. reside in Circleville and have many records of the Crites, Young and Leist families.

Cromley Homeplace

The brick house, built in Walnut Township in 1803 alongside many natural springs and a creek, has outstanding walnut woodwork throughout the home, including many doors, and 8 fireplace mantles. Catherine Cromley Conner, sixth generation, is currently (2004) residing there and restoring the home. The house has been home to 7 generations, and has had 3 additions over a period of 200 years.

Grandad William, of course, died during these years. It was an unusually warm spring week in April. His wake was held on the front porch where he was packed in ice from the ice house on the creek. As the time went on and the day warmed, the front porch had an "odor problem". This was solved by moving the casket to the "New Grainery" for the funeral. The grainery had front and back drive-through doors.

In 1870, William Cromley, gave the Norfolk and Western Railroad access through the east side of the farm. This rail system bordering on the town of Ashville, Ohio was for the improvement of commerce. Throughout the years numerous parcels of land were gifted to the town; for a school, housing, streets and later a city sewage system.

Thaddeus Leroy Cromley Farms

Thaddeus Edward graduated, Phi Beta Kappa, from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He returned to farming in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, and married Mary Rebecca Millar of the adjoining farms to the west and bordered by the Scioto River.

Mary Rebecca and Thaddeus E. had 7 children: Alva, William, Charles, Thaddeus LeRoy, Amy, Marie and Metta. During those years, Thaddeus became an Ohio Congressman and Senator, serving many terms and also serving on the Ohio Board of Agriculture. At this time, Reynoldsburg Research, (Ohio Agriculture Research and Development Center), Reynoldsburg, Ohio, and its main building were built with Thaddeus E. being instrumental in the construction. The Cromley Farm was used for early research on hog cholera.

When Thaddeus E. went to the Statehouse for sessions, he would board a canal boat at Millport and sleep through the night and be in Columbus, Ohio the next morning. In the meantime, two of his sons, William and Thaddeus L., would race the horses and two Phaetons to Columbus and spend the night and leave a horse and buggy for their father's transportation while in Columbus.

Thaddeus LeRoy and his brother-in-law Glen Nickerson (Amy's husband) founded the Circleville Oil Company. Brothers, Charles, Thaddeus LeRoy and William also founded the Ashville Grain Company and The Citizen's Bank of Ashville.

Cummins Family

Born in 1785 in Fairfax County, Virginia, William Cummins, a veteran of the War of 1812, married his wife Mary in 1809. The family migrated to Harrison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, in the early teens. They had eight children: Sidner B., Mary Ann, William, George F., John, James, Francis and Edward W. William died on September 18, 1851 and Mary died on May 24, 1875. Both are buried at Reber Hill Cemetery in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Sidner B. was born on June 11, 1818, a farmer in Harrison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, and a substitute teacher, married Eliza M. Wright on March 4, 1849 in Franklin County, Ohio. Sidner and Eliza had nine children: Susan R., Jacob W., Harriet, Sidner W., Arthur, Frank, Mary A., Joseph and Mar- Sidner Walter Cummins tha. Sidner B. died 1866-1948 March 4, 1876 and Eliza M. died June 30, 1899. Both are buried at Reber Hill cemetery in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Belle Barker on May 15, 1887. They both were farmers and had six children: Lewis M., Nellie E., Herbert A., Harold V., Lydia and Walter. Sidner W. died January 7, 1949 and Clara Belle died March 5, 1931. Both are buried at Reber Hill Cemetery in Walnut Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. Their home in Harrison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio, was thought to be one of the first to be electrified outside the village of Ashville, Ohio.

Herbert A. was born January 26, 1891 and married Clara A. Kuhlwein, November 27, 1915. Herbert and Clara were farmers and also operated the Scioto Trail Dairy in Harrison Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. Herbert and Clara had four children: George S., Robert A., Richard R., and Ralph E. Both Herbert and Clara are buried at Harrison Township Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio.

George S. was born July 27, 1918 and married Helen L. Boyer on October 3, 1940. George was a veteran of the South Pacific in World War II and served on board LST #593 in the U.S. Navy. George worked for Omar Bakeries in Columbus, Ohio and the Chillicothe, Ohio branch. He also worked for the U.S. Air Force at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. George transferred to the U.S. Postal Service in Ashville, Ohio, from where he retired. George and Helen had one child, Michael. Both are buried at Harrison Township Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio.

Michael was born September 29,1942 and married Linda M. McNeely on May 31, 1968 in Columbus, Ohio. Michael and Linda had three children: Elizabeth H., Cheryl L., and Michelle M. Michael worked at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio and The Department of Veterans Affairs in Chillicothe, Ohio from where he retired in 2004. Michael was an Army veteran and served in the Army Reserves for ten years. Michael and Linda's children reside in Pickaway and Fairfield Counties and they have five grandchildren: Sydney and Samual Allen, Leslie and Travis Rhodes, and John Stiver.

Enos Cutler emigrated from England to Virginia in 1809 and then to Madison Township in Pickaway County. He bought a portion of Section 25 in Harrison Township which he farmed and improved. Asbury Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church and cemetery are located on land he donated. Enos married Mary and they had children: James, Enos, John, Rachel, Sarah, Nancy, and Susan.

James, who served in George Gibson's Company during the War of 1812, was killed in Columbus. Enos, born in 1791 in Virginia, married Rebecca Coon, born 1794 and a sister of George Coon, on April 1, 1822. Rebecca was first married to George Miller, March 28, 1815 in Franklin County.

Enos and Rebecca lived on Section 25. Daughter Sarah Ann, born in 1823, married her neighbor James Burget, October 11, 1847. James, a farmer, was born in 1821. They had sons Enos

August 12, 1871, Enos Cutler Burget married Nancy J. Fisher, and they had Emma J., Mary A. born July 4, 1874, James C. born June 1875, and A.J. (Arthur) born November 1870. Second, Enos married Mahaley Gloyd French and they moved to Hardin County. Mary Altha Burget married Ira M. Scothorn, son of Monroe and Margaret Morrison Scothorn.

John Cutler married Caty Ice on August 2, 1810 and they had several children. None of them stayed in Pickaway County. Rachel Cutler died of cholera.

Sarah Cutler married George Coon, a brother of her brother Enos' wife. They lived at St. Paul and had children: George, Julia Ann, John, Emily, Luke, Enos, and Frankin. George married Sarah Ann Wilso and they had children: Sarah Jane, Enos, John, Hannah, Rachel, Clinton, and Clarence.

September 19, 1816, Nancy Cutler married Thomas Becket Burton, son of Joshua Becket Burton. Thomas was born in 1793 and died in 1829, and Nancy was born March 9, 1794, and died in 1836. Both are buried in Hopewell Cemetery, Franklin County. Their children were: Sarah, born June 20, 1817; Luke Decker, born October 20, 1818; Enos Cutler, born August 18, 1821; Thomas, born March 20, 1825; and William Thornton, born January 18, 1828 and died April 16, 1864.

Luke Decker Burton married Cynthia Hoffhines, born January 10, 1819 and daughter of George Hoffhines and Margaret Tritsch. They lived on Section 32, Madison Township. Their children were: Vause, John, Sarah, George, Enos, Thornton E., Edward, Nelson, and Luke. Enos C. Burton married Mary Adkins, born 1827, March 29, 1846 and had children: Cynthia, Emily, Mary, Nancy E., Marion, Dimmot, Mary A., Alatha, Jacob, Emanuel, and James. February 18, 1849 Thomas Burton married Emily Wright who was born June 21, 1826. She died December 28, 1863 and is buried in Harrison Township Cemetery. They lived in Section 7 of Harrison Township. They had children: Nancy C., John, Elijah, George, and Thomas. Second he married Harriet, and they had children: Edward, Charles, and Oscar. William married Elizabeth McDanal February 27, 1850. He died April 16, 1864.

John Davison

John Davison, born 1706 in Ulster, Ireland, immigtrated in 1742 to Augusta County, Virginia. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Davison. He and his wife Jane had ten children: George, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Margaret, John, Robert, Mary, Edward and David.

Edward R. Davison was born in 1750 in August County, Virginia, and died in August of 1827. Edward moved his family to Pickaway County, Ohio in 1803. He married first wife Mary and they had two children, Mary and Samuel. He then married second wife Eliza Stevenson and they had five children: Elizabeth, Robert, Margaret, William and Jonathon. He then married Elizabeth Eikes and they had five children: Katharine, Nancy, John, Lydia and Edward.

William Davidson was born in 1803 in Ohio and died August 8, 1884. He married Rachel Ater, born August 5, 1805. They had nine children: Elizabeth, Nancy, Mary, Ohio Pency, Isaac, Edward, Ann, Samuel and Rachel.

Samuel Davidson was born in 1848 in Ohio and died in 1904. He married Sarah Ellen White, born February 26, 1857, in Ohio. They had ten children: William, Rachel, Maude, Lilly, Cleveland, Edgar, Nancy, Sara Ella, Oscar and Frank.

Oscar Davidson was born March 19, 1893 in Ohio and died January 19, 1959. He married Myrtle Marie Ryan, born November 14, 1896 in Ohio. They had three children: Fredrick, Harry and Anna.

Fredrick Davidson, born February 19, 1915 in Circleville, Ohio, died August 25, 1967. He married Anna Mae Seymour, born February 14, 1917. They had four children, two still living.

Dawson

234 N. Court Street about 1886. L to R: unknown, Lyman Hammel, Samantha Heffner Hammel, James Hall, Daisy Murray (neice of Samatha & Kate). Kate Heffner Hall, unknown.

The tax records for the property indicate that some structure was probably built in 1841 as James Moore's taxes increased. The 1859 directory indicates that James Moore occupied the property on the east side on North Main,

Lyman Hammel and James Hall contracted with Amos Cook for a building on the southeast corner of High and Court Street (234 N. Court Street) in 1881-1882. The property was just north of the original circular town plat. The General Business Review of 1889 states that the building was erected in 1882 by Hall and Hammel and "adapted to business requirements and family residences for themselves, and both in architectural appearance and convenience is a model of neatness and elegance. It is constructed of brick, two stories and basement in height and 30x85 feet in dimensions. The entire building is heated by hot air furnace and finished in modern style. The business offered "Staple and Fancy Groceries, Provisions, etc."

The Review further noted that both men brought to their grocery business the "fullest financial ability and business experience." The stock carried "can only be briefly noticed as embracing best grates of groceries and provision, country produce, queensware, glassware, wooden and willowware, tobaccos, cigars, notions, etc., while goods are delivered promptly to patrons free in all parts of the city. This house ranks among the most prosperous and reliable of its class in the city."

By about 1900, Perry M. and Irene Pressler offered Staple and Fancy Groceries at the location. On September 1, 1910, Clyde O. Leist opened and continued to operate the Clover Farm store for 38 years. In 1910, crackers were sold by the barrel and beans were bought in bulk, not by the can. On retirement from the store in 1949, Leist commented that he had more than a dozen customers who had traded with him since he opened the store. He also noted that he was among the first to deliver orders given over the phone, and he had phone service from both Bell and Citizens telephone companies for the purpose. ;

Myrl F. Collins acquired the store and after redecorating opened Collins Grocery in mid 1949. Collins started in the grocery business in Circleville in 1945, at 1002 South Court Street.

He operated from 234 North Court until 1961 when Ernie Weiler operated the grocery for a couple of years, then Earl Lutz purchased the property and sold groceries for another 15 years. A June 15" (1978?) sales receipt for $16.48, at the Historical Society's Moore house has a note on it, "Honey, this is the last bill from the store." His son Mark Lutz owns the building at the present time, 2005.

In 1979 Carpet Contractors of Central Ohio occupied the building for a brief time, then the building was adapted to food service and several eating establishments have occupied the site since 1981. Arthur Murray opened Murray's Restaurant for a short time about 1981, then Bambi and Dan Bach, of Columbus, Ohio, served food to the community as Bambi's for a few years. Towfig and Jannette Kharoufeh operated Tony's Café from 1985 until 1991.

In 1992, Paul and Jennifer Dickey remodeled and opened the Roundtown Café. The café displayed a variety of historical photographs reminiscent of Circleville history. The Dickey's offered a variety of sandwiches and dinners including Italian, Greek and American specialties and sandwiches. For a few months in 1991-2000 the Café continued to operate under the ownership of Bonnie and Clyde Hart.

In March, 2000, Circleville residents Dave and Dee Dawson purchased the Café and offer a variety of sandwiches and meals including a house specialty, the Chicken Crisp. The pictorial record of Circleville's past has been expanded and continues to be displayed in this historic building.

David Dawson Family

David E. Dawson moved to Pickaway County from Indianapolis, Indiana in March 1971 to begin work at the new RCA plant in Circleville as a production foreman. After graduating from Purdue University in June, his wife Dee followed. Horie was in Carvel Manor, west of South Bloomfield, Ohio for several months, and then they purchased an older home on North Court Street in Circleville, Ohio.

Dave's work for RCA included many years in Quality Assurance, and efforts to establish 24- hour emergency medical coverage in the plant. In the community, Dave worked with other founders to establish Circleville's Emergency Medical Service, and held the office of president and other positions in the fledgling organization. The EMS began responding to emergency calls in 1974 from a park bench on the lawn of Berger Hospital. Dave volunteered countless nighttime hours on duty as emergency medical technician and later as one of Circleville's first paramedics.

Dee found work with the State Library of Ohio on a project that provided State Library resources to local public libraries throughout the state. When son Mark was born in 1973, Dee retired to homemaking and volunteering that supported church, school and community. She served two terms on the Circleville City Schools Board of Education and also represented Circleville Schools on the Pickaway Ross Vocational School Board.

As a member of the American Association of University Women, Dee worked on many local projects, and served as president of the Circleville Branch, as well as on AAUW's state board of directors. During the 1980's, Dee helped to coordinate a project to establish a pre-high school level foreign language program. LIFT OFF, Language Is Fundamental To Our Foreign Friendships, gave younger Pickaway County children an international language experience.

Both Dee and Dave volunteered for the Boy Scouts, with Dave serving as Cub master, scoutmaster, and district commissioner. He earned Wood Badge and Black Foot designations, and was honored with Silver Beaver and Cross and Flame awards. Dee helped as cub den leader and merit badge counselor.

Son Mark was born in Berger Hospital and attended Circleville Schools where he was active in the National Honor Society, Band, Quick Recall, and played soccer and wrestled. He achieved Eagle Rank in Boy Scout Troop 52, and spent most summers camping and joining other scouts at Jamboree, Philmont Scout Ranch, and Sea Base. He also participated in a Central Ohio Explorer Post that worked through the 1990 Everest Environmental Expedition to clean up the base camp and establish recycling programs. After graduating in 1991, Mark was sponsored by Circleville Noon Rotary as a Rotary Exchange Student. He spent the 1991-1992 school year in Austria.

When Mark left for college in 1992, Dee returned to work as a reference librarian for the Wagnalls Memorial Library, Lithopolis, Ohio, a historic, endowed library in Lithopolis, and she enjoys working on genealogy and local history both personally and professionally.

In 2000 as Dave retired from RCA/Thomson, Dee, Dave and Mark purchased the Roundtown Café, a small family restaurant in downtown Circleville. Mark worked for two years to help establish the business. The Dawsons operated the café for five vears.

Community United Methodist Church, Circleville, Ohio, is a focus of religious and spiritual commitment where Dave and Dee have served, and shared Christ with the community.

David Edward Dawson is the son of the late Melvin Edward Dawson and Ellanora Fair of Ridgeley, West Virginia. Born in Elkins, West Virginia, May 10, 1942, he is the oldest of three children. Siblings are Ruth Diane (Edwin) Denzler of Fort Myers, Florida, and Leroy Dawson,

Delores Ann Leeson, Dee, was born June 28, 1942 in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and is the daughter of Kenneth Fleming Leeson and Neva Marie Pryor. Siblings are Dorothy Marie (Harold S.) Griffin of Phoenix, Arizona, and Doris Jean (Donald E.) Lea, of Beavercreek, Ohio. The Dawsons married March 21, 1964, in Parkersburg, West Virginia.

Mark was born October 14, 1973. He is a graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, with majors in German and Science and Technology Studies. He operates Kise Consulting, with varied interests in writing, photography, management, and technology support at home and abroad.

Deal Family

Arthur Deal, Sr. was born August 23, 1902 in Wellston, Ohio. He became a coal miner and when the mines closed he found work in Columbus, Ohio at the Brown Lamp Company. It was here that he met Georgia Pearl Welsh. She lived in South Bloomfield, Ohio with her parents, Harry Ethridge Welsh and Amy Alice Miller Welsh. Art found room and board with her family. Eventually Arthur and Georgia were married on December 22, 1926. They lived in South Bloomfield all their lives. Arthur retired from Swift Packing Company in Columbus, Ohio. Arthur died September 30, 1972 and Georgia died April 4, 1997. Arthur and Georgia had two sons, Arthur J. Deal and David Deal.

Arthur J. was born June 29, 1927 in South Bloomfield. He attended South Bloomfield grade school and graduated from Ashville High School, Ashville, Ohio in 1945. On June 28, 1946, he married Ada Lou Beckett. They were married in Ashville Methodist Church by Reverend Albertson. They went to housekeeping on Long Street in Ashville. Other residences include addresses in Columbus, Circleville and Ashville. To this union were born three children: James, Jody and Jan. Art attended Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio for two years. He became manager of B.F. Goodrich Company on Parsons Avenue in Columbus. This business his spouse opened a flower shop at 204 Long Street in Ashville with a second shop opening in Circleville in 1969. Both businesses were sold in the early 1970's. At that time Art and Ada Lou became manufacture representatives for a number of gift manufacturers with a show room in the Columbus Gift Mart. They retired in 1998 and continue to reside in Ashville.

Dean Family

Lewis H. Dean and Margaret (Vanzant) Dean moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, March 2, 1946, to the E.L. Shottenstein dairy farm one mile west of Circleville, Ohio. They had lived in Leesburg, Ohio, Highland County.

Lewis' family lived at Fayetteville, Ohio and Washington Court House, Ohio. Margaret's family lived in Highland County at Hillsboro and Lynchburg, Ohio.

Lewis and Margaret were married November 28, 1936. They have one son, Gary J. Dean, who lives in Circleville. They lived on the Shottenstein farm for eighteen years and then bought a house in Logan Elm Village near Circleville. Lewis sold Lennox furnaces and air conditioners. Margaret has been an American Red Cross volunteer for over forty years with over 14,800 hours spent as a volunteer. She is active in the Community United Methodist Church in Circleville, Ohio.

The Gary J. Dean Family

Gary Joe Dean was born in Leesburg, Ohio; his parents were Lewis Harry Dean (born in Fayetteville, Ohio) and Margaret Ellen VanZant (born in Highland County, Ohio). On June 5, 1965, he married Mary Jane Stephenson of Logan County, Ohio. They have two sons: Stephen Lewis, born June 5, 1968 in Flemingsburg, Kentucky and Jeffrey Alan, born May 14, 1971 in Columbus, Ohio.

Gary served as Circleville High School band director from 1970 until 1975. He founded the original Pumpkin Show Band in the mid 1970's. He was a salesman of advertising specialties and a founded a company: Central Ohio Promotions. He also sold real estate for several companies in central Ohio. In 2002, he was named regional vice president of ERA Martin & Associates/Chillicothe and was the Circleville Office Manager. Gary and Mary Jane served Good Shepherd United Methodist Church (Circleville) as choir director and organist for ten and eighteen years respectively.

Mary Jane founded a multi-teacher music studio in 1977 called Studio One, located at 250 E. Franklin Street. This studio has provided music instruction for young and old Pickaway Countians for over 28 years. She has also served as adjunct professor of piano and organ for the Circleville Bible College for over 25 years.

Stephen married Cindy Baily of Clintonville/ Columbus, Ohio on September 6, 1997. He is an investigative news reporter for the NBC affiliate, KTRH NewsTwo Houston, Texas.

Jeffrey is currently a major in the United States Army, serving as an orthopedic surgeon in Heidelberg, Germany. He married Jasmin Khair of San Antonio, Texas on August 31, 2002.

John & Rose Sarbri Dean

This is the history of my Grandparents John and Rose Dean. John Dean was born in Pickaway County in 1861. Rose Dean was born in Germany in 1861. She came to America at the age of 8 years and settled in Pickaway County, Ohio.

Rose met John Dean and they were married in 1881. John and Rose had 9 children: 3 boys, Jack, Clarence and Fred, and 6 girls, Jenny, Laura, Christal, Tracy, Etta, and Lena. They started farming in Pickaway County, south of Circleville, Ohio. About 1885 they inherited about $2000, which was a lot of money in those days. Other Pickaway County relation had gone west to Kansas to farm and wrote back that it was the promised land for farming and they should come west. They left Circleville about 1885 by train and arrived in Dodge City, Kansas, where they were met by relatives. They settled in Ford, Kansas, which is about 30 miles from Dodge City and lived in a sod house. Some of their children were born in Kansas. They stayed for about 10 years and returned to Ohio in 1895. They returned because they had tried to grow corn in dry country. My father took them back to Kansas in 1939 to visit. My grandfather said that when they plowed the prairie sod, the weeds were as tough of competition as the dry weather. Today they grow wheat and irrigated corn. While in Kansas he drove a horse and wagon down to Oklahoma Territory for the land rush, but there were too many already there, so he headed back to Kansas and shortly returned to Circleville, Ohio. They started farming again and my mother, Christal was born near Yellowbud, Ohio in 1898.

They farmed there until about 1914 and then moved to a farm north of Derby, Ohio. My Dad, William J. Green met my mother and they were married in 1918.

John and Rose Dean moved to a farm south of Williamsport, Ohio in 1918. Mom (Christal) and Dad (William) lived with them the first year and Dad said they plowed 100 acres with nine horses and three | bottom plows.

John and Rose farmed until about 1925 and moved south of Thatcher, Ohio. They had 10 acres and one cow to milk. Grandpa (John) never learned to drive a car. He drove a horse and buggy to church in Thatcher. My first memory of my grandparents is when they lived at Thatcher. They moved to Circleville, Ohio in 1943. I remember staying with them while attending the Pickaway County Fair in 1946. Grandpa (John) died in 1947. Grandma (Rose) came to live with us and died in 1949. They are buried in Forest Cemetery in Circleville, Ohio.

Walter Dearth Family

Walter Jasper Dearth was born to Samuel and Margaret (Allen) Dearth on September 24, 1876 in Vinton County, Ohio. He was one of seven children. He married the former Margaret Seney McRoberts of Ross County, Ohio on March 15, 1905. Walter died on December 12, 1955 at the age of 79 and Margaret died on April 23, 1928 at the age of 51 from cancer. They are buried in Forrest Cemetery at Circleville, Ohio.

was a life long farmer and businessman. She was a schoolteacher and community leader. She taught Sunday School at the Circleville Methodist Church. He bought a farm in Pickaway Township, Pickaway County, three miles south of Circleville, Ohio. They lived there with their family until 1923 when they purchased and moved to their home at 407 East Main Street (now the office of James River, DDS) thinking their children would receive a better education at a larger school. He purchased and operated the Jim Antill Confectionery (later known as Dearth & Sons Confectionery) on East Franklin Street for three years. Here they made homemade candies and ice cream using their own farm dairy products that he also sold to other businesses in Circleville. He was well known for his "sweet corn" stand at his Route 23 farm.

He also was a Real Estate Agent working for Will Morris, and later sold monuments for the Zenker Monument Company, located in the Anderson building on East Main Street, Circleville.

They were members of the Methodist Church, Circleville, now known as the Community United Methodist Church. They were parents of two sons, Samuel F. Dearth and John W. Dearth and two daughters, Alice Margaretta (Cameron) and Bernese McRoberts (Rader). They had ten grandchildren: Carolyn (Robert) Young, Bonnie (William) Hildenbrand, Margaret (Carroll) Cook, Roland Dearth, Diane (William) Bennet, Richard Cameron, Marilyn (Dave) Dodson, Joyce Auberchom, Nola (Ted) Bahnsen, and Noel Clark Rader Jr. (deceased).

Walter enjoyed traveling with his friends and family, especially going out West. He loved to discuss and argue politics with his friends Ed Krisel and Walt Goodman.

Johann George Decher (?-1762), his wife Christina Elizabeth (1711-1783) and his son Johann Peter (1736-1783) came from Germany and sailed from Rotterdam on the ship Neptune. They landed in Philadelphia in 1754 and settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Johann Peter was an officer in the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Deckard could not track two of Johann Peter's seven sons. He comments only that William (1766-1824) and Peter (1769-1846) disappeared with their older brother John on a trip "into the West". Fortunately, he does provide an account about a younger brother, Michael, who settled in Abingdon, Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Subsequent search of census and land records found William and Peter also living in Washington County. Deed books show many purchases and sales of town lots and farmland by Michael, Peter and William between 1798 and 1823. (The three brothers owned adjacent lots in Abingdon.)

In 1804, Peter married Margaret Crow (abt. 1778-1843), the eldest daughter of James and Jane Crow, who lived in an adjacent farmhouse that still stands. James Crow served in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Peter and Margaret's six children were born in Virginia. Peter and William sold their farm in 1823 to Robert Preston and moved to Ohio. They purchased their Pickaway

County property from the same Robert Preston. Their only son, William (1809-1874) and five daughters (Elizabeth Beavers, Esther Coontz, Jane Beavers, Rachael Legg and Rebecca Coontz) were married in Ohio.

Peter's brother, William, was never married. He also moved to Ohio in 1823. William died in 1924 leaving everything to his brother Peter "and his heirs forever, considering John Crow as one". John Crow was a half brother to William (1809-1874).

During 1834, Peter Dechert transferred much of his property to his children. The Wheeler Map of 1844 identifies property owned by the Decherts, Van Vickle, Coontz, Beaver and Seeds. Margaret died in 1843. Peter remarried Nancy Ady in 1844. Peter died in 1846.

William (1809-1874) married Ann VanVickle (1820-1910). Ann's father, Absalom, is said to have fought in the War of 1812. William and Anna had five sons: Peter (1839-1924), Absalom, John, Daniel and Homer, and five daughters: Elizabeth Gochenour, Harriett Beavers, Alice McDonald, Margaret and Rebecca.

The marriage of Peter (1839-1924) and Mary Hewitt produced one son, William L. Dechert (1870-1950) and four daughters (Laura Learch, Hettie Scott, Anna Prushing and Emily Seeds).

In 1884 William L. married Charlotte Corkwell (1873-1948), daughter of Sampson Corkwell and Harriett Emily Clevenger. Seven children were born of this marriage: Merritte (1895- 1988), Clifford, Lillian Goehring, Ruth Horner, Harold, Pauline Nellis and Frances were born in Orient, Ohio and one, Aubrey, in Cortland, Ohio, where the family moved in late 1913. Merritte (1895-1988) moved to Cortland after graduating from Marysville High School, Marysville, Ohio in 1914.

Defenbaugh Families

Johann Conrad (Tiffebogh) Diefenbach (1659-1738) (there are over 100 spellings) came to America from Germany in the Palantine movement in 1710 with his mother Anna, his second wife Maria Barbara Christler and five children. They settled in Scholarie Valley, New York where two more children, Johann Adam and Anna Dorthea were born.

Johann Adam Dieffenbach (1711-1777) son of Johann Conrad and Maria Barbara, married Sybilla Kobel in 1734 after the family moved down the Susquehanna River to Tulpehocken, Berks County, Pennsylvania. He served in the French and Indian War. Their children were Michael, Catherine, George, Jacob, Magdelena, and Peter. All four sons served in the Revolutionary War.

George (1741-1788), son of Johann Adam and Mary Sybilla, was born at Tulpehocken, Pennsylvania, served throughout the Revolutionary War and was a farmer and miller. He married Eva Magdelena (Mary) Kapp and their children were Catherine, Elizabeth, George, Mary, Adam, John, Anna Christiana (Jane), and Daniel. About 1803, Mary, widow of George, together with her four sons and daughter Jane moved to Ohio, settling near the present village of Laurelville. Jane died in 1804 and was the first burial in Stumpf Cemetery, Pickaway County.

Daniel Dieffabaugh (1786-1871), youngest child of George and Mary, married Hannah Culp; he was a farmer and cabinet maker, and made several pipe organs (one for the Presbyterian Church in Circleville, Ohio), as well as drums for the Union Army under contract during the Civil War. It was related that on the journey to Ohio, a fiddle belonging to his brother, Adam, fell out of a covered wagon and rolled under the wheels, being smashed into 42 pieces. Daniel gathered up the fragments, put them in a grain sack, and upon reaching Ohio, glued them together so well that the fiddle was in use for many years thereafter. The children of Daniel and Hannah were George S., Peter, Mary Magdelena, Mary, Sarah, Leah, Lydia, Daniel N., Adam, David, and Hannah. Daniel, his mother Mary, and wife Hannah were all buried in Stumpf Cemetery.

Peter Deffenbaugh (1808-1865), son of Daniel and Hannah, married Catherine Thomas in 1830. Their children were Almena, Isaac, James Austin, Stephen, Franklin, Savilla and Harriett. Peter served in the Mexican and Civil Wars; he also went to California during the Gold Rush but failed to strike it rich. He was a cabinetmaker and an undertaker and built the first Defenbaugh Funeral Home in Tarlton, Ohio. He and Catherine are buried in Tarlton Cemetery.

Stephen Defenbaugh (1838-1919), son of Peter and Catherine, continued the funeral business in Tarlton, Ohio and enlisted twice in the Civil War. He married Mahala Pontius in 1866 and they were the parents of Jennie, Harley, and Eva. All are buried in Tarlton Cemetery.

Harley Edson Defenbaugh (1869-1957), son of Stephen and Mahala, also continued the funeral business and was a farmer and stock feeder. He married Anna Joch in 1895 and their children were Mary, Harold, Pauline, and William. Their home in Laurelville, Ohio served as a funeral parlor at times in addition to the established business in Tarlton. He used to say Republican

William (Bill) Defenbaugh (1905-1961), son of Harley and Anna, continued the funeral business with his father and moved it to a larger building in Circleville, Ohio. His brother Harold joined the business and lived upstairs over the funeral home for many years. Bill also expanded the farming operation to about 3000 acres. He married Gwendolen Lewis in 1930 and they became the parents of Lois, Barbara, Mary Ann, and Edith--all girls--much to Bill's disappointment, and so ended the Defenbaugh name in this line of the family. Bill and Gwen are also buried in Tarlton.

Lois Defenbaugh (1931), daughter of Bill and Gwen, married Robert A. (Sandy) Jones Sr., who served in the Army Corps of Engineers during the Korean conflict, and they are the parents of Robert A. (Alex) Jones Jr. (1954), Stewart McArthur Jones (1956), Lewis Kyle Jones (1959), and Stephanie Jones Martin (1963). Grandchildren are Jami, Ashley, Alli, Rachel, Lindsey, and Bradford Jones and Marlee and Taylor Martin. Only Lois, Sandy and the Martins reside in Pickaway County at the present time.

Barbara Defenbaugh (1933), daughter of Bill and Gwen, married Lewis Meade and they have a daughter, Sarah. They live in Greene County, Ohio.

Mary Ann Defenbaugh (1934), daughter of Bill and Gwen, married Dalton DeLong. Sherry Bowers, Bill and Dave DeLong are their children. Grandchildren are J.D. White, Meghan, Nathan, Bryce and Avery DeLong. All live in Pickaway County.

Edith Defenbaugh, (1938), daughter of Bill and Gwen, married Phillip Everett and have two daughters, Meg Brumfield and Suzanne Bandy. The Everett grandchildren are Kale and Kara Bandy and Hailey, Merideth and Sam Brumfield. The Everetts and Bandys live in Pickaway County.

Emma Gwendolen Lewis

Gwendolen Defenbaugh's life began many miles from Pickaway County. She was born in Spokane, Washington May 8, 1909. Her family moved back to Ohio when she was six. Her dad had bought a farm in Jackson County a couple of years before they moved back. Both of her parents, William Evan and Mary Margaret Williams Lewis, ancestry originated in Wales but U.S. roots were in the Jackson County area. As a young girl, Gwen took part in the Welsh ? Eissteddfods or music festivals 4 that were held in the heart of the music-loving Welsh community. Gwen graduated from high school at Bloomfield High and went on to The Ohio State University where she majored in Home Economics. She was introduced to Bill Defenbaugh by her brother, Vaughn and Bill's brother, Harold. The brothers taught school in Stoutsville at that time. The economy of the country was very poor and for Gwen to finish college would put a great hardship on the family, so she decided not to finish her schooling. Meeting Bill came at the right time and they were married at her family farm home in Jackson County about a year later.

Gwen and Bill had four daughters: The oldest daughter is Lois Gwendolen who married Robert Alexander (Sandy) Jones and they have four children: Alex, Stewart, Kyle and Stephanie. Robert Alexander married Ellen Hribek and they live with daughter, Allie in Texas. Two other daughters, Jamie and Ashley live in Columbus, Ohio. Stewart McArthur married Kim Kopecky and they have two daughters, Rachel Michele and Lindsey Marie and they live in Florida. Lewis Kyle married Jennifer Megyesi and has one son, Bradford Kipling. They live in Vermont. Stephanie Kay has two children, Marlee Kay and Taylor Robert Martin. They reside in Pickaway County.

Bill and Gwen's second daughter is Barbara Joan. She married Lewis Meade and they live in Xenia, Ohio. They have one daughter, Sarah Ruth who lives in Columbus, Ohio.

The Defenbaugh's third daughter is Mary Ann who married Dalton Earl DeLong. They have three children, Sherry Ann, William Earl, and David Earl. Sherry is married to Robert DeHaven Bowers and is the mother of Jordan DeLong (JD) White. Bill married Bev Swackhammer and they have two children, Meghan Nicole and Nathan Earl. David married Caroline Amelia (Amy) Edler and have twin daughters: Avery Elizabeth and Bryce McKenzie. All of Mary Ann and Dalton's children live in Pickaway County.

The fourth daughter is Edith Lynn who married Phillip M. Everett and they live in Circleville. They have two daughters: Margaret (Meg) Lynn married Mark T. Brumfield. They live in Dayton, Ohio with twin daughters, Hailey and

Meredith and a son, Samuel. The other daughter is Suzanne who married Jeffrey M. Bandy and they reside in Circleville with two children, Kale and Kara.

for a number of years. At the church she also was the pianist, active in the Women's Society of Christian Service and taught the young adult Sunday School

% Class. Gwen served as PTA president for Saltcreek School. She was district secretary of Home Council in connection with Pickaway County Extension Service. She was the corresponding secretary of Pickaway County General Hospital Guild. Gwen liked to garden and belonged to the Pickaway County Garden Club. She liked arranging flowers and won prizes at the fair for some of her arrangements. She was a member of the Republican Club. Gwen liked to sew and made most of her four daughters' clothes and taught them to sew also. She liked to read, travel, and do embroidery, paint, and many other types of arts and crafts. She often carried some type of needlework with her, so if she got stuck waiting on her husband at a cattle sale, or a funeral, she had something to do with her time. Besides all of this, she helped Bill when needed in the funeral and farming businesses.

Gwen was a loving mother and devoted much quality time rearit@ her children. She was a very compassionate person, a good listener, and had a healthy sense of humor. She loved to travel and with her husband traveled to all the states in the U.S. and many countries abroad. Bill and Gwen went to India. They also toured South America and Gwen went to Alaska after Bill's death. She moved to Circleville several years after Bill died and continued her church work, gardening, civic duties, and devoted much time to her ten grandchildren. The last years of her life she battled diabetes and sarcoidosis, dying from the incompatability of the two diseases.

William Edson Defenbaugh

WILLIAM EDSON DEFENBAUGH William E. (Bill) Defenbaugh was born November 28, 1905 to Harley and Anna (Joch) Defenbaugh in Tarlton, Ohio. He attended grade school in Tarlton and graduated from Saltcreek Township High School in 1923. He graduated from the Ohio State University College of Agriculture where he was a member of Alpha Zeta fraternity, Reserve Officer Training Corps and the college livestock judging team. He also was a graduate of the Columbus Training School for Embalmers. He joined his father in the funeral business and farming near Tarlton. They were the. fourth and fifth generations of funeral directors in the family.

In 1930 Bill married Gwendolen Lewis of Jackson County and they lived on farms in Saltcreek Township first on Tarlton Road and later on the Tarlton Adelphi Road. They were members of and active in the Tarlton Methodist Church. They became parents of four daughters: Lois Gwendolen, Barbara Joan, Mary Ann, and Edith Lynn. Much to Bill's disappointment, no son materialized.

Bill continued farming and increased the acreage to about 3000 acres in Pickaway and Fairfield Counties. He and his father moved the Defenbaugh Funeral business from Tarlton to Circleville in the 1940's where Bill and his brother Harold continued in both businesses until his death.

Active as a community leader, he served as a director of the Adelphi Bank and was a charter member of the Pickaway Historical Society. He was a past president of the Circleville Rotary Club, a member of the Masonic Lodge and past president of the Circleville Commandery.

Bill and Gwen really enjoyed traveling and visited every state in the nation including Hawaii. They took a trip around the world in 1956 when they were honored at the wedding in India of Rajinder Singh Randawa, an International Farm Youth Exchange student they had previously hosted in their home. On the way to India one stop they made was in Rome and had an audience with Pope Pius XII at the Vatican. Then in 1959 they went to South America and visited six different countries there. Bill was always interested in the different agriculture practices wherever they went. Gwen always had a good book or some embroidery she could work on while he visited with farmers.

Bill was unfortunately killed in a farm related accident on May 18, 1961, in Columbus, Ohio, when his truck bed malfunctioned. At the present time his daughters survive him as well as ten grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren scattered from Texas to Florida and Vermont as well as Columbus, Dayton, Laurelville, and Circleville in Ohio.

Clarence Deffenbaugh

Daniel Deffenbaugh (son of Daniel Dieffabaugh and Hannah Culp) was born June 30, 1820 and died September 23, 1890. He married Hannah E. Butler on December 24, 1840. Hannah was born July 17, 1818 and died on April 28, 1900. They had the following children: Lewis, Otis, Leannah, Morris, Savilla, James Alvin, George Wilbur and William Austin.

Clarence was born May 19, 1886 and died June 20, 1965. He married Violet Minnie Hockenberry on June 19, 1919 in Ross County, Ohio. Violet was the daughter of William R. Hockenberry (b. 1859, d. March 23, 1923) and Amanda V. Like (b. 1865, d. 1926). Clarence and Violet Deffenbaugh, William and Amanda Hockenberry are buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, Chillicothe, Ohio.

Clarence and Violet had three children. Robert W. married Edna Warren, Mildred E. married Harold Schein. Mildred and Harold had two children, Missy and Craig. Ralph C. (b. May 15, 1928, d. August 6, 1978) married Betty L. Barthelmas. Ralph and Betty had children Stephen, Mark and Clark Joseph.

Delong Family

The DeLong Family migrated to Hocking County, Ohio from Burks County Pennsylvania in the 1700's. The Hocking County farm of Nelson and Bertha DeLong has been the residence of three DeLong generations including Earl and Grace DeLong and their son Dalton Earl, born September 20, 1930. Dalton DeLong met Mary Ann Defenbaugh, daughter of William and Gwendolen Lewis Defenbaugh, born August 26, 1934, at the famous Laurelville skating rink in 1950. The two were married three years later on June 28, 1953 and resided in Laurelville, Ohio. Dalton continued to farm the family farm with his father Earl, as well as, expanding the farm operation into Pickaway County in 1959. Mary Ann attended Ohio University, and was a substitute teacher at Laurelville and Saltcreek schools while also caring for the home and family.

Dalton and Mary Ann's daughter, Sherry Ann, was born in Circleville, Ohio at Berger Hospital, April 7, 1954. The second child, William Earl, was born in Circleville, December 9, 1956. The third and final child, David Earl, was born in Circleville, November 22, 1965.

In 1980, Dalton and Mary Ann purchased and migrated to the Armstrong Farm located at 15543 State Route 56, Laurelville, Ohio. Sherry DeLong married Warren White of Chillicothe, August 10, 1974 which resulted in the birth of

Jordon DeLong White (JD), August 21, 1985. Sherry divorced and married Robert Bower, II of Laurelville, Ohio, July 12, 2001, owner of the Laurelville Fruit Company. William DeLong married Beverly Sue Swackhammer of Laurelville, Ohio, October 24, 1981, which resulted in the birth of Meghan Nicole, November 20, 1984 and Nathan Earl, January 2, 1989. David DeLong married Caroline Amelia Edler (Amy) of Chillicothe, Ohio, June 22, 1991, which resulted in the birth of twin girls, Bryce McKenzie and Avery Elizabeth born October 29, 1998.

Both David and William continued to expand the farm operation with their father, including the original family farm in Hocking County and farms in Pickaway County. Sherry works as a Family Nutrition Program Assistant, OSU Extension, Ross County. Bev is a Team Leader at Columbia Gas Transmission. Amy is the Human Resources Administrator at The Ohio Department of Transportation. All family members now reside in Pickaway County.

The picture is the 50" wedding anniversary of Dalton and Mary Ann with their children and grandchildren. Dalton's mother, Grace DeLong, at the center of the picture, died December 31, 2004 at the age of 103.

James Delong

In 1839 James DeLong, son of George and Rachel (Abrams) DeLong, married Abigail Dunkel, daughter of George S. and Mary (Heinly) Dunkel of Salt Creek Township. James died at an early age in 1854. In 1856 Abigail married Conrad Ett of Walnut Township. The children of James and Abigail - John, Caroline, George and Mary Jane - thus became part of the Ett

In 1862 John DeLong married Mary Stumpf, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Reichelderfer) Stumpf of Salt Creek Township. William Stumpf came from Berks County, Pennsylvania to Pickaway County in the early 1800's. William settled on land adjacent to the Jerusalem Lutheran & Reformed Church. He was successful at farming and drove cattle to market over the mountains. Also, using a 6-horse team he hauled the products of his distillery to consumers in Chillicothe, Ohio.

John and Mary Stumpf DeLong's children were Sarah, George, Caroline and Charles. In the spring of 1870, when Charles was an infant, his father John "went West" allegedly to acquire land with the intent of relocating his family. John was never heard from again. His wife, Mary De- Long, was a devoted Christian but was forced to become a wage-earner. She placed her children in the homes of kind relatives and went to live as a servant with the Samuel D. Riegel family of Salt Creek Township. Mary later relocated to Georgia with the Riegel family. She died there in 1918, almost as much beloved by the Riegel's as by her own children.

Charles DeLong, son of John and Mary, was born 1869 at Adelphi, Ohio. He married Emma Katherine "Katie" Wann in 1890. She was the daughter of Jacob and Sarah Caroline (Odaffer) Wann of Washington Township. Jacob Wann died at age 33, but his wife was able to keep her children with her. She was active in the Evangelical church and passed away in Salt Creek Township in 1902.

Charles DeLong was a life-long farmer, initially in Salt Creek Township and later in Washington Township. He and "Katie" had six children, one of which, Paul, died at age 16. The other children all married Pickaway County natives: Grace married Merrill "Dick" Bowman; Mark married Clara Leist; Ruth married Loring Leist; Pearl married Freeda Leist; Ralph married Leona Bowman.

"Charlie" DeLong was known for his kindhearted Christian nature, an ethic of hard work, and humorous wit. Aside from enjoying the church activities, Grange meetings, and family get-togethers he also liked to travel, not being shy about driving long distances if it meant seeing something interesting. After retiring from farming, he served as custodian for the St. Paul Evangelical Church ("Railroad" church) in Washingten Township.

All but one of Charles and Katie DeLong's children resided in Pickaway County for the remainder of their lives. Pearl and his wife Freeda moved to Lancaster, Ohio in 1943.

"Old Stumpf Place" on Stumpf Rd., Salt Creek Twp. Homestead of William Stumpf (1782-1873) and wife Elizabeth Reichelderfer Stumpf (1790-1878), built C. 1803. They were the grandparents of Charles DeLong (1869-1955).

Ralph Delong Family

Ralph DeLong was b. June 27, 1913 in Saltcreek Township, Pickaway County, Ohio to Charles and Emma Katherine (Wann) DeLong. He was the youngest of 6 children: Grace (b. February 13, 1893, d. June 12, 1958), Paul (b. April 16, 1895, d. in 1911 at the age of 16 of a ruptured appendix), Mark (b. September 17, 1898, d. May 6, 1975), Ruth (b. December 14, 1901, d. September 14, 1980), and Pearl (b. April 25, 1907, d. June 24, 1977). In 1925 the family moved from Saltcreek Township to Washington Township, Pickaway County, Ohio. Ralph graduated in 1931 from Washington Township School. He was employed by Pickaway Dairy, Circleville, where he ran a delivery truck for butter, eggs, and cream to local grocery stores and restaurants and throughout southern Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia and later as a boiler operator for drying milk. In 1948 Ralph was one of the first employees of the new General Electric Plant in Circleville starting as a boiler operator then in plant maintenance. He worked there until his retirement June 27, 1975. For approximately 10 years following his retirement he read water meters for Earnhart Hill Water Company, Circleville. Ralph died September 21, 1994 and is buried in Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio.

On January 26, 1937 he married Leona Marvine Bowman (b. January 26, 1912, d. April 19, 1998) daughter of Daniel A. and Stella M. (Klingensmith) Bowman. Leona was a stenographer at the Container Corporation ("Strawboard"') in Circleville from her graduation in 1928 from Circleville High School until her marriage. Leona is buried in Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio.

Ralph and Leona were active and faithful members in their church, St. Paul United Methodist (formerly Evangelical United Brethren) serving in many capacities. They belonged to Washington Grange and Ralph to Knights of Pythias Lodge.

Denman Family

Son, Joseph, b.1735, Springfield, New Jersey, d.1819, Springfield, New Jersey was a teamster who delivered supplies to the Revolutionary troops.

Son, Matthias, b.1760, Springfield, New Jersey, arrived in Hanover Township, Licking County, Ohio in April 1804, a patriot in the Revolutionary War.

Matthias, Jr. purchased 100 acres of land in McKean Township, Licking County, from his great-uncle, Matthias Denman, of Springfield, New Jersey for $40 on October 20, 1826. They sold this 100 acres to George Thurston in October 1831. On March 5, 1828, Matthias, Jr. purchased acreage in Hanover Township, Licking County, for $300 from James and Mary Harvey.

Samuel was a blacksmith, having learned the trade at Hall and Ward's of Newark, Ohio. When the Mexican-American War began, he enlisted in the 2? Ohio Regiment in 1846. After the war he moved to Circleville around 1848 where he spent the remainder of his life. He married Susan Bechtel on April 25, 1849. Susan died in November 1852. Two children of this marriage died young. On October 30, 1853, Samuel married Charlotte Bechtel Birch. Charlotte was a sister of Susan and had 3 daughters from her first marriage: Julia, who married John McEwing; Mary, who married Daniel Morgan; and Emma, who married Peter Wagner.

Samuel worked as a blacksmith and later as a carriage maker in Circleville. He was treasurer of the Evangelical United Brethren Church when he died October 2, 1895. He is buried in Forest Cemetery, Circleville.

James Wesley, b. 10 October 1854, d. 31 August 1919, m. Hattie Belle Major in 1879. He was a city councilman and worked as Sears-Nichols Canning Company, Circleville.

James F., b.1887, d.1971, m. Tessie Fowler in 1908, and worked at Sears Canning Company, Circleville. Their children were: Dorothy Grau and Nina Brown.

Robert S., b.1890, d.1980, m. Mary Mosher in 1915, a nurse. Robert was proprietor of Circleville Machine Shop. Their children were: James E., who was with the United States Army in World War II and the Air National Guard in Korea, and Ann, who married Gayle C. Wolfe, who was in the United States Army Air Corps and United States Air Force from 1942 to 1969 with service in North Africa in World War II, in Korea and in Vietnam.

Elsewhere in this book is a history of the Denman Family that goes back to its beginnings in England. This history concentrates on the Denman's in Pickaway County, Ohio.

Samuel Denman was a blacksmith and learned his trade with Ball & Ward of Newark, Ohio. When the Mexican War broke out, he enlisted in 2"! Ohio Regiment and after the close of the war, around 1848, he came to Circleville, Ohio.

Samuel followed the blacksmith trade in Circleville, but also was a carriage maker. An 1876 Birdseye view of Circleville showed a Brobeck and Denman Carriage Works.

Samuel and his second wife had 6 children, one died in infancy, the other children were: James Westley, George F. (m. Mary Griest), and William E. (m. Clara Hines), Charles H. (m. Jennie B. Clemons) and Frank.

James Westley m. Alice Ella Glick. They had 2 children, Vaunie Catherine and Elmer Ellsworth. After her death, James married Hattie Belle Majors, daughter of Southy B. and Harriett E. Shaff Majors.

James started out as a buggymaker, was then a grocer and became a night watchman at the Sears & Nichols Canning Factory. His last occupation proved to be his demise. While making his rounds he fell down an elevator shaft. He was found by another employee, was taken to his home on East Union Street in Circleville where he died about an hour later.

Walter Bailey m. Ruth Ellen Young. She was the daughter of George C. and Martha Drake Young. Walter was a grocer and then was a Truant Officer with the Circleville City Schools. Ruth was a teacher in many locations in Pickaway County the last with Circleville City Schools. Each in their own profession and with their own commitment, impacted many children, however, they had no children of their own.

with W. C. Noggle. In 1921, he ventured out on his own and opened The Circleville Machine Shop. It was located on N. Pickaway St., across from the High St. School. Robert was well known for the ability to look at just about any part and produce a duplicate. His shop remained open until January 7, 1978. At the time that the shop closed it was still equipped with the original pulley and belt system.

Robert and Mary had two children: Ann Elizabeth (m. Gayle Christy Wolf). Their two children are Judith Ann, and Christy Lynn. James Elmore (m. Vivian Eleanor Dewey). She was the daughter of George and Alberta Clellen Dewey. They had one child, James Etienne. James Elmore followed in his Father's footsteps and is a machinist. He was in the Air National Guard, but worked year round as a civilian at Lockbourne (presently known as Rickenbaker) Air Force Base, near Columbus, Ohio. He worked on the aircraft for the 121" Air National Guard unit and was known to work on the aircraft that carried the Governor of Ohio. He later married Anna Lou Levering. She was the daughter of Pearl and Ethel Shipley Levering. They had 3 children: Linda Diane m. Dan Dennis, Stephanie Suzanne m. Stuart Sharpnack, Robert William Paul m. Denise Souders.

Linda and Dan had one child, Shawn James m. Angela King, they had one child, Kaitlyn Renee. He then married Kristy Keaton. They had two children; Trevor Keaton and Samantha Megan.

Daniel Dennis

A direct descendant of Donnock Dennis (who was born in 1645 in Galway, Ireland) Daniel Dennis was born in Worcester, Maryland on August 7, 1788 and was the son of Henry and Ann Lewis Dennis. Daniel married Nancy Pennewell in Maryland in 1809. To this union was born 10 children. The first 3 children (Emily, Margaret and Hester) were born in Maryland. He and his young family traveled to Ross County, Ohio sometime between 1818 and 1820. He possibly followed his uncle William Dennis, who arrived in Ross County in 1804. Daniel and Nancy had 7 children (Nancy, Betsy Elizabeth, Leah Amanda, David H., Henry, Mary Ann and Martha) while living in Ross County. After his wife died in 1858, Daniel moved to Monroe Township, Pickaway County, where he remarried. His second wife, Mary Hess, was 47 years his junior! He and Mary had 4 children (Josephine, Effie, George and Zilliah). Daniel's last child was born when he was 79 years old. Daniel died in Pickaway County on October 12, 1877. He was originally buried in Greenland Cemetery on Five Points Pike. His son, George, moved his father's remains to Pleasant Cemetery in Mt.

Sterling. Mary Hess Dennis died in 1918 and is also buried in Pleasant Cemetery, along with 3 of their children. Monuments with Daniel's name are still located in both cemeteries. -Submitted by Sue Dennis

Dennis Family

David H. Dennis was born in Ross County, Ohio on November 10, 1826. He married Minnie Funk (b. June 20, 1826 in Ross County) (d. April 29, 1901) and moved to Monroe Township, Pickaway County, Ohio with his father. He dealt largely in stock and farmed extensively, being the owner of 942 acres. He served as treasurer of Monroe Township. Surviving children listed at his death were William Taylor, Mrs. Nancy Downs and Mrs. Samantha Hill of Monroe Township and David Granville of Muhlenberg Township, Pickaway County. He died July 24, 1907.

William Taylor Dennis was born October 30, 1848. He married Rhoda, daughter of Seth and Margaret Hatfield, on December 13, 1870. He chose farming as a means of livelihood for himself and his family and lived on a farm until the death of his wife (December 23, 1916), after which he moved to Mount Sterling, Ohio where he lived until his death on November 11, 1925. They had five sons, David H., who died in early manhood, Seth Albert and Charles of the Five Points, Ohio area, and Elmer E. and Lawson of Columbus, Ohio.

Seth Albert Dennis was born December 20, 1873 in Muhlenberg Township. He married Mary (Mollie) daughter of Thomas and Mary Puckett Wheelen on February 28, 1896. They traded farms with another brother in order for their child, Ralph Milton, to attend school. He engaged in farming even after moving to Five Points. They were members of the Five Points Methodist Church and Star Grange. Married more than seventy years, they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with an open house, where more than 100 people were in attendance.