BIOGRAPHIES

Source: 
20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio
and representative citizens
Publ: Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., by James R. Lytle 
1908

<BACK TO BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX 1908>
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	H. H. DAVIS, residing on his well-cultivated home farm of 86 acres, owns land in Troy Township aggregating 220 acres, and is one of the substantial as well as leading citizens and public-spirited men of this section.  Mr. Davis was born in Radnor Township,  Delaware County, Ohio, February 14, 1850, and is a son of John H. and Maria (Hughes) Davis.       The parents of Mr. Davis were born in the north of Wales.  They came to America and settled in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1832, locating in Radnor Township among the first settlers.  John H. Davis was an honorable, upright man, a faithful member of the Calvinistic Methodist Episcopal Church.  He was one of the founders of the old church in Radnor Township and his funeral sermon was the last ever preached under the old roof.       H. H. Davis attended the schools in the neighborhood of his home, during his boyhood, and grew to manhood on the home farm.  He remained in Radnor Township until 1885, when he came to Troy Township, where he has resided ever since.  He is one of the leading men of his community, taking an active part in all that pertains to the public welfare.  For six years he served as trustee of Troy Township and for 14 years has been a member of the Board of Education.  He belongs to Radnor Lodge, No. 250, Odd Fellows, at Radnor.      Mr. Davis married Melinda Gust, of Pulaski County, Indiana, and they have had four children, namely:  Lewis; William H.,  who died March 17, 1908, aged 16 years, 11 months:  Guy, and Charles A., who died aged 21 years.  Mr. Davis and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Radnor. Source:  20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle  - Page 704
	ROBERT R. DAVIS, chairman of the board of trustees of Radnor Township, and a prominent and influential citizen of this section, resides on his valuable farm of 89 acres which he has placed under a fine state of cultivation.  Mr. Davis was born Dec. 12, 1865, in Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of John H. and Maria Davis.      The parents of Mr. Davis were natives of Wales.  After marriage they emigrated to America and about 1842 settled in Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio.  They there passed the remaining years of their lives, John H. Davis dying in 1893, having survived his wife for some years.  He was a deacon in the Calvinistic Methodist Episcopal Church, at Radnor.      Robert R. Davis grew to manhood in Radnor Township, attending the local schools, and since youth has been engaged here in agricultural pursuits.  In addition to cultivating his ample farm, Mr. Davis has been engaged in the threshing business for the past quarter of a century, in partnership with H. H. Davis, under the firm name of R. R. and H. H. Davis.  He is considered one of the substantial and representative men of his community.      In early manhood, Mr. Davis was married to Elizabeth Davis, who was born in Radnor Township and is a daughter of the late James Davis, formerly a well-known farmer of this section.  Mr. Davis is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church at Radnor, being a deacon in the same.   Mrs. Davis belongs to the Congregational Church.      In his political views, Mr. Davis is a Republican.  He has been a active member of his party and on many occasions has been sent as a delegate to county conventions.  He has Done much to forward the cause of education in his township.  For nearly eight years he has been township trustee and for a considerable part of this time has been chairman of the board.  Mr. Davis belongs to the Odd Fellows at Radnor, and has passed all the chairs of Radnor Lodge, No. 250. Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle  - Page 743
	DR. H. M. DAY graduated from Cleveland Medical College in 1881.  He is a son of the late Dr. Day of Pandora, Ohio.  The son began the practice in his home town, and came to Delaware in 1903. Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle  - Page 371
	ALEXANDER N. DECKER, contractor and builder, residing at Warrensburg, was born at Fairview, Delaware County, Ohio, June 24, 1859, and is a son of Frederick and Eliza G. (Reynolds) (Nash) Decker.      FREDERICK DECKER was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, and came from there to Crawford County, Ohio, building a grist mill near Bucyrus. Afterward he came to Delaware County and built a stone mill north of Delaware, which he sold some years later. He then bought the Snyder mill, which he rebuilt, but in a few years sold that property also. He was a man of excellent business qualifications and his financial operations were successfully conducted. Later he erected a mill at Mill Creek, where he was engaged in milling for several years. He then moved to Fairview, where he bought a mill on the present site of Warrensburg, and also purchased farming land. This mill he operated for almost thirty years, continuing thus occupied until his death. From 1858 he also engaged in farming and was an extensive agriculturist, owning from 500 to 600 acres of land. He was a successful grower of sheep, keeping 1,200 to 1,400 head, and he raised enough grain to feed all his stock. Until 1872 he was identified with the Republican party, after which he cast his influence in favor of the Prohibition party. Frederick was twice married. The children of the first marriage were: Clark, now deceased, but formerly a resident of Kansas; Greeley, residing at Franklin County, Kansas; Julia, deceased; Alfretta, who married Dr. Willis, residing at Delaware; LeRoy, a resident of Cleveland; Margery, who is deceased; Samuel R., residing in Scioto Township; and Alvin O., who is deceased. Frederick Decker was married secondly to Mrs. Eliza G. (Nash) Reynolds, who was born in Vermont and who was the widow of Solis Reynolds. The children of her first marriage were: Albina, a resident of Nebraska; Richard C., residing at Wichita, Kansas; Marion, who resides in Ostrander; and Solis, who is a physician residing at Indianapolis. Of Frederick Decker's second marriage the following children were born:. Alexander N., whose name begins this article; D., residing at Warrensburg; and George W. and William Newton, both residing in Columbus and F. E. Decker residing on the home farm. The family was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.      Alexander N. Decker was four years old when his parents moved to Scioto Township, where he was reared and educated. When about sixteen years of age he started to learn the carpenter's trade, working for one year with Charles Robinson, from whom he learned the first principles, after which he put them into practice and taught himself, undoubtedly having a natural bent in this direction. For twenty years he operated a farm of eighty acres, which he sold in 1906, and since then he has devoted his entire attention to building and contracting. He gives employment to several helpers, and his contracts take him all over Delaware and Union Counties. He is considered a very expert workman and is one who is never obliged to fold his arms for lack of anything to do.      Mr. Decker married Rosa F. Mason, a daughter of James B. Mason, of Delaware Township, and they have three children, namely: Lorain; Grace, who married Leo Smith; and Eliza Caroline.  Mr. Decker and family belong to the old stone Presbyterian Church at South Radnor. He is an Independent in politics. For many years he has been a member of Ruffner Lodge of Odd Fellows. Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle - Page 625
	ORLIN C. DeGOOD, who enjoys the distinction of being the oldest school teacher, with respect to years of service, in Delaware County, is a highly esteemed resident and leading citizen of Scioto Township.  He was born at Sparta, Morrow County, Ohio, July 17, 1849, and is a son of Joseph O. and Nancy (Vining) DeGood.      The DeGood family can be traced back to 1770, when the great-great grandfather of the present generation crossed the Atlantic ocean from France and settled at Hagerstown, Maryland.  He fell a victim of the British in the Revolutionary War.  He left one son, Joseph, then an infant, who never could recall anything of the family.  Left an orphan at an early age he was reared by strangers, and died in Knox County, Ohio.  He married a widow, Mrs. Taylor, who was a sister of the great British naval commander, Admiral Nelson.  He lived with his wife and five children at Hagerstown, Maryland, until the youngest was six years of age.  In 1812 he crossed the mountains and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania, at a village called Ten Mile Creek, later removing to Knox County, Ohio.      Joseph O. DeGood, father of Orlin C., was born in Pennsylvania, but he was reared in Ohio.  He was a man of quick intelligence, but without educational advantages in his youth, and after his marriage he was taught, as was on of the Presidents of the United States, to read and write by his wife.  He worked at the cooper's trade until 1856, when he bought a farm in Bennington Township, Morrow County, consisting of 50 acres, on which he built a shop and combined coopering with farming until his death, in 1858, at the early age of 37 years.  He was one of his township's most popular citizens and had filled many official positions, and at the time of his death he was the Republican party's candidate for sheriff of Morrow County.  He married a most estimable lady, one who had much to do with shaping his career.  She was a daughter of Calvin Vining, of Morrow County, and was a school teacher at the time of her marriage.  She died in 1854, when about 29 years of age, leaving two children:  Armine, who is the widow of Elias Good, of Danville, Illinois; and Orlin C.  Both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.      Orlin C. DeGood was bereaved of both parents in childhood.  He spent several years as a member of the family of Thomas H. Madden and during that period attended the country schools.  When he was 14 years old he went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he secured a position in the Quartermaster's Department, but within six months he became sick and returned to Ohio, going to live with an aunt in Scioto Township, whose husband was in the army.  In 1867, Mr. DeGood began to teach school, in which occupation he continued in this section until 1906, a period covering 39 years.  He has seen class after class go out from under his instruction to take their places in life and often his interest has followed their careers for years.  Few men in this section are better known or more highly esteemed than Mr. DeGood.      In 1870 he purchased a farm of 40 acres, on which he now resides, having added to it from time to time until it has reached the extent of 100 acres.  It was all wild land when he came here and he has not only cleared it all, but has put up all of the substantial buildings.  He raises from 40 to 50 sheep and about 100 hogs of the Jersey Red variety.  He makes a specialty of growing the Golden Mammouth corn, some of the ears of which are 15 inches in length and have other desirable qualities.  Mr. DeGood introduced it into Ohio from Illinois, where it was originated.      Mr. DeGood married Gertrude Robinson, who was born in Scioto Township.  They had five children two grew to maturity, namely:  Robinson and Claude O.  Mrs. DeGood is a member of the Christian Union Church, while Mr. DeGood is a Quaker.  He was identified with the Republican party until 1896, since which time he has voted independently, taking no active interest in politics.  He is an Odd Fellow and belongs to Edinburg Lodge, at Ostrander, and was connected with the Good Templar organization as long as it was in existence.  (Source #1) Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle
	LEWIS DICKERSON - See Biography of Reuben G. Dickerson below here
	REUBEN G. DICKERSON, who is a leading citizen of Orange Township, where he has his valuable and well-improved farm of 99½ acres under a fine state of cultivation, was born July 3, 1843, m Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Lewis and Cynthia (Noble) Dickerson.      The Dickerson family is of English extraction and it was founded in New Jersey by Lewis Dickerson, the great-grandfather of Reuben G. His son, also Lewis, became the grandfather, and the third Lewis was the father of Reuben G. Dickerson. Lewis Dickerson (3) was born in Tompkins County, New York, November 6, 1810, and in 1832 he came to Sandusky, Ohio, and from there, in 1833, to Orange Township, Delaware County. With the exception of one year later spent in New York, and two years of residence at Cardington, Lewis Dickerson lived continuously to his death on the present home farm to which he came in 1856. He died December 15, 1883.      On October 9, 1836, Lewis Dickerson was married to Cynthia Noble, who died October 20, 1898.  She was born near Powell, in Liberty Township, Delaware County, Ohio, June 20, 1822, and was a daughter of James and Salomy (Graves) Noble. The Graves family came to Licking County from Connecticut among the pioneer settlers. There were two sons born to Lewis Dickerson and wife; James H. and Reuben G. Both sons proved themselves brave men and loyal soldiers. James H. Dickerson enlisted in the Federal army from the State of New York, in 1861. becoming a member of Company D, Seventy-fifth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. He accompanied his comrades to Santa Rosa Island, Florida, where he remained for a time at the navy yard and was then sent to Louisiana and after the capture of New Orleans, by Admiral Farragut, he was under the command of General Benjamin Butler until General Banks assumed command. Later he took part in the Red River campaign and was at Alexandria, Pleasant Mill and the siege of Port Hudson. After the fall of this stronghold his corps joined Franklin's Corps of the Army of the Potomac, and they fought the battle of Cedar Creek, where he also served under General Sheridan. When he finally received his honorable discharge, he had already served fifty-eight days over his term of enlistment. Although he escaped serious injury, he had had two horses shot from under him. After the close of his military service he went to New York, where he was married to Laura Fuller, after which he returned to Delaware County and took up his residence at Lewis Center, where he died May 4, 1903.      Reuben G. Dickerson obtained his education in the district schools. He remained on his father's farm until 18 years of age, when he offered his patriotic services in defense of his country. On August 2, 1861, he enlisted at Delaware, Ohio, in Company A, Second .Battery, United States Infantry, under Captain Fystier, and was mustered in at Camp Thomas, then went to Lebanon, Kentucky, and from there, on February 14, 1862, the First and Second Battalions started on a march to Mill Springs, where they engaged in battle, after which they returned to Bardstown, where Mr. Dickerson was left in a hospital, where he remained for six weeks. He rejoined his regiment April 12, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, then went on to the approaching battle of Corinth, and after the siege and evacuation of that city, and his regiment was detailed to guard the line of the M. & C. Railroad. he was discharged, on account of physical disability, August 13, 1862. Mr. Dickerson gave himself a few months in which to recuperate. and then re-enlisted, on June 29, 1813, entering Company M, First Regiment, Ohio Heavy Artillery, lie was stationed at Fort Whittlesley, opposite Cincinnati, until February. 1864, when the battery was sent to Nicholasville, Kentucky, marched from there to Point Burnside near Somerset, and then crossed the mountains to Knoxville. Tennessee, conveying the baggage on the backs of pack mules. Mr. Dickerson, with his comrades, did guard and garrison duty along the line of the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad, until November, 1864, when they entered the northeastern part of Tennessee in order to cut off General Lee's retreat through Tennessee Gap. The First Artillery took part in numerous skirmishes with General Joseph Wheeler. On July 25, 1865, Mr. Dickerson was a second time honorably discharged from his country's military bonds, at Knoxville, Tennessee, when the regiment was mustered out.      Mr. Dickerson returned to Ohio and for one year followed farming on the homestead and continued to be variously engaged until 1872, when he began railroad work on what was then the C, C. C. & 1. line, but is now the Big Four Railroad. He worked seven years as foreman and fireman on a construction train and for 12 years he was employed by the line as an engineer. He continued railroading until July. 1890, when he settled down to farming, he has greatly improved his property since settling on it, erecting a handsome residence and adding to the appearance and convenience of the other buildings. He carries on a general agricultural line. For about six years he has been engaged quite extensively also in contracting and has built a number of the excellent turnpike roads in this section.      On December 9, 1868. Mr. Dickerson was married to Amelia W. Lewis, who is a member of a very prominent family of Delaware County. Her father, the late William T. Lewis, was born in New Jersey, in February, 1811, and died at Lewis Center, Delaware County, in 1876. He married Sarah Fowler, who was born also in New Jersey, January 3. 1822. and died in Ohio, April 20. 1900. They came to Delaware County in 1843 and settled on farming land which later became the site of the village of Lewis Center, which was named in honor of William T. Lewis. He was the first postmaster and the leading man of affairs in the town for many years, and donated a number of the public buildings to the place, including the public school and the Methodist Episcopal Church and parsonage. In 1849 he went to California, by the overland route, and returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama, remaining in the far West until 1851 and while there was engaged in mining. The children of William T. Lewis and wife were: Eliza J., who married George Henderson, of Springfield; Mary P., who married Alexander S. Hempstead, residing in Columbus; Amelia; Sarah E., who married Lewis Carter, residing at Columbus; Augusta N., who married E. I. Prentice of Mississippi, died in Paulding County, Ohio; Anna C., who married Dr. R. C. Alexander, residing at Springfield; Katherine N., who died unmarried; and Josie R., who married W. H. Taft, residing at Columbus.      Mr. and Mrs. Dickerson have had four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: Lewis H., who died aged one year and ten months; Charles, who died aged eleven years and ten months; Sarah Elizabeth, who married A. L. Grove, and they have three children, Ruby, Okey and Robert; and Ruby Catherine, who married Edwin Joslin. They have three children, Ruth, Charles and Richard.      In politics, Mr. Dickerson is a Republican and he has served as justice of the peace, as a member of the School Board and in other offices and is his party's candidate in the coming campaign for the office of county commissioner. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, a member of Hiram Lodge, Chapter and Council at Delaware. Formerly he was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is a valued comrade of George P. Torrance Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle - Page 609
	TAYLOR DONOVON, a substantial citizen and self-made man of Delaware County, Ohio, who owns and operates a farm of 184 acres in Marlborough Township, was born Nov. 24, 1850, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wagonseller) Donovon, natives of Pennsylvania.       In 1859 Taylor Donovon was brought by his parents from his native place to Delaware County, Ohio, where his father established himself in the butchering business, an occupation which he followed until a short time prior to his death in 1865.  Taylor Donovon learned the butchering business with his father, and in 1873 engaged therein on Main Street, Delaware, where he remained until 1880, and in that year removed to Montgomery County, Iowa, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for twelve years. Mr. Donovon then removed to Sunbury, Ohio, where he spent nearly twelve years, and in 1903 he removed to his present property, one of Marlborough Township's best farms.  Mr. Donovon engages in a general line of farming and stock-raising.  His efforts have met with success and he is placed with the solid, substantial men of his township.      On Dec. 25, 1881, Mr. Donovon was married to Ida C. Mason, who was born Mar. 19, 1861, in Montgomery County, Iowa, and is a daughter of Parley J. and Susan C. (Bean) Mason who were natives of New Hampshire and early settlers of Montgomery County, Iowa.  Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Donovon:  James, residing in Marlborough Township; George, residing at Sunbury, Ohio; Nellie M., Blanche and Joseph.  Mr. Donovon is a Democrat in his political views, and while a resident of Sunbury served as a member of the Town Council.  He has always been interested in educational movements, and has been found in the front rank of all enterprises calculated to be of benefit to his township. Source:  20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle - Page 668
	DR. A. W. DUMM was raised near Cheshire, and graduated at the Columbus Medical College.  After practicing at Cheshire a few years, he removed to Columbus, Ohio, where he labored several yeas, and then moved to Toledo, Ohio.  His brother had practiced a few years at Cheshire, before going to Columbus, where he died several years later. Source: 20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle -  Page ____ See Albert W. Dumm
Mr. & Mrs. Calvin C. Dunlap & Family	CALVIN C. DUNLAP Source:  20th century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens - Chicago, Ill. :: Biographical Pub. Co., 1908 by James R. Lytle - Page 831

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