|
BIOGRAPHIES
The following biographies are extracted from:
Source:
A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio
Vol. II.
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York
1917
< CLICK
HERE to RETURN to 1917 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
>
<
CLICK HERE to RETURN to LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES & HISTORIES
>
FRED
H. SEELING is proprietor of the
Longview Fruit Farm in Huntington Township. This farm, comprising 365 acres, is
situated in the
northwestern part of the township, and one of its
conspicuous features
is the Alum Cliffs, one of the highest points along the
Cincinnati Pike.
Mr. Seeling is a native of Ross County, and in order to
attain his
present enviable position in business and industrial
affairs, has exemplified a great deal of practical enterprise and energy. In
fact, since an
early age he has depended upon his own resources to put
himself ahead
in the game of life. He was born in Huntington Township
December
23, 1864, a son of Charles and Theresa (Meister)
Seeling. His father
was born in a part of Holland that is now included in the
German
Empire. When fifteen years of age his widowed mother brought
him
and three older sons, Joseph, Fred and Gus, to the United
States. The
little family made the voyage on a sailing vessel and spent
thirteen
weeks on the ocean. They landed in Baltimore, and there
Charles Seeling lived for a number of years. His first wife died
there, and at
Baltimore he married Theresa Meister, who was a native of
Bavaria,
Germany, and had come to America with her two brothers and
five
sisters. This party also landed at Baltimore and all the
family settled
there and married.
About 1854 or 1855 Charles and Theresa
Seeling move to Ross
County,
Ohio. They bought a farm in Huntington Township and
thereafter
lived in comfortable circumstances and were noted as among
the progressive farming people of that section. Charles
Seeling
died in 1883
and his wife in 1907. Of their seven children, all grew up
and six are
still living: Anna, wife of A. Reub, of Huntington Township;
William,
who died in Huntington Township; Charles, of Huntington
Township; Lewis, a farmer in Wabaunsee County, Kansas; Fred H.;
Elizabeth,
wife of Tony Fisher, an electrician at Denver, Colorado; and
Sarah,
wife of Joseph Sieber, of Columbus.
Fred H. Seeling grew up in his native township, attended the
district schools there, but he was not reared to a life of all
play and no
work. When only about eight or nine years of age he began
herding
cattle on the commons or public highways and employed a good
part
of his time at that until he was fifteen. Thereafter he took
part in the
management of the home farm, and gradually began laying the
foundation for his own individual prosperity.
On March 13, 1897, Mr. Seeling married Clara
Long, a
daughter of Allan and Catherine Long. The Long family is referred to on
other
pages of this publication. For two years after their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Seeling lived on the home farm, and he then bought the
365 acres
which comprise his present estate. This was originally known
as the Kilburn farm. He has made many improvements, including the
planting of a fine apple orchard. For fourteen years he bred and
raised
Jersey cattle on his farm, but his attention as a stock
raiser is now
devoted to the Aberdeen Angus cattle and the Duroc hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Seeling are the parents of two daughters:
Catherine
and Elizabeth, both of whom are at school and they have
received the
best of advantages in the local schools. Mr. Seeling is a
member of Chillicothe Lodge, No. 52, Benevolent and Protective Order
of Elks,
and belong to both the local and the county Grange. He and
his family
attend St. Peter's Church at Chillicothe, and politically he
is a democrat.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 906 |
SEYMOUR
BRIDGE. The bridge was built in 1840, by
R. R. SEYMOUR, the contractor.
It is a double track covered bridge and the only one of its
kind known by the writer. It was built before the age
of concrete and steel. and therefore is built entirely
with stone and wood, the wood being mortised together and
pinned with wooden pins. The stone used in the
abutments of this bridge came to the William Dill
stone quarries at the top of a large hill about one mile
east of the bridge. The stone was quarried out at the
top of the hill and a double track laid up and down the
hill. Large posts were planted in the ground at
the top of the hill and a windlass placed thereon. The
stone were loaded on the car, and let down the hill to the
pike, the down-going car pulling the empty car up to the top
to be loaded and vice versa, the loaded car going down
pulling the empty up, and the empty helping to brake the
loaded car going down, when the stone were loaded on wagons
and hauled to the bridge. This bridge is planked up
the sides to keep the rain from injuring the timber, and of
the dark night it was surely dark in there. There have
been two robberies reported to have occurred in this bridge,
but the parties robed always escaped uninjured. The
writer remembers that when he was sent on shopping
expedition to Bainbridge or for the mail when he was a boy,
that he was told of the robberies, and ghost stories, to
bring him home before dark, and it worked well for a
time, but one time he was sent for the mail so late it was
worked well for a time, but one time he was sent for the
mail so late it was not possible to get back through this
bridge till darkness fell, and how he engaged this bridge
with all these ghost stores and robberies fresh in his mind,
and expecting any time after entering the bridge to be
nabbed, but passed safely through. After that time the
ghost story did not work any more, and he stayed in town
without any horror of passing through the bridge.
R. R. Seymour, the contractor, came from
Moorefield, Hardy County, Virginia, in the early part of
1800. He did his work well, for now, seventy-six years
since the building of the bridge, it is still standing in a
good state of preservation without much repairs, except
roofing and is the equal of the later day steel structures.
He afterward became a director in the Milford and
Chillicothe Turnpike Company.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 883 |
WERTER
M. SEYMOUR. Among the representative men of
Ross County, Ohio, is Werter M. Seymour, whose
magnificent estate of 540 acres, known as Maple Lawn Farm,
is situated in Paint Township, four miles west of
Bainbridge. Sturdy ancestors are back of Mr. Seymour
and he bears a family name well known and honored almost a
century ago in old Virginia, now a part of West Virginia.
There, in Hardy County, of Feb. 4, 1821, his father,
Aaron W. Seymour, was born, and twenty-seven years later
came to Ross County, Ohio.
Werter M. Seymour was born
in Paxton Township, Ross County, Oct. 25, 1854. His
parents were Aaron W. and Catherine E. (McNeill) Seymour,
the father a native of Hardy County, Virginia, and the
mother born in Ross County, Ohio. They were married at
Frankfort, Ohio, June 30, 1847, and in the follow year they
came to Ross County and settled in Paxton Township, two
miles east of Bainbridge. They lived on that place for
forty-eight years, it being the property now owned and
occupied by L. C. Anderson. He accumulated
1,400 acres of land and resided on it until late in life,
when he removed to the home of his son and there he died
Mar. 22, 1900. In every relation of life he was a man
of worth, an elder in the Presbyterian Church, a leader in
moral and benevolent movements, a good neighbor and a worthy
example in kindness and generosity to everyone. He was a
strong supporter of the principles of the democratic party
and quite often was chosen by his neighbors to serve in
responsible positions. Of his three children,
Werter M. is the only survivor.
Werter M. Seymour was reared
on a farm, mainly in Paxton Township. He was given
better educational opportunities than many country boys of
that day enjoyed, for after attending the district schools
he was sent to a higher grade school in Kentucky. To
come extent this has had an effect in the management of his
large estate, leading him intelligently to accept modern
methods in agriculture and to stock his farm with approved
live stock of every kind. The products of Maple Lawn
Farm are known all over the county and command the highest
prices.
On Oct. 31, 1883, Mr. Seymour was united
in marriage with Miss Agnes E. McMeachen, who was
born in Ross County in September, 1856, and died Nov. 7,
1909, a daughter of Seymour and Catherine (McAllister)
McMeachen. Mrs. Seymour was a consistent
member of the Presbyterian Church. She was the mother
of three children, two of whom survive: Allen H.,
who was born July 1, 1888, is a graduate of the local high
school and the Ohio State University at Columbus, and lives
at home; and Catherine H., who was born Sept. 3,
1891, who is a graduate of the Bainbridge High School as
well as of the local body. Mr. Seymour stands high in
the estimation of his community and is an elder in the
Presbyterian Church. On numerous occasions he
has been elected on the democratic ticket to township
offices, in filling the duties of which he has been honest
and faithful.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917 - Page 709 |
HARRISON
SHASTEEN is one of the oldest
living sons of Union Town
ship, where he was born three quarters of a century ago, and
after a
long and active and honorable business career is now
enjoying peaceful
retirement at his home in his native township.
Born March 10, 1841, he is a son of James S. R. Shasteen, a
native of
Virginia, and a grandson of Robert Shasteen, a native of the
same commonwealth. Robert Shasteen brought his family to Ohio in
1814, when
his son James was seven years of age. They settled in Ross
County, and
thus established a family that has had a continuous
relationship with this
country for more than a century. James Shasteen grew up in
the county,
and after reaching manhood engaged in farming. He was a
resident of
Union Township until his death, at the age of sixty years,
while his
wife passed away at the age of fifty-nine. They were the
parents of two
sons. One of the these, Marion, was a soldier in the Union
Army during
the Civil war, was captured by the Confederates and died
while a
prisoner in Andersonville.
Reared on the home farm, Harrison Shasteen left home at an
early
age and gained his success by relying on his own enterprise.
After the
war he went to Pennsylvania, spending three years in the oil
fields there,
but with that exception has been a resident of Ross County
for almost
half a century continuously. For twenty years he was grain
buyer for
the Mansfield Mills.
Mr. Shasteen was three times married. His first wife was
Nancy
Minear, daughter of Solomon and Charity (Noble) Minear. Mrs. Shasteen died at the age of twenty-three, leaving one son,
Walter. His
second wife was Mary J. Rowe, a daughter of Thomas
Rowe. When she
passed away at the age of twenty-eight she left two
children, Marion
and Harry. The present Mrs. Shasteen before her marriage was
Augusta Sauerbrei, a daughter of William and Lena Sauerbrei. Mr. and
Mrs.
Shasteen have four children: Lena, James W., John
Logan and Viola.
The family are members of the German Evangelical church and
Mr. Shasteen is a republican.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 918 |
JAMES
V. SHOOK, a resident of Ross County more than twenty
years, has become especially well known as a dairyman, and
is the owner of the picturesque and historic estate at
Chillicothe known as the Woodbridge Homestead - Dun Glen
Farm.
He has had a career of varied environment and
achievement. He was born at Bremen, Fairfield County,
Ohio, Oct. 13, 1855. His grandfather was born in
Pennsylvania of early German ancestry, and was one of the
pioneer settlers of Fairfield County, where he met his death
by accident when in his prime. John A. Shook,
father of James V., was also born in Fairfield
County, was reared there, and from early youth found his
greatest pleasure in handling horses. After reaching
manhood he trained many noted horses for the track. On
Feb. 10, 1864, John W. Shook enlisted in Company M,
of the Twelfth Regiment of Ohio Cavalry, being appointed
sergeant of his company. He went to the front, and
during more than a year of active service was present at the
following battles: Mount Sterling and Cynthiana, Kentucky;
Sallville, Virginia; Kingsport and Bristol, Tennessee;
Abingdon, Wytheville and Marion, Virginia; second battle of
Sallville, Virginia; Salisbury, Dallas and Catawba River in
North Carolina. With the close of actual hostilities
his regiment was engaged in guard duty until honorably
discharged at Nashville on Nov. 14, 1865. After his
army career John W. Shook returned to Fairfield
County, and died there about one year later. The
maiden name of his wife was Elenora Crooks and she
died still earlier in life, leaving four children named
Charles, John W., James V. and Elizabeth.
The son Charles died young; John W. is an
active physician at Canal Winchester; Elizabeth is
married and lived in Zanesville.
James V. Shook was little more than an infant
when his mother died, and he was only about ten years of age
when his father passed away. In the meantime after his
mother's death he went to live with Solomon Berry at
North Bern, and became a member of that family. He
received his education in the district schools, and early
found employment at the home of his foster father.
Mr. Berry was an extensive land owner, operating his
land trough tenants, and he also made a business of buying
and feeding cattle. In this latter department James
V. Shook began taking an active part at an early age,
and he continued a member of the Berry household
until he was twenty-six. He then moved to Chillicothe,
and four years was associated with his brother-in-law in the
millinery business. In the meantime his foster father
had moved to Upper Sandusky, and there Mr. Shook
joined him.
In 1889 Mr. Shook returning to Chillicothe
engaged in the livery business and was active in that line
until 1896. At that date he made his first venture as
a dairyman. With only one cow he supplied five
customers, but in a short time was at the head of a growing
business, and he now keeps a herd of from forty to fifty
cows. In 1907 Mr. Shook bought the estate
formerly known as Dun Glen, which for many years was the
home of John Woodbridge, president of the first bank
ever established in Chillicothe. It is one of the most
picturesque suburban homes in Ross County, and under Mr.
Shook's management is both a beautiful home and a fine
business plant. His is one of the leading dairies of
this section of Ohio, and he and his family reside in an
attractive home surrounded with extensive grounds kept in
the best repair.
In April, 1883, Mr. Shook married Elizabeth
Dydarman, who was born in Lancaster, Fairfield County,
Ohio. Mrs. Shook is an active member of the
Walnut Street Methodist Church at Chillicothe.
Fraternally Mr. Shook is affiliated with Chillicothe
Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 554 |
GEORGE
B. SMITH. To be a good farmer requires a clear
head as well as practiced hand. In modern days there
are found among those who profit in the business, men whose
book learning along many lines fully equals that of others
who follow professional careers far from field and farm.
One of these well-informed agriculturists is George B.
Smith, proprietors of Happy Thought Farm, which lies in
Liberty Township, Ross county, Ohio.
George B. Smith was born in Liberty Township, on
section 4, where he lives, May 27, 1861. His parents
were Michael and Mary (Beale) Smith. The father
was born in Harrison County, Ohio, Jan. 1, 1808. He
was without capital when he started out in life, but through
industry and thrift accumulated and at one time owned 250
acres of land. He spent a large portion of his life on
the farm his son George B. owns. He was a very
well-informed man, was fond of reading and had an
understanding mind. For many years he was a leader in
the Methodist Episcopal Church and was a liberal giver to
help carry on its work. In politics he was republican,
and during the Civil war he saw four of his sons march away
to fight for the preservation of the Union.
Michael Smith was married twice, and nine
children were born to his first union and four to his
second. Of the first family, four survive:
Abbe, Willis, of Missouri; John and J. C.
, of Kentucky. The second wife, Mary Beale, was
born in Ross County, Ohio, Mar. 29, 1825. To this
marriage the following children were born: S. W.,
who lives in Liberty Township; George B.; Sarah J.,
who is the wife of Isaac Sechrist; and Cynthia,
who is the wife of Uriah P. Beecher.
George B. Smith attended the district schools
and was an attentive pupil because he appreciated the value
of learning. All his life he has found great pleasure
in reading and study. His interest in literature led
to his devoting considerable time to the study of astronomy,
and his proficiency in this branch of science is remarkable.
He devotes his farm of thirty-three acres mainly to truck
farming, finding a ready market for all that Happy Thought
Farm produces.
Mr. Smith was married Apr. 1, 1884, to Miss
Mary E. Tracy, who died Apr. 30, 1898. She was an
admirable woman in every respect and was a daughter of
William D. Tracy and the mother of five children, as
follows: Jesse F., who lives at Springfield,
Ohio; Evaline, who is the wife of Alva Hess,
of Liberty Township, Ross County; Della, who is a
resident of Springfield; Agnes, who is the wife of
Ezra McWhorter, of Liberty Township; and Zilpha,
who remains at home to make her father comfortable.
In politics Mr. Smith is a republican, but he
has never sought public office. He is a member of the
Modern Woodmen of America. For many years he has been
a member of the United Brethren Church.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 669 |
O. J.
SMITH. Three generations of the Smith family
have contributed to the agricultural development of Ross
County, the first represented by Michael Smith, the second
by Abel Smith and the third by O. J. Smith. All
have been men of sterling integrity of character who have
helped their communities grow as well as to develop along
civic, educational, moral and social lines.
O. J. Smith, of the third generation, who is
living on his farm of thirty-five and one-half acres in
Liberty Township, and also the owner of 170 acres in
Springfield Township, was born near the village of
Londonderry, Ross County, March 29, 1868, a son of Abel
and Hannah A. (Jones) Smith. His father was also
born in Liberty Township, a son of Michael Smith, who
emigrated to Ross County as a single man and took up land
from the United States Government near Londonderry.
With the thrift that was his inheritance from his German
ancestors, he became a well-to-do man farmer, and at the
same time was known as a good and honorable citizen. A
good constitution, an active, well-balanced mind and an
upright character seem to have been the endowment of Abel
Smith. His parents gave their son such
advantages of education as their isolated and unsettled
condition would permit, and as soon as he was old enough he
lent his aid in the submission of the woods and the soil.
When the Civil war came on he enlisted in a regiment of Ohio
volunteer infantry and served bravely for eighteen months,
when he became disabled and received his honorable
discharge. Not long after his return from the war he
was married and at that time settled near
Londonderry, but after four years went to Missouri, where a
like period was passed. Returning in 1874, Mr.
Smith rented a farm here for a number of years, and
then purchased the farm in Liberty Township on which he now
lives. In politics a republican, he did not desire
public office, but preferred to give his entire attention to
his own affairs. His religious connection was with the
Methodist Episcopal Church and for many years he served as
class leader at Concord. Mr. and Mrs. Smith
were the parents of five children: Forney, a resident
of Londonderry; O. J., of this review; Ammy L.,
who is the wife of William Miller, of Liberty
Township; Flora B., the wife of Hezekiah
Collins, also of that township and Bertha,
who died at the age of seventeen years.
O. J. Smith received a district school education
and grew up on the home farm, where he remained until his
marriage. This event took place December 19, 1894, on which
date he was united with Miss Ida Orr, who was born in
Springfield Township, Ross County, daughter of Presley
and Martha (Bradbury) Orr. Mr. Orr, a
native of Springfield Township, died in May, 1912, while
Mrs. Orr still survives and makes her home at
Chillicothe. There were three children in the Orr
family: Edward B., of Springfield Township;
Bertha, the wife of Jacob Caldwell, of
Jefferson Township; and Ida. After their marriage,
Mr. and Mrs. Smith settled in Londonderry Village, where
Mr. Smith was for two years engaged in the
grocery business, after which he removed to Jones Crossing
and there established himself in a similar enterprise.
This latter he conducted for a period of fifteen or sixteen
years, and then, after a short period spent at Chillicothe,
he returned to the vocation of his youth, that of farming.
In February, 1913, he went back to the home place in Liberty
Township, where he has remained ever since.
He has a well developed and highly profitable farm, the operation of
which he carries on in a scientific manner. He has well
appointed and commodious buildings, appointments and
improvements of the best which eloquently evidences his
knowledge and good judgment in that direction. A
republican in politics, lie has not been tempted from his
agricultural labors to seek public preferment, although
always ready to assist any good cause. He is a member
of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal Church at
Concord and Mrs. Smith also belongs to that
congregation.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one son: Robert
Orr, a graduate of the Chillicothe High School, a
teacher in the public schools for one year in Liberty
Township, and now engaged in farming. He married
Miss Marguerite Jones, and they have one
son,— Robert Orr Smith, Jr.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 688 |
CHARLES
W. STITT. For many years actively identified
with farming enterprise in both Ross and Pickaway counties,
Charles W. Stitt is one of the prominent residents of
Clarksburg, and is now president of the Clarksburg
Commercial Bank.
Representing some old families of Ross County, he
was born on the Stitt homestead in Union Township,
July 4, 1856, a son of Moses and Margaret (McCoy) Stitt.
As a young man he attended the public schools and his
earliest experiences were with the farm. Before
reaching manhood he had mastered the details of farming, and
took up his independent career in Deerfield Township.
He managed the farm there very profitably until 1906, when
he removed to Pickaway County, and his principal farm
interests are still in that locality. He resided on
the farm until the spring of 1916, at which date he removed
to Clarksburg.
On the organization of the Clarksburg Commercial Bank
he was elected president and has successfully directed the
affairs of that substantial institution. He became
affiliated with Clarksburg Lodge of the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows, Sept. 25, 1901. Mr. Stitt
has been twice married. His first wife was Ellen
Taylor, who died leaving one son, Elmer.
Mr. Stitt married for his present wife,
Tillie Peck, who was born in Deerfield Township,
a daughter of John J. Peck. They are the
parents also of son, Ralph.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917-
Page 799 |
DAVID
MCCOY STITT represents one of the old and prominent
families of Ross County.
His grandfather, John Stitt, was born in New
York State in 1800. He was brought to Ohio when a boy,
the family becoming pioneers in Fayette County.
John Stitt learned the trade of shoemaker. In that
day and generation all shoes and boots were made by hand and
for the custom demand. He followed his trade in
Bloomingburg for some years, and then went to Guernsey
County, where he became interested in coal lands and was a
mine operator there until his death. While in Fayette
County, he served as a member of the board of county
commissioners. The name of his first wife was
Elizabeth McCoy. Her parents were Thomas and
Nancy (Wilson) McCoy. Thomas McCoy came to
the Northwest Territory in 1796, locating in what is now
Ross County and being one of the first white settlers.
He was accompanied by two brothers. Thomas McCoy
bought a tract of timbered land in Union Township, and in
1808 built what is said to have been the first brick house
erected within the limits of Ross County. The nails
for the construction were packed all the way from Kentucky
and cost 12½ cents per pound.
He hired a sawmill and used it during the night time to saw
the lumber used for the dwelling. As an evidence that
it was well built, the house is standing today in good
condition and now shelters the sixth generation of his
descendants. Thomas McCoy improved upwards of
300 acres, and was one of the great old-time pioneers of
this county. Mrs. John Stitt died in early
life, leaving only one son, who was born on the Thomas
McCoy homestead, Dec. 9, 1824.
This son, father of David McCoy Stitt, spent his
early life with his maternal grandparents. He attended
a school taught in a log house, and some years later
succeeded to the ownership of the old Thomas McCoy
homestead. He was successfully engaged in farming
there until his death. On Oct. 26, 1852, he married
Margaret McCoy, who was born in Union Township, daughter
of William and Margaret (Appleck) McCoy. She is
still living and owns the old homestead but resides in
Chillicothe. Her seven children were William A.,
Charles W., Carrie E., David McCoy, Bess M., John G. and
Elsie P. The parents of these children were both
active members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father
served a number of years as an elder and for twelve years
was a justice of the peace.
David McCoy Stitt was born on the old Thomas
McCoy homestead, attended the rural schools and also the
public schools of Chillicothe, and his entire career has
been devoted to farming. At the time of his marriage
he located on the farm where he now resides. The land
then belonged to Mrs. Stitt's father. It was a
well improved farm with excellent buildings, and Mr.
Stitt has always made a point of keeping the best
implements and handling only the better grades of stock.
His farm is located within five miles of his birthplace.
On February 25, 1891, he married Elizabeth T.
Dunlap. Mr. Stitt was born in Union Township, a
daughter of Major Dunlap, who was born in Lexington,
Rockbridge County, Virginia, June 1, 1814. His father,
John Dunlap, was born in Virginia in 1776, and moved
from that state into Kentucky and in 1796 visited that
portion of the Northwest Territory now included in Ross
County. Together with Alexander Dunlap he
bought a land warrant for the Fowler Survey.
This warrant included a large tract of the Scioto River
bottom land in what is now Union Township. After
securing this land, John Dunlap returned to Virginia,
where he married Dorcas Dowell. They lived in
Virginia until 1825, and he then brought his family to Ross
County, settling on a portion of his land near the mouth of
Dry Run. There he improved a farm and lived there
until his death in 1865. Major Dunlap was about
eight years of age when he came to Union Township with his
parents. His education was finished in the pioneer
schools taught in a log house. After reaching his
maturity he settled down to farming and also became an
extensive dealer in cattle and hogs. Successful in
both occupations, he acquired a large estate. His
death occurred as a result of an injury when he was kicked
by a horse in 1876. At that time he was in full health
and strength with a promise of many years of usefulness
before him. Major Stitt was married Sept. 5,
1848, to Martha McCallister, who was born in Pike
County, Ohio, daughter of Charles McCallister.
She died Mar. 6, 1850. For his second wife, Major
Dunlap married Ellen Goodman. She was born
in Green Township of Ross County, a daughter of David and
Elizabeth (Cullum) Goodman and a granddaughter of
John and Charlotte (Shuch) Goodman. Mrs. Stitt's
mother died at the age of sixty-five, having reared
children, named Blanche, Oliver Lorenzo, Elizabeth
Tabitha, Margaret Ellen and David Major.
In their home, Mr. and Mrs.
David M. Stitt have reared five children, named Ellen
Dunlap, Leonard McCoy, Florence E., David Major and
Margaret A. Another child, William Kerr,
died when seven months old.
Mr. and Mrs. Stitt attend the Presbyterian
Church, and fraternally he is affiliated with Scioto Lodge
No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, and for several years has
served on the local township board.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917-
Page 822 |
JOSEPH ROY STITT.
Secretary and treasurer of the Jardine Plumbing Company,
Joseph Roy Stitt is one of the youngest business men of
Chillicothe, but his business experience is much longer and
more varied than his years would indicate, since he began
when a very young boy to pay his own way and make his
advancement in business affairs.
Born Sept. 27, 1883, in Madison County, Ohio, he is the
youngest child of James H. and Mattie E. (Green) Stitt.
Both parents were born in North Carolina, and in 1883 the
father brought his family to Ross County and located on
Water Street in Chillicothe, where he was engaged in the
bakery business for ten years. Later he turned his
attention to market gardening, and followed that occupation
steadily for a number of years, until he retired from active
pursuits in 1911. He then removed to Green County,
Ohio, where he still resides. There were four children
in the family.
Joseph Roy Stitt received his education in the
Chillicothe public schools and in the Chillicothe Business
College. When fourteen years of age he began work as a
retail clerk in a notion store. He remained there a
year, and was still a boy in years when he was taken into
the Jardine Plumbing Company as bookkeeper. He has
continued steadily with that firm, which is the principal
one in its line in Chillicothe, and when the business was
incorporated in 1913 he was made one of the executive
officials. The president is James H. Harps, the
vice president is Graham Jardine, while Mr. Stitt
has much of the detail management as secretary and
treasurer.
Mr. Stitt is a member of the Catholic Church and
of the Catholic orders of Knights of St. George and St.
Ignace. He is independent in politics. On Sept.
16, 1909, in Chillicothe, he married Miss Anna C. Bohn.
They are the parents of two sons, Lawrence C., born
Sept. 2, 191, and John Francis, born Feb. 27, 1916.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917-
Page 784 |
CLARK W.
STORY. Inheriting in
no small measure the habits of industry and thrift, and the
integrity and ability, characteristic of a long line of
sturdy New England ancestors, Clark W. Story, of
Chillicothe, is amply fitted for the responsible position he
is holding as president of the Ross County National Bank.
He was born in Cuttingsville, Rutland County, Vermont, a son
of Jonathan B. Story, and grandson of David Story, a
life-long resident of New England.
Born, October 7, 1804, in Hopkinton, New Hampshire,
Jonathan B. Story was there brought up and educated.
Learning the carriage make's trade, he established a factory
at Cuttingsville, Vermont, where he made a specialty of
building Concord wagons, a popular vehicle in that section
of the country. He continued in business there for
half a century, remaining a resident of the place until his
death, at the very advanced age of ninety-seven years.
The maiden name of his first wife, mother, of the subject of
this sketch, was Ann Jane Hill Putnam. She was born in Craydon, New Hampshire, a daughter of
Samuel and Susan
(Gibson) Putnam. She died in middle life, leaving five
children, as follows: Susan M., who married John A.
Poole; Austin P.; Emma L. who married Henry Jones; Lucy J.,
who became the wife of J. Manley Snyder; and Clark W.
The father subsequently married, for his second wife, Mrs.
Nancy Todd, who survived him a short time.
Receiving a practical education in the public schools
of Cuttingsville, Vermont, Clark W. Story came to
Chillicothe when but fifteen years old to enter the dry
goods establishment of his brother Austin P., with whom he
remained until thoroughly mastering the details of the
business until 1901, more than a quarter of a century.
Mr. Smith withdrew from the firm in that year, and Mr.
Story's second son, Otis Jewett Story, and John G. Brandle
were admitted to partnership, and the business has since
been successfully carried on under its present firm name,
"Story, Brandle & Story." In 1888
Mr. Story was made a
director of the Ross County National Bank, and the following
January was elected vice president, and with this
institution he has ever since been officially connected,
having been elected its president upon the death of Major
Poland, in 1908. He is much interested in agriculture
and horticulture, and has a fine estate, known as "Grand
View Farm," situated near Chillicothe. For several
years he served faithfully and intelligently as president of
the Scioto Valley Agricultural Society.
Mr. Story married in June 16, 1874, Mary A. Campbell,
who was born in Chillicothe, a daughter of Samuel D. and
Mary Ann Campbell, natives of Pennsylvania. Five
children have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Story,
namely: Samuel C.; Otis Jewett, who married
Ruth Pattison, of Easton, Maryland; John
Burnham, who married Gertrude Sunnyfrank, and has one child,
Elizabeth; Clark W.,
Jr.; and Mary, wife of T. Somerville Pattison. Mr. and
Mrs. Story belong to the Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, in
which he has served as vestryman.
Source: A Standard History of Ross County, Ohio -
Vol. II. -
Published by The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago & New York 1917
- Page 492 |
. |
