OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy Express
 

Welcome to
Holmes County, Ohio
History & Genealogy

BIOGRAPHIES
* Source 2:
Biographical Record of Wayne & Holmes Co.
Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co.
1889
 

HON. WILLIAM REED, attorney at law, of Millersburgh, Ohio, is one of the most widely known attorneys of Holmes County, and comparatively few men placed under the same circumstances have attained to similar prominence and reputation.  Although not gifted with flowing eloquence, few men in the profession excel Judge Reed in ability, clearness of expression, profoundness of thought and judgment, and in his acquaintance with Blackstone.  He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1823.  His father, William Reed, was a native of Adams county, Penn., and a son of William Reed, who was of Scotch descent, and was a farmer in Adams County, but who, when his son William was twelve years old, moved to Washington County, same State.  He was a soldier in the War of 1812.  The father of Judge Reed was reared in Adams and Washington Counties, and was given good educational advantages, attending Jefferson College one year, and then entering Washington College, from which he graduated in 1815.  Choosing, soon after, the ministry of his life work, he began the study of theology, and in due time was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.  He had two charges for many years, but about 1850 he resigned one, continuing in the other until a few years prior to his death.  He died in October, 1867, aged eighty-two years, having served in the ministry nearly fifty years.  He married Maria Cooke of Washington, Penn., daughter of David Cooke, a prominent merchant of the town of Washington, and a trustee of Washington College.  To this union seven children were born, six of whom are living.  D. C., a minister of the Presbyterian church, now of New Castle, Penn.; William, the subject of our sketch; Margretta; Samuel, a farmer residing on the old homestead; Maria now Mrs. Wolgamot, and Dorcas.  The third son, James H., died while a student at the Theological Seminary at Allegheny City, Penn.
     Judge William Reed spent his early life in Columbiana County, Ohio, receiving his rudimentary education in the public schools.  HE later entered Washington College, from which he graduated in the class of 1845.  He at once entered upon the practice of his profession, his able instructor being C. L. Vallandigham whose reputation is so widely known.  He was admitted to the bar in 1847, and at once began the practice of his profession in the town of Millersburgh, where he has since lived, and, with the exception of ten years, when he was Judge of the Third Sub-division of the Sixth Judicial District of Ohio, he has been in active practice.  He was elected to this position by the Democratic party, of which he is a stanch supporter, and served with marked ability, his decisions always being the result of thoughtful consideration and bearing the imprint of profound judgment.  From 1855 till 1859 he was prosecuting attorney of Holmes County, in which capacity he served to the entire satisfaction of the citizens of that county.  Judge Reed has attained a prominence second to none in Holmes County, and is respected by all who know him for his purity of thought and honorable dealings, no one, not excepting those who differ with him in political judgment having aught but praise for his integrity and uprightness.
     Judge Reed was married in 1854 to Maria D., a daughter of S. S. Henry, of Millersburgh, Ohio, and they have two children:  William C., and Jennie M., now Mrs. Doak of Indiana.  The Judge and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
 ~ Page 595 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, Illustrated – Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889
JOHN W. REYNOLDS, only child of Levi and Mary (Knox) Reynolds, both natives of Pennsylvania, was born in April, 1867, on the farm he now owns, the old Knox homestead, originally containing eighty acres, entered by his grandfather Knox.  The latter owned, at the time of his death, 800 acres of land, which he divided equally among his ten children, besides about $8,000 in cash.  The mother of John W. Reynolds died in 1886.
     Mr. Reynolds received his educational training in the schools of the neighborhood, and he has since been employed in the cultivation of the farm.  He was married, Jan. 30, 1887, to Miss Rosetta Sponogle, a daughter of Joseph and Lucinda (Rogers) Sponogle, and to them has been born one daughter, Maude, a bright child of eighteen months.  Mr. Reynolds is one of the wide-awake and enterprising young farmers of Holmes County.
~ Page 746 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne
and Holmes, Ohio, Illustrated – Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889
HAMILTON E. ROBINSON.  The progenitor of this branch of the Robinson family in America was Anthony, a physician, who came from Ireland and settled in Washington County, Penn., where he died in 1812.  He had a family of four children, three being sons - John, Anthony and George.  Of these, Anthony located in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1821, and bought 160 acres of land, one mile northeast of Fredericksburgh, where he lived over thirty years, dying there Oct. 29, 1851, at the age of seventy-seven years.  He first married Mary Rogers, who bore him six children: George, Samuel, Mary, Margaret, Ann and Hester.  After the death of his first wife, Anthony Robinson married Jane Wilson, and by her had two children: Anthony and Eleanor Jane.
     His second son, Samuel, was born in Washington County, Penn., Oct. 4, 1798.  He studied surveying at Wooster, Ohio, under the instruction of Rev. Edward Thomson, who was afterward president of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and still later a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  At the organization of Holmes County, Samuel Robinson located at Millersburgh, and from that time until his death was identified with the county's growth and development.  Feb. 19, 1825, the second day of the first Common Pleas Court held in the county, he was appointed county surveyor for a term of five years, his commission bearing date Mar. 14, 1825, same being signed by Jeremiah Morrow, Governor of Ohio.  At the March term of court, 1830, he was appointed his own successor, his second commission bearing date May 3, 1830, signed by A. Trimble, Governor.  This was afterward made an elective office, to which eh was several times elected, and he continued in the business as a private surveyor until within a few weeks of his death.  In 1827 he was appointed quartermaster of the Fourth Brigade, Fourteenth Division, State Militia of Ohio, his commission signed by A. Trimble, and bearing date Aug. 18, 1827.  On the incorporation of the village of Millersburgh, in 1835, he was elected its first mayor.  When he first located in Millersburgh he had but fifty cents in money, there being but little money in circulation at that time.  In 1826 he taught a subscription school in the town, agreeing in the contract to teach spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic at the rate of $1.50 per scholar for each quarter, two-thirds to be furnished in produce and one-third in cash, the scholars to furnish firewood, etc.  Although he commenced poor, by a life of industry and economy he accumulated a fair portion of this world's goods.  Feb. 28, 1828, Mr. Robinson married Lucinda, daughter of Stephen Harris, residing near Massillon, Ohio,  He died Sept. 21, 1873, aged seventy-five years, his wife surviving him until Oct. 27, 1886.  To them were born three children: Hamilton H., John W. and Sybil M.  Of these, John W. died when four months old; Sybil M. is the wife of Charles D. Beegle, of Millersburgh.
     Hamilton H. Robinson was born in Millersburgh, Holmes Co., Ohio, Dec. 12, 1828, and his life has been spent in the town of his birth.  He was given a common-school education.  For over six years he filled the position of assistant revenue assessor, an office created by reason of the War of the Rebellion.  In 1873 he was elected county surveyor, in which capacity he served three years.  In 1882 he was elected county commissioner, serving six years and one month, his duties in that office being quite arduous, as during that time the new courthouse and the children's Home were built, and he was superintendent of construction.  May 26, 18556, Mr. Robinson married Mary E. Teisher, who was born in Washington County, Md., Feb. 10, 1834, and they have three children: Lucy A., Stephen H. and Ella T.  Lucy A. married P. G. Palmer and has two children - Pearl and Guy; Ella T. married S. B. Bailey, Esq.
 ~ Page 626 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, Illustrated – Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889
URIAH ROBISON, farmer and stock raiser, is one of the prominent citizens of Prairie Township.  He owns a fine farm of 2_1 acres, which is well improved and well adapted to general farming and stock raising.  He is enterprising and progressive, and on his farm can be found all modern improvements for the cultivation of the soil and diminishing the time and labor required.  He is public spirited, and takes an active interest in advancing all projects of material benefit to the county, believing that public improvements advance the value of private interests.
     Mr. Robison was born in Holmes County, Ohio, in 1826, a son of Hugh and Rebecca (Matson) Robison, natives of Pennsylvania, of Irish ancestry.  They came to Holmes County in 1823, and made in their home the rest of their lives.  The mother died in 1840, and the father in 1886, aged eighty-six years.  Mr. Robison was reared on his father's farm, and as soon as old enough was obliged to assist in its cultivation, thus receiving only limited educational advantages.  Realizing the loss this has been to him he has always taken an interest in schools, and has given his children and best advantages in his power.  He was married in 1853 to Harriet Burgan, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1827, and they have had five children, three of whom are living:  John, Rebecca and Emma.  One daughter, Esther, and an infant, unnamed, are deceased.  In politics Mr. Robison gives his suffrage to the Prohibition party.  He and his wife and their daughter Rebecca are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church.
~ Page 748 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, Illustrated – Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889
DR. WILLIAM M. ROSS.  This, in his lifetime, one of the most prominent citizens of Millersburgh, Holmes Co., died at  his home on Mad Anthony Street, Apr. 4, 1885.  The Doctor had been an invalid for four or five years, and yet, during all this time, up to within the last year, he worked faithfully in his profession.  As a physician he was well read, remarkably successful as a practitioner, and was skillful in his surgical operations.  As a soldier he was brave and patriotic.  His last battle was his greatest conquest, having gained a triumphal victory over death.  He went down to his grave in peace, praising God for His goodness even during his intense suffering.  The funeral services were held at the Methodist Episcopal Church, attended by a vast concourse of citizens of Millersburgh and the surrounding country, filling the large church, the gallery, the aisles and even the stairways and lower entrance being crowded with the multitudes who desired to attest their respect for the memory of the dead.  Pomerene Post, No. 250, Grand Army of the Republic, were out in a body and added to the impressive services of the church and at the grave the appropriate and solemn ceremonies of their own ritual.  The services began with an anthem by the church choir, followed by prayer, Rev. J. G. Schaeffer of the Presbyterian Church, leading, and a reading of a selection from the fifteenth chapter of First Corinthians, by Rev. A. M. Harvout, of the Christian Church.  The choir then sang the Twenty-third Psalm, "The Lord is My Shepherd," etc., as had been requested by the deceased not long before his death.  The pastor of the church, Rev. Dr. Hartupee, then read the Thirty-ninth and Ninetieth Psalms, and addressed the congregation as follows:
     Dr. William Morrison Ross was born at the old family homestead near Millersburgh, on Apr. 8 1837; died at his late home in Millersburgh, Apr. 4, 1885, and was therefore forty-eight years old, lacking four days.  His father, Reynolds Ross, died in April, 1845, when William was but eight years old, leaving behind him a large family of four sons and six daughters.  Three of the sons and five of the daughters survive, with their venerable and aged mother, upon whom the infirmities of nearly four score years have settled down, forbidding her presence here to witness the said ceremonials of this hour.  Upon her devolved the management of the estate and the training and education of the family, the oldest of whom were just merging into manhood and womanhood.  She met the trying responsibilities of her position as only a strong, noble, self-reliant and God-fearing woman can.  Often have I heard the Doctor dwell with a fondness of a justifiable, filial pride upon memories of her unselfish devotion to the welfare of her children, her solicitude for their eternal as well as temporal well being.  Dear saintly mother, she has her reward in the lives and characters and records of her children, and of her grand-children, of whom I might speak in terms of fitting eulogy, were they not present to listen to my words.  William remained at home assisting in the labors of the farm till reaching manhood.  He improved the advantages then afforded for securing an education, and became well versed in the studies embraced in the ordinary academic course.
     He promptly responded to the first call of the President for troops in the war for the defense of the Union, April 18, 1861, and was the first, or among the first in the county, to enroll his name in the ranks of our citizen soldiery.  At the end of the three years' service, and re-entered the field as first lieutenant of Company G, Sixteenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, organized at Wooster, Ohio, in September, 1861, of which John F. DeCourcy was colonel.  Lieut. Ross was promoted to the captaincy of Company D, of the same regiment, Jan. 15, 1863.  His comrades in arms have often borne testimony to the moral, no less than martial, heroism of their commander, and that he possessed not only that manly courage which confronts the foe without fear on the battle field, but also that higher moral courage which dared to be true to conscientious convictions amidst the temptations of life in the camp and in the field.  Capt. Ross then took part in the campaign against Cumberland Gap by the forces under command of Gen. George W. Morgan, and with his company engaged in several skirmishes with the enemy on reconnoitering expeditions, and at the final occupation of the Gap by the Union forces, June 18, 1862; was present at the battle of Tazewell and at the famous evacuation of the Gap after Gen Morgan's army had been flanked by the Confederate forces under Gen. Kirby Smith.  This division of the Army of the Cumberland then went to West Virginia to reinforce the army of Gen. Cox in the valley of the Kenawha.
     Capt. Ross was next transferred to the Trans-Mississippi department, and engaged in operations against Vicksburg, where, in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, on the 29th of December, 1862, he received a painful wound in the face, while leading his company with dauntless courage against the countless batteries and rifle pits which covered the bluffs beyond the bayou.  Soldiers who could face such an arduous and desperate undertaking must forever stand high on the roll of the world's heroes.  The wound proved indeed a serious one, and he always believed that to it was due that chronic, poisoning of the blood, which, after an interval of twenty-two years, has resulted in death, while before that fatal day Capt. Ross had been almost the paragon oif health and strength, and deemed himself adequate to say task that physical hardihood and endurance could accomplish.  Afterward his vigor was, in a measure, gone, and the steady advance of the fatal virus in the blood during all these years at length prostrated that manly form and filled the last years of his life with suffering no heart can conceive and no tongue can tell.  Disabled by his wound, he returned to his home to recover, as he rapidly did, insomuch that he was enabled to return to the front in the following March, and take part in the memorable campaign in the rear of Vicksburg, under Gen. Grant.  Meanwhile, in recognition of his valor displayed in the battle of Chickasaw, he had been promoted to the command of Company D, of the Sixteenth Ohio, his commission bearing date of Jan. 15, 1863.  while engaged in the siege of Vicksburg, on the 22nd of Man following, he received another wound below the knee, by which, however, he was not disabled or removed to the hospital.  This occurred during the forty-six days of almost continuous fighting, in which he took part in the battles of Thompson's Hill, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, and in the numerous assaults on the formidable works by which the city was fortified.  From Vicksburg his command was sent to the Department of the Gulf, and was in the campaign from New Orleans to the Teche; and, returning to New Orleans, he embarked with his command for Texas.  Afterward he returned by the way of New Orleans to assist in the Red River campaign under Gen. Banks, and was detailed with his regiment for the construction of the famous Red River Dam, by which the fleet of gunboats and barges was enabled to get below the rapids. His command took part in the skirmishes about Alexandria, till removed from there to Morganza bend of the Mississippi.
     When the period of his second term of enlistment closed, the entire term of service was three and one-half years.  He was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in the fall of 1864.  Capt. Ross was, on the 27th of May, 1865, appointed lieutenant-colonel of the Fifty-ninth Battalion of National Guards, and received his commission for five years from Gov. Brough, June 6, 1865.  At the close of his military life he retired with honor unsullied with one act of cowardice, or even indiscretion, with a record, not one line of which, dying, he could wish to erase.  Very appropriately, you soldiers of the Grand Army, follow in a body the mortal remains of our beloved and honored comrade and commander to the silent encampment on the beautiful hill which overlooks our homes, where so many of your number already lie, waiting the summons of our Great Commander from on high, which to all of you, I trust, may "bring sweet salvation in its sound."
     Dr. Ross, before enlisting in his country's service, having chosen medicine as his profession, had been a student in the office of Dr. Martin, of Fredericksburgh, and afterward continued his studies under the direction of our townsman, Dr. Bigham; also with the late Dr. Pomerene, with whom, after his graduation from the medical college, he practiced his profession for a year, and then entered upon an independent and successful practice, which he continued until disabled by the malady which in the end proved fatal.  On the 13th of December, 1864, he was united in happy marriage to Virginia, daughter of our venerable fellow-citizen, Robert Justice, Esq., sketch of whose life appears at page 604.  Several children blessed the happy union, some of whom have gone on before to wait, and after a while to welcome the rest of the family on the peaceful, healthful shores where there shall be no pains and no partings, and no tears, for the Lord God himself shall then wipe them away form His children's eyes, for there shall be no death.
~ Page 599 - Source: Biographical Record of Wayne & Holmes Co., Ohio - Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889
JAMES ROWLAND was born in Holmes County, Ohio, Aug. 31, 1839.  His paternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (McKay) Rowland, who were natives of Maryland, had two sons, the elder, William, being the father of our subject.  William Rowland was born in either Maryland or Eastern Pennsylvania, and when a young man came to Holmes County, Ohio.  He married Maria Seabrooks, and to them were born six children, four of whom, John K., Elizabeth, Mary and James are living.  Archibald died in infancy, and Nancy Jane died in April, 1886, in her fiftieth year.  On coming to Holmes County he located in Salt Creek Township, where he died in 1844; Maria his wife, died in 1879, in her seventy-first year.
     James Rowland was thus bereft of a father when but little past four years of age.  As soon as old enough he began to work for farmers by the day, obtaining a fair education by making the most of his leisure time, and when but eighteen years old he began teaching school.  He taught during the winter months for many years, and worked on a farm in summers.  He taught eighteen terms and two summer terms.  Mar. 22, 1862, he enlisted in the War of the Rebellion, was assigned to Company K, Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the struggle.  He participated in several severe battles, among others Second Bull Run.  Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and Missionary Ridge.  At the close of the war he returned to his home in Salt Creek Township, and worked on a farm for a year and a half.  He then rented until 1873, when he bought the first share in the home farm.  He now owns seventy acres of said farm, which is located in Salt Creek Township, and which he has improved.  He also owns a house and two lots in Millersburgh.  Although from his boyhood he has had to rely on his own resources for his support, he has by his ambition and ability been successful, and has by his integrity gained the confidence of his fellow citizens.  He has served Salt Creek Township as assessor four years, and Holmes County as school examiner nearly six years, and in 1881 he was elected county auditor, being re-elected in 1884, and then appointed to fill a vacancy in the same office for ten months.  He retired from public office Sept. 10,1888, and is now living a quiet life in Millersburgh, attending to the duties of his farm.  He was married in 1866 to Lovina, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Painter) Hinkle, and to them have been born six children, five of whom are living:  Harriet, Nevada, Lucina, Amanda and Lovina.  Their eldest, William, was killed when nineteen years of age by falling from a joist in the barn; the joist turning with him when he stepped upon it.  Mr. Rowland in his political views is a Democrat; he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.  He and his wife and the four eldest daughters are members of the Disciples Church; his son William was also a member of the same church.
~ Page 756 – Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, Illustrated – Publ. Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1889
NOTES:
 

CLICK HERE to RETURN to
HOLMES COUNTY, OHIO
INDEX PAGE
CLICK HERE to RETURN to
OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
INDEX PAGE
FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH is My MISSION
GENEALOGY EXPRESS
This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Genealogy Express  ©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights