Henry C. Maddox
Henry C. Maddox, a representative agriculturist and leading citizen of Liberty Township, residing on his valuable farm of 300 acres, is one of the older residents of this section, having owned this property since 1865. He was born December 15, 1832, in Warren County, Virginia, and is a son of Bennett Dison and Mary Ann (Horn) Maddox.
Both the Maddox and Horn families were of Virginia ancestry for generations. The paternal grandfather was J. Notley Maddox, who reared his family in Rappahannock County, where he was a large planter. He was a man of military prowess, having served in the defense of Washington against the British, in the War of 1812, and in the Whiskey Insurrection. The maternal grandfather, John Horn, was born in Virginia, but came to Ohio in 1830 and lived during the rest of his life in Licking County, where he gained a local reputation as a skilled millwright. Bennett Dison Maddox, father of Henry C. Maddox, was born December 5, 1804, in Rappahannock County, Virginia, and died in Virginia from a stroke of paralysis, May 28, 1874. He removed in early manhood, to Warren County, where he acquired much property and there reared his large family of thirteen children, five sons and five daughters reaching maturity. Of these, Henry C. was the eldest. Three children died in infancy and the following survived to take an active part in life's struggle: John N., residing on the old homestead in Warren County, Virginia; Elizabeth, deceased; William B., deceased; Martha, Lucy, Hester, and Herselia, all widows, residing in Virginia; Bennett, who served in the Confederate army, and died from wounds received when raiding with Colonel Mosby; Travis S., residing in Augusta County, Virginia; and Duncan, formerly a resident of Ohio, who died at Lexington, Kentucky.
Henry C. Maddox was reared on his father's plantation in Virginia and attended the subscription schools in his boyhood. In 1857 he came to Ohio, and on April 22, 1858, he was married at Delaware to a young lady who was a student at the time in the Delaware Female Seminary, now the Wesleyan. She was Elizabeth A. Frederick, a daughter of John and Catherine Frederick. They came at an early day to Ohio from Virginia and settled first in Licking County, moving thence to Granville. Later, Mr. Frederick built a mill on the Scioto River in Delaware County that was long known by his name. Both Mr. and Mrs. Frederick spent their last years at the home of Mr. Maddox. A son died in Illinois, Mrs. Maddox being the only survivor of her family.
In his younger years, Mr. Maddox worked as a carpenter and assisted in the building of the Girls' Industrial Home, of Delaware County. After turning his attention to farming, he rented land for four years, making his first purchase in 1865 of 140 acres of his present farm. To this he continued to add until he now owns 300 acres of some of the finest soil of Delaware County. He found here a primitive log house and log barn. In 1879 he started the erection of his present commodious brick house, which was speedily completed, and finished with the care that his knowledge of building insisted on. He has made many other improvements and owns a property of which he has every reason to he proud.
Mr. and Mrs. Maddox have had eight children, namely: Olive, Frederick L., Harry, Ralph B., John W., Catherine, Floy and Ruth. Olive is the widow of James B. Andrews, who died in 1904. Their one son, Henry Simon, died in 1901. Frederick T. married Cora Willis, a daughter of Brainard Willis, and for the past ten years they have resided in Chicago, Illinois. Harry, who owns a large farm in Delaware County, married Alchea Hamilton, daughter of Robert Hamilton, of Delaware. He has two sons, Robert and Charles. Ralph B. married Addie Glick, daughter of Cass and Susan Glick, and owns a farm in Delaware County. John W. married Clara Grumley, daughter of Sebastian Grumley, of Liberty Township, and they have two daughters, Mary and Garnett. They own a farm in Delaware County. Catherine married Charles Gooding, a son of Frank Gooding, of Orange Township, and they have one son, Frank, and they also own a farm in Delaware County. Floy married Harry Gooding and they have two sons, Bennett and Harold, and own a farm in Delaware County. Ruth married John O. Gooding, of Orange Township, and they have one daughter, Ada. Mr. Gooding deals in hay and gram, at Lewis Center.
Mr. Maddox has always been identified with the Democratic party, but he has never sought political preferment. During the Civil War, four of his brothers served in the Confederate army. He was then living in Ohio and received a commission as lieutenant, but never saw service. For forty-two years he has resided on his present farm and during this long period has lived at peace with his neighbors, has assisted in upholding the laws of the land, has worked with his fellow-citizens for the general welfare and each year has widened his circle of friends and well-wishers. He is an honest, upright man in business, a liberal contributor to charitable objects, and a man whose judgment is consulted and whose advice is taken on all matters of local importance.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908