Thomas Bales
Thomas Bales has been a resident of Madison County for over half a century and was formerly one of its most extensive farmers and stockmen, owning a large landed estate. He acquired a fortune by his ably conducted operations, and is now living in pleasant retirement in the attractive village of London. He is a native of the old Commonwealth of Virginia, born in Frederick County, August 9, 1817.
The parents of our subject were Moses and Mary (Fish) Bales, who were also Virginians by birth. The Bales originated in Wales, and were among the Colonial settlers of Virginia, where David Bales, the grandfather of our subject, was born some time during the last century. He was one of the prominent farmers of Frederick County, and was a gallant soldier of the Revolution. In the great struggle for freedom from the mother country, he was shot in the leg, and died from the effects of the wound a few years later, thus giving up his life for his country as though he had perished on the battle- field. He was a Christian gentleman, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Robert and Mary Fish, the former a native of this country, the latter of foreign birth. Mr. Fish was a farmer in Virginia until he came to Ohio, and passed his remaining years at his occupation in Richland County. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church, and were devoted to its interests. They reared a family of twelve children.
The father of our subject came to Ohio in 1833, and, settling among the pioneers of Clarke County, purchased a farm there, and engaged in agricultural pursuits until death rounded out his life at a ripe age. In him the Republican party found an earnest advocate from the first, and the Methodist Church was strengthened by his membership. He was the father of twelve children, having been three times married. His first wife, the mother of our subject, was a noble woman of many Christian virtues, and a member of the Methodist Church. She was the mother of four children, of whom but two are living: our subject and his sister Betsy, Mrs. Potee.
The subject of this biographical review passed his early years on a farm, at first in his native State and afterward in Clarke County, where his education was completed. He remained at home with his father until he attained his majority and then started out into the world to see what life held for him elsewhere. In 1845, he came to Madison County, purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land in Summerford Township, and made that his home for thirty-eight years. Going to Deer Creek Township from there, he took up his residence on one of his farms, that contained five hundred acres of fine farming land, and he was extensively engaged in raising high-bred horses and cattle for some time. He had in his possession fifteen hundred acres of realty, all in this county, except three hundred acres. May 5, 1887, he came to the village of London, and purchased a residence on Fourth Street, where he now lives. In the accumulation of his property he has materially increased the wealth of the county, and he has always sought to use his means for the promotion of those enterprises best calculated to develop its resources and improve its condition. He is a man of well-balanced intellect, of sound and sensible views upon all subjects with which he is conversant, and his political preferences lie with the Republican party, to which he is devotedly attached. The Methodist Episcopal Church has in him a liberal and exemplary member, and he has held the office of Steward in the same.
Fortune has also favored our subject in his domestic life, as by his marriage in 1845 with Miss Emeline Rigdon,he secured a companion who fills in a perfect measure her position as wife, mother and friend, and conducts the affairs of her household so as to contribute to the comfort and happiness of all who come under her influence. She is the mother of three children: Talipha, Mrs. Dr. Beach, who has four children: Roy, Carrie, Ada and Downing; Mrs. Alta Gray; and Mrs. Carrie Fitchgiven, who has three children: Clarence, Laura and Harry. Mrs. Bales is a native of Madison County, born January 22, 1828, a daughter of Charles and Lydia (Mitchell) Rigdon, who were natives respectively of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Her maternal grandfather, who was a native of Massachusetts and a farmer, served throughout the Revolution. Mr. Rigdon was a farmer. He first settled in Champaign County after he came to Ohio, but he afterward came to Madison County, and was one of its most prosperous pioneer farmers, farming over four hundred acres of land. He died in Indianapolis, Ind. He and his wife were prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was Trustee. He was also Township Trustee at one time. His father was Dr. Lamb Rigdon, a native of Germany, and a physician and surgeon of some note in his day. Mrs. Bales is one of nine children, of whom three are living besides herself: Mrs. Julia Bales, Mrs. Jennie Burt, and Mrs. Maggie Davidson.
From PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF FAYETTE, PICKAWAY AND MADISON COUNTIES, OHIO - Chapman Bros. [Chicago, 1892]