My Courtright Family AlbumThe Courtrights of Fairfield and Pickaway Counties Ohio
This page will be dedicated to the Courtrights of Fairfield an Pickaway Counties of Ohio. This is where most of my Courtright ancestors have been for the last 200 years.
The following file was graciously donated and compiled by Charles Mckinley. This file contains the descendents of Abraham Van Campen Courtright and allied families who immigrated to central Ohio in 1801 and is presented in .pdf format. Send all inquiries, additions and corrections to Charles Mckinley. Charles Mckinley has recently passed in January 2018 and this file will not be updated.
Courtright's from Fairfield and Pickaway County of Ohio
This following biography is about Samuel Wilson Courtright, the very one who wrote the controversial paper on Courtright family history. This biography was taken from the book titled History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens by Aaron van Cleaf, published in 1906.
Hon. Samuel W. Courtright for five years was judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Fifth Judicial District of Ohio, and one of the leading members of the Pickaway County Bar at Circleville,was born in Walnut township, Pickaway County, Ohio December 9, 1842, and is a son of Honor Jesse D. and Sallie(Stout) Courtright.
Judge Courtright comes from Holland and Scotch Ancestry and of a family which has been established in Ohio since 1801 Johannes Von Courtright, The great-great grandfather, belong to one of the old kickerbocker families which came from Amsterdam and settled on Staten Island inthe year 1623. Capt. Jesse Von Courtright, the great-grandfather gained his title in the Revolutionary War. After its close he settled in Pennsylvannia, at which time he became plain Captain Courtright. There his son John Courtright, was born and later married Elizabeth Drake, a native of Scotland and a member of a family noted in that country's history. In 1801 John Courtright and family crossed the mountains to Fairfield County, Ohio, and purchased a track of farmland near Royalton, which he later increased until he owned 2,100 acres. He made many improvements here, one being the erection at great expense of the first brick house in the county. He served in the WAR of 1812, and both he and his wife lived to advanced age. Hon. Jesse D. Courtright, father of Judge Courtright, was born in Bloom township, Fairfield County, Ohio, May 5, 1811, and was reared amid pioneer suroundings. In August, 1831, he married Sallie Stout, who was born in Washington township, Pickaway County, Ohio and was a daughter of Geroge Stout, an early settler and extensive farmer of this county. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Courtright settled on a farm of 160 acres in Walnut township, which Mr. Courtright, in the course of time, increased to 2,000 acres. He became one of the leading men of his time and locality, serving in all local offices in the gift of the Democratic party--for more than 30 years as a justice of the peace--and for one term was a member of the State Legislature, declining a re-election.In 1870 he removed to from his farm to Circleville, where he died three years later, February 22, 1873. His death was followed by that of his most estimable wife, in July, 1881. They had nine children. For years they were consistent members of the Prebyterian Church.
Judge Courtright, like many of his associates on the bench and bar, was reared a farmer boy. From the district school he went to South Academy, and in 1861 he began the study of law with the late David M. Jones, at Circleville. In 1863 he was graduated at the Cincinanati College of Law at the head of his class, was shortly afterward addmitted to the bar, and entered upon the practice of his chosen profession at Circleville. Very soon his ability was recognized and by the following spring he was urged for the office of city solicitor to which he was easily elected and to which he was subsequently re-elected in 1866. In October of the following year he was elected prosecuting attorney by the then largest majority ever given a candidate in the county, and was reelected in 1869. In April 1875, he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the Fifth Judicial District of Ohio and at that time was the youngest occupant of the bench in the State. His record during his five-year administration has ever since been a valuable asset, displaying as it did the soundness of his judgement, his full understanding of the law and the ready comprehension of the great questions that a lawyer, almost more than any other professional man, must settle for good or evil, for right or wrong, in the different complexities of life. For many years his standing has been very high and his name is closely connected with the most sucessful termination of many of the most important cases, which have come before the courts in this section of the State. In 1887 he was elected by the Supreme Court of Ohio, as a member of the commission to examine candidates for admission to the bar,and by annual reappointment served until 1892.
On December 14, 1865, Judge Courtright was married to Jennie R. Martin, daughter of Hon. Z. R. Martin, formerly mayor of Circleville and one of its most prominent citizens. Judge and Mrs. Courtright have three talented daughters: Florence B., the wife of E. F. Dunn, of Columbus; Jennie B., now Mrs. Clark Hunsicker, of Woodlyn; and Marguerite B.,a senior in the High School.The family residence, which is one noted for its hospitality as well as its attractiveness, is situated on the corner of Union and South Court streets. In addition to this property, Judge Courtright owns considerable improved farming land, both in Pickaway and Fairfield counties.
Politically Judge Courtright is a Democrat and is very prominent factor in his party. In the State military he has filed high official positions, serving from January, 1888, until January 1886, as colonel on the staff of Governor Hoadly and again , on the staff of Governor Campbell, from January 1890, until January, 1892. His fine bearing and manly presence made him a conspicuous and admired figure at all military manoeuvres during both these administrations. Personally he possesses the pleasant suavity and the cordial manner which mark the gentleman and at the same time the concentration and the dignity which become his profession. Judge Courtright has always taken a lively interest in the public schools and for years was president of the Board of Education. He has also served the people as a member of the City Council.
Judge Courtright is very prominent in fraternal life and has filled some of the highest positions in the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knight of Honor organizations. He served as grand master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Master Masons of Ohio for three years, declining further service; was grand dictator of Ohio,and representative for three years to the supreme Lodge, Knights of Honor; served for a quarter of a century as most excellent high priest of Circleville Chapville Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M.; is the possessor of elegant and valuable jewels, the gifts of grand bodies and of his brethren. Judge Courtright is and always has been a temporate man, for he has never drank a glass of any kind of intoxicants, never wagered a penny, or the value of one, never uttered an oath He is a Presbyterian. His portrait accompanies this sketch, being presented on a preceeding page.
 |  |
| John Courtright, Jr. (1805-1878) Effal Courtright(1828-1867) daughter of John Jr. |
John Jr. son of John Sr. (1779-1863) and Elizabeth Grubb (1780-1852) submitted by Charles Mckinley, Inc.
This interesting story about the family of Abner Courtright was graciously provided by Kenneth (Ken) Courtright, a grandson of the writer, Andrew J. Courtright. It depicts the late 1800s in the Bloom Township area of Fairfield County and the life in rural Tennessee during the same time period as well as the early 1900s. (These notes were transcribed years ago from an old wire recorder and editors notes are in parentheses)Memories of A.J. Courtright Born 23 October 1870 in Fairfield County, Ohio
My Grandfathers family, John Courtright, came from Pennsylvania. He lived to be 73 years old. My grandmother Margaret lived to be 37. My father, Abner, died at the age 68. My mother's name was Mary Courtright, from Fairfield County. (The two were not directly related as they were second cousins). His first wife died young. Each had 80 acres of land (Current research data show that Abner had this amount and other wills are being researched to determine Marys acreage from her family). We hauled corn to Winchestershire on the canal. We lived 18 miles from Columbus, Ohio. The boat on the canal was pulled by two mules. Williamsport was on the canal and a large corn and flour mill was located here. My father went here to exchange corn for coal and fished out of the canal catching catfish weighing 3 to 4 lbs. The streams near home had pike and other fish.
The farms sold for $125.00 an acre as they had a two story brick home on the 160 acres. Part of the land had valuable timber.
Abner Courtright was a successful farmer growing oats, corn and timothy hay.
My father made me a gun which I used for many years. He fed out 300 head of hogs marketing his corn this way rather than selling it at 12 1/2 cents a bushel. He would buy stocker hogs for 2 1/2 cents per lb. Receiving 3 1/2 cents per lbs. When sold. We used wood and coal for fuel. Coal at this time sold for $4.00 per ton.
When I was 12 my father, mother, and 7 children moved to Tenn. Where my father purchased 1340 acres of virgin timber land for $2,500.00. We shipped a car load of furniture, tools seed, supplies from Ohio to Tenn. for $40.00. This land was unfenced as the original rail fence was burned by Buels army Yankees who camped for two weeks on this place. I helped to cut timber and split rails at $13.00 per month. My father was postmaster at Abner, Tenn.(Now Named Deerfield), named for Abner Courtright, near Waynesborough, Tenn., Wayne County. We lived on the Pike between Waynesborough and Clinton, Tenn. I went to school at Fairfield.
I was married to Ada Octavene Chambers on 20 March 1892, daughter of Robert and Louise (called Lou) Chambers.
I bought a small farm, cut the timber off and had it sawed at a mill that charged a part of the timber. I built a 14 X 16 ft. room for between two or three dollars. This was for the nails. This was after I had worked for seven years for a lumber man at $1.00 a day. This was a day of cheap living: eggs were 5 to 10 cents a dozen, corn 12 1/2 cents a bushel, 52 cents shelled, wheat 50 cents a bushel, pork was 2 to 6 cents a lb., coffee was 12 1/2 cents a lb. Of the many good things I remember about Tenn., was the good hunting and fishing: deer, turkey, coon, etc. On a hunt one time the dogs treed a coon beside a creek. I cut the tree down and it fell across the water, coon and all. I held back the older, well trained dog so a young dog could get the experience of the kill which he was unable to do as the coon was more at home in the water. Finally the dog realized this and pulled the coon ashore and made short work of killing it. I had a turkey call made from a hollow bone out of a turkey wing which could be used in calling a turkey up to the place where I would hide. I would go out early and hide in the vicinity of a turkey roost and watch for a time strutting in some opening. I would then call like a turkey hen, never moving. If you batted and eye the old tom would become suspicious and be gone: one especially large and wise old tom weighing 46 lbs. was a challenge to any hunter. I finally took him by calling lower and lower. He, thinking his possible mate was leaving, came within shooting range. I was using the fine gun my father made and gave me. We had wild game to eat most any time. The deer were plentiful but the old big bucks were wise and shy and used their quick sight and super sense of smell. There was a large buck in our vicinity who had been shot by a stingy hunter who was so saving he did not use near enough charge: guns in those days were charged from the powder horn and shot pack and firing caps. Smaller shot was used for squirrels, quail, and small game. Evidently the game load was used to shoot the buck. This made him very shy. However, with the help of my deer do and favorite rifle I finally took him. He was a large buck with a long set of horns.
There was lots of timber which land owners sold to timber companies for $100.00 per acre.
I worked for and operator, a Mr. Garrett , for 7 years. I worked first, cutting timber one year, later ran the saw mill and firing the boiler for 3 years and received $1.00. I made more than a good living. When we started at a new place, we would saw and build houses for us to live in, 16 X 28, these places would belong to the land owner when operations were finished. We made 16 ft. boxing planks, etc., cross ties and long bridge timbers 16 in. by 16 in., 44 ft. long for railroads. 8 ft. lumber was $9.00 per 1000 ft.
One widow, Aunt Polly Duckworth, had a lot of hogs that strayed off on Straight Fork Branch. She engaged brother Linnie and me to get them. We took our hog dogs and went hog hunting. When we had killed four I went for the hack and old mule Pete. I unhitched one mule from the hack and went into the woods and dragged them out to the hack. By this time brother had killed three more: loading all seven we went to Aunt Pollys house and dressed them, getting half the meat for our part.
One of my fathers brothers got me to help him, he had a fertile field of corn, due to the spring overflow. He got the corn planted so late that frost came before it was fully matured. He went to market and purchased a large number of hogs and put them in this field to gather the corn. When they were fat he butchered them and sent me to town with a wagon load of hogsheads, ribs and backbones which sold for 2 cents a pound. We would sell hogsheads for $1.00 each.
I owned a small farm on little Buffalo Creek (which ran into the big Buffalo, then into the Tenn. River) seven miles from Henryville. We lived 18 miles from Lawrenceburg. There was a dam and factory four miles from us on the little Buffalo making thread, using water for power. We lived on the road between Clinton and Columbia Tenn. There were two nearby communities with Deerfield school 2 1/2 miles away.
Pleasant Grove church and cemetery was where my father and mother were buried.(Pleasant Grove Cemetery is located off Summertown Road, not far from the Buffalo River in Lawrence County and is one of the largest in the area. Perhaps there are 10 Courtrights buried there) I had one brother Linnie (Abner Leonard) and sisters Katy Rob, Elvie (Elvina), Maggie (Margaret)Cheatman (Chapman), Ermie (Emma) McCool, Jessie Johlen and she lived near Houston at St. Joe.
Our social was country church, school, and Christmas celebrations, 4th of July picnics, sack races and greasy pole climbing.
We moved to Brown County, Texas, in 1904, settled at Clio, between Brownwood and May. I worked at the Clio gin and later farmed nearby. We moved to May in 1923, where I hauled freight, by truck, from Brownwood to May.
| This biography was taken from the book titled History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens by Aaron van Cleaf, published in 1906.
 John Courtright, one of the prominent agriculturists of Pickaway County, who is the owner of 700 acres of farming land, 225 acres of which lie along the county line between Pickaway and Fairfield county , in the latter county, has his home on the remainder which is situated in sections 11, 13, and 14, Walnut township, his residence being located near the corner of four sections. Mr. Courtright was born in the home he noe occupies, on January 28, 1838, and is a son of Hon. Jesse D. and Sallie (Stout) Courtright.
Hon. Jesse D. Courtright was born in Bloom township, Fairfield County, Ohio, May 5, 1811, and was a son of John Courtright, a Pennsylvanian, who came to Fairfield County, Ohio in 1801. Jesse D. Courtright ws reared in Fairfiel County. In August, 1831, he was married to Sallie Stout, who was a daughter of Gerge Stout, a very prominent farmer of Washington township. For a time after marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Courtright lived in Clear Creek township, Fairfield County, and for a short time in Washington township, Pickaway County, but in 1834, they moved to the farm now owned and occupied by their son John. In the following year Jesse D. Courtright erected the brick house which still serves as a comfortable family home. Mr. Courtright served nearly a third of a century as a justice of the peace and was a member of the Ohio State Legislature for one term. He died at Circleville, February 22, 1873. His wife survived until July 1881.
John Courtright was reared and educated in Walnut township, where his business and family interests have always more or less been centered. On August 16, 1866, he was married to Minerva L. Brobst, who is a daughter of David and Leah Brobst, of Fairfield County, where Mrs. Courtright was born on February 8. 1846. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Courtright were; Alva Brobst, Sallie, Florence, John David and Grace Cilicia. Alva Brobst, the eldest son, was born September 29, 1868, and married in December, 1894, to Laura Peters, Of Scioto township, and they have one son, John Peters, born in December 1896. Sallie Florence was born August 15, 1873, and on December 22, 1899, was amrried (first) to Rev. E. J. Snyder, who died 10 months later; on September 19,1905, she was married (second) to Harry Reichelderfer, of Salt Creek township. John David was born September 30, 1875, and died Noven\mber 20, 1885. The youngest daughter was born March 16, 1881, and resides at home.
Mr. Courtright has always been identified with the Democratic party. He has frequently been called upon to serve in offices of trust and responsibility. He has been on the School Board; has served as township trustee and is serving his second trem as trustee of the Pickaway County Children's Home. By Governor Herrick he was appointed a member of the State board of control of the Ohio Agricultural Experimental Station; a board made up of two Democrats and threee Republicans. Mr. Courtright has always shown great interest in the Grange movement, regarding it as a helpful organization for agriculturists, and served as master of Nebraska Grange for 28 years. For almost 24 years he has served as a director of the Reber Hill Cemetery, of Walnut township. For 47 years he has been identified with the Masonic fraternity, and served as worshipful master several terms. No man stands higher in public esteem in this section than does John Courtright, whose portrait accompanies this sketch.
  |
Death certificates from Fairfield County and nearby areas. Provided and compiled by Charles Mckinley. | Name | Death Date | Where | Volumn | Cert.No. | Parents |
| Courtright, Allen D | 5-Jan-1931 | Violet Twp | V-6497 | C-1976 | Ezra Courtright, Mary Ann Boyer |
| Courtright, Caroline | 31-Oct-1921 | Columbus | V-3696 | V-56060 | Christian Bergesser, Louise Hammer |
| Courtright, Charles | 9-Jan-1924 | Franklin | V-4354 | C-2307 | Charles Courtright,Nettie May Boggs |
| Courtright, Charles M | 26-Feb-1920 | Franklin | V-3196 | C-11555 | Ezra Courtright, Mary Ann Boyer |
| Courtright, Christine M | 24-Jun-1929 | Columbus | V-6019 | C-40819 | Edward L Courtright, Minnie S Bostwick |
| Courtright, Clara E | 21-Aug-1937 | Fairfield | V-8553 | C-5054 | Joshua Feller, Barbara Runkle | |
| Courtright, Clinton Barger | 16-May-1927 | Columbus | V-5353 | C-28594 | John E Courtright, Ida Smith |
| Courtright, David | 13-May-1931 | Columbus | V-6611 | C-30268 | H Courtright, Margaret Hoy |
| Courtright, Donald E | 6-Jun-1978 | Lancaster | 2301 | 282 | Walter A. Courtright, Dorothy Kiger |
| Courtright, Dorothy (Kiger) | 19-nov-1986 | Lancaster | 2301 | 598 | Clarence Kiger, Della Kiger |
| Courtright, Edward | 1-Jul-1918 | Columbus | V-2635 | C-42479 | Jesse Courtright, Mary Brown |
| Courtright, Edward Weidler | 24-Dec-1916 | Columbus | V-2116 | C-74187 | Cyrus Courtright, Catherine Sweitzer |
| Courtright, Emma (Harmon) | 28-Jul-1934 | Violet Twp | V-769 | C-57708 | Abner Harmon, Rebecca Fishbuagh |
| Courtright, Esther (Winter) | 27-Jul-1988 | Fairfield | 2301 | 418 | Meason Winter, Effie Geihart |
| Courtirght, Ezra J. | 31-Dec-1992 | Pickerington | 2300 | 681 | Robert Courtright, Ida A. Alspaugh |
| Courtright, Fleetwood | 9-Jun-1921 | Franklin | V-3603 | C-32968 | Fleetwood Courtright, Elizabeth Hill |
| Courtright, George B | 24-Jul-1914 | Bloom Twp | V-1411 | C-38757 | Jacob Courtright, Elizabeth Weiser |
| Courtright, George B | 31-Jul-1942 | Greenfield | | | Abraham Courtright, Susan |
| Courtright, George Phillip | 30-May-1913 | Pickaway | V-1085 | C-30476 | Jesse S. Courtright, Evelyn Pontius |
| Courtright, George Richard | 21-Jun-1986 | Lancaster | 2301 | 324 | George W. Courtright, C.IreneBeaty |
| Courtright, George S. | 19-Jan-1915 | Lithopolis | V-1543 | C-1757 | Jesse D. Courtright,Sally Stout |
| Courtright, George W. | 10-May-1985 | Lancaster | 2301 | 57 | Geo B. Courtright, Edith Soliday | |
| Courtright, Hazel K.(Richards) | 9-Apr-1980 | Lancaster | 2301 | 127 | John Richards, Mary Groff |
| Courtright, Hercules C. | 24-Mar-1926 | Bexley | V-4986 | C-15971 | John Courtright, Anna Morehart |
| Courtright, Irvin S. | 12-Sep-1932 | Circleville | V-7014 | C-55116 | Jacob Courtright, Lydia Sout |
| Courtright, Jacob F. | 26-Nov-1911 | Bloom Twp | | | Jacob Courtright, Elizabeth Weiser |
| Courtright, Jane (Wheeler) | 15-Jun-1936 | Bexley | V-816 | C-38110 | Samuel Wheeler, Catherine Ashton |
| Courtright, Jennie (Trimble) | 15-Jun-1930 | Lancaster | V-236 | C-35727 | Thomas Trimble, Samantha Hooker |
| Courtright, Jennie Mae (Crites) | 24-Feb-1980 | Lancaster | 2301 | 102 | W.T.Crites, Jennie Neff |
| Courtright, Jennie Roseltha (Martin) | 15-Mar-1914 | Circleville | V-1327 | C-17934 | Zephaniah Martin, Rebecca Bright |
| Courtright, Jesse | 5-Apr-1913 | Prairie | V-1051 | C-21897 | Jesse Courtright, Mary Brown |
| Courtright, Joan (Tipple) | 14-May-1995 | Lancaster | 2301 | 321 | William E. Tipple, Rosealee Botts |
| Courtright, John Allen | 14-Jul-1929 | Violet Twp | V-6040 | C-46243 | A Goff Courtright, Maude Boyer |
| Courtright, John Earl | 23-Nov-1922 | Prairie Twp | V-3086 | C-46243 | Samuel Courtright, Leona Mcgill |
| Courtright, John Monroe | 07-Aug-1933 | Truro Twp | V-7280 | C-45232 | Ezra Monroe Courtright, |
| Courtright, Julia M. | 27-Jun-1931 | Lithopolis | V-6635 | C-36455 | Cyrus Courtright, Catherine Sweitzer |
| Courtright, Katherine | | V-633 | C-60238 | | |
| Courtright, Laura | 19-Mar-1930 | Columbus | V-6246 | C-15596 | Oratio McCulloch,Hester Mitchell |
| Courtright, Lillian May (Dressing) | 12-Apr-1983 | Lancaster | 2301 | 185 | George Dressing, Laura Miller |
| Courtright, Martha A | 29-Jun-1926 | Columbus | V-5076 | C-35296 | Ezra Monroe, Mary Ann Boyer |
| Courtright, Martha M | 28-Oct-1919 | Prairie Twp | V-3086 | C-57867 | Jesse Courtright, Mary Brown |
| Courtright, Minerva M (Fellers) | 20-May-1927 | Bloom Twp | V-5352 | C-28390 | Joshua Fellers, Barbara Runkle |
| Courtright, Minerva L (Brobst) | 5-Apr-1923 | Pickaway | V-4156 | C-28651 | David Brobst, Leah Culp |
| Courtright, Samuel | 1-Jan-1936 | Prairie Twp | V-8010 | C-14132 | Jesse Courtright, Mary Brown |
| Courtright, Samuel W. | 2-Jan-1914 | Circleville | V-984 | C-5093 | Jesse D. Courtright, Sally Stout |
| Courtright, Sarah A.(Stout) | 24-Apr-1930 | Stoutsville | V-6273 | C-22439 | Hery Stout, Susan Bolender |
| Courtright, Silas W. | 4-Apr-1927 | Hocking | V-5326 | C-21896 | Zephaniah Courtright, Sarah Williamson |
| Courtright, Simon Peter | 25-May-1918 | Cleercreek | V-2590 | C-31082 | Jacob Courtright, Lydia Stout |
| Courtright, Stillborn | 3-May-1924 | Franklin | V-81 | C-1880 | |
| Courtright, Stillborn | 8-Aug-1924 | Fairfield | V-84 | C-2727 | |
| Courtright, Theodore E. | 25-Mar-1914 | Columbus | V-1315 | C-14815 | John E. Courtright, Lorenda Williamson |
| Courtright, Thomas H. | 22-Dec-1916 | Bloom Twp | V-2115 | C-73962 | Jacob Courtright, Elizabeth Weiser |
| Courtright, Walter | 11-Dec-1998 | Lancaster | 2301 | 801 | Walter Courtright Sr., Dorothy Kiger |
| Courtright, Wilma (Lee) Bates | 11-Dec-1998 | Lancaster | 2301 | 802 | Homer Lee Bates, Laura Nelson |
| Courtright, Winfred Scott | 4-Apr-1925 | Columbus | | 21833 | Abraham Courtright, Susan Fellers |
Links to Fairfield and Pickaway Counties,Ohio
Fairfield County History On-line
Fairfield County Genealogy Website
Genealogy in Bloom Township, Fairfield County, Ohio
Pickaway County U.S. GenWeb site
Back to top
Back to main page