BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP

NATHAN AHLEFELD, Kenton, was born, December 19, 1833, and is a son of Rhinehardt and Phoebe (Young) Ahlefeld. His father was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and emigrated to the United States in 1800, living for seven years in Baltimore, In 1808, he moved to Richland County, Ohio, where he was married, and then proceeded to Allen County in 1849. In 1859, he came to Hardin County, selecting his home in Liberty Township, where, he died in 1871. Mrs. Ahlefeld was a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob Young, one of the early pioneers of Richland County. She reared a family of seven children all living. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm. He and his brother, Peter, and William Cary, of Kenton, were the original founders of the Citizens' Bank of Ada, founded in the year 1873. He was engaged in this bank until 1878, when he disposed of his interest to his brother and. in the spring of 1881, took up his residence in Kenton. In 1856, he was married to Miss Celia Wiley, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, to which union there have been born five children, four living, viz., Ida (wife of John F. Andrews, Hardin County), Albert, Effie and Corena.

ABEL L. ALLEN. attorney. Kenton, was born on the homestead, two mile east of Kenton, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of Abel H. and Rebecca (Mackey) Allen. Abel H. Allen was among the early pioneers of Hardin County. He was born in the year 1803, in Hardy County, W. Va., and when seven years of age came with his widowed mother and family to Ohio and settled in Coshocton County, where a portion of his boyhood was spent. He afterward moved to Pickaway County: thence to Franklin County, remaining there until 1832. He was married in 1831, and, the following year, came to Hardin County, residing for a few months on the Wheeler farm. six miles east of Kenton. In the spring of 1833, he made his permanent settlement two miles east of Kenton, on the farm now owned by Fenton Garwood. Here he lived a quiet and industrious life for nearly twenty years, assisting, by his industry and influence, to develop the resources of the county. In the spring of 1852, he removed east to the adjoining farm, where he died on the 24th of December, 1873. He had a family of six children, three boys and three girls, who still reside in the county. His widow resides with her son, A. L. Allen, our subject, in Kenton, and attained her seventy-third year in May, 1883. Abel H. Allen endured and bore patiently the hardships of pioneer life. He was small in stature, and made up in energy and activity what he lacked in physical strength. He was modest, honorable and unyielding in his convictions of duty and honesty, and was known as a man of few words but prompt action.


760 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

The subject of this sketch obtained the rudiments of his education from the schools of Kenton, entering, in the fall of 1871, the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He graduated in 1875, and the following year began the study of law in the office of John Stillings, of Kenton. In October, 1876, he entered upon a course of studies at, the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in May, 1877. He was admitted to the bar in Hamilton County the same month, and, returning home, formed a partnership with his preceptor, with whom be is yet associated. He has been a member of the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, since during the years of his collegiate studies. He and his partner are among the, active and influential attorney, of Hardin County.

FRANK D. BAIN, physician. Kenton, was born in Kenton, Ohio, in 1850, and is the youngest son of Judge James Bain. The latter was born near Xenia, Ohio, September 19, 1817. He first learned the cooper's track:, but abandoned it for school teaching, employing his leisure moments in the study of law. He decided on law for his profession, and after being admitted to the bar removed to Kenton in 1848, spending there the remainder of his life. His death occurred while on a visit to his son, our subject, at New Texas, Penn., May 31, 1879. He was first a partner in law with Col. Thompson, and subsequently with Col. Strong. He filled many positions of trust, discharging all with fidelity, credit and ability. He was the first Probate Judge of Hardin County under the new constitution of 1852, and, in 1859, was chosen County Auditor. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1865. He was interested in educational advancement, and took a leading part in the organization of the union schools. Four twenty-five years he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, and was an ardent and consistent Christian. The subject of this sketch was educated at the schools of Kenton, and entered the drug store of J. N. McCoy, preparatory to the study of medicine. He spent five years in the store, and then studied under Dr. W. H. Phillips, of Kenton. In 1872, he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, and then opened his practice at Oakland Cross Roads, Westmoreland Co., Penn., and at Saltsburg, Indiana Co., Penn. He returned to his native city in 1878, where he has since remained in constant practice. For two years past, he has been Physician to the infirmary, and at the present time is the City Physician. In September, 1875, he was married to Miss Kate Purdy, of Mansfield, Ohio, who died two months after. She was a daughter of James Purdy, a prominent banker and lawyer of Mansfield. In June, 1877, Dr. Bain married Miss Ella, daughter of Wilson Armstrong, a contractor and builder of railroads, residing in Galion, Ohio. Dr. Bain is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, with which his father had been connected.

JOHN BAKER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hagerstown, Md., in 1840. He is a son of E. C. Baker and Barbara Poont, both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany. They were married in Maryland, whence they emigrated in 1847, settling in Pleasant Township, Hardin County. In 1852, Mr. Baker, Sr., occupied the farm now owned by our subject, where he died in 1862; his widow is also deceased. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of seven children, and has always lived on the home farm. He was married, in 1873. to Miss Margaret Reefer, a native of Germany, to which union there have been born two sons-George A. and Harry (deceased). Mr. Baker's father was a miller, following that occupation continuously through life. In his political sentiments, he was a ;Democrat.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 761

Our subject enlisted, in 1865, in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, but the war closed soon after and he was discharged. He is connected with the Protestant Evangelical Church.

EDMUND BOULTON, book-keeper, Kenton, was born in Buffalo, N. Y., in 1853. He is a son of Richard and Jane (McCauley) Boulton, natives of Lower Canada, who moved from Buffalo to Lapeer County, Mich., where our subject was reared and educated. His father was a lumber merchant in Almont and Burnside, Mich., for many years. He, with his family, returned to Canada, where they are now residing. The subject of the sketch has been engaged in the lumber business all his life. He was employed as a lumber inspector at Saginaw for four years prior to his coming to Hardin County. In 1874, while in Saginaw he became associated with Mr. Callam. of the Michigan Lumber Yard, in Kenton, preceding the latter's coning to this city to look after his interests and to make purchases. He is the book-keeper in Mr. Callam's establishment, and has filled that position with efficiency. On December 24, 1878, he was married, in Kenton to Miss Caroline, daughter of Anthony Banning, of Kenton, which city was also her birthplace. By this union there has been one child-Kate. Mr. Boulton is Secretary of the water works in Kenton.

JOHN W. BROWN. marble dealer, Kenton, was born in Linking County, Ohio, January 11, 1831, and is a son of John anal Jemima (Beaver) Brown, natives of Shenandoah County, Va. His parents came to Ohio about 1815. They were married in Licking County, in 1818, and had a family of seven children, our subject being the only surviving member His father died in 1835, aged forty years. and was buried in the South Fork Graveyard, in Licking County, where also lie one brother and one sister. The widow died in 1855, aged fifty-five years, and was buried in Illinois, where are, two sisters of our subject. One brother is buried at New Madrid, Mo., and one sister near Fort Scott, Kan. After the death of his father the family were thrown on their own resources, and John, when a mere lad, followed the plow many a day, receiving for the work 16 2/3 cents per day: husked corn for 35 cent:, and harvested for 37 1/2 cents a day. As time passed, the burden of the family fell upon his shoulders. In the fall of 1853, he came to Hardin County, bringing with him his widowed mother, and. with one exception of a short interval spent in Union County, Ohio. has always remained here. He was married. September 26, 1853, to Margaret, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Woodard, near Granville, Ohio, and located on a farm three miles east of Kenton. Seven children were born of this union, viz., S. Emma, died October 1, 1863, aged nine years two months and twenty-five days; Maggie Luella, wife of William B. Corwin, of Hastings. Neb.; Charles W., died October 3, 1863, aged five years seven months and two days; Laura A., died September 30, 1863, aged four years and eleven days; Ovitt, died November 5, 1863, aged five years and six months; Hattie Bell, died November 18, 1869, aged three years seven months and nineteen days, and Fannie, unmarried, living at home with her parents. Of this family of seven children, four were called away in the space of six days. Mrs. Brown died April 30, 1867, and Mr. Brown again married, December 29, 1868, Miss Fannie, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Bretz, of Marion County, Ohio. Mr. Brown, being a carpenter by trade, followed that business in connection with farming until 1873, when he bought a third interest in the marble business in Kenton, the firm's name being John Howe& Co. He afterward bought out Howe, and the firm became White & Brown until 1878, when Mr. Brown went to Rich-




762 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

wood, Union Co., Ohio, and there started a shop under the name of Brown & Deveraux; remaining there about one year, he returned to Kenton and started a shop with G. W. Steinhauer, known as Brown & Steinhauer. In 1881, M. D. Cunningham entered the partnership, and the firm is now known as Brown, Steinhaner & Co.

BENJAMIN F. BRUNSON, merchant and express agent, Kenton. was born in Patch Grove, Wis., in 1842. The Brunson family are of English origin, and are descended from two brothers, who bore the family name of Brownson, and emigrated from England, settling, one in Hartford and the other in the New Haven Colony, Connecticut. Some of their descendants retain the original spelling of the name, while others spell it Bronson or Brunson. Rev. Alfred Brunson, a Western pioneer, was born February 9, 1793, and was a son of Ira Brownson and Pamelia Cozier, the former born in Berlin, Hartford County, in 1771, and was the youngest of fourteen children; the latter born in Danbury, Conn,, in April, 1772. His grandmother Brunson was originally Abigail Beach, and was married to a Cook, who was killed in the old French war. Rev. Alfred Brunson was the eldest of six children, viz., Rev. A., Hiram, Betsy, Emily, Benjamin R. and Ira the latter the father of our subject. Ira and Benjamin, the only ones living, were twins, and were born at Sing Sing, N. Y., in 1805. After their father's death, the widow removed to Danbury, Conn., where they were apprenticed to the hatter's trade. When Ira came of age, he started westward, followed soon after (in 1826) by Benjamin, and the two opened a small hat and cap stand in Columbus, Ohio, remaining in that business five years. In 1837, Benjamin went to Galena, Ill.; thence, three years after, to Reynoldsburg, Wis., where he pursued merchandising, coming to Kenton, in May of 1845. Here he was in partnership in a general line of goods with J. M. McClaim, pursuing business for four years in Kenton and four more in Columbus, dissolving partnership in 1849. Benjamin Brunson was then railroad agent of the I., B. & W. Railroad, then called the Mad River Railroad, and for many years had the only warehouse in Kenton. He was agent from the opening of this road until October, 1866, when he commenced the erection of the Brunson Block, which yet stands a monument to his enterprising spirit. He served three years as County Commissioner, and during the war was Chairman of Military Committee, assisting in raising money and men for the army. He had the first church bell hauled by wagons from Cincinnati, but it was accidentally broken before being hung in the belfry of the Presbyterian Church, its destination. He did the grading from the square west to Leighton street at his own expense. In 1829, Benjamin Brunson was married to Miss Jane, a daughter of Jerry McLane, who for twenty-one years was Secretary of the State of Ohio. This union bore to him four children, three sons and one daughter. two of whom are living, viz., Henry and Jerry. He left Hardin County in 1875, moving to La Fayette, Ind., and subsequently to Indianapolis, where he is now residing. Ira, the father of our subject, went from Columbus, Ohio, on horseback to Patch Grove, Grant Co., Wis., where he is yet living at the advanced age of seventy-eight years. He married Miss Henrietta, a daughter of Henry Foster, by whom there were fourteen children, of whom nine are living, viz., Alfred, Mary, B. F., Emily, Ida, Delford, Flora, Jennie and Alice. The subject of this sketch lived in his native place until twenty years of age, when he came to Hardin County in 1862, and became an assistant in his uncle's railroad office. In 1866, he became engaged as a salesman for two and a half years, and soon after conducted a saw mill


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 763

and lumber business, in which he remained four years. In February, 1874, he was appointed agent for the United States Express Company, in which capacity he has since diligently and faithfully served. The following year he opened in the grocery trade, and has attended both branches of his business to the present time. He was married, in December, 1871, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Dr. Usher P. Leighton, a pioneer of Hardin County, where she was born. To this issue four children have been born, three whom are living, viz., Jay, Usher and one not yet christened.

CYRUS N. BUFFE, life insurance agent, Kenton, was born February 11, 1844, in Clark County, Ohio. He is a son of Sampson and Diana (Stamats) Buffe. His parents were both natives of Ohio, and of German descent. His father is a wealthy and influential farmer in Auglaize County and is now seventy-two years of age. His mother died April 20, 1856, at the early age of thirty-eight years, leaving the subject of our sketch without the sweet influence of a mother's love, at the age of twelve years. Our subject is the only son of a family of four, and he was brought up on the farm until eighteen years old, receiving his schooling from the common school of Auglaize County. In 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought in fifty battles and skirmishes, that being the whole number the regiment participated in. He was always on duty, and was never sick, wounded, nor taken prisoner, although having many narrow escapes. In 1865, at Columbus, he was honorably discharged. On his return home, he remained with his parents for a year, but was not contented with farm life, and, in 1867, embarked in mercantile trade, and open a general store in company with Mr. Cline. This was continued successfully for seven years, when Mr. Buffe sold out, and soon after was on the railroad as a commercial traveler. Two years after, he bought out his former partner and resumed his previous business for two years more, when he then came to Hardin County. For a short time he was a salesman in the clothing store of Wolf Bro., and, in 1880, became engaged in his present occupation. He is special agent for the Union Central Life Insurance Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio; the home office is in Cincinnati, corner Fourth and Central avenue, and his headquarters are at Kenton. In 1873, Mr. Buffe was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Gullett, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Mary I.. (Pendry) Gullett. Their only child-Charles H. T. died at the age of five months. Mrs. Buffe, who was a member of the Baptist Church, died September 23, 1882. Mr. Buffe has an adopted daughter-Daisy Gertrude. In regard to religion, Mr. Buffe recognizes no creed or form, and has no sympathy with the fashionable religion of the day. He only believes in the true and undefiled religion that makes every man your brother and every woman your sister-that is, in universal brotherhood and universal salvation. In politics, Mr. Buffe is a Republican. He has been School Director, Postmaster and Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, and is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is Royal Arch Mason. He is a gentleman of good habits, courteous and polite to all. being particularly noted for his kind and genial ways.

JOHN CALLAM, manufacturer and merchant, Kenton, was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1839. His father, Peter Callam, was a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and settled in Toronto on his migration to the American shores. He is at this time a resident of Saginaw, Mich. The subject of this sketch came to Kenton in 1874, and established the "Michigan Lumber Yard," purchasing the old Ferney Planing Mill, a landmark


764 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

of early times. This building he moved, using it for shed room, and erected on the same site the present building, which is 65x120 feet, and is three stories in height. The dry kiln and molding shed is 50x100 feet and two stories high. The capacity of the mill is 40,000 feet a day, employing a force of from thirty to thirty-five men. Mr. Callam manufactures shingles, lath, doors, sash, blinds, moldings, brackets, stair rails, posts and balusters, besides dealing in salt, lime, plaster, cement and all kinds of Coal. Adjoining his manufactory is an extensive tract of land connected with the purchase, a portion of which is covered with lumber of all descriptions suitable for his work, and a large number of dwellings mostly occupied by the men in his employ. Mr. Callam is a man of large experience in this business, and was for years connected with his brother in Saginaw, Mich., and his entry among the manufacturers of Kenton created one of the most extensive interests in this city. He was married, in Saginaw, Mich., in 1870, to Miss Isabella J. Reid, a native of Buffalo, to which union there have been born four children, all living, viz., Nellie J., George A., Hattie B. and Bessie. Mr. Callam is one of the Directors of the water works. and is an active, enterprising business man of Kenton.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL (deceased) was born in Frederick County, Va., September 15, 1800. He is a son of John and Elsie (Dunlap) Campbell, the former a native of Lancaster County, Penn., the latter of Loudoun County, Va. Mr. Campbell grew to manhood in his native county, and there married, in March, 1830, Miss Mary Moulden, a native of England. This union produced three children, viz., John, Sarah and Dorathy, the latter being the only survivor. About 1833, he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and two years later purchased a building lot on Franklin street, in Kenton, settling there in 1838. Soon after, Mrs. Campbell died-in September. 1838--and, on March 28, 1839, he was again married, to Miss Matilda Alexander. She was born March 23, 1808, and died without issue September 13, 1857. She was the mother of three children by her first marriage, all of whom survive. Mr. Campbell was again married, December 15, 1857, to Catherine Curry, who was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., January 3, 1810, and died without issue June 30, 1876. Mr. Campbell was a shoe-maker by trade, applying himself closely to it all his life. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, and cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He was prominently identified in various local offices of trust, and was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church since his twenty-first year.

CHARLES CANAAN, foreman in mill, Kenton, was born in Lynn Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1845. He is a son of Jehu and Louisa (Scott) Canaan, natives of Madison and Licking Counties, Ohio, respectively. James K. Scott, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer of Hardin County, where he lived and died. He purchased the old Kellogg farm, north of Kenton. The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Canaan, came with his family and entered land in Cessna Township, where he had 400 acres of land in the tract. He afterward moved to Benton County, Ill., where he died. He and James Scott were soldiers in the war of 1812. The father of our subject is living in Big Rapids, Mich., where his wife died July 4, 1879. The subject of this sketch was the second of a family as follows: James S., residing in Mecosta County, Mich.; Charles, our subject; Electa, wife of J. E. Cunningham, of Big Rapids, Mich.; twin brothers, Usher L. and Asher L., the former deceased and the latter a resident of Big Rapids, Mich.; Emma, wife of George


PAGE 765 BLANK

PAGE 766 PICTURE OF S. H. COOK

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 767

Langly, also of Big Rapids. Our subject has resided in Hardin County with the exception of seven years spent with the family in Iowa. His father moved to Buck Township; thence to Kenton, where our subject has since lived. He served in the ranks of the Union army, enlisting in 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. He fought in the battles of Moss Creek East Tenn., Peach Tree, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Chattahoochie, was with Thomas in the engagement at Franklin and Nashville, and a fought at Fort Fisher. He was at the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, June 11, 1865. Returning home he worked at blacksmithing for two years, and than became connected with Walker's saw and scroll mill, in which he has worked ever since, beginning with its organization. In 1870, he was married to Miss Phoebe Ducker, a native of Logan County, Ohio, by which union there have been five children, as follows: Eva, Louisa, Fannie F., Emmett and Elta Z. Mr. Canaan has filled the office of Councilman for the past five years, and is still serving in that capacity. He was also Trustee of Buck Township, and served for one term as Assessor. He is a member of both branches of the I. O. O. F.

S. H. CAROTHERS. farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., in 1819. His parents were James and Polly (Fitzsimmons) Carothers, the former a native of the Highlands of Scotland, the latter Ireland; both died in Huntingdon County, Penn. His grandfather, James Carothers, emigrated to Fort Philadelphia during the Revolution, in which war he served as one of the body guards of Gen. Washington. Our subject is the youngest if a family of eight children, he and a sister being the only survivors; the latter, Eliza, lives in Huntingdon County, Penn. M r Carothers went to Greene County, Ohio. in 1842, coming thence to Hardin County in 1846 and purchased a farm in Pleasant Township, whence he moved, in 1851, to his present farmof 160 acres. In 1840, he was married at Chambersburg, Penn., to Miss Nancy, daughter of Mitchell and Lydia Gilmore, both Pennsylvanians. To this union six children were born, viz., Alcitta, deceased; Gilmore, born April 21, 1841, residing in Indiana; Lydia B., deceased, born March 22, 1849; Florence J., born January 14, 1851; Sarah B., born April 12, 1856, and William H., born October 11, 1861. Mrs. Carothers died in 1861, and, for his second wife, Mr. Carothers married Ann E., daughter of Roland and Elizabeth (Musser) Reese. When Mrs. Carothers was two years old, her parents came to Wooster, Ohio; thence moving to Hancock County, where they both died. By his second union, Mr. Carothers has two children --Lizzie, born April 8, 1863; and Roland R., born May 16, 1865. Mr. Carothers served as Township Trustee for many years. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a member for thirty-two years, and a class leader for about twenty years.

JOHN M. CARR, County Treasurer, Kenton, was born in Fayette County, Penn., November 19, 1827, and is the youngest in the family of John and Rachel (Reynolds) Carr, both natives of Virginia. His maternal grandfather, John Reynolds, an officer during the Revoluton, secured lands in Logan, Hardin and Union Counties, 2,600 acres in all. Our subject's parents settled on the land in Hardin County, having previously lived in Franklin County, where they had located in 1830, and were among the first settlers of this county. They reared a family of eight children to adult age, six of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he lived until the death of his parents. His education


768 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:



was derived from the common schools. In 1854, he was married to Maria, daughter of Charles Scott, a pioneer of Hardin County. The latter was one of the first Commissioners of Hardin County, and served as Justice of the Peace to the close of his life. Mrs. Carr was a native of Hardin County, and died in 1870, leaving a family of seven children, viz., Thornton W., Jennie B.: Maud (wife of Dr. G. Brockman, of Kenton), Scott, Carrie, Maria and John. Mr. Carr's second marriage was in 1872, with Belle, daughter of Paul K. Seig, and a native of Taylor Creek Township. To this union one child-Lydia has been born. Mr. Carr occupied various offices of trust prior to his election to his present office, which occurred in the fall of 1881, and which office he is still faithfully occupied in. He has been engaged in stock-dealing for the past twenty years and owns a farm of 170 acres in Taylor Creek Township. He is a member of the Christian Church, and numbers among the oldest and most popular citizens of Kenton.

GEORGE J. CARTER, dentist, Kenton, was born in Lenawee County, Mich., in 1853. He is a son of Richard and Mary (Bolton) Carter, the former a native of Ireland the latter of Michigan. His father removed to New York State, locating in Oswego County, where he died. He was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of two children, both living. The subject of this sketch acquired his primary education from the common schools. He studied dentistry for three years, under Dr. Gantz, in Ligonier, Ind. In 1875 and 1876, he attended lectures at the university in Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in June, 1876. The following month he came to Kenton, and opened his present office, where he has since been succesfully engaged. He was married, in Noble County, Ind., in 1875, to Miss Pyrena, daughter of Abram and Emily Pancake, of that county. One child -Lloyd-has blessed this union. Dr. Carter is a member of the State Dental Association, and is regarded as one of the principal dentists of Kenton. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. of Kenton.

PAUL CASTOR., farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., March 13, 1813, and is the only living son of John and Eleanor (Moore) Castor, the latter of Irish descent. His father was a native of Virginia and a son of Arnold Castor, who settled in Virginia about the time of the Revolution, in which war he was a soldier. John Castor was drafted in the war of 1812, but, it being toward the close, he did no service. He, with his wife and four children, came to the West at an early time, and located in Wayne, now Holmes County, Ohio, where his wife died in 1819. He subsequently moved to Richland County; thence to Hardin County in the spring of 1834, entering three quarter-sections of land in Sections 13, 14 and 23. He was again married, in Richland County, in 1823, to Miss Anna Dilly, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom there were five children, one living-Eleanor, the widow of Harrison Looker. Mr. Castor lost his second wife by death in Hardin County in 1842, and took for his third, Elizabeth Brown, the widow of Solomon Russell, a pioneer of 1834 to Hardin County. Mr. Castor settled on Section 23 and died in December, 1881, aged ninety-three years eleven months and three days. Paul Castor, the subject of this sketch, settled on Section 14, in Pleasant Township. He was married, December 27, 1836, to Miss Eleanor Hineline, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and daughter of Redding Hineline and Nancy Burgen, pioneers, in 1834, to Hardin County. The latter died in Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Castor have had a family of ten children, but four living, viz., John W., a resident of Lancaster County, Neb.; George B., at home; William P., also at home, and Mary, wife of H. L. Holmes,


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 769

living in Hardin County. Mr. Castor retired from active duties in 1875, moving with his life-long companion to Kenton, where be is enjoying the fruits of his well-earned labor. He was Infirmary Director for three yeas and has held various offices of trust. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family number among the oldest and most esteemed connections of the pioneer families. One son-Jacob-enlisted in 1861 in the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Wooster, Ohio. He was twice wounded in the hand at Chattanooga, Tenn., and was detailed in a company to guard the prisoners at Rock Island, Ill., where he was taken sick and died June 26, 1865, of brain fever.

WILLIAM P. CASTOR, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Pleasant Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1849, and is the youngest living child Paul Castor, one of the oldest and most esteemed pioneers of Hardin County . He was married in this county, in 1871, to Miss Celesta, a daughter of Henry Smith, a pioneer of this county, where she was born. Mr. Cast has filled the office of Trustee of Pleasant Township, served as Assessor for two years and is connected with the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. He numbers among the oldest residents of the county. His farm lies near the original homestead, and contains at this time 100 acres.



BENJAMIN F. CESSNA, physician, Kenton, was born near Bedford Springs, Bedford Co., Penn., in 1826. His parents, Jonathan and Catharine (Boore) Cessna, brought him the same year, to the eastern part of Ohio In 1833, they removed to Hardin County, where he resided with his parents, on a farm near Keaton, until nineteen years of age. During that time, he attended the schools of Kenton at intervals, and then matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained for three years. Upon leaving the university, he studied medicine in Kenton, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan in 1852. He then located in Van Wert, Ohio, where he practiced his profession. In 1858, he again attended lectures, and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Penn., after which he resumed practice in Van Wert.. He continued there until 1876, when he came to Kenton and retired from active practice. In 1866, he was appointed Surgeon of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, holding the position for ten years. During the war, he was appointed by Gov. David Todd to examine the first draft of his district, and commissioned for surgical service in the army, which position circumstances prevented him from accepting. In 1867, he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the Ohio Wesleyan University, of which institution he was elected Trustee by the alumni in 1872. Dr. Cessna is an honorary member of the Fort Wayne Medical Society, and of the, Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, of which latter he was first Vice President. In 1855, he advanced to the Royal Arch degree in the Masonic order.

WILLIAM T. CESSNA, attorney, Kenton, was born near Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio, August 7, 1836. His parents, Jonathan and Catherine (Boore) Cessna, were both natives of Bedford County, Penn., whence they emigrated to the West, settling in Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1831, Jonathan Cessna came to Hardin County, and entered 714 acres of land near Fort McArthur, which is still owned by his son, Benjamin, and on which he settled with his family in 1833. In 1834, he was appointed Associate Judge, to fill an unexpired term of two years, and, in 1842, was reelected by the General assembly for seven years. He was a man highly esteemed and widely known. He was the father of ten children, as follows:


770 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Jonathan, Helen, Benjamin F., Louisa, Oliver P., Virginia (deceased), Caroline, William F., Harriet E. and John. Mr. Jonathan Cessna died in October, 1868, and was followed by his widow in 1870. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the homestead and received a common school education. Early in life, he determined upon a legal pursuit, and, in 1856, entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1861, and, in 1864, the Law Department of Michigan University. He then entered the ranks of the Union army as a private in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He rapidly gained promotion, being; appointed Sergeant-Major, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He fought in the battles of Second Bull Run (where he commanded a company of skirmishers in front of Milroy's brigade), McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and five days' battles on the Rappahannock and at Chancellorsville. He left the Eastern army and was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Ohio State Guards, in which rank he served till the close of the war. He is now Colonel commanding the Seventh Ohio National Guard. In 1865, he was admitted to the bar, and the following year began to practice at Kenton. He served the city as Mayor in 1865 and 1866, and again in 1881 and 1882. He was elected to the Legislature in 1869, during which tine he was prominent in introducing and securing the passage of bills beneficial to the interests of his people. In politics, be is a strong Democrat, and his whole public life has thus far proved him a thoroughly capable and upright public servant. In 1873, he was married to Miss Alice Teeters, a native of Hardin County. Mr. Cessna has nearly retired from the practice of his profession, devoting his time to other business commanding his attention.

W. M. CHESNEY, physician, Kenton. was born April 27, 1821, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mahan) Chesney, deceased, both natives of Pennsylvania. When eighteen years of age, our subject commenced the study of medicine at Jamestown, Penn., with Dr. Williams Gibson. He subsequently began the practice of his profession in Wyandot County, Ohio, where he was appointed Postmaster under President Tyler. He filled that office until his removal to Marseilles, in 1844, where he was again appointed Postmaster, under President Van Buren. The same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. George Armstrong. She died in the spring of 1847, leaving one son-James. During the winters of 1847 and 1848, Dr. Chesney attended the Medical College and the Marine Hospital at Charleston, S. C., and in the following year entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1850. The same year, he further pursued his studies in the Starling Medical College, passing graduation in 1851, and at once entered upon a course of studies in the Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia. In 1851, he was married to Miss Rachel Merriman, sister of L. Merriman, of Kenton, to which union were born five children, but one living-Blanche. The eldest child-Alice -was the wife of Rev. I. G. Hall, a Presbyterian divine. They settled in Lima, Ohio, and during a visit to the home of her parents, in the winter of 1880, she was taken suddenly sick and died shortly after - January 31, 1881. She was a lady of excellent character and refinement, and her sudden demise was a bereavement deeply felt by the relatives and friends. Charles, Roscoe and Frank died in infancy. In 1863, Dr. Chesney came to Kenton, and became a member and President of the Hardin County Medical Society, continuing in the position four or five years. He is a member of the Northwestern Medical Society of Ohio, also of the


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 771.

American Medical Society. He represented the Hardin County Society as a delegate to the American Medical Society at New Orleans, La., in 1869, and was appointed, by Gov. Bruff, Examining Surgeon of Hardin County; with rank of Major. For about seven years, Dr. Chesney and Dr. Roger of Kenton, were in partnership in the drug business, after which time he devoted himself entirely to his practice until 1880, when his poor health compelled a retirement. He is now living a quiet and unostentatious life in at his home in Kenton, surrounded by his family and friends.

WILLIAM CLOSE, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1805, and is a son of Phillip and Betsy (Moore) Close. His parents are both Virginians by birth and came at an early time to Marion County, Ohio, where they both died. They reared a family of ten children, four of whom survive. The subject of this sketch left Marion County, moving to Carroll County; thence came to Hardin County in 1855, settling on his present farm of 328 acres, the greater part of which he has cleared. In 1831, he was married, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Farber, who died leaving a family of eight children. all living viz., Wesley M., residing in Dunkirk. Ohio; Isabel, wife of John Wall. Hardin County; John; Phoebe, wife of Julius Schoonover, Hardin County; Elizabeth, wife of Alice Charlton: Harriet, wife of Mr. Murphy, of Marysville, Ohio, Jane, wife of John Garlett, of Hardin County, and Arkinson, residing in Crawford County, Ohio. For his second wife, Mr. Close married Nancy Powell. a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, by which union there has been no issue. He and his family are connected with the United Brethren Church.

ELIAS COLLINS, blacksmith, Kenton, was born in Salisbury Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1817, and is a son of John and Sarah (Gilbert) Collins, both natives of Pennsylvania. His parents moved from Lancaster to Washington County, Penn., in 1832, settling in Logan County, Ohio, where they were among the distinguished pioneers. In the spring of 1836, John Collins removed with his family to Hardin County, locating in Round Head Township, where he entered 120 acres of land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre, He lived to enjoy pioneer life but a short time, dying on the 9th of August, 1837.. He left a wife and nine children, one of whom was born after his decease. All of the nine children lived to maturity, and are scattered in various parts of the country. The subject of this sketch remained on the homestead until 1844, when he moved to Kenton and did work in contracting and cutting on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. He had learned the blacksmith trade in Pennsylvania and Logan County, Ohio, but engaged in farming until 1859, when he bought out a blacksmith shop. He enlarged the building, and has since been constantly and successfully engaged in his trade. In 1842, when in Round Head Township, he was married to Miss Sarah Monroe, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio. This union has resulted in nine children, six of whom are living-Isaac M., engaged with his father in the shop; Hiram F., mail agent on the I. &. B. W. Railway; Albert in the United States Regular Army, now in Texas; Sarah Ellen, wife of Daniel A. Brighton, residing in Norwalk, Ohio; Rachel A., wife of Edward E. Dean, Principal of the High School in Kenton, and Maggie M., at home. Mr. Collins is one of the sturdy and popular pioneers of Hardin County.

N. H. COLWELL, County Surveyor, Kenton, was born in Lima, Ohio. December 29, 1857, and is the youngest child of Nicholas and Evaline (Cottrell) Colwell. His parents were both natives of Ohio.


772 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

when our subject was a child. His father was a tanner by trade, working at it in Lima, Ohio, until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted in the ranks of the Union army. He enlisted from Fremont, Ohio, in 1860, in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and held the rank of Drum Major until his death on April 23, 1863. The subject of this sketch is the only son of a family of four children, and lived in Lima, Ohio, until 1875, when he went to Fremont, Ohio, and taught school. In 1877, be entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, Ohio, graduating in 1880, and part of the time taught in the school. In the fall of 1881, he went to the Republic of Mexico, and was engaged as Civil Engineer on the Mexican National Railway, which was being constructed from Mexico City to the Pacific coast, and was represented by Palmer, Sullivan & Co. He left Mexico in March, 1882, and came to Kenton, where he was elected to the office of County Engineer and Surveyor on October 10 of the same year, and still holds that position, being regarded as an efficient officer.

WARREN F. DAMON, furniture and carpet dealer, Kenton, was born in Lowell, Mass., November 10, 1832. He is a son of Luther Damon, a native of New Hampshire, who came to the West in 1835, locating in Kenton in May of that year. He was without capital, and began by working at odd jobs in furniture repairing, having a natural taste and ability for wood work, and soon became a necessity to the small population of Kenton of those days. He erected a small house on the site now occupied by the residence of our subject, where he pursued his vocation.

GEORGE W. DARST. real estate dealer and insurance agent, Kenton, was born in Washington Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, February 8, 1840. He is a son of Harrison P. and Catherine (Teegardin) Darst, the former a native of Woodstock, W. Va., the latter of Pennsylvania. His father left home when twelve years of age, and went to his brother, Joseph Burke, in Pickaway County, Ohio, remaining with him until March, 1837, when he came to Hardin County. Here he entered, at different times, 160 acres of land, in Washington Township, near Blocktown. He became a local preacher, following that profession up to the time of his decease in 1860. He had a family of nine children, five of whom attained adult age. Mrs. Darst is now residing on the homestead, and is in the seventieth year of her age. The subject of this sketch was born and reared on the home farm. When twelve years of age, the care of the whole farm devolved on him, by reason of his father's failing health and the duties of his profession. This work he discharged faithfully until September, 1862. when he enlisted in the Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was then in the field. He joined the forces at Stafford Court House, Va., and was assigned to Company A. He was tendered the rank of a noncommissioned officer, but declined and remained a private. He took part in the battles of his regiment, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, in June, 1865. Returning to peaceful pursuits, he resumed his work on the home farm. He was married, October 22, 1865, to Miss Hannah E., daughter of J. P. Eulin, a pioneer of Hardin County. She was born in Washington Township, and has had a family of five children, two living-Adam F., the eldest, and Autie Custar. Mr. Darst remained on the homestead until January, 1878, having been elected Sheriff of Hardin County in the fall of 1877. He was re-elected in 1879 and served two terms. Since then, he has been engaged in his present business, and represents the Louisville Underwriters, a consolidation of the Franklin, Louisville and


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 773

Union Insurance Companies. Mr. Darst has for many years been connected with the Christian Church of his native township. He has been a member of the Masonic order for the past ten years, and is widely known throughout the county, being regarded as an upright and respected citizen

A. J. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Woodbridgeton Fayette Co., Penn., October 12, 1833. He is the youngest child of Phil and Mary (Bary) Davis, both natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a son of Philip Davis, who emigrated from Wales, settling in Pennsylvania. Philip, Jr., came to Hardin County in 1836, and entered the present farm of 180 acres, to which he brought his family, consisting of his wife and children, in the fall of 1838. His family originally numbered nine children, all born in Pennsylvania, seven of whom are now living, viz., Samuel Joseph, Elizabeth, Owen W., Philip, George W. and Andrew J. Philip Davis was widely known as Capt. Davis, the name having arisen from his career as a Captain in the militia in Pennsylvania. He died in Hardin County in 1865, aged seventy-three years, having been preceded by his wife in September of 1859. The subject of this sketch has always lived on the homestead, excepting two years he traveled in the West. He was married December 15, 1859, to Miss Sarah J., daughter of William and J; (Crooks) McCormick, both Pennsylvanians. She was born in Richland County near Mansfield, Ohio, where the family were noted pioneers. Her grandfather, John McCormick, was born under a tree in Delaware, and was the youngest of a family of four children. His f ather was a Government spy, who was shot by the Indians. John McCormick served under Gen. Washington during the Revolution. He crossed the mountains to the West on horseback and suffered all the hardships incident to pioneer life. He died on the homestead in Richland County at the age of ninety years. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick also died in that county, after attaining an advanced age. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living, one son and three daughters-Mary, William, Maggie and Sarah J. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have had born to them three children, all living-Elmer C., Ettie and Maggie. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and number among the old and respected pioneer families of Hardin County. Their residence was erected in the fall of 1878, and is a handsome and substantial building. It is a three-story brick, with slate roof, and is said to be the best finished farm house in the county. Mr. Davis remembers when the home farm abounded with deer and wild turkeys, it being a common thing to shoot game from his house door. There were but two cabins between his and those of Kenton.

S. K. DAVIS, photographer, Kenton, was born in Marion County Ohio, January 30, 1849. and is a son of Walter and Caroline M. Davis. natives of Washington County, Ohio. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of Marion County, where his father died in 1859, and his mother in March of 1883, the latter in the seventy-third year of her age. They were the parents of eight children, two living-Serena, wife of N. Williamson, of Hardin County, and our subject. The latter was reared on a farm and married in Kenton, in 1880, to Miss Emma, daughter of George Merriman. One child has resulted from this union, Blanche S. Mr. Davis established business in Kenton in 1879, succeeding I. N. Hayes, with whom he was associated for four years previous to the purchase of his establishment, and with whom he was a student. He is a thorough artist in photography, and,having a large city and country trade, turns out satisfactory work. The establishment is furnished with cameras of the best manufact-


774 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ure; the operating room has a large north side and sky-light, and is fitted up with screens, back-grounds, etc., and is fully equipped with all appurtenances necessary for successful work.

W. D. DEAN, druggist, Kenton, was born near Columbus, Ohio, in November, 1835. He is a son of Albert Dean, a native of Connecticut, and Jane Dean, nee Dalzell, a native of County Down, Ireland, from which country she emigrated with her parents when nine years of age. Albert Dean is a son of Lebbius Dean, a descendant of one of the early pioneers of the New England States. He came to Ohio in 1821 and settled near Columbus. When our subject was three years of age, his parent, moved to Delaware, Ohio, and, in 1844, to Hardin County, settling on a farm in Dudley Township, removing thence in March, 1849, to Kenton, where his father died in 1859. Our subject secured an education from the common schools of Kenton, and began the drug business as a clerk, continuing until 1858. He was appointed Deputy Clerk of the Courts in 1861, serving in that capacity until 1864. He was elected Clerk of the Courts in 1863, and was re-elected in 1866, serving until 1870. He has filled the office of Deputy Clerk continuously since 1874. In 1879, he entered the drug business, which he continues at the present time. In February of 1869. he was married to Miss Anna L., daughter of Dr. Stewart, of Cincinnati. Mrs. Dean is a native of Middletown, Ohio. A family of three children are living, viz., Guy, Emmazetta and Georgina: one died in infancy.

HENRY DICKSON, merchant and proprietor of the Grand Opera House, Kenton, Ohio, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in the year 1837. He is the eldest son of Robert and Ann (Joseph) Dickson, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Welsh descent. They were among the early pioneers of Muskingum County, moving thence to Hardin County in 1847, and settling on a farm in Pleasant Township, coming ten years later to Kenton, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The subject of this sketch began a clerkship with Jeremiah Crowley, with whom he became a partner, and after a continuous business for some years, he became the sole proprietor. He purchased the store in the opera house building, and, in 1879, remodeled the opera house, of which he is now the sole proprietor. He was married in Pleasant Township, Hardin County, in 1857, to Miss Rachel, daughter of John and Edith Looker. She is a native of Rockingham County, Va., and her parents were among the early pioneers of Hardin County in 1839, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

WILLIAM DOUGHERTY, merchant tailor, Kenton, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, February 12, 1815, and moved to Hardin County in 1848. He commenced business soon after his arrival, and has since been continuously engaged as a merchant tailor and clothier. On December 13, 1849, he was married to Helen Cessna, oldest daughter of Jonathan Cessna, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work. To this union five children were born, viz.: Frank Cessna, born September 14, 1851; James Wallace, born April 28, 1854; Howard Perry, born July 28, 1856: Charles, born October 22, 1858, died March 18, 1859, and Kate May, born March 24, 1861. Frank Cessna Dougherty received his early education in the Kenton Union Schools, and, in 1867, went to the Ohio Wesley an University at Delaware, where he graduated in June of 1870. In September of 1870, he went to Galion, Ohio, where he was Principal of the Galion High School for the ensuing two years, during which time he was studying law. In the fall of 1872, he went to Cincinnati and attended there the law school, graduating in the spring of 1873, and was admitted to the bar by a com-




PAGE 775 PICTURE OF JOHN AUSTIN

PAGE 776 BLANK

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 777

mittee of the Legislature at Columbus. In 1873, he became a member The law firm of Cessna, Kernan & Dougherty, at Kenton, Ohio, where he remained until the fall of the same year. In September, 1873, he was elected Principal of the High School at Wooster, Ohio, and filled that position until June of 1875, when he was elected Superintendent of the Wooster Schools. Resigning the last position, he returned to Kenton in the summer of 1875, and opened here a law office. On the 15th of September 1875, he and Louella Merriman, daughter of Louis Merriman, were united in marriage. In the fall of 1875, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney Hardin County, holding that position for two years, declining a re-nomination. In 1881, he was Democratic candidate for Attorney General of Ohio He has been a member of the Board of Education in Kenton since 1880; he has also been a stockholder of the Kenton Savings Bank and of the Champion Iron Fence Company since their organization. He has been continuously engaged in the practice of law up to the present time. James Wallace Dougherty obtained his early and preparatory education from the union schools of Kenton. He entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, in the fall of 1872, graduating in the spring of 1876. In the fall of that year he was elected Superintendent of the Union Schools at Orrville, Wayne Co., Ohio, which position he filled for two years, resigning, June of 1878, to resume the study of law, in which he had previously engaged. He was admitted to the bar on March 4, 1879, by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He immediately entered into partnership with his brother, Frank C., in the practice of law at Kenton. In this relation he has continued in active practice up to the present time

GEORGE DRUSCHEL, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born May 23, 1842, in Wallroth, Hesse, Germany, where his parents, Nicholas and Catherine (Winebriner) Druschel, were born and buried. He is a member of a family of seven children, viz.: Catherine, Nicholas, Martin, Casper, George, John and George B., all of whom excepting Catherine and Casper emigrated to America. The subject of this sketch came to America, accompanied by his brother John, in the winter of 1858, and was forty-six days on the voyage., He came immediately from New York to Kenton, Ohio, arriving about Christmas time. When the rebellion broke out, he enlisted in Company C, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and veteranized in the same company, receiving honorable discharge July 24, 1865. He passed through many hard-fought battles, namely, Culpeper Court House, Second Bull Run (where he was badly wounded in the leg). Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Resaca (where he was wounded in the arm and side), Peach Tree Creek, Bentonville, and was under heavy fire with Sherman all through the march to the sea. His brother John was in the same company and regiment, passing through with only trifling injuries. His brother Martin was in service for about a year. Our subject was married, April 16, 1867, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of George and Catherine (Wetman) Beltz, natives of Germany. She was born January 20. 1845, in Germany, in the same town as her husband. She had one brother, George who died in the service of this country at Strasburg, Va., during the late rebellion. Mrs. and Mr. Druschel have had a family of two children, viz., Carrie, born June 21, 1868; and William G., born March 15, 1870, died September 13, 1871. Mrs. Druschel's parents emigrated to this country in 1853, settling in Pennsylvania.

PATRICK DUGAN, proprietor of the Dugan House, Kenton, was born in the Parish of Kilear, County Donegal, Ireland March 17, 1831,


778 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and is a son of John and Mary (McNeelus) Dugan, natives of the same place. Patrick emigrated to the United States in the spring of 1852, and, after one year's residence in Pennsylvania, came to Delaware County, Ohio, where he purchased a farm and engaged as a traveler in the sale of dry goods throughout the different States of the West. He was married in Xenia, Ohio, April 7, 1863, by Rev. Thomas Blake, to Miss Mary J. Johnson, a daughter of John and Susan (McNeelus) Johnson, natives of Ireland. Mrs. Dugan was brought to this country during infancy and reared in New York City and Mansfield, Ohio. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Dugan settled on his farm in Delaware County, where he lived for about one year, returning to Xenia, Ohio, thence back to Delaware County, and in April, 1867, locating in Kenton. He kept a boarding house until the erection of the "Dugan House" in 1872. This hotel is the largest public house in the county; it is a fine, three-storied brick building of forty room;, containing high, airy ceilings, and is well furnished throughout. The cost of the hotel with furnishings was about $25,000, and it has had a successful run of business under Mr. Dugan's management. When he came to the United States he had no capital, but by his energy has won for himself a comfortable competence. Much of his success he attributes to his wife, who, for twenty years, has been a prudent and loving helpmate. They have had ten children, of whom four sons and four daughters survive, viz.: Mary E., Katie T., John P., Daniel, James B., Francis O., Annie I, and Margaret E. The deceased were named Daniel and Hugh. Mr. Dugan and family are members of the Catholic Church. He is well known as a man of honest, upright character, whose word is considered as good as his bond.

JOHN A. ELDER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1827, and is the second son of Thomas and Margery Elder nee Anderson, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Scotland, whence she emigrated when a child with her parents. The grandfather, Robert Elder, moved with his family to Clark County, where he spent the remainder of his years, being a distinguished pioneer there. Thomas raised a family of seven sons and two daughters, seven of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch was reared in Clark County, Ohio, where he was married in 1855 to Miss Sarah J., daughter of John Funston; the latter is s native of Ireland. This union has resulted in three children, all of whom are living-Thomas H., James A. and Maud. Mrs. Elder is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1854, Mr. Elder came to Hardin County, settling on a farm in Pleasant Township, where he resided until the fall of 1880, in which year he occupied his present home near the city of Kenton. He has a fine residence, and is engaged in stock dealing, principally in hogo and sheep.

WILLIAM M. ELLIS, grocer, Kenton, was born in Jackson Township, Hardin County, Ohio, in 1845. His parents, Richard Ellis, and Mary Slover, are both natives of Cayuga County, N. Y., and settled in Jackson Township, being among the pioneers of Hardin County. His father followed farming for a while, then went to the gold regions of California, prospecting, where he remained two years. He died at his brother's residence in Indiana, on his way home. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of a family of four boys and three girls; four of the children are now living. After his father's death, he removed to Marseilles, Ohio, and in early life engaged in a woolen factory. He then followed clerking up to the time of the rebellion, when he enlisted, in 1861, in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He fought


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 779

in the battle of Winchester, June 13, 1863, where he was wounded in the breast, the ball passing through a testament. He was sent, to the hospital and next day was taken prisoner by the enemy, conveyed to Richmond and confined in the Libby Prison, from which he was sent to Belle Isle, where he remained in confinement for thirty-three days. He was amend the last squad of men that were paroled for eighteen months. He was taken to Annapolis, Md.. and there exchanged, after which ha returned home. He rejoined the regiment in October, 1863, at Martinsburg. Va., where the regiment was re-organizing. He afterward participated in the battle a! New Market, May 15, 1864; Snickersville, July 18, 1864; Opequon, September 19, 1864; Round Top Mountain, September 24, 1864; Cedar Creek October 19, 1864; Hatcher's Run, April 1 and 2, 1865, and High Bridge. April 6, 1865. The troops thence went to Appomattox Court House where the rebel army surrendered, after which our subject was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. On his return to Hardin County, he went to Dunkirk and clerked in a dry goods store for six month when he moved to Marseilles, where he remained four years, an. thence came to Kenton. In 1871, he engaged as salesman in Kenton for Merriman & Norton's dry good store, in which he remained until 1875 when he represented that firm at Forest, Ohio, pursuing a branch of business there for eighteen months. Six months after, he returned to Kenton and engaged with W. Dorathy in the clothing business, and daring the ensuing year returned to the service of L. Merriman. Ha severed connection with this firm in 1880 and went into business at Sidney, Ohio, but soon after came back to Kenton and was employed in a clothing house until January 1882. At this time he formed a copartnership with R. D. Alter in the grocery business, succeeding John Pfeiffer. This firm dissolved on November 28, 1882, and Mr. Ellis has since carried it on alone, and conducts a first-class trade. He was married in 1869, at Niles, N. Y., to Miss Margaret Keyes, by which union there have been six children, five living viz.. Viola, Minnie M., Lena A., Katie and E. F. Mead. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Knights of Pythias.



W. H. FLEMING, stock-dealer, Kenton, was born in Beaver County, Penn., in 1842, and is the eldest living child of Samuel and Sarah (Lafferty) Fleeting, natives of Allegheny County, Penn. They were married in Beaver County, and came to Ohio in 1854, settling in Blanchard Township, Hardin County, where they died. Mr. Fleeting was a farmer, and reared a family of five children, four living, viz., John, who enlisted in the Sixty sixth Illinois Sharpshooters and died from exposure at Corinth; Jane, wife, of Nelson Kidney; W. H., James S. and Samuel W. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the farm. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and served to the close of the war. For a few years he dealt in stock, and from 1867 to 1869, was engaged in the dry goods trade at Dunkirk, Ohio. He was married in December, 1870, to Miss Maggie, daughter of John Jones, a pioneer of this county. She is a native of Knox County, Ohio. After marriage, Mr. Flaming returned to his former business of stock-dealing, which he followed until his election to the office of Clerk of Courts in 1872. He was re-elected in 1815, and served two term. Since his retirement from public duties, he has successfully pursued his old occupation of stock dealing. He has resided in Kenton since 1873. His farms in Pleasant, Dudley and Blanchard Townships embrace over four hundred acres of land. He is the father of three children, all living viz. Olga, the eldest. Dean and Dow, twins.


780 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

J. B. FLETCHER, merchant tailor, Kenton, was born in England November 23, 1847. When he was eight years of age, he came to Ohio with his parents, William and Sarah Fletcher, who settled in Hardin County. The latter died here September 28, 1861. 1. Mr. Fletcher is still living and is a resident of Washington Township, Hardin County. The subject of this sketch was the eldest of seven children. He first established his business in Kenton in 1873, under the firm name of Fullerton & Fletcher, continuing for two and a half years, when his partner withdraw and was succeeded by George Carey. The firm then pursued business for two and a half years longer, and than sold out to A. A. Strong & Co. But six months after, in 1878, Mr. Fletcher again opened in the business, and has since conducted it alone. He has a first-class establishment, and carries a stock of about $4,000. He was married in Kenton, in 1870, to Miss Mary A. Hoon, a native of Kenton, by which anion two children have been born, Ella and Bate. Mr. Fletcher is connected with the Knights of Pythias, and ranks among the young, enterprising business men of Kenton.

JACOB FORBING, manufacturer, Kenton. was born near Fort Wayne, Ind., September 10, 1841. Ha lived in his birthplace until the breaking out of the war, when, in September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E. Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted as Sergeant and served three years, participating in the engagements at Pittsburg Landing. Shiloh, Triune, Stone River and Chickamauga, in which latter battle he was wounded and confined for six weeks in a hospital at Nashville, Tenn. After a furlough of sixty days, he rejoined his troops and was is the battles of Chattanooga, Atlanta, Resaca and all the engagements of the Atlanta campaign. Returning to Indiana, he followed his trade of carpenter and builder in Fort Wayne, coming to Ada, Ohio, in 1809. The same year he became associated with the Young Brothers in the scroll and lumber business, the firm dissolving in 1873, after which he came to Kenton and built a mill, carrying it on in partnership with his brother Peter for three years. The building was destroyed by fire, and Mr. Forbing then erected his present mill, in which he has since been successfully engaged. He employs on an average a force of twenty men, the work all being sawed from black walnut, for chair stock, and shipped wholly to the Eastern markets. Mr. Forbing was married in Fort Wayne, Ind., February 14, 1865, to Miss Anna M., daughter of George J. and Anna M. Young. She was born in Allen County, Ind., and has reared a family of six children, viz. Irvin, Cecilia, Earl B. A., Guy, John W. and Leo V. Mr. Forbing has also an adopted daughter, Addie. The family belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Forbing has filled the office of City Councilman for two terms, and is one of the progressive citizens of Kenton, thoroughly identified with the interests of Hardin County.

HENRY K. FORD, merchant tailor and clothier, Kenton, Ohio, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, May 12, 1828. His parents, Joshua and Sarah (Kelly) Ford. natives of Baltimore County, Md., emigrated to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1827. They remained there until 1830, when they removed to Hardin County, where they settled in Marion Township on a farm of 400 acres, which Mr. Ford had purchased of the Government in 1835. Joshua Ford was, politically, a Whig, and always took an active part in the elections. In 1838, he erected a horse-mill, which, although not a success financially, was a great benefit to the new settlers, many coming from Allen and Hancock Counties. This mill ran continually from Monday morning until Saturday night, never being allowed to run on the


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 781

Sabbath Day, Mr. Ford being a man of strictly moral and quiet habits, as well as a kind neighbor and a generous citizen, often grinding toll-free for the needy. He died on his farm in 1853, in the sixty-ninth year of his age, and was followed by his widow in 1875,. who died in her eighty-fifth year. Both were interred in the Maysville Cemetery. They raised a family of eight sons and two daughters, four of whom are living, viz., Thomas K., who for thirty years was a resident, of Iowa, but has recently settled in Dakota Territory on a farm of 2,000 acres; John K., a Methodist divine. formerly of Hardin and Logan Counties, now in Lockwood, Dade Co., Mo. where he preaches and farms; Micha E. Wigham, of Washington Township, living on her farm, and our subject. In 1844, at Lima, Ohio, the subject of our sketch, in his sixteenth year commenced serving an apprenticeship of four and a half years at the tailoring business. He was united in marriage October 29, 1850, to Miss Catharine Bernard, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, at which time he commenced business in Kenton, where he continues to this day. His wife died October 11, 1861, leaving four children, via., John F., now of California; Alwilda F., wife of W. H. Lippincott; Maggie B. and Jessie C., a teacher in the Dunkirk School for the past three years. Mr. Ford was again united in marriage Oct 21, 1862, to Miss Emma Riddle, of Troy, Ohio, by which union they have six children, viz Carrie B., graduate and teacher in the Kenton Union School; Mary E also a graduate; and James M, Lloyd S., Sarah L. and Elizabeth K., continuing in the same school.

ULLRICH GERLACH, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hesse, District of Sluschtern, Germany, January 21, 1812, and emigrated with hi brother Christopher in 1834. They lived in Pennsylvania for three year and come to Kenton in October of 1838, and started the first saddler's shop in Kenton. Here Mr. Gerlach was engaged for many years, and, in 1868, settled on his present farm, consisting of 120 acres. He was married in Kenton, in 1839, to Miss Mary Pfeufer, a sister of Mrs. Kneblin. To this union were born eight children, six of whom are living, viz., John, George, Adam, Christopher, William and Elizabeth. Mr. Gerlach has been identified with various township offices, and is connected with the German Reformed Church.

LUDWELL G. GLENN, physician, Kenton, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, December 8, 1851. His father, John A. Glenn, also a native of that county, was born December 1, 1820, and moved to Hardin County in March 1853. He resided there until 1862, when he united his fate with the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the ranks until his death, May 3, 1863. He was married, January 10, 1849, to Miss Mary J. Hall, a native of Milford, Ohio, born April 7, 1829. The subject of this sketch began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Watt, an eminent physician of Kenton, with whom he remained for some years, took a course in the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati, and attended lectures at the Columbus Medical College, graduating in 1877. He commenced the practice of his profession in Kenton, where he has since been successfully engaged. In the spring of 1883, he formed the present partnership with Dr. Protzman. He was married, November 4, 1878, to Miss Mary L., daughter of Martin Price, of Kenton, by which union there has been one child, Byron. The Doctor is Chief Executive in the order of the Knights of Pythias, and as a physician and citizen is highly esteemed.

NICOLAUS GLOCK, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, in 1826, and is a son of Conrad and Barbara Glock. Nico-


782 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

laus emigrated in 1847, his parents following him in 1848. He purchased forty acres of land north of his present place, and worked in Kenton ten or twelve years before he settled on his farm. After four years' residence on his forty acres, he purchased his present farm of 150 acres, retaining the ownership of his first farm. His parents settled in Kenton, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was married in Hardin County, in 1853, to Miss Barbara Bridenbach, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany. To this union were born five children, three living, viz., John, George (married to Margaret Bloom) and Nicolaus. Ho is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and is one of the oldest and most esteemed of the German citizens of Kenton.

DAVID GOODIN, retired hotel-keeper, Kenton, was born in Somerset County Penn., May 31, 1805, and is the only living son of Smith and Nancy (Skinner) Goodin. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated, settling near Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, in 1808. Smith Goodin was among the early pioneers of that county, where he died in the forty-seventh years of his age. The widow and her children, three sons and two daughters, came to Hardin County in January, 1830, and David Goodin succeeded John W. Williams in a hotel standing on the site now occupied by Bans Block, known as the Goodin Block, in Kenton. Here our subject was engaged as hotel proprietor for fifteen years, being among the first that started in this section. He afterward turned the hotel into business rooms, which were destroyed by fire in 1856, subsequent to which he erected the present structure. For the past thirty years, he has lived a quiet and unostentatious life, attending to the landed estates in this county and in Iowa, where he had a large tract of land. He was one of the founders of the Kenton Savings Bank, of which he was, for some years, one of the directors, still retaining an interest in the institution. He was elected Associate Judge in 1840, serving for seven years to the satisfaction of his constituents. He also served in the City Council several terms, and has always taken an active interest in the public welfare of his county. Judge Goodin was joined in marriage in Somerset, Ohio, in December, 1825. to Miss Sarah Kishler, a daughter of John Kishler. and a native of Pennsylvania, where her family were pioneers of Mifflin County. This union has resulted in ten children, five living, viz. : Alfred, resident of Nevada, Iowa; Elizabeth, widow of William Stanley, and resident of Des Moines City, Iowa; Isabel B., wife of Dr. John Dimmett, residing in Laramie, Wyoming; Mary J., widow of Charles Peet, residing with her parents on the homestead; and David E., at home.

H. W. GRAMLICH, cashier of the First National Bank, Kenton, was born in Cessna Township, Hardin County, Ohio, in June, 1851. He is the eldest son living of John F. and Julia (Foit) Gramlich, both natives of Wittenburg, Germany. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1838, and located the same year in Hardin County, settling on 117 acres of Government land in Cessna Township. In 1882, his father retired from business, moving with his family to Kenton, where he is now residing. He has attained his seventieth year. Of the twelve children born to him, five are living. The subject of this sketch secured an education at the Northwestern Normal School at Ada, Ohio. His early years were spent in working his father's farm in summer and teaching school during the winter months. He entered the Hardin Savings Bank, now the First National Bank, in 1878, as cashier, and is still serving in that capacity. He was one of the original founders and stockholders of the Hardin Savings Bank, organized in 1875.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 783

R. K. GRAVELL, carriage manufacturer, Kenton, was born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1848. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Keyes) Gravell (both deceased), natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1842, settling in Upper Sandusky. In 1864, when fifteen years of age, our subject enlisted in the ranks of the Union army as private in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the four months' service. Serving this call, he again enlisted in Company I, of the One Hundred and Ninety-first Regiment, serving to the close of the war. He participated only in the engagement at Perryville, the regiment preferring detailed service most of the time. At the close of the war, our subject learned the trade of blacksmith. In 1871, he established business in Kenton, under the firm name of Schrader & Gravell and was located on the corner of Ohio and Maine streets. This firm built up a large trade, an were the most extensive manufacturers of light work, but were obliged to succumb to the hard times of 1874, when they dissolved. Mr. Gravell, by dint of energy and perseverance, rented a fire of Magoy and began ironing some work, commencing at the forge himself. His brother O. E. came to Kenton at this time and assisted him in his work, soon becoming proprietor for of a new establishment, our subject continuing in work for him. O. E Gravell subsequently removed to Bucyrus, and R. K. Gravell succeeded him in the business. He occupied his present premises in 1875, which was then an old livery stable, occupying one-half of the present building, which was erected in 1880. The building is two stories high, the upper floor being used for painting and trimming. Here he carefully superintends all the work, and is making a specialty of spring wagons. In 1876, Mr Gravell was married to Miss Letty Rinehart, a native of Hardin County and who died in 1878, after one year and a half of wedded life. She was daughter of Adam R. Rinehart, who was a pioneer of Hardin County Mr. Gravell chose for his second wife Miss Jennie Maddux, to whom he was married June 6, 1883. She is a native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and only child of the late Henry Maddux, who, in his lifetime, was a prominent attorney of Upper Sandusky, and one of the most substantial business men of that State. Mr. Gravell is among the active business men of Kenton.

JOHN McGUIGIN, liveryman, Kenton, was born in Goshen Township, Hardin County, Ohio, May 20, 1837. He is the oldest and only living son of Edward and Ellen (Tally) McGuigin, natives of County Tyrone, Ireland, who emigrated to Hardin County in July of 1834, settling in Goshen Township. Edward McGuigin entered 160 acres of land, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1864. He was among the early pioneers of the county. He had two sons, our subject and Edward. The latter died in 1863. Mrs. McGuigin died in 1849. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he lived until 1875, when he sold the place and removed to Kenton. He is proprietor of the livery stable purchased from Mr. Vance, whom he succeeded in the spring of 1883. He was married in this county in 1873 to Miss Mollie A. Toner, a native of Goshen Township and a daughter of Michael and Mary Toner, pioneers of this county. To this union has been born one child-Ellen M. Mr. McGuigin is a member of the Catholic Church of Kenton, and is one of the oldest citizens here.

GEORGE H. HARRIS, Secretary of the Scioto Straw Board Company, Kenton, was born in Bellevue, Ohio, April 8, 1842, and is a son of Henry G. and Ruth (Boslow) Harris, natives of Canada. His father located in


784 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Bellevue at an early time, and was a civil engineer on the Mad River Railway, which penetrated the county at that time. Subsequently he removed to Hardin County and settled in Patterson, finally moving to Kenton, where he became engaged in the flour and grain trade. He erected the elevator now run by E. Lawson, and was proprietor of a distillery many years. He served the county as Treasurer, and departed this life in 1870. The subject of this sketch was for many years connected with the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railway as telegraph operator, and, later, was cashier for the Cincinnati, Dayton & Sandusky Railroad. also of the Chicago, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad, of the former of which he was then agent at Kenton, 1871. The same year, he engaged in the grain and wool business in Kenton. He afterward formed a copartnership with A. Letson and erected a large pork-packing house, carrying on an extensive business until 1882, at which time he became associated with the Scioto Straw Board Company, and the pork establishment gave place to the erection of a handsome edifice. He and his former partner, A. Letson, purchased at a Sheriff's sale the gas company's works, and have put it into successful operation, owning one-half interest in the same. Mr. Harris was married in January of 1867 to Miss Maggie, daughter of Judge Letson, and a native of Hardin County. Two children, Ann and Mabel born to this union, are both living.

DR. E. B. HIESTAND, of Kenton, Ohio, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 11, 1830. His father, Samuel Hiestand, was a native of Virginia, of German descent, and died while serving as Bishop of the United Brethren Church, after having officiated nearly six years. When his son E. B. was nine years old, his mother, Margrette Ann (Rodabough), a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1860. Our subject in his common school days and early life remained on the old home farm with his mother until he took a collegiate course of over two years with Prof. Samuel Weaver. During the last two years, the Doctor was a teacher of vocal music. In 1845, he entered upon his professional studies of medicine and surgery, and, in 1847-48, he attended a course of lectures at Cincinnati. In 1850-51, he attended medical lectures at Columbus, graduating there. He then entered into copartnership with Dr. George W. Edgerly, of Dayton, Ohio, at Ansonia, Ohio. He again attended Starling Medical College in Columbus, Ohio, in 1856-57. At the close of the college, he removed to Cannonsburg, Ohio, and formed a copartnership with Dr. E. P. Leslie, of that place. In 1862-63, he again attended lectures in the last-named college, then located in Ada, Ohio. In 1868, he formed a copartnership with Dr. J. H. Williams, late Surgeon in the United States Army. Previously, in 1864-65, he had attended college at Chicago Medical College. In 1870, he took Dr. S. H. Sturgeon with him in partnership, attending lectures in 1871-72 at New York, at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. He took an honorary degree in medicine and surgery from the faculty of the last named college. The same year he attended a private course in surgery under the teaching of Prof. Frank H. Hamilton, of New York. Then again in 1880-81, he attended the various medical colleges of New York City, viz., the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, the University of New York and the College of Physicians and Surgeons, hearing lectures on branches he deemed most essential to his medical knowledge, also taking a private course in gynecology and surgery of the same with Prof. M. A. Pallen, at the University, also at the Women's Hospital of New York, and a course of operations and treatment on the eye and ear, under Prof. W. F. Mittendorf. In 1874, he removed from Ada to Kenton, Ohio, where he now lives.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 785

He formed a partnership with Dr. William Watt, said partnership ceasing in 1876. Dr. D. C. Smith became a partner in 1879 and 1880, when Dr. Edwin Howard, his son, took his place. The Doctor was married in 1856 to Miss Haddassah Ann Harris, daughter of Col. Nehemiah and Anna Harris. Mrs. Harris' maiden name was Anna McGuffey, sister of the late Prof. Willie McGuffey, formerly of Oxford and latterly of the University of Virginia.



GEORGE HILL, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born on the homestead his father in Section 25, Pleasant Township, Hardin County, Ohio, June 27, 1854. His father, Nicholas Hill, was born in Germany in 1808; emigrated to this country, landing at Baltimore in 1833. He entered the land our subject now occupies in the year 1836. The mother of our subject Elizabeth (Rosenbacher) Hill, was also a native of Germany, born in 1817. They had eight children, viz., Margaret, Daniel (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), Martin (deceased), Mary, Mena (deceased). George and John. Mrs. Hill died on the home farm in February, 1876. aged fifty-seven yeas followed by her husband in April, 1883, aged seventy-five years. The latter was well known by all the pioneers of Hardin County, and was honored and respected by all. The two surviving sons, George and John, still live on the homestead, which comprises 120 acres of fine, well-cultivated land.

LESTER T. HUNT, attorney at law and real estate dealer, Kenton was born in Chaplin, Windham Co., Conn., September 10, 1832. He is the youngest child of Elisha and Almira (Bill) Hunt, both natives of Chaplin, Conn. His father a farmer, resided all his life in his native town dying of cholera in 1833. Mrs. Hunt lived to be seventy years of age. They were the parents of three sons and two daughters, two living, Lester T. and Henry, the latter a resident on the homestead in Connecticut. The subject of this sketch spent his early years in teaching a school during the winter months and farming in the summer. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age, when he started for the West, stopping at his uncle's in Hunt's Corners, N. Y. In the winter of 1853, he became connected, as an assistant, with Prof. Lewis Swift. He traveled in that capacity until the summer of 1855, when he severed his connection with Dr. Swift and came to Ohio. In the fall of 1856, he entered the Cincinnati Law School, graduating in the spring of 1857, and was admitted to the bar in April of the same year. In the summer of 1857, he commenced his practice in Kenton, where he has since remained. He was Mayor of the city in 1859, served one term, and, in 1861, was elected Prosecuting Attorney, and re-elected in 1863, serving until 1865. In 1863, he was a delegate from his Congressional District to the Republican National Convention in Chicago. He became editor of the Kenton Democrat in 1857, and of the Kenton Republican in 1862, of which latter sheet he purchased an interest and pursued its publication until 1869. He then sold a half interest to A. W. Millar, who finally took whole charge in the following year. Mr. Hunt retained his editorial connection with this paper until 1878, when he relinquished his position, and the paper finally passed into the hands of its present proprietors, in 1880. In 1870, Mr. Hunt became interested in the Chicago & Atlantic Railway, organizing the company on November 25, 1871, the date of its charter. The company, composed of Kenton citizens, was subsequently consolidated with the Indiana division, to connect it through to Chicago. The work of construction was stopped in 1873 by the panic of that year, but the last rail was laid in 1880. In November, 1882, Mr. Hunt resigned his position. Since 1862 he has been largely engaged in real estate transactions, and is in partnership with Gen. J. S. Robinson.


786 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

On January 2, 1859, he was married to Miss Ellen F.. a daughter of Luther Burnham, of North Windham, Conn. Two children were the fruits of this union-Marcia, wife of Frank Martin, residing in Chaplin, Conn., and Alice, a resident of North Windham, Conn. Mrs. Hunt died February 2, 1869, at her home in Connecticut. Mr. Hunt was again married, June 14, 1878, to Miss Maggie Young, a native of Chester County, Penn., and sister to James and William Young, of Kenton. One child, Florence A., has been born. Mr. Hunt was originally a Democrat, but since the rebellion has belonged to the Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic order, and numbers among the stanch and strictly business men of Kenton.

A. B. JOHNSON, attorney, Kenton, was born in Norwalk, Ohio, September 9, 1843. He is the only son of William P. and Betty (Bell) Johnson, both natives of Massachusetts. His parents came to the West in 1835, settling in Huron County, Ohio. His father, at the time of his death, was living in Oberlin, Ohio, where he died in the seventy-second year of his age. The widow and mother is now residing in Oberlin, and has attained her seventy-first year. The subject of this sketch secured his primary education in the common schools of Wellington. When his parents moved to Oberlin, he entered the college there, graduating in 1864. During the winters of that and the ensuing year, he was teaching school in Sharon, Ohio. In the spring of 1865, he went to Sandusky and read law in the office of Homer Goodman, coming to Kenton in October. Here he was appointed Superintendent of the Public Schools for the term of one year. In the following April, he went to Cleveland and entered the Ohio State Union Law College, and was admitted to the bar June 6, 1866, at Wooster, Ohio. He began the practice of his profession in August, 1866, in Kenton, where he has since been successfully engaged. Mr. Johnson was married. in July, 1866, to Miss Louise M., daughter of George W. Crane, a native of Medina County, Ohio. The five children born to this union are all living, viz., Cedric E., Ethel G., Burke L., Kent P. and Cecil A. Mr. Johnson served as Prosecuting Attorney for four years, being elected in 1867 and re-elected in 1869, serving until 1871. He was the Mayor of Kenton from 1874 to 1876, and for the past twelve years has been a member of the School Board. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery of the Masonic order, and also a member of the lodge and encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Johnson was admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States on the 3d day of December, 1877, and to the Circuit Court at Cleveland on October 31, 1873.

CHARLES P. JONES, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of John and Sarah (Bradbury) Jones, the former of New Jersey, the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was born in 1800 and married in Pennsylvania. He settled in Knox County, Ohio, in 1825, and was among the early pioneers there. They moved to Hardin County in 1852, settling in Washington Township, and lived there to the close of their lives. They had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was the youngest son, and was married in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1866, to Miss Eliza J., daughter of Alexander Campbell. She is a native of Trumbull County, of which her parents were early pioneers. This union has resulted in two children, Lehr B. and Early V. Mr. Jones enlisted, in 1864, in Company F of the One Hundred and Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He established in the dairy business in Kenton in 1880, and has now a dairy of nineteen cows, with a large


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 787

and profitable business. He lives on his farm of 132 acres, upon which he settled in 1875.

CONRAD KAHLER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, is the oldest son of Nicholas and Gala Kahler, born in Germany November 24, 1823, and came with his parents to this country and to Kenton in 1845. He began working on the railroad, but, in 1850, bought a few acres of land near Kenton and commenced the manufacture of brick, which business, with farming, he cared on successfully for a number of years. He purchased acre by acre of land until he has now a stretch, just outside the corporation, of about two miles. in length, of as fine land as can be found in the county, numbering 600 acres, all bordering on the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati Railway. His parents were born in Germany, where they were married and had three children-Conrad, Mary (wife of Henry Myers, of this county) and Henry, who died at about twenty-one years of age. The father of our subject died in 1872, aged seventy-two years; the mother still survives, hale and active, and lives with our subject. Mr. Conrad Kahler, although not an office seeker, has held the offices of Infirmary Director and Township Trustee, and for a number of years has been School Director, still serving in that capacity. He was married, in September, 1850, to Hannah, daughter of Henry and Sophia Myers. who came, in 1841, from Germany to America, locating in Kenton. The children by this marriage are as follows: Edward, born February 11, 1853; Minnie, born February 7, 1855, died December 29, 1858; William, born November 16, 1857; Henry, born October 23, 1860; Enos, born May 13, 1863, died September 15, 1872, and Emma, born October 22 , 1865.

HENRY KAISER, carriage manufacturer, Kenton, was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1840. He emigrated with a sister in 1859, locating in Kenton. He subsequently removed to Cincinnati, but returned to Kenton and worked at his trade of carriage-making, which he had learned in Germany. He opened his present manufactory in 1873, purchasing the building he is now occupying, which was formerly a horse shoeing establishment, and to which he has added a building on the rear premises. He turns out from sixty to seventy-five carriages yearly; has a good trade, employing from ten to fourteen men. In 1862, he was married to Miss Mary Coutz, a native of Kenton. This union has resulted in nine children, all living, viz., Caroline, Albert, William, Maggie, Henry, John, Minnie, Fred and George. The family are connected with the German Lutheran Church.

H. C. KOLLER, merchant. Kenton, was born in York County, Penn. in 1841, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Cramer) Koller, both native of that county. His father died in his native place in 1854, and his mother, who is still living. is a resident there. The subject of this sketch came to the West in 1860, and located on his uncle's farm in Seneca County, Ohio. where he remained until he entered the army during the rebellion. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Company H, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought at Perryville, Ky., October 6, 7 and 8, in 1863, and at Stone River, December 31, 1862. At the latter battle, he was wounded in the right hip and taken to the hospital at Murfreesboro, thence to Newport, Ky., and finally to Camp Denison, Ohio, where he recovered, and rejoined his regiment at Chattanooga. He participated in the Atlanta campaign and in the engagements at Franklin and Nashville His regiment was reviewed at Nashville by Gen. Thomas; was mustered out and discharged at Cleveland, Ohio. On his return home, Mr. Koller attended school for a time and then entered a dry goods store at Cleveland,


788 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and, in 1870, became a traveling agent of the same business and went to Philadelphia. He came to Hardin County in September, 1871, and was married, in same month, to Miss May, daughter of H. G. Harris, a pioneer of Hardin County, and a native of Brattleboro, Vt. In July, 1872, Mr. Koller opened a dry goods stock, and in August, 1880, occupied his present building, where he has since been occupied. He carries a stock of about $15,000 to $16,000. His sales have increased from $14,000 in the first year to $50,000 in the year 1882. Mr. Koller is among the stanch business men of Kenton, highly esteemed, and, in a political point of view, is an ardent Republican. He has been connected with the Presbyterian Church since his residence here.

SIGMUND KREIENBIHL, farmer. P. O. Kenton, was born in Switzerland in 1818, and is a son of John and Margaret (Weisbrot) Kreinebihl, both natives of the same place. His parents emigrated in 1834 and located in Allegheny County, Penn., coming thence to Hardin County in 1841. Mr. Kreinebihl purchased 190 acres of land in Dudley Township, subsequently selling the farm in -1864-and then removing to Page County. Iowa, where he died in 1878; his wife died in this county, August 1862. They raised a family of fourteen children, eight of whom are living. The subject of this sketch is the third child, and has always lived in Hardin County, with the exception of a few years spent in New Orleans, La. In 1861,. he enlisted from Hardin County in Company B of the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the three years' service, but only served nine months, being discharged for physical disability. He was married, in 1848, in Hardin County, to Elizabeth Pfeiffer, a native of Hesse-Cassel to this union ten children were born, all living, viz., John, now married to Caroline Amweg; Elizabeth; Mary, wife of John Beechtold, of Marion County; Katie, wife of John Cook, Hardin County; George; William, of Buck Township, Hardin County, and married to Susan Shutte, Adam, Louis, Henry and Maggie; six living with their parents. Our subject was Trustee for four years, and has filled various offices of the township. He is a member of the Lutheran Church of Kenton. He occupied his present place of 100 acres in 1854, making it his permanent home, and also owns 142 acres in Buck Township, which be rents out.

G. G. LAUGHEAD, physician, Kenton, was born on a farm five miles east of Xenia, Ohio, February 28, 1847. He is a son of Joseph K. and Catherine (Galloway) Laughead, the latter a native of Oldtown, Ohio. His father was a son of David Laughead, who emigrated from his native State of Pennsylvania and located near Xenia at an early day. George Galloway, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was of Scotch descent and a pioneer of Ohio, and associated with Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton. He settled near Xenia, Ohio, where he died, and where the storehouse he erected near Oldtown is yet standing, a monument to his memory. Joseph Laughead, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead, near Xenia, and from his boyhood has followed farming. He purchased a farm near his birthplace and turned his attention to raising fruit, which he has followed diligently and successfully, his reputation as a fruit-grower being widely known throughout the county. At this time of writing his health is declining, he having reached his seventieth year. His wife is still living, and has reared a family of two sons and one daughter, all living. The subject of this sketch is the youngest. child. He secured his primary education in the district schools, and at the age of eighteen attended the Xenia Seminary, continuing there for three years. He then at-


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 789

tended the sophomore year at Monmouth and the junior and senior years at the Ohio Central College, in Morrow County, graduating from the letter in 1871. He then commenced the study of medicine, under the preceptorship of William H. Reed, of Iberia, Ohio, with whom he devoted two years of study. He attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College of Cleveland in the years 1872 and 1873, and while there served one term in the hospital as assistant, diagnosing cases and attending in the wards. In the winter of 1877 and 1878 he pursued his studies in the Miami Medical College Cincinnati, graduating in 1878. He had commenced his practice in l874, in Morea, Crawford Go., Ill., and remained there eighteen months, removing to Scotland, Ind. He there remained in continuous practice until the spring of 1881, when he took up his residence in Kenton, and has since pursued his professional calling here with great success. He was married in Morrow County, Ohio, in 1874, to Miss Nettie, daughter of Joshua Wolff. She was a native of Richland County, Ohio, and lived to raise a family four children, two living, viz., Mable E. and George Edgar. Mrs. Laughead died in Scotland, Ind., December 17, 1880. During the rebellion, the Doctor enlisted in the navy, as ship's musician, December 7, 1863. He was drafted on the gunboat Ouichita, under Capt. Wilson, having a roving commission, and was sent to Cairo, Ill., in January, 1864. He was on the vessel in Bank's expedition up the Red River, under the command of Admiral Porter, and during the engagement at Trinity Springs his vessel was made the flag-ship of the squadron. He was discharged December 6, 1864, at Donaldsonville, seventy-five miles north of New Orleans, La. Dr. Laughead is a member and Elder of the United Presbyterian Church, and in 1881, was representative of that church to the General Assembly at Allegheny, Penn.

JOSEPH LAWS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Cambridgeshire, England, in 1832, and is a son of Henry and Sarah Laws. He emigrated to the United States in 1850 residing for two years in Genesee County, N. Y.; coming thence to Sandusky, Ohio, and in the fall of 1854 moved to Hardin County, locating in Kenton. In 1872, he purchased and settled on his present farm, consisting of fifty acres. In April, 1855, he was married, in Kenton. to Miss Mary, daughter of John and Celia Warmbread, natives of Germany. who emigrated to the United States in 1852, settling in Pleasant Township. Hardin County, where the former died in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Laws have had a family of six children. five of whom are living, viz., Charles, Joseph H., Mary, Viola and Sarah A. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Laws has been a class leader for many years.

DR. USHER PARSON LEIGHTON (deceased), one of the earliest pioneers and practitioners of Kenton, was born in Elliott, Me., on March 16, 1810. He was of English descent. Capt. William Leighton, his grandfather, was a ship-master, coming from Tiverton, England, about 1650. He erected Leighton's Fort, in York County, Me., and was a distinguished officer of the Revolution. His son, Gen. Samuel Leighton, the father of our subject, was born at Kittery, York Co., Me., on May 25, 1771, and was married to Frances U. Parsons in December of 1799. They moved, in 1820, to Alfred, Me., where Samuel Leighton died in October of 1848. The latter was one of the Representatives to the General Assembly at Boston in 1809; served as Justice of the Peace for thirty years, Justice of the Court in York County and was commissioned Ensign in the military in 1792, Lieutenant Colonel in 1806 and Brigadier General in 1813. A few


790 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

years prior to his decease, he was elected Sheriff of York County. He died from a wound received during action in the war. He was the father of five sons and five daughters, of whom nine children grew to maturity. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio in 1831; stopped at McCutchinville, where he read medicine with Dr. Sampson, and, in 1833 and 1834, attended lectures at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Me., and, in the spring of 1835, received a diploma from Brown's University, Providence, R. I. In March of 1836, he located in Kenton, commencing the practice of medicine. Hardin County was then a comparatively dense forest, without roads, churches or schoolhouses; but he applied himself closely to his profession and became successful, soon winning his way to the hearts and confidence of all the early settlers. His acquaintance was universal, and he was familiar in every household. He was elected three times County Treasurer, discharging his duties with integrity and honor. On January 19, 1840, he was married to Miss Ellen, daughter of Jacob H. Houser, then one of the prominent citizens of the county. For more than thirty-eight years they shared together the toils and trials incident to human life, living to see Kenton start--a little village among the trees and stumps of the forest and grow to be a large-sized town. They had five children, three living, as follows: George, Anna E. (married to G. Gregg and residing in Pittsfield, N. H.), and Martha L. (the wife of B. F. Brunson. of Kenton). Dr. Leighton died at his residence August 26, 1878, in the sixty ninth year of his age. He had risen from the supper table, apparently in good health, and passing out in the entry, fell to the floor a corpse. George Leighton, the second child, was born in Hardin County April 16, 1842. He was married, April 3, 1872. to Miss Sarah, daughter of Joseph Parsons, and a native of York County, Me. The four children born to this union are all living, viz., Anna P., George P., Grace H. and Edwin U. Mr. George Leighton served in the four months' call for volunteers during the late rebellion, in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guard. He is chiefly occupied in looking after the landed estate of his inheritance, his father being, at the time of his demise, one of the largest land-owners in the county. He is connected with the Presbyterian Church, of which his father was a founder.

ALFRED N. LIPOLD, farmer and carpenter, P. O. Grant, was born in Germany May 18, 1853, and is a son of Albert and Anna Lipold. His mother was a daughter of John and Anna M. Lipold, the surname being the same, although no blood relationship existed between the families. The parents of our subject were both born in Germany, his father on November 22, 1822. his mother March 25, 1821. They were there married, and were blessed with five sons, of whom our subject was the only one born in Germany, the others being born in Hardin County, Ohio, viz., Andrew J., born October 5, 1856; Albert L., born May 31, 1858; George W., born February 18, 1861, and William W., born February 5, 1863. The family came to this county and to Kenton in the fall of 1853, and Mr. Lipold, after renting farms for several years, purchased one in Pleasant Township, Section 1, in the spring of 1866. The farm had only a small clearing on it and a cabin, but it is now highly cultivated, and comprises 120 acres of land. Mr. Lipold died July 2, 1880. The widow and sons still reside on the homestead, the latter becoming useful citizens of the township.

MRS. ELEANOR LOOKER. daughter of John and Anna Castor (see sketch of Paul Castor, of Kenton), was born in Richland County, Ohio, April 16, 1823.She was married, February 7, 1843, to Harrison Looker,


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 791

who was born in Rockingham County, December 16, 1818. To this union were born nine children, their names and dates of births as follows John, April 19, 1844, and George, August 22, 1847, both deceased in infancy; Mary E., October 31, 1849; William C., July 20, 1851; James M.. August 11, 1853; Wilson, July 20, 1855; Alvin P., November 29, 1857 Sarah E., June 7, 1860: Harrison, October 3, 1863. In the spring of 1855 Mr. Looker and his wife settled in Section 24, Pleasant Township, or eighty acres of woodland, where the widow is now living. The farm is now well improved, and has been increased to 130 acres. Mr. Looker died April 2, 1881. He was a good citizen and died in the Christian faith, having been for many years a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JAMES E. LOWRY, Probate Judge, Kenton, was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 1, 1847. He is a son of Williamson and Drusilla (Williams) Lowry. The records of this family show them to be of Irish and Scotch origin, their first settlement being probably in Maryland, but the date is not definitely known. The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Maryland and his wife a Virginian by birth. They married in Virginia, where they raised a family prior to their settlement in Richland County, which occurred in the early part of the present century. B , followed farming. His death was through an accident, his limb being poisoned by a cut from a sickle while harvesting in a wheat field. He died in the forty-seventh year of his age. His widow lived to be ninety-seven years old, dying in Adams County, Iowa. Williamson, the father of our subject, was born on the homestead in Richland County, in 1818, and was married in 1844. His wife was a native of the same county, born January 9, 1822. Before his death, he went to Wabash County, Ind., entered 160 acres of land, on which he built a rude cabin, intending to settle there; but on his return he was taken ill, and died March 31, 1850. The widow was remarried in 1851 to John Cole, by whom she had three daughters. John Cole, of German descent, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., whence he moved to Richland County, Ohio. After his marriage, he came to Forest, and, in 1869, to Ada, where he died in 1874. Mrs. Cole is now a resident of Ada, and is in her sixty-second year. The subject of this sketch is the only one living of a family of three children. He lived with his step-father until the spring of 1863, and was educated at the high schools of his native county. In 1863, he went to Mansfield, Ohio, to the home of his guardian, and entered a school for telegraphy. On December 21, 1863, he was sent to Forest, Ohio, and was appointed night operator on the Fort Wayne & Pittsburgh Railroad, working at different points in this State and Indiana. The following year, he was day operator in Forest, and from June, 1864, to November, 1867, was assistant agent. He was then agent at Ada, remaining there until December, 1869, and then abandoned the business and became special agent of the Home Life Insurance Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. In October of 1870, he engaged his services in the Union Central Life Company of Cincinnati, being appointed general traveling agent and manager, with headquarters at Toledo. Two year after, he became Superintendent of agencies, with headquarters at Cincinnati, occupying that position till April of 1874. He then accepted an agency for the Northern Ohio, making his headquarters at his home in Ada, but resigned in August, 1875. He then remained at home until his election to the bench. He was a candidate for Clerk of Courts in the spring of 1878. and was defeated by a majority of 147 votes out of 3,200. In the spring of 1881, he was nominated for Probate Judge, there being six


792 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

candidates, and was elected by a majority of 335 votes over G. B. Castor. He assumed the duties of his office in February of 1882, and has since presided with satisfaction. He was married, December 10, 1868, to Miss Malinda, a daughter of Thomas Bushnell, of Haysville, Ohio. Two children have been born to this union-Daisy L. and William B. Mr. Lowry has been a member of a Masonic order since his majority, and was made a Mason, in Senate Lodge, Forest, Ohio, by Dr. J. A. Stansiell, W. M. He was also charter member of Ada Chapter, and its High Priest for two years.

EDWARD LYNCH, liveryman, Kenton, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, July 4, 1828. His parents, George and Hannah (Brown) Lynch, were natives of Pennsylvania, and first settled in Muskingum County, Ohio; thence moved to Coshocton County in 1817, coming to Hardin County in October of 1835. George Lynch cleared a farm of eighty acres in Washington Township, on which he lived until his decease in February, 1843. He helped to organize Washington Township, and was one of the first Trustees. He was a man of quiet, unobtrusive habits, and was highly esteemed by all his friends. His wife lived until May 28, 1871, and both are buried in the cemetery of Washington Township. They had a family of twelve children, four living, most of the others having died at an early age. The four living are Louisa, wife of Kinzie Fulks; Elizabeth, wife of John ---, of Hardin County; Hannah C., wife of Benjamin Cunan, Hardin County, and our subject. The latter was reared on the homestead farm, leaving it after his father's death, in 1843, and afterward purchased a small farm in Washington Township, settling upon it after his marriage. He married, March 9, 1853, Miss Charlotte Rush, a native of Pennsylvania, to which union nine children were born, seven of whom are living, viz., Alice (wife of D. Obenour, of Hardin County), Emma J., Laura E., George C., Retta M., Austa 1. and Myrta L. In the spring of 1858. Mr. Lynch moved onto a farm in Blanchard Township, where he resided until January of 1882, having opened, in October previous, a livery stable, which he has since carried on. He has been largely engaged in buying, raising and shipping stock, and had large shipments during the first part of the war, and immense shipments in the latter part of that memorable struggle. He still holds an interest in his farm, upon which he has some stock. His livery business has been a successful undertaking. He erected the livery stable he now occupies and his trade now demands a larger increase of stock.

JAMES B. MCCONNELL, contractor, Kenton, was born in Greene County, near Xenia, Ohio, October 5, 1832. He is the eldest son of Isaiah and Ann (Bain) McConnell, the former born near Dublin, Ireland. in 1800, the latter in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1798. His grandfather, Samuel McConnell, a native of Ireland, settled in Greene County, Ohio, when Isaiah was about nine years of age. He participated in the war of 1812, and was one of the distinguished pioneers of Ohio. Isaiah, with his wife and four children, came to Kenton in 1839, removing, three years after, to a farm of eighty acres which he had purchased in Pleasant Township. This farm he sold in 1856, and removed to Kenton, where he died July 4, 1860. Of his children, three are living-David W., of Marseilles, Ohio; Sarah F., wife of J. C. Cary, of Xenia, Ohio; and Martha, residing in Kenton with her mother, who is in her eighty-fourth year. The subject of this sketch remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he came to Kenton and sold goods with his uncle, Adam N. McConnell. Three


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 793

years after, he engaged as salesman in boots and shoes for the firm f whom he sold goods in Logansport, Ind. Returning to Kenton, he established himself in a drug and grocery business, which he pursued for the years. In 1856, he was married, and the same year was working as sales in hardware for G. R. Moore, with whom he was engaged until September, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the three years' call as Second Lieutenant. He in the battles of Cross Keys, under J. C. Fremont, Slaughter Run, second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, under Gen. Hooker, and Gettysburg, where he was wounded and placed on a furlough of sixty days. He returned to his regiment in September, 1863, in Catlett's Station, and engaged at Bridgeport, Ala., Wauhatchie Valley, Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain under Gen. Hooker; then went to Knoxville, to relieve Burnside, returning to Bridgeport, where the regiment veteranized and our subject came home. Thirty days after, he returned to Sherman's army at Bridgeport, and fought at Round Top Mountain and all the battles on the memorable march to the sea and at Peach Tree Creek. He was in the last battle at Bentonville, and was detailed at Savannah, Ga., on the staff Gen. Robinson, participating in the grand review. From Washington went to Louisville, Ky., where he was mustered out July 18, 1865. He was promoted to a First Lieutenancy, August 29, 1863, and was muster, as Captain in June, 1863. serving in that rank to the close of the war. On his return home, he resumed his old position, and, in 1868, was appointed Assistant Assessor under the revenue law, holding that office until it was abolished. Since then, he has built about forty-five miles of road in this county, and at this time is building the Kenton Scott pike, beside others, being continuously engaged in contracts for Hardin County. He married, in 1856, Martha M., daughter of James Coulter, a native of Richland County, Ohio, where the family were pioneers. This union has resulted in two children, both living-Elmer C. and Hattie R. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church.



GEORGE W. McMILLEN. farmer and lumber merchant, P. O. Kenton, was born in Highland Township, Muskingum Co., Ohio, October 21, 1836. His parents were James and Elizabeth (Pringle) McMillen, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania January 1, 1794, the latter in Loudoun County. Va., in 1798. They were married in this State and died in Muskingum County, the mother at the age of seventy-seven, the father when eighty-three years old. Of their fourteen children (six were boys), twelve grew up to manhood and womanhood. Mr. McMillen spent his early days on a farm. He was in the late rebellion, enlisting in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862, and fought in many battles, among them those of Winchester, the Wilderness and Locust Grove, in which latter he acted as Orderly (pro tem.), and led the company into and through the battle, eventually receiving a promotion to a Second Lieutenancy. He was a prisoner at Andersonville for five months, escaping a mere skeleton, weighing only ninety-eight pounds, his usual weight being one hundred and ninety-eight pounds. He traveled on foot at night, and reached Knoxville some three months after his escape. He was at the surrender of Gen. Lee, and was discharged in July, 1865. On October 18, 1866, he was married to Charlotte, daughter of Nimrod and Jane (Barrett) McKnight. The names and dates of births of the children born are as follows: Elizabeth Myrtle, January 3, 1869: Flora Gertrude, August 15, 1870: James Cary, February 26, 1872;


794 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Della Floy, August 16, 1874, and George Washington, November 7, 1876. Mr. McMillen has a pleasant home in Section 25, Pleasant Township, and is engaged in farming and dealing in lumber.

JAMES T. McQUOWN, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Brown County, Ohio, March 28, 1821. His parents, David and Mary (Sloan) McQuown, were both Pennsylvanians by birth, and. were married there, and had a family of eight children, viz., Margaret, Robert, David and John, born in Pennsylvania; James T., Martha A., William A. and Samuel, born in Ohio. The parents located in the southeastern part of Ohio in 1819, coming to Hardin County in the spring of 1834 and settling on Tymochtee Creek, in Section 9 of Goshen Township, where they entered 400 acres of land, on which he erected a log cabin. Here Mrs. McQuown died, in 1855, aged sixty-five years. Martha, the youngest daughter, and the youngest son also died here. Mr. McQuown subsequently took up his residence with his son John, in Van Wert County, Ohio, where he died May, 1869, aged eighty-five years. The subject of this sketch aided his father in the clearing of the farm, remaining at home until about twenty-five years of age. He was married, February 26, 1846, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Mary Spencer, both Pennsylvanians. She was born in West Virginia in 1827. The fruit of this union has been ten children, viz., William M.., Martha J. E., James M., Sarah L., David G. W., Mary M. J., Thomas S., Florence E., Elizabeth D. and an infant, deceased. After his marriage, Mr. McQuown put up a log cabin on part of the land entered by his father. In 1854, he moved with his family by team to Iowa, returning eighteen months after; the journey each way having occupied four weeks. His brother William, who accompanied him, died on the trip going out. On his return, in the fall of 1855, he bought of William Ballantine 160 acres of the land where he now lives, in Section 1, Pleasant Township. He is a strict Presbyterian in religion, and politically has always identified himself with the Democratic party. His father, being among the first settlers in Goshen Township, was probably one of the early voters.

BERNARD MATHEWS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in County Dublin, Ireland, April 15, 1801. He emigrated to the United States in 1834, coming to Hardin County, Ohio, in August of the same year, and entered here about 440 acres of land on the line between Cessna and Pleasant Townships, extending into both. He first settled on the farm now occupied by Robert Draper, in Pleasant Township. The land was covered with a forest, but in course of time, after passing through many hardships and privations, he founded a home for his family. He subsequently moved across the line into Cessna Township, where he lived until his removal, in the fall of 1882, to Kenton, where he is living a retired life in the enjoyment of a well-preserved and ripe old age. Mr. Mathews was married, in his native country, to Miss Ellen Clinton, a native of Dublin, who still survives, a solace to her husband and children. Seven sons and three daughters were born to them, all living, as follows: Mary, wife of James Garretty, residing in Des Moines, Iowa; John, a resident of Wallace, Kan.; James C.; Mathew R. and Cornelius M., residents of Elbert County, Colo.; Lucy P., Joseph C. and Clotilda, the latter wife of Daniel Flannagan, residents of Kenton; Alfred, residing in Delaware, Ohio, and Jerome, of Elbert County, Colo. Mr. Mathews and family belong to the Catholic Church, and are highly respected by all classes. Mr. Mathews is a man of good education, possessing an extensive knowledge of men and books.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 795

LEWIS MERRIMAN, merchant, Kenton, Ohio, was born in Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, May 4, 1827. His father, Charles Merriman, was a native of the State of New York, and his mother, Susan Carey, of the eastern part of Ohio. The subject of this sketch commenced the dry goods business on his own account on April 1, 1850, at Marseilles, Wyandot Co., Ohio, and continued in the business at Marseilles till April 1, 1879, but in the meantime moved to Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, April 1, 1864, and has been in the dry goods business ever since. On January 1, 1882, he and his son. Charles C., started a wholesale notion and gents' furnishing goods store, and he is still in that business, but had the sad misfortune to lose his son Charles C., by typhoid fever, March 22, 1883. He has also been in the banking business, and has been one of the largest real estate dealers in the county, and is ever ready to extend his connection.

E. L. MILLAR, editor, Kenton, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, July 19, 1857. He is the eldest son of John D. and Keturah (Williams) Millar, the former of whom died when our subject was but four years of age. Being left an orphan at the age of twelve years, our subject was then brought up under the guidance of his uncle, J. R. Millar, a resident of Hardin County. He was educated at the common schools, and for three years-beginning in 1873-at the High School of Kenton. In the fall of 1875, he entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School at Ada, and graduated in 1876. In the fall of 1877, he commenced to learn the printing trade, and, in 1878, he arranged with B. L. Thompson for the publication of the Ada Record, buying out the interest of the latter in the following year and remaining sole proprietor until August, 1881. He then sold that paper to Agnew Welsh, the present owner, and went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he became city editor of the Daily Courier. In May, 1882, he joined George W. Rutledge in the publication of the Kenton Republican, and has remained its editor ever since. Mr. Millar was united in marriage, in Hardin County, in June, 1881, to Miss Minnie, only daughter of John Manning, of Ada, Ohio. She is a native of Shelby County, Ohio.

JOHN C. MILLER, boot and shoe dealer, Kenton, was born on Long Island, N. Y., in 1830, and is a son of Enoch and Amy (Conkling) Miller. Enoch Miller was a boot and shoe manufacturer at East Moriches, Long Island, where he and his wife died. They raised a family of eight children, all living. Our subject was the second child, and left home for the West in 1858, coming to Kenton, where he has since remained. In the same year of his arrival, he opened a small shop in the boot and shoe business near the depot, where he only manufactured at the bench. Here he employed himself in custom work for eight or ten years, and then opened the first store with William Gilmore, with whom he was associated for five years, when he bought him out. He occupied his present quarters in 1878, his son having been admitted into partnership two years previous. The members of this firm are among the oldest merchants of Kenton, and carry a stock of from $6,000 to $7,000. Mr. Miller was married, at his native place, in 1852, to Miss Caroline Raynor, a Dative of East Moriches, Long Island. by which union there have been born two children-Henry J., associated in the store and married to Miss Emma, daughter of Anson Norton, and by whom he has had one child-Willie, and Emma W. Our subject was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guards, Company G, serving 100 days, and was discharged in September, 1864. He fought in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley and in several skirmishes. Mr. Miller is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and is a prominent citizen of Kenton.


796 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

AUGUSTUS WILMOT MUNSON, physician, Kenton, was born in the town of Oxford, Chenango Co., N. Y., November 2, 1819. The family, of English ancestry, moved from New England to New York in early times. His grandfather, Wilmot Munson, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His father, Wilmot Munson, is still living (1883), and is a pensioner of the Government, having served in the war of 1812. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Salisbury, a native of Vermont, died in Kenton April, 1864. In 1829, his father, with a family of four children, three boys and one girl, started in a two-horse wagon to move to Ohio, and after a tedious journey arrived in Richland County, July 4 of that year. The subject of our sketch received a liberal English education in the public schools of his native and adopted States. He closed his common school course in the spring of 1838, at Waldo, Delaware County, receiving a certificate of proficiency, which, under the laws of Ohio, authorized him to teach a common school. He taught his first school at Westfield, Delaware County, in the summer of the latter year, at $8 per month. In the autumn of that year, the family moved to the northern hart of Hardin County. then a wilderness, where they suffered all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life. Here he remained at home during the following winter and spring, assisting to clear and plant to corn a few acres of land. In May following, he left home without means and journeyed on foot to Westfield, Delaware County, where an uncle furnished him with a scythe with which to commence business for himself. With this implement he set out on foot to hunt employment, and engaged as a harvest hand to a farmer in Marion County, and labored in the field for 75 cents a day until fall, when he engaged to teach school, for a term of four months, at $12 per month. In April, 1840, he was married to Maria McMillen, the daughter of a widow of limited means, a native of Dauphin County, Penn., with whom he is still living. Four children, only two of whom are living-a son and daughter were the issue of this union. Of these, the daughter-Amanda M..--is the widow of Hale Salisbury, of Kenton; the son-Leroy D. single, is a graduate of Columbus, Ohio, Medical College. In the spring of 1842, he moved his family to Marseilles, Marion County, and entered the office of Dr. Orrin Ferris, as a student of medicine. Here he continued, occasionally teaching school and otherwise laboring for means to support his family while pursuing his studies, until the summer of 1844, when he entered the office of Dr. U. P. Leighton, of Kenton, who generously proposed to board him for the assistance he could render in his practice. In November of the latter year, he moved to the village of Wyandot, Wyandot County, where he taught school the following winter and in the spring opened an office and commenced the practice of medicine. Here he continued to practice with remarkable success until, in the winter of 1849-50, he attended lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, Medical College. In the spring of 1850, he moved to Kenton, and practiced in partnership with Dr. Leighton until, in the winter of 1853-54, he again attended lectures at Cleveland and graduated. In the following fall, he opened an office in Kenton on his own account, where he still continues in active practice. He has, by numerous successful operations, both in private and military practice, gained and still maintains the reputation of a skillful surgeon. He was one of the originators of the " Hardin County Medical Society," which was organized in July, 1850, and has repeatedly held the offices of Secretary and President of the same. In 1857, he became a member of the " Ohio State Medical Society," of which he is still a member. He is also a member of the "Northwestern


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 797

Ohio Medical Association," and, at a meeting held in Celina, Ohio, presented a carefully prepared paper upon the laws regulating the practice of medicine in Ohio during the past fifty years The association considered the paper of such interest to the profession that, by a vote, he was requested to furnish a copy for publication. In 1856, he became a member of the "American Medical Association," and represented his county society at the annual meetings of same held in Detroit, Mich., Nashville, Tenn., Cincinnati, Ohio, and Philadelphia, Penn. In December, 1861, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and went with this regiment into active service, during which he proved competent and efficient in the discharge of every duty. until 1863, when he was compelled to resign on account of bad health, and return home. He next entered the State military service, and discharged the duties of Surgeon of Camps of Instruction. In March, 1865, he was commissioned Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and again went to the field with that regiment and remained on duty until the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the regiment went at Nashville, Tenn., in September, 1865. He was one of the originators of the "Pioneer Association of Hardin County," which was organize in 1868, was chosen its first. Secretary and has occupied the position, wit but one exception, until the present time. Early in life, he espoused the political principles of the Whig party; was an ardent supporter of Gen. Harrison for President in 1840, for whom he cast his first vote. He has been an active politician, in a local way; was a great admirer of Mr. Clay for whom he voted in 1844. He supported Gen. Taylor in 1848, and Gen. Scott in 1852. Upon the organization of the Republican party in 1850 he adopted its political principles, to which he still adheres. He attended the convention at Chicago which nominated Mr Lincoln for President and cordially supported him both in 1860 and 1864. He supported Gen. Grant in 1868 and 1872, Gen. Hayes in 1876, and Gen. Garfield in 1880. He has held several local offices of trust, and in 1873 was elected to the Ohio Legislature and served one full term (1873 to 1875), and has been Mayor of Kenton since April, 1882. Dr. Munson is a man who has the faculty of utilizing his knowledge and concentrating it upon any subject within the walk of his profession. Energetic in temperament he is efficient in practice, and has, therefore. been one of the successful physicians the country. The business qualifications which so many physicians lack have not been in his case wanting. Early in life, as the foregoing sketch abundantly proves, he labored under many disadvantages, but by his native energy these were surmounted, and he is now in the enjoyment of the victor's reward.

DAVID NEWCOMB (deceased) was born in Cuyahoga County, N. Y., in 1814, and was a son of Cromwell Newcomb, a pioneer of Knox County, Ohio. He married, September 7, 1837, Harriett, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Hughes, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively. She is a. native of Muskingum County, Ohio, and her parents died in Perry County, Ohio. David Newcomb came from Knox County to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1852, settling on 160 acres of land, on which his son, Andrew C., is now living. To this farm have been added ninety acres, and eight in another section. David here lived until his decease, which occurred December 21, 1873, in the sixtieth year of his age. The widow survives, and is living, in the sixty-fifth year of her age, on the homestead. They reared a family of eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Ellen; An-


798 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

drew, married, in 1863, to Miss Anna Parkinson, by whom he had two children, both deceased; David L., married to Anna Tenrie, of Hardin County; Mary E., wife of Emi Parkinson, by whom three children have been born, viz., Willie (deceased), Della (still living) and Davie (also deceased); Charles, married to Lucy A. Thomas, by whom there are three children, viz., Harriet, Elmore and Emma; and Bella. David Newcomb was a man highly esteemed. His son, Andrew, has always resided on the homestead, and is a well-known citizen of Pleasant Township.

ANSON NORTON, JR., retired merchant, Kenton, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., in 1828. He is a son of Anson and Lucretia (Woodruff) Norton, the latter a native of New Haven, Conn. His father, after marriage, moved to Livingston County, N. Y., where he died in 1844. In 1848, our subject, with his mother, moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, where he was engaged in business for some years, moving thence to Bucyrus. Here he operated the woolen mills for one year, and, in 1864, came to Kenton, and entered mercantile pursuits with L. Merriman, of Kenton, with whom he was associated until 1874, when he sold out to his partner. Since then he has not been engaged in any particular business, but is gradually retiring from active life. His marriage occurred in Marseilles, Ohio. in February of 1852, to Miss Rachel, daughter of Hanson Hooker, a native of that town. From this union five children have been born, four living. viz., Willie A.; Emma C., wife of H. Jay Miller; Alta M., wife of B. F. Schultz, of Kenton, and Lula B. The youngest child-Maud-died in infancy. Mr. Norton is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is one of the oldest business men of Kenton.

WILLIAM OCHS, miller, Kenton, was born in Hesse, Germany, in 1852. He was married in Germany in 18- to Miss Maggie Alt. also a native of Hesse, and, in 1852, emigrated with his wife and two children to the United States. He came to Kenton, where he engaged in the old mills, entering into partnership, in 1866, with Mr. Espy, and is still one of the original stockholders. He has raised a family of seven children, all living, as follows: Henry, married to Hannah Linke; John, interested in the mills; William, at school; Kate, wife of John Bloom, Kenton; Maggie, wife of John Diker, of Buck Township, and Mollie and Theodore, at home. The family are members of the German Church, and are numbered among the respected and esteemed families of Kenton.

W. H. PHILIPS, physician and surgeon, Kenton, was born in Washington County, Penn., August 18, 1824. He is a son of Enoch and Catherine (Anderson) Philips. His grandfather was David Philips, a native of Maryland. The family originated with two brothers, emigrants from Wales, who settled in the colonies about 1750. David Philips was a Lieutenant Colonel during the Revolution, at the close of which he settled in Washington County, Penn. The father of our subject was born in Maryland about 1770, and moved with his father to Pennsylvania, where he was married in 1790. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1805, leaving two children-David Philips, now a resident of the homestead in Pennsylvania, and John Philips, of Holmes County, Ohio. In 1808, Mr. Enoch Philips married Catherine Anderson, a Pennsylvanian, by whom he had eleven children. Three sons and two daughters are now living. He served as Justice of the Peace in Washington County for twenty-one years, thence moved to Harrison County, and finally in 1857, to Bloomington, Ind., where he and his wife died the following year. He was a Major of the First Battalion, Fifty -third Pennsylvania Militia, during the war of 1812, and a devoted member of the


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 799

Associate Presbyterian Church through life. In 1837, the subject of this sketch moved, with his father, to Harrison County, Ohio, and received his collegiate education in Muskingum College. He then took up the study of medicine with Dr. Jacob Hammond, of Steubenville, Ohio, and graduated in 1849. The same year he began to practice in New Romley, Harrison Co., Ohio. In 1851, he removed to Amsterdam, Ohio, coming thence, in 1854 to Kenton, where he has since been established in his profession. He attended, for one term, the Rush Medical College of Chicago, graduating ii 1856. In August, 1862, he was appointed Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in Kentucky, East Tennessee and the Atlanta campaign. On account of failing health, he resigned his position and entered the hospital service at Gallipolis, Ohio, in 1864, returning to Kenton the same year. In 1865, he was appointed United States Examining Surgeon. He attended a course of lectures in 1870 at Bellevue Hospital, and, in 1879, sought further progress by attendance at the New York State Women's Hospital, and in the ensuing year at the Chicago Rush Medical College. He has since made women's disease a specialty. Dr. Philips is a member of the Hardin County, Ohio State Northwestern Ohio and American Medical Societies, of which he was made President of the Northwestern in 1870 and of the Ohio State in 1878. An exhaustive treatise on milk sickness written by him was published in the Cincinnati Lancet and Observer. In March of 1877, he was appointed, by Gov. Young, Surgeon General of Ohio, and, in the winter of 1878 occupied the chair of Medial Jurisprudence in the college at Columbus, Ohio. In 1873, he was elected a delegate to represent Hardin County in the constitutional convention held in Ohio, 1873-74. Dr. Philips was married in 1848, to Miss Margaret Patterson, of Jefferson County, Ohio, who bore him two children, both living-Mary, wife of Hon. I. N. Everett of Kenton, and David P. Philips, M. D., of Kenton. Mrs. Philips died in 1854, and the Doctor subsequently married Harriet J., a daughter of Parley Carlin, of Findlay, Ohio, By this union there have been three children - Kate, Carl and Maud, In politics, the Doctor is a Republican. He aims to keep in the front rank of his profession, making himself familiar with its current progress.

WILLIAM POOL, blacksmith and manufacturer, Kenton, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1824, and is second son of Alexander and Phoebe (Harris) Pool. His parents are both natives of Washington County, Penn., and came to the West at an early date, being among its first pioneers. They moved to Hardin County March 9, 1834, settling in Goshen Township, where Mr. Pool entered eighty acres of land, the deed of which was signed by Gen. Jackson. This land was afterward struck off in Wyandot Count. Alexander Pool died December 24, 1881, aged eighty-two years; he was preceded by his wife in 1877. They were the parents of eight children. seven of whom are living. William, our subject, was reared on the homestead until of age, when he learned the blacksmith trade with his brother Harris, the two afterward forming a partnership. William then succeeded his brother in the business, carrying it on alone until 1850, when he admitted his brother John into partnership, and the two have since been continuously engaged. They first located the establishment for the manufacture of carriages, wagons and buggies on the lot now occupied by the residence of William Pool, the manufactory being the first opened in Kenton. In 1858, the brothers erected their present building on the corner of Franklin and Wavne streets. Thev have a full assortment of goods and


800 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

employ an average force of fifteen men. They carry a stock of about $3,000 to $4,000, and enjoy the goodwill and liberal patronage of the people. Mr. Pool was married, in Hardin County, to Miss Phoebe Russell, by whom he had one child-Martha J. His wife died two years after marriage, and he subsequently married Margaret Moore (deceased), by whom there were two children, twin boys, both deceased. For his third wife, Mr. Pool took Sarah M. Collins, by which union there were six children, three of whom are living. Mrs. Pool lived to enjoy the fruits of her marriage for twenty-five years, when she, too, was called by death to the better land. Mr. Pool's present wife is Miss Mary Vance, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he has had no children. He was Sheriff of Hardin County one term. and served as Coroner and in various other offices of trust.

JOHN POOL, manufacturer, Kenton, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1829. He came to Hardin County with his parents and was here reared and educated on the home farm. He learned the trade of blacksmith in 1849 with his brother Harris, and afterward became associated in the business with his brother William, with whom he has been successfully engaged. In 1853, he was united in marriage, in Kenton, to Miss Eliza Graham, by which union four children were born, three living, viz., Wade. Ella and Laura. His wife died in 1860, after which he married Miss Laura L. Lathan, also deceased. by whom he had one child-May - who still survives. He subsequently formed a third union, taking for his wife Miss Maggie Stevenson, by which union there have been five children, all living, viz., Jessie, James, Hattie, Ida and Clifford. Mr. Pool was Marshal of Kenton for two years, and numbers among the busy, active manufacturers.

MARTIN PRICE, carpenter. Kenton, was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1820. He is a son of Simon and Barbara (Strupa) Price, with whom he emigrated to the United States in 1834, locating in Bucyrus, Ohio, where his father passed the remainder of his life. In 1845, our subject came to Kenton, and was working at his trade for some years, but has since retired from active business. He was married in Kenton, in September, 1846, to Miss Christine, daughter of Henry and Catherine Heisel, natives of Bavaria, Germany. She was born in Bavaria in 1822, and emigrated with her parents in 1834, locating the same year in Kenton. Her father was among the first settlers of this city, where he followed merchandising for his occupation. He was formerly a hotel proprietor in Germany, and died in Kenton in 1855. He was preceded by his wife in 1853. Mr. and Mrs. Price have reared a family of three sons and two daughters, viz.. Henry, Simon, Louis. Julia (the wife of Henry Dorn) and Louisa (wife of Dr. Glenn, of Kenton). When the rebellion broke out, Mr. Price enlisted, in 1861, in the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and served to the close of the war. He enlisted as a teamster and served in that capacity, and was in the Army of the Cumberland, Twentieth Corps, accompanying Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr. Price served four years in the Council and is a well-known citizen of Kenton.

LEWIS PRICE, baker and confectioner, Kenton, was born in Kenton, Ohio, in 1848, and is a son of Martin and Christine (Heisel) Price, natives of Baden and Reinbier, Germany, respectively. They emigrated to the United States at an early day, and were married in Hardin County, where they have reared a family of five children, all living. The subject of this sketch was married in Kenton, October 16, 1872, to Miss Louise, daughter of Henry Collier. The latter. with his family, emigrated from Mechlin-


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 801

burg-Schwerin, Germany, to the United States in 1853, and after a residence of three years in Sandusky City, Ohio, he came to Kenton. Mr Price is the father of one daughter-Annie L. Mr. Price succeeded J Gensley in his present business in 1877. He is located on the east side of the square, where, at this writing (1883), he is erecting a large and commodious business house for his increasing trade.

SILAS PROTZMAN, physician, Kenton, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, January 17, 1842. His parents were John and Margaret (Shafer) Protzman, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively who came to Ohio in 1805 and settled in the southwestern part of Montgomery County, near Germantown, where Mr. Protzman followed milling and distilling for many years. He was a Captain in the war of 1812, and, politically, belonged to the Whig party. He lived to the age of seventy years, his demise occurring in 1861; his wife had preceded him in 1860. They had ten children, all of whom attained adult age, nine now living The subject of this sketch is the youngest son, and obtained the rudiment of his education from the common schools of his native county. He entered Holbrook's Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1859, and soon after began the study of medicine with his brother William at Yellow Springs, Obi, He was engaged there until 1862, when he enlisted in Company F. One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served till the close of the war. He participated in the battle of Winchester, June 13, 14 and 15, 1863; then joined the Army of the Potomac, and was in the engagement's at Brandy Station on June 9, August 1 to 3, September 6 and November 8, 1863, after which he served in the Inspector General's office of the Third Division, Sixth Corps. which was the old fighting corps of Gen. Sedgwick. This corps had a separate review at Washington, where our subject was discharged. On his return home, he resumed his studies in medicine, and entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 1868, and the same year began the practice of his profession in Fairfield, Ohio. In June of 1872, he removed to Kenton, where he has since been continuously and successfully enraged. His labors have been so great that his declining health necessitated a rest, and he has spent the past winter sojourning in a warmer clime. The Doctor was married, in June of 1869, to Miss Henrietta, daughter of Adam Shuey. The latter resides in Preble County, Ohio, but was formerly of Greene County, where his daughter was born. Mr. and Mrs Protzman are the parents of one child-Elmer.

ELI W. RAGER, farmer and lumber-dealer, P. O. Grant, was boric April 29, 1831, in Madison Township, Franklin Co., Ohio. His father, John Rager, was a Virginian by birth, and his mother was a native of Franklin County, Penn. They were both brought to Ohio while young, and were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, where Mrs. Rager died. Of their family of thirteen children, nine were sons. Our subject spent his boyhood days at home on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age. He was married, October 9, 1852, to Miss Lovina Brown, an orphan, and there have been born to them the following children: Elizabeth A., Mary C.. William H., John Q. (deceased), George B., Clement L., James E. and Nancy E. Mr. Rager carne to Hardin County in 1863, and, in 1868, took up his residence at the little railway station of Grant, where he now lives. He is a prominent man of the place, having served his township as Trustee for a number of years. and is the Deputy Postmaster. In politics, he has always supported the Democratic party. His occupation is that of a lum-


802 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ber-dealer and farmer. His great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier, and lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and four years, having been able, when one hundred and two years old, to walk four miles to town and back in the same day, making the distance of eight miles with ease.

NICHOLAS RAREY, farmer, P. 0. Kenton, is the oldest child of Parker and Mary (Burgett) Rarey, born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 22, 1824. His father is a native of Virginia, his mother is a Maryland lady. They were married in Franklin County, Ohio, where they spent the remaining years of their lives. Eight children were born to them, four sons and four daughters, of whom are surviving Garnalian S., Clarinda E., Martha A. and our subject; all but the latter are residents of Franklin County, Martha living on the old homestead. Nicholas, the subject of this sketch, helped to clear the home farm, and was married there to Sarah Johnson (deceased), by whom he had the following-named children: Arah M., Ann E., Francis M., Jefferson P. and Parker A. He came to Hardin County in 1851 and purchased 161 acres of land in Section 1, Pleasant Township, where he now lives, having for a homestead 400 acres of choice land bordering on the Scioto River. For his second wife he married Maria L., daughter of Abel H. and Rebecca (Mackey) Allen. She was born January 4, 1834, on the banks of the Scioto River, where she has always resided, her parents being old pioneers of this county. The five children by this marriage are as follows: Ira R., born October 24, 1855, died October 19, 1860; Clarinda E., born March 18, 1858, died February 8, 1873: Maria L., born March 20, 1860; Judson A., born August 16, 1865, and Edmond M., born May 19, 1871. Mr. Rarey has an old heirloom in the shape of an old English watch, which has been handed down by grandfather to father and now to son, but has not stopped, like the clock in the song, on the contrary, still "tick, ticks," the moments as they pass. Our subject has been School Director ever since coming to this county. He was in the war of the rebellion, enlisting May 2, 1864, in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guard, Company A, and discharged in September, 1864.

HENRY H. REESE, hotel proprietor, Kenton, was born near Hesse-Cassel, in Hesse, Prussia, July 23, 1826. He was brought by his parents George H. and Mena (Kaiser) Reese, to the United States in 1833, the family locating in Richland County, Ohio, for one year, and, in 1834, removing to Kenton, in Hardin County. George Reese was among the early pioneers, and died in 1878, aged eighty-five years. He had a family of eight children, seven of whom are living. Henry being the eldest son. Our subject has been mostly engaged working at his trade, that of carpentering. He went to California, prospecting, in 1850, returning the following year, and worked at his trade until 1865, when he purchased the property of the Reese House, and, as a hotel proprietor, achieved a success, becoming widely and favorably known. In 1875, he leased the house for a few years, again occupying it in the spring of 1883. It has been re-modeled and furnished throughout, and under the management of Mr. Reese and his son has be come a popular and leading hotel of Kenton. Extensive repairs have been made to every portion of the house, and a large dining-room adds to the beauty of the edifice. Mr. Reese was married in Kenton, in 1851, to Miss Christian Ernstine, a native of Germany. To this union have been born seven children, four living, as follows: Nora, Victory, Harvey and Sally.

JOHN RIES, foreman in the Champion Iron Fence Company, Kenton, was born in Mansfield, Ohio, January 22, 1835. He is a son of George


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 803

and Wilhelmina (Kaiser) Ries, who were born in Hesse-Cassel, Germany, the former on November 13, 1795, and died in Kenton, Ohio, January 1877, in his eighty-third year; the latter born in the year 1800, died Kenton November 9, 1851, in her fifty-fifth year. They were married Germany and came to this country in the summer of 1834, after a perilous voyage of six weeks, landing at Baltimore. From there they proceeded to Mansfield, Ohio, thence to Kenton, Ohio, in the spring of 1835, being among the early pioneers and enduring the toil and hardships incident to the settlement of a new country, with admirable courage. George H. Ries, at the ago of sixteen, was a conscript in the army in the old country, and when twenty years old, was in that memorable battle of Waterloo, and of a company of 100 men he and fifteen comrades were the only ones of the company to escape. At an early day, and soon after coining to Kenton, Mr. Ries, finding it difficult to support his family, was obliged to work in Springfield, Ohio, and (there being no railroads at that time), performed the journey each way on foot every Saturday night, a distance of fifty-four miles. Twelve children were born to him, five sons and seven daughters of whom there are three daughters now living. The subject of this sketch at the age of sixteen. left the parental roof to shift for himself. Going to, Cincinnati, he learnt the trade of a carpenter, receiving for the first, six months $2.50 per week, out of which he paid $2.25 per week for board. During the hot weather, he economized by doing his own washing, having his wardrobe in readiness for the morning. Mr. Ries was married, February 23, 1860, to Miss Catherine, daughter of David and Margaretta Ichler, the former a native of Germany, and the latter born near Fort Wayne. Ind. The names and ages of the six children born are as follows: Milton C.. eleven years: John J., sixteen; David J., eighteen; Alice W., nineteen; Florence M., twenty; ; and George Henry (deceased August. 1871), who would have been now about fifteen years. Mrs. Ries died on June 27, 1875, aged thirty five years six months and thirteen days. Mr. Ries was subsequently married to Mrs. Christena Bishop (nee Lontenslager), who had one little daughter, Lessetta Bishop.

O. E. RHODES, insurance agent, Kenton, was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of John and Rachel (Shaw) Rhodes, both natives of Maryland. His father was among the pioneers of Knox County, Ohio, in 1820, and was a miller by occupation. He was a strong Republican, and the family were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in Mount Gilead, Ohio, in 1874, and his widow is a resident of the same place in the seventieth year of her age. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living, three sons and five daughters. The subject of this sketch came to Hardin County in 1863, and established in the grocery business in Kenton. In 1872, he became engaged as Secretary of the Kenton Manufacturing and Machine Company, in which he had an interest, severing his connection with the same in 1876. He then became engaged in the local fire insurance business. Mr. Rhodes has also one half interest in Struble's patent iron roof, which is meeting with general favor. He was married in Mount Gilead, Ohio, in 1862, tip Miss Xiria C., daughter of Chauncey D. Ensign, and a native of Morrow County, Ohio. By this union there has been ,one child, Kate R. Mr. Rhodes served as Secretary of the Agricultural Society in 1882.

GEN. JAMES S. ROBINSON, Member of Congress, Kenton, Ohio, whose portrait appears in this work, was born near Mansfield, Franklin Township, Ohio, October 14, 1827. He is the youngest of four sons born


804 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

to Francis and Jane (Dickins) Robinson, both natives of England. His parents emigrated to this country about 1817 and settled in Franklin Township, Richland County. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he acquired such an education as was afforded by the country schools. At the age of sixteen, he went to Mansfield. Ohio, and served an apprenticeship at type-setting in the office of the Richland Bugle, published by Watson & Johnson. In December of 1844, he was taken into the office of the Mansfield Jeffersonian, now the Mansfield Herald: remained there till June, 1847, and then went to Tiffin, Ohio. He was there employed in the Seneca Whig office until December of the same year, when he came to Kenton and assumed the charge of the Kenton Republican, of which the first number under his direction appeared on the 19th day of January, 1847. He was at this time but nineteen years of age. He continued as manager and editor until the beginning of the war in 1861, when he laid aside the pen to take up the sword in defense of the Union. He disposed of his interest in the Republican office to Hunt & Myers in 1864. In April, 1861, he enlisted as private in Company G. Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was chosen First Lieutenant, subsequently Captain. and accompanied his regiment to West Virginia in June 1861, and participated in the Rich Mountain campaign. In October, he was appointed Major of the Eighty-second Regiment, and, returning home, assisted in recruiting the regiment at Camp Simon Kenton, at Kenton, Ohio, and entered the field in West Virginia with the rank of Major. In April, 1862, be was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, by reason of the resignation of Lieut. Col. B. R. Durfee, and Colonel of the regiment August 28, 1862, by reason of the death of Col. Cantrell. The latter was killed in the second battle of Bull Run. Our subject was then breveted Brigadier General December 12, 1864, a full Brigadier January 12, 1865, and a Brevet Major General March 13, 1865. These promotions were given by seniority of rank and meritorious conduct on the field. He served in the Shenandoah Valley under Fremont; in General Pope's campaign, including the second battle of Bull Run; the campaigns of Chancellorsville. Gettysburg, Georgia and of the Carolinas. He participated in the battles of Rich Mountain. Cross Keys, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Culp's farm, Peach Tree Creek, Averysboro and Bentonville; was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and concluded in the march to Washington and the grand review. While Colonel, he received a severe wound in the left shoulder in the battle of Gettysburg; he was confined to the hospital thirty days and then brought home, where he lay in a critical condition for some months. Gen. Robinson was Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives during the sessions of 1855 and 1856. After the close of the war, he was elected Chairman of the State Central Committee and filled the place in an efficient manner for some years. He was Chairman of the Republican State Executive Committee during the campaign of 1877 to 1879, and during the latter year conducted one of the most brilliant and aggressive State campaigns of the country. From January 23, 1880, to February of 1881, he filled the position of Commissioner of Railroads and Telegraphs. In October of 1880, he was elected by the people of the Ninth District to the Forty-seventh Congress, where he made a brilliant record and won a reputation throughout the county and State. In 1882, he was again elected to the Forty-eighth Congress by a hard-won majority in his district, having always been regarded as an active member, and never before since its organization has this district re-elected a Representative to the halls of Congress. During


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 805

his eventful career, the General has devoted his whole time to the interests his district, his Congressional experience having led him to understand its wants. One of his first official acts was to introduce a bill relative the Virginia military lands of Ohio, embracing the valuable body of land lying between the Miami and Scioto Rivers, and he had the satisfaction of seeing this measure adopted. Gen. Robinson was married at Marion, Ohio, June 28, 1848, to Miss Ellen M., daughter of Dr. Spaulding. She died, leaving one son, William S. The General's second marriage, to Miss Hester A., daughter of the Hon. Parlee Carlin, of Findlay, took place November 8, 1858. Two children, Parlee C. and Jennie S., have been born to this union. Our subject was connected with the construction of the Chicago & Atlantic and the New York, Pittsburgh & Chicago Railways. He was always a steadfast supporter of the Republican party, and was Secretary of the first Republican State Convention ever held in Ohio, of which Salmon P. Chase was the President. The General is a true man of the people. His career has been a splendid one, and with his robust health, iron constitution. excellent habits and mental and physical vigor, he is doubtless destined to occupy more places in the service of his admiring constituency. He is a noble friend to the soldiers, many of whom will remember his earnest efforts in their behalf. He is a man of strong home and local attachments, and loyal to his friends. whose fullest confidence he enjoys.

W. S. ROBINSON. hardware merchant, Kenton, was born in this city, in January of 1851. He is a son of Gen. J. S. Robinson, whose sketch also given in this work. He was employed as Teller in the Bank of Exchange anal Deposit in Kenton from 1869 to 1874, and subsequently was Assistant Cashier of the Kenton Savings Bank from 1876 to 1878, when he resigned his position, and for the year following was engaged by Warder, Mitchell & Co., of Springfield, Ohio. In February 1881, he established himself in his present business in hardware, under the firm name of Robinson &, Spelman, succeeding W. M. Moore & Co. This establishment occupies nearly the whole of three floors and carries a stock of from $12,000 to $15,000. The business of the first year was $28,000, that of the last $40,000. Mr. Robinson was United States Gauger from 1871 to 1877, and for three years was Secretary of the Agricultural Society. In October of 1881, he was married to Miss Alice B., daughter of James Powell, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Robinson is not connected with any church, but is a prominent business man of Kenton.

J. A. ROGERS, druggist, Kenton, was born in Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1820, and is a son of John and Margaret (Herbert) Rogers. His father is a native of the Shenandoah Valley. Frederick County, Va., and his mother originated from the Old Virginia stock of Loudoun County. The former, a farmer by occupation, came to Greene County, Ohio, thence moved to Champaign County, locating lands near Mechanicsburg, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1848. He was a Methodist divine, and maintained a good standing as a local preacher. The subject of this sketch obtained a primary education from the schools of Champaign County, and, in 1842, entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, taking one course of lectures. In May of 1843, he came to Kenton, where he began the practice of his profession. The Doctor arrived in the town on horseback, with saddlebags, etc., and for seven miles south of the Scioto River there was not a single dwelling to be seen. In the spring of 1845, having entered into partnership with Dr. J. F. Amkeny in the practice of medicine,


806 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

they purchased a stock of drugs, the first that was ever introduced in the village of Kenton, and opened a store, in a small frame building erected for the purpose on the east side of the public square, on the site now occupied by Biddle's stove and tin store. The drugs, having been bought in Now York, were shipped by river, canal and lake to Sandusky, thence by rail to Republic, Seneca County, where they were loaded into wagons and hauled to Kenton. This was the ordinary route for merchandise from New York at that time. The practice of medicine and drug trade was continued by this firm for nearly four years, when the partnership was closed, the drug stock being sold to George Sweney and by him to Edwin and Charles Ashton. In 1856, Edwin Ashton having retired, Dr. Rogers bought a part interest in the business, and in a short time thereafter became sole proprietor of the establishment, gradually relinquishing his practice. He has since devoted his time to his business, and is among the stanch and reliable business men of Kenton In the fall of 1843. he was united in mar riage to Miss Clarissa Knight, a native of Miami County, Ohio. Three children have resulted from this union. two now living viz., Eugene and Kate, the latter wife of Thomas Cantwell, of Kenton. Mrs. Rogers died in February, 1857, and the Doctor subsequently married Ann Elizabeth. a daughter of Walter King, and a native of Greene County, Ohio From this union there have been three daughters-Mary, Margaret and Clara Dr. Rogers has been a Mason for many years. and lists occupied the chairs of all the offices connected with that order. He is also a member of the Board of Education and ranks among Kenton's prominent business men.

RUTLEDGE FAMILY The history of Hardin County would be incomplete without it contained allusions to the family of Rutledges, who were among the earlier settlers of the countv. and who have figured more or less conspicuously in its history from the time before the county was organized until the present writing. Richard Rutledge was born near Hagerstown, Md., in 1796, and when but seven years of age removed with his father, William Rutledge, to Fleming County, Ky., where the family resided till 1812, when they removed to Champaign County, Ohio. Here Richard Rutledge married Miss Mary Lewis, also a native of Maryland. A few years later, they removed to Logan County, near the present village of Richland. Mere they built a mill on Cherokee Creek, and, in 1832, they met with the misfortune of having it burned, which meant the loss of all their 'earthly possessions. They then decided to push out into the wilderness, and did so in the autumn of 1832, and entered land three miles northwest of Round Head, in Hardin County. Richard Rutledge served many years as Justice of the Peace. and rode through the wilderness for fifty miles in almost every direction to solemnize the marriage of many a pioneer couple, and was regarded and esteemed highly as an honorable Christian gentleman. He was industrious and persevering, and ended a successful life after having lost two companion, the last of whom was a widow lady - Mrs. Sarah Lay, nee Hill. He died in the spring of 1875. By his first wife he had born to him a large family of children. most of whom died in childhood. Those who lived to maturer years were Lewis. Benjamin, Harriet, Richard, Jr., and Jefferson. Richard Jr., died in 1859 or 1860. By his last wife, he had one child, a son, Sampson, who now resides on the farm near Round Head. Lewis Rutledge, his eldest son, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, September 2, 1818. He married Jane Tidd, who was born November 15, 1823. in Round Head Township, this county,


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 807

and who was the first white female child born in what is now Hardin County. Lewis and Jane Rutledge were married in 1845, and commenced life in the woods, going in debt for their scanty house furniture and $8 for their first cow. They had born to them six children, four of them dying in infancy; two still live, George W. and Charles H. Jane Rutledge died March 17, 1873, and was followed by Lawis, her husband, in June, 1875. George W. Rutledge was born August 16, 1851, three miles north of Round Head. He was a lover of books and took early to a fair common school education. He taught his first country school in Taylor Creek Township, when but sixteen years of age, and entered the Northwestern Ohio Normal School in 1870; and graduated from there in 1875, embarking in the meantime in the mercantile business, which he followed until December, 1876. Losing his father at a time when he moat needed his counsels, the financial depression of those years and a generous and speculating disposition brought upon him financial misfortune. But through the advice and assistance of friends he purchased and took charge of the Kenton Republican, in April, 1880, and is still connected with that journal. He was married in September, 1873, to Miss Sudie Shuler, of Allen County, Ohio She was born June 30, 1856. near Lima, Ohio. To them have been bore four children, three sons and one daughter, Earl Ernest, born August 13. 1874: Carl Clyde, born October 14, 1876; Donna Dean, born November 26,1879; and Warren Wilson, born August 24, 1881. Charles H. Rutledge was born near Round Head July 25, 1861, and was married to Miss Laura Hubble, of Ada, on June 9, 1881. To them was born a daughter, Jessie, on July 15, 1882. Charles H. Rutledge now owns the old home stead of his parents and an interest in the Kenton Republican, and residein the city of Kenton. in this his native county.

HERMAN SAGEBIEL, Postmaster, Kenton, was born in Fairfield Count Ohio, June 22, 1842. He is a son of Frederick and Elizabeth Sagebiel, both na tives of Germany, whence the former emigrated in the year 1820, the latter in 1803. His mother's family settled in Lancaster County, Penn. After their marriage, our subject's parents settled in Basil, Ohio, where Mr. Sagebiel engaged in the practice of medicine, he having been a practicing phy sician. In 1856, he came to Hardin County, locating in Kenton where be pursued his practice until his decease in October, 1859. He reared a family of six children, three now living. Our subject is the youngest living child. In 1859, he went to Shelbyville, Ill., where he learned the tinner's trade and then entered the army during the rebellion. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Company B, anal fought in the following battles: Perryville, Ky., October 8, 7 and 8, 1862; Stone River, December 31,1862, to January 3, 1863; Chickamauga, September 23, 1863; and Franklin, Tenn., February 1, March 9, April 10 and 27, and June 4, 1863. He received several wounds from spent balls, but, with the exception of a six weeks' sickness in 1862, near Covington, Ky., was always on duty. He received his discharge on March of 1864. On his return home, he worked at his trade until May, 1873, when he was appointed Postmaster of Kenton, re-appointed in 1877, and is still discharging the duties of that office. He was married in 1865, in Hardin County, to Miss Ruth, daughter of Joseph Lambert. She is a native of Belmont County, Ohio, and has reared a family of three children-Perry W., Olive R. and Perly L. Mr. Sagebiel is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Knights of Honor and of the Grand Army of the Republic. The father of Mr. Sagebiel was the only representative bearing that name


808 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

who emigrated to the United States, and our subject and his children are the only survivors left to carry it down to posterity.

JOHN SAYLOR, farmer and stock-grower. P. O. Kenton, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, October 21, 1829. His father, Micah Saylor, was a son of Jacob Sayler, who was brought from Germany to this country when a small boy. He learned the trade of gunsmith, and during the Revolution was detailed as artificer for the colonial forces, for which services he was paid in continental money; this money becoming worthless, the family were almost reduced to poverty. Removing to Bedford, Penn., he worked at his trade some years, and ;vas elected to the State Legislature, when death came, and the hopes of the family were again frustrated. The widow was left with a young family of nine children, and after battling with the stern realities of life in that hilly region, she determined to emigrate to the West. Being a woman of strong will and energy, she finally accomplished her purpose, reaching what was then called the Northwest Territory, after many hardships, and settling about midway between Chillicothe and Circleville in the year 1798. Here Micah Saylor, the father of our subject, grew up to manhood, acquiring the scanty education afforded by the early schools, consisting of about six weeks of schooling. Having a good memory, he thoroughly mastered the principals of arithmetic and grammar, becoming a fair scholar both in English and German. He delighted greatly in reading and the solution of intricate problems, in the exercise of which he would sometimes sit up all night. He died in Hardin County, Ohio, April 12, 1856, aged seventy years. He was married in 1819 to Elizabeth (Hillery) Monnett, of French descent, who was born in Virginia, about six miles from Cumberland, in 1791. She was brought in 1800 to that part of the territory afterward included in the State of Ohio, locating about fourteen miles northeast of Chillicothe. They lived in Pickaway County, Ohio, and raised a family of four children, three daughters and one son, viz., Ann, wife of Peter Warren. Kingston, Ohio: Margaret, wife of Jacob Sayler, Hillsboro, Ohio; Esther (deceased), wife of William Kinnear, Kenton. Ohio; and John, our subject. The subject of this sketch came with his parents to Hardin County in 1851, settling near Kenton. his father having made a purchase previous to his coming, and afterward buying a homestead near the city. Micah Saylor was a successful farmer and stock-raiser in the country he came from. The education of our subject was derived from the common schools and from Hillsboro Academy, which he attended in the winter of 1849 and 1850. His father deeded him 160 acres of land in 1851, in addition to which he has made subsequent purchases of 440 acres: On this land, he erected a large, commodious brick dwelling, occupying it in December of 1882. Ha is considerably engaged in raisingstock, dealing mostly in cattle. On November 13, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Elias and Elizabeth Benton. His wife is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, where her father had settled in 1817. Mrs. Benton died May 7, 1865, at Kenton, and was the mother of six children, two of whom are living, Daniel W. and Mrs. Saylor. Mr. Benton again married on February 12, 1867, Mrs. Catherine Cherry, the widow of Nathaniel Cherry, who moved to Hardin County in 1867. The five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Saylor are all living, viz., Almira B., Oscar M., Oraella E., Elias T. and Myrna L. Mr. Saylor was nominated as a Representative of the Legislature on the Republican ticket, but was defeated by eighty-eight votes for John Haley. His nomination had been entirely unsolicited, the selection being the choice of the people. The family are all connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 809



FAYETTE SCHOONOVER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Tioga . County, N. Y., in 1825. His parents were Joseph and Margaret (Decker) Schoonover, natives of the State of Delaware, and who came to Hardin County in 1838, settling on the Saylor farm, and were among the first to pay a tax on land. Joseph Schoonover resided in the same neighborhood until his decease in 1864; he had been preceded by his wife in 1853. They reared a family of ten children; five of whom are now living, the subject of this sketch being the next to the youngest. In 1846, Mr. Fayette Schoonover was married in Hardin County to Miss Elizabeth, daughter Richard F. and Catherine Holmes. pioneers of Hardin County in the year 1839. Mr. Holmes died July, 1852; his widow is still living, and has attained the eightieth year of her age. Mr. Schoonover and his wife have had a family of fifteen children, four of whom are living, viz., Mary, wife of Calvin Hickernell, resident of Ada, Iva, Richard H. and Frank. Mr Schoonover has held various offices of trust, and is connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been Class Leader for thirty years.

HENRY W. SENEY, attorney, Kenton, was born in Tiffin, Ohio,1847, and is a son of Joshua and Ann (Ebbert) Seney, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively. His parents were pioneers of Seneca County and early settlers of Tiffin. Joshua Seney was a lawyer, as well as his father before him. whose name was also Joshua. The latter was Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Maryland. Joshua, father of our subject, at the early age of fifteen years, was private Secretary to Albert Gallatin, who was Secretary of the United States Treasury under Jefferson. Joshua Seney was a graduate of Columbia College, New York, and was a practicing lawyer in Seneca County, Ohio, where he died in 1854. He served the county as Treasurer and Clerk of the Courts. The subject of this sketch attended the common schools of Tiffin, also the Notre Dame University at South Bend, Ind., and Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio. He took a commercial course at Cleveland, Ohio, proceeding thence to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in the Merchants' Union Express office. He was subsequently engaged as bookkeeper by Patterson Brothers, with whom he continued for three years. In 1871, he came to Ada and read law under his brother's instruction at Tiffin for two years. He was admitted to the bar in September, 1873, by the District Court at Kenton, and commenced to practice in partnership with Mr. Johnson, of Kenton. On January 1880, this patrnership was dissolved and Mr. Seney has since pursued his calling alone. His name was presented in the Convention for District Judge in 1880, and again in 1882. but he withdrew his name. Mr. Seney was married in January of 1870 to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Allen Cullum, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. Two children have been born to this union-Allen J. and Elma B. Mr. Seney's brother at Tiffin, Ohio, is a Congressman, and was elected Judge of the common Pleas Court when in his twenty-seventh year. He ranks among the prominent practitioners of the State. Another brother, Joshua R., of Toledo, also a lawyer, was elected Judge when thirty-one years old, in a Republican district. He is a graduate of Union College, New York, and is widely known as a talented scholar and a successful lawyer. In politics, Mr. Seney is, like his father before him, a Democrat. The Hon. George I. Seney, of New York, is a cousin of our subject.

W. H. SEYMOUR, grain and produce merchant, Kenton, was born in n Susquehanna County, Penn., in 1822. His parents, John and Sarah


810 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

(Thatcher) Seymour, were natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts respectively, and moved to Ohio in 1825, settling in Ridgefield Township, Huron County, and were among the earliest pioneers there. Here, in the wilderness, our subject was stolen by the Indians when a child and hidden in a log, but was afterward bought by his father and taken home. His parents both died at the same time, in the spring of 1882, at the ages of ninety and eighty-six years, respectively. Our subject came to this county in 1851, and engaged in merchandising and stock-raising in Jackson Township, and, since 1860, has dealt in produce and stock. He is the senior member of the firm of Seymour & Son, and formerly did business in an old building on the site of his present elevator, which succeeded the old structure in 1881. The new elevator is seventy-five feet high, fifty-eight feet long and twenty-three feet wide, with a capacity of 33, 000 bushels. Our subject was married in Huron County, Ohio, in 1844, to Miss Eliza. daughter of Elijah Bemis, a native of Huron County. To this union have been born four children, all of whom are living, viz., Eliza M., John, the junior member of the firm. Hattie and William H. Mr. Seymour is an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, and is an esteemed citizen and active business man of Kenton.

CHARLES H. SHANAFELT merchant, Kenton, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1855. He is a son of Henry and Catherine Shanafelt, natives of Hagerstown, Md. who settled in Stark County over fifty years ago, and were among the early pioneers of that county, where they ended their days. His father, although a lawyer, chiefly followed farming. He served the county as Sherif, besides filling other offices of trust. Of the nine children born to him five are living, our subject being the youngest. The latter was reared on the homestead until twelve years of age, after which he traveled around extensively, finally coming to Kenton, Ohio. which he has since made his home. He is senior member of the firm of Sbanafelt & Kuert, in the manufacture of the Kenton Pressed Brick, in which the firm has invested about $10,000. They have built up a reliable trade, and have a complete stock of china, earthen, glass and plated ware, etc. Our subject was formerly of the firm of the same name in the "China Hall," which was established in 1876, and carry a stock of about .$10,000 in the store. He disposed of his interest in this business in March of 1882, and has been succeeded by John Reely. Mr. Shanafelt has been largely engaged in real estate transactions during his connection with this firm, and as a business man has made a host of friends who will regret his departure from the business field of Kenton.

THEODORE SHINDEWOLF, furniture dealer, Kenton, was born in Hesse, Germany, in the year 1840. He is a son of Ferdinand Shindewolf. When fourteen years of age, he emigrated to the United States, having, at the time, an elder brother, William, in New York, also one, Philip, in Kenton, both of whom are now residents of this county. Our subject came to Kenton and learned cabinet-making of Mr. Dorn, who was at that time in the business. He worked at his trade until 1868, when he established himself in business in Ada, Ohio, residing there until 1874. In 1878, he erected the building and store he is now occupying. He carries a stock of from $3,000 to $4,000, manufacturing all kinds of furniture, besides carrying on an undertaking business. He was married in Kenton in 1864 to Miss Barbara Pfeiffer, a native of Hardin County, of which her parents were early settlers. From this union there have resulted three children, George, John and Minnie. In 1863, Mr. Shindewolf enlisted in the Ohio National Guards, One Hundred and Thirtyfifth regiment, serving four


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 811

months He was in the skirmish on Maryland Heights, near John Brown's Schoolhouse, where the regiment remained until the expiration of service. For two years, Mr. Shindewolf has filled the office of Township Treasure being re-elected by a large majority for the second term. He is Secretary, of the Reformed United Lutheran Church, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Shindewolf is one of the stanch business men of Kenton, and is a popular and esteemed citizen.

H. M. SHINGLE, Superintendent of the Kenton Milling Co.'s Flouring Mills, Kenton, was born in Lancaster County, Penn, in 1840. His father came with his family to Hardin County in 1853, and is now a resident Cessna Township. Our subject was engaged in the grocery business in Kenton for some fifteen years, subsequent to which he was elected County Treasurer and re-elected in 1871 ; at the close of his second term of office, he bought an interest in the Kenton Milling Company, of which he has now the general supervision. For one year, he was cashier of Hardin Savings Bank (now the First National), succeeding Mr. Espy May 10, 1877. During the rebellion, he was a member of the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving on the field for one near. He afterward enlisted as First Sergeant in Company A, of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guards. served four months and was promoted to the Second Lieutenancy. He fought in the battles of John Brown's Schoolhouse, Maryland Heights. In July of 1866, Mr. Shingle was married to Miss Nancy A.., daughter of Jonas Combs, a pioneer of Hardin County and resident of Pleasant Township. There has resulted from this union six children, four living, viz., Bertie M., George O., Clara E. and Mabel V. The eldest and youngest of the children, H. Clay and Frank M., are deceased Mr. Shingle and his family are members of and attend the Episcopal Church. He is at present a member of the Council from the First Ward.

REV. ANTHONY STANISLAUS SIEBENFOERCHER, Kenton, was born in Matrei. Tyrol, Austria, February 16, 1844, and is a son of Anthony and Anna (Seitz) Siebenfoercher, natives of Tyrol. The town of Matrei lies fifteen miles south of Inspruck, and hidden in the Alps, is one of the most romantic spots in Europe. In 1855, our subject left the scenes of his childhood, and with his parents emigrated from his fatherland to Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio. Prior to leaving his early home, he had attended the village school, and after coming to Ohio went a few terms for the purpose of becoming familiar with the English language. For the next seven years, he followed the ordinary avocations of life in earning his living, but from his earliest years he had a longing desire of one day entering the priesthood and devoting his life to God. At last the auspicious time arrived, and, in the spring of 1863, he entered St. Thomas Seminary, Nelson County, Ky. After remaining in that institution one year, he entered Mount St. Mary's Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, where he diligently applied himself for seven years and six months. His efforts and sacrifices were at last crowned with success, and on the 21st of December, 1871, he was ordained a priest of God's church by the Most Rev. John Baptist Purcell, the father of the Catholic Church in Ohio. Father Siebenfoercher was immediately appointed pastor of the"Immaculate Conception Church," Kenton, Ohio, where he has since labored zealously in building up the church of God. It would be impossible in this brief sketch to recount the good work accomplished by Father Siebenfoercher during the past twelve years, as the success attained has been beyond-the most sanguine expectations of his congregation. Suffice it to say that he found the church in debt and he


812 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

paid it off; the congregation was divided and many had grown lukewarm in the faith, but he has united and solidified his flock and brought back to the fold most of the erring souls. No school existed when he took charge of the church, but in 1872 he established one, and bought St. Mary's Cemetery during the same year. In 1880, he erected a handsome brick residence for the Sisters, who teach the school, and, in the spring of 1883, added another valuable lot to the church property. With the passing years, many improvements have been made that cannot be mentioned here, but through out his ministry he has displayed that same perseverance and determination of character that was exhibited in his seminarian struggle of nine years, without money and possessing few friends, ere he reached the goal of his ambition, viz., the priesthood. The large number of his converts alone demonstrates that God has blessed his labors, while the comparative harmony and good will existing between the pastor and his flock is an invincible proof of the wisdom that has governed his actions during his long and fruitful pastorate.

JOHN R. SMITH, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1807. His parents, Peter and Catherine (Rhidenower) Smith. are both of German descent, and moved to Ohio in 1813, settling in Guernsey County, where they were the pioneers of the county and State. Mrs. Smith died in 1855, after rearing a family of twelve children, all living to attain maturity, nine now surviving, of whom our subject is the eldest child. In 1833, the subject of this sketch went to Franklin County, Ohio, where he was a pioneer; moving thence to Groveport, near Columbus, but subsequently returning to his early home, coming to Hardin County in 1857 or 1858. In 1830, he was married in Guernsey County to Miss Martha Hannah, a native of that county, to which union five children were born, all living, viz., Mary A., Catherine, Elizabeth. John and Andrew. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN SMITH. farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, in 1835, and is the eldest son of Robert and Catherine (Houser) Smith. His mother is a daughter of John Houser, who erected the first saw mill, subsequently known as the Geary Mill, and which is now destroyed. He came in 1831 to Hardin County, where he was among the early manufacturers, and owned a farm one mile and a half east of Kenton. Our subject's parents were pioneers of Union County, Ohio, coming thence to Hardin County in 1831 and locating in Kenton. Four or five years after, they moved on the farm now occupied by our subject, consisting of 160 acres, which Robert Smith had entered at Bucyrus, Ohio, and for which he had paid $1.25 per acre, and he also purchased 120 acres in Noble County, Ind., in 1860, at present resided on by Thomas Smith. He died on this farm on January 16, 1862; his widow, who still survives, is in her sixty-seventh year. They had three children, our subject being the eldest, Thomas, residing in Noble County, Ind., and Mary A., who died in her fourth year. The subject of this sketch has always lived on the homestead which he had assisted his father in clearing. He was married January 1, 1865, to Miss Rannie M., daughter of Reson W. Myers and a native of Tuscarawas County, Ohio. This union has resulted in three children, two living, viz., Earl and Flora. The deceased is Willie. Mr. Smith has been identified in the prominent offices of the county, and served for twelve years as Clerk and School Director. He is a member of the Grange, as well as his wife, who is associated with the Church of the Disciples.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 813

JESSE SNODGRASS, physician, Kenton, emanates from one of the oldest and esteemed families of Hardin County. He is the eldest son of David and Catherine Snodgrass and was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1841. He began the study of his profession under the preceptorship of Dr. Philips, of Kenton, during which time the rebellion broke out and he enlisted, in 1862, as a private in the Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was subsequently detailed on the medical staff, serving for thirteen months, and was afterward appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Eight Tennessee, in which he labored to the close of the war. He did service on the battle-fields of Stone River, siege of Knoxville, Resaca, Atlanta campaign, Franklin, Nashville, Goldsboro, Raleigh, and other engagements. Returning to peaceful pursuits. he entered the Bellevue Hospital in New York City, graduating in 1867. The same year he began the practice o medicine in Kenton, where he has since been almost continuously engaged. During his practice, he has devoted much of his time in pursuance of a thorough medical education, taking several courses of study in the best institutions of learning. He was Secretary of the Hardin County Medical Society, and during 1879 to 1880, filled the chair of Assistant Secretary of the Ohio State Medical Society. The Doctor was married, in 1869, to Miss Emma, daughter of William Cogshall, of Springfield, Ohio. She died in 1877, leaving one son, William.

W. W. SNODGRASS, druggist, Kenton, came here in 1867 and established the third drug store, where he has since been continuously and successfully engaged, and enjoys a growing and lucrative trade. He carries a complete assortment of drugs, and is a merchant and business man highly esteemed.

EDWARD SORGEN, furniture dealer, Kenton, was born in Switzerland, in 1842, and is a son of Nicholas and Mary A. Sorgen. His father came to this country and located in New York, thence moving to near Morristown, N. J., where he was joined by his wife and two children in 1849. He died there in 1852, and, in 1855, our subject, with his mother and one sister came to Hardin County. His mother married in Hardin County, Christian Kahly, by whom she had two children one living, John. residing in Kenton. She died in 1878, leaving two children by her first husband, viz., our subject, and Mary, wife of William Keisler, of Chicago, Ill. In 1861, our subject enlisted in Company G, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving to the close of the war. He fought in the battles of Rich Mountain, Winchester, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In the last-named battle, he was taken prisoner and confined eight months at Belle Isle, Richmond, whence he was transferred to Andersonville, thence to Melon, near Augusta, Ga.. thence to Savannah, and then to Black Shear, Florida, from which place thence was returned to Andersonville on account of Sherman's marching through. He was then removed to Jackson, Miss., where he was paroled and sent to Vicksburg. At this place, he was put on board the steamer Sultana, which exploded near Memphis. Our subject was fortunately among those saved, and was picked up from the wreck, sent home and mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. On his first coming to Kenton, he followed, his trade of cabinet-maker. He established a business in furniture in 1871, under the firm name of Doyne & Sorgen, which connection was severed five vears after, and for three years subsequently he operated in company with J. Schindewolf. Since April, 1878, he has conducted his business alone. He manufactures furniture, carrying a stock of about $5,000, and has an established trade. He is also in the undertaking business, but


814 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

makes furniture a specialty. In 1867, he was married in Hardin County to Miss Catherine M., daughter of Mrs. May Fink. This union has resulted in five children, four living, viz., Edward H., Mary C., Clara and Eloise. Mr. Sorgen is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias.

ROBERT W. SOUTHARD, hotel proprietor, Kenton, was born in Logan County, Ohio, in October, 1838. He is a son of Increase Southard and Leanah Willgus, the former a native of Champaign County, Ohio, the latter of Philadelphia, Penn. The grandfather of our subject was William Southard, who was a native of Pennsylvania and settled in Champaign County at an early day. He was in the war of 1812, and afterward moved to Logan County, Ohio, where he died. The father of our subject reared a family of nine children, two living, our subject being the eldest; the other is Elliott, a resident of Union County, Ohio. Robert W. was reared on a farm, and, working out, soon secured means by which lie purchased land in Union County, Ohio, where his father and family had moved when he was five years of age. In 1861, he enlisted in the first call for volunteers, and was one of the first to offer his services at Bellefontaine, Ohio. He served four months in Company A, Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in Company K, Forty-second, Garfield's Regiment, serving three years and two months. He fought in the battles of Middle Creek, Ky., Cumberland Gap, Thompson's Hill, Arkansas Post, Black River, Champion Hill and Vicksburg. In the last charge of the siege he was wounded in the left thigh, and was confined five months in the Memphis Hospital, where, on his recovery, he served on guard for three months more from 9 o'clock A. M. to 4 A. M. every night. He was then given charge of a lot of prisoners, conducting them to Iuka, Tenn., where be handed them over to Gen. Dodd, of the Union forces. He returned to Memphis, thence went to New Orleans and joined the forces at Plaquemine. A fight occurred near this point and at Baton Rouge. He then fought at the battle on the Red River, the troops thence proceeding to Memphis, thence to Columbus. where they were discharged in 1864. On his return home, our subject farmed for five years and spent the following year in a grist mill. In 1867, he opened a hotel and livery at West Mansfield, Ohio where he carried on the Mansfield House for four years. He then returned to his farm, where he farmed two years, and afterward moved to Mount Victory, Hardin County, where he opened a hotel. Here he was successful as a landlord for two years, and, in April of 1882, he sold his farm and came to Kenton and began the erection of the Southard House, which was completed and opened to the public November 27, 1882. This structure is three stories high with basement, and cost about $10,000. It has thirty-five rooms, large and well ventilated. with wide, light, airy hall. and is handsomely furnished throughout. Mr. Southard is married to Miss Malinda daughter of Amon Davis, of Union County, Ohio. She was born in York Township, Union County, Ohio, in 1845, and has one son, Chester F. Mr. Southard is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

JOHN STILLINGS, attorney, Kenton, was born near Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, May 14, 1831. His parents were natives of Maryland. His father, James Stillings, moved with his family to the West in 1828, locating a farm from the military land in Clark County, Ohio. Five years after, he removed to Allen Township, Union County, where he died, September 16, 1863, aged seventy-nine years. His widow died in February, 1866. Of the several children born to them, seven are now living. The


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 815

subject of this sketch was brought up on the homestead until nearly twenty one years of age, obtaining his early education at the schools of Marysville, Ohio. He entered Oxford College, Butler County, Ohio, in 1853, coming to Kenton in 1855. Here he studied law with Edward Stilling, his brother, now a resident of Leavenworth, Kan., and was admitted to the bar in Greene County, Ohio, in August, 1857. The same year, he began his practice in Kenton, where he has since remained. In May, 1877, he took A. L. Allen into partnership, and the firm is at present one of the strong and reliable arms of the profession. Mr. Stillings was married in March 1865, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Col. Cantwell, a native of Mansfield. Ohio, and an officer of the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the rebellion. Two children have been born to this union, James Ray and Mark. Mrs. Stillings departed this life September 10, 1872, and Mr Stillings was subsequently united in marriage to Lou Stambaugh, daughter of Isaac Atkinson, of Carrollton, Ohio. Our subject has filled the office Prosecuting Attorney for one year, and since 1873 has been a member of the School Board.

JOHN A. STEINER, grocer, Kenton, was born in Kenton, Hardin County, in 1852, and is a son of John and Margaret Steiner, both natives of Germany. John, Sr., emigrated with his parents to the United States about 1837, and after a short stay in Pennsylvania came to Kenton and with his father opened and cleared a farm in Pleasant Township. He followed farming a short time, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, buying out his employer and pursuing the business for some years. He subsequently opened a grocery store, which he conducted to the time of his decease, December 21, 1865. His wife had preceded him in August, 1860. They were married in Hardin County and had seven children, five of whom are living. The subject of this sketch is the third child and from his boyhood was always engaged in his father's store. After the latter's death, he learned the printer's trade with L. T. Hunt in the office of the Republican,. and after a service of three years went West to Leavenworth, Kan., when he was engaged as salesman in a hardware house. He returned to Kenton in 1874 and opened his present store in October of the same year. He enjoys the good will and trade of the city and county. In February of 1873, he was married to Miss Balle, daughter of R. V. Flora. of Leavenworth, Kan, The three children born to this union are all living, viz., Frank, Flora B. and George. Mr. Steiner is now serving his second term of office as City Treasurer.

JUSTUS C. STEVENS, banker. Kenton. was born in Licking Count, Ohio. February 1, 1824, and is the third son of Justus Stevens. His father was a native of New York State, from which point he moved to Licking County, Ohio, where he was a distinguished pioneer. In 1804, he married Miss Jane, daughter of Samuel Carpenter, an old pioneer and local minister. to which union ten children were born, seven living. In 1850. the family moved to Hardin County, Ohio. settling in the corporate limits of Kenton, where the parents lived to the close of their lives. Mr. Stevens, Sr., was a local minister of the Methodist Church, but followed farming, in the latter years of his life. The subject of this memoir acquired a primary education in the schools of Licking County, and was fitted for the profession of law in the Cincinnati Law College, under the preceptorship of R. A. Harrison, then of London, Ohio, now of Columbus. He graduated in 1849 and in the same year was admitted to the bar at Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio, and at once began the practice of his profes-


816 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:



sion in Kenton. Ten years later, he abandoned the practice of law and settled on a farm in Dudley Township, living there a peaceful life for ten years, during which he served continuously as Justice of the Peace. In 1870, he purchased 700 acres of land adjoining Kenton, where he has since made his home. He has been largely engaged in stock-raising, sad was the first to introduce the short-horn stock in Hardin County. This, with sheep-growing, has formed his speciality, and at this time (1883) he has the most extensive herd of shorthorn cattle and sheep in the county. In 1875, Mr. Stevens founded the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Kenton, of which he is the President, and which has proved a successful institution since its organization. He was a member of the Ohio State Wool Growers' Association from the time of its organization, occupying the President's chair for eleven years, and at this writing fills the office of Vice President. He was also, during that time, Vice President of the National Wool-Growers' Association. He was appointed by the Governor as one to organize the American Agricultural Society in New York City, of which, after perfecting the same, he was elected Vice President and one of the Directors, which office he is still holding. He was also appointed delegate to attend the great tariff' convention in New York in December of 1882, and in connection with the Hon. Columbus Delano, was selected as a committee to report its proceedings to the Committee of Ways and Means, of Congress, which resulted in the appointment of a tariff commission by Congress. Previous to the rebellion, Mr. Stevens affiliated with the Democratic party, during which time he was a member of the Democratic State Central Committee and edited the Hardin Comity Democrat. During the war. he united with the Republican party, which he has since supported, though not a partisan. His marriage to Miss Anna, daughter of Darius Burnham, took place October 20, 1850. She was a native of Madison County, Ohio. To this union five children have been born, four living, viz., Achsa, wife of R. L. Miller, of Kenton; Ida, wife of Joseph Weaver. of Mechanicsburg; Luella, wife of James Gilmore, of Kenton; and Clauda who is associated with his father in the bank. The family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Stevens has for years written articles for different agricultural journals of the county, and as a successful stock-breeder, his opinions are always regarded and respected. For sixteen years, he served as an officer of the Hardin County Agricultural Association, and a portion of the time as its President, and for several years was a member of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture,

DAVID P. STEVENSON, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, Ohio, July 7, 1823. His father, Charles W. Stevenson, was born in Kentucky November 20, 1796, and was married in January, 1819, to Miss Cynthia Scott, a native of Kentucky, born August 19, 1795. They had ten children, three living, viz., Margaret J., born in Greene County, Ohio, October 13, 1819. married to Lewis A. Miller in January, 1840; David P., our subject, and Charles W., born March 23, 1835. married to Miss Elizabeth King and residing in Howard County, Neb. Of the parentage of Charles Stevenson, Sr., there is no record. When four years of age he moved to Greene County, Ohio; thence went to Hardin County in the spring of 1827, accompanied by his brother Samuel. Charles W. Stevenson and his brother Samuel came to what is now Taylor Creek Township in the spring of 1827 and built a log cabin, in which they stayed until the fall, when the former went back to Greene County for his family, Samuel staying alone in the cabin while he was gone. Samuel was


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 817

a young man and not married at that time. Charles W. Stevenson returned with the family the same fall, and they lived there together until the spring of 1833, when he (C. W. S.) moved to Kenton. He and his brother Samuel were known as the best hunters of those times, and both were on friendly terms with the Shawnee Indians. Charles Stevenson was elected Auditor, holding that position for eleven years. A few years prior to his death, he moved south of the river and erected a saw mill in Buck Township, which he operated to the close of his life. He died in Buck Township May 7, 1854. Cynthia, his widow, died October 29, 1876, at the residence of her son, David P., in Kenton. David, our subject, was reared in Kenton and learned the carpenter's trade. which he followed until elected to the office of County Treasurer. in the fall of 1877, entering on his duties in September 1878. He served four years and then retired to his residence on Main street, where he is now living. He is the oldest born settler of the county, and is a man highly esteemed. He was married August 5, 1852, to Miss Rachel, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Monroe and a native of Ross County, Ohio. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania and died in Hardin County after their settlement in 1840. Mr. Monroe subsequently removed to Nebraska. where he died over a year ago. Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson have had a family of seven children, four living, viz Charles E., married April 5, 1877, to Miss Sarah Kettle, by whom there one child living, Ethel R.; Robert P. and David M., residing at home, and Jesse A.



LUTHER M. STRONG was born near Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio, June 23, 1838, and is a son of Jesse and Sarah (Myers) Strong, both natives of Frederick County, Md. His father was born February 18, 1801, and was a son of Louis and Mary (Hill) Strong. Jesse Strong came to Ohio first in 1814, but, returned shortly after to Maryland, where, in 1827, he was married to Miss Sarah Myers. In 1830, he returned with his family to Ohio and settled in Seneca County, where he remained until his death, which occurred March 19, 1876. He was one of the pioneer farmers of that county. His wife, Sarah Strong, died at Kenton, Ohio, November 24, 1868, while on a visit to her son. She was the mother of fourteen children, nine of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch spent his youth upon his father's farm, having access to the country school (during the winter months chiefly) until he was nineteen years old, from which time he became a teacher during the winter months and during the spring and fall terms attended the academy at Republic, Ohio. On the breaking-out of the rebellion, he left his studies at the academy and raised Company G, Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, of which company he became Captain, and early in September, 1861, proceeded to Louisville, and thence to Elizabethtown, Ky. This regiment (Forty-ninth Ohio), with about 1,500 other troops, then became the nucleus of what afterward became the Army of the Cumberland. Capt. Strong remained constantly at the front with his command during all the trying scenes of that army, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Lawrenceburg, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga and Mission Ridge. At the battle of Chickamauga, the regiment was on the left with Gen. Thomas, and during part of this battle the command of the regiment devolved upon Capt. Strong, and he received special mention by his brigade and division commanders for coolness and gallantry. After the battle of Mission Ridge, Capt. Strong was promoted to the rank of Major, and in that capacity took part in all the various battles and almost daily skirmishes of the Atlanta campaign, among which were the


818 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dallas, or Picket's Mills, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro. Soon after the battle of Jonesboro and the fall of Atlanta, Maj. Strong became the senior officer and commander of his regiment, and was afterward commissioned Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded the regiment during the Hood campaign for Nashville, and participated in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. He was wounded in the right shoulder in the bloody charge at Picket's Mills, Ga., May 27, 1864, but remained with his command. This charge was, in fact, one of the bloodiest battles of the war; one-half of the men of the Forty-ninth Ohio were here killed or wounded, and the division, of which this regiment was part, lost in killed and wounded about 1,500 men. Yet it is mentioned in the official reports as an " affair," and only the survivors of that division know the gallantry and persistence with which that attack was made and the terrible carnage at the "affair" at Picket's Mills. Again, while leading his regiment in the charge on the second day of the battle of Nashville, December 17, 1864, Lieut Col. Strong was severely wounded in the left arm by a minie ball, which cut off the bones of the forearm. This was the last charge the regiment ever made, and practically the final engagement of the Army of the Cumberland. At the close of the war, Mr. Strong commenced the study of law in the office of Lee &, Brewer, at Tiffin, Ohio, and on January 3, 1867, was by the Supreme Court of Ohio, admitted to the bar. He at once located at Kenton, Ohio, where he has since remained in the practice of his profession. On February 14, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary Milliman, a native of Tompkins County, N. Y., and daughter of Hiram and Sally Milliman, and to this union three children have been born-Milton M., Sallie M. and John H. In 1879, Mr. Strong was elected State Senator from the Thirteenth Senatorial District of Ohio. and re-elected to the same office in 1881. On April 19, 1883, he was appointed by Gov. Charles Foster Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in which capacity he was serving at the time this sketch was written. He is six feet two inches in height, and weighs 170 pounds.

WESLEY A. STRONG, attorney, Kenton, was born in Seneca County. Ohio, July 12, 1846. He is the seventh son of Jesse and Sarah (Myers) Strong. (See sketch of Col. L. M. Strong.) He was reared on a farm and secured his primary education in the district schools of his native county. On March 16, 1864. when seventeen years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company G, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war, in 1865. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Buzzard's Roost and Pickett's Mills, at the latter of which he was wounded in the right shoulder, May 27, 1864. He was confined to the Cumberland Hospital in Nashville, and then sent home on furlough, remaining until September 1, 1864. He rejoined his regiment at Pulaski, Tenn., and was soon after detailed as Clerk in the field hospital, Third Division, Fourth Corps. He was at the battle of Columbia, Tenn., in the engagement with Hood, and thence was sent with a train of sick and wounded back to Nashville, where he assieted in caring for the wounded after the battle and joined in the pursuit, of Hood. In July of 1865, he went with the Fourth Corps to San Antonio, Tex., where the corps remained at different points and were mustered out at Victoria. They embarked for home in December, 1865, and were discharged at Columbus, Ohio, December 31, 1865. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Strong entered Heidelberg College at Tiffin, Ohio, to complete his collegiate studies. He graduated with the class of 1869, and in the fall of that year came to Hardin County and studied law


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 819

with his brother, Col. L. M. Strong. He had acquired a knowledge of mathematics, and in the fall of 1871 was elected County Surveyor, serving three years. He was subsequently appointed Turnpike Engineer, and served until 1875, building many of the turnpikes with which Hardin County is provided. He abandoned surveying in 1875, and in March of the same year was admitted to the bar and opened his practice in Kenton. In the early part of 1876, he removed to Paulding County, Ohio, remaining until September, 1878. On his return to Kenton, ha formed a copartnership with Col. L. M. Strong, with whom he has since bean activiely and successfully engaged. Mr. Strong was married in January, 1873, to Miss Kate, daughter of Anthony Banning, a pioneer of Hardin County, where she was born. To this union there have been born four children, all living, viz., Paul R , Roger W., Telly B. and Gertrude. Mr. Strong is an ardent supporter of the Republican party.

GEN. DAVID THOMSON Kenton, Ohio, was born in Marion County, Ohio, three and a half miles west of the town of Marion, April 27, 1823. He received his schooling in Marion, and after completing his studies taught school and studied law there, under the direction of Judge Ozias Bowen for a year, after a course of lectures in Cincinnati, he married a Miss Margaret Espy, of Marion, Ohio, and moved to Kenton in 1849 to begin the practice of law. In 1853. he associated himself with others in organizing a bank, under the firm name of Cary, Thomson & Kinnear, and took an active part in the management of the same until October 1, 1861, when his army record began with the formation of Company A, of the Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which company he took the Captaincy. Soon after the command reached the scene of hostilities, he was appointed Major of the regiment. Shortly after the battle of Bull Run, he received the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel, and, March 13, 1865, was breveted Brigadier General "for gallant and meritorious services during the war." General Thomson fought in sixteen battle; at Peach Tree Creek his life was saved at the expense of his pocket knife, which the bullet crushed into a handful of bits, still preserved at his home as a relic of "the late unpleasantness;" at Gettysburg, his horse was shot from under him, and for his gallant conduct during the battle the Eighty-second Regiment presented him with a magnificent Damascus sword. sheathed in silver and bearing the inscription '` Presented to Lieut. Col. D. Thomson by the non commissioned officers and privates of the Eighty-second Regiment, as a token of their appreciation of his noble conduct at Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863." At the battle of Averysboro, March 16, 1865, Goa. Thomson received a severe wound. from the effects of which he has never entirely recovered. At the close of the war, he again engaged in banking, but becoming involved in the panic of 1873, his concern was compelled to withdraw from business. From 1874 to 1882, ha resumed the practice of law, and in 1882, accepted a position in the Pension Department at Washington, D. C., which he is now filling.

METELLUS THOMSON (son of Gen. D. Thomson), dealer in dry good;. Kenton, Ohio; after having served a clerkship of four years, attained his majority and entered into business on his own account in the, year 1871. He was the first man in the history of the county to begin a business on a strictly cash basis and maintain the same rule without variation: everything is one price and his customers all pay cash. In 1871, two assistants ware all the help needed to transact his business; at the present time, 1883, ten salesmen and sales ladies, together with himself and a cash-


820 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ier, are kept busy attending to the wants of his customers, who are constantly increasing in number.

JOSEPH TIMMONS, Clerk of Courts, Kenton, was born near Chambersburg, Penn., in 1845, and is a son of William and Anna (Reifsneider) Timmons, both natives of the same county in Pennsylvania. His maternal grandfather, Adam Reifsneider, was a pioneer of Springfield, Ohio; he was an Elder of the Lutheran Church and one of the first Trustees of Wittenburg College. Two of his daughters are residents of Springfield, Ohio. William W., the father of our subject, is a resident of Chambersburg, Penn., and has attained his eighty-fourth year. His wife died in the fall of 1882, in the seventy-eighth year of her age. They were the parents of twelve children, nine of whom are living, viz.: Daniel, Emily, Susan, Matilda, Elizabeth, Anna, Henry, David and the subject of this sketch The latter enlisted from his native place in the fall of 1861, in Company I, Ninth Pennsylvania Cavalry. He served in the Army of the Cumberland and participated in the battles of Tompkinsville, Ky., Richmond, Ky., Perryville, Chickamauga, Stone River, the siege of Knoxville, and Strawberry Plains, with Kilpatrick's cavalry. After the battle of Strawberry Plains, the forces followed Sherman to the sea, having a battle at Jonesboro and Macon, in Georgia. He was also at the siege of Atlanta and the taking of Fort McAllister, and was mustered out at Kings Bridge, Ga., December 25, 1864. Returning to Washington, he joined the ranks of Hancock's veteran army corps, remaining one year, during which time he received a promotion to the office of Orderly Sergeant, and subsequently to the Second Lieutenancy. The regiment was stationed at, Camp Stoneman and was ordered into active service at Harper's Ferry, proceeding thence to the Shenandoah Valley and serving until March 6, 1866. In that year, Mr. Timmons came to Hardin County and entered in mercantile business in Patterson, following it for ten yours. He was also engaged in the lumber and stave business in Patterson. In the fall of 1878, he was elected to his present office and re-elected in 1881. He was married in Patterson, Hardin County, in 1870, to Miss Emma, daughter of John McVitty, a pioneer of Hardin County. Mrs. Timmons died in 1872, and in September 1879, be was married to Miss Hattie, daughter of W. H. Seymour, a prominent merchant of Kenton. Mrs. Timmons is a native of Hardin County, and has blessed her husband with two children, both living. Fred S. and an infant not yet christened. All the family are members of the Presbyterian Church. For ten years Mr. Timmons has been extensively engaged in the shipment of staves (for making casks) to the various countries of Europe. In the spring of 1883, he purchased the manufactory and machine company of Kenton, which he has entitled the "Kenton Planing and Scroll Mill," manufacturing building and house furnishing material. The concern employs twenty-five men, and is securing an extensive trade.

A. TRAEGER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Halle Ad-Saale, Prussia, in 1824, and is the only one now living of the five children of Henry John A. and Mary (Weidenhammer) Traeger, natives of the same place, who emigrated in 1839, locating in Jamaica. L. I., whence they removed in 1843, coming to Hardin County and settling one mile from Kenton, in Pleasant Township. They moved to Sauk County, Wis., in 1849, but returning in 1859, they settled one mile north of the present place, where they both died, and are interred in the old Cessna Cemetery. The other four children of John A. and Mary Traeger were William, born in


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 821

1820, died in California; Henry H., born in 1822, died in Lima, Ohio; Frederick, born in 1826 (enlisted in the First Ohio Volunteer Regiment, went through all the Mexican war and was killed at New Orleans on his return home), and Wilhelmina, wife of Jacob Rice, born in 1828, died at Delton, Wis. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the homestead and was employed as salesman by W. Cary, Willis and L. Merriman, of Kenton. He was in the mercantile trade at Ridgeway, Hale Township, in 1859. Soon after his return to Kenton, he was appointed Postmaster of this town under President Lincoln in 1861, re-appointed in April of 1866, under President Johnson, and again appointed in April of 1866, serving nine years. During this administration he purchased his present farm; consisting of 210 acres, and upon which he settled, making it his permanent home. He was appointed cashier of the Citizens (now the Kenton Saving) Bank in 1874, retaining that position until 1876, when he retired to his farm, where he has since been continuously and successfully engaged. He was married on April 15, 1852, to Miss Margaret, daughter of Thomas, and Margaret (Seitz) Shoupf, and a native of Bavaria, Germany. This union has resulted in seven children, all living, viz., Mena, wife of Fred Machetanze, of Kenton: Clara, wife of Gustav Upmeyer, Hardin County: Henry G., Margaret A., Charles A., Ellen F. and Ann E. Mr. Traeger has been a member of long standing of the Masonic fraternity.

L. B. TYSON, druggist, Kenton, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1844. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Bennett) Tyson, the former a native of Baltimore, Md., the latter of Scioto, Ohio. His mother was a cousin of Hon. E. B. Washburn, of Illinois, and died in Greenville Ohio, in 1869. His father was born in 1812, and was a son of Jacob Tyson, a Quaker, and Miss O'Donnell, a Catholic. Jacob Tyson, Sr., our subject's father, died when he was one year old, and when he was in his sixth year he was abducted from Baltimore and brought to Ohio. He was reared in Ross. County. Ohio, by a family named Greeves, with whom he lived until he was twenty-one years old, and was then a miller in Bainbridge, Ohio, for several years. He was married in Scioto County and reared a family of eight children, three now living-Viola, wife of William E. Panott; of Greenfield. Ohio; Mollie at home, and our subject. Mr. Jacob Tyson built a large mill at Ironton, Ohio, and another at Webster, where he was engaged for some years. He is now a resident of Greenfield, Ohio, having retired from business, and has been an invalid for twelve years. The subject of this sketch was reared in Ross County, Ohio, where he lived until 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Col. Gilmore. He served three months, and then enlisted in the service of the navy, as Hospital Steward, serving for two years. In May, 1864, he raised Company H, One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he remained until the close of the war. On his return home, he began the practice of medicine at Greenfield, Ohio, remaining there two years. In January, 1869, he started on a journey to California. taking there a vessel and sailing to various points of South America; thence he took the windward passage, doubling the Island of Cuba, and landing at Savannah, Ga., in 1870. He then entered the dry goods business and, in August of 1872, came to Kenton, and opened here a dry goods store. He sold out eight years after, to its present proprietor, and pursued the same business in Cincinnati, remaining there three years, during which he had introduced a patent medicine, prepared by himself, and with which he had great success. He returned to Kenton in November of


822 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

1882, and opened on Detroit street, the drug store which he is now conducting. He was married, January 1, 1879, to Miss Hattie, daughter of Gen. N. B. Walker, of Kenton. To this union one child-Bruce has been born. Mr. Tyson was appointed Aid-de-camp on the staff of W. Keifer, on the organization of the Grand Army of the Republic in Southern Ohio, but he is not now a member of that association.

SAMUEL UTZ, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in York County, Penn. in 1819, and is a son of Andrew and Hester (Knap) Utz, both naives of Pennsylvania. His grandfather, Andrew Utz, was of German birth, and, on emigrating, settled in Pennsylvania in the year 1752. The father of our subject was a pioneer of Stark County, Ohio, to which place he had moved in 1825, and where he lived and died, and had a family of seven children, three of whom are living, viz., Lydia, wife of J. R. Myers (deceased), residing in Elkhart County, Ind.; Andrew, residing in Bear County, Tex., and Samuel, the youngest. Our subject came to Hardin County on February 21, 1848, locating in Kenton, where he was occupied for several years in the manufacture of ropes, removing thence to his present farm of 165 acres, four miles from Kenton. He was married in Stark County, May 21. 1846, to Miss Maggie A., daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Miller, both of Pennsylvania. To this union five children have bean born, two living-Ellen M. and Franklin W. Ellen is the wife of W. W. Dugan. They reside in Clyde, Ohio, and have three children--Zella M., Samuel A. and Manela B. Franklin married Jennie Teets, who died April 10, 1881, leaving one child -Samuel W.

JAMES VANCE liveryman, Kenton, was born in Knox County, Ohio. February 28, 1828, and is a son of William and Mary (McCullough) Vance. His father was a native of Ireland, born in 1791, and was a son of James Vance and Elizabeth Moore. William Vance emigrated to the United States in 1792, with his father, who settled near Martinsburg, Va., and subsequently, in 1824, moved to Knox County, Ohio, being among the distinguished pioneers. His father died in Knox Couuty April 15, 1871, leaving one son, Andrew, to survive him. Andrew is still a resident of Knox County. William Vance was in the war of 1812. His wife was a native of Washington County, Penn., where they were married. She died in 1828, and was the mother of six children, four now living, viz., Margaret, wife of John McCreary of California; Mary, wife of William Pool, of Kenton: William, resident of Fremont, Ohio, and our subject. The latter was reared on the homestead in Knox County, and when eighteen years of age learned blacksmithing at Mount Vernon, serving four years. In the summer of 1850, be went to ----, where he remained two years, returning to Knox County. He was here married, in 1852, to Miss Sarah J. Walker, a native of that county. Two years after, he moved to Logan County: thence to Huntsville, where he followed his trade for nine years. In the fall of 1865, he removed to Pleasant Township, Hardin County, settling on a farm, and finally, in 1867, came to Kenton and opened in the livery business. He is the oldest man in Kenton representing this branch of business continuously. In 1872, he erected the stable now used by Mr. Van Horn, occupying it until July, 1880, when he sold it to take up quarters in the adjoining building, where he is now enjoying a large trade. His family consists of four children, three living, viz., William M., Randal R. and Emma M.

T. F. VAN HORN, liveryman, Kenton, was born in Warren County, N. J., in 1847, where his parents, also natives of New Jersey, are


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 823



now residing. In the spring of 1869, our subject visited Montana, remaining there for there for years, being engaged in mining, at which he was very successful. He then spent one year at home, and returning to the mines he subsequently left them for Knoxville, Iowa, where he carried on, for three years. the livery and stage line business. Again returning to his native place, he entered mercantile business, pursuing it for five years, and then came to Kenton. Here he established himself in the livery business in the spring of 1876. succeeding Lynch & Poor in the adjoining stable, and 1881 he purchased his present commodious stable on the corner, where he keeps a full line of livery in horses, buggies and carriages. He uses from sixteen to eighteen horses, has a good trade, and also has an omnibus line running from the Chicago & Atlantic road. Mr. Van Horn was married in Bethlehem, Penn., in November, 1875, to Miss Miriam Freese, a native, Hope, N. J., and their family numbers three children, two living, viz, Carrie and Irving. Mr. Van Horn is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is one of the substantial business men of Kenton.

LEVI WAGNER, farmer, Kenton, was born on the homestead farm his father, Samuel Wagner, in 1837. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary A. Hosman, was a native of Richland County, Ohio, his father of Berks County, Penn. The latter came to Hardin County, from Pennsylvania and settled on his present farm, which he had entered, taking up a large tract of land. He is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He had a family of eleven children, seven of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was married. in Hardin County, in 1862, to Miss Grace E ,daughter of Alexander Morrison, and a native of Muskingum County, Ohio. To this union were born six children, all living, viz., Luella B., Harry M., Mattie I., Samuel A., Robert M. and Cecil C. Mr. Wagner's maternal grandfather was an early pioneer of this County. Mr. Wagner is a member of the Christ Church. He numbers among the oldest residents of the county.

DANIEL H. WAGNER, farmer. P. O. Kenton, is the second son and fourth child of Samuel and Mary (Hossman) Wagner, born May 21, 1841, in Section 35, Pleasant Township, on the old home entered by his father in 1833, on which his parents still live. His father is of German descent, born in Bucks County, Penn., November 5, 1800. At the age of eighteen, he learned milling, and when twenty-five years old went to Hagerstown, Md. , to superintend the then largest flouring mills in the country. In the spring of 1833, he came to Hardin County, and entered a large tract of land in the vicinity of Kenton, giving to his three surviving sons-Levi, Daniel and Phiotas--as well as his daughters, large farms. Phiotas remained on the homestead, and married Emma L. Williams and has one child-Orpha May. Mr. Samuel Waguer, the father of our subject, was married, December 25, 1834, to a daughter of Levi and Mary A. (Wilson) Hossman, and to them were born eleven childran, viz., Swan (deceased), Levi, Catherine A., Daniel H., Mary A., Margaret E. (deceased), Samuel T. (deceased) Rachel E., Eunice C. (deceased), Isadore P. and Phiotas V. Mr. Samuel Wanger is the youngest child of fourteen children of John and Susan Wagner, who were born and buried in Pennsylvania. He is now nearly eighty-three years old, is smart and active, performing all the reaping and mowing of the homestead of 163 acres. Mrs. Wagner's parents, Levi and Mary Hossman, are of English descent; her father a native of Virginia, her mother born in New York City. They were married in what is now Carroll County, Ohio, and came to Hardin County in the fall of 1833, settling in


824 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Pleasant Township, Section 22. They died in Iowa, and were the parents of four daughters and two sons. Mrs. Wagner's great-grandfather was from London, and possessed great wealth. Daniel, the subject of this sketch, helped to clear the old homestead, also the farm in Section 27, where he now resides. On November 5, 1868, he married Rachel, eldest child of W. J. and Sarah Emmons. She was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, June 28, 1848, and was brought to Goshen Township, this county, by her parents, when but two years of age. The fruit of this marriage has been four children, viz., a son, who died in infancy; Carroll H., born March 15, 1872; William Dowling, born January 31, 1875; and Nellie E., born September 23, 1878, died July 24, 1879.

MOSES B. WALKER, LL. D.. Kenton, was born July 16, 1819, in Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary (Davis) Walker, of Scotch-Irish descent. His ancestry, on the paternal side, is traced to John Walker, a native of England, who migrated to the colonies with Lord Baltimore and settled in Maryland. The grandfather of our subject, Ignatius Walker, was a lineal descendant of John Walker, and was born on the Potomac River in Virginia. He owned slaves on his plantation in Virginia, and was an intimate friend of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton. He was an officer during the Revolution, and died on the field of battle at Utah Springs. The father of our subject was born on the homestead in Virginia and settled in Kentucky, where be located military land. In 1798, he bought a new home in the Scioto Valley, now embraced in the limits of Pickaway County, Ohio. His wife was a native of Maryland and an aunt of Henry Winter Davis. Her father was a soldier in the Revolution, who died of wounds received at Utah Springs. At an early age, our subject worked on his father's farm. His rudimentary education was picked up at odd times from school books, and in his seventeenth year he entered the freshman's class of Augusta College, in Kentucky. Two years after, he returned home on account of poor health. He subsequently went to Woodward College, in Cincinnati, remained there two years, and then, for three years, attended Yale College, an attack of hemorrhage of the lungs compelling his return home. Recovering his health, he entered on the study of law in Springfield, Ohio, and the following year in Montgomery County, Ohio, under the preceptorship of Judge Joseph H. Crane, of Dayton, Ohio. He attended lectures at the Cincinnati Law School, from which he graduated with the class of 1846. The same year, he practiced his profession with H. V. R. Lords, opening offices at Dayton and Germantown. At this time, the Mexican war breaking out, he formed a company in and about Germantown, and equipped it at his own expense. There being a surplus of troops, the largest part could not be mustered in, so were sent home. He consequently retired to his practice and continued until 1861, practicing under the firm name of Walker, Holt & Walker, one partner being Judge George B. Holt, an eminent lawyer of Dayton, the other his nephew. In 1850 and 1851, he was a member of the Ohio Senate. In 1864, and again in 1866, he was nominated to Congress, and was defeated, first by 1,600 and next by 600 votes, in the old Fifth District. At the breaking-out of the rebellion, Gov. Dennison tendered him command of one of the regiments, and he was commissioned Colonel of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He accepted a commission offered him in the regular army, on the condition he could go out with the Thirty-first regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His Ohio regiment became a part of the Cumberland Army, and he participated in all the engagements except at Mission Ridge. He was severely wounded


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 825

at Hoover's Gap and at Chickamauga, after which he received a commission as Brigadier General of Volunteers; also the respective ranks of Major and Lieutenant Colonel, by brevet, in the regular army. After four months spent in the hospitals, be returned to duty, and took part in the Atlanta campaign, after which be joined Thomas at Nashville. He was mustered out with his regiment and placed upon the retired list with the rank of Colonel, for wounds received at Chickamauga. At a critical period of the war, he was ordered home to deliver speeches at various points to counter act the influences that served to injure the cause. All this he did, and also aided in fresh enlistments, and to arouse a general spirit of loyalty. This service he considers of more value than his conduct on the field. He was often intrusted with the most dangerous and important duties, and enjoyed the full confidence of Gen. Thomas, with whom he fought through the entire war. He was also among the brave old Fourteenth Corps. During the autumn of 1868, he was ordered to Texas for duty. He was subsequently appointed Judge of the District Courts, and the year after transferred to the Supreme bench. His colleagues were Ogden Evans and McAdo, A. J. Hamilton, Morrell Lindsay and Dennison. He served for six years, when Texas was admitted into the Union and returned to his son,, He was re-appointed Supreme Judge by Gov. Davis, and went back to Texas and served three years under the constitution of 1869. He returned to the North in the fall of 1875, and settled in Kenton. For a time he engaged in the practice of law, but his declining health necessitated a retirement. He was married, November 10, 1842 to Miss Maria, daughter of Tobias Van Skoyck, a descendant of the Knickerbockers, and resident of Germantown, Ohio. Mrs. Walker died in July, 1853, leaving three children, all living The eldest. Mary E„ is the wife of John T. Carlin, of Kenton; John O. resides in Kenton, and Grace M. A. is the wife of P. M. Rutheraff, of Austin, Tex. On the 1st of May, 1855, our subject married Miss Mary R. daughter of Dr. Willis H. Hitt, of Vincennes, Ind. The eight children by this union are as follows: Willis S., Harriet R. (wife of Dr. L. B. Tyson, Kenton), Mosella, George W., Bessie F., Frank M., Mary E. and Della. Mr. Walker met with an accident, in the fall of 1879, at Springfield, Ohio, by falling into an excavation in a sidewalk, and was injured to such an extent that he is obliged to use crutches, and is confined mostly to his home,.

JAMES WATT, cashier and attorney at law, Kenton, was born in Kenton. Ohio, December 6, 1839. He is a son of Samuel and Sarah Watt and a grandson of William Watt. The latter emigrated from Ireland at an early time, and probably located at Philadelphia, then in Cadiz, Ohio, where he died. The father of our subject was born near Cadiz, Ohio, January 16, 1805. His wife was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio. They were the parents of six children, four living. Samuel Watt was educated for a physician at Jefferson College, Washington Co., Penn., and studied under the tuition of Dr. Wikon, of Cadiz, Ohio. He practiced in Jefferson County, Ohio, until 1839, coming thence to Hardin County, locating in Kenton, where he followed his professional calling up to 1858. In 1848 and 1849, he represented Hardin County in the Legislature, and in 1858, was elected Probate Judge, serving three terms. He then retired from public and professional life, removing to Ada in 1873. His decease occurred in October, 1876. The subject of this sketch was the fourth child of his parents. He received his primary education from the schools of Kenton, and entered Westminster College, New Wilmington, Penn., in 1860, graduating in 1865. The following year he attended the Albany Law


826 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

School, from which he graduated in the same year. He began his practice in Kenton in 1867, and pursued his professional calling until March of 1882, when he was elected Cashier of the Kenton Savings Bank. He served for two terms as Prosecuting Attorney in Kenton, and has always taken an active part in the growth and enterprise of that city. In 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Ida M., a daughter of Harvey Chapman, of Hardin County. To this union two children have been born-Edna C. and Ida Marcella.

JASPER N. WELCH, County Auditor, Kenton, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, November 3, 1842, and is the eldest son of William and Margaret (Smith) Welch, the former a native of Seneca County, and the latter of Wayne County, Ohio. His grandfather, John Welch, was a Pennsylvanian who came to Seneca County, Ohio, in the year 1819. He was Justice of the Peace for fifteen years, served one term in the Legislature and one in the Senate and was County Commissioner of Wyandot County for nine years. Although but a farmer, he all his life occupied positions of honor and trust. His wife's name was Sarah McMullin, a native of Pennsylvania. They moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, and settled near what is now Nevada. where John Welch died in 1860. The parents of our subject are at this time of that county, and have raised a family of six children, four of whom are living, viz., Jasper N., James A., Amanda A. and William M. The maternal grandfather of our subject. George W., a native of New Jersey, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was among the pioneers of Seneca and Wyandot Counties. He is now a resident of Blue Earth County, Minn., and is in the ninety-fifth year of his age. The subject of this sketch was reared in Wyandot County, where he lived until his enlistment in Upper Sandusky, September 11, 1861. in the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D. He enlisted as a private, was commissioned Second Lieatenant December 16, 1864, and First Lieutenant February 22, 1865, in which latter rank he served until the close of the war. In the summer of 1865, the regiment was sent to Texas, where they remained in service until December, 1865, and were mustered out at San Antonio, Tex., and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, December, 1865. He participated in the battles of Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Atlanta campaign, where he was wounded May 27, 1864,. and returned to the regiment in October. He then took part in the battles at Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. At Dallas, he received a wound in the right shoulder, May 27, 1864. Returning to peaceful pursuits in Wyandot County, he engaged in the lumber business, which he followed until 1870, and then came to Hardin County. He located at Dunkirk, in the livery business; which he subsequentily sold, and was employed as salesman in Mahan Brothers' agricultural implement and general store. In the fall of 1878, he was elected County Auditor and filled the position with satisfaction, receiving a re-election in 1881. He was united in marriage, at Fostoria, Ohio, May 4, 1871, to Miss Anna E., a daughter of Rev. James C. McClean, Presbyterian minister (deceased). She was a native of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. Mr. Welch has a farm of 107 acres in Dudley Township, where he is engaged in raising thoroughbred merino sheep and Poland-China hogs. He is Vice President of the Ohio Spanish Merino Sheep-Breeders' Association, which was organized in 1882. Mr. Welch organized Company H of the Eleventh Ohio National Guards in June of 1877. He was appointed Captain. then Lieutenant Colonel in August of 1877, and in December. 1879, Colonel of the regiment, which position he resigned in June of 1882.


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 827

L. H. WELLS. Sheriff, Kenton, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, March 7, 1844. He is the oldest living son of John and Rachal (McGillis) Wells, the former a native of the District of Columbia, the latter of Hocking County, Ohio. He is of Irish descent. His maternal grandfather, Thomas McGillis, a native of Ireland, was a soldier in the Revolution and in the war of 1812. He was a pioneer of Ohio, and was among the earliest settlers of Perry County, where he died at the age of eighty-six years. John Wells, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Ireland, an architect by profession, and a pioneer of Perry County. He erected the St. Joseph's Church at Somerset, in that county, and died in Lexington, Ky. The parents of our subject were married near Wolf's Station, Perry County, and settled in Hocking County, whence they moved, in 1875, and are now residing in Ada, Hardin County. They have reared a family of four children, two living-James H. and our subject. John Welch served three mouths in the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, re-enlisted in the First Ohio Cavalry in August, 1861, serving until after the close of the war; remaining to do active service in Texas, and was discharged in the fall of 1865. He was color bearer for two years, and then Commissary Sergeant, and participated in all the cavalry battles of the Cumberland. He was wounded in the left leg at La Vergne, Tenn. and was confined two months. The subject of this sketch followed farming until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted, in August, 1861, and was mustered, in October of the same year, in Company F, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He fought. in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, and in the Atlanta campaign, in the taking of Jonesboro and Mission Ridge. From Jonesboro, the regiment returned to Louisville, were re-mounted, and joined Gen. Thomas at Nashville. Our subject was mustered out at Columbus, Tenn.. October 26, 1864, and returned home in the spring of 1865. He was married, in Perry County, Ohio. March 16, 1865, to Miss Eliza McGinnis, a native of Perry County. After marriage, he engaged in farming and stock-dealing. In 1868, he came to Hardin County, locating on a farm near Ada, in Liberty Township. Be remained there until his election to the office of Sheriff in 1881, in which position he has given unqualified satisfaction to the people. Mr. and Mrs. Wells have had three children, all living, viz., William, Maggie T. and James H.

CHARLES WENDT was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, July, 1850, and is a son of Frederick and Fannie Wendt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. His parents have been residents of Campbell County, Ky., for thirty years, and previous to that lived in Hamilton County, Ohio, twelve years, and Mr. Wendt has been interested in the iron works of ship building business for many years. Our subject was a member of a family of five boys and six girls, all living. He was for several years in the grocery business at Newport, Ky., and subsequently traveling agent for Voige & Winter, cigar manufacturers, of Cincinnati, Ohio, traveling through the States of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri and some of the Southern States. In the fall of 1879, he established himself in his present business, opening the "Bee Hive Cash Grocery," in Kenton, Ohio. His store is complete, and fully stocked with staple and fancy groceries, fruits, etc. He carries a stock of from $6,000 to $7,000, and does a business of about $50,000 a year strictly cash. In January of 1880, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Marr Rhodes, daughter of William and Mary S. Rhodes, of Albion, N. Y. Her father is now dead,


828 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

but her mother is living in New York. Mr. Wendt is connected with the Masonic Lodge of Newport, Ky., being a Knight Templar, and is a well known business man of Kenton, Ohio.

CURTIS WILKIN, real estate dealer, Kenton, was born April 22, 1828, in Harrison County, Ohio. His father, William Wilkin, was the eldest son of James Wilkin, a native of County Antrim, Ireland. His mother, Mary Holmes, was the daughter of Jacob Holmes, who, with several brothers, was among the early settlers in Harrison and Jefferson Counties. William Wilkin removed from Harrison to Highland County in the year 1829, and resided there until the year 1846, when he came to Hardin County and settled in what was then Taylor Creek (now Lynn) Township, on the farm now owned by Henry N. Bradley. His was the first house in that part of the county between the Round Head road and the Scioto River. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood, and, in October. 1852, was married to Sarah H. Maloy, who died May 3, 1864. In April, 1865, he was again married, to Mrs. Fietta Wilkin, widow of his cousin William F. Wilkin. In November of the same year, he moved to Kenton where he has since resided. At the time of the settlement of his father's family in Taylor Creek Township, that part of the county was a dense forest, and the hardships and privations, though not so great as in former years, were sufficient to give a fair lesson of the inconveniences attending the first settlement of a new county. Mr. Wilkin's early years were spent on a farm and teaching school. He filled the office of County Treasurer from 1874 to 1878, and is at present (1883) engaged in real estate business. He now resides in the western suburb of Kenton, on the Lima pike, about half a mile west of the court house.

JOHN W. WILLIAMS (deceased) was born in Woodsboro, Md., April 20, 1800. His father was a son of John Williams, who landed in America about 1760, and settled in the colony of New Jersey. He joined the patriot army at the beginning of the Revolution, and was killed at the battle of Trenton. He left one child, aged eight years, the father of this sketch. Near the close of the war, the widow married a planter from Virginia, and moving there, nothing was heard from her afterward. Her boy was apprenticed to be a house-carpenter. Making his way into Maryland, he married, in 1796, Catherine, daughter of Col. Joseph Wood. She was born in Woodshoro, Md., in 1776. Her father, Joseph Wood, emigrated from Gloucester, England, in 1750, settling in Cecil County, Md., removing shortly after to Frederick Manor (now Frederick County), where he owned a large tract of land on Israel Creek. He laid out the town of Woodsboro, naming it. after himself; opened up an extensive plantation, and erected the first grist mill of the State. He owned a number of slaves, whom he set free at the close of the Revolution, in which war he was commissioned as Colonel. commanding the Cotocton Battalion. During the war, he loaned the Government a great deal of money, besides furnishing large quantities of flour, grain and cattle to the army. Part of his claim, amounting to $69,000, was paid in Continental money, which, becoming worthless, was all lost to him. The subject of this sketch moved, with his parents, to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1811; thence to Kenton in 1833, and finally to Williamstown, of which latter village he was the proprietor, in 1836. In 1824, he was married to Mary Furgeson, by which union four children were horn, the first in Kenton. Their names are as follows: James F., residing in Cowden, Ill., a private in the Mexican war, and who served as a Captain in the Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 829

rebellion; Lewis H., also of Cowden, and who was a Captain in the same regiment; Catherine Miller (deceased), of Ramsey, Ill., and Elizabeth Gallagher, also in Cowden, Ill. The family landed in Kenton when the second child, Lewis, was eleven weeks old. Soon after removing to Williamstown, Mr. Williams wife died, and he subsequently married Elizabeth daughter of Joshua Hall, an early settler on the Blanchard River. To them were born the following named children, all living, viz., John W. F., Washington, D. C., residing in Schuyler, Neb., and who served three years as Sergeant in Company G, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a company raised in May of 1861 in Kenton; Nancy J. Mathewson, of Williamstown, Ohio; William H., of Schuyler, Neb., who enlisted at the age of fifteen, at Kenton, in the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Angeline and Mary E.. residing with the widow at Williamstown. Mr. Williams , died at Williamstown, Ohio, in September, 1874. His family have quite a war record--his father was Captain in the war of 1812, stationed in defense of Baltimore; one son was in the Mexican war. and his only four sons enlisted in the Union army at the fall of Fort Sumter; his paternal grandfather was killed at Trenton, and his maternal grandfather was a Colonel during the Revolution.

ISAAC G. WILLIAMS (deceased) was born in Grayson County, Va.. May 29, 1810. He was first married at Zanesfield, Ohio, having settled there with his father, John Williams at or near a town called Mingo. His wife's maiden name was Lydia Wright, by whom he had two sons and three daughters, four of whom are now living, viz., Granville S., at Kenton, Ohio: Eliza J. Mastin, widow of John Mastin (deceased), residing in Washington County, Miss.; Mary E., wife of E. Brown, Cincinnati, and Eudora H.. wife of Adam Stewart, Bellefontaine, Ohio. His wife died in Zanesfield, Ohio, in 1839, and he was subsequently united to Miss Margaret Brown, a native of Baltimore, Md. They were married in Zanesfield, Ohio, and moved to Walnut Grove, Logan County, where he carried on a dry goods and grocery business. He moved from there to Hardin County in 1851, and located on a farm south of Kenton. Ohio, in 1857, engaging in the dry goods business for twelve year,. He afterward established the "Williams Bank," under the firm name of J. G. Williams & Son, which he conducted successfully to the close of his life, which occurred in Kenton September 16, 1868. He was for twelve years a Justice of the Peace in Zanesfield. He was brought up in the Quaker persuasion in his native place, and lived and died in that faith. By his second marriage there are eight children, five girls and three boys, all living, viz., Charlottie A., wife of S. B. Detray, Kenton; Hester A., wife of Frank Deakin, South Bend, Ind.; Ruth A., wife of L. W. Barr, Kenton; Eda A., wife of John A. Givney, St. Louis, Mo., and Marie L., wife of K. L. Steiner, Allegheny, Penn. The three boys are Isaiah N., Oran Otis and Eugene V. Oran O. married Ida Feiring, by whom there are two children-Isaac G. and Oran Otis. Eugene V. married Louisa Knapp, and lives in Kenton. Isaac N. Williams was born at Walnut Grove, Logan County, was reared in Kenton and studied dentistry with Dr Satzman, with whom he worked five years. He then opened his present office, in February, 1883, and continues to practice his profession.

NATHANIEL WILLIAMSON, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1828, and is the eldest son of William and Catherine (Bryte) Williamson. They emigrated from Virginia at an early time, and after living in Richland and Ashland Counties. Ohio, for a number of


830 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

years, came to Hardin County, arriving March 13, 1834. They were eight days on the road, a distance of only seventy-five miles. Mr. Williamson settled on the homestead now occupied by our subject, where he entered 160 acres of what at that time was a wilderness. He erected a small cabin, where he lived until his decease in February, 1836. He left a wife and four children (the oldest being ten years of age), three now living, viz., our subject; Hannah J., widow of Thomas Davis, residing in Kenton, and Bartholomew, a resident of Buffalo, N. Y., formerly a stock-dealer of Hardin County. The widow subsequently married John Gunn, a resident of Washington Township, by whom she had one child, John, who died while in the army: she lived to be seventy-one years of age. With the exception of eight years, our subject has always resided on the homestead, which is now one of the most productive farms in the township. He and his brother worked diligently in clearing this land and making it what it is. Mr. Williamson was married, in Marion County, Ohio. in 1855, to Miss Serena, daughter of Walter Davis, a pioneer of Marion County, where she was born. To this union eleven children have been born, ten living, namely, Ida, wife of George H. McFarland, residing in Buck Township, this county, Florence R., Walter D., Mamie E., Belle O., Lillie M., Nettie V., Willie, Sheridan E. and Edna A. Mr. Williamson and family are connected with the Disciple Church, he being one of the Elders. and are among the esteemed families of Kenton. Mr. Williamson was for eighteen years engaged, during the winter months, in teaching. His second daughter--Florence--graduated in the scientific course of the Ada Normal School, and has taught in the public schools at Kenton and in various parts of the county. Three of the daughters have been teachers, giving their time to educational advancement.

LEMUEL WILLMOTH (deceased) was born in Ross County. Ohio. in 1805. His parents were of German descent, anti both died when be was quite young, leaving him to know but little of the family history. He was a member of a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, one brother and sister surviving, the former living near Neville, on the Ohio River, in Ohio, the latter is the wife of Mr. Badley, who keeps a provision store. Our subject came to Hardin County in the spring of 1831, having been preceded by two brothers, and bought forty acres of land, now included in the town of Kenton, on which he built his cabin. In 1838, his wife died. They had a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, six living, viz., Nancy J., John, Rachel, Melvina. Levin G. and Lydia A. He assisted in the laying of the public square, and his cabin was often frequented by the Wyandot Indians. it being directly on their way from Upper Sandusky to Chillicothe. Nancy J., the oldest child of Lemuel. was born in Union County, Ohio. November 11, 1825, and married, in October of 1845, Newton Howell. The latter was the son of Israel and Sarah Howell, and was born in Logan County. He served a four years' apprenticeship at harnessmaking and opened in the business at Kenton, remaining there until 1854. He was then engaged in business at Waterloo, Iowa, and, in 1865, moved to Chillicothe. Mo., where he served for six years as Commissioner, returning, in 1871, to Russell, Iowa, where he opened a shop. He had a family of five daughters and two sons. viz., Lydia V. (wife of George W. Plotts), Julia A. (wife of John Chriswell, farmer), Staley L., William C., Mary A., Hattie J. and George E. John Willmoth, the second child of Lemuel, was born March 2, 1827, in Union County, Ohio, and married Maggie Rough in 1856. He left Kenton in that year went


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 831

West, living in Missouri until 1882, removing to Marshall County, Kan. His wife was the daughter of Thomas Rough and Grace Collins. Rachel Willmoth was born in Union County, Ohio, and married, in the spring of 1854, O. Osborn, a farmer of Hardin County, and had eight children, three daughters and five sons. Her husband and four children are deceased, and she now resides in Kenton. Melvina Willmoth was born in Union County; Ohio, and is the wife of L. D. Longman, dry goods merchant, of Kenton, moving in the spring of 1856, to Newton, Iowa, where she died December 27, 1856. They had two children, one daughter, and a son named Benson. Benson was born in Union County, Ohio, February 12, 1831, and came to Kenton with his parents in the same year. He was married, September 3, 1857, to Miss Sarah J. Dunlap, by whom there were five children born, viz. William E., born October 18, 1858; Gustine R., born September 4, 1863; Maurice L., born September 28, 1866; Josephine Maud, born September 12. 1868: Mattie, born August 19, 1871. Mrs. Benson Willmoth's parent were of Scotch and Irish descent. Her father died April 13, 1862; her mother died October 19, 1860. Levin G. Willmoth, the fifth child of Lemuel, was born in Hardin County August 12, 1834, and married, in 1858, Miss Elizabeth A. Hosman. He moved to Chillicothe, Mo., in 1866, and is now living in Marionville, Mo. He has a family of five children, three born in Hardin County. Lydia A., the sixth child of Lemuel, was born in Hardin County in 1835; married, in 1862, Jacob A. Holmes, carpenter, and has two sons. Mr. Lemuel Willmoth married, a second time, May 29, 1840. Miss Mary M. Davis, and the same year moved on a farm of eighty acres, one mile and a half north of Kenton, where he resided for twenty-seven years. His wife was born in Adams County, Penn., in 1814. Her father, a miller, was a native of Ireland and was married to Mary McGrew, movie. to Harrison County Ohio, in 1817. They were the parents of nine children. Mrs. Davis died December 29, 1848, and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined when she was nine years of age. Mrs. Lemuel Willmoth united with the church in 1838, under the prestige of Rev. Mr. Welch. Our subject. by his second marriage, had a family of seven children, all born on the old homestead. The home place was sold in 1867, the family moving to the present farm, where Mr. Willmoth died February 3, 1879, after a protracted illness; and thus passed from the ranks one of the early pioneers of Hardin County. The children born to him are as follows: Mary W., born in Hardin County May 29, 1842 wife of John A. Holmes, Wellington L., born May 6, 1844, married, in 1869, to Anna C. Girod; residents of Hardin County; William A., born March 17, 1846, married to Anna Yauger in 1872; Amina J., born July 17, 1848. married to John Woods in 1869; Elizabeth L., born April 28, 1851, married to George W. Charlton in 1874: Eugene D., farmer, born September 5, 1853, bachelor: Mattie C., born July 31, 1856, wife of William H. Roger, farmer.

I. H. WILSON, real estate dealer, Ken'on, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, on December 5, 1818. He is a son of Joseph and Patty (Holmes) Wilson. His father was a native of Brownsville, Penn., and came to Tuscarawas County with his father, Amos Wilson, when he was eighteen years of age. Amos Wilson and his wife Mary had a family of four children, all deceased. After the death of his wife, he followed his son Joseph to Hardin County in the fall of 1835, where he died shortly after, and was the first one to be buried in the Cessna Cemetery. Joseph and his wife and seven children settled in Cessna Townsbip, which town-


832 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ship he named and organized and of which he was the first Justice of the Peace. He cleared here a farm of 160 acres, on which he lived for seven years, his demise occurring in 1841. Six of his children, four sons and two daughters, are living, viz., Thomas, a Methodist divine, residing in Fremont, Ohio; our subject; Amos, resident of Carker City, Kan.; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Richey, resident of Cadiz. Ohio; Mary, wife of William Deming, of Kenton; and Samuel C., of Ada, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm and in 1842 removed with his mother to Harrison County, Ohio, whence, after a residence of fifteen years, they returned to Hardin County, settling on a farm near Huntersville, in Cessna Township. He lived there for about eight years, removing to a farm in Pleasant Township, thence coming, three years after. to Kenton, where he has since remained. He has here been occupied in real estate transactions. His mother is still living. and has attained the eighty-eighth year of her age. In 1843, Mr. Wilson was married in Hardin County to Miss Mary A., daughter of William Cessna. She is a native of Pennsylvania, whence she removed with her father and mother to Holmes County, Ohio, and at the age of fifteen came to Hardin County. Mr. Wilson and his wife have a family of eight children, viz., Dr. J. H., of Bellefontaine, Ohio; Martha E., Maud K., Sallie J., wife of David Watt, of Ada; William C., Dr. A. L., of Belle Centre; Meredith B., of Bellefontaine, Ohio; and Carrie. The elder son, Joseph. was a soldier during the rebellion, serving four months Mr. Wilson has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church since his boyhood.

ISAAC E. WILSON, Superintendent of the County Infirmary, Kenton, was born in Pleasant Township, Hardin County. Ohio, September 20, 1842. He is a son of John and Phebe (Osborne) Wilson. natives of Richland County, Ohio. John Wilson came to Hardin County in 1838, entered eighty acres of land in Pleasant Township, where he lived until 1865, removing to Hancock County, where he is still residing. During his residence in Hardin County, he was of a strong, robust, constitution and considered superior, in his physical attributes, to the neighboring men of the county. He raised a family of seven children, two living, our subject and Eliza, the latter, wife of John E. Jackson, of Chillicothe, Mo. Isaac E. was reared on a farm, where he lived until the breaking-out of the rebellion. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years. He fought in the battles of Rich Mountain, W. Va., July 11, 1861, under McClellan; Romney, W. Va., June 11, September 23 and October 26, 1861; Winchester, Va., March 23, and May 25, 1862; Chancellorsville, Va., May 1 to May 5, 1863, covering the retreat to Port Republic, Va., June 9, 1862; Port Royal, Va.; June 30, in battle one day at Harrison's Landing on James River, after the seven-days battle, June 26 to July 1, 1862; second Bull Run, August 30, 1862; Harper's Ferry, April 18, and October 11, 1861; Antietam, September 16 and 17, 1862; Gettysburg, July 1, 2 and 3, 1863; battle of the Wilderness May 5 to May 7, 1864, and Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864. In the last named battle he was wounded in the left shoulder and was confined for one month; was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, June 20, 1864, and reenlisted April 5, 1865, in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; but the war closed before they entered the field. On his return home he engaged in farming. In 1867, at Keaton, Ohio, he was married to Miss Kate, daughter of John and Harriet Hufnagle, natives of Ross County, to which union there have been four children born, two liv-


PLEASANT TOWNSHIP. - 833



ing. Willis H. and Hattie B. Mr. Wilson was appointed Superintendent of the County Infirmary in April, 1872, re-appointed in 1879, and is still discharging faithfully the duties of that office. He owns a farm of 100 acres in Buck Township, but has made his residence in Kenton since 1867.

JOHN WINEBRINNER, deceased. was born in Germany April 7,1817. In 1849, he was united in marriage with Louisa, daughter of George and Katie (Kaufman) Hammel. by which union there were four children, viz., :Milton, the oldest, born in Germany, May 18, 1846, died in Pleasant Township December, 1868; Martin. born in New York February 27, 1852: George M., born in Hardin County, Ohio, July 21, 1852. and Nicholas B., born May 23, 1855. Mr. Winebrinner came with his wife and one child to America in 1849, and remained for a time in Port Jervis, N. Y., moving to Hardin County, Ohio, in 1851. He purchased forty acres of woodland in Section 13, Pleasant Township, which land he cleared and subsequently sold. buying eighty acres of woodland of the present home, located in Section 1, same township, and afterward 234 acres across the road in Goshen Township. He died on the home where the widow now lives, October 26, 1873, aged fifty three years. He commenced life in this country without capital and among total strangers and accumulated his home and lands after a life of hardship and toil, practicing the greatest economy.

JAMES AND WILLIAM H. YOUNG, manufactures, Kenton, are natives of Lancaster County, Penn., where the former was born in 1829. the latter in 1832. Their parents were Archibald and Ann (Huey) Young, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Chester County, Penn. James was the first of the family to come West, the family being prepared to follow in 1856, just when the mother died. The father died in Cherokee, Logan County, Ohio. in 1864. Of the children, there were five sons and five daughters, all living to attain maturity, six now surviving, viz,, James, the eldest; William H. ; John, a hotel proprietor, in Piedmont, Mo.; Thomas, a resident of Belle Centre, Ohio: Ann, the wife of John McPherson, of Belle Centre, and Maggie, wife of L. T. Hunt, of Keaton. Robert, fifth in the family, was killed in a railroad accident on the Island of Cuba in 1866; James Young came to Ohio in 1851, and located in Huntsville, Logan County, having in his possession but $ 7.50 and a kit of carpenter's tools. Being possessed with good health and an abundance of energy and perseverance, he set to work at his trade of carpentering, which he had learned in Pennsylvania. He was followed in the ensuing year by his brother William, and, in 1869, they both cause to Kenton, building that same year the present saw mill, in which they have since been successfully engaged. They cut from 8,000 to 13,000 feet of lumber per day and are engaged in the purchase of lumber, which they ship to various States West and South. They buy in Tennessee and Kentucky, but mostly in this State. Their annual business ranges from $200,000 to 300,000. The tax on the mill and the land adjoining, covering some 2,000 acres, is from $1,300 to $1,400. They are also associated with the Champion Fence Company, purchasing one-fourth interest in August, 1875, and which is still maintained. Since 1879, they have been connected with the Kenton Scroll Company, and are also stockholders in the Scioto Straw Board Company. The brother, with others organized the Hardin Savings (now the First National) Bank, in 1875, but have withdrawn their interest; James was its President. at one time, but resigned on account of the pressure of other business. The brothers have also an interest in the stock of the water work, in which company .James was Treasurer for one year.


834 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

They were large stockholders in the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad and in the Springfield & Southern Railway. In 1854, James was united in marriage in Logan County, Ohio, to Lydia, daughter of George Ansley, of that county, which was also her birthplace. From this union one child has resulted--Alice, now the wife of George W. Russell, of Maroa, Ill. James has also reared William. Jr., a son of William H. Young, from his infancy, his mother having died at that time. William, Jr., is the bookkeeper of the firm. James Young has also raised two daughters of his sister, Rebecca J. McNeal, who died, leaving them to his care. Their names are Hannah A., now the wife of George Herrod, of Logan County, Ohio; and Diary J., residing with him at home. James Young served in the ranks of the Union Army during the rebellion, raising a company of mechanics for the purpose of constructing buildings at Nashville, Tenn., where they erected hospitals and many large store houses. He was out six months, and at the commencement of his service was engaged with the Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad. He has served in the City Council for two terms of two years each. and superintended the building of the Scioto Straw Board Mill and has been President of the company since its organization. and is one of the active and popular business men of Kenton



D. P. ZEARING, boot and shoe dealer. Kenton, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1832. He came to Kenton in March of 1851 and worked for some years at his trade, and, in 1860. established business on the east side of the city, where he has since remained. He has occupied his present premises for five years, erecting the building in 1878 and occupying it in the fall. This edifice is a substantial brick structure, two stories in height, the front composed of Philadelphia double pressed brick. He carries a stock of from $8,000 to $14,000 and has a large and lucrative trade, much of it coming from long distances in the surrounding country. Mr. Zearing was married in 1854 to Miss Martha Gilmore, a native of Chambersburg, Penn. This union has resulted in two children, viz., Ella, wife of H. C. Stimson, of Kenton, and Ida, living at home. Mr. Zearing was a member of the City Council in 1867, serving two years.

LAZARUS ZUGSCHWERT, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Baden, Germany, in 1815, and is a son of Clements and Catherine (Werle) Zugschwert. The subject of this sketch emigrated to America in 1836, and, after a few years spent in New York City, came to Kenton in 1842. He was engaged as a house painter, besides following various other pursuits. For three years he acted as salesman, and served for eight years as Deputy Postmaster, being appointed under President Pierce, during which time he was engaged in merchandising, and finally settled on his present farm in 1862. He has filled continuously the office of Justice of the Peace for the last twelve years, still serving in that capacity, and also served as Constable and Collector, from 1845 to 1850, one term as Coroner, and five years as School Director. In 1845, he was married in Hardin County to Miss Lena Reese, a native of Germany. To this union five children have been born, four living, viz., Henry, married to Ollie Kelley, residing in Kenton; Albert, an attorney at law, married to Augusta Cass and residing in Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio; John L., in Polo, Ill., and Elizabeth, at home with her parents. Mrs. Zugschwert is a daughter of George Henry and Mena (Kaiser) Reese, whose family came to America in 1834, and a sister of Henry Reese, in Kenton.


(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)
Click Here!