THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
I
(1907 MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY LETTER I)
SILAS IDLEMAN (Marion Township) was born in what is now Pleasant Township, then Delaware County, February 10, 1822. He was the first white child born in that township, and the son of Rev. Jacob and Susannah (Rohrbaugh) Idleman, of Hardy County, Va. Jacob Idleman was born January 19, 1786. Mrs. Idleman was born January 29, 1783. They were married and moved with teams to Highland County, Ohio, in the spring of 1818. In February of 1820, they came to what is now Waldo Township. The first night they built a fire by a log, Mr. Idleman and his men sleeping by it; Mrs Idleman and the children in the wagon. He and the two young men who came with them immediately erected a log cabin, l6x18 feet in size. The following fall he purchased 160 acres in Pleasant Township, building a cabin and moving into it. He continued making additions to the above purchase until he owned a half section., A large part of the farm he cleared. He was instrumental in building the first schoolhouse and was the founder of the first church (Methodist Episcopal) in that township and county. He gave the ground for the church and cemetery, which are still called by his name. He was the first Class Leader and Steward, and served in various official capacities, till a few years before his death, Receiving his license to exhort about 1824, he preached until 1846. He aided in constructing the Columbus & Sandusky pike, built in from 1832 to 1834. He made a con great tract to build a mile, receiving therefor 804 acres of land and a little money for every one-fourth mile. They had seven children, four of whom are now living.-Rev. Christian, Rev. J. J., near Salem, Ill., Anna, wife of J. A. Snyder, and our subject. John W. died in Marion County in the summer of 1847, aged thirty-two years. Two children died in infancy. His death took place October 5, 1846, and his remains were buried in the cemetery he founded. His widow survived him until the September of 1870. Silas Idleman was reared upon the homestead and educated in the common schools of his day. He assisted his father in clearing the farm. In the spring of 1846, his father gave him 160 acres in Claridon Township, where he (the father) owned 1,300 acres. The succeeding fall, after his father's death, he returned to the old farm and became the owner of 160 acres of the homestead. He made one-half the improvements upon this and many additions, until he owned 300 acres in one body. While on the farm, he raised considerable stock, making a specialty of French horses and fine now sheep, shipping his own stock for a number of years. He was married May 14, 1846, to Miss Catherine A. Pontius, a daughter of William and Susan Pontius. She was born in Pickaway County Ohio, June 11, 1838. Ten children have been born to them-Jacob W., Christian Z., Cicero M., Ida M., Lydia P., Hattie S., Kathleen C., Charles L., Lawrence M. and Harry L. Mr. Idleman has been connected with the County Agricultural Society since its organization, and has served as a member of the Agricultural Board since its origin, save three years. He was its Vice President several terms, his last being in 1881. He was an exhibitor at the first fair, and at nearly every one since. He has been a resident of Marion since April 1, 1880. Mr. Idleman is a Republican in politics and has served as Trustee of the Township a number of years. He was elected a Justice of the Peace, but he refused to qualify. He was nominated for County Treasurer at two different times, and, although defeated, he ran far ahead of his ticket. In 1862, he was elected Infirmary Director. He takes an active part in local politics. He is a stockholder in the Marion & Waldo pike, and also a Director since its construction. He acted as its President about three years. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward.
JOHN IMBODY, (Green Camp Township) son of Wilson (1907) (1907b)and Mary A. (Beckley) Imbody, was born March 21, 1856, whose parents were descendants of German ancestry and natives of the "Buckeye State." Wilson Imbody was born in May of 1838, and is a resident of Green Camp Township. Mr. John Imbody was educated in the common schools, and he closed his literary career when nineteen. He then engaged in milling and farming with his father until July 31, 1879, when he was wedded to Miss Alice, daughter of Albert and Mary (Cooper) Carey, who had fourteen children --Laura, Alice, Jane, John, Jacob, Anna, Adella, Norris, Bert, Lucy Etta, Tenna, and two babes-the four last deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Imbody's union has been crowned with Estella, aged three years, and Myrtle, one year. Mr. Imbody is an enterprising young farmer, owning forty-six acres of land, a good share of which he has cleared and put in a fair state of cultivation. He has resided here since April 3, 1880, and belongs to the Republican school of politics.
HARRISON H. IREY (Claridon Township) (1907) is a native of Claridon Township, born December 16, 1841, to Hannibal and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Irey, natives of Virginia and Lincolnshire, England, respectively. They were married and became settlers of Marion County about 1835. They were the parents of eight children, six surviving-H. H., Charles F., James S., Martha G., Marshall F. and Anna B.; the deceased were Elizabeth and an infant daughter. Mrs, Irey died in July 1865, and Mr. Irey about five years later. The common school fitted Mr. Irey for life, and it began in earnest when he enlisted, August 8, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, to serve three years. He was engaged at Vicksburg and its siege, Arkansas Post, Red River campaign, through all the battles and skirmishes, then into Alabama, at Forts Gaines and Morgan. His honorable discharge dates " Columbus, Ohio, August 2, 1865." Returning home, his marriage to Miss Sarah M. Howser -was solemnized September 25, 1867. She is the daughter of Jacob Howser, and has been the mother of six children-Florence E., born December 20, 1869; Bertha, March 5, 1871; John, September 30, 1873; William L., August 26, 1876; Milton, April 8, 1878, died January 4, 1881, and an infant son, May 26, 1880, dying July 23. Mr. Irey is a leading farmer, extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits, having a farm of 200 acres of excellent land, stocked with the best grades. He has recently built an attractive residence and made other valuable improvements. He is an active Republican, a member of the G. A. R., and liberal with his means.
JAMES S. IREY. (Claridon Township) His parents, Hannibal and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Irey, the former a native of Virginia and of English descent, the latter a native of Lincolnshire, England, arrived in Claridon Township in a very primitive day. Mrs. Irey passed away in 1865. and Mr. Irey in 187 James S., was born in the above township February 14, 1847; obtained a common school education, and married Martha T. Wittred, December 7, 1871, daughter of William and Martha (Bothamly) Wittred. Their children are all living-Orral L., born December 28, 1872; Harley G., April 3, 1874; Ray, November 8, 1876; Fern L., January 15, 1871), and James C., October 15, 1880. Mrs. Irey was born June 14, 1847. Mr. Irey is extensively engaged in the manufacture of. tile, having established himself in this business in 1878, and employing three men during that season. He owns a comfortable home in Claridon village, and five and one-half acres adjacent. He is an active Republican, taking great interest in local politics. He is an industrious and worthy citizen.
JOHN F. IREY, (Green Camp Township) son of Enos and Mary (Rollins) Irey, is a native of Marion County, born October 27, 1838; his father, of German blood, was born in the "Old Dominion," in 1802, and died April 9, 1875; his wife's death preceded him by thirteen years. Hers was a Scotch race, and she was the mother of ten children, namely, William L., Sarah A., Elizabeth, Israel (1907), Samuel, John F., Thomas, Joseph, Charles H. and Leander. who died for his country in the late war. The subject of this sketch, having secured a fair education in the common schools, chose farming for an occupation, which he followed until he enlisted at Princeton, Ill., in Company B, Ninety-third Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. John W. Hopkins, Captain, and Holden Putnam, Colonel. He fought at Jackson, Champion Hills, Black River, the siege of Vicksburg, Altoona, Bentonville, and went with Sherman to the sea. His honorable discharge dates "Albany, N. Y., May 24, 1865." He returned to the farm and to sight -seeing in the Northwest. He formed a matrimonial alliance, October 12, 1871, at Bucyrus, Ohio, with Mary E. Jones, daughter of James and Harriet (Eastpenter) Jones, who had six daughters and three sons-Isaiah, Amanda C., Francis M. and Mary E., surviving. Their father died April 19, 1883, aged seventy-three years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Irey Minnie, aged twelve years; and Frederick J., aged ten years. Mr. Irey ,has always devoted his attention to farming, moving to his present place about six years ago, purchasing fifty acres of wooded land, largely now in good state of cultivation. He is an esteemed citizen and was elected Township Trustee in 1882. He is it stanch Republican and an active member of the G. A. R.
FREDERICK A. ISSLEIB, (Marion Township) the fashionable and leading tonsorial artist of Marion, is a native of the "Fatherland," born April 20, 1855, Weimer Sachsen Germany, the son of August and Laura Issleib. He arrived in America April 10, 1872, stopping in Now York City twenty months. learning his trade, being instructed by a prominent barber, Seihardt, of that city. He came to Marion June 2, 1876, and was in the employ of Henry Ackerman four years, working at his trade. He was married in Delaware, Ohio, December 28, 18-45, to Miss Pauline, Seiter, and four children were born by this union-Otto A., born September 1, 1876; Minnie L., February 17, 1878, dying November 3, 1882; Wesley R., April 16, 1880, and Bertha P., January 29, 1883. Mr. Issleib purchased in 1880 the barber shop of H. Ackerman, located upon Center Street, and is doing a flourishing business, employing from two to four assistants all the time. He is industrious and frugal, and has a desirable lot upon South Street, where he anticipates building a comfortable home soon. He is a member of the K. of P., of the IOOF and of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. He is an intelligent and active Republican.