THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
U
(1907 MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY - LETTER - U)
IRA. UHLER, (Marion Township) one of the old merchants of Marion and member of the firm of Yake & Uhler, was born in Lebanon, Penn., February 15, 1835. He is a son of Levi and Mary (Light) Uhler, both, natives of Lebanon, Penn. They were of German descent, their ancestors having emigrated from Germany in 1732, and settled in the Lebanon Valley in Pennsylvania. John Uhler and John Light, both grandfathers of Mr. Uhler, were soldiers in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch is the fifth of a family of ten children, eight of whom are now living. He was reared in his native city, and educated in the public schools. When sixteen years of age, he entered a store in Quarryville, Lancaster Co., Penn., as clerk. and occupied that position till April 1855, when he came to Marion and assumed the position in the store of J. S. Reed & Co. He remained with this firm till 1858, when he, in partnership with R. H. Johnson and T. S. Cummin, purchased the stock of J. S. Reed & Co., and conducted the business, under the firm name of Johnson, Uhler & Co. This firm continued, doing a successful trade, till 1874, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. Uhler retiring. In 1877, he again resumed the mercantile business, with Daniel Yake, with the style of the firm as Yake & Uhler. In addition to his mercantile pursuits, Mr. Uhler has carried on agriculture to considerable extent for the last twenty years. He owns a farm of 331 acres, located two and a half miles from Marion. July 7, 1858, Mr. Uhler was married to Mariah T. Williams, daughter of Abram J. and Emma P. (Trimble) Williams, who came to Marion County in 1840. Mr. Williams died September 19, 1849 and his widow in May 1851, each at the age of thirty-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Uhler, four children have been born, viz., Harry L., Edward K. (1907), George H. and Emma M. In 1863, Mr. Uhler was Secretary of the County Military Committee, and May 11, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guard, in which he was elected First Sergeant, and served on garrison duty at Alexandria, Va., till his discharge the following September. Mr. Uhler then returned to merchandising. He served as a member of the City Council two years, and of the Board of Education one term.
DAVID ULSH, (Claridon Township) ninth son of George and Catherine (Bunn) Ulsh, was born on the old homestead in Claridon Township, February 4, 1845. The common school gave him a fair practical education, and he remained at home till his marriage. This took place December 31, 1879, to Miss Lu Thomas, a daughter of Frank and Caroline Thomas. Their one child died when eighteen months of age. Mr. Ulsh has always been a farmer, and is devoting considerable attention at present to the rearing of fine stock. He owns 157 acres of desirable land joining the old homestead, worth $80 per acre. He has amassed a little fortune, and is a Democrat politically.
GEORGE ULSH, (Claridon Township) son of Christopher and Lydia A. (Barns) Ulsh, was born in Perry County, Penn., May 15, 1797. His parents were natives of the same State, of German and Irish ancestry respectively. He obtained such an education as those very primitive days afforded, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven. In the fall of 1824, at Liverpool, Penn., he married Catherine Bunn, a daughter of John and Catherine Bunn, also of German ancestry, and natives of the same State. These people came to Seneca County, Ohio, about 1833, residing there until death. The above union has been blessed with the birth of eleven children, nine of whom are living-Samuel, born August 6, 1825; Levi, February 6, 1827; John, January 6, 1829; Lydia A., June 22, 1830, Catherine. August 29, 1832; Eliza J., March 4, 1836; Harrison, May 1, 1838; Henry, September 12, 1843; and David, February 4, 1845. Joseph was born January 1, 1834, and died in his third year; an infant son died unnamed, Mr. Ulsh removed to Ohio in 1830 settling in Marion County, purchasing 700 acres of land in Claridon Township (260 acres being the old homestead). He paid for the homestead $11.371 per acre, which is worth $90 per acre. This belongs to Henry Ulsh at present, the father having distributed his property among his children. Mr. Ulsh has been a resident in the county over half a century and is an honored citizen. In his prime he was extensively engaged in farming, but at present he is making his home with his son, Henry, and daughter, Eliza. He is in his eighty-sixth year, and well preserved in body and mind. His wife was born July 11, 1800, and died June 6, 1878. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in political views a Democrat.
HARRISON ULSH, (Claridon Township) fourth son of George and Catherine (Bunn) Ulsh, was born at the homestead May 6, 1845. He obtained his education in the common school prior to his nineteenth year. At that age he began life for himself, without other means. October 27, 1865, he was united in marriage to Mary Richey, and one son was born to them-George F. (1907). Mrs. Ulsh died March 1, 1867. Mr. Ulsh is the owner of 246 acres of arable land, kept in a high state of cultivation. He makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs and short-horn cattle. He is a prominent farmer, and has acquired by his labor an enviable property. His residence was erected at a cost of $5,000. He sells annually about $800 worth of wheat, $1,100 of cattle, and from 1800 to $1,000 worth of pork. He is a public-spirited citizen, and liberal toward all deserving enterprises.
JOHN ULSH, (Claridon Township) the third son of George and Catherine (Bunn) Ulsh, was born in Perry County, Penn., February 15, 1830. In 1834, he came with his parents to Marion County. He received a limited education, and lived with his parents until he was thirty-three years of age. He has a farm of 487 acres, valued at $100 per acre. It is finely improved and drained, having a three-mile open ditch, and 1, 700 rods of tile. He is one of the leading farmers of the county, and owns one of the most valuable farms in his township. He has also 320 acres of fine land in Richardson County, Neb., valued at $40 per acre. He estimates his property at $50,000. He is unmarried, and a social and respected citizen.
LEVI ULSH, (Claridon Township) second son of George and Catherine (Bunn) Ulsh, was born in Perry County, Penn., February 3, 1827. His education was confined to the common school. He came with his parents to Marion County in 1831. He was married May 2, 1861, to Miss Cordelia Dilts, a (laughter of Peter Dilts; she was mysteriously murdered by an unknown hand, and the facts concerning her death have never been explained. He was again married, September 12, 1871, to Caroline Thomas, nee Pittman, and one son was born to them-Harley J., born February 9, 1874. Mr. Ulsh has a farm of 116 acres, which he cultivates thoroughly, and values at $70 per acre. For the past four winters he has been buying and shipping considerable stock, much to his advantage, but farming is his leading business. He is a member of the Democratic party, and an active, energetic man.
SAMUEL ULSH (Claridon Township) eldest son of George and Catherine Ulsh, was born in Perry County, Penn., August 3, 1825. He received a fair, practical education in the common schools of the day, and was married July 2, 1848, to California Likins, a daughter of James and Catherine (Black) Likins. His marriage has been blessed with eight children-Francis C., Mary P,, William W. (1907), James S. (1907), Alice A., Florence F., George L. and Annie I. Mrs. Ulsh was born September 12, 1829, and died November 29, 1871. Mr. Ulsh is a good farmer, having 172 1/2 acres of desirable land, well drained, worth $100 per acre. He devotes his entire attention to agricultural pursuits and the rearing of blooded stock. Politically speaking, he is a Democrat.
ANDREW UNCAPHER (Green Camp Township) was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 6, 1819. His parents, Peter and Elizabeth (Ringer) Uncapher, also natives of the same State and of German extraction, were married about 1810. To them were born fifteen children, seven living-John, Andrew, Simon, Amos, Samuel, Margaret and Catherine. Michael, George, Philip, Isaac, Joseph, Elizabeth, Hannah and one infant are deceased. Mr. Uncapher died in 1857 and his wife in 1875. The subject of this memoir, removing from Pennsylvania in the autumn of 1839, located at Marion, following the occupation of mechanic thirty years. He was united in marriage, February 10, 1867, at Green Camp, with Miss Sarah, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Brinker, also natives of Pennsylvania. Five of their six children survive-Mary E., Laura C., Emma F.. Lydia L. and Herman A. Sarah J. died May 28, 1863. Mr. Uncapher quit his trade in
1868, purchasing and moving to this farm of 115 acres. He is a good farmer, a substantial citizen, a solid Democrat, and, with his wife, a member of the United Brethren Church.
DANIEL UNCAPHER, (Marion Township) first son of Joseph Uncapher, was born in Marion Township December 21, 1837. He obtained a good education, attending the Marion Academy a few terms. When nineteen, he commenced teaching, continuing nine winters. In 1863, he purchased 225 acres, located in Big Island and Green Camp Township, living there till 1867, when he removed to Pleasant Township. March 1, 1869, he bought his present farm of seventy-eight acres. He was married, April 2, 1863, to Rebecca Riley, also a native of Marion Township, born February 22, 1840, and a daughter of Elias and Sarah A. (Moore) Riley. The names of their two -children are J. Herman and Luther V. (1907). He and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he officially connected, and served four years as Superintendent of the Sunday school. He is an active Prohibitionist.
EDWARD W. UNCAPHER (Marion Township) (deceased) was born in Marion Township October 6, 1827, the eldest son and second child born to Solomon and Hannah (Shoemaker) Uncapher. Having obtained such an education as the common schools of that primitive day afforded, he married, November 6, 1857, Miss Nancy J. Cunningham, a daughter of James and Nancy (Barks) Cunningham. She is also a native of Marion County, born February 25, 1831. The names of their children are Everett N., James 0. and Olive V. Mr. Uncapher bought eighty acres adjoining the homestead in 1855, and seven years later fifty-seven 'acres near the cemetery. He owned at his death 240 acres of land. He made all the improvements upon the home farm, building, in 1864-65, a $3,000 residence. He was an extensive raiser of fine stock, usually keeping from 200 to 300 head, and was among the first to introduce Spanish Merino sheep into the county. At one time he paid $400 for a Vermont sheep. He was associated with L. C. Haines, in the wool trade, for many years; was a member of the Agricultural Board, and identified with the county fair in many ways. He also reared the French and Clydesdale horses. He was an industrious and enterprising citizen; was one of the movers in obtaining county pikes, having thirty shares of the Marion & Waldo pike (was Director and Overseer of the same, and twelve shares of the Marion & Prospect pike. He began life a poor boy, but through his indomitable perseverance left an estate valued at $24,000. He was a Democrat and a member of the United Brethren Church. He was stricken with paralysis in the autumn of 1875, and died April 11, 1877. Mrs. Uncapher has added thirty-three acres to the farm.
ISAIAH UNCAPHER (Big Island Township) is one of Big Island's strong men. His birth took place October 29, 1842, and he is the son of Isaac and Susan Uncapher, of Marion-County, who came from Pennsylvania about 1838. His family originated in Germany, and his grandfather, Rimal, was a Revolutionary soldier. His marriage to Jennie E. Riley, daughter of Elias and Susan Riley, occurred November 5, 1867. The names of their two children are True and Belle. Mr. Uncapher purchased his present residence in 1876, eighty acres, paying $35 per acre; worth at present $70 per acre. He has good fences, and 500 rods of tile buried. He makes a specialty of corn, having this season thirty-five acres. Mr. and Mrs. Uncapher belong to the Free-Will Baptist Church, of which he is both Deacon and Clerk.
JAMES O. UNCAPHER (Marion Township) was born on the old homestead May 30, 1855, the second son and child of Edward W. Uncapher; obtained a common school education, and became associated, in his twentieth year, with his father in the rearing, of fine sheep. Since his father's death, he and his brother, Everett N., have been continuing the business very satisfactorily. They keep, also, Clydesdale horses, some of the finest in the county, and a high grade of Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs.
JOHN A. UNCAPHER (Big Island Township) is an enterprising young man, having a fine farm of 100 acres, located near the Scioto River. He purchased this place when heavily timbered, in 1871, at $25 per acre. By thrift and energy he has cleared sixty acres, and now tiles 665 rods. He has also made many other improvements, building, in 1877, a neat little house, with fine, up-ground cellar and a double corn crib and shed. Mr. Uncapher raises large crops of potatoes: 1881, 400 bushels; 1882, 800 bushels; 1883, 6 acres. He is also Commissioner of the "Rayl & Uncapher pike, in course of construction. Mr. U. was born August 8, 1850, in Marion Township, son of Joseph and Rebecca Uncapher, who came from Pennsylvania, settled in Marion in 1840, and brought up six children. He was married, February 27, 1877, to Miss Phoebe J. Cummins, daughter of Widow Cummins. Their children are William H. and Jesse D.
JOHN G. UNCAPHER (Big Island Township) was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 23, 1831, the son (if John and Anne E. (Williams) Uncapher, of Welsh-German ancestry, and natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia respectively. John Uncapher was born May 14, 1796, and was a resident of Ohio for forty years. His wife was born about 1808, but is now deceased. They had a family of ten children, five living-Eliza, Mary M., Margaret, John G. and Urbane. The deceased were Thomas, Caroline, Andrew, Joseph (an infant) and Sarah. John G. resided with his parents, in Eastern Ohio, working as tanner for fourteen years. He then followed farming arming with his father until 1872, with the exception of seven years at Clarkson, Ohio. In that year (1872) he came to Marion County, settling where he now resides. The farm consists of 333 acres, one -half of which has been cleared and put in a good state of cultivation by himself and sons. He has a large, attractive home, and suitable buildings surrounding, March 22. 1860, he married, at Now Lisbon, Ohio, Miss Sarah De Wolf, daughter of Peter and Saloma (Sheffer) De Wolf, of German descent, and the parents of five children, four surviving-Maria M., Rebecca, Caroline and Sarah; the deceased was Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. Uncapher have six children-Charles E., Byron D., Mary L., Emma M., Lewis F. and Caroline L. Mr. Uncapher is a thorough farmer, an esteemed citizen, and, with his wife and son Charles, a member of the Disciple Church at Marion. He is a stanch Republican.
JOSEPH UNCAPHER (Marion Township) was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., July 12, 1800, a son of George and Catherine (Eddleman) Uncapher, of Virginia. They were among the earliest settlers in Western Pennsylvania and were the parents of twelve children. ten of whom they reared to maturity. He, with his son John, came to Marion County and entered land in 1824. Joseph was raised upon a farm and educated in the common schools. He first came to Marion in the fall of 1832, but returned to Pennsylvania the following spring. He continued upon the homestead until 1837, when he brought his wife, in a wagon, to this place and bought 160 acres of his father, paying $750. He has cleared and improved this, and owns at present 303 acres, adjoining the corporation. He has always followed farming and stock-raising. February 16, 1837, he married Rebecca Stonebarger, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Nesbitt) Stonebarger. She was born in Indiana County, Penn., October 16, 1817. They had eight children, six living-Daniel (1907), Silas, Dorias, Thomas J., John A. and Hiram L.(1907), Isaac and an infant son are deceased. Mr. U. keeps his farm in a high state of cultivation. A few years since, he built a fine brick house, thirty feet square, at a cost of $1,550. He is a member of the Grange; was a charter member, and served as Chaplain. He is liberal with his means, and has contributed to the building of every Protestant church in Marion. He is an active Democrat, first voting for Andrew Jackson. He was Trustee of the township one term and School Director twenty years.
MARTIN V. UNCAPHER (Marion Township) was born May 1, 1840, a native of Marion Township and the son of Solomon and Hannah Uncapher, who came from Pennsylvania at an early day (when Marion had but one shingle roof) and entered 160 acres of land. Prosperity attended this father's labor, so that at one time he owned 600 acres of good land, and cleared eighty acres of farm land himself. He had a family of sixteen children, twelve of them boys. The district school gave Martin V. his education, and March 28, 1861, he married Elizabeth L. Bush. The names of their three children are Margaret J., wife of William Smith; Louis S. and Mary A. Mr. Uncapher bought his farm of 138 acres in 1877, paying $59 per acre. It is in good repair, drained by 400 rods of tile, and is worth $90 per acre. Mr. Uncapher is a Democrat and a member of the Royal Arcanum.
THOMAS J. UNCAPHER (Big Island Township) was born June 12, 1846, the son of Joseph and Rebecca (Stonebarger) Uncapher, of German ancestry. Having received a common school education, Mr. U. remained with his father farming until 1871, when he moved to his present home, remaining one year; he then returned to the homestead, engaging in the dairy business two years; then removed permanently to his farm, consisting of 101 acres. The same year, he married Hannah A. Simons, a daughter of John and Mary Simons. Her death took place in 1880. Mr. U. again married, August 10, 1881, Miss Ida Kenyon, adopted daughter of Martha (Kenyon) Moore. When he located here his farm was a wilderness, but during the ensuing years he has cleared many acres, erected a comfortable house and accompanying buildings; he has also put in several hundred rods of tile. He is an exemplary citizen, and at present is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace in the township. Politically, he is a Democrat.
BENJAMIN E. UNDERWOOD, (Claridon Township) third son of John and Sarah (Fisher) Underwood, was born in Claridon Township October 19, 1835. He was reared and educated upon the farm. He married in 1860 Isabel Miller, a daughter of Frederick and Mary (Linder) Miller, residents of Morrow County, Ohio. Six children have blessed their home, five of whom are living-Sabine A., Ella, Miller H. (1907), Arvilla and Horace W. Daisy died in infancy. Our subject was a soldier in the late war about four months ; he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, serving his time. He resided in Morrow County, Ohio, about fourteen years he came to Caledonia in the spring of 1874; for the past five years he has been engaged in the milling business. He owns a comfortable home on High Street. He is a member of the L. of H. of the G. A. R. (officially connected) and of the Republican party. He and wife have been members of the M. P. Church nearly thirty years.
ELIHU F. UNDERWOOD, (Claridon Township) of the firm of Underwood & Dilts, is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, born March 19, 1829, the son of John and Sarah (Fisher) Underwood, of German ancestry and natives of Pennsylvania and Holmes County respectively. They were united in marriage in the above county about 1828, but moved to Marion County in the autumn of 1829. They lived upon a farm until 1868, when they moved to Caledonia, engaging, in the mercantile business with Elihu F. They had ton children, four now living-Elihu F., Jane A., Benjamin E. and Susannah. John, Elizabeth. Caleb, Sarah A., Jesse and Clarinda are deceased. The father died in 1881, aged seventy-six years, while the mother passed away about twenty-five years earlier, aged forty-six years. Elihu acquired only the rudiments of an education, for he spent most of his youth in Claridon, with his grandfather, who was keeping a hotel. He was the errand and general chore boy; he passed but a year or two upon the farm; when a young man. he became clerk in the employ of Abel Davis, at $8 per month, remaining two years. In 1850, he accepted. a similar position at Caledonia, with Briggs & Hipsher, continuing with them two years. He then clerked for Shur & Bailey, of the same place, one year, and later, with the latter two years. November 27, 1854, he married Miss Arvilla A. Wooley, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Debor) Wooley, of English ancestry, and New York. They have two children-Ida M., born October 30, natives of 1858, and married May 13, 1877; and Charles G., born November 10, 1873. Mr. Underwood has been a resident of the county fifty-four years. He is the oldest merchant in the village, having established himself in business in 1859. He first entered partnership with Thomas Search, the latter dying a few days later, when Hezekiah Hunter assumed his interest. The firm did business under the name of Underwood & Hunter three years, when the latter retired. In 1863, another partnership was formed, and they did business under the name of Underwood & Whitaker until 1866, at the death of the latter. After one year, Mr. Underwood admitted Moses Carr, continuing one year. Subsequently his father became associated with him, and the firm of E. F. Underwood & Co remained until the formation of the present firm. This firm has the leading store in the village, carries a stock of $8,000, and does a prosperous business. Mr. Underwood is a prominent citizen; for six successive years, serving as Justice of the Peace, and after an interval of several years was elected three years longer; he was a member of the Town Council one year, and Mayor of the village two years; he was appointed Postmaster during President Lincoln's administration, and has held that position since. He is the only resident charter member of the Caledonia Lodge of the IOOF, and is the Supreme Treasurer of the Prudential Order of America. He is a Republican, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.