UNION COUNTY, OHIO - 1883 HISTORY - LIBERTY TOWNSHIP - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

404 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ISAAC CONNOR (deceased) was born in North of Ireland June 24, 1823. He was a son of John and Mary Connor, who were also natives of Ireland. In 1850, he came to the United States and spent three years in New York City; then came to Licking County, Ohio, where he resided till 1863, at which time he came to Liberty Township and bought a farm of 104 acres. April 25, 1863, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of David and Sarah (Lloyd) Price, who were natives of Wales, and came across the water in 1842, settling in Licking County. Mrs. Connor was born in Montgomeryshire, Wales, July 6, 1838. One son was born to this union John E., born March 6, 1864. Mr. Connor died November 28, 1870. He was a member of the Episcopal Church, and a man of honor and uprightness. Mrs. Connor has but one sister Sarah, wife of Joseph P. Evans. Her only brother, Richard Price, died in Licking County in February 1871.

SOLOMON COOK (deceased). The subject of this memoir was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, February 22, 1813. His father, Michael Cook, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Columbiana County prior to the war of 1812. Mr. Cook was reared to manhood in his native place. In 1846, he came to Liberty Township and purchased 100 acres of woodland. He cleared and well improved the farm before his death, and was a successful agriculturist. He was the first man to introduce Spanish merino sheep in the county, and was successfully engaged in their culture till his death. He was one of the leading fine sheep men of the county. In 1839, he was married to Miss Anna, daughter of Morgan Wellington, who bore him seven children-Uriah and Malinda J., wife of C. P. Morse; Margaret, Perry, Osborn, Martin and Wellington are deceased. Margaret was the wife of George Henry, and Perry married Eliza Caby. Mrs. Cook departed this life in November 1864, and October 1865, Mr. Cook was married to Mrs. Catharine M. Forry, widow of Abram Forry. They had three children by this union Ellsworth, Myrtie M. and Ida B. Mr. Cook died April 8, 1879, after a life of uprightness and usefulness. Uriah Cook was reared on the old homestead. September 26, 1867, he was married to Martha M., daughter of Charles and Mary J. Tobey, by whom he had three children Archie T., Fred. W. and Harry S. 'Mrs. Cook was born in Liberty Township, June 20, 1849. Mr. Cook removed to his present location in 1876, and here followed farming and stock-raising. He is engaged in keeping thoroughbred Spanish merino sheep, which he exhibited at the Ohio and Indiana State fairs. His stock won fourteen premiums at the Indiana fair. Mr. Cook owns 103 ½ acres of land.

STEPHEN CRANSTON, Sr, retired, P. O. Raymond, an old pioneer of Union County, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, October 1, 1793. His parents, John and Phebe A. (Edwards) Cronston, were natives of Rhode Island, and came to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1815. Mrs. Cranston died in Rhode Island in 1805, and Mr. Cranston in 1824. The subject of this sketch was married July 25, 1819, to Esther, daughter of Ezekiel and Susanna Hammond. Mrs. Cranston was born in Connecticut, January 1, 1802, Nine children were the fruits of this union ; of these, they reared nine to maturity, and seven are living at the present time, viz., George A., John D., Melissa, wife of W. Gideon, James, Julius, Stephen, Jr., and Edwin. Mr. and Mrs. Cranston came to Union County when all was woods, and they were obliged to follow an unbroken path of "blazed trees." The Indians were numerous, and wild game plenty. Mr. and Mrs. Cranston are one of the oldest married couples in Union County. They trod the rough road of pioneer life together, and by industry and energy have made for themselves large and valuable property, at one time owning over 800 acres of land, which they have given their children. Mr. and Mrs. Cranston are members of the Christian Church, and honored and esteemed pioneers of the county. Stephen Cranston, Jr., wag born in Champaign County May 18, 1836. He came to Union County with his parents when a boy, and was reared to manhood on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools. In June 1866, he made a purchase of forty-two acres of his present farm. He made subsequent additions to the original purchase, till his farm now contains something over 300 acres of well-improved and highly cultivated land. Mr. Cranston was first married February 17, 1857 to Sabrina, daughter of Loin and Emily Griffin. She died December 18, 1858, and August 30, 1860, Mr. Cranston was again married, this time to Miss Jane E., daughter of Alexander and Abigail Rogers, the former a native of Somerset County, Penn , and the latter of Rutland County, Vt. Mrs. Cranston was born September 15, 1835. Three children were born to bless this marriage, viz., Emma E., born December 17, 1863 ; Ormel A., born March 16, 1868; and Esther M., born December 15, 1869. Mr. Cranston has been engaged as contractor on pikes for a term of years, and has aided in the construction of Newton & Marysville, Newton &


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North Lewisburg and Newton & Crowder gravel roads. He pursues farming and rearing stock as his occupation. he is now serving his tenth term as Township Treasurer. Politically, he is a Republican.

WILLIAM CROWDER, farmer, P. O. Raymond, a native of Champaign County, was born March 30, 1823. His parents, John and Elizabeth Crowder, were born near Petersburg, Va. Their parents were natives of Virginia, and removed to Champaign County, Ohio, the year before the war of 1812. His father was a soldier in that war. He resided in Champaign County till 1852, at which time he removed to Van Buren County, Iowa. In 1867, he returned, and died in November 1878. His wife died in September 1853. William is the fourth of a family of fourteen children. He was reared on a farm till of age, when he engaged to work by the year, and employed himself in that way seven years at wages from $100 to $130 per year. In 1846, he bought 100 acres of land, for which he paid $303, and in 1851 purchased fifty acres of his present farm. He now owns eighty acres of land, besides 120 acres in Allen Township. All was in woods when he settled on it, and has cleared and improved it to its present condition. October 10, 1851, he was joined in marriage with Miss L. Herd, who bore him four children, viz., John P., William W., Phebe J., wife of Osander Parrish, and Charles C. Mrs. Crowder died October 18, 1860, and March 14, 1861, Mr. C. was married to Margaret, daughter of Allen and Maria Rea. Mrs. Crowder was born in Liberty Township May 19, 1833. Six daughters were born to this union-Debbie R., Maria E., wife of Thomas Johnson, Minnie M., Cora A., Mary M. and Lucetta. Mr. and Mrs. Crowder are members of the Disciples of Christ. Mr. Crowder owns 200 acres of land, and pursues the avocation of farming and stock-raising. Politically, he is a Republican.

R. D. FINLEY, farmer, P. O. Peoria, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 22, 1835. He is a son of James V. and Elizabeth Finley, natives of Westmoreland and Washington Counties, Penn. They removed to Allen Township, Union County, in 1842. The subject of this sketch is the fourth son of a family of ten children. He was reared to manhood on a farm. August 5, 1862, he volunteered his services in Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was engaged in the following battles: Chickasaw Bluffs, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, Forts Morgan, Gaines, Spanish and Blakely, and Carrion Crow Bayou, where a man on each side of him was killed. He was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 1865. In 1870, Mr. Finley engaged merchandising in Peoria, and followed it successfully till 1881, and has since turned his attention to rearing short-horned cattle. His marriage occurred January 2, 1868, with Miss Mary daughter of Samuel and Nancy Turner. One son, James F., was born to this union. His birth occurred January 4, 1869. Mr. Finley is identified with the Masonic order, and Grand Army of the Republic. He was instrumental in establishing the post office At Peoria, and served as Postmaster eight years.

JASPER N. GOSNELL, merchant, Peoria, a native of Licking County, Ohio, was born July 26, 1843. He is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Armstrong) Gosnell, natives of Huntingdon County, Penn. They were married in Licking County, Ohio, and came to Taylor Township, Union County, in 1858. They were the parents of ten children, of whom seven are living, viz., Ruth, wife of Nathaniel Armstrong; Mary M., wife of W. A. McCarney; Jasper N., George W., Franklin D., Fletcher C. and John A. Mr. Gosnell died May 12, 1859. Jasper was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and Marysville Union Schools. August 6, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Army of the Mississippi and Gulf, and fought at Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Cateau and Sabine Cross Roads, where he received a gunshot wound in his right thigh, which disabled him from all further duty. He was discharged December 12, 1864, at Camp Chase, Ohio. As a compensation for his disability sustained in the service, he gets a pension of $16 per month. In 1870, he engaged in mercantile trade in Taylor Township, and in 1880 removed his business to Peoria, where here he enjoys a good trade. March 29, 1869, he was married to Amanda O., daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Hartrum, by whom he has had three children - Nettie F., Howard B. and Ottie J. Mr. Gosnell is a member of the I. O. O. F. and in politics is a Republican.

NELSON HARRINGTON, farmer, was born in Providence County, Rhode Island, December 28, 1802, and is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Rice) Harrington, of the above State. He (Anthony) was a son of John Harrington, a native of Rhode Island, and his father, 'Nathaniel, was born in England, and accompanied the second colony that come to this country, John served its an officer in the Revolutionary war. In 1817, the subject of this sketch came with his parents to this county. His father died in 1867, aged eighty-six years, and his mother in 1870, at the age of eighty-seven years. Our subject was married July 8, 1830, to Hannah, daughter of John and Rachel (Proctor) Kiger. Mrs. K. was a niece of Gen. Proctor, of Revolutionary fame. She died February 29, 1876; she was born April 17, 1811 ; three children were born to her and her husband, two of whom are living, viz., Joseph W., born May 15, 1831, and David H., born February 15, 1843. The latter enlisted May 2, 1864, in company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was on garrison duty till his discharge September 3, 1864. October 15, 1879, he was married to Cassie, daughter of James and Rachel Millikin, by whom he has had one child, deceased. Mrs. H. was born in Madison Coun-




406 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

ty, Ohio, November 8, 1846. He owns 200 acres of well-improved land; he is a member of the Christian Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

CAPT. D. H. HENDERSON, farmer, P. O. Raymond, wag born in Lewis County, Ky., August 22, 1827. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Truesdale) Henderson, who were natives of Lewis County, Ky. His father was born September 23, 1801 ; and his mother November 2, 1800, His grandparents were Andrew and Jane Henderson, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Ireland; her parents emigrated to America before the Revolutionary war. Andrew was employed as a teamster at Valley Forge, the scene of the sufferings of the American soldiers. He removed to Lewis County, Ky., in 1792, and died May 14, 1834, at the age of seventy seven. James, the father of our subject, is the youngest of seven children. He came to Union County, and settled in Liberty Township. He purchased 160 acres of land three miles east of Newton, and resided on it till February 1877, when he removed with his son, D. H., to Newton. He married Elizabeth Truesdale, who bore him two children-the subject of this sketch, and Abigail, who is deceased. She was born May 12, 1824, and died in May 1854. Mrs. Henderson died September 7, 1867. The subject of this notice was reared to manhood on a farm, and educated in the common schools. August 1862, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected First Lieutenant, and served in this capacity till March 1863, when be was promoted to the rank of Captain, and assigned to Company K, of the same regiment. He was first engaged in the battle of Perryville, Ky., and afterward led his company at Chickamauga (where eight of them were killed and fifteen wounded), Chattanooga, Resaca, and in all the engagements on the Atlanta campaign. He was wounded in the left arm at Jonesboro, and, after spending a furlough at home, he joined the forces in Tennessee, and commanded a regiment in the battle of Nashville, where his command was one of the first to make the attack. The Captain was severely wounded in the elbow of his right arm, which confined him to the hospital at Nashville for some time. He served with honor and distinction, and was discharged February 17, 1865. He then returned home, and resumed farming and stock-raising, which he has since followed. October 10, 1850, he was married to Miss Mary J. Rea, a daughter of Allen and Mariah Rea. Mrs. Henderson was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 10, 1827. The Capt. and Nits. Henderson are consistent members of the Christian Church. Capt. H. is identified with the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is of Republican principle. He served as a member of the Board of Township Trustees twenty years, and also filled various other local offices. He owns a farm of 180 acres, and for the last thirty years has devoted his attention to breeding and raising Spanish merino sheep.

THOMAS HERD, firmer, P. O. Peoria, one of the oldest pioneers of Liberty Township, was born in Harmony Township, Clark Co., Ohio, March 4, 1813. He is a son of Thomas and Dorcas (Morris) Herd. His father was a native of Berkeley County, Va. He enlisted in the Revolutionary war when fifteen years old, with four brothers-Benjamin, Stephen, Lewis and Wallace-and served till the close of that memorable war. He was at Valley Forge and Brandywine, the latter place where Wallace was killed. After the Revolution, Benjamin, Stephen and Lewis removed to Massachusetts. Thomas settled in Fayette County, Ky., and in 1812 removed to Clark County, Ohio, where he died in January 1813, and Mrs. Herd the following year, leaving eight children, six of whom are now living-John; Mary, widow of Samuel Sparks; Lewis; Ann, wife of Levi Harkadine; Elizabeth, wife of Edward Robbing; and Thomas, the subject of this sketch. James and William are deceased. James was a private in the war of 1812. Thomas, the subject of this notice, was reared on a farm till he was fourteen years of age, when he began and served an apprenticeship at tanning in Urbana. He worked at journey work a few months, then went to Chillicothe, thence to Marion, where he worked for Associate Judge James, subsequently a member of the Ohio Legislature. In 1818, Mr. Herd came to the county and remained till 1826. In 1833, he came to Liberty Township, and after working one year on the White farm, bought 100 acres, which was all in woods except four acres. He cleared a site, and erected a house the same year. Mr. Herd is one of the industrious, hard-toiling men of the county, and his labors have been abundantly rewarded. He entered the stage of life an orphan boy, but by energy and perseverance he accumulated 672 acres of land, most of which he cleared and improved himself. He made a division among his children, and now owns but 400 acres. October 11, 1835, he was married to Miss Lydia, daughter of James and Sarah S. Darrow, and a native of Clinton County, N. Y., where she wag born December 11, 1807. Four sons and one daughter were born to them, viz., Olive C., born November 19, 1836, wife of John Reed; James D., born May 14, 1840; Hiram D., born October 11, 1842, married Minerva Glasscock; William H., born February 11, 1845, married Phebe A. Benton; and John Q., born May 4, 1849, and married Dora Barlow. Mr.. Herd has always followed agriculture and rearing Spanish merino sheep, Durham cattle, French horses, and Poland - China hogs. In fine stock pursuits he has achieved a marked success. James D. Herd, the eldest son, was reared on the farm, and educated in the public schools of Marysville and Urbana. In 1871, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has since filled that office. September 23, 1877, he was appointed a member of the Board of Examiners of the county, and still retains the position. He has been a teacher since 1859. John Q. Herd, the youngest son, was born and reared on the old homestead. He was educated in the common schools, and the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware.


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When seventeen years of age, he engaged in the profession of teaching, and followed it, winters, fourteen years. October 12, 1870, he married Isadora A., daughter of Lawrence and Margaret Barlow. Mrs. Herd was born in Plain City January 28, 1853. Of eight children by this union, four sons are living-Charles S., A. Glen, Nelson and Monod.

THOMAS HERD, farmer, P. O. Peoria, was born in Clark County, Ohio, April 30, 1826. He is a son of William and Cinderilla (Munson) Herd, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of New York. His father was born April 28, 1793, and his mother March 12, 1798. They were married in Clark County, Ohio, February 26, 1822, and in 1832 came and settled in Liberty Township, where Mr. Herd located 130 acres of land. He afterward located on 120 acres near the village of Newton. He died September 19, 1853, and his widow February 18, 1860. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living, viz., William W.; James ; Lue, wife of Levi Warner; Lydia D., wife of H. N. Ayers, and Thomas. Mary J. and Margaret lived to womanhood. The subject of this sketch was reared principally in Union County, and educated in the district schools. His marriage occurred June 27, 1852, with Miss Ruth, daughter of Samuel and Nancy Turner. Mrs. Herd was born in Clark County, Ohio, December 25, 1831. Their married life was blessed with ten children; of these nine are living, viz., Cassius M., married Ella E. Westlake, Charles F., Walter W., Josie, wife of J. D. White, James G., Henry W., Minnie M., Gay T. and Harry. Mary J. died aged nine years. Mr. Herd moved on this farm with his father, and has since occupied it. He owns 152 acres of land, and is engaged in agriculture and stock-raising.

JAMES HERD, farmer, P. O Raymond, a prominent farmer of Liberty Township, was born near Newton May 24, 1832. He is a son of James and Margaret (Edger) Herd, who were married in Clark County, Ohio, and removed to Liberty Township soon after the late war with Great Britain. They settled one-fourth mile east of Newton, where Mr. Herd purchased 201 acres of woodland, paying $1.25 per acre. The township was then in its primitive state, and was inhabited with Indians and wild game. Mr. Herd was an energetic, industrious man, and devoted most of his life to felling the forest and improving the land. He cleared up most of his farm, and made subsequent additions till he owned over 300 acres at his death. He was a man of more than ordinary business capacity, and was several times elected Commissioner. He served as Justice of the Peace eight years, and Township Trustee a number of terms. His political principles were originally Whig, but became an avowed Abolitionist. His death occurred in March 1843. He was an active member of the Free-Will Baptist Church many years. His marriage with Margaret Edger was blest with nine children, two of whom are living-Richard, who was born November 15, 1829, married Miss Ellen Weigel, and now resides in Butler County, Iowa; James, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest. He was reared and brought up on the homestead, and educated in the common schools of Liberty Township. He has always resided in Liberty, except from 1865 to 1867, which time he spent at Waterloo, Iowa, in the grain business. In 1867, he returned to Union County, and located on the farm he now occupies. February 27, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Lucy, daughter of Chambers and Docey Caley. Mrs. Herd was born in England November 25, 1835. This union was blessed with twelve children, of whom ten are living, viz.: Emma A. (a teacher), William H., Ida E. (a teacher), Charles S., Fay E., Flora, Frank A., Cora B., J. Bry and an infant son. Mr. Herd owns a farm of 500 acres, and is engaged in agriculture and stock-raising, making a special pursuit in rearing Spanish merino sheep. Mr. Herd has been active in local politics. In 1878, he was a candidate for Representative on the Democratic ticket. He was Land Appraiser of Liberty Township in 1871, and member of the Board of Trustees four years.

HENRY F. JACKSON, farmer, P. O. Peoria, was born in Lincoln County, Me., January 20, 1842. His parents, William and Hannah (Melvin) Jackson, were also natives of Maine. His father was born January 12, 1812, and his mother August 28, 1807. They were married and came to Licking County, Ohio, in 1845, and, in 1850, came to Liberty Township. Henry passed his early life, on the farm and received his training in the common schools. August 8, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He fought at Perryville, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and in all the engagements on the Atlanta campaign from Rossville to Atlanta, and also in all the conflicts on the march to the sea, and including Bentonville, N. C. He served with distinction, and was honorably discharged June 18, 1865, while serving as Corporal. He came home, and September 23, 1865, wag married to Miss Christina, daughter of John A. and Lois R. Welch. Mrs. Jackson, a native of' Licking County, was born December 21, 1845. Of the children born to this union the following are living : Owen G., born December 9, 1867; Edwin C., born February 13, 1874, and Minnie L, born May 21, 1882; Lois M., born August 26, 1866, and died August 24, 1867. Mr. Jackson moved to his farm in 1869, and has since occupied it, and been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He owns a farm of 112 1/2 acres, besides thirty-one acres in Taylor Township. He and wife are both members of the Christian Church. In politics, he is of Republican principle.

SAMUEL S. JEWELL, farmer, P. O. Peoria, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, was born June 10, 1818. He is a son of Abram J. and Abigail C. (Jones) Jewell, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His fattier was born in 1781, and his mother October 13, 1783. They were married in Pennsylvania, and removed to Wayne County,


408 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Ohio, soon after the war of 1812. He was a soldier in the late war with Great Britain, and died leaving a widow and nine children-Catharine, Thomas, Lydia, John, Mary, Hannah, Samuel S., Sarah A. and Johnson. Mrs. Jewell removed to Knox County in 1825--26, and, in 1838, to Login County, thence to Union, where she died November 1, 1858. She married for her second husband Tuttle Axtell, of Knox County. Samuel, the subject of this sketch, grew to his majority on a firm. In 1839, he came to Richwood and worked by the mouth till 1850, when he bought a small farm near the County Infirmary. In 1866, he located on the farm he now owns and occupies. He was married, December 10, 1846, to Roxana A., daughter of Josiah and Defrata (Luce) Kelsey. Mrs. Jewell was born in Champaign County February 9, 1836. Eight children were born to this union-Lydia L. (wife of T. L. Mullen), Huldah J. (wife of A. W. Turner), John, Charles, Jennie, Mary E. (wife of S. H. Rosette), George and Samuel A. In 1863, Mr. Jewell was elected County Treasurer, and re-elected in 1873. He was again chosen to that office in 1875. He served as Trustee of Paris and Liberty one year each, and filled various other local offices. He owns 186 acres of land, and is engaged In the avocation of farming and stock-raising.

BALDWIN JOHNSON, farmer P. O. Peoria, a native of Frederick County, W. Va., was born August 9, 1810. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Bonard) Johnson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Old Virginia. His paternal grandparents emigrated from England to the United States about the time of the French and Indian war. His father died in Frederick County, W. Va., about the year 1814 of the "cold plague," leaving a widow and eleven children. In 1820, Mrs. Johnson removed to Pickaway County, Ohio, where she died in October, 1847. Baldwin remained on a farm till he was sixteen, then entered the employ of Benjamin Masters, proprietor of Fitch House, Chillicothe, and continued with him seven years. He worked on the Scioto canal and on the farm four years. in the fall of 1853, he came to this township and located on the farm he now occupies, which he had purchased in 1850. The whole farm was woodland and Mr. Johnson first cleared a site for a house. His farm now contains 114 acres, which he cleared and improved himself. His marriage took place February 11, 1836, to Miss Margaret, daughter of George and Catharine Ritchey. Mrs. Johnson was born in New York City October 11, 1809. They were blest with six children, of whom four are living, viz.: William A., John, David C. and Clinton. Noble and Jesse are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been identified with the Christian Church for twenty years.

JOHN W. LOCKWOOD, farmer, P. 0. Raymond, a native of Liberty Township, was born November 20, 1826. He is a son of Israel and Angeline (Culver) Lockwood, natives of Connecticut and Vermont. His grandparents on his father's side came to the county during the war of 1812. His maternal grandparents, Datur and Clara Culver, were among the early settlers of the county. John is the third son. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. When of age, he engaged working by the month for a time. He worked one summer in the woolen mills at Urbana, and has since followed farming. He was married December 18, 1850, to Mary A., daughter of David Gray. She died January 5, 1866, leaving one child-Elizabeth E., born September 8, 1857. Mr. Lockwood was again married January 10, 1867, to Sarah P., daughter of John and Elizabeth (Pierce) Walker, by whom he has had three children, viz.: Willis A., born July 21, 1869; Carl P., born January 21, 1872 ; and Arthur W., born July 24, 1880. Mrs. Lockwood was born in Stark County, Ohio, October 22, 1843. Mr. Lockwood owns a farm of 192 acres, and is engaged in farming and rearing stock.

REV. JOHN LYON, minister, Broadway, was born in Union County, N. J., March 17, 1818. He is a son of Amos and Charity (Harrison) Lyon, who were natives of New England. His father was born in 1775, and his mother in 1776, and both were of English origin. Mr. Lyon had two brothers who were soldiers in the war of 1812, and were imprisoned by the British in New York City. Our subject's father died in 1823, and two years later Mrs. Lyon sold the homestead and removed to Licking County, Ohio, where she died February 21, 1853. Our subject is the youngest of ten children, four of whom are living, viz.: Nancy, wife of John Wilson ; Joseph B., Caleb and John. The subject of this notice grew to manhood on a farm, and was educated in Martinsburg Academy and Meadville schools of Meadville, Penn. He engaged in teaching, which he followed five years. In 1840, he entered the ministry of the Christian Church at Utica, Licking County, where he resided till 1853, and moved to Logan County. He had charge of a church at Ridgway, till April 1867, when he went to Woodstock, remaining there till he came to Newton in April 1868; since that date he has farmed except the years 1873-74, when he had charge of the Christian Church of Newton. Rev. Lyon has been a member of the Ohio Central Christian Conference twenty-two years; and eight years a member of the Mt. Vernon Conference, of which he was Secretary till 1854, when he resigned. March 3, 1851, he was joined in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Achsah, daughter of Samuel H. and Nancy Rockhill, who bore him five children, viz.: Amos H.; Frances E., wife of Homer W. Woodard ; Eliza A., wife of Harry Williams; and Jennie I., Ann E., died in infancy. Mr. Lyon is serving in the capacity of Justice of the Peace, and in politics is Prohibition. He owns a farm of 104 acres.

JAMES T. MAHAFFEY, farmer, P. O. Raymond, ex-member of the Board of County Commissioners, was born near Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, April 4, 1827. He is a son


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of Alexander and Nancy (McCain) Mahaffey, natives of Maryland and Harrison County, Ohio, respectively, and a grandson of Alexander, Sr., and Margaret ,Mahaffey, who were owners of slaves. They liberated them when they removed to Pennsylvania, and, in 1830, migrated to Richland County, Ohio, where they both died. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Mahaffey's maternal grandfather, James W. McCabe, was also a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. M.'s father removed to Knox County in 1826, and, in 1842, came to Union County. They removed to Tazewell County, Ill., in 1852. Mr. M. died in January 1872, and his wife in November 1868. James is the third of a family of seven children. He was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the schools of his native place. His early life was spent in clearing up his father's farm. He bought 107 acres in Jerome Township, to which he afterward added thirty acres. In 1864, he sold this farm, and, in October of the same year, came to Liberty Township, where he now owns a farm of 308 acres. He has followed farming and stock raising successfully, devoting especial attention to keeping fine stock. February 9, 1847, he was married to Matilda, daughter of Alexander Kent, and granddaughter of John Kent, one of the earliest settlers of Jerome Township. Mrs. Mahaffey was born in Champaign County April 11, 1827, and died August 25, 1855, leaving three children-Louisa (wife of Ed. L. Williams), Margaret A. (wife of Festus Edwards, of Reed City, Mich.), and James W., of Byhalia. Mr. Mahaffey celebrated his second marriage January 31, 1866, with Maria, daughter of Curtis and Elizabeth McCloud, and a native of Madison County, Ohio, where she was born March 8, 1827. This union was blest with five children, four of whom are now living-Nancy E. (wife of George C. Edwards), John W. (married Alice Lockwood), Alexander C. (married Olive B. Donley), and Flora M. at home. Riley, the eldest, is deceased. Mr. Mahaffey sail wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. M. is Deacon and Trustee of the church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. He was six times Treasurer of Liberty Township, and Justice of the Peace two terms. In 1878, he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners, and served during the partial erection of the new court house.

JESSE MARIS, farmer, P. O. West Mansfield, a prominent Spanish merino sheep breeder, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 6, 1826. He is a son of Joseph and Ann (Wickersham) Maris, who were natives of Chester County, Penn. Mr. Maris was reared on a farm till seventeen years of age, when he learned the shoe-maker's trade, which he followed in his native county ten years. In 1846, he went to West Middleburgh, Logan County, where he continued at his trade till 1849, and came to Union County and bought 100 acres of land. March 30, 1849, Mr. Maris joined himself in marriage with Miss Rachel J. Chesher, a daughter of John and Julia Chesher. Mrs. Maris died in May 1855, leaving three children-Joseph G., Sylvester and William P. Mr. Maris celebrated his second marriage in June 1857, with Mrs. Elizabeth Stanley, widow of Simon Stanley, and daughter of Nathaniel and Margaret Davis. Five children were born to this marriage; of these four are living-Lydia, James D., George E. and Charles P. Mrs. MARIS departed this life June 10, 1879, and April 29, 1881, Mr. M. married Miss Rebecca E. Gordon, a native of Champaign County, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Gordon. Mrs. Mario was born in August 1837. Mr. Maris owns a farm of 143 acres, and is engaged in farming and rearing thoroughbred Spanish merino sheep and French horses. He has about sixty head of registered sheep, and is a regular exhibitor at the Union County Fairs and Mechanicsburg Fair. He is one of the oldest fine sheep men in the county. In 1864, Mr. Maris was a member of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and served his term on garrison duty.

HENRY MORSE, farmer, P. O. Raymond, a native of Windham County, Vt., born October 13, 1825. His parents, Charles P. and Sarah (Knight) Morse, were respectively natives of Worcester County, Mass., and Windham County, Vt. They were married January 16, 1821, and in 1833 emigrated to Loraine County, Ohio, and in 1836 to Ashland County. The subsequent year they came to Claibourne Township, Union Co., and located on land which forms the present site of Richwood. He bought land to the number of 300 acres in Claibourne Township. In 1841, he removed to Marysville, where he carried on a dairy till 1848, and removed to North Lewisburg, and was engaged in farming, except one year he superintended a cheese factory at Homer, till 1854, when he came to this township and purchased a farm of 333 acres. He died June 20, 1871. He was an Elder and member of the Church of Christ for thirty-five years. He was once a member of the Vermont Legislature. Henry was brought up on a farm. He taught school a number of years, and was successful in the profession. His sister, Elvira, taught thirty-three terms, mostly in this county. She married Huston January, and died January 1, 1871. When of age, Mr. Morse made a trip to Nauvoo and Carthage, Ill., but remained a short time. He returned and resumed farming, which he has since followed. March 18, 1851, he was married to Miss Martha, daughter of James and Catharine January. Mrs. Morse was born in Marysville, April 15, 1830. To them was born one child-Mary, born January 2, 1852. She married David Skidmore April 28, 1870, and has one child-Henry M. Mr. Skidmore was born in Logan County, Ohio, June 3, 1847. Mr. and Mrs. Morse are members of the Church of Christ. Mr. M. has been prominently connected with that church for forty-three years. He owns a farm of 227 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.


412 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

LEVI REA, farmer, a prominent pioneer of Liberty Township, was born in Logan County, Ohio, June 5, 1815. He is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Dickinson) Rem, who removed from West-Virginia to Logan County, Ohio, in 1808, and settled near East Liberty, subsequently removing to Jefferson Township where Mr. Rem bought 460 acres of land. The Indians and wild animals were numerous, and many were the difficulties which this pioneer encountered an passed through. Mr. Rea was twice called into service during the war of 1812. He was a poor man in his earlier life, but by his untiring energy and industry accumulated a great deal of property, and at his death in January 1845, was one of the wealthiest men in Logan County. He left eleven children by his first and two by his last wife. Levi is the fifth child by his first wife. He was reared on the old homestead and received his education in the schools which were held in log cabins. He was often associated with the Indian to boys, and indulged with them in their hilarious amusements. In 1842. he removed to Liberty Township and purchased 100 acres of his large and well improved farm Bat seven acres of this purchase had been cleared. He cleared it up from its original condition, and made additions to it till his farm now contains 500 acres of land. From his fourteenth year till of age. He had charge of his father's farm, and conducted it successfully through these years. All of Mr. Rea's present property is the fruit of his own labor and management, he having embarked in life a poor man and made all that he possesses by his own exertions. His marriage occurred February 28, 1839, with Lydia, daughter of James and Mary Newman, and a native of Sussex County, N. J., where she was born October 14, 1812. To them were born seven children, of whom two are living, viz.: David A., born July 15, 1846, married Mary J. Glascoe; and Gertrude, born October 3, 1848, wife of James 0. Thomas. Mary E., William F., Ruth E., James H. and Jehiel G. are deceased. Mr. Rea and wife are member-- of the Church of Christ.

DAVID A. REA, farmer, P. O. Raymond, only living son of Levi and Lydia Rea, was born on the home farm in Liberty Township, July 15, 1846. he remained at home till November 24, 1863, when he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served under Gen. Sherman, and participated in the following battles: Tunnel Hill, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Mountain, Jonesboro, Atlanta and all the engagements on the Atlanta campaign and "march to the sea," including Savannah. He was afterward engaged at Bentonville and Goldsboro, N. C., after which he marched to Washington, D. C. He was honorably discharged July 17, 1865. He returned home and was a member of the firm of Sterling & Rea, merchants of Newton for a time, then resumed farming which he has since followed. In 1878, he took possession of the farm he now occupies. He was married November 5, 1868, to Mary J., daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Glascoe. Mrs. Rea was born in Clark County, Ohio, December 15, 1844. One daughter was born to this union-Lydia, born September 17, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Rea are associated with the Disciples Church. Politically he is a Republican. He owns a farm of 100 acres, and is engaged in rearing short-horned cattle, Spanish merino sheep and Poland-China hogs.

DAVID REYNER, farmer, P. O. Raymond, an old pioneer of Union County, whose portrait is given in this work, was born near Philadelphia, Penn., September 4, 1803. He is a son of John and Mary Reyner, natives of Pennsylvania. His father served in the war of 1812, and died in 1819. His mother died in 1814. David is the youngest of six children. He was reared on a farm till sixteen, when he took up the wagon-maker's trade near Philadelphia, where he worked six years. In 1834, he came to Columbiana County, Ohio, and the subsequent year to Liberty Township, Union County, where he purchased a farm of seventy-five acres. Of this but ten acres had been cleared. Mr. Reyner cleared and well improved his land and made an addition till the homestead contains 108 acres. He also owns eighty-three acres in another part of the township, besides fifty-nine and one-half acres in York Township, making him in all 250 acres. In 1827, Mr. Reyner was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth Mann. This union was blest with six children, four of whom are now living-John, Sarah A., wife of Isaac N. Skidmore; Theodore and Vianna. John served in the late war in defense of our country. Mrs. Reyner was born near Philadelphia, Penn., February 14, 1799, and departed this life March 15, 1879. Mr. Reyner is one of the few surviving pioneer settlers of Union County. He came within its borders when the greater part was in wood$, and with his own band aided in making many of the first improvements of his township.

WILLIAM RHOADS, farmer, P. O. Raymond. was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 5, 1810, and is a son of Jacob and Mary M. (Yale) Rhoads of Bucks County, Penn.; his father was born December 21, 1776, and his mother November 11, 1779. They were married in their native State, and removed to Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1814, where they resided till 1840, at which time they located in Delaware County, Ohio, where both died. They were parents of eleven children, five of whom are living. He was a stone-mason by trade, and late in life followed farming and milling. Our subject was married February 28, 1833, to Margaret M., daughter of John and Mary Irwin, who born him six children, viz.: Walter W., born August 15, 1835; Orville J., born December 23, 1837, and died in Andersonville Prison, August 15, 1864; Jacob McKendree, born January 29, 1840, and died May 13, 1876; Horatio J., born January 19, 1842; Cassius Y., born June 19, 1844; and Marion F., born September 8, 1846. Walter W., Orville J., Jacob and Horatio J. were soldiers during the late war. Mr. Rhoads


LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 413

located in this county in 1873. He owns 121 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, to which they have belonged for forty-eight years.

DANIEL SHIRK, farmer, P. O. Peoria, eldest son of Adam and Anna (Dox) Shirk, was born in Liberty Township, August 8, 1825. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. His early life was spent in helping his father clear and improve the old homestead. he had charge of the farm from 1846 to 1850, then started out for himself. In 1856, he bought fifty-six and a half acres, his present farm, which was all in woods. He cleared a place and erected a log cabin in which he lived till 1870, when he erected a frame residence. October 12, 1847, he was married to Miss Sarah D., daughter of Adam and Eve Brake by whom he has had ten children, eight of whom are living, viz.: Samantha, wife of Franklin Turner; Julia A., wife of Franklin Walford : Matilda wife of Joseph Donohoe; Sarah E., wife of Jesse Wigle ; John W., married Dillie Jenkins; Charles W., Daniel E., and Alneta. Mary M. and Elzada, are deceased. Mrs. Shirk was born in Liberty Township August 5, 1830. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are earnest members of the Christian Church. Politically, be is a Republican.

STEPHEN SHIRK. farmer. P. O. Peoria, was born in Liberty Township October 21, 1826. He is a son of Adam and Anna (Dom) Shirk. natives of Hardy County, W. Va. His father was born October 22, 1791, and his mother August 5, 1796; they were married January 26, 1817, and in 1820 removed and settled in Fairfield County, Ohio. In 1822, they came to Union County, locating in Liberty Township, on the farm now owned by Mrs. Mary Connor, and in October 1829, removed to Taylor Township, where he died July 29, 1876. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and during his life was an active worker in the Christian Church. Mrs. Shirk died April 25, 1859, and Mr. Shirk again married June 8, 1860, to Mrs. Charity -Mann, who died September 25, 1873. Stephen is the second son and seventh child of sixteen children; he was reared on a farm and received his education in the common schools. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and was discharged September 5, 1864, at the expiration of term of service. He settled on his farm in 1852, first purchasing fifty-six acres, and subsequently adding thirty-two acres; he also owns forty-six acres in York Township. He has always followed farming till within the last two years, during which time has been constructing pikes. His marriage with Miss Mary daughter of Adam and Eve Brake, occurred August 10, 1848. Mrs. Shirk was born in Liberty Township February 17, 1827, twelve children were born to this marriage; of them ten are living Emily, wife of Benjamin Hisey, Amanda, wife of Orsamus Poling; William H.; Angelia, wife of Charles Holycross; Lewis F., Viola Charles L., Mary E., Rhoda and Cora. Cornelius and Josiah W. are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Shirk has been a minister in that denomination for eighteen years. For three years he had charge of Hildreth's Chapel as pastor. He was Trustee of Liberty Township for tell years. Politically, he is a Republican.

HENRY SHIRK, farmer, P. O. Peoria, was born in Taylor Township August 22, 1828, and raised on a farm half a mile southeast of where he now resides. About 1848, he purchased his present farm of sixty acres, to which he has added eighty. five acres, and in addition he owns ninety-two acres in Liberty Township. On March 24, 1860, he married Elizabeth Myers at Newton, this county; she was born in Union County, Dover Township, August 5, 1838, and is a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Stiner) Myers, the former a native of Licking County and the latter of Madison County. Mr. and Mrs. Shirk have had six children, viz.: Marion M., born November 20, 1860; Della, born March 3, 1862, wife of John Keckley, Josie, born July 23, 1863; Owen, born December 17, 1866; Alva, born January 31, 1870; and Homer, born October 21, 1875. Mr. Shirk is a Republican in politics. His wife is a member of Union Christian Church. His parents were Adam and Anna (Dox) Shirk, the former a native of Virginia, who died in 1876, aged over fourscore years, His wife died in 1859, aged about sixty years. They came to Ohio about 1820, and had a large family, of whom five boys and three girls survive.

ISAAC N. SKIDMORE, farmer, P. O. Raymond, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Goward) Skidmore, was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 19, 1828. He is the third child of a family of six children. He was reared to manhood in his native place, anti educated in the common district schools. His early life he spent with his uncle, Jacob U. Skidmore, in clearing up the farm. December 28, 1850, he was married to Sarah A., daughter of David and Eliza Reyner. Mrs. Skidmore was born near Philadelphia, Penn., March 18, 1828. Of four children by this marriage, three are living-David M , born April 21, 1853; Edwin A., born March 9, 1857, and Edward S., born March 19, 1861 ; Ann E., born October 26, 1851, and died May 7. 1856. Mr. Skidmore resided in Logan County till 1854, when he removed to his farm in York Township. He cleared up his farm, which contains sixty-eight and one-half acres in York Township, and in 1879 took charge of his father-in-law s farm. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

J. Q. SOUTHARD, M. D., physician, P. O. Raymond, was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 28, 1829. He is a son of Isaiah and Elizabeth Southard, the former a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of Baltimore, Md. His father was born April 21, 1801, and his mother in 1807. His grandfather, Abraham Southard, was born at Bosking Ridge, Somerset County, N. J., and removed to Washington County, Penn., where he married Eliza-


414 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

beth Hull, a sister to Capt. Hull, who was murdered by the Indians on the Ohio River, an incident mentioned of in United States history. Mr. Southard removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 1805. James Parnell, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Southard, was born in Maryland, and married Ackline Stockdale. In 1809, he removed to Licking County. His father was born in the North of Ireland, and came to America before the Revolutionary war. Samuel L. and Henry Southard, cousins to Abraham Southard, were men prominent in political life. Henry was United States Senator a term of years. Isaiah and Elizabeth Southard were the parents of six children, five of whom are now living, viz.: James M., M. D., of Marysville; J. Q., M. D., Newton; Anna M., wife of Ulysses Hall, Newark, Ohio; Milton I., graduated from Dennison University, Granville, in 1861 ; read law and acted as Prosecuting Attorney of Muskingum County from 1867 to 1873 ; member of Congress of Thirteenth District, 1873 to 1879, and now a member of the law firm of Ewing & Southard, New York City ; Frank H. graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1864, and is a member of the firm of Southard & Southard, attorneys of Zanesville, and is one of the leading lawyers of the State. Dr. Southard, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on a farm, and received his literary education in the common schools. When eighteen years of age, he engaged in teaching, which he followed four years. In 1851, he began reading medicine, and after pursuing his studies one and a half years, he attended the Cleveland Medical College, graduating in March 1855. He then located at Frazeysburg, and in 1857 he came and established himself at Newton, where he has been uninterruptedly engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. Dr. Southard came to Newton with but $40 in money, but by close application to his profession, ha., acquired a large and successful practice. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and Chapter, and is connected with the County and State Medical Associations. He owns, besides his town property in Newton, about a section of well-improved land. In November 1861, he was married to Miss Lucinda M., daughter of Theodore and Eliza (Stuart) Green, by whom he has had five children, three of whom are living-Frank S., Homer and Harry G. Henry B. and Otto M. are deceased. Mrs. Southard's maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Stuart, was the only son of Capt. Joseph Stuart, an officer in the Revolutionary war. He was born in New York, and of Scotch ancestry. Nathaniel Stewart was born in New York December 11, 1786. He married Keziah Toby, and in 1836, with a family of twelve children, emigrated to Union County. Mr. Stewart. died October 12, 1872. Mrs. Southard's father, Theodore Green, was born in New York January 26, 1797, and married Eliza Stuart, who was born June 3, 1811. Mr. Green departed this life in October 1875.


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