USA > Ohio > Richland County > A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio > Part 28
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In his political views Mr. Haverfield is a Republican and does what he can to disseminate the principles of the party and secure their adoption. He is not a politician in the usual accepted sense of office-seeking, yet has held a number of minor positions, including that of township trustee. Socially he is connected with Jacob Ward Post, No. 467, G. A. R., in which he is now serving as the officer of the day, and with Weller Grange, No. 1072, of the Patrons of Husbandry. Not only when following the old flag upon southern battle-fields but at all times has he been faithful to his duties of citizenship and to the obligations of business and social life. His sterling worth is widely recognized and his friends in the community are many.
SILAS M. DOUGLASS.
Occupying a prominent position in the circles of the legal profession, Silas M. Douglass has been called to the bench of the circuit court and is a lawyer of distinguished ability. An excellent presence, earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to to apply its principles accurately, made him an effective and successful advo-
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cate and has insured him high rank among the representatives of the juris- prudence of the state.
Judge Douglass was born on a farm in Monroe township, Richland county, on the Ist of January, 1853. His father, John J. Douglass, was of Scotch-Irish lineage, and his mother was of German and French descent. Amid rural scenes he spent his boyhood and youth, early becoming familiar with the labors and duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, and his preliminary education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in Greentown Academy. Not content with the knowledge he had acquired he entered Wittenberg College in 1876, and on the expiration of two years was matriculated in Heidelberg College, in which institution he was graduated in June, 1879. In his efforts to secure an education he engaged in teaching school and also acted as tutor while pursuing his collegiate course. With the determination to make the practice of law his life work he began reading under the direction of Judge May, of Mansfield, and when he had mastered the fundamental principles of jurisprudence he entered the senior class of the Cincinnati Law School in 1882, and completed the course with the class of 1883.
In July of the same year Judge Douglass began practicing in Mans- field, where he was associated with John A. Connelly. Three years later his brother, A. A. Douglass, was admitted to the bar and became Mr. Connelly's successor, the firm of Douglass & Douglass being then formed. This pro- fessional relation between the brothers was continued until Judge Douglass was elevated to the circuit bench. His success as a lawyer came soon, because his equipment was good, he having been a close and earnest student of the fundamental principles of the science. Along with those qualities indis- pensable to the lawyer -- a keen, rapid, logical mind, plus the business sense and a large capacity for earnest labor-he brought to the starting point of his legal career certain real gifts,-eloquence of language and a strong personality. In November, 1896, he was elected to the circuit bench of the fifth judicial circuit of Ohio for a term of six years. He has here demonstrated his ability to handle the intricate problems of the law, has shown strict impartiality in disposing of cases and in his decisions has given evidence of his comprehensive and accurate knowledge of legal principles and precedents. He has juris- diction over fifteen counties. At the annual meeting of Ohio circuit judges in September, 1900, he was elected chief justice of Ohio circuit courts. He was also honored with the office of mayor of Mansfield by appointment
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to fill an unexpired term of six months. Later he was elected city solicitor and served for two terms.
On the 10th of October. 1883. occurred the marriage of Judge Douglass and Miss May Weagley, a daughter of Captain William H. Weagley, of Bell- ville, Ohio. To them have been born four children: Stephen Augustus, Eleanor May, Marian Hilary, and Marion Drexel. Mrs. Douglass is a lady of marked culture and innate refinement, who presides with gracious hos- pitality over her pleasant home and displays excellent management in the care of her household and her children. Socially Judge Douglass is connected with Alpha Gamma Chapter of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity ; is a member of Monroe Lodge, No. 224, I. O. O. F .: of Madison Lodge, No. 56, K. of P .; and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and he exemplifies in his life the benevolent spirit of these orders. In politics he is a stanch Jackson- ian Democrat. unswerving in his allegiance to those principles. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church of Mansfield, but is liberal in his views, believing in the spirit of Christ without regard for creeds. His nature is kindly, his temperament genial and his manner courteous. He is a student and a clear and logical thinker. His friends find him a most companionable gentleman, but when on the bench his attitude at once indicates the student, earnest and scholarly. fully upholding the majesty of the law.
JACOB G. HILL.
Jacob Grove Hill, a representative of the journalistic interests of Shelby, was born on the 13th of August. 1839, near Strasburg, Stark county, Ohio, a son of Peter and Julia (Willard) Hill, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Maryland. His father was a shoemaker by trade. In the family were ten children.
At the age of sixteen years the subject of this review entered upon an apprenticeship to Robert Wilson, of New Lisbon, Ohio, to learn the printer's trade, serving for a term of three years. When he was twenty-one years of age a spirit of patriotism prompted his enlistment in the Union army and he joined the "boys in blue" of Company E. Nineteenth Regiment, Ohio Infantry. During the first four months of his service he was engaged in skirmishing at and near Laurel Hill: The first real engagement in which he participated was at Rich Mountain. He was often in the thickest of the fight, but was never wounded. He served under Captain Erwin Beam, who was a veteran of the Mexican war, and under Colonel Samuel Batty, who was afterward appointed brigadier-general.
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Upon his return home Mr. Hill resumed work at the printer's trade and was thus engaged until May 12, 1864, when he re-enlisted, under Captain O. M. Todd, as a member of Company K, of the One Hundred and Forty- third Ohio National Guard. He became a member of Company K, Eight- eenth Battalion of Ohio Volunteers, which was raised in Columbiana county, Ohio. The regiment was sent to Wilson's Landing, where Colonel Miller, of Mansfield, was in command of the post. After one hundred days' service at Camp Chase, Ohio, Mr. Hill received an honorable discharge, on the 13th of December, 1864.
Subsequently our subject returned to New Lisbon, Ohio, and there worked at the printer's trade until the fall of 1868, when he came to Shelby. Here he entered into partnership with Hinkly Young, establishing a weekly paper known as the Shelby Chronicle, which he conducted for about two years, when the paper was sold to S. S. Bloom, who changed the name to the Shelby Independent. Mr. Hill acted as its publisher for eight years and also shared in the profits of the business. On the expiration of that period the partnership was dissolved, in the fall of 1876, and Mr. Hill established what has since been known as the Shelby Times. The paper has a good cir- culation and is proving a profitable investment. It is Republican in its politi- cal complexion and is an earnest champion of all measures and movements calculated to prove of public benefit. He is earnest in his advocacy of the political principles in which he believes and through his editorials has done much to promote the cause of the party. Socially he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
OSCAR A. HUBBS, M. D.
In the medical fraternity Dr. Hubbs has attained a position of relative distinction and occupies a leading place as a representative of his profession. For twenty-one years he has practiced medicine in Butler, and his marked ability has won for him a large and constantly growing patronage, which is well merited, for he has qualified himself by a comprehensive and thorough mastery of the principles of medical science and the best methods of applying these to the needs of suffering humanity.
The Doctor was born in Fayette City, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1851. His grandfather, Charles Hubbs, was also a native of Pennsylvania and was a successful physician. Edwin Hubbs, the Doctor's father, was born and reared in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and became a salesman for a jewelry
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and drug firm. In 1856 he came to Richland county, locating in Olivesburg, where for several years he engaged in the cultivation of rented land. In politics he was a stanch Republican, but never sought or desired political office. His death occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. . His wife, who bore the maiden name of Caroline Storer, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and is still living, at the age of eighty-nine years, in the enjoyment of good health. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. By her marriage she had eight children, of whom five are still living. Her grandfather, John Davitt, was a native of Ireland and emigrated from that country to the new world.
Dr. Hubbs was the fifth in order of birth in his father's family. His early youth was spent in his parents' home and at the age of thirteen he began learning the printer's trade in Ashland, Ohio. He was employed in a print- ing office until eighteen years of age in Ashland, becoming familiar with the various branches of the business. He also worked on the Loudonville Inde- pendent, and for five or six years was the publisher of the Loudonville Advo- cate; but, not content to devote his energies to journalistic work, during that time he began reading medicine, his studies being directed by Dr. S. S. Mills. Subsequently he was graduated in March, 1879, at the Pulte Homeo- pathic College, of Cincinnati, and for six months practiced in Loudonville, but in 1879 came to Butler, where he has since followed his chosen calling. He soon demonstrated his ability to cope with disease and his efforts were attended with very creditable success. This brought to him a constantly increasing patronage and he now has a large practice among the best citizens of Butler and the surrounding country. In addition to his home property he owns a valuable farm of one hundred and fifteen acres, which he rents.
The Doctor married Miss Maggie A. Ruth, of Ashland, Ohio, who was born in Arkansas and during her early girlhood accompanied her parents to Ashland. She now has three children: Roy S., who in 1895 was graduated at the Pulte Homeopathic College and is now associated with his father in practice ; Floyd M., who is an adopted son and who is one of the most talented pianists in the state ; and Hazel E., at home. In his political views the Doctor is a valiant Democrat, but has always refused to accept public office. He belongs to Bellville Lodge, No. 376, F. & A. M., of Bellville; to Sturgess Lodge, No. 357, I. O. O. F., of Butler ; and the Lucullus Lodge, No. 121, K. P. His career is a creditable one, well worthy of emulation. He had but limited opportunities in his youth, for his parents were poor and he not only provided for his own support but also assisted his brother and sister. With undaunted energy he prepared himself for one of the higher callings of
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life and has attained prominence as a representative of the medical fraternity, having long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the success- ful few.
NELSON OZIER.
It becomes the duty of every American citizen upon attaining his majority to support in one way and another the constitution of the United States. By exercising his privilege of voting he evinces his fealty to his country and his pride in its citizenship. In this respect Mr. Ozier has never failed to show his loyalty, and as an uncompromising Republican has taken a most active part in local and county matters in behalf of his party and friends. He has himself been honored with public office and is now serving for the second time as the postmaster of Mansfield. He is an ardent adherent of the prin- ciples incorporated in the platform of the Republican party and has served long and faithfully in the ranks of the organization, resolutely following in the footsteps of the leaders and ever evincing that intelligent discrimination and integrity which marked the supporters of Republicanism and maintained the high standard adopted at the inception of the party.
Mr. Ozier is also widely known as a pioneer and prominent and success- ful business man of Richland county. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of January, 1823, and is a son of Stephen and Mar- garet (Nichols) Ozier. His father was born in Delaware and died in Rich- land county, Ohio, at the age of fifty-two years, having been a resident of the county from 1824. His wife was a native of Belmont, Washington county, Pennsylvania, and her death occurred in this county, when she had attained the age of seventy-two years. They were the parents of four sons and three daughters, but of the family only two, David and Nelson, are now living.
The latter pursued his education in the primitive schools of Richland county and was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, early becoming familiar with the arduous duties and labors of farm life at that early period. He was a youth of only about ten summers when his father died, after which he aided in supporting his mother and the family. His early business efforts were in the line of buying stock and wool, in which enterprise he continued from 1848 until 1863. For twenty years he was associated in partnership with his brother David, who is now engaged in the banking business in Shiloh, Ohio. The conditions attending stock-dealing at that time were very different from the present, when horses, cattle, hogs and sheep are loaded into cars and shipped to every part of the country. Mr. Ozier has driven sheep
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from this county to New Jersey, taking sixty days to make the trip, often having charge of from one to two thousand head. He has also driven hogs from this county to Buffalo, forty days being consumed upon the road. In his business affairs, however, he prospered. He made judicious investments in stock and profitable sales. His excellent judgment enabled him to quickly determine upon the good qualities of the animals and his familiarity with the market enabled him to dispose of them at a time when he could realize upon his investment.
From the organization of the party Mr. Ozier has been a stalwart Repub- lican, unswerving in his allegiance to the principles which have upbuilded the nation along all lines of advancement. In 1863, unsolicited by him, he received the nomination for sheriff and was elected to that office by a majority of three hundred, when the county usually gave a Democratic majority of from fifteen to eighteen hundred. His election was a tribute to his personal worth, his ability and popularity. He served for one term during the troublous times of the Civil war and was perfectly fearless, prompt and decided in the discharge of his duties. He was a warm personal friend and admirer of Senator Sherman, and as a member of the convention he gave his influence and aid toward securing his nomination for his first term in congress, the convention being held in Shelby, Richland county, in 1854. At that time the congressional district gave a usual Democratic majority of three thousand, but Mr. Ozier and others labored untiringly for the interests of their friend who was destined to occupy so prominent a place in the political councils of the nation, and he was elected by a majority of twenty-five hundred. Ever afterward our subject continued earnest in his support of the Ohio statesman and took an active interest in securing for him the large vote he polled in this locality. When Benjamin Harrison was elected to the presidency Mr. Ozier was appointed by him to the office of postmaster of Mansfield. In March, 1898, he was again appointed postmaster of Mansfield by President McKinley, and entered upon the duties of the office in April, so that he is the present incumbent. He has made one of the best postmasters that Mansfield has ever had, has increased the business of the office in volume, has improved its methods and has made marked advancement in its administration along many lines.
In 1852 Mr. Ozier was happily married to Miss Margaret J. Snapp, who was born in Virginia. Her father, Peter Snapp, also a native of the Old Dominion, was a stalwart Democrat, and at one time was a county commis- sioner of Richland county. He died in Rome, Ohio, at the age of seventy- six years. Mr. and Mrs. Ozier have one child, Fred S. They occupy a
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pleasant home in Mansfield and also own the old family homestead at Rome. Mrs. Ozier is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is an estimable lady.
Mr. Ozier is public-spirited in an eminent degree. National progress and local advancement are causes both dear to the heart of this thoroughly loyal son of the republic. His devotion to his country is above question and his labors have contributed in a large measure to the welfare and progress of his adopted county. In manner he is pleasant and genial, an approachable gentleman who enjoys the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances. It is not alone because of special prominence in public affairs that he has and is justly entitled to the respect and confidence of his fellow men, for his personal qualities are such as to make men esteem and honor him.
DAVID McCORMIC.
The county whose history is now under consideration has been well named,-Richland,-for its broad acres are easily transformed into rich fields which yield excellent returns for the care and cultivation bestowed upon them. Mr. McCormic is one who has successfully carried on agricultural pursuits here for some years and is now classed among the substantial agriculturists of Blooming Grove township. He was born in Hancock county, Ohio, on the 2d of August, 1842, of the marriage of Daniel and Freelove (Bradin) Mc- Cormic, whose family numbered nine children. The father was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, a son of Joseph and Betsey McCormic, who came to Ohio when he was a young man, taking up their abode about a mile east of Petersburg, in what is now Ashland county. After a short time, however, they removed to Hancock county, where the grand- mother of our subject died in the year 1870. The grandfather then sold his farm and returned to Richland county, making his home with Mr. McCormic of this review up to the time of his death, which occurred three years later.
Daniel McCormic was married soon after his arrival in Richland county, and when his parents removed to Hancock county, with his wife and one child he accompanied them, but not being favorably impressed with that sec- tion of the country he returned with his little family, and some time later bought a farm of ninety-four acres a mile and a quarter west of Olivesburg, in Weller township. There he carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, and reared a family that became a credit to his name. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office, and in the discharge of his duties he was ever prompt
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and faithful. His political support was given to Republican principles, and from early manhood he was an earnest member of the Disciple church and did everything in his power to promote Christian work and to inculcate Chris- tian principles among his fellow men. He was called to the reward prepared for the righteous in 1891. His wife was born in what is now Ashland county, but was then a part of Richland county, in the year 1826, her parents being Thomas and Freelove Bradin, who were of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock and came to Richland county among its pioneer settlers, entering a quarter- section of land from the government four miles southeast of Olivesburg, in what is now Ashland county, making their home there throughout their remaining days. The mother of our subject is still living and yet resides on the old homestead in Weller township. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, four of whom yet survive, as follows: David, of this review; Sarah, the wife of William Smith, of Olivesburg; Lorinda, the wife of Clark Monyer, of Weller township; and Weller, who is living in Butler township.
David McCormic spent his boyhood days upon the home farm, working in the fields from his early youth, and when his father was taken ill the burden of the farm work largely devolved upon his young shoulders. Thus his edu- cational privileges were limited, he being permitted to attend school for about two months through the winter season. Reading and observation, however, have made him a well informed man on all public questions, and he is a broad-minded and intelligent conversationalist who talks in an interesting manner upon the issues and affairs of the day.
On the 24th of November, 1868, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. McCormic and Miss Lydia Harlan, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and a daughter of Samuel Harlan, who was born in Pennsylvania and became one of the pioneer settlers of what is now Ashland county. After his marriage he began his independent career as a farmer, renting a tract of land in Weller township, a mile and a half east of Shenandoah. The year following he rented land in Clear Creek township, Ashland county, where he met with a great misfortune, his home being destroyed by fire and almost all his house- hold effects burned. In 1870, with capital he had acquired through his indus- try and economy, he purchased eighty acres of his present farm. He was at that time the possessor of four hundred dollars in money, one horse, two cows and twenty-five head of sheep. He labored industriously and indefatigably, however, and prosperity has attended his well directed efforts.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McCormic was blessed with five children, as follows: Edmund, who is now a farmer in Blooming Grove township;
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Estella, the wife of Perry Noble, of Cass township; Margaret, the wife of Ransom Huston, of Blooming Grove township; Bertha, wife of Frank Kotz, of Huron county ; and Dora, who is still at her parental home. Mr. Mc- Cormic is a supporter of Republican principles and has been a member of the Disciple church since his youth. He has always lived in this sec- tion of Ohio and has many warm friends who have known him from early life, an indication that he has ever merited the esteem and respect of those with whom he has associated.
SAMUEL FERGUSON.
Samuel Ferguson. deceased, was for many years one of the honored citizens and successful agriculturists of Washington township, Richland county, Ohio. He was born near Pittsburg, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, on the 7th of August, 1816, a son of Samuel and Wilhelmina (Dye) Fer- guson, in whose family were nine children. His father, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 and a traveler to a considerable extent, came to Rich- land county, Ohio, in 1820, and from the government entered the land upon which our subject's family now reside. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight years.
Mr. Ferguson, of this review, was reared on a farm in his native state, and continued to reside there until 1842, when he came to Ohio and took up his residence upon the farm in Washington township, Richland county, where he made his home up to the time of his death. In the original pur- chase there were three hundred and twenty acres, and the family still own two hundred and twenty acres, which. is pleasantly located on section 8, four miles from Mansfield. Of this tract, one hundred and forty acres have been cleared and placed under a high state of cultivation.
On the 2d of May, 1844, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret C. Glasgow, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1820. a daughter of James and Betsy A. (Sleator) Glasgow, both natives of Ireland. Her family removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio by team in 1832, and first settled in Knox county, but a year later came to Richland county. In June, 1834, there was a heavy frost, which did much damage to the crops. Mr. Glasgow purchased eighty acres of land where Joseph Hainley now re- sides, and erected thereon a log cabin. Here he followed farming for some years, but his last days were spent in Henry county.
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