USA > Ohio > Richland County > A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio > Part 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Mr. Wentz is a Republican, and, a's every true American citizen should do, feels a deep interest in his party and its growth. He has for two terms been township trustee and discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity. All that he has has been acquired through his own efforts. He entered upon his business career without capital, but he possessed determination and a willing- ness to work. Indolence and idleness constituted no part of his nature, and as his financial resources have increased he has made judicial investments which have classed him among the substantial residents of his community. His business methods are progressive. He is systematic in all that he does, and as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well.
ROBERT W. HAZLETT.
Upon the old Hazlett homestead of one hundred and twenty acres the subject of this review is living, his attention being given to the conduct of the farm. Here his birth occurred June 13, 1828, and for more than seventy years he has been a witness of the advancement made in the county, as it has adopted progressive methods and gained a place among the leading counties of the commonwealth. The family is of Scotch lineage, for the grandfather of our subject, Robert Hazlett, was a native of the land of hills and heather, whence he emigrated to Pennsylvania during early manhood. There he spent his remaining days, devoting his energies to weaving and farming. He died at the age of sixty years.
Samuel Hazlett, the father of our subject, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and in the Keystone state spent his childhood. In 1823 he came to Worthington township and entered from the government
622
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the land now owned by our subject. It was covered with heavy timber, and wolves, bears and other wild game roamed there in abundance, and furnished many a meal for the early settlers. They had to endure many hardships and trials incident to life on the frontier, but also enjoyed many pleasures that are unknown at the present day. Mr. Hazlett followed farming throughout the remainder of his life. He wished to serve his country in the war of 1812, but was only fifteen years of age at the time of the inauguration of hostilities and his parents would not give their consent to his entering the army. In politics he was a Democrat in early life, but at the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Republican party. For several years he served as a township trustee, and of the Presbyterian church he was a faithful member. Although a self-educated man, he became well read and was always informed on the issues and questions of the day. His hon- esty was proverbial and in business life he was very successful. He mar- ried Mary Wilson, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Wilson, a native of Ireland. Her father died at the age of eighty-five years. He, too, was a Democrat in his political belief. Mrs. Hazlett was born April 1, 1799, and died April 1, 1885, at the age of eighty-six years. Like her husband, she held membership in the Presbyterian church and she aided him in drying the lumber used in the construction of the house of worship of that denomination in Bunker Hill. In their family were ten children, eight of whom reached years of maturity, while six are still living. The father passed away at the age of seventy-three years.
Robert W. Hazlett remained at home until eighteen years of age, when his father gave him his time and he. entered upon an independent business career. He went to Bellville, where he learnd the tanner's trade, after which he spent two years on a farm, and on the expiration of that period he purchased a tannery in Bellville, conducting the enterprise with success for six or seven years. He then sold out and carried on a store and merchant tailoring establishment in Bellville for about a year. He next came to Worthington township and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits for about eight years, when he removed to Butler. After seven years' connection with the grain trade in that place he went to Knox county and bought a farm, which he operated for six years, when he traded it for property in Worthington township and returned to the old homestead. His land is rented and he derives a good income from the property, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres that are well improved with all modern accessories and conveniences.
Mr. Hazlett was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hill, of Bell-
623
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
ville, who died January 21, 1900, at the age of sixty-five years and six months. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and an ardent Christian woman, whose many excellent qualities endeared her to her large circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Hazlett had six children: Edgar M., a farmer of Knox county, Ohio; Ida May, the wife of M. L. O'Hearn, of Worthington township; Cora E., the wife of Samuel Criswell, of Ashland county; Myrtle B., the wife of H. A. Pierce, of Butler, Ohio; and two who died in infancy.
Mr. Hazlett is a stanch Republican and has served as a trustee of the township. He is a member of the Presbyterian church and withholds his support from no measure or movement that is calculated to prove of public benefit. He is now practically living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, and his life demonstrates what may be accomplished through determined purpose, which serves as an inspiration to those who are forced to depend upon their own exertions for advancement.
PHILIP KYNER.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success through unfavorable environments, we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test but can also gain new strength through the discipline. The follow- ing sets forth briefly the steps by which Philip Kyner, now one of the sub- stantial agriculturists of Washington township, who overcame the disad- vantages of his early life.
A native of Pennsylvania, he was born in Franklin county January 6, 1835, and is a son of John Kyner. In 1841 he removed with the family to Ohio and made his home at Loudonville until sixteen years of age, when he went with his mother and the children to Wyandot county. Not long afterward he came to Richland county, where he worked at the cooper's trade for five years. Subsequently he followed the same pursuit in Nevada, Ohio, for three years, and on his return to Richland county at the end of that time he opened a shop of his own in Lexington, which he conducted for four years. He then purchased a sawmill in Indiana, and was engaged in the manufacture of lumber for five years, after which he sold his mill and returned to Richland county, locating on the farm in Washington town- ship, where he now resides. Here he owns eighty-five acres of valuable land, and also has another tract of sixty acres, and in their operation is meeting with excellent success. On starting out in life for himself he was
624
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
without capital, and his success is due entirely to his own industry, enter- prise and perseverance. He is mostly self-educated, as well as a self-made man, and the prosperity that has crowned his efforts is certainly well deserved.
Mr. Kyner was married, in 1863, the lady of his choice being Miss Rebecca Patterson, a well-educated woman, who died in 1898, leaving many friends as well as her immediate family to mourn her loss. To them were born two children: William, who married and has two children, Paul and Leseal; and Minnie, at home with her father.
Mr. Kyner uses his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Democratic party, and is a consistent and faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Wherever known he is highly respected, and he has a host of warm friends throughout his adopted county.
CHRISTIAN WISE.
The name of Christian Wise is one familiar to the residents of Richland county, for he was long connected with its educational interests and with agri- cultural pursuits here. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1810, and died at his home near Mansfield on the 14th of March, 1888. His father was a learned and skillful physician and surgeon of Baltimore, and was the master. of five languages. Desiring that his son should have good educational privi- leges, he arranged that he should attend Brighton and Hanover Colleges, and thus he gained a broad and liberal knowledge, such as fitted him for the prose- cution of the duties of life and added to the value of existence. He married Miss Julia Ann Riegel, a lady of education, culture and refinement.
With his young wife Mr. Wise came to the west in 1833, settling in Rich- land county, Ohio, on a farm of eighty acres on the old state road north of Mansfield, but not long afterward he removed to another locality and later became the owner of a splendid farm just north of Mansfield, to which he re- moved and on which he resided for many years. The State Reformatory now occupies a part of this farm. Mr. Wise became a pioneer teacher in the county and possessed excellent ability as an educator. He did much to advance the intellectual status of the community in the early days, and many of the now prominent men of the community were among his pupils. He taught a select school known as "The University," which was located near Snyder's church. He was also a teacher in the public schools of the county, and his children later taught to a greater or less extent, for all of them were provided with good edu- cational privileges and were thus well fitted to carry on the work which he undertook when Richland county was on the frontier. He had ten children,
-
CHRISTIAN WIEE
JULIA ANNA WISE
625
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of whom two died in childhood, while three others are now deceased. Those still living are: Frank, Mary, Ella, William and Phœbe. The last named now owns and occupies the old homestead near Mansfield.
In politics Mr. Wise was a stanch Jeffersonian Democrat, and in religious belief he was a Dunkard. He had the highest rank in his denomination, being a bishop of the third degree. For twenty years he served as the sur- veyor of Richland county, and this brought him a wide acquaintance. In pioneer days his circle of friends embraced almost every resident of this portion of the state, and throughout the years he had enjoyed the warm regard and confidence of all with whom he was associated, being highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities. He kept in close touch with the advanced thought and progress of the day, and when he was called to his final rest the com- munity mourned the loss of one of its honored and respected citizens.
T. S. MARVIN.
T. S. Marvin, scale inspector for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, residing at No. 861 South Broadway, in Shelby, was born July 28, 1839, in Jackson township, Richland county. His father, Silas Marvin, was born near New Haven, Connecticut, November 15, 1805, and was a son of Isaac Marvin, also a native of that locality, born about 1774. The family is of English lineage, and in the days when feeling ran high between the colonies and the mother country the grandfather of our sub- ject shot a red-coated soldier across the Connecticut river. His brother was an exhorter in a church and was known as Deacon Marvin. The grand- father of T. S., having arrived at years of maturity, wedded Hannah Hoyt, of Connecticut, and unto them were born fourteen children,-eight sons and six daughters,-all of whom reached years of maturity with the exception of one son. Of these all were married but one, and twelve of the number had families, some of them having as many as twelve children, so that the descendants are very numerous. Isaac Marvin emigrated from Connecticut to Ohio at an early period in the development of Richland county and located in Jackson township, where he died in 1850. About 1814, while the Indians were still numerous in this part of the state, he established his home in the midst of the wild forest. Silas Marvin was the Nimrod of the family and killed many a deer, shooting one in 1843. It was discovered by T. S. Marvin, of this review, who told his father the animal was near, and the latter thus secured the venison for the family. The grandfather passed away at the age of seventy-six and his widow survived him until 1858, departing this
626
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
life at the age of eighty-four, her remains being interred in Oakland cemetery.
Silas Marvin was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Richland county. It was not unusual to see Indians in motley garb stalking through the forest in search of game. He aided in the arduous task of developing new land, and when he had reached man's estate he was married, in 1824, to Judith Kemp, who was born either in Virginia or Pennsylvania. The groom was nineteen and the bride seventeen years of age. They became the parents of six sons and six daughters, and all of the sons and four of the daughters reached mature years, while nine of the children married and had families. Three sons and two daughters are still living. . Mrs. Rachel Leiter, a widow, resides in Shelby with her two children; John Q., of Shelby, has two children; T. S., of this review, is the next; Catherine, the wife of Robert Kinkaid, a farmer of Cass township; and Alonzo P., the proprietor of a meat market in Shelby. The father's death occurred in July, 1871, when he had attained the age of sixty-six years, and the mother was called to her final rest in March, 1895. They now lay sleeping in London cemetery in Jackson township. The father was a cabinet-maker by trade and followed that pur- suit in Jackson township, operating his factory with horse power. At a later date, however, he gave his entire attention to the cultivation and im- provement of his land on Mohawk Hill, which was named in remembrance of the Mohawk chief. He was a Universalist in his religious faith and was a man of enterprise and reliability, widely and favorably known in his com- munity.
Tip S. Marvin, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared as a farmer boy until nineteen years of age, when he began learning the car- penter's trade, in Rome. He served an apprenticeship of two years, and in November, 1860, he began working at his trade in the employ of the rail- road of which he is now a representative. On the 15th of April, 1861, when the smoke from Fort Sumter's guns had scarcely cleared away he offered his services to the government in response to the first call for aid, and enlisted in Company D, Fifteenth Ohio Infantry. His was the fifth name upon the roll. They were mustered in for three months' service, but served for four months and eleven days. On the 12th of October, of the same year, Mr. Marvin re-enlisted for three years' service. On the 3Ist of November he was commissioned first lieutenant and assigned to Company H, of the Sixty-fourth United States Infantry from Ohio. After the battle of Shiloh he was detailed as a quartermaster on staff duty and for a short time was under General Garfield, who was commanding the brigade. In July,
627
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
1864, he was promoted to the rank of captain, but declined the honor. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga and the Atlanta campaign, and when the army was divided, Sherman starting on his march to the sea, Mr. Marvin was attached to General Thomas' division, and while on detached duty in this department he had some varied and most interesting experience. While serving under General Wood he was detailed to build a corduroy road and ably executed the task assigned him by reason of his knowl- edge of carpentering.
On the 7th of December, 1865, Mr. Marvin was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Leitner, and to them have been born three children : Silas William, a commercial traveler of Shelby, who has a wife and three children; Ruth L., the wife of H. K. Houpt, of Shelby, by whom she has six children; Elizabeth Judith, the wife of John W. Mykrantz; and Daniel, of Ashland. Mr. Marvin is a member of the Royal Arcanum and in politics is a Republican. He served for two terms as a member of the city council and exercises his official prerogative in support of all measures which seems to promise for the public good. He was appointed scale inspector for the rail- road company in 1895, but his connection with the corporation dates from 1860, covering a period of forty years. It is certainly a creditable record, indicating marked fidelity to duty and ability in the discharge of the task assigned him. With the exception of the four years spent in the army he has always been a resident of Richland county, and since 1868 has resided at his present home, at No. 86 Broadway, where his wife has lived since October, 1847. They have a wide acquaintance in Shelby and their many excellent qualities have secured them the high regard of their many friends.
WILLIAM SCOTT.
Among the farmers of Richland county who are now enjoying honor- able retirement from labor is William Scott, who is living on his valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Sandusky township, near Crestline. He has advanced far on life's journey, having lived through each presidential administration from the time when James Madison occupied the executive chair at Washington.
He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, now Snyder county, Sep- tember 25, 1815. His father, Thomas Scott, was a native of Scotland, born in 1775. During his childhood he left the land of his nativity and became a resident of Pennsylvania, where he married one of the native daughters of the Keystone state. He died in 1830, leaving to the care of his widow eight chil-
628
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
dren. All reached mature years and were married, and the eldest daughter died in Pennsylvania. The widowed mother came to Ohio with her other chil- dren, save those who had preceded her to this state. At the age of nineteen, in the year 1834, William Scott and his sister Elizabeth, with her husband, Mr. Keeler, sought a home in Richland county, locating south of Galion. Eighteen months later the other members of the family also came to Ohio and resided here during the early period of the development of this section of the state.
When twenty-one years of age our subject returned to Pennsylvania to bring a drove of five hundred and thirty-five cattle to Ohio. For two years he was employed by Daniel Riblet, of Pennsylvania, who had formerly been his school-teacher, and in 1832 came to Richland county, where for twenty years he served as a justice of the peace. After remaining in the service of Mr. Riblet for two years Mr. Scott wedded his daughter, Mary Ann. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom seven are living. The mother passed away about 1858, at the age of forty-one, and Mr. Scott was again married, in 1863, at which time Mrs. Eliza (Beckwith) Fried be- came his wife. Of that marriage three of the children are still living. Mrs. Scott died about 1871, at the age of fifty-four years, and for his third wife our subject chose Mrs. Charley (Sprow) Chambers, a widow, who was born in Germany and on coming to America located in Pennsylvania, whence she made her way to Ohio. By a former marriage she had one son and one daughter, who still survive. Mr. Scott's children are all now gone from home and are married with the exception of the youngest son, Simon. who is a bachelor farmer of Henry county, Ohio. There are many grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
With the exception of John Castle, Mr. Scott is the oldest pioneer if his township. His has been an honorable life, in which his fidelity to duty has commanded uniform confidence. He has paid his debts promptly and has never been sued nor has he sued any one. He received from his father's estate about one hundred and thirty dollars, and with this exception all of his possessions have been self-acquired. He lost one thousand dollars through an act of kindness to a supposed friend. He labored earnestly, following general farming, and has cleared two valuable tracts of land and is now clear- ing the third farm, upon which he settled about 1850. He erected his resi- dence in 1860 and his barn in 1862. He raises wheat, corn, oats, barley and clover, and keeps on hand some excellent Durham cattle and fine horses, being engaged in the breeding and sale of these.
His educational privileges were limited, but he possessed sound business
629
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
judgment. and through experience in practical affairs of life he has become a well informed man. His career exemplifies the power of integrity and industry in business, and his life should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others who are forced to depend upon their own resources for prosperity. In an honorable old age he is enjoying the friendship of many and is held in high regard by young and old, rich and poor. As one of the pioneers of this portion of the state we are glad to present to our read- ers the record of his life, for the history of Richland county would be in- complete without it.
AUSTIN M. FERRELL.
As a representative of one of the honored families of Ohio, and as a man of sterling worth held in high regard for his own excellent qualities, Austin M. Ferrell well deserves representation in this volume. He was born in Ashland county on the 13th of August, 1852, and is a son of George W. and Elizabeth (Berlin) Ferrell. His father was born in Ashland county on the Ioth of January, 1828, the grandfather of our subject having emigrated from Pennsylvania at an early epoch in the development of the Buckeye state, tak- ing up his abode in what was then Richland county but is now a part of Ashland county. On the homestead farm which was there developed George W. Ferrell was reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of the frontier, experiencing with the family all the hardships and trials of pioneer life. He married Miss Elizabeth Berlin and then began farming on his own account, renting a tract of land from his brother, Obadiah Ferrell. On that farm all his children were born and he made the place his home until 1864, when he purchased what is now known as the Ferrell farm, in Richland county, removing with the family to the new home. He was an active member of the Lutheran church from his early years, and in his political faith was a Demo- crat. For several terms he served in the offices of treasurer and trustee of his township, and labored earnestly to promote the welfare of the com- munity. He died March 30, 1899, but is still survived by his widow, who is now in the seventy-second year of her life. She was born in Pennsylvania, March 8, 1829. Her father died during her early girlhood and her mother removed with her family to Ohio, locating in Ashland county, where Mrs. Ferrell was married. She now resides on the old homestead in Richland county. All of her six children are living, namely: Irene, the wife of Martin Zigler, a merchant of Rome, Ohio; Austin M., of this review; Arthur W., a farmer of Blooming Grove township; Alverda, the wife of Hon. J. M. Hunter, of Blooming Grove township; Aldelfus, an agriculturist of
630
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Franklin township, Richland county; and Ardella, the wife of George Lauter- milch, who follows farming and operates a threshing machine in Cass town- ship, Richland county.
Austin M. Ferrell spent the days of happy youth at his parental home, indulging in the pleasures common to boys of that period, assisting in the work of the farm and familiarizing himself with the branches of English learning taught in the common schools. He was married September 14, 1876, to Miss Mary E. Haun, a native of Blooming Grove township, Rich- land county, and a daughter of James Haun, now deceased. When a young man her father left his Virginia home for Ohio and here remained until his life's labors were ended in death.
For some years after his marriage Mr. Ferrell operated the old home- stead on shares, but later removed to the Martin Zigler farm near Rome, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for a year. He then took up his abode in Ashland county on a farm belonging to his uncle, Alanson Ferrell, and three years later he removed to the Gebhart farm, where he remained for a year. At that time he determined to see something of the west, and, selling his farming implements, he left his family in Richland county and for two months traveled over Kansas and Nebraska, hoping he might find a favorable opening there. In the same spring, however, he returned to Rich- land county and spent the summer near Rome. He then took up his abode near Savannah, Butler township, where he occupied a tract of rented land. Later he sold out his stock and implements and removed to the county infirm- ary, where he remained for seven years, after which he returned home and assumed the management of the Ferrell farm, his father having become in- capacitated for work by a stroke of paralysis. He has since given his attention to its conduct and the well tilled fields and excellent improvements on the place indicate his careful supervision.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.