A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 80

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1310

USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 80
USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 80

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

UFUS DUPREY, who has been a res- ident of Ridge township, Van Wert county, Ohio, since 1857, and has been successfully engaged in farming, beginning as a pioneer at the woodlands, was born in Gallia county, Ohio, March 28, 1830. His father, Abraham Duprey, was born on the island of Jersey, an English possession, to which place his ancestors had sought refuge from the religious and political persecutions of France, their native country. From the age of seventeen until thirty-three Abraham Du- prey passed his life as a seaman, but during this interval married, on his native island, Miss Mary DeMarrick, and on this island were born to the marriage the following-named children: Abraham, Mary, Naney and Jane. In 1817 he brought his family to America and located in Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, and for seven years was a river man, freighting flour, corn, pork, whisky and other products down the Scioto, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, whence he returned by steamer to Louisville, Ky., and thence walked the way home. About seven years later he became the owner of 160 acres in Gallia county, where he resided until his death, March 4, 1869-his wife having preceded him to the grave in July, 1852. The eleven children born to these parents were named Abraham, Mary, Nancy, Jane, Eliza, Susan, Ellen. Philip, Rufus (our subject), Elizabeth and one that died on Jersey island in infancy. The survivors of this family are Jane, Rufus and Elizabeth.

Rufus Duprey, our subject, has passed his entire life in agricultural pursuits. He was married in Gallia county, when a young man, to Miss Rebecca Neal, daughter of Vance and Nancy (Daniels) Neal. On coming to Van Wert county, in the fall of 1857, Mr. Duprey purchased 120 acres of land in the woods and at once erected a log cabin for the protection

of his family, which consisted of himself, his wife and three children, born in Gallia county. Mir. Duprey set dilligently to work to clear his farm. That he succeeded is proven by a glance at his present estate of 160 acres, of which 130 are well tiled and well tilled, and adorned with a magnificent dwelling and improved with fine barns and all modern conveniences. The children born to Rufus and Rebecca Duprey were named as follows. in order of birth: Nancy Jane, who married George Morris and became the mother of six children -- Blanch Altha, Pearl, Perry, Gale, Agnes and James; Mary Ellen died in child- hood; Francis Marion, an inmate of his father's house: Emma, wife of Thomas J. Owens and a mother of two children -- Arthur and Oscar: Lavina, wife of Richard T. Owens and the mother of a deceased son; William F., who married Sarah Montgomery, and is the father of one daughter-Fay; George W., who is married to Carrie Johantgen; Ellsworth G. John G. deceased, and Almira Alice and Oscar. both deceased. Mr. Duprey is an out-and-out woman's rights man, and is a strong prohibi- tionist, frequently attending the state conven- tions of these parties. In his religious affilia- tions he and his children, with the exception of William, are Methodists, while Mrs. Duprey and her son William worship with the Presbyterians. Mr. Duprey is a useful citizen, is popular with his neighbors, and is greatly respected throughout the community, of which he has been so long a member.

EORGE FOX EDSON, deceased, was born July 28, 1827, in New York, a son of Hon. Charles P. and Caro- line Edson, and when a mere child in arms was brought by his parents to Portage county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of a tinner. In 184", he

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accompanied his parents to Van Wert, where he followed his trade as an assistant until 1855, when he united with G. W. Day in the tinware and stove trade, the partnership last- ing until 1861, when Mr. Edson withdrew from the firm and engaged in the livery business, and subsequently in various other vocations and lines of trade, being an energetic and en- terprising man in all respects. He was very popular as a citizen and equally popular as a democrat. He served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff and also under Sheriff Stith, in alf four years; he was next route mail agent on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago railroad, from Crestline, Ohio, to Chicago, Ill., for a year; was next deputy postmaster at Van Wert under Samuel Neel for two years. He was an investigator of Spiritualism, and with his wife attended the services of the Spiritualists at their hall. The marriage of Mr. Edson took place in Van Wert, Ohio, March 29, 1857, to Miss Eliza- beth Slater, who was born in Liberty township, Van Wert county, Ohio, February 7, IS40, and who is a sister of Mrs. O. W. Rose, whose genealogy on another page will show that of Mrs. Edson, and to this union were born two children - Frank P. and Einma C. Mrs. Elizabeth (Slater) Edson is a firm believer in Christian Spiritualism, is being developed in one of the many phases of mediumship, and takes an active part in the building up of the church and in the demonstration of the truth of its doctrines. She enjoys the esteem of the community and has a pleasant home, compris- ing four acres, at the corner of Main and Burt streets.

Hon. Charles P. Edson, father of the late George F. Edson, was born in Vermont, in 1809. and lived there until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to New York state and shortly after came to this state. After the usual course of reading, he was admitted

to the bar in 1843. After 1846 his permanent residence was in Van Wert. He represented Van Wert and Mercer counties in the state assembly two terms, was appointed by Gov. Bishop to fill the probate judgeship of Van Wert county made vacant by the death of A. W. Baker, and filled other positions of honor and responsibility with honor to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. Aggressive in politics and firm in his convictions, he took an active interest in the democratic party, whose cause and principles he warmly espoused to his latest day. His death occurred February 22, 1885, at the age of seventy-six years, one month and twenty days, and his remains were interred in Woodland cemetery. Resolutions of respect and honor to his memory were passed by the members of the Bar association of Van Wert on his demise, and his loss was deeply deplored by the entire community.

RANK P. EDSON, eminent as an at- torney of Van Wert, was born in the city. April 22, 1858, and is a son of George F. and Elizabeth (Slater) Edson, of whom a biographical sketch imme- diately precedes this notice. Frank P. Edson attended the schools of his native city until he had attained the age of eighteen years, when he entered the Cincinnati Law school, from which he graduated with honors in 1881. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession in his native city, and assiduously followed it until 1888, making a decided mark through his abilities as a lawyer. He then accepted the position of deputy county auditor under L. A. Harvey, the duties of which posi- tion he performed in a most satisfactory man- uer for six years, when he resumed the prac- tice of law, having his office with H. G. Richie. While in the auditor's office Mr. Edson went to Columbus and represented Van Wert

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county, before the state board of equalization, and succeeded in having the county assessment largely reduced. In 1892 he secured the pass- age of a bill through the state legislature, by which the money collected on the bonds of the county was transferred to the tax inquis- itor, and thus saved the people of the county $32,000. So efficient and diligent was he in the performance of his duties as deputy county auditor. that he received the nomination by the democrats for county auditor, in 1893, but the republican party was too powerful, and he met the general fate of his own party.

Mr. Edson was happily married, in Van Wert, February 22, 1893, to Miss Elizabeth Baird, who was born in Jennings township, Van Wert county, July 26, 1873, a daughter of Jesse Baird, a sketch of whose life will be found elsewhere in this volume; one child, Helen B., has blessed this union. Mr. Edson is a knight templar Mason, and as a citizen is considered as progressive and useful, while his reputation as a lawyer is widespread and solid; his inerit as a statesman is universally recog- nized, and there can be no doubt that he will frequently be charged with the best interests of his fellow-citizens in offices of the highest responsibility.

'ILLIAM G. EDWARDS, an enter- prising and popular young grocer of Van Wert, Ohio, was born in Upper Canada, February 13, 1845, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (George) Ed- wards, natives of England. Henry Edwards, son of James and Elizabeth (Bray) Edwards, was born in Cornwall, England, and was there killed in a mine disaster; his widow then came to America and died in Wisconsin, in 1870, at the remarkable age of ninety years, the mother of the following children: Henry, father of the subject of this sketch; William, killed in a mine

accident : John, a miner of Wisconsin: Joseph, of Wisconsin; Thomas, of the same state; Elizabeth and Mary, deceased, and Nanie, also of Wisconsin. The father of our subject, Henry Edwards, came to America 1843 and located in Canada, where he engaged in con- tracting and building until his death in ISto; his widow, whom he had married in Redruth, Cornwall county, England, survived till No- vember 16, 1879, a member of the Episcopal church, of which her husband had also been a communicant. The children of these parents, numbered nine, and were named as follows: Jamies, a butcher of Detroit, Mich. ; William G., our subject: Britannia, deceased; Mary, wife of W. R. Wilson, of Canada; Bray, a baker of Canada; Albion, wife of John Reid, a carpenter of Canada; Patty, wife of James Rogers, a baker of Hamilton, Canada, and Arthur, with our subject.

William G. Edwards was reared in Water- down, Wentworth county, Canada, and at thirteen years of age began clerking, following this vocation until 1869, when he came to Van Wert, Ohio, and succeeded George Hull in occupancy of a grocery store on West Main street, where he remained two years, when he removed to the west side and carried on busi- ness in Clarke's building until 1889, when he erected a store building of two stories, 24880 feet, which he now occupies, having both floors well filled with a choice stock of goods. valued at $5,000, and doing a trade of $20,000 per annum. His business card read as follows: "W. G. Edwards, grocer, No. 33 West Main street, dealer in staple and fancy groceries and provisions, and teas and pure spices."

Mr. Edwards was united in wedlock, in Grimsby, Canada, September 16, 186;, with Miss Anna M. Shepard, who was born in Toronto, Canada, November 16, 1850. a daughter of Daniel and Kate ( McNamara) Shepard, natives of Canada, the later being of

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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

Irish extraction. In religion Mr. and Mrs. Edwards are Presbyterian. In politics Mr. Edwards is a republican, and is serving his third term as councilman for the Second ward, and has also been a member of the board of health. He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow, and a char- ter member of the Van Wert lodge, I. O. R. M. He is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, and he and family enjoy the respect of all who know them.

RTHUR R. EDWARDS, the affable and popular clerk in the grocery store of William G. Edwards, Van Wert, Ohio, was born in Waterdown, Can- ada, January 25, 1865. His genealogy will be found in the sketch of his brother, William G., which precedes this notice. He came to Van Wert in 1880, attended school one year, then entered his brother's store as clerk, and has made himself almost indispensable to his rela- tive. He is polite and accommodating to cus- tomers, intuitively comprehends their needs and supplies them with celerity. He is a re- publican in politics, but is hardly active as a partisan, being satisfied with the simple exer- cise of his franchise. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and since his coming to Van Wert has won friends on every side, who admire him for his intrinsically sterling merits as a man and gentleman. He married in Van Wert, April 17, 1895, Mary M. Coleman, who was born in Delphos, Ohio, May 28, 1870, a daughter of L. O. Coleman, of Van Wert. Subject and wife reside on West Main street.

10, 1837.

born in Kentucky, about the year 1812, and was a son of one of the sturdy pioneers of that state. When eight years of age Francis Emerson was brought by his parents to Picka- way county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and at an early age, owing to the death of his father, was obliged to assume almost the en- tire responsibility of supporting the family. He acquired a limited education in the indif- ferent schools of that period, and in 1830 en- tered into the marriage relation with Alletha Smith, who bore him eleven children, viz: Jacob, William, Francis, Isaac, Walter, Thomas, John, James, Nancy, Sarah J. and Mary A.

After his marriage Francis Emerson en- gaged in farming in Union county, where he remained a few years, thence moved to the county of Logan, later to Champaign county. and in 1858 became a resident of the county of Van Wert, purchasing a tract of woodland in Pleasant township. Here he cleared a farm upon which he lived until his death, in 1872. Politically he was a stanch democrat, from early youth belonged to the Methodist Episco- pal church, and is remembered as a public- spirited and highly respected citizen. His wife was born in Licking county, in 1814, and is still living, having reached the ripe old age of eighty years. Like her husband she early united with the Methodist church, of which she is still a devout member.

Walter Emerson, under whose name this sketch is written, was reared on a farm in his native county, laid the foundation for his edu- cation in the common schools, and was early taught the lessons of industry by which his subsequent life has been characterized. He accompanied his parents to Van Wert county in 1858, and began life for himself as a farm laborer, working early and late, and husband- ing his means for the purpose of procuring a

Za ALTER EMERSON, of Pleasant township, Van Wert county, is a native of Union county, Ohio, where his birth occurred February His father, Francis Emerson, was | home of his own, which, in time, he suc-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ceeded in doing. In 1875 he purchased the ! land on which he now iesides and began life upon his own responsibility, erecting a log house, and clearing around the same a field, to which additional acres of cultivated land were added in due time. He married, June 12, 1870. Paulina E. Drake, daughter of Oliver F. and Nancy (Mosier) Drake, and became the father of four children ---- William H., Oscar, Francis M. and Moses. Mrs. Emerson was born in Miami county, Ohio, grew to woman- hood at the country home of her parents, who were natives respectively of New Jersey and Maryland and early settlers of the county of Miami, Ohio. She came to the county of Van Wert in 1860, and has resided here ever since; she is a woman of many excellent qualities, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and wields an influence for great good in the community. Mr. Emerson is also a Methodist in his religious belief, and in politics supports the democratic party. He has made a success of his chosen calling, owns a good farm with substantial buildings, and ranks among the en- terprising citizens of Pleasant township.

J OHN CRAMER, of Van Wert, Ohio, was born in York county, Pa., October 9, 1822. His father, John Cramer, Sr., also a native of York county. Pa., was born in 1792, a son of Helfar Cramer, who came from Germany and who took an active part in the American Revolution, and after the war settled in York county, where he died, leaving seven children. John Cramer, Sr., was married in York county, Pa .. in 1816, to Catherine Schlote, by whom he had nine children, viz: Daniel, of Fostoria, Ohio; Henry, also of Fostoria, Ohio: John, our sub- ject; Mary, deceased; Emanuel, of Ioma, Mich; Adamı, of Fostoria, Ohio; Sophia, wife of P. Wickerham, of Seneca county, Ohio;

Sarah, wife of Augustus Elliott, of Ionia, Mich .; and Levi, deceased. John Cramer, Sr., came to Ohio in 1840 and settled on a farm in Sen- eca county, where he died June 29, 1856, his wife having departed September 16. 1854. They were members of the German Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Cramer was a democrat. He had served in the war of 1812 as a captain, and was an honored man in his community, where he left a fair fortune.

John Cramer whose name introduces this biography, was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to Seneca county, Ohio, and had then finished his education. Until twenty-one years of age he remained on the home faim, and then engaged as a laborer in a saw-mill in Seneca county for two years, and then, in 1847, he married, and bought eighty acres of land, on which he at once located and cultivated until 1864, when he came to Van Wert and bought 120 acres in Pleasant township. where he now resides and still owns seventy-five acres of finely improved land. His marriage, alluded to above. took place in Seneca county, Ohio. December 29. 1847, to Am E. Shaffver, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, September 17. 1830, a daugliter of Martin and Ann E. Wert, Shaft- ner. Martin Shaffuer was born in Lebancu county, Pa., February 27, 1795 His father. Martin Shaffner, Sr., married Frances Halder- man, who was born September 30, 1,02: Martin, Sr., and his wife resided for some years in Lebanon county and then moved to Dauphin county, where they both died; they were the parents of nine children, viz: Jacob, Nancy. Martin (father of Mrs. Cramer). Henry, Frederick, John, Christian, Frances and Eliza- beth. Their son, Martin, Jr .. was married in Dauphin county, Pa .. to Anne E. Wert, amt to this union were born three children, viz. Levi, deceased; John F., of Willshire, Ohio. an Ann E., wife of Mr. Cramer. The parent-

John Cramer

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of the above settled in Crawford county, Ohio, in 1829, where the mother died September 22, 1831, and the father, September 17, 1870, both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. To the marriage of our subject and his wife have been born nine children, viz: John W. and William J., both deceased; Sarah C., wife of John W. Balyeat, nurseryman of lonia county, Mich. ; Frank A, and Ralph W., of Van Wert; Irene H., wife of J. W. Kens- ler, of Ridge township. Van Wert county; Anna E., at home; Martin S., M. D., of Ohio City, and Charles B., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church at Celina, Ohio. The family all worship in the Methodist Epis- copal faith, and in politics Mr. Cramer is a pro- hibitionist; he is also a member of grange No. 82, of which he was treasurer fourteen years.

AVID J. EDWARDS, deceased, an enterprising and substantial farmer of York township, Van Wert county, Ohio, was a native of Wales, was born in 1840, and was a son of Josiah and Margaret (Jones) Edwards. Mr. Edwards was an infant when brought to this country, and came to Ohio with his mother in :859, who brought with her, beside our subject, a daughter, Ellen. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter, viz: Josiah, who pre- ceded his mother to America five years, and is now a farmer in Putnam county, Ohio; John, who died in 1880; David J., our subject, who worked out by the day until the breaking out of the late war, when he enlisted in company H, Fifth Ohio cavalry; he was mustered in August 14, 1861, and served until October, 1865; fought at Shiloh, was wounded in the left knee at Corinth, and sustained a saber scalp wound, from which he never fully recovered. He was at Chattanooga and Resaca and in all the engagements to the sea-board: in 1864 he 8

received a veteran furlough and married Jane C. Jones, returning again to his regiment, and serving until the time mentioned above. Af- ter the war was over he returned to Ohio and lived on rented land in Allen county until 1875, when he moved to Jennings township, Van Wert county; here he lived on rented land for ten years, when he came to York township and bouglit a farm of 120 acres. Mr. Ed- wards and wife had born to them the follow- ing children: W. Charles, who married May Miller-later dying in the fall of 1894; Richard, who married Mary Thomas. of Allen county; Maggie Jane, married to Moses George; John S .; Martha Aun, married to Robert Morgan; Mary Elizabeth, Katie, Ela, Edna, Ruth G. and Bessie. Mr. Edwards was in sympathy with the Welsh Congregational church, and in politics was a stanch republican; although very popular in his township, he was by no means an office seeker. The home farm is one of the best cultivated in the township, and the social standing of the family of Mr. Edwards is all that can be desired. His lamented death took place December 26, 1895.

EV. THOMAS ELCOCK, A. M., one of the most eminent and worthy citi- zens of the city and county of Van Wert, is a native of Pennsylvania, was born October 16, 1811, and is a son Richard Elcock, a native of Ireland, and a weaver by trade, who came to the United States at an early day, landing in Philadelphia, Pa .. but soon removing to York county, that state. where he followed his trade for some years, and then purchased and settled down upon a farm. He was a man liberal in his views, and identified himself with the whig party, a thing very unusual in those of his nationality. Miss Mary Wagoner, whom he married in York county, Pa., was a native of Pennsylvania of

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German parentage, and a most worthy woman. To their marriage were born seven children, viz: William, John, Elizabeth, David, Jane, Thomas and Joseph, all of whom are dead, with the exception of the latter two, Thomas and Joseph, the former of whom is the subject of this narrative, and Joseph the head of a family and living in Pennsylvania.

Thomas Elcock was born in York county, Pa., on his father's farm, upon which he labored until he was twenty-three years of age. A part of his time he attended the district school three months in the winter season of each year, the other nine months being devoted to clearing land, plowing, putting in the crops and gathering them in their season. Strength of body, however, came from this life and ex- perience, and with it the power of endurance which in later years stood him in such good service. Arriving at the age mentioned above, twenty-three years, he entered the preparatory department of Lafayette college, a Presbyte- rian institution where he studied two and a half years, and then entered the college proper, whence he graduated, at the end of four years of careful and patient study. In order to the more thoroughly prepare himself for the work of the ministry, he attended Princeton Theo- logical seminary, at Princeton, N. J., three years more, making in all nine and a half years spent in two of the highest-grade educational institutions of the land.

Thus qualified to spread the good news of the gospel, he removed in 1844 to Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, where he served as stated supply for six months, and thence he removed to Logan county, where he also preached six weeks. From Logan county he went to Covington, Miami county, where he preached some time, and then he was for seven years stationed at Gettysburg and Mount Jeffer- son. In 1852 he went to Delphos and after- ward to Van Buren. where he remained nine

years, preaching at many of the surrounding towns and in country districts. In 1861 he went to Decatur, Ind., where he was stated supply and pastor of the Presbyterlan church five years, at the end of which time he returned to Van Wert, where he has since been in the missionary field. During all these years his journeys, many of them, were made on horse- back, and his experiences were those of the old time circuit rider. Large extents of timber had to be penetrated, often swollen streams had to be forded, and withal the privations of pioneer life had to be borne; but with all this the people were uniformly hospitable and the preacher was always peculiarly welcome to their humble homes; fer he brought consolation in affliction and sorrow, and was always in their eyes a superior being, because of his intelligence and calling. During the twenty-seven years of his pastorate at Rockford his labors were crowned with unusual success. as may indeed be said of his entire fifty-two years' service in the ministry.

During his earlier life Rev. Mr. Elcock was an adherent of the whig party, but upon the organization of the republican party he became one of its members, and has since been a con- sistent supporter of its principles and policies.

In 1846 Mr. Elcock was married to Eliza- beth H. Moodey, a native of Pennsylvania, and a most excellent woman. To their mai- riage there were born seven children, as fol- lows: Edward, who is a minister of the gos - pel at Galion, Ohio; Mary, who taught in the public schools of Van Wert several years, was assistant teacher in the high school three years. and is now married and living in Omaha, Nebr. ; Elizabeth, a school-teacher of Omaha, Nebr. : Anna, living at home with her parent: Lucy. who taught in the public schools in Van Wert nine years and is now a school-teacher in Omaha, Nebr .; Carrie, now deceased, who was a teacher in the public schools at Van Wert,

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A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 80

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : A.W. Bowen Number of Pages: 1310

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1310