USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 39
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 39
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ILLIAM H. MOWREY, a substan- tial young farmer of Washington township, Van Wert county, Ohio. springs from Scotch-Irish and Ger- man stock. His grandfather, Henry Mow- rey, was born in Pennsylvania and when a young man came to Ohio and located in Bel- mont county, married there, thence moved to Athens county, and thence to Hocking county, where he became the owner of 400 acres of land. He was a bugler in the Mexican war. and a picture of him, in his uniform, is still in the possession of the family. He died in Hocking county at the age of about sixty-six years-one of its most honored pioneers.
Andrew J. Mowrey, son of Henry, above mentioned and father of our subject, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, in August. 1831. and was reared a farmer. He married Jane Lehman, who was born in Perry county, a daughter of Warren Lehman, a Pennsylvanian German, and this prolific union resulted in the birth of thirteen children, of whom eleven reached maturity, as follows: Henry P., William H., Samuel, Joshua, Thomas J., Benjamin, George, Mary, Clara, Emma and
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Della. After marriage Mr. Mowrey located on a farm in Greene township, Hocking coun- ty, but in 1851-52 opened up another farm of eighty-four acres in the same township, on which he lived the remainder of his days, dy- ing at the age of fifty-nine years. He was a soldier in the late Civil war, served three years in company H, Sixty-second Ohio infan- try, took part in many severe battles, among them Pittsburg Landing, and one time was struck by a spent ball. His brother, James, was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run and lived but two weeks after his enlistment, and his brother, Henry, died from the effects of exposure while in the service. Andrew J. Mowrey was a democrat in politics, and he and wife were honored members of the United Brethren church.
William H. Mowrey, whose name opens this biography, was born in Greene township, Hocking county, Ohio, April 22, 1854, re- ceived a good education and was reared a farmer. He married, in his native county, Miss Julia A. Angle, who was born in Hocking county April 15, 1857, a daughter of Jacob and Julia (Graffis) Angle, the former of whom was of Holland descent and a native of Perry county, Ohio, but a pioneer of Hocking county. Mr. and Mrs. Angle had a family of seven children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and were named James, Mary E., Francis, Tilman, Julia A., Appolonia M. and Ira J. The parents were consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and in this faith the. father died in Paulding county, Ohio, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Mary E. Tom. In politics Mr. Angle was a demo- crat, and was greatly respected for his un- swerving honesty, as well as his ceaseless in- dustry.
For some years after marriage Mr. and and Mrs. Mowrey resided in Perry county, Ohio, where Mr. Mowrey followed the calling
of a miner, to which calling he devoted ten years of his life; he them removed to Hock- ing county, where he made his home until 1884, when he came to Van Wert county and purchased his present farm of eighty-two acres in Washington township. This farm was at that time about half cleared, but he has made of it one of the best farms in the town- ship and raised it to a state of wonderful fer- tility, producing from it, in 1894, 2,741 bush- els of grain, beside other produce. To Mr. and Mrs. Mowery have been born eight chil- dren, all still living and named Alfred L., Porter E., Bertha M., Ethel A., Cora A., Sylvie B., William J. and Martha L. The parents are members of the Methodist church and in politics Mr. Mowrey is a democrat. He is a man of the strictest integrity and of the most untiring industry, and has reared his family in respectability, and he himself has the gratification of knowing that his course of life has met with the commendation of all his fel- low-citizens.
LEANOR MORTON, a well known lady of Pleasant township, Van Wert county, Ohio, and who has passed the alloted life of three-score and ten, was born in north Wales, in the year ISIS, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Thomas; Griffith. The father was born in the same county, in 1778, was there educated, and became a tiller of the soil. His marriage occurred in 1803, and he reared a family of fourteen children, of whom but three are living at this time, viz: Eleanor, Mary (widow of Joseph Morris), and Evan, of Putnam county, Ohio. In 1825, Mr. Griffith etnigrated to the United States and purchased a tract of land in Butler county, Ohio, where he was among the earliest settlers. Subsequently, about 1837, he disposed of his interest in the above county and removed to
SAMUEL R. MORTON, ยท DECEASED.
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MRS. ELEANOR MORTON.
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the county of Allen, where he had previously entered a large of government land, from which, by dint of hard and exhaustive labor he in due time succeeded in developing a large and well cultivated farm. From the time of his removal to Allen county until his death he took an active interest in every thing that per- tained to the country's development, and achieved some prominence, as a local politi- cian, having been an enthusiastic supporter of the republican party. His religious creed was represented by the Congregationalist church, in which, for a number of years, he held the office of deacon, and his daily life corresponded with his daily profession His death occurred August 28, 1854.
Mrs. Griffith, who was born in Wales in the year 1783, was also a consistent member of the Congregationalist church, and departed this life in 1846. The immediate subject of this sketch attended, during her youth, the common schools of Butler and Allen counties, and in 1840 was united in marriage with Samuel Simpson, son of Alexander and Cyn- thia (King) Simpson. This marriage was blessed with the birth of the following children : Cylanda J., wife of James S. Zimmerman, of Nebraska; Joseph A., of Paulding county, Ohio; Mrs. Josephine Kohn, deceased; and an infant that died unnamed.
Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Simpson removed to Licking county, Ohio, were they resided for a period of three years, Mr. Simpson. in the meantime, following his occupation of machinist and carpenter. In 1843 they removed to Hancock county, Ill., locating at the old town of Nauvoo, where, for some years, Mr. Simpson carried on a very successful business as contractor and builder. Subsequently he removed to Jacksonville, where he engaged in boat-building, and met his death in an explosion, on the 19th of Au- gust, 1848, at the age of thirty-seven years. 25
The following year Mrs. Simpson entered into the marriage relation with Samuel R. Morton, a native of Licking county, Ohio, a union resulting in the birth of four children, whose names are as follows: Lucius W., Alvin Alonzo, Edward, who died in youth, and an infant that died unnamed. Samuel R. Morton, as stated above, was born in the county of Licking, in 1819, and was the son of Isaac and Gula E. (Worder) Morton, early residents of Ohio. . Mr. Morton was reared and educated in his native state, chose the pursuit of agri- culture for his life work, and about the year IS35 emigrated to Illinois, where he resided until his return to the Buckeye state in 1853. Immediately after his removal to Ohio. he purchased the farm upon which Mrs. Morton now lives, and followed farming very success- fully until his death, which occurred December 5. 1890. Previous to the war Mr. Morton was a democrat in politics, but being strongly op- posed to the institution of slavery and seces- sion, he changed his political views, and became a firm adherent of the republican party, to which he gave allegiance during the remainder of his life. He was several times honored by his fellow-citizens with official positions of local importance, but was not a partisan in the sense of seeking or desiring office. He was in every respect a self-made man, as such ranked with the leading citizens of his community and his death was considered a personal loss, not only by his family, but by the neighborhood as well.
Mrs. Morton, as already stated, has reached a ripe old age, and resides with her son on the old homestead, possessing, in a remarkable de- gree, her faculties both physical and mental: hers has indeed been a busy and useful life, and the influence of her example, and her many kindly deeds and words of encouragement. serve as an incentive to those just entering upon their career in life.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Lucius W. Morton, eldest son of Samuel R. and Eleanor Morton, was born in Hancock county, Ill., in 1850. When four years old he was brought by his parents to Van Wert, Ohio, received liis educational training it the common schools, and grew to manhood on the farm, where he learned those lessons of industry and economy by which his life has been character- ized. He adopted agriculture as his occupa- tion, and has followed the same with success and financial profit, and is now recognized as one of the leading farmers and public-spirited citizens of the township in which he resides. In 1879 his marriage was solemnized with Ma- linda, daughter of Peter and Catherine (Heber- ling) Troup, to which union eight children have been born, viz: Emery O., Sydney V., Earl C., Mary O., Jessie R., Bessie C., Guy C. and Walter F. The mother of these chil- dren was born in Van Wert county in 1853.
ICHOLAS MULLER, one of the old- est settlers of Jennings township, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in Belgium November 6, 1833, and is the son of Carl and Susan ( Huerts ) Muller, parents of three children-Nicholas, Hellen and Katie. Mrs. Susan Muller died in Belgium. and Carl next married Mary Grinling, to which union were born three more children -- John, Peter and Mary. In 1854 Mr. Muller came to America and settled in Seneca county, Ohio, on a forty-acre tract of land, where he shortly afterward died at the age of forty-two years, very much respected by his new-found friends and a sincere devotee of the Catholic church.
Nicholas Muller, our subject, received a good education in Belgium, and came to America in 1852 in a sailing vessel. He landed in the port of New York, whence he went to Buffalo, in the same state, where he was em-
ployed for two years, and in 1854 came to Seneca county, Ohio, to find that his father has preceded him and had died. For four years he made his home on the farm left by his father, and then came to Van Wert county and settled on his present farm of 120 acres in Jennings township, then all in the woods, and for which he paid $1, 100 of his own hard earnings. He here erected a log cabin, and by dint of industry cleared up his farm, under- went all the hardships of pioneer life, and added to his land until he was owner of 360 acres, of which he has given his son, Charles, eighty acres. His marriage took place, in Seneca county, to Margaret Gremlinger, who was born in Belgium in 1832, a daughter of Louis and Catherine ( Rading ) Gremlinger. The father of this lady died in Belgium, leav- ing the following children, who later came to America with their mother; Susan, Thresa. Mary, Catherine, Margaret, Nicholas and Dominie; the mother of this family died in Tiffiin, Ohio. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Muller was blessed with eight children, viz: Charles, Jacob, John, Joseph, Catherine, Mary. Louis and Peter.
Mr. Muller has his farm well fenced and drained and in a fine state of cultivation; it is improved with all the necessary out-buildings. which are substantial end commodious: his dwelling is a modern brick edifice, erected in 1880, and all the surroundings denote the prosperous and thrifty, skillful and intelligent farmer, that he is. He is a devout member of the Catholic church, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the first Catholic church in Landeck, of which he was for two years a member of the council. In politics he is a democrat, but has never been an office seeker. He is a self-made man, and well deserves the high respect in which he is held by his fellow- townsmen. He was bereaved by the death of his faithful wife February 14, 1892, but finds
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solace in the society of his loving children, who never fail to do all in their power to make happy the declining years of their honored sire.
J OHN MURPHY, a successful farmer of Union township, and pioneer of Van Wert county, Ohio, was born near Wheeling. Va., in ISIS, a son of John and Mary (Smith) Murphy.
John Murphy, Sr., the father of our sub- ject, was born in Maryland in 1782, there grew to manhood, and in 1810 enlisted in the American army, in which he served four years, two of which were against the Brittish in the war of 1812, and in recognition of his service he received a soldier's land grant, which he subsequently located in Van Wert county, Ohio. After the close of the war he engaged in farming in Virginia until 1818, when he re- moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, where he remained until 1825; thence moved to Rich- land county, Ohio, where he lived until 1844, when, with his family, he moved to Van Wert county, Ohio, where he entered 200 acres of government land. On this Mr. Murphy built a small log cabin and began to clear off the forest and here made his home until his death, which occurred in 1865. His marriage occur- red in Virginia, in 1812, with Miss Mary Smith, and to them were born five children, only two of whom are now living, viz: John, the sub- ject of this mention, and James, a resident of Hoaglin township. Mrs. Murphy, the mother of this family, died in 1861, on the old home- stead in Van Wert county. Mr. Murphy es- poused the cause of the democratic party, but was tolerant and conservative in his views; he was one of that class of hardy pioneers to whom the country owes so much of its development and who need no other monument to tell the story of a life well spent.
John Murphy, the subject of this mention,
was reared on his father's farm and received his early education in the common schools of Harrison and Richland counties, Ohio. In 1844 he came with his father to Van Wert county, where he entered fifty acres of public land, which was afterward increased to eighty by a gift from his father. On this he built a comfortable log house, cleared away the forest and underdrained the land, and thus, by his own efforts and industry, brought it to its pres- ent state of cultivation.
In October, 1862, Mr. Murphy responded to his country's call and enlisted in company G. Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, with Capt. George Malick, under Gen. John A. Logan; he served with his regiment through Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi, partici- pating in the battles of Raymond, Missionary Ridge, Black River and siege of Vicksburg. He was honorably discharged in June, 1863. having faithfully and fearlessly discharged his duty as a soldier, for which service he receives a pension of $12 per month. Politically he has always sustained the principles of the dem- ocratic party, and was honored by that party as early as 1846 with the offices of both tax assessor and township trustee, holding the offices for two years each; in 1856 he held the office of constable.
In 1844 Mr. Murphy was united in mar- riage to Nancy A. Porter, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1820. To this union have been born the following children, viz: Elizabeth, wife of Miller T. Leitner: Samuel A .; Jane J., wife of John McGraw; James: Mary, wife of Isaac Faurot; Sabina, wife of John Mullen, of Van Wert; Luther Vernon and Sarah, who reside at home. Both Mr. and Mrs: Murphy are members of the Evan- gelical Lutheran church, he having been an active member for thirty-four years, also dea- con for twelve years. Mr. Murphy's home bears the mark of his many years of hard la-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
bor and excellent management. He now en- joys the respect and esteem of all who know hin and well deserves representation in this volume.
Q URTIS A. NASH, one of the most successful young farmers of Pleasant township, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in Muskingum county, Jan- uary 4, 1852, a son of Henry and Susan (Os- mond) Nash. Henry Nash, father of our sub- ject, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, in 1817, a son of Chester Nash, who was born about 1784, of either English or Scotch par- entage, and was a settler of Hocking county, where he conducted a farm until his death in 1 829.
Henry Nash, son of Chester and father of Curtis A., at the age of twelve years lost his father, and as a consequence the care of his mother devolved upon himself. In 1830 he took the family under his charge to Zanesville, Muskingum county, where he worked as an engineer until 1862, in which year he pur- chased a farm of 200 acres in Brown township, Paulding county, Ohio, which farm he drew from a wilderness and made compare with any in the county. In 1883 he disposed of this farm and removed to Green Springs, Seneca county, where he made his home for five years, but employed his time in travel, selling drugs and niedicines. March 1, 1843, Henry Nash was united in matrimony with Miss Susie Osmond, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Jones) Osmond, and to this union were born five children, viz: George W., deceased: Mary L. who died in childhood; Malinda P., who is the wife of Joseph Shirley, of Paulding county; Curtis A., the subject of this sketch, and David, who died in March, 1884. Mrs. Susan Nash was born at Milton, Pa., September 5, 1811, and necessarily was proud of her father, , highly esteemed citizens.
who was a patriot of the Revolution that led to the independence of the United States. Her death took place April 20, 1872, holding her faith in the redeeming doctrines of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. Her husband still survives, but has unfortunately been deprived of eyesight, although his faculties, in every other respect, are perfect.
Curtis A. Nash attended an academy at Zanesville, Ohio, until he was ten years of age, where he went with his parents to Paulding county, where he was reared to agriculture, under his father's instructions, until twenty- one years of age. He then had the manage- ment of the home farmi until 1883, with the exception of one year passed in Delaware county. In the year last named, he settled in Pleasant township, Van Wert county, and now owns an excellent farm of 100 acres, a mile and a half from Van Wert. The marriage of Mr. Nash took place in 1872, to Miss Anna Crego, daughter of Charles and Eliza (Clark) Crego, natives of Maryland, but, at the time of the marriage of their daughter, residents of Dela- ware county, Ohio. To the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Nash have been born four chil- dren, named Minnie B., Eva M., Lillian I. and Wilmie R., the last named of whom died in 1892. As has been said before in this sketch, Mr. Nash is one of the prominent young farmers of his township, in which calling he has succeeded his own expectations. He is a close observer, a free thinker, and broad minded in all that pertains to his calling, and one that is always ready to accept instruction as to the best methods that lead to the best results. He and wife are both interested in matters educational, and their aim is to instruct and give their children every advantage within reach, as well as to aid in the morals and re- ligious training of the community. Mr. and Mrs. Nash are most favorably known and
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
ORGAN MUMAUGH, an old resi- dent of Van Wert county, is now a successful farmer on the line be- tween Paulding and Van Wert counties, in Blue Creek township, Paulding county. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 29, 1819, a son of William and Sarah (Reese) Mumaugh. The father, William, was born in Pennsylvania in 1794, of German descent, being a son of Conrad, who was the first of the family to come to America, locating, first, in Pennsylvania, then moving to Montgomery county, Ohio, and finally to Fairfield county, where his death took place about 1830. Of his four children, William was the eldest, was reared to farming, and received his education in a frontier log school- house. In 1817 he married Sarah Reese, who was born in Virginia in 1796, a daughter of Morris and Caracy Reese, and to this union were born eleven children, viz: John R., Morgan (our subject), Mary, Caracy, George (deceased), William, Morris C., Lewis, Isaac, Sarah and David. An adopted daughter, Mary A. Hubbart, was also reared by these kind-hearted couple. Morris Reese, father of Mrs. Mumaugh, was also a native of the Old Dominion, was of English descent, and was born in 1757, and about the year 1800 came to Fairfield county, Ohio, carrying his two daughters-Sarah and Caracy-on horseback, in a sack or pouch, similar in shape to a pair of saddle-bags. He was father of twelve chil- dren in all-John, Hannah, Mary, Thomas, Morris, Sarah, Caracy, Anna, Isaac, Gertie, Mary (second) and Lewis.
Morgan Mumaugh, our subject, was educated in a rude log school-house in Fairfield county, situated three and a half miles from the home of his childhood, to reach which he walked through the woods morning and evening, but this education was supplemented by attending the com-
mon schools of Allen county. He was brought up a farmer, and also learned the carpenter's trade. In 1842 he married Miss Mary J. Mc- Clure, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Mc- Clure, and born in Allen county, in 1822, of which county Samuel McClure was one of the earliest settlers, coming from Kentucky. To the union of Morgan and Mary J. Mumaugh were born twelve children in the following order: Nathaniel M., who was killed in the battle of Dallas, Ga., in the late Civil war; Flora, wife of Amos Smith, of Fairfield county; Sarah E., wife of George Raymond, of Modoc, Ind. : William P., of Omaha, Nebr. ; Margaret E., wife of William Crosby, of Michigan; Lopez J., deceased; Charles M., of Omaha, Nebr .; Mary A .; John E., deceased; Morgan J., deceased; Gracie, wife of Walter Hine, of Chicago, and Samuel R., of Omaha, Nebr. The mother of these children was an active worker in the Methodist Episcopal church and a sincere Christian, and died, much lamented, in 1873. The second marriage of Mr. Mumaugh took place April 24, 1881, to Nancy L. Oday, widow of James Oday and daughter of William S. and Mrrgaret (Lewis) Beaty. Mrs. Mumaugh was born in Franklin county, Ohio, her father being a native of Virginia, born in ISO8, and a son of William S. Beaty, a Revo- lutionary soldier, of Irish descent, who died in Iowa in 1858, in his eighty-fifth year. Mrs. Nancy L. Mumaugh was first married. in her eighteenth year, to Mr. Oday, by whom she became the mother of nine children: Alice M., William S., Sarah, Maggie, Edward, John, Rebecca, G. Leone and Elkanah.
After marriage, Morgan Mumaugh bought a farm in Allen county, on which he lived un- til 1850, when he sold his place and came to Van Wert and embarked in the grocery busi- ness, but three years later relinquished this and was connected with the P., Ft. W. & C. railroad for a year; he then engaged in team-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ing in Van Wert county and continued this four years; in 1881 he sold out his business in Van Wert and moved to his present home, which he has cleared and improved and made one of the best farms in the county. About 1883 ill health compelled him to relinquish active farm duties, and now, at three score and ten years, he can look back with compla- cency on his long and useful career. In politics he is a stanch republican, and is one of the most honored residents of his vicinity.
ORGAN MUMAUGH, JR., an ac- complished artisan in brass and iron, is a son of William and Rebecca (Sprigner) Mumaugh, and was born in Lima, Allen county, Ohio, September 20, 1860. He was educated in the common- schools of his native city, and there also learned the molder's trade, being now an ex- pert and a master workman. April 19, 1882, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Gallagher, daughter of Michael and Bridget Gallagher, natives of Ireland and residents of Allen county. Three children have been born to this union, viz. : Willie, May and Harry. Mrs. Mumaugh was born in Allen county, September 3, 1861, and educated in the com- mon schools of Lima, and has been a life-long member of the Catholic church. Mr. Mumaugh is a member of the iron-molders' union of Lima, and few young men of his years stand in a more favorable light.
ILLIAM H. NICODEMUS, of York township, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in the state of Maryland November 20, 1832, and when but five years of age was brought to Ohio by his father, who settled in Knox county. Isaac Nicodemus, the father of our subject. was also
a native of Maryland, born in 1802, and fol- lowed various pursuits. He married Deborah Cassel, and to this union were born children in the following order: Mary Ann, wife of John Rice; Caroline Virginia, married to Sam- uel Bolinger; Clementina, now Mrs. James Birney; William H., the subject of this sketch; Phillip, now deceased; Elizabeth, wife of George Orwiler; John; Neville and Sarah Jane, all three of whom died in childhood, and Susan, wife of James Bethard.
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