A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. II, Part 50

Author: Reighard, Frank H., 1867-
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 628


USA > Ohio > Fulton County > A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. II > Part 50


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 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76


359


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


and soon afterwards bought a farm of 104 acres in section 31 of York Township, a good farm, well improved. There he lived and worked for the next twenty-one years, until 1918, when he acquired sixty acres of the farm in section 7 he had formerly occupied and had sold to his brother. He resides there, but his days of strenuous labor are over, and his agricultural property he now rents to a reli- able tenant. He has lived an energetic life, has farmed well and enterprisingly, and during his life has manifested commendable personal traits. Consequently he has good place among the leading residents of that section of Fulton county. Politically he is a re- publiean, and during his life has shown close interest in local move- ments of public character; yet he has never sought public office, contenting himself by contributing by his industry to the progress of the county.


He married on January 1, 1888, Nettie, daughter of Spencer and Anna (Criswell) Fouty, and granddaughter of William Fouty, a pioneer settler in Clinton Township. William Fouty was born in Switzerland, but was an early settler in Ohio. In 1851 he came into Fulton county, having acquired a tract of eighty acres of virgin timber land in Clinton Township. Spencer Fouty, father of Nettie, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and Anna Criswell was born in Wayne county, Ohio. James Criswell, father of Anna, was born in the United States, but was of Irish descent. Nettie Fouty, who married Edwin B. Perkins, is a native of York Township, Fulton county, and received her education in the local school, and during her long life in the community has been interested and active in the church and social affairs of the township. Mr. and Mrs. Edwin B. Perkins are the parents of two children: Walter W., who now manages the home farm; and Vern E., who also has stayed with his parents. Walter W. married Georgie Biddle, daughter of Still- man and Mina (Highshoe) Biddle, of York Township, April 16, 1919.


DAVID WILLIAM GORSUCH. A traveler through Fulton county is immediately impressed by the fine farms and modern improve- ments of the rural regions and realizes the value of these invest- ments not only to the individual owners, but the country and world, for from them and similar ones comes a large amount of the food for mankind. The agriculturists of Fulton county are particularly awake to the responsibilities and dignity of their calling, and are living up to the best conceptions of it. One of these men who is typical of his associates is David William Gorsuch of York Town- ship.


David William Gorsuch was born in Clinton Township of this county on September 13, 1868, a son of Ephraim and Maria (Cantle- berry) Gorsuch, he born at Centerville, Wayne county, Ohio, and she in Holmes county, Ohio. The grandparents were Nathan and Elizabeth (Ayers) Gorsuch, he born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and she a native of Ohio, and David and Eliza (Davenport) Cantle- berry, natives of Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio, respectively. The paternal grandparents located in Clinton Township, Fulton county, in 1846, the maternal grandparents arriving in Fulton county in 1844. At that time practically all of the county was in the timber, and Wauseon was not then even thought of, and David Cantleberry had his choice of the location of the eighty acres of land he entered


360


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


from the government, all of which was covered with timber. On this farm the eastern outskirts of Wauseon now stand. Nathan Gorsuch had nearly as good a choice when he arrived two years later, and he entered 160 acres of government land. All of the grand- parents died in Fulton county.


Following their marriage Ephraim Gorsuch and his wife settled 31/2 miles west of Wauseon on 100 acres of land he owned. In addi- tion to it he had other property, namely, 280 acres in Clinton Town- ship and 100 acres in Pike Township. Later on in life he turned these farms over to his sons and bought a five-acre tract two miles west of Wauseon, and he died June 1, 1918, closely following his wife, who passed away on April 7 of that same year. Their chil- dren were as follows: Edward, who lives in Clinton Township; Na- than, who lives at Toledo, Ohio; David William, who was third in order of birth; and Frank, who is on his parents' old homestead.


Growing up on his father's farm and learning to operate it, David William Gorsuch attended the local schools and the Wauseon Normal School, and for three winter seasons taught the country schools of Clinton Township and for one those of York Township. On November 25, 1897, he was married to Ida M. Bryant, born in Lenawee county, Michigan, a daughter of John and Sophronia (Vedder) Bryant, the father born in New York state and the mother born in Lenawee county, Michigan. For five years after his mar- riage Mr. Gorsuch lived on a farm of eighty acres his father owned in Clinton Township, and in the spring of 1903 he and his wife bought 160 acres in York Township, which has since been their home. On it he has erected a fine modern residence. The house is supplied with hot water heat, electric light, and a full water system gives plenty of hot and cold water on both floors. In addi- tion to erecting his house Mr. Gorsuch rebuilt his barns, and has everything in fine order. Here he carries on general farming and dairying, his herd being composed of twelve cows of the Holstein strain. Mr. and Mrs. Gorsuch have three children, namely : Louella, Howard and Isabelle, all of whom are at home. They are consis- tent members of the Christian Church, and take an active part in its good work. Well known as a Mason, he belongs to Wauseon Lodge No. 349, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Gorsuch has worked steadily and hard, and invested his savings wisely, and he and his wife are now enjoying many comforts. Their beautiful rural home compares very favorably with those in adjoining cities, and they have the further advantages of urban life. As a citizen Mr. Gorsuch is held in high esteem, and both he and Mrs. Gorsuch have many warm personal friends in their neighborhood.


WILLIAM BARTLETT. The man who invests in farm land and devotes his energies to improving and cultivating his property not only is an excellent business man but a good citizen, for no com- munity can make progress unless its residents are willing to lend a hand and through their individual efforts raise the standard of living. Such a man is William Bartlett of York Township, whose well cultivated farm, with its good improvements, is one of the best in Fulton county.


William Bartlett was born in Holmes county, Ohio, Septem- ber 10, 1855, a son of Jacob and Martha (Bates) Bartlett, natives of Ohio, he born in Wayne county, and she in Holmes county, re-


361


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


spectively. Jacob Bartlett was a veteran of the great rebellion, hav- ing enlisted April 22, 1861, for 100 days' service. He re-enlisted and received his commission as second lieutenant from Governor Tod on December 1, 1861, for Company E, Sixty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, receiving his discharge from same Feb- ruary 14, 1863. He once more enlisted and on July 4, 1863, re- ceived his commission as captain of Company E, First Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Fulton county. As such he served until the close of the war.


The parents were married in Holmes county, Ohio, and lived there until 1856, when they came to Fulton county and bought fifty- three acres of timberland in what is now York Township, which they soon thereafter traded for 160 acres of partly improved land in the same township. Here he died June 29, 1906, his wife hav- ing died on October 30, 1901. Their children were as follows: Sarah, who is Mrs. G. A. Hendricks, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Eliza- beth, who died at the age of two years; Jennie, who was Mrs. A. E. Dunham, of Toledo, Ohio, died January 16, 1917; William, whose name heads this biography ; Millicent and Ada, both of whom are de- ceased; and George M., who lives in Arizona, and who was one of the Rough Riders with Roosevelt in Cuba and was also a body guard of General Funston in the Philippine Isles.


William Bartlett has always lived on his present farm since his parents located on it, and he acquired his education in the schools of the district. He bought the old homestead of 160 acres, and has all but ten acres under cultivation, it being devoted to timber. After becoming the owner of the farm Mr. Bartlett began replacing the old buildings with new ones, and in the spring of 1917 rebuilt and remodeled the house into one of the most convenient and modern ones on this section. Hc installed heat, hot and cold water, bath- room and toilet and artificial lights, so that it compares favorably with homes in adjoining cities. In addition he has tiled the farm, put up new fences, and in fact made all the improvements necessary to put it in first-class condition and increase its producing power. Mr. Bartlett has always carried on general farming, and now has a dairy and manufactures butter and other milk products.


In October, 1877, Mr. Bartlett was married to Maria Shreves, of Fulton county, Ohio, a daughter of C. R. and Thankful (Stone) Shreves, natives of New Jersey and Connecticut, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett became the parents of the following children : Minnie, who is Mrs. William Robinson, of York Township; and Lottie, Jay, Florence, Burr, Celia and Laura, all of whom are at home.


The Taylor Methodist Episcopal Church holds Mr. Bartlett's membership, and he has served it as a trustee for some years. He is a republican and has been road supervisor. A Mason, he belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, all of Wauseon. Mr. Bart- lett's success in life has not come to him through any extraordinary processes but is the natural outcome of steady, intelligent and prac- tical efforts. He has always endeavored to keep abreast of inventions and discoveries of new methods in his work, and has never felt that he was through with his improvements. His experiments are watched with interest by his neighbors, for they realize that he knows what he is doing and that if he decides anything is worth while they had better follow his example if they want to keep up with his produc- tion. Both as an official and a private citizen he has been a friend


362


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


of good roads, for he recognizes their value to the individual farmer and the neighborhood. In fact William Bartlett is a man who measures up to the best standards of American manhood, and Ful- ton county may well be proud of him.


HERMAN EDWARD STRONG. Occupying the farm formerly owned by his father in Pike Township, Herman Edward Strong has de- veloped into one of the prosperous and representative men of Ful- ton county, of which he is a native son. His birth occurred in Fulton Township on May 9, 1866, and he a son of Hiram and Sophia Ann (Johnson) Strong. Hiram Strong was born in the vicinity of Syracuse, New York, and his wife in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and they were married in Michigan, following which they located in Fulton county, Ohio, first owning a farm in Fulton Township, known as Dutch Ridge. From there in 1872 they moved to another farm owned by him, located in Pike Township, and there he erected a sawmill. After two years he sold that farm and bought one in Swan Creek Township, but subsequently sold it and returned to Pike Township and bought another farm, which he con- ducted until 1885, and then moved to Delta and for 21/2 years owned an interest in a grocery, but disposed of it and bought a farm of sixty-five acres in Pike Township, on which he died in 1890. His widow survived him until 1910, when she passed away. She was a widow, Mrs. Draker, when she married Mr. Strong, and had three children by her first husband, namely: Jeanette, who died at the age of three years; Adelia, who was Mrs. Uriah Fuller, of Detroit, Michi- gan; and Arake, who is Mrs. Israel Salsbury, of Pike Township. Mr. and Mrs. Strong became the parents of the following children : Elisha, who is deceased; Volney, who lives in Michigan; Amos, who is a resident of Zurich, Montana; Angeline, who is Mrs. A. P. Ross, of Fayette, Ohio; Herman Edward, whose name heads this review; Nathan Wesley, who lives at Moorcroft, Wyoming; and Alonzo, who died in infancy.


Herman Edward Strong grew up in Fulton county and attended its country schools, while at the same time he was acquiring a work-, ing knowledge of farming under his father's supervision. When he was seventeen years old he went to Iona county, Michigan, and worked as a farm hand for one year, and as his parents during that time had moved to Delta, he went to Benton Harbor, Michigan, instead of returning home, and was engaged in working at various jobs for two years. He then came back to Fulton county for a time, when he returned to Michigan. In 1897 he went to Toledo, Ohio, and for three years worked at painting and paper-hanging for va- rious concerns of that city, at the expiration of that period coming back once more to Fulton county and working on the home place in Pike Township. After his mother's death he bought out the other heirs to the homestead of sixty-five acres of partly improved land. Since then he has rebuilt all the buildings and put up some new ones, ditched the place, erected a silo, and otherwise improved it, having now a very valuable property, on which he carries on general farming. At times he works at his trade, generally to ac- commodate one of his neighbors, all of whom appreciate the excel- lence of his work.


On September 24, 1910, Mr. Strong was united in marriage with Susie Enfield, born in Fulton Township, a daughter of Jacob and


363


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


Malinda (Luke) Enfield, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, re- spectively. Politically Mr. Strong is a republican, and served as road supervisor for two years, and during that period did some ex- cellent work in behalf of securing good roads for his section, and since then has supported the "good roads" movement, for he real- izes what a necessity they are in order to keep a community abreast of modern development. Good roads more than pay for the initial expense through the amount of business brought in over them since the almost universal use of the automobile. Those communities which have the misfortune to be off the improved highways can- not hope to compete with the ones which have a constant stream of tourists passing through them daily. Mr. Strong is one of the men who has traveled considerably and been broadened through a varied experience, and so he appreciates the value of improvements of all kind, both private and public, and is in favor of them, and of raising the general standard of the neighborhood through the educa- tion of the masses.


OSCAR S. GEER. A number of the enterprising farmers of Ful- ton county have found it profitable to engage in dairying, this re- gion being admirably adapted to the production of milk, and one of these men so engaged is Oscar S. Gcer of Pike Township. He was born in Clinton Township, Fulton county, Ohio, on June 29, 1872, a son of Milo and Rebecca (Parker) Geer, natives of Fulton county, Ohio, and Newark, New Jersey, respectively. The Geer family was founded in Fulton county by the grandparents of Oscar S. Geer at a very early day. .


Both Milo Geer and his wife were reared in Fulton county, and after their marriage they located in Clinton Township, which con- tinued to be their home until 1884, when they moved to Pike Town- ship, where he bought a farm and conducted it. When he retired in 1886 he moved to Delta, and there he died in 1899, his widow surviving him until 1911. Their children were as follows: Lutissa, who died in childhood; Lucy, who is Mrs. E. L. Smith, of Delta, Ohio; Perry, who is a resident of Delta; Elsie, who is Mrs. S. P. Dennis, of Pike Township; Edward, who died in infancy; Oscar S., whose name heads this review ; Harvey, who is a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Minnie, who is Mrs. Dell Rieghard, of Delta, Ohio; and Sam- uel, who died in infancy.


Oscar S. Geer was reared in Fulton county and attended the country schools. His wise father taught him to be a farmer, and from childhood he was occupied with work on the homestead, so that when he started out in life for himself he was prepared to do so intelligently and achieve an ultimate success. For five years subse- quent to his marriage he had charge of his father's homestead, and then for six years operated rented land in Fulton Township. He then bought eighty acres of land in Pike Township that was un- improved, although partially cleared. He has kept sixteen acres of the woodland, but the remainder of the farm is under cultivation, and all of the modern improvements on the property have been put in by him. The house, barn and other buildings are thoroughly modern, the land is all tiled, and the fences are well kept up, the entire place showing that much carc and thought have been ex- pended upon it. Mr. Gcer has always been occupied with general farming and dairying, and now has a fine herd of ten cows.


364


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


On March 19, 1896, Mr. Geer was united in marriage with Orrie Watkins, born in Fulton Township on December 13, 1875, a daughter of Thomas and Anna (Bundy) Watkins, of Fulton Township. Mrs. Geer's grandparents were Wesley and Catherine (Fesler) Watkins, and Eli and Mary (Wilbur) Bundy. Mr. and Mrs. Geer became the parents of the following children: Ethel, who is Mrs. George Hines, of Pike Township; and Ralph, Ross and Ruby, all of whom are at home. Mr. Geer is a strong republican, and has been a member of the School Board of his district since 1917. In his fraternal affiliations he maintains membership with Delta Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. An excellent farmer and sound business man, Mr. Geer deserves the prosperity he now enjoys, as well as the esteem of his neighbors, which he also pos- sesses.


HERBERT E. McQUILLIN. After a life devoted to general farm- ing and stockraising, Herbert E. McQuillin has developed into one of the prosperous men of Fulton county, and owner of forty acres of his father's homestead in Pike Township. His finely improved farm speaks for the ability and foresightedness of the owner, and his public acts show that he is one of the enterprising citizens of his section. Herbert E. McQuillin was born in Pike Township, Fulton county, on October 1, 1866, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Dun- bar) McQuillin, natives of Pennsylvania and Fulton county, Ohio, respectively, and grandson of David and Rachel McQuillin, who . came from Pennsylvania to Fulton county at an early day.


After their marriage John W. McQuillin and his wife settled on a farm of 120 acres in Pike Township, which was covered with tim- ber, and he cleared off many acres of it by his own efforts and im- proved his property, on which he lived until 1903, when he moved to Delta, Ohio, and there she died on January 18, 1911, he surviv- ing her until April 14 of that same year, when he, too, passed away. They were most excellent people in every respect and held the con- fidence and respect of their neighbors. Their children were as fol- lows: William and James, both of whom live at Delta, Ohio; John, who lives at Wauseon, Ohio; Herbert E., whose name heads this sketch; Eva, who is Mrs. Newton Ward, of Fayette, Ohio; and Frank, who occupies a portion of his father's homestead.


For a time following his marriage, which occurred in 1892, Mr. McQuillin rented the Rupp farm in York Township, and then bought sixty-one acres in Pike Township. The greater part of this property was then covered with timber, and the only house was a small one that he has replaced with a nice modern frame one. Mr. McQuillin has also rebuilt the barn, put up fences and other buildings, and now has his place in splendid condition. He cleared off the land and grubbed out the stumps of that portion of it he desired to put under cultivation. The land is fitted for a diversity of crops and stockraising, and he is engaged in both lines, having always found them profitable.


On November 23, 1892, Mr. McQuillin was united in marriage with Alice Rupp, born in Hancock county, Ohio, a daughter of Michael and Mary (Gassman) Rupp, also natives of Hancock county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. McQuillin became the parents of the following children: Walter, who lives in Pike Township, married Effie Miller, and they have one son, Herbert; Bert and Mary, who


365


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


are both at home; Clarence, who lives at Toledo, Ohio; and Roy, Howard and Glenn, all of whom are at home.


Mr. McQuillin is a friend of the public schools, all of his edu- cational training having been obtained from them, but when they were in a far less satisfactory condition than today, and in order to secure for his own children and those of the neighborhood better educational facilities he has given his services to the School Board for a period of nine years. In politics he is a stalwart republican, and one of the leaders of his party locally. In 1915 he was ap- pointed one of the township trustees to fill a vacancy, and so effi- cient did he prove that in December, 1915, he was elected to that of- fice, and filled it with satisfaction to his constituents and credit to himself. For some years he has been a faithful member of the United Brethren Church, and donates generously toward its support. The watchword of Mr. McQuillin has been hard work. He does not be- lieve there is any royal road to honest success. Prosperity in his estimation only lies at the end of the road of honorable endeavor, which must be trod, even though the way be steep and the going hard, in order to reach the ultimate goal. His own experiences has taught him this, and he is proud of the fact that he has earned all he now possesses through his own efforts, which he has endeavored to direct in an intelligent manner.


JAMES H. DISBROW. The Disbrow name belongs to the early history of Fulton county, although James H. Disbrow, who lives in Pike Township, is still a young man. He was born in Pike Township October 29, 1874, and is a son of Lewis K. and Alice (Thornton) Disbrow. The Thornton side of the family came from New York. George and Jane (Corry) Thornton came to Fulton county early in its history. When Lewis Disbrow married he set- tled in Pike, and continued his home there until 1878, when his death occurred. The widow married Giles McArthur, deceased, and two sons were born: Elmer, of Pike, and Frank, of Ottokee.


On May 3, 1911, James H. Disbrow married Hazel Aulman, of York Township. She is a daughter of Clark and Evelyn (Sheffield) Aulman, the father of York and the mother of Swan Creek. The grandparents, Samuel and Martha (Misson) Aulman, were born in England. William and Mary (Guthrie) Sheffield were also early settlers in Fulton county. They were all of them farmers in their days of activity.


Since 1900 Mr. Disbrow has lived as tenant and later as owner of the present home place in Pike Township, buying part of the land in 1908 and the rest of it later. He rebuilt the house and added the necessary barns and stables. Nearly all the land is under culti- vation, and Mr. Disbrow operates a Holstein farm dairy. There is one daughter, Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Disbrow attended Delta High School, and for four years she was a teacher in common schools. In politics he is a republican. They are members of the Ancient Order of Gleaners.


ERWIN M. TAPPAN. Both as a farmer and public official Erwin M. Tappan measures up as a man of sound principles and efficient methods, and it would be difficult to find one more universally pop- ular in either Pike Township, where his farm is located, or Fulton county, of which he is a native son. He was born in Pike Town-


366


HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


ship on February 3, 1879, a son of IIerman M. and Harriet A. (Wood) Tappan, and grandson of Moses and Hettie (Miller) Tap- pan, natives of New Jersey, who located at Toledo, Ohio, in 1836, and William H. and Laura N. (Fuller) Wood, who came to Fulton county, Ohio, from Medina county, Ohio.


Herman M. Tappan was born in Pike Township, Fulton county, on July 15, 1848, and his wife was born in Medina county, Ohio, on February 15, 1849. After their marriage Herman Tappan and his wife settled on his father's old homestead in Pike Township, and there he died in 1914, she surviving him until 1917. Their chil- dren were as follows: Walter A., who is a resident of Pike Town- ship; and Erwin M., who is the younger.


Growing up in Pike Township, Erwin M. Tappan became a pupil of its public schools, and while gaining an educational train- ing he learned to be a farmer through practical work on the home- stead. On November 25, 1900, he was married to Bernice Sindel, born in Pike Township, a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth E. (Elliott) Sindel. After his marriage Mr. Tappan lived with his parents for four years, and then took possession of eighty acres of the homestead, on which he erected a comfortable residence, barns and other outbuildings, and began farming on his own account. His property is now in fine condition, and in addition to it he owns eighty acres in section 34, his homestead being in section 10. Ever since he began farming he has raised diversified crops and stock, and carried on dairying, and each year has seen a substantial in- crease in his profits.




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.