USA > Ohio > Hardin County > A twentieth century history of Hardin County, Ohio : a narrative account of its historical progress its people and principal interests, Vol. II > Part 23
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family five hundred and sixty acres of the choice farming land of Hardin county. John Shanks enjoys good health and is unusally vigorous for a man of his years, for he has reached the eighty-eight milestone on life's journey, and he is revered as one of the pioneers of Hardin county. During three years he served as a county commissioner, and in 1864, an- swering the call of the north, he enlisted as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for service in the Civil war, and was honorably discharged in the same year. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He married in 1846 Miss Jane Mustard, and of the seven children which blessed their mar- riage union only two sons survive, the younger being J. HI. Shanks.
R. S. Shanks, the elder of these two surviving sons, is now one of the well known agriculturists of Liberty township, where he has owned a splendidly cultivated farm of eighty acres since 1876, and this land was purchased by his father in 1863. He was born in Liberty township January 1, 1851, and he was reared and educated here, attending its district schools and also the Ada schools. His first vocation in life was teaching, and he followed that profession for twenty-five years with grati- fying success. In 1872 he was happily married to Miss Mary C., a danghter of Abram and Anna E. Ream, and their three children are William C., Frances L. and Anna E. The son married in 1897 Miss Clara Cronbaugh, while the elder daughter married Mr. M. Runser in 1906 and the younger married M. D. Cronbangh on the 27th of June, 1905. Mrs. Shanks was born in Stark county, Ohio, October 5, 1851. The family are worthy members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Shanks is also associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Patrons of Husbandry.
JOSEPH POWELL, a successful farmer and stockman of Marion town- ship, Hardin county, Ohio, is a native of the township, born March 2, 1850, a son of William and Nancy (Lyons) Powell. William Powell was born in England, and came with his father. Joseph Powell, to the United States, in 1814, when four years of age. Joseph Powell and his family settled in Marion township, and here he purchased land and spent the remainder of his life. Hle cleared his land and became a prominent and successful farmer. He was interested in the cause of progress and ad- vancement, and was one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Huntersville. Joseph Powell had four children, of whom one survives, Benjamin, of Kansas.
The childhood of William Powell was spent on his father's farm and he attended the public schools. He married and reared his family in Marion township. His seven children were: Elizabeth, deceased, wife of John Kiester; Sarah, wife of William Moore, of Liberty town- ship ; Joseph ; George, deceased; Mary, deceased; James H., of Kenton ; Ohio, and John W., of Marion township.
Joseph Powell was reared on his father's farm in Marion township and attended the district school until he was about nineteen years of age, also helping with the work of carrying on the farm. He then directed his attention to farming until he was twenty-three years of age.
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. M. Rowing and family
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In 1873 Mr. Powell married Olive E. Henry, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, and died February 27, 1900. They were parents of chil- dren as follows : one child, who died in infancy; William II., born Sep- tember 15, 1875, married Eva Guider and they live in Liberty township; O. C., born June 29, 1877, married Frances Huggett and they live in Washington township; Estella M., born February 10, 1879, wife of Charles Matthews ; Verna, born December 3, 1880, unmarried and living at home; and William H. The last two have been school teachers. All have received good educations and are intelligent, useful men and women.
At the time of the death of the wife and mother the following lines were written in the paper in her memory : "Olive Esmarilla Henry was born in Richland county, Ohio, Angust 14. 1854, and departed this life February 27, 1900, aged forty-five years six months and thirteen days. She came with her parents to Hardin county, Ohio, September 9, 1863, where she has since resided. She united with the Methodist Epis- copal church at Huntersville when eleven years of age, and has remained a faithful and consistent christian the remainder of her life, endeavoring to do the will of her Master. She leaves a husband, four children, three sisters, a brother and a host of relatives and friends to mourn her loss. Her body was laid to rest in the Huntersville cemetery. She was spoken of by all as a noble woman."
Politically Mr. Powell is a Republican and he has served as township trustee. He owns eighty-seven acres of section one and has a well improved farm, equipped with modern machinery. He is an in- dustrious, progressive citizen, well known in the community, where he is highly respected.
P. W. YOUNG has been a resident of Washington township, Hardin county, Ohio, since 1870, and since 1873 has owned and occupied his present farm of one hundred sixty acres. This place was formerly known as the "Kreidler farm." Since Mr. Young eame into possession of it he has cleared and placed under cultivation a hundred and twelve acres. He remodeled the buildings that were already here and built others, and in a general way beautified his surroundings. Today he has one of the best farms in his locality.
Mr. Young is a native of Ohio. He was born in Knox county, in 1845, son of Eli and Amelia (Rush) Young, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of New Jersey. In their family were seven children : Freeman, Lonis, Emeline, Clara, Sarah, Hannah, and P. W., the last named being the only one of the number to take up his abode in Hardin eounty. The first twenty years of his life were passed in his native county and there he received a common school education. Then he went to Iowa. Two years later, we find him in Illinois, where he bought a farm and where he made his home for a period of five years. In 1870 he returned to Ohio, and since that date, as already stated, he has been a resident of Hardin county.
The same year he purchased his farm, 1873, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Emily J. Vaughn, who was born in 1853 in Marion county. Ohio, daughter of Thomas Vaughn. The fruits of their union are two
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sons and five daughters, namely : Thomas, a local preacher ; Freeman, a lawyer of Colorado, and professor in a high school in Ft. Morgan; Catherine, now the wife of E. Shadley ; Corrinna, wife of F. Westervelt ; Icy, wife of E. Hayes; Zella; and Maude, who is the wife of Leroy Turner, a farmer in Marion.
During his residence in Washington township, Mr. Young has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his community. For twelve years he has been a member of the school board, and he has also filled the office of supervisor. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN MORGAN JONES .- The late John Morgan Jones, who was a suc- cessful farmer of Hardin county and for a few years prior to his death lived retired in the city of Kenton, was born in Knox county, Ohio, November 6, 1832. Mr. Jones was a son of John and Sarah (Bradbury) Jones, the former from New Jersey and the latter from Pennsylvania. They were early settlers of Knox county, where Mr. Jones followed farming, and about 1850 they located in Hardin county, where they bought a farm and spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. Jones was born in 1800 and died in 1866, at the age of sixty years, and his wife who was born in 1818, died in 1875. She survived him a number of years.
John Morgan Jones spent his youth on his father's farm, attending the common school winters and helping with the work of the farm as soon as old enough. While still under age he taught two years in Knox county, and after the removal of the family to Hardin county taught a few terms in the latter county. He was an ambitious and hard-working young man, and made the most of his opportunities for education and culture. His habits were commendable, and he was ever a home man.
In 1855 Mr. Jones married Elizabeth M. Gillen, daughter of Edward and Margaret (King) Gillen, both natives of New Jersey, who came west and settled in Hardin county in the fall of 1853. They bought a farm near Washington, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and here improved the land and developed a fine farm. The Kings were one of the old families of New Jersey.
After his marriage Mr. Jones purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, south of Dunkirk. He subsequently bought and sold a number of farms and finally purchased the one of ninety-two and a half acres a half mile from Kenton which is now conducted by his son. In 1902 Mr. Jones and his wife removed to Kenton and made a per- manent residence there. They became parents of ten children, of whom six now survive. Mr. Jones died in 1906, mourned by his family and a large number of friends. He was a man of good principles and high character, whose dealings with his fellows were distinguished by honesty and uprightness. Mr. Jones was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and upheld the principles of the Republican party. While liv- ing on this farm he served three years as justice of the peace. He was a successful farmer and made several good investments. His widow still resides in Kenton. She is enjoying good health and her fine home.
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WILLIAM M. GILMORE .- The late William M. Gilmore, of Kenton, Ohio, was one of the most enterprising business men of the city, where he spent his entire life. He was a native of Kenton, born in 1849, and a son of William and Martha (Alexander) Gilmore, the former born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 17, 1825. William Gilmore located in Kenton in 1846, and spent the remainder of his life there. He walked from his home through the mountains to Pittsburg, taking a boat from there to Cincinnati, and as there was then no railroad, he walked from Springfield to Kenton. He was one of the pioneer busi- ness men of Kenton and was for thirty years a successful boot and shoe merchant. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and an influential citizen.
William M. Gilmore acquired his education in the public schools and learned the trade of jeweler, following the same all his life. He owned a fine jewelery store, running an establishment on the south side of the square for a time and afterward locating on the west side, where he owned a store at the time of his death.
In 1879 Mr. Gilmore married Mary Louise Fresehkon, daughter of Coonrod and Elizabeth (Strahm) Freschkon, both of whom were born in Germany and eame to America in youth. They were married in this country, settling near Patterson, Hardin county, where the remainder of their days was spent. The union of Mr. Gilmore and his wife was without issue. Mr. Gilmore was an industrious, hardworking man, who had good business judgement and was very successful in his line of business. He became a well-known and influential eitizen, who had a large circle of friends. His high character and honesty were highly appreciated. Politically he was a Democrat. Mr. Gilmore died on December 30, 1899.
REV. BENJAMIN WADDLE, D. D .- One of the men who took a promi- nent part in affairs in Hardin county during his life was Benjamin Waddle, now deceased. Mr. Waddle was born near Wheeling, West Vir- ginia, in June, 1802, and was a son of William and Elizabeth (Neilson) Waddle, the latter a descendant of Thomas Neilson, a member of the Continental congress, living in Pennsylvania. The family later moved to Virginia, locating in that state about 1795. Both William Waddle and his wife were born during the American Revolution, and his father served in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was a talented musician. Three of Mrs. Waddle's brothers moved to New Orleans at an early day, be- coming prominent attorneys.
The early education of Benjamin Waddle was received in private schools, and when he was twenty-one years of age he decided to study for the ministry. His father wished to give him his share of the family estate to enable him to attend college, but he refused the offer and de- termined to work his own way through school. He began teaching school. attended college in Wheeling and completed his training at Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, being ordained a United Presbyterian minister in Perry county, Ohio, in 1829. Proceeding to New Concord, he set to work to establish a Presbyterian college, completing his project in 1837 and be-
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coming the first president of the institution. He was a president pro- fessor in this college for a period of twenty years, and is remembered affectionately by all who came under his charge and had the benefit of his advice and training. This school to-day ranks high among the ed- ucational institutions of its kind in the country and is under the care of the United Presbyterian church.
In 1859 Rev. Waddle removed to Hardin county, where he took charge in December of a congregation, enlarging the membership of the church and serving with great distinction and ability. He was a man of great earnestness and was generously gifted in qualifications for his great work in life. His high character was appreciated by all who dealt with him and his eloquence greatly admired. He held several offices of importance and served creditably in all of them. He was for twelve years connty school examiner and was the founder of the county institute. Rev. Waddle was sent to represent his district in the state legislature about 1872-3, and was offered the renomination but refused to accept same. He gave the public freely of his time and talents, and his publie work will long be remembered.
In 1829 Rev. Waddle married Martha A., daughter of William and Margaret (Herdman) Glenn, the former born in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, and the latter a native of Ireland, who came to the United States at the age of seven years. IIer grandparents bought land near Pitts- burg for the very low price of six dollars an acre in 1800 and the city of Carnegie is built on the Glenn estate. Benjamin Waddle and his wife . were the parents of five children (two sons and three daughters), of whom three still survive. One son, Benjamin N., enlisted at Cadiz, Ohio, in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio, and served three years in the Civil war. He was taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness and sent to Andersonville prison. Being a very fine singer, he soon won warm friends and conducted a notable meeting in which he made many converts. Shortly after this the famous spring was discovered and called "Providence Spring." Mr. Waddle died soon after his release. The other children of Rev. Waddle and his wife were: Mrs. Anna M. Campbell, Miss Lizzie, the only surviving member of the family living at Kenton and W. G. Waddle, a minister of the United Presbyterian church at New Athens, Ohio. Benjamin Waddle died in May, 1879, and his widow passed away in 1881.
WILLIAM ELSASSER, superintendent of the Hardin County Infirmary, which is located in Pleasant township, is a man of prominence among the county officials, possessing in an eminent degree the discretion, trust- worthiness and force of character requisite for the responsible position which he has so ably filled since he was called to its duties in 1902. A native of this township, he was born May 31, 1856, a son of John Elsasser, His paternal grandparents were natives and life-long residents of Germany, where the grandfather, who was a weaver by trade, made cloth for the Royal family. They reared three children, Eva, Lena and John, all of whom came to America.
Born and brought up in Germany, John Elsasser received a college
RESIDENCE OF J. G. TRESSEL
Mrs & & Trussel
J. G. Tressel.
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education, after which he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Subsequently desirous of trying life in the United States. a country full of possibilities for the industrious, he came with his family to Amer- ica, having a long and tedious ocean voyage in a sailing vessel. From New York he came directly to Ohio, locating in Hardin county. Ile bought seventy-one acres of heavily timbered land lying three miles east of Kenton, paying nine hundred dollars for the tract. Building a log cabin for himself and family he labored with dilgence and perseverance, and having cleared and put under cultivation a large part of it added another forty acres to his original purchase. Successful in his under- takings, he erected substantial frame buildings, and there lived in peace and plenty until his demise, at the age of seventy-three years. He mar- ried in the Fatherland Margaret Bishop, who died when seventy-three years old. They reared five sons, George, Louis, John, Henry and William, of whom the older ones were born in Germany, and IIenry and William were born in America.
Receiving his early education in the public schools, William Elsasser assisted his father in the work during the long vacations, and until more than twenty-one years of age remaining at home. He subsequently purchased the parental homestead. for which he paid six thousand six hundred dollars, and engaged in general farming and stock raising. In 1902 Mr. Elsasser was appointed to his present official position, and has since superintended the management of the Infirmary in an efficient and acceptable manner.
Mr. Elsasser married Margaret Lutz, who was born in Pleasant township, Hardin county, where her father, Nicholas Lutz, settled on coming to this country from Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Elsasser are the parents of six children, namely: Mary E., Katherine, Karl Julius, Laura, Minnie, and Florence, all at home but Katherine, who is in Lima, Ohio. A Republican in politics, active and prominent in his party, Mr. Elsasser has served as township trustee nine years and ten months, being the first Republican in the office, and he was a Republican candi- date for sheriff. He has been a delegate to various county and distriet conventions, and was appointed by the Governor as a delegate to the National Charities Convention that met in Richmond, Virginia, in 1908. and to the one that met, in 1909, in Buffalo, New York. Fraternally Mr. Elsasser is a member of lodge No. 79. I. O. O. F., of Scioto Encamp- ment ; and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Elsasser belong to the Evangelical church.
J. G. TRESSEL, a prominent farmer, and one of the most substantial and prosperous business men of Liberty township, Hardin county. has long been an important factor in developing and promoting the indus- trial interests of this part of the Western Reserve. Enterprising and practical, he has taken a wise advantage of the thick stratum of stone which covers a large part of his land to the depth of five hundred feet by opening an immense quarry, and in its operation he gives employment to many men, the stone being in great demand. not only for use in piking the public highways, it being excellent material for the con-
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struction of state roads, but in the manufacture of concrete. A son of the late John Tressel, he was born, June 20, 1865, on the farm where he now resides, coming from honored pioneer stock. A soldier in the war of 1812, George Tressel, Mr. Tressel's grandfather, migrated from Pennsylvania, his native state, to Ohio, in the early part of the nineteenth century, settling in Tuscarawas county. HIe married Catherine Shuster, and they became the parents of twelve children, John being one of the older members of the parental household.
Born in Warren township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, October 24, 1810, John Tressel was brought up on the home farm, as a boy and youth assisting in the pioneer tasks incidental to pioneer life. His early advantages for obtaining an education were meager, but through extensive reading and keen observation he outstripped in learning many of his youthful associates, becoming well-read and well-educated. In 1830 he entered eighty acres of land in Hardin county from the govern- ment, paying a dollar and a quarter an acre. He labored with un- ceasing toil in his efforts to improve his land, and in due course of time had improved an excellent farm, and had erected a frame house in place of the log cabin in which he and his bride began housekeeping. In 1844 he built a grist mill for his own use, and for the convenience of the few scattering settlers in this and adjacent townships, and in 1846 built a saw mill and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. These mills he operated successfully for upwards of a score of years, carrying on a substantial business. A man of ability and influence, he served his community as justice of the peace, and in many of the township offices. He lived to the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, passing away in 1897.
John Tressel married first, in 1833, Eliza Fappin, who died in 1856, leaving four children, as follows: Samuel, Martha J., George C., and Angeline. 1Ie married second, in 1859, Mrs. Mary (MeKnight) Wells, widow of Amos Wells, and to them five children were born, namely : Alice, deceased, married E. M. Turner; Daniel A; Elizabeth, a twin sister of Daniel A., died at the age of twelve years; Mrs. Dora Turner; and James G., the special subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died in February, 1902, aged seventy-three years six months and twenty days.
Acquiring his early education in the district schools of Liberty township, J. G. Tressel subsequently became actively engaged in the development and advancement of its agricultural and industrial re- sources, and now occupies a noteworthy position among its esteemed and honored eitizens. Coming into possession in 1888 of forty aeres of the parental homestead, he has continued the improvements previously inaugurated, erecting a commodious set of farm buildings, and other- wise adding to its value until now it is one of the most attractive and desirable homesteads to be found in this vicinity. During the time that he has been engaged in developing his large quarry, Mr. Tressel has filled many extensive contracts in this and neighboring townships, in his work operating a crusher that is capable of an output of one hundred and fifty enbic yards per day. HIe has likewise other interests, and is now building a tile factory with a capacity of four thousand tile daily.
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Mr. Tressel married in 1888, Della Hamilton, who was born in Han- cock county, Ohio, and they have one child, George Ray Tressel, who is now a teacher in the Hostler School District No. 4, Liberty township. Mr. Tressel and his family are valued members of the Methodist Epis- copal church at Ada.
SAMUEL GILMORE, deceased, formerly a carpenter and builder of Kenton, Ohio, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1822, son of Mitchell and Lizzie (Johnston) Gilmore, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of England. They emigrated to the United States and settled in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where they lived several years, then located in Kenton, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Gilmore died at the age of ninety-one years and her husband died a few years earlier.
The early years of Samuel Gilmore were spent in his native state, and he located in Hardin county, Ohio, about 1847. In 1852 he married Eveline Thompson, daughter of Judge Alex Thompson, who had prev- iously entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. this land being located at the northeastern edge of what is now Kenton. Later he sold off this land in small tracts, all except sixteen acres where Samnel Gilmore erected a two-story frame building some fifty years ago. Judge Thompson was an influential citizen and an active member of the Presbyterian church.
Samuel Gilmore followed his trade in Kenton for many years; he worked on the courthouse, which is still standing, and on the old Central schoolhouse. Later he began contracting and erected a large number of buildings in and around the city of Kenton. He and his wife had but one child, Bell. Mr. Gilmore died in 1884 and his widow survived him many years, passing away November 5, 1907, at the age of eighty-four years.
Bell Gilmore married Dr. D. C. Smith, son of Henry and Lydia (McCartney) Smith, the former born in Fairfield county and the latter in Columbiana county, Ohio. They were married in Ashland county in 1837 and came to Hardin county in 1838, remaining there until their deaths, she passing away August 17, 1876, and he September 5, 1887. Dr. Smith and his wife reside on the sixteen acres of land formerly owned by her grandfather, where her father erected a house over fifty years ago.
Mr. Gilmore is well remembered by the older residents of Kenton, and was well known throughout the county. Hle was a man of superior business ability and was very successful in his line of endeavor.
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