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 38
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when young, and at the age of thirteen years became self-supporting, finding employment on a farm, and receiving as wages two dollars a month. As his services grew in value, his wages were increased, finally reaching the sum of twenty dollars a month. Going to the territory of Kansas in 1858, Mr. Garrett located in Wyandot county, near Kansas City, where the settlers were few in number and border troubles were rife. He remained there, working as a farm hand, until 1861. At that time the stars and stripes and the Confederate flags were both flying at conspicuous points.
Returning by boat to his home in May. 1861. Mr. Garrett was busily employed until the following September, when he enlisted in Company G, Thirty-third Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, with which he went south, his regiment being attached to the Fourteenth Army Corps, com- manded by General Thomas. He was with the corps in its marches, campaigns and battles, among the more important engagements having been those at Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, the battle above the clouds, at Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, participating in the battles en ronte and in the siege and capture of the city. He subsequently con- tinned with his gallant commander to the sea, thence through the Caro- linas and Virginia to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review. Receiving his honorable discharge July 9, 1865, Mr. Garrett returned to Hardin county, and resumed farming. At the time of his marriage he bought a partly improved farm in MeDonald township, resided there four years and then sold out. Purchasing then a timber tract in Taylor Creek township, he built a house and barn, placed the land in a high state of cultivation, and made many improvements of value during the thirty years that he occupied it. He then sold and bought his present attractive home on Mt. Victory pike.
Mr. Garrett married, in 1868. Sarah Jeffers, who was born in Logan county. Ohio, a daughter of John and Catherine Jeffers. She died July 31, 1908. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Garrett served one term as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a member of W. W. Simpson Post, G. A. R., of Belle Center.
JOHN GERLACH .- The representative of one of the early pioneer families of Hardin county, a brave soldier in the Civil war, and an esteemed and respected resident of Kenton, John Gerlach is one of the oldest native born citizens of this place, his birth having occurred here Angust 1. 1840. Ile comes of German ancestry, his father, Ulrich Gerlach, having been horn at Elm Kreis, Hesse-Cassel, Germany, Janu- ary 21, 1812. Three of his brothers. John. Christopher and Gottfried, emigrated when young to America, while his older brother, Adam, in- herited the family estate and remained in the Fatherland. John settled at Pickaway, Miami county, Ohio, and the other two located in Pleasant township, Hardin county.
When a young lad Ulrich Gerlach began learning the trade of a harness and saddle maker, and after completing his apprenticeship traveled, as was then the custom, working for brief periods in different
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localities, in each place securing a certificate for skillful workmanship and good character. About 1834 he started for America, being sixty days in crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel. Hle landed in Baltimore, a stranger in a foreign land, his only capital being good health, willing hands and a large supply of courage and ambition. Starting on foot for the west, he made his way to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, stopping oeeasionally on the route to work at his trade. Hle resided for awhile in Pittsburg, and then pushed on to Mansfield, Ohio. In 1837 he visited Kenton for a few days, and then went back to Mansfieldl. In 1838 he returned to Kenton, which at that time was but a small village and the surrounding country a pathless wilderness, which has sinee given way before the axe of the pioneer, developing into thriving villages, populous towns and productive agrienltural communities, the Indian trails of those days being now well graded public highways. Ulrich Gerlach bought a tract of land in a block on North Main street, including a space now included in four city lots, and there established the first harness shop in Hardin county. He traded a harness for one half of this land, and for the other half paid thirty-four dollars in cash. Hle subse- quently sold the whole tract for five thousand dollars, and then purchased a farm east of Kenton, but did not at once move onto it. Ile continued in business in Kenton for awhile longer, being first located at the east corner of the block north of the courthouse, and later east of the square. Removing to his farm about 1867, he resided there until his death, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Pfeiffer, was born in Ilesse-Cassel, Germany, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Pfeiffer, pioneers of Hardin county. She died at the age of seventy-eight years, leaving six children, John, George, Adam, Christo- pher, William and Elizabeth.
Beginning as a boy to learn the trade of a harness maker, John Gerlach has followed it during his entire life. Enlisting in May, 1864, in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he went with his command to Virginia, and served with his regiment until the expiration of his term, when he was honorably discharged and returned home.
Mr. Gerlach married, in 1862, Mary Jane Balch, who was born in Madison, Ohio, September 25, 1843, a daughter of Israel Balch, a native of Boston, Massachusetts. As a youth Israel Balch followed the sea, but in early manhood eame to Ohio, locating in pioneer days in Madison where he spent his remaining years. He married Sarah S. McDonald, who was born in Ross county, Ohio, a daughter of William and Millie (Riley ) Me Donald. Millie Riley was born in Essex county, Maryland. in 1791, of patriotie ancestry, her mother having carried messages for the Continental soldiers during the Revolutionary war. Millie's first husband, Mr. McDonald, died young, and she subsequently married a Mr. Roby. She came to Ohio in 1804, and died in Kenton September 29. 1864.
Mr. and Mrs. Gerlach are the parents of eight children, namely : Anna, Mary E., Eva, Sabina, Sadie, Ida, Flo and Alfred MeDonald. Religiously Mr. Gerlach is a member of the Evangelical church. Fra
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ternally he belongs to Cantwell Post, No. 97, G. A. R., and to Amintia Lodge, No. 79, I. O. O. F.
JUDGE WILLIS W. BOWERS, who was elected probate judge of Hardin county in 1908, enjoys the reputation of being one of the best county judges in this section of Ohio. He is accounted a wise and impartial dispenser of justice and has the distinction of being the youngest man ever elected to the office of probate judge in Hardin county. He was born, February 22, 1874, in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, a son of George D. Bowers. George D. Bowers spent the early part of his life in the Keystone state, but is now a resident of Missouri. He married Caroline Hertzog, daughter of Andrew and Susan Hertzog of Pennsyl- vania. She died in 1890, leaving but one child, Willis W., the subject of this sketch.
But fourteen years old when his mother died, Willis W. Bowers was subsequently brought up by his paternal grandparents, Joseph and Julia Bowers. He received good educational advantages, attending first the public schools, then the State Normal School at California, Pennsylvania, and Hiram College in Portage county, Ohio. Coming to IIardin county in 1895, Mr. Bowers embarked in the onion industry, beginning as a grower and subsequently becoming a buyer and shipper, in the latter industry carrying on an extensive trade, one year shipping three hundred cars. A stanch Democrat in politics, he was his party's candidate for probate judge in 1908, and had the honor of being elected in a district that is decidedly Republican.
Judge W. W. Bowers married, July 8, 1896, B. Hazel Hogan, a daughter of John and Sarah Hogan, then residents of Hardin county, but now living at Redford, Michigan. Three children have been born of their union, namely : John F., Oliver C. and George J. Fra- ternally the Judge stands high in the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Blue Lodge, the Chapter, the Council and the Commandery. He is also a member of Kenton Lodge, No. 157, B. P. O. E,; also a member of Kenton Council No. 344, of the United Commercial Travelers, and is one of the charter members of Scioto Camp No. 4101, of the Modern Wood- men of America, which is the oldest camp of the Modern Woodmen in Hardin county. Religiously he belongs to the Church of Christ, of which he and his family are regular attendants.
CHARLES AUGUSTUS STEVENSON .- A skillful and progressive farmer, thoroughly conversant with the occupation in which he is engaged, Charles Augustus Stevenson materially assists in maintaining the repu- tation of Hardin county as a superior agricultural region, his well managed and fertile farm being located in Buck township. He was born, January 5, 1853, in Orleans county, New York, a son of Silas Stevenson and grandson of James Stevenson. A native of Virginia, James Stevenson emigrated to Ohio abont 1820, becoming a pioneer settler of Champaign county, where he resided seven years. In 1827 he traveled northward, locating on the line of Logan and IJardin coun- ties, where he carried on farming until 1834. Removing then to Taylor
WILLIS W. BOWERS
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Creek township, Hardin county, he bought wild land, and from the wilderness hewed a homestead, on which he resided until his death, June 6, 1865. He married Unity New, who was born in Virginia, and died in Taylor Creek township March 10, 1864. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Silas, father of Charles Angustus; Robert; Lace; Jane; Harriet; William; John; Ephraim; Margaret ; Charles A., of whom a sketch may be found on another page of this volume; David H .; and Louisa.
Silas Stevenson was born in October, 1822, in Champaign county, Ohio, and was reared among pioneer scenes. In his boyhood days deer, wolves, bears and other beasts of the forest were plentiful, often terror- izing the scattering settlers. The nearest mill was many miles distant, and there were no convenient markets, the people subsisting largely on the productions of the soil. When a young man he went to New York state, married, and lived there abont four years. Returning to Hardin county, he purchased a traet of wild land in 1853, in Buek township, built a log house, and immediately began the herculean task of redeeming a farm from the wilderness. HInge trees were felled, the logs were rolled into piles and burned, thousands of dollars worth of what would now be good lumber being thus ruthlessly destroyed. Little did the good people of those times dream that in less than a century the conservation of forests would become a question of national importance. Silas Stevenson soon had a part of his land in a yielding condition, and had added to his homestead excellent improvements, having erected a brick house, a frame barn, and other necessary buildings. On this valuable estate he spent the remainder of his life, enjoying all the comforts of a modern home, his death occurring on his home farm in July. 1900. He married Ruby Tyler, who was born in Orleans county, New York, October 27, 1827, and died on the home farm in March. 1908. She was a daughter of John II. and Salina Tyler, esteemed residents of Orleans county. Of the union of Silas and Ruby Stevenson nine children were born. namely : IFazen J., Charles A., Salina, Ilorace, William. Laura. John, Margaret and Frank.
Early becoming acquainted with the varions branches of agricul- ture Charles A. Stevenson has followed farming throughout his entire life, with the exception of a few months spent in Lynn township. having resided in Buck township since coming here, an infant, in his mother's arms. In 1902 he settled on the Pike, taking possession of the farm he now owns and occupies. It contains one hundred and thirty acres of rich and fertile land, well adapted to the raising of all the cereals com- mon to this region, and is well improved in regard to both buildings and cultivation.
In 1875 Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage with Arrie Newcomb. who was born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1852, a daughter of Clark Lewis Neweomb, and granddaughter of Cromwell and Esther ( Lewis) New- comb. From a history published by John Bearse Newcomb. of Elgin. Illinois, a handsome volume of six hundred pages, the history of the Newcomb family of America is given from 1635 to 1874. It shows that Clark Lewis Newcomb was a descendant in the eighth generation from
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IIISTORY OF HIARDIN COUNTY
the emigrant ancestor, Captain Andrew Newcomb, a native of England, the line of descent being as follows: Captain Andrew, Andrew, Simon, Hezekiah, James, James, Cromwell and Clark Lewis. Cromwell New- eomb was born at Stephentown, Rensselaer county, New York, May 6, 1790. Coming as a pioneer to Ohio in 1833, he settled first in Knox county. From there he came in 1852 to Hardin county, and on the farm that he bought in Pleasant township lived his remaining days, passing away September 10, 1871. His wife died August 11, 1872. Clark Lewis Newcomb, born in Livingston county, New York, August 8, 1824, was young when he came with his parents to Ohio. Reared to agricultural pursuits, he spent his comparatively brief life as a farmer, dying in Pleasant township in 1858. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Finerty, was born in Knox county, Ohio, where her father, Samuel Finerty, was a pioneer settler. She died in 1890, leaving two children by her first marriage, Arrie, now Mrs. Stevenson; and Rosa. Sarah Finerty's second marriage was to Mr. T. J. Smith and to this union there were three daughters: May, the wife of Jacob Stair; Jessie, who makes her home now with Mrs. Stevenson; and Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Kumly. Mr. Stevenson is a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
CLEMENT L. HOWEY is one of the highly esteemed and sueeessful citizens of Pleasant township, Hardin county, Ohio, and a practical and progressive farmer. Ile was born in the county, in Blanchard township, August 3, 1864, a son of James and Sarah (Briggs) Ilowey, the former born in Pennsylvania, in 1824, and the latter a native of England. Mrs. Ilowey came to the United States with her parents when three years of age. After her marriage she came with her husband to Hardin county, locating in Blanchard township, where they became owners of a valuable farm. James Howey died in 1905, at the age of eighty-one years, and his widow survives him and is living on the home farm. They had children as follows: Mary E., Mrs. J. W. Musgrave; Rev. Matthias C., a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a member of the Cen- tral Ohio Conference; John R., a professional musie teacher who resides in Missouri; Clement L .; Wm. W .; E. E., deceased; G. W .; and one who died in infancy.
Clement L. Ilowey was reared in his native township on his father's farm and attended the country schools. Reared to farm work, when old enough he began working for others, and by his striet attention to his duties and to the interests of his employers he was able to command the highest price paid for that kind of work. Ile gained a reputation for industry and thrift, and by his economy and good business judgment has made his own way in life, so that he now owns a productive farm and a beautiful home. Ile purchased his present farm of seventy-five aeres in 1893, and has since resided on it, becoming well known in the community. He is a devont and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he served as treasurer ten years, and was also honored by election to the office of steward, and the post of elass leader.
On July 28, 1887, Mr. Howey married Mary M. Kritzler, by whom
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
he had one daughter, Alta E. Mrs. Howey died September 4, 1898. He married on March 27, 1900, Sylphia Finley, and they became the parents of two children, John W., deceased, and Ruth J. Mrs. Howey was born in Bluffton, Allen county, Ohio, June 6, 1872.
HENRY J. BLOOM, a successful and practical farmer of Pleasant township, Hardin county, Ohio, was born in Kenton, Ohio, in 1863, and is a son of Bernhard and Anna K. (Alt) Bloom, both natives of Ger- many, the former born June 14, 1831, and the latter February 21, 1837. Bernhard Bloom and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1851 and 1856, respectively, and the father was six and the mother was eight weeks on board a sailing vessel in crossing the ocean. When he first came to America he worked for the Big Four Railroad Company. He was married in 1857, and in 1866 bought a farm of forty-seven and one- half acres in Buck township, Hardin county, upon which he lived four- teen years. In 1880 he bought a farm of one hundred and twenty-one and two-thirds acres in Pleasant township, which was partly improved and which he developed into a well tilled and productive farm. He and his wife have now retired from active life, and still reside on this farm. They are the parents of three children, namely: William, Mrs. G. Cook and Henry J.
Henry J. Bloom was reared on a farm and received his education in the country schools. He became an enterprising farmer and is a good manager. Ile and his brother conduct the farm together; it is situated about three miles north of Kenton. They follow general farm- ing and raise some stock. They carry on their farm along scientific lines, and the results are gratifying. They own eighty acres in this neighborhood and Henry J. also owns ten acres more where his parents live. He married Mrs. Anna Roby, whose maiden name was Cook, in 1903; they have no children. Mr. Edward B. Roby died August 4, 1901. the father of Minnie E. and Omer R. Roby. Mr. Bloom is well known in the community for his enterprise and thrift, and is highly respected by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance. In polities he is a Democrat. The family are members of the St. John Evangelical church of Kenton and are active in its work, especially in the Sunday school.
GEORGE W. DARST .- An honored representative of the native-born citizens of Hardin county, and the son of a pioneer settler, George W. Darst, now living retired from active pursuits at Kenton, has been an able assistant in the development and advancement of the agricultural resources of this fertile region, and by his sagacity and foresight has at the same time been enabled to accumulate a competency. A son of Rev. Harrison P. Darst, he was born, February 8. 1840. in Washington township, Hardin county, of Virginian stock.
Born May 8, 1818, in Woodstock, Virginia, Harrison P. Darst spent his early years in his native state. Left an orphan when a child. he was bound out to a saddletree maker, who kept him at work early and late. Becoming discontented with his lot he ran away and was fortun- ate enough to find a home with a drover, who treated him most kindly.
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Subsequently migrating to Ohio, he lived for a time in Pickaway county, and there took unto himself a wife. Coming to Hardin county in 1837, he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in Washington township, and in the clearing that he soon made built from round logs a small cabin, into which he moved with his bride before the chimney was made or the floor laid. The land roundabout was then in its original wildness, game of all kinds inhabiting the primeval forest, and the people lived in a most primitive manner. For some time he was the only man that owned a team, and when he went to mill, the nearest one being at West Liberty in Logan county, he used to carry three or four of his neighbors. These pioneers, taking bread enough to last during the four days con- sumed in making the round trip, would shoot wild game and cook and camp by the wayside. When he was away on one of these trips his wife, who was left alone with a young babe, retired to her cot in a corner of
the room. She was subsequently awakened by a strange noise, and by the dim light of the fire saw a bear in the room climbing the side of the cabin for a piece of meat hanging there. On seenring the meat he left, much to the relief of the poor woman. Rev. Harrison P. Darst was a man of sincere religions convictions, and became a local preacher in the Christian church, in this capacity preaching in various places, at the same time superintending the improvement of his land. In 1858 he visited relatives in Virginia, procured some family papers and a few valuable relics. On his return trip he made the unfortunate mistake of trying to ford a river when the water was too high. He managed to free the horses from the wagon, and they swam ashore, dragging him along, but the wagon and its contents were lost. He died on the home farm on October 31, 1860. Although a Democrat until 1856, he was a strong anti-slavery man, and his home became a station on the under- ground railway, and through it many a poor slave passed on to freedom.
Rev. Harrison P. Darst married, in Pickaway county, Ohio, Cather- ine Teegardin, who was born in that county June 14, 1814, a daughter of William Teegardin, a Pennsylvania German who became a pioneer of that part of Ohio. Serving in the war of 1812 William Teegardin was for awhile stationed at the block house in Upper Sandusky. He was very successful as an agricultorist, becoming owner of extensive tracts of land in Sugar Creek township, Allen county, and gave to each of his eleven children valnable property, giving one hundred and sixty acres of land to each of seven children, while to the other four he gave each one a home in Pickaway county. He died at the venerable age of eighty- four years. Mrs. Catherine (Teegardin) Darst died February 19, 1901, leaving five children, namely: George W., of whom we write; Sarah E., wife of John Clinger, of Upper Sandusky; John, deceased, lived in Pacific Grove, California; Rebecca, wife of Eli Kridler, of the same place; and Maria M., wife of W. H. Obenonr, also of Pacific Grove.
Educated in the district schools, George W. Darst was brought up on the home farm, the management of which, owing to the ill health of his father, devolved upon him when he was a mere youth. In Septem- ber, 1862, he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with his brother John, joining his command at Stafford Court
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
House, Virginia, and he remained with his regiment until the close of the war, participating in many important engagements, including the battle of Gettysburg. He was with Sherman on the march to the sea, up through the Carolinas, and after the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., was honorably discharged from the service, in June, 1865. His brother went through with him and died at Pacific Grove, California, June 7, 1909.
Returning then to the parental homestead, Mr. Darst continued its management until 1878, when he devoted his time to his duties as a sheriff, a position to which he was elected in 1877, and served two terms. He was subsequently engaged in the insurance business until 1891, when he was appointed by Governor MeKinley as policeman and given control of the Capitol and grounds in Columbus. In this capacity Mr. Darst served acceptably six years. In 1897 he returned to his farm, and for ten years was snecessfully employed in agricultural pursuits. Selling out in 1907, he has since lived retired in Kenton.
Mr. Darst married, October 22, 1865, Hannah E. Enlin, who was born in Washington township, Hardin county, Ohio, on the 21st of August, 1844, a daughter of John P. Eulin. Her great-grandfather, Benjamin Eulin, a Virginian, was a genuine frontiersman, and a noted Indian fighter, rescuing many white women from the savages. Being pursned by a band of redskins on one of his raids, he jumped off a steep embankment and received injuries which cansed his death. Mrs. Darst's grandfather, Benjamin Eulin, born in Virginia, followed the march of eivilization westward, located first in Pennsylvania and from there came to Ohio, settling among the pioneers of Columbus. Hle subsequently moved to Coshocton county, and in 1830 drove across the country with his family to Hancock county. In 1833 he bought govern- ment land in Hardin county, put up the first flour mill in this section to be operated with horse power, and was here a resident several years. IIe moved from here to Iowa, and there spent the closing years of his life. IIe married Elizabeth Elder.
Born, July 17, 1818, in Columbus, Ohio, John P. Eulin began life for himself at the age of nineteen years, taking a contract to clear ten acres of the land now included in the present site of Dunkirk, receiving ten dollars an aere for his work. He was later variously employed, and when he had accumulated a sufficient sum he bought timbered land in Washington township, Hardin county, and here lived until 1862. then bought a farm in Cessna township, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away March 1, 1887. Ile married, in 1842, Elizabeth Lynch, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 14, 1825. a daughter of George Lynch. She died May 22, 1891, leaving three children, namely : Mrs. Darst, who died February 11, 1910; Benjamin P. Eulin ; and Emma E., who died October 11, 1867.
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