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 40
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physical vigor, he bought a farm of one hundred and forty-five acres in Adams county, Indiana, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits for four years. In 1901 he returned to Kenton and has since been actively and profitably engaged in the real estate business.
Mr. Rose married. in 1868. Jane Scott, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Amelia Scott. Three children were born of their union Flora. Ella May and Edwin Rose. Ella May died when five months old. Edwin Rose married first Mary Krenbihl, who died in early life. leaving one child. Ellen. He married for his second wife Estella Woods, and they have one child. James D. Rose. This wife also died and he married for his third wife Nellie Weller. Flora Rose married first Edward Wilson, and married second P. F. Swanger. By her first marriage Mrs. Swanger had two children, Effie and Goldie G. By her present union she has one child, Charlie Swanger. Mr. Rose is a member of Cantwell Post No. 99, G. A. R.
J. HARRY WAGNER .- Widely known throughout this section of the state in his official capacity of sheriff of Hardin county, J. Harry Wag- ner, of Kenton, has spent the larger part of his life in this vicinity, contributing towards the advancement of its agricultural and industrial interests and gaining for himself the reputation of one who deserves the confidence and trust of his fellow-men. A son of W. H. H. Wagner, he was born, September 20, 1870, in Pleasant township, Hardin county, coming from pioneer ancestry, his paternal grandfather, Henry L. Wag- ner, and his maternal grandfather, John H. Gary, having been early settlers of this county.
W. H. H. Wagner, a native of Warren county, Ohio, came to Hardin county when young, and was brought up on the homestead cleared and improved by his father. He became a farmer. and was for many years engaged in tilling the soil in Pleasant township, but is now a resident of Kenton. He married Mary A. Gary, who came to Hardin county with her parents, and to them six children were born, three of whom are living, J. Harry being the eldest.
Growing to man's estate on the home farm, .J. Harry Wagner early became familiar with its various labors, in the meantime obtaining a practical education in the common schools. A natural mechanic, he made use of his talents by learning the carpenter's trade, under the tuition of J. S. Scott, of Kenton, and for awhile, in addition to farming, carried on a substantial business as a contractor and builder. An active worker in the Republican party. Mr. Wagner was elected sheriff of Hardin county in 1908, and has since served in this position with recognized ability. He has been successful in his career, and is the owner of a valuable farming property in Taylor Creek township.
Mr. Wagner married. November 16, 1892, Olive Brelsford, a daugh- ter of James J. and Victoria (Smiley) Brelsford, of Hardin county, and they have one child. Juanita Wagner. Fraternally Mr. Wagner is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows; and of the local Grange.
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JAMES M. BALDWIN, who is engaged in a real estate, loan and insur- ance business at Kenton, Ohio, has been a resident of this place for over twenty-five years. He is a native of Ohio, born in Logan county, Aug- ust 30, 1843, of Western Reserve pioneer stock, his ancestors having come here at an early day from Pennsylvania. Jonah Baldwin, his father, Jerrub Baldwin, his grandfather, were both born in Ohio, the for- mer in Stark county. Jonah Baldwin, now eighty-six years of age, is a resident of West Mansfield, this state. His wife, Mary (Yarrington) Baldwin, a native of Union county, Ohio, died at the age of seventy- eight years. Her father, Ephraim Yarrington, came from his native state, Pennsylvania, to Ohio at an early day. Jonah and Mary Bald- win had eight children, six sons and two daughters; all the sons are living but the daughters are deceased.
When James M., the eldest of the children was about twelve years old his father moved to West Mansfield and settled on a farm, which as a boy, he helped to clear and cultivate, and which he left just as he was entering manhood to answer his country's call. On August 8, 1862, he enlisted as a member of Company II, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and as a private he shared the fortunes of his command until the close of the war. He was mustered out at Mobile, Alabama, and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 31, 1865, During his service he was in thirteen hard fought battles, besides numerous lesser engagements, but was fortunate enough to escape without a wound. For a time he was ill and in hospital. The year following his return from the army he married, and for several years thereafter was engaged in contracting and carpenter work. He spent one year at Mt. Victory, Ohio, after which he went over into Indiana and settled in Rochester, where he
made his home fifteen years. After this he lived two years in Warsaw, and in 1884 came back from there to Ohio and took up his residence in Kenton, where he has since remained. Here he continued work at the carpenter's trade until 1900, and since then has been engaged in a real estate and insurance business. Also he is a justice of the peace, having been elected to this office November 8, 1904.
Mr. Baldwin married, on May 17, 1866, Miss Sarah F. Kennedy, who was born on a farm in Hardin county December 9, 1844, a daughter of Moses and Nancy Kennedy. To them were born a son and daugh- ter. The latter, Ida May, is the wife of L. Wilson, and the son, Charles E., married Mattie I. Cessna, of South Kenton. Politically Mr. Bald- win has been a life-long Republican. He is prominent and active in the Grand Army of the Republic, being a member of Cantwell Post, No. 97, in which he has filled all the chairs. Also he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His religious creed is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he has been identified all his life and in which for years he served as class-leader.
WILLIAM A. HATCH .- Among the native born citizens of Hardin county noted for their intelligence and capabilty is William A. Hatch. a representative agrienlturist of Pleasant township, and proprietor of "Locust Lawn Farm," one of the model rural estates of this section of
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Ohio. Clear-headed and active, possessing excellent judgment, he is meeting with eminent success as a general farmer and stock-raiser, and is widely and favorably known as an upright, honorable man. He was born, in 1850, in Cessna township, Hardin county, a son of Chester Hatch, coming on the paternal side of substantial New England ancestry.
Born in Vermont, Chester Hatch grew to a vigorons manhood among the rugged hills of his native state. Lured westward by the glowing accounts of cheap lands to be found in Ohio, he came to Hardin county in 1845, locating in Cessna township, where he purchased eighty acres of land that was still in its virgin wildness.
In his New England home he had obtained a practical education, and after coming to this county he taught school during several winter seasons, in the meantime working hard during the long summers on his land. By diligence, thrift and good management he improved a good farm, on which he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1902. Ile was prominent in local affairs, serving many years as justice of the peace, and holding minor offices of responsibility. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Chambers, was born and brought up in Pennsylvania, in the ve- cinity of Chambersburg, and died, in 1900, in Cessna township. Two sons were born of their union, namely: David and William A. David married Matilda Gillon, who died in 1879, in early womanhood.
William A. Hatch was educated in the common schools of Cessna township, and while on the home farm was initiated into the mysteries of agriculture. Following in the footsteps of his father, he taught school a number of winter terms when a young man, working on the farm during seed time and harvest. He afterward began his agricul- tural career by purchasing forty acres of land adjoining his father's homestead, in Cessna township, where he carried on his chosen occupa- tion for a while. Wishing to enlarge his operations, Mr. Hatch removed to Washington township, where he bought a farm of eighty acres, which he managed with excellent pecuniary results for a number of seasons. In 1900 he purchased Loenst Lawn Farm in Pleasant township, and three years later, in 1903, took possession of the property. Mr. Hatch is carrying on his labors after the latest and most approved scientifie meth- ods, his one hundred and twenty acres of land being well enltivated and well improved and considered one of the most valuable in the neighbor- hood. His farming machinery and implements are of the most improved patterns, and everything about the place is in keeping with the appli- ances of a first-class agriculturist.
Mr. Hatch married, on October 29, 1879, Elizabeth N. Ilagerman, who was born in Marion township, Hardin county, daughter of Rev. Samuel Hagerman. Mr. Ilagerman was born in Carroll county, Ohio, but was brought up and educated in Richland county, Ohio, where as a young man he learned the blacksmith's trade. Removing to Hardin county in 1836, he bought forty acres of land in Marion township, and by dint of earnest labor cleared and improved a homestead. In con- junction with farming, he followed his trade, burning the charcoal which he used in his forge. Converted in early life, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church, which he subsequently served ably and
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faithfully for many years, first as a licensed preacher and afterward as an ordained elder. IIe was active in the ministry until a short time before his death, which occurred, August 30, 1884, at Ada, Ohio. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and showed much interest in the Order. Mr. Hagerman married Elizabeth Hiles, who survived him. many years, passing away in 1898. She bore him the following children, namely : Dayton A .; Mary M .; John W .; Eliza E., deceased; Elizabeth E., deceased; Samuel A .; Edith A .; Elizabeth N. wife of Mr. Ilateh; William J., a prominent minister of Toledo, pastor of the Second Metho- dist church; Genevra J .; Sarah; Alfretta ; and Benson, deceased.
DR. JACOB A. GROVE, formerly a prominent physician and now living at Kenton, Ohio, retired from active life, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1833, and is a son of Jaeob and Agnes (Martin) Grove, both natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a weaver by trade, also carried on a farm, and he died in his native state when about seventy-four years of age. He was of German deseent. His widow survived him and lived to be ninety-four years old, her death being caused by accident. They were the parents of four sons and four daughters, six children growing to maturity, three sons and three daughters, and besides Dr. Grove one other survives, Mrs. Elizabeth Margaret Hyson, of York county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Adams is the youngest child of the family.
The boyhood of Dr. Grove was spent in his native state, and he re- ceived his education in the public schools of Stewartstown and the academy at that town. At the age of twenty-one years he began teaching school, which he followed three or four winters, when he moved to Ohio, settling at Mount Blanchard, Hancock county, where he taught school one summer. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Grove enlisted in Com- pany F, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving four months. Returning to Mount Blanchard, he finished his fall and winter terms of school, and in the spring of 1862 he began studying medicine. He reenlisted July 4, 1863, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty- eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, in 1865. He served twenty-nine months in all and about the last year was detailed as a musician. He resumed his study of medicine at the close of the war, and began the practice of his profession in the spring of 1866, at Mount Blanchard. He continued in the successful practice of medicine there until 1893, when he removed to Kenton and retired from active life. He has made his home in Kenton many years, and is one of the public-spirited and representative citizens of the town. Ile is well known and highly respected. He was a member of the Ohio State Eclectic Medical Association and of the National and Northwestern Eclectic Medical societies. IIe has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1858, and also belongs to the Masons, with which order he has been affiliated a number of years. At one time Dr. Grove was an active and prominent member of the Grand Army of the Republic. IIe is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has been an elder since October 6, 1895. Before the inception of the Republican
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party Dr. Grove was a Whig, but since its organization has supported the Republican party. Ile had the satisfaction of voting twiee for Abraham Lincoln and has helped eleet all the Republican presidents. He is actively interested in local affairs, and keeps well informed in current events and issues.
Dr. Grove married on February 14, 1867, Phebe, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Twining) VanHorn, of Hancock county, Ohio; she died March 29, 1889. Dr. Grove married for his second wife, January 1, 1891, Ella Eliza McClay, who was born in Logan, Hocking county, Ohio, and reared in Licking county. She was educated in the common schools and also attended the Granville school. She prepared herself for teaching and taught twenty-three years in Licking, Hancock, Wood, Allen and Hardin counties. She taught seven years in the Central
building in Kenton. Her father, William MeClay, was born in county penter by trade and came to America when twenty years of age. He
Donegal, Ireland, and died in his seventy-eighth year. He was a ear- served in the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry until discharged on account of disability. He settled in Ohio about 1835, and made his
home in Hocking county. Ile married Sarah Nelson, a native of county Down, Ireland, who came to America when twelve years old, coming with her father. She was reared in Virginia, remaining there until her marriage. Mrs. Grove is the youngest of their seven children, those growing to maturity being Miss Mary Jane, James W. and Mrs. Grove. Her mother was the youngest of her father's family and Mrs. McClay's father was the youngest child of his father's family. Mr. MeClay was for a long time a resident of Philadelphia, before locat- ing in Ohio. Ile was married in Virginia, and soon after moved to Ohio.
James W. MeClay enlisted in the Home Guards when but seventeen years of age; they were called to Columbus, Ohio, and there asked if they wanted to go ont of the state, Mr. MeClay being the first to step out and declare his willingness to do so. He was taken prisoner July 4, 1864. He was a member of Company F. One Hundred and Thirty- fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his Company, with another, were keeping guard of a road in West Virginia when all were captured, some being sent to Andersonville. Mr. MeClay was a prisoner for nine months and twenty-five days, and spent this length of time in Andersonville. He was one of seven in his mess to return home, all the others having died. IIe lived to the age of thirty-one years. Mr. MeClay mar- ried Miss V. Rollison and they had two sons, one of whom died when small and the other, E. R. MeClay, at the age of thirty-one years.
ISAAC E. WILSON .- Especially worthy of mention in a work of this character is Isaac E. Wilson, of Kenton, who is distinguished not only for the honored ancestry from which he is descended but for his fine record of service as a county official, and for the substantial position he has attained among the leading agriculturists of this part of Hardin county. A native and to the manner born, his birth occurred September 20, 1842, in Pleasant township, this county. His father, John Wilson, Jr., and his grandfather, John Wilson, Sr., were both natives of West- moreland county, Pennsylvania. Colonel James Wilson, great-grand-
Isaac, E. Wilson
Willis A. Wilson
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father of Isaac E., was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, and was as far as known the only member of his immediate family to cross the Atlantic. Coming to the United States in colonial times, he commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary war, having enlisted in Pennsylvania, and was at the front in various engagements. He was also one of the nine men from the Keystone state that signed the Decla- ration of Independence.
John Wilson, Sr., served under General Wayne in the war of 1812. He subsequently came with his family to Ohio, settling as a pioneer in Holmes county. Ile moved from there to Richland county, later coming to Hardin county, and he spent his last years with his son, John Wilson, Jr. Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1811, John Wilson, Jr., was quite young when he came with his parents to Ohio. He married in Richland county, and in 1839 came to Hardin county to live, being one of the first settlers of Pleasant township. Buying a tract of timber lying five miles north of Kenton, and close to the present site of Grant station, he built a two-story hewed log house, a pretentious structure for those days, when most of the people were content to live in humble log cabins. The surrounding country was in its primeval condition, wild beasts roaming at will through the forests, while Indians were numerous and for the most part friendly. There were no markets nearer than Sandusky, and the trip across the country made with teams was long and tedious, these highways being rough. The first mill in this vicinity was operated by horse power, the farmers being obliged to unhitch their own horses and place them to the power whenever they wanted grain ground. Little do the people of this day of comforts and even luxuries realize the hardships and the trials endured, the great ambition required and the physical endurance demanded to secure the homes established by the Ohio pioneers for themselves and their descend- ants. Though not an extremely tall man, John Wilson, Jr., possessed a fine physique, being noted for his strength and endurance. Improving a fine farm from the wilderness, he continued a resident of Pleasant township until 1865, and then moved to Hancock county where he lived until his death, August 25, 1895. at the advanced age of four score and four years. He was a Republican in politics, and a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church. John Wilson, Jr., was twice married. He married first Phoebe Osbun, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, where her father, Nathaniel Osbun, settled as a pioneer, and cleared and improved the land now occupied by the Richland County Infirmary. She died in 1857, in the prime of life. Ile married for his second wife Mary Jane Bushong, who died in 1896. Of his first union nine children were born, namely : Eve, Thurza, Eliza, Ann, Mary, Sarah. Rachel, Isaac E. and Nathaniel.
The little one-story cabin built of round logs in which Isaac E. Wilson obtained his early schooling was furnished with seats made of split linn wood saplings, one side being hewn, with wooden pins inserted for legs, having no backs and no desks in front. the older scholars learn- ing to write on a board placed against one side of the cabin, the whole being very unevenly heated by a fireplace. On June 6, 1861, abandoning
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work in the fields, Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company D, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered into service at Camp Denison, near Cincinnati, and on June 20 of that year started for West Virginia. He first met the enemy in battle at Rich Mountain, and soon after that event his regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade of the Second Division, Second Corps, of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by General Hancock, who claimed that this corps captured more colors and more arms than all of the rest of the Union forces combined. With his comrades Mr. Wilson participated in many of the more noted engage- ments of the war, including among others the two at Romney, Winchester, Port Republic, Harrison Landing, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Freder- iesburg, Gettysburg, Bristol Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Poe Run, and Spottsylvania. At the latter battle he was wounded in the left shoulder, and sent to the hospital for treatment. He rejoined the regi- ment at Cold Harbor, and was honorably discharged on account of the expiration of his term of enlistment. On March 31, 1865, Mr. Wilson enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for a second term of service, and was stationed at Camp Chase, Columbus, to guard Confederate soldiers until May 8, 1865, when he was honorably discharged.
Returning home Mr. Wilson entered the employ of Rev. Jacob Holmes, whose farm he managed for two years. Ile subsequently followed the carpenter's trade until 1872, when he was appointed super- intendent of the Hardin County Infirmary, and served four years. He afterwards followed his trade three years, when, in 1879, he was again honored with an appointment as superintendent of the same infirmary, and held the position during the next thirteen years, discharging the duties devolving upon him as head of that institution with ability and fidelity. In the meantime Mr. Wilson purchased one hundred acres of the land included in his present farm, which is advantageously located on Scioto Valley pike. Ile cleared off the heavy growth of timber, erected a substantial set of buildings, and has here been successfully engaged in general farming since, his estate with its excellent improvements being very attractive and valuable.
Mr. Wilson married, in 1867, Kate Hufnagle, who was born at Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Harriet Hufnagle. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have had four children, Willis H. and Hattie, and two that died in infancy. Willis HI. Wilson married Hallie Baird, and they have three chilrden, Clifford, Kathryn and Flora. IIe enlisted in Company I, Second Ohio Regiment, on May 10, 1898, for the Spanish- American war, and was mustered out February 4, 1899. He had been fourteen years a member of the Ohio Second Regiment of Militia and was second lieutenant for three years and first lieutenant for four years, but had resigned his commission before the opening of the Spanish- American war. Hattie Wilson married Orlando Doster and they are the parents of five children, Esther, Isaac, Harl, Ellen and Eulah. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically a steadfast Republican, Mr. Wilson served as deputy sheriff in 1887 and 1888 and is now agent for the Hardin County
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Humane Society. He is an active member of Cantwell Post No. 97, Grand Army of the Republic, which he has served as junior and senior vice-commander and as commander, and has also been an aide de camp on the staff of the department commander.
JAMES C. POLING .- Among the substantial, public-spirited citizens of Kenton, Ohio, is James C. Poling, surveyor of Hardin county. IIe was born in Hocking county, Ohio, September 18, 1868, and is the fourth son of Samuel B. and Irene (Smith) Poling. Samuel B. Poling was also born in Hocking county, where he was reared and married, and he died at the age of seventy-four years; his widow, who is a native of Maryland, survives him and resides at Ada. Mr. Poling located in Ada in 1881, and engaged in farming near the village.
J. C. Poling was thirteen years of age at the time his parents re- moved to Hardin county. After attending the public schools he entered the Ada Normal after which he taught school in the county for a period of twelve years, becoming one of the most prominent educators in the county and during those years of school attendance and teaching he obtained his knowledge of engineering. In 1901 Mr. Poling located in Kenton, filling the position of deputy county surveyor for a term of four years, after which he spent three years in abstract and general surveying, and in 1906 he was elected to the office of county surveyor, being reelected in 1908.
Politically Mr. Poling is a stanch Demoerat, and has taken a deep interest in the intrests of the party. He is a conscientious, faithful official, who gives his most careful attention to the duties of his office, for which he is well fitted. He is a member of Amicitia Lodge No. 79, of Scioto Encampment, No. 179, and Canton Kenton No. 83, I. O. O. F., and of Lodge No. 157, B. P. O. E. He is considered one of the representa- tive citizens of Kenton, where he is well known and has many friends. He is upright and honorable in all his dealings, and his sterling integrity and probity are unquestioned. On October 30, 1894, Mr. Poling mar- ried Lottie Robinson, a daughter of F. M. and Martha (Pemperton) Robinson, natives of Wyandot county, Ohio. Three children have been born to them: Neil R. and James Conwell, students in the high school and Carol E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Poling are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church.
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