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 51
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
Mrs. Leighton died October 28, 1893.
Five children were born to Dr. Leighton and his wife, two of whom died in infancy. His son, George Leighton, was born in Kenton, April 16, 1842, and had four daughters: Anna P., Georgia P., Grace II. and Virginia P. Anna Leighton, the oldest daughter of Dr. Leighton, was born June 14, 1844, and married George Gregg. (now deceased) Decem- ber 5, 1866. She resides in Pittsfield, New Hampshire and has one
HOSEA JOHNSON
839
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
daughter, Frances L. Martha Ellen, the youngest daughter of Dr. Usher P. Leighton, was born April 18, 1848, and died February 14, 1902. She was married, December 7, 1871, to B. F. Brunson, of Wisconsin, and they have had four sons, two of whom are living at Fort Smith, Arkansas, Jay L. and Aleott. George Leighton is a successful and prominent citizen of Kenton, Ohio, where he is engaged in real estate business.
HOSEA JOHNSON .- In the death of Hosea Johnson, one of the old and honored pioneers of Hardin county passed to his final reward. His birth occurred, December 11, 1817, in Monroe township, Logan county, Ohio. Rheumatism, which afflicted him to some extent, in- capacitated him for manual labor, but his mental faculties were un- dimmed, and he was young in his sympathies and progressive in his ideas, talking interestingly not only of by-gone times, when people lived the simple life, but on the current topics of the day.
Jacob Johnson, his father, was born in New Jersey, of Ilolland an- cestry. When a boy he moved with his parents to Kentucky, settling as pioneers in Bourbon county. The country roundabout was then sparsely settled, the nearest trading post being twenty-five miles away, in Mason county, where to obtain even salt, a commodity of which every family used more or less, a journey on horseback must be made. In 1816, with his wife and seven children, he came to Ohio, making the removal with teams, and was among the original settlers of Logan county. Taking up a squatter's claim, he built two log cabins, connecting them by roof and floor. He cleared a small patch, and in addition to raising some corn made sugar. Deer, bears, wild turkeys and other game were abundant, supplying the family larder with what are now deemed lux- uries. He also raised flax, and kept sheep, and his good wife used to card, spin and weave the material from which she fashioned the garments in which the entire family was elothed. After living in that clearing seventeen years, Jacob Johnson moved to the northeastern part of Logan county, about two miles from the present city of Rushsylvania, where he bought eighty-seven acres of heavily timbered land. He built a log cabin, and began the improvement of a farm, leaving the work, however, as he was then well along in years, to his sons, Peter and IIosea. He there resided until his death, in the ninetieth year of his age.
He married, in Kentucky, Rachel Greene, who died at the age of seventy-three years. Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Johnson, namely : Polly, Andrew, George, John, Peter, Henry, Jane, Hosea, Jacob W., Paris Fleming, Nelson M. and Philip G. While living in Kentucky, both he and his united with the Free Will Baptist church, There being none of his religious faith in Ohio when he came here with his family, he joined the Calvinistie Baptists, who were believers in pre- destination. Unwilling to subscribe to that doctrine, he withdrew his membership from that body, enlarged his cabin, invited a Methodist to preach there, and from that beginning a Methodist church was organ- ized, and both he and his wife died in that faith.
Obtaining his knowledge of the three "r's" in the pioneer schools
840
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
of his day, Hosea Johnson began as soon as large enough to assist his father on the farm, living with his parents until taking upon himself the cares of a married man. Beginning life then even with the world, he rented land and began housekeeping in a log cabin near Miles City. A few months later he rented a traet of land on the Sandusky road, there raised two crops, after which he leased land for two years in Union county. Locating then in Lane township, Logan county, Mr. Johnson had charge of the farm of his nnele, George Greene, for seven years. Industrious and enterprising, he accumulated considerable money during his years of renting land, and this sum he invested in land, buying seventy-nine acres adjoining his uncle's estate, paying eleven dollars an acre. Five acres were cleared, but there were no other improvements. Failing to obtain good water, Mr. Johnson sold at a small advance, and then in October, 1850, came to Hardin county, and settled on his present farm. He bought first one hundred acres. paying twelve dollars an aere. Fifty acres of the oak timber had been cleared, and a hewed log house had been erected. He afterward cleared the remaining half of the original traet, and purchased other land at various times, his aggregate holdings amounting to five hundred and twenty acres. Mr. Johnson made im- provements of an excellent character, placing his land under a good state of cultivation, and erected a good brick house and substantial farm buildings, everything about him indicating ample means and cultivated tastes.
Mr. Johnson married, January 2, 1840, Nancy Rosebrook, who was born in West Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, a daughter of Hilkiah and Sus- anna (Dearduff) Rosebrook, natives of Virginia, and Pioneers of Logan county, Ohio. She died January 11, 1900, at a ripe old age, eighty- three years. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, namely : Susanna, Elizabeth, John C., Sophronia, George, Micajah, Jane, Mar- garet, Peter and Mollie. Susanna married James Morrison and had eight children. After the death of Mr. Morrison she became the wife of L. T. Calvin, by whom she had two daughters. Elizabeth, wife of IT. N. Smith, has eight children. John C. married Anna Rarey, and they have eight children. Sophronia, wife of Paschal Latimer, has five children. George married Julia Harmon, and they have two children. Micajah married Ollie Hyde, and they have one child. Jane, wife of Milton Davis, has two children. Margaret, wife of Milton Lee, has four children. Peter married Emma Vogel, and they have three children. Mollie married George Banmunk, who has charge of Mr. Johnson's homestead.
A Universalist in his religious beliefs, Mr. Johnson was broad in his views, believing in the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. He cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison, and became a Republican when the party was formed, and continued a fearless advocate of its principles, supporting them by voice and vote. Hosea Johnson passed from this life on the 20th of January, 1910.
He was an optimist, having an unusual cheerful disposition ; he saw only the good and succeeded in pointing ont the blessings of God to others; so positive was he in seeing only God's grace and goodness that he became a Universalist in faith; he had an unusally bright mind
841
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
and a good memory so that he was able to quote with the mind of a scholar, poetry and the classies; he was a great singer and loved the hymns of the church; his love for children was very marked and as a result the children all loved him.
He was a kindly man, a man of men. Ile lived for the good he could get out of life, the contentment of home and loved ones. He was at the time of his death the dean of the Ansleys and Johnsons and was for years the principal character at their animal reunions ..
Hosea was the last of this good family to pass to the better world on Thursday afternoon, January 20th, 1910, closing his weary eyes to sweet, sweet rest at the age of 92 years, 1 month and 9 days.
Unele Hosea Johnson and Nancy Rosebrook were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony and lived a happy and prosperous life of sixty years together, celebrating the event with their children January 1, 1900. On the day following, the good wife and mother was striken with paralysis and after nine days passed away to her home in heaven.
The surviving children of this grand old couple are -Mrs. Susanna Calvin, Mrs. H. N. Smith, Mrs. Jennie Davis, Mrs. Margaret Lee, and Mrs. Mollie Banmunk, and four sons John C. and George of Ilardin county, and Mae and Peter of Glendora, California. Also forty-five grandchildren and fifty great-grandchildren survive.
Uncle Ilosea in early life was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, but later happily embraced the Universalist faith and greatly rejoiced in the faith, and the profession of belief that the Holy scrip- tures of the Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the charac- ter of God and the duty, interest and final destination of mankind; that there is one God whose nature is love, revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ by one holy spirit of grace who will finally restore the whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness. All who ever met Unele Hosea will ever remember his good advice and prayers for their welfare.
George Baumunk was born in February, 1863, in Wyandot county. Ohio, a son of John and Barbara (Greeeur) Baumunk. Having obtained a practical education in the public schools of his native county, he came to Hardin county in 1882, before attaining his majority, and has sinee been actively and prosperonsly engaged in agricultural pursuits, now having the entire management of the farming property of his late father-in-law. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Baumunk's marriage with Mollie Johnson was solemnized May 5. 1904. A lively and interesting member of their household is a grand niece of Mrs. Baumunk, Margaret Price, called by her great-grandfather, of whom she was a great pet, "Birdie."
JOHN BRUNGARD .- Widely known as one of the leading grain men of Hardin county, John Brungard, in company with his brother is carry- ing on a thriving business, being owner of mills and elevators, and one of the largest grain dealers and shippers of this part of the state. IIe was born, October 9, 1880, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. a son of John and Elizabeth (Young) Brungard. A more extended parental and ancestral history may be found elsewhere in this work, in connection with the sketch of Otis Daniel Brungard, Mr. Brungard's brother.
842
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
Obtaining a practical education in the public schools, John Brun- gard began life as a wage earner at the age of fifteen years, being employed on a railroad for a time. Coming with the family to Ridge- way, he assisted his father in the establishment of the milling business with which he has since been actively associated. After the death of his father, he, in company with his brothers, incorporated the milling interests before inaugurated, and for two years thereafter had charge of the Horton elevator. He now resides in Ridgeway, and, with his brother, is kept busily employed in the management of their various milling and elevator interests, their business having assumed large proportions, being one of the most extensive of its kind in the county. Religiously Mr. Brungard is a consistent member of the Reformed church and fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 588, A. F. & A. M., at West Mansfield.
Mr. Brungard married, October 22, 1907, Clara May Holmgren, who was born, October 14, 1884, in St. Paul, Minnesota, a daughter of S. H. Holmgren.
J. D. KENNEDY, a prominent dairy farmer of Hale township, Hardin county, was born on the farm he now occupies. He is a son of Moses Kennedy, who was born in 1822, in Adams county, Pennsylvania, and a grandson of John Kennedy. The great-great-grandfather of Moses Kennedy came from Ireland to America, and married a wife of German descent. They had both come to Pennsylvania with their respective parents and were there married.
John Kennedy removed from Pennsylvania to Wyandot county, Ohio, where he became employed as a wood chopper near Marseilles and here he spent the remainder of his life. Moses Kennedy remained with his parents until his marriage. In 1843 he settled in Hale town- ship. Hardin county, buying his farm of one hundred and twenty-six acres at six dollars per acre and here he followed farming for the re- mainder of his life. He was a millwright by trade and erected the first grist mill in the township. IIe was also a carpenter, and there are still standing many buildings erected by him. He died in 1897. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was an influen- tial citizen and in politics a Republican, being one of the oldest com- missioners of Hardin county. He married Nancy F. Kendrick, a daughter of James and IIanna Kendrick. She was born in Delaware in 1818, and died in 1892. Moses Kennedy and his wife had children as follows: Emi II., of California; Kendrick, a farmer of Wolf Creek ; J. D .; Joseph, a farmer of California ; Sarah, wife of James M. Baldwin, of Kenton; Rille, wife of HI. F. Keech, of Toledo; Renah, wife of F. P. Allen, of Forest; Maggie, wife of D. H. Gantt, living with her brother, J. D. Kennedy; and three who are deceased, namely: Hersteram, Frances and Hannah.
J. D. Kennedy received a common school education and helped with the work of the farm until his father's death. Ile then purchased the shares of the other heirs, and carries on general farming, dealing con- siderably in stock. He is an enterprising, prudent farmer, and good
843
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
business man, and having paid close attention to his interests has been financially successful. Mr. Kennedy is unmarried and is doing the work of the farm with hired helpers. He was the first man in Hale township to sow commercial fertilizer. He is a stockholder in the Mt. Victory Telephone Company.
Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Mt. Victory, in which he has passed through the chairs and served a number of years as trustee and two terms as deputy district grand master of Hardin county. Politically he is a Republican, but has never cared for public office, though at present he is serving as precinct committeeman of Hale township.
J. E. MERTZ, who is the owner of a farm in Roundhead township, Hardin county, was born in Sidney, Ohio. December 27, 1854, and is a son of Oliver and Catherine (Shafer) Mertz. Oliver was a son of John Mertz, who was the second sheriff of Auglaize county, Ohio. Oliver Mertz and his wife removed to Illinois in 1864, and J. E. Mertz then lived there with his parents until of age.
The early days of J. E. Mertz were spent on a farm and he learned the details of farming. After attending the schools of his neighborhood and applying himself well to the task of acquiring an education, Mr. Mertz began teaching, and continued in this profession from 1875-82. when he went into partnership with John W. May, under the name of May & Mertz. They continued in mercantile business in Roundhead for a period of twenty-two years, and the firm was dissolved March 17, 1904. Mr. Mertz now devotes his time and attention to his farming interests, and is very successful. He owns one hundred and fifty aeres and is an energetic, progressive farmer. He is a publie-spirited citizen, and in political views is a Democrat. He has served in various local offices, clerk, treasurer, etc., and has fulfilled his duties in a satisfactory manner. In his business dealings Mr. Mertz has always been honest and upright, and his probity is unquestioned. He is well known and popular in his community, where he has been a resident thirty-three years.
In 1880 Mr. Mertz married Alice Bowdel, the daughter of Henry S. Bowdel, and to them four children have been born, namely: Henry O .. born April 5, 1884, graduated from Roundhead high school, spent two years at Ohio Northern University, and graduated from the Indiana University School of Medicine; Gladys E., graduated from Shortridge high school in Indianapolis; Catherine, born July 7. 1894, a student in high school; and Edwin, born in 1897. Mr. Mertz and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the Masonic order being affiliated with Belle Center Lodge, Ada Chapter and Kenton Commandery. Ile is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he is a past chancellor, and of the Modern Woodmen of America.
CAPTAIN WALTER ELLIOTT .- Enterprising and progressive, inherit- ing the vigorous qualities of heart and mind that marked his Scotch
844
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
ancestors, Captain Walter Elliott is thoroughly identified with the best interests of Ilardin county, and as postmaster at Ada is widely known. He was born, December 16, 1867, in Scioto county, Ohio, a son of Benjamin Elliott, and grandson of Clinton Elliott, a pioneer settler of Clinton county, this state.
A native of Clinton county, Ohio, Benjamin Elliott succeeded to the occupation in which he was reared, and was engaged in general farming until his death, in 1872, while yet in manhood's prime. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Storer, is still a resident of Ohio, her native state. Of the six children born of their marriage, three survive. There were five sons and one daughter. Walter, the subject of this brief sketch, being the fifth child and the youngest son.
But five years old when his father died, Walter Elliott obtained the rudiments of his education in the rural schools of his native district, and as soon as old enough to be of any use began to earn his living, working in the woods, the saw mills, or on a farm. Desirous of ad- vancing his education he came as a young man to Ada and by teaching paid his way through the Ohio Northern University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1897. The following year he embarked in mercantile pursuits, and in 1900 he was appointed postmaster of Ada by President MeKinley, and served so faithfully that he was reappointed to the office by President Roosevelt in 1904, and again reappointed in January, 1909, by President Roosevelt, a record of service, this being his third term, that bespeaks his ability, integrity, and efficiency. A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Elliott takes an intelligent interest in everything pertaining to the public welfare, and is now serving as presi- dent of the Ada Water and Light Company. On June 22, 1904, he was honored by receiving, from Governor Myron T. Herrick, his commission as captain of Company G. Second Ohio National Guards, a position which he filled with dignity and credit.
Captain Elliott married. June 15, 1909. Cecile Longworth, daughter of Rev. J. M. and Anna (Morgans) Longworth, of Ada. Mrs. Elliott (lied on March 9, 1910. Fraternally the Captain is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to the blue lodge and to the chapter, and also to the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
MALICHI TAYLOR .- In the death of Malichi Taylor, a young man whose brief life was rich in promise and in achievement, Hardin county lost a citizen of sterling worth and integrity, and Taylor Creek township was deprived of one of its most intelligent and progressive agriculturists. A loving and dutiful son, an affectionate brother, a kind neighbor, and a most genial and popular companion, his death was a cause of general regret, and the immediate family, especially, were tendered the sympathy of the entire community. He was born April 7, 1879, in Taylor Creek township, and there died, March 30, 1910, on the homestead where his entire life had been passed. He was of Irish ancestry, his father, Patrick Taylor, and his grandfather, Joseph Taylor, having been natives of the Emerald Isle.
Emigrating from Ireland with his family in 1860, Joseph Taylor located first near Belle Center, Logan county, Ohio, where he was en-
845
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
gaged in farming a few years. Coming from there to Hardin county. he bought land in Taylor Creek township, and on the homestead which he improved was employed in tilling the soil until his death. May 2. 1872. He married Mary Farrel, who was born in Ireland, and died on the home farm. in Taylor Creek township, July 2, 1877. Four children blessed their nnion, namely: Patrick, Joseph. Katherine and Sarah.
Born February 23. 1848. in Ireland, Patrick Taylor was but twelve years old when he came with the family to Ohio. He received a practi- cal education in the district schools, and under his father's instructions was well drilled in the various branches of agriculture. After the death of his parents he bought out the interests of the remaining heirs in the home farm, which he managed snecessfully until his death, Novem- ber 30, 1895. On January 7, 1877, he married Mary Haley, who was born in Sandusky, Ohio. August 25, 1857. a daughter of Malichi and Johanna (O'Connell) Haley. Ten children were born to them. namely: Malichi, the subject of this brief biographical sketch; Joseph Henry, of Tacoma. Washington; John Patrick, living on the adjoining farm; Charles William, residing in Canada; Thomas Franklin, died September 5. 1896; James Robert, died in infancy: Daniel A., attending school in Lima, Ohio; Dennis Bertran; Robert Leo; and Mary Agnes. The mother still occupies the old homestead. the younger children being with her.
Having acquired a practical education. Malichi Taylor, at the age of sixteen years, left school, and began assisting his father in the farm labors. After the death of his father, he remained with his mother, brothers and sister on the homestead, and was thereafter successfully engaged in agricultural pursnits carrying on general farming the re- mainder of his years. He was specially interested in stock breeding and raising, keeping registered Hereford eattle. Poland China hogs, and other registered stock. He was manager, and one of the heirs, of the parental homestead, and with his brother John, had title to seventy-five acres of adjoining land. Inheriting the political and religious beliefs of his father, Mr. Taylor was an active supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and a trustworthy member of the Roman Catholic church at Kenton. He was active in local affairs, and at the time of his death was serving as township assessor.
PATRICK E. TRAVERS was born in the beautiful "Isle of the Sham- rock," a country noted for its beautiful scenery and its hospitable and loyal people, his birth occurring in the county Leitrim in 1840. At the age of twenty-two he emigrated to the United States, and locating first in Wheeling, West Virginia, he learned the blacksmith's trade and fol- lowed it for a number of years. Moving to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1866. he remained here working at his trade for two years, and in 1872 came from there to Hardin county and purchased in 1883 his present home farm of one hundred and thirty-five aeres, afterward elearing this land and erecting thereon a beautiful and substantial home and commodions and valuable farm buildings.
Vol. II-26
846
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
Mr. Travers is a son of Peter and Mary (Kelly) Travers, both of whom were born in county Leitrim, Ireland, and they lived and died on their native soil. Of the eight children which were born of their mar- riage union four came to the United States, namely: Delilah, Mrs. Hoban ; Mary, Mrs. Gorman ; and John and Patrick E. Patrick E. Travers married in 1868 Miss Anna Osborn, and they have become the parents of ten children as follows: Lutecia, Gertrude, Martin, Anna (deceased), Emmett, Kate, Ambrose (deceased), William (deceased), Christine and Neveda. Mrs. Travers was born in Ireland, and came to this country previous to her husband. The family are members of the Roman Catholic church, and Mr. Travers has membership relations with the Patrons of Husbandry. The following children are married : Lutecia is the wife of George Hinsel; Gertrude married William J. Hinsel; Martin married Lizzie Ruppright; Christine is the wife of Louis Baker; and Kate is married to John Wolgamot.
MILES WILKINSON VAN FLEET, many years since deceased, is still remembered by many of his old friends and neighbors. The last days of his life were spent on his farm in Dudley township, Hardin county, Ohio, where he was prominently identified with the best interests of the community. Mr. Van Fleet was born near Canandaigua, New York,
JOSHUA VAN FLEET
April 30, 1805, son of Joshua Van Fleet, a Revolutionary soldier, who also served in the war of 1812, and was one of the pioneers of Marion county.
The founder of the Van Fleet in America, Joshua Van Fleet, was born at Amsterdam, Holland, August 13, 1764, and in the year 1776 he emigrated to America with his brother John, serving during the last three years of the war, having enlisted at the age of fourteen years. He served three months, also, in the war of 1812, and acquitted himself creditably. In 1785 Joshua Van Fleet married a Miss Roberts, whose
847
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
father was also a Revolutionary soldier, and of this union the following children were born : nine sons and five daughters, who settled as pioneers in different parts of the country. Mrs. Van Fleet died November 21, 1813, and Mr. Van Fleet married (second) January 26, 1819, Miss Elizabeth Odell, by whom he had no children.
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.