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 58
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Professor Axline was united in marriage with Ellen F. Monroe, a daughter of James and Sarah Monroe, of Portage county, Ohio. They have no children living.
JOHN LACE COLLINS, one of the most prominent farmers of Taylor Creek township, Hardin county, Ohio, was born on the old homestead of his parents March 21, 1846. He is a son of James and Elizabeth (Hillinger) Collins, the former of whom died in 1861 and the latter in March, 1889. The children of James Collins and his wife were as follows: John L .; Thomas Taylor, a farmer of Missouri; Mary, widow of Andrew Sitron ; Sally, wife of John Refer, a farmer; and Eliza, wife of Clark Ansley. Mr. Collins moved to Hardin county with his brother and widowed mother in 1828 and purchased land. This land was afterward owned by Ira C. Richards. Mr. Collins died April 26, 1861. at the age of fifty-two years.
John L. Collins received a good common-school education, and as his father died when he was a young man he became the mainstay of the family, taking great responsibilities on his young shoulders. His older brother enlisted and served some time in the Union army, leaving John in charge of affairs at home. He remained with his mother and the rest of the family until he was thirty years of age and then married and located on a neighboring farm. A year later he returned to the home farm, where he has lived ever since. There are one hundred and fifty acres of land in the farm, and the handsome house built in 1905 is one
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of the most modern and comfortable in the county. The old frame house has been moved to the rear of the new one. Mr. Collins has made all possible improvements on the farm and keeps everything in first-class condition. He is a man of more than usual intelligence and ability, and has been very successful in his operations. Ile makes a specialty of stock raising, though since 1902 he has been praetically retired from aetive life.
Mr. Collins married Alice Chamberlin, who died in 1889, at the age of thirty-six years. She was born in Buck township, and was a daugh- ter of Cornelius and Katie (Quinn) Chamberlin, the former of whom died in 1898. Cornelius Chamberlin was born in the state of New York on March 30, 1825, and was a son of David and Hannah (Bridge) Chamberlin. His grandfather was an officer in the Revolutionary war. David Chamberlin and his wife settled in Taylor Creek township, Hardin county, in 1837; they purchased two hundred acres of land, but lost it on account of the invalidity of their title. Ile died in November, 1838, and his widow died in May, 1865. Cornelius Chamberlin was married in 1846 to Catherine Irwin, who was born October 20, 1828, a daughter of Michael and Mary Irwin. Cornelius Chamberlin enlisted in 1864 in Company B, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under General Thomas. Mr. Chamberlin and his wife had children as follows: Clary, wife of Wilk Brisban; William, a merchant of Kenton; Charles, a laborer of Kenton; Douglas, of Kenton; Martin, also of Kenton; John, a farmer; Harry, a farmer; and Alice, who became Mrs. Collins. Mrs. Collins was a member of the Methodist church.
To Mr. Collins and his wife were born children as follows: Myrtle, born in 1874, married Lewis Fisher, who manages Mr. Collins' farm, and they have had three children, Alonzo (sixteen), Ella (fifteen), and Clara (seven), besides Bryan, deceased; Clare, born in 1876, married Oscar Robinson, a merchant, and they have one child, Ona; James, now twenty- six years of age; and Roy, aged twenty. All these children have re- ceived a fair education and are a credit to their parents.
MANLEY ALLEN DEERWESTER, prominent stock breeder of Taylor Creek township, Hardin county, Ohio, was born on the farm he now ocenpies January 3, 1876. He is well known for the full-blood Poland China hogs he has bred, and in this connection is recognized all over the state as one of its most enterprising stock dealers. Mr. Deerwester is a son of John and Sarah Jane (Gardner) Deerwester. John Deer- wester was a son of George Deerwester, a native of the state of New York, born October 7, 1815. He married on March 8, 1842, Rebecca Lewis, who was born June 17, 1825, in Delaware. George Deerwester moved with his family to Hamilton county, during its early history, where he followed farming for some years. Ilis grandson relates that at first a blanket served as a door to his cabin, and one day, when the father was away from home a bear entered the home; the mother was much fright- ened and rushed to the loft with her children, but the bear soon disap- peared. About 1850 George Deerwester located in Logan county, re- maining there until 1877, when he settled in Paulding county, where
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the remainder of his life was spent. His widow survived until 1908, when she passed away, at the age of eighty-four years.
John Deerwester was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, October 17, 1843. He received his education in the public schools, and when old enough began to assist with the work on his father's farm. He received a good education and made the most of his opportunities to acquire learning and culture. In 1861 he enlisted in Company D, Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years in the Army of the Potomac. At the battle of Stone River the flag became entangled in some bushes, and in trying to recover it Mr. Deerwester was wounded in the thigh and shoulder, being hurt twice in this one engagement. During another engagement he received a saber thrust and was carried off the field on the very cold New Year Day of 1862, by his friend and comrade, Manuel Dunson. He was truly grateful to his friend, and promised to name his first son for Mr. Dunson, this first son being Manley Deerwester, whose name heads this sketch.
After being mustered out of service, John Deerwester returned to Ohio and began the study of medicine in Dayton. Later he located in Taylor township, Hardin county, where he bought a farm of sixty-one acres on the old Sandusky road. His neighbors here were the Corwins and the Vassars. Mr. Deerwester became known as the most extensive breeder of fine hogs in his section of the state, beginning the enterprise in 1878. He was the originator of the famous "Tom Corwin" herd of Poland China hogs, which enterprise is now carried on by his son. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and also belonged to the G. A. R. Post at Kenton; to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Ridgeway; and to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, Castle No. 62, of Big Spring, Ohio. Politically he was a Democrat and served as justice of the peace for two terms.
On October 24, 1867, John Deerwester married Sarah Jane Gardner, a daughter of Freeman Gardner, who died in 1909, at the age of eighty- five years. Mr. Gardner, who was a native of Pennsylvania, became one of the pioneers of Hardin county, Ohio, and married Joan Jennings, who survives him and has now reached the age of eighty-four years. Their daughter, Sarah Jane, was born July 30, 1847, and died September 22, 1903. Mr. Deerwester died December 18, 1903. He and his wife had children as follows: Manley A .; Minnie, wife of William Hisel, of Taylor Creek township; Eva, wife of Dennis Iams, of Union county ; Carrie, wife of Charles Titus, of Logan county; Laura, wife of Harley Corwin, of Hardin county; Adda, wife of Charles Basley, of Logan county ; Lizzie, wife of Roy Mckinley, of Logan county.
After receiving a fair education in the district school Manley A. Deerwester turned his attention to farming and stock raising, and has followed these industries with unusual success ever since. After the death of his parents he purchased the shares of the other heirs and now has one of the most modern and comfortable homes in Hardin county. He has one hundred and eight acres of land, on which all improvements have been made. The old log house is still standing and is in a good state of preservation. Mr. Deerwester conducts two sales each year,
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in October and February, of high bred Poland China hogs. These sales are patronized by people from all over the state and from other states, and are doing a large part towards raising the standard of breeds in Ohio. Mr. Deerwester's renowned hog known as "Impudent" is a son of the highest priced hog in the world and weighs seven hundred pounds. Another, "Gabriel's Perfection." is a double Ohio State fair winner. "Majestic Perfection" weighs nine hundred pounds. Mr. Deerwester is very successful in this enterprise and is known as one of the leaders in his line. In the year of 1908 he was elected state vice president of the National Poland China Record Company of Ohio, and has lately been elected one of the directors of the American Poland China Record Company of Chicago.
In 1898 Mr. Deerwester married Mary Bell Baker, of Buck town- ship, Hardin county, a daughter of Emanuel and Anna (Born) Baker. Emanuel Baker and his wife are now living retired from active life in Kenton, Ohio; both are sixty-seven years of age, his birth occurring on 24th of October and hers on the 16th of March. He is a son of George and Mary Kahler Baker, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Baker is a native of Berne, Switzerland, daughter of Jacob and Amelia (Miller) Born, and she came with her parents to America at the age of nine years and spent her ninth birthday on the ocean. Besides Mrs. Deerwester, Mr. Baker and his wife had three other daughters, namely: Adda, wife of Silas Hatcher, of DeGraf, Ohio; Grace, widow of Ralph Stittsworth; and Elida, widow of Philip Strahm. A son, Willie, is deceased. Mr. Baker enlisted in 1861 for three years' service in the Civil war. He enlisted from West Liberty, Ohio, and served the entire time, receiving his discharge in 1865. Mr. Deerwester and his wife have children as follows: Anna B., born May 12, 1900; Gertrude Rachel, born October 8, 1902; Thelma Grace, born February 28, 1904; Oran Gardner, born May 21, 1905; and Wilbert Allen, born April 29, 1907.
Mr. Deerwester belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle and to the Modern Woodmen of America, at Big Springs, Ohio. Politically he is a Democrat and an active worker in the interests of his party. He has been twice elected to the office of township clerk, receiving his second election in 1909, and is thus the present incumbent of the office.
BENJAMIN F. CESSNA, M. D., a retired physician of Kenton, Ohio, has been identified with Hardin county since he was seven years old, and his useful life has made its impression here.
Dr. Cessna was born in Cumberland Valley, near Bedford Springs. Pennsylvania, January 27, 1826. His father and grandfather, both named Jonathan Cessna, were natives of Pennsylvania, his father having been born near Bedford Springs April 1, 1789. The latter came with his family to Hardin county, Ohio, in 1833, landing here on the third of May, and here he spent the rest of his life, and died at the age of eighty years. He was an influential man in the pioneer community. For twelve years he served as associate judge.
Benjamin Cessna grew up with the energies and ambitions of the great West and soon mastered the learning of the local schools within
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his reach. Like many another young American he then became a school master ; but his thirst for knowledge was not yet satisfied. In 1846 he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University from which he was later gradu- ated and later still received Master's degree. He completed a medical course in the University of Michigan, receiving his diploma in 1852. After six years of successful practice the young physician entered the Jefferson Medical School at Philadelphia and received his degree from that institution in 1858.
In 1855 Dr. Cessna began the practice of medicine in Van Wert, Ohio, and with the exception of the time spent in professional study, he continued his professional career in Van Wert until 1876.
In his profession and also in his investments he was successful, the passing years bringing him as a result of his well directed efforts not only comfort and plenty but also a competency from which he has drawn liberally and from time to time has made gifts to numerous worthy causes. He was elected a trustee of the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity. He has deeded to the Ohio Wesleyan University property sufficient to provide for a professorship. The income of the property goes to the University and provides for the perpetual maintenance of a chair of English language and literature, which bears his name in the college. Dr. Cessna is the second graduate of the college thus to provide for the endowment of a chair. Also he has given much to
various charities. On retiring from the practice of medicine in 1876, he came to Kenton, conducting his farms near this city, where he has since made his home. In the meantime he has traveled extensively. In 1884 he toured Europe and in 1902 he went to Palestine and visited the different countries on the Mediterranean sea. Dr. Cessna was in Egypt and went up the Nile. He also visited Greece.
Dr. Cessna has been twice married, first in 1853, and again in 1876. By his first marriage Dr. Cessna had two daughters, Ida and Kate. The former died some years ago in Buffalo, New York, and the latter is at present living in Nebraska. By his second marriage he had one daughter, Marion, who died a few years ago in Milan, Italy, where she had gone to study music. At present Dr. Cessna is a widower. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan.
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