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 8
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After leaving school at the age of twenty years Jasper N. Richardson farmed with his grandfather until his marriage. At the age of seventeen, on the 22nd of February, 1864. at Kenton, he en- listed for service in the Civil war, joining Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, and going with his command to Bridgeport, Alabama, he was engaged in guard duty, and following his participation in the Atlanta campaign and his march with Sherman to the sea he was
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sent to Washington, D. C., and then to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was mustered out of the service on the 20th of July, 1865. Returning to his home he again took up the work of the farm in connection with the lumber business, and continued actively in those occupations until 1900 he became a stockholder and the vice-president of the Mt. Victory State Bank and in 1907 he was made the president of the bank, one of the strongest financial institutions of Hardin county.
On the 24th of November. 1884, Mr. Richardson was married to Christina E. Reams, who was born November 24, 1846, near Zanesfield in Logan county, Ohio, and she died on the 29th of January, 1909, in Mt. Victory. She was a daughter of J. H. and Mary (McDonald) Reams, and the former born in the old block house at Zanesfield, Feb- ruary 5, 1813, was a farmer and a local minister in the Methodist Epis- copal church. He fought the Indians with General Hull in the Black Feet war, and died on the 26th of February, 1878, in Mt. Victory. Mrs. Reams was born December 12, 1816, in Alleghany county, Penn- sylvania, and she died in Mt. Victory on the 8th of January, 1900. John II. Reams and Mary McDonald were married on the 26th of July, 1833. Mrs. Richardson was an active and valued member of the Metho- dist church. She was also associated with the Rebekah lodge of Odd Fellows as its president and was a member of the Woman's Relief Corps. She died without issue and her life was devoted to her home, to her husband and to her many friends. She was a lady of the most sterling traits of character, loved and esteemed by all who knew her. Mr. Richardson is a member of the Masonic order at Kenton, affiliating with the Blue Lodge No. 154, with the Commandery No. 58, with the Chapter and with the Council No. 65. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks at Kenton. He supports the principles of the Repub- lican party, and he has served Mt. Victory as member of its council.
JOHN OLIVER DUNSON, a farmer living at Hepburn, Ohio, is a native of Hardin county, born on the old family homestead July 25, 1852, son of Lewis and Margaret ( Plewes) Dunson, a sketch of whom will be found in connection with that of W. M. Dunson. The youth of John O. Dunson was spent on his father's farm and he attended school in the neighborhood, receiving a good common school education. When he was abont twenty-two years of age he began working at the trade of carpen- ter and followed the same until he reached the age of thirty. He worked at farming after he gave up work at his trade, and in 1892 bought a farm sonth of Hepburn, which he sold in 1895 and moved to Hepburn. He followed his trade with good success many years, and in 1900 bought his present farm of fifty-three acres, which he still works. He has won snecess through his own efforts, and has always been very ambitious and energetic. He has ever exhibited strict honesty and integrity in his business dealings, and in all transactions has proven his sound judgment and sagacity.
In 1882 Mr. Dunson married Josephine Hatcher, who was born in Hale township, May 9, 1862, daughter of Nathanal O. and Elizabeth
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(Harple) Hatcher. Mr. Hatcher was born in Logan county, Ohio, and died March 2, 1881, at the age of thirty-nine years; his widow survived him many years and died March 7. 1902, at the age of seventy years. Nathanal Hatcher was born November 28, 1842, and was a son of Daniel Hatcher, a native of Virginia, whose widow came to Ilardin county to live with her son Nathanal and died in 1861. Elizabeth Harple was a daughter of Conrad and Magdalene Harple, who moved from Pennsyl- vania to Carroll county, Ohio, and eight years later moved to Hardin county, where he died June 12, 1870, and his widow died July 8, 1877. Besides Mrs. Dunson her parents had children as follows: John, a farmer living near Mt. Victory ; George, a farmer living in Texas; Emma, who married Charles Burger, and is now deceased; Harry, a farmer living near Mt. Victory. Mr. Hatcher and his wife lived for some time on a farm in Logan county, Ohio, and in 1860 moved to Hardin county and carried on farming. The family spent thirty-three years on the farm, remaining there some time after Mr. Hatcher's death, and then moved to Mt. Victory, where Mrs. Hatcher died. Mr. Hatcher enlisted in 1862, in the One IFundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the end of the war. Hle was captured and sent to Libby prison, but was later exchanged. At the close of the war he returned home and resumed farming. Mrs. Dunson is a member of the Christian church.
To Mr. Dunson and his wife children have been born as follows: Goldie L., born in 1887, living in Kenton; Mand Oma, born in 1890, teaching school ; and Zelma Emma, born in 1892, attending school. Mr. Dunson is a member of the Maccabees. Politically he is a Republican, though he has never held publie office.
FRANK WHEELER, a prosperous and substantial farmer of Dudley township, Hardin county, Ohio, is the last one in Hardin county of the well-known Wheeler family who kept the historie Wheeler Tavern for several years. Mr. Wheeler was born in the Wheeler Tavern, April 7, 1851, and is a son of Amos and Maria (Banning) Wheeler. Amos Wheeler came to Hardin county with his parents when twelve years of age. They built the Wheeler Tavern and also conducted a farm. His father remained with his parents until twenty-six years of age, then carried on farming, renting land from his parents ten years, during which time he lived with his wife at the tavern. He took possession of the tavern and conducted a grocery store in connection with it, these enterprises being turned over to him by his parents after his marriage.
Amos Wheeler, in partnership with a brother, opened a general store and warehouse at Larne, which they continued four years, when Amos began farming in Dudley township. In December. 1860, Amos Wheeler enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and served to the end of the war. He participated in many engagements, was promoted to rank of lieutenant and later to that of captain. When he was mus- tered out he returned home and lived five years on the old homestead. where his death occurred. He was a member of the Baptist church. politically was a Republican and held many township offices. He died
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in 1870, at the age of fifty-one years. He married Marie Banning, who died in 1907, at the age of eighty-two years. She was a daughter of Jacob and Sophia (Zimmerman) Banning. Besides Frank Wheeler, his parents had children as follows: Portius, of California; Alice, of California ; Eva, deceased; Amy, a teacher in California; and Maud, deceased. Sophia Banning came to Hardin connty from Knox county, Ohio, a widow with twelve children, and located on a claim of six hundred aeres which her husband had purchased before his death. She came to this land in 1838, and by her energy and thrift, with the help of her children, was able to rear them in comfort and carry on her farm in a ereditable manner. She was the foremost pioneer woman of her time, and her brave spirit was greatly admired by all. She formed the first Methodist class in Dudley township, and was active in religions matters.
The father of Amos, Portins Wheeler, was born in Vermont, and died in Hardin county, Ohio, in 1874, at the age of seventy-eight years. Ile moved to Ohio when a young man, settling in Marion county and in 1833 he removed to Hardin county, locating where the old Wheeler Tavern now stands. He first erected a log house opposite the tavern and in 1836 erected that celebrated building which has been a landmark for so many years. He also carried on farming and conducted a general store as well. After the advent of the railroad he devoted his whole time to his farming interests. He married Jane Burnsides, who died in 1870, at the age of seventy years. To them eight children were born, of whom one still survives, Nelson.
Frank Wheeler spent his youth on a farm and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools. After the death of his father he remained with his mother until thirty-two years of age, when he married and located on Wild Cat creek, remaining there nntil 1901. He then located on his present fine farm near Hepburn, where he has been very successful, especially in stock raising. He is one of the well-known and popular citizens of the county, and is highly esteemed by all who know him. His father and grandfather were actively engaged in business in Hardin county for many years, and did their share toward the progress and development of the community. Mr. Wheeler is a Republican in polities, and served six years as township treasurer.
On November 12, 1883, Mr. Wheeler married Susan Frazer, who was born November 12, 1859, daughter of Rusellus Frazer, of Portage county, who settled in Goshen township, Hardin county, in 1855. Mr. Frazer died in 1885, at the age of fifty-eight years. He married Nancy Barrett, of Muskingum county, formerly a teacher. His father, Joseph Frazer, was a native of Vermont, and married Susan Poe, daughter of Adam Poe, the well-known old Indian fighter, who killed Big Foot, an Indian chief, in a fight or duel which took place in the water. Besides Mrs. Wheeler, R. Frazer and his wife had children as follows: Alice, now Mrs. George Johnson, of Goshen ; Chalmers, a farmer of Hale township ; and Courtney also a farmer. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Methodist church and is also connected with the Ladies' Aid, and the Home Missionary Society, of which she is corresponding secretary.
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SAMUEL HILE .- The Hile family has been well known in Hardin county for over a half century, and one representative of the family who has attained a very fair degree of success is Samuel Hile, a prominent farmer of Dudley township, who is now serving as a justice of the peace. Mr. Hile was born in the township where he now resides, January 30, 1866, and is a son of Nicholas and Anna (Freudiger) Hile, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. Nicholas Hile was born in 1832, in Hesse Castle, Germany, and in 1851 came to the United States with a brother, locating in Kenton, Ohio, where for a year he was employed in helping to build the Big Four railroad. At that time they laid the old "T" rails on ties lengthwise on the track. He then farmed a year and for a year worked on the railroad as brakeman. He next engaged to work for Wheeler & DeLong, of Larue, and when the firm failed he received in lieu of the money due him a deed for seventy-five acres of land now in the central point of Dudley township. Ile moved to this land and erected a log house where the present house now stands. Nicholas Hile enlisted for ninety days and served in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio, then returned home and resumed farm- ing on his homestead, which he continued until his death, in 1891. He was formerly a member of the Methodist church, but later joined the United Brethren church. Politically he was a Democrat, and was a patriotic, useful citizen, who did his duty by his adopted country, in time of peace or war. Ile was honored by receiving an "honorable mention" certificate voted him by congress, signed by E. Stanton and Abraham Lincoln. His wife was born March 24, 1840, and now lives with her son on the old homestead. She was brought to America by her parents when six years of age, and they settled near the Ilile family. Her father, Samuel Freudiger, was born in 1806 and died in 1857; he settled in Dudley township in 1846, and there spent the remainder of his life. His wife, Verina Meyer, was born in 1808, and died in 1856. Besides Samuel, the surviving children are: George, living on the homestead with his mother; Verina, wife of B. Banghman, a farmer of Dudley township, has five children; Anna, wife of Albert Bodine, of Dudley township, has three children; Mary, wife of Luther Witham, a farmer of Hardin county; and Mattie, wife of William Wolf, a farmer of Goshen township.
Samuel Ilile received a good education in the public schools and then engaged in farming on his father's farm. Ile taught school three terms. lle then settled down to farming, which he has since successfully carried on. In the spring of 1905 he located on the parental homestead of sixty-two aeres, located in a fine farming district and well adapted to the raising of stock, of which he makes a specialty. He is an enterpris- ing, wide-awake farmer who makes a study of modern methods and adopts those he considers the best. He is a man of strict integrity and unquestioned honesty, and is well known in the county. Ile is a member of the United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee. Ile is an ardent Democrat, active in the interests of his party, has held the office of town- ship treasurer, and since 1900 has been a justice of the peace.
In 1903 Mr. Hile married Mary Dorn, who was born March 15, 1867,
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daughter of Conrad Dorn, who died in 1880, at the age of fifty-two years, ten months and three days. He was a native of Germany and came to America at the age of twenty-three years, settling in Kenton, Ohio, where he worked for the railroad seven years, some of the time working for thirty-five cents a day. He bought a farm, which he cleared, built a log cabin and a double log barn of black walnut. One building of walnut which he built is still standing. He and his wife came from Germany on the same boat; she was Catherine Ault, who was born December 12, 1829. Mr. Dorn and his wife worked with a team of oxen on their land, she driving and he holding the plow. She died February 3, 1892. Besides Mrs. Ifile they had children as follows: Kate, wife of William Evans; Elizabeth, wife of .J. Uhlisinger, of Cleveland, Ohio; Cordelia, wife of E. Moses, of Kenton; Nick, a farmer; William, a stock farmer living near Kenton; and George, also a farmer. Mrs. Hile had been married before, in 1887, to Joseph M. Dodds, son of Thomas Dodds, a Hardin county pioneer, and he died in 1892, at the age of forty-five years; to this marriage was born one son, Earnest Conrad Dodds, twenty-one years of age and living at the old home. He married Tena Lutz. One child has been born of Mrs. Hile's second marriage, D. Walter Hile.
ANDREW LEVERETT SHAW .- Among the men who have helped very materially in the welfare and prosperity of Hardin county, Ohio, are members of the Shaw family, who have lived in the county more than forty years. A worthy representative of this family is Andrew Lever- ett Shaw, who has now retired from active life and lives on his fine farm in Dudley township. Ile was born June 28, 1853, in Columbus, Ohio, and is a son of Volney Shaw, a native of the state of New York, who was born May 16, 1827. Volney Shaw moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1850, and established one of the largest hotels of the city, where he became fairly successful, but during the war he met with serious reverses and in 1868 he located in Larue, Marion county, where he conducted a small restaurant and a meat market, and also engaged in several other lines, being an enterprising, energetic man, who took advantage of his oppor- tunities. Hle also dealt in timber and bought and sold stock. He lived in Larne some two years and then removed to Dudley township, where with his son, Andrew L., he took a lien of timber land, which they cleared. At the expiration of his lease he went to Findlay, but on ac- count of ill health returned to the home of his son, where the remainder of his life was spent. He died November 19, 1907. Mr. Shaw was an ardent Democrat, active in political affairs, and served in several local offices. In 1851 he married Edith E. Park, born December 12, 1832, daughter of Warren Park, who died when she was a child. Mrs. Shaw survives her husband, having now reached the age of seventy-eight years, and lives with her son.
Andrew L. Shaw attended school until sixteen years of age. He worked in timber five years after leaving school and then took up a small farm and cut timber in the fall and winter on his present homestead, which at first comprised but eighty-nine acres. However, by persistent
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effort and hard work he improved his land and added to it until he owned one of the best farms and most modern and handsome homes in the coun- ty. He and Ira Williams are the two oldest and probably the most popu- lar farmers in Dudley township, and all respect their achievements in the way of attaining success by their own efforts. Five years after locating on his small farm, Mr. Shaw bought one hundred and twelve acres, where he carried on general farming and later added more. now owning two hundred and four acres of excellent farm land. Hle carried on his farm as a business proposition, and made the most of his land, making a specialty of raising and shipping sheep, cattle and other stock. He has been able to make money by his hard work and also knew how to invest it to the best advantage, and has always been interested in many enterprises outside his farm. The first house on his land was a small farm cabin, and in 1900 Mr. Shaw erected a handsome home, one of the finest in the eastern part of the county.
Politically Mr. Shaw is an ardent Democrat, and does yeoman ser- vive for his party. Ile often served as a delegate to conventions, and has held many local offices; he is now a member of the board of assessors. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. at Mt. Victory, and has passed through the chairs, now serving as trustee and is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Mt. Victory and of the Elks at Kenton.
On the 22d of March, 1881, Mr. Shaw married Sarah Rebecca Craig. who was born in 1857, on the farm adjoining that of Mr. Shaw. a daugh- ter of Thomas Craig, who was a native of Scotland. They settled first in Ashland county, but later removed to Dudley township. Hardin county, locating in the latter place in 1862. Ile died in 1882. and his widow died in 1888. Mrs. Shaw had one sister. Elizabeth. widow of Cyrus Wiggel. She also had one brother. Matthew Craig, who lived on a farm adjoining that of Mr. Shaw. Mrs. Shaw died in 1889. after having suffered great pain for twelve days as the result of an accident which befell her while she was making soap in the yard. While taking care of the soap, which was boiling over a fire she fell in a faint. her clothes taking fire so that she was very badly burned. However, she was able to walk to the house afterward. but never recovered from her fright and injuries. She was a patient sufferer, and in her many trials displayed a bravery and Christian fortitude that were wonderful. She was a most devont member of the Methodist church, and always active in church work, her loss being mourned by the members of the church especially and by the community as a whole. As she had lived. firm in her faith, so she died, being fully prepared to meet this peacefully and bravely, sustained by her unfaltering trust in the future which awaited her on the farther shore. She passed away, surrounded by her sorrow- ing family, herself the calmest of them all, though inexpressibly saddened at the inevitable parting. She had been a kind and loving wife, a good neighbor and true friend, and had done her duty by all. and her life had been an inspiration to many.
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SAMUEL KUMLEY, a man of excellent business ability and tact, has built up a profitable trade as a merchant in Pfeiffer, Hardin county, where he is numbered among the leading citizens of the place. A son of Sammel Kumley, Sr., he was born April 22, 1855, near Kenton, Ohio, of Swiss ancestry.
Samuel Kumley, Sr., was born and edneated in Switzerland, where he was for many years engaged in mercantile persuits, his birth occurring in 1819. Emigrating to America in 1845, he bought a tract of land in IJardin county, and in common with the other pioneers of that neighborhood began the improvement of a farm. He met with good results as an agriculturist, and from that time until his death, in 1861, was actively engaged in tilling the soil. He was twice married, his first wife. Elizabeth Kumley, dying in early womanhood, in Switzer- land, where she spent her entire life, leaving two children, namely : Jacob, engaged in farming in Wabash county, Indiana, and Elizabeth, widow of F. Beck, late of Hardin county. He married his second wife in this country. Susanna Strahn, a daughter of J. Strahn, who emigrated from Switzerland to the United States, coming at the same time that Mr. Knmley, Sr., did, and, like him, locating as a farmer in Hardin county, Ohio. She died in February, 1909, aged seventy-seven years. Three children were born to them, namely : John, a farmer in Wabash county, Indiana ; Mary, wife of William Strahn, of Kenton, Ohio; and Samuel, the subject of this sketch.
Leaving school at the age of fifteen years, Samuel Kumley remained with his parents until coming of age, when he began farming on his own account. renting land for three or four years. Subsequently buying land in Dunkirk, he carried on general farming for three years, after which he lived in the village of Dunkirk for a year. Subsequently locating in Dudley township. Mr. Kumley rented the old Rubin farm, which he managed successfully until selling at an advantage in 1887. Making then a decided change of residence and occupation, he embarked in mercantile pursnits, buying his present store, which is located in Pfeiffer, opposite the old Wheeler tavern, on the Sandusky road. A man of honest integrity, upright in his dealings, Mr. Kumley has gained the confidence of the people with whom he is associated, and has built up up an extensive and Incrative trade.
In 1887 Mr. Kumley married Elizabeth Kanzig, who was born in 1853 in Ohio, a danghter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Banker) Kanzig, neither of whom are now living. She passed to the life beyond July 9, 1906, leaving one child, Edna E., who is now, in 1909, attending the Kenton High School. Mr. Kumley married for his second wife, in 1907, Elizabeth Smith, who was born October 31, 1874, a daughter of T. J. Smith. Her father was born seventy-one years ago, and is now living retired from active pursuits, having as a practical and prosperous farmer accumulated a competency. He married Sarah Finnerty, who died in 1888. at the age of fifty-five years, and of their union four children were born, namely: Janice, living with her father; Arvilla, wife of C. A. Stevenson, who is engaged in farming near Kenton; May, wife of J. Stair, a farmer, living in Washington township; and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Kumley.
S. Kumley
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
JACOB GEORGE CASPER .- Among the most prominent and best-known farmers of Dudley township, Hardin county, Ohio, is Jacob George Casper, a native of the township, born on the old homestead September 16, 1864. He is a son of JJohn F. and Elizabeth (Sherman) Casper. J. F. Casper was born in Berlin, Germany. in 1820, and came to America at the age of nineteen years. His father, John Casper, came to America some years later and lived with his son until his death, at the age of eigthy-one years.
John F. Casper was a briek molder by trade and settled first at Columbus, Ohio; he moved to Nashville, Tennessee. where he lived some time and then returned to Columbus, and bought one hundred acres of land near that city. Later he located in Dudley township Hardin county, where the remainder of his life was spent. He died August 28, 1907, and his loss was widely felt. He was a member of the Re- formed church and was active in every good cause. His first wife was Mary Cook, and to this union three children were born, namely: John A., of Cessna township; Lonisa, wife of Jacob Sherman, of Goshen town- ship ; and Mary, wife of John Sherman of Kenton, Ohio. Mrs. Casper died. Mr. Casper married for his second wife Elizabeth Sherman, who was born in Switzerland and came to America with her parents when five years of age. She was a daughter of John and Elizabeth Sherman, and is still living, at the age of sixty-six years. To Mr. Casper's second marriage the following children were born: Mollie, wife of William Pheiffer, of Goshen township; Callie, wife of Otto Ries, of Goshen town- ship; Ella, wife of Herman Ries, of Dudley township; Maggie, wife of W. Knapp. of Pleasant township; Tillie, wife of George Wolf, of Pleas- ant township; Lanra, at home; William, of California : Paul, of Dudley township; and Jacob George the subject of this sketch.
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