USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vol. II > Part 24
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W. L. Hunter was married December 25, 1870, and lived in Sharon, Pennsylvania, for two years and then moved to Hubbard, Ohio, in the fall of 1873. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Mundwyler. She was born May 17, 1842, in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, and later moved to Lawrence county, where she resided until her marriage. Her father, Jacob Mundwyler, was a pioneer of Pennsylvania, and operated a woolen mill until his death. Mrs. Hunter had three sisters and four brothers, two of her brothers serving four years in the Civil war. She was a kind, loving Christian wife and mother. Her death occurred October 11, 1898. To Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Hunter six children were born: Maude, October 2, 1871; George W., November 4, 1873; Fred and Harry (twins), May 12, 1876 ; William, August 16, 1879 ; and James, September 16, 1881.
George W. Hunter attended school until he was seventeen years of age, since which he has performed a man's work in the world. For a year he was employed on a farm, after which he clerked in a general store for a year and a half and then went to Pennsylvania, where he attended Volant
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Normal College. In 1891 he removed to Warren, Ohio, where for a year he was employed in a provision store and then commenced business on his own account, being actively engaged in this field until 1907. During this period he had purchased the valuable farm he now owns and occupies, in section thirty-three, Warren township, about one and a half miles from the city of Warren.
Politically Mr. Hunter is a Republican, and was elected a member of the board of town trustees in 1907. He is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 90, and is a progressive type of citizenship. Both he and his wife are members of the Disciple church.
Mr. Hunter was married May 4, 1898, to Miss Jessie Ernst, a daugh- ter of Comfort A. Ernst. Of this family it may be said that Comfort A. Ernst was young when his parents moved to Braceville, where he was reared and educated. He remained with his parents until after his mar- riage, then purchased a farm in the southwestern part of Warren township, residing there (with the exception of two years in town) until his death, April 1, 1907. He married, September 20, 1866, Miss Cornelia Oviatt, a native of Braceville township, born September 12, 1842. To them were born Albert C., Harriet M., and Jessie L. Moses Lyman Oviatt, father of Mrs. Ernst, was a native of Goshen, Connecticut, born March 30, 1801, and her grandafther, Samuel Oviatt, was also born in the same state. The preceding progenitor was Samuel Oviatt, also of Connecticut, who was the first of the family to come to the Western Reserve, and was the pioneer settler of Braceville township. Upon coming to the country he purchased timber lands, first erccting crude log cabins and later substantial frame buildings. There he went through the slow and hard process of clearing up a farm from the dense forest land, and there, after having performed his earthly duties, dicd, an honored man and a loyal citizen.
Samuel Oviatt, Jr., the grandfather, was reared in Connecticut, where he resided until 1804, when, with his family and brothers and their families he moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, locating on lands which were secured by the father above mentioned and have been continuously in the Oviatt family since. This little company was the first body of actual settlers to be added to the population of Braceville township. Mr. Oviatt built a log house ; proceeded to clear the forest from his farming land, and when not occupied in farm and homestead improvements followed his trade as a chair maker. He remained here until the time of his death. His wife's maiden name was Lois Beckwith, who was born in Goshen and spent her last years with a daughter in Portage county, Ohio.
Moses Lyman Oviatt, the father, was reared to the pursuit of a farmer and ever followed this calling, purchasing the old homestead and residing thereon until his death, at the age of sixty-seven years. The maiden name of his wife was Lovina Purple. She was born in Utica, New York, a daughter of Ansel and Betsey Purple, and died at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Hunter have become the parents of two
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SAMUEL R. GIFFORD
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MRS. SAMUEL R. GIFFORD
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children-Ernest Lloyd, born October 23, 1899, and Ilarold Herbert Hunter, born August 2, 1904.
SAMUEL R. GIFFORD, who is known as one of the thrifty farmers of Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Charlton, Musgrove, Somersetshire, England, November 15, 1849, a son of George and Letitia (Cock) Gif- ford, both life-long residents of England. The children of this family were: Anna, Thomas, Sophia, George, John, Samuel, Susan, Bessie, Emma J., Adelaide, William V. Of these the following came to America: John, ยท Samuel, Emma J. and William.
Samuel R. Gifford was reared and educated in his native country and learned the butcher's trade, coming to this country when twenty-one years of age, settling at Warren, Ohio. After being employed at the butchering business for a time, he formed a partnership with S. R. Chryst which ex- isted a few years, when they dissolved, after which he did business inde- pendently. In the meantime Mr. Gifford had purchased a farm in Lords- town, upon which he settled and where he has since continued to reside, save three years, during which time he lived at Niles, Ohio. He has earried on the butchering business in connection with his farming operations. His farm contains one hundred and fifty-three acres, located in Warren and Lordstown townships. The land is under a high state of eultivation and upon it he has erected a spacious, well planned farm-house, with good barns and other necessary outbuildings. Mr. Gifford comes of that sturdy, pains- taking English stoek, from which he inherits the habits of order and thor- oughness, as is observed by visiting his premises.
May 18, 1881, Mr. Gifford was married to Olive A. Ernest, a native of Warren township, born December 21, 1853. Her father, Henry Ernest, was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania. August 21, 1820. His father was George Ernest, a farmer and stock raiser, who died in Perry county in 1824. His wife's maiden name was Mary Fesselman, who survived her husband and was married the second time. to a Mr. Spoon, and then moved to Ohio. Henry Ernest was young when his fater died and when thirteen years of age he came to Ohio with an uncle, walking the entire distance. When old enough he learned the earpenter's trade and became a contractor and builder, remaining in business at Warren and Niles; was also in the lumber trade at Niles a few years. He died November 21, 1903. The name of his wife ( Mrs. Gifford's mother) was Harriet Southworth. She was born at Mineral Ridge, Weathersfield township, December 8, 1822. Iler father, Silas Southworth, was a farmer and settled in Trumbull county. He followed farm-life all through life. and spent his last years in Warren, living on the corner of Chestnut and South streets. in the old building built over one hundred years and still owned by Mrs. Gifford. It was built by a Mr. Chesney. Silas Southworth's wife, Mary nee Brooks, died early in life. The nine children of Mrs. Gifford's parents were : Silas, George H., W. C., John H., Olive A., Jessie V., Dellmarette, Nettie E. and James W.
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Mr. and Mrs. Samuel R. Gifford are the parents of the following : Solomon Henry, Jessie H., John LeRoy and Olive Letitia. Jessie H. mar- died Dwight L. Gates and they have one son-Fred Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Gifford are exemplary members of the Disciples church.
CHARLES SEYMOUR GREENWOOD, who is one of the industrious and prosperous farmers tilling the soil within the limits of that goodly agricul- tural district known as Vienna township, was born in this township, February 5, 1843, a son of Stephen W. and Hepsabeth (Norton) Green- wood. The father was born in Stockbridge, Connecticut, in 1812, and went west with his parents when yet quite small. When grown to man- hood he became the owner of a farm in Vienna township. When first purchased it had but two acres cleared up fit for cultivation, but he made an excellent place of it by that work which is always required to make farms within the forest land. Here he resided until death, and here all of his children were born. In this family there were six children: Lomira, deceased; Carlos, deceased; Charles; Corydon, deceased ; Lovina, deceased ; Eliza, wife of Austin Andrews; Calvin, deceased; Rose, now an invalid, residing with her sister, Mrs. Andrews.
Charles S. Greenwood obtained a common school education at Wood- ford's Corners and Tyrrell Hill. He continued to reside at home with his parents until his marriage, having worked for his father in operating the farm. When he married he bought fifty acres of land, upon which he now resides, going in debt two thousand dollars. He was a partner with his father and brother in a saw mill, which he operated in connection with his farm for about twenty years. He added to his land until he had one hundred and twenty acres, upon which he has made all necessary improve- ments, his place being considered one of the best within the township. He is a member of the Methodist church, fraternally a Mason, while in politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Greenwood was married November 22, 1868, to Rachel M. Mackey, a native of Vienna township, born April 7, 1841, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Bartholomew) Mackey. Her father was a farmer, spending his entire life within Vienna township. Mrs. Greenwood died March 2, 1901. She was the mother of the following children: Archie, married Marie Cunningham, resides with the father; Ira M .; Mabel, died in infancy; May, wife of Claud Rhodes, of Fowler township, a railroad man ; Remi, residing with the father.
JONAS RADER, residing at No. 15 Spring street, Warren, Ohio, is still numbered among the survivors of the soldiery of the great Civil war and members of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was born in Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1840, a son of John Rader, born in the same county as his son, who went to Ohio in 1849, locating at Berlin, Mahoning county, and who about 1855 settled in Weathersfield.
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He was a weaver by trade, and made fine quilts by weaving. He followed this throughout his days, dying at the age of seventy-five years. The mother, Nancy Shellenbarger, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in West- moreland county; she died in Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1852. The children born to this worthy couple were four daughters and two sons, all still living.
Jonas Rader was the eldest son and fifth child, and was about fifteen years of age at the time he went to Trumbull county, Ohio. He obtained his education at the common sehools; remained at home until twenty-one years of age, and in 1861-first year of the Civil war-enlisted in Company C, Nineteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private soldier. He withstood the hardships of camp, march and battlefield for four years, four months and twenty days, returning in the same company and regiment in which he volunteered. He took part in the following battles: Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and the siege before Atlanta; was at Nashville and many lesser engagements, in all the service never receiving any wounds save a slight wound in the left forefinger. Was not a day in the dreaded hospital, never away from his company, only on a short furlough, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, in 1865, in December. He then returned to Warren, where he has been a resident ever since.
While home on furlough he was united in marriage to Ella P. Platt, daughter of Horace and Ellsa Platt, of Mahoning county, Ohio. The fruit of this union was two sons and one daughter, living: Milton W .. Lawrence E. and Mand C. The daughter married Elmer B. Hurbert. Mr. Rader is a member of Bell-Harmon Post, G. A. R., No. 36, of which post he is sergeant. He was engaged in the undertaking business for eighteen years, but sold in 1897 and retired. He is known in all seetions of the county, having been a resident there for fifty-three years.
JOHN M. RISHER is one of the more recent farm settlers of Trumbull county, Ohio. He was born in Baldwin township, Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, September 16, 1849. His father, John C. Risher, was a native of Allegheny county also. The grandfather was Daniel Risher, born in the same county, and the great-grandfather. John Risher, was born near Chambersburg and settled at Whitehall, Baldwin township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. His father, Daniel Risher, in his youth was a friend of Simon Girty, who at one time saved his life by warning him of an Indian attack, and he, in turn, saved the inhabitants of the surrounding country by warning them. He served under General Braddock.
As already stated, Jolin Risher, the great-grandfather, settled at White- hall. Late in life he went to Missouri, and died in that state. His son, Daniel, was born in Baldwin township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, July 21, 1792. He operated a flouring mill and a distillery in Baldwin. He made the best of flour, and it brought a fancy price in Philadelphia markets. In addition to this business he also operated a seven hundred acre farm in the same township. Politically he was a Whig, but voted for
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Jackson, and subsequently became a Republican. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but later united with the Presbyterian church, in which faith he died. His wife's name was Sarah Cready (formerly spelled Kiate). Her people were Lutherans, and she was said to have been a thoroughgoing German home woman, of sound religious faith, and com- menced to teach and train her children in the catechism early in their lives. She died aged eighty-four years, in 1875. Her children were: John C., Maria, Ann Susan, Elizabeth, Sarah, Amanda, Louise and Ithamer D.
John C. Risher was reared and educated in his native county, and later in life purchased large tracts of coal lands in Mifflin township, Allegheny county, which property he developed and operated successfully, and was thus engaged all of his active life. He died in Allegheny county January 29, 1880. His wife's maiden name was Nancy Denny McClure. Her grandfather, John McClure, Sr., was a farmer in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, who settled in Mifflin township, now Homestead, where his homestead of three hundred and twenty-nine acres was known as "Amity." The patents for this land, granted in 1786, are still held by his descendants. He was a lover of the chase, and kept a large pack of hounds. His wife was Martha Denny. John McClure, Jr., grandfather of John M. Risher, was a life-long resident of his native county. He took a deep interest in public affairs, and was politically a Whig. His wife was a Miss Topping. Both were members of the Presbyterian church, and reared their children in this faith. They had ten children.
John C. Risher had five children: Levi, Agnes M., Daniel, Sarah C. and John McClure. Levi graduated from Jefferson College in 1859 and from the Allegheny Theological Seminary in 1862. He was associated with his father for a time, and from 1869 to 1876 was pastor of the Fair- mount and Plains Presbyterian churches, near Sewickly, and from 1876 to 1882 of Dravosburg church. From 1882 to 1886 he served the church at Martinsburg, after which he led a retired life until his death. Agnes married Stephen S. Crump. Daniel was a civil engineer and associated many years, until his death in 1888, with his father in business. Sarah C. married William J. Snodgrass.
John M. Risher advanced his education at the Western University of Pittsburg, and later took a course at the Polytechnic Institute, at Brooklyn, after which he engaged in the banking house of McLean & Co., of Pittsburg. Later he was in the employ of the Pittsburg Banking Company four years, after which he was bookkeeper and superintendent for J. C. Risher & Co. In 1878 he formed a partnership with James H. Gamble and bought coal lands at White Mills, Washington county, known as the Penny tract. In February, 1884, he purchased his partner's interest and continued to operate the mines until 1898, when he sold to the Pittsburg Coal Company. In 1900 he went to Ohio and bought the excellent farm he now owns and occupies, which is among the finest within Trumbull county. Here he is engaged in the peaceful and independent occupation of farming. He pays special attention to the raising of horses, cattle and poultry.
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Politically Mr. Risher is a Republican, and in church affiliations both he and his estimable wife are of the Presbyterian church faith. He has been an elder in this church.
September 10, 1822, he was united in marriage to Mary J. Patterson, born in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1852. Her father was Robert Patterson, born in Mifflin township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1820, and his father, Robert Patterson, was a native of Ireland, but of Scotch ancestry. He was reared and educated in his native county, and upon coming to America settled in Mifflin, where he was employed at his trade-that of a weaver. He also taught school, he being one of the pioneer instructors within Allegheny county. His wife was Isabella Brisbin, daughter of Captain Brisbin, a Revolutionary war soldier. She became mother of eight children. Mrs. Risher's father owned a farm on Squirrel Hill, which he sold and then purchased a farm in Mifflin township. The last place he sold at a greatly advanced price, and the same is now the seat of the Duquesne Iron Works. After making this sale he returned to Pittsburg and lived a retired life until his death. He married Priscilla McCaslin, daughter of John McCaslin. She died October 29, 1848, the mother of four children, Mrs. Risher being the eldest; the others are Sarah, who married W. B. Rath; Fanny B., married Daniel W. Risher ; Bessie, married W. C. Burns.
Mr. and Mrs. Risher have reared five children: Robert Patterson, Eveline, Mary J., Fanny M., and John C. Bessie, the third child, died aged seven years. Robert married Marion Philips and has a daughter, Martha. Eveline married Charles R. Azmus and has two children, Eveline L. and Mary J.
JAMES BROWN, who is a farmer residing near the city limits of War- ren, is a native of Warren township, born December 12, 1848, a son of James Brown, a native of County Armagh, Ireland, and whose father was Samnel Brown, also a native of Ireland, but of Scotch lineage. He spent most of his active life in his native country, but came to America and spent his declining years at the home of his son James. James Brown, the father, was reared in his native country and there obtained his early education, coming to America when a young man, making his way west- ward to Ohio. At that time Trumbull county was but little settled and no railroads had entered the domain, now so completely gridironed by them. When the canal was constructed through to the lakes he was employed on that, and thus earned sufficient means with which to purchase some heavily timbered land in Howland township, on which he built a log house, which cabin was the first home his family had in Ohio, now the commonwealth so noted for beautiful residences. Later on Mr. Brown bought another traet of land which joined, but within Warren township. On this place stood another cabin, which had near it a small clearing which constituted all of the improvements. He at once erected a small frame house close to the one which was built of logs, and the family occupied that
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for a time. Mr. Brown was very industrious and as time went on he prospered, cleared up all of his land and erected excellent frame buildings, including house and barns, and also planted ont fruit and ornamental trees. He continued to reside there until his death, in the month of March, 1881, when he was sixty-four years of age. He had lived to see what was a wilderness developed into a fruitful garden spot and populated with a happy and prosperous people.
Mr. Brown's wife's maiden name was Anna Mathews, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland. She came to America when a young woman in a sailing vessel, which encountered storms and was ten weeks in making the trip. On the way provisions and water gave out and much suffering followed. After arriving, she remained for a time in New York state, but soon found her way to Ohio. She survived her husband. She bore Mr. Brown nine children: William M., Samuel, Mary, John, Anna, James and Olive, and two who died in infancy. She was reared in the Episcopal faith, while her husband was a Presbyterian in his religion.
The son, James Brown, attended the district schools and the high schools of Warren two years, after which he began school teaching and followed it until after the death of his father, when he returned to the homestead to take charge of the place, and later it became his property. This place is pleasantly situated, less than one mile from the limits of the city of Warren and will rank with any farm in Trumbull county.
James Brown married in Kansas, in 1898, Rebecca Martin, by whom was born one child-Mildred. Mrs. Brown was born in Warren and is a daughter of Bernard and Margaret Martin. In politics Mr. Brown is a Republican and holds the office of member of the school board. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian church.
JOHN P. FULLER, one of the thoroughgoing agriculturists of Trumbull county, Ohio, whose charming farm home is hard by the banks of the Mahoning river, near the city of Warren, is a native of Edenburg, Portage county, Ohio, born July 1, 1840. His father was Aaron Collins Fuller, born at Chipawa Hill, Bristol, Connecticut, October 6, 1815. John Fuller, the father of Aaron C., it is believed was a native of Connecticut and was by occupation a farmer who spent his last days at Chipawa Hill, dying October, 1815. He was married twice and had four children by his first marriage : Samuel, Augustus, John, and one daughter, who married William Gaylor. The maiden name of his second wife was Permelia Collins, who it appears quite certain was a native of Connecticut and who came to Ohio about 1827, settling at Vienna. She had sold her dower rights to parties in Connecticut, and when she came to Ohio she bought twenty acres of land a mile to the east of Vienna. It was all timber land, and she built a log cabin thereon and within a few years married David Clark. She continued on the Vienna land a few years, then sold it and removed to Mecca and there purchased sixty acres near Dickerman's Corners, where they resided about twelve years, spending the balance of their days with
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her daughter, Mrs. Logan, of Burghill. She died aged eighty-six years. By her first marriage Mrs. Clark was the mother of Lorenzo D., Mamre Ami and Aaron C. Fuller, and by the last union she had seven : Henry, Elizar, Lucinda, Sheldon, Timothy, Gilbert and Cornelius.
Mr. Fuller's father was but three weeks old when his father died, hence had to become self-supporting as soon as he became old enough to do paying labor. He accompanied his mother to the West and worked at various kinds of employment until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to New York state and engaged in peddling Yankee notions. He married at the age of nineteen years, Emeline Eliza Pratt, born in Northampton, Massachusetts, August, 1818, a daughter of Lutious Grotious Pratt, who was born in 1994, a native (it is supposed) of Massachusetts, who removed to "York State," settling near Aurora, where he died in 1855. He had twelve children : Emeline E., Elvira, Henry, John N., William S., Laura A., Maria L., Harriet V., Allen S., Lucy A., Mary J. and Edward E. Directly after his marriage Aaron Collins Fuller joined a colony and emi- grated to Rock Island, Illinois, making the entire long journey overland by teams. At that date there was no city at Rock Island and Indian tribes still lingered about the pieturesque place, which had for long centuries been their favorite hunting ground, with the great Mississippi river flowing hy the rocky island, where now stands the immense buildings of the United States arsenal. They remained at that lonely point about one year and then headed for the east, wending their way overland to Portage county, Ohio, Mr. Fuller locating at Edenburg until 1842, when he removed to Champion, Trumbull county, making the move on sleds drawn by horses. They crossed the Mahoning river on the ice. Then all was wild, even here, and Warren was a mere hamlet. There Mr. Fuller worked for Abraham Weiss a year and then resided in Bristol a year, after which he located in Vienna, remaining two years, then went back to Bristol and was contented there until 1862, when he moved to Braceville. He had traded his farm at Bristol for lands amounting to two hundred acres in Braceville. There he had a stone house and two frame barns and a cheese house. Of this land one hundred and twenty-five aeres were under cultivation. He resided there until his death, March 11, 1896. His wife died June 15, 1879. She bore her husband six children : Luey M., died January 13, 1903; John P .; Mamre A., died December 11, 1865; Henry C., died January 22, 1890; Laura J., and Collins A.
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