USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 100
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 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
Sylvanus Davids, father of Benjamin F., was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 1797, and died in Delaware County, in 1872. He was about two years old when his parents emi- grated from Wales to America and settled in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where the family lived until June, 1810, when re- moval was made to Delaware County. The early death of his father placed heavy respon- sibilities on him. He cleared many acres of land of the virgin forest. At the time of his marriage he settled on the farm which is now owned by his son Benjamin F. At first a rude log house was the home but it soon gave way to a comfortable hewed log house and later to a substantial brick residence. He carried on general farming until the close of his life. For many years he was a township official and through his whole career was noted for the manly qualities which have always marked men of his family. They have all prospered through industry, and they have been univers- ally held as reliable, honest and upright citi- zens. Sylvanus Davids married Margaret Evans, a daughter of Thomas Evans. She was born in Carmarthen, Wales, in 1805, and (lied in 1878. They had ten children, seven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Thomas, who is deceased; Mary, who married Charles Robinson, is deceased; Isabella, who married John Bonner, is deceased ; Margaret, who mar- ried (first) Henry Hermon and ( second) William Ferguson, resides at Columbus, a widow: Sarah M., who lives at home: Julia, (leceased, who married ( first) Leander Carr and ( second) Robert Ferrier; and Benjamin F. The family belonged to the Radnor Bap- tist Church, the parents being among its founders.
Benjamin F. Davids has always resided on the home farm, his longest period of absence
being during the Civil War, when, as a mem- ber of Company A, One Hundred and Forty- fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he assisted during the summer of 1864, in the guarding of Washington City. His interests have always been centered in agricultural pur- suits. He added to the land secured from his father's estate, and of his farm of 175 acres, he cultivates 140 acres, selling nothing he pro- duces except his wheat. He is largely in- terested in raising fine horses, hogs and Short- horn cattle, keeping from 40 to 50 head of the latter. Mr. Davids takes justifiable pride in his well-improved farm and his other posses- sions. His home and surroundings are so at- tractive that they excite favorable comment from the passing stranger. In 1882 he built the fine brick residence, two stories in height. containing 14 rooms, the most commodious house in Radnor Township, and its inside equipments equal its outside appearance. In 1888 he erected his fine barn with dimensions of 64 feet in length with an ell. 50 feet in width and with 18-foot posts.
On October 22, 1874, Mr. Davids married Lucy E. Humphreys, a daughter of Morris Humphreys of Radnor, and four of their six children reached maturity, as follows: Gert- rude, William, John E. and Margaret I. Mr. Davids and family belong to the Baptist Church and he is a member of the committee on Missions. In politics, he is a Republican and has served as township trustee and in other offices.
D. STAYMAN, a well-known re- tired citizen of Delaware, who has been identified with the express busi- ness at this point for over 40 years and has been a resident here since September, 1845, was born in 1837, at Fred- erick, Maryland, and is a son of George F. Stayman.
The late George F. Stayman came to Dela- ware County in 1845 and founded the Loco Foco, which was the first Democratic paper established here. He conducted it until 1865.
701
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
when he sold out the plant, and in 1847 it be- came the Standard and now is the Journal- Herald. Mr. Stayman published the Clark County Democrat, for several years and then went into the hotel business at Springfield and later at Piqua. lle then removed to Colum- bus, where he died in 1888. .
One of the earliest and best schools which V. D. Stayman attended, was his father's printing office, in which he was setting type when but eight years old. He remained con- nected with printing and newspaper work until 1858, when he became connected with the ex- press business, first with the United States Ex- press Company and later with the American Express Company, being the agent for the lat- ter at Delaware for about 40 years. Since 1903 he has lived retired from active business.
In 1868. Mr. Stayman was married to; Sarah S. Lamb, who died in 1904. She was a daughter of Henry Lamb, who was one of the first white children born in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Stayman had one son, Guyton, who is a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, where he is engaged in an insurance business. On January 2, 1908, Mr. Stayman took for his second wife, Miss Nellie F. Pratt, a native of Delaware, Ohio, and formerly librarian of the City Library.
During all his active years. Mr. Stayman was more or less concerned in politics and has always taken a great interest in public affairs. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks and the Odd Fellows. He is a member of the vestry of St. Peter's Episcopal Church.
T. CARR, a retired farmer residing at Ostrander, was born August 19, 1849, at Ostrander, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a member of one of the old and important families of this section.
S. T. Carr was reared on the home farm and was educated in the common schools. In 1872 he bought the David Pike farm, which is situated two and one-half miles north of Os- trander. on which he resided for ten years. He
owns 102 acres and one-half of the old home farm, about 70 acres, using the latter for pasturage and renting the former. - In 1882 lie built his commodious residence of twelve rooms. Mr. Carr was one of the organizers of The Ostrander Banking Company.
Mr. Carr married Lizzie David, a daughter of Thomas E. David of Radnor Township. and they have five children, namely : Ella. who married E. W. Thompson, cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Wooster : Ethel M., who is the wife of William Harris, cashier of The Ostrander Banking Company; Monette, who married C. C. Stedman, superintendent of the Cook Motor Works at Delaware; Jean, wife of Raymond E. Dix of Cleveland, Ohio; and Marie, a high school student at Ostrander. The family belong to the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Carr is a Republican. He has served for a number of years as member of the School Board but is not a seeker for public office.
EORGE F. ELSBREE, who is num- bered with the leading citizens of Orange Township, has resided for the past 41 years on his present farm of 137 acres. He was born Septem- ber 9. 1834, in Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Collins P. and Matilda ( Norton) Elsbree.
Collins P. Elsbree was born in 1800, in Dutchess County, New York, and in 18II he accompanied his step-father, Jeremiah Mlc- Cumber, to Orange Township, Delaware County, returned to his native place in 1816. and came back to Ohio in 1822. He had two half-brothers and two half-sisters, namely : Alva, Nahum, Phebe and Nancy. Alva Mc- Cumber lived to the age of 91 years and Nahum McCumber to be 93. In 1827. Collins P. Elsbree was married to Matilda Norton, who was a daughter of Captain Joab Norton, an officer in the State militia. He came from Hartford, Connecticut, to Ohio, and landed at Worthington, in 1806 and settled in Orange Township, Delaware County, in 1807. A rude
702
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
log cabin in the forest was the first family home. Captain Norton died at Delaware. He erected block houses all along the Sandusky turnpike and when he built at what is now the town of Norton, the settlement was named in his honor. He became the owner of a number of large farms and also of property at Dela- ware. The land on which the Ohio Wesleyan University stands was once owned by him, and he also owned the corner of Sandusky and William streets, on which the present Inter- urban station of the C. D. & M. road is lo- cated. He owned a tannery which was situ- ated on the property where the college now stands. He was one of the civilization builders of his time. The children of Joab Norton were the following: Desdemona, who mar- ried Jacob Coldflesh, lived and died in Liberty Township, Delaware County: Edward; Ma- tilda, who was the mother of George F. Els- bree; and Minerva. She was married ( first ) to Samuel Falkner and they resided in Union County, Ohio. She was married ( second ) to Jolin Gordon and they moved to Wisconsin.
Prior to returning to Ohio, Collins P. Els- bree learned the trade of distiller and when he came to Delaware County he established the first distillery on the Whetstone River, known now as the Olentangy River. Later he sold the same to Simon Thomas. His first pur- chase of land was 67 acres of John Goodrich, which he sold to George Gooding. In 1847 he bought 137 acres at Lewis Center Corners and remained on the same until his death, in 1880. He was a great fancier of fine stock. His fam- ily consisted of four sons and two daughters, those who survived infancy being: Gustavus, who died June 29. 1877: Augustus C., who served in the Union army during the Civil War, in Company H, Ohio National Guard. owns 240 acres of land in Orange Township. married Elizabeth Case: George F .; Cicero MI., who owns 200 acres of land in Orange Township, married Adaline Crawford: and Eliza, who died aged 16 years.
George F. Elsbree attended the local schools through his boyhood and as he increased in age became of more and more value to his father in managing the home property. On
December 18, 1866, he was married to Caro- line J. Case, who is a daughter of Rev. Titus and Ilannah (Fisher) Case. Mrs. Case was a daughter of Isaac Fisher, who came to Ohio from Bergen County, New Jersey, in 1809. Grandfather Fisher settled on the edge of Franklin County. The paternal great-grand- father, George Case, came to Delaware County in 1806 and when he died he was laid to rest on a quiet part of his own farm. His son, Titus Case, was born in 1797 and was nine years old when he accompanied his father, who had been a Revolutionary soklier, to Ohio, from Simsbury, Connecticut. Ile be- came a preacher and elder in the Christian Church. The children of Rev. Titus Case and wife were: Fredonia C., who married Irvin Thurston; Elizabeth A., who married A. C. Elsbree ; Miles S., who married Emily J. Bar- tholomew; and Caroline J., who became the wife of George F. Elsbree. The two sur- vivors are Mrs. Elsbree 'and Miles S., the lat- ter of whom resides near Hyattsville.
In 1867, Mr. and Mrs. Elsbree settled on this pleasant old farm and they hold a deed from the Maynard family which first owned this property before it came into the possession of the Elsbrees. In 1895, the old house was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Elsbree has rebuilt. Here he has continued to successfully carry on a general line of farming and is one of the township's substantial men in every particular. In 1864. when the call came for defenders of the National Capital, Mr. Elsbree went out as a member of Company H. Ohio National Guard, and remained at Arlington Heights, near Washington, as long as the alarm con- tinued.
J OHN H. PRICE, member of the Board of Education, of Troy Township, re- siding on his well-cultivated farm of 228 acres, is a representative citizen of this section. Mr. Price was born in Radnor Township. Delaware County, Ohio. July 6, 1859, and is a son of John R. and Eliz- abeth ( Powell) Price.
703
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The parents of Mr. Price were born in Wales and came to America in 1859. settling in Radnor Township, Delaware County, prior to the birth of their son. John R. Price died in 1877. He was a worthy member of the Calvinistic Methodist Episcopal Church. He was twice married and seven of his children survive, namely : Reese, residing in Delaware Township: Sarah, who married Frank Dix. residing in Brown township; John H .: Cad, a resident of Union County, Ohio; Thomas R., residing in Radnor Township; Charles N .. who resides in Radnor Township; and Mary E., also a resident of Radnor Township.
John H. Price was reared in Radnor Township and attended the district schools as he had opportunity in the meanwhile re- ceiving a practical training in agriculture, on his father's farm. He continued to live in Radnor Township until the spring of 1889. when he came to Troy Township, where he has successfully engaged in farming and stock- raising until the present time. His land is productive, his methods of working it are en- tirely up-to-date, and he is considered one of the substantial farmers of this section.
Mr. Price married Amanda Miller, who is a daughter of John and Catherine Miller, formerly of Delaware Township, Delaware County. Mr. and Mrs. Price have five chil- dren: John A., Grace C., Walter P., Flor- ence L. and Bernice. The family belong to the Congregational Church at Radnor.
Mr. Price is a Republican and as a member of that party has frequently been elected to township offices. For four years he served as trustee of Troy Township and two terms as treasurer and is a valued member of the town- ship Board of Education.
6 FORGE ALBERT SHUSTER, a highly esteemed resident of Dela- ware Township, who is engaged in general farming on his tract of 50 acres, was born on his present farm in Delaware County, Ohio, May 31. 1849, and is a son of George and Catherine ( Morgan) Shuster.
George Shuster was born January 22, 1809. in Pennsylvania, and died in Delaware County, Ohio, aged 82 years. He was nine years old when he was brought to Morgan County, Ohio, by his father, John Shuster. llis educational oppor- tunities were decidedly limited, and he went barefooted winter and summer until he worked for the money with which to buy himself his first pair of shoes. For nine years Mr. Shuster worked on the National turnpike, and then came to Delaware Township, where he worked on the Mull turnpike until he pur- chased the farm now owned by his son George Albert, then a tract of 115 acres, of which he later sold 15 acres to his father-in-law. On locating on this property, Mr. Shuster found it heavily timbered, the only clearing that had been done being that cut by the coon hunters. He was married to Catherine Morgan, who was the daughter of Jacob Morgan, of Hamil- ton County, and they had ten children, five of whom grew to maturity: John, who re- sides at Pana. Christian County, Illinois ; Mary. deceased, who was the wife of Henry Swartz, of Delaware Township; Rachel. who married Josiah Hill, of Delaware Township; George Albert ; and Clara, of Delaware Town- ship. The mother of these children died in 1901, aged 82 years.
George Albert Shuster was reared on the home farm. When but 14 years of age he decided to become a soldier in the Civil War. and being large for his years convinced thie recruiting officer that he was eighteen. He was mustered into the Union Army February 4. 1864, and went first with his regiment to Munfordsville, Kentucky. Later he was at Bowling Green, Charleston, Knoxville, Straw- berry Plains and Lowden. Tennessee, and re- ceived his honorable discharge, August 29. 1865. despite his youth, having served his country faithfully for 19 months and 24 days. Since returning from the war. Mr. Shuster has engaged in cultivating his 50 acres, hay being the principal crop of the farm, and he also keeps nine head of horses and colts. Mr. Shuster is a Democrat in politics, but has never cared to hold office, preferring to give his entire attention to his farming interests.
IHISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
He is acknowledged to be one of Delaware Township's good, practical farmers, and his standing as a citizen in his community is de-' servedly high.
Mr. Shuster was married to Alvira Stick- ney, who is the daughter of Hugh Stickney of Union County, Ohio, and II children were born to this union: George, who died from decease contracted during the Cuban War ; Emma, who is the widow of Michael Mc- Carthy, of Delaware; Margaret, deceased, who was the wife of Sherman Moore; Edward, who lives at home: Catherine, who is the widow of George Horne; Frank, who lives in Delaware: Samuel, of Berlin Township : Eliza- beth, who is the wife of Howell Thomas, of Columbus; Hugh, of Berlin Township; and Esther and Susan, twins.
R EES PRICE, general farmer, dairyman and stock-raiser, in Radnor Town- ship, was born in Breckonshire, South Wales, August 12. 1851, and is a son of John R. and Margaret ( Morgan) Price, and a grandson of Rees and Margaret ( Jones ) Price.
John R. Price grew to manhood in his native land and engaged in farming and also was a collector for a number of years prior to coming to America. He married the daugh- ter of a neighbor. Rees Morgan, and they had two children: Rees and Margaret, the latter of whom died aged 24 years. John R. Price and wife were consistent members of the Cal- vinistic Methodist Church and the former was a singer in the choir, possessing the fine voice which is so general a gift to natives of Wales. After the death of his first wife, John R. Price married Elizabeth Powell and eight children were born to that union. In June, 1858, he brought his family to Radnor Township and settled on what was known as the Thomas Lewis farm, on which he lived the remainder of his life. In politics, he was a Republican. He died in his 57th year, December 10, 1877.
Rees Price was reared in Radnor Town- ship and obtained his education in the district
schools. From boyhood he was accustomed to farm work and when 19 years old he started out to make his own way in the world, secur- ing employment on the farms in Delaware County. After his marriage he settled in Radnor Township where he has operated dif- ferent farms, locating on his present one in 1905. In 1908 he and his son, Ora C., leased the Thomas Joy farm in Delaware Township, and took possession April 1, 1908. He has dealt in horses for a number of years and is an excellent judge of all kinds of livestock. He keeps several cows, keeps about 100 head of Duroc Jersey hogs and raises enough on his land so that he is not obliged to buy feed. His operations are on so large a scale that he re- quires the assistance of two men to supple- ment the work of himself and son.
Mr. Price married Rena Russell, a daugh- ter of J. B. Russell, of Thompson Township, Delaware County. She died May 8, 1906. aged 49 years. She was a most estimable lady and was beloved by all who knew her. She was an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Prospect, of which Mr. Price is one of the stewards. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Price, namely: Lyda, who married C. H. Penry, residing in Radnor Township, and Leora C., who assists his father. One child died in infancy.
Mr. Price is a Republican. He is a mem- ber of Ruffner Lodge, No. 320, Odd Fellows, of Warrensburg, of which he is past grand and he is past chief patriarch of Delaware En- campment. He belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of America and is past chief for- rester of Camp No. 4102.
HI. DAVIS, residing on his well-culti- vated home farm of 86 acres, owns land in Troy Township aggregating 220 acres, and is one of the substan- tial as well as leading citizens and public-spirited men of this section. Mr. Davis was born in Radnor Township, Delaware County, Ohio, February 14, 1850, and is a son of John H. and Maria ( Hughes) Davis.
P-3
1
RESIDENCE AND BARN OF HIRAM WRIGHT, SCIOTO TOWNSHIP
707
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
The parents of Mr. Davis were born in the north of Wales. They came to America and settled in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1832, locating in Radnor Township among the first settlers. John H. Davis was an honorable, upright man, a faithful member of the Calvinistic Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the founders of the old church in Radnor Township and his funeral sermon was the last ever preached under the old roof.
H. H. Davis attended the schools in the neighborhood of his home, during his boy- hood, and grew to manhood on the home farm. He remained in Radnor Township until 1885, when he came to Troy Township, where he has resided ever since. He is'one of the lead- ing men of his community, taking an active part in all that pertains to the public welfare. For six years he served as trustee of Troy Township and for 14 years has been a member of the Board of Education. He belongs to Radnor Lodge. No. 250, Odd Fellows, at Radnor.
Mr. Davis married Melinda Gust. of Pu- laski County. Indiana, and they have had four children, namely: Lewis: William H., who died March 17. 1908. aged 16 years, Il months: Guy, and Charles .A .. who died aged 21 years. Mr. Davis and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Radnor.
5 IRAM WRIGHT, one of the vener- able residents of Scioto Township. Delaware County, Ohio, and the owner of an excellent farm of eighty- six acres, was born December 29. 1825. in Barrington. Licking County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Chloe ( Wells ) Wright.
Simeon Wright. the grandfather of Hi- ram, was a native of Vermont. and one of the Green Mountain boys during the Revolution- ary War. Late in life he followed his son to Ohio, and his death occurred at the age of ninety-seven years, near Hartford. Licking County.
David Wright. father of Hiram, was born on Otter Creek. Rutland. Vermont, whence he
came to Ohio after his first marriage, bring- ing with him three children, and settling as a pioneer in St. Albans Township. Licking County. Later he purchased eighty acres of land in Barrington, which he cleared from the woods, building a log house in which the sub- ject of this sketch was born. In about 1840 the family removed to Milford Township. Knox County, where they resided about twelve years, and in 1852 they located in Scioto Township. Delaware County. on Bokes Creek. David Wright was a remarkable man in many ways. He was within ten days of be- ing ninety-three years of age at the time of his death in July. 1870. and with the exception of his eyesight, which had failed to some ex- tent several years prior to his demise. he was in full possession of every faculty. For seven- ty-five years he used tobacco. Mr. Wright was always a hard-working, industrious man. and accomplished more hard work at the age of seventy-five years than do the young men of one-third of that age today. During the War of 1812 Mr .. Wright served with the country's forces on Lake Champlain. He was made a Master Mason in Vermont. and oc- casionally attended meetings at Delaware. In political matters Mr. Wright was a Democrat, and he was the only man in Barrington to vote for Andrew Jackson, when the latter first ran for President. He was a justice of the peace for many years, and was well known for his honest dealings with his fellow-men. David Wright was married three times, and had chil- dren by each marriage. His third wife was Chloe Wells, who was a daughter of Israel Wells of Granville. Lebanon County, and they had two children. of whom Hiram grew to maturity. The family were members of the Presbyterian Church.
Hiram Wright was educated in the dis- trict schools during the days when the pupils brought axes and chopped down trees for fuel to heat the log schoolhouse. He grew up on the home farm. where he remained until his father's death, at which time he purchased 150 acres on Bokes Creek, about thirty acres of which had been partly cleared. There he re- sided until 1885. when he removed to his pres-
HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY
ent eighty-six acre tract, which he had pur- chased in 1870, selling his original farm to his grandson, Charles Wright. His present fine residence was erected in 1883, and in- cludes ten rooms and a good cellar. He en- gaged for some time in stock-raising, and dur- ing the war bought and sold sheep and horses. He now keeps ten cattle, and is quite exten- sively engaged in butter-making.
Mr. Wright was married first to Sarah Simons, daughter of John Simons, of Homer. Licking County, and to this union there were born five children, one of whom grew to ma- turity : Henry, of Magnetic Springs. Mrs. Wright died in the faith of the Christian Church, and Mr. Wright was married sec- ondly to Mrs. Rachel Green, a widow, who is the daughter of George MeElroy of Harrison County. Mrs. Wright had two sons, Lawson and Cassius, by her first marriage. In politi- cal matters Mr. Wright is a Democrat, and he has served as justice of the peace for one term and as township trustee for twelve years. Mrs. Wright is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Radnor Township.
OHN G. VERGON, a prominent and influential citizen of Troy Township, a member of the Board of Education, a large land-owner and a successful farmer and sheep grower, was born in Delaware Township, Delaware County, Ohio, July 10, 1865, and is a son of Frederick P. and Catherine ( Jones) Vergon.
The father of Mr. Vergon was born in the eastern part of France, and the mother in Vir- ginia. She belongs to the old and aristocratic Jackson family, from which came the great Confederate officer, known as "Stonewall" Jackson. Frederick P. Vergon is one of the most highly respected aged residents of Dela- ware County. He was about three years of age when he was brought to America by his parents, who came directly to Delaware County and settled in Delaware Township, where, in the course of time, he acquired valu- able tracts of land. He was the original
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.