Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 116

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 116

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).

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hotel business throughout the remainder of his life and were widely known throughout this section of the country. Mr. Leak also operated an ashery for many years, marketing his prod- uct at Zanesville.

Mrs. Harriet D. Cole. nee Leak, was reared in Trenton Township, and received as good an education as the schools of that period af- forded. As a result of her marriage with Mr. Cole, the following children were born: Er- vin M., October 3. 1857: Ella D., July 18, 1860: William M., April 10, 1862: Edson B .. March 6, 1864: Milton D., deceased De- cember 24. 1902, born February 8, 1866; Charles E .. born July 25, 1868, died Decem- her 20, 1901 ; one who died in infancy; Alta M .. born May 13. 1877; and Mary E., born July 26, 1881. deceased November 5. 1881. All of the children were born in Delaware County.

AMUEL P. SHUR, president of the Deposit Banking Company, at Dela- ware, has filled this responsible po- sition for the past 30 years. Mr. Shur was born in Knox County. Ohio. December 18. 1826, and is one of a family of HI children. His parents were Ja- cob and Margaret ( Porter ) Shur. The Shur family, which is one of the prominent and wealthy ones of Delaware, was also one of substance and importance in Knox County, where Jacob Shur carried on agricultural pur- suits until his death.

Samuel P. Shur obtained his education in the district schools, and after leaving his father's farm. in 1842, he engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store in Chesterville, where he remained for eight years. He then started in business for himself at Cardington, Ohio, and was there about two and a half years. after which he opened a dry goods store at Cale- donia, Marion County. Six months later he sold out and went to Marseilles, where he was engaged for eight years in the same business. He then came to Delaware and conducted a similar business here until 1901, since which

time he has devoted his whole attention to banking. The Deposit Banking Company was organized in 1868, and in 1890 was in- corporated as a State bank. It is a depositary of county, city and township funds. Its policy has always been conservative, and in this way the safety of the funds entrusted to it has been guarded. The officers of the bank are: Samuel P. Shur, president : C. Riddle, vice- president : and R. M. Avery, cashier. Its Board of Directors is made up of the follow- ing substantial citizens: R. G. Lybrand. W. R. Carpenter, E. J. Healy, George W. Jones, C. Riddle. S. P. Shur, and R. M. Avery.

Mr. Shur married Emily T. Truesdale, a daughter of Stephen Truesdale. He and his wife are the parents of two children-Ida May. who is the wife of Edward Welch, of Dela- ware: and Harry Clyde, who is in the hotel business in Brookston, Minnesota. Politically, Mr. Shur is a Republican. Since 1847 he has been a member of the Masonic Order.

J OHN E. PUGH, a general farmer of Radnor Township, where he owns 113 acres of excellent land, was born in Delaware, Ohio, February 21, 1860, and is a son of George and Ellen ( Williams ) Pugh.

The father of Mr. Pugh was born January 1, 1818, in Wales, where he, lived until 23 years of age. He then came to America and settled in Ohio, securing employment as a blacksmith with E. R. Thompson, at Delaware. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California and spent some time in gold-seeking, but soon found that he could make more by working steadily at his trade than by mining. He found plenty of blacksmith work to do in California and remained there until 1853. con- ducting a shop of his own. He then returned to Delaware and entered into partnership with J. J. Davis, under the firm name of Davis & Pugh. This partnership was continued for six years, but after 1859 Mr. Pugh worked alone. About this time he came to Radnor and bought 75 acres of the farm on which

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his son John E. now lives, which he cultivated for the rest of his active years. He died February 2, 1891. In politics he was a Re- publican. At the time of his death he had been an Odd Fellow for 45 years, having been initiated in Lodge No. o. at Columbus. He was a member of Olentangy Lodge, of Dela- ware, of which he was past grand, and was also past chief patriarch of the Encampment.

George Pugh was twice married, first, No- vember 14. 1842, to Jane Thomas, a daughter of William and Margaret Thomas. They had two children, Elizabeth and William T., the latter of whom now resides at Oleathe, Kan- sas. The former, Elizabeth, married Hum- phrey Griffiths, of Radnor, but is now de- ceased. MIr. Pugh was married, secondly. March 13. 1857, to Mrs. Ellen ( Williams ) Jones, and of this marriage John E. Pugh, of Radnor Township, is the only surviving child. Mrs. Pugh was born in Wales, in October. 1828, and accompanied her parents to America in 1840. She was married, first, to Thomas Jones, who was born in Wales and resided until death at Columbus, Ohio. He left one child, Mary A., who married D. D. Williams. residing in Troy Township, Delaware County. Mrs. Pugh died July 27. 1888.

John E. Pugh was reared in Radnor Town- ship and attended the public schools during boyhood, beginning to assist his father as soon as he was old enough. He succeeded to the possession of the homestead farm, and to the original acreage has added until he now owns 113 acres, on which he carries on general farming and stock-raising. His main crops are wheat and hay. He has been very suc- cessful in raising an excellent grade of horses. cattle, sheep and hogs. The grounds which surround his fine home, which stands near the village of Radnor, show careful cultivation and an appreciation of the beautiful in nature. \ general air of thrift and prosperity marks the whole place.

February 11, 1891, Mr. Pugh married Liz- zie AA. Williams, a daughter of W. W. and Eliza R. Williams, residents of Troy Town- ship. He and his wife are the parents of three children, namely : Ellen Williams, born May

30, 1894: George Lewis, born January 24, 1807 : and Mary Barre, born October 7. 1904. Mrs. Pugh is a member of the Baptist Church and Mr. Pugh is a Congregationalist in re- ligion. He is in no sense a politician, but is identified with the Republican party. Fra- ternally, he is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Radnor, in which he has held official position. He is known and respected as a useful and public-spirited citizen.

YRON PROUTY, general farmer and leading citizen of Scioto Township, B was born in Troy Township. Dela- ware County, Ohio, November 1, 1857, and is a son of Stephen Merritt and Sarah Ella ( Peck ) Prouty.

The father of Mr. Prouty was born near Oswego, New York, May 14. 1825. and died March 18, 1906. When 12 years old he ac- companied his father, Abel Prouty, to Ohio. The Proutys settled in Delaware County among the pioneers of 1837, and Abel Prouty was an excellent type of that sturdy body of men. He continued to live in this section until 1859, when he moved still farther west, to Wayne County, Michigan, where he died in 1875, aged 75 years. His first wife was Sarah Dudley, who died when Stephen Merritt was four years old and his one sister, Jerusha, still younger.

Stephen Merritt Prouty was old enough to be of great assistance to his father on his pioneer farm. The family lived one year at Marion, Ohio. and then on the Silverwood farm in Troy Township, and Stephen Merritt Prouty lived in that township until 1904. In that year he bought a farm in Thompson Township, on which he lived for one year, and in 1905 he purchased the Mooney farm in Delaware Township, on which his widow now resides. He married Sarah Ella Peck, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, and who was a daughter of Benjamin Peck, a native of Cleveland, Ohio. A family of 10 children were born to Stephen M. Prouty and wife, namely: Byron, subject of this sketch ;

MR. AND MRS. CALVIN C. DUNLAP AND FAMILY

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Clinton, residing at Fullerton, Nebraska : Emma C., who married W. C. Diven, residing at Delaware: Chauncy, who died in March, 1899: Harvey, residing in Delaware Town- ship: Oren, residing at Summers, Montana; Martha S., deceased, who is survived by her husband. Robert L. Evans, of Radnor Town- ship: Jessie G., who married James Kyle, re- siding in Radnor Township: and two died in infaney. The parents were consistent mem- bers of the Baptist Church at Radnor.

On the maternal side, Mr. Prouty's an- cestors came from New England. His great- grandfather. Rev. Silas Peck, was a pioneer minister of the Methodist Episcopal faith, in Michigan, and he traveled over many miles on horseback in the early days before any roads had been eut through the forests. Benjamin Peck, the maternal grandfather, was born at Cleveland, Ohio, and he married Mary Albey, a daughter of Jesse Albey. of Cleveland. Ben- jamin Peck was a carpenter and he followed his trade both at Cleveland and Detroit. Four years after the birth of Mrs. Prouty, May 17. 1838, he settled in Delaware County. There were many Indians still wandering through this section, and on one occasion Mrs. Peek was greatly alarmed because an old In- clian squaw persisted in her attempt at bar- gaining for little Sarah Ella, then an attrac- tive child of four years.

Byron Prouty was educated in the country schools near his home and remained with his father until he was 23 years of age. Ile then visited Monroe County. Michigan, where other members of the family had settled. He remained in Michigan for nine years, mainly engaged in farming. In the summer of 1898 he returned to Troy Township and shortly afterward bought his present farm, a valuable tract of 78 acres. 65 of which he has under cultivation. He raises cattle, sheep, horses and hogs, and grows corn, oats, wheat and hay. He has a well-equipped farm, follows practical methods and makes use of improved ma- chinery.

Mr. Prouty married Mary Palmer, who is a daughter of E. R. Palmer, of Monroe County, Michigan. Her grandfather. Henry

Palmer, came to Michigan as a pioneer, from Herkimer County, New York. They have had four children, namely: Emma C., who married Clarence Bell, residing at Ostrander ; Ilarry, who died in infancy; Floyd Emerson. and Vesta Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Prouty are members of the Presbyterian Church at Os- trander. In his political views, Mr. Prouty is in sympathy with the Republican party. In 1907 he was elected a member of the School Board. the township thus securing the services of an intelligent. conscientious citizen. well qualified to make a capable official, as his rec- ord up to date proves.

ALVIN C. DUNLAP, a prominent business man of Delaware, who has been identified with the lumber in- terests of this county for the whole industrial period of his life. was born May 5. 1858, in Delaware Township. Delaware County, Ohio, son of James H. and Sarah M. (Cowles) Dunlap. His parents, who are now deceased, were early settlers in the county. They are survived by four of their Io children.

Calvin C. Dunlap was reared in Delaware Township and assisted on the home farm dur- ing his boyhood. He early became interested in timber lands, in which he invested largely. and for several years he operated a saw-mill. Later he established a retail lumber business at Delaware, and also became proprietor of a planing-mill, which is situated at the junc- tion of West William Street with the H. V. Railroad. where he has excellent facilities for shipping. He does a large business in sashi. doors, and blinds, and he adds to the extent of his business interests by dealing also in sand. cement, plaster, and lime. A man of capital. he is concerned in a number of the success- ful business enterprises of this locality, being a member of the Cook Motor Company. Though never prominently active in politics. he has been a good citizen in all that the word implies, and all matters of public interest re- ceive his careful attention. He has been

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

closely connected with the growth and de- · velopment of Delaware along many lines.

In 1876 Mr. Dunlap was married to Mary S. Converse, and they have had a family of six sons and six daughters, the survivors of whom, being married. have added 15 grand- children to the family roster. The record in brief of these children is as follows: Jennie E., who is the wife of Rev. Sager Tryon, of Newark, Ohio, has five children-Mary, Agnes, Margaret, Pauline, and Anna. lvy G., wife of E. Brush Welsh resides in Delaware County and her children are Gladys, Mildred, Calvin Stanley, and Russell. Raymond B. is a minister of the Congregational Church in Clovis, California ; he married Margie Howi- son and has two children-Paul and Dorothy. Earl T., who is a farmer of Delaware County, married Marie Newhouse and has two chil- dren-Edna and Elma. George A., who is associated in business with his father, mar- ried Effie Anderson. Wealthy L .. is the wife of Guy Mussard, a farmer of Delaware Township, and has had two children-Gwen- dolyn and Edward W .- both of whom are now deceased. The other children were: Ilattie May, Clarence E .. Mary Grace. Opha. Calvin Joy and Ralph Willard. Hattie May and Ralph Willard both died in infancy. The family are all members of the Congregational Church.

ICTOR B. WELLER, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon at Ostrander and health officer of Scioto Township. was born at New Dover, Union County, Ohio. July 26, 1877, and is a son of John B. and Emma ( Judy ) Weller. Edward Weller, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Weller, was born in England, where he married before coming to America and settling at Watkins. Ohio, where he established a pottery. He met with better success after re- moving to Marysville, where he engaged in the manufacture of tile in connection with that of pottery. He died at Marysville, in 1884.

aged 80 years. Of his six children. John B. was the fourth in order of birth.

John B. Weller was born near Watkins and was reared and educated at Marysville. where he learned the pottery business with his father, but after the latter's death he did not continue the industry, turning his atten- tion instead to farming. He is a highly re- spected resident of New Dover. He served three years in the Civil War as a member of the Thirty-fourth Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic post at Marys- ville. He belongs also to the Odd Fellows and Masonic bodies at Marysville and to the Knights of Pythias at New Dover. He mar- ried a daughter of Michael Judy, a well-known citizen of Peoria, Ohio, and three of their four children survive, namely: Victor B .. Ethel and Frederick. John B. Weller and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Dr. Weller was educated in the schools of New Dover and Marysville and read medicine under Dr. W. F. White, of the latter place. from whose instruction he entered Starling Medical College, where he was graduated in 1901. He settled at New Lewisburg. Cham- paign County, Ohio, where he practiced suc- cessfully for three years and then came to Ostrander, opening his office here July 7. 1004. Dr. Weller was very cordially received and is in the enjoyment of a large and lucra- tive practice. He also immediately won the confidence of the public and in the election fol- lowing his settlement here, he was elected township physician and township health of- ficer. He keeps fully abreast of the times in medical science and is a valued member of Delaware County, Ohio State Medical Socie- ties and of the American Medical Association.

Dr. Weller married Lida Loveless, who is a daughter of William H. Loveless, of New Dover. Dr. and Mrs. Weller had one son, John, who died in infancy. Fraternally. Dr. Weller is connected with Ostrander Lodge. F. & A. M., Marysville Chapter. R. A. M .. Raper Commandery. K. T., at Urbana, and is

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past chancellor of Ostrander Lodge Knights of Pythias. Hle retains membership in his college society, the Phi Sigma Psi Chapter at Columbus. He is identified in politics with the Republican party.

5 UGH BOYLE MCKAY, a well-known resident of Eden and a veteran of the Civil War. was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, December 18. 1840, and is a son of Alexander and Maria ( Boyle ) MeKay.

The parents of Mr. Mckay came to Dela- ware County, Ohio, from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and settled at Eden. in 1852. The father was born in Greene County. Penn- sylvania, and died in Ohio, June 26. 1878. For 25 years he was the postmaster at Eden. In 1829 he was married to Maria Boyle, who was born at Alexandria. Virginia. April 3. 1803. She lived to the unusual age of 96 years, 45 of which had been spent in Eden. She was an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at this place. having brought her letter of admission from the church to which she belonged in her former home. Five sons and three daughters were born to Alex- ander Mckay and wife, but two of which children now survive-Hugh Boyle and Mrs. Mary Dutton. The five sons served in the Civil War, two of them meeting a soldier's death, namely: John, who died from wounds received in battle at Bolivar, Tennessee, and Alexander, who was instantly killed at the battle of Grand Coteau, Louisiana. The others were: Samuel Parker and James P .. both of whom died in Chicago; Keziah, who married Jacob Pettit, and died near Eden; and Elizabethi Calista, who died in infancy. in Pennsylvania.

Hugh Boyle Mckay was 13 years of age when he accompanied his parents to Dela- ware County, and he continued to live in Brown Township until he first enlisted for service in the Civil War. He entered Com- pany C. Twelfth Regiment. Illinois Volun-

teer Infantry, and after completing his first term of three months, he re-enlisted in the same company, at Cairo, Illinois, on the same day that he was mustered out. He took part in many of the notable battles of the war. was at the capture of Forts Henry and Donel- son and fought also at Pittsburg Landing. On the second day of the last mentioned bat- tle. April 7. 1862, Mr. Mckay was shot through the hand. Although his injury was a serious one, he continued in the service until the close of the war, becoming a member of the Veteran Corps and acting as a provost marshal guard. He was honorably dis- charged. in 1865, at Camp Chase. Columbus. He then went to the West, making the long trip across the plains, and shortly afterward began freighting from Leavenworth to New Mexico. For 14 years Mr. Mckay led almost as dangerous and adventurous a life as during the war, after which he returned to Ohio and settled down at Eden, acquiring the home płace.

After his return to Eden from the West, Mr. Mckay married Mrs. Millie Coyner, on November 29. 1888. Mrs. McKay was d widow and is a daughter of Ralph and Betsey Longwell, who came here as pioneers and took up Government land at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. MeKay had one son. Lloyd, who died at the age of two years. By her former marriage, Mrs. McKay had four children- Harry, Maud, Edward and Archie. Mr. Mc- Kay is a stanch Republican in politics. He is a member of the Grand Army Post at Delaware and of the Knights of Pythias Lodge at Eden.

J ACOB KRONINGER, a representative citizen of Delaware Township, where he is engaged in general farming and truck gardening on his 30-acre farm. was born in Delaware Township. Delaware County, Ohio, April 20, 1856. 1110 is a son of John and Elizabeth (Swartz) Kroninger.

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John Kroninger was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and there learned the trade of black- smith. On attaining his majority. he came to Delaware Township, and engaged in the blacksmith business north of the city of Dela- ware, but subsequently removed to Stratford, where he also carried on blacksmithing. His later years were spent in farming on the east side of the river, near Stratford. where his death occurred September 24, 1894. By his first marriage Mr. Kroninger had two sons, Peter and Hosea, and not long after his first wife's death he was married ( second ) to Elizabeth Swartz, by whom he had seven chil- dren, six of whom grew to maturity : James, of Shelby County, Illinois; George, who re- sides at Shepard; Alvesta, the widow of Milo . Graham; James and Daniel, who live in Shelby County, Illinois; and Katherine, the wife of Charles Grogan, of Delaware, Ohio. Mr. Kroninger's third marriage was to Mrs. Hannah Stickney, who was the widow of Hugh Stickney of Union County. The family were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church at . Delaware.

Jacob Kroninger remained on the home farin until eleven years of age, and when 18 years old returned thereto and managed it until his father's death. Since that time Mr. Kroninger has owned the farm, which con- sists of 30 acres, four or five acres of which he devotes to truck. He has over 400 apple trees. 100 peach trees, 25 pear trees, and also gives much attention to the raising of goose- berries, currants, strawberries and quinces. He raises from 200 to 300 chickens annually, and has been very successful in this industry.

On May 18, 1898, Mr. Kroninger was married to Mrs. Agnes Brahm, who is the widow of Jacob Brahm, and daughter of Thomas Luke, of Delaware Township. Three children have been born to them: Robert. Raymond and Carrie. By her former mar- riage Mrs. Kroninger had three children : George, Ethel and Lottie Brahim. Mr. and Mrs. Kroninger are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church at Stratford. In poli- tics, he is a Prohibitionist, but has never cared to hold public office.

AMES A. H. HARTER, a representa- tive agriculturist of Delaware County. Ohio, who cultivates a fine tract of 50 acres in Delaware Township, was born on Sugar Run, Delaware Town- ship, Delaware County, Ohio, October 21, 1843, and is a son of Henry and Catherine A. M. B. ( Mccutcheon ) Harter.

Andrew Harter, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, and was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. On arriv- ing in Delaware County he bought the farm which is now known as the Peter Weiser farm in Delaware Township. Failing to get a good deed for it, he lost his property, and then pur- chased what is known as the Otho Williams farm, where he lived and where his death took place in 1846, when he was ripe with years. He was the father of two children, James A. H. and Mary M. N., the latter of whom makes her home with her brother. About 18 months after her husband's death, Mrs. Harter settled on the farm on which James AA. H. Harter now lives, on which the only building at that time was a log cabin. The second year after com- ing here. Mrs. Harter erected the present resi- dence, and made many other improvements, including the building of fences and the plant- ing of fruit trees, and here her death occurred March 1, 1888.

James A. H. Harter secured his education in the common schools of Delaware Township. and was reared on the farm on which he has always lived. The property consists as above stated, of 50 acres. 40 of which are under cultivation, and Mr. Harter raises large crops of corn, oats, wheat and hay, feeding every- thing but wheat. He keeps from six to eight head of cattle and eight or ten of hogs. He is considered one of the good, practical farmers of Delaware Township, and as a man and a citizen is held in the highest esteem. In 1865 or '66 Mr. Harter began running a threshing machine, and ran it for about 34 years, without missing a season.

April 16, 1889, Mr. Harter was married to Rebecca Ann Fegley, who is the daughter of Henry Fegley of Delaware. Mr. and Mrs.

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Harter attend the Presbyterian Church, which they support liberally. The former's political affiliation is with the Republican party, but he has never been a politician.

OSEPH WILLIAMS SMART was long one of Scioto Township's most respected citizens. where he owned much property and lived a long and exemplary lite. He was born in Scioto Township. Delaware County. Ohio, August 17. 1842, and is a son of Isaac and Eliza ( Williams ) Smart. He died November 1. 1884. Isaac Smart was born on the site of the present city of Columbus and was a pioneer in Scioto Township. where he ac- quired a farm in what is called the North Wood. He built there a log house. wisely choosing a location near a spring of water, and engaged in farming all his subsequent life. He reared a large family.

Joseph Williams Smart was reared on his father's farm. When the Civil War was de- clared. he enlisted in 1801. entering Company K. Sixty-sixth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and remained in the service three years and nine months. He was a brave and capable soldier, firmly enduring the many hardships and facing the dangers incident to active mili- tary life. On two occasions he was wounded. first at Cedar Mountain, when some of his teeth were shot out, and second at Peach Tree Creek, when he received a wound in the hip.

In 1874 Mr. Smart was married to Mary Richey, who was born October 11. 1837. and who still survives. in perfect mental and physical health. She is a daughter of James Richey, a former teacher and a justice of the peace of Scioto Township. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Smart. four of whom grew to mature years, namely : . Wil- liam P .: Edith, who married Edward Slocum : James Richey, and Joseph Clay. all residing in Scioto Township. The late Joseph Williams Smart was a worthy member of the old Stone Presbyterian Church at South Radnor, and was one of its trustees. Mrs. Smart belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Ostrander.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 116

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926