USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 81
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MARTIN MILLER
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County, New Jersey, and is a son of Edward and Anna ( Washer ) Ousey.
Edward Ousey was born near Liverpool, England, where he resided until sixteen years of age, at which time he came to America and found employment in the iron mines of Sus- sex County, New Jersey, remaining thus em- ployed until 1851. In this year he came to Orange Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and began farming on his own account, being followed here by his wife and family the fol- lowing year. He was living at Westerville at the time of his death. Mr. Ousey was a stanch Republican in politics, and his patriotism was shown by his three years and nine months ser- vice in the Union army as a member of Com- pany D. Twentieth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil War. He was mar- ried to Anna Washer, whose father was a Revolutionary soldier and an old-time mail carrier in New Jersey. Of this union there were born six children, three of whom grew to ma- turity, namely : William H., who is now de- ceased: Susan, also deceased, who was the wife of William Lane, of Worthington, Ohio; and James, whose name appears at the head of this article.
James Ousey was educated in the common schools of Orange Township, and was work- ing on the home farm at the time the Civil War broke out. In January, 1864, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Company K. Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Heavy Ar- tillery, and joined his regiment at Munfords- ville, Kentucky, remaining with it until the close of the war, when he received his honor- able discharge. He then returned to the farm. on which he worked until 1876, and in this year became a railroad brakeman, being later promoted to conductor. A severe injury to his arm, which left it partially crippled. caused him to abandon railroading, and in May. 1884, he established himself in the livery business, in which he continued until 1888. In this year he sold out and purchased a farm in Henry County, still keeping his residence in Delaware, however, but this farm he soon sold and purchased his present property of 100 acres on the Radnor pike, just outside of the
corporation limits of Delaware. This he oper- ates as a grain and fruit faim, having 1.500 apple trees, 500 pear trees, 200 peach trees and 100 cherry trees. Mr. Ousey's fine two- story brick livery stable at Delaware was built by him in 1891, and he now keeps fourteen horses and boards many more.
Mr. Ousey was married to Catherine Lien- fenderfer, who came from Germany as a child with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Ousey are members of Zion Reformed Church of Dela- ware. Fraternally he is connected with Olen- tangy Lodge, No. 53, 1. O. O. F., of Dela- ware, and in politics he is a stanch Republi- can, although no office-seeker, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his busi- ness interests.
m ARTIN MILLER, vice-president of the First National Bank, at Dela- ware, is one of the city's astute financiers and most substantial citizens. He was born April 1. 1827. in Bavaria, Germany, and is one of a family of three children born to his parents. who were Adam and Cunigunde Miller. At the age of seven years he accompanied his parents to America. A short stop was made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they then moved to Wheeling. West Virginia, where they remained only a few months, thence going to Columbus, where also a few months only were spent, when the family moved to Delaware, in either 1834 or 1835. Flere the subject of this sketch took up his schooling. When about 12 years of age he began to learn the baker's trade with his brother Adam, who had learned the trade of baker and confectioner in Wheeling. For several years Mr. Miller worked at the trade. at the same time attending school. When Adam Miller went to California, the subject of this sketch took a partnership in the baker's business, and on Adam's return, Martin Mil- ler bought out his interests, and thereafter conducted the business alone, though in d different location. He succeeded and made
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profitable investments, and having accumu- lated much property, retired about 1882.
Mr. Miller was one of the first stockholders of the First National Bank, and in 1895 was elected its vice-president. He has been treas- urer of the Delaware Electric Light, Heu and Power Company since its organization, and has also other business interests. Mr. Miller was first married in 1847 to Miss Lydia Worline, by whom he had three children : Mary R., who is now the widow of Hon. E. F. Poppleton, formerly Congressman from this district; Frances, wife of James Naugh- ton, a merchant of Columbus, Ohio; and Wil- liam M .. who is single and resides at the parental home. Mrs. Lydia Miller died in 1875. and Mr. Miller was married second in 1880, to Mary E. Moran, a native of Lo- rain County, Ohio. The family residence is at No. 32 West Winter Street. Mr. Miller is a Democrat in politics, and in religion a Cath- olic.
army in large numbers; while the Scotch-Irish in the North withstood him. They drove the Irish from their borders and in Londonderry, their chief city, withstood the most determined siege in history. After one hundred and five (lays they were relieved by the arrival of the Orange fleet. Then ensued the sanguinary conflict between the forces of the two kings, known as the Battle of the Boyne. From this period dates the feud between the Roman Catholic Irish and the Orangemen the world over. Some time after this, tired of the per-
secution of both the Roman Catholic and the Established Churches, these more than Cove- nanters although well-to-do in their adopted country as manufacturers of linen-these peace-loving Scotch-Irish-began to emigrate to the American colonies, many of them set- tling in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massa- chusetts, and many in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It is related that such a thing as a Loyalist was unknown among the Scotch- Irish.
"During the Revolution many of them rose to places of distinction both in the army and in the Civil government. Of the twenty-four major-generals of the war, no less than half were Scotch-Irish. The religious fervor of these settlers, as well as their moraility, was noticeable. Yet a witty humor was also a prominent trait in their character. The lively and the sedate, the old and the young alike indulged in it and enjoyed it, and they took care not to miss any proper occasion for sport.
OEL W. DILL, general farmer, stock- raiser, and stock-feeder, of Radnor Township, where he owns a farm of 208 acres, is a representative citizen of this section. He was born in this township, March 8. 1853, and is a son of Au- gustus B. and Elizabeth ( Turney) Dill. To trace his ancestral line on either side, a back- ward glance at history is necessary, and we therefore yield the pen to a member of his fam- "It is unfortunate that we are unable to trace the ancestry of our family farther back than to the grandparents of the older genera- tion now living. The family came from the county of Londonderry, Ireland, to Nova Sco- tia, but the time cannot be definitely stated. ily who thus briefly sketches his antecedents : "Perhaps the annals of history do not fur- nish examples of greater heroism and bravery than the narrative of the siege of Boyne, Through the reigns of Charles II. and James Il. the lot of the Protestants was a painful "John Dill, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Nova Sco- tia about 1780. He married Sophia Beck- with, a native of Maine, and they emigrated to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1819. They had four sons born in Nova Scotia-David, John, Edward, and Augustus B., and three in Bal- timore-George Il., Joseph, and James. In one in Ireland, as well as in Scotland. The King countenanced the Roman Catholics in Ireland. while the Free Kirk people were op- pressed by both the English prelates and Irish papists. In the revolution of 1680. when James II. with his French allies, entered Ire- land and made a stand against William of Orange, the Roman Catholic army joined his |1829 they moved to Columbus, Ohio, and the
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following year to Mifflin Township, Franklin County, about six miles northeast from Co- lumbus to the farm, which they made their permanent home. John Dill had a very good education for his time and at once became a leading citizen of the community. lle was a good business man and prospered. He was one of the wealthy men of his neighborhood. owning at his death some 600 acres of land and money besides. He was very public-spir- ited and helped with money and influence every worthy enterprise. He was one of the projectors of the Columbus and Sandusky Turnpike, built in 1852, and its first treasurer. He was often called upon to settle the estates of his deceased neighbors, which work he performed with good judgment and fidelity. He died in 1860, aged eighty years, his wife having passed away the year previous.
"Augustus B. Dill was born on the paren- tal farm near Columbus, Ohio, and there re- mained until after his marriage to Elizabeth Turney, which occurred March 31. 1846. They immediately removed to the wildls of Mercer County, where he cleared the trees from the spot where he built their cabin. Be- coming dissatisfied there he sold his land- some 500 acres-and came back to Franklin County, and in 1848 to Delaware County. where he lived only a short time, for he died in 1855. at the early age of thirty-seven years. He was a man of great energy and good bus- iness faculties, and for the short time he lived he accomplished much. Having been gone so long, and those who knew him intimately hav- ing also passed away, we are unable to give much of his life story. lle had a good edu- cation, obtained in the schools of the early clays and by private study, and he had quite an extensive library, perhaps one of the largest in the township. He was a great reader and was well informed upon the topics of the day. He was an abolitionist and a Whig in poli- tics and was violently opposed to Knownoth- ingism, then one of the burning questions of the day. He was a man highly respected, and his early passing away was sincerely mourned by all who knew him. At the time of his death he owned 100 acres of land, having a
number of years previously purchased the farm now owned by his son Joel in Radnor Township, which at the time was heavily tim- bered. To this property his widow and sons added from time to time until at reached its present proportions.
"Augustus B. Dill and his wife Elizabeth were the parents of five sons-Wil- liam Augustus, John . Beckwith. David Turney. Joel Wesley, and Charles Wal- lace-and their history in brief is as fol- lows : William Augustus married Mary Elinor Farnum, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. L. Farnum. she of Prospect. died in 1887 at the age of thirty-two years. They had five children-Mary Elizabeth, Dill Augusta, Raymond, William Hoyt, and Walter Page. John Beckwith married Jennie Merchant, and died in 1889 aged forty years. His wife Jen- nie died in 1907. They had four daughters, of whom two died when young. the other two being Agnes, wife of Leonard Harmon of Prospect. and Jessie, wife of Charles Sauer, of Prospect. David Turney died in infancy as did Charles Wallace. Joel Wesley, whose name appears at the head of this article, re- sides in the old home in Radnor Township.
"Elizabeth Turney Dill was born in Mif- flin Township. Franklin County, Ohio, No- vember 18. 1818. She is a lineal descendant of a French Huguenot family, who were driven from France in the latter part of the Fifteenth Century by pipal persecution. a short time previous to the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV. Three broth- ers-Daniel, Peter, and Adam Turney-leav- ing a considerable property behind them. fled their native country and landed in Philadel- phia in 1668. Elizabeth Turney is a great granddaughter of Daniel Turney, the Hugue- not refugee.
"John Turney, grandfather, son of Daniel. removed to Hagerstown. Maryland, where he married Mary Grove. The fruit of this union was six children-Daniel. Adam, John Henry, Joseph, Susan ( Robinson ). Mary ( Hawkins ). Daniel married Susan Ridenour. (laughter of Mathias Ridenour and Catherine ( Fake) Ridenour, also of Huguenot family.
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These pioneers came to Ohio from Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, and settled first in Ross County, about 1806, and to Franklin County in' 1810. John Turney and Mathias Ridenour had each entered large tracts of land in Mifflin Township. Turney on Alum Creek, Ridenour on Big Walnut, where the village of Gehanna is now situated.
"Elizabeth Turney was married to Augus- tus B. Dill, March 31, 1846. She was the mother of five sons-Willam Augustus, John Beckwith, David Turney, Joel Wesley and Charles Wallace, of whom two died in infancy -David and Charles-and John B. in the prime of life eighteen years since. She leaves two sons-William A. and Joel Wesley, seven grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In 1848 they came to Delaware County, where she lived fifty-nine years on the same farm. None who came in contact with Elizabeth Turney Dill but felt at once the impress of the strong character she possessed. No de- scendant of the family more fully vindicated the purity of descent in her own clearly de- fined habits and strong decision of mind, from those sturdy French Huguenots who could leave home, country, and fortune under the bloody persecution of papal despotism, but could not surrender their freedom of con- science and the liberty to worship God in their own way. She was the last of a large family. namely: John, Jacob, Daniel, George R .. Daniel, Henry, Mary ( Dill), Susan ( Bell). Catherine ( Noble), and Phebe ( Noble). The force and positiveness of mind was joined with bodily strength which gave her a long life-eighty-eight years, nine months and twenty-eight days. She was a member of the church for over seventy years, first of the Presbyterian, later of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over fifty years. She was a sub- seriber and constant reader of the Western Christian Advocate, her church paper, for over fifty years. She was mother to all, and her works of charity and words of comfort were always ready for those most in need. Her heart was always open to the needy and her deeds of kindness are best known by those
she helped. She was thorough in religion. remarkably even in temperament, generous to a fault, always the same faithful friend to all who knew her. A trusted friend, valued coun- selor, wise and prudent in her advice, con- stant in her affections. Her good ancestry showed through all her life-a life that makes the actions of the just smell sweet and blossom in the dust. At life's sunset, in the shadows of the day's decline, she stood looking back at the graves of her household, where the little children were put away with white hands folded. How the older ones followed the friends we best loved cut down in the prime of life, while standing on the brow of the hill with bright eyes looking to a happy future. But for all this silence is the most expressive language. We feel more than words can ex- press while writing this brief sketch of the mother who had been more to us than all else, and whose light shines brighter in the Eternal (lay."
In their early married life the parents were members of the Presbyterian Church, but 'in. later years Mrs. Dill united with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.
Joel W. Dill acquired his education in the district schools and at his mother's hands re- ceived a careful and judicious training. His whole life has been passed on the home farm. and every part of it possesses more than a money value to him on this account. He de- votes thirty-five acres of his land to corn, from thirty to thirty-five to wheat, and thirty-five to hay. The remainder is mainly given over to pasturage, as he raises and deals largely in stock. His comfortable home-a two-story brick residence of six rooms-was built by his father in 1850, who then possessed the finest house in the township. The other farm build- ings were erected about the same time. Mr. Dill is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Prospect, and of Deurwood Lodge, No. 153. K. of P., also of Prospect. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Prospect and is a member of its official body. He is known to all as a public-spirited and conscientious citizen.
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HESLEY WORNSTAFF. a mem- ber of the firm of Sperry & Worn- staff. proprietors of the Bank of Ashley, has been a life-long resident of Delaware County and is descended on both sides from old established families of this county. He was born on a farm west of Ashley, in Oxford Township, and is a son of Lewis and Sally Ann ( Bartholomew ) Worn- staff. His grandfather, Daniel Wornstaff. was the first of the family to locate in this county. Ile was a native of Pennsylvania and at an early date removed to Ross County, Ohio, and came to Delaware County in 1829. He bought a farm of about 100 acres on the west branch of the Whetstone River, and erected a log cabin. Here he lived the life of a hardy farmer and converted his farm from a wilderness into tillable land, remaining there until his death.
Lewis Wornstaff, father of Chesley, was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1822, and was seven years of age when brought by his par- ents to Delaware County. He grew up on the old home place and then purchased a tract of about fifty acres of unimproved land in Ox- ford Township. He first erected a cabin of poles and it was in this the subject of this sketch was born. He subsequently built a log cabin and finally a frame house which stands on the farm now owned by his younger son. He remained on the farm until his death July 26, 1890, aged sixty-eight years, and at that time he owned about 300 acres of land. He married Sally Ann Bartholomew, who was born in Liberty Township, in 1829, and at the present time resides with her son Sperry, at Ashley. Her father, Milton Bar- tholomew, came from the New England States to Delaware County at about the same time the Wornstaffs came. He moved from Lib- erty Township, where he first located, to Ox- ford Township, where his death occurred. Three children were born to Lewis Wornstaff and wife: Chesley; a child that died in in- fancy, and Sperry, who owns and resides on the old home place.
Chesley Wornstaff was reared and re- mained on the home farm until twenty-five. years old, in the meantime attending the dis-
triet schools and also the schools of .Ashley. He bought a farm of seventy-eight acres known as the Eckles farm, one and one-fourth miles southeast of Ashley. and has always been very successful, having increased his holdings until he has 260 acres in his home farm, and 110 acres in Peru Township, Morrow County. In 1884, in part- nership with his brother-in-law. C. F. Sherry, he established the Bank of Ashley, with which he has since been identified, but did not move into town until 1888. He still oversees the work on the farm, owns a fine brick home here and has other property.
Mr. Wornstaff was married November 9. 1870, to Mary Ella Sperry, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, and is a sister of C. F. Sperry. This union resulted in the birth of one son, Albertus, who was bookkeeper in the Bank of Ashley at the time of his death, March 22, 1903, aged twenty-six years. . 1 mute from birth, he was of exceptional bright- ness and possessed educational attainments. He was a graduate of the State Institution at Columbus, and a graduate at Gallaudet Col- lege. Washington, D. C., and his early death. amid bright prospects, was a sad loss to his devoted parents. Albertus Wornstaff married Laverna Carr. Mr. Wornstaff is a Republican in politics, but has never taken an active part in political affairs.
ILTON LIGGETT, now a highly esteemed retired citizen of Scioto Township, has long been one of its most substantial and progres- sive men. He was born on the farm on which he lives, in Delaware County, Ohio. August 28. 1835, and is a son of Joab and Mary ( Carr ) Liggett.
Joab Liggett was born in 1806, in Hardy County, now West Virginia, and was a child when his parents. James and Susan (Carr) Liggett, came to Delaware County, Ohio, and settled south of the present town of Ostrander. James Liggett was born in Virginia in 1779 and died in 1864. His wife was born in 1782
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and died in 1856. James Liggett, Solomon Carr and George Bean purchased 600 acres of land when they came to Delaware County, and a large part of Ostrander stands on land that once belonged to the Liggett heirs. James Liggett served in the War of 1812. His children were: Job, Joab, Abner. Absolom. William, Amelia, Susan, James, Conrad and Gideon. The mother of the above family was a devoted member of the Christian Church.
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Joab Liggett was a successful farmer and representative citizen. At the time of death he owned 256 acres. He served as trustee of Concord Township, which then included a part of the present territory of Scioto Town- ship. Ile married a daughter of Solomon Carr, and they had the following children : Sarah Jane, now deceased, who married Ham- ilton W. Rittenhouse: Milton. subject of this sketch: Henry, Joseph and Priscilla, all now deceased : and Mary, who married Dr. D. C. Fay. residing at Ostrander. The maternal grandparents of the above family. Solomon and Priscilla ( Bean) Carr, were natives of Virginia. The Carrs were members of the Baptist Church.
Milton Liggett attended the district schools during boyhood when work on the farm did not press too heavily, for at that time the present well-cultivated acres belong- ing to Mr. Liggett were in many parts still covered with native timber, and he assisted in clearing and developing the place. Ile recalls when the busy town of Ostrander was a belt of woodland. Mr. Liggett owns 200 acres of fine land. on which he formerly raised grain and livestock, but for some years he has rented ofit both of his farms.
On July 3. 1856. Mr. Liggett was married to Ann Carr, who died February 9. 1907. hav- ing been born in Scioto Township April 25. 1845. a daughter of Gideon A. Carr. They had two children, Maretta A. and William. The former, now deceased, was the wife of Milo Howey. She left two children: Wil liam Earl and Clyde L. William rents one of his father's farms. He married Anna Mc- Kirgin, and they have two children, Olgy and Frank.
For a period covering thirty-six years Mr. Liggett has been a Mason, entering the fra- ternity at Marysville and demitting from Pal- estine Lodge, No. 158. to Ostrander Lodge. No. 594, of which he is one of the surviving charter members. He has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1857. his late wife having also been connected with this religious body, in which she was an active worker. Mr. Liggett killed the last deer that was found in this section, and can remember when it was no rare sight to see a herd of them.
G. LYBRAND, president of the Del- R aware Chair Company, at Delaware, ranks with the city's able business men and is identified with a number of the prospering enterprises of this section. He was born in Pickaway County. Ohio, in 1845. and accompanied his parents to Delaware in 1857, where he attended school until about 19 years of age.
In 1864, Mr. Lybrand enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company G, Eighty-fourth Regiment, O. V. I., and three months later was elected captain of Company 1). One Hundred and Ninety-second Regi- ment, (). V. I .. and served as such until the close of the Rebellion. He participated in the Shenandoah Valley cam- paign, and received an honorable discharge at Winchester, Virginia. At this time his father was engaged in a stove and hardware basi- ness at Delaware, and Mr. Lybrand was asso- ciated with him until 1870, when the Dela- ware Chair Company was organized, the first president of the company being Samuel Ly- brand. The present officers are : R. G. Lybrand. president and treasurer; A. Lybrand, vice- president and secretary. In 1885 the com- pany was incorporated with $150,000 capital stock. The business is the manufacturing of all kinds of chairs and is a very large and im- portant industry of Delaware. Other con- cerns with which Mr. Lybrand is connected are. the Deposit Banking Company, of which he is a director, and the People's Building and
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Loan Company, of which he is vice-president and a member of the directing board.
In 1870. Mr. Lybrand was married to Mary K. Hurlbutt, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, and they have three children: Mary 11 .. who is the widow of Louis Welch; Blanche, who is the wife of George N. Bates, of New Lon- don, Connecticut ; and Robert H., residing at home. The family belong to the Episcopal Church.
Politically. Mr. Lybrand is a Republican, and served two years as a member of the City Council. Fraternally he belongs to the Blue Lodge. A. &. F. M .. and to the Chapter and Council, at Delaware, and the Commandery at Marion. He is a member of the Loyal Legion and of G. B. Torrence Post, G. A. R.
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