USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 84
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After his return to Ohio he resumed work for the Lake Shore Railroad, receiving $60 a month, and he continued thus occupied for some years. In 1857 he purchased a farm in Lorain County, Ohio, which he subsequently sold. buying other property. In 1858 he went to Cleveland and became fireman on the Lake Shore road. After his second marrage in the following year, he moved with his wife to Lewis Center, and in the spring of 1860, for a short time, resided in Delaware, but in the same year he returned to Lewis Center, near which he bought a farm of eighty acres. dur- ing all this time retaining his position on the railroad. At the beginning of the Civil War he worked a large force of men, engaged in purchasing land and chopping wood. In 1870 he returned to Delaware and became road- master between this city and Cincinnati, a po- sition he filled until 1892. later taking in the Columbus division from Columbus to Cleve- land. and in October of this year filling the office of superintendent of stone quarries. Mr. Potter then went to Indianapolis and accepted
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the position of roadmaster on the Big Four Railroad, from Lafayette to Indianapolis. where he continued for eleven months, going thence to Desoto, Missouri, where he was roadmaster from St. Louis to Poplar Bluff and all branches, a position he retained until 1902. He took charge of the Bontair Rail- road in Missouri, where he remained one year and was made roadmaster of the Cotton Belt Railroad from Greenway to Pine Bluff. This road he left in 1905. His last railroad employ- ment was as roadmaster of the Magnetic Springs Railroad, from which he retired in November, 1907. Few railroad men are bet- ter known or more kindly remembered by their associates than Mr. Potter.
In 1851. Mr. Potter was married ( first) to Catherine Burns, who was a daughter of Pat- rick and Elizabeth Burns, of Brownhelm, Lorain County, Ohio. They had one son. George N., who died at the age of five years, his death being followed four months later by that of his mother. Mr. Potter was mar- ried secondly, in 1859, to Emily Moran, who is a daughter of Francis and Emily ( Baldwin) Moran. Mr. Moran was born in Ireland and his wife in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, removing at the age of nine years to Lorain County. Of Mr. Potter's second union there have been four sons and one daughter, namely: George F., Mary E., Francis C., William J. and Ed- ward S.
George F. Potter has been supervisor of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad between C'in- cinnati and Columbus for the past twenty years. Hle married Mary Breen, a daughter of Thomas and Ellen Breen, of Marion, Ohio, and they have children-Emily N .. Helen C., Mary, Alice, George F., Dorothy and Mar- garet. Mary E. Potter married Joseph D. Teasdale, and they reside at Kansas City, Mis- souri, Mr. Teasdale being division superin- tendent of the Kansas City Street Railway. lle has one child. William Bernard. Francis C. Potter died in 1887. He was chief clerk in the roadmaster's office at Delaware. Wil- liam J. Potter is an engineer on the Big Four Railroad running between Delaware and Cin- cinnati. He married Josie Sullivan, who died
in 1907. She was a daughter of Michael and Mary Sullivan, residents of Delaware. Mrs. William J. Potter left five children-Marie Frances, Christina. Ellen, Edward and James. Edward S. Potter died March 4. 1894, in Missouri, while in his father's employ. he being a collector for the Baltimore & Ohio and the Big Four Railroads.
Mr. and Mrs. Potter are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Delaware. Mrs. Potter was educated at the Ursuline Convent at Cleveland. In 1873 Mr. Potter erected The Children's Home, where he resided for thir- teen years. He sold this beautiful property in 1885. In politics he is a Democrat, but when he was a candidate for the Board of Public Service at Delaware. he had no difficulty in overcoming a normal Republican majority of from 400 to 450 votes. His fellow-citizens. irrespective of party, hold him in high esteem.
J ACOB M. SCHAFFNER, formerly sheriff of Delaware County, and a public official of recognized worth, re- sides on his well-improved farm of twenty-seven acres, which is situated in Troy Township. Mr. Schaffner was born in this township. August 7, 1866, and is a son of John and Mary ( Bowers ) Schaffner.
The father of Mr. Schaffner was born in Switzerland and emigrated to America in 1854. locating in Troy Township, Delaware County, Ohio, in 1856, where his death took place in 1905. He was twice married and his first wife died in 1871 and his second wife in 1904. Seven children of both marriages survive, namely: John H., residing in Troy Township: Barbara L., who married S. R. Eckels, postmaster at Ashley, Ohio; Ida M .. who married Isaac W. Kelehner, of Delaware. Ohio: Jacob M., subject of this sketch ; Carrie D., who married E. L. Jolly, residing in Troy Township: Clara B., residing in Troy Town- ship and Clarence E., residing at Troyton, Ohio, where he is engaged in a mercantile business. The late John Schaffner was a well known and much respected citizen of Troy
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Township, of which he served as trustee for a number of years. In politics he was a Den- ocrat. He belonged to the Reformed Church.
Jacob M. Schaffner was reared in Troy Township and obtained his education in the public schools. He assisted in the work on the home farm and also taught music for several years. From the age of maturity he has taken an active interest in politics, being a zealous Democrat, and in November, 1898, he was elected sheriff of Delaware County, and gave so excellent an administration of the office that in November, 1900, he was re-elected, being the first Democrat in Delaware County, who was ever elected to this office for two consecu- tive terms. For four succeeding years he per- formed the onerous duties of sheriff with the courage and impartiality that ensured him the support and confidence of all law-abiding citi- zens.
Mr. Schaffner was married March 19, 1896, to Louie M. Downing, who was born in Troy Township, and is a daughter of Oliver and Margaret Downing, of Delaware County. Mr. Schaffner is a member of Lenape Lodge, No. 29, Knights of Pythias.
AMUEL B. MYERS, who was elect- ed in 1907. for the third time, a jus- tice of the peace in Ostrander, was born in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio, November 30. 1850. and is a son of Christian and Hannah (Gra- ham) Myers. The grandfather of Mr. Myers reared his family in Pennsylvania. and when his son Christian was small he left home to fight the Indians and never returned.
Christian Myers was born in 1809. and he accompanied his mother when she came to Mill Creek Township. Union County, Ohio, where she subsequently married Asa Robin- son. Christian remained on his ster-father's farm until his marriage, when he bought the farm which his son Samuel B. still owns but does not operate himself. Although entirely self-educated. Christian Myers was'a man of much importance in his community and com- manded the respect of his fellow citizens. He
was a justice of the peace for many years and was associate judge for some time. His ac- tivities were designed to promote the general welfare and to raise his community to a higher plane. He was particularly active in the Chris- tian Church and often occupied its pulpit. his exemplary life making his appeals listened to with a large measure of resultant good. He died in March, 186t, his loss being deeply re- gretted throughout the community. His wife, Hannah, who was born in the State of New York, was a daughter of George Graham, a native of England.
Samuel B. Myers was the youngest of his parent's family of twelve children and is now the only survivor. He was reared and edu- cated in his native township and remained on the home farm until the fall of 1887, when he came to Ostrander, which thriving town has been his home ever since. He has been largely interested in lumbering, and at one time owned a saw mill. He buys standing timber and manufactures lumber, which he ships to all sections. He was early enlisted into the ranks of the Democratic party, and has always taken an interest in public matters. lle has served for twelve years as a member of the Town Council and has been township assessor.
In 1872, Mr. Myers was married to Mary .A. Bean, who was born in Scioto Township. Delaware County, and is a daughter of Hiram Bean, and a granddaughter of George Bean. who came to this section with. James Liggett. and Solomon Carr, in 1817, from Hardy County, Virginia. These three pioneers to- gether bought 600 acres of land in Scioto Township, which was later amicably divided. George Bean had 200 acres, and he carried on farming and stockraising, becoming a man of prominence in his locality, and being foremost in promoting the civilizing agencies of the time. He married Susie Carr and they had seven children, of whom Hiram was the third in order of birth.
Hiram Bean was born in Scioto Town- ship and lived on the home place until 1860. when he moved to the north of Ostrander and bought an interest in the Lawrence place. He died in 1864. aged forty-seven years. He mar-
34
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ried (first ) a daughter of \bel Tanner, who died in 1845. leaving three children-George H., residing in California, Mrs. Julia Cowles, and Jesse. He married ( secondly ) Eleanor Lawrence, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Cochran) Lawrence. Van Emmon, a resi- dent of California, and Mrs. Myers are the survivors of their three children.
Mr. and Mrs. Myers have had six chil- dren, the three who survive being the follow- ing: May, who married Joseph T. Richey, of Dover Township. Union County, Ohio: Flor- ence, who married George Lowe, of Leesburg. Union County : and Dana, residing at home. Mrs. Myers is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Myers' fraternal connections include membership in Edinburg Lodge, No. 467. Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; and Os- trander Lodge, No. 348. Knights of Pythias. of which he is past chancellor. Mrs. Myers is a member of the auxiliary order of Rebek- ahs. 'in which she has held official position.
OHN POWELL, who for many years of his long and useful life occupied a prominent place among Radnor's re- liable and substantial citizens, was born in the county of Llanafan. Breconshire, Wales, May 21, 1830, son of Rob- ert and Ann ( Williams ) Powell. The father. Robert Powell, emigrated with his family to America about 1845, and spent almost the en- tire period of his life, after coming to Dela- ware County, Ohio, in Radnor. He married in Wales, Ann Williams, and he and his wife were the parents of two children-Margaret and John, both of whom are now deceased.
John Powell was fifteen years old when he accompanied his father to America. He at- tended the Ohio Wesleyan Seminary, after which he engaged in a hardware business at Newark, where he resided for some years. He then came to Radnor, where he opened a general store, which he conducted for thirty- five years thereafter, and also for several year- of that time carried on an undertaking
business. He also acquired 300 acres of land and engaged extensively in sheep raising. 600 head being no unusual number for him to have in his possession at one time.
In 1872 he was married to Sarah Jane Watkins, who was born in Radnor, July 24. 1846, and who is a daughter of William and Mary ( Jones ) Watkins, and a granddaughter of Evan and Margaret ( Davis) Watkins. The grandfather. Evan Watkins, never came to America, but his widow and children all set- tled in Radnor, Delaware County, the first of the family to locate here being William Wat- kins. Mrs. Powell's father. The grandmother. Mrs. Margaret Davis Watkins, built a small log house, and her sons acquired and cleared land.
Mr. and Mrs. John Powell had five chil- dren, four of whom now survive, namely : William Robert, a well known architect, and a graduate of Columbia University, who spent two years studying in Europe; John Watkins. who was educated at Oberlin College and the State University at Columbus, and who oper- ates the home farm, growing grain and hay : David H. and Edwin K., residing at home, the former of whom was educated at Culver Mili- tary Academy and the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity.
Mr. Powell died June 15. 1902. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge at Delaware. and in politics a Republican. For many years he was a director of the Delaware Savings Bank. He was very strict in religious observ- ance and in early life united with the Congre- gational Church. his wife being a member of the Presbyterian Church. He took an active part in church work and for twenty-five years was superintendent of the Sunday school.
AMUEL M. CLEAVER, who has been more or less identified with the sheep industry since boyhood and is probably one of the best informed men on the subject in the country, is also the able secretary of the American and Delaine-Merino Sheep Association, and re-
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sides on a beautiful farm of 128 acres, known as the "Maplewood Stock Farm," which is situated on the Columbus, Delaware and Mar- ion electric line, just south of the city of Dela- ware. Mr. Cleaver was born at East Bethile- hem, Washington County, Pennsylvania. April IS. 1851, and is a son of Amos G. and Amelia ( Morris ) Cleaver.
The Cleaver family to which he belongs originated in Wales and in religions faith were Quakers. John Cleaver, the grandfather, was born near Philadelphia, and later moved to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he became a wealthy farmer and stock breeder. He married Annie Vail and they had the fol- lowing children : Amos G., father of Samuel M .: Eli, now deceased, who was formerly a member of the Ohio State Legislature; Dr. Hiram M., deceased, who was an instructor in a medical college at Keokuk, Iowa; Bent- ley, also deceased, who resided at Wapello. iowa: and John Ira, who resides at Center- ville, Pennsylvania.
Amos G. Cleaver was born in Washing- ton County, Pennsylvania, and died in 1897. aged eighty-four years. As soon as his boy- hood days were over, he began to breed sheep, and in 1858 he bought his first fullbred Merino sheep in Vermont, although he had been en- gaged in the sheep breeding industry for sev- eral years previous. He was a man of sterl- ing qualities, and public offices were frequently tendered him, but he cared little for such honors. He belonged to the Society of Friends and lived faithful to their precepts. He mar- ried Amelia Morris, who died in 1905. aged eighty-six years. She was a daughter of Sam- uel Morris. They reared seven children. namely: Lewis M .. Mrs. Annie Jones. Hiram T .. William H., Mrs. Elizabeth Linton, Sam- uel M. and John, all residing at Centerville. except Samuel M. and Lewis M., the last men- tioned being a resident of Orlando, Florida.
Samuel M. Cleaver was a small boy when he was first set to the task of tending sheep. When he was four years old his father pre- sented him with a sheep of his own, and he has owned sheep ever since that early date in his life. He attended school at Centerville but
liked better to be a shepherd than a student of books. This early and continued interest in the subject resulted in his becoming thor- oughly posted on everything concerning the care, breeding, and raising of sheep. He re- mained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, and until he was of age he as- sisted his father, after which he had an inter- est in the home flock. In 1876 he started out for himself on a farm adjoining the home- stead, with a thoroughbred flock made up of the best blood to be found in the New Eng- land States. He has continued that class of breeding ever since. In 1879 he became a member of the Vermont Sheep Breeders' As- sociation and later he registered a portion of his flock in the United States Sheep Breeders' Association.
In 1889, Mr. Cleaver assisted to organize the Standard Sheep Breeders' Association and for 16 years subsequently served as its able secretary. lle then helped to organize the Consolidated Association of Merino Breeders. which was made up of the several associations in the United States, at which time ( 1905) he was elected secretary to this body. In March of the above named year, he bought his pres- ent farm of 126 acres, all of which he devotes to his sheep, keeping an average of 150 head at all times. He buys several times as many as he can raise but deals only in the offspring of sheep which he has raised himself. He owns some of the most noted rams in the country, Gold Standard, Fortune, Improver and Oil King having a great reputation with breeds, in all sections. Formerly he exhibited extensively both in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but no longer goes to that trouble. Then he sold to nearly all the exhibitors, while now his best trade is only with the owners of the finest flocks. He is always looking for un- usually finely developed rams and when he heard of the phenomenal American Model, he purchased him and from his mating with equally fine ewes, produced a strain that has helped to make Maplewood Stock Farm still more favorably known than formerly. Dela- ware County may be congratulated on having so competent a sheep breeder, and so useful a
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citizen as Mr. Cleaver. For forty years he successfully developed the sheep industry in his native State, and his efforts have already proven of the greatest benefit to sheep farmers in Delaware County.
Mr. Cleaver married Ella Curry, who was a daughter of Thomas Curry, of Washington County, Pennsylvania, and they had one son. Frank W., residing at Centerville. Mrs. Cleaver died in 1895. She was a devoted member of the Christian Church. Mr. Cleaver married for his second wife. Mrs. Mina Farquhar, who is a daughter of William Keenan of Monongahela City. Pennsylvania. Of this union there is one child, Elizabeth. Mrs. Cleaver was the widow of the late Dr. Charles Farquhar, who left two children-William and Blanche. Mr. and Mrs. Cleaver are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church.
6 UY ERNEST DIESAVER. promi- nent citizen and general farmer, re- siding on his valuable farm in Thompson Township, was born 'u Delaware County, Ohio, May 30. 1867, and is a son of Simon and Kate ( Irv- ing ) Dilsaver.
The first members of the Dilsaver family to come from Pennsylvania to Delaware County were William H. Dilsaver and his brother, the former then in boyhood. He was born July 5, 1814, and died May 28. 1901. He was reared in Ohio and married Sarah Dil- saver, who was born February 4. 1816, and (lied August 30, 1896. They had four chil- dren : Lavina, who married William Wiles. died in Michigan: Jane, who lives in Michi- gan, is the widow of Louis Gearhart, formerly of Virginia; Simon, father of Guy Ernest Dilsaver: and Martha, who is the wife of Benson Smith, residing in Michigan. Simon Dilsaver was born in Thompson Township. Delaware County, Ohio, in 1842, and has been a life-long resident of this township. He mar- ried Kate Irving, who was born in 1841, in Liberty Township, near Powell. Ohio, and is
a daughter of William and Eliza ( Rhodes ) Irving, who lived in Delaware and Union Counties. To this union was born one son. Guy Ernest.
Gny Ernest Dilsaver was reared on his fa- ther's farm of 135 acres, which is a part of the old homestead property on which William H. Dilsaver settled. Very little change has been brought about during the lifetime of Mr. Dit- saver, his parents having lived all their mar- ried life in the same residence and even the cook-stove has not been moved for forty years. Mr. Dilsaver was mainly educated in the schools of Thompson Township and his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits. For seven years following his marriage he resided on his father 's farm and then moved to his present farm which he purchased from Jane Pitcher, and here he has engaged in general farming. He has an excellent farm and has placed it under a fine state of cultivation.
In December, 1887, Mr. Dilsaver married Alice Manuel, who was reared in Union County. Ohio, and is a daughter of .A. J. and Sarah ( Franklin ) Manuel. The father of Mrs. Dilsaver was born in Virginia and her mother in Scioto Township. Delaware County. Ohio. Both are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Dil- saver have three children: Paul Irving, Clif- ford and Burr. Paul Irving was born June 10. 1889. and died August 7. 1905. aged six- teen years, one month and twenty-eight days. Despite his youth he had attained to the stature of a full-grown man, at the time of his death being six feet, two inches in height. Clifford. born May 27, 1895, and Burr, born December 20, 1901, are both attending school.
Mr. Dilsaver has been identified with the Republican party ever since the first election of the late President Mckinley and he has taken a very active interest in public matters and works loyally for his friends in the vari- ons campaigns. For a period of eighteen months he served as a justice of the peace and on numerous occasions he has attended county and Congressional conventions as a delegate. recently being a member of the convention that cast 1.591 votes for Delaware County.
JAMES B. HODGES
MRS. MARY H. HODGES
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AMIES B. HODGES, who is the owner of nearly 400 acres of farming land in Radnor Township, Delaware County, is a progressive and publie-spirited citizen, and a veteran of the great Civil war, in which he participated for over three years. He was born near Delaware, Ohio. Feb. 7. 1844, and is a son of Nathaniel W. and Sallie A. ( Underhill) Hodges.
Nathaniel W. Hodges was born in Massa- chusetts, and came to Delaware County, Ohio. at an early day, being one of the pioneer set- tlers in the vicinity of Delaware. During the gold excitement of 1849, Mr. Hodges went to California by the overland route, and there fol- lowed blacksmithing in the mining district for eighteen months. On his return he engaged in agriculture, which he followed for the rest of his active period. His death took place in Delaware. He held the office of trustee for a number of years in Radnor Township.
James B. Hodges was reared to manhood in Delaware County, and acquired his educa- tion in the schools of Radnor Township. On November 18. 1861. he enlisted in Company E. Sixty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, which was first connected with the Eastern Army and was later transferred to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Hodges participated in all the movements of his regi- ment until the battle of Port Republic, where he was wounded and captured by the Confed- erates. by whom he was held prisoner at var- ious points for three months. At the end of this time he was duly exchanged and rejoined his regiment. becoming brigade orderly. a rank in which he served during the rest of his term of enlistment. During his long and ac- tive service Mr. Hodges won the esteem of his comrades, and the respect of his officers, by his bravery, cheerfulness, and faithfulness to the cause, and his war record was one of which any man might well be proud. On receiving his honorable discharge, he returned to Rad- nor Township, where he has since carried on agricultural pursuits.
, Mr. Hodges was married to Mary G. Howison, who was born in Radnor Township. and to them four children were born-Clar-
ence O., Homer H .. Orrie J. and Watterman M. Clarence O. married Lelia Sullivan, of Union County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Avanelle E. He resides in Radnor Township on one of his father's farms. Homer HI. took for his wife Nella V. Rosencrans of Kankakee, Illinois. They have one son, Wil- bur R. This family resides in Columbus, where Homer H. is employed on the Columbus Dis- patch, being at the head of the classified de- partment of advertising. Mr. Hodges is a popular comrade of the Grand Army Post and Union Veteran League, both of Delaware. He is a Republican in politics. With his wife he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church of Warrensburg, Ohio, where he is now serving in the capacity of trustee.
HARLES CRYDER, who is now serving in his third term as trustee of Scioto Township, earries on gen- eral farming and stockraising on his well-improved property which con- sists of 156 acres. Mr. Cryder was born April 28, 1863. in Scioto Township, Delaware County Ohio, and is a son of John M. and Mary ( McClure ) Cryder.
The Cryder family can be traced back to 1710, when John Jacob Cryder (or Kreider ) fled from Switzerland to Wurtemburg. Ger- many, on account of religious persecution, and subsequently-about 1716-sailed from Rot- terdam for America, reaching Lancaster County as one of the earliest settlers. His grandson. Michael Cryder, was born at Lan- caster, in July, 1742 and was a son of John Jacob Cryder, Jr. Michael Cryder married first Susan Carpenter and they had three sons and three daughters, namely : Israel, John. Dan- iel, Mary, Susan and Elizabeth. For his second wife he married Salome Carpenter and they had five children. In 1771, Michael Cryder moved to Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. where he acquired a large tract of land. When the Revolutionary War broke out, he was ap- pointed a commissary officer and for the sup- plies he furnished to the soldiers, he accepted
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