USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 89
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ICERO T. CARSON was born on the farm on which he now resides, in Concord Township. Delaware County, Ohio, February 23. 1837. He is a son of William and Eliza (Thompson) Carson, and a grandson of Samuel and Abigail (Black ) Carson.
The Carsons came to Delaware County among the pioneers and Samuel Carson ac- quired a large body of land in Ohio, amount- ing to about 1,200 acres. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died December 25. 1834, in his sixty-second year. He married Abigail Black, who died March 22, 1838, in her fifty-sixth year. William Carson, the father of Cicero T., was born in March, 1802. before the family left Pennsylvania, and he died in Delaware County, Ohio, May o. 1873, in his seventy-second year. He was the eldest born of a family of five sons and two daughters, the others being: Mary, who remained unmar- ried: Samuel, who went to California in 1849, was killed in Oregon, by the Indians; John B .. who married Jane Carson, of Chillicothe, moved to MeLean County, Illinois, where he died: James, who married Isabella Johnson. moved to the vicinity of Topeka, Kansas,
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where he died : Joseph M .. who married Anna Mary Isenberg, died in Delaware County ; and Nancy Jane, who never married. All men- bers of the above family have passed out of life
William Carson was a small boy when his parents came to Ohio and settled first at Chilli- cothe, in Ross County. He was 19 years of age when his father settled on the east bank of the Scioto River, opposite to the present State institution, the Girls Industrial School. When William Carson married he brought his bride to the house in which they thereafter lived and where their children were all born. They were six in number, two of whom died in infancy. Cicero T. was the second born in the family and the others who survived were: Joan Abigail. Mary E. and William W. Joan Abigail was married (first ) to Thomas B. Johnson and accompanied him to the South, where he died prior to the Civil War. She returned to Delaware County and was married ( second) to John H. Shearer, who was then the editor of the Marysville Tribune, to which his son, John Shearer suc- ceeded. Mary E. Carson was married ( first ) to Edward Goddard, of Lexington. McLean County, Illinois, and (second ) to Dr. James Southard, of Marysville, and is the widow of the latter. She resides on Oak Street. Co- hmmmbus, Ohio. William W. Carson married Rebecca Chenoweth, and he is survived by his widow and one son and three daughters. The son conducts the Hocking grocery store at Delaware.
Cicero T. Carson attended school at Dela- ware. Ohio. until he was 14 years of age. and when 17, he went to Memphis, Tennes- see, and subsequently took a business course at the Male High School, in Germantown. Shelby County, Tennessee. He rentained in that State for two years and then returned to the North and became bookkeeper in the Marysville Bank. After a business experience of two years he spent one year in the uni- versity at Delaware. In 1860 he went as far west as Atchison. Kansas, where he was en- gaged in teaching school when the Civil War broke out. Ile remained there for two years.
during this period having enjoyed the privilege of casting his vote in favor of the admission of Kansas as a State of the Union, and voted for Abraham Lincoln, which was his first vote, and then returned to Ohio and took up his residence on the farm where he now lives. After his return he entered the Federal Army, enlisting in Company K. One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, with the rank of sergeant. This regi- ment was stationed at Fort Tillinghast and witnessed the first work done on Arlington Heights, in preparing the beautiful grounds for a sacred resting-place for the Nation's slain. He remained in the service until the close of the war and was honorably discharged at Camp Chase, at Columbus.
On December 24, 1874. Mr. Carson was married to Carrie Yeend, who died March 2, 1900. She was a most estimable lady, one whose many personal attributes endeared her to all who knew her. She was born at Chelten- ham. England, and was a daughter of John R. and Mary (Swain) Yeend. When she was seven years of age, her parents came to America and settled in Geanga County, Ohio, where she was reared and educated. She was appointed the first matron of the Girls' In- dustrial Home, and she continued in that po- sition for five years. Having no children of their own, Mr. and Mrs. Carson adopted an orphan babe, Minnie C., when she was but three days old, whom they reared to happy womanhood. She subsequently married Elijan Howard and they have one daughter. Carrie Lillian.
Mr. Carson has been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits ever since his marriage. Shortly after that event he purchased a farm of almost 300 acres, in Delaware County, on which he resided for over 20 years, but sold that property in 1903, and then moved back to the old homestead, where he still continues to farm, in association with his son-in-law, Elijah Howard.
The Springview Methodist Episcopal Church, in Concord Township, was named by Mr. and Mrs. Carson, it being chosen on ac- count of its proximity to the White Sulphur
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Springs. During the years following its founding Mrs. Carson was a very active mem- ber and she and Mr. Carson started the Sun- day school which was the real beginning of the church which was later erected. Mr. Car- son remains one of the church trustees. Both he and his wife were interested in the Liberty Grange. Patrons of Husbandry, and assisted its early efforts very materially. Mr. Carson takes no active part in political campaigns.
OWAARD CLIFTON CRANE, M. D., who has been continuously engaged in the practice of medicine at Eden. for the past 14 years, was born in Porter Township, Delaware County, Ohio, September 29, 1864. lle is a son of Elbert and Ellen ( Hler ) Crane.
The paternal grandparents of Dr. Crane, Amza and Ardilla ( Hopkins) Crane, came to Ohio and settled in Morrow County. in 1834. They had four sons and six daughters. namely: Alson, Zebulon, Elbert, Washing- ton. Mary Ann, Sarah, Alba Cinda, Sarah ( 2). Elizabeth and Jane. The maternal grandparents of Dr. Crane were Captain Wil- liam and Jane G. (Grey) Iler. They came to Delaware County about 1833, and so wild was all this territory that they had to cut a path through the forest in order to reach their land in Porter Township. Captain Her operated a canal boat between Cleveland and Portsmouth. in 1834. There were two daughters in the Iler family, Ellen B. and Elizabeth. The lat- ter was married ( first ) to Sammel Marshall, who died at Mansfield, Ohio, and ( second ) to Christopher Chase, of Marion.
Elbert Crane, father of Dr. Crane, was born in New York, his parents at that time be- ing residents of Putnam County, and he accom- panied them to Morrow County, Ohio, where they died. He still resides in Porter Town- ship, Delaware County, his age being 77 years. He married Ellen ller, who was born in Delaware County, and died January 22, 1908. They had the following children : Alwyn M .. who has been engaged in the practice of medi-
cine at Marion for 20 years, and is a gradu- ate of the Columbus Medical College, married ( first ) Mary Crouch, and ( second) Susan Johnson; Florence May, who is deceased ; Thurston, who manages the home farm in Porter Township; Howard C .: William I , whose home is at Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a traveling salesman, and married lone Oliver ; Jennie C., who was educated at the Ohio S. U. at Columbus and the O. W. U. at Delaware. is a successful teacher in the public schools of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and Nellie M., who was also educated as was her sister, is engaged in teaching at Troy, Ohio.
Dr. Crane was primarily educated in the public schools and completed his medical train- ing at Starling Medical College, and was grad- uated in the class of 1894. After a short resi- dence with his brother at Marion, Dr. Crane se- lected Eden as a promising field for himself professionally, and here he has remained to the present day. He has built up a large and satisfactory practice, to which he gives his entire attention. He is a member of the Dela- ware County Medical Society and of the Ohio State Medical Society. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, and is connected with Wil- liams Lodge, No. 556. In political sentiment he is a Democrat.
In 1903 Dr. Crane was married to Mar- garet Ross, who is a daughter of Melancthon J. and Ada ( Matthews) Ross. She was born in Virginia. Her father was born at Sara- toga. New York, and her mother at Eden. Ohio. They reside in Delaware County.
ON. WILLIAM E. H.A.AS, mayor ot Delaware, Ohio, was born December 17. 1874, at Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, and is a son of J. E. and Mary ( Frank ) Haas.
The parents of Mayor Haas were born and reared on farms in Crawford County, Ohio. In 1876 they came to Delaware, and J. E. llaas has been employed in the blacksmith de- partment of the shops belonging to the Big Four Railroad, in this city, for the past 31
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years. His family consists of four sons and three daughters, namely : Anna, who married Frank Vining, who is a member of the police force at Delaware: William E .; Charles O, who is in business at Delaware; Matilda, who married Edward Schweitzer, at Delaware : Vincent, residing at Moxahala, Ohio, where he is serving as secretary of the Chapman Coal Mining Company ; Joseph, who died aged four months; and Frances, who is the possessor of rare musical talents, which have been well cultivated.
During his boyhood, William E. Haas at- tended the parochial schools at Delaware, and when it became a family law that he should become self-supporting, he went to work in a chair factory and continued his studies at night, in the public schools. Very much as many other ambitious youths, he tried one po- sition after another in the endeavor to make the most of his time and opportunities, going from the chair factory to a grocery store andl from there to a cigar factory, and later reach- ing the firm of Downheimer & Grasser, with which he learned the trade of cigar-making. On January 1, 1898, he entered into partner - ship with J. P. Grasser, in the manufacture of cigars, under the firin style of Grasser & Haas. Mr. Hlaas attends to all the outside work of the firm and writes all the advertising matter. which, on account of the extent of the business, is very heavy. Employment is given to from eight to 14 expert cigar-makers, and the firm has several exclusive brands which have proved to be favorites with the public.
On June 29, 1896, Mr. Haas was married to Catherine Hoch, who is a daughter of Jo- seph Iloch, who resides at Lancaster, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ilaas have two children. Mary Catherine and Anna Josephine, both of whom attend school. The family belong to the Cath- olic Church.
For the past two years, Mayor Haas has been the only Democratic member of the Dela- ware City Council. Ile has been a leading and influential member of his party for some years and his nomination to the highest civic office. September 27. 1907, was a token of harmony in the Democratic ranks. He was elected No-
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vember 6, 1907. receiving a majority of 12 electoral votes. Personally, Mr. Haas is very popular in Delaware, where he has been for so long a sterling and public-spirited citizen, and hence the satisfaction on his election was wide spread. He is a member of the Commercial Club, in the deliberations of which he takes an active and interested part, and he belongs to the fraternal orders of the Knights of Co- lumbus, the Eagles, and the United Com- mercial Travelers.
HARLES FRANCIS TALLEY, M. D., physician and surgeon at Powel !. and physician for the State Indus- trial Home for Girls at this point. was born in Concord Township. Delaware County, Ohio, September 15, 1864. and is a son of Nelson E. and Eliza ( Edel- man ) Talley.
The father of Dr. Talley was born in Penn- sylvania and came to Ohio when he was a young man, settling first at Prospect, in Marion County. He was of French extraction. He married while he lived at Prospect and afterward moved to Concord Township. in Delaware County. His family included 10 children, namely: Sarah, residing in Concord Township; Mary, who is the widow of Charles Vienot, residing in Scioto Township; William. residing.in Texas: Annie, deceased, was the wife of William Spero, of Concord Town- ship: John Frederick, residing at Delaware, who married Flora Oller, a daughter of George W :. Oller; Andrew Jackson, residing in Con- cord Township, who married Maggie O. Con- nor, of Evansville, Indiana; NNelson R., re- siding at Evansville: and Charles Francis, Two children died in infancy.
Dr. Talley was educated in the common and high schools of Concord Township. grow ing to manhood on his father's farm. In 1884. he entered the Miami Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1886. In the same year he located at Hyatts- ville, where he engaged in practice until the spring of 1896, when he came to Powell.
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where, for full 11 years he has been faithfully engaged in the practice of medicine and sur- gery, in the meanwhile building up a reputation which has carried his name over all this section of the State. He is a valued member of both the Delaware County and the Ohio State Medi- cal Associations. He has business interests in this section and owns a one-third interest in The Powell Flour and Feed Milling Com- pany.
Dr. Talley was married to Lucy B. Mar- quett, who is a daughter of Warner Marquett, of Liberty Township. He is a Republican in his political sentiments and fraternally he be- longs to the Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows, and to Hiram Lodge, No. 18. F. & A. M., at Delaware. Dr. Talley stands high professionally and equally so per- sonally.
ENJAMIN POWERS, the son of Avery Powers and Prudence Benja- min, was born at Franklinton, Ohio (now Columbus), on October 7. 1800. His father, Avery Powers. Jr., who came of good old New England stock, was born in Old Norwich, Connecticut, Janu- ary 22. 1772. and was married to Prudence Benjamin on January 12, 1797. in the old Griswold Church of that place. They re- moved to Norwich. New York, being the first white settlers there and giving the name to the settlement after the old Connecticut home. They afterwards moved to Franklinton, Ohio. where the subject of this sketch was born.
Part of his boyhood was spent in Frank- linton, where he often hunted squirrels on the sight of the present capital grounds, which was then a thickly wooded tract of land. After some years the family removed to a farm be- low Delaware about six miles, situated on the east bank of the Olentangy River, near what was then known as the Carpenter farin. From there in a short time they moved to the village of Delaware.
Early in life he was left without a father, for Avery Powers, Jr., was killed by the In- dians July 26. 1812. while serving his country
as a soldier near Sandusky, Ohio, during the War of 1812. Ile received the usual scanty educational advantages of the times, and as & young man learned the trade of a printer. He entered the employ of William Little, a pioneer merchant, whose place of business was the southwest corner of Sandusky and Winter Streets. Ile dealt in general merchandise, and bought and sold hides, furs, pelts and tallow.
In the year 1828, he entered into partner- ship with William Little in the conduct of the same business, a partnership which lasted for a number of years. The firm was later changed to Powers & Bennett. For a num- ber of years, in partnership with Chauncey Hills, he conducted a dry goods business in the city.
Benjamin Powers was always active in the business life of Delaware, and in 1857, with a few other citizens, he organized the Bank of Delaware, which in 1864 transferred its busi- ness to the First National Bank of Delaware, at present one of the solid financial institutions of our city. He succeeded P. D. Hillyer as president of the Bank of Delaware and con- tinued to serve the two institutions as presi- dent until he was forced to resign on account of failing health in 1880.
Benjamin Powers was married to Eliza- beth Storm, September 16, 1829, and this happy union continued for over 55 years. Six children were born in this family-Maria E .. Charles A., Henry V .. William L., George W., and Louis E. Powers. Most of this large family grew to mature years, and two of them are now living in Delaware-Henry V. and George W. Powers.
He was one of the first members and for many years an officer and staunch supporter of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. \ gentle, kindly, dignified, Christian gentleman, who tried to do his duty in all things. He never sought for public office, yet he was the kind of man in whom people always placed implicit trist and confidence. He served his city as a member of the Common Council. Ile died January 6, 1884, aged 84 years, his wife liv- ing about one year after his death.
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AMES W. HARSH. a prominent agri- culturist of Delaware County, Ohio, who owns and operates a magnificent tract of 600 acres in Radnor Town- ship, was born December 22. 1851. in Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Caleb and Catherine ( Gracley ) Harsh, and a grand- son of Jacob Harsh, a native of Wurtemberg. Germany.
Caleb Harsh was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, and in 1830. as a boy, came to America with his parents, and settled in the woods of Marion County. Ohio. Here he fol- lowed the trade of tanner until 1852, in which vear he removed to Delaware County, settling on a farm on the Scioto River in Radnor Township, where the remainder of his life was spent. He was an industrious farmer and able business man, and in his death Delaware County lost one of its progressive, public- spirited citizens. During the latter part of his life he was a Republican in politics, and his religious belief was that of the Presbyterian Church. Of the children of Caleb and Cath- erine ( Gracley ) Harsh, seven grew to ma- turity, namely: James W .; Martha, who is the wife of Titus Jones of Radnor Township: Mary E., who is the widow of Finley Tyler. late of Scioto Township, where Mrs. Tyler now resides: Sarah S .. wife of Bertrand Smith, of near Stratford, Delaware County : Emma L., who married Dr. T. K. Jones, of Radnor, Ohio: Ella V., who is the wife of Foster Evans of Scioto Township: and Charles F., who lives in Radnor Township.
James W. Harsh was brought by his par- ents from Marion County to Delaware County as a boy, and since that time he has always resided in Radnor Township. He received his education in the public schools, after leaving which he engaged in farming and stock-rais- ing, and his well-cultivated tract of 600 acres is one of the finest farms in Radnor Town- ship. Mr. Ilarsh is a Democrat in politics. and he has always taken an active interest in public matters, serving a number of years as a member of the Board of Education of Radnor Township.
In March, 1880, Mr. Ilarsh was married to Mary Criglar, who was born in Delaware Township, Delaware County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late James Criglar, who was a well-known citizen of Delaware Township. There were six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harsh, two of whom died in infancy, the sur- vivors being : James W .. Jr., Charles C., Margie and Nellie, all residents of Radnor Township.
APT. CLIFTON W. WILES, super- intendent and general manager for the Delaware Water Company. & Civil War veteran, and one of the leading citizens of Delaware County. was born at Freetown, Cortland County, New York, March 26, 1843, son of Peter and Nancy ( Hall) Wiles. His paternal grandfather was a native of Germany who came to this coun- try about the year 1800, settling in Onondaga County, New York.
Peter Wiles was born in Onondaga County, New York, May 17, 1814, and spent his industrial years in farming and dairying. giving particular attention to the latter in- dustry. During the greater part of his life he was a resident of Cortland County, and he died June 6, 1862, at the age of 48 years. He was a man of considerable musical ability, being leader of a choir and a good performer on the piano, organ, and violin. His wife Nancy was a daughter of Caleb Hall, of Her- kimer County, New York, and was born in 1817, and died April 10. 1878. They were the parents of three children, namely: Clif- ton W., whose name appears at the head of this article: Emma, who married John Len- 1101, and is now deceased with her husband : and Ella, also deceased, who was the wife of William D. Tuttle, an attorney of Cortland1 County. New York. Mrs. Peter Wiles, mother of the above mentioned children, died about 1876 or 1877, aged 63 years.
The early life of Clifton W. Wiles was that of a farmer's boy, with the Old Red School
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House to direct his steps in the path of knowl- edge. The Civil War interrupted for a time his progress in the ordinary activities of life, and he enlisted. September 20. 1862, in Com- pany L. Tenth New York Cavalry, and was made trumpeter of his company. The first battle in which he participated was that of Fredericksburg, Virginia. December 12-13. 1862. he was detailed as private orderly foi General David H. Russell, who commanded a brigade in the Fifth Corps, and who was killed in the battle of Winchester; and re- mained with him during the battle and for some time after.
In January, 1863, his regiment was as- signed to the brigade commanded by General Kilpatrick in the division commanded by Gen- eral D). MeMI. Gregg of the Cavalry Corps. This command was actively engaged in the Stoneman raid and the battle of Chancellors- ville, followed by the cavalry battles of Brandy Station, Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville. At the battle of Gettysburg, that soon fol- lowed, his regiment was engaged on July 2d with Johnson's Confederate division on the Hanover Road, and again on the 3d with Stuart's cavalry on the Rummell farm. The men of his regiment were the first Union troops to enter the city after the battle, driv- ing out the rear guard of the enemy.
Following was the battle of Mine Run and several minor engagements.
In the spring of 1864 the cavalry under Sheridan accompanied and co-operated with Grant in the battles of the Wilderness and subsequent engagements, including the raid and battle of Trevillion Station, and the Rich- mond raid and the battle of Haws Shops, fin- ally arriving, July 2d, with Grant's army in front of Petersburg.
From this time to April 9. 1865, the regi- ment was constantly engaged in picket duty, scouting, and raids in the enemy's country.
On the opening of the spring campaign, March 28, 1865, Mr. Wiles was assigned to duty as aide-de-camp to General Henry E. Davies, commanding the First Brigade, Sec- ond Division of the Cavalry Corps, and par . ticipated in the battles of Dinwiddie Court
House, Five Forks, Jettersville, Sailor's Creek, Farmville, and Appomattox, and at the sur- render of Lee's army. He lost two horses killed under him-one at Sulphur Springs. Virginia. October 12. 1863, and one at Tre- villion Station. June 11. 1864 : and was injured by a shell at Middleburg, June 19, 1863. His regiment was finally discharged in August. 1865. During his entire service of nearly three years, he was never in a hospital, away from his regiment, nor absent a single day from duty, except to obtain horses. On ac- count of services rendered he was recom- mended for a commission, but not mustered on account of the close of the war.
After his discharge from the army Mr. Wiles took up and completed his school work at the New York Central College. After sery- ing for several years in construction and engi- neering work pertaining to waterworks supply. he came to Delaware, Ohio, in April, 1892, as superintendent and general manager of the Delaware Water Company, and has been con- stantly engaged in this work to the present time. He has for many years been a men- ber of the American Water Works Associa- tion, and is a past president of the Central States Water Works Association. He has been called upon on several occasions to in- spect and report upon the conditions and value of water works plants in other cities.
In 1902 he was commissioned as honorary aide on the staff of Governor Aaron T. Bliss of Michigan ( who was a comrade in his regi- ment ). with the rank of Colonel. He has on several occasions served as aide-de-camp on the staff of the commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, with the rank of Colonel. He is now an officer and past commander of the local Grand Army post, and colonel of Encampment No. 107. Union Vet- cran Legion.
.In 1894 he was commissioned by Gover- nor Mckinley as battalion adjutant in the Fourteenth Ohio National Guard, and in 1807 by Governor Bushnell as captain and inspector of riffe practice, in the same regiment, which rank he held on the opening of the Spanish- American War, and with his regiment pre-
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