Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 91

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

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ON. HENRY R. SMITH, at one time prominent as a legislator and still well remembered for his activity in securing the passage of a number of important measures, and his sturdy opposition to iniquitous bills introduced in the legislative body, was for many years active in the ministry. Owing to ill health he was obliged to seek an outdoor life and as a result took to agricultural pursuits, and has a farm of 180 acres, near Leonardsburg.

Rev. Smith was born at Sarahsville, Noble County, Ohio, April 29, 1846, and is a son of John W. and Sarah ( McGarry ) Smith. John W. Smith was born in the North of Ireland. and upon coming to the United States located in Sarahsville, Ohio. He was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, but as there was no church of that denomination in his vicin- ity, he attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was a very active anti-slavery

man, and the ministers who came to preach abolition were welcomed at his home, although they were threatened, egged and subjected to other indignities. He had two cousins. George H. and John, both of whom were Presbyter- ian ministers in Washington, D. C., and a brother, Matthew, who was a United Presby- terian minister in Iowa.

He married Sarah McGarry, who was born in Noble County, Ohio, and was a daughter of John McGarry, who came from the North of Ireland. She had a brother Samuel, who was the first probate judge of Noble County. . 1 cousin of Dr. Smith, David Morrison, was a later incumbant of that office. John W. and Sarah Smith were parents of the following children : Henry R. : Jane Elizabeth, deceased. who was the wife of L. W. Thompson : John W., who died in 1907, at Sarahsville, Ohio: Matthew L., who lives on the oldl home place at Sarahsville: and Hugh. who also lives at Sarahsville.

Henry R. Smith was reared at Sarahsville and attended the public schools and taught in the schools of the county for several years. In 1868 he entered Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and attended nearly three years, after which he was a student at Oberlin College for two years, and while there had a call, in 1873. to fill a vacancy in the pulpit, his charge in- cluding Wesleyan Methodist churches in Ben- nington Township, Morrow County, and Ox- ford and Orange Townships, Delaware Coun- ty. After two years he accepted a call to the Sarahsville Weslyan Methodist Church, and during his long pastorate there exerted a pow- erful influence for good in the community. His advanced stand on public questions to which he gave fearless expression resulted in his nomination in 1879, on the Republican ticket, and subsequent election, to the State Legislature, although he had not solicited the office. In 1881 he was returned to the Legis- lature for a second term. He was one of the pioneers in the movement to regulate saloons and during his second term introduced and secured the passage of a bill requiring them to close on Sunday. The liquor organizations brought all their powerful influences to bear in

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

an attempt to defeat the measure, and resort was had to anonymous letters threatening Mr. Smith with death. One letter signed "Mes- senger of Freedom" contained a picture of crossed daggers and an hour-glass with the sand nearly run out. Journals published in interest of the liquor traffic villified, abused and ridiculed him and the community he rep- resented, but without avail. He was called Saint Smith, Crank, Sunday Bill Smith, etc. The stronger the opposition, the harder he fought, and so forceful was he in championing the cause of law and order, that his speeches were more widely published and commented upon by the press of the State than those of any other member of that body.

A bill had been introduced for the taxation of churches and it looked as though it would pass until Rev. Smith, without any prepara- tion, in the final hour of debate, took the floor and extemporaneously delivered a masterful speech showing the influence of the church for good, and the questionable aim of those foster- ing the bill.

Among the press comments on his ability and demeanor as a legislator, we quote the fol- lowing in appreciation of his efforts: "Hlon. H. R. Smith of the Legislature from Noble County. is recognized as one of the most in- dustrious and clear-headed members of the House. In his seat every day during the ses- sion, he votes intelligently on every measure that comes up, and his votes are always cast in the interest of economy and honest laws. His speeches on local option and against the bill taxing property have received more gener- al publication and comment throughout the State than any speeches made in the Legisla- thre."

. The following letter. accompanying a gift of two volumes of Harper's Cyclopedia of United States History, is self explanatory : "Ilon. Henry Smith,

My Dear Sir :

You have had a laborious task as member of Committee on Enrollment and Revision. and 1 desire to acknowledge the service you have rendered the House and also myself by

the presentation to you of the accompanying volumes.

Very Respectfully, O. J. HODGE, Speaker."

In 1884. Rev. Smith returned to pastoral work at Morton's Corners and continued until 1889, when ill health compelled him to leave the ministry. He then moved to Leonards- burg, where he has since followed farming with beneficial results. Always a Prohibition- ist in principle, he was in 1895 the nominee of that party for secretary of State. . In 1907 he was elected justice of the peace of Brown Township. Mr. Smith was delegate to the General Conference of his denomination for a number of terms. He has been a member of the Book Committee of his church for 12 years.

Henry R. Smith was united in marriage to Celia L. Potter, October 16, 1879, at Leon- ardsburg, Ohio, Rev. George Richey perform- ing the ceremony. Mrs. Smith was born in Peru Township, Morrow County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Israel and Phoebe ( Whipple) Potter. After completing a course of instruc- tion in the public schools she attended Sharp's Business College at Delaware, receiving a di- ploma. She then engaged in artistic studies in the Ohio Wesleyan University, developing a talent she has possessed from childhood. Al- though she has, at different times, given les- sons in painting, her accomplishment has mainly been used for the pleasure it gives her and others. With an eye for symmetry and beauty, she can paint scenes from nature rap- idly and without studious effort, and has re- produced numerous views in the vicinity, with which she has been familiar all her life, one being of the old Potter homestead. These, to- gether with paintings of flowers, reproduc- tions of other paintings, her crayon portraits and pencil sketches, ornament her home and those of her friends and make a beautiful col- lection.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children as follows: Henry Richey, who graduated from Delaware High School, completed the classi-

GEORGE STOKES

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cal course in Ohio Wesleyan University in 1907, and after pursuing post graduate work in the oratorical and commercial courses he ac- cepted the principalship of Gibsonburg, Ohio, High School. Walter Reed, who is farming the home place, and Esther, who is attending school.

EORGE STOKES, a leading citizen of Concord Township, residing on his well-improved farm of 126 acres, was born in Somersetshire, England, November 24, 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth ( White) Stokes. The parents of Mr. Stokes were born in Somer- setshire and both died in England. They had two children, George and Mary Ann, the lat- ter of whom married John Carp. Thomas Stokes was a malster and brewer by occupa- tion.

George Stokes attended school in his child- hood, near the family home, and when he had grown older, his father sent him to a school in the city of Bath, where he remained for several years, having two yearly vacations- in mid-summer and at Christmas. These were great occasions, as time-honored old customs were observed in the family home. In 1848, George Stokes was married to Annie Hill. who is a daughter of George and Elizabeth Hill. She also was born in Somersetshire, England, and attended school with Mr. Stokes. Prior to their coming to America, in 1851. they had a daughter, Sarah Ann, born to them. January 14. 1850. who married James Mad- dox, who resided on the farm which Mr. Stokes now owns, in Concord Township. Mr. and Mrs. Maddox had two daughters, Mary and Jessie. The latter died at the age of twenty-two years. The former married John Rutherford and they reside in Morrow County, Ohio. They have four children. Mr. and Mrs. Stokes had a son born in 1858. in Union County. Ohio. They gave him the name of the grandfather. in England-Thomas Stokes. He died in 1892. leaving a widow and one daughter. both of whom are engaged

in teaching, the former, in the public schools of Delaware.

When Mr. Stokes and family came to America, they settled in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, which continued to be their home until 1863. In 1858, Mr. Stokes was engaged to do all the butchering and pre- paring of meat for Mr. Wilson, who then had charge of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel, and after completing that contract, in. 1859, he returned to visit his aged parents in England and remained with them for four months. In March, 1863, he returned to Ohio, and bought the farm on which he resides, moving to the Springs in the same year. At that time this land was in heavy timber and much effort has since been expended in clearing, cultivat- ing and improving it. For a season the fam- ily lived in an unpretentious house, but later erected the substantial one now standing. For twenty-seven years Mr. Stokes was employed on the property which was acquired by the State of Ohio for a site for the Girls' Industrial Home, in Delaware County, and thereby earned a large part of the capital which he has been able to use to such good advantage in the improvement of his present property. Ilis whole life has been a busy and useful one.

In national affairs, Mr. Stokes is a zealous Republican, but in local affairs he is influ- enced by the special fitness of candidates, aside from party lines. He is a member of Lodge No. 225, Knights of Pythias, at Bellpoint.

LEXANDER M. JACOBS, notary public, and senior member of the firm of A. M. Jacobs & Son, manu- facturers of monuments, at Ostran- der, was born at Hopewell, Perry County, Ohio, June 19, 1844, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth ( Bear) Jacobs. Toliver Jacobs, the grandfather of Alexander M., was born in Virginia, came to Ohio in 1836, and died in 1858. He married Lucretia Walker. whose father served seven years in the Revo- lutionary War. They lived in a log house on

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

their clearing in Perry County, and shared in the hardships and privations endured by the early settlers.

Levi Jacobs, son of Toliver and father of Alexander M., was born near Richmond, Vir- ginia, in 1816. He had few educational ad- vantages in his boyhood, and to learn to read attended school for three months after he was married, thus showing a creditable determina- tion to make up to some extent for his lack of early opportunities. He learned the carpen- ter's trade with his father and he was 20 years of age when he accompanied the latter to Perry County, where he worked first at his trade. but later gave his entire attention to farming. Ile married a daughter of Joseph Bear, of Perry County, and they had six chil- dren, four of whom survived infancy, namely : Alexander M., subject of this sketch; John W., who died in 1907: Marion, who resides at Findlay, Ohio; and Sarah E., who is the wife of Elmer Dunlap. of Deshler, Henry County, Ohio. He was a leading member, as had been his father. of the Christian Union Church.

When Alexander M. Jacobs was three years old his parents moved to Big Lick Town- ship. Hancock County, Ohio, and he obtained his education in a log school-house, a mile and a half distant from his home, which was reached by means of a corduroy road. The country was very wild for miles around and Mr. Jacobs' early advantages were few, al- though settlers soon came and the most incon- venient features of pioneer life were gradually overcome. He learned the carpenter's trade. at which he worked until 1888, when he moved to C'ary, Ohio, and entered into the monument business, remaining there for seven years. In 1809. he came to Ostrander and embarked in the same line of business here, his son Lewis having become his partner in 1892. when the firm style of A. M. Jacobs & Son was adopted. Another son of Mr. Jacobs is employed in the business but is not a partner. This firm does a very large business, filling contracts all over Delaware, Union and Mar- ion Counties, and occasionally work comes from more distant points. This satisfactory

condition of affairs speaks well both for the quality of their work and the honorable busi- ness methods followed by the firm.

Mr. Jacobs was married ( first) to Cor- delia McRill, a daughter of Benjamin McRill. who was Mr. Jacobs' first school teacher. Of the five children born of this marriage, four survive, namely: Lewis, junior member of the firm: Charles, residing at Ostrander, who married Della Tong: Frederick ; and Rosa, who married Ashley Alspach, residing at Os- trander. Mrs. Jacobs died in 1880, aged 34 years. She was a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Jacobs was married ( secondly ) to Sarah E. Pendleton, who was born in Concord Township, and who is a daughter of William Pendleton, a pioneer settler there. Three children were born of the second marriage, one of whom died young, the two survivors being Jessie and Walter. Mr. Jacobs was very active in Sunday-school work and was an elder in the Christian Union Church, in Hancock County.

In politics, Mr. Jacobs is affiliated with the Democratic party. From 1883 until 1892 he served as a justice of the peace in Hancock County, and in 1901 he was elected to the same office and served three years at Ostran- (ler. He has been a notary public for the past five years. His public services have been faithfully and efficiently performed. While residing at Cary, Ohio, he joined the Tribe of Ben Hur, and he belongs also to the Odd Fel- lows, having held official position in Fountain Lodge, No. 353, at Vanlue, Ohio.

R EV. IRA CHASE was born at Ban- gor, Maine, on the 12th day of April. A. D., 1800. His progenitors were of English origin and came from the nobility of England. His family still have in their possession the design of their coat-of-arms. The motto inscribed thereon is "Ne cede malis," "Never yield to discourage- ments," which seems to have been a prominent characteristic of the family and was very marked in the subject of this sketch. The

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early history of the Chase family in America (late, back to the year 1630, when three broth- ers. William, Thomas and Aquilla, landed on the continent, having come here with the fleet which brought John Winthrop. the Puritan governor of Massachusetts to American soil. In 1039, two of these brothers. Thomas and Aquilla, became the first settlers of Hampton, New Hampshire. They remained there un- til 1652, when Thomas died, after which Aquilla removed to Newbury and remained there until his death. He leit a large family of children who settled in various parts of New England, and from this family came the subject of this sketch.

Rev. Ira Chase's father's name was Elipha- let Chase, and he was born March 26, 1775. His mother's name was Susan Mugget, and she came from a prominent and wealthy family of Massachusetts. His parents were married May 1. 1794, and were both devout members of the Episcopal Church. They had a family of ten children, some of whom died before they arrived at their majority. The father was a merchant in Bangor, Maine. After his death the family removed to the West. One of the older brothers, John M. Chase, settled in the State of Michigan, where he reared a family of six sons, all of whom became pro- fessional men, and like their ancestors were enthusiastic politicians, one son being elected governor of Indiana. Another brother, Rev. Ebenezer B. Chase, was a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church and trav- eled through Ohio and will be remembered by many as one of the most eloquent and zeal- ous preachers in the Ohio Conference. He married Miss Catherine Rosecrans, a sister of the late Bishop and General Rosecrans. The youngest brother. Silas H. Chase, graduated from the Medical College in Cincinnati and la- ter completed a course in law, after which he located in the above city where he became in- timately associated with his cousin. Salmon P. Chase, who was United States senator. then governor of Ohio and later chief justice of the United States. Dr. Silas Chase re- moved to Washington, D. C., about the time his cousin became chief justice. where he died

while yet in the prime of life, and just before his hopes for promotion had been realized. The subject of this sketch was educated in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and studied medicine for several months under the tutelage of Dr. Rus- sell, one of the most prominent physicians in the State. But having been impressed, when but a boy, with the feeling that he was called to preach the Gospel, he yielded to his early convictions and abandoned his chosen profes- sion and began the study of theology. He was licensed to preach by the Quarterly Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Ohio Conference, when but ty years of age. after which he continued his studies for several years and in the autumn of 1834 he was ap- pointed to Greenville Circuit, Darke County, Ohio, his colleague being Rev. William B. Christie, who later became a noted divine of the Methodist Church.

It was during his pastorate at Greenville that he was married to Jane Wilcox, of Wilkes- barre, Pennsylvania, who had been spending several months in Ohio with her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Stark. the wife of Mr. James Stark. one of the oklest and wealthiest citizens of Kingston Township, Delaware County. An incident occurred the day previous to his mar- riage, which showed the true courage and de- votion of Mr. Chase. He started from Green- ville on horseback to meet his chosen bride in Kingston Township. It had been a very rainy season and when he reached the Scioto. on the road between Marysville and Dela- ware, he found the water raging and the river overflowing its banks, and there being no bridge, he was advised that it was not safe for him to cross, but he determined to stem the flood and he guided his horse to land. be- tween the two enormous boulders, on the east side of the river. Had he failed to land between these two boulders, both rider and steed would have perished. But Mr. Chase arrived safely and was married on the eleventh day of June. 1835. according to promise.

Mr. Chase's next appointment was Medin .. in the Western Reserve. While traveling on this circuit he had as his colleague. Edward Thompson, who afterward became Bishop of

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the Methodist Church. His next work was on the Norwalk circuit, which at that time ex- tended as far west as the village of Toledo, Ohio, and during his pastorate there, he estab- lished the first Methodist Episcopal Church in what is now the city of Toledo. In his travels he was obliged to cross what was then known as the Great Black Swamp. Mr. Chase and his ever faithful wife made many trips together through those dangerous and malarial regions and while there he contracted what was at that time commonly known as "preacher's sore throat." and he was obliged to withdraw from the active work. With the hope of being bene- fitted by a pure country atmosphere, he located on a farm in Porter Township, Delaware County, Ohio. He was during this time trans- ferred to the Central Ohio Conference and was called to fill a vacancy at William Street Church of Delaware, the pastor, Rev. Mr. Sawyer, having died. Mr. Chase filled his pulpit until the next conference. While on his farm Mr. Chase still felt a lively interest in all public affairs and filled numerous positions of responsibility in the county as well as in the church. He also manifested a marked inter- est in the politics of his county and State. IIe originally belonged to the old Whig party. but allied himself with the Republican party at its organization. From his Puritan training he had early learned to view all questions in their moral aspect and so from the beginning of his career he was the friend of the slave and during the anti-bellum days his home became a prominent station on the Under- ground Railway, and many timid and fright- ened fugitives were directed from there to the next station north and their larders were filled with supplies for the next night's jour- nev.

The home of Rev. and Mrs. Chase dur- ing the time they resided on the farm was also the hostelry for Methodism in all that · part of the county. Their doors were always open to the ministers, who wouldl often travel many hours overtime to reach this pleasant and hospitable home.

Rev. Ira Chase married, as above stated, Miss Jane Wilcox, whose parents were from

Rhode Island. She was born in Poughkeepsie. New York, and later removed to Wilkesbarre, Pa., where her brothers had purchased many hundred acres of land in Luzerne County and owned and opened the first anthracite coal mines in the Wyoming Valley. Mrs. Chase was related by marriage to David Livingstone, the celebrated African explorer, and was also a cousin by birth to General and Bishop Rose- crans. Mrs. Chase was a woman of beauty and charm and her married life was one of happiness, unbroken, until her death which oc- curred on December 2, 1882, and the memory of her virtues and charities have never been forgotten.

To Rev. and Mrs. Chase were born six children, one son and five daughters. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth Jane, married Doc- tor Philander F. Beverly, who was a promi- nent physician in Columbus, Ohio, and during the Civil War he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Thirtieth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His wife was a devout and efficient worker in the Woman's Home Missionary Society of her church and was greatly beloved by all who knew her. Mrs. Beverly died in September, 1895, and her hus- band survived her but one year, he having died in December, 1896.

The son, William B. Christie ( who was named for his father's first colleague in the ministry ), married Elizabeth Marshall and re- sides in Marion, Ohio.

The second daughter. Cornelia Ann, mar- ried James Robert Lytle, an attorney at law. and resides in Delaware, Ohio.

The third daughter. Elnora Edmonia, mar- ried Gilbert M. Blackford, who was at one time a hardware merchant, but now a travel- ing salesman.

The fourth daughter. Mildred Madora. graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and became a successful teacher in the West. having taught in the University of Arizona.

The fifth daughter, Viola Adelthia, married Rev. John Collins Jackson, D. D., Ph. D., who is a prominent minister of the Gospel in the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile has filled the most prominent pul-

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pits in the conference, and was called to the leading Methodist Church at Appleton, Wis- consin, also to Jersey City and Paterson, New Jersey. lle returned to Ohio and became one of the founders of the Anti-Saloon League of Ohio and was later elected editor of the Imeri- can Issue, the leading organ of the Anti-Sa- loon League of Ohio. He is now the National Editor of the American Issue of the Anti-Sa- loon League of America, with headquarters at Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Jackson has been one of the most faithful and courageous workers in that organization.

Rev. Ira Chase has long since gone to his final reward, he having died on the fifteenth day of September. A. D .. 1887. Prof. William G. Williams of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware (in his life sketch of Rev. Chase. in the Western Christian .Idrocate) says : "Rev. Ira Chase was a man of rare virtues. patient under all circumstances, never being known to murmur or repine. He was a quiet vet firm Christian, and as his own religions life ripened and deepened, he felt an increasing solicitude for those around him. His life was good and his death was triumphant."

YMAN JEROME CRUMB. a pros- perous farmer of Delaware Township, was born in Orange Township, Dela- ware County. Ohio, February 15. 1857, son of James H. and Elizabeth Martha ( Faulkner ) Crumb.

The father of Mr. Crumb was born in Madison County, New York, and was 16 years of age when he accompanied his father. Stephen Crumb. to Delaware County. In his boyhood he drove two horses along the tow- path on the canal and later adopted farming for his life work. When 21 years old he mar- ried and then bought a farm of 80 acres in Orange Township, from which he cleared the heavy timber. all the work being accomplished by his own hands. He subsequently became the owner of 180 acres, and as his means grew more ample, he invested in farm machinery. Ile was a man of more progressive ideas than

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 91

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