Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 94

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

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th > Part 94

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

of Marriott & Wickham. This was continued until December, 1896, when it was dissolved owing to Mr. Wickham having been elected for the term of five years to the Common Pleas bench. In 1901 he was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by the narrow margin of eight votes. His term on the bench expiring February 8, 1902, in the following July he formed a partnership with Messrs. Marriott and Freshwater under the firm name of Marriott, Freshwater & Wickham. In 1906 he was re-elected Common Pleas Judge, and accordingly, on December 31st the partnership was dissolved. Judge Wickham has demon- strated that he possesses in a high degree the judicial temperament. united with a firm grasp of the principles of his profession, and his demeanor on the bench has been marked by an unfailing courtesy that has made him popni- lar among all the brethren of the Bar. He is a member and officer of Lenape Lodge, No. 29. K. P .. and of Delaware Lodge, No. 76, B. P. O. E., of which he is exalted ruler.

Judge Wickham was first married Angust 14. 1888, to Joanna, daughter of Jacob and Maria Ekelberry, of Delaware. Of this union there was one son, Joy Carroll, born March 28, 1890. He was married for the second time, July 23, 1903, to Anna .A., a daughter of Tobias Frederick and Susannah ( Wells) Reichert. The children by this marriage are : Frederick Reichert, born September 5. 1904; and Susanna. born November 11, 1906. Mrs. Wickham is a member of Asbury Church. Both she and her husband are highly esteemed and have a wide social acquaintance among the refined and cultivated people , of Delaware County.

NDREW F. MOSES, one of Liberty Township's representative citizens, who carries on general farming on his valuable farm of 7912 acres, was born April 18, 1861. in Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Flavel and Eliza- beth Moses.

The Moses family was established in Dela- ware County by Salmon and Orpha Moses, the grandparents of Andrew F. They came to this section from Litchfield County, Connecti- cut, in 1817, and settled on the farm which is now owned by a granddaughter, Mrs. Helen Jewett. At that time all this part of the coun- try was heavily timbered and but few pioneers had yet dared the dangers and hardships which attended founding homes in such a wilderness. Salmon Moses, however, was a man of sturdy strength and of enterprising character. He built his log cabin in a clearing he made in the great woods and gave assistance to his neighbors as they gradually settled in his vicinity. and later was one of the builders of the first church edifice in this section, which was the first Methodist Episcopal Church at Powell. Sal- mon Moses and wife had five children, three daughters and two sons, namely: Dorcas, who married Ebenezer Pike: Flora, who was not married: Flavel: and Russell, who died in Liberty Township. He married Alice Gregg. Salmon Moses died in 1869. at the age of 76 years.

Flavel Moses, father of Andrew F. Moses. was three and one-half years old when his parents came from Connecticut to Delaware County and here the whole of his life was passed. Ile devoted his attention to agricul- tural pursuits, acquiring considerable property, and at the time of his death he owned 344 acres of valuable land. For nearly 90 years he was a resident of Delaware County, where he died May 27, 1905, in his 92d year. He gave liberally in support of schools and churches and was a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Elizabeth Dunton, who was born April 17. 1820, and died February 25. 1901. They had the following children: Orpha, who married Robert Conroy, residing at Powell, has four children : Sarah, who married Albert Standish. who is in the seventh generation from Miles Standish, residing at Columbus, has three chil- dren : Flora E, who married L. V. Humphrey, residing at Lake Arthur, New Mexico, has three children : William, residing on the farm on which his father settled and in the house

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he built, married Susan, a daughter of Miles Case, and they have two children: and An- drew F.

Andrew F. Aloses was reared on his father's farm and attended the public schools at Powell. In 1882 he was married to Emily E. Scott, who is a daughter of Andrew J. and Sarah .A. ( Goshage) Scott, and they have had five children born to them, as follows : Blanche, Alta M., Helen E., Guy S. and Mary .A. Blanche married John Penn and they re- side south of Stratford and have two chil- dren, Florence and Hazel Naomi. Alta M. married Charles A. Coldflesh and they reside at Fairview. They have two children, Guy 31. and lrene. Helen E. married Ernest B. Vigar. The other members of the family re- side at home.

Mr. Moses is a stanch Republican. Ilis business has been farming and he has devoted almost all of his time to this line, but for five years he had charge of the rural mail delivery route from Powell, during which time he faithfully performed the duties pertaining to that office.

EORGE HENRY SEESE, a leading citizen of Orange Township, who owns a valuable farm of 130 acres. which he devotes to general farming. stockraising and dairying, was born April 7. 1856, in Tuscarawas County, Olio, not far from Strasburg, and is a son of David and Susan ( Wallick) Seese.

The Seese family came of German ances- tors who settled in Westmoreland County. Pennsylvania, and from there George Seese. the grandfather of George Henry Seese, came to Ohio at an early day. settling in the wil- derness of Tuscarawas County, a long distance from civilization. At that time he was obliged to go 40 miles to reach a mill. George Wal- lick. the maternal grandfather, was also d pioneer in the same county and the families of Seese and Wallick lived in close proximity. Grandfather Seese reared 12 children and Grandfather Wallick reared eight. The for-

mer died aged 56 years but Grandmother Wallick survived to be 72. David Seese, father of George Henry, was born July 28. 1828, and still survives, the only remaining member of his family. He married Susan Wallick, who died about 1893, aged 56 years. Ten children were born to them, namely : Jose- phine, deceased, was the wife of J. H. Burris : George H .: Charles F., a prominent educator and man of public affairs now filling a profes- sorship in a Cleveland school, was formerly principal of the Hudson High School and served several terms in the State Legislature from Summit County: S. B. E., residing at Seattle, Washington, is general agent for the New York Life & Accident Insurance Com- pany, formerly a resident of Toledo: Tena Melvina, who married William Grennell. a resident of Massilon, Ohio: Sarah Elizabeth. residing at Massilon, married Dudley Koontz ; Amanda Jane, unmarried, resides at Massilon ; William Grant, who is engaged in educational work, married Orpha Kohr; and the others died in infancy. Both parents of Mr. Seese were well known in the community in which they lived and enjoyed the esteem of those who knew them.

George Henry Seese went to school in Franklin Township, Tuscarawas County, an ! attended the Hartline district school. He has followed agricultural pursuits ever since, work- ing for six years by the month in his native county, following his marriage. In 1893 he bought his first farm, a tract of land in Liberty Township. Delaware County, on which he in- curred an indebtedness of $2.000. Prior to the purchase of his present fine farm he sold that property at a profit of $1.000. This speaks well for his business capacity as well as his industry and perseverance. lle has been blessed with a wife who has greatly as- sisted him in providently taking care of his earnings and he gives her credit for a large part of his success. They began life together with not a dollar of capital and. have proved that money. while a very good possession, is not necessary to happiness. They can look over their broad acres, enjoy the comforts of their nice buildings and take pride in their

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

valuable stock, and know that these things are theirs through honest effort on their part, with assistance from no outside party or any specu- lative investment. The farm they have owned for the past six years is valued at fully $12,000.

On April 10, 1880, Mr. Seese was married to Almeda C. Burris, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary ( France ) Burris, who lived and died in Tuscarawas County. They have had two sons and two daughters born to them, namely: Hurles R., who is engaged in farming in Liberty Township, was married to Myrtle R. Bennett and they have one child : Porter H., residing one-quarter of a mile from his father, does his farming for him and mar- ried Ethel Fate: Tessie May is the wife of Ralph Brintlinger, residing in Liberty Town- ship, south of Powell; and Susie B., who recently married Darrel Hursey, resides at home.

In politics, Mr. Seese is a very active and influential Republican and is his party's candi- date for nomination for county commissioner. Ile is known to be both capable, honest and public-spirited and he has an army of good friends. For the past 20 years he has been prominent in political matters in this section. During his residence in Liberty Township. he served several terms as township trustee. Fre- quently he has served as a delegate to State conventions and he was appointed on the Centennial Committee from Orange Township to represent Delaware County. Both Mr. and Mrs. Seese were reared in the United Brethren faith but at present they are united with the Presbyterian Church of Liberty Township.

IIARLES CURTISS STEDMAN. secretary and general manager of The Cook Motor Company, at Dela- ware, is one of the enterprising and successful young business men of this city. He was born in Randolph Town- ship. Portage County, Ohio, December 5. 1871. and is a son of Edward E. and Martha .1. (Gardner ) Stedman.

The great-grandfather. Edwin Stedman. and the grandfather, William Stedman, came from New York State and settled in Portage County. In 1861 William Stedman became colonel of the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and served with distinction through the Civil War. Later he became closely identified with the Republican party in Ohio. and was a strong supporter of the political am- bitions of James A. Garfield. After the lat- ter's election to the Senate, he testified to his appreciation of Mr. Stedman's loyalty by bringing about the latter's appointment as consul to Cuba. Both men, united in friend- ship, were fated to fall by the hand of an as- sassin, Mr. Stedman being the victim of a Spanish insurgent in 1868. He had married Samantha Elmore, whose people came from Connecticut to Ohio in an ox-cart, among the early pioneers.

Edward Elmore Stedman, father of C. C. Stedman, was born in 1843, and died No- vember 15, 1906. He was reared on his father's farm and later learned the watchmak- ing trade at Ravenna. At the opening of the Civil War, with his father and two brothers. Wallace and Charles, Mr. Stedman entered the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was twice discharged on account of disability. When he served last it was in the capacity of chief bugler. He then went into the jewelry and watch business but continued ill health forced him to give it up, and in 1872 he re- turned to the farm in Randolph Township. This farm he sold in 1879 and moved to New- ton Falls, Ohio, where he resided until his death, having been on the road for several years previously, in the interest of an inven- tion of his own on which he had secured a patent. Ile was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic Post at Newton Falls. Like his father and grandfather, he was a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, with which he united in Ravenna. In politics he was a Re- publican.

In 1866 Mr. Stedman was married to Mar- tha Aldlula Gardner, daughter of William Gardner, of Freedom, Ohio. They had five children : William G., residing at Cleveland.

COUNTESS NELLY (LYTLE) ZU EULENBURG

COUNT BOTHO ZU EULENBURG

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C. C .; Winnifred, wife of F. A. Starr, resid- ing at Newton Falls; Roy C., residing at Akron ; and Olive, wife of Homer J. Crane, residing at Columbus. The mother of the above family still survives and resides at New- ton Falls. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

C. C. Stedman was reared at Newton Falls and after attending school through early boyhood, he went to Akron as an apprentice in the machine shop of the Starr Drilling Ma- chine Company, where he remained five years, gaining a thorough knowledge of the business. He came then to Delaware and in 1895 en- gaged in the well drilling business with War- ren H. Williams and they continued together for two years when Mr. Stedman purchased his partner's interest and continued alone until 1904. From 1896-98 he was engaged also in dealing in bicycles. He disposed of his other interests when he entered into his present con- nection in 1904.

For one year, 1898, Mr. Stedman taught the clarinet and the flute in the Delaware Conservatory of Music. He is a natural musi- cian, has been an expert performer since he was 12 years of age, but has mainly followed it as a pastime.

Mr. Stedman married Monette Carr, who is a daughter of S. T. Carr, of Ostrander. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party. He belongs to the American Federation of Musicians, to the Commercial Travelers of America and to the Elks.

OUNT BOTHO EULENBURG, who comes of one of the wealthiest and most distinguished families of the German Empire, was born in Ber- lin, Germany. His father, Count Frederick Eulenburg, represented the German Government at one time as special embassador to London, and an uncle, Prince Philipp En- lenburg, is one of Germany's greatest states- men and a great favorite of the Kaiser. The Eulenburgs have for more than a century held the highest positions in the Empire, in both

army and state. The family genealogy dates back to the year 1156, and comes of the roy- alty in Saxony. The mother of Count Botho was a multimillionairess at her marriage and is one of the most prominent society women of Berlin. She is an enthusiastic horse- woman, and has one of the best appointed stables in Germany. Count Botho is highly educated, having attended the universities of Halle, Frankfort and Berlin. He is an accom- plished linguist, speaking a number of lan- guages, and has traveled extensively over the world. Upon attaining the age of thirty years, he will receive the title of Court Cham- berlain at the Kaiser's Court, the present Mas- ter of Ceremonies being an uncle, Count Au- gust" Eulenburg.

COUNTESS NELLY LYTLE EULENBURG youngest daughter of James and Cor- nelia (Chase) Lytle, was born in Delaware, Ohio. Her early education was received in a private school and was supplemented by a course of study in Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. Upon leaving the latter institu- tion, she went to Berlin, Germany, to visit her sister. Baroness von Uchtritz, and also to com- plete her education. She is possessed of many accomplishments, has a charming voice, and in addition to her native tongue-English- speaks German, French and Italian fluently. Like her sister, she is endowed with unusual ar- tistic and musical talent. High-spirited, original and brilliant, with personal beauty and wealthi of charm, she soon won many friends and in society circles attained the center of highest favor. She was a guest at many social func- tions attended by the Royal family, and, with her sister, Baroness von Uchtritz, was pre- sented at the Kaiser's Court during her first winter in Berlin. On the following evening, at one of the most elaborate social functions of the year, a Charity Ball given by the no- bility of Berlin, in which the Baroness von Uchtritz and Miss Lytle took an active part, the latter made the acquaintance of Count Botho Eulenburg, whom she afterward mar- ried. This occasion marked the beginning of a friendship between them that was enduring, and she was appointed a guest of favor by his

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

noble family. In the autumn of 1904, Count Botho and Miss Lytle were married in the Garnison Church in Berlin, Mrs. Lytle, of Del- aware, being present at the ceremony. They are congenial and happy in their married life. both being lovers of music and works of art, and the exhilaration of outdoor sports. The Countess is an expert marksman and a great lover of horses, and the prediction is made by her friends that she will take rank among the famous horsewomen of the Empire.

HOMAS W. LEA, a well-known resi- dlent of Oxford Township, lives on his improved farm of 180 acres two miles south of the village of Ashley. He is a native of Porter Township, Delaware County, where he was born Novem- ler 10. 1853, and is a son of Benjamin and Nancy ( Wigton ) Lea.

Benjamin Lea was born January 9, 1837, in the parish of Kidderminster. County of Worcester, England, and was a son of Jacob and Mary Lea, both of whom were born in England, the former. September 18, 1773. and the latter, January 9, 1775. and neither ever came to this country. Benjamin was reared in England and at the age of nine years became a weaver of Brussels and other kinds of carpet. He was an expert at that work, following it successfully for some 18 years in New York City after coming to America. Ile served one year and four months in the British Army and his father then purchased his release. He was married to Thurza Holmes, March 19, 1832, and immediately after came to the United States, landing in New York with just $5.00 in his pocket. There he fol- lowed his trade as mentioned, prospered and became the owner of a home. In 1847 he camne west to Delaware County. Ohio, purchasing a farm of 80 acres in Porter Township, and in 1854 traded that property for 100 acres in Oxford Township, the most of which was tim- berland. Although the railroad ran less than a quarter of a mile from the farm, at only

he had, so heavy was the growth of timber. Mr. Lea lived on this place until his death. February 16, 1888. Religiously he was a member of the Presbyterian Church. By his first wife he had six children : Mary Thurza, born August 11, 1833, died young; George, born March 14. 1836, lives at Mt. Vernon, Ohio: William H., born January 23, 1838, is leceased; John D., born February, 1839, is cleceased ; Charles, born December 1, 1842, is (leceased; and Thurza Ann, who was the wife of W. W. Hill, was born October 11, 1844, and died in 1906. After the death of his first wife at an early age, Mr. Lea formed a second union in New York City with Mary Ann AAlli- son, who died leaving one son, Alexander, now deceased, who was born January 11. 18448. His third marriage was with Nancy Wigton, who was born July 18, 1817, and was a daugh- ter of Rev. Thomas Wigton, who crossed the AAllegheny Mountains in a wagon on his way from Pennsylvania to Delaware County, Ohio He located first in Kingston Township, and later in Berkshire Township on a farm now owned by a grandson. He was a hardy old pioneer, who was the father of 14 children, ali of whom but one he survived, dying at the age of 99 years. Mrs. Lea died October 4. 1891. after giving life to two children : Thomas W .; and Urania Adell, the latter of whom was born December 20, 1854, and died in April, 1885. She was the wife of Edward Whipple, of Oxford Township.

Thomas W. Lea was reared on the farm on which he now lives and received his edu- cational training in the schools of this vicinity. He assisted in clearing the home farm, also in tilling it, and has always lived here and en - gaged in general farming. Upon his father's death he bought the interests of the other heirs, and to the original farm has added 80 acres. He is one of the substantial men of the community, and is held in highest esteem.

October 20, 1876, Mr. Lea was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Slack, who was born in Oxford Township. December 9. 1857, and is a daughter of Seth and Sarah (Dodd) Slack, concerning whom may be found facts 1 one place could a glimpse of a passing train in another part of the work. Seven children

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were the issue resulting from this union: Wellie E., born November 22, 1877, married Lillian Shoemaker and has two children, Ken- neth and Margaretta : Harry L., born July 5. 1879. married Clara Bell and has two chil- (Iren. Merle and Robert E. ; a babe born May 1. 1881. died unnamed: Orton G., born Sep- tember 5. 1882. is attending Ohio Wesleyan University; Ross E., born October 4. 1884; U'na E. born February 11. 1887: Walter T., born May 27, 1889: and Lloyd H., born No- vember 19. 1893.

Mr. Lea is a Republican in politics, and served as a member of the School Board 21 years. also as township assessor. He served as township trustee several terms, receiving the three-year term on his first election as a result or having the largest number of votes. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias. Mrs. Lea is a member of the Rebekah Lodge and Pythian Sisters.

ESLEY Z. EVANS, proprietor of the Delaware Creamery, one of Delaware's important industrial concerns, was born at Delaware, Ohio, August 8, 1852, and is a son of Thomas and Isabella ( Johnson) Evans. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Evans. was born at Milton, Pennsylvania, and sur- vived to be ninety-two years of age, dying in 1888. He came to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, at a very early day, where he worked as a plas- terer and also acquired land and engaged in farming. He was married several times, the grandmother of Wesley Z. Evans being named Phebe Nevyns. She was born in Kelly Township. Union County. Pennsylvania, April 19. 1798, and died November 25. 1843. She married Thomas Evans in April, 1820. and accompanied him to Ohio in 1841. Her father. Christian Nevyns, was born November 1. 1759. probably in Bedmin- ster Township, Somerset County, New Jer- sey, and died November 1, 1815. He married Lucretia Chamberlain. In 1780 his name ap-

pears on the pay roll of Major William Beard's company at Elizabethtown, and he also served in Capt. Jacob Ten Eyck's com- pany, First Battalion of Somerset in the Rev- olutionary War. In 1793. he moved to North- umberland County, Pennsylvania, with wife and two children. His father was Peter Nevyns, born near Three Mile Run, New Jer- sey, baptized April 23. 1727. died after 1800. He married Maria Van Doren. His father was Roeloff Nevyns, born in 1087 in New Jersey. married Catalyntje Lucasse Van Voorhees. He was a man of more than ordinary piety and with great capacity for organization and evangelistic work. His father was Pieter Nevyns of Flatlands, New York, born in New Amsterdam, baptized February 4. 1663. at the New Amsterdam Dutch Church, died Apis

29. 1740. He married Janetje Roelsofse Schenck. He was the younger of two sons of Johannes Nevyns, the original immigrant. who was born in Holland in 1627, arrived in America in 1651, and died in 1672. He mar- ried Adriaentje Bleijck. Further information may be gained by consulting a genealogical record of this family which was published in 1000.

Thomas Evans learned the tinner's trade at Mt. Vernon and worked at the same there for a number of years and then came to Dela- ware. In the days of the California gold fe- ver, he accompanied a party from this city. but his health and he returned to the East. coming by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Ile then opened up a business of his own at Delaware, which he continued until 1870. when he sold his interests to his son, Wesley Z. Evans. For many years Mr. Evans was a very prominent political factor. For 20 years he published the Delaware Signal, a complete file of which may be found in the Slocum Library and a most interesting collection it is. It was a prohibition journal, as Mr. Evans was one of the leading prohibitionists in the State. On several occasions he was placed on the State ticket as a representative of that party. He was a man of sincere devotion to luty and his influence was far-reaching. Hle was aetive both as a Mason and as an Odd

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HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY

Fellow, for a long time was a member of Hi- ram Lodge. F. & A. M., and was past grand of Olentangy Lodge, No. 53. Odd Fellows.

Thomas Evans married Isabella Johnson. who died April 15, 1889. in her sixty-second year. She was a daughter of Zechariah John- son, who was a pensioner of the War of 1812, accredited to New York. There were six children born to this marriage, namely: Wes- ley Z .; Aaron, residing at Columbus, was born August 6, 1854; Jessie, residing at Co- burg. Ontario, is the wife of James E. Skid- more: Mary Belle, residing in New York City : Thomas B., who died in 1885: and Mi- nerva, residing at Buffalo, is the wife of Mel- vin E. Wilkinson. Miss Mary Belle Evans is the publisher of two newspapers for the Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Eipscopal Church, and has distinguished her- self both for her literary talent and her finan- cial ability. Since she has taken charge of the Home Mission and of the child's paper, they are both paying investments. Thomas Evans died April 15, 1888. For a long period he had been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and had officiated in many official positions. He was a man of sterling character, admirable in every relation of life.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 94

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