USA > Ohio > Wayne County > Commemorative biographical record of Wayne County, Ohio, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 14
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signed. Prior to this they had together bought a farm of 135 aeres, and on the dissolution Mr. Hindman bought his part- ner's interest, and, later, purchased 206 acres adjoining, giving him a fine farm of over 300 acres of choice land. In 1853, when the railroad was built, it ran across Mr. Hindman's land, on a part of which the depot was erected. The following year, 1854, he laid out and platted a vil- lage, which he named Apple Creek. He remained upon bis farm until 1868, when he rented it, and removed to. Wooster, which has since been his home. Mr. Hindman and his esteemed wife are par- ents of eight children, of whom the fol- lowing is recorded: Mary, wife of O. K. Griffith, of Orrville, this county; William, a resident of Crestline, Ohio; Ruth, wife of J. G. Jackson, of Toledo; James died near Apple Creek, Ohio; Aun, wife of S. B. Eason, of Wooster; Martha, wedded to T. H. Cunningham, of Wooster, and two children who died in infancy. Nancy, the wife of Mr. Hindman, died at Wooster, Ohio, August 21, 1877, in the sixty-first year of her age.
The life of Mr. Hindman has been one of activity and labor. All his lifetime he has been a temperate man, having never used either intoxicating liquor or tobacco, and to-day, at the honored age of sev- enty-four years, he is hale and hearty. As one of the pioneers of the county
he will long be remembered, and as an apright man and good citizen he has always stood high in the estimation of his fellow-men. He has contributed liberally of his time and means to all projects hav- ing for their aim the upbuilding of the county, and has always justly borne the reputation of a public-spirited citizen. He. as was his beloved wife, is an esteemed member of the Presbyterian Church of Wooster. He is an adherent of the Dem- ocratie party, and has served two terms as director of the Wayne County Infirmary:
G EORGE MATHES is a son of Mar- tin and Margaret ( Rott ) Mathes, na- tives of France, who came to Amer- ica in 1543, and settled in Canaan Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. The father, who was a prominent member of the Ro- formed Church, died in 1883; his widow still survives him. They reared eight children, five of whom are living: Mar- garet, wife of Jacob Weimer, of Hohes County, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Jacob Broomter, in Wooster Township, Wayne County; George; Barnhart, in Michigan; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Hope, in Kal- amazoo, Mich.
The subject of these lines was born in France, December 2, 1533; came to
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Wayne County with his parents, and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for many years. En 1860 he purchased the farm adjoining him, and in 1884 traded that for his present farm of 140 acres, in Canaan Township, Wayne County. In 1860 he married Christina, daughter of Balsar Haas, of Canaan Township. She died in 1872, leaving four children: Alice, wife of Ernest Benjamin, of Medina County, Ohio: Emma, wife of Ellis W. Zelmer, in West Salem (has one child, an infant) ; Ida, wife of Deforest Smith, of Canaan Township; Matilda, at home. Mr. Mathes' present wife is Louisa, daughter of Charles Galwitz, of Holmes County, and by her he has two children, Jessie and Charles. Mr. Mathes is a member of the Republican party, with prohibition pro- clivities, and has filled various township offices. At present writing he holds the office of school director. He is an elder in the Reformed Church of Canaan.
EWIS STACHER, farmer, was born in Washington County, Pen., in 1833, a son of Christopher and Rebecca (Snyder) Stacher. In 1835 the parents moved to Wayne County, Ohio, und first settled in Canaan Township, but
subsequently removed to Congress Town- ship, where the Father died at the age of Forty-five years. He was never a robust man, and for several years prior to his death was unable to perform the duties of farm life. His wife survived him for sey- eral years, dying at the age of fifty-seven. They had a family of seven children: Eli, Mary Am, Sarah Aun, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Lewis and Solomon B.
The children were reared in Wayne County, Lewis, the subject of our sketch, being but two years old when his parents made this county their home. Deprived of the care of a father early in life, he was obliged to assist in the work of the farm, his educational advantages being but limited. Since reaching manhood he has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, and is now one of the prosper- ons farmers of the township. His repu- tation for honesty and integrity is evi- denced by the official honors conferred upon him by his fellow-citizens, having served as trustee of the township, and also as justice of the peace six years. Ile is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party. He was married in 1861 to Miss Margaret Melee. daughter of Thomas Mebee, and to them were born two children: Thomas (. (de- ceased), and Carrie Bell, at home. Mrs. Stacher died September 24, ESS5.
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M OSES MORRETT, a well-known and respected citizen of Wooster, is a native of Cumberland County, Penn,, born June 5, 1825. His father, Michael Morrett, was likewise a native of that State, of mixed German and French lineage, his ancestors having set- tled in Pennsylvania at an early day. Michael Morrett was a farmer, and was married to Catherine Young, also a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Ma- thias and Gertrude Young. Michael Mor- rett died in his native State in 1840, and his wife in 1847. They were the parents of three sons and six daughters, the sons being now the only survivors of the fam- ily. Our subject is the only one living in Ohio; Michael occupies the Pensyl- vania homestead, and Samuel is a resident of Koseinsko County, Ind.
The subject of this sketch spent his life on the farm until he was eighteen years of age. His chances for school education in his earlier youth were very limited, be- ing kept out of school much of the time to attend to work which the lack of ma- chinery in those days imposed upon the farmer boy; nevertheless, he beemme a well-educated man. Later, for a few terms, he attended an academy at Ship- pensburgh, in his native county, and also spent a time in Dickinson College, at Car- listo, Penn. When qualified he began teaching school, following that profession
for twenty-two years. He was also en- gaged in mercantile business at Church- town, in his native county. In 1851 Mr. Morrett was united in marriage with Miss Adeline E., daughter of Daniel and Cassiah (Bowman) Krysher, all na- tives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrett was born one child, Ida May, who became a finely educated young lady, and was a teacher of music; she died at the age of twenty-five. In 1858 Mr. Morrett moved to Wayne County, Ohio, where he followed his profession of teaching most of the time until 1872. For six years he was principal of the school at Smithville, in this county, and for four years princi- pal of the grammar school of Wooster. In 1872 he was appointed internal reve- nue storekeeper for the district, and Soy- eral years later was appointed ganger, combining the two positions. At the he- ginning of President Cleveland's adminis- tration, in 1885, he withdrew from the service, and has since been book-keeper in Plank Brothers' mill, in Wooster.
Mr. and Mrs. Morrett are much-respect- ed members of society. Both are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church in Woos- ter, he being an active worker in the Sabbath-school, where for many years he has been a highly successful teacher in the Bible class, He is a strong Repub- liean, and has been elected justice of the peace, both in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
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In 1887 he was made president of the Board of Trustees of the Wooster Water Works. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Odd Fellows order. He and his wife live in a comfortable home on East Liberty Street, Wooster, and enjoy the good-will and friendship of everyone who has the pleasure of know- ing them.
D Q. LIGGETT (deceased), who in his lifetime was a well-known and highly respected citizen of Woos- ter, Wayne County, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, December 27, 121. His boyhood and early manhood days were spent on his father's farm, and at twenty- one he commenced elerking in a dry goods store at Nashville, in his native county, in which business he later became a part- ner, subsequently purchasing the concern. In 1860 he sold out, and removed to Wooster, where he again commenced a mercantile career, continuing in the same until his death, which ocenrred February 15, 188%.
Mr. Liggett was a man of sterling bosi- ness principles, and a hard worker, offen laboring beyond his strength. For some yours previous to his decease his health had failed, and his existence for a long
time seemed to be a close struggle be- tween life and death. Not alone is Mr. Liggett to be spoken of as a successful business man, for in his social life his many virtues and acts of benevolence, done in a quiet, unassuming manner, will remain forever in the memory of those who knew him best; and his loss as a useful citizen will long be felt in the two counties of which he had been a resident. In his life's work he was ever nobly aided by his loving wife, who stood by him and enconraged him in the many struggles to be met with on the highway to affluence: and the elegant home where the widow now resides, one of the handsomest in the city of Wooster, is the result of their united labor, good management and econ- omy. To the building of old Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church (of which he was a member), at Wooster, Mr. Liggett contributed largely. When a young man he became identified with the I. O. O. F. ; politically he was a stanch Republican.
May 26, 1516, he became united in marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of James and Catherine (Solenders) Mun- hall, and a native of Cumberland County, Penn., born August 13, 1523, her parents being both of the same county. Her maternal grandparents came to America from Germany, and her paternal arcostry from Ireland. When Mrs. Liggett was a child, her parents came to Holmes Conn- /
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ty, and here followed farming until their deaths, the father dying when over eighty years of age, and the mother about two years later. They had a family of seven children, as follows: John, in Holmes County, Ohio; James, in Illinois; Henry and Francis, both of whom died in Ili- nois; Mary A., now Mrs. John Boyd; Sarah, now Mrs. Charles Yocum, noar Warrenton, Mo., and Elizabeth, Mrs. D. Q. Liggett. Mrs. Liggett spent her early life on the farm until her marriage, when she and her husband resided in Nashville, as already related. No children were born to this worthy couple, and the de- voted wife in her widowhood is left alone to mourn the loss of her husband, and quietly await the summons that will call her to an eternal reunion.
what is now Wooster Township, Wayne County, but removed to Plain Township, one mile south of Blachleyville, and after- ward to a farm two miles farther sonth. where they spent the remainder of their days.
They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, as follows: John B., born February 1!, 1807, married to Rachel Burtner Oe- tober 4, 1832, located in Cumberland County, Penn., where he died February 11, 1819, leaving one child, Edwin G., who with his mother moved to Clinton Township. Wayne Co., Ohio, where they still live: Elizabeth, born May 10, 1509, remained at home until the decease of her father, and now has her home with Mrs. A. B. Ebright, of Plain Township; Hannah K., born March 11, 1811, married Henry Oldroyd in March, 1834, and im- mediately removed to Clinton Township, Wayne County (they were the parents of seven children, only five of whom are now living: Ehner G., Charles W., A. B., W. F. and T. B. ) : George, born January 11, 1513, married May 1, 1539, to Rachel Hathaway, of Fairfield County. Ohio, where they remained until his decease, March 20, 1561, when Mrs. Ebright, with her children, removed to Ashland County, thener to Wayne County, and she is now a resident of Wooster ttheir children were Pulaska, Elizabeth. I. S.
YOHN D. EBRIGHT, son of Abram B. and Tamar . ( Froese) Ebright, was born in Plain Township. Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1959. His grandfather, George Ebright, was a native of Cmmber- land County, Pen., born in 1782. He there received a practical education, and May 6, 1506, married Barbara Brunner, also a native of the same county, born ' October 11. 1756. During the year 1831 they removed to Ohio, and located in Office. Martha, Joseph and May (. ): Ann.
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born May 20, 1815, married to Thomas Battles March 11, 1812, located in Clin- tou Township (their only surviving chil- dren are Anu and Snsie) : Abram B .; Mary, born May 6, 1821. married May 12. 1844, to William B. Baker, located in Indiana, and have three children: Byron L .. Elizabeth and Amy; Thomas, born April 14, 1821, married to Naney Leggett June 15, 1851, located at Nashville, Hohnes Co., Ohio, and had four children, two of whom are living: Catherine and Cady; William P .. born March 12, 1827, died October 31, 1827, and two children died in infancy.
Of these, Abram B. was born March 27, 1818, in Cumberland County, Penn., and April 22, 1841, married Tamar Freese; located at Millbrook, Plain Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he carried on teaching and farming. He taught during the winters for a period of twenty years, devoting his attention during the sum- mers to the farm. He was one of the rep- resentative men of his township, and was held high in favor by its citizens, His death occurred July 27, 1857. The chil- PIKE FAMILY. This family is now represented as its head by George Fike, a retired farmer living at Orrville, who was born in Alsace-Lor- raine, November 7, 1825. and was in his twelfth year when he came here with parents. Michael and Eva Fike. They dren of Mr. and Mrs. Abram B. Ebright were Frances, deceased; Arta D., the late Mrs. David Sloane, of Ashland County ; E. F., who married Miraba Miller, and located in Ashland County: Ulila, who died when eight years of age: Melvin C., an attor- ney of Ashland County, having been ad- came direct from New York to Canaan
mitted to the bar about a year before his death, which ocenrred April 13, 1879; George J., married to Ella Oswalt, and located in Plain Township, Wayne Coun- ty, and John D., who married, December 28, 1582, Della M., daughter of Benjamin Leyda, of Clinton Township, and located in Plain Township, Wayne County, where he became a farmer. Preferring, how- over, a mercantile life to one of the Farm, he removed to Shreve in March, 1586, and established himself in business as dealer in boots and shoes, etc., and is one of the prominent and active business men of that enterprising village. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Ebright are the parents of two children: Ethel Elizabeth, born November 6, 1853, and Glen Leyda, born August 17, 1855. The parents are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church. In polities Mr. Ebright is a Republican, and he is a mem- ber of the council.
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Township, Wayne County, and settled upon a farm, which is still in the posses- sion of the family. Michael Fike died in Sandusky City, Ohio, while temporarily staying with a daughter, Mrs. Emeline Voigt, in April, 1886, at the age of eighty- two years. His widow lives with the same daughter, and is eighty-nine years old. They had seven children, viz. : Michael, living in Sandusky City; Jacob, who died in the old country, aged fifteen; John, who lives in Canaan Township, Wayne County; George, in Orrville; Frederick, in Canaan Township; Adam W., in Wayne Township, and Emeline, in Sandusky City.
George Fike, in his sixteenth year, went into a bakery at Wooster. where he stayed a couple of years, and then for several years clerked in a tin and stove store at Akron, Ohio. He then started a general store at Mansfield, Ohio, which he sold, and then bought a foundry at Loudon- ville, Ashland Co., Ohio, which he after- ward soll, and bought a farm in Canaan Township, Wayne County. Disposing of this four years later, he bought another in Clinton Township, which was his home for thirteen years. Again he sold, and bought in Canaan Township, which two years later he sold, and bought the farm in Greene Township which is occupied by his son, George A. This was his home " Grace, died at the age of eleven months. for twenty-three years, when he retired to The survivors are Ada May. Alpha
a well-earned repose, building a handsome and commodions residence in the village of Orrville. January 26, 1850, Mr. Fike was married to Miss Catherine Rinehart. born in Alsace-Loraine, October 25. 1825, who came to this country with her parents when six years old. They have six children: Louisa E., William A .. George A., Joseph B., Jacob M. and Mary J. Mr. and Mrs. Fike are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church, of which he has been treasurer and trustee. He is a man of shrewd judgment, entirely self- made, and highly respected.
WILLIAM A. FIKE, farmer, living on Section 14, Greene Township is the eld- est son of George Fike, and was born in Canaan Township, February 12, 1553. His edneation was received in the dis- triet schools, after which for a time he worked at the bakery and confectionery Imusiness for awhile in Wooster. Pro- ferring farm life, he returned to his father's, where he remained until his mar- riage. September 5, 1876, he was mal- ried to Mary A., danghter of Houry B. and Elizabeth Hoover, whose history ap- pears on another page. She was born June 1, 185 1, in the house where she now lives, and where her parents also live with her. Mr. and Mrs. Fike are the par- ents of four children, one of whom ha
WAYNE COUNTY. 16.
Emma and William Henry Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Fike also adopted in Sep- 1 tember, 1878, a young girl, Cora Maud Ensworth, an orphan, then six years of age, whom they took from the Fairmount ward for two years in the State of Iowa. Coming back to Wayne County, he engaged in merchandising in Smithville, where he remained four years, but, preferring the life of a farmer, bought a farm in Canaan Orphan Home, at Alliance, Ohio, and who . Township, which he yet owns. On that has been to tliem as their own. After ' place he lived until his father's retire- his marriage Mr. Fike removed to the , ment, when the latter wished him to take farm where he now lives, which for three . the homestead, which he did. May 15, years he rented from his wife's father. 1879, Mr. Fike was married to Miss Ida E. Caskey, of Wayne Township, where she was born December 1, 1860. They have two children: Della M. and Pearlie M. The parents of Mrs. Like are residents of 1 Wayne Township, where the Family have long been settled. Her father, George Caskey, was born on the place where he now lives, which is the family homestead. Her mother was Miss Catherine Burk- holler, and also is yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Fike are members of the Lutheran Church at Smithville, and he bears the reputation of a young man of high prin- ciples and strict integrity. The following year was spent with his wife's parents on a place adjoining, and he then, in 1880, bought a farm near Smithville, on which they lived for two years, when he sold it, and bought store property in Smithville. He and his wife, however, returned to the farm which has since been their home, and which he works. Mr. and Mrs. Fike are members of the Ger- man Reformed Church of Orrville, of which he is both deacon and clerk, a responsible trust for so young a man, but one which he discharges faithfully and satisfacto- rily. He has never lived ont of Wayne County, and his life-long neighbors bear testimony to his integrity and his charac- ter as a good man and good citizen.
GEORGE A. FIKE is the second son of ! George Fike, and was born in Clinton D R. BENJAMIN F. HOY was born in Holmesville, Holmes Co., Ohio, June 22, 1561. His parents are Dr. George W. and Mary A. (Spearman ) Township, November 27, 1854. He at- tended the district schools, and later en- tered Prof. Eberly's select school al Smith- ville. After leaving there he engaged in Hoy. The subject of this biographical teaching in his native county, and after- " memoir received his literary education at
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Muskingum College, his medical edu- cation at Toledo and Columbus, and he graduated from Toledo Medical College in 1883. He first located in Belmore, Putnam Co., Ohio, where he practiced his profession for three years. In 1886 he came to Apple Creek, and here now enjoys an extensive practice. In 1887 the Doctor was united in marriage with Miss Fannie F., daughter of T. J. Cross, of Putnam County, Ohio. Dr. Hoy has always taken an active part in Republican politics, and is chairman of the township committee. He is at this writing a can- didate for the office of coroner. He is a member of Apple Creek Lodge, No. 324, K. of P., Apple Creek, Ohio, Northwest- ern Ohio Medical Association, and Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association.
T THOMAS FERGUSON, son of Wal- ter and Rebecca ( Panl ) Ferguson, is a native of Westmoreland County, Ponn., born June 7, 1825. His father was a native of Ireland, born in 1756, and his mother was a native of Pounsylvania. They came with their Emmily, including Thomas, our subject, to Wayne County, Ohio, in October, 1829, and located on Section 15. Congress Township. The father died in 1871. the
mother in 1849. The father was twice married, and had a family of ten children, five born to each marriage. Rebecca Paul was his second wife. Two of the family are yet living. Walter Ferguson the father of Thomas, came with his father to this continent in 1789. They resided a few years in Cumberland County, Penn., and then moved to Westmoreland County, same State. Thomas, the subject of this memoir, was married in October, 1519, to Rebecca Jane, daughter of James Patter- son, who came to Wayne County, Ohio, sixty years ago, becoming one of the first settlers of Congress Township, where he died in February, 1867. To Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson were born eight children, all now living except one: James W., born December 17, 1850: Sydney ML., born June 13, 1853, died October 13, 1882; Emma V., born July 1, 1855; Reuben B., born May 18, 1858; Ohio P., born April 27, 1860; Charles E., born October 29, 1862; Thomas V., born Oeto- ber 10, 1861: Mary J., boru September 11, 1367.
Although our subject's opportunities for obtaining an education were very lim- ited in his day, as compared with the pres- out, still his assiduous application to his books and steady perseverance in his stud- ies have placed him above the average on the roll of well-read men in his county. For some time, while a young man, he
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taught school, and in after years his judg- ment and intelligence were recognized by the community in selecting him to assist in making the township assessments un- der the new law, and he has since served many times in the same capacity. Mr. Ferguson has for many years been a leader among the agriculturists and stock- raisers of Wayne County, where his sixty years of continuous residence places him among the foremost of the pioneers. He owns the old homestead on Section 15, before referred to, where his father so long lived, besides an excellent farm, one and a half miles west of the old farm place, where he at present resides. Polit- ically he is a Republican, having been an old-line Whig in his earlier life.
W ILLIAM P. BARNS is a son of James and Asenath ( Melntire) Barns, natives of West Virginia, who came to Wayne County, Ohio, about 1828, and entered the Farm in Canaan Township which is now owned by their son William P. They died, the father in 1855, the mother in 1885. James Barns was formerly a Whig, and afterward a Republican. They reared ten children, as follows: Harrison, Rebecca, Emily E. and Franklin E., all deceased; Melissa,
wife of James Orr, Tabitha C., wife of Adam Smith, James A., Delilah, wife of Henry Suell, Jemima C., single, and William P., all living in Canaan Town- ship. Franklin E. was a soldier of the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany K, and died at Camp Deunison, Ohio. The subject of this memoir was born on the homestead he now owns, in Canaan Township, December 23. 1817, and has since resided here. In ISTS he married Miss Viola J., daughter of Eli Snell, ol Canaan, Wayne County, and by this union there have been two children, but one now living-Harrison; Clyde is deceased. Mr. Barns is a member of the Repub- lican party, and has served as township trustee for a number of years. He is a member of Creston Lodge, No. 245, K. of P., and one of the highly respected citi- zens of Wayne County.
W ILLIAM H. SMITH was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne C'o., Ohio, in April, 1830, and is a son of Joseph G. and Mary ( Frank ) Smith. Ilis paternal grandfather was Andrew Smith, formerly of Centre County, Penn., who settled abont 1829 in Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio,' where he cleared and improved a farm, on which
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