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 25
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aud, being satisfied with the results of his prospective trip, he, in 1516, purchased a tract of land. In ISIS he built the first barn, made of hewn logs, in Clinton Township, and had to make a journey.on horseback to Pittsburgh, in order to pro- cure nails for use in the construction of the roof of his barn, which was 32x56 feet in size. This barn was built on the farm now owned by Cameron and others, on the line of Holmes and Wayne Counties.
Thomas Shreve was the father of uine children, five of whom are deceased, viz. : Richard, Rosanna, Margaret ( who mar- ried John Graven, also deceased ), Char- lotta, and William, who was killed in 1831, by a runaway team; those living are Caleb, in Caldwell County, Mo. ; Henry, subject of our notice; Sarah J., wife of Thomas Morgan, of Clinton Township, and Eliza, wife of Nicholas Crum, of Holmes County. Mr. Shreve died July 4, 1857, and Mrs. Shreve January 13, 1854. The postoffice of Shreve was named in his honor, and the town of Shreve derives its name from that, its name having been changed on the incor- poration of the village. He was chair- man of the first meeting held to con- sider the building of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. He was a member of the State Legislature during 1539 40 and 1810 11, when S. P. Chase, Ruins Spalding and others, who have
Henry there
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since acquired a national reputation, were members of that honorable body, and during his life he was recognized as one of the leading men of the county and this portion of the State, and was prominent in all local enterprises.
in the discharge of any public duty. At one time be carried the keys to the coun- ty treasury a day and night, and at another time, finding the treasurer ont and the office and safe open, he closed the same, thus showing that he is honest and trust- ed by his fellow-men. He has frequently been solicited by the leading men of the connty to accept higher offices, but, being a practical farmer, he devotes his time and attention to that end.
Henry Shreve, the subject proper of this memoir, married, in 1547, Harriet, daughter of John Jones. The two fam- ilies originally removed from New Jersey to Fayette County, Penn., and from there to Wayne County, being neighbors and friends in three States. Mr. and Mrs. Shreve have five children: E. D., a civil engineer in the City of Mexico, being UINBY JONES is a native son of Wayne County, born in Wooster October 13, 1$30, a son of Benja- min and Hannah ( Vanemmon) Jones, former a native of Winchester, Frederick Co., Va., born April 18, 1757, and latter a native of New Jersey, born December 25, 1791. They were among the earliest settlers of Wayne County, Ohio, and from the time of their settle- ment until their deaths were among the most prominent citizens of Wooster. They had a family of eight children, viz. : D. K., Eleanor, Isnae N., Ohio F., Charles Carroll, Joseph R., Quinby and B. J. Pho father died April 21, 1861, und the mother in 1879. engaged in the construction of a drainage and sewerage canal for the Mexican Gov- ernment at that city; Florence M., now Mrs. A. M. Miller, of Millbrook, Ohio; E. B., now Mrs. R. T. Craig, residing near Winfield, Cowley Co., Kas. ; Allen T., formerly a merchant of Shreve, and Eliza J. Mr. Shreve is a Democrat, and has been officially identified with the town- ship for many years, having been school director for thirty years and commissioner of county from 1859 to 1865. He is ro- garded as authority on township and school matters, and inaugurated a system of road work that has done more for the building up of good roads in the com- munity than any other system. Mr. Quinby Jones remained at home until twenty years of age, when he went to Cul- Shreve is regarded by all as u just and upright man, and one that is above a price , ifornia, via the overland route, being
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ninety days on the way. He remained there two years engaged in mining, and in 1832 returned to Wooster. He was married, December 6, 1853, to Lavinia Thomas, a native of Wooster, daughter of Lewis Thomas, one of the early settlers of the county, formerly of Maryland. After his marriage Mr. Jones bought a part of his father's homestead, on which he lived until 1867, when he moved to the farm where he now lives, which he has im- proved, and now has one of the pleasant- est homes in the township. He has al- ways been public spirited, and has assist- ed materially in advancing the interests of his native county and town. In addi- tion to general farming he has engaged quite extensively in dealing in cattle and sheep, and the breeding of Scotch collie dogs. In polities he takes an active in- terest, casting his suffrage with the Dem- ocratie party. He has a Family of four children: John T., Emma J., Joseph J. and Mary E. S.
M RS. JANE BECHTEL, of Woos- ter, Ohio, is the widow of John Bechtel, and was born in Chester Township, Wayne County, in ISI8. Her father, James Flack, was born in Wash- ington County, Penn., and was by trade a millwright. His father was born abroad
of English extraction. The father of our subject married Margaret Ramsey, who bore him eight children, six of whom reached maturity; Mrs. Bechtel and Mrs. Mary MeDaniel, of Wooster, are the only ones living in Wayne County. While Mrs. Bechtel was but a child she lost a mother's care, and some time afterward her father chose as his second wife Miss Julia White, who bore him six children. The father died in 1853. About 1818 he had come to Wayne County, where he settled on a farm, and also built and operated a mill on Little Killbuck Creek. Mrs. Bechtel's girlhood was passed on the farm in Chester Township, and in 1837 she was there married to John Bechtel. They came to Wooster, where they built the house which has since been her home with the exception of the four years dur- ing which Mr. Bechtel was sheriff.
John Bechtel was a son of Martin and Margaret (Spellman) Bechtel, natives of Pennsylvania, both of whom died in Wayne County, to which they had re- moved when John was quite young. The latter became well known in Wayne Connty; was a Democrat in politics, and influential in the conneils of his party. He held varions township and county offices; was constable, deputy sheriff, and was later elected and re-elected to the office of sheriff, which he filled accepta- bly to the people and creditably to him-
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self for two terms. For many years he had been a member of the I. O. O. F., and was looked upon as a man of unflinching integrity. Mr. Bechtel died in 1865, at the age of fifty-five years. Of his union with our subject there were six children born, as follows: James Martin, now a resident of Burlington, Iowa; Melissa .1., now Mrs. Irving Foghson, of Duluth; David E., in Southern Ohio; Mary E., wife of J. P. Hocking, of Grand Rapids, Mich .; John T., living in Greenfield Ohio; Jennie T., now Mrs. Jerome T. Baird, of Wooster, Ohio. Mrs. Bechtel was as well known as her husband, and is held in high esteem by all who know her.
JEROME T. BAIRD was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 16, 1858. His father, Cyrus Baird, was also a native of the county, born in Plain Township. His grandfather, who was also named Cyrus, was a native of the State of New York, born March 2, 1801, and came to this county with his father, Aaron Baird, in 1812. He was married to a Miss Blatch- les, and both died in Wayne County. His son, Cyrus, father of Jerome, was reared upon the farm, and after arriving at years of manhood, married Amy Tyler, a dangh- ter of Benjamin and Maria Tyler, both of whom were early settlers of Wayne Coun- ty. Of this union four children were born, Jerome T. being the only one living in Wayne County. In the spring of 1869
the mother passed away, the father still living in Wooster. Jerome Baird's first business experience was as a clerk in a drug store in Wooster, in which he finally bought an interest. In the spring of 1884 he sold out his interest, and started alone in the business he is now conduct- ing. In 1882 he was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of John and Jane Bech- tel. No children have been born to them. Mr. Baird is a member of the K. of M., and he is regarded as a young business man of capacity, whose attention to busi- ness and character for probity are sure to command success.
OHN EVEY was born in Washing- ton County, Md., April 23, 1525, and is a son of Samuel and Sophia (Neiswander) Evey, both natives of the State of Maryland. The paternal grand- father of John Evey was Christian Evey, and his maternal grandfather was John Neiswander, both natives of Germany, and early settlers of Washington County, Md. The parents of our subject settled in Wayne County in 1527, locating on a farm on Section 16, Chippewa Township, which they cleared and improved, in later life removing to Doylestown, where they died. They roared a family of eight chil- dren, as follows: Christian. William,
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Maria ( Mrs. Daniel Snyder), John, Sophia (Mrs. Henry Hoyt), Samuel, Susan ( Mrs. Riley Franks ) and Elizabeth.
John Evey, the subject of this memoir, was reared in Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he received a limited common-school education. He began life poor, on a rented farm; later purchased eighty acres of his father's farm, which he sold in 1861, and bonght 106 acres on Section 8, same township, where he has since resided, and has made all the im- provements in buildings, etc. Mr. Evey married, August 15, 1849, Catherine, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Case) Whitman. He is a thorough-going farm- ! er, and by industry and frugality has accumulated a fine property. Politically he is a Democrat.
R OBERT BARNES. This well- endured for Their sakes. In the early known pioneer of Wayne County, Ohio, traces his deseeut to Revo- lutionary ancestors. His grand- father, Peter Barnes, was born in En- gland, and there married a Miss Graham, a native of Ireland. Four days after their wedding the young couple set sail for America. The precise date is not known, but it was years before the commence- ment of The War of the Revolution, in which Peter Barnes took part. as a Con-
tinental soldier. Ile afterward settled in Maryland, and there his son, Heury, father of Robert, was born. He was a farmer by occupation, and during the Revolution sold his farm for $10,000, taking his pay in Continental money, which became worthless in his hands.
After selling his farm Henry Barnes moved to Pennsylvania, and in that State was married to Jane Graham, and there some of his children were born. Seek- ing for virgin soil and cheaper lands on which to make their home, the parents removed with their family to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1811, settling in Salt Creek Township, among the very earliest pioneers of that region. They lived the usnal life of pioneers, but their humble log cabin was the scene of contentment and happiness. Children grew up within its walls, and the rough labor of clear- ing a home in the dense forest was gladly days they were sometimes molested by Indians, who had not yet been entirely reconciled lo the white man taking this beautiful country, but no serious loss was sustained. As an instance of what the early pioneers had to endure, Mr. Barnes relales that his father was cont- pelled to go forty miles on horseback, to Mohican, to get two bushels of corn, car- rying his gun to defend himself From the Indians, and returning had to go nine
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miles to Killbuck, to get it ground at Stubb's Mills, and had to wait two days and one night for his seanty grist. It was through such hardships and labors as these this fertile county was won to civilization for the descendants of these hardy pioneers. In the fall of 1812 they were compelled to leave, and again crossed the mountains into Pennsylvania, returning, however, the following spring. and the parents never again left the county. The mother preceded her hus- band to the grave about two years, the latter dying March 9, 1848. To this worthy old pioneer couple nine children were born, only two of whom now survive. Among the early settlers of the county, Henry Barnes was well known, and was respected as a man of integrity and sound judgment, whose word could always be de- pended upon.
Robert Barnes, the subject of this sketch, was born in Beaver County. Penn., June 2, 1807. Like all the children of the old pioneers, his education was gotten in the old log school of the day, with its greased paper windows and its puncheon floor. When old enough he swung the pioneer's ax in the primeval forest, and took his full share of all the other hard work on the new farm the family were creating. At the age of twenty-four Mr. Barnes was united in marriage with Miss Christina, danghter of Thomas Rail. born
in Pennsylvania, and brought by her par- ents to Wayne County when quite young. Nine children were born of this union: Dewitt is a farmer in East Union Town- ship; Elizabeth is the widow of Andrew Glenn, and a resident of this county, as is her sister Jane, the wife of William Moucher; Lucy is married to R. B. Snyder, of Wooster; Kempton is a resi- dent of Franklin Township, this county; John was a Union soldier during the Re- bellion, and was killed in the army ; Fran- cos (Mrs. Graham) and Charles both live in Cleveland, Ohio, and William in Elyria, Ohio.
After his marriage Mr. Barnes bought a farm in Franklin Township, on which he lived till 1870, in which year his wife died, and he rented his farm and came to Wooster, where he makes his home with his danghter Ley, Mrs. Snyder. For eighteen years of his residence in this county, before he bought his Franklin Township farm. Mr. Barnes kept a hotel in Fredericksburgh, in Salt Creek Town- ship, and became well known, not only to Wayne County people, but to a large cir- ele of friends, with whom he was popular. He had a liking for military matters, and was for five years lientenant-colonel of a militia infantry regiment, and later was for five years in the Jackson Cavalry, State troops. He and his wife were both members of the Presbyterian Church of
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Salt Creek, and were esteemed both as early settlers and good friends and neigh- bors. In polities Mr. Barnes has always been a stanch Democrat.
A BRAM F. HUFFMAN (deceased) was one of the prominent farmers of Wayne County. He was a na- tive of this county, born October 11, 1822, in Chippewa Township, the eldest of five children of Daniel and Abigail Huffman. His father was born in Switz- erland Angust 15, 1798, and in 1803 came to America with his father, and located in Washington County, Penn. In 1815 they moved to Ohio, and located at Slanker- : ville, now known as Easton, and there Daniel was married, in 1820, to Abigail, daughter of Henry Franks, who came to Wayne County from Fayette County, Penn., in 1816, and settled on a farm ho entered from the Government, in Chippewa Township, south of Doylestown. (Henry Frauks) was captured by the Indians when a young man, and was kept by them five years. He was tall, straight and of a powerful build, and was fancied by the Indians, who at onee introduced him to Indian citizenship by their cere- monies, which consisted first in running the gannflet, and at the end of the race, to save his own life, he was compelled to
strike down an Indian. This daring act on his part ingratiated him with his captors, and although he was also wounded, he was taken care of and treated kindly until fully recovered. Of Daniel Huffman's family one daughter died when nine years old; another daughter, Eliza, is the wife of Jacob Baysinger, of Doylestown: Ephraim married Adaline Franks, and is living on the Franks homestead; Daniel married Catherine Wilhelm, and is now living at Doylestown.
Abram F. Huffinan remained in Chip- pewa Township until about thirty years of age, when he bought a tract of land in Greene Township, which he improved and made his home until 1872, when he moved to the village of Smithville, where he died August 14, 1886. Mr. Hoffman boing the oldest of the family, was obliged to assist his father in the work of the farm, and was able to attend school only during the winter months. He made the most of his limited advantages, and acquired a good business education, becoming one of the best informed men on general subjects in the county. In his infancy he was baptized, and after reaching adult life he was converted and received into the Lutheran Church by Rev. William Ballsey, of Smithville. He remained in that church a unmber of years, when a Methodist Church was organized in the place, and he withdrew from the Entheran
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and joined the Methodist Church, which had been his choice from childhood. He was an honored member of this church at the time of his death, and was a highly respected citizen. In polities he was a strong Republican.
Mr. Huffman was married, December 3, 1856, to Elizabeth A. Redinger, of Mil- ton Township, Wayne County, daughter of Frederick and Mary Redinger, who were of German and English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman had but one child, a danghter, Carrie Bell, who was married April 14, 1884, to R. S. Roller, a drug- gist of Wooster. Mrs. Huffman now makes her home with her daughter, al- thongh she still owns the farm in Greene Township. The first death in Greene Township after its settlement was that of Christian Partshic, who died December 27, 1817, and was buried on the farm now owned by Mrs. Huffman.
was married to Mary Young, born in the same State, and by that nnion they were the parents of eight children, six of whom are yet living, three in Wayne County, Ohio. The father passed from earth in 1848, at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years, and in 1858 the mother came with her children to Wayne County, and was married to Christian Burkey, of Chester Township, where she yet resides, aged eighty-two years.
The subject of this memoir, when quite young, began to learn the trade of har- ness-making, and, after completing his apprenticeship, followed it for several years, for four years having a shop of his own. He next turned his attention to cabinet-making, and has now been in that business about twenty years. In IS$2 he formed a partnership with William George, which continued for six years. it being dissolved in the summer of ISSS, when Mr. Landis embarked alone, on East Liberty Street, Wooster, in the furniture business, in which he keeps a full and complete stock. An important feature of
W Y. LANDIS, dealer in furniture, . his business is undertaking, to which he und undertaker, of Wooster, Ohio, ' gives careful attention. In 1967 Mr. was born in Lohigh County, ; Landis was united in marriage with Miss Talitha, daughter of Daniel and Lydia Pittenger, and a native of Wayne County. Her father lives in Chester Township. where her mother died in the fall of 1957. Penn., June 26, 1816. His father, Will- imn Landis, was also a native of that county, and was a minister of the Men- nonite Church, and his parents had also been Pennsylvanians. William Landis Two children have been born to this
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union: Thomas, who died at the age of four years, and Mand, aged fifteen years. Mr. Landis is a Republican in politics, and at one time was a member of the city conneil of Wooster. He is an active member of the Royal Areanum, and was for some years an active member of the Volunteer Fire Department of Wooster. He is a self-made man, who began poor, but has by his perseverance, industry and business tact acquired a good position, and his success in life is a testimony to bis upright and straightforward business principles. As an honest and capable merchant, and a progressive citizen, hav- ing the interests of the county at heart, he is rightly held in esteem by everyone who knows him.
Z EPUANLAH LOVETT, son of Ja- cob and Christena Anne (Trollin- ger) Lovett, was born in Allegany County, Md., October 12, 1826. His pa- termal and maternal grandparents were residents of that county, where Jonas Lovett was married and reared a family of children, as follows: John, Samuel, Daniel, Henry, William, Britton, Jonas, Gabriel. Jacob and three daughters. Of these, Jacob the Father of Zephaniah, was born in Maryland in 1799, where he mar- ried Christena Anne Trollinger, and
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where were born five children, viz .: James Hanson (deceased), Rosina, Eanon T., Clement S. (now a resident of Mon- tana ) and Zophaniah. The family then removed to Holmes County, Ohio, where the remainder of the children were born, as follows: Martha, Allen, Euzilla (de- ceased), Cedron E. and Octavia (deceased ).
Zephaniah received his education in Holmes County, Ohio, and there married, July 3, 1856, Eliza Anne Esselborn, who died May 2, 1862. March 16, 1865, Mr. Lovett married Maria E. Spring. Mr. Lovett located in Shreve, Wayne County, in 1856, and has lived in the same house since that time. He followed the business of a contractor and builder for a period of twelve or fourteen years. He here built the steam saw-mill of Shreve, having a twenty-horse power engine, a planer, a cider-mill, etc., and in connection a lum- ber yard, supplying the adjoining country with its products. Mr. and Mrs. Lovett have two children, Edgar Odell and Gny Dudley. The parents and sons are mom- bers of the Christian Church. Mr. Lovett is one of the prominent and successful business men of Shreve, and occupies a deservedly high place in the estimation of the people generally. In politics he is a stanch Democrat and an enthusiastic free trader. He has been the recipient of political honors by well-merited ad- vancement to various positions of trust.
yours Respi 3. Lawelt
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JACOB KISSINGER is a son of Peter and Mary ( Pechard ) Kissin- ger, natives of Cumberland County, Penn., who came lo Wayne County, Ohio, about 1832, and located on a farm in Canaan Township, where the father died November 2, 1881, aged ninety years, and the mother June 22, 1873, aged sixty-five years. They reared ten children, as fol- lews: George, who died in Illinois; Ra- chel (wife of Robert Berkholder), Lucy ( wife of. Samuel Rhodes), Susan ( wife of Frederick Fife), Rebecca ( wife of David Hewilt), and Elizabeth ( wife of A. E. Ebey), all of Canaan Township. Wayne County; Jane, wife of Samuel Baker, of Summit County, Ohio; Peter, residing in Milton Township, Wayne County; John, residing in Wayne Township, Wayne County, and Jacob.
The subject of this biography was born in Canaan Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, June 11, 1833. He obtained a limited education in the township schools, assist- ing his father to clear the homestead farm, where he was reared. He learned the carpenter's Irado, which he Followed many years, earning enough to purchase his present farm of 100 acres of land in Ca- naan Township, where he successfully carries on agricultural pursuits. Mr. Kis- singer has been lientenant in Company K, Ohio National Guards. In 1865 he married Leah, daughter of Jonah Hunts-
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berger, of' Canaan Township, Wayne Connty, and they have three children: Elmer T., Lola Pearl and Edward J. Mr. Kissinger is an active member of the Democratic party, and has filled the office of township constable for ten years, and has also served as school director, etc. He is a trustee of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kissinger's paternal grandfather lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight years.
S AMUEL FRANK, son of John and Esther ( MeConangby ) Frank, was born in Burgettstown, Washington Co., Penn., May 7, 1818. His pater- ual grandfather, Baltzer Frank, was a. native of Germany, and immigrated to this country in an early day, locating in Pennsylvania, where his son John was born. The latter came to Wayne County. Ohio, and settled in Canaan Township in the fall of 1822, where he selected a heavy body of timber, which proved to be an excellent piece of land. Here he com- meneed clearing up a farm, and after many years of unceasing toil he snecceded in hewing ont of the primitive forest a comfortable home. He died at the all- vanced age of eighty-six years. His wife, Esther, was a native of Ireland, and was eleven years of age when her parents came to America; she died in her seventy -fourth
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year. Mr. and Mrs. John Frank were life-long members of the Presbyterian Church.
Their son Samuel, the subject of this sketch, was brought from his native home to Wayne County, Ohio, by his parents when four years of age. His educational opportunities were few, and he remained at home assisting his father in the farm work until he was thirty-five years old, when he married, July 5, 1858, Miss Elizabeth Am Shultz, who was born Jan- uary 21, 1827, in Dauphin County. Penn., a daughter of Jacob Shultz. To Mr. and Mrs. Frank were born seven children, as follows: Nancy, born in 1854, died in her uinth year; Maria J., born February 22, 1856, became the wife of Jeremiah Bow- man, and died November 25, 1886; Mary A., born February 16, 1858, is now living in Ashland County, Ohio; Ellen, born February 19, 1860, now the wife of John Worst, and living in Chester Township, Wayne Co., Ohio; Jacob, born February 11, 1862, married the daughter of Charles Dyche, and also lives in Chester Town- ship, Wayne County; Oliver E. was born August 28, 1864, married a daughter of Jacob Wohlgamuth, and resides on the old home place; John J., born November 18, 1866, makes his home with his father at the old homestead. The mother of these children died October 18, 1886. She, as has also been her husband, was
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