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 26
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for many years identified with the origi- nal German Baptist Church. Samuel Frank can justly bo classed among the pioneers of Wayne County, and has wit- . messed the many changes and improve- ments that have taken place in Congress and Canaan Townships within the past six or seven decades. He is still hearty and vigorous, taking active interest in his farm, on which he lives, and which was entered by Daniel Chasey, another of the sturdy pioneers of Congress Town- ship. Mr. Frank, with the exception of his sister, Mrs. Robert McConaughy, is the only member of his father's family now living. In politics he is a Democrat.
H ENRY HT. PLASTERER, son of C. F. Plasterer, was born in Plain Township, Wayne County, Ohio. December 8, 1856, and was ed- ucated in the schools of his locality. His father came from Lancaster County, Penn., to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1852, and is now residing in Plain Township. He was the father of the following-named children: Henry H., Susan A., George W., Elizabeth, Matilda and John J., all now living.
Of these, Henry H., whose name heads this biographical memoir, was married December 5, 1578, to May Abbey Horn,
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of Plain Township, Wayne County, daugh- ter of George W. Horn, formerly of Pen- sylvania, and their children were as fol- lows: Warren D., who died March 9, 1880, aged one year; Milan Earl, born November S, 1880, and Verna Loy, born July 25, 1882. Mr. Plasterer was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Plain Township until February 12, 1887, when he embarked in mercantile business at Reedsburgh, same township, where he still carries on a general country store. Ile is also postmaster at Reedsburgh. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church; politically he is a Democrat.
P L. HORN, of the well-known firm of Horn Bros., Wooster, Ohio, was born in that city October 24, 1844. His father, John P. Horn, was a native of Hesse - Darmstadt, Germany, who immigrated to America, and died in Wooster, December 12, 1888. Our sub- jeet was educated in the schools of Woos- ter, and when a mere lad began to learn the trade of baker and confectioner, in the same building in which he is now carry- ing on his business. Before he was eighteen years of age he enlisted, August 7, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and at
once was transferred to the front, where he saw active service until September 21, 1864, when he was taken prisoner at the battle of Athens, Ala., and was confined at Cahaba, in that State, remaining there seven months. On being exchanged he was sent to Vicksburg, and was there un- til the close of the war. He was one of the passengers on the ill-fated "Sultana," which burned on the Mississippi, April 27, 1865, with such a fearful loss of life, the most appalling disaster ever known on the mighty " Father of Waters." . On being hurled from the boat on the ex- plosion of the boilers he managed to keep afloat, and drifted down the river two iniles past the city of Memphis, nine miles from the scene of the disaster, where he was picked up by the crew of a gun-boat, one of the few survivors of that memorable night. May 20, 1565, he was honorably discharged, and returned to his home after an absence of nearly three years.
In April, 1866, our subject entered into business with his brother, John B. Horn. who had also served his country, and their brotherly co-partnership has con- tinned ever since. A sketch of John Ilorn is given on another page of this volume. September 3, 1867, Mr. Horn was nuited in marriage with Miss Emmma Nachtrieb, daughter of Jonas Nachtrieb, and a native of Wooster, where both her
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parents died. They were of German birth, and were early settlers of Wooster, coming to that place from Pennsylvania. Of this union three children were born: Charles, Anna and Jennie, all still under the parental roof.
Mrs. Horn, her eldest daughter and son are members of the church. Mr. Horn is a member of the Odd Fellows order and the Grand Army of the Republic. In polities he is a stanch Republican. He has made his way in the world unassisted, and from a small beginning has hewed ont for himself an honorable position and a comfortable competence, besides gain- ing the universal good-will and esteem of those who know him as an honorable man.
OSEPH DAVIDSON (deceased) was born in Westmoreland County, Pem., in 1521, a son of Jacob and Mary ( Young) Davidson, who were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters. Joseph Davidson remained in his native county until 1863, when he came to Wayne County, Ohio, and bought 253 acres of land in Wayne Township. which he made his home the rest of his life. Mr. Davidson was a hard-working man, and his success in life was due large- ly lo his own labor, economy and good management. He gave his children good
educational advantages, and thus fitted them for the responsibilities of life. He was a kind and indulgent husband and father, a good neighbor, and was respected by all who knew him.
He was married in 1844 to Ineinda M., daughter of Daniel and Sarah ( Wood) Phillips, of Fayette County, Penn., and to them was born a family of nine chil- dren: Jacob, Daniel, Samuel, Hannah Jane, Sarah E., Mary, Bertha L. and Joseph N. (deceased), and Anne M. In politics Mr. Davidson was a Republican. He was a member, as are also his family, of the River Brethren Church. He died July 23, 1583, aged sixty-two years, three months and ten days.
O. SMYSER, farmer, Chester Town- ship. is a native of Chester Town- ship. Wayne Co., Ohio, born Novem- ber 16, 1856, and is one of the represent- ative young men of his county. His parents, Martin and Anne ( Boffemmyre) Smyser, had a family of seven children, but three of whom are living, viz. : Eliza- beth, wife of Rev. A. Z. Thomas: Emma, now Mrs. Maurer, and I. O. Martin Smyser was one of the well-to-do men of the connty. In early life he was engaged in milling and di-tilling, but subsequently he devoted his attention to agriculture.
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Hewas a devoted member of the Lutheran Church. He died January 2, 1887, aged seventy-eight years. His widow is now living in her home at Reedsburgh.
I. O. Smyser has from his youth de- voted his attention to farming, and now owns 140 acres of valuable land. He was married in 1880 to Miss Edith Falor, daughter of George W. Falor, of Woos- ter, Ohio. Mr. Falor died October 25, 1885. Mr. and Mrs. Smyser have one daughter, Delpha May, born August ti, 1887. In polities Mr. Smyser is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
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whom the following nine yet survive; Henry, a baker, now in Wooster, this county; Edward, who is a jeweler, lives in Lima, Ohio; Emma is wife of Hiram. Plank, of Galion, Ohio; Julius is a mna- chinist, now in Wooster: William is in McClure's grocery, in Wooster; Catherine. Tillie, Philip L. and John B.
When our subjeet was a young man he learned the trade of shoe-making in Wooster, at which he worked until the spring of 1562, when he enlisted in Com- pany I, One Hundred and Second Ohio Infantry, and served nearly three years in the ranks of his country's defenders. For a part of this time he was confined in the hospital six weeks, and on May 15, 1865, was honorably discharged, but was unable to leave the hospital until June. when he returned to Wooster, and there spent the following year in regaining his lost health. In the spring of 1866 he formed the present existing partnership with his brother, P. L. (of whom see a sketch elsewhere in this volume), and they have since successfully conducted the bakery business.
OHN B. HORN, member of the firin of Horn Bros., bakers and con- fectioners, Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, was born in that city, September 20, 1842. His father, John Philip Horn, was born near Worms, Hesse-Darmstadt, ( where his ancestors had resided for many generations ), and died December 12. ISSS. He immigrated to America in 1835, com- ing to Wooster, and soon after was married In July, 1867, JJohn B. Horn was unit- ed in marriage with Miss Odelia, daugh- ter of R. H. and Catherine Laubach, and a native of Pennsylvania. Both her par- ents are now living. To Mr. Horn and to Miss Barbara Speng, a native of France, who came to this country with her parents about 1825 or 1829. They settled in Wayne County, Ohio, where both her father and mother died. John . wife have been born four children: Allie, P. Horn and wife had twelve children, of | Lillie and Harry, living under the pa-
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rental roof, and Florence ( deceased ). Mr. Horn is a worthy citizen of Wooster, where he has spent his entire life, with the exception of the time he was in his country's service, and no man in it bears a higher character for integrity. He is succeeding in his business, and his suc- cess is well deserved. Politically the Re- publican party finds in him a warm sup- porter, and the G. A. R. counts him among its worthy members.
G EORGE W. BLANDFORD, of the firm of Logan & Blandford, of Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, was born in London, England, July 5, 1852. George Blandford, his father, was a book-keeper in his native land, and was there married to Sarah Stone, whose par- ents both died in England, where she was born. By this union they have a family of six children, all now residents of Wayne County. The family @une to America in 1858, locating first in Stark County, Ohio, but the following year they removed to Wooster, since which time the father has beeu in the employ of the Wooster Gas Company.
The subject of these lines was educated in the common schools of Wooster, and when about eighteen years old began learning the plumbing and gas-fitting
trade in Wooster, following that trade there for six years. Four years succeed- ing that time he was engaged in the hard- ware business in Apple Creek, in Wayne County, and then for seven years was in the grocery trade in that place. In 1888 he formed the partnership with his father- in-law. In 1872 he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mary Ida Logan, daugh- ter of Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Logan. One child has been born to them, whom they have named Earl Allison Blandford.
Mr. Blandford and family are active and respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is an advocate of the principles of the Repub- lican party; socially he is a member of the Odd Fellows order. Ile has earned by a life of industry and honorable con- duet the success which he has made, and, starting with no assistance, he has been the architect of his own fortunes, having supported himself since he was twelve years of age, and acquired his own edu- cation. To-day none of the younger busi- ness men of Wooster is held in higher esteem than George W. Blandford.
S OLOMON R. KING, farmer on See- tion 13, Greene Township, Wayne County, is a son of Jacob and Rebecca (Zook ) King. He was the fourth
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of the children, and was born on the homestead in Greene Township, Decem- ber 9, 1816. He was brought up to farm- ing, at which he worked summers while young, attending the district schools in the winters. He continued to live with his father until his marriage, when he bought from his wife's father the farm which has ever since been his home. The log cabin in which they first lived is still standing, and is regarded with considerable affection by the family, all the children except the youngest having been born in it. It has witnessed their carly sorrows, and resounded with their shouts of mirth. The fine house and ontbuil:l- ings were erected by Mr. King, and his farm has been brought into an excellent state of cultivation.
December 19, 1867, he was married to Miss Lydia, daughter of Stephen Shrock, one of the first settlers in Wayne County. Mr. and Mrs. King are the parents of six children, still living under the parental roof. Their names are Noah William, born January 26, 1569: Amelia, born September 13, 1571: Sarah M., born March 29, 1574; David E., born Septem- ber 21, 1876; Ira S., born November 18, 1878, and Harvey J., boru November 29, 1581. Mr. King's life-long occupation has been that of a farmer, never having engaged in any other occupation. He and his wife are members of the Oak
Grove Mennonite Church, and among the best known and most highly respected citizens of Wayne County. He holds a foremost rank as a man of integrity and irreproachable character.
W ENDELL YOUNG. This well- known citizen of Wooster was born in Germany, July 12, 1320, where his father, Wendell Young, Sr., died. He was married to Dorothea Montz, who bore him seven children. Two of these are now living in Wayne County, our subject and his sister Lena. When twenty-six years of age our subject immi- grated to America, locating in Wooster, this county, which has ever since been his home. In 1848 he was married to Miss Rosa Halm, also of German birth, and they became the parents of seven children, as follows: Rosa, now wife of William Shibley, of Wooster; Edward, Amelia, Kate, Anna and Albert, all living at home, and August, who is deceased.
When Mr. Young first came to Woos. ter he worked at odd jobs, or whatever he conld find to do. Being both industrious and frugal, and having the aid of a faith- ful wife, he prospered, and in 1861 erected a brewery, which he operated until 1575, when it burned down. He then erected another building, and started a bottling
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works for beer, mineral waters, etc., and in that business has continued until the present time. He has made his own way in the world, starting poor and without any help, and has attained an honorable position, both financially and socially, his success being the result of his own indus- try and thrifty habits, and the honorable name he bears, which has contributed largely to his success. He has helped every movement for the benefit of his adopted city, and is to-day a well-known and highly respected citizen, well spoken of by all. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church of Wooster.
C HARLES BOYDSTON was born October 25, 1816, in Greene Town- ship, Wayne Co., Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Emily ( Burris ) Boydston, the father a native of Greene County, Pa., and the mother of Monougalia County, Va. They came to Wayne County. Ohio, in 1810, entering a tract of land in Greene Township, and after living there a few years they purchased another farm in East Union Township, where they passed the remainder of their days. The father died in Orrville in 1863, and the mother in East Union in 1821, both being promi- nent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Boydston, Sr., was thrice
married. By his first wife, nee Emily Burris, he had six children, all of whom are dead except Charles, the subject of this memoir; his second wife was Mary Breakfield, who only lived a short time after marriage.
Charles Boydston, whose name heads this sketch, was reared as a farmer. an occupation he has always followed, and moved onto his present farm in East Union Township in 1952. In 1840 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Josiah Milbourn, of East Union Township, Wayne County. She died in 1879, leav- ing nine children, as follows: Sophronia, now Mrs. Henry Shriber, of Orrville, Ohio; Emeline, now Mrs. James McFad- den, of Henry County, Mo .; Emily, now Mrs. Jonathan Piper, of Burt County, Neb .; Aurilla, wife of J. E. Barrett, of Wooster; Horace G., in Nebraska: Delinda, at home; Charles W., in Henry County, Mo .; May, now Mrs. Adam D. Schultz, of Apple Creek, Wayne County, and Sarah, at home. Mr. Boydston is a Republican in politics.
E EDWARD GEISELMAN, a well- known citizen of Wooster, Wayne
1 Co., Ohio, is a native of Stark County, Ohio, born in January, 1535. His grandfather, Jacob Geiselman, was a
Charles Boylston
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native of New York, who came to Woos- ter, this county, at an early day, where he kept the first hotel, and spent the remainder of his days. John Geiselnan, father of Edward, was born in Ohio, and in his youth learned the trade of black- smith in Wooster. Upon reaching man- hood he was married in that place to Sarah Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne County with her par- ents. Of this marriage three children were born: Cyrenius, who is deceased; Charlotte, now wife of James McIntyre, and living in California, and Edward.
The subject of this biographical sketch spent his early life on the farm, and re- mained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was married to Miss Emeline Culbertson, a native of Wayne County, and a grand- daughter of John and Jane Culbertson, both of whom are deceased. Our subject and wife have had seven children born to them, namely: John W., Cyrenius M., Harvey, Elmer, Eli K. and Emma, all liv- ing in Wooster, and all the sons engaged in farming except Eli K., the youngest, who is in the clothing store with Mr. Sich- ley, and Clara Etta, now wife of Lewis Grenwald, living in Wayne County. In 1868 Mr. Geiselman engaged in the sale of agricultural implements for the Me- Donald Company for ten years, which connection was later dissolved. With the
exception of five years, which he spent on his farm in East Union and Franklin Townships, this has been his occupation since. In 1882 he left the farm, and. com- ing back to Wooster, has resided there to the present time.
By perseverance and business taet Mr. Geiselman has made a success in life, and is universally recognized as one of Wayne County's substantial citizens, respected and honored wherever he is known, and the entire family stand high in the esti- mation of the people. In politics he is a Democrat, but his political action is guided by well-considered motives rather than by partisan feeling. Socially he is a member of the Odd Fellows order.
S HERMAN J. HUFFMAN. This popular young merchant was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, January 10, 1565, and is a son of Daniel V. and Catherine ( Wilhelm ) Huffman. His paternal grandfather and great-grandfather settled in Chippewa Township, this county, in 1814. Our snbjeet was reared in his native township, and was educated in the public schools of Doylestown. In 1553 he engaged in the drug business in Doylestown, as a partner with Charles MeCormish, with whom he
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was associated six months. In 1885 he entered the employ of the Cleveland, Lor- ain & Wheeling Railroad Company as agent for their Doylestown trade, which position be held eight months. In October, 1886, he embarked in the boot and shoe business, and by his uniform courtesy to all and strict attention to the wants of his customers he has built up a large business, which is daily increasing. November 16, 1557, he married Minnie B., daughter of Jacob Hollinger, of Clin- ton. Ohio. He is a member of the Moth- odist Episcopal Church and Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican.
R OBERT ORR (deceased) was born in East Union Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1818, and died in Canaan Township, same county, in 1866. His father, Hugh Orr, was a na- tive of Ireland, and one of the very early settlers of Wayne County. He married Naney Steele, and entered a tract of land in East Union Township; afterward moved to Canaan Township. Robert Orr was reared on the farm, and always followed an agricultural life. In 1816 he married Miss Castilla, daughter of Thomas and Jemimah Dawson, natives of Western Virginia, and settlers in Milton . his future was full of hope. He was a Township, Wayne County, Ohio, and after !
their marriage they located on a farm in Canaan Township. Mr. Orr was a mem- ber of the Whig and afterward of the Democratic party, and filled the township offices of assessor, constable, school di- rector, ete. He was a prominent member of the Jackson Presbyterian Church for many years, having united with it when twenty-two years of age.
Only one child was born to him: Wil- son Shannon Orr, who was born in Ca- naan Township, December 28, 1847. He was reared on the farm, and educated in the township schools and the Smithville and Canaan Academies, attending also Mount Union College for one term. After the death of his father, he remained on the homestead for a few years, and was engaged in teaching school. He then attended the Western Reserve Col- lege, near Cleveland, from which he graduated at the age of twenty-four years. Soon after this Mr. Orr was united in marriage with Martha, daughter of Zenos Z. Crane, of Jackson, Wayne County. He then entered the law office of Col. Wiley, at Wooster, and in due time was admitted to the Wayne County bar, where he practiced his profession un- til his death, which occurred September 1, 1888. He was one of the bright young attorneys of the Wooster bar, and Republican in politics, and a strong sup-
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porter of the temperance cause. Like his father, he joined the Jackson Presby- terian Church at an early age, and was one of its prominent members. His widow and three children, Ethel, Ger- trude and Robert, reside in Wooster, Ohio. Mrs. Castilla Orr, the widow of Robert Orr, still resides on the home- stead in Canaan Township, in the enjoy- ment of good health, at the age of seventy years.
M ISS SARAH GRADY. This es- timable lady is a native of Greene Township, Wayne County, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth Grady, who came from Pennsylvania in 1818, and settled upon a farm in the town- ship named, when it was covered with dense forest, which the pioneers had to cut away to make room for their log cabin. The father was a cooper by trade, but after settling in this county gave his attention principally to this farm. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania. The pioneer and his family lived the usual life of those brave and hardy spirits who resened this beautiful and fertile land from the primeval forest, making it one of the most productive parts of this rich commonwealth. Hardships were cheer- fully endured, of which the present gen-
cration know but little, except by hearsay, and the reward was the broad and fertile acres which gradually took the place of the forest, leveled by the ax. To this worthy couple were born eight children, three of whom are now living. The wife and mother passed from earth in January, 1861, aged sixty-five years, having been born November 8, 1795, the husband and father following her to the grave in June, 1864, at the ripe age of seventy-nine years, being born November 25, 1755. They were upright, God-fearing people, and were universally respected.
The subject of this sketch was born May 17, 1818, just after her parents came to Wayne County, and she remained with them as long as they lived, helping, even as a child, in the necessary work of the pioneer, often rolling logs, burning brush, and doing any manual work of which she was capable. She was also taught to spin. und was, and is yet, capable of doing good work. At the death of her father she in- herited the homestead, on which she lived until 1568, when she sold it and removed to Wooster, which has since been her home. The life of Miss Grady has been a busy one, and she has been a witness of and participant in the work of building up this county to its present proud posi- tion. The incidents of her early life aro yet fresh in her memory, and her recital of them is interesting. When she first
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attended school she had to go by a blazed path through the woods to the old log school-house, where the rudiments of edu- cation were instilled into the minds of the children of the pioneers. Her parents were members of the Baptist Church (as she had been all her adult life), and services were held in their house for many years. She well remembers attending church at the court-house in Wooster when guards were placed at the doors.
Miss Grady has ever been noted for benevolence, and a desire to do all the good she could to her fellow-beings. She adopted a soklier's orphan, Sadie Frazier, then a young child, but who now, grown to womanhood, still makes her home with her foster-mother, for whom she has all a child's love and respect. Miss Grady has a brother, Israel Grady, living in Wayne County, where he is well known, and she has one living in Kansas. For her many admirable traits of character, and her charity and benevolence, this much es- teemed lady is justly held in high regard in the comity of her birth.
J THOMAS MCELHENTE AND DE- SCENDANTS. The MeElhenie family has been prominently iden- tified with the history and affairs of Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio,
and, to a greater or loss extent, with the county itself, for more than half a cent- ury, and it is fitting that mention of the family should be made in this work. Thomas McElhenie was of Scotch-Irish descent, his paternal ancestors coming from the land of Burns and Scott, and those on his maternal side from the "Emerald Isle." There is no authentic record of their immigration to America, nor of the early history of the family prior to the advent of the member whose name heads this sketch. Thomas MeEl- henie was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., March 26, 1787, and was one of a large family of children. That he stood in a line of multiplying people is evi- denced by the fact that persons of the same name, whose ancestry hailed from the same locality, are widely and thickly scattered over the country ( many of them having come directly from Great Britain ), and by the further fact that his own pos- terity comprise no inconsiderable mm- ber. In his early years he taught school. afterward engaging in agricultural pur- suits. December 12, 1812, he married Margaret Baken, of Centre County, Penn., also of Scotch-Irish parentage. Her fa- ther was the youngest of eleven brothers, and of her own family bnt little is known. except that two of her brothers, Robert and Andrew Baken, were afterward resi- dents of Chippewa Township, Wayne
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