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 42
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copal Church, and are among its most liberal supporters; he is a Republican.
W F. KEAN, a well-known young lawyer of Wooster, is a native of the county, born in Plain Town- ship February 9, 1855, on a farm which had been taken up by his great-grand- father, Joseph Kean, one of the pioneers of the county. His father now owns and lives upon that farm, which was his birthplace also. The grandparents came from Pennsylvania at a very early day, and both passed the remainder of their lives in this county. The grandfather, William Kean, grew to manhood on the home farm, and married Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Samuel and Jane Case, both of whom are deceased. Dewitt C. Kean, father of our subject, has made the farm his life-long home. His wife is Mary, daughter of George and Elizabeth Bru- baker, of Pennsylvania, she having come to Ashland County with her parents when three years old.
The subject of these lines made his home on the farm until he was about twenty-one years of age. He was edu- cated in the Smithville Academy and in the school at Shreve, and later in the University at Wooster, whence he gradu- ated in 1881. Deciding on entering the
profession of law, he studied in the office of MeClure & Smyser, and was achnitted to the bar in June, 1886, since when he has been practicing in Wooster. In 1883 Mr. Kean was married to Alice A. Smith, of Ashland County, Ohio, born in 1855, at Hayesville, where she received a good education, particularly in music. Three children came to our subject and wife, two deceased in infancy, and Clara E., born Jaunary 29, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Kean are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is associated with the Knights of the Maccabees. He is justly regarded as a rising young citizen of the county, of irreproachable character and habits, and one who has a bright future before him.
W ILLIAM W. WELDAY is a son of Abraham and Mary ( Foster) Welday. Abraham Welday, the grandfather of William W., and who was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, settled in Milton Township, Wayne County, at an carly day, where he lived until his death. The father of William W. was born in Milton Township, Wayne County, in 1831, and after his marriage purchased a farm near Amwell, afterward engaging in farming in Medina County. In 1853 he moved into Seville, where he com-
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menced the business of buying horses and tobacco. His family consisted of six children, viz .: Frank, in Burbank, mar- ried to Miss Alice Heywood (they have three children -- Orin, Mary and Ellen) ; William W .; Charles, living with William W .; Leslie, Effie and Roy, at home.
The subject of this biographical memoir was born in Milton Township, Wayne County, Ohio, May 4, 1860, and in 1881 was married to Miss Clara, daughter of Alfred Glesner, of Sterling. Mr. and Mrs. Welday have two children-Lula and Bessie. In 1887 Mr. Welday pur- chased a farm of forty-two acres in Canaan Township, this county, where he lived two years, and then sold, he and his brother Charles buying the old homestead in Guilford Township, Medina County, where they carry on farming, and pay considerable attention to the raising and breeding of Percheron-Norman horses. William W. Welday is a Democrat.
THEODORE A. KRYSHIER, retired merchant, Smithville, Wayne Co., Ohio, is the only son of Daniel and Cassiah ( Bowman ) Krysher, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Krysher's father went from his home in the Cumberland Valley to Lexington, Ky., to purchase a tract of several hundred acres of land, but
was there taken ill, died and was buried. His wife, Anna Bowman, lived to the ex- treme age of ninety-four years and one month, dying at the home of her daughter, mother of our subject, in Smithville. May 16, 1868.
Daniel Krysher was born in Cumber- land County, Penn., January 8, 1801. He was educated to mercantile pursuits, and first embarked in business for himself in Mechanicsburgh, in that county, in partnership with David Bernheiser. On the dissolution of their partnership he removed to Kingstown, in the same eoun- ty. From there he went to Churchtown, where he built a fine brick residence and a large stone building, where for eight- con years he carried on a successful bnsi- ness. He was married while in Mechan- iesburgh, and his wife's relatives being mostly settled in Wayne County, Ohio, he removed here, buying a farm adjoining Smithville. He also bonght out the gen- eral store of Paul & Zimmerman, in Smithville, and taking his son Theodore into partnership, under the firm name of D. Krysher & Son, they there conducted a successful business for five years, the management of the concern being entirely in Theodore's hands. The father died in the house where the son now lives, De- comber 6, 1855, aged eighty-five years. Mr. Krysher never sought office or noto- riety, but was postmaster at Churchtown,
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Penn., for eighteen years. He was of a quiet disposition, honest and trustworthy, beloved and respected by all who knew him, and his death was sincerely mourned, although he had reached a ripe old age. His marriage took place in 1828, Miss Cassiah Bowman becoming his wife. She was born August 20, 1806, in York County, Penn., on a farm close to the lines of Cumberland and Dauphin Coun- ties. She died June 23, 1885, a few months prior to her husband, and their remains are laid side by side in Oak Hill Cemetery, at Wooster, Ohio. Mrs. Kry- sher was a woman of a very lovable char- acter. She was a bright example of a Christian lady, kind, generous and hospi- table, always ready to help the poor, the unfortunate and the distressed, relieving their wants and speaking kind words of comfort and hope. She had hosts of friends, and not an enemy in the world. A faithful wife and devoted mother, her decease was mourned not only by her relatives, but also -by a large circle of friends, to whom she was greath en- deared. Daniel Krysher and wife had one son, Theodore A., and two daughters, Mary Ann (wife of Cyrus Bowman, who owns the Cedar Valley Distillery, at Wooster, Ohio) and Adeline Elizabeth (wile of Moses Morrett, who is connected with the Snow Flake Mill, at Wooster). Theodoro A., the subject of this sketch,
was born in Mechanicsburgh, Penn., March 15, 1829. When of suitable age he en- tered his father's store, at Churchtown, as salesman, in which capacity he remained until he was twenty-one years old, and in 1851, when twenty-two years of age, came with his parents to Smithville. As stated, he was in business, in partnership with his father, for five years. Selling out in 1856, he and J. S. Paul bought the property in Greene Township known as the old Ruble tarm. Farming that year was not profitable, owing to the weevil, which ent up the wheat, and he sold out to his partner, one year's experience of agricultural life satisfying him. He then engaged in dealing in horses and other stock, having a, partner in Cincinnati. While in this business he spent five years in Kentucky, and during the Civil War sold many horses to the Government. IFere he met the great misfortune of his life. In Lexington he was attacked by a drunken man, who stabbed him in the left eye, and also in the back of the head. The latter wound was thought to be very dangerous, but it healed all right; the ent in the eye, however, caused loss of sight in that organ. His other eye troubling him, on his return to Ohio he consulted an oenlist, in the hope of getting relief. He was advised to have the eye extracted, but instead of bettering the other eye, to- tal blindness was the result. Notwith-
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standing this affliction, Mr. Krysher has preserved an equable frame of mind, and bears his misfortune uncomplainingly, be- ing more cheerful than many who have much less cause to repine, and he attends personally to all his own affairs, besides. taking a somewhat promment part in pub- lie matters.
Mr. Krysher has always been a stanch Democrat, and both before and since his loss of sight has been a valuable worker for his party. Though often urged, he would never consent to hold public office, but his party associates have insisted on his being a delegate to almost every con- vention in the district, State, congressional, senatorial, judicial, etc., where he made his influence largely felt, and he has always been active in advocating his par- ty's principles. A man of much more than ordinary intelligence, and uncom- monly well read, of keen and shrewd judgment, Mr. Krysher is constantly consulted by his neighbors, who have come to rely upon his advice in all complicated matters, the position of ad- viser being one for which his early read- ing of the law eminently fits him. He continues to live in the old home in Smith- ville, and to-day takes as much interest in the welfare of the country as before his loss of sight, having the leading journals read to him, and keeping well posted as to all public affairs.
ENRY C. TEAGLE, son of Will- iam and Ruth (Porter) Teagle, was born in Franklin Township, Wayne County, Ohio, in 1851. William Porter, his maternal grandfather, was a native of England (where he mar- ried Deborah Salster), and from there came to America, locating in Canaan Township, Wayne County, Ohio, where he became a farmer and lived the re- mainder of his life. He had one son who died in the English army, and three other children, who came to America with him, viz .: Sarah, Ruth and Charles. Of these, Sarah (now deceased) married Thomas Cary, of Defiance County, Ohio, a prominent farmer and representative man; Charles began life in an humble way, but by integrity, ability and per- severance acquired a handsome compe- teney (he died in 1875); Ruth mar- ried William Teagle in 1849, and they located in Franklin Township, this county, where he followed his trade of mason. He acquired his education in England, by attending night schools, married in America, and reared a family of six children: Henry C. and Lavina (twins), George, William, Eliza Anna and Mag- gie Bell. Of these, George married Ar- tilla Stanford. and removed to Michigan, where they now live: William married and located at Creston, this county ; Eliza Anna is now Mrs. Daniel Mahony, also of
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Creston; Lavina married Jolm Zimmer- man, and now lives at Tate, Pickens County, Ga., where he is superintendent of a mar- ble quarry.
Henry C., the subject of these lines, re- ceived a rudimentary education in the schools of Wayne County, and when ten years of age went to live with William H. Keys, with whom he remained until he was twenty-one years of age. He aft- erward embarked in the business of pho- tography, and March 10, 1875, be mar- ried Louisa J., daughter of Elias Stone, of Red Haw, Ashland County, Ohio. In 1876 he located in Shreve, this county, where for some time he was engaged in the retail trade; in 1884 he accepted a position with the well-known house of George W. Cady & Co., wholesale dealers in boots and shoes, of Cleveland, Ohio, and by application, industry, perso- verance and sterling integrity he now ro- ceives a handsome salary; in fact he is on the highway to unqualified success.
Social and genial, Mr. Teaglo partakes largely of the pleasures of life, and he finds pro eminent pride and pleasure in his family cirele, where he is joyfully welcomed home from his trips (for his position is that of traveler for the firm) by Minnie and Hattie, his only children. He is a Republican in politics, a public speaker of no little note, and during po- litical campaigns his services are in much
demand. The Grand Army of the Re- public, in their choice of Mr. Teagle, give evidence of their appreciation of his wit and ability. Mr. Teagle is a member of the Royal Arcanum, of Garfield Lodge, F. & A. M., of Shreve, and the Commer- cial Travelers' Association of Cleveland.
R ICHARD PARKER REDICK, a resident of Wayne County since 1519, was born in Beaver County, Penn., August 24, 1809, to John Hoge and Eliza ( Forbes) Redick, former of Scotch descent, and a native of Washing- ton County, Penn., a teacher and hatter by occupation, latter a daughter of Thomas Forbes, and born near Carlisle, Penn. Their wedded life was blessed with seven children, of whom four now live, as fol- lows: Richard P., Maria (now Mrs. John Nagle, in Wayne Township. Wayne Co., Ohio) ; John Irving (born July 29, 1825, How president of a bank at Los Angeles, Cal. ), and William ( in Montana). The mother of this family passed from earth in Wayne Township, this county, about 1829, the father, September 18. 1557. They lived the lives of hardy pioneers, and from a dense forest howed out for themselves a comfortable home. When our subject was a small child his parents removed lo New Lisbon, Columbiana Co ..
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Ohio, where they resided six years, and then in 1819 moved to Cadiz, Harrison County, same State, and here lived two years; then came to Wayne County, where they spent the remainder of their days.
at that mill, so had to ride back to another one at Wooster, where, being by this time about frozen through, he had to stand on the top of a flour barrel and bolt it by hand, in order to get home in time for breakfast. He finally reached home at daylight on the morning after he had left home for the mill.
Their son, whose name heads this memoir, received but a meager education, and for a time worked in his father's printing office. His mother dying when When about twenty-eight years of age Mr. Redick became united in marriage with Catherine Cresler, a native of near Shippensburgh, Penn., but she died after two years of married life, leaving one child, Catherine, who lived to be thirty- three years old, when she too passed to her long home. Mr. Redick took for his second sponse Maria Cresler, a sister of his deceased wife, who bore him three children, viz .: John and Henrietta, liv- ing on the home farm, and Richard Parker, a minister in the Lutheran Church, who died at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1884, leaving a widow and one child, who now reside near Millbrook, Wayne Co., Ohio, March 29, 1877, Mrs. Redick de- parted this life. For several years Mr. Redick resided in Wooster, engaged in the dry goods trade, but this he sold ont and retired to the farm. His success in life is due entirely to his own individual energy and assiduons application to bnsi- ness, and his health and strength have never been impaired by the use of either he was about nineteen years of age, and his father being of a weakly constitution, ahnost the entire charge of his brothers and sisters fell upon him, he being the eldest of the family ; so at home he labored hard and kept the family together until he was twenty-eight years of age. One bitter cold winter evening, when the snow lay deep upon the ground, they ran out of provisions, and our subject started off with two bushels of buckwheat, on an old horse, to have it ground at Millbrook, six miles south of Wooster. Reaching the inill, he found he could get no grinding done, so had to take his grist to a new mill, one-half mile farther sonth. On his way thither the bag-string came off, let- ting the buckwheat run ont on the road, and he had to gather it up as best he could, although his hands wero nearly Frozen. Having once more got his grist into the sack, Mr. Rediek had to carry it to a stump from which to mount his horse. Reaching the mill without further mishap, he had it ground, but was unable to get it bolted tobneed or liquor. He cleared almost
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his entire farm of 250 acres, and to-day, at the age of abont eighty years, is still able to do a good day's work. In 1852 he took a contract to build three miles of the Pennsylvania Railroad, which was the first work to be commenced on the road and the first to be completed. He sold to the city of Wooster the land where the West Dam is situated, and in 1852, at a cost of $10,000, constructed the dam. Politically Mr. Redick was originally a Democrat, his first vote being polled for Andrew Jackson, but he has been a Repub- lican since the formation of that party.
S IMON LEHMAN, the youngest son in the family of David and Susan ( Kintner) Lehman, was born in 1849. He received his education at Smithville, this county, and when twenty- two years of age commenced contracting for buildings, teaching school during winters. He thus continued nine years, and then came to the old homestead in Wayne Township, where he at present resides; his aged mother (now seventy- nine years old) making her home with him.
At the age of twenty-two Mr. Lehman married Emily Speicher, who has borne him seven children, as follows: Eldo, Os- car, Stella, Mabel, Boyd, Jessie and Ben-
lah, all at home. Mr. Lelman is a Pro- hibition-Demoerat, and is at present township clerk. Both he and his wife are members of the U. B. Church.
AMES L. GRAY was a native of Milton, Northumberland County, Penn., born in 1832, of parents who immigrated to that State many years ago. His father was of Scotch and his mother of German ancestry. The mother dying while he was quite young. James L. was brought up by his uncle, Samuel Blain, on a farm near Milton, Penn. At the age of sixteen he began life for him- self, first obtaining a position as clerk on a Mississippi River steamboat. He followed steamboating for about three years, sailing on all the navigable rivers tributary to the Mississippi, during which time he made a trip to the Yellowstone Valley, in quest of furs, Returning to Milton, Penn., he served an apprentice- ship at the saddler's trade, after which he located at New Brighton, Penn. Here he met and afterward married Miss Eunice Magaw, a talented young lady of Beaver County, Penn., and soon after his mar- riage removed with his wife to Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, where he engaged in business. In 1864, responding to his country's call for aid, he enlisted in Com-
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pany E, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the Army of the Potomac, being a part 1
of the time in the quartermaster's depart- ment. Returning to Wooster after the war, he was for a time here engaged as superintendent of the Home Mills, and in 1875 established himself as a dealer in coal, lime, cement and builders' supplies. which business he carried on successfully up to the time of his death. He died June 8, 1886, at the age of fifty-four years, highly esteemed by all who knew him.
with his father, at first as an assistant, and finally as a partner. Tu 1885 he went to Galion, Ohio, where he established him- self in the milling business, in which he remained until recalled to Wooster by his father's death. Since then, in partnership with his mother, Mrs. J. L. Gray, he has carried on the business established by his father, under its original name-Gray & Son. He is also manager of the Standard Oil Company's supply depot at Wooster. He is a F. & A. M., and a member of the Royal Arcanum; he is a Republican.
He was a Republican in politics, and took a great interest in all political ques- tions. He served for a number of years W ILLIAM V. ARMSTRONG, a son of Thomas and Nancy ( Thomas) Armstrong, was born in Burbank, Canaan Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, July 22, 1844. His father died in Burbank, where he was one of the prominent old settlers. The family of Thomas and Nan- cy (Thomas) Armstrong consisted of eight children, viz .: Julian, Grace J., David, Delia, William V., Lorette, Caro- line and Alice M., of whom David and William V. are the only ones living ; Grace as a member of the volunteer fire depart- ment in his adopted city : was also a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and the G. A. R., and a leading member of the English Lutheran Church, serving as one of the building committee in the erection of the English Lutheran Tabernacle at Wooster, Ohio. His widow, since his death, has resided in Wooster, where she is favora- bly known as a member of the English Imtheran Church, and of the Woman's Relief Corps. James L. Gray left five , J. died in 1557; Delia, in 1566, and Lor- ette, Caroline and Alice M., later.
children -- two sons and three daughters- all of whom reside in Wayne County.
During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Armstrong enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and served three years under
The eldest son, Charles M. Gray, after receiving a liberal education in the schools of his native city, engaged in business Gen. Grant. Since his return home ho
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hns engaged in farming, and now owns a good farm in Plain Township. He was married in 1567 to Miss Vanluah Brandt, and to them have been born six children, as follows: Zoe Geraldine, Calvin, Jennie B., Maud Lenore, Don Cameron and Leo Tru. Mr. Armstrong and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; in politics he is a Republican.
AMES B. TAYLOR. Perhaps in no business or profession is a man more conspicuous or better known, or more popular or unpopular, as the case may be, than in the law. His talent soon is recognized, and he rises to distinction in the ranks of men, if by zeal and per- severance he merits it. James B. Taylor was born in Fredericksburgh, Wayne Co .. Ohio, August 24, 1840. His father, who was a native of Virginia, married a Quaker- ess, also a native of that State, and to- gether, in 1825, they came to Wayne 1 County, and Mr. Taylor became a member of the Wooster bar. In 1973 he departed this life, at the age of seventy-two years, and in 1978 his widow followed to her long last sleep. Their home was blessed with the birth of nine children, of whom James B. was the youngest.
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James B. Taylor, at the age of sixteen, became a school-teacher, in which pro-
fession he continued in Wayne County during the winter months, attending to his own studies during the summer, at the Fredericksburgh (Ohio) Academy, until the fall of 1859, when he entered the junior class of Westminster College, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in June, 1861. "The following fall he organ- ized and opened the Smithville Academy, which he carried on until August, 1862, when, responding to his country's call, he formed a company of all the able- bodied students under his charge, and prepared to go to the front, the remaining portion of the academy passing to the care of J. B. Eberly. Mr. Taylor entered the service as second lieutenant, and after- ward was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant; still later he was made cap- tain of Company H, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv- ing until 1865. In that year this regi- ment, which had seen active service, was consolidated with the One Hundred and Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and as only one of six captains could remain, the lot fell upon Capt. Speer, the remain- ing five being mustered out. The regi- ment went to the front over 1,000 strong, and returned with less than 300 men. The Captain was with his command in nearly all the battles fought for the opening of the Mississippi, from December, 1862, to 1861, under Gens, Grant and Banks.
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During the latter years of his military service Mr. Taylor read medicine and studied surgery, and in the spring of 1865 he entered the office of Dr. Martin, at Fredericksburgh, Ohio, where he con- tinued until the fall of the same year, when he went to the University of Mich- igan, there to attend medical lectures. Soon after his arrival, however, he changed his life's plans, and matrienlated in the law department, graduating in the spring of 1867. He then returned to Wayne County, and opened a law office at Orrville, where he practiced until the spring of 1882, when he finally located at Wooster. In February, 1SS8, he formed a law part- nership with ex-Probate Judge Isaac Johnson, which still continues. In 1868 Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Emi- lie Emmitt, daughter of John Ennnitt. and a native of Pennsylvania. To this union six children have been born, of whom three are now living. Mr. Taylor is a F. & A. M., and a member of the ; Presbyterian Church : he is a Republican.
W ILLIAM IL. H. SICHLEY, dealer in clothing, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods, Woos- ter, is a well-known merchant of Wayne County, of which he is a native, having been born in Plain Township, June 5, 7
1837. His parents were Elias and Fannie (Schmuck) Sichley, the former born May 18, 1812, in Dauphin County, Penn., and the latter near Mannheim, Lancaster County, same State, December 15, 1813. The maternal grandfather, who came to Wayne County from Pennsylvania in 1829, had been enrolled as a soldier in the War of 1812. When Elias was one year old his parents removed to Ohio, and there he was reared and educated. In 1829, when seventeen years of age, he attended a camp-meeting, where he was converted and embraced religion. joining the Evan- gelical Association. His whole heart was enlisted in the cause of the Master, and he soon felt a call to preach the gospel, to which he resolved to dedicate his life. Preparing himself for his chosen work, he was assigned first to the Sandusky Circuit, and afterward to the Lancaster Circuit. His last appointment was to the Wooster Circuit, and here the zealous preacher of the Word labored until he I was called to the reward which awaits those who do llis will.
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