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 51
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M ICHAEL CULLER was born in Westmoreland County, Pem., February 20, 1831. His father, George Culler, who was a native of Pennsylvania and a farmer, npon reach- ing manhood was married to Miss Eliza-
beth, daughter of Abram Myers, and a native of Pennsylvania. In 1835 he and his wife removed to Holmes County, Ohio, where they settled on a farm, and here shared life's joys and sorrows until 1866, when Mrs. Culler died, at the age of sixty- five years. She was the mother of ten children, eight of whom are now living, Michael being the only one in Wayne County. Since the death of his wife Mr. Culler has remained in Holmes County. He has always been a stanch Democrat, and although a man of eighty-six years he still walks to the polls, some two miles, to vote.
Michael Culler was about four years of age, when, with his parents, he removed to Holmes County, where he remained at home until he was thirteen, at which time he began to learn the carpenter trade, which, in connection with farming, he has since followed. In 1855 he was mar- ried to Barbara J. Harold, a native of Holmes County, and daughter of Christo- pher and Barbara ( Harold) Harold, who settled in that county in 1822. They were farmers who began in the woods and cleared a place to make a farm and a home for themselves and their family. By busi- ness taet and good judgment Mr. Harold achieved a marked success in life and ae- quired not only an extensive farm, but became prominent for the skill and enter- prise he evineed in carrying on his busi-
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ness. Mrs. Harold died October 8, 1874. Mr. Harokl was born October 10, 1795, came to Mount Eaton in 1822, and died December 27, 1882. This couple were the parents of fifteen children, nine of whom are now living, and five of whom died in infancy. Those living are all within twenty miles of the homestead. Mr. Harold was for many years an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Mount Eaton. After his marriage Mr. Culler remained at the old place about five years, and then removed to Fredericksburgh in 1863. Here ho resided until the spring of 1880, when he removed to his present home, where most of the improvements have been the result of his own exertions. Five children have come to bless the home, as follows: Eugene Calvin, on the farm; Joseph Albertus; William A., living in Wayne Township; James Renfield and Flora L. at home.
Politically Mr. Culler owes allegiance to no party, preferring to judge for himself and vote according to the dictates of his own conscience and judgment. Desiring to see his country freed from the bondage of strong drink, he and all his sons firmly favor the prohibition movement. Both Mr. Culler and his estimable wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Wooster. The entire family are well known und highly osteomed throughout Wayne County, where they have hosts of
friends. Mr. Culler's brother, Andrew, enlisted in the war for the Union, and died of disease in New Orleans, while in the service.
NELSON FERRELL, attorney, re- siding in Orrville, Wayne County, Ohio, is a native of the State, born in Harrison County, December 8, 1834. His paternal grandparents came from Ire land before the War of 1812, and settled near Cadiz, Ohio. The grandfather, James Ferrell, was a well-known phy- sician. He and his wife both died there. The maternal grandparents, Isaac and Jane Lemasters, were of Maryland stock, and also immigrated to Ohio prior to 1812, settling in Rumley Township, Harrison Connty. This family were involved in many Indian troubles, and the father of Isaac, who was named Ebenezer, was killed by them. Isaac Lemasters was a farmer, and was in the War of 1812, was engaged in several battles, but was never wounded. He also had many fights with the Indians, and was often compelled to seek refuge in the fort near by. He and his wife Jane lived to a ripe old age, and died on the farm where they had settled.
The father of subjeet, Thomas Ferrell, was born in Harrison County, and in his yonth taught school, afterward becoming
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a minister of the Reformed Church, labor- ing in that cause until his death. He was a man of energetic habits, and of a re- markably kind disposition, a faithful hus- band and loving father, who ruled his children by love, not by fear. He was of strict temperance principles, which was somewhat remarkable at the day when the use of liquor was almost universal. Noted for his zeal and piety, he went to his re- ward in the life to come in the sure hope of immortality. His wife, Jane, daugh- ter of Isaac and Jane Lemasters, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, and like her husband was a sincere Christian. In her younger days she took an active part in the affairs of the church. Later her time was largely devoted to her family, faith- fully seconding her husband's efforts to make of them good members of society. She also was opposed to corporal punisli- ment, believing rather in moral suasion, and the effect of a good example.
This worthy couple had five children, as follows: J. Nelson, subject of this sketch; Susan Jane (deceased), who was the wife of William Love, of Noble County, Ohio; James W., a farmer in Archer Township, Harrison Co., Ohio; Eliza- beth A. and Nancy M., unmarried, and living in Carroll County, Ohio.
The subject of this sketch, J. Nelson Fer- rell, worked on the farm in summer, attend- ing. school in winter until he was fifteen
years old, when for one term he attended a select school at Jefferson, Ohio. Next year he taught school, and, with the money thus earned, paid for his tuition at Otter- bein University, Franklin County, Ohio This he repeated for four years, acquiring a good education by his own unaided efforts. At this time he married and for the two following years taught school in win- ters, working on the farm in summers. When about twenty-five years old he began the study of law, paying his way by teaching. The year prior to his admis- sion he entered the law office of R. E. Knight, then of Carrollton, now of Cleve- land, and was admitted to the bar in 1862. He then went to New Philadelphia. Ohio, where he practiced for ten years, during which time he was mayor of the city. His health failing he gave up prac ticing, under medical advice, and removed to the hills of Carroll County to regain it. A residence of several years there re-es- tablished it, and he resumed practice in Carroll County. In April, 1884, he re- moved to Orrville, where he has since lived. In 1856 Mr. Ferrell was married to Nancy, daughter of John and Mars (Webster) MeBeth, who was born near New Franklin, Harrison County. Her grandfather McBeth came to this country from Ireland, the family settling first in Pennsylvania, where the grandfather died. Her father immigrated to Ohio, where he
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married, and he and his wife both died on the farm he first bought. Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell have two children: Mame J., wife of Edward P. Williamson, of Holliday's Cove, Va., and Lilly M., still under the parental roof. Mr. Ferrell is a member of the Odd Fellows order. He is a truly self-made man, who by courage and perseverance acquired a good education and a profession, and a standing in the community which honors the man, and re- spects him for his character and integrity.
I AMES F. COE, a rising and pros- perous young farmer of Wayne County, was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 28, 1852. ITis father, Danvers Coe, who was a native of Ohio, and by occupation a farmer, on reaching manhood married Eliza, daughter of Robert Hanna, who was born in Pen- sylvania, and emigrated to Holmes County at an early day, being one of the pioneers, Mr. Hanna married Jane Cabeen, who bore him seven children, all of whom are dead. He died in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1886, at the age of eighty-seven years. His aged widow, grandmother of James F. Coo, is still living in Mansfield. Danvers Coe and his wife, in 1868, re- moved from Norwalk, and made their home on a farm in Wayne County, where
they remained until their death. Mr. Coe died at the age of forty-eight years; his widow lived until 1880, when she, too, joined the silent majority. She was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are still living, James F. being the only one in Wayne County. The senior Mr. Coe made farming his princi- pal business. His life was a busy one, he having to make his own way in the world, in which he was very successful. Both he and his wife were members of the Presby- terian Church in Wooster.
James F. Coe was some seventeen years of age when he came with his parents to Wayne County. After the death of his father Mr. Coe was married to Miss Olive, daughter of James and Amanda ( Foster) Sanderson, and a native of Hayesville. Her parents were carly settlers of Ohio, her father having come to the State when he was about eighteen years old. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson shared life's sorrows and joys together until 1862. when the latter died, the mother of six children, of whom one is dead; two of them are in Wayne County, Mrs. Coe and Mrs. Au- gusta Price. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Coe made their home on the farm on which they have since resided. Three children have been born to them: Maud, Mabel and Arthur, all of whom are at home. In polities Mr. Coo is a Repub- lican. He is a man of progressive ideas.
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as may be seen in his well cultivated farm, which betokens thrift, energy and the employment of the best and most im- proved methods. Mr. Coe is well liked and highly esteemed among a large circle of acquaintances, who thoroughly appre- ciate his many manly qualities.
ACOB H. KESLAR was born in Fayette County, Penn., May 1, 1818. His father, William Keslar, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was by trade a millwright and farmer. He married Miss Nancy Henry, a native of the same State, and a daughter of Stephen Henry. They made their home in Pennsylvania until their death, the mother dying first, aged nearly seventy years, and the father in 1864, aged about seventy-two years. He was a Democrat in his political faith, and both were members of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. . They had a family of nine children, six of whom are living, and two, John and Jacob, are residents of Wayne County, Ohio. The paternal grandpar- ents of our subject were of German ances- try, and both died before he was born. His maternal grandfather, Stephen Henry, was of English descent. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Wayne County, Ohio, entering a tract of timber land, which he cleared and improved, living in
his wagon when he first came to the county until he could build a cabin. He spent the last years of his lifein Wayne County, where he was an honored citizen.
Jacob H. Keslar remained at home until he was twenty-two years of age, when he decided to seek a home farther west, and accordingly came to Wayne County, where for a time he lived in the family of his grandfather. He learned the carpenter trade in his native State, and worked at same for several years in this county. In 1851 he bought the farm where he now lives, which was only partially im- proved. On it was a small cabin and a bank frame barn, and only a few acres had been cleared. By untiring energy and industry he has made it one of the best farms in Wooster Township. He is purely a self-made man, and can view with pride the results of his own hard la- bor. He has always taken an interest in public affairs, and has assisted materially in the development of the resources of the county. He is now on the downhill of life, but his early years of toil have se- cured him a comfortable home, where he is provided with all the necessaries of life. Mr. Keslar was married in 1852 to to Miss Hannah, daughter of Henry Mow- ery. She died leaving one son, Henry, who was killed in his boyhood by a horse. In 1854 Mr. Keslar married Julia Ann Bricker, and to them were born two chil-
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dren, Joseph and Mary, both of whom aro at home. Politically, like his father, Mr. Keslar is a Democrat ; is a member of the English Lutheran Church, his wife be- ing a Winebrennerian in religious belief.
RANCIS LITTLE, a well-known farmer of Wooster Township, was born in Wayne County, September 1, 1820. His father, John Little, was a native of Westmoreland County, Penn., where he followed the occupation of a farmer, and in 1814 was married to Miss Jane, daughter of Henry Caldwell. In 1814 he came to Salt Creek Township, where he obtained a quarter section of land, and then returned to Westmoreland County. The following spring he removed with his wife to Wayne County, where he spent the remainder of his life. His farm, when he settled upon it, was an unbroken forest and infested with wild beasts. In 1865 Mrs. Little died, aged seventy-five years. She was the mother of eight chil- dren, five sons and three daughters, one daughter dying in infancy ; John, residing in Salt Creek Township, and Francis, the subject of this sketch, are the only ones living. One son, Henry Little, died in Salt Creek Township some years ago. The father, John Little, died in 1870, aged about seventy-five years.
Francis Little remained at home until he was some twenty-one years of ugo, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Taylor, who bore him three children and died. He then married Miss Angeline, a daughter of Saul and Margaret Miller, of Fredericksburgh, she being a native of Pennsylvania. For some twenty-seven years Mr. Little lived in Holmes County, during which time he followed farming and stock buying. In 1872 he removed to his present home in Wooster Town- ship, and here, on the 24th of April, 1886, his faithful wife and companion was taken from him by death, at the age of seventy years and five months. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom died in infancy. The names of the others are John Taylor, living in Fredericksburgh; Ezra B., near Seneca Falls, N. Y .; Heze- kiah; Samuel, at home; Margaret (de- ceased), who married James H. Brnce; Mary (deceased), who married Mr. Dit- man, and lived near Fort Wayne, Ind.
Mv. Little still remains on the home place, where his farm is cared for by his son Samuel, who married Miss Martha Armstrong, daughter of John Armstrong, of near Apple Creek. They have two children. Politically Francis Little is a strong Democrat. He has filled several positions of trust in the various commun- itios where he has lived. He was justice of the peace in Hohes County for nearly
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fifteen years, and was also township clerk. In Wayne County he is now serving his second term as infirmary director. IIe has been a consistent member of the United Presbyterian Church since he was twenty years of age, and of late years, as are all his family about him, has belonged to the church at Wooster. Mr. Little has won a marked success by his own good judgment, perseverance and industry. By the uprightness of his conduct he has won and keeps the respect of all who know him. He has spent a good deal of time in raising and dealing in stock, and owns 180 acres of choice farming land in East Union and Wooster Townships. Mr. Lit- tle was greatly opposed to slavery, and did much toward advancing the Union cause during the war, assisting largely finan- cially and by personal effort, in filling the country's quota of volunteers.
M ATTHEW MCCLURE, another of Wayne County's oldest and most respected citizens, is a native of Dauphin County, Penn., born in Middletown in 1817. His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania, and his father, also named Matthew, was a school- mate of Don Cameron. His mother was Miss Maria, daughter of Charles Brandol. They were the parents of twelve children,
five sons and seven danghters, all now deceased except our subject. . The father departed this life in 1852, aged sixty-six, and the mother fifteen years later, both dying in the city of Wooster. When about seven years of age young Matthew came with his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, where he has since resided, with the exception of three years spent in Union County, Ohio, and one year in California. His beginning of life was humble, his home being an old log cabin, through the chinks of which the snow drifted many a winter's night, covering him as he slept, and his school experience was very meager, even for those primitive days. Farming has been his occupation all his life, and in his earlier experiences many n bnsbel of wheat did he, draw to Mas- sillon, twenty-five miles distant, where he sold it for 45 cents per bushel, three- year old cattle fetching $8.00 per head. November 10, 1842, Mr. MeClure mar- ried Elizabeth, daughter of Ralph and Nancy ( Caufman ) Funk, and born in Bucks County, Penn., of which State her par- ents were also natives, whence they came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1536. Twelve children were born to this union, five of whom are yet living, as follows: James, in Kansas; Louise, now Mrs. Horace .1. Maize, residing south of Wooster, Wayne County; Cyrus, in Kansas; Matthew B. and Frank U., in business in Wooster.
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In 1569 the family came to their present residence in Wooster, where Mr. MeClure is engaged in raising small fruits. Mrs. MeClure is a member of the First Pres- byterian Church of Wooster. Politieally Mr. MeClare is a Republican, his first vote being cast for Geu. W. H. Harrison. In 1850 onr subject made an overland journey, by way of the plains, to California, remain- ing there, however, ouly about oue year. He and his amiable life partner have played no unimportant part in the history of Wayne County, where they enjoy the respect and esteem of all classes of the community.
ILLIAM N. SMITH is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born in Franklin Township, April 9, 1830. His grandfather, Philip Smith, was of German ancestry, and came to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1812. He lo- cated on a traet of timber land, and, after clearing seven acres, built a cabin, and went to Steubenville for his family, return- ing to this county the same spring. He improved his land, and made it his home mitil his death, which occurred in 18-10, when he was seventy years old. His widow survived him until 1851, dying at the advanced age of eighty-four years. They had a family of ten children, all of
whom are deceased. Nathan W. Smith, their youngest child, was born August 3, 1804, and was therefore but eight years old when his parents moved to Wayne Connty. His early life was spent amid the hardships and privations of a pioneer life, and he received but limited educa- tional advantages. He was married No- vember 15, 1825, by Rev. John Reid, to Miss Maria Waits, who was born Novem- ber 14, 1803, a daughter of Richard and Leah Waits. They first located in Franklin Township, where they lived twenty-seven years, and then moved to a farm one mile south of Wooster, where the mother died October 1, 1569, aged sixty-six years. The father died April 29, 1885, aged nearly eighty-one years. They had a family of four children: Hi- ram N., born April 22, 1827, was a grad- uate of Jefferson College, and was pre- paring for the ministry, but died in the second year of his course, April 23, 1851; William N., born April 9. 1830; Matilda, born September 17, 1834, died, aged five months and twenty-seven days; Ellen, born September 2, 1836, died March 14, 1844. Nathan W. Smith was in his early life a Whig, and later a Republican. He was a man of strong temperance princi- ples, and was the third person in Wayne County to sign the total abstinence pledge. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church.
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William N. Smith, the only surviving member of his father's family, remained with his parents until his marriage, and then was given an interest in the home- stead, and at his father's death succeeded to the ownership. He was married in 1854, to Miss Andaline Johnson, daughter of Isaac and Rachel ( Earnest) Johnson. They have had a family of eight children: Hiram W., Isaac Johnson, Alma E., Frank E., Ida M., Nathan W., Edwin E. and Elva J. Hiram W. died in the twenty- fourth year of his age, leaving a widow and one child. Isaac J. lives in Wayne Township, Frank E. is in Muscogee, In- dian Territory, and the rest are at home. Mr. Smith has been a prosperous busi- ness man, and for five years was cashier of the Farmer's Bank at Wooster. His home is located about two miles from the court-honse, on the Mt. Eaton road. Mr. Smith is a strong Republican; he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
M RS. PLEASANT ANN (JOHN- SON) TROUTMAN, widow of Philip Troutman, was born in Dauphin County, Penn., November 25, 1829, a daughter of Isaac Johnson. When she was five years old, her parents removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and hero
she was reared to womanhood. January 3, 1854, she was married to Philip Trout- man, a native of Virginia, son of Michael and Mary Troutman, who were of German descent. Philip came with his parents to Wayne County, and here began his life's ocenpation, farming. After their mar- riage, the young couple settled down to housekeeping in Clinton Township, sub- sequently moving to Wooster Township, where together they built up a good home, sharing life's joys and sorrows to- gether until February 15, 1880, when death entered their home and sundered the tie that bound them, claiming for its own the husband and father, who at his death, was fifty-six years, one month and fifteen days old. He was a Democrat in polities, and while in Clinton Township served several terms as assessor. He was a progressive farmer, and did much to- ward the building up of his county. He was one of Wayne County's self-made men, having to make his own start in life, and his success was due to his persever- ance and thrift, aided always by his faith- ful wife.
Since her husband's death, Mrs. Trout- man has remained on the homestead, where with her children, she is living in the eu- joyment of the property she has so nobly earned. She has had a family of eight children, seven of whom are living ; Addic, Jessie, Otto, Mary, John, Morse and Park :
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Clyde is deceased. Addie was married Jannary 1, 1880, to Daniel Shirk, and has three children; Frank T., Jay P. and Earl W. Jessie was married August 16, 1882, to R. R. Redick, who died Septem- ber, 1884, leaving one child, and Mrs. Redick now lives with her mother. Otto was for some time a teacher in Wooster Township, and now lives in Kansas. Morse has been a teacher in the township several terms. The homestead, which is located in South Wooster Township, con- tains 196 acres, all well improved, and is one of the pleasantest homes in the town- ship. Mrs. Troutman is an active and ‹levoted member of the Presbyterian Church at Shreve, and the family is among the prominent and influential representa- tives of Wayne County.
JOHN McQUIGG, one of the well- known citizens of Wooster Town- ship, was born in Ireland, and in his infancy his parents, John and - ( Me- Afee) McQuigg, came to America. They settled in Wayne County, Ohio, and here the father died February 1, 1885, aged noarly eighty years. The mother, who was a daughter of William W. and Martha ( Ray) MeAfee, still lives on the homestead, two daughters, Martha and Mary Ann, living with her. Of her ten chil-
dren, nine are living, the most of them in Wayne County. She is a member of the United Presbyterian Church. A brother, Robert McAfee, makes his home with her. Her parents came to America from County Derry, Ireland, in 1838, and set- tled in Wayne County, Ohio, where the father died in 1858, and the mother in 1862. Mrs. MeQuigg is now in her eighty-fourth year, is still hale and hearty, and well preserved for one of her years.
John McQuigg, the subject of our sketch, remained with his parents until manhood, assisting in the care of the home farm. August 16, 1862, he enlist- ed in Company A, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Infantry, and served until the close of the war, being discharged in July, 1865. He participated in five hard- fought battles, besides mmerous skirm- ishes. He was at the first attack on Vieks- burg, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post. passed the following winter at Young's Point, and then again marched to Vicks- burg, when the second assault was made; later was at the bombardment of Grand Bluff, Miss., at the mouth of the Black River, in the battle of Thompson's Hill, and at Champion Hills. In May, 1563, at Red River, he was captured, and for thirteen months, lacking six days, was a prisoner at Tyler, Tex. While there, with his brother-in-law, Mahlon Roch, he under- took the manufacture of pipes and combs
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from the horns of cattle killed for their sustenance. They obtained a good reve- nue from the sale of these articles to the guards and fellow prisoners, and in addi- tion to its enabling them to purchase pro- visions from the outsiders, it helped to pass away many dreary hours of exile from home and friends. After his dis- charge he returned to the old home in Wooster Township, where he remained until after his marriage, and in the spring of 1874 settled on the farm where he now lives. He was married June 10, 1873, to Alice Armstrong, who died May 26, 1876, leaving a babe that died a few days later. February 20, 1879, he married Helen Cul- bertson, daughter of Hugh and Margaret Culbertson. They have five children, viz .: Hugh, Sadie Florence, James Mah- lon, John and an infant. Mr. and Mrs. McQuigg are members of the United Presbyterian Church; in politics he is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
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