USA > Ohio > Williams County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 38
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 38
USA > Ohio > Henry County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 38
USA > Ohio > Defiance County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 38
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Benjamin Borton, the grandfather, was a native of New Jersey, of English descent, and his family was represented in the service of the Amer- ican army in the war of 1812. Bethuel Borton, who was born January 2, 1782, died in New Jersey, at the age of fifty years. His widow came to Williams county, Ohio, in 1836, and spent her declining days among her chil- dren here. She was born September 17, 1786, and passed away in 1859, at the age of seventy-four years. They held membership with the Society of Friends. Their family numbered eleven children: Charity, wife of J. Mason; Mary, wife of S. Borton; Benjamin and Nathan, who died in Wil- liams county ; Rebecca, wife of J. Borton; Bethuel, who died in Williams county ; Reuben, who died in childhood; Job, whose death occurred in Wil- liams county ; John, of this review; Martha, wife of A. Ely; and Samuel, who resides in Fulton county, Ohio. Our subject and Samuel are the only ones now living.
John Borton received but limited educational privileges, attending school for only three months during three years. He was sixteen years of age when, with part of his mother's family, he came to Ohio. Two brothers had located here in 1835, and entered land upon which the family located in 1836, all taking part in the work of clearing and improving the property. They had to make roads through the forest, and bore the usual experiences and hard- ships incident to pioneer life. Wild beasts were in the forests, and wild game could be had in abundance. Our subject on one occasion killed three deer in a single day, and "johnny-cake" and venison were the usual food of
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John Bolton
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the settlers. For three years after Mr. Borton's arrival in Ohio, Indians still lived in the county, but they were quite friendly in their relation with the white settlers. The first mill near his home was built on Bean creek by Wil- liam and George Johnson, Englishmen.
Mr. Borton, on coming to this county, made a claim of eighty acres, and walked from here to the land office in Lima, Ohio, in order to enter this. He made the journey to and from New Jersey on foot at three different times. Building a cabin on his land, he and his brother Job, while clearing his farm, laboriously worked from early morning until late at night in the attempt to place his land in a condition capable of cultivation. He built a hewed log house, and, returning to New Jersey in 1839, was there married. He then brought his bride to Ohio and settled on his brother's farm, renting his own land until 1840, when he sold out and came to his present home. Here he purchased eighty acres, a small amount of which was cleared, built a round- log cabin, and here he has since lived. He once went on a prospecting tour to Iowa, and found that he could enter much prairie land, but no timber, and in consequence he returned home without making any investments. He has since continued here permanently, and from time to time added to his prop- erty until he became an extensive land holder. He has given a farm to each one of his eight children, and still has in the old homestead three hundred and twenty acres. The fields are well tilled, and excellent improvements are found on the place, including a large and substantial frame residence, good barns and all necessary improvements. He is the architect of his own for- tune, for he started out in life empty-handed, and all that he has achieved is the result of his own efforts. For many years he has engaged in the manu- facture of peppermint oil for the Eastern markets.
Mr. Borton was first married in New Jersey to Miss Elizabeth A. Taylor, born December 17, 1818, daughter of John Taylor, a farmer of that State, who was born December 30, 1772, and his wife Elizabeth ( Peacock) Taylor, born May 23, 1775.
To Mr. and Mrs. Borton were born ten children, two of whom died in childhood; the others are: Susanna, who married George Harlan, by whom she had two children, and after his death she wedded E. Tule, a farmer ; William and John, who carry on agricultural pursuits; Martha, wife of Na- thaniel Lyon, a farmer; Sarah, who became. the wife of O. Mann, who died leaving six children, after which she married David Cosier; Elizabeth, wife of G. Pancost ; Rebecca, wife of G. Hutchison; and Mary L., wife of Rev. J. Mason. The two who died in childhood were Reuben and Job. The mother of this family died July 5, 1887, at the age of seventy years, and on Decem-
23
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ber 30 following, Mr. Borton married Mrs. Rebecca Wise, widow of Solomon Wise, who died and left four children-Lee, Ermie, Lawrence and Bessie. She was a daughter of Edward (of Scotch and English descent) and Cathe- rine (Hurst) (of Irish descent ) McLean. They were highly respected people, who at an early day settled in Stark county, Ohio, where the remainder of their lives was passed. Mrs. Borton was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, August 8, 1845, and had two younger brothers: James, who died in the army, and George, who died in childhood. By the second marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Borton have one daughter: Grace, who was born October 6, 1888. Mr. Borton belongs to the Friends Church, his wife to the Disciples Church. In politics he is a Republican, and has filled a number of township offices. His life has been well spent, commanding the respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and his honorable business methods, his energy and worth have secured him a handsome property as the reward of his labors.
GEORGE W. HAMET.
This progressive and energetic farmer residing in Brady township, Wil- liams county, was born January 11, 1847, in Pickaway county, Ohio, a son of Jolin E. Hamet, who was also born in this State, of Irish and Welsh an- cestry.
In Pickaway county the father married Miss Rhoda Warren, a native of Maryland, and there they began their domestic life, renting and operating a farm. Previous to his marriage he had come to Williams county, and in 1851 again took up his residence here. After renting land for a short time he purchased eighty acres which he converted into a good farm, and upon that place he made his home until called to his final rest in 1872. Although he never aspired to office he was a stanch Republican in politics; was an active and prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and in his home the ministers were always entertained. His wife, who was a consistent member of the same Church, died in 1894. In their family were five children, namely: George W., the subject of this review; John F., a prominent and representative farmer, and county commissioner of Williams county ; Amanda, wife of J. A. Mattoon; Ella, who died unmarried in 1877; and Philip, a resi- dent of Pickaway county.
The district schools afforded our subject his early educational privileges, and later he attended the high school at Bryan for a short time, after which he successfully engaged in teaching. When only four years old he was brought by his parents to Williams county, and upon the home farm remained
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until September 5, 1864, when, at the age of seventeen years, he entered the army, serving as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, until the close of the war. He did guard duty for some time, assisted in the construction of a fort at Nashville, was with the troops which acted as escort to General Tower through a portion of the South, and when hostilities had ceased he was honorably dis- charged at Nashville. After being paid at Columbus, Ohio, he returned home and resumed farming; later was employed by the month, and after his mar- riage, which occurred in 1872, he operated his father's farm for one year, and then removed to his father-in-law's place, where he is still living.
Mr. Hamet married Miss Amelia Pepple, who was born January 9, 1847, in Stark county, Ohio, a daughter of William L. and Amelia (Irwin), Pepple, the former of German descent, the latter of Scotch-Irish. Her father, a native of Maryland, and a son of William Pepple, Sr., was a wool carder and weaver by trade, but after coming to Williams county, in 1857, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, buying a farm, which he successfully oper- ated until life's labors were over, in 1875. His wife, who from an early age was a faithful member of the Methodist Church, survived him many years, dying in November, 1897. Their seven children were as follows: Catherine; Caroline, wife of R. Lambert; Walter (deceased) ; Tisby, who became the wife of W. H. Vaus, and died in 1863; Sarah, the second wife of W. H. Vaus; Amelia, the wife of our subject ; and Winfield, who died in 1867.
Mr. and Mrs. Hamet have two children, namely: Herman M., born in 1879, and Mable A., born in 1881, are now attending school at West Unity, Williams county. The parents and children are consistent members of the Methodist Church, with which Mr. Hamet is officially connected. Politically he has followed in the footsteps of his father, always supporting the men and measures of the Republican party, and he has been called upon to fill some local offices of honor and trust in his township, the duties of which he has most capably discharged.
MATHIAS THIEL.
The well-appointed farm of this gentleman is pleasantly located in Sec- tion 7, Mark township, Defiance county, where he has made his home for over a quarter of a century. He has given his close attention to the cultivation and improvement of his place with results which can hardly fail to be satisfactory to himself. The farm comprises eighty-six acres of fine land, improved with good and substantial buildings.
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Mr. Thiel was born in New York, May 16, 1847, and when a child re- moved to Seneca county, Ohio, with his parents, Michael and Margaret (Welter) Thiel. There he made his home until eighteen years of age, when the family went to Williams county, this State, where both the father and mother died. Of their seven children our subject is fourth in the order of birth. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage, aiding in the operation of the home farm.
On June 13, 1871, Mr. Thiel was married to Miss Eliza Huber, daughter of Anthony Huber, of Defiance county, and to them have been born five chil- dren, namely : Anthony J .; Michael L .; Arvilla F .; and Agatha H., who are all living; and Clara E., who died at the age of ten years. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Thiel located permanently upon his present farm. He is a wide-awake, progressive business man, and his career has been such as to win for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
ORLANDO COFFIN.
This worthy representative of the agricultural interests of Defiance county is the owner of one of the best farms in Delaware township. It comprises four hundred and twenty acres under excellent cultivation, on which he has erected an elegant residence and good outbuildings. He has made his special field of industry a success, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place tes- tifies to his great energy and perseverance, as well as ability and skill in his chosen calling.
On the farm where he is still living Mr. Coffin was born, March 12, 1848. His father, Gilbert Coffin, was born in Otsego county, New York, about 1809, and in early life emigrated to Defiance county, becoming one of its honored pioneers. Here he was united in marriage with Mrs. Elizabeth (Gordon) Platter, also a native of New York State. Upon the old homestead in Dela- ware township they continued to reside until called from this life, the mother dying October 23, 1874, the father on February 2, 1875. To them were born four children-three sons and one daughter-of whom Orlando is the eldest son and second child.
Under the able direction of his father the subject of this sketch early be- came a systematic and successful farmer, and was of great assistance to him in the operation of the home farm even during his boyhood and youth. Since attaining to man's estate he has given his entire time and attention to the management of the place.
On November 2, 1875, in Defiance, Mr. Coffin married Miss Minerva
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Musselman, who was born in Paulding county, Ohio, April 14, 1851. Her parents, John and Eliza (Clemmer) Musselman, were natives of Virginia, and Montgomery county, Ohio, respectively, and died in Paulding county, this State, the former on January 10, 1893, the latter on September 18, 1880. All of their twelve children reached manhood and womanhood, Mrs. Coffin be- ing the ninth in order of birth. To our subject and his wife have been born four children, namely : Minnie; George J. ; Charles L. ; and John M.
Although Mr. Coffin is a Republican, as was his father before him, he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of political office. He has taken considerable interest in the public affairs of his community, and never withholds his support from any enterprise which he believes will advance the public welfare. Having been a resident of Defiance county for fifty years, he has witnessed almost its entire growth and development, and in its progress he has manifested a deep interest. For some eight years he has been en- gaged in buying and shipping live-stock. His strict integrity and honorable dealing in business commend him to the confidence of all; his pleasant manner wins him friends; and he is one of the honored citizens of Delaware town- ship. Socially he belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the I. O. O. F., being one of the oldest members of the latter organization in Delaware township. Mrs. Coffin is a member of the Disciple Church of Sherwood.
WILLIAM H. MOWERY.
Among the agriculturists of Harrison township, Henry county, who have attained success from a financial point of view, is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch.
Mr. Mowery is one of the most progressive and energetic farmers of his community, is a complete master of the calling which he is following, and to-day his fine farm of one hundred and twenty acres is under excellent culti- vation and well improved. Upon the place he has erected good and substantial buildings, including a comfortable residence, where hospitality and good cheer reign supreme.
Our subject was born June 26, 1848, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and in the order of birth is fourth child in a family of eight children-four sons and four daughters-whose parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Gensel) Mowery. The first twelve years of his life he passed in the county of his nativity, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Allen county. Ohio, where the father's death occurred. The mother is still living.
William H. Mowery continued a resident of Allen county until he was
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married, December 5, 1871, to Miss Martha K. Spangler, a native of Pick- away county, and a daughter of Levi Spangler, late of Harrison township, Henry county. Two children grace this union: Mamie and Nona. After his marriage, Mr. Mowery came to Henry county, and in Harrison township has since successfully engaged in farming. He is held in high regard by all who know him, and his sterling integrity and honorable, upright manhood, fully entitled him to the position which he holds in the estimation of the people of the community.
EMERSON B. OPDYCKE,
The subject of this notice is fairly entitled to be considered not only one of the enterprising farmers of Williams county, but also one of its most highly respected and honored citizens. His residence is situated in Section 36, Jefferson township, where he owns and operates two hundred and eighty acres of valuable and highly-productive land improved with excellent farm buildings. Upon this place Mr. Opdycke was born, August 12, 1848.
John Opdycke, father of our subject, was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and in June, 1836, when still single, he came to Williams county, where, in 1848, he married Miss Harriet C. Baird, also a native of Ohio. Throughout the greater part of their married life they lived in Jefferson township, Wil- liams county, continuing to make it their home up to within ten years of their deaths, the father dying August 26, 1895, the mother on June 23, 1896. They were the parents of four children, namely: Emerson B .; Bettie; Charles D .; and Wilbur. Emerson Opdycke, an uncle of our subject, was a brevet major general in the Union army during the Civil war.
During his boyhood and youth the subject of this sketch attended the common schools and also obtained a good academic education. He studied civil engineering and surveying under Professor Churchill of Oberlin, Ohio, and Professor C. W. Mykrantz, of Bryan. For six years, or two terms, he most creditably filled the office of county surveyor of Williams county, and for sixteen or eighteen years made surveying his business. However, he now gives his attention wholly to agricultural pursuits, and has made many im- provements upon the old homestead, which he successfully operates.
In Pulaski, Ohio, April 19, 1877, Mr. Opdycke married Miss Sarah A. Roth, a native of Fulton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Christian Roth, of that county. Mr. and Mrs. Opdycke have become the parents of seven children, who, in the order of birth, are as follows: Winnifred; John G .; Waldo E .; Bessie; Lucile; Alfred; and Carlton.
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Since attaining his majority, Mr. Opdycke has always given his sup- port to the men and measures of the Republican party, and he takes an active interest in all enterprises which he believes calculated to promote the moral, intellectual or material welfare of his township and county. His entire life has been passed in this locality, and those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends, a fact which plainly indicates an irreproachable life.
B. FRANKLIN TERMAN.
This prominent resident of Farmer township, Defiance county, has been identified with the agricultural interests of that locality for a number of years, during which he has won in a high degree the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.
"Mr. Terman is a native of Ohio, having been born in Richland county, FEBRUARY, ' 8, 1850. His father, the late John Terman, was a farmer by occu- pation, and owned a homestead near Mansfield, Ohio, where his death oc- curred in 1888; the mother, whose maiden name was Priscilla Plank, is still living. This worthy couple had seven children-three sons and four daugh- ters-our subject being second in the order of birth.
The youth of our subject was spent in his native county, where he re- ceived a common-school education, and although he occasionally worked by the month as a farm hand, his time was mainly devoted to the management of the homestead until his marriage to Miss Mary J. Crawford, which oc- curred in Richland county, November 9, 1871. He then settled upon a farm in the same county, and remained two years, but in 1873 he removed to De- fiance county, locating first in Delaware township, where he spent twelve years. Since that time he has been a resident of Section 36, Farmer town- ship, and he now owns a homestead of eighty acres, which he has im- proved judiciously, his buildings being both substantial and attractive. As a citizen he has shown much public spirit, participating actively in all move- ments that promised to benefit the community, and while he is not an office- seeker he served for three years as trustee of Delaware township during his residence there. In politics he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and he has always taken deep interest in religious work in his locality, although he does not belong to any Church.
Mrs. Terman is also a native of Richland county, and was born May 9, 1846. Her father, John Crawford, is now a well-known resident of Williams county; her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Stevenson,
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died in Richland county in 1860. Mrs. Terman was the third in a family of six children-three sons and three daughters, three of whom are now dead, the eldest being Robert, who was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the war of the Rebellion. He died June 17, 1895, and was buried by the Masonic Fraternity, of which he was a member, the G. A. R. also participating.
JAMES CUMMINS.
This honored pioneer and well-known citizen of Madison township has for almost sixty years been identified with the interests of Williams county, and has contributed to its material progress and prosperity to an extent equaled by but few of his contemporaries. A native of Ohio, he was born June 24, 1822, in Trumbull county, whence when five years of age he removed to Portage county, where he received a good common-school education. His paternal great-grandfather was a native of Ireland, and, having come to this country during Colonial days, he participated in the Revolutionary war and also in the early Indian wars. He first located in Virginia, and from there removed to Pennsylvania, where his death occurred.
John Cummins, the father of our subject, was born in Maryland, a son of Joseph Cummins, a native of Virginia, who died in early life. His widow afterward married a Mr. Stowe. John Cummins was reared in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and after the death of his father he removed with his mother and the other children to Trumbull county, Ohio, which at that time was almost an unbroken wilderness. He bought land, improved a farm and kept the family together until the children were able to care for themselves. While living in that county he served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and there married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Hatfield, a sturdy farmer of New England stock. On selling his farm in Trumbull county, John Cum- mins moved to Portage county, where he also developed a farm, and later came to Williams county, spending his last days at the home of our subject. He was a Jacksonian Democrat in politics, was a great Bible student, and a believer in universal salvation. Although he took an active interest in political affairs, and often made stump speeches for his party, he never aspired to office. On first coming to Williams county in 1840, he engaged in farming in Jefferson township, but later lived retired at the home of our subject, where he died in 1854, aged eighty-two years; his wife passed away in 1876, aged eighty years. In their family were seven children: Mrs. Adeline Wright ; James; Joseph (deceased) ; Mrs. Julia Allen; William, who died in Michigan; Hiram, who died while serving his country in the Civil war;
James Cummins
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and Mrs. Caroline Wadsworth. The father was also one of a family of seven children, the others being: William, Joseph, James, Thomas, Polly and Sally.
Soon after the removal of the family to Williams county, James Cum- mins (at the age of eighteen years) started out in life for himself with no capital save a pair of willing hands and a determination to succeed. He com- menced operations in Jefferson township, Williams county, where he secured a position at chopping wood and clearing land; but as he had no money to buy an axe, he was forced to borrow one. For the first two years he was - employed in clearing land, and having saved some money, he then entered eighty acres of wild land in Jefferson township, to the improvement and culti- vation of which he soon turned his attention, cutting first a road through the timber to his place, over which he could drive an ox-team-always a favorite team with him for farm work. After clearing some of his land he erected thereon a cabin, and upon rented land began raising potatoes and a little corn. In 1844 he married and brought his young bride to his cabin home, and for some time their meat consisted principally of the wild game then so plenti- ful in this region. Upon his place he has often killed deer, wolves, wild turkeys, etc. After residing upon his first purchase sixteen years, during which time he made many improvements upon the place, including the erection of a good frame residence, he sold and purchased two hundred and sixty acres in Madison township, forty of which had been cleared and a shanty erected thereon. Upon that place he still continues to reside, has one hundred and seventy-five acres under a high state of cultivation, a good orchard, a commodious two-story frame residence, and good and substantial outbuild- ings, all of which stand as monuments to his thrift and industry. The place is pleasantly located nine miles northeast of Montpelier.
On April 13, 1844, Mr. Cummins married Miss Phebe Kirk, of Colum- biana county, Ohio, a daughter of Timothy Kirk, who was of Scotch descent, and in Pennsylvania married Miss Polly Hoops. From the Keystone State they removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, and in 1842 came to Williams county, where Mr. Kirk improved a farm. He died in Bridgewater township, a member of the United Brethren Church. His children were as follows : Mrs. Mary Lambright, Phebe, Nathan, Mrs. Catherine Durbin and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummins were born seven children: John, who died from an attack of measles while serving in the Union army, but was brought home by his father before his death ; William, a farmer of Madison township, Wil- liams county ; Mary J., wife of W. Rising ; George, a carpenter at Pioneer ; Caroline, who died at the age of three years; James M., a resident of Michigan; and one who died in infancy. The mother of these children, a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, died in 1863.
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