USA > Ohio > Wood County > Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 3 > Part 18
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A few years after their arrival the family moved to a farmi near Ashland, and in 1852 they came to Bloom township, traveling by wagon. and settled upon a trart of 160 acres of land cov- ered with heavy timber. Their first house was a log cabin, which was afterward enlarged, and soon supplanted by a more modern residence. Here the parents diedom isto, the mother in February, and the father two weeks later, and their remains were buried near Fostoria. They
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had been members of the Church of England in their youth, but after coming to this country they united with the M. E. Church. They were thoroughly in sympathy with American institu- tions, and instilled their patriotic principles into their children. The father was a Democrat be- fore the war, but later became a Republican.
Edmund L. Stove was educated in the dis- trict schools of Ashland and Wood counties, and afterward at Fostoria. On August 28, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 49th O. V. I., under Capt. Hays, and was sent to Kentucky. His first battle was at Christmas Creek. In July. 1863, he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and spent four montlis in hospital, but returned to duty as soon as he recovered. Early in 1864 he came home on a furlough, and returned with the regiment from Tiffin, many of his comrades re- enlisting as veterans. They joined Sherman's command in time for the battles of Rocky Face, or Buzzard's Roost, and then followed Resaca. Dallas, Kingston, Kenesaw Mountain. Marietta,
boro, and Lovejoy Station. The force was divided then, and Mr. Stove's division returned to Nashville, later going to Huntsville, Ala., and Greenville, Tenn., and being discharged at Nash- ville June 13, 1865. Mr. Stove never absented himself from duty except from sickness, and for the one furlough.
States. Their two children have been given good educational advantages: John H. gradu- ated from Hiranı College, and is now a minister of the Church of Christ, at Winger, Ontario; Frank A. also studied at Hiram, and graduated from the Ohio Normal University at Ada. In politics Mr. Stove is a Republican, but he has de- clined all offers of official position. He is a mem- ber of Urie Post No. 11O. G. A. R., of Bloom- dale.
Mrs. Stove's paternal grandfather, Christian Fast, was of German parentage. He became a soldier in the French and Indian war, in which he was wounded and taken prisoner, being held for two years, during which time he was adopted as a brother of the Indian chief. He heard the groans of Capt. Crawford as he was being burned at the stake in Crawford county, Ohio. He was a noted man, and a history of his adventures and I prison life is given in book form.
ISAAC N. VAN TASSELL, a well-known ednca- Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, Jones- tor, and highly respected citizen of Bowling
Green, was born in Wood county, September 21. 1851, and is a son of Isaac and Martha L. (Martindale) Van Tassell. He was reared in Milton township, and began teaching school when he was eigliteen years old, subsequently entering Oberlin College, where he remained three years. He then resumed teaching, and has now been engaged in educational work for nearly twenty- five years.
On his return home he began farming, and on September 20, 1866, he was married to Miss Mary M. Fast, a native of Bloom township, born The first school which our subject taught was in Milton township, in 1869-70. In 1880 he took charge of the school at Haskins, which he conducted for eight years, also serving as clerk of the school board and member of the board of county school examiners for three terms. He resigned his position to take the principalship of a ward school in Toledo, going there in IS88, and remaining until 1890, in the latter vear tak- ing up his residence in Bowling Green. For some years thereafter Mr. Van Tassell was en- gaged in newspaper work, having an interest in the Tribune of that city; but in 1804 sold out, aurl again resumed the profession of a teacher, being connected with the schools at Portage and Ton- togany. He has always been popular with his pupils, and is regarded as one of the best teach- ers in the county, being an earnest student, and possessing the happy faculty of imparting his knowledge in a clear and forcible manner to those under his tutorship. In politics he is withited with the Republic un party, and m religious faith he is a bebever in the doctrines of the Presbyterian November 12, 1842, the daughter of John and Sarah (Hess) Fast, prominent residents of Bloom township. They went to housekeeping on the home farm of 240 acres, of which Mr. Stove took charge, together with forty acres of his own, adjoining. In 1872 he bought 120 acres of unimproved land near Bairdstown. where he built a log cabin for their first dwelling. Three years later he put up a large brick house, then one of the best in the township, and each year has seen the farm improved. With the ex- ception of one year's residence in Fostoria, where he built a nice house, he has lived on his farm ever since. He also owns 122) acres in Cass township, Hancock county, and is one of the substantial farmers of that region. He and his wife are members of the Church of Christ, in which he has held office. Mrs. Stove is a lady of fine intelligence and culture, and was a teacher before her marriage. He is one of the best in- formed men in his locality, an excellent mathe. matician and a great reader of the best literature. They have traveled extensively over the United . Church. Socially, he is a member of the L. O. O. F.,
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is a good citizen, and has many warm personal friends. He has never married.
The father of our subject was born June 28, 1810, in Greene county, N. Y., where he was reared to manhood and acquired a common- school education, after which he taught for one year in his native State. When about twenty years of age he came to Wood county at the re- quest of his uncle, who was a Presbyterian min- ister, and who was then in charge of the Indian Mission, at the old mission station on the Mau- mee river. The young man was appointed teacher of the mission school, having under his care the little Indian and white boys and girls, which position he held for a year and a half. He then entered Western Reserve College with the intention of studying for the ministry, and during vacations taught school in the towns of Wads- worth and Windham. On completing his course at the college, he returned to the Maumee Val- ley, where he was engaged in teaching for several years, finally purchasing government land in Mil- ton township, Wood county, where he reared his family and made his home from 1845 to 1876, in which latter year he returned to Bowling Green, where his death occurred in June, IS77. While living in Milton township he served for fifteen consecutive years as justice of the peace, and helped to organize a Presbyterian Church at vari- ous places in the vicinity. He held the office of elder in that religious body for many years, and was a stanch supporter of its doctrines. His fa- ther's family was rather a remarkable one in some respects, there being fifteen children, all of whom grew to maturity, and all married with the excep- tion of one daughter. When visiting his old home in Greene county, N. Y., in 1866, Mr. Van Tas- sell and his nine brothers attended Church to- gether, and occupied one seat. He was six feet two and a half inches in height, strong and act- ive, and could tell many interesting tales of the early days in Ohio, when he was clearing off his farm, his nearest neighbors being wolves and other wild beasts of the forest, who occasionally paid him a visit. His wife, the mother of our subject, who shared with her husband the priva- tions and toils, is still living. She was born near Perrysburg, Wood county, October 2, 1821.
The family, of which onr subject is a member. consisted of eight children, a brief record of the others being as follows: Flavia L. married Julias Greely, who was a member of Company D. frith O. V. I., and was killed at Franklin, Tenn. : after his death she became the wife of John P. Barton, of Leipsic. Putnam Co., Ohio. Emer- son H. is a farmer in Monroe, Mich. Clara and
Harry C. died in infancy. Helen M. is the wife of Robert Dunn, of Bowling Green. Charles S. resides in Bowling Green. Alice E. died in in- fancy. The family of our subject's mother were prominent in Massachusetts and Vermont, her father, Elisha Martindale, being a well-known citizen of Lenox, Mass., while on her mother's side they resided at Middlebury, Vt. Her cousin, Gen. James Henry Martindale, was a major-gen- eral in the Civil war under Gen. George B. Mc- Clellan. . Her uncle, Dr. Conant, was the first resident physician in the Maumee Valley, settling there in 1816.
A. E. STAHL, one of the best citizens and most substantial business men of Risingsun, was born in Jackson township, Seneca Co., Ohio, September 30, 1852, and belongs to an honored pioneer family of that county. Michael Stahl, his grandfather, located there at a very early day, when Indians still roamed through the for- est, and endured all the hardships and privations of frontier life. He married Sallie Hampshire, and both spent their remaining days in Jackson township, Seneca county.
Jonas Stahl, the father of our subject, was born September 14, 1828, and was the eldest son and third child in a family of twelve children. He was reared in the midst of pioneer scenes. and as his services were needed in clearing and devel- oping the home farm, his educational privileges were quite limited. He remained under the pa- rental roof until his marriage, November 1, 1849. with Miss Harriet Fiandt, the wedding cere- mnony being performed at Fort Seneca, by Rev. John Bilchartz, a Lutheran minister. She was born in Berks county, Penn., September 15. 1831. the daughter of Martin and Mary ( Kings- ley) Fiandt, both of whom had been twice mar- ried. Mrs. Fiandt's first husband was Gabriel Price. In 1834, Mr. Fiandt took his family to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1843 removing to Bis Spring township, Seneca county, and later to Jackson township, same county. However, he died in Wood county at the age of ninety-tour. and his wife spent her last days in La Grange county, Ind., dying at the age of ninety-six. In their family were five children, of whom the mother of our subject was the second daughter and third child. By his former marriage, Mr. Fiandt had eight children.
Jonas Stahl began his domestic life upon a farm in Jackson township, Seneca county, where his death occurred November 12, 1870. and his remains were there interred in the Lutheran com- etery. He was a stanch Democrat in politics.
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and was one of the active workers and faithful members of the Evangelical Church, in which he held office. He left two children - Melissa, who was born November 12, 1850, and is now the wife of John Soules, of Seneca county; and A. E., the subject of this review. The mother, who is still living, was married December 31, 1874. to Noah Swope, of Risingsun. She also holds mem- bership in the Evangelical Church.
The education of our subject was such as the district schools near his boyhood home afforded. and he early became familiar with the work on a farm, He was but eighteen years of age when his father died, and at once assumed the man- agement of the home place. On reaching his majority he led to the marriage altar Miss Mar- garet Long, of Jackson township, Seneca county, the daughter of Benjamin Long, and to them were born two sons-Elroy, of Risingsun, and Benjamin, who died in infancy. After his mnar- riage Mr. Stahl located on the old home farm, where he lived for six years, and then came to Perry township, Wood county, where he pur- chased 120 acres, in Section 2, which place con- tinued to be his home until his removal to Ris- ingsun, in 1891. During his residence in Perry township, he erected all the buildings on his ex- cellent farm, with the exception of his dwelling. and improved the farm in many ways. For two years after coming to Risingsun, he continued to follow agricultural pursuits; but has since engaged in the oil business, being one of the most exten- sive individual operators of Risingsun, and own- ing 200 acres of valuable oil land. He also owns two houses in Risingsun, his own residence being one of the finest in the village. He is an excel- lent business man, industrious and energetic, and has secured a comfortable competence. He is a shrewd and careful dealer, well deserving the success that has crowned his efforts, for he has secured his property principally through his own efforts and excellent management. He regularly supports the Democratic party, but is no poli- tician or office seeker, his own interests requiring his entire time and attention.
ISRAEL SIMON, a worthy representative of one of the leading and prominent families of Wood county, carries on agricultural pursuits in Bloom township. His great-grandfather, John Adam Simon, was born in Switzerland, and became the founder of the family in the New World, where he arrived about 1735, when still a young man. He determined to make a home in this country, and to stand in defense of his God-given rights- life, liberty and the pursuits of happiness, Later
he married and located in the eastern part of the Colony of Maryland. During the Narragansett- Indian war his house with all its contents was consumed by the flames, but, with one exception, the family escaped by flight, though with scant attire. Andrew, a boy of seven years, being somne distance from the house, in a sugar camp, was captured, and at the hands of the savages suffered inany cruelties, and it was seven years before he was able to return to the family. The father passed his last days in Washington county, Penn., where he died at nearly the age of one hundred years, and he was buried in an old Ger- man cemetery near his home. He was a brave, fearless man, of invincible integrity, charitable and friendly to all. In the family were ten chil- dren, five sons and five danghters, the sons being named respectively: Michael, Nicholas, Andrew, Adam and Jacob.
The eldest of these, Michael Simon, was born in Maryland in 1741, and was the founder of the family in the Buckeye State, buying 640 acres of land in Mahoning county, in the year 1800, from Henry Boardman, who then owned the entire township of Boardman, at that time in Trumbull county. Two years later Mr. Simon removed to his purchase; one of his four sons, Adam, had previously located there. He departed this life in 1839, when nearly ninety-nine years of age, leaving 464 descendants, sixteen being of the fourth generation. He was married three times. By his first wife he became the father of twelve children-Michael, Peter, Andrew, Adam, George, Jacob, Mrs. Barbara Gedaker, Mrs. Elizabeth Kistner, Mrs. Margaret Kistner, Mrs. Ann Mary Macherman, Mrs. Esther Hewitt and Mrs. Mary C. Phister. By his second wife he had one child, who died at the age of one year. His third union was with Gertrude Smith, and to them were born two sons-Abraham and Henry.
The last named was the father of our sub- ject. He was born in Washington county, Pent. , June 7, 1796, and in Allegany county, Md., on September 11, 1821, wedded Catherine Stemple. whose birth occurred in Preston county, Va .. July 10, 1798. In their family were the follow- ing children: Israel, subject of this sketch, was born October 5, 1822: Jonas, born January 16, 1824, died in Hancock county, Ohio, AApril 5. 1854; Mary, born November 20, 1825. first be- came the wife of Isaac Bunnell, but is now Mrs. Joseph Beck, of Bairdstown, Ohio: Elias is next in order of birth; Abigail, born July 1;, 1830. married Henry Carrell, of Wood county; Joshua, born February 17, 1833, died in McComb, Ohio, May 16, 1890; Carolus, born July 18. 1835,
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died January 20, 1863, from a wound received while a member of Company H, 49th O. V. I., during the Civil war. The mother of these chil- dren died April 2, 1836, after a long illness, and was laid to rest in Boardman township, Mahoning county. She was a faithful member of the Lu- theran Church. She had come to Ohio with her husband on horseback, bringing with her a set of dishes which had been given her. The father was again married in Mahoning county, March 11, 1842, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Miner, and they became the parents of seven children, namely: Catherine, who died in Wood county of membranous croup while young; George, who was killed during the Civil war; David, who died in Eaton county Mich. ; Gideon and Armenta, who died while young; Henry, who makes his home in Eaton county, Mich. ; and Maria, now Mrs. Gidner, of the same county. The first land owned by Henry Simon was a tract of 100 acres in Mahoning county, for which he paid $400, and to its culti- vation he devoted his time until November, 1844. when he came to Bloom township, Wood county, here making his home until 1870, when he re- moved to Eaton county, Mich. There he died May 15, 1872, and at the same place his widow passed away in 1894. His first vote was cast for the Whig party, and he later became a stanch Republican.
Being the eldest son, Israel Simon was early called upon to assist in the labors of the home farm, so that his early education was limited; but after starting out in life for himself he at- tended both English and German schools. For two years previous to atraining his majority he had worked for others; but his father received his wages, and, at the age of twenty-one, he learned the shoemaker's trade under John Baird, with whom he remained for two years, then com- ing to Wood county, where his parents had moved in the meantime. In the fall of 1846 his father built him a shop on the home farmn.
In Bloom township, on July 4, 1850, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Simon and Miss Susan Nusbaum, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, June 9. 1826, a daughter of John Nusbaum, who came to Bloomn township at an early day, after first locating in Seneca county. Ten children graced this nion: Theodore, who died at the age of eighteen months; Catherine, now Mrs. John B. Wilson, of Bowling Green, Ohio; Laura, now Mrs. John Rotz, of McComb, Hancock Co., Ohio; Lewis, who, in the fall of 1890, married Lizzie Lantz, of Preston county, W. Va., who died September 20, 1892; Lydia, at
home; Martha, who is the widow of J. D. Munn, and is now engaged in school teaching: Mary. :vife of Virgil James, of McComb; Winfield S .. who died May 7, 1866; Della, now Mrs. J. H. Reese, of Crestline, Ohio; and Ida. who follows school teaching.
On coming to Wood county, Mr. Simon's property consisted only of $30, an axe and a scythe, and, in connection with work at his trade. he also engaged in clearing land and chopping wood. In this way he and his brother Jonas se- cured the capital with which to purchase 160 acres in Section 32, Bloom township. to which they later added eighty acres, and on this tract our subject first began housekeeping in a rude log cabin 18 x 26 feet, standing a short distance north of where his present home is located. The land was all heavily timbered, not a tree having been out with the exception of coon and bee trees. After working hard all day in the open air, Mr. Simon would make shoes in the evenings, in order to get a start in life. and the first rocking chair which the family owned, was earned by Mrs. Simon raking wheat at twenty- five cents per day. In 1890 they removed to McComb, but after two years returned to the farm, where they still continue to reside. It comprises ninety-seven acres of good land, and the improvements found thereon stand as monu- ments to the thrift and industry of the owner.
Owing to his arduous toil in former days, Mr. Simon has not enjoyed very good health for some years, although he was once a robust. active man. Politically, he usually supports the Republican party, though he is not bound by party ties in township and county matters, pre- ferring to vote for the man who he thinks will best fill the position. He was trustee of his township for seven years, assessor one termin, and has held various school offices, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity. Religiously both he and his wife are faithful members of the Disciples Church.
J. D. HALSEY, a prominent agriculturist of Plain township, and a veteran of the Civil war. was born May 21, 1838, near Monmouth Court House, N. J. His grandfather, John Halsey, a native of England, and a sailor by occupation. was one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. While attempting to bring supplies to the Colon- ial forces, his vessel was fired upon by the British and sunk of the . Highlands of Nevers'na. swam for the shore, and the American coast- guard seeing his courage, were inspired to tiglit the blockaders with such vigor that they capturet
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the entire force of marines. He lived to be ninety-eight years old, having spent sixty-two years of his life upon the sea. Mr. Halsey saw him at the age of eighty-eight, and heard from his own lips interesting reminiscences of his early life. Isaiah Halsey, our subject's father, was born near Monmouth Court House, N. J., in 1808, and during early manhood was a sailor. He married Abigail Brand, a native of the same lo- cality, who died in 1841, leaving five children: (1) Jane (deceased;, formerly the wife of D. J. Carbaugh, of Strasburg, Mo. ; (2) Mercy, who mar- ried John Wickard, of Partello, Mich. ; (3) Cath- erine, wife of A. L. French, died in I872; (4) Jonas died at the age of ten; and John D., our subject, who was an infant at the time of his mother's death. The father married again, his sec- ond wife being Miss Rebecca Wells. Becoming dis- satisfied with a sailor's life, he determined to become a farmer, and in 1840 he came to Ohio, locating first in Hancock county and later in Fulton county. He was a man of great physical strength. In politics he was an Old-line Whig; and, although the family were originally Quakers, he adhered to the Baptist Church.
John D. Halsey was educated mainly in the schools of Wood and Lucas counties, where he grew to manhood. He learned the trade of ine- chanical engineer, and for three years sailed on the great lakes as an engineer. In 1861 he en- listed in Company I, 14th O. V. I., and served in the army of West Virginia and the army of the Potomac; taking part in many engagements, among them the battles of Philippi, Laurel Hill, Carrick's Ford, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Bethesda Church, Gaines' Mills, North Anna, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg. Not- withstanding this hard fighting, Mr. Halsey was not wounded once. He served for some time as lieutenant of the roth Ohio Sharpshooters, and afterward was acting captain, with three com- panies under his charge during part of the time. On his return from the army he gave his atten- tion to farming. He was married in 1861 to Miss Anna Nobbs, a native of Fulton county, born May 13, 1840, and settled for a time upon a farm in that county. One child was born of this union: Jessie, now the wife of W. A. Ickes, both of whom reside at the homestead.
In 1866 Mr. Halsey moved to Arcadia, Han- cock county, and in 1875 he came to Wood county, and in 1892 located in Jerry City upon his present fine farm of ninety-six acres, near Bowling Green. He is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of that vicinity, and his sound judgment and upright character cominand the re-
spect of all who know him well. In politics he is a Republican, and a strong "sound-money" man, and is a member of the G. A. R.
GEORGE H. HARMAN, a farmer and oil dealer. was born in Section 30, Montgomery township, March 11, 1850, and is the eldest son of William and Mary (Kiser) Harman.
Mr. Harman was reared as a farmer's boy. attended school, and lived on the home farm until his marriage, in 1870, to Miss Mary E. Cupp, a daughter of Jackson Cupp, who was at that time a farmer of Bloom township. At the age of sixteen, our subject had learned the car- penter's trade with Eli Swope, and after his mar- riage he located near Prairie Depot, rented a farm, and worked at his trade, later doing con- tract work, at which he continued for about twelve years. The first house and lot that Mr. Harman could call his own was in Tysontown. Wood county. The first land which he purchased was twenty-seven acres in Section 31, Mont- gomery township, where, for a short time, he carried on farming. He then traded this land for the eighty acres which he now owns in Sec- tion 30, and which is the old home farin of the family, he being one of the third generation to own it. He now has in all 123 acres in Mont- gomery and Portage townships, where he is carrying on general farming, and has become one of the most prosperous and successful citizens of the township. He was at one time interested in a sawmill in Montgomery township with Bowers & Co. At present, besides his farm operations, he owns an extensive interest in the oil fields, and receives a handsome income from eighteen oil wells, of which he has the control. He is a shrewd dealer, a good business man, and stands well with all who know him.
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