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 89
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JOHN MARSHALL was born in Salem township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, June 16, 1831, and is a son of Joseph and Mary (Sterling) Marshall, both natives of Mercer county, Ohio. The father, who was a farmer and teamster by occupation, enlisted in the war of 1812, but was never called out to act- ive service. From his native county he removed to Columbiana county, where he made his home until 1854, when he took up his residence in Mount Blanchard, Hancock Co., Ohio. There he died in the spring of 1856, at the age of fifty- eight years. His wife survived him twenty-one years, passing away at the advanced age of eighty- six. Their children were: Joseph, who is liv- ing with our subject; Thomas, who served in the 186th O. V. I., and died at the age of sixty- two; Michael, who died at the same age; Elisha, who died at the age of twenty-five; John; Fir- mon, who died in Delaware, Iowa, at the age of forty-eight; and Mary E., who died at the age of seven years.
On the old home farm John Marshall was reared, and, at the age of eighteen, he began learning the wagon-maker's trade at Frankhu Square, Columbiana Co. Ohio, following that pursuit in connection with farming. While in Columbiana county he built the largest team wagon that was ever made in this State. The
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rear wheels stood six feet high, the front wheels four feet, and twenty-two barrels of flour could be laid in the bottom of the bed. Our subject was a young man of twenty-three when he went with his parents to Hancock county. He re- mained at home until after the death of his father, supporting the family from his meager wages, which amounted to about fifty cents per day. In Orange township, Hancock county, October 19, 1856, Mr. Marshall married Martha Castor, then living in Delaware township, Hancock county, but a native of Columbiana county, born October 8, 1830. Her parents were John and Jane (Ster- ling) Castor. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall located in Delaware township, Hancock county, where they lived until 1861, removing then to Wyandot county, Ohio. In 1864 our subject enlisted in Company 1, 175th O. V. I., and participated in the hotly-contested battle of Franklin, where the regiment lost 106 men. He was then in all the engagements until after the battle of Nashville, and was honorably discharged at Camp Denni- son, Ohio, in July, 1865.
Mr. Marshall then continued his residence in Wyandot county until 1873, when he purchased and located on 120 acres of partially-improved land in Henry township, Wood county. After- ward he sold forty acres, and, later, the remain- ing amount; then, in 1881, purchased sixty-four acres in Hammansburg, where he has since re- sided. On this tract he has erected five resi- dences, and also owns three houses and lots in North Baltimore. In his business undertakings he has prospered, owing to his enterprise, indom- itable perseverance and sound judgment, until to- day a well-deserved success is his. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall was blessed with three children, two of whom -- Louisa Demaris and Emma Jane - are deceased; the surviving daugh- ter is Isa Milda, wife of Artemus Apple, of Henry township. In politics Mr. Marshall is a Repub- lican, and has served as assessor for one year, while for about five years he has been township trustee. He has always been faithful to the du- ties of bothi public and private life, and his ster- ling integrity and many excellent traits of char- acter have won him high esteem.
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HENRY MITTER. Germany has sent many substantial citizens to this country, and a number of theni, settling in farming communities, have become well-to-do men, their native thrift and industry causing them to succeed where others would fail. Our subject was born in the l'ather- land January 30, ISES, in Baden, son of Andrew Mitter, who was a farmer in fair circumstances,
and had a family of seven children, as follows: Henry, whose name introduces this sketch; An- drew, a millwright, of Holgate, Ohio; Lena (widow of John Armbruster), also of Holgate: Rosa (Mrs. Jacob Armbruster), of Bryan, Ohio; Joseph, of Fremont, Ohio; Mary, Mrs. Fred Benner, of Ottawa county, Ohio; and Fred. who enlisted in the 72nd O. V. I., served his term of service, received an honorable discharge, and boarded a boat to return home, after which noth- ing was ever heard of him. Mr. and Mrs. An- drew Mitter came to America at the same time our subject emigrated, settling in Sandusky county. Ohio, where they died.
Our subject received a good education in his native language, but he has acquired all his knowledge of English by practical experience. His father being a fariner, he was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, but after his younger brothers became old enough to help at home he con- menced to work in a distillery, continuing at that work for four years in Germany. When twenty- five years of age he was married, in his native country, to Miss Rosa Baysinger, and two chil- dren were born to them there: Rosa, now the wife of Samuel Lifler, of Napoleon, Ohio, and Robert, a farmer of Sandusky county, Ohio. In May, 1859, the family sailed from Bremen, Germany, and, after a voyage of thirty-four days, landed in this country, coming directly to Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, where friends of theirs were living. A tract of land, comprising eighty acres, was pur- chased, for which they paid $1, 800, although only a small potato patch of four acres had been cleared, and the rest was still new. In the fall of 1882, our subject came to Six Points, Wood coun- ty, where he has since resided, for the last couple of years living retired from active labor. In his early life he was a very robust man, and he worked hard, but he never kept any comforts from his family to accumulate money or property. Since their arrival in this country children have been added to the family circle as follows: Charles F., who lives at home; Emma (now Mrs. John C Michael), of Portage township; George, at home, Mary E. ; and Andrew, at home. There were others who died young. Mr. and Mrs. Mittermic members of the Lutheran Church, and are highly respected in the community. Mr. Mitter is a Democrat in politics.
J. A. MCCRORY, a well-known, leading citizen of Cygnet, and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Wood county, was born m Liberty township, February 17: 1861. lins father, James McCrory, was a native of Pennsyl-
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vania, and came to Wood county, with his father, Samuel McCrory, locating in Henry town- ship, where he was reared to manhood. Here, for his second wife, he wedded Mary A. Mercer, and they became the parents of the following children who grew to adult age: William P., Samnel J., Jennie, our subject, Mary A., Horace A. and Albert O. The mother is now a widow, her husband having died in October, 1885. By both marriages Mr. McCrory became the father of fourteen children. Through inost of his life he followed farming; but for a time was engaged in merchandising in the village of Portage. He was five feet, eight inches in height, heavy set, but rheumatism seized him in later years, and he died at the age of fifty-seven, his remains being interred in Mercer cemetery, Liberty township. In politics he was a Democrat, and besides other positions he held the office of justice of the peace, was well-read on legal matters, though en- tirely a self-educated man, had a good knowledge of the Scriptures, and could argue a question very ably. For the last three years of his life he was a total abstainer, though he had always been used to drinking, his father having been a tavern keep- er, and always kept liquor in his home.
Our subject attended the district schools of Liberty township, and remained under the pa- rental roof until seventeen years of age, when he began teamning, and he also operated rented land for a time. Later, he was employed as a barber in McComb, Bowling Green and Jerry City, Ohio; but when the oil boom struck Wood county, he again took up teaming, removing to Cygnet in June, 1889. He owned several teams, and hired many more, and continued operations along that line until 1890, when he began the livery business, in connection with which he also carried on a barber shop for a short time; but in June, 1891, a fire destroyed his barn, on which there was no insurance. On March 10, 1894, he was again burned out, but the following summer he built his present barn, 50x 100 feet, and a shed, 16x 50 feet, the largest establishments of the kind in the county. His well-conducted liv- ery business has grown to extensive proportions, and he also handles buggies and harness. On January 31, 1886, in Portage, he married Miss Mary C. Myers, a native of Henry township, and daughter of Abraham Myers, a farmer. Two children bless this union --- Maud F., and Claude O.
Mr. McCrory takes an active part in politicai affairs, voting with the Democratic party, but has always declined office, with the exception of three years when he served as deputy marshal. He is a charter member of Knights of Pythias Lodge
No. 384, of Cygnet, and was connected with the Grange during its existence. Public-spirited to a great degree, he takes a commendable interest in everything tending to the advancement and welfare of his town and county, being foremost in the support of any improvements.
JOHN L. LOVEL. To a student of human nature there is nothing of greater interest than to examine into the life and character of a self- made man, who, realizing that success is not a matter of family connections, or the result of fortunate circumstances, steadily, and persistently works liis way upward, and uses the obstacles which he meets in his career as stepping stones to something higher. To this class belongs Mr. Lovel, and with pleasure we present to our read- ers his life record.
Born in Wheatfield township, Niagara Co., N. Y., September 8, 1828, he is a son of James and Annie (Mceker) Lovel, both natives of the Empire State, the mother having been born in Tioga county. The father was a farmer by occu- pation, and also took contracts to get out ship timber. He served in the war of 1812, and after- ward located within nine miles of Niagara Falls, where he lived for about twenty years. He then removed to Hancock county, Ohio, purchasing eighty acres of land in Pleasant township, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 1846, at the age of sixty years. His wife died at North Baltimore, Wood county, in 1882, at the age of ninety-two years. In their family were the following named children --- Joseph, a carpenter of McComb, Ohio; Simeon, who died of cholera in Cincinnati, in 1855: Mary Ann, widow of Jacob Grubb, of North Baltimore, Ohio: Diana Adelia, widow of John Pickens, who died in the Union army, during the Civil war; Harrison, who died in childhood; John L., of this sketch, and William J., who went to Illinois in 1877, and still resides there.
Our subject received only such educational privileges as the district schools afforded. In his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years, and also worked in a sawmill owned by his brother. He was fourteen years of age, when, with the family, he located in Hancock county, Ohio. He had aided in driving the teams and stock from the old home in New York, and then gave his assistance to his father in the development and improvement of the farm. At the age of twenty he left home and. in company with bis brother, Joseph, embarked in the sawmill business in Pleasant township. Hancock county, carrying on operations along
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that line for about seven years, when he sold his interest and turned his attention to farming. He purchased land in the same township, and con- tinued its cultivation until after the breaking out of the Civil war.
In 1861 Mr. Lovel responded to the country's call for troops, and followed the ensign of Com- pany H, 2Ist O. V. I. He remained with that command for about seventeen months, and then re-enlisted. in the 39th O. V. I., with which he continued until the close of the war. He was captured by the enemy in South Carolina, while on the March to the Sea, but on a rainy night succeeded in making his escape, and again reached the Union lines. He participated in many a hotly-contested battle, and made for himself an honorable war record. When the war was over, he was mustered out at Louisville, and returned to his old home in Hancock county.
After a short time, however, Mr. Lovel re- moved to Paulding county, Ohio, and later to Michigan, where he purchased a tract of pine land for $2. 50 per acre. A year later he sold it for $12 per acre, and subsequently resided for a short period in Paulding county, Ohio. His next home was in Whiteside county, Ill. There he rented a farm until ISS4, when he returned to the Buckeye State and purchased a tile and brick factory, and also sixty acres of land. He now does an extensive business in the manufacture of tile and brick, being associated in this enterprise with his son, C. D. He has cleared all of his land, and now has a profitable and highly im- proved farm, as well as one of the leading and paying industries of Wood county.
About 1852 Mr. Lovel was united in marriage with Mrs. Almira Brooks, who died in Blanchard township, Putnam Co., Ohio. They had six children -- William, who resides in Illinois; Mrs. Margaret Hipkins, of Putnam county; Amarilla, wife of Elias Agner, of Putnam county; Calvin D., at home; Ellsworth, a merchant of McComb, Ohio; and James, who is living in Leipsic, Put- nam county. For his second wife, Mr. Lovel chose Isabel Woodcock, widow of Ben Beal, who was killed in the war. Of the second union there is one daughter. Isabel. In politics, Mr. Lovel is a stalwart Republican, and he is one of the esteemed citizens of the community.
ELMER E. STEARNS, a well-known and popu- lar educator of Wood county, where he is also employed in the oil business, makes his home in Bays. He is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Perry township, November 20, 1862. His paternal grandparents were Jus-
tu's and Sarah A. (Davis) Stearns. The former, who was born in Pennsylvania, on coming to Ohio, located in Richland county, and the year 1833 witnessed his arrival in Montgomery town- ship, Wood county. For a time, in later years, he kept a tavern at West Millgrove; but his last days were passed at Bowling Green, where his death occurred September 8, 1888.
John Stearns, the father of our subject, was born in Montgomery township, July 6, 1839, was reared in that and Perry townships, and in Craw- ford county, Ohio, wedded Elizabeth Myers, a native of that county. After two years' resi- dence in Perry township the parents removed to Plain township, but now make their home in' Bowling Green. They reared four sons, of whom our subject is the eldest, the others being: William S., who is married and resides in Lib- erty township; Charles, who is married and lives in Milton township, Wood county; and Frank J .. who is also married and operates the old home- stead farm in Plain township.
In the latter township Elmer E. Stearns passed the days of his boyhood and youth, be- ing educated in its schools and at Weston. He completed his scholastic training in Wooster. Ohio, after which he began teaching, being first employed in Plain township in 1884. He has also taught in Milton township; but for the past three years he has followed that profession in Liberty township to the entire satisfaction of all con- cerned.
In 1886, in Plain township, Mr. Stearns was united in marriage with Miss Naomi C. Buvinger, who was born in Dayton, Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Hattie (Goodenough) Buvinger. natives of England, who, on coming to Ohio. located in Huron county, whence they came to Wood county, and now make their home at Bowling Green. To our subject and his wife has been born a daughter-Flora B. Mrs. Stearns is now engaged in teaching at Bays, which pro- fession she has followed for the past ten years in Wood county. Both she and her husband are numbered among the progressive and capable educators of the county, and, being themselves excellent scholars, have the power of imparting their knowledge to others.
Ou political questions, Mr. Stearns affiliates with the Republican party; socially, he belongs to Weston Lodge No. St. I. O. O. F., while both he and his wife are identified with the Daughters of Rebekah, and religiously, hold membership with the Disciples Church, at Bowling Green. 11 are earnest Christian people, and take a protil. nent part in everything that will promote the
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moral and educational, as well as the material, welfare of the county.
GEORGE EITING was born in Wittenberg, Ger- many, September 30, 1846, and is the only child of George and Maria (Bender) Eiting, also na- tives of that locality. The father was born in 1815, and was a farmer by occupation. When young he also learned the trade of soap-making. His death occurred in his native land, in 1871, and his wife passed away in 1873.
Our subject attended school between the ages of six and fourteen years, and then assisted his father on the farm until twenty-three years of age, when he joined the Germany army, and participated in the battle of Villers, with the Ninth Battery of Artillery, in the war between France and Germany. His army service lasted five months. At his native place, in November, 1871, Mr. Eiting married Miss Barbara Kimmick, who was born in Wittenberg, May 3, 1844. They lived on the old homestead until Septem- ber, 1880, and then with their four children sailed for America, taking passage on the steamer "Rhine," at Bremen. Twelve days later they landed at New York, and came direct to Wood county. Mr. Eiting brought with him $3,000, and in Henry township purchased eighty acres of land, which he at once began to clear and im- prove. This was no easy task, but as time passed he tiled his land, has transformed it into rich and fertile fields, and now has a very valuable and productive place. He is therefore ranked among the leading and substantial farmers of the com- munity. His political support is given the De- mocracy, while in religious faith he is a Luther- an. To him and his wife have been born seven children, namely: George, who works in the oil fields; Mary, wife of Jacob Blocher, of North Baltimore, Ohio: Jacob, who works in the oil fields; and Barbara, William, Clara, and Charles, all at home.
DANIEL L. KUNKLER. Among the influential and prominent citizens of Bloom township, who are indebted for their present prosperous condi- tion to their own industry and energy, and who have raised themselves in the world from a state of comparative penury to that of ease and com- fort, is the gentleman of whom this sketch is written. He is a native of Ohio, born in Big- lick township, Hancock county, June 5, 1852.
His father, Louis Kunkler, was a native of Nassau, Germany, and when nine years of age was brought by his father, Daniel Kunkler, to the United States, locating in Pennsylvania, :
where they remained about a year. Their next home was near Mccutchenville, Wyandot Co., Ohio, where they remained two years, when they located on a forty-acre tract of land in Big Spring township, Seneca Co., Ohio, becoming early settlers of that locality. In Biglick township. Hancock county, Louis Kunkler wedded Miss Arabel Baker, who was born on Walnut creek. Fairfield Co., Ohio, April 5, 1827, and was a daughter of Jacob and Susana (Bright) Baker. Three children graced this union: Lucinda, born January 25. 1848, is the wife of W. K. Fred- erick, of Jerry City, Ohio; Susan, born July 19. 1850, became the wife of Charles Frederick, and on his death inarried J. A. Bailey, of Bloom township; Daniel L. being the youngest. The father died October 19, 1852, at the age of twenty-nine years, and was buried at McCutch- enville, Ohio. In politics he was a Democrat. The widow was left with the three children, the eldest being not yet five years old. She after- ward became the wife of Freed Dille, by whom she had one son, Squire S., now a physician of Pemberville, Ohio; she makes her home with our subject, and is sixty-nine years old.
At the age of seven Daniel L. Kunkler went to live with his paternal grandfather, with whom he remained until sixteen years of age, attending the schools of the neighborhood in Big Spring township, Seneca county, as the opportunity afforded. On the death of his wife, in 1869, at the age of eighty-two years, the grandfather dis- posed of his property in that county, and went to live with members of his family in Steuben county, Ind., where he died in the fall of the saine year, at the age of eighty-four. Our sub- ject was thus thrown upon his own resources, and, in order to gain a livelihood, worked for farmers until the age of twenty-one, when he learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of Levi Kistler, of Bairdstown, Wood county, with whom he remained for five years. In Bloom township, March 25, 1877, he was married, by Squire W. S. Richard, to Lucy A. Bailey, who was born June 11, 1858, a daughter of Jacob Bailey, a farmer of that locality. They became the parents of two children: Ervy, born January 19, IS78; and Edna B., born June 6, 1888. The son is an excellent, intelligent young man, and when only fifteen years old passed the required examination to obtain a teacher's certificate, but. as he was too young to teach, it was two years later before he had charge of a school. The mother was called to her final rest October 26. 1894, and was buried in Baird cemetery, Bloom township.
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For one year after his marriage, Mr. Kunkler i continued to follow his trade at Bairdstown, and then went to Jerry City, where he was employed at the same occupation, or at anything by which he could gain an honest dollar. In the former place he had owned a house and lot, which he traded for eleven acres near Jerry City, giving $400, and this property he later sold for $1000. During his two-years' residence in that place, he also worked in the stave factory. In June, 1882, he purchased forty acres in Section 22, Bloom township, going in debt $800 for the same, and to that farm removed the following March. An old log house and stable stood upon the place. and his stock consisted of one hog and one cow; but he at once entered upon the cultivation of ; his land, erected a comfortable home and sub- stantial barn, and has now one of the best in- proved places of the vicinity. He is progressive in his methods, and deserves great credit for the success he has achieved. In political opinions he sides with the Democrats, and has been elected school director, constable, and trustee (three years) in a Republican township, which speaks well for his ability and popularity: socially, he has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since January, 1874, belonging to Vitus Lodge No. 602, I. O. O. F., of Jerry City, of which he is a charter member.
J. A. BAILEY, an honored farmer of Bloomn township, is the eldest son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Simon) Bailey, and was born in Bloom Center, February 28, 1349. His boyhood and youth he passed in the manner of most farmer boys, attending the district schools through the winter, while in summer he worked on the home . farm. At the age of . twenty-two years he was married in Bloom township to Susan Frederick, a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and a daughter of Anthony and Rhoda Frederick. He then lo- cated upon a part of the old homestead, which he operated some five years. There his wife died August 5, 1875, and her remains were interred in Weaver cemetery, Bloom township. She left four children: Florence, now Mrs. Charles Wirick, of Bloom township; Clarissa, wife of Gideon Dennis, of the same township; and Sa- villa and Drusilla (twins), the former of whom died at the age of six months, the latter now making her home with her grandfather, Freder- ick, at Bloom Center.
After the death of his wife, Mr. Bailey broke up housekeeping, and for some time made his home with his parents, during which period he traveled extensively over Iowa, Illinois and Mis-
souri. When a young man of eighteen he had visited Whiteside county, Ill., and also some lo- calities in Iowa. On April 17, 1884. he was again married. this time to Mrs. Susan Fred- erick, widow of Charles Frederick, and daughter of Lewis Kunkler. Her birth occurred in Han- cock county, Ohio, July 19, 1850, and, her fa- ther having died when she was about two years old, she became an inmate of her grandfather's (Daniel Kunkler's) home. She remained with him until sixteen years of age when she came to Wood county. where she worked out as a domes- tic, though she considered her home was with her mother. then the wife of Solomon Frederick, of Bloom township. Two children have been born to our subject and his wife: Hollis H .. borir September 22, 1885; and Frank, born February 17, IS91.
After his second marriage, Mr. Bailey lived for two years at Bloom Center, during which time he operated his father's farm; but in February, 1886, he removed to Section 3. Bloom town- ship, where he purchased thirty-five acres, and has built thereon a comfortable home, otherwise making many good improvements. Politically, Mr. Bailey was for several years a Democrat, but is not at present bound by party ties, reserving the privilege of selecting his candidate, regardless of party affiliations. In 1893 he was elected, on the Democratic ticket, trustee of Bloom town- ship; also served as school director of District No. 2 for several years, and has been supervisor of his district. He now holds membership with Vitus Lodge No. 602, I. O. O. F., of Jerry City, though he formerly belonged to Bloom Lodge No. 406, of Bloomdale. An honest, hard-work- ing man. his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
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