County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 70

Author: Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885

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THOMAS HODSON was born April 28, 1814. His father, George Hodson, was born October 23, 1788, in Heington, Lincolnshire, Eng., and his father, Martin Hodson, was born in Bedfordshire, and was Stew-

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ard to the Duke of Bedfordshire. The father of this subject left Heing- ton when fourteen years old, going to Navenby, Lincolshire, Eng., where he was apprenticed to a wheelwright; there he lived and labored at his trade until his death October, 1823. He served as a Sergeant in the French war from 1812 to 1815, marrying Sophia Sibcey (mother of Thomas), who was born in Lincolnshire in 1791, and who died in 1856. In 1827, Mrs. Hodson was married to William Dobbs, who had been so favorably impressed with America that, with his family, he removed hither in 1827, coming to Richland County, Ohio. By the union of George Hodson and Sophia Sibcey, resulted seven children, six of whom were brought to America, two only surviving. Thomas attended school in England until twelve years of age, when he was put to work on a farm. His step-father died in 1867. He was married, August 13, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Stephenson, daughter of Levi Stephenson, who came from Allegheny County, Penn., in 1813 or 1814. By this union they had seven children, of whom six are living-George, Mary Ann (Bosta- ter), Joab, Sophia (Umbenhaur), Minerva (Letcher), Martin T. and John H. (deceased). Mr. Hodson came to Williams County, Ohio, in Novem- ber, 1847, purchasing from 600 to 700 acres of land, and moving thither in April, 1854. From 1854 to 1855, he lived at Bridgewater Centre (where his two eldest sons yet reside) ; thence moved from the farm to Pioneer in January, 1870, where he now lives. He has held the offices of Road Supervisor and School Director ; he has also since 1857, prac- ticed law in Justices' Courts. He is independent in politics, voting for the best man and measures, taking active work and making speeches for the establishment of his views. He is a Humanitarian and a Rationalist ; a leading citizen of Williams County, a man well versed in general knowl- edge, and of an impartial and investigating mind. During the war, though not actively engaged, he did much by his voice and his money to sustain the Union. He is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and was Master of the first Grange organized in Pioneer, and is still working earnestly in these several orders. He also possesses one of the finest libraries in the county, and is a solid, self-made man.

ANDREW IRWIN is a son of William Irwin, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio when a young man. He was married to Mary Ambrose, of Wayne County, Ohio, by whom he had nine children, of which number five are living-Andrew, James, Mary E., John and William C. Mr. Irwin died about nine years ago, and Mrs. Irwin a few years previous. Andrew Irwin was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 16, 1830, where he lived until his twenty-third year, engaged as a farmer and a carpenter. He came to Madison Township in 1854, and bought a farm, clearing and improving it himself ; he helped to build

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the first buildings in Pioneer. He married Susan D. Parcel, of Marion County. To them have been born four children-Mary L., Ida L., Cora L. and William (deceased). Mrs. Irwin died in 1873, Mr. Irwin marry- ing, in 1879, Miss Elmira J. Manley. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and G. A. R., having enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Regiment, serving one term. In politics, he is a Republican.

GEORGE R. JOY was born June 8, 1819, in Thompson, Windham Co., Conn., hie father, Elias Joy, having been born in the same town March 18, 1781. Elias, when a young man, was overseer in the cotton factory of Samuel Slater (one of the first built in America), in Rhode Island, and afterward in the same business in Worcester County, Mass .; then in Thompson, Conn .; the latter part of his life he engaged in agri- cultural pursuits in Massachusetts and Connecticut, and died February 1, 1849. His wife, Mary (Wakefield) Joy, was also born in Thompson November 14, 1780, and died August 17, 1847. To them were born eight children, but four of whom are living. George R. Joy resided in Connecticut until his sixteenth year, attending the common schools about three months out of twelve, working the remainder of the time at the trade of shoemaking. When sixteen years of age, he removed with his father to Worcester County, Mass., remaining two years, after which he resided in Boston, Montpelier, Vermont, Northern New York and Canada, being variously engaged as farmer, shoemaker, lumberman, etc. While in Boston, he engaged for a three years' voyage, but :never shipped, thus preserving his life-the vessel being lost during the passage. He left Os- wego, N. Y., in 1842, stopping at Chicago through the winter and work- ing at his trade. . In the spring of 1843, he went to Lenawee County, Mich., where he labored for a time on a farm. He was first married Oc- tober 30, 1844, to Miss Parmelia Cottrell, who was born October 17, 1824, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and died August 8, 1847, in Michigan. He removed to Williams County, Ohio, April 5, 1848, where he was mar- ried to Mrs. Lucy H. Rogers, who was born March 10, 1820, in Hamp- shire County, Mass. When fourteen years old, she came to Lucas County (now Fulton), Ohio, with her parents, who were among the first settlers. The subject of this sketch has resided -in Williams County since 1848, having been engaged as farmer and hotel-keeper in Pioneer, but is now engaged extensively in farming, having 400 acres in Williams County, as well as a controlling interest in a large farm in Michigan. By his second wife he has had seven children, of whom four survive-Fidelia, married in March, 1872, to C. G. Sweet ; Ellen A. and Eleanor J. (twins), born in January, 1856; Alice Agnes, born in December, 1856, married in April, 1880, to C. H. Masters. His present wife had three children by her former husband-Lucy Marie, Mary Ann and Josephine O. Rogers ;

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they were brought up by Mr. Joy. He is one of the leading citizens of his township ; a Democrat in politics, was elected Commissioner of Will- iams County in 1861, and re-elected in 1877, serving two terms.

ARVILLA McDANIELS, teacher. The place of birth of this re- markable personage is unknown to the writer of this sketch. At the early age of thirteen she commenced her life work as a teacher in a com- mon school in Licking County, Ohio. About 1838, she went to Waka- tomika, Coshocton Co., Ohio., where she taught for nearly three years in the first frame schoolhouse in the township, log schoolhouses being still the style in that county. She then came to Williams County, in com- pany with Dr. R. Gaudern, and taught at Bryan and other points, and thus continued for more than forty years, teaching one hundred terms in this and other counties in the State, when the failing health and advanc- ing age of her parents, then residing in Superior Township, called for her personal attention, which was constantly given until they were removed by death. Soon after these events, the homestead, which had been im- proved by her mother and step-father, Richard Pugh, was sold, it having been conveyed to Miss McDaniels by her parents, largely in considera- tion of her services rendered them in their declining years. With a de- sire to end her days in peace near the friends of her youth, she caused to be constructed a small but convenient brick residence in Pioneer, which she inhabited until her death, in 1873. Martin Perky, now Judge of Probate, was named as executor in her will, which was written at her bedside, during her last illness, by her medical attendant, whom she had taught his first lessons nearly forty years before. She was one of the most conscientious educators of the county. Her life was unpretend- ing, self-sacrificing and useful, and was given to the moral, intellectual and religious training of youth. From her early days she was a devoted and worthy member of the M. E. Church.

WILLIAM SIDDALL, dentist, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 14, 1835. His father, Adam Siddall, was born in the same county, January 19, 1809; he was married to Elizabeth Frazier, of the same county, in 1832; she died in 1847. To them five children were born-James, William, John, Mary and Elizabeth (deceased). He was again married, in 1849, to Miss Elizabeth McMillan, by whom he had three children, of which number two survive-Thomas T. and Joseph A .; his death occurred in September, 1862, from the falling of a tree, in Amboy, Mich., while there on business. William Siddall was reared partly in Ohio and partly in Michigan, receiving his education in the common schools and at Mount Union Seminary. He was married April 5, 1855, in Ransom, Mich., to Miss Phidella C. Field. Nine children resulted-Perry S. (deceased), Lydia E. (Gordon), Ella B., Elva C.,

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Susetta (deceased), William R., Aana D., John C. and Libah E. August 7, 1862, William Siddall enlisted in the Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, Company F, and was discharged June 22, 1863, by reason of disability. He came to Pioneer in 1866, and has since practiced dentistry. He is a member of the G. A. R .; is a Republican ; was the first Mayor of Pioneer, serving two terms; and on the Board of Education for six years.

C. G. SWEET is the son of Thomas B. Sweet, who was born May 20, 1816, in Onondaga County, N. Y .; married to Miss Jane Crosby, October 30, 1848, who came from Thompson, Conn .; she died March 25, 1847. They had two children-Jennie and C. G. C. G. Sweet was born November 21, 1844. He enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth New York Infantry July 28, 1862, and was discharged April, 1863, for dis- ability-defective vision. He re-enlisted December, 1863, in the Twenty- second New York Cavalry, receiving his discharge in 1864. In the fall of that year he went into the United States Military Railroad Service, and continued therein until January, 1865, when he received a final dis- charge. He came to Pioneer in 1865, and is now engaged in conduct- ing a hotel, the appointments of which are quite complete. His charges are moderate, and his house, like himself, has become a favorite with the traveling public.

GEORGE YOUNG, M. D., is the son of Martin Young, who was born in Germany in 1806, coming to America in 1854; he was married in Germany to Barbara Wandel, by whom he had eleven children, ten of whom are yet on earth. He came to Williams County in 1866, and here he still resides ; he is a farmer. George Young was born October 30, 1838, in Germany, coming hither with his parents in 1854. When sev- enteen years of age, he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Francis Stohl, of Ganges, Richland County, Ohio, remaining in his office several years. In 1865 and 1866, he attended the homoeopathic college in Cleveland, graduating therefrom in 1866. He located at Shenandoah, Richland County, for eight months, then came Pioneer, where he has since remained and secured a large practice. In October, 1862, he en- listed in the Eighty-second Ohio Regiment, and was discharged-from ill health-in Dec., 1864. He was medical assistant, and in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the siege of Atlanta and others. On Octo- ber 18, 1865, he was married to Miss Mary Ann Miller, of Richland County ; they have three children-Arthur F., Minnie and Harry G.

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CHRISTIAN ARNSBERGER is a native of Wayne County, Ohio; was born February 9, 1836, and was one of ten children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shade) Arnsberger, natives of Lancaster County, Penn. Daniel brought his family to Wayne County about 1820, and there farmed in the forest, on shares, till 1844 or 1845, when he came to this township, bought eighty acres of partially improved land and farmed till his death, September 6, 1879, at the age of eighty-four, his wife following ten days later, in her eighty-first year. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and he had served for several years as Township Trustee. Christian Arnsberger is a man of extensive reading, and of broad and comprehensive views on all topics. He worked on the home farm till twenty-one, then served two years as apprentice to a carpenter, and followed the business for ten years afterward. In the summer of 1864, he was in the employ of the United States Government in Georgia, and in 1865 he moved upon his farm of fifty acres, in this township, then nearly all forest, but now highly improved. September 29, 1858, he married Elizabeth Conrad, a native of Marion County, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Susanna (Stillwell) Conrad, respectively of Marion and Miami Counties. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnsberger have been left six children-Mary E., Michel S., Martha A., Nelson J., Susan E. and Frances M. Mr. Arnsberger has for several years been one of the School Directors in his district, is President of the Township Board of Education, and is serving his second term as Township Trustee. In politics, he is a Greenbacker.

HIRAM T. BETTS was born May 10, 1832, in Trenton, N. J., and is one the nine children of John L. and Sarah A. (Pryor) Betts. John L. Betts moved from Nova Scotia to New York, where he was married. Some years later he moved to New Jersey. In 1847, he moved to Springfield Township and purchased 120 acres of unimproved land, residing since upon his farm. He formerly commanded a trading vessel on coast voyages, was employed in the Methodist Book Concern, and was the first Abolitionist in the county ; he has also given much time to inventions. Hiram T. Betts' education was originally limited, but he has greatly enlarged the same by careful and persistent reading. In 1855, he bought the farm of 147 acres of highly improved land on which he lives. Mr. Betts was married, in 1854, to Mary A., widow of S. M. Thurston. They have two children-Franklin and Clarence. Mr.

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Betts is Chaplain of Springfield Orange, No. 499, and Overseer in Pomona Grange of Williams County, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was for some years, also, one of the Township Trustees. The Betts family are descendants, in a direct line, from the Pilgrim fathers.

CHESTER BLINN was born in Cleveland, Ohio, June 15, 1815. His parents, Richard H. and Electa (Hamilton) Blinn, were natives of Massachusetts. Richard H. Blinn came to Cleveland when that city was in its infancy, and, in company with Maj. Dame, owned and oper- ated a large distillery. They also owned and built the first vessel that ever sailed from Cleveland harbor-the Neptune, which was used in the transportation of beef to Fort Mackinaw for the use of soldiers stationed there, of which Messrs. Dame & Blinn had the supply contract. They also supplied Gen. Harrison's army with provisions, hauling the same with ox teams from Cleveland to Fort Meigs, on the Maumee River. After disposing of the distillery, Messrs. Dame & Blinn took the contract of building a mud pike from Fremont to Perrysburg, which was completed in 1826. Mr. Blinn served with the Ohio State Militia during the war of 1812, and was a member of the A., F. & A. M. He died at Perrys- burg March 15, 1829. At the age of eighteen, Chester Blinn was em- ployed by the Hollister Brothers, at Orleans, engaged in fur trade, where he remained nearly seven years, when he went to Fort Wayne in the same business until 1849, when he removed to West Unity, formed a partnership in mercantile business with William Letcher, under firm name of Blinn & Letcher. In 1853, this firm took a grading contract under Carlton C. Douglas, on the L. S. & M. S. R. R .; and, in 1854, started a branch store at Stryker, the first in the place. Both were operated until 1857, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Blinn retaining the stock at Stryker, which he sold in 1859. In 1861, he was employed in Quartermaster's Department at Gallatin, Tenn., under Capt. Hunter, re- maining two years. After his return, the firm of Messrs. Blinn & Doug- las began operations in Stryker as grain and stock dealers, and are doing a very extensive business in this line. Mr. Blinn and Miss Maria Boy- den were married at Medina, Mich., August 25, 1847. Miss Boyden is a native of New York, and her parents of Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Blinn are members of the Universalist Church, and parents of four chil- dren, three living, viz., Martha E., Ella (Blinn) Batey, of West Unity, and Ada (Blinn) Duffey, of Toledo, Ohio. Mr. B. is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Carlton C. Douglas, of the firm of Blinn & Douglas, is a native of New York, born April 26, 1828. At the age of sixteen, he accepted a clerkship in Fredonia, N. Y., where he remained nine years. He came to Fulton County, Ohio, in 1853, having taken a grading con-

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tract on the L. S. & M. S. R. R., which was completed in 1855. He en- gaged in mercantile trade at Stryker in 1856, remaining three years, when he disposed of his business and formed the partnership above men - tioned. Mr. D. is one of the most prominent citizens of Stryker, and at one time was Postmaster.

DANIEL W. BLOOM, born in Perry County, Penn., November 11, 1826, is one of nine children born to Daniel and Margaret (Rough) Bloom, natives of said State. The elder Bloom, a weaver by trade, came with his family to Richland County, Ohio, in 1828 or 1829, bought forty- one acres of land and there resided until 1879, when he took up his resi- dence with his daughter, Diana Seydel, in Crawford County, where he ended his days January 17, 1882. Daniel W. assisted his father on the home-farm until he reached the age of twenty-one, worked out on a farm for a year, and was then employed as a carpenter by the C., C. & C. Railroad Company for five years. He then farmed on shares for four years, after which he bought a forty-acre farm in Huron County, Ohio, sold it two years later; purchased another, ran it one year, sold it ; farmed on shares another year, and then bought, in the spring of 1865, the farm of 100 acres in this township, on which he now lives. March 15, 1855, he married Elizabeth Truxell, a native of Huron County, Ohio, and daughter of William C and Mary (Brewbaker) Truxell, natives re- spectively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Bloom are mem- bers of Springfield Grange, No. 499, and she is a member of the M. E. Church. They have two children living-Dana O. and George G.

AARON L. BOYER was born in this township, November 17, 1855, and is the youngest of thirteen children born to John and Margaret (Shoutz) Boyer, of Huntingdon County, Penn. John Boyer was a black- smith and farmer, and in 1835 moved to Ashland County, Ohio, where he bought a small farm, on which he resided till the spring of 1851, when he came to this township, and bought the farm of ninety-six acres where he now resides. He and wife, who was a daughter of Christian and Margaret (Hoover) Shoutz, are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Aaron L. married September 11, 1875, Sarah E. Robinson, a native of this township, and daughter of Thomas and Almira (Fuller) Robinson, both natives of Ohio. Two children are the fruit of their union, and are named Clyde E. and Earl R. Mr. Boyer and wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is looked upon as one of the rising and enterprising young farmers of the township.

COL. EDWIN D. BRADLEY, a veteran of the war with Mexico, as well as of the late civil war, a patriot and Christian gentleman, of whom Williams County may well be proud, was born August 28, 1804, at Litchfield, Conn. He is a son of Major and Chloe (Hulbert) Bradley,

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both natives of Connecticut. In 1638, Samuel Bradley emigrated from Reading, England, to the colony of New Haven. From him Col. Brad- ley is descended. Both his grandparents-Daniel Bradley and Calvin Hurlbert-were active participants in the war for independence, the first as a Quartermaster ; the second served as a private under Gen. Putnam, and afterward became a prominent Baptist clergyman of Berlin, Conn. After a preliminary education, and working on his father's farm as well as at the carpenter's trade, .Edwin D. Bradley entered an academy at Litchfield, where he remained two years, then entered the law office of Beors & Sandford, at Litchfield, reading law for two and one-half years, and attending lectures at the law school of Judge Gould. Owing to fail- ing health he was soon compelled to abandon his studies. In 1835, he came to Sandusky City, Ohio, where he engaged in agriculture until the Mexican war began, when he commenced recruiting a company for serv- ice; six days later he marched said company to its rendezvous at Camp Washington, where it was organized as Company F, with Col. Bradley as Captain, and assigned to the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; this com- pany he commanded until the regiment was mustered out of service at New Orleans, June, 1847. On his return from Mexico he came to Will- iams County, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile business at Lock- port, Evansport and Stryker, for about ten years, coming to Stryker in 1856, where he has since remained. On the occurrence of the rebellion, Col. Bradley was among the first to respond, and at once recruited a com- pany for three months, which was assigned to the Fourteenth Ohio Regi- ment, of which Col. Bradley was Adjutant; but before the expiration of this service, he was commissioned Colonel, with authority to recruit a three years' regiment in Northern Ohio. In three weeks 968 men were enrolled, constituting the Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (known as the Williams County Regiment). Advancing age and failing health compelled his resignation in February, 1862. He has been three times married, his last wife being Miss Kate Russell, of Vermont. In politics, he was a Democrat until the last war, when he became a stanch Repub- lican. He has served as Justice of the Peace, and, though not aspiring to civil honors, has been a candidate for the Legislature, and for Auditor and Sheriff of his county. When eighteen years of age he joined the Congregational Church, of which Dr. Lyman Beecher was pastor, but, on finding no Congregational Society in the West, he affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a leading communicant. The Bradleys are a decidedly military family, having been active workers in every war, from colonial times down to the last call to arms. During the latter, Col. Bradley and all his sons were engaged-the youngest, but fourteen years old, as a musician.

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LIEUT. JAMES H. BRADLEY, Seventh Regiment United States Army, the brave young officer killed at the battle of Big Hole, Montana, was a son of Col. Bradley and the only representative of Williams County in the regular army. He was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, May 25, 1844. When three years old, his parents removed to Evansport, on the line between Williams and Defiance Counties, where his mother died in 1855. In 1856, he came to Stryker, where he received his early educa- tion. When the rebellion broke out, although but sixteen years of age, his inherited spirit of patriotism carried him into his father's regiment ; he was refused enrollment, but afterward, at the recommendation of Col. Steedman, Gov. Dennison ordered that he be enrolled and paid. After the three months' term, he entered Oberlin College to complete his edu- cation, but his martial longing again prevailed, and he enlisted in the Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until the close of the war, reaching the grade of a Sergeant. In 1865 he returned home, but a year later, he was appointed First Lieutenant in Company B, Seventh Regi- ment Infantry United States Army ; he was for a time stationed at At- lanta, where he was married, in 1871, to a daughter of Dr. Beech. In 1876, he commanded Gibbons' Mounted Infantry, being the first to reach the Custer battle-ground and rescue Gen. Reno's command; he also ac- companied Col. Gibbons against the Nez Perces, surprising the savages, but in the engagement which followed, he was slain. The news was borne to his bereaved wife and family, and to his father, who was almost crushed, having the fondest hopes of his heroic son. Although not possessing a West Point education, he was an accomplished officer, a fluent and elegant writer, and well versed in the ancient and modern languages. At the time of his death, he was preparing works on the Sioux war, and Ches- ter Massacre, and a history of the Northwest. After the battle, Hon. P. W. Norris visited the scene, purposing to return his remains to his native town, but they could not be identified. Upon a board over his supposed grave was inscribed his name, rank and date of death.

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County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical, Part 70

Author: Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 885

Author: Weston A. Goodspeed, Charles Blanchard
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 885