History of Ashland County, Ohio, Part 45

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1012

USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 45

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gathered rich harvests as a reward for his labors. Upon that farm he raised his family of eleven children, nine of whom reached years of maturity, namely : Margaret; Mary; Thomas J .; Jacob; Sarah J .; Sophie; John, who died while serving in the army in the Civil war; Christina; Adeline; George W .; and Den- ton O. The last named was killed in the battle of Vicksburg. Of this family, Thomas, the eldest son, became a large landowner, having at one time fourteen hundred acres of productive and valuable land. The father was a shoemaker by trade and after coming to Ohio he worked at his trade in exchange for farm labor, and thus his fields were cleared.

George W. Millar, whose name introduces this review, was born on the old homestead in Richland county, Ohio, December 20, 1838, and was there reared amid the surroundings of rural life. When but a boy in years he began work in the fields and has since been connected with general agricultural pursuits. He was educated in the district schools and in Savannah Academy and for two terms he engaged in teaching school. He is now the only surviving member of his father's family and has himself reached the age of seventy years, being throughout this time a resident of Ohio, so that he has witnessed much of the growth and progress of the state.

On the 18th of January, 1863, Mr. Millar was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Porter, a daughter of Nathaniel and Clarissa (Knealand) Porter. IIer father was one of thirteen sons who came fom Ireland. Her mother was a native of Massachusetts and they were married in that state, subsequently re- moving westward to Ohio, about 1823, at which time they took up their abode at Elyria. The father was the first brick maker in Sullivan, Ohio, and manufac- tured most of the bricks used in the construction of all the buildings between Cleveland, Sandusky and Sullivan. He died on the 25th day of March, 1877, having long survived his wife, who passed away December 1, 1854. They were the parents of nine children : Hannah, James, Clarissa, Samuel, Edward, Caroline, Alexander, and Juliette and Julian twins. Of this family six are now living.

Following his marriage Mr. Millar engaged in farming and threshing. When seventeen years of age he went west to Minnesota, where he remained for four years and was employed during that period at farm labor and in threshing. taking the first thresher from Ohio into that state. He then returned to stay with his mother on a farm and has continued on the old home place since his marriage. He has not only tilled the soil and cultivated his crops but was also for a time engaged in the lake freight business, carrying grain from Chicago to Buffalo and also transporting other kinds of freight, with headquarters at Lorain. He sold out in that business in 1889, and for four years thereafter engaged in farming and dairving. being quite successful in those departments of activity. In fact he has long been connected with the dairy business and makes a specialty of handling thoroughbred Holstein cattle. He carries on general farming in the cultivation of his fields and is also well known as a stock- raiser, buying and selling on quite a large scale. For a time he also handled sheep extensively. He now has two hundred and forty acres of land, which is well improved and highly cultivated. He has the greatest admiration for fine stock and is a member of the Holstein-Fresian Cattle Association of America.

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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Millar have been born three children, a daughter and two sons ; Minnie, now the wife of James O. Garver; Denton J., an engineer on the Sea Board Railroad; and John, at home. Mr. Millar is an advocate of good roads and all public improvements manifesting at all times a progressive spirit that looks to the interests of the community at large as well as to the personal success. In the early days he greatly delighted in hunting and the forests of Ohio afforded excellent opportunities for indulging in that sport, but with the settlement of the state the game supply was exhausted. He can well remember when many districts were wild and unimproved, but rejoices in what has been accomplished through the efforts of civilization whereby uncultivated lands have been transformed into rich and fertile fields, yielding abundant harvests for the maintenance of those who improve them.

JOSEPH E. CROWELL, M. D.

Dr. Joseph E. Crowell is now, living retired, but for some years prior to 1903, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Ashland and in all profes- sional and non-professional relations he has proved himself a worthy and progressive citizen here, his influence ever being found on the side of progress and improvement. His birth occurred in the town of Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, May 15, 1850. His parents, George E. and Mary A. (Sampsell) Crowell, were natives of Pennsylvania and Columbiana county, Ohio respectively, and were married in Lisbon, Ohio, where George E. Crowell engaged in contract- ing for a number of years. In 1856 he removed to Ashland, where he had erected the Sampsell Hotel in 1850. He continued a resident of this city up to the time of his demise and was prominently associated with its improvement through building operations. His aid and influence could always be counted upon to further progressive measures and although he was never an office seeker, he was a stalwart advocate of the principles of the democracy. He likewise held membership in the Lutheran church and was loyal to its teachings. In the family were six children : Isabella, the wife of David Risser, of Onargo, Illinois ; Celia, the wife of Dr. S. W. McClain, of Loudonville, Ohio; Thornton, a practic- ing physician of Nankin, this county; David and Edgar, both of whom were physicians but are now deceased; and Joseph E. Of this family the four sons became members of the medical profession, while one of the daughters married a physician.

Dr. Crowell spent his youthful days in the home of his parents and acquired his education in the public schools of Ashland, passing through consecutive grades until he became a high school student. In 1870, he began reading medi- cine under the direction of his brother Edgar, who at that time was located at Greencastle, Pennsylvania. While preparing for the profession Dr. Joseph E. Crowell became engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements and was identified with that business for about twenty years. Not until 1890, did he enter medical college. at which time he became a student in the medical de- partment of the Wooster University at Cleveland, from which he was graduated

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in the class of 1893. Following his graduation he located at Burbank, Wayne county, Ohio, where he remained for only eighteen months, when he came to Ashland, where he continued in the active practice of the profession for nine years. In 1903, he put aside the duties of that calling and has since lived a retired life.

In 1869, Dr. Crowell was married to Miss Sarah Hastings, a daughter of Levi and Margaret (Montgomery) Hastings, of Columbiana county, Ohio. Unto this marriage has been born a son, George Edgar, who is a fine musician, being an expert performer on the violin and piano. He acquired his musical education in Hagerstown, Maryland, where he attended Keymar College for five years. He afterward studied under private instructors in Cleveland for two years and then went to Germany, where he attended the King Royal Conservatory of Bavaria, in the city of Wurzburg, for three years. While there he married Miss Gretchen Jacob, by whom he has four children : George Edgar, Lore, Naomi and Frances. After finishing his education George E. Crowell returned home and for some time engaged in teaching violin in the Wooster University but finding that too confining, he resigned his position to take up private teaching. Later, however, he again took up school work, teaching the violin and piano in the schools of Medina, Wellington, New London, Lodi and Olmsted Falls. He is said by musical erities to be the best violinist in the state of Ohio. : His work is certainly most creditable and his ability has won him well merited honors. He makes his home in Ashland.

In his political views Dr. Crowell has always been a democrat but has never been an office seeker. He belongs to the Presbyterian church and its teachings have largely been the guide of his life. He has been active and honorable in every relation in which he has been found and in industrial as well as professional circles made steady progress, his well directed energy carrying him into im- portant relations with the public.

ARTHUR J. SPRINKLE.

Arthur J. Sprinkle, one of the younger men of Ashland county who are de- voting their energies to the soil, out of which they are molding their fortunes, was born in Troy township, April 17, 1872, and here since his birth he has, with eminent success, been following general farming and stock-raising. He is â son of John and Catherine (Spousler) Sprinkle, his father, a native of this county, while his mother was born in Columbiana county, the former having been one of the most successful and widely known agriculturalists and stock- raisers of this region.

On his father's farm Arthur J. Sprinkle was reared, participating in the experienees common to a country lad, agricultural duties commanding his atten- tion during his boyhood days, the district schools affording him his educational advantages, and after completing his education he settled down to a life of husbandry which he has since been following upon modern principles, being one of the most progressive agriculturists in the township. His entire life with the

A. J. SPRINKLE AND FAMILY

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exception of a year in Orange township and one in Sullivan township, has been spent on this farm and since he was sixteen years of age he has been actively engaged in tilling the soil and raising stock. As a stock man he has attained quite a reputation, devoting his energies especially to breeding Percheron and German coach horses, handling only thoroughbreds in both breeds, and the experience which he acquired under the supervision of his father has enabled him to become the equal of any in the county in this department of his business. He does not handle any under-grade animals but makes it a point to keep only the very best for breeding purposes and his stables contain specimens of horses which cannot be paralleled anywhere in the county and in every particular he merits the reputation he holds as an authority on the several points requisite to commend this class of stock.

On his farm he raises various grains, being quite successful in their produc- tion but he is particularly known as a horseman and perhaps no man in this vicinity is better able than he to judge their breeding qualities. His farm con- tains two hundred and sixty acres, his entire tract of land being in excellent condition and well improved and its system of tile drainage, being.one of the best, his place, both for the production of general crops and stock raising, con- stitutes one of the finest farms in the vicinity.

On December 4, 1892, Mr. Sprinkle wedded Nora Smith, a daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Richards) Smith, and they have five children : Nellie L., Stanley A., Cobah D., Glenn A., and Forest C. Politically Mr. Sprinkle has allied himself with the democratic party, being a firm believer in the policies it advocates, and since casting his first vote he has always been loyal to its can- didates. Local affairs have also commanded his attention. He has served as constable, at present is a trustee and a member of the school board, and he has also performed the duties of road supervisor. He is an enterprising and public- spirited citizen, a man with strong convictions and with the courage to express and maintain them and, being upright in all his transactions and striving to lead a life above reproach, he may well be numbered among the valued and substantial men of the community.

REV. ALEXANDER SCOTT, D. D.

Rev. Alexander Scott at the age of eighty-seven years is living retired in Savannah. He was for more than six decades actively associated with the min- istry of the Presbyterian church, using his energies, his talents and his influence for the promotion of the cause of Christianity among men that they might be uplifted and bear witness to the truth. A log cabin near Richmond, in Jefferson county, Ohio, was the birthplace of the Rev. Alexander Scott, and his natal day was February 14, 1822. He traces his ancestry back to Hugh Scott, who came from Ireland about two hundred years ago. The line comes on down through Abraham, Josiah and Alexander to John Scott, the father of Rev. Alexander Scott. His mother bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Skelly. Her father was of Irish birth, having come from the Emerald isle when a boy.

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Josiah Scott established his home in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1773, removing to that locality from York, Pennsylvania. He was among the earliest settlers in what was then Catfish but is now Washington, Pennsylvania, where he spent his remaining days and reared a large family, including Alexander Scott, who was the eldest. The latter's brother, James Scott, was the founder of the Presbyterian church in Mount Vernon and in Knox county, Ohio, and was a distinguished representative of the ministry. Another brother, Abraham Scott, settled in Jefferson county, Ohio, and both were among the pioneers in establishing the Presbyterian church in this state. Mrs. Violet Colmey, the eldest daughter of Alexander Scott, son of Josiah, had a large family that included four sons who entered the ministry. Of these William, Robert and David all became prominent as representatives of the Presbyterian clergy. Another distinguished representative of the family was Judge Josiah Scott, who was on the supreme bench of Ohio for seventeen years. He was a brother of John Scott.

It was in the year 1818 that John Scott became a resident of Jefferson county, Ohio, founding this branch of the family in the Buckeye state. He was a fuller by trade. His family numbered six children, including his namesake, John Scott, who became a lawyer of Steubenville, Ohio, and served as a soldier in the Mexican war under General Clay. Later he went to Iowa and became prominent in polities of that state. When the Civil war was inaugurated he joined the Union army and served throughout the period of hostilities, holding the rank of colonel at the close of his service. He was a member of both houses of the state legislature and was also for a time lieutenant governor of Iowa. He exerted a widely felt influence in public affairs and left the impress of his individuality upon the legislative history of the state.

Rev. Alexander Scott was educated in the schools of Martinsburg, Ohio, and in Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, from which he was graduated in 1846, being a classmate there of Judge West and of the Rev. I. N. Shannon. Nature endowed him with strong intellectual force and he used his opportunities to good advantage. Following his graduation he went south and taught in Hampton Sydney College of Virginia, but determining to enter the ministry and give his life to the work of the church he took up the study of theology in the Union Theological College and was licensed to preach in April 1849. Subsequently he returned to Martinsburg, Ohio, and took charge of the academy in which he had previously studied. He also engaged in preaching for two small congre- gations, making an average ride each Sunday of twenty-five miles and receiving for his services only one hundred and fifty dollars per year. At the end of the first year he accepted the pastorate of the church at Olivesburg and Rome Richland county, Ohio, continuing in charge for four years, after which he came to Savannah in 1854 and for sixteen years filled the pastorate of this church. ITis labors were a potent element in the moral development of the com- munity and the seeds of truth which he sowed bore rich fruit in later years. In 1856 he founded the academy which has flourished to the present time, proving an influential factor in intellectual progress of this part of the state. In 1868 the synod of Ohio met in Coshocton and it was decided to place a man in the field to look after the weak churches. Rev. Scott was selected as the one

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best qualified for this important work and devoted his energies thereto for a year. In the spring of 1870 he was offered the pastorate of the church at Kossuth, Iowa, an old and large congregation-the largest in the state-having a membership of three hundred. There he continued for ten years, carefully organizing and promoting the work of the church, while his utterances from the pulpit sank deeply in the hearts of his hearers. He was a forceful, logical and earnest speaker, making strong appeal to the intelligence of his hearers and at the same time impressing all with his ready sympathy. While at Kossuth he became one of the founders of Parsons College, a Presbyterian school at Fairfield, Iowa, and acted as one of its trustees for twelve years. Subsequently he went to Des Moines and engaged in preaching for two years at the South Side church and later was at Dallas Center, Iowa. He organized the church at Grimes, Iowa, spent one year at Russell, and was afterward located at other places in the state, continuing his pastoral work with good success. For a time he was at Bethel, remaining there for four years, and in 1889 he went to Littleton, Colo- rado, near Denver, where he continued for a year. He afterward accepted the call of the church at Central City and at Black Hawk, situated at an altitude of eight thousand feet. He went there for the benefit of his wife's health and continued at that place for three years.

It was in 1894 that the Rev. Mr. Scott returned to Ohio, and for thirteen years was pastor of the church at Congress, on the expiration of which period he retired because of advanced age, in November, 1907. He had devoted more than sixty years to the work of the ministry. Throughout his active connection therewith he continued a close student, reading broadly and thinking deeply, not only upon theological questions advanced by his church, but also upon the great problems which affect life at the present time, so that his deductions were clear and logical and constituted a practical help in the lives of those who came under his ministry. Following his retirement he returned to Savannah where on the 21st of February, 1909,-the eighty-seventh anniversary of his birth- he preached a most interesting and instructive sermon. He has done much evangelical work, gathering many into the church wherever he has been, his, words of wisdom and admonition awakening the moral conscience and bearing fruit in the lives of those with whom he was associated. He chose Savannah as the place of his residence because of early attachments here, his love for the city and its people constituting a strong force with him throughout all the inter- vening years.

Rev. Scott was first married July 18, 1848, at Martinsburg, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Brown, a daughter of Jeremiah and Margaret Brown and a representative of a prominent family of that locality. She died in December, 1850, leaving two children, Virginia and Merritt. The latter died at the age of two years, while the former is now the wife of Augustus A. Polk who is the owner of a fifteen hundred acre ranch near Emporia, Kansas. On the 20th of January, 1852, Rev. Scott was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Anne Katherine Hall, who died April 16, 1854, leaving a little daughter, Emma, now the wife of Joseph Troutman, also owner of an extensive ranch in Lyon county, Kansas. On the 18th of September, 1855, Rev. Scott was again married and on the 12th of September, 1905, he was again called upon to mourn the loss of

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his wife. In her maidenhood she was Miss Amanda Chidester, a daughter of Samuel Chidester. There were two daughters of this marriage, Clara Belle, now the wife of Professor Behoteguy, of Wooster University; and Alice, who became the wife of the Rev. S. M. Johnson and died August 31, 1887. On the 30th of October, 1907, Rev. Scott married Mrs. Margaret Chambers, the widow of William Chambers, at one time a farmer of this locality. They are now living happily among early friends, Rev. Scott spending the evening of life in quiet retirement, interested in his books as well as in the questions of the day. A man of strong purpose, actuated by the highest Christian ideals, his life has been a potent force for good and merits the encomium, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

SAMUEL H. GRABILL.

Samuel H. Grabill, who is practically living in retirement in this city, after having spent considerable time in the pursuit of husbandry and also in con- nection with a number of financial enterprises, is one of the foremost men in this county. He was born in Vermillion township, August 29, 1846, a son of John S. and Nancy (Harper) Grabill. His father, a native of Bavaria, Germany, was born May 4, 1818, was educated there and came to this country about the year 1833 with his parents. After a sea voyage of forty-nine days they landed in Philadelphia shortly after the holidays and, there purchasing wagons, they made the trip by that means to this county. They purchased eighty acres of land in Vermillion township and there lived until they entered into rest. The elder Mr. Grabill, following his marriage, also purchased a farm in that town- ship, upon which he spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits, death terminat- ing his activities February 10, 1887. He owned four hundred and twenty acres of excellent land upon which he engaged in stock feeding and general husbandry and was one of the most successful farmers in this part of the county. In his early days he allied himself with the democratic party but on the formation of the republican party he allied himself with the latter and cast his ballot for its candidates. Local affairs also commanded his attention and during the war period he served as trustee of the township and was well known for his pro- gressiveness relative to instituting and promoting measures for the betterment of the community. A Mennonite, religiously, during his early days, he finally became a member of the Presbyterian church, in the affairs of which he was quite active.

John Harper, father of Nancy Harper, mother of the subject of this review, came to Jefferson county, Ohio, with his father, William Harper, from Fairfax Court House, Virginia, at an early date and upon entering that county heard of the Virginia Military School lands in Ashland county, upon which in 1814 they repaired to this place where each of them entered eighty acres of land in Vermillion township and here both her father and grandfather followed agri- culture until they departed this life. Her great-grandfather, William Harper, also came to this state and met death in a runaway while hauling wheat to the

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market at Milan, this state. Her paternal great-grandmother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Dove, was one of those honored young women who, apparelled in white vestment, welcomed George Washington to his home at Mount Vernon, at the close of the Revolutionary war. The Harper family was noted for the longevity of its members, the grandfather having lived to a very advanced age while his wife was a centenarian.

On the home farm Samuel H. Grabill was reared and during his boyhood days took advantage of the educational privileges offered him in the district schools, subsequently pursuing a course of study in Vermillion Institute, at Hayesville, where he spent four years. At the termination of that period he returned to the home place and was associated with his father in agricultural pursuits until the death of his parents, at which time he fell heir to the property, which he still owns, and upon which he resided until 1903, when he removed to this city where he built one of the finest residences in this part of the county. Mr. Grabill has been eminently successful in his business undertakings and is vice president and a director of the Star Telephone Company ; is general manager of the Ashland Gas & Electric Light Company; and a stockholder in the First National Bank, of this city.

On March 13, 1877, Mr. Grabill wedded Miss Anna Ewing, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Gregg) Ewing, her father being deceased while her mother, who still survives, resides with a son in Denver, Colorado. To Mr. and Mrs. Grabill have been born four children : Nancy, Howard P. and John G., all of whom reside at home; and Elizabeth, who is united in marriage to John L. Donley, of this city. Politically Mr. Grabill is a republican and in religious faith is a Presbyterian. As to his fraternal relations he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, being a firm believer in the principles set forth by the order, in which he takes an active interest.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, Part 45

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn Publication date: 1909 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1012

Author: Baughman, A. J. (Abraham J.), 1838-1913. cn
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1012