USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 62
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Mr. Huff gives his political support to the republican party and thoroughly understands the questions and issues of the day, but does not desire office as he prefers to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs. . He has served as school director and judge of election. He labors diligently and persistently in the cultivation of his fields and the improvement of his farm and his work is meeting with substantial results in good harvests that bring him a gratifying annual income.
WILLIAM S. HOOVER.
William S. Hoover, carrying on general farming on what is known as the old Hoover homestead, was born in this state, November 24, 1865, the only child of David and Sarah Elizabeth (Hazlett) Hoover. The father was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1827, and the mother on the 22d of April, 1833, in Ashland county, Ohio. Their marriage was here celebrated February 2, 1865. David Hoover, with limited education, had commenced business life as a farmer. He had come to Ohio with his parents when eight
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years of age and when old enough started to work for others, for his father had been unfortunate in sustaining heavy losses by trying to assist others in a financial way. The son was therefore obliged to become self-dependent at an early age but he soon displayed the elemental strength and force of his character and his sound judgment and unfaltering energy enabled him to forge ahead and in due time gain a position among the men of affluence in this county. About 1869 he purchased his first farm comprising ninety-six acres, and later added forty acres to his possessions and his son, William S., now resides on this farm. He was recognized as a man of force who wielded a wide influence. His conduct in every relation of life won him the respect and good will of those with whom he was associated and he was looked upon as one of Ashland county's most noble and honorable men. While he gave close attention to his own business affairs, he was ever ready to lend a helping hand to others or to assist in any movement for the public good. Although he was ever a strong democrat, he never aspired to political office but supported his party at the polls. His religious faith was in harmony with the teachings of the Lutheran church. He died April 30, 1898, after an illness of about four years, and Ashland county mourned the loss of a worthy and valued citizen.
William S. Hoover was reared upon the old home farm and has always carried on general agricultural pursuits. He remained under the parental roof and cared for his parents in sickness and in health, and is still displaying the utmost filial love and devotion for his mother. On the 5th of June, 1890, he was united in marriage to Miss Laura A. Long, who was born in Lake town- ship, this county, May 16, 1862, a daughter of George W. Long, and they have one daughter, Mabel S., who was born May 13, 1891, and is now in school in Ashland.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are both enthusiastic church members. In politics Mr. Hoover is an earnest democrat, and is active as a party worker, although not an aspirant for office. He does all in his power, however, to further the interests of his friends who seek political preferment. He has frequently been called upon to serve on the county jury and once on the federal jury. He prefers, however, at all times to concentrate his energies upon his business interests in connection with the management and control of his farm, and while his life has been in a measure quietly and uneventfully passed, he stands for those things which work for good citizenship and for the best interests of the community at large.
WILLIAM NOGGLE.
Ashland county is one of the rich farming districts of Ohio and among its borders are many valuable tracts of land highly cultivated. Among the fine farms of Mohican township is that owned by William Noggle, who resides on section 9. He has altogether two hundred and five acres of rich land on sections 8 and 9 and the place is pleasantly and conveniently situated about a mile south of Jeromeville on the Mohicanville road. His attention is devoted to general
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farming and stock-raising and both branches of his business are proving profit- able. It was in the township where he now resides that William Noggle was born on the 22d of January, 1841, his parents being William and Eliza (Ritter) Noggle, both of whom were natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and spent their last days in Ashland county, Ohio. The father died October 16, 1888, at the age of eighty-five years, eight months and eight days, while the mother died January 11, 1889, at the age of seventy-nine years, one month and twenty-nine days. They were married in the Keystone state and arrived in Ashland county about 1832, establishing their home on the farm in Mohican township which was their place of abode until called to their final rest. The father had over three hundred acres of rich and valuable land and was known as one of the leading and representative agriculturists of the community. He gave unfaltering political support to the democratic party, sought to enhance its success and for four or five terms capably served as township assessor. His religious faith was that of the Methodist church and his life was one of unfaltering honor and integrity. His wife, too, possessed equally commendable traits of character, molding her daily actions by her Christian faith. In their family were eight children : Mary Ann, living in Lake county, Ohio; Margaret, the wife of Thomas Wilson, who died in Missouri; John, who served for about one year in the Civil war and died in Crestline, Ohio; William; Malinda, the widow of Thomas Sproll and a resident of Iowa; Harriett, the wife of Frank Ridgley, of Ashland; Joseph, living in California; and Eliza, the wife of Joseph Carnes, of Wyandot county, Ohio.
William Noggle was reared under the parental roof and the experiences of .. his boyhood were similar to those of most farm lads, who are instructed in the work of the fields as well as in the lessons to be learned in the schoolroom. His leisure hours were devoted to the sports and games in which the boys of the period usually indulged and when about twenty-three years of age he went to the far west, spending three and a half years in mining and in ranching in Idaho and Montana. He then returned to Ohio, was married and has since lived in Ashland county, devoting his energies to general farming. At the time of the Civil war he put aside business and personal considerations to espouse the Union cause, enlisting in the spring of 1861 at the first call for troops, joining Company B, of the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was sent to West Virginia and to Maryland where he saw active service for three months. On the expiration of that period he returned home and went to the west, as previously stated. For more than forty years, however, he has continuously engaged in farming in this county and with two hundred and five acres of land under cultivation his time is fully occupied for he keeps his farm in an excellent state of improvement. There are two sets of good buildings upon it and every- thing about the place is kept in good repair. It presents a most attractive appearance and its proximity to Jeromeville enables the family to easily obtain the advantages offered in city life. He carries on general farming and stock raising and in his pastures are seen good grades of horses, cattle and hogs, while the fields bring forth rich harvests.
On the 31st of October, 1867, Mr. Noggle was married to Miss Nancy Craig, who was born in Vermillion township, this county, July 2, 1837, a daughter of
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William and Barbara (Whittington) Craig, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in Westmoreland county. The mother made the journey to Ohio on horseback and they were married in Ashland county, where they spent their remaining days. Both passed away in Vermil- lion township, the former on the 15th of October, 1888, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years and seventeen days, while the latter died August 29, 1893, at the age of seventy-nine years and ten days. They were the parents of ten children, who reached adult age, namely : Mrs. Noggle; Polly, the wife of James K. Winbigler, of Jeromeville; James, living in Mansfield, Ohio; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Thomas Glenn and resides in Mohican township; Ansabilla, the wife of James A. Ralson, of Ashland; Myra Bell, the deceased wife of John Roby ; Martha Ann, the wife of Franklin Leader, a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Alice, the wife of Edwin Heiser, a resident of Jeromeville ; Emma, the wife of Anson Leopole, a resident of Loudonville; and William Henry, of Mansfield, Ohio. The grandfather of Mrs. Noggle was William Craig, a native of Ireland, while the maternal grandfather was James Whittington, who was born in Scot- land. He married Elizabeth Firecoats, also a native of Scotland, their marriage, however, being celebrated in Pennsylvania.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Noggle was blessed with a daughter and son, Barbara Eldora, the wife of Thomas Beard, of Jeromeville; and William H., also living in Jeromeville.
Mr. Noggle gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is recognized as one of its local leaders, taking an active part in its work and doing all in his power to secure its success. He served as county commissioner for two terms and was a trustee of Mohican township for two terms. His official duties have ever been discharged in a manner creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He held membership in Jeromeville Post, G. A. R., belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church in which he is serving as a trustee. In his religious faith has been found the incentive for the upright life which he has lived. His word is as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal and he has never been known to take advantage of the necessity of another in any business transaction. His record has at all times been upright and honorable, winning for him the merited regard in which he is uniformly held.
SIDNEY S. BOLLES.
Sidney S. Bolles, one of Ashland county's public-spirited citizens and a worthy representative of its agricultural interests, has lived upon his present farm in Orange township since 1886. He was born in Jackson township, this county. May 4. 1851, and is a son of Lafayette and Phidelia (Stevens) Bolles, both of whom were natives of Ohio, the father's birth having occurred in Geauga county, while the mother was born in Lisbon, this state. In 1848 they removed to Ashland county, establishing their home in Jackson township and in 1859 went to Wisconsin. After a brief residence there, however, they removed
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to Tennessee in 1860 and subsequently returned to Ohio, settling in Ashtabula county where they spent two years. On the expiration of that period they came to Ashland county, where Mr. Bolles remained until his demise. He was a carpenter and farmer, giving his life to industrial as well as agricultural pur- suits. He died October 21, 1899, while his wife passed away in 1898. Their substantial qualities had gained them high regard and caused their death to be regretted by many who knew them.
Sidney S. Bolles acquired his education in the common schools and in Berea College of Ohio, which he attended for three years. He began teaching at the age of eighteen and taught for twelve winter terms in Ashland county, while in the summer seasons he was employed in a cheese factory in Jackson township. He has always lived a life of industry, there being few leisure moments and his persistency of purpose and unfaltering energy have constituted the basis of the gratifying success which is now his. It was in 1886 that he located on his present farm and in the years which have since come and gone he has directed his energies to the further development and improvement of his fields and to the breeding of pure, Chester White hogs, in which connection he has gained a wide reputation for his stock is of the highest grade. Everything about his place indicates the careful supervision of a practical, enterprising and thrifty owner who recognizes the fact that unfaltering labor constitutes a safe foundation upon which to build success.
On the 22d of March, 1882, Mr. Bolles was married to Miss Louie Richards, a daughter of Alvin and Elizabeth (Hager) Richards, of Orange township. They have two daughters, Clara and Grace, who have been liberally educated. In his political views Mr. Bolles was an earnest republican for some time, but of recent years has been independent in politics, preferring to support the candidates whom in his judgment are best qualified for office. He and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and stand for all that is best in human activities. Mr. Bolles favors every public improvement calcu- lated to advance the general good. He is a man more than ordinarily intelligent, whose judgment of the values of life is correct and who by his upright and honorable life has won and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and friends.
HENRY COSNER.
Henry Cosner, diligent and determined in his operation of a farm of two hundred and two acres on sections 32 and 33, Mohican township, is numbered among the natives sons of the county, his birth having ocurred June 14, 1862, on the farm on which he has always resided, it being still his home. His parents were Charles and Hettie (Helbert) Cosner, the former born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1813, and the latter in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1823. The father came here as a young man with his widowed mother and one sister and spent the remainder of his days here, passing away on the 23d of February, 1893. His wife survived him for some years and died
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November 27, 1902. She was a daughter of Jacob Helbert, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work in connection with the sketch of Henry Helbert. Charles Cosner was a stone mason by trade and followed that pursuit until fifty years of age, after which he devoted his attention to farming. His wife had been previously married, her first union being with Jacob Wachtel, by whom she had three children. By her second marriage she had two children : Henry, of this review; and Lucy, the wife of John McNaul, of Richland county, Ohio.
In his youthful days Henry Cosner worked in the fields and attended school and after he had completed his education gave his undivided attention to agricultural pursuits. He has never resided elsewhere but on the farm
which is now his home. It comprises two hundred and two acres of land and also forty-three acres in Green township. Here he carries on general farming and stock-raising and in 1906 he erected his present commodious and substan- tial barn, which is one of the finest in the township. Its dimensions are eighty-four by one hundred feet and in addition he has a bank barn, seventeen by sixty feet, with covered barnyard. There are two sets of buildings on the home place. There were ninety-three acres of this land in his father's old homestead and Mr. Cosner purchased the remainder. His own residence is pleasantly and conveniently located a half mile west of Mohicanville.
Mr. Cosner wedded Miss Hattie Chesrown a native of Mohican township and a daughter of Joseph Chesrown. His political support is given to the democratie party but he has no desire for office and aside from casting his ballot is not active in political circles. He prefers to give his undivided at- tention to his business affairs, which are capably conducted and are bringing to him substantial success.
EDGAR A. McDOWELL.
Edgar A. MeDowell, who officiates in the responsible position as assistant to P. A. Myers of the firm of F. E. Myers & Brother of Ashland, was born here April 25. 1875. a son of Alexander and Harriet (Pierce) McDowell, his father being a native of Ireland while his mother was born in Erie county, Pennsylva- nia. The nativity of the elder Mr. McDowell occurred in County Antrim in 1841 and, coming to the United States when a young man, he located in Erie county, Pennsylvania, where he was employed in the flax mills. There he met
his bride and they were united in marriage in March, 1868. Coming to this city he had resided here but a short time when he organized the Ashland Flax Mill Company. with which he was identified until 1892. His latter years were spent in the hay and grain trade. He departed this life in 1899, having sur- vived his wife. who passed away in 1892, by seven years. A republican in polities he was always loyal to the candidates of his party and, being a man of a high religious temperament and an ardent believer in the teachings of the Scriptures, he held membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged, and in this organization he served for many years on the official board.
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The public schools of this state afforded Edgar A. McDowell his prelimi- nary education. which he completed by taking a course in the high school. During his boyhood days, being ambitious to make his way in the world, he en- gaged in the newspaper business, securing the agency for the Cleveland and Cincinnati daily papers, in partnership with his brothers. The business proved lucrative. Mr. McDowell dissolved his relations with his brothers when he was seventeen years of age and entered the employ of F. E. Myers & Brother, in a clerical capacity in which he officiated for three years, when he was promoted to the position of shipping clerk, serving there for four years, when he was made assistant to P. A. Myers, the duties of which office he has been performing for the past ten years.
In 1899 Mr. McDowell wedded Miss Cleo Brubaker, daughter of Benjamin F. Brubaker, of this city.
SAMUEL S. KAHL.
Samuel S. Kahl, who has devoted his entire life to general agricultural pursuits, is now living in Orange township where he owns and operates a farm of seventy-two acres. He was also for many years known as one of the leading threshers of the county, but now concentrates his energies upon the cultivation and care of his own crops. His life record began in Mohican township, Ash- land county, on the 13th of June, 1850, his parents being Solomon and Catherine (Gill) Kahl, both of whom came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, with their respective parents in childhood days. The journey was made in wagons about the year 1829, for it was long prior to the era of railroad building. The entire surface of the country was covered with the native tim- ber and the homes of the settlers were largely log cabins which were heated by tire places. There the cooking was also done, the kettles hanging from the crane over the blazing logs. All the hardships and privations of pioneer life had to be met, but there were also many pleasures and interests which are un- known at the present time. There was a spirit of good comradeship manifest which made a neighbor respond freely to the call of another for aid. Solomon Kahl was a blacksmith by trade and in addition to following that pursuit he gave much of his time and attention to general farming. His father, John Kahl, had been a weaver and worked at the loom in connection with tilling the fields. Solomon Kahl was reared to habits of industry and enterprise, early assisting in the arduous task of clearing and developing land. He lived to see a marked transformation in the county as the forests were cut down and the fields were brought under a high state of cultivation. His death occurred April 3, 1892, when he was well advanced in years, and his wife survived until March 3, 1893. They were the parents of six children : John G., Susanna, Isaac W., Samuel S., Daniel M., and Lodema.
On the old home farm Samuel S. Kahl was reared and is indebted to the public school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed. When a young man he worked at whatever labor he could secure that would yield him an honest
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living, but though he started out in life empty-handed he is now comfortably situated and his record proves what can be accomplished by unfaltering dili- gence and earnest, persistent effort.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Mr. Kahl chose Miss Solena N. Shutt, a daughter of George and Susanna (Swaisgood) Shutt, who were farming people of Perry township but both are now deceased. They have two children, George S., who is married and lives in Richland; and Chloe E., who is a teacher.
Following his marriage Mr. Kahl began farming in Mohican township, where he lived for seven years. He then removed to Perry township where he spent three years, after which he came to Orange township where he has since made his home. Here he owns and cultivates a tract of land of seventy- two acres, the soil being rich and productive so that substantial crops are gathered as a reward of his earnest and diligent care. For thirty sea- sons he engaged in threshing and his services in that direction were in constant demand but he retired from that business in 1900 and now concentrates his energies upon his general farming and stock-raising interests.
In public relations Mr. Kahl is known for his loyal service and his effective work in behalf of general progress. He has been a trustee of Orange township for nine years and is still occupying that position. He has also been a member of the school board for some time and has done effective and valuable service as road supervisor for fifteen years. He is an advocate of the old school democ- racy and has been active in the work of the party, frequently serving as a delegate to its conventions, while his opinions carry weight in its local councils .. He is in favor of public improvements in all lines of practical progress and is in every sense a worthy citizen whose devotion to the general good none question. His life is in consistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. His family also are identified with the church and all are active workers in the church and in the Sunday school, while Mr. Kahl is likewise serving as class leader. Upright and honorable, he holds to high standards in his relations of citizenship and in every walk of life, and the friend- ship which is so uniformly tendered him is the expression of the confidence and regard which his fellowmen have for him.
LEVI METCALF.
Levi Metcalf, a highly respected farmer of Mohican township, who is living on section 29, was born August 27, 1845, on a farm comprising the northeast quarter of section 6, Lake township, Ashland.county. He is a son of Zebulon and Sarah (Leidigh) Metcalf, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born in Washington county, January 3, 1816, while the latter's birth occurred in Cumberland county. In the year of his birth Zebulon Metcalf was brought by his parents to Ohio and they settled on a farm near the present home of Levi Metcalf. In this county Zebulon Metcalf spent his re- maining days, busily occupied throughout his entire life with the work of the
MR. AND MRS. LEVI METCALF
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farm. He always lived in Mohican and Lake townships and his last days were spent in Mohicanville, where he passed away at the age of eighty-three years. He was the eldest in a family of six children, who were born unto Mr. and Mrs. John Metcalf. His father, also a native of Pennsylvania, became one of the first settlers in this part of the state and secured eighty acres of land which was covered with thick forest. This he cleared away and in the course of time improved his fields which he converted into a valuable property. His last days were spent in Lake township. His children were Zebulon, John, George, Nancy,
Thomas and William. The occupation to which he was reared Zebulon Metcalf made his life work and as the years passed by he gained a goodly measure of
success as the reward of his labor. His wife, who was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Leidigh, passed away long prior to his death, for she was called to her final rest in 1869 at the age of forty-eight years. In their family were six children : John L., now deceased; Elizabeth, who passed away in childhood; Levi, of this review; Curtis, who resides with his brother, Levi; Sarah Ann, who died when about eighteen years of age; and Mary Jane, the wife of M. L. Humm, who lives in the same neighborhood as Levi Metcalf.
On the farm in Lake township on which his birth occurred Levi Metcalf spent the first eight years of his life and accompanied his parents on their re- moval to the farm in Mohican township, upon which Henry Cosner now resides. There he continued until a year after his marriage, when he rented a farm in Lake township, removing thereto on the 23d of March, 1869. In February, 1870, he came to live with his brother in Mohican township, where he spent two years and in 1872 purchased his present farm, whereon he has since made his home, having a valuable tract of land of one hundred and eighty acres on sections 28 and 29, Mohican township. It borders Mohicanville on the Jeromeville road and situated about a mile and a half north of Mohicanville and three and a half miles south of Jeromeville. There were poor buildings upon the farm when it came into his possession but from time to time he has made substantial improve- ments. In 1878 he built a good barn thirty-six by eighty-four feet and in 1901 he added sixty-four by eighty-four feet to it. His present barn is one hundred by eighty-four feet and is one of the best in the county. In 1891 he erected a fine residence which is built of brick and contains twelve rooms. In fact it is the most beautiful country home in all Ashland county and all of the improve- ments on the farm are in keeping with it. He has secured the latest machinery to facilitate the work of the fields and every necessity and convenience is here found. His place is known as Highlawn Stock Farm, the name indicating much of the nature of his business, for in addition to the tilling of the soil he also raises stock of high grades and his entire time and attention are devoted to his farm.
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