USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 68
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LEVI OSWALT.
Levi Oswalt has passed the eighty-first milestone on the journey of life and his record is a most enviable one for he has ever been recognized as a good citizen and a man of genuine personal worth. He has lived for more than seventy years upon the farm which is now his home, having been brought to this place by his parents in the spring of 1838. He was born near Bedford, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of April, 1828, and is a son of John and Mary (Teichman) Oswalt and a grandson of John Oswalt. The great-grandfather
MR. AND MRS. LEVI OSWALT
.
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in the paternal line was a native of Germany and the Teichman family also comes of German lineage. The parents of our subject were both natives of Pennsylvania the father born January 29, 1800, and the mother on the 26th of August, 1801. They remained residents of the Keystone state until 1836, when they removed westward to Ohio and in 1838, took up their abode upon a farm where Levi Oswalt now resides. Here the father died in 1846 while the mother passed away in 1859. They were the parents of nine children : Mrs. Drusilla Mains and Mrs. Julia Ann Van Zile, both now deceased; Levi; Mrs. Lucinda McCumber, who has also passed away; Benjamin, who lives in Monroe township, Richland county, about a mile from his brother's farm; Mrs. Maria Lash, deceased; Mrs. Elizabeth Shane and John Wesley, who have also passed away; and David Martin, who was killed while serving as a Union soldier in the Civil war in 1863. He had enlisted from this county and on the expira- tion of his first term had reenlisted.
In his youthful days Levi Oswalt became familiar with all the experiences of frontier life. . He assisted in the arduous task of developing new lands and worked in the fields through the summer months while in the winter seasons he attended school as opportunity afforded. He has resided continuously upon the farm which is now his home since 1838 and now has one hundred and eight acres of land on section 18, save for about an acre which was taken by the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company in the building of the line through this locality. There are many white oak, sugar maple and walnut trees upon this place, the farm having been covered with heavy timber when Mr. Oswalt took up his abode thereon, but five acres having been cleared at that time. Most of the
farm is today under cultivation save ten acres of woodland. The fields are carefully tilled and bring forth rich harvests, the buildings are good and are kept in a state of neat repair. In connection with general farming Mr. Oswalt has carried on minor business enterprises including butchering, sheep-shearing and the operation of a threshing machine. His life has always been a very busy and useful one in which have been few leisure hours. He has worked diligently and energetically as the years have passed and the success which is now his has come as the result of his own well directed labors. Although Mr. Oswalt has long since passed the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he yet engages in the supervision of his farm which is operated under his direction.
On the 23 of October, 1856, occurred the marriage of Mr. Oswalt and Miss Pamelia Macomber, who was born in Green township, October 21, 1837, and died November 21, 1905. She was the daughter of Robert and Mary (Leply) Macomber, natives of Pennsylvania, who became pioneer residents of this county. Their family numbered eight children, Pamelia, Henry, Clinton, Phoebe, Gideon, Lydia, Nettie and Libby. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Oswalt has been blessed with four children. Alice Irene became the wife of Fred Allis, and died leaving two daughters, Vera Irene and Emma Retta, also deceased. Effie Eugenia is the widow of Leander Simms, of Perrysville, and has a daughter, Lottie Birdell. Ida Josephine is the widow of David McCready and has three children, Edna Fay, Robert Byron and Cloyd Elsworth. Martin Elsworth, of Mansfield, is married and has two sons, Walter Levi and Charles Elsworth.
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On attaining his majority Mr. Oswalt gave his political support to the democracy and continued one of the advocates of that party until Abraham Lincoln became the candidate of the republican party, and since that time he has voted the republican ticket. He has resided on his farm longer than any other resident of this township and is one of the honored and valuable citizens of the county, his many good traits of character having won for him the friend- ship and regard of all with whom he has been brought in contact. He has served in school and road offices but has never been ambitious for political preferment and would consent to serve in no other public positions. In early life he attended the old Greentown Baptist church and now holds membership with the Baptist church in Perrysville. He has ever endeavored to live peacea- bly with all men, to be just in his business relations and honorable in every relation of life so that all with whom he has come in contact entertain for him unqualified regard. His memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progresive present. He can well remember when most of the homes were little log cabins and when much of this district was covered with a dense forest. Here and there a little clearing was made, showing that the work of agricultural development was begun. The farm machinery, however, was very crude while the harvesting was done by hand, the men cutting the grain and tying it into bundles. Mr. Oswalt has lived to see the introduction of all the improved modern machinery into use, has lived to see the building of a per- fect network of railroads across the state, has witnessed the introduction of the telegraph and telephone and as the years have passed has rejoiced in the prog- ress that has been made as man has utilized the resources that nature has offered and has thus improved his condition and contributed to the upbuilding of the country.
CHARLES E. CAMPBELL.
One of the important industrial interests of Ashland and a factor in the commercial prosperity of the town is that conducted by the Faultless Rubber Company, of which Charles E. Campbell is general manager. His birth oc- curred in Akron, Ohio, April 15, 1875, his parents being John H. and Caroline E. (Oswald) Campbell, both of whom were natives of Wayne county, Ohio, the former born in the year 1848 and the latter in 1850. The father was the only son of John and Matilda Campbell, who resided on a farm near Dalton, Ohio. He acquired his early education in the Smithville high school and afterward attended Mount Union College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1870. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he then entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and won his diploma in the year 1873. Immediately following his graduation he located in Akron and entered the law office of Kohler & Edgerton, with whom he received his early practical experience in the work of the courts. A few years later he opened an office in the Mathews block and there remained until 1895, during which time he successfully prose- cuted his profession. He was for a considerable period a member of the well known law firm of Kohler, Edgerton & Campbell. In 1895 he removed to
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Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he engaged in merchandising until his death. While pursuing his law studies John H. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Caroline E. Oswald and unto them were born three sons: Charles E .; Harry E., who is superintendent of the Republic Rubber Company of Youngs- town, Ohio; and Arthur E., who is with the B. F. Goodrich Company at Akron. The father passed away June 17, 1903. in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in the fifty- fourth year of his age. He left many friends in that place and in Ohio, where he had formerly resided. During his residence in Akron he was a member of McPherson Lodge, K. P., and of Summit Lodge, I. O. O. F. In his earlier days he was a member of the Sixth Battery of the Ohio National Guard and held a post of honor as first lieutenant of his company. He enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who knew him, for in every relation of life he displayed an honor- able, upright manhood.
In the public schools of his native city Charles E. Campbell pursued his education, passing through consecutive grades until he was graduated from the Akron high school with the class of 1891. In October of the same year he began his career, securing a position in the shipping department of the B. F. Goodrich Company. He remained there as a trusted and capable employe until July, 1902, and in the meantime his diligence and fidelity had won him successive promotions until he became assistant manager of the specialty department, thus serving at the time he resigned to accept a more lucrative position with the Camp Rubber Company of Ashland on its organization. He was made secre- tary of the company and on the consolidation of the Camp Rubber Company and the Faultless Rubber Company he was continued as secretary of the new organi- zation. In July, 1907, he was advanced to the position of general manager of the company and is now acting in that capacity, having supervision of the active operation of the plant, which is most capably conducted and is bringing well merited success to the proprietors.
On the 2d of August, 1899, Mr. Campbell was married to Miss Catherine E. Christensen, a daughter of Martin F. Christensen, of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are well known socially, having the high regard of all with whom they have been brought in contact. They are members of the Episcopal church and Mr. Campbell also holds membership relations with the Colonial Club. He is one of Ashland's representative manufacturers, possessing the spirit of un- daunted energy and enterprise that enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
DANIEL KAUFFMAN.
On the honor roll of Ashland county's citizens appears the name of Daniel Kauffman, a pioneer settler whose work was a feature in the development of the county as it was transformed from a wild region into one of advanced civiliza- tion. He always lived an active, busy, useful life, his many good qualities winning him the respect, confidence and good will of all with whom he came in contact. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 30, 1810, and
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after spending the first eighteen years of his life in the place of his nativity he accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio in 1828. He was a son of Dr. John and Anna (Brubaker) Kauffman, who were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The father was a physician and devoted his entire life to the alleviation of human suffering, his skill and ability winning him recogni- tion as a leading member of the profession in the locality where he lived. He was born August 22, 1764, and died June 16, 1845, in Richland county, Ohio. IIis wife, who was born May 28, 1768, passed away in Mifflin township, Ashland county, September 7, 1849. They were married August 30, 1791, and their " children were six in number: Mrs. Elizabeth Charles, John, Mrs. Anna Stamen, Christian, Daniel and Maria.
On coming to Ohio with his parents Daniel Kauffman remained for a time on the home farm of his father in Richland county, about three miles west of the farm which is now the home of Mrs. Kauffman on section 14, Mifflin township. HIe attended school at Maumee, Ohio, thus supplementing the education which he had acquired in the east. He became a millwright and followed the trade for a number of years, at one time owning and operating a mill south of Mifflin. There he resided until 1849, when he traded his mill property for the old home- stead farm of one hundred and sixty acres, comprising the northwest quarter of section 14 on Black Fork, a mile north of Mifflin on the Black Fork road. His home occupies a fine building site commanding a splendid view of the surround- ing country, including the valley of the Black Fork. With characteristic energy Mr. Kauffman began tilling the soil and carried on general farming until his death. IIe was a man of energy and determination, accomplishing what he undertook and year after year he carefully managed his farming interests, winning substantial success as the years went by.
On the 25th of March, 1841, Mr. Kauffman was married to Miss Linda Croninger, who was born August 21, 1818, in Mifflin township, where she has resided throughout her entire life. Her mind is clear and active at the age of ninety-one and she possesses a remarkable memory, relating many interesting incidents of the pioneer times. She remembers well how the Indians called at her father's cabin and her mother baked Johnny cake for them, breaking it up and distributing it among them. About an hour later the squaws then called for their cake. Her parents were Leonard and Elizabeth (Courts) Croninger, both natives of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, born in 1782 and on the 5th of February, 1785, respectively. Removing to Ohio, they resided for ten years in Trumbull county and about 1815 came to Ashland county, cutting their road through the forest from Jeromeville-a distance of ten miles. They located on what is now the John Croninger farm in Mifflin township and there lived until called to their final rest, the father dying in 1832, while the mother passed away April 17, 1860. They were the parents of eight children: Sally, who was born October 25, 1805, and became the wife of James Doty ; Benjamin, born August 18, 1808; Eliza, who was born in 1814 and became the wife of John MeCrory ; Calvin, who was born February 18, 1816; Linda, born August 21, 1818; Ruth, who was born January 30, 1820, and became the wife of Orin Webster; Marchin, born February 6, 1822; and Henry Newman, born June 29, 1824. Mrs. Kauffman is now the only one living. In tracing back the ancestry
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of her family it is found that Leonard Croninger was a son of Joseph Croninger, who was born in Germany and came to America with two brothers, settling in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. He served in the Revolutionary war from 1775 until 1783 and afterward received a pension in recognition of the aid which he rendered to the cause of liberty. On coming to Ohio he located in Canton, Stark county, where he died December 20, 1833, at the age of eighty years. About 1778 he married Elizabeth Hill and they had the following children : Joseph, Leonard, Jacob, Benjamin, Daniel and Katharine.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Kauffman was blessed with seven children. Maria, the eldest, is the wife of S. M. Coe, of Hayesville, Ohio. Elizabeth became the wife of S. C. Frye, of Kansas, and died November 1, 1908. John F., who enlisted from Ashland county early in the war as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years, was a prisoner at Catawba for six months, after which he was exchanged and sent home but his health had been broken down and he died from the effects of his imprisonment in 1869, when but twenty-four years of age. Anna is the wife of M. S. Charles, of Ada, Ohio. Sarah is the widow of John Graham and resides with her mother. Henry died March 17, 1879, at the age of twenty-four years. Alice is the wife of B. B. Hout, of Richland county, Ohio.
In his political views Mr. Kauffman was a stanch republican, supporting the party from its organization until his death. He was a member of the Richland County Pioneer Society when Ashland was a part of Richland county and Mrs. Kauffman recalls attending a pioneer meeting in Mansfield when a band of ten Indians came to the meeting and camped on the courthouse square. Mr. Kauffman was associated with Major George Urie and Dr. Riddle in gathering the funds for the erection of the Copus and Seymour monuments and the illustration given in the history of the Copus monument contains pictures of Mr. and Mrs. Kauffman at the right of the group. The death of Mr. Kauffman occurred June 14, 1890, when he was almost eighty years of age and his widow survives at the age of ninety-one years. He was indeed a worthy pioneer citizen, his entire life work being creditable and contributing in no small meas- ure to the upbuilding of the county. Mrs. Kauffman is equally well known because of her long residence here and the many estimable traits of heart and mind which she has displayed. She is today one of the oldest residents of Mifflin township and no history of the county would be complete without the record of her life.
U. S. GRANT FRIDLINE.
U. S. Grant Fridline, a well known and enterprising agriculturist, owning about one hundred acres of rich and well improved land in Perry township, was born in this township on the 11th of October, 1867. His parents were Ludwick and Elizabeth (Buffmeyer) Fridline, extended mention of whom is made in the
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sketch of Elza N. Fridline, a brother of our subject, which is given on another page of this volume.
U. S. Grant Fridline attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education that would equip him for the practical and responsible duties of life and throughout his active business career has been engaged in general farming. He started out in life on his own account empty handed and, with the assistance and encouragement of his estimable wife, has worked earnestly and persistently until his holdings now comprise one hundred acres of pro- ductive and arable land and a fine home in Perry township. For eight winters he has also conducted a nursery, making a specialty of fruit trees.
On the 1st of February, 1895, Mr. Fridline was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Arizona Cross, a daughter of Jonathan and Lydia Cross. Mrs. Fridline is very fond of music and is educating herself in that direction.
Mr. Fridline exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party and is a most public-spirited and loyal citizen. For seven years he has acted as steward of the United Brethren church, has also been class leader and is now its treasurer. He was likewise a Sunday school teacher for several years and does all in his power to promote the growth and extend the influence of the church. His life has been well spent and his many sterling characteristics have gained him a large circle of friends throughout Ashland county, where he has always resided.
ABEL GOUDY.
Abel Goudy is the owner of a well improved farm on section 19, Mohican township. Here he devotes his attention to the further development and culti- vation of one hundred and eighteen acres of land and that his methods are practical and his diligence unfaltering is indicated in the generous harvests which he annually gathers. One hundred acres of this farm on which the buildings are located was transferred from Edward Metcalf to William Goudy, August 15, 1837, for twelve hundred dollars; transferred from William Goudy to James Goudy, October 9, 1845, for one thousand dollars; and December 10, 1889, one hundred and eighteen acres were transferred from James Goudy's heirs to Abel Goudy for eight thousand seven hundred and thirty-six dollars. It was upon this farm that the birth of Abel Goudy occurred April 5, 1851.
His paternal grandparents were William and Cassandra (Crawford) Goudy, who arrived in Ashland county when it was still a frontier district. The for- mer was both a miller and farmer and built a mill about a mile from the home of Abel Goudy. He operated it for sometime and he also built the mill in Jeromeville, which he conducted for a number of years. He also owned the farm upon which Abel Goudy now resides, together with other property, and was a man of marked industry and enterprise, who carefully conducted his business affairs. Both he and his wife were held in high respect, for they were numbered among the worthy citizens of Vermillion township, where they remained until called to their final rest. Their children were Elijah, Moses
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William, Thomas, James, Polly, Abel and John. The daughter became the wife of Allen Metcalf.
Of this family James Goudy was the father of our subject. He was born in Lancaster county Pennsylvania, and was brought to Ashland county during his boyhod days by his parents. He continued to reside here throughout the remainder of his life, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and his substantial traits of character won him classification with the best residents of this locality. He married Miss Jane Karns, also a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, whence she was brought to Ohio in her girl- hood days. She was a daughter of Joseph and Susan Karns, natives of Pennsylvania, who arrived in Ashland county when there were still many evidences of pioneer life to be seen here. Not many years before the Indians had lived in the district, while wild animals and various kinds of wild game abounded in the forests. Mr. Karns assisted materially in the work of general improvement and progress and died near Hayesville, having spent the greater part of his life on a farm in Mohican township. His children were John, Katharine, Karnahan, Jane, Mrs. Rebecca Boyd and Mrs. Lydia Greenlun. Following their marriage James Goudy and Jane Karns established their home on a farm in Mohican township and here reared their family, numbering seven children : William, a resident of Indiana; Joseph, who is living in Wood county, Ohio; Susan, who was a school teacher ; George, who is in the west; Eliza Jane, the wife of N. W. Young, of Kansas; Abel, of this review; and Emma, who is the widow of John Cooper, and resides in Jeromeville.
Abel Goudy has always resided upon the old homestead and has engaged in farming and carpentering. In early days he worked out by the month as a farm hand and also learned and followed the carpenter's trade. He was also an agent for ten or twelve years for fertilizers and farm implements and in connection therewith, thoughout this period, he carried on general agricultural pursuits. Now he devotes his entire attention to the task of raising grain and stock and the highly improved appearance of his place of one hundred and eighteen acres on section 19, Mohican township, indicates that his life is one of enterprise, thrift and diligence. In 1900 a disastrous fire occurred upon his farm, destroying all of the outbuildings within two hours and causing a loss of over two thousand dollars. Immediately afterward, however, he re- placed them by more commodious and substantial buildings and now has a well improved property, which is proof of his life of industry and thrift.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Goudy chose Miss Emma E. Brubaker, whom he wedded in 1877. She was born in Lake town- ship, this county, on the 5th of August, 1853, and is a daughter of George W. Brubaker, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. There were two children born of this union but the younger, Esta May, died when but eighteen months old. The elder daughter, Elsie Edith, is the wife of Floyd Hootman and they reside with her father. They have two children, Willard Eugene and Clair Goudy Hootman.
Mr. and Mrs. Goudy are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Mohican, with which they have been identified since 1877. Always active in its work, Mr. Goudy has served as recording steward for the past eight years
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and has been class leader most of the time. Honest and upright, imbued with Christian ideals, he has always endeavored to closely follow the Golden Rule and his name is a synonym for integrity as well as progressiveness in business affairs. His life has been a very active and useful one and those who know him entertain for him the warmest regard.
J. TAYLOR SMITH.
J. Taylor Smith, who is interested in general agriculture and stock raising in Sullivan township, this county, and who is known throughout the state as a breeder of horses, is a native of this place, his birth having occurred October 1, 1866, and a son of Amos R. and Mary Jane (Taylor) Smith, both of whom were born in this county, his father being of German extraction, while his mother's ancestors came from England. They came to Ohio with their parents, settling in this county, in the early pioneer days, where they at once began to develop the raw country and transform the woodlands into fertile fields. The Smith family for many years were well known farmers of this section and the grand- father, who was known throughout the county as "Jockey" John Smith, was a well known stockman, who had gained a reputation not only in the state of Ohio but throughout the entire country to which he shipped horses, cattle and sheep, in large numbers. In those days the stock was not transported by freight cars as at the present time but were herded into large droves and driven overland on many occasions as far as New York city, in the markets of which they were put up for sale. Amos R. Smith was raised in an atmosphere in which he could derive the necessary knowledge and information in respect to all classes of stock, thus making him not only a successful breeder but also an authority. Instead of following in the footsteps of his father. however, he turned his attention to general agriculture and spent his time in raising grain. He is still living at the age of seventy-three years, but his wife departed this life April 3, 1905.
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