USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 85
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
Philpot C. Cowen was born on the farm about a mile northeast of Perrys- ville, August 6, 1856, and has always resided here save for three years which he spent in the practice of law in Loudonville. He completed his literary educa- tion in Greentown Academy and took up the study of law under Judge Manuel May, in Mansfield, in 1876, being admitted to the bar in 1878. In the spring of that year he opened an office in Ashland but soon afterward his father prevailed upon him to return home, loaning him money that he might make a start in farm work. In 1887, however, he went to Loudonville, where he engaged in the practice of law for three years, but upon the death of his father, in 1890, he returned to the home farm and has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He has three hundred and fifty acres of land,
774
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
constituting the south half of section 21, and the remainder in section 20. He carries on general farming and stock raising and his capably conducted business affairs are bringing to him substantial success.
On the 1st of September, 1888, Mr. Cowen was married to Miss Vesta Henry, who was born on a farm in Meigs township, Morgan county, Ohie, May 31, 1867, and is a daughter of Professor and Margaret (Tennant) Henry, the former a relative of the distinguished Patrick Henry, whose patriotic speeches roused the colonists at the beginning of the Revolutionary war as he set before them the principles of liberty and the practices of the British government in en- croaching upon the rights of the American people. Professor Henry has long been known as a successful and able educator of Ohio, and now resides at McConnellsville, Morgan county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cowen have been born eleven children : John Kissig; William Allison; Joseph Francis; Roger Woods ; James Henry; Mary Christine; Helen Woods; David; Patrick Henry; and Margaret. Of these Mary was accidently killed when two and a half years of age, and the others are still living.
In politics Mr. Cowen has been a life-long democrat, and while active in support of the party has never sought nor held office. He is a broad minded well informed man, whose support of any party or principles is based on a thorough understanding thereof, and his opinions are not without weight and influence in the community.
MRS. NANCY CHRISTOFEL.
Mrs. Nancy Christofel, well known and highly esteemed in Ashland, was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. She was born in Richland county in 1834 and was a daughter of Joshua Ford, one of the earliest settlers of that county, who located within its borders when the work of im- provement and development seemed scarcely begun there. He secured wild land and converted it into productive fields and from time to time he added to his holdings until he was the owner of an entire section of six hundred and forty acres. He also gave to each of his seven sons a tract of land of eighty acres and the family were closely, prominently and helpfully associated with the agricultural development of that part of the state.
Mrs. Christofel spent her girlhood days in her parents' home, acquired her education in the public schools and was trained to the duties of the household so that she was well qualified to take care of a home of her own by the time of her marriage when on the 1st of September, 1859, she became the bride of Jacob Christofel. Her husband was born in 1824 and was a carriagemaker by trade, following that occupation in Mansfield, Ohio, throughout his entire business life. He had been married little more than two years when the Civil war broke out and men from all sections of the country flocked to the standard of the nation, going from the counting rooms, the workshops, the offices and the fields. Mr. Christofel was among the number who in 1861 offered his aid to his country, enlisting as a member of the Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry Regiment.
775
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
He went to the front as captain of his company and after serving for one year he was killed in 1862 at the battle of Stone River, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. His remains were brought back home for burial, his grave being made in the Mansfield cemetery. His command had been with Sherman's brigade and Captain Christofel proved a most valorous and loyal soldier and officer.
Besides his widow Captain Christofel left one son, Joshua Ford, who was born July 30, 1860. He was a young man of marked ability whose future seemed bright with promise but when he had almost completed a course of study in Berea College he passed away in April, 1881, his death coming as an irrepar- able loss to his mother. Following the death of her son Mrs. Christofel adopted a daughter, Odessa L. Kirk, whom she reared and educated. She was graduated from the Ashland union school and is now the wife of W. A. Smyth, a horse buyer and shipper of Jefferson county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth have two living children.
Mrs. Christofel belonged to the Methodist church and was an earnest Christian lady whose life was actuated by the high ideals of her religion. She became a resident of Ashland, where she made her home until her death in April, 1909. She was greatly esteemed here, her many good traits of heart and mind winning for her the love and respect of all who knew her.
LEWIS Q. CUMMINGS.
Lewis Q. Cummings, a prominent agriculturist of Sullivan township, this county, where he has resided all his life, is descended from a family who were among the early pioneers of this section of the state. He was born December 2, 1861, on the farm he now occupies, a son of John P. and Ellenor (Barber) Cummings. His father came from Cherry Valley, New York, to this state in 1834 with his parents, Archibald and Elizabeth (Shanklin) Cummings, their objective point being Canaan, Wayne county, where were then living Mrs. Kinney and Alexander S. Lankland, cousins of Mrs. Elizabeth Cummings. The journey was made by schooner from Buffalo to Cleveland, thence by canal to Akron and on to Canaan. They had no team but brought with them a wagon and a few household goods. After spending a few weeks at Canaan, they located on a farm a mile and a half west of what later became the village of Sullivan. The family at that time consisted of father, mother and six children, but the three older ones remained in New York state, coming to Ohio a few years later. The only survivors are James, who now lives in Milan, Ohio; and Andrew, who was born in Sullivan and now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. The father of our subject, who was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, departed this life in 1868. In his family were six children, namely : William F .; Milton J., who resides in Seattle, Washington ; Lewis Q., of this review; and Edwin F., Mary and John, Jr., who died in youth and young womanhood.
On his father's farm Lewis Q. Cummings was reared, engaging in the daily routine of agricultural life during the summer months and in the winter
776
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
acquiring his elementary education at the district schools. After working for a few years on the farm he was matriculated as a student at Oberlin University, where he pursued a course of study. Shortly after leaving the institution he was united in marriage and then returned to the home farm, where he has since resided, actively pursuing agriculture in company with his brother William F., the business being transacted under the name of Cummings Brothers. They have one hundred and ninety acres of land, all of which is highly improved and under a high state of cultivation and the farm is considered one of the best, for the production of all kinds of grain, that there is in the county. They have every convenience with which to carry on farming by modern methods. Their land is thoroughly drained and every acre tillable, and their buildings are sub- stantial and of the most modern type. They also deal in stock on a large scale and are well known throughout the county as breeders of thoroughbred Holstein cattle, of which they have an excellent herd, their animals always commanding top prices.
On October 10, 1888, Mr. Cummings wedded Miss Mary Holbrook, daughter of Henry F. and Adeline (Davis) Holbrook, of the village of Ashland. Her grandparents, Bernard and Sarah (Millett) Holbrook, came from Vermont to this state in 1835, and settled in Sullivan township, Ashland county, of which they were pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have the following children : Louise R., a student at Wooster University ; Charles M .; John H .; and Archibald B.
In politics Lewis Q. Cummings is a republican and, being active in party affairs, he is frequently chosen to represent his party as a delegate to county, district and state conventions. He has always taken an interest in local affairs and, being an agitator of public improvements, he proceeds, upon the theory that a community is judged by what it is and that good roads and schools, modern public buildings, well kept public and private grounds, indicate the intelligence and progress of the people. He has served the township as trustee for fifteen years, for a number of years as a member of the school board and was a vigorous agitator of the present central high school system, this township being the first in the county to favor its adoption. Mr. Cummings, together with the members of his family, attends divine services at the Congregational church. He finds recreation, pleasure and relaxation in his home, which he has supplied with every comfort and which bears evidence of education and refinement and with his wife and family he finds the ideal of life's true happiness.
E. F. SHELLEY.
E. F. Shelley, whose life has been characterized by an habitual regard for all that is best in human activities, is numbered today among the honored and valued residents of Ashland county, where for many years he has been operating as an enterprising, energetic and successful business man. He is now engaged in the banking business, having in 1907 been elected to the presidency of the
RESIDENCE OF E. F. SHELLEY
779
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Citizens Savings Bank of Loudonville. He was born on a farm near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, in October, 1853, and is a son of John and Katharine (Smith) Shelley. The father's birth occurred in October, 1829, on Shelley island in the Susquehanna river, in Pennsylvania, and when eight years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Wayne county, Ohio. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he now re- sides on a farm near Jeromeville, Ashland county.
In 1875, E. J. Shelley was united in marriage to Miss Tamzen Cornell, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, who was there reared. Her parents were Jason and Rachel (Critchfield) Cornell, the former a native of Wayne county and the latter of Holmes county, Ohio. The father has now passed away but the mother yet resides in Wayne county. Mr. and Mrs. Shelley are the parents of a daugh- ter, Martha T. The family is very prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes being freely extended them.
In his political views Mr. Shelley is an earnest democrat and has served two terms as mayor of Loudonville, first by appointment to fill a vacancy and later by election. His administration was characterized by practical reform and improvement and he stood for restrictive and legislative enactments which would further the interests and upbuilding of the city. Indeed he has been connected with many important improvements in the town and his labors have contributed much to its upbuilding and substantial growth. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Hanover Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Loudonville: Mansfield Commandery, K. T .; and the Consistory of Dayton. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Mansfield. He is an approachable, genial man, courteous and cordial, has an extensive acquaintance and is popular with all who know him. His record is a most substantial one for he has always correctly judged his own capacities and those interests which make up life's contacts and experiences. In his business affairs he has discriminated between the essential and the non-essential and the utilization of the former has brought him to a prominent place in com- mercial and financial circles in Ashland county.
CHARLES W. SWINEFORD.
Charles W. Swineford, one of the younger men affiliated with the business interests of Ashland in a prominent capacity, as traffic manager for the Dr. Hess & Clark Stock Food Company, is a native of Montgomery township, born on a farm two and a half miles east of Ashland, November 15, 1870, a son of Curtis and Elnora (Worley) Swineford, natives of that place. The grand- father, Emanuel Swineford, came to this county from Center county, Pennsyl- vania, about the year 1837, locating in Ashland and subsequently removing to a farm in Montgomery township. The father of the subject of this review engaged in agricultural pursuits until he retired a few years ago and is now residing in Ashland at the age of sixty-five years. He still maintains a remark- able degree of health and vigor which enable him to participate in the joys and
780
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
comforts of the prosperity that his many years of active life have afforded him. He and his wife are ardent Christians and hold membership in the Lutheran church, in which they are active workers and, striving to frame their conduct in obedience to the tenants of their faith, they are a worthy couple, meriting that degree of respect due to all who love the Christian faith and endeavor to emulate the life and walk of their Master.
On his grandfather's farm Charles W. Swineford spent his boyhood days, engaging in the daily routine of agricultural life and acquiring his education at the district schools. Subsequently he pursued a course of study in the grammar schools of Ashland and remained on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, at which period of his life he entered a telegraph office in Claypool, Indiana, where he served his apprenticeship. He was then placed in charge of an office at Chouteau, Oklahoma, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, being employed by this company for two years and serving at various points along the line of the system. He next entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad but finally gave up the vocation of telegraphy, at the time of the opening of the Cherokee strip. However, he did not participate in the rush for the land, arriving thirty days after the opening. He spent about two years in that part of the country and then returned to Ashland in 1898, where for three years he was engaged as yard master for the Erie Railroad Company. Upon resigning his position he entered the employ of the Dr. Hess & Clark Stock Food Company as invoice clerk and was later promoted to the position of traffic manager, the duties of which station he is now performing, his ability making him invaluable to the concern.
On December 5, 1901, Mr. Swineford wedded Miss Stella Brinkley, of this city and to this union have been born: Georgia Elnora; Curtis Wilbur ; Donald E. Worley; and Robert Doyle, who died April 17, 1909. Mr. Swineford is a stanch supporter of the republican party and has taken a deep interest in the affairs of the city, being at present a member of the Ashland city council, in which capacity he has been serving for the past five years and is president pro tem, of that honorable body. He belongs to Montgomery Lodge, No. 355, Knights of Pythias, and is a past captain of the Uniformed rank. Mr. Swine- ford has always evinced those qualities of character designed to command for him the respect of all with whom he may come in contact and as a business man, being industrious and enterprising, has done much toward supporting the financial interests of the city of which he is justly entitled to a place among its representative commercial leaders.
ISAAC WOLF.
Isaac Wolf was born in Green township, May 24, 1844, and is a representa- tive of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Ashland county. His grandfather, Isaac Wolf, Sr., was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1789 and was a son of John Wolf, a native of Germany, who became the founder of the family in the new world. In 1818 they removed from Pennsylvania to
781
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Ohio, and Isaac Wolf entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting the northwest quarter of section 25, Green township. The place is now occu- pied by his granddaughter, Mrs. W. J. Simms. It was then a part of Richland county, Ohio, for Ashland county had not been set off at that time. Much of this district of the state was covered with the native forest growth and still bore many evidences of Indian occupancy while presenting all the conditions of frontier life. Immediately after the arrival of John and Isaac Wolf they cleared an acre of land which they planted to wheat and also built a log cabin. They then returned to Pennsylvania and the following spring Isaac Wolf came again to Ashland county with his family and his parents. The parents later
returned to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where they died. Isaac Wolf re-
mained here until called to his final rest. He served as a soldier in the war of
1812 and was always loyal in his citizenship. When he erected his log cabin
there was not another house within a mile of it. He was engaged in farming throughout his entire life and he also manufactured wooden plows, for the people who were near him, as the steel plow had not then come into use. All the farm machinery was very crude and primitive as compared with that of the present time, and the work of the farm was much more difficult and arduous, but with determined purpose and characteristic energy Isaac Wolf carried on the work of the fields, clearing and cultivating his land until generous harvests rewarded his labors. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church. In 1813 he married Nancy Small and his death occurred in 1840. In his family were the following children: Warring; Sylvester, who married Hannah Gladden; Abrilla, who became the wife of Henry M. Hoover; Milo A., who wedded Elizabeth Priest; Boston F., who married Elizabeth Cotton; Aletha, who is the widow of Jacob Reinhardt and lives in Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Orsamus S., who married Parmela Fuller; Samantha A., who is the widow of S. D. Ferry and lives in Loudonville. The two sisters living in Loudonville are now the only surviving members of the family.
The eldest son, Warring Wolf, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1815, and was brought by his parents to Ohio in the spring of 1819. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life and early became familiar with the arduous task of developing and culti- vating the land. He always followed farming as a life work and his industry and perseverance enabled him to gain a place among the substantial citizens of his community. His political endorsement was given the democratic party and his follow townsmen, recognizing his sterling worth and ability, frequently called him to public office and he served as justice of the peace for six years and also trustee of Green township and assessor for three years, and the duties that devolved upon him were ever discharged in a most prompt and faithful manner. His life was at all times actuated by high and honorable principles, his righteous- ness and integrity undoubtedly having their root in his earnest, Christian faith. He was a charter member of the Loudonville Baptist church and served as one of its deacons for over sixty years, or from the death of his father until his own demise, which occurred February 28, 1902. He had a family of nine children, but five of the number died in childhood. Those still living are: Mary A., who is the widow of John L. Metcalf and resides in Jeromeville, Ashland county ;
782
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Isaac; Margaret E., who is the wife of W. J. Simms, of Green township, occupy- ing the old homestead farm which her father entered from the government; and ment; and John P., of Loudonville.
Isaac Wolf, whose name introduces this record has spent his entire life in Ashland county, where he has given his time and attention to farming, save for the period in his youth which he devoted to the acquirement of his education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then started out in life on his own account by renting a farm north of Perrysville, where he lived for fourteen years. During that period he care- fully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase his present farm adjoin- ing the old homestead farm which her grandfather entered from the govern- on section 24, Green township, pleasantly situated two miles north of Loudon- ville on the Loudonville and Ashland road. He carries on general farming and stock raising and now has a well improved property, supplied with good buildings. He erected a comfortable dwelling and also a good barn and has ample shelter for grain and stock upon his place. The fields present an attrac- tive appearance and the farm work is carried on along most modern methods.
.On the 28th of October, 1868, Mr. Wolf was united in marriage to Miss Alice Freshwater, who was born in Loudonville, Ohio, in June, 1849, and is a daughter of Reuben and Chloe (Charters) Freshwater .. They were early settlers of Loudonville, coming to this county from Detroit, Michigan. The father was a cooper by trade and both he and his wife spent their remaining days in Loudonville. Their family numbered four sons and two daughters who reached adult age, while one son died in early life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have been born two children: Earl, a jeweler of Loudonville, who is married and has one child, Virginia; and Edna, the wife of W. B. Wolf, of Mansfield, and the mother of one daughter, Lois.
Mr. Wolf gives his political allegiance to the democracy. Since his boy- hood he has been a member of the Baptist church and his life has at all times exemplified the high principles of integrity, justice and honor which everywhere command respect and confidence. His home is one of the finest country resi- dences in the county. It is commodious, richly and tastefully furnished and built in modern style of architecture. A fountain plays in front of the house and there are many fine springs on the farm, which is therefore well watered. A well kept lawn surrounds his home and the place gives every indication of the cultured and refined taste of the owner. Moreover it is a monument to his thrift and enterprise as well as his progressive spirit.
CALVIN DAY MASON.
Prominent among the enterprising and progressive business men of Ash- land is Calvin Day Mason, who is connected with insurance and several other lines of activity which are potent forces in the commercial and financial develop- ment of the city. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, during a temporary residence of his parents in that place, but the greater part of his life has been
783
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
passed in Ashland, where he has ever been known as an honored citizen. He represents an old American family. His paternal grandfather was a Virginian by birth and was of Scotch-Irish and Welsh and High Dutch descent. However, at an early period in the colonization of the new world his ancestors located in Virginia. On leaving that state the grandfather came to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a number of years later removed to Jefferson county, Ohio. He had married Elizabeth Simonton, one of a numerous family of daughters of French Huguenot lineage whose father owned an estate near Easton, Pennsylvania. His land there was granted him in recognition of the aid which he had rendered when the colonies were in arms against the mother country in the Revolutionary war. His holdings were extensive and when he removed to western Pennsylvania he disposed of all of his property near Easton save a section which he thought was worth nothing, believing it to be too hilly to be of use. Today, however, the beautiful city of Easton crowns those hills.
James Simonton Mason, the father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1813, and was the second son in a large family. His parents, uniting as they did the Scotch-Irish and French Hugue- not strains, were devoted Christian people and faithful adherents of the Presbyterian church. James Simonton Mason was reared in a home of culture and refinement and of Christian teaching and the lessons impressed upon his mind in early youth bore rich fruit in later years. His nature was retiring and sensitive but he always manifested strong convictions and held to high ideals. He possessed notable physical strength and vigor until he met with an accident in middle life which permanently impaired his health. He was a young man at the time of the removal of his parents to Jefferson county, Ohio.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.