USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 86
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It was while living in that county that James Simonton Mason formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Elizabeth Day, whom he wooed and won. She was
a lady of beautiful character and most attractive personality, a daughter of Nicholas and Juliet (McFarin) Day. Her father was a native of Harford county, Maryland, and was a son of an Englishman by birth, who became a slave owner in the south. Loosing his father when young, Nicholas Day became the ward of Colonel Rumsey, a distinguished attorney of Annapolis, who directed his education. When he had completed his school course he accepted a position as salesman in a wholesale house in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he went to western Pennsylvania and had charge of government store some miles above Pittsburg, in connection with the commissary department of General Wayne's army in the Revolutionary war. At that time he owned land at Pittsburg but the town contained only a few cabins, and following the close of hostilities with the mother country he settled at Denniston, Pennsylvania, where he conducted an extensive and prosperous mercantile enterprise. He also became a prominent factor in other branches of business and speculated largely in lands in western Pennsylvania. His business interests were carefully directed and his sound judgment and keen discernment found expression in the substantial success which attended his labors. He was extremely public-spirited, interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and at one time, at his own expense, he built a bridge over a
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stream in Westmoreland county at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. He first married Margaret Denniston, and after her death wedded Juliet McFarin, a daughter of a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Thomas McFarin, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and a niece of Dr. McCroskey, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and cousin of Rev. McCroskey, afterwards bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Detroit, Michigan. Rev. McFarin was a native of Scotland and a graduate of
Edinburg University. On coming to America he located near Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and for many years preached to a large and wealthy congregation. He never used his salary for his own benefit, however, but donated it to the charitable work of the church, living an independent life on his estate where hospitality was one of the crowning features of his home. His daughter, Juliet, was educated in the Chambersburg Female Seminary and a few years after her graduation gave her hand in marriage to Nicholas Day, who at that time was forty-four years of age while his bride was twenty-two. Their home became known far and wide for its rare culture, its refinement and Christian influence. It was the center of social life, of unlimited hospitality and of most generous charity. Theirs was the typical home of the south in its palmiest days when they had a large retinue of servants, including bondsmen who were
In his later years Mr. Day suffered financial reverses, and though he was forced to give up his property, his integrity remained unimpaired through all.
in the family through several generations. The latter years of his life were devoted to teaching school and in his old age he was a resident of Jefferson county, Ohio.
It was in that home that Sarah Elizabeth Day spent her girlhood and in 1842 she gave her hand in marriage to James Simonton Mason. The following year they came to Ashland and for a brief period lived with some cousins on a farm west of the town. Soon, however, Mr. Mason purchased a general store which he conducted for some time and they took up their abode in this city. On withdrawing from mercantile pursuits he became identified with the Ash- land Mutual Fire Insurance Company as general agent, remaining in connection therewith for sixteen years, during which time he traveled over the state, establishing the business of the company in various localities. He then opened a local agency in Ashland in company with his son, Calvin, and the business has been continued to the present time.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason were born five children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Of the surviving members of the family Calvin Day Mason is the senior. The next son, William Franklin Mason, was born in Ashland and after completing a high-school course read medicine with Dr. David Sampsel, Sr., and pursued a course of study in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with honors. He wedded Mary Norris near Fort Recovery, Ohio, and died December 24, 1908, after having practiced long and successfully in the western part of this state. James R. Mason, the third son, was born in Ashland, is a high school graduate and also attended the Wooster University. After teaching for several terms in this county he traveled extensively in the interests of the Kilbourne Publishing Company. He after- ward located in Port Townsend, Washington, where he engaged in the real-estate business for several years and is now a representative of the shipping and in- surance interests of Seattle, Washington. He married Mrs. Alice Baldwin,
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the widow of Dr. Charles Baldwin, of that city. Juliet Elizabeth Mason, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Simonton Mason, is a native of Ashland and makes her home with her brother and his family here. When the parents removed to Ashland a cousin of Mrs. Mason, Margaret C. Drum, was one of the household. They regarded her as their own child and she was educated in the Ashland schools, part of the time attending the old academy. She was par- ticularly interested in the good work of the church and Sunday school and took active part in the work carried on for the soldiers during the Civil war as a member and the president of the Ladies Aid Society, and when this society disbanded after the war its members voted her their large and beautiful flag as a recognition of her services. For some years she was a teacher in the Ashland schools and later became the wife of James H. Clark of Cleveland, Ohio, but is now deceased.
Following their removal to Ashland Mr. and Mrs. James Simonton Mason built one of the first houses on Center street and occupied it for many years, it being now owned by Senator Patterson. Afterward they made their home on the present site of the United Brethren church. There the wife and mother passed away April 27, 1891, in her seventy-third year. Mr. Mason survived for seven years and died at his new home on Pleasant street, August 23, 1898, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. Their records constituted an integral chapter in the history of Ashland and its social life, in its business development and in its public interests. No residents of this city have enjoyed in larger measure the honor and esteem of those with whom they have been associated.
Calvin Day Mason, who spent his youthful days in his parents' home on Center street in Ashland, entered the public schools and passed through con- secutive grades until he completed the high school course under the superin- tendency of Colonel Barber. From the age of eighteen years down to the present time he has figured in the business circles of Ashland and joined his father in the establishment of an insurance agency which yet endures. He is today one of the most prominent representatives of insurance in this part of the state and is also associated with other lines of business which profit by his sound judgment and receive stimulus from his untiring energy and perseverance.
In May, 1891, Calvin Day Mason was united in marriage to Miss Susan H. Locke, a daughter of Josiah and Frances Louisa (Sprengle) Locke. The ancestry of the Locke family can be traced back to Deacon William Locke who was born in Stepney Parish, London, England, December 13, 1628. He became the founder of the family in America and in Woburn, Massachusetts, was married December 27, 1655, to Mary Clarke, a daughter of William and Margery Clarke of that place. Deacon Locke died in Woburn, July 18, 1715. His son, Samuel Locke, born October 14, 1669, married Ruth Kendall and their son, Samuel Locke, II, was born August 24, 1702, and in 1730 wedded Rebecca Richardson. They were the parents of Josiah Locke, who was born September 28, 1736, and on the 29th of February, 1764, married Esther Kittridge. His son and namesake, Josiah Locke, Jr., was born at Leicester, February 14, 1768, and married Miss Elizabeth Hartwell in 1791. Their son Elam Locke, was born in Winfield, New York, January 29, 1795, and was married December 12, 1820,
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to Jane Jones. They were the grandparents of Mrs. Mason. Her parents were Josiah and Frances Louise (Sprengle) Locke, both of whom were born in 1829. They were married September 1, 1853, and had three children, Marshall Pinkley Wilder Locke; Mrs. Susan Hinks Mason; and Lizzie Laura, the deceased wife of Stoten Fletcher, of Indianapolis and the mother of Mrs. Booth Tarkington. The father resided for some time in Ashland and afterward spent many years in Indianapolis, Indiana. Mrs. Mason completed her education in the Pennsyl- vania College for Women at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and after her father's death came with her mother to Ashland, the residence being erected at the corner of Pleasant and Sandusky streets, where the family now reside. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason have been born three children, Josiah Locke, James Day, and Frances Elizabeth, all attending the Ashland schools. These children are representatives of two of the old families of Ashland. Mr. Mason has always lived here and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present indicates that his life has been a most honorable and upright one.
JOSEPH D. JENNINGS.
Joseph D. Jennings has been a resident of Ashland county since 1875. He is one of the self-made men who owes his prosperity entirely to his earnest and well directed efforts. That he has lived a life of industry is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of a good farm of ninety-four acres on section 9, Green township. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1856, and is a son of David and Margaret Jane (McNeil) Jennings, the former born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1818 and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Jennings spent her entire life in the county of her nativity. Mr. Jennings went to that county at the age of twenty years and there remained until called to his final rest. He was a shoemaker by trade.
Joseph D. Jennings was the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children. He remained in the city of Washington, Pennsylvania, until five years of age when his parents removed to a farm near there and he continued under the parental roof until he reached the age of eighteen. He then came to Jefferson county, settling near Steubenville, Ohio, and was employed as a farm hand in that locality for a year and three months. In 1879 he arrived in Ashland county and worked on a farm by the month for three years but was ambitious to become the owner of property and carefully saved his earnings that he might eventually do so. At the end of three years he was married and purchased his present farm from his father-in-law, Robert M. Karnahan. This is a tract of ninety-four acres situated on section 9, Green township. For a long period he was active in the work of the fields but during the past eight years has only given his attention to overseeing the farm work, owing to an electric shock which injured him physically. The lightning has struck this place many times owing probably to the fact that there is some kind of ore on the farm.
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On the 25th of December, 1879, Mr. Jennings was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Jemima Karnahan, who was born in Vermillion township, this county, September 1, 1852. When twelve years of age she came with her parents to the farm on which she has since lived. She is a daughter of Robert M. and Katharine (Carnes) Karnahan, the former a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and the latter of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Both spent their last days on what is now the Jennings farm and Mr. Karnahan was the owner of three hundred and twenty-seven acres of rich and valuable land at the time of his death which occurred in 1882. In addition to tilling the soil he operated a sawmill and also had a chopping burr on his farm which was operated by water power and.did custom work. He devoted most of his time in his later years to the mill. He was a man of upright life and honorable principles who enjoyed in full measure the confidence and good will of those who knew him. He and his family were identified with the Presbyterian church. Unto him and his wife were born five daughters and two sons: William, now living in Kansas ; John, a resident of Los Angeles, California ; Martha, the deceased wife of John Thompson; Susan, the widow of Allen Castor and now residing near Luray, Kansas; Mrs. Jennings; Margaret; and Amanda, living in Hayesville and owning a farm near the town. Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have two children : Edna Pearl and Lena Leota, who are both successful school teachers.
The family hold membership in the Presbyterian church of Perrysville and take an active and helpful interest in its work. Mr. Jennings has served as one of the elders of the church for several years. In every respect he measures up to the full standard of honorable manhood, is reliable and trust- worthy in every relation of business and citizenship and his friends find him a congenial, courteous gentleman worthy of their warm regard.
GREGORY C. HENLEY.
Gregory C. Henley, who is now giving his attention to the supervision of his invested interests, was well known for many years as a successful merchant and previously as a representative of industrial interests. His life record is that of a man who has always found that daily duties have fully claimed his time and attention and who in their performance has gained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens and won the substantial success which follows persistency of purpose well directed. Ohio numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred in Taylorville, Muskingum county, October 25, 1843. His parents were Gregory and Barbara (Boeshertz) Henley, natives of Germany. The mother's birth occurred in Alsace, a part of that disputed district which has now belonged to Germany, now to France, as the fortunes of war have diverted it first one way and then another. The family name was originally spelled "Henle" but the father of our subject added the final y. He crossed the Atlantic to New York when seventeen years of age and the lady who afterward became his wife made the voyage to the new world with her parents
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when eight years of age, the family home being established in Knox county, Ohio. They were married in Zanesville, this state, and spent the remainder of their days in that vicinity, both passing away on the farm in Knox county where the boyhood days of Gregory C. Henley were spent. The father had one hundred and sixty acres of land and was an enterprising, intelligent man, who gave to his children good school advantages, realizing how important and valuable is education as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. Unto him and his wife were born seven children: Genevieve began teaching at the age of eighteen years and followed that profession until the time of her marriage to Francis Durbin. She is now a widow and resides at Barberton,
Ohio. Elizabeth, who remained at home and assisted in the household duties until her marriage to Absalom Durbin, a cousin of Francis Durbin, is also now a widow and resides in Warsaw, Indiana. Gregory C. is the next of the family. Charles, who owns the old home place and a tract of forty acres beside, has been identified with the educational interests of the county, having taught in the country schools for thirty winter seasons. Louis is a grocer of Toledo, Ohio. Caroline is the wife of Peter Allerding, of Mount Vernon. Albert James is conducting an extensive real-estate business in Mount Vernon.
Gregory C. Henley when eight years of age removed with his parents from Muskingum county, Ohio, to a farm six miles south of Loudonville in Knox county, bordering the Ashland county line. There he remained until twenty years of age when he came to Loudonville and for a time was employed by A. A. Taylor. Later he was connected with the Northwestern Milling Company
for about twenty years. His father was a cooper by trade and in early life he began learning the business. He was afterward sent to Perrysville where he conducted a branch for the mill which Mr. Taylor owned. He came from that place to Loudonville where he conducted a cooper shop for Mr. Taylor and later was sent to Toledo to conduct his cooperage business in connection with
mills there. Later he again came to Loudonville and during this period drifted into the millwright business which he followed until eighteen years ago for Mr. Taylor and the stock company which succeeded to his interests. In 1890, however, he started out upon an independent venture as a dealer in implements, forming a partnership with R. E. Byers under the firm style of Byers & Henley, which connection continued for fifteen years. Mr. Henley then sold his interest and since that time has given his attention to the supervision of his real estate and other personal investments. In his business affairs as the years have gone by he has won substantial prosperity and is now comfortably situated in life.
In October, 1870, Mr. Henley was married to Miss Anna J. Buckingham, who was born in Knox county, Ohio. March 28, 1841, and is a daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Bricker) Buckingham, who removed from Pennsylvania to Knox county, Ohio. The Buckinghams came originally from Virginia. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henley are five in number but Charles, the eldest, died at the age of twelve years. Albert, who was graduated from the high school and for twelve years has been in the shoe store of J. B. Long, married Mildred Sapp and they have two children, Justin Constantine and Claude. Bernard died in infancy. Celsus is a clerk in the clothing store of Straus & Anholdt, of
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Loudonville. Clara Jane is the wife of John W. Getz, of Loudonville, and they have one child, Barbara Isabella.
The parents are members of St. Peter's Catholic church. In his political views Mr. Henley is a democrat and has served for a number of years in the town council, acting as chairman of various important committees. He has also been president of the board of public affairs since the beginning of 1908. He has been called upon to settle a number of estates and in all of these positions of trust has shown himself worthy the confidence and regard reposed in him.
JOHN W. MURPHY.
An active and useful life has brought John W. Murphy to a creditable position as a representative of agricultural interests in Ashland county. He now owns and cultivates ninety-two acres of land in the home place, on section 24, Green township, and in addition he has much other valuable property from which he derives a substantial annual income. His birth occurred in Green township on the 6th of October, 1872. He is a son of George Steward Murphy and a grandson of Manluf Murphy. The latter was born in Delaware in 1800 and in that state was reared to manhood. He there married Elizabeth Tomlinson, also a native of Delaware, and in the year 1833 they removed to Ohio, Manluf Murphy entering a small tract of land of forty acres about a mile north of Loudonville in Green township, Ashland county. He was in very straitened financial circumstances but his capably managed business affairs, his judicious investments and his unfaltering industry brought to him gratifying prosperity so that at the time of his death he was the owner of a large farm and also had money out at interest. Both he and his wife spent their remaining days in this county. Their children were George Fisher; Mrs. Sena Ann Fox ; Sarah Elizabeth; Louisa; Manluf; one who died in infancy; and George S., who completed the family.
George S. Murphy was born April 12, 1840, on the old homestead farm entered by his father from the government and situated about a mile north of Loudonville. His entire life was passed in Green township and he died near the place of his birth January 10, 1904. His education was acquired in the public schools and he remained at home with his parents until his marriage, on the 10th of August, 1871, to Miss Martha Ellen White, who was born December 24, 1845, in Green township, about three and a half miles north of Loudonville, where she had always resided. She is a daughter of John and Mary (Martin) White, the former born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1800, and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1807. John White had come to Ohio as a young man and had here entered eighty acres of land. He was accompanied by his brother, William, who also entered a tract in the same neighborhood. John White then spent his remaining days in the development and further improvement of the land which he had claimed. He also added to it until he had about two hundred acres at the time of his death, all of which were well improved, while upon it was a good brick dwelling. He
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was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church and believed strongly in the abolition cause, but the church did not allow their members to vote. When about thirty years of age he wedded Mary Martin, a daughter of Isaac and Jane (Wiley) Martin, who were natives of Pennsylvania and came from Washington county, that state, to Ohio. Mr. Martin died in this county while his widow afterward went to the home of a son in Wisconsin and there passed away. Mrs. White accompanied her parents to Ohio in 1812, at which time the family home was established on Honey creek, in Green township, near the Greentown block- house in which they took refuge when the Indians were on the war path. Although the red men visited the county during her girlhood days she lived to witness great changes, seeing this district transformed into a thickly settled and prosperous region, supplied with all the conveniences and manifestations of modern civilization known to the older east. The death of Mr. White occurred April 30, 1871, while his widow survived until January 30, 1881. They were the parents of nine children: Sarah Jane Jamison, who died in 1861; Mrs. Eliza Ann Rowan, of Wisconsin; Mrs. Margaret McFarland, who died in Indiana; Mrs. Mary Gregg, a resident of Eaton county, Michigan; John, who died at the age of four years; Thomas, who died in California; Mrs. Nancy Emeline White, who resides in Green township; Mrs. Murphy, the mother of our subject; and Olive, who lives with Mrs. Murphy.
Following his marriage George S. Murphy began farming on his own account and for about seven years cultivated rented land, during which time he carefully saved his earnings and as the result of his industry and economy was then enabled to purchase a farm. In time he became the owner of two farms, embracing together one hundred and eighty-four acres of land, and in addition has two acres where his widow now resides, about a half mile north of Loudonville. He worked diligently to attain his success and his well directed efforts brought him a substantial competence. When sixteen years of age he united with the Methodist Episcopal church of Loudonville and remained one of its active members until his death. He assisted in building the present house of worship and contributed liberally to the support of the church. In politics he was a stanch republican but would never consent to hold office, save that of school director. He was actively interested in temperance work and his in- fluence was always on the side of those movements which uplift and benefit humanity. He died January 10, 1904, leaving to his son the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, as well as considerable valuable property.
John W. Murphy was reared under the parental roof and remained with his parents until 1894, when he turned his attention to railroading and was thus engaged for ten years on the Indiana & Fort Wayne Railroad. At the time of his father's death, however, he returned to the old homestead and has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He has a farm of ninety- two acres on section 24, Green township, also owns fifty-two acres in another farm on section 13, Green township about a mile and a half from the first place, and forty acres on section 36, so that his aggregated holdings cover one hundred and eighty-four acres of land that is rich and arable. He carries on general farming and stock raising and his place presents a neat and thrifty appearance, indicating his practical and progressive methods of carrying on his work.
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