USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 87
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
In 1893 Mr. Murphy was united in marriage to Miss Susan Cosner, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, and is a daughter of Frederick Cosner. In his political views Mr. Murphy is a republican, supporting the men and measures of the party, yet without desire for office as a reward for party fealty. He repre- sents one of the old families in the county, the Murphys having been known here for seventy-six years. They have always been rated as good citizens, giving their influence in support of progressive public measures, and John W. Murphy, his father, and grandfather, stand for all that is best in the line of human activities.
JOSEPH B. BRINTON.
Joseph B. Brinton has for thirty-three years been station agent at Ashland and moreover has an excellent record as a veteran of the Civil war. These facts alone would entitle him to representation in this volume but in other ways as well he has contributed to public progress and improvement through his cooperation with many movements for the general good. He was born Novem- ber 10, 1838, in Champaign county, Ohio. He was only four years of age when his father died and was left an orphan at the age of seven by the death of his mother. He was then taken by a family who thought education was of little consequence and his school privileges were, therefore, very limited. Realizing the necessity and value of intellectual training, however, Mr. Brinton has largely counteracted the deficiency of his early years by his own reading and study. He has made his own way in the world from the age of seven for when with the family who took him he fully earned his living in the performance of, the services which they required of him. At length he became tired of the treat- ment which he received and when fourteen years of age he ran away and came to Middleburg, Ohio. He worked at farm labor through the summer and then engaged to drive a herd of cattle from Urbana, Ohio, to Springfield, Iowa, spending thirty days upon the road. In the fall and spring he took up the task of learning the carpenter's trade at which he served three years' apprenticeship and then went to Peoria, Illinois, where he was employed to do fine joiner work on one of the best business blocks in Peoria, at a time when all such work was done by hand. In 1861 he went to Indiana and was one of the first to manifest his love of country by the offer of his services as a soldier of the Civil war.
It was in April, 1861, that Mr. Brinton enlisted as a member of Com- pany G, Ninth Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry under Captain G. C. Moody and Colonel R. H. Milroy, who was afterward promoted to major general. His first enlistment was in response to the call for three months troops and he served in West Virginia, taking part in the battle of Philippi, the first set engagement of the war with small loss of men. He was afterward at Carrick's Ford which was the heaviest engagement which the regiment participated in during the three months service. At the end of his first enlistment Mr. Brinton returned home and was mustered out but immediately reenlisted at Laporte, Indiana, in the same company and regiment which was
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simply reorganized and immediately returned for duty. When they again reached West Virginia the Ninth Indiana Regiment took part in a number of like battles and spent the first winter at Cheap. Mountain Summit, West Vir- ginia. From that point they were ordered westward, joined the Army of the Cumberland under General Buell and immediately engaged in the battle of Shiloh but Mr. Brinton was left behind because of illness. Some days later he rejoined his regiment and from that time on participated in all of its engage- ments and was promoted from the ranks from time to time until he received a captain's commission and commanded Company G. At the battle of Lovejoy Station he was acting as assistant adjutant general on the staff of General William Gross. At the battle of Stone River he was wounded and captured and was taken at last to Libby prison, being exchanged at City Point about thirty days after his capture. He was at that time serving as second lieutenant. During his incarceration in Libby prison he purchased a paper and in it was a proclamation issued by Jefferson Davis, stating that no commissioned officer could be exchanged until further orders. Lieutenant Brinton at once saw that he would have little chance of exchange under those conditions. Luckily he was at the time in fatigue uniform and told his comrades to address him as sergeant. This allowed him to be exchanged. He participated in the memor- able battle of Chickamauga and at its close at Snodgrass Hill he was slightly wounded in the leg. Following the battle of Stone River and his release from Libby prison his company presented him with a fine sword which Captain Brinton most honorably defended throughout the remainder of the war. It is yet in his possession, a precious memento of his army life. On account of the wounds he had received at the battle of Lovejoy station where he was injured in the left arm, losing the use of that member almost entirely, he was mustered out of the service December 24, 1864.
Following his return home Captain Brinton engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business but in 1865 turned his attention to railroad interests, first as _clerk and telegrapher. In 1867 he became agent at Mingo, Ohio, on the Erie Railroad and has been in railroad service from that time to the present, acting as agent at Ashland for nearly thirty-three years. He is a man, competent and popular officially, winning many friends by reason of his uniform courtesy, while the company has the utmost faith in his ability and fidelity. He was one of the organizers and for two years the secretary of the Ashland Building & Loan Association, which is still doing good business. He was for two years a member of the school board and was its treasurer for one year. He was likewise one of the charter members of the Ashland Board of Trade and its first president, serving for two terms, while for two years he was also its secretary and at the present writing is one of its directors. He has contributed very largely to the upbuilding and prosperity of Ashland, has rejoiced in its substantial growth and has every reason to be proud of the advancement made by his home town. He has been instrumental in securing the establishment of such industries as the Rubber Works, the Ashland Steel Range & Manufacturing Company and the Reliable Match Company, all of which are factors in the business activity and growth of the city.
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
On the 6th of June, 1867, Captain Brinton was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Pennington, who was born October 31, 1845, in Champaign county, Ohio, a daughter of Heaton and Lydia Pennington. Captain and Mrs. Brinton have become parents of four daughters : Mrs. Berta Hughes, of Toledo; Edna, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Mary Tubbs, of Ashland; and Mrs. Florence Litchfield, living in Akron, Ohio. The daughters were provided with excellent educational advantages. All attended the Ashland high school and Berta is a graduate of Baldwin University of Berea, Ohio. Edna was graduated at St. Mary's of the Springs Convent, receiving the gold medal in art and litera- ture. Mary also attended that convent for a year and received the silver medal for scholarship but on account of difficulty with her eyes was obliged to suspend her studies. Later, however, she spent three months in the business college at Akron, Ohio, and immediately afterward entered the employ of the Wheeling & Lake Erie and of the Cleveland, Toledo & Pittsburg Railroad Companies. She thus served for twelve years and was promoted from time to time until she became chief clerk in the claim department, holding the position until her marriage. Florence was graduated from the Ashland high school and spent one year in the high school at Toledo with the intention of pursuing a course in the Michigan University at Ann Arbor but scarlet fever obliged her to give up her studies for sometime. She afterward spent a year in Lake Erie College and then pursued a thorough course in the Commercial College at Toledo. She was a bookkeeper for the Times-Gazette for about one year and was then mar- ried. Captain and Mrs. Brinton are held in high esteem in Ashland where they have so long resided. His life in all of its different phases has been up- right and honorable, characterized by a progressive and helpful citizenship, a reliability and faithfulness in business and loyalty to the ties of home and friendship.
HENRY J. NEPTUNE.
That Ashland county has many attractions for her native sons is indicated in the fact that a large percentage of those who have been born within her bor- ders have remained to enjoy the opportunities she offers in her natural resources and in her business conditions. Among this number is Henry J. Neptune who was born September 16, 1846, on the farm which he yet occupies and now owns. He "has always remained here and the day is busily employed in the cultivation of sixty-six acres of land. His parents were John and Nancy (Mccullough) Nep- tune. The former was born in Virginia in 1802 and the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in January, 1804. He was a son of William and Eliza- beth (Poland) Neptune. The latter died in 1805, in Virginia and William Neptune afterward wedded Lydia Beman. By his first marriage he had two daughters and one son. He and his second wife moved to Indiana, where they passed away. The mother of our subject was a daughter of John and Stacy (Dunn) Mccullough, who were natives of Pennsylvania, but died in Holmes county, Ohio. In his youthful days John Neptune went with his parents to
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Maryland and afterward came with them to Ashland county, Ohio, in 1818. His wife arrived in this county in 1819 and when they had reached adult age they were married in 1824. In 1830 they located on the farm which is now the home of their son Henry Jerome and it remained their place of residence until they were called to their final rest. The father died April 29, 1864, while the mother passed away in May, 1878. He entered two hundred acres of land from the government. It was entirely wild and unimproved and there in the midst of the green woods he built a cabin and began the development of his fields. In addition to this property he at one time owned another tract of two hundred and sixty-eight acres. His entire life was given to farm work and in the course of years his diligence and perseverance enabled him to convert the wild land into rich and productive fields. He lived a life of well directed energy and perseverance and when he had passed away the county lost one of its worthy and representative citizens. His widow survived him until 1878. He was a deacon in the Baptist church, having held that office for many years. His wife was also an earnest Christian and shared with him in his interests in the work of the church. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. Unto Mr. and Mrs, John Neptune were born twelve children: Lydia, the de- ceased wife of William Hannon; John, who died in Richland county, Ohio; William, living in Chanute, Kansas; Rebecca Ellen, who resides on the home farm, owning thirty-four acres which are operated by her brother; Sarah Jane, who died in 1851 at the age of eighteen years; Isaac, who is living in Parsons, Kansas; James, a resident of Loudonville; Joseph, who died in 1851; Lucinda, who died in 1851 at the age of twelve years; Jeals Abrilla, who passed away in the same year; Nehemiah, residing in Knox county, Ohio; and Henry J. The four children who passed away in 1851 died of scarlet fever within four days of each other.
Henry J. Neptune was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, his time being divided between the work of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play- ground, and the tasks which were assigned him upon the home farm. He now has sixty-six acres of land and carefully studies the best methods of carrying on the farm work. His fields are richly cultivated, bringing forth abundant harvests for he raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and practices the rotation of crops.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Neptune chose Miss Sophia Shoup, whom he wedded in January, 1871. She was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1850 and is a daughter of John and Nancy Shoup, both of whom died on the old farm in Holmes county, where they had reared their family of twelve children. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Neptune has been blessed with one child, Ardella M., who is the wife of G. H. Stafford and resides near Hayes- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford have a daughter, Mildred.
In his political views Mr. Neptune is a democrat who, believing in the principles of the party, gives to it firm and stalwart support. Since January, 1904, he has been a trustee of Green township and has served on the school board for about fifteen years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion who believes in the employment of competent teachers and the establishment of good schools. He was also supervisor of roads for a number
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of years. He holds membership in the Baptist church of Loudonville with which he has been continuously connected since 1865. Thus for forty-four years he has endeavored to conform his life to its teachings and there is no greater proof of his honorable, upright manhood than the fact that he enjoys the unqualified esteem, confidence and good will of all who know him.
CONRAD REASER.
Conrad Reaser, who in his farming and stock-raising interests has met with a measure of prosperity that entitles him to recognition among the substantial and representative citizens of Milton township, was born on the 7th of September 1844. His parents were Thomas and Christiana (Frauenfeler) Reaser, the former born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1815, while the latter's birth occurred July 15, 1818.
About 1869 Thomas Reaser made his way from the Keystone state to Ash- land county, Ohio, purchasing about fifty acres of land in Milton township, on which he erected a substantial residence and barn and also placed all necessary improvements. He was a stone mason by trade and worked at the occupation
at intervals in addition to general farming. He served his fellow townsmen in the positions of trustee and supervisor for several terms and was widely recognized as a leading and influential citizen of the community, his cooperation being given to all movements and measures calculated to promote the general welfare. He passed away on the 7th of May, 1899, while his wife was called to her final rest on the 10th of June, 1897, the county thus losing two of its most respected and esteemed residents, who by reason of their upright and honorable lives had gained the regard and friendship of all with whom they were asso- ciated. Their marriage was celebrated in 1836 and the record of their children is as follows: Conrad, of this review; Jacob, whose birth occurred December 9, 1846, and Mrs. Looma Brinker, who was born December 26, 1838, and died August 14, 1895.
Conrad Reaser remained at home until the death of his parents, looking after their interests and caring for them in their declining years. When both his father and mother had been laid to rest he took up his abode on an adjoining farm, which was the property of his father-in-law, Daniel Fisher, but which has since come into his possession. Here he is devoting his attention to the pur- suits of general farming and stock raising, making a specialty of sheep, and his industry, close application and capable management have insured him a gratify- ing measure of success in his undertakings. In early manhood he learned the blacksmith's trade but has been identified with agricultural interests throughout practically his entire business career. He has erected a handsome new residence and his farm commands a splendid view of the surrounding country.
On the 13th of August, 1874, Mr. Reaser was united in marriage to Miss Harriett Fisher, a daughter of Daniel and Harriett (Zerby) Fisher. Her father, who was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1815, came to Ashland county about 1836 and bought a farm of one hundred and eight acres, in the
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
cultivation and improvement of which he was successfully engaged until called to the home beyond. His political allegiance was given to the democracy, while in religious faith he was a Lutheran. He reared a family of six daughters and six sons, of whom eight still survive, Mrs. Reaser being the fourth in order of birth. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Reaser have been born three children, namely : Lovina E., born August 1, 1876, who became the wife of Joseph H. Lash, and passed away February 7, 1907; Thomas C., born August 26, 1878, who wedded Miss May Castle; and Amon E., who was born April 19, 1882, and now resides in Ashland with his wife, who bore the maiden name of Cleo Redding.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Reaser has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the democracy and is a public- spirited and valued citizen. He and his family are devoted and faithful members of the Disciple church at Ashland and are well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which they reside.
A. R. PLANK.
A. R. Plank, sole proprietor of the Jeromeville Mill, has given his entire life to this line of business, in which he has met with well merited success. He is energetic and determined in all his business affairs and his capable manage- ment of his interests is evidenced in the success which is now attending his labors. He was born July 20, 1856, about two miles east of Wooster, in Wayne county, Ohio, and was the youngest in family of fourteen children whose parents, Abram and Nancy (King) Plank were both natives of Pennsylvania, and both were members of large families. The father's people were cabinet- makers and millers for several generations. The parents of our subject were married in Wayne county, where the father carried on milling for some time. At the time of the birth of A. R. Plank he was engaged in the milling business in Wooster, Ohio. In 1858 he removed to Lake township, Ashland county, having purchased the Rochester Mills, on the Mohican. He owned both mills and when the Plank Mills, near Wooster, burned, with no insurance, he came to his Rochester Mills, which he operated until 1870. While living there the wife and mother died, A. R. Plank being at that time seven years of age. Later the father married again, but had no children by that union. He was of the Omish faith, while his first wife was a Dunkard in her religious belief, His death occurred at Orrville, Ohio. Of the family of fourteen children, nine reached years of maturity : Benjamin, Hiram, David; Samuel, Levi, Jemima, Malissa, Ellen, and A. R. Of this family David became a blacksmith, but the other sons were all millers and the daughters were all good bakers.
A. R. Plank was only about two years of age when his parents removed to Lake township, Ashland county, and there he remained until about 1870, as- sisting his father in the operation of the Rochester Mills as soon as old enough. About 1870, however, he went to Salem, Ohio, where he worked for a year and then went to Wooster, Ohio, where the brothers, Abraham and Hiram, had pur- chased a mill. He remained with them three years and ten months, after which
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
he spent about two years as an employ in a mill at Ada, Ohio. During that time his employer, his wife and child, died of typhoid fever, after which Mr. Plank and Mr. Shaw leased the mills, which they operated until they were sold. Mr. Plank then went to Nashville, Tennessee, where he remained for eight months,later returning to Wooster where he was employed temporarily about six months. Going to Navarre, Ohio, he there established a mill for Frank Peacock and after two months went to Galion, Ohio, where he took charge of a mill which his brother had purchased, spending seven years at that place. During that time he bought the present Jeromeville mill in connection with his brother-in-law, James Harpster, and the firm of Plank & Harpster existed until 1902, since which time the former has been sole proprietor. He has replanked the dam and increased the capacity of the mill from fifty to seventy barrels, and established the Micle system. The mill is now in good shape, having been equipped after modern methods and both a custom and merchant trade is carried on. Mr. Plank turns out all kinds of milling products, having the only mill in the county which manufactures rye and buckwheat flour. It was operated by water power until recent date but is now a steam mill.
. In 1880, in Wooster, Ohio, Mr. Plank was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Spear, who was born and resided in Wooster, a daugter of Fletcher and Charlotte (Watt) Spear, the former a native of Wooster, Ohio, and the latter of Scotland. His father was one of the pioneers of Wooster, coming to this state from Pennsylvania and had the first furniture and undertaking establish- ment in that place. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Plank have been born three sons: Walter E., who is now in partnership with his father under the firm style of A. R. Plank & Son, married Miss Lucy Alleman, a native of Jeromeville, and a daughter of Charles T. Alleman : Ralph C. and Paul E., the younger sons, are in school. Mr. Plank has lived a life of industry and his unremitting diligence has brought to him the success which he now enjoys. He is at the head of a good business and has a well established plant, everything about his place ex- emplifying the spirit of progress which is characteristic of modern milling methods. His products are of excellent quality and command for him a liberal patronage and a constantly increasing sale.
REUBEN R. HUNTER.
The farming interests of Ashland county find a worthy representative in Reuben R. Hunter, who is now living on section 26, Green township, his place being pleasantly located about one and a half miles north of Loudonville, on the Hayesville road. It was upon this farm that his birth occurred July 13, 1860, and it is therefore endeared to him through the scenes of his boyhood as well as of later years. In the paternal line he comes of Irish ancestry. His grandparents were William and Jane (Steel) Hunter. The latter was a daughter of James Steel, a resident of Greensboro, Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio and entered the land whereon Reuben Hunter now resides and later willed
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
it to his daughter, Jane. The former was a native of Ireland and when sixteen years of age bade adieu to friends and native country that he might seek a home and fortune beyond the Atlantic. Soon after his arrival in the new world he came to Ashland county. His wife was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and they arrived in this county in 1818, locating on what has since been known as the old Hunter homestead, where they spent their re- maining days, both passing away in 1821, there being only about six months difference in the time of their deaths. On their removal from Pennsylvania "they had brought with them a few household goods and they built a little cabin on a site that would now be in the public highway. They experienced all the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but were willing to endure this in order to secure a home for themselves and family. All of their children were born in Pennsylvania with the exception of one. Their eldest child, Betsey, became the wife of Pellem Cook and after his death married Charles Dewalt. Mary,
the second daughter, became the wife of Chadwick Bowen.
Eliza became Mrs.
Avery. Peggy married William Lincoln. Jane married Isaac Barger, and the sons were David, William, James and John, the last named being born in this county. Something of the condition that existed here at the time of the arrival of the Hunter family is manifest in the fact that Indians were frequent visitors in the neighborhood and two of the sons of the family, John and David Hunter, killed an old Indian chief, known as Captain Pipe, who went to their home and boasted that he had the tongues of twelve white men and wanted one more, after which he would be satisfied. The boys felt that they could prevent the sacrifice of another white man, went after him, shot him and buried him on the farm now occupied by Reuben Hunter. His bones were afterward dug up and taken away as relics.
The parents of our subject were John and Mary (Dowell) Hunter. The former was born on the old home farm in 1821, being the youngest of his father's family, and his entire life was spent in the immediate vicinity of his birthplace. His wife's birth occurred near Nashville, Ohio, in 1832. He became an exten- sive farmer, for as the years passed he carefully conducted his business affairs and his capable management and judicious investment enabled him to become the owner of about fifteen hundred acres of land which he left to his family at his demise. He cleared and improved a large portion of this and was thus closely associated with the agricultural development of the county. He died in 1900, while his wife passed away in 1904. John Hunter and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely: John, a resident of Green township; David, a farmer and stock dealer of Perrysville; Amos, residing in Richland county ; Lewis, living in Green township; Reuben R., of this review; Mary; and Jane, the widow of John Rowe, of Perrysville.
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