USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 91
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
DAVID HUNTER.
David Hunter, who is meeting with success as a general farmer and stock dealer, is also well known in financial and industrial circles of Perrysville as a stockholder in several large and important concerns which are proving. factors in the business activity and progress of the city. A native of Green township, Ashland county, Ohio, he was born on a farm a mile and a half from Loudonville on the 14th of July, 1854, a son of John and Mary (Dowell) Hunter, natives of Ireland and Holmes county, Ohio, respectively. The father came to America in early boyhood with his parents who died soon after their arrival in this country. He was reared by his older sisters in Green township, Ashland county, where he eventually married and made his home until his demise. He engaged in farming as a life work and became very successful as an agriculturist, owning at the time of his death seven hundred and fifty acres of farm land, most of which was situated in Green township, Ashland county. John Hunter and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely: John, a resident of Green township; David, of this review; Amos, residing in Richland county; Lewis, living in Green township; Reuben; Mary; and Jane, the widow of John Rowe, of Perrysville.
Reared under the parental roof, David Hunter spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm, assisting in the general work of the farm and at the same time acquiring valuable knowledge of the methods of tilling the soil that should serve as a good foundation for his subsequent success in this line of business activity. After his marriage, however, he purchased one hundred and forty- seven acres of land from his father adjoining the corporation limits of Perrys- ville on the east, which place he has since continued to make his home. He is also the owner of eighty acres of farm land adjoining the corporation limits of Perrysville on the west, making a total of two hundred and twenty-seven acres. Aside from general farming pursuits, during the past ten years Mr. Hunter has devoted much time and attention to the buying and shipping of stock of all kinds, and in all of his undertakings he has been eminently successful. As he has prospered he has extended his interests into other directions and today is a director and stockholder in the Perrysville Banking Company, a company com- posed of five members with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars, Mr. Hunter owning a fifth of the stock. He is likewise a stockholder in the Perrysville Pottery Company and of the Roofing Tile Company, and his connection with these concerns has brought him into important relations with the financial and industrial interests of the city and placed him among the representative and influential citizens of the community.
823
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
The year 1877 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Hunter and Miss Susan Boney, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, whose birth occurred in September, 1855. She came to Ohio in early childhood in company with her parents, Levi and Lydia Boney, both natives of Pennsylvania. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter are five sons : Edward, a resident of Perrysville, who is acting in the capacity of engineer at the Perrysville Pottery Company's plant ; John, of Freedom, Pennsylvania, an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad; Burton, a farmer of Green township; Floyd and Ernest, both still at home. Having spent his entire life in this county, Mr. Hunter has formed a wide acquaintance here and many of his warmest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood days, while in business circles he has won an envious position, not only because of the success which is his but because of the honorable and upright methods he has at all times employed.
DANIEL SNYDER.
Daniel Snyder, owning and operating a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Green township, is a native son of Ashland county, his birth having occurred on the farm on which he now re- sides on the 12th of December, 1867. His parents were Henry and Sarah Anna (Black) Snyder, the former born February 27, 1827, and the latter May 25, 1832. The paternal grandfather, who came to this county from Pennsyl- vania, bought a tract of one hundred and twenty-two acres in Green township and here spent his remaining days. This farm afterward came into possession of Henry Snyder, the father of our subject, who resided thereon throughout the greater part of his life. The maternal grandfather, Samuel Black, likewise came to this county from the Keystone state, taking up his abode in the vicinity of Mckay, in which town his demise occurred when he had attained the venerable age of ninety-two years. His daughter, Mrs. Snyder, was called to her final rest on the 26th of August, 1894. Her family numbered eleven children, three of whom died in early life, while eight still survive. The record is as follows : Samuel M., who is deceased; Henry Franklin, a resident of Green township; James Buchanan, of Columbus; Mary Ellen, the wife of Amos Hunter, of Mans- field; John Snyder, who makes his home in Lake township; Willis and Emma Bell, both of whom have passed away; Daniel, of this review; Elverta, the wife of George Thomas, of Green township; Anna Eliza Cordelia, the wife of Sam Budd, of Green township; and Charles, a resident of Vermillion township.
Daniel Snyder lost his father when only about twelve years of age and, being one of a large family, was early obliged to provide for his own support, working as a farm hand by the month as soon as old enough to handle the plow. In 1902 he bought the home farm of one hundred and twenty-two acres and also an adjoining tract of land, so that his property now embraces one hundred and sixty acres on section 15, Green township. It is situated on the Perrysville and Mckay road, a mile and a half from Mckay and three miles from Perrys- ville. On the farm are good outbuildings as well as a commodious and attrac-
824
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
tive residence and a substantial barn, which was built by Mr. Snyder after the old one was destroyed by fire. He has brought the fields into a state of rich fertility, so that he annually harvests good crops and derives therefrom a grati- fying income and, being not only progressive but also thoroughly practical in his methods, he carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 4th of October, 1902, Mr. Snyder was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Vesta McClure, whose birth occurred in Vermillion township, Ashland county, March 26, 1884, her parents being Louis and Josephine (Huston) McClure, who are natives of this county and make their home in Vermillion township. Their family numbered five children, namely : Mrs. Snyder; James C., who died in infancy ; Lottie Pearl, at home; Dollie May, who likewise passed away in infancy; and Lula Flossie, who is also yet under the parental roof. Both Mr. and Mrs. Snyder are representatives of old and well known families of Ashland county, where they have spent their entire lives, their many sterling characteristics having gained for them kindly regard and warm friendship.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HUMPHREY.
Persistent, earnest labor has won for Benjamin Franklin Humphrey a creditable and satisfactory measure of success. He is still giving his undivided time and attention to general farming, which he conducts on section 23, Green township. He was born in Vermillion township, Ashland county, on the 14th of December, 1857, and has spent his entire life in this part of the state. He was a son of John and Rebecca (Tawney) Humphrey. The father's birth occurred in Vermillion township, November 6, 1832, while the mother was born in Pennsylvania, March 1, 1834. The paternal grandparents were Andrew and Mary (Humphrey) Humphrey, who were of Irish lineage but it is not definitely known whether they were natives of Ireland or not. They cast in their lot with the early settlers of Ashland county, sharing with the pioneers all the hardships and privations incident to establishing a home on the frontier. Reared to farm work John Humphrey made that pursuit his life occupation and always maintained his residence in this county. Both he and his wife passed away on the 14th of December, 1906. Both suffered from pneumonia and they passed away on the anniversary of the birthday of their son, Benjamin. In his early life John Humphrey had been a carpenter and was connected with building operations to some extent, but always owned a farm. He had forty acres of land which he tilled in connection with work at his trade. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he served as township trustee and as assesor of Green township. In all of his official duties he dis- played an unfaltering loyalty to the trust reposed in him as well as marked ability in discharging his duties. Unto him and his wife were born eight children : Mrs. Mary Bittinger who is living in Green township; Mrs. Emma Kellogg, of Marion county; Andrew, who died March 27, 1877, at the age of twenty-two years; Benjamin Franklin ; H. S., who is a resident of Green town-
825
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
ship; John E., living in Mansfield, Ohio; Michael W., a resident of Orange township; and Hattie Adell, living in Montgomery township.
In his boyhood days Benjamin F. Humphrey became a pupil in the public schools and mastered the branches of learning therein taught. In the periods of vacation he was engaged in farm work and lessons of industry and enterprise were impressed upon his mind. He learned how best to till the fields and pro- duce good crops, so that the farm annually gives a maximum yield in the corn, wheat and other cereals which are here raised. The place comprises one hundred and twenty-five acres lying in sections 14 and 23, Green township, his home being on the latter section. He has lived on this farm for sixteen years but expects soon to leave it and remove to Loudonville, where he will remain until he finds another farm which he wishes to purchase.
On the 26th of June, 1879, Mr. Humphrey was united in marriage to Miss Emma Shaffer, who was born in Green township, May 12, 1861, and is a daughter of Peter and Susan (Black) Shaffer. They now have two children: Gertrude M., the wife of J. M. Kettering, of Loudonville; and Charles W., living in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey have many friends in the com- munity and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes. Mr. Humphrey is recog- nized as a man of good business judgment and sound discernment, whose energy has brought to him a well merited measure of success.
1
J. M. BITTINGER.
Dr. J. M. Bittinger was born July 21, 1849,on the farm which is now his home and here he has resided continuously to the present time. His parents were Daniel and Susannah (Colliflower) Bittinger, natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania and of Maryland, respectively. In her girlhood days Mrs. Bittinger accompanied her parents to the Keystone state and there she was reared and married in 1827 and removal was made from Pennsylvania to Ohio, the parents of our subject locating about eight miles east of the home of their son, Dr. Bittinger, in Lake township which was then a part of Wayne county. Soon afterward, however, they came to the farm on which the Doctor now lives and their remaining days were here passed. The father secured one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 11, Union township, about a mile west of Mckay and as most of it was covered with timber when it came into his posses- sion, with characteristic energy he began to clear the farm and through his per- sistent labors brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. His religious faith was strong and abiding and proved the guiding spirit in his life. He was active in the German Lutheran church and later in the German Reformed church. As a citizen he was interested in all public affairs pertaining to the progress and upbuilding of the community and gave stalwart allegiance to the democratic party. He held various township offices and was an ardent champion of the cause of education doing all in his power to advance the interests of the schools. His family numbered seven children: Sarah, who died at the age of seventy-two years; Katharine, who died when about twenty years of age;
826
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
Daniel and George, who passed away in childhood; Leah, the wife of M. C. Heifner, of Green township, who is living on a part of her father's farm; Anna, who died when about fifty-seven years of age; and Joseph M. There was also an adopted son, W. T. Bittinger, who is living in this township on a part of the Bittinger homestead; and they likewise reared a little orphan girl, Maggie Grimes.
In his youthful days Dr. Bittinger entered the public schools and ac- quainted himself with the branches of learning therein taught. He afterward became a pupil in the Green Town Academy and subsequently read medicine with Dr. James Yocum, while later he continued his reading under the direction of Dr. E. V. Kending for a time. He attended the lectures of the Cleveland Medical College in 1882 and lacked but one term of completing the course when ill health forced him to abandon his studies. He has farmed here in addition to practicing and has twenty-six acres of the old home property which originally comprised one hundred and sixty acres. He is naturally a man of literary tastes and studious habits and has always been a broad reader and a deep thinker. He takes great interest in many lines of literature and is a well informed man, thoroughly understanding the vital questions of the present day.
On the 26th of November, 1877, Dr. Bittinger was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Humphrey, who was born in Green township, Ashland county, November 10, 1851, and is a daughter of John and Rebecca (Tawney) Hum- phrey, both of whom are natives of Green township and spent their entire lives on a farm in Ashland county. The former was a son of Andrew and Mary (Humphrey) Humphrey, who were of Irish lineage and became pioneer residents of this part of Ohio. They lived in a little log cabin home amid the conditions and environments of pioneer life, often having to build fires at night to keep the wolves away. There were various wild animals in the woods and Indians yet frequently visited the neighborhood. Much arduous labor was demanded in opening up the new farms, but the pioneer settlers were a courageous, industrious class of people who were willing to meet conditions on the frontier in order to secure homes for themselves and families. Andrew and Mary Humphrey had a large family of children. The Tawney family was also founded here in pioneer times, the grandparents of Mrs. Bittinger being Michael and Katharine (de Haven) Tawney, who were natives of Pennsylvania and were among the early residents of Ashland county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Humphrey were born eight children : Mrs. Bittinger; Emma, the wife of W. H. Kellogg, of Marion county, Ohio; Andrew J., who died at the age of twenty-two years; Frank and Harvey S., both residents of Green township; John, living in Mans- field, Ohio; Michael, of Orange township, Ashland county; and Della, the wife of Charles Reagan, of Montgomery township.
Dr. and Mrs. Bittinger have one son, Howard Thayer, who was born in Green township, May 22, 1879, and is now a school teacher. He married Miss Libby Goard.
Dr. Bittinger was coroner of Ashland county for six years, or three terms. He has also served as township appraiser and as justice of the peace. He has always given his political allegiance to the democracy and is greatly interested in social and economic questions, which constitutes a vital force in the history
827
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
of the state and nation. He is by no means a self centered man but one who in thought reaches out to the world's problems and its work, while his opinions are influencing factors among those who know him, for they regard his judgment as sound and reliable.
CHARLES F. SPENCER.
Charles F. Spencer, a prominent agriculturist of Sullivan township, this county, who is well known in Grand Army circles and descends from a pioneer family of this state, was born September 14, 1846, on the place where he now resides, his grandparents Joseph W. a soldier of the war of 1812, and Biddie (Archbold) Spencer, having come to this state from Maryland in the early pioneer days and were well known as influential people throughout the county. The grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812 while the father Charles F. is a son of David G. a captain of the state militia, and Margaret (Ferrell) Spen- cer, who came here from Harrison county, this state in the early '30s. Upon their arrival almost the entire country was a vast forest, the only highways being a road running east and west and another running north and south through the vil- lage of Sullivan and these roads in that day were little more than blazed trails. Their first work upon reaching the land was to erect a log cabin and after having secured comfortable shelter they began to clear and cultivate the land. Little by little they succeeded in accomplishing the undertaking and soon they had a por- tion of the property in such condition as to submit to the plow and yield grain, part of which they used to supply their own immediate necessities and the remain- der they hauled to the markets at Sandusky, Milan and Elyria. Here they spent their lives in agricultural pursuits and reared a family, among whom were: Joseph W., a retired farmer of Alta Vista, Kansas, and a veteran of the Civil war; Mary E., wife of Edsel W. Chamberlain, of Oberlin; and Charles F.
Charles F. Spencer acquired his education in the district schools, in the meantime engaging in the duties of his father's farm, where he remained until he was sixteen years of age. On February 28, 1863, he enlisted in the Twenty- fifth Independent Battery, of the Ohio Light Artillery, and saw active service in the western army until December 13, 1865. During the conflict he was in- jured, at Little Rock, Arkansas, the marks of which are still apparent. After the war Mr. Spencer resumed farming in Sullivan township, where he has since resided with the exception of four years spent in Kansas, where he en- gaged in agricultural pursuits in Elk county, from 1872 to 1876. In con- nection with producing general crops and stock raising he carries on a dairy business and has gained quite a reputation for the quality of his dairy products and his liberal patronage has made the enterprise one of the most lucrative.
On December 28, 1868, he wedded Miss Alice Close, daughter of Nathaniel and Amanda (Naylor) Close, the family being originally from New England and the first white one to settle in this township. To this union have been born three children, namely : Ella, the wife of Marion Wells, of Cleveland, Ohio;
828
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
David E. of this township, who served throughout the Spanish-American war in Company D, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Albert C., of Alliance, Ohio. Politically Mr. Spencer is allied with the republican party to which he has always been loyal and being a public-spirited man he has always taken an interest in the affairs of the community in which he lived and while a resident of Kansas served one term as justice of the peace, has also served in that office here and also as a member of the school board. He is prominent in Grand Army circles, being a member of Fuller Smith Post, No. 356, G. A. R., in which he has filled all the offices and has been extended the honor of delegate to both the state and national encampments. He belongs to Lodge No. 313, A. F. & A. M., in which he has filled all the offices and is now serving as junior warden. Mr. Spencer
has always been faithful to his religious duties and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is class leader, steward and trustee. He is well known throughout the community, particularly on account of his agreeable companionship and being an interesting narrator he is frequently sought by his many friends who appeal to him for entertainment. His character is unsullied and always having been a good and industrious man as well as a useful one he has the confidence and respect of his neighbors and is among the substantial citizens of the township.
C. C. STAMAN.
C. C. Staman represents one of the old and well known pioneer families of this part of the state. Here he has always lived, covering a period of more than three score years and ten. His birthplace was near his present home in Mifflin township and his natal day was June 18, 1838. He was the third in order of birth in a family of five children whose parents were Benjamin and Anna (Kauffman) Staman, of whom mention is made on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of J. K. Staman.
In the usual manner of farm lads the subject of this review was reared and early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He remained upon the farm where his birth occurred until the time of his marriage and has since lived at his present place of residence, which is a part of the old homestead. Here he has two hundred acres of rich and arable land, of which forty acres was once a part of the old home place. His farm is all in one tract and adjoins the village of Mifflin on the west. It also borders the Richland county line and one of its boundaries is the Black Fork creek. One hundred and ten acres lies on section 14, Mifflin township, Ashland county, while ninety acres lies in Mifflin township, Richland county, the only division in the property, however, being this imaginary line of division between the two counties. It is well equipped with the modern accessories and conven- iences known to a model farm of the twentieth century. There are good buildings which are commodious and substantial. A large barn and numerous sheds furnish ample shelter to grain and stock, while his own residence is a fine home, attractively and tastefully furnished. He carries on general farming and
829
HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY
stock raising and both branches of his business are proving profitable. While excavating for his barn he opened up about a dozen Indian graves. This was at one time the Ruffner farm, originally owned by John Ruffner, who was killed by the Indians September 10, 1812, while helping to defend the Zimmer family. Mr. Staman has made all of the later improvements on his farm and the dwelling and all of the outbuildings stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. His residence is surrounded by fine shade trees and a well kept lawn and is one of the most beautiful homes in the township. Everything about the place is indicative of his careful supervision and practical methods and his success is most creditable. In addition to his agricultural interests Mr. Staman owns a store in Mifflin in connection with his son-in-law, E. L. Davis, the enterprise being conducted under the firm style of E. L. Davis & Company for the past sixteen years. He is also a stockholder in the Ashland Savings Bank and his name is an honored one on commercial paper.
In March, 1861, Mr. Staman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Croninger, who was born in Mifflin township in 1840 and is a daughter of Benjamin and Martha (Keifer) Croninger. Their children were two in num- ber: Nettie, now the wife of E. L. Davis, a merchant of Mifflin; and Hulda, who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Staman is a republican but manifests only a citizen's interest in political affairs. He has taken a most active and helpful part, however, in the church work, holding membership in the Lutheran church of Mifflin, in which he has served as deacon, as elder and as superintendent of the Sunday school. He has been officially connected with the church for over thirty years, being an elder at the present time. He is a representative business man, alert and energetic, standing as a splendid representative of that type of citizen who accomplishes results and while laboring for his individual success also promotes the public prosperity.
FREDERICK EDWARDS.
Frederick Edwards is the president and sales manager of the Kauffman Manufacturing Company. He was born in Ashland an the 4th of September, 1867, and is a son of William and Mary (Saner) Edwards, whose family num- bered three children, of whom two are now living, the daughter being Ida M., the wife of J. W. Kennington of Ashland.
No events of especial importance occurred to vary the usual routine of life for Frederick Edwards in his boyhood and youth. His time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the play ground and such tasks as were assigned him by his parents. He continued as a public school student to the age of seventeen years when he entered the employ of Kauffman & Beer, working in their bed spring factory. His first week's labors brought him three dollars and forty-five cents of which he paid three dollars for board. As the days passed however, his ability increased and he worked at the bench for eight years, becoming an expert in that line. He was
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.