History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 38

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 38

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).

DAVID. BRYTE.

Mr. Bryte was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in Decentber, 1806, and in iSe; his parents removed to Jefferson county, Ohio. In 1821, when sixteen years of age, he and a younger brother walked to Clearcreek township, in Richland county, and passed through the then village of Uniontown, now Ashland. At that the, fifty years ago, it contained but a few log cabins and one or two small stores. For a number of years he fol- lowed the occupation of teaching school. At that period be taught several terms in Milton and Mont- gomery townships. He then located in Mansfiel!, where he continued to teach until about the year is.je About this time he became deputy under Sheriff Me. Culloagh, and served two terms, and was elected sheriff one term. Upon the erection of Ashland county in 1845 -6, he removed to his farm three miles south of Ashland, and in tago was elected a justice of the pence. In 1853 he was elected infirmary director, and resigned to remove to Allen county, where he remained a few years.

Mr. Bryte had been twice married, and his second wife and five children, all grown, sarsive him. He was an acceptable and zevons member of the Christian

1 --

---- -..

155

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

church. He was a man of nervous temperament, and during his prime, a very ardent Democrat. His long residence in this vicinity enabled him to become ac- quainted with most of the pioneers of the county. He took great pleasure in recounting the exploits and ad- ventures of the early settlers and their families. He lived to see great changes in men, and the general ap- pearance of the country. He was buried in the ceme- tery in Ashland on Thursday, March 28, 1872.

JOHN SCOTT

was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1793. He continued to reside in that county until The was about twenty six years of age. He attended the neighborhood schools until he had obtained a fair knowl- edge of the English branches. His father was a.farmer, and had located in the wilds of Washington county after the close of the Revolution, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Mr. Scott grew up an active, robust, and intelligent young man, and evinced an inclination to lo- cate amid the forests of the Ohio country, as this State was then called.

In October, 1818, he married Miss Matilda Weakley, of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and in the spring of 1819 removed to the west part of Vermillion town- . ship, Richland (now Ashland, ) county, to the land now known as the Joshua Campbell farm, where he purchased some two hundred and twenty acres, erected a cabin, and commenced the arduous task of cutting away the forest to prepare fickis for cultivation, and his future home. When he arrived the settlements in Vermillion were very sparse. When a cabin was to be erected, it required a circuit of many miles to procure hands suffi- cient to accomplish the task. When he commenced his pioneer home, it is believed that Peter and John Van- gilder, joseph Strickland and his sons, William S. and Joseph, William Reed, Mr. Harlan, Mr. Lattimer, George Eckley, Ezra Warner, Ephraim Eckley, Mr. Crabb, Mr. Beabout, Mr. Beck, Mr. Wallace, and a few others, were the only residents of the township. These funilivs were very much scattered, and the only inter- course was in assisting each other in preparing cabins, rolling logs and the like. Mr. Scott continued active operations as a pioneer farmer about twelve years, and then located at Hayes' Cross Roads, where the town of Hayesville now stands, in the winter of 1831, and open- ed a small store. The store-room was in a log cabin on what is known as Armstrong's corner. He subsequently erected a more substantial building, and entered into partnership with Mr. Daniel Porter, in the dry goods business. The new firm was remarkably prosperous, and did an active trade for that day.

Mr. Scott was a quiet, clear-headed, far-seeing man, and gave his energies full scope. A want of suitable markets for the surplus products of the pioneer farmers greatly embarrassed them. Mr. Scott became convinced that he could greatly relieve these embarrassments by pu :- chasing the surplus cattle and horses, and driving them to

a suitable market. He entered largely into that enterprise, and by his promptness, fidelity and shrewd management, not only relieved the farmers -- to their profit-of such stock, but greatly benefitted the firm. At a subsequent date, when Pittsburgh, Portland (now Sandasky City), Cleveland and Milan were the only market. for the sur- plus wheat of the township, which had to be hauled over rough roads at great expense, Mr. Scott came to the res- cue of the farmers by erecting a mill in 1847, and con- verting a large quantity of wheat annually into first class flour. In this, as in all other enterprises, fortune favored the brave. He continued in trade and the mercantile business about thirty years. In the meantime he sold his Armstrong corner to Jacob Kinnaman and purchased, in 1840, what is known as the Francis Graham brick building on the opposite corner south, and continued in business until 18;6, when he soid to Messrs. Cox & Hig- bee, and practically retired from active mercantile busi- ness. In 1857 his son Weakley W. entered into busi- ness at the old stand and continued several years. Mr. Scott died in 1864, aged seventy-two years, and was buried on a beautiful Indian mound within the corpora- tion of Hayesville, where Mrs. Scott and other members of the family were subsequently interred. Mr. Scott was a large man, full six fect bigh and of fine appearance. He was calm and dignified in his deportment. He was noted for his business integrity, good judgment, prudence and shrewdness. Very few teen have accomplished as much, and none have distributed more benefits in this county. While he regarded business as a business man, and insisted upon promptness and integrity at all times, he was sympathetic and charitable to a remarkable degree; and while in business never distressed the poor. This excellent trait was rewarded by great fidelity on the part of those whom he befriended, so much so that he was ac- customed to state "he rarely lost a cent by trusting a poor man."

Mr. Scott left three sons and one daughter at his de- ceae-Mr. W. W. Scott, who resides near Hayesville, John Scott, a lawyer, who resides and practices his pro- fession in Cleveland, Dr. David Scott, who married the only daughter of Governor Allen, and who resides at Fruit Hill, near the city of Chillicothe, and Miss Sidney Scott, of Hayesville.

William Scott, a brother of John, sr., emigrated to Vermillion township in 1832, and resided on what is known as the Michael Helbert farm. He married Miss Edwards, of Miffin, and died in 1854, aged sixty years. He was distinguished among the pioneers as a fine marks- man and a very successful hunter. Many anecdotes are related concerning his adventures.

JOHN BRYTE

was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, July 20, Soc. Michael Biste, his father, removed to ff ferson county, Ohio, in 1807. The fandly consisted at three boys, John, Nathaniel and David, and three girls. In 1815, Michael Bryte died. John, after the deceased

156

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

of his father, returned to the Forks of the Voughio- gheny, where he remained nearly four years, attending a district school in the winter, and laboring in the summer season. In 1819 he accompanied Mr. Nathaniel Bailey, a relative, to Clearcreek township, walking all the way from the " Yoh." On the route he passed through New Lisbon, Canton and Wooster, then new villages. Mr. Bailey had located in 1817, and Mr. Bryte, for a time, made the house of Mr. Bailey his home. When he en- tered the township the names of those who preceded him were: Nathaniel Bailey, Abraham Huffman, Daniel Huffman, David and James Burns, Abraham Clayburg, Jacob Foulks, Richard Freeborn, John and Thomas Henney, Abel Bailey, John Bailey, Thomas Ford, Elias Ford, John McWilliams, John Aten, Robert McBeth, and possibly a few others. At that period a great many Delaware Indians made annual visits in the spring and fall of the year to make sugar and hunt decr, which were quite numerous along the Black and Vermil- lion rivers and the branches of Mohican. They often encamped in different parts of the township, but were harmless and never interfered with their white neighbors. In these excursions the hunters were often accompanied by Thomas Lyons and Isaac George, two rather noted old Indians. Mr. Bryte frequently met the eccentric, but inoffensive, Johnny Appleseed, alias John Chapman, as he meandered over the country planting appleseeds and cultivating nurseries. Mr. Bryte was the second clerk of Clearcreek township, and beld the office eleven years, the township having been organized in 1820. He was also trustee a number of times, and was a wann friend of the common school system at all times, being one of the earliest teachers in the township. He was a man of benevolent feelings, and in 1856 was appointed trustee of the Central Ohio lunatic asylum at Columbus, by Governor S. P. Chase, and continued in that position until 1862. In iSzo he became an active member of the Baptist church, near Ashland, and in 1835. united with the Christian church, and has been one of its speak. ers nearly forty years, and has adorned his profession by an upright life.

In 1824 he married Miss Elizabeth Ford, daughter of Thomas Ford, and in 1826 purchased a part of the farm -- section twenty-six, on which he deceased. On this land he found an ancient earthwork containing over three acres. 1. is not nearly obliterated from long cul- tivation with the plow.

In 1874, Mr. and Mrs. Bryte celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedded life, having all their children and friends present. In August, 1874, he went to Cal- ifornia with his son Michael, who for many years had been a resident of that State. He returned in the fail, and until his decease loved to dwell upon what be sowe and learned during his visit to the Pacific. He related the scenes and incidents of his journey in a manner so entertaining and earnest, that he never failed to deeply interest all who heard bin. At the organization of the pioneer and historical society of Asbland conaty, of the tenth of September, 1875, Mr. Bryte presided as the first temporary president, and became an active member of

the association. During the summer his general health began to fail, and he was confined to his room for some time. He again rallied, and hopes were expressed that he might be spared many more years; but he was again seized by sickness. He died of pneumonia, on Saturday Evening, February 17, and was buried at Bryte's church, in Clearcreek township, on Monday, February 19, 1377. In his death Clearcreek los: a valuable citizen, and soci- ety an influential and exemplary member. Mr. Bryte was noted for his strong common sense, his integrity and love of truth and fairness between man and man. The pioneer society misses him very much, because he possessed an extraordinary memory, and remembered the history of his township very clearly: The obituary com- mittee of the society adopted the usual resolutions con. cerning his decease.

HUGH BURNS

was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 20, ISto, and emigrated with his parents to Milton town- ship, Richland (now Ashland) county, Ohio, in 1820. and settled on what is now known as the Kelley farm. In the fall of the same year Andrew Buins, sr., father of Hugh, built a cabin on what is now known as the John Huzlet farm, then owned by his brother, Barnabas Burns, and resided in it until iS21, when he moved to a cabin near the present site of Yeaman's mill, in Shoffi. township, where the family remained until 1823, and then located on the Richard Woodhouse farm in Mil. ton. In iSeg Mr. Burns, father of Hugh, purchased what is now known as the Burns' farm, near the school. house of that name in the west part of Miton town- ship, where he resided until his death in 1857, at the age of seventy-seven years. He was born in Donegal. Ireland, and was a devout Catholic. He came to Phila- delphia in :301, and about 1812 located in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in i820 he removed to Ohio. He had three sons, Hugh, Andrew, and Barnabas, ard two daughters, Margaret and Sarah. Mrs. Barns died in 1851, aged seventy-five years.

Hugh attended the schools of the neighborhood, and! obtained a fan knowledge of the English branches, and at an early day commenced his career as a teacher. While a young man he was elected township clerk, and the records show a very neat journal was made by him. At the organization of Ashhind county in 1846, he was selected as county auditor, a position he held until 1851. He made an efficient. industrious and conscientious wifi. cer, and was much respected for his integrity and per- sonal worth, At the expiration of his term of office: he opened a dry goods store in Ashland : but the enter prise proved unfortunate, and he failed in business, los ing pretty much all the capital he had invested. He then recommence the life of a farmer, which seem most congenial to his nature. He parenased the wall half of what is known a. the Nicholas Rutin form, nevi his old home in Milton to which he removed in 180; During his residence in Astland he took an active in

----

157

HISTORY OF ASHILAND COUNTY. OHIO.

terest in the public schools, and was repeatedly a mem- ber of the board of education.

When a young man he became a member of the Bap- tist church of Windsor, and in 1546 joined the Disciple church of Ashland, of which he remained a member un- til 1867, when he was transferred to the Clearcreek Dis- ciple church, of which he is now an active member. Mr. Burns is regarded as an exemplary, high-toned and conscientious Christian.

When he arrived in Milton, in 1820, he recollects the following pioneers had preceded his father : Fred- erick Sulcer, James Kelley, James Andrews, Amos and Samuel Hilburn, Peter Lance, William Dickey, James Crawford, John Kent, Robert Andrews, Robert Nelson, and a few others. The first mill he attended was Rey- nold's near Windsor. In 1821 he attended Newman's mill to obtain grists. The first preachers, Presbyterian, were Robert Lee and Mr. Matthews ; and of the Metho- disis, Mr. Haney and Mr. Hazard; and of the Baptists, Mr. Jones-say from 1820 to 1825.

ANDREW MASON

was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1801. His father, Martin Mason, emigrated with his family to Columbiana county in 1804. In August, 1814, in company with his brother Jacob, Jacob Crouse, Jacob Young, Martin Hester, Lot Tod, and Peter Biddinger, Martin Mason visited Orange township, then in Richland county, and put up six cabins. Jacob Mason was ac- companied by his family, and boarded the above men- tioned pioneers while engaged in erecting the cabins. In addition to his household goods, Jacob Mason brought a team and three cows. Upon the completion of their cabins, they returned to Columbiana county, and, in Oc- tober, Martin Mason, . Jacob Young, Jacob Crouse, Joseph Bishop, and l'eter Biddinger, in wagons, suitably covered, removed with their families, household goods and their cattle, to their cabin homes in the forests of Orange and Montgomery townships. The little colony was composed of thirty-one persons, including, women and children. The heads of families were all originally from western Pennsylvania. They followed Beall's trail, froin four miles west of New Lisbon, through the village of Wooster, to the present site of Jeromeville, where they encamped on what is now the Samuel Naylor farm. From thence they cut a path on the east side of the stream to the residence of John Cair, in Montgomery township; and thence in a northwest direction across the present farm of Andrew Mason, to Young's bridge, on the Orange road, where they struck the old Indian trail, which they followed to the present site of Leidigh's mill. For a short time Mr. Mason located on what is now known as the Shophell form, and, in 1815, at the site of Leiligh's. The residences of Meses Crouse, Bishop, Young, and biddinger, are well known.

At that period the new settlers were compelled to traverse the forest paths to Stibbs' mill, one mile east of Wooster, to obtain a supply of flour and meal, or use

hominy blocks or hand-neills. During the winter of 1814-15, which was remarkably severe, the new settlers were nearly destitute of meat, and had to depend on the unerring rifle or friendly Indians for a supply of wild meat. Their cabins were imperfect, having puncheon floors, open chimney places and clapboard doors. Their bedsteads were made of poles fastened in the walls, and covered with clapboards, upon which their straw beds rested. The wheat and corn used was purchased mostly at New Lisbon and carried on pack-horses to Stibbs', to be converted into floor and meal, and again packed to the settlement in Orange.

In the fall of 1815 Martin Mason commenced the erection of a small grist-mill, which was completed in March, 1816. It had niggerhead or bowlder stones, and was quite an accommodation to the settlers. It was the second mill erected in this part of the county, Mr. Oram having completed a small mill one and one-half miles northeast of the present site of Ashland, a short time before, on the modern site of Ritter's mill.

Martin Mason died August 14, 1866, aged eighty-two years. He then resided in Richland county. His fain- ily consisted of John, Andrew, Margaret, Mary, Martin, and Anna. Andrew and Martin reside in Montgomery township, and are farmers. Andrew is a gentleman of good memory, and possesses a fair English education, having at- tended school in the log cabins of Orange township nearly sixty years ago. He retains a vivid recollection of pioneer life and its hardships, and we have drawn liberally from his stores of experience in other chapters of these sketches. As a farmer he has been successful, and pos. sesses a fine homestead.some two and one-half miles northeast of Ashland. He has served efficiently as a justice of the peace for Montgomery, and became a miem- ber of the Ashland county pioneer society organized on the tenth of September, 1875. He has been on active member of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years, and adorned his profession by an upright walk. The members of his family mostly reside within Ashland county. At this time (1879), Al. Mason and his wife are in excellent health, and may survive to an advanced age .* They entered the forests of this region and have seen them leveled and the country dotted with thous- ands of happy homes.

MRS. ELIZABETH MASON.

Mrs. Mason, who was a daughter of Valentine Heiff- ner was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1807. Having relatives in Orange township, then Richland, but now of Ashland county, she came, when a young lady, on a visit to that region with Mr. Snider and wife, formerly of Pennsylvania. Her sister, Mrs. Barbara Rowland, had come to Orange some years prior to her trip, and not having good health, became very lonesome in that region, then comparatively an un settled forest. The object was to aid her sister in recoy. ering her health and contentment. The new settlers of

* His wife died in the spring of theu. See Iography

158

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

that day were compelled to endure many hardships and privations in order to prepare homes. Christian Rowland and lady finally became residents of Uniontown, now Ashland, where they died about 1832, and are well re. membered by old citizens of Ashland. During her resi- dence with Mrs. Rowland, Elizabeth became acquainted with Andrew Mason, and in 1824 they were married, and she never returned to her native country to live. It is proper to note, as a pioneer reminiscence, that Mr. and Mrs. Mason were married by Rev. James Haney, who was the first Methodist preacher in this county, whose son, John Haney, was the proprietor of Haneytown, but now the village of Savannah, in Clearcreek township, in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Mason lived together as man and wife fifty-five years, three months and twenty-five days. She went through many hardships, having gone over the period since 1824 in which great changes have occurred in the wild regions of Richland, but now Ash- land county. Cabins and forests were then found in all parts of the county. After a long struggle and enduring many hardships the first settlers succeeded in taming the wilds of the native woods, and now reside in comforta- ble homes, surrounded by desirable improvements, and the abundance furnished by rich lands, industry and genial climate to reward the industry, economy and fin- gal habits, for which the pioneers of this county are noted. Mrs. Mason passed through all these scenes a cheerful, industrious Christian lady, and like her husband, long an exemplary member of the church of her choice. At a pioneer meeting on their premises, in 1879, in which · many of their neighbors joined, Mrs. Mason prepared, in the ancient way, a lot of corn bread, which was regarded quite a treat. She seemed much interested in the exer- cises of the pioneers, and became a member of the county society at that time. The pioneers are passing rapidly to that bourne from whence no traveler re- turns. As the giay haired patriarchs are called to bid adieu to earth, we trust they may be found fully prepared for that great change, and welcomed to that rest prepared in that better country for all the good. Mrs. Mason was buried on Sunday, March 21st, in the Orange cemetery. Her remains were conducted to their last resting place by about seventy carriages which formed the procession, followed by relatives, neighbors and friends, making eight or nine hundred people present. The funeral dis- course was preached by Rev. P. Roseberry from II. Cor- inthians v, 1, assisted by Rev. A. Lyon, presiding elder of the Methodist church.

Mrs. Mason was the mother of thirteen children, six of whom preceded her to the better land. She had twenty-eight grandchildren, one of whom had passed over the river of death before her departure. She had four great-grandchildren. She had been a Christian and a motherly pioneer, and an affectionate wife for over half a century, and we trust has found the reward of every Christian and faithful wife.

One evening she asked the friends to sing "Home of the Soul," and " I am so glad that Jeses loves me." She then broke out in joyous strains : " I am so glad that Je- sus loves me." In a vision or dream she said she saw

her little grandchild in the spirit land; she was very happy, and sent word to her parents to not mourn for her.

MEMORIAL. .Two more hands are gently folded On a faithful, silent breast; Two more feet have ceased to journey Through life's howling wilderness; One more head is freed from aching, One more heart has ceased to beal, One more soul has left its casket -. Gone to Heaven's safe retreat.

One dear face no more appearing When the breakfast table's spread; One less kneeling at the altar When the evening prayers are said;

One more husband sad and lonely, One more family motherless, One more singing hallelujah, In the regions of the blest.

Six dear, sainted little spirits Opened wide the golden gate, When they saw their mother coming To enjoy their happy state. Still the blissful chorus singing, Angels shout it loud and long, "Welcome, welcome sainted mother, Welcome to this happy throng."

O, cheer up, dear father Masou, Soon your journey will be o'er, Then you'll meet your dear companion Where sad partings are no more. Children, serve your mother's Saviour; Heed your mother's dying prayer --- May the family reunited, Dwell forever with her there. -MRS. S. Z. KAUFEMAN.

Nova, Ashland county, March 22, 1880

PETER THOMAS

was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1798, His father, George Thomas, emigrated with his family, to Harrison county, in the spring of 1807. In 18:5 Peter Thomas, then sixteen years of age, traveled on foot, accompanied by the family watch-dog, a large and faithful mastiff, along a new path leading from Cadiz to the village of Wooster, and rested one night at Stibbs' mill. The next night he reached the cabin of John Ravet, near the present site of Rowsburgh. The follow- ing morning he pursued his journey by paths until he struck Beall's trail, at Jerome's place, and thence along a blazed path partly opened, to beam's mill, three miles below Mansfield, on the Rocky fork of Mohican. Jacob Beam, the owner of the mill, was an uncle. He re- mained a few weeks, and returned. In 1817, his fath- er's family came on and erected a cabin on the present site of Mifflin, believed to have been the first shingled house in the township of Mifflin. When the tide of emigration commenced, after the close of the war, the road from Mansfield to Wooster, passed through Peters burgh, as the village was then called, and it became the principal route to Richland and other western counties for emigration. Mr. George Thomas, father of Peter, kept the first house of entertainment, which was well

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.

History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 38

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896