History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 51

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 51

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"Squire, as this seems to be a case involving some in- tricate legal questions, I have no doubt you will desire a few days to investigate, and decide it."

The justice promptly responded: "Not at all, gentle- men. The case was decided more than three hours ago."

The attorneys were amazed, and demanded to know why he had permitted such extended arguments.

The justice said : "Gentlemen, you appeared anxious to hold a discussion, and I was not averse to hearing it. No harm is done -- the case is decided."

At the organization of Ashland county, in 1846, Mr. Bull was elected a representative to the Ohio legislature, and served one session. He was then elected to the senate one term. When the new constitution was adopted, the district was changed, and he declined to be a candidate. The senatorial district, at his election, was composed of Ashland and Wayne counties. As a mem- ber of the house and senate, Mr. Bull acquitted himself with ability. He was an ardent Democrat of the Jeffer- sonian and Jackson school, and attracted much attention in the senate by the independent utterance of his princi- ples. He was a large man-full of courage -- outspoken and manly in his address. He possessed a warm heart and a clear head. He detested every species of hypocrisy, time-serving and political cowardice. Full of humor and pleasant in his general deportment, he made many warm friends wherever he went. Although not a member of any church, from his earliest intercourse with the people of Hanover, bis table was often spread for the pioneer preachers, whom he treated with courtesy and kindness.

In the vigor of manhood Mr. Bull was prostrated with paralysis, and, after lingering a few months, deceased December 13, 1852, aged about fifty-three years.

Mr. Bull was an honest man --- frank even to bluntness ---- of undaunted courage, and possessed mental powers of a high order. As a citizen, an officer, and a business man, he was conspicuous. He is worthy of a high place in the history of his township and county.

Mrs. Mary Bull, wife of Colonel George W. Bull, died March 8, 1877, aged seventy-seven years, seven months, and twenty-five days. She had been sick about three weeks with aente bronchial inflammation.

The remaining members of the family are: John W. and George Franklin, of Loudonville: Mrs. Sarah J. Slutz, of Cleveland; Mariah, Mary, and Phebe, of Lou- donville; Emily Hazlett, wife of Thomas M. Hazlett, of Howell, Michigan ..

LORIN ANDREWS, L.L. D.

Lorin Andrews was born in Uniontown, now Ashland, April 1, 1819, and was the second male child born within the present limits of the town. Alanson Andrews, his father, resided in a small log cabin, about thirty five or forty feet south of Main street, on the lot on which the office of M. H. Mansfield is now located. Heis it was that Lovin Andrews first saw the light, learned to lisp the name of his parents, and began to give evidence of

-- - -

J. P. CULLER.

SAMUEL CULLER.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

that talent for which he became, in after years, so noted. When quite young, his father purchased of David Mark. hey, the farm adjoining Ashland on the southwest, and located thereon. Lorin attended the district schools of the village, and inade rapid progress in the branches taught at that period. He was much beloved by his schoolmates, because of his amiable disposition, spright- liness of manner and acuteness.

When he was about seventeen years of age, he was regarded as one of the foremost youths of the village. In the year 1836, the patriotic fires of the Revolution were still kept blazing on the altars of the country. It was resolved to celebrate the natal day of our freedom in a becoming manner. To this end, after several village meetings, it was agreed that the people would assemble in Carter's grove, about one and a half miles cast of Ashland, on the fourth of July, for that purpose; and that Michael Ritter, who kept a hotel on the premises now known as the Finley property, be invited to prepare a dinner; and that Torin Andrews be requested to pre- pare and deliver the oration. When the time for assem- bling arrived, the procession was formed at Ashland, with Alexander Miller as marshal of the day; and the people were escorted to the grove, headed by a band, composed of Jacob Grubb as drummer, Pierce Robinson fifer, Joshua H. Ruth and John K. Billings with flutes. Young Andrews delivered the oration with a coolness and self-possession that astonished the assemblage. His address had been carefully prepared, well studied, and delivered with an ease of manner and grace of gesticu- lation that was pronounced admirable. The dinner and toasts followed. And the festivities of the occasion are yet referred to by many of the pioneers with much pride.

A copy of the address of young Andrews was pub- lished in the Ohio Globe. a little paper, then edited by our late townsman, Joshua II. Ruth.

A bright future was predicted for the young orator; and his father was induced to send him where his am- bition, as a student, could have a better field and be more fully gratified. He at once entered the grammar school of Gambier college, where he commenced a thorough course of instruction. He remained in the grammar school about two years, and entered college, but during his junior year, in :840, owing to financial embarrassment, was withdrawn from college. He re- turned to Ashland, and after a few months, by invitation of the trustees, took charge of the Ashland academy as principal, aided by several able. assistants, in the male and female departments. Under bis superintendence the school was in a most flourishing condition; students from every part of the State, and from distant States, came in by the hundred and enrolled their names. Not having completed his collegiate course, Professor An- drews was compelled to continue his studies in private, to keep in advance of his students. He applied himself with uncommon industry, and distanced the most ad. vanced classes; he evinced a knowledge of the branches taught, and a readiness in recitation that was really sur prising. His manner, as an instructor, was agreeable and well calculated to win the esteem of the student.

He had a peculiar faculty of enlisting the sympathy, re- spect and confidence of all with whom he was brought in contact. He was frank and pleasing in his address, and a student met but to love and honor hin. When compelled to enforce, with apparent severity, the rules governing the academy, it was done in such a way that the student respected him for his impartiality and evi- dent intention to do justice. The writer of this sketch has seen Professor Andrews, scores of times, after repri- manding a hot-headed student for some gross violation of the rules, while yet smarting under the reproof, and blinded by rage and resentment, approach him at the black-board in the most friendly manner, take the chalk and give him a statement, and frequently solve the problem. Such treatment would soften the resentment of any young man of reflection, and secure his respect. In this Professor Andrews evinced his deep insight into human nature, and often succeeded in taming the ferocity of the worst students, and changed the whole current of their lives. With him "kind words could never die."

Professor Andrews was a fluent conversationalist, was very kind and gentlemanly in his manner; and egotism was an element that could not be detected in his inter- course with his students or society. In fact, he was the least selfish public man I ever knew. The result was that while he always had a flourishing school, and was popular among the students and the people, he was al- ways financially distressed. If he found a student strug- gling to obtain an education, teaching in the winter and attending the academy in the summer, he would not exact tuition, but insist that his pupil should go ahead, and pay him when he could. This was often equivalent to no pay.

As a speaker, Professor Andrews was not an orator, unless we define oratory to be the ability to please and hold an audience. His addresses at school institutes, and lectures before his classes, were all delivered in con- versational style. He talked remarkably well, and could hold an audience or an institute for hours. There was a fascination about his manner that invariably made his audience feel friendly toward him, while the lucidness of his ideas enlisted their whole attention. As a lecturer before institutes, he was widely known throughout the State, and be exercised as much or more influence, per- haps, than any other teacher in the west.

In consequence of his success as a teacher, in IS46, the honorary degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by Kenyon college.

In 1850 the union school system was adopted in many parts of the State. The trustees of the schools at Mas- sillon solicited Professor Andrews to become superin- tendent. In an unfortunate hour the people of Ashland permitted him to retire from the academy, an institution which had been an ornament to the town, and a source of profit to our people. The academy speedily passed away, and the buildings were merged into the union schools.

Professor Andrews remained at the heal of the Mas sillon schoois about three years, during which time he

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

was nominated by the Whig party, under the new con- stitution, for commissioner of common schools for the State. He failed, by a small vote, to secure his election. Under his management the schools of Massillon were very efficient and popular.

In December, 1854, he was invited to accept the pres. ideney of Kenyon college, with which request he eom- plied. He was the first lay member of the Episcopal church who had been invited to fill that position. To be selected to preside over such an institution was in- deed a flattering compliment. His high educational at- tainments, added to his purity as a man, made him the worthy recipient of such an honor. His presence in the college acted like magic-his friends from every part of the State began to look toward Kenyon as an appropri- ate place to edueate the young men of the country. The eollege reecived new life; and energy and prosperity were diffused through every department. Students be- gan to fill the classes, and everything betokened a pros- perous future for the institution.

Some months after Professor Andrews had been in- augurated president of Kenyon college, the honorary degree of LL. D). was conferred upon him by Princeton college, New Jersey. This was a high distinction and well deserved, beeause of his remarkable suceess as an educator.

In 1861, in the midst of his success as president of Kenyon, the rumbling sounds of diseontent were borne from the south, and a sanguinary civil war seemed to be imminent. In February, believing the war to be inevita- ble, President Andrews offered his services to the gov- ernor of Obio. In April he raised a company in Knox county, which reported to the governor, and he was ap- pointed colonel of the Fourth Ohio regiment. Soon after his regiment was ordered into West Virginia, where it remained on duty during the summer. In September Colonel Andrews, in consequenec of exposure, was at- tacked by a malignant form of typhoid fever, that fell destroyer of so many northern soldiers, and, although able to reach his home in Ohio, was so much prostrated that the friendly efforts of the physician, and all human aid, failed to avert his impending end. The sentiment-

Our life is a dream, Our time like a stream Glides swiftly away,

was fully illustrated. He died September 18, 1861. Just prior to his departure with his regiment to Virginia, fearing some disaster might overtake him, he, accom- panied by his wife, went into the cemetery at Gambier, and selected the spot where he desired to be buried in case of his death in the army. His wishes were com- plied with, and his honored remains now rest in sight of the institution he loved so well during his active and use- ful life.

Much surprise was manifested among many of his old friends when it was learned that he had abandoned the presidency of Kenyon college to accept a place in the army. It was believed that his true feldl was that of letters, and that his tastes all ran in that direction. When a student under his instruction in the old Ashland

academy, years prior to the war, while translating Ho- mer, Virgil, Xenophon, Livy, Cicero, and the orations of Demosthenes, the military spirit could be plainly detected in his comments upon the strategy of the heroes of that age. At the mention of Achilles, "swift of foot"-"Pe- leus' godlike son" ---- "Mighty Agamemnon, king of men" - the venerable "Nestor"- the achievements of the Seipios, Alexander, Caesar, Hannibal and Pompey, his enthusiasm exhibited itself in a forcible manner. There ean be but little doubt if Colonel Andrews had survived the war he would have reached an elevated position as a military man, and acquitted himself as bravely as a Mor- gan, a McPherson, and a Sheridan. He was very am- bitious to excel in everything he undertook, and his spirit, like-

"An eagle soared

On restless plumes to meet the imperial sun."

His motto was "eonquer, never eower at, opposition." Hence he was always making progress in the line of his profession. His theory was-

"Rest not! Life is sweeping by; Go and dare before you die. Something mighty and sublime Leave behind to conquer time.".

Right well he performed his pait in the drama of the world. He was only about forty-two years old at his de- cense. Tew men have aecomplished more. From a cabin, by the force of his genius, he elevated himself to the presidency of one of the best colleges in the west be- fore he was thirty-five years of age, and proved himself one of the first educators of the times.

In person President Andrews was about five feet eight inches high, would weigh about one hundred and thirty- five pounds, hai: inclined to be curly and sandy, a broad forhead, a clear gray eye, a manly free full of benevo- lence; in his manners, courteous and gentlemanly ; in his gait, very erect and quite sprightly in his movements. Such was President Andrews, one of the noblest sons Ashland ever sent forth, and whose career is worthy the emulation of all her future sons.

JOHN SPRINGER

was born in Allegheny county, . Pennsylvania, October 27, 1794. He was of German descent, his ancestors having come from that country prior to the American Revolution. He grew to manhood ainid the border seunes of his native country, and learned the story of the cruelties of the savage red men. His education, in consequence of the newness of that region, was confined to the elementary branches. At the age of twenty, in the year 1314, he visited Richland, now Ashland county, Ohio, and selected the homestead, where he deceased. His father, Michael Springer, had entered three quarter sections of land at the office in Canton, in Montgomery township, upon one of which he built a cabin, while John selected another tract. On this trip he was at. companied by Jacob and William Figley and his son John. They all camped together by the side of a large log, against which they erected a shed roofed camp.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

house. They built the first cabin for Jacob Figley, who moved to it first, and made the farm the homestead, where he died many years since. In raising the cabin, they invited John and Charles Wheeler, Conrad Cline, Jacob Heller, Jesse Newell, Jacob Cline, and the late Daniel Carter and son, they being pretty much all the settlers in the township. Provisions were growing very scarce. Michael Springer and the Figleys had brought along a few bushels of corn-meal, some potatoes, and a little salt meat on a pack-horse ; but when the cabin was ready to be raised their food had become almost ex- hausted. In preparation for the raising, John Springer took his gun and hunting dog the day before the frolic, and scoured the forest in search of wild meat. When he arrived hear Beall's trail, some two miles south of their hut, his dog treed a large and very fat raccoon, which he shot, and upon arriving at home dressed and boiled it with potatoes for dinner on the day of the rais- ing. He obtained from some of the pioneers a little flour, which was mixed in a sugar trough and baked into an ash-cake for the same occasion. With a degree of merriment Mr. Springer informed the writer that the hands all thought it a very fine dinner and relished it very much, washing it down with parched corn coffee boiled in a brass kettle. This was in December, 1814. just sixty-four years ago. That region of Montgomery township was then a dreary and dense forest, inhabited by wolves and other wild animals. The war of 1812 was drawing to a close. They had been six weeks pre- paring Mr. Figley's cabin and were glad to retrace their steps to Allegheny county. The party returned by way of Wooster, then a mere village, staying one night at a little hotel kept by a Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jacob Figley, who was a brother-in-law of Mr. Springer, returned to Ohio in 1816 and occupied his cabin; while John Springer did not permanently locate until 1818. He came out and cleared a fraction of the land prior to that time, making his home part of the time at the hotel of William Montgomery. then located where the hardware store of Mr. Stull now stands, and often went deer hunting with the late George Swineford to supply their quota of wild meat-he also boarded at the same log hotel. About this time he married Eliza- beth, daughter of the late Daniel Carter. When Mr. Springer located he was of the opinion his neighbors were William Dwire, Solomon Sherradden, John Owens, Peter Swineford, George Batler, the Wheelers, Cunes and Newells; and in 1820 Henry Springer, Elijah Smith, Jesse Callihan, who married Rachel Carter, and the Fig- leys, William and Jacob.

Mrs. Springer deceased about 1847. since which time John Springer has resided with his children His fami- ly, at his decease, consisted of five sous and five daugh- ters, all grown: William, John, Lorin, Augustus and Herbert, Susan, Matilda, Rachel, Elizabeth and Irsula, all living.

Mr. Springer lived a harmless and exemplary lite. For nearly fifty years he was strongly attached to the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church, though of late years, from the distance of his residence from the

church, he was compelled from the infirmities of age, to remain at home most of the tinte.

At the organization of the Pioneer and Historical so- ciety of Asaland county, he became an enthusiastic member, and was always in attendance at the regular meetings. It is a remarkable fact that Mr. Springer was never known to have been sick until his last illness, which was but of a few days' duration. He died at the residence of Samuel Thornburg, in Montgomery town- ship, Thursday, December 5, 1878, aged about eighty- four years, of general debility.

He was followed to the grave, the final resting place of all, by a large number of neighbors and friends. Ile was buried at the Carter cemetery beside his wife and kindred. Peaceful is the rest of the good and true.

THE MCGUIRES.

The grand parents of the Ashland county McGuires, of Irish extraction, appear to have located near the Po- tomac, in Virginia, as carly as 1771. About the close of the Revolution, three brothers -- Francis, Robert, and John --- appear to have located in what is now Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, where Francis and Robert at- tached themselves to Brady's patrol, and became famous as Indian fighters and scouts. Francis died in Brooke county, Virginia, in 1825, aged about seventy-eight years. Robert lost his life in Cross creek, in a skirmish, in 1794. John died in 1831. Thomas and Hugh were sons of John.

Hugh fist visited this county in ISto, in company with Robert Newell, and others, on a hunting excursion. In ISI Mr. Newell entered the farm in Montgomery township, which subsequently became the property of Hugh McGuire. Hugh emigrated in 1841. He was a fine mathematician and a polished gentleman. He filled the office of township trustee for a number of years, and, after the erection of the county, was infirmary director. He was averse to holding office, and asked no promotion. He was an influential and lending citizen, and exerted that influence in behalf of his friends. He died Sep- tember 13, 1867, agred eighty-one years. This family are all dead, but two daughters.

Thomas McGuire settled in Vermillion township in 1831, and died in the spring of IS49, aged seventy-two years. He was a man of fine native abilities, but could not be induced to accept an office. When in his prime, he wielded more political influence than any citizen of Richland county, and often controlled an election.

Thomas and Benjamin, nephews of Thomas and Hugh, settled in Green township, in 1837. They are influential and leading citizens. Thomas is seventy-five, and Benjamin about sixty-four years of age.

JOSEPH STRICKLAND

was born in the State of New Jersey, January 1. 1921. and removed with the family of his father, Jest Strickland, st., to Jefferson county, Ohio, prior to the

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

war of 1812, and thenee to Vermillion township, now Ashland county, a few years subsequent to the elose of that war. His father had served honorably as a soldier from New Jersey in the war of the Revolution, and died in Seneca county, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty- six years, in 1850. In 1826 Joseph Striekland, jr., the subject of this sketch, purchased and removed to the farm on which he deceased, in the northwest part of Vermillion township. He improved his homestead and made it a valuable property. He connected with the Methodist Episcopal church carly in life, and was an exemplary Christian for over fifty years, and several times a leader in the church. He was noted for his domestic worth, and kindness to his family. His affection and goodness of heart had a cheerful influence over his chil- dren, all of whom revered, honored and followed his counsel. As a citizen, he was quiei and unobtrusive. His integrity and uprightness fitted him for publie pro- motion. He was frequentiy ealled apon by his neigh- bors to fill offices of trust in his township. He served as trustee, justiee of the peace and infirmary director, and retired from the latter position, some years since, because of a paralytie attack, which disabled him, and prevented an active discharge of publie duties. In polities he was a Demoerat, and had been from his arrival at manhood. He was noted for his benevolent and kindly feelings, and made an excellent infirmary director. He has gone home to rest with the just and the pure, May his ex- ample as a Christian and a man have its influence upon those who remain to conduct the affairs of their fellow eitizens.

Mr. Strickland died at his residence in the northwest part of Vermillion township, Sunday, October 8, 1876, after a long and painful attack of paralysis, aged seventy- two years, nine months, and one day.

At a meeting of the obituary committee of the His- torical and Pioneer association, of Ashland county, ap- propriate resolutions were adopted regarding his de- cease.

JOHN PORTER

was born in Virginia, October 15, 1799, and removed with his father's family to Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, in 1810. In 1824 he removed to Vermillion township, now Ashland county. He located near what is known as Smith's mill, near Beall's trail and camping ground. His brother Daniel and several acquaintances had been in Beall's expedition in 1812, and finally loca- ted in the same neighborhood. Mr. Porter's neighbors were John Johnston, Thomas Roe, Urial. Johnston, George Eckley, Eli Finley, George Keene, Isaac Vail, Robert Finley, Lemuel Bolter, and Jolin Farrer, and shortly afterwards Isaac Pavilin.

Mr. Porter improved his farm and resided on it until January 20, 1866, when he deceased. His widow still survives. His sons are David, deceased, William O., and Daniel.

William O. Porter has filled a number of township

offices, and been sheriff four years. He possesses a good education, and has recently studied law, and been admitted. He resides on the old homestead.

EDWARD METCALF

was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1783, and removed to Mohican (then Killbuck, ) town- ship, Wayne county, in the spring of 1815, and located on what is now known as the Robert Glenn farm. He cleared and improved his land, and resided on it for many years. He deceased in 1856, at the age of seventy- three years. His family consisted of three sons, John, Vachel, jr., and Daniel; and three daughters, Julia, Nancy, and Rachel. The family have all removed to other localities, except John, who resides in the vicinity of Mohicanville. He is by occupation an industrious farmer.

THOMAS METCALF,

brother of Edward, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1797. He grew to manhood in his native county. In June, 1818, he married Miss Nancy Durbin, of Washington county. In September, having heard mueh of the richness of the valleys of Mohican, he and his lady traveled on horseback to the residence of his brother, Edward, in the wilds of the valley, and tarried a few weeks, until he erected a cabin. His father had entered a piece of land three miles south of the present site of Jeromeville, upon which Thomas Metcalf settled.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 51

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