USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 52
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He passed through all the struggles of pioneer life, and resided about fifty-eight years on the same farm. In 1868 he had the misfortune to lose the wife of his youth. Since that occurrence, his hours have passed slowly. In 1875 he became partially paralyzed; February 9, 1876, he deceased, at his old homestead, aged seventy-nine years and one month. His family consisted of Drusilla, Rachel, Maria, Eliza, and Sarah; all married.
WILLIAM LATTA
was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1777. He settled in the east part of Montgomery town- ship, in the fall of 1815. His nearest neighbors were John Carr and Robert Newell. Mr. Latta had some trouble in procuring hands to aid in erecting lis cabin. In doing so he had to go as far south as the present site of Jeromeville. When his rude house had been com- pleted, his next difficulty was to procure food. He travelled through the forest, along Indian paths, to Shrimplin's mill to procure corp, and when converted into meal, carried it home on a pack-saddle. He also nrde many tops, with horse and pick-sadal., to Subh.' mill, near Wooster. These trips were toilsome and not devoid of danger. Mr. Latta was a Large, rugged man, and met the datigers and toils of pioneer life with un-
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HISTORY OF ASHI AND COUNTY, OHIO.
daunted fortitude. He prepared an excellent farm, and, in his old age, lived comfortably. He was a member of old Hopewell Presbyterian church. He died Febru- ary 2, 1849, aged seventy-two years. His family con- sisted of Lewis, John, William, Moses, and Jackson. Moses owns the homestead; John and Jackson reside in Iowa, and Lewis and William are dead. These sons were noted for their remarkable size and vigor. Moses is a good business man, and has been twice elected in- firmary director for the county, and a number of times township trustee.
MOSES LATTA.
Mr, Latta was born in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, January 20, 1815, and removed with his father, the late William Latta, to Montgomery township, Rich- land, now Ashland, county, in the fall of 1815. He at- tended the common schools of the neighborhood, and obtained a fair knowledge of the elementary branches. When his father settled on Catotaway his neighbors were few and far between, and in the erection of cabins and other buildings, it was the custom of the pioneers to go many miles to assist the new settler. In the earlier history of Montgomery township the Lattas were noted for their industry, energy and physical vigor, all the sons being large men, and constitutionally clever. William Latta, the father of Moses, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and like his ancestors, was strongly attached to the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. He was, for many years, a member of "Old Hopewell" in Ashland, and his sons were impressed by the same faith. Upon the decease of William Latta, in 1849, Moses became possessed of the homestead, where he has resided the major part of the time ever since. He was a man of good business habits and of unquestioned integrity, and was frequently elected to act as school director, town- ship trustee, and twice an infirmary director for Ashland county. He was a large, energetic, hard working man, and had accumulated quite a fortune. His general health began to give way carly in the summer, and con- tinued to fail until he became prostrated, and gradually approached the hour of dissolution, which occurred on Saturday, November 11, 1876. His remains vere in- terred in the cemetery at Ashland, on Tuesday, Novem- ber 14. Mr. Latta leaves a widow to mourn the loss of a most excellent husband. During his late sickness, he connected with the Presbyterian church of Ashiand.
He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Pioneer and Historical society of Ashland county.
As a citizen, neighbor and business man, he stood de- servedly high, and will be much missed and lamented in the circle of his past and present associations. Peace to his ashes.
JOHN S. NELSON
was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1512, and moved with his father's faraily to Mihoa township, Richland, now Ashland, county, in the spring
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of 1816. He was the oldest son of Robert Nelson, one of the leading pioneers of Milton township, and saw it clothed in its primitive forest. When a boy he roamed amidst its wilds, and often saw the wild deer, bear and wolves. A serenade of wolves was very common, and the pioneers were compelled to enclose young calves, slicep and swine to prevent capture by wild animals. He grew to manhood in Milton, attending log-cabin schools, helping to remove the forest, erect cabins, cutting high- ways, and making other improvements. When his father entered the township the Delaware Indians, in their hunting excursions, often passed down Beall's trail, and hunted along the streams of this county, but never inter- fered with the citizens of Milton. But a few families preceded Robert Nelson in Milton. John Nelson, in a personal interview with the writer, said he remembered the following: James Gunthel, Peter Lance, James Kel- ley, Frederick Sulcer, John Anderson, Obediah Ferrell, Alexander Reed, Edward Wheeler. Allen Lockhart, Wii- liam Lockhart, Henry Wetzel, George Myers, David Teal, John Kane, Abraham Doty, David Pollock and Laban Conley.
In 1846 he volunteered from the State of Illinois, to serve during the Mexican war, and with his company was in several battles, one of the most noted of which was the battle of Buena Vista. He was in Colonel Clay's regiment, and assisted in carrying that gallant young offi- cer from the field after his fatal wound. His company was attacked in this engagement by a squadion of lan- cers, and Mr. Nelson was wounded twice; once by a ball in the hand, and afterward by a lancer, who struck him in the breast with his lance. He shot and killed the Mexican and secured the lance-head, which he brought home as a trophy.
Like all those from the north who entered the Mexi- ican army, he became a victim of chronic disease, result- ing from dysentery. For many years he has been too feeble to labor, and constantly a sufferer. Many years since he became a member of the Lutheran church, and adorned his faith by an upright walk. The immediate cause of his decease was a fall, in which be fractured bis hip-bone. He failed rapidly, ard after three or four days of pain he expired January 28, 1877. His remains were interred in the cemetery at .Ashland, Tuesday, Jan- uary 30, 1877. He was also a member of the Ashland County Historical and Pioneer society. Suitable resolu- tions were passed by the appropriate committees touch- ing his decease and life.
JACOB FREES,
of English German descent, was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1868, and he came to Wayne county, Chio, in November, iSze, ail to Wayne township, with his father's family. He remained there until :85;, then removed to Smithville, same county, and, in 1864, removed to Ashland county. He learned the trade of a shoutmaker, and carried it on in Wayne county, with a shoestore, until he came to Ashland
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
county. He attended common schools, and became a member of the Lutheran Reformed church in 1825. He is now a member of the English Lutheran church of Ashland, and has been an elder six or seven years. When he came to Ashland he became one of the pro- prietors of the steam saw mill until 1870, and then retired. His family consists of two sons and four daughters.
JOHN VAN NEST
was born December 1, 1814, in York county, Pennsyl- vania. He attended cominon schools, learned the trade of a saddler in 1831-32, came to Wooster, Wayne county, in 1838, and worked until 1839. He married Miss Sarah Wiley, of Smithville, Wayne county, May 2, 1839, moved to Rowsburgh the same month, and has carried on business ever since. He has served as a jus- tice of the peace six terms. He was elected commis- stoner in 1864, and served two terras. He has been a member of the Lutheran church since 1849. His ances- tors were from Holland, and located in New Jersey. His father, John Van Nest, located in York county, Pennsylvania, and came to Wayne county in 1838, and died in Millbrook, in 1862, aged eighty-seven.
John Van Nest is the father of ten children-two dead, eight living.
JESSE CHAMBERLAIN
was born in Windom county, Vermont, September 27. 1794. In June, 1815, he married Betsy Mann, of the same county. In 1817 he accompanied what is known as the Parmely colony as far as Medina, where he re- inained until 1819, when he settled in Sullivan, now Ash- land county. The colony traveled from the east with six teams, one yoke of oxen, and sometimes the addition of one horse to each wagon. The wagons were covered and contained beds, cooking utensils, and provisions for the trip. They also brought along a number of cows, which supplied milk on the way. They came by the way of Buffalo, New York, and were many weeks making the journey. These aged people yet (1376) retain con- siderable physical vigor. They are quite lively, and theit mental powers seem to be unimpaired. They had three children-Adeline, wife of Mr. Rice, Alzina, deceased, and Miranda, deceased. Whitney and Richard Cham- berlain, brothers of Jesse, settled in the township with the mother who died in IS43. They are deceased.
ASA S. REED
was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, December 22, 1817. His father, Josiah Reed, came to Westfield, Medina county, Ohio, in the spring of 1829, and died February 18, 1830. He left his family in limited circumstances. AAsa was apprenticed to a farmer migtil he was twenty years of age, to be instructed to the rule of three is arithmetic, and in spelling, reading and writing In 1934
he hired as a farm hand at twelve dollars per month, and unfortunately wounded his hmb, which had to be ampu- tated near the knee. He suffered many months, and be- ing unable to labor was reduced to the necessity of being aided by charity. As soon as he could regain sufficient strength, he engaged in various enterprises to recruit his fortunes. In 1835 he taught school three months. His chief occupation until 1844 was that of teacher. He then undertook to learn the trade of a tailor, and sewed three months in Jeromeville with John D. Jones. In 1846 he was elected recorder of Ashland county for the short term of six months, and was re-elected continuous- ly the three following terms. He acted at the same time as notary public nine years. He then taught one term in the Union school at Ashiand. He has been remarkably successful as a teacher, and has taught more terms than any teacher within the limits of the county- in the aggre- gate amounting to near fifteen years. In 1859 he re- moved to Sullivan, and became a successful farmer and teacher. He married Priscilla Smalley, of Perry town .- ship, by whom he had three sons-George W., John F., and Oliver. George is dead. In December, 1872, Mis. Reed deceased, aged fifty-one years. April 29, 1873, he married Charlotte Forbes, of Ashland, an experienced teacher, and a resident of Ashland for about forty-two years. Mr. Reed and his former and present wife were and are cxemplary members of the Christian church. He possesses a neat and valuable homestead, and is an- other illustration of what can be accomplished amid all embarrassments by industry, perseverance, integrity and an upright life. Few in early life have. undergone more trials, and few have been more successful in mastering all'obstacles.
MARTIN MASON, SR.,
was born in Germany in 1742, and emigrated with his parents to America in 1745, and settled on the south branch of the Potomac river, in Virginia. When he was about thirteen years of age, in 1755, he was cap- tured by the Indians. This occurred about two weeks after the disastrous defeat of General Braddock, when on his way to attack Fort DuQuesnc. Young Mason was taken by the Indians to the fort, and thence, by Niagara, to Canada, where he was pirchased by a French officer at Montreal. When General Wolfe capr tured Quebec, in 1759, young Mason was ordered, by his master, to conduct the family to a neighboring swamp for safety during the battle. Four years after the surrender of the city to the English, in 1763, he was lib- erated and returned home, after an absence of about eight years, where he remained until his marriage. He subsequently removed to what is now Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and located land by "tomahawk right," winch consisted in blading frees around the tract selected and having it surveyed and recorded, all of which cost but a wide. This was four or five years after the Den. more war, when with h's neighbors, he was greatly har- raised by the Indians for a number of years. Mr.
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
Mason died at an advanced age on the old homestead of the late Jacob Mason, in Orange, in 1838, aged ninety- six years, leaving nine children: Elizabeth, Barbara, Margaret, Abigail, Mary, John, Martin, Charles, and Jacob. Martin and Jacob located in Orange township, Ashland county, and Charles in Columbiana county, Ohio. He was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1780, and died in Columbiana county, in April, 1869, aged about eighty-nine years. He had four sons, John, Martin, Jacob, and Lewis. Martin emi- grated to Ashland county in 1844, and settled on a quarter of land purchased by his father in 1814. He was born April 12, 1817. He still resides on the home- stead. His children are a son, W. A. Mason, and two daughters, Emila and Mary.
REV. JOSEPH SEELEY PARKER
was born in South Salem, Westchester county, New York, May 10, 1795. When seventeen years of age, he went as n' substitute in the war of 1812, four months. In 1813 he was drafted for three months in the same war. In his first tour he was in the battle of Queens- town. After the war he resided in Columbiana county, Ohio, two years, to which he removed in 1826, and then in Austintown five years, and in 1833 removed to Troy township, now in Ashland county, and located amid a dense forest on lot three of surplus lands. Upon his arrival he found Benjamin Moore, David Mason, David Carrier, Ralph Phelps, Nicholas and Christian Fast and their families. At that time Francis Granger, of New York, owned nearly all the lands of the town- ship, and the primitive forest covered the same. Two years after his arrival, the township was organized. and he thinks, at the first election, there were seven votes cast for the following officers: Benjamin Moore, justice of the peace, J. S. Parker, treasurer, Sanford Peck, David Mason and Ralph Phelps, trustees. He is unable to name the constable. The return was made to Elyria. The first school was a little south of his present resi- dence, and was taught by Ralph Phelps. It was in a cabin, which was sometimes used as a church for the earlier preachers. Mr. Parker and his venerable lady became members of the Methodist Episcopal church as early as 1813-14, and he was licensed as a local preacher nearly sixty years ago. The first class was or- ganized by him at his cabin a short time after his arrival in the township, from which has grown the fine structure in Troy center. He states that the Baptists erected a small building and had a few members at an early day, but the organization went down. He and his lady, now (1876) about eighty-two years of age, are quite vigorous, and their mental powers seem to be unimpaired. When they arrived, and for a few years afterward, the Hyan- dots from Sandusky hunted in the neighborhood. . 1 number of buts were found a little northwest, near a deer lick. He found on and about his premises great numbers of flin: arrow points, stone aves and fleshers, some of which he has presented to the Historical and
Pioneer society. He is drawing a pension of ninety-six dollars annually for his services in the war of :812, and takes a deep interest in the prosperity of the country. His wife's name before marriage was Eunice Phelps. She is a sister of the wife of the venerable Nathaniel Clark, of Troy, another soldier of 1812. Their children are Alonzo, Elisha, Samuel, Joshua, Nathaniel, Mary Ann, Julia and Hannah. They are somewhat scattered. All are married, except Samuel, who died many years since. Mr. Parker could never be persuaded to travel on a cir- cuit. For over fifty-five years he has been a speaker and zealous advocate of the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church. In his earlier ycars he was a fine singer and a fluent speaker.
REV. R. D. EMERSON.
Richard Dumont Emerson was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, near the city of Alexandria, August 14, 1794. His mother was a highly educated French lady, whose maiden name was Louis, a branch of the royal family, and his father also of French birth. A brother of his mother accompanied General Lafayette to this country, and fell in the battle of Brandywine, during the Revolu- tionary war.
In his youth, Mr. Emerson attended school near Alex- andria, and acquired a fair English education.
When about eighteen years of age he entered the army of the war of 1812, as a volunteer, and was at the battle of Crany Island, where' he was honorably men- tioned for his conduct on the field, and promoved to captain. At the close of the war he returned to Alex- andria, and engaged in business as a manufacturer and dealer in shoes and boots.
In 1824-5, when General Lafayette visited Alexandria and Mt. Vernon, Captain Emerson was one of the mir- shals who commanded the guard that received and conducted the general to that "Mecca of American free- men," the tomb of George Washington. He was a fine horseman, and was highly complimented by General Lafayette for his fine military bearing on that occasion.
While a young man he became an active memberof, and local minister in, the Methodist church. In :840 he removed to Guernsey county, Ohio, and became a Lutheran minister, He subsequently removed to Aslı land county, and preached for Lutheran congregations at Rowsburgh, Hayesville, Mifflin, and Orange. He was regarded as a forcible and fluent speaker, and made a fine appearance in the pulpit. In 1852 he was elected a member of the Ohio legislature from Ashland county, and served one term, declining to be a candidate for re-election. In r$54 he was appointed postmaster at Hayesville, and retained the position to the close of the administration of Franklin Pierce. In 1860 he removed to Missouri, but subsequently located and took charge of a Lutheran congregation at Bardstown, Kentucky, where he remained until May, 1876, when he removed to Clark county, Missouri, where he decessed after a lingering illness, September 20, 1876, at the achenal
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
age of eighty-two years and twenty seven days. Mr. Emerson had served his church, as minister, about forty- six years, and was regarded as an able and influential exponent of the creed and teachings of Martin Luther, the great German reformer.
He was enrolled among those who drew pensions for services in the war of 1812, and it may be truly said, "he served his country as a patriot, and his church as a Christian."
Mr. Emerson was above medium in size, very erect, had black hair, large gray eyes, and was impressive and dignified in his bearing. He was exceedingly fond of fine horses, and rode with all the grace of a marshal of France. His tastes were largely military, and if he bad been reared in a country like France, he would have risen to distinction in military life.
He was married three times. His family consisted of Rev. William A. G. Emerson, of Kentucky; Colonel Richard D. Emerson, of Iowa; John Emerson, deceased ; Mrs. Martha, White, of Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, of Canal Dover, Ohio; Mrs. Virginia Crellen, of Mis- souri; and Mrs. Caroline Ewing, of Illinois.
REV. SAMUEL MOODY.
The Rev. Samuel Moody, of Scotch-Irish descent, was born in Northampton county Pennsylvania, February 14. I801, in the vicinity of the mission station of David Brainard, among the Indians. His parents being Pres- byterians, he was at an early period of his life indoctri- nated in the tenets of that faith. His youth was marked by morality and sobriety. When about fifteen years of age he was greatly impressed by the preaching of Rer. Robert Finley, D. D., of New Jersey. At the age of eighteen he removed to Beaver county with his father's family. When about twenty-three years of age he at- tached himself, by profession, to Mill Creek church, in Beaver county. Prior to that time he had attended the common schools of the neighborhood. Having thoughts of preparing for the ministry in the fall of 1824, he com- menced the study of Latin with his pastor, Rev. George Scott. . He continued under his tuition for about three years, and then entered Washington college, Pennsylva- nia. When in his senior year, the college was tempora- rily closed by the removal of the president. Still ambi- tious to become a scholar, he entered Jefferson college. where he graduated in September, 1829, being twenty- eight years of age. He then taught one year, and en- tered the Western Theological seminary in 1830, at Vi- legheny City. On the third of October, 1833, he was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Washington. He preached a few months at - Upper Ten Mile, Wolf Run, and Unity churches in Washington presbytery, and in 1831 located at Big Spring, in Carroll county, Ohio, and remained about eight years. He was ordained by the presbytery of Steubenville, July 5, 1837. and in- stadled pastor of the Big Spring church. In 1843 he was invited to Hopewell, in Ashland, and Orange churches, and accepting the call, removed to Ashland, July 9.
1843. He continued as pastor of Hopewell and Orange about thirteen years. His ministry was characterized by an exemplary and devout life, and during his residence at Ashland he won the esteem of all. Owing to an un- fortunate division arising among his people concerning church music, and a separation of a number of members from the parent church, for the establishitnent of the First Presbyterian church of Ashland, the number of members in Hopewell was not largely increased during the labors of Mr. Moody. In April, 1856, Mr. Moody and some members of his family visited western Pennsylvania. While crossing the Ohio on the 24th of April, near Wells- ville, in a skiff with his little daughter, the ferryman and three others, the skiff being moored to the ferry-boat, on approaching the Ohio shore, became separated from the barge and overturned by the violence of the current, and he and his daughter thrown into the stream. Mr. Moody soon disappeared beneath the turbid current and was drowned, while his daughter floated, being supported by her clothing, and was saved. The remains of Mr. Moody were recovered on the fifth of May, eleven days after the fatal accident, in the vicinity of Steubenville, and brought to Ashland for interment. His funeral was preached by Rev. John Robinson of the First Presbyterian church of Ashland. We are indebted to him for the following summary of the habits and character of Mr. Moody:
Brother Moody's traits of character are easily sketche:l for they were apparent to all his acquaintances.
First -- He was unobtrusive, quiet; not as easily known as some, and most highly appreciated where most intimately known. He was a man of tender attachments. disposed to contribute in every practicable way to the comfort of those about him, and exceedingly careful not to give pain by word or act.
Second-He was a man of correct judgment. He carefully weighed matters presented for his consideration, and seldom failed to reach a conclusion which commended itself to others. Associated with him from our earliest ministerial life, we have rarely known him to mistake in transacting ecclesisastical business. Calm, thoughtful, and under the influence of sterling principle, his judgments were to be relied upon in all matters pertaining to the interests of Christ's kingdom.
Third-He was very conscientious. This may be illustrated by a fact in itis college life. Washington college closed temporarily when he was a senior half-advanced. The other members of his class received diplomas, as if they had graduated. He felt that he was not strictly entitled to a diploma, and, therefore, took a certificate and went to Jefferson college, and after a summer terin of study, graduated. Now the last term of the senior class is generally passed, mostly in review and preparation for the commencement. So that he had little to gain by this course, as far as mere learning is concerned. But then his diploma never disturbed his conscience by asserting what was not literally true. And this trait ran through all his conduct, in all inis relations.
Fourth- He was very uniform in his temper and manners. During an acquaintance of nearly sixteen years, we have scarcely ever seen him either manifestiy depressed orelated. He was seldom irritated or fretted, or uaduly buoyant. He seemed to live realizing the great truth that the Lord reigns, and that "he deeth all things well." More than almost any man we have known, he fnily filled the port's deserip- tion :
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