USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 63
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SAMUEL CORDELL
was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, October 15. 1703. During his boyhood, war was declared against Great Britain. The English forces we're heleaguering the city
of Baltimore, and the coasts of Maryland and Virginia. When invading Maryland, volunteers were called upon to defend the capital at Washington and other points. Mr. Cordell, youth as he was, entered the army and served in the defence of Baltimore. For this service he recently obtained a pension. He was in the company commanded by Captain George Huff, Virginia militia, regiment of Colonel Mason, of the brigade of General Donglas, in the war of IS12. Upon his discharge he re- turned to Loudoun county, Virginia, where he married Miss Catharine Carnes, and in 1833 removed to Orange township, Richland, now Ashland, county. Here he re- mained one year upon the farm of John Mason. He then removed to Milton township and lived about two years upon what was subsequently the McDonald farm, one mile west of Ashland. He then purchased the Hoover farm, where he lived until his decease, a period of about forty-six years. During this time he was recog- nized as a quiet, prudent, and industrious man. He was a plain farmer, fully devoted to the cultine of the soil, in which he succeeded in accumulating enough of this world's goods to render himself and family comfort- able. In 1859 he had the misfortune to lose, by death, the wife of his youth, aged about sixty years. Since then he has resided with his family. He and his wife united with Rahobeth Methodist Episcopal church, in Loudoun county, Virginia, about 1831, since which time he has retained a faithful member. His family consisted of eleven Children, nine of whom survive: Eineline, wife of Samuel Doty, of Crawford county; Cornelia, wife of Rev. Jacob Fry, deceased; Anne Elizabeth, wife of Ezekiel Moore, of Lake township; Mary Margaret, who resides at home; Washington, deceased; Catharine, wife of George Hall; John Francis, deceased; James L. and Jane L., twins, the latter the wife of Dr. Harkins, deceased ; Rebecca, wife of Cyrus Plank, of Ashland; Cordelia, wife of John W. Oswald, of Toledo.
Mr. Cordell took but little interest in politics. He was an original Whig, and elected to the office of trustee of Milton, two or three times, and school director oc- casionally. He was a strong friend of the school sys- tem, and was always desirous of giving proper instruc- tions to the rising generation. He often related an inci- dent that occurred to him in Loudoun county, Virginia. Some years before he left, one day an old colored man came and made an appeal to his feelings. He said, "Mr. Cordell, I think you are a friend of mine. I have to be sold to a stranger, and go south. I want you to buy me." Mr. Cordell said, "I would do so, but I am too poor to spare the money at present." "I pledge my honor, said the colored man, if you will do so, I will hunt a master who will keep me in Virginia, and treat nie kindly." Mr. Cordell's feelings were touched, and he consented to buy him. This deed of kindness was fully reciprocated. The colored man in due time found a new master, and kept his word with Mr. Cordell. That was the only time he ever owned a colored man, and he often stated "his conscience approved of what he had done." He passed through much pioneer experience in Ashiand county -- was always found kind and obliging to
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
his neighbors, and courteous to all men. May the sods of the valley rest lightly upon his manly breast, till the summing up of all things. Mr. Cordell died April 19, 1879, and was buried in the cemetery at Ashland.
PETER BRUBAKER
was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, February 20, 1795, and was the son of John Brubaker, of German descent. He grew to manhood and married in his na- tive county. He married Miss Mary Brubaker, though of 1:o relation, in 1818, and remained in Lancaster until the year 1823, when he came to Milton township, Rich- land, now Ashland, county, Ohio, and settled upon the farm upon which he died, adjoining that of Joseph Charles. When he entered the land, he found it cov- ered by an almost unbroken forest of large timber. By long-continued labor, he subdued the wild luxuriance of nature, and made a desirable farm for his homestead. When he settled in the wilds of Milton, he found that the Croningers, John Hazlet, James Andrews, and others had preceded him. At that carly period, wolves, deer, wild turkey, and an occasional bear, ranged the forests of the township. Mr. Brubaker lived to see a great change in the appearance of the native forests of the township, his neighbors, like himself, having by industry and economy accumulated a desirable property.
In 1870, his wife, aged about seventy-five years. de- ceased ; since which time Mi. Brubaker resided on his homestead, near Mr. Charles, until his death, April 21, IS79. He had been a member of a branch of the funker church, known as the River Brethren, about for- ty five years, at Chestnut grove, near his honie, where he was buried.
At his decease, his family consisted of ten children, all grown : Susan, wife of Henry Rowland ; Mary, wife of Christian Rowland ; John; Elizabeth, wife of Nathan Stirewalt; Maria, wife of John Gongwer; Fannie, wife of Jacob Barr, deceased; Benjamin; Nancy, wife of William Stauffer; Lydia, deceased ; and Christian. These all reside in Ashland county. It is estimated he had sixty-eight grandchildren at the time of his decease.
Mr. Brubaker was known among lis neighbors as an industrious, economical, conscientious Christian, always desirous of peace and good will among men. "By their friits ye shall know them." A good man has gone to his rest, and his works will follow him. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. D. Parker, assisted by Rev. H. Davison.
WILLIAM WESTHEFFER
was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1794, and, when twenty years of age, reinoved to Cumberland county, in the same State, where he married Miss Young, abont 1823. She deceased in 1834, in the same county. .
In 1844 Mr. Westheffer emigrated to Montgomery township, then Richland, now Ashland county, Ghto, and purchased a farm in section two. Since the death
of Mrs. Westheffer he has remained single, and has re- sided with members of his family on his late homestead. His occupation was that of a plain farmer. He was warnily attached to his family, and was an exemplary Christian-having been a member of the Lutheran church for sixty years. One year ago (in 1878) he be- came a member of the Ashland County Pioneer and His- torical society, and took a deep interest in the attempt, by his fellow members, to record the incidents of the past and preserve the memory of those who cleared and improved our beautiful county. Now, he too has been called over the great river to join the millions who have been summoned home, having died April 21, 1879. He was a quiet, industrious, Christian gentleman, and we trust his account will be found approved by the Great Author of our being.
The members of his family consisted of five children, all grown: George, Mary M., wife of Daniel Ambrose, of Montgomery; Elizabeth, wife of James McDermot, of Iowa; Sarah, wife of Daniel Kramer, of Iowa; and Margaret, wife of Jeremiah Deardorf, deceased, of It- diana.
Mr. Westheffer was buried at the White church, six miles east of Ashland, and his funeral sermons were preached by Revs. Roseberry and Keiffer. May he rest in peace.
MICHAEL THOMAS
was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1802, and was of German descent. When about eighteen years of age he manied Elizabeth Myers, and in the spring of 1831, he and his brother-in-law, Samuel Myers, removed to the southeast quarter of section thirty, in Montgomery township, then of Richtand county, but now of Ashland county, Ohio, where he purchased, and since improved the farm upon which he resided until luis death.
When he erected his first cabin there were but few settlers in that part of the township, and he states that of those present, he remembers Daniel Carter, sr., Joshua Brown, Mr. Wheeler, Joseph Sheets, David Markley, Captain Andrews, Henry Gamble, and possibly Richard Beer, and a few others, inchiding Samuel Myers, his brother-in-law, who was to occupy the same cabin, a double one.
When he and Mr. Myers came on they stopped a fes days in Umontown (now Ashland), where they became acquainted with the late Henry Gamble, Joseph Sheets, and the Markleys.
He cut a path to his land, wide enough to permit his wagon, a covered one, and four horses to pass, and oh- tained iye straw of Mr. Gamble to feed his horses antil they could live on will grass, and sprinkled a little salt on it as an "appetizer." Of nights, the horses were tied around the wagor, exposed to the cold raias until he could cut legs, and by the aid of pioneers erect a stal .. At fust the only floor in his cabin was provided by the ture . the bare ground. It showed freeh a right of two after he and his family entered the new cabin, and melted
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
quite rapidiy, flooding the floor, when, to procure a dry resting place, be cut a lot of brush, and piled it up a bed in the middle of the cabin. Being remarkably rugged, and ambitious to have a home, he set to work at once to re- move the forest, and prepare for planting his first crop of corn, and succeeded in raising a small field the first summer.
Near where he and Mr. Myers erected their cabin, was a fine mineral spring, a resort of deer as a lick. Near this an Indian had erected and deserted a neat wig- wam or pole cabin, which was still standing, covered with bark. He was of opinion that the hut had been built by the noted Indian hunter, Jonacake, who often visited the pioneers of the township.
At that time, his music consisted of almost nightly serenades by the wolves, which were quite numerous, but dangerous only to the small flocks of sheep brought on by the pioneers.
Mrs. Thomas, though formerly occupying a comforta- ble home in Pennsylvania, consented to accompany him to the wilds of the new country, that they might obtain a property of their own, and entered heartily into the task of assisting him in the preparation of a log cabin home in the forest, consenting to encounter all the pri- vations incident to such an undertaking, and survived to share his toils and anxieties until 1863, when she de- ceased at the age of sixty-two years. Mr. Thomas subsequently married Barbara Myers, a sister of his first wife. His death occurred August 9, 1878.
Mr. Thomas was an honest, hard-working farmer, and by his strict integrity and thrift, had accumulated a fine fortune, which he shared with his children. He had ex- perienced many privations in early life, but submitted to them like a brave man, that he might enjoy better things in the future.
When a young man he became a member of what is now known as the Dunkard or Brethren church, and was an exemplary member thereof about fifty-four years, and at his decease expressed a willingness to die and go home to a better world.
The members of the family consisted of six sons and six daughters. The surviving sons are: Jonathan, Philip, Michael, jr., and John ; the daughters, Sarah, wife of David Bolyeat; Elizabeth, wife of Jesse Vanos- dall; Fannie, wife of Jacob Bolyeat; Nancy, wife of David Arter; and Catharine, wife of John Benigoff. The ma- jority of the foregoing reside in Ashland county.
The obituary committee of the Ashland County His- torical and Pioneer society upon learning the death of Mr. Thomas adopted the usual resoutions.
Thus, in a few years, at most, the last of the pioneers will have been gathered home. We are indebted to them for having penetrated the forest wilderness of Ash- land county, and for rescuing it from its original occu. pants. Let us honor them for what they have accom- plished, and preserve their memory by continuing the improvements they began.
ROBERT CULBERSON
was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1796, where he grew to manhood, attending the common schools of bis neighborhood; and married Miss Elizabeth Sharp, December 13, 1818, and removed to Harrison county, Ohio, where he remained about five years, and then purchased his homestead in Orange township, then in Richland, but now in Ashland county, upon which he located in the fall of 1824, and resided until his decease, being a period of about fifty-five years.
When he landed, Orange township was covered by its native forest. A few Delaware Indians from the Fire Lands, on the Western Reserve, continued to hunt an- nually in the township, and often visited the cabins of the settlers, and were then thought to be an inoffensive and harmless race. Mr. Culberson, with other neigh- bors, at one time became somewhat alarmed for the safety of Mr. Biddinger, a gunsmith, up the stream, who had unfortunately offended some of the Delawares. A noted hunter, named Jim Jirk, was observed to be skulking in the settlement. Mr. Culberson and others were put on the alert, but no harm resulted from the Indian.
The ancient trail leading from Mohican Johnstown. near Jeromeville, to the Canesadooharie or Black river, passed near the residence of Mr. Culberson. It is sup- posed that the captive, James Smith, was led up this part in 1755, by his Delaware captors, on his way to Lower Sandusky. The route was a favorite one of the ancient Mohegans in 1765, to the close of the border wars, and inany tragic scenes have, doubtless, occurred along this trail.
Mr. Culberson improved his fine homestead, residing there over half a century, and was much respected by the old pioneers, and always regarded as a kind-hearted, Christian gentleman, ever ready to reciprocate the kind acts of his neighbors. In 1843 he was elected justice of the peace for Orange township, and acquitted himself so well that, in 1846, he was re-elected for another term.
At the organization of the Presbyterian congregation in Orange, in 1832, Mr. Culberson became one of the ruling elders, and was one of the early members who survived to the present time. He was always esteemed as an exemplary, high-minded, Christian gentleman, ever living with his neighbors in great peace and contentment, and conforming to the requirements and usages of his church, and presiding in his family in an humble, Chris- tian spirit ; and his death evinced the fact of his readi- ness to depart to the better land, the home of the Christian.
In 1875; he became an active member of the Ashland County Pioneer and Historical society, and took much pleasure in relating the early scenes and occurrences of his part of the county.
He died February 23, ISSo. The wife of his youth had preceded him to the grave about one year. Two sons, Josephi and john, had also gone home. The sur- viving members of his family were four daughters and one son, Thomas, who resides on the homestead.
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ITISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
PETER STENTZ
was born in Green township, Columbiana county, Ohio, November 14, 1So7. His father, Daniel Stentz, emi- grated to Fayette county, Pennsylvania, when he was six months old.
In 1829 he was united in marriage to Mary Ranshaw. In 1832 they moved to New Lisbon, Ohio, and from thence to Orange township, Ashland county. He purchased the premises owned respectively by Edward Wheeler, Jacob Cline, and John Richards. He enjoyed the acquaintance and friendship of Daniel Summers, James Clark, Samuel and John Richards, Joseph and George Fast, Henry Heiffner, Philip Biddinger, and others, whom he esteemed very highly.
Mr. Stentz was the father of nine children, all of whom are living, except one, and are settled in life. He also had two brothers and three sisters -- all but one have left the shores of time.
Mr. Stentz was, for many years, a member of the Presbyterian church in Savannah, Ohio; subsequently he united with the Methodist Episcopal church at Troy cen- ter, and, as far as circumstances would perinit, attended the means of grace at that place,
In his last sickness his sufferings were intense, but he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. A short time before his death, when asked in reference to his spiritual enjoyment, he said: "I am trusting and resting in Jesus." He gave clear evidence to the last that the messenger of death found him prepared and ready to depart in peace. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. George W. Walker, assisted by Rev. S. Z. Kaufman, in the Meth- odist Episcopal church at Troy. After the services his remains were laid by the side of kindred forms, in the cemetery north of that place.
"Let me go; my soul is weary Of the chain which binds it here; Let my spirit bend its pinion Tor a brighter, holier sphere. "Earth, 'tis true, has friends to bless me, With their fond and faithful love; But the hands of angels beckon Me to brighter climes above."
PETER BURNS
was nearly a hundred years old at the time of his death. Upon visiting him in 1879, the following notice was pub- lished in the Ashland Press .:
"TIMI. OLDEST MAN IN ASHLAND COUNTY.
Some days since we had the pleasure of visiting, perhaps, the oklest nian in Ashland county, in the person of the venerable Peter Barns, of Milton township, at the home of Mr. John Brindle, near the Black fork. Mr. Burns was born in Frederick county, Maryiand, in July. 1782, just before the termination of the American war of inch perlener. His father resided about twenty-eight miles west of the city of Balti- more, and died near Gettysburgh in 1315, aged about eighty-seven. and his mother near the same place at an advanced age. His father was from Scotland, and his mother of Lennon descent. Mr. Burns had reached the age of dont wanty years when the war of 1812 was declared between the United States and Great Britain. He was en- rolled in the Maryland milare an I served in the company communial In Captain William Dethat's, in the defense of Baltimore and North l'vint, as well as Fort MeHenry About the middle of August, 18 ...
the British firet passed up the Chesapeake with about six thousand troops, under the command of General Ross, destined for the enpture of Washington eity. It landed on the Patuxant, twenty-five miles from its mouth, five thousand men, and marched across to the Federal city, by way of Bladensburgh, where Commodore Barney confronted the British army, but failed to repel their march, General Winder, at the head of three thousand raw militia having made but a feeble stand. fleeing to Waslington city, pursued by the esultant British, who burned the capitol, the president's house, and other public buildings, and then fled to their shipping. General Ross was greatly elated over this achievement, although the act was denounced in the English House of Commons. and by all civilized Europe. It was regarded as the act of a mamudier and a vandal. General Smith prepared to meet Ross ht Baltimore. General Strickler rallied the militia, numbering about fifteen thousand, and prepared to defend the town. Ross landed eight thousand soldiers at North Point, fourteen miles from the city, and part went up the Patapsco to bombard Fort MeHenry. General Strickler repelled the advance of General Ross in a heavy shinnish, in which Ross was killed, and after his army continued to bombard the garrison for many hours the enemy withdrew, and the body of Ross was carried, as reported, to England in a hogshead of mm to be buried. After the withdrawal of the British, Mr. Burns and other sol- diers from Frederick county, returned to their homes.
About 1825 Mr. Burns commenced to learn the trade of a stone- cutter and bricklayer, at which he informs me he worked industriously until he was over ninety-one years oh!, a period of nearly sixty years. During that time he worked in Baltimore, Little York, in Virginia, and in many parts of Maryland and l'ennsylvania.
About the year 1845 he came to Ashland county with his wife, and was joined by his son-in-law, the late John Brindle, who settled on the farm where the surviving members of his family now reside, near the Black fork. Mr. Brindle continued to reside there until 1877, when he deceased, aged about sixty-two years. Mr. Burns and his lady, being well advanced in years, became a part of the family of Mrs. Brindle. Mrs.[Burns die dat thejresidence of her daughter on Christmas day, 1878, aged about eighty years. Mr. Burns is the father of four living chil- dren -Emanuel, Samuel, Jacob, and Susan, wife of the Inte John Brindle.
Mr. Burns lats been drawing a pension of ninety-six dollars, since 1872, for services performed in the war of 1812. His mite! is quite clear, though his powerful frame is greatly broken by hard work. He is now content with ordinary exercise. In his prime he weighed about two hundred and ten pounds. His average weight is now about one hundred and eighty pounds, and his height, about six feet two luches He eats and sleeps well, though at this time he is Imarassed by a bad cough. His remarkable age must be attributed to a fine constitution. His mother and father died at advanced ages. In fact, longevity has been characteristic of his family, and he may survive to reach one hun- dred years. He has never been compelled to pay many doctor bills. Temperate eating and living have done more than medicine to give him long life and vigor. Though his sight is filing, his senses remain nin- impaired. He has always been a man of peace, and strongly attached to justice and integrity, and opposed to the desoluting march of war and internal strife. May his remaining year glide peacefuly away. and imppiness crown his eventfi ! days."
Mr. Burns diel March 16, 18So. He retained his usual health until near his decease. He had lived under the old colonial government, and met many of the fathers of the Revolution He has now gone to his rest, where we trust he will find the peace of a patriot and a just man. Soon we will see the last of the patriots of 1812. All honor to them.
The remains of Mr. Burns were buried in the ceme- tery of Ashland, on Thursday, March ISth, by the com- pany of Captain Viager, with military honors. With the exception of the late Patrick Murray, who lacked a few months of one hundred years of age, Mr. Burns was probably the oldest man in the county, and near the last of the iSie soldiers.
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PHILIP FLUKE.
Philip Fluke was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1797. In about 1810 he was married to Mary Summers, who became his companion for a lifetime. They raised a family of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, as follows: Henry, Lewis, Samuel, Philip, Catharine, Jacob, David, Eliza. Lucinda, Margaret, and John. Some few years after his marriage he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in what is now Orange township, Ashland county, -- in that day a wilderness of heavy timber, with few if any settlers. Hard work was to be done, as was expected, before a comfortable home could be had, but neither Mr. nor Mrs. Fluke were persons to flineh from an undertaking they had commenced. The first work to be done was the erection of a small log cabin to shelter the family from the storms and protect them from the attack of wolves and other wild animals, which nightly prowled about the lonely cabin. As soon as a home was built, the sturdy father made an onslaught on the forest, and every blow of his ringing axe accomplished something toward removing the heavy timber and preparing a place where could be planted corn and the future subsist- ence of the family provided for. In time, the land was cleared and im- proved, but during the most of his long life there was still hard work to be done.
As soon as Mr. Fluke bad improved the land included in his first purchase, he added to it acre by Rete, until he possessed eight hundred acres of valuable lands. Ilis funily gradually increased, but soon the elder children became his assistants, and as they grew to maturity and desired to have homes of their own, 'he gave to each sou one hundred acres of ieproved land, on wbien to commence life. His aiin in life had been accomplished, and his children would never be compelled to begin, as he had done, in an unbroken wilderness. He departed this life in 1876, surviving his beloved wife but six weeks. Both sleep their last sleep side by side in St. Luke's cemetery, their names and virtues being held in loving remembrance by their children and other relatives who are left behind.
Henry Fluke, the chest child of Philip and Mary Fluke, was born in Pennsylvania in I811, and when a small boy accompanied his parents to their new home in Ohio, where he grew to manhood, and performed his part in the pioneer work of the county. He was married in 1836 to Margaret Switzer, and raised four children: Mary Ann. Wilson. Amanda ,Avl Enos, all of wheat les the parental roof except the elder Con, Wasen. Ile was an energetic, industrions and frugal mia, esteemed by all who Lacy ling. He died in December 1875, leaving his widow and las son Wilson, who Cares for his mother in her declin- Ing years, on the bome farin in Orange township.
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