History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 75

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 75

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DR. E. V. KENDIG was born is Westmorciand county, Pennsylvania, January 11, 1838. He came to Ohio in 1861 and located in Hayesville, Ashland county. Shortly after arriving in Hayesville he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Samuel Glass of that village. Here he remained and prosecuted his studies with in- flinching determination, and in March, 1864, graduated from University Medical college of New York city. . Returning at onee to Hayesville, he enlisted as assistant surgeon in the Second Ohio heavy artillery, and served his country faithfully in this position for a period of one year, when the war closed, and he again returned to Hayesville and began the practice of medicine. Sep tember 21, 1865. he married Miss Mariah Kauffman of Richland county, Ohio. They have three sons, Harry, Willard, and R.dph. The doctor, by bis antiring enegy and ability, has secured a very large practice. As a phy-

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

sician Dr. Kendig ranks high, and by bis kind manner is much beloved by his many patients.

WILLIAM CRAIG was born in Allegheny county, Penn- sylvania, September 28, 1812, and removed with his par- ents to Vermillion township, March 28, 1833. The family then consisted of father, mother, and ten chil- dren. The subject of this sketch was the oldest but one, and was then twenty-one years of age. Immediately af- ter their settlement here William left home and began work at his trade, that of blacksmithing, near where the infirmary now stands. Here he remained fourteen years, and worked earnestly at his chosen trade. In November, 1837, he married Miss Barbara Whittington, daughter of James Whittington, of Vermillion township, one of Ashland county's old pioneers. He died Sep- tember 30, 1846. Mr. Craig boarded with the Whitting- ton family about four years prior to his marriage, and doubtless his energy and ability as a workman won the heart of the woman who has been his helpmate these many years. In 1849 Mr. Craig moved to Hayesville, and worked at his trade till 1855, when he purchascd the old home farm and moved there, and took the man- agement of the farm. His mother having died in 1847, his father remained with his son until he died in May, 1871. Mr. Craig has served the people of Vermillion township as trustee six years, and the county as infirmary superintendent. Aside from this public service he has given his time to his farm, which is a good one. This aged couple are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Hayesville, and have been for a period of thirty-six years. He is a Democrat in politics, but has many warm friends in both parties. He is a man of kind heart, a good neighbor, and a man well known in every township in the county. He was defeated by only ten votes in 1874 for nomination for the office of county commissioner. They have ten children, all living, eight daughters and two sons. All but one are married. 'The youngest son, William, jr, is single.

GEORGE W. LONG was born in Canton, Stark county, Ohio, February 22, 1831 ; came to Asliland county with his parents when he was about seven years oid, and set- tled on a farm in Lake township, Wayne county, now Ashland county. Here he remained and worked on the farm until he was about eighteen years old, when he went to Mohicanville and learned the boot and shoe trade. This trade he followed until the spring of 1852, when he started for the gold fields of California, and en- gaged in mining. He went by overland route, and in 1856 returned to Ohio by water, and in the same year, September 30th, was married to Miss Catharine Mohre, daughter of Jesse Mohre. of Lake township, Ashland county. Mr. Long had sent money from California and purchased a farm about two miles from his father's place, and soon after he was married moved and began im- proving his own farm. For a period of ten years they lived here, when they sold their farm in Lake township and purchased the farm on which they now live. They have six children three sons and three daughters. The oldest daughter married Mr. John Eighinger, of Vermill- ion township. She was married September 30, 1879 -- just

twenty-three years after her father and mother. Nr. Long has been township trustee a number of terms in Vermillion township, and was trustee one term in Lake township previous to coming to Vermillion. Both him- self and wife are members of the English Lutheran church. In politics he is a Democrat, but is a man highly esteemed by both parties, as he is moderate in his views, and gives his best time to his family and farm.

EMANUEL SHELLER is a son of John Sheller, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in a very early day. Hc has raised a family who are all grown and doing for themselves. Emanuel, the subject of this sketch, was born in Mifflin township, Richland county, Ohio, in 18.48, February 5th. December 28, 1875, he married Miss Susan Swoveland, daughter of Peter Swoveland, of Mif- flin township, Richland county, an early settler there. They have but one child, Stella, born November 28, 1876. Mr. Sheller farms the old home place, and is an industrious, energetic man, and a good neighbor.

HENRY SHELLER was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 23, 1844. He remained with his parents, and worked on the farm until he was thirty years of age. January 25, 1875, he married Miss Sarah M. Kelly, daughter of l'atrick Kelly, one of Vermillion township's early settlers. She was born March 7, 1850. The sub- jects of this sketch moved to where they now reside soon after they were married, on a farm owned by Mr. Sheller's father. Mr. Sheller and wife have spent almost their entire life in Vermillion township. They have one child, Emily Almina, born December 13, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Sheller are descendents of pioneer blood, and are well calculated to meet the perplexities of life, and he useful members of society. Mr. Sheller is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife are members in good stand ing of the English Lutheran church.

W. G. GALLOWAY was born in Mifflin county, Penn- sylvania, November 3. 1815. His father, John Galloway, moved to Ohio October 23, 1830, and settled in Vermill- ion township. In 1816 he came to Ashland county, and took up a tract of land, near where he afterwards settled, and then returned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1830, and, of course, forfeited the. claim of 18:6. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until he was twenty seven years of age, and worked on the farm, In May, 1842, he married Miss Ann Bradley, daughter of John Bradley, who died when she was a child, in the State of Delaware. She came to Ashland county with her mother a short time before the settlement of the Galloway family. They have had seven children : two sons died when quite young ; the other five are living. They are all married but one son. Mr. Galloway has served the people of Ashland county six years, in the capacity of infirmary director, and has been justice of the peace nine years. Mrs. Galloway died December 3, 1877. Mr. Galloway is a man highly respected. In politics he is a Democrat, though he his many friends in both parties.

T. C. HARVEY was born in Green township, Ashland1 county, in 1842. At the age of ten years be removed with his parents to Vermillion township, two miles south

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

of Hayesville. In September, 1867, he left the farm and entered the drug store of J. Kinninger, at Hayesville, as clerk. In 1869, in company with Mr. J. R. Swartz, he purchased the stock and commenced business for him- self. The firm then being Swartz & Harvey; this part- nership was dissolved in 1872, and Mr. Harvey continued the business alone. In 1879 Mr. Swartz returned from Toledo, Ohio, and again entered business with Mr. Harvey, under the firm of Harvey & Swartz, and at present they are doing a thriving business. Industry and ability have their reward. In the fall of 1870, Mr. Harvey was married to Miss Sarah J. Armstrong, daugh- ter of Dr. Armstrong, one of the pioneers of Ashland county. They have no children living.

JOHN HARVEY was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1810. William Harvey, his father, moved with his wife and three children to Ashland county, Ohio, in 1835, and located at Hayesville, where the subject of this sketch kept a tavern for about four years, when he bought a farm in Green township, known as the Kent farm, and moved there. After residing there ten years he removed to his present home, two miles south of Hayesville. This farm he has improved handsomely, and now, in the seventieth year of his age, lives in ease, and, in his declining years, has but little care. William, his olest son, is married, and lives in Johnson county, Missouri, and was one of Ashland county's brave soldier boys, having served his country a little over three years; Thomas, Wilson, and Sarah Ann live in Ashland county; Frank, the youngest son, is practicing medicine in Mans- field, Ohio. Mr. Harvey was married to Miss Ruth Culbertson, of Wayne county, in 1838. Mrs. Harvey was born in 1814, and is quite active.

THOMAS STAFFORD was born September 15, 1815, in Jefferson county, Ohio. Nathan Stafford, his father, moved from Jefferson county in September, 1820, and . bought a tract of land from Ephraim Palmer, where he remained until his death, in September, 1847. The sub- ject of this sketch made his father's house his home until he was married, March 5, 1339, to Phebe, daughter of David and Betsy Stevens, who came to Vermillion town- ship in 1832, and located on a tract of land adjoining Mr. Stafford's farm, where they lived the remainder of . their lives, Mr. Stevens to the ripe age of nearly eighty years, having deceased in 1866. Mrs. Stevens died in 1877, aged eighty-two years, ten months, and six days. Mrs. Stafford says, that though her father and mother lived to such an advanced age, yet their minds were bright, and they were not childish, as most persons are at that age. The parents of Mr. and Mrs. Stafford. the subjects of this sketch, were surely pioneers, and are re- membered by many who are much younger. They have four children, one son and three daughters, three of whom are married and have gone to try the realities of life for themselves. Amanda M. was born in December, 1839. and is the wife of J. N. McClanaltin, an attorney. at-law at Chariton, Lowa. They were married in Septem- ber, 1872, and have three children -AArvilla, the second child, who was born in 1842, and remains with her par- ents; David J., who was born in August, 1846, and was

married February 13, 1873, to Miss Martha E. Heiser, of Mohican township, Ashland county, and has three children; the youngest child is the wife of T. C. Nelson, married in December, 4876, and lives in Hayesville - and has one childof Mr. and Mrs. Stafford still live on the farm that was their first purchase about thirty-four years ago. They have a fine farm, and seem quite con- tented, as they well may, to make it their home the bal- ance of their days. Mr. Stafford has served the interests of his township as supervisor, and has, for many years, held the office of school director. They are cheerful, and are well calculated to await old age without regret for the past. Mrs. Stafford died at the age of eighty-two years and a few days, about three days previous to the death of Mrs. Stevens. The mother of Mrs. Thomas Stafford purchased in Green township, in 1844, and re- mained there about two years and a half, when they pur- chased their present home.

JOHN C. WOLF was born in Germany, March 20, 18.48, and emigrated to America, when he was but four years of age, with his parents. They located in Richland county, Ohio; here he remained until 1854. November 16, 1878, he was married to Elizabeth Vesper, daughter of Michael and Mary Vesper, residents of Orange town- ship, Ashland county. In April, 1879, Mr. Woif was chosen by the people of Ashland county as superinten- dent of their county infirmary ; and he is a man wel! calculated to fill such a position to the satisfaction of the people. He is of a sociable and pleasant disposition, though he possesses sufficient firmness to manage the affairs of his office in such a manner that the people appreciate and are fully satisfied with their choice. fle has many warm friends among those who are intimately acquainted with him. No children, as yet, have come to vex of cheer this young couple.

HENRY F. REES was born in Brooklyn, New York, December 16, 1848. In 1852 he came with his parents to Vermillion township, Ashland county, and located on land adjoining the farm of Clark A. Barton. His father died in 1862, and his mother in 1879. The subject of this sketch was married to Barbara Baumann, of New York city, June 14, 1877. They have one child, a daughter, born September 7, 1879. Mr. Rees is farming the old homestead place. He is a man of literary taste, is a good neighbor, and a man well calculated to make a neighborhood what it should be.

DAVID CIPHERS was born in Vermillion township, Ashland county, Ohio, March 12, 1842, about half a mile north of Hayesville, on the farin he now owns. The old log cabin, in which he was born, still stands just across the road from his present residence, and is a fair sample of the homes of the hardy pioneers. Were it not that we can occasionally see one of these old landmarks, it would be hard to believe that this now beautiful and well improved country was once the scene of hardship, where only the sturdy and determined pin neer could abide. The subject of this sketch is the son of David and Catherina Ciphers, who came to Ohio from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. Mr. Ci phers was married june 4, 1368, to Eliva Latimer,

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

daughter of John Latiner, of Mifflin; her mother died in Wayne county, Ohio, a number of years ago. Mrs. Ciphers died January 5, 1877, leaving two daughters, who are the cheer of their father in his loneliness. Mr. Ciphers gives his whole time to his farm, and deals quite extensively in cattle: He is a model farmer, and a man highly esteemed as a neighbor and friend.

MICHAEL CULLER, jr., is the son of one of Ashland county's pioneers. His father, Michoel Culler, from Fred- erick county, Maryland, made a trip to this part of Ohio in 1814: but did not purchase land till about 1815, or 1816, when he made another trip and purchased a quar. ter section of land of Phillip Zimmer, the story of whose life and adventure as a pioneer and Indian hunter is fa- miliar to nearly every boy and girl in Ohio. Mr. Culler at that time was not married, and would come to Ohio . and improve his farm during the spring and suminer, and in the fall return to his home in Maryland. In the fall of 1819 he married Miss Barbara Thomas, a resident of Frederick county, Maryland, and moved at once to his new home in Ashland county, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was born February 1, 1822, and remained and worked on the farm with his parents until he was mar- ried in 1858, April 6. He married Miss Michal Swear- ingen, daughter of Nicholas Swearingen, a resident of Vermillion township. After marriage they returned to the farm, where they now reside. They have had five children, four sons and one daughter. Two sons died in infancy. The two sons and one daughter now living are all at home. Mr. Culler has been justice of the peace, and is a man held in very high esteem by his neighbors.

CLARK A. BARTON was born in Wayne county, Ohio, October 16, 1844. In 1854 he came to Ashland county with his parents, and located in Milton township, about three miles southwest of Asbland, December 26, 1866. He was married to Miss Maggie E. Christy, daughter of Robert Christy, an old pioneer of Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio. They have two children, one son and one daughter, Grace M., born October 12, 1873, and Charles W., born August 19, 1877. Mr. Barton was infirmary director six years. He gives his undivided at- tention to his farin, which in appearance ranks second to none in Vermillion township. Mr. Barton is a genial, companionable friend, and a man highly esteemed by his neighbors. In 1867 they moved on the farm in Vermil- lion township, where they now reside, and commenced lite in earnest for themselves.

JOHN RISSER was born in Bavaria, Germany, February 4, 1825, and emigrated to America with his parents, Jacob and Mary Risser, in 1834. His parents located in Vermillion township, on a tract of land adjoining the fari where the subject of this skete !! now lives. On January 10, 1850, Mr. Risser married Miss Catharine Grabill, of Vermillion township, daughter of Joseph and Hertyler Grabill, who resided on the farm now owned by Mr. Riser. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters. Two daughters are married and live in Ashland. Amelia is the wife of T. S. Briggs, a boot and shoe merchant; Mary, married Uriah S.

Shelly, a minister of the Mennonite church, but on ac- count of poor health was compelled to quit the ministry and is at present engaged as clerk in his brother-in-law's boot and shoe store. The other children are all single, and live at home with their parents. Mr. Risser gives his time entirely to his farm, and deals largely in fine draft horses.

JOSEPH R. SWARTZ was born in Perry township, Ash- land county, Ohio, in 1843. His father, Jacob Swartz, was one of Ashland county's old pioneers, having re- moved, when a young man, from Bucks county, Penn- sylvania. Josep !: R. remained on the farm until he was fourteen years old, when he left home and engaged as a clerk in the dry goods store of C. C. Coulter, of Rows- burgh. Here he remained eighteen months, then ac- cepted a position in the same business with M. A. Mellose, just across the street from Coulter's place of business, remaining there, with the exception of a few months, until he enlisted in the Forty-second Ohio vol- unteer infantry in September, 1861. He served bis country for a period of three years and two months as a private soldier, engaging in more than a dozen hard fought battles, coming out of the war at the expiration of his term of enlistment, after all the hardships and privations to which a soldier is exposed, without a scar, but with the satisfaction of knowing he had served his country faithfully, and that the old flag waves over a free people. On May 14, 1868, he married Miss Samantha Ciphers, of Vermillion township. They had two chil- dren, one son and one daughter. In 1864 Mr. Swartz engaged in the dry goods business with J. Kinninger, at Hayesville, as clerk, and in 1867 he was surprised to find Mr. Kinninger had recognized his ability to such an extent, that without solicitation on Mr. Swartz's part, the firm was changed to Kinninger & Swartz. In 1869, in company with T. C. Harvey, he purchased the stock, and the firm was changed to Swartz & Harvey. This partnership continued till 1872, when Mr. Swartz left Hayesville and engaged in business at Toledo, Ohio. In 1879 he returned to Hayesville, and again engaged in business with Mr. Harvey, where he is at this writing, the firm being Harvey & Swartz.

MR. MCCLURE DAVIS was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, February 23, 1825. In 1533 his - father, Ephraim Davis, moved to Ashland county, and located in Vermillion township on a farm adjoining the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. His father died in 186.1, and his mother died in 18440. Mr. Davis worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, and then engaged in teaching. mostly in winter, for a period of about nine years. In 1853, March roth, he married Miss Mary jane Baker, daughter of Zachariah and Edee Baker, who were among the pioneer families of Ashland county. Her father died in 1863, but her mother is still living at the ad- vanced age of seventy nine years. They have five chil- dren, thise sens and two daughters. The oblest cough- ter is the wife of Thomas Budd, of Vermillion township. The other four still live with their parents. Mr. Davis has fitted either township or county offices for a number

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

of years. He was justice of the peace six years, and twice elected county commissioner, in which position he is now serving.

FREDERICK Fox was born in Bavaria, Germany, Oc- tober :8, 1822, and emigrated to America with his par- ents in 1833. August 28th; they arrived in Vermillion township, Ashland county, after a tedious journey of twenty days from New York city. Vermillion township has been the home of Mr. Fox ever since. Mr. Fox left home to learn the saddler and harness trade in Mans- field, Richland county, at the age of nineteen. On Sep- tember 6, 1849, he was married to Miss Eliza Jane Blackburn, of Green township, Ashiand county; she came from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, with her par- ents in 1832. Mr. Fox worked at his chosen trade in Hayesville continuously about sixteen years, at the end of which time he moved to his farm, where he worked winters at his trade and summers tilled and improved his farm. At the end of four years he returned to Hayesville, stayed about two years, when he again re- turned to the farm, where he has remained ever since. They have had ten children, eight sons and two daugh- ters; nine of whom are living. Charley died at the age of seventeen months, January 25, 1868. Joseph Ben- ton, born August 7, 1850; Lewis B, born December 24, 1852; Justice, born November 3, 1854; Curtis Bu- chanan, born January 10, 1857; Lillie Irene, born May 5, 1859; Franklin, born July 28, 1861; Conrad C., born February 3, 1864; Coates, bom August 11, 1866; Morris, born January 24, 1869; Mary Margreta, born August 20, 1872.

MR. H. BUTCHER was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1837. At the age of fifteen he left home and learned the blacksmith trade, at which he worked about twenty years. Mr. Butcher came into Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio, in 1859. aud was married June 9, 1867, to Miss Amanda Smalley, of Ashland. In 1862 he hired to the government as a mechanic. In about six weeks after he was promoted to the superintendency of the Franklin shops at Nashville, having under his control about twelve hundred men. This position Mr. Butcher held one year, when he was appointed by Captain Irvin, acting assistant quartermaster, as store-keeper for the government at Nashville, holding this position until I et's surrender. After the war closed Mr. Butcher remained in Nashville one year, and worked at his trade. For four years he has been mayor of Hayesville, justice of the peace three years, and postmaster four years, which po- sition he still occupies. A daughter, aged eight years, is the only child.

JACOR MILLER was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 18:4. In (330 he emigrated with his parents to America, and located in Wayne county, seven miles northeast of Woos. ter. Michael Miller, his father, died in roze, July 3oth. In March, 1856, his mother died. In 1850 Mr. Miller married Miss Mary Passer, daughter of Jacob Risser, of Vermillion township. Asbland counts, Ohio. Ta the sharing of 1560 be moved to the forin formerly owned by his father in law in Vermillion township, Ashland conaty, Ohio, where he now lives. They have had seven clul-

...

dren, two of whom are dead. One son and one daugh- ter live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. One daughter lives in Loudonville, Ohio, and one son and one daughter live at home.

GEORGE BUCHANAN was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1800. In about 1831 he came to Ash- land county, Ohio, and located in Vermillion township, on a farin near Hayesville. In 1829 he married Miss Eliza- beth Bragg, and has one son living in Newton, Iowa. Mis. Buchanan died September 5. 1833. February 27, 1840, Mr. Buchanan was married to Mrs. Rosena Miles. They have seven children -- three sons and four daughters. Two sons and three daughters are manied. Mr. Bu- chanan taught school in Alabama a number of years pre- vious to locating in Ashland county, since which time his business has been that of a farmer. He has served in the capacity of justice of the peace.

MARGARET ISAMAN, widow of Jacob Isaman, was born in Mifftie township, Ashland county, Ohio, Febru- ary 5. 1824. Philip Pressler, her father, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1822, and erected a log cabin in the woods, and, by untiring energy and the assistance of his good wife, the old forest trees gave way, and in their stend it was not long until he had the pleasure of seeing waving fields of grain. Mrs. Isaman relates to the writer that her good mother, in order to assist ber hus- band in clearing a spot to raise some garden stuff, would bend some saplings and tie a sheet to them, and place her babe in this as a cradle. But this is the kind of stuff our forefathers were made of, and to their hard- ships we are indebted for the appearance of this lovely country. Mrs. Isaman was twice married; first time, July 22. 1847 to Jacob Staufer, who died in 1852. They had three sous, two of whom are married. The young- est, Samuel, is single. October 29, 1857, she married Jacob Iseman, by whom she had three children, two sons and one daughter. Mr. Isaman died September 2, 1877. Mrs. Isaman has a beautiful form, containing over one hundred arres, and with the help of her boys keeps it in good shape. They are good, industrious young men, and are well calculated to take good care of their mother in her declining years.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 75

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