History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 76

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 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DAVID Fox was born in Bavaria, Germany, near the river Rhine, in 1819. In 1833, he cinigrated with lis parents to America, locuing in Vermillion tonnsipp, Ashland county, Ohio. Conrad Fox, his father, died July 28, 1872, and his mother died January 16. 1551. 'Squire David Fox learned the harness business in Hayesville, and worked at it continuously about ciglveen years, when he turned his attention to the hotel, farming and stock raising business. At the end of sixteen years he quit hotel keeping, and gave his whole attention to farming, with the exception of serving the community for a mimbei of years in different official positions. In ISOS he was elected justice of the prace; re-elected in 1877, and again in April, 1880. At the advanced agde of sixty-one years, be is active. industrious and ch. eril. In December, ISgo, he was married to Mand: Watson. They have live children, four sons and one daughter. The oldest son, a physician, died in Kansas in 1577.

310

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

Mr. Fox studied law and was admitted to the bar in Mansfield, Ohio, in 1874. £ He has had the advantage of but thice months schooling in America.

JOHN S. GRABLE was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1818. In the fall of 1833 be left Germany in company with bis parents and arrived in America Christmas week of 1833, spending the holidays of that year in Philadel- phia. In January, 1834, they left Philadelphia for Ash- land county, Ohio, traveling some five or six weeks by team, and located in Vermillion township. M :. Grabill was fifteen years old when he arrived in Ashland county, and has resided in Ashland county ever since. His father died in 1845, and his mother at a later date. Mr. Grabill has given his whole time to farming, and by in- dustry, economy and good management occupies a front rank among the best farmers of Ashland county. On August 21, 1845, he married Miss Nancy Harper, of Vermillion township. They bad one son, Samuel, born August zy, 1846, who was married March 13, 1877, to Miss Auna Ewing, by whom he has two children. Fa- ther and son live in the old house happily. In 1877 Mr. Grabill made a southern tour, visiting Atlanta, Jackson- ville, St. Augustine, Charleston, and many other eities, returning by the way of Washington city.

JOSEPH BENTON Fox was born in Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio, in 1850. He worked with his father on the farmi until he was seventeen years old, when he learned the harness business, at which business he eon- tinued two years. In 180g he returned to the farm, teaching school winters, and in. 1876 engaged in the dry goods business with T. C. Harvey, at Hayesville, in which position we find him working earnestly, doing a little business outside of the mercantile in the way of a broker, buying and selling paper. Mr. Fox is an earn- est business man. On September !! , 1879, he married Miss Christiana Wallace, of Vermillion township, Ash- land county, Ohio.

O. H. Scorr was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, in 1821, and came with his parents to Jefferson county, Ohio when he was three years old. Hugh Scott, his father, died in Jefferson county, soon after, and, at the age of six years, Mr. Scott came with his mother to Ash- land county, stopping about six monthy in theen town- ship, when they moved to Vermillion township, where he now lives, and located in the woods, in a small log cabin. Mr. Scott had five brothers, at that time, somewhat older than himself, who were quite a help to their mother, and from their willing bands the old forest gradually gave way to waving fields of grain. At the age of twenty-one Mr. Scott learned the carriage-making business in Hayesville, and worked about ten years at the business, when he de- termined to try his luck in the gold fields of California. Ilis trip over the plains was one of interest, though full of perils and hardships. Atter an experience of about three years, mostly as a miner, he returned to his old home in Vermillion township. His mother died in 1855. Mr. Scott was married to Miss E. T. Tawney, of Ashland county, in 1858. They have nine children. three sons and six daughters, Two little boys died when about a year old.

JOHN M. LONG was born September 24, 1831, in Canal Fulton, Stark county, Ohio. When he was about three years old his parents removed to Lake township, Ashland county, where he remained and assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty years of age, when he went to California, by water, via. New York and the isthmus of Panama, and engaged in mining in company with his two older brothers, George and Peter. By strict attention to business, at the end of four years he was able to return to the old home, and purchased the faint he now lives on. On May 12, 1859, he married Mary Jane Laird, of Vermillion township. They have five children, four sons and one daughter, all at home cheerfully doing all in their power to make home the most desirable place on earth. Mr. Long has filled township offices two dif- ferent times, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. He now owns a farm of one hundred and forty-two aeres.

CLEARCREEK TOWNSHIP.

LOUIS COWIE, was born in Scotland, in 18:4, came to America in 1842, and settled in Ashland county. In 1849 he was married to Christiana Copland, by whom he had seven children, four of whom are living. He re- mained in the country but three years, when he returned to Scotland, remaining there nine years. He. again re- turned to America, and is now residing in Clearercek township. His wife died in the year 1869. He is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and is a citizen esteemed for his integrity and worth.

HOCH B. MCKIBBEN was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, May, 1804. His wife's maiden name was Isabella Chambers. He came into Ashland county in 1828, and settled in Clearcreek township, four miles northwest of Savannah. He was the father of eight children: William C., Elizabeth Jane, Mary, Sarah, James A., Roben, Hagh, and Martha Belle. Mary, manied James Brinkerhoff in 1849, and died in September, 1854, leaving one daughter. James A. died May 16, 1858. The father died September 26, 1Sos, his wife surviving him until the year 1879, November 14th. Both were earnest members of the Presbyterian church, and were industrious and worthy people. Robert was married to Mary P. Platt, March 31, 1864. Their . children are one son and one daughter. Robert still occupies the old homestead.

JOHN G. BROWN was the second son of Will.tmn Brown, and was born in Ireland, in the year istS. In 1835, he came to America and settled in Ashland county (then Richland county), near Savannah. When he arrived at the age of thirty, he was married to Sarah Calhoun, September 26, 1848. Their children's Names re: Maggie J, Mary C., and Alexander M., ali of whom are living. The oldest of the family was the

311

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

census enumerator in :S86, for Clearcreek township, and accomplished the work credirably, and with dispatch. Mr. Brown commenced life as a school teacher and was successful in getting together a sufficient sum to pur- chase a farm of one hundred acres. The land was covered with a dense forest, and after building himself a cabin, be set about clearing np the farm. By hard laber and a wise economy, Mr. Brown has grown from poverty into one of the substantial farmers of Clearcreek township. He and his family are all members of the church, and are recognized everywhere as estimable and worthy people.

DANIEL HUFFMAN, a native of Virginia, was born in Brooke county, March 9, 1793, and came to Ohio in 18:8. He was first married May 20, 18:5, to Nackey Holmes, by whom he had thirteen children, seven sons and six daughters. Three sons and four daughters are still living. His first wife died May 20, 18 ;;; he mar- ried for his second wife Barbara Wagner, whose maiden name was Stoner, January 10, 1838, by whom he had two children -- John Q. and Martha E .; the latter is deceased. Daniel Huffman died November 18. 1876. He was a worthy old man, and enjoyed the confidence and esteera of all who knew him.

ISAAC COLEMAN was born in the year is32, and with his parents came to Ohio ir 1840, and settled in Orange township, three miles north of the town of Orange. April 10, 1856, he was married, and farmed the old homestead for his father for fourteen years Then he moved to Montgomery township, and, after a short resi- dence there, went to Iowa. After remaining there a . brief time, he came back to Richland county, and, finally, to the old home, which he purchased of his father. This he sold, and removed to Clearcreek town- ship, and bought the old Shaw farm. He is the father of five children: Arabella, Jennic, Eva, Charles, and Emma. At the age of two, Eva was killed by a log fall- ing upon her. The loss was a severe one to the fond parents. The other children are all living. Mr. Cole- man is a man of enterprise and industry.

GEORGE SHRIVER, son of David Shriver, was born in ie was married to Laura M. Cook, by whom he had five children: Loren J., deceased; John E., Willard C., Al- Lert H., and one son dying in infancy unnamed. The Shrivers are an old family, and fuller sketches of their ancestors will be found elsewhere in this work.

what is now Ashland county in 1833. In June, 1858, , and Delilah. Jesse, Elizabeth, and Delilah, are the only

J. R. SHRIVER, son of an endy pioneer, was born in Richland county in the year 1837, June #h. June 17, 1866, he was married to Jenne Mercer, by whom he has had two children: Martha Oh na and Frona Belle. He resides, at present, in Clearereck township, three and

one-half miles southwest of Savannah, near the old . settled in life, except Daniel, George W., Tilly and homestead.

ISAAC BUCHANAN is a son of James Buchanan, and was born in Ashland county in the year 18 39. Helhet on the home inm anti! i868, when he was monied to Miss Anna M. Wilson. He is an esteemed citizen, and at present one of the trustees of his township.

T. W. HUNTER is the second! child of George and Re-

sannah Hunter. He came to Ashland county about the year 1864, from Indiana, and settled in Clearcreek town- ship. The greater part of Mr. Hunter's carly life was given to teaching school, which he followed with success and profit. He made his home with his father until his marriage, June 9, 1870, to Miss Addie J., daughter of James Wharton, an early settler in Milton township. They have two children, Esteila and Pearl. Mr. Hunter purchased of his father the farm where he now resides. His means being limited this incurred a heavy debt, and although meeting with a severe reverse in the loss of his house by fire, he has by industry and hard work cleared his form of all incumbrance, and is now enjoying that in- dependence which comes of easy circumstances. Mi. Hunter is one of the young and enterprising farmers of Clearcreek township, and both he and his lady who conies of old pioneer stock, are highly respected by all those who know them.

F. R. BUFFENMIRE was born in Ashland county in 1843. March 12, 186), he was married to Sally Ann Myers, by whom he has had three children, Jennie B., Todd, and Blanche. Shortly after his marriage he left his young bride and enlisted for three years in the army. He was engaged in sixteen different battles, the severest of which was the siege of Vicksburgh. He was a brave soldier, and served his country faithfully and with honor until he was discharged, December 2, 1864

GEORGE MACKEY was a native of Scotland; he was born in the year 18or. In 1835 he came to America, on the "Lady of the Lake," and settled in A Mand counts, near Savannah. He was married in 1838. He has adopted three children, and cares for them as his own. He is a man of charity and integrity, and he and his aged wife still live near the town of Savannah.

PETER VANNORSTRAND came to Richland, wow Ash- land county, as early as 1816, and settled four and one- half miles south of Savannah, in Clearcreek township. He was born in Westmorland county, Pennsylvania, in 1867, and May 24, 1832, was married to Nancy Shaw, by whom he had sever children, three sous and four daughters: John, Georg:, jesse, Elizabeth, Mary, Elle !! , ones living. George died in the ard. Mrs. Vanner- strand died June 24. 1872.

WILLIAM FARRELL, son of Obedich Terrell, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in iSiz. He orse to what is now Ashland county, with his parents in Angu: 1. 18:6. On April 18, 1844, he was married to May Huffinon, a daughter of an old pioneer family. To them have been born eleven children, six sons and five daughters. One daughter died in infancy, and Obediah on February 15, 1808, at the age of twelve. All are Lewis, who live with then parents on the old home toni. Mr. Terrell is a prominent citizen of Aidand coanti. and is honored and respected by all who know him.

Buther I. Samrox was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, May 1. 1835, and seeded in Mont- Somery township, in 1850. Be remained one year, and then removed to Clearcreek township, where he has shire

.. .. ..... ...

----------

312

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

resided. In 1858 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Vannorstrand, daughter of an old pioneer family. They have had three children -- Alda, George, and Todd-all of whom are living, but George. He has been a man of energy and thrift, and enjoys the esteem of his neigh- bors and friends.

ALBERT SHRIVER was born in Ashland county, Ohio, on the old homestead now occupied by his parents, in 1843. On September 3, 1872, he was married to Mary I. Burns, by whom he had five children-Edna D., Alice M., Al- bert W., William, and an unnamed who died in infancy. Mr. Shriver is one of the thrifty farmers of the county, and resides near the old home farm.

THOMAS BRYTE, son of John and Elizabeth (Ford) Bryte, was born January 28, 1830. In 1855 he went to California, where he engaged in a grape vine and dairy business, which he followed for sixteen years. Then be re- turned to Ashland county and purchased the farm known as the old John Eaton homestead, where he still resides. On the southern borders of this farm are evidences of an ancient fort, a description of which is given elsewhere in this work. Mr. Bryte's father was an old pioneer, an ex- tended sketch of whom is found elsewhere.

ALEXANDER CALHOUN was born in Ireland, November 4, 1796. He was married to Margaret Morehead, by whom he had eight children. In 1831 he sailed on the stenmer Colossus for America. First he settled in Ash- land county, where he purchased a quarter section of land in Orange township, known as the old John Patter- son homestead, and resided there until his death, in 1870. Matthew, the elder son, resides in Clearcreek township, and was married June 21, 1848, and had three children. Mr. Calhoun is a prominent farmer and wor- thy citizen of the township.

BENJAMIN EMMONS was born in 17So, and came to Ohio in the spring of :812 and settled at Wooster, where he remained two years. Then he removed to Rows- burgh, where he purchased a quarter section of land, which he owned and had possession of until IS17. He then sold out to Michael Rowe, and he and his wife, the spring following, loaded what furniture they had in an old Pennsylvania wagon bed, and started life anew in the woods two miles north of Ashland, ou what's now known as the Savannah and Ashland road. While the cabin was building they were obliged to sit around the camp- fire for a period of six weeks, at night taking shelter in the wagon box. By hard toil he succeeded in clearing up almost every acre of his farm. Upon this farm he ! resided until his death in 1852. His wife's maiden name was Ann Adams, of Jefferson county, Ohio. They had cight children-Janc, Henry, john, Benjamin and Isaac, twins, born on Christmas day, 1820; Sarah, Ann and Hugh. All are living save Jane, John, Ann and Hugh. Isaac, the only representative of the family living in Clearcreek, was married in 1853 to Susan Harriet Wertinae, by whom he has led eight children - Hugh, John, Clara, Mily, George, Harry, Hattie and Jay-all unmarried save Tingh.

Jony Curry was born in the State of Virginia, 1797. In 1816 he made a visit to Ohio, but did not riake a

permanent settlement until the following fall, when he came to Ashland county, erected for himself a rude log cabin in the woods in Clearcreek township. In 1817 he was married to Malinda Wheeler, of Baltimore, Mary- land. They had seven children-Susan, Eleanor, Mary A., Caroline, Edwin, Abraham, and Wesley. Abraham, the only son living. has possession and resides upon the old homestead. October 2, 1860, he was married to Margaret Eaton, by whom he had seven children. Mr. Cuppy is a prominent citizen of Clearcreek township, and a son of one of its pioneers. September 6, 1876, his father died, at the age of seventy-nine years; and his mother died May 1, 1869, at the age of sixty nine years.

DAVID HART came into Ashland county from Wash- ington county. Pennsylvania, in 1831, and settled in the woods, one mile and three quarters northwest of Savan- nah. Immediately after his arrival he set ahont erecting for himself a cabin. In 1835 he was married to Miss Anna McCorkle. Robert, who is the only living repre- sentative of this family living in this State, resides on the old home farm, which he inherited from his father. On September 18, 1861, he was married to Jennie Gault. To them were born four children, all of whom are liv- ing, viz .: Mary, Charles, John, and Wylie. Mr. Hort is an extensive wool-grower, and a prominent farmer in this county. David, his brother, was a member of the Twenty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and died in two months after returning home, from disease con- tracted in the army.

MOSES COOK PERCIVAL, son of Milton and Hannah Percival, was born in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, moved to Ashland county in the fall of 1850, and settled three miles south of Savannah, on the Olivesburgh road, where he still resides. He has been twice married-first to Mary Wright, by whom he had five children: Hannah, Sophia J., Adeline M., Moses Cook, and J. Milion. Meses Cook died July 19. 1878, after having served about five years in the ministry. Mrs. Percival died June 3 1857. and, on January 11, 1859, Mr. Percival married Margaret Ann Scott, by whom he has had three children-James Gates, Grace D., and Alice Scott. Mir. Percival is a man of intelligence and a great reader.

WILLIAM |. VERMILVA was born in Delaware counts, New York, in the year 1863. January 21, 1829, he was married to Roth W. Benson, by whom he had nine chil- dren: Frances, Emily, Phila, Fuza, Sidney, Elkanal, Chancey, John and Albert. In 1838 he came to Ohio, and settled in Ruggles township, three miles north of Sa- vannah. He died at the age of seventy-six. But two sons survive. John was married January 2, 1868, to Mary Frizzel, and resides near Ashland In the Gift of 1879 he was elected justice of the peace, his father hay ing held the office a number of years before he died.

WILLIAM KIKKTON, in company with his wife and an intimite friend, George Mckay, came to America in 1835, bidding farewell to his native Scotlami. They sailed in the "Lady of the Lake," which was soon after lost. He settled in Clearcreek township, but afterward removed to Ruggles township, where he purchased of his acres of land, but sold this soon and bought ons hun-

---

313

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

dred and forty acies in Clearcreek township. They have had nine children, six of whom are living. Mr. Kirkton still resides in Savannah, in apparently good health for one of his years, being seventy-six years old.

WILLIAM BURNS, son of David Burns, was born in what is now Ashland county in the year 1821. In the fall of 1849 he was married to Miss Jane Mckibben, by whom he had six children: Mary B., Tirzah L., David M., J. Bartlett, Maggie C., and Ida M., all of whom are living but J. Bartlett and Maggie C. Mary married Al- beit M. Shriver. Tirzah L. married William C. Shriver, and lives in lowa. David Burns died at the ripe old age of seventy-three years in 1863.

DAVID SHRIVER was horn February 25, ISOS. In the year 1833 he moved into Ashland county, and settled about three miles southwest of Savannah, where he still resides. January 24, 1833, he was married to Rebecca Scott, by whom he hed eight children- George, Eliza- beth, Ebenezer, Mary Ann, Albert, William, Harvey W., Silas Ebner.

ELIJAH F. BRYTE, son of John Bryte, who was an carly settler of Ashland county, was born in this county, in 1834. In 1862 he was married to Martha Ekey. by whom he has had five children --- Elmore S., Thomas T., Ada B., Artie, dead, and one daughter dying in infancy, unnamed. Mr. Bryte lives about four iniles southwest of Savannah. He is a prominent farmer and a worthy citizen.

CFORGE BURGETT was born in Germany about the year 1766. He emigrated to America and settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Here. he married Miss Fannie Rodgers, June 25, 1791, by whom he had ninc children, oil of whom are deceased but Joseph, Eliza and Susannah. George, the youngest son, came to Ohio in the spring of 1813, and settled in what is now Ashland county, about three miles west of Ashiand. At this time but one lone log cabin made up the town of Ashland, or as it was then called Uniontown, and so dense was the forest, they were compelled to cuta way for the teams. He lived bur three years after his settle- ment here, and his wife died seven years later. All the hardships common to pioneer life, they experienced. Joseph is the only living representative of this family now in the county. He was married June 12, ISco, to Aan Rayburn, by whom he had sis children --- j. R., Fannie, Kliza J., George F., Sally, and Melissa, all of whom are living but Fannie and George. Two of the daughters, Kha and Sally, married ministers, Melissa married George B. Masters, with whom Mr. Burgett makes his home; he has reached the ripe old age of seventy-phie years, and is in the full possession of his faculties.

WILLIAM GREGG came to Ashland county in (83); he is a native of Ireland, and was born May 12, 1826. March 15, 1855. he was married to Martha Jane Ten- ant, by whow he had four children, three of whom are living. March to. 1862, his wife died ried again September 11, 1 862, to Martha Graham, by whom he had Give children.

D. H. COLEMAN, a native of Northumberland county;

Pennsylvania, came through by wagon in the spring of 1839; and settled in Orange township. In the year 1855 he was married, and was the father of six children, four sons and two daughters: Mary D., Margaret A , Jo- seph S., John, Oscar E. and William. Joseph S. and Mar- garet A. are deceased. Mr. Coleman is a worthy citizen.

JOHN FERRELL, son of Obediah, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1816. When he was but three months old, his father moved to Ohio and settled in Ash- land county, three miles northwest of Ashland, on a farm adjoining Mr. Burgett. They commenced life in a log cabin, he remaining with his parents until the death of his father in 1844; his mother lived three years longer and died in 1847. The subject of this sketch was married in i850, to Eliza Gries, by whom he had five sons and five daughters. Mr. Fercell now resides in Clearcreek township, with his family around him, enjoy- ing the reward that energy and industry are sure to bring.

JOHN LEISTENSNIDER emigrated to this country from Germany in the year 1836, and first located at Hariis- bargh, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade, that of tailoring, until i$39. He was then married to Catharine Schwartz, and at once moved to Lewisburgh, Vork county, Pennsylvania, where he started in business for himself, which he carried on successfully for thirteen years, and by hard labor and constant toil he accuniti- lated a little fortune of about two thousand and four hundred dollars, which he took with him to Savannali, Ashland county, Chio, in 1852, and invested it in a fam just west of the village. Here he again opened a mer- chant tailoring establishment, a business he followed for twenty-one years. He then disposed of his stock and removed to the farm where he now resides. Mr. Leis- tensnider is the father of ten children : Mary, Henry, Philip, Caroline, Julia, Emma, Martha, Theodore (who died in infancy), one died in infancy, unnamed, and George, who resides on the home farm. Our subject has labored under more than ordinary disadvantages and is entitled to a great deal of credit for the success be bas attained. Born of poor parents with but little opportu. nity for schooling, he has raised himself by dint of hard toil, industry, and good management, from a poor boy with but nine coppeis in his pocket when he landed at Baltimore in 1836, to one of the most substantial and leading citizens of Clearcreek township. Although suf- fering somewhat from the effects of his long continued toll " on the board," he now lives in easy circumstances in one of the pleasantest homes to be found in the county. Mr. Leistensnider is a man of good judgment, independent in thought and action, hospitable and coar- teoas, and highly regarded by his neighbors.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 76

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