History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 85

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

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THOMAS BROWN was born in Ireland, and came to America when a young man in company with his mother, one brother and three sisters. After remaining a short time in Philadelphia they came to Ohio, and, soon after arriving Mr. Brown purchased a tract of land in Orange township, Ashland (then Richland) county. In 18gi he married Jane, daughter of Charles and Catharine Stew- art, of Richland county. At the time he bought the farm in Orange township there was a log cabin on it, and part of the land was cleared, so that by building a log barn they were pretty well prepared to farm. The day after they were married they took quarters in their new home, where they lived ever after, and where we now find Mrs. Brown living pleasantly with her three sons and 'one daughter. Mr Brown died February 6, 1858, leav- ing Mrs. Brown with five small children, the oldest, a son, being about fifteen years old. Prior to the death of Mr. Brown they had lost, by death, three children. Since his death, the mother, with the assistance of her chil- dren, has added eighty acres to the original form, and they now own two hundred and twenty-five acres of excellent land, with good improvements, in one of the most fertile sections of Ashtand county. Mrs. Brown is a kind neighbor, and well deserves the respect and ad- mitation of those who know her. for the manner in which she has managed the family affairs. She is a woman of good judgment, and though she has seen the hardships that carly settlers could not shun, she is as ac-

tive and bright as many who have not seen such trials. In politics Mr. Brown was a Democrat, and the sons ad- here to the same party principles. Mrs. Brown and her four children are members of the Presbyterian church at Savannah.

WILLIAM SHIDLER, only son of Jacob Shidler, was born in Orange township, Ashland county, Ohio, Scp- tember 2, 1847. His father came to Ashland county from Holmes county with his parents when he was a young man; Ashland county was ever after his home. The farm on which William now lives, and which he owns, is the farm his father purchased when he was married, and where he raised his family, consisting of William, the subject of this sketch, and his sister. now the wife of Hugh Murry. Mr. Shidler died October 3, 1866, and Mrs. Shidter died February 5. 1877. Novem- ber 5, 1872, William Shidler married Elizabeth Myers, daughter of John and Barbara Myers, of Clearcreek township. . The fruit of this union was three children, Maud, Lloyd and Charley Jay. Maud, the oldest, died at the age of fifteen months. Mr. Shidler is a Democrat in politics, is an industrious farmer, and is a companion- abie man, much respected by his neighbors. He has been for six years assessor in Orange township. His farm is considered one of the best grain farms in the township.

DAVID BIDDINGER was born in Orange towoship, Ashland county, Ohio, August 3, 1823, his parents being among Ashland county's pioneers. Philip Biddinger, his father, is still living in Troy township, at the advanced age of ciglity years; his mother died four years ago. 'Squire David Biddinger made his home with his parents until he was married, January 16, 1848, to Fannie l'eck, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Peck, of Orange township. They setted in Troy township, on a tract of landi owned by Mr. Biddinger prior to his marriage. Here they re- sided eight or nine years, when they moved to Orange township, on Mir. Peck's farm, and remained about ten years, when they bought the farm on which they have now resided some fourteen years. . They have four chi !- dren, all of whom were born in Troy township: Lydia A., Sarah Adaline, Mary Jane, and John Willard. L; dia is the wife of Glibert M. Clark, and lives in Huntington township. Lorain county, Ohio. Sarah married Edmond U. Pollinger, and lives in Richmond township, Huron county, Ohio. Mary Jane is the wife of Jacob F. Sing- er, aud lives on a farm adjoining Mr. Biddinger's. John W. marned Lizzie Tedrow, of Harrison county, Ohio, and lives in the same house with his father, working the farm in common with him. 'Squire Biddinger is an in dustrions tarmer, and highly esteemed by all. He is now serving his fourth teria as justice of the peace; he has also been trustee a number of years, as well as school director and road supervisor, which shows his ability and enterprise in local affairs. In politics he is ? Democrat. Both himself and wife are members of the church of the Unded Brethren in Christ, at South They anion chapel, but a shon distance frem where the; liow resiste.

JOHN CHIER was born in Davars:, Germany. April 21.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

1825. May 3, 1848, he left his native country in the ship Birmingham, and after a tedious voyage of sixty- . five days they were overjoyed to behold New York city, in our free America. Tongue cannot describe the fears and anxieties of passengers in those early days, when the trip across the ocean required so many days and even weeks and months. He came at once to Pennsylvania, and lived for five years in Beaver, Washington and Alle- gheny counties, and then came to Ohio and engaged as iniller for John Ralston, in Orange township, Ashland county, where he remained about one year. April 6, 1854, he was married to Elizabeth Heiffner, daughter of Valentine Heiffner, of Orange township, who was an carly settler in Ashland county. To them were born six children: Henry, Stephen, Mary, John W., and James A. The third child, a son, died in infancy; Mary died at the age of four months and nineteen days. The four sons are living with their parents, assisting in making home pleasant. Mr. Geier for many years gave his at- tention to the midling business, a trade he learned in Germany. During the past nine years he has devoted his time to his farm. He is a man who takes a live in- , terest in county and township affairs, having served as supervisor and school director a number of years. Ile loves his chosen trade, that of milling, but his health will not permit of his following it. He is a very com- [: tent man in a mill, and holds a certificate from Ger- many. In politics he is a Democrat. Both himself and his wife are members of the Christian Union church lo- cated in Orange township, near where they now live.

HUGH MURRAY, third son of William and Mary Mur- ray was born in Orange township, Askiand county, Ohio, September 29. 1834. William Murisy came to Ashland county when he was a s'nall boy, about the year 1812. Mrs. William Munay, who came about the same time, at the age of twelve years, is still living with her son Hugh, at the advanced age of cighty years. The Mur- ray family are well known in all parts of the county as one of the first families to settle here after the war of 1812 closed. These heroes of Ashiand county deserve to be remembered by coming generations, as it was to their hardships and privations that the present and com- ing generations owe a debt of gratitude. Willian: Mur- ray was married November 1, 1825, to Mary Chilcote. daughter of Mordecai and Reth Chilcote, another family that came to Ashland county as before mentioned. . After their marriage they lived in different portions of Orange township, and in :834 they moved to the farm on which mother and son now live, in section five, near range sixteen, the northwest corner of the town- ship. Mrs. Murray says she well remembers the log cabin days when quilts were often used as doors. When they came to this farm it was a wilderness, and it re- quired plenty of nerve and will to cope successfully with the hardships necessary to provide bread and clear the land. For Asbland county these hardships are the things of the past, and to record the names of these good pioneers on the sacred pages of history is a pleas- ant duty: They had a family of eleven children, but five of whom are living. George fell at Stone River,

near Murfreesborough, Tennessee, while defending the American flag. He was a private in company II, Thir- tieth Indiana volunteer infantry. James was one of Michigan's calvary boys. Hugh was a member of the One Hundred and Second Ohio volunteer infantry. company K. He returned after a service of three years to the old home in Ashland county. On September 25. 1870, he was married to jane Shidter. They have two boys-Guy B. and Harold Fay. He owns the old homestead, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, and has added eighty acres, making one of the most de- simable fanns in the township. The scenes of his child- hood, no doubt, still linger in his mind, the more so as he has the pleasure of associating with his good mother, a pleasure that few men of his age are allowed. In politics Mr. Murray is a Democrat, and is a man of many friends, and as a neighbor is highly esteemed.

SAMUEL LEIDIGE was born in Lebanon county, Penn- sylvania, February 17, 1801. In 1836 he came to Ohio and purchased eighty acres of land near Little Pitts- burgh, Wayne county. Here he resided about one year, when he sold bis farm and moved three miles east of Wooster, on the Canton road, where he rented the Henry tlouring mill, and operated it for a period of three years, when he bought the Stover mill and fifty acres of land, two miles west of the village of Orange, in Orange town- ship, Ashland county (then Richland), where he has re- mained ever since, and is well known in the county. They have had a family of seven children -- five sons and two daughters, five. of whom are living. The youngest son, Reuben, was lost on the boat "Sultana," when on his way home from the war, as an exchanged prisoner, after a service of nearly three years as a private soldier in the One Hundred and Second regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. This was indeed a sad bereavement to the family, and such an one as many of Ashiond county's good families were called upon, in those days of bloodshed, to realize. Elizabeth, a daughter, aged tlir- ty-six years, died in May, 1869. Isaac and Samuel are married, and Mary Ann is the wife of Jacob Kissell, a farmer of Orange township. Isaac farms his father's land, and Levi, Israel and Samuel manage the mil. Mrs. Heidigh died April 16, 1879. The mill, under the management of the three sons, is in a very prosperous condition, running to its full capacity. They ship by rail from Nankin, a station about three miles east of the null. In 1868 Mr. Leidigh built a new mill, as the old one had not sufficient capacity. He has also added to his land, until he now owns three hundred and ten acres of excellent land, all in Orange township, not far from his residence.

A. C. FAST came to Ohio from Pennsylvania when a small boy with his parents, who located in Orange town- ship, Ashland county, on a tract of land, where the widow of the subject of this sketch now lives in as pleasant a home as is to be found in the county. Sh. hast purchased tlas place, after the death of his father, from the other hears, subject to his mother's downs. she died about two years later. January 23, 1Szo. he married Catharine Fluke. daughter of Philip and Mary

348

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

Flake, who were among the carly settlers of Ashland county, a sketch of whose lives will be found elsewhere in this work. Immediately after their marriage they moved to the place that proved to be their home ever after. Mr. Fast died November 26, :862. They had eight children, three died in infancy, and five are still living. all grown, and doing for themselves. Their naines are as follows: Wilson, Judson, Jennie, Byron, and Mary B. Wilson is married, and is a successful law practitioner in Sedalia, Missouri. Judson is unmarried, and lives in Kelton, Utah, where he is a successful rail- road man. Jennie is the wife of Mr. James Jacoby, and lives on a farm in Dakota. He is quite a stockman. Byron is unmarried, and lives with his mother at the old homestead. He is one of the most successful farmers in Orange township, and is a young man highly re- spected as an intelligent, go ahead man, such as any comunity might well be proud of. Mary B. is the wife of William Alger, and lives in Villisca, Iowa, where he is engaged in the banking business. To place the rec- ord of such a family on the sacred pages of history is a pleasant duty. Wilson Fast was a soldier for a period of nearly three years, in the One Hundred and Second Ohio volunteerinfantry. He wason board thefated boat "Sulta- na"on his way home, and wasone of those who successfully battled with the waves and miraculously made his way to land after a severe struggle, and reached home, and was warmly welcomed by a fond and anxious mother, and brothers, and sisters, and friends. The loss of a num- ber of bis comrades on board the boat from which he .made his escape touched his sympathetic nature, and destroyed considerably his anticipated pleasure en reach- ing the home of his childhood.

MILTON TOWNSHIP.

HENRY KREVER, one of the early settlers of Milton township, was born in Frederick county, M. ryland, in the year :803. He was the oldlest child of Andrew and Margaret Keever. Both of his parents died when he was but & lad. He then went to live with his grand- father, and moved with him to Ohio, in the year ISIt, and first settled in Harrison county ; here the grandfather died, and Henry, who was then a young man of sixteen, removed with his grandmother and sister to Milton township, Richland . county, now Ashiand county. His first purchase was a tract of land in Milion township, where he still resides His settlement in Ashland county dates back to about the year (Sig. in 1832 or 1833 he was married to Caroline Baum. They have had ten children Eliza, Mary, Philip, Sarah, Hen- ry P., Aaron, Susan A., Caroline, Franklin and John; all of whom reside within the State. Ile and his wife have lived together for nearly a half century, upon the same place where they bist set up housekeeping, und

both are well preserved, and in the full possession of their faculties. A grubbing hoe, a horse, and one dollar and Stty cents comprised his capital, when he fist started in life. He is now one of the substantial farmers of Milton township. His life has been a frugal and industrious one, and he enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens.

ROBERT NELSON, who was born in the year 1769, came from Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1816, and settled in Milton township, Ashland county, then Richland county. In the year iSor he was married in New Jersey, and brought with him to Ohio his wife and nine little children. He experienced all the trials and hardships common to the life of an carly pioneer, and died, after a useful and well spent life, at the age of seventy-five years, in the year 1844. His wife survived bin: until the year 1862, when she died at the ripe old age of eighty. At the time of her death there were eleven-children living, four sons and seven daugh- ters. The only ones now residing in Ashland county are Scott, Sophia and Nancy. After the death of his father, Scott purchased from the heirs the old homestead and there resides to this day ( 'S80). In the year 1854 he was married to Rosanna Wells, by whom he had two children -- James B. and Miranda. The latter married Alonzo Poff. James lives with his aged father at the old home. Mr. Nelson has been a prominent and worthy citizen, and is one of the leading men of Milton town- ship.

CHRISTIAN ROLAND, born in Pennsylvania in the year 1823, came to Ohio with his parents about the year 1833, and settled in Milton township. In the year 1844 he was married to Mary Brubaker, whose parents were early settlers in Ashland county. Their children are: Moses, Henry, Maria, Sarah, and Ann; all of whom are living. After an active and useful life, he died May 23, 1876. He was a preacher of some consid- erable note, and followed his calling up to the time of his decease. His widow still survives and lives upon the old homestead, surrounded by her children. He was a man esteemed for his worth and integrity, and an carnest man in the church.

LANCE FERRELL is a native of Milton township, and was born August 19, 1829. August 20, 1849, he was married to Sasan Nelson, daughter of a pioneer family of Ashland county. To them were born eight children, seven daughters and one son: Sarah E., who was born September 14, 1856, and died in early womanhood, four years after her marriage to Amos Jameson; Laura A., born Septembri 7, 1853; Ella E., born January 14. 1856; Forrest A., boin May 20, 1859, died Ami! }, 1863; Nettie A., born February 28, 1861, died March 26, 1862; Cora B., born July 3, 1864: Minnie E., born November 30, 1866; and Zettie, born January 2 1. 1871. Mr. Ferrell lives on what is called the Short farm, near the old homestead. Both himself and wife are members of the Lutheran churchi.

HENRY VANTULMURO was a native of New Jersey, where he was born December 8, 1779. September , iSte, be was married to Jane Shaw, in jefferson county,

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

Ohio, where he lived till the year 18:9, when he moved with his family to Ashland county, Montgomery town- ship, where he resided until his death, in 1863, at the advanced age of eighty-four. He was the father of ten children: Julia Ann, Jane, Nathan, Mary, Henry, Ma- tilda, Elizabeth, Sarah, Siniactte, and Franklin A. His wife survived him until the year 1874. Prior to her death. three of her married daughters died -- Mary Hol- brook, Sarah Shannon, and Siniaette Goudy. The repre- sentatives of the family living in the county are Julia Ri- ley and Franklin A. The latter owns and occupies the old homestead. He was born in 1829, and in 1855 married Mary Shipley, by whom he has had four children, one son and three daughters: Ida, who married Franklin Masteis; jennie, Delbert and Lazettie. Soon after Mr. Vantilburg's settlement in Ashland county, he com- menced the erection of a barn, in which to store his grain, and encountered many difficulties. It is related that he would load two of his horses with wheat, and carry it a distance of seven miles to Jeromeville; where he would exchange his grain for wrought nails, giving one bushel of grain for two pounds of nails. He was a conscientious and law-abiding citizen, avoiding strife and contention. The only lawyer's fee be was ever called upon to pay was five dollars for the preparation of his will. His was an honorable name to be placed on the list of Ashland county pioneers.

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ADAM FIKE was a native of Lancaster county, Penn- sylvania, and came into Milton township in 1835, with his wife and three little children. At the age of thirty, he was married to Elizabeth Lutz. The names of their children were: Susan, Emanuel, C. L., and Adam, the ' last dying in early childhood.

C. L. FIRF was born in Pennsylvania, October 2, 1823, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1835. Twice he has been married ; the first time to Mary Ann Buckley, who died in June, : 869, leaving a family of three chil- dren. Mr. Fike re-married August 24, 1872, to Amanda Mo Quait, by whom he has had two sons, Joseph Lean. der and Henry. He has led on industrious and honor- able life, and is looked upon by all who know him as one of the most influential farmers of Milton township.

WILLIAM G. InOFT, is the youngest of the seven children of William H. and Susan Inhoff, and was the only son of the family born in Ohio. His father moved into this State about the year 1834, and settled upon the ' farm in Milton township, where his son now resides There were seven children, and only one, William G., now resides in the county. One son, Alexander, is a Lutheran minister of some reputation, and resides in Urbana. The father died in 1872, and the mother in 1876. William G. was bom Apiit 16, 1846, on the place where he still resides. October 17, 1861, he was married to Martha Prowa, of Richland county, by whom he has had six children: Albert R., William W., Susan D., Maggie K, Mattie A., and Elvero. Mr. Imhoff lives upon a terms of two hundred and forty acres, which de. notes more than ordinary thrift and enterprise on the part of its owner, the buildings ranking with sonn, of the best to be found in the township. He is an enteprising '

and thrifty fariner. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.

JOSEPH POLLOCE, a native of Virginia, born in 1801 caine to Ohio with his father in 1816, and settled in Milton township. They were obliged to camp out in the wilderness until they could erect a cabin. During the time it required to construct a house, Mr. Pollock learned the art of cooking jonacakes, which were re- garded as quite a luxury in early pioneer times. When summer was ended he had his cabin completed, and he then returned to Virginia for his wife, and the following spring they made the trip to their new home in wagons. The old original log cabin is still standing on the farm now owned by his son Robert. The children of Joseph and Nancy (Mckenzie) Pollock were : David, James, Sarah, and Robert -- all of whom are living, save James. Robert, the only living representative residing in Milton township, was born in 1834, and in 1865 was married! to Freelove' Gates, by whom he has had six children: Joseph Ellsworth, Sarah Nina, Harry Lee, J. Scott, and A. Z. Two are dead-Joseph E. and one dying in in- fancy. He is a prominent farmer and a worthy citizen.

SAMUEL URIE was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, in 1792, and moved into Ashland (then Rich- land) county, in 1814. In the fall of :St5 he was mai- ried to Rachel Stephenson, By whom he had pine children: Thomas, Samuel, Andrew, John, George, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Rachel, and Nancy. Elizabeth, John, and Andrew are dead. At the age of fiftysix. in the year 1848, Mr. Urie died. His wife still survives him. Samuel Urie was born in 1826, and was married in 1840 to Henrietta Nelson, by whom he has had five children: Elizabeth, Arabella, Loren, Ellsworth, and Willis. Arabelia is deceased. Mr. Urie is a quiet, in offensive man, of good habits, and a worthy and much esteemed citizen, and lives in full view of the old home- stend.

JAMES HAZLETT, first son of John Hadlett, was born September 27, 1830, in Milton township, on the place where he now resides, and which is the old homestead of his parents. His father settled in the woods, occupy- ing an old log cabin, but by hard toil, industry, and the aid of his eldest son, he cleared away the forest and carved out for himself a pleasant home. James was married in the year 1852, April 27th, to Miss Mary Ann Riddle, by whom he had seven children: Elmira. Will- iam Loren, Rosetta, John, Lucy, Mary, Ophenia, and Frank. William Loren died in infancy. May 3, 1866, Mis. Hazlett died, and for his second wife he married Sarah J. Horn, by whom he has had one son, Christo- pher. He and wife are consistent members of the Dis. ciple church, and liberal supporters of that branch of the Christian religion.

GEORGE W. HAZLETT was the second son of John Hazlett, and was born Mayer, 1842. He lived with his father, and aided in clearing up the form, unte! ; S6 :. when the father died. Seven years later. in 1800, he. was married to latbbie Thomas, who was born June sz, S.o. Both are earnest Christians, and members of the Disciple church

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

ZAPHANIAH HI. ERRY, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, a son of James Ekey, was born April 26, 1827. and January 1, 1851, was married to Jane McClelland. The following March he moved into Ashland, and pur- chased the farm where he now resides, on which he erected the very commodious dwelling which he still oc- cupies. They have had a family of four children: James M., William S., Elizabeth J., and one son who died in infancy, unnamed. Elizabeth died March 31, IS75, after a brief illness, at the age of eleven years and a few months. On the sixth day of November, 1877, William was married to Adelia McMillan. He and his brother James reside upon and cultivate the home farm. In politics, Mr. Ekey has generally acted with the Demo- cratie party. Ile and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. He is a farmer of frugal and industrions habits, and in comfortable circumstances.

JOSEPH NELSON, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio about the year 1847, and the following year was married to Margaret Nelson, a sister of Scott Nelson. Hle has given twenty-six years of his life to his trade, that of plasterer and stone-mason, besides carrying on his 'farm. He has been the father of five children, but Rob- ert is the only one living. His first wife died in January, 1876, and in February, 1880, he was again married, taking for his second wife Susan Iceman. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church, of Ashland, and acts with the Democratic party. He has been frugal and careful in his business, and has accumulated a nice property.

JOHN BRICLE came to Ohio in 1810 from Cumber- land county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Milton town- ship. He was born January 11, 1797, and April 22, 1822, was married to Catharine Lininger, by whom he had twelve children: Elizabeth, who died in infancy; George, Johu, David, Barbara, who died in infancy; Catharine, Elizabeth, Barbara, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah A., and one unnamed. Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca and Sarah, are the only living ones, Elizabeth, married Philip Smith, and is a widow; Mary married J. P. Rus- sell, Rebecca married jamies O'Brien, and Sarah married David Rumph. Mr. Brigle has spent his life upon the farma, and has been a hard-working and industrious man. His wire died March 30, 1873, after having been a faith- fui companion to her husband for over half a century. She was a kind and loving wife and judicious mother, and bore bravely her share of the toil that fell to the lou of these two oldl people. Both were faithful members of the Church of God, and have lived consistent lives. Mr. Brigle is still living at the ripe old age of eighty- three, and is in the full possession of his faculties. He is an honest and well meaning old gentheman, and an earnest Christian man.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 85

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