History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 86

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

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JOSEPH PIPER moved in from Wayne county about the same year that Mr. Brigle came into Ashland county. He was the sixth child of Heary and Polly Pifer, and the date of this with was October 20, 1811. He was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and came to Chio in 1535. He afterward moved to Indiana, but remained there but a short time. In 1837 he came to Wooster,

Ohio, when he was married to Mary Ann Shuey, April 27th, of the same year. The Shuey family can tare their ancestry back for over three hundred years. They originally came from France. Mrs. Pifer was reared at the original homestead where the fist Shuey family lo- cated in this country. Mr. Pifer by trade is a carpenter. He followed it for about eighteen years, but now devotes his attention to farming. He is the father of two chil- dren- Henry and Emeline. The former married Re- becca Grosscup; the latter is the wife of E. J. Grosscup, the present auditor of Ashland county. He has been an earnest and consistent member of the Reformed church for over fifty years. He has been a hard-work- ing, energetic man, and has led an active life. He is one of the substantial farmers of Milton township, and a large landholder.

ANDREW HELTMAN came to Chio with his father in 1836, and settled in Milton township. He was born in Pennsylvania, September 13, 1820, and is the oldest son of Joseph and Catharine Heltinan. On May 12, 1842, he was married to Barbara Campbell, of this county. They have had four children, but none are living. Joseph Heltman died September 12, 1873. In 1851 Andrew went to California, where he engaged in the mining business. In 1857 he again returned to Ohio and en- gaged in the dry goods business, being one of the partners of Whitner, Myers & Co., and afterward the firm became Heltman & Myers. He followed this for seven or eight years, when he retired to his farm, where he still resides. He has led an active and busy life, and has accumulated a fine property, and to day is one of the substantial men of the county.

JAMES WELLS moved into Ashland county about the year 1835. le was a native of Pennsylvania, and drove through in a wagon, with his wife and six children. In fording the Ohio river he came near losing his life and the lives of his family, who were with him. The water was much deeper than he supposed, and the attempt to ford it brought them into serious danger. He first settled on the farm where Mr. Brown now lives, but not being accustomed to farin life, be soon became weary of it and homesick, and urged his wife to return with him to Pennsylvania. This she refused to do, and he started back alone on horseback, so strong was his desire to see his native place. He soon returned, however, and never again expressed a desire to return to the old home. In January, 1879, his death occurred, at the ripe old age of eighty-two; his wife died in 1851. They had seven boys and four girls, but four of whoin now live in Ash- land county.

JOSEPH WELLS was born May 13, 1831, and was mar- ried November 25, 1855, to Catharine Greiner, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Her ancestors moved to Ashland when it was but a small hamlet. Mr. Wells has spent most of his lite in Ashland county, save residence of nine years in lowa. They have had si children: Lucinda, Loyal M., Clarissa M., Temply E., Tley M., and Dora B., all of whom are living at home They are both members of the Lutheran church. and enjoy the confidence of their friends and neighbors.

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

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HENRY WELLS, the oldest living son of James and Mary Wells, was born October 29, 1829, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Catharine Mandey, September 28, 1871. He resided with his father most of the time until he went to California, in 1859, where he remained ten years; he then returned to Ohio, and has ever since devoted his attention to farm- ing. The farm he now occupies he purchased from his father, and he gives his time to the raising of stock and grain. The ancestors of his wife were among the early settlers of Ashland county. Both himself and wife are members of the Disciple church, and. enjoy the respect and esteem of all.

JOHN BRINDLE came to Ashland county about the year 1850. He was the second son of George and Eliz- abeth Brindle, and was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. He married Susan Burns, by whom he had twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Elizabeth, Mary C., Amanda, Martha A., George W., John M., Samuel F., Emily, Josephine, William H., Charles E., and Alice. Amanda is dead, and Elizabeth and Martha are married. Mr. Brindle was a man of thrift and intelligence, and his . death, which occurred November 15, 1876, removed from Milton township a worthy man and a good citizen. Ifis widow, with the help of her sons, carries on the farm.

HENRY PIFER, the only son of Joseph Pifer, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1838, and in 1861 he was married to Rebecca Jane Grosscup, whose ancestors were pioneers. Nine children have been born to them: Mary M., Leandra, Joseph C., Henty L., Myita, Charles, Shuey, Leander, Samuel A., and Alma. All are living except Mary and Leandra. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pifer are members of the United Brethren church. He is a young farmer of thrift and intelligence, and his premises denote a good deal of taste and care.

PETER BURK came into Ashland county with his father in 1834, and settled in Milton township, but aftewards removed to Mifflin township, where his father died, in 1838. He followed the carpenter and joiner trade for nineteen years, but he afterwards joined farm- ing to this occupation, and has been successful. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1818, and was married January 23, 18.42, to Mary Landis, by whom he had six children. She died February 23, 1857, and he married Elizabeth Figley, July 4, 1859, by whom he had onechild- Margaret 1. Mr. Burk is of German- Irish extraction-his great-grandmother was a German, and his great-grandfather bad the warm blood of a Celt in his veins. He has been a hard-working, industrious man and has met many reverses and endured many hardships. He is well posted in the early history of the township, and has a good memory for facts and dates. Mrs. Burk comes of old pioneer stock. Her grandfather lived to be one hundred and ten years old.

ROBERT W. SMITH was a native of Vermont, and the elllest son of Elisha and Amy Smith. He was bom De- cember 1, 1799, and with his parents moved to the State of New York, and from there to Ohio, in the year 13 and settled first in what is now Plain township, Wayne

county, but shortly afterwards moved to Mohican town - ship, Ashland county, where he made his permanent res- idence until his death. He died at his home, about three miles southeast of Jeromeville. He married for his first wife Priscilla Hatch, by whom he had eight chil- dren: Wilbur R., Julia A., Adelia, Elisha, Lydia, Asa, Edmund P., and Harriet. All are dead except Edmund P. His first wife died, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Isabella Cliffs, who still survives, and now resides in Iowa with her son, Dr. D. B. Cliffs, a prominent phy- sician of thar State. She has reached the advanced age of cighty years. He suffered from a severe hemorrhage of the lungs at the age of twenty-five, and was never considered a strong man physically from that time until < the day of his death. He was, however, a very active, energetic, man, and possessed of a good mind, and rare business qualifications. Hle gave his attention to the buying and selling of stock, which he followed with good success. The pursuit of this business necessitated his leading much of his life on horseback, and this, no doubt, was the means of prolonging his life. He was a man of good judgment, and careful business habits, and accumulated a handsome property. Our subject experi- enced all the hardships and privations that were com- mon to the pioneers of that day. He was a resident of Ashland county when it was a howling wilderness, and but one house was to be found between Jeromeville and Ashland. He made several trips to the mouth of the Huron river to get a barrel of salt, that being the nearest point at which it could be procured. He narrowly es- caped with his life, one night, on his way home with provisions he had procured for the household. The wolves followed him for a long distance, he keeping them back with a stick he carried. They followed him even to the door of his cabin, and by the time he reached his home had become so bold as to almost defy his fre- `quent attacks upon them with his ciub. . His father Elisha was born February 18, 1873, and died January 29, 185 !. His mother was born April 7. 1778, and died August 22, 1856. The only surviving member of this family is Edmund P. Smith, of whom we cannot refin from saying just a word. He is a genial, courteous gen- tleman, and highly esteerned by the citizens of his na- tive county. He was born August 31, 1834, and was married November 24, 1857, to Miss Ellen E. Hoy, who was born August 28, 1835, and is the daughter of one of the early settlers of Ashland county, a sketch of whom will be found in another place, of this volume. To him has been born one child, Julia M., August to, 1858. Mr. Smith served a term of nearly three years in the iate war, on General Garfield's staff, as quartermaster seargent. He is a staunch Republican, and an carnest advocate of his chosen party's measures and principles. Independent in thought and action, he is esteemed by members of both parties alike for his convictions apon all matters of a public nature.

GEORGE MILLER was born June 25, 1820, and Fel ruary 20, 1845, he was married to Charity Elliot. In whom he has bad six children- Mary Ellen, Wilian. Albert, joseph (deceased), Chades, and Jennie. He is

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

a well-to-do farmer, and resides one mile and a quarter northwest of Ashland. He is the son of George and Mary (Stephenson) Miller, who was born in Ireland, in the year 1769. He emigrated to this country, and first settled in Washington county, Pennsylvania. About the year 1813 he moved into Wayne county, and died there in 1842, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife died in the year 1849.

STEPHEN OHt was the fourth son of George Ohl, and was a native of Pennsylvania. In the year 1831 he came to Ohio with his father, and they commenced life in the woods. The father purchased a quarter section of land on which were a rude log cabin and barn. Here they lived until 1862, the time of their father's death. Stephen and George are the only representatives of the family living in the county. Stephen was married in the year 1834, to Mary Schwarz, by whom he has had twelve children - Samuel, john, George, Stephen, Francis, La- vina, Mary Ann, Alice, Amanda, Malinda, Emma, and Kittie. Ann died in infancy. 3h. Ohl resides on the old homestead, and is a good farmer and a good citizen. BENJAMIN WENRICK came into Ashland county from ' Pennsylvania, where he was born in Berks county, Sep- teniber 17, 182:, and settled in 1850 in Milton town- ship. He has been twice married. First to Mary E. Coup, October 2, 1852, by whom he has had four chil- dren; and next to Harriet Williams, September 8, 1859, by whom he has had one son. He served nine years as justice of the peace, to the full satisfaction of the people of Milton township. He has filled the office of township trustee and treasurer at various tienes. He was a valiant soldier in the war of the Rebellion, be- ing in'a number of severe engagements, and was with Grant during the siege of Vicksburgh, but escaped un- hurt, and returned to his home with all the honors to which he was entitled. By his fellow citizens he is highly esteemed for his integrity, and is looked upon by all who know him as a worthy citizen.

HENRY HARTMAN was a native of Germany, and emigrated to this country at an early age, and first set- tied in Pennsylvania; he removed to Ashland county in 1840, and settled in Milton township. In 1842 he was married to Barbara Albert, daughter of a pioneer family. To them have been born five children -- George, Cath- aring, Elizabeth, Henry, and Abraham. The latter died in infancy. Mr. Hartnin died in 1871, leaving a wife and four children to menrn his loss The children are ali residents of the county, and two remain with the mother at the old home, Henry and Elizabeth, who care for their aged mother, and carry on the home farin. On this farm stands a very tude log school-house, that must have been built at a very early day.

HYMAN L. HEIENER, was the third son of john and Margaret Heifner, who were early residents of Orange township, and was born November 25, 18 ;1. He lived with his father until his marriage to Sarah Lutz, Noven- her 15, 1871, when he came to Milton township to live He has been a carpenter and joiner, but has now adopted farming, and gives it his whole attention. They bwve three children: Laura A., Bertha A., am Ida B.

Mr. Heifner generally acts with the Democratic party ; he came from old pioneer stock; he had a great grand- father who was a Revolutionary soldier, and he is 2 peaceable and law-abiding citizen, and well respected. Mrs. Heifner is the daughter of John and Sarah Lutz. The father was a careful, industrious, and frugal man, and died July 2, 1873. His widow survived him until May 11, 1875.

JAMES WHARTON was born in the State of Pennsyl- vania, November 30, 1817, and came to Mifflin town- ship, Richland county, but now Ashland, and settled in the woods, with no improvements whatever save a rude log cabin and a barn of similar construction, and a few apple trees scattered about the house. April 4, 1844, he was married to Nancy Williams, whose ancestors were ' - early settlers in Ashland. They have had nine children, as follows: Adaline, Mary, Ebenezer, Malinda, Loren, John, Reumfried, Willard, and Grant. All are living but Mary and Loren, who died in childhood. Adaline mar- ried T. W. Hunter, a thrifty young farmer of Clearcreek township. Ebenezer married Lillie McClusky, and re- sides in Milton township. Mr. Wharton resides upon the old homestead, and his dwelling is one of the best to . be found in the township. He is one of the largest landholders in the county, and the improvements to be scen on his lands denote more than ordinary thrift and tact on the part of the owner. He has held various township offices, and is a prominent man of enterprise, thrift, and intelligence, and highly esteemed by all who know him.

THOMAS WHARTON was born in Ashland county, March 7. 1835, and resided with his parents until his marriage to Eliza Batt, December 27, 1366. They have had four children: Henry, Charles, Frank and Anna Bell ; Henty died in early childhood. Mr. Wharton has held various offices, and is at present treasurer of the township. A substantial farmer, he enjoys the cs- teem of his fellow citizens.

HENRY Borr came to Ashland county in 1837 ; he was born in 1860, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The maiden name of his wife was Nancy Gish : she died February 29, 1872. Both were earnest Christians. He now resides at the old homestead, with his son in law, Thomas Wharton.

EBENEZER WHARTON is the oldest son of James Wharton, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. He was born September 6, 1849, and hved upon the home farm undil his marriage to Lizzie Mc. Clusky, November 17, 1874. They have had two chil- dren, James and Charles. He is an energetic and enterprising young man of intelligence and thrift.

Jons WHARTON was born January 2, 1789, in Penn- sylvania. When a young man he married Nancy Foltz, who died August 15, 1830. In September, 1831, he was married to Anna MeMillen, of Richland county. To them were born ten children. as follows: Sarah, S. sannale Alvina Jane, Robert, Martha and Minerva. deceased ; Thomas, Linkbait, B. F. and Clara, who are living. John Wharton died February 2. . No, aged sixty five years and five days; his widow survives him.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP.

HENRY M. CLOSE was born in Connecticut, Decem. ber 26, 1785, and married Eliza Knapp in New York, residing there until the time of her death. She was the mother of two children, who also died in New York. Then he married Mary Moe, who died October 5, 1849. In 1817 he came to Ohio, and settled in Sullivan town- ship, Ashland county, on the farm now owned by Ste- phen Coats. He was the first justice of the peace of that township, and held the office for several years. He was a member of the Congregational church, and in politics he was an old-line Whig. August 10, 18.46, he died. His second wife was the mother of eight children, five of whom are living. Esther, wife of Pierce C. Gran- nis, of Williams county, Ohio; Henry M., who married Betsey McConnell; Benjamin, who married Elzina Dyer, afterward married Harriet L. Brown, and lives in Illinois; Susan, wife of George W. Houghton; and Roderick, who married Rosetta Mann, and lives in Ashland county, Ohio. 1

RODERICK M. CLOSE was born in Ashland county, . Ohio, on the old homestead, where he now resides. He is engaged in farming and stoek-raising, and deals largely in blooded stoek; he is also a breeder and extensive shipper of fancy fowls. For seven years he taught school, and has held the office of trustee of Sullivan township several years, and been justice of the peace one term. In politics he is a Greenbacker, and is one of the three who first voted that ticket in Ashland county. In 1860, he married Rosetta Mann, and is the father of three children: Esther A., Rosetta D., and Hemy M.

BERNARD HOLBROOK was born in Vermont in 1798, and, in the same State, married Sallie H. Millet, who died in 1863. In 1833, he came to Ohio, and settled on the farm he now occupies, where he is engaged in farming. In polities, he was an old line Whig; and is highly respected in the community in which he lives. He is the father of four children: Abner, Franklin, Charlotte and Clinton, Franklin being the only one now living.

WILSON WaircoME was born in Brattleborough. Ver- mont, in 1790, came to Ohio in 1832, and settled in Sullivan township, Ashland county, on the farm now owned by W. W. Whiteomb. He was a blacksmith by tradic, and built a shop on his farm, and followed his trade in connection with farming nearly all his life; bis was for many years the only blacksmith shop within a radius of twenty miles In politics he was an old-line Whig. He married Olive Rugg, of Vermont, who died on December 4, 1853. Hle then married Betsey Davis, of Vermont, who died June 10, 1871. He died in 1875. He was the father of six children: Clarissa. wife of 1 .. J. Fairchild, afterward wife of Alonzo Doo. little, of Ashland courty ; Horace N., who married Jane A. Totas, and lives in Ashland county: David R., who married fattie N Chase, and lives in Cleveland; Oren J., who maried Susan Crissinger, and lives in Michigan ; Minnic P., deceased, who was the wife of A.

L. Firman, of Oberlin, Ohio; and Willie W., who mai- ried Rose Wirts, and lives in Ashland county, Ohio.

HORACE N. WHITCOMB, was born in Vermont, in :824, and came to Ohio with his father, where he received a common school education. In 1844 he married Jane A. Toms, and has been engaged in farming. He has been school director several years, and takes a deep in- terest in educational matters. He has held the office of township trustee two years, and was district clerk twen- ty-one years. He is a member and one of the trustees of the Baptist church, and contributes liberally to its support. He is a highly respected member of society, and in politics is Republican. In 1864 he enlisted in com- pany E, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio volun teer infantry, under Captain J. R. Sanford. He was a non-commissioned officer, and was discharged July 17, 1865. He is the father of four children, via: Lottic, wife of George McConnell, of Ashland county, Ohio; Curtiss 1., who married Melvina Bailey, and lives in Ashland county; Eugene C., who lives in Cleveland, and Carrie M., wife of Samuel Bennett, of Ashland county, Ohio.

JOSEPH JOHNSON was born in Vermont in 17Se, and married Lovina Blake in New York. She died in May, 1836, in Summit county, Ohio. She was the mother of twelve children. He then married Mrs. Osborn, in Por- tage county, Ohio, and, after her death, he married Betsheba Ogden, who now resides in Michigan. Mr. Johnson came to Ohio in 1822, and first settled in Por- tage county, where he remained twenty years, and then moved to Ashland county, and settled on the farm now owned by his grandson, Joseph Johnson. He was en- gaged in farming all his life, and was a member of the Baptist church. He took part in the war of 1812, and, in politics, was an old-line Whig until the Republican party was organized. when he became a Republican. He died in 1866. Mr. Johnson was the father of twoive children, only four of whom are living, viz .: Ambrose B., who married Mary Van Wagnor; Nancy, who became the wife of William Sherwood, and afterwards wife of Sterling Acker; Lovina, wife of Gideon R. Bowker, of Dakota; and Elizabeth, wife of Jonathan Chase, of Maryland.

AMBROSE B. JOHNSON was born in the State of New York in ISti, came to Ohio with his father, and recieved such an education as the district schools of the time af- forded. He married Mary Van Wagnor, in Portage county, Ohio, and came to Ashiand county in 18.12, and settled on the farm on which he now lives, where he is engaged in farming and dairying. In politics he is a Republican. Ile is the father of eight children, viz .: Joseph O., who married Ann E. Parker, and lives in Ashland county . Cymes W., who married Sarah S. Ogden, and lives in Lorain county; Henrietta, wife of Marcus De Muss; Harriet, wife of Leonard A. Coles, afterwards wife of Isaure N. M. Hose: Mary E., formerlywife of Ransom Per- son. now wife of Rafes De Aloss; Garret A., who mir rie Mary E. Baldwin; George W., who married Helen Drake ; Charles E who married Alice Hewit !.

JONAH DEMOSS was born in Bath county, Virginia,

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO

April 3, 1787, and in 1815 married Jane Kelly, a native of Clarksburg:,, Virginia. In- 18og he came to Ohio, and first settled in Perry county, where he remained twenty years. While there he enlisted, and served six months in the war of 1812, in Major Tupper's regiment; he also served under General Harrison, at Fort Meigs, in 1829. He came to Ashland county and settled on the farin now owned by his son, Marcus DeMoss. He was one of the original members of the Baptist church - the first church of any denomination in the township; he helped build it, and contributed liberally to its sup- port. In politics he was an old-line Whig, but became a Republican. In 1862 he died, and his wife died the same year. He was the father of ten children, four of them now living: James, who married Henrietta Camp- bell, and lives in Michigan: Nancy, wife of Elijah St. Freeman, in Indian Territory; Jonah, who married Sarah Sprague, and lives in Michigan, and Marcus, who mar- ried Henrietta Johnson. Jane Kelly, wife of Jonah De- Moss, was formerly the wife of Henry Battan, who died in Somerset, Perry county, Ohio, by whom she had five children, viz: Mary, now wife of H. Wadden, of Iowa; " Annie, wife of Benjamin Van Osdell (deceased), of Me- dina county, Ohio; John, who married Rebecea Biggs (deceased), of Ashland county, Ohio; Sarab, who mar- ried Charles Crosby (deceased), of Michigan, and Isaac (deceased), who married Eliza Webster, of Ashland eounty.

MARCUS DEMOSS, son of Jonah DeMoss, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1832, on the farm on which he now lives. He received a common district school education, and taught school four years. At present he is engaged in fanning and stock raising. In 1859 he married Henrietta Johnson, and in 1861 enlisted in company C, Forty-second regiment Ohio volunteer in- fantry, under Captain Buslinell, the (regiment was com- manded by Colonel, now General, Garfield); he served sixteen months, and was with the regiment during the Big Sandy and Cumberland Gap campaign, and was discharged on account of disability. He has been trus- tee of the township, and was justice of the peace nine years, also constable, and in 18So was appointed census enumerator. He is a member of the Congregationa! church, and has been elerk of the church for the past ten years. He is a highly respected member of sceiety, and in politics is a Republican.

CHESTER DRAKE was born in East Windsor, Connee- tieut, in 1732. He married Perey Strong, and after her death, married Susan Cook, of Connecticut. He moved from Connecticut into the State of New York, where he remained about two years, when he came to Chio, and first settled in Wayne county, where he remained about one year. In 1837 he came to Ashland county, and first settled on the farm now owned by his widow. He was engaged in farming alt his life. He was a member of the Baptist church, and in politics was an old line Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he became a Republican. In June, 1876, he died, respected by all who knew him. He was the father of ten chit- dren, six of whom are living, viz: Sineon 1%, who mar.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 86

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