USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 91
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are comfortably situated, financially. Above all, they both enjoy the respect and esteem of all in the community where they reside.
THOMAS ORDEN was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 15, 1832, where he resided until the age of eighteen years, when he worked at his trade, as wagon- maker, in different places, finally settling down at Wads- worth, Medina county, Chic, about the year 18544, where he accepted a position as foreman, which he filled with credit for ten years, for the firm of Beach & Traver. Then he associated himself as a partner of the firm, the firm name being H. J. Traver & Co., and was such until the year 1868. During his connection with the firm, he was superintendent. They had a very extensive trade. In 1868 he sold out and came to Ashland, where he established a carriage and buggy shop, since which time he has carried on that business. Mr. Ogden commenced to work at this business at the age of fourteen years, and is considered very proficient in all its departments. The facilities he has here for making first-class work can not be surpassed in the State. He generally employs about fifteen men the year around. He was a perfect stranger when he first came to this place, and, by paying > strict attention to business, turning out first-class work, and dealing honestly with every one, he has built up for himself a large trade.
SAMUEL S. DAVIS was born in Juniata county, Penn- sylvania, December 26, 1826, where he resided until the age of nine years, when his parents removed to the present county of Ashland and located in Mifflin town- ship. Our subject resided in that township until the year 1865, when he removed to Ashland, where he has since resided January 7, 1850, he was married to Cath- arine Roland, who was born in Lebanon county, Penn- sylvania, January 6, 1827. At the age of six years her parents removed to this State and located in Milton township. To them were born eight children, all of whom are living, as follows: Harriet, who was born No. vember 8, 1850, and married Walter S. Gante; Franklin P., born .August 6, 1852; Amanda, born June 25, 1856; Reuben A., born December 4, 1858; Lovina, born July 14, 1861; Sarah, born March 5, 1863; Harvey J., born April 1, 1866: Samuel C., born May 9, 1868. MIr. Davis during his life has paid his attention to farming, until he removed to Ashland in 1865, since which time he has been a jobber and contractor, which business he still follows, but in the near future he intends to quit his present business and engage in the hotel and livery busi- ness, for which he is now having one of the finest barns in Asldand built for that purpose, and good facilities for keeping a first-class farmers' hotel. His aim will be to please all.
FREDERICK JONES was born in the county of Kent, England, February 22, 1869, where he resided until the age of forty years, when be came to this country and lo- cate din Ashland county, this township, where he has since resided. He was married January 1, 1826, to Miss. Eliza Fickett, who was also born in Kent, Englind, March 9. 18to, where she resided until isso, when& he
came to this country to join her husband. To them were born two children, who are still living, and named Jane, who was born in 1827 --- she married John Shep ard in England, but they now reside here; Harriet, who was born in England also, in 1829, and married there, but now resides here Mr. Jones has sixteen grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. He is a brick and tile manufacturer, which business he has followed since his residence here. He paid some attention to the farm, but for the past few years has turned all of his attention to manufacturing tile, and he is considered proficient at his business and his aim is to please every one with work and low prices.
GEORGE SCHNEIDER was born in Knox township, Holmes county, this State, December 31, 1843, where he resided entil he was twenty-three years old. From that place he removed to Londonville, this county, where he resided three years, when he came to Ash. land, where he has since resided. December 4, 1873, he was married to Miss Louisa Kuntner, who was born in the city of New York, December 15, 1856. To them has been born one child, who is still living-Magdalena K .-- who was born November 8, 1878. Mr. Schneider spent the carly part of his life on the farm with his father, but for the past fifteen years he has been in the confectionery and baker business, which vocation be still follows, and now has a store located at this place.
DR. J. L. Roop. the subject of this sketch, was born September 25, 1828, in Carroll county, Maryland. The names of his father and mother were Joseph and Susan- nah Roop, both of whom were of German extraction. There were eleven children as the result of this marriage, nine boys and two girls. as follows: Josiah, David, Eph- raim, Isaac, Israel, John, Eli, Jonas E., Mary, Elizabeth, and Joseph N., all of whom lived to maturity save Eli, who died when only two weeks old. Having a hore family to provide for, they sold their farm in Maryland, and moved to Ohio in the summer of 1838, locating in the eastern part of Montgomery township, Asbland (then Richland) county, having purchased what was known as the Pratt farm. Here Dr. J. F. Roop was raised, doing general farm work and attending the dis- trict school during the winter terms, when he could be spared from the work on the farm, for at that time much of the wheat was threshed by putting it on the bain floor, and then tramping it oat by riding horses over it until all the wheat was rubbed out of the heads. Thus his summers and winters were passed until 1848, when he spent one year at the academy at Republic, Seneca county, Ohio, until he was compelled to leave schoo! for want of money. He taught his first school in Adam ; township, six miles north of Republic. In the spring of 13.19 he entered the office of Dr. J. N. Waddell, of Jerome- ville, with whom he remained until 1857. He then moved! to Lucas county, Ohio, where he engaged in the prac- tive of his profession until the next spring, when he joined Captain Dorlan I's party for California. The com. pany left Rowsburgh on the eighteenth of March, 15: and encountered many hardships. They went to the Olo river and took passage on the steamer John Adams,
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
for St. Louis, Missouri. There ox teams were bought, and the journey commenced in real earnest. After a long and tedious journey he arrived in Shasta City, Cal- ifornia, on the ninth of September, lacking nine days of being six months on the march. for the golden shores. He located in Shasta City, and engaged in the practice of his profession. He was also deputy postmaster. He remained until June, 1853, when he went to San Fran- cisco. After arriving in that city he fell in company with parties going back to Ohio, whom he joined, and re- turned home in the month of July. He went with his father to Iowa that fall, and the next spring returned to Ohio and married Margaret Allen, of Lucas county, Ohio, with whom he became acquainted just previous to going to California. They returned to Jowa, where he practiced medicine for seven years, and by the persuasion of his father-in-law he returned to Ohio to live, and graduated from the Physio-medical institute of Cincin- nati, Ohio, After a few years he was elected to the chair of botany, chemistry, and chemico-legal analysis in the Physio-medical institute in Cincinnati. After fill- ing this chair for two years he was elected to fill the chair of obstetrics and diseases of women and children in the same college, which chair be filled for eight years, when he was compelled to resign his professorship in said college, on account of the failing health of his son Harrie, and take him to the country, thus compelling him to leave Cincinnati. Knowing Ashland to be a healthy locality, and as his people, the Tunkers, were about to build a college at that place, he decided to move back to his old home. Here he is engaged in the practice of medicine in partnership with Drs. M. E. Dun- ham and H. P. Nelson. They have a large and growing practice. Dr. Roop had bom to him five children, as follows: George Joseph, Edward Allen, Jonas Wilber, Cora Bell, and Harrie Tait. Edward died when six months old, of cholera infantum; Jonas Wilber at two weeks, of general weakness; Cora Bell at ten months, of cholera infantum and difficult dentition; and George Jo- seph was drowned on the fist of June, 1868, aged thir- teen years. two months and fifteen days. Dr. Roop's father was one of the early pioneers of the Dunkard church in this county. By his energy ministers of that church were brought to this county. James Tracy was among the first preachers thus brought, and by energy a successful church was established, out of which bas grown a large membership.
DR. Hemit P. NELSON was born November 14, 1849, in Iberia, Morrew county, Ohio. His father, Willian L. Nelson, was a native of Pennsylvania, who removed to this county while young, and settled near Perrysville. His mother, Nancy, was born and reared on what is known as the old Moore farm, in the southeast part of Mongomery township. The family consisted of eight children -- Hugh P., John M., Susan, Julia A., Mary F .. Dillmon, Melissa, and William E .; three of whom died while young -John M., Dillman and Melissa. The subject of this sketch being the oldest, the labors of providing for the wants of the family fell heavily upon him, so that his chances for obtaining a thorough edu-
cation were next to impossible, as his time was occupied with his farm duties during his youth and early manhood. He attended district school during the winter; but being of a studious turn of mind, he succeeded in this way in obtaining a fair common school education. In the fall of 1868 he entered the academy at Hayesville, re- maining a part of the time antii 1874. During the summer of that year he attended school at Perrysville. For several years Dr. Nelson figured highly as one of Ashland county's most energetic and successful teachers. In the winter of 1876-77 he commenced the study of medicine, placing himself under the instructions of Pro- fessor J. E. Roop, then residing in Cincinnati, Ohio, and remained with him until the fall of 1878, when he attended medical lectures at the Medical Department of Wooster university, Cleveland, Ohio; resuming his studies again in the spring of 1879 under his former preceptor, who had in the meantime removed to Ash- land. He attended lectures the following winter at Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated with second honor from the Physio-medical college, March 2, 1880. Returning home he located in his native town, entering as partner with the well known practitioners, Roop & Dunham. Dr. Nelson is an earnest, hard student, ever searching after the best and most safe means of alleviating the sufferings of his fellow beings.
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NEAL, MCCOY SWERINGER was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, May 13, 1842: When about three years of age, his parents removed to this State and located in Wayne county, where he resided until the year 1871, when he removed to Ashland county, where he has since resided. February 18, 1864, he was married to Rachel C. Thompson, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylva- nia, November 6, 1838. When at the age of twelve years, her parents removed to this State and located in Tuscarawas county. Ashland county has been her home the- most of the time since her residence in the Statc. Ry this union seven children have been born, all of whom are living: William T. A., who was born in Wayne county, November 29, 1864; Alvi A. W., born in Wayne county, February 17, 1867; Effie E. E., born in Wayne county, July 24, 1869; George F. E. bom in Ashland county, June 15. 1375: Edward T. D., born in Ashland county, June 4. 1873: Robert J R., born in Ashland county, May ic, 1875; and Samuel N. R., born in Ashland county, July 7, 1877. Our subject was a farmer until ten years ago, since which time he has been running an engine, and is now an engineer by occupation. He, together with his wife. are members of the Christian church.
DR. ABRAM L. SHERICK was born in Ashland county, Ohio, June 19, 1856. David Sherick , his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, removing to this couaty while young, and settling near Hayesville. Amanda, his mother, was also born in Pennsylvania, and reared near West Salem, Wayne county, Ohio. The family con- sisted of ten children : Mary J., Matilda, Catharine, Al- inira, Amanda, Willant W., Abram 1., Weldaw, Alice, and Lillie: two of whom, Amanda and Lille, died while young. The subject of this sketch was the seventh
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HISTORY OF . ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
child. His chances for obtaining a thorough education were quite good, and during his youth his tine was oc- copied in attending district school during the winter sea- son, and working on his father's farm during the summer inonths. But his father being desirous of having him attain a thorough education, be moved off the farm in 1873, to Lodi, where he atteraled school two years, after which he became somewhat tired of school life, removed with his father to the farm, and, after remaining there a short time, again resumed his educational pur- "suits, attending the academy at Burbank for some con- siderable length of time, and gradually rising in mental culture, until hebecame qualified to attend college. He then attended Baldwin university at Berea, for about two years. He being studious, energetic and enthusiastic, turned his attention to the subject of medicine. Dr. Thomas S. Hunter, his preceptor, accepted him as a · student in the year 1877, and, after studying under him about nine months, he attended the Toledo School of Medicine one session, when he returned and remained with his preceptor for a short time, after which he con- tinued the study of medicine in New York city, where he attended the Bellevue Hospital Medical college for two years, and was graduated with the class of 1880, with the highest honors. He then returned to his na- tive county town (Ashland), where he formed a partner- ship with Dr. Hunter, for the practice of medicine, which he began the eighth of April, 1886. The doctor has --- in this short period -- by industry, and paying strict atten- tion to business, built up for himself a good practice.
ORLANDO MARKLEY was born in this township (Mont- gomery), September 10, 1844, and has since resided in the county, with the exception of one year be spent in the State of Illinois. November 14, 1867. he was mat- ried to Kate C. Michael, who was born in Germany, June .22, 1846. At the age of twelve years her parents removed to this country, and located in this county and township, and this place bas since been her home. They had nine children, five of whom died in infancy. The ones who are still living are: Sadie J., who was born October 24, 1869, while her parents were in Ili- nois; Mary L., bern December 29, 1875; George C., born April 17, 18;8; and Orlando V., born March 9, 1830. In the late war our subject was a member of. : company G, Twenty-third Ohio volunteer infantry. In
1863 he entered the service, and was discharged in 1865. By reason of injuries received while performing his duty as a soklier, the government grants him a pension, but this consideration is nothing to good health, as his health has been impaired ever since the war, which has disqualified him from performing any bard labor, and his vocation has been, since that event, that of a gardener. Mr. Markley and wife are both members of the United Brethren church, and are respected by all who know them.
Keller, sr., was among the pioneer settlers, and did much toward clearing up this section, being a fartiet by occupation. Hle was the sixth in a family of nine chil dren, consisting of four brothers and fout sisters, and was married December 2, 1852, to Abby Maria, daugh- ter of Simon Wertman of Ashland county. To thema have been born four children, viz: Orlando W., John, George W., and Williard H., three of whom are living at home; John S. residing east of Ashland some three miles. Mr. Keller is a farmer, owning eighty acres of land. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Keller joined the Lutheran church of Ashland in r$59, and their sympathies are still with that body. Mr. Kel- ler is now, and for some time past has been, quite indis- posed from attendance upon the sick and hard labor, though he still manages his farm.
BENJAMIN EMMENS, son of Benjamin and Anna Adams Emmiens, was born December 25, 18co. flis parents removed from Jefferson county to Wooster in the year 1812, to Rowsburgh in 1814, and to Montgomery township, Ashland county, Ohio, in 18:S. He is a twin brother (in a family of eight children), of Isaac Emmens, and was married February 14, 1866, to Sara !! Matilda, daughter or Samuel Wertman. To them were boin six children, viz: Orra, Cora, Tully, Mattie, Simon and Ralph, all of whom are living. Mr. Emmens has made a life business of farming, and has forty acres of fine land. He is a Republican in politics. Mrs. Emmiens is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Ashland. Mr. Emmens is a member of the grange of Ashland, and is a well preserved man of sixty years.
SAMUEL ROWLAND, son of Joseph and Christina (Lane) Rowland was born in Maryland, near Hagers- town, March 29, 1862. Some few years subsequemis he, with his family, comprising some seven children, re- moved to Pennsylvania, and in the year 1818 removed to Ohio, landing in Orange township, July rath of that year, coming with wagous, a distance of two hundred miles, all of the way. He first settled on the Burgess farm, which was then a wilderness. Here they began the life of pioneer farmers, clearing the first lands and cutting the first timber, but't a rough log house with puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and wooden chiinney. Here he remained some two years when he removed to Montgomery township, on what is now known as the Rosebeny farm. Joseph, the father of our subject, died at Wyandot, at the age of ninety-five years. The mother died previously, aged sixty years. Our subject was married in 1835, to Elizabeth, daughter of John Closson. To them were born seven children, viz .: Mary Jane, Joseph, deceased. Reznor, deceased; Washington, and Christina, and others who died in infancy. Mr. Rowland settled about three and one-half miles cast of Ashland, entering the farm of eighty acres as school lands which was in the woods, building the first house and doing other work incident to pienver farming. Here be reared his family, and improved his tarm to a high state of cultivation. Mrs. Rowland died in the your
JOHN KELLER, son of John and Mary (Johnson) Keller, from Northampton, now Monroe county, Penn. sylvania, who . removed to Ashland county, Ohio, then Richland county, in the fall of 1829, was born October 12, 1823, in Northdoption county, Pennsylvania. John ' 1856. Two years thereafter Mr. Rowland married K. .
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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.
becca Iman, by whom he has one child, and moved im- mediately to the place where he now resides. Mr. Row- land is a member of the church of Disciples, and Mrs. Rowland is a member of the Presbyterian church, both of Ashland. In politi M. Rowland is a Democrat, being a staunch member of that party. He cast his first presidential vote for Jackson, in 1824. M !. Rowland is a well preserved man of seventy eight years, the family being noted for their longevity.
ANDREW PROUDFIT was born in York county, Penn- sylvania, May 26, 1809, and was the eighth in the family of ten children of Andrew and Mary Marshall Proudfit, who were native's of that State. The ancestry on the father's side dated back to Ireland; that of the mother to Scotland. The father of Andrew Proudfit, with his family, removed to Fairfield county, Ohio. in :310 or 1811, where they remained some six or seven years, and then sought a home in Ashland county, where they entered thice hundred and twenty acres of land in an almost unbroken wilderness, for which they paid two and one-half; dollars per acre. They remained unti! the date of their death. Andrew, sr., died at the age of seventy-one, and his wife at sixty-six years of age. Our subject was married May 14, 1835, to Phebe Artman, by whom he had three children: John, Mary and .Augusta, John being the only survivor. Mrs. Proudfit died Janu- ary 29, 1865. He married for his second wife Rebecca Dininger, daughter of John Decker. He has made a life basiness of farming, and now owns two hundred and forty aries of very fertile land. In politics he is a Democrat; and has served his township as trustee some three of four ieris, and in other positions, although not an ofice-seeker. He is of large physique, weighing some two hundred and cighty pounds, and is well pre served.
IL. I. STEPHENS was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 19, 1852, but for the past eleven years his home has been in Ashland, Ohio. By profession he is a tin- ner, and now carries on a store at this place, and is con- sidered to be very proficient at bis business. January 20, 1876, he was married to Clara Campbell. To them have been born two children, one of whom died in infancy; the other, Thad. C. S., died at the age of five months.
Primus R. KOSABERKY was born near Bloomsburgh, Colinbia county, Pennsylvania, Mary 19, 1825, and was the youngest in the family of ten children of William Roseberry and Sophia Prese, who were natives of New Jersey, and removed to Pennsylvania about 1868, and thence with their family to Ashland county. in the spring of 1837, where they remained until the dates of their death. William Roseberry died May 4, :854; his wife died January 16, 1863. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church some fifty years. Our subject was manied August To, 1847. to Elizabeth, daughter : Ni Sulas and Catharine Jones, of this county. The result of this andon was two children, viz: dathatine S., and Sopironia E., the former the wife of Dr. James Frauenf. lter, and the latter residing at home with her parents. Mr. Roseberry joined the
North Ohio conference in .845, but became indisposed and returned to his home, where he followed farming some two years, when he became recruited and again re- sumed the ministry, his fields of labor being principally in Ashland county, in the Methodist Episcopal church. He also manages bis farm, it being the old homestead of his parents. The farm is highly improved and com- posed of fine fertile lands, comprising one hundred and five and one-half acres. In politics he is a Republican.
MICHAEL MOWRY, son of Michael Mowry and Nancy Rough, was born October 15, 1836, in Wayne county, Ohio, and was the fifth child in a family of eleven chil- dren, consisting of five brothers and six sisters. No- vember 23, 1863, he was married to Mary Steward, daughter of Samuel and Polly Steward, of Wood county, Ohio. By this anion was boin four children : Harvey A., Willard 1 .. , Cora A., and Jessie L. Our subject has a farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres, finely im- proved, and with fine buildings ; he has made a life bus- iness of farming and dealing in stock. In the fall of 1872 he removed from Wayne county to Ashland county. In politics he is a Republican. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, of Ashland, Ohio.
EMANUEL SWINEFORD, son of Jacob and Sophia Clays Swineford, was born September 16, 1814, in Union county, Pennsylvania. He was the fourth child in a family of eight, consisting of four brothers and three sisters. In the month of May, 1838, Mr. Swine. ford was married to Margaret, daughter of Thomas Hamilton, born in 1818, in the same county, and in August of the same year removed to Ashland, Ashland county, Ohio, and entered into a partnership with John Cairns in the distilling business, where he remained some six months, when he engaged in the same business as an employe of Michael Stuth, remaining two and one-half years. He then purchased an oil and sawing mill near the present homestead, and remained in this business some thirteen years, and subsequently pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres with William Sheets, finally purchasing the whole tract, Mr. Sheets selling to His father. Mr. Swineford is now owner of a andly in. proved farmi of two hundred and forty acres, Mr. and Mrs. Swineford came from heir home in Pennsylvania with a team and wagon, being fourteen days on the road; took their dinners each day, except one, on the commons, and the last one was taken on their present farm at the close of their journey. Their nights were spent at the taverns along the route. To Mr. and Mrs. Swireford were born seven children, three of whom are living, viz: William H., Curtis and Hemy. Those deceased are: Peter, Mary, Elizabeth, Catharine, Sophia, and Thomas Emerson, A grandchild, Harriet Elizabeth, now Gils the place of those who have at. trined the years of manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Swing ford have nine grandchildren. In politics he is a Ke publican, casting his first vote as a Whig, but about the formation of the Republican party became a status h And carrest supporter of its principles. Mr. and Mrs. Swineford and their family are all members of the Lutheran church of Ashiand, W. Swineford having been
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