History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 93

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 93

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

Franklin, Pennsylvania, March 20, 1871, nearly seventy years of age. ifis mother is still living with him and is nearly seventy-six years of age. Mr. Rieser has a. fam- ily of six children: Aibert, Jennie, Mollie, Isabella, Max, and Deborah.

CLARENCE S. MARTIN was born in Montgomery town- ship, December 26, 1854. He was married September 26, 1876, to Elizabeth S. Myers, who was born in Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1862. By this union have been born two children- Ada E., who was born September 26, 1877, and John A., who was born September 5, 1879. Mr. Martin is a farmer by occupa- tion, and has followed that from boyhood. By good management he has made for himself and family a com- fortable home.

WILLIAM W. GIBSON was born in Harrison county, Ohio, March 17, 1826, where he resided until the age of fifteen years, when he with his mother removed to this county, his father having died prior to that time. Mr. . Gibson is now living with his fourth wife. He has buried three wives and seven children. His present wife's maiden name was Hannah C. Maxwell, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, May 17, 1837, but this county has been her home from infancy. She was married to Mr. Gibson May 23, 1877. Our subject is by trade a black- smith, and has followed that as his vocation from boy- hood until the past few years, since which he has paid his attention to his farm, and intends to make that bis future business. By good management he has made for himself a comfortable home.

RUGGLES TOWNSHIP.

THADDEUS ANDREWS was born in Lllington, Connec- ticut, in 1778, and married Lydia Russcil, of the same place. In 1808 he came to Ohio, and settled in Roots- town, Portage county, where he died, in 1845; his wife died in 1843. He was engaged in farming all his life; wis a member of the Presbyterian church, and was dea- con in the church for over forty years. In politics he

was an old-line Whig. He was the father of nine chi !- dren, five of whom are still living, viz: Thaddeus R., who inarried Axle Richardson, and lives in Portage county, Ohio; Lydia, wife of Harvey Shutliff, of Por- tage county; Komanta N., wife of Einby Norton, of Portage county; Roxey M., wife of Cyrus Norton, and afterwards wife of Cyrus.Austin; and Orsamus L., who married Elvira Bassett.

ORSAMUS L .. ANDREWS was born in Portage county. Ohio, in 1815, and received a common school education in Portage county; went to school at Randolph academy in Ravenna, and at Farmington, Trumbull county, Ohio, and then returned to Portage county and began the study of medicine with Dr. Bassett, where he remained three years, and during that time attended lectures at Willoughby, Ohio. In 1837 he married Elvira Bossett. and, in 1838, began the practice of medicine. In 1842 he moved to New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, where he opened an office and remained six months, when he moved to Greenwich, where he went into part- nership with Dr. Norton, and remained one year. In 1843 he removed to Ruggles and entered into partner- ship with Dr. Paddock, where he remained two years, when he sold to Dr. Paddock, and moved to New Lon- don, where he practiced medicine twelve years. While there he was elected justice of the peace for two ternis, served as township clerk seven years, and township as- sessor three years. In 1856 he returned to Ruggles, where he engaged in the practice of medicine until 1868, when he gave it up and turned his attention to farming, in which business he is still engaged. He has been elected justice of the peace of Ruggles township for one term, has served as township clerk several years, and as township trustee one term; was appointed postmaster during President Pierce's administration, and held the office during nearly all of President Buchanan's adminis- tration; is a member of the Congregational church, and in politics he is a Republican. He is the father of ten children, six of whom are living, viz .: Lydia, wife of Robert Vanwranken, of New London; Orsamus L., who married Marion Beach, and lives in Ruggles; Lucy E., who married Wakeman E. Beach, of Ruggles; Bassett ; George W., who inarried Li'ly Vangorder, and lives in Illinois; and Emma, wife of John Weddell, of Ashland county.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHIES AND OTHER HISTORICAL FACTS,

JUDGE JOHN D. JONES.

Judge Jones was born in Shippensburgh, Cumberland county, State of Pennsylvania, June 25, 1815. He learned the trade of a tailor in Chambersburgh, Franklin county, and, after working at his trade in different towns of his native State for some years, came to Ohio in April, 1838, and stopped at Wooster, Wayne county, six months, and then located in Jeromeville, now in Ash- land county, and carried on his trade, in which, being a good workman, he was always successful. In IS42 he married Louisa, daughter of Henry Andress, who was born in Maryland, and came to Ohio about the year 1830. and died about seven years since. Mr. Andress prided himself as a teamster, having a very fine six-horse team with bells, and the best styled wagon ; he was constantly engaged in hauting the produce of the west to Pitts- burgh, Philadelphia, and Baltimore, and returning loaded with merchandise. He possessed all the pride of the old-time teamsters, among whom he was regarded as a hero; he was a inan of excellent character, benevolent, upright and exemplary. His widow, Mary Andress, sur- vived him about five years. Mr. Jones was appointed deputy sheriff under Isaac Gates, and removed to Ash- land in 1640, carry ing on a merchant tailor and clothing business until 1852, when he was elected sheriff, and served two terms. In 1857 he was elected probate judge, and served two terms. In ISGo he was elected justice of the peace, and has since been three times re- elected. In 1857 he became a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, being one of its official members, but that which he seems most to delight in is his connec- tion with the Sabbath school, of which he has been a teacher ever since he united with the church. For more than twenty years he has been an attorney at law, and has made probate business and collecting a specialty. He and his family reside at Ashland, having had five children, two of whom- Summer Pisley and Mary S. M. Landis -have died. Those still living are: H. D. Jones, of the firm of Fiver & Jones; Samuel R. Jones, and Anna Alsdorf.

JAMES CAMPBELL.

Mr. Campbell was born on the ocean while his parents were on the way to the United States, October 2, 1793. They were from Scotland. They settled in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, where James grew to manhood and learned the trade of a weaver, which he

followed for many years. In his earlier years, the old- fashioned double coverlets, as well as single ones, were in general use. He was a volunteer in the war of Iste, and went to Baltimore just after Ross was killed. At that time he was with other Pennsylvania troops quar- tered at Little York, and could hear the cannon at Bal- timore during the battle. He served three months, and was discharged at Baltimore city. In 1817 he came to Ohio in company with Edward Murray, who was also a weaver, and settled in Orange township, adjoining the late Patrick Murray, who had preceded him about eighteen months. Mr. Campbell remained in the fami- ly of Edward Murray until 1862, in November, when the latter died, and James became a member of the family of William Peters, a son-in-law of Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray and wife and Mr. Campbell were for inany years members of the Dunkard church. Mi. Campbell is now eighty-seven years of age, and among the few soldiers of the war of 1812 living.

HON. THOMAS M. BEER.

son of Richard Beer, was born on the second dav of March, 1837, in Montgomery township, Ashiand county, Ohio. He helped to clear the home farm and did all kinds of farm labor. He attended school in the winter and worked in the summer. When seventeen years old he taught school three months, and used his wages to pay his tuition at Vermillion institute, where he finished his education and graduated at Iron City Com- mercial college. He commenced the hardware business in Derember, 1865. and was a successful hardware merchant. In 1872 he was elected mayor of Ashland one term. In 1877 he was elected senator for the dis- trict composed of the counties of Ashland, Richland, Medina and Lorain, and reelected in 1379. He was made chairman of the committee on finance. He i; regarded as an energetic and capable member of the senate. He is a hard worker when in the assembly. and his friends place much reliance upon his integrity. Ile married Alice A. Urie, and his family consists of his wife, Lizzie, Frank and Harty, three children. He is about forty-three years of age, and possesses a line physical development.

WILLIAM G. HEITMAN

Mr. Heltman, the subject of the following sketch. was born near Mill Hall, Center county, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1835. When one and a half years old hus parents

These betales were received from the author at too late an hour for insertion under the biographie department, honey their apper- ance la re at the clo ce of the volume.

THOMAS SPROTT.

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

removed to Ashland county, Ohio, then Richland county, and settled on a farm in Milton township, one and a half miles west of Ashland. Here he was raised and learned the art of farming, attending school in winter until nineteen years of age, when he taught a common school. Afterwards, in 1856 and 1857. he taught two terms in his own district, instructing those with whom he had been raised and most intimately acquainted. In 1857 he accepted a clerkship in the Mansfield post-office, under Jacob Reisinger, and acted in that capacity as chief clerk for two years, when, by reason of prolonged sick- ness, he gave up his place. In 1859 he was employed by E. W. Wallack, in his grovery and queensware store, in Ashland, and while there engaged, was three times elected clerk of Montgomery township in 1861, 1862 and :86 ;. In 1865 he was married to Mary T. Reb- man, an estimable young lady, whose parents resided on an adjoining farm to his other's, from carly childhood. By this anion there have been eight children, six of whom are living. In 1863 he was the Democratic can- didate for clerk of the court of common pleas of Ash- land county, and elected by a majority of about two hundred and fifty votes, and served as such cleik for three months, when, by the return and counting of the soldier vote, this result was changed by a few votes. In ) 865 he was nominated by the Democracy of Ashland county for treasurer, and clected by a large, majority, and re-elected in 1867. filling the position for two terms, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of the community.

He is a member of the order of Free Masons, and has filled the chair as master of Ashland lodge for a number of terms, with marked ability and honor to the lodge. From 1871 to 1875, he was engaged in the dry goods trade successfully; then sold out his stock, and in 1874 engaged in the grocery and queensware trade in Ashland, in which occupation he continned till 1880, when he lost his stock of goods by fire, at the burning of the town hall. At present he is one of the publishers of the Ashland Praw; has always been a Democrat, and a staunch advocate of the interests of the laboring class. By birth he is a German, and makes his influence felt more by arts and deeds than words. \ thoroughly trained, self-made business man, his rute in life is strict and square dealing with his fellows; and while he values his word as sacred as his bond, he expects the same of others. In forming his judgment he is deliberate, but when he arrives at conclusions it is seldom he surrenders them. His intimate association with all sorts of people from boyhood renders him an excellent judge of human nature, and he is seldom deceived. In the family and social relations he is warm-hearted and charitable, and none ever confide in him in vain. His friendships are as steadfast and enduring as his dislikes are firmly grounded. Now in the vigor of life and sturdy man- hood, his future will be tett in business relations and in the State alike.

SAMUEL LEIDIGH.

Mr. Leidigh was born February 17, 18ot, in Leb- anon, Pennsylvania, where he grew up and learned the trade of a miller, which he followed in Pennsylvania until 1835. He married Elizabeth Neff in 1826. He removed to Wayne county, Ohio, in the spring of 1835, and carried on the milling business three miles east of Wooster, at Henry's mill, about three years, and then removed to and purchased the old Mason mill in Orange township, then in Richland, but now in Ashland county, where he still resides and carries on business. His family consisted of five boys: Levi, Isaac, Is- rael, Samuel, and Reuben, who was blown ap in the steamer "Sultana" during the war of 1863, and one girl, Elizabeth. His children living reside in Orange town- ship, near the old homestead. He is a member of the Lutheran church. Mrs. Leidigh died April 16, 1879. The health of Mr. Leidigh is now good. The old mill is removed and a new one built-steam, which cost six- teen thousand dollars. He has been a miller since he was fifteen years old, and has followed the business sixty-two years. He has been a man of good business habits, and has accumulated a fine property. The Lcidigh mill does a fine business and has a large patronage.

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THOMAS SPROTT, JE.

Mr. Sprott was born in Beaver county; State of Pennsylvania, June 9, 18o2, and emigrated with his father's family to Clearcreek township, Richland county, but now Ashland county, in the month of October, 1823, and settled on section twenty-five, where he has re- mained ever since. He never married, but, after the death of his father, about 1830, an aged sister kept house for him many years, until her death, some three years since, when he leased his farm to Mr. Boffenmyre, and has resided with him, and died at his residence. He experienced much trouble of late years, which seeins to have shortened his days. Thomas Sprott, sr., his father, served as a scout in the war in 1790, with the celebrated Captain James Brady, a border scout, and o terror to the Wyandot and Shawnee Indians. He died in Clear- creek township about 1830, and now rests in the cure. tery in Savannah. He was a Sereder in faith, and Thomas Sprott, jr., always hell to the same beliet. He was an honest man. He became a member of the Pio- neer society which organized September 10, 1875. He died at his homestead in Clearcreek township, August 13, 1880, of general debility, aged seventy-eight years and two months, and was buried in the cemetery at Savannah. Peace to his ashes,

JOSEPH D. STUBBS.

Mr. Stubbs was bem January, 6, 1820, in the ail lage of Middletown, Dauphin county, Pennsylph. His father was of pure English stock, and his mother of

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

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French extraction. In 18 8, when he was a lad of eight years, his mother moved to Ohio, and settled in Wooster. At the age of fifteen years he was apprenticed to Messrs. Spear & Reisthe, furniture manufacturers, of Wooster, to learn the trade. At the expiration of his apprenticeship in 1839, he moved to Loudonville and engaged in the furniture trade for himself. In iSo hc was married to Mary Jane Gray, daughter of Rev. David Gray, a well known and highly cstecmed Methodist Episcopal minister of Wooster. In 1843 he removed with his family to Ashland, where he has resided ever since. He first engaged in the cabinet business, having his shop and warerooms in a building on the corner of Second and Church streets, which, until within a few years, was one of the old landmarks. While engaged in business, he studied law as a means of self improve- ment, and was admitted to the bar during the sitting of the first supreme court in Ashland. In 1850 he cn- gaged in the boot and shoe trade with Mr. Joseph Wasson, the firm name being Wasson & Stubbs, He continued in this business until 1859. In response to the call of Governor Dennison at the outbreak of the war, he offered his services and was accepted, He was commissioned lieutenant and regimental quartermaster of the Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, at the very beginning of the organization of that regiment, under Colonel James A. Garfield and Lieutenant Colonel L. A. Sheldon. He served with his regiment until No- vember, 1863, when he was appointed captain and assist- ant quartermaster, for meritorious services, and ordered to report lo General Garfield in Washington city. Soon after be was ordered to report to General Rosecrans, and was assigned to duty at Nashville, Tennessee. In 1864 he was ordered to establish a depot at Johnsonville, on the Tennessee river, where he remained until March, 1865, when he was transferred to the department of North and South Carolina, and assigned to duty at Raleigh, North Carolina. Soon after he was made super- intendent of military railroads, with headquarters at Newbern, North Carolina, and continued in that respon- sible position until the roads were transferred to their owners. As a recognition of his services during this time, Captain Stubbs was brevetted lieutenant colonel, and in 1866 was assigned to duty, with this rank, as chief quartermaster of the Department of the South. In 1877 Colonel Stubbs was appointed to duty, in charge of the work of locating and improving the soldiers' ceme- tries throughout the southern States. Under his direc- tion cemeteries were established at Newbern, Raleigh, Saulsbury, and Wilmington, North Carolina, and at Florence and Port Royal, South Carolina, The ceme- teries at Marietta and Andersonville were improved under his direction. Colonel Stubbs' time of service covers a period of seven years. His record as a faithful and efficient officer is a highly honorable one, as is evident from the sketch of his long service, even after the war bad closed. Like many other soldiers, Cotonet Stubbs found himself without a business when he re- turned home in 1863. Hle soon obtained a position, however, as general agent of the Asbland County Mutual

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Fire Insurance company, a position which he holds at present. Colonel Stubbs is a man of untiring energy, and a public spirited citizen, and holds an esteemed place among his fellow citizens. His family consists of four sons and two daughters. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, is the wife of J. I. Dorland, of Ashland; the oldest son, David D. Stubbs, is secretary of the Oriental and Occidental Steamship line, and resides in San Fran- cisco, California; the second son, John C., is general freight agent of the Central Pacific railroad, and resides in San Francisco, California; the third son, Joseph E., is editor of the Ashland Times; the fourth son, William M. G., has charge of the mechanical department of the Times office; the second daughter, May, is a teacher in the public school of Ashland.

JOHN Mc CONNELL.

Mr. McConnell was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Orange township, Ohio, in 1818. He settled near his brothers, William and Thomas. During the war of 1812 he served three months and was a brave defender of the cause, for which be received a land warrant about 1856. Mr. McConnell had been a border scout from: 1790 to Wayne's great victory at Fallen Timbers in 1794. He became famous as a hunter and Indian fighter. At the hands of the red men he had lost many friends, and felt bitter toward the whole race, and never let an opportunity to avenge his wrongs press. The Delawares, Miamis, Sharonces and Wyandots often fell before his unerring rifle. He ranged the forests far and near on his hunting excursions, and was as much feared as Brady, Sprott or Poe. He became quite famous as a hunter, and often camped in the forests along Black river and the Mahoning for weeks, and when the settlers became numerous, like Kenton and Wetsel, he berante restless and pushed off to northwest Chio, and finally sought a home in the forests of Michigan, where he could indulge bis tastes in pursuing the wild deer and other game. His fame as a hunter still followed hita as he ranged the forests. Often he camped out during the hunting season, weeks at a time. Finally the old man. weary of hunting, was gathered to his fathers about 1863, aged about eighty years.

Thomas McConnell was not so noted os a hunter. Ile was a lover of fine horses, and was fond of caring for that noble animal. He settled in Michigan, choosing the wild scenes of that country, like John, in preference to the more thickly settled parts of Ohio, where he sur- vived until he had arrived at the age of seventy-five years.

William died when about forty-five years of age, and left a young family. Hon. George McConnell, the oldest son of William, resides in Orange town- ship. The is a thrifty farmer, and by good management and industry has accumulated a valuable homestead of nearly eight hundred acres. For the last few years he has dealt largely in sheep. He is a leading farmer in. his part of the township. In politics he is influential,

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

and has been twice commissioner of the county, and made an efficient and prudent officer, guarding well the treasury of the people. During the war of 1861-5 he was elected a member of the legislature, and sustained his reputation as a careful and discreet member of that body. He was born in Washington county, Peansylva- nia, March 15, 1811, and married Miss Narcissa Cox abont 1850. They have two living sons, Elza and John ...

JAMES A. OFFINEER.

Mr. Offineer was born near Yellow Creek lake, in Kosciusko county. Indiana, June 23, 1849. His par- ents were of French and German descent. His father followed carpentering and saw milling until the war of the Rebellion, and in 1864 was drafted, at which time the family was scattered, a sister and brother going to Ash- land county to live with their grandfather, James Off- . heer, sr, until the return of their father from the army. James A. and his mother lived in Indiana until the spring of 1865, and then went to Michigan, where his mother was employed as chief cook by John B Dumont, the owner of a large mill and lumbering establishment at Allegan, and he worked as chore boy and shingle- edger, and at the latter occupation he became quite ex- pett, having at one time edged twelve thousand five hundred shingles in five hours. In November, 1865, they met his father in Allegan, Michigan, and a few days later, returned to Ashland county, and, with his brother who had remained there, settled in Mohicanville, where his father worked at carpentering and shingle- making until James became of age. He then attended school three and one-half termis, when his health became impaired and he was obliged to give up study for the time being. On the fifth of November, 1871, he was married to Anna B. Carmack, of Perrysville, James Monroe and Mary Esterbrook being married at the same time. The ceremony was performed at the house of J. S. Carmack, by Rev. O. Webster, of the Methodist Episcopal church of West Salem. The winter following his marriage he went to Fulton county, Indiana, accom- par ied by his wife, where he taught one term of school with good success. In the spring they returned to New Salem, Ohio, where he engaged as book-keeper and su- perintendent for J. S. Carmack, who conducted a brick yard, a farm, and did plastering. It did not prove a good move as his employer failed and he lost the amount due him for nearly six months labor. January 1, 1873, they removed to jeromeville, where he attended a select school, and in the spring engaged in carpenter work and shingle-making. In October, 1875, he again attended school for a year, in order to prepare himself for teach- ing. At the close of a year he agoin commeneed teach- ing, attending select school during vacations, and now makes school teaching his business. In'1875 he joined the Disciple church at Jeromeville, and in 1872 his wife was transferred to the same church from the Baptist chinch at Perrysville, which she had joined in 187o. They have three children: Mary Orrilla, born January 1,

!873; Theresa Laura, born December 27. 1874; and George Arthur, born September 18, 1878.

JACOB FAST,

son of Martin Fast, the oldest son of Christian Fast, the Delaware captive, was born in Jackson township, Wayne county, State of Ohio, Sepember 12, 1821. His father owned the farm upon which he (Jacob) has resided since his birth. Martin Fast, his father, un- fortunately lost his life June 13, 1838, at the age of fifty six years. Like his father he was remarkably venturesome. At the time of the fatal accident he was attending a barn raising at the home of Mr. Hankey Priest, a neighbor. During the day a hive of bees swarmed and escaped. Mr. Fast and one or two others followed them until they settled on a tall tree. He as- eended and hived them in a pillow case, and while in the act of descending, accidentally placed his foot upon a dead limb which gave way, and he fell to the ground, and was so injured that he survived but a few minutes. He had great fondness for bees, and could handle them without exciting their resentment. At the time of his death he possessed one hundred hives. This accident deprived his son Jacob, than seventeen years of age, of many advantages he otherwise would have had. He was compelled to remain on the homestead as a laborer, and his opportunities to attend school were limited. In 1844, by industry. he had acquired sufficient means to attend Ashland academy one session. He returned to his farne, and in 1352 was elected township clerk, and has held the office ever since. In the fall of the same year he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected five times, serving until 1870. In the fall of 1873 he was again elected a justice of the peace, and in the fall of 1875 re-elected; so that, if he survives to the end of his present term, he will have acted as justice twenty- four years. Mr. Fast is noted for his integrity, sobriety, and intellectual worth. He is a member of the Chris- tian church.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 93

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