History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 104

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678

USA > Ohio > Harrison County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 104
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio > Part 104

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October 16, 1901, recorded the marriage of Mr. Wilson to Miss Hannah Gutschall, daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Stevens) Gutschall, of Rumley Township. and of the three children of this union two are living-Mildred and Har- old. Mae, the second child, died at the age of two years.

JAMES A. STEVENS. Among the farmers of recognized moral and material worth whose la- bors have helped largely to develop the inter- ests of Moorefield Township, Harrison County. is James A. Stevens. His entire life has been passed amid agricultural surroundings, and dur- ing the past fourteen years he has carried on successful operations on his present property, a well-cultivated tract of over 117 acres.

Mr. Stevens was born west of Barnesville. in Belmont County, Ohio, March 5, 1856, a son of William and Susan ( Brower) Stevens, natives of Guernsey County. Ohio. The founder of the family in this state was William Stevens, the grandfather of James A., who came from his na- tive state of Maryland as a pioneer into Guern- sey County and there passed his life in tilling the soil. He married Nancy Diffy, also a native of Maryland, and they became the parents of ten children : Samuel. Owen, William. John. Eli. Thomas, Joshua, Elizabeth, Charlotta and Rebecca. William Stevens the younger, father of James A., was born in Guernsey County. and followed farming throughout his life in his na- tive community and in Belmont and Guernsey counties. He married Susan Brower, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Claubaugh) Brower, and they had ten children : John William : Dan- iel W .; James, who died in infancy ; David A .: James A .; Mary E .: Charles W .. who died in childhood; Thomas H .; Reuben Ellsworth and McConnell.

James A. Stevens acquired his educational training in the district schools of Guernsey County, and at the age of sixteen years began to be self-supporting by working out among the neighborhood farmers at a monthly wage. Later he began his independent career as a farmer in a small way in Guernsey County, and in 1904 came to Freeport Township. Harrison County. where he farmed two years, then returning to Guernsey County for one year. In 1907 he set- tled on his present property in Moorefield Town- ship. a highly-improved and productive property of 117 14/100 acres, and here has since carried on general farming and stock raising. He is a thorough, systematic and successful farmer, and is truly typical of the most worthy and substan- tial agricultural element in Harrison County. Hle and his family belong to the Methodist Church.

On August 26. 1880. Mr. Stevens was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Bond. daughter of Charles V. and Anna ( Shipley) Bond, and

to this union there have been born five children : Iona I., who married Ira B. Baker, of Detroit, Michigan, and has two children, Leslie B. and Mary Mildred; Otha E., of Moorefield Town- ship, who married Allie M. Brown and has two children, Edgar H. and Edna Mildred; Howard M., of Moorefield Township, who married Cora F. Morris and has one child, William W .; John R .. of Moorefield Township, who married Addie M. Green and has had five children, Bertha D., Anna Berl, Mary F., James L. and Everett F., of whom James L. is deceased : and Alta A., who is unmarried and resides with her parents.

SAMUEL R. COPELAND. The leading agricul- tural interests of Harrison County are most fortunately in the hands of reliable, sensible, experienced men. who carry on their many farm industries with careful method and good judg- ment. A prominent example may be found in the Copeland family and its connections by mar- riage. a congregation of farmers that has brought much agricultural prosperity to Frank- lin Township.

Samuel R. Copeland, a representative member of this fine old family, was born in Washington Township. Harrison County, Ohio, June 22, 1875. a son of Thomas W. and Mary E. ( Ramsey) Copeland. the latter of whom is deceased. Her parents. Samuel and Lydia Ramsey were pio- In Washington Township. Harrison County. where they were farming people and reared their family of eight children, namely : John, William. Albert, Charles. Nancy, Sadie, Anna and Mary E.

Thomas W. Copeland. father of Samuel R .. was born in Franklin Township. Harrison County. a son of James and Mary Ann (Wal- ters) Copeland. pioneers there. Mr. Copeland is an honored veteran of the Civil war. He has been a farmer all his life and his home has been in Washington Township, on the same farm. since young manhood. He is a member. as was his wife. of the United Presbyterian Church at Tippecanoe. Their children were as follows: James A., who is deceased; Clara A., who is the wife of John C. Poulson ; Samuel R .. who is of Franklin Township; Lura, who is the wife of John Finnical : Emma, who is the wife of Walter Cecil : and John G., who operates the home farm.

Samuel R. Copeland always remained at home and gave his father assistance on the farm up to the time of his own marriage. He attended the public schools of both Washington and Franklin townships, has always kept well in- formed and is not only one of the intelligent farmers of his section but a thoroughly repre- sentative citizen. After marriage he settled on his present farm. where he has 150 acres of fine land. He devotes it to general farming and stockraising, taking considerable interest in having a good grade of stock of all kinds.

Mr. Copeland was married on December 21. 1800. to Alice McGill. who is a daughter of Thomas and Esther ( West) McGill. and they have two children: Zelma B. and Mildred E. Mr. and Mrs. Copeland are members of the Christian Church. As a worthy citizen. Mr. Copeland takes some interest in politics and has

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served four years as a trustee of Franklin Township.

John C. Poulson, a brother-in-law of Samuel R. Copeland, was born in Nottingham Township. Harrison County, Ohio, May 20, 1874, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah E. (Rose) Poulson, and a grandson of John Rose and John and Rachel (Rogers) Poulson. The paternal grand- father owned the farm in Nottingham Township that is still in the Poulson family. His chil- dren were one son, Thomas, and three daugh- ters, namely : Sarah, who married Abraham Russell : Harriet, who married Barrett Rogers: and Susan, who married Samuel D. Edgar. The paternal grandparents were Wesleyan Meth- odists.

Thomas Poulson. only son of John. and father of John C .. is a veteran of the Civil war, in which he served as a soldier for three years. Following the close of the war he returned to Nottingham Township, where he had been born. and still lives on the old homestead. During his active years he was a farmer and carpen- ter. Of his three sons, John C. and Everett A. are living, and Oscar O. is deceased.

John C. Poulson obtained his education in the public schools of Nottingham Township and re- mained at home until twenty years old, then worked for other farmers, by the month. for ten years. After his marriage he rented his present farm in Franklin Township for two years, then purchased it and since then has erected all the substantial buildings on the place. He owns 133 acres of valuable land which he is intelligently and successfully culti- vating. On September 12. 1900. Mr. Poulson married Clara A. Copeland. and they have two children : Nina Birdell and Harold Dean. They belong to the Christian or Disciples Church.

John W. Finnical, who is a prosperous gen- eral farmer and stockholder in Franklin Town- ship. Harrison County. Ohio, was born on the farm on which he lives. January 23. 1881. and is a son of Thomas A. and Anna (Gibson) Fin- nical, both of whom were born in Stock Town- ship. Harrison County. Thomas A. Finnical lived in Stock Township until his marriage, then moved to Tuscarawas County and for two years conducted a farm near Uhrichsville. then came to the farm now owned by his son in Franklin Township which he operated until 1903, when he removed to Deersville. where his death occurred November 30, 1910. His first wife. Anna Gibson, a daughter of Edward Gib- son. died November 10. 1890. the mother of three children. namely : Franklin F .. who was a physician at Dennison. Ohio. died October 23. 1914: Edward G .. who lives at Uhrichsville. Ohio: and John W., who owns the old home- stead. Mr. Finnical's second marriage was to Rachel Malernee. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Deersville.

John W. Finnical was educated in the Browns- ville school in Franklin Township and has al- ways lived on his present farm of 132 acres. He is a practical, thorough-going farmer and takes interest also in raising good stock. On October 14, 1903, he was married to Lura Cope- land, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Eliza-

beth Copeland, and they have one child, Anna Elizabeth, who was born January 23, 1915.

Walter A. Cecil, third brother-in-law of Sam- uel R. Copeland, is a successful general farmer and stockraiser of Franklin Township, Har- rison County, Ohio, where he was born on Oc- tober 28, 1886. His parents were David Elmer and Mary Catherine (McClintock) Cecil, both of whom were born also in Franklin Township, his father being a son of Jesse and Nancy (Gladman) Cecil, and his mother a daughter of Walter and Susan (Crim) Mcclintock. After the death of his first wife. David Elmer Cecil married Mary O. Crawford. To his first mar- riage four children were born, namely: Leona May, wife of Robert West; Walter A .; Verna E., wife of Frank Gladman; and Ella L. The fol- lowing children were born to his second mar- riage : Margaret E., wife of Henry Law : Jesse W .: Ira E .: Ida I .: and Gertrude L.

Walter A. Cecil attended the public schools in Franklin Township through boyhood. When his mother died he went to live with his grand- father, Jesse Cecil, which practically became his permanent home. Mr. Cecil owns eighty acres of well-improved land and understands how to turn every acre of it to good account. On March 19. 1908, he married Maude Spray. a daughter of Joseph Spray. She died with- out issue. July 2. 1909. On January 31. 1912, Mr. Cecil married Rachel Emma Copeland, daughter of Thomas W. Copeland. and they have had two children: Thomas Lloyd, who died April 17. 1919; and Mahel Leona. Mr. and Mrs. Cecil belong to the Christian Church at Tappan, Ohio. It is not remarkable that this entire connection is held in high regard in Harrison County. for it includes people of up- right character and solid worth.

DAVID G. CRAMBLETT. Considerable reference has been made on other pages of this biograph- ical volume to members of the Cramblett family who for several generations have been identi- fied with the agricultural life of Harrison County. and therefore, lengthy introduction is not necessary in the case of David G. Cramblett. who for years has been prominent in the farm- ing and mercantile affairs of the county.

David G. Cramblett was born in Stock Town- ship. Harrison County. August 3. 1877. a son of Thomas and Hannah ( Mallernee) Cramblett. further reference to whom is made under the sketch of W. E. Cramblett appearing on another page of this work. David G. Cramblett received his early education in the Beaver Dam school In Franklin Township and at the same time was getting his preliminary lessons in farm work on his father's place. He continued to reside on the home farm up to the date of his marriage which took place March 8. 1900. his bride being Florence Tedrow, a daughter of John and Mary Tedrow.

Shortly after his marriage. Mr. Cramblett commenced farming for himself in Stock Town- ship on a farm that was part of his father's holding. Later he bought 120 acres of the home farm, to which he added 122 acres, bringing his entire agricultural interests to 242 acres of prime land. Mr. Cramblett carried on general

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farming and stock raising, making a specialty of purebred Black Top sheep, and along lines he was very successful. In addition to operat- ing his land he worked a threshing outfit in the neighborhood, in partnership with one of his brothers.

Mr. Cramblett continued his farming opera- tions until September, 1917, when he relin- quished agricultural work, and bought a gen- eral merchandise business in Tappan, in part- nership with C. C. Rea, and since that year the partnership has remained unbroken, the business being conducted to their mutual satisfaction.

Mr. and Mrs. Cramblett are the parents of two children : Mary and Thelma. The family are members of the Christian Church at Tap- pan and are regular attendants on its services, and Mr. Cramblett and his wife take an earnest part in all movements designed for the improve- ment of the community in which they reside.

ROBERT MCGILL. The McGill family is one of the well-known ones in Harrison County, where its representatives have been established for many years, the majority of them being con- nected with agricultural activities. One of them who is sustaining the family reputation for up- right industry and sturdy thrift is Robert McGill of Franklin Township, who was born on his present farm, June 9, 1856. He is a son of John McGill, and grandson of Thomas McGill, born in Ireland, who never left his native land,

John McGill was born in Ireland, but soon realized that there were no opportunities there for the ambitious young man, and so he left it for the United States and after his arrival in this country came as far west as Harrison County, Ohio, and secured eighty acres of tim- berland. Here he lived and worked until his death, which occurred in 1869. His wife, Nancy Auld, was born in Franklin Township, a daugh- ter of Stewart and Rebecca Auld, and they had children as follows: Thomas, who died March 18, 1920; Sarah, who was second in order of birth; Nancy J., who married Samuel Hitch- cock, died in 1901: Mary, who died in 1908; Robert, whose name opens this review: and Stewart, who lives in Oklahoma. The McGills were members of the Presbyterian Church.

Robert McGill attended the district schools of Franklin Township, and at the same time as- sisted his father with the work of the farm. He inherited the homestead of eighty acres of land, and here he is occupied with a general farming and stock-raising business and is doing well.

On June 17, 1886. Mr. McGill was united in marriage with Nancy Jane Dickey. a daughter of William W. and Cecelia (Barrett) Dickey, and granddaughter of Benny Dickey. William W. Dickey was born in Harrison County. Ohio, and spent his mature vears in farming in Franklin Township, where he owned 160 acres of land, now the property of his son. Perry C. Dickey. His death occurred in 1914. but his widow lived until 1917. Their children were as follows: Alice A., Nancy Jane, Mary and Perry C. The family were all members of the Christian Church. William W. Dickey served for eighteen months in the Eighteenth Ohio Vol-

unteer Infantry during the war of the '608, and participated in a number of important battles.

Mr. and Mrs. McGill became the parents of the following children : Ray, who is the eldest ; Ada, who married Harry McMillen, has four children, Delmer, Laurence, Ruth and Floyd; William, married Bernice Cecil, who died No- vember 28, 1920, leaving two children, Maxine and Mary; Edith, who married Rowland Black- well, has one child, Delbert; Elizabeth, who married T. B. Errington, now residing in New Philadelphia, Ohio, has two children, Kenneth Eugene, died at the age of seven months, and Pauline; Robert, who married Edith Knapp, and has one son, William Russell. All of the chil- dren with the exception of Robert and Eliza- beth live in Harrison County, Elizabeth resid- ing at New Philadelphia and Robert at Canton. Mr. McGill belongs to the Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. McGill is a member of the Baptist Church. A capable farmer and good citizen Mr. McGill holds the respect of his community.

JAMES L. VICKERS. The Vickers of Franklin Township are farming people, and their well- cultivated land and carefully-kept premises prove their choice was a wise one when they adopted farming for their life work. They come of agricultural people, and inherit their love of the soil. The family was founded in Frank- lin Township by the father of James L. Vickers, John Vickers, and since then its members have been connected with the best element in Harri- son County.

John Vickers was born in England in 1791. but left his native land for the United States where he hoped to secure a farm at a nominal price. The young man made his way across the country and when he reached Harrison County he was satisfied that he had found that for which he was looking, cheap land in a desirable locality. He entered a farm, and in due proc- ess of time received his grant to it. and this document, still in the possession of the family, is signed by President Andrew Jackson. John Vickers was a man who commanded respect, and he won the confidence of his fellow citizens, and by them was held in high esteem. From the time that he entered his land until his death which occurred many years afterward, he continued to make Franklin Township his home.

Twice married, the family name of his first wife was Carnes, and she bore him the follow- ing family : Cornelius, Mary Ann, Asenith, Isaac and Ruth. After her death, Mr. Vickers was married second to Anna Bridgeman, born in Franklin Township, Harrison County, Ohio, a daughter of Philip and Sarah (Carnes) Bridge- man, and their children were: John, James L. and Thomas, but they lost the youngest when he was a little child. Born and bred in the Quaker faith, Mr. Vickers adherred to it for a number of years, but later on in life joined the Methodist Episcopal Church.

James L. Vickers went to the district schools of Franklin Township, and remained at home until his marriage, which occurred August 20, 1883, when he was united with Clarissa M. Lukens, a daughter of Ell B. and Rebecca ( Rose) Lukens. After his marriage Mr.

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Vickers began farming on his own account in Franklin Township, and with the exception of one year when he was engaged in the poultry business at Deersville. he has been engaged in farming ever since. In 1890 he moved on his present farm of 122 acres on which he has built all the buildings and made the other improve- ments. He is a general farmer and stock- raiser and is satisfied with the results of his efforts.

Mr. and Mrs. Vickers became the parents of the following children: Anna Rebecca, who married Arthur A. Millhorn, is deceased; Mary Hollis, who married Jerry Fowler, lives at Jus- tice, Stark County, Ohio, and has the following children, Lawrence Wayne, Audley Austin, Gal- litin T., Marie Catherine, Erma Etta, Roy, Helen Clarissa and Mildred; Etta Dell, who married John William Robison, has two children. Rosella and James D. She was married for her second husband to Harry Wagstaff and they live in Monroe Township, Harrison County. The fourth child of James L. Vickers and his wife is John Eli, who married Odessa Kail and their children are: Clara Bell, Howard C .. James Clark and Hazel Maxine. They live in Franklin Township, Harrison County. The youngest in the Vickers family was Zelma Flor- ence, and she died when young. Mr. and Mrs. Vickers are active members of the Christian Church of Tappen, Ohio, and are prominent in church circles just as they are in the neighbor- hood where they have lived for so many useful years.

ALEXANDER G. OSBURN is an honored scion of a representative pioneer family that was founded in Harrison County more than a cen- tury ago, and in all of the relations of life he has effectively upheld the high prestige of the name which he bears. He was born in Archer Township, this county. April 10, 1857, and he is now numbered among the progressive and successful exponents of agricultural and live- stock industry in Franklin Township, where his activities are staged on the fine old homestead farm which his wife received as a heritage from her father.

The lineage of the Osburn family traces back to staunch Scotch origin. His European ances- tors were among those who, in the early days. left their native Scotland in order to escape religious intolerance and became numbered among the large number of co-religionists from Scotland who settled in the north of Ireland and developed the strong Presbyterian element in that section of the Emerald Isle.

Samuel Osburn, great-grandfather of Alexan- der G. Osburn, was born in County Derry. Ire- land, and there was solemnized his marriage to Susanna Garven, their children having been several in number. In the seventeenth century Samuel Osburn came with his family to America and settled in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania, where he and his wife passed the re- mainder of their lives and where he not only aided in development and progress but also participated in the early conflicts with hostile Indians. His son Alexander. founder of the family in Harrison County, Ohio. was born on

the 14th of May, 1785, and became identified with pioneer farm enterprise in the old Key- stone State, where, on the 10th of May, 1808, he wedded Miss Mary Barnes, daughter of James and Mary Barnes, who had come to Pennsylvania from their native Ireland. Alex- ander and Mary Osburn became the parents of six children. and early in the year 1816 the family home was established in a pioneer log cabin on an unreclaimed farm in Athens Town- Ship, Harrison County, Ohio. Here Alexander Osburn girded himself for the herculean task of developing a productive farm in the midst of the forest wilds, and increasing prosperity at- tended his labors with the passing years. His devoted wife here passed away January 5, 1824, aged forty-three years. Later he married Miss Martha Rankin, of Washington County, Penn- sylvania, and they became the parents of one son and one daughter. In 1829 Alexander Os- burn removed to the farm later owned by his son, Samuel, in Archer Township, and there he remained until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-two years, his second wife having passed away December 25, 1848. Mr. Osburn was a man of progressiveness and became spe- cially successful in the growing of sheep, it being a matter of record that he introduced on his farm the first flock of fine sheep in Archer Township. He was a whig in politics and was a most zealous and influential member of the Presbyterian Church in Harrison County. He served many years as ruling elder in the church and was a delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly in the year 1846. He enlisted for ser- vice in the War of 1812, which, however, came to a close before he was called into active ser- vice.

John Osburn, son of Alexander and Mary (Barnes) Osburn, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on the 31st of December, 1815, and thus was an infant at the time of the family removal to Harrison County, Ohio, in the following year. He was reared under the conditions marking the early pioneer history of this county and as a young man he operated an old-time woolen mill. in which he carded wool and also did some weaving, in Archer Town- ship. About the year 1852 he established his home on a farm in Archer Township, and there he continued his successful association with agri- culture and the live-stock business during the remainder of his active career. He lived a godly and righteous life, earnest in good works. and he remained on his old home farm until his death. July 16. 1903. as one of the vener- able and honored pioneer citizens of the county. His loved and devoted wife did not long sur- vive him, as she passed to the life eternal on the 7th day of January of the following year.

In the year 1836 was solemnized the marriage of John Osburn to Miss Sarah Amspoker, who was born in Harrison County April 3, 1818. # daughter of Samuel Amspoker, who was another of the sterling pioneers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Osburn became the parents of ten children : Emma. Samuel A., Mary, Matthew, Martha M .. Charles, Susan J., Gretta, Alexander G. and John J. The parents were most earnest and zealous members of the Presbyterian Church.

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Alexander G. Osburn did not fail to profit fully from the advantages offered by the district schools of Archer Township, and for many years thereafter he continued his active association with the work and management of the old home farm. After his marriage, in the year 1900, he and his wife established their residence on their present fine farm in Franklin Township, the same having been inherited by Mrs. Osburn, as noted in the opening paragraph of this re- view. Mr. Osburn has had thorough experience in all practical details of farm industry and is recognized as one of the progressive and sub- stantial exponents of agricultural and live-stock enterprise in his native county, where he and his wife have a circle of friends that is limited only by that of their acquaintances. Both are earnest members of the Presbyterian Church at Deersville, and of its choir Mr. Osburn has been a valued member for fully twenty years. He has an excellent bass voice. and his musical ability is further attested when his proficient manipulation draws dulcet harmonies from the rare and finely preserved old melodeon which is an interesting and prized antique in the fam- ily home. its appearance and still pleasing musical response recalling memories of van- ished days.

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History of Carroll and Harrison Counties, Ohio, Part 104

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Number of Pages: 678

Author: H. J. Eckley, William T. Perry
Publication date: 1921
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 678