History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 184

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 184

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Dr. Chesney was married June 30, 1887, to Miss Cora A. Rowse, daughter of William and Catherine (Finn) Rowse. She died November I, 1892, being survived by a daughter, Edith. In 1898 Dr. Chesney married for his second wife Mrs. Celia B. Mulford, of Hanover, N. J., who died February 18, 1912. The family residence at No. 255 East Mansfield street, Bucyrus, was the scene of many pleasant social gatherings, as both Dr. and Mrs. Chesney were exceedingly hospitable. Dr. Chesney main- tained his office in his residence. He was iden- tified with the Masons, Elks and Knights of Pythias. As a citizen he showed a marked in- terest in the welfare and advancement of Bu- cyrus, at all times faithfully performing a citi- zen's duties, and giving freely both of his counsel and cash to any good and worthy cause.

JOHN W. RUSSELL,* who is an honored veteran of the great Civil War, residing at Galion, O., and a retired engineer of the Erie Railway, with which corporation he was con- nected for 27 years, was born in Morrow county, O., December 23, 1838, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Eners) Russell.

Charles Russell was born in Loudoun county, Va., in 1773, and went from Virginia as a soldier in the War of 1812, and afterward re- ceived a pension from the government. He married in Virginia and they had born to them : Frances M., Robert T., Leedam, Sarah and Barton T. After moving to Ohio the family was increased, there being 13 children, ten of whom were sons and three daughters, and nine grew to maturity and had children and homes of their own. The only survivors are Barton T. and John W., the former being a resident of Mt. Gilead, O., and is now aged 85 years. His four sons and two daughters are all married. In 1849 the mother of the above children died and Charles Russell married Mrs. Sarah Dawson, who had no children born to this mar- riage, but had two sons and four daughters born to her first union. She survived her hus- band for eight years, during which time she drew her husband's pension, and died in 1878. After moving to Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Russell and family lived for II years at Loudonville, in Ashland county, and then Mr. Russell moved to what was then Marion, but is now Morrow county, this being in the 30's, securing 160 acres of unbroken land. Mr. Russell secured an additional tract of 1634 acres and that re- mained his home until his death, in January, 1878.

John W. Russell was the youngest of his parents' large family and he remained with his father, who, at his birth was a man past middle life, until he was 25 years of age. In 1864 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Co. E, 26th O. Vol. Inf., commanded by Capt. Kelly and Col. Clark, under General Thomas, and survived to be honorably dis- charged and mustered out, in Texas, October 23, 1865. He took part in many hard-fought battles of those stormy years including Buz- zard's Roost, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Big Sandy, fall of Atlanta, Nashville and Frank- lin, a long list considering that his life was endangered every moment on the battle field and only less so during the long and toilsome marches through the enemy's country.

When the war closed Mr. Russell returned home and lived on the farm in Morrow county until 1875, when he came to Galion and two years later entered the service of the Erie Railway in the capacity of brakeman. In 1885

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he was promoted to the responsible position of engineer and continued until December 26, 1904, when he was retired on a pension, as is the rule of the Erie Company. He made a fine record on the railroad as he had done in the army and possessed the confidence of his employers and the regard of his fellow-work- men, during the whole period. Mr. Russell's case was that of others. He passed safely through all the perils of war and then, in times of peace met with an accident that almost cost his life, this occurring April 27, 1878, the in- jury resulting in the loss of his right leg below the knee, while at the same time his left arm was broken in two places. Otherwise, during his many years of railroading, he met with few accidents and through fidelity and hard work won favor and promotion. Politically he is a Republican but his business has not been one leaving him much time to perform duties per- taining to public offices, although his qualifica- tions have been many and frequently his ex- perience would have made him valuable.

Mr. Russell has been twice married but has no descendants. He is a member of Dick Mor- ris Post, G. A. R., at Galion, and for 28 years has been a member of that sturdy organization, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

DAVID E. TOBIN, who is a member of one of the old pioneer families of Cranberry township, Crawford county, O., resides on his valuable farm of 120 acres, which lies in sec- tion No. 34, was born in this township on the old Tobin homestead one-half mile further east, June 25, 1854, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Shilling) Tobin.

Thomas Tobin was born in Ireland and came to the United States while young. While working at Mansfield, O., he was ambitious to obtain an education and attended night schools. When he had the opportunity he learned the carpenter trade in Richland county and after he came to Crawford county, he built barns through Cranberry township. Later he married Elizabeth Shilling, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of David Shilling, then of Cranberry township, and eight chil- dren were born to them, namely: Mrs. Anna Mary Springer, William James, David E., John Franklin, Mrs. Ellen Bittekofer, Thomas Grove, Clement and Mrs. Eva Elmira Miller.

After marriage Thomas Tobin and wife set- tled on a wild tract of 120 acres, which, with the help of his children later on, was all cleared and he quit carpenter work and devoted the rest of his life to farming, his death occurring on Oct. 6, 1911, in his 89th year, and his burial was in the Union Cemetery in Liberty township. His widow died May 29, 1911, her age being 82 years and she was buried in the same place. They were members of the Lutheran church, in Auburn township.

David E. Tobin was reared on the home farm and attended the district schools. At the time of his marriage he and his wife settled on the farm on which he now lives but he did not purchase it until 1907. His residence on this farm has been continuous except for five years spent on the old homestead, for in 1907 he went to live there on account of the ad- vanced age of his parents, who both died in 19II, when the homestead was sold by the ad- ministrator and in 1912 Mr. Tobin returned to his farm. He has made many fine improve- ments here, in 1910 erecting his comfortable modern residence and in 1912 putting up his commodious barn. His land is all under cultivation with the exception of about 15 acres, which is in valuable timber. He carries on a general farming line and devotes some attention to raising a good grade of horses and sheep.

Mr. Tobin married Miss Clarinda Magner, who was born in Western Ohio, and they have five children: Ernie L., Elva B., Ira Otis and Thomas Grove and Jane Elizabeth, who are twins. Mr. Tobin is a stanch Democrat but has never accepted any political office except membership on the board of Education. He is one of the representative men of Cranberry township. The family attends the Methodist church.

JOHN BENTON CAMPBELL, a resident of Whetstone township, Crawford county, O., is the owner of 480 acres of land and is also a stockholder in the Farmers and Citizens Bank of Bucyrus. Mr. Campbell was born on the farm on which he now lives, April 4, 1849, a son of Edward and Amanda (Tupps) Camp- bell and a grandson of John and Mary (Jones) Campbell. The grandfather was born in Vir- ginia, Oct. 1, 1788, but moved with his parents

MR. AND MRS. DAVID E. TOBIN

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when a boy to Wayne county, where he was reared and where he married Mary Jones, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, but who had removed with her parents to Wayne county, O. They became the parents of nine children. Mrs. John Campbell died in 1857.

It was in the spring of 1824 that John Camp- bell and his wife came to Crawford county, O. He was at that time a poor man with only enough money to enter 80 acres of land and for the first few years he owned neither oxen nor horses and his farming operations had to be carried on without the use of these and other implements so necessary to work on the farm. However, his neighbors were good to him and with what little help he received from them, he prospered, and notwithstanding his early poverty became one of the most promi- nent and influential men in the county. For 27 years he was justice of the peace and during that time his decisions were rarely reversed when appealed to the higher courts, this fact proving the accuracy and excellence of his mind and judgment. In 1832 he was elected to the legislature by the people of Fairfield county and was reelected in 1834. While in this office he advanced the interests of both the county and state by his judgment and deliberation. It was he that started what is known as the Camp- bell graveyard which is located on the Camp- bell farm and the first burial was that of his infant son, John, who died Aug. 16, 1825. John Campbell died Jan. 3. 1867.

Edward Campbell, son of John and Mary (Jones) Campbell and father of our subject, was born Dec. 16, 1816, and was about eight years old when the family removed to Craw- ford county. This region was at that time a wilderness and it became his duty to help clear the home farm. He began the battle of life when of age and by his own exertion and busi- ness sagacity acquired much land. At the time of his death he owned about 656 acres of land, but he always resided on the home farm. His marriage to Amanda Tupps took place Jan. 4, 1838. She was born in Pennsylvania, Sept. 20, 1820, but came to Crawford county when a small girl and there was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Campbell had the following children: Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Benjamin F. Keifer; Samuel K., de- ceased; John Benton, whose name heads this article; and Letta J., the wife of Andrew H.

Gibson. Edward Campbell died Nov. 5, 1901. He was a Democrat in politics but joined the Republican party upon its organization. He and his wife were members of the Disciples church.

John Benton Campbell, the direct subject of this article, attended the common schools and then the Galion High School. Later he spent three terms in the Lebanon Normal School, after which he spent his winter months in teaching school and the summer time in farm- ing. Following three years so spent, he gave his entire time to farming, and this has been his life work to the present time. He carries on general farming and has one of the finest homes and barns in the county, these buildings being modern and equipped with all the con- veniences of the city homes.

On Sept. 16, 1872, Mr. Campbell was mar- ried to Jennie Shanks, a native of Edinburg, Scotland. She is a daughter of David and Jessie (Frazer) Shanks and was born in Edin- burg, Scotland, coming to the United States with her parents when 18 months old. They landed in New York where they lived about five years when they came to Crawford county. David Shanks was a contractor all his life. He and his wife had the following children: Jen- nie, Andrew, Grace ( Mrs. Charles Weisinger ), Devine (wife of Charles Gravelle), William, Christian, Joseph and Charles.

Mr. and Mrs. John Benton Campbell are the parents of two children : Mabel, who is the wife of E. W. Crall and has two children- Muriel and Clark; and Edward, who married Elva Rexroth.

Our subject is a Republican in politics. He has served as supervisor and school director. He and his wife attend the Christian church.

D. N. WEITHMAN, who is one of the rep- resentative business men of New Washington, is general contractor for all kinds of concrete work, and manufacturer of cement building- blocks and brick, and a dealer in stone, coal and all kinds of building materials. He has been a resident of Crawford county, O., since June 23, 1885. He was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, Feb. 17, 1864, and was three years old when he accompanied his parents, Frank and Barbara Weithman, to the United States. They settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania.

D. N. Weithman attended school in Erie

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county and there learned his trade. He has five brothers and two sisters-Aloysius, Mar- tie, Frank, Louie, Jacob, Barbara and Marga- ret, all of whom still reside in Erie county. After coming to Crawford county, Mr. Weith- man was married to Elizabeth Durnwald, a daughter of Martin Durnwald, a well known and retired citizen of New Washington. To Mr. and Mrs. Weithman the following children have been born: Cecilia, born Aug. 18, 1889, was married Jan. 1I, 1910, to Julius Wurm, who is a business man of New Washington and a leading carpenter; they have one child named Albert, born Nov. 5, 1910. Edward, born July 22, 1890, is a dealer in slate, with slate roofing a specialty, the firm being Weith- man & Wurm, he being in partnership with Julius Wurm; both are members of the Knights of Columbus, C. M. B. A., and, besides, carry accident insurance. Josephine, born Aug. 30, 1892, died the same year. Alfred, born April 3, 1894, works with his father, and is also a member of many Catholic organizations. Rose, born June 12, 1895, is employed at her father's office and also does much sewing; she is a member of the L. C. B. A. and Prudential. Aloysius, born June 21, 1896, for the past three years has been working at one of the leading dry goods stores in this city. Mary, born Dec. 18, 1898, at present is working at home. Cornelius, born March 5, 1899, is at- tending New Washington High School. Agnes, born April 10, 1900, is attending St. Bernard's Catholic school ; as also are George, born May 30, 1901; Walter, born March 6, 1902; Cyrill, born Feb. 8, 1904, and Mildred, born Aug. 30, 1906. The remaining children are Lina, born Jan. 22, 1908, and Carl, born May 10, 1910. Mr. Weithman and his fam- ily are members of the Catholic church. His father died in his 70th year and his mother is still living in Erie county and is 78 years old.

Since marriage Mr. Weithman has resided and carried on business at New Washington, of which place he has been an active and useful citizen. Politically he is a Democrat and has served in the city council for nine years. As a business man he is held to be prompt and reliable, and has done a large amount of the important mason work in and adjacent to New Washington, all the stone work on the hand- some Lutheran church of this city, and has

done a large amount of turnpike road and bridge contracting in the county. He is one of the stockholders in the Cranberry Nursery Company at New Washington and takes an interest in having capital invested here. He is a worthy member of that widespread Cath- olic organization, the Knights of Columbus, and belongs also to the C. M. B. A. In the spring of 1912 he embarked in the business of manufacturing cement blocks and this enter- prise has proved very successful.

IRA E. QUAINTANCE,* proprietor of Oak Valley Stock Farm in Dallas township, was born in Holmes township, Crawford county, Ohio, Aug. 30, 1861. He is a son of Joseph W. Quaintance and a grandson of Fisher Quaintance, who was born in Germany, and who, after coming to the United States, settled first in Jefferson county, O. In 1829 Fisher Quaintance came to Crawford county, settling in Holmes township, where he became the owner of 167 acres of land, which, after clearing off the timber, he improved into a good farm, erecting substantial buildings there- on. He married Sarah Iry and they became the parents of a large family, numbering ten children, namely: Eli, Ira, Dawson, Joseph WV., George, Charles, Ann, Susanna, Bessie and Sarah Jane, of whom Joseph W. and Charles are the only survivors.

Joseph W. Quaintance was brought up on the parental homestead. He attended the little log schoolhouse and assisted his father on the farm, finally becoming a practical farmer him- self. On reaching manhood he bought 80 acres, which he cultivated for some years, after which he purchased another farm-the one on which he now lives, which he improved with substantial buildings, including a comfortable residence, where he now lives retired from active labor. On his farm is an apple-tree, which grew from seed distributed by "Johnny Appleseed," the quaint traveling philosopher. whose life forms a part of the early history of Ohio and other states and whose deeds live after him. Toseph W Quaintance married Lucina G. Gridley, who was born near New Bedford, Mass. They have been the parents of nine children, namely: Bashie, wife of John Eaton, an attorney of Kansas City, Mo .; Isa- dora B .: Edith M .; Ira E. (subject of this

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sketch ) ; Leonard and Cora E., both of whom are deceased; H. J .; and Charles and Edward, who are both also deceased.

Ira E. Quaintance was educated in the com- mon schools and at Ohio Northwestern Uni- versity, which he attended for one term. After his school days were over, he turned his attention to farming in Crawford county, Holmes township, and has since been thus en- gaged. Besides cultivating the soil, he deals extensively in Jersey cattle and is now the owner of a very fine herd of animals of that breed; he keeps about 25 head yearly. Mr. Quaintance is a man of literary tastes and has contributed various articles to farm journals, and also to the Bucyrus Daily Telegraph. He is a Republican in politics and has been a jus- tice of the peace since 1904.

Mr. Quaintance was first married to Ella Martin, of Holmes township, this county, in February, 1909. She died Nov. 29, 1910, hav- ing borne him two children-Truman and Thelma. After his first wife's death, Mr. Quaintance contracted a second marriage, with Miss Martin, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Martin, of Holmes township, this county. Her father, Henry Martin, a carpenter by trade, was for a number of years a justice of the peace in this township. Mr. and Mrs. Quaint- ance attend the Methodist church and the former has served as steward of the Sunday school. They are well known people and have many friends.

Their farm contains 170 acres and is a fine piece of agricultural property, well supplied with substantial and commodious buildings and kept in the best of condition, the surround- ings indicating thrift and prosperity.

LORENZO DOW WILLFORD, who is filling the important office of assistant state fire marshal of Ohio, serving under State Fire Marshal John W. Zuber, has been a prominent citizen of Crawford county for many years. He was born May 8, 1864, in Auburn town- ship, Crawford county, O., and is a son of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Graffmiller) Will- ford.

In changes incident to crossing the Atlantic ocean and penetrating into wild and unsettled sections of the United States to found new homes, old records, in many families, were

entirely lost, but in others were preserved as most valued possessions and are still carefully treasured among the family archives. These possess an interest and value not only to the owners, but to all those who cherish a love of country and pride in what the early settlers, handicapped as they were, accomplished for posterity. In this connection the Willford family of Ohio may be cited.

Samuel Willford, the first of the name asso- ciated with settlement in America, resided in Leicestershire, England, married there and had three sons. The eldest, born in 1742, be- came a physician in the city of London. The second son, born in 1744, went to Germany.

Joseph Willford, the third son of Samuel Willford, was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1746, and studied medicine with his eldest brother, in London, in 1765, and in the fol- lowing year migrated to the American colonies. He landed at Philadelphia, Pa., and estab- lished his home in the Tuscarora Valley, in Cumberland county, in the same year. In 1770, in Mt. Pleasant township, York, now Adams county, he was married to Mary Camp- bell, who was born in Cumberland county, Pa., in 1750. She had passed through thrill- ing experiences. When only seven years old, with her brother William, she started from her father's cabin on Penn's Creek, to bring home the cows from the pasture. A marauding band of Delaware Indians captured the chil- dren and took them to their camp on the banks of the Muskingum River, in Ohio. All trace of little Mary was lost and her parents finally gave up all hope of ever seeing the child again. In 1764, Col. Bouquet took command of an expedition against the Indians, and in a treaty signed near Coshocton, stipulated that all white captives held by them should be released, and about 300 were surrendered to Col. Bou- quet, Mary Campbell being one of the number. Either at the time of marriage or previously, Joseph Wilford removed to York county as the tax duplicate of Mt. Pleasant township, York county, shows that Joseph Willford was a tax payer there in December, 1771, and in 1778 he removed to Washington county, Pa. the record stating that his first wife, Mary Campbell Willford, died in Greene county, Pa., in 1801, it then being Washington county. Her husband, Joseph Willford, survived until

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1828, his death occurring in Monongalia county, Va., now. West Va. His second mar- riage was to a Mrs. Garlow, but his seven children were born to his first union and the record stands thus: Samuel, born in York county, in 1771; Daniel, born in York county, in 1773; William, born in York county, March 15, 1775; Dougal, born in York county, in 1777; Joseph, born in Washington county, in 1779, died in Greene county, in 1796; and Betsey and Peggy, born in Washington county, Pa., in 1781 and 1783, respectively.

William Willford, son of Joseph, who was born March 15, 1775, died Oct. 6, 1842. After the War of 1812 he came with his uncle, Sam- - uel Willford, to Greene township, Wayne county, O., and the records show that Samuel Willford was, treasurer of that township from 1819 to 1824. Before leaving Pennsylvania, William Willford married Sarah Rich, who was born Feb. 12, 1780, and died Sept. 9, .1844, and to them were born the following children : Catherine, born Nov. 4, 1800, died July 25, 1837; Daniel, born Feb. 1, 1803; Jacob, born Feb. 8, 1805; Samuel, born Jan. 7, 1807; Anne, born July 25, 1809; Margaret, born Dec. 22, 1810; Elizabeth, born Oct. 5, 1812; Mary, born Nov. 12, 1814; Jeremiah, born Oct. 5, 1816, died May 9, 1887; and John R., born Oct. 9, 1818, died Feb. 6, 1892. Jeremiah S. Willford was born in Wayne county, O., and was about 15 years old when his father settled in Cranberry township, Crawford, then Richland county. Here, on Oct. 19, 1843, Jeremiah Willford was married to Elizabeth Graffmiller, who was born Sept. 24, 1824, in Baden, Germany, and was brought to America by her parents, who settled in Auburn township, Crawford county, where her death occurred Jan. 22, 1904. Her parents were Andrew and Elizabeth Graffmiller. both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany, where the mother was born Nov. I, 1782, and died in Crawford county, Dec. 3, 1857. In 1834, Andrew Graffmiller, with his wife and six children-George, Barbara, Christian, Anna Mary, Andrew and Elizabeth-em- igrated from Germany and settled in Craw- ford county, O., where he died Oct. 4, 1839, aged 64 years. To Jeremiah and Elizabeth Willford the following children were born: William, born Aug. 22, 1844, died Aug. 22:

Caroline, born Nov. 22, 1845, who is the wife of E. M. Keller, of Plymouth, O .; Samuel, born Nov. 28, 1847, who resides with his fam- ily in Cranberry township; Elizabeth D., who is the wife of W. O. High, a farmer in Au- burn township, and who was born June 9, 1849; Mary M., born Jan 22, 1852, who is the wife of John Kemp, a farmer in Seneca county; John W., who was born Dec. 30, 1854; and Lorenzo Dow, who was born May 8, 1864. The two sons last named live on the old homestead, of which they are joint owners. The parents of this family were among the leaders of the Methodist Episcopal church in Auburn township, good, virtuous people, whose influence in their neighborhood was marked, and whose memory is tenderly cher- ished by their children.

Lorenzo Dow Willford was reared on the home farm and attended the township schools, subsequently becoming a student in the State Normal School, at Ada, O., and the New Washington High School. In 1884 he was graduated from the latter institution and later took a business course in the Tri-State Busi- ness College. For nearly 20 years Mr. Will- ford taught school in Crawford county, never going very far from the old home because of his affection for his parents, and his anxiety for their health and comfort. He became well and favorably known all over Crawford coun- ty, however, as an able educator. From early manhood an interested factor in public affairs. in his native county and prominently identified with the Democratic party, on numerous occa- sions he has been called to public office and has served frequently as a delegate to important Democratic conventions. In 1892 he was elected secretary of the Crawford County Democratic Committee and with the exception of one year has served continuously in that position or as chairman of the committee until 1910, when he was elected chairman of the Crawford County Democratic Executive Com- mittee, and was reelected in 1912. Twice he. has been elected county clerk, first in 1903 and again in 1906, serving five years in all. In June, 1909, Mr. Willford was appointed assist- ant fire marshal of the State of Ohio, by Gov- ernor Harmon, a position that involves duties of grave importance to the public.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 184

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302