History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 117

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 117

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MRS. LUCY ROGERS, Bucyrus. "Mother Rogers," as her friends familiarly call her, one of the aged pioneers of Crawford Co., has been so long identified with the county as to deserve an extended notice in this department. She was born Aug. 11, 1802, and is the daughter of Eli and Lucy (Green) Widger, of Preston, Che- nango Co., N. Y. The ancestry of her family

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is traced to the " manors " of England, and her father, in his day, was considered a man of wealth, being an industrious and prosperous farmer. Mrs. Rogers was educated in the common schools of her native place, and, at the age of 18 years, was married to Ichabod Rogers, of Connecticut, who was born Sept. 30, 1798 ; the marriage was solemnized July 21, 1821. The first year after marriage, they kept a dairy of thirty cows, and, so favorably impressed with her frugality and industry was the owner of the dairy, that he offered them $500 to stay in the same capacity for another year, but they had caught the Western fever, conse- quent upon the flattering stories told of the al- luring prospects of fortunes awaiting all those who should go to the rich " country of Ohio," and June 30, 1822, they started in a one-horse wagon, with all their worldly effects, but rich in hope and expectation. They were young and buoyant, and thought not of hardships and dangers. They were a month on the road, and traveled over 600 miles ; the young wife walked over 100 miles of the distance, and wore ont one pair of shoes on the journey. They thought to settle at Pittsburgh, but upon their arrival there, being disgusted with the smoky appear- ance of the town, they determined to carry out their original intention and proceed to Ohio. They had about $130 in money ; $100 of this was exchanged for a counterfeit bill. Its fraud- ulent character was not discovered until they came to Pittsburgh and attempted to make a purchase. When they reached Bucyrus, tired and disheartened, they decided to go no further. Mr. Rogers left his wife at the house of a Qua- ker named Beadle, near the Deardorf place, while he returned to Chenango Co., N. Y., to re- cover his $100. This attempt resulted in a law- suit and a failure to recover the money. Now completely moneyless, he borrowed $75 of his brother and sister-in-law and returned to Buey- rus. With this he went into business, and he and Samuel Norton were partners for one year. In 1833-34, he started a hotel on the corner of Perry street and Sandusky avenue, where Mother Rogers now resides, near the gasworks. This tavern was closed in 1838, and ever since the building has been occupied by her in the quiet routine of home duties. Here for more than half a century she has lived ; here she spent her best days ; here she raised her chil- dren from infancy to man and womanhood ;

here died the husband of her early love, and the sharer of her joys, toils and sorrows. Of their early life in Ohio, Mrs. Rogers relates the following incident : Her brother George came ont to see them from New York, and, seeing the privations they suffered, he said : " What would father and mother say if they knew how you suffer ?" Said she, " I do not suffer. I have come to a new country, and expect to live here and grow up with it. I am not homesick, either. Tell them when you go back, that I am well, hearty, and smart as a deer. but can't jump quite as far. You must not tell them how I live, or what privations we endure. Just tell them you guess I live well enough, and will get along." Six years later, Mrs. Rogers returned to her old home in New York on a visit, and while at her father's (Eli Widger's) he, referring to hard times, said, " None of my children know what suffering is. I served three years under Gen. Washington in the Revolutionary war ; one time we were on a scout for three days, and nothing to eat but three biscuits ; we finally came to a settler's cabin. in a clearing, nearly starved." Mrs. Rogers then related her own experience in the wilds of Ohio ; how upon a certain occasion her husband was taken sick. and was for awhile bedfast. and their scanty store was exhausted ; how, when starvation stared them in the face, she, to save her loved ones, went forth to beg-walked through the tall, wet grass to William Langden's, told her pitiful story, and begged for something to keep her husband and babe from starving, and when. after getting a little flour, she returned on foot. The recital brought tears to all eyes, and even the old Revolutionary soldier was forced to ac- knowledge that her suffering's had been greater than his. Mrs. Rogers made six trips to New York to see her parents, and each time crossed Lake Erie, once encountering a terrific storm. Her husband died Jan. 10, 1853. They had five children born to them ; three sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living. Rowena, widow of the late Alexander P. Widman ; Jane Eliza, wife of John Heinlen, of San Jose, Cal. (first girl born in Bucyrus), and George W. Rogers, Esq., of Bucyrus ; William B .. farmer near San Jose, Cal. ; Henry D., of San Francisco, Cal.

SAMUEL SHROLL, Bucyrus. Mr. Shroll's parents, John and Elizabeth (Coleman) Sinroll, were born, raised and married in the "Key-

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stone" State, where they resided until 1822, when they moved to Stark Co., Ohio, living there until their coming to this county in 1827. They were the parents of twelve children, eight of whom are now living. In 1834, the father died of cholera, as did three of his brothers and the wives of two of them who had come to the county at the same time. The twelve chil- dren were living at the time of the father's death, and the family endured many hardships and privations before they found themselves in comfortable circumstances. Samuel Shroll was born in Bucyrus Township Nov. 8, 1828, and, from early boyhood to the present time, lias found employment upon a farm. He was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Stockman July 27, 1855. She was born in Liberty Township, this county. Feb. 19, 1837. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Shroll, viz. : Mary J., Susan E., Martha A. and Lettie M. Mr. Shroll began for himself by working by the month upon a farm. He is, in the fullest sense of the word, a self-made man, and one who has the respect and confidence of the entire com- munity. He is a Democrat, but liberal in his views regarding men and religion. He has a nicely improved farm of 70 acres, upon which are good, substantial farm buildings.

JOSIAH SCOTT, son of Alexander Scott and Rachel McDowell, was born near Cannons- burg, Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 1, 1803. While yet a youth he entered Jefferson College -walking from home every day and back- and graduated in 1823. After this he spent nearly six years in teaching-two years in Newtown, Berks Co., Penn., two years near Richmond, Va., and two years as tutor in his Alma Mater. While engaged in teaching, he studied law privately, borrowing books for that purpose. He commenced the practice of law in Bueyrus in the spring of 1829. Some ten years after this he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, and, in 1844, was the elector for his district on the Henry Clay ticket for Presi- dent. In 1850, he removed to Hamilton, Ohio, and in 1856 was elected to the Supreme Bench of the State, and twice afterward re-elected, positively declining a re-nomination. In 1868, he returned to reside in Bucyrus, and, in 1876, Gov. Hayes appointed him as the head of the Supreme Judicial Commission, on which he served for the three full years of his appoint- ment. He died June 15, 1879, about three

months after his term of service had expired. Mr. Scott never sought any official position to which he was chosen or appointed. The office sought the man, and not the man the office. Although a man of great and varied talent, he was constitutionally modest and diffident. He was a man of extensive learning-a fine scholar in all the branches of an academic course. He excelled both as a linquist and mathematician. He could translate the Greek and Latin authors with great ease and accuracy. He learned to read the Hebrew Bible without a lexicon, grammar or instructor. He was a complete master of mathematics, and it is said never failed to solve any problem given him that was solvable. He was the author of the rules for the formation of "perfect magic squares." As a lawyer he was logical, eloquent, brilliant, humorous, pathetic or sarcastic, as the circum- stances dictated. As a Judge, he was learned, profound, concise, and thoroughly conscien- tious. As a Christian he was humble, devout, thoroughly familiar with the Scriptures, and a fine theologian. He was a ruling Elder in the Presbyterian Church for nearly forty years. He had an unusually large head and brain, and without effort could concentrate his mind upon all questions he was called upon to consider. His moral character was above reproach.

" His life was gentle, and the elements

So mixed in him, that nature might stand up And say to all the world, this was a man."

FREDERICK SWINGLY, M. D., retired, Bucyrus, whose portrait has been chosen to illustrate the history of the medical profession of Crawford Co., was born in Washington Co., Md., in Nov. 22, 1809. He is the son of Leon- ard and Prudence (Brentlinger) Swingly, both of whom were descendants of early settlers of the "Pine Tree State." Up to his 18th year the Doctor had the advantages of the Hagers- town schools, of Maryland. His first occupa- tion after leaving school was that of salesman in a dry goods store. He had been engaged in that work for about eighteen months, when his parents removed to the country, whither he went with them. The next two years of his life were spent at work upon his father's farm. Determining, however, to study medicine, he secured a place in the office of Dr. Russel, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, under whose instruction he remained for about eighteen months, and then took his first course of lectures at the Jefferson

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Medical College, of Philadelphia. He then at- tended the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1840. He began his first practice in Chesterville, Ohio, where he remained seven years, and then spent one year in practice in Mt. Gilead, Ohio. In December of 1843, he came to Bucyrus and at once en- gaged in the practice of his profession. In his collegiate course and from the begining of his practice until locating in Bucyrus, the Doctor had devoted much time and hard study to sur- gery. His success as a physician and surgeon in former fields of practice becoming known to the people of Bucyrus and vicinity, he was, shortly after his arrival, in the midst of a large and lucrative practice. The Doctor was the first physician of any standing to locate in Bucyrus, and to him is given the palm of pio- neership of all the medical fraternity of Craw- ford Co. In those early days his reputation as a skilled surgeon spread over an area of many miles around Bucyrus. Success to the physi- cian, in those days, brought long, hard rides in cold and stormy weather, over almost impassable roads and across unbridged streams, the fording of which, at some seasons, was dan- gerous to both horse and rider. The Doctor spent many years in this trying practice, but later in life he has allowed most of his busi- ness to drift into the hands of younger and hardier men, until now he has retired from the practice. On June 21, 1836, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Trobridge) Denman, of Knox Co., Ohio. Of this marriage, there were six children reared to honorable man and womanhood. They are now situated as follows : Edith V., wife of James B. Gormley, banker of Bucyrus; Ellen M., late Principal of the Bucyrus schools; John R., Fruit Culturist and Purser of the Valley City Steamer ; Frederick, ex- Auditor of Crawford Co .; Mary D., teacher in the public schools of Bucyrus and widow of William Beer, late mem- ber of the Crawford Co. bar, and Kate N., wife of H. M. Fulton. Mrs. Swingly, upon whom de- volved much of the early training and educating of her children, and whose noble qualities of heart and mind have never been forgotten by them, now lies in Oakwood Cemetery. Her death occurred on Feb. 29, 1874, and was mourned deeply, not only by her own devoted family, but by very many tried and true friends of her earlier life. For some years after the

death of his wife, the Doctor made his home with his widowed daughter, Mrs. Beer. On June 5, 1879, however, he again married-this time to Mrs. Barbara R., widow of the late Isaac Vanvorhis, and daughter of George Han- cock, who was one of the early settlers of Craw- ford Co. Their home is in the Southern sub- urbs of Bucyrus, where the closing years of the Doctor's life are being spent in peace, plen- ty and contentment.

JOHN SHULL (deceased), Bucyrus, whose portrait appears in this book, was the son of Solomon and Catharine (Huber) Shull ; he was born Oct. 3, 1809, in Fairfield Co., Ohio, where he lived with his parents on a farm until his 18th year. He then went to Lancaster to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he served an ap- prenticeship of three years. About the year 1830, he came to Bucyrus and began working at his trade. But little building was done in those early times in the history of Bucyrus. In later years, however, Mr. Shull had plenty of business, and to-day, many of the buildings in Bucyrus may be pointed out as standing mon- uments of his workmanship. Notable among these, were the old Methodist Church, also the Lutheran Church ; the old Sims House and the Bowman Block were also built by him. He was an active, energetic man, and, more than all else, an honorable, upright and respected eiti- zen. In the year of Van Buren's election to the Presidency, Mr. Shull was elected Sheriff of Crawford Co. by the Democratic party, but, upon the organization of the Republican party, he joined their ranks, and ever after cast his vote with them. For forty years previous to his death, he had been a consistent member and an active worker in the Baptist Church. His death occurred on the 12th of October, 1875, in his 66th year. On Dec. 14, 1833, Mr. Shull was married to Miss Catharine, second daughter of Samuel and Mary (Bucklin) Nor- ton (a history of whose lives is also given in this book). She was born in Luzerne Co., Penn., on Dec. 17, 1815, and, in her 4th year, was brought to Bucyrus by her parents, who were the first white man and wife to settle upon the site of the town. The early life of Mrs. Shull, like that of her sisters, was spent in the wild and uncultivated country of Bucyrus and vicinity. The whole country seemed to be peopled with Indians and inhabited by wild animals. Schools for a time were almost un-

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thought of, and, when opened, they were of a very modest and unassuming character. With such surroundings and advantages, but little opportunity was afforded Mrs. Shull for attain- ing an education. Instead of attending the fashionable boarding-schools, she learned how to card, spin and weave, accomplishments of much greater importance at that day than a slight knowledge of French and the ability to paint a few dizzy pictures in water-colors. Mrs. Shull was married at the age of eighteen years, and, for some time following this event, she and her husband lived on the site of the Main Street Mills. In 1834, they removed to their home on East Mansfield street, where Mrs. Shull still resides. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Shull five children, all of whom were daughters, and one of whom, who was the wife of J. B. Franz, is now dead. The four now living are all married, and situated as follows : Lettie, wife of Mr. Field Bush, of Mansfield, Ohio ; Mary. wife of James R. Stuart, of Whet- stone Township ; Lizzie N., wife of L. C. Cald- well, of Bucyrus, and Orpha, wife of Frank Felton, of Ft. Wayne, Ind.

JOSEPH W. SHARROCK, Bucyrus ; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Nov. 4, 1814. He is the son of Benjamin and Constantine (Williams) Sharrock, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Maryland. They were married in Guernsey Co., and removed from there to near Iberia. Morrow Co., in 1817. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are yet living. The father died Nov. 16, 1879, being at the time over 100 years of age. He had been a soldier of the war of 1812, and was a man of much more than ordinary intelligence. The Sharrock family are descended from one James Sharrock, who came to America in 1775, as a British soldier. After learning the true cause of the revolt against the mother country, he, with others, deserted, and, from that time un- til the close of the war, fought with the American army under Washington and La Fayette. Joseph W. Sharrock was raised upon a farm. He re- ceived such education as the schools of that early day afforded. His wife, Miss Mary Wood- side, was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 17, 1818. They were married April 18, 1843, and are the parents of six children, viz., Garrett, Charles, Oscar, Benjamin F. and James, living. Gardi- ner was the name of the one deceased. Two years after his marriage, Mr. Sharrock came to

Crawford Co., which he has since made his home. He owns 290 acres of well-improved land, which he has obtained by his own hard work. He is a Democrat, and a man of broad and liberal views regarding man and religion. He is one of the county's early settlers, and a highly respected citizen.

PETER STOCKMAN, Bucyrus ; was born in Stark Co., Ohio, July 11, 1823. His par- ents, Jacob and Mary (Bolinger) Stockman, were natives of Pennsylvania. They were mar- ried in Stark Co., and were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. In 1828, they came to Crawford Co., and settled in Liberty Township. The father died in 1867. His wife survives him, and resides with a daugh- ter in Indiana. They were hard-working people, and greatly respected by all who knew them. Peter Stockman was brought up on a farm. He received but a limited education, as his services were required at home in assisting to care for the large family. He was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaret Shroll in 1865. She was born in Baden, Germany, June 8, 1834, and her maiden name was Bickle. Her first marriage was to Mr. Daniel Shroll, one of the early set- tiers of this county. From her marriage with Mr. Stockman there are six children, viz., George P., Mary A., John W., Margaret M., Aaron A. and Esther H. Mr. Stockman began life as a poor boy, and has, by economy and hard work, made for himself and family a comfortable home. He owns 138 acres of land, the greater part of which is under cultivation. He is a man whom every one respects, and has unbounded con- fidence in. Politically, he is a Democrat.

J. W. STIGER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; a son of Abraham and Rosenna (Klieman) Stiger, was born Feb. 22, 1839, in Lycoming Co., Penn. His parents came to Ohio when he was 5 years old (in 1844), and settled on a farm, where they remained about one year, when they moved into the town of Bucyrus. Here he (the subject) went to school until he was 16 years old, when he went West (in 1858). Spent one year near St. Louis shipping horses, one year in Illinois, and two years traveling through Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, buying furs and trading with the Indians, running many narrow risks of losing his own fur, otherwise his scalp. He was especially successful in the fur business, and did well for one so young. On the breaking-out of the war, he enlisted in

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Co. E, of the 34th (). V. I. (Col. Piatt's Zouaves). in July, 1861. He served principally in the Kanawha Valley, and participated in the battles of Coal River and Fayetteville, and also in much skirmishing. He was discharged in the fall of 1863, on account of failing eyesight. He returned to Bucyrus and engaged in the harness and saddle business, which he followed for two years ; he then went into the grocery business, and continued that for about one year. His next move was on to a farm in Scott Township, Marion Co., where he farmed for about six years, and in 1871 removed to his present place, on the pike about five miles south of Bucyrus, where he owns some 220 acres of very fine farming lands. He devotes considerable attention to raising and feeding stock, with good success. He was married, May 3. 1865, to Ellen M. Monnett, of Marion Co., by whom he has had six children-Charles W., Gertie M., Annie E., John R., Thomas A. and Cora B. Mr. Stiger is a member of the M. E. Church ; also, of Oliver Lodge. No. 444, A., F. & A. M., at Caledonia.

WILLIAM M. SCROGGS, deceased; is the son of John and Anna (Shawke) Scroggs, and was born May 27, 1825, in Canton. He left school at 11 years of age. and entered a tailor- shop to learn the trade : he worked in the town of Canton until about 14, when he came to Bu- cyrus with his father's family, in 1839. He here completed his trade with Peter Howen- stein, and in a few years opened a shop of his own, and in 1851 added a stock of clothing, being one of the early merchant-tailors of Bu- cyrus. He retired from the business of tailor- ing about the year 1860. April 25. 1849, he was married to Miss Margaret A. Byron, of Bucyrus ; she was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., and came to Bucyrus in 1835. About 1850. Mr. Scroggs was elected Mayor of Buey- rus, a position he held for several years, being at the same time Justice of the Peace. On the completion of the Ohio & Indiana Railroad, he was appointed conductor, and run the first reg- ular passenger train over the new road. After running on the road for some time, he became General Ticket and Freight Agent of the road, having his office at Crestline. Subsequently he returned to Bucyrus and studied law, for which he had a profound admiration, and was admit- ted to the bar about 1864. In 1868, he was elected Auditor of Crawford Co., and re-elected

in 1870 by a large popular majority ; he proved a faithful and efficient officer. He died peace- fully Nov. 6, 1874, in his 50th year. Of his family, there is but one daughter living-Frank M., a teacher in the Bucyrus schools ; two sons aud a daughter are dead-Mary A., Edmund K. and George B. Mr. Seroggs began life with few of this world's goods, and by a life of car- nest labor, left his family in good circumstances. Deprived of the advantages of education in youth, he sought by personal endeavor to re- pair the loss. He studied that book of books, the Bible, until he was familiar with every por- tion of it. While following his vocation, a con- venient volume was ever near him, until he be- came one of the best-read men of his day. He collected an extensive library, embracing the choicest treasures of history and literature, over which he pored with an ever-increasing delight. He was generous to a fault, and within the sacred domain of home, surrounded by his family, he deemed himself more favored than the monarch on his throne.

E. D. SUMMERS, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; a son of Abraham and Susan (Wolford) Sum- iners, was born Dec. 26, 1841, in Wooster, Ohio. He lived there until he was 9 years old, when the family removed to this county (in 1850), settling permanently in this township, on the place now occupied by Magee. He grew up within a quarter of a mile of where he now lives, attending during the time the district school. He began farming for himself at the age of 23 years. He was married, Oct. 15, 1863, to Lettie M. Shroll, a daughter of William Shroll, of this township ; the result of this union was five chil- dren, four of whom are living-Anna L., born June 11, 1867; Charles A., Jan. 17, 1871; Lester A., Jan. 19, 1874; Hattie F., Feb. 7, 1880; William F. died at the age of five months. Mrs. Summer's family (the Shrolls) settled in this township in 1826, and were among the pio- neers of the county. They entered the land upon which Oakwood Cemetery is situated. The elder Shroll probably built the first saw- mill in the township. About the year 1860, Mr. Summers bought a farm of 60 acres, which he sold in a short time and bought the old Shroll homestead of 89 acres, upon which he lived for about eighteen months. He lived a short time in Tuscarawas Co .; removing in July, 1867, to Delaware, Ohio, where he was employed in the gas-works until 1876. In No-

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vember of that year, he removed back to this township, where he bought 60 acres of land, upon which he now lives. It is fine farming land and is highly improved. He votes the Republican ticket. Mr. S. started on small capital, and has accumulated his property by his own labor and industry.

COL. JOHN W. SHAW, deceased, Bucyrus ; a son of Samuel P. and Elizabeth (Lowstetter) Shaw, was born March 15, 1820, at Rising Sun, Ind. He was about two years old when the family moved to this State. His father was an itinerant minister of the M. E. Church, and moved from point to point in Ohio. Young Shaw received a good education, and, at 18, came to Abraham Monnett's and assisted him on his farm until he was 21 years old, when he began farming on 170 acres which he bought in Dallas Township. April 24, 1843, he married Miss Mary Monnett, a daughter of Jeremiah Mon- nett ; she was born April 2, 1824, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. Three children were the fruit of this marriage, viz., Placidia, Autistia and Irene. They lived on this farm until 1860. He pur- sued the study of law with Judge Plants for one year, but, not finding it congenial to his taste, he gave it up. He was a very successful farmer and stock-raiser. In July, 1861, he raised a company which became Co. E, of the 34th O. M. I., of which he was made Captain Aug. 15, 1861 ; Oct. 10, 1862, he was promoted to Major of the regiment, and to Lieutenant Colonel July 18, 1863. He was mortally wounded at the battle of Winchester by a mus- ket ball July 24, 1864, and died eight hours afterward in the ambulance. He was a consist- ent member of the M. E. Church ; was a Stew- ard at one time and Class-leader, and Superin- tendent of the Sunday school. He was a Demo- crat in politics and held various township of- fices, in all of which he gave satisfaction. March 24, 1869, his widow married Rev. Benjamin F. Royce, of Seneca Co., Ohio, a minister of the M. E. Church. He was born at Essex, Vt., and came to Ohio in an early day, settling on wild land near Bloomville. He was first married in Vermont to Melinda Perry, by whom he had eight children, two only of whom are now liv- ing. He died Feb. 8, 1874, leaving her for the second time a widow. He lived at Bucyrus after his marriage to her, where he was a local preacher. Mrs. Royce moved to Bucyrus with her first husband in 1860, and has lived here

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 117

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034