USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 142
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JACOB MILLER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Ang. 17, 1820, and is the youngest son of John A. and Mary E. (Wert) Miller, res- idents of Dauphin Co., Penn. They moved to Crawford Co. in October, 1830, and settled in Todd, then Sycamore, Township. After living there about ten years, they removed to Holmes Township, where they lived, and died twenty- five years ago. Our subject worked on the farm and received a common education. At the age of 22 years, he married Miss Polly Shupp, daughter of a respected citizen of Holmes Township. This wife dying, he was again mar- ried, only to again lose the wife of his affections. He married his third and last wife, Mary Ream, on April 13, 1852. He has had nine children born to him. Those living are Thomas, Eliza-
beth, Sarah, Eve, Christopher, Maria and Emma. Catharine and John died in infancy. Mr. Miller and wife are both members of the Lutheran Church, are exemplary Christians, and are well esteemed in the township where they live.
STEPHEN McBRIDE, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; was born May 5, 1809, and is a son of John and Ann (Maloy) McBride, natives of Virginia, who moved to Columbiana Co., Ohio, about the year 1804. Our subject attended school a few months in early life, and assisted his father on the farm until marriage, and two or three years thereafter, then moved to Craw- ford County, Nov. 15, 1836, with his wife and two children, having been married March 3, 1831, to Eliza Weisman, a native of Cumber- land Co., Penn .; by this union there was one child, Mahlon. born April 18, 1832. His see- ond marriage was to Hannah Boyle, June 13, 1833, of Columbiana County, by whom he had two children-Eliza Jane, born June 19, 1834, and Sarah Ann, June 22, 1837; some time after, he was again called upon to lay away be- neath the sod the one upon whom his affections had been centered, and on the 19th of July, 1840, he was married for the third time to Pa- tience Lewis, of Crawford County, by whom he had ten children-Elizabeth, born June 18, 1841 ; John, April 26, 1843; Joshua L., Feb. 9, 1845; Wm. Lockard, Jan. 14, 1847 ; Jere- miah J., Sept. 16, 1849; Hannah M., April 4, 1852; Rachel U., May 7, 1854; Stephen A., June 7, 1856; Martha M., June 11, 1859, and Reuben R., April 30, 1866; all of whom are living and married except the two youngest, who are at home assisting their parents. John served in the late war over four years ; was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and served and suffered nineteen months and eight days of prison life in six different Southern hells, but his life was spared and he returned home. Mr. McBride, his wife and most of the family, are members of the United Brethren Church; working with a willing hand for the advancement of the "cause and kingdom" here. Mr. McBride, at the advanced age of 72 years, is hale and hearty, able to work, and to enjoy the rewards of his beautiful home and the abundance of his farm, which has been given him for the toil and suffering which he endured in his early pioneer life.
MAHLON MCBRIDE, farmer; P. O. Buey- rus ; was born April 18, 1832, in Columbiana
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Co., Ohio, is the son of Stephen McBride. He Robert and John, and buried all at sea ; after attended school in the winter, and assisted his father until about 20 years of age, when he en- gaged in farming. He was married Nov. 3, 1855. to Sarah Jane Hemminger ; by this union there are seven children-William A., born Sept. 24, 1856 ; Samuel B., Dec. 30, 1858 ; Em- merellis, June 23, 1861, Marsella, Jan. 23, 1866 ; Ida, March 23, 1868; Sadie, June 29, 1874, and Stephen M., Feb. 19, 1877, all living and at home, except William, who married Angeline Goodwin, on Aug. 8, 1878, and Em- merellis, married to a Miss Doufler, Dec. 17, 1877. Mr. McBride and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and excellent people.
DANIEL McCLANE, retired farmer ; P. O. Wingert's Corners ; was born July 30, 1809, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the oldest son of John and Eve (Jury) McClane, who both died in Pennsylvania. Mr. McClane was raised on a farm, and attended district school. He also learned the trade of a weaver with his father at home. He was married June 29, 1828. to Elizabeth Shaffner, in his own State, she being eight days younger than her husband. Two years later, May 5, 1830, he removed to this county, and since 1869, has been a resident of Holmes Township. He is an old and highly respected citizen, and though 71 years old his hair is not whitened, but retains its raven black color. Mr. and Mrs. McClane are both estima- ble Christians, and members of the Evangel- ieal Association of Wingert's Corners. Of their marriage, there were eleven children, all of whom are dead, and but one grandchild is left as heir or descendant. The names of their children are John Martin, Sarah Ann, Leah Jane, Nancy Loretta, Lucy, Sylvester ; the re- mainder all died in infancy. Sarah married Martin Ditty, of Holmes Township ; John Martin married Polly Hiesch, whose daughter, Loretta, is now living.
WILLIAM MATEER, farmer; P. O. Bu- cyrus ; was born Sept. 9, 1823, eldest son of James and Elizabeth (Shrum) (Spangler) Mateer, near Rosstown, York Co., Penn. His mother was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 5, 1793; father born Aug. 31, 1794, near Lisburn, Cumberland Co., Penn., of Scotch-Irish descent. William Mateer, our sub- ject's great-grandfather, started to this country from Ireland, early in 1700, with his family, con- sisting of wife and four sons-William, James,
settling in America he had four other sons, whom he named same as first four. The subject of our sketch attended school in winter, and worked with his father on the farm in summer, until about 21 years of age, at which time he engaged in farming with his father, until his 23d year, when he was united in marriage to Miss Cath- arine Ann Wagoner on Sept. 8, 1846 ; she was born Feb. 12, 1825, youngest daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Draver) Wagoner, respected farmers of Cumberland Co., Penn. Mrs. Ma- teer's father was born Oct. 8, 1787, her mother Dec. 1, 1784. They moved from Cumberland Co., Penn., to Holmes Township, landing in Bucyrus on Aug. 30, 1854, and engaged in farming near the place on which they now re- side. Two children were their issue-Mary Elizabeth, born May 18, 1847, died Nov. 1, 1850, and William Albert, born Oct. 20, 1850. The latter attended school and helped his father on the farm until about 20 years of age, and, being a close student, was always at the head of his class. He was married, Dec. 31, 1874, to Miss Martha J. Davis, who was born May 20, 1855, daughter of Jacob and Adaline (Mount) Davis, of Ashland Co., Ohio ; from this union, there was one child-Benjamin Franklin, born Nov. 11, 1875; William A. died July 18, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Mateer and their daughter-in-law and child are mem- bers of the M. E. Church, and are enjoying a happy life at their pleasant home.
JAMES MOORE, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Jan. 25, 1817, in Washington Co., Penn., and is the youngest son of James and Emma (Crow) Moore. His father came from Ireland to engage in the Revolutionary war, and settled in Washington Co., Penn. He re- moved to Columbiana County in 1820, was left an orphan in his 3d year by the sudden death of his father, who retired at night in health, but was found in the morning a corpse. and the sudden shock so affected the mind of his mother that she became insane. Mr. Moore only attended school about nine months, and went to work early. He first worked for $3 per month, and the second year for $4. Then he engaged for three years in the tobacco business, and, proving himself skillful, he received higher wages than ordinary hands. He worked one whole year without losing more than half a day, and that was at the request of his em-
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ployer. When 28 years old he learned the cooper's trade with his cousin, John Crow. He worked here two years, and then engaged in the business for himself the next two years. After this he removed to Crawford County, and settled on the farm where he now lives, and where he has prospered, owing to his habits of industry and energy. He was mar- ried in his 22d year to Catharine Lonnes, sister to Uncle Joseph Lonnes, the oldest living set- tler of Holmes Township. Four children- Ephraim M., Elmira, Joseph A. and Mary Frances are living. John James is deceased. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. C, 101st O. V. I., and went to the front immediately, engaging in two battles before that of Stone River, in which last he was shot three times and killed, after serving faithfully three months. Those living are all married, Joseph married Alice Vore, and is on the home farm ; E. M. married Lizzie Crall, of Liberty Township, and is a farmer of that township, and also a valuable salesman in Emrich's store, Bucyrus ; Elmira married Prof. John A. Roberts, of Knoxville, Marion County (Iowa) ; Mary married Lewis H. Vore, who is a carpenter by trade, but is now farming in Southern Kansas. Mr. Moore has served the Methodist Church forty-one years as an efficient class-leader, and has as- sisted in the Sunday-school work twenty-six years, being Superintendent twenty-three years of that time, and is filling that position effi- ciently at present. He organized the first Sun- day school ever held in this township. He is also Vice President of the Crawford County Sunday School Union. He has organized and kept up some six or seven Sunday schools. He is actuated by the true Christian principle and spirit, and is a man who can spend his declin- ing years in reviewing the good which his hands have done, and which will make rich his crown in the kingdom above.
HENRY G. PEASLEY, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus ; was born July 7, 1814, in Clinton Co., N. Y., and is of English-Irish descent. His father's name was Samuel, and his mother's maiden name Jane Greene. Mr. Peasley at- tended school and assisted his father on the farm during his youth. In June, 1834, he came with his father to Mt. Gilead, being one month and six days on the road. In Morrow Co. Mr. Peasley engaged in farming for several years, and then removed to Crawford Co. He
was married, in February, 1840, to Miss Ann Quaintance, daughter of Fisher and Sarah (Frey) Quaintance, who came to Crawford Co. in 1829, from Jefferson Co. Of this marriage there were six children-Sarah, born March 25, 1841, died at the age of 5; Narcissa, born March 31, 1843; Ira, born Sept. 16, 1848, died Oct. 27, 1865, and Charles, born Aug. 19, 1850, died Oct. 29, 1865, both of diphtheria ; cut off in the flower of their youth, their loss was a keen blow to their loving parents and all who knew them, as they were kind, sociable and beloved by all ; Minerva, born April 23, 1856, and Cynthia, born Dec. 14, 1858, are still liv- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley are members of the Friends' Church, and are greatly esteemed by all who know them.
SAMUEL PETERMAN, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus ; is the son of John and Barbara (Eck- ert) Peterman, and was born in York Co., Penn., Sept. 21, 1810. He attended school in winter until he was 16 years of age, and then assisted his father on the farm until his 21st year. His parents removed to this county in October, 1827, and entered 320 acres of land in Liberty Township, on the Sandusky River ; they cleared a portion of it, and erected a hewed-log cabin. Five years afterward, our subject left the farm of his father and went to Bucyrus, where, for twenty-five years, he was engaged in hauling goods between Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Columbus and Sandusky, with a six-horse team. After that, he returned to the farm on which he now lives, and has re- mained there ever since. He was, during his teaming career, entrusted with a great deal of money for transportation, and always proved himself a man who could be trusted. He now has a nice property, all gained by his own ef- forts and industry. He was married, Nov. 19, 1833, to Violet Hinebaugh, daughter of Conrad and Mary (Trout) Hinebaugh, of Philadelphia, Penn. They had two children-Mary Ann, died at the age of 4 years, and an infant, which died very young.
W. H. POOLE, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born April 18, 1828 ; is a son of Rodney and Elizabeth (Hoy) Poole, of Frederick Co., Md., who moved to the town of Mexico, in what was formerly Crawford Co. (but, since the division, Wyandot), in the fall of 1835, where they lived until 1849, when they moved to the farm on which W. H. Poole now lives, where the family
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resided until his death, which occurred in July, 1865. After moving to the now beautiful farm, which was, at the time of their settlement, a dense forest (there being but one neighbor in an area of several miles), they cleared a patch large enough for a log cabin, in which they lived and endured the sufferings of an early pioneer life, in clearing and beautifying their home. The parents of our subject moved to Norwalk for the purpose of educating their children, five in number, where the father was connected with the college for two years, then moved back to Mexico, thence to the farm, and thence to Mansfield, where they engaged in the lumber business for a time, when they retired from the business, and returned to familiar haunts. At the breaking-out of the late war, the subject of our sketch enlisted in Co. L, 10th O. V. C., on Oct. 10, 1862, under Capt. Brink, serving three years, Gen. Kilpatrick Division commander. He was close to the General when he was wounded at the battle of Resaca; at Atlanta, when the division was surrounded ; and at Bentonville, Savannah, and several other places of impor- tance. Having served his time, he was honora- bly discharged, came home, and engaged in farming. He was married Oct. 19, 1859, to Miss Catharine Hartman, daughter of Andrew and Susan Hartman, of Mechanicsburg, Cum- berland Co,, Penn.
ELI P. QUAINTANCE, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus ; was born Aug. 16, 1818, in Jefferson Co., Ohio, and is the second child in a family of nine. His youth was spent on a farm and in gaining an education to fit him for usefulness in life. Mr. Quaintance was married in 1842 to Hannah Kirk. Of this union there were eight children, seven of whom are still living and have settled in life, possessing comfortable homes and good families. Mr. Quaintance has, by hard labor and frugal industry, amassed considerable property, and is one of the most prominent men of his township, being held in high esteem by all who know him, as a man of enlightened views and extended informa- tion.
JOSEPH W. QUAINTANCE, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Ang. 31, 1828, in Jeffer- son Co., Ohio, and is the sixth child of Fisher and Sarah Quaintance. His parents removed to Crawford Co. in 1829, and were among the pioneers of this section. They engaged in farming, and the subject of our sketch was
reared on a farm, and has always followed this branch of honest toil. He was married in March, 1853, to Lucinda L. Gidley, a native of Bristol Co., Mass., who removed to this county in 1851. Nine children were the fruit of this union, seven of whom are still living-Basha, married to John A. Eaton, a prominent attorney of Bucyrus ; Isadore B., Edith May, Ira Ells- worth, Lemert F., Core E. and Howard B. Charles and Frank are deceased. Mr. Quaint- ance owns one of the oldest farms in the coun- ty, which has been called the Old Flake Farm. Years ago, there was a mysterious murder com- mitted here ; an old peddler was killed, and, in order to cover up all traces of the crime, his body, wagon and all were thrown into a well and covered up; who the peddler was, and also the identity of the perpetrators of the deed, have never been disclosed, and the whole affair is shrouded in mystery.
A. J. QUAINTANCE, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; was born March 4, 1844; the eldest son of Joseph and Hannah (Hale) Quaintance. Joseph, father of the subject of this sketch, was taken away from his family by the hand of death, leaving the care of a large family upon his eldest son, who was about 16 years of age, thus depriving him of the limited educational advantages of his forest home, having attended school only three months in his life ; but, by energy and perseverance, he has been success- ful as a farmer, and is enabled to give his fam- ily the advantages which he was deprived of. His father and mother were natives of Mary- land, and moved to Holmes Township, Craw- ford Co., in the spring of 1855, where they lived until death, with the exception of a few years in Liberty Township. A. J. Quaintance was married, Oct. 9, 1859, to Mary Heller, daughter of D. J. Heller, a prominent farmer of Holmes Township. From this union there were ten children-Israel J., Joseph, Leroy, Martha Etta, Daniel, Oscar, Alverta, Blanche, James and Olive, all living except Israel and Alverta, who died in infancy. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. C, 101st O. V. I., and was sent to the front immediately, under Capt. McDonald, and participated in many of the most bloody con- tests ; was in Sherman's march to the sea ; at Franklin, Tenn., when Gen. Hood raided that country ; was at Lookout Mountain ; wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Chicka- mauga, and sent to the hospital at Crawfish
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Springs ; after recovering, he returned to his command, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. His brother, T. E. Quaintance, was torn to pieces by a cannon ball at his side, while he was miraculously saved. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and respected by all.
JOHN ROBERTS. farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born April 7, 1805, in Lycoming Co., Penn., and was the eldest son of George and Catharine (Rickerd) Roberts. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood on a farm, and received a common-school education. He was married on March 6, 1826, to Lavinia Walton, eldest dangh- ter of David Walton, of Lycoming Co., Penn. Of this marriage, there are six children-Flem- ing, Wesley, George Washington (born Feb. 22, 1832, on the centennial anniversary of the birth of his namesake), Mary, Edwin and Willis. Mr. Roberts removed to Crawford Co. in 1828, in a portion which was then a part of Marion Co. He commenced farming, and has always con- tinued a tiller of the soil. He lived on his farm in Whetstone Township for thirty-seven years. His first wife died in February, 1872. He was married July 16, 1873, to Miss Belle Chambers, of Whetstone Township. By this marriage, there are two children-John and Aubrey N. Mr. Roberts is a highly valued citizen of Holmes Township, where he has lived fourteen years. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for forty-two years. One of his sons, Edwin, served in the cause of the Union in the late war, under Capt. Moderwell.
J. C. REIFF, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born March 15, 1836, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Geiger) Reiff, of Wurtemberg, Ger- many. The subject of our sketch attended school under the compulsory laws of his " Fader- land," until his 15th year, when he entered a private college of agriculture, preparatory to entering the Government Collège ; but, before being advanced a step higher, he moved to this country to live with his uncle and aunt, who had also come to America, the former in 1852. and the latter in 1853. Our subject engaged with his uncle in stone-cutting, masonry and plastering for about twelve years, at Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio. He was married, Jan. 17, 1862, to Mary Shock, of Seneca Co. This union has been blessed with nine children -- Charles G. F., Paul A., Eliza M., John C., Hannah M., Henry J., Lewis W., and two girls who died in
infancy. Mr. Reiff, since moving to his farm in 1863, on which there were three acres cleared, has, by his indomitable energy and determina- tion in working at his trade during the day, cutting timber and burning brush at night, cleared up 75 acres, and opened one of the finest limestone quarries in Crawford Co., which he is running extensively, and in which he was quite severely injured. He has held several of the offices of the township, and is filling the office of Trustee at the present time creditably to himself, and satisfactorily to his constituents.
CHRISTOPHER SCHIEBER is a promi- nent farmer living in Holmes Township. He was born March 4, 1820, and is the oldest son of Caleb and Magdalena (Prosey) Schieber. There were of his father's family ten children, all of whom are now living. The subject of our sketch was united in marriage to Lydia Harshberger in August, 1849, and by this union there are three children living-Jacob, born in December, 1852 ; John, in February, 1854; Magdalena, in September, 1856. Pris- cilla was born in August, 1859, but is now dead. Jacob, John and Magdalena are mar- ried, and are living now in Liberty Township, and doing well. Mr. Schieber's mother is still living, at the advanced age of 82. Our sub- ject, coming here in early times, had several experiences with the Indians, and is quite a prominent pioneer.
MOSES SPAHR, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus. The subject of this short sketch was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1814, and is the son of George and Catharine (Guyer) Spahr. He is the fourth child of a family of eight chil- dren. From his earliest childhood, he was brought up on a farm and inured to labor. He came to this county at an early day, and is 'one of its honored pioneers, as he forwarded the advance of civilization by clearing up the wilderness and improving his land. He has now a fine farm of 160 acres, well improved, which he has acquired by industry and perse- verance. In early days, almost his only asso- ciates were the wild red men of the forest. He is a bachelor, and is one of the most respected citizens of Holmes Township.
GEORGE A. SPAHR, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus ; was born June 21, 1825, and is the son of Jesse and Margaret (Peterman) Spahr, of Cumberland Co., Penn. His parents removed to Crawford Co. in 1830, and are still living,
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both in their 81st year, there being but seven months difference in their ages. Our subject attended school and remained on the farm un- til he was about 22 years of age. He was married, Dec. 10, 1846, to Catharine Cover, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Zent) Cov- er, who was born Dec. 24, 1825. They have had seven children-Joshua, born Dec. 18. 1849, and died April 22, 1875; Julia Ann, born April 8, 1851; Daniel, Dec. 23, 1847 ; Lavinia, Nov. 8, 1852; Moses, Oct. 10, 1854 ; George, Nov. 13, 1857, and Eliza, July 11, 1859. Daniel married Elmira Aumiller, who died Nov. 25, 1879. Julia Ann married Eli Miller. Lavinia married Elias Crall. Moses married Hannah Taylor, and two are living at home. Mr. Spahr moved on to his present farm one year after his marriage, and has lived there ever since. He has worked hard to ac- quire his property. and has been industrious and frugal. He has always been a Democrat, and has been Trustee of the township. He is a member of the United Brethren Church of Bucyrus, of which church his son Moses is Pastor. He is a man universally respected in the township, and a devoted Christian worker in the cause of his Master.
REBECCA SELLS, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; the widow of Jacob Sells, was born April 13, 1813, and is the daughter of John and Anne (Malvy) McBride. She attended district school until about 19 years of age, when she engaged in teaching school, in which occupation she was employed for about six years, when she was married Oct. 4, 1838, to Jacob Sells, who was a son of Peter and Barbara (Sluss) Sells, of Stark Co., Ohio, who moved to Crawford Co., about the year 1831. Jacob and Rebecca went to keeping house, immediately after mar- riage, in a home of their own on the Tiffin road, where they lived several years. Jacob was an architect and builder by profession, and, on account of his extensive business, was compelled to be away from home the greater portion of the time, thus leaving to the care of his noble wife a large family of children. Mrs. Sells is a woman of great force of charac- ter, and has an indomitable will and courage ; sharing the hardships and trials of an early pioneer life, she displayed a noble Christian character, and in all that which is most beauti- ful in woman-the love of home, husband and children-she is the perfect type of the true
wife and mother. Mrs. Sells suffered many trials on account of her fearless advocacy of abolition principles, their residence being in a community where secessionism predominated, and also from her husband's absence of seven- teen months during the war, he being in attend- ance at the land sales in the Osage country, Missouri. Their communication being cut off, she supposed him to be dead, but had not lost all hope, until one day she was notified that the corpse of her husband was awaiting her at Bucyrus, to which place she went almost broken-hearted. The body was identified by the family and friends, but, before removing the corpse, what must have been her surprise, joy and gladness, upon being put in possession of a communication from her husband stating that he would be with them in a few short hours, may be imagined ; thus a scene of the deepest sadness was turned to one of rejoicing and gladness. Mrs. Sells is a twin sister of Mrs. Lockard, living near Cleveland, whose family has gained so much notoriety in differ- ent parts of the country. Mrs. Sells was blessed with ten children-John, born Aug. 22, 1840, and died May 15, 1842 ; Annie E., born Jan. 11. 1841, Sarah Cordelia, born Aug. 20, 1843; Mary E., born July 4, 1845; Susan M., born Jan. 7, 1847; Isaac D., born Jan. 1, 1849; Jeremiah M., born Feb. 3, 1851; Jennie R., born Aug. 14, 1856 ; Newton V., born July 17, 1858, and Jay J., born July 1, 1860 ; seven of these are married, and two daughters, Mary and Jennie, single are still living at home. Newton V. was formerly a law student at Ann Arbor, Mich., was engaged with a surveying party in the West, and lecturing on temperance ; he is a rising young man and now studying in Columbus, Ohio. Jay J. is a student at the Columbus Medical College; Isaac D. is a por- trait painter and sign-writer, and Jeremiah a prominent farmer in Wood Co., Ohio. Jacob Sells died May 21, 1874, after a severe illness of seven months. The widow and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
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