History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 143

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 143

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HENRY SHUPP, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Dec. 29, 1815. in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the third son of Michael and Margaret (Wise) Shupp. His father removed to Crawford Co. in May. 1828, and entered 80 acres of land on Broken Sword, in Holmes Township. There they lived eight years, and then moved on the farm where Mr. Shupp now lives, and where his

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father lived till his death. He lived at home until his marriage, some thirty-two years ago, to Dora Easterday, danghter of a respected citi- zen of Liberty Township. They have six children -Malinda, Lucia Ann, Louisa, Solomon, Henry and Charles. All of his children except Charles are married and doing well, a portion of them being in Nebraska. Mr. Shupp and his wife are both estimable members of the community. and members of the Evangelical Association.

SAMUEL SHUPP, farmer; was born Aug 2, 1828, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the young- est son of Jolin and Anne Maria (Yeager) Shupp. His father removed to the farm where the sub- ject of our sketch now lives, in the spring of 1831. He worked on the farm and attended school until he was 21, when he was married, in October, 1848, to Mary Young. She died some time after, leaving one child, Emma Clara, aged 2 months. He was remarried, in the spring of 1851, to Rosanna Schaal, daughter of a re- spected farmer of Holmes Township. There are six children of this marriage-John, Mary A., Simon L., Sarah J., Rebecca A. and Emma E., all of whom are living, and all are married save Simon and Emma. His second wife died in February, 1863, and he has since then married to Elizabeth Gerhart, of Holmes Township. There are two children of this marriage-Edwin and Rolandus. Mr. Shupp has been a member of the church and a prominent Class-leader, and, since his connection with the church, has been an exhorter and local preacher, doing valuable work for the cause of the Master.

SAMUEL SHAFFNER, farmer ; P. O. Bu- cyrus ; was born Dec. 13, 1811, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the son of Martin and Sarah (Fleisher) Shaffner. He was reared on a farm, and attended school until his 14th year. In 1829, his parents removed to Whetstone Town- ship, settling on the Boyer farm. When about 15 years of age, he was apprenticed to John Bretz, to learn tanning, but at the end of two and a half years, he came with his father to this county, and assisted on the farm. He was married, May 8, 1832, to Miss Frances Shultz, of this county. By this marriage there were three children-Henry was born Oct. 17, 1833, and was killed at Franklin, Tenn., while fight- ing in defense of his country. He was before this taken prisoner, and almost starved by the inhumanity of his captors, at Belle Isle. but, being exchanged, he came home, recruited his

health and returned to the field, experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, and was finally killed. Martin was born April 5, 1838, and he also served in the war; was at the siege of Vicksburg, and in many of the hard-fought battles for three years, and escaped without a scratch. After the war, he engaged in farm- ing, and removed to Wood Co., where he died in June, 1879; Sarah was born July 1, 1842 ; she married William Kinney, and is living near Warsaw, Ind. Mr. Shaffner's first wife lied Sept. 13, 1858. His second marriage oc- curred, Nov. 25, 1860, to Miss Hannah Martin, who died June 3, 1869. Esquire Shaffner is one of the prominent men of his township, having held several offices of trust and re- sponsibility, for which he was especially fitted. He is a member of the M. E. Church of Holmes Township, and an exemplary Christian gentleman.

GEORGE STROHM, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus; was born Nov. 20, 1844, in Southern France ; son of Frederick and Mary E. Rodebach. His parents moved to New York State at Waterloo, the journey across the ocean lasting thirty-five days, and, after a residence there of six years, they removed to Annapolis, this county. After a residence here of eleven years, he removed to the farm where he now lives. His father died in 1864, and he bought the property of the other heirs. He was married, March 2, 1871, to Cath- erine Leitzy, of Holmes Township. They have four children-Mary Eve, Rosa, Frederick Fran- cis and John George-all living at home. His mother died on April 19, 1874. Mr. Strohm is a prominent and influential citizen, is an indus- trious farmer and an honor to the community in which he lives. Both himself and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church of Bu- cyrus, and are estimable people.

HANNAH SAWYER, farmer; P. O. Bucy- rus ; was born May 4, 1830, and is a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (Heaton) Ridgeley, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Pennsylvania; they moved to Crawford Co. about the time of the Revolutionary war, the father enlisting soon after their removal. The subject of this sketch was married May 15, 1851, to S. F. Sawyer, a prominent farmer ; nine children blessed this union-William S., Ann Eliza, Simon J., Melville J., Emma A., John B., Rebecca I. J., Wilmer A. and Frank F., all of whom are living except Melville J.,

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and four of whom are at home and four mar- ried. Mr. S. F. Sawyer died Oct. 20, 1878, of that terrible affliction, cancer, after suffering all that man could suffer, leaving a widow and four children on the farm, to care for them- selves.

SIDNEY L. SPORE, farmer ; P. O. Broken Sword ; was born July 10, 1833, and is a son of David C. and Lucy L. (Long) Spore, the former born in Schenectady Co., N. Y., the latter of Canada, about fifty miles from Montreal. They moved to Chatfield Township, this county, in June, 1837, and bought a piece of land with about three acres cleared and a log cabin. Up- on this they labored and endured the privations of a newly settled country, the father teaching school in the winter time, at 50 cents a day, to obtain a sustenance for his family, and, on one occasion before leaving his family, the father had purchased a barrel of flour, for which he had paid thirty-six days' labor in teaching, and which was to be delivered to his family ; so he took his departure, trusting that all would be well with his little flock. But not so; on his return he found his family in a famishing condition, the flour not having been delivered, and they had subsisted for six whole days on nothing but parched rye. In 1857, after a twenty years residence, they sold the farm, the mother after- ward moving to Macon Co., Ill., the father hav- ing died Dec. 25, 1862. The subject of this sketch has attended school only sixty-three days in his life, going bare-footed one and three- fourths miles across the woods and through the snow ; the remainder of the time, until attain- ing his majority, being spent in assisting in the work of the farm. At 22 years of age, he taught school in the winter, and worked by the month in the summer for three years, and then worked his father's farm for two years. He enlisted in Co. I, 57th O. V. I., Oct. 8, 1862, and was sent to Nashville, Tenn., where he joined his regiment ; thence to Vicksburg, and was present at the time of Sherman's defeat, in the eight-day siege. At that place he had his knapsack stolen from his back by a piece of shell which he never succeeded in bringing to justice. He then participated in the contest at Arkansas Post, which resulted in a glorious victory, for the Union forces took 8,000 pris- oners, and reduced the fort. They were then sent back to Vicksburg, with the combined force under Gen. McClernand, and worked on

the canal at that place, and, on account of ex- posure, suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever. After recovery from the fever, he was taken with chronic diarrhea, sent to Lauson Hospital, at St. Louis, and then discharged on account of disability. To use his own lan- guage, he says : " I owe the preservation of my life to Mrs. Springer, of Boston, Mass., who was President of the Woman's Union Aid Society, Mrs. Dr. Jones, of St. Louis, and other noble members of that association. Through Mrs. Springer's efforts, who walked three miles to Gen. Schofield's headquarters, and laid my case before him in person, I procured my discharge." His clothing having been lost, as also his de- scriptive list, he was unable to draw the neces- sary money or clothing for his return home ; so, without money or clothing, except a suit of underclothing, which the ladies of the associa- tion had given him, he left the hospital in a weakened and destitute condition ; but through the kindness of the people with whom he came in contact, he was enabled to reach Bucyrus, where he was met by anxious friends. He remained at home recruiting his health for about fifteen months, when he re-enlisted in the 179th O. V. I .; was promoted to 1st Ser- geant, his command being at Nashville, Tenn., on post-duty, and was discharged June 17, 1865. There have been nine children in his family, five of whom are living-Sumner, born July 28, 1858 ; Honora, Sept. 6, 1859; Aud D., July 20, 1861, died Feb. 18, 1880 ; Armeda, March 15, 1863, died March 30, 1863; Ona, June 6, 1864, died same day ; Rufus D., June 6, 1866 ; Benjamin M., Aug. 17, 1868 ; Motta, Jan 10, 1873, died Feb. 2, 1873, Loretta, Sept. 26, 1875. The surviving members of the fam- ily arc at home, except Sumner, who is attend- ing school at Oshkosh, Wis. Mr. Spore and wife are members of the Evangelical Associa- tion. He is a Republican.

WILLIAM TAYLOR, farmer ; P. O. Bucy- rus ; was born April 10, 1811, aud is a son of William and Fanny (Foster) Taylor, of Louisa Co., Va., but who moved to Albemarle Co., Va., near the University. He was left an orphan at 4 years of age, by the death of his mother, and at 10 years of age commenced the carpen- ter's trade with his father, at which he is still working in connection with his farm duties. He never attended school a day in his life, but has obtained a good common-school education

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by the study of the Bible, which has been his constant companion for fifty years. He has also been engaged in the milling business, as well as carpentering and farming, having run a grist and saw mill for four years before leaving Virginia He moved to this county in the fall of 1833, to what was then Sycamore Township -which was, after the division of the counties, thrown into Wyandot-where he lived for fif- teen years, and then moved to Holmes Town- ship, where he has lived ever since. He has attended every election since 1833, except one, and has been a prominent man in his township. He was married Aug. 12, 1832, to Patience Sayrs, of Pickaway Co., Ohio. This union has been fruitful of eight children-Josephus, Jas- per, Newton, William S., Ephraim S., Ben- jamin F., Elizabeth F., Susan Arminta and Mary Helen, who are all living except Eliza- beth, who died in infancy, and Susan A., who died at 33 years of age, leaving one child. Jasper and Ephraim, the only two able-bodied men in the family, enlisted in the 101st O. V. I., went through with Sherman in his raid, and fought in many of the most closely contested battles on the field, Jasper only being wounded in the leg. Mr. Taylor and his family have suffered all the trials of a very early pioneer life, in the first clearing-up of the country, but are now reaping their reward in the enjoyment of a beautiful home. He and his estimable wife have been leading members of the church for forty-eight years, consistent Christians, es- teemed and respected by all.

JESSE VORE, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Aug. 15, 1805, in Berks Co., Penn., and is the eldest son of Absalom and Margaret (Gary) Vore. He attended school until he was abont 21, in the meantime learning tailoring, serving three and a half years. He then worked at his trade with George Ossman, of Millikin Center, Penn., until about 1852, when he engaged in farming for about seven years. In March, 1859, he came to Osceola, Crawford Co., and six weeks afterward he purchased the farm on which he now lives, and has improved it and made it " blossom as the rose." He was married March 30, 1830, to Catharine Musser, daughter of a respected farmer of Center Co., Penn. There were eleven children born of this marriage, seven of whom are living-Margaret Ann, Matilda, Absalom, Lewis H., Catharine A., Mary Elizabeth and Alice. Harriet, Julian,

Sarah and John A. are deceased. Those living are married and doing well. Lewis and Mary are in Kansas ; Catharine married Frank Fra- lick and is living near Hartford City, Black- ford Co., Ind. Mr. Vore's success in life is due to his own efforts. His father died when he was very young, leaving a widow with three children to contend against the world alone. Mr. Vore has filled several offices in the town- ship. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, of Bucyrus, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church of the same city.

ELLIS WINNER, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus ; is the son of Abraham and Rachel (Worner) Winner, and was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Oct. 23, 1812. His life was mostly spent in his na- tive State. He was married in Columbia Co., Penn., in 1836, to Miss Ruth Parker. He has nine children-Sarah A., Martha J., Lewis, Charles, Hering C., Andrew, Lemuel, Simon Peter and Daniel Webster. Martha J. and Charles reside in Kalamazoo, Mich. Two sons were of his first marriage-Joseph Lloyd, now living in Wilmington, N. C .; Chester P. lives in Wayne Co., engaged in wool manufacturing. Mr. Winner's first wife lived but three years, and he was remarried in 1840. She was Mary Carr, of Columbia Co., Penn. Mr. Winner was for two years traveling agent in Ohio for the Bucyrus Machine Company, and for two years in Pennsylvania. He was also for three years agent throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania for Monnett's Patent Fence. He is an industrious farmer, and a man who stands eminently in the esteem of those who know him.

JOHN WENTZ, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., Sept. 1, 1837, and is the eldest son of John and Mary (Monard) Wentz. His parents moved to Blackford Co., Ind., in September. 1839, and Mr. Wentz was here reared on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married, Nov. 26, 1857, to Catharine Greenwich, only daughter of Jacob and Christina Green- wich. They have nine children-Mary E. (who was married, Dec. 4, 1879, to T. J. Caldwell, a prominent farmer in Bucyrus Township), An- nette, Clement L., Willis J., Ora Alice, Clara Dell, Ida May, Emma Pearl and John Earl. Mr. Wentz is a prominent citizen and farmer, is a stanch member of the English Lutheran Church, and is a man who stands high in his community.

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CHRISTIAN WILHELM, farmer; P. O. Bucyrus ; was born Feb. 20, 1826, in Wurtem- berg, Germany, and emigrated to this country when quite young, proceeding to Lancaster, Penn., where they wintered, and then moved to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where they lived three years, afterward moving to Crawford County. The subject of this sketch did not attend school in his youth, on account of a lack of knowl- edge of the English language, he not being able to speak a word of English until after he was 18 years of age. At the age of 14 years he was left an orphan by the death of his father, from which time he worked as a farm hand, except one year, when he worked in Joe Walker's warehouse, at Tiffin, Ohio, until the fall of 1851, when he went to California, and engaged in mining, meeting with considerable success until the spring of 1856 ; when he came back to Ohio in the following July, he com- menced clearing on his present farm, and a glance at his beautiful home and pleasant surroundings will be evidence enough of his industry and good management. He was married Dec. 20. 1857, to Esther Houston, four children blessing this union -- Sarah E. H., William, Jan. 1, 1861; Laura, Jan. 31, 1864, and Ethel, Aug. 13, 1870; Sarah E. was married to Thomas Miller, Sept. 1, 1878 ; the rest are living at home, assisting their father in household and farm duties, their mother having died Feb. 7, 1875, of that dread disease, consumption, leaving her cares upon her two young daughters, who are taking upon themselves nobly, the responsibilities of the be- reaved household.

ELIZABETH WINGART, farmer; P. O.

Broken Sword ; was born Feb. 29, 1808, and is the widow of William Wingart, formerly of Wingert's Corners. The husband of the sub- ject of this sketch did not attend school until after his first marriage, which occurred Sept. 19, 1830, to Elizabeth Keener, in Pennsylvania. After marriage, he attended school a short time to learn to write and cipher. Wm. Wingart came to Lykens Township, to what is now Win- gert's Corners, about 1835, built a shop, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture until about 1851, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits for six years, and then moved to the farm on which his family now live, on April 3, 1857, improving his farm and commanding the respect of his neighbors, being elected to some of the prominent offices of the township. By his first wife, there were seven children, three of whom are living-Henry, Louisa, Mary, Maria L., born July 23, 1831 ; Henry M., June 2, 1833 ; Melinda, June 3, 1835 ; Louisa A., Sept. 28, 1836; Jane E. and Emma C., twins, born Aug. 11, 1839 ; Mary E., Oct. 18, 1841. His first wife died Oct. 18. 1841. He was married a second time, at Lykens Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, to Elizabeth Shupp, on Jan. 30, 1842, by whom he had eight children-Martha, born June 9, 1844; Wm. Nelson, April 12, 1846 ; Jacob Seal, Sept. 25, 1848; James K. Polk, Feb. 9, 1851; Philo Pierce, July 24, 1853; Alice L., Oct. 5, 1855; Sarah C., Nov. 6, 1857, and Della May, May 28, 1860 ; all of whom are living and married except Della May, who is living at home with her widowed mother, her father having died, Nov. 25, 1864, after an illness of about four years. They are members of the Albright Church.

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VERNON TOWNSHIP.

JAMES ANDERSON, farmer ; P. O. Tiro ; was born June 21, 1833, in Vernon Township, on the site of his present home. He is the son of David and Rachel (Dickson) Anderson. His father was born in Huntington Co., Penn., and when a young man came to Ohio with a kit of shoe-maker's tools, and worked at his trade for some time. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where, in 1826, he was married to Mary D. Hamilton, who died in 1828. He came to Crawford County and settled in Vernon Town- ship in the year 1830, and after farming awhile engaged in mercantile pursuits at De Kalb, keeping a general store for some fifteen years, during which time he made considerable money. He next went to Shelby, where he also engaged in business for some two years. He was one of the original stockholders in the old State Bank of Mansfield, now the Richland County Bank, and continued so until his death. He was also Vice President of the Shelby Bank. In 1838, he had married Miss Rachel Dickson, of this township. He was a distinguished pa- triot and Republican, and during the war as- sisted the cause of the Union by his means and influence. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church, and was distinguished for his liberality in church beneficence. Ile was the father of thirteen children, now scattered throughout several States, all doing well. This truly good and honored man died May 17, 1873, at Morrison, Ill., while on his way to Cali- fornia, to visit a son. His wife lived until Oct. 9, 1879, when she died at Shelby, Ohio, in the 75th year of her age. She was loved and revered by all who knew her as a noble woman who had lived a consistent Christian life, and is remembered as a dignified, refined and intelli- gent woman, worthy of the honored husband whose faithful wife she was. James, her son and the subject of this sketch, lived in this town- ship until 1852, at which time he went to Shelby, and engaged in the store of his father. He also engaged in mercantile pursuits in Shiloh and New London. He then came back to Shelby, and commenced in the grain business, which he continued until the close of the war, making a

considerable amount of money. In 1866, he removed to his farm of some 400 acres, and has since lived there and tilled the soil. He is a prominent business man and a prominent farmer of his neighborhood. He is a stalwart Republican and has always held to that faith. He was married, Oct. 15, 1858, to Elizabeth Stimmel, of Shelby, Ohio. They have four children-Alva H., a student at Gambier, Ohio ; Willis Swanner, Charles Henry and Rachel May at home.

ADAM BILSING, agent and farmer ; P. O. Leesville. This gentleman, the son of Henry and Christina Bilsing, was born in Franklin, Loehlbach Province, of the Principality of Hesse, Germany, Feb. 11, 1822. With his par- ents, he removed to America, in 1832, stopping a month in Columbiana Co., arriving at the place of his present home in the fall of the same year. His father built the first house erected in their vicinity. His family was quite large, and he was a man of great respectability and honesty. The subject of this sketch was married Oct. 15, 1845, to Miss Lavinia Fisher, and this union was blessed with these children-J. H., Barnard C., Mary C., W. A., Eliza E., Anna D., Amilda C., Flora Maude, Margaret E. (deceased). Mr. Bilsing's first wife died Oct. 28. 1871. He was remarried Oct. 5, 1873, to Catharine Dapper, whose parents live in this neighborhood. Of this marriage, there are three children -- Aaron P., Augusta Lorena and Frank. Mr. Bilsing is a self-made man, who has worked hard to ob- tain his present wealth. He commenced as a blacksmith, at which trade he worked for some time. He has now a fine farm of 250 acres, and is engaged principally as agent for all kinds of farming machinery, in which business he has made a success, being well known throughout the county as a man of varied information and honesty. He is enterprising, as the manage- ment of his farm will show. He is a Christian, and has been for a number of years, and stands foremost among the citizens of the township.

RICHARD W. CAHILL, retired farmer ; P. O. De Kalb. This distinguished citizen, so well known to people of Crawford Co., was born in

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Westmoreland Co., Penn., March 6, 1802, and is a son of Abram and Nancy Wallace Cahill. His father was an officer in the State Militia, and at one time had command of all the forces in Western Pennsylvania. In 1818, the subject of this sketch removed to Wayne Co., Ohio, with his parents. In June, 1827, he removed to Crawford Co., filling a clerkship in a store at Bucyrus for six years, after which he came to the farm which he now occupies, and has made it his place of residence for forty-five years. He was married, first, to Miss Eliza Cummins, of Richland Co., who died in 1843. He was re- married, to his present wife, in 1844, her maiden name being Catharine Richards. Mr. Cahill had, in his youth, been denied the advantages of education, and he had accordingly applied himself, when a young man, to the study and reading of various books, so that he became self-educated and self-made. In 1841, his abil- ity and education were recognized by the peo- ple of Richland Co., and he was elected to the State Legislature in 1841, and re-elected in 1842 and 1843, serving his constituency in an admir- able manner, not partisan. Although elected as a Democrat, he often assumed an independ- ent attitude and voted as his judgment directed. He has a fine family of sons and daughters, of which he is justly proud. His oldest son, Abram, studied law with Osborn, of Dayton, and was also a partner in the firm. He went to Texas and there died. David was County Clerk for a number of years, and is now practicing law in Bucyrus. Isaac is at present Deputy Clerk of Court. Richard Cahill, Jr., is in Na- poleon, Ohio, and the younger portion of his family is at home. Mr. Cahill has striven to educate his children for useful positions in life, and now, in his declining years, looks with pride upon his family, an ornament to society. He is a consistent, whole-souled Christian gentle- man, and commands the respect and admiration of all who know him. His life has been one of distinction, and one that would be a model for many of the rising generation. Endowed with talent, he has used it for the good of his State and the benefit of his family.

ARTHUR CLELAND, farmer ; P. O. Tiro ; is the first white child that was born in Vernon Township, the date of his birth being Feb. 6, 1826. He is the son of William and Rachel (Ramsey) Cleland, his father being one of the first settlers in the township. He was born in

County Down, Ireland, May 14, 1796, and came to America with his parents in 1819. They landed at the mouth of the Delaware River, and lived for eighteen months at Wil- mington, Del. From there they went to Brooke Co., Va., where, in 1825, Mr. Cleland was mar- ried, and afterward came to Ohio, settling here in the woods, and clearing up the soil, and out of a wilderness gaining for himself a fine farm of many acres. He has raised a family of eight children, all of whom are living-Arthur C., Mary, Margaret, Jane, Susan, William, Rachel, Eliza and John. Arthur, the subject of this sketch, received his education in this township, and has always lived in the county, being for some years in Sandusky Township. He was married, Oct. 4, 1855, to Priscilla Gundrum, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children-William John, Arthur Bevington and Rachel Anne, all living at home. Mr. Cleland is a man of good and varied infor- mation, and a much respected citizen, having held several township offices. His father is also a fine gentleman, being even yet hale and hearty, notwithstanding his advanced age, and the family is one of culture and refinement.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 143

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