History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 144

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 144

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JAMES DIXON, JR., farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Tiro. This gentleman, one of the promi- nent members of the Dixon family, is a son of Jonathan Dixon, and was born on the farm where he now resides, July 25,1827. As will be seen by other biographies of the Dixon family, his father, Jonathan, was one of the earliest settlers in this township, having removed here from Penn- sylvania in 1825. A remarkable fact in the family history, which will be found more at length in the biographies of the older mem- bers, is that thirteen children were at one time settled on farms, on all sides of their father's place, within hearing of his dinner-bell. The elder, Andrew Dixon, grandfather of James, Jr., was born in 1776, and emigrated to this county in 1831, some time after the advent of his sons. James, Jr., was educated as well as the schools of his day would permit, and spent the days of his early manhood on the farm. He was married, in May, 1855, to Martha Cald- well, of Vernon Township. By this marriage there are four children-Luatto, David C., James E., Martha A. Mrs. Dixon died in 1870, and her death was mourned by a large number of friends and relatives. Mr. Dixon was remarried in 1872, May 22, to Elizabeth

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Simon, born in Cranberry Township. They have two children-Clayton L. and Andrew. Mr. Dixon is living on the farm of his father, who is now an old man, being in his 79th year. Our subject has been identified as a leading stockman, having been engaged in shipping for several years. He has been Justice of the Peace for a long period, and is a man of con- siderable knowledge and good judgment, who stands high among his neighbors.

J. G. STOUGH, retired farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Oct. 11, 1802, and is a son of John and Catharine (Trautman) Stough. His father was a native of York Co., Penn., and his grandfather was born in Wur- temberg, Germany. His mother's father was born in Maryland, and, while he was very young, the Indians killed his father and carried away into captivity three of his sisters. Some time afterward, he came to Ohio, on the Kil- buck, near Wooster, and rescued them, taking them back home. Mr. Stough's father came to Ohio in October, 1806, and settled first in Columbiana Co., where he lived some twenty- three years. In November, 1826, the subject of our sketch moved to Crawford Co. and set- tled in Liberty Township. His father came in 1829. He was a minister of the Gospel, and entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church in 1793, and served the Lord in his calling for fifty-six years, dying in July, 1845. Mr. Stough received a substantial education, and commenced to farm. He was a farmer in Lib- erty Township for forty years, and has been a resident of Vernon for thirteen years. He was married to Sarah Charlton, in Columbiana Co., Aug. 22, 1826. She was a native of Washing- ton Co., Md., and born April 8, 1805. She was a devoted and Christian wife, a loving and sac- rifieing mother, and blessed Mr. Stough's varied pathway for fifty-three years, departing this life the 4th of September, 1879. They had eleven children-Elizabeth, who is still living and married ; John T., dead ; Jehu, dead ; Catharine, living ; Jonas, dead ; Francis, dead ; Alba, dead ; Joseph, a member of Co. C, 49th O. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Mur- freesboro; Sarah Ann, living ; Frances, dead ; Mary, still living. Throughout his long and peaceful life, Mr. Stough has been a consistent Christian, and more, he has worked hard in the vineyard of the Master, with an eye single for the glory of God. His father before him

beheld his labors blessed, as he lifted up his voice in the primitive scenes of this county. Revered be his memory, and also the memory of his son, who, old and feeble, is now waiting for the gates of pearl to open, and onee more join with those who have gone before, and be again united with the wife of his youth and the comfort of his declining years.

JOHN WARNER, farmer; P. O. Liberty Corners. This gentleman, who is one of the prominent citizens of his township and county, was born June 9, 1817, and is a native of York Co., Penn. He is a son of Charles and Catha- rine (Babbitts) Warner, who with their family removed from their native State and settled in Harrison Co., Ohio, where they remained nine years, removing at the end of that time to Ver- non Township, Crawford Co., where John has ever since resided. At the time of Mr. War- ner's advent here, it was, of course, a wild and unsettled country, the improvement of which required great labor and exertion. His father was a man of upright integrity, who stood high in the community, and was universally re- spected. His labors improved a great portion of the land near the town of West Liberty, and it was by his own unaided exertions that he raised his family and gained for himself a com- petency. John assisted his father when young and was afterward bound out as apprentice to a carpenter, and soon after commenced busi- ness for himself. While he was just beginning, his shop was burned to the ground, and he lost all ; securing more tools he went to work again and amassed from his own labors a considera- ble fortune, and has now two farms, compris- ing in the aggregate 240 acres of land. He was married in 1840, to Rebecca Jane French, daughter of Judge French of this county. Six children were the fruits of this union, two of whom, Catharine and Charles, are dead. Those living are William, Julia Ann, Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Warner is in every sense of the word a self-made man, who has made all by his own exertions. He has a fine home just north of Liberty Corners, and has the respect of the entire community as one of its most influential members. He has served the township as Clerk for fifteen years, and as Justice of the Peace for eighteen, and has given the best of satisfaction in the administration of his offices. He is well read on the various topics of the day, and no man in the township

VERNON TOWNSHIP.

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stands higher in the public estimation than Esquire Warner.

P. B. YOUNG, physician and surgeon, Crest- line. Dr. Young, one of the eminent prac- titioners of Crawford Co., was born in Colum- biana Co., Ohio, March 8, 1832, and is the son of Jacob and Susannah (Brown) Young. His father died in 1849, and his mother in 1854. In 1855, the Doctor entered upon the study of medicine in Jefferson Medical College, Phila- delphia, completing the course in 1860. He began practice in Freedom, Beaver Co., Penn. In 1862, he entered the military service as As- sistant Surgeon of the 136th O. V. I., and, in 1863, was commissioned Surgeon of the 2d Penn. V. I., in which capacity he served till the close of the war. He then came to Crestline and began the practice of his profession, and remained there ever since, where he sustains an enviable reputation as a man skilled in the practice of medicine and surgery. He was married in 1862, while in Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah M. Gormley, a native of that State; they have one child, Howard B. Mr. Young is a self-made man in every respect. By his own efforts, he obtained an academic education and pursued his medical studies. During the twenty years of his successful practice, he has attended strictly to the affairs of his profession, devoting to it his entire time and attention. In 1874, he was appointed Railroad Surgeon of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. at Crestline, in which capacity he still serves this company. He has a beautiful and pleasant home, and is blessed with the respect of his fellow-citizens, standing

high among them as a man of truth and prin- ciple.

J. B. YETZER, farmer ; P. O. Crestline. Among the old and highly respected citizens of Vernon, and especially of the thrifty Germans in its southern part, is the above-named gentle- man, who was born in Vogelsang, State of Aar- gau, Switzerland, April 15, 1819. With his parents he removed to America in 1833, set- tling on his present property in 1834. His father died when the son was 22, leaving him as almost the entire supporter of the family. The country at that time being very wild, and requiring great labor, Mr. Yetzer worked hard to make his farm profitable and to support his father's family. He was married March 25, 1845, to Hippolyte Catty, who was a native of France ; their union was blessed with twelve children, six of whom are living. His wife continued the journey of life with him until Dec. 23, 1876, when she died. Their children, who survive are all in good condition in life, and are such as a father might be proud of. Mr. Yetzer, throughout his life, has been a con- sistent Christian, adhering strictly to the prin- ciples of honest and upright integrity. He still lives on the farm which his labor im- proved, and has a comfortable home and pleas- ant surroundings. He stands high in the com- munity, and is one of the best-read men of his township, and has worked hard to achieve his present prosperity, and is now spending the days of his old age in the quiet of the scenes of his early manhood.

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TODD TOWNSHIP.

ELI EVANS, farmer ; P. O. Poplar ; is the son of David and Elizabeth (Dissinger) Evans, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Welsh descent, the latter of German ; his father was a weaver by trade, at which he was engaged during the early part of his life. He afterward engaged in farming and died in Crawford Co., Ohio, at the age of 54 years, and Mrs. Evans at the age of 72 years. Our sub- jeet was born in Summit Co., Ohio, in 1826, and while young he obtained a limited common- school education. At the age of 20 he engaged in the chair-making business at Bucyrus, Ohio, which he followed for about twenty years, all the work having to be done by hand. About 1865, he purchased some land, since which time he has been engaged in farming. Mr. Evans was married in 1848, to Sarah Stelts, by whom he has had five children, two of whom are liv- ing-William and Emma. Mr. Evans has a good farm pleasantly situated just south of the proposed new station of Lemertville, on the O. C. R. R. He is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics is a Liberal Republican.

STEPHEN FANT, M. E. minister, Osceola ; was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, England, and while a young man emigrated to Canada ; afterward to the States. He entered the minis- try at Ashland, Ohio, in 1846, since which time he has been so engaged. It is not necessary to recount the number or to detail the amount of work done by this venerable man ; suffice it to say that he has been a great revivalist, and we think the means of doing much good in the world. His home for many years was at Dela- ware, where he edueated his children, seven in number, all of whom are now married. Two daughters are living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one son in Chicago and the others living in differ- ent parts of the State of Ohio. Our subjeet's charge, as now located, has been organized sinee he eame here in 1878, and is composed of Holmes, Chappel, Little York, Belle Vernon and Osceola, and the different societies taken all to- gether have about 147 members. The only eulogy we will pass upon this venerable minis-

ter's life, is that when his Master calls him home it will not be said that he lived in vain.

JOHN FOSTER, farmer ; P. O. Osceola ; was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., in August, 1810, and is the son of Thomas Foster, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of 56 ; his mother's name prior to her marriage was Elizabeth E. Wilson, a native of England, who died when our subject was an in- fant. Mr. Foster received a common-school education, and followed clerking at Jersey Shore for twenty-one or twenty-two years. In 1837, he moved to Crawford Co .. Ohio, and bought the land where he now resides ; he had 20 acres cut down and then returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained five years, and, in 1843, he removed his family to their home in Ohio. He was married, in 1831, to Sarah A. Lea ; her par- ents were Lacias P. Lea and Catharine (Rowe) Lea. The former was a native of England and died in Ohio at the age of 80, and the latter died when Mrs. Foster was an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had seven children, of whom two are living-Catharine, now Mrs. Coder, of Parker Co., Texas ; and Sarah E., now Mrs. Norris, of Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio. Our subject is opposed to secret societies ; is a member of the M. E. Church, and takes an interest in the elevation of society. He was formerly a Whig, and is at present a radical Republican.

JAMES FORREST, JR., plasterer and ma- son ; P. O. Osceola ; is a son of James Forrest, Sr., who was born in Barre Township, Hunting- don Co., Penn., on May 18, 1799. His mother's name prior to her marriage was Margaret As- ton ; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., on Aug. 23, 1807. Mr. Forrest, Sr., always followed farming as a business ; his early education was very limited, except that acquired by himself. He was a man of great force of character, a reader, and one who, by his own efforts, became able to converse intelligently on nearly any subject. During the war of 1812, his uncle was drafted, and assigned to Commodore Perry's command, and, not being able to go, Mr. Forrest, Sr., volun- teered his services to go in his uncle's stead, being then 13 years of age. Being large of his

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age, he was accepted, and was one of the crew that took part in the engagement of the Twin Sisters, between the American and British fleets, on Lake Erie, which ended so gloriously for the Americans that it has ever since been styled "Perry's Victory." He filled several offices of trust creditably to himself and to his constitu- ents ; he was Sergeant-at-arms of the House of Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania, under Gov. Shunk's administration, in 1844. Himself, with family, moved to Osceola, Craw- ford Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1854, and pur- chased a farm north of the town a quarter of a mile, where he died. Being troubled with water-braslı, he had become weak and debili- tated, and, after a severe storm, the excitement was so great, perhaps, that he gave way and expired in his chair, supported by two of his sons, one on each side of him, in the 81st year of his age. He left no enemies, had a poor opinion of lawyers, thought little of physicians, was opposed to fees, and thought lawyers and all officers of trust ought to be paid salaries ; his character was impressed with the hardihood of old, and he was always ready for anything that might occur. He was a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., taking all the degrees, and was Noble Grand of the Lodge at Saulsburg, Penn. There was a beautiful tribute to the de- ceased passed by a friend, and a poem com- posed by his daughter, Mrs. Harter, which shows the high degree of intelligence of which the family is possessed. Our subject was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn. ; he obtained rather a limited common-school education, but by his own efforts, having read a great deal of history, etc., he is able to converse freely on all general subjects. His early life was passed on the farm, and at the age of 23, he commenced the trade of plasterer and mason, which he has followed ever since, though never serving an ap- prenticeship. He was married Dec. 16, 1857, to Rebecca J. Brown. They have seven chil- dren-John L., Mary Juniata, now Mrs. Charles Welsh ; Joseph E., James A., Dahlgren L., Frank M. and Morean B., all living, stout and hearty. Mr. Forrest and his father were always Democrats.

GILBERT JUMP, farmer; was born in Greene Co., N. Y., in 1812. His parents were Elijah and Charity (Jones) Jump, both of whom were natives of the State of New York, his father being a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr.

Jump, with his parents, moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1843, where the latter died, the father at the age of 81. and the mother about the age of 82 years. When our subject came to the State of Ohio, he purchased land near where he still resides, and commenced the task of clear- ing and improving his farm ; and a glance at his premises-his large and commodious dwell- ing-show how well he succeeded. There were many Indians in the country when he came to it, and, though peaceable with the whites, they had many quarrels among themselves. Mr. Jump was married in 1837, to Olive Aultman. She died in 1844, leaving three children-Ran- som, Isaac, and Laraujah, now Mrs. Gunndy. Mr. Jump was again married, in 1845, to Eliza McCuen, by whom he has five children-George, Delos, Morell, Seymour and Viroqua. Using his own language, " He has been a Democrat ever since he was born."

WILLIAM T. KELLEY, merchant, Osceola ; was born in Wood Co., Ohio, May 23, 1854, and is the son of John A. and Nancy (Patter- son) Kelley. His father moved to Wood Co., Ohio, about the year 1830, being one of the first settlers, and building the first log cabin in Montgomery Township, where he engaged in farming. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and was Probate Judge for two terms in succession before the county seat was removed to Bowling Green, it then being Perrysburg. Both parents died at an advanced age. He has one half-brother, who went to California during the gold fever of 1850, where he has since resided, being now worth probably $100,- 000, which shows how well he has succeeded. Mr. Kelley can relate numerous events of his early life, how he stuck in the mud, slept in the woods, and caused his parents no little alarm. He received a common-school educa- tion, and was thrown on his own resources when quite young. He worked during four successive summers in a nursery in Geauga Co., Ohio, after which, he went to Gratiot Co., Mich., and engaged with the Monroe Nursery Co., for whom he worked three years, after which he bought a half-interest in a woolen-factory and chair-fac- tory, which was burned in 1876, supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. From there, he returned to Mill Grove, Wood Co., Ohio, where he purchased a half-interest in a drug store on borrowed capital, and afterward bought the entire stock. He had an adventure

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in business, of short duration, in North Balti- more, Ohio, and in May, 1880, moved his stock of goods and family to Osceola, where he is doing a flourishing business in drugs and gro- ceries. He was married, Feb. 8, 1879, to Lora Phillips, who was raised in Sycamore, Ohio, by which union they have one child. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican.

G. W. LEITH, retired ; P. O. Nevada, Wy- andot Co .; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in October, 1810 ; his grandparents were captives of the Indians for twenty-nine years, roam- ing from place to place, his father being born during their captivity. They were of the float- ing frontier class, moving from place to place. finally locating in Fairfield Co., Ohio, where our subject's father died when he was yet a little boy. He was brought to Crawford Co., Ohio, in the beginning of April, 1824, by a guardian, and was engaged in the pursuits incident to farm life, clearing, grubbing, farming, etc. Mr. Leith never had the privilege of attending school, except one-half day in his life, when it rained, and he could not work in the corn. The event of that day was his throwing a chip through a greased-paper window, for which he received an application of the birch, the re- membrance of which is still vividly impressed upon his memory, though now in his old age. After his marriage, his wife being a good reader, the Judge learned to read aad write, the hardest part being to get the connection of dif- ferent subjects. When Mr. Leith settled in Crawford Co., he was the first settler in Leith Township, called " Leith " after his grandpar- ents (the captives). The entire county being thinly settled, the Indians and their ponies roamed over the prairies and through the for- est at will. And many times our subject has started after his horses in the morning, they having strayed off during the night, and fol- lowed after a band of Indian ponies, only clad in shirt and breeches, following trails sometimes all day, without anything to eat. The first week that he was in the county he got lost in the evening, and had to remain out all night ; to add to his terrors, the wolves made the night hideous with their howls, often com- ing so near that he could see them. On sev- eral occasions his wife remained in the camp all night alone, without doors or windows, he being away from home. Mr. Leith was mar-

ried to Margaret Steele, of Seneca Co., who has been the mother of ten children, the youngest being twin daughters, though but five are left to cheer them in their old age. The Judge never voted until 1840, for the reason that he was never before satisfied in his own mind that he knew how to vote intelligently, voting for Gen. Harrison, after which he voted the Whig ticket until the organization of the Republican party, which ticket he has voted ever since. In 1845, Mr. Leith was elected to the office of Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he filled during the term of eight years, very creditably for himself and with satisfaction to his constituents. Through the partiality of his friends, he was once nomi- nated for Representative, and twice for the Sen- ate, but failed from the fact that he was in one of the strongholds of Democracy, and could not get the votes. The Judge is one of the early pioneers, having come to the county more than half a century (fifty-six years) ago, and was ac- quainted with the early settlement and organi- zation of the county. The Judge, though fee- ble with age and the hardships through which he has passed, still possesses a clear mind and a good memory, and has been one of the most important personages that figured in the early settlement of the county.

LEWIS MILLER, farmer ; P. O. Poplar ; was born March 18, 1836, in Seneca Co., Ohio ; he received a good education, attending the common schools while young, and, at the age of 18, entered the Otterbein University, situ- ated at Westerville, Ohio, where he attended for two years, after which he attended Heidel- berg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, one year. Mr. Miller had a desire to enter the legal profes- sion, but, after commencing the study of law, was compelled to give it up on account of his health. His parents were Jacob and Phobe (Pennington) Miller. His father is a native of Ohio, and still living ; his mother was a native of Virginia ; she died at the age of 66 years. Lewis has taught about twenty terms of school, has been School Examiner for some time, and has been engaged in farming to some extent nearly all his life. He has been consid- erable of a sporting man, and was the owner of " Ketchup," bred and raised by his father, tak- ing several handsome races, and making his best time at Tiffin, Ohio, in 2:24. Mr. Miller was married, on Feb. 12, 1880, to Crilley A.

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Houseburg. He is a man of good informa- tion, and a Democrat.

LUTHER M. MYERS, retired ; P. O. Osce- ola ; was born in the State of Maryland in the year 1814, and is the son of Adam and Marga- ret (Worman) Myers. Mr. Myers attended subscription school while young at different times until he was 14 years of age, paying a small sum per quarter, his grammar consuming a part of his time for three days, and he im- provised rules for arithmetic to suit himself, Mr. Myers served an apprenticeship at milling, carpentering and millwrighting. He had charge of a mill for several years, and, in 1848, moved to Wyandot Co., Ohio, where he resided until 1854, at which time he removed to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he has since resided. He was married, in 1844, to Susan Hoy, and both of them are living to a good old age, though not blessed with any children. Our subject has been a life-long Democrat, though laying aside party affiliations at times in local matters, vot- ing for those who, in his judgment, are the most eminently qualified to fill the positions sought. Mr. Myers is a man that keeps thor- oughly posted on all general subjects, and takes an interest in all enterprises of interest to himself and those around him. He is a No- tary Public, and, by his unpretentious man- ners, he commands the good will and respect of his neighbors and fellow-men generally.

JOHN OUTHWAITE, farmer ; P. O. Osce- ola ; was born in Fulton Co., Penn., on Nov. 10, 1820, and is the son of William and Eliza- beth (Thompson) Outhwaite, both natives of Yorkshire, England. They came to America in February, 1818, and settled in Fulton Co., Penn., where they lived seventeen years, and in 1836 moved to Seneca Co., Ohio, where they resided during the remainder of their lives, the father living to the age of 64 and the mother to the age of 54 years. John attended subscription schools in Pennsylvania, and the public schools after coming to this State, re- ceiving a fair education for the time. He left his parents and engaged in business for him- self when he was about 25 years of age, and about two years afterward purchased the land where he now resides. He has made several ad- ditions since, now being the owner of 240 acres of land, all under cultivation, with good build- ings orchards, etc. He takes an interest in fine stock and in improvements of all kinds.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 144

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