History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 148

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 148

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DANIEL BECK, farmer ; P. O. Galion ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1817, the son of Adam

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

and Mary Beck, who were also natives of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Beck's mother died when he was quite young, and his father married again in a short time, and, in 1829, came to Crawford Co. They settled in what was then Jackson Town- ship, now Jefferson. The father entered a great deal of land in the county, much of which he cleared and improved. The father died in 1856. He had a family of nine children, only four of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and has al- ways followed farming as a business. He re- ceived a common-school education, and was married, in 1845, to Nancy Larimer, who was born in Perry Co., Ohio, where her parents lived and died, and where she lived until her mar- riage. From this union there were six children, one of whom is now dead-Margaret J., Josiah L., William S., Isaac S., Louisa F. and Robert W. He began business for himself almost en- tirely upon his own resources, and has made most of his possessions by his own hard work and persevering energy, and now has a finely improved farm of 92 acres of land.

W. P. DEAM, hotel, North Robinson ; was born in Crawford Co. in 1838, and is the son of George and Rebecca Deam, who were natives of Franklin Co., Penn. The former is of Ger- man, and the latter of Scotch, descent. They came from Pennsylvania to Crawford Co. about the year 1837, and settled in Whetstone Town- ship. The father was engaged for a number of years after coming to the county on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., and, in 1857, purchased a farm and improved it; followed farming for a few years, and then traded his farm for a flouring- mill in North Robinson, which afterward burned down, and was the means of making him lose all that he had worked so long and so hard to accumulate. He died in 1871, and the mother yet lives in the county. They had a family of six children, all of whom live in the county yet, with the exception of one that is dead. W. P. Deam was raised on a farm until 20 years of age, at which time his father went into the milling business, and he was engaged in the mill for about fourteen years, or until their mill was burned, since which time he has been engaged in various kinds of business. He worked at carriage painting for several years, and was afterward salesman for awhile, selling buggies and carriages, and at the pres- ent time is in the hotel business in North Rob-

inson. He was married, Jan. 23, 1862, to Re- becca C. Caskey, who was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 1842. Her parents were also na- tives of the same county, and came to Craw- ford Co. in 1843, where her father yet lives. Her mother died in 1850. From this union there were six children, one of whom is now dead-Charles O., Mary J., Ida R., Clara A., John M. and Harry S. Mr. Deam took part in the late rebellion, enlisting in February, 1865, in Co. C, 197th O. V. I., and served until Aug- ust of the same year, when he received his dis- charge. Politically, he is a Republican.

SAMUEL S. FREEZE, farmer ; P. O. North Robinson ; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1819, son of John T. and Susan Freeze, who were born in Germany, and came to America about the year 1811, and settled first in Phila- delphia, then went to Lancaster Co., and in 1831 came to Crawford Co., where the father died in 1875, and the mother in 1840. In the father's family there were five children-Will- iam, Samuel S., Elizabeth, Susan and Adam. Mr. Freeze was raised on his father's farm, and has always followed farming as a business. He received a common school education and was married, in 1849, to Lena Everly ; she was born in Germany, and came to America with her parents in 1841, they settled in Crawford Co., where her parents lived and died. From this union there were four children-John J., Caroline E., Eliza, William A. Mr. Freeze began business for himself a poor man, and by hard work and proper economy has accumu- lated quite a fortune, and now owns about 400 acres of well-improved land in this county. His children are now all married, and doing busi- ness for themselves. He and family are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church.

JOHN J. FREEZE, farmer ; P. O. Galion ; was born in Crawford Co., in 1848, and is the son of Samuel and Magdalena Freeze. The father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of Germany, she came to America, and to Crawford Co., when young, and the father came to the county about the year 1825, and has lived here ever since. He has a family of five children, the subject of this sketch being the oldest. He was raised on a farm, and has always followed farming as a business. He received a common-school education. He has been married twice ; his first marriage was in 1869, to Hannah C. Snider, who was born in the

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

county, her parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and came to Crawford Co. at a very early day. From this union there is one child-Charles A. The mother of this child died in 1875. Mr. Freeze lived a widower until 1877, when he was again married ; this time the lady of his choice was Margaret Trumpler, who was born in Rich- land Co., where her parents came at a very early day. From his second marriage, there is also one child-Albert L. Mr. Freeze has al- ways followed farming and stock-growing as a business, owns a fine farm of 80 acres of land, and is in good circumstances.

MICHAEL HERSHNER, farmer; P. O. Galion ; was born in York Co., Penn., in 1815, son of Henry and Elizabeth Hershner, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. In 1825, they came to Crawford Co., and settled in what is now Jefferson Township, one mile south of where Mr. Hershiner now lives, where the father entered a half-section of land, all of which they cleared and improved. His father died about the year 1850, and his mother in 1853. In the father's family there were nine children. The subject of this sketch spent his youth and early manhood with his parents, and received a common-school education. He was married in 1835, to Catharine Horn ; she was also born in Pennsylvania and came to Crawford Co. in 1835, the year she was mar- ried. From this union, there were nine chil- dren-Henry, Elizabeth, Ellen, Adam, John, Jeremialı, Mary, William O. and Lydia V. When Mr. Hershner began business for himself, he had some assistance from his father, but has made most of his present possessions by his own endeavors ; in 1839, he and his brother purchased a saw-mill at Middletown, which they worked for five years, and with that ex- ception Mr. Hershner has followed farming and stock-growing for a business. He had one son in the late war, Adam, enlisted in 1862, and served three years, and when his time was out enlisted again and served nearly a year longer ; first enlisted in Co. K, 64th O. V. I. He took part in a number of engagements, and was wounded at Murfreesboro.

B. HECKERT, Treasurer of Leesville Stone Co., Leesville ; was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., in 1812 ; son of Casper and Elizabeth Heckert, who were natives of the same county, and where the father died in 1820. Mr. Heckert spent his youth and early manhood with his

mother ; received a common-school education, and was married, in 1833, to Mary Rinehart, who was also born in Pennsylvania. From this union there were eleven children-Casper, Elizabeth, Catharine, John, Jacob, Frank, Mar- garet, Moses, Mary J., Fannie A. and Albert. Five of these children are now dead. In 1852, Mr. Heckert left the place of his nativity, and came to Crawford Co., settling in Jefferson Township, and in 1859 came to Leesville, where he purchased a flouring-mill, which he ran for a number of years, then sold it, and in 1862 went into the mercantile business in Leesville, where he sold goods until 1878. He now is one of a company that own and work the Leesville stone quarries, and is treasurer and business manager of the same. These quarries furnish a superior quality of building stone, and are extensively worked. Mr. Heck- ert had two sons in the late war-John and Frank-the latter serving nearly three years, and the former about eight months. Frank took part in a number of engagements ; was at Vicksburg, Nashville, and a number of others, taking part in eighteen battles in all. Mr. Heckert and family are members of the Ger- man Reformed Church.

FREDERICK KILE, farmer ; P. O. Galion. The subject of this sketch was born in Craw- ford Co. in 1849 ; the son of Tobias and Cath- arine Kile, who were born in Germany. The father came to America about the year 1833, and the mother a few years later. They were among the early settlers of Crawford Co. ; they settled in Whetstone Township, where they yet live, having entered the land they live on, and done all the clearing and made all the improve- ments on this land. In the father's family there are ten children, all of whom are yet living. Frederick Kile was raised on his father's farm, and has always followed farming for a business. He received a good common-school education, and was married in 1872 to Caroline Freeze, who was born in the county, and whose parents came to the county about 1825. From this union there were four children, one now dead, Samuel F .- Catharine M., Harry F. and Will- iam. Mr. Kile began business for himself en- tirely upon his own resources, and has been quite successful, and is now in pretty good cir- cumstances. He and his wife are members of the German Lutheran Church.

CHRISTIAN LOBER, minister and farmer ;

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

P. O. North Robinson ; was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, in 1835, the son of Michael and Eve Lober, who were born in the same place, and came to America in 1856. They settled in Wood County, where the father yet lives. The mother died in 1877. Christian Lober came to America two years previous to his parents ; he also settled in Wood County, where he resided until 1863, at which time he came to Crawford County. He was educated in Germany, and is a man of fine culture and education. He is a minister in the German Reformed Church, and has two charges in Crawford County, the Windfall Church, in Jefferson Township, and the German settlement church, in Vernon Township, both of which are in a flourishing condition under his ministration. Mr. Lober came to the farm that he now resides on, in 1873. He owns a fine farm of 80 acres, and is a successful farmer as well as a successful min- ister. He began business for himself when he came to America, entirely upon his own re- sponsibilities, and by close attention to busi- ness, and strict honesty and integrity, has been prospered in all his undertakings. Mr. Lober has been married twice. His first marriage was to Barbara Maurer ; she also was born in Ger- many, and came to America the same year her husband did, but was married in America. They were married in 1857, and had one son, Henry. The mother of this child died in 1864. Mr. Lober remained a widower until 1866, when he was again married. This time the lady of his choice was Mary B. Beach, who was born in Crawford County. Her parents were natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and came to America, and to Crawford County at an early day. This union was not blessed with children.

ELIAS MCCLURE, farmer; P. O. Galion ; was born in Richland Co., Ohio, in 1828, and is a son of John J. and Esther McClure. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and father, of Washington Co., Md. The father went to Pennsylvania, where he was married and where he resided until about 1828, when they came to Richland Co., Ohio, and in about 1829, came to Crawford Co. The father en- tered land in what was then Jackson Township, now Jefferson, which he cleared and improved. and where he resided for about sixteen years, when he purchased a piece of land near Lees- ville, in the same township, where he died in

1847. The mother is yet living. When the father first came to the county, he had only money enough to pay for the land that he en- tered, and by hard work and proper economy he accumulated quite a fortune ; he was a sash- maker by trade, and worked at this business in connection with his farming. He was a man of a good education and held the office of Township Clerk for a great many years. He had a family of seven children, two of whom are now dead. Elias McClure was raised on his father's farm, had the advantages of a com- mon-school education. He was married in 1852, to Elizabeth Rynold, who was born in Washington Co., Md., and came to Richland Co., Ohio, with her parents in a very early day, and where she lived until her marriage. From this union there were eight children, three of whom are now dead. They were Mary E., Melissa J., Horace G., Benjamin F., Elmer A., Milton M., Della M., and one died in infancy. Mr. McClure began business, like his father, on his own responsibilities, and made most that he now has by his own hard work. After a few years, however, he received a little money from his father's estate, but he had the founda- tion of his fortune laid before he received any assistance. Hle now has 108 acres of well- improved land, and has always followed farm- ing and stock-growing for a business.

WILLIAM MCKEAN, farmer ; P. O. Lees- ville ; was born in Crawford Co. in 1841 ; son of Dr. John McKean, who came from Columbiana Co. to Crawford in about 1835, and settled at Leesville, where he practiced medicine for a great many years. The father now lives in Crestline, where he is also yet practicing med- icine. The subject of this sketch spent his youth and early manhood with his parents, and has the advantage of a good education. He is of a family of nine children, four of whom are now dead. He was married in 1863, to Wilimina Smith ; she was born in Perry Co., Penn., in 1841, and came to Crawford Co. with her parents in about 1858. Her parents settled near Leesville, where they lived and died. From this union, there are three children- Beulah B., Harry L. and Bertram S. The mother of these children died in February, 1880. Mr. MeKean has always followed farm- ing and stock-growing for a business. He and family are members of the United Brethren Church.

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM PRICE, farmer; P. O. North Robinson ; was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, in 1828 ; son of John and Rebecca Price. His father was a native of Belmont Co., and his mother of Chester Co., Penn. The latter came to Belmont Co. with her parents when quite young. Our subject's grandfather Price came from Wales and settled in Belmont Co., where he spent his days, and where his father lived until 1871, when he went to Guernsey Co., where he now lives. In the father's family there were three children, one of whom is now dead. Mr. Price was raised on his father's farm, and received a common-school educa- tion. He has always followed farming and stock-raising for a business. He was married in 1851, to Margaret Brokaw, who was born in Harrison Co., Ohio; they had a family of eleven children, five of whom are dead-Mary L., George V., Sarah J., John, Joseph L., Mar- tha A. and Rebecca E .; four died in infancy. In 1859, Mr. Price left the place of his nativity for that of Morrow Co., where he resided until 1862, when he came to Crawford Co. and pur- chased a farm of 87 acres, where he now lives. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

J. P. ROBINSON, farmer and trader ; P. O. North Robinson ; was born in Washington Co., Penn., Jan. 4, 1828, and is the son of Will- iam and Sarah Robinson, who were also na- tives of Pennsylvania, and came to Crawford Co. in or about 1830. They settled in what is now Jefferson Township, and purchased a tract of land in the woods, which they cleared and improved. The village of North Robinson de- rived its name from this family. The father died about the year 1854, and the mother yet lives at Crestline. In the father's family there were nine children-James, John, Samuel, J. P., William, Archibald, David, Mary J. and Deborah. Mr. Robinson was raised on his father's farm, in Crawford Co., and had the ad- vantages of a common-school education. His principal business has been farming, although he has at times turned his attention in other directions. He at one time sold dry goods and groceries in North Robinson for about one year, and, since about 1877, until within the last few months, has been engaged in the grain trade in the same place. He was married, about 1858, to Mary A. Dixon, who was born in Crawford Co. Her parents were natives of

Indiana Co., Penn., and came to Crawford Co. at a very early day. This union never was blessed with any children. Mr. Robinson be- gan business for himself without the aid of any one, and, by perseverance and strict atten- tion to business, he has gained quite a fortune. Although he has met with misfortunes that are common to men in business, and lost some money, he did not sit down and repine, but kept bravely on, without a murmur, to repair his fortunes, and has been successful in doing so. He is a man that is universally respected, and also a man of rare business abilities.

MAJ. JAMES ROBINSON, farmer ; P. O. Galion ; was born in Washington Co., Penn., in 1817. His father removed to Crawford Co. in 1831. locating at North Robinson. James and his cousin walked all the way from their old home, driving the cows. He remained and made his home at his father's farm, until he was 26 years of age. He was elected Town Clerk of Jackson Township in 1839 and 1840, and in 1845 he was elected Recorder of the county, and held this office two consecutive terms of three years each. He then went to farming, and continued in that pursuit for three years, during which he served as Justice of the Peace for Jackson Township. In 1857, he was again elected Recorder and served one term. In 1867, he was elected to the Legisla- ture from his district, and re-elected in 1870. In 1874, he was elected Justice of the Peace in Jefferson Township, and served two terms. He was married, in 1845, to Miss Jane R. Donahey, of Stark Co., Ohio. They have three children living-Virginia, James C. and Irene M. Mr. Robinson is residing at present upon his farm, two miles northwest of Galion, on the edge of Jefferson Township. He is known far and near as " Major " Robinson, having received this title while serving in the Ohio State Militia. The laws of the State from 1836 to 1859, required every able bodied man from 18 to 45 to belong to the " Militia." Mr. Robinson served in all ranks, from private to Major, when he re- signed to accept the office of Captain of Light Infantry. The " Major" is a genial, kind- hearted gentleman of the old school ; although passing into the "sere and yellow leaf." his years sit lightly upon him and he bids fair to outlive some of his younger friends. All honor to the men, who, after serving years of public trust, bequeath to posterity a stainless name.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

WILLIAM SHERER, farmer ; P. O. Gal- ion ; was born in Crawford Co. in 1843, the son of Adam and Nancy Sherer, who came to Craw- ford Co. about the year 1842, the father being a native of Pennsylvania. They settled in Whet- stone Township, and purchased a farm, most of which he cleared and improved. When the father came to the county, he began business for himself a poor man, and by perseverance and steady application to his business le ac- cumulated quite a fortune, and has been able to give each of his children a good start in the world. William Sherer was raised on his father's farm, and has always followed farming as a business. He received a common-school education. In 1862, he enlisted and served three years in the late rebellion ; he was in Co. E, 101st Ohio V. 1 .; was in the battle of Stone River, Chickamauga and a number of others. He was married, in 1866, to Sarah J. Beltz, who was born in Crawford Co. Her parents were na- tives of Pennsylvania and came to Crawford Co. at a very early day. From this union there were five children-Francis M., Wilbert J., Alonzo P., William M. and Nancy B. Mr. Sherer has a farm of 100 acres three and one-half miles northwest of Galion, and his business is farm- ing and stock-growing. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

OLIVER SMITH, farmer ; P. O. North Rob- inson ; was born in Crawford Co., in 1846, and is a son of Joseph Smith, who was of German descent, his parents coming to America about 1795, and settling in Pennsylvania, where they lived and died, and where Joseph lived until abont 1840, when he came to Crawford Co. In his family there were five children-Leonard, Gilbert, Mary E., Matilda and Oliver, all of whom live in the county yet. Oliver is the youngest of the family, and he yet resides on the farm that his father purchased when he came to the county, and which was cleared and improved by the family. In 1869, Oliver was married to Eliza Van Voorhis, daughter of W. R. Van Voorhis, whose biography appears in this work, and who was among the first settlers of the county. From this union there are seven children-Florence V., Frank, Le Roy, Jessie M., Orvil A., Harry, and the youngest is yet unnamed. Mr. Smith has always followed farming and stock-growing for a business.

WILLIAM STALEY, farmer ; P. O. Galion ;

was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Aug. 5, 1808, and is the son of John and Elizabeth Staley, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Crawford Co. in 1826, and settled in Whetstone Township, where they lived for a number of years, and then went to Michigan, where they died. The father died in 1840, and the mother in 1859. William Staley was raised on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education, and was married, in 1839, to Eliza- beth Whitmore, who was born in Northumber- land Co., Penn., and came to Crawford Co. with her parents in 1828. Her parents are now both dead, her father dying in 1861, and her mother in 1879. From this marriage there were eight children, three of whom are now dead-Cath- arine A., Margaret J., Elizabeth E., Amanda P., John R., Mary B., William R. and Eliza M. In 1861, William R. and Eliza died, and, in 1870, Elizabeth E. died. Mr. Staley began business for himself, entirely upon his own resources, and has made all he now has by his own hard work and economy. He helped his father to clear up two farms, and has cleared one for himself, and so has done his share toward clear- ing in the county. He now owns 80 acres of well-improved land, and has always made farm- ing and stock-growing his business. His wife is a member of the German Reformed Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

HENRY S. SHELDON, farmer ; P. O. Lees- ville; was born in Essex Co., N. Y., in 1808; son of Daniel and Phœbe (Green) Sheldon. The latter was born in Ireland, and the former in the State of New York, where they lived and died. Mr. Sheldon's parents died when he was quite young, and he lived with his Grandfather Sheldon until 13 years of age, and, from that time until he was 19 years of age, he was on the water. In 1826, he came to Crawford Co., and has lived in the county ever since. He was married, on March 12, 1835, to Nancy Ridgely, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1813, and came to Crawford Co. at a very early day. From this union there were ten children-Ma- tilda, Rachel, Mary A., Sarah J., Andrew J., Rebecca, Annas W., William H., Henry and Nancy. Mr. Sheldon began business for him- self a poor man, and has been somewhat fortu- nate in business. He is a cooper by trade, a business he followed for a great many years.

HENRY THOMAN, farmer; P. O. Lees- ville ; was born in Germany in 1842; son of

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JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

Conrad and Magdalena Thoman. The mother

ica with his father in 1846 and settled in Craw- died in Germany. Mr. Thoman came to Amer-

ford Co., where the father died in 1864. He

lived with his father until he was 10 years of age, and, since that time, has done for him-

self. He received a common-school education.

In 1862, he enlisted for three years in the Union

army, and was out about nine months, when he

was taken sick and was discharged from the

service. He came home, and in a few months

10th O. V. C., and served until the close of the had recovered sufficiently to re-enlist in Co. L,

war, taking part in several engagements-At-

the close of the war, he came home and worked lanta, Jonesboro, and a number of others. At

as a farm laborer for a number of years. He was married, in 1870, to Lydia C. Freeze, who was born in the county. From this union, there are four children-William, Ira, Pearly and Fannie. Mr. Thoman began business for him- self entirely upon his own resources, and, by hard work and economy, he has gained a com- petency. His health was seriously impaired while serving his adopted country. He and his wife are members of the U. B. Church.

W. R. VAN VOORHIS, farmer ; P. O. North Robinson. The subject of this sketch was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., May 25, 1802, the son of Samuel and Sarah (Myers) Van Voorhis, who were natives of the same county in New York. Mr. Van Voorhis came to Crawford County with his parents in 1821. They left New York for Washington Co., Penn., where they resided until they came to Crawford County. They settled in Whetstone Township, where the parents died. The father died in 1856, and the mother in 1850. When they came to the county it was almost an unbroken wilderness, and the land they entered at that time had to be cleared before they could raise the neces- saries of life, and of course they saw many hard times, and endured many privations, be- fore they got their land under cultivation. Mr. Van Voorhis was 19 years of age when he came to the county, and he has noted the wonderful change that has been made in the county since he first knew it. He has been married twice. His first marriage was in 1824, to Hannah Jones, who was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, and came to Crawford County with her parents in 1821. From this marriage there were seven children, two of whom are now dead. Hiram

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 148

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