History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2, Part 50

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 836

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2 > Part 50

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ANCYL H. STANFORTH, tile manufact- urer ; P. O. Tanktown ; is a son of G. B. Stanforth,

703

BERLIN TOWNSHIP.

of this township. He married Mary B. Osburn, daughter of Henry and Mary Osburn; the cere- mony was celebrated in December, 1877 ; he has been, for three years past, a resident of Radnor Township; he recently bought J. T. Cartnell's interest in the tile manufactory, associating with his brother-in-law, Andrew Osburn, in the same business, under the firm name of Osburn & Stan- forth. Mr. and Mrs. S. have one child-Pearl Sumner; he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; he is a member of Olen- tangy Lodge, I. O. O. F.

CHARLES E. SMITH, farmer ; P. O. Tank- town ; born in this township Jan. 1, 1836, and is the fourth son of Rodney Smith, one of the old settlers in this township; he received an ele- mentary education at the district common school, and completed it at the college in Delaware ; he taught school several terms during the winter, and, in the summer, turned his attention to farming. Aug. 27, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 32d O. V. I., and reenlisted Dec. 25, 1863, and served until the close of the war ; he participated in twenty-one ! engagements, and escaped without a wound; some ! of the more important were McDowell, Harper's Ferry, Fort Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Cham- pion Hills, Black River, Vicksburg, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro'; he kept a diary during the entire term of his service, which makes a valuable record of events during an inter- esting part of his life; Mr. Smith received his discharge July 27, 1865 ; upon his return, he resumed farming. Nov. 15, 1866, he was mar- ried to Anna Twining, who was born Sept. 11, 1838, in Licking Co .; she is the daughter of Hiram Twining, a pioncer of Licking Co .; her mother's name was Lovey Pease; she was a native of Maine, and her father was a native of Massa- chusetts ; Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived on the home- stead one year, and then moved to their present place of abode; they have two children-Edward and Ernest. Mr. Smith and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church ; they have a good home and eighty acres of land.

and three pigs ; what horses he has since raised, are descendants from one of the number brought. Rodney always remained at home. At about the age of 28, he was married to a Miss Reynolds, born in New York ; she died April 19, 1866. For many years after he came to the county, money was very rare indeed ; everything went by barter ; salt about $4 per barrel ; corn they could not sell; would sometimes get it distilled into whisky, getting about three quarts to the bushel, which would sell for 25 cents per gallon ; has sold steers at less than 1 cent per pound, and sold dressed hogs at $1.25 per hundred, part pay in money and the balance in orders ; made their own clothes out of wool and flax ; yet they were suffi- cient for the time. After his marriage, Mr. Smith settled on the place where he now lives. They have had eleven children ; six now living- Albert C., Lucius D., in McLean Co., Ill., Charles E., Thomas, Rose B. and Ralph. Several of his boys were in the late war-George W., in Co. G, 96th O. V. I. (died at Memphis); Chauncey W., in the 20th O. V. I .; Albert, in the 121st O. V. I .; Charles, in the 22d O. V. I .; Lucius, in the 100-day service. Mr. Smith cast his first vote for Harrison, and has never missed voting at an election when able to go. He has a large farm under good cultivation.

GEORGE B. STANFORTH, farmer ; P O. Tanktown ; born Oct. 12, 1824, in Rockingham Co., Va .; the youngest of a family of two chil- dren, born to William and Helender ( Matheney) Stanforth, both natives of the " Old Dominion" State. Geo. B. was 5 years of age when he came West with his parents, arriving in Morrow Co. in 1829 ; stayed with his parents until 24 years of age. Oct. 11, 1848, he was united in wedlock to Minerva Gibson, native of Delaware Co .; daugh- ter of Robert Gibson, from Pennsylvania. After his marriage, he located in Berkshire, where he lived six years ; in 1864. sold out and moved to Pike Co .; in 1872, moved to Berlin, near the Pike, where he has since lived ; has five children -Mary (now Mrs. Colflesh), Ancyl H., Emma, Frankie and George. Has been for many years a member of the M. E. Church, and is now Trustee of the township.

RODNEY SMITH, farmer; P. O. Alum Creek ; is a native of Massachusetts, born in the town of Washington, Berkshire Co., March 11, 1801 ; son of William Smith, from Connecticut ; GEORGE SACKETT, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Tanktown; born in this township Feb. 27, 1840 ; only son of Augustin Sackett, a native of Delaware Co .; his mother's name, before marriage, was Mary E. George, a native of New Hampshire. his mother's name was Lucinda, of the Witters family. Mr. Smith came out with his parents in a wagon, in 1816; the trip occupied thirty-five days ; first settled in the north of Berkshire; they brought with them four horses, a small cow , born July 22, 1813, and came to this State when

704

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

she was but 6 years of age; they located in this township in 1837, on Alum Creek, and two years later came to this place ; his father died Oct. 13, 1862; George had good educational advantages. In August, 1862, enlisted in the 96th O. V. I. for three years; he remained out one year, and was discharged on account of disability. April 10, 1864, he married Mary E. Roloson, daughter of Joel Roloson ; she died June, 1871, leaving two boys-Francis and Howard ; his second marriage took place July 13, 1876, with Anna Emerson, who was born Aug. 2, 1856, in this township, daughter of Capt. Silas Emerson, who lost his life in the late war as commanding officer of Co. K, 121st O. V. I. ; her mother's maiden name was Nancy A. Farris. Mr. Sackett has served two terms as Sheriff of this county, with due credit to himself and marked satisfaction to the people ; is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, both Lodge and Chapter, at Delaware ; has 285 acres of land, well improved. and is a successful farmer.

ELIJAH SHADE, farmer ; P. O. Tanktown ; was born in Frederick Co., Va., Jan. 25, 1823 ; is the second child of a family of fourteen children, born to Phillip and Catharine (Shorky) Shade, who were natives of the Old Dominion ; Elijah came to this State, with his parents, in the year 1828, who located in Logan Co. ; his father en- tered the land upon which he settled and lived until his death ; at the time of their settlement, Indi- ans were to be seen in considerable numbers; no roads, except the Indian trail and the pathway blazed with the tomahawk. Mr. Shade remained with his parents until he was in his 24th year, when he was married to Emeline Potter, May 26, 1846; she is a daughter of Edward and Abigail (Denison` Potter, who were natives of Connecti- cut, the former of New London, and the latter of Saybrook ; he came out in the year 1821, and is now a resident of Delaware. After the marriage of Mr. Shade, they located in Logan Co., and, in 1852, moved to this county, locating permanently in Berlin Township, where he purchased land : they have had four children-Harriet, Leroy, Francis and Phillip. Mr. Shade was out in the 100-day service, Co. H, 145th O. N. G .; he has acquired what property he has through his own exertions, having been reasonably successful.

LEWIS SLACK, farmer; P. O. Constantia ; born in Galena. Berkshire Township, Dec. 5, 1824 ; son of Capt. Henry Slack, who commanded a company in the war of 1812; he was a native of the Wyoming Valley, Penn .; came here in 1807,

and afterward located at Galena ; he commanded the first company of light infantry formed in this county ; he died at Galena in 1830. Lewis' moth- er's name before marriage was Mary Denton ; she was a native of Orange Co., N. Y .; came here in 1805 ; died Dec. 25, 1875, at the age of 83 years. Lewis was the second of the family of four living children ; he was raised up at Galena, and was 5 years of age when his father died ; he remained with his mother until he was 25 years of age, then made a trip to California, where he worked in the mines ; was gone nearly two years, returning in December, 1851. Nov. 15, 1853, was married to Minerva Utley, who was born in Berkshire in 1830 ; she is a daughter of Hon. Amos Utley, born in Windham Co., Conn., in 1793, and emi- grated to this State in 1820; he filled several offices of trust in his time, as Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, Treasurer, and represented this county in the Legislature in 1830 ; now living with his daughter, Mrs. Slack. Before marriage, her mother's name was Sarah Stark, a native of Orange Co., N. Y .; came here in 1815; born in 1802, died in Berkshire, February. 1872. Mr. Slack has two children-Howard and Clara. Mr. Slack moved to this township in 1872; has 116 acres of land.

G. W. STOVER, farmer and trader ; P. O. Lewis Center; was born in Fairfield Co. Aug. 25, 1826 ; youngest but one of a family of five children born to Benjamin and Sarah (Chilcutt) Stover, both natives of Hardy Co .. Va .; they moved to Fair- field Co. in 1811. Benjamin was a participant in the war of 1812; remained in Fairfield Co. until the year 1856. when he moved to Berlin and lived until he died in 1860. George commenced teach- ing school before he became of age, which he con- tinued, during the winter season, for several years -in all eighteen terms-working on the farm dur- ing the summer. In his 24th year. was married to Elizabeth Green, born in Licking Co. in 1830. daughter of Benjamin and Mary Malone. He moved to Berlin Township in the year 1550, and bought 146 acres of land, and has since been en- gaged in cultivating the same. October, 1872, he began business in Lewis Center, in the grocery and grain trade, being the only grain-dealer in the place ; buys and ships about 30,000 bushels an- nually ; he also carries on his farm ; has four chil- dren -- Melissa, Mary E., Benjamin F., Samantha N. Mr. Stover is a member of the United Brech- ren Church ; has been prominently associated with that body since its organization in that locality ;

705

BERLIN TOWNSHIP.

the church building is located on land which he donated for its site.

STEPHEN P. THRALL, farmer ; P. O. Con- stantia. Stephen was born in this township April 25, 1843 ; the son of Arza and Mary G. (Chand- ler) Thrall ; the former came to this State from Chenango Co., N. Y., about one-half century ago, and since has been a resident of the county. At the age of 18, Stephen enlisted in Co. D, 20th O. V. I., and, at the expiration of three years, re- enlisted at Atlanta, Ga., serving until the termin- ation of the war. He was wounded at Raymond, and, while in hospital, the Confederates captured them ; after thirteen days they were paroled and sent into the lines at Vicksburg ; his first engage- ment was at Fort Donelson ; while there, and assisting in guarding 1,400 prisoners on the boat, they formed a plot to overpower the guard and escape, but the secret leaked out just as they were about to execute it, when Maj. McElroy, with pistol, covered the pilot, and ordered him to " pull for the middle of the stream," and, with sixty-five heavily loaded guns, with bayonets bristling at them, the prisoners were prevented from consum- mating their plan of escape. In March, 1866, Mr. Thrall was married to Evaline M. Gilson, born in Geauga Co. ; they have five children-Rose A., Myrtie L., Annie M., Charles E., George W. They moved to the homestead in 1878.

GEORGE WHITMAN, farmer ; P. O. Con- stantia ; was born Feb. 8, 1846, the son of Ezra and Lydia (Fairbanks) Whitman ; Ezra was a native of Maine, and came West about the year 1838-39, and settled in Franklin Co., where George was born ; he being the third of a family of eight children ; he remained with his parents until he enlisted in Co. K, 121st O. V. I., for three years, and served about one year, when he was discharged on account of disability, when he came to this county and was united by marriage

to Mary Cole, born Nov. 22, 1849, in Franklin ; is a daughter of Alonzo and Sarah (Caldwell) Cole ; subsequent to his return from service, he was engaged one year, at Cheshire, in the merean- tile business; then moved his stock to Licking Co. and sold out; in 1870, he went to Putnam Co., where he was for five years engaged in the saw- mill business ; then moved to this township, and subsequently bought 114 acres of land, the place being known as the Eaton farm, situated on the pike near the town house; has four children- Carrie A., Charles, Rolland and Florence. He is a member of the Baptist Church.

CHARLES WILCOX, farmer ; P. O. Con- stantia; born in Licking Co. Oct. 30, 1834; is a son of Martin Wilcox, a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., who married Charlotte Aller, born in Vir- ginia. Charles was the eldest of a family of eight children ; he had poor school advantages; re- mained with his father until his 23d year. July 9, 1857, married Hannah Williamson. born in Franklin Co. in 1838, daughter of Jonathan and Clarinda Williamson ; lived in Union Co. eleven years, where he bought and improved a farm; in the spring of 1870, moved to Berlin Township on the State road, and bought the Kelsie farm of 100 acres, which has on it an adobe house, the only (known) one in this country ; they have had five children, three living-Chloe J., Annie C. and Lizzie Z .; Lizzie (the second) and Leonard, de- ceased. Leonard died with putrid sore throat while visiting his uncle in Franklin Co., he it seems had a presentiment of his death many months ere it occurred, he was very patient during his painful illness, and manifested a fortitude sur- passing his years ; his death occurred Oct. 24, 1873, he was about S years of age. Mrs. Wilcox is a member of the Wesleyan M. E. Church. Mr. Wilcox is favorably disposed to all civil and relig- ious societies.

706

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

E. ABBOTT, farmer; P. O. Lewis Center. | This gentleman ranks among the self-made men of the township ; was born in Licking Co. July 13, 1826 ; is the oldest of a family of ten children. His father, Jonathan Abbott, was born in Penn- sylvania; his wife ( Adah Wright) was born in Maryland ; after their marriage, they located in Licking Co., where they lived until his death, about the year 1848; Abram Wright, her father, was one of the early pioneers, and built and ran the first store in Newark. Ezekiel, in early life, was enabled to get sufficient education to teach school, which he followed for several terms. At the age of 23, was married to Martha E. Pressley ; she died three years afterward, leaving no issue. Subsequent to his marriage, he clerked in a store at Mt. Vernon; then ran a water-mill about two years, then went on his mother's farm and worked it until 1857, when he moved to Delhi, where he bought a saw-mill and engaged in the lumber busi- ness ; bought a large amount of walnut and cut it for the market; continued it about fifteen years doing a large and prosperous business; he then traded his mill for a farm northwest of Delaware, where he lived two years, and in 1875 moved to his present place, where he bought 137 acres of land, which has first class improvements thereon ; has been engaged in farming and raising sheep ; intends soon to make a specialty of the latter. In 1855, married Miss Eleanor J. Reed, born in Licking Co. in 1830, daughter of Nelson Reed; they have two children-Albert C., born July 6, 1865; Edward W., Feb. 28, 1868. Mr. Abbott and wife are both members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Abbott never has solicited office, yet has filled the office of Justice of the Peace for fifteen years while in Radnor Township.

WASHINGTON BURT, farmer and stock- raiser; P. O. Flint; was born in Orange Co., N. Y., Aug. 3, 1813, the fifth of nine children. His father, Daniel, was a native of Connecticut. His wife's name before marriage was Sarah Foght, of German extraction. John Morris Foght, the grand- father of Washington Burt, was a Captain during . the Revolutionary war, and was for many years after a pensioner. Washington began to do for himself at the age of 16; in 1832, when in his 21st year, he and three of his brothers came to

Coshocton Co., and located on the Muskingum River, at the town of Coshocton, where they joined land. Sept. 26, 1839, he was married to Georgi- ana Fisk, born Nov. 14, 1818. daughter of Jona- than Fisk, from Massachusetts, who came to New York in 1825; his wife's name before her mar- riage was Susan Williams. After Mr. Burt came West he began to clear his wooded land, lived several years in a log house ; remained there about thirty-two years ; the same land is now within the corporate limits of Coshocton; in the spring of 1865, they sold out and moved to this place ; he has 330 acres of good land, all of which is under culti- vation ; has also a farm in Coshocton Co. He began life with an old team of horses and $100 in money ; this was the " nest egg," and since, by hard labor and good management, has acquired a competency ; they have had ten children, all are living --- Ellen, Georgiana, Charles W., Maria, Emma, Sarah A., Susan, George W., Allen D. and Clara ; the two elder are married and living in Coshocton ; Maria and Emma married brothers : Sarah and Susan are also married, and living in Franklin Co .; Charles in Kansas ; George and Allen in business in Flint, Franklin Co., and Clara at home. Mr. Burt is favorably disposed to all religious denominations, yet the doctrine of Uni- versalism is more in harmony with his belief than others ; during the rebellion was a War Democrat : had one son and two sons-in-law in the army ; since the war has been a Republican.

JAMES BALE, farmer; P. O. Westerville ; came to this township in 1849; he was born in Sus- sex Co., N. J .. in March, 1797; the son of Henry and Abigail (Current) Bale, who were also natives of New Jersey. In the early part of James' life, he learned the trade of millwright, which he followed for several years; subsequently, he entered the milling business, with two of his brothers ; they manufactured some cloth, but their principal busi- ness was fulling and dressing, which they followed successfully for several years ; James finally sold out to his brothers, and resumed the millwright business, which he pursued until he cast his fort- nnes in the West. July 8, 1826. he was mar- ried to Sarah Havens, a native of New Jersey ; they had seven children, four living -- Abigail, John H .. Mary A. and David, who is on the

707

ORANGE TOWNSHIP.

homestead, and was married Oct. 5, 1865, to Dul- cina Hulburt, a daughter of Lee Hulburt, one of the old residents of the county ; they have five children-Edwin F., Louie L., James, Ezra and a babe, unnamed. After their marriage, they lived on a farm he had bought, north of the home- stead, three years ; then sold out and moved to his father's farm, situated on the west side of Alum Creek. David has always been identified with Democracy, as also has his father.

ELIZA A. BAKER, farmer ; P. O. Wester- ville ; was born in Trenton Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, July 14, 1825. There were six chil- dren in the family, she being the third, born of Peter Cockerell and Hannah Linnaberry, his wife; the Cockerells are from Virginia, and the Linna- berry family from Pennsylvania. Mrs. Baker came with her parents to this township, her father settling on the place now owned by A. M. Fuller. . In her 21st year, she was married to George Baker; born in Guernsey Co .; came to this county when he was a mere lad. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs: Baker, they moved to the place where she now lives-west side of Alum Creek. Mr. Baker died Oct. 27, 1878. She still carries on the farm. Has four children-George, Mary A., Julia and Louisa.

D. H. BARD, farmer; P. O. Westerville; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 15, 1848 ; is the third child of a family of four children ; his father's name was Isaac; his mother's name, prior to her marriage, was Rhuana Humphrey, both of them natives of Franklin Co., Penn. David came to this county with his parents, when he was about 4 years old; the family subsequently lo- cated on the State road, south of the town house. At the age of 9, David went to live with his uncle, A. M. Fuller, one of the prominent men in this township, living in the southern part; lived with him until he attained his majority. Dec. 25, 1878, was united in wedlock to Sadie E. Mc- Dowell, of Franklin Co., Penn., and the place of marriage ; she was born March 16, 1856; she is a daughter of William E. McDowell. Since his marriage, he has worked his uncle's farm. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.

RALPH BENNETT, farmer; P. O. Flint ; was born in this township March 1, 1840; is the second child of a family of eleven children, born of Sylvester and Elizabeth ( Butt) Bennett, both of them natives of Virginia ; first located on Dun- can's Plain ; Ralph remained with his parents until he was 23 years of age. In 1862, Aug. 11, he

enlisted in the 95th O. V. I., Co. D, and was shot in the leg while in his first battle, and was dis- charged on account of disability, being in service about eight months. Upon his return home, was united in marriage with Cynthia Hall, born in Delaware Co .; have had six children-Alice, Flora E., Verna, William H., Alvin C. and Mary E .; since his marriage, he has lived in several dif- ferent places in the county; April 1, 1879, he moved to his present place of abode, where he has bought property, and is permanently located.

WILLIAM BOCKOVEN, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Constantia ; was born in Berlin Township March 13, 1826; is the eldest of a family of twelve children ; his father's name is Jacob, who came to this county in the year 1820, he being then a lad of 18; his parents settled in Berlin. Jacob married Eliza Dalrymple, a native of New Jersey ; they are still living. William, at the age of 18, went to learn the blacksmith's trade, and afterward followed it eight years in Cheshire ; while there, was married (April 26, 1849) to Jane Barrows, born Oct. 3, 1826; daughter of Nathaniel W. Barrows, a native of Tolland Co., Conn .; he settled in this township in 1819, on the east side of Alum Creek, where Mrs. B. was born. In the fall of 1858, Mr. Bockoven moved to Orange, locating in the north part, east of Alum Creek, where he bought 200 acres of land, a portion of which belonged formerly to the Barrow farm, which Mrs. Bockoven's father bought and settled. Mr. Bockoven for several years afterward followed his trade, in connection with his farm, but has recently abandoned the an- vil and forge, and confined himself strictly to farming pursuits. He has been a successful man ; has accumulated a competence for himself and wife, and they are living in the enjoyment of their means ; he is among the best farmers on Alum Creek ; has contributed liberally to the support of the Gospel, and to all demands of an elcemosynary character ; he is a liberal patron of the public journals ; was for many years identified with the Democratic party, but is now a Prohibitionist.

CYRUS CHAMBERS, farmer ; P. O. Wester- ville ; is one of the oldest settlers in this township ; was born in Vermont, town of Tunbridge, Orange Co., Nov. 5, 1795 ; he was a son of Robert and Martha (Smith ) Chambers, who were natives of the same State. Cyrus was left an orphan at an . early age, his father having been drowned; he was then thrown upon his own resources, and lived several years with David Campbell, and came West

----

708

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

with him in a wagon; six of them left Rutland Aug. 8, 1815, and soon after their arrival, Mr. Campbell bought land in Genoa Township; Mr. Chambers lived with him about one year, and at the age of 20, he began to do for himself, and made his home with Campbell ; he worked out for several years, taking jobs of clearing up land, until he had accumulated means to buy 100 acres for him- self in Genoa Township; at the time he came here there were no settlements on the west side of Alum Creek; Mr. Chambers soon after sold his land in Genoa and came to this township, and bought where he now lives. May 6, 1824, he married Susanna Jaynes, a native of Grand Isle, Vt .; their first experience in housekeeping was in a log cabin, with one room, clapboard roof and stick chimney ; his uncle, John Jaynes, loaned him some chairs, a neighbor a dinner-pot, another some soap, and thus they began ; wages were low -- he offered at one time to work for 25 cents per day, for Samuel Ferson ; about the year 1822, he sold 200 bushels of corn, which he summered over, at 123 cents per bushel. Mr. Chambers' wife died Nov. 5, 1844, leaving him ten children. seven of them now living; of these, William and Mary are in Orange, Cyrus in Liberty, and Seymour in the northern part of the county; of the last wife's, Horatio and George are on the homestead, Horace is at Worthington, Octavia (now Mrs. Carter) at Westerville, and Sarah (now Mrs. Jaycox) in this township. Mr. Chambers has probably cleared more timber land than any other man in the county ; has been a member of the M. E. Church for upward of 72 years, and in early times served as Constable, Trustee, and Township Clerk, also taught school several terms, and is sup- posed to have been the first to teach in the town- ship ; he is of Republican principles, and is one of the oldest living pioneers in the country.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2, Part 50

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co. cn Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 836

Author: O.L. Baskin & Co. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 836