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 54
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devoted but a portion of his time to milling, the greater part of it being employed in transactions in real estate, and the rearing and breeding of thoroughbred cattle, hogs and sheep ; his cattle, of the short-horn breed, are as good as are to be found in the county. Mr. Decker is at present the largest land-owner in the township, owning up- wards of a section of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation ; his home farm of 416 acres is nicely situated on the west bank of the
Scioto River, and is one of the best improved in the county. He has been married twice, the first time to Miss Annie Townsend in 1834; she was born in New Jersey Aug. 27, 1812; from this union there were nine children-Clark, Sallie A., Julia A., Henrietta, Aaron M., Leroy, Margie C., Samuel R., Alvin O. and Frederick N .; Mrs. Decker departed this life Dec. 12, 1855; in her death, Mr. Decker lost the faithful companion of his early life, his children a kind and loving mother, and the community a refined, Christian lady : Mr. Decker was again married May 25, 1856, to Mrs. Elizabeth G. Runnells : she was born in Vermont April 3, 1820 ; the fruits of this union are four children-Frank E., Alexander N., George W. and Willie N. Mr. Decker is a man of very firm and decided principles; he is a Pro- hibitionist, and an earnest worker in the temper- ance reform ; after the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he was among the foremost in advo- cating the formation of a new party, and he was one of those who helped to organize the Republi- can party in 1854; he continued with the party until a few years ago, when his sense of right and justice led him into the ranks of the Prohibition party; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. A. B. DE GOOD, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Delaware ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, March 25, 1848; is a son of Thomas and Rachel (Mc- Laine) De Good ; the father was born in Frederick Co., Md., Sept. 15, 1S06; his parents, in 1807, removed to Washington Co., Penn., and from there to Knox Co., Ohio, in 1832. Thomas De Good was twice married; by the first wife there were six children, and by the last, five. He was a well- educated man, and for a great many years was Col- onel of militia; he recruited and drilled soldiers during the war with Mexico. In 1852, he, with his family, came from Knox to this county, where he remained until his death. He was a Republican, and up to the time of his death held the office of Justice of the Peace. His widow survives him, and resides on the old homestead in
Scioto Township. Our subject passed his youth and early manhood on a farm. When 16 years of age, he enlisted in Co. C, 121st O. V. I .; he served with distinction in this regiment thirteen months, when, on account of sickness, he was dis- charged. After remaining at home about two months, he again enlisted in Co. B, 48th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war; he was a good and valiant soldier, and struck many a blow in defense of his country. After his return from the army, he engaged in farming and stock-deal- ing, which he has ever since followed. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Pierce Nov. 2, 1871 ; she was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1846. Mr. De Good began life as a poor boy, and is to-day one of the prominent and promising young men of the county. He owns seventy acres of well-improved land, which he has obtained by economy and industry.
ALMON C. DE GOOD, farmer and school teacher ; P. O. Ostrander; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, July 30, 1849 ; he is son of Benjamin and Maria (Brokaw, De Good; the father was a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother from New Jersey. The De Goods came West in 1835, and located in Knox Co., where our subject's father was married and resided until 1852, when he re- moved to Delaware Co., where he has since resided ; he is the parent of eight children, five of whom are now living. He has held a great many positions of trust, and is an honored and respected citizen. Our subject's early life was passed on his father's farm ; he received quite a good education, and when quite young began teaching school, a business he has followed of winters for the past ten years. In the summer, he devotes his time to agricultural pursuits ; he has a nicely improved farm of fifty-six acres, located three and a half miles north of Ostrander, on the "Burnt Pond Pike." His marriage with Lydia A. Wilson was celebrated Oct. 8, 1872; she was born in Dela- ware Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1853; she is the young- est daughter of a family of eight children of Joseph and Mary A. (Atha) Wilson ; the Wil- sons are among the early settlers of the county, mention of whom is made in another part of this work. From our subject's union with Miss Wil- son. there is one child-Bessie Belle, born June 25, 1875. Mr. De Good is one of the best in- structors in the county, and his services are highly prized. He is at present Township Trustee ; he is a Democrat, although quite liberal in his views. He takes a lively interest in all enterprises.
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ROBERT A. DODDS, merchant, Ostrander. Among the names that are familiar with the peo- ple of Delaware Co., and are identified with its early development and growth, none is more con- spicuous or worthy of mention than that of Dodds. Andrew and Polly (Cochran) Dodds, the grand- parents of our subject, were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and the parents of eight children; they resided in Pennsylvania until 1813, when they re- moved to Ohio ; in 1815, they came to this town- ship, and located on Little Mill Creek. There were no settlements on the creek at that time, and the trials and hardships they underwent during the first few years are almost without a parallel ; the year of their coming, the mother died, and five years subsequently, the father went to his re- ward. Our subject's parents, James and Nancy (McIlvain) Dodds, both natives of Pennsylvania, were the parents of ten children, four of whom are living. The MeIlvains, as well as the Dodds, were natives of Pennsylvania, and among the first to settle in this county. Mr. James Dodds and wife are among the oldest living residents of the county ; they are Christian people, and have done a great deal to improve the county morally, intel- lectually and otherwise. Our subject was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, March 13, 1831 ; here he passed his youth and early manhood, assisting his father on the farm ; he received such education as the schools afforded ; he commenced for himself at 21 years of age by engaging in the huckster business ; he followed this some years, and then took a trip through the West, selling dry goods in job lots ; he has for some years been engaged in farming and the mercantile business. He was united in marriage with Cynthia Long Dec. 20, 1855; she was born in Vermont in 1836. From this union there were four children, three of whom are living-Annie C., Rosa B. and Hope S. Mr. Dodds is a much-esteemed citizen.
ERASTUS FIELD, physician and surgeon, Os- trander ; was born in Worcester Co., Mass .. May 25, 1818; is second child of a family of five children of John and Sarah H. (Ellsworth) Field, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts ; his father was finely educated, and a Presbyterian minister ; in 1823, he removed to Frankfort, Ky., where he remained about two years, and then came to Port- age Co., Ohio ; there he left his family and went. to Mississippi for the purpose of teaching in a college there ; in about a year, he returned to his family, but was soon recalled to his field of labor; soon after his return South, he was taken sick,
and in a short time died. This was in 1828, and Dr. Field at the time was but 10 years old ; he went to live with a farmer of the neighborhood after his father's death, with whom he remained about four years, or until his mother's death ; soon after that event, he went to Pittsburgh, and for some time worked in a comb factory. The crisis of 1837 compelled his employer to suspend, and young Field took a trip through Ohio, Ken- tucky and Indiana ; early in the spring of 1840, he left Richmond, Ind., by stage for Dayton, Ohio ; after a long, tedious journey, he arrived at Dayton, and soon left for Columbus ; here he re- mained some time, and there became acquainted with Dr. J. S. Skinner, of " Darby Plains," who induced him to take up the study of medicine; he remained with Dr. Skinner about four years ; three years as a student and the last as a prac- titioner, having almost entire charge of the prac- tice. At the expiration of the four years, Dr. Field located in Bellepoint, on the Ohio River ; he pursued the practice of medicine there about four years, at which time he took a trip West, vis- iting the Pacific Slope and a number of States and Territories ; after an absence of about two years, he returned to Ohio, and practiced a short time at Frankfort, Union Co. The C., C., C. & I. R. R. was at that time building, and the village of Ostrander was starting up. Dr. Field bought property in the village, and began practice there ; he has ever since remained in the village, and is one of its most prominent and influential citizens. He was married to Miss Hannah Bean May 27, 1845. She was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Aug. 28, 1825. They have one child-Dr. John H. Field, a practitioner of medicine in Ostrander. Dr. E. Field owns improved property in Ostrander. and 200 acres of improved land adjoining the vil- lage. He began life as a poor orphan boy, and his success in life has been due to his professional skill, industry and economy.
D. C. FAY, physician and surgeon; Os- trander. Among the successful practitioners of medicine in Central Ohio is Dr. D. C. Fay ; he was born in Union Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1843. the only child of Benjamin A. and Hester ( Robinson) Fay, who were early settlers of Union Co. His father was for a number of years Surveyor of that county ; both parents are now living, and reside in Marys- ville, Union Co., Ohio. Dr. Fay spent his youth with his parents, at home; his father, who was finely educated, taught him until he was 16 years of age, when he attended an academy; after
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returning home, he taught school for two years, and then began the study of medicine with Dr. South- ard, of Marysville, Ohio; in 1864, he attended his first course of lectures at the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, and in 1866, gradua- ted at the Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati ; soon after graduating, he located in Ostrander, where he has since remained. He was united in marriage with Mary A. Liggett Jan. 31, 1871; she was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, April 25, 1848; they have one child, Monna L., born March 7,1874.
JOHN H. FIELD, physician and surgeon ; Ostrander ; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, April 1, 1847; when about 5 years of age, his father, Dr. E. Field, moved to the village of Os- trander, where the son grew up; he received a good education, and at the age of 22 began to study medicine under his father's instructions ; in 1872, he attended his first course of lect- ures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and in 1873 graduated at this college at the head of his class ; he began practice in his na- tive village, and has disproved the old adage, that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country," as he has had excellent success, and his services are highly appreciated. He was united in marriage with Lizzie H. Berger July 17, 1873; she was born in Columbia Co., Penn., March 19, 1857 ; her parents, Amos and Matilda ( Harpster) Berger are natives of Pennsylvania, where they now reside. They have two children --. Nettie M., born May 13, 1874, and Myrtie K., Sept. 24, 1877.
AMOS FULLER, farmer ; P. O. Ostrander; was the son of Amos and Lucinda ( Bevins) Fuller, who were the parents of six children, and natives of Connecticut ; soon after their marriage, they started from Connecticut by water to Canada ; while on this voyage, our subject was born on the 11th day of May, 1801; they remained in Can- ada but a short time; they then removed to De- troit, Mich., where they were at the time Gen. Hull surrendered that place to the British ; in the latter part of the year 1813, they came to Ohio and located in Sandusky; there the father died in the year 1815; the mother survived the father eight years, when she also departed this life. Our subject came to Delaware Co. in 1825, where he has since resided ; he commenced business for himself a poor boy, and by his own endeavors has become the owner of 188 acres of well-improved land; Mr. Fuller is now one of the oldest settlers in the county. He was married to Rebecca Bur-
roughs April 1, 1824; she was born in Virginia in the year 1804. From this union, they were blessed with thirteen children, twelve of whom they raised to man and womanhood ; his wife died April 4, 1877. In the late war, Mr. Fuller had seven sons, all of whom lived to return home ex- cept one, who was killed in the Red River expe- dition. All were Republicans and Whigs. Mr. Fuller is now 78 years of age, and is in good health. He is a member of the United Brethren Church.
DAVID F. HIOUTZ, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ostrander; was born in Logan Co., Ohio, March 25, 1820 ; is a son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Frantz) Houtz. both of whom were natives of Botetourt Co., Va .; they came to Logan Co. in 1819, and bought the land upon which the city of Belle- fontaine is now located. The Houtzes as well as the Frantzes were wealthy people for that day, and owned large tracts of land in Logan Co. Henry Houtz departed this life in 1824. and his wife and mother of three children in 1842. Our subject passed his youth and early manhood on a farm, and received such education as the schools of that early day afforded ; when 21 years of age, he began for himself as a farmer, a business he has followed all his life. He was united in marriage with Melinda Mangans; she was born in Washing- ton Co., Md., April 30, 1821; from this union there were thirteen children, seven of whom are living- Tobias E., Melinda, Henry C., Mary E., Lydia A., David G. and Cora A .; the deceased were Joseph M., Sarah C., Martin J., Margaret E., Martha J. and Frances A .; Joseph M. was in Co. E, 30th O. V. I., and died while serving his coun- try in the war of the rebellion. Our subject moved from Logan to Delaware Co. in 1844, where he has since remained. He is a stanchi Republican. He owns 101 acres of well-improved land, which he has made by his own exertions.
WILLIAM J. HARBERT, farmer and dealer in thoroughbred live stock ; P. O. Ostrander ; was born in Madison Co., Ohio, Oct. 4, 1844; son of Elijah and Rebecca (Harper) Harbert; the mother was a native of Pennsylvania, the father of Virginia. but came to Ohio with his parents in an early day. Mr. Harbert's grandfather, Thomas Harbert, was a civil engineer, and surveyed a great deal of land in Central Ohio ; while surveying in different parts of the State, he laid land warrants (or claims) on considerable land ; there are in the State many acres of land that justly belong to his heirs; he was a Colonel in the Revolutionary war, and a
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prominent citizen and soldier. Our subject passed his youth on a farm ; received a common-school education, and in June, 1862, enlisted in Co. E. 85th O. V. I .; he returned home in four months, his term of enlistment having expired; he re- enlisted in 1863, in Co. F, 32d O. V. I., and served until the close of the war ; he was with
Gen. Sherman in his march to the sea, and partici- pated in all the battles of that campaign ; after his return home he engaged in farming in Union Co. He was united in marriage with Alvira A. Smith Oct. 4, 1866 ; she was born in Union Co., Ohio, Feb. 10, 1848; her parents, Orson and Irena (Kimball ) Smith, were natives of Vermont ; came to Ohio in 1817, and settled in Scioto Co., but moved to Union Co. in an early day. Has had one child-Mattie-born June 26, 1876, and died Dec. 19, 1876; after their marriage they moved to Hardin Co., where they lived about eight years, and then came to Delaware Co., where they have since resided. Mr. Harbert has some of the finest horses, cattle and sheep in Central Ohio ; his famous Clydesdale horse " Rob- ert Bruce," or "Thumper," was imported from Scotland in 1875, at a cost of $2,400; there is not a finer or more thoroughbred horse of that stock in the United States ; he has also other horses of the same stock, that have taken the highest premiums in the State ; he has more good and full-blooded stock of all kinds than any per- son in Delaware Co .; he owns 123 acres of nicely improved land, farms but little, and turns his entire attention to stock-raising. He is a Re- publican, and one of the prominent and enterpris- ing men of the county.
JOHN AND JOSEPH HAUSE, wheel- wrights, Ostrander. The subjects of this sketch were born in Washington Co., Md .; the former April 19, 1839, and the latter April 24, 1841 ; their parents, John H. and Magdalena ( Mangans) Hause, were both natives of Maryland, and the parents of nine children, eight of whom are liv- ing. The Hauses were originally from England, but their coming to America dates back to " colonial times," while the Mangans (their mother's folks, were from Germany. Both John and Joseph Hause in early life were apprenticed to wagon-making, receiving but little advantages for obtaining an education ; both, however, through their own exertions, obtained quite a good education. John was united in marriage with Frances V. Springer Nov. 21, 1867. She was born in Maryland April 3, 1848; this union was
fruitful of five children-Charles E., Annie M., Benton E., Flora E. and Ada K .; after his mar- riage, he continued to reside in Maryland until 1871, when he removed to Illinois, where he stayed about one year, and then came to Delaware Co., Ohio, where he has since resided. Joseph was married to Miss Ann E. Kepner Oct. 6, 1868. She was born in Perry Co., Penn., Jan. 9, 1837 ; from this union there were seven children-Mary M., Leah J., John W., Alice V., Orpha G., Dan- iel R. and a babe not named. Joseph remained in Maryland until 1875, when he came to Dela- ware Co., Ohio, where he has since resided. The two brothers, since their coming to Ohio, have worked at carpentering and wagon-making ; they are honest, hard-working men, and have, by their upright conduct, made for themselves good business reputations ; they take a great interest in literature of all kinds; they own nicely improved properties in the village of Ostrander.
JOHN W. JONES, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Delaware ; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Mar. 25, 1832; his father was born on the ocean while his parents were on their way from Wales to the United States ; this was in 1803; soon after com- ing to the United States, they removed to Raduor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio ; there our sub- ject's father was reared, and married to Miss Bet- sey Smart ; they were the parents of seven chil- dren, six of whom are now living; the father died when John W. was about 14 years of age ; the mother is still living, and is one of the oldest living settlers of Delaware Co. Our subject passed his youth and early manhood working on a farm ; he received such education as the schools of that early day afforded ; at 21 years of age, he began for himself without any means whatever, and what he now possesses is the result of strict attention to his business, combined with honesty and industry. He was united in marriage with Mary S. Shoup April 10, 1853; from this union there were six children, five of whom are living- William M., Sarah J., Marian R., Joseph MeL. and John E. Mrs. Jones was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Oct. 23, 1830; her parents, David and Sarah (Smith) Shoup, were among the first to settle in Scioto Township. Mr Jones is a mem- ber of Ruffner Lodge No. 333, I. O. O. F .; he was the first to enter the lodge after its organiza- tion. His wife. himself and four children are members of the Presbyterian Church.
JAMES LIGGETT, agent for C., C., O. & I. R. R., Ostrander; was born in Delaware Co.,
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Ohio, in 1828, and is the son of Job and Sarah (Hamlin) Liggett. His father, James Liggett, was a native of Hardy Co., Va., and came to Ohio at an early day and settled in Ross Co., where he remained about sixteen years, and then came to Scioto Township. Delaware Co .; when the son was about 18 months old, he was taken by his grandparents to raise ; he passed his youth with them on a farm, receiving such education as the schools afforded ; at 19, he entered a store as clerk, where he remained about four years ; he then bought out his employer, and, from 1852 to 1858, carried on quite an extensive mercantile business ; in 1858, he sold his store and pur- chased a farm upon which he remained until he entered the employ of the C., C., C. & I. R. R., at Ostrander; he was the first telegraph operator at Ostrander, and sent the first message from that point over the wires ; since he entered the employ of this railroad, he has remained at his post al- most constantly. His only son, Charles J., is the present telegraph operator, while Mr. Liggett has the supervision of the entire business. He was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Jones May 9, 1854; she was born in Hardin Co., Ohio, June 25, 1836 ; from this union there were two chil- dren-Sarah L. (now Mrs. C. H. David), and Charles J. Mr. Liggett is a Democrat in politics but quite liberal in his views ; he owns a nicely improved property in the village of Ostrander, and fifty acres of land in Scioto Township. He has held a number of positions of trust in Con- cord and Scioto Townships, and is one of the most thorough business men in Delaware County.
A. B. LIGGETT, farmer ; P. O. Ostrander ; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Dec. 8, 1838; he is the only child of William and Mahala (Carr) Liggett. James Liggett, Mr. Liggett's grand- father, was one of the pioneers of Delaware Co., and owned and improved a portion of the land upon which the village of Ostrander is now lo -. cated. Mr. Liggett assisted his father on the farm, and received a good common-school educa- tion ; at the age of 21, he began life for himself as a farmer. He was married to Miss Sarah Jones Dec. 31, 1861; she was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, March 26, 1843 ; from this union they have three children-Ettie A., Elmer and Mattie E .; he owns a nicely improved farm of 335 acres. Democratic.
WILLIAM LOVELESS, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. O. Ostrander; was born in Prince George Co., Md., March 13, 1817 ; is a son of | inent of the young men of Scioto Township is the
John B. and Mary A. (Tafe) Loveless, both of whom were natives of Maryland ; they were the parents of seven children, four of whom are now living ; they removed to Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1828. The father died in 1855, and the mother in 1875, at the advanced age of 95 years. Our subject was brought up to farm labor, receiving such education as the common school afforded : when 21 years of age, he purchased fifty-five acres of unimproved land and began its improvement. He was united in marriage with Elizabeth Cramer April 5, 1838; she was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1817 ; from this union there were eleven children, four of whom are now living- Margaret J., William II., Nancy A. and Janetta ; the names of the ones deceased were Elisha, Mary A., John V., Luella, Daniel, George W. and Elizabeth E. Mr. Loveless has some of the best Durham cattle in the State; owns 107 acres of well-improved land which he has made by hard work and economy. He and wife are members of the U. B. Church. Mr. Loveless, for a number of years, was a member of the Republican party, but of late has voted a mixed ticket, voting for the man and not for the party ; he is an active worker in the temperance cause, where his influ- ence has its effect.
MILTON LIGGETT, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Ostrander ; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio. Aug. 28, 1835 ; is the eldest of a family of six children of Joab and Mary (Carr) Liggett: Joah Liggett was the son of James Liggett, the well- known pioneer of Scioto Township; he was a farmer, and a prominent and influential man in his lifetime; he died Aug. 29, 1848, and his wife on the 17th of October, 1865. Milton passed his youth and early manhood on his father's farm, re- ceiving a common-school education. When 18 years of age, he began for himself as a farmer ; this business he has followed all his life with a great degree of success ; he now owns one of the nicest improved farms in the township ; it consists of 125 acres, nicely situated on Mill Creek, in the southeastern part of the township. He was united in marriage with Anna Carr July 3, 1856 ; she was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, April 23, 1840 ; they are the parents of two children-Retta A., born May 31, 1857, and William L., born Sept. 4, 1862. Mr. Liggett is a Democrat and a con- sistent member of the Baptist Church.
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