History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2, Part 58

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 58

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).

Missouri ; his body was brought home and buried. In Mr. Jackson's family, there is a little girl who was born on his farm ; her father and mother's raine was Hamlin ; the mother died soon after the child's birth ; her maiden name was Jackson ; she claimed to have come from Texas; the where- abouts of the father is not known. Mr. Jackson has a good farm of 236 acres adjoining the State farm on the south, the Scioto River forming its eastern boundary.

DANIEL L. KELLY lives in Concord Town- ship on a farm which he owns and operates; it consists of 124 acres ; besides this, he is the pos- sessor of property in Delaware City; he was born Jan. 12, 1823, in Champaign Cc., Ohio; lived with his parents until 5 years of age, when Will- iam Shockley, his grandfather, took him to Flem- ing Co., Ky., with whom he lived about nine years ; he then came to Brown Co., Ohio, and lived with his brother, John Kelly, two years ; the following seven years, excepting a year and a half spent in Kentucky, he made his home with an uncle in this county. Sept. 26, 1847, he married Miss Annie C. Kooken, who was born in this town- ship May 15, 1820 ; her father died when she was quite young ; she lived with her mother until her marriage with Mr. Kelly ; the latter's father, Thomas Kelly, came to Ohio from Hot Springs Va., in 1809, when a young man; for about twenty years, he made his home in this section of the country, and then went West ; the next thirty years he lived in Iowa and Missouri ; in 1860, at the age of 75, he returned to this county, where, at the home of his son, Daniel L., he shortly after- ward died. Mr. and Mrs. Kelly are the parents of nine children ; those living are Margaret K., Mary S., George E., William A. and James. Mrs. Kelly died Sept. 17, 1863, three of her children having died before her.

WILLIAM JACKSON, farmer; P. O. Jerome, Union Co .; was born Jan. 27, 1813, in Stark Co., Ohio, and, at the age of 11 years, his parents, Francis and Elizabeth Jackson, moved to Licking Co. Mr. Jackson's great-great-grand- father on his father's side was one of a number of men who drew their wives by lot out of a ship load of women that came to the New World as help- mates for the brave men who had preceded them ; The first year after his first marriage, Mr. Kelly lived in Belle Point. moving on to a farm in 1848 ; in 1851, he bought and moved on to what is known as the Sugar Grove farm, remaining until his second marriage, April 21, 1867, to Mrs. Louisa Freshwater; she had one child-Mary F. E., born June 24. 1864; by this wife, Mr. Kelly is the father of two chil. dren-Charles W., born Aug. 5, 1868, and Jessie I., Nov. 5, 1379 ; shortly after his second mar- riage, he sold his old place and purchased and moved on to the farm where he now lives. In his younger days, Mr. Kelly helped eut out and open up for travel the present pike from Belle Point to this ancestor drew a "little fat Dutch girl" who proved to be a helpmate indeed, making him a true wife and their children a loving mother ; when our subject was 15 years of age his father died; he remained at home about one year thereafter, after which time he was employed on public works until he reached the age of 22. He was then married to Miss Kittie McKitrick ; they have had twelve children, cight of whom are living -- Mary A., Elizabeth L., Susan M., James A., Arthur F., Marcella A., Emma O. and Harvey D .; those deceased being Emily, William H., Francis L. and Smith A .; two of their sons were in the army during the late war; William H. died in i Delaware, and, when living with his uncle, often

745

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

went with wagon-loads of grain to Sandusky City, a distance of 125 miles. He has filled most of the public offices of his township, and figures prom- inently in his locality ; in 1859, he accepted the position of Land Appraiser, and again in 1879.

ELIJAH KENT was born Jan. 14, 1824, in Madison Co., Ohio; he is the son of Silas and Olive Kent; they moved to Union Co. when Elijah was but a child ; Aug. 12, 1831, the father died ; Elijah remained with his mother until he was 24 years old, when, Aug. 23, 1848, he mar- ried Miss Charlotte Norris, who was born in Har- rison Co. March 23, 1828 ; her parents took up their abode in Union Co. when Charlotte was about 12 years of age, she living with her parents until her marriage with Mr. Kent ; from this union there have been born to them eleven children ; of these, Ellen, Dudley and two infants are deceased ; Emily J., born Sept. 23, 1849 ; George, Sept. 9, 1853; Edward, Nov. 2, 1856; Andrew D., Oct. 12, 1858 ; John, Nov. 12, 1860 ; Silas, Dec. 27, 1862, and Benjamin F., Aug. 14, 1865, are still living; Emily and George are married, the others live at home. In 1865, Mr. Kent purchased and moved on to his present farm ; it contains 338 acres ; in addition to this, he owns a fifteen-acre lot in this township and 349 in Liberty. As a stock-raiser and shipper, Mr. Kent has been recog- nized for some years as one of the most extensive in the county; he has also dealt considerably in real estate, and in a general way is prominently identified with the business interests of the town- ship.

while in the army, he corresponded for seven dif- ferent papers, of which two were in Cincinnati, two in Delaware, one in Marysville, one in Spring- field, Ohio, and one in Lancaster, Obio. Mr. Lugenbeel has a large newspaper experience, hav- ing been sole propietor of four, and partner in two other, papers, and for several years has been correspondent for all the Delaware papers from the townships of Concord, Liberty and Scioto ; he has been iu thirty-three of the thirty-eight States, having spent several years in traveling; and in that time he gave considerable attention to collect- ing curiosities, and now has quite a museum ; about 1864, Mr. Lugenbeel commenced teaching, to which he has since devoted his time and atten- tion ; he has taught fifty-five terms of school in Delaware Co., has filled the office of Township Clerk one year, and Township Constable three years ; is a member of the Reforin Church, and is now prominently identified with the Sunday- school interests of Concord Township. As a poet. Mr. Lugenbeel has gained quite a reputation, writing poetry on any subject he may choose.

REV. JOHN C. MERCHANT, farmer ; P. O. Jerome, Union Co. ; a son of Yammer and Edith Merchant ; born July 19, 1838, in Columbus, Ohio, where he remained with his father until he was 7 years old ; the family then moved on to a farm ; the father, who was a devout Christian, died Aug. 13, 1875. At the age of 17, John C. entered the Union Seminary in Franklin Co., where he attended two years ; when he arrived at the age of 36, Mr. Merchant was ordained for the minis- try, having become a Christian when only 13 years old, at which time he joined the African Methodist Church, of which he has been an active and earnest member. At the age of 23, he was married to Miss Sarah Jackson, and to them were born three children -- Sandy E., John W. and Su- san F., all of whom are still living. The mother died in 1866, leaving the care of the children to the father and his people. In 1874, Mr. Mer- chant came to Delaware Co., settling in this town- ship. Since his citizenship here, he has married Kezialı Depp, who lived but a little over a year, leaving an infant child, Ida E. R. Mr. Merchant owns a nice little farm one and a half miles south from the Girls' Industrial Home. He is a promi- nent man among the colored people.

D. W. C. LUGENBEEL, teacher, Belle Point ; was born Feb. 7, 1831, and is a son of John and Pamelia Ingenbeel, who moved to Ohio when our subject was a child ; they located in Delaware Township, where they remained until the subject . was about 20 years old, when they moved away ; he, however, remained in Delaware, attending the university, and was one of the four first students in that institution. Mr. Lugenbeel attended the university three years, and then spent some time with his parents ; returned to the university, where he remained one year, being in the class ; with Mrs. Hayes and her brothers; in 1850, he ! left the school; and connected himself with the Delaware Democratic Standard, on which he worked till 1862 ; in May, he enlisted in Co. C, 86th O. V. I., and remained with the company JOSIAH MARSH, farmer; P. O. Jerome, Union Co. Mr. Marsh was born May 12. 1841. within a mile of where he now lives ; he is the until the expiration of his term, about eighteen months ; after returning home, he worked on the paper he had formerly been connected with; ; son of Joel and Rachel Marsh; the father came

746

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

to Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1813; in 1821, he married Miss Hill, daughter of Stephen Hill, of Concord Township, this being the first marriage in that township; after living awhile in Franklin Co., they settled near her father's ; here they lived something over fifty years, when she died ; he sur- vived her but a short time, dying Jan. 3, 1874, both having been faithful Christians. Joel Marsh was a man of influence in his locality, having been a Justice of the Peace for twelve consecutive years, then declined further honors tendered him in that line ; however, some years subsequently, he was persuaded to assume the mantle of that office again, performing the duties for three years more ; he has filled other positions, among which may be mentioned that of Township Trustee, which he held for several years. Josiah Marsh and his sis- ter, Mrs. Layınan, are living at the old homestead ; Mrs. Layman and her husband moved to her fa- ther's home in September, 1867, and on Oct. S of the same year, Mr. Layman died from the effects of an injury received a short time pre- viously. The homestead farm contains 117 acres, and is situated just north and adjoining the State farm of the Girls' Industrial Home, on the Belle Point pike. On account of ill health, Mr. Marsh has traveled considerably ; in 1863, he took a tour around the lakes; in 1876, he took in the Centen- nial at Philadelphia, and during this trip visited other Eastern cities.

H. W. NEWELL, contractor and builder ; is a native of Delaware, in this county, where he was born Feb. 14, 1846, the son of John and Eliza Newell; at the age of 13, he took a posi- tion as clerk in a confectionery store in Delaware. In April, 1861, at the age of 15, he ran away and enlisted in the 4th O. V. I .; his mother caused his return. but in a few days he joined his com- pany in Cincinnati, remaining at Camp Dennison until the expiration of his three months' enlistment ; the September following, he enlisted in the 20th O. V. I .; Feb. 14, 1862, his 16th birthday, was in the battle of Fort Donelson, subsequently took part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Jackson. Raymond, Grand Gulf, Champion Hill and the siege of Vicksburg; then re-enlisted and served through with Sherman to the sea, and dis- charged in August, 1865, at Columbus ; the last two years he was Sergeant Major. May 11, 1867, Mr. Newell married Miss Hattie MeCowly ; they had three children-Harris H. and Nettie M., liv- ing; Freddie W., deceased; Mrs. Newell died May 31, 1876; Jan. 31, 1878, Mr. Newell mar-

ried Miss Annie McCowly, a sister of his first wife ; she died Jan. 31, 1879, just one year from. marriage; he, with his sister and two children, are living in Columbus. In 1867, he took a trip to California and Colorado ; has studied medicine, and attended lectures; has been Superintendent of Hospital at State Penitentiary, and is now con- tracting and building, and constructing two build- ings at the Girls' Industrial Home.

O. PEASLEE, boarding-house; Girls' Industrial Home; was born Jan. 5, 1828 ; is a son of Jop- tha and Barbara Peaslee, of Union Co., Ohio ; the father died about three months before the sub. ject was born ; he remained with his mother till 17 years old, when he commenced to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked three years; he then went to Morrow Co. and entered a Quaker school, which he attended three years ; he then taught school one year, when he went to Eden and opened a shoe-shop,"remaining there eight years. Here he married Ruth Gardner ; they had one child-Marcus G., who graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University, only living a few months thereafter; in 1859, Mr. Peaslee moved to Delaware and ran a boarding-house for eight years at the female college; then opened what is now the Central Hotel ; after the death of his son, he, with his wife, went South, to Post Christian, Miss., where he opened a large hotel, and remained there until Mrs. P.'s death, Dec. 26, 1878, when he closed his house and brought her remains back to Delaware. Mr. Peaslee is now running a boarding-house at the Girls' Home in Concord Township.

JOHN F. PENROD is a Constable of Concord Township, where he was born Dec. 13, 1850 ; he is a son of Henry and Sarah J. Penrod ; previous to 1860, they lived in the county on one of sev- eral farms which they owned; in the year 1860, having sold their property, they emigrated to Lyon Co., Kan., where they purchased a farm. which, in 1869, they exchanged for property in Emporia, Kan., whither they moved, and where they still reside. John F. remained with his par- ents until 16 years old, when he returned to Ohio, and for the three subsequent years, worked on a farm during the cropping season and attended school in winter; the following three years he worked in a saw-mill, acting most of the time as engineer. Oet. 3, 1872, he was married to Ro- setta Hinkle, daughter of William and Matilda Hinkle; she was born in Morrow Co. Oct. 3, 1851. Most of the time since his marriage, Mr.

747

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

Penrod has lived on a farm; during this time, however, he has done some clerking in a store. He was elected Constable of his township in the spring of 1879, and still holds that honorable position.

JOHN ROBINSON is a farmer living in Con- cord Township, with post office at Belle Point ; he was born near London, England, and is a son of William D. and Rebecca Robinson. The father was a carver and gilder of picture frames, at which he worked until his marriage, after which he opened a tobacco and cigar store, which he conducted until 1833, when he came to America, landing in New York City on the memorable night of the falling stars; he remained in New York about one year, removing to Ohio with his family in 1834, locating in this township, on the farm where his wife still lives, he having died Aug. 24, 1871; John remained at home until he was 21 years of age ; he then commenced business for himself by traveling through the country with a wagon con- taining a general stock of goods; this he followed for seven years; he then bought in interest in a store in California, Union Co., where he remained for two years, when he moved on to the farm where he now lives. He was married in 1852, to Sarah Hill; they had three children-John A., Rebecca and Mary, all living. Mrs. Robin- son died in January, 1862. In November, 1862, he married Nancy Goodin ; they have four chil- dren-Sarah B., Thomas G., Flora J. and Will- iam D. Mr. Robinson has been Road Super- visor for nineteen years, and School Director for twenty years ; the farm on which he lives belongs to his son, John A., and consists of 317 acres, upon which there is a greenhouse.

JAMES E. ROBINSON, farmer ; P. O. Hoyt- ville, Wood Co .; was born May 5, 1834, in Virginia, .and is the son of James and Annie M. Robinson. Mr. Robinson's father was born on the ocean while his parents were on their way from London, England, to New York ; he came from this State from Vir- ginia, locating in Delaware County, when Mr. Robinson was but a child ; the latter remained at home until of age, receiving a liberal education, spending two and a half years at the normal school in Delaware; he then went into the machine-shops at Springfield, where he remained about three years ; he then accepted a position on the railroad, with which he was identified for about seven years, dividing his time between the positions of roadmaster, conductor and contrac- tor. At the age of 22, he married Miss Julia

A. Ross, daughter of Rev. John Ross, of Dela- ware, who was prominently identified with the building of the William Street M. E. Church, of that place. Mr. Robinson is a descendant of Mary, Queen of Scots, and his wife of Martin Luther; they have seven children, of whom Arlington A., John C., Ralph W., U. S. and Mary H., are still living ; those deceased are New- ton E. and Weldon E. In 1864, Mr. R. enlisted in the U. S. naval service, and for two years thus served his country, since which time he has devoted himself to farming and the manufacture of brick ; in 1875, he moved to Wood Co., where he owns 135 acres of land; he also owns 22 acres in Henry Co., at the junction of the D. & M. and B. & O. R. R's. ; Mr. Robinson is now engaged in the brick business in this county.

JAMES ROSS, farmer; P. O. Belle Point ; was born in 1847, in the State of Tennessee, at which time his mother was owned by one Myers ; at the age of 15, he was sold to a man named Ross, and assumed his name ; in 1862, he ran away from his master and entered the Union army as team- ster ; after a little over two years' service, he came to Ohio and located in Berkshire Township, Dela- ware Co .; here he remained for about six years, after which he purchased an outfit and traveled through the country with a huckster wagon for about a year; the following year he worked for a Mr. Armstrong, who lived near Delaware City. Nov. 23, 1871, Mr. Ross took unto himself a wife, Adelaide, whose maiden name was Whyte; she is the daughter of Dr. Samuel Whyte, of Concord Township ; for a time previous to her alliance with Mr. Ross, she had followed the very creditable calling of school- teaching ; they farmed, after their marriage, the first two years near Delaware, and then in Scioto Township for the next two succeeding years ; in April, 1876, having rented the farm where they now reside, they moved on to it, and in 187S pur- chased it. Two children-Gertrude A. and Clentie A .-- live to bless their home, and one-Casley -- died in April, 1879. The father and mother are both members of the M. E. Church of Delaware, and he a member of the White Sulphur Lodge, No. 10, A. F. and A. M.

WILLIAM T. ROPP, M. D .; was born Dec. 9, 1833, in West Virginia, where he remained until about 185S, when he came West and located in Delaware City ; after attending the Ohio Wes- leyan University for three terms, he commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. C. Welch,

748

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

of Delaware, after which he practiced a short time at Belle Point; the Doctor then attended lectures for three terms at the Ohio Medical College, in Cincinnati, graduating June 6, 1863, resuming practice in Belle Point, where he continued until Jan. 1, 1864, when he received the appointment of Assistant Surgeon of the 33d O. V. I. ; during the most of his army service, the Doctor per- formed the duties of Regimental Surgeon; in 1865, he returned to Delaware and associated himself in his profession with Dr. Welch; in June, 1867, he went West to Kansas ; returning, he traveled on horseback as far as Illinois; upon arriving in Delaware, he entered upon his profes- sional duties ; in 1870, he engaged in farming and stock-raising, two miles south of Belle Point, on the west side of the Scioto River ; in 1874 removed to his present residence, two and one-half miles southwest of Delaware, on the Delaware and Belle Point pike, devoting himself to his profes- sion. March 31, 1870, he was married to Mrs. R. D. Cutler; one child has been born to them --- Annie M., May 27, 1879. Their present place contains 47 acres ; he also has 8 acres adjoining the corporate limits of Delaware ; Mrs. Ropp holds a life interest in 106 acres two miles south of Belle Point. Dr. Ropp has recently been appointed medical attendant of the Girls' Industrial Home, where they have over three hundred inmates. The Doctor gives considerable attention to bee cult- ure, having at this time 67 stands. Jacob M. Ropp, the father of the Doctor, died Dec. 11, 1851; about three years later his mother, Mrs. Harriet Ropp, joined the spirit of the departed father. They were both members of the M. E. Church.

REV. NATHAN SMITH is a native of Clark Co., Ohio, and was born on the same farm as his mother, July 28, 1828. He is Superintendent of the Girls' Industrial Home; his appointment to this position took place soon after the death of Dr. Hill (former Superintendent) in September, 1879. At the age of 13, Mr. Smith became a Christian and united with the church; his early life was spent in attending and teaching school, and he was licensed to preach at the age of 23, being or- dained the same year ; Mr. Smith entered upon his calling in Ross Co., and the greater portion of his labor has been in this State, having, however, served as Pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church at Fort Wayne, Ind., for six years. The church was organized under his ministry, becoming self- sustaining and thrifty, when, in 1873, Mr. Smith lo- cated in Delaware, Ohio, where he served as Pastor

of the Presbyterian Church for five years, when he removed to Chillicothe temporarily. He has been honored with the degree of D. D., conferred by the University of Wooster ( Presbyterian). At the age of 23, Mr. Smith married Rachel Els- worth, who died in Cincinnati in 185S; three sons born to them are also deceased. Mr. Smith was again married in the year 1861 ; this time to Cor- nelia Tarlton, of Chillicothe; they have no chil- dren. His parents are natives of Ohio, the father, James S. Smith, having been born in 1804, at College Hill, Hamilton Co .; the mother, in 1805, in Clark Co .; the former was a minister of the Protestant Methodist Church, having joined the church at the age of 20, and ordained to the min- istry about ten years later. The greater .portion of his life was spent in preaching in Clark and ad- joining counties.

GEORGE STOKES, farmer; P. O. Dela- ware; is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Stokes, natives of Somersetshire, England; Thomas Stokes was a farmer, maltster and brewer, and for some years devoted a portion of his time to the cheese trade; George Stokes was born in his father's native shire Nov. 24, 1829, remaining with his parents until Aug. 8, 1849. He became the hus- band of Annie, daughter of George and Elizabeth Hill, also of Somersetshire, where she was born Oct. 16, 1832; shortly after their marriage, they located in London, he as weighmaster in the com- mission house of his cousin, where he remained until April, 1854, when he sailed for America, coming to Ohio the same year and locating in New California, Union Co., as a merchant, where he re- mained until 1861, five years of which time he was Postmaster of the place. In 1860, he visited his people in England, leaving his wife and a Mr. Allen in charge of his business; in 1861, he re- turned. A steamer that Mr. Stokes had intended to take passage on for his return went down, and all on board were lost, and he reported among the number. He, however, took passage on the Nova Scotia, informing his family by a previously writ- ten letter that he should do so; she was ten days overdue and reported lost with all on board. his name appearing among the number. The first paper he saw on his arrival had an account of his loss with the rest, his family supposing him dead until the joyous re-union upon his arrival home; soon after this, he sold his business in New Cali- fornia, and accepted the position of steward at the White Sulphur. Springs Hotel of this township, then run by a Mr. Wilson, and acted as such for

749

CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

six years; a Mr. Ferry then took the place of Mr. Wilson, when Mr. Stokes took charge of the livery stables, continuing in this capacity for over three years ; during this time, he purchased sixty- nine acres of his present place, which now con- tains 155 acres. In 1869, the springs became the property of the State, and the Girls' Industrial Home was established there; Mr. Stokes ac- cepted the position of farmer for the institu- tion, and continued in this capacity until June, 1879, his wife being housekeeper for the home during this time. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, five of whom died when quite small; the two living are Sarah A., born Jan. 14, 1831, in London, England, and Thomas M., May 22, 1857, in Union Co .; the former at- tended school in Delaware in 1867-68 ; in 1873, Thomas entered the high school at Piqua, Mi- ami Co., which he attended for two years, at the same time utilizing his evenings by taking a course in a business college. He is a member of Powell Lodge, No. 465, I. O. O. F. This son and the daughter ran the farm for the past two years, and now they all live together on the place, the father and mother both having given up their positions at the home. Mr. Stokes has been a member of the School Board for years.

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 58

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