History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2, Part 71

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 71

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JOHN HEAVERLO, farmer; P. O. Kil. bourne ; born on the same farm where he now re- sides March 29, 1834; is the sixth of a family of nine-siz now living-born to Stapleford and Han- nah (Pettitt) Heaverlo, both natives of the State of Delaware; emigrated to this State in 1823. lo- cating in what is now Marion Co., Peru Township ; he was a cabinet-maker, and was out in the war of 1812; came to this township in 1832, locating where John now lives, where he died Feb. 25. 1877; his wife is still living; John, about the time of his maturity. was crippled by a falling tree, which incapacitated him for farm labor ; he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for about ten years; after the partial restoration of the use of his limib, resumed farming. Sept. 20, 1860, was married to Mary Ekelberry, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Ekelberry, born in this county May 13, 1839; they have but one child-Anthony, born Aug. 21. 1861. He has 160 acres of land, which he farms, giving some attention to sheep-raising.

EDWARD KEEFFE. farmer ; P. O. Dela- ware; was born in Tipperary Co., Ireland. June 20, 1820; is a son of Edward and Catherine (Connell) Keeffe; learned the stonemason's trade. serving seven years at the same; in 1850.

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thinking to better his condition, he bade good-bye to the land of his fathers, and emigrated to this country ; spent one year in Dunkirk, and, in 1851, landed in Delaware; slept the first night at a house which stood on the ground now occupied by the city hall (the house was kept by one Shaub). Mr. Keeffe worked at his trade while he remained in Delaware, and was engaged in build- ing the most prominent buildings in the city, of which he was the contractor; also built many of the bridges that now span the several streams and rivers of this county ; his superior ability as a workman, and the fidelity with which he fulfilled all his contracts, secured him more work than he could perform. On October 20, 1868, he moved to his farm, situated on the Mud pike, three miles northwest of Delaware; has a farm of nine- ty-three acres, and the improvements made upon the place, and the well-kept condition which the farm presents, indicates that he is a success at farming, as well as a mechanic. February 3, 1846, was the date of his matrimonial union with Eliza Quirk, a native of the same county as himself; they have thirteen children, but six living -- Edward, who was the first graduate of the college at the age of 17; James, Lizzie, John, Minnie and Rachel. Mr. Keeffe's life has been charac- terized by industry and sobriety.

GEORGE LEONARD; P. O. Eden. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in another part of this work, was born in Western, Penn., on the Monongahela River, forty miles above Pittsburgh, July 8, 1800, and is the son of Lot and Elizabeth (Hoge) Leonard, the latter a second cousin of Gen. George Washington. His father was in the Indian war ; he was a Methodist minister. Our subject was born on the farm, where he remained until 21 years of age. He commenced, when he was a young man, dealing in stock, which business he followed for a number of years. Purchasing a large number of cattle, he drove them across the Alleghany Mountains, which mountains he crossed nine times. In 1821, he moved to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he remained some nineteen years, during which time he was engaged in the cattle and mercantile business, and also engaged in purchasing land ; was a partner in the stock business with Judge Black. Mr. Leon- ard has made several trips down the river on keel- boats; went South and engaged in the mill and mercantile business on commission, doing business up the Arkansas River, near Arkansas Post. From Mt. Vernon he came to Delaware Co., and

located in his present township, where he has been one of its honored citizens ever since. The first two years after he came here, he had pur- chased some 600 acres of land, paying for it $8.35 per acre; this land was located around and near Eden, and has greatly increased in value. Mr. Leonard has taken an active part in the im- provements of his town, and has been a hard worker for the interests of the railroad to Eden : has given largely toward building churches and schools. He married in Mt. Vernon, Miss Mary Jewett, who was born in Vermont, on the River Lamoille, in 1805; they had five children. Eleven years ago, Mr. Leonard was stricken with paralysis, which has rendered his left side almost useless. His motto in life has been, " Do unto others as you would be done by." A hard worker and good manager, and possessed of industry and economy, he has made a success of his life.

MRS. PHEBE LONGWELL, retired ; P. O. Kilbourne ; born in Washington Co., Penn., March 3, 1812; daughter of Zenas and Nancy Leonard, both of Pennsylvania ; she migrated to Marion Co., this State, with her parents, at the age of 11. There were but three families within a circuit of seven miles. Her father died the same year of their arrival. There were four children in the family, Phebe being the third. Abijah Leonard, her brother, located at Eden Station, and the place was named for him-" Leonardsburg." Nov. 9, 1826, Mrs. Longwell was married to James Longwell, born in Kentucky in 1803 ; came to this county in 1806, afterward moved with his parents to Marion Co. After marriage, he located in Brown Township, on the farm now owned by Samuel Walker, remaining there five years; then sold out, and moved to the southeast part of Brown Co. on the farm now owned by Enoch Baker, re- maining there until April 12, 1867, when he sold his farm, and moved to Eden. Mr. Longwell's earthly career was brought to a close Feb. 14, 1873, in his 70th year. He had been a very conscien- tious man, honest and upright in all his trans- actions with his fellow-nmn, a kind husband, and an indulgent father. Had been for over forty years an active member of the M. E. Church, also his wife, and for fourteen years their house was occupied as a place of worship during those times when church buildings were not in existence in that locality. They had six children-Mrs. Mary J. Short, of Tennessee; Ira, now in Colorado ; Cecilia, now Mrs. John Ekelberry ; Alfred L., in Van Wert Co .; John, in Berkshire Township ;

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Sarah E., the wife of John Reed. Mrs. Long- well resides at her residence in Eden.

NORTON T. LONGWELL, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne; is a descendant of one of the early settlers and pioneers of the county ; born in this township April 20, 1842, and a son of Ralph S. and Elizabeth ( Thurston ) Longwell ; born in New York in 1804. Ralph Longwell was born in 1792 in Maryland, and emigrated to this State in 1806; located in Berkshire, and participated in the war of 1812 ; he died June 8, 1872, in this township. Norton T. was the tenth of a family of thirteen children, nine are living ; there were but two boys, one who was a surgeon in the army with the rank of Major, and died at Camp Chase. Norton was the youngest boy, and has always remained at home; Oct. 7, 1861, he enlisted in Co. D, 20th O. V. I., and served three years ; he was Orderly on the General's staff ; since his return home, he has been engaged in farming; has 164 acres situ- ated immediately north of Eden. April 9, 1867, married Ella E. Hyde, who was born in 1848 ; she is a daughter of' Udney and Olive (Hunter) Hyde, the former a native of Vermont, the latter of Connecticut ; have two children-Carrie, born Sept. 29, 1872, and Raymond, June 21, 1874.

HUGH B. MECAY, gardener ; P. O. Kil- bourne ; son of Alexander and Maria Mecay ; was born in Washingten Co., Penn., in 1840 ; re- moved to Ohio in 1853 ; enlisted at the commence- ment of the late war, in the three-months serv- ice, in the 12th Ill. V. I., Co. C ; at the expiration of the time, re-enlisted in the same for three years ; was in the battles of Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson and Shiloh ; he was severely wounded at the battle of Shiloh, in the hand ; lost one finger ; was honor- ably discharged from the service in 1865 ; held the rank of Sergeant in the aforesaid regiment ; receives pension from the Government ; is noted for integrity and for his social qualities. Repub- liean in politics.

McMASTER BROTHERS; P. O. Leonards- burg. Among the most successful farmers and stock-raisers in this county, there are none whose efforts are being attended with more gratifying re- sults, and who are attaining greater success, thau Lyman and Benjamin McMasters, who are sons of Robert G. and Mary (Worline) MeMasters. They were married June 13, 1841, and settled in this township and remained until their death, he dying Feb. 20, 1874, wife Dec. 10, 1847 ; they had five children born to them-Benjamin, born Sept. 15, 1812; Lyman P., April 6, 1844; The-

odore D., Oct. 23, 1845, and Mary E .. Dec. 3, 1847. Lyman and Benjamin carry on the busi- ness together ; Theodore lives with them, being an invalid ; Mary E. lives with her uncle, H. B. McMaster, the wife of Mr. Jones. The McMaster brothers now own 640 acres of choice land, and, as farmers and successful business men, they have no superiors in this county, as their marked pro- gress fully attests ; they are young men of en- ergy, strictly upright and square in their business transactions ; and the management of their busi- ness evinces a sagacity and forethought which is not surpassed by men of large experience or riper years ; they raise and fatten the best stock that goes to the market ; December, 1879, shipped two car loads to Buffalo; twenty head averaged 1,900 pounds, and two weighed 5,000 pounds; they were reported as being the best cattle sent to the market that year. The boys are living in bachelorhood. Lyman is President of the agricultural society.

HOSEA MAIN, farmer ; P. O. Delaware ; Was born in Troy Township Nov. 2, 1825; was the fourth of a family of six children, born to John Main, whose wife was a Wright, both natives of Virginia. Seven of the Main brothers came out in 1815, located in the coal settlement in Troy Township, and settled permanently, and their de- scendants now occupy almost the entire eastern portion of the township; John Main remained where he settled until his death, which occurr. d Sept. 21, 1836, and his wife Jan. 11, 1880, being in her 87th year ; Hosea was raised at home, where he remained until his marriage with Elizabeth Holt, born in Knox Co .; she died in January, 1878, leaving five children-Viola, Lorinda, Ancy!, Wes- ley and Jennie ; Viola, now Mrs. Silas Harman ; Lorinda, now Mrs. A. P. Scatterday ; in 1848, he moved to the place he now occupies ; he first built a cabin, which he lived in without doors or win- dows until he could afford better accommodations ; he acquired 500 acres of land since, which he divided among some of his children, and has now 180 acres with excellent buildings and improve- ments. Aug. 19, 1879, he married Mrs. Nina Minella, born in this county Nov. 17, 1847, daughter of Albert Pickett, Jr., and Anna (Ree- ser). Her father was fifteen years in public office, serving as Treasurer and Recorder; he was a brother of Dr. Charles Pickett, one of the prominent physicians in the county, at one time ; Mrs. Main has two children-Vincent and Frank. Mr. Main has been a member of the Baptist Church at Marl- borough about forty years.

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ISRAEL POTTER, farmer ; P. O. Leonards- burg. One among the prominent farmers in the township is Mr. Potter, born Sept. 29, 1806, third child of a family of eight born to Asahel Potter, born 1776, whose wife was Annie Benton ; both natives of Connecticut, where they married and moved to Chenango, N. Y., where Israel was born, and in the year 1817 emigrated to this State with his parents. They stopped nearly one year in Fairfield Co., and the following year came to Franklin Co., near Worthington, and after three years' residence came to Delaware (now Morrow), settled permanently and was among the pioneers of that locality. Israel received his scholastic educa- tion in a log school-house, with slab benches ; his father died in 1870, in this county ; Israel's grand- father was a soldier in the French and Indian wars, also the Revolution; his powder horn is now in Israel's possession, inscribed, "Crown Point, July, 1762." Israel remained with his parents until he attained his 35th year ; his early life was engaged mostly in trading, and handling stock was his favorite of all pursuits ; he made sixteen trips to Michigan while engaged in this business ; was at Adrian when the first locomotive came in, in 1841; in his 36th year was married to Phobe G. Whip- ple, born in 1822, in Morrow Co. After marriage, he located in Oxford Township; after a residence of several years came to Leonardsburg in 1851, and has since made it his abode, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He began poor, has taught school at 33 cents per day, and from this small beginning he has arisen to his present position, and the owner of 600 acres of land ; he started in life with the resolu- tion that he would not squander his property by the use of whisky and "going bail." Has five children-Anna M., Eliza F., Mary C., Celia (now Mrs. Rev. H. R. Smith, a representative from Noble Co.), and Herman (only son). Mr. Potter and wife are both members of the Wesleyan Meth- odist Episcopal Church, he having been identified with that body for twenty-nine years.

ROBERT REED, farmer, P. O. Kilbourne ; was born Sept. 23, 1800, in Augusta Co., Va .; is a son of Thomas and Polly (Currey ) Reed who were natives of Ireland ; Robert's father died when he was but a few months old; he was after- ward placed under the guardianship of his aunts, with whom he lived until his union with Rebecca Conner ; he emigrated to this State in November 1849, and to Brown Township in 1850 ; hebought 150 acres of land, and since that time has made it his

constant abode; his wife died Feb. 18, 1873; they had twelve children, ten living-James C., Mary J., Sarah E., Rebecca A., Thomas, Angelina. Rachel C., Robert B., Polly N., Amanda J., John C. and . Martha V .; James and Mary (now Mrs. Longwell ) in Van Wert Co .; Robert and Rachel (now Mrs. Murphy) in Iowa; Amanda and Martha, both married Lotts, Thomas and Mrs. Rebecca Waldron in Kingston ; John, Ageline and Leonard in Brown Township. Mr. Reed now owns 175 acres of land ; he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for fifty-seven years ; John C. remains at home on the farm.

J. H. SMITH, physician ; is a son of Matthias and Martha Smith, the former a native of Wur- temberg, Prussia, the latter of Pennsylvania, whose maiden name was Stainbrook ; the Doctor was born in Concord Township Nov. 9, 1844, and had fair school advantages ; was an apt scholar and a good student ; Oct. 3, 1861, at. the age of 17, he enlisted in Co. B, 48th O. V. I., and participated in all the battles in which his regi- ment was engaged; took part in the Vicksburg campaign, and was on the Red River expedition ; was taken prisoner April 8, 1864, and for six months or more was confined at Camp Ford, Texas ; May 23, 1866, he received an honorable discharge, and upon his return home took up school-teaching, which he followed for some time : subsequently he turned his attention to the study of medicine ; read with Dr. Constant, of Delaware, and graduated in February, 1873, when he com- menced the practice at Eden, in Brown Township. his present place of residence. Sept. 21, 1876, the Doctor married Alice W. Owen, who was born in Scioto Township; she died in Eden Eeb. 21. 1880, at the age of 23, leaving one child, Ger- trude, who was born July 23, 1877; the Doctor is well up in his profession and commands a good practice ; he is a true gentleman and enjoys the confidence of the community in which he lives.

BENJAMIN SHEETS, Kilbourne. Promi- nent among the self-made men and successful agriculturists in this county, who have come up from poverty's ranks to wealth and affluence, and attained position through their own indi- vidual exertions, unaided by proffered patrimony or outside aid, is Benjamin Sheets; he was born in Augusta Co., Va., Aug. 28, 1817; is a son of Henry and Sarah Reese Sheets; they were of' German descent. Benjamin came to this State when in bis 18th year, in 1835; his parents

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were poor and unable to endow him with any patrimony ; their advice and counsel was all they had to bestow. Benjamin started out with the resolve and determination that he would some day have a home if hard Jabor and economy would accomplish this end; his first work was done for Joseph Conklin at $10 per month, for which he took store pay; the next month, he worked for Mr. Potter at the same price; worked thirty-eight days in harvest for Rodney Smith, at 50 cents per day ; he husbanded his means, and was soon en- abled to make a purchase of a small amount of land, and from this beginning he at length ac- quired 530 acres of land. Has been thrice mar- ried, first to Mary Ann Hagerman, who bore him five children, three living-Silas. Margaret (now Mrs. Alexander D. Finley), Celia (now Mrs. John M. Cowgill), all of this township; after his marriage, he lived fourteen years south of Dela- ware; in April, 1849, from Stratford came to northeast of Brown; his wife died Oct 22, 1855. Married, second time, Nancy E. Yates, of Dela- ware Co .; she died March 6, 1864, leaving one child, Edwin D. Oct. 22, 1868, he was married to Mrs. Elizabeth Reese, daughter of Joseph Park and Elizabeth Richards; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, where she was born Oct. 11, 1833, and emigrated to this State in 1852. Since Mr. Sheets' location here, in 1848, he has been a constant resident member of the M. E. Church; was taken into the church under Henry E. Pilcher's ministration ; has officiated as leader in the same for many years; Mrs. Sheets is also a member. Farming and stock-raising has been the business in which he has been engaged since his location on the farm.

DANIEL SHEETS, undertaker, Kilbourne ; was born in Augusta Co., Va., Oct. 17, 1815 ; is a son of Henry and Sarah (Reese) Sheets, both of German descent; Daniel, early in life, learned the carpenter's trade, and, at the age of 22, came to this State; his parents preceded him a short time, settling in this county ; after his arrival in this county, he engaged at his trade. In April, 1842, he was married to Eunice Lake, born in New York State (Steuben Co.) ; came West in 1836. After marriage, Mr. Sheets engaged in the cabinet business, and was in the saw-mill business at Strat- ford for several years; he then built a cabinet- shop there, and engaged in that business for some time; then mnoved to Eden and engaged in the saw-mill business, which he followed for eighteen years ; sawed many thousand feet at 25 cents per

hundred, and never got over 30 cents for sawing; during this time, he was engaged in the cabinet business also ; lived in Eden about fifteen years ; in 1859. he moved to his present residence, one- quarter mile west of Eden ; has a good home and 40 acres of land; is still engaged in the under- taking business; manufactured his own coffins until 1872; has disposed of nearly one thou- sand outfits; has also, in connection with his business, a sorghum manufactory, and makes annually from one to three thousand gallons. Mr. Sheets began life poor; his father had lost all by "going bail," and his children had no patrimony to begin with, and had to depend upon their own resources. Daniel Sheets is the father of ten children, nine of whom are living- Martha, Ellen, Rebecca, Caroline, Milo D., Joseph, Mary, Samuel and Ora B.

JOHN WATERS, farmer ; P. O. Kilbourne ; was born Nov. 11, 1820, in Athens Township, Harrison Co .; is a son of Basil and Margaret (Hills) Waters. The former was born in Hartford Co., Md .; his wife in Chester Co., Penn They emigrated in 1813 to this State, and in 1832 to this county, and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of these lines. John never left the home- stead, but lived with his parents and took charge of the business affairs, and they in turn made their abode with him up to the day of their death. His father died April 7, 1879; mother, Oct. 28, 1852. In 1854, he was married to Miss Eleanor Sherman, born Nov. 14, 1830, in Beverly, Wash- ington Co., daughter of Ira Sherman ; her mother was a Miss Nicholas, whose parents were among the carly settlers in Washington Co. Since the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Waters, they have re- mained on the homestead. He has 140 acres of land. At the age of 16, he began teaching, and has been a pruner of the "young idea" ever since, during the winter season, carrying on the farm during the farming season. Mr. Waters is one of the best-read men in the township. a man of excellent memory, generous and benevolent. He has three children- Eugene, Josephine and Bertha E.

H. K. WATTERS, farmer ; P. O. Delaware ; was born Jan. 7, 1820, in Harrison Co .; is the third child of John Watters, born Jan. 5, 1792, in Hartford Co., Md .; he removed with his par- ents, when young, to Alleghany Co., remaining some time, then located in Washington Co., and, after a residence of fifteen years, moved to this county in October, 1832, locating on the salt

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section, in Brown Township, where his father had bought land previous to his coming ; here he re- mained until his death, which occurred Sept. 2, 1866. Was for many years an Elder in the Pres- byterian Church, and had as few faults as most men ; he lived an upright, conscientious and Christian life ; his remains now repose in the cem- etery north of Eden, his ashes mingling with those of the partner of his joys and sorrows, Sarah (Kirkpatrick) Watters, born Feb. 7, 1797, in Alleghany Co., Penn. Hugh K., during his father's life, always remained with him, living under the same roof. His father was twice mar- ried ; two sets of children were raised up together, the utmost harmony prevailing between parents and children. H. K. was married Sept. 16, 1841, to Elizabeth Finley, born in 1816 in Ohio Co., Va., daughter of William and Margaret ( Walker) Finley ; after marriage, remained on the home- stead until 1869; moved a short distance east on Alum Creek, remaining until Nov. 1, 1870; moved to Crawford, four and a half miles north- west of Galion, remaining until March, 1874, then located on the line dividing Brown and Delaware, where he now resides. Has had three children- Benjamin F., born June 13, 1842, now of Iberia, Morrow Co .; he was a soldier in the late war, in in the 121st O. V. I .; enlisted in August, 1862, and remained until the close of the war; Charles T., born Oct. 15, 1850, died Jan. 3, 1864; Eva, at home, born Dec. 12, 1857, now the wife of A. Duncan. Mr. Watters is a man of remarkably retentive memory, of excellent information. Has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for forty-five years, of which he and family are also members ; has a snug farm, and well improved.

MRS. ELMINA WIGTON, farmer; P. O. Delaware; bora in Liberty Township Oct. 11, 1819, on the banks of the Whetstone; daughter of William Perry ; her mother's maiden name was Electa Barber; the family are natives of Connecticut, emigrating to this county about the year 1807; when Elmina was very young, her mother was married to Benjamin McMasters; at the time she was 6 years of age, they moved to Brown Township, where Horace B. McMasters now resides. Here she lived until her union with Sylvester Wigton, which event occurred June 11, 1837 ; he was a native of Luzerne Co., Penn .; he emigrated to this State with his parents when he was but 2 years of age; they located in Berk- shire Township, near Sunbury ; after Mr. Wig- ton's marriage they located on the farm she now

owns, which they settled and cleared. Mr. Wig- ton died March 23, 1873, and his remains repose in the cemetery north of Eden ; he was a success- ful farmer, and acquired 202 acres of land, which Mrs. Wigton now owns, along with valuable property in Delaware; they bad two children- Perry and Elmer ; Perry was a soldier in the 96th O. V. I., and lost his life at the battle of Arkansas Post ; Elmer is now in the West. Mr. Wigton, during his life, was a very moral, upright and conscientious man, and temperate in his habits ; he was not a member of any church, but a man that always respected Christianity ; Mrs. Wigton is an adherent of the Universalist doctrine.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmer ; P. O. Kil- bourne; was born in Fairfield Co. Feb. 11. 1809 ; son of Eli Williams, a native of New Jersey, who emigrated to this State in 1807 ; William's mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Cretchfield, a native of the Middle States; his parents died when he was small, and he was raised up by his grandparents, until the age of 14, when he embarked for himself; began work at $3 per month. His entire schooling was em- braced in four quarters, and after he was 12, never attended school, up to his 21st year, then attended fourteen days, yet succeeded in obtaining educa- tion to enable him to teach, which he did for eight terms. In October, 1837, in his 22th year, he was married to Joanna Loof bourrow, born in Clark Co., 1818 ; then moved to this county ; located north of Oid Eden, where he has since lived. Has had eight children, three are living -- Mary E., now Mrs. Rev. J. W. Bushong, of Missouri; William W., of Missouri ; Jobn L., physician, Green Bay, at the Indian agency. Mr. Williams has always been identified with the principles of Republicanism ; has filled many stations and offices of trust in the county, served as Infirmary Director, now serving his thirty-fourth year as Justice of the Peace, now serving his twelfth term, and Treasurer of the county for three terms ; has held sixteen commis- sions from the Government ; also served as Town Clerk and Trustee. Not a member of any church, yet is a liberal supporter of the Gospel.

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History of Delaware County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio biographical sketches etc. V. 2, Part 71

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