History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 114

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Ohio > Delaware County > History of Delaware County and Ohio > Part 114

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).

W. H. EDMAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Powell; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Aug. 6, 1822 ; is the second son of a family of six children, born of Paul E. and Hannah (Harris) Edman. Samuel Edman, the grandfather of William, was one of the " minute men " in Revo- lutionary times ; he was a native of New Jersey. Paul, the father of William, came out to Licking Co. in 1813, and entered land, and returned to Pendleton Co., Penn., where he was born (1794) and brought out his family in 1815, and re- mained in Licking Co. until the year 1855, when he moved to Allen Co., where he met with an ac- cidental and painful death; he was gored by an infuriated bull, and died a few hours afterward. William remained at home until his 25th year, when he was united in matrimony to Mary Ann Fry, born Dec. 4, 1822, in Greene Co., Penn. Their marriage took place Dec. 2, 1847, after which he rented for two years, and in December, 1851, moved on land he had previously bought, where he still remains ; he first bought 100 acres covered with standing timber, built a log cabin with clap-board roof, which was weighted down with poles, and moved into it before there was any

chimney ; he and his wife began work in good earnest, be clearing up his land, and she spun and wove the cloth for their clothes. The log cabin is now eclipsed by a modern brick structure, re- cently built. They have had seven children- Abram, Susan, Angelina, Juliet, Malinda, Aman- da and Mary (deceased). He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Edman can remember cheering for Gen. Jackson, and is still a Democrat .:

BENJAMIN FRESHWATER, farmer ; P. O. Powell ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Ang .. 15, 1820 ; is the seventh child of a family of ten children, born of George and Mary. (Hunter) Freshwater, both of them born and married in Pennsylvania, and at an early day moved to Knox Co., and were among the first settlers ; Benjamin remained with his parents until he was 23 years of age, and, Dec. 21, 1843, was married to Mary Ann Buxton, born in 1824, daughter of James Buxton, of Union Co., who died Oct. 18, 1879, in his 78th year. When Mr. Freshwater mar- ried, they had no landed possessions nor bank ac- counts to draw from, but their hands and their resolutions were their stock in trade, and they em- barked for themselves by renting land, which they continued for six years, and in this time saved enough to purchase fifteen acres on the east bank of the Scioto; they remained on this six years, and then moved to the place where they now live ; they now have 100 acres, which he has acquired by additions as they had means to invest-the result of many years of toil and careful manage- ment-being ably assisted by his wife. They have one child-Mary Lavina-now the wife of E. Billingsly, who is merchandising in Fairfield Co. Mrs. Freshwater is a member of the Christian Union Church.

M. L. FOWLER, saw-mill, Powell; was born in Orange Township, July 3, 1842, the only child of Moses and Emily (Hall) Fowler, both natives of this State. Maj. Fowler, at the tender age of 14 months, was left an orphan ; the death of his parents occurred but a few months apart; his grandfather Hall then cared for him until he be- came 14 years of age, and then the greater portion of his remaining minority he was cared for by his aunt, Roxie Bartholomew. He then ran as fire- man on the lakes one season, and worked in the salt works at Bay City ; spent one year in In- diana, and went to Dakota, where he remained six ycars, three of which was spent as engineer in a saw-mill at Cheyenne Agency, in Government em-

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

661

ploy. In the fall of 1871, returned to this county, 'and the year following obtained the hand of Miss Hannah Webster in marriage, which was cele- brated Oct. 19, 1872; she is a native of Concord Township, born Jan. 14, 1853 ; she is a daughter of Frebourn Webster, a native of Rhode Island ; they have three children-Edwin G., William F. and Frank L .; after their marriage, moved to Powell, where he bought the saw-mill owned by E. J. Hall, and has since run the same and has been doing a good business ; does all kinds of saw- ing and in a satisfactory manner ; saws by the hundred and also on shares. Maj. Fowler is a man that attends to his own business, and is an industrious and upright man. Is a member of Powell Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 465.

JOHN FREESE, farmer ; P. O. Delaware ; was born in this township in August, 1830 ; he is the third son of a family often children born to Abram and Elizabeth Humes ; Mr. Freese was from Picka- way Co .; John had but common school advantages ; he stayed at home and assisted his father until he at- tained his majority, when he subsequently married Susan Smith, a native of Delaware ; after marriage, he settled in Concord, two miles east of Bellepoint, where he stayed two years; then he moved east of Delaware where he farmed five years; then he went to Troy, and remaining there one year ; he then went to Berlin, where he lived two years ; in 1864, he moved to the place where he now lives, in the northwest corner of Liberty, where he bought sixty acres of land; Mr. Freese has all his life been engaged in farming, except seven years which was spent in the cooper business ; he learned his trade before marriage; Mr. Freese began life poor, but has been a hard-working man, and been prudent and saving ; had six brothers in the late war, and only two returned home ; they have had eight children- Henry, Martha, Eliza, Almira, William, Louis, Georgia and Isaac (Isaac, Georgia and William deceased). Mr. Freese and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

A. S. GOODRICH, farmer, retired; P. O. Worthington, Franklin Co .; is one of the worthy and stanch citizens of the township, who was born in the same tract he now occupies Oct. 7, 1813; his father's name was Ebenezer, and his mother's maiden name was Betsey Dixon Good- man, the former a native of Connecticut, and the latter a native of Vermont; they came to this country at a time when Columbus was a place un- known; the ground on which it stands was a wilderness ; Indian trails traversed the country in

various directions ; upon their arrival, they built a log cabin in the woods ; they thus lived for many years, enduring the privations and hardships of the early pioneer ; Mr. Goodrich, Sr., was a carpenter and assisted his neighbors in erecting their rude structures ; when not thus employed was making improvements on his farm. His death occurred Oct. 15, 1846, and his remains now repose in the family burying-ground. Aaron S. was born in the log cabin of his father; received an elementary education at subscription rates, and remained with his father until he was 35 years of age, when he was married to Sarah Hardin Dec. 27, 1848 ; she was born in this township Dec. 16, 1827, the daughter of John and Sarah (Carpenter) Hardin, a near relative of Capt. Nathan Carpenter, one of the early settlers in this county ; three children have blessed this union-Allison E., born Aug. 17, 1850; George Blucher, Dec. 22, 1852, and Will- iam H., April 7, 1854. All received graduating honors at the Ohio Wesleyan University excepting Blucher, who did not complete the course, taking up Blackstone instead; he has read law consider- ably, yet does not intend to enter the practice. Mr. Goodrich has, during his life, been engaged in farming ; has been successful in his business oper- ations, and thus become the owner of a large tract of land; has been in poor health several years, and has recently divided up his land among his boys, reserving for himself and amiable wife a competency for their declining years; he has a very pleasant home, and everything about him to make him comfortable. Is a member of the New England Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 4, and Powell Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 465; so also are his three boys.

W. J. T. GARDNER, blacksmith, Powell; was born April 20, 1857, and is a son of Joseph C. and Nancy J. (Henderson) Gardner; the former was born in this township and the latter was a native of this county. William was but 18 months old when his father died, and at the age of 7, was placed in the care of Solo- mon Armstrong, at Blacklick, with whom he lived two years, when, learning that it was Armstrong's intention to leave him in the county house, Will- iam left him and went to live with Edward James Hall, with whom he remained until February, 1873, and at the age of 16, he went to Terre Haute, Ind., where he learned his trade ; after its com- pletion, he came to Powell, in April, 1878, and worked for Mr. Fuller until that fall, and in April, 1879, he set up in business for himself. April 12,

662

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

1877, he was married to Sarah J. Glick, born in Indiana, June 16, 1860, daughter of Amasa Glick ; they have one child. Notwithstanding Mr. Gardner's discouraging surroundings hereto- fore, he is now on the road to success, for which the more credit is due him.

LYMAN GARDNER, lumber, Powell ; was born in this township, June 21, 1845; he is a son of Jonathan Gardner, who was born in Sullivan Co., N. H., Aug. 3, 1815, and came to this county with his people in 1819, locating in this town- ship. Lyman remained under the parental roof until he was 18 years of age, and in February, 1864, enlisted in Co. C, 26th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war, and participated in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged during that time; among the most prominent were Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Atlanta, New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek : and was with the force that went in pursuit of Hood, when he advanced on Nashville, and was in the battle of Franklin; he was mustered out in November, 1865. Upon his return, he attended school at the Center Academy, and subsequently taught school three terms. Aug, 10, 1873, was united by marriage to Lillian Hall, daughter of A. G. Hall, born in Ashley May 24, 1853; they have three children-Royal G., born 21, 1874; Stella, born July 24, 1876, and Franklin, Nov. 25, 1878. Was, for a time, engaged in the saw- mill business ; sold out, and sold goods for a time, with Mr. P. Sharp as a partner ; since that time, has been engaged in the lumber business. He is a young man of energy, and is well adapted to trading pursuits. He has a very nice and uniquely finished residence, which he has recently built.

JOHN P. GRAY, JR., farmer ; P. O. Lewis Center ; was born in Knox Co. May 10, 1853 ; son of John P. and Eliza (Thompson) Gray, both of them born in Harrison Co .; in December, 1860, they came to this township, and located on the east, side of the Olentangy, where they bought 116 acres of land, remaining on it six years ; then' sold out, and moved south a short distance, pur- chasing ninety-two acres, on same side of the river, where Mr. Gray died Sept. 25, 1867; he was, during his life, an honorable and conscien- tious Christian man; was, for several years, a leading Elder in the Presbyterian Church ; his wife still survives him, and is a member of same church, as also are John P., and Margaret, his sister. Mrs. Gray's father was a' soldier in the

war of 1812; she also sent two sons to the late war-Oliver and Ebenezer ; the former was a mem- ber of the 96th O. V. I., died in the service ; and Ebenezer in the 121st Regt., but died upon his return home; there were seven children in the family, but two are now living.

SEBASTIAN GRUMLEY, farmer ; P. O. Powell; born in Franklin Co. Jan. 22, 1855, son of Frank C. and Mary Grumley ; remained at home until his marriage, Nov. 3, 1874, to Harriet Dominy, born June 10, 1855; had two children -Clara, born Sept. 4, 1875, and Effie July 8, 1877; was in the grocery business in Delaware four years, and November, 1878, went on the farm, and has since been engaged in farming pur- suits.

JOSEPH GRUMLEY, farmer ; P. O. Powell ; Joseph was born in Franklin Co. March 19, 1843; is a son of Frank C. and Mary Ann (Hultz) Grumley, who were natives of Baden-Baden, and came to this State; Joseph was among the num- ber who imperiled his life in the defense of his country, and enlisted Aug. 12, 1862, in Co. D, 82d O. V. I., and was out three years, and during this time was engaged in all the battles in which his regiment participated ; among the first were Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was then transferred to the Army of the Cumberland, and accompanied Sherman on his march to the sea. On Oct. 7, 1869, was married to Cynthia T. Dominy ; born Sept. 12, 1848, daughter of Almond Dom- iny ; have one child-Minnie.

J. T. GARDINER, farmer ; P. O. Powell. Prominent among the early settlers in the town- ship is Jonathan Gardiner, who was born in Sull- ivan Co., N. H., Aug. 3, 1815, and came to this township when he was but about 4 years of age; his father, Jonas Gardiner, married Nancy Pond, and emigrated to this State in a wagon in 1819; the trip was made in six weeks; first located on Lot 26; the country at that time was almost an entire forest, they lived in a log cabin, and put up with all the inconveniences; Jonas died with an epileptic stroke when Jonathan was in his 18th year ; he being the eldest, the care of the family devolved on him. During his 23d year, he married Delia E. Benton, who was born in Franklin County April 24, 1818; their mar- riage took place June 27, 1837; have had seven children, but five now living-Nettie, Franklin M., Lyman D., Irvin N., Isabel, Byron and Henry ; Franklin and Henry deceased ; Mr. Gardiner has always lived on the same tract of land that he first

663

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

settled on, having been a constant resident of the township. Mr. Gardiner early in life embraced religion, and has for many years been a member of the M. E. Church, his wife also. Mr. Gardi- ner's efforts as a farmer have been attended with success ; his father belonged to the first temperance organization, and Jonathan has been true to those principles which he inherited from his father ; is not willing to make any compromise with the " ardent ;" Mr. Gardiner can well remember when money was a thing rarely ever seen ; all buying and selling in a commercial way, was done by barter, whisky or stock being generally the measure of value. Mr. Gardiner is a member of Powell Lodge, No. 465, and one of the stanch men in the community.

A. G. HALL, farmer and railroad agent, is one of the prominent men of the town of Powell, and was born upon its site, many years previous to its establishment ; he is a son of Thomas R. Hall, who was a native of New York State, and at an early day came to this State and afterward located on the land that Powell now stands upen, which was at that time one dense body of timber ; here he bnilt him a rude cabin, and made a small clear- ing, thus making a start ; A. Gordon, the subject of these lines, was born July 16, 1830, and had but limited school advantages ; he worked with his father up to the time of his learning the cooper's trade, which he acquired at Worthington. August, 1852, he was married to Mahala Gale, born in Franklin Co .; after which he moved to Ashley, where he worked at his trade frem 1852 until 1865, when he returned to Powell, and in Jan- uary, 1865, enlisted in Co. H, 88th O. V. I .; re- turned home in June of the same year. They have three children-Lillian A., William T. and Lizzie E .; upon his return from the service, turned his attention to farming, has 100 acres of excellent land and first class improvements. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He is the founder and proprietor of the town; the survey was made Feb. 2, 1876, and was accordingly laid off; since the building of the railroad, he has, besides buying and shipping grain, been agent.

EDWIN JAMES HALL, farmer; P. O. Powell ; was born in this township Jan. 24, 1825, and is a sen of Themas R. Hall; remained with his parents until he started for himself. He married Mary Gardner, who was born where she now lives. He learned the cooper's trade, and followed this business for several years ; had large contracts to fill for the breweries in Columbus.

Mr. Hall lived six years near Worthington, Franklin Co., where he learned his trade. Upon his return to this county; he was engaged in the manufacture of shingles by steam power ; then bought the machinery for a new saw-mill, and set it up, and ran it from 1859 to 1872, when he sold out to other parties, and has since been engaged in farming. the greater portion of the time. Mr. Hall is what might be termed a natural mechanic ; has been often solicited to work in machine-shops. Since he sold out bis mill, has been their principal sawyer, his farm being in close proximity to the mill. Mr. Hall was, with six of his brothers, in the late war, two of whom now moulder in South- ern soil. He has but one child, James, who, when but a babe, manifested a precocity rarely seen ; at the age of 2}, he-could play the accordi- on, and he has a son that played the violin when 3 years of age. Mr. Hall and all his brothers are adherents to Republican sentiment ; their father was an Old-Line Whig.

GEORGE HALL, farmer; P. O. Powell ; is the third son of Themas R. Hall, who was born Oct. 3, 1798, in Vermont, and subsequently set- tled in Liberty Township, where Powell now stands ; here George was born Oct. 29, 1827; his mother was born Sept. 10, 1803, and her maiden name was Eliza Humphrey ; her marriage with Mr. Hall took place March 10, 1822. George lived with his parents until his 25th year, when he married Mary A. Wright Nov. 15, 1852. She is a daughter of Thomas Wright, with whom she emi- grated to this State when she was but 3 years of age. Mr. Hall has been a continuous resident of this town- ship, with the exception of the time he was in the army. In 1864, he enlisted in Co. K, 145th Ohio State Guards ; was out in the 100-day service. Mr. Hall has served as Justice of the Peace for several years; is now serving his fifth term ; was Justice of the Peace when he entered the service. Several of the officers presented themselves before him to be "sworn in by the Esquire," which he did to their satisfaction, and while he knew it was not a valid " swear," yet they were satisfied, and went on their way rejoic- ing. Mr. Hall was commissioned as Notary Pub- lic in 1876, and has since served in that capacity. During Mr. Hall's early life, he taught school for about fifteen years, and was a successful teacher ; has five children living-Eva A., Olin B., John T., Alice C. and Elsie Grace. Olin is now tele- graph operator on the C., C., C. & I. R. R .; Eva is a teacher. Mr. Hall has been a member of the

664

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

M. E. Church since his 16th year, and has always been identified with the interests of the Sunday school. Seven of the Hall brothers were in the United States service at one time, two of whom lost their lives-Theodore and John L.

B.W. HARTLEY, farmer ; P.O. Delaware; born in Guernsey Co. Jan. 22, 1834 ; son of John and Zilpha (Hall) Hartley. They were from Penn- sylvania ; came to Guernsey Co. and entered land, upon which they settled ; in 1865, moved into Vinton Co., where they are still living. Ben- jamin W. received a common-school education. Soon after attaining his majority, was married to Eunice Coles, born Feb. 11, 1836, in Guernsey Co., daughter of Isaao and Mary (Starbuck) Coles ; he was in the first company that crossed the Plains, in 1849. Soon after their marriage, moved to Lucas Co., Iowa ; remained three years, farmed and taught school ; came to Delaware Co. in the spring of 1859 ; lived in Harlem Township about two years ; then in Delaware thirteen years, making several changes in the time ; in the spring of 1872, moved to Berlin, and bought 187 acres of land; after a residence of three years, sold out, then moved into Liberty and bought a farm. Mr. Hartley has been successful in his business, hav- ing a snug farm, and town property in Delaware. They have had six children-Tamson L., now wife of John De Witt; Loresten M., now in Sumner Co., Kan .; Ransom (deceased) ; Walter C .; Arthur G., and Mary E., at home. Mr. Hartley . and family are members of the Wesleyan Church, he being an active and enthusiastic worker in the same, has been licensed to preach, yet, his health not admitting, prefers to labor in the capacity of a lay member, where he does effectual service. Served three months in the United States service, Co. D, 145th O. N. G. Is a Prohibitionist and a zealous worker.

H. A. HYATT, grain dealer, Hyatt ; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Aug. 4, 1832; son of John Hyatt, a native of Maryland; his mother's maiden name was Catherine McKinsie. When Henry was 9 years of age, his mother bound him out to a farmer, and at the age of 14, he returned to his mother and assisted in her support, until her death, which oc- curred in 1857 ; subsequent to this, he assisted in the maintenance of his sisters. In the fall of 1857, was married to Naomi Mitchell; she died in 1859, leaving no issue. In October, 1863, was married to Emma Boardman, daughter of Charles Boardman ; they have three children-Euphrasia E., Charley and Orland. After his marriage, he

farmed two years, and then went to merchandising, which he followed until 1861, when, in conse- quence of failing health, he abandoned the store and came to Liberty Township and purchased a farm, and remained on it two years ; his health recuperated, returned to Knox Co., and entered the mercantile business again, which he continued until he returned to his farm in Liberty ; soon af- ter, he sold off a portion of his farm, and, in 1875, he laid out the town which bears his name.

JAMES HINKLE, farmer and manufacturer ; P. O. Delaware ; was born in Potter Co.,, Penn., Aug. 1, 1825 ; is the third child of a family of four children by the first marriage of his father, Michael Hinkle, to Nancy Ayres; he was four times married; the Hinkles are of German de- scent, and the Ayres of English ; James emigrated to this State with his parents when he was about 10 years of age ; they first stopped in Marlborough Township; after one or two more changes, he located permanently one mile south of Hyattsville, where his father died in December, 1877 ; James re- mained with his parents until his 18th year, when he apprenticed himself to learn the manufacture of woolen goods, under the direction of Picket, Jones & Co., remained with them three years, and then worked three years as " jour " in different parts of the country; in 1849, he, with many others, made a trip across the Plains ; was gone about two years; worked six months in the mines, and the remainder of the time drove team; returned home, and in the fall of 1851, he bought the mill and site where he had learned his trade. Eighteen months after, May 3, 1853, he was married to Elizabeth M. Wood, born in Niagara Co., N. Y., September, 1826; she is a daughter of Anson and Elizabeth (Smith) Wood; they have five children-Ashley R. W., born Sept. 23, 1854; Victor A., born Dec. 1, 1856; James W., born Feb. 28, 1859; Phile- mon B., born July 3, 1861 ; Mary E., born Dec. 6, 1865. When Mr. Hinkle bought the mill, there were but two old frame buildings and, in 1857, he built the large and commodious stone house, and subsequently built the large stone factory which he has been running since; he also has two farms in this township which he carries on with the assistance of his boys. Mr. Hinkle and wife are members of the M. E. Church.

DAVIS HOWARD, farmer; P. O. Powell; was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., Aug. 14, 1812 ; his father, John Howard, was also a native of Vir- ginia ; his mother, Lucretia Davis, was born in Maryland ; they came to Ohio in 1820, and located

665

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

in Licking Co., where the father died in 1832 ; Mr. Howard started out from home without a dollar, and about the first employment he secured was on the canal at $7 per month as teamster, where he continued for about seven years. In his 25th year, he married Sarah Pratt, a native of Vir- ginia, who was born in 1810 ; they have had eight children ; they moved to Liberty Township in 1846, and to the place where he now lives in 1849 ; Mr. Howard first bought ten acres of land, subsequently adding to it four more, then thirty- seven, and so on until he now has a farm of eighty- seven acres ; at the time of moving to this town- ship it was very difficult to make a living; the land was exceedingly wet ; it was necessary to ex- ercise the most rigid economy ; butter sold at 6 cents per pound, and 5 cents apiece was the high- est price paid for chickens ; but as the timber was cleared from the country, the land became drier and more tillable, from which time it was less dif- ficult to make progress in accumulating for the comforts of life.

AMOS KIDWELL, farmer; P. O. Powell ; was born in Fairfax Co., Va., Nov. 10, 1812; is the eldest of a family of ten children of Heze- kiah and Elizabeth (Ridgeway) Kidwell, both of them natives of that county ; Amos' father was a miller by occupation, and his services were not required at home, and, at the age of 17, went out to work by the month. In his 23d year, was united in marriage to Rachel Frederick March 3, 1835; she was born in Shenandoah Co. in 1815 ; subsequent to this, he rented land for four years ; in the fall of 1839, he moved to Union Co., Ohio, where he farmed one year; the year following moved to Franklin Co., where he bought 100 acres at $6 per acre ; built a log cabin and went to clearing off the timber; here he remained twenty-five years, and before he left had seventy acres cleared and a good frame house and good improvements, orchard and all the conveniences that pertain to an old settled place ; in the spring of 1867, he moved to Yellow Springs in Greene Co .; remained there five months, and, in October, 1867, moved to Liberty Township, one mile and a half west of Powell, where he bought a farm, and still lives. He and wife are both members of the Christian Union Church, he having been connected with that body for thirty 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, Part 114

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author: O. L. Baskin & Co; Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 818