History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 126

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 126

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J. and Sarah T. Mrs. Crawford died April 19, 1877 ; she had been a loving companion and help- meet, a consistent member of the Christian Union Church, and died as a Christian, singing on her death-bed-"Shall we gather at the river ?" Mr. Crawford worked at his trade until 1865. During this time he was quite an extensive contractor and builder. Since 1865, he has been engaged in farming and horticultural pursuits; owns thirty- five acres of nicely improved land on the banks of the Scioto River, adjoining the village of Mill- ville. A great portion of this is in orchards and vineyards. Mr. Crawford is a Democrat, although very liberal in his views. He is one of Scioto Township's most honored and respected citizens.

GIDEON A. CARR, farmer; P. O. Ostran- der ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, March 3, 1816 ; is a son of Amos and Margaret (Jackson) Carr, who came to Delaware Co. in 1826; they were the parents of twelve children, three of whom are now living. The father was a native of Vir- ginia, but came to Pickaway Co., Ohio, when but a boy. His father, Conrad Carr, was one of the first men to settle in Pickaway Co. Our subject passed his youth and early manhood assisting his father on the farm; he received but a limited education, and at 21 years of age began for him- self as a farmer. He was united in marriage with Lucinda Smart Jan. 18, 1837; she was born in Delaware Co. Dec. 5, 1820 ; from this union there were four children, three of whom are now living -Joseph, Ann and Jane; the name of the one deceased was William. Mrs. Carr departed this life Oct. 6, 1874 ; she was a kind, loving wife and mother, and an exemplary member of the Presby- terian Church. Mr. Carr began life as a poor boy, and is a self-made man; he owns 275 acres of well-improved land in Scioto Township; is a Democrat.

WARD COURTER, veterinary surgeon ; P. O. Ostrander; was born in the city of New York Oct. 3, 1840 ; is son of Ward C. and Mary A. (Collins) Courter, both of whom were natives of Livingston Co., N. J .; they were the parents of sixteen children, three of whom are living. In 1847, the grandfather of our subject made them a visit in New York, and on his return he brought with him young Ward. Seventeen years after this event, the parents removed to Delaware Co., Ohio, where they have since resided. Young Courter passed his youth and early manhood in Delaware Co., receiving a good common-school education. He was united in marriage with Mary C. Keller

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Sept. 23, 1861 ; she was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, Jan. 7, 1842 ; there are eight children from this union-Henry W., William E., Araminta E., Lovina H., Hiram A., Frankie C., Bolinda G., and Annie O .; after marriage, Mr. Courter en- gaged in the livery business. In 1863, he enlisted in Co. F, 43d O. V. I .; he was discharged at Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1865, by Surgeon Gen- eral L. D. Knight. Mr. Courter served with dis- tinction during the war, and was in the following engagements : Decatur, Ala., Rome, Ga., Kings- ton, Resaca, Chickamanga, Snake Creek Gap, Mur- freesboro and Atlanta ; while before Atlanta, he received a severe gunshot wound in the shoulder, which disqualified him for duty for about six months, when he rejoined his regiment; on the 6th of March, 1865, at Blair's Landing, S. C., while gallantly fighting for his country, Mr. Courter was so severely wounded in the leg that amputation was necessary. After his return home, he engaged for some time in the livery business ; he has always handled horses from his boyhood, and perhaps there is not a man in Delaware County who more thoroughly understands them than does Mr. Cour- ter; his equal as a veterinary surgeon would be difficult to find in Central Ohio.

SAMUEL D. DEAN, retired farmer; P. O. Ostrander; was born in Highland Co., Ohio, Nov. 5, 1810; the sixth of a family of eleven children of James and Hannah (Cunningham) Dean. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and a farmer ; the mother was a native of Ireland, but came to this country when quite young ; they were married in Ohio in 1800, both having come into the State some years previous to its admission into the Union; they removed from Highland to Franklin County in 1821, and from there to Delaware County in 1829; the father died in 1841, and the mother in 1858; they were truly pioneers, and did much to improve the country. Mr. Dean was brought up to farm labor ; he was united in mar- riage with Nancy W. Flanegin Sept. 7, 1837; she was born in Allegheny Co., Penn., Oct. 6, 1813. Mrs. Dean's parents came from Pennsylvania to Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1816; the father died in 1875, at the age of 89; the mother died in 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Dean have had four children, all of whom are now dead. Their only son, James W ., was born in 1841 ; on the breaking-out of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. D, 20th O. V. I .; from. over- exertion and exposure during the battle of Shiloh, he was taken sick, soon after which he was re- moved to Camp Dennison, Ohio, where, on the

14th of May, 1862, he died; his remains were buried in the Ostrander Cemetery; he was a faithful soldier of the Cross and of his country. Mr. Dean began life as a poor boy, and what he now has has been due to the economy and indus- try of himself and wife ; both have been members of the Presbyterian Church.

FREDERICK DECKER, farmer and miller ; P. O. Delaware. Among the citizens of Delaware Co. who have become a part and parcel of it, and have been identified with its development and im- provement, there is none more worthy of mention than Frederick Decker, who was born Sept. 1, 1812, in Morris Co., N. J., and is the son of Aaron M. and Mary (Vandroff) Decker, both of whom were natives of New Jersey, and the parents of four sons and four daughters; the parents were married in New Jersey, where they remained until 1828, when they came West and located in Crawford Co., Ohio, where they remained until the death of the mother in 1840; soon after this, the father removed to Ogle Co., Ill., where, in 1860, he departed this life ; he was, in every sense, a pioneer of the West, an intelligent Chris- tian gentleman, and died as only those can who put their trust in the Lord. Frederick's youth and early manhood were passed on a farm ; he received such education as the schools could give; when but 18 years of age, he left home and began for himself ; his capital at this time consisted of an indomitable will, robust constitution, and an earnest desire to succeed in obtaining a goodly share of this world's goods ; he began working in a mill-a business he followed some time, and then began erecting mills ; it was not long, however, until he had an oppor- tunity of buying a mill, which chance he did not lose, paying but little or nothing down ; this was the turning-point in his life, and here again did his industry and force of character manifest itself, for it was but a short time before he had, by close attention, saved sufficient to pay off the in- debtedness on the mill ; from that time until the present, he has been identified with the milling interest of this and adjoining counties ; he has, in his lifetime, built, owned and managed eleven different saw and grist mills; there is not a man in Central Ohio who has done more to advance the milling business than Mr. Decker; it was he who built the large and commodious Stone Mills of Delaware, and under whose management it became one of the leading industries of the county ; he at the present time owns the Millville Mills, among the best in the county; of late years, he has

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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, 1806; 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 McIlvains, 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 Obio, 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. HOUTZ, 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 stanch Republican. He owns 101 acres of well-improved land, which he bas 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., hut moved to Union Co. in au 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

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History of Delaware County and Ohio, Part 126

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