USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc > Part 75
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
DANIEL BOWER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Gilboa, Putnam County, was born in Liberty Township, this county, February 2, 1837, son of John and Elizabeth (Bysel) Bower, former of whom was a pioneer of this county. Of their family of ten children the subject of this sketch is the seventh. Daniel Bower was reared on the farm, received a common English
685
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.
education in this county, and has followed agriculture all his life. He is the owner of 120 acres of well-improved land in Blanchard Township, this county, on which he resides. In 1859 Mr. Bower was united in marriage with Catherine, daughter of John and Mary (Tipton) Jennar, natives of Ohio, and of English descent; former a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Bower was born in 1838, in Harrison County, Ohio, and her father moved to Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1845, where she remained until she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Bower have four children: John W., Manuel C., Ida A. and Rosco T. Our subject and wife and their three eldest children are members of the German Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon, and of the Sabbath- school, of which he is assistant superintendent. In politics Mr. Bower is a Republican. For several years he was school director.
H. F. BROWN, farmer and stock raiser, lumberman and manufacturer, P. O. McComb, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, April 19, 1830, son of Thomas H. and Susannah (Sours) Brown, natives of Ireland and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. Thomas H. Brown, who was a farmer, came from New York and settled on a farm in Ashland County, Ohio. His family consisted of twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity, our subject being the ninth. H. F. Brown was reared on the farm, educated in the district school in Ashland County, Ohio, and chose agricultural pursuits as his oc- cupation. In 1854 he came to this county and settled in the northeast corner of Blanchard Township, where he bought 160 acres of land. He now owns 225 acres where he resides, and at one time owned 400 acres. He started a saw-mill in Portage Township, this county, in 1864 or 1865, and still operates the mill in McComb. He manufactures and repairs wag- ons and carriages, and owns the shop in McComb. He also contracts to build pikes, and in 1884 he constructed 200 rods. Our subject was united in marriage, in 1850, with Mary A., daughter of William Ewing; her par- ents were natives of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent. The children born to this union are William, Alice J., Elizabeth Melvina and Thomas Jefferson. Mrs. Brown died in 1862, and in 1864 Mr. Brown was again married, this time to Mary W. Ray, daughter of Gyant and Sarah (Morri- son) Ray, who were of Dutch and Scotch-English descent. By this union six children were born, four of whom are now living: Nettie Gertrude, Frankie, Florence and Henry B. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and Mr. Brown of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican. He has filled the office of trustee for three terms. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has taken all the degrees in the subordinate lodge.
JOSEPH M. CARTWRIGHT, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Gilboa, Put- nam County, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, March 6, 1832, son of Stephen and Mahala (Thrapp) Cartwright, latter a native of Virginia, of English descent. His father, a farmer, was born in Delaware, of English extraction, and settled on a farm in Putnam County, Ohio, in 1836. He reared a family of ten children, eight of whom grew to maturity. Joseph M., the subject of this sketch, the third in the family, was reared on the farm, acquired a common school education in Putnam County, Ohio, and has made farming the business of his life. In 1857 Mr. Cartwright was united in marriage with Catherine Nowlan, daughter of Thomas and Mar- garet (Sinnott) Nowlan, natives of Nova Scotia and of Irish and English descent, former of whom came to Ohio in an early day and settled in Wayne
36
686
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
County. Mr. and Mrs. Cartwright's children are Emza J., Telethia S., Stephen T. and Amanda E. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which he has been class leader. He joined the church when he was nineteen years of age, and was licensed to preach in 1875, since when he has preached, but has never accepted a local charge. Mr. Cartwright has resided in this county since 1858, and on the farm where he now lives since 1865. He votes the Republican ticket; has been school director and township trustee; is a member of the I. O. O. F. at Gilboa.
SAMUEL DENNIS, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Oak Ridge, was born in Washington County, Penn., August 15, 1819, son of John and Susannah (Gumbard) Dennis, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Westmoreland County, Penn., both of German descent. John Dennis, who was a farmer in later life, met with misfortune through filling a pike contract, by which he sustained a great loss. He served in the war of 1812. He went to Knox County, Ohio, in 1824. Of his family of eleven children, Samuel is the tenth child. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools; when he was about fourteen years of age his father died and Samuel then went on the canal where he continued for eight years. In 1844 our subject was united in marriage with Matilda Alspach, of German descent, and to them were born George, Alonzo, John, William, Marietta, Lucinda, Elizabeth, Charles and Samuel T. Mrs. Dennis, formerly a member of the German Reformed Church, is now a member of the Church of God. Mr. Dennis came to this county in 1856 and settled in Eagle Township. He after- ward removed to near Benton Ridge, Ohio, on a tract of 240 acres of land where he now resides. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a Democrat; is now holding the office of school director.
WILLIAM DOWNING (deceased), son of George Downing, was born in Maryland, in 1797, of English parentage. He was reared on a farm in Pike County, Ohio, received a good English education and, from his youth, was engaged in agricultural pursuits. He served in the war of 1812. He came to this county in 1830 and helped organize Blanchard Township. William Downing was appointed the first postmaster in Blanchard Town- ship, this county, and served in that capacity for many years; the office was established in 1848 and was kept in his house. Mr. Downing was twice married, the first time to Elizabeth Henderson. His second marriage was in 1858 with Margaret Thompson, daughter of Isaac and Anna Underwood, the former a native of Virginia, of Irish descent, and the latter of Penn- sylvania, of English descent. As a farmer Mr. Downing was successful, owning 180 acres of valuable land at the time of his death, which occurred in 1863. He was a member of the M. E. Church; in politics a Democrat. His widow is the owner of 206 acres of land on which she resides, and she has managed the farm since her husband's death.
DAVID DOWNING, retired farmer, at present a resident of Findlay, Ohio, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., February 12, 1815, son of John and Mary (Boyler) Downing, the latter of German descent. His father, a native of Kentucky, of English descent, came to this county in 1832, and settled on a farm in Blanchard Township; he died in Kansas. Our subject, David Downing, the eldest in a family of eight children, was reared on a farm, acquired a common school education in the Pike County, Ohio, sub -.
687
1
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.
scription school, and from his youth has been engaged in agricultural pur- suits. He is the owner of 300 acres of well improved land, and at one time owned 700 acres of land. He was united in marriage, in 1837, with Mari- etta Dorsey, a lady of English and Scotch descent, and this union has been blessed with five children: George T., Jane (wife of Oliver P. Shaw), Lavina, John, a farmer in Kansas, and Dora (wife of Miles Dukes). Mrs. Downing is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Down- ing has been township trustee and school director.
GEORGE T. DOWNING, farmer, P. O. Oak Ridge, born December 28, 1839, is the eldest son of David and Marietta (Dorsey) Downing. He was reared on a farm, received a fair English education, and has made agriculture the business of his life. He is the owner of 272 acres of well improved land in Blanchard Township. In 1865 Mr. Downing was united in marriage with Mary E. Slusser, a lady of German descent, and three children have blessed this union: Florence, Chester and Sumner. In poli- tics Mr. Downing is a Republican. He has been township treasurer for four years, also trustee of Blanchard Township, this county. He united with the Masonic fraternity at Findlay in 1864.
LEWIS DUKES, SR., retired farmer, P. O. Oak Ridge, one of the early pioneers of Blanchard Township, this county, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, April 6, 1811; son of John and Mary (Haddox) Dukes, na- tives of Virginia, and who had twelve children. Lewis Dukes, Sr., who was very young when his father died, was reared on a farm and acquired his education in the common schools. At seventeen years of age he started out in life for himself as a day laborer, coming to this county about 1827, and commenced clearing the forest for the small pittance of 25 cents per day, in which work he continued for about seven years. He then purchased 700 acres of wild land with money which he had saved out of his earnings, and has been very successful in all his undertakings through life. He continued to add to his possessions until, at one time, he had 1,200 acres of fine land. He has disposed of a part, and at the present time owns 800 acres of well improved land, on which he and his family reside. Mr. Dukes was united in marriage in 1838, with Laura W. Bean, a Christian lady of rare accom- plishments and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who departed this life in 1874. After her death, in 1876, Mr. Dukes married Mrs. Har- riet Alward, daughter of James and Mary A. (Bean) Caton, and widow of Alfred L. Alward. Mr. Dukes is one of the old living land-marks left to tell the tale of the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life in Blanchard Township; and one of the pleasures of his declining years is the knowledge of having lived an upright and honorable life. His wife has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty-one years.
LEWIS DUKES, JR., farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Oak Ridge, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 30, 1827; son of Richard and Mary (Blue) Dukes, the latter a native of Ohio, of German descent. The father of our subject was a native of Virginia, of English descent, came to this county in 1828 and settled on a farm of ninety-six acres of wild woodland in Blanchard Township. He was accompanied by his brother, John Dukes, who also took up 147 acres of wild land. Richard Dukes was a successful farmer and took an active interest in all that pertained to the improvement of the county. The first meeting-house in the county was erected on his farm, of hewed logs with a clap-board roof, and is still standing. He was
1
688
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Republican. He died in 1876. His family consisted of fourteen children, nine of whom grew to maturity, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. Lewis Dukes, Jr., was reared on the farm, received a common school education, and has followed agricultural pursuits with marked success. The farm on which he resides is one of the finest in the State. He now owns 1,400 acres of land, after having divided among his children (some of whom are married) 560 acres. Our subject was united in marriage, April 9, 1848, with Miss Laura Ann Spangler, daughter of Joseph Spangler, and of English descent. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dukes are Parlee C., a promi- nent farmer residing in Blanchard Township, this county; Elizabeth, wife of Daniel Jackson, a prominent farmer in this county; Frances, wife of F. E. Alward, also a prominent farmer in this county; Miles W., married, a farmer in Blanchard Township, this county; Clark, married, operating a saw-mill, and R. B., at home with his father. Our subject and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been steward and trustee. In politics Mr. Dukes is a Republican. He has been trustee and clerk and was also treasurer and school director, and was actively interested in the Grange movement.
PARLEE C. DUKES, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Benton Ridge, was born in this county August 24, 1851, in the first brick house built in Blanch- ard Township. His father, Lewis Dukes, Jr., reared a family of seven chil- dren, our subject being the second. Parlee C. Dukes was reared on a farm; received a good English education, and chose farming for his occupation in life. He is the owner of 312 acres of valuable land in Blanchard Township, this county, on which he resides. He was united in marriage, in 1876, with Harriet E., daughter of Jacob Grose, and three children have blessed this union: Albee LeClare, Edith Lela and Grace D. Mr. and Mrs. Dukes are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the Sabbath-school of which he is trustee and assistant superintendent. In politics he is a Republican. He holds the office of school director.
ELI DUKES, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Oak Ridge, was born in Blanchard Township, this county, May 16, 1841, son of Richard and Mary (Blue) Dukes, the latter born in Ohio, of German descent. The father of our subject was a native of Virginia, of English descent; came to this county in 1828, and settled on a farm in Blanchard Township, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1876, at Findlay, Ohio. Of his family of fourteen children, nine grew to maturity, our subject being the tenth. Eli Dukes acquired his education in the common schools, and in Ober- lin and Delaware Colleges. He was clerk in a dry goods store for one year, and taught school four winters, but his principal business in life has been farming and dealing in stock. He is the owner of 486 acres of valuable land. At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, Mr. Dukes promptly enlisted in Company A, Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served three years as a soldier in the ranks. He was in the battle of Chick- amauga, and also at Stone River. When his regiment was captured, he, with twenty-five others, escaped. Mr. Dukes was united in marriage, in 1865, with Mary H. Delaney, daughter of Mark Delaney, a pioneer minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. She is of Irish, French and English descent. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dukes: Delevan D., Nannie B., Gustavus, Clemma I. and Laura G. Our subject and wife are members of
689
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been class-leader for a number of years. Eli Dukes' father was one of the prime movers in found- ing the first church erected in this county. This building, a relic of the olden time, is still standing on the farm belonging to our subject.
JACOB GROSE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Findlay, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., April 25, 1825, son of Jacob and Marga- ret (Sheddinger) Grose, natives of Bucks County, Penn., and of German de- scent. Our subject's great-grandfather, in company with two brothers, came to America before the war of the Revolution, and settled in Bucks County, Penn. In religion they were Mennonites. The father of our subject died in Wayne County, Ohio; his family consisted of eleven children. Ja- cob Grose, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm; served an ap- prenticeship of three years and a half at the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed for twelve years. He was united in marriage, in 1848, with Mary Sherick, a native of Pennsylvania, of German descent. Her parents, Peter and Barbara (Funk) Sherick, now reside in Findlay, this county. Our sub- ject and wife are parents of six children: David S., a school teacher and farmer; Peter J., Harriet E., Jacob I., Laura J. and William E. Mr. and Mrs. Grose are members of the Baptist Church of God. He has been trustee and school director for nine years, and clerk of the board. He is the owner of 326 acres of land, and takes great interest in the Grange move- ment, of which organization he is a charter member, and has filled the office of overseer in the order.
E. L. GROVES, meat market, Macomb, was born in Blanchard Town- ship, this county, February 6, 1861, son of Savadra and Lucinda (Fisher), Groves, natives of Ohio, of German and English descent. Savadra came to this county in 1828, with his father, Thomas Groves, and departed this life in 1877, aged fifty-three years. His widow still survives. Of their two chil- dren, E. L. alone is living. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, received a fair English education, and successfully followed the occupation of farming. He is the owner of 100 acres of land, on which he resides. He was married, December 30, 1885, to Alice McKinnis.
L. C. GROVES, farmer and stock raiser, and postmaster of Oak Ridge, was born in Blanchard Township, this county, April 24, 1833, son of Thomas and Adaline (Choate) Groves, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent, and the latter a native of Vermont, of English descent. Thomas Groves, who was an early settler in this county, died in 1880. His family consisted of thirteen children, ten of whom grew to maturity, L. C. being the fourth. Our subject was reared on a farm, attended the common school and chose agriculture for his occupation in life. In 1856 he was united in marriage with Geninia, daughter of David Braucht, who entered 600 acres of land in this county in an early day and passed the remainder of his life here. Mr. and Mrs. Groves have two children: Izoia and Estella, wife of John Collingwood, a farmer in this county. Mr. Groves is the owner of 200 acres of cultivated land. He has filled the office of trustee for five years and school director for eleven years, and is at present postmaster of Oak Ridge. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity at Findlay, and has attained the degree of Master Mason in that order.
JOHN HADDOX. farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Gilboa, Putnam County, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 28 1830, eldest child of Mordecai and Margaret (Lanters) Haddox, the latter a native of Ger-
690
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
many. They were parents of five children. Mordecai Haddox, the father of our subject, born in Virginia of German parentage, and who was engaged in farming all his life, came to this county in 1830 and entered 160 acres of land (where Samuel Haddox now resides) in Blanchard Township. He died in 1879. John Haddox, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, attended the common schools and has been engaged in farming all his life. He has been successful and is the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres of land under a high state of cultivation. In 1854 he was united in marriage with Lydia, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bysel) Bower; Mr. Bower was born in 1803, and has resided on a farm in Blanchard Township, this county, for many years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Haddox are Elizabeth Alice, wife of S. A. Van Sickle; Lucinda Jane, wife of L. M. Orsborn; George P., at home; Harry P. and William Francis. The family are all members of the United Brethren Church, of which Mr. Haddox has been trustee and class- leader for several years. In politics he is a Republican. He takes a great interest in the schools of his district and is at present serving his fourth term as school director
SAMUEL KEEL, retired farmer, P. O. Benton Ridge, Ohio, is one of the representative pioneers of this county, born in Perry County, Penn., March 1, 1813, son of Henry and Catharine (Bosler) Keel, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married and first settled. About 1820 they moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, locating there until 1827, at which time they came to Jackson Township, this county, where they remained six years, then moved to Eagle Township, this county, and here remained until their death. Henry Keel departed this life in 1853, his widow following him in 1857. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom only four sur- vive, Samuel being the fifth. Our subject came with his parents to this county, and was united in marriage May 10, 1838, with Mary Povenmire, who was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 24, 1810, daughter of John and Sarah (Wagoner) Povenmire, natives of Pennsylvania, where they married and first settled, and remained until 1812, in which year they immigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, thence moved to Pickaway County, where they located until 1837, after which time they moved to Liberty Township, this county, and here remained until their death. Mr. Poven- mire departed this life first, and his widow died some years afterward. They were the parents of thirteen children, only five of whom survive, Mrs. Keel being the eldest in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Keel are the parents of seven children: Sarah, wife of Phenius Brown; Susanna and Christena, at home; Philip, married to Nancy Seitz; John, married to Martha Stover; Abraham, married to Margaret Eck, and Marvel, married to Mary Rudisill. All re- side in this county except Philip, who is in Putnam County, Ohio. Mr. Keel, before he was married, entered eighty acres of land in this county. This land he afterward sold and bought another eighty-acre tract, to which he has since added until he now owns 160 acres of land. He also owns town property in this county, and 100 acres of land in Putnam County, Ohio, besides having helped his children very liberally. Mr. Keel took part in the muster of early days. He has filled various offices in Jackson, Union and Blanchard Townships. During his early life he was a Demo- crat. but when Pierce became a candidate for the Presidency he changed his politics. He has followed farming all his life. His wife has been a church member for forty years. They reside in Benton Ridge, and are among the leading families of this county.
691
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.
P. A. KEMERER, farmer and teacher, P. O. Benton Ridge, was born in Blanchard Township, this county, December 23, 1853, son of David (son of John, son of Phillip Kemerer) and Susanna (Deal) Kemerer, the former a native of Ohio, of German descent, and the latter of Virginia, cf English descent. David Kemerer was a farmer during his life, and prominent among the early settlers of this county, moving to the farm on which he now resides in 1842. P. A. Kemerer, the subject of this sketch, the young- est in a family of six children, attended the common school and Ada Normal School, was reared on the farm and taught school five terms. In Novem- ber, 1877, he was united in marriage with Hattie E. Keller, daughter of Joseph Keller. Her parents were of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Kemerer have had three children, two of whom survive, Alba Candace and Clarence. Mr. Kemerer is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are members of the United Brethren Church. He takes a great interest in the Sabbath-school and church. He is the owner of sixty-five acres of land in Wood County, Ohio, and has made most of his fortune by his own exertions. At present he is residing on and managing the farm belonging to his father (who is still living) in Blanchard Township.
JACOB G. KNEPPER, farmer, P. O. Gilboa, Putnam County, Ohio, was born in Blanchard Township, this county, June 14, 1839; son of John and Elizabeth (Foglesong) Knepper, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of the State of Maryland, who came to this county in 1834, and settled in Blanchard Township, where the former took up a half section of land. John Knepper died June 1, 1840, and his widow died March 10, 1883, at the age of eighty-one years. Of their family there were eight children, Jacob G. being the youngest. He was reared on the farm; attended the common school until March, 1856, when he with his parents moved to Westerville, Franklin Co., Ohio, where he attended Otterbein Univer- sity until March, 1857, when he with his parents returned to Han- cock County again. From 1858 to the spring of 1862 he worked at the carpenter trade. In the spring of 1862 he followed farming. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted under Capt. J. A. Bope, in Company D, Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for the term of three years; he was captured by the enemy at the battle of Stone River January 2, 1863, but as the enemy were repulsed and driven back, he made his escape from them, being in their hands about two hours. He participated in many of the battles, from Murfreesborough to Atlanta, and then returned to Nashville and engaged in the battle at Nashville in November, 1864, which was the cleaning out of Hood's army. In January, 1865, his regiment was sent to North Carolina by way of Louisvillle, Ky., Cincinnati, Columbus, Ohio, to Washington City. He marched from Wilmington, N. C., to Goldsborough, Raleigh, and Salisbury. While lying at the latter place war was declared at an end. He was carried from there through Danville, Petersburg, to City Point, by rail- road; from City Point to Baltimore, Md., by boat; from there to Gallipolis, Ohio, by railroad, and was mustered out of service July 17, 1865. He was but six days absent from his regiment during the length of time he was in the service. He never received a scratch or bullet mark from the enemy, but is considerably broken down by hard marching and exposure. When he returned home he engaged in operating his mother's farm until 1873, when he moved on his own farm of 165 acres of valuable and well-cultivated land, a part of the original entry made by his father August 10, 1837, the pat-
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.