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 82
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FINDLAY TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
directness and logical compactness, and it is complimentary to his judicial learning and professional ability that no legal opinion pronounced by him was ever reversed on review by a higher court." He held in a remarkable degree the power of seizing upon the strong points of a case, and was orig- inal in his manner of presenting his arguments and decisions; his appar- ently intuitive perceptions of legal truth giving to his utterances a freshness and vigor that commanded the admiration of all. While he had a fine appre- ciation of the learning of the profession, and was never unmindful of its nicest distinctions, he made them subservient to the broad and liberal views of the case, looking beyond the mere technicalities of the law, thus evincing a broad, liberal and well-developed judicial mind. After retiring from the bench he returned to the practice of his profession, but was soon compelled to retire from its activities by reason of failing health. He devoted many of his leisure hours to scientific reading and investigation, in which he took great interest.
Judge Coffinberry was always a busy man; even while engaged in the most severe labors of his prfession, he found time for general reading and study, developing and broadening out in all directions, and making his mind a rich store-house, always ready for any demand for mate- rial that might be made upon it. He was always, and is yet, a useful man to his community. He was, during 1857 and 1858, a member of the city council of Cleveland, Ohio, and during the latter year president of that body. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he was chairman of the Demo- cratic Central Committee of Cuyahoga County, but warmly espoused the cause of the Union, and labored earnestly to promote the recruiting service, making many speeches in favor of a zealous support of the war. He was principal secretary of the great Union Convention of Ohio, which nominated David Tod for governor, and was the candidate for Congress and common pleas judge of his party in his district for several terms, but, on account of its numerical minority in those days in Cleveland, even his personal popu- larity was not sufficient to elect him. He has always had an eye to the commercial and material advancement of Cleveland, and, from the first, was a firm advocate for the construction of the great viaduct that spans the Cuy- ahoga River and valley, and connects the east and west sides of the river. He attended every meeting called to consider the practicability of the enter- prise, always spoke earnestly and hopefully of its ultimate success, and with voice and pen contributed largely to secure its accomplishment and to make it a free bridge. He was a corporator and stockholder of the first street railroad (the East Cleveland) in that city; a corporator and president of the West Side Street Railroad; a corporator and director of the Fremont & Indi- ana Railroad (now the Lake Erie & Louisville); a director of the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, and a corporator and director of the Rocky River Railroad. He was a corporator and stockholder in the Savings & Trust Company, and a corporator and director of the People's Savings & Loan Association, and president of the Forest City Fire Insurance Company.
The Judge met with a most serious accident in April, 1875, which resulted in the loss of a leg, being run into by a railroad train at Lighthouse Street crossing, as he and his wife were being driven from the depot in a carriage. Mrs. Coffinberry was seriously injured but finally recovered. Since that time the Judge has not practiced his profession, but has devoted himself to his private business, consisting principally of the management of two farms, and his rental property in Cleveland.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Judge Coffinberry was married, January, 1841, to Miss Anna M. Gleason, of Lucas County, Ohio. Of seven children born to them five died in infancy ; the survivors are Mary E. (wife of Stephen E. Brooks) and Henry D. Mr. Brooks and Mr. Henry D. Coffinberry are regarded as two of the ablest and most successful young business men of Cleveland. Judge Coffinberry is spoken of in terms of the highest commendation in "Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley," in " Beardsley's History of Hancock County," in "Clave's Representative Men of Cleveland," and in the "Biographical Encyclopedia of Ohio." He is a man of convictions, frank and open in their expression, but tolerant of dissenting opinions, and especially regardful of the sensibil- ities of the young and diffident. He is not wealthy according to the modern standard of riches, but possesses ample means to render one of his simple tastes and inexpensive habits as nearly independent as a man can well be in this world of mutual dependence.
D. C. CONNELL, dealer in books, stationery and jewelry, Findlay, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, September 13, 1830, son of Aaron and Amelia (Davidson) Connell, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject learned merchant tailoring in New Lisbon, and was connected with merchandising there and at Mansfield, Ohio. In October, 1864, he came to Findlay, this county, and was in the hat and cap trade two years, then in the dry goods busi- ness till 1867, when he retired for a few years, and in 1872 embarked in his present line. He married, in Mansfield, Ohio, September 8, 1853, Mary A. Paisley, who died in Findlay, March 20, 1867; she bore him two children : Edwin T., who died October 29, 1861, and Ella, now the wife of C. A. Lockhart, of Fostoria, engaged as salesman for a Boston dry goods house. Mr. Connell was again united in marriage, on September 3, 1868, with Mrs. Sarah E. Hutchinson (nee Tate), who died March 5, 1885, and who bore him one son and one daughter: George C. and Anna E. Mr. Connell has been a worthy Odd Fellow for thirty-three years, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum of the Knights of Honor. During the late war of the Rebellion he served in the One Hundred and Second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry for two years, receiving an honorable discharge from it as quartermaster. He has been a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and is now serving as trustee of the Presbyterian Church here. In politics he is a Republican.
D. J. CORY, farmer, stock dealer and ex-judge, Findlay, was born in War- ren County (then in the Norwestern Territory) April 17, 1801, nine months before the State of Ohio was organized, son of Elnathan and Hannah (Jen- nings) Cory. His father, of Knickerbocker stock, born in Essex County, N. J., immigrated to Ohio about 1795, and settled in Columbia, which now forms a part of the city of Cincinnati. The country was new and sparsely settled, and he had to endure all the privations incident to pioneer life. Not be- ing satisfied with his prospects in Columbia, he removed to what is now known as Warren County, and established a nursery. He was one of the earliest nur- serymen in the State; the well-known apple entitled the "Cory Red," origi- nated in his orchard. Ex-Gov. Vance and Elnathan Cory laid out the town of Findlay in 1827, and built a mill-dam at Blanchard's Fork of the Au- glaize River, which were the first important improvements in the county. The mother of Judge Cory, Hannah (Jennings), descended from English ancestry, was born in Virginia, but immigrated, with her family, to Ohio about 1800, and settled near Cincinnati. Her father, David Jennings, was
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FINDLAY TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
shot and mortally wounded by the Indians as he was returning home from the mill. Our subject attended a log-cabin school in his boyhood, and early worked on his father's farm. When he arrived at eighteen years of age he removed to Dayton, Ohio, where he had some further educational advantages, and, although engaged in the store of Steel & Price, he attended school for eighteen months. Returning home, he engaged in the farming and milling business, the saw and grist mill, which had machinery for wool-carding, be- ing the property of his father. At the expiration of four years he relin- quished the business and settled on a farm near Springfield, at a place now called Enon, and there commenced raising stock as well as engaging in ag- ricultural operations. Thence he went to Williams (now Henry) County, about eight miles below Napoleon, and was there engaged in farming and stock raising for nearly fifteen years. In February, 1835, he was appointed by Gov. Lucas an associate judge of Henry County, which office he held for several years. Being a member of the Whig party, which was defeated at the polls by the Democrats, his career as a judge closed. For twenty years he was director and stockholder in the Fremont & Indiana (now the Lake Erie & Louisville) Railroad, and devoted his best energies to promot- ing its success. April 17, 1827, he was married to Miss Martha Meek, who died February 26, 1868, without leaving any issue. This marriage took place near New Carlisle, Clark Co., Ohio. On September 7, 1869, he was married to Miss Anna W. Wright, of Urbana, by birth a Virginian. Her father, Reed Wright, had an intuitive hatred of slavery, which was the cause of his leaving Virginia, as he desired to rear and educate his children in a free State, and his wife, the mother of the second Mrs. Cory, had in- herited slaves, which she, however, manumitted, or otherwise liberated, in accordance with the laws of Virginia. November 2, 1848, Judge Cory re- moved to Findlay, where he had built a family residence, still managing his business of farming and stock raising, being the owner of considerable sec- tions of land in Wyandot, Marion and other counties. He has always oc- cupied a high and honorable position as a public-spirited and philanthropic citizen, and has taken a great interest in the temperance and religious work of Findlay, giving to both his sympathy and financial support. He is in earnest accord with the Methodist Church; and has the esteem and respect of the community of which he is so worthy a member. In politics he is a Republican, strongly attached to the principles of our country, and down on ballot-box stuffing.
WILLIAM J. CREIGHTON, treasurer of Hancock County, Findlay, was born in Cass Township, this county, May 29, 1847, son of Samuel and Arabella (Gilliland) Creighton, the former of whom, a native of County Down, Ireland, came to this country when a lad, with his parents, who set- tled in Allegheny County, Penn., where they died, leaving five sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and one daughter survive: David, in California; Ellen, now Mrs. McCrea, of Allegheny County, Penn. (she was widow of John McCrea); Samuel, who moved here in 1842 and settled in Cass Township, where he reared nine children-four sons and two daugh- ters of whom survive. William J., the sixth child of this family, received a good education, and at seventeen taught school, and was connected with the profession of teaching till 1875, when he moved here and served as clerk in Treasurer Hosler's office during that gentleman's incumbency. Mr. Creighton was a prominent candidate before the convention which nomi-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
nated Samuel Howard, Esq., as treasurer, falling short but one or two votes. He, however, retired to his farm, and in October, 1882, received the nomination and was elected, and in 1884 was re-elected to his present incumbency. He was married, in 1873, to Martha, daughter of Henry Ebersol. of Washington Township, this county. They have one son and one daughter: David Maurice and Jessie Mable. Mr. Creighton and fam- ily attend the services of the Presbyterian Church, the faith of his fathers. He has always taken an active interest in all measures tending to the public weal of his county, and has contributed liberally to matters tending to the advancement of its social and industrial life. In politics he is a Democrat. A. B. CROZIER, of the firm of Crozier & Linaweaver, photographers, Findlay, was born in Washington Township, this county, January 25. 1853, son of John and Susan Scott Crozier, the former a native of Brooke County. Va. (now West Virginia), and the latter of Carroll County, Ohio. They settled in this county in an early day, and reared a family of five sons and one daughter. A. B. Crozier. the subject of this sketch, spent his early life on the farm, but at the age of twenty-three years he took up photog- raphy, with which profession he has been successfully connected since. He was united in marriage in Findlay with Etna A. Ray, and to them have been born two children: Charlie Merle and Nellie Ray. Mr. Crozier is a member of the Photographers' Union. In politics he is a Republican.
GEORGE L. CUSAC, grocer, Findlay, was born in Portage Township, Hancock County, October 5, 1854, son of Isaac and Sarah (Van Eman) Cusac, pioneers of this county. He was reared to mercantile pursuits in his father's store in McComb, this county, and in 1878 embarked in the dry goods trade in Findlay, retiring from the same in 1882 to take up his pres- ent business, which may be said to be the most extensive in this locality. Mr. Cusac was united in marriage in Findlay with Ella, daughter of Dod- dridge and Harriet Bigelow, and to them has been born one daughter: Inez May. Our subject and wife attend services at the Presbyterian Church. He is a worthy Mason, an energetic business man and a public-spirited citizen. He contributes liberally to all enterprises tending to benefit the county. He is a member of the Findlay Improvement Company, and also of the Findlay Boring and Drilling Company. In politics he is a Democrat.
J. H. DECKER, deputy sheriff of Hancock County, Findlay, was born in Marion Township, this county. August 9, 1848, only son and the young- est in the family of six children of John and Sarah (Zimmers) Decker, who came to this county from Pennsylvania in 1833. He was reared in Marion Township, this county, on a farm, and at the age of seventeen years he engaged in the drug business with S. & J. M. Huber, continuing with them for five years, after which he embarked in same line for himself, which he carried on successfully for ten years, retiring from it in 1882 and engaging in railway business, representing the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railway, till accepting his present position in January, 1885. Mr. Decker was united in marriage, in 1876, with Annie McManness, sister of the present worthy sheriff of this county, and to them have been born three children: Lemuel, Tod and Ina. Mrs. Decker attends the Lutheran Church. Mr. Decker is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Encamp- ment; is also a Master Mason. In politics he is a Republican.
DR. WILLIAM M. DETWILER (deceased) was born in Mifflin County, Penn., August 23, 1832, son of George and Julia A. (Matter) Detwiler,
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FINDLAY TOWNSHIP AND VILLAGE.
who came of worthy German pioneer ancestry of Pennsylvania and Mary- land. The subject of this sketch learned his father's trade (plastering), and in 1851 came West and located in Findlay, this county, where he car- ried on his trade for some time. He subsequently moved to Illinois, and, on returning from there, in 1859, entered the office of Dr. Osterlen, where he prosecuted the study of medicine. On the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion our subject left his worthy preceptor's office and enlisted his services in defense of the Union; three years of his time, however, were de- voted to service as hospital steward, and upon the close of the war he re- turned to his medical studies, graduating from the Homeopathic Hospital College of Cleveland, Ohio, in 1867. Dr. Detwiler located in Findlay, and for ten years was prominently identified with the profession of medicine in this portion of the State. The Doctor's death occurred April 30, 1877. He was at that time president of the Ohio State Homoeopathic Medical Society, and also president of the Alumni Association of Cleveland College. The Masonic, Odd Fellows and K. of P. societies, the Findlay Guards and the ex-soldiers all took part in the funeral ceremonies in his memory. Dr. Detwiler was an ardent Sabbath-school and church worker, and was an acknowledged leader in all interests he sought to serve. In politics he was a Republican. He was a liberal contributor to measures conducing to the public welfare, and was a kind friend and an exemplary husband. He was happily mar- ried, December 19, 1854, to Miss Harriet Tritch, by whom he had no chil dren, but they adopted and reared a son and a daughter: William M., now a merchant tailor, and Victoria, now the wife of E. H. Young.
E. G. DE WOLFE, editor of the Republican, Findlay, was born in Centre- ville, Butler Co., Penn , April 16, 1837. He is the fourth son of Dr. E. Gibbons and Sarah A. (Harris) De Wolfe, of Pennsylvania, the former of French Hugue- not stock, descended from one of three brothers of that name who fled from persecution in their native land and settled in New England about the year 1690, after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. At the death of his father, in 1846, the subject of this sketch resided with an uncle, T. R. De Wolfe, in Vernon, Trumbull Co., Ohio, until 1850, when he entered the office of the Whig, Butler, Penn., as an apprentice, but completed his trade on the Record, Prospect, Penn. His health failing he was compelled to relinquish the printing business and settled on a farm, teaching school in the winter. In 1861 he removed to Ohio and in 1863, in company with his brother Joseph, purchased the Pike County Republican, which they pub- lished at Waverly for three years, during which time he held the position of deputy assessor of internal revenue. Refusing to follow Andrew Johnson into the Democratic party he was removed from office, sold out his paper and accepted a position as foreman of the Ohio State Journal, at Columbus, Ohio, where he remained until September of 1868, when in company with Dr. A. P. Miller, of the Toledo Blade, he purchased the Findlay Jeffer- sonian, with which he was connected until May 1, 1876, when he retired to accept the appointment of postmaster by President Grant, was reappointed by Hayes in 1880 and reappointed by Arthur in 1884. In 1881 he pur- chased an interest in the Findlay Republican, with which he is still con- nected. In 1855 he married, in Butler County, Penn., Miss Emma Flemming, and the union has been blessed with four sons and four daughters, five of whom are yet living.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
EDWARD DIETSCH, furniture manufacturer and dealer, Findlay, was born in Ebersdorf, kingdom of Saxony, March 12, 1838, son of Charles and Christina Dietsch, who came to America in 1849 and settled in Find- lay, where Charles Dietsch carried on his trade of cabinet-making, and eventually engaged in the furniture business. He died here in 1883, leav- ing his widow, three sons and a daughter: Edward; C. H., proprietor of the Commercial Hotel; Anthony, with Edward in the firm, and Euphemia, wife of Richard Hennesy, of Findlay. The subject of this sketch was reared to his present business, and embarked in it in 1861 with his father, and in 1871 Anthony united with him in the business. Mr. Dietsch mar- ried, in 1861, Wilhelmina Karg, a native of Boenningheim, Wurtemberg, Germany. They have one son and two daughters; Clara, wife of Christian Heyne, of Findlay; Charles Edward and Lela. The family attend the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Dietsch is an active citizen and public- spirited man, and has served in several of the city official positions. In politics he is a Democrat.
FREDERICK DUDUIT (deceased) was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1807, son of William and Agnes Duduit, natives of Paris, France, who came to America in 1790 and finally settled on the French grant. He mar- ried September 22, 1833, Miss Helen H. Gilruth, daughter of Rev. James Gil- ruth, a clergyman widely known in connection with Methodism in Ohio, and a son of Thomas Gilruth, Esq., a native of Scotland and of old Covenanter stock. He came to this county November 22, 1833, and cleared land and made a home. To Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Duduit were born ten children: James Gilruth, supposed to have lost his life at the burning of the steamer "Sultan," April 2, 1858; Agnes, deceased wife of Capt. Oliver P. Capelle, who lost his life at the battle of Stone River, Georgia; Mary, deceased at the age of fourteen years; John Wesley, who died in 1870, leaving a widow and three children; William, at home; Naoma, wife of C. C. Godman, of Lincoln, Neb .; Sarah, wife of W. E. Snyder, of Findlay, Ohio; Grace, at home; Kate, at home; Edward, at home. Mrs. Frederick Duduit died January 12, 1886, and Mr. Frederick Duduit March 28, 1886. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Duduit was a Repub- lican.
ELIJAH T. DUNN, attorney at law, Findlay, was born in Knox County, Ohio, June 20, 1840. His father was a farmer and tobacco grower. In 1844 he removed with his people to Wood County, Ohio, in what was then known as the " Black Swamp," where, around a hickory bark fire, and three terms of winter school, his early education was finished. At the age of thir- teen he entered the office of the Herald of Freedom, at Wilmington, and became an expert printer. He taught several terms of school in Clarke and Hancock Counties, pursuing in the meantime the study of law. On the break- ing out of the Rebellion he united with the Union party, while yet a minor, and did service for a short time as a member of the Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteers. Becoming unable to perform duty as a soldier, he con- tinued for a while in a clerkship in the quartermaster department at Nash- ville, Tenn. Returning to Findlay he completed his law course, and on the 2d of August, 1862, was admitted to the bar. He was then twenty-two years of age. He then settled down in Findlay, and has ever since been creditably identified with the legal profession. Mr. Dunn is a very busy man. Besides a large law practice, he owns and controls a good farm, and
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devotes considerable attention to fine cattle. He is a stockholder and direc- tor in the Farmer's National Bank, director and secretary of the Findlay Gas Light Co., of the Findlay Oil & Gas Co., and President of the Wood & Hancock Oil & Gas Company. He devotes a great deal of attention to financial matters. He favors public improvements, and on all questions in- volving public enterprises he takes a leading and aggressive part.
January 12, 1865, he was married to Martha I., danghter of Anthony Strother, of Findlay, and by her has had three sons: Bernard L., John A. and James C. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Mr. Dunn of Stoker Post, G. A. R. and Hancock Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is not a politician, but votes with the Democrats. Has held the offices of justice of the peace and collector of internal revenue. Of his family, so far back as they are known, it may be said that they have been honest, industrious, intelligent and generous. Never was one convicted of crime. They have not been distinguished, but along the vale of life have kept the even tenor of their way. Yet the " simple annals of the poor" are, to those in- terested, well worth preserving, because we may all meet again on the morning of a better day. Indebtedness is due to J. B. Dunn, of Deshler, Ohio, for the following genealogy of the Dunn family. He has preserved it with great care, and it is believed to be correct.
Genealogy of the Dunn family as given by Jacob B. Dunn, of Deshler, Henry Co., Ohio: "About the year 1720 one George Dunn, with two brothers, all Protestants, came from North Ireland (near Londonderry), to Long Island. One brother subsequently settled in New Jersey, and George Dunn in Maryland. From these brothers, the Dunns of Hamilton County, Ohio, or Indiana, and part of those of Kentucky, Virginia and Pennsylvania, derive their descent.
"The above mentioned George Dunn was a Baptist preacher, and carried his 'rather damp' gospel west of the Allegheny Mountains, through what from his name was called 'Dunn's Gap.' The date of his birth, death and marriage, and the name of his wife, are not within the knowledge of the writer, but there lived such a man called George Dunn. His son (also named George), was a farmer, living near Harper's Ferry, in Maryland or Virginia. This second George Dunn had four sons and two daughters: John, George, Jacob and Peter; Catharine married James Schnebly, and with him settled near Xenia, Ohio; Mary (or Polly) married a man named Elam, and settled in western Ohio. Their father (the second George Dunn) died February 22, 1817. Of the sons, Peter died in Kentucky, a few years before the war of the Rebellion. Jacob died in Knox County, Ohio, about 1862. John died in Washington County, Md., about 1831. George (the second son of the second George Dunn, and the third bearing the name), was born in Washington County, Md., January 8, 1779. He died in Wood County, Ohio, December 13, 1865. The wife of the ‘second George,' and mother of the above six children, was named Susanna, maiden name unknown. She died April 27, 1811. The third George Dunn was married near the close of the eighteenth century, to Sarah Mills, who was born 1776 (day not known), and died in 1845.
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