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 95
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WILLIAM H. CONINE, retired farmer, McComb, was born in Morris County, N. J., July 22, 1815, son of Jacob and Sarah (Lawrence) Conine, natives of New Jersey, and of German descent, the former a farmer by occu- pation. Our subject, who early lost his father, was reared by his uncle, who kept a hotel. After receiving a common school education, he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked for several years. He was mar- ried, in 1840, to Loretta G. Gail, a native of Erie County, N. Y., and to this union were born four children: Ira B., Hannah M., Sarah F. and Sta- tira M. Mrs. Conine died in 1884. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which our subject has served as steward and trustee. Mr. Conine is a Republican in politics; served as school director for twenty- five years and as trustee several terms; was justice of the peace nine years, and mayor of McComb two years. He has lived in Ohio since 1821, and in Hancock County since 1848.
IRA B. CONINE, attorney at law, McComb, Ohio, was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 24, 1841, only son of William H. and Loretta (Gail) Conine, who were the parents of four children. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and followed agri- cultural pursuits till August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He remained with his company and regiment, a part of the time on detail as clerk in the provost marshal's office, at Falmouth, Ky., until July, 1863, when he was detailed and sent to Boston, Mass., on duty, where he remained until November, 1863, when he again rejoined his company and regiment at Knoxville, Tenn., just after the siege of Knoxville. During the winter of 1863 and 1864 he remained with his regiment in that severe campaign against Gens. Long- street and Wheeler. He participated in one battle during that winter cam- paign in which his regiment lost seventy-nine men. About April 20, 1864, he went to Knoxville, Tenn., where he was detailed as commissary sergeant of the convalescent and exchange camp, where he remained until February, 1865, when he was detailed as brigade commissary sergeant, and sent on Stoneman's raid through east Tennessee and North Carolina, in which posi- tion he served until the close of the war. Was mustered out of the United States service June 17, 1865, at Knoxville, Tenn., and im- mediately went back to Greenville, Tenn., and went into depot com- missary as clerk at that post. In August, 1865, he returned home. Was married in September, 1865, to Minerva J., daughter of Philip and Mary (Carey) Bysel, and whose father was a native of Pennsylva- nia, and of German descent. To this union were born the following children: Wallace B., Cloyce D., Gail M., William H., Pearl and Dallas C. Mr. Conine went to farming on rented ground, and lived in a log cabin. His wife, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, died in 1878. He was again married, in 1879, to Ella H., daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Routson) Shaw. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he now is and has for the six years last past been district steward, and for many years has been a member of the board of trustees. He is a Republican in politics; has never sought or accepted office. He is a member of the G. A. R., a Past Chancellor and District Deputy in the order of K. of P. Mr. Conine commenced to read law in the log cabin on the farm in 1876. In January, 1878, he passed an examination, and was admitted to the bar. He at once began the practice of law with great suc-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
cess, and in 1884 was admitted to the bar of the United States court. His business has so increased that he has an extensive practice in the county in which he lives and in adjoining counties. He is now the owner of a fine farm, consisting of 200 acres, and several town properties, and has been financially successful.
TAYLOR CONINE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Shawtown, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, October 23, 1857, son of James H. and Elizabeth (Guear) Conine, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania and of German origin. They reared a family of eight children, Taylor being the fourth. James H. Conine, a farmer by occupation, was an early settler of Hancock County, coming here in 1855 and settling on a farm in Blanchard Township. Our subject, who was reared on the farm and at- tended the common school, has always followed agricultural pursuits and has been remarkably successful, now owning a farm of eighty acres on Sec- tion 20, Pleasant Township, whereon he now resides. Mr. Conine was united in marriage, February 5, 1885, with Mary H., daughter of F. High, an early settler of this county and where he lived for many years (at his death Mrs. Conine, his only child, inherited eighty acres of improved land on Section 19, this township). In politics Mr. Conine is a Democrat.
ALLEN COOPER, manufacturer, McComb, was born in Portage Town- ship, this county, September 18, 1834. eldest child of James and Jane Eliza (Cusac) Cooper. (A sketch of his parents appears in this volume, and for a more extended history of his mother's family see biography of Hon. I. Cusac of McComb.) Our subject received a common school education and worked on the farm till he was twenty-one years old when he embarked in the saw-mill business in company with J. Cusac. The latter sold his iu- terest after one year, to Joshua Simon, and the partnership of Allen Cooper and Joshua Simon lasted for twenty-one years. They did a successful busi- ness, dealing in hard lumber, sashes, doors, blinds and shingles. Mr. Simon subsequently sold out and in 1881 W. P. Cooper bought a third in- terest and the firm style is now Cooper & Bro. Our subject was married, in 1859, to Rebecca, daughter of William Ritter, whose parents were natives of Switzerland. This union has been blessed with eight children, only two of whom now survive: Ida L., wife of Prof. H. W. Doty, superintendent of the McComb high schools, and William E., at home. Mr. Cooper served two terms as trustee of Pleasant Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F .; in politics a Democrat.
W. P. COOPER, manufacturer, McComb, was born in Portage Town- ship, this county, July 6, 1851, son of Judge James and Jane Eliza (Cusac) Cooper, former a pioneer of Hancock County. Our subject was reared on the farm; received a common school education in his native county, and followed agricultural pursuits till 1881, when he embarked in the business of manu- facturing hardwood lumber, and is now doing a general lumbering business. He was married in 1871 to Anna E. Marshall, of Scotch origin, and daugh- ter of James Marshall. This union has been blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living: H. J., Lena V., Phebe E., Ettie J., Thomas S., James, Nellie and John. Mrs. Cooper is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Cooper is a Democrat. He has served as trustee of Portage Township.
S. A. COOPER, real estate dealer, McComb, was born in Baltimore, Md., April 6,1837, son of Samuel and Sarah (Harris) Cooper, the former born in
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England, the latter in Wales, and who came to America with their parents. They had a family of thirteen children, nine attaining maturity, S. A. being the seventh born. Samuel Cooper, our subject's father (who was but four years old when he came to this country) learned the shoemaker's trade, and car- ried on business at Baltimore, Md., for four years, then moved to Mercer County, Penn. There our subject attended the common school and learned his trade of his father. After completing his apprenticeship he worked at his trade for twenty-five years, part of the time also dealing in boots and shoes. He was married, in 1861, to Miss E. J. Seiple, a lady of German de- scent, by whom he has had seven children, three of whom are now living: Jen- nie L. (wife of B. F. Freed), Edmond (clerking in McComb) and Bertha, at home. Mrs. Cooper has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty years. Mr. Cooper first embarked in business on his own account in Pennsylvania, after three years moving to Summit County, Ohio; two years later to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he remained five years. In 1878 he came to McComb, and worked at his trade till he was elected mayor of McComb. In 1879 he commenced the real estate business. He is a member of Benton Ridge Lodge, No. 418, F. & A. M., having been admit- ted a member of the fraternity at Akron, Ohio, in 1883. He is also a mem- ber of the American Mechanics.
E. T. CUMMINS, farmer and stock raiser, P. O., Shawtown, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, December 27, 1828, son of Benjamin and Mary (Davis) Cummins, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish and Scotch. descent, respectively. Benjamin Cummins, who was a farmer, came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1831, locating in Liberty Township, but after- ward removed to Pleasant Township, where he died in 1875. Our subject, third in a family of ten children, received his education in Findlay, was reared on a farm, and early in life, commenced teaching school, a vocation he followed for many years during the winters. farming in the summers. Since 1867 Mr. Cummins has been a minister of the gospel in the Method- ist Church; has had several charges but of late years has filled vacancies. He was married, in 1855, to Sarah E., daughter of William and Rachel (Skelly) Hanna, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and Scotch descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Cummins were born the following named children: Albert B., married and engaged in farming; Maria L., wife of G. M. Swaney; Elmer and Olive, both at home. Mrs. Cummins is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Cummins is deacon. Politically, our subject is a Republican. He has served as justice of the peace for several years, also served as township trustee, and for twenty years was school director. His principal occupation for several years has been settling up decedents' estates. He has lived in Pleasant Township for about fifty years.
HON. ISAAC CUSAC, retired merchant, McComb, was born in Perry County, Ohio, November 18, 1829, son of Daniel and Sarah (Sellers) Cusac. Daniel Cusac, a farmer, came to Hancock County in 1839, and settled five miles northwest of Findlay. He reared a family of nine children, all of whom married and have families, and are now residents of this county, the eldest being seventy-one and the youngest fifty years of age. It is rare for so large a family, all grown to manhood and womanhood, to live so near each other, the greatest distance apart of any of these being about seven miles. Our subject, the seventh born in the family, was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education. He followed farming and
45
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
milling until the breaking out of the late war of the Rebellion, when he en- listed in Company G., Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was elected captain and subsequently became a major. During his service Mr. Cusac was taken prisoner by the enemy and kept in confinement seventeen months; was twice wounded, first in the hand and then in the shoulder. Our subject was married, in 1850, to Sarah L., daughter of Rev. George Van Eman, a Presbyterian minister and a pioneer of this county. To this union were born the following named children: Rebecca J., widow of G. C. Rotz; George L., a merchant, married and residing in Findlay, Ohio; Syl- via E., wife of Robert Morrison; and Sarah L., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Cusac are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Mr. Cusac built the second flour-mill in McComb, which he operated for three years; was engaged in general merchandising for six years. Politic- ally he is a Prohibitionist. He was elected, in 1858, and served as com- missioner of Hancock County, till his enlistment in the army. In 1866 he was elected to the Legislature and served two terms. He has been a mem- ber of the school board and has filled the offices of trustee and treasurer of Pleasant Township.
N. D. DAVIS, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Blanchard Township, this county, October 5, 1844, son of Alfred and Nancy (Houchins) Davis, natives of Ohio, and of Scotch and German descent, re- spectively. Alfred Davis was one of the pioneer farmers of Blanchard Township, this county, and is the owner of more than 1,000 acres of land in that township. N. D. Davis, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and acquired a common school education. He has made farming, stock raising and stock dealing his occupation, and is the owner of 280 acres of land in Van Buren Township, Putnam Co., Ohio, on which he resides. He married, in 1869, Annie E., a lady of German descent, daughter of Isaac N. Vangilder, a farmer. To Mr. and Mrs. Davis have been born three chil- dren: Cora L., O. T. and Merle C. In politics Mr. Davis is a Republican. Mrs. Davis is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
S. B. DAVIS, editor and proprietor of the McComb Herald, McComb, was born in LaFayette, Ind. His father, Samuel N. Davis, was by profession a clown in a circus and died before our subject was born. His mother subse- quently remarried. Our subject, when but seven years of age, ran away from home and went to Sacramento, Cal., where he found several ways of making a living, though he worked in a hotel most of the time. When thir- teen years old he returned to South Bend, Ind., and spent three years in learning the printer's trade in the office of the St. Joseph Valley Register, which paper was published by Schuyler Colfax and Mr. Wheeler. Our sub- ject next went "West" and for a time worked on a paper in Leavenworth, Kas. Returning to Toledo, Ohio, in 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after serving three months, re-en- listed, was assigned to Company D, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, and was wounded at the battle of Pea Ridge, Ark. At the expiration of his term of service he re-enlisted for three years more and served until the close of the war. While on picket duty at Helena, Ark., he was taken prisoner and confined for three months at Little Rock, Ark. After the close of the war of the Re- bellion, Mr. Davis returned to South Bend, Ind., and for four years engaged in the saw-mill and lumber interest. He then followed the show business and lectured for four years. In 1872 he established a newspaper at Bluff-
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ton, Allen Co., Ohio, and this he managed for two years and a half; then moved with the said printing office to Dunkirk, where he remained for eight and a half years, and there established and published the Dunkirk Standard. In 1883 he sold out in Dunkirk, came to McComb, and purchased the Herald, his present business. Mr. Davis' marriage was a romantic one. November 12, 1872, he met, and on same day married, Mary, daughter of John Meyers, of Dutchess County, N. Y. Her father served a term of years as high sheriff of that county, was a hotel-keeper, and died in his thirty-eighth year; he and his father and grandfather were all named John Meyers, all Democrats in politics, and all born in the same house, which has stood for over 200 years. To our subject and wife were born the following named children: Bessie, Belle, Harry, Clarence and Frederick. Mr. Davis is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of McComb Lodge, I. O. O. F., and John Howard Post G. A. R. Politically he is a Republican.
GEORGE W. EWING, merchant, McComb, was born in Ashland Coun- ty, Ohio, September 30, 1850, son of George and Sarah (Mogle) Ewing, natives of Pennsylvania and of German origin. His father, a farmer, moved from Pennsylvania to Ashland County, Ohio, and there farmed until 1851, when he came to Hancock County, Ohio, settling on a farm in Pleas- ant Township, where he still resides. George and Sarah Ewing were the parents of eleven children (nine now living), of whom George W. is the fifth. Our subject was reared on the farm, attending the common school and the high school at Findlay, Ohio. He worked on the farm, with his father, till he attained his majority, when he taught school for one year. He sub- sequently learned the tinner's trade, at McComb, at which he worked for four years. Then went to Dunkirk, Ohio, and embarked in business on his own account, selling agricultural implements, hardware and stoves for five years ; then he came to McComb and established a general store. He was married, in 1876, to Jennie Smith, of Irish-German descent, daughter of John Smith, a carpenter. To this union were born following named chil- dren: Edith E. and Hattie Etta. Politically Mr. Ewing is a Democrat. He has served as clerk of McComb.
F. P. FIFER, dealer in paints, oils, varnishes, etc., McComb, was born in Rockingham County, Va., January 18, 1850; son of Silas and Catharine (Richey) Fifer, also natives of Virginia, and of English and Ger- man origin, respectively, former a painter by trade. They came to this county in 1867. Our subject, the only child by his father's first mar- riage, received his education in the common schools and has never been en- gaged in any other business than his present one. He was united in mar- riage June 4, 1871, with Marinda, daughter of Frank and Malinda (Spit- ler) Edgington, natives of Ohio and of English descent. To this union were born the following named children: Charles, Jessie and Ebenezer. Mr. and Mrs. Fifer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he is trustee and has been class leader. He is a Democrat in politics. He has served as a member of the town council in McComb.
H. M. FLETCHER, farmer and school teacher, P. O. McComb, was born in Portage Township, this county, October 7, 1861; son of Charles and Catherine (Brown) Fletcher, the latter of whom, at the time of her mar- riage with our subject's father, was the widow of P. Emmerson. By her union with Charles Fletcher (who was an early settler in this county and is the owner of a fine farm on which he resides) she has four children: Victor,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
E. J., H. M. and E. E. H. M. Fletcher was reared on the farm and ac- quired his education in the common schools of this county and in the Ada Normal School. He clerked for one year in the dry goods store of J. S. Roth, in McComb, and in the winter of 1881-82 he taught his first school. He has now taught school six terms. He is also a teacher in the Sabbath- school, and is a member of the United Brethren Church. He is a worthy member of the I. O. O. F.
GEORGE W. FONT, farmer, McComb, was born in Muskingum Coun- ty, Ohio, August 20, 1836, son of Frederick Font, of Welsh descent. His father, born in Virginia in 1798, enjoys good health and takes an active in- terest in the affairs of his farm. He, Frederick Font, came with his family to this county in 1841, settling in Pleasant Township, where he has since resided, taking up 160 acres of wild land, which he has cleared. His wife died in 1871. He is now passing his declining years with the youngest of his five children, George W. Our subject was reared on the farm, attending the log schoolhouse, and has made farming his vocation. He was married, in 1862, to Sarah E. Cochrel, by whom he had the following named chil- dren: John F. (deceased); Alice A., wife of W. C. Hanes, a barber, of Mc- Comb; Eugene Earl; William A, and Emmet, D. In politics Mr. Font is a Republican. In 1864 he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Sev- enty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participated in some severe battles, and served till the close of the war. He then returned home and resumed farming, though his health is seriously impaired by hardships endured while in his country's service. He is owner of a fine farm, part of which is within the corporation limits of McComb.
JAMES FRENCH, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Leipsic, Putnam County, was born in Rockbridge County, Va., December 20, 1816, and is the eldest child of Robert and Phebe (Grisby) French, natives of Virginia, and of French and English descent respectively, the former a plasterer and brick-mason by trade. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, acquired a common school education, in Licking County, Ohio, and, in 1836, started out for himself, working by the month, and also learning the carpen- ter's trade. He resided in Putnam County most of the time since, and has lived in Hancock County for the last eleven years. In 1846 he married Catherine (a lady of English descent), daughter of Elisha Stout, an early settler of Putnam County. Our subject and wife are parents of six chil- dren: Elisha, Sarah E., Margaret, William, Mary (wife of Asa R. Hig- botham, of Ottawa, Ohio) and James. Mr. and Mrs. French are members of the Disciples Church, in which church he is a deacon. Our subject is the owner of two farms comprising seventy-eight and eighty acres respect- ively. In politics he is a Democrat; has served as trustee of Blanchard Township, Putnam County.
PETER J. GROSE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Deweyville, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 4, 1852; the second in a family of six children of Jacob and Mary (Sherick) Grose, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Jacob Grose, who was a cabinet-maker in early life and in later years a farmer, came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1855, settling on a farm. Peter J. Grose received his education in the common schools and also attended Findlay High School. He was reared on the farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He owns 120 acres of well improved land on which he resides. He was united in marriage,
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in 1876, with Harriet Bolton, of English lineage, and daughter of Michael Bolton, an English professor, and for many years a school teacher. To our subject and wife were born the following named children: Alverda May, Pearl Estella and Merritt Roy. Mr. and Mrs. Grose are members of the Church of God, in which he is an elder, and of the Sabbath-school of which he is a teacher.
W. H. HALLIWILL, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Big Lick Township, this county, January 26, 1844, son of John and Elizabeth (Albert) Halliwill, the former born in Ohio, of English and Scotch- Irish descent, the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of German lineage. John Halliwill, a farmer by occupation, came to Big Lick Township, this county, in 1838, but is now a resident of Fostoria, Ohio. Our subject, the young- est in a family of eight children, was reared on the farm, attending the common school. He worked at the carpenter's trade for five years, but since 1878 has followed agricultural pursuits, and is now owner of a farm of seventy-eight acres in Pleasant Township, and on which he resides. He was married, in 1871, to Addie McKee, by whom he had one child, Martha J. Mrs. Halliwill dying in 1872, Mr. Halliwill married, on second occasion, in 1880, Jane Taylor, and to this union was born one son, John Albert. Mrs. Halliwill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Halliwill is a Republican. He is a member of Arcadia Lodge, I. O. O. F.
J. W. HARLOW, contractor and builder, McComb, was born in Mercer County, Penn., August 3, 1837, and is next youngest in the family of ten children of Philip and Eliza (Weaver) Harlow, natives of Germany, former of whom, a tailor by trade, died in Pennsylvania in 1860; latter died in Wood County in 1874. Our subject received a common school education, and at the age of nineteen commenced learning the carpenter's trade, which he has since continued in. He came to Hancock County in 1858, settling in Union Township on a farm, also worked at his trade. He came to Mc- Comb in 1882. He built the United Brethren Church at Hoytsville. From 1879 to 1880 he carried on a branch store for G. M. Ogden. Mr. Harlow was married, in 1860, to Sarah, daughter of Reuben George, a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Their children are Stephen A., Henry Milton, Mary E., Lillie May and Bertha L. Mrs. Harlow is a member of the Church of God. Mr. Harlow is a Democrat in politics. He has served as a member of the town council two years, and as a member of the school board of Wood County.
PHILIP HENRY HELFER, blacksmith, McComb, was born in Han- cock County, Ohio, in 1860, the eldest son and third child of Philip and Elizabeth (Howell) Helfer, latter a native of West Virginia, of English origin, her family being members of the Society of Friends (or Quakers). Our subject's father was born in Germany; came to America when a young man; was a carpenter in early life and among the first settlers of Hancock County, locating on a farm in Washington Township, where he lived; he died there in 1865. Philip Henry Helfer was reared on a farm in his native county, attending the common school, and at the age of sixteen com- menced the blacksmith trade. He was married, in 1881, to Carrie Cline, a lady of Scotch descent, daughter of Jacob Cline. Mr. Helfer has been successful financially and owns a neat, substantial house (in which he re- sides) and his shop and lot. Politically he is a Democrat.
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