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 97
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very successful, and at the time of his demise owned 300 acres of land, the greater part of which is now in the corporation, and mostly owned by his daughter, Martha J., widow of Dr. Turner. He also owned eighty acres of land in Wood County, Ohio. He died October 12, 1856. His wife, whose maiden name was Julia Ann Thrap, lived to the advanced age of sev- enty-one years and died in 1881. They reared a family of nine children- seven sons and two daughters. Five of the sons were in the Union Army during the late war of the Rebellion, all serving three years; two re-enlisted and served till the close of the war; one was a commissioned officer- Joseph, captain of Company K, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
EDWARD H. ROSENBERGER, farmer and stock, raiser, P. O. Mc- Comb, was born in Washington Township, Hancock Co., Ohio, October 19, 1849, son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Hartsough) Rosenberger, the former born in Pennsylvania, of German descent, the latter a native of New York, of English lineage. Daniel Rosenberger, who was a farmer in early life, was a stone-mason by trade, and in later years a minister in the German Bap- tist Church; he came to Ohio in 1835, settling in Seneca County on a farm, where he lived three years, then moved to Washington Township, Hancock County; in 1873 moved to Blanchard Township, Hancock County, where he died in 1876. He had been twice married, and reared a family of nine children. The subject of our sketch, the sixth. horn by the first wife, re- ceived his education in the schools of this county. At the age of twenty- three he commenced to teach school, a profession he followed for four win- ters, but has made farming the principal business of his life. He was mar- ried, in 1875, to Jane, daughter of George D. and Lydia (Matthias) Wick- erham, the former of English lineage, the latter of German origin. To this union were born the following named children: Jesse C. and Harvy Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberger are members of the German Baptist Church. He has been a minister since 1878, preaching at present at the Sugar Ridge Church in this township. He is the owner of eighty acres of cultivated land.
PETER ROTZ, retired, McComb, was born in Franklin County, Penn., October 15, 1809, eldest born of John, a tanner, and Christiana (Sours) Rotz, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, and who reared a family of seven children. Our subject attended the common schools, and when seven- teen years of age learned the harness-making at which trade he worked till 1832, when he commenced clerking in a hotel on corner of Third and Wood Streets, Pittsburgh, Penn., where he remained for four years. Thence he went to Wheeling, Va., and clerked in the United States Hotel, where he remained four years. He then clerked on a steam-boat on the Ohio and Mis- sissippi Rivers for five years. He moved to Pleasant Township, this county, in 1844, and settled on the farm, carrying on a harness shop located on the road, and often had more work than he could do. He was married, in 1844, to Susan J. Mccullough, of Irish descent and born in Franklin County, Penn., daughter of George and Susan J. Mccullough. To Mr. and Mrs. Rotz were born seven children. Mr. Rotz has lived to see his wife and six children laid in their final resting place, he and his son John S. being the only survivors of the family. Mrs. Rotz was a member of the Presbyterian Church. When our subject reached his majority he bought eighty acres of wild land in Pleasant Township, and by hard work and economy has suc- ceeded in accumulating a handsome fortune, and has done his share toward the improvement and growth of McComb.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
JOHN S. ROTZ, retired merchant, McComb, is the eldest and only surviving child of Peter and Susan J. (Mccullough) Rotz, he received a common school education, and when a young man went to New Mexico, where he clerked in a hotel. In 1865 he crossed the plains to Colorado and there also clerked in a hotel two years. He then entered a general store in which he continued eight years as manager of the concern, then, in com- pany with his brother, embarked in business on his own account, which he carried on for ten years. During the war of the Rebellion Mr. Rotz enlisted and served as fifer in the band of Company G, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Rotz was married, in 1880, to Laura D., daughter of I. Simon, and by her he has one child, Nellie M. Mrs. Rotz is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically our subject is a Republican. He took an active part when the McComb, Deshler & Toledo Railway was built here, and served as its director and trustee.
HENRY RUDESILL, retired farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in York County, Penn., August 22, 1825, son of Samuel and Mary (Neff) Rudesill, natives of Pennsylvania and of Dutch origin, former a farmer. Our subject, the eldest in a family of eight children. received his education in his native State, and when he was twelve years of age his father moved to Hancock County, Ohio, settling on the farm where he died in 1883, his wife having preceded him in 1877. Henry Rudesill was reared on a farm, chose agriculture as his business, and has been remarkably success- ful. Though at the present time he owns but 260 acres, he possessed at one time as many as 700 acres in this township. In 1884 he sold a farm for $20,000 in cash. He started out for himself with but $100, and from this small beginning has accumulated a handsome fortune. He was married, June 18, 1848, to Eliza, daughter of John Kraft, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Rudesill reared twelve children: Susannah, wife of F. M. Harrett; Sarah, wife of John Frye; John, married, is a farmer and school teacher; Mary, wife of M. Keel; Leanna, wife of Frederick Burke; 'Lucretia, wife of John P. Fingst; Jane, wife of Nathaniel Hunt- wick; William F., married and engaged in farming; Alice M., at home; Sher- man, Perry, Archie. Our subject and wife are consistent members of the Evangelical Church, in which he has acted as Sabbath-school superintendent for four years, and has been exhorter since 1880. Our subject has resided in this township since 1850. He has been school director for twenty-five years.
SAMUEL SHOOP, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Pennsylvania, August 15, 1821; son of Henry and Barbara (Kaler) Shoop, also natives of Pennsylvania and who were of German descent. Henry Shoop, who was a farmer all his life, came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1845, lived on a farm in Pleasant Township one year, and thence moved to Erie County, Ohio. Our subject, the fifth in a family of twelve children that grew to manhood and womanhnod, is the only one residing in this county. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, attended the district school of Erie County and worked on the farm until he came to this county, in 1845, where he settled in the woods and enjoyed life better than he ever expects to again. He has resided on his present farm in Pleasant Township thirty-five years; is one of the successful farmers, owning a well improved farm of 120 acres. He was married, in 1846, to Mary, daughter of John and Anna (Stephenson) Kalb, of English and German origin. To this union were born the follow-
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ing named children: Eliza J., wife of Isaac Gault; J. R. and G. L., en- gaged in butchering at McComb; Annie E., at home. Mrs. Shoop has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for twenty-five years. Our subject, a Democrat in politics, has served nine terms as school director and several terms as trustee of this township.
JOSHUA SIMON, miller, McComb, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 17, 1833, son of Henry and Catharine (Stemple) Simon, the former born in Pennsylvania, of German origin, the latter a native of Vir- ginia, of English descent. His father, a farmer, settled in Wood County, in 1844, where he lived for many years. He was twice married, and reared a family of eleven children, Joshua, being the sixth born by his first wife. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, mostly in Wood County, Ohio. His first business venture was operating a saw-mill, and in 1854 he came to Hancock County, continuing in same in- dustry, but since 1863 he has lived at McComb, where he bought a grist- mill, which, after operating it for three years, he sold out, then speculated in real estate till 1878 when he bought his present mill, which he fitted up at great expense with the new process roller, etc., and here does a first- class business. Mr. Simon was united in marriage, in 1856, with Clarinda, daughter of Nathan Stafford, and of Irish descent. Their children are L. J., married, a druggist by profession; Lanson and E. A., both millers; Maud, Maggie, Jennie, Guy, Harry, Hattie. Mr. and Mrs. Simon are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is trustee. He has been a member of the school board for twenty years. Politically he is a Republican.
LANSON O. SIMON, miller, McComb, was born in McComb, this county, April 28, 1859, son of Joshua and Clarinda (Stafford) Simon, na- tives of Ohio and of German and English origin. Our subject, who is next eldest in the family of nine children, was reared on the farm, attending the graded schools in McComb, and the Vermillion Institute in Ashland County, Ohio. He first worked with his father on the farm and in the saw-mill, and in 1881 was admitted as partner in his father's grist-mill, which does a good merchant and custom business. He was united in marriage, September 26, 1882, with Lois C., daughter of Frank and Amie (Blakeman) Banks. Her father is a relative of the well-known Gen. Banks, a prominent offi- cer in the Union Army during the late war of the Rebellion. To Mr. and Mrs. Simon was born one child, Gretchen. Our subject and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church; politically he is a Republican.
JACOB SLUPE, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, February 21, 1830, son of Solomon, a farmer, and Anna (Schater) Slupe, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent, and who were the parents of nine children. Our subject, the eldest in the family, was reared on the farm, and acquired a common school education. At the age of twenty-one he learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed until 1865. He came to Hancock County in 1857, settling in Pleas- ant Township on 160 acres of fine land, where he now resides. He was married, in 1856, to Catharine Bachtel, a lady of German lineage, and to this union was born one child -Emma J. (now deceased). Mrs. Slupe died in 1859. Our subject was married on second occasion, in 1861, to Eliza, daughter of Joseph Kinsey, also of German descent, and by her he has had the following named children: Laura E., wife of E. M. Orwick; Ida A., at home; Sylvester (deceased); Florence Ella. Mr. Slupe has served in several
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
offices of trust, such as township trustee, school director and township treas- urer, for several years.
J. H. SMITH, dealer in lumber, McComb, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, August 15, 1836; son of George and Elizabeth (Brady) Smith, na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of German origin, former of whom was a farmer all his life. They reared a family of eight children, J. H. being the young- est. Our subject was brought up on the farm and attended district school, receiving a good English education. Early in life he studied dentistry at Wellsville, in his native county, where he practiced for a number of years. He then followed his profession in Franklin County, Ohio; then clerked in a dry goods store for two years and the same length of time in a hardware store. In 1879 he embarked in the lumber business in Williams County, Ohio, dealing in hardwood lumber. Mr. Smith came to McComb, Ohio, in 1881, where he carries on same business. He was married, in 1870, to Mrs. Elizabeth Mogle, nee Stuller, of German descent, widow of Simon Mogle (she had two children by her first husband: Addie, now the wife of George E. Linn, and Ettie at home). Mr. and Mrs. Smith have one child, Beula Belle. Mrs. Smith is a member of the Disciples Church. Mr. Smith is a Republican in politics. He has served as a member of the board of educa- tion and of the town council and was a delegate to the Congressional Con- vention He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
C. F. SPEICE, druggist, McComb, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 26, 1850, son of Peter and Sarah J. (Griffith) Speice, latter of whom died when C. F. was but a child. Peter Speice, a native of Pennsyl- vania, was a cabinet-maker by trade, but followed farming. He was twice married; came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1807, settling in Perry Coun- ty, and worked at his trade till 1830, when he moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, and settled on a farm, where he spent the residne of his life. He died in 1855. Our subject (the youngest of a family of seven children), after his mother's death lived with his uncle, David Speice, who was a farmer. C. F. Speice left the farm when nineteen years old, and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until he was able to purchase a stock of furniture. He continued in the furniture business about two years, then bought a stock of drugs, and continued both businesses for four years. In 1882 he came to McComb, and has since engaged in the drug business. He was married, in 1869, to Sarah G. Johnston, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and of English descent. Their children now living are Edward Johnston, Jennie, Willie, Stella and Charles Floyd. Mrs. Speice is a member of the Presby- terian Church, of which Mr. Speice is chorister. Our subject has served as a member of the school board, and is the present mayor of McComb. Po- litically he is a Republican. He is P. G. in the I. O. O. F.
JAMES STAFFORD, farmer, P. O. McComb, was born in Richland County, Ohio, July 2, 1827, son of Nathan and Christine (Wolf) Stafford, natives of Virginia, and of English and German origin, respectively. Na- than Stafford, who was a farmer, had a family of twelve children. Our subject (the seventh born) was reared on the farm, received a common school education, and chose farming as his vocation. Nathan Stafford died when James was twenty years old, and the latter helped to rear the younger children. James Stafford came to Hancock County in 1852, settling in Allen Township, and is one of the prominent farmers of this county. He owns 275 acres of well improved land. Mr. Stafford was married, in 1851, to
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PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.
Mary, daughter of John and Eva Harper, and whose father, a farmer, set- tled in Richland County, Ohio, in 1812. To Mr. and Mrs. Stafford were born the following named children: J. H. (married, and engaged in farm- ing), Samantha (wife of Henry Callingwood), Florence J. (widow of Ira Mackey), Judson (a farmer), Theresa (wife of Comer Culp), Ella (at home). In politics Mr. Stafford is a Republican. He has held the offices of trustee and steward of Pleasant Township.
C. C. SWITZER, M.D., McComb, was born in Findlay, this county, June 18, 1849, son of Samuel and Julia (Royce) Switzer, natives of Ohio, former of German descent, a farmer all his life, latter of English lineage, a daughter of Amos Royce, who lived to be ninety-five years old. Her grandfather was a captain in the Revolutionary war. Our subject is the seventh of a family of nine children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. He was educated in the common schools and high school of Findlay. He studied medicine with Dr. James Spayth, of Findlay, and took his first course of lectures at Cleveland Medical College, subsequently attending two courses of lectures at Bellevue Hospital and Medical College, in New York City, where he graduated in 1870 in a regular course. He first commenced to practice in southwestern Missouri, remaining there one year; then went to the southeast part of Kansas and continued his profession there four years. In 1877 he came to McComb, where he has since remained, first practicing in partnership with Dr. Watson for six years. The Doctor was married, in 1882, to Ada L. Ballard, of English descent, daughter of Dr. Horace Ballard, an able practitioner of Findlay, and who died in 1873. Their children are Bon and Samuel. In politics Dr. Switzer is a Prohibi- tionist. He is a member of the lodge of F. & A. M. at Findlay. The Doc- tor's father came with his father from Richland County to Hancock County in 1835, and settled in the woods, obtaining 160 acres of land from the Gov- ernment, and here the Doctor lived till he was eighteen years old.
THOMAS TODD, retired farmer, McComb. Among the early farmers and pioneers of Pleasant Township, this county, is Thomas Todd, who was born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 9, 1831, son of John and Mary (Patterson) Todd. The former of whom, born in Maryland, was of English and German origin, a farmer all his life, and the latter a native of Ohio, of English descent. They reared a family of eleven children, of whom Thomas is the ninth. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education in Franklin County, Ohio, and has made agriculture the business of his life. He came to Hancock County in 1852, settling on a farm near Findlay, where he remained only a short time, however, removing four miles north of McComb, where he owns 102 acres of improved land. Mr. Todd was thrice married, and by his first wife has two children living: Elenora and William; by his second wife three children living: George, John and Charles; by his third wife, to whom he was married in 1873, there is no issue. Mrs. Todd is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Todd is a Methodist and has served as steward of his church. Politi- cally he is a Republican. He has been school director.
DR. GEORGE L. TURNER, deceased, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, September 2, 1829, son of William and Rebecca (McComb) Turner, of English lineage; former a farmer. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, George L. being the third. Our subject was reared on the farm, at- tending the common schools in Putnam County and the high school at Lima.
46
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Ohio, where his father moved when he was only five years old. He studied medicine in the office with his cousin, Dr. Samuel Turner, the first physician who located in McComb. There our subject remained three years and then attended the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, Mich. He subsequently returned to Ohio and commenced, the practice of his chosen profession at Leipsic, where he remained two years; thence came to McComb in 1856, and had an extensive practice here till his death, which occurred in 1880. He was married, in 1854, to Miss Martha J., daughter of John and Julia Ann (Thrap) Randall, who were among the early settlers of this county, John Randall being a prominent farmer, owning 300 acres of land here at the time of his death. Dr. Turner was eminently successful in his pro- fession and succeeded in accumulating a considerable share of this world's goods, consisting of land and other property in McComb, which is now managed by his widow, a lady of cultivated taste and refinement.
A. J. WARREN, minister, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. McComb, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, August 8, 1830, son of Orin and Expe- rience (Bartlett) Warren, natives of New York and Connecticut, respect- ively, and of English and French descent. Orin Warren was a carpenter by occupation. Our subject, the seventh born in a family of eleven children, grew up on the farm and followed agricultural pursuits for thirty-five years. He received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-five years he joined the Church of God; was ordained a minister in 1858, his first charge being Forest Mission in Wyandot County, Ohio. Mr. Warren has been remarkably successful in his ministrations. He has preached in nineteen counties in northwestern Ohio, and during his ministry has or- ganized two churches in Wyandot County, two in Defiance County, one in Putnam County, one in Paulding County and one in Henry County, Ohio. Mr. Warren was married, in 1850, to Catherine, daughter of Daniel and Mary (Briner) Spacle, of German lineage. To our subject and wife were born the following children: William W., Sarah J., Marion C., James F., Elizabeth A., Emma C., Joseph T. Mrs. Warren and all the children but two are church members. Politically Mr. Warren is a Prohibitionist.
J. H. WATSON, physician, McComb, was born November 30, 1833, son of Richard and Lucy Watson, natives of Maryland and of English origin, and who reared a family of nine children, J. H. being the sixth. The parents came to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1834, and entered land near Findlay, where W. C. Watson, a successful farmer, now resides. Our sub- ject attended the district school and high school at Findlay, and there studied medicine in the office of Drs. Armstrong & Green. In 1855 he entered the Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduating in 1857. He first practiced at Grand Rapids, Ohio, where he remained for seven years, then came to McComb, where he has since resided and has a large practice. The Doctor was married, in 1862, to Caroline Pratt, of English descent, daughter of Jonas Pratt, of Henry County, Ohio. Our subject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been trustee, also teacher in the Sabbath-school. The Doctor, who has taken an active interest in the advancement and improvement of McComb, owns 300 acres of land and one of the most expensive houses in the county. He served as a member of the school board. When the building of the McComb, Deshler & Toledo Railroad at this point was proposed he encouraged the project by his name and influence, and was one of its direc-
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tors. He is a F. & A. M. In politics he is a Republican, differing in this respect from his father and brother who are Democrats.
W. W. WINTERS, dealer in fruit trees, McComb, was born in Pleas- ant Township, this county, October 15, 1855, son of Abraham and Sarah (Clarton) Winters, native Ohioans and of German descent, and who had a family consisting of one daughter (who died young) and six sons who grew to manhood. Abraham Winters settled on a farm in this county in 1852. Our subject, the third born, grew up on the farm, attending the district school till he was eighteen years old, when he entered the high school at Findlay, where he remained nearly two years; then concluding to become teacher, he attended the normal school at Ada, Ohio, subsequently teaching school one year. About this time he commenced as agent for the sale of trees, in which he has been very successful, and now buys and sells fruit trees, etc., employing three assistants. Mr. Winters was mar- ried, in 1882, to Arretta, daughter of A. J. VanHorn, a native of Indiana, and of German origin, and by her he has one child, Homer. Our sub- ject and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is class-leader. Politically he is a Republican.
DAVID WRIGHT, grain merchant, dealer in live-stock, and an extensive farmer of McComb, was born in Pleasant Township, this county, March 17, 1840, son of David and Diana (Baker) Wright, native Ohioans. His father, of English descent, was among the pioneer farmers of this county, coming here in 1835 and settling in the woods, improving the farm which our sub- ject now owns. When he moved to Pleasant Township he had to cut a road seven miles in length to reach his settlement, on Section 24. He managed to clear seven acres the first year, besides helping at eighteen log-rollings. He was also a successful hunter, and for many years killed, on an averge, from sixty to seventy deer each winter. He died in 1884, aged seventy-six years. Our subject's grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. To David and Diana Wright were born five children, three of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Our subject, the youngest, was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools, and has made farming a spe- cialty. He commenced to deal in stock when he was quite young, and has followed this line of business to the present time. He had two partners when he bought the elevator and warehouse here, in 1880, but has since conducted business alone. He is the owner of 300 acres of well improved land, on which he lives. Mr. Wright was married, October 24, 1860, to Lucy Plummer, by whom he had three children --- two now living: Luella C., William M. (deceased) and S. Udora. Mrs. Wright died in 1875. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wright then married, in 1876, Matilda McClester, by whom he had two children: Maggie (deceased) and David C. Mrs. Wright is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wright is a member of the K. of P. He has served as school director, and has been a member of the Grange.
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