History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 103

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 798

USA > Ohio > Logan County > History of Logan County and Ohio > Part 103

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N. traveled along with the family in the hardships that the pioneers had to encounter. lle was married Feb. 12, 1853, to Rachel, a daughter of Daniel and Amelia (Holliday) Williams, natives of Berkeley Co., Va. They came to Champaign Co. in 1830, and to 10- gran Co. in 1836, on the hill where Robert Parks now lives, buying first 160 acres, and afterwards another tract of 124 acres. The father died in 1844, and the mother six years prior to him. They had nine children, four of whom are living-Rachel, David, James and Mary. Her father was Township Trustee for many years before his decrase. The mother was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Dille settled ou their present farm of 101 acres immediately after marriage, and have since remained. He was elected Township Trustee in 1814. and is the present incumbent; he has also served in other minor offices. His amiable companion holls a membership in the Methodist Episco- pal Church. They have had nine children, six of whom are living Gilbert B., Martha, Mary .A., Laura, Ida and Belle. Those de- erased are Ara F., Lucy 1. and Carrie M. He has always been identified with the Ro- publican party.

BENJAMIN ELLIOTT. hardware; West Liberty; was born Feb. 1, 1825, in Chester Con, l'onn. His father, John, was born Nos. 2 1:95, and died Sept. 8. 1828, in the same county. as was also his mother, Mary Brogan Elliott, her birthday being Feb. 28. 1196; she died March 22, 1831. The father died when Benjamin was three years old, and in two

years the mother, too, "followed that beck- oning hand to the shore " of that cold. dark river, leaving five children to fight life's battle alone-Mifflin, born Feb. 6, 1815; Wilson, April 14, 1814; Hannab, Sept. 2, 1819; Eliza. June 17, 1822; Benjamin and Sarah died April 26, 1828. Benjamin lived with his uncle, Daniel Elliott, for two years, and then made a home with George Hoopes until 16 years old; during this time he took advantage of the cabin schools; he began then to learn the car- penters' trade with Charles Sloane, with whom he continued for three years, getting board and clothing for his labor, and two weeks during harvest, transferring thence to the employ of James B. Gibson for one year, at the expiration of which he worked at the same for John Davis, a brother-in-law; at the age of 21 he went to work at his trade at Mingo with his unele, William Elliott, for eighteen months; he then. in company with Job Salkeld, took a steamer at Cincinnati. ( .. after having worked at that place a short time. They landed first at Vicksburg, and worked a short time at carpentering, and thence to Natehez, Miss., and there witnessed the reception of Gens. Taylor and Quitman, who were just returning from the Mexican war: they then went to New Orleans, and in a short time took ship for Galveston, Texas, where they stopped but a short time, and, finding business dull. they soon sailed for Port Lavaco, which then contained about thirty log houses, but they did not unload their baggage, but returned to New Orleans. and thence to Natchez, where they resumed their trade, afterward engaging at Vicksburg; from there they transferred to Greenville, Miss., where they worked until the spring of 1849; they then took steamer for St. Louis, Mo., there engaging a short time, and then returned to Ohio, finally stopping at Urbana, where our subject continued bis trade, making his home with William Thomas, in Logan to. He soon after sought a companion in the per- son of Rebecca Wierman, the marriage tak- ing place May 27, 1852. Her parents, John and Jane Moorehead Wierman, were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Champaign C'o., O., in 1835. They had nine children, of whom six survive. Mr. Elliott farmed for some time in Champaign Co. after his marriage, and then went to Kansas, but in six months returned

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to West Liberty, and engaged at carpenter- ing, which he continued until 1868, when he abandoned it, and has since devoted his at- tention to his partnership business with Enos Baldwin. His marriage blessed him with six children-Addie. Willis, Eva, Nellie, Maud and Benjamin. Himself and wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church of West Liberty. When Mr. Elliott was 21 years old he started to Ohio, taking the cars at Penningtonville, Penn., and at Holliday's Ferry took a stage, and about midnight they run into a big snow-drift, and the passengers were compelled to wade the deep snow to a tavern a mile off. In the morning the stage eame up and they started on for Pittsburg. There he took a steamboat for C'ineinnati, ()., and from there took a stage for Dayton. The next morning after arriving, he started on foot for Mingo Valley, a distance of fifty miles. At the end of the second day he landed at his Unele William Elliott's, with a 85 gold piece. It is the privilege of but few to wit- ness the varied seenes that have made up the life of Benjamin Elliott. The disadvantages of his youth made him energetic and a close thinker, of vigorous frame and an active, in- vestigating turn of mind. His varied expe- riences have been treasured up for future profit. He has always been active, and is hon- ored for his unwavering adhesion to principle, and for his zeal and liberality in the promotion of all worthy objeets. Benjamin's father was one of seven children-Mary, born May 13, 1195; Martha, June 16, 1792; Daniel, Jan. 15, 1:95; Benjamin, May 16, 1802; Ann, Dec. 13, 1804, and Robert, Feb. 1, 1807.

W. R. FISHER, banker and grain dealer: West Liberty; was born June 26, 1826, in Hunterdon Co., N. J .; during early life, his educational advantages were limited, but by study, observation and experience, he has acquired a good business education; at the age of sixteen he began the trade of carriage- making, which he followed at Rosenburg for four years; he then mined in California for three years, at which he was somewhat suc- cessful. In 1851 he returned to New Jersey, and there remained until 1853, when he came to West Liberty and engaged in buying grain under the firm name of Runkle & Co., con- tinuing about two years; he then merchan- dised under the firm name of Fisher & Kelly,

continuing one year, when 'Kelly withdrew, and the firm changed to Fisher & Greer, con- tinuing four years. They then sold, and Mr. Fisher engaged in his present business, under the firm name of Taylor, Fisher & Co., and is doing a fine business in banking and grain, etc. He was married in 1854 to Eliza- Elizabeth M. Sieg, a native of Virginia; they have one chikl-Kate, who graduated at the Female Seminary at Staunton, Virginia, in 1880. Mr. Fisher has been a member of the School Board, and is now a member of the Town Council. He is a member of Liberty Lodges, Nos. 161, F., & A. M., and 96, 1. O. O. F., and has been treasurer of the latter since 1862. He takes an active interest in all improvements, and his sterling worth as a friend and neighbor, and as a successful business man, is recognized by his friends and acquaintances. His father, John, and mother, Susan (Runkle) Fisher, were born in New Jersey. They had three children, but two survive-Jacob and W. R. The father died 1832, and the mother was again married, this time to Archibald Kennedy. She died in 1816, a member of the Presbyterian Church, as was also her husband. Mrs. Fisher's grandfather was in the Revolutionary war. She has a fork that was used by him during that struggle. Mr. Fisher started life with nothing. While he was serving his apprentice- ship he worked for $25 per year, and at the termination of his four years he had only $30 left. This little treasure has been improved, and he now ranks amongst the wealthy.

CHARLES F. FOX, hardware, West Lib- erty; is the son of Julias and Paulina Diet- zel Fox; the former was born in 1823 and died July 17, 1859; he latter was born March 14, 1829, both in Germany; they emigrated to America in 1853 or 1854, and settled at Springfield, Ohio, where the father engaged in cabinet-making, in which he continued un- til his death; he was buried by the Rover, No. 4, Fire Company, of Springfield, and was the first one to depart that organization, and was borne to his silent resting-place on a hose wagon by his faithful comrades, who deeply mourned his loss; he was the father of Charles F. and Ernest E. (deecased). The mother was again married, March #, 1865, to George J. Walker, who was born Jan. 21, 1828, by whom she had three children, two of whom

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survive-Anna and George. Charles F. was born July 14, 1856, in Springfield, Ohio, where he attended the pay school; at the age of 11 years he began learning the tinner's trade with his uncle, Edwin Dietzel, at his native city, which he continued three years, and then engaged to a man by the name of Otto for two years, transferring then to the employ of Humphrey & Carter for two years. In ISTS, he began business at West Liberty, and is running a full line of stoves, tinware and house-furnishing goods. He was married, Sept. 10, 18:8, to Maggie Hlax, of Springfield, who was born June 21. 1856, and has blessed her husband with one child-Theodore F. Her parents, Frederick and Elizabeth Gorman Hax, were natives of Germany, and had nine children; her father is a laborer in the Old Champion Reaper Manufactory at Springfield; her pa- rents are both members of the Lutheran t'hurch, as were also his parents. Our sub- jeet and wife are active members of the Lutheran Church at this place, in which he has been Trustee. He has always been an active Republican. Ile is comparatively young, yet he has, by careful management, accumulated a nice little fortune to make him- self and family comfortable the rest of their days. His gentlemanly appearance has won for him a trade merited by but few in Logan

BENJAMIN GINN, hotel; West Liberty; was born, Jan. 13, 1809, in Mason Co., Kon- tucky. His school-days were spent in a log cabin; at the age of fifteen he began learning tailoring, at Washington, in his native county, his preceptor being the Rev. William Vaughn, with whom he continued until he was eighteen years old, at which period he came by a four- horse team to West Liberty, and soon after engaged at lis trade at this place, and was the first to work at that business here. In 1811 he embarked his financial means in a wider field of labor, going into the grocery business with Mr. t'lement, to which he devoted hisen- tire attention; in three years he withdrew from the firm of Gimm & Clement, and en- graged in the hotel business at this place, in which he continued with snecess until 1852, when he withdrew, and engaged in merchan- dising at Ridgeway. Hardin Co., this State. continuing the same for six years. In 1862,

he returned to this place, and again entered the grocery business, continuing until 1864, when he began in his present business, that of hotel-keeping, which vocation he intends to follow nutil time wafts him away. He was married July 29, 1829, to Jane Newell, by whom he had nine children, all of whom are living. Elizabeth, married P. W. Colvin, and living in Kentucky; Martha; William, now a salesman in Des Moines City, Iowa; Carrie; John A., printer on the Chicago Times; IIngh, now of Urbana; Ettie, Julia and Benann. Mr. Ginn has been Mayor of this town for eight years, and Justice of the Peace twelve years; was onee a member of the 1. O. O. F., and is, now, of the F. and A. M., at this place. His amiable wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He cast his first vote for President for Henry Clay, and has mostly voted the Republican ticket. The evil effects of intemperance that have come under his ob- servation, likewise those that he has ex- perienced, have made him one of the strongest of Prohibitionists. His parents, Benjamin and Lucy Triplett Ginn, were natives of Cul- pepper County, Va., and emigrated to Kon- tucky, where they died; they had eight chil- dren, of which two only survive, Benjamin and Thomas; the father was always an old "Jeffersonian School" Democrat. The grand- father, Triplett, was a captain in the Revolu- tionary war, and was of English descent; the grandmother Triplett was of Scotch-Irish des- cont.

MRS. SUSAN GLOVER, West Liberty; is a daughter of James and Letitia (Randall) Stafford, natives of Baltimore, Md. They emigrated to Pennsylvania, and there the father died. The mother and three children came, in 1835, to Springfield, Ohio, and, in 1836, she came to West Liberty, and here she died, in 1839. She had by Mr. Stafford thir- teen children. The three that came with

her were-Eliza, Julia and Susan. At the death of the mother, Susan went to live with Mr. Glover, whom she afterwards married. John M. Glover, her deceased husband, was born in 1811, in Portsmouth, Ohio, and moved with his parents, Nathan and Mary, to Pike- ton. There the parents died, when he, was about 10 years old, leaving him with neither brothers nor sisters. He came to West Lib- erty with Thomas P. Miller, at the age of 21,

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for whom he clerked in a dry-goods store. In 1834, he married Isabel, a daughter of Mr. Miller. She journeyed with him until 1855, when she died, being the mother of four chil- dren, two of whom are living and two de- ceased. Mary I. married John E. Smith ; Hester A., deceased ; Thomas W. had his name changed to Miller, in honor of his grand- father, Miller; and Fanny S. Mrs. Glover, deceased, was a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Glover was again married to the present Mrs. Susan Glover, by whom he had two children-Jolin M. and Almena K. He died March 26, 1880. lle was the oldest Elder of the Presbyterian Church at this place, and was one of the leading elements of the town, and became very wealthy, but ere his allotted time had elapsed he became financially em- barrassed. The Glover family are of English and Welsh descent. Mrs. Glover's mother was of English, and her father of Scotch descent. She is now located in a magnificent dwelling, which was built by her husband at a cost of about $40,000. The family are in possession of an orchard, the trees for which were car- ried from Kentucky years ago. This is, per- haps, the oldest orchard in this part of the country. Iler deceased husband was for many years President of the Pioneer Association. JOHN T. GRIBBLE, book-keeper; West Liberty; was born Nov. 9, 1836, in Logan Co., in what is now West Liberty, where he attended school as much as he could con- sidering the circumstances of the log cabin and the limited means of his parents. He early embarked in the mill of Mr. Glover at pack- ing flour. In 1854, he graduated at Bacon's Commercial College, at Cincinnati, O., and then entered the warehouse of Mr. Glover, as book-keeper, with whom he continued un- til it burnt. He then transferred to the em- ploy of Cornell & Co., dry-goods merchants, with whom he continued one year, and then, in partnership with J. E. Smith, rented the Glover mill for two years. He then withdrew and took a position as book-keeper for Tay- lor, Fisher & Co., in which he still continues. Fle has charge of the accounts of the warehouse business, also the railroad and express busi- ness (Fisher and Taylor being agents for those companies). He was married Feb. 21, 1860, to Margaret Kelley, who was born in 1831, by whom he has six children-Elmer R.,

Howard, Clark, Atta, Lester and Lois. The family attend the Lutheran Church. Mr. Gribble has always voted the Republican ticket. His father, Abner, and his mother, Catharine (Bombaugh) Gribble, were natives of Cumberland Co., Pa. The former was born April 2, 1197, and died May 11, 1867, the latter was born June 16, 1804, and still sur- vives. They were married and came to Champaign Co. and settled on a farm in the " green woods," which was improved but lit- tle, the father having soon after taken a posi- tion in the Miller mill, and there he continued until his death. Ile was the father of Hiram, now a grocer in California; Jane, married J. T. Ricks and is living in Florida; Harriet, married Francis Seaman, now living in Elk- hart, Ind .; Maria, married John Elcook; Rufus, is deceased; John T., William, pub- lisher of the Daily News at Urbana, Cham- paign Co .; Isabel, married Henry Dorn, and Joseph, grocer at this place. The father is deceased, the mother still living and a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

HARRY W. HAMILTON, editor Gazette; West Liberty; was born at Xenia, O., on the 18th day of June, 1847; youngest son of Henry A. and Sarah A. Hamilton. At the age of 12 years his father died, leaving the subject of our sketch dependent upon two older brothers for support, and from that time forward he was deprived of the benefits of even a common school education, but in a very short time thereafter he commenced the conflict of life. At 14 years he went to Springfield, O., and there obtained a situation as clerk in a boot and shoe establishment, be- longing to J. H. Phillips, and, by honesty and close attention to business, soon ingratiated himself into the good graces of a large pat- ronage. Being endowed by nature with a skillful use of the pen, at the age of 17, this accomplishment found him an excellent posi- tion in the Auditor's office, Fayette Co., which was tendered him, unsolicited, by Abel McCandless, the Auditor. There young Ham- ilton developed the fact that he had inborn qualifications for the intricate work of this office, and those who knew him best inform the writer that he appeared to grasp all the arduous duties of the Auditor with the greatest ease, and that he performed the same with eminent ability, foresight and care; that his

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work was always reliable, and that the ut- most confidence was imposed in his skill as an accurate accountant by everybody having business with the county. Mr. Hamilton was soon deputized by the Auditor and vested with the full power of Auditor. We not only find such leading citizens as Hon. Mills Gardner, Hon. William Millikan-the able editor of the Fayette County Herald-Judges Priddy and Gray, and others from Washington C. H., O., speaking highly of this young gentleman, but in his possession we find flattering en- comiums of his talent as an accountant from such distinguished men as Hon. William Lawrence, Hon. J. Warren Keifer. Hon. James Williams, ex-Auditor of State, Hon. Milton Barnes, present Secretary of State, Dr. Henry S. Babbitt, present Cashier of the State Treasury, Mr. C. M. Nichols, editor of the Springfield Daily Republic, and others of equally high authority. In the Auditor's office in Fayette Co. Mr. Hamilton served eight years, during which time he did con- siderable local correspondence for the Cincin- nati Gazette and t'incinnati Chronicle, after- wards the Times, and during the vigorous political campaign of 1-20-21, he supplied these papers with many stirring reports. Leaving the Auditor's office in 1822, Mr. H. went to Cincinnati, but returned to Washing- ton (. 11. again, and then removing to Springfield. O., remained there until January, 18;8. On the 9th of January, 1828, he came to West Liberty, and on the Hth day of that month he purchased the office of the West Liberty Press-owned by E. T. Davis, and published by W. P. Marion and Charles Davis, The office was taken under dis- couraging circumstances, and with meagre hopes of success, but on the 16th day of that month the West Liberty Gazette, a neat. twenty-eight column paper, made its first how to an astonished multitude. Some said it could not survive thirty days; others more generously fixed upon six months as the probable limit of its existence. A less de- termined man would have given up the ship amidst so many discouraging prophecies of its inevitable wreck: few would have cared to brave the storm, but Mr. Hamilton was of different mettle. The sea might be turbulent. but the man at the rudder was resolute, and stiecess could only follow. On the 30th of

January, 1828, D. C. Bailey purchased an in- terest in the Gazette, and the two young men clung to the ship tenaciously and pulled it through the rapids. On the 24th day of June, 18:9, Prof. P. W. Search, Superintendent of the West Liberty Union Schools, a gentleman of high literary attainments, purchased the Gazette office, and immediately re-associated with himself Mr. Hamilton, placing him at the head of the paper as editor, and complet- ing such arrangements as rendered them equal partners in its publication and control. The Gazette now ranks as one of the leading papers of the county, and its success, week after week, is a glowing tribute to the energy, talent and enterprise of Mr. H. W. Hamilton, who is honored by the business men and citi- zens generally for the noble work he has so ably and well done. He was married to Miss Exie E. Eckmann, of Greenfield. Highland C'o., (., daughter of Judge John Eckman, on the I5th of November, 1820; two little daughters being the issue of the union.

STEPHEN HANNUM, saw mill: West Liberty: was born April 8, 1811, in Chester Co., Pa. He spent his younger days attend- ng school in the old log cabin, that was used by a tenant. At the age of 16, he began milling with Elisha Phipps, with whom he continued for six years. He then went to the State of Delaware and worked on the Brandywine mills for one year, afterwards engaging as a millwright with William Stamp, with whom he continued for about two years, transferring then to the em- play of a man by the name of Harvey. continuing some time, and then attended a boarding-school at West Bradford, Pa., for eighteen months. In 1836 he came across the mountains, with one horse hitched to an old Dearborn wagon, and settled in Cham- paign Co., O. Here Mr. Hanmum taught school for about six months, and afterwards erected a combined saw and grist mill at Zaneshield, Logan t'o., for John Pinn. Ho continued building mills for many years. In 1852 he erected on the present site of his mill a foundry, machine-shop, and a saw and plan- ing mill. In 1856 this property was de- stroyed by fire. He has since replaced the saw and planing mills and repairing shon; J. W. Wright is his partner in the latter, and do- votes his time to the superintendeney of the

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same. Mr. Hannum was married in 1840, to Ann Harlan, of Champaign Co., by whom he had one child-deceased. His wife died in 1841, and he was again married, in 1845, to Magdalena Wagner, a native of Philadelphia -being born within a few miles of that city in 1827. Her father was a native of Penn- sylvania, and her mother of Switzerland. By his last marriage he has had seven children, four of whom survive-Hannah, Eugene, Mary and Ben. Mr. Hannum is one of the pioneers of this place, having lived here while yet remained many wild animals. He has served the township as Trustee. He early identified himself with the Friends' Church. Ile owns fifty-four acres of finely improved land adjoining town, and the present milling property, which is in a flourishing condition. llis parents, Obediah and Hannah (Taylor) Hannum, were natives of Chester Co .. Pa. They had seven children-Dinah, Thomas, Stephen and Joseph only survive. Though Mr. and Mrs. Hannum have almost reached the allotted span of life, yet they bid fair to enjoy a few more years of usefulness.

P. E. HARNER, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born March 18, 1834, in Lan- caster Co., Pa .; his father, J. A., was born Jan. 25, 1995, in Chester Co., and his mother, Elizabeth Emery, in the same county. They emigated to Ohio in 1846, stopping for a few days in Champaign Co., and then on the farm now owned by Daniel Yoder. In 1858 they moved to West Liberty, where the father died in 1869, and the mother in 18:5. They were early members of the Presbyterian Charch at this place. The father was for some time director of this county's Infirmary. The Creator gave to them eleven children, four of whom are living-A. R., Maria, Jacob C. and P. E. The latter attended school as much as convenient until 22 years old, about which

time he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he continued some time. He was mar- ried Dec. 28, 1857, to Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob and Diana (Huber) Miller, natives of Rockingham Co., Va. They came early to Logan Co., and settled near De Graff, where the mother is still living, the father being deceased. Her parents had seven children- Margaret, Elizabeth, Polly, Barbara, Susan, Martin and Abednego. Her parents early identified themselves with the German Baptist

Church. Mrs. Harner was born Feb. 7, 1832, in Logan Co. She has blessed her husband with four children-Marion C., Charles B., John A., and Jacob M. Mr. Harner settled, when first married, where Daniel Yoder now lives, renting the same of his father for eleven years; he then bought his present farm of 217 acres of C. Yoder, and has since remained, and has made many valuable improvements. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., of West Liberty, in which society he has served in all offices. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Ile votes the Re- publiean ticket, and paid off a portion of this township's draft. His brother, George S., was in Co. I., 96th O. V. I .; he was from this town- ship, and died near Young's Point. Mr. Harner is making a specialty of the Poland China hogs, and has some of the finest stock. Ife has always taken a deep interest in educa- tion, believing that a well improved mind al- ways finds occupation.

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History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 103

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin Number of Pages: 798

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; O.L. Baskin & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, O.L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 798