History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 118

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 118

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being a favorite and the youngest, their father preferred to pass the declining years of his life with her: accordingly he took Mr. Hub- bard's family to the homestead, where the varied seenes of the old gentleman's life, were closed in death, in 1829; and the life which closed so quietly had been spent in useful toil, and not in vain; neither that of his family, as they were all such men and women as made their presence felt in this unbroken wilderness, in subduing the soil, in substitut . ing civilization for barbarity, and planting within that civilization, the ethics of educa- tion and morality which flourish to-day, worthy of the zeal wherewith they were sown. For all those noble souls who have gone, whose good works follow after, we might say much, allowing those of the present genera- tion to speak for themselves by exemplariness of life. Hugh's family were-Malind, now Mrs. Clement, of lowa; Jane, now Mrs. Ginn; Robert, now in Colorado ; Christina, now Mrs. Robert Newell, of lowa; Lucinda was Mrs. B. Fuson, but is now deceased; James, John, Mary, now Mrs. Schrage; Amanda, now Mrs. Kiser, and Hugh. John was born on the old homestead of his father, where he lives, July 15, 1826. Hle married Miriah E. Warner, Jan. 1, 1856. She was born Dec. 12, 1831, in Laneaster Co., Penn. They have six children -- John H., William C., Harrie E., Mary L., Hugh and Annie B.

ITUGII NEWELL, farmer: P. O., West Liberty; was born April 12, 1836, on the old homestead-Sec. 11-in this township; he remained there some time after his marriage; that event was celebrated Jan. 1, 1861, with Mary M. Miller. She was born Feb. 28, 1838, in this township, and is the daughter of Jacob and Diana (Huber) Miller. They were both natives of Virginia, and came to this State about the year 1831. Mr. Miller had been here two years previous; selected and pur- chased a piece of land; he then returned to his native place and prepared for moving to his new home, which he did, as stated above, in 1831, which he reclaimed and made a com- fortable home, and where he labored with unceasing energy until called by death in October, 1866. Mrs. Miller still survives, and is spending her deelining years in peace on the same farm. Mr. and Mrs. Newell have a family of seven children-Emma E. and

Effie D., twins; Adda May, Oak M., Mary II., Lulu B. and Bertha S. He owns a farm of 168 acres of well-improved land, with good building's, and splendid situation. They moved to their present residence March 31, 1868. They are members of the Philadelphia Lutheran Church in this township.

STEPHEN PACKER (deceased), P. O .; Bellefontaine, was born in September, 1801, in Adams Co., Penn. ; when quite young he was apprenticed to the saddlery business, and at which he made a start in the world. He formed a matrimonial alliance with Sarah Diehl, on Feb. 1. 182t, in his native county; she was born in Frederick, Md., May 17, 1804, and moved with her parents to Adams Co., Penn., when a mere child. Mr. Paeker con- cluded to emigrate westward into the more sparsely settled country, beyond the Ohio ; accordingly he with his wife and three child- ren, moved to Tuscarawas Co., O., in 183 ; here he began or rather continued his trade for two years, and then determined to relin- quish it for the more desirable business of farming, as he prudently foresaw in the latter a more suitable way of living for his growing family ; they remained in Tuscarawas Co. about eleven years, thence to Champaign Co., where they lived one year, then moved to Logan Co., and settled on the farm which they have owned ever since. They had a large family-eleven children-some in their last resting place, and those who survive spread over the country : Mary A. is now Mrs. Robt. A. Moore, of this township. Eliz- abeth (deceased), Joseph D., resides in Bloom- ington, Ill., and there married Laura M. Drumm ; John A. and Sarah C. (deceased) ; Louise resides with her mother on the old homestead ; Wiliam H. (deceased) ; Ellen is now Mrs. John H. Moore, of Washington Tp. ; Jesse was in the furniture business in West Liberty, and lost heavily in the late fire since which time he has gone to reside in South Kansas, Col. ; Stephen (deceased), George W. resides on the old homestead, and successfully manages the affairs of the farm ; and has of late turned his attention to sheep- growing, and has got some fine specimens of Merino at considerable cost. His marriage was celebrated with Emma Williamson Jan. 14, 1828 ; she was born in this county May 4, 1857 ; they have one child : Ethel May

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Mr. Stephen Packer. Sr., died here March 27, 1865. Win. Il. enlisted in Co. H. 96th O. V. I., Aug, 1862, and served in the army about one year ; he was taken sick, and obtained a thirty-day furlough; at the expira- tion of said time he was still unwell, and had it extenteded thirty days more; at the expiration of the extension he had to go to Columbus, and vet unfit for duty, but his warfare was soon ended, as he died at Columbus Oct. 28, 1863.

REV. DAVID PLANK, farmer and min- ister: P. O., Bellefontaine; was born May 15, 1833, in Milllin Co., Penn. To give anything like a correct sketch of the Plank family in this country would necessitate reference to documents and dates which are now beyond our reach in the irretrievable past. However, in about the year 1500, or shortly thereafter, one Melcher Plank (the name originally was Blank; by the variation of the English pro- nunciation the orthography was changed to Plank), with his four sons and two daughters -Christian, John, Jacob, Peter, Rebecca and Barbara-emigrated from Germany to this continent, and settied about Berks Co., Penn. Ilis son, Christian, married and settled himself in that section, and had a family of six sons and two daughters -- John, Christian, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Samuel, Martha and Barbara. Samuel, the youngest son, was born in Lan- caster Co. in 1808; he married Juliana Hartz- ler, a native of his own county, who was born in 1819. They are the parents of the present generation of that name in Logan Co. They came here with six of their children -- Joseph . C., David, Leah, Elizabeth, Martha and Bar- bara-in October, 1845, and settled ou the same farm where David resides. After they came here the family was increased by three -Juliana, Samuel W. and Mary. Only two of Christian's family survive-Martha, in Champaign Co., and Barbara, who lives near by her nephew David; they are both well ad- vanced in years. David's father died here, after a life of quiet usefulness, Dec. 11, 1878, and his mother April 11, 18;9. David's early life was spent on the farm and attending to the various duties of the same; his marriage was celebrated with Martha Hartzler Feb. it, 1>56. She was born in Pennsylvania, Inne 0, 1536, and came to Champaign to. with a sister in 1953. They have eight children liv- ing Samuel H., Salome M., Levi L., Mary E.,

Lydia, Juliana, Katie and David. Mr. Plank was ordained a minister of the Ormish Men- nonite Church in this township. Oct. 19, 1859. They are now known as the "Walnut Grove" congregation. Mr. Plank is now the longest officiating minister connected with said con- gregation.

JOHN M. RAUSENBERGER, farmer; P. O., DeGraff; was born in Wurtemburg. Ger- many, Ang. 6, 1819, and is a son of John M. and Barbara (Haugh) Rausenberger; of a family of six children-three boys and three girls, he is the only surviving son. His father died in Germany, but John M. sent for his mother and F. Miller and family, with whom she came, and after a few years' residence in this country she died at West Liberty, March 1, 1860. When about 14 years of age. Mr. Ransenberger was apprenticed to the butcher- ing business, and for which he received no pay, and had to furnish his own clothes be- sides: although there was no pay for one in his position, his work was not such that it might be considered play; as he had to be out at L o'clock in the mornings with a fifty- pound basket of meat distributing it through the town. On the expiration of his appren- ticeship he went to Potsham, where he worked three years, thence to Frankfurt-on-the-Main where he worked three years; thence to Ant- werp, Belgium, where he worked three years; at this time, feeling his health failing, he re- turned home to recuperate, with the intention of returning to his situation in Antwerp, but meeting with a friend while on his home visit, who was intent on coming to the United States, persuaded Mr. Rausenberger to come along. On June 24, 1845, he and his friend (Fred Esseg) left their native place, and on the Sith they sailed from Rotterdam, arriving in Baltimore, Md., Aug. 2%, of the same year, and had a cash capital of two five-frane pieces when he landed. The same evening he found employ, at his trade, and began work next morning, and continued in the same place three years. He married Dorothy Rexer Sept. 10, 1848, and two days later left for Logan Co., O. (which trip they made in three weeks). He had received glowing accounts of this county from his wife's uncle (F. Mohr) and that there was no meat market in the then growing town of West Liberty, which induced Mr. Rausenberger to come here; but to his .

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chagrin he found no business to justify the opening of such branch of industry. Disap- pointed in that he turned his attention to farm- ing 50 acres which Mr. Mohr helped him to buy, for which he paid down $:50; this done he found himself without money to provide the necessaries to improve his place,so he borrowed $800 to get a supply of stock, implements and something to subsist on while he was raising a crop. He began to butcher and supplied the little demand there was, well as farm, and in two years he had paid the $800 bor- rowed. He remained on that farm five years; then bought the "John Forry" farm of 140 acres at $3,200, where he lived four years; he then moved to West Liberty, where he turned his attention to butchering only. At this time his brother-in-law (M. Maier) was here and without a home or friends; so Mr. Rausen- berger bought the farm where he is now liv- ing and rented it to Maier during his five years' residence in West Liberty, during which time Maier had cleared off the farm $2,200. When he left the meat market in West Liberty, he moved to his farm in the spring of 1862, where he has made astonish- ing progress, as he has done ever since he came to the United States. Ile has been the means of helping many of his friends to this country, and in every instance they have done well. His youthful companion in travels (Esseg) to whom he lent part of his first earnings in Bal- timore, is still in that city, and is now wealthy. Mr. Rausenberger owns 296 acres of well im- proved land, good buildings, and surrounded with every comfort. Thus may be seen an ex- ample of industry and honest economy; where the young man with less than $2 in his pocket, beginning his career in a strange country only some years ago, is now one of the best farmers and wealthiest men in Union Tp. Mrs. Rausenberger was born Oct. 31, 1819, in Wurtemburg, Germany, and came to Baltimore with a brother in 1842. They have six children-George J., Andrew J., Mary C., John W., Sarah C. and Dora S. All the family belong to the " Philadelphia " Luther- an Church in this township.

JOHN REPROGLE, farmer; P. O., Bellefon- taine; was born Dec. 16, 1820, in Clarke Co. O .; is the son of Adam and Annie (Keller) Repro- gle; his father a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Virginia; they each came with their

respective families and located near Cincin- nati in 1816, where they lived about two. years, then moved to Clark Co. In the year 1830, Adam Reprogle came to Logan Co. with his family of six children, and located close to the old " Hull Trace," one mile west of Bellefontaine, where they lived a short time; he then purchased a farm in Washing- ton Tp., where they got along well; but suf- fered seriously by paying $3,000 security for one Wm. Bull, of Bellefontaine, and after- ward had a like amount to pay for a live-stock dealer for whom he had gone security-in all 86,000 security, for which he never received anything in return, and which ruined him financially. He moved to Champaign Co., and subsequently to Pulaski Co., Ind., where he died Jan. 1, 1853. John Reprogle married Sophia R. Shawver, Feb., 1846; she died Jan. 24, 1857, leaving three children-Mary E. (now Mrs. Geo. Crouse); Catharine (now Mrs. Fred. Beer); and Lydia A. (who resides at home with her father). He married for sec- ond wife Catharine Shawver, Oct., 1864; by this marriage there are three children-Mar- garet, Ella and Annie. His present wife was born Nov. 1, 1839, in this county; is the daughter of John and Elizabeth Shawver, who came to this county in 1826; he a native of Jefferson Co., and she a native of Pennsylva- nia; in 1862 he moved to Miami Co., where he still lives; his wife died there in 1822. Mr. Reprogle owns 263 acres of well improved land, which he has made for himself; he and wife and daughter are members of the Lu- theran Church.

WILLIAM M. STEWART, farmer; P. O, West Liberty; was born near West Liberty, Logan Co., July 5, 1813; he is the fourth son and eighth in a family of ten children. His father, Thomas Stewart, was born in the north of Ireland, about the year 1266, and emigrated to this country when quite young, arriving here shortly after the United States had gained their independence. In those days of slow passages and imperfect facil- ities for navigation, compared with the pres- ent, it was only those of more than ordinary ambition and iron will who would even ven- ture to cross the Atlantic when kind invita- tions and fair promises had been extended; but none of these induced young Stewart to leave his native land, but that innate disposition

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to succeed in life and the perseverance which characterized him to the last were suf- ficient incentives, When he arrived in this country (after an ocean voyage of thirteen weeks) he located in Maryland. There he married Miss Susan Stewart (said to be a dis- tant relative), and a few years after their mar- riage they moved to Chillicothe, (., and subse- quently to Logan Co., which was then and for years afterwards a wilderness. He was possess- ed of a good education, and endeavored to give his family of ten children the same advantage, but in this unbroken forest he found it almost impossible, as the primitive shools were made up, and teachers (of not a high grade) paid by subscription; so those of limited means and large families had little opportunity of learn- ing much in school. However, here they reared their family of six sons and four daugh- ters, all of whom lived to maturity and inher- ited like industrious habits of their parents. When William M. started for himself in the world, he had no means whatever; and at the outset he prudently indulged the sacred flame of well placed love with Mary Ann Hanger, and their marriage was celebrated April 11, 1833; they have had four children, two died in childhood, and two living- Martha J., now wife of William Kinnan, and Charles L. Mrs. Stewart was born Sept. 10, 1806, in Angosta Co., Va., and is the daugh- ter of Peter Hanger, who emigrated from Virginia when she was a mere child, locating in Ross Co., O., where they remained some time, and finally came to Champaign Co. By upright principles and unceasing toil, Mr. Stewart has been enabled to procure a good portion of this world's goods for himself and family. He gave his daughter 80 acres of valuable land, and to his son, 2 acres; be- sides the well improved farm of 80 acres where he resides, on which he and his noble assistant in life are well prepared to spend their remaining years in luxury and case.

CHARLES L .. STEWART, farmer; P'. (., West Liberty; was born in Harrison 'T'p., Champaign Co., May 21, 1839; is the only son of Win. M. and Mary A. (Hanger) Stew- art, whose sketch is in this work; he has made farm work his only pursuit, and re- sided on the old homestead until a short time since, when he built a splendid frame resi- dence, barn and other buildings on the farm

given him by his father, to which he moved Dec., 1879. His marriage was celebrated with Lizzie E. Baird, Oct. 8, 1868; they have two children- William L. and Linnie E. Mrs. Stewart was born near West Liberty, Feb. 27, 1833, and is a daughter of Robert and Margaret Baird who were natives of Virginia, and came to Logan County at its carly settlement. Mr. Stewart's steady in- dustry is well marked on the place where he resides; he also owns 40 acres of land in Champaign County adjoining his father's farm.

E. M. WILSON, farmer; P. O., DeGraff; was born in Champaign Co .. O., July li, 1822; is the son of John and Margaret (Run- yon) Wilson; his father was a native of Penn- sylvania, and his mother of Kentucky; the father of John Wilson, and his brother Joseph, came to Champaign Co. in 1816, and entered a tract of land to which he moved soon after- ward; his father's whole family came, also, and settled near by. Shortly after their set- tlement there Mr. Wilson formed the acquaint- ance of Miss Margaret Runyon, who had, as stated, come from Kentucky; they were mar- ried, and set about making things comfortable in their new home; but their prospects were soon blighted by the early death of Mrs. Wil- son; she died in 1823, leaving two children- Elias and Elisha M .; the latter only about one year old. His father married his second wife, M. Dickey, in Fayette Co., and by that union there were three children-Margaret, Rebecca and John. On the same farm where he entered of the government, his father died in 1843, in his 49th year. Our subject mar- ried Florence 3. Monroe, May 15, 1845, in Champaign Co., and settled on a farm given him by his father, where they resided about twelve years; and in 1852 they moved to the farm where they now reside. They have three children living-Catherine M., Elias C. and Anna E. Mrs. Wilson was born in Cham- paign Co., Aug. 19, 1828; her father (David Monroe) was born Sept. 29, 1793, in Virginia; her mother (Catherine Stretch) was born Oet. 23, 1793, in Kentucky; the families to which they belong were early pioneers of Cham- paign Co., where they formed an acquaint- aner and were married May. 1826. There were only two children besides Mrs. Wilson- Philone E. and Rebecca A .; their mother died

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in this county, Sept. 24, 1876, in her 84th year. Mr. David Monroe's demise occurred Aug. 20, 1869. Although Mr. Wilson has held the offices of township Treasurer and Trustee for several years, he is no politician, but rather prefers the quiet life of a farmer, where early industry has placed all necessa- ries at his command, and which he can in ad- vancing years enjoy.

ISRAEL YODER, farmer; P. O., West Liberty; was born Aug. 22, 1853, in Liberty Tp .; is the son of Jonathan C. and Anna (Sharp) Yoder, both natives of Pennsylvania, and came here about the spring of 1848; he was married to Elizabeth King Feb. 15, 1877;

they have one child-lra Milton. Mrs. Yoder was born in Fairfield Co., this state, March +, 1854; is the daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Zook) King, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and emigrated to Fairfield Co., (., where they lived at the time of their death; they had nine children of whom only two sur- vive-Mrs. Yoder and Mrs. Jacob Z. King, of Liberty Tp .; they had relatives in Lo- gan Co., which induced Mrs. Yoder to come here where she had been making her home for about four years previous to their marriage; they have 68 acres of well-im- proved land, for which they paid $90 per acre, and came here in Jan. 1878.

RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.

DAVID ALEXANDER, farmer; P. O., Belle Centre; is one of the prominent and in- fluential farmers of this township. He was born Jan. 23, 1825, in Preble Co. His father, John Alexander, was born in Ireland, where he learned blacksmithing, and soon after his marriage to Jane Creelman started for the New World. He lived a short time in Cana- da, and from there came to Preble Co., and worked at his trade and on the farm till 1834, when he moved to Indiana, and died there Aug. 29, 1878. When 6 years old David went to live with his uncle, James Wright, who had no children, and ever after made his home with him. His uncle moved to this county when David was 16 years old, and settled on the farm on which he lived till his death. His uncle gave him 100 acres of land when of age, and at his death he became possessor of all the real estate. He now owns 300 acres of good land, forming one of the most valuable and attractive homes in the township. He was married Nov. 8, 1855, to Susannah J., daughter of Hugh and Sarah H. Hervey; she was born April 14, 1835, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and was brought to this State during her childhood, living most of the time in Licking Co. Their union has been blessed with eight children, six of whom are living-Sarah J., Nancy W., Martha M., An- na M., Rosanna E. and Ellen L. The three

eldest have attended Geneva College. Da- vid attended there when a young man, and was a member of their first literary society. He has always been interested in the success of the school, and was a member of the ex- ecutive board for many years. He joined the R. P. Church in early life, and still be- longs, as do his wife and three oldest chil- dren.

GEORGE R. ARCHER, farmer; P. O., Belle Centre; is one of the most courteous and promising young farmers of this town- ship, and is thoroughly respected by every one. He is the second son of John Archer, who was born in Hull, England, Dec. 7, 1815, and came to this country when 8 years old. His father had come here three years provi- ously, and was followed by the wife and five children. They settled in Massachusetts, where John worked in a factory, and when 16 years old he learned the blacksmith trade. He worked in an ax factory some time, and in 1837 he came to Xenia, O. He was mar- ried Oet. 15, 1840, to Lydia Baldwin, who was born in Greene Co., June 26, 1816. They lived in Greene Co. till 1849, with the excep- tion of a few years that they were in Madison Co. In that year they moved to a farm near Bellefontaine, on which they remained ten years, and have since resided in this town- ship. He died Feb. 23, 1877. By their

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marriage seven children were born-Mary 1., Sarah L., Emily W., Joseph B., George R., John Newton and Lydia Ellen. Mary and Joseph are dead, the latter being killed in a railroad accident on the "Ber Line " road Jan 6, 1880. Hle had been fireman on the road nearly eight years, and stood high in the estimation of his employers, and held a high office in the Masonie Order, of which he was a faithful and valued member, and to which both his brothers belong, George A. being the Worshipful Master.

MILTON L. ANDERSON, farmer; P. O., Belle Centro; is the youngest son of a family of eight children, and was born May 25, IST6, in Fayette Co., () .; his father, Gershom Anderson, was born in Virginia, and with the rest of the family moved to Ohio during his boyhood; they settled in Ross Co., when Chillicothe consisted of a few rude cabins, and were intimate friends of Gov. Tiflin; his made chairs and spinning wheels; he was an officer in the war of 1812, and lived in Ross Co. till 1837, except a short time that he lived in Fayette C'o .; he was married to Mary Jamison, a native of Kentucky, whose parents were opposed to slavery, and moved to this state toget beyond its influence; she died Oct. 2, 1836, and the next year he moved to Northwood, this county, and en- gaged in farming; Milton came here with his father and kept store at Northwood for several years; he afterwards taught school, and in 1846 came to Belle Centre and soll goods for Pollock & Johnson for two years, when he married Nancy Steele, daugh- tor of Adam and Rachel Steele; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1826, and soon after her parents moved to Fayette Co .; Milton settled on a farm one mile cast of Belle Centre, on which he lived till 1864, when he moved to his present home. He was an officer in a company of minute men who went to the defense of Cincinnati in 1862. His wife dia Oc. 17, 1863, leaving six children- Lanvere P., Alice O., Agnes M., Luella R., Robert S. and Dora E .; the oldest three are married. He was then married to Martha A .. widow of Merrit Jamison; she was born Oct 22, 1822, in Fayette Co .; he was County Commissioner six years, and can- didate for the Legislature on the Abolition

ticket: he held local offices, voted for James G. Birney for President, and is an advocate of progressive reform: the whole family be- long to the M. E. Church, which he joined in 1828; he has been a subscriber to the Christian Idrocute since 1832.

JOHN BICKHAM, farmer: P. O., Hunts- ville ; is one of the prominent farmers of this township ; he was born May 26, 1841, in Mc Arthur Tp., and has always been a resi- dent of this county. His father, Robert Bickham, was born May 1;, 1805, in Bour- bon Co., Ky,, and served under Gen. Wayne as a spy during the Indian troubles. He came to this county at a very early day, and helped his parents to clear and improve a farm near where Huntsville now stands. le was married to Mary Prater, of West Liberty, who was brought there by her parents when she was 5 years old ; they lived on leased and rented farms for several years, and soon as father was a wheelwright by trade, and also > able bought a farm of new land in this town-

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History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 118

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