History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 124

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 124

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

S. KENTON MILLER, farmer; P. O., Bellefontaine; is a son of James and Jane (Harrod) Miller, and was born April 16, 1835, in this county. He is a self-made man, and now owns over 200 acres of land, obtained by his own industry and good management; he ran a threshing machine for many years, and has dealt quite largely in stock, although he was never a shipper; has always been con- nected with farming, and, in 1862, he and a brother-in-law rented the James Stewart farm for three years, which proved a paying ven- ture. He was married April 24, 1866, to Sarah K., daughter of Elias Shawver. She was born June 15, 1816, in this county. They have been blessed with four children, three

827

McARTHUR TOWNSHIP.

of whom are living-Udora L., William Ar- thur and Luther B. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ile has always been a Democrat, and voted first for James Buchanan. Mr. Miller has a pleasant home and a fine farm on which he has erected commodious and convenient build- ings.

ROBERT MILLER, farmer; P. O., Hunts- ville; is one of the prosperous and energetic farmers of this township, and is a thorough business man; he was born March 26, 1829, in Champaign Co,; his father, James Milier, was reared in Kentucky, and came to Ohio at an early day and settled in Champaign Co .; he was married, however, in this township, to Jane Harrod. This was the first marrige in this township, and he took his wife back to Champaign Co., where they lived for sev- eral years, and abont 1835 he moved to this county, which was ever after his home. He did not buy a farm, however, until some ten years later, and then bought a tract of new land in the northern part of Harrison Tp., on which he died in May, 1879; his wife died in 1838, and he was then married to Mrs. Amelia Thompson, who survives him. Robert commenced working out when quite young, and by the time he was of age had secured a team, and then commeneed farming and running a threshing-machine, the latter of which he dropped some five years ago; he has now more than 200 acres of land here, besides Western property, the result of his industry and economy; he was married March I, 1855, to Martha Ann, daughter of James and Dorothy (Tillis) MePherson; she was born July 3, 1834, in this county, and has borne six children, five of whom are liv- ing-James A., Alice I., Ida May, Lottie A. and John R .; Mr. Miller is a charter member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and is identi- fied with the Democratic party, having cast his first ballot for Franklin Pierce. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have a pleasant home, which is surrounded with many attractions, and their acquaintance and friendship, as well as that of their children, is cherished by a large number.

WILLIAM MeCLEARY, farmer ; P. O., Huntsville ; was born Oet. 26, 1821, in Perry Co., O., and is the youngest son of a family of seven children ; his father bore the same

name, and was a native of Chester Co., Penn., where he was married to Mary Steele. He was a farmer by occupation, and went to the defense of Baltimore in 1812 ; he moved to Perry Co., this State in 1814, and bought a tract of new land on which he lived until his death, July 13, 1828, having improved it as fast as possible. Two of the children died about the same time, and the mother cared for the others until the sons were able to conduct the farm. In the spring of 1852 William came to this county and bought the farm on which he now lives, and in the following Sep- tember he and his mother moved to it. He was married Nov. 4, 1852, to Mary J. Arthur; she was born in Jefferson Co., July 12, 1833, and has helped to render their home attract- ive and valuable ; his mother died at their house May 8, 1868. Mr. McCleary is Deacon in the United Presbyterian Church, of which both he and his wife are consistent members. He cast his first vote for James K. Polk, but has ever since been united to the opposite party.

LANFORD PRATER, physician and sur- geon: Huntsville; was born Ang. 1, 1840, in this county, and is a descendant of one of the early settlers; his grandfather, Newman Prater, was born in Virginia in 1745, and was there married to Nancy Robinson; he was a farmer by occupation, and although an old man, served in the war of 1812, receiving in- juries from which he died; the family, which then consisted of wife and six children, soon after started for this State, moving all the way on pack-horses, and four of them were obliged to walk the whole distance; they settled permanently in this county and the sons went to work for different parties, in order to support the family; John, the youngest but one, was born Jan. 1, 1800, and has always been a tiller of the soil; he was married to Mary Pope, who was a native of North Caro- lina, and came to this State the same year as the Prater family, and lived five years in Highland Co. before coming here; he retired from the farm in 1826 and has since lived with his son, losing his earthly partner Feb. 4, 1880. Lanford taught school several terms in different parts of the county and served with credit in the war, being in different regiments, and having four discharges in his possession; he graduated at the Indiana

828

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Medical College in 18:1. and practiced in Grant ('o., that State, until October, 1829, when he lo- cated at this place; he was married March 5, 1863, to Isabel, daughter of Joseph and Eliza Watson; she was born Dec. 18, 1841, in Ty- rone, Ireland, and emigrated to this country when 8 years old; by their union six children have been born-Charles, Harriet, Charlotte, Eliza J., Mintia and Lanford: the family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is a member of the 1. O. O. F., and has always been a Republican.

SIDNEY A. PRATT, druggist ; Huntsville; was born March 14, 1832, in Sheffield, Mass. His father, Martin Pratt, was a native of the above State, and was married to Harriet Beach, a native of Connecticut. He was the owner of large woolen mills, and devoted himself exch- sively to that business. When Sidney was six years old the family moved to Litchfield. Conn. and in 184; the father died leaving a family of 11 children, of whom Sidney was the seventh. From that time he has done for himself, and for several years was employed at farm labor. lle worked at the carpenter's trade for three years, and then entered Colt's Armory. where he was employed at the commencement of the war. Being of a patriotic disposition, he left a paying position and entered the service. He enlisted in Co. E, 20th Reg,, and served three years, passing through all the various hard- ships endured by that regiment. When dis- charged he went to Lewistown, Pa., and re- mained there one year, and then came to West Liberty in this county. He was during this time engaged in the notion trade, being most of the time on the road. But in October, 18;8, he came to Huntsville, where he has since been engaged in the drug business. Ile was married in January, 1865, to Melinda, daughter of John and Agnes Miller, She was born in June, 1835, in Wayer Co., O., and was living in West Liberty at the time of her marriage, where her father was engaged in the notion business. Two children have blessed this union-Mary I. B. and Harry M. The daughter is married to William .i. Still, and resi los in Franklin Co. The belongs to the Masonic fraternity. 1. O. O. F., and In- dependent Order of Red Men.

DAVID PATTERSON, farmer; P. O. Huntsville; is one of the early settlers of this township, to which he moved more than half

a century ago; he was born May 15, 1810, near Belfast, Ireland. His father, Abraham Patterson, kept store until the breaking out of the Irish Rebellion, in which he served as Captain; he was married to Martha Gourley, who bore him nine children, and in 1818, with his entire family, emigrated to the New World, settling in Mercer Co., Pa., where they lived until 1830, when he moved to this town- ship; he and two sons bought 500 acres of military land, which they divided equally; he was an ardent believer in the doctrines of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and the first one of that denomination in this community; ho helped build the first church, and attended Church Synod at Pittsburgh on horseback; he died in 1855, aged 89 years, his wife having died three years previous, aged 80 years. Da- vill cleared his father's farm, doing most of it himself; he would often go five miles to rais- ings and log-rollings. and often went thirty days during one spring; he has never left the old homestead, but brought his wife there when married, Jan. 9, 1837, to Jane, daughter of John and Betsey Wylie. She was born April 5, 1810, in Beaver Co., Pa., and came to this county in 1834. Their union was blessed with three children, one of whom is living. Believing in the abolition of slavery. he helped many of them on their way to the North, once going as far as Sandusky; he lost his earthly companion Nov. 5, 18;4, and now lives with his son, A. Gourley, who serve : a short time in Company C, 132nd O. V. I., and married Sarah E. Gray, who has borne him six chil- dren. They are members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Patterson has contributed financially as well as spirit- ually; he owns nearly 300 acres of land, which has changed from a dense forest to a valuable and beautiful property through his industry.

JOHN II. KENICK, farmer; P. O., Hunts- ville: was born Jan. 4, 1804, in Clarke Co., 0. His father, Robert Renick, was a native of Greenbrier C'o., Va,, and was there married to Mary Hamilton. She was of Irish descent, and her father. William Hamilton, served as Colonel in the Revolutionary war. In the spring of 1799, Robert came to Clarke ('n, this State, and raised a crop, and the follow- ing winter moved his family, which then con- sisted of his wife and three children, to his new home. He died there Oct. 23, 1848, and

829

McARTHUR TOWNSHIP.

his wife, April 4, 1814. When 16 years old, John commenced working out, and for six vears gave his earnings to his father. He was married Dec. 18, 1828, to Elizabeth Rea, who was born in Kentucky in 1806, and was brought to this State the same year. He came to this county in 1833, and bought a farm of new land near Lewistown, on which he lived until the spring of 18;2, when he moved to where he now lives. His wife died Oet. 12, 1826, having borne him eight chil- dren, four of whom are dead. The eklest, James Il., died in Cleveland, where he was engaged in the stave business, and Robert H. from disease contracted in the army. Those living are-Nancy J., Mary E., Louisa I, and John R. All are married, the son living on the old homestead. He was again married June 28, 1816, to Mrs. Sarah Stevensou, widow of William Stevenson. She was born May 16, 1828, in Licking Co., being a daughter of Alexander King. Mr. Renick has served as Trustee and Treasurer, and he and his wife belong to the United Presbyterian Church, in which he has been Elder many years. He is

a Republican and cast his first vote for Henry Clay.

ROBERT A. REID, farmer ; P. O., Hunts- ville ; was born Nov. 1, 1838, in Clarke Co .; his father, Robert Reid, was born in Green- brier Co., Va., in 1291, and was of Irish descent; his parents came here a short time before his birth. In 1801, the family which then con- sisted of mother and eight children, moved to this State and secured a quarter section of Government land in Clarke Co., which was cleared and improved by the united labor of the sons. Robert, Sr., served in the war of 1812, and was soon after married to Miss Snodgrass. He bought a tract of new land and commenced carving out a fortune for him- self and family, but death robbed him of his companion, and a few years later of his only daughter, Sarah Jane, who had then reached maturity. He afterwards was united to Louisa Rea, who was born in that county in 1809. In 1853 he moved to this county and bought 480 acres of land near Lewistown, a part of the section given to James McPherson by the Government, according to their treaty with the Indians who wished to reward him for serving them : he lived on the farm until the spring of 1865, when he moved to where

the sons now live, having acquired all his property by his own exertions and wishing to retire from active labor. He died July 15, the same year, and his faithful wife some five Years later. They reared four sons -- William J., John T., Robert A., and Joseph G .; all but John were in Company B, S8th, O. V. I., and served nearly three years ; the eldest son died in 1867, and the other sons are conduct- ing the farm jointly. Robert was married June 1, 18$6, to Josephine Ditzler, daughter of one of Huntsville's most respected physi- cians ; she was born April 18, 1850, and has borne two children-Rea D., and Ivo. Polit- ically the family have always been Demo- cratic, although they supported Lincoln dur- ing the war.

JOHN B. RUDE, mill; Huntsville; is the youngest of a family of seven children, and was born Jan. IT, 1831, in Hamilton Co., O. His father was born in New Jersey, and when 11 years old he came to. Cincinnati, with his parents, the place then consisting of a few rude houses, being nothing more than a mili- tary post. He learned the trade of shoemaker, and for many years did a large business in the boot and shoe trade. Failing health in- duced him to relinquish a successful business · for that of farming, and he settled in that county, where be died in 1864. Ilis wife, whose maiden name was Mary Laughlin, and a native of that county, died in 1859. John worked at the carpenters' trade two years, and when of age went to the far West. He was in Mexico, Oregon and California about four years, but spent most of that time in the latter State, where he was engaged in mining. He then returned to his native home and was married to Rebecca A. Brown. He moved to Darke Co. in the spring of 1860, and remained there four years, working at his trade most of the time; he has since been engaged in the mill and lumber trade in several different counties, and located at this place in 1866, where he has since lived. His wife died soon after he came here, having borne five children, three of whom are living-Jennie, Anna and Laura. The ellest is married to Morgan Solomon, and lives at Springfield. He was married Jan. 2, 18;9, to Anna E. Richardson. He has been quite successful in business, and has done much toward the improvement of this town. He is a member of the Methodist

830

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

Episcopal Church, and his wife of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church. He has always been a Democrat.

ROBERT S. REED, retired; Huntsville; was born Feb. 16, 1821. in Union Co. O .: his father, Thomas Reed, was born and raised in York Co., Penn., and was there married to a Miss Robinson; he was a cooper by trade, and soon after his marriage moved to this State, and settled in the above named county. His wife died, and he was united to Jane Spod- grass, and secured for this marriage the first marriage license over issued in Union Co., as it had just been organized. She has three brothers that have celebrated their golden weddings, and have always lived in l'uion C'o. Mrs. Reed died near 1822, leaving tive children, of whom Robert S. was the eldest. Mr. Reed was afterwards married to Hannah Graham, a native of York Co .. Penn., and near 1830 moved to Greene Co. He died April 14, 1858. in this county, to which he had removed some years previous. Robert was apprenticed to a wool manufacturer when in his 1;th year, and remained with him over three years, learning to " full cloth" while there. He then went to Springfield and worked some four years. March 4, 1845, he came to this county and bought a saw mill, which he conducted for eight years, and then went to farming. le has developed a fine farm from the dense forest, and his health be- coming quite poor, he moved to Huntsville in 1826, to obtain quiet and rest, although he has performed no hard labor in the last twelve years. Ilis marriage was solemnized Nov. 13. 1845. the other party being Martha. a daugh- ter of George and Mary (Moore) Hoover; she was born May 10. 1822. and has borne seven children, three of whom are living-Mary .J., wife of D. G. Wallace: George ( and Rob- ert Gill. Mr. Reed has been connected with township offices. The whole family belong to the I'nited Presbyterian Church, in which he is Felder, and held the office of Deacon some fifteen years before he was elected Elder. Ile has so far been a Republican.

SAMUEL G. ROGERS, farmer: P. O., Northwood: was born June 11. 1817, in High- land Co., 0. Ilis father, known as Col. Thomas Rogers, was born in Londonn Co. Va .. and when ; years old the family moved to Kentucky: when Is years of age he and a

brother came to this State, and the same spring put out a crop. They helped erect the third log cabin in Chillicothe, and the year following their arrival the rest of the family moved to this State and settled in Ross Co., on the farm on which the State Mills were built. Thomas was there married to Polly MeCoy, and soon after moved to Highland Co., where his father had bought a large tract of land; by years of patient toil he at length cleared up a handsome home from the wild and primitive forest; he served as a Colonel in the war of 1812, and surrendered with Hull at Detroit; he died at Greenfield in June, 18:5, in his 93rd year, having reared twelve children to maturity. One son, William, was a missionary to India ten years, and three others served in the late war. Samuel, the subject of this sketch, lived under the pa- rental roof until his marriage, in 1840, to Ann Eliza Ghormley, who was born in Fay- ette Co. in 1823. In April, 1844, he moved to Stokes Tp., in this county, and bought a small tract of slightly improved land; he kept adding to it until Det. 1, 1863, when he moved to where he now lives; he cleared nearly 100 aeres there, and cast the first Whig vote in that township: he has an interesting family of children-Maggie N., William C., David P., Levinia J., Robert Shepherd, Thomas A., ()>- car, Mary A. and Clarence. Three of these are married. Oscar was shot accidentally a few years ago. The parents and children are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He cast his first Presidential ballot for Har- rison. and is now a Republican.

RACHEL SHELBY, Huntsville. The his- tory of this county would be incomplete without mention being made of the Shelby family, who are well known throughout the whole county. The head of the family, John, but better known as Judge Shelby, was born in Pennsylvania, Aug. 9, 1783, and was of Welsh descent: his father, David Shelby, served with credit in the Revolutionary War, and in 1994 moved to Pickaway Co., O., and followed farming; he represented the people of that district in the Legislature for eighteen years, being in the Senate most of the time. lohn lived at home until his marriage in 1806 to Elenor Morris, who was born Aug. 2, 1786, in Pennsylvania, and came to this State in 1995; in the spring of 1809 he came to

831

MCARTHUR TOWNSHIP.

this county and bought a farm, and having put out a crop he returned and brought his wife and two small children to his new home; he traded that for a farm near Lewistown, and when he had improved it he owned one of the best stock farms in this county; he sold it, however, in 1854, and moved to this place and bought a small tract of land, as he wished for a retired life; he died Oct. 1, 1862, and Logan Co. thus lost one of her honored and respected citizens; he had served in the ' Legislature, being several terms in each branch and was there at the same time his father represented Pickaway ('o .; for many years he served as Associate Judge, and was a Democrat of the most pro- nonneed character; he was the father of a family of seven children, only two of whom are living, the eklest son having been in lowa many years, and Rachel, the fifth in number, is living with and taking care of her aged mother; she was born in this county Dec. 14, 1820; the family have always been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SAMUEL STEWART, mill; Huntsville; is one of the most widely known and univer- sally respected citizens of this township; he is a son of James and Mary (Dallass) Stewart, and was born Dec. 23, 1814, in County Ty- rone, Ireland; his father was a farmer by oc- eupation, and in 1820, with his family, which then consisted of seven persons, emigrated to America and settled in Champaign Co., O. in the spring of 1830 he moved to this coun- ty, where he had previously bought 625 acres of military land, mostly prairie, and all in this township; he paid personal attention to the farm during his life-time, although he built the well known " Stewart's mill," in 1836, but had no knowledge of the mill business and did not learn it; he died in 1856, and his companion died several years later. Samuel worked on the farm until the mill was built, when he entered it and has been connected therewith ever since, except a short time that it was owned by Jacob Austine. In 1823 he bought the mill built by Jonathan Wood- ward, and ever since he and his two young- est sons have conducted them, doing a large custom trade besides filling their many whole- sale orders. He owns a large farm, also, which is conducted by the two oldest sons; he was married in 1839 to Naney Liggitt,

who died nearly one year thereafter, and in 1845 he was united to Clarissa Stevenson, at Kenton. She died in 1846, having borne one child, Cynthia A., now the wife of John M. MeCracken: he was afterward united to Miss Nancy King, daughter of Alexander King; she died Dec. 4, 18:8, leaving six children- James D., William A., John K., Samuel L., Mary C. and Flora M .; William and Flora are married. Mr. Stewart is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he is a Deacon. He is a Republican, and east his first ballot for Henry Clay.

THOMAS SCOTT, JR., farmer; P. O., Northwood; among the first pioneers of this township, we take pleasure in mentioning the Scott family, as among the prominent and well known. The head of the family was Thomas Seott, Sr., who was a native of Mary- land, and from there moved to Pennsylvania. residing successively in three different coun- ties, and in 1810 moved to Licking Co., O., where the subject of this sketch was born, March 15, 1812. In August. 1822, the family moved to this township, and settled in Chero- kre, moving into a rude and hastily con- structed cabin, and soon after their arrival, Samuel Scott, Thomas's father, died, being the first white man to die in this township. The spring following their arrival the township was organized, and the first election held, there being only thirteen voters. Mr. Scott was unanimously chosen Justice; an office he held about twenty years. About the year 1841 he moved to Allen Co., and lived there un- til his death, Feb. 18, 1852, except a short time that he returned to this county. Thomas, Jr., received most of his education before he came to this county, as there were no schools for several years after his arrival; the settlement being too sparse to support a school. He re- ceived a thorough drilling on the farm, how- ever, and at his mother's death, when he was 17 years old, he commenced working out. Having a piece of new land, and wishing to improve it, he first secured a helpmeet in the person of Agnes, daughter of Abraham and Martha Patterson. Their marriage occurred Dec. 23, 1830, and both are still living. They have four children-Martha J., Thomas M., Sarah A. and Abraham P. Three of these are married, the youngest farming on the home- stead. Both sons were in the service, and the

832

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

parents and three youngest children are mem- bers of the United Presbyterian Church. Hle is the discoverer of what is known as the " Scott " wheat, commencing with three heads, that he found while reaping, and by care he produced the justly celebrated variety that bears his name. He was a Whig in early life, Inut after the election of Harrison voted the Free Soil ticket, until the organization of the Republican party. He often assisted run- away slaves on their way to Canada; he now possesses the first clock over brought to this township; it belonged to his father.

GEORGE SHTICK, farmer : P. O., Belle- fontaine; is the ellest of a family of ten children and was born Inty 2, 1830, in Car- roll Co .; his father, William Shick, was born in Londoun Co., Va., in 1806 and is a child of one of the heroes of the war of 1812. About the year 1814 the family, which then con- sisted of six souls, came to Carroll Co., in a wagon and entered a piece of Military land. William was there married to Catharine Shawver, one of a family of fourteen children, all of whom grew to maturity and were mar- ried. They lived in that county until 1836, when they moved to where they now live, in Lake Tp., and bought a quarter section of land, the only improvement being a partly built cabin. The privations were not few, and George, being the oldest son, was com- jw.lled to work when young, and therefore, received only a meager education ; his par- ents are both living, having enjoyed more than a half century's companionship. On reaching maturity he commenced working at the carpenter's trade and followed it seven years, when he commenced farming, but dur- ing this time he has conducted a saw-mill for twenty two years, as well as the farm. Il. has been quite successful in business, now owning nearly 350 acres of land, nearly one- third of which he has cleared himself; he was married March 19, 1852. in Champaign t'as, to Mary Apple ; she was born there Feb. 12. 1838, and is a daughter of Solomon and Catharine Apple, who came there at an early day and secured a farm of military land, which is yet in the family's possession. One child died and two are hving-Catharine and Margaret A. Both he and his wife joined the Lutheran Church before their marriage. 1le has always been a Democrat.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Logan County and Ohio, Part 124

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