History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 139

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014

USA > Ohio > Medina County > History of Medina county and Ohio > Part 139

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usefulness in his "day and generation," he passed over in February, 1875, being at the time of his death 77 years of age. His death occurred in Indiana, where he had moved in 1853. His wife still survives him. Farming being the business to which John was raised, he has continued at the same since he has been doing business for himself. In 1854, he caught the gold fever, and straightway turned his course to California, where he spent five years. A portion of the time he was engaged in min- ing, and afterward worked in a grist and saw mill in Oregon. Finally returned to his native State with more experience than money, and, though the expedition, he states, was a financial failure, yet he has never regretted making the trip. June 7, 1858, he was married to Eliza J. Pittenger, who was born in Wayne Co., daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Smith) Pittenger, who were of Irish descent. On her father's side, the family are of Dutch descent, her grandfather being a native of Holland. In 1860, John located in Spencer Township, where he purchased 80 acres. He remained there until 1865, when he moved to his present home, two miles southwest of Lodi, where he has 202 60-100 acres of choice bottom land. He has six children-William A., Peter, Thomas, Mary, Maggie and Minnie. He began poor, having no aids to begin with, excepting his hands and inclination. He and wife are mem- bers of the M. E. Class at Lodi.

WESTFIELD

GOTTLEIB BURRY, farmer ; P. O. Friends- ville ; was born Oct. 1, 1825, in Beaver Co., Penn .; the fourth child of his parents, who were John and Ann Burry, both natives of Switzer- land. His parents emigrated to Fairfield Co., this State, in 1824, but, finding the county very sparsely settled and sickly, they removed to Beaver Co., Penn., where they lived about twelve years ; then located in Butler Co. His business was that of a drover and stock-trader. He had a farm, which was generally carried on by his boys, his time being mostly employed away from home in the prosecution of his busi- ness, the nature of which gave him quite exten- sive travel and acquaintance with the people.

TOWNSHIP.

Gottleib remained upon the farm until he at- tained man's estate, about which time he was joined in wedlock to Susan Sechler, their nup- tials being duly solemnized April 16, 1846. She was born in Butler Co. Jan. 14, 1827, daughter of Abram Sechler, whose wife was a Boyer. After marriage, he engaged in farming upon his own account. Afterward purchased his father's farm, where he remained until his emigration to this place, which occurred April 2, 1866, where he purchased 138 acres of land ; has since added to the same until he has 242 acres. Of ten children born bim, but six are living, viz., Abraham, John F., Mary A., Sarah, David and Ellen ; of those deceased are Calvin,

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

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who died in Pennsylvania at the age of 6; Sammie, when 4 years, of scarlet fever ; Charles met with a sudden death on the farm at the age of 12 ; he was thrown from a horse and killed ; Nancy died after attaining to ripe womanhood. Abraham and John F. are married and doing for themselves. The former married Elmira Fox, daughter of Aaron Fox. John F. married Ellen Unangst. Mr. Burry's farm is located abont one mile and a half north of Morse's Corners, and is one among the best farms of the neighborhood. For several years past his health has been very much impaired-heart disease and lung trouble being the principal ailments. Mr. B. is one of the representative men in his neighborhood ; is a successful farm- er ; a man of extensive reading and a candid thinker, and never adopts any new measure or theory, without first weighing the matter in all its bearings. As a business man, he is just and npright in all his transactions. Is a friend to progress, and has been liberal in his contri- butions in the support of the Gospel and of the chureh. Is one of the efficient members of the Reformed Church of this township.

EZRA BOOTH, farmer ; P. O. Le Roy ; is a son of one of the prominent farmers and agri- cnlturists of the county. Ezra was born Aug. 18, 1816, in Belmont Co., the third of a family of nine children, five sons and four danghters, all of whom were born to Levi and Olive (Coe) Booth. Levi was born near Hartford, Conn., she in Massachusetts. When a young man, Mr. Booth, the father of our subject, came to Wheeling, where he served some time as Dep- nty Sheriff, under his uncle, who was Sheriff. He afterward returned to Connecticut, where he was married ; subsequently moved to Meigs Co., then to Athens Co. ; afterward eame to Portage Co., in 1832 ; then sold out and moved to Orange, then to Brooklyn, then to Cuyahoga Co. ; finally located in this county and town- ship, in 1842, where he purchased several hun- dred acres of land; afterward returned to Athens Co., where he remained several years ; after making several changes, died at Brook- lyn, in 1866, being 73 years of age. His wife is now living, being 87 years of age. Mr. Booth was a man of exeellent business quali- fieations, and an upright and conscientious Christian gentleman ; was for many years an active member of the M. E. Church ; he was a warm friend of Bishop Morris and other prom-

inent church officials. His house was often their home and place of meeting. Ezra, our subjeet, left home when a lad in his teens. His first adventures were in Meigs Co. After making several ehanges, he finally came to this eounty and located on the farm he now owns. In November, 1848, he was married to Julia Jones, born in Wayne Co., Ohio, in 1828. She was a daughter of Sylvanus Jones, Esq. Mr. Booth has 228 acres of land. Since 1874, he has been a resident of Le Roy or Westfield Center, to secure the school advantages af- forded. Has seven children, all at home. Mr. Booth and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences that affluence affords.

OLIVER M. COULTER, farmer ; P. O. Se- ville ; whose portrait appears in this book ; was born Jan. 17, 1820, in Fayette Co., Penn., the youngest of a family of fonr children, but two are now living-Elma, Mrs. George Palmer, of Guilford, and our worthy subject are the sole survivors of the Coulter family. His parents were Samuel D. and Nancy (Stewart) Conlter. He was born Dec. 10, 1784, in Bedford Co., Peun. ; she in same county, March 4, 1792. They were married in 1812. She was a daughter of John and Rhoda (Shin) Stewart, to whom were born four children-Charles, John, Mary and Nancy. Their parents were born as fol- lows : John Stewart, Feb. 15, 1756 ; Rhoda Shin, July 25, 1765. Shortly after the marriage of Samuel D .- the war then being in progress- he turned out, and was assigned to Capt. Wads- worth's company, and, being superior as a judge and manager of horses, he was assigned duty as teamster, and drove one of the first teams loaded with provisions for the soldiers on the road leading from Pittsburgh to Ft. Stevenson. He was at one time the bearer of a very important dispatch from Gen. Harrison to Ft. Stevenson, making the trip safely and with haste. After the war, he came to Fayette Co., Penn. ; from here he removed to Jefferson Co., and finally died of cholera while on a business trip to In- diana, in August, 1832. Abont four years aft- erward. Oliver and his mother came to this State, loeating where he now resides, purchas- iug at first 70 aeres, at $15 per aere ; about 20 of the number was " slashed." They began in pioneer style ; lived in a small cabin, with pun- eheon floor, for four years ; sat on stools, not a

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ehair iu the house at this time ; for a bed, Oli- ver knocked out the chinking of the cabin at the side, and iuserted cross pieces, which was upheld with a support on the iuside ; this con- stituted their bedsteads. He has now in the house a set of chairs (splint bottom), the first that succeeded the stools. For twenty-four years, Oliver never was absent from his mother overnight ; he was ever a kind and dutiful son to her. She died Oct. 16, 1876, and for many years was a member of the M. E. Church, and a noble woman and indulgent parent. Oliver has in his possession a heavy pair of silver- framed spectacles which she owned, which fell to her from her grandmother ; also, two patch- work quilts of her handiwork, which are models of workmanship, which he prizes most sacredly. He has also a piece of old Continental money of early date. Oliver is yet a bachelor, good- natured and jolly ; is intelligent and well read in the sciences and medicine. He has a farm of 171 acres, which is located two and a half miles from Seville.

HARRIET H. DICKEY, farmer ; P. O. Chip- pewa Lake ; was born Aug. 22, 1816, in Camil- lus Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y. Her parents were David and Cornelia (Houk) Hugunin, both of whom were natives of New York. To them were born twelve children, who are Betsey, Rachel, Martin, Lucinda, Jacob, Harriet, Peter, David, Chester, Hiram, John and Nancy, all of whom lived to be grown and married except Martin, who was a bachelor, and died in the late war. The above-mentioned sisters and brothers are scattered over several States- Betsey in Wisconsin, Lucinda in New York, Peter in Minnesota, David iu Michigan, Chester in Wisconsin, Hiram in Michigan, John in this township, Nancy in Indiana ; the others are now deceased. Peter Hugunin, the grandfather of Mrs. Dickey, was a native of Holland, as was her mother, who came over when a babe, October, 1833, landing in this township Oct. 8, when she was 17. Her father was in poor health, and was unable to give his children any assistance, further than good advice and coun- sel. She worked out by the week at 75 cents, continuing three years, and gave the result of her earnings to her parents to assist in their maintenance. Feb. 28, 1839, she became the wife of Samuel R. Dickey, who was born Jan. 9, 1817, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., son of John and Polly (Ramsey) Dickey. He was born in

Pennsylvania, she in Virginia. After their marriage, they began keeping house near where she now resides. Their commencement was on a cheap scalc. Their home was a log cabin with puncheon floor, bedstcad made of poles, had board table, aud stools took the place of chairs, and, with a few old dishes and a kettle, they managed to get along until they could afford better. For three years she uever bought a yard of cloth ; she spun, out of flax, material for sheets and clothing. After making their purchases for keeping house, Mr. Dickey had two shillings left, which he kept, as he said, for a "nest-egg," for years afterward. The place where they settled was but 3 acres cleared, but soon Mr. Dickey had a large portion of his place improved, he being a very hard-working man. They moved to the place she now lives in 1850. Mr. Dickey died in 1871, on his birth- day. He died from a tumor, which was ex- ceedingly painful, making his life, during the last six months, almost unendurable. He was a man of good information, was a great reader, and took a lively interest in political matters. Since his death, the care and the responsibility of the farm has rested upon her mostly. Mr. Dickey was successful in his business affairs, having, at the time of his death, 340 acres. Since the division among the children, Mrs. Dickey has now 240 acres. Four children- Mary, Mrs. G. A. McCabe; Alice, Mrs. Jacob Schemp ; Martha J., Mrs. W. Emmons ; and John, who resides with his mother. Since Mrs. Dickey was 18 years of age, she has been a member of the M. E. Church. She has a good home, and ample property to maintain her handsomely as long as she may be spared.

DAVID DUDLEY DOWD, farmer; P. O. Pike Statiou; whose portrait appears in this book, was born in the town of Saybrook, Middlesex Co., State of Connecticut, June 10, 1806. His father was Luther Dowd, born in the town of Guilford, Madison Co., in the year 1770, whose father was Ebenezer, who was the son of Ebenezer. The Dowd family originated from one Henry Dowd, who emigrated from Wales to Connecticut, near New Haven, in 1639. The mother of our subject was Abina Field, sister of Dr. Field, who was the father of Cyrus W. Ficld, of submarine telegraph fame. Her father was Capt. Timothy Field, who com- manded a company in the Revolution. His father's name was Zachariah, who, for his third

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wife, married a young woman, Timothy beiug the issue ; were it not for that alliance, Cyrus W. might not have been born. Ebenezer Dowd served through the war of the Revolution, re- turning home unharmed. Luther Dowd died in 1820. Shortly after, our subjeet began the carpenter's trade, which he soon abandoned for the blacksmith occupation. In 1829, Jan. 15, he was married to Mary Harris, who was born July 16, 1803, in Killingworth, Conn., who was a daughter of Dyer and Temperance (Waters) Harris. Her father, Elijah Waters, was an old Revolutionary soldier, and died at the age of 98. In the spring of 1831, Col. Dowd emi- grated West, locating at Seville, where he fol- lowed his trade three years ; then moved north of the town, and engaged in farming for six years ; then returned to Seville, and eugaged in milling for eight years, and for fifteen years was engaged in the hotel business at that place. In 1854, removed to Kankakee Co., Ill., where he pre-empted a farm of 160 acres, where he stayed five years ; returning to this county, was for eight years mail contractor and ran stage and mail line to Cleveland. From 1862 to 1866, was United States Assessor and Internal Revenue Collector, and dealt in real estate- mostly in Western lands. His wife died in 1875, leaving three children, eight having been born : Mary E., Mrs. Parker ; Mrs. C. M. Strong, of Colorado ; and Manford M. During the times when "general training" was in vogue, our subject was Colonel of the 2d Regi- ment, 3d Brigade, 9th Div., O. M. July 18, 1878, he was married to Mrs. Mary Decker, who was a native of Ashland Co., daughter of John and Mary Denham. He was born in Pennsylvania, Lancaster Co .; he died in 1876, being 77 years of age. She was born May 24, 1804, in same county. They emigrated West, and were among the early settlers. Mrs. Dowd's first husband was Rev. Augustus Deeker, born in Pennsylvania, 1838; son of Jacob and Sarah Deeker. To Mrs. Deeker were born by him two children-Sidney E. and Benjamin F. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have one ehild-John H. Moved to his present home in 1873; the year following, built his present residence. He has always been a staneh mem- ber of society ; his experience in life, though varied, has generally been characterized by suc- eess. In the times of slavery, he was ever iu sympathy with that down-trodden race, and did

what he eould to ameliorate their condition through the ballot box, and was always ready to give the fleeing one shelter and substantial aid. He has ever been a man of temperate habits, and would rejoice to see the triumph of the prohibition element. For years he has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a liberal patron of the publie journals, and is a friend to progress, and a worthy citizen of the commonwealth.

S. A. EARL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Friendsville. Esquire Earl was born in Guil- ford Township, this county, Jan. 1, 1831. His parents were Henry W. and Lucinda (Morgan) Earl. He was born about the year 1797, in New Jersey ; was a blacksmith by trade, learn- ing the same in New York City. Was there married to his wife in 1819, who was born in Truxton, Jefferson Co., N. Y., 1803. After their marriage, they emigrated West to this State, seleeting as their place of location what is now Seville, where he engaged at his trade, his shop being located where the bank now stands. Re- maining here until 1831, he then removed to the west part of the township, at Morse's Corners, and there followed his trade for several years. Was a member of the Baptist Church. His death occurred November, 1865. His widow is yet a resident of this township. Stewart A. left home at the age of 12 years. He worked out two summers, attending sehool during the winter, working for his board. At the age of 14, went to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving four years' apprenticeship. He then engaged in business for himself, and followed it until 1868. For a short time carried on a store at the Corners. May 15, 1851, was married to Eunice Chapman, who was born in this township, March 27, 1831, whose parents were James and Mary (Hammond) Chapman. He was a native of New York, and came West with Warren Brainard, locating in the west part of the town- ship, and eut the first tree in that locality. His first wife was Eunice Brainard. Mr. Chapman first purchased fifty acres, which he cleared, then moved south a short distance, where he purchased 200 acres, and improved it. Re- mained here until his death, which occurred in 1851. His wife preceded him one year. She was born in Hartford, Conn., 1796. Came West with her father, Jason Hammond, who pur- chased 600 acres in Summit Co., Ohio, the place being afterward known as Jason's Cor-

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ners. He was a man of considerable wealth, but going bail down East, his resources were crippled in consequence, and came West to re- trieve his loss. Since 1870, Mr. Earl has been a resident of the place he now owns, consisting of 80 acres, formerly the Chapman property. Mr. Earl is now serving as Justice of the Peace for the third term, with credit to himself and to the evident satisfaction of the people. He is interested in the best stock of horses, keeping the Clydes and Hiatogas, and breeds for the market. Also keeps Durham cattle, and is doing all he can to raise the grade of stock in this country. Of five children born, but two are living-Earuest H. and Maude P. Ladora F. and Clara, died young. Linna at the age of 15. J. R. ENGLAND, lumber and farming ; P. O. Le Roy, John was born Feb. 15, 1842, in Clearfield Co., Penu., is the second child of a family of eleven children born to Theodore and Martha (Spencer) England. Theodore D. England, was born in the same county Aug. 14, 1817 ; he was a son of Job and Martha (Williams) England. The family are of Irish and Scotch descent. Mrs. England's father's name was Joseph Spencer, who was married to Lydia Moore, and to them were born ten chil- dren, Mrs. England being the fifth child ; she was married to Theodore D., Nov. 25, 1838, and emigrated West about the year 1855, lo- cating in La Fayette Township. Mr. England was carpenter and millwright, which business he followed in Penn., and though he owued and carried on a farm there, yet his attention was chiefly given to mechanics and working about machinery. Upon his arrival here, he pur- chased a farm in La Fayette Township, with the intention of settling down to farming pur- suits, but soon returned to his first love, after a residence of two years there, exchanging his farm for the mill property now owned by his sons, John R. and Miles, situated oue-half mile west of the center ; shortly afterward he built a grist-mill, which was run in connection with the saw-mill ; he died May 22, 1870. There were eleven children born him, teu living- Lydia A., John R., Miles S., Hannah J., Joseph, Nathan, William, James, Vina and Theodore D. Prior to the death of his father, John and his brother Miles purchased the mill property, and have since conducted the business. Soon after their ownership they removed the grist-mill to Lodi, selling it to other parties, the lumber bus-

ness being all they could attend to. They buy timber and manufacture the same at their mills, shipping to Cleveland, and are doing a thriving business, also do custom sawing, when not otherwise employed. November, 1866, J. R. was married to Sarah Bottorff, who was born in Chester Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, Sept. 21, 1846 ; her parents are Jona- than and Elizabeth (Kindy) Bottorff, both na- tives of Peunsylvauia ; her father came west to Columbiana Co. on horseback, fording streams ; was a millwright and built the first log mill in the county ; he finally located in Wayne Co., and purchased a farm ; is a resident of this township, and is past 90 years. Mr. England's residence is situated one-half mile south of the Center, where he has 46 acres of land. His life and dealings have been of such a character as to entitle him to the confidence and esteem with which he is held in the community ; has two children-Lodema May and Clement Miles.

MRS. LOUISA EDWARDS, retired, Seville. Mrs. Edwards is a representative of the St. John family, who were among the early settlers in this township. Their first settlement was in the southern part of the township, on the farm where Mrs. Bauer now resides. Here the fami- ly settled and grew up with the country, and were among the substantial members of the commonwealth. The St. Johns, including the Whitney family have a very extensive family history written up, which gives an account of the family for nearly three hundred years back. The St. Johns are from the Eastern States. Myron St. John, the father of Mrs. Richards, was born in Weybridge, Vt., June 12, 1792, and moved with his parents to Fabius, N. Y., in 1797. Myron was a son of Elijah St. John, who was born in November, 1766. While in Fabius, N. Y., Mr. St. John married Philena Allton, who came with her parents, Amos and Philena (Rice) Allton, to that State iu 1816. Mrs. Edwards was married to John Edwards in 1857. He enlisted August, 1862, in Fairmount, Ill., in Co. E, 73d I. V. I., and died at Murfreesboro in 1863. Mrs. Richards now resides with her mother on the homestead, having no children. The religion of the family is Baptist. Politics, Republican. They came to the farm they now own in 1830, there being but four or five acres cleared. The farm con- sists of about 135 acres. Mrs. St. John, the mother of Mrs. Richards, was born in Vermont

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Sept. 29, 1802, and came to this State in 1828.

JOHN F. FLICKINGER, farmer; Chippewa Lake; was born in Somerset Co., Penn., Aug. 7, 1826 ; of a family of nine children eight of the number grew to maturity, who were Harriet, Mary Ann, John F., Josiah, Susana, Caroline, Noah and Cassie ; four of the eldest were born in Somerset Co., Penn., to their parents, Daniel and Catharine (Lowry) Flickinger ; he was born Nov. 10, 1800, son of Jacob, whose father came from Germany. Daniel's mother's maiden name was Susan Witt. The Flickinger family are long lived, and are noted for their longev- ity. Jacob Flickinger was a stone-mason, by trade, and to him were born eleven children, all of whom lived to be grown, and raised families. Daniel was the eighth of the number born; he remained upon the homestead eight years after be grew to man's estate. Feb. 19, 1822, he was married to Catharine Lowry, who was born June 30, 1797 ; she was a daughter of John and Mary (Curtz) Lowry; in 1829, he emi- grated West and located a piece of land in Milton Township, in Wayne Co., Ohio. His brother Peter and brother-in-law Joseph Ar- nold had moved out in 1814, locating in Grecne Township, near Smithville. Mr. Flickinger purchased 164 acres, which cost $600, and was unimproved ; he cleared up this farm, putting out an orcbard, built a bark barn and other buildings, and sold it in 1855 ; then moved two miles north in Chippewa Township and bought 105 acres ; this be also improved quite as well as the latter, remaining upon this farm until August, 1872, when he left the farm and moved to Orville, selling his farm two years afterward. After a life companionship of nearly sixty years, his worthy companion, who for many years walked with him adown the journey of life, shar- ing with him in the toils and hardships of life, passed to her reward Aug. 16, 1880, leaving five children to monrn her departure, who are Mary Aun, the wife of Mr. Jacob Copenhaver, of Allen Co., Ind .; John F .; Josiah, in Kansas ; Noab, in Carroll Co., Ill .; Catharine, Mrs. Ru- dolph Dague. Since the death of his wife Mr. F. has resided with his son John; has been a man of remarkable power of endurance ; has an excellent memory, and, though now four- score, his step bas the elasticity of youth and is unusually vigorous for one of his years. Since 16 years of age he has been a member of

the German Reformed Church, in which he always held important official stations. His mother's brothers were soldiers in the Revolu- tion ; she herself saw Gen. Washington at the time of the war. John F., whose name beads the above, was raised up under the guardian- ship of his worthy parents. Feb. 24, 1851, he was married to Hannah Swagler, who was born in Milton Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, March 29, 1829, daughter of Jacob and Han- nah (Howe) Swagler, who came West in 1822. Of six children born to them, but three are living-Mrs. Alvin Kimmel and England, her brother, who now reside in Wayne Co., Ohio. Mr. Swagler died in 1874; his wife in 1859. Since 1851, Mr. Flickinger has been a resident of this township. The farm he now owns was once the property of Mr. Swagler, his father-in- law ; said farm is situated in the nortbeast part of the township, adjoining the lake, and con- sists of over 200 acres. He and his family are members of the M. E. Church. His union with Miss Swagler has been crowned by the birth of five children, four living, who are Melvin S., Lakey J., England and Mina D. Mr. Flickin- ger is one of the Township Trustees and one of the substantial and reliable members of the community.

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History of Medina county and Ohio, Part 139

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1014

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Battle, J. H; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926; Baskin & Battey. Chicago. pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago : Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1014