USA > Ohio > Morrow County > History of Morrow County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vol. II > Part 35
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
On the 20th of June, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Young to Miss Laura B. Walters, who was reared and edu- cated in Richland county, Ohio, the date of her birth being the 22nd of September, 1870. To this union have been born four daughters: Ima, who was graduated in the Johnsville High School and who is now the wife of Edward Shier, of Morrow county ; and Mary, Bertha and Maggie, all of whom remain at the parental home. In their religious adherency the Young family are devout and zealous members of the United Brethren church, in the various departments of whose work they have long been active factors. They are popular and prominent in connection with the best social activities of the community and their home is widely renowned as a center of genial and most gracious hospitality.
In his political convictions Mr. Young is aligned as a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Democratic party and while he has never been ambitious for the honors or emoluments of public office he was at one time prevailed upon to serve as justice of the peace of Morrow county, in discharging the duties of which important office he acquitted himself most creditably. He is a man of decided worth and undoubted integrity and as such commands the un- alloyed confidence and high regard of his fellow citizens. In the various enterprises with which he has been connected his conduct has ever been faultless and he is recognized as a true friend and strictly reliable business man.
SAMUEL R. WORDEN .- It is gratifying to note in the personnel of the representative agriculturists of Morrow county so large a number of the native sons of the county have had the judgment and appreciation to maintain a stanch allegiance to their "native heath" and have here found ample opportunity for effective and profitable effort along normal lines of industrial and business enterprise. Snch a one is Mr. Worden, who is one of the substantial farmers and stock-growers of Canaan township, where his home is the same residence in which he was born, and he is not only held in high esteem in the community where he is best known but he has also been an influential factor in public affairs in his native connty and stands exemplar of the highest civic loyalty and progressiveness.
820
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
Samuel R. Worden was born on the farm which he now occu- pies, in section 28, Canaan township, on the 4th of September, 1856, and is a son of Richard and Lucinda (Schooly) Worden, the former of whom was born in Seneca county, New York, on the 29th of April, 1822, and the latter of whom was born in Belmont county. Ohio, in 1824. Their marriage was solemnized about the year 1844. As a child Richard Worden was virtually adopted by Alexander Purvis, with whose family he came to Ohio when a lad of six years. Mr. Purvis established his home in Morrow county and there Richard Worden was reared to maturity under the dis- cipline of the farm. in the meanwhile attending at intervals the pioneer schools of the locality. He continued to be associated with his foster-father in the work of the home farm until he married and initiated his independent career. Soon after his marriage he and his young wife established themselves upon a farm in Carding- ton township, Morrow county. and in the following year, 1845, they removed to Canaan township and settled npon part of the farm now owned by their son Samuel R., of this review. Here Richard Worden reclaimed his land to effective cultivation and developed a valuable farm, the place having been but slightly im- proved at the time when it came into his possession. He continued to reside on this homestead until his death, at the age of seventy- four years, and his cherished and devoted wife was summoned to eternal rest at the age of seventy-seven years and six months, both having held at all times the high regard of all who knew them. Of their large family of children two sons and four daughters are still living and the subject of this sketch was the fifth in order of birth of the nine children.
Like the average vonth of the locality and period, Samnel R. Worden gained his early experiences in connection with the mani- fold duties pertaining to the work of the home farm, the while he duly availed himself of the advantages of the district schools, where he laid the foundation for the broad and practical knowledge which he has since gained through self-discipline and through active association with men and affairs. He was long associated with his honored father in the work and management of the farm on which he was born and a portion of which he now owns and operates. His homestead comprises one hundred acres of most arable land and to the original improvements on the same he has made many additions, bringing it up to the best modern standard. He has rented his farm to his son Carl and he and his wife will locate in Marion, Ohio, where he has property. He has shown mature judg- ment and discrimination in the various departments of his farm industry and is one of the essentially representative agriculturists and stock-growers of his native connty, throughout which he is well known and held in unequivocal esteem.
In politics Mr. Worden has ever been found arrayed as a stal- wart in the ranks of the Republican party, and he has taken an
821
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
active part in its local work. He has been zealous in supporting such enterprises and measures as have conserved the advancement and general prosperity of the community and he served five years as treasurer of Canaan township. He is affiliated with Denmark Lodge, No. 760, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in the village of Denmark, which is three-fourths of a mile distant from his home, and of this lodge he is not only past noble grand but has also repre- sented the same in the Grand Lodge of the Order in the state. Mrs. Worden was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Denmark, Ohio.
On September 24, 1879, Mr. Worden married Miss Olive P. Bratton, who, like himself, was born and reared in the old Buckeye state and who was a resident of Canaan township at the time of her marriage. She was born in Marion county, on the 12th of De- cember, 1859, and was a child at the time of her parents' removal to Morrow county .. She was summoned to the life eternal on the 26th of April, 1903, and is survived by one son, Carl C., who was born on the 27th of February, 1883, and who is now one of the popular and prosperous young agricluturists of Canaan township. He married Loretta M. Sycks, and they have one child, Paul C. On the 1st of January, 1906, Samuel R. Worden contracted a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Alice (Miller) Gillson, widow of Charles Gillson, of Morrow county. She was born in Marion county, and is a daughter of the late Obediah Miller, who was a representative citizen of Marion at the time of his death.
Mr. Worden has shown a vital interest in the exploiting of the fine agricultural resources of his native county and in his opera- tions has had recourse to the most modern and most scientific methods, as well as the best facilities in the line of farm machinery and implements. He has been active in the affairs of the Morrow County Agricultural Society and is a member of its directorate.
SAMUEL T. POLAND .- An essentially loyal and public-spirited citizen of Congress township, Morrow county, Ohio, is Samuel T. Poland, who has filled with utmost efficiency many important offices of public trust and responsibility in this section. Mr. Poland was born on the 30th of April, 1842, a son of Samuel and Mary (Truex) Poland, both of whom are now deceased, the former having passed away in 1865, at the age of sixty-five years, and the latter, in 1864, at the age of fifty-four years. The father was a prominent farmer and was the first recorder of Morrow county, having been elected to that office in 1848 and serving therein for two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Poland became the parents of ten children, namely : David, Benjamin, William R., John C., Daniel, Joseph, Samuel T., Elizabeth (Mrs. Parsons), Mary C. (Mrs. Early) and George W. Of the above children all are deceased except Jolin C., Samuel T. and George W.
As a youth Samuel T. Poland attended the district schools of
822
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
this county and he early began to assist his father in the work and management of the home farm. When seventeen years of age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, serving for a period of three years and becoming a most skilled workman. During the war he was an ardent Union sympathizer and in May, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company G. One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for one hundred days, at the expiration of which he reenlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He saw much active service in the war; was under General Thomas at Nashville and later joined Sherman at Goldsboro, North Carolina, being under that renowned general at the surrender of General Johnston. He participated in many important conflicts marking the progress of the war, in- cluding the battle of Murfreesboro, Nashville, the battle of the Cedars, the evacuation of Decatur, Alabama, Wise Forks, North Carolina and others. IIc received his honorable discharge in August, 1865, and was mustered out of service at Charlotte, North Carolina. After the close of his brilliant military career Mr. Poland returned to Morrow county, where he initiated his active business life as a grocer in the town of Mount Gilead, his partner in business being D. G. Poland. He continued to be identified with that line of enterprise for the ensuing nine years and in 1876 he came to the farm owned by his father-in-law in Congress township, where he remained for two years. He then, in 1878, purchased a tract of one hundred and forty acres of most arable land at an administrator's sale, the same being located in Congress township. He engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of high- grade stock and has continued to devote the major portion of his time and attention to agricultural pursuits during the long inter- vening years to the present time, in 1911. In 1908 he purchased an additional tract of land, some eighty-seven and a half acres adjoin- ing his homestead on the south. As a farmer Mr. Poland is thrifty and industrious and his splendid estate is finely improved, all the buildings being of the most modern type.
In politics Mr. Poland is aligned as a stanch supporter of the Republican party and he has been incumbent of many important offices in Morrow county. For nine years he was a school director and for eleven years he served as justice of the peace. In 1904 he was elected county commissioner, to which office he was re- elected in 1906, serving until 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Poland are highly esteemed citizens in their home county, where they are deeply ad- mired and beloved for their sterling integrity of character and their sincere devotion to all matters tending to enhance progress and development. Mr. Poland has ever retained a deep interest in his old comrades in arms and signifies the same by membership in Hurd Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Mount Gilead.
In June, 1865, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Poland to
823
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
Miss Rachel J. Lyons, a daughter of Peter and Sophia (Bell) Lyons. She was born in this county on the 24th of January, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Poland have two children: Sarah A., who is the wife of Charles B. Hull, of Edison; and William H., who married Miss Iva Long and who resides in Congress township. William H. has two sons: Samuel, who was born in 1905, and John, whose birth occurred in 1907.
ALBERT L. JEFFREY .- Widely and favorably known as a pros- perous business man of Marengo, Albert L. Jeffrey is numbered among the citizens of good repute in Morrow county, where his life has thus far been spent. As proprietor of a saw mill and a lumber yard, he is carrying on a substantial and profitable business and is an important factor in the promotion of the industrial interests of this part of the state. A native of Morrow county, he was born September 14, 1866, in the village of Iberia, Washington township, being a son of F. M. and Adelaide (Myers) Jeffrey.
On leaving the district school, in which he gleaned his early education, Albert L. Jeffrey began work in his father's saw mill, remaining thus employed until attaining his majority. Starting then in life for himself, he was engaged in the hardwood business at Harmony township, Morrow county, until 1894, when he located in Marengo. Buying the Marengo Lumber Yard, he at once began to enlarge its business, and soon after added a saw mill to its equipments, also opening a handle factory, which he has since dis- posed of. In the management of his mill and yard, Mr. Jeffrey has met with satisfactory success, handling lumber and building materials of all kinds on an extensive scale.
On November 3, 1895, Mr. Jeffrey was united in marriage with Lillian Gordon, a daughter of G. W. Gordon, and their only child, Sylvia Jeffrey, is now a pupil in the Marengo High School. Al- though a stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Jeffrey has never been an aspirant for public office, his business demanding his time and attention.
THOMAS A. PATTEN .- A representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of Morrow county, Mr. Patten is here one of the effective exponents of the agricultural industry in this favored portion of the Buckeye state and he is the owner of a fine landed estate of one hundred and forty-four acres located in Gilead town- ship, five miles northwest of Mount Gilead, the county seat, and three miles north of the thriving village of Edison. Well known in his native county, Mr. Patten is a citizen whose career has been marked by unflagging application and productive energy, thic while his sterling attributes and genial personality have gained to him the confidence and good will of those with whom he has come in contact. As one of the representative citizens of Gilead township and as a citizen whose influence is given in the support of all
824
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
worthy objects conserving the general welfare, he is well entitled to recognition in this volume.
Thomas A. Patten was born in Canaan township, this county, on the 19th of June, 1861, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Coe) Patten, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the lat- ter in Ohio. Joseph Patten was a boy of six years of age at the time when the family removed from the old Keystone state to Ohio. He was a son of Thomas Patten, who came to this state in 1826, making the overland journey with ox teams and wagons, by means of which he transported his family, household effects and a modest equipment of farming implements. In the year mentioned he es- tablished his home in Morrow county, which was then a part of Marion county, and located on a farm now owned by William Lepp, in Canaan township. This land was a forest wilderness at the time he secured the same from the government and his first arduous labors were directed toward making a clearing in the woods and erecting therein his primitive log cabin, which was the family home for many years. He reclaimed much of his land, which was a quarter section. to cultivation and continued to reside on this homestead until his death, as did also his noble and devoted wife. They became the parents of eleven children, of whom Joseph was the second in order of birth, and these children were reared to lives of usefulness and honor. The parents lived up to the full tension of the pioneer days and were earnest, sincere and God-fearing folk whose names merit a lasting place on the roster of those who as- sisted in laying the foundations for latter-day prosperity. Thomas Patten, the elder, was a very strong man physically as well as morally and his children were strong and active. Shortly after settling here in the woods he found that he needed a heavier log chain and he went to Mount Vernon on foot and, purchasing the iron, carried it back to Mount Gilead on his shoulder, a substantial chain being made therefrom. His wife, who was also a very strong and determined woman, once killed a deer with a chopping ax. The deer had been crippled at some time and had come to the spring for a drink. The dog scented it and the deer went close to a large log to guard off the dog. Mrs. Patten stole up to the log and struck the deer's head over it, splitting it open. Mr. Patten still has one of the horns in his possession as a memento of his grandmother's prowess. His father, James Patten, used to ride an ox and carry to the mill, a long distance away, a sack of corn sufficient to supply the family with meal. Quite a difference now in the matter of ac- commodation !
Joseph Patten was reared to maturity amid the scenes and influences of the pioneer epoch in Morrow county and his youth gave to him ample experience in connection with the herculean work of developing a farm in the midst of the forest. He finally, however, determined to direct his efforts along other lines, and served an effective apprenticeship to the trade of blacksmith, in
825
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
which he beeame a skilled artisan and to which he continued to devote his attention for fully forty years, during much of which time he was asociated in partnership with the late Jonathan Mas- ters, under the firm name of Patten & Masters. They condueted a large and representative business and had a well equipped shop in Mount Gilead. Their characters were as staneh as the vocation which they followed and they had a wide acquaintanceship in this section of the state, where both ever commanded seeure place in popular confidence and esteem. Vigorous in mind and body, eheer- ful, optimistie and whole-souled, Joseph Patten was a man of in- fluence in the community and his friends were equal in number to his acquaintances. He attained to the age of eighty-five and one- half years and his cherished and devoted wife was summoned to the life eternal at the age of seventy-three years. They became the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom attained to years of maturity and two of whom are now liv- ing. The subject of this review is the younger, and his brother, J. R., is a representative citizen of Brown county, Kansas, where he is in business.
Thomas A. Patten was reared to manhood on the old homestead which his father owned in Canaan township and condneted in con- nection with his blacksmithing business, and he remained there until he became twenty-two years of age. The public sehools of his native county afforded him his early educational advantages and he continued to attend the same at intervals until he had at- tained to the age of eighteen years. Virtually his entire aetive career has been one of elose identification with agricultural pur- suits, and through the same he has gained a definite and secure success, giving him plaee as one of the independent and substantial citizens of his native eounty, of whose manifold advantages and attractions he has ever been deeply appreciative and to whose interests he is signally loyal. Ilis present fine farm is well im- proved with substantial buildings and is under a high state of cul- tivation. It is devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of excellent grades of live stoek and the thrift and good management of the owner are in evidence on every side. He has been the owner of this farm sinee 1902 and the same was formerly owned by .Jonathan Masters, his father's old and valued partner in the blacksmith business.
In polities, though never ambitious for official preferment, Mr. Patten is found arrayed as a stanel supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party and in local affairs of a publie order he gives his support to all measures and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of the community. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Boundary, and he is a valued member of Denmark Lodge, No. 760, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past noble grand. He has belonged to the foregoing organization for twenty years.
826
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
On the 17th of May, 1883, Mr. Patten was united in marriage to Miss Eda Hann, who was born in Canaan township, this county, on the 19th of January, 1862, and who is a daughter of the late Noah Hann, an honored citizen and prosperous farmer of Canaan township. Sylvester P., the elder of the two children of Mr. and Mrs. Patten, was born on the 27th of November, 1866, and was educated in the public schools of the county. He is one of the successful young agriculturists of Gilead township and is a young man of sterling character and exceptionally industrious habits. He married Miss Mary Clouse and they have one child, Francis A., who was born on the 26th of August, 1909. Pansy, the younger of the two children of the subject of this review, was born on the 9th of August, 1892, and was afforded excellent educational advan- tages. She remains at the parental home and is one of the popular factors in the social activities of her home community.
JESSE B. CULVER .- Prominent among the leading citizens of Morrow county is Jesse B. Culver, who owns and occupies one of the most desirable homesteads in Bennington township. It com- prises two hundred and seventy-five acres of fertile land under excellent cultivation, and with its comfortable and convenient set of buildings is very attractive, indicating to what good purpose the proprietor has employed his time and means. Here his entire life has been passed, his birth having occurred on this farm July 15, 1846. He is desended from a New England family of stability and worth, his father, William Culver, having been born in New Haven, Connecticut.
Left fatherless when but two years old, William Culver re- mained at home until sixteen years of age, when he was seized with the wander lust, and traveled through a large part of the southern portion of the United States. Returning from the Southland, he passed through what is now Morrow county, Ohio, making the entire journey on foot and becoming well acquainted with the
country. While in the South, at a hotel in Big Springs, Ala- bama, he was robbed by his landlord of the four hundred and fifty dollars money that he had, but friendly Indians subsequently re- eovered his money for him, returning it intaet. In 1822 he again visited Morrow county, with which he had been so pleased when passing through, and here entered eighty-four and one-half acres of land from the government. Erecting a log cabin in the midst of the wilderness, he began the task of clearing a farm, and on the homestead which he improved spent the remainder of his days, dying at a venerable age, in 1881. He was a successful farmer and trader, and also loaned money. After the formation of the Repub- liean party, he was one of its strongest supporters, and as a publie- spirited and able man was held in high esteem. He married, in what was then Delaware county, Ohio, but is now Morrow county, Elizabeth Bennett, who was born in Orange eounty, New York, and
.
$ B Pulver
829
HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY
came with her parents to Ohio when a girl. Of their family of five boys and four girls, but two children are now, in 1911, living, namely : Jesse B., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned, and Mrs. Sarah M. Chase, of Marengo. The mother survived her hus- band about four years, passing away in 1885.
Brought up on the home farm, Jesse B. Culver attended the public schools quite regularly until fifteen years old, when he began assisting his father in the management of the homestead property. He subsequently commenced buying and selling stock, building up a thriving business as a trader and continuing it until 1908, when he retired from active pursuits, being forced to do so on account of ill health. Mr. Culver has since lived retired from active busi- ness, his previous accumulations of money enabling him now to enjoy a well-deserved leisure. He has other interests, however, being one of the stockholders of the Marengo Banking Company. He has been influential in agricultural matters, and for fifteen years was one of the directors of the Morrow County Fair.
Mr. Culver married, September 17, 1878, Nettie Boner, who was born March 6, 1855, in Utica, Licking county, Ohio, and was there reared and educated, attending the common and the Union schools. She subsequently taught school several terms before her marriage, for a time teaching in South Bloomfield township, Mor- row county. Their only child, Daisy, born March 16, 1880, is now the wife of A. E. Osborn, of Bennington township.
Mr. Culver is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloomfield, which he has served as trustee, and he is now treasurer of the Bloomfield Cemetery Association. He is prominently identified with the Republican party, and has never shirked the responsibilities of public office. He has filled various township offices, serving as county commissioner for six years and nine months, from early in 1892 until the latter part of 1898, and at the present time is justice of the peace. Fraternally Mr. Culver is a member of Chester Lodge, No. 238, Free and Accepted Masons ; of Sparta Lodge, No. 268, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; and of Marengo Lodge, No. 216, Knights of Pythias.
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.