USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. I > Part 53
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greeting will be on the other shore. Her death was peaceful and sublime. The day before, the writer, with the family and friends present, partook with her of the emblems of the Lord's body and shed blood. Shortly after this she repeated the well-known stanza:
'Jesus can make the dying bed Feel soft as downy pillows are; As on His breast I lean my head And breathe my life out sweetly there.'
When the farewell moment came, her son and daughter kneeling by her side, each with a hand clasped, she opened her eyes and looked into theirs with a supernal light. Her radiant orbs flashed forth the intelligence, 'The Lord is with me.' And thus gloriously and triumphantly passed away another faithful servant of the Lord."
MRS. ELLEN MAHON.
Mrs. Ellen Mahon, living on section 23, Weller township, is the widow of Jaines Mahon. She was born in Richland county, August 17, 1840, and is a daughter of John and Jeannette Boyce. Her father was a native of England, while her mother's birth occurred in Scotland. He was but a boy when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the new world, the family locating in Franklin township, Richland county, Ohio, in the '20s. He was therefore largely reared in this state and continued to make his home in Richland county until called to his final rest at the age of sixty-two years. Unto him and his wife were born seven children, but Mrs. Mahon is the only one now living and both parents have passed away.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Mrs. Mahon in her girlhood days. She attended the public schools and enjoyed the social pleasures of the neighborhood and in due course of time gave her hand in marriage to James Mahon, February 1, 1877. He was born in Weller township, this county, being one of a family of eleven children. At the age of eight years he accompanied his parents on their removal to Crawford county, Ohio, where he made his home until his marriage, when he returned to Richland county and purchased the farm where his widow is now residing and where he continued to live until his death. On starting out in life on his own account he took up the occupation of farming and became one of the progressive agriculturists of his community, working along lines of modern development and progress. He raised the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate and in addition to this work he made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, principally horses. In all he undertook he was successful, for he possessed energy and unfaltering perseverance. He did not gain his prosperity by leaps and bounds, for his business career was marked by that slow yet steady progress that comes from the faithful performance of each
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day's duties. He was truly a self-made man. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, but the honors and emoluments of office had no attraction for him. He died April 8, 1898, leaving a widow and three children to mourn his loss. He had one son, Charles, by a former marriage; and there were two children by the second marriage: John and Jeannette. All are at home.
Mrs. Mahon is the owner of valuable farming property, comprising three hundred and fifteen acres of rich and productive land in Weller township, one hundred and sixty acres being in the home farm. She and her sons carry on the place, they doing the active work of the fields, while Mrs. Mahon gives supervision to the business interests of the place. It is attractive and well kept in appearance and indicates that the owners are progressive people who desire to keep in touch with the best methods of farm life. They are also well known and highly esteemed socially and the Mahon home is a favorite resort with their many friends. Mrs. Mahon is a member of the Baptist church, while her husband was a Methodist in religious belief.
JUDSON IRVIN PATTERSON.
Judson Irvin Patterson has figured quite prominently in local official circles, his fellow townsmen calling him to office at various times, while at the present writing he is serving for the second term as county commissioner. He also derives an income from farming and banking interests and is well known here as one of the worthy and respected native sons of Richland county. His birth occurred in Butler township, December 8, 1854. His parents were Robert and Mary (Beattie) Patterson, and the father was also a native of Butler township, his birth there occurring October 10, 1823. This fact indicates that the family was an carly one in the development and upbuilding of the county, the name of Patterson being associated with its interests from pioneer times. Throughout his entire life Robert Patterson followed the occupation of farming, and his integrity and industry were salient features in his career. He married Mary Beattie, who was born in Parish Isle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, May 27, 1825, and came to America when thirteen years of age. They were both members of the Methodist Epis- copal church and later in life the mother joined the Christian church. The death of Robert Patterson occurred at Greenwich, Huron county, Ohio, March 7, 1886, while his wife passed away in Shelby, Richland county, February 6, 1904.
At the usual age Judson I. Patterson became a student in the country schools, and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father upon the home farm until twenty-three years of age, when his father retired and he took charge of the farm, which he continuously and successfully operated until 1904. In that year he was elected county commissioner and, putting aside the more active duties of farm life, concentrated his time and energies
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upon the discharge of his official duties. He had previously been called to some local offices, having served as a trustee of Butler township from 1879 until 1884. In 1901 he was chosen township assessor and filled that posi- tion for three terms. On the 3d of November, 1903, he was elected county commissioner and took the office in 1904 for a term of three years. On the 6th of November, 1906, he was again elected for a term of two years, so that he is the present incumbent in the position. This board of commis- sioners makes all levies, has charge of all bridges and all moneys spent for the county. In the office Mr. Patterson is proving capable and faithful, and that his course has given general satisfaction is indicated by the fact of his reelection.
Mr. Patterson still retains his farming interests, having one tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres and another of forty acres in this county, from which he derives an excellent annual income. He is likewise a director of the Farmers' Banking Company of Greenwich, Ohio, and for fifteen years he was extensively engaged in buying cattle, sheep and wool in Huron and Richland counties, finding this a profitable source of income. He is a man of excellent business ability and brings to the discharge of his official duties the same spirit of enterprise and keen discernment which has always char- acterized him in conducting his private business affairs.
On the 7th of November, 1877, Mr. Patterson was married to Miss Augusta M. Stevenson, who was born in Butler township May 4, 1857, a daughter of John and Jane Stevenson. They traveled life's journey happily together for twenty-seven years, and were then separated by the death of the wife, who passed away December 20, 1904. Mr. Patterson has spent his entire life in Richland county and has many warm friends here who have known him from his boyhood to the present, indicating that his entire life has been actuated by honorable principles. As a business man he is ener- getic and progressive. while in his official service his record is unclouded.
JAMES A. PRICE.
James A. Price was born in Monmouthshire, West England, February 11, 1847, and at the early age of two and a half years he and a younger brother were brought by their parents, Mr. and Mrs. James E. Price, to America, the family locating in Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, where one sister, Bess. now Mrs. J. W. Bell, was born. The family afterward removed to a farm two miles southeast of Butler in Richland county, which our subject owned until his death. There he spent his boyhood days and the farm in later years came into his possession. On the 20th of May, 1864, Mr. Price was appren- ticed for three years to Lecky Harper, of the Mount Vernon Banner, for the purpose of learning the "art preservative," and on the expiration of his appren- ticeship he began journeyman work on the same paper. After four years spent in the employ of Mr. Harper on the Banner, Mr. Price went to Cincin- nati and accepted a position as a compositor on the Daily Enquirer, filling
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that place for a period of four years, after which he went to Pittsburg, where he became identified with a large job printing establishment, the foremanship of which he assumed and held successfully for ten years.
After a long period of practical experience in the printing business Mr. Price returned to his old home at Butler and launched his first newspaper. It was called the Worthington Enterprise, the first copy of which was issued December 6, 1888. The name was later changed to the Butler Enterprise and the paper was enlarged from a seven-column folio to a six-column quarto. On the 8th of December, 1892, the Bellville Messenger was founded by Mr. Price, and on the 7th of February, 1893, he removed his printing establish- ment and his family to Bellville, where he resided thereafter until his death. The publication of the Butler Enterprise was continued in connection with the Bellville paper. Both the Enterprise and the Messenger each was all home print and received a substantial and paying support.
On the 8th of March, 1887, Mr. Price was united in marriage to Miss Leah E. Severns, and unto this union one son was born, James Edward Price. The esteem in which Mr. Price was held by the citizens of Bellville and Jefferson township was fully shown by his election to the office of justice of the peace for several successive terms. He also filled the office of police justice with credit to himself and satisfaction to the public.
After being out of health for a year or more, Mr. Price died on the 26th of April, 1905. The widow, Mrs. Leah E. Price, who had learned the printer's trade in her husband's office, continued the publication of both the Messenger and Enterprise successfully until she sold the plants on the 1st of January, 1908.
James Edward Price, the son of James A. Price, attended Miami University at Oxford the past year and contemplates finishing his education at some college in the east. He is a promising young man and a bright future is predicted for him.
The Mansfield Daily Shield contained the following editorial the day after Mr. Price's death: "Squire James A. Price, one of Bellville's most prominent and most highly respected citizens, editor and proprietor of the Bellville Messenger and the Butler Enterprise, died this morning at 9:05 o'clock at his home on Main street, Bellville, of Bright's disease and heart trouble. Squire Price had been in ill health since last fall. He was taken ill last September and for some months he was laid up. At times his con- dition was very critical and it was feared that he could not survive. He became better and for the past couple of months he had been able to be up and around. Last Monday he suffered a relapse and again became worse. It was soon seen that his condition was serious and not much hope was held out to the family by the attending physician that he could recover. This morning he was unable to take any medicine. He had great difficulty in breathing, but after being raised up in bed he seeemd to breathe more easily. Later he was seized with another attack, all efforts to relieve him proved unavailing, and after a few gasps he passed away. The news of his death was
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received with profound sorrow not only in Bellville, but wherever the genial editor of the Bellville Messenger was known. Squire Price was affiliated with the Masons and with the Knights of Pythias. He was fifty-eight years of age the 11th of last February and is survived by his widow and one son."
A. M. STEWART.
The history of Butler would be incomplete without extended mention of A. M. Stewart, the leading merchant of the town and a business man who stands as a representative of that class of American citizens who in promoting individual success also advance the public welfare. He was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, November 21, 1862, his parents being Robert and Sarah (Sherrow) Stewart. His father was born in Ireland, but died in Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1901, at the age of seventy years. His widow, who was a native of Guernsey county, survived him for about two years and passed away at the age of sixty-three. Robert Stewart had come to the United States when a youth of sixteen years and, making his way into the interior of the country, had settled in Guernsey county, where he was reared to manhood. There he married and settled upon a farm, devoting his entire life to agricultural pursuits. In the careful management of his affairs he made a good living for his family, numbering seven children, viz .: A. M., of this review; Thomas C., a resident of Knox county, Ohio; John A., whose home is in California; Frank E., living in Wellington, Ohio, and three who are now deceased.
A. M. Stewart was reared on the home farm and acquired a district- school education prior to entering Muskingum College. He also pursued a normal course at Lebanon, Ohio, and when nineteen years of age began teach- ing in Franklin county, Ohio. Through the following thirteen years he taught in Knox and Richland counties and proved a capable educator, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired and proving an excellent disciplinarian as well as instructor. He entered commercial lines in 1895, when he purchased a stock of goods at North Liberty, where he conducted a store for about six years. In December, 1901, he came to Butler and opened a department store in a fine brick building. Here he has a room fifty-five by fifty-five feet and also a basement room of the same size filled with dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, glassware, crockery, queensware and granite ware. He carries a stock valued at twenty- six thousand dollars and his annual sales reach a large figure, for he is most progressive in his business methods, puts forth earnest effort to please his customers and is most reliable in his dealings. He also owns the best hotel in Butler, a house of twenty-five rooms, from which he derives a good rental. He buys wool and is extensively engaged in buying and selling good horses, receiving as high as twelve hundred dollars for a single team. He is an excellent judge of horses and thus his purchases are judiciously made, while his sales bring to him a gratifying profit. Mr. Stewart is likewise the treas- urer of the Butler Bottle Company, a concern which he worked hard to promote, and which is now proving a profitable enterprise. He is also treas-
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urer of the Fredericktown Oil & Gas Company and his real-estate holdings embrace a farm in Guernsey county and twenty-four acres of valuable and productive land adjoining Butler.
On the 4th of August, 1895, Mr. Stewart was united in marriage to Miss Luella C. Burger, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 14, 1867, and was a daughter of Levi and Catherine (Wolford) Burger, who were natives of Knox county and are now living retired at North Liberty. Their family numbered eleven children: A. P., a resident of Virginia; James T. and Mrs. Della Kellar, who are living in Knox county, Ohio; Mrs. Stewart; Jacob A. and William, who are also residents of Knox county ; Edwin, whose home is in Columbus; Mrs. Blanche Lewis, of North Liberty, Ohio; and three who are now deceased. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stewart has been blessed with one son, Harold. The parents are consistent and faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and contribute generously to its support. Mr. Stewart belongs to Sturgis Lodge, No. 357, I. O. O. F., and to the Knights of Maccabees, while his political allegiance is given to the democracy. He is preeminently a business man and one who has wielded a wide influence. The essential qualities for the acquirement of success are his. In his vocabulary there is no such word as fail, for he possesses unfal- tering purpose and business enterprise which enable him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. He has been watchful of his opportunities, has improved them, and year after year has made consecu- tive advancement until he is now numbered among the leading and prosperous merchants and business men of his adopted county.
ALBERT H. KEEFER.
Albert H. Keefer, who is one of the leading farmers of Washington township, his home being on section 13, has spent his entire life in Rich- land county and throughout his active business life has been identified with its agricultural interests. He was born in Mifflin township on the 8th of February, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Barbara (Culler) Keefer, of whom extended mention is made in the sketch of J. W. Keefer, on another page of this volume. Albert H. is the oldest of their five children, the others being: James F., who lives on the home place in Mifflin township; Jacob W., a resident of Washington township; Retta, the wife of George Braden, of Washington township; and Vernon, who is also on the home place in Mifflin township.
Albert H. Keefer was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farm boys, attending the common schools near his home and acquiring an excellent knowledge of agriculture while assisting in the operation of the home farm. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then started out in life for himself as a farmer. locating on his present place in Washington township, where he operated eighty acres belonging to his father. As time has passed he has prospered in his farming operations and
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is today the owner of one hundred and fifty-eight acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation. He has made all of the improvements upon the place and now has one of the best farms of the locality.
On the 12th of October, 1882, Mr. Keefer was united in marriage to Miss Emma Snook, who was also born in Mifflin township, February 23, 1863, a daughter of John and Joseph (Klauer) Snook, both natives of Germany. Her father was born in 1824 and died in 1902, while her mother was born in 1825 and passed away in 1895. Of their nine children five are still living, namely: Charley, August, Mrs. Louisa Cook and Mrs. Nettie Keefer, all residents of Mifflin township; and Emma, wife of our subject. The parents of these children were married prior to their emigration to America, and on reaching this country located in Mifflin township, this county, where the father followed farming until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Keefer have one child, Anna, now the wife of Walter Hagerman, of Mansfield.
By his ballot Mr. Keefer supports the men and measures of the demo- cratic party and he takes quite an active interest in public affairs. He has held some school offices, but has never cared for political honors. He is a member of Washington Grange, and both he and his wife hold membership in the Lutheran church at Lucas. They are widely and favorably known in the county where they have always resided and their circle of friends is almost coextensive with their circle of acquaintances.
LEVI ZIMMERMAN.
There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored and venerable gentleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears the impress of the historical annals of Richland county from the earliest pioneer days. For many years he was prominently identified with the business interests of Mansfield and is still the owner of considerable property in that city but is now living retired in a pleasant home at No. 288 West Fourth street.
Levi Zimmerman was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, on the 17th of April, 1814, a son of John and Mary (Jones) Zimmerman, who spent their entire lives in that state. The father died in 1824 and being left an orphan at an early age, our subject came to Ohio with his uncle Nicholas Jones, when eleven years old, locating in that part of Richland county which is now Ashland county. Prior to coming to this state he had attended the public schools of Pennsylvania to a limited extent but his educational ad- vantages were limited. In 1828 he became a resident of Mansfield, where he served a five years' apprenticeship to the trade of a tin and coppersmith, and during that time he attended school for nine months. He then worked as a journeyman for two years, after which he opened a shop of his own in Mansfield, which at that time was a small village, but at the end of two years he took charge of the business of Samuel Bucyrus, remaining in his employ until the death of that gentleman. He was then in business for
Levi Zimmer man
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himself and continued to work at his trade until 1860. Although he started out in life for himself with no capital, he prospered as the years went by and invested his capital in real estate until he is now the owner of some valuable city property, including several buildings on Main street,, from which he derives a good income.
In 1835, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. George, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, but was reared in Crawford county, and after a happy married life of sixty-two years they were separated by the death of the wife, which occurred in 1897. They became the parents of six children, of whom five are still living, namely: Mrs. Henry C. Hedges, Mrs. Michael Douglas and Eli, all residents of Mansfield; John, of Chicago : and Rosetta, the wife of John W. Burnett, of Oklahoma.
During the gold excitement in California, Mr. Zimmerman went to the Pacific coast in 1850 and spent a few months in mining, but almost his entire life has been spent in Mansfield and the fine brick residence now occupied by him was built in 1860. He was originally a whig in politics and cast his first presidential vote for General William Henry Harrison in 1836, but since the organization of the republican party he has been one of its stanch sup- porters. Now in his ninety-fifth year, he is the revered patriarch of the community and is enjoying in well earned rest the competence which is but the merited reward of a long and honorable career. Since 1851 he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has always been strictly temperate in his habits and this is probably one of the secrets of his excellent health.
CHARLES AUGUSTINE.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose and it was with a feeling of genuine sorrow and regret that the news of the demise of Charles Augustine was received in Mansfield and Richland county. He had for many years made his home here, had been closely associated with its business interests and at all times had manifested those qualities of com- mercial integrity, of cordiality and sincere friendship which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.
He was born in Clark county, Ohio. in 1831, and died in Mansfield, September 28, 1904. His early educational privileges were supplemented by a course of study in Kenyon College, Ohio. When he had completed his business education he entered the business world as a clerk in a dry-goods store and after a few years' experience in that line, during which time he had gained a thorough knowledge of business methods, he started out in mercantile lines on his own account and for four years owned and conducted a store in. Illinois. Disposing of his business on the expiration of that period, he then returned to Mansfield where he opened a dry-goods store, winning therein a liberal patronage, which he continued to enjoy for ten years, when he again sold out and turned his attention to the wholesale and retail leather trade. In that business he soon built up an extensive patronage, annually conducting
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a business that brought to him a most gratifying financial return. He con- tinued to deal in leather up to about 1894 and throughout his commercial career the integrity of his methods was never called into question, while his example of energy, ready adaptability and unfaltering perseverance, may still be followed by those who desire to win prosperity and an honored name.
In 1858 Mr. Augustine was married to Miss Louise Ritter, who was born in Clark county, Ohio, in 1836. Unto them were born four children: Carrie, John, Louise and Catharine, all of whom survived the father, who was most devoted to the welfare of his family and did everything in his power to promote their happiness, counting no personal sacrifice on his part too great that would enhance the interests of his family. The family are members of the Congregational church.
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