USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. I > Part 58
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Almon and Esther C. Hayes continued to reside upon the old homestead farm until their death, the former passing away at the age of fifty-six years, while the mother died in 1893. They reared six children. Almon W. was born in September following the arrival of the family in this county and died in 1906 in Williams county, Ohio, where he removed after his marriage, re- siding on one farm throughout the remainder of his days. Horace Betts, who served for three years in the Civil War, enlisting from Williams county, is a carpenter by trade and now resides in Battle Creek, Michigan. Jonathan died in Williams county in 1860. Hannah Ruanah is the deceased wife of Dr. Hurshiser. Charles L. is the fifth in order of birth, and Lewis Cass resides upon a part of the old home farm in Jackson township. When the parents arrived, in 1821, there were only sixteen voters in what is now the territory comprised in Sharon and Jackson townships, but which had not been divided at that time. The Indians often brought venison to the Hayes cabin in ap- preciation of some favor which they had received, for the members of the household were generous with their red neighbors and did many a favor for them.
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Charles L. Hayes early became familiar with all of the hardships and conditions of pioneer life, and continuously resided upon the old homestead, with the exception of a period of five years, until 1893, when he came to Shelby, where he has since made his home. While in his sixteenth year he began learning the carpenter's trade at Marion, Ohio, and worked there for five years with John Naylor and John Cullison and with their successor. After a half decade spent in the town Mr. Hayes returned to the farm, owing to the illness of his father, who did not recover, but passed away in 1856. Mr. Hayes then returned to Marion for another year, but again he took up his abode upon the farm and assumed the management of the property, com- prising one hundred acres, which he and his brother owned. For a time Mr. Hayes rented his share of the property, but later sold it. During much of his life he has been active in carpenter work and followed the trade most of the time in Shelby, until six years ago, but is now largely living retired. He has been agent for the Ohio Farmer for thirty years and has taken thousands of subscriptions for the paper. He has also attended many fairs in the inter- ests of this paper and has thus introduced it to the people in attendance. As general agent he handles almost all of the daily papers sold in Shelby. He is a great angler and spends a portion of each summer fishing in Michigan waters.
On the 5th of September, 1858, Mr. Hayes was married to Miss Martha Ann Tucker, who was born in Shelby in 1837 and died in 1901. She was a daughter of Simcon and Paulina (Roberts) Tucker, the former a native of Pennsylvania, although they were married in Ohio. Mr. Hayes is well known in this county, where the greater part of his life has been passed, and is classed with its prominent pioneers, few men having more intimate knowledge of the history of the county and its development.
JAMES W. HUNTSMAN.
James W. Huntsman is entitled to mention in this volume from the fact that he is one of the pioneers of Richland county, and is the oldest living man in Perry township, being now eighty-four years of age. He was for many years actively identified with the agricultural interests of the county and while he still retains possession of his fine farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres, situated in Perry township, he is leaving the active work of the place to others and is now enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil.
Mr. Huntsman was born on a farm in Perry township, May 5, 1824, just across the road from where he now lives, and he is a son of Jonathan and Nancy ( Wherry) Huntsman. The father was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, in 1793, and came to Perry township, Richland county, in 1816. settling on the farm where our subject was born. This land he entered from the government. When Perry township was organized he was elected and served as its first clerk and in many other ways was prominent in his locality. He passed away here in 1866, at the age of seventy-three years, his wife having
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preceded him to the home beyond, her demise occurring in 1859. Their family numbered nine children, but James W. of this review, who is the fourth in order of birth, is the only one now living. The others were: William, who died at the advanced age of eighty-four years; Israel, Josiah, Noah, Amariah, Mary Jane, Sarah Ann, and John, who died in infancy.
James W. Huntsman, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the old homestead farm in Perry township and was early trained to the duties which fell to the lot of the farmer. During the winter months, when not busy on the home place, he pursued his studies in a subscription school, walking one and a half miles to the schoolhouse, which was a primitive log structure with dirt floor and greased paper windows. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty-five years, when he learned the harness-maker's trade, working at the same in Woodbury, Morrow county, Ohio, for six years. At the end of that period he returned to the home farm and resumed work, while in 1859 he took up his abode on his present farm, renting the same for four years, at the end of which time he made purchase of the property. This is a well improved tract, comprising eighty acres, which has been placed under a high state of cultivation. It is also improved with a good residence and substantial outbuildings and everything about the place is kept in a neat and thrifty appearance. Besides this farm he owns another eighty-acre tract. For many years Mr. Huntsman was actively engaged in general farming and he is still living on his farm, but the work is being carried on by his son.
Mr. Huntsman proved his loyalty to his country, when in 1864 he offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Regiment, with which he served from the 2d of May until the 10th of September. He had three brothers who were in the army at the same time.
Mr. Huntsman has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Catherine Baker, who was born near Baltimore, Maryland, their wedding being cele- brated in June, 1859. Unto this union were born three children: Warren, an optician, of.Oregon, Missouri; Lindon H., who was a carpenter of Cleveland, Ohio, but is now deceased; and Charles A., who was born October 3, 1874, and is now operating the home place. He has served for four years as town- ship clerk. The wife and mother died in 1883 and the following year Mr. Huntsman was married to Amanda Amos, who was born in Perry township, this county, November 18, 1844, a daughter of Frederick and Margaret (Schaffer) Amos. Her father came to this county about 1835. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman was blessed with three children: Mertie, who has passed away; Louis, the wife of Wade Stewart, a farmer of Perry township; and John, who at the age of twenty years, is with his parents.
Politically Mr. Huntsman was formerly a whig, but upon the organiza- tion of the new republican party became identified with its principles and policy. He has frequently served as township trustee and trustee of the school board, but aside from that has never aspired to public office. His fraternal relations are with the Patrons of Industry. Not only has he seen Richland county grow from a wild country, with only a few white inhabitants, to a
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rich agricultural district, containing thousands of good homes and many growing towns, inhabited by an industrious, prosperous, enlightened and progressive people, but he has participated and assisted in the slow, persistent work of development which was necessary to produce a change which is so complete that it has come to be popularly referred to as magical.
C. C. SCHAFER.
C. C. Schafer is conducting the hotel at Bellville, with his wife as able assistant, and they have made this an attractive hostelry, doing everything in their power to promote the comfort of their guests, so that they have secured a liberal patronage. The hotel is a credit to the town and is proving a good business venture.
C. C. Schafer was born in Richland county and his parents were natives of Germany, and on coming to America they settled in Richland county in the year of 1826. They were among the pioneers of the district, casting in their lot with the early settlers, who aided in reclaiming the wild land and transformed it into productive farms. Their work was of a valuable nature and constituted a splendid element in the upbuilding of this section of the state.
C. C. Schafer was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life and, having arrived at years of maturity, he married Miss Lugarda R. Orewiler. They are now conducting the hotel at Bellville which they own. It is a well appointed hostelry containing thirty-two rooms, pleasantly and attractively furnished. They make it their purpose to please their patrons and to minister to their comfort in every way possible. In addition to this property Mrs. Schafer also owns a fine farm in Springfield township, this county. Mrs. Schafer is a daughter of Andrew J. and Margaret (Madden) Orewiler, who were natives of Ohio, and became residents of Richland county at an early date. They are now living on a farm in Springfield township owned by their daughter, Mrs. Schafer. Mrs. Orewiler bore the maiden name of Margaret Madden. The father of Mrs. Orewiler was born in Ohio and her mother in Maryland. They came to this county at an early date and built one of the pioneer log cabins with clapboard roof, while one half of the cabin was floored with puncheons, while the other half had no covering. the dirt floor being used. At the time of Mr. Madden's death he owned three hundred acres of land, which constituted a valuable farm. He had taken this tract of land when it was a wild and unimproved district and had received one-half of it for clearing the entire amount. He contributed in a large measure in the early days to the development and progress of this part of the county and was numbered among its most active, successful and honored pioneers. Upon the farm he reared his family, numbering ten children, but Mrs. Orewiler is the only one now living.
Mr. and Mrs. Orewiler have become the parents of six children: Norris L., who is living in Mansfield; Mrs. Schafer; Charles T., whose home is in
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Wyandot county, Ohio; Hattie E., deceased; George A., who is living in Crestline, Ohio; and Orlie O., on the farm.
Their daughter, Mrs. Schafer, was a graduate of the district schools of Richland county, and began teaching at the early age of fifteen years. She successfully followed that profession for fourteen years, or until she became the wife of Mr. Schafer. For the past eight years they have been conducting the hotel at Bellville, which they now own. They are both popular with the patrons of the house and they count many friends among the traveling public, as well as among their fellow townsmen. Mrs. Schafer is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families and greatly deserves the esteem in which she is held, for all who know her entertain for her the warmest and most sincere regard.
MRS. REBECCA GARBER.
Mrs. Rebecca Garber, residing on section 13, Jefferson township, on a fine farm near Bellville, was born in Pennsylvania, March 20, 1837, but was brought to Richland county by her parents in 1841, when about four years of age. She was one of a family of seven children, but only two are now living, her brother, George Wallace, being a resident of Knox county, Ohio. Her father, George Wallace, who was born February 6, 1805, in the Keystone state, died July 18, 1879, and her mother was born March 12, 1808, in Penn- sylvania, and died September 12, 1878.
Their daughter Rebecca spent her girlhood days under the parental roof, where she was carefully trained in the work of the household, so that she was well qualified to take charge of a home of her own when on the 19th of June, 1856, she gave her hand in marriage to Jehu Garber. Her husband was born in Jefferson township, this county, October 29, 1835, repre- senting one of the old pioneer families. His father was Samuel Garber, who came to Richland county, Ohio, at a very early epoch in its development. In early life Jehu Garber engaged in teaching school, but in later years devoted his time and energies to farming with excellent results. He was the first secretary of the Grange in this county and was always interested in everything that pertained to the agricultural development of the community. In his own farming operations he displayed a spirit of enterprise and progress and brought his land under a high state of cultivation. In 1864 he took up his abode upon a farm on section 34, Jefferson township, and there year after year he tilled the soil and carried on the work of the fields, his labors making him one of the prosperous agriculturists of the community, and the beautiful brick house, one of the finest houses in Jefferson township, and the home of the Garber family, was built by Mr. Garber.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Garber were born ten children: Eleanora, the wife of John Watson, of this county; Irene, deceased; Clara A., the widow of Douglas Oyster, residing in Jefferson township; Ida May, who is at home with her mother; Horatio C., also on the home farm; James William, of Jef-
JEHU L. GARBER.
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ferson county; John M., who lives in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and Wallace, Merta E. and Mamie D., all of whom have passed away. The death of the husband and father occurred February 6, 1903, and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he had won the respect and sincere regard of many with whom he came in contact. He was also a prominent and influential citizen of the community and served as county commissioner for seven years, discharging the duties of the office in a prompt and able manner, his fidelity being indicated by his long continuance in the position. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias and was well known for his good traits of heart and mind. He lived to the age of almost sixty-eight years and his entire life was passed in this county. Mrs. Garber still survives her husband and is well known in Bellville and this locality. She is a member of the Universalist church, and both in the church and outside of it she has gained many warm and sincere friends.
WILLIAM REDING.
In the history of the agricultural development of Richland county, men- tion should be made of William Reding, who was born February 12, 1836, on the farm which he now owns and occupies in Weller township. He is a representative of one of the old pioneer families, representatives of the name having been associated with the history of the county for almost a century.
His parents were Edward and Elizabeth (Like) Reding, who removed to this county in their 'teens. The father served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and after coming to Richland county he became a factor in the early development of this part of the state. It is hard to imagine what were the conditions which confronted him at the time of his arrival, for when one sees the highly cultivated farms and the thriving towns and villages it seems hardly possible that in the early part of the nineteenth century the land was still largely unclaimed and uncultivated. The forests stood just as they came from the hand of nature, the streams largely had to be forded, and only here and there had a settlement been made to indicate that the seeds of civilization had been planted in the western wilderness. As the years passed, Edward Reding carried on the farm work until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1860. His wife survived him for several years and passed away in 1868. They were the parents of nine children : John, Elizabeth. Sarah, Mary Ann, Daniel and Matthew, all deceased; Edward, who is living in Missouri ; Jane, who has also passed away ; and William, of this review.
In taking up the personal history of our subject, we present to our readers the life record of one who is very widely and favorably known in Richland county, from the fact that he has always lived here and has governed his life by such rules of conduct as have made him an honorable citizen and a success- ful man. His education was acquired in the public schools, and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, thus assisting in carrying on the home farm. He was married when twenty years of age to Miss Susan
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Casner, who was born in this county and died in 1863. They were the parents of three children, but two are now deceased, the surviving daughter being Elizabeth, the wife of Allen Pittinger. In 1866 Mr. Reding was again mar- ried, his second union being with Miss Leah Saltzgaber, who was born in this county in 1843, a daughter of Samuel and Katharine Saltzgaber. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania, while her mother was born in Germany, and their last days were spent in this county. Their family numbered eight chil- dren, seven of whom are yet living. Mrs. Reding spent her girlhood days under the parental roof, was educated in the public schools, and for three years in early life engaged in teaching. By her marriage she has become the mother of seven children: Milton and Calderwood, both at home; Katharine, deceased; Bertha B., at home; Floyd, of Arkansas; and two who are deceased, they having been the third and sixth in order of birth.
The farm on which Mr. Reding now lives, section 35, Waller township, was willed to him by his father. It comprises eighty acres of land which he has brought under a high state of cultivation, so that the fields annually bring forth rich and abundant crops. In all of his work he is practical, and that he is interested in the agricultural development of the community at large is indi- cated by his membership in the Grange. In politics he is a democrat, has served as school director for several terms and has also been supervisor. He was one of the finest rifle shots in the county in his young days, and yet dis- plays much skill in that direction. His wife is a member of the Lutheran church, and they are both well known in the community where they have an extensive circle of warm friends.
DAVID W. CUMMINS.
David W. Cummins, a capable representative of the profession of law to which the public must look for the conservation of its interests and the protec- tion of its rights and privileges, is now enjoying a liberal patronage that is accorded only in recognition of genuine merit and capability. A native of Shelby, Ohio, he was born August 13, 1867, and is the younger of a family of two children, his sister being Mary C., now the wife of Judge Lewis Brucker, who is her brother's law partner. Their parents were David and Angeline P. (Taylor) Cummins. The father was born in Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, which was then a part of Richland county. For many years he engaged in merchandising in Shelby and in the latter years of his life was a traveling representative of a New York commission house. He was very well known in this section of the state and was prominent in the affairs of the northern part of the county. He died in Shelby, January 13, 1899. His wife, a native of Jackson township, Richland county, belonged to one of the pioneer families of this part of the state, who came from Connecticut in the early por- tion of the nineteenth century. She still survives at the age of seventy years.
While spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, David W. Cum- mins pursued his education in the public schools and afterward attended Wit-
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tenberg College at Springfield, Ohio. Thus he gained a good literary knowledge to serve as a foundation for his professional learning, when in 1891 he began preparation for the bar, reading law while employed as deputy clerk of the probate court of this county. Later he resigned his position and completed his law studies in the office of Skiles & Skiles at Shelby and was admitted to the bar in December, 1894. Shortly afterward he returned to Mansfield, where he entered upon the active practice of his profession and in 1897 he became associated with Lewis Brucker, which partnership has continued up to the present time. He engages in general practice and his clientage is large and of a distinctively representative character. He has confined his attention almost exclusively to his practice and is an able lawyer, diligent in research, careful in the preparation of his cases and clear and concise in his presentation of his cause in the courts. Moreover, he is systematic and methodical in habit, sober and discreet in judgment and devotedly attached to his profession.
On the 23d of June, 1897, Mr. Cummins was married to Miss Jane David, a daughter of P. K. David, of Garrett, Indiana, and they have one son, David R., who was born October 26, 1901. Mr. Cummins owns his own home at No. 32 Sherman avenue, which he built in 1903. He is a member of Mansfield Lodge, No. 35, F. & A. M .; the Mansfield Lodge of Elks; Madison Lodge K. of P .; Mansfield Camp of the Woodmen of the World; and Mans- field Tent of the Knights of Maccabees. He also belongs to the Phi Gama Delta, a college fraternity. Since age conferred upon him the right of fran- chise he has been a democrat and has been active in the local ranks of his party since attaining his majority. In April, 1908, he received its nomination for the office of probate judge. He is an active member of the Central Metho- dist Episcopal church of Mansfield. His interests are those of a public-spirited citizen who recognizes that there is more to life than the winning of financial independence and is never neglectful of his duties to his fellowmen and his city.
CALVIN ROBINSON.
Calvin Robinson is entitled to credit as a self-made man, for all that he today possesses has been acquired through his own thrift, energy and well directed labors. He has devoted many years to general agricultural pursuits but is now living practically retired in a comfortable home, surrounded by two acres of land and he also owns a valuable farm comprising one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 16, Jefferson township, this being operated by his son. Mr. Robinson is a native of Richland county, his birth having occurred on a farm in Jefferson township, January 25, 1837, and is the only child born of the marriage of William and Maria (Lafferty) Robinson, the former born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Harrison county, Ohio. As stated, the father was born in West- moreland county in 1807, and when a young lad, was taken to Mercer county, that state, while the year 1814 witnessed his arrival in Richland county, Ohio. Here he was engaged in farming, meeting with more than ordinary success.
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His death occurred in 1883 and he was survived by his wife for ten years, her death occurring in 1893, when she was seventy-six years of age.
Calvin Robinson acquired his education in the district schools near his father's home and remained under the parental roof until the outbreak of the Civil war, when he enlisted, May 2, 1864, for service in the Union army as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was on garrison duty for three weeks at Fort Reno. When at Fort Pocahontas he contracted a fever and for a time was in a hospital at Hampton, Virginia. He was mustered out of service September 10, 1864.
After returning from the army Mr. Robinson once more resumed the pursuit of a business life and on the 19th of January, 1865, established a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Leedy. To this union have been born six children, all of whom still survive, namely: William G., who is farm- ing in Beaver, North Dakota; Margaret, at home; Mary, the wife of Levi Fry, a farmer of Jefferson township; John C., who is operating the old home place; Fred, at home; and George L., who is on a sheep ranch at Beaver, North Dakota.
Mr. Robinson proudly cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, but later was identified with the prohibition party, and at the present time supports the principles of democracy. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Grange, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church at Bellville, to which his wife also belongs.
Mr. Robinson is a man who is today as loyal to his community and her welfare as he was to his country in the dark days of the Civil war. Having spent his entire life in Richland county he has a very wide acquaintance, not only in his home locality, but throughout the entire county and no man is more familiar with the development and improvement that time and man have wrought in the past seven decades than is Mr. Robinson, and now in the evening of life he can enjoy a well earned rest, feeling that his labors have been well spent in former years.
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