USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 15
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The first work of any consequence which he did was in Ankneytown. where he worked at the wagonmaker's trade for one year and was then offered the highest wages given to any employe of the company if he would remain
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with them. For a time he worked upon the farm of a Mr. Gledhill near Lucas, and later was employed in mills for three years, after which he went to Mansfield and assisted Mr. Gledhill in building a woolen mill in the town. About a year later he removed to Holmesville, Holmes county, Ohio, where he worked in the timber and also trapped for one winter, making as much as seventy dollars per month-which was a large sum for those days. He also engaged in mining for two years near Holmesville and was employed on the grade near Millersburg for two years. It was necessary at this time that he support his mother and little half-sister and half-brother, and he did this as uncomplainingly as though it were in the regular routine of every man's life to do a like work. On leaving Holmes county he went to Petersburg, where he started in business as a shoemaker, continuing his efforts in that line for four years. On the expiration of that time he rented the farm of John Ryder and through his careful expenditure and unwearied industry he acquired a sum sufficient to enable him to purchase the farm five years later. It consists of one hundred and forty acres, upon which he has made many modern improvements. The house is commodious and compares very favorably with the best houses in the community. Other improvements on the farm are of a most modern character, and in the development of his property Mr. Pitts has displayed keen business judgment and unfaltering enterprise.
In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Pitts and Miss Mary Swaggart, who is a representative of one of Richland county's old families. Some time after their marriage Mrs. Pitts became ill and for two years was in a hospital in Toledo, Ohio, leaving Mr. Pitts to care for their little daughter, Clara, who is their only child and is now the wife of J. B. Fulton, who operates her father's farm. By her marriage she has become the mother of one child, Donald, two years of age, who is the pride of the family and the delight of the grandfather's heart.
In addition to his farm property Mr. Pitts is a stockholder in the Hastings and the Monroe telephone lines and has both phones in his house. He is a member of the Grange, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran church. His political support is given to the democracy, but he has always been too busy a man to seek political office. In fact, he has led a most active life, employing many hours which others would have devoted to enjoyment or rest. It has been in this way that he has secured the success which is now his, making him one of the substantial agriculturists of the community.
JOHN L. SWANK.
John L. Swank, who owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres on section 26, Jefferson township, was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 14, 1846, a son of Casper and Katherine (Leedy) Swank, natives of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. The father came to Richland county, Ohio, in 1818, and settled in Jefferson township, where he carried on farming throughout his entire life, his death occurring in 1893, when he was
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JOHN L. SWANK AND FAMILY.
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in his eighty-seventh year. His wife had passed away in 1884 at the age of sixty-four years. In their family were six children: Daniel and Elias, both deceased; Jacob, of Butler, Ohio; C. L., of Worthington township, Richland county, Ohio; one who died in infancy; and John L., of this review.
John L. Swank acquired his education in the common schools and also taught for two years. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and subsequently engaged in the operation of a rented farm until 1897. In that year he purchased the tract of land of one hundred and thirty-five acres on section 26, Jefferson township, formerly the A. C. Leedy farm, on which he still resides, and in the cultivation of which he has met with a gratifying and well earned measure of success.
On the 31st of December, 1871, Mr. Swank was joined in wedlock to Miss Leah C. Long, a native of Jefferson township and a daughter of Abraham and Katherine Long, who were born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, but are now deceased. Mrs. Swank was one of a family of ten children and by her marriage has become the mother of the following: Edward E., residing in Iowa; Sylvia C., the wife of H. S. Garber, of Jefferson township; Myrtle, the wife of J. E. Kisebeth, of Fostoria, Ohio; Alonzo, of Butler, Ohio; Elzina, the wife of O. E. Kisebeth, living in Fostoria, Ohio; Linnie, the wife of Sherman Gaddis, of this county; Minnie and John C., both at home; Clyde, deceased; Hugh, George G. and Marie, all at home; and Charles, who has also passed away.
Politically Mr. Swank is a democrat and is quite active in the local ranks of the party, having served as assessor for two terms and as justice of the peace for thirteen years. He is a member of the Grange, while both he and his wife belong to the Evangelical church, in the work of which they are actively and helpfully interested. They are highly esteemed throughout the com- munity as people of genuine personal worth and commendable traits of character and have gained an extensive circle of warm friends.
ULYSSES G. FRY.
Ulysses G. Fry, a representative and successful agriculturist of Jefferson township, Richland county, was born on what is known as the Amos Fry farm, on the 11th of January, 1866. His parents were Amos and Elizabeth (Hetrick) Fry, the former born in York county, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1830, while the latter's birth occurred in Blair county, Pennsylvania, March 10, 1836. Their marriage was celebrated in 1852, and in the spring of 1864 they emigrated to Ohio, settling on the farm south of Bellville, which at that time was a timber tract. In that year the father also enlisted for service in the Union army. His death occurred March 22, 1908, while his wife passed away October 3, 1907. Of their family of twelve children one died in infancy and Daniel was called to his final rest in January, 1903. The ten surviving members are: Jacob, residing in Arkansas, whose birth occurred June 15, 1856; Levi, born June 10, 1858, who makes his home in Bellville; Sarah, who was born April 11, 1860, and lives in Morrow county, Ohio; Jonathan, of
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Bellville, who was born November 25, 1861; Mary E., born March 23, 1864, who is living in Canton; Ulysses G., of this review; Eli C., born September 5, 1868, residing in Mount Vernon; Amanda, of Bellville, who was born July 16, 1870; Manuel, residing in Bellville, whose birth occurred April 3, 1874, and Verda M., also of Bellville, who was born September 4, 1876.
During the days of his boyhood and youth Ulysses G. Fry attended the Walnut Hill school and when not busy with his text-books assisted his father in the work of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. On attaining man's estate he chose the occupation to which he had been reared as his life work and has since successfully carried on farming, being widely recognized as one of the enterprising and prosperous agriculturists of his native county. After the death of his brother Daniel, he and his brother Levi purchased Daniel's farm of ninety-two acres of land in Jefferson township, on which our subject located, and at the end of four years he purchased Levi's interest in the place. He is still living upon the farm.
On the 30th of March, 1887, at Bellville, Mr. Fry was united in marriage to Miss Delah Ann Williams. Her father, Joseph Williams, was born in Maryland in 1819, and on the 16th of August, 1837, was joined in wedlock to Miss Susan Keller, by whom he had eight children, three of whom are still living. The family emigrated to Ohio in the spring of 1845, locating at what is known as Bakers Corners. Having lost his first wife, Joseph Williams was again married, his second union being with Melvina Zigler, their wedding taking place August 13, 1857. Of the seven children born unto them, five are still residing here. Mr. Williams and his wife also still survive, the former being now the oldest resident in Jefferson township.
In 1907 Mr. Fry was elected township trustee for a term of two years and is now faithfully discharging the duties incumbent upon him in this position. He joined the Presbyterian church of Bellville when seventeen years of age, but when the Lutheran church was built at that place he and his parents united with that organization and he has always been a faithful worker in its behalf. In 1907 and again in 1908 he was chosen superintendent of the Pleasant Hill Sunday school. Having resided in this county throughout his entire life, he is well known as one of its substantial and public-spirited citizens, whose aid and influence are ever enlisted on the side of moral, intellectual and material progress.
GEORGE W. FERGUSON.
On the list of Richland county's honored dead appears the name of George W. Ferguson, who was long associated with the farming interests of this part of the state. Throughout the community he was known as a reliable business man and one who in every relation of life held to a high standard of conduct. He was born April 20, 1830, in Ashland county, Ohio, but died upon the home farm in Weller township, this county, March 6, 1900. He
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had therefore almost reached the seventieth milestone on life's journey. He was a representative of one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state, and the farm upon which his widow now resides was entered from the gov- ernment by his grandfather when the entire country side was a wilderness. It has always been in the Ferguson name and constitutes one of the best improved properties of the county at the present time.
George W. Ferguson attended the early schools here and supplemented his education by many valuable lessons learned in the school of experience. He was reared to the occupation of farming and made it his life's work. He early learned the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, and as the years passed he was able to provide a good living for his family by the careful methods he followed in the conducting of the fields. His parents were George W. and Ellen (Haverfield) Ferguson, and they instructed him in his youth in lessons of industry and integrity, which he never forgot, and which constituted a valuable element in his life's record in later years.
Mr. Ferguson was married in this county to Miss Rebecca M. Schoe- maker, a native of the county and a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Mason) Schoemaker. The Schoemaker family came to Richland county from Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1814, when this district sheltered but few white men. Indians were still seen in this part of the state and their wigwams fur- nished a feature on the landscape. They hunted in the forests, for there was an abundance of wild game. As the years passed Mr. Schoemaker brought his farm under a high state of development, and in the last years of his life was a potter by trade. His death occurred in February, 1857, when he was sixty- two years of age, while his wife, surviving him for many years, passed away in 1880, at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom three are now living, namely: Mrs. Ferguson; Mrs. Jane Tooker, who is living in Weller township, and Mrs. Delilah Ross, whose home is in Nebraska.
By a former marriage Mr. Ferguson had two children: Mrs. Caroline Cole, living in Mansfield, and Martin, whose home is in Cleveland, Ohio; Otto R., the only child born to George W. and Rebecca M. (Schoemaker) Fergu- son, was born May 10, 1867, on the farm where he yet resides. Here he was reared and in 1887 he married Miss Margaret Powell, who was born February 16, 1866, in Franklin township. She is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Schoemaker) Powell, who were natives of Richland county and died in Franklin township. There were two children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Otto Ferguson-Harry and Roy. Otto F. was reared upon the home farm and when eighteen years of age began cultivating this place on shares. It com- prises seventy-five acres of land which, according to the terms of his father's will, is to belong to his mother as long as she lives. The son is an enterpris- ing, energetic young farmer, and in 1901 he erected the dwelling which now stands upon the place and which is one of the finest country homes of the district. Mr. Ferguson is a well read young man, thoroughly up-to-date on agricultural matters and on many questions of general interest. The home contains a large library of choice books, with the contents of which he is largely familiar. In community affairs he is interested and has once served
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as township trustee. All of the family are members of the Church of God and take an active and helpful interest in its work.
George W. Ferguson left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, and the family has always borne a reputation which makes them prominent and influential in this part of the county, well deserving of mention among the representative people of Weller township.
S. R. GORHAM.
S. R. Gorham, a native son of Ohio, is now identified with the agricultural interests of the state, operating a valuable tract of land comprising one hundred and forty-five acres, situated in section 13, Monroe township, and is also the owner of land in Green township, Ashland county. He was born in Ashland county, April 7, 1852, a son of Hezekiah and Charity (Turner) Gorham, the latter a native of Vermont, while the birth of the former occurred in Mas- sachusetts. They removed with their family to Ashland county in the early '40s, where the father worked at the stone and brick mason's trade. In early life he followed the sea for twenty-five or thirty years. He also made a trip to the Pacific coast in 1849 during the gold excitement and amassed quite a fortune during his sojourn in the west, but in later years lost all the money he acquired. His death occurred in 1874, while his wife survived for many years, passing away June 15, 1887. Their family numbered twelve children but only five of the number are now living, namely: John G., a resident of Mansfield, Ohio; James R., of Cleveland; S. R., whose name introduces this review; Harriet, the wife of William Strimple, of Richland county; and Elizabeth, the wife of Aaron Smith, a resident of Richland.
S. R. Gorham began his education in the common schools, this being later supplemented by a course of study in Perryville Academy. He also pursued a course in telegraphy but this vocation not being congenial to him, he never followed it. He remained with his father until he reached years of maturity, when he engaged in teaching school, following that occupation for fifteen years. During that time he accumulated a sum sufficient to enable him to become the owner of land and thinking to find a farm life more congenial, he purchased one hundred and forty-five acres of land, situated on section 13, Monroe township, where he is now making his home. He has here a good farm property, supplied with excellent buildings. He is engaged in raising the various cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also gives attention to raising and feeding stock. In everything he is thoroughly practical, following only the most modern methods in carrying on his work, so that he is meeting with excellent success.
Mr. Gorham established a home of his own by his marriage on the 10th of March, 1880, to Miss Clara B. Shanabarger, who was born in 1861, on the farm which is now her home, her parents being Emanuel and Catherine (Miller) Shanabarger, whose family numbered four children. The father passed away in 1870, but the mother is still living, making her home in
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Mansfield. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gorham has been blessed with one son, Ira G., who was born February 5, 1881. He has been afforded excellent educational advantages, having graduated from the Perryville high school, after which he attended the Ohio State University. He also pursued a law course in Ann Arbor University, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and is now teaching mathematics in Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Gorham gives his political support to the republican party and has served as road supervisor of Monroe township. Socially he is a member of Royal Arcanum Lodge at Perryville, having filled all the different chairs in that order, and likewise a member of Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M., at Loudon- ville, and a member of the Maccabees. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in the work of which they take a very active and helpful part.
His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the substantial citi- zens of his county. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Richland county and at all times he is ready to lend his aid to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
JERIEL NEEDHAM.
Jeriel Needham, who owns a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 23, Troy township, on which he is now living retired, having rented his land, was born on this place, January 30, 1848, the son of John W. and Mary Ann (Shauck) Needham. His paternal grandfather came to what was then Congress township, Richland county, but is now a part of Morrow county, in 1828, at a time when John W. Needham, the father of our subject, was but seven years of age, he having been born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 30, 1821. Here he grew to manhood and bought one hundred and sixty acres of timber land, on which the growth of timber was so dense that a tract had to be cleared on which to erect the log cabin. On June 10, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Shauck, who was born on March 24, 1818. They became the parents of eight children, of whom but three are now living, namely: Jeriel, of this review; Johanna, the wife of John H. Buck, of Portland, Oregon; and J. Oliver, who resides in Colorado. Those who have been called to their eternal rest are: Henry S .; Elah; Albert; Frank P .; and Cora V. The mother passed away April 1, 1890, being survived by her husband over fifteen years, his death occurring September 4, 1905. In politics he was a stanch republican and, being one of the prominent and influential citizens of his day, he was called upon at various times to fill all the offices that the township had to offer. He was for years township trustee. Both he and his estimable wife were faithful and consistent members of the United Brethren church. He lived for his fellowmen and in sickness or need his time and pocketbook were always at the command of the unfortunate.
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Jeriel Needham was reared on the home place in Troy township, where he attended the district school and received a common-school education. This he supplemented by a three years' course at the Lexington Seminary, after which he returned to the farm and contributed his best efforts and energies to its development and improvement. At the time of his marriage he pur- chased a half interest in the place, and for years he assumed the responsibility of the entire management of the farm, paying his father a rental for the place. At the time of his father's death he bought out the other heirs, so that he now holds clear title to the place.
On December 19, 1876, Mr. Needham was united in marriage to Miss Edith E. Dwyer, who was born in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, No- vember 6, 1851, the daughter of William M. and Catherine (Shauck) Dwyer. Her father was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, December 1, 1823, where he grew to manhood and learned the millwright's trade. He spent one year in Lake county, whence he went to Morrow county, and finally settled in Westerville, where he and his wife are now living. They were married Octo- ber 17, 1848. Mrs. Dwyer was born at Johnsville, Morrow county, Sep- tember 11, 1828, and has now attained the venerable age of eighty years. Five children were born to this union, namely: Arthur N., who resides in Indianapolis, Indiana; Edith, the wife of our subject; and Eva M., Thurston D. and Maude M., all of whom have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Needham have become the parents of two children, namely: Earl Dwyer, who was born December 3, 1877 ; and Guy W., who was born March 8, 1882.
In politics Mr. Needham is a republican and has served on the state central committee. He has held a number of township offices and is now a member of the school board. He is one who believes that the agricultural interests of the commonwealth are worthy of the best efforts of those who are interested in the progress and development of the country, and for twenty-two years he has been a member of the Agricultural Society, having served as its president for the last nine years. He is also a member of the Troy Township Grange, and is president of the Corn Growers' Association. Religiously, he and Mrs. Needham are faithful members of the United Brethren church, in which he has served as trustee for years. Like his father, Mr. Needham is a very broad-minded, progressive man, and he be- lieves that everyone should live his life in a manner to benefit others as well as himself. He is ready and willing at all times to aid in any enterprise that is designed to be of benefit to the general public.
GEORGE WORLEY.
George Worley, numbered among the honored veterans of the Civil war and for long years a progressive farmer of the county, is now living retired in Butler, enjoying the rest that has come to him as the result of well directed energy and intelligent application of labor. He was born June 4, 1841, in Stark county, Ohio, and is the son of David and Elizabeth (Althouse) Worley.
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The father was born in Germany and spent his early youth in his native country, after which he came to America with his parents, first settling in Pennsylvania. It was in that state that he met and married Miss Elizabeth Althouse, who was born in Pennsylvania. For a brief period they continued to reside in the Keystone state and then came to Ohio, settling first in Stark county, whence they removed to Richland county in 1841, locating one mile cast of Butler upon a farm which continued to be their home until they were called to their final rest. They were the parents of ten children, but only two are now living: George, of this review, and William, whose home is in Keokuk, Iowa.
As boy and youth George Worley remained on the home farm, enjoying the pleasures of the playground, performing the duties of the schoolroom and aiding in the work of the home farm. On the 12th of August, 1862, how- ever, he put aside all personal and business considerations, for prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he offered his services to the government, enlisting at the age of twenty-one years as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served for three years and was mustered out in 1865. Although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight and partici- pated in a number of important engagements, he was never wounded.
Returning home with a creditable military record, George Worley spent the next year in chopping wood, thus working in the forests until 1866, when he started out upon an independent business career by renting a farm in Worthington township. Later he bought forty acres, on which he lived until 1897. In the intervening period he worked diligently and persistently to make his farm typical of the progressive spirit of the age along agricultural lines. Year after year he tilled the soil, which rewarded him with golden harvests, and year after year his sale of crops brought to him a good return, so that in the course of time he acquired a handsome competence that now numbers him among the men of affluence in the community. Upon leaving the farm he took up his abode in Butler, where he now owns a good residence standing in the midst of two lots. The place is well kept and presents a most attractive appearance.
Mr. Worley has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Elizabeth Wise, who was a daughter of Jacob and Eve Wise. She was born April 25, 1846, in Licking county, Ohio, was married in 1868, and after about twenty years of happy married life passed away on the 12th of March, 1888. There were four children of that union: Obediah, who is now living in Butler; Anna, the wife of E. L. Nichols, also of Butler: William L., whose home is in Worthington township; and Giftie, deceased. In 1888 Mr. Worley was again married, his second union being with Delilah Miller, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, July 2, 1841, and is a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Hetrick) Miller, who were natives of Pennsylvania and became residents of Knox county, Ohio, at an early day. Later they settled in Richland county. where they remained until called to their final rest.
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