USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 17
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On January 6, 1887, Mr. Stevenson was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Charles, daughter of Stephen and Amanda (Lewis) Charles, and a native of Weller township. Her father was thrice married. By his first wife he had two children, namely: Washington, who resides in Washington, and Esther, the wife of James Hoffman, of Shelby, Ohio. By his second union he became the father of four children, three sons, Benjamin, Stephen and Samuel, all of whom reside in Texas, and one daughter, Mrs. Maude Seaton, a widow, resid- ing in Plymouth, Ohio. His third union was with Miss Amanda Lewis, and they became the parents of two children, Elijah, of Texas, and Ida M., the wife of our subject. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stevenson has been born one son, Charles, who is attending the high school at Mansfield.
Politically Mr. Stevenson is identified with the republican party. He is an active worker for his party's interests and has served as director of the infirmary, also as justice of the peace. He is a worthy representative of an old and honored family of this county and he is richly endowed with those traits of character which win personal friendship and regard.
OLIVER L. CUNNINGHAM.
Oliver L. Cunningham, a well known and representative member of the Mansfield bar, has so utilized his native powers that he has gained a position of considerable distinction in the difficult and arduous profession of the law. One of the native sons of this city, he was born August 1, 1872, and his life history, largely familiar to his fellow townsmen, has been such as has won for him the respect of all with whom he has been associated.
He is descended from one of the old Colonial families. His great-grand- father, Robert Cunningham, came to America in his boyhood days from the vicinity of Belfast, Ireland, and, espousing the cause of the colonies at the time of the Revolutionary war, he served as a private under General Wayne. He had three children : Mary, Francis and Robert James Cunningham. The last named was the grandfather of our subject and was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania. He early learned the tailor's trade and became one of the pioneer settlers of Lexington, Ohio, where he carried on business. He married Martha Lewis, a representative of one of the earliest families of Rich- land county and one of the best known at that day. Their family numbered five daughters and a son. Of the daughters Mrs. Samantha Campbell resides
OLIVER L. CUNNINGHAM.
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at Williamsport, North Dakota, and has two children, Ed and Eva. Another daughter became the wife of Dr. Kerr, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and has two children, Rolla and Rella, who are living at that place. Bertha Cunningham, of this family, became the wife of Mr. Bundy and they have three children, one of whom, Bird Bundy, is a teacher in the State Normal School of Missouri ; another sister, Sisson, became the wife of Stephen Soles; while Martha Cunningham died at Lexington, Ohio.
Their son, Jacob L. Cunningham, was born at Lexington, Ohio, and in 1871 came to Richland county, settling at Mansfield, where he has since resided. He is a carpenter by trade and has been closely associated with building operations here. He served as a private of Company B, One Hun- dred and Sixty-third Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, and has always been a loyal advocate of the interests which tend to promote the welfare and upbuilding of county, state and nation. He married Mrs. Jane Black, nee Asbury, who was born at Hanford, Staffordshire, England, and came to the United States when eighteen years of age. She died July 4, 1908. The Asbury family is today a large and prominent one in Philadelphia. She had one brother, Edward Asbury, who was killed in the Civil war. Another brother, Richard Asbury, was a glass painter. She also had five sisters who came to this country, while her mother afterward crossed the Atlantic and died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. James Gilbert, in Milo, Iowa. Harriett Asbury became the wife of Sidney Allison and both were teachers in the reform schools of Ohio, Iowa and California. Clara A. Asbury became the wife of the Rev. William G. Hillman, of Jefferson, Iowa, who died in 1882 and was buried at Grand Junc- tion, Iowa. Sarah Asbury is still living in Jefferson, Iowa. Another sister of the family married John Bramhall, of Des Moines, Iowa, and both are deceased. They left one son, John, who .resides at Des Moines. Another sister became the wife of Monroe Glick. They are both deceased, but their son, Frank Glick, resides at Canton, Mississippi. A cousin of this family, Professor W. H. Holmes, of 36 Bowman street, London, England, was musician to the queen of England and at one time was the music teacher of Mrs. Jane Cunningham.
The first husband of Mrs. Cunningham was Horatio B. Black, who was one of the first volunteers of the Civil war and was the first to be brought back dead to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, from which place he had taken out a company that he had raised for active service at the front. There was one child by that mar- riage, Horatio A. Black, who is now a practicing dentist of Kansas City, Kansas, and Oliver L. Cunningham is the only child of his mother's second marriage.
Oliver L. Cunningham acquired his education in the public schools of Mansfield, passing through consecutive grades to his graduation from the high school, with the class of June, 1893. Determining upon the practice of law as a life work, he then entered the office of Jenner & Weldon, with whom he read law for three years, and in June, 1897, was admitted to the bar. Opening an office in the Smith building he has since continued in practice and has been accorded a liberal and distinctively representative clientage that has connected him with much of the important litigation heard in the local courts. He also has a large foreign practice, which is due to the fact that he is an accomplished
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linguist, having a knowledge of German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Croatian, Servian and Macedonian tongues. His knowledge of the law is com- prehensive and exact, and in the presentation of his cause his deductions follow in logical sequence. He never fails to make deep impress upon court and jury and seldom fails to win the verdict desired.
On the 29th of March, 1902, Mr. Cunningham was married to Miss Anna E. Jesson, a daughter of James Jesson, of Mansfield, a car inspector of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Her brothers and sisters are: George; Walter; Archie; Frank; Lydia, the wife of William J. Elson; Mima; Harriett; and Alice. The family residence is now at Muncie, Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born two children: Robert Jesson, born September 20, 1904; and Lillian Alice, born August 16, 1906.
In his political views Mr. Cunningham is a democrat, recognized as one of the stalwart supporters of the party, and has served in several local appoint- ments. He is a trustee, secretary and attorney for the Anti-Compulsory Vac- cination League of Ohio, which was organized to combat the compulsory vaccination law. He has taken an advanced stand on many questions of public concern and is well known in Mansfield as one who is ever loyal to his honest convictions, while in his profession he has made a favorable record as one whose devotion to his client's interest is proverbial, and yet who never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the law. In 1908 he was nominated by the independent party for judge of the supreme court of Ohio, but withdrew in favor of George B. Okey, of Columbus, who was the democratic candidate for that position and was also endorsed by the independent party.
ALEXANDER STEEL.
Alexander Steel was one of the industrious and enterprising agriculturists of Richland county, where he owned and operated one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 6, Jefferson township. In all he had six farms, aggregating seven hundred and twenty-five acres. He brought this farm under a high state of cultivation. He was numbered among Richland county's native sons, his birth having here occurred November 20, 1821. At that time the county bore little resemblance to the improved and thickly set- tled district which we see today. There were still many evidences of frontier life here and amid pioneer experiences Alexander Steel was reared while spend- ing his boyhood days in the home of his parents, James and Elizabeth (This- sel) Steel. His father was a native of Ireland, whence he came to the new world, but the mother was born in Pennsylvania. Their family numbered seven children, two sons and five daughters. The sons, John and Alexander, are both now deceased and all of the daughters have passed away with the exception of Mrs. Caroline Tobias, who is living in Rochelle, Illinois.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Alexander Steel in his boyhood and youth. He worked in the fields and
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acquired his education in the public schools. He always followed the occupa- tions of farming and stock-dealing and became one of the prosperous agri- culturists of his community.
On the 26th of March, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma E. Hosack, who was his second wife. She was born in Richland county, October 15, 1838, and was a daughter of Adam and Margaret (Stout) Hosack. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this county in 1825, mak- ing the journey by a wagon, known as a "prairie schooner." Her father pur- chased land here, at once began its development and carried on general farm- ing here for many years. He died in 1884, aged eighty-six years, while his wife survived until 1888, dying at the age of eighty-four years. In the family of this worthy couple were six children: John and Cyrus, both of whom are now deceased; Elizabeth, the wife of D. T. Montague, of Xenia, Ohio; Ann M., the widow of G. W. Sagar, and a resident of Fredericktown, Ohio; Mrs. Steel; and Mary J., who resides in Washington, D. C. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Steel were born two daughters: Jennie, now the wife of Harry Heiple, of Oklahoma City, and Edith, the wife of Charles Mock, of Bellville, Ohio.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Steel carried on general farming and achieved a creditable measure of success through his well directed labors. He was a stock buyer, dealing in horses, cattle and hogs. He reached the age of sixty-four years and passed away January 30, 1886, in Richland county, where his entire life had been spent. Those who knew him-and his friends were many-entertained for him the warmest regard because of his faithful- ness to all of the duties that devolved upon him as a man and citizen. In his political views he was a republican and gave to the party stalwart support.
Mrs. Steel began teaching school at the age of fifteen years and followed the profession for twelve years, proving a capable instructor and disci- plinarian. In the home farm she has one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 6, Jefferson township, and personally manages the property, her fields being operated by able employes, while she gives general supervision to all work. She belongs to the Presbyterian church and is a lady whose many good traits of heart and mind have gained her the esteem and confidence of all with whom she has been brought in contact.
CYRUS H. SHOUP.
Cyrus H. Shoup has lived in Richland county from the age of four years and is numbered among the progressive and enterprising farmers of Plymouth township, his home being on section 30. He was born in Williamson, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1841, a son of John and Hannah (Logue) Shoup.
The father was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1812, and in 1833 arrived in Richland county in company with John and Samuel Kuhn. Later he assisted in making surveys here and being pleased with the
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country he resolved to make it is permanent home. He also worked at the carpenter's trade a part of the time during the first period of his residence here and likewise engaged in farming. At length he returned to Pennsylvania, making the entire journey on foot, and was there married to Miss Hannah Logue, who was born at Ellicotts Mills, near Baltimore, Maryland. He returned to Richland county with his wife and two children in 1845 and here his remaining days were passed on the farm which is now owned and operated by his son Cyrus. He was a man of diligence and determination, who improved every opportunity for his financial upbuilding that he might provide a good living for his family. In connection with the tilling of the soil he worked at the carpenter's trade, for there were few builders in the county at that time. In this connection he built many of the early homes and barns of the locality. His life was always one of intense activity up to his later years and he proved a valued and helpful resident of his community. In 1884 he was called to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 3d of December of that year at the age of sixty-five. Mr. Shoup survived her for some time and passed away January 3, 1896. There were ten children in their family, of whom four reached adult age, namely: Cyrus H .; John J., who died in Plymouth in the spring of 1885; Daniel, living in Shelby; and Delila, the wife of A. C. Hartman, of Shelby ?
Cyrus H. Shoup was but four years of age when in October, 1845, his father brought the family to Richland county and their home was established in Plymouth township. He has since resided in the same school district. He remained with his parents until his marriage and acquired his education in the public schools near his home. He manifested special aptitude in his studies and afterward engaged in teaching school through the winter seasons for twenty-one years, teaching seventeen winters in three districts. No higher testimonial of his capability could be given nor of the general appreciation entertained for him by the residents of that locality.
At the age of thirty years Mr. Shoup was united in marriage in May, 1871, to Miss Hannah J. Bushey, who was born in Cass township, September 27, 1846, and has always resided in this county. She is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fieroved) Bushey, natives of Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, who arrived in this county in 1838, settling in Cass township, where they spent their remaining days. The grandfather, Solomon Fieroved, was a soldier of the war of 1812 and died in Cass township at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shoup have been born four children : John, who is living on his father's farm near the home property; Inez, the wife of Arthur Hunt, of Berlin Heights, Ohio; Elizabeth; and Cyrus L., at home.
Following his marriage Mr. Shoup purchased fifty-seven acres of land in the spring of 1872 and has resided here continuously since. There was a log house upon the place when he came, but he has since replaced it by a com- modious and substantial residence and made many other modern improvements. He also bought his father's old farm, adjoining his home place, in 1897. It is a tract of one hundred and ten acres, so that his total holdings comprise one hundred and sixty-seven acres, all in one body, save for ten acres of woodland.
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There are two sets of buildings on the place and the farm is most attractive in its appearance and equipments, indicating in its well tilled fields the careful supervision and practical methods of the owner.
In politics Mr. Shoup is a republican, prominent and active in the work of the party. He served as central committeeman for fifteen or twenty years and was also assessor for five terms. He belongs to the Reformed church of Shelby and to the Grand Army Post at that place, being entitled to membership in the latter from the fact that he did loyal service for his country in the Civil war. On the 27th of May, 1862, he enlisted for three months as a member of Company H, Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was honorably discharged September 20, 1862. It was his intention to enlist again for three years, but he was taken ill and thus prevented from doing so. Later, however, on the 2d of May, 1864, he joined the One Hundred and Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was discharged on the 9th of September following. He did duty at Petersburg with the Army of the James under General Butler and was on detached service as a fifer. He now maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Harker Post. He has always been as loyal to his country in days of peace as in days of war and the community counts upon his cooperation as a sure asset when any movement is in progress for the benefit of the locality.
JOHN KUHN.
It is but fitting that the life record of such a man as John Kuhn should find a prominent place in this volume, who, though he passed away in Richland county many years ago, is still remembered by many of its residents. Mr. Kuhn was born in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, in 1802.
In 1833, in company with his wife, who bore the maiden name of Eliza- beth Reymer, and was also a native of the Keystone state, and their family, then numbering three children, he removed from the east to Richland county, the journey being made by wagon. His brother Samuel and his family also came in the party. Mr. Kuhn was a miller by trade and followed that occupa- tion in Pennsylvania, but upon his arrival in Richland county he located on a tract of land which he purchased, this comprising one hundred and sixty acres, situated on section 20, Plymouth township. This land had only a short time previously been entered from the government and therefore much of it still remained in its wild and uncultivated state. A small clearing had been made and a log house erected. In this the family took up their abode and lived in true pioneer style, while the labors of Mr. Kuhn in due course of time brought the fields under a high state of cultivation. He replaced the log house with a good frame dwelling, built good barns and other outbuildings and made it a valuable farm property. Mr. Kuhn was here engaged in general farming throughout his remaining days, his death here occurring in 1865, when he had reached the age of sixty-three years. His wife survived until 1883, when she passed away at the age of seventy-two years. After removing to Richland
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county five more children were added to the household and the family record is as follows: Mrs. Margaret Patterson, who is deceased; Elizabeth C., Cyrus and Samuel L., all of whom have passed away; Hannah, the widow of Ed Johnson, of Plymouth township; Charlotte, who lives on the old homestead farm; Mrs. Nancy Kirkpatrick, who resides in Detroit, Michigan; and Mary, deceased.
Mr. Kuhn was a member of the Reformed church. He did much for the promotion and progress of every good work in his home locality, donating the land on which the Methodist Episcopal church of Mount Pleasant now stands, and he helped in the erection of the house of worship. He also gave the land for the cemetery, which adjoins the land on which the church stands. In addition to this he also donated the land for the district school, this being known as the Kuhn school. In many other ways Mr. Kuhn bore a prominent part in the development of his section of the county, and he performed many acts of charity in helping others whom he deemed deserving. It is a difficult task to offer a fitting memorial to the life and accomplishments of a man of his character-remarkable in the breadth of his wisdom and in his indomitable perseverance and his strong individuality, and yet one whose entire life had not one esoteric phase, being an open scroll, inviting the closest scrutiny.
Miss Charlotte Kuhn now occupies the old homestead and in the manage- ment of the same she is assisted by two nephews, Bert E. and Samuel E., Jr., sons of her brother, Samuel M. Kuhn. Miss Kuhn is a lady of high intellectual attainment and in the management of her business affairs displays good judgment and excellent ability. She is highly respected in the community in which she has always resided and the name is a familiar one throughout Richland county.
NORMAN M. WOLFE.
Norman M. Wolfe, attorney at law of Mansfield, was born in Monroe township, Richland county, Ohio, July 6, 1849. His grandfather, Adam Wolfe, was a soldier of the Revolution. He was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1760, enlisted with the Pennsylvania volunteers, served his country with distinction and was honorably discharged. On the 16th of January, 1790, he married Rachel Oldham and in 1816 removed to Ohio, settling in Monroe township, Richland county. He died April 24, 1845, and the mortal remains of this soldier of the Revolution repose in the little cemetery at Newville, Richland county.
His family numbered ten children, of whom Joseph Wolfe, the father of Norman M. Wolfe, was the seventh. He also was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1801, and on the 1st of December. 1846, was united in marriage to Sarah Mecklem, a native of Beaver county. They had three sons and one daughter. The eldest son and the only daughter, the oldest and the youngest, are deceased, leaving Norman M. Wolfe and his brother, L. L. Wolfe, as the only survivors. The latter now resides on a
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farm in Monroe township. The father died January 28, 1875, at the age of seventy-three years, and the mother followed on the 21st of December, 1895, nearly eighty-three years of age. Both are buried in the Odd Fellows ceme- tery at Lucas, Ohio. Joseph Wolfe was a man of superior education and of great mental powers. His mathematics included trigonometry and he was of wide and varied experience as a teacher in the public schools of his time. He was a member of the Baptist church. An accident in early life caused him always to be very lame, almost depriving him of the use of one of his limbs, but notwithstanding this he never relinquished agricultural pursuits, and the pioneer of 1816 thenceforth was a farmer resident of Monroe town- ship, where he died and was buried, honored and respected by the entire community.
Judge Norman M. Wolfe was reared on his father's farm and acquired his early education in the old district school a mile away. He afterward prepared for college at Greentown Academy in Perrysville, Ohio, under the able instruction of Professor J. C. Sample, pursuing his studies there for several years. He taught school much of the time during the winter months and thus secured the funds necessary to meet the expenses of his academic course in the summer, and eventually was promoted to the position of assist- ant teacher of mathematics in the academy. His college work was com- menced in the University of Wooster which he entered in 1873, there spend- ing two years. He further pursued his studies in Amherst College, Massachusetts. During the time he was engaged in teaching he became the principal of the high school at Lucas, Ohio, and also of Mahoning Institute, a select school then located at Ellsworth, Mahoning county.
Judge Wolfe began the study of law April 14, 1876, first at Shelby, Ohio, and afterwards with the firm of Dickey & Jenner at Mansfield, Ohio, being admitted to the practice of his profession by the supreme court of Ohio on the 7th of May, 1878. Mr. Wolfe has held the following elective offices : township clerk of Monroe township from April, 1872, until April, 1874,- two terms of one year each; city solicitor of Mansfield from April. 1879, until April, 1883,-two terms of two years cach; member of the board of education of Mansfield, from April, 1886, until April, 1892,-two terms of three years each, and during that time was favored by his associates with the position of clerk and president of the board: judge of the court of common pleas for the second subdivision of the sixth judicial district of Ohio for two terms of five years each. He was first elected to the bench in the fall of 1891, assuming the duties of his office in February, 1892, and terminating his second term on the 9th of February, 1902. Twice during this period he was selected by his associates as presiding judge. It is said of Mr. Wolfe that in the discharge of the high and important duties of his office he was always fearless, prompt and impartial. displaying at all times careful study and dis- tinguished ability.
In 1877 Mr. Wolfe was appointed by the court of common pleas one of the members of the first board of trustees of the memorial library board for the city of Mansfield and Madison township, just then created by act of the general assembly, which position he held until his election to the bench. In
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1903 he was again selected and appointed by the mayor one of the members of the first board of five trustees of the municipal library of Mansfield, and at its organization he was elected president of the board, and still continues its presiding officer.
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