USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 20
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It was on the 5th of January, 1906, that Mr. Page received the appoint- ment as postmaster at Shiloh, which is a fourth. class office, and that posi-
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tion he is now filling in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. As a republican he has ever taken an active interest in political affairs and has been called upon to serve as village clerk for seven years and as councilman for several years, his official duties having always been discharged with prompt- ness and fidelity. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Ben Hur, and religiously is a member of the First Lutheran church of Shiloh, taking an active part in church work and serving as superintendent of the Sunday school.
SAMUEL BEVIER.
Samuel Bevier, located on section 15, Cass township, is a representative of one of the oldest and most prominent families of Richland county. The family is of French Huguenot extraction, though this branch came to America from Holland, and at the time of their arrival here spoke only the language of that country. Samuel Bevier was born in Cass township, November 11, 1854, the son of J. E. and Rebecca (Bevier) Bevier. The paternal great-grandfather, Samuel Bevier, was a resident of New York state and at an early day entered from the government a tract of one hundred and sixty acres in this county, a portion of which is now the property of our subject. He never resided on the place him- self, but deeded it to his son Andrus, the paternal grandfather of Samuel Bevier, of this review. Andrus Bevier, accompanied by his wife, who was formerly Elizabeth Elston, took possession of this land in 1824 and proceeded to erect the necessary buildings for the shelter of his family, to build fences and to open up the land for occupancy. He deeded the farm to his wife as a home, and she in turn deeded it to their two sons, J. E., the father of our subject, and Lewis, an uncle. They made an equal division of the place, but in 1858 the former sold all but forty acres to his brother and then purchased eighty acres where our subject now resides.
J. E. Bevier was born in Owasco, Cayuga county, New York, November 9, 1821, and died December 29, 1903. In politics he was a lifelong republican and was an active worker for his party's interests. He, together with Jesse Maring and Thomas Boorman, put the first republican ticket in the field in Cass township. He was called to office at various times, having served as township treasurer and township trustee. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian church at Plymouth for some time, but he later transferred his membership to Shiloh. He married Rebecca Bevier, who was born in Bing- hamton, Broome county, New York, March 7, 1818, the daughter of Elisha and Rachel (Johnson) Bevier, who located in Richland county in 1835. She died June 13, 1896, at the venerable age of seventy-eight years. Four children were born to this union, two of whom died in infancy. The others were: Sarepta, residing at home with her brother; and Samuel, of this review.
Samuel Bevier received his education in the district school, which he attended regularly while in the primary grades, but later as he reached an age to be of assistance to his father on the farm, his attendance was necessarily somewhat irregular. He received a good practical education, which he has
MR. AND MRS. J. E. BEVIER.
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turned to good account in the actual experiences of life. His energies were ever given to the general advancement of the family interests, and he has never sought to evade the responsibility that thus lay upon his shoulders. He is public spirited and progressive, being ever ready to aid in any movement that is designed to be of benefit to the general public. Politically he is a stanch republican and is now filling the office of township trustee.
ISAAC DICK.
Throughout his active business life Isaac Dick has been prominently iden- tified with the agricultural interests of Cass township and he now owns and operates a fine farm of one hundred thirteen and a half acres on section 4. A native of Richland county, he was born near Shelby in Jackson township, August 5, 1853, and is a son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Swartz) Dick, repre- sentatives of old and honored families of this county. The father was born on the 28th of October, 1822, in Pennsylvania, of which state his parents, George and Sarah (Nichols) Dick, were also natives, and he was nine years of age on the removal of the family to Richland county, Ohio. They located in Cass township, and in the midst of the forest cleared and improved a farm, living in true pioneer style. Upon that place the paternal grandparents of our subject spent the remainder of their lives and they lived to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. In their family were eleven children.
Here Josiah Dick grew to manhood, surrounded by frontier scenes and on reaching manhood he engaged in farming, becoming one of the exten- sive agriculturists and wealthy citizens of Cass township. After a useful and well spent life, he died November 27, 1896, honored and respected by all who knew him. His wife passed away on the 7th of November, 1895. She, too, was a native of Pennsylvania, born December 9, 1827, and was a daughter of Leonard Swartz, one of the pioneer settlers of Cass township. Josiah Dick and Elizabeth Swartz were married April 29, 1847, and became the parents of seven children, namely: George, a resident of Shelby; Har- man H., of Plymouth; Isaac, of this review; Oliver, of Jackson township; David, of Cass township; Amanda, the wife of John Elliott. of Cass town- ship; and Andrew J., also of Cass township.
Isaac Dick was six years of age when the family settled in Cass township and here he has since made his home. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then located on his present farm, which he has since improved by the erection of good and substantial buildings. His pleas- ant residence was built in 1906 and he is now building a barn forty by sixty- six feet, to replace the one destroyed by lightning on the 28th of May, 1908. In this fire he lost one of the best teams he ever owned. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of horses of a high grade. and he is meeting with well merited success, being a man of good business ability and sound judgment.
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On the 25th of October, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dick and Miss Mary Rachel Nelson, who was born in Olivesburg, this county, January 27, 1854, a daughter of George Nelson, and six children bless this union : Lillian, now the wife of Cletus Baker, of Cass township; Scott, also a resident of the same township; Frances A., Virgie Bell, Rolland and David, all at home.
In his political affiliations Mr. Dick is a democrat, and he has been called upon to serve his fellow citizens in the office of township trustee and assessor, serving in the latter capacity for the past three years. He is also a member of the school board and exerts considerable influence in his community. For ten years he has held membership in the Lutheran church of Shiloh and in his social relations he is connected with the Royal Arcanum. His urpight, honorable life has gained him many warm friends and wherever known he is held in high esteem.
JOSEPH BISEL.
Thrift, energy, economy and perseverance characterize the labors of Joseph Bisel, who is one of the substantial farmers of Perry township, owning and operating a tract of land comprising one hundred and forty-three acres. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Bedford county, February 29, 1830, and is one of a family of six sons and two daughters, of whom three of the number are living, born of the marriage of Emanuel and Catherine (Black) Bisel. The father followed farming throughout his entire life, coming to Richland county in 1836, where his death occurred. The surviving members of the family are: Sophia, the wife of W. H. Thuma, a resident farmer of Perry township; Benjamin, who makes his home in Montana; and Joseph, of this review.
Joseph Bisel acquired his education in the common schools and was reared to farm life, giving his father the benefit of his services until he had reached mature years. He then began business on his own account and followed farming and threshing in the summer seasons. He has accumulated a val- uable property comprising one hundred and forty-three acres, situated in Perry township. All the improvements which are here found have been placed thereon by Mr. Bisel but in 1903 the outbuildings were all destroyed by fire. He, however, replaced these at once and now has a fine modern resi- dence and substantial barns and sheds for the care of grain and stock, so that his place presents a neat and thrifty appearance. In addition to farm- ing and threshing Mr. Bisel has also dealt in horses to quite an extent and has met with success in each field of his operation.
Mr. Bisel was married in 1860 to Miss Eliza Albach, who was born in Knox county, Ohio, a daughter of John Albach, who followed farming and passed away in Knox county. She was one of a family of four sons and three daughters, of whom four of the number are now living. One brother, Riley Albach, served in the Civil war. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bisel has been
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blessed with the following children: Annabel, the eldest, is now deceased. Wilber, is an electrical engineer and makes his home in Elyria, Ohio, al- though his business takes him to Los Angeles, California, and Mexico City, Mexico. He wedded Grace Cragin and they have two children, Fenton and Fern, twins. Adella, the third member of the family, is the wife of Irvin Shauck, who was born in Morrow county, and is a farmer by occupation. Clayton is a young man at home and Russell A. completes the family.
Mr. Bisel formerly supported the men and measures of democracy but is now an advocate of the prohibition party. He has been called by his fellow townsmen to fill some public offices, having served as assessor and supervisor and has also been a member of the school board. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take an active and helpful interest. He is identified with Bellville lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he became a charter member a half century ago.
Mr. Bisel has lived in Richland county from the age of six years, cover- ing a period of more than seven decades and therefore few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals and today he is classed with the prominent and respected pioneers of this section of the state.
PHEBE A. WISE.
Phebe A. Wise is the owner of a small but valuable farm in Madison township. She was born in Richland county in the home where she is now living, and is a daughter of the Rev. Christian and Julia Ann Wise. Her father was born in Maryland and came to Ohio in the '30s, at which time he purchased land where the State Reformatory is now located. He was promi- nent and influential in the community and for twenty years filled the office of county surveyor. He was also a minister of the gospel for forty years, being a bishop in the Dunkard church, in which connection he did an im- portant work for the moral development of the community. A man of lib- eral education, he spoke five different languages. He was broad minded and progressive in his views, at all times exemplifying the humanitarian spirit which was one of his salient characteristics. Both he and his wife reached the ripe old age of seventy-five years. He died in 1888, and she passed away in 1892. Their family numbered eight children, as follows: Frank J., who resides in Texas; Mary, the widow of Gilbert Ferson, of Mercer county, Illi- nois; Martin V., who has passed away; Anna E. and George W., who have also departed this life; Ella S., the wife of Prior B. Sexton, who resides in Mercer county, Illinois; Dr. William H., who makes his home in Hardin county, Ohio; and Phebe, whose name introduces this record.
Miss Phebe A. Wise, reared in Richland county, remained at home with her parents until their demise. She then received eleven acres of the old homestead, where she now lives. It is a valuable property, for which she has been offered five hundred dollars per lot. In December, 1891, three men
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broke into her house and after choking and pounding her robbed her of four hundred dollars and much valuable jewelry.
Miss Wise is well versed in music, being a graduate of a musical school, and her talent in this direction adds much to the pleasure of her home. She represents one of the old and prominent pioneer families of the county, her father being a man whose talents and interests made him an influential fac- tor in public life. He wielded a wide influence and the world is better for his having lived.
WILLIAM H. THUMA.
William H. Thuma is a worthy representative of the agricultural life of Richland county. He is a native son of Ohio, born near Waterford, Morrow county, October 19, 1847, and in the paternal line comes of German ancestry. His father, David Thuma, was likewise born in the Buckeye state, presum- ably in Richland county. Aside from five years spent in Williams county and a short period in Morrow county, the father spent his entire life in Richland county and followed farming as a life work. His wife bore the maiden name of Catherine Algire, who came of an old and prominent family of this county and who is now deceased. The father has also passed away, his death occurring January 10, 1860. Their family numbered seven chil- dren, five sons and two daughters as follows: Jacob, who is engaged in farm- ing in Knox county, Ohio; William H., whose name introduces this review ; Francis, deceased; Mary Jane, the widow of A. Stephens of Mount Vernon, this state; and John, Jerry and Martha, all of whom have passed away.
The boyhood days of William H. Thuma were spent on the home farm and he was early trained to the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. His education was acquired in the common schools near his father's home. He started out in life on his own account at an early age, being employed by the month at farm labor until he had reached the age of seventeen. At that time in his life an important event occurred when he offered his services to the government during the Civil war. He enlisted in 1864 as a member of Com- pany A, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, joining the regiment at Mount Vernon. He participated in many important battles, these including Stone River, which lasted from December 6 to 14, 1864; the battle of Cedar Flats, December 7. 1864; and Shelbyville, December 14, 1864. He served under Captain George G. Wells and did duty at the front for almost a year, displaying valor equal to that of many a man twice his years.
Following his return from the war he was employed by the month at farm labor for a time, after which he learned the plasterer's trade. Subse- quently he resumed farming, at which he has been engaged to the present time. He is now the owner of sixty-two acres of well improved land located in Perry township, which has been his home for the past quarter of a century. On his place are found good buildings, while the land has been placed under
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a high state of cultivation and each year yields abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon it.
Mr. Thuma chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Sophia Bisel. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and for the past fifteen years he has served as trustee of the township. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Thuma has served as steward for the past three years. His success is well deserved, for from an early age he has depended entirely upon his own resources, and although he has met obstacles and difficulties, he has overcome these through honorable and determined effort until today he stands among the substantial farmers of Richland county, and he and his estimable wife enjoy the close friendship of all with whom they come in contact.
ABRAHAM BAUGHMAN'S SONS.
Four sons of Abraham Baughman, of Monroe township, Richland county, Ohio, removed to Morgan county, Missouri, at different intervals. They were the grandsons of the Abraham Baughman who was born on the Atlantic ocean as his parents were coming from Germany to America. These sons were named William, David, John and Simon. William was born August 30, 1814. He was apprenticed to E. Chew, a blacksmith of Blooming Grove town- ship, this county, with whom he learned his trade and then worked with him as a jour for two years. Mr. Chew later served several terms in the legislature of Ohio and became a judge of the court of common pleas. William Baugh- man, his former apprentice, had honorable political preferment in Missouri after his removal to the west. Before removing to Missouri, William Baugh- man operated a blacksmith shop for himself in Newville for a while, then sold out and emigrated with John Slater to Florence, Morgan county, Missouri. He had ninety-five dollars in money and a set of blacksmith's tools. He arrived in the fall of 1838. On February 26, 1839, he was married to Rachel Slater, also a native of Richland county, Ohio. He commenced blacksmithing in Florence, where he owned his own property, and did well. He entered eighty acres of land near town, on which he located and reared his large family. In 1858 he was a candidate for representative of his county but was defeated. In 1850 and 1852 he was elected and served in the sixteenth and seventeenth general assemblies. In 1860 was again elected and served in the twenty-first general assembly, and again in 1872 was elected and served as a member of the twenty-seventh general assembly. He passed through his official life without a stain on his character. He was in religion a member of the Christian church, sometimes called "Campbellite." His wife died in 1875 but he lingered until January 22, 1897, when he breathed his last at the age of eighty-two years, four months and twenty-two days. There were thirteen children born to them: Mary Jane, born January 27, 1840; Lycurgus J., January 31, 1841 ; Andrew Jackson, February 9, 1842; David V., March 25, 1843; Esther S .. February 1, 1845; Selend G., April 3, 1849; Thomas H. B., February 11.
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1851; James S., January 31, 1853; Edward E., October 29, 1855; Clarissa E., September 21, 1858; Rachel R., July 24, 1861; Margareth C., August 13, 1863 ; and Albert W., April 8, 1865. Six of the thirteen are dead, as follows: Esther S., died February 12, 1859, her clothing catching fire, burning her so badly that she died in five days; Clarissa E., February 18, 1860; James S., May 16, 1866; David V., July 9, 1906; Mary J., August 9, 1907; and Selend G., June 12, 1908. The children have scattered from the old home to different places in Missouri, are respected and honorable citizens. All are members of the Baptist church, Thomas H. B. being a minister, and in politics democrats.
Lycurgus John Baughman, son of William Baughman, was born Jan- uary 31, 1841, in Florence, Morgan county, and was reared there. In that early day there were no public schools and the only advantages were the private schools. He attended in the winter months and worked on the farm in summer. When in his last school days he attended one term of free school. He was an incessant student at home, but his education was limited. On the 22d day of November, 1860, he was married to Mary F. Simmons, who still survives. There were born to this union ten children. The first still born; William N., born September 25, 1862; Missouri Ann, November 10, 1864; Mary Elizabeth, July 19, 1867; Daniel A., March 8, 1869; Lycurgus Julius, June 28, 1871; Rachel B., September 24, 1873; Charles J., May 2, 1876; Leonard F., December 19, 1878; Lucy J., June 9, 1882. William died Jan- uary 8, 1882, in the twentieth year; Mary E. died January 1+, 1887, in her twentieth year; Lycurgus Julius died November 8, 1906, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. He left a wife and two children, a daughter and a son. They all three lived without a stain on them. Mary E. was a successful school teacher. Mr. Baughman was appointed a justice of the peace just after he gained his majority. He served two years and a half, when he resigned. His uncle, Simon Baughman, was appointed in his place. In 1870 and 1874 he was elected to the same office in a township where the party against his political views were nine to one, but he received a large vote. He executed the office with ability but refused. another term. He was converted in August, 1860, and united with the Baptist church, to which his mother belonged, and in 1868 began to exercise his gifts in public, and in November, 1872, was ordained a minister. He then began his ministerial life and has been pastor of some of the best churches in central Missouri. He now at this date (1908) is serving three congregations, which occupies all his time. He lived at Florence with the exception of ten months in 1864, when he resided at Syra- cuse until March, 1898, when he moved to Versailles. He resided there until March, 1905, when he moved to Sedalia, in Pettis county, where he still resides at 236 West Cooper street. In politics he is a democrat and is proud of the fact that his father cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren and voted for every democrat since, and also cast his vote while in the legislature for Hon. Thomas H. Benton for United States senator.
Daniel A. Baughman, son of the subject of this sketch, was born in Florence, March 8, 1869. He was educated in the public schools in Florence and taught school for two years. He then entered the commercial business and has prosecuted that calling successfully ever since. He is now traveling
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for a St. Louis firm. His home is with his parents in Sedalia, Missouri. He is a dutiful son and always remembers his father and mother. He is single. Charles J. Baughman, the youngest son, is also with his parents and is an industrious, good son. He married Miss Emma S. Edding November 10, 1907.
David and John Baughman, brothers of William, emigrated to Missouri in 1847. David settled on a farm on Richland creek. David's wife's maiden name was Rebecca Wolfe, a Richland county girl. Four children were born to them before they left Ohio. Their names were: Jackson, William F., John Madison and Irene. John and William died in 1880 or 1882. Jackson died in March, 1904. They were all honorable men and provided well for their families. David Baughman and wife are now both dead. They have grandchildren living but they are scattered from their old homes.
John Baughman settled on a farm six miles west of his brother David's. His wife's maiden name was Katie Castator, who had been born and reared in Jefferson township, Richland county, Ohio. About a year after their removal to Missouri Mrs. John Baughman was killed by an accidental shot fired by A. W. Slater. She went out early on Good Friday morning to sow tobacco seed before sun up. She was near a small stream. Mr. Slater was up early and espying a duck on the water, shot at it with a rifle. The bullet glanced and went through her breast. She died that night. He remained on the place some time and married another woman, by whom three children were born. He sold his place to his brother William and bought another. He remained on that place until his death. He was shot and killed by a bush- whacker in Florence, July 11, 1863. His children are all dead, but one daughter by his first wife and a son by the second.
Simon Baughman, the youngest of the family, who had married Susan Mercer, emigrated from Richland county, Ohio, to Morgan county in 1859 or 1860. Before he had been here long he lost his three children. He bought a farm and remained until 1865, when he moved to Rome City, Indiana. He and his wife are now both deceased.
GEORGE McFERREN.
George MeFerren is justly classed among the pioneer farmers of Richland county and Perry township, his residence here dating from 1841, or for a period of sixty-seven years. He now owns and operates a good farm of one hundred and fourteen acres, situated in Perry township, and from this tract he derives an income which supplies him with all the comforts and some of the luxuries of life. Mr. McFerren was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. June 20, 1839, a son of Henry and Catherine (Hardman) McFerren, who were farming people of the Keystone state and located in Richland county in 1841, the father purchasing a farm in Perry township, where he spent his remaining days. Both the parents are now deceased, however, the mother passing away in 1880, while the father's death occurred in 1895.
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