USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 24
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J. C. OHLER.
J. C. Ohler, whose name introduces this record, needs no introduction to our readers, for he is well known in the agricultural circles of Richland county, owning and operating a valuable tract of two hundred thirteen and a half acres, situated on section 28, Monroe township. He is a native of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Ashland county, February 17, 1845. His parents, Jacob and Abigail (Hersh) Ohler, were both natives of the Keystone state, the former of Franklin county, while the latter was born in Lancaster county. Their union was blessed with seven children, as follows: Hannah, deceased; Solomon, a resident of Monroe township; Martin, who has passed away; Elizabeth, the wife of J. C. Sowash, who lives near Lucas, Ohio; Katharine, also deceased; J. C., of this review; and Jessie, who has passed away. The wife and mother passed to her final reward in 1861 and was sur- vived by the husband and father for a long period, his death occurring in 1889.
J. C. Ohler, whose name introduces this record, was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the common schools. He remained at home until he attained his majority. In 1867 Mr. Ohler was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth M. Baughman, who lived but one year, leaving a son four weeks old, Marion M. Ohler, who resides in Monroe township. He worked as a farm hand for three years. He then rented the farm on which he now re- sides, operating the same for a number of years, or until 1897, when he pur- chased the farm consisting of two hundred, thirteen and one-half acres, situat- ed on section 28, Monroe township. Here he has since been engaged in general farming and also raises considerable stock, making a specialty of Holstein cattle.
In 1870 Mr. Ohler was united in marriage to Miss Jane M. Tucker, who was born in 1852 on the farm which is now her home. Her parents, Aurelius and Isabella (Alexander) Tucker, were both born in Richland county and became the parents of five children, namely: Laura, deceased; Mrs. Ohler; Emma, the wife of Dr. C. W. Skaggs, a resident of Green Spring, Sandusky county, Ohio; Lily M., deceased; and Sarah A., who has also passed away. The mother of this family died in 1894, being survived by the husband and father for three years, his death occurring in 1897.
Mrs. Ohler's paternal grandfather, John Tucker, left his home in New Hampshire at an early day and made his way to Terre Haute, Indiana, covering the entire distance on foot. When he arrived there the place contained but one house and the fort. After remaining there for a short time he continued his journey to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was offered ten acres of land for one hundred dollars, but this he refused to buy. After spending a short time in the latter city he again returned to New Hampshire on foot and remained a year. Once more he started westward, this time making his way to Richland
MR. AND MRS. J. C. OHLER.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
county, Ohio. Here he entered land from the government, on which he built a small log cabin and after completing this he returned to New Hampshire, where he was married in 1821. He then brought his young bride to his new home, traveling with a one-horse wagon. Locating upon his farm he there made his home for thirty-two years. He moved to Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1853. His death occurred in 1879, at the home of his son, Aurelius, on the farm that had been his home on first coming to Ohio. During the spring and summer months he gave his attention to general agricultural pursuits, while in the winter months he engaged in teaching, having taught altogether sixty terms of school. When they first located here it was six months before Mrs. Tucker saw a white woman and it was not uncommon for wolves to roam in the dooryard. Their nearest neighbor was two and a half miles distant and Mr. Tucker had to go nine miles to grind his ax. When in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he saw the stump of a tree from which one thousand rails were split and he helped to cut down a bee tree in which were seventeen gallons of honey. His family numbered six sons and three daughters. After a happy married life of fifty-four years he and his wife were separated by the death of the latter, who passed away in Indiana. Mr. Tucker then divided his possessions among his children, with whom he spent his remaining days. He was temperate in his habits, never being known to use tobacco or intoxicating drinks in any form, and was a man of high moral worth. He was a firm believer in the Sweden- borgian religion and did much to spread that faith among others. He was a constant reader and one of the best posted Bible students in this part of the state. He was also a ready debater and at one time accepted a challenge from Michael Hogan, who was one of the most highly educated laymen in the Catho- lic church. The debate lasted four days and the final decision was given by Mr. Hogan in the following words: "Mr. Tucker, you have answered every ques- tion I asked you and every answer you have given has corresponded with every other answer, and now let us never talk on this subject again, but we will be friends just as we have always been." This friendship continued as long as they lived. During the last two years of his life Mr. Tucker was blind and for sixteen months was an invalid needing constant attention. He had unfal- tering faith and to him Christ was a living presence. With all his afflictions he never worried. When death came to him he was laid to rest by the side of his wife in Indiana. Like his father, Aurelius Tucker was also a devout Christian, a splendid neighbor and ever ready to aid his fellowmen. He took an active part in church work and held office in the church most of his life. He began the battle of life for himself at the age of eighteen years as a teacher and for several years successfully followed that profession, endeavoring to govern his school with as little use of the rod as possible. He was held in the highest esteem by his pupils and to this day many testify to his kindly nature and willingness to aid them. Later in life he followed agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife now rest side by side in the Pleasant Valley cemetery in Monroe township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ohler have been born eight children, as follows: Lena Bell, who was born in 1871 and died in 1889; Horace A., who was born in 1872 and now resides in Seneca county, this state; Ivan D., who was born
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in 1873 and lives in Washington township; Leroy C., who was born in 1875 and is now deceased; Emma E., who was born in 1877 and is now the wife of John T. Culler, of Ashland county; Tracy T., who was born in 1878 and is now deceased; Charles C., who was born in 1880 and is now assisting his father in the operation of the home farm; and Jessie D., who was born in 1891 and is at home.
Mr. Ohler identifies himself politically with the democratic party, but gives his support to the men who, in his judgment, are best qualified morally, socially and legally for the place they are asking of the people, regardless of party. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, Mr. Ohler being one of the charter members of the Pleasant Valley church, which was organ- ized in 1867, and excepting about two years has been an officer in the church. He has been superintendent of the Sabbath school during these years forty terms of six months each. Mr. Ohler has never used tobacco in any form, or any intoxicating liquors, and is an ardent advocate of temperance. No matter in what relation of life we find him, whether in business circles, in social or private life, he is ever the same honored and honorable gentleman, and thus he is highly esteemed by all with whom he comes in contact.
EMERSON BEMILLER.
Emerson Bemiller, who follows farming in Worthington township, was born September 5, 1870, in the same locality where he now makes his home and is one of fourteen children whose parents were Valentine and Mary (Garber) Bemiller. The father was born in Germany in 1825 and when but four years of age was brought to the United States by his parents, the family home being established in Worthington township, Richland county, Ohio, where the grandfather of our subject entered land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made upon the place at that time.
As Valentine Bemiller advanced in years and strength he aided more and more largely in the work of the farm and throughout his entire life he carried on general agricultural pursuits, displaying such sound judgment and unfaltering diligence that he thereby won a gratifying measure of success. He accumulated much land and his judicious investments made him a pros- perous resident of the community. He always took a very active part in politics as a stalwart supporter of the democratic party, yet the honors and emoluments of office had no attractions for him. In early manhood he mar- ried Miss Mary Garber, who was born in Worthington township in 1827 and is still living on the home farm. Mr. Bemiller, however, passed away in 1899 and eight of their children are now deceased. The six still living are: Daniel, William and Rueben, all residents of Worthington township; Mrs. Amanda Crunkilton, living in Knox county, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Clever, of Toledo, this state; and Emerson.
The home farm was the playground of Emerson Bemiller in his youth and also the training school in which he gained familiarity with the business that he has made his life work. His intellectual training was received in
AURELIUS TUCKER.
JOHN TUCKER.
MARY TUCKER.
ISABELLA TUCKER.
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the common schools near his father's home and also by six months' study at Butler. In early youth he began working on his father's farm and afterward engaged in teaching school for two terms, but at the time of his marriage turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, locating on a rented farm until he was able to purchase property. In 1896 with the capital he had acquired from his economy and industry he bought one hundred and forty- four acres and ten years later, in 1906, he purchased ninety-nine acres more. He has since sold a portion of his farm, but still retains the ownership of two hundred and two acres, which constitute one of the best improved prop- erties in this part of the state. Few men of his years have been more successful in agricultural lines and he certainly deserves much credit for what he has accomplished.
On the 11th of November, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bemiller and Miss Alberta Wilson, who was born in Worthington township in 1870. She was a daughter of Erastus and Sarah J. (Calhoun) Wilson and passed away February 28, 1903. There were five children by that marriage, of whom four are now living: Mabel, Pearl, Gladys and Grace. For his second wife Mr. Bemiller chose Miss Lizzie Palmer, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, whom he wedded in 1904. They now have two sons, Charley and Brice. The parents hold membership in the Baptist church and Mr. Bemiller gives his political allegiance to the democracy. No inheritance or influential friends aided him at the outset of his career. On the contrary, he placed his sole dependence upon unfaltering energy, recognizing the fact that "there is no royal road to wealth." Gradually he is working his way upward and is today the owner of a valuable property which is bringing him a substantial annual income as the reward of his persistent labor.
J. E. HARTER.
J. E. Harter, who is successfully engaged in the livery business in Bell- ville, was born in Monroe township, Richland county, Ohio, January 19, 1861, his parents being Emanuel and Elizabeth (Ridenour) Harter. The paternal grandfather had come from Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was likewise a native of Monroe township, Richland county, and followed agri- cultural pursuits throughout his active business career, passing away in 1900. His wife was called to her final rest nineteen years ago. Unto this worthy couple were born ten children, namely: Martha, the wife of Henderson Flem- ing, a farmer of Worthington township; William, of Williams county, Ohio; J. E., of this review ; Lovey, the wife of William Stafford, a farmer of Worth- ington township; Alma, the wife of George Mock, also of Worthington town- ship; Minnie, the wife of Sheridan Hoover, who resides in Mansfield; Charles, an oil man of Wood county, Ohio; Oscar, who is engaged in the oil business in Hancock county; Verda, the wife of Charles Dill, of Worthington town- ship; and Anna, the wife of Ora Holland, of Jefferson township.
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J. E. Harter acquired his education in the schools of Bellville and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty- five years. He then followed farming in Jefferson township for two years and on the expiration of that period took up his abode in Bellville, where he has since resided. He is now the oldest liveryman in the city, having been engaged in this line of activity for the past eleven years, and has gained a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity.
In 1886 Mr. Harter was united in marriage to Miss Matilda Mowrey, of Jefferson township, by whom he has four children: Earl and Florence, who are at home; Don, who passed away in 1906; and Dale, also at home.
In his political views Mr. Harter is a stalwart republican and has served as constable for ten years, being still the incumbent in that position. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 382. Having spent his entire life in this county, he is well and favorably known as a substantial and enterprising business man and upright citizen.
C. C. HUNTSMAN.
The farm in Perry township on which C. C. Huntsman now makes his home was also the place of his birth, which occurred October 13, 1859. His parents were A. C. and Mary (Culp) Huntsman, the former also born on this farm, June 25, 1830. During the Civil war he was called to serve for one hundred days and while doing duty was wounded with a bayonet, which entered about four inches above the heart, passed through his body and came out at the shoulder blade. Following the expiration of his term of service he returned to his home and resumed farming, which he followed until his death, which occurred October 8, 1902, when he had reached the age of seventy-two years. He had been married September 29, 1857, to Miss Mary A. Culp, who was born in Richland county, September 9, 1833, and was one of a family of four children. By her marriage she became the mother of three children: Delano, who is now deceased; C. C., whose name introduces this record; and Wellington T., a resident of Toledo, Ohio.
C. C. Huntsman was reared in the usual manner of farm lads, assisting his father in the operation of the home place from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn, while during the winter seasons he attended the common schools, wherein he mastered the common branches of learning. In connection with his brother he is now the owner of the old homestead property, which comprises one hundred and fifty-nine acres of land, located on section 22, Perry township. This is improved with a good residence and substantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, while the land has been placed under a high state of cultiva- tion and yields abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon it. In addition to raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he
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is also engaged in raising and feeding stock, making quite a specialty of this branch of business, in which he is meeting with excellent success.
Mr. Huntsman chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life, Miss Alice M. Vickroy, whom he wedded on the 19th of April, 1883. She was one of a family of eight children and was born in Richland county, November 27, 1863, being, therefore, in her twentieth year at the time of her marriage. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Huntsman has been blessed with eight children, as follows: Pearl C., the wife of Joseph Sidell, a resident of Fostoria, Ohio; Harry, at home; Fred, also under the parental roof; Florence A., Orrin R., who is deceased; Edith C., Marion C. and Lee Miles.
Politically Mr. Huntsman has allied himself with the republican party and has served as supervisor, but is in no sense a man who aspires to public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his own private interests. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and are highly esteemed in the community in which they have so long resided, the hospitality of their own pleasant home being enjoyed by their many friends and acquaintances.
FRED S. MARQUIS.
Fred S. Marquis, one of the well known and prominent native sons of Mansfield and connected with the legal interests of the city as a member of the firm of Huston & Marquis, was born on the 29th of September, 1873. His father, Joseph S. Marquis, whose birth occurred in Pennsylvania, came to Mansfield in 1866 and engaged in the business of piano tuning. He was captain in a regiment of Pennsylvania volunteers, serving on General Craw- ford's staff, and was one of several brothers who fought for the interests of the Union throughout the Civil war, none of them sustaining injury. The . mother of our subject, who bore the maiden name of Mary Stocking and a native of Painesville, Ohio, still survives. The Marquis family is of French Huguenot extraction, having come to the United States from Canada, while the Stockings are of old English lineage, members of the family settling in New York at an early period.
Fred S. Marquis is one of two children, his elder brother, Frank H .. being assistant cashier of the Mansfield Savings Bank. The former acquired his education in the grammar and high schools of his native city and upon his graduation from the Mansfield high school in 1890 he secured a position as clerk in the Boston Store, having charge of the house furnishing depart- ment. Subsequently he went to Wooster, where in the employ of The Wooster Piano Company he learned the trade of piano tuning and repairing, which line of activity claimed his attention until 1897. In that year he entered the law office of J. C. Laser, continuing his reading there until called out with the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry for military duty in the Spanish- American war, serving from April 25 until November 21, 1898, as captain of Company M. While in Santiago, Cuba, his command was attached to
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
the Fifth Army Corps under General Shafter. He was one of the original officers on the organization of Company M in February, 1893, being chosen first lieutenant, while in November, 1893, he was elected captain and in November, 1899, became major, which commission he still holds. At the close of the war, in 1899, he entered the law department of the Ohio State University and immediately after his admission to the bar in June, 1900, he became a partner in the law firm of Laser, Huston & Marquis. In 1907 the firm name was changed to Huston & Marquis, Mr. Huston being prosecuting attorney of Richland county. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer- a keen, rapid, logical mind plus the business sense, and a ready capacity for hard work-Mr. Marquis brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts-eloquence of language and a strong personality. An excel- lent presence, an earnest, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law, and the ability accurately to apply its principles are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate.
Mr. Marquis is secretary of the board of managers of the Ohio State Reformatory, secretary and treasurer of the Ohio State Rifle Association, and fraternally is connected with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Elks. He is likewise a member of the Spanish War Veterans. A stanch republican in his political views, he takes a very active part in the local ranks of the organization and has served as a delegate at many state conventions, but has no desire to gain elective office as a reward for his party fealty. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Presbyterian church, where he is first tenor in the choir and has sung in many oratorios.
On the 1st of October, 1903, at Mansfield, Mr. Marquis was united in marriage to Florence, daughter of V. C. Routzahn, an organizer, promoter and prominent financier of his city. Mrs. Marquis is well known as a member of society here, being connected with several social clubs and highly esteemed as a lady of culture and refinement.
OVID M. RAY.
Ovid M. Ray, residing on his valuable and well improved farm on section 11, Washington township, has for twenty-two years been continuously engaged in teaching in this county. He was born February 5, 1863, in the village of Washington, Richland county, Ohio, his parents being Ovid M. and Mary (McGregor) Ray, the former born in Vermont in November, 1820, and the latter in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1834. They removed westward to Nebraska with their respective parents in an early day, met and married in that state in 1854, and in 1856 came to Ohio, locating in the village of Washington, where the father was employed as a common laborer. He enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the war for four years. In politics he was a stanch republican, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church. His death occurred January 24, 1901, while his wife, who had been a
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
member of the Methodist Episcopal church since girlhood, passed away in January, 1903. Unto this worthy couple were born four children. John W. makes his home in the west. R. Bentley is a graduate of Harvard University in medicine and theology, having worked his way through college. He is now preaching the gospel and also practicing medicine in West Concord, Minne- sota. Emma B. is the wife of J. B. Miller of Bellville, Ohio.
Ovid M. Ray, the second of the family, was reared in the village of his nativity and supplemented his common-school education by a course in the high school at Lucas. In 1886 he began teaching in a school in Washington and was instructor in this same institution for the following eleven years- probably a longer term of continuous service in one school than that of any other teacher in the county. He is still an important factor in the educational development of this county and has now been a teacher for twenty-two con- secutive years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge which he has acquired. In 1890 he purchased thirty-six acres of land, which he subsequently sold, and in 1895 bought eighty acres of the farm where he now resides on section 11, Washington township. The place now comprises one hundred and one acres of rich and productive land and is an excellent and up-to-date farm, for he has remodeled the buildings and made many sub- stantial improvements. He hires a man to do the active work of the fields, but gives general supervision to his agricultural interests, and is highly esteemed as one of the prosperous farmers and well known educators of the county.
On the 16th of March, 1890, Mr. Ray was united in marriage to Miss Florence Taylor, whose birth occurred on her grandfather's farm in Wash- ington township, on the 9th of February, 1866. She is a daughter of George and Olive C. (Shoup) Taylor, the former born in England, Novem- ber, 23, 1835, and the latter in Washington township, March 24, 1844. George Taylor came to America with his father in 1842, locating in Wash- ington township, Richland county, Ohio. He acquired a common-school education, and in 1864 enlisted as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Sixty-third Regiment of National Guards. He was sent to Fort Reno and Fort Kearney and subsequently to Grant on the Jim river, thence to Petersburg and afterward to Wilson's Landing. He purchased eighty acres of land from his father and is still engaged in its cultivation, meeting with a gratifying and well merited measure of success in his agricultural interests. The barn that now stands on the place was one of the first to be erected in Richland county.
He was married on the 12th of February, 1865, and Mrs. Taylor recalls many of the vicissitudes and dangers incident to war times. She and a sister and her mother eut wheat with a scythe and cradle and bound it by hand, for all the able-bodied men were on the field of battle. On one occasion her grand- mother, being attracted by an unusual noise in the yard, looked out and discovered that a bear had invaded the premises and was hugging one of the pigs. She quickly sent for her husband, who shot the bear. Unto Mr. and Mrs. George Taylor were born three children, namely: Mrs. Ray; Bertha E., the wife of Harry Pierce, of Washington township; and Annie E., who became the
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