USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 38
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W. H. MITCHELL.
W. H. Mitchell, an enterprising young merchant of the village of Ontario, is conducting a well appointed store, and his carefully managed business interests have brought him gratifying success. He was born near Ganges, Ohio, on the 21st of October, 1877. His father, Corydon Mitchell, was a native of Springfield township, Richland county, and has been identified with agri- cultural interests throughout his entire life. He is yet a prosperous farmer of this county and at a ripe old age is enjoying the fruits of his former toil, while his fellow townsmen entertain for him the warmest regard by reason of the high and honorable principles which have characterized his entire career.
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In early manhood he wedded Miss Lillie Caton, a native of Sandusky town- ship, this county, and unto them were born two children. The daughter, Grace, is the wife of Charles Hamman, a farmer now located in Blooming Grove township, this county.
W. H. Mitchell acquired his early education in the district schools near his father's home and afterward received the advantages of a more advanced education in Angola, Indiana. After putting aside his text-books he started out in life on his own account, becoming a teacher in the public schools of Richland county. He successfully followed that vocation for a period of seven years, proving in the schoolroom an excellent disciplinarian and a teacher of marked ability in imparting clearly and readily to others the knowl- edge that he had acquired. In 1906 he purchased a half interest in the store of C. M. Jolly at Ontario, and in 1907 became sole proprietor. In the con- duct of the store he is constantly studying to meet the demands of his patrons and he gives to them the benefit of reasonable prices and careful selection of goods. He is a young man of laudable ambition, who could never be content with mediocrity, and in his business career is making constant and substantial advancement.
Mr. Mitchell was married in 1903 to Miss Winona Light, a resident of Ganges, Ohio, and they now have one son, Dean Everett, an interesting little lad of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have won many friends here and their own home is attractive by reason of its warm-hearted and cordial hospi- tality. In his political views he is a democrat and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to office. He is now serving as township treasurer and is also postmaster of Ontario. Fraternally he is connected with Ontario Lodge, No. 485, A. F. & A. M. Socially he stands very high in the community in which he lives, and his honorable business methods and his personal traits of character commend him to the confidence and good will of the general public.
J. W. McCULLY.
Thrift, energy and economy are the elements which constitute the success of J. W. McCully, who now owns and operates one hundred and eight acres of land situated on section 12, Sandusky township. He is a native son of the township, his birth having occurred in a log cabin, February 12, 1848. His parents, William and Mary (Simpson) McCully, were likewise born in Rich- land county, where their entire lives were passed. Both are now deceased. Of their five children, four still survive, namely: S. S., of Richland county; Sarah J., the widow of D. B. Lovett, also of Richland county; William, who resides in New York city ; and J. W., of this review.
J. W. McCully acquired his education in the common schools and was reared under the parental roof until he reached mature years, having in the meantime assisted his father in the operation of the home farm. Upon start- ing out in life on his own account he located on his present farm, which he
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purchased, comprising one hundred and eight acres on section 12, Sandusky township. He has improved the place with good buildings, has tiled and fenced the land and placed it under a high state of cultivation. Here he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and each year harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. In connection with farming he was also for eighteen years engaged in the tile and milling business but now gives his entire attention to agriculture.
Mr. McCully established a home of his own by his marriage, in Decem- ber, 1871, to Miss Ellen Reed, who was born in Richland county, a daughter of James and Anna (Adams) Reed, both of whom are now deceased. She is one of a family of ten children, and by her marriage has become the mother of three children, two daughters and one son: Edith M., who was born July 22, 1873, and is now the wife of William Kuhn, of Richland county; Edgar R., who was born January 18, 1877, and lives in Galion, Ohio; Jessie L., who was born October 30, 1884, and is now the wife of Clarence Hoover, a resident of Mansfield, this state.
Mr. McCully's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the democratic party. For several years he has served as a member of the school board, while at the present writing he is filling the office of justice of the peace, his decisions being made in a fair and impartial manner. He is now the candidate of his party for county commissioner. He is a member of the National Union Insurance Company, while he and his wife are identified with the Presbyterian church. They are people of the highest respectability and worth 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.
JACOB SAMSEL.
Jacob Samsel, residing on his farm in Butler township, was born in Richland county, August 6, 1836, his parents being Peter and Elizabeth (Dick) Samsel, natives of Germany, who emigrated to America and located in this county in 1836. The father was a weaver by trade, but in 1859 purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Butler township. He was called to his final rest in 1883, having for a number of years survived his wife, whose death occurred in 1857. Their family numbered six children, namely : Peter, deceased; Catharine, the wife of Reuben Zigler, of Williams county, Ohio; Jacob, of this review; David, residing in this county; and two who died in infancy.
Jacob Samsel acquired a common-school education and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he was engaged for a year. He then returned to the farm. In 1857 he purchased his present farm and as the years have passed by has made many substantial improvements thereon, while in addition to the work of the fields he made a specialty of raising horses and
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sheep. In the conduct of his agricultural interests he has met with a well earned and enviable degree of success and is now numbered among the pros- perous and enterprising citizens of the community.
On the 18th of January, 1858, Mr. Samsel was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Oberlin, by whom he had two children: Frank, of Richland county, who is married and has four children ; and Emma, deceased. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Samsel was again married, his second union be- ing with Eliza A. Glenn, who was born in Weller township in 1841, a daugh- ter of Hugh Glenn. She died on the 26th of July, 1908. She was one of a family of eleven children, and by her marriage became the mother of one daughter, Bertha, who has one son, Glenn Dannison.
Politically Mr. Samsel is a democrat, and has served as a member of the school board for thirty years, the cause of education ever finding in him a stal- wart champion. When sixteen years of age he joined the Reformed church, and has since been identified therewith, taking an active and helpful interest in its work. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor, and today he is numbered among the sub- stantial citizens of the locality. Throughout his entire life, covering more than the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he has been a resident of this county and has gained and retained the confidence and trust of those with whom he has been associated.
GEORGE H. GRIBLING.
No history of Richland county would be complete without mention of George H. Gribling, for the name has figured prominently in agricultural circles in this section of the state from pioneer times. He now owns and operates the old Gribling homestead, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of rich and valuable land, located in Madison township, and here, owing to his well directed energy, is carrying on a successful business as an agriculturist. Mr. Gribling is a native son of Richland county, his birth having occurred at Little Washington, Washington township, February 21, 1848. His parents were Christian and Anna Maria (Strotder) Gribling, both natives of Ger- many, the former born in Nassau. He there learned the wagonmaker's trade and after attaining mature years he left the fatherland for America. Upon reaching New York he made his way to Ohio, locating in Little Washington, where he worked at his trade for a time, and then located on a farm in Washington township, where he continued for nine years, or until the fall of 1859, when he purchased the farm which is now the home of our sub- ject. This tract of land had been pre-empted in 1814 by Michael Keith, who had come to this state from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Gribling then located on this farm, which he continued to cultivate for several years, or until his death, which occurred in 1862, and he now lies buried in the Mansfield cemetery. He was a man most highly respected in the community, for he possessed many excellent traits of character, and in his business dealings
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was known for his reliability and trustworthiness. As above stated, the mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna Maria Strotder, was born in Germany, having emigrated to this country with her parents when she was but a child. She, too, has passed away, her death occurring in 1882, after she had survived her husband for two decades. Her remains lie buried by the side of those of her husband. In the family of this worthy couple were six children, as follows: Wilma, who became the wife of Gaylord Terman, but who is now deceased; George H .; Amanda, the widow of G. W. Toust; Rosena, the wife of Oliver Stotnor, of Keokuk Iowa; one who died in infancy; and Frank, who is a contractor of Detroit, Michigan.
George H. Gribling, the eldest son and second child in the father's family, acquired his education in the district schools of Washington and Madison townships and also spent one term in the Mansfield school. After completing his education he resumed agricultural pursuits, for he had been early trained to the duties of the home farm, and he has since operated his present tract of land, which comprises one hundred and sixty acres. When the family took possession of this property the old house which stood on the place was a portion of the old Keith tavern, a familiar landmark, as it is located on the old stage road. This home, however, has been remodeled and added to, and Mr. Gribling now has a most comfortable and commodious country residence. He has also made many other improvements in the way of good barns and outbuildings and his place today presents a neat and attractive appearance. In the cultivation of his fields he uses the latest improved machinery and fol- lows the most progressive ideas of agriculture, for he is a man of push and enterprise who keeps in touch with the advancement of the age in the methods of farm work.
On the 12th of February, 1879, Mr. Gribling was united in marriage to Miss Neotia Cline, the wedding ceremony being celebrated in Mansfield. She is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Rich- land county, and by her marriage has become the mother of six children, namely : Nellie, the wife of Morris Crawl, who follows farming a mile north of our subject; Fanny, the wife of Roy Terman, whose home is one mile west of her father's place; one who died in infancy; and Charlotte, Ralph and George F., all still under the parental roof.
Mr. Gribling's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the men and measures of the democratic party and his genuine worth and ability have won him recognition by his fellow townsmen, who have called him to fill positions of honor and trust, for he served as county commissioner for six years, was supervisor five years, township trustee four years and has served on the school board for the past eighteen years, and the duties of these various offices have been discharged with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of the German Lutheran church, while Mrs. Gribling holds membership with the Christian church. His fraternal relations are with Mansfield Lodge, No. 161, I. O. O. F. Mr. Gribling is today the only representative of either his father's or mother's families in Richland county. His present home has been in possession of the family for almost a half century and no man in Richland county is more
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highly respected. He has never deviated from the path of right and duty, and whether in private life, in official service or in business dealings his relations with those with whom he has come in contact have ever been in strict conformity to the principles of the Golden Rule.
WILLIAM LINN.
William Linn, who resided on his home place in Waller township con- tinuously from 1875, until his death, was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 14, 1848, the son of John and Susannah (Stock) Linn. His father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and in early manhood located in Stark county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming. On August 23, 1833, he wedded Susannah Stock, who was born September 17, 1816, and was, therefore, but seventeen years of age at the time of her marriage. They pur- sued life's journey together for over half a century, residing continuously on the old home place in Stark county. There the mother passed away July 26, 1888, while the father died December 6, 1884.
William Linn remained at home with his parents until twenty-six years of age, and received his education in the common schools. On November 11, 1875, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Clingan, who was born in Weller township, July 4, 1854, the daughter of Thomas and Martha (Figley) Clingan. The Clingan family were among the pioneer settlers of this county, locating here prior to 1820, and entering a great deal of govern- ment land. Thomas Clingan was born in Weller township in 1825. He wedded Martha Figley, who was born in Ashland county in 1828. They became the parents of six children, of whom four are now living, namely : Mary Ann, the wife of our subject; Albert H., and John, both of whom reside in Weller township; and Edward, who resides at Pavonia, this county. The father died on the home farm in 1885, while the mother survived him for twenty-two years, passing away in 1907.
Following his marriage Mr. Linn purchased his farm of fifty-seven acres, which has since served as a home for his family. He remodeled the house, built a large barn and added such other buildings and improvements as were necessary in the profitable conduct of his farming operations. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Linn were born ten children, five sons and five daughters, namely : Clara, the wife of Elmer Bryte, of Ashland county; Eula, the wife of Samuel Wirts, of Madison township; Roy, who married Edna Runyon, and resides in Weller township; Rhoda, the wife of Calvin Fisher, of Weller township; Pearl and Lee, who reside at home, farming the home farm; and Ada, Dale, Bennie C., and Maurice, all of whom reside at home with their mother.
Mr. Linn cast his ballot with the republican party and was elected to minor offices, having served as road supervisor, while for three years he was a member of the school board of his township. His religious faith was indi- cated by his attendance in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his estimable wife is a faithful member. Throughout his life he faithfully per- formed those duties which devolved upon him, in the accomplishment of
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which he found his greatest satisfaction, and he was richly rewarded in the love and respect of his family, and the esteem and honor in which he was held by the entire community. He died very suddenly August 19, 1908, dropping dead from apoplexy in Mansfield, and the entire community, as well as his immediate family, mourned his loss.
GEORGE KNOFFLOCK.
George Knofflock, as chief of the fire department of Mansfield, is filling a position which requires the same soldierly qualities of fidelity and valor which was manifest during his four years' service as a defender of the Union cause in the Civil war. He has every reason to be proud of an excel- lent military record, for he met the enemy on many of the most hotly con- tested battlefields of the south. His birth occurred in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, April 3, 1847, his parents being Michael and Mary (McNeely) Knofflock. The father was born in Bavaria and served as a sailor in the American navy and a soldier during the Mexican war, and also as a private in the war of the Rebellion. He was married after coming to this country, his wife being a native of Pennsylvania.
George Knofflock has been a resident of Mansfield since the 5th of April, 1861. He was at that time but fourteen years of age. Hardly had the smoke form Fort Sumter's guns cleared away when he offered his services in defense of the Union. His extreme youth, however, made it difficult for him to gain the right to serve as a soldier, but after several attempts made to enlist he was accepted July 27, 1861, as a private of Company E, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after being mustered in at Mansfield went to West Virginia. He participated in the engagements at Greenbriar River, October 3, 1861; Allegheny Mountain, December 13, 1861; Pull Pasture, May 8, 1862; Cross Keys, June 8, 1862, and Port Republic on the 9th of June. On the 15th of September of the same year he was captured at Harper's Ferry, together with the entire regiment, but was at once paroled and exchanged in January, 1863, when he rejoined his command. The Thirty-second Ohio then proceeded to the main part of the army at Memphis, Tennessee, and was assigned to the Third Brigade of the Third Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps. Leaving Memphis they went to Lake Providence, Louisiana, afterward to Berry's Landing and to Millikin's Bend, marching thence to Hard Times Landing and crossing the Mississippi river to Bruinsburg, Mississippi, on steamers which ran the blockade. They next went on a forced march to assist the Thirteenth Army Corps, which had previously crossed, and after reinforcing the Thirteenth Corps they participated in the battle of Port Gibson, May 1, 1863; Raymond, May 12, 1863, and the capture of Jackson, Mississippi, on the 14th of May. At the battle of Champion's Hill on the 16th of May, the Thirty-second Ohio captured the First Mississippi Battery. Later they crossed to Big Black River on Jackson road and thence proceeded to Vicksburg, participating in the siege of that city, which con-
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GEORGE KNOFFLOCK.
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tinued from the 20th of May until its surrender on the 4th of July. There Mr. Knofflock was assigned to provost duty and while encamped at Vicksburg participated in several movements of the troops in the interior of Mississippi and Louisiana. At the call for reenlistments of the regiments in the field he reenlisted December 9, 1863. He then joined Sherman's army on its raid to Meridian, Mississippi, and after the return of the regiment embarked at Vicksburg and started home on a veteran's furlough, reassembling after thirty days at Columbus, Ohio. From that point they were transported by a train and steamer and the Seventeenth Army Corps mobilized at Cairo, Illinois, proceeding thence by steamer up the Ohio river to the mouth of the Tennessee river and by way of the latter stream to Clifton, Tennessee. Leav- ing the steamer at that town the troops marched to reinforce Sherman's army, which had started on the Atlanta campaign, getting into line at Acworth, Georgia. From that time on until the close of the war the Thirty-second Ohio was with Sherman's troops. Mr. Knofflock participated in the battles of Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mountain and, crossing the Chattahoocheever at Roswell, was in engagements on the 20th, 21st and 22d of July. The troops then swung to the rear of Hood's army, taking part in the engagement at Jonesboro, Georgia, and following the evacuation of Atlanta they went to East Point. When Hood threw his army in the rear of Sherman they fol- lowed him to Gaylesville, Alabama, and after the separation of General Sherman's forces the Fourth and Twenty-third Army Corps followed Hood northward, while the Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Seventeenth Army Corps swung around again to Atlanta, joined the Twentieth Army Corps and on the 18th of November started on the famous march to the sea. Following the capture of Savannah, Georgia, they moved north through South Carolina and in this military movement Mr. Knofflock participated in the battles of Pocataligo and Salkahatchie Swamp. He then marched on to Orangeburg, South Carolina, to Columbia, to Chesaw, to Bennettsville, to Fayetteville and participated in the engagement at Bentonville. Later the troops pro- ceeded to Goldsboro, on to Raleigh, then to Danville and later to Petersburg, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Alexandria and to Washington, where Mr. Knofflock with his command participated in the grand review-the most cele- brated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. Thousands of victorious Union troops marched through the streets of the city and passed the reviewing stand, where the president and other notables of the nation stood greeting the soldiers on their return, while over broad Pennsylvania avenue swung a banner bearing these words: "The only debt which our country cannot pay is the one that she owes her soldiers." From Wash- ington the troops proceeded to Parkersburg, West Virginia, by rail, and thence by steamer to Louisville, Kentucky, being discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1865. Thus after four years' faithful and valorous service Mr. Knofflock returned to the pursuits of civil life.
Locating at Mansfield, Ohio, he at once joined No. 1 fire company on the 2d of September, 1865, as a volunteer fireman and has been continuously since in the service. On the 1st of June, 1885, he was promoted to the position of chief of the department and has so continued to the present time.
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On the 1st of December, 1869, he entered the employ of the Aultman-Taylor Company, with which he continued until he resigned July 1, 1907, and has since given his entire time and attention to his duties as chief of the city fire department.
Mr. Knofflock has been married twice. He first wedded Alvena McMillen, of Mansfield, who died in 1872, leaving one son, George, who yet resides in this city. For his second wife Mr. Knofflock chose Caroline H. Smith, of Mansfield, and they have two children, Archer D. and Julia F., both of Mans- field. Mr. Knofflock is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the lodge, chapter and commandery. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a most valued, active and prominent member of Post No. 131, G. A. R., of which he was commander over twenty years ago. The chief characteristic of his life perhaps has been his fidelity and faithfulness. This was manifest on the field of battle and has been a salient feature in his connection with the fire department. He commands the respect of all who know him and few men of his years can boast of such an excellent and irreproachable military record. His feeling toward his old army comrades is excellently shown in an article which he wrote entitled "Memorial Day," in which he vividly portrays scenes in connec- tion with the war and pays his tribute to those heroes who fell in the strife or have since answered to the last roll call.
ARTHUR S. HUGHES.
Arthur S. Hughes, making the steady progress that should always come through experience and the careful directing of one's powers and native talents, has worked his way upward from an apprenticeship until he stands today as one of the leading representatives of industry in Mansfield. He is well known in this city and in fact throughout this part of the state as the senior partner of the firm of Hughes & Keenan, boiler manufacturers. His life record began in Mansfield, November 13, 1879, his birthplace being the old family home at 117 Glessner avenue. His father, John Hughes, was also a native of this county and was born near Black Fork. He was of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent and came to Mansfield about forty-five years ago, since which time he has engaged continuously in the ice business. To this undertaking he now gives his entire time but for some years engaged in street contracting as well. At the time of the Civil war he rendered active allegiance to his country on the field of battle and is one of the honored veterans of the long civil conflict. Although he has reached the allotted age of three score years and ten he seems a man of much younger age and in spirit and interests as well as in physical activity seems yet in his prime. He married Martha O'Neil, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ashland county in her girlhood days. She is still living at the age of sixty-five years. In their family were seven children, of whom six are living: Della, the wife of Charles Beck, of Mansfield; Millie, the wife of E. A. Evans, also of this city; Judson W., directing engineer for a
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