USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 41
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water and a reasonable allowance of corn, which was ground just as nature left it-husk, cob and kernel-and then converted into food. While in prison Mr. Millikin was engaged most of the time in making coffins. On one occasion he was in possession of a three bladed knife which he had in some manner concealed from the guards. This he sold for twelve dollars in gold, while engaged upon negotiations whereby he could secure a better knife for ten dollars. The soldiers used many devices wherewith to while away the time, but the hours doubtless at times seemed very long when, in forced inactivity, they awaited the result of the efforts of their brother soldiers on the battlefield.
When the war ended Mr. Millikin returned to Richland county and for a brief period engaged in merchandising at Ontario. Six months later, how- ever, he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 30, Spring- field township, which he still owns. He cultivated this continuously until 1879, when he went upon the road as a traveling salesman, spending twenty years in that way, as representative of the Mansfield Machine Company, McDowell & Company, of Wooster, Ohio, and the Fremont Harvester Com- pany, of Fremont, Ohio. He proved a most capable and successful traveling salesman. While on the road he made large collections, adjusted claims, etc., and his long connection with these different houses stood in incontro- vertible evidence of his faithfulness and trustworthiness. He is now living retired in well earned rest, his energy and diligence in former years providing him with capital sufficient to enable him to enjoy life's comforts at the present time without further recourse to labor.
In 1861 Mr. Millikin was married to Miss Elizabeth Walker, who was born in Richland county. They now have four children: Emma; Mary, the wife of A. R. Caton, living near Chattanooga, Tennessee; Laura, who has taught school in Richland county and is classed among the best educators of the locality ; and Stella, the wife of Dr. Marquand, of Conesville, Ohio.
All of the children have taught school and Mr. Millikin was also a school teacher for several years in early life, so that the family have done their full share in promoting educational interests. The eldest daughter, after teaching school for a number of years, entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus. She was graduated with the class of 1898, winning the degree of M. D., after which she removed to Newark, Ohio, and opened an office. After remaining in practice there for a short time she returned to Ontario, where she has practiced continuously since, and is held in high esteem by the local medical fraternity as well as by the general public. Her professional duties now make heavy demands upon her time and energies, yet she always has a kind word and cheerful greeting for those in need of sympathy or encouragement. She owns a commodious residence in Ontario, which is now occupied by her father and mother.
Politically Mr. Millikin is a stanch republican, having given unswerving support to the party since its organization. He has served as trustee and assessor, and also in other local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. In the Millikin home we find the record of the family, tracing the name baek two hundred and fifty years and giving
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twenty-five different methods of orthography. The records also show that over two thousand Millikins took part in the Civil war. This work was published June 14, 1907, and Dr. Millikin gathered the data of this particu- lar branch of the family. William B. Millikin has now passed the seventieth milestone on life's journey. He is a representative of one of the oldest families of Richland county and in a life of well directed activity has won the honor and respect of his fellowmen.
M
WASHINGTON BOYCE.
In a history of Franklin township, it is imperative that mention be made of Washington Boyce, who was here born on the 28th of July, 1845, while in the intervening years he has been closely associated with its agri- cultural upbuilding and progress. His parents were Rowland and Priscilla (Kendall) Boyce. The father was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 22, 1817. His father was a tailor in England, but during the early boyhood of Rowland Boyce he came with his family to the new world, crossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which was ten weeks and two days in completing the trip, the voyage being a very tempestuous one. On the same boat the Kendall family were passengers, although it was some years later before Priscilla Kendall became the wife of Rowland Boyce. She was born in Lincolnshire, England, February 10, 1816, and her death occurred July 23, 1878. Mr. Boyce afterward married again, his second union being with Mary Anne Morthland on the 15th of January, 1879. His death occurred July 3, 1897. All of his children, five in number, were born of the first mar- riage, namely : George, who is a resident farmer of Franklin township; Mary, deceased; Washington; William, who follows farming in Franklin township; and Amos, a farmer of the same township. In his political views Rowland Boyce was a democrat, for his study of the questions of the day led him to the belief that the principles of that party were destined to prove most effective in advancing good government here. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Baptist church.
Washington Boyce was educated in the public schools of Franklin town- ship and was at home through the period of his boyhood and youth. He continued to assist his father in carrying on the home farm until twenty-three years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, and has since been well known as an agriculturist of Franklin township. He took up his abode on his present farm at the time of his marriage, forty years ago, and here he owns and cultivates eighty-one acres of land. The soil is arable and very productive and responds readily to the care and labor which he bestows upon it. Here he carries on general farming, and twenty-four years ago he erected his present residence, while four years ago he built the substantial barn that is upon the place. He had also added modern equipments of various kinds and is a progressive agriculturist, who keeps in touch with the general advancement that characterizes modern agriculture.
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In 1868 Mr. Boyce was married to Miss Sarah Gipe, who was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. They have become the parents of ten children : Amos F., the eldest, born in 1869, is now assisting in the operation of the home place. He wedded Miss Minnie Carnes, and they have three children : Hazel, Hattie and Byron. Della is the wife of Richard Whistler, of Iowa, and their children are Hester, William, Lewis and Ralph. Lizzie is the wife of William Mumau, and their children are Grace, Allen and Roy, while by a former marriage she had one child. Alice is the wife of Roy Sipe, and their children are Dexter, Damon and Leila. John married Miss Ollie Tucker, and is living in Madison township. George, a resident farmer of Franklin township, married Sena Baker, and they have four children, Lela, Charles, Emma and Iva. Albert, a resident farmer of Franklin township, wedded Rena Sipe, and they have two children, Maude and Sherman. Fannie is the wife of Curtis Laser, and they have three children, Willie, Lester and Austin. Rowland married Viola Mitchell, and Hugh is yet at home.
Mr. Boyce exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and he and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he has served as treasurer for seven years. His life has been quietly passed in unfaltering devotion to his business affairs, nor has he ever been known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a business trans- action. Year after year he has carried on the work of the farm, improving his opportunities to the best of his ability, and that he is now a prosperous agriculturist is attributable entirely to his own labors.
L. F. CONDON.
L. F. Condon is the owner of a good farm of one hundred acres in Madi- son township and there, in connection with the cultivation of cereals best adapted to soil and climate, he also raises some stock. He was born in this county December 14, 1859, his parents being Elisha and Nancy Ann (Flora) Condon, of whom mention is made on another page of this volume, in con- nection with the sketch of B. F. Condon. The boyhood days of L. F. Condon were quietly passed upon the home farm, in the acquirement of an education and in the work of the fields. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age and was then married and started out in life on his own account. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Ollie J. Scott, who was born in Troy township, this county, October 20, 1861, a daughter of Thomas E. and Amanda (Marlowe) Scott, the former a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, and the latter of Richland county. In their family were eight children, namely: Mrs. Condon; Hattie E., the wife of F. E. Sipe, of Mansfield; Nettie, who is deceased; William, a resident of Butler, Richland county; Ida M., the wife of William Carter, also of Richland county ; Winnie L., the wife of M. Mann, of Mason county, Ohio; John, who makes his home in Dayton, Ohio; and Katy Pearl, who has departed this life.
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In early womanhood Mrs. Condon engaged in teaching school, following that profession for five years prior to her marriage. Following their mar- riage the young couple located on the old homestead, which Mr. Condon rented for nine years. He then purchased one hundred acres of the farm, which is located on section 19, Madison township, the soil being rich and arable. Here he raises stock to some extent and his farming interests are bringing him a good return, making him one of the substantial residents of the community. He is active and energetic in his business affairs and his unfaltering industry and capable management constitute the secret of his success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Condon have been born a daughter and son: Bertha L., who was born in 1885, and is now the wife of Chalmer Shauck, a resident of Mansfield; and Luther L., who was born in 1887, is a graduate of the Mansfield high school, and is still with his parents. The parents are mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran church, and are much esteemed in the com- munity where they reside. Mr. Condon has served as supervisor and has also been school director for five years, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion.
AARON LOCKHART.
The history of the pioneer settlement of Richland county would be in- complete without the record of Aaron Lockhart, for from an early day he has been a prominent factor in the substantial growth and improvement of the county. He is now numbered among its oldest settlers and makes his home on a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres on section 9, Jefferson township, where he has lived continuously since 1861. It seems hardly pos- sible that it is within the memory of living man when all this district, with nearly every acre under cultivation, was largely a wild and unimproved tract. Comparatively few settlements had been made within its borders at the time of the birth of Mr. Lockhart and the countryside was covered with its native forest growth. There were still many evidences of Indian occupancy, while the homes of the white settlers were largely log cabins in the midst of the forest, save here and there where clearings had been made and the work of agricultural development had been begun. There were no railroads and people traveled mostly on horseback or by private conveyance. A few stage lines had been established in Ohio but extensive travel was practically un- known. The only trips made were those of necessity, for it required so much time to cover the distance when one journeyed with horse or wagon. Cook- ing was largely done over the fireplace, which served also to heat the little cabin, and the forest furnished an abundant supply of fuel. The houses were lighted with candles and frequently the furniture was homemade, but the settlers were happy in the hope of becoming in the course of time the owners of rich and productive farms.
AARON LOCKHART
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It was upon one of these pioneer farms that Mr. Lockhart was born Feb- ruary 3, 1824, the old family homestead being located in Jefferson township. His parents were William and Sarah Ann (McDonald) Lockhart, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they removed to Richland county in 1822. The father purchased a tract of timber land in Jefferson township and thereon erected a log cabin with clapboard roof and puncheon floor and in this crude dwelling the family made their home for many years. To that union three children were born but Aaron Lockhart of this review is now the only surviving member, the others, Benjamin and Mary Ann, both hav- ing passed away. The father gave his political support to the republican party. Both he and his wife lie buried in a cemetery on the home farm.
Aaron Lockhart was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of that early period. He shared with the other members of the family in the hard- ships and privations incident to life in a frontier district and was early trained to perform the various tasks of the farm, working in the fields during the spring and summer seasons, while in the winter months he embraced the opportunity that offered to acquire an education. The little temple of learn- ing was a log schoolhouse with its slab seats, tiny windows and other prim- itive furnishings. The school was conducted on the subscription plan and few branches were taught, the pupil regarding himself fortunate if in addi- tion in reading, writing and arithmetic, he could receive instruction in gram- mar or geography. Mr. Lockhart lost his father when thirteen years of age and afterward lived with his uncle, Aaron Lockhart, until about twenty-four years of age. He early became familiar with the arduous task of develop- ing a new farm but the practical experience which he gained in youth well qualified him for the business cares which devolved upon him in later years. At the age of twenty-four he left his uncle's home and returned to his father's old homestead, where he lived until 1857, when he sold that farm and took up his abode in Bellville. For four years he continued a resident of the vil- lage and then came to the farm upon which he now resides. Today it is a well improved tract of rich and valuable land, having been made so through the well directed efforts of the owner. When this tract first came into his posses- sion the only dwelling on the place was a log cabin, in which he made his home for nearly twenty years. Later, however, a more commodious and modern structure was erected but the cabin still stands, being today one of the old landmarks of this section of the county. Its dimensions were small but in it many happy hours were passed, and though it contained few of the comforts and conveniences which are now a part of almost every home in the locality, it was the abode of hospitality and good cheer and the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Lockhart were always welcome there. For many years Mr. Lockhart con- tinued to cultivate and improve his land and each year harvested abundant crops as a reward for the care and labor bestowed upon it. His former toil, however, now permits him to lay aside the more active duties of life and at present he simply manages his financial interests, his nephew, William Lock- hart, giving him assistance in this direction.
Mr. Lockhart has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Margaret France, a native of England, and unto them was born one son,
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who died in infancy. After the death of the wife and mother, Mr. Lockhart was married a second time, this union being with Mrs. Maria Armstrong Harshfield, but she, too, has passed away.
On attaining his majority Mr. Lockhart followed in the political foot- steps of his father and voted with the whig party. On its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new republican party and for many years gave to it stalwart support, but in recent years he has given his ballot in support of the temperance cause. He has never been active as an office holder, but served for nine years as school director. Although he has passed the eighty- fourth milestone on the journey of life, he is still hale and hearty, giving personal supervision to his extensive landed interests. No man is more familiar with the history of Richland county than is he, for in the years which have since come and gone he has witnessed a most wonderful trans- formation and has largely aided in the labors which have transformed this once wild and unsettled region into an excellent district with its well culti- vated fields and thriving towns and villages. Now in his declining years he can look back over a life well spent and enjoy in well earned ease the merited reward of a long and honorable business career and no man of this section of the state is more honored than is Mr. Lockhart.
WILLIAM PEPPARD.
William Peppard, who is numbered among the few remaining veterans of the Civil war, is also the owner of a fine farm comprising fifty-eight acres situated just outside the corporation limits of Crestline. He is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred on Sherman's Hill, in Mansfield, November 9, 1844, a son of Francis and Mary Ann (Morrison) Peppard, the former a native of the Keystone state and the latter of Richland county, and of Irish parentage, her parents having come to this country immediately after their marriage. They spent their remaining days in Richland county. Francis Peppard was a plasterer by trade, following the same in Mansfield and in Crestline. He later took up the occupation of farming and passed away in Crestline. In his family were three daughters and two sons, namely: D. M., a retired railroad engineer of Crawford county; Margaret Ann, the wife of J. J. Talbot, who is engaged in the livery business in Crestline ; Eliza Jane, the wife of C. L. McGlaughlin, a railroad engineer, making his home in Willmar, Minnesota; William, of this review; and Belle, the wife of J. M. Bronkar, a carpenter of Crestline.
William Peppard began his education in school district No. 1, north of Crestline, and later attended the select school at Galion. He then learned the plasterer's trade, working at the same for two years, while subsequently he worked as foreman on the railroad for one year. About this time the Civil war broke out and he enlisted for service in the One Hundred and Seventy- ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, joining the company in 1864. He partici-
PIONEER HOME OF AARON LOCKHART.
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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
pated in the battle of Nashville, Tennessee, and in many other important engagements, and was mustered out in 1865.
Returning from the war, Mr. Peppard again resumed work on the rail- road and since 1873 has been an engineer on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, his service in this connection covering a period of a quarter of a century. That he is a capable and trusted employe is indicated by the fact of his long retention in this important and responsible position. Mr. Pep- pard is also the owner of a finely improved farm of fifty-eight acres, situated just outside the corporation limits of Crestline, and on this tract stands a fine, modern residence, which is supplied with all the conveniences which add to the comfort of the inmates.
Mr. Peppard was married in 1866 to Miss Margaret Caroline White, who was born in Richland county but was reared in Crawford county, this state. Their marriage has been blessed with two sons and one daughter, namely : Charles Allison, who is foreman in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad shops at Cleveland, Ohio, making his home at No. 2510 West Fourteenth street; Florence Gertrude, the wife of H. T. French, also of Cleveland; and David White, who is a practicing physician in Mansfield, having graduated from the Western Reserve College at Cleveland.
Mr. Peppard supports the men and measures whom he deems best fitted for office regardless of party ties or affiliations. He has never been active as an office seeker, however. He belongs to the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers and is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Crestline, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He ever discharges his duties as an employe of the rail- road company in a most efficient manner, while in a financial way he has gained success and at the same time won the respect and good will of his fellowmen.
ALBERT C. BUSH.
Albert C. Bush, a representative farmer of Madison township, was born upon the farm where he now resides, his birth occurring December 9, 1869. His parents were Jacob and Catherine (Steege) Bush, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in 1828 and the latter in 1829. The father came to America with his parents in 1844 when a youth of sixteen. while the mother arrived in the United States with her parents in 1848, being then a young lady of nineteen years. They first located in Cleveland, Ohio, where they resided for six years, when they removed to Richland county and purchased the farm upon which their son Albert now resides. At that time the land was all covered with timber and in its midst was a small log cabin which the father erected and occupied for several years. For a long period he carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and annually gathering therefrom rich harvests, the sale of which brought him a comfortable competence that now enables him to live
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retired. He and his wife are now making their home in Mansfield and enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Since becoming an American citizen Mr. Bush has given his political allegiance to the demo- cratic party, for he believes that its principles contain the best elements of good government. Both he and his wife are earnest Christian people, having long been devoted members of the German Lutheran church. In their family were twelve children, namely: Louisa, the wife of John Graff, of Cleveland, Ohio; Lizzie, the widow of Martin Hursh, of Mansfield; Catherine, the wife of Joseph Hursh, also of Mansfield; Mrs. Amelia Krause, of Mansfield; Mrs. Julia Terman, who makes her home in Madison township; Tillie, who has passed away ; Louis, who makes his home in Redlands, California; Mrs. Mary Taylor, of Richland county; Jacob, Jr., who resides in Madison township; Albert C., whose name introduces this review; and two who have passed away.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Albert C. Bush in his boyhood and youth. He remained at home until his majority and in the common schools mastered the branches of English learn- ing, which qualify one for the practical and responsible duties that come when school books are put aside. Through the summer months he assisted his father in the farm work and remained at home until he attained his majority. He then rented a part of the old homestead, cultivating the property for twelve years, at the end of which time, with the money he had saved through his industry and economy, he purchased the farm of one hundred acres on which he yet lives, situated on section 2, Madison township. This is a part of the old homestead property and is one of the well developed farms of the neighbor- hood, being equipped with modern accessories and conveniences, while the fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and annually respond to his labor in large harvests.
On the 10th of February, 1892, Mr. Bush was married to Miss Estella Hursh, who was born in Madison township, February 6, 1873, her parents being Henry and Harriet (Eby) Hursh, who were natives of Richland county, Ohio. Her father was born in 1847 and her mother in 1846, and both were representatives of old families of Pennsylvania. They are now living in Madi- son township, being numbered among the well known and respected residents of the community. Unto them have been born eight children, namely : Arthur J., who makes his home in Mansfield; Naomi, the wife of William Wolford, a resident of Richland county; Estella, now Mrs. Bush; William T., who resides in Richland county; Edwin M., who is engaged in missionary work in Africa; Leroy, of Ashland, Ohio; and two who have departed this life
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Bush has been blessed with five children: Ray G., who was born February 15, 1893; Helen O., whose birth occurred November 22, 1894; Mary A., born May 27, 1899; Berna Viola, born Decem- ber 29, 1900; and Harriet K., who was born March 26, 1905. Mrs. Bush was a graduate of the public schools and engaged in teaching for two years prior to her marriage. Mr. Bush gives his political allegiance to the democratic party and while he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. he has served as school director for three years. Both he and his wife are
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