USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 51
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58
1106
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
county's most successful and prominent agriculturists. Adjoining his place there is an Indian graveyard, called the Mound, in which seven Indians and seven white people are buried.
On the 3d of January, 1867, Mr. Gatton was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Hines, a native of this county, while her parents were born in Mary- land. Unto our subject and his wife were born ten children, namely: Isaac, a resident of Bellville; Nettie, the wife of William Swagert, of Monroe town- ship; Annie, at home; Wilbur, of this county; Marilla, the wife of Webster Tucker, of Monroe township; George Clinton, of Cleveland, Ohio; Floyd, at home; Daisy the wife of Alvin Reeder; and Ella May and Albert, who were accidentally shot at school. On the 28th of December, 1902, Mr. Gatton was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, her demise being deeply regretted by many friends as well as her immediate family.
Mr. Gatton gives his political support to the republican party and has served in the position of supervisor. Throughout his entire life, already cov- ering more than the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he has been a resident of this county and that his career has ever been honorable and upright is indicated by the fact that he has the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact through business or social relations.
ROGER HEATH.
There is hardly a business enterprise of any importance, especially along industrial lines, in Shelby that has not benefited by the business ability, keen insight and undaunted enterprise of Roger Heath, although milling has been and is his real life work. Entirely unostentatious and free from desire for display, he has nevertheless left the impress of his individuality upon the public life and progress here. He was born in Devonshire, England, April 30, 1840, his parents being Roger and Susan (Cocks) Heath, who spent their entire lives in England. Many representatives have followed the miller's trade, the father, grandfather, five uncles, a brother and brother-in-law of our subject having all been millers. The father and all his brothers were in business on river Avon. Some of them owned mills, while others leased milling property.
Roger Heath of this review was one of a family of six children who reached adult age, he being the fifth in order of birth. He lost his father in his sixth year and when fourteen years of age entered the employ of an uncle, who was operating the mill which was being conducted by the father at the time of his demise. He was apprenticed to his uncle, whom he served for a term of seven years, and then when twenty-one years of age he started out in life as a journeyman. He was employed at various places in Great Britain, where his capable service won him recognition and he received good wages for that work, but he believed that the business opportunities in the new world were superior to those that he could secure in his native land and accordingly he made arrangements to come to the United States. He had previously been married and with his wife and three children he crossed the Atlantic.
MR. AND MRS. ROGER HEATH
1109
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Making his way into the interior of the country, Roger Heath first located at Akron, Ohio, and afterward went to Kent, Ohio, where he started in business on his own account. Since 1877 he has made his home in Shelby. Here he purchased a mill in connection with his brother Henry, it being sold at sheriff sale. The plant was then in a much dilapidated condition, but with resolute purpose the brothers set to work to improve it and bring it into harmony with ideas of modern milling. The partnership between the brothers was continued until 1890, when Roger Heath purchased the interest of Henry Heath. In the conduct of the mill he has increased the capacity from time to time and added to the equipment until today this is one of the best equipped and best organized mills to be found in this section of Ohio. There is more modern machinery in this establishment than in any mill of its size in the state and Mr. Heath's opinion concerning any new machinery that is purchased is eagerly sought by the manufacturers of mill machinery. He has always aimed at quality rather than quantity in his output and has sought to create a demand for his goods by reason of the excellence of his output. He has recently installed valuable machinery and is now extensively engaged in the manufac- ture of such well known brands of flour as the Silver Leaf, Bon Ton, Imperial, Paragon, Climax and Moss Rose. Mr. Heath never allows anything that is not up to the highest standard to leave the mill. In fact he has constantly striven toward the ideal in business in the character of his service, in the quality of the output and in his relations to the trade. The plant which he purchased thirty years ago had a capacity of twenty-five barrels. Today the daily capacity is two hundred barrels. Mr. Heath has been very faithful to his business, giving personal supervision to it day after day, and is the veteran miller of this locality and one who commands the respect of milling men throughout this portion of Ohio and wherever he is known.
A man of resourceful enterprise and ability, Mr. Heath has extended his efforts to various other lines whereby Shelby has profited, while he has received substantial benefits therefrom. He is now the president and one of the director: of the Citizens Bank, which he aided in organizing. He was also prominent in establishing the Shelby Steel Tube Works, the Shelby Bicycle Works, the Automobile Works, the Shelby Printing Company, the Land Improvement Company, the Shelby Foundry Company, and is likewise a director in the new Shelby Tube Company. He determines with great readiness the value of any business enterprise, recognizes the possibilities of failure and the opportunities of success, and if he believes that the latter may be secured he enters heartily into his endorsement and support of the project.
On the 27th of August, 1867, Mr. Heath was married to Miss Anna Janette Constance, who was born in England. They became the parents of eleven children, ten of whom are living, Fannie, the third child, having died at the age of twenty-two years. The others are: Roger, now living in Illi- nois; Mrs. Constance Giligan, of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Katharine Inscho, of Cleveland; William Henry, who aids in the operation of the mill; Nanette and Jannette, at home; Bert, who is traveling for the mill; George and Frank, twins, the former now in the mill, while the latter is in Kansas; and Harry, who completes the family.
1110
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
Mr. Heath is stalwart in his support of the republican party and its prin- ciples, has served for two terms as a member of the board of public works, and has also been a member of the city council for two terms. He stands very high in public regard, being one of the most respected and honored residents of Shelby. In the year 1900 he took a vacation and attended the Paris Expo- sition. No better indication of the place which he fills in Shelby can be given than was manifest when after an absence of months he returned to his adopted city to be welcomed by one thousand people, headed by two brass bands. He has many friends among the poor as well as among the prosperous, for he has always been generous in his aid of those who need assistance. He is very democratic in manner. There is nothing about him for show or display and yet all recognize the sterling integrity of his character and delight to honor a man who is so well worthy the esteem and good will of his fellow citizens.
MRS. ELIZABETH NANCY RYDER.
Mrs. Elizabeth Nancy Ryder, residing in the village of Lucas, is well known in this part of the county, having a wide and favorable acquaintance. She was born in Jefferson township, June 12, 1839, and is the widow of John Ryder. Her husband was also a native of this county, while his parents were born in Pennsylvania. He was reared on the old homestead farm near New- ville, Ohio, and his education was acquired in the public schools. He after- ward learned the carriage maker's trade, which he followed successfully for forty years. In the meantime he purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Richland county. As he prospered in his undertakings he used the oppor- tunity for judicious investment and became the owner of a valuable tract of land. He was one of a family of twelve children, so his opportunities in youth were somewhat limited, but he always made the best of his advan- tages and was well known for his unabating energy and indefatigable indus- try. Moreover, his business dealings were ever straightforward, he being never known to take advantage of the necessities of another in a trade trans- action.
It was in 1860 that John Ryder was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Nancy Ball, a daughter of Herman and Elizabeth (Gatton) Ball, who were of English and Scotch descent. Her father came to Richland county at a very early date, casting in his lot with the settlers who were reclaiming the wild district for the uses of civilization. He was a graduate of Yale Univer- sity. He rode from Philadelphia to this state on horseback when this section of Ohio was being opened up to settlement, and from the government en- tered five farms, one for himself and for each of his brothers. He then returned to Philadelphia, where he and his four brothers perfected their plans and arrangements for becoming residents of this state. Some of the number located in Mount Vernon and others in Fredericktown, Ohio, upon the claims which Mr. Ball had entered, improved the property and continued to reside here until called to their final rest. After carrying on general agricultural
1111
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
pursuits for a considerable period Mrs. Ryder's father turned his attention to the banking business and in that undertaking lost everything he had, amounting to about fifty thousand dollars. He was descended from a family noted for their thrift, integrity and piety and there were about thirty minis- ters of the Presbyterian church in different branches of the family.
Mrs. Ryder's grandfather, Gatton, came to the state of Ohio during the pioneer epoch in its history and entered four or five hundred acres of land from the government. His family numbered sixteen children, all of whom reached adult age.
Mrs. Ryder's eldest sister was born in Knox county, Ohio, but lived in Richland county for a number of years. She then went to live with her grandparents at Oberlin and attended school to within six months of graduation, when she was called home on account of illness. A few years later she married Dr. Bickerdyke and removed to Cincinnati. The medical institution there offered to give a free course of nursing to any one who would accept the offer and Mrs. Bickerdyke was among three who did so. When the Civil War broke out she was a widow with two little sons. She left the children in the care of friends and went to the front as a nurse, thus aiding her country until the close of the war. She spent her last days with her son, James Bickerdyke, who was a highly educated man. He served as professor of the schools of Salina, Kansas, and died a year after his mother's death. A brother of Mrs. Ryder, Joseph George Washington Allen Ball, who signed his name Joseph G. W. A. Ball, was a great Bible student. He had read the Bible through ten times before he was twelve years of age and by the time he was nineteen he had read the Bible through sixteen times and had learned it almost by heart. He possessed a very retentive memory and was well read in history and poetry. In fact, he was a great lover of literature and a man of broad learning. He had several offers from Bible houses that wished him to become a salesman, so he made that his life work, selling Bibles in the south for five years before the war broke out. While thus engaged he stayed for a time with Mr. Shealds and told Mr. Ball that he was the first man that he ever met who knew the Bible by heart. He also said that he would give him all the land that he wanted if Mr. Ball would make his home there and help to keep his (Shealds') slaves at work. Mr. Ball, however, refused, say- ing that he was no slave driver and would not accept the offer if the whole south were given him. He was always on the side of the oppressed and at all times stood for justice and truth. He was fond of debating upon the questions of the sin of slavery and of intemperance, but he was never bit- terly aggressive. In fact, he was a man of most kindly nature, was a friend to everybody and never had an enemy. He always looked on the bright side and brought cheer and happiness into the lives of many with whom he came in contact. He spent his last years in Mobile, Alabama, where he died at the age of fifty-five, leaving a wife and one daughter.
In early womanhood Mrs. Ryder engaged in teaching school, following the profession for several terms and proving capable both as a disciplinarian and as an instructor. By her marriage she became the mother of a daughter and son, but the former, Mary L., is now deceased. The son, Virgil, is a
1112
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
graduate of Wooster University and also Harvard College. He is a gentleman of broad culture and education and is now professor of Latin and Greek in Wilson College at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, while his wife is a teacher of the piano and violin at the same institution. He is prominent socially, belonging to the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Improved Order of Redmen, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Knights of Pythias and the Alpha Tau Omega, which is a college fraternity. He has made an excellent record in his chosen life work and Mrs. Ryder has every reason to be proud of her son.
The death of the husband and father occurred in February, 1896, when he was seventy-four years of age. His political support was given to the democracy and he held several township offices, the duties of which he dis- charged with promptness and fidelity. His life was honorable, his actions manly and sincere and he enjoyed in large measure the confidence and good will of all with whom he was associated. He was known as a loyal and pro- gressive citizen and a faithful friend, but his best traits of character were reserved for his own home and fireside.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Ryder has continued to make her home in Richland county and is now owner of a fine residence and five acres of land in the village of Lucas in Monroe township. She has all kinds of fruit upon her place and it is a most attractive, pleasant and hospitable home. She supports the Lutheran church and is well known for her many good traits of heart and mind. Like Mr. Ryder, she shares in the friendship of many who knew them in the county and she has a wide acquaintance in Richland, where her entire life has been spent.
TERESA HOGAN.
Teresa Hogan, residing in Perryville, Ohio, is a daugher of Michael and Ann (Oakley) Hogan. As the name indicates the family is of Irish lineage. The father was born on the Emerald isle and pursued his education in the University of Dublin, completing a classical course by graduation at the age of twenty years. When he considered the business field, he believed that he might find better opportunities in other countries than the land of his nativity. The property of his ancestors had been confiscated by the govern- ment, by reason of their espousal of the cause of freedom, so that when Mr. Hogan completed his education he had scarcely any capital with which to begin life. He bravely faced the situation, however, and made the most of his opportunities.
Feeling that he might place confidence in his own labors and that he was capable of maintaining a home, Mr. Hogan married Miss Ann Oakley, and unto them was born one child ere their emigration to the new world. In 1818, however, they bade adieu to Ireland and the friends of their early life and sailed for the United States. Mr. Hogan was a well educated man, capable by reason of his mental training for positions of considerable impor-
1113
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
tance. Such a position he found in New York city, where he remained for five years. In 1823 he arrived in Ohio, settling at Newville, where he es- tablished a store, which he conducted for some time. Later he purchased a farm in Monroe township, Richland county, and took up his abode thereon in April, 1827. With characteristic energy he began to till the fields, bring- ing the wild land under a high state of cultivation, so that rich crops were annually gathered. He was a successful farmer and business man and at his death 'left valuable property, embracing two good farms of one hundred and sixty acres each, which are now the property of his daughter, Teresa. In early life he gained a good knowledge of medicine and after he came to Ohio he practiced successfully among his neighbors and was frequently called to long distances that he might aid those who knew him, through his knowledge of medicine and the healing art. He never exacted nor ac- cepted a fee for his services, but gave all the benefit of his aid gratuitously. The laws regulating the medical practice were not as strict then as now, and while he was not a graduate physician he did good work and many a resident of the community acknowledged their indebtedness to him for his efforts in their behalf. His political allegiance was given to the democracy.
Mr. Hogan was a man of broad intelligence who always kept well in- formed on public questions and issues of the day, political or otherwise. He was strong in his belief, nor was he ever at a loss to give a reason for the position which he occupied. He was a most public-spirited man, interested always in the welfare of his community and whenever he found it possible- as he often did-he aided actively and generously in the support of many movements that were of benefit to Richland county. The cause of education found in him a stalwart champion, as he ever endorsed the movements for the improvement of the public schools. While he belonged to the Roman Catholic church and reared his family in that faith, he was liberal in his views on religious questions, and endorsed every movement which tended to promote a moral development of the community. In all his business transactions he was thoroughly straightforward and reliable and at all times was known as a most honorable man. His wife was a member of the Epis- copal church and died July 24, 1864, at the age of sixty-seven years.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hogan were born seven children: Maria, the eldest, became the wife of James N. Applegate, of Chicago, and is now deceased. Edmund T. was a lawyer and died in California in 1895. He studied under his father's direction until he acquired a good classical education and then entered the college of St. Xavier at Cincinnati, where he was graduated. He afterward pursued the study of law under the direction of the Hon. T. N. Bartley, of Mansfield, and subsequently went to California, where he was admitted to the bar. In that state he gained recognition as an able lawyer, serving as prosecuting attorney for twelve years and was also common police judge of Plumas county. He continued a resident of the Golden State until his death. Eleanora, the next member of the family, married Isaac Bergen, and died in 1888. Margaret is the wife of Simon McCarthy, a resident of Oklahoma. Ann and Teresa reside upon the home farm. Cecelia is the wife of James Sheehy. Clara completes the family. Both Teresa and Ann still
1114
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
reside upon the home place, which they inherited from their father, and their grandnephew, Lawrence Baker, lives with them and operates the farm under their management. They are ladies who have made many friends and are well known in Monroe township and other parts of the county.
CAPTAIN HORACE L. REED. (Sketch written by A. J. Baughman.)
Horace L. Reed was born in Rootstown, Portage county, Ohio, Novem- ber 13, 1840. As a youth he attended the public schools of his native vil- lage. When he arrived at the years of manhood he became a teacher and was to teach a select school in fall of 1862, when he patriotically concluded to answer his country's call for troops, enlisting on August 1, 1862, as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under President's Lincoln's call for "three hundred thousand more." He was offered a commission but preferred to enter the ranks as a private, and for ten months thereafter carried a musket in the ranks. On May 29, 1863, Mr. Reed was commissioned second lieutenant, and on June 12th of the same year was promoted to first lieutenant and was in charge of his company most of the time until the close of the war. Captain Bard was killed in battle and the other lieutenant wounded.
The One Hundred and Fourth Regiment was recruited almost exclu- sively from the counties of Stark, Columbiana, Summit and Portage. It was organized at Camp Massillon and was mustered into the service on the 30th of August, 1862, and left for Cincinnati on the first day of September. Upon its arrival at the Queen City it was taken across the Ohio river into Covington, Kentucky, then went out on the Alexander turnpike three miles and went into camp. On the 12th of September the regiment began actual service and went on a march toward Lexington in pursuit of the rebels. This first march was hard on the men, for the roads were dusty and the springs dried up and, being without tents and not inured to army exposure, the troops suffered severely. While at Lexington, in order to attest the efficiency of the drill, there was a grand review of the different regiments and the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio carried off the palm for the highest degree of discipline and drill.
The One Hundred and Fourth Regiment was placed in the Twenty- third Army Corps, under General Schofield, which later joined General Thomas' force, and although the command in which Captain Reed bore an honorable part during his entire term saw hard service the Franklin-Nashville campaign deserves special notice.
While General Sherman was making his grand march from Atlanta to the sea, General Thomas was left to stand between Hood's army and the Ohio river, and how well he performed that task and how faithfully he fulfilled his mission the pages of history eloquently tell.
1115
HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY
The cry of "On to Richmond," in 1861, led to disastrous results, and the impatient demand for General Thomas to engage General Hood might have caused a less cautious commander to go into battle without the necessary preparations.
That Thomas was not "slow" at Nashville has been proven by official history. General Grant, who was the first to charge it, was also the first to withdraw the imputation by declaring in his official report that at the time he had been very impatient over what appeared as unnecessary delay on the part of Thomas, but that his final defeat of Hood was so complete that it was accepted as a vindication of General Thomas' judgment. Hood's army came northward with a flourish, crossed the Tennessee river at Florence, Alabama, and advanced toward Nashville. General Scofield encountered the enemy at Franklin, seventeen miles south of Nashville, where on November 30 the battle of Franklin was fought, where General Hood attacked the Union troops under General Scofield but was repulsed with great loss.
General Scofield then crossed the Harpeth river and retreated within the defenses of Nashville. Hood, having rallied from his repulse, marched on to Nashville confident of victory and prepared to begin the siege of block- ading the Cumberland, but before the work was fairly under way, General Thomas, on December 15th, moved from his works, fell upon Hood's army and routed it, with a loss to the rebels of twenty-five thousand men in killed, wounded and missing. Despite the intense cold, the shattered remnants of Hood's force were pursued to the Tennessee river, where but thirteen thou- sand of the fifty-five thousand strong who had crossed the river at Florence so hopefully two months before were all that were left of Hood's army.
While in pursuit of Hood the Union troops crossed the Duck river, which was at flood, on the night of December 23, and on the next morning-the day before Christmas-continued their march after the retreating foe, who, under command of the redoubtable Forest, frequently halted to give battle. At Lynnville and at Buford Station sharp engagements took place.
On Christmas day, just before sundown, General Forest, in a fit of desperation, made a stand and by a rapid counter movement drove back the skirmishers of Harrison's brigade and captured one gun, which he succeeded in taking away as the sole trophy of that desperate campaign.
Captain Reed, the subject of this sketch, was through all of that cam- paign. The winter began early that season and was an unusually severe one for that latitude. During those forty days of marching and fighting the weather became worse and worse-cold and freezing nights followed by days of rain and snow. The country, which was poor and but thinly settled, had been stripped of forage and provisions during the marches of contending armies. The men of both forces suffered terribly, but the cavalry horses fared still worse, and over six thousand of them belonging to the Union army died-exhausted by overwork, famished with hunger or crippled with hoofs falling off from frost and mud. During this campaign rations were often short and sometimes the men had none at all. Upon one occasion Captain Reed paid a quarter for a small ear of corn, which he shared with four
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.