USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 52
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comrades. They parched the corn, eating the grains and making a soup of the pounded cobs.
In the great sleet storm during that campaign, Captain Reed's company was called out at three o'clock many mornings and stood upon the ice-covered ground with very little food all day, fighting the enemy and firing over a hundred rounds each. Captain Reed, then a lieutenant, was the only officer with his company during that campaign and commanded it.
During the winter of 1865 the Twenty-third Corps joined Sherman's army in the Carolinas, and on the 18th of February, while at the head of his company, leading a charge (the senior officer having refused and was court-martialed for cowardice), at Fort Anderson, near Wilmington, North Carolina, Captain Reed fell wounded at the head of his battalion, receiving gunshot wounds in both his limbs below knees. He was in over twenty severe engagements during his term of service and has an army record of which any patriot might well be proud.
Captain H. L. Reed was mustered out of the service with his regiment in June, 1865, and retired to private life. He was married to Miss Jennie M. Wasson, of Ashland, in September, 1867. To this union four children were born, one daughter and three sons, namely: Grace, Horace, William W. and Eugene C. A. Horace and William are in business in Buffalo, New York, and Eugene is in business with his father in Mansfield.
When Captain Reed came to Mansfield in 1865, he went into business with his brother, J. H. Reed, who was conducting a book store at that time. The firm name was J. H. Reed & Brother. This partnership continued until 1875, when the Captain withdrew and went into the wholesale notion busi- ness. In 1880 he opened a dry goods establishment and gradually discon- tinued the wholesale notion trade. Captain Reed's dry goods business grew and increased year after year until he now has the largest establishment of the kind in the county, his several departments now covering over four thou- sand feet of flooring. On account of his fair dealing and the quality of the goods he handles, the Captain is called "The Old Reliable," and his store is also known by that name.
Captain Reed now owns what was known for ninety years as the Sturges corner, where the first cabin in Mansfield stood, and which is now the most desirable business location in Mansfield and is approximately worth from fifty to sixty thousand dollars. In this large and handsome brick building the Captain conducts his business and the place is known as "Reed's Store."
Captain Reed is a member of the Congregational church of Mansfield and is its senior deacon, having held the office of deacon for thirty years. He is very active both in church and Sunday-school work and has been superin- tendent of its Sunday-school. He was also a prominent factor in establishing a Sunday-school in John's Addition, the part of the city now called "the north side." This Sunday-school prospered and grew under Mr. Reed's supervision as superintendent for three years or more to such an extent that a church congregation was organized there, a lot was purchased on Bucking- ham street and a frame church building was erected upon the same for the accommodation of the Sunday-school and the congregation. This church con-
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gregation also prospered and grew to such an extent that a larger house of worship was needed, and the old building was removed and a large and hand- some brick structure was erected upon its former site, known as the May- flower church. It is of the Congregational denomination. In all this Captain Reed has been a prominent factor and helpful worker, and too much credit cannot be given him for the good that has been accomplished through his activity in advancing its interests.
The subject of this sketch attended a reunion of the seven children at the old family home a few years ago, at which those present were of the average age of over sixty years.
Captain Reed is a man whose entire course of life has been in every respect honorable, upright and conscientious, and he is justly entitled to the respect and esteem in which he is held. He is one of the solid men of Mans- field and his example is well worthy of emulation. He is a man of excellent business ability, sagacious and far-sighted, systematic and methodical in all he does, and his excellent success is the result of his own well directed efforts, enterprise and perseverance. The Captain is also a well informed man and in manner is genial and friendly.
ELIAS TOOKER.
Elias Tooker, a well-to-do farmer residing on section 26, Weller township, where he owns and operates sixty acres of productive land, was born in Franklin township, this county, November 19, 1838, the son of William and Katherine (Peck) Tooker. Both parents were natives of Penn- sylvania, whence they came to Richland county in the early 20s and rented land for a number of years but later bought a place in Franklin township, where our subject was born. On first coming to the county the young couple lived in a log cabin with a clapboard roof, with only the earth for a floor and without doors, an experience which can only be associated with an unde- veloped country and pioneer times. They became the parents of twelve chil- dren, seven sons and five daughters, namely: Mary, deceased; Hannah, who resides in Franklin township; Sarepta, deceased; Rachel, deceased ; William H., a resident of Shelby, Ohio; George, who resides in Mans- field ; John, a resident of Michigan ; Catherine, deceased; Elias, of this review; Jacob, who resides in Franklin township; James, a resident of Missouri; and Simon, deceased. Both parents died at their home in Franklin township.
Elias Tooker was reared on the home farm in Franklin township and received a good common-school education. He contributed his energies to the work of the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started in life for himself and worked as a farm hand for one year. Following this, he worked for David Bushey in a sawmill for three years, at the expiration of which time he rented a farm and conducted it for the next two years. During the dark days of the Civil War he was drafted into the army and
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served for seven months. Following his discharge he returned to Richland county and resumed farming, renting land for the following fourteen years. By economy and self-denial he was at this time able to buy a tract of forty- five acres, which he operated for nine successive years, then sold it and bought his present home place, on which he has since resided continuously.
In 1862 Mr. Tooker was united in marriage to Miss Martha Jane Shoe- maker, daughter of Adam and Margaret Mason Shoemaker, and a native of Ashland county, Ohio. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, and her mother in Maryland. They came to this county at an early date and resided here continuously thereafter. Both are now deceased. Eleven children were born of their union. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Tooker have been born one son and one daughter, Margaret, deceased; and Marene, who resides at home. They also have one grandson, Curtis E.
Politically Mr. Tooker casts his ballot with the democratic party and has been elected to minor offices, having served as school director and town- ship supervisor. Religiously, he is a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist church.
THE MASSA FAMILY.
David, Frank and John Massa, brothers, were born in Ottenberg, Ger- many. The father died in Germany in 1828, and in 1853 the children came to America with their mother. All the Massas who came to America located in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio. John Massa was born in the year 1832 and was married to Miss Barbara Shafer in 1856. The Shafer family came from Darmstadt, Germany, in 1850, when their daughter Barbara was twelve years old. They also settled in Mansfield.
Mr. and Mrs. John Massa became the parents of eleven children, namely : George, Mrs. Valentine Green, John, Jr., Theresa, Edward, Anna, Barbara, Mrs. Charles Wagner, Mrs. Lewis Zollers, Joseph and Albert. Of the fore- going, John, Jr., Theresa, Edward and Joseph are deceased. Mrs. Green resides in Pittsburg and the others at Mansfield. John Massa, the father of the above named children, died in 1889. George and Albert Massa are mar- ried and the latter was a soldier in the Spanish-American war. The children of the three Massa brothers who came from Germany to America all reside in Richland county with the exception of two. The Massas were and are industrious and respectable people and good citizens. They have worked hard, accomplished much and accumulated property.
Miss Anna Massa, the third daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Massa, has attained an enviable reputation as a singer. She was educated in the local parochial school and her talent for music was noted when she was yet a child. After graduating from our local schools Miss Massa went to Chicago and took instructions in music and voice culture from the best teachers in that city. Later she pursued her studies in the east. Returning to Chicago, she became a soloist in one of the leading and most fashionable churches of
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that city. Upon her return to Mansfield she became the soloist and leading soprano of the Presbyterian church choir for a number of years. She has also done concert work and is in demand for funeral singing and for public entertainments. Miss Massa is blessed with a voice of wonderful power and great sweetness. She has a fine stage presence, which, combined with her exquisite and finely cultured voice, makes her much sought as a singer. Being of domestic tastes, however, she prefers a home with her widowed mother to a career upon the stage.
THERON INK.
Theron Ink, successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 34, Troy township, was born in Tompkins county, New York, September 8, 1852. His parents were Charles and Mary (McCoy) Ink, the father born in Tompkins county, New York, in 1835, and the mother also a native of the same county. The latter is still living in the Empire state at the age of seventy-seven years, but Charles Ink passed away in the county of his nativ- ity in 1860. Our subject has but one sister, Louisa, the wife of Lewis Martin, of New York.
Theron Ink was reared on a farm in New York and when sixteen years of age removed to Morrow county, Ohio, with an uncle, for whom he had agreed to work until he was twenty-one years old. In 1869 they came to Rich- land county, the uncle purchasing and locating on a tract of land of one hun- dred and twenty acres, which is now a part of Mr. Ink's farm. When the latter had attained his majority he went to Rochester, New York, there pursuing a six months' course in bookkeeping in Williams International Commercial College. Subsequently he taught school in the Empire state for a year and then returned to Ohio, locating at Pulaskiville, Morrow county, where he kept books in a general store for one year. Believing that the close confine- ment incidental to office work was detrimental to his health, he gave up his position in 1875 and rented his uncle's farm, being thus engaged in its op- eration until the latter's death in 1892. He then purchased the place of one hundred and twenty acres, erected a fine residence thereon and altogether has a model farming property, equipped with all modern improvements and accessories. He has added to his original purchase until the place now com- promises two hundred acres and in addition to the work of general farming also carries on stock-raising, having a fine herd of thoroughbred shorthorn cattle and likewise feeding hogs and sheep. The splendid measure of success which has crowned his efforts is entirely the result of his own well-directed labor and excellent business ability, and he is now numbered among the substantial and progressive agriculturists of the community.
On the 1st of January, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ink and Miss Martha E. Maxwell, whose birth occurred in Troy township, Rich- land county, November 23, 1858. Her parents were George and Elizabeth (Cockley) Maxwell, the former born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania,
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April 29, 1820, and the latter in Pennsylvania on the 31st of May, 1824. George Maxwell was reared in the Keystone state and when twenty-one years of age made his way on foot to Troy township, Richland county, Ohio, being here employed at farm labor and also at the carpenter's trade. He was mar- ried in 1845, and purchased forty acres of land, which he improved, also carrying on stock-raising in connection with his farming interests. He met with a gratifying measure of success in his undertakings, being at one time the owner of six hundred acres of rich and valuable land. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and he was called to his final rest in 1885, his demise occurring in Lexington. Mrs. Maxwell accompanied her parents on their removal to Troy township in 1838, the journey being made from Pennsylvania by wagon. She passed away on the 28th of Octo- ber, 1893, in the faith of the United Brethren church. Her family numbered eleven children: W. S., a retired capitalist living at Woodstock, Kansas; H. P., who is engaged in merchandising at Lexington; D. C., an agriculturist of Troy township; Mrs. Jennie D. Shauck, of Mansfield, Ohio; Mrs. Ink; G. P., a medical practitioner, of Sandusky, Ohio; and James A., Sarah D., Joseph, Margaret and Anna, all of whom are deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ink have been born seven children, namely: Ethel G., born January 3, 1880, who is the wife of H. H. Born, of Mansfield, Ohio; Walter D., born March 6, 1883, who married Miss Ada Finney and resides in Mansfield, Ohio; Charles Kyle, whose birth occurred January 16, 1885; George K., born February 8, 1889; Ira M., whose natal day was April 1, 1893; Vivian D., born May 1, 1899; and Thelma L., whose birth occurred April 9, 1891.
Mr. Ink gives his political allegiance to the democracy where national questions and issues are involved, but at local elections casts an independent ballot. Both he and his wife are members of the United Brethren church, and throughout the long period of their residence here have gained an extensive circle of warm friends, who esteem them highly for their many excellent traits of character.
WILLIAM H. ELSTON.
William H. Elston, who is engaged in the tailoring business, having thus been an active factor in the commercial circles of Bellville for many years, was born in Litchfield, England, August 11, 1829. His father, William Elston, was a native of Noblesville, England, and later resided in Birming- ham, where he followed shoemaking until after his wife's death. He married Ann Osborn, a native of Litchfield, England, who died in Birmingham, when about thirty-five years of age. She was a consistent member of the Congre- gational church and an earnest Christian woman. In 1836 the father came with his family to America, locating in Lowell, Massachussetts, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of shoes and also conducted a shoe store until 1854, when he came to Bellville, where he followed the same business until his death, which occurred in 1877. He was an active member of the Presbyterian
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church and for many years served as its chorister. He had three children, but Anna, the firstborn, died in infancy. Mary, who passed away four years ago at Shirley, Massachussetts, was a preacher and elder in the Shaker church at that place for sixty years.
William H. Elston, the other member of the family, went to live with an uncle in England at the time of his mother's death, but when ten years of age he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, joining his father in Lowell, Massachussetts. He made the voyage on the ship Concordia, which arrived in Boston in July, 1838. For a few months he resided with his father and then went to Providencetown, Massachussetts, where he lived with a mer- chant tailor, under whose direction he learned the trade, making his home there until his marriage, with the exception of the time spent on the sea. He made two voyages as ship keeper on whaling vessels and was afterward in the navy as seaman and commodore's cockswain for three years and ten months. His experience on the sea covered a period of about eleven years. When only eighteen years of age he was made the second mate and when on a trip to the West Indies the entire crew, with the exception of Mr. Elston and one seaman, died of yellow fever. Our subject then secured a crew of colored men and brought the ship safely back to Boston. He twice experienced ship- wreck on the coast near Boston.
At length he abandoned life on the ocean wave and accepted a position as cutter in a large tailoring establishment in Boston, where he remained until July, 1856, when he arrived at Bellville to visit his father. Being greatly pleased with the country and its prospects Mr. Elson determined to locate here and began working at the trade in the employ of a Mr. Moore. About a year later he entered into partnership with his employer, conducting a clothing store and merchant tailoring establishment. Two or three years later he pur- chased his partner's interest in the store and carried on the business for many years, having the leading establishment of the kind in the town until about twenty-two years ago, when he sold out. He has since carried on a tailoring business and his excellent workmanship and honorable business methods have secured him a liberal patronage and brought him a richly merited measure of prosperity.
On the 7th of April, 1852, Mr. Elston was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth I. Alexander, of Providencetown, Massachussetts. She died Novem- ber 28, 1898, respected by all who knew her and greatly beloved by her family and many friends. She left three children: Lizzie, the widow of Benton Garber, of Bellville; Nellie G., the wife of Dr. J. B. Lewis, of Bucy- rus, Ohio; and William Blake, a merchant tailor, of Peoria, Illinois.
Mr. Elston has always given his political allegiance to the republican party. He is now serving as noble grand of Bellville Lodge, No. 305, I. O. O. F., and was a member of the Encampment for fifty-two years. He was made a Mason at Mansfield in 1857 and belongs to Bellville Lodge, No. 376, F. & A. M., and since 1858 has been a member of Clinton Commandery, K. T., at Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church for fifty-two years and has served as recording steward for twenty- eight years, doing everything in his power to extend the growth and influence
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of the denomination. His career as a sailor was in many respects a most re- markable one and his business record, now covering more than a half cen- tury's connection with the tailoring industry at Bellville, is one of which he has every reason to be proud. Although he has passed the psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten, he is still to some extent an active factor in business and enjoys the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated throughout his long and eventful career.
ROBERT GRIBBEN.
A well developed and highly improved farm of one hundred and sixty- seven acres, situated on section 12, Plymouth township, is the property of Robert Gribben, which is known as the old Gribben homestead. He was born in Plymouth, Richland county, September 24, 1833, a son of Isaac and Mary (Ralston) Gribben, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Chester county, in 1796, while the latter was born in Wash- ington county in 1802. Mrs. Gribben was a daughter of Robert Ralston, who served in the war of 1812 and came to Richland county in 1815. He and his wife lived to be over eighty-six years of age. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, and with the exception of three, all lived to be over eighty-four, while the three were over seventy-three years of age at the time of their deaths.
Isaac Gribben, the father of our subject, came to Richland county from the Keystone state in 1823, and became a resident of Plymouth township in 1829, settling in 1834 on the farm which is now the home of our subject. It was at that time all wild and unimproved, but he at once set to work to clear the land, and in due course of time placed it under a high state of culti- vation. His entire life was devoted to farm work. Both the parents are now deceased, the father having passed away on this farm in 1880, while the mother survived for about eight years, her death occurring in 1888. Their family numbered four children, two sons and two daughters, namely: John, who died at the age of two years; Almira Jane, who died in 1875; Mary, who died when young; and Robert, of this review.
Robert Gribben, the second youngest and only surviving member of his father's family, was but one year of age at the time of the parents' removal to his present farm. He was early trained to the duties of farm labor, assisting his father in the development and improvement of the home place, and in the cultivation of crops throughout the period of his boyhood and youth. During the winter seasons, when not busy on the home farm, he pur- sued his studies in the district schools near his father's home. He is now the owner of this valuable property of one hundred and sixty-seven acres, located on section 12, Plymouth township, which is improved with good buildings. Everything about the place has a neat and thrifty appearance. Mr. Gribben is engaged in general farming and his labors are attended with excellent success.
MR. AND MRS. ISAAC GRIBBEN.
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MR. AND MRS. ROBERT GRIBBEN
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In 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Martha E. Shutt, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Susan (Bell) Shutt. The father was born in Maryland, while the mother claimed Pennsylvania as the place of her birth. They were married in the former state, after which they made their way to Holmes county, Ohio, the year 1833 witnessing their arrival there. There the father engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1865. The family removed to Richland county in the fall of 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Shutt had five sons and six daughters, of whom nine reached years of maturity.
Mr. Gribben's study of the political questions and issues of the day has led him to give stalwart support to the democratic party. He has never been active as an office seeker, however, preferring to give his time and attention to his private business affairs. He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside, where his wife and intimate friends know him to be a delightful companion. He has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone of life's journey, his entire life having been passed in Richland county, so that few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals.
WILLIAM L. LEONARD.
William L. Leonard, occupying an enviable position in business circles in Mansfield, was born at Mason, Warren county, Ohio, April 16, 1854. The family is descended from old colonial New England stock. John Leon- ard emigrated from Addison county, Vermont, to Warren county, Ohio, in the last years of the eighteenth century and purchased land of the gov- ernment. His sons were Lucas, Joshua and John, and the first named was the grandfather of William L. Leonard of this review and the father of Francis and William Leonard, late of Warren county, Ohio. Lucas Leonard was united in marriage to Maria Mason, a daughter of Major William Mason, the founder of the village which bears his name. He is mentioned promi- nently in Howe's History of Ohio.
Francis Leonard, father of William L. Leonard, was a substantial farmer and a man of great energy and force of character. He died in 1865. His sons are: W. L. Leonard, of Mansfield; Dr. W. W. Leonard, of Akron, Ohio; and Commander J. C. Leonard, of the United States navy. Another son, Charles, died in early manhood.
William L. Leonard was educated in the schools of his native county and when still quite young went to Cincinnati to complete his education in a business college. On the 1st of January, 1876, he arrived in Mansfield and has since been one of the best known residents of the city. He was first connected with the passenger business of the Erie Railroad, and later he became a partner in the firm of Mills & Ellsworth, shaft manufacturers. When this enterprise had grown to large proportions, a stock company was formed, and for two years Mr. Leonard filled the office of its president. He
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is still a director and a large stockholder in this prosperous company, which has become one of the important productive industries of the city.
In addition to Mr. Leonard's present interests in manufacturing, he is also engaged in the real-estate business, being the senior member of the well- known real-estate firm of Leonard & Bowers. Personally he owns considerable real estate in Mansfield and during his long residence in this city has always been an alive, energetic and up-to-date business man. While promoting individual affairs he has never been neglectful of his duties of citizenship and has cooperated in many movements for the general good. While he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, nor has he desired positions of political preferment, he was nevertheless elected to serve for two terms in the city council and has always been a champion of those meas- ures and movements which are a matter of civic virtue and civic pride.
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