USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. II > Part 7
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Jesse Kuhn, the younger brother of Giles Kuhn and a well-known rep- resentative of the farming interests of Plymouth township, was born on the 27th of July, 1874, and has always resided upon the farm which is yet his home. He now has one hundred and six acres of land, which he purchased ten years ago, it being a part of the property once owned by his grand-
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father, Samuel Kuhn, who came to the county in pioneer times and cast in his lot with the early settlers, aiding in laying broad and deep the founda- tion for the present progress and development of the county. In his farm methods Jesse Kuhn has been practical and enterprising, and in 1898 he built a fine barn, while the other improvements and equipments upon his place are all substantial and modern. He devotes his time and attention to the raising of both grain and stock, and is meeting with good success in his undertakings.
It was in 1898 that Jesse Kuhn was married to Miss Maggie Urich, who was born in Franklin township, this county, and is a daughter of Alfred and Lydia (Light) Urich, who are now residents of Mansfield. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn have been born two daughters, Wanda and Luella. Mr. Kuhn is an independent voter. He belongs to the Mount Pleasant church of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, is a trustee in the church and takes a most active and helpful part in its work. He represents one of the old fami- lies of the county, and his worth is widely acknowledged by those who have been brought into contact with him through business or other relations.
JOHN H. LEITER.
Earnest, persistent effort, continued through many years, should always win a measure of success that will enable one in later years to enjoy rest from further business activity. This has been vouchsafed John H. Leiter, who for many years was closely associated with agricultural interests in Richland county, but is now living retired at No. 144 Park avenue, east, in Mansfield. He was born on the 6th of June in the year 1844, a son of David Leiter, a cousin of Joseph Leiter, of wheat fame.
The father was a native of Maryland and in 1836 established his home in Richland county, carrying on farming in Ohio until his life's labors were ended in death in 1875. He was very successful and accumulated much valuable property, so that in his later years he was enabled to enjoy all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. His business methods, too, were most commendable, and in every relation he enjoyed the respect of those with whom he was associated. He was married in Maryland to Miss Mary Bell, a native of Pennsylvania, who, surviving him for about seven years, passed away in Richland county in 1882. They were the parents of twelve children, but only three are living: David B., G. W. and John H., all of whom have been connected with farming interests in Monroe township.
The last named was educated in the district schools. Day after day he trudged the way to the nearest schoolhouse and there mastered the branches of learning that constitute the public-school curriculum. Through the period of the long summer vacations he was trained in the work of the fields and the habits of industry and integrity which he thus formed have proven salient features in his successful life work. Up to the time of his retirement he continuously carried on farming in Monroe township with the exception of
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five years spent in Troy township. In all of his business affairs he displayed capable management and keen discernment and won a measure of success that enabled him in 1903 to put aside active business and remove to Mansfield to enjoy well earned ease. He still owns eighty acres of land in Monroe township, which is now being cultivated by his son.
In 1870 Mr. Leiter was married to Miss Jenafee Wintrode, who was born in Licking county, Ohio, and died in 1903. They were the parents of three children: Rolland W., who operates the home farm and who married Marguerite Dresler, by whom he has one daughter, Marzeta; Lillian, the wife of Charles H. Gorman, a telegraph operator on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Mansfield, by whom she has three children: Thora Madge, John D. and Mabel Lucille; and John H., Jr., who married Mamie Almsbaugh.
Mr. Leiter is a republican in his political views, but has neved aspired to office, preferring to concentrate his time and energies upon his business affairs, in which he has met with signal success. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Congregational church and they have in their possession a German Bible which was published in 1735 and has been handed down as an heir- loom in the Leiter family. Such, in brief, is the history of one of Richland county's native sons and a representative of one of its old families. The history of the county has been familiar to him through sixty-four years, and in a quiet but none the less effective way he has borne his full share in the work of public progress and improvement.
JOHN B. WILLIAMS.
John B. Williams was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, September 6, 1829. his parents being John and Mary (Coy) Williams. The father passed away in 1832, leaving two children, namely: John B., of this review, and Andrew. His widow married a second time, becoming the wife of John Shoemaker. They made their home in Wyandot county during the Civil war, but had already sold out and left the place when John B. Williams returned from the army, and he never heard of them afterward.
Losing his father when but three years of age, John B. Williams was "bound out" until his eighteenth year, after which he learned the chair- maker's trade and wood-turning. His term of indenture was ended when he was twenty-one, receiving during that time: Twenty dollars the first year; thirty dollars the second, and forty dollars the third. He subsequently fol- lowed his trade in Mansfield for a number of years. In 1851 he removed to East Liberty, Ohio, and in 1853 came to Lexington, where he engaged in wood-turning. After the war machinery replaced hand work to a great extent, and as his trade no longer proved remunerative, Mr. Williams became a painter, following that occupation for a time. In later years he was engaged in laying cement sidewalks, but for the past five years has lived retired, making his home in Lexington, though he spends the winter seasons with his daughter in Mansfield.
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On the 1st of July, 1861, Mr. Williams enlisted for service in the Civil war as a member of Company C, Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Mansfield. In his eagerness to enlist he concealed from the examining physi- cian the fact that he was blind in his right eye, and this defect was not dis- covered until he had been sent to Kentucky and was one day ordered out for target practice. As it would have been very dangerous for him to sight left- handed, he had to acknowledge his inability to partake in this practice. At the battle of Shiloh he was detailed to carry the wounded from the field, and the first man that he and his partner placed on the stretcher and began car- rying to the rear was shot dead. On their next march to the rear his partner was hit by a shot that broke his leg. Mr. Williams was subsequently detailed to the regimental hospital. At the battle of Stone River he acted as orderly to the colonel and was sent to the rear with the latter's horse and also two other horses of the colonel's staff. While riding up a slope the rebels spied him and began firing at him. Their first shot was wide of the mark, but the second one was somewhat nearer. By this time Mr. Williams had formed rather a poor opinion of their marksmanship and he continued on his way unconcernedly, even turning around to watch them. The next shot, how- ever, struck under the horse which he was riding, and this fact caused him at once to accelerate his movements in order to get beyond range of the enemy. He was honorably discharged from the army in September, 1864, having faithfully and loyally defended his country's interest to the best of his ability. in the darkest hour of her history.
Mr. Williams has been twice married. In Logan county, Ohio, on the 19th of November, 1852, he wedded Miss Jane Sharp, whose birth occurred in East Liberty, Logan county, Ohio, in 1837, her parents being Job H. and Ann E. (Wetherbee) Sharp. She passed away January 1, 1853, leaving one son, Warren A., who is now a resident of Oregon. On the 12th of November, 1856, Mr. Williams was again married, his second union being with Miss Elizabeth M. Davis, who was born April 16, 1835, on the lot on which our subject's home now stands. She was a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth (Courtney) Davis, the former born near Philadelphia in 1808, while the latter's birth occurred in 1810. In 1825 the father came to this county with his parents, who entered land from the government, cleared and improved it. On this place Reuben Davis successfully carried on his agricultural interests until the time of his demise, which occurred in Lexington in 1834. His wife, who was called to her final rest in 1879, also passed away in Lexington. Of their four children two still survive, namely: Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Jane Erb, of Alton, Ohio. Unto Mr. Williams and his second wife has been born one daughter, Miriam, the wife of Charles M. Lantz, grocery and pro- vision merchant of Mansfield, Ohio.
In his political views Mr. Williams is a socialist, and his fellow towns- men, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to various positions of public trust. He has served for twenty-three years as councilman, for nine years as school director, and has also been town marshal and constable, ever discharging his duties in prompt and capable manner. Fraternally he has been connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 123, at Lexington for
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twenty-nine years, and maintains pleasant relations with his old army com- rades through his membership in McLaughton Post, G. A. R., at Mansfield. His record as a soldier, as an official and as a business man has been so hon- orable that he has gained the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and he now receives the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey and whose reputation has ever remained untarnished.
JAMES M. FIRST.
James M. First, who is now living retired in Lucas, is noted among the veterans of the Civil war and is a citizen who in all life's relations has been found worthy of the trust and confidence entertained for him by his fellow- men. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1831. His father, Jerry First, was born in the Keystone state and was a farmer by occupation. He came to Knox county, Ohio, at an early date and after residing there for a time returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1832. In that year he again located in Knox county, Ohio, and there were still many evidences of frontier life, for civilization had not penetrated to any great extent into the western wilderness. Much of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated, the streams were unbridged and there was still comparatively little indication that the state was soon to be transformed into a most populous and progressive district.
Jerry First removed from Knox county to Richland county in 1846, settling near Mansfield, and after a few years he took up his abode in Lucas where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1878, his remains being interred in the Williams cemetery. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Ruth Critchfield, was born, reared and married in Pennsylvania, and when carried to her final rest, in 1856, her grave was made in Mount Zion cemetery. This worthy couple were the parents of four children : James M., of this review ; Caroline, who is living at Garrettsville, Ohio; Amos, deceased; and Elizabeth, whose home is in Kansas City, Missouri.
1
James M. First was less than a year old when his parents returned to Ohio and was a youth of fifteen when they came to Richland county. He acquired a common-school education which he completed in the schools of Lucas, and then learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in Lucas until the outbreak of the rebellion. Prompted by a spirit of patriotism he joined the army in 1862, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Vicks- burg, Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, and afterward returned to Young's Point, Mississippi, for the winter. While in winter quarters he aided in the construction of what was known as the Dutch Canal. It was never completed, and in fact was started more to keep a multitude of restless men busy than for practical purposes. After serving for eighteen months of his three years' term of enlistment Mr. First was honorably discharged on account of physical
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disability and returned home to recuperate, but not being satisfied to remain quietly at home while the Union was in danger he returned to service in the spring of 1864, and was commissioned second lieutenant of company H of the One Hundred and Sixty-Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged with that rank in December, 1864. It was not wise that he return to the army, for four years elapsed before he was able to do any manual labor on account of disability brought on by the exposure and hardships of war.
After recuperating sufficiently to enable him to work in any way Mr. First passed the civil service examination and became railway mail clerk, remaining in the government employ for eight years on the run from Sandusky to Newark and from Sandusky to Wheeling, West Virginia. Finally his health became so impaired that he was forced to give up strenuous labor altogether. He now owns a comfortable and well furnished home in Lucas and has accumulated a sum sufficient to enable him to live well upon his pension of thirty dollars per month and the income which he derives from other sources.
Mr. First was married in 1852 to Miss Sarah Vanscoy, of Richland county. They traveled life's journey together for more than a half century and were then separated by the death of the wife in 1904. Of their children, Elizabeth, the eldest, is deceased. The others are John, a mechanic living at Elkhart, Indiana; Alice, the wife of Frank Gard, a farmer near San Juan island, Washington; Harriet, the wife of Dr. Culler, a general medical practitioner of Lucas; Ellsworth, living in Lucas; Clara Barton, the wife of Harry Gates, a machinist of Dayton, Ohio; and Joseph H., who is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
Mr. First is a member of the Grand Army Post at Lucas and thus main- tains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. His political support is given to democracy and he has frequently been called to office. He was mayor of the village of Lucas for seven years; was also notary public for a number of years, and has been a member of the council at different times. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree. On the contrary he is as loyal to his duty as when he followed the Stars and Stripes on southern battlefields. His fellow townsmen know him as one who is ever loyal to a public trust or to a social obligation and he is most highly respected in the village where he now lives.
MRS. ESTHER ANN HUGHES.
Mrs. Esther Ann Hughes, owning property in Weller township, is the widow of W. G. Hughes, and was born in Hardin county, Ohio, in 1865. Her parents were John and Eliza (Ashton) Boals, both of whom are natives of this county and were well known here at an early date, while at the present time they are respected and worthy residents of Mansfield. Their family numbered the following children: Mary E., who is now living in Mansfield; Robert E., who resides in Hardin county, Ohio; Eliza, the wife of Alex Leap, whose home is in Hardin county; Mrs. Hughes; Joseph C. M.,
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who is located in Hardin county; David L., living in Mansfield; and three who have passed away.
Esther A. Hughes spent her girlhood days under the parental roof and was trained to the work of the household, while in the public schools she acquired her education. On December 14, 1887, she gave her hand in mar- riage to W. G. Hughes, who was born in this county July 7, 1865, and died October 8, 1902. They were the parents of two daughters and a son: Ethel E., a graduate of the Mansfield high school; Ralph A., who operates the home farm; and Mary J., at home. All three are still under the parental roof. Mrs. Hughes now owns forty-six acres of land and a fine residence which is built in modern style of architecture, and is most tastefully and attractively furnished. Moreover, the spirit of hospitality reigns supreme there and her friends are always sure of a cordial and warm-hearted wel- come. Mr. Hughes was republican in politics and served as township trustee. He took active interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the com- munity and gave his cooperation to many movements for the public good. When his life's labors were ended in death, in 1902, many friends sincerely mourned his loss, while his family were deprived of a loving husband and devoted father. Mrs. Hughes is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Her children are all with her. Mrs. Hughes is a woman of splendid busi- ness traits; for some years she followed threshing and also engaged in running a sawmill for a number of years as a means of livelihood, and today is displaying good business ability in the care of her property interests. She is a lady of many admirable qualities.
WILLIAM A. SHAW.
William A. Shaw, who for many years was identified with agricultural pursuits but is now living retired from farm work, is still financially interested in various corporations and has voice in their management as a member of the directorate. He was born in Hinckley, Medina county, Ohio, on the 5th of July, 1840, his parents being Jacob and Rowena (Damon) Shaw, both of whom were natives of Massachusetts, born near Boston. They were reared and married there and came to Ohio before the day of railroads, spending their lives largely in Medina county, although during their latter days they resided in Shelby. Their family numbered ten children, of whom four are now living, while two died in infancy, and four others have since passed away.
William A. Shaw, the youngest of the family, resided on the home farm with his parents until after he had attained his majority and acquired a district-school education. His father was a gunsmith and watchmaker and of a very ingenious turn of mind, and William A. Shaw learned to do much work along mechanical lines. With the equipment received under his father's direction he went to Medina county, Ohio, where he entered the employ of A. I. Root, then a jewelry manufacturer of that place. For a year he occupied that position, on the expiration of which period he became a partner in the
W. C. Shaw.
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manufacture and retailing of jewelry, but took charge of the manufacturing department under the firm style of A. I. Root & Company. This association was maintained for about six years and Mr. Shaw then came to Shelby, where he arrived on the 12th of December, 1868. Here he established a jewelry store and not only engaged in the sale of jewelry but also manufactured it to some extent for a number of years. He conducted the store for about twenty- six years, thus long figuring as one of the leading, prominent and successful merchants of the city. He then bought a farm of eighty acres east of the town and made his home thereon for fourteen years, after which he disposed of the property and returned to Shelby, where he has since practically lived retired. He has been identified with various business interests for a long period. He has been a director of the First National Bank for about twenty years, was one of the organizers of the Shelby Plate Glass Insurance Company. of which he is director and treasurer, and is likewise a director of the Shelby Land & Improvement Company, also serving as its treasurer. His investments have been judiciously placed and are bringing to him a substantial financial return.
In 1866 occurred the marriage of Mr. Shaw and Miss Eleanor F. Oakley, a native of Glens Falls, New York. Their children are: J. Anna, at home : William D., of Shelby; and Jacob Elmer, also of this place. Following the death of his first wife Mr. Shaw married Mrs. Anna L. Ott Rogers. They are well known here and have an extensive circle of friends. Mr. Shaw has been very prominent in community interests, has served as a member of the board of education for three terms, has been a member of the board of public service and the board of public health for a number of years, and was also one of the first members of the volunteer fire department. His political allegiance is given to the democracy. In his fraternal relations he is a Mason, belonging to Mans- field Commandery and to the consistory of Cincinnati and to the Mystic Shrine of Cleveland. He is likewise connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Shelby and is popular in these different societies. He is modest and unassuming and indisposed to attract attention either to his success in business or his efforts in behalf of the public welfare. He is an example of the boys who educate themselves and secure their own start in life-deter- mined, self-reliant boys, willing to work for the advantages which others secure through inheritance, destined by sheer force of character to succeed in the face of all opposition, and to push to the front in one important branch of enterprise or another.
ANDREW JACKSON ROGERS.
Among the old families of Richland county whose members have been long numbered among the prominent and respected citizens here is the Rogers family, of which the subject of this review is a representative. He was born on Southwest square, in Shelby, Ohio, at the family home, which then stood on the present site of the high-school park. It was there that his grandfather built his first house. The natal day of A. J. Rogers was May 1, 1844.
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His grandfather, Almanzar Rogers, was born in Luzerne county, Penn- sylvania, July 23, 1794, and died July 2, 1877. He was a carpenter by trade and also inspector of shingles and lumber at Pinchersville, Pennsylvania. He filled the position as postmaster. That town was named from the fact that Mr. Rogers pulled the end of shingles out with pinchers. He was also a farmer and local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church and in fact was closely associated with the community in many lines of interest and activity. He had one hundred and sixty acres of land, but later sold sixty-seven acres. Upon the farm he continued to reside until his death and was a prominent and influential resident of the community. His neighbors were numbered among the pilgrims of Connecticut who came to the new world from England. His mother, Mrs. Rhoda Drake Rogers, was a descendant of the family to which Admiral Drake belonged and she came to Ohio with her son, Almanzar Rogers, being at that time a widow. His family numbered eight daughters and three sons. The eldest of the family was Jehiel Rogers, who was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, December 28, 1817. In early life he went to Berrien county, Michigan, where he served a term of apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade with the man who built the first swing bridge in Chicago. Jehiel Rogers came to this county in 1840 and here joined his parents, who had arrived in 1839. He spent most of his life in this neighborhood, following the carpenter's trade, and later he became interested in a sash factory, where he lost his money. Subsequently he operated his farm and afterward removed to the farm upon which Andrew J. Rogers now resides. Here he died December 18, 1888. He had long been a respected and worthy resident of the com- munity and displayed in his life many good qualities. In early manhood he wedded Eliza Roberts, who was born November 2, 1815, in Brook county, Virginia, and in April, 1829, when thirteen years of age, was brought to Richland county by her parents, Richard and Ann Roberts, who spent their remaining days upon a farm adjoining the property of A. J. Rogers. Richard Roberts came to Ohio to fight the Indians and while at Fort Recovery con- tracted rheumatism, which so crippled him that he was never able to walk straight afterward. His daughter, Mrs. Rogers, survived her husband for about four years and passed away July 2, 1892.
Andrew Jackson Rogers, their only child, was but two years of age when his parents removed from his birthplace to the place where W. R. Brooks now resides. They afterward lived for two years on a farm south of town on the Gamble road and Jehiel Rogers purchased forty acres of land from his father- in-law lying in Jackson township. This he cleared and made of it a good home, living there for sixteen or seventeen years. While spending his boy- hood and youth under the parental roof, A. J. Rogers pursued his education in the public schools and was a pupil in the high school of Shelby. Following the removal of the family to the village, he began serving an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in 1863. He was employed for one year in the shops of the B. & I. Railroad at Galion and afterward went to Newark, Ohio, where he worked for two years in the Newark machine shops. On the expiration of that period he came again to Shelby, where he entered the shoe business, being associated with his father in that undertaking for two years. He afterward
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