History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 114

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 114

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).

SNAPP, PETER, was born in Virginia March 12, 1808, in Shenandoah Co., where he resided until the year 1836, when he removed to this county and town- ship, where he has since resided, and has paid his at- tention to farming, principally ; he followed shoemak- ing for the first few years after his location here, but soon purchased a farm; he has owned two or three good farms in the township, aside from the one he now owns. Mr. Snapp has held offices of trust, from time to time, in his county and township ; the last office he held was County Commissioner ; he served two terms, being six years; his last term expired in the fall of 1879, which record shows for itself how he was held in the estima- tion of the citizens of this county at large. April

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22, 1831, he was married to Miss F. A. Sonanstine ; they have raised a family of ten children, nine of whom are still living-Margaret Jane, Mary A., Cath- erine, George W., Ellen M .. Emma C., John L., Frank- lin P. and William A .; the one that died was the oldest child, named Joseph F., who went to California in 1852, leaving here the 19th day of March ; resided there until his death, March 21, 1877. Mr. Snapp is con- sidered amongst the old settlers of his county, and himself, together with his brothers, can recall the many privations and hardships they had to contend with that the present and future generations will never have to cope with. One son, John L., is home on a visit from his home in Nevada, where himself and brother, Frank P., own a large tract of land and carry on the stock and mining business.

SNELL, FRANK, was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1849, where he resided with his parents until the age of 18 years, when he removed to Wadsworth, Medina Co., where he remained about four years ; from there! he went to Berea, Cuyahoga Co., where he remained about two years, when he came to this place, where he has since resided. While at the age of 18 years, he learned the trade of carriage-paint- ing, which has since been his occupation, he now having charge of the painting department in his father-in-law's (Mr. Sanker) carriage factory. In the year 1876, Sept. 7, he was married to Miss Jennette C. Sanker. They have one child, a daughter, named Blanche, 3 years old. By fair dealing and strict attention to business, he has built up for himself a good trade.

STARR, ELIZABETH, MRS., was one of the pioneer settlers of Blooming Grove Township; she was born Sept. 12, 1787, in Huntington Co., Penn., and lived there ten years, and removed to Beaver Falls in the fall of 1797, arriving at the falls Nov. 4, 1797. Mar- ried Aug. 23, 1810, lived there until 1818, removed to Richland Co., in 1818, leaving the falls May 1, and arrived at her home in the wilderness of Blooming Grove on May 12, where she has lived until now, March 4, 1880. Her grandfather Colwell, on her mother's side, came from Ireland; her grandmother Colwell was American-born, born in Chester Co., Penn. ; her maiden name was Elizabeth McClain. Her grand- father, John Mitchell, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland; his father's name was George; grandfather Mitchell and grandmother Mary Camble, were both born and married in County Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated to America, and settled near Chambersburg, Penn. Her father and mother, Robert Mitchell and Anne Col- well, before marriage, were forted from Indians, near Huntington, Penn., on one Litel's farm, part of each year of the seven years of the war of independence, and were married in 1783. Her brother, David Col- well, was a soldier under Washington; was in the battle of Brandywine, helped take the Hessians at Trenton. She has always been on the frontier, never had the advantage of an education, not so much as to read and write, and gave these sketches from memory. She has lived under the administration of every Presi- dent from Washington down.

STARR, MITCHEL, M. D., Shanandoah, was born in Butler Township, Richland Co., Oct. 27, 1820, and has since resided in the county. Studied medicine

in 1847, with Dr. Allen, of Rome, and began practicing in 1851, and by close attention to business has secured a large practice. During the late war the Doctor en- tered the service as Assistant Surgeon of the 174th O. V. I., continuing with the regiment until the close of the war, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession and the management of his two farms. He is the fifth child of Robert and Eliza- beth Starr, old settlers of the county. In 1852, he was married to Mary M. Cummings; their children are Grattan F., Wilson S., and Judson C. His parents came to the county in 1817, and located the farm upon which his mother (who is still living, at the age of 92) yet resides. The old lady has been blind for fifteen years, but retains her mental faculties in a remarkable degree ; her birthday is Sept. 12. The Doctor is not a politician, but has voted .the Prohibition and Republi- can tickets. When Gov. Tod called out the " Squirrel Hunters," Dr. Starr responded, and marched to the de- fense of Cincinnati, which was then threatened by Gen. Kirby Smith. He relates that while on this expedition, one of his comrades went on a foraging expedition and secured some sweet potatoes, but was followed by the owner of the potatoes, who threatened to shoot the forager ; whereupon the man with the gun was ar- rested, and while surrounded by the soldiers, one Flanders, who probably had previous acquaintance with him, accused him of being a rebel ; whereupon he was made to hold up both hands and swear to support the Constitution of the United States, of the State of Ohio, work in the trenches for the Government, and take postage stamps in exchange for sweet potatoes. The Doctor enjoys talking of old times, and says the cradle in which he was rocked was a sugar trough. They ground their corn in a horse-mill, the nearest being located at Olivesburg. The bed occupied by his mother when her fourth child was born was constructed of four forked sticks driven in the ground for bedposts, upon which sticks and straw was laid.

STARR, GRATTAN F., was born in Weller Town- ship, this county, March 19, 1853; he has resided in this township since 1857. He was married, Dec. 18, 1873, to Annie Funk ; they have three children, two of whom are still living; Judson died at the age of 6 months. Mr. Starr is the first child of Dr. Mitchell Starr, of whom mention is made elsewhere. He has always paid his attention to farming. Mrs. Starr was born in Franklin Co., Penn., where she resided until the age of 6 years, when her parents came to this county, where she has since lived.

STARR, WILSON S., was born in Olivesburg, this county, Oct. 21, 1855, and has always lived in the county ; his grandmother and his father are among the oldest surviving settlers of the county. Mr. Starr has been principally salesman in a store, situated at Shen- andoah, although he has farmed some. At present, he is engaged in the manufacture of tile, in partner- ship with Nathan Whisler. They have the facilities to manufacture all sizes, and expect to keep constantly on hand the best tile made, and to sell at prices to suit the times. He was married, Aug. 31, 1877, to Emma F. Runyon ; they have one child-Lottie.

STARR & WIIISLER, tile manufacturers, Shenan- doah ; keep constantly on hand the best tile manufact-

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BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

ured of all sizes, and with prices to suit the times. They have the best facilities for making tile, and there is no better clay in the State than they use for the pur- pose. They warrant their work, and respectfully solicit their share of public patronage.

STEWART, FRANCIS W., was born in Sandusky City, Erie Co., Aug. 30, 1840. At the age of 13 months, he was sent to his grandmother's (Mrs. Susan Jenks) in Huron Co., to live, his mother having died when he was only 9 days old; he lived with his grandmother until the age of 7 years ; his father having married again, he went to live with him in Cleveland ; lived there two years, then went to live with Lewis Harring- ton, his uncle, in Greenfield Township, Huron Co .; he lived with him twelve years at that place, when his uncle moved to Fairfield Township, and stayed there six years ; then went to Michigan ; remained there five years, then returned to Huron County, where they stayed two years, and from there he came to this town- ship and has since resided here. He was married, Jan. 26, 1873, to Phobe Mann, who was born in Huron Co., April 12, 1839 ; she lived in Huron Co. thirty-eight years, the balance in this township; they have one child-Elleva. Mr. Stewart has generally farmed dur- ing life, which business he still carries on, on the farm he now owns.

STONER, GEORGE, was born in this county and township July 27, 1832, and has remained here and has always paid his attention to farming ; he is the fifth son of IIenry and Catherine Stoner, who are both dead. He was married to Miss Mary Jane Madden March 8, 1855, the day Buchanan took his seat in the Presiden- tial chair; they have two children-Susanah C. and Emma Jane, who are still living, the oldest being married and now resides in Michigan with her husband, Adam Fike.

STURTS, HENRY, was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Oct. 3, 1823, where he resided until the age of 13 years, when his parents removed to Lancaster Co., where they remained a few years, when they removed to Knox Co., where they stayed about two years; thence Mr. Sturts removed to this county, and located in this township, where he has, the most of the time, resided, during which time he has paid his attention to farm- ing. About the year 1855, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Robewalt; they have two children-John G. and Harriett C. The latter is married to Mr. Joseph Delancy, of Cass Township.

ST. JOHNS, GILES, was born in this county on the 14th of March, 1839, where he has since resided, and has always paid his attention to farming ; he has resided in this township fifteen years. In the year 1864, on the 31st of October, he was married to Miss Sarah Bricker; they have a family of three children, Sarah A., Eva R. and Cora May.

TERMAN, IIIRAM, was born in this county on the 8th of May, 1842; he has always resided here, with the exception of three years and two months, which time he served in the late war ; he enlisted in Decem- ber, 1861, on the 26th day, and was mustered out on the 4th of January, 1864; he was a member of Co. F, 82d O. V. I .; he participated in all the battles the reg- iment was called upon to engage in, until the battle of Gettysburg, on the Ist of July, when he was taken

prisoner, and remained as such for a period of over seventeen months; was first taken to Belle Island ; thence to Andersonville ; from there to Savannah, and thence to Uealon Junction, from where he was paroled. Mr. Terman is a farmer by occupation, and has always followed that. In the year 1868, he was married to Miss Nancy J. Boals; they have two chil- dren-Walter B. and Harry W.

THOMAS, JOSEPH R., was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., on the 5th of June, 1824; he resided there until the age of 14 years ; from there he removed to Dauphin Co., where he resided until the year 1851, when he removed to this county, where he has since resided. Mr. Thomas is, by profession, a shoemaker, and is considered by all who claim to be judges to be proficient at the business ; he now carries on the busi- ness at Ganges ; he manufactures all kinds of boots and shoes, warrants his work and sells at prices to suit the times. In the year 1854, on the 28th of January, he was married to Miss Catharine Cullter ; they have a family of four children, two of whom are still living- Annie and Joseph C .; Jacob died in 1855, aged 8 months; William S. died in 1871, aged 6 years ; he met his death, nearly in front of his father's residence, by a horse running over him while the little fellow was trying to get his hat, which the wind had taken from his head ; Willie was a remarkably smart boy of his age, and was beloved and lamented by all. Mr. Thomas has been married twice ; by his first wife he had two children. In the late war, Mr. Thomas was a member of Co. F, 82d O. V. I .; he was enrolled in the month of September, 1862, and discharged in June, 1865 ; he participated in all the numerous battles the regiment was called upon to engage in.

THOMAS, JACOB, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 6, 1804, where he lived until the age of 30 years, when he removed to this county, where he has since resided. He has followed fence-making and manufacturing rakes, which vocations he still follows ; he claims his rakes meet with a more ready sale than any produced in the county. His son Franklin James, who resides at home, is a young man who says he is bound to be a scholar.

THOMPSON, JOHN, is the third child of Thomas and Mary Thompson, who settled in this township over fifty years ago ; Mr. Thompson was born on the ad- joining farm he now owns, Dec. 23, 1828, which place has been his home ever since, with the exception of three years he spent in Wood Co. He was twice married ; first to Susan Miller, who bore him one child, named Thomas ; he was married to his second wife May 19, 1874; her name was Anna Marvin ; she was born in England, and came to this country when 15 years of age, she was born Feb. 16, 1840. Mr. Thompson is a carpenter by trade, but he has generally followed farming as his business, only working at his trade from time to time, as occasion demands.

TOMLINSON, WILLIAM H., was born in this town- ship .June 11, 1839, where he has since resided ; he is the eldest child of Joseph and Mary Tomlinson ; his father came to this township about fifty years ago; his mother was born in the township, near Rome. Mr. T.'s step-grandfather, William Young, resides in La Fayette, Butler Township, and says he is 100 years old ; he has

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

often seen Gen. Washington; he first voted for Thomss Jefferson, third President ; he says he saw Hamilton and Burr fight the duel July 11, 1804, and attended Hamilton's funeral, who died from wounds received in the duel. Mr. Tomlinson was married, Feb. 12, 1863, to Irene M. Turbett, who was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., June 18, 1845, where she resided until the age of 10 years, when her parents removed to this State and located in Crawford Co., about two miles from the county seat, where she resided five years, when her parents removed to this county, where she has since resided ; they have two children, one of whom is still living-Norris J .; the other one died in infancy. Mr. Tomlinson has never paid much attention to political matters, although he now represents this township as Trustee. He has followed different vocations ; at pres- ent he is general real-estate and collecting agent, aside from having the management of his farm.

TRESH, ADAM, was born in Germany Oct. 10, 1841 ; when at the age of 13 years, his parents removed to this county, and located at Newburg, where he resided until 1870, when our subject came to this county, where he worked getting out staves, dividing his time between this and Huron Co. for three years, when he bought the farm he now owns, and has since occupied it seven years. He was married, March 17, 1870, to Phobe A. Kinsell, who was born in Greenwich Town- ship, Huron Co., Aug. 21, 1849; they have two children -Charles A. and Margaret J. Mr. Tresh is a cooper by trade, but since he bought this farm, he has given his attention exclusively to farming.

VALENTINE, ANDREW, was born in Bedford Co., Penn., April 12, 1830, where he resided until the age of 7 years, when his parents came to this State, Co- shocton Co., where he remained four years, when he came to this county and township, where he has re- sided the most of his time; his vocation has been that of farming. In 1874, Nov. 5, Mr. Valentine was mar- ried to Miss Susan Amanda McCormick ; they have two children, one of whom died Sept. 26, 1878, the other a little boy, named Henry M., is still liv- ing; the little girl, Rebecca Ann, died at the age of 3 years and 19 days. Mr. Valentine entered the serv- ice in the late war Oct. 1, 1862, was a member of Co. F, 20th O. V. I., was discharged July, 1863 ; his time had expired, but during service he was seriously af- flicted with the fever, besides he received a severe wound in the right leg, just below the knee, while per- forming his duty, and carried the bullet for over eigh- teen months after his discharge ; after he received the wound, Mr. Valentine tells that he escaped to an old cedar-tree, where he remained for four days, being un- able to move, and that the snow was ten inches deep a good part of the time; during the short time Mr. Valentine served, he met with a great many hard- ships, and was called upon to perform many acts ; at one time while the Confederate Gen. Morgan made his famous raid into Ohio, he was called upon while at Camp Denison, together with what troops were there, to go after him, and as there were but few officers in charge, although he was suffering from the wound, he did not flinch when duty called, he officiating as Cap- tain ; when in sight of the enemy, they not show- ing much fight, he took a select body of men and forced

a surrender of fifteen men, only losing one man killed ; he took his men back and reported to headquarters ; owing to his disability they would not allow him to go out again for a few days, soon after he was called upon by the officers in charge to go into Morgan's camp as a spy ; he went right through Gen. Morgan's camp, had a talk with the General and his brother, as with many others ; by the information he obtained, Morgan and his men were soon put to flight ; soon after that Gen. Morgan was killed, and our subject soon came home.

VALENTINE, JACOB, was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1804; he resided there until 1839, when he removed to Coshocton Co., where he remained four years, when he removed to this township, where he has since resided ; he has always paid his attention to farming. In the year 1825, on the 12th of May, he was married to Miss Rebecca De Vore ; they reared a family of nine children, six of whom are still living, and named Andrew, Philip, Henry T., William A., Julia, Ann and Catherine; Charity died the 26th of March, 1863 ; Martha E. died on the 29th of April, 1873, and one child died in infancy. Mr. Valentine also lost his wife on the 5th of December, 1875, who died at the ripe age of 67 years 5 months and 14 days ; she was a devoted wife and mother; was beloved by all who knew her. His son, Henry, who now carries on the farm, was born in Cos- hocton Co., this State, on the 14th of April, 1840, and re- moved here with his parents when 2 years of age. He, with his father, are considered amongst the surviving pioneers of the county, and can recall many hardships and privations. They, together with others, had to con- tend with that the present as well as the future gener- ations will never know.

VANHORN, WILLIAM, was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Aug. 17, 1808; lived there until 5 years of age, when his parents removed to Washington Co., same State, where they lived about four years, when they went back to Beaver Co., and stayed there a few years, when they removed to this State, and settled in Columbiana Co .; they resided there a few years, when they came to this county, where Mr. Vanhorn has since resided. Mr. Vanhorn is a carpenter by trade, which business he followed until about the year 1859, since which time he has been in the mercantile busi- ness. In the year 1840, he was married to Miss Mary Frounfeeter; two children were born to them, named Gustavus A. and Mary IIellen ; both are married. Of late years, Mr. Vanhorn's health has been somewhat impaired.

VANHORN, BARNARD, was born in Columbiana Co., this State, on the 10th of June, 1817; he resided there until the age of 19, when he removed to this county and has lived in this township for a period of thirty- seven years, where he has principally been carrying on the coopering business. In April, 1843, he was married to Miss Sophia Clinesmith ; they have a family of ten children, nine of whom are still living-Elizabeth, Ann, William F., Mary A., Almira, Andrew, George, Franklin, Charles and Susanah; the one deceased is Eli, who died at the age of 5 years. Mr. Vanhorn can recall many privations and hardships that himself with many others had to contend with incident to pioneer life.

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BLOOMING GROVE TOWNSHIP.

WALKER, JOSEPH, was born in this township and on the farm he now owns Sept. 30, 1824. He has al- ways lived in the township. He was married, Sept. 28, 1852, to Liza M. Warner, who was born in New York May 1, 1831 ; she has lived in this county since she was married ; they have two children, one of whom is living-Mary J .; she is married to William D. Norton ; Albert died at the age of 16. Mr. Walker has always farmed and still follows that as his vocation. His father was born in Ireland, and came to this country about the year 1812, and located in Harrison Co., where he stayed a few years, then came to this county and resided here until his death, which occurred in 1845 or 1846.

WALTON, GEORGE, was born in England, six miles from Seige, April 6, 1820; he resided there until the age of 20 years, when he came to the United States and located near Painesville, where he remained and worked at his trade four years ; then he removed to Mt. Ver- non ; stayed there one year ; from there he removed to this county, where he has since resided, with the ex- ception of three years he was in Ashland Co. Mr. Walton by trade is a cloth manufacturer ; he served his apprenticeship in England seven years ; he worked at his trade in this State seventeen years, but of late years he has been farming, now owning the farm he occupies. He was married, Jan. 7, 1856, to Margaret Haman, who was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 11, 1833; they have three children-Anna Mary, Alice M. and Rosa May.

WEAVER, GEORGE (deceased). Maj. Weaver was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., April 8, 1801. He was married to Christina Shafer Dec. 4, 1823 ; he came to this county in 1839, remaining till 1860, when he removed to Hardin Co., where he died Jan. 22, 1872. Through all his life he was a military man-first in the Mexican war, and last in the rebellion ; he removed to Hardin Co. at the beginning of the war, where he raised a company, and was in Columbus by the 19th of April, 1861 ; he was commissioned Major of the 4th O. V. I., in which were a few Richland soldiers ; he con- tinued to serve with the regiment until 1863, when he was compelled to resign, owing to his advanced age and impaired health. While a resident of this county, he held many offices of trust, and was much respected by all. He lost one eye in the Mexican war, and a few years before his death the remaining one ; this very much depressed him, as it deprived him of his accus- tomed activity, and caused him to pass his declining days in comparative quiet.

WEAVER, SHANNON, was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 1, 1838 ; when 1} years old, his parents removed to this township, where he has since re- sided ; he lives on the farm his father first located ; his father died March 16, 1873, aged 73 years 9 months and 26 days ; his mother died about five years previous to his father's death. He was married, Feb. 22, 1865, to Elizabeth Huston, who was born in Franklin Town- ship, May 2, 1842; they have one child, James Wilson. Mr. Weaver has followed farming from boyhood, and has, by industry and strict attention to business, made for himself and family a good home.

WELLING, GEORGE, was born in Harrison Co. Nov. 25, 1843, where he resided until the year 1868,

when he removed to this county, where he has since resided. He enlisted in the late war as a member of Co. L, 13th O. V. I., in the three-months service; was also a member of Co. G, 74th O. V. I., then re-enlisted in the 4th U. S. Cav., where he served three years, making a period of four years ; he participated in all the numerous battles the regiment was engaged in; the following are some of the principal battles : Stone River, Middleton, Snow Hill, Franklin, Shelbyville, Chickamauga, Okalona, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Noonday Creek, Lovejoy's, Jonesboro, Rome; Nashville, Tenn., 16th and 17th of December, 1864 ; Selma, Ala., April 2, 1865, where he was wounded ; Columbus, Ga., April 15, 1865. He was married, Oct. 23, 1868, to Margaret Ann Cleland ; they have had five children, three are living-Leanorea, Ada and Lulu ; one died in infancy ; one named Grizela J., died Feb. 9, 1870, aged 15 days. Mr. Welling has always farmed from boy- hood, and still carries on that business.

WHISLER, ISRAEL, was born in Franklin Town- ship ; he has resided in the county, with the exception of about three and one-half years, which time he spent in different States in the West. He was married Nov. 14, 1869, to Silvina Kendall, who was born in this county Oct. 29, 1852, and has always lived in the county ; they have a family of five children-Richard, John, Mary, Jacob H. and Francis. Mr. Whisler has been a farmer from boyhood, and intends to make that his business in the future.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968