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 121

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 121

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CAIRNS, JOSEPH, farmer ; P. O. Spring Mills ; he was born in Mansfield in October, 1837. Some time after,

his father moved to Jackson, on the farm now oecu- pied by his three sons. The subject of this notice has remained on the farm ever since. Ile moved to where he now resides in 1864; he takes an active interest in the affairs of the county and township ; politically, he is a Democrat, and is an influential member of his party. He has held several offices in the township, and, by advice of his friends, he allowed his name to go before the people for a prominent office, but his father being desirous of receiving the nomination for the same office, he withdrew his name. He was married to Miss Sarah Kuhn, of Plymouth Township, May, 1862; they have had ten children, seven of whom are living.

CAIRNS, JOHN G., farmer ; P. O. Spring Mills ; he was born in Mansfield Jan. 27, 1840. Hle spent his youth on a farm. He enlisted in Co. E, 32d O. V. I., July 27, 1861, for three years. The regiment to which he belonged was with the Army of the Tennessee ; lie participated in all the battles with his regiment, and, while in the siege of Vicksburg, he was with a party of men who were in the trenches in front of the rebel bat- teries, where, by order, they were compelled to keep up a constant firing ; the guns becoming very dirty from constant use during the day, they would rebound at each discharge, and as they were so situated against the side of the ditch, they had no way by which they could protect themselves, but had to stand the rebound against their shoulders. He did the firing of two guns, while the other man did the loading. From this he re- ceived a very serious injury in his shoulder, from which he has never fully recovered. lle was discharged at Chattanooga in September, 1864. After his return home, he went to farming. He resided about six years in Madison Township. Ile is a Democrat, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the party. He has held the office of Assessor for two terms. He was mar- ried to Helen M. Livensparger March 14, 1865 ; they have had eight children, five of whom are living.

CLARK, CALVIN, farmer ; he was born in Washing- ton Co., Penn., Aug. 23, 1802; his parents emigrated from Pennsylvania, with their family of six children, in the spring of 1815, and settled two miles south of Mansfield, where they took up 160 acres of land ; they remained there about three years, and then sold out and moved three miles north of Mansfield, where they purchased 160 acres; they remained there some seven years, and then went to live with their son, Calvin. When Calvin was about 20 years of age, he left the farm, and he and one of his brothers went to brick- making ; he worked at that for some two years, and then took a lease of 30 acres of land which is now em- braced between First and Fourth streets, in the west- ern part of Mansfield, and is now covered with residences ; he leased this land in 1822 for the term of seven years, getting all he could raise on it during that time for clearing and fencing it ; he built a log house, which is yet standing ; it has since been weather- boarded and somewhat remodeled ; when he first came to Mansfield, there was not a frame building in the vil- lage; after leaving the lease, he moved into Sharon Township, about one mile south of where Shelby now stands, where he cleared considerable land ; he pur- chased where he now lives in 1829, and, two years later, moved on it, where he has since resided. His

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brothers and sisters are all dead, and he alone is left of a large family. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian ; he is most agreeable and courteous in manners, and his character is unimpeachable ; he enjoys the esteem and confidence of all who know him; he is a man of great mental strength for one who has been so active in the ardnous work of pioneer farming and clearing away the forest; he can recollect dates of a few years ago as well as those of his early years; he is passing the evening of his life on his favorite spot, where, forty- nine years ago, he settled. He was married to Miss Mary Fulton, of Richland, in October, 1824; they bad seven children, five girls and two sons ; his children are all married and living in Richland Co., except Mrs. Ritchie, who resides in Williams Co. His wife died in October, 1874.

CLARK, SAMUEL, farmer; he was born in Rich- land Co., Ohio, in October, 1825; he has spent his life upon a farm, and takes an active interest in his chosen vocation. He is a Presbyterian in religion, and a Republican in politics. Ile is a man of quiet de- meanor, and exerts an influence in the councils of party. He was married to Polly Jane King, of Rich- land Co .; they had a family of ten children, seven of whom are living. Ile enjoys the respect of his neigh- bors, and never intrudes his political opinion upon those who differ with him in that respect. Socially, he is like his father, Calvin Clark ; he has led a temperate life, and has been a hard worker. Shortly after he was married, he moved to where he now resides ; he has his farm under excellent cultivation.

COOPER, DANIEL, pioneer farmer and stock-raiser; was born in Sharon (now Jackson) Township Oct. 19, 1834; he remained with his father until he was 22 years of age, receiving his education in the district schools. Mr. Cooper married Miss Sarah Briner, who was born about 1828, in Perry Co., Penn., and, as a re- sult of their union, had thirteen children, eight of whom are living-Alvina, Henry, Mary, Franklin, Diana, Daniel, Jane and Burgetta. Mr. Cooper, with his family, moved to Williams Co., Ohio, about 1846, remaining there seven years, when they disposed of their farm and moved to Hillsdale Co., Mich., purchas- ing 240 acres of land ; remaining in Michigan nearly four years, he became discouraged with sickness, and again disposed of his land and returned to his native county, where he still remains, one of the stanch men of old Jackson Township, where he has been elected Township Treasurer for twelve or thirteen consecutive years.

COOPER, WILLIAM A., fruit-grower; was born in Richland Co., in December, 1835; his father, Jacob Cooper, was born in Connecticut, in 1793, and moved to Southern Ohio about 1815 ; he remained there until about 1820, when he came to Sharon, now Jackson Township, and located on the farm now owned by William Kerr. He was married to Miss Lydia Oakley ; they had nine children, six of whom are living. His wife, who was born in 1800, died in 1866; he died in 1876, aged 83 years. Mr. Cooper died where he first settled. His son, William A., the subject of this notice, remained at home until he was about 20 years of age ; he resided in Shelby about a year ; in the fall of 1863, he moved to where he now resides ; he gives his atten-

tion to fruit-growing. He was married to Miss Sarah Jane Swartz, July, 1859; they had seven children, five of whom are living; Mrs. Cooper died Feb. 16, 1877, aged about 35 years.

COOVER, ISAAC, farmer ; he was born in Cumber- land Co., Penn., Oct. 1828, and spent his youth on his father's farm ; he left his native State and came to Ohio in 1862, and lived near Ganges for some ten years ; he then moved to Jackson Township, where he has since been living ; he is a pleasant neighbor and an excellent farmer ; he has the respect of all with whom he deals, as he is a plain, straightforward man. He was married to Mary Dickson, of Cumberland Co., Penn., 1853.

CRUM, ELIZABETH, widow of Isaac Crum, was born in Richland Co., Ohio, February, 1824, in Mifflin Township ; her father, John Gates, emigrated to Ohio from New Jersey, about the year 1823, and settled in Richland Co., where he afterward lived ; he died in 1860. Isaac Crum was born in Franklin Township, in October, 1817, and spent his youth on his father's farm; in the fall of 1856, he was elected Clerk of the Court of Richland Co., and served three years; he was re- elected in 1859, and served a part of the second term, when he died of consumption, in March, 1861, in Mansfield, aged about 43 years. He was politically a Democrat. Isaac Crum and Elizabeth Gates were mar- ried in October, 1844; they had seven children, four of whom are living.

DRAKE, JOHN, farmer. He was born in Northum- berland Co., Penn., in June, 1806; his mother came to Ohio in 1825, and remained about one year in Stark Co., and then removed to Wayne Co., where she re- mained about five years ; she brought her family of four children with her-William, John, Elizabeth and Jane; two sons having died in Pennsylvania; Nathan- iel Drake, her husband, was born, lived and died in Pennsylvania; Mrs. Drake's maiden name was Nancy Hougland : she died in 1855, aged 67 years ; william and Elizabeth are dead. While the family were in Wayne Co., John and William contracted to clear and fence fifty acres of land, and split 5,000 rails for an eighty-acre tract in Jackson Township; this is the property now owned by the subject of this sketch, and on which he now resides. In 1831, he, with his mother, came to this county and began the improvement of his land. He had the common experience of most of people who came to the frontier settlements. He has succeeded in making for himself and family a pleasant home. He is of English extraction. His forefathers came to America at a very early date. It is known that the family in England were very wealthy and influen- tial, but on account of political troubles, some of them emigrated, and, unfortunately, the family history has not been handed down so as to keep up that connection which is necessary to establish a claim. There is a vast fortune in England for the Drake family, but at. present it cannot be definitely settled. The family date as far back as 1560. Mr. Drake is a man of positive opinions and character, and not easily moved from a position until he is convinced that he is in error. He is a member of the Reformed Church; in politics, he is strongly Democratic. He was married to Miss Susannah Henry March 29, 1838, and as the result

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of their union they have ten children, all living-Will- iam Drake, the oldest child, is married to Miss Sidney Flora, and resides near Montpelier, Williams Co .; the second child, Elizabeth, is married to James Wareham, and resides in Jackson Township: the third child, Sarah Jane, married Aaron Rambo, and resides in East Lynn, Vermilion Co., Ill .; the fourth child, Daniel, married Mary Jane Trist, and resides in Shelby, she was born in Sidney, Australia ; the fifth child, James, married Miss Eva Roushand, and resides near Bridge- water, Williams Co .; the sixth child, Jeremiah, mar- ried Miss Roust, of Jackson Township, and resides near Bridgewater, Williams Co .; the seventh child, Mary Ellen, married George H. Smith, and resides in New- ton Co., Ind .; Nancy H. married Jacob Rowe, and re- sides in De Kalb Co., near Butler, Ind .; Susannah is at home with her parents; Samuel, the tenth and last child, is also at home with his parents.

FINICLE, GEORGE, farmer; was born in Cumber- land Co., Penn., Aug. 4, 1818. When about 16 years of age, his father, Solomon Finicle, with his family of five children, came to Ohio, and settled in Sec. 24, northwest quarter, where he lived for a number of years ; he then moved to Shelby ; he returned to Jackson after remaining in Shelby for a few years. He died at his son George's. The subject of this notice left home about 1843, and moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he re- mained about one year, and then returned; he then purchased the farm and improved it, making all the present improvements. He was married to Miss Re- becca Marks March 10, 1842 ; they had eight children, six living : Mrs. Finicle died in July, 1856. He was again married, to Miss Minerva McIntire, Nov. 9, 1856; they had three children, two of whom are living. IIe is of Pennsylvania-German parentage, and is an ex- cellent farmer and respected citizen.

GUMP, JOSIAH, farmer and stock-raiser ; he was born in Bedford Co., Penn., Nov. 29, 1824. His father, Benjamin Gump, hearing of Ohio and of its fertile lands, resolved to leave his native hills and bring his family to the frontier settlements and hew out for him- self and family a home; he entered an 80-acre tract, and set to work to clear away the timber on which to build his new home; he hewed the logs, instead of leaving them round, as was customary in those early days ; he first built the center, and some years after added additions to each end; the west addition was occupied as carpenter and cabinet-maker shop for some years ; the main part of this building, now occupied by Josiah Gump, is perhaps one of the oldest in Jack- son Township, having been built fifty-three years; the trees which surround this building were planted by the elder Gump, and now they spread their branches far and wide; there is a large and beautiful pear-tree standing at the west end of the dwelling which the old gentleman raised from the seed, and of which he enjoyed the fruit for many seasons; during the last years of his life, he was much afflicted with rheumatism; he spent an active life, worked hard, and was "gathered home" in 1870, aged 83; his wife, whose maiden name was Esther Smith, died some time previous ; three chil- dren survive them-Josiah and two sisters. Josiah has spent his youth on the farm ; he is a plain, unassuming man, honest and industrious. He was married to Ma-

tilda Cline in 1849; they had seven children ; she died in 1864. He was again married, to Miss Eve Bushey, of Shelby, Dec. 25, 1866 ; they have two children.

HARTMAN, GEORGE. This pioneer was born in Adams Co., Penn., in August, 1801 ; he is of Pennsyl- vania-German parentage, and still retains their charac- teristics ; was bound out to learn the weaving trade at 16 years of age; worked at that for some years ; his parents died when he was young, and he was therefore thrown out upon the world early in life, which perhaps gave him much of that energy which he displayed in late years, as he has been one of the successful farmers. He emigrated to Ohio in 1828, and remained one year in Stark Co .; he then came to Richland Co., and en- tered an 80-acre tract of land in Sec. 27; built his first cabin about twenty rods west of his present house, in which he lived some eight or ten years, and then built the present dwelling; like most of the early set- tlers, he was poor, and was compelled to clear his land by his own industry ; he was more fortunate, however, than some of his neighbors who came some years after, as he brought a wagon with him, one of the first in the neighborhood ; was called upon frequently to loan his wagon to his less favored neighbors; he frequently would, when called upon, take his own team and go to market, not charging a cent for his services. Some years since, his son prevailed upon him to make his home with him, where he could be better taken care of; he remained several years, but the love of his old home still clung strongly to him, and he returned to his favorite spot which he first selected as his abode. He has a retentive memory, and has the full use of his mental faculties ; is pleasant in his manner, and has the esteem of the community. He was married to Miss Catharine Stallsmith, of Adams Co., Penn., March 1, -1827 ; they had one child.

HARTMAN, JOHN F., farmer ; P. O. Shelly ; he is the only child of George and Catharine Hartman ; he was born March 8, 1830, in Richland Co .; he spent his youth on the old homestead ; he is one of the successful and solid men of the township; he is an excellent farmer (his farm contains 434 acres) ; he is well in- formed upon the general topics of the day, and takes an interest in the affairs of the township and county, and is an influential citizen. Politically, he is a Democrat. He was married to Miss Louisa Kuhn in March, 1853; they have six children, three sons and three daughters ; after he was married, he lived for some years on the old home- stead ; he then moved to where he now resides, about 1860; he lived some years in the old house, and, in 1870, he built his beautiful and comfortable brick dwelling, which is perhaps the largest brick dwelling in the township.

HAYS, ESTHER C., MRS., widow of Almond Hays; she emigrated from Fairfield Co., Conn., in 1821 ; she and her husband came by wagon the entire distance ; they started on the 18th day of June, and arrived on the 18th day of July ; they settled on the farm where she now resides, about three miles southeast from the town of Shelby ; they built the first cabin on the north part of the land, where the orchard is now located ; the county was sparsely settled, there being but eighteen voters to six miles square; there was no clearing or opening on the farm at the time ; it was in strong contrast

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to the home she left in Connecticut; wolves howled around the cabin, and the red man frequently pre- sented himself for johnny cake. Mr. Ilayes built a blacksmith-shop by driving four stakes in the ground, and covering it with elm bark, which remained some six months, when he built one of a more substantial character ; some years after, he built another shop on the site of the present shop where his son now works ; it was burnt down some years after; when they first moved into their cabin, they had no door for three weeks ; they had no furniture, and when they wanted to warm themselves, they sat down on the end of the puncheons in front of the log fire. Mr. Hayes died April 15, 1856. aged 56 years ; Mrs. Hayes was born Oct. 30, 1798, in Fairfield Co., Conn., and was married to Almond Hayes Oct. 9, 1820; they had six children, five boys and one girl ; four boys are still living ; she is a woman of clear intellect, and had she not been stricken with paralysis some years ago, she would be active, and could relate her trials much more freely ; she is spending her days with her son, Lewis C. Hayes, who is a blacksmith. and in connection carries on wagon-making of all kinds ; he was born in May, 1839, and has always lived in the vicinity. He was married to Miss Malinda Sanders in 1866; they have two chil- dren.

HIESS, REUBEN, farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in January, 1841 ; his father was a minister of the Reformed Church, and came from Bucks Co., Penn., to Columbiana Co., where he re- mained some time and then removed to Trumbull Co., where he remained several years; he then went to Delaware, Delaware Co., Ohio, and preached some ten years in Delaware and vicinity ; he then removed to Galion, Ohio, and preached one year ; he then removed to Larue, Marion Co., where he preached one year, and then came to the charge in Shelby, where he preached two years ; he purchased the southeast quarter of Sec. 28, Jackson Township, where he lived some five years ; he moved to Madison ; he also preached several years in Pennsylvania ; he died in August, 1875 ; he spent an active life ; he was a man of considerable force. The subject of this notice, Reuben Hess, is one of Jackson's successful farmers ; he has acquired consid- erable land, owning 295 acres in one tract ; he is a careful farmer. Ile was married to Miss Margaret Leppo Nov. 20, 1862; they have a family of interesting children. He moved to Springfield Township, where he remained one year, and then removed to where he now resides on the southwest quarter of Sec. 26.

HINES, LEWIS, farmer; he was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, May 4, 1831. His father, Fred- eric Hines, emigrated to America in 1840, and remained three years, when he returned and brought his family ; he settled in Lancaster Co., Penn. ; about the year 1850, he and his son Lewis came to Ohio and remained one summer and returned to Pennsylvania, where he re- mained until 1861, when he emigrated with his family and settled two miles and a half east of Shelby, where he and his wife still reside ; he is a careful reader, has a good memory and takes an active interest in the politics of his adopted country ; he has the respect and esteem of all his neighbors. The subject of this notice remained in Pennsylvania until 1866, when he came to

Ohio and located in Jackson Township, where he still resides ; he, like his father, takes an active interest in the affairs of the country as well as the locality in which he lives. He is an ardent Democrat, but does not let his political preferences blind his reason. He was married, Nov. 20, 1854, to Margaret Bleacher, of Pennsylvania ; they have five children, all of whom are living.

HOFFMAN, DANIEL, pioneer farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; he was born in York Co., Penn., March 26, 1798 ; about seven years after, his father, Frederic Hoffman, moved to Adams Co., Penn., and settled ten miles north of Gettysburg, where the subject of this notice remained until the fall of 1831, when he emigrated to Ohio and remained over winter two miles south of Mansfield ; in the spring of 1832, he came to settle the southeast 80 acres of Sec. 23, which he had entered the fall previous ; there had been no work done on the land before this time; he built his first log house a few rods west of where his present house now stands ; it is still standing; he is the oldest man living in the township except one ; when he came to Ohio, he had a family of three chil- dren. He was married to Miss Sarah Stallsmith, of Adams Co., Penn., Aug. 18, 1822; they had eight chil- dren, six of whom are living. Mr. Hoffman still re- tains his mental faculties and remembers things which happened recently as well as those of an earlier date. Politically, he is a Democrat, from which he never has swerved.

HOFFMAN, J. W., farmer, P. O. Shelby ; was born in Adams Co., Penn., Dec. 8, 1829 ; his parents came to Ohio in 1831, so that he is now an early settler, al- though he is a comparatively young man. He helped his father to clear up the farm, and, about the age of 21 years, he commenced farming for his father. He farmed some five years, and then removed to Sharon Township, where he remained two years, and then moved on the farm known as the Rogers' farm. He then moved to where he now resides, which is a portion of the northwest quarter of Sec. 26. Some time after his first purchase, he added 11 acres, and, in August, 1879, he purchased a tract of 25 acres in Sec. 22. Mr. Hoffman is what might be called a self-made man. He started in the world without a dollar, and, by industry and economy, he has been successful. He has aided his children in life ; he is considered an excellent farmer. He has been entrusted with several offices in the township ; he is a member of the Reformed Church, and an Elder in that body. He was married to Miss Ellen Kuhn, of Plymouth, and as a result of their union they have had a family of eight children, six of whom are living-four daughters and two sons.

IFOLTZ, GEORGE, farmer; P. O. Shelby ; he was born in Perry Co., Penn., in April, 1830 ; his father emigrated to Ohio and settled in Jackson when George was a child. He spent his young days at home, and when he was but a small boy he was put to work, and helped clear up his father's farm. lle was married to Miss Margaret Ott, in January, 1849, who was born in Germany in October, 1830. Her father emigrated to Ohio when she was a child, and settled in Jackson ; they had five children, four of whom are liv- ing and married, and reside in Jackson. Benjamin Adams Lowe, son-in-law of George Holtz, was born in

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Liverpool, England, Feb. 2, 1852. When he was 17 years of age, he emigrated to America. He went West to Miami Co., Kan .; he traveled considerably through Kansas, fexas and Indian Territory ; he then returned to England to see his parents and returned to the United States some few months after. He is a man of general knowledge, and is a close observer. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Holtz Feb. 19, 1878.

HORNBERGER, CATHARINE, MRS., widow of Ben- jamin Hornberger ; was born in Lebanon Co., Penn., August, 1819; her father, Jacob Snyder, emigrated from Pennsylvania with his family of six children and settled in Stark Co., near Massillon, about 1829. Mrs. Ilornberger remained at home until September, 1842, when she was married. Some five years after, her hus- band came to Richland Co. and purchased 80 acres in the northwest quarter of Sec. 27, where Mrs. Horn- berger now resides. He died September, 1853, aged about 48 years. He was born in Franklin Co., Penn .; they had five children, three of whom are living. The children being small at the death of her husband, she was compelled to take the management of the farm and provide for the wants of her family, for which she deserves special credit. She is of Pennsylvania-Ger- man parentage. Her oldest son, Hiram, is married to Margaret Cox, and is engaged in railroading at Galion. Samuel, her next son, is married to Sarah May, and resides on the farm. Her daughter Sarah is married to Simon Shatzer, and resides near her. The two deceased were Rebecca and Catharine, aged 14 and 29 years respectively.

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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