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 122

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 122

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HUMMEL, J. M., farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Dauphin Co., Penn., in March, 1818; he spent his youth on a farm ; when 18 years of age, he commenced the trade of saddlery with his brother in Hummels- town, Penn., and continued to follow that trade twenty- five years ; desirous of obtaining a farm, he sold his property and emigrated, in 1864, with his family, to Ohio, where he purchased a tract of 80 acres in Madi- son Township, about two miles north of Mansfield ; he remained there about eight years, and sold his farm and purchased the southwest quarter of Sec. 12, where he now resides ; he came of Pennsylvania-German par- entage ; he is an excellent farmer, a pleasant neighbor, and has the respect of the community. He was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth Hertzel in December, 1843; they had eight children, five of whom are living.

ILER, JOHN, farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; was born in Richland Co. Feb. 26, 1842; when he was about 6 months old, his father died and left a family of four small children to be supported by the mother; being poor, she was compelled to put her children out among strangers ; she found a pleasant home for them with John F. Rice, the " old soldier," of whom a full notice will be found elsewhere in this book; his mother died when the subject of this notice was about 6 years old, so he was early deprived of the fostering care of a mother ; he remained at his adopted home until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 20th O. V. I., for nine months ; after he returned home, he resumed farming. He is an ardent Democrat, and takes an active interest in the affairs of the community. He was married to Miss Mary Sheets, of Richland Co .; they have seven children.

KERR, WILLIAM, farmer; he was born in Wash- ington, Penn., Nov. 7, 1810 ; his father, James Kerr, came to Ohio about 1810, and entered 160 acres of land in Sec. 1, Jackson Township; he then returned to Pennsylvania and at different times came to Ohio, en- tering some 800 acres ; in the year 1820, he, with his family, consisting of himself, wife and four children, came to Ohio and settled where T. C. Dunlap now lives, some four miles east of where Shelby now stands ; he cleared up the farm; in 1830, he built a grist-mill on Richland Run, probably the first water-mill in the lim- its of Jackson Township; it stood several years, and did quite a business ; the first miller was Mr. Urie, who milled for several years, and was followed by William Kerr, the subject of this notice; he was followed by Mr. Sellers ; the mill stood until 1853, when Mr. Kerr took some of the timber and put it into his barn which he was then building ; the mill-race is still to be seen. James Kerr died in May, 1839; his wife survived him for a number of years and died aged over 80 years. William Kerr has resided near where he now lives ever since he has been in Ohio; he has always been engaged on the farm except the time he was occupied as miller. He was married to Nancy N. Crabbs in June, 1849; they had five children, four of whom are living; his wife died in 1862, and he was again married to Sarah Seaton in 1864; they have three children.

KIRKPATRICK, JEREMIAH, farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; he was born in Perry Co., Penn., in June, 1821 ; his father, Joseph Kirkpatrick, with his wife and family of six children, emigrated to Ohio in the fall of 1831, and remained over winter in Mansfield; he moved north to Jackson and entered an 80-acre tract of land in Sec. 22; he died in 1844; his wife survived him many years, dying in January, 1877, aged about 85 years. The subject of this notice remained with his parents, helping to clear up the farm and do such work as is usual in a new country ; he received his education in the district schools of the county ; he is a man of general information, and has the confidence and esteem of his neighbors; he is a consistent mem- ber of the Lutheran Church ; he joined that denomina- tion at an early age, and has very materially aided in building up that body in the community ; he is a care- ful farmer, and his farm bears the marks of good man- agement. He was married to Miss Catherine Flora Nov. 7, 1844; they had eleven children, nine of whom are living.

KIRKPATRICK, AMOS, farmer: P. O. Shelby ; was born Aug. 3, 1850, in Jackson Township ; he is a son of Jeremiah and Catherine Kirkpatrick ; he re- mained with his parents until he arrived at the age of manhood ; he worked at home and in the community until he was married to Miss Christiana Neal, April 23, 1874 ; they have three children-Elmer Luther, Joseph Lorenzo and Archie Melvin. Mrs. Kirkpatrick was born in Jackson Township March 20, 1852; she has always remained in the vicinity of where she was born ; she received her educational training in the com- mon school.

KUHN, MARY, MRS., widow of Jacob Kuhn, was born in Franklin Co., Penn., March, 1827 ; her father, George Shafer, emigrated to Ohio in 1839, and settled

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in Springfield Township, where he remained three years; he then purchased the farm on which his daughter, Mrs. Kuhn, now resides ; he died in the fall of 1864, ; his wife, the mother of Mrs. Kuhn, whose maiden name was Mary Deitrich, survived him until June, 1866. Jacob Kuhn and Mary Shafer were mar- ried in November, 1851 ; as a result of their marriage they had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. Kuhn died Aug. 25, 1876 ; he was born in Franklin Co., Penn., and emigrated to Ohio, in 1847; he was a man of great force of character ; he took an active in- terest in the Reformed Church, to which he was devotedly attached ; he was among the first organizers of the church at Shelby, and was a leader in that body ; he was a pillar of the church, and by his death the church lost one of its most active and influential members.

KING, MARY, MRS., P. O. Shelby.

LANDIS, JOHN M., farmer and stock-raiser, and also agent for Halliday's Standard Wind-mill, and also for farming implements generally ; he was born in this county in November, 1837; his father emigrated to Ohio from Lancaster Co., Penn., about 1836, and set- tled in Richland Co .; he purchased the farm now owned by his son; he lived there during his lifetime, and died in March, 1874, aged about 63 years. The subject of this sketch first purchased a tract of land north of where he now lives, and in 1870, the tract on which he now resides ; he improved the farm, remodel- ing the buildings, and has a very comfortable and pleasant home. He is one of those men whom nature has endowed with a natural mechanical genius ; lie can lay out a building and erect it without making a mis- take, although he never learned any trade; this, per- haps, accounts for his love of machinery, which he can handle with ease, seeing at a glance how to work it to the best advantage; he has been selling ma- chinery for eight years, and is widely and favorably known; he is a pleasant man with whom to do busi- ness, as he makes it a matter of principle, and states what he believes and knows to be true ; he is favorably known. He was married to Miss Mary Ann Finicle in 1859; they have four sons, all living.

LANDIS, ISAAC M., farmer and stock-raiser ; he was born in this county Oct. 9, 1842; at the age of 19 years, he enlisted in Company C, 20th O. V. I., and served for about one year, passing through the battles of Port Gibson, Jackson, Champion Hill and Vicks- burg; after he returned home, he resumed farming; he farmed for two years, and then went into the hard- ware business in New London for three years ; he then sold out and went into the saw-mill business, working in Wyandot for four years; thence to Seneca Co., where he lived two years ; he sold out and removed to where he now lives in April, 1875 ; he had previously purchased the farm. He was married to Miss Ellen Finicle, of Richland Co., Dec. 22, 1864; they have two children-Carrie Ellen and Zuleika Olive.

LASER, C. C., Justice of the Peace, Infirmary Di- rector and farmer ; he was born in this county April 28, 1832; his father, John Laser, emigrated from Perry Co., Penn., in the year 1825, and settled in Cass Township. Mr. Laser was one of the Trustees of Plymouth Township, and when the township was about

being divided, the name of Cass was proposed by Mr. Laser, after the illustrious statesman of that name, and of whom Mr. Laser was an ardent admirer ; the name was adopted. He died in Cass Township in 1857; his wife died in the fall of 1877. Mr. C. C. Laser was elected Justice of the Peace in 1869, which office he has since held ; he was elected Infirmary Director in the fall of 1876, and re-elected in the fall of 1879. He is of German extraction ; his great-grandfather emi- grated from Germany and located in Northampton Co., Penn., and on the breaking-out of the Revolutionary war, he enlisted, and was never heard of afterward, leaving his wife and son, Christian Laser, grandfather of C. C. Laser, who died in Cass Township about the year 1846. Mr. Laser makes a very efficient officer ; he is possessed of good judgment, and is regarded as a very judicious and competent man. Politically, he is a Democrat, and in the councils of his party exerts a large influence. He was married to Miss Kezia Fesler Dec. 19, 1852; they have nine children, six boys and three girls.

MILLER, ISAAC H., farmer ; he was born in Lan- caster Co., Penn., May 22, 1816; he spent his youth on the farm ; at 19 years of age, he commenced to teach school, which he followed five winters, working on the farm during the summer; in the spring of 1839, he, with his wite, emigrated to Ohio and spent some four years near Ganges ; in 1842, he bought 40 acres, which is now the south part of his farm, and moved on it the following year; there was a cabin on the land when he purchased ; he lived there six years, and then pur- chased the northern half of the 80 acres, and moved into the cabin which stood where his present dwelling stands (this was in 1849); this is situated about one and a quarter miles east of Shelby ; he cleared up most of his farm ; he is of Pennsylvania-German parentage, and has the characteristics of that people. By his in- dustry and economy, he has made for himself and fam- ily a pleasant home. Ile is a close reader, and a man of general information. In politics, he is a Republican, and adheres closely to his party. He is pleasant in his home, hospitable and genial. He was married to Miss Catharine Echternach Dec. 25, 1838, who was born in the year 1818; her parents emigrated to America about the year 1832, and settled in Lancaster, Penn., where her father died ; her mother survived him a number of years, dying at her daughter's, Mrs. Miller. They have had eleven children, seven of whom are living- four girls and three boys.

MILLER, BENJAMIN E., farmer ; he was born near Ganges Oct. 24, 1839. Ile was married to Miss S. J. Finicle in May, 1862; they have seven children, all living ; at about the age of 22, he moved near where Isaac Landis now lives, and some six months after, he moved on the J. M. Landis farm, where he remained one year, when he went to where he now lives, in Jackson Township. He is a man of general intelli- gence, and, like his father, Isaac H. Miller, is a Repub- lican in politics, and adheres strictly to the views of his party. He is a genial gentleman, and has the entire respect of his neighbors.

MORTHLAND, ELIAS W., farmer, was born in Craw- ford Co., Ohio, in December, 1847; his father, Abra- ham Morthland, came from Pennsylvania, and settled

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in Crawford Co., Ohio ; he was a minister for many years, and left a record of which his children may well be proud ; he died June 22, 1876, aged about 85 ; his wife still survives him. Elias was married to Miss Rachel Wells March 5, 1867; they had two children. Mr. Morthland is a man of good social qualities, and has the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.

MORTHLAND, J. D., was born July 25, 1839, in Polk Township, Crawford Co .; he remained with his father until September, 1853, receiving his education at the district schools. He married Miss Elizabeth II. Copeland, Feb. 7, 1860. Mr. Morthland moved from Crawford to Richland Co. in September, 1853, where he has remained up to the present time, engaging in the boot and shoe business for a short time ; becoming tired of the close, confining life, he disposed of his business and removed with his wife to a more congenial life on a farm. Abraham Morthland, his father, was born near Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., where he followed teaming until he was 18 years of age, when he emigrated to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he mar- ried Miss Susan Miller, and by their union had six children-four of whom are living-Hannah, John, Joseph D. and Susan Lucinda ; he remained in Colum- biana Co. about six years, where he continued teaming for two years, at the end of which time he disposed of his team, doing any work he could find during the re- mainder of his stay in Columbiana Co .; he then moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, purchasing 80 acres of land- commonly termed the Abraham Morthland homestead -where he remained until September, 1853, and from there came to Richland Co .; entering the ministry about the year 1839, he was always considered one of the leaders in the Baptist Church. His life has been worthy the imitation of children, relatives and friends. J. D .. the subject of this sketch, is a man of more than ordinary ability, conscientious, energetic, pleasant and honorable.

MYERS, J. D., farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; was born in Stark Co., Ohio, April 24, 1828. When he was 6 months old, his father, Adam Myers, with his wife and seven children, came to Richland Co., and settled in Sharon, now Jackson Township, where the subject of this notice now resides ; at that time, there was not an improvement between Spring Mills and where Gen. Wilson lived, which is now in the corporate limits of Shelby. The subject of this notice, so far as can be found, is now the second earliest living settler in what is now the territory of Jackson. The elder Myers built his log cabin on Sec. 27, about a rod south of the present dwelling ; this cabin stood a number of years, and in its place was erected a more commodious dwell- ing in the shape of a hewed-log house, which was located about one rod north of the cabin, and on the site of the substantial and fine dwelling which Mr. Myers erected in 1875. His father was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Howard, was born in Franklin Co., Penn .; they were married in Pennsylvania, and emigrated to Stark Co., Ohio, in 1824, and then came to this county in 1829. Mr. Myers, Sr., died in December, 1855, aged about 75 years ; his wife died in April, 1859, aged 72 years. Mr. Myers is an excellent farmer, and fully understands the care of land ; is a good citizen. He

is a member of the Lutheran Church ; politically, he is a Democrat. He is also a self-made man, as he com- menced life without a dollar, and worked until he was 25 years of age for his father, considering it his duty, and feels that he has been amply repaid for all he has done for his parents, as he has been blessed with suc- cess in his efforts. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Feighner in September, 1853; they have had six chil- dren, four of whom are living-Sarah C., married to William Kirkpatrick, and resides in Shelby ; Adam F., is an artist ; William H. and Malissa, are at home.

NILES, ANN, MRS., pioneer, and widow of Eli Niles, whose maiden name was Fulton; was born near Bath, in the State of New York, Oct. 11, 1809. When she was about 14 years of age, her parents came from Ontario Co., N. Y., with a family of eight chil- dren, to Mansfield, where they remained over winter ; in the spring they moved to Sharon Township, on land of Judge Gamble, where they resided about ten years, and then removed to Seneca Co., Ohio, where Mr. Ful- ton purchased two quarter-sections of land, on which they remained during his life. The subject of this no- tice was married to John Gelaspie in April, 1836, in Seneca Co .; they had one child, George, who was born in October, 1838; he met with an accident which re- sulted in death, by the explosion of a cannon at a jollification over the capture of Vicksburg, in Shelby, July 8, 1863; he died Aug. 1, 1863. Mr. Gelaspie died in April, 1839. November, 1848, she was married to Eli Niles ; they had no children ; he died in May, 1875. Mrs. Niles is a consistent member of the Pres- byterian Church, which she joined when 23 years of age.

PICKING, J. W., carpenter, builder and farmer ; P. O. Shelby ; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in April, 1835 ; his father, Henry Picking, with his family of six children, emigrated to Ohio in 1845 (three hav- ing previously come out), and purchased 40 acres of the south west quarter of Sec. 10. Mrs. Picking died in the spring of 1873. Mr. Picking survived his wife until May, 1879 ; he was some 81 years old. The sub- ject of this notice, about the age of 18 years, com- menced the trade of carpenter with Patrick Barnes, which he has since followed in connection with his farm. He is a quiet citizen and a good neighbor. He was married to Miss Mary Cutler in February, 1857 ; they have five children. He moved to where he now resides in 1874.

ROBERTS, JESSE, pioneer farmer; P. O. Shelby ; was born in Beaver Co., Penn., in July, 1806; his father, John Roberts, came from Virginia to Pennsyl- vania and settled near what is now the village of Frank- fort, Beaver Co., at an early date in the history of that country ; he died in 1876, aged about 96 years. llis mother, whose maiden name was Ruth Dungan, died some years before. His grandfather served under Gen. Washington during the Revolutionary war. The sub- ject of this notice remained in Pennsylvania until the year 1833, when he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Sharon, now Jackson, Township, about two miles south- east of Shelby, or which at that time was known as Gamble's Mills. He built a log house on the ground on which his present dwelling is now situated ; he had

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the usual experience of early settlers. lle takes an in- terest in the history of his adopted county ; he is hos- pitable and genial in his manners. He was married to Miss Catharine Feighner in March, 1850; they had five children, two of whom are living. Mrs. Roberts was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in December, 1820 ; her father, Jonas Feighner, came to Richland Co. in 1827 ; he died in 1860.

ROUSH, SAMUEL, farmer and stock-raiser; he was born in Berks Co., Penn., Jan. I, 1806; his father, Godfrey Roush, emigrated to Perry Co., Penn., when the territory was included in Cumberland Co. He set- tled in the western part of the county. On the break- ing-out of the war of 1812. he volunteered and marched from Carlisle, Penn., to Canada, where he was in the assault on Fort Mack and several other minor engage- ments. Ile remained in the army about one year, and returned home at the close of the war. He cleared np his land and remained in Perry Co. until 1834, when he, with his family, emigrated to Ohio and settled about one mile south of Shelby on the farm now owned by William Wareham, where he and his wife lived and died. The subject of this sketch was hired out until he was 20 years of age, his father using his wages. Abont the age of 20, he went to learn the trade of cooper, at which he served one year for nothing. After he worked one year at the trade, he then did anything by which he could make some money. He knew full well the value of money, and he saved all the money he made, except what would buy his clothing, so when he found himself able he purchased the 160 acres of land where he now lives. The primitive forest covered the entire tract, but, nothing daunted, he built a one- story log honse near his present dwelling and com- menced the ardnous task of clearing away the timber. Some years later, he built another log house of two stories, in which he lived until he built his present brick residence. He belongs to that honest, hard- working class of Pennsylvania Germans. Ile takes just pride in relating his early trials. He was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Laser, of this county, in March, 1834; they had twelve children, nine of whom are liv- ing : his wife died in January, 1863.

SELLERS, JOHN E., farmer and stock-raiser; he was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Dec. 3, 1845, and spent his young days in the village of St. Thomas, at- tending school until about the age of 16, when he en- listed in Co. H, 2d Penn. V. I, for three months ; after coming home, he went to learn the trade of cabinet- making, at which he worked for some time, but, as the excitement of war was running high, he quit the trade and, in August, 1862, he again enlisted in Co. II, 126th Penn. V. I., for nine months; he participated in the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville ; he was discharged, with his regi- ment, May 25, 1863 ; he returned home and remained till January, 1864, when he the third time enlisted in the 20th Penn. V. C. for three years, and served in the Shenandoah Valley ; participated in the battles of that memorable time, closing with the battle of South Side Railroad, where he was wounded in the right ear and side of the neck ; the wound was in a dangerous place, and perhaps an eighth of an inch closer would have taken his life; he was taken to the hospital at Wash-

ington, where he remained some time, and was trans- ferred to Philadelphia, Penn., where he was discharged in June, 1865 ; he then returned to Franklin Co., Penn., where he resided a short time and emigrated to this county ; he worked at his trade in Shelby until the spring of 1869; he then removed to where he now re- sides, in Jackson Township, where he is engaged at farming. He is a man of positive convictions, and does not fear to speak his sentiments fully, but always with respect to those with whom he comes in contact. He is an ardent Democrat ; is an agreeable and social gentleman, and exerts an influence in his neighborhood ; he is fond of reading, and is gathering a library of the standard books of the day. He was married to Miss Susannah Laser in November, 1868; they have three children.

SHADE, JEREMIAH, farmer, was born in Cumber- land Co., Penn., Dec. 9, 1844 ; he spent his youth with his parents ; he worked at the carpenter trade for some time; he commenced farming in 1868. He was mar- ried to Miss Rebecca Hull April 12, 1866; they have two children-Minnie Adie, born Jan. 28, 1868, and E. Wilber, March 14, 1875. Mr. Shade is regarded as an excellent farmer. Mrs. Shade was born in Jackson Township April 11, 1847, on the farm owned by An- drew Snyder. Iler father, John Hull, came from Adams Co., Penn., in the spring of 1842, and settled in the south western part of Jackson ; he died Sept. 15, 1865. His wife, whose maiden name was Stock, sur- vived him until April 5, 1875. Jacob Shade, father of Jeremiah, was born in Perry Co., Penn .; he emigrated to Ohio in 1855. Mrs. Shade, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Messenger, was also born in Perry Co., Penn .; they had eleven children, eight of whom are living ; they have retired from active farming and reside in Shelby.

SHELDON, MARIA, MRS., widow of Alvah Shel- don; she was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Oct. 6, 1801; her maiden name was Cotton; she emigrated, with her uncle, to Penfield, N. Y., near Rochester, when she was about 23 years of age. She was mar- ried to Mr. Sheldon in September, 1825, and remained near Rochester some twelve years; they then moved to the town of Royalton, Niagara Co., where they re- mained nineteen years; they then emigrated to New Philadelphia, Ohio, where they lived three years ; thence to Richland Co. in the fall of 1857, where she has since resided. Mr. Sheldon was born in Vermont Aug. 17, 1799 ; he died in Richland Co. in September, 1858. Mrs. Sheldon is a lady who stands well in the community ; she is the mother of eleven children, seven of whom are living-four boys and three girls; six of them live in Richland Co. and one lives in Greene Co., N. Y. Her daughter, Mrs. Mary P. Porter, was born in September, 1839, in Niagara Co., N. Y .; she was married to John Porter in November, 1865. Mr. Por- ter died in October, 1866, leaving one son.

SHERRICH, THOMAS, farmer; he was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1842; when he was abont 4 years old his parents left Wayne Co. and settled in Jackson Township; some three years after his father died, and left his mother to take care of the family and pay some debts which were against the farm; and by economy and industry the farm was saved and the

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debts all paid ; the subject of this sketch worked upon the farm until the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Co. H, 64th O. V. I. for the term of three years; Capt. Lord commanded the company. They went into camp at Mansfield, and remained about six weeks ; they then went to Louisville, Ky., and joined the army of the Cumberland, and he was in most of the engagements in which his regiment participated ; the regiment belonged to the 4th Army Corps, Third Division : he was dis- charged at Cincinnati in February, 1864, having served three years and four months. He is an excel- lent farmer and an honorable and respected citizen. He was married to Miss Catherine A. Briner January, 1867 ; they had two interesting girls.

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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