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 133

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 133

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).

DARLING, GEORGE W., farmer ; P. O. Perryville. Geo. Washington Darling, third son of William and Mary Darling, was born in Worthington Township, Richland Co., Ohio, near the site of the old block-house, on the 25th day of December, 1822, just three days after his father's leg was amputated. As soon as he was old enough to handle a hoe or ride a horse, his father set him to work His father was a man who never tolerated idleness, or had any sympathy for a lazy person ; his word was law, and, when he commanded, he expected to be obeyed. His father being an extensive land- owner and farmer, as well as a breeder, feeder and dealer in live stock, he had plenty of work for his boys to do ; so that the Darling boys of that day had but little time for idleness or play. Little George Washington trained from his boyhood to habits of industry. These same habits that attended the boy have attended the man through life. Farm labor was much harder to per- form then than now. This was before the day of the reaper and mower, drill and riding plow ; even thrash- ing machines had not then been introduced into this country. At that time, they used " Armstrong's " ma-

chines, and tramped out their grain with horses or thrashed it with flails, so that the Darling boys had to work hard at all kinds of farm work during the summer. Their father sent them to school in the winter season, but very irregularly. They always had a large herd of cattle to feed and attend to during this season of the year, and had to walk not less than a mile every morn- ing to attend to them; and then the thrashing was all done in the winter time, and the boys had to stay out of school to ride the horses while tramping it out, so that George Washington's facilities for obtaining an educa- tion were quite limited. However, notwithstanding all these drawbacks, he succeeded, by exercising due dili- gence during the time allotted to him for study, in obtaining a pretty fair knowledge of the common branches. G. W. Darling was married to Miss Rebecca Jane Mccullough, eldest daughter of Samuel and Nancy Mccullough, of Newville, Ohio, on the 25th day of January, 1848, at her father's residence, by Francis Johnston, Esq. They lived for two years after their marriage on a farm owned by his father in Mifflin Town- ship, shaking with the ague nearly all the time. From there they removed to the " old homestead," where they resided two years, when they removed to the farm where they now reside, it being the northeast quarter of Sec. 36, in Monroe Township. Mr. and Mrs. Darling are the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter-Robert Benton, born Nov. 10, 1850, mar- ried to Miss Amelia Parkison, youngest daughter of James Parkison, formerly of Worthington Township, on the 15th day of April, 1875, by John H. Jones, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Plymouth, Ohio ; Samuel Franklin, born Nov. 28, 1852, married to Miss Mary Leiter, daughter of Lewis and Rachel Leiter, by Rev. T. F. Dornblazer, Pastor of the Lutheran Church at Lucas, Ohio, on the 18th day of May, 1873; Clara Artamissa, born Oct. 15, 1858, married to Harrod Judson, of De Kalb Co., Ind., by Rev. C. S. Ernsbarger, of the Lutheran Church, on the 15th day of Jannary, 1878. Mr. Darling is the owner of an excellent farm ; it is well improved and well cultivated; his buildings and fences are all in good repair, and everything is in tiptop order about his farm. Mr. Darling united with the M. E. Church at Newville in 1851, and remained a member of that church till 1853, when he united with the Lutheran Church at St. Johns. Mrs. Darling also joined the M. E. Church at Newville when quite young. She united with the Lutheran Church at the same time her husband did. They have been very active and zealous members of the church ever since they united therewith ; they have contributed largely of their means for the building of churches and the support of the Gospel, and have the confidence and esteem of all who know them.

DARLING, ABRAHAM, farmer; P. O. Perryville ; he was born in Worthington Township May 31, 1824; he is the fourth son of William and Mary Darling; from early youth, he was inured to labor and toil ; he never owned a pair of boots till he was 18 years old ; he fre- quently had to go barefooted till quite late in the fall, because it was impossible to get them made sooner, on account of the shoemaker's being so thronged during this season of the year. In the winter season, he and his brothers had to wade through snow to the depth of

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their knees, to feed the stock. Mr. Darling never owned a fine suit of clothes till he got his wedding suit. His clothing was of home manufacture. His first recol- lection of attending church was when he was about 15 years old, at which time he went to hear Rev. William Hughes, of Perryville. His first teacher was Thomas Andrews. This school was taught in a log cabin, in SubdistrictNo. 1, of Worthington Township. He was mar- ried to Miss Rehecca A. Manchester, youngest daughter of Peter and Rebecca Manchester, of Holmes Co., Ohio, Jan. 9, 1851. The ceremony was performed by Francis Johnston, Esq., of Monroe Township. Soon after their marriage, they removed to the farm where they now reside. This is one of the best farms in the township, and probably as good as any in the county. The first dwelling he built thereon was a few years ago, entirely destroyed by fire, together with all its contents. Mr. Darling had his home and its contents insured in the Ohio Farmer, in the sum of $3,300, which amount was promptly paid by this company. He now has one of the most magnificent farmhouses in the township, and it is probably excelled by few in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Darling are the parents of seven children, four sons and three daughters; Mary Francis, the eld- est, was born Dec. 14, 1851-married to Thomas Beavers, son of Hezekiah and Isabella Beavers, by Rev. T. F. Dornblazer, June 6, 1871. At the time of their marriage, Mr. Beavers was a druggist; he is now a dealer in live stock. William Allen, eldest son of Abra- ham and Rebecca A. Darling, born June 17, 1853, was married to Miss Lucetta A., eldest daughter of Emanuel and Margaret McMillen, of Ashland Co., Aug. 8, 1878. The ceremony was performed by Rev. H. L. Wiles, then of Lucas, now Wooster, Ohio. Luther Emmerson, their second son, was born March 31, 1857 ; is now engaged in teaching. Marion Malancthon was born Sept. 15, 1859; he is now attending an academy at Smithville. Arena May, their second daughter, was born May 1, 1862; she died in infancy. Emerilla E., their youngest daughter, was born Nov. 16, 1864, and also died in infancy. Wal- ter Augustus, youngest of the family, was born Nov. 24, 1865. Abraham Darling and wife united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church at St. Johns about the year 1854, and during the ministry of Rev. W. A. G. Emmerson. Mrs. Darling formerly belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church, having joined that branch of the church when she was about 14 years old.

DARLING, SAMUEL F., farmer; P. O. Lucas ; he was born in Monroe Township Nov. 28, 1852; he is the second son of George W. and Rebecca J. Darling ; he was raised on a farm; he was pretty thoroughly educated in the common English branches ; he remained with his father, assisting him in his farm work, till March 18, 1874, when he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Lewis and Mary Leiter, of his native town- ship, March 18, 1856. Feb. 14, 1878, Mr. D. became the owner of a farm containing 60 acres, being a part of the southeast quarter of Sec. 16, in Monroe Township, on which he still continues to reside ; his farm is well improved ; his buildings and fences are in good repair; Mr. Darling understands his business; the fertility of the soil is kept up, and he rarely fails to raise good crops. Mr. and Mrs. Darling are the parents of three children-Kitty, born April 20, 1875; Linnie, May 20,

1877, and Mary, Nov. 29, 1879. In their dispositions this couple are kind, social and friendly, and have justly merited and won the confidence and esteem of all who have become acquainted with them.

DOUGLASS, JOHN J. farmer ; P. O. Lucas ; he was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Dec. 22, 1821. His father's name was Samuel Douglass, and his mother's maiden name, McCurdy. Ile is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father removed with his family to Worth- ington Township, Richland Co., in November, 1829 ; they continued to reside in Worthington till March 1, 1831, when they removed to Monroe Township, where the elder Mr. Douglass purchased the southwest quar- ter of Sec. 28, on which he settled with his family. Samuel Douglass was a very energetic and industrious man. John J., being the only son, was not permitted to remain idle. He was naturally gifted with more than ordinary intelligence, which he strove to cultivate and improve by all the means within his reach. He was possessed with indomitable energy and decision. He qualified himself for a school teacher, which pro- fession lie followed, while a young man, during the win- ter season for a number of years with good success. He was married to Sophah Schrack, daughter of David and Elizabeth Schrack, Jan. 1, 1850. He removed his wife to the " old homestead," which he had then become the owner of, where they still continue to reside. Mr. Douglass was in the employ of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Company for about ten years. He was Auditor of Richland Co. four years. He is the owner of a very good farm ; he has it under a very good state of cultivation. Mr. Doug- lass has been a very active member of Monroe Lodge, No. 224, 1. O. O. F., for many years. He is also a member of the Encampment. Some years ago, he united with the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Pleas- ant Valley. He is the father of three children, two sons and one daughter. His sons are both well educa- ted. The eldest has charge of the graded school at Shiloh, and the youngest of the graded school at Lucas. His daughter is married to Samuel J. Hazlet, a teacher and farmer of Worthington Township.

EVERTS, LEVI, school-teacher; P. O. Hastings ; he was born on a farm, one mile north of Bellville, in this county, Jan. 4, 1844 ; his father's name is Reuben Everts, and his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Howard; he is a twin brother of Eli Everts, of Ft. Wayne, Ind .; there is an incident connected with their birth which is of very rare occurrence; they were not born the same hour, the same day, the same week, the same month or the same year, yet there is but about thirty minutes difference in their ages. Levi Everts was a soldier in the late war; he enlisted in Co. E, 102d O. V. I. July 21, 1862; his company was com- manded by Capt. A. W. Loback; he served during the war, and was honorably discharged July 7, 1865. IIe was married, Dec. 2, 1874, to Miss Ellie, daughter of George and Eliza Ridenour; her mother's maiden name was Mowry; her mother died when she was quite young; she died in Indiana ; Ellie was brought back to Richland Co., Ohio, and adopted by her uncle, Jacob Ridenour, of Washington Township, where she contin- ued to reside until her marriage. Levi and Ellie Everts are the parents of three sons-Robert William,

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born July 25, 1875: Edgar Lloyd, March 21, 1877, and Orlan Ambreg, June 21, 1879. Mr. Everts is a teacher and farmer by occupation ; he has taught eighty-four months of school; twenty months of this time he laught in Bellville: he taught eight months in Williams and Fulton Cos. : the remainder of the time he taught in Richland Co .; as a teacher, he has met with very good success.

FERGUESON, JOHN, farmer ; P. O. Newville. John Fergneson was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in Cumberland Co., in 1807 or 1808 ; his father, William Fergueson, was a farmer, to which occupation his son John was placed as soon as he was large enough. William Fergueson was married to Jane Wilson ; they became the parents of nine children ; in the year 1815, he removed with his family to Worthington Township, where he entered a large tract of land, one- half mile north of Newville; he devoted the remainder of his life to the clearing and improvement of his land; he, his wife and his wife's father all died here and were buried in the Schrack Graveyard. John Fer- queson was married to Asenath Morrell; she became the mother of three daughters and six sons ; Lavina, Myra, William, Isaac and Irvin are now living ; George lIiram, Leonard and Jemima are dead. Mr. John Fergueson owns the old homestead of 220 acres, which he has improved; his son Isaac does the farming, principally, although he is a remarkably well-preserved man, considering his age ; his wife died Nov. 4, 1876, at the age of 67; two of his danghters remain with him, and their care and attention, coupled with the consid- erate and respectful attention of his sons, tend to make the declining years of his life more pleasant.

GLADDEN, SOLOMON (deceased). Solomon Glad- den was born in Washington Co., Penn., A. D. 1792; when he was 4 years old, his parents removed to Jefferson Co., Ohio; they settled ten miles west of Steubenville. But little can be gathered concerning his boyhood. He served his country in the war of 1812; he enlisted as private in Capt. Ahan's company of Ohio Militia, and was advanced to the position of Ensign. His company was ordered to rendezvous at Cleveland, where they met other companies and were organized and equipped for service. Their camp was near where the Union Depot now stands ; Cleveland at that early day was a small village, composed of a few scattered and inferior houses. One month was spent here in making the nec- essary arrangements. The troops were then ordered on board sail vessels, and sailed to Detroit ; they spent some time at Fort Gratiot ; they were then ordered to march by land to Lake Superior. During this march an incident occurred that may be worthy of note: Mr. Gladden showed symptoms of an attack of the measles. Having a stream to cross, a sturdy Dutchman belong- ing to the company proposed that, in consideration of a pint of whisky, he would carry Ensign Gladden across the stream. The proposition being accepted, the En- sign got aboard the Dutchman, and the unwieldy craft started for the opposite shore ; when near the middle of the stream, the Dutchman capsized, plunging his precious cargo headlong into the chilling flood. The Ensign no doubt thought his time had come; that a cold bath at this stage of his disease must necessarily prove fatal. He got to the shore as best he could; the army soon

went into camp ; the boys built a rousing fire; the En- sign drank a half-pint of whisky, which, at that day, was considered an infallible remedy for nearly all the diseases that flesh is heir to ; he then wrapped himself in his blanket and laid down on a bed of pine boughs. In a few hours the measles broke out hopefully, and by the time the forces were ready to resume the march, he was ready for duty. At Fort Sarnia they went on board of transports, destined for Mackinaw Islands. Their intentions were to drive the British and Indians from their strongholds in this quarter. Their regiment was commanded by Col. Crogan, a brave and gallant officer. They engaged the enemy on the 10th of An- gust, 1815 ; during this engagement Capt. Aban was disabled, and the command of the company devolved upon Ensign Gladden. He was but a boy at this time, yet his comrades have asserted that he displayed great skill and bravery in the management of his company. During the engagement, the infantry was ordered to lie down, while the artillery played on the stone wall, behind which the enemy was intrenched. All obeyed ex- cept Ensign Gladden, who continued erect, marching back and forth in front of his men, speaking words of cheer and encouragement. While thus engaged, he discovered one of the boys busily engaged in delving in the earth. Upon being asked what he was doing, " py sure," says he, "I'm only getting a few bedaties for tiners." An- other poor fellow was crying, "Oh, Lord," at every boom of the enemy's guns. The Ensign told him to stop his bellowing or he would thrust his sword through him. This effectually silenced the timid soldiers. En- sign Gladden remained with his company, fearlessly dis- charging all the duties assigned to him, till the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged from the service, and returned to his home and friends. In after years, he loved to recount to his listening children and grandchildren, the incidents and adventures he wit- nessed during his military career.

In the spring of 1818, he came to this county and entered the northeast quarter of Sec. 23, in Monroe Township; he subsequently bought the southeast quar- ter of the same section from his brother William, who had inherited it from their father. When he came to the county, the nearest mill was at Fredericktown ; he was compelled to wend his way through the woods to get his grinding done, there being no roads at that early day ; the nearest point where salt could be obtained was Zanesville. Gladden's neighbors, on one occasion, proposed to work his corn during his absence, if he would take his ox team and drive to Zanesville for salt. His route lay through the woods, the most of the way ; it took him about two weeks to make the round trip.

Solomon Gladden was married, A. D. 1816, to Miss Mary Harlin ; she and their infant son died A. D. 1818, and were buried at Perryville, in this county, at which time there were but few graves in this now densely populated city of the dead. On the 6th of June, 1820. Mr. Gladden was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Young; the ceremony was performed by Jonathan Coulter, of Perryville ; by this marriage he had nine children, five sons and four daughters, viz .: Joseph, Rasselas Young, Esther H., Ursula, Madison A., Love- zila L., Mary J., Lovezenski and William F. Lovezenski died, at the age of 17 years, of typhoid fever ; Madison

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

839

A. died of heart-disease, April 30, 1875, in the 46th year of his age; they were both buried at Perryville. Charles Young, father of Mrs. Rachel Gladden, emigrated to Harrison Co. in 1810, and thence to Richland Co. in 1814, and entered land in Mifflin Township, near where Yaman's mill now stands. Mr. Young was of English origin ; Mr. Gladden was of Scotch-Irish descent. He, in common with all the pioneers of this county, passed through many dangers, endured many hardsbips, toils and privations, and surmounted many difficulties. The red men had not as yet entirely forsaken this favorite hunting-grounds and burial-place of their an- cestors. On one occasion, two of their braves, Momus and Jonnycake, came to his cabin and asked for some- thing to eat. After partaking of a hearty repast, they went on their way rejoicing. Mr. Gladden asked one of his little boys, a lad about 3 years old, how he liked the looks of those men : " I don't know, they had leather on their faces, so that I could not see them," was the inno- cent reply. Abraham Baughman, a neighbor of Mr. Gladden, bought a calf of an Indian on one occasion. The next spring, the Indian came to Baughman's, saw that the calf had grown and improved, and remarked, " Say, Baughman, calf growed much ; want more money." Baughman thought it was best to gratify the Indian, and did so. The next spring, the Indian again returned, making use of the same language. Baugh- man again yielded, but to prevent a like repetition the following year, he fatted the calf and killed it. That singular and eccentric being familiarly known as Johnny Appleseed, but whose real name was John Chapman, very frequently called at the cabin of Mr. Gladden. He spent many nights under his roof. He would never accept of a bed, however, though many times urged to do so. He said the floor was good enough for him. He came to their cabin on one occa- sion, and found Mrs. Gladden assorting bee-bread from the honey. He asked her if she had any buttermilk in the house, she replied that she had, and, at his request, she filled a coffee-pot with it and gave it to him. He then asked her if he might have some of the bee-bread to eat with it. " Oh, no," said she, " not that; I will get you some wheat-bread." " No thank you," says Johnny, " I would rather have this," and he actually ate a hearty meal of bee-bread and buttermilk. In those early times domestic animals, such as cattle, hogs and sheep, were very scarce, whilst wild animals were numerous ; so that the pioneer farmer had to depend upon his rifle for his supply of meat. Many were the trials, dangers and difficulties attending this manner of obtaining food ; for, on one occasion, Mr. Gladden, being in need of meat, mounted his horse and started out in quest of a deer. He had not proceeded but a short distance from his cabin, when he saw a fine large buck. He drew up his gun and fired, when the deer started off at a rapid rate through the dense forest. Mr. G. struck the trail and knew from the flow of blood that the deer was severely wounded. He urged on his steed as fast as the nature of the route would permit, hoping to keep the animal in view, knowing that the blood would cease to flow before the deer would fall, and that it most probably would hide, so that he would not be able to discover and obtain another and more exact fire. In his hurry, he laid his rifle across his horse in front

of him. The horse made a sudden turn and ran be- tween two saplings breaking his rifle and rendering it entirely useless for the time being. Owing to this ac- cident, he lost his deer, and, for the want of a gun, he passed many a hungry day. He had to go to Wooster, twenty-five miles distant, to get his gun repaired.

Mr. Gladden had a military spirit within him; the sound of the fife and drum sounded more pleasantly to his ears than the sound of the piano, harp or organ would have done. He loved the tented field and the study of military tactics ; he therefore raised a rifle company, composed of the hardy sons of the forest ; he was elected Captain of this company, and served in this capacity for many years. When the threatened trouble between Ohio and Michigan called for action, he was elected Colonel of a rifle regiment belonging to this county. Volunteers were called for, and the call was responded to by many of the hardy sons of toil. The regiment was ready to move at short notice, but, happily for all concerned, Congress adjusted the matter in dispute amicably and without the shedding of fraternal blood.

Mr. Gladden served as Justice of the Peace for fifteen years in succession ; he served as Commissioner of this county six years ; he also served in the General Assembly of the State of Ohio one year. A few in- stances may here be stated to illustrate the rude and uncultivated state of society at that early day : One fine day in June, the Esquire was called upon to marry a couple of young Dutch folks. He met them at the appointed time and place, and proceeded to tie the knot. He asked them to arise, which feat they accom- plished without much difficulty ; but when told to join their right hands, the groom, with his left hand, grasped the bride by her right. Again they tried to obey orders, but succeeded no better. The third at- tempt resulted in their joining their left hands. The magistrate, seeing that further attempts would be fruit- less, proceeded with the ceremony, varying it to suit the occasion. After the ceremony had been performed, the Justice sought the kitchen fire to light his pipe. Here he met a lady guest, who laughingly remarked, " Squire, did you notice that the darned Dutch fools were married left-handed ?" On a similar occasion, the wine having flowed so freely that many of the guests were in high spirits, a bachelor guest, who had indulged pretty freely, undertook to carve the turkey. He accomplished the feat in the following scientific manner : Grabbing the fowl by its legs, he tore off one of these members, and, throwing it on the bride's plate, remarked, " There, Sal, that is for you." Then, tearing off the other leg, he threw it on the groom's plate, with the expression, "There, Bill, take that." So much for the etiquette of early times. In those early times, wild cats were numerous and troublesome, and bears would frequently make a raid on the sheep- folds and pig-pens of the settlers. On one occasion, Mrs. Isaac Applegate was returning from a visit at the cabin of the Gladdens, when she saw a huge bear walk- ing leisurely along in front of her with a pig in its mouth. She hastened home and told her husband what she had seen. Mr. Applegate was not long in arousing a few of his nearest neighbors; David Craw- ford, Joseph Applegate, Solomon Gladden, Hugh and

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Samuel Reed were soon in pursuit of the black mon- ster. Brnin was soon overtaken by his pursuers, but, night having set in, he had the advantage of them in the darkness. When closely pursued, he would climb a tree, but before the men could kindle a fire, to en- able them to see to shoot him, he would quietly slide down and be off again. After pursuing this course nearly all night, Mr. Gladden finally shot and killed the animal.

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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