History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 104

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 104

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During this time they built the Ex- change Hotel, which they continued to own for twenty years. This was the best hotel building for a long distance around, and had considerable influence upon the growth of the village by attracting emi- grants and business men to the place.

The frame building which displaced the first log store, was painted red, and was known as the "Red Store." It was the largest mercantile establishment between Norwalk and Lower Sandusky.

In 1833 Mr. Amsden sold his interest in the store to Dr. L. G. Harkness and purchased of Samuel Miller a farm which

was only partially improved. This farm included nearly all of that part of the present town of Bellevue in Sandusky county. While he was engaged at farm- ing he was elected and served as justice of the peace. While a merchant he was post- master. Mr. Amsden afterwards again entered active business in partnership with Mr. Chapman, under the firm name of- T. G. Amsden & Co., dealers in general merchandise and farm products, until 1855, under the successive firm names of T. G. Amsden & Co., Amsden, Bramwell & Co., Amsden, Dimmick & Co., and Amsden & Co. He was in mercantile and general business in Bellevue. In 1848 he became interested in a store and distillery in Monroeville. This proved an unfortunate enterprise. It was not only in itself a financial failure, but carried the Bellevue house, in which his son, Isaac E., was interested, with it. Mr Amsden's course was in the line of the strictest busi- ness integrity. He refused to adopt any method which prudence might suggest for saving a part of his hard-earned estate. He turned over to his creditors all his prop- erty, and emerged from the general crash in very straitened circumstances. He re- tained his home in Bellevue, where he lived for a few years in comparative retire- ment. Then selling out he purchased a small farm just below Fremont, where he died December 7, 1876.

The maiden name of Mr. Amsden's first wife was Lydia Chapman, a daughter of James Chapman, who served in the Revolutionary army during the whole seven years of the war. This marriage occurred in 1823. They had a family of seven children, five of whom survived in- fancy-Sarah, Mary, Isaac E., Thomas, and William.

Sarah was married to Hon. J. P. Shoe- maker, of Amsden, Michigan, a place so named because Mr. Amsden once owned

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

the land upon which it is located. Mary is married to Abishai Woodward, son of the late Gurdon Woodward, of Bellevue. Isaac E. married Cornelia Birdseye, daughter of N. P. Birdseye, and is in busi- ness in Fremont. Thomas died some years since in Bellevue. William, at the opening of the Rebellion, enlisted in the army, and was soon made captain in the Third Ohio Cavalry; was prostrated by camp fever in the spring of 1862, and was first brought to the hospital at Cincinnati and then to his home in Fremont, where he died June 19.

Mrs. Amsden died in 1841.

Mr. Amsden subsequently married Harriet Williams, of Monroeville. The family by this marriage consisted of five children-Emily, Edward, Lizzie, Maggie, and Harriet.

Emily is married to Charles Cullen, of Delta, Fulton county, Ohio. Edward re- sides at Canton, Ohio. Lizzie resides in Fremont. Maggie died at the age of ten years. Harriet resides in Fremont.

Mrs. Amsden occupies the residence to which the family removed from Bellevue.

Mr. Amsden was a man of great phys- ical energy and endurance, as well as of fine intellectual qualities, and in his long partnership with Mr. Chapman took the principal charge of the out-door business, while Mr. Chapman managed the office work. Mr. Amsden was highly respected for his unswerving integrity, and genial, affable manners. He was so widely known for his sound and reliable judgment that, for many years, his advice was uniformly taken before any new enterprise of im- portance was started. He was, during his prosperous business life, free in his chari- ties. Nothing seemed to gratify him more than to relieve want or suffering. He was a supporter of the Episcopal church. He was for nearly thirty years a prominent and faithful member of the Independent

Order of Odd Fellows in Bellevue, and afterward in Fremont. At the time of his death appropriate resolutions of sympathy and respect were passed by the order, and a large delegation from the encampment at Fremont accompanied his remains to the beautiful cemetery at Bellevue, where they were deposited amid the ashes of his dead.

FREDERICK SMITH AND FAMILY.

In the spring of 1818 George Frederick Schmidt and family, natives of Wurtem- burg, Germany, emigrated to America and settled in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. In his native land Mr. Smith-as the name is now written by his descendants- was united in marriage to Dorothea Mau- mann. They brought up a large family, there being nine children in all, seven of whom arrived at maturity. Four are still living. Seven of them were born in this country. The names of the children in the order of their ages were as follows: Maria D., married David Moore, and re- sided in Bellevue; died December 7, 1879, in her sixty-seventh year. Anna M. mar- ried James Chapman, of York township; died November 8, 1879, aged sixty-five years. Frederick, the subject of this sketch; David, a resident of York town- ship; Catharine, widow of William White, Grundy county, Tennessee; Sarah A., wife of Elmer Simpson, Placer county, Cali- fornia; and John F., a resident of York township; and two who died young.

The family resided in Pennsylvania until the year 1836, when they came to York township and settled upon the farm now in possession of one of the sons. At the time of their settlement this entire re- gion bore a very uninviting aspect. After coming here Mr. Smith purchased a piece of land on which a small clearing had

Hers. Frederick Smith.

Diederick J mithis

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

been made and a cabin erected. They had the usual difficulties and experiences incident to life in the woods, but bv the combined efforts of the whole family they succeeded in accomplishing the mission which led them hither and established a home. Mrs. Smith did not live to enjoy many of the subsequent improvements. She died in November, 1842. Her hus- band survived until the 18th of February, 1858, when he passed away. Both were worthy people, and possessed of that in- dustrious and frugal disposition which enables the German emigrant to succeed in the face of many obstacles.

Frederick Smith was the oldest son. He was born in Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, December 10, 1818, and conse- quently was about eighteen years of age when his parents came to this county. He lived at home and assisted in clearing up the farm and making improvements. In 1845, on the 2d day of October, he was joined in marriage to Mary A. Box, of Washington township. The following year he bought a farm adjoining the old home- stead, upon which he passed the remain- der of his days. His first purchase was eighty acres, twenty of which were partially cleared. There was also a small cabin upon the farm. Mr. Smith labored dili- gently, making inroads upon the forest and improving his fields, and as they became fruitful under his skilful hands, thus fur- nishing the means for enlarging his farm, he made additional purchases, upon which in turn he continued the work of clearing. Before his death he became the owner of six hundred and forty acres of excellent land, as the reward of his steadfast indus- try and perseverance. His elegant brick residence, the present home of his widow, was erected in 1866.

Mr. Smith was a successful farmer and a lover of his occupation, which he carried on most extensively. He also possessed

considerable skill and ingenuity in the use of various kinds of tools, and frequently did blacksmithing and carpentry work for himself. He was a man who had many sincere friends, won by his upright char- acter and manly qualities. In politics he was a strong Democrat, and always labored to promote the success of his party. Early in life he became a Christian, and contin- ued to the end a devout member of the Reformed church. Just before his death, while conversing on religious subjects, he referred to his carly religious associations with much pleasure and satisfaction. He was elected a trustee of St. Paul's church some three years previous to his death, and faithfully served in that office until prevented by failing health. He was pros- trated by illness in December, 1878, and continued gradually declining until the Ist day of April, in the year 1879, when the end came.

Mrs. Frederick Smith was born in. Northampton county (now Carbon county), Pennsylvania, August 13, 1826. Her par- ents were Nicholas and Eve Margaret Box. Her mother's maiden name was Mehrcome. Her father died in Pennsyl- vania December 2, 1835. Her mother came to this county in 1836, and settled in Washington township, where she died April 22, 1857. Mrs. Smith is the young- est of a family of eleven children. She has three brothers and two sisters living.

To Mr. and Mrs. Smith were born three sons and four daughters, all of whom are living in York township. Their names are: William Frederick, Mary Armena, Samuel David, Henry Franklin, Margaret Anna, Sarah Catharine, and Dora Ella. Two of the sons and one of the daughters are married. William F. married Sarah C. Wilt, and has two children; Henry F. married Hannah E. Richards; Mary Ar- mena is the wife of George Wilt, York township, and has four children.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

THE MCCAULEY FAMILY.

Joseph McCauley was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1811. His father, John McCauley, of Scotch-Irish blood, came to America from Ireland with his parents when a young man. He mar- ried, in Pennsylvania, Mary Stumphff, and had a family of seven sons and four daughters. Of these four sons and two daughters are yet living. Joseph was the sixth child. He was brought up and edu- cated in Pennsylvania. He was a farmer throughout his life. On the 28th of October, 1830, he married Anna Ulsh, daughter of Andrew and Barbara Ulsh. She was born February 17, 1811, and was the second child and oldest daughter. The Ulsh family consisted of nine chil- dren, five sors and four daughters. The youngest of these children reached the age of fifty-one years before any were re- moved by death. Three of the sons and all of the daughters are still living. An- drew Ulsh spent his life in Pennsylvania. He was born September 12, 1785 ; died April 9, 1864. Barbara Ulsh, born Sep- tember 20, 1788; died October 22, 1828. Mr. Ulsh was married twice, Catharine being the name of his second wife.

After his marriage Mr. McCauley re- sided one year in Snyder county, thence moved to Mifflin county in 1832, where he lived until the spring of 1845. In the month of April of that year he came to the farm in York township, which he had purchased two years before, and set about making a home. The farm contained seventy-eight acres, but was afterwards in- creased in size to one hundred and sixty- four acres. There had been slight im- provements made, but not enough to make the farm of much utility until a large amount of work had been done. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley labored diligently, saved economically, and in due season had a comfortable home, Three chil-

dred were born to them-John A. Mc- Cauley, born December 27, 1831; Ma- tilda E. McCauley, born August 30, 1833; Sarah I. McCauley, born January 29, 1839. The daughters are both living, Mrs. Matilda E. Kopp in York township, and Mrs. Sarah I. Ulsh in St. Joseph county, Michigan. Joseph McCauley died April 21, 1853, a worthy and highly re- spected man. He was a man of industry and perseverance, and during the eight years he lived in Ohio, he made a large number of clearings and improvements, erected a substantial house, barn and out- buildings. He was a self-made man; commenced life with little, and worked his way upward by strict and careful at- tention to business. He was a member of the Lutheran church in Pennsylvania, but after coming to Ohio joined the Con- gregational church. He was a man of a cheerful and obliging disposition, and is gratefully remembered by his old friends and neighbors who had an opportunity to become thoroughly acquainted with him, and to know his worth.

After his death his widow lived upon the old homestead over ten years. No- vember 17, 1863, she was married to John Orwig, and since that time she has re- sided at Bellevue. Mrs. Orwig belongs to the Congregational church, and is a faith- ful member.

John A. McCauley, only son of Joseph McCauley, was born in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents. He lived and died upon the old homestead, enjoying the peaceful life of a prosperous farmer. January 13, 1853, he was united in marriage to Lucy A. Jordan, born January 18, 1832, in Union county, Pennsylvania. This union was blessed by three children, two of whom are living -Alice A., born January 26, 1854; mar- ried March 16, 1874, to Harry S. Knauss; resides in the house with her mother; has

my Jolin M Cauley

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

three children-Virgie M., born Novem- ber 22, 1875; Olive Maud, born August 3, 1877; and John W., born February 6, 1880. John Ezra, born May 25, 1857, died September 7, 1858. Joseph Ervin, born June 8, 1859, married Alice C. Drake, and resides in York township, this county.

John A. McCauley died August 28, 1879. He united with the Congrega- tional church when about sixteen, and lived a faithful Christian. He was a mon of the highest integrity of character, and was highly esteemed by the community in which he resided. Like his father he sup- ported the Democratic ticket.

Mrs. Lucy A. McCauley is the daughter of one of the pioneers of Ohio. Her father, Adam Jordan, was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1803. He was married in his native State to Sophia Orwig, who was born in Schuyl- kill county, September 16, 1803. These parents had five sons and four daughters -Sarah A., who married Uriah Weaver; Martin married Mary Soyer; Lucy A. (McCauley) ; Joseph married Hannah Gamby; Mary A., George, and Hannah M., single ; James married Emma Hubble; John, the only member of the family not living at the time of this writing, died when fourteen years old.

Adam Jordan moved from Union county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, in 1832; remained one year in Richland county, then settled in Seneca county, whence he moved to York township, Sandusky county, in 1844. Mr. Jordan died Sep- tember 22, 1860. His widow survived until August 28, 1871.

Mrs. McCauley joined the Congrega- tional church in 1853. Her children also united with the same organization when quite young. She is a lady who enjoys the friendship and esteem of a large circle of neighbors and acquaintances.

THE RIFE FAMILY.

Michael Rife was born in Frederick county, Maryland, February 15, 1814. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth (Sumbrun) Rife. They had three sons and seven daughters, with names as fol- lows: Susan, Michael, Daniel, Julia Ann, Elizabeth, Mary and Sarah (twins), So- phia, John, and Frances. The sons and four of the daughters are now living. Michael and John reside in York town- ship, and Daniel in the village of Clyde. They are all farmers. Susan is the widow of Chester Kinney, and resides at Green Spring, in this county; Julia Ann married John Hamlin, her home is in Steuben county, Indiana; Mary married Aaron Bartlett, and lives in Fulton county; Eliz- abeth is single, and resides in Bellevue ; Sarah, Sophia, and Frances are deccased. Frances was the wife of Frank Joint, of Bellevue.

The parents of Mr. Rife came to San- dusky county in 1832 and located where John Rife now lives. The country at that date was but thinly settled, and the father and his sons had before them the difficult task of making a home in the wilderness and earning a living there. That they succeeded well in this undertaking, the neat and pretty farms in possession of the family are sufficient proofs. Daniel Rife died when fifty-five years of age, and his wife when fifty seven. Both were mem- bers of the Lutheran church during the greater portion of their lives, and were earnest and sincere Christians.

Michael Rife has always followed the good, old-fashioned employment of tilling the soil. At the age of twenty-five he married and began work for himself. His marriage took place January 1, 1839. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Longwell, was born in Berlin township, Delaware county, Ohio, November 9, 1821. She was the only daughter of Rob-

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

ert and Lucinda (Butler) Longwell, who were among the very first settlers in this county. They moved to York township in 1823. Mr. Longwell brought his goods in an ox-wagon, and Mrs. Longweil rode horseback, carrying her child in her arms. They were here but one brief year before they were overtaken by death. Mrs. Long- well died September 17, 1814, aged thirty- two years, and her husband followed on the 22d day of the same month and year, dying at the age of thirty. After the death of her parents, Mary lived with her rel- atives until her marriage with Mr. Rife, in 1839.

For the first few years after this couple began housekeeping the utmost diligence was required to " make both ends meet." Mrs. Rife raised chickens many seasons to sell, and paid taxes with the proceeds. Produce brought but a small equivalent in money, butter often selling for only five cents per pound, and other articles in pro- portion. Young people at the present day can form but a vague idea of the dif- ficulties which this stout-hearted pair met and overcame.

Their union has been blessed with four children, three of whom are living. The family record is as follows: Eudora Ann was born March 30, 1841, she married Robert Zuel, and resides in Johnson county, Kansas ; Sarah F. was born Sep- tember 7, 1842, she is the wife of William L. Richards, and lives near her old home; Robert L., born April 27, 1846, married Maria Dimock; he also resides near his parents ; Charles, born February 20, 1848, died March 24th of the same year.

Mr. and Mrs. Rife, now in their declin- ing years, are the happy possessors of a pleasant, pretty home, a good farm of three hundred acres, well improved, and supplied with a good orchard and plenty of timber. They have always been in- dustrious and economical, and by toiling

early and late have merited the good things they now enjoy.

Mr. Rife is a Republican and has never voted any other ticket, excepting that of the Whig party. He has never aspired to township or other offices.

JAMES CHAPMAN.

James Chapman was born in the north- western part of the State of Pennsylvania, December 26, 1809. He is the oldest of the children of Jeremiah and Sarah (Wil- bur) Chapman. Jeremiah Chapman was a native of Connecticut, but moved to Pennsylvania when quite a young man and was one of the pioneers in the part of the State where he settled. He was the son of James Chapman, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived and died in Connecti- cut. Sarah Wilbur was born in Rhode Island, but removed to Pennsylvania with her parents when young. Soon after he was married, Jeremiah Chapman removed to Ontario county, New York, where he lived until about 1819, when he came to Ohio. He remained one year in Huron county, then located on Sandusky River in Seneca county, where he resided about four years, moving thence to Sandusky county in 1824. Here he settled in York township on a farm which is still in pos- session of the family. He was the father of four children, three of whom are still living-Sarah, the second child and oldest daughter, is the wife of George Wood and resides in Erie county ; Maria married L. P. Warner, and lives in Hillsdale county, Michigan; and James. The other child, a son, died in infancy.

Jeremiah Chapman was a farmer during his life. He was a man of hearty consti- tution, strong and vigorous physically, in short, almost a perfect type of the sturdy pioneer. He served a short time in the War of 1812. Both he and his

Mrs. Anna Chapmans

James Chapmans

Mis Seneca Sitt.

Sencor Affitto

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

wife were members of the Free-will Baptist church. Mr. Chapman died July 1, 1845, ..... aged sixty-four years. Mrs. Chapman survived her husband "a few years, and died at the home of her youngest daugh- ter, in Michigan.

From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr. James Chapman came to this county when about fourteen years of age. He had limited opportunities for obtaining an education, except in the wide and varied field known as the school of life. He at- tended school for a few years during a portion of the winter time in some of the few log school-houses then in York town- ship. His boyhood was passed at home on the farm. When about thirty years old he married Anna Smith, daughter of George Smith, of York township. She was one of a family of seven children, and was a native of Germany.

To Mr. and Mrs. Chapman were born seven children, four of whom are still liv- ing. Following are their names in the order of their ages: Albert, died Decem- ber 14, 1873, aged thirty-two years; he was unmarried. Reuben resides near his father's home; he married Nettie Riley, of Riley township. Mary died September 17, 1873, aged twenty-eight; she was the wife of Atwell Forgerson, of York town- ship. Emeline and Adeline (twins); Eme- line married Henry Kopp, and resides in York township. Adeline lives at home. "The next child was a daughter, who died in infancy. Amelia, the youngest, resides at home. Mrs. Chapman died November 8, 1879, at the age of sixty-five.

Mr. Chapman has been one of the suc- cessful farmers of this vicinity. Of recent years he has given up the management of his place to his son, who continues doing a thrifty business. Mr. Chapman has been a sound Republican ever since the party was formed. He was a member of the Free-will Baptist church as long as that

organization was in existence in his town- ship. His wife belonged to the Lutheran church.

SENECA D. AND MAHALA E. HITT.

Seneca Dusenberry Hitt was a native of Danby, Rutland county, Vermont, and was born, October 6, 1800. His father Henry D. Hitt, was a native of New York, being of Welsh parentage on his father's side, and Dutch on his mother's side. The mother of Seneca D. Hitt was Mary Nichols, a native of Vermont. General Greene, of the Revolution, was her uncle.

The boyhood of Mr. Hitt was spent on the shoemaker's bench, in business, and teaching school. He married, June 15, 1837, Mahala E. Stafford, a daughter of Palmer and Betsy (Paddock) Stafford, of Wallingford, Rutland county, Vermont. The ancestry of the Stafford family is traced back to a Rhode Island family of that name.

The newly wedded couple left their home in Vermont on the 27th of June, and after a tedious journey of one month and two days, arrived in Bellevue. Mr. Hitt had, the year before, in partnership with his cousin, Henry Nichols, purchased the farm on which he settled, being one hundred and twenty-six acres, twelve of which was cleared. Mr. Hitt, during the earlier years of his residence in this county, made use of his experience at shoemaking to earn a few odd dollars, for ready cash was scarce, and the pioneers were driven to various expedients for earning money. But hard labor and economy triumphed over the rugged opposition of heavy forest and general scarcity. Mr. Hitt purchased, in a few years, Mr. Nichol's interest in the farm, which he continued to improve till death, when, as an heritage to his family, he left an enviable home.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Mr. Hitt died in January, 1872, in his seventy-second year. He was frequently entrusted with local offices. He was a warm advocate of Whig principles, and after the fall of that party became a Re- publican. In appearance he was robust and strong, being five feet eight inches tall, and weighing about two hundred pounds.

Mrs. Hitt is still living on the old farm. She is a well preserved woman, both phys- ically and mentally. A naturally happy disposition fills her home with good cheer and hospitality.

The family consists of three children living and one dead.

Mary E. was born April 3, 1840. She was married in 1871 to Silas A. Wood, who died in June, 1872. She is employed as a teacher in the Fremont public schools.

Marion Adelia was born February 3, 1842. She was married September 27, 1860, to George H. Mugg, a resident of Green Creek township. Their family con- sists of three children-Elmer E., Luella, and Susan M.

Tamson Lavina was born January 17, 1845. She was married October 23, 1867, to Charles H. Welch. Their family consists of four children-Alice R., Ma- hala, Adelia, and Charles H., jr.

Seneca D. was born January 16, 1849, died October 2, 1849.

JOHN S. AND ANN GARDNER.

John Gardner was a pioneer in York township. With his family, consisting of a wife and six children, he emigrated from Vermont and settled here while nearly the whole township was original forest. John S. Gardner, the oldest son, was born in Ver- mont, on the 24th of February, 1806, and was consequently seventeen years old

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 104

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040