USA > Ohio > Seneca County > History of Seneca County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns, villages, school, churches, industries, etc., portraits of early settlers and prominent men; biographies; history of the Northwest territory; history of Ohio; statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc., etc > Part 108
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
DR. JAMES A. ANDREWS (deceased), was born in Philadelphia, Penn., son of John and Elizabeth (Abercrombie) Andrews, of English descent, the former of whom was cashier of the old United States Bank, in Philadelphia, for many years. Dr. Andrews came to the farm now occupied by his widow in 1837, having married. April 12, of the same year, Miss Emy Rozell, who was porn near Trenton. N. J., daughter of John and Jane (Twigley) Rozell, who came, in 1836, to Liberty Township, this connty, where they died. Mr. Twig- ley was a gallant Revolutionary soldier. Dr. Andrews served under Gen. Morgan (who was his cousin) during the Mexican war. He was the father of the following named children: John H., in Mackinaw City, Mich. ; Margaret, wife of Henry Park, in Pelltown, Mich .; Calander, wife of David D. Fisher, near Bloomville, Ohio, and George W., in Liberty Township, this county. Dr. Andrews was a Master Mason; a man of rare talent and ability. He died in 1860.
EDMUND R. ASH, farmer, P. O. Kansas, was born in Liberty Township, Seneca Co., Ohio, November 9, 1844; son of Upton and Barbara A. (Bower)
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Ash, both of whom are still living, the latter born April 22, 1823, son of Moses and Martha (Robinson) Bower, who were among the earliest settlers of Liberty Township, this county. Upton Ash was born June 8, 1822, in Bedford Coun- ty, Penn., son of George and Tishey (Reed) Ash, who came to Liberty Town- ship, this county, in 1833. The subject of this sketch married, in 1867, Emeline Elder. who was born in Bedford County, Penn., November 13, 1843, daughter of Achor and Eliza (Cessna) Elder, the former of whom died in Ma- honing County, Ohio, in 1855: Mrs. Elder, who is a daughter of William and Nancy (Barnes) Cessna. is still living. in her sixty-seventh year. To Mr. and Mrs. Ash were born the following children: Curtis A., Lewis, Harvey J., Willoughby R. and Elsie J. In August, 1862, Mr. Ash enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and after ten months' service was discharged on account of disability. He subsequently served in the 100 days' service. as corporal, in Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and in January, 1865, he en- listed in Company E, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged September 18, 1865. Mr. Ash is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and is one of the most enterprising young men of Liberty Township.
JACOB ASH. farmer. P. O. Kansas, was born, October 13, 1836, in the house in which he now lives. His parents, Jacob and Sarah (Willerson) Ash. natives of Bedford County, Md., former of whom was a son of Abraham Ash, came to Liberty Township. this county, in 1832. and here died. They were parents of six children: John (deceased, leaving a family in Liberty Town- ship): Edmund (deceased, leaving a family in Liberty Township); Abraham, in Fostoria: Harriett, wife of Benjamin Lewman, in Liberty; Wesley (deceased) and Jacob. Our subject was a member of Company E. One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was a fifer. serving at Washington, D. C. August 3. 1856, he married Lettia A. Brown, born in Seneca County, Ohio. March 11. 1838, daughter of George and Julia (Scott) Brown, natives of Maryland, and among the early settlers of Seneca County. Ohio. To this union were born the following children: Julia A. (deceased wife of Thomas Ferrell; she left two children); Sarah, wife of Lewis Peifer. in San- dusky County, Ohio; Lilly, wife of Jacob Schubert, in Big Spring Township: Clarissa (deceased): Charley: John; Beda (deceased); Daisy and Lola L.
AMANDUS BETTS, railroad contractor. P. O. Bettsville, was born July 9, 1843, son of Daniel Betts. He received such an education as could be secured in the common schools, and August 22. 1862, enlisted in Company D. One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Eastern army and discharging his duties faithfully until June 19, 1865. when he was discharged with the rank of sergeant. February 13, 1870. he was married to Mrs. Phoebe (Rosenberger) Halter, who was born in Liberty Township, this county. January 15, 1844, daughter of Nicholas Rosenberger. By her first husband Mrs. Betts has one son-Milo- now residing in Liberty Township, this county; by her second marriage she has one daughter-Lottie -- born July 14, 1871. Mr. Betts for several years was engaged in farming, and dealt largely in grain. He is the owner of one of the most beautiful farms and picnic grounds in Branch County. Mich. In 1876 he commenced contracting with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for supplying all kinds of lumber and ties, since when he has done a very large business: has also large contracts with the Lake Shore, O. C. and Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroads. Mr. Betts is a member of the K. of H. and of the chapter. a member of the G. A. R. and the I. O. O. F., of Bettsville; also a member
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of the K. of P .. Lodge No. 147, and the F. & A. M., Lodge No. 336. at Fremont, Ohio. He is prominent in lodge matters, having filled the highest positions in the subordinate lodges, and been representative to the Grand Lodge.
MICHAEL BETTS. farmer. P. O. Bettsville, was born in Center County. Penn., January 3. 1809; son of John and Barbara (Boyer) Betts, who moved to Wayne County. Ohio, in 1821. and to Liberty Township, this county. in 1832. locating on Section 3. where the father of our subject caused to be laid out the twenty-one original lots of Bettsville in 1838. John Betts was the father of six children: John (deceased). Michael. Mary (Mrs. Daniel Mar- tin), Sarah (deceased wife of Abraham Borough), Daniel, in Bettsville, Ohio, and David, in Fremont. Ohio. Michael Betts was married, April 20, 1850. to Catharine Bish, who was born in Fairfield County. Ohio, April 13. 1821. and is the daughter of Henry and Mary (Zirkle) Bish, natives of Virginia, but early and prominent settlers in Fairfield County, Ohio. To our subject and wife have been born five children: Irena D., Henry A., Isaiah F., Salome E. (deceased), and Mary C. Mr. Betts followed the mill-wright trade for about thirty years in various States. He was active in township affairs, and took a leading interest in securing the Pennsylvania Railroad through Bettsville. and in the various enterprises for the good of the people he has always been among the foremost. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
JACOB O. BOWLUS, merchant and postmaster, Kansas, was born in San- dusky County, Ohio. December 22, 1837, son of David and Nancy (Holloway) Bowlus, natives of Frederick County. Md., who settled near Fremont. Ohio, in 1822, where they died at an advanced age. They were the parents of six children: Rohanna (wife of Daniel Shook, residing near Fremont. Ohio); Margaret (deceased wife of Greenbury Burdette; she left a family near Fort Clinton, Ohio). Rebecca (deceased), H. A. (a merchant in Melrose. Ohio). Louisa (wife of James Hiett, a merchant in Fremont, Ohio), and Jacob O. Our subject was engaged in farming until 1865, when he embarked in mer- chandising in Kansas. Ohio, where he has since remained. For a time he was in partnership with his brother, but has been sole proprietor of the large and commodious store now occupied by him since 1879. Mr. Bowlus was married, in 1861, to Miss Sarah E. Deemer. No children have been born to this union. but Mr. and Mrs. Bowlus have an adopted daughter-Mamie E. Mr. Bowlus is a member of the encampment, Kansas Lodge I. O. O. F., also of the K. of P. of Kansas, No. 183. He was appointed postmaster of Kansas, Ohio. in 1872. He is a man of prominence, and is held in the highest esteem by the people of the community in which he lives.
PETER CRAUN. farmer. P. O. Kansas, was born December 29, 1828. in Franklin County, Ohio, son of Abraham and Rosanna (Miller) Craun: the former, born March 24. 1796, died May 25, 1883, was a son of John Craun, a native of Holland; the latter, born December 25, 1799, and died February 12. 1876. was a daughter of Jacob Miller, a native of Virginia. Their children were Jacob; Rachael, wife of Henry Murphy, in Indiana; John, in Jackson Township. this county; Abigail; Peter; Catyan (deceased): Elizabeth. wife of John Finkenbinder: Rebecca. wife of William Flack; Adaline: Martha: Sarah
A .; James A. and Isaac. The Crauns came to Jackson Township. this county, about 1834. Peter Craun enlisted in November, 1862, in Company F. Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until July 28. 1863, when he was discharged on account of expiration of his term of enlistment. Mr. Craun is one of the energetic and enterprising farmers of Liberty Township.
HIRAM CROMER, EsQ., farmer and justice of the peace, P. O. Cromer's, was born in Liberty Township. this county, April 29, 1844. son of Ezra and
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Sarah (Craun) Cromer, natives of Maryland, but who were among the early settlers of this county, where the former died in 1881 in his sixty-eighth year; the latter, a daughter of John and Deborah (Lee) Craun, is still living. Mr. Cromer was married, April 4. 1867, to Rebecca Omwake, who was born in Franklin County, Penn .. March 31. 1846. daughter of Jacob and Annie (Beck) Omwake, who came to this county in 1845, many of whose family died of cholera in 1855. To Mr. and Mrs. Cromer were born four children: Alton E .. Annie E .. Mary B. and Hiram F. In the spring of 1883 Mr. Cromer was elected justice of the peace. He is doing a large business, and his de- cisions are universally respected. He served two terms as trustee and twelve consecutive years as a member of the school board, securing by his untiring energy, an extension of the school year. He is a member of the K. of H., at Fort Seneca. He is very active in the cause of temperance; is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and has been a representative to the annual conference. Mr. Cromer served in Company H, One Hundred and Sixty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, doing duty at Washington, D. C. In polities he is a Republican.
J. H. DAVIDSON, merchant and notary. Bettsville, was born in Ottawa County. Ohio. September 1. 1843, son of Hugh and Salina (Poole) Davidson (both now deceased), early settlers in Ohio, and who had seven children. two of whom died without issue: Laura, married to Stephen Cowell (by whom she had one child, Alice). her second marriage was with James McNutt (by whom she had a family). she died in Lucas County. Ohio; Mary, married to John Fish (she died in Wisconsin leaving a family): those now living are Sarah, wife of Charles Lutz, in Tiffin, Ohio: J. H. and William, in Rice County, Kas. The subject of this sketch started out in life with but a meager education, and with nothing but a willingness to do and a strong determination to succeed. He learned the trade of milling, which he followed several years, then engaged in farming and merchandising at Fort Seneca, where he held the office of justice of the peace for six years. In September. 1881. he came to Bettsville, en- gaged in merchandising. and the following March received his notarial con- mission. He enlisted. August 22. 1862. in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until June 29, 1865. At the battle of Rude's Hill he was severely wounded in the thigh, and with eight others was taken prisoner upon the field and confined in Libby prison. only he and one comrade escaping death at that place. He was married, Feb- ruary 3. 1867, to Emma Abbott. a native of Seneca County. Ohio, and daugh- ter of Henry and Eliza (Lott) Abbott, who were among the early and prominent settlers of this county. By this union there have been born three children. Mand and Mabel, twins, who died early in life. and Henry, who is still living. Mr. Davidson was a good soldier, and is an energetic and enterprising business man.
SOLOMON GARDNER. carriage manufacturer. P. O. Kansas, was born in Sandusky County, Ohio. December 31, 1857. son of Horace and Elizabeth (Cary) Gardner. Horace Gardner was born in Connecticut, October 6, 1799. and came to Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1832, where he entered a large tract of land and became prominent among the people of the time; he died November 25, 1878. Elizabeth Gardner was born August 3. 1833, in Richland County, Ohio, died September 9. 1877. she was a daughter of William and Margaret (Baker) Cary. Both parents of our subject were twice married and had chil- dren by each union. Of their eight children four died young. Those living are Solomon; Reuben, in Freeport, Ohio; Rosetta. wife of John Bovey, and Emma E., wife of John D. Fiandt, both residing near Rising Sun. Ohio.
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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Solomon Gardner came to Kansas, Ohio. in 1882. and engaged in the manu- facture of wagons and buggies. and in general repairing. He recently began the manufacture of knives. April 19. 1879. he married Sarah Graves, who was born June 13. 1864. daughter of William and Rebecca (Littles) Graves. and by this union there are two children: Horace and Albert.
JOHN F. GASSMAN (deceased). son of Philip and Elizabeth (Hummel) Gassman, was born in Eppingen, province of Baden, Germany, December 24. 1812, and came to America in 1833 and to Liberty Township. this county, in 1834. He married, in 1836. Margaret A. Zimmer, who was born in Beinheim. Hessen Darmstadt, Germany. December 2. 1819. daughter of Gerhart and Catharine E. (Fink) Zimmer. who came to America in 1832, and the same vear settled in this county. where they died-the former in 1875, aged ninety- six years, and the latter in 1874. aged eighty-two years. Mrs. Gassman is the mother of fourteen children, five of whom are deceased. Those living are George. in San Francisco. Cal. : Mary, widow of Jacob Bender. in Hancock County, Ohio; Elizabeth, wife of John Beck: Amanda, wife of George Beck. and Jolin are in Pleasant Township, this county: Sophia. Tillie, Franklin and Emma are living at home. Mr. Gassman was a carpenter and worked at that trade for several years. He was a F. & A. M .. a member of the lodge at Tiffin. and of the Reformed Church. a highly esteemed citizen. His death occurred April 23. 1863. His widow and her family are living on their farm of 155 acres. engaged in agriculture. and they rank high among the enterprising farmers of Liberty Township.
JAMES L. HOSLER. grandson of Henry Hosler and son of Moses F. and Amanda (Lynch) Hosler. was born in Liberty Township October 10. 1857: edu- cated in the schools of the district and at Heidelberg College, he taught school for two terms (1875-76): was appointed agent of the Lake Erie & Western and Northwestern Ohio at Burgoon. Ohio. which position he held about five years. when he was transferred to the Bettsville office. where he was employed until July, 1883, when he with others, mentioned at page 327, purchased the office of the Optic and founded the Enterprise. Mr. Hosler was married December 24, 1878, to Miss Emma C .. daughter of Solomon Warner, of Sandusky County. Our subject was elected village clerk in April. 1883. and re-elected in April. 1885. Was also elected a justice of the peace in April, 1885. for Liberty Township.
JACOB HUNKER, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born near Sulz, in the king- dom of Wurtemburg, December 16, 1842, son of Jacob and Catharine (Smith) Hunker, who came to America in 1853, landing in New York, and the same vear locating in Clinton Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. The father of our sub- ject, now ( ISS5) in his eighty-first year, a son of Martin Hunker, lost his wife in 1854: she was a daughter of Martin Smith, and the mother of the follow- ing children: Martin, in Clinton Township; Mathias, in Hopewell Township; Jacob, our subject; Mary, wife of Christian Snyder, of Liberty Township, all in this county; and Frederick, in Buffalo County. Neb. The father's second marriage was with Mary Schantz, who is still living, and by her he has had one child, Annie, now the wife of Frederick Flaxenhair, of Liberty Township, this county. Owing to the limited means of his parents our subject received but meager advantages in early life. He was married, October 5, 1869, to Rosa Smith, who was born in Seneca County. Ohio, September 21, 1850, daughter of George and Rosina (Dunninger) Smith, natives of Wurtemburg, and who set- tled in this county about 1845; they are still living and are the parents of John. in Bloom Township: Rosa, Mrs. Hunker, in Liberty Township; Mel- choir. in Pleasant Township. and Andy, in Clinton Township, all in this
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county. To Mr. and Mrs. Hunker have been born the following children: John F., William F., David M., Oliver E. and Ollie M. (twins), and George I. Mr. Hunker is farming 220 acres of land, and is one of the most industrious and enterprising men in Liberty Township. He and his family are members of the Lutheran Church.
GEORGE KING (formerly Koenig), farmer, P. O. Bascom, was born on the river Rhine, in the province of Baden, Germany. July 14, 1808. son of Michael and Julia A. (Haas) King, who with a family of four children came to America in 1817. settling in Frederick County, Md. The children were all sold to service to pay for their passage across the ocean. George, being the youngest, was sold for twelve years. The other members of the family were Barbara. widow of Christly Schwoverland, in Ashland County, Ohio; Christian, deceased. leaving a family in Richland County, Ohio; and Michael, deceased, leaving a family in Noble County, Ind.
In 1859 our subject removed to his present farm. coming from Richland County, Ohio. He was married, Jan- nary 10. 1833, to Catharine Lambright, who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, January 4, 1814. daughter of John and Annie C. (Smith) Lambright, natives of Frederick County, Md., who settled in Richland County, Ohio, in 1812, the former a son of Henry Lambright, and the latter a daughter of John and Ann M. Smith. natives of Germany. To this union were born eleven children: six died young: John died, leaving a family in Jackson Township, this county; Henry, in Jackson Township, this county; Louisa, married to William Ander- son, by whom she had one son (her second marriage was with John Corigan, vf Bascom, this county); Susan, wife of Milton M. Grove, in Hillsdale County. Mich. : and Rachael, wife of Joseph Babcock, by whom she has three children: Charles B .. Gertrude and James. Mr. King, who is one of the lead- ing farmers in the county, has accumulated a fortune by his own energies. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church.
DANIEL MARTIN. retired farmer, P. O. Bettsville, was born in Freder- ick County. Md .. October 19, 1814, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Martin, natives of Maryland. of German descent, who removed early in 1816 to New York State, where our subject learned the miller's trade, which he followed in New York State and Pennsylvania until 1837. In 1938 he and his brother, Peter, built the first house in Bettsville. The same year he embarked in general merchandise, in which he continued several years, and then engaged in agri- culture: for several years, however, he has led a retired life. Mr. Martin was married, in May. 1846. to Mary Betts, daughter of Jolin Betts, and by this union he has one son. John A .. who served in the late war of the Rebellion, and is now engaged in buying and shipping horses. Mr. Martin at one time owned all that part of Bettsville west of Emma Street. He has been active in the various enterprises of the village, and is a most affable and pleasant gentleman.
J. W. MONTGOMERY, teacher. P. O. Cromer's, was born near Fort Sen- eca, Ohio. October 28. 1856, son of William and Marian A. E. (Hoke) Mont- gomery. both of whom are still living, the former born near Tiffin in 1827, a son of William Montgomery, one of the first settlers of this county. The mother of our subject was born in 1836, in Franklin County, Penn., daughter of John Hoke. J. W. Montgomery received a college education. He began life as a teacher before reaching his sixteenth year. He is now devoting his leisure hours to the study of medicine, which profession he expects to enter in the future. He was married, April 3, 1881, to Kate Murray, who was born in Liberty Township. this county, July 12. 1863, daughter of J. B. and Sarah (Green?) MIarray. both living, the former born near Massillon, Ohio, to Jacob
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and Catharine Murray (the latter still living, and nearly one hundred years old); the latter was born in Virginia, to Valentine and Helah (Robertson) Greene. Mr. Montgomery has one child -- Fay-born May 8, 1884.
JOHN PUFFENBERGER, farmer and stock-breeder, P. O. Tiffin, was born in Frederick County, Va .. May 27, 1823, son of George and Catharine (Null) Puffenberger, who were the first settlers in Liberty Township, this county, coming in 1825. They entered land in Section 28, enduring the trials and hardships of pioneer life, and were always ready to render assistance to other new settlers. George Puffenberger died in 1850. aged about sixty-three years; he was a son of Christian Puffenberger, who was a servant to some of the nobility of Holland. Mrs. Catharine Puffenberger, a daughter of Jacob and Lucy (Ohler) Null, natives of Virginia, died in 1877, aged eighty-three years; she was the mother of nine children: Joseph, in Liberty Township, this county; Adam. in Jackson Township, this county; Lucy, in Eaton County. Mich .; Henry, in Johnson County. Mo .; Catharine. wife of David Shaull, in Eaton County. Mich .; George and Jacob, in Eaton County, Mich .; Rosanna, wife of Jacob Shomaker, in Johnson County, Mo., and John. Our subject, at the age of thirteen, began teaming, and was away from home most of his time. At the age of eighteen he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he assisted in boat building for a time. He then went to Kentucky and Tennessee. He worked at the carpenter trade in nine different States, and for two years worked at bridge building on the Lake Shore Railroad. He was married, November 2. 1854, to Margaret J. Shaull, who was born in Virginia March 8, 1828. daughter of Bartholomew and Rebecca (Blue) Shaull, of Frederick County, Va., the latter born August 3, 1799, died in her sixty-sixth year; she was a daughter of John and Hannah (O'nan) Blue, who were among the early set- tlers of Pleasant Township, this county. Bartholomew Shaull, born August 16, 1797, died in his seventy-eighth year; was a son of John and Elizabeth (Benner) Shaull, who were among the earliest settlers of Pleasant Township, this county. The children of our subject were Henry B., Rebecca C. (wife of Solomon Srodes, in Pleasant Township, this county), Alice (wife of John Anderson), H. V. J. and S. A. D. (twins, H. V. J. died September 4, 1885, at the age of twenty-five years), J. S. and Jessie B. Mr. Puffenberger is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He is proprietor of the Percheron horse "Young Silver Mane." The members of Mr. Puffenberger's family are well educated, and are rapidly rising to a degree of prominence as artists and inventors. The family is highly esteemed by the community in which they live.
ANDREW RINGLE, farmer, P. O. Bettsville, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., October 11, 1817, son of Abram and Elizabeth (Cole) Ringle. who settled in Stark County, Ohio, about 1832. Abram Ringle died about 1836, aged sixty-five years; his widow died in Gratiot County, Mich., in 1870. aged seventy-eight years. They were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are now living: Abram, who resides in Gratiot County, Mich., and Andrew. The subject of this sketch settled on his present farm in 1846. He was married, in September, 1844, to Hannah Reeder, a native of Stark County, Ohio, who died April 16, 1884, aged sixty-five years. She was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hewett) Reeder, and the mother of ten children, eight of whom died young. Those now living are William and Mrs. Eliza Sech- man, both living at home. William was married. December 15, 1864, to Lucinda Cook, a native of Liberty Township, this county, and a daughter of William and Sarah (Fry) Cook, of Wood County. By this marriage there were nine children. seven of whom are now living: Mahala, Irvin, Andrew, Jessie,
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Ida E., Dayton and Hannah. Mr. Ringle started out in life with but a few dollars, but by faithful effort he has accumulated a property of 280 acres of choice land, after having endured all the trials and hardships of pioneer life. clearing over 200 acres of the wilderness and swamp of Liberty Township.
NICHOLAS ROSENBERGER, P. O. Bettsville, was born near Charles- town, Va., January 12, 1814, son of Frederick and Catharine (Shaull) Ros- enberger, former a son of Frederick and (Hopewell) Rosenberger, latter a daughter of Michael and Rosanna (Seidner) Shaull, early settlers of Liberty Township. The parents of our subject came to this county in 1826, and in the spring of 1827 to Liberty Township, where they built the third house in the township. In this house was assembled the first meeting for divine wor- ship held in the township. They entered 240 acres of land in Section 4. where in 1829 our subject's father built the first saw-mill in Liberty Township. and in 1831 added the first grist-mill in the township, and the same year he assisted in building, on the line between Sections 7 and 8, the first schoolhouse in the township. Our subject's educational advantages were poor, and he was unable to write until after his twenty-first year, but by close application he soon afterward acquired the rudiments of a common school education. and became one of the most prominent of the early officials of Liberty Township. He held the office of constable eleven years, also the offices of assessor and land appraiser, and was first lieutenant of the early militia company of the township. He was married, in 1836. to Jane A. Betts, who was born in Cha- tanqua County, N. Y., November 22, 1820, daughter of Nathan and Phœbe (Caulkin) Betts, who located in Liberty Township. this county, in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Rosenberger have five children: Mariette (deceased wife of N. Lyberger, leaving family), Clarissa (deceased). Phœbe E. (wife of A. Betts). Avilda and Edgar (deceased).
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