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 122

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088

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 122

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DANIEL EDGAR BRONG, who is assistant district attorney at Lockport. N. Y., was born June 9, 1857, in Scipio Township, Seneca Co., Ohio. He left common school March 4, 1873; was a student in Republic Normal School from October 1, 1873, two years; was a student and teacher at same school from October 1, 1875, two years more; delivered centennial oration at Republic, Ohio, July 4, 1876; began reading law at home May 1, 1877, and taught school in Adams Township, this county, winter of 1877-78. He read law sum- mer of 1878, at Lockport, Niagara County. N. Y .. and entered the law depart- ment of the university of Michigan at Ann Arbor, October 1. 1878, continuing two years; was office law student at Lockport. April 1, 1880, to January 1. 1881, and was then admitted to the bar in New York; graduated at Ann Arbor. March 23, 1880, and was admitted to the bar in Michigan. He practiced law at Lockport. from January 1, 1880, to date: was appointed assistant district attorney of Niagara County, January 1, 1884, for the term of three years. Daniel Edgar Brong was married September 27. 1882, to Mary Eunice Parker. of Lockport, and to this union was born, September 23, 1884, one son-Parker Paul.

DANIEL BROWN (deceased) was born in Westchester County, N. Y .. December 28, 1799, and died March 26. 1872. He was reared on a farmi and entered upon his career in life as a farmer, coming to Scipio Township, this county, in about 1836, locating on the farm now owned by William Baker. He became a prominent politician and was elected by the Democratic party to a seat in the Legislature. Certain measures being agitated which did not meet ' his views, he eventually became a Republican. He held the office of coroner in the county, and numerous township offices. such as justice of the peace, etc. He was a Knight Templar. Mr. Brown was a self-educated man and although of firm convictions, was easily influenced for right. He was married, June 3. 1833. to Mrs. Sally (Chace) Smith, who survives him. She was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., October 19, 1813, and was first married, in 1832, to Joseph N.

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Smith, who died within the year. She was the mother of one daughter, Josie. born September 18,1834, who was married June 4, 1850, to W. J. Crissel, who died in 1869, leaving to her care two children: Dan B. and Fred B., both farmers in Scipio Township, this county. Mrs. Crissell subsequently married, October 12, 1870, James H. Knapp, who was born in Putnam County, N. Y., July 12. 1842. Mr. Knapp has always followed the occupation of a farmer, except two years, during which time he was engaged in mercantile business in Iowa. During the war he was in the 100 days' service in Company I. One Hundred and Forty-fifth Ohio National Guards. He came to Seneca County in 1869. and has held numerous township offices of trust; is the present secretary of the Farmers' Mutual Relief Association of Seneca County, which was organized in 1860, incorporated in 1878. Mr. Knapp is an extensive breeder of high grade stock. Politically he is a Republican.

MORGAN BUGBEE (deceased) was born in Scipio Township, this county, January 16, 1840, son of Philo and Celia (True) Bugbee, natives of New York, former born in Auburn. May 14, 1815, died December 27. 1870; latter born in Bath, March 8, 1818, is still living and is the mother of five children: Morgan Eliza, born March 4, 1841, wife of J. Dittman; Mariah, born April 11, 1842. died August 13, 1867; Elva, born January 1. 1851, wife of G. M. Pancost. of Washington, D. C .; Merritt, born October 16, 1855, and Morgan. Morgan Bugbee entered upon his career in life as a farmer, and eventually became one of the best farmers of Scipio Township, this county. He made a specialty of breeding Merino sheep and Poland-China hogs. He resided two years in Indiana, and while there became an Odd Fellow. Mr. Bugbee was highly esteemed by the community in which he lived; he was a consistent member of the Universalist Church for some years previous to his death; he died, August 10, 1884. He was married, April 9, 1863, to Miss Mary Woodruff, who was born in Ann Arbor, Mich .. June 12, 1842; she was a daughter of John and Sally (Clark) Woodruff, who were natives of New York, former born October 19, 1798, died June 25, 1852; latter born March S, 1798, died April 17, 1880; they were early settlers in Michigan; the former was a school teacher. and a prominent politician of the Whig party; they were the parents of thirteen children: Emma, John B. (deceased), Matilda (deceased), Peter, Caroline, Charles H., Timothy (deceased), Thomas, James C., Samuel, Martha, Jane and Mary; Jane married Orlando Green, of Attica, Ohio, May 11, 1862; he died September 17, 1878: one child blessed this union, Donna W., born April 6. 1875.

JAMES E. CARPENTER, farmer. P. O. Republic, was born in Clinton Township, this county, July 19, 1853. son of Adam and Phoebe (Strow) Car- penter, former a native of Harrison County, Ohio, latter of Bloom Township, this county; they were the parents of two children: William and James E. Our subject received a common and normal school education and entered upon his career in life as a school teacher. He has, however, made farming the princi- pal occupation of his life and has been a resident of Scipio Township since 1880. He makes no specialties, other than growing the usual crops and rais- ing stock. Politically he is a stanch Republican. Mr. Carpenter was mar- ried, February 19, 1878. to Miss Sarah Myers, who was born in Venice Town- ship, this county, June 4, 1849, and by this union there are two children: one died in infancy, and Roxie Rebecca, born December 26. 1883. Mrs. Car- penter is a daughter of Henry and Rebecca (Free) Myers, early settlers of this county, former deceased; they were the parents of seven children: Mary J. (deceased wife of A. B. Brant), George W. (deceased). Andrew J .. Sarah. Thomas J., Martha E. and William T.

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HIRAM CHAFFEE, farmer. P. O. Bloomville, was born in Courtland County, N. Y., October 30, 1812; son of Nathan and Polly (Eaton) Chaffee, of Massachusetts, former a miller by trade; they are the parents of five chil- dren: Polly, Wealthy, Abigail, Axie and Hiram. Our subject, who has always been a farmer, came to this county in March, 1860, and located on the farm on which he still resides. He has been township trustee: was formerly a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F. and was a Granger. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Chaffee married, April 20, 1833, Miss Maria Wilkerson, who was born in Cayuga County, N. Y., March 14, 1810. To this union have been born two children: Cornelius and George. Cornelius contracted disease in the army, from which he died, and George died at Danville, Ky. Cornelius married Sarah Salisbury, who died November 8, 1874, aged thirty years and eleven months; their son, Lewis, married Ella Smith, born in Cayuga County. N. Y., November 10, 1860 (they have one son. Harry, born March 21, 1883). Mrs. Chaffee, wife of our subject, is a daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Leigh- land) Wilkerson, of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, respectively, of whose children three are now living: Charles, Eliza Cunningham and Mrs. Chaffee. Our subject and wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1883.

JAMES B. CLARK, farmer, P. O. Republic, was born in Pleasant Town- ship, this county, in 1853; son of William Clark, of Pleasant Township. this county. Our subject received a common school education and taught school several terms. He entered upon his career in life as a farmer. and as such bids fair to become one of the representative agriculturists of the township. He was united in marriage, March 15. 1883. with Miss Ida Rhoads, who was born in 1859, in Scipio Township, this county, daughter of Squire Joseph Rhoads, now of Eden Township. this county. Mr. Clark came to Scipio Township in 1883 and located on the farm settled by his grandparents in an early day.

JOHN L. COLE, attorney, Republic, was born in Clinton Township, Sen- eca County, Ohio, February 14. 1840, a son of Nathan Cole, of Bristol County, Mass., a carpenter and farmer who came to this county in 1836, and died in 1875, aged eighty-nine years. Nathan Cole's first wife, Polly French, left two daughters: Fanny (deceased) and Polly (wife of Benjamin Dean, of Massachu- setts). Nathan Cole's second wife, Abigal S. Sawyer, a daughter of Rev. Sawyer, was mother of six children: Nathan, Hiram, Henry, Simon, Sally and Abigal (the two latter are deceased); and his third wife. Maria (Walker) Long- coy. had two daughters by Mr. Longcoy: Charlotte, deceased wife of D. Decker. and Polly, deceased. By Mr. Cole she has two children: Elsie, wife of Charles C. Fox, and John L., the subject of this sketch; she is still living. The Cole family are of English descent, and their ancestors were among the early settlers of Massachusetts. The subject of this sketch entered upon his course in life as a teacher in the common schools, and later became principal of the public school of Republic, Ohio, a position he held for five years, spend- ing a portion of the time in the study of law. and afterward reading with Hon. George E. Seney. He was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1862, and entered upon the practice of his profession at Republic, and has since engaged in gen- eral law and real estate business.

He owns a farm near Republic, which is operated under his management. Mr. Cole has served as township clerk eleven years, member of the school board eighteen years, and has held other minor township offices. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Cole married, October 9. 1876, Maria Platte, of Scipio Township, this county. a graduate of Seneca County Academy, and for three years principal of Republic schools, a daugh- ter of Joel and Amanda (Norton) Platte, early settlers of this county and res-

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idents of Republic: she was born December 8, 1841, and is mother of two children: Ettie L., born January 5, 1879, and Heath K., born September 16, 1880.

ORANGE COOLEY. farmer, P. O. Republic, was born near Northampton. Mass., July 19, 1811, son of Alvin and Elizabeth (Frazier) Cooley, natives of Massachusetts, who were married October 16. 1796, and were the parents of the following named children: Betsey, Polly, Emily, Alvin and Orange. Alvin Cooley, Sr., died January 29, 1827, and his widow a few years later. Our subject, the only survivor of the family. was nearly nineteen years of age when he came with his parents to Seneca County, Ohio. He had but a few dol- lars at that time, but by habits of industry and economy has accumulated a large property. In 1830 he purchased eighty acres of land from Joseph Cha- zey, who had entered it in 1826, and has made all the improvements, having also placed it under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Cooley was married. November 20, 1834, to Mary Pettys. born in New York, April 30, 1819, and who died January 15, 1879, the mother of nine children: Hannah M. (deceased), Cyntha J., Sereno S., Edward, Elizabeth, Richard. Eliza. Viola and Charles. Mr. Cooley, who has always led an honorable life, enjoys the respect of the entire community. He joined the Presbyterian Church December 10, 1837, and has since served as trustee or elder in same most of the time. He assisted in building the first church in the township, and all those since erected but one. Politically he was originally a Whig, but in later years has been a Repub- lican.

OBEDIAH CUMMINGS. farmer. P. O. Republic, was born in Scipio Township, this county, June 20, 1837, son of Mathias and Phoebe (Booth) Cummings, natives of New England. who came to this county in about 1830: they were parents of two children: Obediah and Mary (wife of J. A. Smith). Mathias and Phobe Cummings had both been previously married. Our sub- ject received the advantages of a common school education, and in early life. learned the carpenter's trade, but has made farming the principal occupation of his life. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a stanch Republican. He was married, December 29. 1859. to Sarah Garhart, who was born in Crawford County. Ohio, August 23. 1841, and by this union are four children: Clinton, Cora. Mattie and Myrtie, latter deceased.

SYLVESTER CUNNINGHAM (deceased) was born in Cortland County, N. Y., January 10, 1815. and came to this county in 1857. where he followed the occupation of a farmer, although a mason by trade. He was married. September 3, 1836, to Eliza Wilkerson, who survives him. She was born in Cayuga County, N. Y .. March 29, 1813. and is the mother of three children: Charles M., in Osborne County, Kans., married to Jean Vernon, March 15, 1866. (have one son, Vernon E., born January 27, 1868); Helen J., wife of E. F. Beard. of Monroe County. Mich .; Elizabeth. born April 7, 1844, married December 23, 1869, to Sidney J. Anway (son of John Anway), who was born February 15, 1841 (they have one son. Frank L., born March 11. 1875). The subject of this sketch was a man highly respected in the community. His death occurred May 30, 1883, and his loss was much felt by all who knew him. He was very active in public affairs, serving his township at one time as trustee. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically a Whig. afterward a Republican. He belonged to Hildreth Lodge No. 165, F. & A. M., Republic, Ohio.

S. S. DENTLER, farmer and merchant. P. O. Republic. was born near Gettysburg. Adams Co., Penn., March 23. 1834. son of George and Lena (Stover) Dentler, residents of Franklin County. Penn .. and who are the par-

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ents of twelve children: Samuel S .. Lucinda, John. Andrew J .. Joseph, Cath- arine, Louisa. Melinda, George. James, Ann and Rebecca. Coming to this county in 1854. our subject left it in 1856, but returned in 1860 and engaged in farming, in connection with which occupation he has been a member of the drug firm of Stickney & Dentler since 1869. Mr. Dentler is an active member of the I. O. O. F., in which order he is treasurer. Politically he may be termed independent. voting for men and principles. rather than party. Our subject was married. June 5. 1861, to Mrs. Jane Porter (a widow with two children), daughter of T. P. Roberts.

J. K. DUFFY. farmer and minister. P. O. Republic, was born in Alexan- dria, D. C., July 20, 1816, son of John and Mary (Kinsell) Duffy. former superintendent of the United States Arsenal. at Pittsburgh, to which place he was sent in 1817 with a division of men for the protection of the frontier. and where he and his wife died of yellow fever in 1818. He was a native of Ire. land, his wife of Germany. Being left an orphan at a very early age our subject was provided for by charitable people, and in 1820 was brought to Wayne County, Ohio, by John Ewaldt, where he remained until 1832. In 1836 he purchased 300 acres of land near Cardington, Ohio, of which he was deprived, with all the improvements, after much litigation, by an alien's claim. In 1855 he settled near Attica, Ohio, and in 1867 came to his present location, where he purchased 182 acres of land. At eighteen years of age he began preaching in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in 1844 became a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. He did regular itinerant work for more than thirty years and became a most successful and plain minister. He is active in educational and religious matters and in all the various enterprises for the promotion of the welfare of the people of the county. He served one term as justice of the peace and was a just judge, and highly respected citizen. Mr. Duffy was twice married, on first occasion. September 24, 1839. in Lima. Ohio. to Mary Wamsley, a Virginian, and daughter of Thomas Wamsley. By this union were two children: Sarah E. (deceased wife of Philip Prouse: she left a family in Bloomville. this county), and Silas A. (died at seven years of age). Mrs. Duffy died March 3. 1842, and Mr. Duffy then married. Novem- ber 15. 1842. Sarah A. Tilton, born in Monmouth County, N. J .. November 12. 1822, daughter of John and Sarah (Letts) Tilton, who settled in Licking County. Ohio, in 1832. where they died. By this union there were five chil- dren: Leonidas, in Scipio Township, this county; John H., in Logan County, Ohio; Jennie, wife of William Scott, in Madison County. Ohio: Willie (deceased) and Sylvester on the homestead.

W. S. EASTMAN, farmer. P. O. Republic, was born on the farm where he now resides, in Scipio Township, November 11, 1835, son of John W. East- man, who was born in Middletown, Orange Co., N. Y .. November 26. 1797: he served as a substitute for his father in the British service during the war of 1812. while residing in Canada. but eventually escaped into New York and later became first lieutenant in the "Yates Rifle Battalion: " he came to Seneca County. Ohio, in 1831, and, in January, of the year following. pur- chased eighty acres of land entered by Nathan Dix (in Scipio Township). removing his family to the same November 12, 1833: in early days his politi- cal views were Democratic, but later Republican; he took an active part in all public affairs and accumulated a large property, owning over 400 acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred May 30. 1872; his wife. Cynthia Spooner, was born in Greene County, N. Y., March 6. 1807, and died Decem- ber 6. 1855; they were parents of three children: Daniel W., deceased: Mary E .. wife of Samuel B. Ink, of Tiffin; and William S. Our subject graduated

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from Hillsdale College, Michigan, in the class of 1864, and assisted in the elocutionary department while at college. In connection with his farming interests he makes wool-growing a specialty, being a member of the .. Wool Grower's Association " of Seneca County. Politically he is a Republican; religiously. a Free Baptist. November 30, 1864, Mr. Eastman was married to Miss Mary A. Russell, of Sandusky County, Ohio, born April 7. 1843, daughter of Judge William S. Russell, of Fremont. Ohio. To this union were born Libbie and J. Russell.

P. J. EBERSOLE, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born June 28, 1836, in Big Lick Township. Hancock County, Ohio, where he received a common school education; a son of John P. and Susanna (Green) Ebersole, of Pennsyl- vania, who came to Hancock County, Ohio, about 1835: both are living, each at the age of eighty years. John P. Ebersole was a farmer and carpenter in early days, also for many years a preacher in the German Baptist Church. He was father of seven children: Neri, Oscar, Sarah, Simpson. Peter J., Susan and Harriet, all now living. The subject of this sketch came to this county in 1858. and to his present residence in 1880. He is a member of the German Baptist Church: in politics he is a Republican. Mr. Ebersole married. March 4, 1858, Miss Susan Roop, who was born in Richland (now Ashland) County, Ohio. December 3, 1839, and to this union were born three children: John D., deceased: Laura. deceased; and Adella, now the wife of Clarence Sankey. Mrs. Ebersole is a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Roop. natives of Carroll County, Md., and who came to this county about 1840. David Roop was a farmer and a minister of the German Baptist Church, having preached in this county about forty years: at the time of his death, which occurred May 4. 1880, he was about sixty-two years of age: he was quite a prominent man and took an active part in all public matters. Mrs. Elizabeth Roop died in August. 1880. at the age of sixty-five years: she was the mother of five children: Susan: Elizabeth, wife of William Coler: Josiah, a physician of Blue Springs. Neb. : William H .. deceased; and Ezra D.

E. F. GRAY, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Republic. was born in Scipio Township, this county, September 25. 1845. son of Samuel B. and Jane (Striker) Gray, of Steuben County, N. Y., and who settled in Scipio Township. this county, in 1834. where they died. former January 21, 1880, in the sixty- ninth year of his age (he was a son of Levi and Triphenia (Baker) Gray). latter in 1850, aged about thirty-five years (she was a daughter of Jeremiah Baker, a sailor). Samuel B. and Jane Gray were parents of seven children: Elizabeth and Mary, were deceased in infancy: Marcus L., who died in Lex- ington. Ky .. was a member of Company K. Forty-fifth Regiment O. L. G. C .: Charles. a member of the same regiment, was wounded in a skirmish and died in the Richmond Hospital prison: E. F .: Jennie. wife of James Merchant, residing near Tiffin, Ohio: Mary, wife of Daniel Smith, in Adams Township. this county. Our subject was married. December 25, 1879, to Hattie L. Smith. a native of Scipio Township, this county, and daughter of David Smith, and to this union were born following children: Gertrude. born December 12, 1880, and Frank, born May 22, 1882. Mr. Gray is W. M. of Hildreth Lodge F. & A. M .. at Republic. He has 2153 acres of finely improved land. being a part of nearly 1,000 acres which were entered by his grandfather, then inherited by his father, who was one of the greatest surveyors of his time. Mr. Gray was a member of Company K. One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and is a charter member of the G. A. R. at Republic.

JOEL HALL. farmer, P. O. Rockaway, was born on the farm where he still resides. November 10, 1827. son of Henry Hall. a native of Pennsylvania.

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who came to this county in the spring of 1927. and entered the land where he passed the remainder of his life, dying September S, 1881, aged eighty-two years, ten months and nineteen days; he was a blacksmith, gunsmith and sickle-maker by trade, a very energetic man (there still remains on the home- stead a portion of a wheel worked by ox-power, which he used in turning a grindstone and for boring gun barrels). Henry Hall made guns out of bars of iron; he made guns for the Indians and they camped on the farm and hunted; and he once walked to Pittsburgh, Penn .. for a single tool used in making sickles; he was a consistent member of the English Lutheran Church: in politics was a Democrat; his wife. Hannah (Swander), also a native of Penn- sylvania. died June 12. 1868. aged sixty-three years and five months: she was a member of a church. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hall were the parents of three children: Christine. Joel and Absalom. Having been reared a farmer. the subject of this memoir has always followed that occupation. He was married. March 10. 1864. to Miss Catharine Beck, who was born in Fairfield County. Ohio. December 1. 1831, and by this union are six children, five of whom are now living: Hannah. Daniel, William. Maryan and Andrew. .

JOSEPH HILSINGER. farmer. P. O. Republic. was born upon the farm where he now resides. January 20, 1841, son of Joseph and Mary (Rary) Hil- singer, the former of whom. a native of Baden. Germany. and who came to America alone in 1825, was born in 1802. died September 5. 1878: latter was born in 1800, died in 1875, the mother of three children: Harrison, in Barry County, Mich. ; Sarah. wife of David Critz. in Wayne County, Ind .. and Jo- seph: she was a native of Lehigh County, Penn., but came with her husband. a jeweler by trade. to Scipio Township, this county. in 1835; here they toiled hard for the clearing up and improvement of the township. Our subject was married, March 2, 1865, to Catharine Smith, born in Scipio Township, this county. November 22. 1839. daughter of David and Susan (Neikirk) Smith, of Scipio Township. The children born to this nnion are David, Nora, Calvin, Lottie A. (deceased) and Clara. Mr. Hilsinger has 182 acres of choice land, to which he devotes his attention. He was elected to fill the office of township trustee in the spring of 1885. Our subject and wife are members of the Re- formed Church.

FRANK A. HORTON. farmer, P. O. Republic, was born in Tompkins County. N. Y., October 22. 1844, son of James and Elizabeth (Smith) Horton. natives of New York. now residing in Hedgestown, this county, and who have been in the county since 1854; they are the parents of eight children: Sarah, Fanny. Clara. Elizabeth, Matilda, Levi. William and Frank A. Our subject entered upon his career in life as a farmer, purchasing the farm where he now lives, in 1869. He was married. October 22, 1870, to Miss Marion Chitten- den. who was born in Scipio Township. this county. in June. 1849. She died June 12. 1883. leaving four children: Eddie. Annie. Dewey and Nettie. Mr. Horton was formerly a member of the Grange and G. T. He is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican.

CHARLES JONES (deceased). a son of Erastus and Grace (Perry) Jones. natives of New York, was born in Cayuga County. N. Y .. in April. 1827, and was less than one year old when his parents came to Scipio Township, this county. Here he grew to maturity, received a common school education, and followed the occupation of farmer, being also a prominent stock-dealer. He was united in marriage. April 6. 1869, with Sarah Samsel, born in Lehigh County, Penn .. February 23, 1845, daughter of Jacob and Mary (Litzen- berger) Samsel. the former of whom. a native of Pennsylvania. came to this county in 1856, was a shoe-maker by trade, but in later life followed farming;

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Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1088

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.)
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1088