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 131

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 131

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life. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard are in the order of their respective ages: Avery F., who is married and resides near Pierre, Dak .; Benjamin L., married and farming in Crawford County, Ohio; Nancy J., wife of Victor Neikirk, farmer of this township; Walter Lincoln, killed by the falling of a hayfork July 22, 1882, and Samuel E .; also Mary Ida, Minnie E. and Della M., who are with their parents. In politics Mr. Leonard is a Republican. In ecclesiastical connection Mrs. Leonard is a member of the United Brethren.

W. F. LEONARD, farmer, Attica, was born in Harrison County, Ohio, November 16, 1825. His parents, Avery and Nancy (Smith) Leonard, were natives of Washington County, Penn. Our subject came to Venice Township, this county, with his parents, when a small boy of nine years, when this coun- try was a dense wilderness, where was heard the howl of the wolf, growl of the bear, and the "yowling " of the wild cat, while before them stood the sturdy forest tree that would yield only to persistent toil. His educational facilities were very limited. and being reared on the farm, he has steadily followed agri- cultural pursuits, being at present owner of 101 acres of well-improved land. He has also devoted much attention to the handling of imported horses, and has paid as much as $2,000 for one horse. W. F. Leonard was married, in 1849, to Margaret Jane Moore, daughter of Maurice Moore, a native of Hun- terdon, N. J., and Hannah (Davis) Moore, of Wales, the former of whom died in 1983, in his eighty-sixth year, and the latter in 1882. in her eighty-third vear. Mrs. Leonard's parents came to this county and settled on a farm in this township in 1834: she is a member of the United Brethren Church, and has been for more than forty years. W. F. Leonard. during the late war of the Rebellion, enlisted, in 1863, in Company C. One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for 100 days. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

JOHN LEPARD, P. O. Attica. prominent among the representative farm- ers and pioneers of Venice Township, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Feb- ruary 23, 1828, son of Isaac and Nancy (Huffman) Lepard, natives of Virginia, of German descent. His father. a farmer, came to this county in 1830, and settled in the woods of Reed Township, traveling hither by means of a four-horse team and an old-fashioned Pennsylvania wagon, in which the family lived until a rough log-cabin was erected: there they cleared a farm and lived for many years. Isaac and Nancy Lepard reared a family of eight children, of whom seven are still living. Our subject received his education in Reed Township and grew up on the farm. His father dying when he was quite young, the support of the family largely devolved on him, and being wonderfully attached to his widowed mother and his sister and brother, he devoted himself to their support until he was twenty-seven years of age. He then commenced life on his own account, without a dollar, working first on a farm by the day, and as a result of industry, he is now the owner of 160 acres of well-improved land which is well-stocked. He was married, in 1865, to Harriet H .. daughter of Samuel Hoil. and a native of New York, of English descent. To this union were born Mary (deceased), Eunice, Ira. Emma. Hattie and Flora. Mrs. Lepard is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Lepard has served as school director of Venice Township for several years, and has been a resident here for fifty five years.

J. W. LINK, farmer and stock-raiser and proprietor of the Link Saw-mill, Attica. a son of Jacob and Mary Ann (Gering) Link, natives of Germany, was born on the American side of the ocean as his parents were coming across from Germany. They first settled in Columbiana County. Ohio. in 1833, and in 1838 came to this county and entered 240 acres of land. on which they spent the

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remaining portion of their lives, the father dying in 1841. Our subject, the youngest of six children born to this couple, was reared on the farm and for the past thirty-three years has operated the saw-mill in connection with his farming interests. He is owner of 300 acres of land, 200 being in Indiana. Mr. Link was married, in 1860. to Mary Ann, daughter of Ludwick and Rebecca (Middleworth) Friedley, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch origin. the latter a native of New Jersey, of English descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Link have been born seven children, six of whom are now living: Benjamin F., a carpen- ter; Joseph Jackson, a school teacher; C. M., who also holds a teacher's cer- tificate; Sarah Emily, Barbara Ellen and Amanda Rebecca, are attending dis- trict school from home. Julia is deceased. Mrs. Link is a member of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Link has been trustee of Venice Township for four years. Politically he is a Democrat.

REV. W. E. LYON. A. M .. Attica, was born in Napoli, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., April 2, 1827, and, being the son of a Baptist minister, his early days were spent on a farm, attending the common schools and teach- ing in the same. In 1S55 he graduated from the collegiate department of Madison University at Hamilton, N. Y. In June, 1856, he married Miss Sabrina A. Chamberlain, of Grafton. Ohio. and in the following December he was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church in Seville. Medina Co., Ohio. Since his ordination he has been constantly employed in the work of the minis- try with exception of three short intervals between pastorates, having to this date lost only two Sabbaths on account of his own health. His pastorates have been in Northern Ohio with the exception of one at Gallipolis. Ohio, and one at Saginaw, Mich. He has baptized, into the fellowship of the several churches he has served. 231 persons, of whom four are now actively employed as Baptist ministers, one is studying with a view to the ministry, and one is president of a college. Mr. and Mrs. Lyon are the parents of four daughters: Mary E., Amie L .. E. Jennie and Grace G. Two of the number are married; one is teaching; the youngest is a student in Granville College. Rev. W. E. Lyon's present pastorate commenced November 1, 1881.

GEORGE S. McKEE, merchant and postmaster at Carrothers, was born in Crawford County. Ohio, July 2. 18441: son of James and Eliza (Moore) McKee, natives of Pennsylvania and of Scotch-Irish descent. James McKee was a tanner in early life. but later has been a farmer, and has resided for over half a century on a farm in Crawford County, Ohio. Our subject, the eldest of five children, was educated in his native county. During the late war of the Rebellion he enlisted in 1862, at the age of twenty-one, in Company E, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a non-commis- sioned officer, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865. He participated in several severely fought battles, and to use his own words "was a very lucky boy," being slightly wounded three times, but never disabled. His reg- iment missed but one battle (Mission Ridge) in which the Army of the Cum- berland took part, and by referring to the history of this regiment it will be seen that our subject was in many of the most sanguinary struggles of the war. The regiment never retreated but once-at Chickamauga. On returning home Mr. McKee engaged in farming, and teaching school in the winters, until 1881, when he sold his farm, purchased property at Carrothers and em- barked in his present business. He was married, in 1872, to Levina, daugh ter of Michael (a farmer) and Sarah (Helm) Nigh, of German descent. To this union six children were born : Luella, Bertha (deceased), Eva (deceased), Richard (deceased), Sadie and an infant. Mrs. McKee is a member of the Methodist Church. In politics Mr. McKee is a Republican. He took an

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active interest in the Grange movement, and served two years as Worthy Mas- ter in that organization.

WILLIAM McPHERSON. retired merchant and farmer, Attica, was born in Scotland, February 6. 1793. His father. Donald McPherson, was a mer- chant in Scotland, and there spent his life. William, however, was ambitious to see the world. and when eighteen years old left his native land and settled near Halifax, N. S., where he followed the occupation of a peddler, but, being twice robbed of his money and goods, concluded to leave that place, which he did in 1815. coming to Baltimore. Md .. where he settled. There he lived with a merchant. and by industry and economy managed to get a start in the world. He was united in marriage with Ann Scarf, of English descent, and they reared a family of four sons and two daughters. This wife dying in 1844. our sub- ject married. in 1845. Almeda Thatcher. who is still living. Mr. Mc Pherson came to Seneca County. Ohio. in 1828. bought 800 acres of land. conducted a store at Caroline several years, and was very successful in business. Though he retired from mercantile life in 1852, he has since been loaning money and attending to his own affairs.

O. J. McPHERSON. justice of the peace. P. O. Attica. was born in Craw- ford County, Ohio. in 1840. and is a son of William and Ann (Scarf) McPher- son. He was reared on the farm, receiving his education in the common schools and at Republic Academy. He learned the trade of tanner and cur- rier, which he followed for a time. but has been principally engaged in farm- ing. He was married. in 1862, to Margaret J .. daughter of Peter Swartz. born in Ohio, and of English descent. To this union were born the following children: Anna. Allie, Eva. William. Ida. Cora. Nina and Adda. Mr. and Mrs. McPherson are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Our sub- ject's father was one of the first movers in organizing a church of this denomi- nation in Attica, and has always taken a deep interest in all that pertains to the same. He (the father) has been a Whig and Republican all his life. but O. J. only voted with his father when he felt the right man was on the ticket. He has served as justice of the peace of Venice Township for seven years.

A. J. MEYERS. farmer, P. O. Attica. was born in Venice Township, this County, July 8. 1845. son of Henry and Rebecca (Free) Meyers. who were parents of seven children. A. J. being the third born. His father. a pioneer of this county, was a successful farmer. and was owner of over 2.000 acres of land at his death. which occurred in 1884. Our subject was reared on the farm, educated in his native county, and wisely chose the occupation of his father as his own. He now possesses the farm on which he resides, compris- ing 280 acres, and 250 acres in Nebraska. He was married, November 2. 1880, to Mary R., daughter of Henry H. and Parthena (Cole) Bathrick, the former of Scotch and English descent, the latter of English lineage. Our sub- ject's father, Henry Meyers, "tailor," as he was familiarly known to all, was born in the village of Oberendengen. Switzerland, April 26. 1808. He was

reared in the faith of the German Reformed Church, and took his first communion when he was seventeen years old. At the age of twenty-one he left his native land and came to America. in company with his elder brother, Jacob, who bore the expense of his passage to Philadelphia, where he resided six years. His brother. soon after arriving in Philadelphia, became sick and was advised by his physicians to return to his former home, as the only means of recovery. Henry, poor and penniless, begged in the streets. with uncovered head, of the people of that city, the required amount to pay his brother's passage back to Switzerland, promising to each one who contributed that he would return the sum again as soon as he could earn the money, which he did to each one with

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the exception of one person, who refused to accept of it. While living in Phil- adelphia he worked at tailoring for a livelihood, receiving as remuneration for his services the sum of $1.50 per week and his board. After working six years for one man at the trade in Philadelphia. he left there on the 10th of July, 1835, and came by canal to Sandusky, Ohio, arriving on the 29th of the same month, walked to Attica, on the old turnpike, where he had previously purchased wild land. Six years after his arrival in Seneca County he worked at his trade in Tiffin, after which he worked five years in the village of Attica. using the money thus earned for improvements on his land. He came to this country a poor Dutch lad, without a cent in his pocket. a stranger in a strange land, without a single friend to greet his coming. He set to work with per- severence and a true pioneer spirit to amass a competency. Out of his small earnings in Philadelphia he saved a sufficient sum to purchase 160 acres of land, lying near Attica, where he ever after resided until the time of his death in 1884. His acres numbered 2,160, of which 1,280 acres were in Nebraska. the rest in Ohio, all but 160 acres in this township. In 1835 he brought the first $5 in gold seen in Tiffin. Five years after he came to Seneca County. July 11, 1840, he was married to Miss Rebecca Free, sister of the late John Free. By patient, honest industry and frugality he breasted the waves of life, and succeeded in accumulating a fortune. Providence seemed to smile on his every effort, and by honest toil his acres broadened until they became a noble heritage, and he took rank among the solid men of Seneca County. He was a strong-minded man, of correct habits, and an inveterate reader. A man of reten- tive memory, his mind was a store-house of useful knowledge; a lover of his- tory, he made himself familiar with the events not only of his own, but those of other nations. In politics he was proud to bear the title of a Democrat, with the significance of its earlier and original simplicity, and was a believer in the great universal faith of the positive laws that govern the universe. To Mr. and Mrs. Henry Meyers were born seven children: Mary J., deceased wife of A. B. Brant, a grain merchant; George W., a farmer, who died April 17, 1860; A. J., our subject; Sarah E., wife of James E. Carpenter; T. J., a farmer in this township; W. T., a farmer of Hancock County, Ohio; M. Ellen, wife of A. J. Coofman, a physician of Tiffin, Ohio.

M. H. MILLS, physician, Attica, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in February, 1846, the eldest of the four children born to Simeon H. (a miller by trade) and Amanda (Muzzy) Mills, natives of New York and of English de- scent. Our subject acquired his literary education in the schools of Cleveland, Ohio, then attended the Homeopathic College of Cleveland, graduating in 1872. He was married, in 1873, to Sylva Bradford. a descendant of William Bradford, the first governor of Plymouth Colony and governor of Massachusetts, and to this union were born two children: Clara and Ethel. The Doctor com- menced to practice his chosen profession at Salem. Ohio, and in 1877 he came to Attica, this county, where he has been in active practice since, having won for himself many warm friends. He is a member of the State Medical Society. In politics he is a Republican.

MAURICE MOORE (deceased), one of the early settlers of Venice Town- ship, and a farmer by occupation, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., July 15, 1797. His parents were natives of Switzerland, and lived and died in Hun- terdon County, N. J. The subject of this memoir was educated in the common schools, and was brought up a farmer. He was married, in 1819, in Hunterdon County, N. J., to Hannah Davis, a native of Wales, and to them were born thirteen children-six girls and seven boys-one of whom died in childhood: four enlisted and served in the late war for the Union; two of them served 100

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days each, one three years, and one gave his life for his country. Maurice Moore settled in Venice Township, this county, with his family, in 1834, when the country was a wild forest, with only the advantages of a new country to educate their children in. At the organization of the Methodist Protestant Church in 1835, Mrs. Moore became one of the original seven members, joined by her husband in a few years. They remained members of the same class and society until death took them from labor to reward.

DAVID B. MOORE, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Venice Township, this county, December 4, 1838, son of Maurice and Hannah (Davis) Moore, the former a native of New Jersey, of German descent, the latter a native of Wales. His father, Maurice Moore, a farmer by occupation, came to Seneca County, Ohio, and settled in Venice Township in 1834. Our subject's parents died in 1883. They were members of the Methodist Church, of which the father had been class leader: they reared a family of thirteen children, twelve attaining maturity, of whom our subject is the tenth. Maurice Moore owned a farm of 160 acres of valuable land. which he sold in 1868. He purchased, in 1866, twenty acres of land adjoining the town of Attica (two acres and house being inside the corporation), moving there that same year, and this property he owned till his death. Our subject was reared on the farm, attending the district school, and engaged in farming until he was twenty-three years old. when he enlisted in Company C. One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which company he was a non-commissioned officer. He participated in most of the battles in which his regiment engaged and with it was captured in 1863. He was a prisoner at Belle Isle one month, then was exchanged and served until the close of the war in 1865. Since his return home he has followed agricultural pursuits and now owns 114 acres of well- improved land. Mr. Moore was married, in 1866, to Eliza Ann, daughter of Philip and Hannah (Croninger) Upp, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, re- spectively, and of German descent. To this union were born the following chil- dren: Florence. Willard U., Bertha Ione, Frank B., Hannah M .. Mabel B .. Bernice Belle and Edna Grace. Mr. Moore is much interested in educational matters, and has served his township as school director for several terms. He was a member of the township board for several years. He is a member of the G. A. R. In politics is a Republican.

HENRY F. MYERS, farmer, P. O. Attica, was born in Switzerland. April 10,1822. son of Jacob and Fanny ( Werder) Mvers, also natives of Switzerland, who immigrated to Ohio in 1829. and came to this county in 1831; they were par- ents of eight children, of whom Henry F. is second. Our subject's father, a wealthy, influential farmer, helped build the first log schoolhouse in Venice Township, and there Henry F. received his education. The subject of this sketch was married. in 1848. to Mary Meyers (no relative however); her father's name was Jacob Mevers: he was a native of Switzerland. Our subject and wife have two children now living: Frank C. and Alice, wife of Hiram Barnes. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Universalist Church. In politics he is a Republican; has been school director and trustee of the township.

FRANK C. MYERS, a member of the firm of Myers & Keller, dry goods, notions and clothing. Attica, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, January 28, 1860, son of Henry F. Myers, an early settler of Venice Township. this county, and prominent farmer and successful business man. Our subject, the third in a family of five children. three of whom are deceased, received his education in this county, and lived on the farm with his parents until eighteen years of age, when he engaged as clerk in a dry goods store for four years at Attica. He then embarked in his present business. He and his partner speak the German

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and English languages. Mr. Myers was married, in 1881, to Ida M. Carson, a native of this county, and daughter of J. W. Carson, of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Universalist Church at Attica. Polit- ically he is a Republican.

JOHN PHILLIPS, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. St. Stephen, was born in Germany, March 14, 1826; son of Michael and Eaf R. (Shebide) Phillips, who came from Germany to America, and settled on a farm in Huron County, Ohio, in 1837, and reared a family of eight children, of whom John is the second. Our subject's education was mostly obtained in Germany, though he attended school for a few months after coming here to learn the English language. He remained with his parents on the farm until he attained his majority, when his father bought him fifty acres of wild land in Huron County. Mr. Phillips, having made farming the vocation of his life, has met with marked success, and is now owner of 400 acres of well-improved land. He was united in marriage, in 1850, with Catherine Gross, whose parents were also natives of Germany, and they have five sons and five daughters: John, Lewis, Joseph, Martin, Mary, Jacob, Fanny, Anna, Ella and Matilda. They are all members of the church. In politics Mr. Phillips is a Democrat.

MARTIN PHILLIPS, merchant, Carrothers, was born in Huron County, Ohio, November 6, 1857; son of John and Catherine (Gross) Phillips, natives of Germany. His father, a farmer, came to America when a young man, and was married in Huron County, Ohio; his family consisted of five sons and five daughters. Our subject, the eighth born, received his education in the com- mon schools of this county, and followed his father's occupation (farming) until 1879, when he came to Carrothers and embarked in the agricultural implement business, in which he has since continued. He bought a general store in 1884, and since then has conducted both businesses. Mr. Phillips married, in 1883, Bertha. daughter of Joseph Meier, and of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically he is a Democrat.

S. B. RESH, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Attica, was born in Franklin County, Penn., July 29, 1846; son of Abraham and Julia Ann (Brumbaugh) Resh, of English descent, natives of Franklin County, Penn., and Washington County, Md., respectively. His father, a farmer by occupation, and for many years a local minister of the "Church of God," came to this county in 1847, and settled on the farm where S. B. now resides; his family consisted of three children: John, who died in Pennsylvania in his fourteenth year: J. H., who is married and farming in Henry County, Ohio (by profession he is a teacher, and he taught school twenty-two terms, five terms in the schools of this coun- ty), and S. B. Our subject acquired his education in the schools of Venice Township. He was married in this county, May 24, 1870, to Catherine A., daughter of Jacob (a farmer) and Mary (Sell) Lebold, natives of Germany. This union has been blessed with one child-Minnie Myrtle. Mrs. Resh is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Resh has devoted his entire time to farming and stock-raising, now owning a fine farm of 154 acres, and he is a model farmer. Politically he is a Republican.

JOHN ROGERS, P. O. Attica, a pioneer farmer of Seneca County, was born in England, in March, 1819, son of Stephen and Jane (Rogers) Rogers, also natives of England. His father, a blacksmith by trade, came to America in 1818, and settled eighteen miles south of Baltimore, Md., but in 1837 came to Seneca County, Ohio. Our subject, the youngest of a family of nine chil- dren, was reared on the farm. There were but few schools in those days in this county, and his educational privileges were limited to one month's attend-

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ance at the night school. He early became attached to hunting pursuits, and frequently staid out all day and night rather than give up the chase. For many years he killed from twenty to thirty deer each winter, and other game in proportion. He was married. in 1845, in Venice Township, to Almira Sny- der, a native Ohioan and daughter of Jacob and Mary (Prouse) Snyder, who were of Dutch descent. To Mr. and Mrs. Rogers were born following chil- dren: William; Mary M., wife of Edward R. Hillis; Anne, wife of Silas R. Hull; Levina, wife of Hiram MeGloffin; Mary J., wife of Lafayette Hastler; Daniel, married and residing at home; Amos C., at home, and Isabella; Mrs. Rogers is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Rogers has been a very successful farmer, owning at one time 220 acres, and he still owns 140 acres, on which he now resides. He has been a great wood-chopper in his time, and thinks he has cleared, with his own hands, 100 acres of heavily tim- bered land in Venice Township. He has served as school director. Politically he is a Republican.

LEONARD SACHS, merchant, P. O. Attica, was born in Germany, Decem- ber 25, 1838, son of John and Margaret (Smith) Sachs, also Germans. His father, a tailor and a farmer by occupation, spent his life in his native land. Our subject, the eldest in a family of five children, received his education in Germany. After the death of John Sachs (our subject's father) his widow came to America, bringing her family with her, and located in Newark, N. J., where our subject went to school for a few months and studied the English language. He then commenced to work on the Lehigh & Morrow Canal. In 1852 the family moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and from 1852 to 1859 our subject helped to make brick, and made potash, and also worked on the farm. In 1859 he came to Caroline. this county, with A. Whitaker, a drover and merchant, and here was employed by him. In 1862 he embarked in his present business, keeping a general stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., etc., and has met with success. Mr. Sachs was married, in 1863, to Caroline, daughter of J. C. Lebold, by whom he has three children: Franklin Otto. Menzo Emerson and Emma Lusseta. Mr. and Mrs. Sachs are members of the Lutheran Church, in which he has been trustee and treasurer. Politically he is a Democrat.

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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