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 82

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 82

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JAMES McINTIRE, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1825, a son of Smith and Catharine (Larkins) McIntire, both deceased, who came to this county in 1832, parents of ten children, six of whom are still living. Our subject was married, in 1850, to Miss Catharine Myers, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Ryne) Myers, early settlers in this county and Adams Township, and to this union have been born seven children, four of whom are now living. His wife dying in 1865, Mr. McIntire then married, in 1867, Miss Wealthy Scott, of Sandusky County. Ohio. daughter of William and Susan (Blubaker) Scott. This marriage has resulted in the birth of three children, two of whom survive. Mr. McIntire has served in some of the township offices in Adams Township; in politics he is a Democrat.

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DR. ARCHIBALD R. MCKELLAR, physician and surgeon, Green Spring, was born in Elgin County, Ontario, in 1850. His father, Malcom McKellar emigrated from Scotland in 1833, and was one of the pioneer set- tlers of Elgin County, Ontario. Dr. A. R. Mckellar was the youngest of eight children-six sons and two daughters. After receiving a common school education, he taught school in the surrounding districts for two or three years. He then further promoted his education by attending the Provincial Normal School at Toronto, passing his examinations with honor. He again resumed the profession of teaching, and taught in several rural districts until he was appointed assistant high school master of the Smith's Falls High School (one of the most efficient schools in the Province of Ontario), at a very liberal salary. He subsequently filled the position of high master in the Hawkes- bury School, having an average daily attendance of 600 pupils; but in 1873, at the earnest solicitation of the people of Smith's Falls, he again assumed the position of high master of the high school in that place. Having turned his attention to the study of medicine, he entered the Ann Arbor University in the fall of 1875, and at the end of the session he attended the summer course of lectures in the College of Medicine and Surgery of Cincin- nati, graduating with honor in the summer. The following fall, to thoroughly complete his medical education, he attended a session of the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, New York, and was one of the six students who passed the most successful examination. He first settled in Detroit, Mich., and from there moved to Green Spring, Ohio, in July, 1877, where he has since remained, and has met with ample success in his profession. The Doctor is a member of the Seneca County, State of Ohio, and American Medical Associa- tions; is a member of the Orange, Masonic and I. O. O. F. societies. He is nominally a member of the Presbyterian Church. While in Canada he was a stanch Reformer, and since he became an American he is equally as strong a Republican. In the year 1877 he was married to Catharine Morwood, who was born near the village of St. John, Province of Quebec. She removed to the Province of Ontario, in 1850, with her mother, three brothers and three sisters. The Doctor and his wife have two boys. both healthy and strong, their names being Archibald and Neil. Dr. Mckellar has a remunerative practice, and is destined to be a permanent and prominent resident of Green Spring.

DANIEL METZGER, farmer, P. O. Republic, is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born August 15, 1818, son of Henry and Catharine (Wise) Metzger, natives of Union County, Penn., and who were married in Pickaway County, Ohio, and moved to this county in October, 1833; they were the parents of four children: Elizabeth, Mary A., Harriet and Daniel. Henry Metzger was born February 8, 1797, died March 4. 1868; his widow was born August 14, 1794, died May 9, 1880. The father of our subject was one of the first to enter land in this county, and he improved many acres with his own hands and the assistance of his only son. Daniel. He was a noted military man, having drilled several companies of home guards. He was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and was a member of the Lutheran Church. Daniel Metzger, the subject of this sketch, bought his first land in Adams Township in 1841, to which, by industry and economy, he has added until he now has 210 acres, most of which he has improved in various ways. He has been twice married; first to Miss Sarah Whiteman, August 31, 1838, by whom he has had four children: Catharine, Henrietta, Harriet A. and Henry V., all living and married. Henry V. has six children: Harriet A., the widow of John Bowman, has one son; Henrietta, the wife of Otha H. Hull, has four children, and Catharine, the wife of Samuel Bowers, has three

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children. The two latter families live in Henry County, Ohio, and the two former reside in Adams Township, this county. Mr. Metzger's first wife died April 10, 1850. She was a native of Columbia County, Penn., born Septem- ber 18, 1819, a daughter of Daniel and Susan (Coleman) Whiteman, who came from Pennsylvania to Seneca County, Ohio, in a very early day; both are now dead. Mr. Metzger's second marriage took place June 22, 1851, with Miss Catharine Bowerman, of Adams Township, this county, a native of Seneca County, N. Y., born November 13. 1822, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Ritter) Bowerman, natives of Pennsylvania, and who married in Seneca County, N. Y., coming to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1829. They had twelve children, of whom nine are still living. The father died August 16, 1876, aged eighty-one years; the mother died in February, 1877. aged seventy-eight years. Mr. Bowerman was a noted hunter in his day, and for several years gained a livelihood by hunting. By his second marriage Mr. Metzger is the father of five children, the sole survivor of whom, Mary J., is now the wife of Samuel Weller, and has three children. Mr. Metzger is an active Democratic politician; has served in many of the township offices; has been justice of the peace for nine years, and is now filling the office of infirmary director of this county.

JOHN C. METZGER, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Adams Township, this county, born December 4, 1838, son of Samuel and Rebecca (Heltzel) Metzger, natives of Union County, Penn., and Hardy County, Va. (now West Virginia), respectively, and of German descent. They were married in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1836, and same year came to this county and purchased land in Adams Township. They reared a family of five children: Henry H., John C., Sarah A., Jacob and Lavina E., all living except Sarah A., who died in April, 1877. Samuel Metzger remained in this county until 1880, then removed to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he now resides. John C. Metzger was married, March 29, 1860, to Miss Sarah Miller, of Clinton Township, this county, a native of Scipio Township, this county, born January 2, 1841, daughter of Daniel and Anna (Bergstresser) Miller, natives of New York State, and among the first to settle in this county, where Mr. Miller still lives; Mrs. Miller died in 1845. To Mr. and Mrs. Metzger have been born three children: Alwilda, now the wife of Isaac Dillman, of Adams Township, Gertrude and Samuel. Mr. Metzger removed to Steuben County, Ind., in 1862, but returned to his native county in 1869. He has served his township in several of its offices, and is an advocate of the principles of the Democratic party.

JACOB J. MILLER, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Yates County, N. Y., born February 21, 1829, and came with his parents, in 1838, to this county where he was reared a farmer. His parents Daniel and Anna (Berg- stresser) Miller, came from New York State to this county in 1838. They have reared a family of eight children: Jacob J., Mary A., Peter, Barbara, Cath- arine, Sarah, Angeline and Martin. The mother dying, March 24, 1849, aged forty-four years, the father then married, in 1851, Mrs. Sarah Reeber, and now resides in Clinton Township, this county. At the age of sixteen years our subject began learning the cooper's trade, which he followed for twenty-six years, with the exception of two years spent in mining in California, which, together with his trade, was quite profitable to him, financially; hence he was prepared to pay for the land he had purchased in Adams Township, this county, in 1857, and, by industry and economy, he has since added to the same until he now has 164 acres, which he has improved in various ways. In 1870 he erected a fine brick residence, at a cost of over $3,000. Mr. Miller was mar-

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ried March 29, 1855, to Miss Sarah Robenalt, a native of Clinton Township, this county, born September 1, 1837, daughter of Solomon and Catharine (Powell) Robenalt, natives of Pennsylvania, who married in Fairfield County, Ohio, and came to this county about 1833; they had a family of thirteen chil- dren, of whom eleven are now living: Mary, Elizabeth, Lavina, Catharine, Chris- tena, Sarah, Barbara J., Andrew J., George, Solomon and William. The deceased are John and Peter. The father of this family died in June, 1866, aged sixty-five years. The mother died December 25, 1881, aged eighty years. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob J. Miller have been born ten children, of whom six are yet living: Ida J., Daniel L., Almarinda, Mary B., Minda A. and J. P. The deceased are Warren P., Delia A., Noble A. and an infant twin brother of Minda A. Ida J. is now the wife of A. R. Young, a furniture dealer in Green Spring, Ohio. 3 Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Reformed Church. He has served in several of the township offices. In politics he is a Democrat.

OSCAR MYERS, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born October 9, 1856, in Adams Township, this county, son of John and Elizabeth A. (Ryne) Myers, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, and who were married in this county; they had two children: Catharine (deceased) and Oscar. The mother died January 24, 1885; the father is now seventy-seven years old; he was a very industrious man through life, having accumulated considerable land and other property, most of which he has already given to his son Oscar, who is a worthy young man. In politics both father and son are Democratic from principle. Our subject was married December 5, 1876, to Emma Gibbons, born in Adams Township, this county, March 28, 1857, daughter of William and Jane (Stilwell) Gibbons, natives of Pennsylvania and New York, respectively, coming to this county about 1853, where they still reside; they reared a family of one son and two daughters: Almerinda, John and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Myers have two children: Frank and Cecil. Mr. Myers was reared a farmer, an occupation he still follows, devoting his spare time to operating a steam fac- tory he has on his farm, where he manufactures bee hives and various articles of wooden ware. He also has a feed-mill. for grinding corn etc.

JAMES PAINE (deceased) was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, June 2, 1818; son of John and Sarah (Lawrence) Paine. He was reared on a farm, received a common school education and entered upon his course in life as a teacher in common schools. In 1832 his parents moved to Seneca County, Ohio, and located in Adams Township, and here our subject turned his atten- tion to farming and soon became one of the practical and successful farmers of the township. He was active in public affairs, and took an interest in all efforts for the advancement and good of the community in which he lived. He was especially interested in religious and educational affairs, was an ardent advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, and for many years served the people in various offices of the township. Mr. Paine was first married, Jan- uary 25, 1842, to Maria Ann Kline, who died July 25, 1854. She was the mother of six children: George, John, Sarah. Melvina, Samantha and William. Mr. Paine's second marriage was, March 8, 1855, with Mrs. Flora (Ellis) Cramer, who was born in Vermont, August 13, 1832. She was the widow of James Cramer, who, in life, was a mechanic in Castalia, Ohio, where he was well and favorably known for many years. By him she had one child, James, who died in infancy. This second union was blessed with three children: Clementine, James and Florence. Mr. Paine died May 4, 1876, and the following year his widow moved to Clyde, Ohio, where she remained about eighteen months, and . then came to Green Spring, this county. where, in 1883. she erected the fine residence in which she now lives. She has with her a grandchild. May (daughter of James E. Paine. Jr. ), whose mother is deceased.

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WILLIAM J. PAYNE. farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Adams Township, Seneca Co. Ohio, born February S, 1843, son of John W. and Susan (Rule) Payne, who moved from Pickaway County to Seneca County, about 1832, and to Thompson Township, in 1860: they both died in this county. His grandfather Payne moved here from Pickaway County, Ohio, about 1832, and his grandfather Rule moved here from New York State about the same time or a little later. The subject of this sketch was reared in Thompson Town- ship. as a farmer, and was married, in 1865, to Sophronia Gambee of Reed Township, this county, born May 25, 1844, a daughter of Solomon and Mary Gambee, also of Reed Township, where they were early settlers, having come from New York State. In 1875 Mr. Payne returned to Adams Township, where he purchased land on which he now resides and follows general agricultural pursuits; he also operates a hay and straw press. He served a few months in the late war; has filled several of the township offices. He is the father of five children: Lucy E .. John W., Ai, Jesse O. and Bessie L.

SAMUEL PONTIUS (deceased) was born December 26, 1814, in Pick- away County, Ohio, where he was reared as a farmer, and remained until 1842 when he moved to this county, bringing with him his wife and two children. He was married, October 10. 1839, to Miss Lydia Shellhammer of Pickaway County, Ohio, a native of Lehigh County, Penn., born March 31, 1817. Her parents were Jonah and Sarah (Meekel) Shellhammer, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio in 1823 and settled in Pickaway County, where they died; of their family of eleven children nine are still living. Mr. Pontius was a prominent man in his neighborhood and highly respected by all who knew him; he was a member of the United Brethren Church; a farmer by occupation, he cleared and improved about 100 acres of land in Adams Township, this county. He was the father of four children: Benjamin. Sarah, Wilson (deceased) and Rosa. Mrs. Pontins. after her husband's death, purchased the childrens' in- terest in the home farm, which now consists of nine acres of well-improved land, at present operated under her supervision by J. E. Paine.

WILSON PONTIUS (deceased) was born in Adams Township. Seneca Co., Ohio, February 25, 1845, son of Samuel and Lydia (Shellhammer) Pon- tius. and brother of Benjamin. Sarah and Rosa Pontius. His father died several years ago, and his mother still lives upon the homestead farm. He was married, September 23, 1868, to Miss Nancy M. Paine, a native of Adams Township, this county, born October 9, 1848, daughter of James and Maria Ann (Kline) Paine who were among the early settlers in this county, where they were highly respected by all who knew them. Mrs. Paine was the mother of six children; her death occurred July 25, 1854. Mr. Paine married again in March. 1855, this time to Mrs. Flora (Ellis) Cramer, by whom he had three children: his death occurred May 4, 1876. Wilson Pontius, the subject of this sketch, died March 12, 1879, the father of four children, of whom only two are now living: Schuyler R. and Hibbard A. He was possessed of manly principles and an energetic spirit, and ranked high among his fellow men; and although comparatively young in the affairs of this life, had served his town- ship in several of its offices. Mrs. Pontius still resides upon the farm, which she oversees.

DANIEL C. RULE, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Adams Township, this county, born December 10. 1838; son of Daniel and Jane (Groscost) Rule, who were among the first settlers in this county, where Dan- iel Rule still resides. The mother of our subject died December 2, 1879, aged seventy-eight years; she was a native of Pennsylvania and came with her par- ents to Trumbull County, Ohio, where she met and married Daniel Rule; from

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there, a few years later. they came by overland route with an ox team to this county. They stopped first in Scipio Township, and thence came to Adams Township. They reared a family of ten children, of whom five survive. Mrs. Rule's father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Daniel C. Rule, the subject of this sketch, was married March 20, 1862, to Elenor Church, of Adams Township, this county, where she was born June 1, 1837, daughter of Earl and Colena (Titus) Church, natives of New York and Connecticut respectively, and who were married in Litchfield, Conn., June 14, 1827; they resided in Genesee County, N. Y., a few years. then moved to Huron County, Ohio, and in 1837 came to Adams Township, this county; they had eight children, five of whom are still ilving. Mr. Church died in August, 1849, aged fifty-one years; his widow died January 18, 1884, aged seventy-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Rule are the parents of one daughter and three sons: Anna C., Ralph, Harvey and Daniel C., all living except Harvey, who died September 14, 1874. Mr. Rule gives considerable attention to stock dealing. He is a Republican, and has taken an active part in the politics of his township. His brother, Isaac P. Rule, was a member of the One Hundred and First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1862. He served thirteen months and was mortally wounded at the battle of Chickamauga. The post of the G. A. R., at Tiffin. Ohio, is named in honor of him.

JOHN B. SCHWENDT, dealer in boots and shoes, Green Spring, was born in Germany, July 24, 1851. He received a common school education in his native land, where he also learned the shoe-making trade. He immigrated to America August 23, 1872, locating in Erie, Penn., where he remained until 1874, and in June of that year he came to Green Spring, but a month later moved to Toledo and there remained until March, 1875, when he returned to Green Spring, and soon after entered into partnership in the boot and shoe trade, and in 1877 purchased his partner's interest in the business. Mr.

Schwendt is a self-made man, and owes his present success and acquisition of property to his own natural business qualifications and habits of industry. Socially he ranks high in the community for his many good qualities. He is an active member of the German Reformed Church; in politics a stanch Re- publican. He was married, October 29, 1876, to Miss Louisa E. Bates, of Fulton County, Ohio, who has borne him three children: Edna. Cydona and Bernard.

DR. L. H. SPRAGUE, Green Spring, was born in Vermont, Janu- ary 21, 1821. He obtained a common school and an academic educa- tion, then commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Henry Ranney, who at that time was lieutenant-governor of Vermont. He afterward attended Casselton Medical College, where he graduated in 1844, entering upon the practice of his profession at Clifton Park, N. Y., where he continued in prac- tice seventeen years. He then went to Clifton Springs and engaged in the water-cure business: from there he proceeded to Cleveland and engaged with Dr. Seeley for three years in the same line; he next came to Green Spring and assisted in organizing a water-cure and sanitarium, holding the office of phy- sician and general director of that institution. Five years later he disposed of his interest in the water-cure and sanitarium, but has been medical director of the institution fully half the time since then. For the last five years the Doctor has made a specialty of treatment with electricity. He has been P. M. of the order of F. & A. M. in Green Spring, and was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. Politically he is a Republican. Dr. Sprague was married, March 29, 1843, to Miss Phelene Howe. born February 18, 1824, in Townsend, Windham Co., Vt., and a direct descendant of Lord John Howe, of England

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(spoken of in Longfellow's "Tales of a Wayside Inn"). To Dr. and Mrs. Sprague were born two children: Lorenzo, a physician and druggist in Pember- ville, Wood Co., Ohio; and Adelaide, wife of Henry Thompson, of Syracuse, N. Y.

JACOB STEM was born in 1792, in Carroll County, Md. ; at the age of four- teen he lost his father, when much of the care of a large farm fell upon him. At twenty-one he married and settled upon one of the beautiful farms of Wake- field Valley, Md., but the growing attractions of the " far West, " as Ohio was then called, made him long to try his fortune there, and after several horse-back journeys over the mountains, to see for himself what the country promised, he decided to leave the old home for a new one in the West. He came to Tiffin, Ohio, about 1830, where he purchased several large tracts of land, and engaged in merchandise. At the sale of government lands, which took place not long after, he purchased about 1, 200 acres of land in Seneca and Sandusky Counties, including the wonderful sulphur spring, from which the village of Green Spring takes its name. Here he laid out the village of Green Spring, and north of the village about one mile, put up a large flouring-mill, with saw-mill and other improvements. This mill was considered an immense structure at that early day, wonderful for height and capacity. The water-power was obtained from the never-failing spring above mentioned; and mills were few and far between, and all subject to be stopped for want of water in time of drought. A dry season was sure to bring to this mill great numbers of teams, heavily laden with wheat, from all directions; even from Upper Sandusky on the south, and Toledo on the northwest. Then Toledo was but a village, and the intervening county but thinly settled. People came from all directions, and the mill ran all night and all day, week after week, and yet some were obliged to wait for days (sleeping in their covered wagons), for their turn to have grinding done. Many of the wagons used were the old Pennsylvania covered wagon, which could be made comfortable for a number of persons to sleep in. While carry- ing on this business, with other important interests engaging his attention, Mr. Stem's health suddenly gave way; and so serious was the malady (asthma with symptoms of consumption), that his physicians, Drs. Dresbach and Tilden, assured him that his only hope of recovery was in giving up business, and spending several years in travel. He was thus obliged to place all his affairs in the hands of others. Having done this, he spent months traveling on horse back through the Southern States. Not finding relief from this, he deter- mined to try the effect of the climate of Cuba. Accordingly he went there and spent about a year, returning home, for sake of the sea voyage, by the way of Boston. This experiment also proved ineffectual as a means of restoring his health. He came home after having been gone nearly two years, not better, but rather worse, and giving up all hope of recovery, he quietly put aside all the hopes he had cherished of great financial success, and with unexampled for- titude and submission, yielded to the prospect of spending the remainder of his days a confirmed invalid. In person, Mr. Stem was tall, nearly six feet, and well formed, having, in youth, raven black hair, swarthy complexion, with searching yet pleasant black eyes, and a countenance that, in conversation, lighted up with unusual animation and intelligence. His bearing was that of a gentleman of courtesy and refinement. He was fond of the acquisition of knowledge, and for a mere man of business, was, withal, something of a stu- dent, being familiar with some of the best writers of ancient and modern times. In politics, he was an old-line Whig, and an ardent admirer of Henry Clay. He allowed his name at one time to be put by his party in nomination for the State Legislature, but was defeated. When the Republican party came into

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existence, he enthusiastically placed himself in its ranks and gloried in the triumphs he saw it attain. Enterprising and public-spirited, he was earnest and liberal in the endeavor to promote whatever tended to the general welfare of the community, especially in matters of education. "Sincerity in speech, and integrity in action," were the marked traits of his character. Jacob Stem was the only son of Mathias and Elizabeth (Englar) Stem, both natives of Chester County. Penn., and both of German extraction. He had ten children: Mathias, Emeline, Jesse, Elizabeth, Catherine, Leander, Sarah, Lydia, Clem- entina and Ezra, five of whom are living. Mr. Stem died November 25, 1860, in the sixty-eighth year of his age.

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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