History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 103

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 103

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John C. Baker, Jr., came to Shelby County in 1830 from Virginia, where he had gone when a young man. He married Margaret Bush in Virginia.

GEORGE C. BAKER,

a son of John C. Baker, was born in Rockingham County, Va., in the year 1811. Came with his father to Shelby County in 1830, and located in the town of Sidney, where he learned the carpenter trade, which occu- pation he followed for twenty-five years in and about Sidney. In 1838 he married Miss Susannah Hartman. They have two children, viz., Aaron B., who was born July 13, 1846, and Josephine, born Aug. 31, 1856. They lost one son, David Clinton, in the army. He enlisted in the 20th O. V. I. Died on a hospital boat June, 1863.

Aaron B. married Miss Clarinda A. Monroe Oct. 1871. By this union they have one child, Walter E., who was born Sept. 1876.

JOHN BAKER,

one of the early settlers of Salem Township, was born in Virginia, near Cumberland Gap, in the year 1815. He came with his father's family to Sidney in 1830. After staying a few months in Sidney they moved to the country, on a rented farm, where they remained two years, then moved to a piece of land in Salem Township, where his father had en- tered; here he helped his father to clear his new farm. He also followed clearing land for others for a number of years. He says he has cleared at least 200 acres of land with his own hands and axe; he would get from five to six dollars per acre for clearing. In 1837 he married Elma Shinn, by whom he has had eleven children, eight of whom are still living. When Mr. Baker commenced housekeeping he did not have a dollar in the world; he worked by day's work at fifty cents per day to get provisions to live on ; would clear land nights, often working till after midnight ; has grubbed many days with nothing to eat but cold .corn pone, and was so hard pressed at one time that he sold his only cow to pay for provisions to live on. But few of the early settlers of Shelby County passed through harder times than did Mr. Baker. He in his younger days was one of the most athletic and strong men in the . county. He has been known to shoulder five bushels of wheat in one sack; but has now retired from the active duties of labor. In politics is a radical Republican. In religion he is a Methodist, being a local minister in that church.

JACOB L. MOCASHEN

was born in Butler County, Ohio, in 1805. The names of his parents were John and Susan Long McCashen. Mr. McCashen came to Shelby County to live in 1833, but had entered his land in the year 1826. In 1839 he married Mary Line, who was born in Brown County, Ohio, in 1821. They have two children, James and Joseph L .; the first was born in 1842, the latter in 1845.

ELISHA KIRTLAND.

Three brothers by the name of Kirkland came from Scotland to the American Colonies prior to the old French war. The name of one was James, those of the other two have been lost. James afterward married, but when or to whom we cannot learn. He raised a family of four chil- dren, Elisha, Elias, Deborah, and James. He was killed in the French War on Lake George.

Elisha and Elias were both soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Elisha was taken prisoner by the British, put on board a prison ship off New York Harbor, where he, with the other prisoners, were poisoned by slow

poison, from the effects of which many died; he lived to get home, but died soon afterward. Elias also was taken prisoner, but by the Indians. He being an excellent blacksmith, his life was saved, and he was sent to Canada to work for the British, where he remained until the close of the war, then settled in Blemford, Mass., where he died. Deborah married William Dee, lived in Saybrook, Conn., and died childless.

James was in the army at N. Y. when Washington retreated from Long Island, and was present at Danbury and saw Gen. Wooster shot. He afterward married Elizabeth Morehouse. It was he who changed the name from Kirkland to that of Kirtland, since which time it has been so written. He lived for a time in Fairfield, then in Cornwall, Conn., after which he moved to Bainbridge, N. Y., where he died. He was the father of Elisha, Elizabeth, James, and William. Elisha was born in Corn- wall, Litchfield County, Conn., in 1777. Married Hannah Peck in 1801, and settled in Chenango, N. Y., where he remained until the summer of 1817, when he immigrated with his family to Ohio, and entered land and settled on the bank of the Miami River one mile below Port Jefferson, on what is known as the Pampell farm. Here he made an opening in the forest and erected his cabin. His family at that time consisted of three children, Elias, Anna, and William. Mr. Kirtland was tall, robust, and well built, of light complexion, and well adapted to backwoods life. He was on friendly terms with the red man, who often visited his home. He died on this place in 1840, and was buried in the old cemetery in Sidney. Hannah, his wife, died on the old homestead, January, 1841, and was buried by the side of her husband. Of the three children, Elias was born in Chenango County, N. Y., 1804; died in the spring of 1822. Anna was born Oct. 27, 1806. Married Thomas Wilkinson Nov. 29, 1825, and died March 15, 1852.

WM. KIRTLAND

was born in Chenango County, N. Y., July 18, 1811. Was married to Miss Sarah Bryan, of Shelby County, August 30, 1832. She died at the Kirtland homestead, June 17, 1848, aged thirty-two years, and was buried in the cemetery one-half mile west on the Staley farm, where lay four of her daughters, who died young. Mr. Kirtland married for his second wife Miss Frances Jennings, June 21, 1849. In the fall of 1854 he, together with his wife and two sons, Elias and James, moved to Cass County, Ind., where he died in May, 1863.

ELIAS LE FEVRE, ESQ.

Some time during the eighteenth century three brothers of the Le Fevre family came to the United States from France, and located in Frederick County, Md. They were of the Huguenot race. These three brothers remained in Maryland for several years. Finally they sepa- rated. One went to New York State. One went south and located in one of the Southern States. Elias, one of the three, and grandfather of the subject of. this sketch, died in Maryland. He had seven sons and one daughter, all of whom came to Ohio. Some coming as early as 1802, others not until 1807. They located in Warren County. It was here that Elias was born in the year 1809. In 1832 he married Henri- etta L. Ingersoll, a daughter of Benjamin and Laura (Rose) Ingersoll. She was born in the State of New York in 1811.

Mr. and Mrs. Le Fevre, with two children, came to Shelby County in 1835. He entered 160 acres of land in Salem Township. On this land he made his home until he died in 1882. Mr. and Mrs. L. reared a family of seven children, viz., Jacob M., born 1833; Henry J., born 1834; Nimrod D., born 1837; Benjamin F., born 1838; Laura A., born 1842; Mary L., born 1846; and George M., born 1851, five of whom are still living. Laura A. died in 1878; Jacob M. in 1882.

Esq. Le Fevre gave his children a fair common school education. Some of them became teachers. Jacob M. entered the ministry in the Reformed Church. Nimrod D. became a practising physician. The Honorable Benjamin F. is now filling his third term as member of Con- gress from the Fifth Ohio Congressional District.

HENRY J. LE FEVRE

was born in Warren County, Ohio, in the year 1813. He was a brother of Elias Le Fevre, Esq. He married Eleanor Morgan in 1837. The following year they came to Salem Township, and located on a piece of wild land, erected a cabin, and commenced the improvement of his land. After a few years of hard toil, just as he was beginning to get a start in life, and everything looked prosperous and bright, he was called away by the "grim monster death," leaving a wife and four small children. The names and dates of birth of the children are as follows: Mary J., born 1838; Morgan A., born 1841; Jacob M., born 1843; and Henry J., born 1846.

After the death of her husband Mrs. L. rented the farm until the year 1851, when she married Thomas D. Steward, who took charge of the farm until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he entered the army, where he contracted disease, came home, and died in 1862, leaving three children : John M., born 1851; Millard F., born 1856; and Ansel M., born 1858.

Digitized by Google

336

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

MORGAN A. LE FEVRE

was born in Salem Township in the year 1841. He is the eldest son of Henry J. Le Fevre. Mr. L. has twice been married. His first wife was Mary C. Harper, who died in 1874, leaving one child, Lizzie A. His second marriage was to Maria M. White, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, in 1846.

JACOB M. LE FEVRE,

the second son of Henry J. Le Fevre, was born in the year 1843. He was reared on a farm, and has made farming his avocation through life. In 1866 he married Dulcennia Line, a daughter of Solomon and Eliza- beth Line. They have had born to them six children, viz., Edmund, William O., James T., Jacob W., Allie, and Minnie D.

HENRY J. LE FEVRE, JR.,

the youngest son of Henry J., was born in 1846. He is a blacksmith by trade, but does not follow it as a business. In 1871 he married Miss Sarah E. Stephens, who only lived until 1875, when she died, leaving two children, Claudee E. and William M.

Mr. L. has a large collection of archaeological implements, mostly gathered on his own farm. Among the collection is the largest stone axe known to be in existence. The collection is worth seeing.

NIMROD DUVALL

was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1815, came to Shelby County, O., in 1838, married Miss Massa Le Fevre the same year. Mrs. Duvall was born in Warren County also in 1817. They raised a family of six chil- dren, viz., Jacob B., born 1838; Mary A., born 1840; Sarah S., born 1842; Melessa C., born 1844; Manford G., born 1846; and Elias L., born 1848. When they moved on to their place they cut the first stick to build their cabin. Mr. Duvall died in 1876.

JACOB B. DUVALL,

the eldest son of the above, was born in this county in 1838; raised on the farm of his father. In 1869 he married Miss Louisa Armstrong, of Logan County. The issue from this marriage is seven children: Mary B., born 1869; Emma M., born 1871; Oliver B., born 1873; Cora C., born 1875; Alvin A., born 1877; John F., born 1879; and Clyde W., born 1880. Mr. D. is located in section 6, and has a fine farm with good improvements.

ELIAS L. DUVALL

was born in Salem Township in 1948, and is the youngest son of Nimrod Duvall. In 1873 he was married to Anna A. Scott. They have but one child, viz., Wallace, born 1875. Elias now owns the old homestead. of his father in section 6.

LUTHER STEWART

was born in Logan County in 1839. Came with his father, Thomas D. Steward, to Shelby County in 1852, when in 1865 he married Miss Melessa C. Duvall. They have had five children : Eliza H., born 1866; John L., born 1868; Lucy I., born 1872; Alpha O., born 1876; and Mil- ward F., born 1878. Mr. S. is located in section 6, Salem Township.

JACOB STALEY

was born in Shelby County in 1835. He is a son of John and Elizabeth Boldin Staley. In 1859 he' married Rebecca Allen. They have had born to them seven children: Albert E., born 1860; Alonzo E., born 1864; John S., born 1867; Dolly M., born 1872; Jacob E., born 1874; Katie M., born 1877; Charles F., born 1879. Mr. Staley was raised a farmer, and lived on a farm till 1874, when he bought a hotel in Port Jefferson, and has been the proprietor of the Staley Hotel since that date.

JAMES HILLIARD

was born in Logan County in 1852, but his ancestors were among the early settlers of Perry Township, but the date of their settlement cannot be given. In 1875 Mr. H. married Miss Sarah Le Fevre. They have two children : Edward R., born 1877; and Sadie E., born 1880. They are located on section 5.

THE EPLER FAMILY.

PETER EPLER was born in Northumberland County, Pa., in 1804. His ancestors were of German origin, but the time of their advent into the United States is not known to us. After arriving at his majority he came westward and stopped for a time in Muskingum County, Ohio. It was here in the year 1830 that he married Miss Rachel Ward, who was born in Muskingum County in 1814. Shortly after marriage Mr. Epler came to Shelby County and entered eighty acres of land in Perry Town- ship. In 1831 he brought his wife and one child to this land. They first

moved into a house belonging to Mr. Maxwell, until they could clear a spot of ground and erect a cabin. When they landed in Shelby County they did not have five dollars in money left. They worked by day's work to get provisions to live on. Mr. Epler cut and split rails at twenty-five cents per hundred; Mrs. Epler working out in the clearing, picking brush and helping to roll logs in order to make themselves a home. Their life in the woods was like that of all early settlers who had no means of support but their willing hands. The rifle never had any charms to him ; his time was all spent in clearing his farm. They reared a family of nine children, viz., Jacob, born 1830; Elizabeth, born 1833; Thomp- son, born 1834; Benjamin C., born 1838; Maria, born 1840; Newton, born 1842; Lucinda, born 1845; Mary D., born 1847; and Martha, born 1851. After making for himself a comfortable home, Mr. Epler passed away from this life in 1861.

JACOB EPLER, the eldest son of Peter Epler, was born in Muskingum County, O., Aug. 2, 1830, consequently was only a few months old when brought to Shelby County. He was reared on the farm and made that his business through life until 1875, when he, together with his brother Thompson, bought a steam saw mill in Tileton, which they have run suc- cessfully since that time. In 1864 he entered the military service of the United States and served the time of his enlistment. In 1877 he married Sarah J. Hill, of Logan County, O.

BENJAMIN C. EPLER, the third son of Peter Epler, was born in Shelby County in 1838. He too, like his brother, was reared on the farm, but after arriving at manhood he learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed since that time, making for himself and wife a fine home, all hammered out on his anvil. In 1876 he married Miss Nellie Drake. Mr. Epler, by his industrious and honorable life, has the esteem and con- fidence of his fellow-citizens, who have elected him treasurer of his town- ship seven years.

ROBESON HANEY,

a son of James and Sarah A. (Young) Haney, was born in Port Jefferson in 1848; married Lida A. Croy in 1869. They have had born to them four children.

JAMES GILFILLEN

was born in Ireland in 1808. In 1819 he was brought to the United States by his father (John Gilfillen). Shortly after their landing in the United States they located in Clermont County, O., where he remained until 1832, when he came with his father to Shelby County, but afterward returned to Clermont County, where in 1834 he married Maria Carr. Some two or three years later he moved with his wife to this township, where he resided until the time of his death. They reared a family of eight children, whose names are as follows: Sarah J., John G., Granville M., William, Rachel, Mary E., Charlotte, and Marianne. Mr. G. was one of the hard-working men of the county ; he made a success of farm- ing, and became one of the wealthy farmers of the county. During his life he erected upon his farm fine buildings, but just as he became so as to live with comfort he was called away. He died regretted and respected by all. He died Sept. 1879; his wife had died Sept. 1868. The home- stead now belongs to Bailey W. (a grandson), who was born 1861, and who is at the present time taking a course at Delaware College prepara- tory to the study of law.

DR. J. F. MILLER.

The grandfather of Dr. Miller was born in Ireland, came to the Ame -. rican colonies some time prior to the Revolutionary War, for we find that he served as a soldier in the American army during that struggle, and was wounded and taken prisoner at Quebec. He died at Lancaster, Pa., in the year 1836. Alex. Miller, a son of the above, was born in Pennsylvania 1784. He held a captain's commission during the war of 1812, and was provost marshal at Lancaster, Pa. He married Sarah Lovett in 1820. She was of Quaker parentage, who came from England. They reared a family of six children. John F., one of the six, was born in Lancaster, Pa., in 1833. In 1839 his parents moved to Dayton, O., where John remained until 1854, when he came to Port Jefferson and commenced the study of medicine under Dr. S. C. Hussey, and attended Starling Medical College in 1857. Immediately afterward he commenced the practice of medicine in Port Jefferson, which he has continued suc- cessfully since that time. In 1858 he married Miss Margaret I. Henry, a daughter of David Henry. By this union they have two children, viz., Judson C., born 1865, and John E., born 1870.

DR. SAMUEL S. CRUMBAUGH

was born in Shelby County in 1847. He is a son of John Crumbaugh, an old pioneer of Perry Township. In the year 1868 he commenced the study of medicine, and graduated and received his diploma from The Ohio Medical College in 1872, and commenced the practice of medicine at Port Jefferson the same year, where he still remains. In 1872 he mar- ried Lauretta Barkalow, with whom he lived until March, 1874, when she died, leaving one child, Vernon B. In 1878 he married Lucy Ward. By this marriage there is one child, Alma, born 1879.

Digitized by Google

RES. OF S. C. BURTON, SALEM TW'P, SHELBY Co. O. ( ALSO TENANT HOUSES)

RES. OF BAILEY W. GILFILLEN , SALEM TWP. SHELBY CO. O.

Digitized by Google

GLENN CEMETERY , PORT JEFFERSON , SHELBY CO. OHIO.

Digitized by Google

339

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

LEVI F. PUTT

was born in Portage County, O., in 1847. When at a proper age he was apprenticed to learn the harness-making trade. This he followed some fifteen years ; he then engaged in buying produce for several years; he then engaged in the secret service. While on duty in the winter of 1881 on the C. C. C. & I. R. R., the train was wrecked by a broken rail, and he was severely injured, from the effects of which he has not entirely recovered. In 1870 he married Miss Cornelia Ogden, of Port Jefferson. By this marriage there are two children, Harry O. and Charles W.

ISAAC HARSHBARGER.

The Harshbargers are of German origin. They came to America during the early settlement of the colonies. The first we can learn of them was in the person of Jacob Harshbarger, the grandfather of Isaac, who was born in Virginia. To whom or when he was married we cannot learn. Of his children we only know of Jonas, the father of the subject of this sketch; he was born in Virginia in the year 1800. He came to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1810. Here, in 1822, he married Hester A. Jacobs. In 1838 they came to Shelby County and located in Salem Township. They raised a family of eight children. Mr. H. died in 1872. His wife died in 1873. ·

Isaac Harshbarger was born in Montgomery County, O., in 1825; came with his parents to Shelby County in 1838. In 1846 he married Johana Staley, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bollin) Staley. They have reared a family of five children, viz., Martha, Wm. A., B. Franklin, Almeda, and Clemia. Mr. Harshbarger is a farmer by occupation, but has filled several offices of trust in both county and township. He was sheriff of the county from 1856 to 1863; was also coroner of the county.

HENRY KEMP

was born in Clarke County, Ohio, in 1828; came with his father's family to Shelby County in 1839. He married Eliza J. Gray in 1852. They have seven children, Phoebe J., born 1852; John H., born 1855; Mary A., born 1857; Levina B., born 1859; George C., born 1861; Emanuel E., born 1863, and Samuel N., born 1865. George Kemp, the father of the above, was a pensioner from the war of 1812, came to Shelby County 1839, and settled on section 1, Salem Township. He died in 1876, in his 89th year; Mrs. Kemp, his wife, died in 1878.

DAYTON RIKE,

the eldest son of Peter Rike, was born in Montgomery County in 1836; came with his father to Shelby County in 1853. In 1858 he married Miss Sarah J. Gilfillen. They have had born to them five children, viz., Wm. E., Helen E., Thornton J., Charles P., and David S. In Feb. 1862, Mr. Rike enlisted as a volunteer in the 57th O. V. I .; afterward re-enlisted as a veteran in the same regiment, and served until the close of the war.

WM. E. RIKE,

a younger brother of the above, born in Montgomery County, O., in 1844. He married Charlotte Gilfillan in 1869. By this union they have three children, Ellis, born 1870; Viola, born 1872; and Alvernis, born 1874. James Gilfillan, the father of the two Mrs. Rikes, was born in Ireland, and came to America in the year 1820. He located in Clear- mont County, O., and lived there till the year 1832, when he came to Shelby County and located in Salem Township, where he died in 1879. Mrs. G. died in 1867. The Rikes were originally from Germany. Their first settlement in the United States was in Pennsylvania, from there they went to Maryland. In the year 1812 they removed to Montgomery County, O., where they remained till their removal to Shelby County, O., in 1853.

ERNST L. KRAFT

was born in Darmstadt, Germany, in 1834. His father, Ernst Kraft, came to the United States in 1849 and located in Shelby County the same year. In a few weeks after landing in Sidney he died, leaving a family of four children. Ernst, the son, in the year 1850 went to learn the shoemaking trade. In 1863 he came to Port Jefferson and started a shop, which he still runs in connection with a stock of goods. In 1856 he married Helena Schmidt. They have nine children, viz., John, born April 16, 1857; George, born March 25, 1859; Margaret, born July 4, 1861; Clara, born March 7, 1866; Ernst, born Feb. 23, 1868; Charles, born June 26, 1870; Ellie, born Sept. 1, 1872; Willie, born Oct. 30, 1874; and Bernice, born March 7, 1878.

HENRY I. STOCKSTILL,

a son of Elias D. and Elizabeth Stockstill, was born in Shelby County in 1837. In 1859 he married Nancy Le Fevre, a daughter of David Le Fevre. They have had born to them eight children, viz., Thomas H., Charles C., Elizabeth D., E. D. and Benj. F., Alonzo R., Ida R., and Samuel.

J. C. COUNTS

was born in Madison County, O., in 1848. He is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Baldwin) Counts. In 1881 he married Miss Margaret Hobby, a daughter of David Hobby of Salem Township.

PARKER LOUTHAIN

was born in Virginia in 1863. Came with his father, John Louthain, to Shelby County in 1831, and located in the northeast corner of Salem Township. They were the first settlers in that part of the township, their nearest neighbor being two and a half miles distant. They had emigrated to Ohio from Virginia in 1812, and lived in Miami County until they came to Shelby County. In 1836 Mr. L. married Lucinda Stafford. From this union they have two children, John M. and Bicy E., the first born in 1840, the latter in 1849. Mr. Louthain died Janu- ary, 1882.

ROBERT W. STAFFORD

was born in Virginia in 1849. Came to Ohio in 1872, and married Bicy E. Louthain in 1875. By this union they have two children, Parker L., born 1877, and Edward C., born 1879. They are located on the home of Parker Louthain.

VALENTINE MCCORMICK

was born in Greene County, Ohio, in the year 1819. He came with his parents to Shelby County in 1831. Here in 1841 he married Miss Anna Clayton, who was born in the same county the same year that her hus- band was. They have had born to them eight children, five of whom are still living. Reuben Clayton, the father of Mrs. McCormick, moved to Shelby County in 1835. James McCormick, grandfather of the above, was in the Revolutionary war, and was at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown Oct. 19, 1781; also his grandfather Shearer was in the Revolutionary war, and James McCormick, Jr., the father of Valentine, was in the war of 1812, and was at the building of Fort Meigs. Esq. Valentine McCormick and his son James K. were both in the late Rebel- lion. James K. was enlisted in the 57th O. V. I., and it is supposed was killed while foraging in Feb. 1863, as he has never been heard of since that time. The McCormicks came to Ohio as early as 1791, and located near Cincinnati. They floated down the Ohio River from Pittsburg on a flatboat, having to fight their way against hostile Indians along the banks of the river. The father of Esq. McCormick was three years old at this time. From Hamilton County they went to Greene County, but the date of this removal is not known. In 1831 James McCormick, Jr., with his family, moved to Shelby County and settled on sect. 34, Jack- son Township, or what was at that time Salem Township, for Jackson was not organized at that time. Mr. McCormick was the first white settler in the territory of what is now Jackson Township. He entered his land in June, built his cabin in August, and moved to his land Dec 1, 1831. He was one of the organizers of the township, and one of the first trustees. Valentine McCormick has held nearly every office in the township. In 1849 he was elected justice of the peace, and served nine years in succession ; he has been trustee, treasurer, and assessor of his township. In 1871 he sold his farm in Jackson and bought 160 acres in Salem, where he now lives. Besides farming, Esq. M. has been quite a contractor in building gravelled roads or pikes.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 103

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427