USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 117
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MRS. SUSAN ROBINSON,
widow of Fredrick Robinson, deceased, was born in March, 1809, mar- ried May 15, 1831, and moved to Sidney in 1834. At that time there were but about 400 inhabitants in Sidney, while religious bodies were yet without houses of worship, and so met from time to time at the resi- dences in the village. Mr. Robinson engaged in the boot and shoe trade a number of years, and finally embarked in the grocery business, which he followed about one year in connection with a bakery. He was justice of the peace during several years, and was classed as an upright and estimable man by all who knew him. Ile died May 7, 1857. They have two children living, viz., Thomas L., who married Miss M. J. Silver in January, 1858, and has one child named Webster W., and Margaret I., who married Wm. H. Clark in December, 1868, and has one child, named Clara E.
ROBINSON JOSLIN
was born in Vermont, April 12, 1810, and remained in his native State twenty-six years, during the few latter of which he worked at carpenter- ing. He then moved to Akron, Ohio, where he worked at his trade, contracting and building, for three years, when he came to Sidney and pursued the same business about one year. The next two years 'he worked at Wapakoneta, but returned to Sidney in 1842 and entered into partnership with J. C. Coe as general contractors and builders. They built many of the most important structures in Sidney, embracing churches and mills. In 1855 Mr. Joslin went into the livery business with Daniel Morey, when he soon after bought out and conducted the business himself where the McClure & Johnston stable now is. Three years later, in partnership with another man, he bought the planing mill, which they operated about one year. In 1862 the mill burned down and the partnership was dissolved. He then entered into other enter- prises until 1867, when he sold out his interests in some projects and turned his attention to the building and remodelling of tenements. He was married Feb. 6, 1833, to Miss Susan Wells, who was born in Ver- mont, July 1, 1811. They had six children, viz., Clay R., Byron W., and Myra E., now living, and Rosella, Amanda, and an infant son, de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Joslin have reached an age of fulness of years, but seem almost as vigorous as when they first assumed the responsi- bilities of life. On February 6, 1883, they celebrated their golden wed- ding anniversary, surrounded by children, grandchildren, and a host of friends.
GEORGE REDDISH,
a native of Union County, Pa., was born January 23, 1820. When he was ten years old, his father was drowned in the Susquehanna River, and at fifteen, George started to work to help the family along. After four years' work with one uncle and three years with another, he moved to Montgomery County, Pa., where he worked on the Philadelphia and l'ottsville Railroad bridge over the Schuylkill, about four months. After boating for a time he returned to Union County, where he worked three years in a woollen mill. In 1841 moved to Crawford County, where he worked one season and then came to Summit County, Ohio. In a few weeks he came to Sidney and engaged to some extent at his trade, and doing such other work as he could secure. In 1852 he went to Califor- nia, but after nearly three years of rough experience returned to Sidney and began the butchering business, which he followed about three years. In 1844 he married Miss Rebecca Girrard, who bore him two children, named Joseph B. and Elizabeth S. On his return from California he was married to Miss E. M. Dott, who bore him six children. Mr. Red.
dish came to Sidney while it only gave the impression of rudeness and uninvitingness, but he lived to see it become an active village of concen- trated industries and various institutions.
CAPT. BENJ. W. MAXWELL
was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, Nov. 27, 1817. When he was seventeen years old his parents moved to Sidney. On Jan. 5. 1843, he married Miss Mary Jane Shaw. They had two children, Alinira Jane, born Dec. 4, 1844; died Feb. 2, 1860; and Samuel W., born May 15, 1848. Mr. Maxwell enlisted in the 134th Ohio May 2, 1864, under Col. Armstrong. He was mustered in at Columbus, and was discharged Sept. 1, 1864. He entered the old State militia in 1838, was elected Captain of the 1st Regiment in 1841, and in 1842 was elected Lieut .- Colonel, which rank he held until the militia was disbanded by act of General Assembly. He also became a captain of home guards in 1863. He has served as trustee, but declined other offices which were within his reach. He was President of the German American Bank & number of years, but at length refused to longer serve. During his whole life he has been engaged in milling operations, which he has conducted on an extensive scale and in a successful manner.
DANIEL YOHE
was born Oct. 8, 1820, in York County, Pa., and when fifteen years old came with his parents to Richland County, Ohio. Three years later he went to Missouri, but in two years moved to Piqua, Ohio, where he lived until 1843, when he moved to Sidney, and for a few years worked at the carpenter trade. The next year he began working in the Maxwell flour- ing mills, in which employment he continued about thirteen years. He then went to Champaign County, where he worked twelve years, when he returned to Sidney and resumed his old position, the mill then being owned by Mr. Armstrong. Five years later he again entered the em- ployment of Mr. Maxwell, which position he has since retained. He was married Sept. 2, 1847, to Miss Ann Partington, who has borne him seven children, named Mary Ellen, Jemima Ann, Celestia Jane, Benjamin F., Alice C. (died in 1861), Dora May, and Tina N.
W. M. HALL
was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 11, 1838. Until twenty years old he remained with his parents, engaged in farming and running a saw-mill. He then went to Illinois and secured a position as clerk in a clothing store, where he remained two years and then returned to Ohio. When the war broke out, Putnam like, he left his plow standing in the field and shouldered his musket. He enlisted in the 45th Ohio Vol. Inf., Colonel Benj. Runkle, and was mustered into service at Columbus, and, serving his enlistment, returned home. About a year later he re-enlisted, this time in the 192d Ohio, Colonel Butterfield, and was mustered with Company C as orderly sergeant. He went at once to Harper's Ferry, thence to Charleston, Winchester, Aquia Creek, and Mt. Jackson. He then participated in all the movements of his regiment, and was finally discharged Sept. 7, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Returning to the peaceful walks of life, he resumed farming, which he followed until 1872. In. 1875 he moved to Sidney and engaged in the agricultural implement business, which he has since conducted. He was city marshal two years. He was married April 23, 1861, to Miss Mary E. Woodard, who has borne him five children, named Uretta E., Alice J., Sarah E., Anna F., and James F. (died April 18, 1873).
W. M. TOY
was born in Brant Township, Miami County, O., in 1850, and remained there with his parents during his youth. After working two years in Fort Wayne he came to Sidney and engaged, with others, in the manu- facture of plows, but eventually bought the whole business, and is now sole proprietor. He was married February 22, 1873, to Miss Mary W. Haslup, and has reared four children, named Fannie F., Daniel, Robert H., and Thomas H., all of whom are living.
DAVID EDGAR.
This pioneer of Sidney was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Feb. 29, 1808. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Beaver County, Pa., and remained twelve years, when they moved to Stark County, Ohio. Here David worked with his father in improving a farm about four years, when he went to learn the cabinet trade, April 1, 1828. After serving an apprenticeship of three years he started a shop for himself at Dalton. After six years he moved to Sidney in 1839, and found the village of feeble growth. Here he prosecuted his trade about six years, and in 1845 embarked in the hardware trade, which he con- ducted some nineteen years. His store stood on part of the ground now occupied by the "Burnett House." Selling out his stock, he took the agency for agricultural implements, in which business he continued from 1860 to 1877, when he sold out his stock. He was married in 1834 to Miss Jane Fulton. They reared five children, named Silas F., Margaret J., Sarah E., Benjamin W., and John B. His wife fell a victim of the
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
cholera September 26, 1850, and be again married In October, 1852, his wife's maiden name being Sarah H. Ramsey. She died June 26, 1878, and Nov. 8, 1881, he married Mrs. Carrie Garity, daughter of Abraham Dix, of Philadelphia, and niece of Hon. John A. Dix, of New York. In 1882 Mr. Edgar sold his old Court Street residence to the present treasurer of the county, and built three neat dwellings, one on Ohio Street, in which he now lives, and two on Miami Street. For fifty years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is the grandson of Col. David Kilgore, the oldest of a family of twenty brothers, who went into the Revolutionary War as a captain, and rose to the rank of Colonel, which he held throughout the war. He was in the battles of Bunker Hill, Brandywine, and other sanguinary conflicts. He died in the year 1810.
NATHAN MOORE
was born in Summit County, Ohio, January 30, 1823, and moved, when thirteen years of age, with his father, to Bowling Green, where he re- mained until the spring of 1856, when he came to Sidney. He at once engaged in the nursery business on the premises on which his house now stands. His first planting was about four acres, in a general nursery stock, but he was compelled to increase his acreage from year to year in order to meet the demands of his increasing trade. He finally bought a large tract across the river, and saw his business swell until about one hundred acres were occupied. Besides this amount, he had twenty acres devoted to orchard-tree experimentation, wherein he tested the quality of different varieties of fruits. After a number of years he abandoned the business of growing nursery stock and located east of town, on the Orbison farm, where he already has a large number of acres set out in the different varieties of fruits and flowers. He was married Dec. 24, 1847, to Miss Julia Eliza St. John, of Wood County, Ohio. They have six children, viz., Estella M., Ezra F., Alice C., Milton Q., Albert G., and Charles H.
E. D. STOCKSTILL
moved to Salem Township in 1833, where he built a log cabin and moved his family to it. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Shroyer, of Frede- rick County, Md., in 1829. He entered four hundred acres of land, two hundred of which he cleared by hard and persistent labor. In 1838 he helped to build a log school-house, which was also used as a church, and had to go ten miles to buy all his supplies. In 1874 he moved to Sidney without disposing of his farm. He has reared eleven children, named Elizabeth C., Thomas, David W., Henry I., Francis M., John P., Mary E., Jacob W., Andrew W., Sarah S., and Elias.
GEORGE A. MARSHALL
was born in Turtle Creek Township, Sept. 14, 1849, where he remained until after his father's death, attending and teaching school. He was one of the eleven children of Samuel Marshall, a pioneer of Turtle Creek Township, in the personal history of which will be found a sketch of his life. G. A. Marshall studied law in the office of Conklin & Burress, in Sidney, some three years, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1876, by the Supreme Court. He remained with his tutors about one year after his admission and then opened an office alone. In February, 1878, he formed a partnership with Judge Conklin, which was dissolved in February, 1882. Since that date he has been alone. He was elected prosecuting attorney on the Democratic ticket in 1877, when he servedl one term. Again in 1882 he was elected to the same office, which he holds at this time. On December 22, 1881, he married Miss Lou. Cowan. They have three children, Benjamin and Samuel MeCaslin (twins), and Frank.
GEORGE HEMM
was born in Baden, Germany, June 1, 1834, and in 1846 entered the Bavarian army and served seven years in the 6th Cavalry Regiment. He then came to America September 1, 1853, arriving at New York, but proceeding directly to Buffalo, where he worked in a butcher shop until the following March. He then moved west to Toledo and worked in a nursery until April, 1855, when he came to Sidney and started in the nursery business, which he has since followed with success. He was married April 20, 1857, to Miss Bernadina Dickas, of Bavaria. Their first child died at birth, while two are living, named Nettie and George. When Mr. Hemm came to this country he was poor, but by industry and hard labor has worked out a competence, at the same time securing and maintaining the respect of his neighbors.
M. WAGNER
was born in Alsace, France, April 24, 1818, and in 1830 came to America, and drove a team through to Pittsburgh, where he met his father, who had preceded him by stage from Baltimore. Here he began to work in a tobacco factory for one dollar a week, but a few months later went to Butler County, Pa., where he followed farm work about eighteen months. After this he moved back to Pittsburgh and labored about at whatever
work he could find. Coming to Ohio he settled in Columnbiana County
and engaged at farming. From there he went to Steubenville, Wheel- ing, and other places, working as best he could at the different points. In this way he worked and struggled until 1837, when he started for Allen County, and after a little while came to Sidney, where, with his brother Peter' he worked on the canal until the winter arrested the work. He then returned to the Allen County farm and began improving it. Again he returned to the canal work, and finally started business in Sidney, opening a meat market and prosecuting other enterprises, until he has become one of the strongest financial men of the town. In 1844 he married Miss Mary Rauth, and has seven children living, named Mary, William, Milton, Benjamin, Flora, Lewis, and Bertha. Four children, named Claarles, John, Ellen, and Amelia, are dead.
JOSEPH WIENGARTNER
was born in Baden - July 9, 1827, and came to America in 1850, landing at New York on tla e 27th of September. Going to New Jersey, he found work in a factory for a few weeks, and afterward came to Auglaize County, O., by way of Toledo. He then worked on a farm for a time, but changed about as necessities demanded until February, 1853, when he came to Sidney and worked at the butchering business for Matt. Wagner. Henex _ engaged in the saloon business until 1855, when he
again and also in cago. Returning to Sidney he worked at butchering
went to St. Mary's grocery which belonged to a Mr. Young. In 1856 he
went to St. Paul - and moved to Chi Minn., and worked at different occupations for a time
months later came and started a meat market on a small scale, but seven back to Sidney. He then bought the old " Wagner House," changed the name to " Farmers' Hotel," and conducted a hotel business nearly seven years, when failing health compelled him to aban- don the business - After embarking in different enterprises in Missouri and Illinois, he returned to Ohio and went into the hotel business at Wapakoneta. A tout a week afterward the house burned to the ground, and he came back which he followed once more to Sidney and the butchering business,
until 1867, when he sold to his brother. In 1874 he bought the Reede farm near Sidney and lived on it until October, 1882, when he bought the property he now occupies on Ohio Street, Sidney, fitted it up and opened a saloon. He was married in October, 1858, to Miss Gertrude, da tighter of Michael Fares, and has reared six children, named Louie H., Mary, Mena, Louise, Callie, and Mica.
WILLIAM D. DAVIES
was born in Iowa City. January 20, 1850. He attended the Ohio State University, read law three years, and was admitted to the bar in Iowa City in 1870. He then travelled for different railroads until 1875, when he came to Sidney and bought the office and business of Judge Thomp- son. He was married in November, 1880, to Miss Belle Mathers of Pennsylvania, and has one child, Amelia. Mr. Davies is a son of David and grandson of Thomas Davies, who were both natives of Wales. David Davies moved to lowa and settled on the prairie. W. D. Davies is now well established in the practice of law in Sidney, and gives promise of taking high rank in his profession.
HIRAM BURCH
was born in Hamilton County, O., on the 7th day of March, 1821. With his father's family he moved to Butler County, O , in 1833, being the eldest of five brothers and one sister. In 1835 he moved near Fort Re- covery, Mercer County, O., but the next year came to Shelby County and located on a farm four miles north of Sidney, in Franklin Township. On the Sth of April, 1838, he moved to Sidney and became an appren- tice as a bricklayer and plasterer, which trade he has since followed. On the 18th of April, 1843, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Tuttle. To them were born three sons and five daughters, of whom the three eldest have "gone to that bourne whence no traveller e'er returns." During the month of his marriage Mr. Burch moved to East Sidney or Dingmansburg, where he resided until April 4, 1855, when he moved to his present residence on South Main Street, Sidney.
GEORGE CRAWFORD ANDERSON
WAS born in Warren County, Ohio, on the 14th of January, 1834. Of his paternal ancestors but little is known. His grandfather, John An- derson, came to Pennsylvania from the north of Ireland about the year 1780. In 1779 he emigrated to Kentucky, settling six miles below Lex- ington, where, on the 6th of March, 1800, James Anderson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born. In 1806 the family came to Ohio, and settled down in the wilderness a few miles east of the present site of Loveland, in Clermont County, where the grandparents died, having reared a family of twelve children.
About the year 1825 James Anderson and Julia Dunham were mar- ried at Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio. To them were born Rudolph Warren, Oscar Josephus, Semantha Adeline, and Adelbert Huntington (the subject of this sketch), whose name, after the death of his mother in 1835, was changed to George Crawford, on his adoption by George B. and Adeline C. Crawford, his maternal aunt.
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
Two years after the death of Mr. Crawford in 1844 he was taken by James Anderson-his father-to Hamilton County, Ohio, where he had again married, and was then living. While living with his father the surname Anderson was added to that of George Crawford, since which time he has been written and known as George Crawford Anderson. His father died, and his adopted mother having in the mean time married Mr. Isaac Harrison, a woollen manufacturer living two and a half miles east of Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio. He came in 1848 to live with her. Here he learned the woollen manufacturing business, and received a coin- mon school education, and in 1856 was married to Ruth Maxwell. In 1857 he bought the woollen mill of Mr. Harrison, and began manufactur- ing on his own account. In 1862 he removed the woollen machinery to the east bank of the Miami River at Sidney, Ohio, where he engaged with B. W. Maxwell in woollen manufacturing. During this year his wife died. Of their three children one, Adelbert H., had preceded its mother in 1861. Another, Willie A., survived her but two months. The eldest, Benjamin Warren, is still living, and graduated in 1883 at Woos- ter University, preparatory to entering a theological seminary.
G. C. A. was again married in 1865 to Permelia Harris. There are five children from this union : George C., Jr., Frank D., Harris H., D. Rea, and Julia, all living. Mr. Anderson continued in the woollen busi- ness until 1872. Since then he has engaged in the purchasing of wool, Western emigration, and fire insurance, and has for years been identified with the local boards of the town, township, and corporation.
Through his maternal grandmother, Betsy Dunham, whose maiden name was Huntington, his ancestry can be traced back 250 years to one Simon Huntington, who sailed from England in the year 1633 with his family of seven persons, but who died of smallpox at sea, and received an ocean burial. His widow, Margaret Huntington, with her family of children were landed in Connecticut. It is evident from a letter received by her from her brother that they came from London. Through this line of ancestry came Samuel Huntington, of Connecticut, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Also Samuel Huntington, one of the Governors of Ohio.
JOHN HEISER
was born in Marion Township, Mercer County, Ohio, December 5, 1840. When seventeen years of age he went to Piqua, and worked at carriage blacksmithing. After a few removals he finally came to Sidney, and engaged at plow-making. On the Ist of September, 1861, he enlisted in the First Ohio Light Artillery, Company M, and mustered in at Camp Dennison, Ohio. He participated in all the engagements of his com- mand, and was finally discharged at Columbus, Ohio, December 13, 1864. After a little time at home he went to Urbana, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for a few months, and after a few changes came to Sidney, and took an interest in the shop, where he is now engaged in plow-mak- ing as the proprietor and manager. He was married October 12, 1865, to Miss Mary B. Daniel. They have a family of six children, named William, Franklin, Rosa, John L., George, and Raymer B. One daugh- ter, Clara, and an infant are dead.
WILLIAM PIPER
was born in Sidney, Ohio, September 1, 1847. He attended school and worked at wagon-making until sixteen years old, when he went into the grocery business as clerk. When twenty-one he entered the same busi- ness as a member of the firm. Three years later the firm became Piper & Son, but two years afterward his father retired, and William entered into partnership with G. F. Yenney, and conducted the grocery, pork, and wool business for a period of six years. He was married in 1878 to Miss Caddie D. Anderson, and has three children: Leonora E., Charles W., and Clarence F.
WILLIAM P. METCALF
was born in Belmont County, Ohio, November 24, 1834, and when three years old was taken with his parents to Morgan County, where he lived until 1863, engaged a part of the time in the dry goods trade. He after- ward moved to De Graff, but in 1867 came to Sidney, and opened a dry- goods store. He has since continued the business, enlarging it from time to time, buying wool, and engaging in other enterprises. He has served on the school board and city councils, and is a stockholder in the gas company and Citizens' Bank. He has also been one of the directors of the latter institution during the past ten years, and for the past year treasurer of the gas company. He was married to Miss A. Silvers March 26, 1861. They have three children: Estella, Lucille, and Hattie.
JACOB MENTGES
was born in Prussia May 6, 1826, where he learned cabinet-making, and came to America in 1854. After working at Albany, Cincinnati, and other points in different occupations, he came to Sidney in 1862. Here he opened a furniture store, and manufactured his own goods. In 1869 sickness overtook him, which prevented his working for three years.
In 1873 he went to Cincinnati and bought a stock of goods, and reopened at a new stand. After eight years he moved to his present place of busi- ness. As he started with empty hands, his present business must be taken as an evidence of his industry and frugality. In 1869 he married Miss Elizabeth Hass, of Cincinnati. They have six children: Jacob, Elizabeth, George, Maggie, John, and Fred, all living.
THE NUTT FAMILY.
This family is of Welsh descent. The first to come to America was Adam Nutt, who came, when quite a young man, early in the eighteenth century, and probably settled in New Jersey. When or whom he mar- ried we cannot learn, but we know that he had a son Levi (who was the great-grandfather of Irwin Nutt, of Shelby County), who was the father of Aaron Nutt, born in New Jersey July, 1758. He was left an orphan when two years of age. At fourteen years of age he was indentured to learn the tailor trade until twenty-one years of age. Some time before the close of his apprenticeship his guardian was drafted into the army under Gen. Washington. He offered to give Aaron his time if he would go as a substitute in his stead, to which he agreed. He entered the ser- vice under his cousin, Captain Israel Shrieve, and was with him at the battle of Monmouth. We can learn nothing more of his military career. In August, 1779, he was married to Mary Archer. By this union there were nine children born. In 1786 he moved to Pennsylvania, from there to Kentucky, but on account of the institution of human slavery, he, in the year 1796, came to the territory of Ohio and located in what is now Montgomery County, when it was very sparsely settled with white peo- ple Here he lived an honored and respected citizen the remainder of his life. He died June 2, 1842. Of his family of nine children we shall only speak of Aaron Nutt, Jr., who was the father of Irwin Nutt, of Shelby County.
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