History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 118

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 118

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He was born in Kentucky Dec. 25, 1785, and came with his father to Ohio in 1796. He married Jaue Irwin Jan. 2. 1806. They reared a fam- ily of eight children, viz., Ibens Matilda, Irwin, Malinda Parmelia, Nel- son, Dixon, Sharon C., Simpson, and Marion. He died in Montgomery County in 1842.

IRWIN NUTT, the eldest son of Aaron Nutt, Jr., was born in Mont- gomery County, near Centreville, Jan. 31, 1811. When a young man he learned the tanner trade, but did not follow his trade long. Having received a fair common school education, such as he could get at the . district school, he afterward spent six months at the seminary at Xenia, Ohio, and prepared himself for teaching, which he followed for a time. In 1834 he married Miss Barbara Persinger, of Greene County, Ohio. She was born Sept. 27, 1812. Two years later he came with his wife and one child to Shelby County, where he bought a piece of timbered land one mile north of Sidney. On this land he soon erected a cabin for his little family and commenced clearing his land. It was not long before he had an opening around him, and his land began to return a compen- sation for his labor. Year after year the heavy timber gave way to the unceasing blows of his axe, and the result was a fine and well-improved farm, with not only the necessaries, but the luxuries of life around him. In this hard struggle to make a comfortable home he was aided and en- couraged by his brave and faithful wife, who did her part by spinning and weaving the flax and wool for their garments, and aiding in the out- door work as well as her duties in the house. They reared a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Louisa M., born 1835; Edmund E:, born 1837; Margaret J., born 1840; William A., born 1843; Mary M, born 1845 ; J. Newton, born 1848; and John M., born 1851. Louisa M. became the wife of Joseph Wilkinson; she died in 1876; Margaret J. married James Middleton and resides near Plattsville, O .; Mary M. is the wife of Dr. J. C. Lillie, of Quincy, Logan County, O .; William A. resides in Quincy, O. The other three reside in Sidney, O. In 1854 Mr. Nutt rented his farm, moved to Pemberton, and engaged in buying and shipping grain, but returned to bis farm again in 1857 and remained there until 1873, when, his children all having left home and gone to themselves, the old home became lonely, and, as he expressed it, "the old clock ticked too loud on its lonely shelf." They, at the earnest solicitation of their chil- dren, rented the homestead and went to spend their time among their children, sometimes with one, then with another. In 1832 Mr. Nutt united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all through his long and useful life he was closely identified with its interests, giving much of his time and money to its advancement, and when called away he left behind to surviving friends and neighbors an evidence that he had not spent his life in vain, but expressed a willingness to go to his Master, whom he served for nearly half a century. He also was one among the first members of Temperance Lodge No. 73 of F. and A. M., and during his life held all the offices in the Lodge, up to and including that of W. M. He died in Quincy, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. J. C. Lillie, March 7, 1880. His remains were brought to Sidney on Monday and lay in state at the M. E. Church until Tuesday afternoon, when the funeral took place, and his body was conveyed to Graceland Cemetery, followed by one of the largest funeral processions ever seen in Sidney.

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JAMES WELLS.

SARAH WELLS.

JAMES A. WELLS .

SARAH R. WELLS.

SYLVESTER S. WELLS.

SARAH C. WELLS.

WELLS FAMILY, CLINTON TW'P, SHELBY CO.O.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

His widow still survives, and makes her home among her children, who always welcome her, and are glad to have her with them. Her presence is always found by the sick-bed of any of her children or any of their families, and her life is spent giving comfort to those whom God sent to comfort her in her long and useful life.

E. E. NUTT, the eldest son of Irwin Nutt, was born in Shelby County in the year 1837. He was reared on the farm just north of Sidney, and was educated in the schools of Sidney. When eighteen years of age he began teaching school, which he followed four years, then commenced to take a course at Delaware College, but at the breaking out of the Rebellion he left his school and enlisted in the 15th O. V. I. April 17, 1861, and served three months, the full time of enlistment. In Septem- ber, 1861, he re-enlisted as a private in Company F, 20th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war, first as a private, then sergeant, then second and first lieutenant, and was discharged as captain of his coin- pany. After his return home from the army he, in company with his brother, engaged in the grain trade at Pemberton, and has been engaged in the same business up to the present time. In 1867 he married Miss Arvesta Vandemark, a daughter of Henry and Susannah (Boyer) Van- demark. By this union they have five children, viz., Florence A., Earl E., Susie E., Emma M., and Ora. Mr. Nutt at the present time is, in connection with his brothers, J. N. and J. M., engaged in the grain trade in Sidney, Ohio.

J. NEWTON NUTT is the third son of Irwin Nutt. He was born in Shelby County in 1848, lived with his parents until twenty-three years of age, at which time he engaged with his brother, E. E. Nutt, in the grain trade in Sidney, where he now is to be found. In 1877 he married Miss May Price, of Greencastle, Ind. They have had born to them one son, Freddie M., born 1878.

JOHN M. NUTT, the youngest of the family of Irwin Nutt, was born in Shelby County in 1851. He also was reared on the farm and educated in the schools of Sidney and Delaware. When about eighteen years of age he commenced teaching, which he followed until 1873, at which time he went to Quincy and engaged in the grain trade with his brother Wil- liam, remained there until 1876, then came to Sidney and associated himself with his brothers in the same business, under the firm name of Nutt Bros. In 1875 he married. Miss Ella M. Smith, of Quincy, Logan County, Ohio. They have born to them three children, viz., Frank S., Irwin, and Cris.

EMORY C. NUTT, a son of Dixon Nutt, who was a brother of Irwin Nutt, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1850, lived with his parents until 1873, when he commenced life for himself. In 1879 he came to Sidney and engaged with the Nutt Bros. as bookkeeper, at which he is engaged at the present time. In May, 1881, he married Miss Emma S. Price, of Greencastle, Ind. They have born to them one child, Arthur P., born 1882.

THE WELLS FAMILY.

Prominent among the hardy and adventurous pioneers of Shelby County was James Wells, a native of Cheshire County, New Hampshire. As a soldier of the second war for independence he bore a first lieuten- ant's commission until he was promoted to a captaincy, for meritorious conduct in the field. He was with Brown and Scott in July, 1814, during which month he participated in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, in which latter action both Brown and Scott were wounded. He was with the besieged army at Fort Erie, and partici- pated in the gallant actions which wrung victory from the hands of a reluctant foe. After the close of the war he returned to his home and family, and resumed his occupation as a hatter. A few years later in- augurated that swelling tide of immigration which rolled across the Alleghenies and still westward, until the new State of Ohio was reachedl. A similar movement had occurred during the territorial period, for the ordinance of 1787 had given an impetus to the first great, concerted westward movement. It was with the second movement, following the war of 1812, that Mr. Wells looked about his New England home, saw a family growing up about him, and resolved to follow the course of empire, and, if possible, carve a home out of the wilderness in order to better provide for the future of his family.

He accordingly became a part of the human current which had set in toward the Ohio Valley, and only paused when he had reached the grow- ing town of Cincinnati, now the metropolis of Ohio, and justly termed the Queen City of the West. This was in the year 1818, during which the St. Mary's Treaty was established, by the provisions of which the Government acquired possession of large tracts of land previously occu- pied by the Indians as reserve lands. Not having means to bring his family along he had left his wife and children until such time as he could find a home, and have them removed to it. After working in Cincinnati about eighteen months he moved up the Miami Valley as far as Piqua, where he was employed about six months. At the expiration of this time he looked a little farther northward, saw the new county of 43

Shelby erected, and moved within its limits to locate at Hardin, the only village within the county, and at that time the seat of justice. This settlement was in the spring of 1820, less than a year after the organization Of the Shelby County government. Having already accu- mulated some little means, and concluding to permanently locate at Har- din, he sent for his family. His wife and little ones-the oldest child being only eight years of age-started on the long trip with a neighbor named Roby: ana travelled by wagon as far as Olean Point, New York. Here Mr. Roby built a flat-boat, named it " Noah's Ark," and upon it the family took

passage for the new settlement of the West. They floated down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, where they were met by John Wilson, Of Turtle Creek Township, another of the pioneers of the county. Mr. Wilson brought them through from Cincinnati to their new home, their tri p occupying in all about six months.

On locating at

I Jardin Mr. Wells had fitted up something of a shop, in which he worked at his trade as a batter. It was not long, however, until he was calleri from his shop to assume the auditorship of the county, he being the first incumbent of the office by virtue of election. In 1824 he was ap> pointed clerk of the courts. He was afterward elected to the same office, and served seven years. During the same period he was also recorder Of the county a number of years. While a resident of Hardin he was ap Pointed postmaster of the village, this being the first of honor and trust

appointment withit ml the county. He also held the same position in Sidney after his 1-@ -hoval to that town. He thus occupied some position all merited, for as from 1823 until about 1840. These honors, too, were

community. He a public-spirited citizen be had no peer in the new townships, and wat = accorded the honor of naming one, which he denomi-

He was a leading took an active part in the organization of the several nated Dinsmore, " memory of Governor Dinsmore, of his native State. Such are the leading incidents in the public which order he was cealous, kind, and charitable. It was his last request that he be buried and influential member of the Masonic fraternity, in devotion to his country. Dy the Masonic order, and that the old flag, beneath which he had foul geht, should rest upon his coffin as an evidence of infant county of Imis adoption. As his name appears throughout the life of this pioneer"? who did bis full share toward the development of the county records during a long period of years. it is unnecessary to fers at greater length Lo mis public services. The' records attest the worth of the man, for they tell of the confidence reposed in his character and ability by the people who knew him best. It only remains to add he was born April 3, 1785, and married Sarah Wilder December 27, 1809. She was born in Keene, New Hampshire, February 28, 1780, and died July 18, 1857. Mr. Wells, after an active and useful life of about seventy-eight years, passed away September 15, 1863.

JAMES ALLEN WELLS, eldest son of James and Sarah Wells, was born in New Hampshire October 6, 1812, during his father's absence in the army. His parents coming to this county when he was about eight years of age, he obtained his education in the schools at Hardin and Sidney. Under Daniel Hopkins he studied surveying and entered the practice of this profession in 1830. In 1833 he was elected clerk of the courts, in which office he served seven years. He also held the office of county surveyor during two terms. He made the first survey on the Bellefontaine and Indianapolis (C. C. C. & I.) Railroad, which was made within the State of Ohio. In 1881 he ran a line which he had established in 1830, and found a magnetic variation of but two degrees. Having devoted over fifty years to this profession it may be safely said there are few men in the State, and no others in the county, who have estal). lished an equal number of survey lines. Like that of his father his name is found identified with the formative period of the county, and occupies a conspicuous place in the official roster. On the 4th of July, 1838, he married Sarah R. Robinson. They reared six children, named Frances A., Sarah R., Sylvester S., Emma, Ella, and Charles Robinson. Mrs. Wells, after an active and useful life, died at her home in Sidney in 1876.

SYLVESTER S. WELLS, the eldest son of James A. Wells, was born in 1844. Married Sarah C. Estey in 1864. Their family consists of four children: Lillie A., Dacy J., William A., and Charles A. April 23, 1883, while Mr. Wells was oiling the gearing of a windmill erected in his barn, his clothes were caught by a revolving shaft, and before he could be released he was killed. His remains were interred in Graceland Cemetery, followed by one of the largest concourses of mourning friends and neighbors ever witnessed in Sidney. He was beloved and respected by all who knew him. .

CHARLES W. WELLS, the third son of James Wells, was born January 24, 1818. When a young man he studied civil engineering, which he put into practice in after life. He was the engineer on the B. & I. Road during its construction from Versailles to Union City. He also was engineer on several others throughout the country. He was elected as clerk of the court, and also represented Shelby County in the General Assembly of the State. He was prominent in the public affairs of the county during his life. He married Mary Goode, a daughter of Dr. Goode. They had but one child born, Azel W. Mrs. Wells died soon after the birth of her child. Mr. Wells died November 20, 1864.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

THE DINGMAN FAMILY.

To trace back this family to the first of whom we can get any knowl- edge, we only can go back three generations from the present to that of James Dingman, the grandfather of the subject of our sketch. He was born in Canada in 1754, but came to the colony of New Jersey prior to the Revolutionary war, for we find that he engaged in that struggle for independence, and was wounded in battle. After the close, or during the war, he married Anna Vankamp. By this union there were thirteen children. Just how long he remained in New Jersey we cannot learn ; but we find that he had removed to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1803, when learning that the Territory of Ohio had been admitted into the sisterhood of States, he brought his wife and eight children to try their fortunes in this new and fertile State.

He made his first purchase of land within the present limits of the city of Columbus. This land he sold again in 1805 and came to the present limits of Shelby County and made an entry of 2000 acres on the banks of the Great Miami River. This embraced lands in fractional section 20 in Salem Township, thence down the river, including sections 5, 4, and 3 in Clinton Township. Mr. Dingman settled on this land in 1807, and built his cabin on what is now known as the Fulton Farm just below Dingmansburg, he being the first settler in this part of the county.

The names of these children were as follows: Sally, Betsy, Catharine, Rachel, Daniel V., James, Adam, and Abram.

In 1812 the four sons entered the army and served throughout the war. Adam was killed at Fort Defiance in 1813. Mr. Dingman remained here until 1834, when he went to the State of Illinois, where he entered a large tract of land, remained there about four years, then returned to Sidney and remained here until 1844, when he again returned to Illinois, where he died in Springfield in 1850, aged ninety-three years. His wife had died in Shelby County in 1832. Of the three sons who survived the war of 1812, Daniel V. located where his son Daniel V., Jr., now lives. James located on what is known as the Staley Farm in Salem Township. He married Sally Weeks in 1814 and settled on his farm soon afterward. Adam, the youngest son, remained with his father through life, and died in Illinois in 1848. James died near Fort Wayne about 1848.

DANIEL V. DINGMAN

was born in New Jersey in 1782, consequently was twenty-five years of age when he came to this county. In 1819 he married Margaret Wilson. and immediately located on the farm where he spent the balance of his days. He was a leading spirit in the organization of the county, and was the first sheriff of the county. His home place contained 401 acres, besides this he had 640 acres in Salem Township. He reared a family of ten children; there are but five living, viz., Mary, the wife of Daniel Wright; Priscilla, the wife of Henry Staley; Amanda, the wife of Philip Lunks; Jane, the wife of Lawrence. Miller of Indiana, and Daniel V., Jr., who resides on the old homestead. Sheriff Dingman died where he first settled, April 3, 1861. His wife died 1847.

DANIEL V. DINGMAN, JR.,

was born on the farm where he now lives, in 1824. He was the oldest son of Daniel V. Dingman, Sen. When seventeen years of age he was placed by his father in a distillery, where he remained for several years. He then worked on the canal until 1845 (he says the water was let into the canal feeder June 28, 1844); he then worked on the farm until 1848, when he married Sarah Bodkin, with whom he lived until 1851, when she died leaving one child, Sarah. About one year afterward he mar- ried Rebecca Staley, a daughter of Isaiah Staley. His second wife died 1881. By this second marriage there were four children, Margery E., John, Henry II., and James W.

Mr. Dingman is the owner of the old homestead of 401 acres. On this place he has cleared 140 acres and erected a good substantial brick "dwelling and other buildings. In the fall of 1881 he had the misfortune to have his barn with all its contents consisting of hay, grain, farm utensils, and eight head of horses destroyed by fire, a total loss of $6000; besides his loss by fire he has paid about $11,000 security debts. Mr. Dingman has one of the finest farms in Shelby County, a view of which is shown in this work. In 1881 Mr. Dingman married for his third wife Catharine Bollenbaugher, of Van Wert County.

THOMAS EDWIN ENGLISH,

an esteemed and honored pioneer of Sidney and Shelby County, was born in England, March 27th, 1790. Emigrated to the United States in 1814, landing in New York, but immediately went to Philadelphia, where he remained three years, working at the trade of a wagon-maker. He then went to Cincinnati and stayed one year. In 1819 he came to Piqua. June 6, 1820, he came to Sidney, and was engaged as a helper to get out timber to build a hotel for John Blake. This hotel was known as the National Hotel, and was the first frame building in Sidney. The same has been occupied for a number of years as a meat shop by M. Wagner, but recently has been removed for a more commodious brick structure.

The lumber for this hotel was sawed by hand, and was sawed by Mr. English and a man by the name of Behnet. It was erected in 1821. In Oct. 1820, Mr. English married Matilda Trader. They reared a family of five children, viz., John, Charles, Henry, Rachel, and James. He carried on the business of wagon-making for a number of years in Sid- ney. In 1828 he moved to his farm adjoining the town, where he erected the first hewed log-house in the neighborhood (the same is still stand- ing). In March, 1825, he joined the order of F. and A. M. He was the third person initiated in Temperance Lodge, No. 73, while yet working under dispensation. He was passed June 30th and raised July 28th. He filled all the chairs from the W. M. down. He was treasurer of the lodge for twenty-five years. After being a member of the lodge for forty-seven years he was by a unanimous vote made an honorary mem- ber, and was excused from labor and attendance at the lodge meetings. He died Oct. 10, 1876, and was buried in Graceland Cemetery in the honors of his Order. His wife died Feb. 1881. Mr. English was one of the honored pioneers of Sidney, and was respected by all who knew him. He was domestic in his habits and seldom left home. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest residents of the town, having lived here fifty-six years. Of his family there are still living, in or near the town, Charles, Henry, James, and Rachel, the wife of Saml. McCune.

THOMAS BLAKE.

This pioneer family are natives of England. John Blake, the father of the above, was born in Yorkshire, Eng. Married Rebecca Burk in 1802. He came with his wife and five children to the United States in the summer of 1819. They first stopped in Cincinnati for a short time. Then came to Piqua, where he remained until the spring of 1820, when he located in Sidney, or where Sidney now is, for he built the first house on the town plat, and they were the first family in the town. He at- tended the sale of town lots in the fall of 1819, bought a lot and built a cabin that winter, and moved his family into it the March following. During the summer of 1820 he built a frame house, the lumber of which was sawed by hand. This house was used for a hotel and store, and was the first in the town.

Mr. Blake continued keeping hotel and store for several years; finally engaged in buying and selling horses. In 1826 he took some fifty head of horses to South Carolina, sold his horses, and had returned as far as Lexington, Kentucky, where he was shot dead and robbed of his money. Mrs. Blake survived him until 1858.

THOMAS BLAKE,

a son of the above, was also born in Yorkshire, Eng. He was born in 1815, consequently was five years of age when brought to Sidney. He has lived here from that time to the present, now over sixty-three years. He says he attended the first school in the town, which was held in the court-house and taught by J. C. Calhoun. Arriving at manhood he learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for many years. In 1840 he married Miss Ruth A. Robinson. By this union they had six children : only one is now living, viz., Hamlin B. Mr. Blake, during his long life in Sidney, has been honored by filling both county and township offices. He was deputy sheriff several years, was city marshal and constable a number of years, also revenue assessor. He is now the oldest resident in the town or township.

ADAM SMELTZER

was born in Gallia County, O., in 1807. His parents were John and Christina (Blazer) Smeltzer. In 1834 he married Margaret Smith, & daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Sigler) Smith, who was born in .Penn- sylvania, in 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Smeltzer have had born to them seven children, Christina, Robert, Thomas, Reuben, Erastus, Sylvanus, and Mary. They located in Shelby County in 1852. Three of the boys served in the Union army during the Rebellion. Thomas served one year in the 20th O. V. I., and two years in the 9th O. C. He was also nine months a prisoner in a Rebel prison. Robert served four years in the 20th O. V. I. Reuben served three years in the 20th O. V. I.

SAMUEL GAMBLE

was born in Cumberland County, Pa., Aug. 2, 1782. Came to Ohio 1806, and first located in Greene County. Bought a farm near Xenia; here he remained until 1828, when he came to Sidney, Ohio. Mr. Gam- ble was married three times, first to a Miss Shaw of Kentucky ; there were five children by this marriage, who grew up to man and woman- hood. His first wife died about 1822. His second marriage was to a Miss Marshall, who only lived a few months. He then in June, 1824, married Mary Gordon. By this marriage there were four children. At Mr. Gamble's first entrance into the town of Sidney he engaged in the general merchandising and produce business, which he followed about three years.

Prior to the time of his coming to Sidney he had for a number of years been engaged in buying and shipping produce by flat-boat to New Orleans. He would build a flat-boat on the Miami River, float it down

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

to the Ohio, thence down the Ohio and Mississippi to New Orleans. Sell his boat and contents, and return home by way of New York. He also in company with John Neal built and loaded a boat at Sidney and made the same trip. In the spring of 1850 he and his sons Saml. and William started for California by way of the plains. Before reaching St. Joe, Missouri, he was taken sick and died in St. Joe, April 14, 1850, and now lies buried there. His wife survived him until March 12, 1871.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 118

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

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