USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 76
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Mary J. and Esther C. are now dead. Sarah A. married Philip Ragan, and is now living on her father's home farm. Rebecca E. married Philip Summers, and now resides in Henry County, Iowa. Mr. Lemon served about one year in the war of 1812, and in 1852 his family received a warrant from the Government, calling for 160 acres of land for his ser- vices during that war.
SAMUEL ELLIOTT, Retired Farmer, P. O. Anna.
Mr. Elliott was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 15, 1812, where his minority days were passed on a farm. He is a son of Cornelius Elliott, who was born in Maryland in September, 1778. He came to Ohio some time prior to 1803, and located near Newark, Licking County, where he married Miss Elizabeth Evans, of the same county. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott remained in Licking County until in October, 1835, when they, with twelve children, came to Shelby County, purchased and set- tled on 120 acres of land in section 6, Dinsmore Township, on which they passed the remainder of their days. Mrs. Elliott died July 20, 1839, aged forty-nine years. Mr. Elliott departed this life May 4, 1865. He served in the war of 1812. He reared a family of twelve children, viz., John, Samuel, Cornelius, Eliza, James, Joseph, William, Jane, Lorenzo, Margaret, Alexander, and Elizabeth, six of whom are yet alive, viz., Samuel, Joseph, Jane, Lorenzo, Alexander, and Elizabeth.
Samuel Elliott, sul:ject of this sketch, came with his parents to Shelby County in October, 1835, and located near where Botkins has since been laid out. On the 14th of March, 1837, he married Miss Jane Dill, daughter of Richard C. and Hannah Dill. Miss Dill was born in Ham- ilton County, Ohio, December 11, 1815, and came to this county with her parents in October, 1832, as elsewhere mentioned. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott settled on a piece of land in section 31, Dinsmore Township, on which he made improvements and lived fifteen years, or until in 1852, when he sold his farm in section 31, purchased and moved on a farm in section 20, same township, remained on this farm until in October, 1880, when he sold his land, purchased and moved on a small farm in section 28, three-fourths of a mile north of Anna, on which they are now residing. They reared a family of cleven children, viz., Richard D., Joseph D., Elizabeth, Angeline and Catharina (twins), Amanda, Jane, James, Hannah, Samuel, and Minerva. Angeline died when at the age of eighteen years. Mr. Elliott served as justice of the peace for Dins- more Township eighteen years ; also filled the office of land appraiser one term, and constable one year.
ALEXANDER ELLIOTT,
seventh son of Cornelius and Elizabeth Elliott, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 16, 1828. He came to Shelby County with his parents in 1835, and located in Dinsmore Township. He has made farming his vocation. May 24, 1849, he married Miss Elizabeth Deyo, then of Auglaize County, Ohio, but a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born May 15, 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott settled on his father's home farm in Dinsmore Township, remained until in 1865, when they moved on the farm where they now reside, one-half mile north of Botkins.
GEORGE TURNER
was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 17, 1805. On the 28th of January, 1830, he married Miss Catharine Munch, daughter of John and Mary M. Munch, born in Virginia November 20, 1810, and came to Greene County, Ohio, with her parents in 1816. In November, 1832, Mr. and Mrs. Turner came to Shelby County, entered, made improve- ments, and settled on forty acres of land in the east half of the south- east quarter of section 28, Dinsmore Township, on which they re- mained about ten months, when, on account of the milk sickness, they sold their land in this county and moved back to Greene County, where they remained four years, or until in August, 1837, when they re- turned to this county, entered, made improvements, and settled on the west half of the southwest quarter of section 22, Dinsmore Township. on which they have since resided. They reared a family of ten children, viz., John, Patience, Joseph, George, Mercy, Charity, Robert, Mary, Catharine, and Wesley. John and George are now deceased. George served in the war of 1861, and died at Harper's Ferry, Va., March 21, 1865. Mr. Turner made farming his principal avocation until a few years since, when he retired from all business, and is now living a re- tired life, esteemed and respected by all that know him, and is looked upon as one of Dinsmore's early settlers.
JOHN TAYLOR,
an old and esteemed citizen of Dinsmore Township, was born near Mil- ton, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1810. When he had attained the age of nine years, he came in company with his parents to Ohio, and located in Bath Township, Greene County. He is a son of David and Ann Tay- lor, who came to Shelby County in 1834, entered, made improvements, and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 25, Dins- more Township, where David Taylor died in 1835. John Taylor, sub- ject of this sketch, came to Shelby County in January, 1835, entered
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one hundred and twenty acres of land in section 25, Dinsmore Town- ship, on which he has since resided. He has made other purchases, and now owns a farm of one hundred and seventy acres of good land, which is under a good state of cultivation, and well improved. December 10, 1835, he married Miss Margaret Staley, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Staley. Miss Staley was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, May 3, 1810. She came to this county with her parents in 1831, and settled in Salem Township. They reared a family of seven children, viz., Eliza- beth, Mary A., Margaret, David, Jacob, George, and Amanda. Mr. Taylor filled the office of trustee of Dinsmore Township one year.
ERASMUS B. TOLAND
was born in Berkeley County, Virginia, September 29, 1808. He is a son of Andrew and Rachel (Montgomery) Toland. When he had attained the age of thirteen years, or in 1821, he moved with his parents to Morgan County, Virginia, where, on the 9th of April, 1829, he mar- ried Miss Sarah A., daughter of John Johnson, of Morgan County, where she was born January 25, 1809. Mr. and Mrs. Toland came to Ohio in October, 1829, and located in Miami County, where they re- mained about four years, or until October, 1833, when they came to this county, purchased eighty acres of land in the south half of section 20, Dinsmore Township, on which he resided about forty-nine years, and has been a citizen of Dinsmore Township since 1833. His companion died May 13, 1840, leaving him with five small children, three of whom grew to years of maturity, viz., Ann M., John W., and Nancy C. John W. died at Memphis, Tennessee, while serving in the late war. Nancy C. died in May, 1878. Ann M. is now living in Sidney. On the 10th of December, 1840, Mr. Toland married Nancy Sheets, of Miami County, where she was born September 23, 1819, by whom he reared seven chil- dren, Robert M., Alfred E., Susannah, George B., James N., Charles C. and Martha, all of whom are yet living. Alfred E. and Robert M. served in the war of 1861. Mrs. Toland departed this life April 28, 1856. On the 11th of October, 1857, Mr. Toland married for his third wife Mary liams, then of Dinsmore Township, daughter of Thomas and Mercy liams. Miss liams was born in Washington County, Pa., Decem- ber 11, 1811. She came to Shelby County with her parents in 1835, and located in Dinsmore Township.
ADAM YOUNG,
son of Philip and Nancy Young, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 1, 1820. He came to Shelby County with his father, and located in Franklin Township in 1830, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He has made farming his principal vocation, and now owns a farm of eighty acres in section 26, Dinsmore Township, on which he has resided since 1854. March 11, 1841, he married Miss Mary Noland, daughter of Wesley and Martha Noland. Miss Noland was born in Adams County, Ohio, April 25, 1822, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1839. By this union he reared a family of seven children, viz., Philip W., Keziah A., John R., William R. H., Eliza, Druzilla C., and Martha O. Keziah A. is now dead.
JOHN M. FRIDLEY,
son of George and Eliza Fridley, was born in Franklin Township, Shelby County, March 31, 1835, where he passed his minority days. He has made farming his vocation, and now owns a good farm in section 24, Dinsmore Township, on which he has resided since 1863. December 16, 1856, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Margaret Tay- lor, who was born in Dinsmore Township, this county, September 3, 1836. By this union he has ten children, three sons and seven daugh- ters.
WILLIAM H. ABBOTT
was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1818. He is a son of William and Catharine Abbott, who emigrated to Ohio in 1828, and located in Fairfield County, remained four years, or until 1832, when they came to Shelby County, and located iu Franklin Township. William H. Abbott, subject of this sketch, came to this county with his parents in 1832, and has since been a citizen of the county. On the 16th of August, 1836, he married Miss Susan- nah, daughter of Daniel and Susannah Woodring, then of this county, but a native of Fairfield, Ohio, where she was born December 15, 1815. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott came to Dinsmore Township in November, 1836, and settled on the farm in section 6, on which they have since resided. He has made farming his vocation, and now owns a good farm of 162 acres, on which he has conducted the business of farming with success. He reared a family of six children, viz., Catharine, Sarah A., Daniel W., Eli, Mary J., and Margaret, one of whom is now dead, viz., Mary J. His two sons, Daniel W. and Eli, served in the war of 1861.
ELI ABBOTT
was born in Dinsmore Township, Shelby County, on the 30th of July, 1844. He is a son of William H. and Susannah Abbott. He
was educated in the common schools of Dinsmore Township; also attended normal school at Sidney. In the fall of 1864, he began teach- ing school in Auglaize County, taught three months, or until Feb- ruary 13, 1865, when he enlisted in Company D, 192d O. V. I., and served until some time after the close of the war. He was discharged from the service September 7, 1865, and then returned to his home in Dinsmore Township. On the 26th of October, 1865, he married Miss Charity, daughter of George and Catharine Turner, who was born in Dinsmore Township, this county, August 21, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Abbott settled on the farm in section 6, Dinsmore Township, on which they have since resided. They have a family of four children, three sons and one daughter. In the fall of 1868 he again began teaching, which he followed as his vocation about four months each winter, and conducted his farm during the summer months, until 1880, when he re- tired from teaching, and has since given all of his time to farming, which he has conducted successfully, and now owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in section 6, Dinsmore Township.
SAMUEL F. BOYER,
deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, February 12, 1815. He was a son of Samuel and Christina Boyer, who came to Ohio and located in Fair- field County, remained until in 1833, when they came to Shelby County and settled on the farm now owned by J. J. Schilling in Franklin Town- ship, on which they remained until 1847, when they moved to Dinsmore Township, and located on the farm now owned by George Fogt, Sr., one mile south of Botkins, where they passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Boyer died in 1861. His companion departed this life November 20, 1867. They reared a family of ten children, viz., Elizabeth, Daniel, Lucinda, Samuel F., Joseph, Mary, George, Christina, William, and Sa- vina. Only four of the above named children are now living, viz., Eliz- abeth, Mary, William, and Savina.
Samuel F. Boyer, subject of this sketch, came to Shelby County with his parents as above stated. He made farming his principal avocation through life, which he conducted with success, and was considered one among the leading farmers of Dinsmore Township. At the time of his death he owned five farms in Dinsmore Township; in all there were three hundred and ninety acres of good land. On the 14th of Septem- ber, 1842, he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse W. and Sarah Veach. Miss Veach was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, July 15, 1822. She came to Shelby County with her parents in 1832, and settled on the farm now owned by Christian Simmers, three-quarters of a mile south of Anna, in Franklin Township, where Mr. Veach died January 22, 1853. Mrs. Veach is still living at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and is now making her home with her daughter, Elizabeth Boyer, in Dinsmore Township. Mr. and Mrs. Boyer settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his widow, which is the west half of the north- east quarter of section 9, Dinsmore Township, on which Mr. Boyer died May 14, 1878, leaving a wife and ten children, viz., Sarah J., George W., Harriett E., Christina, Samuel F., William H., Joseph H., Mary F., James E., and Anna D., and many friends to mourn the loss of a kind husband, an indulgent parent, and a good citizen.
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GEORGE W. BOYER,
eldest son of Samuel F. and Elizabeth Boyer, was born in Dinsmore Township April 24, 1846. He enlisted in Company F, 20th O. V. I., in October, 1861; was actively engaged in the battles of Fort Donaldson, Shiloh, Champion Hills, and Atlanta; also several other minor engage- ments not here mentioned. In the fall of 1863 he re-enlisted as a veteran in the same company and regiment, and served until after the close of the war in 1865. He returned to his home in June, 1865. In February, 1868, he married Miss Nancy Blue, daughter of James and Sarah Blue, born in Franklin Township, this county, April 28, 1846. By this union he has five children, three sons and two daughters. He makes farming his vocation, and now owns a farm in section 3, Dinsmore Township, on which he now resides.
EBER F. MEDE
was born in Greene County, Ohio, on the 12th of April, 1822. He is a son of Jonathan and Zilpah Mede. His father died when he was yet a small child, leaving him without the paternal care. His mother married Joseph Brunner in 1826. In 1834 he came to Shelby County with his mother and stepfather, and located in the southeast corner of Dinsmore Township, and he has since been a citizen of Dinsmore Township. In 1837 or '8 he attended the first term of school taught in the township. This school was taught by William D. Johnston, in a log-cabin school- house which stood on the ground now occupied by the Botkins burying- ground. He attended the common school during the winter months until he was nineteen years of age. He then attended school at Sidney one year. In 1842 he began teaching during the winter months, and attend- ing school through the summer, which he followed as his vocation until in 1848, when he turned his attention to farming during the summer months, and teaching four or five months each winter. He continued to make farming and teaching his vocation until 1874, when he retired
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
from teaching, and has since been giving all of his time to farming, which he has conducted with success, and now owns a good farm of eighty acres in the northeast quarter of section 20, Dinsmore Township, on which he has resided since the summer of 1848. On the 20th of April, 1848, he married Miss Amanda, daughter of Richard C. and Hannah Dill. Miss Dill was born in Hamilton County, April 26, 1826, and came to this county with her parents in October, 1832, who settled in Dins- more Township. By this union he reared four children, viz., Franklin L., Richard D., Hannah S., and William. Franklin L. and Hannah S. are now dead. Mr. Mede served as justice of the peace for Dinsmore Township two terms, clerk of the township one term, and trustee one term. He is highly esteemed by all that know him, and is classed as one among Dinsmore's leading citizens.
JOHN ZIMPFER
was born near Canal Winchester, in Ohio, March 17, 1839. He is a son of Jacob and Julian Zimpfer. In 1840 he was brought to Shelby County by his parents, who settled in Dinsmore Township, one mile and a half east of Anna, where young Zimpfer passed his minority days on a farm. He has made farming his avocation, and now owns a good farm in Dins- more Township, on which he is now residing and conducting the business of farming. On the 25th of November, 1869, he married Miss Margaret Beamer, of Franklin Township, this county, daughter of Henry and Su- sannah Beamer. Mr. and Mrs. Zimpfer settled on the farm in section 16, Dinsmore Township, where they now reside. They have three chil- dren, viz., John L., Henry J., and Jennie M.
JOHN JACOB ZIMPFER,
deceased, was born in Germany, June 20, 1802, where he grew to man- hood. On the 13th of September, 1827, he married Miss Julia Dortha Zipper, a native of Germany, where she was born October 30, 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Zimpfer emigrated to America in 1831, landing in New York city, where they remained a short time, and then continued their journey westward until they reached Franklin County, Ohio. There they located near Canal Winchester, remained about nine years, or until in 1840, when they came to Shelby County, purchased and settled on a farm in Dins- more Township, one mile and a half east of where Anna Station is now located, on which Mr. Zimpfer conducted the business of farming suc- cessfully until the time of his death, which occurred November 9, 1862. His companion survived him until February 22, 1881, when she died in Sidney at her daughter's, Mrs. George Kah. They reared a family of nine children, viz., Rachel, Dortha, Caroline, George, Sarah, Jacob, John, Frederick, and Lewis, all of whom are now married, have families, and reside in Shelby County. Mr. Zimpfer served about eight years in the army of his native country.
GEORGE REYNOLDS, Retired Farmer; P. O. Montra.
Mr. Reynolds is a son of William and Mary Reynolds. He was born in Columbia County, N. Y., April 16, 1812, where his minority days were passed on a farm. Oct. 19, 1836, he married Miss Rebecca, daughter of Amos and Martha Larkin, of Saratoga County, N. Y. In May, 1838, Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds came to Ohio and located in Sidney. In Sept. 1838, he in company with his brother-in-law, Henry Larkin, purchased of James B. Mckinney two hundred and forty acres of land in the north half of section 24, Dinsmore Township, on which he made some improve- ments, erected a cabin, and in November, 1841, he moved on his land, where he has since resided. In 1850 he purchased his partner's interest in the farm, and now is the owner of the entire farm, which ranks second to none in Dinsmore Township. About 180 acres of the land are now under cultivation, with a good frame house and a large barn, erected on the farm, which is the result of Mr. R.'s own hard labor and energy, which classed him among the best farmers in the township. His com- panion died Oct. 31, 1879.
PETER GERBER,
deceased, was born in Switzerland Dec. 4, 1803, where he passed his minority days. He was a carpenter by trade, which he followed as bis vocation for several years. When he had attained the age of twenty-five years, he went to Holland, where he enlisted in the standing army, in which he remained five years, when he emigrated to America and located in Miamisburg, Montgomery County, O., where he married Miss Sarah Freemore, then of Miamisburg, but a native of Pennsylvania, where she was born Aug. 30, 1794. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber settled in Montgomery County, remained until in the fall of 1836, when they came to Shelby County, entered, made improvements, and settled on the N. E. quarter of section 23, Dinsmore Township, on which Mr. Gerber died Oct. 9, 1874. His companion is still surviving him, and is now residing on the old home farm with her son, John C. Gerber. They reared a family of three children, viz., Samuel, John C., and Lucinda.
John C. Gerber, second son of Peter Gerber, was born in Dinsmore Township, this county. Oct. 7, 1837. He has made farming his vocation, and now owns the old home farm and several other farms in Dinsmore
Township. He is considered one of the leading farmers in the township. Feb. 15, 1856, he married Miss Catharine Smith, by whom he has six children, three sons and three daughters.
JOHN W. FRIDLEY,
son of Lewis and Susannah Fridley, was born in Pickaway County, O., Feb. 14, 1822, where his boyhood days were spent on a farm. In the spring of 1847 he came to Shelby County and made his home with his brother George Fridley, in Franklin Township. About three years prior to his coming to this county, or in 1844, he purchased the S. E. quarter of section 23, Dinsmore Township. During the summer of 1847 he erected a dwelling on his land, and made some other improvements. October 10, 1847, he married Miss Martha J., daughter of Adam and Sarah Young. Miss Young was born in Pickaway County, O., Sept. 8, 1824, and came to this county with her parents in 1830 or '31. Mr. and Mrs. Fridley settled on his land in Dinsmore Township, on which they have since resided. They reared a family of five children, viz., Adam, Sarah L., Jason B. F., John W. A., and Eliza L. Mr. Fridley has made farming his principal vocation, and now owns a good farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, which he is conducting with success.
JOHN FALER, Retired Farmer.
Mr. Faler was born in Lebanon County, Pa., Jan. 14, 1807. When he had attained the age of sixteen years, or in 1823, he came with his pa- rents, George and Eva Faler, to Ohio, and located in Perry County. In 1830 he married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Susannah Ber- ket, of Perry County, where she was born in July, 1812. In June, 1836, Mr. and Mrs. Faler came to Shelby County, purchased, made improve- ments, and settled on the east half of the N. W. quarter of section 27, Dinsmore Township, on which he has since resided. His companion died March 10, 1879. He reared a family of seven children : Christo- pher, George, John, Susannah, Mary, Elizabeth, and Catharine. John Faler died Nov. 27, 1874.
PHILIP BRIDEWEESER,
son of Philip and Dorothy Brideweeser, was born in Dinsmore Town- ship, this county, Feb. 19, 1843. On the 17th of March, 1867, he married Miss Mary, daughter of Christian and Mary Fogt, of Franklin Town- ship, where she was born March 17, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. B. settled on eighty acres of land in section 21, Dinsmore Township, on which they lived until 1874, when he traded his farm in section 21 for the farm in section 28, same township, on which he moved his family and has since resided. His companion died Feb. 12, 1879, leaving him with a family of six children, five of whom are now living, viz., Sophia C., Mary A. D., Christopher M., George E., and Joseph V. Mr. B. has made farming his principal avocation, which he has conducted with success.
JOHN B. FOGT,
son of Christian E. and Mary Fogt, was born in Franklin Township, this county, April 30, 1842. He received a common school education. He has made farming his principal vocation, and now owns a good farm of one hundred acres in Dinsmore Township. In 1879 he invented the Hay Rake, known as the Automatic Sulky Rake (or self-dumping rake). He received the patent on his invention Feb. 24, 1880; since that time a number of the rakes have been manufactured by The Sidney Agricul- tural Works and sold to farmers in different parts of Shelby and adjoin- ing counties, which is giving entire satisfaction to the parties using them. Jan. 5, 1865, he married Miss Harriet, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Ragan, born May 6, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Fogt settled on a farm in Dins- more Township, and have since been citizens of the township. In 1876 he purchased a farm in section 29, on which they have since resided. They have six children-two sons and four daughters.
CHRISTIAN E. FOGT,
deceased, was born in Baden, Germany, Dec. 14, 1809. He emigrated to America in 1833, and located in Shelby County, O. On the 23d of Dec. 1839, he married Miss Mary Boyer, then of Shelby County, but a native of Berks County, Pa., where she was born Dec. 14, 1821. Mr. and Mrs. Fogt settled on the farm in section 34, Franklin Township, now owned and occupied by their son, C. Fogt, Jr., on which they lived until the spring of 1881, when they moved to Anna, where he died March 18, 1882. They reared a family of seven children, viz., Christina A., Jobn B., Lucinda, George W., Mary A., Christian E., and Samuel F., all of whom are now living except Mary A., who died in February, 1879.
SAMUEL FLESHER
was born in Hanover County, Virginia, December 21, 1823, where he passed his minority days. He is a son of John and Mary Flesher. He is a millwright and house-carpenter by trade, which, in connection with farming, has been his avocation. In 1870 he retired from his trade, and has since given his attention to farming, which he has conducted with
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