History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

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 83

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GEORGE CYPHERS.

The Cyphers are of German extraction, but we can only trace them back to Maryland. John Cyphers, the grandfather of the above, came to Ohio before the war of 1812, and served as a soldier in that struggle ; also in the Mexican war. He died in Shelby County in 1872. Philip Cyphers, his son, and father of George, came to Shelby County in 1857, and is at present a resident of Orange Township. George was born in Montgomery County in 1846, and married Mary Dunn, a daughter of Jolin and Susannah ( Rasor) Dunn, in 1870. They have three children, Lenta D., Carrie E., and Addie T. Mrs. Cyphers' parents were among the early settlers of Shelby County. They were located in Orange Town- ship, where they both died.

FRANCIS TURNER, Esq.

Henry F. Turner, the father of Francis, was born in Hanover in the year 1805, and married Mary M. Nelker in 1841. They came to the United States the same year, and located in Delaware County, Ohio. He was a farmer by occupation. In 1853 they removed to Shelby County, where he died in 1858. His widow still survives. She was born in 1803. They had born to them two children, Elizabeth and Francis. The latter was born in Delaware County in 1844. In 1865 he married Miss Mary A. Goffena, a daughter of Peter and Anna (Smith) Goffena. They have reared a family of six children, viz., Peter F., Mary E., Mary A., Frances N., Tracy M., and Caroline M. In 1867 Esquire Turner bought a farm in this township, where he now resides. He has served as trustee of his township, and at the present time is justice of the peace.

HUGH WILEY.

The Wileys are of Irish descent, but the first that we learn of them was in Pennsylvania, where Hugh Wiley, the grandfather, was born, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He married and reared a family of five children. Hugh, the second, one of his sons, was born in Pennsylvania in 1777, and married Isabella McKee about 1807. Their family consisted of three children. They emigrated to Harrison County, Ohio, in 1812, and remained there until 1818, when they removed to Perry County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died in 1855. His wife died the same year. Hugh Wiley, third, his only son, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812. He received a liberal education, having studied the languages. He followed teaching for a number of years, but made farming his principal business. In 1857 he married Rebecca Baird, a daughter of Alexander and Rebecca ( Huston) Baird. By this union they have five children, viz., Martha A , James A., John T., Joseph W., and Hannah R. The ancestors of Mrs. Wiley are from Ireland. Her mother was born in Ireland. They located in Perry County, Ohio, in 1806, and remained there until they died. Her father was born in Pennsylvania in 1797, and died in 1881. Her mother died in 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Wiley settled in Cynthian in 1866.

ANDREW PEQUIGNOT.

Tannis Pequignot, the father of Andrew, was born in France in 1787. When a young man he was drafted into the Napoleonic army and served seven years as a private soldier. He was wounded in battle. He was with Napoleon at the battle of Waterloo. After his return home from the army he married Frances Grizza, about 1813. They reared a fam- ily of five children. They emigrated to the United States in 1831 and first located in Stark County, Ohio, lived there three years, then removed to Darke County, where he died in 1876. His wife died in 1861. An- drew, his son, was born in France in 1825, lived with his parents until twenty-one years of age. In 1848 he married Mary Maldena, who also was born in France. In 1857 they moved on to a piece of wild land in this township. When he settled on his land there was not a stick cut. They moved into their cabin without a roof. Although there had been settlements made in the township years before he came, yet this part of the township was an unbroken forest with plenty of wild deer and other game. They have reared a family of six children, whose names are as follows: John, Josephine, Andrew, Frauk, August, and Alice.

DAVID DUNLAP.

David Dunlap, Sr., was born in Ireland in 1780. When twenty years of age he came to the United States to seek a home. He located in Lancaster County, Pa. Here he married Mary Sharp in 1807. They lived on a farm as laborers and continued as laborers on the same farm as long as they lived. One of his sons succeeded him as a tenant and resides there at the present time, so that some of the family have resided as tenants on this farm for over seventy years. The father died in 1865. His wife died in 1863. David Dudley, Jr, a son of the above, was born in Pennsylvania in 1821. In 1849 he married Mary A. Lemon, of Lan- caster, Pa., and the same year came to Montgomery County, Ohio, where he lived one year, then came to a wild piece of land in this township. Here he built himself a hewed log house, and commenced his present home. There were born to him by this marriage three children, viz., Jacob D., Mary C., and William W., both sons now dead. His wife died in 1861. In 1866 he married for his second wife Elizabeth Wolf. By this marriage there was one child, Emma E. His second wife died in 1878. Death has visited his home not less than six different times. He has buried from his house two wives, two sons, a brother, and his mother-in-law. Although his past has been clouded by affliction, may his future be bright with the sunshine of hope.

THE PILLIOD FAMILY.

JAMES M. PILLIOD, the head of the family, who came to the United States, was born in France in 1787. He was one of two brothers, and was early educated for the priesthood, but as he was about to enter upon his duties as a priest, he learned that his brother had been drafted into the army of Napoleon. Believing it to be his duty to take the place of his brother, who was the only support of his widowed mother, he deter- mined to sacrifice his own personal ambition and pleasure, and serve his country in his brother's stead. The clergy tried to persuade bim against this, and offered to furnish a substitute to fill his brother's place. He replied to them : "I love Napoleon, I love France, and I will go myself." He accordingly entered the army as a quartermaster of a dragoon regi- ment, in which capacity he served for seven long years. He was fre- quently offered promotions in other regiments, but he declined, preferring to remain with his own regiment and boys. He was with his beloved commander in his defeat at Waterloo. He was wounded seven times in battle, once severely in the neck, and once in the abdomen, so that his bowels protruded, but with all this he lived to get home again, after giving seven years of his life to his country. He was discharged in 1814. After returning home he followed teaching school for several years. He was crippled in one arm, so that he could not perform manual labor. In 1815 he married Mary Bony, a daughter of the mayor of his town. After several years he applied to the government for a pension for wounds received in the army, but on account of his love for Napoleon and his former government, Louis Philippe would not grant it. After several years of effort in trying to get his rights as a citizen of France, and failing, he became disgusted with the government, and determined to leave his native land and come to the United States. Accordingly, in 1827 he, with his wife and six children, set sail for the " land of equal rights." They landed in New York, and immediately came on to Stark County, Ohio, where they remained until 1836, when they removed to this county, and located in McLean Township. They lived there until 158, when they came to Newport. Mr. Pilliod was one of the large landholders of the county, owning at one time over 4000 acres of land in Shelby, Darke, and Mercer counties. They had born to them three children after they came to the United States, making in all nine, all of whom became men and women. The seven first-born were sons, the last two daughters.

After fifty-two years of married life, this aged couple, together with their seven sons and two daughters, had a reunion in the city of Toledo, where they were represented by four generations. Father Pilliod de- parted this life April 1, 1877. His wife died April 26, 1873.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

EUGENE PILLIOD, Esq., was the sixth son of the above. He was born in France in 1826, and was therefore but a few months old when brought to this country. He was reared on the farm, but gave much of his time in earlier life to mechanical pursuits. He built and sold the first thresh- ing machine built in the county. This was about 1844 or 1845. In 1844 he, together with his brother Frank, erected the first store and warehouse in Newport, and commenced the buying and shipping of grain and country produce. They also had the first store for the sale of general merchandise. In 1848 he started the first steam engine attached to a sawmill in the county. To this in 1857 he attached a grist mill. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Schwartz. By this union they have had eleven children, five of whom are living, viz., Francis, James M., Anna, John G., and Clara F. Esquire Pilliod has spent much of his life as a contractor and builder, but the past few years he has lived a retired life. He filled the office of justice of the peace for his township for a number of years.

VICTOR PILLIOD, the eldest son of James M. Pilliod, was born in France in 1816. He received a liberal education in the town of Canton, Ohio. When a young man he entered a dry goods store, and clerked for some length of time. Here he formed the acquaintance and married Mary F. Marshall in 1837. His first business for himself was as a dry goods merchant in the town of Minster, which he followed a short time, then engaged in the boot and shoe trade, also in the grocery trade, in the town of Berlin. Next we find him a farmer in Darke County. From there in 1848 he returned to Newport and carried on the shoe business until 1852. At this time he lost his wife, leaving him with eight chil- dren. In 1855 he married Josephine King. At this time he was living on a farm near Newport. In 1861 his second wife died. In 1862 he moved to the State of Indiana, but returned to Shelby County in 1867. In 1872 he married the widow of John Gigandot, deceased.

FRANCIS PILLIOD, a son of Victor Pilliod, was born in Darke County in 1841. He lived with his parents until 1861, when he entered the army in the 40th O. V. I., and served a little over three years. He was en- gaged in forty-two battles and skirmishes, and was twice wounded. After the war he engaged in the carpenter and contracting business, which, together with merchandising, he has devoted his time to the present. In 1872 he married Mary F. Mougey. By this union they have three children, Charles E., Albert E., Esther A. He is at the present time selling goods in Newport, and is treasurer of the township.

JAMES GALLEY.

The Galleys are of German descent, but came to America during the eighteenth century. They located in the State of Maryland. Jacob Galley was born here in 1800. He married Lydia Derr about 1827. He was a millwright by trade, which occupation he followed through life. Their family consisted of twelve children, only five of whom are now living. They immigrated to Shelby County in 1x45, and located in Lor- amie Township. In 1852 he was killed by being thrown from a wagon. His wife died in 1862.

James Galley, the second son of the above, was born in Frederick County, Md., in 1830, consequently was fifteen years of age at the time they came to the county. In 1851 he married Mary A. Finfrock, a daughter of Peter and Barbary (Palmer) Finfrock. After marriage he rented land until 1866, when he bought his present home in Cynthian. Upon this home he has erected good buildings, and has a well-improved farm, all made by industry and economy. They have reared three chil- dren, viz., Emma A., John P., and Melinda E. The latter died in 1882.

LEVI P. BRANDON

was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1840. He is a son of Vincent G. and Lydia Brandon, of Versailles, Ohio. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company E, 40th O. V. I., and was promoted to sergeant. He was with his regiment all through its service of three years, except three months while sick in the hospital. In 1864, soon after returning from the army, he married Margaret Weaver. They have born to them seven children, Alonzo A., Orwell D., Ida J., Jennie A., Stephen G., Manly A., and Mary B. In 1879 Mr. Brandon came to Newport and engaged in the cabinet business, at which he is engaged at the present time. He also is clerk of his township.

JACOB HOLLINGER

was born in Pennsylvania in 1838. Came with his parents to Ohio in 1847. His father, John Hollinger, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800. He married Mary Bear. They reared a family of nine children. They located in Cynthian in 1848. Jacob was the youngest son. He married Rachel Short, a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Vandegrif ) Short. They have five children: Mary E., Martha, George W., Samuel, and Catha- rine E. Mr. H. is now the owner of the Isaac Short homestead in sec- tion 16.

J. C. SWOB

was born in Darke County, Ohio, in 1844. Married Miss Catharine Flowers in 1862. Their family consists of seven children, viz., Jacob, David, Mary E., George F., Ktuna J., Laura, and Sarah. Mr. Swob came to Shelby County in 1863.

WILLIAM H. CHRISMAN

was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1825. Frederick Chrisman, his father, was born in Maryland in 1783. Married Elizabeth Cyster in 1810. They came to Cynthian in 1833, and located in section 27. They reared a family of nine children. Mr. C. died in 1853. Mrs. C. died in 1874. William H. married Ann Gillespie in 1849. The number of their children is six, as follows: James G., William G., Garret, Catharine, Daniel W., and Elliott H.

WILLIAM MILLS.

William Mills, one of the pioneers of Cynthian Township, was born in New Jersey in 1790. In 1810 he married Elizabeth Clark, who was born the same year as that of her husband. In 1822 they emigrated to Warren County, Ohio, where they remained about three years. Then, in 1825, they settled in this township on the farm now owned by Henry Sweigart at Newport. On this farm was started the old town of Cyn- thian, which has long since become extinct. Mr. and Mrs. Mills had born to them seven children. His wife died in 1831. He shortly after- ward married Joanna Flinn. By this union there was one child born. Mr. Mills died Feb. 8, 1873.

DENNIS C. MILLS

was born in the year 1815. Came to Shelby County in 1825. In 1839 he married Elizabeth Geeseman. By this marriage there were six chil- dren born, viz., Augustus, Rebecca, Nicholas W., Marcus W., Margaret J., and Sarah. Mrs. Mills died in 1861. In 1863 he married Martha J. Perry, the widow of Nathan L. Perry, of Miami County. By this mar- riage there was one child born, John H. Mr. Mills died in 1881, after having spent fifty-six years in this township.

MARCUS MILLS,

a son of D. C. Mills, was born in 1848. Married Eliza Harp in 1878. Their children are two in number, Ollie and Mary.

JONATHAN F. EMERT.

The Emerts are, no doubt, of German descent, but we can only trace them back to Berks County, Pa. It was here that we find Martin Emert, the grandfather of Jonathan F., who died about the beginning of the present century. His family consisted of seven children. Ben- jamin, one of the seven, was born in Berks County in 1795. Married Mary M. Metard in 1830. She was born in Maryland in 1808. They reared a family of three children, George M., Benjamin, and Jonathan F. Mr. Emert came to Montgomery County about 1806. It was here that he married and lived until 1840, when he moved to Shelby County. He died in 1856. His wife died in 1882.

Jonathan F., the youngest of the above family, was born in 1844. Married Elmira Blanchard in 1866. They have born to them five chil- dren, viz., George I., Eliphalet B., Martin A., John A., and Frederick J. In September, 1861, Mr. Emert enlisted in the Benton Cadets, was dis- charged with his regiment in February, 1862. Re-enlisted in September, 1862, in Company B, 50th O. V. I., and was discharged at the close of the war in 1865. His place of residence is on section 33.

DR. G. W. FULKERSON.

The ancestors of the Fulkersons are from Holland and England, but who they were, or when they came, we cannot learn. The first we know of them was in the person of Joseph Farling Fulkerson, the father of the above. He was born in New Jersey in the year 1796. When a young man he went to Pennsylvania. It was here, in the year 1822, that he married Margaret A. Messinger. They resided in Easton, l'a. About the year 1826 they removed to the city of New York, where Dr. Fulkerson was born in 1828. In 1839 they emigrated to Monroe County, Ohio. From there they removed to Crawford County, Ohio, where he died in 1875. His wife died at the same place in 1874. They reared a family of nine children. Dr. G. W. was the fourth of the children. He lived with his parents until he had arrived at his majority, at which time he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Joel Johnston, of Bucyrus. He remained there but a short time, when he and his precep- tor went to Bellefontaine, and engaged in the drug trade until 1855, when they dissolved partnership, and Dr. Fulkerson went to Pleasant Hill, Ohio, and associated himself with Dr. Cable in the practice of medicine. In 1857 he married Elizabeth Nishwitz, of West Milton, Miami County, and the same year came to Newport, Shelby County, Ohio. He took his medical course, and graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati in 1859. He has been for a number of years a member of the Eclectic Medical Society of Ohio. His wife died in 1858. In 1876 he married Miss Maggie Mills, a daughter of D. C. Mills, one of the pioneers of Cynthian Township. Mrs. Fulkerson was born near New- port in 1852. By this union they have two children, John Medaris, born 1878, and Walter Roy, born 1880. The doctor is engaged in the drug trade in connection with the practice of medicine, at which he has

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been engaged for the past twenty-five years. He has been one of the leading spirits in starting and building up the M. E. Church of his town. Although not a member of the church at the time of its erection, he was made one of the trustees and building committee. He has given much of his time and means to the public interests of his town and town- ship.

SAMUEL SCHWARTZ.

John Schwartz (the father of the above) was born in Germany in 1803. Came to the United States in 1829, and located in Pennsylvania. He was the only one of the family or name that ever came to America. In 1831 he married Mariah Rhorer, and immediately came to Ohio, and located in Dayton, where he remained a couple of years, then removed to Piqua. Here he engaged in hotel-keeping, which he followed about twenty-two years. In 1855 he bought land in Cynthian, where his son Samuel now lives. They raised a family of seven children, viz., Samuel, Elizabeth, Mariah, Daniel, Lydia, Tracey, and Frances. Mr. Schwartz died in 1872. His widow still survives, and makes her home on the old home place. Samuel, the eldest of the family, was born in Piqua in the year 1838. He made his home with his parents during his minority. In 1861 he entered the army under Gen. Fremont in the Benton Cadets; served until they disbanded. In 1862 he re-enlisted in the 118th O. V. I., was made orderly sergeant of Company C, and served until the close of the war; never was off duty during his service. In an engagement at Resaca every commissioned officer of his company was either killed or wounded, and the command of the company fell upon him for some length of time. In 1867 he married Elizabeth Mormann, a daughter of Benjamin Mormann. By this union they have four children, viz., Frank T., Tracey C., Samuel A , and James M. Mr. S. is now the owner of the old homestead of his father, containing 190 acres. He has been honored by his township electing him to fill the offices of township trus- tee, clerk, constable, and land appraiser.

DANIEL KILLIAN.

The Killians are of German extraction, but it was several generations back when they came to this country. The first we know of them was in Pennsylvania. It was here that Jacob Killian was born in 1813. In 1829 he came to Stark County, Ohio. He married Cassannah Dellinger in 1832, and came to Shelby County in 1852. They had born to them eleven children, six of whom are now living. Mr. Killian died in 1873.

Daniel Killian, son of the above, was born in Stark County in the year 1846. He lived with his parents until his majority, and afterwards learned the blacksmith trade, which he has followed until the present time. In 1870 he married Miss Rachel Crossley, a daughter of Joseph and Joanna ( Davis) Crossley, of Allen County, Ohio. By this union they have two children, Lilly M. and Ira D. In 1877 they located in New- port, where he carries on a smith shop.

The Crossleys, the parents of Mrs. Killian, were pioneers of Allen County. They were the first settlers on the land now occupied by Lima. Mr. Crossley was a brickmaker. He made the first brick and built the first brick house in the town of Lima.

WILLIAM TAYLOR

was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1803, and was brought by his parents to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1806. In 1826 he married Ann M. Dota. They came to Cynthian Township in March, 1832. He died in 1871. His wife died in 1854. John Taylor, his father, was born in Pennsylvania in 1778, and married Rosanna Alexander in 1801. Three years later (1806) they found a home in Montgomery County, Ohio, and built the first frame house in Washington Township. He died in 1843.

WILLIAM TAYLOR, Jr.,

a. son of William Taylor, was born in Montgomery County in 1830, and married Rachel Hughs, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Raines) Hughs, in 1857. Their family of children were nine in number, as follows: Ann M., Alexander, Margaret J., Ocea A., Lucinda D., Mary A., Willie, Clara V., and Addie L.

THE SHORT FAMILY.

RICHARD SHORT, the eldest one of the name who came to Shelby County, was born in Virginia. He came to Montgomery County in 1830, and from there to Shelby County in 1833. He died in 1846. George, his son, was born in Virginia in 1811. He came with his father to Shelby in 1833. and married Elizabeth Clayton in 1835. Their family consisted of six children, Mary, William, Aun, Elizabeth, John, and Harriet. Mrs. Short died in 1876.

ISAAC SHORT, Esq., was born in Virginia in 1804, and married Mary Vandegrif in 1827. In 1830 they moved to Montgomery County, Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1833, when they came to Shelby County. They reared a family of ten children, viz., Susannah, John, Christopher, George, Isaac N., Rachel, A. Jason, Martha, Richard, and William. Mr. Short was one of the prominent men of his township

He served for many years as justice of the peace, and filled other official positions in his township. He died in 1873. His widow still survives and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Hollinger, who resides on the old homestead.

ALLISON J SHORT, a son of Isaac Short, was born in Cynthian Town- ship in 1841. He married Sarah E. Butt, a daughter of George and Lucinda (Mann) Butt, in the year 1862. Their family of children are as follows : Thomas N., Martha A., Allie G., and William J.

JOSEPH MARSHALL,

deceased, was born in France in 1836. He was a son of Francis Mar- shall. Just when he came to the United States we cannot learn, but he settled in this township in 1853. In 1864 Joseph married Philomena Spraley, who was born in Germany in 1844. John Spraley, her father, came from Germany to the United States in 1847, and made their settle- ment in this township the same year. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, after their marriage, engaged in the hotel and saloon business in Newport, which he followed during the remainder of his life. He died in 1881. During the rebellion he served as a soldier in Company C., 118th O. V. I. He was wounded at the battle of Mossy Creek, Tenn., and was discharged from the service on account of his wounds in 1864. His wounds never healed, and he died from their effects. The year 1881 was a sorrowful year to Mrs. Marshall; she buried her husband, father, and mother all the same year. She was left alone with three small children. Since the death of her husband she has carried on the business of the hotel and saloon, as did her husband in his lifetime.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

A petition was presented to the Commissioners at their session in March, 1825, for the formation of a new township under the name of Grayson. The township was formed from parts of Loramie, Clinton, and Turtle Creek. An election was ordered to be held at the house of Joseph Stewart the April following, for the purpose of electing officers, but owing to an appeal being taken from the decision of the Commis- sioners to the Court of Common Pleas, the election was not held until the September following.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

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

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