History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 87

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 87

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286

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

Mr. Rasor has raised a family of six children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : James A., born 1833 ; Melinda, born 1836, and killed by accident in 1843; Jason, born 1838, died 1855; Joseph, born 1841, died 1868 ; Daniel G., born 1844 ; and Mary E., born 1849, died 1852.

DANIEL RASOR, Jr.,

was born in Orange Township in 1844. In 1866 he married Sarah E. Bryan. They have by this union three children, viz., John C., Jason, and Fred C. He is in company with his father in the Lockingten Flouring Mills.

JACOB RASOR

was born in Montgomery County in 1819. He is the sixth of the family of Daniel Rasor. He lived with his father until he had passed his eigh- teenth year. About a year and a half prior to this time his brother Daniel had located in Shelby County and had built a saw-mill, and de- sired to have his brother come and work for him. Jacob being anxious to go with his brother, his father gave him permission to go on condition that he would pay him enough to hire another man in his place. Jacob came to Shelby County and lived with and worked for his brother some sixteen years. His health then failed and he retired from labor for about five years. In 1860, he, together with his brother Daniel, bought the site of the Lockington Saw-mills, and erected a mill which they ran until 1873; then they sold it to the paper company. They then bought the site of the Lockington Flour Mills, upon which they built the present mills. In -1875 he sold his interest in these mills to his brother and his son, and has since that time given his attention to farming.

In 1863 Mr. Rasor married Rebecca Zigler, with whom he is living at the present time. They have acquired a competence, and are living a retired life in the enjoyment of a pleasant home. Mr. R. has for many years been a member of the U. B. Church, and was one of the founders of that church at Lockington. Mr. and Mrs. Rasor have never had any children of their own, but have raised a nephew and niece, Andrew and Emma J. Hurley.

JOHN C. ALTHOFF.

George Althoff, the father of the above, came from Hanover, Germany, to the United States in 1834. A short time previous to his emigration, he married Anna M. Kramer. Immediately upon their arrival in this country they came to Auglaize County, then Mercer, and settled near New Bremen, where he entered a small piece of land, upon which they settled and made a home. At the time of his arrival he had no means. He labored on the canal to get means to support his family and pay for his little home. They lived here to raise a family of ten children, six of whom are still living. Mr. Althoff lived to see his family grow up. He died in 1>76 at the age of seventy-four years. His widow still survives him at the age of seventy years, and reskles on the homestead they first entered.

John C. Althoff, a son of the above, was born in Auglaize County in 1>40. He lived at home with his parents until fifteen years of age, when he went to clerk in a store. He continued as clerk until 1859, when he married Miss Anna M. Sollman, of the same county. He immediately, in company with his brother-in-law, started a small store in New Bremen. They continued in trade in Bremen until 1865, when they removed to Lockington, Shelby County. In 1868 he bought out the interest of his partner, and has carried on the business successfully since that time.

They have had born' to them four children, only two of them now liv- ing, viz , George M., born 1862, and Mary M., born 1866. Mr. Althoff has been treasurer of his township for the past twelve years, and is also postmaster of Lockington, Ohio. The parents of Mrs. Althoff came from Germany about the same time, and located at the same place with that of the Althoffs, where they lived the balance of their days.

STEPHEN JOHNSTON

was born in Ireland in 1782. While a boy he was apprenticed to a wheelwright, at which he served his full time of indenture. Some time after the close of his apprenticeship he sailed for the United States, and landed in Philadelphia about 1803, and located in Uniontown, Pa., where he remained about four years, Before leaving Ireland he had paid his addresses to a young lass in his native isle, and had promised to return as soon as he was able, and take her with him to the "new world," as they called it. After spending about four years in the United States, he bethought himself of his lass across the sea, and the promise he had made to her, and determined to return to the green isle again to redeem his promise. Instead of going direct from Philadelphia, he made his way to Pittsburg. There he took passage on a flat-boat that was going to New Orleans, and worked to pay his passage. At New Orleans he set sail for Ireland. This was in the year 1807. When he arrived in Ireland he found that the maiden he had left behind was still true, and waiting for him. In the same year (1807) he was married to Miss Ann Armstrong. They remained in Ireland until 1822, when he started with his wife and five children for the United States, but not having means enough to pay their passage through, they landed at St. Johns, New

Brunswick. Here they remained until 1831, when they set sail for New York; from there they came by river, canal, and lake to Newark, Ohio; from whence they came by wagon to Piqua, landing there July, 1831. Here they found some friends-Col. John Johnston-who had preceded them from Ireland many years. It was through the influence of Col. Johnston that they were induced to enter land, and locate in Shelby County, which they did in the fall of 1831. When Mr. Johnston landed in Piqua he had but $60 in the world. Col. Johnston loaned him $50. With this he entered eighty acres of land in Loramie Township, on which he settled with his wife and three children in the green woods. This farm they greatly improved, then sold, and removed to Mercer County in 1837, where they remained until 1864, when he again returned to Shelby County, where he died in 1869, his wife having died in 1856.

JOHN JOHNSTON, ESQ.,

was born in Ireland in the year 1816. Came with his father, Stephen Johnston, to Shelby County in 1831, consequently was fifteen years of age at the time he made his advent into this county. Here he was given an axe, and assisted his father and brothers in clearing their farm. Esq. Johnston never had the advantages of education that many boys even of his day had, he never having had more than two months' school- ing in his life, and that was when he was nineteen years of age. In 1836 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Peck, and in 1837 removed to Mercer County, and settled on 108 acres of wild land that his father gave him. He remained on this land, and improved it until 1850, when he removed to Montezuma, where he and his brother Christopher built a steam saw- mill, which he took charge of until the fall of 1859, when he again re- turned to his farm. During his time in Montezuma he had added to his farm two hundred acres. This land he sold in 1863, and returned to Shelby County, and bought part of the Judge Cecil farm; also bought the homestead of his wife's father, John Peck, where his wife was born in 1816. This farm he afterward traded to D. K. Gillespie for the Lock- ington mills and the land attached to them. He owned the mills but a short time when he sold, reserving fourteen acres attached, upon which he has erected fine and substantial buildings, making for himself and family a comfortable home, all made by his own industry and economy and that of his wife and family. They have raised a family of eight children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Sarah A., 1839; Samuel P., 1841; Barbary, 1844; Jane, 1847; Mary, 1849; Stephen T., 1853; Martha, 1857; and Emma P., 1860. Esq. Johnston has ever had the confidence and esteem of his neighbors, which is evidenced by his having filled the office of justice of the peace for twelve years. He is now living a retired life in the enjoyment of a competency, which it is to be hoped he may live long to enjoy.

STEPHEN A. JOHNSTON

is the youngest of the family of Stephen Johnston. He was born in New Brunswick in 1825, and was brought by his parents to Shelby County at the time given in the sketch of his father. He was but twelve years of age at the time of their settlement in Mercer County. His older brothers having arrived at the age of majority, and having gone to themselves, he was the main dependence of his father in clear- ing and improving their farm. This he did faithfully, and remained with his father until he married, and after his marriage his parents made their home with him until the time of their death. In 1845 he married Miss Rachel Snyder. By this union they had four children, viz., Mary J., born 1846; Samuel S., born 1849; Sarah A., born 1851; and Harriet, born 1853. In 1856 his wife died, and in 1857 he was married to Cle- mency Wright. By this marriage there were eleven children, eight of whom are still living, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Joshua W., 1858; Joseph A., 1859; John C., 1860; Ella M., 1865; Eliza and Cassie, 1867; Stephen A., 1870; and Laura B., 1874. In 1876 his second wife died, and in 1877 he married Mary A. Buxton, with whom he is living at the present time. In 1864 Mr. Johnston sold his farm in Mercer and bought 160 acres of the Judge Cecil farm in Washington Township, where he now resides, and upon which he has erected very fine and substantial buildings. This farm is one of the model farms of Shelby County, and Mr. Johnston is one of the model farmers of Wash- ington Township.

ROBERT G. JOHNSTON

was born in Shelby County in 1838. Married Miss Emma J. Van Vactor (a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Stevenson) Van Vactor) in 1867. They have had born to them two children, viz., Willie E., born 1869; and Pearl, born 1876. Robert S. Johnston, the father of the above, came from Ireland to the United States in an early day; the exact date we cannot learn. He was one of the early settlers of Loramie Township. In 1830 he married Mary Crosier. He died in 1844. His wife died in 1858.

JOHN MCKEE

was born in Perry County, Pa., in the year 1802, where he lived until 1827, at which time he married Elizabeth Adams, and the same year

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

emigrated to Shelby County and located in Washington Township, on land that had been entered by John McClintock. His first purchase was sixty acres; a year or two afterward he added to this twenty acres more; then a few years later he purchased sixty acres more of Z. Hurley. Shortly afterward he bought a half section in Mercer County ; then in about 1842 he purchased one hundred acres more of the Mcclintock farm, on which he made his home the remainder of his days. When Mr. McKee first came to the county he had only $300; the balance of his property he made by hard work and economy. Mr. M. raised a family of three children, viz., James, Martha, and Elizabeth. His wife died in 1835. In 1837 he again married, this time to Catharine Eaton. By his second marriage he had five children, only one now living, viz., Jane, the wife of Robert Thompson. Mrs. M. died in 1847. Mr. McKee died in 1848, esteemed and respected by all.

JAMES McKEE,

the eldest of the family of John McKee, was born in Washington Town- ship in 1828. At the time of the death of his father he was but twenty years of age. The responsibility of raising and educating the younger children fell upon him, together with the management of the farm. These children he has seen grow up to become men and women, since which time all have died except two of his sisters. He has kept the old home- stead, and still resides upon it with his sister Elizabeth. Of the family of John McKee there are now left only three; only one-a grandson- beside James, who bears the name of McKee, to continue it to posterity.

JOHN LAWRENCE.

James Lawrence, the father of the above, was born in Maryland, came to Ohio at the close of the last or beginning of the present century, and settled in Butler County. Here in 1807 he married Elizabeth Legg. By this union there were seven children. He died in 1823. Mrs. Lawrence died in 1874, at the age of eighty-three years.

John Lawrence, a son of the above, was born in Cincinnati in 1819, came with his mother to Shelby County in 1830, and located in Wash- ington Township, where he has passed the most of his life. In 1847 he was married to Sarah Blackwood, of Shelby County, by whom he had two children, only one now living, viz., Joseph C. Mr. L.'s wife died in 1854. In 1856 he married Elizabeth Burris. By this union they have three children, Sarah B., Margaret E., and Mary K.

JAMES THOMPSON

was born in Ireland in 1787. In 1791 he was brought by his parents to the United States and located in Pennsylvania. Here in 1810 he married Ellen Briggs. By this union they had four children, viz., Freeborn,. James, John, and Wesley. In 1820 his wife died, and in 1822 he was married to Elizabeth Jeffries, a daughter of Richard and Nancy ( Davis) Jeffries, who were natives of England and Scotland, and came to the United States and located in Chester County, Pa. In 1825 Mr. Thomp- son and family, together with his father, John Thompson, emigrated to Shelby County and located in Washington Township, where he bought eighty acres of land of one of the Mellingers ; also entered eighty acres more, and located with his family in the woods, and raised a family of five children by his second marriage, viz., Huldah, Eleonor, Davis J., Thomas, and Arza B. Of these five, Huldah married William Gearhart (she died in 1875); Eleonor married Samuel Tabler; Davis J. now re- sides on part of the home place; Thomas resides in Dakota; Arza B. died in the army. Mr. Thompson died in 1851; his wife died in 1880.

DAVIS J. THOMPSON

was born in Washington Township in 1829, was raised on the farm, and educated in the common schools of his day. At the age of nineteen years he commenced teaching school at $12.50 per month, and continued the profession of a pedagogue for thirty-one consecutive years. In 1852 he married Sarah K. Diltz. They have had a family of eleven children, nine of whom are still living, viz., Warren B., Anna M., Elizabeth E., David B., John M., Maggie, James L., William M., and Thomas S.

SAMUEL H. TABLER.

The ancestors of the Tablers are of German extraction: Jacob Tabler, the father of the above, came from Maryland to Miami County, Ohio, early in the present century, and located close to the Shelby County line. Hle was married to Julia A. Hoffman. The issue from this marriage was thirteen children. Samuel H., one of these thirteen, was born in Miami County in 1827. He was raised 'on a farm, and lived at home with his parents until 1849, when he was married to Miss Eleonor Thomp- son, a daughter of James Thompson. In 1851 they moved to Washing- ton Township, where he bought eighty acres of land, partly improved. They remained on this land a few years, then sold, and bought part of the homestead of James Thompson. Mr. Tabler continued to reside on this place until the time of his death, which occurred in 1867. They raised a family of four sons: Alonzo L., born 1850; James H., born 1×52; Thomas F., born 1854; and Arza F., born 1858. Two of Mrs.

Tabler's sons are now on the farm with their mother. Thomas F. follows the profession of teaching; Arza F. is at present a student, preparing for a profession ; Jacob Tabler died in 1867, his wife in 1868; Alonzo L. Tabler was born in Shelby County in 1850; married Mary B Lyon in the year 1875. They have two children, Orvil A., born 1878, and Vernon L., born 1881.

SAMUEL BOOHER,

a son of John and Elizabeth Booher, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800. They emigrated to Ohio in 1805, and located in Montgomery County, four miles north of Dayton, where he lived to grow up to man- hood without any advantages of schools. In 1824 he married Mary Beardshear, and raised a family of five children, viz., Maria, George B., Elizabeth, Mary, and Catharine. His wife died in 1834. In 1835 he married Elizabeth Combs. By this marriage there were six children. Mr. Booher lived to accumulate a fine property, he owning at the time of his death about 1000 acres of land in Montgomery County, being one of the wealthiest farmers of the county. He died in 1877.

GEORGE B. BOOHER

was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1829. When five years of age his mother died. Ile lived with his father until he grew up to his majority. His advantages of education were limited, being confined to a few months during the winter seasons in their common schools. In 1852 he was married to Miss Naomi Polhamus, a daughter of John and Abi- gail (Ladew) Polhamus. In 1854 they came to Shelby County, and located in Washington Township, where he made a purchase of one hundred and twenty acres of land. A few years later he bought eighty acres more, then afterward purchased one hundred and thirteen acres, al! of well improved land. Upon his farm he has erected good substantial buildings. They have raised a family of ten children, whose names are as follows: Emma F., Anna L. E., Samuel J., George E., Laurs A., Mary K., William F., Charles E., Arthur B., and Eva F.

STEPHEN L. POLHAMUS.

We go to Long Island to find the first of this family in the United States. It was here that John Polhamus, Sr., was born about 1761, and lived for a time, then went to New Jersey and married Hannah Howard, and raised a family of three sons and three daughters. John Polhamus, Jr., was the eldest son of this family. He was born in New Jersey in 1800. He lived here to marry Abigail Ladew, a daughter of Stephen and Naomi Ladew, in 1824. Stephen Ladew died in the war of 1812 of yellow fever. In 1835 Mr. Polhamus came with his family to Ohio, and settled in Montgomery County. They raised a family of five chil- dren, viz., Ann Eliza, Stephen L., Sarah J., Naomi, and John F. Or this family there were three who came to Shelby County, Stephen L .. Naomi, the wife of George B. Booher, and John F., who was killed in the Rebellion. John Polhamus died in 1841. His wife died in 1849. This couple had been Methodists from childhood, he being a leader in the church for many years.

STEPHEN L. POLHAMUS, Jr.,

was born in New Jersey in 1828. When seven years of age he was brought to Montgomery County, Ohio, where in 1852 he married Mary L. Booher, and the following year settled in this township. He lived here until 1864, when he died, leaving five children, viz., David G., born 1854; George S., born 1855; Alonzo F., born 1859; Lizzie K., born 1861; and John S., born 1864; the last of whom died in 1881. Mrs. l'olhamus, after the death of her husband, kept her family together until they grew up. For the first few years she rented her place until her boys were old enough to farm, since which time she has controlled her farm herself. To her credit be it said that she has done what but few women would do; she has continued to improve her farm and educate her chil- dren, and has made for them a comfortable home.

JACOB H. PICKERING.

We trace the ancestors of the Pickerings to Ireland for their nativity. The first to come to the United States was Jacob Pickering, the great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He came about the middle of the last century. His time was sold after his arrival here to pay his passage. Some time after his freedom he went to Virginia. It was here that his son Jacob was born in Rockingham County in the year 1783, and in the year 1809 married Hannah Miller. They came to Ohio in 1824, and located in Fairfield County, where he died in 1860. James C., his son, was born in Virginia in 1812, was brought to Ohio in 1824, and married Catherine Smith in 1835. By this union there were nine chil- dren, all still living. Mr. P. still resides on his homestead in Fairfield County. Jacob H., his eldest child, was born in 1836, and was raised on the farm. In 1>63 he married Sarah J. Boyle, and come to Washing- ton Township in 1866, and settled on land entered by Michael Boyle, his wife's father, in 1846. They have by their marriage one child, John E., born in 1864. .

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

MICHAEL BOYLE

was born in Delaware in the year 1808, and came to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1829. Here about 1836 he married Mabel Smith, the widow of Ascum Smith, whose maiden name was Hayes. By this union there were children, of which Mrs. Pickering is the eldest. In 1846 he came to Shelby County and entered eighty acres of land in Washington Town- ship, and moved upon it the same year, erected a cabin in the green woods, and commenced to make a home. He remained here about thir- teen years, then returned to Fairfield County to take care of his parents. He remained with them until their death. In 1866 his wife died. Shortly after her death he returned to Shelby County, where he resides at the present time, making his home with his children.

JOSEPH HARDESTY

was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1800. He is a son of Robert Hardesty, one of the early settlers of Shelby County. His parents came to Ohio in 1803, and located in Monroe County, where they lived five years, then removed to Hamilton County, where they remained until 1813, when they came to the present limits of Shelby County, and settled on the bank of Loramie Creek, in Loramie Township. Mr. Hardesty says at the time of their settlement there were but three fam- ilies who had preceded them in that part of the county; they were James Thatcher, Robert McClure, and Zebediah Richardson. John Wilson was their next nearest neighbor ; he was some four miles distant. Mr. Hardesty lived here to grow up to manhood. He was present at the first court held in the county. It was held in a block-house in Har- din. He also was present at the treaty made with the Indians at St. Marys in 1818. and was well acquainted with Charley Murray and his Indian wife, and with Judge Armstrong. He had charge for a time, in the year 1819, of the Government stores at St. Marys. In 1819, Mr. Hardesty married Catherine Saunders, who had come to the county in 1819. He lived here to raise a family of nine children. His wife died in 1866. Mr. Hardesty is still living. Although enfeebled with age, he is still in the enjoyment of good health, having spent almost threescore and ten years in the same neighborhood, with but short intermission.

Robert Hardesty, the old pioneer, and one of his daughters, were sud- denly killed by lightning in June, 1819.

SAMUEL HARDESTY,

a brother of Joseph Hardesty, was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1808, and came with his father's family to this county in 1813, where in 1828 he married Margaret Saunders. They raised a family of three chil- dren, Jane, Martha, and Nancy. Jane married Samuel Harshberger, of Turtle Creek; Martha married David Bowlsby, and Nancy married James Bryant, of Miami County. Mr. Hardesty died in 1873. His wife died in 1881, aged seventy-four years.

DAVID BOWLSBY

was born in 1830. In 1860 he married Martha Hardesty, a daughter of Samuel Hardesty. They had one daughter, Margaret, born 1861. In 1862 Mr. Bowlsby enlisted in the 50th O. V. I., and died of disease at Jacksonborough, Tennessee, January 19, 1863.

REUBEN W. WALTERS,

a son of William and Sarah Hardesty Walters, was born in Shelby County in 1857. When but a child he was left an orphan, and was raised by his mother's people until he became a man grown. In 1881 he married Nettie Lenox, a daughter of Richard and Sarah Lenox.

SAMUEL VALENTINE

was born in Shelby County in the year 1832. He is a son of Richard W. Valentine, of Orange Township. He was married to Nancy A. Har- desty, a daughter of Joseph Hardesty, in the year 1858. Mrs. Valentine was born in 1836. They have raised a family of six children, viz., James R., Dora B., Cora A. E., William N., Annaliza, and Clarinda A. They reside on section 28 of Washington Township.

JAMES BURT

was born in Scioto County, Ohio, in 1832. He is a son of Brewer and Rachel Rockwell Burt. When three years of age he was brought by his parents to Shelby County. They settled in Clinton Township, where they remained three years, then removed to Lockington in 1838. Here young Burt grew up to manhood. At the age of nineteen years he went to learn the carpenter trade, and has followed it to the present time. The past sixteen years he has been working for the State of Ohio on the Miami and Erie Canal, repairing locks and bridges. In 1861 he was married to Margaret Snavely, with whom he lived till 1864, when she died. At the close of the same year he married Nancy A. Livingston, with whom he has raised a family of six children, viz., John F., Mary A., Anna, Lillie, Florence, and Edwin Mr. Burt is now the oldest res- ident of Lockington, having lived here since 1838.

FRANCIS FERGUS

was born in Shelby on the farm on which he now lives in the year 1824. He, together with his brothers, cleared the home farm, their father hav- ing died when they were young. When twenty years of age Francis went to learn the carpenter trade with his brother Joseph, since which time he has worked at his trade the most of his life. In 1855 he mar- ried Emily Monroe. They have by this marriage five children, as fol- lows : Laura J., Sarah A., Ella, Samuel S., and John W. Mrs. Fergus was born in Virginia in 1834. Her parents were Henson and Eliza (Campbell) Monroe, who settled in Shelby County in 1834.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 87

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

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