History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 91

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 91

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September 11, 1821, he married Mrs. Eliza Roby, née Safford. Miss Safford was born near Concord, Mass., June 15, 1792, and came to Ohio with her first husband, Mr. Roby, in 1819, and settled three miles south of Hardin, Shelby County. Mr. and Mrs. Davis settled on the home farm in Turtle Creek Township near Hardin, on which they resided many years. They passed the remainder of their days in Shelby County, most of the time in Turtle Creek Township, with the exception of about one year, which time they spent in Iowa and Illinois. He died August 17, 1866, at the residence of his son, Hiram A. Davis. His companion sur- vived him until March 15, 1874, when she died at the residence of Hiram A. Davis. Mr. Davis stood six feet two inches in height, and weighed 220 pounds, and many of the citizens of Turtle Creek and adjoining townships well remember his stately form. He reared a family of six children, viz., Maria, Caroline, Calista M., Emelin A., Hiram A., and Adelma Ann. Maria and Adelma A. are now dead.

DAVID COON,

deceased, was born in Hampshire County, Va., in 1783. He was reared on a farm. He came to Ohio some time prior to the year 1812, and located in Pickaway County. He served several months in the war of 1812. He married Miss Lucy Burton, of Pickaway County. They set- tled in Pickaway County, remained until 1817, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on the west half of section 19, Turtle Creek Town- ship, on which they passed the remainder of their days.

In 1825 he received his patent, signed by J. Q. Adams, President of the United States, dated at Washington, D. C., April 1, 1825, calling for the southeast quarter of section 19. On March 12, 1829, he received a patent, signed by Andrew Jackson, calling for the east half of the

southwest quarter of section 19, same township. These patents are now in possession of his son, Alfred Coon, who owns the home farm. Mr. Coon died in 1849, at the age of sixty-six years. His companion died 1859, at the age of seventy-five years. They reared a family of nine children, viz., David, Catharine, Nancy, Elizabeth, George W., Alfred, Joshua, John W., and Madison. David, Catharine, Nancy, and Eliza- beth are now dead. George W. Coon is now residing in Dayton, Ohio. Alfred and John W. live in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, Ohio. Joshua is living in Champaign County, Illinois, and Madison is residing in Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio. George W. Coon served about one year in the Mexican war.

JOHN W. COON, Farmer; P. O. Hardin, Ohio.

Mr. Coon is the fifth son of David and Lucy Coon. He was born on the farm now owned by Alfred Coon in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, December 25, 1822, where he passed his minority days working on the farm for his parents. He received a common school education. December 25, 1845, he married Miss Frances C. Mills, daughter of Ben- jamin and Elizabeth Mills. Miss Mills was born in Orange, Essex County, N. J., September 23, 1827. She came to Shelby County with her parents in 1836, and settled on a part of section 29, Turtle Creek Township.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Coon settled on her father's home farm, re- mained a few years, then moved on his father's home farm, remained until 1854, when he purchased and moved on the west half of section 19, Turtle Creek Township. In 1864 be purchased the east half of section 24, joining his first purchase of land on the west, on which they moved in November, 1870, and have since resided. They have two children- George B. and Gertrude. Mr. Coon has made farming his principal avocation, and now owns a good farm of 160 acres.

JOSHUA STEPHENS

was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 4, 1812. He was brought to Shelby County by his parents, John and Nancy Stephens, in 1816, who settled on section 28, Turtle Creek Township, where the subject of this sketch passed his boyhood days. His education was that which could be obtained in the common schools. In 1832 he taught a term of school in a log cabin which stood on R. M. Cannon's farm, section 19, Turtle Creek Township. He has been a resident of this township since 1816, excepting one year, during which time he resided in Williams County, Ohio. February 16, 1845, he married Miss Nancy, daughter of James and Eleanor Greegan, born in Miami County, Ohio, in December, 1818. They settled on the farm in section 21, Turtle Creek Township, on which they have since resided. They reared a family of eight chil- dren, viz., John, David, Mary, Oliver, Catharine, Ellen, Maria, and Florence. David died in August, 1876. John Stephens served about six months in the war of 1861.

JOHN W. GRAHAM,

a son of James A. and Sarah Graham, was born in Lewis County, Ky., May 27, 1809. In April, 1819, he came to Ohio with his parents, and located in Clarke County. In March, 1820, they moved to Miami County, remained two years, when they came to Shelby County, and settled on land two miles west of Hardin, Turtle Creek Township, in the southwest quarter of section 25, on which they remained about thir- teen years. In 1835 they sold their land. They then lived on different farms in Shelby County as tenants until 1843, when James A. Graham purchased land, and moved his family to Orange Township, on which he passed the remainder of his days. Mrs. Sarah Graham died Septem- ber 1, 1840, aged fifty-nine years. He died September 8. 1864, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years and nineteen days. He filled the office of justice of the peace one term, and trustee for several years. He reared a family of nine children, viz., Robert R., William M., John W., Thomas B., Eliza, Mary J., Sarah, James A., and Samuel S. Robert R. and Eliza are now dead.

John W. Graham, subject of this sketch, received a common school education in the old log school house. His boyhood days were spent in clearing land, and working on the farm with his father. He is a cooper by trade, which he worked at during the winter months for seve- ral years. But farming has been his principal business, and he now owns two good farms in Turtle Creek Township. He was also engaged in the lumber or timber business for several years in connection with farming. His business, while dealing in timber, was to furnish timber for the wheel works at Dayton, Ohio.

On the 17th day of April, 1832, he married Miss Jane Bill, of Mont- gomery County, Ohio, born December 5, 1805. Mr. and Mrs. Graham settled in Montgomery County, remained two years, when he moved with his family to Shelby County, purchased and moved on the farm in . section 18, Turtle Creek Township, on which he now resides. His com- panion died February 19, 1861. He reared a family of four children, Elizabeth A., Henry C., John W., and Sarah J. Sarah J. Graham died May 14, 1862. Mr. Graham served as trustee of Turtle Creek Township about twenty years, and justice of the peace for six years. He was also land appraiser for the year 1859.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

JOSHUA COLE,

deceased, was born near Baltimore, Md., on the 3d day of July, 1789. He was a son of Broad Cole. When yet a small child his father settled in Kentucky, remained until 1798, when he moved to Ohio, and located in Fairfield County, remained a few years, when he then moved to Pick- away County, where the subject of this sketch grew to manhood. On the 7th day of February, 1811, he married Miss Susannah, daughter of Daniel and Rachel Ranier, then of Pickaway County, but a native of New Jersey, where she was born January 9, 1792. On the 22d day of August, 1812, he enlisted under the command of Captain Reed, and served about six months in the war of 1812. In about 1819 or 1820 he came to Shelby County, entered the southeast quarter of section 6, Turtle Creek Township, and then returned to his home in Pickaway County. In 1821 he came back to his land, and with the help of two men which came with him he cleared about nine acres, and again re- turned to his home in Pickaway County. In March, 1822, he brought his family to Shelby County, and stopped at Ebenezer Stephens, near Hardin, until he could erect a cabin, which he completed, and moved his family some time in April. There were no settlers north of Mr. Cole nearer than eleven miles for some time after he moved. On this farm he remained, making clearing and farming his business until 1845, when he rented his farm, and moved his family to Sidney, where they lived until 1851, when he returned to Turtle Creek Township, and moved his family on the farm in same section, joining his old home farmn on the west, on which he passed the remainder of his days. His companion died September 15, 1876. He died October 20, 1876. He reared a family of seven children, viz., Cynthia, Nancy, Rachel, Broad, Nathan W., Susannah, and Joshua R .; all of whom are yet living except Joshua R., who died with cholera August 3, 1854.

BROAD COLE, Farmer; P. O. Sidney.

Mr. Cole, a son of Joshua Cole, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, April 11, 1820. He was brought to Shelby County by his parents in 1822. March 1, 1842, he married Miss Rebecca Stanley, then of Shelby County, but a native of Ross County, Ohio, where she was born June 28, 1823, and came to Shelby County in 1835 with her mother, her father being dead. Mr. and Mrs. Cole settled on his father's home farm, re- mained until 1845, when they moved to Sidney, where he engaged in mercantile business, which he conducted with success for several years. In 1849 they moved back on the home farm in Turtle Creek Township, where they now reside, and has since been giving his attention to farm- ing. He reared a family of seven children-two sons and five daughters. His son, Isaac O. Cole, died in the war of 1861; the other six children are living. He served as trustee of Turtle Creek Township for a number of years.

ROBERT EWING,

an old and influential citizen of this township, is so well and favorably known that he scarcely needs an introduction to the readers of this vol- ume to-day; but the work is for the future, when the men of yesterday and to-day will live in recorded history, and there his name must be en- rolled. The son of Thomas and Fannie (Stewart) Ewing, he was born in County Donegal, Ireland, on the 17th of March, 1805. While in his childhood his mother died, and he was then taken in charge by his maternal relatives-the Stewarts-with whom he lived until the year 1821, when he came to America with his uncle, Anthony Stewart. On their arrival in the United States they proceeded to Newark, Maryland, where they located, and Robert, then sixteen years of age, entered school for the first time as a pupil. Here he continued his attendance about two or three months each winter during the next five years, which is the full measure of his school life. Still his education must not be measured by the same rule, for he was ever a student at home, where he lived in the midst of books, of which he made constant and close companions. By his perseverance in this direction he acquired more than the ordinary common school education of that day, although, perhaps, never attend- ing school a greater period than a year in his whole life. With this start he went early in 1828 to New London Cross Roads, in Chester County, Pa., where he secured a position as clerk in a store. The same year he cast his first presidential vote for General Jackson, an act of which he is still proud. He continued his clerkship until 1830, when he resigned, and coming to Ohio visited Perry County, where he purchased a farm, and gave his attention to its improvement and cultivation during the next six years with a success hardly to be expected of one of his previ- ous inexperience. In 1836 he sold his farm, and coming to Piqua en- tered into partnership with Dr. D. Ashton in the drug trade, under the firm name of Ashton & Ewing. About 1842 the firm bought a farm near Lockington, in Washington Township, this county. This farm con- tained a sawmill and woollen factory on the bank of Loramie Creek, and these mills were operated by the proprietors in connection with their drug trade in Piqua. In 1843 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Ashton retaining the drug store and Mr. Ewing taking the mill property at Lockington. In 1843 Mr. Ewing began the erection of a flouring mill near his other mills, the country being at that time greatly

in need of such an institution. This mill was completed and put in ope- ration some time the next year, and Mr. Ewing at once moved from Piqna to the property which he was then operating. So it was, that for several years his attention was given to the varied interests and demands of the farm, the woollen mills, the flouring and sawmills except for & short period, during which he rented his mills and gave his whole atten- tion to his farm. In 1858 he moved to a farm previously purchased, which was situated in south half of section 21, Turtle Creek Township, but the next year found him back at his old Lockington home. In 1862 he again returned to his Turtle Creek farm, which he has constituted his home since that date, and where he now resides. In 1848 he married Miss Harriet E., daughter of William and Jane Mellinger, one of the pioneer families of the county. Miss Harriet was born in Washington Township June 11, 1821, and after eighteen years of married life fell into that dreamless sleep called death, on the 18th of March, 1866. Her loss was deeply mourned by a husband and seven children, besides a large number of devoted friends who knew her but to esteem her. The children were named Sarah J., Margaret F., Laura A., William R., Ella N., Emma E., and Wallace, all of whom are still living except Margaret, whose death occurred September 5, 1876.

Mr. Ewing after something of an eventful life, now well advanced in years, finds himself surrounded by all the comforts of life, which perse- verance, industry, and energy can reap. Summed up, his life is a proof of the maxim that " labor overcomes all things," and that the banner of life should bear upon its face the word "pluck," and not " luck," for the former is a hero, the latter a coward. Labor, mental and physical, is the all in all of genius, the all in all of success, and the life before our contemplation knew no such word as fail, for to that life labor was om- nipotent.

ANDREW S. MCCLURE,

deceased, was born in Augusta County, Va., November 19, 1802. He was brought to Ohio by his parents, Andrew and Mary McClure, in 1811, who settled on Sugar Creek, Greene County, where young McClure passed his minority days on a farm. He married Miss Jane Hutchinson, then of Greene County, Ohio, but a native of Kentucky, where she was born June 27, 1807. Mr. and Mrs. McClure settled in Greene County on a farm, remained until April, 1834, when they came to Shelby County, entered, and settled on a part of section 9, Turtle Creek Township, on which they passed the remainder of their days. He died June 20, 1874. His death was caused by being thrown from a horse on the pike between the Fair Ground and the Infirmary. His companion survived him until October 29, 1876. They reared a family of ten children, viz., John F., Andrew H., Margaret J., Mary A. S., James, William A., Sarah E., Rachel E., Martha A., and George F. George F. is now dead. The other nine children are all married and have families. Mr. McClure made farming his business through life.

WILLIAM A. MOCLURE,

fourth son of Andrew S. McClure, was born in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, Ohio, on the 29th day of October, 1836. His minority days were spent on the farm with his parents. He received a common school education. On the 21st day of August, 1860, he married Miss Loretta Carey, daughter of Thomas M. and Cyntha Carey, born in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, Ohio, April 19, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. McClure settled in Turtle Creek Township on the farm in section 8, on which they have since resided. Their union has resulted in twelve children, nine of whom are now living, six sons and three daughters. The three that are deceased are Artie B., died August 18, 1869. Laura Ann and Bonnie Ray died November 20, 1881, their deaths being only three hours apart, and they were buried in one grave. Mr. McClure has made farming his vocation, and now owns three good farms, one in Turtle Creek Township, on which he now resides, one in Franklin Town- ship, and one in McLean Township.

JOSEPH CAMPBELL

was born in Miami County, Ohio, July 17, 1827. He was brought to Shelby Connty by his parents, John and Elizabeth Campbell, in 1835 or 1836, who settled on section 30, Turtle Creek Township, where John Campbell died in April, 1843, leaving his wife, with eight small children, viz , Joseph, Susan, Robert, Margaret, Jackson, John, Elizabeth, and Mary A. Susan married Kenley Cecil, and moved to Miami County, where she died. Elizabeth was drowned in Turtle Creek when at the age of six years. The remaining six children are still living. In about eighteen months after the death of Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Campbell married Edward Beck, with whom she lived and reared four children, two sons and two daughters. She died October 29, 1858.

Joseph Campbell, subject of this sketch, remained on the farm until he had attained the age of seventeen years, or in 1844, when he began working at the shoemaker trade, which he followed about five years. In 1849 he engaged as a partner in the sawmill business, manufacturing and dealing in all kinds of hard wood lumber, which he conducted eigh- teen months, and at the end of which time he returned to his trade, which

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

he made his vocation about six years, when he turned his attention to farming, and now owns about 217 acres of good land in Turtle Creek Township.

On the 8th day of April, 1852, he married Miss Julia A. Lenox, daugh- ter of James and Sally Lenox. Miss Lenox was born in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, Ohio, April 12, 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Camp- bell settled in Lockport, remained five years. In 1857 they moved on the Mellinger farm in Washington Township, on which they remained about two years as tenants. In 1859 they moved on the Johnston farm in Washington Township, Miami County, remained one year. In 1860 they returned to Shelby County, purchased, and moved on a farm in Cynthian Township, on which they remained five years, or until 1865, when he purchased and moved on the farm in section 18, Turtle Creek Township, where they now reside. They have a family of seven children, John H., Laura R., Clara E., Flora I., Jesse G., Sally L., and Cora J. Mr. Campbell filled the office of trustee of Turtle Creek Township one year, and land appraiser of the township for 1880. He is looked upon as one of Turtle Creek's leading and enterprising citizens.

JAMES HALL,

deceased, was born in Virginia October 2, 1788. He was a bricklayer and stone mason by trade, which he followed as his principal business for many years, and then he turned his attention to farming, which he made his business during the remainder of his days. January 9, 1817, he married Miss Ruth Mills, of Virginia, born May 9, 1798. Shortly after their marriage they came to Ohio, and located in Montgomery County, remained about seventeen years, or until 1834, when they moved to Miami County, remained about thirteen years. In 1847 they came to Shelby County, purchased 160 acres of land in the south half of section 4, Turtle Creek Township, on which they passed the remainder of their days. Mr. Hall served in the war of '1812. He died in Sep- tember, 1862. His companion survived him until February, 1867. They reared a family of ten children, viz., Jonathan P., George H., Amanda M., Martha E., James M., Thomas W., William D., Joseph L., Mary E., and John D., all of whom are yet living except James M. and Joseph L. James M. was killed by lightning in Sidney in July, 1857. Joseph L. died December 24, 1849.

THOMAS M. HALL,

son of James and Ruth Hall, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, July 5, 1827. He came to Shelby County with his parents in 1847, and settled in Turtle Creek Township. He has made farming his principal business, and now owns one-half of his father's home farm in section 4, Turtle Creek Township, where he now resides. October 15, 1857, he married Miss Amanda J., daughter of John and Ella Hutchison. Miss Hutchison was born in Greene County, Ohio, December 5, 1834, and was brought to Shelby County by her parents in 1835, who settled in Turtle Creek Township on section 16. Mr. and Mrs. Hall settled on a farm in Turtle Creek Township, and have since resided in Turtle Creek with the exception of one year, during which time they were residents of Franklin Township. They moved on the farm where they are now living in 1869. They have a family of six children, viz., R. Ella, Martha M., John F., Ida M., Eva J., and Anna E. Mr. Hall filled the office of trustee for Turtle Creek Township two terms.

DAVID H. BUSHMAN,

son of William H. and Druscilla Bushman, was born in Clermont County, Ohio, January 9, 1840. In August, 1864, he came to Shelby County, and on the 9th day of March, 1865, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Samuel and Jane Elliott, born in Dinsmore Township, Shelby County, Ohio, September 22, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. Bushman settled on the farm in section 33, Turtle Creek Township, on which they have since resided. They have three children, viz., Joseph E., Mary L., and Edna M.

OTHO H. LEAPLEY,

son of Jacob and Louisa Leapley, was born in Franklin Township, Shelby County, Ohio, August 28, 1841. He received a common school education. His minority days were spent on the farm with his parents. August 23, 1860, he' married Miss Mary, daughter of Samuel J. and Nancy Stone. Miss Stone was born in Auglaize County, Ohio, August 17, 1838, and came to Shelby County with her parents in 1841, who located in Clinton Township. Mr. and Mrs. Leapley settled on his father's home farm in Franklin Township, remained five years, or until 1865, when they moved to Iowa, and remained'until the spring of 1867, when they returned to Shelby County, and have since been residents of the county. They now reside in Turtle Creek Township, on a farm in the south half of section 9. They have five children, three sons and two daughters. He makes farming his avocation.

WILLIAM HERBERT, Retired Farmer.

In Berkshire County, England, on the 13th day of December, 1803, Mr. Herbert was born. He served as an apprentice at the blacksmith

trade seven years, which he made his business many years, until 1851, when he turned his attention to farming, which he has since made his occupation. June 2, 1833, he sailed from London docks on the ship Armata for America, and landed in New York City after passing nine weeks and three days on the water. He located in Newark, New Jersey, and remained about one year, when he began travelling, and after travel- ling over parts of Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, he located in Clarke County, Ohio, where, on the 27th day of April, 1838, he married Miss Sarah Kingham, then of Clarke County, Ohio, but a native of En- gland, where she was born February 16, 1810, and came to Clarke County, Ohio, with her parents in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert settled in Springfield, Ohio, and remained one year. In 1839 they moved to Harmony, Clarke County, and remained twelve years, until in 1851, when they came to Shelby County, purchased and moved on the farm in sec- tion 1, Turtle Creek Township, where they now reside. They reared a family of seven children, William G., Joseph K., John J., Sarah E., Martha S., Thirza C., and Ruth M. William G. served three years in the war of 1861. Joseph K. served one year in the late war.

JOHN C. RITTER.

In Germany, on the 18th day of November, 1817, Mr. Ritter was born. October 18, 1858, he married Miss Elizabeth Stevens, a native of Germany, born March 13, 1832. They settled in Germany and remained one year, until 1859, when they immigrated to America. They sailed from Bremen October 19, and after a six weeks' voyage on the water, they landed in New York City December 1, 1859. From thence they continued their journey southwestward until they reached Kentucky, where they located and remained six years, or until March, 1865, when they came to Shelby County, Ohio, purchased and moved on a farm of eighty acres of land in section 5, Turtle Creek Township, on which they now reside. They have a family of four children, viz., Conrad, Mary, Emma A., and Bessie. Mr. Ritter has made farming his vocation through life, and, by the general appearance of his farm and the im- provements thereon, we would consider him one among the leading farmers in the township.

JOHN A. STEELE,

deceased, a son of Martin and Jane Steeele, was born in Greene County, Ohio, December 30, 1838. He came to Shelby County with his parents and settled on the farm in section 9, Turtle Creek Township, June 8, 1865. He married Miss Sarah J. Fee, daughter of John and Jane Fee, born in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, Ohio, November 15, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Steele settled on the southeast quarter of section 9, Turtle Creek Township, remained a few months, and then moved on the farm now owned by W. Fee, same township, and remained four years, or until 1869, when they moved on his father's home farm in section 9, Turtle Creek Township, which is now owned by his widow, Mrs. Sarah J. Steele and son,-William S. Steele,-on which Mr. Steele passed the remainder of his days. He died March 16, 1877.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 91

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

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