History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 95

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 95

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Grand jurors selected in October, 1831: Eleazer Hathaway, Thos. Wyatt, Richard Jeffries, Wm. Houston, Robert Houston, Jacob Everley, Jr. Petit jurors selected same date: John Crozier, Robert Houston, Jr., Robert Johnston, Charles Mann, Snow Richardson, Joseph Black- wood.

At an election held for State and county officers October 11, 1831, fifty-five votes were cast. In March, 1853, the township was divided into four road districts.

Exhibit for 1832 .- Received from John Crozier one dollar for Sab- bath breaking, which sum is now in the treasury for school purposes.

Orders Issued .- To Harvey Houston, constable, 75 cents.

Exhibit of Receipts and Expenditures from March, 1833, to

March, 1834.

Dr. Cr.

To amt. remaining in treas- ury on first Monday in March, 1833. To Win. Wilson's note for

By cash paid E. Stewart on order No. 26 for Samuel

$2 96 McClure $1 70

By do. paid John Crozier, No. 1 1 26

estray .

1 00

By Wm Wilson's note now

$3 96 in treasury 1 00

$3 96

In 1834 the township was divided into four school districts. In 1838 six road districts were formed. At an election held in 1843 ninety-eight votes were cast; in 1847, sixty-five votes.

In 1855 twelve road districts were formed, and at spring election one hundred and thirteen votes were polled.

Ear Marks.

The first volume of township records contains a long list of "Ear Marks and Brands," from which we reproduce those falling within the years 1824-29 :-

1. Moses B. Stewart's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep : a crop off each ear, and an under bit out of each ear. July 3, 1824.

2. Snow Richardson's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a swal- low fork out of the left ear. July 3. 1824.

3. Robert McClure's (3d) ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a crop off the right ear, and a half crop of the under side of the left. December 27, 1824.

4. Stephen Julian's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a crop off the right ear, and an upper bit out of each ear. March 7, 1825.

5. John Booker's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a crop and a slit off the left ear, and two slits in the right. March 7, 1825.

6. Robert McClure's, Jr., ear mark of neat cattle, hegs. and sheep: a crop and an upper bit off the left ear, and an under bit out of the right. March 7, 1825.

7. Robert MeClure's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a crop, a slit, and an upper bit out of the left ear, and an under bit out of the right. March 7, 1825.

8. Zebediah Richardson's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a swallow fork in each ear, and a hole in the left. July 3, 1825.

9. Abner Wyatt's ear mark of neat cattle, hogs, and sheep: a crop off the right ear, and an upper slope off the left. October 30, 1825.

10. Henry Harp: two smooth crops, two slits in each ear, and a bit out of the right. March 18, 1826.

11. Robert Johnston: a crop off the right ear, and a swallow fork in the left. March 18, 1826.

12. James Johnston: a crop off the left ear, and a swallow fork in the right. March 18, 1826.

13. George C. Johnston : a swallow fork in each ear. March 18, 1827. 14. Win. Wright: an upper slope off the right ear. August 15, 1826. 15. Henry Zemer: a crop off each ear, and an under bit out of each ear. April 27, 1827.

16. John Wright: an upper slope off the left ear. April 2, 1828. 17. Robert Houston, Jr .: a crop off each ear, a hole in the right, and

a slit in the left. April 6, 1829.

18. Robert Houston: a crop off each ear, and a hole in the right. April 6, 1829.

19. Harvey Houston: a crop off each ear, a hole in the right, and two slits in the left. April 6, 1829.

20. Elisha Stewart : a crop off, and slit in, each ear. April 6, 1829.

Justices of the Peace.

James Hervey, 1824. A. D. Young, 1854.

Robert Houston, 1826. Samuel Clark, 1854.

Thomas Wyatt, 1827. David Flinn, 1857.

kleazer Hathaway, 1828.

Wm. Bland, May 1, 1860.

Re-

William Wright, 1829. signed June 8, 1861.

Robert Houston, 1830. David Flinn, Oct. 18, 1860.

John Crozier, 1831.

John Gartley, 1x61. David Flinn, Oct. 23, 1863.

Win. N. Flinn, 1833.

John Crozier, 1834.

Wm. N. Flinn, 1836.

John M. Ross, 1837.

John Gartley, Sept. 1, 1864. Wm. Flinn, Oct. 17, 1866. C. B. MeKinney, Oct. 15, 1867.

Cyrus Jeffries, Nov. 21, 1838: Snow Richardson, Jan. 7, 1840. Robert Houston, Dec. 7, 1840. John G Hunter, Dec. 24, 1842. Robert Houston, Feb. 13, 1844. John W. Day, Dec. 11, 1845.

Robert Houston, Feb., 1847. Re- signed Nov. 12. 1841.

J. G. Hunter, April 17, 1848. Samuel Clark, 1848. Asa D. Young, 1851.

Wm. Flinn, Oct. 18, 1869. C. B. Mckinney, Oct. 19, 1870. Wm. Flinn, Oct. 12, 1872. Joseph Voisard, Oct. 20, 1873. Win. Flinn, Oct. 20, 1875. Joseph Voisard, Oct. 18, 1876. Wm. Flinn, Oct. 14, 1878. Joseph Voisard, Oct. 18, 1879. Jeremiah Miller, Nov. 8, 1880. Wm. Flinn, Oct. 19, 1881.

Digitized by

Google

311

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

Schools.

About 1827 or '8, a round-log school-house was built a short distance west of where the township house now stands in section 18. This was the pioneer school building, and was used for some time, supplied as it was with the primitive benches and puncheon floor. Among the early teachers were William Wright and C. Wyatt. Prior to the erection of the house just mentioned, school had been held at the homes of William Skillen and Robert Houston for a period of several years. Of course these schools were all sustained by subscription or the voluntary sup- port of the settlers. It was during this period, too, that the teacher was compelled to " board round," an incident to which reference is fre- quently made to-day, and which was a feature no teacher would wish to see revived. Still it may have appeared as consistent and agreeable to the teacher of that day as any other feature of the profession, for it was inseparably attached to the profession. But it has been abandoned as an incident even, and no efforts are making for its restoration. Schools have changed in scope and method since that day, for they have ever been guarded and nurtured with zealous care. It is proper, too, that it be so, for to them a nation, if not a race, is looking for the advancement of its people. Particularly must this be the case in a republic, where ignorance is the greatest danger and education the greatest security. To the schools free institutions look not only for defence but for maintenance and growth. At this time the township is divided into the usual sub-districts, and these are all in a prosperous and promising condition. The people cannot be too liberal in their support.

Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church.

This congregation was organized December 31, 1848, by Rev. J. A. Meeks, of Piqua, assisted by Rev. W. B. Spencer, of Sidney, and Elder William Linn, of Piqua. John G. Hunter was ordained a ruling elder on the same date. The organization members were John G. Hunter, Charlotte Hunter, James Harper, Jane Harper, Brazillai Gray, Abigail Gray, Eliza A. Young, Margaret Blackwood, now Mrs. Thomas Skillen, Catharine Young, Elizabeth Diltz, Mary Diltz, Ann Diltz, J. W. Hunter, and Maria Hunter. Services were at first held at the house of John G. Hunter. A brick church was constructed at Mt. Jefferson, which was dedicated January 2, 1850, by Rev. Thomas Elcock. In 1851, John N. Stewart and Brazillai Gray were elected to the eldership and ordained March 31. In April, 1861, Buel Pritchard was ordained as elder; in 1862, James Harper and John Johnston ; May 14, 1876, Sibert Carson ; October 30, 1880, Theodore C. Skillen and Samuel S. Laymaster all suc- ceeded to the eldership.

Ministers .- Rev. Thomas Elcock, about two years; Rev. William Galbraith ; Rev. Samuel C. Kerr; Rev. William Moore; and Rev. C. E. Tedford, present pastor. Besides these ministers a number of others have served the congregation at different periods as stated supplies.

Present Deacons. -- Bryant Edwards and Thomas Skillen.

Trustees .- Jacob Wagoner and John Garley. The membership at this time numbers about fifty.

Beech Grove United Brethren Society.

An organization was effected in the Apple school-house about 1866 by Rev. William Mittendorf. The members were Reuben Schuler and wife, Jacob Hengle and wife, and Anthony August and wife. The early ser- vices were held in the school-house or the houses of the members for a time, but on the 5th of September, 1869, a church was dedicated by Revs. White and Fritz, of Dayton. The building is a frame 40x28 feet, and was erected at a cost of $900. It is located on the northwest corner of section 30, town. 9, range 5, on land formerly owned by J. S. Apple. Reuben Schuler, Jacob Hengle, Anthony August, and J. S. Apple were then appointed trustees of the church. The first class leader was Reuben Schuler; present leader, J. J. Fessler. Ministers, Revs. Mittendorf, Crouse, Eckart, Albright, Wise, Capitka, Rich, Croone, Frank, and Smith, the latter being pastor at this time.

Mt. Jefferson Christian Church.

This organization was effected in 1849 by Elder Caleb Wooley and Elder James Fahnestock, with eight members. These were Frederick Everly, Jesse Ellis, Jephtha M. Wyatt and wife, Jesse D. Elliott and wife, John Hughes and wife. Messrs. Everly, Ellis, and Wyatt were appointed deacons, and Messrs. Wyatt and Ellis trustees. In 1852 they erected a frame church in Mt. Jefferson, the building being 42x32 feet. In 1855 Jacob Penrod and Jacob Putl were elected deacons. Isaac S. Cox was elected about 1862. The present deacons are Jacob Penrod and Isaac S. Cox. They are also trustees. Caleb Worley, James Fahnestock, F. S. Wells, Samuel Penrod, Justus Hunt, Asbury Watkins, D. Lepley, and G. L. Griffith have served as elders. Elder G. L. Griffith is present pastor. Of the original membership none now remain in the community. The present membership numbers forty-five.

Methodist Episcopal Church.

This branch of the Piqua M. E. Church was organized at the house of Thomas Wyatt in 1825, by Rev. Levi White and John Woodney, the latter being the leader of the Piqua church. The membership consisted of Thomas Wyatt, Mary Wyatt, William Johnston, Mary Johnston, George Black, Margaret Black, Henry Harp, Sarah Harp, Anthony Harp, Margaret Harp, Abner Wyatt, Richard Stone and wife, Andrew Liviugood, Benjamin Carson and wife, and Ephraim Martin and wife. Abner Wyatt was first class-leader. The meetings were first held at the houses of Thomas Wyatt, Henry Harp, and Richard Stone. In 1832 a hewed log house was erected, 30x28 feet in dimensions. It was built on the east half of the northwest quarter of section 17, and was dedicated in December, 1836, by Rev. James Findley. Joseph Wyatt, William Johnston, and another member, whose name cannot be recalled, were chosen trustees. The early ministers were Revs. Levi White, A. Bow- cher, - - Gaddis, A. Brown, - - Maley, William Raper, D. D. Davidson, and James Smith. In 1853 the society numbered about sixty. A disagreement this year resulted in a withdrawal of a number of the members, who organized a separate society in the school-house in district No. 1, but after a few years it was disbanded. In 1854 the regular organ- ization erected a frame church in Mt. Jefferson, which was used until 1876, when the society, having existed over a half century, allowed itself to dissolve, and is now only a matter of history.

The St. James German Reformed Church

is located near the southwest corner of section 7, town. 9, range 5, Lora- mie Township. It was erected during the summer, and dedicated Sep- tember 14, 1881, by the Revs. Shaw and Weaver. The building is 31 by 21 feet, a frame structure, erected at a cost of about $400. The Society was organized in 1867 by the Rev. Jacob Weaver with about thirteen members, viz .: Christian Harmony and wife, George Singer and wife and three children (one son and two daughters), George Arent and wife, George Sherer and wife, J. Lindsey and wife. They held their meetings in the Flinn school-house and at the residences of the different members until the completion of their present church building. J. Lindsey was elected as elder at the time of the organization, and has since held the office. The Rev. Jacob Weaver has been their minister sinte the organ- ization of the society. The present membership is about eighteen. Christian Harmoney and John Galley are the present deacons.

Summit Icehouses.

These establishments are located near Houston, on the Wright farm, in section 3. The first house, known as No. 3, was built in 1862 by John Wright and E. W. Pampel. Its dimensions were 106 by 42 feet ; 20 ft. high to the square, and had a storage capacity of 1500 tons. The second house, known as No. 2, was erected by the same firm in 1866, and was. 103 by 52 feet, with a height of 20 ft. and capacity of 2000 tons. Ice- house No. 4 was built in 1871 by the same parties. Its size is 104 by 104 feet, 26 feet high to square, and possesses a storage capacity of 6000 tons. The business was conducted by Wright & Pampel until 1878, when Henry Crone purchased the interest of Pampel, since which the business has been operated by Crone & Wright under the style of The Summit Ice Company. Their shipments of ice amount to about 6000 tons annually.

Crone & Wright's Steam Sawmill.

This mill is located near the canal and the C. C. C. and I. Railroad, in section 3. The building is 116 by 22 feet, the engine a thirty-horse- power, and the saws sixty and thirty inches in diameter. The capacity is about 8000 feet of lumber per day. The mill was erected in 1876 by the Crone Brothers, by whom it was operated about three years, when John Wright purchased the interest of A. J. Crone. Since that time it has been operated under the firm style of Crone & Wright, the individ- uals being H. Crone and John Wright. Attention is also given to the purchase and sale of all qualities and varieties of hardwood lumber.

HOUSTON.

This town was surveyed May 4, 1838, by Jonathan Counts for Harvey Houston. The original plat occupied a portion of the northwest quarter of section 9, town. 9, range 5 east. The lots are each 3g by 10 rods, except fractions. Main Street is 95 links wide and bears north 10}' west; Elm Street is 3 rods wide and at right angles to Main Street, which bears south 792° west. The alleys are each one rod wide, and at right angles with Main Street. West Lane is one rod wide and bears north 105° west. The town is situated on the State road leading from Piqua to St. Marys, and contains 29 lots.

Acknowledged May 5, and recorded May 25, 1838.

It will thus be seen this village was laid out for Harvey Houston, who lived in the old log house (now weatherboarded), which stands north of Houston, on the east side of the pike road. This house is now owned by J. W. Akin. It was used by Mr. Houston for hotel (strictly speaking, "tavern") purposes a number of years. His wife became the first post-

Digitized by Google

312

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

mistress in the township, the office being established in 1834. The first store was kept where Fred. Baumgartner's house now stands, and was opened and managed for some time by Nicholas Gresham, who began the business about 1832. He was succeeded by Singer & Brown, who erected new buildings about the time the town was laid out. They retired from the business about ten years later, about which time Joseph Taylor entered the same trade. The business was then extensively con . ducted by Taylor for several years. He also dealt extensively in grain and the pork packing industry. Everything moved prosperously abont the village until the cholera panic reached the township, when the town itself was almost depopulated and business of all kinds paralyzed. The citizens deserted the plague-infested section, and it was nearly or quite a year before their return and the revival of trade. About 1851 B. Mal- lot engaged in the mercantile business, and was followed by others who came and went with the mutation of years or circumstances, and whose connection with the town we cannot pause to trace. At this time the village business interests are represented by a general supply store, kept by C. Delaet; a grocery store, a shoe shop, a hotel, and a saloon and restaurant in the village proper, by which we mean the exclusion of North Houston, elsewhere treated. The town contains about twenty dwellings, and a population of about one hundred.

MT. JEFFERSON.

Mt. Jefferson was surveyed January 12, 1838, by Jonathan Counts for Samuel Farnum, proprietor. The lots are each four by ten rods, except fractional ones, which are either more or less. The streets are each sixty feet, the lanes thirty feet, and the alleys each one rod wide. Main Street was laid on the State road leading from Piqua to St. Marys, and bears north 30° west. Cross street is run at right angles to Main Street, and bears north 60° east. The description was acknowledged before John M. Ross, J. P., and recorded January 29, 1838.

In this village are located one store, by Kilian Hergenrather, a black- smith shop by Baumgartner & Furman, a wagon shop by Hamilton Cat- terlau; three churches, Presbyterian, Christian, and Methodist Episco- pal; and two physicians, Drs. C. P. Ross and Isaac Hallopeter. The first store was kept by Charles Rutherford, although some small trading-places had been conducted prior to his time. Jacob Helm came next and con- ducted the business about three years. Others have come and gone. Years ago the village boasted a shoe shop by John Weeks, and a tailor shop by A. D. Young. The population is now about eighty or ninety, while the dwellings number about twenty.

NORTH HOUSTON.

The town was laid out for Asa D. Young, November 1, 1855. It was a part of the northwest quarter of section 9, town. 9, range 5, and con- sisted of six lots lying in the corner of the B. and I. R. R., and the J'iqua and St. Mary's State road.

'The plat was acknowledged December 19, and recorded December 22, 1855.

The village, situated as it now is, on the C. C. C. and I. Railroad, and known as Houston Station, contains one general supply store by Akin & Flinn, a warehouse or grain depot by the same firm, a tile factory near the village, operated by William Flinn & Co., and a grocery by the same firm. William Akin is postmaster, Charles Flinn assistant postmaster, telegraph operator, and railroad agent. The town has a population of about forty five.

The North Houston tile factory was built in 1877 by William Flinn and Jacob Harrup, the buildings consisting of a drying shed 100x20 feet, a grinding shed 40x40 feet, a mud shed, a kiln shed 54x25 feet, and which contained capacity for 550 rods. The business was conducted by Flinn & Harrup about one year, when Mr. Flinn purchased the whole interest, and conducted the business about four years In 1882 (present year) he took Alfred Smith and Hudson Flinn into partnership, and the business is now managed by William Flinn & Co. Their manufactures embrace all sizes and styles of tile of the best quality.

Akin & Flinn (William Akin and Charles Flinu), dealers in grain, flour, salt, groceries, dry-goods, notions, boots and shoes, and hardware. This firm succeeded J. F. Black April 1, 1>81, and the following summer erected a warehouse 60x36 feet on the railroad. During the period be- tween August, 1881, and June, 1882, they handled about 15,000 bushels of wheat and 1500 bushels of corn. They secured a telegraph office here, and made North Houston something of a railroad station. The 1st of April, 1881, Mr. Akin was commissioned postmaster, and at the same time Mr. Flinn was appointed railroad agent.

RUSSIA.

This village is located near the centre of section 18, town. 10, range 4 east, on the C. C. C. & I. R. R. The first house was erected by Lewis Phillip in 1853. The site of the town was originally owned by a man named Febaux, and who sold to Phillips, and he in turn began the sale of lots. This was prior to the survey of the plat into a town site. The name was given because of the resemblance of the lands of the section to the section of the Russian empire, with which some of the settlers

were acquainted. The second house, like the first, of logs, was built by Clement Lachat in 1854, and the next by Ferial DeBrosse about 1856 or '57. At this time the village consists of about eighteen dwellings, and a population of about one hundred. The first grocery was established by Lewis Phillip in 1853; first drygoods store by Jasper Cordonnier in 1861 or '62. Among others who have at different times conducted the grocery or drygoods trade we may mention George Marshall, Joseph Delaet, A. F. Ashman, Joseph Miller, Francis Didier (from 1870 to '78), C. Beson- net, and Frank Subler. At this time there are two stores, by Frank Subler and Joseph Miller; one grain warehouse, by Frank Didier; a boot and shoe store, by C. Besonnet; two blacksmith shops, by Clement Lachat and Harrison Voisard; one steam saw-mill, by Marshall & Sim- mon; one church-Roman Catholic; a post-office, Lewis Piney first postmaster, and present postmaster Francis Didier. Among others who held the office may be mentioned Isaac Fulton, Joseph Delact, Solomon Spangler, Joseph Cordonnier, and Augustine Voisnet.

The Russia steam saw-mill was erected in 1867, by John A. Marchal, Michael Meham, and John B. Marchal, and was operated by this firmn until 1868, when Meham sold his interest to Frank Simon. The firm style then became Marchal and Simon, under which style the business is still conducted. The main building is forty by thirty feet, two stories high with a shed fifty by twenty feet. The power is a twenty-four-horse engine, which gives a sawing capacity of about eight hundred feet per hour.

MASSENA.

This plat of twelve lots was laid out March 15, 1833, for David and Cynthian Houston. It never became a town, and even the site long since became only a portion of a farm.

BIOGRAPHIES.

THOMAS MORROW.

William Morrow, the father of the above, was born in Pennsylvania in 1777. He married Brittana Clark in 1802, with whom he raised a family of eight children. In 1814 they came to-Ohio, and located tem- porarily in Upper Piqua. In 1815 he entered land, and located within the present limits of Loramie Township, where he and his wife died in 1857.

The name Morrow originally was written Murray, and there are some who still write it in that manner. The Morrows of Shelby County are of the same family of Gov. Jeremiah Morrow.

Thomas Morrow was born in Pennsylvania in 1804, came with his father, William Morrow, to Loramie in 1815. He lived with his parents until he was about nineteen years of age, when he went to learn the car- penter trade. In 1831 he married Mary A. Patterson, of Dayton, Ohio. By this union they had eight children, four of whom lived to grow up, viz., Theodore A., Thomas E., William M., and Emma L. Mrs. Morrow died in 1849. In 1851 Mr. M. married Leah Ashton. By this mar- riage they had six children, three of whom are living, viz., Maggie, Bell, and Harry.

Mr. Morrow from the time he went to learn the trade in 1824 did not reside in the county until 1859, when he returned and located on the old homestead of his father. It is now sixty-eight years since he first came to the place where he now lives.

WILLIAM SKILLEN.

On the 12th of May, 1769, or a few years before the Revolution, a child was born to parents who were then in mid-ocean seeking the American shore. The parents were Irish, and the child of the ocean was Samuel Skillen. That child grew up, married, and reared a family in Pennsylvania. One son. William, whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania June 28, 1793. He was thus a child of that dark and stormy period of the northwest which became his liome. It was the period of Harmar, St Clair, and Wayne, the period which, after sacrificing one army, recruited another, subdued the sav- ages, and for a time gave repose to the northwest. William Skillen mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Gray, of Westmoreland County, Pa., and in 1816, with his wife and two small children, moved to Ohio, and settled in the vicinity of Cincinnati. Late in 1817 be moved his family to Shelby County, and located in Loramie Township. For a short time the family lived with Mr. Skillen's aunt, Mrs. Rachel Flinn, but this was only until a cabin could be erected. He entered the west half of the northwest quarter of section 8, where he made improvements, and moved his family in November, 1817. The remainder of his life was passed in this town- ship, his time being devoted to farming-his life pursuit. As one of the very early settlers, he contributed largely to the development of the new country, and the advancement of. the new community. He reared a family of six children, named Samuel, Thomas, David, James, Sarah J., and William W. Three of these, Thomas, Sarah, and William, are still living. Mrs. Skillen died September 3, 1828, while Mr. Skillen survived her some fourteen years, his death occurring in November, 1842.

Digitized by Google

313

HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

THOMAS SKILLEN.

This son of William Skillen is one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Loramie Township. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., October 23, 1815, and was one of the two children which composed the family of William Skillen when he moved to Ohio in 1816. His childhood was thus passed in Loramie Township, to which his parents moved in 1817, or when he was about two years of age. In 1839 he went to Arkansas, where he spent one year, and returned to this town- ship. He married Miss Susanna Julian . August 12, 1840. She was & daughter of Stephen and Margery Julian, of this township. Soon after his marriage he returned to Arkansas, where he lived until 1843, when he moved his family back, and settled on a farm in this township. He was then actively engaged in farming until 1851, when he partially re- tired. He then purchased a few acres of land on the canal bank, in the east half of the southeast quarter of section 4, on which he erected a dwelling, to which he moved his family in 1852. During the same season he erected a store-room, and engaged in merchandising for some years later. In 1854 he erected a grain warehouse on the canal bank, and engaged in the grain trade until 1876. Since that date he has given little attention to his store, so that it may be said he is practically lead- ing a retired life. The farm is now conducted by his son Theodore. Mrs. Skillen became the mother of two children, both of whom are now dead, while her own death occurred April 3, 1848. Mr. Skillen was married some time later to Miss Amanda, daughter of Jacob R. and Rachel Griffis, who was born in this township in 1828. One child, Theodore, was the result of this union. The mother died September 7, 1853. In August, 1854, Mr. Skillen married again. This marriage being to Margaret Blackwood, who was born in Pennsylvania February 27, 1816. She is still living, and enjoying the retirement from active life which Mr. Skillen sought some years ago.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 95

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

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