History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 150

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 150

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PHILIP FARBER, farmer and stock- dealer; P. O. Pierce; son of James and Caro- line (Weaver) Farber, was born in Pike Tp. Jan. 3, 1841, where he was raised and edu- cated, receiving instruction in the schools of the neighborhood; he remained on his father's farm until Dec. 19, 1872, when he was mar- ried to Miss Mary L. Sonders, who was born in Germany and removed to America with her parents when she was four years of age; her father was killed in 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Philip Farber removed to his present farm of 172 acres, which he purchased from his father; they have three children, Jay, May, and Etta. Mr. Farber's principal busi- ness is stock raising, and he is more directly interested in sheep and cattle, having a spe- cial grade of fine sheep. During the Rebel- lion Mr. Farber was a member of the Ohio National Guards, and as such was called in active service for four months, serving from May to September, 1864, in the 162d Regi- ment under Col. Ephraim Ball.

JACOB FLORA, deceased; one of the early settlers of Pike Tp., was born in Witten- berg, Germany, and emigrated to America when quite young, with his father, George Flora, who assisted in hauling stone for the first jail in Baltimore. Jacob removed to Pike Tp. in 1816, purchasing 160 acres of land now owned in part by J. J. Burnheimer. He was a member of the old Lutheran Church, and the father of six children-David, died in Huntington Co., Ind .; Catharine, now Mrs. John Burnheimer, of Magnolia; Daniel, died in Huntington Co .; Barbara, married llarmon Smith, and removed to Indiana; George, died while a resident of Pike Tp .; Mary, now Mrs. Cornelius Henline, of Huntington Co. Jacob removed to Huntington Co. in 1844, where he died shortly afterward. His son George lived on the farm now owned by Adam Muckley, until he died in 1871. He married Hannah Bowman, daughter of Jacob Bowman, of Pike 'Tp., and had five children-Frank, now of Dansville, N. Y .; Jacob, of Pike Tp .; Harriet, now Mrs. John Farber, of Carroll Co .; Harri- son, now of Dickinson Co., Kan .; Emma, now of Dickinson Co., Kan. The three boys were in the Union Army, during the war; Frank served three years; Harrison was Second Lieutenant in the 102th Ohio. Jacob was born Dec. 3, 1836, was raised and educa- ted in Pike Tp., and attended Oberlin College for several years, from which institution he graduated in 1859. He has taught school for twenty-three winters. He was elected Asses- sor several times by the citizens of Pike. He enlisted in 1861, and was mustered in June 5, serving for eighteen months in the 4th Ohio; he then returned home and assisted his father on the farm, and took an active part in " regulating " the affairs in this section, during those turbulent times. He was Cap- tain of a company of National Guards, com- posed entirely of citizens of Pike Tp., which was in active service four months during 1864. Jacob was married June 13, 1865, to Lucinda McFarland, daughter of John McFarland, an early settler of Pike Tp .; they have three children-Sarah H., Emma N. and William F. WASHINGTON GUEST, farmer; P. O. North Industry; is a leading influential citi- zen of Stark Co., and one of the three com- missioners. He was born at the farm upon which he now resides, Nov. 12, 1819; the son

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of Rev. Pitney and Catharine (Miller) Guest, who were natives of New Jersey. Pitney was born Sept. 19, 1283, and Catharine, May 26, 1782; they were married March 9, 1805, and emigrated to Pike Tp. in 1812; first set- tling upon Sec. 16, making improvements there for which $100 was afterwards paid. Mr. Guest then purchased 80 acres from the Government. Ile was a minister of the Bap- tist Church for many years; was the first Jus- tice elected for Pike Tp., which position he held about 21 years, and was also Trustee many terms. He was drafted at the last call during the war of 1812, but before entering active service, peace was declared. Rev. Pit- ney Guest was for many years a leading and influential citizen, and reference is made to him in the General History of Pike Tp. Ile died August 9, 1856; his wife survived him nearly two decades, and died Jan. 29, 1874. at the advanced age of 92. Her father, Ben- jamin Miller, was a soldier during the Revolu- tionary War. Mr. and Mrs. Pitney Guest were the parents of seven children-Mary Ann, now Mrs. Phillip Bordner, of Crawford Co., O; Jesse, died many years since in Carroll Co .; Lydia, married Jacob Bordner and died in Wood County; Jephtha, died aged 19; Ies- ter, now Mrs. Daniel MeKinney, of Pike; Washington, subject of this sketch; Harriet, now Mrs. Joseph Stults, of Huntington Co., Indiana. Washington was educated in the schools of Pike Tp., and afterward attended a select school in Canton, condneted by Ar- chie MeGregor, Esq,, now editor of the Sturk County Democrat; and afterward taught school for about eighteen winters. At the age of 22 he was elected Assessor and served in this position for ten years; was also Treasurer many terms, and Trustec of Pike Tp., at va- rious times. In October, 1870, he was chosen Justice of the Peace, re-elected in 1873, and again in 1826, serving nine years. In 1879, he was nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for Commissioner, and suc- ceeded by his personal popularity in securing a small majority at an election which resulted in a victory for some candidates of the oppo- site party, nominated for county officers. Mr. Guest owns at the present time, 160 acres of land, 80 of which he has purchased since his father's death. He was married October 26, 1854, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Bernard and

Bridget Collins. His wife was born December 28, 1831, and died Feb. 14, 1878, leaving eight children-Osborne Pitney, of Pike ; Martha Ellen, now Mrs. Jeremiah Apley, of Pike; Olive Olivia, now Mrs. W. H. Becher, of Pike; Cora Alice, Katie Ann, William Elmer, George Washington and Ida May.

DR. DANIEL L. GANS, physician, farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Pierce; was born July 31, 1819, of German parentage in Springhill Tp., Fayette Co., Penn .; he was the son of William and Magdalena (Custer) Gans, the doctor being a cousin of the brave and la- mented Gen. Custer, who perished during the Indian war of 1876, while fighting against overwhelming odds. Dr. Gans was reared on a good farm under the training of kind, indus- trious, well-to-do Christian parents and en- joyed some of the sweets of handling a plow in stony ground, of cutting grass with an old- fashioned seythe and grain with the time-hon- ored sickle. About the age of 18 years he conceived that the medical profession was the field for him, and so stated to his father, who presented his strongest arguments to induce the son to remain 'on the farm, but they had not sufficient weight and did not avail. The subject of this sketch was passionately fond of reading and employed most of his leisure hours in that way. His preliminary educa- tion consisted of what he could obtain at a country school and some advantages of a select course in Virginia. In the fall of 1838 he left home and went to Moundsville, Vir- ginia reading medicine there with his elder brother for two years. He completed his medical course at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati during the years 1840 and 1841, and commenced the practice of his pro- fession in Smithfield, Penn., three miles from his former home, continuing there about eight- een months during an epidemic of typhoid fever. The country being rough and mount- ainous, the doctor determined to leave for a more pleasant one to travel over. In Ceto- ber, 1842, he located in Magnolia, single and a stranger; in two or three years he grew into an extensive practice, remaining there eight years. [Ie soon learned it was not good for a doetor " to be alone" and was married April 22, 1845, to Miss Margaret, daughter of James and Mary (Gordon) Hanna; her par- ents were born in Ireland and emigrated to

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America when about 24 years of age. In the fall of 1850 Dr. Gans removed with his family to his farm near Sparta where he now resides, continuing to practice his profession, having served nearly forty years in that capacity. His practice has been a general one, although he has performed some of the major opera- tions, as amputation of the thigh and arm, re- duction of fractures, etc. During the period he has been located in Stark Co. five students have received instruction under him, and are now filling positions of usefulness. Dr. Gans at the present time owns and farms 385 acres of land; he was one of the first to intro- duce Spanish Merino sheep into this section, and keeps his farm stocked with sheep of this and other grades to its full capacity, only cul- tivating enough grain to keep the whole farm in grass. April 29, 1875, fire destroyed his house with most of its contents, and his pres- ent residence has been erected since that date. Dr. Gans is the father of five children, two sons and three daughters. The eldest daughter died when young; the eldest son W. C. Gans, who is a graduate of Bethany Col- lege, is now engaged in the drug business at Youngstown, Ohio; Ollie, the second daugh- ter, is the wife of Il. C. Muckley, principal of the Central School of Youngstown; Miss Lizzie and Emmet Gans are students at Hiram College. The docter has always voted the Republican ticket, but never sought for office or held one in the gift of the people, as he is contented with living at home on his farm.

WASHINGTON HINES, farmer; P. O. North Industry; was born in York, Pa., July 4, 1811. son of Jesse and Elizabeth (Fry) Hines, who removed with their children to Stark Co. in 1823, settling in Paris Tp. for some three years, but in 1826 purchased from Henry Bordner, of Pike Tp., the farm now owned and occupied by their son Washing- ton. Jesse was a blacksmith in Pennsyl- vania, which occupation he followed for some thirty years, but after he removed to Ohio, was a farmer; he brought his tools along, however, erected a forge upon his farm, and his son Absalom, who had learned the trade in Penn- sylvania, conducted the business for some years. Washington Hines reports " that when their family removed to Pike Tp. there was neither a school-house nor meeting-house in the township, but still-houses were numerous,

whisky being found in every household; and that his father was the first man in Stark Co. who refused to supply whisky for his hands during harvest." Jesse was a Presbyterian in Pennsylvania, but after removing to Pike Tp. connected himself with the United Breth- ren church; he died January 6, 1856, aged 77; his wife died nearly twenty five years pre- vious. They were the parents of seven chil- dren-Absolom removed to Indiana and died there; Elizabeth, married Solomon Brown, and died in Perry Tp .; Jesse, died at Reedsburg, Wayne Co., while pastor of the German Re- formed Church; Anthony, now a resident of Plain Tp .; Washington, the subject of this sketch; Rebecca, now Mrs. Levi Briggs, of Whitley Co. Indiana; Sarah, died aged 15. Washington remained on the farm with his father, who at his death willed his son the land, stipulating that he should settle with the other heirs. Washington was married Oet. 22, 1837, to Miss Jane Hockensmith, daughter of Peter and Christina (Smith) Hockensmith; they are the parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls, as follows --- Hiram HIarvey, in Lucas Co .; George W., and Salathiel, in Pike Tp .; Henry, in Upper San- dusky, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. Robert HIall, they are missionary teachers in New Mexico; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Christ Wiles, of Phila- delphia, Pa .; Maria, now wife of Rev. Mr. Hunter, a M. E. minister in Kansas; Jesse, in Pike Tp .; Amanda, now Mrs. James Evans of Pike Tp .; Harriet and John, at home with their parents. Three of Mr. Hines' sons were in the army during the Rebellion, viz: Hi- ram in the 10 th Regiment O. V. 1., and George and Salathiel in 162d Regiment O. N. G. Washington was in early life an old line Whig, but since the Republican party was organized he has voted that ticket.

GEORGE HOWENSTINE, farmer; P. O. Pierce; for many years an influential citizen of Pike Tp. and Stark Co .; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Aug. 4, 1802; his grand- father, also named George, came from Ger- many about one hundred years ago, and raised a large family of children as follows-John, George, Jacob, William, Rebecca, Susannah, Elizabeth, Samuel, Peter and Henry. Jacob, father of the subject of this sketch, was born April 1, 1:84; he married Catharine Crause, who was born June 13, 1786; they had six

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children, who are now living-George, Jacob, Margaret (now Mrs. John Epley), Samuel C., Jeremiah and Mary Ann (now Mrs. Michael Lichtenwalter). All of these except Jeremiah are residents of Pike Tp. Jacob Howenstine removed with his family to Stark Co. in 1822, remaining one year in Bethlehem Tp .; finding that locality to be sickly, he came to Pike Tp. and settled upon about 400 acres of land, which he purchased from his father-in-law, George Crause, and other parties; he also owned at one time 160 acres near the present site of the cemetery, near Canton. Jacob died March 11, 1835; his widow survived him many years and died April 28, 1868. Their son George remained at home assisting his parents until April 3, 1827, when he was married to Christina, daughter of George and Margaret Sicafoose; he then settled on his present farm upon which he has resided over fifty years. At the present time he owns 120 acres, but during his life has had other real estate, some of which he has transferred to his sons; Hle is at present one of the Trustees of Pike Tp., and has occupied this position several terms; was also Clerk one term, many years since; was Justice of the Peace for eighteen years, and chosen Commissioner of Stark Co. on two occasions, serving in this position six years; he was. on the Board when the old Court House was built and also when the old " brick annex" was finished. Among those who were Commissioners during these six years were: William Dillon, of Marlborough; John Bretz. of Tuscarawas, Jacob Gallaton, of Sugar Creek, and Jacob Schlott, of Plain. Squire Howenstine voted the Democratic ticket until the Missouri Compromise was re; caled, and after the formation of the Re- publican party he gave his vote and influence to the Republicans. He is a member of the M. E. Church at Sparta, and held many offices of honor and trust in the congregation; is now (ass-leader and has been Steward and Recording-Steward. He is the father of nine children, five sons and four daughters, as fol- lows-W Diam S., of Whitley Co., Ind .; John S., of Canton; Margaret Ann, now Mrs. Christian Henry, of Whitley Co .; Catharine, now Mrs. Jesse Hisem, of Whitley Co .; Samuel S., of Pike; Harriet, now Mrs. S. P. Wilson, of Nimishillen Tp .; George Lyman, of Canton; Sarah, died aged 33, on Jan. 30, 1871,

and Jacob Marion, now on the farm with his parents. Three of these sons were in the army during the rebellion; John S. and George Lyman served three years, and Samuel was out for four months. Jacob Marion married Alice Sandford Oct. 6, 1872, and they have one son, Homer.

JACOB HOLM, farmer; P. O. North In- dustry; born in Pike Tp., Oct. 9, 1822; son of John and Elizabeth (Shutt) Holm. John was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, May 1, 1791; he removed with his father, Michael IFolm, to Ohio about 1813. Michael settled on the farm now owned by Abraham Hover- land, and afterwards removed to the land now occupied by Charles Hant; he died there about 1835, at the advanced age of 80 years. He was a member of the Dunkard Church; was married twice, and had twenty children. His son John married Elizabeth, daughter of John Shutt, who was one of the early pioneers of Stark Co. Shutt settled on the farm now owned by George Holm, re- maining there over fifty years; he died about 1862, at the advanced age of 97 years; he was a member of the Reformed Church, and the father of four children, viz .: Polly, married a Mr. Savington, and died in Tuscarawas Co .; Elizabeth married John Holm; Jacob died in Perry Tp .; C'atharine married a Mr. Albright, and moved to Summit Co. John Holm and wife, after marriage, settled on the land now farmed by Daniel Seaman, where they died. Ile was the father of four child- ren, who reached maturity-Susan married a Mr. Soladay; George, of Canton; Jacob, of Pike; Jeremiah, who was killed at Gettysburg while fighting to preserve the American Union. Jacob Holm, subject of this sketch, was raised and educated in Pike Tp .; served a regular apprenticeship at the shoe-makers' trade, and afterward workel as a journeyman at Canton; he was married May 23, 1844, to Ann Rosenbury, daughter of William Rosen- bury, of Tuscarawas Co., and they had seven children, one died in infancy ; the other six are-Rachel Ann, now Mrs. Jacob Hoverland, of Sugar Creek; William N., lost during the Rebellion, at the battle of Chancel- lorsville; Asbury, of Sugar Creek; Sarah Jane, died, aged 17; Angeline, now Mrs. Frank Buxser; Margaret, now Mrs. George F. Smith, of Nimishillen. Mr Holm's first

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wife died Feb. 19, 1857, and he was married a second time to Martha Worley, who is the mother of seven children, viz .: Emma, Alice, Cora, Lewis E., Flora H., Perry and John Edwin. Jacob Hohn settled on his present farm in the year 1845, which was formerly the property of his grandfather, John Shutt; he now owns 171 acres in Pike Tp. His present residence was built in 1868. Mr. Holm is connected with the United Brethren Church, of which denomination he has been an active member for nearly forty years.

DAVID B. IIENLINE, farmer; P. O. Bolivar, Tuscarawas Co .; is the son of an carly settler of Pike Tp. His father, Samuel Henline was born in Somerset Co., about the year 1793, and moved with his father, Cor- nelius Henline, to Pike Tp., at an early day; he married Elizabeth Flickinger, who died September 18, 1824, after bearing him five children. Pinton, the eldest, died April 25, 1842, and his only son is now running a store at Navarre. The other four children died without issue; Samuel was married the sec- ond time to Mary Ann, daughter of Nicholas Leichley, a pioneer school-teacher of Stark Co. she was born in December 20, 1806, and of her six children, two died in infancy and four grew to maturity, viz .: Caroline, now Mrs. Kilbourne Mills, of White Co., Ind .; Samuel, died aged 24, in 1856; Susannah, now Mrs. John Justis, of Canton Tp., and David B., subject of this sketch. Samuel took the Zoarite Community across the Sandy river in a canoe when they first arrived in this section of the State; during his life he owned a saw- mill, still-house and chopping-mill; was a member of the old Lutheran Church, a cap- tain in the militia and owned over 400 acres of land. Ile died June 10, 1849; his son, David B. Henline, was born August 2, 1844; was educated in Pike Tp., of which he has always been a resident; was in active military service for four months during the war in the 162d Regiment, and is farming at the present time 287 acres, belonging to him- self and the Henline heirs; he has been a

dealer in stock during past years and at the present time is breeding a high grade of native improved short-horn cattle; is the largest dealer in thoroughbred Chester White hogs in the township, feeding annually a car-load for the Eastern market. His sheep are fine

wool entirely, his father having purchased Merino sheep about forty years ago, and since then the Henlines have always had animals of this grade. Mr. Henline has held the office of School Director in his district for about 16 years. He was married February 22, 1865, to Sarah, daughter of Henry Evans, of Pike Tp .; they have three children, one son and two daughters-Mary Loretta, Samuel H. and Il. C. Mr. and Mrs. Henline and their eldest daughter are members of the Disciples' Church at Sparta, of which denomination he has been an active member and Elder for many years.

VICTOR HALTER, farmer and stock- dealer; P. O. Pierce; was born in Alsace, France, Feb. 22, 1837, and when two years of age, his parents removed to America, and settled in Sandy Tp., Stark Co. Victor is the son of Lawrence and Susanna (Shear) Halter, who had fourteen children. His father is now a resident of Canton. Victor was raised and educated in Sandy Tp .; farmed his father's land 195 acres, for three years, and was then married, April 27, 1857, to Miss Catharine Rotherstine, shortly afterward settling on the 55 acres now owned by him, which he purchased from Mrs. Mary Ann Lavmiller. He has since bought another tract, containing 40 acres, from his brother-in-law, Andrew Rotherstine, and now owns 95 acres. He is more especially engaged in stock-raising than at farming, having many head of choice ani- mals, among which are several short-horns. Victor is the father of six children-Catharine, Henry, George, Valentine, Mary, and Eme- line. The family are connected with the Catholic Church of Canton. When interroga- ted in regard to his political views, Mr. Halter exclaimed-"Say I am a Democrat of the Hard Shell kind; put it down that way, for it is a fact."

DANIEL KEEIIN, farmer; P. O. Canton; was born in Bethlehem Tp., Stark Co., Jan. 5, 1829. Ilis grandfather, George Keehn, removed from Berks Co., Pa., nearly seventy years ago, and purchased 320 acres in Beth- lehem Tp., where he lived over twenty years. He was the father of eight children, who reached maturity, two sons and six daughters; the sons, John and Jonathan Keehn, were residents of Bethlehem Tp. many years. John, the father of Daniel, was drafted during the

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war of 1812. Ile married Elizabeth Traul; they had five sons and three daughters- Daniel, of Pike Tp .; John, of Bethlehem Tp .; Levi, of Kosciusko Co., Ind .; Jonathan and George, of Noble Co., Ind., the latter being County Treasurer; Mary, now Mrs. Zebulon C'over, of Kosciusko Co .: Sophia died aged 19; Catharine married John Wingert, and died in Lagrange Co., Ind. John Krohn died in 1852, and his wife in 1848. Their son Daniel, the subject of this sketch, continued with his parents until about 20 years of age, then served an apprenticeship at the carpen- ter's trade for over two years, then worked as a journeyman for several years, and in March, 1856, removed from Stark to Noble Co., Ind., where he followed his trade until about Jan- uary, 1863, when he was appointed Deputy U. S. Marshal, for the 13th Congressional District of Indiana, and served until the close of the Rebellion, during which period his duties consisted mostly in recruiting. When he first removed to Noble Co., that section of the State was infested by a gang of thieves, organized to plunder the inhabitants; a Vigi- lance Committee was form 1 by the citizens, and Mr. Keehn appointed Captain. Ile re- lates many interesting incidents in regard to the work of this committee, in crushing out the spirit of lawlessness in that neighborhood. Ile was married Sept. 21, 1831, to Miss Cath- arine Whitmer, daughter of Benjamin Whit- mer, of Bethlehem Tp. They were the par- ents of ten children-John Wesley, George Finley, Margaret, now Mrs. Frank Coburn; Andrew Jackson, Benjamin Franklin, and Emma, who died in infancy; William Seward and Millie, Ollie and Ellie, who also died in infancy. His wife died May 27, 1874. Some two years afterwards, on March 23, 1826, he returned to Ohio with his family, having been a resident of Indiana just two days less than twenty years. He was married March 26, 1876, to Mrs. Anna Shroffler, daughter of Jacob Kemerly, of Pike Tp. Mr. Keehn owns at the present time, about 90 acres of land in Stark Co. He has been a member of the Disciple's Church for many years. Politically he is a Democrat, and is one of the Township Trustees, to which office he was first elected in April, 1880, it being reported that he is the first Democrat elected to a township office in Pike, for many years.

JOSEPHI L. KEEL, farmer; P. O. Boliver, Tus. arawas Co .; youngest son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Chestnutwood) Keel; was born in Pike Tp., Sept. 1, 1849; his father, Joseph Keel, was born Dec. 13, 1806, in Pennsylva- nia, and when about 13 years of age, moved with his father, Joseph, to Stark Co. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed this oecu- pation many years. Was married Oct. 30, 1828, to Miss Elizabeth Chestnutwood, who was born June 2, 1803; he died Ang. 8, 1878; his wife is still living in Canton. They had t n children; four are living, six are dead, as follows: John, deceased; David, formerly of Pike but now dead; Levi died in boyhood; Aurora, now of Ft. Wayne, Ind .; Sarah mar- ried Levi Stands, but now deceased; Abra- ham, of Pike; Rerce J. died during Rebell- ion, of disease contracted while in the ser- vice; Elizabeth died in infancy; Harriet, now Mrs. Wellington Douds, of Canton; Joseph Librand, the youngest son and subject of this sketch, was raised and educated in Pike Tp. He afterward attended Mt. Union College for one term, and when 19 years of age com- menced to learn the blacksmith's trade, which occupation he followed about three years- some fifteen months at Sandyville, and two years at North Industry; then purchased his present farm of 94 acres, upon which he has erected the buildings now standing. Was married May 28, 1874, to Miss Ellen, daughter of Mathias and Catharine (Richard) Umholz, of Pike Tp. Mathias died Sept. 20, 1876, and his wife Ang. 15, 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Keel are members of the Methodist Church. They have had four children; one died in infancy, three are living -- Elizabeth, Charles and Allen.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 150

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060