History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 157

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

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1862 he enlisted in Co. E. 104th Regiment O. N. G. and served until the elose of the war, when he returned, and has remained on the farm ever since. In 1857, he was united in marriage to a lady in l'ike Tp., who died in 1860. In 1868, he married for his second wife, Malinda, daughter of Samuel Essig. of Canton; from that marriage there have been two children. Mr. Ruffner has always voted the Republican ticket.

HENRY REAM, farmer; P. O. Canton; this gentleman is the youngest in a family of twelve children, born to Phillip and Mary (Aultman) Ream, his birth occurring Sept. 28, 1823, in Canton, Stark Co., O .; his youth was spent on the farm, receiving a common school education in the schools of his neigh- borhood. In 1846, he began farming the old homestead, and there remained three years. In 1852, he purchased SHacres where he now resides. Mr. Ream has been an auctioneer for over thirty years. In 1846, he was united in marriage to Anna, daughter of Adam Ober- lin, and from that marriage there have been born nine children, six of whom are liv. ing-Josiah W., Ellen, Edwin, Eunice, Ma- nias I)., and Charles W. Mr. and Mrs. Ream, are members of the Reformed Church. The parents of our subject were natives of West- moreland Co., Pa., where Phillip was engaged in farming. In 1806, he came to Ohio, set- tling in Columbiana Co., where he remained one year; he then came to Canton Tp., set- tling on a farm where he lived until a short time before his death, which occurred in 1851, at the age of $3 years; his widow died in 1852, at the age of :0 years.

AMOS REEMSNYDER, farmer; P. O. Now Berlin; is a son of Daniel and Barbara (Hower) Reemsnyder, who were natives of Lancaster C'o., Pa. When Daniel was but 15 years of age his parents came to Ohio, set- thing in Plain Tp., where he worked on the farm until he became of age, when he began to work at the carpenter's trade. He worked for several years at his trade, when he began the undertaking business at New Berlin, be- ing engaged in the same up to the time of his death. Ilis third son Elias D., who now car- ries on the" business, was born in Plain Tp., in 185%, and at an early age began the car- penter's trade. He has worked at his trade in that section of the country with good sue-

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cess. Amos A., was born in Plain Tp., in 1851; he remained at home until he was of age, and worked at the carpenter's trade for three years, then purchased part of the old homestead where he new lives, owning 70 acres of valuable land. In 1873 he was mar- ried to Susan, daughter of John Mohler of Plain Tp.

W. B. REED, brick manufacturer and farmer; P. O. Canton; is the fourth in a fam- ily of nine children, born to William and Sarah Reed, who were natives of Berks Co., Pa., and who in 1835 eame to Stark Co., set- tling at Waynesburgh. Our subject was born in Berks Co., Pa., in 1825, and in 1835 came to Ohio with his parents, with whom he lived until he was 18 years old. He received his education in the common schools of his neigh- borhood, and at the age of 18 began working in a brick-yard, where he remained seven years. In 1850 he started in business for himself in Canton Tp., and in 1873 he leased the "Smith " yard, where he is still engaged, and makes a quality of brick which he dis- poses of easily. In 1849 he was united in marriage to Eliza, daughter of George Wil- liams, of Wayne Co., and from that union there have been born four children. Mr. Reed is a member of Lodge No. 39, I. O. O. F., and a Republican in politics.

FRANK SCHILTZ, stock-raiser and butch- er ; P. O. New Berlin ; is a son of J. N. and Apalonia (Hoffman) Schiltz, and was born in New Berlin Jan. 30, 1841. His father was a native of Belgium, where he worked at shoe- making for several years. About the age of 23 he came to Stark Co., and, after working at his trade a short time, he went to Pennsyl- vania, and not being satisfied with his loca- tion, he returned to New Berlin, where he was engaged in business up to the time of his death. He was the father of seven children, our subject being the oldest. His youth was spent at home, and after receiving a liberal education, went to work in his father's shop, and there worked until he was 12 years of age ; but not being satisfied with the trade, he went to work on a farm, and was there en- gaged for three years. At the organization of Co. A, 19th Regiment, O. V. I., he enlist- ed, serving in the same company through many engagements. At the battle of Stone River he was shot through the lungs, and was

offered his discharge, but declined, and was sent to the hospital, and a short time after- ward returned to his company. At the close of the war he returned to New Berlin, where he established a meat market, and has ever since been engaged in that business. In 1868 he began buying and shipping stock, which business he has continued up to the present time. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Mary A., daughter of Michael Bitzer, whose sketch appears in this work. From that mar- riage there have been five children, four of whom are now living. Mr. Schiltz has always voted with the Republican party.

HIRAM SCHICK, retired farmer; P. O. New Berlin; is the third of a family of nine children born to Peter and Susan (Palmer) Schick. Peter was born in Washington Co., Pa., and eame to Ohio with his parents in 1809. He learned the tailor's trade, and was the first tailor in Plain Tp., and by his indus- try and economy he accumulated means suffi- cient to enable him to put a small stock of goods in his tailor shop. He was the first merchant in the township, and after being engaged in the business for several years, lie removed to Smithville, Wayne Co., O., where he continued the same business. Thence went to Plain Tp., this county, where he died in 1876. He was twice married; first to Susan Palmer of Jackson Tp., whose parents were the first white family in the township. Our subject was born in New Berlin, Stark Co., O., Dec. 29, 1833, his childhood being spent on the farm, where he remained until he was 24 years of age. He then engaged in farming, and has continued in the same up to the present time, now owning 105 acres of valuable land. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of Daniel Winger, of Lancaster Co., Pa. From that marriage there have been three children, viz .: - John W., William P., and Wilton. Mr. and Mrs. Schick are members of the Disci- ples' Church. He has always voted the Re- publican ticket. Mr. Schick, the postmaster of New Berlin, and William Schick, now manager of D. F. Huntsberger's store, of Uniontown, O., are brothers of our subject.

JACOB SHENABARGER, retired; New Berlin. Among the early settlers of Plain Tp., is the Shenabarger family, who settled there in 1806. Jacob, the grandfather of our

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subject, was born in Lower Alsace, Germany, and came to Cumberland Co., Pa., previous to 1800, and there worked in mills and on a small farm until 1806, when he came to Plain Tp., settling in the woods two miles northeast of Canton, where he cleared a farm and lived on the same up to the time of his death. John Shenabarger, the father of our subject, was born in Cumberland Co., Pa., in 1:91; came to Ohio with his parents in 1806, and ass.sted his father in clearing the land they settled upon. He lived at home up to the time of his father's death, and then purchased the farm now owned by Jacob. He died in 1862, at the age of 71 years. Jacob was born in Plain Tp., Nov. 22, 1817; his education was obtained in the common schools, and he lived at home until his father died, when he took charge of the homestead, purchasing the interest of the remaining heirs. IFe contin- ued farming for several years, and in 1827 purchased the farmn known as the Harter farm, now owning 224 acres of well improved land, and a handsome property in New Ber- lin, where he lives. Nov. 8, 1877, he was united in marriage to Rebecca, widow of Ed- ward Breen. Mr. Shenabarger has through industry and economy, accumulated consider- able property. He has always voted with the Republican party.

11. J. SOMMER & BRO., millers, Canton. Joseph Sommer, the father of our subjects, was a native of Germany, and for some years previous to his coming to America worked in a grist-mill. In 1840 he came to America, coming direct to Stark Co., O. His first work was in a brewery in Perry Tp. There he worked for a few years, when he went to But- ler Co., O., and worked on a farm; then re- turned to Stark Co., and had been engaged in farming there for several years. In 1869 he purchased what is known as the Plain Centre Mill, and was engaged inthe milling business until 1881. Mr. Sommer has been a hard-work- ing, honest man, and accumulated a handsome property, but, owing to his generous disposi- tion, lost much of it. Hle married Miss Cath- arine Augspurger, of Butler Co., who bore him twelve children, H. J. being the second. Ile was born in Perry Tp., this county, in 1848, and lived at home until he was 21 years of age, when he began learning the miller's trade, which he completed in 1876. He was

then given the Superintendency of his uncle's brewery in Perry Tp., and continued in the business until 1880, when he purchased the Plain Centre Mill in company with his broth- er John J. In 1875 he was united in mar- riage to Mary C. Kropf, and from that mar- riage there have been two children. John J. is a native of Stark Co., his birth occurring in 1849. He learned the miller's trade, and has worked at the same from 1869 up to the present time, with the exception of one year, which he spent abroad. In 1828 he was mar- ried to Fannie Kropf, of Jackson Tp., who bore him two children.

WILLIAM SPANGLER, farmer; P. O. Canton; is the second in a family of ten chil- dren born to Joseph and Elizabeth (Koon) Spangler, who were natives of Adams Co., Pa., where Joseph was engaged in the milling business. In 1814 he came to Stark Co., set- tling in Plain Tp. He went to work in the old grist-mill that stood where the Plain Cen- tre mill now is; here he remained about three years, then went to Summit Co., and took charge of a mill for five years. In 1822 he returned to Plain Tp., and purchased 120 acres of land where Withiam now lives; he lived on the farm until he was removed by death. Our subject was born in Plain Tp., Stark Co., July 9, 1815. His childhood was spent on the farm where he remained until his father died, when he took charg . of the farm and lived with his widowed mother un- til he was 21. He then rented the farm, and was a renter for three years; he then bought 75 acres of it and has lived on the same ever since. In 1835 he married Elizabeth Lind, a native of Stark Co., who bore him ten chil- dren; those living are -- Joseph, John, Hiram, Charles, George, Murray, Elizabeth, Harriet, Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

SAMUEL C. SHEETS, farmer; P. O. New Berlin; is the son of John and Mary (Cass- ler) Sheets, who were natives of Lancaster Co., Pa., where John wasengaged in farming. In 1842 he came to Stark Co., settling in Plain Tp., on a farm of 107 acres, where he lived twenty-three years. He then removed to a small farm, where he lived until 1880, when he removed to New Berlin, where he still resides. He began life a poor boy, but by his industry has become one of the wealth-

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iest men in Plain Tp. Samuel C., the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in Lancaster Co., Pa., Feb. 10, 1834, and in 1843 came to Stark Co. He received his education in the schools of his neighborhood, and lived at home until he was 24 years of age; he was then given the farm he now lives on, consist- ing of 116 acres of valuable and well im- proved land. In 1860 he married Henrietta, daughter of Christian Brilhart, of Canton. From that marriage there were two children, one of whom is living, namely, John. Mrs. Sheets is a member of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Sheets is a Republican, and has always been identified with the Republican party.

WILLIAM SMITHI, farmer; P. O. Cairo; was born in York Co., Pa., in 1801, and is one of four children born to William and Christi- ana (Bucher) Smith. The father was a na- tive of Maryland, and the mother of York Co., Pa. In 1818 he (William, Sr.) came to Plain Tp., and settled on a rented farm, where he remained eight years. Having a good knowl- edge of surgery, he gave it his exclusive at- tention up to the time of his death. The subject of this sketch came to Ohio with his parents in 1818, and lived at home until he was 21 years old. He then learned the car- penter's trade, and worked at the same for twelve years after his apprenticeship was served; he then bought a farm of 160 acres, where he now resides, and has lived on the same ever since. In 1822 he married Mary Christ of Lake Tp. From that marriage there were seven children, five of whom are living. viz :- Susan, wife of P. Hate; Alfred, of Stark Co .; Elizabeth, wife of .Ino. C. Shaffer, of Plain Tp .; Mary, wife of Albert Cluff, of Can- ton, and Allen at home. Mrs. Smith died at the age of "0 years. She was an estimable lady, and much missed by her many friends. Mr. Smith is one of the oldest and most re- spected citizens of Plain Tp.

BENJAMIN F. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Canton; is a son of George E. Smith, who was a native of the Keystone State, and oame to Stark Co. with his parents while young. He was apprenticed to the tanner's trade, and after serving his apprenticeship carried on the business for thirty-five years in Lake Tp., where he accumulated considerable money, which he invested in land, and was at the time of his death one of the largest land-

holders in Stark Co. He died in 1829 at the age of 80 years. His widow (she who was Sarah Christ) is still alive. They were the parents of eight children, our subject being the fifth child, and was born in Lake Tp., Stark Co., O., Aug. 5, 1838. His youth was spent on the farm, where he lived until he was 22 years of age. He then bought the farm he now lives on, consisting of 90 acres of well improved land, and has worked dili- gently on the same until it now ranks among the best in improvements, it being rented for thirty-two years before he purchased it. In 1820 he married Harriet, daughter of John and Nancy Smith, of Canton Tp., who bore him three children, viz :- George E., Jessie May Bell, and Stella I. Mr. Smith is a Re- publican, and in 1862 and '63 fought for his country in Co. B, 115 Regiment, O. V. I.

ELI SMITII, farmer; P. O. Middle Branch; was born in Franklin Co., Pa., January, 1815, being the fifth in a family of eleven children born to Daniel and Mary Smith, who were natives of the above named county. Daniel was a farmer, and in 1825 he came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Stark Co .; he cleared the farm and lived on the same until 1856, when he departed this life at the age of 82 years; his wife died in 1851. At an advanced age, Eli, the subject of this sketch, came to Plain Tp., when but 10 years old; he lived on the farm until he was 19, when he apprenticed him- self to the tanner's trade, which trade he has worked at from 1833 up to the present time. In 1855 he purchased 160 acres of the old homestead, and has remained on the same up to the present time. Ile now owns 260 acres of valuable land in Stark Co. In 1840 he united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of George Kreighbaum, of Stark Co. From that marriage there have been eleven children, eight of whom are living-Abram, George, Daniel, Lewis, Frank, Harvey, Catharine and Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Lutheran Church. Ile is a Democrat, and has held many offices of trust in the town- ship.

HENRY SNIDER, farmer ; P. O. Canton. Among the early settlers of Plain Tp. were the parents of our subject, namely, John and Elizabeth (Holtz) Snider, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Plain Tp. in 1810. They settled on the farm Henry now occupies,

PLAIN TOWNSHIP.

it being then a dense forest ; but with a wil- ling hand and hopes of future happiness, he set to work and converted it into a fine farm. Ile assisted in the building of the first church in Plain Tp., and died in 1842. Our subject was born on the farm he now lives on, Oet. 11, 1820 ; he received a common school edu- cation in the schoo's in his neighborhood ; he remained at home on the farm until he reach- ed manhood ; he bought S8 acres, and has lived on the same ever since. In 1848 he was united in marriage to Maria, daughter of John Kunfare, of Marlborough Tp. From that marriage there were seven children, five of whom are living, viz .- Adam, of Canton; Sa- rah, wife of lliram Sell, of Plain Tp .; Henry A., George W. and Jacob, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Snider are members of the German Re- formed Church. Mr. Snider has always voted with the Democratic party.

E. C. SHEETS, farmer ; P. O. New Berlin; is a son of John Sheets, mention of whom is made in this work, and was born in Stark Co., O., Dec. 6, 1843. His childhood was spent on the farm, where he remained until he was 25 years of age. In 1868 he settled on the old homestead, consisting of 106 acres of val- uable land, and one of the best improved farms in the county. In 1869 he married Lydia, daughter of Samuel Reese, whose sketch appears in this work. From that mar- riage there have been two children. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. E, 162d Regiment. O. V. I., being in the service but a short time. He now owns 256 acres of land in Stark Co.

J. C. TRUMP, farmer; P. O. C'anton; is the oldest in a family of nine children born to P. P. Trump, whose sketch and portrait appear in this work. Our subject was born in Pla'n Tp., Stark Co., O., in December 1824. His childhood was spent, like that of other farm- ers' sons, on the farm. He received his educa- tion in the common schools of his neighbor- hood, and taught school for several terms, and at the age of 24 he began farming the homestead, where he remained until 1864, where he removed to Canton, where he re- mained two years, and while there was en- gaged in the grocery and provision business. Not being suited with the business, he pur- chased in 1867, 114 acres of valuable fand, where he now lives. In 1848 he was united in marriage to Elizabeth, daughter of Sam-

uel Weaver, of Plain Tp. From that mar- riage there has been one child.

W.M. Il. VINE, farmer; P. O. New Berlin ; is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Thomas) Vine. Jacob was a native of Lancaster Co., Pa., and came to Ohio with his parents in an early day. He learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at the same for twenty-three years in Nimishillen Tp., then purchased 85 aeres of land. and was engaged in farming until 18;3, when he removed to Louisville, Stark Co., where he still resides. There were three children in the family, our subject being the oldest child. He was born in Nimishil- len Tp., Nov. 2, 1848, and obtain ad his educa- tion in the common schools, and at Mt. Union College. After leaving College he began teaching school, and has been engaged in school teaching up to the present time, in win- ter seasons. He attended a musical college for one year, and has since then taught many terms of singing school. In 1881 he pur- chased 83 acres of land in the northwest cor- ner of Plain Tp., where he now resides. In 1843 he married Sarah A. Stuckey, who died one year later, leaving one child. In 1825 he married for his second wife, Lydia Stoner, of Lake Tp., who bore him two children, Annie and John.

ELIAS T. WISE, farmer : P. O. New Ber- lin ; is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Tom- baugh) Wise, who were natives of Washing- ton Co., Pa. Peter Wise, the grandfather of our subject, came to Plain Tp. in 180;, and entered about 1200 acres of land ; he then returned home, and the following year return- ed to Plain Tp. with his family. In 1811 Daniel built the first grist-mill erected in Plain Tp., it being situated on the middle branch of Nimishillen creek. Ho exchanged his mill for 320 acres of land, where he lived up to the time of his death. He died in 1818. at the age of 34 years, and his widow mar- ried, in 1824, Judge John Hoover, of Canton, who was one of the most energetic and cul- tured men Stark Co, had. Mr. Wise, our sub- jeet, was born in Plain Tp., at the Middle Branch Mill, Sept. 24. 1813; his youth was spent on the farm of his father, and he ob- tained such an education as the common schools of that day afforded. After leaving school he learned the carpenter's trade, work- ing at the same for sixteen years, part of the

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time being in Pennsylvania. In 1847 he be- gan farming the old homestead of the Speel- man family, and after remaining there seven years (in 1854) he bought the farm he now occupies, owning now 350 acres of valuable land, and is considered one of the most suc- cessful farmers of Stark Co. In 1843 he was united in marriage to Margaret, daughter of Valentine Speelman, of Plain Tp. From that marriage there were four children, three of whom are living, viz .- Margaret, wife of Urias Schrantz, of Plain Tp .; J. W., at home ; and Henry A. Mrs. Wise died in 1850. For his second wife he married Catharine. daughter of Jacob Price, of Montgomery Co., Pa. From that marriage there were seven child- ren, three of whom are living-Elias P., at- tending college at Ashland ; Milton P. and Annie C., at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wise are members of the German Baptist Church.

WILLIAM WARSHELER, farmer; P. O. Middle Branch; is the only son in a family of four children, born to Samuel and Elizabeth (Essig) Warsheler, whose families settled in Plain Tp., among the first. Samuel came to Plain Tp. in 1807, with his parents, he being then only 2 years old. His youth was spent at home, and when large enough to use an ax he was put to work to lessen the trees which surrounded his father's cabin, and in that continued for several years. At the age of 24 years he married Elizabeth Essig, whose father's family settled in Plain Tp. in 1811, and with whom he lived until 1848, when he departed this life at the age of 73 years. William Warsheler, the subject of this sketch, was born in Plain Tp., Stark Co., O., Oct. 15, 1835. His youth was spent, like that of all country boys, on the farm, and there remained until he was 21. Ile then began farming the homestead, where he continued until 1880, when he purchased the same he now owns- 71 acres of valuable land, underlaid with coal and limestone -- which in 1881 he began to operate. In 1858 he was united in marriage to Eliza Dine, a native of Franklin Co., Pa., who bore him nine children, four of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Warsheler are members of the Lutheran Church.

SOLOMON WARSTLER, farmer; P. O. Cairo; is a son of George and Mary (Freeze) Warstler, who were natives of Hagerstown, Md., and came to Ohio about 1802, settling

in Plain Tp. They were among the very first families in the township. The father learned the blacksmith's trade and worked at the same for several years. He then settled on a farm and at the time of his death owned about 800 acres of land in Plain Tp. He do- nated the land upon which the Warstler Church is built and was one of the organi- zers of the same. Our subject was born in Plain Tp., July 27, 1808, and spent his youth- ful days on the farm where he remained un- til he was 13 years of age ; he then began teaming for his father, . hauling goods from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cleveland O. At the age of 21 he purchased the farm he now lives on, and has remained on the same ever since, with the exceptions of fifteen years he lived on the homestead, and six years in New Ber- lin. He now owns 180 acres of valuable land in the northern part of the township. In 1829 he married Hannah Platner, who bore him two children, one of whom is living- Sarah, wife of William Bachtel. Mr. and Mrs. Warstler are members of the Presbyte- rian Church.

A. M. WISE, farmer; P. O. Middle Branch; was born in Washington Co., Pa., in 1833. His early life was spent at home on the farm, and he obtained his education in the common schools and the academy of his native town. At the age of 23 years he came to Ohio, set- tling in Delaware Co., where he remained but one year, when he removed to Stark Co., settling on a farm in Plain Tp., where he has since resided. His farm contains 144 acres of valuable land, upon which he has been en- gaged in sheep-raising extensively, since com- ing to the county. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Phobe C., daughter of Adam Wise, of Canton. This lady died in 1872, leaving five children. In February, 1873, he married for his second wife, Lydia Archer, of Canton, who bore him three children. Mr. Wise is a member of the M. E. Church of Canton. His father, Solomon Wise, was a native of Washington Co., Pa., where he was engaged in farming and the distilling busi- ness. In 1858 he sold his interests in his na- tive county, and removed to Marshall Co., Ill., and engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed for several years. He then purchased a farm where he lived up to the time of his death.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 157

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