History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 175

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 175

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MATHIAS SISTERHEN, Navarre; was born in the town of Muenstermayfeld, Prov- inee of Rhine, Prussia. Oct. 4, 1843; he is a son of Francis and Magdalena (Wennen) Sis- terhen, who were natives of Prussia, and par- ents of five children, three of whom died be- fore the family came to the United States. Mr. Sisterhen was a shoe-maker by trade, a business he pursued both in this and the old country. In 1854, he left his native country. with his family, and came to the United States, locating in Navarre, Ohio, where MIr. Sisterhen worked at his trade until his death, which occurred March 8, 1877; his wife died Feb. 22, 1873. They were hard-working, sober and intelligent people, and were regard ed with esteem by all who knew them. Mathias Sisterhen received a good common- school education, and when 17 years old be-

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BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP.

gan working at shoe-making, a business he has followed, to a greater or less extent, ever since. In connection with his trade, Mr. Sis- terhen has represented varions insurance com panies. At the present, he is specially iden tified with the Home Insurance Company of Columbus, and the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company of Massachusetts. He also represents other first-class life and tire companies. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of St. Clement's Church of Navarre, and is President of the Aid Society of the same church of which he is a member: he was elected Councilman of the village of Navarre, upon its incorporation, which he held until 1576, when he was elected Mayor. anel has retained that office to the present; he has also held the office of Justice of the Peace, and in all his public offices he has discharged the duties devolving upon him to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was united in marriage with Miss Catharine Zei- met, June 26, 1866, and their union has been blessed with five children - John F., Charles E. and Florence T. living, and Frederick W. and George A. deceased. Mrs. Sisterhen was born in Belgium, Province of Luxemburg. Jan. 10, 1813.

LEVI S. SMITHI, Navarre. Among the honored pioneers of Stark Co., Ohio, who as- sisted in felling the forests and preparing for the generation to follow, the inestimable blessings they now enjoy, none is more worthy of especial mention than Daniel and Catba- rine (Miller) Smith, parents of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Smith was a native of Franklin Co., Penn., his birth occurring Nov. 5. 1500. By trade, he was a butcher and car- pet-weaver, but his chief employment through life was farming. In abont 1527, he emi- grated to Tuscarawas Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, and the year following his arrival, married her who afterward became his partner in the joys and sorrows, privations and self-sacrifice that followed for many years. To their mar riage there were born Harriet, Jacob, Lovi, Lydia. John, Mary Ann and Peter. Mrs. Miller was born Aug. 13. 1810, and is yet liv- ing in Stark Co., Ohio. Mr. Miller was a poor boy when he came to the county: he was a good scholar in both the English and Ger-

man languages, and a man well calculated to become one of the leaders in an enterprise of any kind. He was a Democrat in politics, a member of the German Reformed Church, and a sober, honest and upright citizen; his life was a pure and upright one, and but l'ew men at the time of their deaths left as many friends and as few enemies. His death or curred April 11, 1575. Levi S. Smith was born in Tuscarawas Township, Aug. 25, 1510; be has resided on the farm from youth to manhood, going to schools in winters and as- sisting at home in the summers. At the age of 11. he began applying his mind to his stud- ies. more especially with the view of entering the school-room as teacher. This advance- ment ho acquired by the determination to succeed, together with the encouragement of his parents and teacher. When 21. he tirst began teaching, and since then has taught a number of terms, in all cases giving excellent. satisfaction. He was married, to Miss Mary E. Chapman, Oct. 27, 1568, and by her has two children-Marion Chapman, born Nov. S. 1570. and Edith Charlotte, born Ang. 1. 1575. Mrs. Smith was born in Bethlehem Town- ship, Ang. 6. 1945. Mr. Smith owns a farm of 76 aeres of well-improved land, which is partly underlaid by a four foot vein of the best Massillon coal, at which they are now engaged in working. In politics he is Dem ocratie, and he is an intelligent and well posted citizen.

JOSEPH SNIVELY. This gentleman was born in Perry Township, this county, Jan. IS, 1$28; he is the son of Joseph and Catharine (Sherman) Snively. The father was a native of Franklin Co., Penn., and the mother of Switzerland; she came when a child to this country, with her parents, who settled in the Keystone State, where she was raised, and married to Mr. Snively. In 1912. they came to Stark Co., Ohio, and settled in Perry Town- ship, upon the farm now owned by John Snively, Esq., in that township. Ton chil. dron were born to them, nine of whom reached their majority. John Sherman, father to Mrs. Snively, had come to this county the year before Mr. Snively, and in the year 1812 sold his improvements to Mr. Snively, and then purchased u place in Bethlehem Township,

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where he ever afterward resided. Mr. Snively always followed farming, a business he was very successful at; he and wife were progress- ive, industrious people, and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew them; they underwent all the hardships and privations incident to pio- neer life, and materially aided in the develop- ment of the county, morally, intellectually and otherwise. Mr. Snively died in 1839, and his widow in 1864. Our subject received a common-school education, and when 15 years of age began working at the shoe-maker's trade: when 19, he went to Pennsylvania, where he remained some three years, work- ing at his trade; he then returned to this county, and on the Ist of March, 1851, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Gerber. This lady was born in Canton Township. this county, May 18, 1830. The fruits of this union were six children, five of whom are yet living, viz., Susanna, Jacob H .. Abraham, Har- riet and William F. Mrs. Snively departed this life March 22, 1879; she had been a faithful wife, loving mother, and with pa- tience and fortitude shared her husband's ad- versities, and rejoiced with him in his pros- perity, to which she, by her kind co-operation and interest, to the fullest extent. contributed. On the 12th of December, 1880, Mr. Snively was married to Miss Priscilla Snyder, a native of Bethlehem Township. Mr. Snively began life as a poor boy, and has made what he now has by hard labor, combined with honesty and close attention to business; he is a Democrat politically, but liberal in his views, voting for men and measures, and not for party; he owns 300 acres of well-improved land; he is one of the most successful and practical farmers in the county; the country would be much better off had it more such Len as him.

DAVID WHITMIRE, Navarre. This gen- tleman was born in Franklin Co., Penn., Oct. 3, 1818; he is the son of Abraham and Mary (Wolfkill) Whitmire, both of whom were natives of Maryland, where they were raised and married. Soon after this they took up their residences in Pennsylvania, remaining there until 1834, when they came to this county ; they were the parents of ten children, three of whom are yet living; the parents

were intelligent and highly respected people; they endured all the privations and hardships incident to pioneer life and aided greatly in bettering their neighborhood, morally, intel- lectually and otherwise: they were true repre- sentatives of that class of pioneers who better a country and help to open the way for churches, schools, etc .. etc. The mother de- parted this life in 1849, and the father in 1863. David Whitmire was brought up on a farm; he received a good common-school edu- cation, and during his early manhood taught three terms of school. When he reached his majority, he took charge of the home place, and from that time cared for his parents until their deaths. He was united in marriage, to Miss Elizabeth Reed, in 1838; she was born in Pike Township, this county, June 6, 1819. The fruits of this union were eleven children, six of whom are now living, viz., Helena, Mary, Catharine, Elizabeth, Abraham and John; those deceased were Nancy, Mary M., David A., and two that died in infancy. Mr. Whitmire has always remained upon the old homestead, which he farms and has improved in a very creditable manner. He is a Demo- crat in polities, and by that party has been called upon to fill positions of honor and trust. in the township; he is an intelligent, pro- gressive gentleman, respected by all who know him.

DANIEL J. YOUNKMAN, Navarre; was born in Pike Tp., Stark Co., Ohio. June 7, 1813: he is a son of Jacob Younkman, who was born born in Germany in 1791, and grandson of Daniel and Catharine Younkman, who were also natives of Germany, and who came to the United States in 1797, locating in Pennsylvania. Our subject's parents were in very good circumstances in Germany, but to avoid the war they left everything they had, which was afterward confiscated, and fleeing to the seashore, embarked for America, agreeing to give six years' service for their passage across the ocean. After arriving in Baltimore they were sold to a man by the name of Range, for the six years, and after serving faithfully the specified time, they re- sided in Pennsylvania until 1810, when, to better their circumstances, they came West to Ohio, settling in the wilderness of Perry Tp ..

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Stark Co .; they remained here some two years, and then removed to Pike Township, where Jacob, our subject's father married Mary Shell in 1812. In 1815. the two families sold out and removed to our subjeet's farm, where they erected a log cabin and began pioneer life in earnest. On their arrival in the county. it was all woods, at considerable intervals being little log cabins, in the midst of small clear- ings, that the more courageous pioneers had formed. Life here was an incessant warfare with bears, wolves and other wild beasts. When at labor in the fields the settlers were deemed unsafe unless the trusty flint-lock was handy, and at night stock had to be housed in order to keep them from the ravages of wild beasts. Through such scenes our subjeet was raised. the greater portion of his time being passed in hard labor on the farm. At that early day, when distilleries were to be found at almost every cross-path, his father was often employed by these, white the rest wore at home clearing the land. The family of Younkmans was known throughout the whole country as courageous and hardy people. Daniel Younkman. Sr., died in 1835, and his

widow in 1817: Jacob died April S, 1550, and his widow Dee. 2. 1574: the last two were parents of five children - Daniel JJ., Elizabeth, Tarissa, Polly and Katy; the last named is dead: the balance are all living in Stark County. From the time our subject was 2 years old to the present, he has always hved on the old farm in Bethlehem Township, mak- ing a period of sixty-six years. He was mar- ried. to Naney Leighly. Dec. 25, 1534, and to their union were born eight children- An- thony. Mary Ann, Susanna, Sammuel (deceased ), Jeremiah, Sarah, Timothy and Cynthia (do- ceased). Samuel died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., while serving his country in the rebellion. Anthony was also in the army, a commissioned officer. In connection with farming, for the past thirty years, Mr. Younkman has followed the occupation of auctioneer, and, although on the shady side of life, he still has much more to do in this direction than he wishes: in politics he is a Democrat: he owns 200 acres of well-improved land, and he and wife are members of the United Brethren Church.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

ROBERT ANDERSON. farmer: P. O. Homeworth. Columbiana Co. The Anderson family are of Scotch descent for many genera- tions, and the occupation in the old country of the family was that of shepherds. Robert was born at Dumfries. Scotland. Sept. 29. 1824: his father. James Anderson, was born June 9. 1758: he married Grace Potts, and they had three children. In June, 1533. they left Scotland with their family and emigrated to America, the voyage ocenpring some two months: after reaching this country they sailed up the St. Lawrence River. across Lake On- tario. around Niagara Falls to Buffalo: then across Lake Erie to Cleveland. down the Ohio Canal to Massillon, then over the roads to Canton. and finally through Washington Township by the Thomas road. For three months, they lived in Columbiana County. and

in November. 1833. settled in Washington Township. James left his native land with enough money to buy a farm, and purchased 160 acres from Thomas Lacey, paying $600 for the tract. (The usual price of a quarter- section of good land in those days was $500, or So per aere.) Their nearest neighbors, in JS33, were Michael Boltz and Henry Shaffer: the township was very thinly settled, the greater portion of the land being covered with a heavy growth of timber. James was Treas urer of Washington Township for twelve sne cessive terms, and was connected with the Presbyterian Church of Homeworth: he died April 1. 1571. aged nearly $3, his wife, many years previous, on March 4. 1552. aged 61 years: they were the parents of three chil dren William, now a resident of Columbiana County, near Homeworth: Barbara, who died

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in 1877: and Robert, the youngest, subject of this sketch. He was raised on his father's farm: the first school he attended was in No- vember. 1839. taught by John Moffatt: it was held in the Diehl Schoolhouse, and the first held in that district. Robert was married, May 1. 1852. to Miss Mary Hartzell. daughter of Jacob Hartzell, who lives north of Free- burg at the present time; they are the parents of four children. viz .. William F .. Jane C .. Flora M. and T. Chalmers. Mr. Anderson still occupies the farm his father purchased nearly fifty years ago: he is connected with the Presbyterian Church at Homeworth. and is in politics a Democrat.

JOHN FRAZEE BUCK, Superintendent of Fairmount Children's Home: born in Coits- ville. Mahoning Co .. Ohio, Ang. 17, 1831; his grandfather. William Buck, was a native of Ireland. and emigrated to this country near the beginning of the present century, being at that time about 18 years of age. and settled in Pennsylvania: he afterward became an early pioneer to Poland, Mahoning Co .. Ohio: at the time of his death. he was within fifteen days of being 100 years old. The parents of our subject were John Buck and Phoebe Fra- zee: his father was an early-day Abolitionist, and one of only two men in his township who voted for James G. Birney for President, and Dr. Francis Julius Le Moyne for Vice Presi- dent: he was also one of the organizers of the Free Presbyterian Church in the early part of the present century. After receiving an edu- cation at Poland Academy, in his native county, he engaged in teaching school several years, most of the time in Bourbon Co., Ky. On Sept. 2. 1858. he married Ada L .. dangh- ter of James Davis, then of Berlin Center, Mahoning Co., but now a business man of Salem, Ohio: the results of this union have been one son. now deceased, and a daughter, Lillie A. Buck. He then removed to Salem. Ohio, and studied dentistry under Dr. J. C. Whinnery. after which he settled in North Fairfield. Huron Co., Ohio, and began the practice of his profession. Upon the break- ing-out of the late war. our subject, in the fall of 1861, enlisted as a member of the band connected with the 65th O. V. L .; his oldest brother, William P. Buck, served in a Minne-

sota regiment in our late civil war, and died on his way home, at Ft. Snelling. After leav- ing the army. Dr. Buck located in Franklin Co., Mo., on a farm, but, the climate not agree- ing with the health of his family, in about two years he returned to Ohio, and, after re- maining in Salem for a year or two, engaged in business for his father-in-law; he was called to act as Assistant in the Ohio Reform School, at Lancaster, in the fall of 1869, where he remained seven years, during the last three of which he was Principal of the schools. In the fall of 1876, he was appointed to his present position as Superintendent of the Fairmount Children's Home, near Mt. Union, Ohio, then a new interest; to this re- sponsible position Dr. Buck and his wife brought a large and ripe experience, and through their management this institution has become an instrument of great good; in all that constitutes an efficient management, it is doubtful if that which they have organized is excelled in the State.

AMOS BROSIUS, farmer; P. O. Mt. Union; born in Chester Co., Penn., Feb. 3, 1814, the son of Henry and Mary (Roberts) Brosius; Henry died when Amos was about 3 years of age. and. when about 22, the sub- ject of this sketch removed to- Columbiana County, and, in about three years, he was married, on Oct. 10, 1839, to Esther C. Mor- ton, daughter of Israel and Hannah (Conn) Morton; shortly afterward, they removed to Wayne Co., Ind .. residing there some twelve montlis; they then returned to Columbiana County, continuing there about six years, until finally they settled in Washington Town- ship, purchasing some 60 acres of land from William Hoppis and other parties; he lived upon this farm for some twenty-three years, then removed to his present property, buying 18 acres from Enos Hillis and erecting his brick residence: he has resided here for some eleven years, during which period he has been engaged in the small-fruit business to some extent. Mr. Brosius has for two years cast the only ballot in Washington Township for the Prohibition ticket: he is a member of the In- dependent Church of Alliance; his wife is a member of the Friends; they are the parents of six children; three of these are living-

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Adelino is now Mrs. Jesse Teeters, of Lexing- ton Township: Hannah has been a teacher in the Mt. Union Schools for four years; and Alice is a teacher at Fairmount Home.

JOHN CAIRNS. retired farmer; P. O. Max- im) ; born in Dumfries, Scotland. Feb. 5. 1813. son of Andrew and Margaret (Pagan) Cairns: Andrew was the son of John, a shep- herd in Scotland, which occupation was the calling followed by the Cairns family for many generations. Andrew came to America with eight children in August, 1533, and set- tled in Washington Township, upon land pur- chased in 1832 by his son John, who came out to America during that year. in company with his sister Elizabeth, and purchased 72 acres from Joseph Towns: he has been living on this tract ever since. John has served as Trustee of Washington Township one term, as Treasurer for two, and as Clerk for three: he supported his father and mother until they died, and all their children found a home at his house until they were married: he is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Alli ance, and has always voted the Democratic ticket: his father. Andrew, died in April. 1854, aged 68; his mother, in 1968. aged $3: they were the parents of ten children, viz .. Elizabeth; came to America with her brother in 1532: she was an early school-teacher of Washington Township; was afterward mar ried to William Porter. and died in 1559: John, their second child, is the subject of this sketch; Margaret, now Mrs. John Shaffer, of Washington Township: Mary, now Mrs. Jo soph Bogan. of Crawford Co., Ohio: Chris- tina and William died of cholera in 1531. shortly after coming to Ohio: Agnes, now Mrs. Gideon Scott. of Columbiana County: Janet. now Mrs. John Grimm. of Williams Co., Ohio: Allison, of Williams County : Jane, the youngest daughter, has always resided on her brother's farm since she came to America in 1833: she was born Dee. 7, 1831. and mar- ried. April 17, 1855, to David Fox, who was born Dec. 27, 1927: David was the son of John and Nancy ( Bender) Fox. who removed to Washington Township from Columbiana County in the spring of ISI1, and settled on the farm now owned by Andrew Shaffer, one mile east of Freeburg: John had been a black

smith in Columbiana County. he was a mem ber of the Lutheran Church: he died Sept. 9, 1867: his wife. Oct. IS, 1576; they were the parents of eleven children David, of Washington: Catharine, now Mrs. Samuel Myers, of Washington: Jacob. of Caldwell Co., Mo .. Jacinda married Ronben Lozier, and Sarah married George Lozier, both of Washington: El. of Caldwell Co., Mo .: Samuel. of Champaign Co., Ill .. Hakdal died aged about 21: Nancy, now Mrs. Andrew Shaffer. of Washington: Mary. now Mr -. Henry Aldinger, of Washington: Lizzie, now Mrs. Christian Seniften. of Paris Township. David Fox resided with his father until he grow to maturity : he learned the carpenter's trade in early life, which occupation he fol lowed until some twelve years since, when he took charge of the Cairns farm: he is engaged in raising stock, and all the cattle of hus farm are Jerseys: he is the father of three children

Maggie. Ann and Nancy Jane: Miss Maggie is a graduate of Mt. Union, in the class of 1875: she has been a school teacher for eight years: Ann has also been a student at Mt. I'nion.

JACOB GROSSMAN. farmer and school teacher: P. O. Paris: born in Carroll County Inne 9, 1844: son of Christian and Elizabeth ( Wallbart) Grossman, who were born in the Canton of Berne, in Switzerland: they omi grated to America in 1531 and settled in Car roll County, where Christian died in Fob ruary. 1561; his wife died in April. 1577: they were the parents of ton children: five are dead: the balance are now residents of Stark County. viz. : Lucinda, now Mrs. Nicholas Zintsmaster. of Navarre: Margaret, now Mrs. Daniel Black, near Osnaburg: Elizabeth. now Mrs. Jacob Snyder. of Osnaburg: Catharine. now Mrs. Christian Schweisberger, of Nim - hillen Township: and Jacob Grossman, sub inet of this sketch, who was for twenty eight years a resident of Carroll County. hereceived a common school education, and at the age of 17 commenced to teach school, and he has taught every winter since that time, or for twenty winter torms. During the civil war. he was a member of the Ohio National Guard -. and as such was called into active service for 126 days, serving in the 157th Regiment, under

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Col. MeCook. In 1864, he purchased 80 acres tion and learned the trade of a wool-carder, in Carroll County, and farmed this until he , following this occupation five years in the East, removed to Washington Township, where he now owns a fine farm of 77 acres. He was married, Oct. 3, 1865, to Miss Elizabeth Foltz, daughter of Valentine Foltz; by her he is the father of five children, viz .. Flora Alice, John Edward, Martha Elizabeth, Emma Melinda and Ida Cordelia. Politically, he is a Repub- lien, and has served as Trustee in Brown Tp., Carroll Co .; he is now Secretary of the Wash- ington and Paris Township Insurance Com- pany, and was instrumental in securing the incorporation of this association; he is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church, and connected with the congregation at Paris, of which society he is Secretary; has been a Sunday-school worker ever since he was 15. and has occupied the position of Superintendent of the Paris Sunday School ever since he removed to Wash- ington Township.

JACOB HERBSTER, farmer: P. O. Max- imo; born in Frederick Co., Md., some three miles from Westminster, May 29, 1796: his 1 father, Frederick, was born in Baden Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America when a young man; he was drafted during the whisky rebellion of President Washington's adminis- tration; was married to Mary Sharlows, and, in April, 1814, removed with his wife and family to Stark County and settled in Waslı- ington Township. Frederick purchased from the Government 640 acres of land, compris- ing the east half and the southwest quarter of Sec. 20, and the northwest quarter of Sec. 29; he was a miller by trade, and worked in some of the early mills of Stark County; was an active and influential member of the old Luth- eran Chruch, and continued a resident of Washington Township until he died; he was the father of nine children; seven reached maturity, as follows: Catharine, now Mrs. John Sponseller, of Osnaburg; Jacob, of Washington: Mary married George Ringer, and died in 1881; Frederick died about 1841; Elizabeth married George Sponseller and died in Paris Township; Rebecca married Conrad Becker, and Susannah married Joshua Lentz; both died while residents of Washington Township. Jacob Herbster, the subject of this sketch, received a common-school educa

and two years after settling in Stark County. He removed with his parents to Washington Township in April, 1814, continuing as a res- ident since that time a period of over sixty- seven years; when he first arrived, the town- ship was almost an unbroken wilderness, cov ered by a dense growth of timber, inhabited by deer and wolves, which animals occasion- ally fell victims to his skill with the rifle. As- sisted by his brother, the farm owned by their father assumed a more cultivated appearance, and soon abundant crops rewarded their labors; Jacob received as his portion of the estate 160 acres, and upon this land he now resides. During the early days of the town- ship, he taught school several terms; he was also frequently elected as Towship Trustee, and served as Clerk for ten or fifteen years. After the death of his father, he consented to serve as Justice of the Peace, and filled this office for thirty years. Mr. Herbster was married, in July, 1826, to Miss Mary Magdalena Wentz, daughter of Valentine Wentz, but unfortu- nately their union was never blessed by any children; his wife died April 29, ISSO; they were members of the old Lutheran Church, and connected with the congregation at Paris. Politically, he has always been a Republican, and, previous to the organization of that party, was a Whig. He has always been one of the most active and influential citizens of the township.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 175

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