History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 171

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104


USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 171


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).


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birth, which occurred Oct. 13, 1835, on the same farm where he now resides, which his father first purchased, and remained on the same un- til his death, which took place Jan. 17, 1876; his wife "passed over " Oct. 1, just two years previously. Both of them were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ere they came to this State, and were among the first meinbers who united with the church at the Center at the time of its organization. Mr. Hunt was an Old-Line Whig, and one of the esteemed citi- zens of his township. Calvin, being the young- est of the family, has never left the homestead. March 24, 1865, married Victoria Waite, daugh- ter of Walter and Polly (Hopkins) Waite, who were natives of Maine, and came to Richfield Township, this county, when the country was comparatively new. Mrs. Hunt was born in Northampton, June 4, 1829, and bore him two children-Edwin Odell and Mary Blanche. Aug. 27, 1880, after a short illness, Mrs. Hunt closed her eyes in death, and joined the "in- numerable throng," leaving her husband and two children to mourn her demise. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which she was a great worker, in the Sunday school a valued worker, and was a lady of su- perior mental worth, and, possessing many per- sonal attractions, was a bright light in society, a kind associate, a true wife and devoted mother. Mr. Hunt is also a member of the clmreli of his parents' choice, and class-leader. Mr. Hunt, the father of Calvin, had, at the time of his death, fifty-four grandchildren and forty-six great grandchildren. Mr. Hunt has 104 acres of land, and is among the well-to-do farmers in the township.


WILLIAM HURST, farmer ; P. O. Bedford; this worthy gentleman is a native of Ireland, born March 26, 1815, in County Leitrim. His parents were William and Catharine (Senters) Hurst. William was a son of Robert whose wife was Jane McLean, to whom were born Joshua, James, Thomas and William. Catha- rine was a daughter of Charles, whose wife was a Stinson before marriage. They had children as follows-Charles, William, Catharine and Mary. By his second marriage he had one child only, named Margaret. To the parents of Mr. Hurst were born ten children, seven sons and three daughters ; but four grew to maturity, viz., John, William, Mary and Jane ; Mary never came to this country ; she married


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William McDermot ; Jane died in Ireland at the age of 22; John settled in Canada. The religion of the family was of the Episcopal order. The father of William was a weaver by trade ; he died when William was a lad of 10 years ; he was raised by his mother until he was 19 years of age; two years after he set sail for America, landing in Quebec ; after a short stay he came to this county, in 1836. Stow Township was his first home in America. Here he " hired out " by the month. Oct. 27, 1846, he married Fanny O'Brien, who was born July 9, 1818, in Hudson Township, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Walker) O'Brien, who were both natives of Ireland, and located in Hudson Township in 1802. To them were born David, William, Martin, Moses, Mary, Harriet, Fannie and Sarah. After Mr. Hurst's marriage he moved to Michigan (Kalamazoo), where he purchased 123 acres of land ; after keeping the same four years and a half, he sold it at a gain. Upon his return from Michigan he located on his father-in law O'Brien's farm, where he stayed two years and then bought 165 acres one mile and a half northeast of Hudson, where he remained from 1853 to 1863. Then he purchased 194 acres in Twinsburg Town- ship. In March, 1869, he moved to his pres- ent place, where he has 53 acres ; his house and 5 acres stand in Bedford Township, the remainder (245 acres) is in Summit County. January, 1856, his wife died, leaving no issue. He was married May 27, 1858, to Mary Spaf- ford, born in this township May 7, 1838, daughter of Nathan B. and Mary Morrison. Her mother was born in New Hampshire in 1800. her father in Chittenden, Vermont, in 1791. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, as was also John Morrison (Mrs. Hurst's grand- father). Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Episcopal Church.


J. W. HYNTON, farmer ; P. O. Northfield ; son of John and Elizabeth (Halpenneg) Hyn- ton ; was born in this township in 1850. Mr. John Hynton was born in Wicklow Co., Ire- land, June, 1810 ; he was a son of John Hyn- ton. Elizabeth was born March 5, 1822, in the same county ; her father's name was John Halpenneg, and he married Mary Tumma. John Hynton, the father of our subject, was a man of education and culture ; he came to America about the year 1840. Soon after his marriage, he and his brother Edward


made a purchase of 147 acres in the northwest corner of the township, where they engaged in business together ; uniting their energies, they were successful in accumulating property. He remained on the farm until 1860, when he moved across the line into Cuyahoga County, where he died Sept. 15. His brother Edward died in 1879. They were men of honor, and commanded the respect of all who came in contact with them, either in a business or social way. To John Hynton were born four children, viz., Mary (Mrs. H. Dubler, of Newburg. Catharine (Mrs. T. Walsh, of Cleveland), John W. and Elizabeth (now Mrs. James Cassidy, of Boston Township). May 23, 1876, subject was married to Anna Cassidy, born in Boston, daughter of Patrick Cassidy, to whom were born seven children. In April, 1872, J. W. settled on the farm he now owns, which con- sists of 95 acres. He has three children, viz., Lucy M., Agnes B., and Frances E. The mother of J. W. lives on the farm, where her husband resided at the time of his death.


W. H. KUHN, farmer ; P. O. Bedford ; was born March 22, 1813, in Allegheny Co., Penn., to Archibald and Martha (Stotlar) Kuhn. Archibald was a son of Michael, to whom were born five sons and three daughters, whose names were Eve, Archibald, Adam, Samuel, John, Mary, David and Nancy. Michael's father was a native of Holland ; so also were the Stotlars. Our subject was the youngest of a family of eight children-Michael, Jacob, Nancy, Archie, David, Catharine, John and William H. The great-grandfather of W. H. was Adam Kuhn, whose wife was Eve, to whom were born Michael, Nicholas and Samuel. Archibald was a Federalist, and took an active part in the affairs of his county. He repre- sented his county in the State Legislature ; was a commissioned officer during the war of 1812. Archibald Kuhn and wife died before W. H. was grown, yet he remained on the homestead until his marriage, March 7, 1843 ; he married Mary Elder, born Feb. 28, 1824, in Indiana Co., Penn., daughter of Rev. Robert and Jane (McConaughy) Elder. Robert was born near Harrisburg ; son of John Elder, who had six children - Joseph, Thomas, James, Robert, Belle and Betsey. Robert Elder's mother's name was Polly Caruthers. The Elders left the north part of Ireland for Scotland at the time of its insurrection, or religious persecu-


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tion. To Robert McConaughy were born nine children ; of the boys, Simon and James came West and settled in Ashland County. Robert Elder, the father of Mrs. Kuhn, was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; also Samuel Kuhn, the unele of William H. While Mr. Kuhn (W. H.) was yet a young man, he was elected Major of the Seventh Battalion of Alleghany County Volunteers, being the youngest officer in the battalion. In June, 1843, he came to this township, where he purchased 107 acres on Lots 31 and 41. He has now 204 acres. To him have been born ten children ; of those liv- ing are Margaret J., the wife of John Shirk, of Muscatine, Iowa; Luther, in same county ; Robert, now a practitioner of materia medica in Shelby Co., Iowa ; Mary, Willie and Frankie, at home; Luie, at school preparing for the ministry. Since Mr. Kuhn was 16 years of age, he has been a member of the church of his parent's choice (Presbyterian), and is now an official member of the same. Mr. Kuhn is one of the successful farmers of the township, as well as one of its valued citizens. He is a lib- eral supporter of the leading journals and peri- odicals of the day.


A. J. KELTY, farmer ; P. O. Macedonia ; born May 24, 1841, in Columbiana Co .; is the son of Owen H. and Ruth Hinksman. His father was born in 1812, in Salem Co., N. J .; he was a son of William Kelty who was in the war of the Revolution, with two of his brothers, of whom nothing was heard after the war's termi- nation. The Keltys are of Dutch descent. To Owen and wife were born William, Aaron, Sam- uel, Sarah, Andrew and Henry. The family came first to Columbiana Co., where Owen set- tled on a squatter's claim ; subsequently moved to Bedford Township, in Cuyahoga Co .; here he died, in November, 1869. A. J. was raised at home until 20 years of age, when he began for himself. Sept. 16, 1866, he married Harriet Powell, born Jan. 16, 1845, in this township, daughter of William and Sarah Powell. Mr. Kelty moved on this farm in March, 1869, hav- ing then 88 acres. Mr. Kelty is a hard-work- ing man, and is making financial success. He has five children, viz., Henry, George, Harriet, Anna M. and Charlie A. Mr. Kelty had three brothers in the late war. Aaron was in the 90th Regiment and 5th Cavalry, and served about four years ; he was nine months in Libby Prison, and, when he was released, weighed only eighty-


six pounds. Samuel did duty on Johnson's Island two years. Henry served four years in Co. K, 9th Ohio Battery. Mrs. Kelty has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 14 years of age. Mr. Kelty's family are " Disciples."


H. LANFORD, farmer ; P. O. Northfield ; born Jan. 2, 1804, in the Town of Schroon, Es- sex Co., N. Y. ; is a son of Daniel, who was born in Connecticut, and served in the Conti- mental Army, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill. His wife was Jemima Hotchkiss, who was born in Clarendon, Vt. To this couple were born fifteen children, and fourteen of the number grew to maturity. Elias, Daniel and Lu- ther were among the sons, all of whom partici- pated in the war of 1812 ; Elias was killed at Plattsburg. The Lanfords are of Irish descent ; Daniel's father emigrated from Ireland to the Middle States several years prior to the Revo- lutionary war. Hezekiah left home at 10 years of age, and was raised by one Mr. Lockwood. At the age of 22, Aug. 3, 1825, he married Roba Scriptures, born March 21, 1811, in Chesterfield, Essex Co., N. Y., a daughter of John and Betsey (Chamberlain) Scriptures ; her father was born in Concord, N. H., about the year 1770 ; his parents were Samuel and Hannah (Barrett) Scriptures. Samuel came from England, when he was 17 years of age ; Hannah was a native of Holland, and quite young when she came with her parents to America. To Samuel and Hannah were born twelve children. Betsey Chamberlain was a daughter of John and Betsey (Bowman) Cham- berlain ; the latter family came from Goffstown, N. H. Betsey Bowman's parents died when she was quite young ; her father's name was Charles. John and Betsey had five children born to them. John Scriptures was twice mar- ried ; first to Polly Saunders, and by her had nine children ; his second marriage was to Mrs. Betsey Mace, who had nine children by her first husband ; by the last union five were born-Jermia, Ezra, Wesley, Sallie and Roba. These twenty-three children were raised to- gether, and their relations were of the most harmonious character. After Mr. Lanford's marriage, he worked severl years at Schroon, in a saw-mill. In August, 1833, he came West to Franklin Township, Portage Co., where he engaged to work for Zeno Kent, at general farm and mill work ; while here, he took up


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carpenter and joiner work, and did consider- able in this line. March, 1841, he came to this township, and bonght 5 acres on Lot 3, in this township, which he kept about seven years, and sold to Charles West; then removed to the northeastern part of the township, purchasing about 40 acres, where he remained until 1861, when he came to his pres- ent place (on Lot 86), purchasing 86 acres. Mr. Lanford came to this country a poor man; when he arrived at Franklin Township, he had $7, a sick wife, and two children, and with the aid of his wife earned what they have by hard labor and economy. They have six children-three living-Harriet (Mrs. Berry), Lorenzo and Milo at home. Aug. 3, 1875, Mr. and Mrs. Lanford celebrated their golden wedding.


REV. JAMES W. LOGUE, minister, North- field, was born July 17, 1812, in York Co., Penn., to James and Jennette (Gibson) Logue. The grandfather of our subject was James, whose birthplace was Ireland, and he emigrated to America prior to the war of the Revolution, in which he was a participant, serving through the entire struggle. He married Ann Gabby, and by her had two children-James and Ann. Jeanette Gibson was a daughter of James, a native of Scotland, but married his wife after his arrival to this country, and by her had twelve children. To James and Jeanette Logue were born quite a numerous family, but four of the number grew to man's estate, viz., Ann John, Elizabeth and James W. Our subject remained under the guardianship of his par- ents until he was 20 years of age, when he entered Jefferson College, thence to Union Col- lege, New York State, where he received his graduation honors, after which he entered the theological school at Cannonsburg, where he remained four years, and began his ministerial labors in 1841. June 6, 1843, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Mary J. Cooper, who was born in the city of Baltimore, Md., Dec. 3, 1820, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Campbell) Cooper. Her father was born in County Derry, Ireland, and Jane, his wife, was a native of Carlisle, Penn. To them were born twelve children, Mrs. Logue being the youngest. Im- mediately after the marriage of Rev. Logue, he moved West to this State, locating in this township, where he was installed as Pastor of the United Presbyterian Church, and since that time has administered to the spiritual


interests of his charge without intermission, and through his instrumentality many have been called from darkness to the marvelous light. To Mr. Logue have been born five chil- dren, of whom three are living, viz., Jennie C., now Lady Principal in Monmouth College, Illi- nois (she entered the arena as teacher at the age of 14) ; Joseph T., now attorney at law at Cleveland, and James R., now attending theo- logical school in Allegheny Co., Penn. Nettie, now deceased, was the wife of Mr. J. C. Alex- ander. She died Feb. 15, 1874, aged 22.


WILLIAM M. LEMMON, farmer ; P. O. Northfield ; was born Oct. 27, 1822, in West- moreland Co., Penn., to William M. and Jane (Matthews) Lemmon. The grandfather of our subject was named William also, and was a native of the Emerald Isle. The Matthews are of Scotch ancestry, and afterward settled in the North of Ireland. Mr. Lemmon came West with his father in the spring of 1832, when he was a lad of 10; he well remembers the long ride in the feed trough, the family coming through by covered wagon. His father previ- ously purchased 160 acres on Lot 44, and coming out, found a "squatter" on the land, and gave him $107 to vacate. There was a cabin built, and about twenty acres under- brushed and partially " slashed ;" the remainder was as nature produced it. The old log cabin stood in the road, about twenty rods north of Mr. Lemmon's present residence. When his father came he labored arduously, and, by much self-denial and good management, he succeeded in paying for his land. Eight chil- dren were born them ; seven grew up-Samuel, Martha, William, Jane, John, Archibald, Robert and James. William L. and John now only are left. His grandfather Lemmon was the father of James, Thomas and William, and was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. James Lemmon was in the 1812 war. The parents of William M. remained on the place where first they settled up to the time of their death ; his death occurred May 13, 1858 ; his wife's June, 1857. He was one of the first Elders in the United Presbyterian Church at this place, and always bore a prominent part in the affairs of the church, ever ready to do his duty and to advance the cause of his Master. William M. was 22 years of age, when he began for him- self; he made his commencement by working out by the day and month for such remunera_


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tion as the times and circumstances afforded. He worked sixty days for a 2-year-old colt, and the same time for a yoke of young steers. His first purchase was twenty acres of land, when he was 26 years of age, for which he paid $425. He shortly afterward sold it at an advance of $200, and, in 1851, he went to Alle- gan Co., Mich., where he purchased 100 acres, which he farmed for five years, and then sold it, and, with the price it and its productions brought him, he returned to this township in the spring of 1858, and purchased the home- stead farm, on which he has since been a resi- dent. His marriage took place March 1, 1854, with Ellen Kerr, who was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1825, daughter of James and Mary (McClellan) Kerr. Her father was born in Adams Co., Penn., Aug. 1, 1788, and her mother in Chester Co., Penn., Feb. 14, 1789. They came to Salem, Columbiana Co., this State, in 1807, were married in 1819, and had seven children, who grew to man's estate. The Kerrs and Mcclellans are of Scoteh ances- try. Mary MeClellan's father's name was James, and he was a Revolutionary soldier. His wife was Hannah Withrow. To them were born Samuel, William, Robert, John, Lindsey, Mary, Thomas, Rebecca, Anna and Elizabeth. To James Kerr were born Hannah, William, James, Ellen J., John, Rebecca A. and David. The father died Dec. 5, 1869 ; his wife now lives in Columbiana Co., and is 92 years of age. Both were members of the Old School Presbyterian Church. The father of James Kerr, above mentioned, was likewise named James, and a native of Ireland. His wife was Jane Mc- Adams. Mr. Lemmon was bereft of his wife Aug. 19, 1872. She left him four children, viz., Mary J., Harvey K., Lizzie H. and Mattie A. Mr. Lemmon and wife have long been associated with the church. His father was in early times Democratic in his political views, but later in life he was en rapport with princi- ples which favored the abolition of the system of slavery. Mr. Lemmou has now 193 acres of land, and is one of the most affluent agricult- urists of the township.


ALEXANDER McCONNELL, farmer ; P. O. Northfield ; is a native of the Emerald Isle, and was born July 22, 1824, to John and Sarah (Rogers) McConnell, being one of ten children. Emigrating to this State in June, 1834, John located in Coshocton Co., where Alexander


was raised to farming, and lived with his par- ents until his marriage, which occurred May 15, 1850. Ilis wife's maiden name was Ann Whaley, a native of this county. By her he had one child-George A., who died at the age of 2 years and 4 days. Mr. McConnell had the mis- fortune to lose his wife after three years of married life. April 24, 1856, he was married to Mary J. Nesbit, born in this township Oct. 20, 1832, daughter of John and Ann (Matthews) Nesbit. After Mr. McConnell's first marriage, he located on 200 acres of land in Coshocton Co., npon which he lived until his advent to this county, when he disposed of his farm, and located in this township, April, 1859, on Lot 56, at the Center, where he has since re- sided. His original purchase consisted of 104 aeres ; ten years later, he purchased 25 acres adjoining him, on Lot 46. Mr. McConnell has had four children ; three are living, viz., Hettie Ann, John N. and Emma J .; James L. died when 20 months old. Mr. McConnell and wife are members of the United Presbyterian Church ; he has been associated with this denomination for over thirty years. Farming has been the business of his life ; in the discharge of his du- ties as such he merits the name of being a snug and economical farmer, his farm and sur- roundings giving proof of the good manage- ment and taste of its proprietor.


JAMES M. MCELROY, cheese manufactory, Northfield ; was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., March 20, 1826, the third of a family of fourteen children, ten of whom grew to matur- ity, whose parents were James and Ruth (Nes- bit) McElroy. James was born in same county as son, in the year 1799, in May; she, in the same county and State, six weeks later, the same year as her husband. The grandfather of our subject was James, whose place of birth was Ireland. He came to Pennsylvania when a lad, where he afterward married Petsy Doug- lass ; the children were born as indicated, John, Alexander, Mary and James. James, the father of James M., married Ruth Nesbit, and by her had Alexander, James M., William, John, Mary, Ann, Esther, David, Samuel and Elizabeth. Ruth Nesbit was a daughter of William and Esther (Robinson) Nesbit. James M. came West with his father to the north part of this township in June, 1838, where our sub- ject was raised to farming. Since leaving the homestead, he has made many changes, and trav-


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eled about considerably, but for the most part has been a resident of the township. In 1863, enlisted in Co. G, 115th O. V. I., and served twenty-three months, when he was discharged on account of disability from impaired eyesight, or " moon blindness." July 5, 1866, was mar- ried to Sarah McElroy, born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Aug. 8, 1827 ; daughter of John and Sarah (Menoher) McElroy ; she daughter of John and Jane (Clifford) Menoher. Mrs. MeElroy came West the same year she was married. Mr. McElroy is proprietor and owner of "Spring Grove Cheese Factory," which he has run for several years. Has one son, Frank A., born in June, 1868. Mr. MeElroy and wife are both members of the United Presbyterian Church.


MRS. ELIZA McKISSON, farmer ; P. O. Northfield ; was born Sept. 13, 1812, in Onon- daga Co., N. Y., to Abel and Betsy (Hill) Ha- vens. Abel was young when his father died, leaving two children, himself and Cyrus. Betsy was a daughter of George and Esther (Cran- mer) Hill, to whom were born Jeremiah, Thomas, Betsy, Sallie, Merey, Hannah and Nancy, all of whom lived to raise families. To Abel and Betsy Havens were born eight children, who were Eliza (Mrs. McK.), Harriet (now in Iowa Co., Iowa, the wife of A. Doty), George (who settled in Delaware Co., this State), William, Silas, Maria, Mahala and Clark. But three are living, Silas, in Delaware, Harriet and Mrs. Doty. Mr. Abel Havens and wife came to this town- ship in 1818, when Mrs. MeKisson was but 6 years of age. Her father settled in the east part of the township, where James Wallace now resides. Mr. Havens lived here many years, then moved to Twinsburg, where he lived until his removal to Delaware Co., Ohio, where his wife died in 1859. In 1866, he moved to Iowa, and lived with his daughter Harriet until his death, which event occurred July 24, 1874. Both he and his wife, for many years, had been members of the Methodist Church. In 1839, March 13, Eliza Havens became the wife of James McKisson, who was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, in 1811, and came to this township when it was comparatively new ; he purchased this farm, and was among the first settlers. Af- ter Mr. and Mrs. McKisson were married, they moved into a log house, which is yet standing ; in this they lived until the present brick struet- ure was erected. Mr. MeKisson died Aug. 19,


1866. He was a successful man in business. Since his death she has remained on the farm, where she has a nice residence and 71g acres, having no children.


R. M. J. McKISSON, farmer ; P. O. North- field ; was born on the farm he now owns, June 25, 1838 ; son of Robert and Rebecca (Viers) McKisson. Robert was a son of Samuel, who was among the early settlers in the township. R. M. J. was raised on the farm, and. at the age of 20, he left home ; his first work was in the powder-mills; afterward he worked by the month and was engaged for three years in the lumber business ; subsequently he purchased a canal-boat, and for three years and a half he boated, running from Cleveland to Portsmouth, dealing mostly in coal transportation ; subse- quently he engaged in the lumber business until 1871 ; has also been engaged on contracts for railroad companies ; finally, he returned to the homestead, where he farmed the place until De- cember, 1880, when he purchased the same ; the farm consists of 1603 acres. In 1860, he was married to Ellen Burns, born in 1844, in Bedford Township, Cuyahoga Co., daughter of Hugh and Margaret (Boyle) Burns, both natives of Ireland. Mr. McKisson has three children -Daniel, Ella A. and Margaret.


LEONARD McNIECE, farmer ; P. O. North- field ; was born Dec. 29, 1818, in County An- trim, twelve miles from Belfast, and is a repre- sentative of one of the prominent families in the North of Ireland ; his parents were Isaac and Jane (Mckinstry) McNiece; Isaac was a son of Isaac, whose family consisted of six children-Isaac, Leonard, John, Rebecca, Maria and Ruth ; Jane Mckinstry was a daughter of Henry and Mary (MeNitt) Mckinstry, to whom were born a family of eleven children, viz., Henry, William, Robert, Ann, Charlotte, Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Eliza, Hannah and Rebecca. To Isaac and Jane MeNiece were born Isaac Mc., Leonard, William H., Robert, Mary Jane. Eliza and Sarah. The religion of the family on both sides was Episcopalian, and all were members of the Established Church. Isaac. the father of the subject of our sketch, was a farmer and linen draper, but raised his sons to agricultural pursuits. Leonard left home at his majority, May 29, 1847. He married Ann Bell, who was born April, 1819, in Antrim Co .; her parents were Jonathan and Mary (Tipping) Bell, whose children were Nelson, Thomas, Jon-




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