USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 100
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 100
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BIOGRAPHIES. MILETUS M. NEWCOMB.
We take pleasure in presenting to our readers the following sketch of the life and success of one of Centre Township's go-ahead farmers and business men.
Ile was born on the 26th day of July, 1625, in Essex County, New York State. He is a son of Miletus and Rhoda Newcomb, who moved to Olio with their family in 1931, and located in Granville Township, Licking County, where they lived one year : then moved to Harrison Township, remained about two years, and then removed to St. Albans Township, same county. where Miletus Newcomb died, Sept. 14, 1837, leaving a wife with five children to mourn the loss of a kind husband and indulgent parent.
A few months prior to his death, Mr. Newcomb came to Mereer County, entered the southeast quarter of Section 20, in Centre Town- ship, and then returned to Lieking County to make arrangements for moving his family to this county. He had the day named on which he was to start for this county to make some improvements and erect a cabin on his land in which to move his family ; but when the appointed day came, it proved his last of life.
In the spring of 1>41, Luther Newcomb, eldest son of Miletus New- comb, came on, and made improvements on the land by erecting a cabin, clearing a small plat, and planting some potatoes. He then re- turned to Licking County to bring his widowed mother and her three other children, then at home (viz , Miletus M., Joseph B., and Miloann), to their new home in this county. When the family reached here, they moved into the cabin erected by Luther, which served them as a residence for a number of years. It was not long after their settlement in the county until Luther married and commepeed life for himself, leaving the entire care of the home to his mother and her three younger chil- dren, the oldest, Miletus M .. then only a boy sixteen years of age. It was then that he saw the necessity of hard work, when a mother with two younger children were depending on his labors for sustenance, in a new country, with but little of the forest cleared away. Yet faithfully and earnestly did he work at clearing land, building fences, and farming among the stumps ; and by his energy and persistence be managed to make a living for the family, and at the same time clear off and prepare a good portion of the land for farming. His mother died on the 30th day of September. IXI.
Miletus married Miss Margaret C. Ellis in 1848. Miss Ellis was born in Miami County, Ohio, November 21, 152s, and came to Mercer County with her parents, William and Hannah Ellis, in 1835, and located in Franklin Township. Atter marriage they settled on a part of his mother's home place, which fell to him as his share of the land when it was divided among the children. In 1849 he created a hewed log dwell- ing on his land, in which they lived until ises, when he erected his present fine frame residence. They reared a famdy of eight children- five sons and three daughters-all of whom are now living. He has given all of his attention to farming. in which business he has been very sueressful, and purchased land at different times, until he now owns a large farm in Centre Township, with good improvements, and the land under a good state of cultivation. He is considered one of this town- ship's best and leading farmers.
Hle served about four months in the late war, in 1864, as second sergeant of Company K, 156th O. N. G.
REV. TIMOTHY HANKINS
was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, March 8, 1913, and this day (March 8, 1-51) is sixty -eight years of age.
He came to Mercer County in 1837, ant settled in Liberty Township,
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on the northwest quarter of section 7. The cabin he built was the third which was built in the township, and there were no roads in the township except as they were made by an axe, wherever those early pioneers wished to go. There was a "trace" leading from Fort Recovery to Willshire through Liberty Township on the section live and one mile east of the Indian line and a cross " trace" crossing that from east to west, where Skeel's cross road now is.
. In ISST John Bolton and William Watkins settled adjoining him, and in 1838 Philip Dieteb and Adam Bolenbaugh. In 1838 Rev. T. Hankins moved to Centre Township, where he still resides. He taught the FIRST DISTRICT SeHoUL that was ever taught in the town-hip, which was het.l in James Thompson's old kitchen. He was at the place now called Celina before there was a house in sight of it, and had the honor of sitting on the first jury. He had four children when he settled in Contre Township, and has now nine children living, twenty-five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Mr. Hankins assisted in building the first church that was built in the county, which was the old Baruch Church on Eight-Mile Creek in Union Township. Prosperity has crowned his efforts in life, having all that this world can supply, and looking forward to a glorious hope of endless rest in the life beyond.
HENRY J. McKIRNAN, Farmer and Fine Stock-raiser, Centre Township; P. O., Neptune, Ohio.
Mr. Henry J. MeKirnan is a native of Lucas County, Ohio, where he was born Feb, 14, 1842. His parents were of Irish descent. He was the only son of John and Mary MeKirnan, late residents of Centre Township. In December, 1850, John MeKirnan came to this county. entered the east half of the southwest quarter of section 9. in Centre Township, and then returned to his home in Lucas County, Ohio. Then, in October, 1851. he returned with his family to this county, made improvements, and settled on his land in Centre Township, where he died July 2, 1863, highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. His companion survived him until the 9th day of October, 1875. when she died in Celina. They reared a family of four children, viz., Mary, Sarah, Henry J., and Margaret J.
Mary married P. Bird in 1>53, and died in 1854 in Lucas County, Ohio. Sarah and Margaret J. are living on the home-farm with their brother.
Henry J. MeKirnan at the age of fifteen years was compelled to take charge of the farm on account of his father's sickness. He faithfully discharged his duties on the farm, looking after the business and assist- ing in the farming for several years, or until about one year after his father's death. He then left the farm in care of a trusty hand in 1864. and took a trip to Philadelphia, where he engaged at millwrighting and carpentering about one year, and then returned home and took charge of the farm again, which he has since conducted successfully. In IGT he engaged in the marble business in St. Marys in company with Joseph Flanery, and remained a partner in the business about eight years. In the fall of 1974 he was elected to the office of sheriff of Mercer County. and took charge of the office ou the 4th day of January, 1975. In the fall of 1876 he was again nominated by acclamation. and elected to the same office by a large majority, served the second term faithfully, and retired from the office in January, 1879, with all the honors of having faithfully and impartially discharged all the duties devolving upon him as sheriff of the county. He then returned with his family to his farm in Centre Township, where he is now residing and giving all his atten- tion to farming and breeding fine cattle.
In the spring of 1879 he was elected treasurer of Centre Township.
June 10, 1875, he married Miss Julia A. Kane, then of Butler County. Ohio, born in 1851. They have a family of two children-one son and one daughter.
Mr. Mekiruan is considered one among Mercer County's most ener- getic citizens and best business men, to whom many come for counsel and advice on business transactions.
STEPHEN HOWICK
was born in England November 5, 1812. In 1931 he emigrated to America, and landed at Quebec, and from there direct to Buttato, New York, and thence to Lancaster, Ohio. Here he engaged in making and laying brick, in which business he was occupied till the fall of 1885. He then came to St. Mary's and remained there until ISST, when he moved to this township and settled on eighty acres of land He is one of the most industrious farmers in the township, and by good management has become one of the largest landholders. He has added to his possessions until he has acquired three hundred and twenty acres, after provil : for some of his children. In 1:35 he was married to Eve Mmart. bu whom he has had eight children, five of whom are living, named as fol- lows: David, George, Robert, and Daniel. David married Maria Leharin. and lives in Centre Township; Jacob is married, and resides in Kais is; George married Fannie Cantwell, and Robert married Mary Real : Us last two sons also settled in Centre Township.
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MRS. G. W. RAUDABAUGH.
JUDGE G.W. RAUDABAUGH.
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" RURAL HOME "
RES. OF G. W. RAUDABAUGH, CENTRE TW'P, MERCER CO. OHIO.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
G. W. RAUDARAUGH
was born in Logan, Hocking County, Ohio, July 2, 1818. His parents enume from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the year 1502. They are dead, his father dying in I>40 and his mother in 1979. Winte the subject of this sketch was in his infaney his parents moved to Fairfield County, where Mr. Raudabaugh was reared to manhood. In Is42 he came to Mercer County, but spent the winter of 1-12-3 in Champaign County, and finally in March, 1843, returned and settled in Hopewell Township and engaged in farming. The same year he was elected a justice of the peace, in which capacity he served until 1×47. when he was appointed an associate judge of the county, which office he held until it was abolished by the constitution of 1851. In 1:52 he was again elected a justice of the peace of Hopewell Township, and served until 1555, when he was elected county anditor, and filled that office two terms. In I&60 he was elected county treasurer, and reflected in 1862. In 1861 he moved to his present residence in Centre Township, and upon the expiration of his term of office as treasurer in 1865 he was again elected a justice of the peace. This he resigned to accept the appointment of county treasurer to fill an unexpired term of about eighteen mouths occasioned by the death of that officer. From the expiration of this term he served as deputy county treasurer until 1876. In this year the people of the county elected him as their representative in the Ohio Legislature, which office he filled one term. His life has been a busy one and full of honors, and displays a remarkable confidence placed in him by his fellow-citizens. On May Is, 1843, he married Catharine Roberts, by whom he has had ten children, named Frank, Willam I .. John, Polly, Albert, George S., Joshua R., Edward, Richard, and Lillie.
REV. GILES P. SPICER
was born in Miami County, Ohio, October 15. 1827. He is a son of Samuel S. and Mary Ann Spicer, who moved to Mercer County with their family in 1835, with whom was the subject of this sketch. His father was a local minister in the M. E. Church, and while attending Twelve- Mile Creek camp meeting in 1835, took cold from exposure, aud . died. He was one of the first settlers, and the family was left to under- go the privation, suffering, inconvenience, and hard labor common to the early pioneers. No roads, no mill nearer than Piqua, no fruit, and neighbors six and eight miles distant, made life monotonous, which was only relieved by the bowl of the wolf and the hunt of will game ; still they were comforted by the thought that all were on an equality, and free from the aristocracy and selfishness prevalent in the present day. The mother and family of Rev. Giles Spicer moved back to Miami County, but returned to Mercer in 1549. In the year of 1549 our sub- ject united with the M. E. Church at what is now known as Bethel Church, not far from the mouth of Eight-Mile Creek. It was a log cabin, which was replaced by a more suitable edifice in 1866. In lodz, Mr. Spicer was licensed as an exhorter, and afterwards licensed as a local preacher, in the mean time pursuing his avocation of farmer. In 1877 he had charge of the Convoy Circuit, Van Wert County; in 1978 that of Kalida, Putnam County ; in 1979 that of West Cairo, Allou County ; and in Is<0-1 was sent to New Hampshire, Auglaize County. Rev. Mr. Spicer has been twice married. The name of his first wife was Ann Elizabeth Spicer, whom he married June 16, 1850. She died in 1.54, leaving him with seven children. In 1877 he married Maggie Green.
ZOPHAR WILLIAMS, Retired Farmer.
We take pleasure in presenting to the readers of this work a brief sketch of one of Centre Township's early settlers and most prominent and worthy farmers, Zophar Williams, who was born March 3, 1909. in Essex County, New Jersey. In ISI9 he came with his parents, Elias and Sarah Williams, to Ohio, and located in Licking County.
On the 9th day of May, 1833. he married Miss Elizabeth O. Pomphrey, of Licking County, by whom he had four children, one of whom died in infaney. One. Stephen C., was killed in the charge during the battle of Mission Ridge, on the 9th day of November, Isb3. The other two chil- dren, Robinson T., and Sarah E., are vet living.
Mrs. Williams deceased October 25, 1841. Mr. Williams remained a widower about four years, or until the 4th day of September. 1915, when he was united in marriage with Miss Cynthia Martin, then of Licking County, but born in Washington County, Ohio, May 17, 1-15, and came with her parents, Charles H. and Mary Martin, to Licking County, Ohio, in the fall of Jel5.
Mr and Mrs. Williams migrated to Mercer County in 1947, and located in Centre Township, on the land where they now reside. His first in- provement was a log cabin, which served them as a place in which to live for a number of years, when he then created a larger and more com- fortalde residence. By his last marriage he had four children. two of whom died when very small, and the other two, John E. and Mary J .. are get living. John E. is married, and his 's on the home farm with his parents.
SAMUEL DAVIS,
deceased, was born in Rutland County, Vermont, in May, 1784, where he grew to manhood on a farm. He emigrated to New York State, where he married Miss Laura Spicer, of that State, in 1813. They re- mained in York State about four years after marriage, or until the spring of 1517, when they migrated to Ohio, and located in Cincintriti. They lived in Cincinnati and in different counties in southern Ohio until April 19th, 1834, when they came to Shelby County, remained until the 1st day of September of the same year, and then came to Mercer County. They settled in Cuion Township, on a part of section 35, where they remained until 1961, when they moved to Centre Township, and passed the remainder of their days with their son, Samuel Davis. Mrs. Davis died April 1st, 1866. Mr. Davis departed this life November 10th, 1sex. Mr. D. served in the war of 1912, and received a land warrant for the services rendered. He was considered one among Mercer County's most worthy pioneers, atvi left the world honored and esteemed by all who knew him. He followed farming as his principal business through life. He reared a family of six children, viz., Samuel, Laura, Justice B., James C., Mary, and Eliza, all of whom married and reared families. Laura is now deceased.
SAMUEL DAVIS,
oldest son of the above-named Samnel Davis, deceased, was born in Ontario County, New York State, on the 5th day of October, 1914. He came to Ohio with his parents in 1817, sunt after passing several years in Southern Ohio, they came to this county in 1534, and located in Union Township. On the 12th day of April. 1835, he married Miss Elizabeth Murlin, daughter of John and Sarah Martin. Miss Marlin was born in Ontario County. New York, June 11th, Ist, and came to this county with her mother (her father being dead) in 1832, and settled in Union Township on a part of section 35, where Mrs. Murlin passed the remainder of her days.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis settled in Centre Township shortly after their marriage, on eighty acres of the quarter section in section 3. which now comprises his well improved farm. He purchased the other part of the same quarter section in 1850, and at this time he owns a part of another quarter section there, and some land in section 2. Centre Township. His first improvement on his land was the erection of a cabin, which served them as a residence for a number of years, when a larger and more comfortable dwelling was erected.
He has made farming and stock-raising his avocation through life. His companion died October 2, 1854, leaving seven children to his care-four sons and three daughters-all of whom are vet living. He then married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Nolin, born in Miami County, Ohio. December 19, 1827, and came to this county in 1835 with her parents, who settled on the southwest quarter of section 3, Centre Township. By this marriage he has three children -two sons and one daughter.
His son Owen Davis served three years in the war of 1861, and his son John served nearly four years in the same war, and was discharged from the service at the close of the war. He ranks among the lea ling farmers in Mercer County.
ANDREW J. FAST, Farmer; P. O., Neptune, Ohio,
was born in Fairfield County, Ohio. December 23, 1828. His father, Abraham Fast, was born in Redstone. Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and when yet a small boy he came with his parents to Ohio, and located in Fairfieldt County, where he grew to manhood. married. and reared a family. In Ist he came with his family to this county, and located on the land in section 6, Centre Township, now owned by Wesley Zralhard, where he died in September, 1874.
His wife, Mary Fast, ner Ginter, was born in Pennsylvania in 1508, and died in Centre Township, Mercer County, Ohio, in September, ISTt. They reared a family of ten children-nine sons and one daughter-all of whom are yet living.
The subject of this sketch, Mr. A. J. Fast, married Miss Maria D. Thomas, February 6th. IS51. Miss Thomas was born in Maryland, January 26, 1826, and came with her parents, David and Ehzabeth Thomas, to Ohio, and located in Fairfield County in 1991.
Mr. and Mrs. Past settled in Fairfield County : remained ontil Isi ;. when they came to Mercer County, and located on land now owned by D. Ginter in Centre Township, where they lived several years, or until 1860, when he purchased and moved on the farm where they now reside, in section 14, Centre Township, almut one mile north of Neptune.
He served about four months in the war of INGI, in the Ohio National Guarily.
He has mule farming his principal vocation In 1862 he, in company with G. Fast and George W. Thomas, erected a steam saw mill near Neptune, with a capacity for sawing about 5000 feet per day, which they have operated successfully, manufacturing all kinds of hard-wood lutaber.
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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
BENJAMIN P. LAYLAND, Farmer; P. O., Celina, Ohio.
On the 28th day of February, I>09, Mr. Layland was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Hiseducation was that obtained in the common schools of his minority days. In 1827, his father being dead, he carne with his mother to Ohio and located in Fairfield County, where his mother died.
In 1830 he engaged as clerk in a drygoods store in Carroll, Fairfield County, and remained in that business as an employe of the same firm about twelve years. He then turned his attention to farming, in which business he has since been engaged. In 1837 he married Miss Margaret Parker, of Fairfield County, Ohio, born June 21. 1816, and daughter of David and Rebecca Parker. They settled in Fairficht County, remained until 1844, when they migrated to Mercer County and located in Centre Township, on the land where he now resides, it being a part of section 28. There was a small log cabin on the land when they purchased it and a few acres cleared. They rented a family of six children, viz., Perry D. F., Cyrus B., John W .. George M .. Emmeline E., and Reberea J., all of whom are now living except Enchine E., who died in November, 1876. Mrs. Layland died October 7, 1877. His son Perry D. F. served about one year in the war of Is61. He went out with the Ohio National Guard, served four months, then re-enlisted and served until the close of the war.
Mr. Layland is still looking after the business of his farm, and is en- joying good health for a man of his years.
DANIEL BEOUGHER, Farmer; P. O. Celina, Ohio.
Among those who are widely known and highly esteemed by the people of this county, is he whose name heads this sketch. Prominently connected with the material interests of the county, and especially of his own township, which he labored in a signal manner to promote and improve.
Mr. Beongher was born on the 18th day of December, 1827, in Hocking County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood, on a farm, and he made farm- ing his avocation through life. In 1848 he married Miss Mahala Beary, of Fairfield County, Ohio, born in September, 1827, and a daughter of Christian and Elizabeth Beary.
Mr. and Mrs. Beougher came to Mercer County shortly after their marriage and settled on a part of the land in Centre Township, which now comprises his well-improved farm. The improvements on his farm are all the result of his own labor, as the land was covered with heavy timber when he came to it. A lot house served them as a residence until 1875, when he erected his present frame dwelling, which is a credit to the builder and township in which it is located. Their union restilted in ten children, seven of whom are now living, five sous and two daughters.
Mr. Beougher is considered one among the best and leading farmers of Centre Township.
JOHN M. WRIGHT
was born near Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio, on the Ist day of November. 1-10. where he was reared to manhood on a farin. In Geto- ber, 1830. he, in company with his parents, Abel and Mary Wright, came to Mercer County, and located in Union Township on Eight-Mite Creek, near where the Bethel Church now stands. There were no improvements on the land when they came to it. They at once erected a cabin, which served them as a dwelling for many years.
The land was purchased by Mr. Abel Wright, who improved the land, and lived on the farm until 1846, when he sold his farm and moved to Neptune, where he died March 17. Is44, at the advanced age of eighty- one years. His companion departed this life in August, 140. He served in the war of 1:12.
The subject of this sketch, John M. Wright, purchased and settled on a part of section 36, in Union Township. Dee. 25, 1842, atul remained on the same farm for thirty-six years. or until Dec. 25, 1>75, when he par- chased and moved on the farm in section 1. Centre Townships where he now resides. He has been married twice-first to Miss Caroline Malin, Jan. 5, 1834, by whom he had two children. viz., Francis M. and Mary J. His companion diet Det. 17. 1513. His second marriage was with Miss Sarah E. Gordon. Feb. 18, 1847. By this union he had eleven chil- dren, nine of whom are now living -- five sons and four daughters.
He has made farming his vocation through life. and now owns a good farm in section I in Centre Township, where he is now having.
ENOS HAYES
was born in New York State in 1812. He moved to Licking County, Ohio, where he married Miss Amanda Smith, of that county. In Isi they came to Mercer County, and settled on the land in section Is. Centre Township, Bos owned by John E. Yorum, where they remitted until isex, when he sold his farm and moved to Carroll County. Mo .. where he now resides. They reared a family of children, some of whoth are yet living in this township.
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SMITH TOWNSEND,
a native of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, was born on the 14th day of September, 1524, on the farm where his father, Jonathan Townsend, his grandfather, John Townsend, his great-grandfather, Joseph Townsend. and his great-great-grandfather, John Townsend, were born. In 1931 he was brought to Ohio by his parents, Jonathan and Ann Townsend, who located in Colminbiana County, where our subject grew to manhood.
On the 21-t day of October, 1846, he married Miss Sidney Garwood, of Columbiana County, Ohio, born September 2d, 1825, daughter of Isaac and Alice Garwood, Mr. and Mrs. Townsend remained in that county until 1852, when they came to Mercer County, and located in Centre Township on the part of section 10 which now comprises their well me- proved farm, on which they have since lived, and reared a family of eight children-four sons and four daughters. His first improvement on his land was the erection of a cabin, which served as a residence until 1871. when he erected a frame dwelling. He is a blacksmith by trade. and followed that business as his vocation until his settlement in this county in 1852, when be turned his attention to farming, and has since made farming and stock-raising his avocation.
He served about four months in the late war in Company K, 156th Ohio National Guards. He tilled the office of township treasurer for Centre Township one year, and the office of township trustee about five years.
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