History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878

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 56
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 56

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).

WILLIAM PARENT

was among the first inhabitants of the towa, as the records show. He not only assisted in felling timber for the first houses that were built, but bid for opening now roads, constructing bridges and places of public interest. He married Miss Barbara Shingledecker, and purchased land a mile south of the east addition to the town of Van Wert, where he lived and died.

J. K. SCOTT

was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Nov. 22, 1824. He came to Ohio with his father, William Scott, and located near Mansfield. Richland County. His education consisted of that required in the comnon school On Oct. 1. 1-44. be married Miss Clarinda Patterson; of Richland County, born March 21, 1524, and daughter of ex-Congress- man William Patterson.

They settled on a farm in the same county, where he followed farming a few years. He then engaged in the saw mill business, by taking con- tracts to furnish lumber for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, he doing the sawing himself. He was also an employe of the road for three years as contractor for timber used in reconstructing the road.

In the spring of 1853 he moved his family to this county, and located on a farm one and a half miles south of Van Wert. He again turned his attention to farming, which he followed one year. In 1944 he moved to Van Wert and was employed by the Ohio and Indiana Railroad, but now called the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad. as road master. He bad charge of the road from Van Wert to Lima, but after- wards from Van West to Fort Wayne, for four years, and then resigned. He followed farming, but in 1860 sold his farm and moved to Van Wert, where he has since resided.

In 1-61 he, in company with John A. Coun, engaged in the grocery business until 1870, when he sold out and purchased one-third interest in the Van Wert Tight Barrel Stave Factory, which business he has since been engaged in. The firm is known as H. Butter & Co.

He is the father of eight children, six of whom are now living -- three sons and three daughters.

S. B. HERTZ,

dealer in general hardware and farming implements, Nos. 21 and 23, cor- ner of Main and Jefferson streets, Mr. Hertz was born in Union County. Penna .. August 3. 1832. He obtained a common school education. He was maisest on a farm, and followed farming until in 1962. when he re- moved to Van Wert. Soon after his arrival he, and his brother. U. W. Hertz. M.D., engaged in the hardware trade, June 1, 1863, his present location, the firm-game being Hertz & Brother, and its business was carried on three years, when J. R. Heinly became a partner in the firm by purchasing Dr. Hertz's interest, and was changed to Heitz & Heinly.

During the year 18GB, Hertz & Heinly purchased the Van Wert plan- ing mills and sash factory. Mr. Heinly taking charge of the factory and Mr. Hertz of the hardware trade. They continued as partners with both establishments until 1874, when it was dissolved by mutual con- sent, Mr. Heinly remaining at the factory and Mr. Hertz at the store.

Mr. Hertz has conducted the business with eminent success. and is considered the leading hardware dealer in the county; always keeping the largest and best assortment of everything required in the line of his business; also, paints, oils, sash, doors, etc., and agricultural imple- ments.

October 4, 1955, he married Ellen Rank. of Union County; she was born January 1x, 1837- They celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage on October 4, 1880, which was made an occasion long to be remembered by their many friends.

A. LYNCH,

baker and dealer in groceries, confectionerins, glassware, Minions, etc., at 47 East Main Street. Mr. Lynch was born in Monroe County, Ohio, June 1. 1836. He was apprenticed in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1-59, and served three years to learn the trade of a baker.

In 1>62 he went to Epper Sandusky and took charge of a shop. and conducted the business for another person for three years. In 1965 he enlisted in Company I of the One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment. and served until the close of the war. He was discharged, and returned home Sept. 8. 1865.

In lett he located himself in Van Wert, where he began business for himself. He has conducted his business successfully, and by close ap- plication an I energy he has increased his trade of the bakery, which requires two first-class assistants.

In 1813-14 he erected the fine brick block. 22 by so foot, the lower room of which he uses as his main grocery department, with other arti- des in the line of his business.

In 1-65 he married Maggie Hommer, of Upper Sandusky. daughter of Rev. George Hammer. They have four children-one son and three daughters

JOSIAR HATTERY.

Josiah Hattery was born in Virginia in 1920; in 1531 be moved to Colmabiana County. and from thence in Is1; to Van Wert.

In 1912 he married Elizabeth Bitter, by whom he had seven chibhien. He wasa cabinet-maker by trade, and kept the first cabinet and furniture store in the town of Van West. The first six months he was in his business in Van Wert he only received $2.50 in cash, and the balance of the account was paid in furs and skins. He died February 22, Isso.

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

S. SWINEFORD'S SONS,

wholesale and retail dealers in groceries, provisions, queensware, glass- ware, etc., at the corner of Main and Washington streets,

Mr. Swineford was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1819; he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ashland in Ist0. He married Miss Rachel Claybarg, of Ashland. By this union they had five chil- dren, three of whom are now living-two sons and one daughter.

In 1849 Mr. and Mrs. Swinefort moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and located on a farm near Osceola, where he engaged in farming for a few years. In 1852 they settled in the town of Van Wert.

He engaged as a clerk in A. W. Baker's dry-goods store for a short time, and in 1854, with Mr. A. Conant, commenced the grocery and provision business, and continued as partner until 1857, when Mr. Conant became sole proprietor.

Mr. Swineford sought a new location for business, but returned again to Van Wert and erected a two-story frame building, 18 by 45 feet. on Washington Street (which is now used by the present firm as a ware- room), in which he engaged in the grocery trade, which he successfully conducted until 1865. He then took his two sons, B. C. and L. R. Swineford, as partners in the business, under the name of S. Swindford & Sons, which continued until his death, which occurred Nov. 30, 1878. 1

The sons of Mr. Swineford then took charge of the business, under the same name, and deal in all kinds of groceries, provisions, queens- ware, glassware, and in fact everything in the grocery line. The firm occupies the brick building erected by their honored father in 1866, on the corner of Main and Washington streets. The main business room is 22 by 75 feet, which is filled with a complete stock of goods.

PERES M. DIX

was born in Delaware County. Ohio, February 25, 1820. When he was twelve years of age his father died, and he was left largely dependent upon his own resources. When sixteen years old he had accumulated one hundred dollars, with which he paid for the entry of the eighty acres of land on which he lived. In the autumn of 1840 he married Lavinia Wise, and in November following they moved to the farm already en- tered, which was located three miles southwest of the town of Van Wert. For some time after his settlement here be found himself contending with all the drawbacks incident to pioneer life. For instance, it was necessary to go to Fort Wayne, a distance of over thirty miles, to mill, .while groceries were to be obtained at Lima, distant about twenty-eight miles. The money was obtained by the sale of "coon-skins," or by doing odd pieces of work here and there in the new settlement. It was no unusual occurrence to go a distance of eight or ten miles to assist in raising & enbin for some new settler. . Hle has reared a family of ten children, as hereafter shown. Cynthia A. died in infancy; Mary E. married J. B. Pruden, but died in 1>7>, leaving a family of six chibiren ; Stephen L. was born in 1845, served throughout the late war, afterward married Sarah High, and has a family of five children; Nancy J. died ; at the age of four years; Peres Alvin was born in 1950, was married to Sarah E. Beck, and has a family of four children; Thebe E. married Elias Morehead, and is the mother of three children; David N. married Laura J. Rockhold. and has two children; Druscilla Aun married Jo- seph Leslie, and is the mother of two children: John E. married Eliza- beth Morrow, and Clinton Main, who is uumarried.

Mr. Dix has been a resident of the county since November 10, 1840. July, 1458, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has held the office con- tinuously since that date, being now serving his eighth term. He became identified with the Republican party at its organization, and still be- lieves it to be the party of liberty, equality, and progress.

HENRY BUTLER.

a native of England, was born in Nottinghamshire, February 12, 1839. He emigrated to America with his cousin William Cayworth, in 1849. when but ten years of age, leaving all his near connections in his native country. Landing in New York, he remained a short time, then removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he had relatives. He finally came to Van Wert County, and made his home with his uncle, a farmer. He received a common school education, and was engaged at various business as an employée until the spring of ICI, when he enlisted in Company E. 15th Ohio Regiment, for three months, served four months and returned home.

For two years he worked with a carpenter's going on the railroad. In 1863 he re-enlisted in Company K. asth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and served until the close of the war. He received his discharge July 8. 1>65, and returned home.

In one month afterwards he engaged in the manufacture of staves and heading for tight barrels, which business he has since been engaged in, and is considered one of Van Weet's best business men.

March 1. 15GG, he was married to Lizzie A. Trouty, daughter of Isaac Trouty. By this union they have one son and one daughter. In 1.72 Mr. Butler made his relatives in England a visit of three months, and then returned to Van Wert, where he has since continued his old business.

WILLIAM FRONEFIELD

was born on Chostunt Street, Philadelphia, Oct. 18, 1823. His parents came to Ohio in 1824, and located in Columbiana County for a few years, then to Stark County until 1839, when they settled in Union Township, Mercer County.

Mr. Fronefield was raised on a farm, and naturally made farming his vocation, but in 1866 he settled in Van Wert town, and in company with two of his sons engaged in the butcher business, which they have con- dueted with great success. They have two establishments -- one on South Washington Street. No. 11, and the other on East Main Street, No. 186.

In 1844 he was married to Christina Closs, daughter of Henry Class. She was born in Stark County, May 22, 1829, and came to this county with her parents in 1840.

Mr. and Mrs. Frovefield settled on 80 acres of land in Ridge Town- ship, made improvements, and lived four years. In 1848 they moved to Mercer County, and remained four years. In 1852 they removed to Ridge Township, and lived seven years. In 1859 be purchased and moved on his father's homestead, in Mercer County, where he remained until 1865. He then sold the home-farm, moved to York Township, and purchased 80 acres, where they lived until 1966; then they removed to Van Wert, where they are now living.

He served as constable of Ridge Township sixteen years, assessor of Pleasant Township, and coroner of the county. He raised a family of seven children-six sons and one daughter. His son Benjamin served about eighteen months in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Gable.

WILLIAM C. SCOTT

was born in Canonsburg, Washington County, Pennsylvania, July 1, 133, and came to Ohio in 1839 with his parents, who located near Mansfield, Richland County. He was educated at Haysville, Ashland County, in the Vermilion Institute, and after completing his education he made teaching his profession for a number of years.

In 1855 he came to Van Wert and engaged as principal of the high school, and remained as such until 1860, when he purchased the Van Wert Bulletin, and became its editor. In JaGl he sold the Bulletin and entered Company HI of the Fifteenth Ohio Regiment as Ist fien- tenant under Capt. Gilliland, but, on account of sickness, Capt. Gilliland resigned his office, and Lient. Scott was elected to fill the vacancy. Hle, however, resigned in Mav, 1962, came home, raised a company. and entered the Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry as captain of Com- pany A, and served as such until he was fatally wounded at the battle of Stone River, on Jan. 2. 1>63. and died Jan. 4. 1>63.

Aug. 26, 1856. he marrie.l M. T. MeCouahay, then of Van Wert. She was born in Mifflin County on Oct. 11, 1533, and came to Ohio with her parents in 1835. Their union resulted in two children, one of whom is living, viz., A. W. Scott, who resides in Van Wert.

JACOB MILLER

was born in Prussia, Feb. 18, 1825, and came to America in 1850, and located in this county. Dec. 6, 1$50, he married Christina Fauder, who was born in Humbergh County, Russia. Ang. 25, 1824, and emigrated to America in 1550, and located here. They settled on a farm in Har- rison Township, remained a short time, and then moved to within a short distance of Van Wert, and lived one year. In 1855 they moved to the town where they have since resided. They have five children- three sons and two daughters. Mr. Miller was engaged as an employée at different kinds of business until May, 1886, when he, in company with his son-in-law, Thomas Kippurd, engaged in the grocery business in Van Wert. They deal in all kinds of groceries, confectioneries, and keeping an eating-house.

In 1875 the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, Mr. Kip- pard retiring. Mr. Miller then took his son Jacob Miller into partner- ship, which continuent until April. Iss1. Jacob Miller, Sr., sold Ins interest to JJohn Murphy, and the business is successfully conducted by Messrs. Miller & Murphy.

JOSEPH S. HFATTERY,

son of Josiah Hattery, was born in the town of Van Wert, but was raised on a farm. In 1979 he married Julia Hackedorn; they have one child, named Hillis H. Mr. Hattery, since manhood, has been engaged in trade. In December, 1977, he entered into the drug business, in which he is at present engaged.

A. W. SCOTT & Co ..

dealers in groceries, queensware, glassware, etc. The firm was estab- lished May 17, Isso, by A. W. Scott & H. D. Moran.

They occupy a large and commodious room at No. 43 West Main Street, which is filled to overflowing with everything in the line of their

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OINO.

C. P. RICHEY

was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, on November 11, 1819. He was raised on a farm, and received a common school education, after which he engaged at farming for many years.

In 1x39 he married Martha T. Maddox, of Pickaway County, Ohio, and has five children, three of whom are living. In istthe located in Ridge Township and remained one year, In 1845 he purchased, made improvements, and moved on land in Pleasant Township, where he turned his attention to clearing land and farming for fifteen years. Hle built one of the first log-cabins north of Sugar Ridge, in Pleasant Town- ship.

In 1859 he was elected Sheriff of Van Wert County, served one term, and elveted in 1861. After his election be removed to the town of Van Wert, where he has since resided.

In May, 1861, he entered the army with the Ohio National Guard, of the 139th Regiment -- served four months, and returned home.

In the fall of 1861, be engaged in the boot and shoe business, and con- ducted it until 1×76.

In IS6T he was again elected sheriff, thus filling the office for six years. His wife died July 24, 1866. He married Mrs. M. T. Scott, January 1, 1874. He was elected Justice of the Peace for Van Wert and Pleasant Township in April, Iss0, and is now filling the office with his accus- tomed ability.

THOMAS J. DAVIS

was born in Pleasant Township. Van Wert County, in 1838. In 1840 he married Miss Martha La Rue: by this union they have seven chil- dren. In 1862 he enlisted in the 15th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. served five months, and was discharged for injuries received and returned home. Jle afterwards raised a company for the 139th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, marched as captain of the company, and remained until his term of ser- vice had expired.

William Davis, father of Thomas J. Davis, settled in Pleasant Town- ship, and died in 1842.

Capt. Davis now owns and resides on the old La Rue homestead, a view of which is shown in this work.

EZEKIEL COLE

was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1527, where he lived until he was fourtren years of age, when his father came to Wayne County, Ohio. When eighteen years of age he learned the shoe trade, which he followed for nine years.

In Dec. 1>38, he married Mary E. Spidle. They had three children. viz., Dr. T. J. Cole, Willie, and oue deceased. In 1-57 he commenced hotel- keeping at Milton, Starke County, and from that time to the present he has been engaged in the hotel business. He is at present the proprietor of the Van Wert Hotte. Mr. Cole is one of the popular landlords of Northern Ohio; his gomal disposition and affable ways make him popu- la'r wherever he is known. His hotel is always full of guests, who go away pleased, and are sure to return.

ISAIAH JONES

was born in Clermont County, Ohio, in 1826. He married Rosanna R. Smith, and has three children. He settled in Van Wert County in 1:52, in York Township, but in 1863 removed to Van Wert and engaged in the cooperage business, buying timber and hoop-poles.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP

is bounded by Union Township on the north, Ridge Township on the east, Harrison Township on the west, and Liberty Town-hip on the south.

This township was organized June 5, 1837, by the commissioners of the county upon the petition of citizens who requested its formation ; its limit's as Pleasant Township to embrace township 2 south, of range 2 east, and the petitioners also requested that township I south, of range 1 and 2, and the north half of township 2 south. of range I east, be at- tached thereto for township purposes, which request was granted. An election for township officers was ordered to be held at the house of James Maddox on June 20, who resided on the farm belonging to E. R. Wells, Esq .. and the number of votes polled was ton.

At the first election no justice of the prace was voted for, but at a subsequent election held in Van Weet soon afterwards, Joseph Gleason was dlertech which position be held by te election for fifteen years. This election was held in the double log-cabin erected by Riley and his sur- veyorsand which was also used as a court house.

Det. 20. Isto, an eineration of the people of Pleasant Township was taken, which was as follows: at heads of families, or a total of 20 males, and 36 lemalev.

...

At this date, April 6, 1840, there was but one assessor for the county, the north half of Harrison was detached with its territory, and Tully was organized into a separate township, March 27. 1839 ; Union was attached to Hoaglin, March 22. 1810, leaving Pleasant Township in shape of an original Congressional township of thirty-ix full sections until October 3, 1873, when the west hall' of section 18 and the southwest quarter of section 7 were taken from Ridge and annexed to Pleasant for the convenience of the citizens of Van Wert, included in the annexed territory.

Mr. Hill was at the building of the first cabin in Van wert, which was built by Win. Brady for James Riley.

First Settlers.

Oct. 1835. Robert Gilliland.

1836. Angastus Bronson (died Sept. 6, 1838), Asa Cook. Joshua Cook, Daniel Cook, Wm. Davis, Solomon Farman, Daniel Hipshire, Aaron Hipshire, Win. Miller, James T. Maddox (2d settler), Samuel Maddox. John Myers, John Maddox, Wm. Thorn, Robert M. Thomp- son, John F. Podds, Elisha Wells, W. A. Wells, E. R. Wells, Wm. Stripe, Jesse B. Howes.

IS37. Dr. Joseph II Eaton, Joseph Gleason, Stephen Gleason, Wil- liam Johns, Jacob W. Johns, Thomas Thorn, Benjamin Thorn, John Kessler.

1838. Asabel Aldeman, Rev. Simon Aldeman, Hercules Kane, Sam- uel M. Clark, James Q. Graves, Dr. P. John Hines, Wm. Caton, George Me Manama, Dr. Win. Simmons, Adam Simmons, Levi Sawyer, Phineas S. Russell.

1-39. Matthew Flagg. Thomas R. Mott, Jacob Thorn.

1 40. Jacob Kyle, Gideon Mott, John Magner, Levi Stultz, John Smith, John Tumbleson.

1841. Robert Miller.

First Inhabitants.

The first inhabitants of Pleasant Township, as we learn from the re- cords in the beginning of the year 1837, were Mr. Myers and two fami- lies by the name of Hipshire, living three or four miles south of Vou Wert, on the same erecek that runs through the town. Two families of the name of Maddox, on sections 8 and 9; Win. Miller on section 5; Augustus Bronson on section 6, and Levi Sawyer on section 7.

During the summer of the same year Mrs. Cook, the mother of Daniel and Asa Cook. William Davis and three families of the umine of Wells settled four miles southwest of Van Wert. Elisha Wells, then 50 years of age, with his son William, made the first start in this settlement. He had previously entered his land in 1836. To get to it they followed the wagon track along the ridge to a creek two miles west of Van Wert, then cut a track two miles up the creek to their land, which was the first travelling with a team in that direction.

Three funilies of the name of Gleason, from the State of New York. settled in the fall of 1937 on their land which they had previously en- tered in the southwest corner of Pleasant Township. After they had arrived at the little settlement of the Wells' and Cooks', they hated until they found the location of their land. They set out, guided by the pocket compass, and by clearing out a wagon track, added two miles more of road in the direction of Willshire. The emigrant family of the · Gleason's consisted of three men, six women, and seven children; they built log cabins for winter quarters-their wagons affording them shelter from cold and rain.

Following these, the same fall, arrived three or four brothers of the name of Thorn, who built log cabins and devoted their time to hunting during the winter. Their location was four miles south of Van Wert, and in the next season two of their families moved and settled perma- nently on the land they had entered.

At this date the settlement in Pleasant Township numbered sixteen families, which, according to statistics, would give a population of eighty persons. Then there were not eighty acres of cultivated land in the town- ship, hence the materials for the sustenance of these people had to be obtained at a distance of from twenty-five to sixty miles. These new- comers, however, brought corn and hogs from Allen County at fabulous prices, In the region of Piqua, sixty miles south, the necessaries of life were more abundant, to which these settlers directed their was ; and the water-mills were peculiarly attractive. Gen. Wayne's trail, leading from St. Mary's to Fort Defiance, was the line of travel going south for provisions. The food of the early settlers consisted largely of corn bread. venison and wild fowl.

These early settlers left comfortable homes, good friends, churches, and schools, and settled in a wilderness, destitute of all the comforts and conveniences of life except the fertility of the soil. The floor- of their cabins were made of hewn punchcons, or logy split into slabs. frout two to three inches thick, and then one side was hewn or faced with the broad-ase. The fireplace was constructed with damp clay, beat down and pressed together with a kind of mand. Chimney Haes were mele ul clay, mortar, and sticks. The lott or upper floors were made of peeled

191-192

PERES M. DIX.

MRS. LOVINA DIX.

VIEW FROM RAIL ROAD.

RES. OF PERES M. DIX , PLEASANT TW'P, VAN WERT CO. OHIO.

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

bark from the black-ash trees, fastened down with poles or split clap- boards, etc .; the wells were walled up with a hollow sycamore tree. To this early life must be added the herculean task of felling the timber of the forest before the land could be cultivated and the necessaries of life provided.

The true kindness and amenities of life were practiced by the early settlers. When the provisions would become scarce, one of the number would go off to some older settlement and procure a fresh supply. On one occasion L. S. Wells went to Sandusky City, and brought back a supply of groceries, muslin, salt, etc., which enabled him to sell a por- tion of it to his neighbors. It has often taken five days to make a trip to a horse-mill, four miles west of Lima and back again, when the creeks were full of water and the roads deep with mud.

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History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 56

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton Number of Pages: 878

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878