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 72
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 72
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124
CHRISTOPHER KREISELMEYER
was born in Bavaria in 1821. Married Susan Swope. 1847. Came to Van Wert County, 1-52. They have six children. When Mr. K. first came to the United States be located in Crawford County, Ohio, where he lived till he came to Van Wert.
EPHRAIM MEDAUGH
was born in Pennsylvania in 1814. Married Jane Schlater in 1935. Came to Van Wert County in 1841. They raised a family of six chil- dren. Mrs. M. died in 1864, he afterward married Christina Dague, the widow of Alfred Dague.
DANIEL AND GEORGE STETLER
came to Willshire Township from Montgomery County, Ohio, 1833. Jacob Stetler came in 1834. John Stetler did not come till 1:41. They all located near together. Jacob and George in Mercer County, Daniel and John in Van Wert.
W.M. II. BEALL
was born in Harrison County, Ohio, 1946, and came to Wilshire. I.T. He married Mary C. Bunner. 1963. Mr. B. is Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the town of Willshire.
FREDERICK ELLER
Was born in Richland County, Ohio, 1832. Married Nancy E. Kilmer, 1864. He came with his father, Jacob Eller, to Van Wert County, 1850.
NICHOLAS GEISLER
was born in Germany in 1832, and settled in Willshire Township, 1849. He married Elizabeth Coffits, 1802. They have three children, viz., George, John, and Anna.
HENRY SCHUMM
was born in Willshire Township, 1841. Married Rosanna Schinerer, 1872. They have five children, viz., John M., Mene, Clara, Hannah, and Edward.
MOSES ROYSTON
was born in Maryland, 1819. Married Catharine Bobletz 1852, and moved to Van Wert County the same year. Mr. R. is located on sec- Lion 27, on which he has built a fine brick house.
JOHN BUECHNER
was born in Germany, 1828. Settled in Van Wert County, 1852. Mar- ried Margaret Secor, 1853. They have four children.
٠٠
239
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
JOSHUA MYERS
was born in Van Wert County in 1450. Married Mary E. Dague in 1870. They have two children-John S. and William C.
FREDERICK SHEFTS
was born in Columbiana County in 1830. Came to Van Wert County in 1553. Married Nancy A. Merica, 1862. They have six children.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
This township is six miles square, containing thirty-six sections. It is bounded as follows : On the north by Pleasant Township, east by York Township, west by Willshire Township, and by Mercer County on the south.
Organization.
The commissioners at their March session in 1840 formed this town- ship. It was detached from Willshire. The petitioners for the organi- zation were John Shafer. John Schilater, William Reed, George Clouse, Daniel Riley, Peter Putman, Peter Brubaker, Emanuel Cummins, Asa- hel Culver, Jeremiah Agler, John Rollin, and Thomas Townsend.
The first election was held at the house of Peter Petman on the first Monday of April, 1810. The officers elected at that election were as fol- lows: Trustees, Peter Putman, Asahel Culver, and George Clouse; Clerk, John Shafer; Treasurer, William Reed; Constable, Thomas Redman.
The first Justice of the Peace was Emanuel Cumming. The township records of an early date have been lost or destroyed. The present ofli- cers are: Trustees, Willson Addleblue, John Morehead, and Samuel Smith ; Treasurer, Wilham.Ayres; Clerk. William Witting; Justices of the Peace, Lauren B. Shaffer and William N. Watt.
The township was given the name Liberty by Jerry Agler.
The First Settlements.
The first settler in the township was James Hemphill, from Richland County, Ohio, who settled on the land now owned by Jacob King in section 31, in the year 1837 There were no others came till the spring. summer, and fall of 182%, when we find that Jeremiah Agler (the second settler), Peter Putman. George Clouse, Madison White, John Shafer, John Schilater, and George Shafer came in. This settlement was made in the southwest part of the township. There may have been some other settlers who came as early as the above of whom we have no knowl- edge, as these are only given from recollection at the present time. Daniel Riley and Gersham Jewell perhaps came as early as 1838.
Roads.
Upon the first settlement of Liberty Township there were no laid out roads; in fact there was no road of any kind. The first settlers had to cut a way through the timber and brush to their lands. The first road laid out was the diagonal road, leading from the county line to Van Wert, known as the Mill road. This road was surveyed in the fall of 1840 by John Morse. The viewers were William Thorn, William Priddy, and William Davis. The second road was what is known as the Hitesman and Clouse road. The third road was the county line road.
Topography.
The greater portion of the township is level, particularly through the central part, but is sufficiently rolling for casy drainage. In the south- western portion of the township, extending in a northeast direction through the township, is a ridge which makes the lands quite rolling. In the northwest part of the township is the eastern terminus of twenty- seven mile prairie, which is drained by twenty seven mile creek, in a southwest direction neres Willshire Township, and empties into the St. Marys River at Pleasant Mills, in the State of Indiana. The drain- age of the remainder of the township is to the north, through what is known as Town Crock, which empties into the Auglaize River.
The first school house built in the township was in the fall of 1811 on the land of John Schlater. The first school was taught by Thomas Redman.
The first sermon preached was by the Rev. Daniel Riley at the funeral of the wife of Peter Brubaker, July, 1540.
The first death was that of a child of John Shaffer named Cornelius. The first birth was Jacob Clouse, son of George Clouse. He was born Nov. 19, 183%.
The first marriage was Jacob Gates and Fanny Hemphill. They were married by Esquire Cummins.
The first round log house was built by James Hemphill in 1937 ; the first hewed løg house, by William Bred; first frame house, by Peter Brubaker; first brick house, by William Rombaugh.
The fist improved agricultural implements, by way of reaper, mower. and grain-drill, were bought by Peter Brubaker.
In this township there is one of the largest organizations of the Patrons of Husbandry there is in the State, known as Liberty Grange. We made an effort to get the history of this grange, but failed, because it was not furnished as promised.
Liberty Township is inhabited by an enterprising class of people. mostly from the central and eastern parts of Ohio. All who first came here were poor, with barely enough to bring them to the county, and perhaps enough to buy a small piece of land.
The land being heavily timbered, and a great portion of it low and wet. with no natural streams for drainage, was necessarily slow in develop- ment. But the sturdy pioneer, with his axe and spade, and a determina- tion to have a home, has made Liberty one of the best townships in the county. The settlers of this township did not spend their time in cu :- ting and banting stave-bolts and hoop-poles, as they have in some places. but bent their energies to clearing and draining their lands and making nice homes for their families.
There are two railroads in the township-the C. V. W. and M. passes nearly through the centre north and south, the T. D. and B. passing centrally east and west. The junction of the two roads is near the cen- tre of the township. There are three stations and villages within the township, each having a post-office for the convenience of the people.
Within the township are nine school-houses, five churches, viz .. Pres- byterian, United Brethren, Evangelical, Baptist, and Lutheran; four saw-mills, and two brick and tile factories. There is not a rural towa- ship anywhere in Northwestern Ohio that has more and better advan- tages than has Liberty.
The Original Entries of Lands.
See. Xame.
Acros. Year. Sec.
Nam:a.
Actes, Tvar.
1 Peter Zinn.
321
1836 11 Philip Yant. 40
1836
Lewis Shusser,
160
= Daniel Yant.
160
2 Jacob Willower, Abraham Willower.
80
Levi Rowland,
160
William Webber. Jr.,
120
1849
Amos Duncan.
40
Abraham Hoghe,
1847
William Hacket.
$0
40 J-41
James Adams.
159
160
John Hip-hice, Israel Welch,
40
Levi Rowland.
80
1×37
Jolm Catell.
40 1851
John Rowland.
10
1840 Henry Reese.
120 1-54
4 Rice Woodruff
157
1836 Charles MeCusty.
John Young.
80 1: 2
John Jones.
80
1837
G. Jewell.
40 1452
Brice Roed,
.40
1839
13 Jonas Harp, Philip Mees.
Robert Wolf,
40
1852
154 1536
David Welch,
40
5 Robert M. Fowler, John Jones.
160
Iliram Carroll,
Thos, McClain. 276 1837
38
1×37
John A. Smith, 611
6 Samuel Springer,
185
1837 David Costell.
150
John French.
=
14 Michael Wilson,
240
Thomas Morehead,
52
Henry Bible, John Bowen,
40
1-34
Isaac Charles.
52 1:51
Joseph Duncan,
80
1539
7 Richard & Riley,
450 1837
John Gibbon,
80)
15 Peter Swoverland,
320
1536
Henry Springer,
105
Robert Platt,
160
1-37
Isaac Charles.
80
Isaac Charles,
160
8 George Smith,
80
1336
16 Fletcher & Adams.
320
1-34
John Rowland,
80
Isaac Fording,
160
William Jackson,
So
Philip & John Yant.
17 John Jones,
320
Henry Springer,
240
1839
Ilenry Bryan, George Speaker. John B. Davidson.
160
1-25
Jatmies Sims.
9 Sammel Nicholas,
George Suath,
..
18 Archibald Metluny,
Adam H. Exhue.
157
Franklin Culver,
40
.4
Valentine Haline,
212
Samuel Sayers,
80
1833
Adam H. Exline,
19 George Smith,
Ashel Culver.
Julius Johuston,
Braben Harp,
10 Daniel Richard. 160
160
Charlotte spangenberg.
John Harrow,
Cummings Culver.
1837
1:38 Andrew Patinau
104
Walhum Bebb.
20
20 George Smith,
.. Philo S. Van Hanton.
Samuel Sayers,
Thorn Worley,
40
David Heitsman,
160
..
..
3 Josiah Perigo,
120
1835 Samuel Hip-hire,
1:36 12 George Smith.
40 1-50
Jacob Willower,
80
80 1-72
Martin Miller,
137
John Wood,
80
100
.6
160
Henry Springer,
160 1837
William Bowen,
40
Joseph S. Craig,
Alex. Morehead,
105
John Lilly.
80
1-36
Alfred Severs,
160
C. Gleason.
Brice Heed.
4.
160
104
Daniel Timey,
Valentine Exline,
Philip Gant.
..
Jamey Suns.
400
1936 Samuel Biddle,
120 1837
Joseph W. Burk,
Levi Rowland,
Wm. Hooks.
Shaw & Frisbie,
210 37.43
1839
John Row lund.
1837
.. John W. Bowersock.
Madison Reynolds,
.
260
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
Acres. Year. Soc.
Nxtun. 20 Henry Miller, 86 1938
24 Saan & Gilliland,
80 1-39 29 W. G. Smith, JAN 1-36
Grorve smith,
320 .. Michael Clause, 160 1837
160 Christian Wyandt, 160 ..
Lewis Parker. William Stewart.
1811
30 W. G. Smith,
120 John Silater, 202
18:5 Peter Putut, Samuel Forthey. 906
320
1638
31 Thomas Mekw.
1837
Samuel Cester.
23 Henry Newman. John Free, Michael Wilson.
160
Benj. Gates,
52
44
..
Amos Bebion, 104
21 JJohn Young. +0 1:18
Elijah Clifton, Daniel Clifton,
40
Henry Mckee,
200)
=
Charles Burk.
40
Thenas Mo Ker.
-40
A. B. Welch,
John A. Ross,
40
John A. Smith.
40
John Burk.
40 1850
John Weleb.
40
..
100
1849
Jacob Gardman,
160
:
25 William S. Overholt,
80 1819
Alphous White,
80
George W. Wilcox, Alex. Myers.
40
44
Henry Miller.
80
1-3x
John Welch.
40
=
34 1-ravi Gongaway.
160 1-37
Dennis Welch,
41
1813
Jacob Suyder,
160
Fox Collins,
80
Jaroh Ort,
40 18.50
John Troup,
80
John Moler,
80
1848
David Welch.
=
Jacob Krser.
80
6.
Rebecca Ramsey. 80)
John Frysinger,
40 1837
26 James MeDermit. 320 1836
Jacob Frysinger,
George Shaffer,
40
1648
James P'ation. John Moore.
160
1:19
35 Jobn G. Debinan,
160
1937
27 Isaar N. Skillman, A. Bailey,
160
Heury Mecze,
80
Uriah Franks,
210
Perry Handley.
40
James MeDermit,
20
1839
J.Shindiedecker,
40
44
Reuben Williams.
80
1837
Prison Gessler,
160
1847
28 Isaac N. Skillman. David Byers,
160
36 John Heath.
200
1832
Jobn Vantilburg.
160
JJohn Dilbone,
120
1837
Campbell S. Krating
80
:
Lewis Higgins,
80
Joseph M. Keating,
80
Joseph Deuman.
80
William Dilborn.
40 1833
Isaac Strong,
100 1841
Poll-book of election held in Liberty Township, Oct. 13, 1540. Judges, John Schlater and Emanuel Cummins ; Clerks, John Shaffer and Peter Putman.
Number and names of electors :-
1. Jeremy Agler.
9. George Clouse.
2. A. McClug.
10. John Frysinger.
3. Peter Putman.
11. Peter Brubaker.
4. John Shaffer.
12. Conrad Agler.
5. Samuel Hemphill.
13. John Temple.
6. George Shaffer.
14. Graham Jewell.
7. George Schlater.
15. Ephraim Mumaugh.
16. Peter Dull.
At this election Wilson Shannon had seven votes and Thomas Corwin ' had seven votes for Governor; William Sawyer had nine votes and Patrick G. Goode had five votes for Congress: Daniel O. Morton had nine votes, Lorin Kennedy had nine votes, George B. Way bad five votes, and John F. Hinkle had five votes for Representative.
David McCoy had thirteen votes for Commissioner, and Emanuel Cum- mins six votes for Justice of the Peace.
CHURCHES.
The Salem, or Grow Lutheran, Church
was organized by Frederick Biddle in 1958, with nine members, and Rev. Biddle was chosen as first pastor. Christian Leather, and his son Harrison were elected as first church council, in which capacity tie for- mer continued up to the date of his death. After the resignation of Rev. Biddle the congregation has been served by various pastors, some of whom were learned and able men. among whom may be mentioned Rev. Wells, of Indiana; Hev. Exline, of Kan., and Maurice Officer, who had served several years as missionary in Africa. During the past five years the congregation has been served by a man who was one of the first converts after the organization. The building now using was erected in Isto, and is the oldest church in the neighborhood.
When this house was created the congregation was small, but with characteristic vigor the holding was completed within four months from its commencement. This church has always been regarded as a central
Aspen. Your : point about which cluster and cling the hopes and feelings of a large 40 1-32 community. In a short time it is supposed the old church, with its hallowed memories and cherished influences, will give place to a new and more commodious structure.
Liberty Centre Lutheran Church.
This congregation was organized at a very carly date. and while the whole community was yet an almost wabroken forest, by Rev. C. Kaskey. This was in 1851, and since that time there has been a steady growth and prosperity attending the congregation. The church is located at the centre of the township. and had built up a flourishing congregation prior to the late war. At that time a large number of the members en- tered the mumy, and removals afterwards occurred, but in 1571 a new growth was experienced. and since that time the work of the church has been an influence of great forre in the community. A new building is How erecting, and will probably be completed by the Ist of January. 1892. The present pastor. Rev. J. Leathers, has served the congrega- tion during the past five years, and is doing a great work in the wpbubl- ing of the congregation.
Erangelical Church.
The first society of the Evangelical Church in Liberty Township was organized in the spring of 1858. The first members were George Har- tle and wife, Michael Wise and wife, and Paul Willeman and wife. The society was organized by Rev. Nickoly and John Fox. The first leader was George Hartle. The first church was built in ISGt in section 1. The ministers who have been on the charge are as follows : Andrew Nickoly, John Fox. Peter Gets. Christian Wessling, Henry Strichler, J. Cronmiller, Peter Burgner, - Panting. George Hartle, Elias Keplin- ger. Edward Evans, Barnhart Uphouse, Reuben Riggle, -- Al-pangh. P. Parr, Michael Krueger, Jacob Riper, - Wales, S. S. Alberts, B. F. Dill, and Jacob Aukerman.
Baptist Church.
This church was organized in 1852 by Eller Brower. The first members were David Welch, Sr., Dennis Welch. B. A. Welch, and Alecta Welch. They were organized into a society called the Bethel Society. In the year 1-53 they built a log church on the land of Mr. Hunter, in section 24. I.i. erty Township. This was occupied till the year 1974, when a neat france church was erected on the same lot. The ministers who have been over the society from that time to the present are as follows: Eller Brower. 1853: D. D. Johnston, from 1859 to 1572: A. La Rue, from 1 ;2 to 1873; J. Jackson. ISTS to 1874; J. H. Manning. 1874 to 1876; G. C. Graham, 1976 to 1878; E. S. Gregg, 1875 to Isa1.
Presbyterian Church.
The first Presbyterian Society 'in Liberty was organized in the spring of 1861 by the Rev. Thomas Ficox. The first society consisted of M. T. Brewer and wife, Peter Brubaker and wife. John Shafer and win . Abram Boyer and wife. Anderson Hileman and wife, and Christiana Shafer. The first church edifice erected was a frame, in the fall of 1861, on the corner of Peter Brubaker's farm. The Rev. Elvox has been pastor of the congregation from the time of its first organization to the present. The present ehlers are M. T. Brewer and Irase Iileman.
U. B. Church.
The U. B. Church was first organized in 1-56 by the Rev. W. E. Bey. The first members were Geo, Clouse and wife, Jerry Agler and wife, Jerry Swigart and wife, Martin Lintemoot and wife. Daniel Fortney and wir ... William Schlater, and several from Mercer County. The first leader was William Schilater. In 1961 they built a neat frame church on the land of Jacob King. The present membership is 53. The present pastor is Rev. Christian Bodey.
DULL STATION
was established in 1979, by J. Monroe Dull, Martin Lintemoof, and Nich. olas Fry, in sections 19 and 20, Liberty Township, on the T. D. & B Railroad. The first bakhugs erected were a store by J. M Pull, and a dwelling by M. Lintemost. There are at present about a dozen dwell. ings, one store, one grain warehouse, one saw mill. and one blacksmith shop. The name of the station and post-office is Full, named after J. M. Dull, one of the proprietors of the town.
SHASTA,
a station on the T. D. & B. Railroad, was named by John A. Smith after a place of the same name in California. There are at the present time in the place, one store, a post-olive of the name of the town, a saw- and playing-mall, and a number of dwellings. The village was laid out by John A. Smith, who hives adjacent to it.
22 Jacob Swoverland. Isaac N. Skallmat. Philo P. Moses, Peter Swoverland.
1-39 Madison M. White,
320 1856 James Hemphill,
157
32 Isaac N. Skallman. 183;
40
Emanuel Communs,
120
IR39
33 Guy C. Kolory,
William Redman,
80
McFarland & Hunter, A. B. Welch.
40
Julin Fanger.
Dat el Hall,
Madison H. White,
George Swalley, 80
Jobn Harrow,
40
40
..
160
1>38
1837
Joshua J. Strough,
120
1:50
1841
Cyrus Avery.
=
8. Emanuel Cummins.
Daniel Rhodes,
21 Morris Chapman. Moses Luther,
160 1-36 133;
186
261
MRS. MARTIN LINTEMOOT
MARTIN LINTEMOOT.
1
PETER FRYSINGER
MATTHIAS T. BREWER.
JOSEPH RANK
ELIZA RANK.
262
RES. OF SIMON KISER, LIBERTY TW'P. VAN WERT CO. OHIO.
RES. OF JOHN A. SMITH , SHASTA, LIBERTY TW'P. VAN WERT CO. OHIO
269
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES; OHIO.
ENTERPRISE.
Enterprise is in Liberty Township, near its centre, at the crossing of the C. V. W. & M. and T. D. & B. Railroads. It was established by Butler, Patterson & Co. The first house built was by D. A. MeMatana, used as a dwelling, grocery, and station-house or depot. The second house by F. Heirt for grocery and saloon. When the town was laid out, it was in the woods, not a stick cat, except along the railroad line, and not a road leading to it. There are at present about thirty lots sold for improvement.
BIOGRAPHIES.
MATTHIAS TOMROUGH BREWER
was born in Pennsylvania, Green County, January 10, 1813. He was taken by his parents to Wayne County, Ohio, in May, 1X16. They set- tled in what was known as the I've Settlement, which was at that time almost an unbroken forest, and inhabited principally by Indians.
The great Indian warrior, Adam Poe, was their nearest neighbor. (We will give this sketch as written by the subject of it.) We with- stood the inconvenience and privations of a frontier life. No churches nor schools in all the country. As soon as our clothing and other neces- saries were exhausted, that we had brought with us, we had to resort to the next best substitute, which was home manufacture of flax and the skins of wild animals. The subject of this sketch used to dress in buck- skin breeches, tow-linen shirt, fox-skin cap; and when he had shoes at all they were the Indian moccasin.
When I was nine years of age, a few of the neighbors employed a lady to go around from house to house, and instruct the children. This was the commencement of my school education. Some two or three years afterward the settlers in the neighborhood built a round log school- house near the centre of the settlement This house had a clap-board roof, ceiling, and door, and puncheon floor; the windows were made by cutting out a log on each shle, over which was pasted paper greased with coon or opossum oil. The writing-desks were made of puncheon, laid on pins against the wall. the seats were made of round logs split in two parts, with legs, some the flat side up and some the round. just to suit the fancy. In this house I received the most of my connuon-school education, When about fifteen years of age. I had learned to read and write, and the simple rules in arithmetic. I was then put into a coun- try dry goods and grocery store as a clerk, the proprietor of the store agreeing to give me instruction in arfilmuetie and grammar. Iremained in this store two years and a half. I then went home to my father and took a school to teach for three months, at ten dollars per mouth, and boarded around with the pupils; this was in the winter of 1831 and 1832. When my school was out in the spring my father sent me to Cleveland to get a more thorough knowledge of mercantile business. The next fill I returned home and took another school to teach. The following spring I went to work on the farm, and followed farming in the sumtuer and teaching in the winter for several years. March 20, 1834, I married Susan Patterson. I then leased forty acres of wood- land for ten years. I built a besed log house and moved into it the next June. I stayed on this land the full time, teaching school every winter. In the fall of 1911, I moved with my family (Irwing four children) to the State of Indiana. I bought eighty acres of wild land, built a cabin on it and moved into it January 1, 1945. That winter being a very open one with very little show I made rails, fenced in ten aeres and partty cleared the same. The next spring i rented five acres of land, two miles from home, and planted the same in corn, and finished clearing the ten- acre fiehl. The first week in June, myself and family, all took the lever and agne, which was a common complaint all over that country. not weil ones enough to wait on the sich. We suffered much for the want of some one to wait on us. We doctored with physicians and took mediemes for the next six months, till by that time my money was all expended, was some in debt, and no prospect of getting rid of the ague. I then wrote to my father in Ohio, gave him a history of our suffering and destitute condition. My father, sister, and brother-in-law came to our relief. When they came they gathered in our corn, and sold it for eighteen cents per bushel, and disposed of what little personal property we had, except my team and wagon can ox-team), loaded up our fow household goods and the family, and started back for Wayne County. All of us had a shake of the aque every day. We were two weeks on the road returning. The Best dime we had was spent and all sick ; we were seat- tered around among the friends during the winter. The following Jan- uary the fever and ague left us, by spring we felt quite well, but were very pale and weak. I then rented an old rickety cabin, gathered my family together again, and moved into it. I had no stock, except a small horse I had traded my oxen for. I then went to the village of Congress and engaged a school for four months at fifty cents per day, the directors paying me twelve dollars in advance. I boarded myself. By the time my school closed. I had re gonet my heart. I then worked for different ones, threshing. husking corn, etc., for about two months. I then engaged another school for four months, at sixteen dol ts per mouth, boardbag with the pupil .. The close of this school brought
---
-
me to the spring of 1917. I then rented a farm for two years, the land- lord furnishing team, feed, seed, etc. I received one half of the crops. At the ett of the two years I was able to buy me a light teamo. I then rented a small Gum for five years to pay a certain cash rent; when I had lived on this place three years I rented another adjoining farm. and gave half the products as rent. About this time I sold my Indiana land for three hundred dollars, and bought 160 acres of land in Van Wert County. Ohio. This was in the fall of Isal. In two years from this time I moved to my land in Van Wert County, which was in Sep- tember, 1853. At this time this part of the county was very thinly set- tled; my land was in the dark woods. My family consisted of myself. wife, and five children, and the sixth born shortly after we came. B .: the Great God in his all-wise providence saw proper to remove by death the partner of my youth (my beloved wife), and five of my children. since I came to Van Wert County, leaving an only daughter to console me in old age. I am now living with my second wife, who is a very amiable woman.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.