USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 84
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In politics Mr. Crummel is a stanch Democrat and gives an enthusiastic support to his party. Mrs. Crummel is an earnest and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which society Mr. Crummel gives gener- ously.
Mr. Crummel takes a deep and abiding interest in the progress and im- provements in the schools and in all matters pertaining to the welfare of his community. He belongs to that class of substantial citizens whose lives may not show any meteoric brilliancy, but who, by their support of the moral, social and political movements for the general good of the community are deserving of the commendation of all good citizens. A man of genial per- sonality and integrity of life, he has won the unbounded confidence of all who know him and as a representative citizen of his township he is entitled to representation in a work of this character.
WARDEN WHEELER.
The office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave on the record the verdict establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his neigh- bors and fellow citizens. In touching upon the life history of the subject of this sketch the writer aims to avoid fulsome encomium and extravagant praise ; yet he desires to hold up for consideration those facts which have shown the
Warden Wheeler
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distinction of a true, useful and honorable life-a life characterized by per- severance, energy, patriotism, broad charity and well defined purpose. To do this will be but to reiterate the dictum pronounced upon the man by the people who have known him long and well.
Warden Wheeler is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born at Zanesville on the 23d of November, 1833. He is a son of Benjamin and Eleanor (Warden) Wheeler. The family for several generations have been residents of Ohio, his paternal great-grandfather, Moses Dillon, having died at Zanesville at the age of ninety-seven years. The paternal grandpar- ents were natives of Baltimore county, Maryland, and there the father, Ben- jamin Wheeler, also was born in 1802. The subject's mother was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and is closely connected with an interesting bit of pioneer history. Her mother and children were at one time captured by the Indians, but succeeded in escaping and hid themselves in a school house, where they escaped detection. Benjamin Wheeler left his native state in 1820 and came to Zanesville, Ohio, making the trip by horseback, and there he be- gan working as an ox-driver for the Dillon Iron Works. In this humble ca- pacity he was faithful and industrious and was promoted from time to time until he became manager of the entire plant. Subsequently he started the Zanesville Foundry and Iron Works, which he conducted with considerable financial success until advancing age suggested to him the wisdom of retiring from active commercial life. Selling his manufacturing interests, he invested in bank stock, which enabled him to live a retired life free from worry or busi- ness care. His death occurred in 1874. He was also a large owner of farm lands, which required much of his attention. During his active years he was considered one of the most public-spirited men in Zanesville, giving his support to many enterprises which promised to be a benefit to the community. He was also very charitable, doing much in the way of benevolence, but was unos- tentatious in his manner of giving, and many of his acts of benevolence never came to public notice. In politics he was first a Whig, but after the forma- tion of the Republican party he gave that party his unreserved support. His widow survived him a number of years, dying in 1884.
Warden Wheeler was reared under the parental roof and secured his pre- liminary education in the Zanesville public schools, supplementing this by at- tendance at Marietta College, at Marietta, Ohio. He was not permitted to graduate at this institution, however, ill health forcing him to relinquish his studies. Upon recovering sufficiently to take up active work, he became a col- lector for the Adams & Wheeler Iron Works, at Zanesville, in which his father was interested. Subsequently, however, he became possessed with a
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desire to take up agriculture and, with this end in view, he went to where is now located the city of Rochelle, on the line between Lee and Ogle counties, Illinois, and in 1853 entered eighteen hundred acres of government land. In the following year he returned to Zanesville and drove overland to his new land a herd of cattle, the trip requiring about six weeks. Mr. Wheeler con- tinued his farming operations in Illinois until 1862. He has taken an active and intelligent interest in the trend of public events and was deeply concerned in the great struggle which ensued between the great political parties just prior to the Civil war. He cast his presidential votes for Fremont and Lincoln and was intimately associated with several of the great political leaders of Illinois, including Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. At the outbreak of the war he was in a mind to enlist for military service, but his father, to prevent him doing so, persuaded him to return to Ohio and take charge of a farm in Morgan county. The Wheeler family were of patriotic blood, and several members took an active part in the great and bloody struggle. A brother of the subject, Samuel H. Wheeler, was captain of Company A, Twenty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was at that time the youngest and smallest captain in the service. He was injured in the battle at Cheat Moun- tain, West Virginia, and was brought home, dying soon afterwards. Another brother, Robert F. Wheeler, gave up his life at the battle of Shiloh, and a brother-in-law, Capt. T. C. Ewing, of Ewing's Battery, was shot through the body at the battle of Rocky Ridge, West Virginia, being afterwards captured by the enemy. The subject could not restrain his patriotic ardor and enlisted for service, and was sent to Knoxville, Tennessee, as master of transportation in General Burnside's army. He remained there during the siege of that city, and was then prostrated with an attack of typhoid fever, being sent home to recuperate as soon as well enough. On his recovery he was commissioned quartermaster of the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, this appoint- ment coming to him entirely without his application, and he served in this capacity until the close of the war. His command was a part of Sheridan's cavalry at the battle of Opaken, Fisher's Hills, and the advance to Stanton, be- sides other minor engagements. The command returned by the Urah valley when the Shenandoah valley was devastated, and the subject was detailed by General Sheridan to go to Martinsburg and bring the whole army train from that point to Cedar Creek. In following out this order, they had reached Winchester, near Cedar Creek, when they heard the firing at the latter place. The train was at once started for the front and when they had reached the Stone Mill, four miles from Winchester, General Sheridan, who had spent the night at Winchester, overtook Mr. Wheeler and ordered him to park his
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train on the left of the road. The subject then asked permission to go to the front and try and save the brigade train, and was told to do so. He rode for- ward with Sheridan several miles and then struck off to the left and eventually was able to save the brigade train intact. This act was of greatest importance to the army at that time and the subject was highly complimented by his su- perior officers and promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He saw much arduous service during the remainder of the war and was always found at the post of duty. At the close of the war, Lieutenant Wheeler received an ap- pointment as quartermaster with the rank of captain in the regular army, but he declined the commission, having no desire for military service in the time of peace.
On leaving his country's service, Mr. Wheeler went to Amesville, Athens county, Ohio, and entered the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1869, when he moved to Pike Station, now Creston, Wayne county, and has since made that his home, having in the year mentioned retired from active participation in commercial life. In March, 1870, he was commissioned a notary public, having been the first person in Canaan township to receive this appointment. He served awhile as postal mail agent on the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad, but was caught in a wreck and badly bruised.
Mr. Wheeler has enjoyed the acquaintance and companionship of a num- ber of Ohio's foremost citizens and some of them men of national importance. He was a personal friend and admirer of William Mckinley and in his home was held the first meeting of the congressional commission preceding the first election of Mckinley to Congress. The district was then composed of Ash- land, Wayne, Stark and Portage counties and among the men who composed that campaign committee were such well-known men as Cornelius, Colonel Hard and Smyser, of Wayne county, Robinson, of Portage county, and others who have been political leaders in their communities. For several years Mr. Mckinley was an annual visitor to the home of the subject, their intimacy having begun when they were comrades together in the army, both being assigned to General Crook's staff. Mr. Wheeler was also well acquainted with Rutherford B. Hayes and James A. Garfield, the latter having served in the same brigade with the subject's brother-in-law, Gen. Samuel A. Gilbert. When the subject was a lad of seven years Gen. William Henry Harrison was entertained in his father's home, and he also gained the personal acquaintance of Thomas Ewing, Thomas Calling and S. S. Cox. He also remembers seeing Henry Clay and Gen. Zachary Taylor while they were on a steamboat trip up the Ohio river. Mr. Wheeler took a great interest in the early improvements of Ohio public highways and public works and was a member of the first
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party to travel by rail from Zanesville to Bellaire. After his removal to Cres- ton and the incorporation of that place, Mr. Wheeler was elected the first mayor and gave to the new corporation effective service.
On the IIth of August, 1858, Mr. Wheeler was united in marriage to Mary B. Smith, who was born at Bartlett, Washington county, Ohio, the daughter of Milton and Susan Smith, old settlers of that county and who later came to Wayne county, where they spent their remaining days. Mrs. Wheel- er's grandfather and grandmother came to this country with Blennerhassett, who settled on Blennerhassett's Island. To Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler two chil- dren have been born, namely: Charles, who was born in Illinois, was for twenty-five years a conductor in the passenger service on the Northern Pacific railroad, and served as one of the presidential electors from North Dakota during William McKinley's first campaign. Benjamin Wheeler, who also was born in Illinois, is engaged in the grocery business at Orrville, this county. Both of these sons have married, and a grandson of the subject, B. F. Wheeler, married, in July, 1909, Sallie A. Royer, of Orrville.
Mr. Wheeler has been successful in life to a high degree and is recognized as one of the county's best citizens. He is well known and is highly respected by every one. He is now nearing the golden sunset of life and in the course of nature must in a few years take his departure, but he rests in the assurance that his life has been well spent and that he has honored the name which he bears, being the peer of any of his fellow citizens in all that constitutes upright living and correct citizenship. He is a close. and intelligent observer, has read much, and keeps himself well informed on current events. He is unos- tentatious in manner and quiet in demeanor, a thinker, and a man of deeds rather than words. He is essentially a man of the people, because he has large faith in humanity and is optimistic in all his views. The high esteem in which he is held by the people of his community is a worthy tribute to a most excel- lent man and his name will always occupy a conspicuous place on the roster of Wayne county's representative citizens.
ELMER BROWN.
From his boyhood the subject of this sketch has been a resident of Wayne county, and he is an honored representative of one of its pioneer families. His life has been one of usefulness and honor, and his memory links the later pioneer epoch, with its comparatively primitive surroundings
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and equipment, with this later era of prosperity and opulent achievement and condition which have marked the advent of the glorious twentieth cen- tury. As a representative farmer of the county and a public-spirited citizen, it is entirely consonant that there be here entered a review of the life history. of Mr. Brown.
Elmer Brown, whose fine farm is located in section 10, Clinton township, Wayne county, was born August 8, 1857, a son of Thomas Ashford and Mary (Bird) Brown. Thomas Ashford Brown was a son of John Buckner Brown, who was the second child and oldest son of Thomas and Ann (Ash) Brown. John Buckner Brown was born January 28, 1788. in Prince William county, Virginia. In the spring of 1805 he accompanied his father and family west of the mountains to what is now known as Preston county, West Virginia, locating on what was called the "Stone House" property, consist- ing of five hundred and seventy-eight acres. About five years later, at which time he was twenty-two years of age, he married Mary Morgan, who lived on the east side of the Cheat river, near Kingwood, West Virginia. She was a daughter of Hugh Morgan, one of the pioneers of Preston county, West Virginia. She was born May 12, 1790, and was the fourth in order of birth in a family of ten children, nine of whom were girls. She was a quiet, Christian woman, of many excellent personal qualities, an excellent housekeeper and a faithful and loving mother. In the summer of 18II John Buckner Brown came to Wayne county, Ohio, and entered land in section 20, Clinton township, on which he made some improvements. He then returned to his family in West Virginia, and in the fall of 1813 he brought the family to their new western home, arriving here on the 17th of September. The tedious journey required several weeks' time, during which time the members of the party were in constant danger from various sources. The trip incurred many hardships, the trail leading through unbroken forests and over bridgeless streams, while on every hand roamed bear. wolves. panthers, catamounts, wild red deer and wilder red men. The party arrived safely at their destination and at once the task was begun of getting the land in shape for cultivation. One who has not passed through this experience can have no definite idea as to the extent of the task. The timber had to be felled, chopped and burned, the ground broken, crops planted, fences built and other labor performed which was not incumbent on those who later took up the operation of the farms. These sturdy old pioneers did their work well and today they deserve the everlasting gratitude of those who are now enjoying the conditions made possible by their sacrifices and strenuous labors.
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John B. Brown continued to reside on this farm until their deaths. His death occurred September 15, 1855, and hers on July 12, 1850, their remains being interred in the old Baptist cemetery in Holmes county, near their home. Mr. Brown was a member of the Disciples church and the first meeting ever held by that denomination in Wayne county was held in his home. Mr. Buckner was said to have been a man of fine personal appear- ance. He was five feet eight inches in height, weighed one hundred and sixty pounds, and had bright blue eyes and dark brown hair. He bore a splendid reputation in the community, his word being considered literally as good as his bond. At the time of the death of his father he received as his portion of the estate three or four slaves. Being bitterly opposed to the practice of slavery, he returned to Virginia, and hired out one of them, Rafe Harris, to Gen. Buckner Fairfax, for a term of six years, at the end of which time he and the other slaves were to be given their freedom, which was done. Politically, Mr. Brown was a Democrat until the campaign of 1840, from which time he gave his support to the Whig party. To him and his wife were born the following children: Ann, born November 28, 18II, died August 12, 1812; George Harrison, born April 4. 1813. died 1844, married Rebecca Hull; William Wesley, born March 23, 1815, died in June, 1893, married Phoebe Lee, who was born April 6, 1837, the daugh- ter of James Lee, of Virginia, and died July 17, 1886; Hugh M., born October 14, 1816, married, on February 21, 1838, Margaret Neely, who was born June 25, 1819, and both are now deceased; Rebecca Ann, born February 25, 1820, died in infancy ; Thomas Ashford, born June 22, 1818, married Mary Bird March 5, 1845, and both are dead; John, born October 25, 1822, died April 19, 1889, married, in 1848, Rhoda Newkirk, who also is dead; Mercy, born December 19, 1823, died in infancy; Stephen, born August 8, 1826, now deceased, married, on January 31, 1850, Martha M. Riffle, also deceased, and had three children, Herbert, G. E. and Alice (Mrs. Kick) ; Mary Ann, born August 25, 1828, became the wife of James K. Campbell on February 13, 1851, and both are deceased; Isaac, born April 3, 1831, married Elizabeth McConkey on February 13, 1851, and is now living in Holmes county, this state; Samuel Elery, born August 12, 1833, married Almira Caldwell November 4, 1854. He is now dead and his widow lives in Nebraska.
Of these children, Thomas Ashford Brown, father of the subject of this sketch, became a well-known and highly respected farmer of Clinton township. On March 5, 1845, he married Mary Bird, who was a native of
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Holmes county, Ohio, and to them were born the following children : Rals- ton Buckner, born January 28, 1846, died 1902, married Sarah J. Gill, February 25, 1869, she being now a resident of Wooster, this county; Bird Ashford, born February 25, 1848, died April 29, 1877; Salina J., born September 12, 1849, became the wife of J. J. Sullivan on September 27, 1887, and they now reside in Cleveland, Ohio; Luderna died young; Mina J., born July 29, 1853, was married, on November 27, 1873, to W. C. Craig. of Wooster; Aurelia M., born August 29, 1855, married, on October 6, 1876, Lucustus Sidle, and they live in Wooster; Elmer, the subject of this sketch, was the next in order of birth. He was reared on the paternal homestead in Clinton township and received his education in the common schools. He was reared to the life of a farmer and has spent his entire life as a tiller of the soil in this township. He has been energetic and progressive and has so operated his farm as to realize a gratifying return for the labor bestowed. The place is well improved in every respect and is numbered among the best homesteads of the township. In addition to the tilling of the soil, Mr. Brown also devotes some attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, in which also he is successful.
Mr. Brown married Ida Dike, who was born June 18, 1871, in Plain township, this county, a daughter of Andrew and Barbara (Kugler) Dike. Her parents were both natives of Germany, having emigrated to the United States in 1851. The father was a blacksmith by trade, but here followed farming as an occupation. He died September 2, 1901, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his widow now makes her home with the subject and his wife, being now eighty-four years old. To the subject and his wife have been born the following children: Helen, born July 17, 1899; Mary, born October 6, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Christian church, both giving their earnest and liberal support to this society. In politics Mr. Brown has given his support to the Republican party, though he is not in any sense an aspirant for public office. Standing "four square to every wind that blows," he has so ordered his life as to win the unbounded confidence of all with whom he has had dealings and his friends are in null1- ber as his acquaintances.
DAVID G. EVANS.
D. G. Evans, son of James Evans, a pioneer settler, was born in Baugh- man township, April 4, 1833. At the close of his country school days he served as a dry goods clerk in stores at Dalton and Massillon, after which
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he was engaged in various pursuits in Illinois and Missouri. At Springfield, Illinois, as bookkeeper in a large dry goods house, he was personally ac- quainted with Abraham Lincoln. He returned to Orrville in 1860 and engaged in the drug and grocery business.
He was joined in wedlock to Mary Jane Taggart, daughter of Robert Taggart, one of the pioneer settlers of Baughman township and Orrville. Mary Jane died one year before her husband. He died in 1901 and left no children. He was known as one of Orrville's most strenuous and enter- prising business men.
ROBERT C. FLACK.
Back to stanch old Scotch-Irish stock does the subject of this sketch trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked these two nationalities is manifest when we come to consider the more salient points in his life history, which has been marked by consecu- tive industry and invincible spirit, eventuating in his securing a high place in the confidence and respect of his fellow men.
Robert C. Flack is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born near Homesville, Holmes county, on February 8, 1866. He is the son of James and Isabelle (Dorvacter) Flack. James Flack, who also was a native of Holmes county, was a farmer by profession, and moved to Wayne county in 1866, when the subject was but six weeks old. He located one-half mile south of Maysville, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1894. The father was twice married. His first wife was Sarah Riddle, who was born in Knox county, this state, and to them were born three children, of whom only one is living. Thomas J. Flack, now living near Gambier, Knox county, Ohio. Isabelle Dorvacter who became the second wife of James Flack, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and her death occurred in 1898. She be- came the mother of seven children, who are briefly mentioned as follows : Robert C., the subject of this sketch; John J., who lives four and a half miles southeast of Wooster; Ora O., who is connected with the experimental sta- tion work of the government horticultural department ; Celia M. is the wife of Harry J. Jolloff, of Wooster ; Charles S., living two miles northwest of Woos- ter; Ida V., of Wooster ; two, Marion and Mary Ann., died in infancy. The subject's paternal grandfather, James Flack, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day, being one of the highly respected pioneers of his locality.
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As stated above, the subject of this sketch was brought to Wayne county by his parents when he was but six weeks old, and this county has been his home continuously since. He remained on the parental farmstead during his boyhood years and received a good education in the common schools of the locality. He continued to assist his father in the duties of the farm for a number of years and then entered the insurance business, working fraternal insurance and giving his attention principally to the Bankers' Fraternal Union. He then took up old-line insurance and for eight years was with the John Han- cock Company, one of the strong and reliable companies. In this line of work Mr. Flack achieved a distinctive success, being considered one of the leading insurance men in this locality. He practices correct business methods and has won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has transacted business.
R. C. Flack is at present engaged in the field of investments, in which he negotiates bonds, stocks and other first-class securities, making a specialty of western investments because of their larger profit return on invested funds. In this field he has been exceptionally successful, having influenced the invest- ments of many thousands of dollars of Wayne county capital. He is a director of the Colusa Mining & Milling Company, operating rich gold properties in the Tarryal district, Park county, Colorado, and a director of the Ohio Quartz Hill Gold Mining Company, operating valuable gold properties on Quartz Hill, which is generally recognized as the richest square mile of gold producing territory in the world. Judge L. M. Goddard, for twelve years associate jus- tice of the supreme court of Colorado, with other influential persons of that state, are officers and directors of this company. Mr. Flack's offices are in the Nolle building, Wooster, Ohio. Mr. Flack is heavily interested in other legitimate enterprises of the west, among which are the Stoughton Mining & Milling Company and the North Star Tunnel, Mining, Milling, Power & Transportation Company, both mining enterprises of a profitable and success- ful business character.
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