USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Ohio, Volume II > Part 18
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Samuel Matty was married to Josephine Mowrer in Overton. She is a native of Wayne county and the daughter of Jonas and Barbara Mowrer, old settlers of Wayne county, Mr. Mowrer being one of the well known early veterinary surgeons.
SAMUEL MATTY
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To Mr. and Mrs. Matty seven children have been born, namely: Ed- ward S., James E., Frank J., Magdalena J., Jacob P., Emma Mae and Au- gusta Jeanette. The mother of these children passed to her rest on July 24, 1904, and was buried in Bethel cemetery.
Politically Mr. Matty is a Democrat, and he has long taken considerable interest in local affairs, having served four years, or two terms, as township treasurer. He is a member of the Reformed church, of which his wife was also a member.
HIRAM McCANCE.
It is eminently fitting that in this work be entered a memoir of the honored subject of this review, who was one of the influential citizens of Wayne county, where he passed his entire life, lending his aid in reclaiming this section of the state from the sylvan wilds, enduring the vicissitudes and disadvantages of the pioneer epoch and ever ordering his life according to the highest principles of honor and integrity, thus gaining and retaining the confidence and good-will of his fellow men. He was a man of indomi- table perseverance, distinct individuality and most kindly nature, and now that he has passed forward to "that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns," he leaves the legacy of an unblemished life and one that was prolific in usefulness and worthy example.
Hiram McCance was born September 2, 1835, on the farm where he spent his last days and where his widow now resides. He was a son of James Dixon and Isabelle (Gilmore) McCance, and a grandson of James McCance. The latter came to this state in a very early day and entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, the two deeds for which, eighty acres each, were signed by President Andrew Jackson. It is worthy of note in this connection that the eighty-acre tract now owned by Mrs. McCance has never been out of the possession of the McCance family. James Dixon McCance was a native of Pennsylvania, in which state he was married. Soon after that event he came to Wayne county, Ohio, and located on the land which had been entered by his father, but which was never occupied by the latter. James D. McCance was a progressive and enterprising man and he proceeded at once to the task of developing a farm out of the wilderness which at that time characterized the land. He suc- ceeded in this effort and in due time was accounted one of the most success- ful and prominent men of his township. He was a member of the Presby-
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terian church and took an active interest in the work of the church, giving to it an earnest and generous support at all times. He was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics and took an active interest in local public affairs. Fraternally, he was a member of the order of Malita. To James D. and Isabella McCance were born four children, of whom two died in infancy.
Hiram McCance was reared in the parental home and secured his edu- cation in the schools of the township. He was reared to the life of a farmer and never moved his residence from the farm on which he was born. After completing his education he took up the vocation of teaching and for several years he engaged in teaching schools in Indiana. After his marriage he returned to agricultural pursuits, in which line he continued to be engaged until his death, which occurred on the 13th of October, 1899. He was an indefatigable worker and was progressive in his methods, keeping in touch with the most advanced ideas relating to the science of agriculture. He made many permanent and substantial improvements on his property, and at the time of his death it was considered one of the fine and fertile farms of the township. Mr. McCance was an ardent Republican in political faith and took a particular interest in educational matters, being a man of consid- erable influence in the community. His religious belief was embraced in the creed of the Presbyterian church, of which he was a leading member, serving as a trustee of the church at Fredericksburg. Fraternally, he was an appreciative member of the time-honored order of Free and Accepted Masons, belonging to the lodge at Wooster.
Mr. McCance was united in marriage to Elvira Gailey, who was born near Dalton, Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of Robert and Martha (Pink- erton) Gailey, who were natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. These parents were married in their native state, and soon afterward came to Sugar Creek township, Wayne county, Ohio, where they followed farm- ing. To Hiram and Elvira McCance were born the following children : Al- pha, deceased; Albert G., who married Blanche Armstrong and lives in Cleveland ; Mary Helen, at home; Lucile, at home. Mr. McCance was a man of splendid personal qualities and stood well in the community in which he had passed practically his entire life. Of an optimistic temperament and genial disposition, he readily made friends and was accounted one of the most popular men in the community in which he lived. Mrs. McCance, who is still living in the old home, is a woman of many gracious qualities, whose friends are in number as her acquaintances, and her attractive home is ever open for the reception of her associates.
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LOUIS EMERSON AUKERMAN.
Louis E. Aukerman is a native of the township in which he now lives, having been born within a half mile of his present residence on the 29th of February, 1848. He is the son of Christopher and Rebecca ( Clinker) Auker- man, both of whom are also natives of Ohio. The subject's paternal grand- parents, George and Rebecca Aukerman, were born in Pennsylvania, where they were reared and married. In a very early day they came to Wayne county, Ohio, and settled in Congress township, where they spent the rest of their days, and died. Much the same detail might be written concerning the subject's maternal grandparents, Samuel Clinker and wife, as they too came in a very early day from their native Keystone state, and they too made their future home in Wayne county. Christoper Aukerman and Rebecca Clinker were reared in their respective homes and after their marriage they went to farming, in which they were successful, the father owning at the time of his death over three hundred acres of land in Congress township. He was a prominent member of the United Brethren church and was a man of much influence in the community. His death occurred in 1898 and his wife died in 1889. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are living at the present time. They were a worthy couple and their memory is held sacred by those who remember them.
Louis Aukerman remained with his parents during his youth and secured his education in the common schools of Congress township. He has during his subsequent years supplemented his school learning by liberal reading and close observation, and is a well informed man. After completing his educa- tion Mr. Aukerman assisted his father in the operation of the home farm, remaining with him until 1870, when his father gave him a farm of forty acres lying in Congress township, but a short distance from the home farm, and to this place Mr. Aukerman has since given his undivided attention. Here he carried on general farming, raising all the crops common to this section of the country, and in connection therewith he devotes considerable attention to the breeding and raising of livestock, which also he has found a profitable busi- ness. He is methodical in his work, is industrious in his habits and pro- gressive in his ideas, in view of which facts there can be little wonder that he has made a distinctive success of his enterprise. He occupies a high standing in the opinion of his fellow-agriculturists and in many ways he occupies a leading position in the community.
In politics Mr. Aukerman holds to the faith of his father and renders an
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earnest support to the party of Jefferson and Jackson. He is not an aspirant for public office, but gives a thoughtful and intelligent attention to the affairs of the township and county.
On August 18, 1870. Mr. Aukerman was united in marriage to Catherine Ballinger, who was born in Monroe county, Ohio, in 1850, the daughter of Joseph and Lydia Ballinger, natives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Aukerman have been born seven children, namely: Lydia Jane, Susan, Amanda, Minnie, Joseph Christopher, L. F. and Charles. Joseph and Lydia were very early settlers of Monroe county, Ohio, where Mr. Ballinger fol- lowed his trade, that of shinglemaking. He was a quiet and unassuming man and lived a comparatively retired life. His death occurred in 1900, and that of his wife in 1902. They were the parents of six children, four sons and two daughters, of whom five are living.
SIDNEY GRANT SOLIDAY.
The Solidays have constituted one of the leading families of Wayne county, members of the same having been leaders in the industrial and social life of the community since the days that historians are pleased to refer to as "early." One of this number that should claim our attention for a time is S. G. Soliday, a farmer of Plain township, whose life has been one of calm, consecutive endeavor and one that has resulted in good both to himself and his neighbors. He was born in this township, March 30, 1864, and he is the son of John and Susan (Sparr) Soliday, the former born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Plain township, Wayne county, Ohio. The paternal grand- parents of the subject were Jacob and Elizabeth (Rhodes) Soliday, both natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1836 and set- tled in the northeast quarter of section 26, Plain township, buying a farm there and clearing it and making other improvements. He later moved to what is now the A. R. Eberhart place in Plain township, remaining there until their deaths. S. G. Soliday's maternal grandparents were Peter and Katherine (Snader) Sparr, the former a native of Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, who, in 1834, came to the northeast quarter of section 15, Plain town- ship, Wayne county, Ohio, buying the farm where the subject now lives. There he reared a large family, nine members of which grew to maturity. Four of his sons, Peter, John, William and Benjamin, were soldiers in the Civil war. Two brothers of John Soliday, Abraham and Jacob, were also soldiers in the Federal army ; Jacob died at Vicksburg.
MR. AND MRS. S. G. SOLIDAY
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John Soliday, father of S. G. Soliday, received his education in the common schools of Wayne county. When he reached maturity he learned the trade of millwright, which he followed for several years, then bought the Starr homestead and there he lived until his death. Politically he was a Democrat and took an active part in the affairs of his party, serving his township as trustee and assessor. He was a member of the Lutheran church. To Mr. and Mrs. John Soliday four children were born, namely : Ida, who married A. S. Alexander; W. A., a grocer in Shreve, Ohio; S. G., the subject of this sketch; L. L., who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. John Soliday died on September 26, 1893. and was buried in Plain ceme- tery. Mrs. Soliday makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. Alexander.
S. G. Soliday was educated in the common schools of his native com- munity and at Smithville Academy, receiving an excellent text-book train- ing. After leaving the school room he took up farming on the home place, having spent his life there. He has a well cultivated and well managed farm of eighty acres, carrying on general farming and stock raising, being very successful in both.
Mr. Soliday was married in 1894 to Mina Rickabaugh, daughter of John Rickabaugh, whose life record is given in the sketch of F. L. Ricka- baugh on another page of this work. The subject and wife are the parents of one interesting daughter, bearing the good old Bible name, Ruth.
Mr. Soliday is a member of the Lutheran church and Mrs. Soliday belongs to the Disciple church. The former belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a Demo- crat in politics and he served very faithfully as township clerk from 1894 to 1895. He is now a member of the local school board, having been elected to this position in 1907.
JOHN FRANKLIN GEISELMAN.
1
Among those men who have lived in Wayne county and gained for themselves the highest esteem and the unbounded confidence of the entire community, probably none stood higher than John Franklin Geiselman, who passed from the scenes of his earthly labor on the 16th of September, 1893. He was born in Franklin township, Wayne county. Ohio, on the 6th of November, 1857. His paternal grandparents were John and Sarah ( Miller) Geiselman, who during their early life lived at New Franklin, Columbiana county, Ohio, but subsequently moved to Wayne county, locating on land
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WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
which was located partly in East Union and partly in Franklin townships. His maternal grandparents were Caleb and Julia Ann (Hooper) Francis, who were both born in Maryland, the grandfather on February 20, 1812, and the grandmother on January 18, 1817. They were married on July 29, 1834, and soon afterwards came to Harrison county, Ohio. Subse- quently they moved to Tuscarawas county, and later to Coshocton county, where he died on July 28, 1843. His widow later married again and eventu- ally settled in East Union township, Wayne county, where her death occurred on December 21, 1851, and her remains are buried at Apple Creek, this county. To Caleb and Julia Francis were born the following children : Sarah Elizabeth, mother of the subject; Charles T., born August 16, 1836, died February 2, 1852; Ann Eliza, born August 24, 1835, now deceased; Mary E., born March 22, 1840, died August 19, 1843; Caleb B., born April 9, 1842, died in 1907. The subject's maternal great-grandfather, Michael Hooper, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.
The subject's father, Cyrenius Geiselman, was born January 18. 1833, at New Franklin, Columbiana county, Ohio, and subsequently moved with his family to Wayne county. There he received a fair education in the common schools, supplementing this with attendance at an academy at Apple Creek. On reaching mature years he engaged in farming and eventually bought the homestead in which his widow now resides, and there he spent the remaining years of his life. Cyrenius Geiselman was an enterprising and progressive farmer, in which vocation he was fairly successful, and during his later years he also took the agency for farming machinery, in which also he was successful. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fredericksburg and was a popular man in the circles in which he moved. He took an active part in politics and local affairs and rendered efficient service as a trustee of his township. In religion he was a faithful member of the Lutheran church, to which he gave an earnest and liberal support. His death occurred on October 12, 1884. At Wooster, Ohio, on August 31, 1854, he married Sarah Elizabeth Francis, whose birth occurred in Harrison county, Ohio, on the 5th of May, 1835, and they became the parents of the following children : Julia Ann, born July 8, 1855, died March 31, 1883, became the wife of Allen Derr, also deceased, and they became the parents of two children, Ada Alice, who married a Mr. Williams, and Cyre- nius Derr; John Franklin, the immediate subject of this sketch; Caleb Francis, born October 18, 1861, died December 15, 1861; Mary Ettie, born December 14, 1862, died December 26, 1862; Emma Loretta, born August 3, 1864, is the wife of Peter U. Martin, of Hampton township, Summit
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county, Ohio, and they have had six children, four of whom are living, Ada, Anna B., Wesley and Walter. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Geiselman remained a widow eleven years, and then, on the 3d of Septem- ber, 1895, she became the wife of David Lawrence, who is now deceased. She is now residing on the old homestead in Franklin township.
John F. Geiselman was reared under the parental rooftree and secured his education in the public schools of the neighborhood. He was reared to the life of a farmer and always followed that vocation in Franklin town- ship, excepting the last six months of his life, when he resided in Woods county, this state. He was a hard working man and progressive in his methods, and he enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him. He possessed personal qualities of the highest order and readily made friends, who re- mained loyal to him. A stanch Democrat in politics, he took a deep and com- mendable interest in local affairs and his influence was ever given to all movements that promised to benefit the community. He was a member of the Lutheran church and took an active part in the various activities of that society. His death occurred on September 16, 1893, and his remains now lie in the Franklin cemetery.
On the IIth of June, 1881, Mr. Geiselman was united in marriage to Alzuma A. Franks, who was born in Franklin township, Wayne county, Ohio, March 29, 1864, a daughter of Cornelius and Harriet (Lawrence) Franks. Cornelius Franks was born in Franklin township, this county, and the major part of his life was spent here, his last few years being spent on a farm four miles south of Shreve, in Holmes county. Harriet Lawrence was a daughter of Benjamin Lawrence. Cornelius and Harriet Franks were the parents of the following children: Loretta, who is the wife of William Butler, of Barberton, Ohio; Alzuma, who is the widow of the subject of this sketch; Ellsworth, who lives in Holmes county; Ardella, the wife of James Tate, of Holmes county ; Malissa, the wife of Frank Hostetter, of Holmes county ; Lula, the wife of Albert Snyder, also of Holmes county; Thomas, of Holmes county. To Mr. and Mrs. Geiselman were born children as fol- lows: Thomas, born December 24, 1882, died at the age of seven years; Carl Dean. born January 4, 1885, married Cora Sturgess, and lives in Frank- lin township; Alta Myrtle, born March 13, 1885; William, born February 17, 1890, died February 18, 1890; Lillie Malissa, born March 6, 1891 ; John Myron, born February 11, 1893; the four last named are living at home with their mother.
Mrs. Geiselman is a lady of splendid womanly qualities, and in the
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church and social circles in which she moves she is well liked by all who know her. She is a member of the Lutheran church and is an active and effectual worker in its various departments. She maintains a personal supervision over the home farm and possesses business qualities of a high order.
JOHN ROBERT SNYDER.
Few sections of Ohio can boast of more thrifty, industrious or enter- prising farmers than those of Franklin township, Wayne county. Ohio. Handsome residences, substantial and commodious barns and sightly and well-kept fences are the rule in this part of the county. The livestock is well cared for and everything presents a prosperous and inviting appearance. The people are intelligent and studious and have given to their vocation a practical study which has guaranteed success under anything near a normal condition. One of the best and most systematic of these farmers is J. Rob. Snyder, whose fine and fertile farm is located in section 6, of Franklin town- ship, and whose success during the years he has lived here has been com- mensurate with the intelligent and thoughtful labor he has bestowed.
J. Rob. Snyder is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having first seen the light of day in Holmes county on the 9th of March, 1853. He is a son of Daniel and Catherine ( Miller) Snyder, both of whom were natives of Union county, Pennsylvania. They, in company with the paternal grand- father. Jacob Snyder, came to Ohio in about 1835, locating in Wayne county, later going to Holmes county, but subsequently returning to Wayne county, where the remainder of their lives were passed. They were faithful and active members of the Lutheran church. After Daniel Snyder had lived in this state a few years and had definitely determined to make it his future home, he returned to Pennsylvania by horseback and there married the sweetheart whom he had left behind when he started westward on his pros- pecting trip. Loading their effects in a one-horse wagon, they came to their Wayne county home, later going to Holmes county. They later re- turned to Wayne county in 1864. Their remains now lie buried in the cemetery at Wooster. They were the parents of the following children : Henry, who is now deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war, being a member of Company B, Sixteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Samuel died during his service in the army, having been a member of the same company
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and regiment as his brother; George died in infancy; Susan is the wife of H. B. Rayl, of Lake county, Ohio; Civilla is the widow of Perry Yernall and makes her home at Wooster; Elizabeth lives at Wooster; James Q. lives in Wooster township; John Robert, the subject of this sketch.
J. Rob. Snyder was reared in his Holmes county home until he was about twelve years of age, when the family moved back to Wayne county. He secured a fair education in the common schools and was reared to the life of a farmer. He remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, in 1879, when he moved onto the splendid farm which he now occupies. The place comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is one of the most fer- tile and productive farms in the township. All the improvements on the place have been made by the subject and he has given at all times an intelli- gent direction to his operations, so that he has been enabled to realize hand- some returns for the labor bestowed. The buildings on the place are all well built and present an attractive appearance, the general aspect of the property indicating the owner to be a man of right ideas. He here carries on a general line of farming and stock raising and is numbered among the progressive and successful farmers in his community. In 1895 Mr. Snyder erected the grain elevator at Kauke, this county, and has continued to oper- ate it since that time. The elevator is well built and is capacious, a large business being done through it annually.
Mr. Snyder was married to Amanda Hoffman and they have become the parents of the following children: Leotta, deceased; Daniel Bonnell and Catherine. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Moorland, of which the subject is one of the trustees, and to this society they give an earnest and generous support. In politics Mr. Snyder renders a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and takes an active part in advanc- ing its interests in the community, though he is not in any sense a seeker himself after the honors or emoluments of public office. He is a man of progressive ideas and practical methods and his success has been well mer- ited. As a man of strict morality, the community can ask for no better: as a man of integrity, no district can boast of a citizen more honest, and as a man of intelligence he ranks high, enjoying the unbounded respect and esteem of those with whom he associates.
ABBOTT LAWRENCE.
Abbott Lawrence is a representative of one of the honored pioneer fam- ilies of Wayne county. When the greater part of this county was in its primitive condition, when its lands were wild and untamed, when its streams
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were unbridged, its forests uncut and when the work of progress and im- provement was a thing of the future, the Lawrence family was founded here by Benjamin Lawrence, the grandfather of the subject, and since that time different members of the family have contributed in large measure to the general improvement and substantial advancement which have brought about the present wonderful prosperity which characterizes this section of the state.
Abbott Lawrence, who is now one of the successful and influential farmers of Franklin township, was born in this township, February 17, 1854, and is the son of David and Sarah ( Force) Lawrence. The subject's pater- . nal grandfather, Benjamin Lawrence, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, from whence he came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1818, set- tling in Saltcreek township, where he entered land from the government. He proceeded to improve the land and made that his home during the re- mainder of his life. He was the father of the following children: Benja- min, John (who died young), Samuel, Jacob, David, Henry, all of whom are now deceased. The subject's father, David Lawrence, was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, on September 21, 1816, and was therefore but two years of age when the family moved to their new home in the Buckeye state. He was reared and educated in Saltcreek township, and continued to reside there until his marriage, when he moved to Franklin township and bought a farm, the land embracing that on which the Lutheran church now stands. His purchase included eighty acres, but at various times he added to it. The land had been but slightly improved, but he went to work ener- getically and by dint of much and persistent hard work and good judgment he developed it into one of the best farms in the locality. He erected a set of commodious and well-arranged buildings, erected good fences and in other ways evinced the fact that he was enterprising and progressive in spirit and methods. He took an active and important part in the early development of the community and gave material assistance in the erection of the old Lutheran church, having donated the land for the same. He and his wife were active workers and stanch supporters of this church. His political affiliation was with the Democratic party, in the councils of which he took a leading part. He served several terms as trustee and also as a member of the school board and in other capacities he exerted a healthy influence on the life of the community. To David and Sarah Lawrence were born the following children : Jane, who is the wife of William Greenwald, of Frank- lin township; Clinton, of Wooster, Ohio; Abbott, the immediate subject of this review ; Florence, who is the wife of Josiah Morr, of Franklin township. Sarah (Force) Lawrence, the mother of these children, was born in 1821 in
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