USA > Ohio > Wayne County > History of Wayne county, Ohio, from the days of the pioneers and the first settlers to the present time > Part 81
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John Elliott was born in Steubenville, Ohio, February 17, 1823, and the same year removed with his father to Chippewa township, and now lives on the farm where they settled at that time. October 2, 1851, he was married to Catharine A. Wilkins, of Banghman township, but has no children, though they have raised four by adoption. Mr. Elliott and wife are Presbyterians. He is a farmer, and has one of the princely manors of the county. He and wife are distinguished for their hospitality and social qualities, their house being the home of strangers, kindred and friends, and where all are most generously and gracefully entertained.
William R. Wilson was born on the Chesapeake shore, Maryland, October 13, 1809. In 1834 he removed from Maryland to Chippewa township, where, on No- vember 17, 1835, he married Miss Margaret Franks. Farming then became his occupation, and he has followed that pursuit successfully to the accumulation of a liberal competence. He has had seven children, of whom three are dead. His son Wesley is an able Methodist minister, located in Holmes county. Mr. Wilson was a member of the Ohio Legislature from Wayne county from 1868 to 1871, elected by the Democracy, and served with credit to his intelligence and with benefit to the county.
Doylestown .- This prosperous village was laid out by William Doyle, after whom it was named, on December 9, 1827, and was surveyed by Charles Christmas the same day. Plat and certificate recorded December 25, 1827; record to be found on page 267, Vol. 6, County Recorder's office. It was incorporated August 6, 1867. The first house erected in the village was on a vacant lot standing between Mrs. Diebl's and Mr. Shondal's grocery, and now owned by the latter. It was a log structure, built by William Doyle, the carpenter's work having been done by John Montgomery. Doyle occupied it for a tavern, sold whisky, and permitted " fantas- tic toe" excitements. The first doctor was a Mr. Pierrepont, who, when on a visit East, stole a horse, and being caught, was sent to the penitentiary. The first elec- tion was held December 8, 1866. We annex a list of officers of the town from the official record :
1866. Mayor-A. H. Pursell; Recorder-William Reed; Treasurer-Samuel H. Miller ; Councilmen-Elias Galehonse, James H. Seiberling, Henry A. Soliday, Jacob Shaffer, R.B. Wasson.
1867. Mayor-A. H. Pursell; Recorder-William Reed; Treasurer-Samuel H. Miller ; Councilmen-Jacob Shaffer, Elias Galehouse, James H. Seiberling, H. A. Soliday, Charles McCormich.
1868. Mayor-A. H. Pursell; Recorder-S. J. Hochstetler; Treasurer-S. H. Miller; Councilmen-Jacob Schaffer, H. A. Soliday, Elias Galehouse, Jacob Heffel- man, J. D. Ross.
1869. Mayor- Moses Bugher; Recorder - J. B. Weaver; Treasurer-M. Franks; Councilmen-George W. Wellhouse, Riley Franks, Abram Franks, H. B. Kellinger, John Snyder, Charles McCormish.
1870. Mayor-J. B. Weaver; Recorder-Moses Bugher; Treasurer-James H. Seiberling; Councilmen-William Johnston, Peter Kline, James Jackson, John Sneider, Charles McCormish, James Hile.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
1871. Mayor-J. B. Weaver; Recorder-Moses Bugher; Treasurer-James H. Seiberling ; Councilmen-W. G. Biglow, James Hile, S. J. Hochstetler, William Johnston, Peter Kline, James Jackson.
1872. Mayor-A. H. Pursell; Recorder-Moses Bugher; Treasurer-S. H. Miller ; Councilmen-William G. Biglow, James Hile, S. J. Hochstetler, John Sny- der, Samuel Collier, David Bunn.
1873. Mayor-A. H. Pursell; Recorder-Moses Bugher ; Treasurer-S. H. Miller; Councilmen-E. R. Spencer, W. G. Biglow, S. J. Hochstetler, John Sny- der, Samuel Collier, David Bunn.
1874. Mayor-W. G. Biglow; Recorder-M. Bugher; Treasurer-S. H. Mil- ler ; Councilmen-Jacob Shaffer, James Jackson, John Gates, E. R. Spencer, S. J. Hochstetler, N. Steinmetz.
1875. Mayor-W. G. Biglow; Recorder-M. Bugher ; Treasurer-S. H. Mil- ler; Councilmen-R. B. Wasson, Martin Ries, B. Billman, Jacob Shaffer, James Jackson, John Gates.
1876, Mayor-W. G. Biglow; Recorder-M. Bugher; Treasurer-W. A. Huffman ; Councilmen-B. Billman, Jacob Shaffer, John Gates, R. B. Wasson, Martin Reis, N. Steinmetz.
1877. Mayor-W. G. Biglow; Recorder-M. Bugher; Treasurer-W. A. Huffman ; Councilmen-Nicholas Steinmetz, Henry Galehouse, Eli Fritz, B. Bill- man, Jacob Shaffer ; Street Commissioner-George Point.
Doylestown Press .- George W. Everts embarked in journalism in Doylestown in 1874, issuing the first number of the Doylestown Journal on the 11th of July, and continues to conduct the paper with considerable success. It is a weekly, 24x34 in size, independent in politics, devoted to local news, and has a circulation of about five hundred. Mr. Everts was born in Richland county, Ohio, and was married December 24, 1861, to Miss Emma Bell, of Bellville.
Doylestown Beacon Lodge No. 258, I. O. O. F .- This lodge was instituted August 17, 1854. Charter Members-William H. Redinger, Samuel Routson, Washington M. Heffelman, Uriah Franks, Jr., and William Spangler. First Officers-William H. Redinger, N. G .; Samuel Routson, V. G .; W. M. Heffelman, Secretary; Uriah Franks, Jr., Treasurer. Present Officers-Henry C. Hotchkiss, N. G .; William Williams, V. G .; Ely Fretz, Treasurer ; Joshua Hughes, Rec. Sec'y; S. H. Miller, Permanent Sec'y. Present membership, 107.
Postmasters at Doylestown .- William G. Foster, from 1828 to 1847; Angus McIn- tire, from 1848 to 1852; Samuel Routson, from 1853 to 1856; Orrin G. Franks, from 1857 to 1859; Samuel Blocker, from 1860 to 1867; H. A. Soliday, from 1868 to 1872; Harry S. Deisem, from 1873 to present time. The postoffice, called Chip- pewa, was first established at the cross-roads, one mile south of Doylestown, Joseph Springer being the postmaster, and was changed in 1874 to Doylestown. Richard DePuy, a lawyer, succeeded Angus McIntire as postmaster, but in a short time was dismissed for forgery and embezzlement.
Thomas Frederick was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, December 1, 1778, and was married May 2, 1804, to Elizabeth Shank, who was born March 8, 1785. He removed to Chippewa township in 1813, settling on the farm where his son Henry lives, where he died, aged ninety-three years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He planted the first cherry-tree in the township, which grew to the hight of one hundred feet, and is now living. He had the following children: Jacob, Harriet, Margaret, Sophia, Reasin, Dolly, Rachael, Matthew E., William F.,
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Henry, Catharine A., Sarah A., Elizabeth, Mary A. Of the surviving ten, all save two, live in Chippewa township. He was a famous pedestrian, and equally famous hunter, killing bears, wolves, deer, in immense numbers. He was a member of the Lutheran church and a worthy citizen and Christian man.
William Hatfield was born in Fayette county, Pa., October 9, 1800, and came to Wayne county with his father, Jacob Hatfield, August 5, 1817. His father was a native of New Jersey, where he was born July 27, 1767, and settled in Chippewa township one-half mile north of where his son William now lives. He had the fol- lowing children: Charlotte, Sallie, George, William, Michael, Jacob, Isaiah. William and Isaiah are the only two living, the latter in Gratiot county, Michigan. William Hatfield was married October 6, 1825, in Chippewa township, to Susannah Miller, who died October 18, 1855. He has had the following children : Ephraim, Catharine, Elizabeth, Sarah, John, Jacob, Naomi, Salina, Lydia and Hannah, an adopted daughter, all of whom are living save Elizabeth and Salina. Mr. Hatfield lives near the old place, and his youngest son farms it. He is the last of the origi- nal pioneers of Chippewa township, and is in the enjoyment of good health and excellent memory.
Abraham Franks, nephew of Henry Franks, was born in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, October 29, 1809, and removed to Doylestown in April, 1837. He was married September 7, 1848, to Amanda Franks, daughter of Abraham Franks, and and grandaughter of Henry Franks, a first settler, by whom he had two children, a daughter, Mrs. J. W. Lowe, of Shreve, and a son, I .. K. He merchandized in Doylestown for twelve years after his arrival, then farmed ten years, and again re. sumed commercial business in Doylestown, in which he continued until the spring of 1877. He was Justice of the Peace three terms, and served two terms in the State Legislature, representing Wayne and Ashland counties from December 4, 1848, to December 3, 1849, and by re-election from December 3, 1849, to Decem. ber 2, 1850. James and Phineas Franks, brothers of Abraham, came to Chippewa five years after he did; James died there five years ago, aged 66, and two of his family are living in the township. Phineas lived there but eight years.
Abraham Franks, fourth son of Henry Franks, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1798, and came to Chippewa township with his father. May 18, 1825, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Blocker, which marriage resulted in four sons and four daughters, seven of whom are living, a daughter being dead. Mr. Franks may safely be classed with the ruling spirits of the early settlers. He was a man of great muscular power and endurance, full of industry and energy, and was prominent as a farmer, leading stock dealer, merchant and business man generally. He brought the first sheep into Chippewa township. In 1861 he retired from business, dividing a handsome estate among his children, re. taining a competency for himself until his death, which took place February 24, 1865, his wife surviving him. During all his life he could never be induced to ac. cept office, though always taking an active interest in public affairs, always voting the Democratic ticket.
Elias Galehouse, son of Frederick, was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1815, and came with his father to Chippewa township, with whom he remained, working on the farm until twenty-seven years of age. He then established a hotel in Doyles. town, in which he continued eight years, then entered into the dry goods and grocery business ; built a foundry, in company with John Gates, and made stoves, plows, etc., for five years, running a carriage manufactory at the same time; then went
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
into the coal business, opening mines; then built a grist- and saw-mill in Doyles- town; farmed awhile, and then again resumed the mercantile business. He was married June 19, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth Bender, of Chippewa township, and has three sons and five daughters.
Christian Shondal was born in Shirrhoffen, Canton Bischwiller, Elsass, December 22, 1793, and came to Canton, Ohio, in 1830, and from thence to Chippewa town- ship, where he died August 22, 1875, in his eighty-second year. He was a soldier un- der Napoleon I .; participated in the battle of Borodino; was in the Moscow campaign, and had his feet frozen in the disastrous retreat from that burned Russian city, and was at Waterloo, where the eagles of the great Emperor went down before the com- bined powers of Europe. The Shondals of Chippewa are of good stock, thrifty and intelligent men and women. N. Steinmetz, also a native of Bischwiller, Alsace, was married Angust 24, 1858, to Fannie Shondal, third daughter of Chris- tian, and is one of the prominent men of the township.
Slanker Family .- Jacob Slanker was born in Berks county, Pa., November 25, 1771, and was married to Esther Klose. With his family he came to Chippewa township April 5, 1836, and bought a quarter of section 17 of Sebastian Zimmer- man, on which he laid out, in 1843, the town of Slankerville. Afterwards he re- moved to Medina county, and died there August 25, 1849. He had seventeen children, three of whom are living. His son, B. F. Slanker, first married Mary Dressler, and now has his fourth wife. Jacob Slanker, son of Jacob, married Lydia Fisher, May 26, 1822, and had a family of twelve children, eight surviving, of which number Isaac and Daniel Slanker still reside in Chippewa township, and are most worthy citizens.
Chippewa .- This village was surveyed for Stephen Ford by Daniel L. McClure, in May, 1816; plat recorded May 15, 1816, to be found on page 283, vol. I, County Records. The first house in the place was built by Captain John Routson, of the Chippewa Rangers, father of Samuel Routson, of Wooster. He was born in Adams county, Pa., in 1790, and in 1816 married Sarah Franks, daughter of Henry Franks.
Slankerville was laid out by Jacob Slanker, Reuben Dressler and John Gartner, and surveyed by John A. Lawrence, February 24, 1843. Plat and certificate re- corded April 26, 1843, and record found on page 587, volume 24. Since the com- pletion of the railroad it has been known by the name of Easton.
Thomas W. Peckinpaugh was born in the State of Pennsylvania, November 17, 1817. On his father's side he is of German extraction, on the mother's English. In 1821 his parents emigrated to Greene township when the subject of this sketch was but four years of age. His father was a farmer, and with him his son remained until he was twenty-one. Like many other of the young men of his time, who at an early age were cast upon their own resources, and who have made a mark upon community, Mr. Peckinpaugh's first exploits consisted in energetic efforts to secure an education, and in preparation to teach the common school. His exertions in this direction proving successful he entered upon the career of teacher in winter and academy pupil in the summer. In 1840 he entered the Wadsworth institution, where he concluded his studies, and from which he emerged to deliver battle to the world. Having an inclination from boyhood to enter the legal profession, he now had the opportunity offered to reward his ambition. With resolution pitched to the key of future success, he commenced the study of Blackstone, selecting for his
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CHIPPEWA TOWNSHIP.
preceptor Hon. Edward Avery, of Wooster. He was now living in Milton township, and in 1848 he was admitted to the practice of law.
He was married October 18, 1848, to Miss Jane E. Cotton, of Milton township, when he proceeded to Chippewa township, where he entered upon practice, teach- ing for two winters in conjunction with his legal duties, when he devoted his entire time and attention to the law. In 1854 he was elected Justice of the Peace for Chippewa township, which office he filled for six consecutive years. In 1860 he was elected Auditor of Wayne county, and was re-elected to the same office, the duties of which he performed with conspicnous fidelity and satisfaction to the pub- lic. He next purchased a farm in Milton township, where, for a period of three years, he lived, when he removed to West Salem and resumed his profession.
He was elected to the Legislature from Wayne county in 1869, and re-elected in the hot conflict of 1871, having served with distinction and credit to his cunstit- uents and the State. His eldest son, Thomas E., is an accomplished business scholar, a young man of unchallenged honor, until recently Teller in the National Bank of Wooster, and at present one of the proprietors of the Wayne County Demo- , crat. Mr. Peckinpaugh is yet in the blaze and vigor of manhood, and as attentive to business as when thirty years ago he began the upward struggle toward wealth and honor. He is of commanding personal appearance, fully six feet in hight, and weighs over two hundred pounds. His political affiliations are wholly with the Democracy, where he has ever maintained uniformity and consistency in the advocacy of its principles.
As a lawyer his integrity and prompt attention to business, combined with the faithfulness with which he labors for his client, have secured for him a liberal share of practice.
In public or private life there is neither harshness nor rashness about him. There is a degree of self-control and self-balance about him characteristic of the man ; heard upon the stump, or before the Court, or in the halls of legislation, he is never thrown off his guard. His life affords an instructive lesson to those labor- ing against adversity, and furnishes an example of what industry, punctuality and determination can do to conquer difficulties, and to secure the confidence and re- spect of the communities in which their lot may be cast. United with his public virtues, he is a man of unsullied private character.
James Adams was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, in the year 1800. At the age of 18 he learned blacksmithing, and in 1820 he removed to Chippewa township. He owns a valuable coal farm near Doylestown, and is comfortably and independently situated. He is familiar with the annals of his township. He in- forms us that " Rogues' Hollow " was a resort in the early days for some fellows who made pewter money there and "shoved the queer." Old George Zealy frequented the " hollow ; " he was a preacher, and was sent to the penitentiary from Wooster, but was soon released. Mr. Adams is a hale, hearty and lively man, a wide-awake, get-up-and-get citizen, stout, athletic, with a " right " and a " left" ever at his ser- vice. He is a genial gentleman and a social, clever man.
Cline, Seiberling & Co., Doylestown, Ohio .- In 1861 Peter Cline, John F. Sei- berling and John H. Hower formed a partnership, under the firm name of Cline, Seiberling & Hower, to manufacture the Excelsior Dropping Reaper and Mower, of which John F. Seiberling was the inventor. In 1865, the works having been annu- ally enlarged, J. H. Seiberling, Jacob J. Hower and Samuel Miller were received into the partnership, when the firm name was changed to Cline, Seiberling & Co. J. F. Seiberling and John H. Hower then removed to Akron, Ohio, to more exten.
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
sively engage in the manufacture of their machines. From 1865 to 1875 the firm continued the same, each year building from six hundred to one thousand machines. October 22, 1875, John H. Hower sold his interest to the remaining members, and October 3, 1876, Jacob J. Hower sold his, the firm name, however, remaining the same. Since 1875 they have also built the Empire Reaper and Mower, another conception of the fertile brain of John F. Seiberling, which he has thoroughly per- fected, and which is an exquisite gem of mechanical beauty. The two machines, the Excelsior and the Empire Reaping and Mowing Machines, are built by Mr. Sei- berling in Akron and by Cline, Seiberling & Co. at Doylestown.
This firm at Doylestown is the most solid and reliable manufacturing institution in Wayne county, or in Northern Ohio. It has, thus far weathered financial cyclones, monetary upheavals and panic simooms, its reputation unquestioned and its credit above challenge or suspicion. It employs on an average from sixty-five to seventy-five men.
John F. Seiberling is a native of Summit county, Ohio, his father originally em- igrating from Lehigh county, Pa., to this county, when be settled in Norton township. He was a farmer, with whom John worked occasionally, doing some work upon a saw-mill, which his father had erected, and it was here where he first manifested his inventive genius. In trying to repair one of the John P. Manny machines, which his father had purchased, he conceived the idea of the dropper, whereupon he went to work and constructed an entirely new machine called " The Excelsior," to which the dropper was subsequently attached. To this he has annu- ally made improvements. By persevering, patient labor and plodding on he has established success and triumphantly vindicated his claims as a man of genius, and one of the world's benefactors. He lived in Doylestown from 1861 to 1865, when he removed to Akron, where he at present resides.
James Seiberling, brother of John, is likewise a member of the firm, and like him, is endowed with considerable inventive ingenuity. He was married to Eliza- beth Baughman, of Summit county, and has had six children, two of whom are dead. He is a member of the Lutheran church, a man of earnest life, honor and integrity.
Peter Cline was born in Prussia, October 4, 1823. His father was a farmer, and immigrated to America when Peter was fourteen years old, bringing nine child- ren with him over the sea. The family arrived at New York in 1836, and soon found their way to Massillon, soon leaving there, and going to Huron county, Ohio. Peter, however, remained and found employment in a furnace, where he staid two years, when Hart & Brown opened up in the foundry business, when he hired with them and continued for six years. From there he went to Fulton, and thence to Doylestown, working with Galehouse & Gates, who started the Doylestown foun- dry, and where he has since remained in business.
He was married to Margaret Sites, of Canal Fulton, in 1847, whose death occurred April 15, 1877. He has had six children, three of whom are dead. He is a kind-hearted, honest, industrious man, and has accumulated through years of toil and economy both property and means. He has been a member of the old Luthe- ran church since early manhood.
Samuel H. Miller was born in Northampton county, Pa., May 28, 1839. His father, John Miller, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio in 1843, settling in Norton township, Summit county, where he purchased a farm, Samuel remaining with him until 1851, when he began clerking in a dry goods store in
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ADDITIONAL SKETCHES.
Akron, where he remained to December 8, 1857. December 15, 1863, he came to Doylestown, and engaged in bookkeeping for the firm until September 1, 1865, when he became a partner, and from that time to the present has been Secretary and Treasurer of the institution.
He was married August 29, 1867, to Miss Ella L. Schneider, of Summit county, Ohio, and has six children. Mr. Miller, though a comparatively young man, has established a business and financial reputation that is seldom achieved by older men. He is a courteous, affable and cultivated gentleman, wedded to his business, forever invigorating and stimulating it with the energy of his vigorous and aggressive nature. He has achieved a deserved popularity, while his star has not wandered to its zenith.
ADDITIONAL SKETCHES.
"Old Probabilities."-In 1816 the pioneers gathered their wheat crop in July, the weather being exceedingly cold.
1817. A frost visited Ohio on the Ist of June of this year, completely destroy. ing the fruit and killing the verdure of the orchards and forest trees.
1825. May 18th the terriffic " Burlington storm " swept over Delaware, Lick. ing, Knox and Coshocton counties, the most violent tornado that ever visited Ohio.
1833. November 13th of this year, we are told, "the stars fell." It was a copious shower, and meteoric tramps tumbled through the heavens and popped earthward in prodigal confusion.
1834. A frost occurred on the IIth day of May, materially injuring the wheat crop.
1835. Heavy rains fell during the summer, submerging the bottoms and ren dering tillage impracticable. Hay crop seriously damaged, and cattle died from eating it. Comet this year.
1841. An unusually violent snow storm May 2.
1843. July 2Ist, severe frost.
I845. Frosts appeared May 7th and 25th, destroying the wheat crop of tha year.
1854 -- 55. The winters of these years will long be remembered. Snow covered the ground thirteen weeks in succession. The month of May, 1855, was remark ably dry, but from the Ioth to the 17th, the June of this year will not be forgotten for its remarkable floods.
1855. On the 24th of December it began to snow, and from this date unti the last of the month of March, the sleighing remained excellent, the snow cover ing the earth till about the 20th of April. Forest and fruit trees were killed, and since the first settlement of the country no winter presented so grim and wrinkled a front.
1859. What is known as the "June Frost " of this year was a sad visitation upon Northern Ohio. June 5, 1859, on Sunday morning, the face of the earth looked as though a sheet of living flame had smitten the vegetation that coverer its hills and valleys.
1873-74. The winter of these years is worthy of special mention. On the 6tl and 7th of January, 1874, occurred the great " Ice Storm," which must be distin guished for its destructive effects upon the forests of the country.
1877. Up to Christmas of this year the season was most remarkable. On the Friday previous to Christmas the thermometer marked 90° in the sun; on the Satur
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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY, OHIO.
day previous 80°, and on the Sunday before Christmas the mercury rose to 100° in the sun. The days were delightful and balmy, while the nights were beautiful, dewy and frostless.
" Old John Baker" came to Wayne county in 1815 from Somerset county, Pennsylvania, but was born in York county, that State. He was a farmer, a resi- dent of Wayne township, and a member of the Methodist church. He died in 186-, aged eighty-three years, leaving a family of nine children. His son John now lives on the old homestead in Wayne township.
His Bear Fights .- There are many hunting incidents of the old days, when the largest animals haunted the forest and stream of this region, especially of "Old John Baker," who was a famous hunter and trapper in those times. One day, over fifty years ago, he was out hunting deer, several of which he saw feeding on the hills beyond the valley. He started for the deer to get a shot at them, and when half way up the slope where they were browsing he came to a large tree that was blown out of root. Here he stopped to reconnoiter his game, and while doing so was startled by a noise close behind him. Turning, he saw a bear emerging from a hole under the roots of the tree, and coming at him, reared up for attack. He instantly put gun to shoulder and fired, but unfortunately missed the bear, which cunningly had dropped on all fours the moment the rifle flashed. The bear at once threw himself on Baker with all the ferocity of his savage nature, crushing the hun- ter to the ground, there biting him, then picking him up and "hugging" him in deadly embrace. It was a desperate fight, and Baker soon got the worst of the en- counter. He was bitten in the face, the flesh of his leg torn to the bone, and body lacerated by claws, while he had somewhat wounded the bear with stabs of his butcher knife, but which finally broke off by striking against a bone in the throat of the bear. Being now defenseless from loss of his knife, and helpless from bleed- ing wounds, he "played 'possum " on bruin, by lying quite still, as if dead. The bear ceased his attack, but at the least movement of the hunter he would bite and paw him. At last the animal left him, and Baker got up, but was so badly hurt that he dropped down; then crawled around and found his gun off a couple of rods away, and using it for a staff, he managed to reach a road, and call to a woman at a cabin half a mile distant, who came to his assistance. After binding up his twenty-two wounds made by the bear, the woman and her husband hauled him to his home on a hand-sled.
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