USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 23
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 23
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 23
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Upon the death of her honored husband, in 1860, Mrs. Granger assumed full charge of the homestead farm of 220 acres, and conducted the business successfully until the coming of age of her children, fortifying herself to meet the emergency, and proving a discerning and capable business woman. Upon her also devolved the care of her children, all of whom she reared and edu- cated, while performing a similar and equally devoted duty to Wilbert, her husband's son by the previous marriage. Mrs. Granger is a woman of the noble type, and her strength has been as her days. Not alone for her marked ability, but for her sterling attrib-
Nathan Jleraid
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utes of character, has she been honored and cherished by a large circle of devoted friends.
ATHAN HOWARD, whose life his- tory now comes under considera- tion, stands conspicuously forward as one of the most extensive farm- ers and one of the most prominent in Union county, Ohio, where he has passed his en -· tire life, and where he has attained to a notable degree of success in a material way. The history of the Howard family, and its intimate identification with this section of the Buckeye commonwealth, traces back to the early pioneer days when the hardy set- tlers came and builded their rude domiciles, grappled with the giants of the forest, and from the sylvan woods evolved the fertile and productive fields that now characterize the State. The red man, in his motley garb, stalked about through the dim, woody ave- nues, and the wild beasts disputed his do- minion. To establish a home amid such surroundings, and to cope with the many privations and hardships which were the in- evitable concomitants, demanded an invin- cible courage and fortitude, strong hearts and willing hands. All these were charac- teristic of the pioneers, whose names and deeds should be held in perpetual reverence by those who now enjoy the fruits of their toil.
The landed estate of our subject com- prises 1, 800 acres, located principally in Allen and Union townships, this county. The home farm, or as it has been most appropriately termed, "Indian Field Farm," is unexcelled by any in the county, situated as it is, on the rich bottom lands contiguous to Darby creek. Indeed, its surpassing fertility can scarcely
be doubted when we recall the fact that these bottoms were selected by the Indian squaws, more than a century ago, as the most available locality for their primitive cultivation of corn. The magnificent farm- stead came into possession of Mr. Howard in 1866 In 1860 he commenced farming on 283 acres, residing in a double log cabin, which is still standing. Six years later, as already noted, he effected the purchase of the present homestead, buying the same of Moses Coe, at the rate of $90 per acre. He continued his abode in a frame dwelling on this farm until 1876, when he erected his present substantial residence, which is of modern and attractive architectural design, and which is unmistakably one of the most elegant farm-houses in the State, its in- terior appointments being consonant with the beauty of architectural structure. The residence is eligibly located as to site, with sweeping lawns and grateful shade. The farm has barns, sheds and other outbuild- ings for the accommodation of stock, ma- chinery and hay; wide-stretching meadows of timothy and clover; large cornfields that are now made productive by the expenditure of large sums of money for the putting in of both open and tile ditches; wood lots that are yet dotted with patriarchal oaks and stately elms, and furrowed lowlands that bespeak the bountiful harvests gathered in their time,-the whole constituting a symmetrical and attractive homestead which tells of prosperity and happiness.
Mr. Howard was born on the old home- stead farm, in Union township, this county, September 21, 1831, the son of William and Nancy (McDonald) Howard. William Howard was born in Connecticut, June 18, 1802, and the records of the family trace the lineage back to the first English ances-
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tor who took up his abode in the New World. The father of William Howard was John Howard, who was a resident of Ipswich, Massachusetts, as was also she who became his wife, Sarah Bennett, their mar- riage being consummated in Hampden coun- ty, that State, June 8, 1740. John How- ard was a son of John and Mary (Martin) Howard, the former of whom was a son of William, who was a son of Thomas How- ard, who came from England to Massachn- setts in 1600, when but a boy in his 'teens. The mother of our subject, nee Nancy Mc- Donald, came of a family prominent in the early history of Ohio, her place of nativity being Ross county, this State. Her parents removed to Union county when she was but three years of age.
The date of the settling of the parents of our subject in Union township, this county, is chronicled as 1830, and they took up their abode on a tract of wild land, which is still retained in the family. The father gave his attention to the improvement of this old homestead until his death, in 1839. The bereaved widow was left with three young children, and upon her should- ers was placed the additional burden of lift- ing the considerable balance of indebtedness upon the farm of 500 acres, 200 acres of which remained unpaid for. She bravely fortified herself for the task in hand, proved most capable as a business woman, and in due time, with the assistance of her sons, paid the entire indebtedness and brought the farm to a high state of cultivation. She lived to see her three children grown to ma- turity and well settled in life, her death oc- curring in 1876. She was a woman of noble character, devoted to her family, and loved and esteemed by all to whom came an appreciation of her sterling worth. Nathan,
who is the immediate subject of this review, was the eldest of the children; Harriet be- came the wife of Edward Mann, of Madison county, and her death occurred in 1861; William is a successful farmer and resides on the old homestead in Union township.
Our subject grew up amid the plain en- vironment and manifold duties of the farm, and, as the oldest child, upon him de- volved much of the care and responsibility, which he willingly shared with his widowed mother. As educational facilities were mea- gre at that time, and as there came to him the higher duty of assisting in the mainte- nance of the family, his scholastic discipline was not of comprehensive scope. He was enabled to attend the district schools in a desultory way, but as his mind was recep- tive and his native ability marked, he se- cured by absorption and assimilation a good, practical education in connection with his daily toil, becoming a man of broad intel- lectual grasp and of comprehensive informa- tion concerning men and affairs. As has al- ready been stated, Mr. Howard took up his residence on his present fine farm in 1860, since which time he has devoted himself as- siduously to its cultivation, the place now comprising 1,400 acres. In connection with general farming he has given special atten- tion to the breeding of Norman horses, Short- horn cattle and Shropshire sheep, and to general stock-raising, being one of the most extensive operators in this line that this sec- tion of the State can boast. In later years he has given much attention to raising and feeding cattle, hogs and sheep for market. Mr. Howard also owns 1, 800 acres of rich land in Bourbon county, Kansas, having purchased this valuable tract in 1883.
In his political adherency our subject is a Republican and has been an active worker
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in the party ranks. He has served two terms as County Commissioner, and by rea- son of his peculiar eligibility and business sa- gacity, he was chosen to represent his county in this important capacity at the time the fine new court-house of the county was be- ing erected. He was a member of the Union County Board of Agriculture for a full decade, and for two years held preferment as vice- president of the same. He has been president of the Marysville Bank since its reorganiza- tion. In his bearing Mr. Howard is genial, frank and courteous, and he is held in high es- teem both by reason of his business ability and his unswerving rectitude of character.
The marriage of Mr. Howard was sol- emnized September 21, 1859, when he was united to Miss Helen M. Hathaway, daugh- ter of Ebenezer and Mary (Hopkins) Hath- away, prominent residents of the county. Mr. Hathaway was a son of the late Dr. Nicholas Hathaway, who was one of the first judges of the court of common pleas in Union county, and a man of conspicuous ability. Mr. and Mrs. Howard became the parents of four children, one of whom, Hat- tie, died in childhood. Those living are: Charles M., who has charge of his father's farm in Bourbon county, Kansas, where he is recognized as a prominent stock-man; he married Lucy Reichenker and has three children, Helen, Nathan and Nelson; Cony, the second child, is associated with his father in conducting the home farm; and Otto N., who married Miss Euna Smith and is now a resident of Champaign county, this State. Mr. and Mrs. Howard also adopted a daugh- ter at the age of three years, -Emma Maude, -who is now a young lady of marked in- telligence and refinement and devoted to her foster father, to whom she gives a true filial affection.
The greatest loss and bereavement of our subject's life was that which came to him in June, 1892, when his devoted wife, who had been his constant companion for thirty-three years and had shared in his joys, his sorrows and his trials, was summoned into eternal rest. To him remains the con- solation of having known and appreciated her true and beautiful life, whose tender grace will lend a radiance to all his future days as it has the many years when the cher- ished object of his love was with him in vis- ible presence. In such an instance can we most thoroughly realize that death has lost its poignant sting, for the life of finite love merges into the realm of infinite love.
F. GORDON, who occupies dis- tinctive preferment as Sheriff of Morrow county, and who is one of the well-known and popular citi- zens of the thriving little city of Mount Gilead, which represents the county's official center, is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Perry county, June 8, 1852.
His father, Israel Gordon, is a native of Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he was born September 10, 1818, his father having been a farmer. At the age of fourteen years he started forth to carve out a career for himself, courageously assuming the respon- sibility of his own maintenance. He left his native State then, in 1832, and made his way to Ohio, being entirely alone in thus sallying forth into the world. Reaching McCuneville, Perry county, he there secured a position in the salt works, remaining in that place a couple of years; the rest of the time until his marriage was spent working as a farm hand in the neighborhood. Soon
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after marriage he bought a farm (and moved on) where the town of Shawnee, Perry county, now stands. He lived there until 1871, when he removed to Morrow county, and located on a farm in Harmony township, where he has ever since continued to abide, being one of the successful and honored farmers of that locality. In poli- tics he has given his influence and support to the Republican party for many years, having identified himself with that organi- zation in ante-bellum days. Religiously he is a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
The Gordon family is of Scotch extrac- tion, and the American originators of the line were three brothers, who came here from Holland in an early day. The pater- nal grandfather of our subject was George Gordon, who was born in Maryland, and whose death occurred in 1830.
Israel Gordon married Susan Irvin, who was born in Fairfield county, this State, but who accompanied her parents to Perry county while she was still a child. Her father, Andrew Irvin, was a native of the Old Dominion State, having been born in Rockingham county. He was one of the prominent early settlers in Ohio, and his marriage was consummated in Washington county, this State. His father was of Irish descent.
Israel and Susan (Irvin) Gordon became the parents of seven children, namely: Andrew J .; George W .; Margaret; Harriet, who died in 1862; Thomas F .; Robert S., and Charles W.
Thomas F. Gordon, the immediate sub- ject of this review, was reared in Perry county, attending the district schools and supplementing this instruction by a course in the public schools of Chesterville, Mor-
row county. He accompanied his parents to this county in 1871, and was engaged in general farming and stock raising until 1893, when he was elected to the responsible office of Sheriff of the county, on the Republican ticket. He is still the incumbent in this office, having been renominated and re- elected in 1894,-a fact that offers sufficient voucher for his ability as an executive, and evidence that his dispensation is one that has given satisfaction to the public, in whose gift the preferment has been retained.
Politically, Mr. Gordon has lent an act- ive support to his party, and has wielded a marked influence in the directing of local affairs. Fraternally, he is identified with Chester Lodge, No. 204, I. O. O. F., and with Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias.
Our subject is unmarried. He is a man of genial nature and sympathetic and gen- erous impulses, and enjoys not only the re- spect of the people, but a distinctive popu- larity, his friends being in number as his acquaintances.
BRAHAM B. NEWSON, a farmer residing three miles north of Edi- son, Gilead township, Morrow county, Ohio, was born on his father's farm adjoining Mount Gilead, Ohio, February 16, 1832, being the eighth of twelve children born to Abraham and Lucy (Friend) Newson. He was reared at the old home, which his father located near Mount Gilead in the year 1825, at that time in the dense forest, being a very thickly timbered country, receiving his education in the old round school-house at Mount Gilead, and the adjoining district schools. He re- mained at the home of his father until
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twenty-five years of age. In February, 1857, he was united in marriage with Miss Phebe Ann Hull, who was born near Ches- terville, Morrow county, Ohio, in the year 1833. She was the daughter of Mahlon Hull, and a sister of Benjamin Hull, whose sketch appears in this work. After his mar- riage, Mr. Newson lived on the farm of Ben- jamin Hull, near Edison, four years, and in 1861 removed to the farm which he now owns, situated three miles north of Edison, on what is called the Boundary road. In 1883 he built a residence, which he and his family very much enjoy.
Mr. and Mrs. Newson have had four children, namely: Georgianna Marie, now Mrs. W. F. Blayney, who has one daugh- ter, Jessie; Charles William, who died when three and a half years of age; Laura Alice, wife of William Brockelsby, to whom four children have been born,-Robert Abra- ham, Anna Mary, Maggie Ellen, and Will- iam Faris; and Elery A., now in his twen- tieth year and living at home. Mr. Newson and wife are very fortunate in having all their children living near them, which is a great pleasure to them and makes them think this life almost too short.
In religion they are followers of Christ, members of the Boundary Methodist Epis- copal Church, situated near their home, in which they take great interest.
RTHUR H. JONES, one of the most prominent and wealthy farm- ers of Troy township, Delaware county, Ohio, was born in Pick- away county, this State, September 22, 1854, but has lived in Delaware county ever since he was eighteen months old, he having been brought here at that time by his
parents. He is a son of Judge Thomas C. Jones, deceased, who was born in Wales and who was for many years one of the lead- ing men of this county.
Arthur H. was reared a farmer boy. After attending the district schools for some years he took a course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, of Delaware, and when he was twenty he engaged in farming in partnership with his father. His early training, together with his natural business ability and his energy and enterprise, have won for him the prosperity he now enjoys. He has between 500 and 600 acres of land and is regarded as one of the largest land-holders in Troy township. This land is devoted to general farming and stock raising. Mr. Jones has given much time and attention to advanc- ing the interests of dealers in fine stock. He is a director of the American Short-horn Cattle Society, with headquarters at Chica- go; and a life member of the British Society, with headquarters at London, England. He is also a director of the Delaware County National Bank. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Grange.
Mr. Jones was married in February, 1878, to Clara J. Phelps, a native of West- erville, Franklin county, Ohio. They have four children: Thomas A., Alice C., Flor- ence F. and Gwen.
P. LINCOLN, proprietor of Oak Lawn Farm, one of the finest rural demesnes lying in this section of the Buckeye State, resides in Rush township, Champaign county, but inasmuch as his farm extends into Union county, and in that he maintains a lively interest in the latter, there is signal consistency in accord-
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ing space in this connection to a brief history of his life. He is one of the most prominent and successful farmers of this section and is well known throughout both Union and Champaign counties.
Mr. Lincoln was born in Rush township, Champaign county, April 27, 1844, a son of the late Charles Lincoln, who was one of the representative farmers in this part of Ohio, and one who acquired a State reputa- tion by reason of his extensive operations in the breeding of Short-horn cattle. He was distinctively a self-made man, in character was above reproach, and he attained to a goodly measure of financial success as the result of his honorable and well directed ef- forts. She who became his wife was Allura Johnson, who is now deceased. Our sub- ject was the fourth in order of birth of the ten children of his parents and was the second son. He was reared on the old homestead, or "Loam Land Farm," as the place was familiarly known far and near, the same being one of the most extensive and most valuable farmsteads in Champaign county, and comprising 1, 100 acres.
Thus it came naturally that the subject of this review, C. P. Lincoln, grew up amid the manifold duties of a large farm, assisting in the work and becoming familiar with the approved and progressive methods upon which his father conducted the magnificent rural enterprise. His preliminary education was secured in district schools and has been most effectually supplemented by the wide experience which has been his in later years.
Leal and loyal to the land of his nativity he proved in no wise reluctant to go forth in its defense when plunged in a desperate fratricidal conflict, but, in 1864, he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serv-
ing in the rank and file for a period of four months, after which he received an honor- able discharge from the service.
Mr. Lincoln took up his residence on his present farın in December, 1868, the place comprising 535 acres of the rich alluvial bottom lands of Big Darby creek, which have been held in the highest estimation for their productiveness since the early days when the Indian squaws utilized the grounds for the cultivation of their little crops of corn. The family residence is a fine frame structure of modern architectural design, erected at a cost of $5,000, and supplied with wide verandas, bow windows, and other accessories which add charm to a home. The house is eligibly located in the midst of a park of grank old forest oaks, being lo- cated some distance from the road and standing forth as one of the most attractive rural homes in this section of the State.
Our subject is quite extensively engaged in stock raising, in connection with his gen- eral farming, devoting particular attention to the breeding of Short-horn cattle, horses, sheep and swine.
January 30, 1868, Mr. Lincoln was united in marriage to Miss Octavia Inskeep, a lady of gentle refinement and culture, and formerly a successful and popular teacher. She was born in Allen township, Union county, the daughter of William and Ketu- rah (Warner) Inskeep, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born in Lo- gan county, but purchased a farm in Union county and lived there the most of his life, and the mother, who was born in Logan county, died in Union county. They had eight daughters.
Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln have two children, namely: Warren G., of Rush township, Champaign county, married Miss Rena Dix
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and they have one daughter, Helen; Charles B., the second son, still remains at the pa- ternal home.
In politics our subject votes with the Re- publican party, but has never sought politi- cal office of any sort. In bearing he is ge- nial and courteous, in character he shows an innate strength of convictions, and is never loath to defend his position and tenets; in person he is erect and virile, and would never give the impression that an half cen- tury had marked the number of his years. Mr. Lincoln is wide-awake and progressive, public spirited to a degree, a successful busi- ness man, and an honored and popular citi- zen.
W. PORTER is one of the lead- ing agriculturists and representative citizens of Union township, Union county, Ohio, where his entire life has been passed and where his parents were honored pioneer settlers. He was born on the farm upon which he now resides, in 1841, was the son of William and Hannah (Snodgrass) Porter, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania in 1803, the son of John Porter, who was a prominent resi- dent of Erie county, that State, which was that of his nativity also, the family being of stanch old Irish stock. John Porter was an active participant in the war of 1812, taking part in the battle on Lake Erie.
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William Porter, father of our subject, was one of the early settlers in Union coun- ty, and here, in 1827, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Hannah Snodgrass, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and a daughter of Robert Snodgrass, who was of German lineage. William Porter was an active, intelligent and pro-
gressive man, as is shown by the fact that he was one of the first to engage in the manufacturing of brick in this county, operating a kiln in the vicinity of the pres- ent village of Milford Center, when the dis- trict was hardly yet reclaimed from the wilderness. He purchased a tract of heavi- ly timbered land, and from the same devel- oped the well cultivated farm which is a part of our subject's landed estate at the present time. He engaged largely in the manufacture of maple sugar, operating his "bush" for sixty-three years. It is inter- esting to note the fact that this line of enter- prise is still carried forward by his son, who derives a portion of his supplies from the same trees which the father utilized for the purpose many years ago. Mrs. Porter died in the year which represented the centennial anniversary of our national independence, having attained the venerable age of eighty- three years, while the father of our subject lived to reach the age of eighty-six years, his death occurring in 1889. In politics he was originally a Whig and later a Republi- can. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of seven chil- dren, of whom we offer the following rec- ord: Sabra Jane is deceased; George C. is deceased; Quincy was a soldier in the late war, and is now deceased; H. W. is the immediate subject of this review; Elizabeth G., deceased; Salina, wife of Norton Reed; and Alvin, deceased.
H. W. Porter was reared. to farm life on the old homestead, receiving such educa- tional advantages as the district afforded, and applying himself avidiously to read- ing and study at home. This discipline, with that which his years of experience in practical affairs have given him, has resulted in making him an intelligent and well in-
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formed man, and one whose judgment is
discriminating and conceptions broad. He has a fine farm of 128 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation, and provided with substantial improvements in the way of a good house and a barn 28 x 40 feet in dimensions, with all essential equipments in the line of outbuildings.
Mr. Porter is a genial and a progressive citizen and a man honored for his integrity of purpose and his upright life.
Q APT. LUDWELL M. CUNARD. -It is with distinctive satisfaction that the biographist directs atten- tion to the life history of him whose name initiates this review, for not only is the record of personal worth and ac- complishment such as bears its lesson, but in the tracing of his ancestral history there issue many points of interest, -a narrative that tells of honest and industrious sons of the American republic, that gives intima- tion of the deeds of loyal men who gave themselves to the defending of their country in time of warfare, and that speaks of the incidental conquests which have been gained in the "piping times of peace."
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