USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 27
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 27
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 27
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Politically our subject is identified with the Republican party, and he has risen to a position of prominence in the work and the local councils of his party, being at the pres-
ent time the chairman of the Morrow Conn- ty Republican Central Committee. Fra- ternally he affiliates with the Masonic Order, retaining a membership in Cardington Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M., and in Mount Gilead Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M.
The marriage of Mr. Vaughan was con- sumated in 1890, when he wedded Miss Stella Willits, who was born in Cardington township, this county, the daughter of William and Lucinda (Grandy) Willits. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Vaughan had been a teacher in the schools of the county, and had occupied in the line a position of no little prominence, having been particular- ly successful in her work. She entered into eternal rest June 22, 1893, leaving one son, James G.
E B. COMINS, who is one of the substantial and representative men of Mount Gilead, Morrow county, and who has shown a marked ex- ecutive ability and keen discernment in the conduct of business enterprises, must as- suredly be accorded attention in this con- nection.
He was born in Jefferson county, New York, November 8, 1840, the son of Lyman B. Comins, who likewise was a native of the Empire State, and of English extrac- tion. He was a carpenter by trade, but in later years devoted his attention principally to the buying of live-stock and to general farming. He married Mary G. Harris, who was born August 19, 1817, in Schuyler county, New York, at a point about four miles distant from the city of Utica. Her father, Joseph Harris, was born and reared in Connecticut, being a comb-maker by trade.
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Lyman B. and Mary G. Comins became the parents of six children, of whom only two lived to attain mature years, namely: A. B., our subject; and Harriet, the wife of Wade Armentrout, of Hayesville, Ash- land county, this State.
A. B. Comins was the second born of the children, and when he had attained the age of nine years his parents left their East- ern home (1849) and removed to Ohio, lo- cating at Mount Gilead, this county, where they remained for two years, after which they took up their abode in the capital city, Columbus, where the father died, in 1854. Within the same year the widowed mother of our subject disposed of her interests in Columbus and returned to Mount Gilead. Here our subject began his individual effort in the world by engaging as a clerk in the mercantile establishment of George House, with whom he remained one year. He then went to Hayesville, Ashland county, where he secured a clerkship with the mer- cantile firm of Armentrout & Son, remain- ing thus employed for a full decade, after which he was admitted to partnership, -an association which continued until 1872, when he closed out his interests in the busi- ness and returned to Mount Gilead. He had, in earlier years, learned the painter's trade, and to this line of occupation he de- voted his attention after his return to Mount Gilead, having also clerked in local estab- lishments for a time.
In 1866 was consummated his marriage to Miss Dora Moneysmith, who was born · in Auburn, Indiana, April 28, 1848, the daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Mc- Creary) Moneysmith, the former of whom was of German lineage and a blacksmith by trade, and the latter of whom was a native of the Buckeye State, and of Irish extrac-
tion. Mrs. Comins was the second in order of the four children born to her parents. Our subject and his wife are the parents of one daughter, Mary E.
Mr. Comins is an ardent admirer and genuine lover of good horses, and is con- sidered one of the best judges of horseflesh in this section. At the present time he owns twelve fine individuals of standard breeding, among them being Dandy Wilkes, a black stallion, who has made a record of 2:234, and Ambassador, Jr., a bay stallion, a remarkably fine individual in the pacing class, with a record of 2:20. Our subject has also in line a number of most promis- ing colts, and is an enthusiastic turfman.
In politics he supports the Democratic party and its principles, in the broader general sense, but reserves to himself an independ- ence which leads him to cast his ballot for men and measures, rather than to cling in a servile way to party or ring dictates. Religiously, he is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church.
J OHN S. PECK, who figures as one of the progressive and representative business men of the attractive city of Cardington, Morrow county, and who stands at the head of one of the important industrial enterprises of the place, first saw the light of day in Clarksburg, Virginia, where he was born on the last day of Janu- ary, 1832. His father was John Peck, who was born in Connecticut and there reared. He learned the trade of shoemaking and fol- lowed the same for a great many years. He married Amy Maxwell, a native of Virginia, and in 1832 the parents emigrated to Ohio and settled in the woods of Morgan town- ship, Marion county (now Cardington town-
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ship, Morrow county), and upon his forest farm the father erected a log cabin. The earliest event in his life which our subject can recall is that he went half a mile through the woods to witness the raising of that log house. The father cleared and improved the place, and after a number of years had passed, removed to Cardington and here en- gaged in the harness business. He later on retired from active business, and his death occurred November 19, 1873, his wife hav- ing been summoned into eternal life May 23, 1847. They were zealous members of the Protestant Methodist Church, and politically the father was a stanch Republican. He was a strong and uncompromising Union man during the late war of the Rebellion, and did much to mould public sentiment in favor of the cause which he so warmly and so ably advocated.
John and Amy (Maxwell) Peck became the parents of the following named children: Leman and a twin brother, the latter of whoin died in infancy, the former's death occurring June 6, 1853; Clinton, died April 27, 1876; David B. is a resident of Carding- ton, and is engaged in the furniture business; John S. is the subject of this sketch; Tarle- ton is living a retired live in this village; Minerva J., born April 20, 1837, became the wife of G. R. Cunningham, of Cardington, July 30, 1856, and died August 12, 1864.
John S. Peck was an infant when his parents removed to Ohio, and he remained on the old homestead until he was about fourteen years of age, when he went to Del- aware, this State, and there served an ap- prenticeship at the cabinet-maker's trade. After his term of apprenticeship he went to Mount Gilead, where he was in the employ of C. O. Van Horn for several months, working at his trade. He then betook him-
self to Westfield, Morrow county, and for one year was an artisan in a fanning-mill factory conducted by Adam Wolf. He next went to Newville, DeKalb county, Indiana, and there conducted a furniture business for a period of five years. His health had be- come seriously impaired and he accordingly disposed of his business and returned home, where he remained for one year and then re- moved to La Rue, Marion county, and en- gaged in the ashery and furniture business, continuing the same about five years, and then, in 1863, coming to Cardington, where he bought out a little furniture store and conducted a cabinet shop in a back room, continuing the enterprise on this modest scale for some two years, when he purchased an old building which was located at a point across the railroad track, nearly opposite his present factory. Into this building he put his machinery and operated the same by horse power, utilizing a docile and venera- ble gray mare for the propelling of the ma- chinery. While manufacturing furniture in these quarters he made use of the little store building on Main street as a wareroom. In
1872 he erected a substantial brick building on the site of the little frame structure, the former being the first brick business block erected on Main street.
About 1873 he relegated the old gray mare to obscurity and supplied her place with a small upright engine, and in 1876 he built the south part of his present factory, later on adding to it. In the meanwhile the little engine had proved inadequate and it was replaced by one of greater power, while · in the mechanical equipment many improve- ments and additions have been made from time to time. The business at the factory increased to such an extent as to demand the entire attention of our subject, and for
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this reason he sold the business on Main street to his nephew, J. F. Peck, who is now deceased. Later he added a lumber yard to his business enterprise here, and continued both until 1891, when he sold the lumber yard to his nephew, afore-mentioned, and one year later sold to him the balance of the business, thereupon retiring from ac- tive business. He went to Colorado and there remained for a time, but in the fall of 1892 J. F. Peck contracted a serious illness and our subject was induced to take charge of the former's business interests until his recovery. The proprietor's illness reached a fatal termination, however, in the Decem- ber following, and thereupon our subject was appointed administrator of the estate, continuing in that capacity one year, when the factory and other interests were sold to the widow of J. F. Peck, and later on our subject purchased of her a half interest in the manufactory and the lumber business. The factory manufactures furniture for the wholesale trade, and in the lumber yards are kept on hand all kinds of material for building purposes, the enterprise being one of the most important in the city.
Politically, Mr. Peck has been an active worker in the Republican party, and has held several offices of public trust. While in Indiana he held preferment as Justice of the Peace, and was Secretary and Treasurer of the School Board. He has been a mem- ber of the Republican Executive Committee of Morrow county, and has served as a member of the Cardington Common Coun- cil and the local Board of Education. He was one of the trustees of the committee which had in hand the erection, at Carding- ton, of the fine memorial monument to the soldiers who forfeited their lives in the ser- vice of the late war. 13
In 1852 Mr. Peck was united in mar- riage to Miss Lorinda Bartlett, a native of Westfield township, and the daughter of Esquire Lester Bartlett. The date of her birth was August 18, 1835, and her educa- tion was received in the schools of West- field township. Mr. and Mrs. Peck have had no children, but they have an adopted son, Virgil W., a son of D. B. Peck, and a young man of great promise. For the past two years he has been a student in the Col- orado University, at Denver. Mrs. Peck is a most devoted member and zealous worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, our subject is identified with the Masonic order, retaining a membership in the Chapter at Mount Gilead.
ILLIAM WILTON BALES .- In the present connection we shall revert to the lives of two broth- ers who are themselves prominent and honored residents of Allen township, Union county, and who are conspicuous, in a further sense, as representatives of one of the leading pioneer families of this section of the favored Buckeye commonwealth. The history engendered in a personal way by the family identification with the annals of the section is one which is prolific in inter- est and instruction, and is one which the publishers consider well worthy of particu- lar attention in this volume.
"Crab Orchards," as the Bales liome- stead has been most consistently known for a long period of years, figures as the birth- place of William Wilton Bales, who still maintains his home thereon, having been born June 26, 1840. His father, the late William Bales, was one of the most promi- nent of the pioneer settlers of Union county,
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and was a man who enjoyed a distinctive prestige during the term of his life by rea- son of his ability, enterprising spirit and un- swerving integrity. He was a native son of New England, having been born in Hills- borough county, New Hampshire, January 9, 1809, the son of William L. Bales, who was born in Vermont, and who in turn was the son of an illustrious sire, also William by name, who was an active participant in the war of the Revolution, serving under General Washington. The father of the last named William Bales was pressed into the British army and compelled to serve therein for a time, but he ultimately escaped and gave himself to the bearing of arms against his whilom but distasteful comrades of the English forces. The Bales family came to Ohio from New England in 1838, making the long and weary journey with team and wagon. William Bales, father of our subject, was reared on a farm in his na- tive State and received his scholastic disci- pline in the public schools. February I, 1838, he wedded Sarah Cavender, who was born in New Hampshire, and who came from an old and honored family, being the daughter of James and Rachel Cavender, who were of Irish extraction, the former having been a valiant soldier in the war of the Revolution. In the year of their mar- riage they accompanied other members of the Bales family on their journey to the Western wilds of the Buckeye State, and they passed the autumn succeeding their ar- rival, at Sunbury, Delaware county, and then located in Newton, Union county, where they remained one year, at the ex- piration of which time they settled in the woods of Allen township, where they built a sawmill and a log cabin, and where they eventually developed one of the finest farms
in this section of the State, giving to the same the name of "Crab Orchards," which has ever since been retained, as has also the place in the possession of the family, the old homestead being the present place of residence of our subject. The farm re- claimed and developed by the original members of the family comprised 400 acres, located on the line of the old stage road be- tween Columbus and Fort Wayne, and the Bales home was a wayside inn or a tavern of the old familiar and attractive type, and from its hospitable doors no wayworn trav- eler was ever turned away, -rich and poor, saint and sinner, Jew and Gentile, were alike made welcome and permitted to share in the hospitality of the genial hosts of the primitive caravansary.
William Bales, father of our subject, was for two decades the incumbent as Post- master at the little hamlet of Coberly, and was a man of distinctive influence in the community, where his advice and counsel were held in the highest regard. He was one of the first in this section to engage in the breeding and sale of Morgan horses, and brought the original individuals in this well- known and popular line from Vermont. He was successful in his business ventures and accumulated a fine property, owning land in Illinois, in addition to his extensive realty interests in this county. During the late Mexican war he served as Captain of militia, having raised a company, which, however, was not called into action by reason of the closing of the war before they reached the front.
William and Sarah (Cavender) Bales be- came the parents of ten children, of whom we make record as follows: William Wilton is the subject of this review; Walter War- ren is associated with his brother in busi-
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ness, and to him individual reference is made farther on in this sketch; Charles Clifford resides in Illinois; Mary M. is the wife of O. N. Carter, of Linn county, Kansas; Rosa is the wife of O. W. Inskeep, of Linn county, Kansas; Frank is a resident of Champaign county, Ohio; Burnham C. is a resident of Marysville, Ohio; Sarah is the wife of C. WV. Brodrick, of Champaign county, Ohio; George died at the age of twenty-three years; and Rachel R. passed away at the age of eighteen months.
The honored father of our subject was summoned into eternal rest, September I, 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years and eight months, and his widow died November II, 1885, at the age of sixty-seven. In their religious adherency they were Advent- ists. The father of William Bales, William L., lived to attain a remarkable longevity, dying at the old homestead in this county, at the venerable age of ninety-seven years, and his widow lived to beninety-five. Their wedded life extended over the notable span of seventy-three years, and during all this long period they were never absent from one another for two weeks. They were the parents of nine children.
William Wilton Bales, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the beautiful old homestead and received his education in the district schools, and in a commercial college at Columbus. He passed three seasons in De Witt county, Illinois, taking horses to that locality to be sold, in the years 1860, '61 and '63.
At the present time there is retained in "Crab Orchards," the old homestead, 200 acres of rich and productive land, thoroughly well improved. The attractive old family home, erected in 1844, is a substantial and commodious structure, and is pervaded in
its very environments with the atmosphere of a true home, hallowed with association. Among other excellent permanent improve- ments in evidence is a fine barn, 36x50 feet, with a basement for the accommodation of stock, of which a general line of standard breeds is kept on the place. Natural springs about the farm furnish an adequate supply of pure, limpid water for stock. The mag- nificent orchard is renowned as one of the best and largest in the State, there being 1,400 apple and 600 peach trees. The soil has proved to be particularly well adapted to the cultivation of all fruits native to this latitude. Among other varieties, there are 1,000 trees of the Whitney or No. 20 crab, one of the best known and most popular apples grown in the United States.
December 24, 1879, William Winter Bales was united in marriage to Miss Vir- ginia Dunn, a woman of culture and innate refinement. She was born in Rush town- ship, Champaign county, this State, the daughter of Nelson and Mary (Garwood) Dunn, the former of whom was a native of Champaign county, and the latter, who was the daughter of Joseph and Adaline Gar- wood, was born in Logan county. They had two children: Hiram G. and Virginia, wife of our subject.
Mr. Bales is one of the leading men of the township, and has ever been a prime factor in lending impetus to such enterprises and fostering such institutions as tend to conserve the higher welfare of the commun- ity. He has been the incumbent as Presi- dent of the Board of Education for a term of many years. Politically, he lends influ- ence and practical support to the Populist party. Personally, he is a man of quick in- telligence and broad mental grasp, is frank and cordial in bearing, and enjoys that respect
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and esteem that are ever awarded to the one deserving of such recognition.
As exemplifying the public spirit of Wil- liam W., it may be stated that he built some of the first pike road ever constructed in this county, which now has the distinctive honor of having the best system of turnpikes of any county in the State.
WALTER WARREN BALES, who is asso- ciated with his brother in the conduct of the old homestead farm, was born thereon, October 11, 1842, and here grew to matur- ity, receiving his educational discipline in the public schools of the locality. He married Miss Victoria Inskeep, daughter of William and Mary Inskeep, and of this union seven children were born, namely: Forest, Min- nie (deceased), Frank, Walter, May, Jenny and Emma Maude. Walter W. and family resided in De Witt county, Illinois, from 1870 until 1881, and Mrs. Bales entered into eternal rest on the 2d of May, 1882. To the children thus bereft Mrs. William W. Bales has proved a devoted foster-mother, and to her they have granted a true filial affection.
Walter W. Bales is identified with the Masonic order, retaining a membership in Blazing Star Lodge, of North Lewisburg, which village is the postoffice address of the occupants of "Crab Orchards."
ILLIAM TABER, who has con- tributed a due quota toward the agricultural development of Mor- row county, Ohio, and who is now living in retirement at Edison, is one of the old pioneer residents of the county and one honored and esteemed in the com- munity.
His father, Thomas Taber, was a native of Montpelier, Vermont, and was a farmer by occupation. He was a son of one whose full patronymic he bore, Thomas Taber, who was born March 26, 1747, was a blacksmith by trade and married Hannah Davis. The family had been one of prominence in New England from the time that the original American ancestor, Philip Taber, came here and settled near Boston, Massachusetts, -this being prior to 1634. He was one of the first settlers at Yarmouth, Massachu- setts, and was a member of the first Legis- lative Assembly of Plymouth Colony, - 1639-'40. In 1661 he was a member of the Government Council of Providence. He married Lydia Masters.
The father of our subject was born October 17, 1796, and August 10, 1818, he married Miriam Worth, who was born February 7, 1799. They remained in Ver- mont until the fall of 1836, when they emi- grated to Ohio and settled on a tract of land in Gilead township, this county (then Marion county), at a point somewhat northwest of the present city of Mount Gilead, where they remained over one year. He then bought a piece of densely wooded land adjoining Canaan township, building there a log cabin, in which the family took up their abode. He died May 12, 1843, and his widow passed away in 1860. They were the parents of seven boys and two girls, of whom five are living at the present time, namely: William, Nathan, Freeman, Thomas Elwood, and Lewis. The parents were members of that noble organization, the Society of Friends.
William Taber, the subject of this re- view, was born July 2, 1819, at Cobin Hill, Addison county, Vermont, and the house in which he was born bore an un-
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canny repute, being said to be haunted. He was seventeen years of age when the family came to Ohio, his education having been received in the subscription schools of his native State. His father, whose educational advantages had been very meagre, appreci -. ated their value, and he did not deny his children such opportunities as were in his power to grant. Our subject went to Mount Gilead after his arrival here and there work- ed for Dr. Roberts during the summer, at- tending school during the winter months. After this he went to the paternal home and lent his aid to clearing and improving the same. He remained at home until he was twenty years of age, and then began to work out for others by the month, con- tinuing to be thus employed for two years. He then cleared a piece of land on his father's farm and sowed the same to wheat. He had been in the employ of Daniel and David Osborn, and through the advice of those gentleman he returned home and gave his attention to caring for his father until the time of the latter's death. He assumed the management of the farm and brought it into effective cultivation, pur- chasing the interests of the other heirs after the death of his father, He subsequently added eighty acres to his landed estate.
Mr. Taber gave his attention to the operation of the farm until 1881, when he was incapacitated for active labor as the result of injuries received in being thrown from a mowing machine, and he there- upon came to Edison and purchased an attractive residence, where he has since continued to abide in the devoted com- panionship of his wife, who has been his faithful helpmeet during all the long years of their married life.
June 28, 1845, Mr. Taber joined hand
and heart with Miss Sarah Hickok, daughter of Harry and Hannah (Macomber) Hickok, both natives of Saratoga county, New York, where they were married. In 1825 they settled south of Fitchville, Huron county, Ohio, and there remained until their death. The father came on foot all the way from Saratoga Springs, New York, to this State, where he located his claim before bringing his family. The mother died in the spring of 1826 and the father survived many years, and died in Illinois at an advanced age. They were the parents of three boys and four girls, and five of the number are now living.
Mrs. Taber was born September 27, 1825, in Huron county, Ohio, and was there reared and educated. Our subject and wife became the parents of four chil- dren, of whom only one survives, William Lloyd Garrison Taber, who was born July 10, 1849, married Olive Silverthorn, has two children, and lives on the paternal homestead. One daughter of our subject Oria, born February 10, 1853, became the wife of John Ashbaugh, and she died June 28, 1890, leaving three children.
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