USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 35
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 35
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 35
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Mrs. Stark. The father of this family died in April, 1881, but his widow is still living in Delaware.
The farm on which Mr. and Mrs. Stark reside is one of the best in this county. Their home is an elegant modern residence, which was erected in 1883 at a cost of $5,000. It is neatly and tastefully fur- nished, and the ruling spirit of the home is hospitality, which is freely extended to their many friends. Mr. and Mrs. Stark have one son, Glenn. The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church. In Mr. Stark we see a self-made man, who began life for himself empty-handed, having no capital save a bright hope of the future and a de- termination to succeed. By perseverance he has overcome the difficulties and ob- stacles in his path, and by industry and en- terprise has steadily worked his way up- ward from an humble position to one of affluence.
ILLIAM A. McMASTER, a proin- inent farmer of Brown township, Delaware county, was born in Champaign county, Ohio, Sep- tember 8, 1823, a son of Benjamin and Aminda (Humphrey) McMaster, the latter a native of Liberty township, Delaware county, Ohio. The father was a native of Oswego county, New York, and came to Ohio in 18II, and his death occurred at the age of ninety-three years. He was a son of Rob- ert McMaster, a native of Scotland. Will- iam A. McMaster, the subject of this sketch, owns a good farm of 103 acres in Brown township, Delaware county, Ohio, which contains a comfortable residence, barns and all other necessary farm improvements. He is one of the prominent and successful men
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of his township, and is respected by all for his honest dealings and sterling worth. Mr. McMaster was married in this county at the age of twenty-three years, to Margaret Eaton, a native of Morrow county, Ohio, and a daughter of David and Elizabeth Eaton. They came to Delaware county, Ohio, in 1821. Our subject and wife had the following children: Aminda Norris, A. L., Amelia McDonald, Nettie Perry (de- ceased), and Stella. A. L. McMaster was born November 10, 1848. In 1873, he married Ellen Moore, a daughter of George Moore. At her death she left two children, -- Maurice E. and Nellie M. In 1889 A. L. McMaster married Jennie R. Forbs. Mrs. William A. McMaster died July 13, 1887, at the age of sixty-one years. Our subject afterward married Louisa Gardner, widow of Joel Gardner.
ILLIAM STILLINGS, another one of the well-known farmers of Union township, Union county, Ohio, dates his birth in Allen township, this county, February 14, 1843.
Mr. Stillings is a son of Thomas Still- ings, one of the pioneers of Union county and now a resident of Milford Centre. He was born in Maryland, came to Ohio at an early day, and in Champaign county was married to Somelia Dines. They settled in Allen township, this county, where they re- sided for a number of years and where he developed a fine farm. They had four children, of whom three are living : Will- iam, whose name appears above; Edward, who resides at the old homestead in Allen township; and French G., a resident of Union township, this county. Lewis, a member of the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, died of disease contracted in the army, but not until after his father had brought him home.
The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm and was still in his 'teens when the civil war came on. Eager to en- list his services for the protection of the Stars and Stripes, he entered the army, but on account of youth his father brought him back. In July, 1864, he enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany B, and served for six months, being on duty in Kentucky. For some time he was sick with malarial fever at Camp Nelson and from there came home with his brother, later being honorably discharged at Cleve- land, Ohio.
Until 1871 Mr. Stillings was engaged in farming in Allen township, and since that year he has resided on his present farm. This place was known for a time as the " Dave" Watson farm. At an earlier period it was a part of a large tract owned by General Taylor, who gave it to his son- in-law, a Mr. Tobat. This Mr. Tobat was a Southerner. He built a house on the Southern plan and had a race track, and brought with him to this State a number of slaves. The slaves, however, nearly all ran away, and he and his family finally re- turned to his old Kentucky home. Mr. Stillings has a modern residence, erected at a cost of $2,000, located on a natural build- ing site and surrounded by an attractive lawn. He has a good barn, 38 x 40 feet, and other substantial farm buildings, and his whole premises give evidence of thrift and prosperity. The farm comprises 135 acres.
Mr. Stillings was married January 1, 1865, to Emily E. Wood, daughter of Michael Scribner Wood and his wife Eliza (Thair) Wood, natives of Crawford
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county, Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Union county, Ohio. Her parents had a a family of eight children, namely : Alpheus, Lebeus, Dennis, Joseph, Clarinda, Thaddeus, Michael and Emily. The father died in 1881, at the age of seventy-five years, the mother, when Mrs. Stillings was only twelve years old. They were mem- bers of the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Stillings have seven children, as fol- lows : Charles; Stella, a clerk in the large establishment of Marshall Field & Co., Chicago; John; Nelly, also with Marshall Field & Co .; Provie, wife of Elmer Adams; Carrie, who graduated in the high school at Milford Centre in 1893; and Lizzie.
In his political views, Mr. Stillings is in accord with the Republican party. He has served the public as a Township Trustee and member of the School Board. Frater- nally, he is identified with the I. O. O. F., a member of Derby Lodge, No. 636, and Encampment No. 87, of Marysville. Both he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian Church.
e LLERY P. BROWN, a farmer of Chester township, Morrow county, is a son of George Brown, who was born in Rhode Island in 1796. He was a son of George Brown, Sr. The mo- ther of our subject, née Beulah Sutleff, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1802, and was a member of one of the old and promi- nent families of that State. The parents were married in Infield, Tompkins county, New York. They located on a farm near Ithaca, but in 1836 came to Ohio, settling on unimproved land in Franklin township, Knox (now Morrow) county. The township at that time contained only six log cabins.
The mother died there in 1868, and the father in 1870. They were the parents of seven children, five of whom reached years of maturity: Dr. William, who died at Washington, District of Columbia, while in the service of the United States Government in civil war; Edmund, deceased in October, 1894; Ellery, the subject of this sketch; Amanda, wife of James Frew; and George, deceased, was principal of the Cardington schools. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The former was an old-line Whig.
Ellery P. Brown was born in Tompkins county, New York, September 7, 1827, and during his boyhood days assisted in clearing the farm. After reaching his majority, he purchased 190 acres of land near his home, which he farmed eighteen years, and after his marriage spent one year at Mount Gilead. He then came to his present place of 240 acres, all under a fine state of cultivation, and where, in 1882, he erected one of the finest residences in the county.
Mr. Brown was married in May, 1853, to Phœbe E. Talmage, born in Franklin township, Morrow county, June 28, 1827, a daughter of John and Rhoda (Gardner) Tal- mage. They came to Ohio in 1817, and were among the pioneer settlers of Morrow county. The father was one of the promi- nent men of this community, and was a leading member in the Methodist Church. Our subject and wife have had four chil- dren, viz .: Alice, wife of Elmer McIntyre; Clarence, who graduated at the Ohio Wes- leyan University before twenty-one years of age, and is now a minister in the First Con- gregational Church of Salt Lake City; George, who resides near Fulton, Morrow county; and Blanche, principal of a Chicago kindergarten.
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Ellery Brown and wife are members of the Methodist Church, in which the former has served as Trustee, Steward, and Class- leader for many years. He has taken an active interest in school work, and has served as a member of the School Board. In political matters he affiliates with the Re- publican party, in which he has taken a leading part. He has served as Trustee of Chester township.
J D. WOOD, one of the well known and representative agriculturists of Allen township, Union county, Ohio, was born on the old homestead farm in this county, January 5, 1848, his father, W. C. Wood, having also been born on the old homestead, December 5, 1829, his father, Luther Wood, having been one of the pioneer settlers in this county. Luther Wood was born in the vicinity of Fredonia, New York, and came of a prominent and patrician New England stock.
W. C. Wood, father of our subject, be- came one of the leading and representative men of his native county, where he was reared and educated and where he passed the entire span of his life. He married Maria McWilliams, a woman of much re- finement, the daughter of Alexander Mc- Williams, who was born near Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). She has pass- ed nearly her entire life in this county, and is now a resident of Milford Centre. After his marriage Mr. Wood settled on eighty acres of land in Allen township and then set himself the task of clearing the same of forest trees and bringing it to a state of cultivation. He was industrious and honor- able, possessed a most discriminating judgment, and his efforts were ultimately
crowned with success. He accumulated a nice property before his death, which oc- curred in 1886. In politics he was origi- nally a Whig, but upon the organization of the Republican party he transferred his allegiance to the same and ever after sup- ported its principles and policies. He was a most zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Milford Centre and for many years was one of the officials of the organization. Honored alike for his un- swerving rectitude of character and his in- telligence and executive ability, his death was deeply deplored in the community where he had passed his life and to whose interests he had ever been devoted. The members of his family are adherents of the Methodist Church.
W. C. and Maria Wood became the parents of five children, four of whom are living: Alice is the wife of Stanton Marsh, of Allen township; J. D. is the subject of this review; Luther A. is a resident of this township; Anna is the wife of M. D. Coe, of Union township; and one child died in infancy.
J. D. Wood was reared on the old home- stead and early became inured to the sturdy duties incidental to its cultivation. His theoretical educational discipline was that which the public schools afforded, but the later years, with their practical duties and demands, have rounded out his knowledge in a most symmetrical manner. He was enabled to attend the public schools in Marysville for a time and profited duly by the opportunities thus afforded him.
Mr. Wood's landed estate in this county comprises 314 acres of choice land, a large portion of the same being situated on the rich bottom lands of Big Darby creek. The entire farmstead is under a most effective sys-
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tem of cultivation and gives evidence that its operation is one in which enterprise and progressive methods are brought to bear. The permanent improvements include a very commodious and handsome residence of modern and attractive architecture, the same having been erected, in 1887, at a cost of $4,000. The home is delightfully situated and is surrounded with attractive lawns. Two large barns and other build- ings are of substantial order and neatly kept, and a modern windmill supplies water for both domestic and farm purposes. Mr. Wood has a large number of excellent horses and denotes considerable attention to general stock-raising. On the place is a maple orchard of 1, 500 trees, which is one of the most extensive in the county and from which is derived a large annual out- put of sugar.
January 6, 1870, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Addie Wilber, a lady of much refinement, who was born, reared and educated in Allen township, her parents, James and Sarah Wilber, having both died in this township, where they were promin- ent and honored residents. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have had three children, namely: Ida May, who graduated from the Marys- ville high school in 1891 ; Lillie Estelle, who graduated at the same school in the class of 1892; and one child who died in infancy.
In politics Mr. Wood votes with the Re- publican party, and in his fraternal relations he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, retaining a membership in Darby Lodge, No. 636, of Milford Centre, and Encampment No. 114, of Marysville. He and his wife and daughters are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Milford Centre, and Mr. Wood is one of the Trustees of the organization. He is a
man who is honored by all who know him and one whose influence in the community is ever directed along the line of all that is good and true. He has been a most active worker in advancing church and educational causes, and has taken a prominent part in temperance work.
ENRY BARTLETT .- The name which the subject of this sketch bears is one that has been identi- fied with the history of this section of the Buckeye State since the early pio- neer days, and is one which has gained and granted honor as one generation followed another. He was born in Westfield town- ship, Morrow county, Ohio, August 8, 1838, being the son of Lester Bartlett, a native of the State of New York, where he grew to maturity and there married, coming to Delaware county (now Morrow county) with- in the year following his marriage, and en- tering claim to land in Westfield township, and residing there until his death. He was one of the prominent men of the county, and at one time owned 500 acres of land within its borders. He served for many years as Justice of the Peace, and as County Commissioner for several terms. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was conspicuously identified with the Ma- sonic order at Cardington. He was for many years engaged in manufacturing fan- ning mills, and the output found a ready demand in all sections of the county, bring- ing to him a most extended personal ac- quaintanceship. He lived to attain a ven- erable age, passing away in his seventy- ninth year.
The mother of our subject was born in
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the State of New York, her maiden name having been Belinda Schofield. She died at the age of forty-two years, and subse- quently the father of our subject consum- mated a second marriage, being united to Nancy Wicks. Of the first marriage nine children were born, namely: Hannah, who is the wife of Myron Smith, of Indiana; Loren, who is now a resident of Wyandot county, Ohio; Lorinda, wife of J. S. Peck, of Cardington; Emeline, wife of David Sherwood, of Westfield township; Henry, subject of this sketch; Louisa, wife of Henry Benson, of Colorado; Lorenzo, a resident of Westfield township; Lester, who also resides in this township; and Loretta, wife of Paul Meredith, of Colorado. Two children were born of the second marriage: William, who is a resident of Logansport, Indiana; and Alice, wife of Lemuel Peck. of Cardington, this county.
Our subject was reared in this township, and received his rudimentary education in the log school-houses, which were the only scholastic institutions in the vicinity at that time. He remained at the paternal home until the time of his marriage, this impor- tant event in his career being celebrated October 9, 1859, when he joined hand and heart with Miss Caroline May, who was born in Westfield township, September 3, 1840, the daughter of Edwin May, who was a native of New York, and who was one of the early settlers in this township. His father, Asa May, was born in the Empire State, being of English lineage, his father having been born on British soil. The maiden name of Mrs. Bartlett's mother was Electa Aldrich, and she was born in West- field township, her parents having come hither from the State of New York. Mrs. Bartlett was the third of nine children,
and she was reared and educated in this township.
After his marriage our subject engaged in the potash business, continuing this line of enterprise for two years, after which he directed his attention to farming, locating on what is known as the Knapp farm, in this township, a property which he pur- chased. He remained on the place for ten years, after which he effected the purchase of the Meredith farm, where he still retains his residence, the place comprising 200 acres. Mr. Bartlett also owns a large interest in the old homestead. His present fine resi- dence was erected in 1880, at a cost of $3,000, and is one of the most attractive rural homes in the county. The farm is under most careful and effective cultivation and is well improved in every quarter, the greater portion of this work having been ac- complished by the present proprietor, who is recognized as one of the most alert and progressive farmers of the section. In poli- tics Mr. Bartlett does not bind himself to the supporting of any party, preferring to maintain an independent position, and to be free to vote for men and measures.
Our subject and his wife became the par- ents of four children, namely: Clara, who is at home; Charles, who married Alberta Lewis and who has one son, Floyd; Cora, wife of Truman McHirk, is the mother of two children, Henry B. and Baby; May is the wild of William Schaff and has two children, Edna and Baby.
LAYTON N. WILLITS, a farmer of Cardington township, was born on his father's farm in this town- ship, May 6, 1845, a son of Joel and Cynthia Willits. July 25, 1864, he en-
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listed in Company A, One Hundred and Seventh-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was first made Corporal and afterward pro- moted to Sergeant. The regiment was or- ganized at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and was sent to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, doing drill and guard duty. Mr. Willits took part in the skirmishes at Decatur and Athens, Alabama, returning to Murfrees- boro, took part in the battle of the Cedars, went thence to Clifton, Tennessee, by boat to Cincinnati, by railroad to Columbus and on to Washington, next to North Carolina and took part in the battle of Wise's Fork, next went to Raleigh, joined General Sher- inan's army at Greensboro, took part in the battle of Johnston's surrender, went to Char- lotte, North Carolina, and then returned home by way of Baltimore. Mr. Willits was mustered out of service at Charlotte, North Carolina, and was discharged at Co- lumbus, July 8, 1865. His father having died while he was in the service, he im- inediately joined his mother in Le Grand, Iowa, but returned to Cardington the spring of 1866, and he now owns eighty-three acres of good land, eighteen acres of which is covered with timber. In addition to his general farming, he raises a fine grade of horses. In his political relations, he affili- ates with the Republican party, and has frequently served as a delegate to conven- tions. He is now serving his third year as Township Trustee of Cardington township, and for the past twenty years has held the position of Director of district school. Mr. Willits has passed through the chairs in the I. O. O. F. lodge, and is also a member of James St. John Post of Cardington.
In December, 1866, our subject was united in marriage with Mary Vickers, who was born in England, November 14, 1847,
a daughter of John and Mary A. (Chantry) Vickers, also natives of that country. They came to America July 3, 1852, locating in Cleveland, Ohio, where the father died in August, 1852. He was a blacksmith by occupation. The mother also died in that city in 1878. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Willits were Thomas and Mary Vickers, and the maternal grandparents were Robert and Elizabeth Chantry. Mrs. Willits came to Cardington township in 1857. She was one of six children, but only one brother, Thomas Vickers, still survives, and he re- sides in Cleveland. He was a soldier in the civil war. The parents were members of the Church of England. Our subject and wife have had five children, three now liv- ing: Bertha E., born May 22, 1873; Ralph, June 18, 1875, and Kathleen E., October 9, 1885. Of the deceased children, Bernard, born February 12, 1870, died October 1, 1876; and Milton, born April 1, 1871, died August 28, 1872.
J OHN R. REYNER, Peoria, Union county, Ohio, has been a resident of this place since 1878.
Mr. Reyner was born near Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1829, son of David Reyner, also a native of that place. David Reyner was a wagonmaker by trade, at which he worked in early life. In 1837 he brought his family to Ohio and settled in Columbiana county, the following year removed to Union county, and in 1839 they took up their abode in Liberty town- ship. Here the parents spent the residue of their lives and died, the father's death oc- curring in 1889, the mother's in 1879. Her maiden name was Eliza Mann, and she was a native of the same county in which her
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husband was born. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had four children, namely: Mrs. Sarah A. Skidmore, John R., Theodore and Vianna.
John R. was a lad of nine years when he came with his parents to Ohio. He was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district school, and when a young man learned the trade of stonemason, at which he worked some in early life. His chief occupation, however, has been farm- ing. After his marriage he lived for some years near Plain City, then Union, now Madison county, and in 1878 came from there to Peoria. Here he owns a nice house and lot in the village and has a farm of ninety-seven acres near by.
Like most of the worthy citizens of this country who have passed middle life, Mr. Reyner has a war record. He enlisted in the spring of 1865 in Company F, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and with his regiment was stationed , at Winchester, Baltimore and Fort Dela- ware, being on garrison duty. After seven months of service he was honorably dis- charged and returned home.
January .1, 1855, Mr. Reyner married Emeline Moore, daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Arahood) Moore, both natives of Virginia. The Moores descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors and were related to General Jackson. Mr. Moore was a soldier in the war of 1812. He and his wife died in Coles county, Illinois, his death occur- ring at the age of fifty-four years, and hers at forty-nine. They had nine children, namely: William, Lucinda, Mary, Anna, Phœbe, John, Eli, Silas, and Emeline.
Mr. and Mrs. Reyner have three chil- dren, as follows: Emeline Arvilla, wife of W. J. Strader, of Liberty township, Union 17
county, Ohio; Mary Anna, wife of J. Evans, Peoria, Ohio; and Stephen A. Douglas, at home. All have had good educational ad- vantages and both Mrs. Strader and Mrs. Evans have been teachers. Mrs. Evans has three children, -John W., Maud Ethel, and Villa St. Clair.
Mr. and Mrs. Reyner are members of the Disciple Church, and in politics he is a Democrat.
J O. SMITH, proprietor of the Ode- vene Bath and Dye House, Dela- ware, Ohio, is a native of the Buck- eye State. He was born in Ports- mouth, Scioto county, in April, 1839, a son of John D. and Drusella W. (Wilcoxan) Smith, the former of English descent.
Mr. Smith was reared on a farm in Washington township, Scioto county, and was educated in the public schools and at the Ohio Weslyan University, attending the latter institution one year. About this time the civil war broke out, and in September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in numerous engagements and was wounded in four different battles, namely : Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and Resaca, at the last-named place being shot through the left breast. From the effects of this wound he has never fully recovered. After being confined in the hospital for some time, he was mustered out of the serv- ice with the rank of First Sergeant. That was in Georgia, in October, 1864.
Upon his return from the army, Mr. Smith remained on the farm in Scioto coun- ty for some time, after which he was for one year clerk in a general store. Then he o ened a grocery at Buena Vista, Scioto
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county, which he conducted three years. In 1868 he came to Delaware, where he became interested in a soap company and also in auctioneering, remaining here until 1872, when he returned to Portsmouth. There he engaged in farming for four or five years, on the old home farm. In 1882 he came back to Delaware, and since that date has been identified with the interests of this city. In 1885 he opened a dye house, which he has since profitably con- ducted, and the present year, 1894, he leased the Odevene Bath House, both of which he is now running.
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