USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 57
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 57
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 57
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MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPIIICAL RECORD OF
fices of Constable, Supervisor and School Director. In his social relations he is a member of the Masonic order and the En- campment. Mrs. Bolinger is a member of the Methodist Church.
ARVEY A. JOHNSON, who fol- lows farming in Berkshire town- ship, Delaware county, was born on the place which is still his home, December 19. 1857, and is a son of Harvey and Margaret (Cronkleton) Johnson. The father, now deceased, was a prominent and well-known early settler born in Berlin township, where his father. John Johnson, located in 1805. He first married Julia Hos- kins and they became the parents of three children, two yet living, -Mrs. Helen Car- michel, of Paulding county, Ohio, and Mrs. Isabel Sherwood, of Pottawattamie county, Iowa. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Johnson wedded Mrs. Margaret Robinson, a widow and to them were born five children, - Mrs. Lucretia Collins, of Cleveland; Mrs. Emma Oveturf, of Paulding county; Mrs. Elnore Young, of Berlin township; H. A., of this sketch; and Julia, wife of E. E. Wolcott, a prominent attorney-at-law of Omaha, Ne- braska. By her former marriage Mrs. Johnson had two sons: William who was a soldier in the late war; and George, of Calhoun county, Iowa. In his political views Harvey Johnson, Sr., was a Republi- can, and in religious belief his wife was a Presbyterian. His death occurred at the age of seventy-four, and she was called to the home beyond when sixty-eight years of age.
Upon the old homestead farm, Mr. John- son, of this sketch, was reared to manhood, and in the common schools acquired a good English education. He inherited from his
father the old farm and is now the owner of 145 acres of valuable land, under a high state of cultivation. The place is improved with a comfortable residence, which stands in the midst of beautiful shade trees, and in the rear of the house is a good barn, 30 x 40 feet, and the other buildings necessary for the shelter of his grain and stock. Well kept fences divide the land into fields of convenient size for pasturage and for culti- vation.
On the 31st of May, 1887, Mr. Johnson was married, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Alice Collins, the ceremony being performed at the home of the bride's parents, Leroy and Harriet Elizabeth Collins. Her father is engaged in the jewelry business and the family is one of prominence in the city where they reside. Mrs. Johnson is a lady of culture and refinement and presides with grace over her pleasant home. The house- hold is made happy by the presence of a lit- tle daughter, -Vera Adelle, born February 10, 1889.
Mr. Johnson is a supporter of the Re- publican party, and a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His wife holds mem- bership with the Presbyterian Church. In manner he is frank and outspoken, in dis- . position genial and pleasant, and wherever he goes he wins friends, who esteem him highly for his sterling worth. Being ranked among the leading citizens of his township he well deserves representation in this vol- ume.
ON. R. K. WILLIS .- A native of Concord township, Delaware coun- ty, Ohio, where he was born Sep- tember 26, 1843, it is most com- patible that there be incorporated in this
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
volume specific mention of him whose name initiates this review, for he has passed his entire life in the county, has been close- ly identified with its interests and progress, and has attained to a position of marked prominence and honor.
The father of our subject was B. H. Willis, who was born in Massachusetts, May 4, 1805, in the old paternal homestead which had been in the possession of the family for many years and in which his father, Asa Willis, was also ushered into the world. The family is of English origin, but the fact that the American branch became thoroughly in touch with the inde- pendent Colonial spirit is evidenced in the records, which show that the great-grand- father of our subject was an active partici- pant and valiant soldier in the war of 1812. Asa Willis married Susan Howe, who was also a native of the old Bay State, and whose father was a participant in the war of the Revolution.
B. H. Willis, father of our subject, passed his adolescent days in Massachusetts; 1 later on he took up his residence in Ver- mont, where he remained two years and where he was united in marriage to Susan Bartlett, who was born in Worcester coun- ty, Massachusetts, the daughter of Joel Bartlett, a native of the same State and a soldier in the war of 1812. After his mar- riage, which was celebrated at Dorset, Ver- mont, B. H. Willis removed to Knox coun- ty, Ohio, where he remained two years and then, in 1840, located in Delaware county, where he has continued to reside up to the present time, having attained the venerable age of eighty-nine years (1894). Mrs. Wil- lis obeyed death's inexorable summons in 1889, passing away at the age of eighty- seven years. 27
They had ten children, namely: Brain- ard; Jay; Henry; R. K .; Frank; E. R., a prominent clergyman, residing in California; Cornelia, now Mrs. Cutler; Emily S .; J. B., a resident of Boston, Massachusetts; and P. A. The last named served during the late war as Surgeon in the Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his death occurred in April, 1876. Five of the children have been successful and popular school teachers, in which vocation their father and mother had also been engaged in their youth, the latter having been thus engaged in Vermont during a period of seven years. Both par- ents became members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1824, and their lives at all times exemplified in good works the faith professed. The venerable father, in the golden autumn of his days, enjoys the respect and affection of all who have known and appreciated his sterling worth of char- acter.
R. K. Willis, the immediate subject of this review, grew to man's estate in his native county, receiving a good common- school education and gaining even more from the associations of a cultured and re- fined home. In September, 1863, at the age of twenty years, he went forth in de- fense of his country's honor, enlisting for service in the late war as a member of the Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but being subsequently transferred to the Eighty-third regiment, with which he served in the Gulf Department. He was honora- bly discharged in August, 1865, after which he returned home and for a time continued his studies in school.
Since 1868 Mr. Willis has maintained his home on his present farm, which com- prises 280 acres of the best land in Liberty township. The place is thoroughly well
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MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
improved, and the far-stretching, fertile fields show evidence of the careful and well- directed attention given to their cultivation and bespeak the substantial prosperity of the proprietor. The family residence, which was erected at a cost of $8,000, is situated upon a natural building site, is of modern architecture and provided with modern accessories and improvements, ---- standing as one of the finest and most at- tractive country homes in the county. Mr. Willis is progressive and brings the most in- telligent methods to bear in carrying on the work of his farm, devoting special attention to the raising of thoroughbred Percheron horses, Red Pollard cattle and Merino Delain sheep.
In his political adherency our subject is strongly arrayed in the support of the Re- publican party and its principles, and he has taken an active interest and prominent part in directing the policies of his party in a local way. In 1888 he was elected a Representative to the State Legislature, proving a capable and acceptable official. He was inade Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Lower House, but re- signed this position in favor of Alexander Betsford. Fraternally Mr. Willis is identi- fied with the Knights of Pythias and the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been an Elder.
Turning briefly to the domestic life of our subject, we find that in 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss Alice E. Tone, the only child of M. B. and Orilla (Good- rich) Tone, both of whom are now de- ceased. Mr. Tone was a man of promi- nence in Knox county, Ohio, was a pioneer in the raising of sheep in said county, and a prosperous and influential citizen. Mr.
and Mrs. Willis had four children: Myrtle, wife of J. E. Morse, of Boston, Massachu- setts; Roy E., who is also a resident of that city; Grace O. and Rolla G., who are at home. The wife and mother died Febru- ary 25, 1892, having been an active tem- perance worker, a devoted member of the Baptist Church, a true, noble woman, whose loss can only be appreciated by those to whom had been granted the privilege of a closer acquaintanceship, with its consequent high regard and affection. Mr. Willis mar- ried for his second wife Miss Mamie, daugh- ter of Andrew J. Harter, of this county, and she now presides over the attractive home.
HE DEPOSIT BANKING COM- PANY, of Delaware, Ohio, was or- ganized in November, 1867, and in December of that year com- menced business. It had a cash capital of $25,000, and its first officers were as fol- follows: President, H. W. Pumphrey; cashier, H. A. Welch; directors, H. W. Pumphrey, J. H. Mendenhall, A. Lybrand, Sr., Prof. W. G. Williams and E. R. Thompson. The second president was J. H. Mendenhall, the third was A. Lybrand, and the last and present is S. P. Shurr. Mr. Welch has been cashier of the bank ever since it was organized, with the excep- tion of two years, when he was its vice- president, and during all this time he has been at the head of its business. The pres- ent board of directors is as follows: S. P. Shurr, Samuel Lybrand, W. G. Williams, C. Riddle, W. A. Hall, J. L. Thurston, H. A. Welch. In 1890 the capital stock was increased to $50,000 and the company was incorporated. The first location of the
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
bank was in the Switzer building, on North Sandusky street; subsequently it was re- moved to the room south of Hotel Donavin, and since August 1, 1885, it has occupied its present location.
H. A. Welch, cashier of the Deposit Banking Company, of Delaware, Ohio, was born in the town in which he now lives, No- vember 4, 1845, son of Augustus A. and Julia A. (Storm) Welch. He attended the common schools of his native place and for two years was a student in Delaware Col- lege. In 1861 he entered the Delaware county branch of the State Bank of Ohio, where he spent five years. Next we find him at Lavaca, Texas, employed in the
Quartermaster's Department of the United States Army. He was thus occupied about six months and after that spent one year in the employ of J. W. Glenn & Company, for- warding and commission agents.
Upon his return to Delaware, Ohio, Mr. Welch assisted in the organization of the Deposit Bank of Delaware, to which insti- tution he has since given his entire time and attention, the bulk of the business being thrown upon his shoulders. He was the director and auditor of the Delaware Build- ing Association from 1868 until the close of its career. In 1887 he was elected secre- tary of the People's Building and Loan As- sociation, which position he continues to hold.
Mr. Welch was married in Delaware, Ohio, in 1867, to Miss Mary Myers, who died in 1876, leaving three children, viz. : Frank P., manager of the Delaware Street Railroad; Harriet, wife of W. R. Benning- ton, a resident of Delaware; and Sidney, a clerk in the bank with his father. His sec- ond marriage occurred in 1880, the lady of his choice being Miss Laura D. Riley, of
Hamilton, Ohio. Their two children are Ada and Julia. Mr. Welch and his family reside on North Sandusky street, and they attend the Episcopal Church.
R. W. A. KING, who has by his own efforts attained a thorough education in the line of his profes- sion, and who has been successful- ly engaged in the practice of dentistry in the thriving little city of Marysville, Ohio, since 1881, merits consideration in this connec- tion. He is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born at New Lebanon, Huron county, in March, 1858. His parents, Leonard and Julia (Turney) King, were of English and Scotch extraction respectively and both are now deceased.
Up to the attainment of his fourteenth year our subject had passed his days in at- tendance at the district schools of his na- tive county and in the pursuits and pastimes characteristic of the average boy. But to this life so free from care and responsibility came, all too soon, a loss which forced him out into the busy world to care for himself at a premature age. When our subject was but fourteen years old his father died, and upon the shoulders of the boy was placed the burden of self support. The mettle of the individual was shown in this critical period, for he did not quail or waver, but looked the situation bravely in the face and prepared for action. He secured a position as beekeeper in a quite extensive apiary and devoted his spare time to farm work, attending school during the winter months with the aim of preparing himself for a wider field of usefulness.
When about nineteen years of age he began teaching, following this vocation,
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MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
however, for but a short time. He was fru- gal and self-denying during these years, bending every effort toward the securing of a liberal education and preparing himself for the profession to which he had determined to devote his energies. He attended the Lebanon Normal School for one year and thereafter passed two years at the Granville or Dennison University. In 1880 he en- tered the dental office of his brother, C. T. King, at New London, Ohio, having, prior to this, officiated as his brother's assistant at various intervals. Within the same year he matriculated in the dental department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he took the prescribed course of lec- tures, locating at Marysville in the following year. Here he has since been continuously engaged in practice, having built up a repre- sentative business and having established an enviable reputation for professional ability and honorable methods. His finely equipped offices are located at the corner of Court and Fifth streets.
September 6, 1883, at Marysville, Dr. King was united in marriage to Miss Kate, daughter of William Lee. Dr. and Mrs. King are the parents of three children: Florence, Ella and Kate. The family home is located on South Court street, one of the most attractive residence quarters of the city. In his political proclivities our subject is firmly arrayed in the support of the Re- publican party and its principles.
NDREW CATON, a prominent farmer of Morrow county, is a son of Thomas Caton, who was born in Orange county, New York, about 1791. His father, Robert Caton,
was a native of Maryland, and was a Quak- er minister. Robert, John and Betsey Ca- ton lived in Maryland at the commencement of the Revolutionary war. Robert and John were obliged either to take the oath of al- legiance to the British crown or enlist in the Federal army, and both chose the latter. John was appointed carrier of dispatches from one post to another. After the close of the war he united with the regular Bap- tist Church, and became a minister in the same Robert served as a soldier during the entire struggle, and after the war em- braced the Quaker faith. He settled in Orange county, New York, where he reared his family and departed this life. He was married three or four times, Judge John D. " Caton, of Ottawa, Illinois, being a son of his last wife. The mother of our subject, formerly Amy Gillis, was a native of Ulster county, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Caton were married in that county, but made a permanent home in Seneca county, where the father died, in 1838. The mother came with her children to Ohio in 1843, lo- cating near Galion, and her death occurred at Blooming Grove, this State. The family were Quakers. Mr. Caton was a prominent Democrat in political matters, having served as deputy under Sheriff Call, and also held many other offices They were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, and two sons and two daughters are now living, namely: Dollie, aged eighty years, is the widow of Jesse Everett, and has one child; Arthur S., aged seventy-five years, is a resident of Blooming Grove, and has one child; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Caroline, wife of Sigmond Baker, also of Blooming Grove, and has one child. The two deceased daughters are Mary Baughman and Martha Cummings.
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
Andrew Caton, the subject of this sketch, was born August 15, 1822, and received his education in the common schools of Seneca county, New York. In 1847 he settled in the heavy timber in Berrien county, Michi- gan, built a log cabin, and cleared part of that and another farm. In 1853 he left that State and located on the farm now owned by Robert A. Beatty in Cardington township, Morrow county, Ohio, which was then in its primitive state, but was put un- der a good condition for cultivation. Mr. Caton removed to Waldo township, Marion county, in 1865, spent the following year in the village of Cardington, in 1867 locat- ed in Wayne township, Knox county, and in 1885 came to Chesterville, where he has a fine residence. In political matters Mr. Caton has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as a Councilman six years and also as Trustee of Chester township.
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In April, 1847, he was united in mar- riage with Artemisia Baker, a native of Richland county, Ohio, her father having been one of the earliest settlers in that locality. She died May 19, 1848. Octo- ber 12, 1848, our subject married Jane Montgomery, born in Troy township, Mor- row county, May 22, 1825, a daughter of John and Margaret (Taylor) Montgomery, natives of Jefferson county, Ohio. They located in the woods of Troy township sixty-five years ago, where they were among the pioneer settlers, and where the father subsequently died. One of his brothers was a soldier in the war of 1812. The mother died in Stark county, Ohio, while on a visit to her son. Six of their children grew to years of maturity, and four are now living, namely: Samuel N., of Stark county; Mrs. Caton; Hamilton, a resident of Iowa; and Eliza Mckeown, of Carding-
ton township. The parents were members of the Methodist Church, and the father was a stanch Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Caton have had nine children, as follows: J. S., of Cardington, married Elizabeth Woolf, and has one child; Artemi- sia, deceased; Arthur S., a graduate of Dela- ware College, and a very fine scholar, mar- ried Dottie Moore, and resides in Coshocton, Ohio; A. L .; of Chester township, Morrow county, married Mary Launing; Benjamin F., a resident of Cardington township, married Belle Mckeown; Emma J., de- ceased, was the wife of Thomas Cole; Thomas married Cora Carson, and resides in Chesterville; George S., married Nora Peck, and lives in Coshocton; and Charles W., a resident of this city, married Minnie Hales. Mr. and Mrs. Caton are members of the Baptist Church at Wayne, Ohio, in which the former has served as Trustee and Treasurer for many years.
J B. DART, who is one of the suc- cessful and honored agriculturists of Peru township, Morrow county, Ohio, and who has passed nearly his entire life in this section of the Buckeye State, is well deserving of consideration in this connection.
He was born in Onondaga county, New York, July 7, 1828, the son of Chauncey Dart, who was a native of Connecticut, and whose death occurred in 1838. But little is known of his personal history or of his antecedents, though it is supposed that the family was of Scotch origin. Chauncey Dart married Elizabeth Babcock, who was a native of Onondaga county, New York, where she was reared to mature years. Her father was a native of the old Empire
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MEMORIAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF
State, and the family had been long resi- dents of that State. The parents of our subject were married in their native State, and continued their residence there for a number of years. They were the parents of seven children,-four sons and three daughters, of whom we enter the following brief record: Russell is a resident of Illi- nois; Jonathan B. is the immediate subject of this review; Celinda is deceased; Alonzo is a resident of Peru township, this county; Florilla is the widow of the late Dennis Stanton, of Columbus, Ohio; Chauncey is a resident of Illinois; and Harriet is de- ceased.
Our subject was the second child, and was but two and one-half years of age when his parents came to that part of Dela- ware county that is now incorporated in Morrow county, -this removal taking place in 1830. The family took up their abode in the sylvan wilds of Westfield township, where the father built a log house, and where he lived until the hour of his death. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a man of considerable prominence in the pioneer locality. The mother lived to at- tain the age of sixty-eight years, having been a zealous and consistent member of the Baptist Church. .
At the time of the death of Chauncey Dart the family comprised seven children, and the care of them devolved upon the widowed mother. The eldest child was but thirteen years of age at the time and the youngest was a mere babe. Our subject remained with his mother until he was thir- teen years of age, when he courageously started forth to work for himself and to aid in the support of his mother and the younger children. His first work was with William Brundage, and for his services he received
$4 per month for six months. He then worked two months for another man and re- ceived as his pay the making of a new suit of clothes. His schooling was meager in extent, as he was able to attend the district schools through the winter months only. During these months he worked for his board, and it is interesting to note that he paid 18 cents for his first winter's educational discipline. Mr. Dart continued to work by the month for some few years, and the wages he received during his last service in this way was at the rate of $8 per month.
In the fall of 1843 our subject was ap- prenticed to learn the harness and saddlery trade, in the city of Delaware, and in this line he served for three and one-half years. His first work as a journeyman was per- formed at South Woodbury, Ohio, and after this he went to New York and was employed at his trade in his native county for two years, after which he engaged in business for himself, carrying on the business success- fully for a period of eight years. Thereafter he returned to Morrow county, and was here engaged in working at his trade for ten years. At that time he was established in a diminutive log house located on the same farm which he now owns and occupies. He walked to and from Ashley each day to attend to his work.
In 1850 Mr. Dart was united in marriage to Miss Lucy M. Swatman, who was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1830, which year was that which marked the emigration of her parents from England to America. She remained in her native county until she had attained the age of sixteen years. She was a devoted companion and true helpmeet to her husband during the long years of their married life, her death occurring July 28, 1893. Our subject and his wife were
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DELAWARE, UNION AND MORROW COUNTIES, OHIO.
the parents of one son, Frederick A., who married Charlotte Baldwin and who has one daughter, Hazel. They reside on a seventy- five acre farm belonging to our subject, in Peru township. In addition to the farm just noted our subject owns in his home place 100 acres, the farm being under effec- tive cultivation and thoroughly well im- proved. He has conducted his business ac- cording to correct and progressive methods and has been prospered in his affairs. He is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being trustee of the lodge at Ashley. In politics he renders an unswerving allegiance to the Republican party, and at the present time he holds official preferment as Trustee of Peru town- ship. He is a stockholder in the co-opera- tive creamery at Ashley, and is president of the corporation. A man of marked intelli- gence and much force of character, and one whose honor is beyond questioning, Mr. Dart holds as his own the respect and con- fidence of the community.
J OHNSON MAXWELL, one of the prominent farmers and stock dealers of Morrow county, is numbered among the native sons of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Marion county on the 26th of April, 1844. His grandfather, Franklin W. Maxwell, was a native of Vir- ginia and spent his entire life upon a farm in the Old Dominion. His father, Marshall Maxwell, was born in West Virginia and grew to manhood in the State of his nativity. Emigrating Westward he took up his resi- dence in Richland township, Marion county, where he made a perinanent location. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Johnson, was born in Ohio and was a sister
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