USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 47
USA > Ohio > Logan County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 47
USA > Ohio > Shelby County > Portrait and biographical record of Auglaize, Logan and Shelby Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 47
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llis parents. Peter and Susan (Coffman ) Detrick,
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were Virginians, and both of German extrac- tion. They were married in their native State, and in 1830. tempted by the fertile soil of the Buckeye State, they determined to make a settle- ment within its borders. The journey was made with a four-horse team over the mountains, and they were several weeks on the way. They finally reached Clarke County. where Mr. Detrick had two sisters living. and remained with them about a month, after which they came ou to Logan County, settling on what is now known as the Royer Farm, about one mile southwest of Bellefontaine. There the winter was passed, and early the following spring they moved one mile west, and located on what is now the County Farm. but only remained there until 1832. One hundred and sixty acres were then purchased in the northeast corner of Union Township, this county, on section 2. and al- though only two acres had been cleared. and only a little round-log cabin erected on the place, this young couple fearlessly faced the privations and hardships likely to come. Deei often came about the cabin, and as they had to depend on the flesh of wild animals for food to a great extent, Mr. Detrick could kill one at almost any time. Wild turkeys and squirrels were very numerous, wild cats were frequently seen. and occasionally Bruin made his appearance.
This farm was cleared and developed, and on it this hard-working and ambitious couple passed the remainder of their days. the father dying at the age of about sixty-eight, and the mother when seventy-three years of age. Both were active members of the German Baptist Church for a great many years. Services were frequently held in their house in the pioneer days. for there were no churches. and Mr. Detrick officiated as a preacher for about twenty-five years before his death. lle never took an active part in elections other than those pertaining to schools. Ile was a very hard- working man, and all he had when coming to Logan County was a team (a poor one at that). a few household effects. and twenty-five cents in money. Ilis marriage resulted in the birth of ten children. nine of whom were reared: Sarah (de- ceased), David. Catherine (deceased). Samuel. John. Susan. Barbara. Elizabeth. Lydia. and Peter.
The original of this notice was but little over three years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio, and has very little recollection of the journey, except of an incident that occurred at his aunt's in Clarke County. llis education was re- ceived in the pioneer log schoolhouse of Union Township, the first one being an old abandoned log cabin that had at one time been used as a dwelling. It had the wide, old-fashioned fireplace, capable of taking in immense logs, with mud and stick chimney, the floor being made of puncheons, and the seats of slabs with pin legs, and greased paper taking the place of window lights. Part of the time our subject attended school in a cabin with an earthern floor, and schools were conducted on the subscription plan altogether, the teacher boarding around. The first teacher our subject went to received 810 per month and boarded around, the second one received $12, and boarded himself and kept his family.
Our subject never attended school in summer, for his services were too valuable on the farm. IIe used to tramp the wheat out, and haul it by wagon to Sandusky City. a distance of about one hun- dred miles. Part of the farm produce was also hauled to Dayton. Mr. Detrick remembers reap- ing with a sickle, and has seen forty men with sickles in one field. He has seen all the improve- ments in farm machinery, the self-binder, etc., and has also witnessed the gradual improvement of the country. When twenty-one years of age, he began for himself as a farmer, and put in a crop. He then made a trip to Iowa. remained there six months, but although he liked the country, he did not care to be so far away from home.
On the 10th of Angust. 1851, he married Miss Anna M. Shawber, who was born in Crawford County, Ohio. November 19, 1833, and whose par- ents. John and Rebecca (Rinehart) Shawber, were also natives of that State. They were farmers, and both died in Wapakoneta, Ohio, whither they had moved in their old age. To Mr. and Mrs. Detrick have been born twelve children. all living but one: Joseph E .. John S., Susan U., Mary E .. Rebecca, Emma. Ida. Samuel. Calvin. Laura. May and Anna. Abraham L. died when eighteen months old. Our subjeet bought the present farm
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before his marriage, but for a few years resided on another, until he could build on his own farm. Only one acre had been cleared, and since then our subject has cleared and improved the balance. He is now the owner of two hundred and fifty-five acres here, and one hundred and twenty acres in Washington Township. Ile started here with only eighty acres, and has been very successful. Hard work and good management have brought him in big returns, and he is now one of the most pros- perous and successful men of his section. He is engaged in general farming, and keeps a great many sheep, cattle, horses and hogs. He first built a small frame house, with oak weather-boards, and his present large frame in 1860. His large frame barn was erected in 1857. His wife, who was a member of the Lutheran Church, died on the 24th of April, 1880. Mr. Detrick is a member of the German Baptist Church. Ile has seen all the im- provements in the country. and remembers when Bellefontaine was but a village, with less than a dozen houses.
When our subject was eight years old, deer were plentiful. One day he saw some near the cabin, and prevailed on his mother to let him take the gun. She finally did so. and our subject followed them for some time. At last. slipping up within twenty feet of them, he pulled the trigger, and found the gun was not loaded. His mother probably knew this when she gave him permission to take it, but a very disgusted boy returned to the house. He often saw from one to twenty deer on his way to school.
OIIN Q. A. CAMPBELL. the well-known editor and proprietor of the Bellefontaine Republican, the leading paper of Logan County, has exercised a marked influence on the affairs of this section of Ohio, and even of the entire State, not only professionally. but as a progressive, public-spirited citizen. who has aided in guiding its political destiny. as well as in guard-
ing its dearest interests, materially, socially and morally.
A native of this State, our subject was born in Brown County, September 28, 1838, and is a son of Charles F. and Harriet E. (Kephart) Campbell, natives respectively of Virginia and Pennsylvania, of German descent on the mother's side and of Scotch-Irish ancestry on the father's side. The paternal great-grandfather of our subject was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was one of the founders of Washington College at Lexington, Va. The direct progenitor of our subject came to this State in 1828, and was married to Miss Kep- hart, who had accompanied her parents here as early as 1818 in Ripley, Brown County. There the father passed the remainder of his days, while the mother, who is still living, has reached the ad- vanced age of eighty years. During the late war. Charles F. Campbell was Probate Judge of Brown County. Ile was a lawyer of some note and was also editor and publisher of the Ripley Bee for fourteen years. He ranked high as a lawyer. and fortune having smiled upon his efforts, he was numbered among the well-to-do citizens of Ripley. He was the parent of five sons, all of whom be- came editors, and of one daughter.
J. Q. A. Campbell was reared in Ripley, where he received a good practical education, and when old enough to choose a life occupation, learned " the art preservative " in his father's office. Prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Campbell went to Newton, Iowa, where he published the Newton Free Press, in company with his brother Angus K. They were thus engaged a short time, when our subject abandoned his business interests and of- fered his services as a volunteer in the Union army, enlisting under Lincoln's first call as a mem- ber of Company B, Fifth Iowa Infantry. Ile served in that regiment for a period of three years, and at the end of that time was transferred with the veterans of his regiment to Company I. Fifth Iowa Cavalry. He was popular with the " boys." and indeed with the officers, and served in the po- sitions of Second Lieutenant, Captain and Adju- tant of the regiment, and as Assistant Adjutant- General of his brigade. Mr. Campbell was on the field of battle during the entire period of war. dur-
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ing which time he saw much hard fighting, par- ticipating in many of the most important battles in the West, serving with his regiment in Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Ken- tucky, Alabama and Georgia, and participating in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Cor- inth, luka, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Ilill, Vicksburg and Mission Ridge.
Near the close of hostilities, Mr. Campbell re- turned to Ripley in order to settle up the estate of his father, who had died during his absence. In 1865, he found a good opening for a live news- paper in Bellefontaine, and purchased the Repub- lican, which was the first paper to appear as a Re- publican paper, setting forth the principles of that party in the United States. At the time of its establishment in 1854, it was edited by Judge W. 11. West. Under the supervision of Mr. Campbell it is now one of the leading papers in Ohio. The Republican is a semi-weekly, 20x40, has a cireula- tion of twenty-two hundred, and is a sound family newspaper supplied with solid and useful informa- tion, as well as with lighter matter; it keeps its readers well informed on current topics and the affairs of this and other countries, and one of its interesting features is the correspondence from various localities in the county. It has been noted for its independence. its advocacy of right and its rejection of everything unworthy and unclean from its columns. Mr. Campbell is a practical printer himself. and has devoted his best energies to the work of making a paper that should be a potent factor in the upbuilding of city and county. His office is supplied with power press and all the modern machinery. and his editorials have been copied from Maine to California, in such leading papers as the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette, Chi- cago Tribune. San Fancisco Chronicle. New York Tribune, New York Post and Bangor Whig and Courier. The usual amount of praise and fault- finding has been measured out to him as an ed- itor, but his character as a man of honor, integrity and public spirit has never been questioned.
Mr. Campbell was married in 1866 to Miss Isa- bella Dorwin. by whom he became the father of one son. Wilfred B .. now a clerk for Marshall Field & Co., Chicago. Mrs. Campbell departed this life in
1866, and our subject in April. 1872, was married to Estelle Hoge. To them have been born two daughters, Bertha E. and Claire G. Our subjeet is a member of the Grand Army, and in religious matters is Elder of the Presbyterian Church of this place.
OIN KEY. The example of one man who has made an honorable record is worth more than all the precepts with which the mind of youth can be stored. It is there- fore with pleasure that the biographical writer presents to the readers of this RECORD the life his- tory of a gentleman who, beginning his personal carcer without means, and with what at this age of the world would be considered a limited educa- tion, is now the possessor of sufficient means to en- able him to enjoy the comforts of life. This is John Key, who is now residing in Perry Town- ship, Shelby County, and is a man to whom this section is indebted for his aid in her growth and progress.
Our subject is the son of John and Phube (Ak- ers) Key. his mother being the daughter of Will- jam Akers. The father died in 1815, just six months and six days prior to the birth of our sub- ject. The family later came to this State, and lo- cated in Montgomery County, just south of Day- ton. when that now prosperous eity contained but one house. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Key, by hard work, kept her little family together, and remained a widow until her decease, which occurred in July, 1861. She was the mother of five children. Our subject was born April 22, 1816, m Montgomery County. He was only per- mitted to attend the common schools a short time, as, when old enough to earn a dime. he worked out by the day. thus aiding his mother in the sup- port of the family.
In 1841. John Key and Miss Lillie, daughter of John and Lillie ( Madaris) Lucas, were united in marriage. Her parents were early settlers of Shelby
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County, and were well-to-do. He of whom we write, on loeating here in the year 1835, en- tered from the Government forty acres of land in Jackson Township, Shelby County, upon which he erected a house which served as a home for him- self and mother. After his marriage, he rented a farm in Perry Township from Samnel Maxwell, and there made his home for two years, and at the end of that time settled on his present farm, which contained a very poor log cabin and stable. There the wife and mother died in July, 1846, having become the mother of two sons: John, who mar- ried Catherine Lane; and Norman. who became the husband of Sarah Rike.
The lady whom Mr. Key chose as his second wife, April 18, 1847, was Miss Annie, daughter of Abram and Catherine (Bretz) Rinehart, supposed to be na- tives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. Her parents were married in Fairfield County, this State, and on coming to this county in 1830, lo- cated in Sidney, where Mr. Rinehart was engaged in the butcher's business. Ile also owned a farm north of that village, and later removed to Pen- berton, where he died in 1877. His wife had de- parted this life in 1836, and by a second marriage he became the father of six children.
Mrs. Key, who was born September 21, 1827, in Fairfield County, this State, was a member of the family born of her father's first marriage. With her husband she has resided upon their present estate for the past forty-five years, and has reared a family of eight children, seven of whom are liv- ing: Amanda, Mrs. William De Weese; Rachael, the wife of Dr. David Whitmer; Margaret Elizabeth, Mrs. John J. Maxwell; Martha Jane, Mrs. Frank- lin Marrs: David R., who married Maggie Heffner; Abram Sherman, who married Ida Hoover; and Orlando Berton. The deceased child, Thomas L., died when two years of age.
Ile of whom we write is the proprietor of two hundred and twenty acres of land, and, with the exception of the youngest son, has given each of his children from one hundred to one hundred and forty-one acres, and has one hundred and twenty acres for the youngest son when he himself is done with it. He has been very successful in life, and is now one of the wealthy land-owners in
Shelby County. His two eldest sons served as sol- diers in the late war, in which struggle they ac- quitted themselves bravely and honorably. Mr. Key has been School Director of his district, and in politics, votes with the Republican party, cast- ing his first Presidential ballot for William llenry Harrison. With his wife, he is a member of the United Brethren Church, toward the support of which he is a liberal contributor. His home is sup- plied with every comfort, and he and his wife have drawn around them a fine circle of friends, while winning the regard of all to whom they are known.
1
OIIN T. KELSEY has made himself a thor- ongh master of his calling as a farmer, con- duets his farming interests in a systematic and business-like way, and his farm on see- tion 3, Franklin Township, Shelby County, com- pares favorably with other fine estates in its viein- ity. It comprises an area of one hundred and sixty acres of soil, that is very fertile and produces abundantly of all the erops that are commonly raised in this climate, and its improvements are first-class.
Curtis Kelsey, the father of our subject. was born March 4, 1808, in Vermont. and was a son of Parson Kelsey, who was also born in Vermont, in October, 1768. The latter gentleman was married in 1793, to Miss Lucinda Ames, of Rutland, that State, soon after which event they made their home in West Haven, where the grandfather died in 1822. Ilis family comprised the following- named children: Chauncey, Lyman, Katie, Guy C., Caroline. Curtis and Calvin. Only two of the fam- ily are now living: Guy C., who has attained the advanced age of eighty-eight years; and the father of our subject.
Curtis Kelsey came West in 1845, bringing with him his wife and family, he having been married in 1829, in his native State, to Miss Luey, danght- ter of Jonas Nelson, who was a mason by trade.
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On taking up their residenee in the Buckeye State, they located in Turtle Creek Township, Shelby County, on a farm owned by John Stevens, and which place is still in their possession. In 1857, the father came to Clinton Township, and is now resid- ing in this county in his eighty-fourth year. He has been very active in the Republican party since its organization, and previous to that time was a member of the State Constitutional Convention of Vermont. He has also served in the responsible position of County Commissioner, and. possessing the genial and hospitable disposition which wins and retains friends, he oceupies a high place in the regard of the people of Franklin Township and surrounding country. He had the honor of intro- ducing the first fine-wool sheep ever brought to this eounty.
The original of this sketch is the youngest in the parental family of three children. all of whom are now living, his, sister being Mrs. Hiram Wil- son, and brother. G. C. John T. was born Mareh 16, 1836, in West Haven. Vt .. and was a lad of nine years when his parents came to the West. Like other youths of that period, he was given a common-sehool edneation, and remained under the parental roof until nineteen years of age. when he went West with a surveying party to Ne- braska, being gone thirteen months. October 12. 1858, Elizabeth Jane. daughter of William and Naney (Lamb) Russell beeame his wife. Her father was born in Virginia. December 17. 1805, and her mother in Greene County, Ohio, January 18. 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Russell took up their abode in this county in 1839, and after rearing a family of seven children. departed this life, January 24. 1891, and August 21 of the same year, respectively.
Mrs. Kelsey. who was born in this township July 18, 1841, was given a fair education. and after her marriage settled with our subjeet on a farm in Turtle Creek Town-hip, where they made their home until 1863. and then became residents of their present farm, which was partially improved. His estate, which comprises a quarter-seetion. is thoroughly drained with nine miles of tiling, and in addition to the numerous needful buildings is embellished with a comfortable farm residence which was erected in 1875, and cost $1.200. Hle
also has on his place a large barn, which eost $700. In addition to raising the eereals, he makes a spe- eialty of breeding fine-wool Spanish-Merino sheep, and by his wise forethought, aetive enterprise and praetieal skill in eondueting the business of farm- ing and stock-raising, is a valuable agent in de- veloping the agricultural resources of this part of Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, in which body our subject has been Trustee. He has also been Treasurer of the Township School Board for fourteen years, and as a member of the Grange has held some promi- nent offices in that order. For a number of years he was a member of the Agricultural Board. in which he has acted as President and Vice-presi- dent. Ile has been the ineumbent of the positions of Township Trustee for four years, Township Treasurer fourteen years, and, as an adherent of the Democratie party. has been frequently sent as a delegate to various conventions.
B ENJAMIN F. HOWELL. The improve- ments which have been placed upon the farm belonging to this gentleman prove beyond a doubt his thrift and enterprise. His attention is closely devoted to the cultivation of the one hundred and thirty acres which com- prise his estate, and he has been snecessful in gain- ing a prominent place among the influential farm- ers of Jackson Township. Shelby County. The buiklings upon the farm are first-class in every re- spect, and include the necessary outbuildings and a commodious residence.
A few words with reference to our subject will prove interesting to our readers. They were Jon- athan and Elizabeth ( Maxon) Howell. natives re- speetively of Belmont County. Ohio. and Virginia. Grandfather Benjamin Howell was descended from Welsh ancestors. and early settled in Ohio. where he remained until his career was terminated by
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death. Jonathan llowell was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a farmer by occupation, having settled in Clarke County, Ohio, in 1831. After remaining there for eight years, and engaging in improving his farm, he removed to Jackson Town- ship, Shelby County, and from there, in a short time, moved to ,Jackson Centre, where his life was brought to a close in 1870, at the age of eighty- four years. Ilis wife survived him twelve years, and passed from earth at the age of eighty-seven years.
Fourteen children were born to the parents of our subject, six of whom are now living. The father was a man of deep religious convictions, and familiar with the Scriptures, in which he care- fully instructed his children. Ilis membership was with the First-day Baptist Church, while his wife belonged to the Seventh-day Baptists. The eighth child in the family is our subject. He was born in West Virginia January 22, 1825. When six years of age, he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where he received a limited education in the log schoolhouses of the community. Ile remained at home with his father until he was twenty-six, and early became familiar with agricultural pur- suits, to which he has ever devoted his attention.
June 28, 1851, Mr. Howell was married to Miss Phobe Jane Watkin, who was born in Pennsylva- nia April 11, 1833. Mrs. Ilowell is a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (David) Watkin, the father born in Maryland in 1798, and the mother, a native of the Keystone State, born in 1800. They came to Ohio in 1835, and settled on a tract of unimproved land in Clinton County, whenee, five years later, they removed to Shelby County, clearing up a farm in Salem Township. The father died in 1866, and the mother in 1884. Religiously, they were members of the Seventh-day Baptist Church. In polities, he was a strong Republican, and cast the first Republican ballot ever deposited in Salem Township. He served efficiently as School Di- rector and Township Trustee. Seven of his nine children are now living, and every member of the family lived to be at least fifty years old.
After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Howell set- tled on an unimproved farm in Jackson Township. which he cleared and cultivated. In 1862, he lo-
eated upon his present farm, which is now num- bered among the best in Jackson Township. Unto him and his wife have been born eleven children, nine of whom survive, namely: Albert O., who married Lizzie Ilall, and is at present Trustee of Salem Township; Samantha A., wife of Noah Ell- iott; Jonathan F., who married Phyllis Wones, and is the father of three children; Rodolphus A., who married Leona Stiles, and they have two children; Margaret J. (Mrs. M. Cochlin), who is the mother of two children; John Milton, who chose as his wife Miss Alice Ludlum; Rosalee, Afton E., and Nevada F. The children have all received the advantages of good educations, and are filling honorable positions in their various communities. Politieally, Mr. ITowell is in sympathy with the principles of the Democratic party, of which his sons are also adherents. In his religions convic- tions, he is identified "with the Christian Church, and is a generous, whole-souled man, whose influ- ence is always in behalf of principles of justice and right.
ILLIAM STOUGII. This well-known and highly respected citizen of Bellefontaine is at present occupying the honorable position of Recorder of Logan County. A native of this State, he was born in Richland County, January 3, 1810, and is the son of John and Mary (Snyder) Stough, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this State in 1830, and made a loea- tion in the above-named county. The elder Mr. Stough was a farmer and mechanic by occupation, devoting the greater part of his life to the latter pursuit.
The parents of our subject. who are both de- ceased. reared a family of six sons and six dangh- ters, of whom four are living, our subject being the youngest in order of birth. Ile was reared in Richland County, where he received a good edu- eation and remained until September 9, 1861, when he enlisted in the Union army, joining Com-
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