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 52
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 52
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 52
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OIIN MUSSER. Among the many enter- prising foreigners who at an early day emigrated to the Land of the Free with a view to bettering their condition was the paternal grandfather of our subject, who emigrated from Switzerland and settled in Maryland about 1750. Being progressive and enterprising to a marked degree, he was not satisfied to remain long in Maryland when the yet unexplored West was before him, and he emigrated to Ohio and settled in Fairfield County. Although the land was wild upon which he settled, the soil was rich and pro- duetive. and as the work of clearing progressed and the seed was planted, it yiekled a rich return. He was the father of seven children. In religion. he was a member of the German Reformed Church. and died in that faith about 1822.
Theobald Musser, son of the above and father of our subject. was born in Fredericktown, Md., and there passed his boyhood and youth. In that place.
he married Miss Christine, daughter of Christopher Binkley, of Ilagerstown, Md. After marriage, this worthy couple settled in Elizabethtown, Pa., but a few years later removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and there the father engaged in tilling the soil the remainder of his days. Both were members of the Reformed Lutheran Church and the father was a Whig in politics. He died about 1847, and she passed away in 1853. Of the ten children born to their marriage, three are now living: John, David and Daniel.
John Musser, the subject of this sketch, was born at Elizabethtown, Pa., in the year 1799. Now in his ninety-third year, he is the oldest man in Au- glaize County and enjoys the distinction of being its oldest surviving settler. Having passed the greater portion of his life here, he is thoroughly identified with its interest in every worthy par- ticular and recognized by all as one of its repre- sentative and most highly esteemed, as well as venerable citizens. He was brought by his parents to Ohio in 1801, and grew to manhood in Auglaize County, where he received a limited education.
When Mr. Musser started out to battle in life for himself, he was entirely without means, but pos- sessed a great deal of energy and push and a pair of strong and willing hands. Ile began clearing the farm in Moulton Township, Auglaize County. where he lives at the present time, and by his in- dustry and economy became the owner of one hundred and sixty aeres of land, nearly all of which has been improved. After reaching man's estate, he attended school and. being naturally a man of clear judgment and more than ordinary ability, became much better informed than the average.
In regard to the military record of Mr. Musser, he was in the State militia for seven years and was commissioned, in turn, First Lientenant, Captain, and Lieutenant-Colonel of the seventh Ohio Reg- iment. In his political views, he is a stanch and faithful supporter of the principles of the Repub- lican party. In religion, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he served as Deacon. lle was married in Perry County. Ohio. in 1826, to Mrs. Rachel McCullom, who passed from earth August 20, 1861. She was a woman possessing the
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noble attributes which endeared her to her acquaint- ances, and was a devoted mother to their children, of whom there were ten. Five now survive and are residing in Auglaize and Hancock Counties, this State. They are: Eliza, who devotedly eares for her father in his declining years; Mary, now Mrs. Crow; Frederick, who served in the Civil War, as a member of Company I, Sixteenth Ohio Infantry, and was a prisoner for four months; Susan, now Mrs. Sillins; and Christine, Mrs Rue.
The attention of the reader is invited to a por- trait of this aged and highly esteemed pioneer, which is shown on another page.
MOS COPELAND has been exceedingly prospered in the pursuit of his calling as a farmer, and is now living retired in St. John's. He has taken a conspicuous part in the upbuilding of Auglaize County, and by prudenec and wise economy saved money. invest- ing it in property in Union Township, which he so managed as to bring him in a comfortable compe- teney.
John Copeland, the father of our subject, was born August 26, 1770, in North Carolina. llis father, who also bore the name of John, was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. and was taken prisoner by the enemy at the battle of Cowpens. Our subject is of the fifth generation of the family in America, the first representatives in this eoun- try being two brothers who came from England and located in North Carolina. Two uncles of our subject served in the War of 1812, during which contliet the grandfather came to this State.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Cynthia Seroggs. She was also a native of North Carolina, and the daughter of Jeremiah Seroggs. She was born August 28, 1788. and was married to Mr. Copeland November 23. 1804. Four years later. they came to this State, and crossing the Ohio River at a time when it was a very danger- ons proceeding. located in Clinton County. This
was on Christmas Day, and at the first house which they reached in the new State they were offered by its inmates a free dinner. The parents were very poor, and for one winter after making their home here only had one pair of shoes between them.
The first property which the father of our sub- ject owned was located on what was then Silver Creek Township, Greene County. lle eleared ninety-two acres of his farm, and in 1836 Joeated on section 6, Clay Township, Auglaize County, but which at that time formed a part of Allen County. The property was all wild land, and on it stood an Indian cabin formerly occupied by Du Chien, son-in-law of the Chief Blackhoof; that same cabin still stands on the farm. This es- tate, which included three hundred and thirty-six acres, was his permanent home, his decease oceur- ring there October 5, 1844. Mrs. Copeland became the mother of nine children, and also departed this life on the home farm, October 5, 1861. Only two children beside our subjeet are now surviving: Jeremiah, who lives in Iowa, and Ruth, who still resides on the old home farm. One son, Allen, served in the late war, in which conflict his son, who bore the name of Wesley, died. The parents of our subjeet were devoted members of the Chris- tian Church, in which body the father served as Deacon and Trustee. lle was in early life a Whig, and later a Republican in politics, and for several years was Trustee of Clay Township.
Amos Copeland, who was born August 10, 1816, in Greene County, this State, was twenty years of age when his parents took up their abode in this connty. He attended school during the winter months, being compelled to walk three miles through the woods to the temple of learning. lle remained under the parental roof until reaching his twenty-third year, when he established a home of his own, and November 23, 1839, was married to Mary J., daughter of William M. and Anna (Baker) Layton, natives respectively of Pennsyl- vania and New Jersey, the father being born May 21. 1789, and the mother November 11, 1797.
Grandfather Layton located near Cincinnati prior to the outbreak of the Civil War, and loented in Clarke County in 1804, while Grandfather Baker moved within its limits in 1802. The father of
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Mrs. Copeland served in the War of 1812, in which conflict one of his brothers, Arthur, was Colonel of the Ohio State Militia. Another brother. Joseph, was Judge of the County Court in Clarke County. In February, 1837, the parents of Mrs. Copeland moved to this county, where the father entered eighty acres of land on section 18, U'nion Town- ship. Later, he took up his abode on section 32, the same township, which was his permanent abid- ing-place and which contained a celebrated Indian spring. Mr. Layton departed this life November 6. 1860, while his good wife, who survived him a number of years, died March 5, 1877. They were both members of the Christian Church and reared a family of five children, of whom Mrs. Copeland is the only survivor. She was born May 31, 1821, in Clarke County, and was given a good educa- tion in the district school.
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After his marriage, onr subject located on the northeast quarter of section 3, Clay Township, this county, on which was situated a log cabin. There they continued to reside for six years, when he exchanged the tract for an improved piece of land on section 4. Ile operated that farm for twenty-four years, during which time he cleared over one hundred acres and added two hundred acres to his original purchase. The estate is now in the possession of Messrs. Reuben Brackney and Adam Lenhart. After disposing of the above- named farm, Mr. Copeland purchased one hundred and thirteen acres on section 32. this township, which he cultivated most profitably for six years, and in the fall of 1875 moved to his present home in St. John's, where he is living a retired life.
Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cope- land, we make the following mention of the six who are living: George, who married Eva Gra- ham, resides in Allen County; Julia, Mrs. Samuel Brackney; Wilham N., who married Ellen Robin- son; Elza Baker, who married Anna Herring; Meriam, the wife of Casper N. Chenoweth; Scott W., who married Emma Chambers. Two sons, John and George. served in the late war, the latter being killed in the battle of Resaca.
Mr. and Mrs. Copeland are members of the Chris- tian Church, in which body the former is Deacon and Trustee. He has also served as School Direc-
tor for many years, has been Trustee of Clay Town- ship, and in politics votes with the Republican party. R. C. Layton, a brother of Mrs. Copeland, was the incumbent of the office of Justice of the Peace for thirty-six consecutive years.
J. CONNAUGHTON is Recorder of All- glaize County, Ohio, which has long been well and justly noted for the sterling honesty and superior capability of her public officials, and this enviable reputation is fully sustained by Mr. Connaughton. His office is a model of neat- ness and order, and in every detail is manifested the most perfect arrangement, showing the work- ings of an intelligent, well-directed mind. Ile first saw the light of day in Butler County, Ohio, November 27, 1855, his parents, Michael and Cor- delia (Birne) Connaughton, having been born in County Roscommon, Ireland. While still unmar- ried. they came to America, were married in this country, and first located on a farm in Butler County, Ohio, in 1855, but in 1871 removed to Auglaize County and purchased a tract of land in Moulton Township, on which they still reside. in the enjoyment of a good income. He is a thrifty, practical and successful farmer and all his operations have been carried on according to the most advanced and progressive ideas, and have not only resulted in his own good, but in the benefit- of those with whom he has come in contact. Ile has some valuable oil wells on his property and his residence is supplied with natural gas. Five sons and three daughters were born to his union, but only five members of the family are now liv- ing.
.J. J. Connaughton was the eldest child born to his parents and inherited the best qualities of in- dustry and energy from these two hardy and pat- riotic people. He was not only given the advan- tages of the common schools but was an attendant of the public schools of Wapakoneta also, during which time he imbibed sufficient learning to war-
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rant his entering upon the career of a teacher, an occupation which received his attention for a few years. In 1879, he entered the National Normal University, of Lebanon, Ohio, at which institution he graduated with the degree of B. S. in 1880. Ile was almost immediately employed as Principal of Rockford, Mercer County, schools for one year, after which he entered the store of E. F. Decker & Bro., of St. Mary's, Ohio, remaining in their em- ploy two years. October 30, 1883, he won for his wife Miss Lana Jacobs, of Wapakoneta, from which time until 1887 they resided on a farm near Glynn- wood. In that year. Mr. Connaughton was elected Recorder of Auglaize County, and so ably and effi- ciently were his duties discharged that he was hon- ored by a re-election in November, 1890. He is now in the fifth year of his incumbency and has shown himself to be industrious, honest and uni- formly courteous to all whom he has been called upon to meet. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and there is probably no man who is a more earnest advocate of the principles of his religion than Mr. Connaughton. Person- ally, he is liberal, generous and high-minded and his reputation for honesty has been tried and not found wanting; his business ability has been more than once put to the test, but never without credit to himself, and his social qualities are well known and appreciated. To his union two children have been born: Eleanor and Marie.
D R. C. B. CHIESHIER is a druggist and physi- cian of West Middleburgh, Logan County, Ohio. For alleviation of pain and sickness it is to the druggist that suffering humanity turns. The physician may successfully diagnose, but it is the chemist who prepares the remedy. When, therefore, as in the case of the gentleman whose name forms the subject of this sketch, the two professions, namely that of the physician and druggist, are combined, how doubly important be- comes the establishment conducted by Dr. Chesher.
A native-born resident of this county and Zane Township, where he has passed almost his en -. tire life, Dr. Chesher is well known and justly appreciated. Ile was born June 25, 1853, and his parents, Tenison and Rebecca (Euans) Chesher, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, the mother born in Logan County. Our subject's paternal grandfather, John Chesher, was a native Virginian and a soldier in the war of 1812, and his maternal grandfather was William Euans. Teni- son Chesher remained in the Old Dominion until twelve years of age and then came with his par- ents to Ohio, where he completed his growth. 1le was a millwright by trade and owned a mill in Zane 'Township, this county, which he operated suc- cessfully until his death, in 1888. He was a Dem- ocrat during his early days, but during the latter part of his life he was a strict Prohibitionist. His wife passed her last days in Logan County, and there died when fifty-three years of age.
Dr. C. B. Chesher was one of seven children born to his estimable parents, four sons and three daughters, and his educational advantages were confined to the common schools. When seventeen years of age, he became convinced that medicine was the profession set aside for him, and he entered the office of Dr. W. T. Sharp, with whom he re- mained for four years. After this, he entered the Cincinnati Medical and Surgical College, where he remained for one year, afterward returning to West Middleburgh, where he practiced successfully for a year and a half. From there he went to Paulding, Ohio, practiced there for some time and then located in Newburgh, Ohio. In January, 1891, he took charge of the Cleveland (Ohio) Insane Asylum, having seven hundred and twenty-five patients under his care, but on account of politi- cal differences he resigned in August of the same year. While in charge of the above-mentioned institution, the expense of operating it was re- duced many thousand dollars. His wife was ma- tron and filled that position with great efficiency.
After handing in his resignation, Dr. Chesher bought a drug store in West Middleburgh, this county, and in connection with this is practicing his profession. He has a pleasant home in this eity and is one of the representative citizens. By his
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marriage, which occurred in 1874, to Miss Angusta oster, a native of Logan County, Ohio, born in 853, two children have been born: Frank Forest nd Arthur L., aged sixteen and thirteen, respect- vely. Dr. Chesher is a stanch supporter of Dem- cratie principles, has been a worker in his party, nd was Chairman of the Executive Committee of Paulding County, Ohio, for eight years. Ile was member of the Ancient Free and Accepted lasons. Ile and his wife attended the Society of Iedical Superintendents of the Insane of the nited States, at Washington, D. C.
ERRY FISK, a dealer in agricultural im- plements at St. Mary's, is a stirring, keen- witted business man, who is an important factor in carrying forward and extending the mercantile interests of this his native city. HIe was born April 13. 1846, and is a son of Atter- -on Fisk, a native of New Hampshire. born in 1808, coming of a good old New England family and one of the early settlers of St. Mary's. His father was Samuel Fisk, also a native of the Granite State.
The father of our subjeet, in the vigor of early manhood, left his native hills to try life in the Western wilds, and made his way to this State. In 1844, he came to St. Mary's. which was then an insignificant hamlet, with but a few log houses, and he became one of the pioneer merchants of the place. establishing himself in the grocery business. As the town grew larger, he opened a book-store. which was a profitable venture, as there was a demand for literature, school books, etc., among the intelligent class of people who had settled in this vicinity. He brought the first two-wheeled dray to St. Mary's that was ever on the streets, and which was quite a curiosity to the residents. lle also brought and operated the first wheat threshing-machine used in this place, and which was known as a Chaff Piler Machine, the power being supplied by horses or oxen. whichever was
the most convenient. The machine is now in the posession of Perry Fisk and is quite a curiosity, as it was manufactured in Piqua, Ohio, lifty years ago. Mr. Fisk subsequently purchased a farm in Noble Township, and in 1850 went to farmning. He afterward sold that farm and bonght land, which is now included in the corporate limits of St. Mary's and is very valuable. He came here with no means, and had to face the trials of pioneer life when the country was scarcely better than a wil- derness, in which deer and other wild game abounded, but he cheerfully bore all hardships and privations common to the lot of the early settlers, and in time accumulated a comfortable property, so that he died comparatively rich, his death occur- ring in 1871. Ilis wife survives him, and is pass- ing her declining days at St. Mary's, with the se- renity and calm happiness that is the result of a well-spent life that numbers seventy-two years. She is a native of Dayton, of which place her parents, who came from Pennsylvania. were early settlers, and her maiden name was Catherine Lehman. She has been a faithful member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church for many years. Her husband, who was a generous, warm-hearted man, contributed liberally towards the upbuilding of churches and for all worthy objects that came under his notice, but he never joined a church.
Perry Fisk, of whom this sketch is written, is the second of six children, of whom three are living. His education was conducted in the early schools of St. Mary's, the first that he attended being kept in the old Baptist Church. ITe was a bright scholar, acquired a good practical education that enabled him to enter the teacher's profession, and he taught eight winter terms in the surround- ing country. He earned his first money in that way, and he then worked for his father on the farm, of which he took charge after the latter's death. He did well at farming, but having a de- cided taste for mercantile pursuits, he decided to abandon agriculture to give his attention to the agricultural implement business. establishing him- self in that line at St. Mary's in 1886, and he has built up a fine trade. His store is commodious and well fitted up and he carries a heavy stock of every kind of machine or implement used by the
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farmers of Auglaize County, including the famous binders made by the Farmers' Manufacturing Co., and by the D. E. Mc Sherry Co .; and he also ban- dles threshers, wagons, carriages, etc.
Mr. Fisk is one of the solid men of his native county, financially speaking as well as otherwise. Besides considerable town property, he has twenty- eight acres of land near St. Mary's, which he leases to the corporation for gas purposes; and he has a half-interest in a farm of eighty acres in Mercer County. He is a stalwart Republican in politics. Ile has figured in public life as a mem- ber of the City Council two years, and always warmly advocates all plans calculated to advance the growth or prosperity of this city of his birth, of which he is rightly proud, as being one of the liveliest and most flourishing cities of its size in the State, Mr. Fisk is now President of Niagara Fire Company No. 1, of St. Mary's, Ohio. this company being the oldest volunteer fire com- pany in the city, and is a charter member of the Lodge of the Knights of Pythias, and has been active in promoting its organization and growth.
Our subject was first married in 1879 to Miss Mary A. Doute, also a native of St. Mary's, who died in 1881 after a brief and happy wedded life. In 1887, Mr. Fisk was married to Miss Eliza J. Baker, a most estimable young lady, who is a na- tive of Noble Township, and a daughter of John W. Baker, a prosperous farmer, who has carried on his occupation in that township several years. Mr. and Mrs. Fisk have been blessed in their pleasant married life with two children, Orrel and May.
D. LAMB is an intelligent farmer, who keeps abreast of the times in the improve- ments and progress made in his calling. Although a self-made man. he is well in- formed on all the current topies of the day and converses with intelligence and judgment on lead- ing subjects. lle has been familiar with farm
work from early youth and is now ranked among the prosperons and substantial farmers of Logan Connty. His career has ever been both honorable and successful, and he is highly esteemed by all,
Our subject was born in Lake Township, Logan County, Ohio, July 26, 1840, and his parents, John H. and Nancy (Duvall) Lamb, were natives of the Buckeye State, where the mother passed her entire life. The father makes his home with our sub- ject and is eighty-five years old. Of the eight children born to this union, five sons and three daughters, our subject is the fifth in order of birth. Such time as he could command from his labors on the farm he attended the dis- triet schools of Lake Township, where he received a good practical education, and then finished in the schools of Bellefontaine, where he was thor- oughly drilled.
When but a stripling of fifteen, he started out to fight his own battles in life, and in this struggle for a livelihood laid the foundation for the pros- perous career before him. He first selected work in a brickyard, remained thus engaged for some time, and then started out in farm work and other occupations. Ile spent about two years in Cham- paign County, Ill., and then returned to his native county, where, in 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany II, Ninety-sixth Ohio Infantry. After one year of service, he was discharged and returned to Logan County, where he immediately began farm- ing. Agricultural pursuits have continued to be his chosen occupation, and the manner in which he has acquired his present estate shows him to be an energetic, successful and progressive tiller of the soil.
On the 25th of April, 1872, our subject was married in Logan County, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Harris. a native of Springfield, Ohio, born August 22, 1850, and the daughter of the Rev. J. G. and Sarab Harris, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father being a Lutheran preacher, was moving around a great deal, but finally set- tled in this county, two miles northwest of Belle- fountaine, Ohio, where they reside at the present time.
After his marriage. Mr. Lamb located first two miles north of Bellefontaine on a farm that he
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cultivated two years. Ile then bonght his pres- ent farm, in partnership with his brother, and they own one hundred and forty-three acres, a good brick building, and substantial barns and outbuildings. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb became the happy parents of four bright children, as follows: Clarence E. and G. C .. both deceased; Edith E. and Harris J. In politics a Republican and in religion a Lutheran. Mr. Lamb is classed among the excellent citizens of the connty.
S AMUEL YOUNG. The farming interests of Perry Township, Shelby County, are well represented by this gentleman. an energetic. practical farmer, whose experience in agri- cultural pursuits has placed him among the most prosperous men of his calling in this section of Shelby County. He is the owner of one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land in the township men- tioned, which is under good cultivation and sup- plied with improvements of the highest order, the buildings being commodious and of a fitting style of areliitecture. William and Annie (Stoner) Young, the parents of our subject, were natives of Pennsylvania, the mother being the danghter of John Stoner. They both accompanied their re- spective parents to this State when young. and lo- cated with them upon unimproved farms. Grand- father Stoner, who was a Dunkard preacher and a prominent man in his day. lived to an advanced age.
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