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 65
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 65
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 65
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
554
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
three years before he left the school room. He had to go on horseback to West Liberty for flour, that being their nearest mill, and all their wheat was hauled to Sandusky, a distance of about one hundred and fifty miles. For this they received forty cents per bushel. They brought baek leather and salt, and the journey took them generally four- teen days. Amos Cherry remained at home with his father until the latter's death, and then he bought out the other heirs. Ile remembers the country when it was almost an entire wilderness, and when deer and other wild animals were quite numerous. He has killed many deer but never cared very much for hunting.
The original of this notice selected Miss Eliza- beth Smith as his companion in life, and their nuptials were celebrated in 1842. She was born in Clarke County, Ohio, and remained with her parents until about 1830. To Mr. and Mrs. Cherry have been born seven children: Abbie J., now Mrs. Silas Odel, who resides in St. Mary's, Ohio; Charlotta, now Mrs. William Smead, of California; Zachariah T., of Stokes Township, this county, where he is engaged in farming; Abram M., operating a sawmill in Bellefontaine; Olive, at home; Ada, now Mrs. James Duff, of Stokes Town- ship; and Ulysses S. G., now a lawyer at Sioux Falls, Dak. The latter graduated in the Washington City Law School, is now at the head of the profes- sion in Dakota, and is doing remarkably well.
Mr. Cherry is the owner of six hundred and forty aeres of land, nearly all improved, and has fifty acres covered with timber, the finest in the county. He carries on general farming, has been very successful, and nearly all his property has been made by the honest sweat of his brow. He paid $5,000 bail money besides. He has an excel- lent frame house, and a large frame barn erected in 1887. Mr. Cherry not only enjoys the distine- tion of being one of the pioneers of Logan County, but he is one of the highly esteemed and honored citizens. lle is a Republican in politics, and induced his father to leave the Democratic party and join the Whigs. When younger, our subject was a great reader, and was well posted on all the current topics of the day. During the war, he enlisted in the one hundred day service, May
7, 1864, in Company C, One Hundred and Thirty- second Regiment, and was sent to Washington City, where he remained three weeks at Arlington Heights and White House Landing. From there he went to Bermuda Hundred, where he was on garrison duty for a short time, and went from there to Norfolk. He was mustered out on the 10th of September, 1864, and came home. He at- tributes his success to hard work and good man- agement. Mrs. Cherry is a worthy member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and has also exper- ieneed the hardships and adventures of pioneer life.
ETER M. YOUNG & sneeessful farmer re- siding in Jackson Township, Shelby County, is a member of a pioneer family of Ohio, who were alike instrumental in developing the vast agricultural resources of the State, and defending the country in times of war from the depredations of enemies. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War and a cannoneer at the battle of Bunker Hill. His father, Philip Young, who was born in Berke- ley County, Va., October 16, 1787, was also a brave soldier in his country's defense, and served in the War of 1812.
While a resident of Pickaway County, Ohio, Philip Young was married to Miss Keziah Curtis, who was born in Berkeley County, Va., April 11, 1808, the daughter of David Curtis, likewise a na- tive of the Old Dominion. By a former marriage, Mr. Young was the father of eleven children, four of whom are now living. In 1830, he removed to Shelby County, and settled on an unimproved farm in Franklin Township. Amid dense forest growths, and at the head of Plum Creek, near a large Indian camp, he built a log cabin for the bome of his family.
For thirty years Philip Young resided on that place, which through his efforts was brought to a high state of cultivation, and in the meantime he
555
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
was an interested witness of the development of the surrounding country from a wilderness prim- eval, the home of the savage beast and the searcely less savage Indian. At a venerable age, he passed to his final rest in 1850. Ilis wife, who was con- siderably his junior, survived him many years, her death occurring February 16, 1891, at the age of eighty-two years and ten months. They inculcated principles of religion in their children, thus insur- ing success, spiritually and financially, to their posterity.
Having come to Ohio in her fifteenth year, the mother of our subjeet resided in this vicinity for more than sixty years and her life was "an open book, known and read of all." She scorned de- eeption and taught her children to be virtuous and honest. Through her long and eventful life she always had a distressing dread of death, shrinking in terror from the gloom of the grave, and it was the earnest prayer of those who loved her that she might be spared until that fear was removed. Their wish was granted, for the last few months were perhaps the happiest of her life. She seemed to lose sight of earth, while only heaven remained. Her visions were all bright, and at times she was almost inexpressibly happy. Her countenance would beam with a light not of earth as she would joyously exclaim "Oh, glory, glory Hallelujah! Bless, bless the Lord." But life's web is woven; there will be no more weary
"Weaving, weaving, weaving, weaving, Slow the shuttle worked its will;
Throbbing. throbbing, throbbing, throbbing, Faintly beating, and is still.
Happy now the patient weaver, Who the Master's plan hatb wrought,
Tracing carefully the pattern, Marring nor neglecting aught.
For the web the Master turneth, And before his dazzled eyes,
Shining in its wondrous beauty, All the thought completed lies; And the weaver, joyful, learneth That the wrong side was her own,
Till the beating, throbbing shuttle All its faithful work had done."
Unto Philip and Keziah Young were born eleven children, six of whom survive. One son, Silas D.,
enlisted during the Civil War as a member of the Twentieth Ohio Infantry and served faithfully until he was injured by being shot through the nose. In his religious connection, Mr. Young, Sr., was a prominent member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, in which he served as Trustee, Steward and Class-leader. In his political belief, he was a Whig.
The subject of this sketeh was born in Franklin Township, Shelby County, June 27, 1831, and has been a life-long resident of the county. He recalls thrilling incidents of pioneer life and has not only been deeply interested in the progress of the com- munity, but has also contributed effectively to its advancement. In his childhood he attended the subscription schools, which were then in vogue, and employed the summer seasons in tilling the soil. When nineteen years old. he commenced to teach school and continued thus engaged for seven and one-half years.
April 29, 1852, occurred the marriage of Mr. Young and Miss Martha A. Porter. The bride was born in Shelby County, March 29, 1830, the daugh- ter of Moses and Alie Porter, early settlers of Auglaize County, who are now deceased. The marriage was blessed by the birth of six children, two of whom are living: Mary A., wife of Britton C. Lorton, of Sidney, and the mother of two children; and Kezia L., who married James Corson, of Da- kota, and has three children. Mrs. Martha A. Young died December 8, 1879.
The lady who on October 6, 1880, became the wife of Mr. Young was known in maidenhood as Annie E. Cahill, and was born May 27, 1840. Her parents were Joseph Cahill, who was born in Ohio in 1802, and Elizabeth (Preston) Cahill, who was born in Canada in 1803. They were married in Ohio, where Mr. Cahill operated a farm in Union County. During the Civil War, he was hospital nurse and afterward removed to Jasper County, Ill., where he died. Ilis family numbers eleven children, two of whom, Joseph and David, enlisted in the defense of the Union during the late war. The former died from the effects of a wound re- ceived while in service, and the latter contracted consumption as the result of the hardships and ex- posure of army life, and died soon after the ex-
.
556
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
piration of his term of service. Of the entire family one son and two daughters still survive.
By a former marriage, Mrs. Young has four chil- dren, namely: Prior Elwood, and Jeannette A., who married William Morrison and has three children: Emma, Josephine, and Albert Eugene Cummins. Religiously, Mr. Young is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church and often serves in the capacity of local minister. lle is a member of the Grange, in which he is at present Lecturer, and has served as Master Lecturer, Secretary, Chaplain and Doorkeeper. His wife is likewise identified with that organization, in which she is Ceres and has been Lady Assistant Steward,
In educational matters, Mr. Young has always maintained great interest and has been instrumen- tal in promoting the school facilities of the district while filling the positions of Director and Member of the Board of Education. He was twice elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in Jackson Township. In his political convictions, he was formerly a Democrat, but, becoming convinced that the cause of justice demanded the support of Prohibition principles, he joined that party and has since been one of its most loyal adherents. Besides his home farm, which comprises ninety-two and one-half acres, he is the owner of fifty-three aeres, also located in Jackson Township, and his entire property has been brought to an excellent state of cultivation.
OHN A. PRICE, Judge of the Common Pleas Court at Bellefontaine, is a native of Missouri, having been born in Callaway County, November 9, 1840. Ile is a son of Charles F. M. and Martha M. (Kelly) Price, natives of Virginia. Our subject was a lad when he accompanied his mother (his father having (lied) to Logan County, this State, they making a location in Monroe Township, where he at- tended the common and High School at West Lib- erty until 1860. At the end of that time, having
determined to follow the profession of a lawyer Mr. Price came to Bellefontaine and began the study of law in the office of Stanton & Allison. Two years later, he was admitted to the Bar to practice in all the courts of Ohio.
Mr. Price conducted his business affairs alone until 1876, when he formed a partnership with W. II. Martin, the firm name being Price & Mar- tin, they continuing together for three years. In October, 1879, the law firm of Price & Steen was formed, James W. Steen being the partner, the firm being recognized as one of the strongest of the Logan County Bar.
On the outbreak of the late war, Mr. Price en - listed in April, 1861, for a three-months service in the Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, which was the first company recruited in the above-named county. At the expiration of that time, he was mustered out on account of physical disability and, returning to Bellefontaine, remained there until the fall of 1863, when he again enlisted, this time being mustered in as Lieutenant of the Fifth United States Colored Troops, which formed a part of the Eighteenth Army Corps. Mr. Price did much hard fighting, his regiment being ac- tively engaged in the siege of Petersburg in 1864, and also took part in many other important en- gagements.
While defending his country's honor abroad, the friends of our subject were doing him honor at home, have elected him in 1861 to the office of Prosecuting Attorney. When hearing of the news, he resigned his position in the army and, re- turning home, entered upon the duties of his posi- tion, which he performed in such a creditable and satisfactory manner that he was re-elected to the same office in 1866, and again in 1868. The fol- lowing year, having been elected a member of the State Legislature, he resigned the office of Prose- cuting Attorney. After one term in the House, however, Judge Price refused to become a candi- date for renomination, as his private practice had become too large and important to be longer neg- lected.
Resuming the practice of his profession, the Hon. Mr. Price continued thus engaged until 1881, when he was elected by a handsome ma-
557
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
jority to the Judgeship of the Common Pleas Court, to which otlice he was re-elected in 1886, and again in 1891, and has thus been on the bench ten years, with five years more to follow. While in the House, he proved himself to be a gentleman of ability and filled the office of Rep- resentative with honor to himself and satisfac- tion to his constituents. As a lawyer he was ex- celled by few, if any, and on the Beneh he is said to be possessed of fine judgment, is stern in his manner and gives criminals their just dues, re- gardless of wealth, position or color. . Judge Price is a gentleman of fine physique, tall and erect, and out of the courtroom is a man of rare social qualities.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1865 bore the maiden name of Carrie Mc- Clure, a native of Wooster, this State. To them have been born three children: Effie K., Anna A. and Carlotta. Mrs. Price is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Judge in social matters is a Mason and Knight Templar.
G W. WIRICK. Within the limits of Logan County there is no more successful farmer to be found than Mr. Wiriek, who resides one and a-half miles northwest of West Middle- burgh, Zane Township, where he has one of the prettiest and eoziest homes imaginable, all the fruits of his own exertions. This gentleman was born in Salem Township, Columbiana County, Ohio, September 7, 1821, and is a son of George Wiriek, who was originally from Pennsylvania, luis birth occurring in Bedford County in 1777. His father was also a native of the Keystone State. George Wiriek spent the early years of his life in his native State and was there married to Magda- lene Bossert, a native of Franklin County, Pa., and the daughter of John Bossert, who was born in Ger- many and who came to America wben still single. settling in Pennsylvania, where he was married. He followed farming there. but in connection ear-
ried on the millwright's trade, being the owner of mill property. When he came to America he had no means, and was bound out to pay his passage across the ocean. What he accumulated was the result of indomitable perseverance and energy, and be died a rich man.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Wirick moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, where they commenced housekeeping on a large farm, and there they re- sided, improving the place and accumulating wealth, until the death of the father, when fifty- five years of age. The mother died in Logan County when eighty-two years of age. Their chil- dren, seven in number, two sons and five daugh- ters, all grew to mature years except one, who died in infancy. Only two of this family now survive: the eldest child, Catherine, Mrs. Heaton, who was born in 1810, and now resides in Columbus, Ohio, and our subjeet, who was the youngest child. The latter, like all country children, attended the dis- triet school in his early youth, but after leaving that he attended a select school for some time, thus receiving better educational advantages than the average boy of his day. When seven years of age, his father died, and he remained with his mother until she, too, passed away.
HIe selected his life companion in the person of. Caroline E. Harding, and their marriage was sol- emnized on the 27th of July, 1865. She was born in Logan County, Ohio, January 30, 1843, and is the daughter of Edward and Rachel (Pratt) Harding. Our subjeet and his wife located on a farm of one hundred and fifty-five aeres in Zane Township, Logan County, southwest of West Mid- dleburgh, and there remained fifteen years. They then sold out, and bought their present farm of one hundred and fifty-five aeres, the residence thereon being ereeted in 1884 at a cost of $2,500. Mr. and Mrs. Wirick are the happy parents of nine interesting children, as follows: U. S. Grant, born April 18, 1866; Justus S., April 18, 1868; Anna May, born April 10, 1870, the wife of Lewis Louden of East Liberty; George Edward, born April 26, 1872; Magdalena, September 19, 1873; Simon E., who died at the age of ten months and five days; Maggie L., who died when nearly three months old; Mary W., born April 10,
558
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1878; and Addenda M., born April 3, 1883. Mr. Wiriek is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and the energetic manner in which he has taken advantage of every improved method and idea has had considerable to do with his success in life. He makes from five to seven thousand pounds of maple sugar every year and sells to local buyers. He is a firm believer in the principles of the Re- publican party and does not eare to hold office, although many prominent positions have been rendered him. He is a self-made man and de- serves mueh credit for his honesty and progress.
AVID HIALL. A prominent farmer of Bloomfield Township, Logan County, Ohio, Mr. Hall is an intelligent, cultured gentleman, with marked executive ability. He was appointed by his State as one of the mem- bers of the World's Fair Commission, and in this capacity has worked both for the interests of his ·locality and the honor anticipated in representing the nation at large. Mr. Hall is a native of this State, having been born in Stokes Township, Au- gust 1, 1844.
Our subject is a son of Samuel Hall, a native of Pennsylvania, who was born in 1810. He was of German descent and was brought to Fairfield County, Ohio, by his parents at a very early day, when he was but an infant. The family was in very straightened eireumstances at that time, but Samuel Hall contrived to buy forty acres of land, paying for it the sum of $50, and the family settled thercon, their home being a log cabin in the midst of the woods. To such purpose did he work and so well did he manage, that at one time he owned as much as one thousand acres of land. In 1863, he moved, with his family, to Rush Creek Township and there purchased a farm, upon which he died in 1883, at the age of seventy-three years. He was an active member of the German Reformed Church, and in his political calling a stanch Dem-
ocrat. He served as Township Treasurer for twenty years and was Trustee for a long time.
Our subject's mother was, in her maiden days, a Miss Magdalena Dresbach, a native of Pennsyl- vania, who had come to Ohio with her parents and settled in Fairfield County. Our subject is one of eleven children that his parents reared. They are named as follows: Irvin, John, William H., Jacob IT., Louisa J., Samnel J., David, Magdalena, Sallie, William M. and Lewis N. Our subject's mother, who was born in 1811, died in March, 1892. She, like her husband, was a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church.
David Hall was reared to manhood in Stokes Township. He worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age, and received his education in the ploneer schools of the day-a log schoolhouse with a large open fireplace and puncheon benches held up by pin legs. On completing his twentieth year, he began teaching, and was thus employed for two years in Stokes and Bloomfield Townships. December 28, 1865, he was united in marriage to Mary Greenawalt, a native of Fairfield County. Two children have been born of this marriage that are living. They are Emma J. and Jennie L. One child, Alberta, is deecased.
After marriage, the young couple purchased the farm which they now occupy, and began the work of improving it. It contains one hundred and sixty acres of land, of which fifty aeres were im- proved; now there are one hundred and ten aeres eleared and which bear the best of improvements. Mr. Hall devotes himself to mixed farming, paying special attention to the growing of grain and the raising of stock. He is now the owner of two hundred and forty aeres, most of which are im- proved. The neat and comfortable frame resi- dence which the family occupies was built in 1868, and the capacious barn was erected in 1875.
Both our subject and his wife are members of the Reformed Church, at Bloom Center. Mr. Ilall votes the Demoeratie ticket, and from boyhood has taken an active interest in political matters. He has served as Township Trustee, Assessor and Treasurer a number of times. In some other elec- tions in which Mr. Hall ran, although his county is Republican by a large majority, he received a
559
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
most flattering vote as an evidence of the influence which he has had in political matters in his locality. It may also be stated that, although the township was Republican when our subject moved into it, it is now Democratic, the change being entirely due to Mr. Hall's work.
The honor of World's Fair Commissioner from Ohio was conferred upon our subject by Gov. Campbell in March of 1891, and he is felt to be so telling a worker that he has been made Chair- man of the Committee on Agriculture, which posi- tion he now fills. Ile is also on the Committees on Live Stock. Forestry, Agriculture and Engineer- ing. His was the honor of selecting trees that represent the forestry department of the Ohio ex- hibit, and in making the selection he took those from Stokes and Bloomfield Townships. Mr. Hall has been for years more or less engaged in the building of turnpikes, aggregating eight miles of perfectly improved country way, and having as many as seventy-five teams in his employ at one time, with a pay-roll of from 8300 to 8400 per day.
ACOB VAN HORN. It is gratifying to trace the history of those of the early pioneers of Logan County who have persevered through trials and hardships and have at last reached the point where they can enjoy the wealth and prosperity which rightly belong to them. In the life of the gentleman whose name we now give we find such a history, and the popularity which be- longs to such a man is the just meed which his neighbors are glad to pay to bis worth and work.
This representative pioneer was born in Harrison County, W. Va., on the 22d of July, 1820, to the union of William and Mary (Davis) Van Horn, natives of West Virginia. The grandfather, Job Van Horn, was of German descent on his father's side, and his mother's people came from Switzer- land. William Van Horn left West Virginia the first week in April, 1828, and came by wagon to Clarke County, Ohio, settling ten miles west of
Springfield. He made the journey by wagon to Ohio, was one week on the way, and was often mired in the bad roads. After living there until 1835, he sold out and rented land for two years in Champaign County, Ohio. Later, he came to Logan County, purchased land from the Government, and bought some of one of the early settlers. Animals of all kinds abounded, and our subject has seen as many as eighteen deer in one drove. The first year he killed seventeen porcupines that came around the house. The father cleared up his farm by a great amount of hard work and owned a large tract of land at the time of his death, which oc- curred when he was sixty-two years of age. Of the twelve children born to this worthy couple, eleven grew to mature years. They were named as follows: Sobrina, Jacob, Suscilla, Minerva, Amy, Job, John, Eli, William and Lewis (twins), and Maria Louisa Josephine and Mary Josintha Eglantine (twins). The mother passed away when forty-five years of age.
Our subject was educated in West Virginia, and after coming to Ohio often attended spelling- school, being considered the best speller in the vi- cinity. The spelling-schools were held in the rude log schoolhouses of those days, with puncheon floors, slab seats, and immense fireplace with mud and stick chimney. Our subject being the eldest of the sons, was obliged to work hard to assist his father in clearing the farm of the wood with which it was covered. Ile found time, however, to attend all the log-rollings and cabin-raisings in the neighbor- hood, and enjoyed himself as only a pioneer boy could. He selected his wife in the person of Miss Sarah Taylor, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and their marriage was celebrated on the 23d of December, 1843. She came with her parents to Logan County, Ohio, in 1836, and settled in this township. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn: Ai. Sampson, and Abigail. who died when twelve years of age.
After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn settled on section 23, and built a log cabin on the spot now covered with forty feet of water, away out in the Lewistown Reservoir. There they resided until April 1, 1856, when our subject sold his land for reservoir purposes. Ile owned at that time
560
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
two hundred and fifty acres of land, and after sell- ing ont worked for one year superintending the construction of the reservoir. Ile settled on his present property in 1856, and has made his home here ever since. Mr. Van Ilorn owns five hundred aeres of land, but gave two hundred acres to each of his sons, reserving one hundred acres for him- self. When starting out in life, Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn had nothing to commence with, but they were full of ambition and made every penny count. Their first table was a chest, and their bedstead was boards placed on poles driven into the wall in a corner of the room. The bedcord was linden bark and sticks woven together. The first windows were made of greased paper, which admitted the light but kept out the cold air in winter. In this manner this ambitious young couple started out to fight their way in life. Mrs. Van Horn was the kind of woman God meant when He said He wonld make man a helpmate, for she stood by her hus- band's side in all the ups and downs of life, and by her counsel and advice, as well as her hard labor, assisted him to gain the comfortable competeney he now has. This faithful companion passed from the scenes of her earthly trials on the 29th of June, 1886. She was a Seventli-day Baptist and Mr. Van Horn is also of that faith, deriving much com- fort from it. In politics, he advocates the princi- ples of the Democratie party.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.