USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 23
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 23
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when twenty-four years of age. Dixon is en- gaged in farming in Miami County, Kan. John Forest is working at the carpenter's trade in this county; and Minnie, Maggie, Gwimmel and Reva are at home.
In 1864 Mr. Young enlisted in the' Union army and was mustered into Company K, One Hun- dred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Infantry. His regiment was sent to Tennessee, where it was in active service under General Schofield. It par- ticipated in the battle of Nashville, and later fol- lowed Hood to Leesport. In April, 1865, the command was ordered to North Carolina, where it joined the division under Sherman, and some time later went in pursuit of Joliston. The "boys in blue" were discharged at Columbus, July 1, 1865, after which the members of the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth returned to their respective homes. A part of the time while in the army Mr. Young was a patient in the hospi- tal at Louisville, Ky. His good wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Church, and although liberal in his contributions to church work, Mr. Young is not identified with any particular de- nomination.
C HILIP WEIST, now living on section 18, Montgomery Township, Marion County, is one of the successful agriculturists of this county. Many of the best farmers of this part of Ohio are natives of the Fatherland, and suchi is the case with Mr. Weist. He was born in Baden, Germany, December 25, 1831, and is the son of Christopher and Magdalene (Schrote) Weist. The parents came to America in 1839, being sixty-two days on the Atlantic. Although they were not really decided as to their desti- nation, tliey embarked on a boat in New York, and after journeying along slowly for about three weeks they finally landed in Marion County. In Richland Township the father inade a purchase of forty acres, which was all he could afford at
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that time. The man who owned this place de- sired to make a change, and disposed of that amount of land, together with all his household effects, for $650.
Christopher Weist sold his forty-acre tract some years later to his eldest son and moved to Wyandot County, where he was living at the time of his decease, some time in 1871. His wife survived until 1885, when she, too, passed away. Their family numbered ten children. Of these, Christina married Frederick Dutt and is now de- ceased; Christoplier is farming in Wyandot Coun- ty; Samuel is deceased; Philip was the next-born; Barbara married William Itchner, and died in December, 1893, in Cleveland; John has been engaged in farming in Wayne County, Iowa, for the past fifteen years; Caroline married Albert Dryer, of this county, who is now deceased; Christian is a fariner near Ashley, this state; and two died in infancy.
Our subject began working out for $10 per month, every week saving a little of his earnings, · which he placed out at interest. The first $5 lent he has never recovered, and the interest on that small sum now amounts to many dollars. He lived with his parents until nineteen years old, and even after that assisted them during the harvest season, when it was difficult to obtain la- borers.
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Philip Weist was married, December 3, 1858, to Miss Mary Wilt, the daughter of Jacob Wilt, of Richland Township. Her mother before her mar- riage was Sally M. Stroop, a native of Alsace, Germany, which at the time of her birthi was un- der French rule. Jacob Wilt was likewise a na- tive of the Fatherland. The Wilt family num- bered seven children. Sarah married Jacob Ar- nold and is now deceased, as are also Jacob, Jr., and Margaret, Mrs. Jacob Wick; Catherine mar- ried Jacob Augenstine and lives near Brownstown, Fayette County, Ill .; John is deceased; George is a farmer of Richland Township; and Mary is the wife of our subject. She was born August 6, 1836, in Richland Township, where her educa- tion was also procured.
To Mr. and Mrs. Weist there have been born eight children. Of these, tlie eldest, Saralı, was
born November 3, 1859; she is now the wife of Norton S. Virden, of Hardin County. John J. was born May 14, 1862, and is now living on sec- tion 18, this township; he was married, June 7, 1891, to Mary A. Heimmich. Catherine C. was born February 9, 1865, and is now the wife of William Hallyday, of Larue. William P., who was born April 27, 1867, is at home. Anna M., born1 May 27, 1869, is the wife of John Seitz, of Huntington, Ind., where he has a position as engineer on the railroad. Laura was born Oc- tober 16, 1871, and is living in Larue; and Lydia S., born August 31, 1873, and Samuel F., whose birth occurred May 1, 1876, are at home.
Our subject is the possessor of one of the finest tracts of land in Marion County. It is five hun- dred and thirty-six acres in extent, and its present improved condition is the result of much ardu- ous work on his part. For this land Mr. Weist paid $50 per acre, and has accumulated it all by his own energy and enterprise.
In politics Mr. Weist is a Democrat, and with his wife holds membership with the Lutheran Church. He is a man. of influence in his com- munity, and enjoys the confidence and highest regard of all who know him.
ILLIAM HALL, formerly one of the old residents of Blanchard Township, Hardin County, is now deceased. He was the possessor of a fine farm, supplied with all the ma- chinery needed in carrying on the estate, and which he managed in a most profitable manner. He was born in England in 1811, and in 1848 made the journey to the United States. Althoughi having had very few educational advantages, he was a splendid business man, and for a number of years prior to leaving his native land hield the responsible position of steward of an extensive estate.
On landing in this country, Mr. Hall made his way to Medina County, this state, and, together
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with his brother John, worked out by the day at whatever he could find to do. For some time he was not enabled to lay by any of liis carnings, as tlie wages which lie received were very small and were used in supporting his little family.
Later our subject came to Hardin County, and in 1854 mnade a purchase of eighty acres of land, located on section 22, Blanchard Township. On this he was enabled to make but a small pay- ment, as the place was in need of many repairs. The family managed to live in the old and dilapi- dated house for some time, but it became neces- sary to build a barn immediately, as there was 110 such structure on the farm. Mr. Hall met with reverses at first, losing several head of stock, from the sale of which he expected to make another payment on his place. In order to get along at all he was obliged to work out for a time until he could clear his farm and place it under cultivation. From the timber which he cut from it he realized nothing, as that commodity was very plentiful in pioneer days. His family were sick a great deal in their new home, which, al- though it had its effect upon him, did not dis- courage him, and by industrious efforts he soon placed himself on the road to prosperity. To the land which he first purchased he afterward added a quarter-section, and at the time of his decease was the owner of two hundred and forty acres of some of the finest land in the county. He had many friends in his community, and led a happy life, surrounded by a loving family and all the comforts which money could secure. His death occurred November 2, 1892, when in his eighty- second year. Although advanced in years, he liad full charge of the farm up to the time of his decease, and through his management realized a handsome income. His wife passed away March 20, 1880, at the age of sixty-three years. They had been married in their native land, the wife and mother being known in her maidenhood as Miss Elizabeth Carter. To them were born twelve children, tliree of whom were born while living 11 England. Of these, five are now living. They arc, Emma, the wife of Calvin Reed, a farmer of Blanchard Township; George, who makes his home in Grayson County, Tex .; Sallie, now Mrs.
William Moshier, also living in this township; Thomas, living on the home farm; and Edward, engaged in farmning in Blanchard Township.
Our subject was a stanch Republican in politics. In religious affairs he was prominently connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and aided very materially in the building of Harris Chapel, near his home. He proved to be a capable farmer, and was a man of solid virtues, sensible and thoughtful in his views, and a true Christian. Prior to his decease lie erected a fine brick resi- dence on his estate, which is of modern design and furnished in a fitting manner.
Thomas Hall, who manages the home farm, was born in Medina County, Olio, October 27, 1852. He married, March 20, 1876, Miss Eliza- beth McMaster, of Jackson Township, and the daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Farming) McMaster. She was born in Jackson, and three and one-half years prior to the death of Mrs. Hall lived on the home farin with the mother of her husband. One year afterward was spent in Sedg- wick County, Kan. In 1884, however, this son entered into partnership with his father in run- ning the homestead, and on the death of the lat- ter was deeded the quarter-section which our sub- ject first purchased. He has a family of two sons, Jesse, a lad of twelve years, and Russell, aged five. Like his father before him, he is a Repub- lican in politics, and an influential member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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OSEPH MITCHELL owned and operated a valuable homestead on section 29, Scott Township, Marion County, for a quarter of a century, and was recognized as one of the most enterprising farmers of the locality. At the time of liis demise hie owned two hundred and sixty acres of land, well equipped with good buildings,
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fences, orchards, etc. This represented years of industrious effort and perseverance, for lie com- menced his active life entirely unprovided with capital, save a pair of willing hands and a strong heart. . He was a friend to education and to everything which tended to elevate his fellow- nien.
The birth of Joseph Mitchell occurred August 3, 1830 in Columbiana County, Ohio. In a fam- ily of four children, two sons and two daughters, born to John and Isabella (Jolinson) Mitchell, he was the youngest. His boyhood was passed in' the usual manner of farmer lads, his father giv- ing him thorough instruction in all kinds of agri- cultural duties. When he was about ten years of age he emigrated to Crawford County with his parents, settling within a mile of Richville, where he grew to man's estate.
When lie was in his twentieth year, Joseph Mitchell hired out to a farmer by the month, and was thus employed for the two succeeding years. Desiring to try his own hand at farming, he rent- ed a tract of land for three years, after which he purchased a farm in this township, and cultivated the place until 1865. That year he became the owner of two hundred acres on sections 29 and 30, and, removing thither, passed his remaining years in stock-raising and in growing general crops on his homestead. His education, though not of the best, was sufficient for all practical pur- poses, and he possessed a large and ready fund of information, whichi made his advice valuable to his neighbors.
November 25, 1852, Mr. Mitcliell wedded Jane, daughter of Jolin and Margaret (Hill) Larkins, who had a family numbering four sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell became the parents of the following children: John, a farmer of this township; Lizzie, wife of Norman Brooks, also of this township; Samuel, who died in in- fancy; Maggie, Mrs. Leron Coons, of Duluth, Minn .; Kate, who married David Johnson, and died March 23, 1890; Ida, who is the wife of Thomas F. Jolinson, a liveryman of Marion; Ma- rion and Samuel, who died in infancy; and Benja- inin F., who remains on the old homestead, which he manages with exceptional ability. January 9,
1895, the latter was united in marriage with Dora Mae Gardener, whese parents are residents of Marion.
Politically Josepli Mitchell was a Democrat, and in his religious belief he was a member of the Disciples Church. He was called to liis final rest April 4, 1890, and was buried in Letimberville Cemetery.
AMUEL WEIR, a successful farmer and stock-raiser of Marion County, has been the owner of his present homestead on section 22, Scott Township, since 1866. He is pre-emi- nently a self-made man, for he began in business empty-handed and has gradually acquired the for- tune which he now possesses. He owns alto- gether two hundred and twenty-five acres, all fertile land and well adapted for general farming purposes.
The parents of our subject were Samuel and Mary (Scott) Weir, natives of Ireland. He was also born in the Emerald Isle, the year 1828 wit- nessing his birth. He was reared on a farm, and early became familiar by actual experience with every department of work pertaining tliereto. Believing that the United States offered better fa- cilities to a young man desirous of winning his own way, he took passage on a sailing-vessel which landed him in Philadelphia in the spring of 1846. For the next three years young Weir worked on a farm in Pennsylvania.
It was in 1849 that Samuel Weir first located in Marion County, Ohio. He obtained employment with a fariner, for whom lie worked a year, after which he resided in Caledonia for four or five years. Three years succeeding this lie again worked for farmers by the month, and at the end of this time found that he had saved enough from his earnings to become proprietor of a farm of his own. However, he rented land for a time, and it was not until 1866 that he bought the farmi which he now cultivates.
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June 13, 1861, Samuel Weir married Miss Mary Mason, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Towers) Mason, the former a retired fariner of Scott Township. The only son of our subject and his wife, William J., lives on the old home- stead and is of great assistance to his father in its management. He was married, July 17, 1884, to Louisa Wirth. Their two eldest children, Charlie and Marion E., are deceased, and the younger ones are Laura E., Mary E. and Ethel G. Mrs. Mary Weir was summoned by the Death Angel September 8, 1887, and was placed to rest in the Caledonia Cemetery.
Mr. Weir uses his right of franchise in favor of the Democratic party, which has received his support since he became a voter. In all his deal- ings with his neighbors and fellow-citizens he is strictly honorable and just, and thus has won their esteem and respect.
C OHN RICE is one of the well-to-do farmers and citizens of Scott Township, Marion Coun- ty, and is the owner of a fertile and well cultivated homestead on section 36. He has lived on this farm for the past quarter of a century, and has made many improvements on the place which have added greatly to its value and desirability.
Mr. Rice has passed his entire life in this vicin- ity, where he is well and favorably known. His birth occurred on a farm within two miles of his present home, April 28, 1822, but across the line in Morrow County, and about a mile and a-half east of Caledonia. He is one of the thirteen chil- dren, eight sons and five daughters, born to Jacob and Lydia (Wickiger) Rice, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who were early settlers of Mor- row County.
The boyhood of John Rice passed without event of unusual moment, his time being given to as- sisting his father in the farm work and to obtain- ing such education as the district schools offered. On reaching his majority he began working at
various occupations, running a sawmill for his fa- ther for four years. When he had laid aside a sufficient sum of money from his earnings, he in- vested it in ninety acres of improved land. This farm he continued to cultivate for about fifteen years, when he sold out and moved to the place where he has since made his home. This was in 1869, and during the intervening years he has brought his farm under good cultivation and made it one of the best in the township. Alto- gether he owns two hundred and sixty acres, one hundred and fourteen acres of which are in his . home farm.
In 1857 occurred the marriage of John Rice and Sarah Bennett. Six children graced their union, namely: Simeon, now Sheriff of Marion County; Lydia Eleanor and George, who died in infancy; Ella, the wife of William Wier, a farmer of Morrow County; Ida, the wife of Noah Garver, a farmer of Marion County; and Cora, the wife of James Noblet, a farmer residing on the homie place.
For nearly half a century our subject has been a member of the Masonic order, and for years has held membership with the Odd Fellows' lodge. He well remembers when Caledonia was not yet in existence and when Marion contained only a few houses. Beginning in life a poor boy, he is worthy of all credit for the success which he has accomplished and for the open-hearted manner in which he has always supported all public enter- prises. He is mainly self-educated, as the schools of his boyhood were poorly conducted and fur- nished few advantages. In his political faith he has been a life long Democrat.
OSEPH SLOAN was one of the pioneers of McDonald Township, Hardin County, to which he came in 1828. He helped to build the first schoolhouses, lay out the roads, and place the district on a sure foundation for future prosperity. At the time of his death, which oc-
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curred November 4, 1877, lie owned one hundred and ninety-seven acres, all of which he . cleared and improved, with the exception of about twen- ty-five acres.
Born . November 4, 1804, Joseph Sloan was a son of Jolin and Saralı (McClellan) Sloan, all na- tives of County Monaghan, Ireland. They emi- grated to America at au early day, locating in Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County. When he was twenty-one years old young Sloan started out in life for himself by working in a woolen factory near Philadelphia. At the end of three years he went to Beaver County, Pa., and stayed with a brother a short time. He then bought one hundred and twenty-three acres in this town- ship. There were no improvements on the tract, and he was obliged to put up a log cabin. There- in he kept "bachelor's hall " for several years while he cleared his land. At length he and his brother took a contract to build a certain num- ber of miles of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad, and this work consumed some time. He later resumed farming, in which he was earnestly and industriously engaged during the remainder of his life. In the early days of his pioneer life he was obliged to go to West Lib- erty, a distance of twenty-five miles, to get his wheat and corn ground. Wild game could be had in abundance iu those days.
Joseph Sloan was married in this township, September 6, 1842, to Martha Roberts, who was born August 16, 1822. She is a daughter of William and Anna (Gault) Roberts, who lived and died in Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan had a large family of children, of whom we note the fol- lowing: David L., born September 6, 1843, mar- ried Mary J. Liles, and resides in this township; William T. died at the age of five years; Sarah, the wife of Charles Philbrick, has four children; Jolin Wilson, born March 29, 1852, married, March 11, 1887, Nannie C. Lowry, who was born March 7, 1872, and who is a daughter of Jolin Lowry; Maggie J., Mrs. Doran Porter, of Kenton, has three children; James Stewart, of Taylor Creek Township, married Agnes Collins, and has three children; Mary Frances, Mrs. Par- ker Lee, lives in Silver Creek Township, and is
the mother of one child; Lydia H. married Orange Waldemuth, and makes her home in Find- lay; Olio; Finley R., unmarried; lives at home, as does also Joseph G .; and Henry died in in- fancy. John W., a farmer of this township, has five children, viz .: Grace Edna, Charles Vernon, Clarence Wilson, Anna Martha and Clara Heller.
In religious faith Mr. Sloan was a United Pres- byterian, as was his father before him. His grandfather was an Elder in that church, and very active in the advancement of the Master's cause. Our subject helped to build the house of worship in this district, and gave of his means to its support. Politically Mr. Sloan was an un- swerving Republican, and took commendable in- terest in the affairs of the times. He was always ready to work for a righteous cause, and pos- sessed that true manliness of thought and deed that won for him the friendship of all those who had the good fortune to come in contact with him.
ACCHEUS W. HIPSHER, a leading farmer of Scott Township, Marion County, lias been a life-long resident of this immediate local-
ity He was born and reared upon the farm which he now owns, the land having been taken up from the Government by liis grandfather. For eighteen successive years he has held the office of Township Trustee, and for a period of six years lie has been one of the Directors of the County Infirmary.
A son of Adam and Samantha (Gleason) Hip- sher, our subject was born March 10, 1839. His parents were married in this county, September 28, 1828, and their family numbered nine chil- dren, namely: Matilda, who became the wife of James L. Bell, and died in 1874; Lawrence V., a farmer of this township; Minerva, widow of James Osborn and now living in Missouri; Louisa, wife of Samuel Gochenour, of Galion, Ohio; Mary, Mrs. Spencer Bails, of Caledonia; Z. W .: Francis M., who died in 1874: Harriet, Mrs. Lewis Os- born; and Hulda, who died in 1878.
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REV. GEORGE B. CASTOR.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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May 18, 1873, our subject married Miss Fannie Mason, and their only child, John L., who was born February 17, 1874, is still living on the old homestead. In his youth our subject obtained a district-school education, which he has increased by subsequent study and experience in the world of business. He continued to reside under his par- ents' roof-tree until twenty-four years of age, his time being given to managing the farmn. He is a practical agriculturist and understands every de- tail of farm work. . He now owns one hundred and twenty acres of the old Hipsher Farm and an additional tract containing twenty-five acres. Socially he is identified with the Odd Fellows' fraternity. His life has been an active and in- dustrious one, and his years of toil have brought him prosperity and success, which he now enjoys. He is justly esteemed for his many worthy qual- ities and his uniform kindness and generosity of nature.
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16 EV. GEORGE B. CASTOR, a prominent local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, resides on section 24, Pleasant Township, Hardin County, where he has inade his home since April, 1878. He was born on section 14 of the same township, March 27, 1839, being the son of Paul and Eleanor ( Hinelein) Castor. He traces his ancestry to one Arnold Castor (whose names was spelled Custer), a na- tive of the Old Dominion, but a resident of Beaver County, Pa., at the time of the Revolutionary War, in which he probably served. The family is of Irish descent, the first representative in this country coming hither several generations prior to Arnold.
Jolın, the son of Arnold Castor, was born prior to the organization of the Government. The times were still turbulent, and he was frequently
hid in a cave by his mother, in order to avoid capture by the Indians, who were very hostile, and many of whom remained in Beaver County. Arriving at manhood, John married Miss Moore. who bore him three children, Paul, Margaret and Elizabeth. Afterward he was twice married, be- coming the father of several other children. At the close of the War of 1812 he came to Ohio, and here, as in Pennsylvania, served as a member of the militia. For a number of years he lived in Wayne (now Holmes) County, after which he moved to Richland County, and later came to Hardin County, settling on the southeast quar- ter of section 23, Pleasant Township, March 4, 1834. For a number of months he lived in an Indian hut, built of elm bark, but soon con- structed a log cabin, which made a more comfort- able abode. He moved here in a wagon, drawn by a team of oxen, and a portion of the distance he was obliged to cut a road through the forest. The families of Gordon and Furney were then the only residents of Kenton, which was not in- corporated until eight years later.
At various times John Castor entered land, to the amount of five hundred and sixty acres, a portion of which belongs to his descendants. His cabin was near the old Indian trail between Upper Sandusky and Ft. McArthur. Indians were numerous, and the Wyandots had a reserva- tion near Upper Sandusky. The land was pract- ically in the primeval condition of nature, and John Castor, and his son Paul cleared. inany acres; our subject himself has cleared three farmns. Grandfather Castor was a great hunter of bees as well as of game, and on one occasion he found a tree in which the bees had hived. Thinking he would take them to his home and hive them there, he cut down the tree and started home, but on the way found a bear had been stealing honey. He set a trap at each end, but Bruin was too shrewd for him, for he rolled the log away and helped himself. Mr. Castor then set his rifle with a trigger and soon captured the bear. . In killing game our subject's father was probably more successful than his grandfather, but the lat- ter was more successful in finding bees. Honey and maple sugar were used for sweetening arti-
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