USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 34
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 34
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brush, and about the only improvement that had been made was a log cabin. Mr. Casper has cleared one hundred and twenty acres and now owns three hundred and ninety-two acres of val- uable land.
January 6, 1861, the marriage of J. M. Casper and Wilhelmina Eibling took place. She was born in Marion County, Ohio, and has borne lier husband thirteen children, namely: John F .; Tenia, wife of John Hiller, and a resident of Washington Township, Marion County; Eliza- beth, who is married to John Hensel, and lives in Cessna Township; Peter, George, John M., Mary, Jacob, Lena, Minnie, Gotlieb, Katherine E. and Adam R. The family circle is yet un- broken by death.
In his political preference Mr. Casper is a Dem- ocrat. With the other members of his household, he is identified with the Lutheran Church, and for the past thirty years he has served as Trustee of the church of that denomination in Washing- ton Township. For five years he filled the posi- tion of School Director, and he has also served as Supervisor for one year. By all who know him lie is highly esteemed and considered a man of strict integrity, both of word and purpose.
OHN BURTSFIELD. It is a pleasure to the biographer to head this sketch with the name of the man who is one of the honored pioneers of Marion County, and who is in every sense self-made and worthy of the honor afforded him by mention among the distinguished citizens of this section. He is at present living on sec- tion 26, Grand Prairie Township, and during the sixty-six years of his residence in Marion Coun- ty has acquitted himself with honor and credit to the community in which he has lived.
Mr. Burtsfield was born in Franklin County, Pa., September 18, 1822, and is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Jones) Burtsfield. His father, who was likewise a native of the Keystone State,
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FARM RESIDENCE OF JOHN M. CASPER, SECTION 26, WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO.
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was born in Lancaster County in 1789, and after reaching an age when he could engage in farm work, prosecuted that calling there until 1828. That year found him en route for Marion Coun- ty, Ohio, where he entered land in Grand Prairie Township. After improving it he sold out to good advantage and purchased another farm, in Scott Township, remaining there until his death, whichi took place when he was eighty-three years of age. His parents, John and Rebecca (Sockman) Burts- field, were born in the United States, the former being of English extraction, and the latter of German.
The mother of our subject was also a native of Pennsylvania, and lived to be seventy-five years of age. Her parents, who were likewise Penn- sylvanians by birth, were of German parentage. Mrs. Burtsfield was a devoted member of the Lutheran Church during her lifetime.
John Burtsfield was a lad of six years when the removal of the family to this county occurred, and here he has continued to live ever since. His possessions aggregate three hundred and sixty acres, which, with the exception of eighty acres which he inherited from his father's estate, rep- resent his own earnings. He has been very suc- cessful in all that he has undertaken, wide-awake and up to the times in all things. He is gener- ous and whole-souled in the use of his means in behalf of enterprises which commend themselves to his excellent judgment.
Mr. Burtsfield is a Democrat in politics, and during his younger years was a great worker in the ranks of that party. He has been Justice of the Peace, Land Appraiser, Township Trustee and Clerk, and in one and all of these varied po- sitions always gave satisfaction by the conscien- tious manner in which he discharged the duties imposed upon him.
February 21, 1847, Mr. Burtsfield married Miss Nancy Jane Van Meter, of this county, who died at the age of thirty-five years, leaving three sons, namely: Madison, engaged in farming in Harrison County, Mo .; Franklin, an agricultur- ist of prominence in this township; and John W., also a farmer of this township. July 6, 1865, Mr. Burtsfield was married to Amanda Lucas,
also a native of Marion County, who departed this life September 6, 1890, at the age of forty- seven years. Our subject is not connected with any church, but always gives cheerfully of his means to the support of the various congrega- tions. He possesses a feeling of good-will toward mankind and endeavors to honorably fulfill all the dutics devolving upon him, and in so doing gains the respect of all with whom he comes in contact.
OHN C. SMITH is engaged in general farm- ing and stock-raising on section 2, Cessna Township, Hardin County. In the ranks of the local Democracy he has been a prominent factor for many years, and has officiated in the responsible positions of Trustee two terms, Treas- urer two terms, Justice of the Peace four terins, Township Clerk one year, and several times as Supervisor and School Director.
John G., father of the above-named gentleman, was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and by trade was a mason. In the '2os he came to America on a sailing-vessel, the voyage consuming some six weeks. From New York City he went to Louisville, Ky., where he lived two years; thence went to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until he removed to Hardin County. After his marriage he. settled on a farm and there re- sided two years. Subsequently he entered eighty acres in Scott Township, Marion County, paying the Government $1.25 per acre for it. A few years werc passed there, when he went to Illinois by team, locating in Clark County. In the fall of 1845 he returned to this region, investing his funds in an eighty-acre tract on section 35. A few acres of this had been broken, and the only other improvements were a log-cabin house and barn. At the close of a good and useful life he passed to his last reward, in 1887, when in his eighty-fourth year, and was buried in the family
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cemetery on the farm. For a long time he was a faithful member of the German Evangelical Church. His wife, also a native of Germany, was in her girlhood Susan Weand.
J. C. Smith is one of the sons of Illinois, his . birth having occurred in Clark County, February 29, 1840. When he was but five years of age he came to this county, and grew to man's estate on a farm in Washington Township. When he was twenty-four years of age he bought the place on which he is now living, but at the end of a year went to North Washington, where he ran a saw- mill three years. He then returned to the farm, and has since given all his energies to the culti- vation of the same. Ou his thickly timbered homestead he constructed a log house of one room, 18x24 feet in dimensions, and in this hum- . ble dwelling he resided about ten years. It was superseded in time by the present commodious brick house. On an average, Mr. Smith cleared eight acres of land a year, and now may justly take pride in the thrifty appearance of his place, which comprises one hundred and fourteen acres.
January 14, 1866, Mr. Smith was married to Melinda A. Hively, by whom he had five chil- dren, namely: Edward N., born May 5, 1867; Cora M., May 12, 1870; Samuel C., March 11, 1872; Allen B., July 11, 1874; and Olie G., Feb- ruary 10, 1885. Cora died September 10, 1874. Samuel is now a student in the Columbus (Ohio) Medical College. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are niem- bers of the Methodist Church, and take great in- terest in all lines of religious activity. Mr. Smith gives his support to the Democratic party.
ILLIAM B. JOHNSON, a successful and extensive dairy farmer, residing on section 17, Pleasant Township, Hardin County, was born December 22, 1851, within a half-mile of his prescut home. He is the son of John and Catherine (Johnson) Johnson, who, though bear-
ing the same name, were not related by blood. His grandfather, John Jolmson, Sr., was proba- bly a Virginian. During the last century he came to Ohio and settled in Licking County, but after- wards removed to Ft. McArthur, Hardin County, where he died. During the War of 1812 he served in an Ohio militia regiment, and was pres- ent at the surrender of Hull.
John Johnson, Jr., was born near Newark, Licking County, Ohio, September 14, 1795. He was also a soldier in the War of 1812, and drew a pension for his services in that conflict. On com- ing to Hardin County, he spent a few. months at Ft. McArthur, later entering an eighty-acre tract constituting the east half of the northwest quarter of section 18, and here he built a house and barn. Afterward he bought one hundred and sixty-six acres on section 17, which he improved. His next purchase consisted of eighty acres of tim- bered land, where our subject now resides. Of this tract he cleared sixty-five acres, and gave his attention to the cultivation of the place until his death, July 19, 1888.
Near London, Franklin County, Ohio, Febru- ary 14, 1822, John Johnson, Jr., married Miss Catherine Johnson, who was born October 8, 1797. She was a daughter of John Johnson, who worked as a boatman on the Ohio River in early days. They lived to celebrate their golden wed- ding in 1872, and their happy married life was prolonged for another decade, until the death of the wife, October 11, 1882, at the residence of our subject.
The twelve children comprising the parental family were named as follows: Olive, wife of Al- exander McGann, of Jackson Township, Hardin County; David, deceased; Maria, wife of Robert Devore, who lives in Jackson Township; Mary and Jeremiah, deceased; Mahala, widow of John Derry; Martha, Mrs. Sanford Devore; Cormelia, deceased; James K., who was killed in the late war; Eliza A., deceased; William B., of this sketch; and an infant.
Upon the farm where he now resides our sub- ject was reared, and in youth he attended the neighboring district schools. He remained with his parents until his marriage, after which they
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turned the property over to him and made their home with him until they died. In the winter of 1887-88 he rented his farm and moved to Rliea County; Tenn., making his home near Rhea Springs, a health resort. There he rented a farm of one hundred and twelve acres, of which eighty were under cultivation. The following year he leased a larger farm, and this he cultivated for a year. He had been troubled with asthma for some time before going to Tennessee, but his two years' residence in that state entirely cured him, and he has never had a return of the disease. Iu1 1890 he came back to his farm in Pleasant Township, and here in the fall of 1894 he em- barked in the dairy business, which he has since conducted, having a large trade throughout the township.
At Ada, Ohio, August 18, 1870, Mr. Jolinson married Miss Lydia Major, who was born in Pennsylvania, June 23, 1852. Her parents, Ben- janiin and Abigail Major, natives respectively of England and Pennsylvania, came to Olio early in the '50s and settled in Champaign County, but a few years later came to Cessna Township, Hardin County. Their family consisted of six children, namely: William, who resides in De- Graff, Ohio; Hy, a resident of Dunkirk, Ohio; Elizabeth, who is with her brother in DeGraff; Sarah, deceased; Lydia A .; and Louisa, wife of Hy Campbell, of Blue Island, Il1.
There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnson fourteen children, the youngest of whom died un- named. The others are Johni D., who was born March 24, 1871; Olive Callum, June 6, 1872; Dai- sy A., who was born December 11, 1874, and died February 17, 1875; Josephine, born July 3, 1876; James, November 23, 1877; Almira, March 6, 1880; Luella M., January 3, 1882; William H., October 16, 1883; Ben F., April 4, 1885; Clara A., born October 14, 1886, who died January 12, 1887; Hy M., born in Tennessee, February 12, 1888; Carrie M., born in Tennessee, October 30, 1890; and Cora M., whose birth occurred at the old homestead, May 31, 1891.
In religions belief Mr. and Mrs Johnson are members of the Providence Baptist Church of Pleasant Township. His father was identified
with the Liberty Methodist Episcopal Church in Pleasant Township. His mother, who had been sprinkled in girlhood, became unsatisfied with that mode of baptism, believing it unscriptural, and at the age of seventy-five was immersed. From that time until her death she was a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Politically Mr. Jolin- son is independent, favoring the men and the principles rather than any certain party. For- merly he was connected with the Patrons of Hus- bandry, and for two years officiated as Master of his lodge. He was also prominently connected with the Farmers' Alliance. As a citizen lie is progressive, as a business man shrewd, as a farm- er enterprising, and as a friend thoughtful and ac- commiodating.
05 FORGE COURT, whose home is on section 18, Pleasant Township, Marion County, is one of the oldest settlers of this locality. He has led a life which can be fittingly hield up as an example for the younger generations to follow, for he has been one who has looked out for the best interests of his fellows and has held his own advancement as of secondary importance. A man of kind and benevolent heart, he has always been ready to lend a helping hand to those in need, and he is loved by all who know him.
The eldest in a family of eight children, George Court was born February 25, 1810, in Hardy County, Va. His father, Frederick Court, was a native of Hanover, Germany, but crossed the Atlantic when a young man. For two years he worked at the tailor's trade in Baltimore, and then followed the same calling near Moorefield, Va., until 1815. At that time he moved to the place now known as Frankfort, Ross County, Ohio, where he passed the next ten years. In 1825 he purchased the land where Owen Station, this county, is now situated. The land was covered with a dense forest, but this he cleared away. He worked at his trade and at agriculture until his
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death, which occurred at the age of sixty-nine years, when he was interred in Fish Cemetery of this township. He married Ozilla Cuberley, who was born in Hardy County, Va., and who died at the age of forty-two years. Her father was a native of England, but her mother was born in America.
When George Court landed in Marion County he was about fifteen years of age, and for several years he dutifully assisted his father in clearing the homestead. There was no school near his home for several years, but he attended the vil- lage school of Frankfort, Ross County, to some extent. When he was of age he rented a farm, which he conducted for two years, and about 1834 became the owner of eighty acres of the land on section IS which is now owned by a son. The land was wild and encumbered with timber, and here he made his home until 1868, when he pur- chased the farm of seventy-five acres whereon he has since dwelt.
December 29, 1831, George Court wedded Fanny Allen, who was born December 17, 1812, and died April 4, 1894. Her parents were pioneers of this county, having settled here in 1827. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Court. Orrin A. died when about fifty-four years of age. Fred- erick W., a stone and brick mason by trade, and also a builder of lime-kilns, is a resident of this township; he has served as Assessor for a num- ber of years, and is a leader in the ranks of the local Democracy. Lucy died in infancy. Wil- son S., a well-to-do farmer of this township, now owns the old homestead. James died when in his fifty-second year. Christina E. is the wife of John Bricker, who owns a farm in Big Island Township. Zadoc A. died at the age of two years; and Fanny O. was called to her final rest when in her twenty-ninth year.
The first Presidential ballot of George Court was cast for Andrew Jackson, since which time he has always been an unswerving Democrat. He was the first Infirmary Director in the county, and was Justice of the Peace for about twelve years, after which he refused further re-election. In 1850 he was elected Land Appraiser for four townships, and ten years later was re-elected
to the same office. For several years he served efficiently as Township Treasurer and Clerk and has also been a School Director. His neighbors place great confidence in his ability, wisdom and integrity, and he has settled a number of estates. Though he is now well along in years, he has a good memory and is quite active. For over sixty years he has led an humble Christian life, and has endeavored to inculcate therein the teachings of the Golden Rule.
IMON A. REID, who was called to his final reward December 21, 1894, was long one of the honored residents of Cessna Township, Hardin County. He was a faithful member of the Church of Christ for upwards of forty-two years, and was always active in advancing the best interests of his fellows in every possible man- ner. Beginning in life a poor boy, he steadily persevered in his endeavors until he became a well-to-do and respected citizen.
A son of Manley and Lena Reid, our subject was born July 26, 1820. His birth occurred on a farm in Columbiana County, Ohio, and there his early years were passed. In the fall of 1844 he came to Hardin County by team, and engaged in teaching school in this township for four terms. Prior to coming here he had purchased the farm known as the Swimmer Farm, and some years afterward bought the farm now owned by his widow, the place being then covered with heavy timber. At the time of his death he was the owner of eighty acres of well improved land, which showed on every hand the care bestowed upon it by the thrifty proprietor.
In 1845 Mr. Reid married Eliza Houser, who bore him nine children, namely: John M., George H., Mary A., Charity A., Simon A., Jr., Emma E., Thomas H., and two who died in infancy. February 17, 1870, Mr. Reid married Rebecca E. Leeper, a native of Richland County, who was born October 9, 1818, and who still survives him.
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ZACCHEUS CESSNA.
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Mr. Reid offered his services in defense of the Old Flag by enlisting in the Eighity-second Ohio Regiment. He was mustered in at Kenton and served altogether between two and three years. In later times he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he was affili- ated with the Republican party, and was elected by them to fill the position of Justice of the Peace, a place which he honorably occupied for four years. His deatlı has been sincerely lamented by his hosts of old friends and neighbors, for he was a man in whom the fullest confidence could be safely placed, and such men are, alas, too rare. He is now resting peacefully in Eccarius Ceme- tery, his labors and trials over.
ACCHEUS CESSNA, deceased, was one of the pioneers of Cessna Township, Hardin County, where he and his father settled about sixty years ago. After a well spent and very active life, he was called to the home beyond, October 2, 1893, and was buried in the Salem Cemetery, in this township. His memory is cher- ished in the hearts of scores of his old friends and neighbors, who remember him as a man of exemplary life and the utmost probity of conduct.
The Cessna family is of Scotch-Irish descent. The father of our subject, William, was born in Pennsylvania, January 10, 1777, and died June 13, 1857. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Kezialı Davis, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 13th of April, 1793, and died October 19, 1862. They were the parents of nine children, namely: James, Mary, Jolin, William, George, Joseph, Zaccheus, Elizabetli and Kezialı, of whoni John is the only one known to be living.
After a sojourn of a few years in Holines County, Ohio, Mr. Cessna started by team for Hardin County, in the fall of 1835, and established his home in Cessna Township, which was named
in honor of Charles Cessua, a distant relative. He took up two hundred and forty acres from the Government, for which he paid the usual price of $1.25 per acre. In the midst of the thick forest he built a hewed-log house of one room, 20 x 24 feet in dimensions, and this structure is still standing, not far from the present home- stead. The parents were cared for by our subject until they passed away.
Zaccheus Cessna was born in Holmes County, Ohio, April 1, 1835, and was nine months old when the family came to Hardin County. He grew to manliood on the farm owned by his fa- ther, and at the age of eigliteen years assumed charge of the place, which he purchased some seven years later, industriously cultivating and developing the same until his death.
October 17, 1860, Mr. Cessna married Mary M. Hagerman, who was born in Dekalb Rich- land County, Ohio, April 6, 1842. Mrs. Cessna is a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Elizabeth (Hiles) Hagerman. Her father, who was a na- tive of Carroll County, Ohio, went with his par- ents when quite young to Richland County, be- coming one of its pioneers. About 1846 he set- tled in Marion Township, Hardin County, and engaged in farmning, besides officiating as local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He passed to his reward August 30, 1884. His wife, who is a native of England, came to this country when twelve years old, and is now mak- ing her honte in Dunkirk, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Hagerman had thirteen children, nine of whom are still living.
The marriage of our subject and his wife was blessed with thirteen children, nine of whom are living, as follows: Keziah, wife of Thomas Burni- son, a mechanic of Kenton; Ida, Mrs. Adamı Smith, of Cessna Township; William; Mary, Mrs. Elmer Kaylor; Lulu, Clarence, George, Martha and Alphonso. Wesley is deceased, and three infants died unnamed. Religiously Mr. Cessna was identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs.
Until the breaking out of the Rebellion, our subject was a Democrat, but at that time he be- came a supporter of the Republican party and a
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stanch advocate of the Union. . In 1863 he en- listed in the National Guards and was minustered into.the regular service at Kenton, May 2, 1864. He was first sent to Columbus, from there to Virginia, and participated in the engagement at Harper's Ferry and in many others of minor note. September 5, 1864, he was honorably discharged from the army. For years he was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He received a pension of $12 per montli, and since his death his widow has received $8 per month.
OSEPH ADELPHUS STANSELL, M. D., has been engaged in practice at Forest, Har- din County, for the past three decades, and has built up a reputation for skill and ability in his chosen field of work which is second to none among the physicians of this county. In the realm of study and research on medical questions he has been an independent investigator, but though he possesses profound knowledge, gained during the thirty-eight years of his practice, his natural modesty of disposition has kept him from contributing his ideas to medical journals and publications. He has given special study to sur- gical cases, and is often called in counsel with his brother physicians.
Our subject was born November 7, 1831, at Lockville, Ontario County, N. Y. He is a son of George, and grandson of William, Stansell, the former of Dutch descent, but a native of the Em- pire State. A member of the Stansell family was State Chemical Analyst in Holland and became an authority in certain directions, especially on the subject of volatile oils. Thie Stansells were among the early settlers of the Mohawk River Valley, locating there when New Amsterdami was under Dutchi rule. Two of our subject's ances- tors, his grandfather's brothers, were killed in the Revolutionary War, and two of the brothers were captured by the Indians about that time, one being tomahawked. Many members of the
family have been numbered among the profes- sional men of the United States. William Stan- sell was a millwright and. farmer, and was inter- ested in the building of the Erie Canal, grading three miles of the same, which crossed his own farm. Moving to Lockville, N. Y., he obtained a contract and built three locks on tlie canal, and his son, our subject's father, had the honor of opening the lock for the wedding of the waters of Lake Ontario and the Hudson River by means of the canal.
George Stansell was one of thirteen children, and was born in Wayne, Ontario County, N. Y., in 1801. He was called to his final rest Septem- ber 10, 1854, in Wyandot County, this state. He was married in New York to Zada P. Bristoll, of Connecticut, who was born December 4, 1809. She was a daughter of David and Sarah (Prindle) Bristoll, natives of Bristol, England. The Prin- dle and Bristoll families emigrated to Connecticut at the same time. Among the representatives of the latter particularly there were inany men of undoubted talent, and Bristol, Conn., and Bris- tol, Tenn., were named in their lionor. Two cousins of Mrs. Stansell by the name of Prindle were Presbyterian ministers, and one of them had charge of a Chicago congregation at one time in his career. George Stansell and his young wife came to Ohio in 1835, and were among the pioneers of Richland Township, Wyandot County. Mrs. Stansell died November 20, 1868.
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