USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 42
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 42
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June 24, 1862, Mr. Carothers married Mrs: Ann E. Woods, who was born in Union County, Pa., June 7, 1829, being a daughter of Roland and Elizabeth (Musser) Reece, a native of Penn- sylvania. Mr. Reece was a son of Thomas Reece, a native of Wales. The second marriage of our subject was blessed by the birth of two children: Lizzie, wife of John Crooks, a farmer of Blanch- ard Township; and Roland Reece, deceased. By her marriage with Lewis Woods, Mrs. Carothers had two children: Hannah L., who married Frank Hefelfinger, of Kenton; and Lewis, who is en- gaged in farming east of Kenton.
In politics Mr. Carothers was a Democrat un- til within recent years, but is now a supporter of the principles of the People's party. In public affairs he takes great interest, and is one of his party leaders. With his wife he holds member- ship in the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he has belonged for forty-six years. For twenty-
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five years he has been Class-Leader, and has also served as Trustee, Steward and an exhorter in the church at Grant. His parents were connected with the Scotch Presbyterian Church, and his father was an Elder. Interested in educational matters, he has rendered efficient service as School Director, and for many years filled the office of Township Trustee. In every position of trust to which he has been called, he has done everything in his power to promote the moral, educational and agricultural interests of his section and is justly numbered among the most influential men of his community. Socially he held fraternal re- lations with the Order of Good Templars during the existence of that organization.
EORGE H. HAMILTON has lived for the past seventeen years on section 17, Pleasant Township, Hardin County. His home lies two and a-half miles north of Kenton, and the farm contains one hundred and sixty-six and three-quarters acres, improved with good build- ings, fences, etc. He has many friends in this community, and enjoys an enviable reputation for his uniform integrity and sterling worth. Never an office-seeker, he yet has been called upon to serve as School Director and Road Supervisor, but aside from these offices has managed to keep out of public affairs. On questions of National importance his ballot is given to the Democracy, but in local matters he is independent.
William Hamilton, our subject's father, was born in Virginia, June 12, 1800. His father, Ed- ward Hamilton, was born in Scotland in 1770, and was brought to the United States in his youth by his father, who was a brother of Alexander Hamilton, the great American statesman. After living for two years in Connecticut, the family moved to Virginia, where Edward received part of his education. He was a great scholar and mathematician. For over forty years he was a
Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He married Rachel Fickel, a Virginian, and in the fall of 1802 they crossed the mountains to Ohio, their journey being made in a peculiar way. Two oak baskets were fastened together and swung across a horse, and the two children were placed in these receptacles, while the mother rode thie animal, the father walking ahead carrying his axe and gun. A frying-pan and a few provisions were all their possessions, but the father, who was an excellent hunter, supplied them with wild game on the way. They settled in Perry County, three miles northeast of Somerset, where Mr. Hamilton entered eighty acres of land, which was thickly covered with chestnut, walnut, hickory and maple trees. When George H. was a lad of seventeen, he spent one winter with his grand- parents, helping to make fifty gallons of delicious maple syrup. During the War of 1812 Edward Hamilton was in the service, and for three days was at Ft. McArthur, just before Hull's surren- der, being on his way to reinforce that General, but 011 account of his surrender retreated. He died in 1848, and his wife's death took place just two days prior to his own, she being in her sev- enty-eighth year. Of their children, Elizabeth first married a Mr. Joslyn, and after his death be- came the wife of Henry Warrick; Joseph settled in Brownsville, Ohio; Sarah married Dick Barn- ett, who lived to be one hundred and one years of age; Mrs. Rachel Bowser, formerly resided in Perry County, but later moved to Franklin Coun- ty, Ohio; Benjamin ran a tanyard, in connection with his brother James, in Marion County for many years; James, a farmer of Marion County, lived to celebrate his golden wedding; Samuel located in Fultonham, Perry County; Isaac died in Franklin County in February, 1895, when within six days of being eighty years of age; and Cary, the youngest, married Harrison Rob- erts, who resided in Muskingum County.
William Hamilton was about a year and a-half old when his parents brought him in the basket on horseback, previously alluded to, from his na- tive state to Ohio. He was reared in Perry County and until he was seventeen years of age attended log schoolhouses, but much of his education was
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received from his father by a torch-light fire, and three of his brothers, who received like instruc- tion, afterward became teachers in this state. When in his eighteenth year young William went to learn the carpenter's trade with liis uncle, Ed- ward Fickel, and afterward followed that busi- ness until his marriage, February 14, 1827, with Margaret Rice. He then rented a farm for a year, after which he bought one hundred and six- ty acres north of Marion, Marion County. There he continued to dwell until his death, June II, IS72, the day before the anniversary of the sev- enty-second year of his birth. For many years he followed his trade in various parts of Marion County, at the same time carrying on his farin. He was a life-long Democrat, and was respected by all who knew him. His wife was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1805, being a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Rice, who were married in that city about 1802. The father was born in Ger- many, and after living for a few years in Chilli- cothe, put up the first horsemill erected in Ma- rion County, and about 1837 moved to Adams County, Ill., where his death occurred. He was drafted into the service in the War of 1812, and was with Hull among the surrendered sol- diers. Being kept a prisoner on an island in Lake Erie, he suffered much by hunger and cold dur- ing one winter, and lost two fingers and all his finger and toe nails by freezing. With his broth- er he was released the following summer and re- turned home. Mrs. Margaret Hamilton was one of five children. Her brother, Dr. Robert Rice, practiced in Fremont, Ohio, forty years, and his son, Dr. John B., was a surgeon in the army dur- ing the late war. John, another brother, lived in Marion County, until the close of the war, when he moved to Kansas. William settled near the old fort at Fremont; and Mary, the only sis- ter, was three times married, first to a Mr. La- pole, thien to a Mr. Bowers, and lastly to a Mr. Cobb, of Illinois. Mrs. Margaret Hamilton died in Marion County, January 11, 1880, after a long and useful life. Her education was largely ob- tained from a private teacher, who lived in the home of a Mr. Hopkins, in Scott Township, Ma- rion County.
George H. Hamilton is next to the eldest of fifteen children, the others being as follows: Rachel, who died in Marion County; Mary, who died at the age of seventeen years; Carrie, wife of William Bowser, of Illinois; Elizabeth, who died at the age of eleven years; Samuel, whose death occurred in infancy; Edward, who depart- ed this life in 1865; Caroline, who is now de- ceased, and who was formerly the wife of Van Search; Jane, deceased, formerly the wife of John Search; Marguerett, Mrs. William Reece, of Ma- rion: Amanda, who married William Van Meter, of Marion County; Catherine, the wife of Louis Sosa, a blacksmith of Marion; Nancy, Mrs. Al Chapman, who lives in Marion County; William. who died in infancy; and Ella, who died at the age of twenty-six years, unmarried.
The subject of this sketch was born on a farm near Marion, April 17, 1829, and attended the district schools until he was nineteen years of age. On the morning of his twenty-first birthday his mother gave him a half-dollar coined in the year 1809, which had been given her by her mother, and which our subject still has in his possession. He started forth to make his own way, and for five months was employed by Thomas Hoops at $1I per month. Mr. Hoops later moved to Illi- nois and founded Hoopestown, where Mr. Ham- ilton has since visited him. Two years followed in which George H. worked at grading on the Bellefontaine & Indiana Railroad. Marchi 15, 1853, he started for the Pacific gold-fields by way of New York and the Isthmus. At Aspinwall lie took a skiff to Gorgona, on the Chagres River, and thence walked to Panama, where he en- barked in the steamer "George Law" for San Francisco, arriving there April 14, 1853. Going to Sacramento, he tried to find an uncle there. but failed and went on with a party to Donald- ville. He soon obtained a position at $100 a month and his board, and at the end of seven months bought an interest in a inine for $2,000, serving as Treasurer of the company until he left for home. In about a year and a-lalf lie made . $4,500, and he concluded to return East. . At San Francisco lie embarked on the steamer "Golden Gate," and when a few days away from Aspin-
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wall yellow fever broke out on the vessel. Forty- seven of his fellow-passengers died, and one of these occupied the bertli below his own, our sub- ject's escape being a matter of surprise to every- one. 'While he was in California some earth caved in upon him and he was extricated only a moment before there was another slide, which would have buried him under twenty feet of de- bris. As it was, he was unconscious for eighteen hours and was obliged to use crutches for four months. He finally reaclied home safely, Sep- tember 29, 1854, and soon after invested his sav- ings in one hundred and eighty-four acres of land in Marion Township, Marion County, where he lived for twenty-three years. Selling out, he re- moved to his present farm April 2, 1877.
January 4, 1855, Mr. Hamilton was married, in Marion County, to Margaret J., daughter of John P. and Naomi ( Mouser) Smith. The for- mer was born in Virginia in 1803, being a son of Edward Smith, who died in the Old Dominion. In 1829 the father moved to a farm in Marion County, this state, where he departed this life in 1887. He was married in Jefferson County, Va., in 1827, his wife having been born in that local- ity, in 1803, to Jacob and Ave (Benner) Mouser. Mrs. Hamilton was born January 18, 1835, and is one of nine children, the others being, William, Jacob, Mary, Martha, George, one who died un- named, Isaac and James. The union of Mr. and Mrs. George Hamilton has been blessed with eleven children, namely: John W., who lives near Kenton; Naomi E., deceased, formerly the wife of Madison Birchfield, of Marion County; James A., a farmer of this neighborhood; Mary O., who died in 1889; Frank E. and Frances M., twins, the former living on a farm west of his fa- ther's homestead, and the latter having died in February, 1881; George A., who is engaged in farming in this vicinity; Ernest, whose death oc- curred in June, 1892; Minnie I., living at home; Orpha G., also at home; and Alphia S., who died in infancy.
During the War of the Rebellion Mr. Hamil- ton enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Infantry, was mustered in at Camp Chase, May 11, 1864, and served four
montlis under Colonel Irvin, being stationed most of the time near Alexandria and Washington. He is a member of Kenton Post No. 97, G. A. R. He is quite a traveler, having visited all the great cities of this country between the Mississippi River and the Atlantic seaboard, and having also spent much time in California, as before stated.
OHN SCHWEMMER is a thrifty German- American citizen of Cessna Township, Har- din County. He lias cleared and mnade valu- able improvements on the homestead, and deserves great credit for the manly, courageous way in which, as a stranger in a strange land, he sur- mounted all the difficulties in his pathway and was undaunted by failure. His farm was a tract of unimproved timber when he became its owner, and bore little resemblance to its present condi- tion. This place comprises one hundred and five acres, well equipped with substantial build- ings, fences, etc.
Our subject is one of five children born to George and Christine Schwemmer, the date of his birth being March 22, 1820. He was reared in a village in Bavaria, and left home in 1845 to seek a fortune in tlie United States. After lis arrival here he found employment in New York State for the first six months. He later went to Michigan, where he worked during the next three years, but in 1849 was infected by the gold fever and that spring started overland by team. Reaching St. Joseph, Mo., he bought four yoke of oxen and continued his journey : across the plains. The trip consumed about five months and was replete with interesting incidents. He at once began prospecting near Sacramento, and succeeded very well financially. On his return trip he took the ocean route and located in Cin- cinnati, where he made his home about one year. Subsequently he settled in Butler County, Ohio, front which place he emigrated to this section.
In 1854 Mr Schwemmer married Mary E. Wedertz, who was a faithful companion and help-
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mate to him along the journey of life. She was summoned by death in 1874, and her place has never been filled. Of their nuion eight children were born, as follows: Mary E., wife of Michael Bush; Mimie, wife of George Hantze; Oscar W., John N., George, Charles E., Andrew J. and Callie.
In questions relating to politics Mr. Schweni- mer is an unswerving Republican. Personally, he is esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
OHN HITES. The history of this gentle- man was for many years intimately connect- ed with that of Hardin County, of which he was an early settler. At the time of coming hither, the country was sparsely settled and in a wild condition. Though himself advanced in years at that time, he at once began, with the en- thusiasm, energy and determination of youth, the task of clearing the timber and improving the land. Erecting a log house for the abode of his family, he worked with a will, hewing timber, tilling the soil, harvesting the grain, and doing the work incident to life upon a farm. As the years went by, he was rewarded for his labors, and at the time of his death his homestead was one of the best in McDonald Township.
The life which this narrative sketches began in 1791, more than one hundred years ago. His long life was spent entirely in Ohio, and there were few who witnessed as much of its growthi . as did he. His father, John Hites, Sr., owned a farın near Mansfield, and there he passed the years of youth, his time being devoted closely to agricultural pursuits, with the exception of the period of his service in the War of 1812. At the age of twenty-four he began for himself, and at first worked on a farm by the month, but later, tliroughi economy and perseverance, was enabled to cultivate a farm of his own.
It was in 1856 that Mr. Hites removed to Har-
din County, and purchased sixty-two acres of land in McDonald Township. The property was heavily timbered and destitute of improvements, but under liis supervision it became one of the most valuable farms of that locality. He was twice married, and by his first union had seven children, three of whom are living. In 1840 he was united with Miss Margaret Hubbard, who was born in Ohio in 1813, and by whom he had two children. Benjamin, who is living on the home farin, was born August 10, 1842, on the old farm, and October 28, 1868, married Mar- garet A. McGinnis; they have three children, Jean- nette, Saralı E. and Thomas P. Emanuel was born May 20, 1844; he married Isabel Recd, by whom he has four children, namely: Mary, John, Eveline and Margaret. Mrs. Hites is beloved by all who know her, and is in excellent health for one of her years.
The religious convictions of Mr. Hites were with the Lutheran Church, and he was a devoted adherent of that faith. After the organization of the Republican party he identified himself with that organization, which he supported until death. He passed from earth in 1877, and was buried in Roundhead Cemetery. In all public enterprises he was a leader, and was held in high regard by his fellow-men for his energetic manage- ment of his affairs, his progressive ideas regard- ing agriculture, and the honorable way in which he carried on business.
A. WOLFORD. The pleasant and progress- ive little city of Marion has among its citi- zens many who might perhaps be called self- inade, but among them all none is more deserv- ing of the adjective than the gentleman with whose name we introduce this sketch. Not only did he start in the race of life handicapped by -
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poverty, but he was still more burdened by the lack of an education. Against these lieavy odds, however, he has triumphed, and stands to-day an example of what a man may accomplish if he be possessed of intelligence, strong common sense, and a fixed ambition.to fill a better place in life than the niche which fate at first seemed to have intended for him.
Though born in this country, J. A. Wolford is of German descent. His father, John Wolford, was born in the Fatherland, in the picturesque old fortified town of Wittenberg, where he lived until reaching his twelfth year. Then, his par- ents deciding to emigrate to America, he accom- panied tlen !. The lot of the family after their arrival in this country was one of many trials and hardships, the country being new, the necessities of life dear, and their ignorance of the customs and language of the strange land acting as a bar- rier to their speedy prosperity. John Wolford shared his parents' lot, and at his death, when our subject was quite young, left his son heir to little or nothing. He had married Miss Louisa R. Gephart, who came of the sturdy Dutch stock of Pennsylvania, whose characteristics of energy and self-reliance her son seems to have inherited in no small degree. After her husband's death she married again, this union being with a broth- er of her former husband.
The birth of J. A. Wolford took place on a farm one mile west of Green Camp, in this coun- ty, March 15, 1853, and of his father's marriage he is the only living child. He spent his early life on the farm, doing the drudgery that general- ly falls to the lot of farmers' sons, and receiving up to the age of nineteen years little more educa- tion than most boys of ten or twelve are now pos- sessed of. However, at that age the desire for an education that should better fit him for the duties of life seized him, and by carefully saving his earnings he was able to enter Hillsdale ( Mich.) College. Here by hard work and constant appli- cation to his studies he completed the seven-years classical course in five years and a-half, receiving the degree of A. B. in 1877, and three years later that of A. M. His expenses through college were defrayed by working morning and evening,
sawing wood, running errands, etc., he being, in fact, not too proud to do anything to carry out the desire of his heart. In 1876 he began read- ing law in the office of J. F. McNeal, in Marion, his course of study in college having been selected with a view to carrying on the legal profession. In 1878 he was admitted to the Bar, and in Janu- ary, 1879, he became partner in the office of liis preceptor, under the firm name of McNeal & Wolford. The partnership continued until Jan- uary, 1894, when he withdrew from the firm and opened an office of his own.
The establishment of himself in business on his own account marks an era in Mr. Wolford's life, as from that time on his success was rapid and assured. The self-reliance lie was called upon to exercise in his new capacity developed his facul- ties and put him on his mettle. Case after case came to him, and the zeal and ability with which he conducted them established his reputation not only in Marion, but in the surrounding towns and country as well. Soon the different commercial enterprises and corporations of the town and vicinity began to seek his services, and he has al- ready done more work of this class than some lawyers are called upon to do in the whole course of their careers. The Huber Manufacturing Company, the Marion Steam Shovel Company, the Electric Light Company, the Street Railway Company, the Marion Tool Company, and the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, in all of which concerns he is a stockholder, retain his services as attorney.
November 1, 1877, while still only a law stu- dent, Mr. Wolford was married, his bride being Miss Mary A. Johnston, of Hillsdale, Mich., and a member of the same graduating class as himself from the college of that town. With some women, perhaps, a marriage at such a time, when the fu- ture was by no means sure, might have been a hazardous undertaking, but Mr. Wolford renders his wife the pleasant compliment of saying that she has been the greatest incentive and aid in his work that any man was ever blessed with. A woman of intelligence, gifted with tact and a kindly heart, she has been able to smooth many a difficulty in her husband's path, and win for her-
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self the kindly regard of all who know her. One child has been born of this marriage, a daughter, Hattie May.
Mr. Wolford has been almost too busy a man to take a very active part in the politics of his vicinity, but always casts his vote for the Repub- lican party, and does what he can in a quiet way to further its interests. Knowing so well the necessity of a well managed school system, he has felt it his duty when elected to serve on the Board of Education, and has been a member several terms. The Masonic order is. the only order to which he belongs. In this he was Master of the blue lodge for two years, and he has also been High Priest of the chapter for five years.
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OT I. HATCHER. In the course of his active and useful career Mr. Hatcher earned an enviable reputation as an enterprising agriculturist, considerate friend, efficient citizen and self-reliant man. His pilgrimage on earth cov- ered a period of sixty-six years. His life was filled with good deeds and generous acts, to which his friends now recur with pleasure. He left in the hearts of his family and acquaintances the imper- ishable memory of his good name, more enduring than monuments of marble or brass.
The parents of our subject, James and Sarah (Ray) Hatcher, were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Ohio and were numbered among the earliest settlers of Logan County. With the early history of that part of the state they were closely identified, and there they continued to re- side until death. Their family consisted of eleven children, five of whom survive. Lot I., who was the fifth in order of birth, was a native of Logan County, Ohio, his birth having occurred January 27, 1824. He grew to manhood in Champaign County, and in youth learned the trade of a tan- ner, at which lie was employed in West Liberty for a number of years.
April 29, 1847, Mr. Hatcher married Sarah J. Stevenson, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, December 22, 1830. She is one of twelve chil- dren (seven of whom are living) who comprised tlie family of James and Unity (New ) Stevenson, natives of Virginia. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher, namely: Augusta, born October 23, 1849, deceased; James L., born on the 15th of March, 1852, who died aged thirty- five years; William H., born August 22, 1857, also deceased; Silas A., born September 17, 1859; Mary J., July 22, 1862; Harriet E., April 14, 1865; Florence, May 28, 1867; Daniel Wade, De- ceniber 17, 1869; Clara, April 1, 1872; and Salina, October 25, 1874.
Coming to Hardin County in the fail of 1856, Mr. Hatcher bought two hundred acres in Tay- lor Creek Township, and made his home upon that place about nine months. His next pur- chase consisted of fifty-nine acres of unimproved land, upon which he first built a log cabin of one room. Moving into the house, he at once began the task of clearing the land. As time passed by the value of the place was greatly increased through his energetic and skillful labors. He opened new roads, removed stumps, fertilized the soil, erected suitable buildings, bought modern machinery, divided the land into fields and past- ures of convenient size, and in many other ways improved the place. There he continued to re- side until his death, which occurred August 23, 1890. His body was interred in the cemetery near his home.
The early education of Mr. Hatcher was very limited. His entire attendance at school.did not exceed three months. Yet in spite of disadvant- ages he gained a breadth of information excelled by few of the present day. Politically he advo- cated Republican principles, but never sought nor desired public office. His religious connections were with the Disciples, and he was ever faithful to the doctrines of that organization. Interested in educational advantages, he did all in his power to secure for others the opportunities denied to himself. He aided in organizing schools in his township, and for several years served as School Director.
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