USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 53
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 53
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In 1869 Mr. Edsell married Miss Lydia A. Hatchi, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, and by their union one child was born, the sub- ject of this notice. Mrs. Edsell was a daugliter of T. B. Hatch, who was born in New York State in 1814, and died in Olio in 1883, his occupation throughout his entire active life being that of a farmer. In 1848 he married Miss Eliza J. Sutton, who was born in England, accompanied her par- ents to New Hampshire, and died in Ohio at the age of sixty-four years.
The birth of Harry Edsell, Jr., occurred in Delaware County, Ohio, June 1, 1871. His edu- cation, which was an excellent one, was com- inenced in the common schools of Kenton, and has been supplemented by practical observation of men and things, and thoughtful reading of his- torical and current literature. In boyhood he learned the printer's trade, and from a lowly posi- tion has worked his way upward to success and prosperity. There is no department of the busi- ness with which he is not thoroughly familiar, and liis tact and skill are brought into daily req- uisition in the many details connected with the publication of the paper. As already stated, he assisted in establishing the Kenton Daily News, which has the distinction of being the first suc- cessful daily in Kenton. He is still associated with it as one of the publishers, and is also con- nected with the Graphic Newes, a county weekly.
Mr. Edsell is well known as a member of the Ohio National Guards, and at present holds the rank of Lieutenant of Company I, which he as- sisted in organizing. In his religious belief he is
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a Presbyterian and holds membership with the church of that denomination in Kenton. From boyhood his political preferences have been to- ward the Republican party. As a citizen he ad- vocates, both personally and throughi tlie press, sich enterprises as will most rapidly promote the growth of Kenton, and secure the greatest good to its residents.
ESSE CLAYPOOL, one of the progressive agriculturists of Roundhead Township, Har- din County, is the owner of a rich and arable tract of land, lying on Survey No. 10,300. This contprises two hundred and thirty-eight acres, on which stands a substantial and commodious dwell- ing. During the entire lifetime of our subject he has followed agriculture, and has had good suc- cess in his undertakings.
Mr. Claypool was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 10, 1826, to Jacob and Elizabeth (Logan) Claypool, natives of Bourbon and Ma- son Counties, Ky., respectively. They lived in the Blue Grass State until coming to Ohio, and in 1838 located in Hardin County. The father was a teamster by occupation, and departed this life about 1842. His widow survived him until 1853, when she, too, passed away. Their union resulted in the birth of eleven cliildren, all of whom grew to mature years. Isabella married John Hatfield, and resided in McDonald Township, Hardin County, until hier death; Elizabeth, who was the wife of Joseph Brown, of Hancock County, Ohio, died about twenty-five years ago; Samuel married Mary Tabor, and lives in Iowa; Jesse is our sub- ject; Pliebe is now Mrs. Samuel Poe, of this county ; Jonatlian married Anna Hinkle, and also lives in Iowa; Ann is now Mrs. Courtley Hayes, and makes her home in Indiana; Mary married John W. Hites, and resides in Iowa; Martha be- came the wife of George Borders, and they are residents of McDonald Township; William mar-
ried Mary Wallace, and they live in the Hawkeye State; America became the wife of Bruce Richard- son, and they made their home in Mercer County, Ohio, but both are now deceased.
The father of this family served as a private in the War of 1812. He was a man who had little education, but by an experience of many years as a business man he became well informed. In pol- itics he voted the Democratic ticket. His wife was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
September 25, 1855, Jesse Claypool married Nancy Brees, who was born March 8, 1826, and was the daughter of Robert and Elida (Henry) Brees, of Welsh descent. Of the nine children born of their marriage, three are now living. Robert Brees came to America about 1792 with his father, and was at that time only three years of age. The family first located in Logan Coun- ty, Ohio, near Zanesfield, on sixty acres of land. After living there for seven years, he sold out and bought one hundred and twenty acres in Roundhead Township, this county, and here he lived until his decease, wlicht occurred July 19, 1849. His wife died November 7, 1866, and both were buried in Roundhead Cemetery. They were members in excellent standing of the Uni- ted Presbyterian Church.
To Mr. and Mrs. Claypool were born a son and daughter. Clementina, born May 22, 1857, be- came the wife of Oron Coulter, a farmer of Round- head Township, and by this marriage three chil- dren were born: Jesse Logan, now attending school; Mary, who died at the age of two years; and one who died in infancy. Tlie mother, wlio was a member of tlie United Presbyterian Church, died August 15, 1893. Robert, born March 6, 1863, married Alice Dorring, and lives on the old homestead. Tlieir three cliildren are Bessie, Earl and Jessie.
Jesse Claypool started out ini life at the early age of fourteen years, working in the woods in the winter months and being employed as a farm hand in the summer season. He lived with his widowed motlier until thirty years of age, and in 1859 mnade a purchase of one hundred and eleven acres of land in Roundhead Townsltip, which formis a portion of liis present valuable estate.
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JACOB M. SPONSLER.
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Upon first taking possession of this tract he erect- ed thereon a log cabin 18x22 feet in dimensions, and containing two rooms, which were lighted by three windows. His next work was to clear and prepare the soil for cultivation, and as he pros- pered added to his acreage until his estate aggre- gated two hundred and thirty-eight broad acres. In that early day game was plentiful, and in order to get the grain ground into bread stuffs he was obliged to journey eleven miles. He now makes a specialty of breeding Shorthorn cattle, and is considered one of the best stockmen in the county.
Our subject is mainly self-educated, for, as we have stated, lie began to work out when young to support his mother. He is, however, greatly in- terested in the cause of education, and has been Trustee of his district. He has also held the of- fice of Supervisor, and when the roads in this township were being laid out, proved of great as- sistance. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, and religiously is connected with the United Presby- terian Church. He deserves great praise for the success he has made in life, and is highly regarded by the best citizens of Hardin County.
3 ACOB M. SPONSLER. Few residents of Hardin County were so closely identified with its agricultural interests during a period covering almost a half-century as was the subject of this biographical notice. After a long and honorable life, industriously devoted to his chosen occupation of a farmer, he passed from earth, February 4, 1892, and his remains were laid to rest in the cemetery in Taylor Creek Township.
Born in Cumberland County, Pa., in August, 1812, the subject of this sketch was one of six children comprising the family of David and Eva (Meyers) Sponsler, natives of Pennsylvania, who there remained until death. He was reared to manhood in the Keystone State, and at Carlisle, in the fall of 1836, lie married Margaret Slonaker. This estimable lady was born May 15, 1814, and
is the only surviving member of a family of eiglit children, whose parents, Jacob and Catherine (Shafner) Slonaker, were natives of Chester County, Pa.
Nine children were born to the marriage of Jacob M. and Margaret Sponsler. The eldest, Elsinda, died when forty years old. George W. enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Battery during the Civil War, and while in the service died in St. Louis at the age of twenty-two. Winfield, who served two years in the army during the war, married Rebecca Allen, and resides in Wayne County, Iowa, being engaged in farm pursuits there. Alvin, also a soldier in the war, mar- ried Mollie Johnson, and is a farmer in Taylor Creek Township. Elizabeth is the wife of Albert Foster, a farmer of Lake County, Ind. Alfred, a farmer by occupation, married Johanna Baldwin. Curtis Sponsler, who was born January 10, 1850, chose as his wife Miss Maggie Shinn De Wolf, their union taking place December 31, 1885. Mrs. Sponsler was born April 14, 1866, in Buck Township, Hardin County, and is a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth De Wolf, being one of their nine children, of whom six survive. Myron, a farmer of Paulding County, married Maggie Stevenson, and they have one child. . Horace, the youngest of the family, married Margaret Car- son, and lives upon a farin in McDonald Town- ship, Hardin County.
In the spring of 1844 Mr. Sponsler came to Ohio and settled in Taylor Creek Township, where he bought a lease and at once began the cultiva- tion of a farm. One year later he purchased six- ty-two acres of unimproved land, for which he paid $12 per acre, and which is now included in the family homestead. He participated in all the labors incident to clearing and cultivating farin property, and cleared about three hundred acres altogether. His undertakings were prospered, and at the time of his death lie was the owner of one thousand acres situated in Hardin and Pauld- ing Counties, all of the land being very valuable.
Always interested in religious matters, Mr. Sponsler was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a contributor to its good works. His influence was always given to the
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cause of Prohibition and against the evils that threaten our country to-day. He was a member of the first Board of School Directors in the town- ship, and assisted in opening the roads in this lo- cality. For a time he held the position of Trus- tee. His education was gained rather by ex- perience than actual training in schools, and he was well informed. In early days he taught in a log schoolhouse. The seventy-nine years allot- ted to him in this world were busily and happily spent, and he passed away honored and beloved by all with whom he had been brought in contact.
HOMAS J. McMURRAY. This promi- nent citizen of Marion, whose honored name appears at the head of this sketch, is senior member of the world-renowned firm of McMur- ray & Fisher, manufacturers of a high grade of sulkies. He was born in Steubenville, this state, March 2, 1841, and there the first sixteen years of his life were spent. His education in the mean time had been conducted in the public schools, and when, at the age of seventeen years, he started out to make his own way in the world, we find him journeying to Wooster, this state. He at once apprenticed himself to a carriage-manufact- urer, with the intention of learning the trade of carriage painting, and was there employed at the outbreak of the late war.
In response to the call for more volunteers, our subject enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Second Ohio Infantry, August 6, 1862, and for three years served with his regiment in the Army of the Cumberland. During this time he suffered hardships and privations which all the soldiers were called upon to endure, and on his return home after his honorable discharge continued to work at his trade for one year.
In 1865 Mr. McMurray came to Marion, and, in company with R. S. Moore, purchased a small carriage-shop, in which they carried on business
until their room was destroyed by fire two years later. On rebuilding, his brother J. W. became interested with him in the business, and in 1871 W. B. Fisher was taken in as a member of the firm. They then commenced the manufacture of the famous McMurray & Fisher Sulky, which is now in use in every civilized country on the globe, and which has made their name a household word among horsemen in other countries as well as the United States. Thus out of the small be- ginning in 1866 has grown the largest sulky works in the world. Their marvelous success is due in a great measure to the push and energy of the senior member, who from the first has been un- tiring in his efforts to build up the business. In 1890 it was incorporated, under the name of the McMurray & Fisher Sulky Company, with a cap- ital of $100,000. The officers are T. J. McMur- ray, President; W. B. Fisher, Vice-President; and George McMurray, Secretary and Treasurer.
Aside from this extensive business our subject is interested in many other enterprises in Marion, among them being the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank, of which he is one of the Directors, and the ice company, whose plant is located here. As one might expect, he is a very busy man and one of the popular and influential citizens of this place. He has been a member of the City Coun- cil and is at present a Director in the Marion Building and Loan Association.
Religiously Mr. McMurray is regarded as one of the valued members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, and is a Trustee of the Young Men's Christian Association. During the building of their fine new quarters he served on the building committee, and his knowledge in this direction proved of great benefit to those who had the building in charge. Mr. McMurray is an Odd Fellow in good standing, belonging to Lodge No. 57 at Marion, and in politics is a stanch Democrat.
The lady to whom our subject was married in 1867 was Miss Ella Randall, of Marion. She de- parted this life in 1890, leaving two sons: George, now Secretary and Treasurer of the sulky com- pany; and Charles, who is employed in the factory. In 1891 Mr. McMurray was married to Eva Barn- hart, a sister of the late H. M. Barnhart. They
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have one son, Thomas. Our subject has a com- modious residence in the city, pleasantly located 011 East Church Street, and also has a beautiful winter home in Daytona, Fla.
OBERT SLOAN. Among those who were active in developing the agricultural resour- ces of Hardin County, and who materially promoted its rise and progress, may be mentioned Robert Sloan, a pioneer of Taylor Creek Town- ship. Through his energy and perseverance he became the owner of a valuable farm in this township. By years of application to his cliosen calling and by much arduous labor he gained a solid financial footing and was enabled to sur- round his family with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.
A native of Ireland, our subject was the son of John and Sarah Sloan, the former born in 1772, and the latter March 20, 1786. They came to America in an early day, and settled in Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, where they continued to make their home until death. The mother died August 20, 1841, and the father April 26, 1866, and both were buried in the ceme- tery in this township. Their family consisted of nine children, of whom three are living.
By his marriage with Miss Jane E. Shaw, the subject of this sketch became the father of three children, namely: Mary B., who was born in April, 1862; George Howard, born in Taylor Creek Township, December 1, 1865; and Rose E., born June 14, 1868, now the wife of William E. Mansfield, of Columbus, Ohio, and the mother of one child. Politically our subject was firm in his allegiance to the Republican party. In relig- ious belief lie adhered to the doctrines of tlie United Presbyterian Churchi. His life occupa- tion was that of a farmer, in which he met with commendable success.
George Howard, son of our subject, grew to manhood in Taylor Creek Township, and con-
ducted his studies in the Normal University at Ada, Olio, from which he graduated on the 20thi of February, 1886. He was united in marriage at Bellefontaine, Ohio, on Christmas Day of 1890, with Miss Anna C. Beatty, who was born May 21, 1863. Her parents, Elias and Elizabeth ( Mc Cracken) Beatty, were natives of Ohio, and had a family of nine children, namely: James C., who married Cordelia Oakey, and lives in Bellefon- taine; Mrs. Sloan; Stephen C., who married Jen- nie Ward, and lived in Topeka, Kan., until his death in 1891; Ora, who married Jane Beatty, and resides in Urbana, Ohio; Roy: E .; Elmer, a resident of Bloomington, Ill .; Charles, Mary L. and Ethial.
In 1887 George H. Sloan took charge of the old homestead, and liere he has since resided, en- gaged in the raising of cereals and stock. On his place may be found a large number of horses, as well as other stock of good grade. His attention has been given to his private affairs to the exclu- sion of public matters, and he has never desired to serve in any official capacity. He is well in- formed, however, in regard to the questions of the age, and politically gives his support to the Republican party. As did his father, he supports the doctrines of the United Presbyterian Church. As an agriculturist lie is energetic and industri- ous, and will undoubtedly achieve an increasing success in future years.
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M ARRIAN M. KINDLE is engaged in oper- ating the farm of J. L. Stemple, which is pleasantly located on section 18, Liberty Township, Hardin County, and under liis effici- ent management it is made to yield a handsome income to its owner each year.
Mr. Kindle was born in Auglaize County, this state, August 14. 1865, and is the son of John and Elma ( Derry ) Kindle, whose marriage oc- curred in Hardin County about 1860. The pa- ternal grandparents were Jolin and Elizabethi
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Kindle. Elma Derry was born in Perry County, and was the daughter of James and Nancy Derry.
The father of our subject spent his entire life in farming in Hardin and Auglaize Counties, with the exception of the time spent in defense of his country. He enlisted in 1861 in Company B, Forty-fifth Ohio Infantry, under the command of Colonel Bliss, and served his country faithfully and well for three years and six months. He was present at the battle of Shiloh, which was the only conflict which he witnessed. For one year he was in attendance at a hospital, then held the position of cook for a year, and later was on guard duty around headquarters. He suffered untold hardships during those three years, and as a con- sequence has now lost the use of his right arm from rheumatismi caused by exposure while on the battlefield.
Our subject was reared in Auglaize County and attended school at New Hampshire until eighteen years of age. Three years later he began in life for himself, his first work being to haul logs for James Moore. Four months later he returned to the old homestead and lived there for the two years following, when he hired out to John Stem- ple, of Allen County. His next employment was in the oil refinery at Lima, but after eighteen months there he engaged to work in a quarry five miles from that city. Nine months later young Kindle returned home, and for two years hired out to his father, aiding in carrying on the home place.
In April, 1894, Mr. Kindle moved upon his present place, operating the farm for J. L. Stem- ple, whose home is in Allen County. The lady to whom our subject was married in I8SS was Miss Emma Morris, the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Basle) Morris. Her parents were united in marriage in Auglaize County in 1870. Her father, who was born in Shelby County about 1848, was in the Union service for six months during the Civil War. He was in turn the son of Moffit Morris, whose birth occurred in Aug- laize County in 1802. Although advanced in years, he is still living, making his home in Shel- by County. Mary Basle was born in Lima, Ohio, in 1849, and was the daughter of Josepli Basle, a
native of Ohio: She became the mother of nine children, namely: Emma, Gertrude, Elizabeth, Alice, Edna, Martha, Stella, Harley and one wlio died unnamed.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kindle there has been grant- ed a family of three children, Bertha, Lonis and Ralph. In politics our subject is a stanch Re- publican and greatly interested in the success of his party. He is greatly respected in his neigli- borhood as a peaceable, law-abiding citizen and a practical farmer.
OHN CAMPBELL, deceased, was for nearly a quarter of a century numbered among the enterprising farmers of Taylor Creek Town- ship, as in 1871 he became the owner of one hun- dred and sixty-eight acres here. The tract was covered with heavy timber, and no improvements had been made on the place. It now bears little resemblance to its former condition, as seventy- five acres have been cleared and many substantial buildings, fences, etc., have greatly increased its value.
Mr. Campbell was born in 1826, in Ireland, be- ing one of nine children (three still living) born to John and Jane (Young) Campbell. The famn- ily crossed the Atlantic in a sailing-vessel in 1828, and on arriving in the Empire State went to live in Rochester, where the parents passed the re- mainder of their lives. The father, a cooper by: trade, was a very successful and hard-working man, providing well for his family, and was re- spected by all who knew him. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and contributed liberally of their means to the support of worthy charities. Our subject learned the cooper's trade with his father, and re- ceived the advantages of a very good general ed- ucation. In 1840 his father bought four hundred acres of land in Logan County, and the same* year John Campbell, Jr., went out to look after this property.
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
The union of Mr. Campbell and Mary A. Lo- gan was celebrated in York, Livingston County, N. Y., May 27, 1852, and soon after that event the young couple took up their residence in Huntsville, Logan County. There they contin- ued to dwell for the next twelve years, during which time Mr. Campbell worked . industriously at his trade, being in partnership with one of liis brothers. Mrs. Campbell was born September 29, 1832, in Ireland, and was a daughter of James and Mary (McNeil) Logan. They came to the New World in 1847, and for a few years Mr. Lo- gan rented a farmi near York, N. Y., and subse- quently bought a good place, which he cultivated until his death. His eldest son, Thomas, mar- ried Catherine Logan, and is a resident of Logan County, Ohio; James, the next younger, formerly a resident of the Empire State, married Eliza J. Gray, and both are now deceased; Margaret, the wife of Frank Shannon, resides in Peoria, N. Y .; Agnes, Mrs. John Montgomery, lives in Roches- ter, N. Y .; William, who married Isabella Mc- Cracken, died in York, N. V .; and Rachael, the youngest of the family, lives in Rochester, N. V.
Eleven children graced the union of John Campbell and his wife. James Thomas, born on the 16th of July, 1853, has always lived at home; John A., born April 8, 1856, mar- ried Mamie Wanamaker, of Ada, who was born in April, 1869; William A., born April 13, 1858, married Maggie King, and lives in Ken- ton; Mary J., born March 1, 1860, died in Sep- tember, 1882; Emerson S., born April 29, 1862, died in 1872; Edwin, born November 28, 1864, married Carrie V. Baldwin, and lives at Benton Ridge, . Ohio; Franklin, born September 20, 1866, died at the age of sixteen years; Rebecca and Ida, twins, born July 13, 1868, are both de- ceased; Corina A., born January 19, 1871, died in infancy; and Charles H., whose birth occurred February 5, 1875, died when in his fourth year.
In August, 1862, Mr. Campbell enlisted at Huntsville in Company I, Ninety-sixth Ohio In- fantry, and was made a Corporal. He was sent first to Cincinnati, thence to Covington and through Kentucky, taking part in several battles and skirmishies. Near Jackson, Miss., he re-
ceived a sunstroke and was in the hospital for some time. Afterward he had pneumonia, from the effects of which lie came very near dying. Near New Orleans he was shot through both thighs, and was taken to the hospital in the Cres- cent City and in April, 1864, was discharged for disability and returned home. For nearly a year he was unable to engage in any active work, his health being in a very shattered condition. He later tried to work at his trade, but being obliged to give it up, moved to a farm near Kenton, where lie made liis home for six years, and in 1871 settled in this township. In politics he was always identified with the Republican party.
B ENTON K. JONES, M. D., is one of the most prominent physicians of this section, and is at present living in Kenton. He was born near Dunkirk, in Blanchard Township, this county, March 2, 1858. His father, John M. Jones, is also a native of this state, his birth oc- curring in Knox County in the year 1832. He is now living in confort on a fine farm located be- tween Dunkirk and Forest. His father, the grandfather of our subject, bore the name of John Jones, and his birth occurred in Pennsylvania in 1800. He came to this state with his parents when a boy, and, locating on unimproved farming land, was there reared to man's estate.
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