USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 55
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 55
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Mr. Simpson was married, March 19, 1895, to Miss Maud E., daughter of Capt. C. B. Gib- son, an old and well known resident of Kenton. In politics our subject is a true-blue Republican, and socially is a Mason of high standing.
AMUEL PFEIFFER. The family of which this gentleman is an honored representative has been long and intimately associated with the history of Hardin County, and has been es- pecially prominent in its agricultural affairs. The "family history is given in full upon another page of this volume, in the biographical sketch of Jolin George Pfeiffer, his father.
The farm owned and operated by our subject is situated on section 28, Goshen Township, and consists of two hundred and twenty-four acres of valuable land. A portion of his present posses- sions was given him by his father, while the re- mainder has been secured through his personal exertions. Good buildings have been erected upon the place, substantial fences liave been built dividing the farm into fields of convenient size, and modern machinery has been introduced. In addition to the raising of cereals, he has engaged
to some extent in the breeding of fine stock, and owns a number of thoroughbred Clydesdale mares, graded Norman horses, thoroughbred Shorthorn cattle and Poland-China hogs. He also has a thoroughbred Clydesdale stallion.
A native of Goshen Township, Mr. Pfeiffer was born June 1, 1850. In this locality his child- hood years were uneventfully passed, his time be- ing alternated between attendance at school and work on the farm. Early trained to agricultural pursuits, he chose farming for his life work, and to this his entire attention has been given. Upon attaining his majority he leased a tract of land from his father, and engaged in its cultivation for a short time. He then went to Keokuk County, Iowa, partly for the purpose of selecting a desira- ble location, and remained there from the fall of 1871 until the spring of 1872, meantime working on a farm for his uncle. However, he soon re- turned to Ohio, content to establish his perma- nent home here. For four years he rented a por- tion of his father's farm, after which he bought forty acres and his father gave him an additional tract of one hundred and four acres. Since then he has bought eighty acres, making altogether two hundred and twenty-four acres. *
February 28, 1878, occurred the marriage of Mr. Pfeiffer and Miss Laura Ann Coats, a native of Hardin County, and a daughter of Joseph R. and Rebecca J. (Cross) Coats, well known resi- dents of Goshen Township. Eight children were born unto our subject and his wife, namely: Ul- rich J., now a student in the high school of Ken- ton; Frederick E .; Michael G .; Lillie Jane; Callie M., who died at the age of three years; Maggie L .; Fronie and Millie M. The surviving children make their home with their parents, under whose supervision they are being trained for useful posi- tions in the social and business world. They have been given excellent educational advant- ages, and are bright and intelligent.
In national affairs Mr. Pfeiffer is a Democrat, but in local matters exercises his franchise in favor of those candidates whom he believes will best represent the people, irrespective of party ties. His fellow-citizens have frequently chosen him to occupy positions of trust and responsibil-
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RESIDENCE AND STOCK FARM OF SAMUEL PFEIFFER, SECTION 28, GOSHEN TOWNSHIP, HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO.
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ity, and lie has been Assessor, also Trustee for three terms. He is interested in educational mat- ters, and during his service of eight years as a member of the School Board has been. instrumen- tal in advancing the interests of the schools of the district. Socially he is. connected with the Grange. Though not a member of any denomi- nation, he recognizes the truthis of the Gospel and aids the churches by his contributions.
AMES BASTABLE, a successful financier and business man of Ada, Hardin County, occupies the responsible position of Cashier in the Ada Savings Bank. For over two decades he has been numbered among the leading citizens of the village, and in any enterprise or public im- provement under consideration he is confidently relied upon to assist in every way possible.
- Thomas, father of James Bastable, was a na- tive of County Kerry, Ireland. When he arrived at mature years he came to America and followed his trade, that of shoemaking, in Philadelphia and Cincinnati. Subsequently, going to Craw- fordsville, Ind., he ran a grocery for several years. His death took place in Ada in 1875. His good wife, formerly Ellen Glen, is a native of the Em- erald Isle, having been born in County Galway, and is now a resident of this town.
Mr. Bastable of this sketchi was born in Craw- fordsville, Ind., January 17, 1852. At the time of the family's removal to Ada he was but six years of age, and for a few years thereafter he at- tended the local schools to some extent. When he was in his sixteenth year he began learning telegraphy, to which he devoted himself up to 1873. The enterprising young man then decided to embark in business for himself, and opened a hardware store. From the start he met withi suc- cess, and ere long accumulated a large fortune.
In 1893 the old Ada Bank failed, and Mr. Bas- table became much interested in the formation of
a new and more reliable one in its stead. Through "his efforts the present institution was organized, and on account of Mr. Bastable's being at the head of the concern it found favor with the pub- lic at once. The advance in the esteem of the citizens has since been steady and marked, for it is known that every transaction of the bank is strictly business-like and open to tlie scrutiny of all. Mr. Bastable still retains his interest in his extensive hardware business, of which he has been the mainspring for many years.
May 11, 1883, Mr. Bastable married Harriet P., daughter of H. P. Gage, of Findlay, this state, and niece of the late General Robinson. Our subject and his wife have no children of their own, but have taken into their hearts and home a niece and a nephew, whom they are bringing up. They are named, respectively, Margaret and James.
His right of franchise Mr. Bastable uses in favor of the Democratic party. He is open- hearted and liberal toward those in need of help, and is a friend to the cause of education.
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VAN McDOWELL JACKSON, who for over a quarter of a century was one of the influential farmers of Hardin County, is now living in Ada, retired from active work of any kind. He was born near Flemingsburg, Fleming County, Ky., April 9, 1828, and is the son of Thomas and Nancy . (Jackson) Jackson, who were married near Flemingsburg about 1825. The father's birth occurred in Virginia, probably in Buckingham County, February 23, 1784. His fatlier, who also bore the name of Thomas, moved from Virginia, which was also his native state, to Kentucky, when his son, the father of our sub- ject, was a child, making a location in Fleming County, on the banks of a creek of that name,
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and there residing until his death, which occurred in 1842. He followed the vocation of a farmer in both the Old Dominion and Kentucky. He was married twice, his first union being with a Miss Ross, who became the mother of Thomas, Jr., and on her death lie chose for his wife Polly Porter.
The father of our subject was reared and mar- ried in Fleming County, where all of his sons and daughters were born, and died there in 1848 or 1849. He had two brothers who were with Hull on his campaign in Ohio. On one occasion, their provisions giving out, they were nearly starved to death, and when help arrived one of them ate too much and died a few hours later.
Nancy Jackson was the daughter of James and Polly Ann (McCall) Jackson. She and her twin sister Betsy were the only children born to her parents. They were Virginians and emigrated from that state to Kentucky at the same time as did Thomas Jackson, Sr. The trip was made down the Ohio River in a canoe, which was quite a popular way of traveling in the early days. The mother of our subject, who was born in Fleming County, Ky., October 5, 1810, there married and reared her family. She died in 1840, after having become the mother of ten chil- dren, all of whom lived to mature years with one exception, and eight are married. Evan and Amanda, the latter of whom is now Mrs. Harris and lives in Ada, were the only members of the household to come to Ohio. James B. and Sam- uel died in Kentucky in the years 1894 and 1892, respectively. Elizabeth and Minerva still make their home in Kentucky.
Our subject was reared on the old home place in the Blue Grass State, and obtained his educa- tion in the subscription schools of that section. The one which he attended was held in an old meeting-house and was three miles distant from his home, thus giving the lad plenty of exercise each day. His mother died when he was twelve years old, and from that age he has made his own way in the world. The family were scat- tered after this until the father married a second time, when Evan returned home, although he still earned his own money. After the decease of
his father, he continued to work in the neighbor- hood and lived with his stepmother until her demise.
About 1853 young Jackson went to Logan County, Ohio, and remained in that section for several years, making it a practice, however, to return to his native state at least once a year in order to visit his relatives. On one of these trips he made the entire journey on horseback, a dis- tance of three hundred miles. The first train of cars which he remembers seeing was in 1852, when he was in the city of Cincinnati.
Mr. Jackson was married at Bellefontaine, this state, in 1855, to Miss Delia Ann Sutton, and for a wedding trip the young couple went to Ken- tucky, journeying overland in a buggy. In No- vember, of that year, they commenced housekeep- ing on section 36, on a forty-acre tract of land, on which had been erected a little log cabin and barn. A few apple trees had recently been set out, and one acre of the place was cleared. The family lived in this rude structure until the forty acres were thoroughly tilled, when they were enabled to occupy more commodious and com- fortable quarters. Mr. Jackson afterward added ten acres to his place, and some years later pur- chased another tract of forty acres. It is all splendidly improved, and on this place our sub- ject lived for twenty-five years. In December, 1878, he moved with his family into Ada, where he had built a nice home in the southern portion of the city.
Mrs. Jackson was born in Logan County, this state, in Rush Creek Township, November 19, 1830. She was the daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca (Johnson) Sutton, who were born in Fleming County, Ky., in 1793, and were there married about 1813. The former was the son of George Sutton, a native of New Jersey, whence he removed to Kentucky, where he was the owner of a large plantation. He made his home in that state after the close of the Revolu- tionary War, in which conflict he fought. He was a wealthy man, and stood high in the regard of all who knew him.
When the parents of Mrs. Jackson removed from their native state to Ohio, the trip was made
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on horseback, the mother carrying in her arms a babe eighteen months old. She was the dangh- ter of Peter and Deborah (Reed) Johnson. Her father was a native of New Jersey, and when ready to embark in life for himself, gathered to- gether his wardrobe, which he tied up in a red bandanna, and with twenty-five cents in money started forth to make his own way in the world. He succeeded in almost everything he undertook, and while in Kentucky was the owner of a large plantation and a number of slaves. He served as a soldier in the War of. 1812, and departed this life in October, 1333. He reared a family of one son and five daughters. They were in order of their birth : Rebecca, Lydia, Anna, Fannie, Delia and John.
To Jonathan and Rebecca Sutton there were born four sons and five daughters. Of these, Peter was the eldest, then came Walter Warder, William Harvey, George Reed, Elizabeth Deb- orah, Melinda Jane, Lydia Ann, Delia Ann and Melita Jane. Peter died in De Witt County, Ill., in 1885, aged seventy-two years; Walter W. de- parted this life in Logan County, Ohio, in Octo- ber, 1879, at the age of sixty-four years; Will- iam H. died when a child; George R. is a resi- dent of Washington Township, Hardin County, and is now seventy-three years of age; Elizabeth is the widow of L. D. Musselman, and makes her home in Logan County; Melita is the widow of Martin McAdams, and her home is also in the above county; Lydia is the widow of Winfield Rudesill, of Logan County; and Melinda J. is the wife of Samuel Dickinson, whose home is in Ada.
Jonathan Sutton moved to Ohio about 1825, settling first in Logan County, in which section his father-in-law had preceded him and entered land for all his daughters. There the father of Mrs. Jackson built a sawmill on the banks of Rush Creek, and at the time of his decease it was in a very flourishing condition. His son then took charge of the mill, and also aided his mother in the management of the estate.
Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have never had children of their own, but have taken to their hearts and home three young people. They are Frank and Jennie Schreider and Clyde McElroy. The first-
named is now living in Anderson, Ind., where he is engaged as a carpenter; Jennie married Harvey McElroy, and makes her home near Ada; and Clyde, who now bears the name of Jackson, has lived with this worthy couple since two years of age.
Our subject and his wife have been members of the Christian Church for the past forty-two years. In politics the former is a Republican, and on this ticket was elected to the City Coun- cil of Ada, serving for a number of years. He has been School Director for over a quarter of a century, and is greatly interested in the cause of education. When living in Kentucky he was one of the Sons of Temperance, but of late years has not kept up his membership.
INFIELD S. WELLS, M. D., a talented and successful young physician of Marion, is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in Greencastle, Franklin County, November 7, 1861. His father, Elden Wells, was a native of the same state and county, and came to Ohio aft- er the Civil War, in which conflict he served as a soldier. The date of his settlement here was 1865. He made his home in Tiffin for a year, and then went to Fostoria, near which city lie owned large tracts of land. He is now living in that place, where he has been honored with many positions of honor and trust.
John Wells, grandfather of our subject, was a native of the North of Ireland, but on the re- moval of the family to the United States came with them, remaining at home while his father fought in the War of 1812. The mother of Dr. Wells of this sketch was Susan B. Gossert before her marriage. She, too, was born in the Key- stone State, and was descended from a royal French family. She had but one brother, Samuel D., a prominent newspaper man of Morrison, Whiteside County, Il1.
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The original of this sketchi was about four years of age at the time the family came to Olio, therefore lie remembers very little of life in Penn- sylvania. He has been a great student all liis life, and when twenty years of age was graduated from Fostoria Academy. He later attended the normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., after which he taught school in Hammansburg, Wood Coun- ty, this state, for a year. He followed this voca- tion in various districts of that county, and in this way acquired the means to enable him to perfect his medical education. In 1888 he became a student in the Western Reserve Medical Col- lege of Cleveland, where he attended two courses of lectures, and afterward attended lectures at Rush Medical College of the World's Fair City, from which he was graduated March 25, 1890.
" When ready to commence the practice of his profession, Dr. Wells located at Bowling Green, this state, but remained there only a short time when inducements were offered him to remove to Fostoria. This he did, and until January, 1892, had a large practice in that city. That year and month he came to Marion, where he at once took a place in the front rank of professional men. He is a man universally respected and honored, and by his professional skill, excellent judgment and courteous bearing has won the confidence of a large circle of friends and well-wishers. The Doctor belongs to the Ohio Medical Society, tlie Marion County Medical Society (of which he was for two years Treasurer) and the North Central Ohio Medical Society. Socially he is a Knight of Pythias, and belongs to the Order of Foresters, the Sons of Veterans and the Tribe of Ben Hur.
October 10, 1891, Dr. Wells was married to Miss Anna E. Swank, who was born near Youngs- town, Ohio, and is the daughter of Stephen L. Swank, formerly a prominent business man of ยท Niles, Ohio, but now deceased. He was of Ger- man extraction, and came to Ohio from Pennsyl- vania many years ago. The mother of Mrs. Wells, Susan (Biekley) Swank, was born in this state, and died about six years ago. Mrs. Wells is a finely educated lady, and for several years prior to her marriage taught school. She has one brother and one sister. Delama lives in Fremont,
and Emma, widow of A. F. Kiser, makes her home in Fostoria. Dr. and Mrs. Wells are meni- bers of the Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church of this city. Politically the Doctor is a Repub- lican.
ILLIAM H. COONEY, who is regarded as one of the practical and substantial farmers of Marion Township, Hardin County, is the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land lying on section 2. He is a native of Champaign County, this state, his parents being Asa and Nancy Ann (McCauley) Cooney, who were married in Union County, Ohio, in the spring of 1825.
Asa Cooney was born in 1795, in Fairfax Coun- ty, Va., and moved many years later to Ohio, first settling in Ross County. He afterward took up his abode in Champaign County, where his children were born. In the fall of 1841, how- ever, he purchased eighty acres in Marion Town- ship, this county, lying on section 12, and on this he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred October 9, 1876. As this was all the property lie ever acquired, the success which has attended his sons and daughters has been the re- sult of their own efforts.
The original of this sketch was born in Union Township, Champaign County, Ohio, June II, 1838. He obtained his education in the schools of Marion Township, Hardin County, attending until twenty years of age. After this he engaged in farming with his father for several years, and then made his first purchase of land, whichi con- sisted of a tract of sixty acres in Liberty Town- ship. This farm he worked for about three years, when, having received a good offer for it, he sold out and became the owner of one hundred and twenty acres, a part of liis present homestead. To this he has since added forty acres, and has improved the whole in such a manner as to make of it one of the most productive estates in the county. He located on this farm in 1870, and
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JAMES IRVINE.
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
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may therefore be regarded as one of the old and worthy residents of Marion Township, in whose progress and development he has been greatly interested. .
Mr. Cooney was married, February 22, 1866, at Kenton, to Mrs. Mary Emmons, who was born near Huntersville, in Marion Township. She was the daughter of James and Susan (Matthews) Nelson, both of whom were natives of this state. They became the parents of three children. Mun- geon, who married Leonora Lamphrey, is a resi- dent of Washington Township, this county; Verda Belle dicd at the age of two years; and Nelson lives with his father. The wife and mother passed away November 13, 1874.
On the 6th of May, 1876, Mr. Cooney chose for his second companion Miss Ellen Gordon, whose birth occurred at Huntersville, November 29, 1853. She was the daughter of George and Mary Ann (Gray) Gordon, whose marriage oc- curred at Kenton, August 28, 1850. They be- came the parents of four children, Ellen, Will- iam, Mary and Clarissa. To Mr. and Mrs. Cooney there have been born two children, Metel- lus and Milly.
Mrs. Cooney is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Huntersville. In politics our subject is a Democrat, having voted that ticket since reaching his majority. Although elected to the office of Township Trustee, he re- fused to qualify. During the late war he was a soldier in the ranks of the Union army, serving for one year.
AMES IRVINE. Marion County is a rich agricultural center, and the men who con- duct its farming interests are enterprising, self-reliant and shrewd business men. Among these Mr. Irving occupies an influential position, being the owner of a finely improved estate on section 33, Salt Rock Township. He is a native
of Ireland, and was born in County Donegal, De- cember 29, 1847, being the next to the eldest in a family that consisted of six sons and five daugh- ters.
The father of our subject, David Irvine, was . a mechanic, which trade he followed until his cmigration to America in 1850. He settled upon a farm in Washington County, Pa., whence six years later he removed to Brooke County, W. Va., and in 1865 came to Marion County, Ohio, where his death occurred at the age of about sixty years. In his political views he was a Republican, and in matters of public import was fearless in his ex- pression of his opinion. His wife, who bore thie maiden name of Catherine Wilson, died in this county at the age of sixty-four. They were de- voted members of the Presbyterian Church, and a worthy couple, generous in assisting thie needy, and esteemed by their associates.
Of the parental family, John, the cldest, is a farmer in Wayne County, Ill. The others are: James; Catherine, who lives in Marion County; Mathew, who died in infancy; William, a retired farmer, residing in Marion, Ohio; Eliza W., who makes her home in Logan County, this state; Richard V .; Wilson P .; Sarah Jane, who died in girlhood; and Mary J., who is unmarried. Our subject was a small child when his parents brought him to America, and he grew to man- hood in this country, being trained to farm pur- suits. After the death of his father he remained with his mother and the other members of the household for a number of years, practically managing the estate until 1889, when it was di- vided. Since that time he has continued thie oc- cupation with which he is most familiar, and has made a success, not only of general farin work, but also of the stock business, being the most ex- tensive shipper of stock in this part of the state.
As every public-spirited citizen should, Mr. Irvine takes an intelligent interest in matters per- taining to the public welfare, and in his political affiliations gives his sympathy and active co-oper- ation to the Republican party. His fellow-citi- zens, appreciating his fitness for offices of trust, have selected him to officiate as Township Trus- tee, but with that exception he has declined pub-
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lic positions, preferring to devote his attention to his private interests.
At different times Mr. Irvine has owned sev- eral hundred acres of land in Marion County, but he has sold the larger part of his farin possessions, and now owns some valuable real estate in Find- lay, Ohio. His prosperity is certainly well merit. ed, for on commencing for himself he had little capital, but through energy and the exercise of good business judgment he has become well-to- do. He gives his aid to all public measures hav- ing for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people, and may be relied upon to give his influence in behalf of all that is true, uplifting and beneficial.
M ATTHEW MCKINSTRY, whose death oc- curred February 11, 1888, was one of the leading citizens of Tully Township, Marion County. He was a man of great public spirit, taking a commendable interest in the development of this county, and in all worthy enterprises tend- ing toward its advancement. In educational mat- ters his voice was ever to be heard in favor of in- creased facilities and opportunities for the young. For years he was one of the reliable and earnest workers in the Presbyterian Church, and, above all, he was a Christian of most exemplary char- acter.
The birth of this worthy old pioneer took place June 19, 1815, in Washington County, Pa. His boy hood was passed quietly on his father's farm, and about 1834 he emigrated with the family to Ohio. His father, John Mckinstry by name, purchased two hundred and forty acres of second- hand land in Tully Township, Marion County. Only a few acres had been broken, and a log cabin was about the only improvement which had been made. Young Matthew's services were of great assistance to his father in the improvement of liis farm, and he remained with his parents until they were called to the better land.
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