USA > Ohio > Hardin County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 8
USA > Ohio > Marion County > Portrait and biographical record of Marion and Hardin counties, Ohio > Part 8
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LUTHER M. STRONG.
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BIOGRAPHICAL
UTHER M. STRONG, M. C., was born near Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, June 23, 1838. He is a son of Jesse and Sarah (Myers) Strong, both natives of Frederick Coun- ty, Md. His father came to Ohio first in 1814, but returned after a time to his native state, where, in 1827, he was married to Miss Saralı A. Myers. In 1830 he emigrated to Ohio and set- tled in the then forest of Seneca County, where he remained until his death, in 1876.
The subject of this sketch spent his youth upon his father's farm, depending upon the common schools and an academy for his education. At the age of nineteen he became a teacher during the winter months and a student at the academy during the spring and fall terms. At the break- ing out of the Rebellion he left his school and raised Company G, of the Forty-ninth Ohio In- fantry, of which he became Captain. About the Ist of September, 1861, the regiment proceeded to Kentucky, and was among the first to report for duty in that state. This regiment, with a few other troops, became the nucleus of what was afterward the Army of the Cumberland. Cap- tain Strong remained constantly at the front with his command during all the trying scenes through which that army passed, participating in the bat- tles of Shiloh, Lawrenceburg, Liberty Gap, Chick- amauga, Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge. At the battle of Chickamauga he was for a time in command of his regiment, and received special inention by his brigade and division commanders
for coolness and gallantry. At the battle of Mis- sionary Ridge lie was among the first to reach the summit, and was promoted to be Major, in which capacity he took part in all the battles and alinost continual skirmishes of the Atlanta Campaign, among which were the battles of Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Picket's Mills, Kenesaw Mountain, At- lanta and Jonesborough. Soon after the fall of Atlanta he was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, and became the senior officer and commander of his regiment. In that capacity he took part in the Hood campaign, participating in the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. At the bloody charge of Picket's Mills, May 27, 1864, Major Strong was shot in the right shoulder while leading his men, and when within a few feet of the enemy's breastworks. Again, while leading his regiment in a charge on the second day of the battle of Nashville, December 16, 1864, Colonel Strong was severely wounded in the left arm by a musket ball, which cut off the bones of the forearm. This was the last charge the regi- ment ever made, and practically the final engage- ment of the Army of the Cumberland. This ended Colonel Strong's military career, which was one of loyalty, gallantry and well nerited promotions. With one exception, there was not an engagement in which his regiment participated during the entire war in which he did not take part.
After the close of the war Colonel Strong com- menced the study of law in the office of Lee &
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Brewer, at Tiffin, Ohio. On the 3d of January, 1867, he was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and at once located at Kenton, where he has continued in successful practice of his profession. For years lie has been recognized as a sound, able and painstaking lawyer, and has won an honorable place among the distinguished lawyers of Ohio. The connection of Colonel Strong with public affairs has been a most hon- orable one. In politics he has ever been a Re- publican, faithful, earnest and diligent in his sup- port of his party.
Colonel Strong's public career may be said to have begun in the fall of 1879, when he was elected to the State Senate. Two years later he was re-elected, serving four years in that capacity. In 1883 he was appointed by the Governor to the position of Judge of the Court of Common Pleas to fill a vacancy. In November, 1892, he was elected to represent the Eighth Congressional District in the Congress of the United States, and the appreciation in which his services were held was proven by his re-nomination by acclamation and his re-election by a greatly increased major- ity. As a legislator, his acts are marked by great prudence, and a due regard for the will of his constituents. His devotion to principle, his careful discrimination of men and measures, and his intellectual ability have secured him recogni- tion among the able statesmen of our country. He is a concise, logical reasoner, and when in the prac- tice of his profession the facts and the law gov- erning his cases are always well in hand. In his character he combines those qualities of intellect and heart which render him deservedly popular and secure to hiim the. warm friendship of all who know him.
OSEPH D. PANGBORN was one of the old and honored pioneers of Marion County, and his death, which occurred August 19, 1883, was deeply deplored by his old friends and neighbors. In 1822 he settled in Big Island
Township, and here made his home during the remainder of his life. A native of New York, he was born September 27, 1811, passing liis boy- hood on a farm. His parents died some time in the '40s, and of their six children not one now survives.
January 27, 1839, Mr. Pangborn married Ma- tilda Ward, . of Marietta, Ohio, that city having been the place of lier birth, whichi occurred March 7, 1820. She is the daughter of Thomas and Mary (Calrow) Ward, natives of England. At a very early day they emigrated to America, and for nearly two years worked at their trade (for they were weavers) in Pennsylvania. ' Later they removed to Washington County, Ohio, where the rest of their lives was spent. Mrs. Pangborn is the only one left of eleven children in her parents' family. Though now well along in years, she takes great interest in current affairs and is ever pleasant and sociable, making friends of one and all. Her only daughter, Mary, is the widow of Ebenezer Cory, a well-to-do farmer of Montgom- ery Township, this county. She was married in 1858, at the age of nineteen years, and has had five children.
Thomas W. Pangborn, whose birth occurred February 10, 1844, is the only son of Joseph D. and Matilda Pangborn, the latter of whom is now an inmate of his household. He is a practical agriculturist, and has made a success in life, being . now the owner of several farms. No one in this community is so generally liked or more worthy of respect.
September 22, 1870, Thomas Pangborn and Jane Frederick were united in marriage. The lady is a daughter of Jacob and Mary ( McDan- iel) Frederick, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. They resided on a farm, and there reared a family of seven children, who, with one exception, are still living. The following are the names of Mr. Pangborn's children and the dates of their births: Dallas E., May 19, 1871; Mary M., April 29, 1873; Cora W., June 29, 1876; Nabbie, January 25, 1879; James G., August 1, 1881; Josie, December 31, 1883; Ida M., March 8, 1886; Susan F., October 5, 1888; and Ruth A., September 1, 1892. The eldest, Dallas, died
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
with consumption, February 11, 1889, having been an invalid for a long time. The others are all at home, and those who have reached a suit- able age are attending school ..
Religiously Mr. Pangborn and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. The former is affil- iated with the Republican party, and faithfully discharges the duties which rest upon him as a citizen. He owns one hundred and thirty-three New York Tribunes, covering the war period, from 1861 to 1866, inclusive. Among his other trophies is a ball which was used by the Sixty- fourth and Sixty-fifth Ohio Regiments about 1864 in games when off duty.
AMES BRITTON. Like many of the rep- resentative and much esteemed citizens of Marion County, our subject is a native of the township in which he lives, having been born on section 9, Big Island Township, February 13, 1834. He still makes his home on the old estate which was the property of his parents, William and Sarah (James) Britton.
The father of our subject was born in New Hamp- shire, and there learned and followed the shoe- maker's trade up to 1815, the date of his removal to this state and county. He at once located in Big Island Township, entering eighty acres of land, and made this place his home until his death, in 1873, at which time he was the possess- or of four hundred and thirty acres. He was a man of prominence and influence in his commu- nity. Having lived through some very exciting times here, were he living he could fill a volume with interesting reminiscences of his eventful ca- reer. He was a inan possessed of very little book knowledge, and as no record was ever kept of his family history, but little is known of his ancestors.
Of the fourteen children born to William and
Sarah Britton, seven lived to mature years. Of this family, Lorenzo, Cynthia, Clinton, Roxy, Gitto, Nealon, Samuel, Sarah and Clarinda are deceased. Melissa married Nelson Williams, the owner of land in both Big Island and Salt Rock Townships, Marion County; and James is the subject of this sketch.
When the father came West he conveyed his household effects on a raft down the Ohio River, but before landing with them met with a great misfortune, the raft sinking to the bottom of tlie river. This loss made him feel so poor that he felt compelled to remain here, although he had desired to return to the Granite State, and, enter- ing a tract of land, settled down and prepared to gain a good income from its cultivation. This he did in time and was never sorry afterward that he did not follow his inclination to abandon the scene of his misfortunes. He was married, Janu- ary 16, 1857, to Lydia McNabb, daughter of An- gus and Lydia (Shippy) McNabb. Her father was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was married to Lydia Shippy after coming to the United States, in Massachusetts. The mother was born June 28, 1795, while her husband, who was some years older, was born in 1783. Their only child was our subject's wife, whose birth occurred June 26, 1838.
To Mr. and Mrs. Britton has been granted a family of eight children. Asa, born September 10, 1858, is now a farmer of Big Island Township. William A., born December 10, 1860, died Janu- ary 16, 1869. Sarah, born July 6, 1865, died March 19, 1892; she had formerly married C. C. Brady, and was the mother of one child. Ele- anor, born December 29, 1870, died April 6, 1871. James, Jr., born April 15, 1871, is at home with his parents. Lydia R., born December 20, 1873, and Maye M., June 7, 1876, are at home; and Marion W., born July 8, 1880, died May 6 , of the following year.
Our subject lived at home for a year after reaching his majority, and on commencing the battle of life for himself chose the occupation of a farmer, to which pursuit he had been reared. His possessions now include one hundred acres, on which he carries on general farming. He
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was as well educated as were the youth of his day and locality, but it is his intention to give his children every advantage. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics is a Prohibitionist.
( USTUS. A. MOUSER, M. D., is one of the honored old physicians of Marion County, who since the war has been located at Larue, though his practice is widespread. He has been very successful, both in a financial and profes- sional sense, and is the owner of valuable prop- erty here and in Texas. At one time he made extensive purchases in Abilene and vicinity, with the intention of becoming a resident of that place.
The Doctor's parents were Isaac and Ann E. (Strawbridge) Mouser, he being the eldest child: Mary J., the second, died at the age of fifty-six years; George A. died of typhoid fever during his army service, at Cumberland, Md., in October, 1865, when only twenty-two years of age; Emily H. is the widow of Rev. George Burns, of Bloom- ington, Ill .; Abram C. is an attorney and real- estate dealer in San Diego, Cal .; Homer S. is a lawyer of Hitchcock, S. Dak. ; and Isaac J. is an at- torney-at-law in South Harvey, Ill. The father was a native of Virginia, and lived on a farm there until 1833, when he emigrated to this county and bought a farm near Scott Town. Subsequently he became the owner of a large farm in Marion Township, and while living there was killed, at the age of fifty-four years, by a railroad train. His father, Jacob Mouser, was also a Virginian, and enlisted in the War of 1812 when only six- teen years of age. He died in this county about 1834, in middle life. His father, who bore the same Christian name, was a native of Germany. The Doctor's mother was born in Pennsylvania, and her deatlı occurred in Illinois, when she was in her sixty-ninth year. Her father was of Irish lineage, but was born in England, from which
country he emigrated to the United States in early manhood. Her mother, who before her marriage was Ann Maus, was born in Germany.
Dr. J. A. Mouser was born on the 13th of December, 1835, near Cochranton, this county, and until he was twenty years of age spent his time in farming and in attending the district schools. Later he went to the high school in Ma- rion, and at the age of twenty began teaching in a district school near Claridon, receiving $19 per month and his board for a three-months term. He then entered college at Delaware, Ohio, where he remained during the next six years, his stud- ies being interrupted one year, as he was obliged to farm in order to get money for the completion of his education. He graduated July 26, 1862, and soon took up medical studies under Dr. Sweeney, of Marion. He also taught the Larue school for one winter. In the fall of 1863 and the following winter he attended a course of lect- ures in the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and during the intervening summer engaged in farming, at the same time keeping up his medical work. After attending lectures during the win- ter of 1864 and 1865 at the Ohio Medical College, he was graduated, March 2, and the next day was examined for United States Surgeon. He was later employed by the Government and sent to Camp Butler, Ill., where he remained until the close of the war.
Returning to Marion County, Dr. Mouser lo- cated for practice in Hardin County, but before long settled in Larue, where he has been in con- tinuous practice ever since. Many years ago he discovered a new treatment for diphtheria and typhoid fever, and though in twenty-nine years he has had over fifty cases of the former and more than one hundred of the latter disease, he has only lost one patient. For eighteen years he has been a member of the School Board of Larue, and has also been a member of the City Council. In 1873 he left the ranks of the Republican party and joined the Prohibitionists, with whom he is in warm sympathy, and as a temperance worker he is well known. He belongs to many of the leading temperance organizations, and was the first one initiated in the Masonic order here, this
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being about twenty years ago. For twenty-eight years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows' society.
March 1, 1864, Dr. Mouser married Sarah E. De Long, of Larue. They have had nine chil- dren, namely: May D., who is the wife of Fran- cis M. Holland, of Delaware, Ohio; Ambrose H., a practicing physician. of Paulding, Ohio, and a graduate of the Columbus Medical College; Grant E., whose sketchi will be found elsewhere in this work; George B., who graduated from the Cin- cinnati Law School and is now a leading attorney at Marion, Ind .; Maude A., who is teaching school in Larue; Lloyd H., a graduate of the lo- cal school, and now a teacher in Paulding County, Ohio; Justus Howard, now attending the Larue schools; and Roy H. and Carl H., who are at home.
For thirty-five years Dr. Mouser was a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church and was the founder of and main contributor in building the Larue Church. Of late years he has been an active member of the Baptist denomination, hav- ing left the first-named organization because he refused to support a church whose minister voted to allow the liquor traffic to go on.
OHN M. PEARCE. Few men have done more for the upbuilding of Kenton and its general advancement than the subject of this notice, who has been a resident of Hardin Coun- ty since 1856. His prompt and methodical busi- ness habits, good financial talent, and tact in the management of affairs have brought him before the public at various times, and in every position he has promoted the interests of his fellow-citi- zens. The insurance business of which he is the head is one of the most extensive in the county, and has been brought to its present dimensions through his earnest and indefatigable efforts.
.Mr. Pearce was born in New Bedford, Mass., September 10, 1837. His fatlier, Dr. Benjamin
Pearce, a native of Rhode Island, was born in 1813, and was a dentist by profession. About 1840 he settled in Memphis, Tenn., whence, in 1845, he came to Ohio, and here lie is still living, his home being with our subject. The paternal grandfather, Benjamin, Sr., was also a native of Rhode Island, and was a Colonel in the Revolu- tionary War, having command of the troops at Ft. Adams. He was a distant relative of Com- modore Perry, of Lake Erie fame, and when the monument was built to his memory at Cleveland, the first chip off the stone was presented to the fatlier of our subject as a souvenir.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Susan P. Nickerson. She was born in Rhode Island in 1817, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1884, aged sixty-seven. Her father, Jeptha Nickerson, was a sea-faring man and was master of a packet from New York to Liverpool . for seventeen years, and later navigated Lake Erie from Buffalo to Cleveland. She had three brothers, Jeptha, George and David. Our sub- ject, who was an only child, received his early education at Cleveland, where his father first set- tled on coming to Ohio. His studies were com- pleted at the University of Grand Rapids in Michigan.
Coming to Hardin County in 1856, Mr. Pearce was for fourteen years agent of the Pittsburg & Ft. Wayne Railroad at Forest. In the fall of 1869 he was elected Circuit Clerk of Hardin County on the Democratic ticket, and enjoyed the distinction of being the only Democrat who ever held that office in the county. At the ex- piration of his term of service he remained in the same office as deputy to his successor, William H. Fleming, and later was with Joseph Timmons, being thus engaged for nine years. On retiring from office, he embarked in the real-estate and in- surance business, which he lias since conducted successfully. From 1879 until 1882 he served as Justice of the Peace.
In 1860 Mr. Pearce was united in marriage with Miss Mary E., daughter of Dr. B. F. Whit- ney, of Mansfield. They have four children liv- ing, and lost one son, John B., who died in Col- orado at the age of twenty-two years. Frank M.
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is the managing partner of the Robey Tobacco Company of Kenton; Sarah R. is a resident of Mansfield, this state; Frances W. is the wife of H. S. Black, also of Mansfield; and Hugh E. is bookkeeper for the American Straw Board Fac- tory at Middletown, Ohio. Mr. Pearce and his family occupy a pleasant and comfortable abode on North Main Street, opposite the new Armory. Mrs. Pearce is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
OHN H. KANNEL, who is one of the en- terprising farmers of Big Island Township, Marion County, has considerable influence in the community where he resides, which fact is easily accounted for by his strong principles, his active interest in the welfare of all around him, and his pleasant manners, which are the crown- ing charm of his fine nature.
Mr. Kannel was born in Knox County, this state, January 12, 1848, to Joseph and Sarah (Peck) Kannel. The father was a native of the Keystone State, whence he came to Ohio in a very early day, making settlement in Stark Coun- ty, where he followed his trade of a shoemaker in connection with farming. He was first unable to own land, but by working out by the year he saved his'earnings, and the farm which he later bought in Knox County included forty acres. This he managed in a profitable manner, and to- gether with the income derived from his trade was enabled to live comfortably for the remainder of his life.
To Joseph and Sarah Kannel was born a family of eight sons and daughters. The eldest, Eliza- beth, never married, and is now residing in Shel- by County, Mo., with a sister; Mary A. married Philip Ruth, and with her five children lives on a farm in Shelby County, Mo .; Daniel is also fol- lowing the life of a farmer in the above state; Re-
becca is unmarried, and makes her home in this county; Harry has a good estate in Missouri; John H. was the next in order of birth; Sarah married A. O. Smith, a substantial farmer of Montgomery Township, Marion County; and Jo- seph is farming in this county. The husband and father departed this life May 23, 1881, aged seventy-three years. His good wife only sur- vived him two years, she passing away October 22, 1883, and both were interred in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. During their lifetime they were val- ued members of the Lutheran Church, and active in all good works of their community. In poli- tics Joseph Kannel was a strong Republican, vot- ing on all occasions for candidates of that party. He gave to all his children the best advantages for obtaining an education which the times and day afforded, and had the satisfaction of knowing that his sons and daughters were so trained as to be an honor to his name in coming generations.
The original of this sketch was married, June 12, 1881, to Ella Strawser, the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Cole) Strawser, natives of Ross and Marion Counties, respectively. They were farm- ers, and were classed among the substantial resi- dents of Marion County, where the mature years of their lives were passed. Of their family we make the following mention: Eva married Van Messenger, of Marion County, and has three chil- dren; Elsie is now the wife of William Smith, a merchant of Logan County, and is the mother of one child; William L. died in infancy; Ella is the wife of our subject; Jacob F. is also deceased; Charles L. is farming in Marion County, and by his marriage with Miss Alice Burk has become the father of one child. The mother of this fam- ily was the widow of James Wood at the time of her marriage with Mr. Strawser, and by him she had a son, James H., now a resident of Logan County. She is still living, aged sixty years. The death of her husband, which occurred June 1, 1886, left her in possession of fifty-three acres of land, which she is superintending in an admir- able manner.
To Mr. and Mrs. Kannel have been born three children: Blanche, born April 23, 1882; Lulu G., November 8, 1883; and Harley R., September 5,
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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1887. The estate of our subject includes one hundred and seventy-seven broad acres; which are well improved and adorned with all suitable structures for the storing of grain and shelter of stock. His farm residence is substantial and com- modious, and their home is the abode of peace and plenty.
Mr. Kannel has been School Director for many terms, which is the only office that he has ever accepted, and during elections casts a Republican ballot.
ILLIAM M. TRACY, one of the enterpris- ing young journalists of Marion County, is editor and publisher of the Larue Weekly New's, a bright and well conducted paper. He became the sole proprietor of the newspaper plant in September, 1892, and placed it on a firm finan- cial basis. The circulation of the paper is growing at a flattering rate and the books show an actual subscription list of eight hundred. The News is devoted to the welfare of this community, and spares no efforts in the advancement of its in- terests.
The father of our subject was Hiram Tracy, who was born and passed his entire life in the Buckeye State. By occupation he was a farmer in Union County, and died on his homestead when in his forty-ninth year. His parents were natives of New York State, and his grandparents were born in Scotland. His father, who attained the extreme old age of one hundred and one years, was in the Patriot army during the War of 1812. The wife of Hiram Tracy bore the maiden name of Martha Graves. Her father was born in Ire- land, and her mother was a native of Ohio, but of Scotch extraction. Mrs. Tracy died at her home in Richwood at the age of fifty-five years.
The second in a family of five children, Will- iam M. Tracy was born February 8, 1866, in Richwood, Union County, this state. He re-
mained at home with his mother after his father's death until he was nearly grown, and received a very good grammar and high school education. He early manifested an inclination for a journal- istic career and learned the details of the business. Going to Findlay, Ohio, he worked as a journey- man printer for some time, after which he went to Marion and was employed on the Mirror for thrce years. On the expiration of that period he bought a fourth interest in the business and was associated therewith until the fall of 1892, since which time, as previously stated, he has given his entire attention to the management of the News.
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