The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 100

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 100

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Peleg Cranston

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was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1804, and was a daughter of Thomas McDonald, an old set- tler. His first wife was born in this township in 1806, and was a daughter of William Gabriel. His second wife died in 1881.

NELSON T. BENNETT, farmer, P. O. Irwin, was born in Stockbridge, Windsor County, Vt, in 1832, and is a brother of Foster Bennett, whose sketch appears in this work. His early life was spent in his native county until sixteen years of age, when he came to this township, and for five years resided with his uncle, John Smith, for whom he worked four years after reaching his majority. At twenty-five years of age, he rented the Smith farm, which he and his brother afterward bought, and at present he owns 248 acres of well-improved land. In 1856, he married Miss Hannah N. McCloud, the daughter of Curtis and Betsey McCloud, natives of Vermont, who settled in this township in 1816. By this marriage, four children were born, viz .: William C., John S., Clara E., and an infant, deceased. In politics, Mr. Bennett has al- ways voted with the Republican party in all matters of public issue,

J. F. BENNETT, farmer, P. O. Irwin, was born in Windsor County, Vt., in 1834, and is a son of William and Experience Bennett, natives of Vermont. At the age of twelve years, he came to Union Township and took up his residence with an uncle, John Smith, with whom he remained until 1872, when he went to Marysville. After a temporary stay at the latter place, he purchased his present farm, which consists of 200 acres of well-improved land. He is a member of Darby Lodge of Odd Fellows at Milford Center, and, with his wife and daughter, of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married in 1857 to Miss Harriet McBride, a daughter of Alexander McBride, and by her has had one child-Cora. Mr. Bennett is a successful man- ager, and a good, practical farmer, and has accumulated during his life of farming a comfortable property, on which he resides.

HENRY W. BLAKE, deceased, was born at Georgetown, Vt., June 19, 1833, and died in Union County, Ohio, March 7, 1867. His father, John H. Blake, with his family, settled in this county in 1838, and made this his home through life, dying here May 5, 1881. He was the father of eleven children, of whom George, Moses, Byron and Charles survive, and Henry W., Samuel H., John T., Louisa, Cynthia, Mary and Hamilton are deceased. Henry W. was married July 24, 1855, to Mary J. Courtney, and had two children-Taylor R. and Ollie L. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was wounded at the battle of Greenbrier, Virginia, in 1861. He was a life-long resident of the county, a car- penter by occupation, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Odd Fellows Lodge. His brother, Samuel H., enlisted in the same company and regiment, and was killed before Atlanta, Ga. John T. enlisted in 1861 in Company K, Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and was poisoned in 1863 at Milliken Bend. Byron enlisted in Company H, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861. Moses enlisted May 9, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. John W. and Jane (Keff ) Courtney, parents of Mrs. Blake, were natives of England, who settled in Bradford County, Penn., where they died. They had seven children, viz .: John, William, McCain, Mary J. and Helen, surviving, and Da- vid W. and Edward, deceased. David W. enlisted in 1861, at the age of seventeen years, in the Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in 1864, serving through the whole of the war. He was a color-bearer, and was wounded at the battle of Stone River and Chickamauga, receiving four bullet-wounds in one day. He was taken prisoner at Stone River, and for twenty days endured the horrors of Libby Prison. After the close of the war, he en- listed in the regular army, and was killed by the Indians in the Custer massacre. Edward Courtney was a drummer-boy in a Pennsylvania regiment, and was wounded and died, aged seventeen years.

DR. DANIEL BOWEN, deceased, was born in Vermont, and in 1816 came to Milford Cen- ter. He studied medicine in his native State, and was one among the first practitioners in this vicinity, in which he practiced till his death. Ile was a skillful physician, and, as a man, was held in high esteem by all who knew him. During "old military days," he was Surgeon of a regiment. He was an accepted member of the Free-Will Baptist Church. He was married to Nancy Rice, by whom he had twelve children, of whom only one lives in this county, viz., Jane. A son, Daniel, is living, and the others are deceased.

ELIPHAS BURNHAM, deceased, was born at Hampton, Windham County, Conn., February 9, 1799, and was a son of Eliphas and Lydia (Smith) Burnham, natives of Connecticut. The ancestor of the sixth generation emigrated to this country from England. In 1818, the family came to Ohio, locating in this county, and in the spring of the following year Eliphas, Sr., set- tled his children along the western line of this township, purchasing 200 acres of land. They had the following children : Jacob, Zelinda, Eliphas, Lovenda, Orrilla, Juliette, Lydia, A. S. and Nancy M. Of these, all but Lovenda lived in this county, she living in the same neighborhood, but in Champaign County. The father and mother both died in this county ; he soon after their arrival, and she subsequently. Our subject was married to Lydia Meacham, July 3, 1820. She was a native of Connecticut, and a daughter of Joseph Meacham, who settled in Champaign County in 1820. Mr. Burnham owned and resided on his first purchase until his death, owning at that time about 400 acres. His brother Jacob resided with him, and together they did busi- ness and attended the operations of the farm. Mr. Burnham served as Justice of the Peace

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three years, and for thirty-one consecutive years, from 1846, acted as Assessor. He was a man of sound judgment, one of the active movers in the organization of the Fair society in the county, and a champion of every movement that tended to the elevation of his community. Honest in business and trustworthy in every fiduciary capacity, he was often called upon to administer the estates of deceased citizens, and was always a friend to the widow and orphan. He was a mem- ber of the Universalist Church, but liberal in his religious belief, and open-handed in his con- tributions to all denominations and to every worthy enterprise. He was temperate in his habits, and a strong advocate of temperance in others, but not at all fanatical in his views. He died

April 13, 1881. His wife, who was born June 14, 1796, died April 8, 1867. They had eight children viz .: Betsey, Thomas, Harvey, Andrew, Ralph, Marica Morse, Lucas, deceased, Dor- cas S., deceased, and Jarred, deceased. Lucas enlisted in the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, August 9, 1862, and died in Vicksburg Hospital July 23, 1863. Ralph was in the one hundred days' service. Jacob Burnham, the brother of our subject, was born October 27, 1794, and died April 26, 1866. He married Eliza Meacham, sister of his brother's wife. She was born May 30, 1802, and by her he had four children-Nicholas H., Albert, deceased, Hiram G. and Eliza A. The two families lived together, eating breakfast separately, but the other two meals together. Ilarvey Burnham, the son of Eliphas, was born in 1823, and was reared in the town- ship where he lived the whole of his life, except five years spent in Champaign County. He was married November 17, 1861. to Mary Shields, daughter of J. B. Shields, by whom he has had seven children, viz .: Lucas, George, May, Pertie, Lydia M., Elmer and Bertie. Mr. Burnham has served as Trustee ten or twelve years, and as Justice of the Peace two terms. He owns 100 acres of land, well improved and under thorough cultivation, upon which he resides.

RALPH BURNHAM, farmer, P. O. Irwin, is a son of Eliphas Burnham, deceased, and was born on the old home place. His early life was passed on his father's farm, and in the district schools be obtained his education. He was married to Martha M., the daughter of William P. Greene, of Wisconsin, in 1861. He has lived in the township all his life, with the exception of a few years during which he resided in lowa. He served one hundred days in Company B, of the One hundred and Thirty-fourth Ohio National Guards; two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burnham, viz .: Marble G. and Dorcas S. He and his son own 100 acres of land.

N. H. BURNHAM, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born at the old " Burnham homestead." in this county, November 23, 1823, and is a son of Jacob Burnham. an old settler who was born in Windham County, Conn., and had four children-N. H., Albert, deceased, Iliram G. and Eliza Ann, now Mrs. Fairchilds. In the carly days of the county, he was much interested in religion and religious matters, and in his farm operations he met with well merited success, accumulat- ing a large property, which, descending to his children, has made them all in good circum- stances. Our subject was reared on the old place and received a commom school education. On February 13, 1851, he married Emeline E. Ilopkins, daughter of Benjamin Hopkins, by whom he has had four children, viz .: Albert, Lizzie, Hattie and S. F. Mr. Burnham has been snecessful in life and now owns 213 acres of excellent land in Survey No. 7790.

GEORGE CALDWELL, farmer, P. O. Irwin, is a son of Thomas and Jane ( Fullington ) Cald- well, natives of l'eonsylvania, and was born in Union County, Ohio, January 23, 1843; his father died when he was ten years of age, and until thirteen years of age he lived with his uncle James Fullington. lle then lived with his mother until he reached his majority, when he took possession of the farm left him by his father, on which he resided until 1869, when he pur- chased the " Hill farm," on which he resides at present. On October 15, 1865, he married Maria, daughter of Archibald and Catharine (Argo) McAdams, and by her has had five chil- dren, viz .: An infant son, deceased, Hettie, Ella, Mora and Jinquie. Mr. Caldwell is a lifelong farmer and stock dealer and owns a farm of fifty-five acres. He is a Republican in politics. Ilis mother resides in Mechanicsburg, at the advanced age of sixty-one years.

JOHN CONNOR, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in County Kings, Ireland, in 1812, and lived in his native place till 1836, when he emigrated to this country, landing in New York August 26, and on November 29 following arrived at Milford Center; the ten following years he rented land, and in 1847 he purchased 277 acres where he now lives. Success has crowned the effort put forth by Mr. Connor, and his accumulations resulted in 469 acres of fine land He was married to Catherine Conelly in Ireland, who bore him ten children, five living, viz .: Thomas, John, George, Eliza and Catherine. Thomas was a member of the Thirty-second Ohio Regiment ; he en- listed in 1862, and was wounded in the leg at Harper's Ferry. Mrs. Connor died in 1856.

JOIIN CRANSTON, deceased, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, January 25, 1829, aud died at his home in Union County, October 6, 1876. He was the third child of a family of seven children born to John B. and Betsey (Lathrop) Cranston, the latter now deceased. He was raised on the farm and remained in his native county until 1858, when he came to Union Connty, settling on Buck Run, two and a half miles below Milford. Eleven years later, he moved to the farm on which he spent the remainder of his life, and where his widow now re- sides. He was a lifelong farmer and was one of the first farmers in this section to deal iu the Norman draft horses ; at the time of his death, he was possessed of about 223 acres of very fine land. On November 11, 1847, he married Sarah Jane Bland, a daughter of Saul and Aba- gail ( Pharas) Bland, natives of Virginia, who had a family of twelve children. By this union

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two children were born-John L. and Clara, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Cranston died in 1851, and in 1852 Mr. Cranston married Emeline Bond, a sister of his first wife, and by her had five children-Clarence, a resident of Topeka, Kan .; Hagar, wife of Henry Zeminar; Viola, wife of Charles Erb ; John B. and Anna B., the two latter being the only ones at home. Mr. Cranston was a Republican in politics, and at the time of his death was serving as a County Commissioner : he also held, during his lifetime, most of the offices of his township. including Trustee, School Director and others. Ile was a substantial farmer and a devout Christian gentleman. He was a member of the Christian Church all his life, having made profession at the age of thirteen years, and took a deep interest in all religious matters. During his life, he made provision for very liberal bequests to be paid to several religious institutions connected with his church, including the Union Christian College of Ind., Starkey Seminary and the Bih- lical Institute, New York, in addition to amouuts paid to these corporations and to churches during his lite.

JOSEPHI DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Virginia in 1795, and is a son of George Davis, of Virginia, who was a son of Michael Davis. In 1810, the family came to Ohio, and settled in Knox County, where they made a permanent home. Our subject followed farming in Knox County until 1854, when he came, with his family, to this county, and pur- cha-ed 196 acres of land where he now lives. He was married, December 3, 1818, to Lydia Shenneberry, by whom he has had the following children, viz. : Mary, Howley, Michael, Mar- garet, Elizabeth, Joseph, George, Shannon and Catharine, now surviving, and Nancy, George, William, Lydia and an infant, deceased. The survivors all reside in this county, and are all well to do. Mr. Davis has always been a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife of the Christian. He began life with no means, but by industry and close attention to his business he has accumulated a handsome property, which he now fully enjoys. He and his sons own about 600 acres of prime land.

WILLIAM DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Novem- ber 18, 1818, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth Davis, the former a native of Virginia and a son of George Davis, who removed to Pennsylvania, and in 1810 came to Knox County, Ohio. Here Michael lived until 1829, when he came with his wife and four children-Catharine, Will- iam, Alexander and Mary-to Union County. Four others were born here, viz. : George W. Harrison, Nancy and Joseph, Jr. In 1829, the family 'settled on the land occupied by George Hawley, purchasing eighty acres. Two years afterward, he sold this and purchased where John Stuber now lives, which he also sold afterward. He was always a resident of the county, and prospered financially. Ile was a Presbyterian in belief. Ilis son, Harrison, enlisted in the Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as First Lieutenant of Company H, which he helped to raise, and was killed in the charge on Mission Ridge. Joseph and Alexander served in a "hundred days' " regiment. Mr. Davis died in 1872. Mrs. Davis is yet living at an ad- vanced age. Our subject was eleven years old when his parents came to Ohio. Ile has since then made his home in Union County. He has never married, but has always had charge of his father's family. He owns a good farm of ninety acres, in the northeastern part of the township. llis father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and passed through this township in 1812 on his way to join his regiment at Urbana. He was in Lewis Cass' Regiment, and IIull's division.

PETER DIX, proprietor Union Tile Factory, Irwin, is a son of Clark Dix, an old settler of Champaign County, and was born in 1853. His early life was passed on the farm, and he con- tinued in agricultural pursuits until April 1, 1882, when he purchased the tile mill now owned by him, and two acres of ground, of J. A. Gillespie. He was married, December 5, 1875, to Miss Ella J., a daughter of E. K. and Mary Chester, of Linn County, Iowa, and a native of Hancock County, Wis. By this marriage three children were born, viz .: George E., Frank E. and Arthur W. Mr. Dix and wife are members of the Universalist Church. IIe has entered ex- tensively into the manufacture and sale of drain tile, employs three men, and turns out a quantity of superior tile, which finds a ready market. His kiln has a capacity for burning over 200 rods, which will be largely increased during the next year His ware is eagerly sought for by purchasers on account of its superior finish, which renders it less liable to break and makes it more durable than the ordinary tile.

HI. N. DOWNER, retired, Milford Center, was born in Orleans County, Vt., in 1806, and passed h's early life in his native State, in which he lived till after his marriage, when he went to Westville, N. Y., where he lived twelve years, and followed shoc-making an i farming. In October, 1845, he came to this county, and landed in Milford Center $7.25 in debt, which amount he earned and paid by working at 374 cents per day. He has followed his trade since, and has always had an abundance to do. His energy and ambition always found him plenty of work, and he has been prosperous ; he owns a nice property, consisting of twelve acres of land, with a good building erected thereon. On July 12, 1829, he was married to Mary Jones, who has borne him eight children, five of whom are living. viz. : Hartwell N., Alvin, Lavonia, Abigail and Albert W. The deceased are Grafton and two infants. Grafton was a member of Company F, Thirteenth Ohio Regiment. Enlisted in 1861, and was killed at the battle of Stone River December 31, 1862, aged twenty-two years. Albert W. enlisted in 1864, and was a drummer. Mrs. Downer died in 1878. She was born in 1809. Mr. Downer has been a life- long Republican.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

S. D. ELLIOT, merchant and miller, Milford Center, was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1828, and is a son of John D. and Ruth (Dillon) Elliot, natives of Ohio, who settled in Logan County in 1849, where they made a permanent home. The early life of our subject was passed in the milling business. When he reached his majority, he began merchandising in Zanesfield, Logan County, where he carried on business for twelve or fifteen years. In 1873, he located at Milford Center and purchased a mill, which he has operated since. In 1877, he purchased the business of French Garwood, deceased, and has since been engaged as a merchant. He was married, March 14, 1850, to Miss Margaret IIenry, of Logan County, by whom he has had three children, Etta, Pattie and Linnie. His son has charge of the store and is assisted in its man- agement by David Hopkins, a colored man, who has been connected with the business for many years. The mill is in charge of a son-in-law, J. A. Moore, who has been in the mill since 1873, and has had entire control since 1877. Mr. Elliot is a member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. O. O. F., of which he was a charter member. He is also a member of Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., Marysville, and of the Chapter.

CHARLES ERB & BROTHER, manufacturers of carriages and buggies, Milford Center. The business of the above firm was established in 1850, by Charles Erb, the father of the present proprietors, who continued the business until his death in 1874. lle operated quite ex- tensively during his life, and at his death handed the business down to his sons. IIc was a native of Baden, Germany, where he learned his trade. He emigrated to America in 1850), and in the same year located and began business as above stated. He was the father of ten children , of whom six-Charles, George, Mary, Will, Lewis and Lizzie-are living and residents of this county, and Anna, Carrie, Emma and Lewis are deceased. The brothers who now control the father's establishment learned their trade under their father's instructions and are both compe- tent and efficient workmen, who turn work out at their factory that is equal to any in the county, They employ usually about six hands. They do an extensive business and all their finished work finds ready sale in the local markets. Charles, the senior member of the firm, was born in this place in December, 1854, and when of sufficient age entered the business which he now controls. In 1879, he married Viola, daughter of John Cranston, deceased. George, the junior member of the firmn, was born in 1857, and was also early put to work at his trade.

J. V. FINLEY, retired farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in the year 1801. His life was passed in his native State until 1846, when he came to this county and settled in Allen Township, purchasing 300 acres of land which he cleared and improved, and in 1875 sold. He has held some of the minor offices of the township and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he has been connected a number of years. Ile was married in Pennsylvania to Elizabeth Williams, by whom he has had nine children, eight living, viz .: Joseph, Robert, James E., John, Alfred, Margaret, Frances and Mary. Joseph and Robert were privates in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which they enlisted in the beginning of the war and with which they saw active service until the rebellion was put down. John was a member of a three months regiment. Mr. Finley built a saw mill which he operated five years, but he has been principally engaged in farming and has met with marked success, now owning a good property.

JAMES FULLINGTON, farmer, P. O. Irwin, was born in this township in 1828. He is a son of Moses and Harriet (Guy) Fullington, natives of Vermont, who emigrated to Ohio in 1816 or 1817, and for one year stopped at Granville, after which they came to this township, and located on land purchased by his father, George Fullington, who died in Madison County. George Fuliington was a man of literary habits, and devoted the whole of his attention to liter- ary pursuits. He had six children that came to Ohio with him, and two were born here after his arrival, Moses being the only one that became a resident of this county. The other children were Abigail, wife of Charles Phellis; Adelaide, second wife of William Guy; Claret, first wife of William Guy; Salina, wife of John Burnham; Mary, wife of R. Kimball, deceased; Thomas J., who died in Illinois, and Sallie, deceased. Moses Fullington had four children, viz .: Jane, wife of Charles A. Baker; James, Charles and George, deceased. Mr. Fullington died in 1850, aged forty-nine years ; his wife died in 1832. IIe was an energetic, hard-working man, and succeeded in accumulating a handsome property. Our subject was reared on a farm, and until fifteen years of age attended the common schools. In February, 1844, he went to Kansas in the interest of his father, who was buying stock and driving it over the mountains, and in this business he par- ticipated for nine years. In 1852, he married Eliza H. McMullen, of Springfield, Ill., and after marriage located on his farm in this township, where he has since resided. In 1878, he was elected County Commissioner, and during his term of service was an able advocate of free pikes. 1Ie was also a member of the State Board of Equalization for ten years, and at present is a mem- ber of the State Board of Public Works. He owns 1,200 or 1,300 acres of land locateit in this township. He has had six children born to him, viz .: Lucy V., wife of A. Howard, Walter C., C. Phellis, Edward Mc., F. Guy and Belle Brown

JAMES GABRIEL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in this township December 19, 1819, and is a son of Richard and Sarah (Sackett) Gabriel, the former born in Maryland and the latter in l'ennsylvania. (For date of the settlement of the family here, see sketch of John Gabriel.) He (Richard) bought 150 acres of land on which he lived and died. He was Justice

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of the Peace a number of terms, and also held the office of County Clerk. He and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a Ruling Elder. Three children were born to them, viz .: James, Eli and Mary Ann, the two latter deceased. Mrs. Gabriel died about 1849. He married, for his second wife, Sarah Robinson, who bore him five children, vız .: Hannah F., Ruth, Josiah, Richard, and John, deceased. Mr. G. died in 1870, aged ninety- two years. Our subject was married in 1847 to Rebecca Swartz, nee Hall, and at once settled on the place where he now lives. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church of many years' standing, and a very exemplary man. Nine children have been born to him, viz .: Rodney, Mary, Eli, Sidney B., Sarah B., Mattic, Maggie, Sackett and Hattie. Mr. Gabriel owns 150 acres of land, and is a prosperous citizen.

JON J. GABRIEL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born on the place where he now lives, April 20, 1823, and is a son of John F. and Maria (Stewart) Gabriel. He (John F.) was born in Maryland, and when a young man, in 1800, came to this township. His brother, Will- iam, came the year previous, and purchased 500 acres of wild land, which became their homes; they prospered in life and accumulated good properties. John F. was a twin brother to Rich- ard, of whom mention is elsewhere made. They possessed fine musical talent, and were faultless performers on the violin. John F. was married to Maria, the daughter of Joseph and Eleanor Stewart, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living, viz .: Joseph, Hiram and John ; Josiah and Johnson, deceased, the former killed by a large tree falling upon him. Mr. Gabriel (J. F.) died November 15, 1828, aged fifty years. Ilis wife died in 1872, aged seventy-one years. Our subject was married to Sarah C., the daughter of Jacob and Sarsh C. Parthemore, who bore him four children, viz .: Myron, Helen, Elmer and John. Mr. Gabriel has filled the office of Trustee one term. He owns 150 acres of land. The parents of Mrs. Gabriel (the Parthemores) located here in 1812 or 1813. Joseph Stewart and family settled here in 1809.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 100

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254