The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 102

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 102

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).

JAMES C. MILLER, SR., retired, P. O. Irwin, was born at Green River, N. Y., December 14, 1797, and is a son of Joseph Miller. He came to Ohio in 1814 and in the spring of 1815 came to his uncle, Samuel Colver's, in this township. In the fall of the same year, his mother, Ruth Colver, with her children, Samuel and Charity, came to Ohio and made a permanent settlement here. Mr. Miller continued living in the township until 1865, during that time par- taking of the official honors of the township, and serving the people as a Trustee and Justice of the Peace. He was also a Colonel of militia in the old days of State militia. He was married in 1821 to Zelinda, daughter of Eliphas Burnham, and after marriage settled in Survey No. 9,020, where he lived several years and then located on land now owned by James Fullington, in Sur- vey No. 4,946 ; here he lived until 1849, when he settled where J. B. Miller now lives, and re- mained until 1860; in 1865, he went to Missouri, but returned in 1869 and has since lived here. He had seven children, viz .: Harriet, Eliphas (deceased), Zelinda, James, Lydia A., Rebecca and Harrison. Mrs. Miller died September 1, 1877 ; she was born in Windham County, Conn. Mr. Miller is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Universalist Church. Though over fourscore years of age, he retains all his mental faculties, is well preserved in body and bids fair to live many years. His mother was married the second time to Henry Smith, by whom she had two children-Charity and Samuel. Mr. Miller's grandson, John B. Miller, the

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

subject of this additional notice, was born in Madison County in 1850, and is a son of James C. Miller, Jr., a native of this county, now living in Champaign County. He was reared in Madi- son County, and at the age of ten years settled where he uow lives, and owns 153 acres of land in three counties. He was married to Mary E., daughter of George Hopkins, an old settler, by whom he has had four children, viz .: Lewis B., Nettie M., Harrison and Pearl.

GEORGE MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, is a son of Moses Mitchell and Jane Taylor, his wife. Moses Mitehell was a son of David Mitchell, who came from Kentucky to Ohio, and in 1800 settled in Darby Township, where he bought 300 acres of land, on which he made a permanent home, afterward making additions to his original traet. Moses Mitchell was fifteen years old when the family came to this county. He married Jane Taylor, a daughter of a pioneer, and resided in Darby Township until his death. He was successful in his farming operations and succeeded in accumulating considerable property. He served for a time in the war of 1812 as a substitute for his brother. He was a great hunter, and very successful in his dealings with the Indians, having a decided tact in that direction. His milling was done at Chillicothe, to which place he drove with an ox team. He haul five children, viz .: Martha (de- ceased ), Moses (deceased), Daniel, David and George, the survivors living in this county. Mrs. Mitchell died in 1823, and Mr. Mitchell married Jemima Cartwright, by whom he had seven children, viz .: Melissa, Betsey, Abraham (deceased), Aaron (deceased), Amanda (deceased), Margaret A. (deceased ) and Elijah, the three survivors residing in this county. George enlisted in 1864 as a private in Company B, Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged July 3, 1865; Elijah was a member of a three months regiment of National Guards. The father died in 1861 or 1862, at an advanced age. He was a moral, upright man, of excellent habits. Our subject was born in 1823, and has been a life resident of this county. He was mar- ried in 1846 to Ann Gamble, of Union County, by whom he has four children-William, Sarah J., Samantha and Nathan. The parents are exemplary Christian people and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

J. A. MOORE, miller, Milford Center, was born in Nodaway County, Mo., in 1847, and is a son of William and Mary Moore, natives of Ohio, who removed to Missouri at an early day. The former was a millwright by trade and erected the first mill in the above county, which was burned down by the Indians after its completion. Mr. Moore becoming discouraged, started for Iowa. but while still in Missouri was overtaken by a prairie fire, in which his wife was consumed. This was in 1850. The county seat of Nodaway County, Marysville, was named after Mrs. Moore, whose given name was Mary. Mr. Moore died at Cannelton, on the Ohio River, in 1851, while en route for home. He had seven children, five of whom returned to Belmont County, Ohio. Our subject remained in Belmont County until fourteen years of age, when he entered a printing office at Coshocton, Ohio, and remained one year. In 1862. when but fifteen years of age, he enlisted in the Twelfth Ohio Independent Battery, in which he served three years, seeing and participating in a number of the hard-fought battles of the war. Ile was dicharged March 1, 1865. After his return home be attended school one term in Columbiana County, Ohio, after which he clerked in a drug store one year. He then served a regular term of apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade, and after carrying on a shop for three years sold out, and in 1871 be- gan working at milling, a trade he had partly acquired before entering the army. He was mar- ried in 1869, to Etta, daughter of S. D. Elliot, his partner in the mill at Milford Center, and by her he has one son, Orrie. Mr. Moore is a member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. O. O. F., and was a charter member of the Encampment at Marysville.

MRS. EUNICE B. MOORE, retired, Milford Center. Is the wife of William B. Moore and the daughter of Ebjah Witter. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1835. Her first marriage was celebrated with George Harris, of Franklin County, Ohio, in 1854, by whom she had three children, viz .: Amy C., wife of Eli Gabriel, Amanda S., and an infant deceased. Mr. Harris died in Madison County, Ohio, in 1865. ller present husband is a native of New Jersey, to whom she was married in 1866. The entire family are members of the Baptist Church and exemplary Christian people.

ANTHONY MORAN, farmer aud manuf cturer of drain tile, P. O. Milford Center, was born in this county July 7, 1829, and is a son of Edward and Eliza (Loeke) Moran, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of Connecticut. At the age of twenty years, the former came to this country and settled in this township at a very early day, making it his permanent home. He had five children-Mary, Anthony, John, James and Jane-our subject being the only sur- vivor. Mr. Moran died August 10, 1837, and his wife in 1848. She was a daughter of Jonathan Locke, an old settler, who died in July, 1832. Our subject remained in the township, where he was raised until 1855, when he went to Illinois, but in 1858 he returned to this county. In 1851, he married Imogene, daughter of A. Woodworth, an old settler, and by her had nine children, viz .: Allen, John, Ella, Charley, Etta, deceased, Asa, deceased, Mary, deceased, Lulu, and an infant, deceased. Mr. Moran has been Assessor of the township three years. Ile is a member of Mechanicsburg Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M. Thirteen years ago he began the manu- facture of drain tile, within sight of his present kiln, and hassince manufactured annually large quantities of all sizes and of superior quality. His machinery is all propelled by horse-power.

RAY G. MORSE, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Rhode Island November 16, 1808, and is a son of Joseph and Renna (Greene) Morse. Ile (Joseph) was born in Vermont

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UNION TOWNSIIIP.

and his wife in Rhode Island. In 1818, they with their family of nine children and Lydia Morse, the mother of Joseph, came to this county. The children who accompanied their parents were named as follows: Renna. Aseneth, Joseph, Ray G., Alfred, Permilla, William, Isaac and one whose name is unknown. Archibald, Caleb and Betsey remained in Rhode Island and after- ward came to this county. The journey to their Ohio home occupied forty-nine days. Mr. Morse bought a farm of 100 acres in Madison County, Ohio, which he lost, because of a defective title. He then located in Milford Center, where he followed smithing. carpentering and plow- making ; and when able he bought land where George Hawley now lives, where he died. He was a member of the Christian Church and a highly respected citizen. For two years after coming to Ohio, our subject worked in a cotten factory, where he learned to spin At the age of sixteen, lie began the smith's trade, at which he worked five years for board and clothes. He be- gan life with a capital of 75 cents and a suit of clothes worth about $3. He rented a set of tools and began work in Milford Center and prospered. Selling his property in the above-named place for $900, he bought 117 acres of land where he now lives in 1839, for which he paid $5 per acre. Soon after, he bought sixty-three acres at $7.12} per acre, an - other tract of 100 acres at $10 per acre, and still another 100 acres at $35 per acre. At the present time he owns 640 acres of land, 160 of which are in Illinois. In 1829, he was marrie i to Sarah Parthemore, by whom he has had six children, viz .: William, John, Clariet, Ray G., Jr., Joseph and George N., deceased. Joseph served three months in the late war with Capt. Robb. John and Ray G., Jr., served in defense of Cincinnati with the " Squirrel Hunter Brigade."

JOHN G. NICOL, farmer, P. O. Marysville, a native of Germany, was born January 31, 1827. He is a son of George and Hattie Nicol, who emigrated to the United States in 1834, and settled near Columbus, Ohio, wbence they removed to Darby Township, Union County, where they both died, the former in 1860, and the latter in 1875. They were members of the Lutheran Church and highly esteemed citizens. Our subject was reared on his father's farm and received his training in the common schools. March 23. 1854, he was married to Miss Ann M. Weid- man, a daughter of Lewis and Catherine Weidman, and a native of Germany. She was born December 4, 1834. Of nine children by this union seven are living, viz .: Anna C., wife of George Trapp ; Margaret A., Lizzie, Mary A., Katie, Lillie and Charlie C. John L., an estima- ble young man, died May 15, 1881, aged twenty years, and Willie died October 6, 1837. aged two years. Mr. Nicol has always pursued the avocation of farming, and with success. He owns a good farm of 127 acres, well improved, and adorned with a substantial brick residence erected in 1878, at a cost of $2,000. Mr. Nicol and family are associated as members of the Lutheran Church. He is a worthy and highly respected citizen.

MATTHEW PATCH, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Jerome Township, this county, in 1847, and is a son of Herman Patch, an old settler living in the above township. Our subject was reared to farm pursuits, and had only the advantages of a common education. On October 21, 1866, he was married to Mary C. Linnville, by whom he has had two children, viz .: J. N. and N. B. He remained in his native township till September, 1879, when he located where he now lives, owning sixty and one-half acres of well-improved land.

F. S. PEARL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Connecticut July 28, 1817, and is a son of Philip Pearl, a native of the same State, and a son of Philip Pearl, Sr., who likewise was a native of Connecticut. In 1838, our subject came to Ohio and settled in Champaign County, where he bought land. In 1840, he was married to Mary Biggs. In 1873, he located where he now resides, and where he owns 240 acres of well-improved land. He has been Trustee of his township, and was elected Justice of the Peace but refused to qualify. To Mr. and Mrs. Pearl has been born one child, viz .: Hannalı. Mr. Pearl is a liberal minded gentleman, and always takes great interest in public improvements.

WILLIAM C. PIPER, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a son of - Piper, who died when on his way to Ohio. IIe (William C.) was but a boy at the time, and so had a full experience in the early history of the country. He was married in 1835 to Miss H. F., the danghter of Richard and Margaret (Robinson) Gabriel, and afterward settled where his family now reside. He held the office of Trustee for twenty-five years. was a member of the Presby- terian Church and a consistent Christian gentleman. He was the father of six children, viz .: Leonidas, Isabelle, William L., Rose A., Maggie and Eli G. Leonidas and William were mem- bers of the Fortieth Ohio Regiment. The latter served three years and returned to his home uninjured. The former was a member of the regimental band, and was discharged on account of sickness. Mr. Piper died May 2, 1876, at the age of sixty-eight years. Mrs. Piper was born in this township October 13, 1811. and has lived in the township all her life.

DR. G. W. PLIMELL, Irwin, was born in Madison County, Ohio, in 1839, and is a son of John and Winnie Plimell, natives of Virginia, who located in the above county in 1818. The Doctor's early life was passed upon the farm. In September, 1861, he volunteered in Company A, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and participated in a number of the hard-fought battles of the war, and was severely wounded at Lookout Mountain November 24, 1863. He was hon- orably discharged, a non commissioned Sergeant, in October, 1864. In 1865, he began the study of medicine under his brother, Dr. J. T. Plimell, who was his preceptor for some time. In 1876, he entered the E. M. Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1877, and

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

soon after located in Irwin, where he has built up a good practice. The Doctor is a member of the Ancient Order of Masons, holding membership in the Mechanicsburg Lodge. In 1867, he was married to Miss L. E. Lee, of Madison County, Ohio, by whom he has had two children, viz .: Clara G. and an infant, unnamed, deceased.

WILLIAM PORTER, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Erie County, Penn., in January, 1803, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Porter, natives of Pennsylvania, where the latter died. John Porter came to Ohio in 1817, and settled on Darby Creek, in this township. Six children came to Ohio with him, viz .: John, Jesse, Robert, Mary, Elizabeth and William, all of whom married and reared families, except Robert, and of them William alone survives. Mr. Porter had preceded his family to this county and married Susannah Piper, a widow lady, by whom he had four children-Maria, Lucinda J., Nancy and Minerva; Lucinda (Hopkins) being the only survivor. By his third wife, Hannah Dodds, he had two children-Susan, who lives in Keokuk County, Iowa, and Martha, deceased. Mr. Porter was only moderately success- ful in life ; he was an Associate Judge of the county, appointed by the Legislature, and was serving as such at the time of his death. He was an ex-soldier of the war of 1812, a strong anti-slavery man, and a zealous member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he was a Deacon. He died in 1838 at the age of sixty-two years, universally loved and respected by all who knew him. Our subject was nearly fifteen years of age when his father came to Ohio. They made the whole journey in a wagon, and were three weeks on the road. In 1822, our sub- ject cut down the first trees for the first court house in Union County. In 1827, he purchased land where he now lives, and in the year following built a cabin, which is still standing. In December, 1828, he moved onto his purchase, cleared the land and improved the place, and has since remained there in general prosperity. From 1853 to 1856, he served as a Commissioner and as Trustee of this township. He is the oldest member living in this county of the Presby- terian Church, to which he has belonged fifty-seven years, and he has been a Deacon and Elder of the church here for thirty years. He takes an active interest in religious affairs, and has always contributed liberally of his means to the church. Ile was married January 20, 1825, to Hannah Snodgrass, by whom he had seven children, viz .: William L., Harvey W. and Salina E., living, and Sabia J., George C., Alvin and Elizabeth, deceased. Alvin enlisted in 1864 in Company F, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was sent to his command via Cairo to Tennessee, above Pittsburg Landing. He was in the battle of Atlanta, after which, his health failing, he was put on light duty for awhile, then sent to Chattanooga Hospital, and after being transferred several times was honorably discharged May 24, 1865. Returning home with his health completely broken down, he lingered four years and then died, while in Columbus as roadmaster. Mrs. Porter died October 3, 1876, aged eighty years one month and six days. She was a daughter of Robert and Jane Snodgrass, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1800, with four children-Jane, James, Hannah and William. He soon afterward purchased land and became a permanent settler of the county, where he died in 1835 in his seventy-eighth vear ; his wife died in 1833, aged seventy-two. Four children, Robert, Samuel, George and Thomas, were born to them after their settlement in this county. George alone survives, and resides in Marysville.

F. G. REYNOLDS, cashier Branch Bank, Milford Center, was born in Milford Center in 1846, and is a son of E. L. Reynolds. an old settler, whose biography appears in this work. The boyhood of our subject was passed in his native village, where his rudimentary education was obtained. He also attended school at Marysville, and at the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College of Indianapolis. After completing his education he went to Pittsburgh, where he found employment in keeping the books of a large establishment for about ten years. He then re- turned to Milford Center, where he has since been actively engaged in business. In February, 1881, he was appointed cashier of the Branch Bank. He was married, January 17, 1877, to Miss Mac, the daughter of Hiram Stokes, of this county, by whom he has had one child- Edna.

WILLIAM RICHTER, grocer, Milford Center, was born in Germany, June 2, 1828, where his early life was passed, and where he spent three years learning his trade, which he followed five years before his emigration. In 1852, he came to America, landing in New York on the 5th of July, and coming immediately to Cincinnati, where he worked at his trade three years. He afterward spent one year in Kentucky, one year in Cleveland, and two years in Greencastle, Indiana. He was married in Indianapolis, in 1858, to Elizabeth Weigand, aud returned to Greencastle. He then carried on a bakery at Circleville, Ohio, eighteen months, at Chillicothe six months, and worked at his trade in Columbus five weeks. In 1861, he came to Marysville, and after laboring eighteen months, carried on a bakery and grocery twelve years with success. He afterward spent one year in Urbana and two years in Columbus, coming to Milford Center June 14, 187;, where he has since carried on a bakery, grocery and boarding-house. In 1873, he engaged in brewing at Marysville, but was not successful, losing in the enterprise $14,000. He has had nine children, eight living, viz. : John, Lizzie, Maggie, Frank, Caroline, Lillie, Theresa and Frederick. Theresa, the fourth child was accidentally shot in Urbana, and died at the age of seven years.

W. M. SNODGRASS, merchant and Postmaster, Milford Center, was born in this township in the year 1843, and is a son of Robert and Nellie (Robinson) Snodgrass, pioneers in this

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county. The early life of our subject was passed in Milford Center, and in the school of the place he obtained a practical education. Upon attaining his majority, he engaged in the mer- cantile business, and has been entirely successful. Mr. Snodgrass is a quiet gentleman, with no taste for notoriety or public prominence, much preferring to look after his own business in- terests to the thankless task of assisting in public affairs. He is a Free and Accepted Mason, belonging to Palestine Lodge, No. 158. In 1978, he was married to Miss Mary, the accom- plished daughter of D. L. Joseph, who has borne him one child, viz., Pearl. Mr. Snodgrass carries a general and well assorted stock of merchandise, consisting of everything usually found in a first-class retail house. He was appointed Postmaster in 1873.

HIRAM STOKES, retired, Milford Center, was born in this township in 1813, and is a son of John and Rhoda (Carey) Stokes ; the former was born near Winchester, Va., and about the year 1804 came to this township, in which he purchased 110 acres of land. He married the daughter of Calvin Carey, a native of New Jersey, who settled here in 1802. John Stokes lived on the land he bought till his death, which occurred in 1817. Part of the business done by the first court ever held in Union County was to make Mrs. Stokes guardian of her own children. Mr. Stokes was one of the first Justices of the Peace. Four children were born to them, of whom two are living, viz. : Hiram, and Maria Woods, nee Stokes. John and Hoopey are deceased. Mrs. Stokes died in 1863, aged seventy-four years. The early life of our subject was passed on a farm, and after attaining his majority he began to deal in stock, and drove large herds to the Eastern markets, and extended his trade West to the prairies of Illinois. lle has been engaged in the mercantile business at Milford Center, and was once burned out. On December 10, 1842, he was married to Clara, the daughter of Amasa Chapman, of New Hamp- shire, who settled here in 1832. Five children have been born to them, four of whom are living, viz. : Mary, John C., Clara and Bertha ; John, the eldest, being deceased. Mrs. Stokes died July 30, 1874. Mr. Stokes is a well-informed gentleman, and through life has borue the reputation of being a pushing, enterprising man, honorable and straightforward in every business trans- action.

1 WILLIAM THOMPSON, deceased, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1834, and was a son of Joseph and Eliza Thompson, natives of the above county. His early life was passed in his native county where his education was obtained in the common schools. Ile learned the trade of a tinner at Columbus, and in 1856 or 1857 came to Milford Center and engaged in the hardware business, which he followed until his decease, May 9, 1870. He was married in 1858 to Miss Mary J. Fuller, of this county, by whom he had one child-McDonald. He was a mem- ber of Marysville Lodge, F. & A. M., a successful man in business, and a highly esteemed citi- zen, whose death was deeply deplored by his friends and by the community at large.

J. G. TURNER, Justice of the Peace and harness-maker, Milford Center, was born in Marysville, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of ex-Probate Judge James Turner, deceased, and An- gella (Steere) Turner. The boyhood days of our subject were passed in his native village, and in its schools he received a practical education. At the age of eighteen years he began learning harness-making, and served a three years' apprenticeship. In April, 1861, he enlisted in Com- pany F, Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Hawkins, afterward Colonel of the regiment. He enlisted in the three months' service, but at the expiration of the term he en- listed with the rest of his regiment for three years. He participated in the engagements at Carnifex Ferry, Pittsburg Landing, Resaca, Chickamauga, Stone River and New Hope Church, the latter being fought after his term expired, and was discharged as an Orderly Sergeant in 1864. After his return he took up his trade, working at it in this county, and four years at Carrollton, Ill., and in 1876 located at Milford Center. In 1877, he was elected Justice of the Peace and Mayor of the village, filling the latter office two years and the former almost con- stantly to the present. He was also elected Township Clerk in 1877, and has served consecu- tively ever since. He is a member of Darby Lodge, No. 636, I. O. O. F. He was married in 1878 to Miss Mollie L. Alexander, of Marysville, by whom he has had one child-Nancy Angella. He is a stanch Republican in politics.

WILLIAM R. WEBB, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Windham County, Conu., July 29, 1818, and is a son of James and Dolly (Ripley) Webb, natives of Connecticut, who set- tled in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1821, and in 1822 Mrs. Webb died. In 1826, our subject returned to his native State to obtain an education, and in 1835 returned to Ohio and settled in Clark County. In 1851, he settled in Allen Township, this county, and in 1872 came to his present place of residence. While living in Allen Township he held the office of Assessor eight years, Commissioner of the county six years, and Justice of the Peace three years, and in this township he has been Assessor one year. He owns 147 acres of excellent land. In 1841. he was married to Harriet M. Clark, by whom he has had seven children, five of whom are living, viz .: Dwight, Laura M., Helen A., Arthur R. and Harriet A. James E. (deceased), was a mem- ber of Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisted in 1863, and was killed at Harper's Ferry three weeks after leaving home, aged eighteen years.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 102

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