The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 108

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 108

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J. C. McCLOUD, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, in 1829, and is a son of Thomas and Lovina (Cummings) MeCloud; the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Maryland. His father, with Benjamin Tinkham, were among the early pioneers of Union County. Thomas and wife subsequently removed to Delaware County, Ohio, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was married in 1862, to Melissa, youngest living daughter of Benjamin Tinkham. One child, Tina, the only living of this union. Mr. McCloud served the 100-days' call during the rebellion in Company K, One Hundred and Sixth Ohio National Guard, and has always made farming his profession. Ilis home is the original farm selected by Benjamin Tinkham, where he passed the years of his life. Mr. and Mrs. McCloud are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are. descendants of Union County's oldest and respected pioneers.

THOMAS C. McDOWELL, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, is a grandson of John McDowell, and a son of William G. McDowell, and Rebecca Paris, his wife. John and William G. Mc- Dowell were natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county at an early day, and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Union Township. To this farm William G. afterward made additions, un- til, at his death, in 1855, it consisted of 320 acres. He was an extensive farmer, and one of the leading stock dealers in the county, and gave his entire attention to these two branches of industry. His widow is still living, and is now in the sixty-seventh year of her age. They raised a family of seven children, four boys and three girls, of whom five are now living, our subject being the sec- ond son of the family. He was born on the homestead farm in 1843, and in August, 1861, enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, a term of three years and eleven months. Ile participated in the battles of Harper's Ferry, Cham- pion Hills and siege of Vicksburg. remaining at the latter place until February, when the regiment re-enlisted. After a thirty days' scout, the command went to Meridian, Miss., where they re- ceived a thirty days' furlongh and returned home. After the expiration of their leave of absence, they returned to Memphis, crossed Tennessee and joined Sherman's army, at Shanty Station, Ga. Mr. McDowell served at the battles of Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta, Feb- ruary 22, where he was taken prisoner, and after sixty days in Andersonville, was released on a special exchange between Sherman and Ilood, returning to his command ; and he was in Sher- man's march at the sea, and at the battle of Raleigh, N. C., where he witnessed the surrender of the rebel Gen. Lee. He afterward took part in the grand review, and was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., July 25, 1865. After he returned to civil life he remained at home, where he was married in 1869, to Emily Mitchell, a daughter of J. Mitchell, and a native of this county. To this union five children were born, three surviving, viz .: Eddie M., Effie L. and Lutrella. Mr. McDowell is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Ex-Prison- ers' Association of Columbus. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church at Unionville, and a Republican in politics.

J. C. MITCHELL, farmer, P. O). Unionville Center. The Mitchell family are largely repre- sented in Union County, the descendants of whom were of Pennsylvania stock. The grand parent, Samuel, with a colony of four families, was the first to found a settlement on the Darby in this county, in 1799, where they raised families and died. David Mitchell, the father of our sub- ject, was born in York County, Penn., April 30, 1760, and was one of four children, who passed a portion of their lives in this county, where he died January 28, 1826. Ilis first wife, Miss Han- nah Black, was born in August, 1764, and died September 20, 1823, and were the parents of

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thirteen children. His second marriage was to Miss Rebecca Nelson, February 26, 1824. She died October 9, 1824. He returned to his native place in Pennsylvania, where he was again married October 6, 1825, to Miss Hannah, daughter of John Caldwell, of York County, Penn. David Mitchell served as Justice of the Peace all his life, and married thirty-two couple in Union County. He was one of the first Associate Judges of the county, and for years an Etder of the Presbyterian Church. His counsel was sought in all public affairs : he was a father to the poor, and in death left an honored and cherished name. The subject of this sketch is the only living representative of this family, and was born in Darby Township, in 1826. He was married Au- gust 26, 1852, to Miss Nancy J .. a daughter of Samuel McCul ough. This union has been blest with six children, four of whom are living, viz .: Lucinda A., wife of William Markly ; Emma J., wife of J. B Galloway, who reside on the homestead; Samuel M. and David A. Mr. M. has always lived a quiet, unostentatious life on the homestead, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. In 1876, after a visit to the centennial at Philadelphia, Penn , be gradually lost his eyesight, and became totally blind ; yet he is of sound health, and his keen sense of hearing, combined with qualities of the head and heart, make him a pleasing companion. He numbers among those of the oldest born settlers of the county.

DANIEL MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center. The grandparents of Daniel, Da- vid and Martha Mitchell, were among the earliest pilgrims of Union County. He purchased and settled on 300 acres of land in Darby Township, where they both died. The subject of this sketch was born in Darby Township, Union County, in 1817. His parents; Moses and Jennie (Taylor) Mitchell, were natives of Pennsylvania, and located with the family in this township, where they passed the remaining years of their lives. They raised a family of ten children. six of whom survive. Our subject is the oldest living of the children, and was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah Marquis, a native of Madison County. This union has produced four children, viz .: Elward, Cinthia, Hattie and Frank. Mr. Mitchell occupied his present estate in 1846, consisting of 217 acres. He is a practical farmer, and politically is a Douglas Democrat of the old Jacksonian school.

DAVID MITCHELL, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center, is a grandson of David Mitchell, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and a son of Moses and Jane (Taylor) Mitchell. His father was also born in Pennsylvania, and came West with his parents in 1812, and settled on land now owned by John Mitchell. He had a family of six children by his first wife, and by his second wife, Jemima Cartright, had a like number. He died at the age of eighty-one years, in 1863. Our subject was married in 1851 to M'ss Elizabeth Winfield, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Mary J., Arvilla, Fannie, Alice, Mattie, Rosa and Scott.

JOSEPH MORSE, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, is a son of Ray G. Morse, and was born in Union Township in 1837. He was married in 1872 to Elizabeth, daughter J. S. Taylor, of Madison County, Ohio, by whom he has had one child, viz., Sadie. Mr. Morse enlisted in 1862 in Company E, Eighty-sixth Regiment, in which he served four months. He owns ninety-two acres of land, valued at $100 per acre. Politically he is Republican, and, besides, is one of the enterprising farmers of the county.

W. F. H. PENNINGTON, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center, was born in Champaign County in 1832 He is a son of Thomas and Ann E. (Hollaway) Pennington. His father and parents removed and settled near Hillsboro, Ohio ; his grandfather subsequently removed to Milton, Ind., where he died. Thomas and Ann E. Pennington moved to Clark County, and afterward to Champaign County. In 1842, they went to Madison County, and in 1854 to Williams County, where Mr. Pennington died in 1864. Mrs. Pennington resides in that county, in the seventy-sixth year of her age. They reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are living at the present time. The subject whose name heads this sketch is the fourth child. He came to Union County in 1860, and taught school the two succeeding years. May 2, 1864, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and served till August 30, when he was honorably discharged. Returning home he resumed farm- ing and teaching. December 25, 1865, he was married to Harriet R., daughter of Michael Sager, and a native of Union County. Mr. Pennington owns a good farm and is engaged in the pursuit of agriculture. Mr. Pennington is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also connected with the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order. Po- litically, he is a Republican. He has served his township in the capacity of Trustee and various other local offices.

PHILIP RAUSCH, farmer, P. O. Marysville, a prominent German farmer of Union County, was born in Frederickstown, Md., November 24, 1831. He is a son of George and Catharine (Blumenshine) Rausch, who emigrated from Germany in 1830 and settled in Maryland, re- moving to Darby Township in April, 1832, where Mr. Rausch died August 17, 1862. Philip is the third of a family of ten children, of whom eight are living. When twenty years of age, he started out working by the month, and followed this employment three years at wages from $10 a month to 50 cents a day. In 1854, he bought 100 acres in Darby Township, and the following fall erected his home, burning the brick himself. He made subsequent additions to the original purchase till his farm now contains 640 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. Mr.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Rausch celebrated his marriage April 15, 1855, with Miss Barbara, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Grace, who was born in Germany, November 10, 1834. Thirteen children were born to bless this union; of these twelve are living, viz .: John A. W .; Catharine, wife of Martin Ruprite ; Casper ; Lena; Mary ; Emanuel ; Charlie; Michael; Willie ; Anna; Dora and Caro- line. Philip died, aged twelve years. Mr. Rausch started in life without a dollar, but by his industry and excellent business management he achieved a large success. For the last twenty-six years he has been engaged in breeding and rearing draft horses, and keeping a high grade of cattle and hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Rausch are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Rausch is neutral, voting for the man and not the party. He served Darby Town- ship in the capacity of Trustee for ten years, and has also filled other local offices of minor im- portance.

PETER RAUSCH, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Darby Township, on October 5, 1844, and is the seventh child of George and Catherine (Blumenshine) Rausch. She came to this township with her father, Peter Blumenshine, in 1830. He first settled on the land now owned by Philip Rausch, and died at the home of Casper Rausch in 1862. Catherine Rausch is living with Casper to-day, in the seventy-eighth year of her age. The subject of this sketch was raised on the homestead farm, and was married in 1867 to Miss Doratha, a daughter of John Bunsold, an old settler of Darby Township. To this union seven children have been born, all of whom are living-Catherine, Maggie, Annie, Philip, John L., Sophia and Lena. There was of George and Catherine Blumenshine's family nine children born, eight of whom are living in this county. Mr. R. has filled the office of School Director two years, and is an officer in the Lutheran Church, of which the family are all members.

BARNARD RAUSCH, Jr., farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Darby Township in September, 1845, and is the youngest son of George and Catherine (Blumenshine) Rausch, who emigrated to this county in 1830, aud located in Maryland two years. He came to this county and settled in this township, where he resided until his death in 1862. The subject of this sketch was born and raised on the homestead farm, and was married in October, 1869, to Miss Catherine Bun- sold. daughter of John Bunsold ; she is a native of this county. To this union six children were born-John, Lillie, Etta, Richey, Clara, and Mary, deceased. Mr. R. settled on his present farm in the same year of his marriage. The farm consists of 112 acres, where he has since made his home. He and family are connected with the Lutheran Church, and he numbers among the enterprising and active farmers of Darby Township.

SAMUEL ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Plain City. This distinguished pioneer, whose por- trait appears in this volume, is a son of James and Jane ( Morrison) Robinson, of York County, Penn. He (James), with a brother Samuel, lett their home in Pennsylvania and journeyed to Tennessee, to meet Lucas Sullivant, the original proprietor of a large tract of land, now embraced in the limits of Darby Township. Securing the company of Mr. Sullivant, the trio started on the journey to Union County, traveling six weeks through an unbroken wilderness, and never meeting the face of a white person. Reaching their destination in the spring of 1800, the brothers purchased 600 acres of land. Clearing a spot and planting the first crop, James re- turned to his native place where he was married in 1801, and returned in 1805 with his bride, to his cabin home in the wilderness. Here they lived, rejoiced and sorrowed to the end of life's journey. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom are living to perpetuate their honored name. William, the eldest, is one of the oldest born and living pioneers of the county ; James, a resident of Jerome Township ; Samuel and Annie. The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead farm in Darby Township, November 18, 1814. He was married January 19, 1841, to Miss Nancy, a daughter of James A. and Phebe Curry, and a sister of John Curry. She was a native of Jerome Township, Union County, where her birth occurred January 19, 1822, and died April 10, 1865, the mother of eight children, six of whom are living-James I. ; Viana, wife of John McCullough ; Eldridge, Otway C., Phebe and Addison. His second mar- riage to Miss Jennie Kincaid, a Virginian, occurred December 29, 1876. This union has been blest with three children, all of whom are growing into life amid the cultivated and productive scenes cleared by the hand of their forefathers. Their names are Josephine, Inez, and one not yet christened. Mr. R. settled on a farm of 317 acres, which his father subsequently purchased, where he has since made it his home. He is a man of quiet, unostentatious habits, fond of home, a good neighbor, an honored and esteemed citizen.

S. D. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center. This respected pioneer is a son of Samuel Robinson, a native of York County, Penn., who, migrating to the West, purchased 400 acres of land on the plains of this township, and was one of the early pilgrims in this county. In 1806, he located in Franklin County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Martha Hunter. The first court of Franklin County was held at his home, where he became distinguished as an early settler. Returning to his estate in this county, he cleared the land, raised a family and died. He was an expert with the broad-ax, and with that instrument hewed out the coffin that contained the remains of Samuel Mccullough, who was the first person buried in Mitchell Cem- etery in this township in 1800. He was a good scholar, dignified in his appearance, and was the first to advocate the temperance cause, and organize the associate church, subsequently known as the United Presbyterian, in which he was an Elder for many years, and was a zeal-

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ous worker in religious exercises. The land of his adoption was purchased from the Virginia Military lands, a portion of which is occupied by his heirs. He raised a family of nine chil- dren, the eldest living of whom is Margaret, widow of Samuel Mccullough, and was born in Franklinton, Franklin Co., Ohio, and at this time, 1882, is in the seventy-sixth year of her age. The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead farm in 1816. At the age of twenty-four years, he settled upon his present farm of 185 acres, where he has since constantly resided. He was united in marriage in Greene County, Ohio, to Miss Ann F., daughter of William Pollock, and a native of Ross County, Ohio. This union has produced six children, five of whom are living, viz .: John S., eldest son, enlisted in the Union army on the call for 75,000 troops, in the Thir- teenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the regiment was re-organized for three years' service, re-enlisting in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving the three months call ; William P. enlisted in 1863, in Company B, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving six months, and re-enlisting in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He participated with the regiment in the battles of Atlanta, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, and with Sherman on his memorable march to the sea, thence at Owensboro, Bentonville and through the grand re- view at Washington, and was mustered out at Camp Denison in July, 1865 ; Samuel F. married Miss Kate Cole, a native of England, resides in Greenfield, Iowa, where he has been en- gaged in the mercantile trade for the past two years, where he is well established and favorably known ; Mary R., wife of William Avis, of this county, and Ollie, residing on the homestead. Mr. R. is one of our oldest citizens. He is an officer in the Presbyterian Church at Unionville Center, and is widely and favorably known.

W. H. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center, a descendant of pioneer stock, and a son of Samuel, a native of York County, Penn., who migrating to the West, purchased 400 acres of land on the banks of the Big Darby. In 1806, he removed to Franklin County, where he was married to Miss Martha Hunter. Subsequently he returned to this county and settled on his purchase, where he reared a family and died. He was an expert with the broad ax, and hewed out the coffin that contained the remains of Samuel Mccullough, the first person buried in the Mitchel Cemetery in Darby Township. He was a good scholar and adherent of temperance, and one of the first organizers of the associate Presbyterian Church, and a man established in the hearts of all who knew him. The subject of this sketch was born on the homestead January 14, 1822. His farm embraces 150 acres of the original farm. He was married in January, 1850, in Jerome Township, to Miss"Elizabeth McCampbell, a sister of J. T. McCampbell, and a native of this county. Six children born to this union are all living, viz .: James C., Mary J , wife of W. McDowell; Rosa, wife of John Robinson ; Elinor, Frank and Mertie. The family are connected with the United Presbyterian Church of Unionville, and among the oldest and respected families of the county.

J. C. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center, is a son of George and Elizabeth (Clark- son) Robinson, both natives of Pennsylvania, where she died after raising a family of eight children, four of whom are living. He with his children came to the west in 1854, and settled on the Big Darby in this township, and was a resident of Darby until the close of his life in 1859. The subject of this sketch was born in York Township, Penn., in March, 1828. Farming has been his occupation through life, and by energy and perseverance has made success. He pur- chased thirty-six acres of his present farm at the close of the war, and with subsequent addi- tions now covers 135 acres upon which he has just completed and occupied a commodious and substantial residence. He served four months in the Union army during the rebellion, enlist- ing in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was married June 29, 1858, to Miss Amelia, daughter of a pioneer family, of Darby Township. This union has been blest with two children, one of whom is living, Lula R. The family are connected with the Presbyterian Church at Milford Center.

D. M. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center, was born September 1, 1823. He is a son of John W. and Elizabeth ( Mitchell) Robinson, and a grandson of James Robinson, one of the early pioneer settlers of Union County. Our subject was raised to manhood in his native place, and educated in the common schools of the county. In October, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary J. Valentine, daughter of James Valentine, and a native of Athens County, Ohio. They were blessed with five children, viz., John W., married Rosa Robinson ; Algernon N .; D. Elmer ; F. Scott and Mattie (deceased). Mr. Robinson and family are associated with the Presbyterian Church of Milford Center, of which he is an Elder. Mr. Robinson is a man of enterprise, and has been chosen to various local offices of honor and trust. He served as Trustee of Darby Township a number of terms, and in politics is a Republican.

BENJAMIN L. ROBINSON, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center. The subject of this sketch is a production of the third generation, the progenitors of whom have pioneered their settlement to their better and happier home. Alex, the grandparent, was among the first settlers to clear a spot, and erect a cabin in the limits of Union County. The exact time of his location is not. definitely known. The parents of Benjamin, Alex, Jr., and Edith (Penrose) Robinson, were both natives of Union County, and were widely known and esteemed. Benjamin L., the young- est son, was born on the homestead in Darby Township, in 1859. He was married September 20,

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

1881, to Miss Sarah, daughter of J. M. Andrews, of this township, of which she is a native. The following year he settled on his present home of eighteen acres, where he is industriously engaged.

GEORGE C. RUIIL, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Darby Township, Union County, August 27, 1846, and is the youngest child of George and Annie E. (Cook) Ruhl, both natives of Germany, where they were married, and embarked to the United States in August, 1836. They located near Harrisburg, Penn., where they resided about three years, when they removed to this county, and settled in this township in 1839. He purchased land now occupied by George Mader's farm. He was a resident of this county during his life, and died November 7, 1881, in the eighty-fourth year of his age. The widow and mother . yet survives with her children in Paris Township in the eightieth year of her age. They had born to them nine children, four of whom are living in this county. The subject of this sketch was married, September 5, 1867, to Miss Mary M., daughter of George Scheiderer. She is a native of this township and county. To this union seven children were born, five of whom are living, viz., John S., Catherine, Kuni- gunda, Mary and Lena. Mr. Ruhl has filled the office of Township Trustee for the past three years, and has been" one of the directors of the Lutheran Church, with which the family are connected. He purchased his present farm in August, 1873, and settled on the same in the fall of the same year. At that time the purchase was 121 acres, and he has since bought eighteen additional acres. This land is in a cultivated state, and very productive. Mr. Ruhl ranks as one of the enterprising and active farmers of the county.

MICHAEL SAGER, farmer, P. O. Unionville Center. The records of the Sager family go to show them to be of German deseent. The grandparents, George and Elizabeth (Sheets) Sager. were natives of Loudoun County, Va., and settled on the homestead in Darby Township, near Unionville. in 1806. He was a pioneer physician of the early times, and was widely and favor- ably known. He raised a family of ten children, eight sons and two daughters. The subject of this sketch, whose portrait appears in this volume, was born on the homestead farm in 1817. His parents, Samuel and Elizabeth (Sandbower) Sager, were both natives of Virginia. Of the children born to this union, there are living, viz., Ann, wife of J. M. Andrews; Michael. and Sarah, wife of Gregory llawley. Mr. Sager was married in 1840 to Miss Mariet, daughter of Squire Deland, and a native of Vermont. This union has produced five children, but one of whom survives, viz., Harriet D., wife of W. F. H. Pennington, who resides on the homestead farm, at this time consisting of 200 acres. Two sons, George M. and Edwin, gave their service and their lives to their country's flag, in the ranks of the Union army during the late rebellion. George M. enlisted in the three-years call, August 11, 1861, in Company D, Fortieth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and had nearly served his time when, in an engagement near Kenesaw Mount- aiu, Ga., he was shot through the right lung and shoulder-blade, and instantly killed. Edwin enlisted August 16, 1862, in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, and was shot through the right lung on the field of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863. He so far recovered as to rejoin the command, and received a fatal shot at Kenesaw Mountain, from which he died. They were both buried on the field of battle, but afterward recovered and conveyed to their birthplace for interment. Mr. Sager is a descendant of one of Union's earliest settled families, and numbers among those of the oldest born pioneers. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is highly esteemest by all who know him.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 108

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