The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 122

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 122

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).

WALTER B. BEECHER, farmer, P. O. Marysville, one of the leading farmers of Mill Creek Township was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., May 23, 1832. His parents, Zina and Lucretia (Sanford) Beecher, were natives of near New Haven, Conn. His father was born in November, 1784, and his mother October 27, 1790. They were married in New Haven, Conn., and in 1807 removed to Herkimer County, N. Y., thence to Grant County, where they resided, Mr. Beecher operating a tannery till the fall of 1836, when they removed to Licking County, Ohio. Mr. Beecher bought a farm of 220 acres and farmed and kept a dairy till his death, October 25, 1865. Mrs. B. died February 26, 1880. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters. Two of the daughters are deceased. Walter, the youngest, was reared on the homestead in Licking County and educated in the common schools. His father bought 371 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, and in April, 1853, gave it to his sons, George and Walter. The following winter, then a single man, Mr. Beecher came and settled on his share of the land, 185 acres ; all was in woods. Ile cleared a place and erected a log cabin. The succeeding year, 1854, he married and moved into his new home. Mr. Beecher started here a poor man, with only a horse, saddle and bridle, and $2 in money. But, with an indomitable energy, he began to carve his fortune out of the woods. He cleared off his farm, all but twenty acres and kept making additional purchases till he now owns 523 acres of the best land in the township. Mr. Beecher is a thorough and successful farmer and has dealt largely in stock. He keeps a flock of about 600 sheep, besides a good many cattle. He is a man of great perse- verance, and his success was, no doubt, largely due to those elements of character. December 10, 1854, he was married to Orinda J., daughter of Samuel and Jane (Riddle) Sherwood. Mrs. Beecher was born in Madison County, June 1, 1834. Seven children were the fruits of this union, four of whom are now living, viz. : Emma F., born September 5, 1857, wife of W. A. Bill ; Lucretia J., born March 28, 1860, wife of Chester K. Siegman, and have one child, Ada O., born April 4, 1882; Zina A., born March 29, 1864; and Willie L., born June 25, 1870. Henry H. born July 22, 1872, and died November 9, 1876; Bertha A. born August 13, 1876, and died February 8, 1877 ; an infant son died October 13, 1868. Mrs. Beecher's parents were early settlers in Madison County. IIer father was born April 2, 1807, and died December 29, 1859. Her mother was born March 8, 1812, and died December 21, 1836. They were married Feb- ruary 11, 1830. Mrs. Beecher is a member of the Methodist Church, and Mr. B. is a Repub- lican.

JAMES BELL was born in the State of New Jersey about the year 1778, and was married to Miss Sarah Warner, of Pennsylvania, in 1799, they having two children born to them in Pennsylvania, after which they emigrated to the State of Ohio, in the year 1804, to Warren County, near what is now the town of Lebanon, and there they had a son born to them December

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

12, 1805, Silas Bell, for whom this biography is written in memory of. He was brought by his parents to Union County, Ohio, in the year 1813, and settled on the farm now owned by W. C. Henderson, Mill Creek Township. He (James Bell) was one of the first settlers in the township. He was the first Squire elected in the township, and held the office for many years, he having the largest and most convenient log cabin in the township, for there were no other kind of houses those days. The township elections were held at his house for several years. Now that we have given a brief history of the parents of Mr. Silas Bell, we will endeavor to give a bio- graphical history of Silas Bell. He came to Union County with his parents in 1813, being eight years old and not large enough to do much work, and finding a vast wilderness and the Indians, bear, deer, wolves and other wild animals too numerous to mention, he naturally became a great hunter and trapper, and followed that until he was a man grown, running some narrow risks and performing some feats that are almost incredible to relate, a few of which we will endeavor to give in this sketch. Being late in the fall, Mr. James Bell (the father of this family) took his gun early in the morning and went in pursuit of venison ; he killing a deer in a very short time, he dragged it to the path leading to the house. He went to the house and took his boy, Silas, and his sister, to prepare the meat for use, telling them to keep the path until they came to the deer, and he would go around through the woods and perhaps he might kill another. They had gone but a short distance when they heard the report of their father's gun. They had proceeded but a few paces farther when a large bear came into the path a few rods ahead of the children, they having nothing to protect themselves with but an ax. This boy not being easily scared, squared himself in the path, when the bear came at them with open month, snorting so loud that it made the woods ring. It came on within about one jump of the boy, who stood firm with ax drawn ready for the conflict, when bruin stopped short, wheeled to the left and disappeared in the woods. The boy being excited by the bear and encouraged by its flight, was bound to pursue the animal and renew the attack, but his sister being older and more thought- ful, persuaded him to let the bear go. The bear had been wounded by their father, but he made his escape. This was the adventure and courage of a boy of fourteen summers. Another venturesome act he practiced in his hunting career was climbing the most gigantic trees in the wilderness for coon and wild honey, one act of which the writer of this sketch, was an eye witness, but not of the one we wish to relate. The tree was an oak, five feet in diameter, in which he had found a swarm of bees. He managed to fell a small tree against it, by means of which he reached the large limb in which the bees were, about seventy teet from the ground. He chopped the limb from the large oak, and in falling it knocked the small tree to the ground.

Looking around him a moment, he saw one of the limbs of the oak extended out over a tough black hickory. His first thought was to crawl out on the limb and jump down on that tree. The thought was no sooner than the action. He jumped down a distance of fifteen or twenty feet, lighting safely in the top of the hickory. Such were some of the adventures of his boyhood days. He continued to live with his father and mother until he was in the twenty-first year of his age, this being the year 1826, when he was married to Miss Abigail Sherman, and in the spring of 1827, settled on the farm now owned by Phineas Bell, his only surviving son. Now, at this period of life, he in a great measure abandoned his hunting and trapping and went to actual labor. Not having much taste for farming, he sought labor on different jobs of public works, such as canals, turnpikes, etc. He followed this avocation until the fall of 1839, when he had the sad misfortune to lose his wife, leaving him with six children, the oldest twelve years old. One thing remarkable about him was, he remained a widower the remainder of his life. After losing his companion, he was compelled to stay at home with his children, so he took up the boot and shoe making, followed that of falls and winters about twenty years, making sugar during the spring, and digging wells during the summer season of that period of time, after which he abandoned all these kinds of labor and turned his attention to the improvement of his farm. Ilis four oldest children being girls, left him with but little help on the farm, the writer being his only son; but he being a man of iron constitution, and equally firm in purpose, he was fully able for the task. He continued his labor on the farm a few years, when he took a notion to see the Western wilds. He having a brother in the central part of Kansas, he first went there. They made up a party and went on a buffalo hunt. This aroused the hunting spirit that had almost died out in his mind. He shouldered his gun with the rest of the company and started for the buffalo plains, where they found them in countless numbers. We have often heard him remark that he could see buffalo as far as the sight of the eye could extend. He killed several of them ; killed one antelope and one wolf. He shot the wolf at break of day. There were several wolves eating at the carcass of a buffalo they had killed near where they had camped. Not being light enough to see very well, he shot somewhat by guess. Seeing he had crippled it, he took up the neckyoke of the wagon and attacked the animal, which gave him fight. So his first adventure was with a bear and last with a wolf. He then returned home and resumed his labor on the farm, and at his death had one of the finest improved farms in Mill Creek Township, with the exception of buildings, which he never took much pride in. Now that we have given a brief history of the adventures and pursuits of labor of Mr. Silas Bell, we will give an impar- tial sketch of the moral character of the same. He had the good fortune, by nature, to be very mild in temper, and very regular in all the habits of life, which insured him general good health.

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MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP.

A mild temper, regular habits and a charitable disposition gained a lasting friendship of all that knew him. His life was an exemplary one, full of faith, hope and charity, and good will toward men. Such is a partial history of the late Silas Bell, who died May 20, A. D. 1879, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and thus passed away one of Union County's pioneers.

JOHN L. BORGER, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 17, 1827. In 1843, his parents, John W. and Elizabeth (Shure) Borger, emigrated to America, settling in Columbus, of which city they remained residents till 1858, when they came to Union County. John L. is the eldest child and was raised and educated in Germany. He learned brick-making in Columbus, and in 1853 went to Crawford County, where he followed it six years. In 1859, he removed to Darby Township, this county, and bought a farm of 196 acres; and a short time afterward added twenty-one and a half acres. He occupied this farm till 1872 when he purchased his present homestead in Mill Creek Township, which contains 325 acres. Mr. Borger began when a poor boy, working for 6 cents a day. Hemade his start manufacturing brick, and when he left Crawford County in 1859 he had $5,000, which he invested in a farm in Darby Township. By his perseverance and energy, he has made large and valuable property. April 7, 1850, he was married to Maria, daughter of George and Elizabeth Denterlein, by whom he has had the following children, viz .: Mary, Maggie, wife of L. Conrad, John K., George A., John L., John M. and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Borger are members of the Lutheran Church, and in polities Mr. B. is a Democrat.

JOHN H. P. BOUIC, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Montgomery County, Md., December 11, 1826, and is a son of Robert H. B. and Rebecca (Lakin) Bouic, natives of Maryland. His grandfathers, Peter Bouic and Daniel Lakin were slave-holders in Maryland, and wealthy men. The former was born in France and came to this country when eighteen years of age; the latter was born in England and came to this country before the Revo- lutionary war, in which he served seven years. Benjamin Lakin, a son of the above gentleman, served in the war of 1812. The father of our subject died in Maryland August 17, 1828. He was born October 3, 1799. His mother was born April 18, 1798. They were married May 25, 1823, and had three children. Daniel L., who died September 3, 1854; Washington A., died Octo- ber 27, 1882. Mrs. Bouic removed to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1830, and in 1835 she pur- chased 231 acres of land in this township for $1,050, on which she settled the same year and lived thereon till her death, which occurred December 23, 1870. Our subject was married November 6, 1851, to Catharine, daughter of Christian and Hannah Myers, who was born in Union County, Ohio, January 10, 1830. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living, viz .: Christain W., Rebecca J., Hannah S., Mary C., Clara A., John D., Florence O., and Jacob F. Emaline M., deceased. He owns 115 acres of the old homestead, and keeps a high grade of stock. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been Elder three years.

THOMAS N. ELSOM, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, second child of William H. and Martha J. (Rittenhouse) Elsom, was born in Albemarle County, Va., August 20, 1849. Ile was brought by his parents to the county the fall after his birth, and settled in Dover Town- ship. He was raised principally in Mill Creek Township and received his education in its schools. March 25, 1873, he was married to Miss Emma J., daughter of Luther and Mary A. (Scott) Winget. Mrs. Elsom was born in Delaware County June 13, 1852. Five children were born of this marriage, of whom two are living-Stewart Clayton, born January 4, 1879; and Mary Effie, born December 23, 1880. Nora M., born April 6, 1874, died March 1, 1879 ; Will- iam Stanley, born October 5, 1875, died March 2, 1879. A son died in infancy. Mr. Elsom located on his farm in 1873, and is engaged in farming and raising Spanish Merino sheep. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are charter members of the Grange. He owns a farm of 102 acres.

JACOB L. FELKNER, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Hawkins County, East Tenn., September 1, 1819, and is a son of Jacob and Mary E. (Hutchinson) Felkner. In 1827, they removed to Franklin County, Ohio, and in 1836 removed to Delaware County, Ohio, where both died. Lewis Felkner, father of Jacob, Sr., was born in Germany, and settled in Virginia. In 1827, the father of our subject bought 120 acres of land here, sixty of which he gave to him. He died Christmas Day, 1840. The subject of this sketch was married, November 5, 1840, to Ellen, daughter of Jacob and Mary Carr, who was born in Grant County, W. Va., in 1821. To them have been born six children, five of whom are living, viz .: Calvin, Mary E., Luther, Dudley and Laura. Jacob L., deceased, aged sixteen years. When twenty- two years of age, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed fifteen years, and in an early day he made many coffins. He has served as Trustee two terms, and was Land Appraiser in 1870. Politically, he is a Democrat.

CALVIN FELKNER, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, eldest son of Jacob L. and Ellen Felkner. was born in Mill Creek Township February 13, 1842. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. April 13, 1862, he was married to Marinda, daughter of James Liggett. Mrs. Felkner was born in Mill Creek Township February 9, 1845. Of their four children, two are living-William Arthur, born September 13, 1866, and Laura Amelia, born May 23, 1871. Sarah Ellen, born May 18, 1863, and died August 5, 1879, and Fay Shields, born February 27, 1868, and died October 6, 1878. In April, 1862, Mr. Felkner located on the

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farm he now occupies, which contains eighty-seven and three-fourthis acres. He is by occupa- tion a farmer, and rears fine horses-roadsters. In politics, he is Democratic.

DAVID FISH, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Frederickstown, Md., December 8, 1829. His parents, James and Catharine (Easterday) Fish, were natives of Maryland, and of Irish and German descent. They removed to Columbus, Ohio, in 1833, and the following year to Mill Creek Township. Mr. Fish bought a farm of 118 acres, and at his death, which occurred January 18, 1871, he owned 160 acres of land. Mrs. Fish died August 20, 1872. They were members of the Protestant Methodist Church, and were the parents of ten children. David was reared on a farm, and spent his early life with his father in clearing it up. When of age, he married and rented till 1864, when he purchased fifty-one and one-half acres of land, which he sold in April, 1874, and bought his present farm. October 26, 1854, he was married to Miss Elizabeth S., daughter of Isaac and Sarah Wells. Mrs. Fish was born in Haw- kins County, Tenn., September 17, 1827. Of six children born to this marriage there are living James I. C., Sabin R. and John W. Emanuel M., David H. and Sylvan A. are deceased. Mrs. Fish is a member of the New Providence Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Fish is Democratic. He owns a well-improved farm of 160 acres, and is engaged in farming and keep- ing Poland-China hogs. In 1880, he erected a residence at an expense of $2,000. Mr. Fish started in married life with less than $100, and by dint of energy he has acquired valuable property.

CHRISTIAN M. GRAHAM, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Paris Township Septem- ber 22, 1839. He is a son of Robert and Judith (Bell) Graham. The former was born in 1808, and in 1812 came with his parents to Clark County, and in 1821 settled in this township. His grandparents came from England, and both died in Ilamilton County, Ohio. Robert was mar- ried to Judith Bell December 22, 1829. They lived in this township till 1867, when they re- moved to Marysville, where he died in January, 1882. She departed this life in August, 1869. To them were born six children. He married for his second wife Mary J. Williams, in January, 1870. Our subject is the third son and fifth child, and was reared upon the farm. April 23, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three months, but served until August 13, 1861. He re-enlisted November 20, 1861, in Company H, Forty sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed Chief Musician, in which capacity he served till July 1, 1864. IIe was in the Fifteenth Army Corps, and took part in seventeen of the hard-fought battles of the war, and was honorably discharged at Columbus in 1865. He re- ceived a sunstroke at Jackson, Miss., from which he has never recovered. April 3, 1863, he was married to Lavina, daughter of Philip and Margaret Miller. She was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 10, 1844. Six children have been born to them, viz .: Alva D., Marion L., Ella M. and Eva M. (twins), William P. and Emma L. They are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Central Ohio Christian Conference. He has been Township Trustee five terms. Also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He owns sixty-five acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.

GEORGE HANAWALT, JR., farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, son of Samuel and Catharine (Acton) Hanawalt, was born in Mill Creek Township February 24, 1855. He was reared on a farm and received his training in the common schools. February 24, 1874, he was joined in marriage to Miss Esther A., daughter of Josiah and Mercy Baughman. Mrs. H. was born in Union County April 30, 1855. This marriage was blest with four children-Samuel J., born December 10, 1874 ; Berry E., born April 14, 1876 ; Pearl O., born March 30, 1880, and Myrtle R., born October 17, 1882. Mr. Hanawalt owns 107 acres of well improved land, and is engaged in farming and rearing Spanish Merino sheep. He is identified with the orders of I. O. O. F. and I. O. R. M., and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM C. HENDERSON, farmer, P. O. Watkins, a prominent agriculturist and fine stock-raiser of Mill Creek Township, was born in Indiana County, Penn., October 28, 1825; his parents, John and Anna (Jack) Henderson, came to Union County and settled on the farm occupied by the subject of this sketch. William is the youngest son and next to the youngest child of twelve children- seven sons and five daughters. He spent his youth and early manhood on the homestead, and received his education in the common schools of Mill Creek Township. When of age he took up the cooper's trade at New California, and followed it seven years, most of the time on the home farm; he made his start in this way, and in 1850 bought thirty-four acres of the homestead. He finally bought out all the heirs and owned the whole farm, which contained 140 acres. To this he kept making additional purchases of land till he now owns 431 acres, which constitutes one of the best farms in Union County. In 1873, he had built a large, commodious brick residence, the finest in the township. Mr. Henderson embarked in life a poor boy, working at the pittance wages of 25 cents and 31 cents a day ; he has been an upright, honorable, hard-working man, and by his untiring energy and industry has achieved success. In public enterprises and improvements, he has always lent his aid and support. To the pikes he has given at least $3,500. December, 1870, Mr. Henderson was mar- ried to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Moses and Margaret Sewell, by whom he has two bright lit- tle children-Myrtie A. and an infant.

SIMON D. KILGORE, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a large farmer and stock-raiser of Mill Creek Township, was born in Canaan Township, Madison County, May 10, 1837. He is the youngest

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of ten children, six of whom are now living. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Patterson) Kil- gore, were natives of Westmoreland County, Penn., and Botetourt County, Va., respectively ; he was raised on his native place and was educated in the common schools of the district. He re- sided with his father till 1868, when he purchased 209 acres of his farm in Mill Creek Town- ship. His father came with him in 1865, and lived in the family till his death. Mr. Kilgore was married July 3, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and Martha Cary. Mrs. K .. was born in Madison County, Ohio, February 19, 1842. Three children were born to this union -Ettie J., born March 13, 1869 ; Cora E., born June 15, 1875 ; and Thomas H., born March 6, 1877. Mr. Kilgore owns a well improved and highly cultivated farm of 305 acres, and is a suc- cessful agriculturist and stock-raiser of the township. He and wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. In politices lie has always voted with the Republican party.

WILLIAM D. KIRKLAND, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, an old pioneer of Mill Creek, was born in Mecklinburg County, Va., December 20, 1808. His parents, George and Martha (Stanback) Kirkland, were also natives of Mecklinburg County. His father was born March 5, 1777, and his mother December 14, 1791. They were married in 1807, and removed to Charlotte County, Va., in 1812. From that county Mr. Kirkland was drafted in the war with Great Britain, and served eighteen months. His father, Burrel Kirkland, served from beginning to end in the American Revolution, after which he moved to Montgomery County, Ky., where he died, aged one hundred and eight. In 1829, our subject's parents removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where they both died; the former in December, 1863, and the latter September 13, 1875. Will- iam, at an early age, learned wagon and carriage making, at which both his father and grandfather were professionals. Hefollowed it till 1838, and more or less till 1858. In four years at his trade, near Dublin, he made and saved $400, with which, in 1840, he bought 70 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, for which he paid $212. He would often work in the harvest-field cradling grain all day, and then work all night at his trade. In February, 1841, he moved on his new farm on Mill Creek, and followed the farm of summers and his trade of winters, till 1858, since which time he has farmed alone. In 1852, he purchased thirty acres, paying for the same $300. He has made subsequent additions, till his farm now contains 300 acres of land, most of which he has cleared and improved himself. Since 1859, he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and for the last four years he has kept French and Clydesdale horses. September 10, 1829, he was married to Jane, daughter of John Trusler, who died September 9, 1853, leaving five children; four are living-Lizzie, wife of Adam Robinson; Hannah, wife of Wilson Brown; George and William John is deceased. Mr. Kirkland was married the second time May 2, 1859, to Elizabeth A. Beard, daughter of Michael and Mary Beard, and a native of Zanesville, Ohio, where she was born October 29, 1823. Two sons were born to this union-Michael A. and Marion E. Mr. Kirk- land embarked in life a poor boy, but, through perseverance and energy, he has made for himself valuable possessions. Politically, he is Democratic, having cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson.

LUTHER LIGGETT, farmer, P. O. Watkins, was born in this township October 11, 1836, and is a son of Absalom and Millie (Carr) Liggett. He (Absalom) was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 9, 1810, and was a son of James Liggett, who was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1778. He settled in Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and in 1817 removed to Delaware County, Ohio, and settled at what is now Ostrander, where he died in 1864. The father of our subject was the fourth child of a family of ten children, viz : Job, Joab, Abner, Absalom, William, Millie, Coonrod, Susan, James and Gideon-all deceased but Abner. Absalom was married, in 1833, to Millie Carr, who bore him ten children, of whom eight lived to maturity, Luther being the eldest child. He was married, in 1857, to Maria, daughter of James W. and Laura R. (Kinney) Wilkinson, by whom he has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz .: Newton E., James A., Louisa A. L., Wayne, Clara M. and Henry C. An infant daughter deceased. After his marriage he lived on a rented farm till 1862, at which time he purchased ninety-six acres of land. At present he owns 300 acres of valuable land. He deals extensively in short-horned cattle, some of which he has exhibited at the World's Fair. He is now serving his fourth term as a member of the Agricult- ural Board, two years of which time he has been Vice President of the society. He has also served as Township Trustee, Township Clerk and Treasurer. In October, 1882, he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has been delegated to various State and county conventions. Mrs. Liggett was born in Marysville, December 17, 1836. Her parents came to the above place in 1836, where they resided till 1857, and moved to Butler County, Neb., where they both died-the former, March 25, 1882, and the latter March 7, 1875. Mr. Wilkinson served as Probate Judge of Butler County two years, and, while a resident of Marysville, filled the office of Justice of the Peace.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 122

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