The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 123

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 123

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).

ABNER LIGGETT, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Mill Creek Township April 17, 1850; he is a son of James and Sarah Ann (Richards) Liggett, of Virginia and New York respectively. His father was born November 14, 1817, and his mother April 20, 1819. They were married in Delaware County October 1, 1840, and had eight children-Ar- thur, married Clarinda Freshwater; Marinda, wife of Calvin Felkner : Abner (our subject) ; Joab, married Rose Honeter, and since Estelle Thompson ; Gideon : Minerva, wife of Hiram Penny ; William and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Liggett came to Union County in 1844, where they both died ; the former August 29, 1882, and the latter March 28, 1870. Abner was married

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

April 7, 1870, to Cassie, daughter of George and Margaret (Moore) Swank, and a native of Darby Township, Union County, where she was born June 17, 1851. They have two children- James Ray, born May 10, 1872; and Mona S., born October 5. 1880, and died November 24, 1881. Mr. Liggett owns the old homestead, which contains 164 acres, and is engaged in farm- ing and rearing short-horned cattle. He is serving his second term as Trustee of Mill Creek, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ELDER DANIEL LONG, deceased. The subject of this sketch, for many years pastor of the Christian Churches of the eastern part of Union County, was born in Alleghany County, Md., August 9, 1789. He was a son of Rosemond and Margaret (Devault) Long, who settled in Maryland prior to the war of the Revolution ; he was the youngest of nine children. About the time of the war of 1812 he came to Mill Creek Township, Union County, and served during the latter part of that war; he traveled over the southern part of the State on his Gospel mis- sion and organized churches. He founded the first Christian Church in the county, and the first church of that order in Mill Creek Township, over which he presided as pastor till his death, which occurred November 26, 1873, aged eighty-four years, while conducting a series of revival meetings at Mill Creek Chapel. His marriage with Nancy Kelley, which occurred April 22, 1813, was blest with one child-Thomas W., who was born June 3, 1819; he was reared on a farm, and educated in the Worthington Schools. When nineteen years of age he engaged in teaching, which he followed till 1860, and was one of the most efficient teachers in the county. January 30, 1846, he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Stephen Latimer. Mrs. Long was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 28, 1820. Three sons were born to this union-Daniel, born June 26, 1850; married Laura B. Bodley and have three children-Nancy B., Alice and Lou. Stephen, born January 28, 1852 : and George W., born December 25, 1853, and married Sarah Freshwater. Mr. Long died October 25, 1865, while serving as Township Treasurer. He left an estate of 275 acres of land, of which Stephen now owns 121 acres, embracing that portion which has the residence erected in 1861. Mrs. Long resides with Stephen. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising. In April, 1876, lie was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1879; he is a member of the Grange and I. O. O. F., and in politics possesses the Democratic views of his father.

GEORGE W. LONGBRAKE, farmer, P. O. Watkins, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, Jan - uary 4, 1840; his father, Jacob Longbrake, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, was born Janu- ary 17, 1808; and his mother, Susan Farnum, a native of Essex County, N. Y., was born Sep- tember 17, 1811. Her parents, Zebediah and Jane Farnum came to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1818, and in 1822 to Mill Creek Township, where they both died ; the former October 19, 1852, and the latter February 7, 1852. Jacob Longbrake came to Union County with his mother in 1830, and settled in Dover Township. Ile married December 12, 1833, and died January 10, 1865, leaving a widow and four children-Marinda, wife of Robert Thompson; Roxey A., wife of James II. Bethard ; George W., the subject of this sketch ; and Ida A., wife of J. L. Richey. Emily M. is deceased. George W., our subject, was reared to manhood on a farm and was edu- cated in the common schools. April 15, 1868, he was married to Miss Bell J., daughter of James B. and Jane Richey, and a native of Dover Township, where she was born September 26, 1852. They have two children-Alma E., born August 23, 1870 ; and Lima, born February 28, 1879. In 1850, Mr. Longbrake's parents settled on the farm he now occupies. He owns 100 acres and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 1864, Mr. Longbrake was a member of Company IJ, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He served 100 days and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio. In 1882, he was elected to the Board of Township Trustees.

WARRET OWEN, farmer, P. O. Watkins, one of the oldest Justices of the Peace of Union County, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, July 3, 1823. His parents, James and Rebecca (Henry) Owen, were natives of Virginia. His grandparents, on his father's side, it is thought, came from Wales prior to 1776, and his grandfaher served in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject moved to Champaign County before the war of 1812, and died when he was a boy of about ten years. He is next to the youngest of eleven children, of whom ten lived to maturity. At the age of fourteen, Warret was apprenticed to the saddlery and harness- makers' trade. He worked two years in Mechanicsburg, then came to Marysville, and remained with Evans & Jennings till November, 1840. In 1845, he came to Watkins, and established himself in his trade, which he followed successfully up to 1873. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1859, and has since filled that office, now serving his twenty-fourth year. He is a man of good executive ability, and has no doubt acted as Justice longer than any other man in Union County. In 1861, he wasappointed Postmaster at Watkins, and has served in that capac- ity ever since that date. December 22, 1844, he was married to Emily Farnum, daughter of Zebediah and Jane Farnum, who were among the early settlers of Mill Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Owen were blessed with five children ; of them three are living-Rebecca J., wife of Berry Hanawalt ; John R., who married Catharine A. Gamble, and Aurelious A., who mar- ried Mary R. Davis. James Z. and Susan C. are deceased. Mr. Owen was largely instrumen- tal in organizing the Methodist Episcopal Church at Watkins, and with his family has been prominently connected with it ever since. Ile is now serving as Class Leader and Circuit Steward.

Elijah Mitter

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MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP.

JOHN PEIRSAL, farmer, P. O. Watkins, an old pioneer of Mill Creek Township, was born in Chester County, Penn., March 21, 1812. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Boyer) Peirsal, natives of Chester and Dauphin Counties, Penn., respectively. Mr. Peirsal was born March 18, 1784, and his wife April 15, 1784. They were married in Pennsylvania, and reared most of their family there. Of their children, the following are living: Silas, Richard, John, the sub- ject of this notice, Elizabeth, widow of John Haney, and Mary A., widow of John Poe. Mr. and Mrs. Peirsal died in the same year, and at about the same age. John, our subject, when seventeen years of age, took up blacksmithing in Waynesburg, Penn., and served an apprentice- ship of four years. He followed his trade principally till April, 1839, when he came to Mill Creek Township. He first bought 109 acres of land, but continued to purchase till his farm in- creased to a farm of 700 acres. January 9, 1834, he married Catharine Westley, daughter of Samuel and Christina Westley, and a native of Berks County, Penn., where she was born Janu- ary 9, 1814. Of fifteen children born to this union, eleven are living, viz .: Christina, wife of Alexander Anderson ; Elijah Westley and Silas (twins); Evan; Mary, wife of John Stayman ; George ; Margaret, wife of Perry Smart; John, Catharine, Enoch and Jacob. Samuel, Eliza and Elizabeth are deceased. Mrs. Peirsal died August 22, 1877. Mr. Peirsal started out when a boy to carve out his fortune, and through his years of energy and industry he became the owner of 700 acres of valuable land, which he divided among his children, till he now owns but 300 acres. Politically, Mr. P. is Democratic. He cast his first vote for old Gen. Jackson.

GEORGE PIERSOL, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, fourth son of John and Catharine Piersol, was born on the old homestead in Mill Creek Township June 24, 1842. He was reared on a farm till of age. April 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He served in the Eastern army, in Maryland, and participated in an engagement at City Point, Md., and witnessed the battle of Petersburg and Butler's charge, at Fort No. Eight. He was honorably discharged at Camp Chase the fol- lowing September. In 1866, he went to Kansas and followed carpentering two years and returned, locating on his present farm in spring of 1869. April, 1867, he was married to Mrs. Barbara Harriger, widow of J. C. Harriger, and daughter of William and Harriet Mc- Cauley. Mrs. P. died October 11, 1869, leaving one child, Mary, who was born October 8, 1868. Mr. Peirsol was again married February 24, 1872, to Miss Abigail C., daughter of Dr. J. T. and Eliza R. Robinson. Mrs. P. was born in Fulton County, Penn., December 1, 1852. Their children are as follows: Eliza, born February 2, 1873; Enoch W., born June 30, 1875 ; Joseph T., born April 1, 1878, and Orvil, born April 17, 1881. Mr. Peirsol owns a farm of eighty-five acres. He was one term Trustee of Mill Creek Township.

E. P. ROGERS, farmer, P. O. Marysville, a prominent breeder of thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep, was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 6, 1852. He is a son of John C. and Nancy Rogers, who reside in Marysville. He is the youngest of three children. He passed his early life on a farm, and was educated in the common schools and Delaware Commercial College, from which institution he graduated in February, 1881. He taught school one year, and then came on the farm. He is engaged extensively in buying and selling French and Clydesdale horses. His chief attention is given to breeding thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep, in which pursuit he has been very successful. As a fine sheep and horse raiser he ranks as one of the leading men of the county. He is a regular exhibitor at the world's fair. January 23, 1880, he was married to Miss Alice C., daughter of A. G. and M. R. Boring. Mrs. Rogers was born in Dover Township February 22, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the New Dover Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the orders of I. O. O. F., I. O. R. M. and K. of P. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns fifty acres land, and has charge of 300 acres more which he cultivates.

DR. THOMAS P. SHIELDS, of Mill Creek Township, was born in Cumberland County, Va. On his father's side he is of Irish and Scotch descent, the family having emigrated to this coun- try, locating first in the State of Delaware, and subsequently moved to Virginia. His grand- father, John Shields, was an officer, Captain, in the Revolutionary war. His father, David Shields, was raised in Rockbridge County, Va., and served in the war of 1812-14. His grand- father on his mother's side was Joseph Watkins, of Goochland County, Va., who was of Welsh descent and of a Quaker family. His grandmother was Mary Carrington, a sister of Gen. Ed- ward Carrington, of Revolutionary fame. He was with Washington throughout the Revolution, a member of his staff, and an intimate friend of La Fayette. The Carringtons were English, and settled in Virginia at an early day. Dr. Shields, after attending the primary schools in his neighborhood, took a course in Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Va., and then attended lectures in the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, and the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. After graduating, he settled on the farm on which his widowed mother resided and on which he was born, and practiced successfully his profession as physician and surgeon. For some years before the late war, he had been con- nected with a volunteer military company. This company was ordered out early in the war, and attached to the Eighteenth Virginia Regiment, Confederate States Army, which served mostly in the Army of Northern Virginia. In the winter of 1862, his health becoming impaired, he resigned his position and received the appointment of Surgeon, and served principally in the

352

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

hospitals until the close of the war. In 1867, he removed to Ohio with his family and settled in Mill Creek Township, on a farm belonging to his sister, Miss Mary C. Shields. Since then he has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, taking great interest in short-horn cattle and sheep, and has been a liberal exhibitor at our county fairs. He was one of a few who formed the first farmers' club in the county, and was a member of the first grange in the county. He was afterward made a Deputy by appointment from the National Grange, and organized the granges in this county, and a large number in other counties in the State. He has been an active worker in the grange, and has frequently represented the granges of the county in the State Grange. He has been connected with the county agricultural society for some years, and is at present the Vice President of that society. He has been a warm advocate of public im- provements and favored whatever was calculated to advance his neighborhood and county. He served a number of years as Treasurer of Mill Creek Township, and the School Board. In re- ligion, Dr. Shields is an Episcopalian, but there being no church of that denomination within reach, he has been liberal in supporting other churches in the vicinity, and has been an active worker in the Sunday school. He has been married twice ; first he married Miss Martha C. Bradley, of Pikeville, Ala., who died in 1859, leaving a sou and daughter. The son, Gamble Shields, married Miss Lulie A. Liggett, a daughter of Arthur Liggett, Esq.,. of Mill Creek, and is now living on a farm in Hamilton County, Ohio. The daughter, Martha Thomasia Shields, is living with her father. Ile was married a second time in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth J. Ford, of Cumberland County, Va., who was known to a large circle of friends in this county and State as a lady of rare accomplishments. She died March 26, 1882, leaving nine children, viz .: Fannie M., Alfred W., Carrington, Mary H., Bessie P., Richmond L., Ruth E., Jennie V., Buretta F.

ROBERT L. STIMMEL, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, was born December 14, 1837. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Lisle) Stimmel, were natives of Franklin County, and came to Mill Creek Township in 1844. His grandparents, Michael and Catharine (Plumb) Stimmel, came to Franklin County, Ohio, before the war of 1812, and died in Hamilton Township. Robert's parents resided in Mill Creek till 1857, when they returned to Franklin County, where they died-Mr. Stimmel June 7, 1866, and Mrs. S. February -, 1873. Mr. Stimmel was born June 11, 1813, and Mrs. S. in 1815. They had ten children, of whom Robert is eldest. They came to the county in 1859 and bought a farm, now containing 166} acres, besides 107 acres in another part of the county. His marriage with Rebecca E., daughter of Joseph and Mary Hutchinson, occurred February 3, 1859, and was blest with ten children; eight are living-Alvin, Irwin, Hattie, Joseph L., Emma, Robert T., Viola and Freddie. Charlie and Clara are deceased. Mrs. Stimmel was born in Mill Creek February 15, 1840. Mr. Stim- mel is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace. He was Township Trustee four years, and Clerk two years. He owns 273 acres of land, and follows farming and stock-raising.

W. T. THOMPSON, merchant, Watkins, was born at Watkins, Ohio, June 6, 1851, and is a son of James and Catharine (Gamble) Thompson, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ireland. They had a family of twelve children, of whom eleven survive-ten boys and one girl. The wife and mother died in 1854. The father still survives, at the age of seventy-one years, and is a resident of Delaware, Ohio. Our subject was raised and educated at Watkins, and resided with his father until he reached his majority, when he purchased 100 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, on which he lived seven years. After leaving the farm, he entered the mercantile trade at Watkins, where he is still engaged in business. In 1872, he married Mary Alice, daughter of Lewis and Catharine (Miller) Lemay, residents of this township. To this union four children have been born, all now living, viz .: Gueretta, Catharine, John and James.

JOHN W. WELLS, P. O. Ostrander, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 7, 1835. Is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Trusler) Wells, natives of Hawkins County, Tennessee, and Rockingham County, Va. His father was born September 15, 1798, and his mother February 15, 1804. They were married March 8, 1825, and in 1829 removed to Dub- lin, Ohio, where they lived till 1836, at which time they settled in this township, on the farm occupied by our subject. Here he died October 26, 1844. His wife departed this life July 12, 1872. To them were born ten children, three sons and seven daughters. John W. is the second son and sixth child. He was married February 25, 1873, to Rachel, daughter of James L. and Elizabeth McKirgan, who was born in Tennessee, June 11, 1844. To them have been born five children, three of whom are living, viz .: Byron B., Clarence M. aud Albert D. Rosa and Ralph died in infancy. He owns eighty-eight acres of valuable land, all well improved. He and wife are exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church.

353

DOVER TOWNSHIP.

CHAPTER VI.

DOVER TOWNSHIP.

T THIS is one of the more recently-erected townships, occupies a central po- sition on the eastern boundary of the county, and is bounded as follows : On the north by Leesburg Township, on the east by Delaware County, and Mill Creek Township, on the south by Mill Creek Township, and on the West by Paris Township. The territory composing Dover originally belonged to Mill Creek, and remained in that township, it appears, until December, 1838, when, although the date of the act of the Commissioners is not recorded, it is evi- dent it was constituted into a township to be known by the name of Dover, as follows: "Beginning at an ash, elm and sugar tree, at the southwest corner of Survey No. 9,028, in the name of John Hunt, and most westerly corner to Mill Creek Township, thence north to west, along the east line of Surveys Nos. 2,254, 3,350, 3,352, 4,072 and 3,390 to two hickories and sugar trees at the northwest corner of Survey No. 5,505, in the name of Selby Onions, thence north 80° E. 400 poles to an ash, beech, sugar tree and iron wood ; thence north 10° W. 200 poles, to two ash trees and a hickory, the northwest corner of Survey No. 5,869, in the name of William B. Bunting; thence, north 80° east, 400 poles to a stake in the line of Union and Delaware Counties ; thence with the line of said counties south to a stake in the line of Survey No. 5,501, and the most northerly corner to Mill Creek Township, thence with the line of Mill Creek Township, as recorded above, to the place of beginning."

"March 5, 1839, ordered by the County Commissioners, that the boundary line of Mill Creek and Dover Townships be altered, so as to detach from Mill Creek Township, and attach to Dover Township Survey No. 3,007, in the name of John Graham."

The lands of this township were surveyed as follows : Surveyed, June 3, 1797, for John Graham, Assignee, 1,087 acres, Survey No. 3,007. Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed December 14, 1798. for Edward Dawse, Assignee, 372 acres, Survey No. 3,355. Nathaniel Massie, D. S. Surveyed October 20, 1801, for John Overton, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 4,065. John Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, January 22, 1807, for John Pride, heir-at-law to William Pride, deceased, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 5,135. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, July 27, 1807, for Robert Means, Assignee, 1,358 acres, Survey No. 5,497. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed July 27, 1807, for Robert Means, Assignee, 1,358 acres, Survey No. 5,498. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed July 28, 1807, for Robert Means, Assignee, 1,358 acres, Survey No. 5, 499. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, July 19, 1807, for Robert Means, Assignee, 800 acres, Sur- vey No. 5,501. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed July 29, 1807, for Robert Means, 800 acres, Survey No. 5,502, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed July 30, 1807, for Robert Means and John Stokely, Assignees, 428 acres, Survey No. 5,504. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, November 9, 1809, for Robert Means, Assignee, 255 acres, Survey No. 5,505. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Sur- veyed November 8, 1809, for the representatives of Selby Onions, 200 acres, Survey No. 5,505. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed June 3, 1SOS, for the representatives of William B. Bunting, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 5,869. James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, February 19, 1817, for John Hunt, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 9,028. David Collins, D. S. Surveyed, 1,000 acres

354

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

for John White, Survey No. 3,950. Surveyed, 1,000 acres for Robert Dand- ridge, eleven and four-fifths acres in Dover Township, and the balance in Mill Creek Township, Survey No. 1,307.

STREAMS, SURFACE, SOIL, ETC.

The principal streams of this township are Blues Creek and Mill Creek. The former enters from Leesburg, through the farm of J. McKelvey, in Survey No. 5,497, and courses a little south of east through the north central part of the township into Delaware County, leaving Dover in the farm of J. Ritten- house, Survey No. 7,358. This creek receives, in about the center of its course through the township, Grass Run, which is the only tributary of any size or name. Mill Creek enters the township at about the center of its western boundary, in the farm of D. F. Dyal, Survey No. 3,355, and takes a southeast- erly course to the northeast corner of Isaiah Lame's farm and the corner of Mill Creek Township, from which point it takes nearly an east course, forming the boundary line between Dover and Mill Creek. At the eastern line of the farm of J. Battees, it takes a northeast course through the corner of Mill Creek Township, and just cutting the southeast corner of Dover Township, passes on through the corner of Mill Creek Township into Delaware County. This is the greatest stream of the county for water power and mill privileges, and in an early day furnished sites for many mills, most of which are now things of the past, or have been converted into steam-power-mills. Between the two streams above described is Dun's Run, which rises on the farm of S. Butz, in Survey No. 5,497, courses southeast through the central portion of the township and passes into Delaware County, through the farm of P. J. Sher- man, on Survey No. 3,007. These are all the streams of importance in Dover Township. The surface is generally level, or slightly undulating, and lies beautifully for the purposes of agriculture, which is the chief pursuit of its inhabitants. Along the two streams, Mill Creek and Blues Creek, the surface is rolling, and in some parts hilly. The balance of the township is, as stated above, generally level. The soil is rich and productive. Along the creek bot- toms it is principally a deep, black loam. The balance of the township is generally a clay soil, strong and productive, and not liable to be effected by an ordinary drought to an extent sufficient to injure the crops. The land was originally very wet, but by ample ditching and draining with tile is becoming in good condition for cultivation or grazing. The principal productions of the soil are wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. It is also an excellent grass grow- ing country, and much attention is given to grazing and the stock business. Among the larger farms one can see fine herds of cattle grazing upon their beautiful pastures. These lands were originally very heavily timbered, and the first settlers had heavy labors to perform to remove these giants of the for- est, clear up the thick undergrowth, and grub out and bring the land into cul- tivation ; in fact, it took many years before the large stumps and roots became decayed and removed, so as to leave the land clear and easy of cultivation. The first generation labored and toiled and expended their energies and very life to remove the forests and make their homes and farms ; and most of them, when just in condition to begin to live and enjoy some of the comforts of life which their labors had produced, were called away by death, and all the fruits of their many labors left to the enjoyment of others. The timber along the creek bottoms consisted principally of walnut, hickory, elm, sycamore, and some cherry and oak. The walnut grew in great numbers and of fine quality, but in that day they were of comparatively little value, thousands of fine logs being rolled into log heaps, and burned to get them off the land; these, if now in possession of the owners of the land, would be of great value. Away from

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 123

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