The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 127

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 127

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).

MORGAN SAVAGE, farmer, P. O. New Dover, a prominent pioneer citizen of Dover Township, was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, August 16, 1811. He is a son of Rich- ard and Susanna (Tomly ) Savage, who emigrated to the United States in 1824, landing in Baltimore April 3. They settled seven miles north of Baltimore, where they resided till 1832, in which

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DOVER TOWNSHIP.

year they migrated to Delaware County, Ohio, where they both died. When Morgan was a boy, he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter and joiner trade in Baltimore. He came to Dela- ware County with his parents, where he pursued his trade up to 1849. In April of that year, he went across the plains to California, and followed mining and his trade. He male the wood- work on the first brick building in Sacramento City. December, 1850, he returned to Delaware County, and in 1856 came to Dover and purchased Survey No. 5,504, containing 304 acres, for which he paid $16 per acre. He made additions to this farm till he owned over 700 acres of land in the township. He was the first person to indorse the petition for the Marysville & Delaware gravel road. In the way of public improvements, Mr. Savage has always displayed an interesting part. To the different pikes, he has given in taxes about $2,800. He was one of the founders of the Baptist Church, and has been identified with it officially for many years. Mrs. S. is also a member. January, 1837, Mr. Savage was married to Margaret, daughter of Asa and Catharine Robinson, by whom he had eleven children : of these three are living-Anna, wife of John Beard ; Hattie R., wife of Calvin Michael; and Alice, wife of Oscar Beckham. Mrs. Savage's father died May 12, 1866, aged eighty-five. Mrs. Rob- inson is living in the ninety-sixth year of her age. Politically, Mr. Savage is of Democratic views, having advocated those doctrines since the days of Gen. Jackson. He served as Trustee of Dover Township one term and one term of Concord Township, Delaware County. Mr. Sav- age has witnessed much of the growth and improvement of the county and State, and in the development of the county he has taken an active interest. In 1828, he witnessed the laying of the corner-stone of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Baltimore, the first railroad in the United States. He saw Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, at that time the only surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Savage saw La Fayette when he came to America on his farewell visit.

DAVID SHULER, carpenter, New Dover, was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 4, 1832. His parents, William and Sarah (Dupler) Shuler, were natives of Pennsylvania. He is the eldest of seven children, five of whom are now living. He passed his early life on the farm and received his education in the common schools of the country. October, 1863, he enlisted in Company B, Thirty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Seventeenth Army Corps, and participated in the battle of Baker's Creek, and then accompanied Gen. Sherman on the Atlanta campaign, and was active in all the battles in which the Thirty-second Regiment was engaged, He went throughout the march to the sea, and was in all the battles of that famous march. He was known as one of " Sherman's bummers." Subsequently he fought at Bentonville, N. C., and was then marched to Washington, D. C., where he attended the grand review. He was discharged with honors at Columbus, Ohio, at the close of the war. He re- sumed his trade-carpenter-and followed it till 1873, when he engaged in getting out spokes and felloe strips. In 1877, he began manufacturing, which he has since followed. De- cember 28, 1858, he was married to Miss Clarissa, daughter of Willard and Mary (Foster) Ed- son, by whom he had four children, viz .: Willis V., Ellice V., wife of Edward Fleck; and Mary E .; Grace died aged seventeen years. Mr. Shuler is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. Politically, he is a Republican. Ile served one term as Township Treasurer. In 1861, he was appointed Postmaster at New Dover and has since held the office.

WILLIAM A. SHULER, JR., manufacturer, New Dover, is a son of William A. and Sarah (Dupler) Shuler. The former was born in Northumberland County, Penn., December 9, 1810. The latter was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 15, 1810. They came to the West at an early day and settled in Delaware County, where he resided until he removed to this county in 1849. He settled in this township and engaged in farming until 1855, when he moved to this village, where he and his wife live in retirement in the seventy-second year of his age. They raised a family of five children, all of whom are living. The subject of this sketch was born in Delaware County in 1844, and in early life engaged in the harness and saddlery business. He was working at his trade until the time of his enlistment in the Union army in March, 1864, when he joined Company F, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infintry, and served until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Mill Creek, Ga., Resaca, Cassville, Dallas and Pine Hill, where he was wounded and sent to the hospital at Nashville. He rejoined the regiment at Atlanta, after recovery, and participated at the siege of Savannah, and at the latter place was obliged to suffer delay and confinement on account of his wound, but recovered so as to be able to join the regiment at Washington, D. C., and was a witness of the grand review. He was also with Sherman on his march to the sea. Mr S. on retiring from the war, entered the mercantile trade in this place, which he continued about five years. Subsequently he became engaged in the manufacture of racks and chairs rounds, which he has carried on successfully to the present time. He again began in the mercantile business in this village, in November, 1881, where he conducts a prosperous trade. He was united in marriage December 24, 1867, to Miss Allie Sevirn, a daughter of James Y. and Lucinda ( Rose) Sevirn. Mrs. Shuler is a na- tive of Marysville, Union County. To this uuion one child was born, now deceased. Mr. Shu- ler and wife are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of this village and number among the young and energetic people of the county. William A. Shuler, Sr., succeeded Calvin Richey in the mercantile business in this village in 1855, where he was actively and success-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

fully engaged, until he retired from business, and was succeeded by his son, the subject of this sketch, in 1881.

ANDREW TAYLOR, farmer, P. O. New Dover, was born January 20, 1825. He is a son of John and Jinsey (Noteman) Taylor, who were married in Union County, but settled near Plain City in Madison County, where our subject was born, and where his mother died four or five weeks after his birth. He was then taken by his grandfather Andrew Noteman, who reared him from babyhood, and the " little glass jug," from which he received his nourishment, and which afterward was used by him to carry milk to school, is now preserved perfectly in the family as an heirloom. Mr. Taylor married the second time to Mrs. Ann Taylor, nee Hendricks, who bore him two children-Daniel J. and Davil O., who was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. When his father married the second time, Andrew went back into the family. His father removed near New California, where he bought 130 acres of woodland, which he cleared before his death. He died in January, 1841. His widow still survives him in the eighty-fifth year of her age, and resides at Green Bend. Mr. Taylor grew to manhood on the farm and was educated in the common schools. In 1848, he learned coopering, which he followed five years. He then erected an ashery and operated it successfully in the manufacture of black salts and potash for four years. He sold to Judge Woods and turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed. In 1851, he bought seventy acres of land, which cost him $17 an acre. Most of the purchase was in woods. Ile had previously bought and paid for 217 acres, and the title proving void he lost it. Mr. Taylor has by his energy and industry acquired con- siderable valuable property. Ile started out poor and alone to achieve a fortune, and by years of hard and honest toil he has made for himself a handsome competence. He now owns 550 acres of finely improved and highly cultivated land, and is one of the substantial citizens of the township. He was married October 4, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Moses and Jemima Mitchell. Mrs. Taylor was born in Darby Township, February 22, 1829. This union was blest, with eleven children, of whom seven are now living, viz .: Llewellyn J., Francis M., Izora J., wife of E. G. Rogers, Adrin M., Mary A. and Adolphis D. (twins), and Ulysses F .; Elena I. Andrew and two infants are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are . members of the Method it Episcopal Church. Mr. Taylor has served Mill Creek as Trustee four years, and Township ('lerk two years. Politically, he is of Republican principle. Mr. Taylor has for the last thirty years made a special pursuit in rearing thoroughbred short-horned cattle, and has been suc- cessful.

JAMES THOMPSON, merchant, New Dover, a prominent citizen of Dover Township, wasborn near Charlottesville, Va., February 28, 1812. He is a son of John and Polly ( Nelson) Thompson, natives of Virginia. Ihs paternal grandfather, James Thompson, was also a native of the Old Dominion. He participated in the struggles for our national independence, and was present at the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. In 1818 he came to Mill Creek Township with four sons and three daughters, viz .: James John, Charles, William, Polly, wife of James Burns; Susan, wife of John Gray, aud Elizabeth. wife of David Price. Of these all died in Union County, except James, who died near Chillicothe, and Mrs. Burns, whose death occurred in Mis- souri. James Burns, her husband, was connected with the Land Office of Missouri for fifteen years. James Thompson died in Mill Creek Township in 1840. His father emigrated to America subsequent to the French and Indian war, and settled in Old Virginia, where he die i. Mrs. Thompson, the wife of James, departed this life in 1833. John, the father of our > ubject, was drafted into military service during the war of 18:2. For his first wife he married Polly Nelson, their children were James (our subject ), William, Elizabeth, and Nancy, deceased. Mrs. Thompson died in August, 1816. Mr. Thompson married for his second wife, Elizabeth Graham, by whom he had the following children : George, Robert, Anderson, John, Susan, Elizabeth and Temperance. Mr. Thompson died in Mill Creek Township, in 1836, James, our subject, whose name heads this sketch, was taken by his grandfather when six years of age and reared and educated. From the time he was fifteen years old till of age, he worked out by the day, month and year. In 1832, he married and settled on forty acres of land near Watkins, which purchase he had made some time previously. He pursued the avocation of farming till 1838, when he established a small store at Watkins, which was the first in Mill Creek Township. Mr. Thompson continued in the mercantile business at Watkins till April 1, 1878, when he removed to New Dover, resuming the mercantile trade. In 1840, he was ap- pointed Postmaster at Watkins, and filled that office till 1861. During that period he served as Justice of the Peace nine years. In 1860, he was tendered the Deputy Marshalship of Union County, but on account of ill health, declined. He was a great lover of military discipline, and when a boy joined the militia aud served as Drummer, Drum-Major, First Lieutenant and Cap- tain. At the disorganization of this milina, and August I, 1863, at the formation of the home militia, he was electedt Captain of Company E. Third Battalion Ohio Militia, aud September 1, 1863, was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the same battalion. Mr. Thompson was the first Assessor ot Mill Creek Township, and served in every other official capacity in that town- ship. Mr. Thompson embarked in lite a poor boy, and dependent upon his own exertions. By bis untiring energy and industry, he achieved a large success in the accumulation of this world's goods. He owned land in Mill Creek, Dover and Taylor Townships, to the number of

J. D. Haine!

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

1,300 acres. He has since divided among his children, till his farm now contains but 650 acres. Mr. Thompson was married January 5, 1832, to Miss Catharine Gamble, who died Sep- tember 9, 1854, leaving him six children, viz .: John G., Robert W., Nelson P., Tyler, Joseph S., Mary L., wife of W. S. Rogers, and Ray T. Mr. Thompson celebrated his second marriage December 31, 1855, with Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John and Sarah Gamble. Two children were the fruits of this union-George E. and Horace G. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson religiously entertain the views of the church of the Disciples. Mr. T. in politics, is decidedly Democratic.

JOHN WELLER, farmer, P. O. New Dover, was born near Watkins, Union County, De- cember 3, 1838. He is a son of Edward Weller, a prominent citizen residing near Marysville. He was reared to manhood on a farm, and received his training in the common schools. Au- gust 13, 1861, he shouldered his musket in Company D, Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and started for the fields of the army of West Virginia. He participated in the battles of Mud Creek, Princeton, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Charleston, Winchester, Fisher's Hill and all the engagements in which the Eighth Army Corps participated. The last two years he served as Corporal, during which time the regiment was mounted, and did cavalry duty. He was discharged at Columbus, September 1, 1864, and returned home and resumed crock and tile making, which he followed till 1876. He then removed to a farm in the eastern part of Paris Township, and in 1877 to his present farm. December 30, 1875, he was married to Miss Emma, daughter of M. W. and Sarah Judy, and a native of Liberty Township. Mrs. Weller was born November 29, 1858. They have one child-Bariah Victor, born July 26, 1877. Edward J. died aged five months and twenty-eight days. Mr. Weller owns a half-interest in a farm of 1323 acres, and is engaged in agriculture and stock-raising. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and I. O. O. F. and G. A. R. In politics is Republican. He was one term member of the Board of Trustees of Dover Township.

CHAPTER VII.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

THIS was the sixth township constituted in Union County, and was organ- ized as follows: "At a meeting of the Commissioners of the county of Union, on the first Monday of June, 1822, the township of Liberty was organ- ized as follows: Beginning at the southwest corner of Paris Township, thence west to the county line, thence north to the north boundary of said county, thence east to the west boundary of Paris Township, thence south with said line to the place of beginning, to be known by the name of Liberty Township." Upon the organization of York Township, at a later date, the northern boundary line was changed, and the territory of Liberty made much less, and finally brought to its present limits and boundaries.

Land surveys were begun in this township quite early, although not as soon as in the southern townships of the county. The first survey was made in September, 1799. The, several surveys of this township are as follows: Surveyed September 16, 1799, for David Duncan Assee, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 3,444, Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed February 8, 1834, for Arthur W. Duncan, Assee, 150 acres, Survey No. 3,462, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed July 20, 1815, for John Scarborough, 666 acres, Survey No. 3,462, Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed December 4, 1823, for William Dangerfield, 400 acres, Survey No. 3,487, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 4, 1823, for Thompson Davis, 191 acres, Survey No. 3,487, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for William Richie, 100 acres, Survey No. 3,490, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. surveyed December 3, 1823, for John Hoopwood, 100 acres, Survey No. 3,490, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed September 17, 1799, for Jacob Woolston, Assee, 600 acres, Survey No. 3,689, Lucas Sullivant, D. S. Surveyed November 7, 1803, for Benjamin Grimes, 1,333 acres, Survey No. 4,404, Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed November 7, 1803, for Benjamin Grimes, 1,3333 acres, Survey No. 4,404, Joseph Kerr, D.

Surveyed December 11, 1805, for the representative of L. Jones,

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

1,380 acres, Survey No. 4,815, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed Decem- ber 3, 1823, for George Solomon, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,267, James Gallo- way, Jr .. D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for James Baldwin, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,267, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for Bryan Simmons, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,267, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 3, 1823, for William Russell, Assee, 200 acres, Survey No. 5,270, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 2, 1823, for George Winter, 100 acres, Survey No. 5,270, James Galloway, D. S. Surveyed Feb- ruary 29, 1808, for Robert Means, Assee., 1,000 acres, Survey No. 5,729, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed September 4, 1809, for Robert Means, Assee., 300 acres, Survey No. 5,777, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed September 5, 1810, for Duncan McArthur, 880 acres, Survey Nos. 6,563 and 6,776, Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed November 29, 1823, for Richard Dorsey, 750 acres, Survey No. 12,282, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Charles Neal enters 100 acres, January 1, 1821, Survey No. 10,593. Surveyed Octo- ber 26, 1824, for Young Wilkerson, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 12,283, Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed January 15, 1824, for John Shanks and Joshua McQueen, 200 acres, Surveys Nos. 12,3SS and 12,401, J. Galloway, D. S. Sur- veyed March 12, 1824, for James Galloway, Jr., Assee., William Schoolar and Joshua McQueen, 523 acres, Surveys Nos. 12,399, 12,402, 12.395, 12,427 and 12,423, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed February 16, 1824, for An- drew Rogers, Joshua McQueen, Robert Green, Robert Payne and Susanna Payne, his wife, son of Robert Green, deceased, and James Galloway, Jr., As-ee, 1,823 acres, Surveys Nos. 12,400, 12,403, 12,393 and 12,413, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 1, 1824, for Joseph Spencer, 200 acres, Survey No. 12,484, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed July 1, 1824, for Mazy or Mary Vance, 1,600 acres, Survey No. 12,472. Allen La- tham, D. S. Surveyed February 4, 1832, for Joseph Spencer, 94 acres, Sur- vey No. 13,271, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed May 22, 1832, for James Galloway, Jr., Assee., 833 acres. Survey No. 13,291, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed November 27, 1837, for Allen Latham, Assee., 455 acres, Survey No. 13,447, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed February 13, 1837, for James Galloway, Jr., Assee., 80 acres, Survey No. 13,849, James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed December 24, 1843, for Allen Latham, Assee., 155 acres, Survey No. 14,912, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed November 15, 1842, for John L. Dawson and John Dawson, Assees., 400 acres, Survey No. 14,755, E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed for Allen Latham, 81 acres, Survey No. 16, - 133. Surveyed for A. D. Kendrick, 100 acres. Survey No. 15,921. Surveyed for Tuttle Hudson, 400 acres, Survey No. 6,232. Surveyed for Robert Means, 1,8283 acres, Surveys Nos. 5,778, 5,641, 5,806 and 6,495.

SURFACE, SOIL, STREAMS, ETC.

The surface is generally level, not as undulating as that of Allen Town- ship. The western and southwestern portions are quite flat and originally were very wet, but by ditching and draining are becoming in fine condition for farming. The eastern and southeastern portions, and along the creeks are more undulating and in some places slightly hilly. The bottom lands and some of the level portions possess a deep black loam, but generally the soil is a strong, productive clay and loam, producing abundant crops of corn, wheat, oats and grass. The principal stream of the township is Mill Creek, which enters from Logan County, on its west boundary, passing through the Hosack farm, on Survey 4,815, and meandering in a general southeastern course through the township, leaves it, and passes into Taylor, through the Aaron Shirk farm. This creek is one of the largest streams of Union County, and

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

gave water-power to all the early mills of this township; and along its course and near its banks located most of the first settlers. In its course through the township, it receives a few small tributaries, as Colver Run, etc., but none of any significance. In the extreme southern and southeastern part is Little Otter Run, which takes the same southeasterly course. In the southwest part is Flat Branch, which takes its rise in the western central portion, and flows south into Allen Township. This township was originally heavily timbered, embracing the following varieties: White, black, red and burr oak, hickory, walnut, elm, sugar, maple and beech, the latter predominating, especially in the northern portion of the township.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The pioneers early made their way up Mill Creek, and formed a settlement in the dense forests of the territory comprised in Liberty Township several years prior to the settling of Allen Township. Levi Carter, believed to be a native of Virginia, was, in all probability the first to penetrate the unbroken wilderness of this domain. He settled on land now owned by James T. Mahaffy in 1813-14. He married Miss Elizabeth Edgar, by whom he had the following children: Caleb, who was a man full of eccentricities and well known for his peculiarities; Lemuel, who married Jemima Orahood; William, Joseph, Levi, Margaret and Malinda. Mr. Carter was one of the Judges of the first elec- tion of Liberty Township. As an inducement to start an early settlement here, Gen. McArthur offered 100 acres to any man who would permanently settle upon it, and Mr. Carter accepted the proposition, and became, as above stated, the first settler in this vicinity. He was a good man and neighbor and a worthy citizen. About 1840, he with all his family removed to Illinois, where he died.

Charles Colver, a native of the State of New York, who was mentioned as an early settler of Union Township, locating there in 1812; in the fall of 1815, became the second settler, probably of this township. He married Olive Cal- lander, and settled on land now owned by his son, Russel Colver, and here resided till his death, September 8, 1823, aged fifty years; his wife survived him several years and died on the home place. Their children were as fol- lows: Standish, who married Betsey McCloud; she died and he married Maria Smith; his death occurred November 15, 1882; Asa, married a widow, formerly Mary Tignor, in the State of Mississippi, where he settled and resided till his death; Hulda. married Joseph Curl, and died in Logan County, Ohio; Caroline married Isaiah Garwood, and died in Logan Connty; Silas, removed to Illionis, where he married and resided till his death; Russel, married Mrs. Mary Colver, and resided in North Lewisburg; Catharine, married Hiram Smith, and resides near Irwin Station; Permelia, deceased; Amos, married a lady from near Homer; she died, and he removed to Oregon, where he again married and now resides; and Calista, who married William Stokes; she is deceased.

Israel Carter, brother of Levi Carter, settled on land now owned by Mof- fet and Henderson, about two years later than his brother. He married and remained a resident of this neighborhood till his death. His children were Lewis, who never married, is deceased; Benjamin, married Miss Susan Ki- gar, moved to Illinois, where he died; Levi, married Miss Orahood, and subse- quently moved to Illinois; John, married Fannie Griffin; she died, and he married Harriet Smith; again he was left a widower and married Mrs. Re- becca Foster, nee Smith; Charles, married Rachel Dillon; Israel, married Jane Smith, both are deceased; Zephaniah, married Frances Anderson, and removed to Wisconsin; Lemon, married Angeline Seaman, and removed to

384

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Kansas; Margaret, married a Mr. Paige, and settled in the West; Sarah, mar- ried Leonard Griffin, and removed to Iowa; Minerva, married a Mr. Dee, is deceased; and Hulda, deceased. Mr. Carter was a highly esteemed and re- spected citizen. He died January 9, 1850, aged seventy-one years. Oron D. Colver, a brother of the above mentioned Charles Colver, settled on Mill Creek on land now owned by James T. Mahaffey, in the spring of 1816. He married Clarissa Millington, of Vermont, in 1799. They resided on the place where they first located till 1823, when they removed into Logan County, where he died August 21, 1827; his wife died April 29, 1857. Their children were Oron D., who died young in Vermont; Sallie, married Elisha White; she died in 1823; Angel:a), mir,l Israel Lockwood; Sophia, married Ira White, and both died in Indiana; Rhoda, married James Hawley, and died in Illinois; Porter, married Laura Hawley, both died in Kansas; and Burrell, married Mary Lane, and resides in Kansas.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 127

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