The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 128

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 128

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Samuel Porter, a native of Vermont, with his family, settled on land now owned by William H. H. Titus, about 1817, where he resided till about 1823, when he removed back to his native State, where a few years after, he and his wife died. He was a man of untarnished character, a good neighbor and valuable citizen.

James Herd, a native of Berkeley County, Va., emigrated to Clark Coun- ty, Ohio, while a young man, prior to the war of 1812, and there married Mar- garet Edgar. In March, 1817, they settled in this township, on land now owned by Henry Wheeler, being the fourth family to settle in Liberty Town- ship. They resided here till their death. Mrs. Herd died in 1834, and he died January 12, 1842, in his fifty-fourth year. Their children were Will- iam, who died in Missouri, unmarried; Hannah, deceased; Andrew, married Sarah J. Turner, is deceased; Wallace, deceased; Jane, married Samuel Smith, is deceased; Margaret, deceased; Richard, married Miss Waggle, and now re- sides in Iowa, and James who married Dosa Kaley. Mr. Herd was one of the most reliable citizens of Liberty Township.

Thomas Herd, Sr., was born in Clark County, Ohio, and was a son of Thomas and Dorcas Herd, who moved from Berkeley County, Va., to Kentucky, at the close of the Revolutionary war, and in 1812 removed to Clark County, Ohio, where he died in 1813, and his wife in 1814, leaving Thomas, an in- fant child. He was taken by his uncle, James Herd, above mentioned, and raised to manhood, becoming a resident of this township with his uncle in 1817. He married Lydia Darrow, October 11, 1835, a native of Clinton County, N. Y. They settled on the farm where they still live, and have now made a continued residence of forty-seven years. This family was one of the true pioneers, and Mr. Herd still has vivid recollections of those days of trials and hardships; of bears, wolves, deer and other wild game in abundance, and the many dangers they and their stock were subject to from the ferocious bears and wolves, and how they had to secure their sheep nights in inclosures with a high fence all around; and many scenes and dan- gers of which the present generation have not even the faintest conception.

Dr. Winthrop Chandler was a native of Vermont, emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Union Township, Union County, in 1818; married a Miss Ham- mond. and about 1826 settled in Liberty Township, on Mill Creek, where he practiced his profession till about 1846, when he removed to Illinois, where he died. He was the first resident practicing physician of Liberty Township. It issaid he was a very peculiar and eccentric man, and when any physical ex- ertion was necessary, he "was not around;" he had the reputation of being the laziest man in the community. He was accustomed to keep some old, second- rate horses, which were never very well fed or groomed, and as a result, many

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times became poor and weak, and sometimes would get down in the stable, and being too weak to get up, often had to be helped up. This, of course, took physical exertion, which was troublesome and distasteful to the Doctor, so to remedy the difficulty, he had a windlass arranged over the horses, and when they could not get up, he would attach his gearing and raise them with his windlass. But whether this story of his laziness and eccentricity be true or exaggerated, it is also true that he was a thoroughly educated man, and a reg- ular graduate of a medical college, a scientific doctor, and one of the best Lib- erty Township ever had; a man of gentility and a good citizen.

Isaac Brake, with his wife, Rosanna, natives of Virginia, emigrated to Ross County, Ohio, with their family, in 1818, remaining there two years. In 1820, they removed to Liberty Township and settled on Mill Creek, being then quite advanced in years. They settled on the farm known as the Joshua Judy farm, where they remained till their death. Mrs. Brake in her latter years became subject to a peculiar disease, and when its attacks came on (they generally came suddenly) she felt a desire for water immediately, and that administered she obtained relief. She had observed that if she should some time be attacked where she could not readily obtain water, she believed she would die. In that day, shooting-matches were a common and legitimate occurrence, and the citizens generally attended them and tried their skill to win the prizes. On one of these occasions Mr. Brake and family attended, it being near by; at an early hour, Mrs. Brake took her leave and started for home. Subsequently the balance of them returned home. On their arrival they found Mrs. Brake had not reached her home, and they supposed she had probably called to see one of the neighbors, and no anxiety was awakened till à late hour; when upon her not making her appearance, they became anxious and entered upon a search; but no tidings could be obtained of her. Dili- gent search was made in all directions; " horns " were blown through the woods, and everything done that could be devised to learn of the whereabouts of Mrs. Brake, but not until the next morning was any intelligence received, when she was found a short distance from the main road, near some water, and life was extinct. It is believed that, on her way home, she had been attacked by her disease, and had gone to that place in search of her remedy-water-and while there died. This occurred about the year 1826. Mr. Brake died about

the year 1833-34. Their children were as follows: Adam, the oldest son, married Eva Baughan, and resided in Liberty Township till his death, May 15, 1870, aged seventy six years; his wife died July 19, 1875, aged sixty-six years; Michael, the second son, married Polly Shirk, both are deceased; their children were, Aaron, Elam, John, Angeline and Mary; Sarah, the third child of Isaac; and Rosanna Brake, married John Shirk; Elizabeth, the fourth child, married Jeremiah Baughan; both are deceased.

Mordecai Baughan, a native of South Carolina, first settled in Ross Coun- ty, Ohio ; thence in 1820 removed to Union County, and settled on Mill Creek, about three-fourths of a mile below Newton, on land now owned by John Rey- ner. About 1858-60, he removed to Illinois, where he died. His children were Jeremiah, who married Elizabeth Brake, both are deceased; Mordecai, married Miss Orahood, is deceased; Madison, married Mrs. Gross, and removed to Illinois; Eve, married Adam Brake, both deceased, and one daughter who married William Gladhill.

John Shirk, a native of Virginia, born February 3, 1787, married Sarah Brake August 2, 1805; she was born in Virginia January 2, 1790. In 1820, he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Ross County, and two years later re- moved to Union County, and settled on the farm since known as the Jesse Judy farm. In 1832, he purchased land where the Disciples Church now

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

stands. This tract of land be purchased of Judge McLean, and here resided till his death, about 1873. Mr. Shirk was a very large, robust man, and phy- sically had but few equals. While a resident of Virginia, he was the acknowl- edged champion, both in physical strength and activity, and there " wore the belt." But he was also possessed of an unswerving character. In morals, in kindness and justice to all with whom he had dealings, he was excelled by but few. His conclusions upon right and wrong were drawn with great nicety of decision, and adhered to with great firmness in all the minutest details of business life. At one time in his life there was a scarcity in corn generally throughout this section of country, but Mr. Shirk had an abundance, and to spare. He had always said that the true value of corn was 25 cents per bushel; that it was worth that to raise it, and no more; and consequently would never sell his corn for any more or any less than that price. He found many poor people through the neighborhood who had to buy corn, and supplied them with what they needed at the above stated price, while at other places not many miles distant corn was selling at 50 cents per bushel. One of his neigh- bors who knew the market value of corn, and learned that Mr. Shirk had a quantity to sell, and also the price at which he was selling it, concluded he would enter into a speculation; he harnessed up a four horse team and drove over to Mr. Shirk's residence and told him he understood he had corn to sell. Mr. Shirk replied that he had, and the man with the team told him he would take all he had. Mr. Shirk replied: "You cannot have a bushel of it; you do not want it for your own use, and do not need it, but are trying to specu- late off of poor people." So he gave the man some strong moral advice, and sent him home without any corn. Thus was his kindness and generosity ever exhibited to the poor. At the time he concluded to make a purchase of land, one of his neighbors, Mr. Moore, decided also to buy; they were both poor. Judge McLean owned a large tract of land which they concluded they would endeavor jointly to purchase. The Judge would not sell to speculators; they desired it for their own use, upon which to make homes for themselves; so they concluded to go to see Judge McLean, in Ross County, and set the day to start on their journey. Mr. Moore had nothing but an old ragged suit of clothes and felt unable financially to buy a new suit; so he borrowed a fine suit of his neighbor, and on the morning appointed, dressed in his fine black suit, he made his appearance at Mr. Shirk's ready to start on the trip. Mr. Shirk looked the man all over, from head to foot, then he told him to go right home and take off his fine suit and put on his old clothes or he would not go with him; that they were going to see the Judge in their plain old clothes, and tell him just their situation financially, and make no fine show of dress or any misrepresentation in any form. He did as Mr. Shirk directed; they vis- ited the Judge, in that plain way, with plain talk, were successful, and pur- chased 733 acres of land for $1,000, on easy terms, and the same land, when correctly surveyed, embraced 912 acres. This success was all due to Mr. Shirk's straighforward course, and true representation of themselves and cir- cumstances. And the above examples are but illustrations of the principles and character which made up the warp and woof of this noble pioneer's life. Mr. Shirk was the father of the following children: Elizabeth, who mar- ried Caleb Orahood; he died and she married Ezekiel Clements; she is now a widow again, and resides in Middletown, Champaign County, Ohio; Aaron, married Rosanna Tobey; she died in 1879; he now resides at York Center; Nancy, married Daniel Johnson; Jemima, married Abraham Grubb; he died, and she married William Davis, and now resides in Michigan; Henson and Hiram (twins), the former married Nancy Wilson, the latter a lady in North- ern Ohio, and subsequently removed to Iowa, where he died; Jonas, married

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Olive Harrington, is deceased; Isaac, married Jane Dillon; Lucy, married Matthew Johnson; Alfred, married in Michigan, was in the war of the rebell- ion, and severely wounded, from the effects of which he died soon after in Indiana; Silas, married Sarah Stout, who died, and he married Christena Hamilton; John, married Millie Clemens; Sarah, married James Miller, and now resides in Mechanicsburg, Champaign County, Ohio; and one child that died in infancy.

Jacob Humphreys, a native of North Carolina, emigrated with his parents to Logan County, Ohio, about 1821-22, where he grew to manhood and mar- ried Margaret Green, and about 1829 settled in Liberty Township, Union County, Ohio, on land now owned by Mr. Hosack; here his wife died a few years after, and subsequently Mr. Humphreys sold his farm, returned to Lo- gan County, and married Permelia Skidmore. Mr. Humphreys served in the war of the rebellion as Captain, and died in the army. His children by his first wife were Phebe Ann, Shepherd, Caroline and Sarah Jane; by his second wife he had several children born to them in Logan County.

Elisha White, a native of Vermont, settled on land now owned by Will- iam H. H. Titus, about 1822-23; his wife soon after died and he married Sarah Colver, and about 1840 removed to Indiana. Mr. White was a very eccentric man, unpolished in his manners, yet a good neighbor and citizen. His children were as follows: Ira, who married Jemima Colver, and settled in Indiana, where both died; Diantha, deceased; and Sarah, who married a Mr. Seaman and moved away.

David Lockwood, who was born in Vermont, settled on land now owned by Mr. Thompson, north of Newton; here he resided till quite advanced in years, when he removed to Illinois; remaining there but a few years, he again re- turned to Union County. Subsequently he again removed to Illinois, and in a few years returned to this county and died. He was a farmer through life, a genial neighbor and worthy citizen, and in religion a Universalist. He mar- ried Hannah Hand, who still survives and now resides in Leesburg Township. Their children were Silas, who moved to Illinois and settled; is now deceased; Walter, also moved West; Alonzo, married Hannah Walker; Luther, deceased; Mary Ann, married Stephen Hutchinson, is deceased; Sarah Ann, married Robert Raymond, and moved to Kansas; Emily, married C. A. Williams; Angeline, married Samuel Dillon, and moved to Illinois; Jane, who married James Wallace, and removed to Illinois; Melissa, deceased; and Lois, who married Henry Andrews.

Israel Lockwood was born in New England, and married Sallie McCloud. He with several of his neighbors first settled in Canada, where they remained till the war of 1812, when they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Union Town- ship, this county, in 1818. In 1822-23, Mr. Lockwood settled in Liberty Town- ship, on land now owned by Joseph Smart. His wife died and he married Angey line Colver. On this farm he remained a resident till his death in 1848. Mr. Lockwood was a most worthy farmer and citizen, and a member of the Meth- odist Church. His widow still survives and resides in Newton, one of the old- est pioneers now living in this township. Their children were, Thomas Edward, who married Julia Safford; was killed in the war of the rebellion; Oliver, married Amanda Judy and removed to Nebraska; Wesley, married Mary Ann Gray, she died, and he married Sarah Walker; Erastus, married Emily Baxley; George, married Henrietta Temple and removed to Kansas, but returned and is now a resident of this township; French, married Emily Dawson, and re- sides in Logan County, Ohio; Israel, married Amanda Woods; and Amanda and Minerva, unmarried, and reside with their aged mother.

William Gladhill, a native of Virginia, settled on Mill Creek, below New-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

ton, on land now owned by John Reyner; he married a Miss Baughan, and about 1850 removed to Illinois, where he resided till his death. Their chil- dren were as follows: Joseph, married Martha Griffin, she died, and he mar- ried Sarah Irwin, and subsequently moved to Illinois; Mordecai, married Je- rusha Clark and moved West; Jeremiah, also moved to the West; there were also two daughters-one died here, and the other moved West.

Allen Rea, a native of Virginia, born December 12, 1798, emigrated with his father, Joseph Rea, and family, to Logan County, Ohio, in 1806, they lo- cating near East Liberty, where Allen grew to manhood, and in 1821 married Maria Bishop. In 1828, he settled in this township on land now owned by James Herd, where they resided the balance of their lives. Mrs. Rea died in 1863, and he in 1870. When they located here, they commenced in the woods and cut the first tree ever taken from their land. Wolves and wild animals were all around them. Theirs was the work of the true pioneer and they were faithful in it until death. They had the following children: Susanna, married Morgan Shirk, is now a widow residing at Kenton, Ohio; George M., is deceased; John B, was twice married, first to Hannah Wickersham, and sec- ond, Mrs. Mary J. Rice, and now resides in Kansas; Mary J., married D. H. Henderson; Charlotte, married Michael Hisey, and now resides in Indiana; Deborah, is deceased; Margaret, married William Crowder; Joseph S., mar- ried Nancy Clark, and resides in Kansas; Carlisle A., married Delilah Skid- more, and resides in Kansas; Samantha, married A. W. Davis, and also re- sides in Kansas; Robert S., served in the late war, was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and died at Camp Chase from its effects; and Louisa, who married A. W. Davis, is deceased.

William Crowder, a native of Virginia, came to Champaign County, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Broader. In 1859, he set- tled in Union County, Liberty Township, cleared a farm in the midst of the forest, and here spent his entire life. His death occurred in 1878.

Samuel Griffin, a native of Maryland, married Lucy Johnson and emi- grated to Ohio and settled in Ross County, in 1812; while residing there he buried his wife. Subsequently he married Mary Plily, and in 1831 became a resident of Union County, settling on the location where Newton now stands, where he remained till his death, February 17, 1841, aged sixty-five years. He was a farmer, a reliable man and a respected citizen, and a member of the Chris- tian Church. They had the following children: Caleb, who married Martha Plily, both deceased; Levin, married Emily Hand; she died and he married Mary Cahill; Daniel, married Amelia Burson; she died, and he married So- phrona Chamberlin, she is also deceased; he is a minister in the Christian Church, in which sphere he has labored for many years; Charlotte, is deceased; Fanny, married John Carter, is deceased; the above were children by his first wife; by his second wife he had Leonard, who married Sarah Carter, and set- tled in Iowa; Andrew Jackson, married Nancy Parson; Samuel, married Rachel Wigle; Lucy, married John Hamilton, and Martha and Mary, de- ceased.

David Hosack, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, of Irish descent, mar- ried Mary Gibson and settled in this township, on the north bank of Mill Creek, about 1835, and there and at his present location on the south bank of said stream has since resided, a period of forty-seven years. His father, John Hosack, and wife, Charity, settled here at the same date. and remained here till their death; he died in 1842 and she a few years later. David was the father of the following children: John, William, Nancy, James, Harrison, Mary Jane, Lafayette and Caroline. Mr. Hosack is a quiet, reserved man in his habits, a kind neighbor and good citizen. Thomas Rea, a native of Vir-

Samuel Sherwood

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LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

ginia, and a brother of Allen Rea, before mentioned, settled on the same tract of land with his brother about 1830-31. He married Nancy Carter; residing here a few years, he sold his farm to Mr. Hosack and removed into Logan County, thence to Illinois, and finally to Iowa, where he died, September, 1850. His children were as follows: Charles, Levi, Alonzo, Angeline, Rebecca, Allen and Robert, all of whom moved West, married and settled there.

Silas Burson, a native of Virginia, married Charity Bird, and became a settler here, on land now owned by J. T. Mahaffy, in 1824. After several years' residence here, he removed to Illinois, with his family, where he remained till his death. Of his children, Permelia married Daniel Griffin and sub- sequently he settled in Illinois, but again returned to this county and re-ided a few years; thence removed to Greene County, where his wife died. He died during the war, while nursing his son. who had enlisted in the army and was sick and in the hospital.

Jesse Judy, a native of Kentucky, removed to Clark County, Ohio, and about 1832 became a resident of this county, settling on Mill Creek, where he resided till his death, May 1, 1862, aged sixty-four years. His children all removed to the West.

John Raymond, a native of New Hampshire, married Sallie W. -, and settled in Liberty Township about 1831. The post office at Newton was named in honor of him, as he was a resident of Newton, and took an active part in establishing the town, and was appointed the first Postmaster of the office. He died April 22, 1850, aged sixty-five years; his wife died December 6, 1860. Their children were Nathaniel, married Melissa Stewart; she died and he married her sister, Mrs. Lucinda Crew, and now resides in Illinois; Wallace, married Lucinda Stewart, is deceased; Robert, married Sallie A. Lockwood, and now resides in Kansas. Mr. Raymond was an active business man, a good financier and a reliable and honored citizen.

Nathaniel Norviel, a native of Vermont, settled on land in the southern part of this township about 1835 -36. His children were Rufus; William, deceased; Abraham; Seth, deceased; David Stiles; Rodney, and two daughters one of whom is deceased, and the other married Mr. Sharp, of Logan County, Ohio.

Littrell Ford, a native of Virginia, came to Champaign County, Ohio, when quite young, and married Irene Smith, settling in Liberty Township about 1829, where he resided till his death, about 1879. They had the fol- lowing children: Archibald; Daniel, who served through the war; William and Lucinda, besides two or three deceased.

George Baxley, born in Virginia June 6, 1801, married Martha Ann Griffith, July 4, 1826. They settled in Union County, on Boke's Creek, about 1840, and about 1843 traded the farm there for a grist mill on Mill Creek. This mill was run for more than twenty years, after which he farmed some and served as Postmaster for a time, and also was in the drug business at, Newton. Mr. Baxley died January 20, 1877. He was twice married; his first wife died May 19, 1861. He married for his second wife Mrs. Dillon, who still survives him. Mr. Baxley has immortalized himself by leaving behind him a diary, commencing in 1847, and continuing for nearly thirty years, containing the " passing events" of his family and the neighborhood generally. So thorough was his record, that when any neighbor desired to know the date of any event of the past or any particular information upon incidents of the neighborhood, he would refer to Mr. Baxley, who, upon examination of his record, could generally give the desired information. Even the extremes of temperature, and marriages, births and deaths, were all recorded; excessive droughts, or excessive floods were all noted with correctness and percision. He was a pe-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

culiar man, exhibiting many eccentricities, yet, withal, a respected citizen and neighbor.

Nathaniel Stewart, a native of Saratoga County, N. Y., emigrated with his family to Ohio and settled in Liberty Township, west of Newton, in the spring of 1836. They both remained residents of this neighborhood till their death, and were most worthy and devoted Christian people. They were both constituent members of the Christian Union Church, located in Taylor Township, between Newton and Marysville, and remained consistent members till their death. Mr. Stewart died October 12, 1872; his wife August 20, 1859.

Charles M. Brooks came from Clark County, Ohio, and settled in Union County, with his step-father, in 1833. He married Susannah F. Bennett in 1827. They remained residents of Liberty Township many years, but finally removed to North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio.

George Holloway settled in Liberty Township in 1846, and here opened out a home from the native forest.

Solomon Cook settled here in 1846, and became an influential and re- spected citizen. He died April 8, 1879.

Charles Smith, settled in this township in 1835, and remained a respected citizen till his death, October 18, 1859, aged seventy-one years.

George Hemminger settled quite early in the southern portion of this township, and was a prominent and useful citizen. He and his wife, Susan, were among the organizers of the Otterbein United Brethren Church. Mr. Hemminger died January 29, 1874,, aged seventy-six years.

John Burson, settled here about 1833; he died October 22, 1880, aged seventy-six years.

David Danforth settled about 18-10, and died May 12, 1876, aged eighty- seven years.

Sewell G. Hartshorn became a settler about 1836; was from the State of New York; he died September 18, 1874, aged seventy-five years.

Aaron Wheeler settled about 1836; died June 30, 1846, aged sixty-five years.

Timothy Hutchinson located here about 1838; died November 12, 1869, aged eighty-five years.

Peter Danforth settled about 1840; died January 12, 1843, aged eighty- two years.

David Paul settled here about 1838; died March 21, 1861, aged seventy- one years.

James Orahood became a resident here about 1835; died May 15, 1857, aged sixty-four years.

The above is a record of most of the early settlers of Liberty Township. There are possibly a few names that have escaped our observation; if so, it has not been intentional on the part of the writer, but because he failed to get any knowl- edge of them, from the limited resources now left. Many names of residents of the township, especially of later dates, will be found in the list of officials of the township, in the history of churches, and especially in the biographical department of this work for Liberty Township.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 128

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