The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 140

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 140

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).

Justices of the Peace -- 1828, William Milligan; 1829, William Snuffin; 1830, John W. Williams; 1836, William W. Haines; 1837-40, A. A. Will- iams; 1839-42-45, E. W. Crary; 1843, Reuben R. Hale: 1845, A. A. Will- iams; 1846, William Inskeep; 1848, Dixon Mitchell; 1849, James Kennedy; 1851, Frank Pearl; 1852, John C. Johnson: 1854, Mr. Grubbs; 1855, B. H. B. Griswold; 1857, Reuben Foote; 1858, John Paver: 1860-63-66, Isaac Brod- erick; 1861, James Kennedy; 1864, W. R. Webb; 1867, B. H. B. Griswold; 1869-72, James Williams; 1870, William L. Robinson; 1873-76-79-82, Adam Wolford; 1875-78, W. P. Jennings; 1881, L. M. Crary.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

ROBERT B. ABRAHAM, deceased. The subject of this memoir was born near Wheeling, West Va., December 9, 1809. When three years of age his parents Daniel and Mary Abraham, removed to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he spent his youth and early manhood. At the age of twelve years, he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade in Steubenville, where he spent four years. He then removed to the country, and December 19, 1839, he was married to Miss Margaret J. Coe, a daughter of Moses Coe and Esther Howell. Mrs. Abraham was born in Jefferson County September 10, 1817. Of their eight children, five are living, viz .: Sarah S.,

472

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Esther M., wife of Isaac Walk; Eliza J., wife of G. E. Adams; Alice A., wife of Charles Chapel, and Minta A., William B., Philip W. and Martha M. are deceased. In 1855, Mr. Abraham re- moved with his family to Union County, and located on the farm whereon he died. He first bought 125 acres of land, and made additions till their homestead contained 245 acres. He and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church for many years. His death occurred July 17, 1879. He was a man of benevolent and enterprise, and died with a host of friends.

WILLIAM BALES (deceased) was born in Milton, Hillsboro County, N. II., January 24, 1809. His parents, William L. and Chloe ( Halt) Bales, were originally from Vermont. They were both born in 1784, the former March 13, and the latter August 6. William Bales, father of William L. and grandfather of William Bales, the subject of this sketch, was a soldier under Gen. Washington in the Revolution, while his father was engaged on the side of Great Britain, having being pressed into the British ranks. In 1840, Mr. Bales, the father of our subject, came to Union County, and settled in Allen Township, where he died October 4, 1876, aged ninety-two years. His wife preceded him March 10, 1856. William, our subject, was reared to manhood on a farm. February 1, 1838, he was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of James and Rachel Cavender, and a native of Hillsboro County, N. H. She was born March 19, 1818. The fall of 1838, he removed westward, and settled near Newton, Union County, and the following year settled in Allen Township. He cleared up his first farm, which contained 150 acres, from the stumps. Ile accumulated land to the amount of 400 acres, besides land in the West, but through a turn of ill-luck he lost considerable property. He resided on the West Liberty & Columbus Stage route, and in early days accommodated many a weary traveler. He served as Postmaster of Caberly P. O., about twenty years. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to fill the office. He devoted his undivided attention to farming and raising stock. Ile was one of the first to introduce Morgan horses in the county. He died a member of the Baptist Church. Politically, he always advocated the doctrines and principles of Democ- racy. He was the parent of ten children, nine of whom survive him, viz .: William W., mar- ried Jenny Dunn ; Walter W., married Victoria Inskeep ; Clifford C., married Jane Allen; Mary M., wife of Oliver Carter ; Rosa, wife of Oliver Inskeep; Frank ; Burnham C., married Emma A. Lee ; Sarah A., wife of Charles W. Brodrick, and George; Rachel R. is deceased. Mrs. Bales' parents live with her and her children, aged ninety-six and ninety-three years respectively. They have lived a married life of seventy-two years, and reared a family of nine children. They are perhaps the oldest couple in Union County. Mr. Cavender's father came from Ire- land in 1775, and served from the beginning to the close of the Revolutionary war.

ISAAC BRODRICK, Sr., farmer, P. O. North Lewisburg, was born in Burlington County, N. J., October 1, 1802. His parents, Isaac Brodrick and Beulah Engle, were of Irish and New Jersey nativity respectively ; the former was born July 29, 1772, and the latter December 29, 1772. They were married August 10, 1799, and in 1811 removed to Warren County, Ohio. Isaac, who was a native of Ireland, was a son of Thomas Brodrick (the name was originally Broderick, afterward Bradrick, and subsequently to its present version), for many years a Captain on a vessel plying between Dublin and Philadelphia; he finally died on the water. Isaac, who re- moved to Warren County, resided there some years, then removed to Darke County, thence to Oxford, Butler County, and in 1824, to Allen Township, Union County, where he died in April, 1837 ; his widow followed him January 3, 1858. The subject of this sketch was married De- cember 12, 1822, to Hannah J. Wood, daughter of Aquilla and Jane Wood. Mrs. Brodrick was born October 15, 1804, and died April 3, 1877. This union was blest with four children ; of these but one survives. The deceased are Miry A., born November 8, 1823, married Richard Wells, and died April 12, 1880; James, born November 15, 1827, and died ; Hannah J., born April 9, 1831, married Charles Van Way, and died March 30, 1880. Isaac, Jr., the eldest son and only living child, was born June 23, 1825. April 10, 1851, he was joined in marriage to Miss Saralı P. Hoff, daughter of Anthony W. and Elizabeth Hoff, and a native of Barbour County, W. Va. She was born March 14, 1834. Eleven children were the fruits of this marriage, viz .: Charles W., John M., Samuel J., Isaac W., Emma L., wife of Oliver Mccullough ; Eva L., wife of J. R. Benton ; Benjamin F., Anna R. and Olive E. ; William S. and an infant are deceased. Mr. Brodrick resides on the homestead of his grandfather. His father, who is now in the eighty-first year of his age, resides with him. He is religiously inclined to Quakerism while Mr. and Mrs. Brodrick are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Brodrick, Jr., has served his township in various official capacities. He filled the offices of Trustee, Treasurer, Clerk and Justice of the Peace, holding the latter office nine years. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns a farin of 175 acres, and is by occupation an agriculturist. The Brodrick family is not cn- tirely without a military record ; William Brodrick, a brother of Isaac Brodrick the first, was born in the " land of his fathers," and came to the United States prior to 1776, and served from be- ginning to the termination of the Revolution ; he also served through the late war with Great Britain and Florida war.

GEORGE CARPENTER, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, was born in Randolph County, W. Va., May 23, 1822. His parents, Solomon and Catharine (Hill) Carpenter, were natives of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania. The former was born in 1784, and the latter November 9, of the same year. They were married in Virginia, and had eight children when they came to Union County

473

ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

in 1830. They located in Allen Township, where they both died-Mr. Carpenter August 11, 1837, and Mrs. C. February 5, 1855. George is the youngest of the family. He was reared to maturity on the farm. At his father's death, he took charge of the farm, and conducted it till his mother's death, in 1855. January 17, 1850, he was married to Miss Sarah A. Wilber, a na- tive of Allen Township, and daughter of James and Sarah Wilber. Mrs. C. was born July 31, 1830. Their four children are as follows: Lewis F., Winfield S., Olive, wife of Edward Stil- lings, and Carlton. Mary, born February -, 1862, and died February -, 1863. Mr. Carpen- ter occupies the farm located by his father in 1837, when it was all in woods. He began clear- ing it when only fifteen years old, and has improved most of it himself. He has cultivated the soil of this farm ever since his father's death, except one year he spent in West Middleburg, Logan County. He and wife are members of the Woodstock Universalist Church. In politics, he is of Republican principle.

CALEB CLARK (deceased). The subject of this memoir was born in the Old Dominion July 4, 1814. When twelve years of age, his parents, Angus and Elizabeth (Green) Clark, re- moved West, settling in Champaign County, Ohio, where they lived for a number of years, and where Mr. Clark died, in 1859, at the age of seventy-six. Mrs. Clark died in Union County March 20, 1881, having attained to the age of ninety-one. Caleb, the subject of this sketch, spent the remainder of his early life on the farm in Champaign County. In 1841, he was mar- ried to Rachel Beltz, who was born in Bedford County, Penn., June 2, 1811. He purchased 100 acres of land in Allen Township, and moved on it. He kept adding to his first purchase. till he owned 580 acres of some of the best land in Allen Township. Mr. Clark se: ved

his township as Treasurer for six years, and also in various other local offices. Politically, he was strongly Democratic; and was the recognized leader of his party in his township for many years. He was active during the war, and did much to sustain what he considered to be the right. He was a man of enterprise, and aided in the construction of many improvements. His death occurred May 7, 1869; his widow followed him March 7, 1875. Mr. Clark was for many years engaged in breeding and rearing fine stock, in which he ranked with the prominent men of his township. Through his industry he acquired large 'property, and at his death left his children a legacy of about $12,000 each. Such was the force of character of Mr. Clark. His son Lester was born February 17, 1847, and October 13, 1870, he was married to Jerusha, a daughter of James and Mary Poling, and a native of Allen Township. Mrs. C. was born No- vember 9, 1845. Lester owns 136 acres of the old homestead, and pursues the avocation of his father. Henry C., his third son, was born on the home farm, May 19, 1854, and owns 245 acres of land ; he follows the pursuit of rearing fine cattle and French horses. Susan was born February 25, 1845; February 22, 1877, she was married to William Caryl, who was born near Marysville January 30, 1848. They have two children-Effie, born August 24, 1879, and Will- iam H., born July 6, 1882. May is deceased ; she was born June 15, 1878, and died September 8, 1878.

SHEPHERD CLARK, farmer, P. O. North Lewisburg, a prominent citizen residing in Allen Township, was born in Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio, June 7, 1832. He is a son of Angus and Elizabeth (Green) Clark, who emigrated from Lancaster, Penn., to Champaign County, Ohio, in 1826, and purchased a farm in Rush Township, containing about 200 acres. He began the work of clearing up his forest farm and made some of the first improvements in that locality. The greater part of the county yet dwelt in its wild state, and Mr. Clark was one of the first pioneers to open it up for immigration. While land was cheap, he continued to make additions till his farm constituted about 500 acres of the finest land in Rush Township, and which he improved to a high state of cultivation. About 150 acres was largely composed of sugar camp, and for twenty-five years he was engaged in manufacturing maple sugar, doing an extensive business, making from 8,000 to 10,000 pounds annually. Mr. Clark died in 1859, leaving an estate valued at $60,000. Mrs. Clark lived to be ninety-one years of age, her death occurring March 20, 1881. Her father, Nehemiah Green, was a Revolutionary patriot. He served throughout the war, and while a prisoner, was poisoned, from which he subsequently died at North Lewisburg, at the age of eighty years. Mr. Clark, the subject of this notice, is the youngest of nine children. He spent his early life on the farm where he was born, and received his education in the common schools of his native place. In 1856, the year following his first marriage, he removed to Allamakee County, Iowa, and lived four years, then returned to his native place, where he resided till 1867, when he purchased his present valuable farm. In 1877, he erected a two-story brick residence, at an expense of $10,000. Itis situated on a beau- tiful elevation, some distance back from the pike, and forms the finest location in the township. In early life Mr. Clark formed a strong taste for farming, and has always followed its pursuits in the most thorough, practical and scientific manner. He has followed, in connection with his agriculture, breeding, rearing and dealing in fine stock. Mr. Clark is considered one of the finest agriculturists Union County affords. He is a man whose energies are alive to all public improvements and enterprises such as are intended to benefit and enrich the county or people. He owns, besides his home farm, which contains 320 acres, 290 acres in Rush Township, Cham- paign County. He has been prominently identified with the Agricultural Society of Union County and for some years a regular exhibitor at its annual fairs. He is a member of the

474

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Board of Directors and Treasurer of the Ohio Farmers' and Horsemen's Mutual Protection Com- pany, and Vice President of the Bank of North Lewisburg. Mr. Clark served his township in the capacity of Trustee three terms, and as Land Appraiser in 1870; he was elected to other offices, but declined to fill them. He is associated with the Masonic fraternity, in which order he has taken the Red Cross degree ; he is also connected with Commandery No. 19. During the war, Mr. Clark was active in the interest of the Union, and was liberal in clearing the township of the draft and furnishing means for the soldiers. His political affiliations have always been with the Republican party. Mr. Clark has been twice married ; the first time to Miss Hannah Barney, who died and left four children, viz., Flora E., wife of Joseph Spain, Alice, Lucy E. and Charles. His second marriage occurred April 16, 1870, to Miss Eliza Asher, daughter of John and Deborah Asher. Mrs. Clark was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 25, 1838. Five children were given to bless this union-Pearl, John E., George, Ada and Blanche.

CAPT. JONAS C. CLINE, merchant, Pottersburg, was born in Washington County, Penn., November 1, 1824. His father, Michael Cline, was born in Germany March 8, 1789, and his mother, Phebe Condit, was born in Wales November 12, 1800. Mr. Cline was a son of William and Margaret Cline (originally Kline), who were also natives of Germany. Mr. Cline died in his native country, and some years afterward Mrs. Cline, with her three children-George, William and Michael-emigrated to America. George settled near Cincinnati; William, near Wheeling, W. Va., and Michael and his widowed mother settled in Washington County, Penn., where he grew to manhood. He served one year as Drum Major in the war of 1812, and then returned to his former home in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Lovina Clutter, who died there. In 1817, he was again married-to Miss Phebe Condit, daughter of Jonas and Eunice Condit, who crossed the waters from Wales about the year 1812. In 1827, Mr. Cline removed to Bel- mont County, Ohio, thence to Knox County, where he died in 1866. Mrs. C. died in Union

County in 1877. Capt. Cline is the youngest son of nine children. He was reared on a farm till seventeen years old, when he came to Union County and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed till the breaking-out of the war. August 7, 1862, he responded to the call of his country, by enlisting in Company K, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was elected First Lieutenant, and served in that rank till April 1, 1863, when he was promoted to Captain, and assigned to Company C. He remained in charge of this company till March 11, 1864, when he received an honorable discharge at Frankelton, La., on account of disability. Among the principal battles in which he was engaged were: Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Grand Coteau, and a number of minor engagements. At the last named battle he was slightly, but not seriously wounded. At the expiration of his term of serv- ice he returned to Allen Center, and resumed his trade, following it up to 1868, when he en- gaged in merchandising at Pottersburg, where he has enjoyed a good trade. January 11, 1848, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth A. Ware, a daughter of Lester Ware, and a na- tive of Champaign County. Her birth occurred January 24, 1831. They were blessed with five children, of whom four are living: Lester W., Allie F., wife of Franklin Robinson, Ira B., and Phillelia A., wife of George Burr. Mr. Cline and family are members of the Universalist Church. Mr. C. is connected with the F., & A. M. and I. O. O. F. orders, and Post of the Grand Army. Ile served as Township Treasurer two terms, and politically is a Republican. His farm, located near Allen Center, contains seventy-one acres.

PHILIP COE, farmer, P. O. Milford Center. The subject of this sketch was born in Washington County, Penn., April 28, 1823. He is the eldest son of Daniel and Mary (Gladden) Coe, the former a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of Jefferson County, Ohio. He was born in March, 1801, and his wife, to whom he was married in 1822, was born Jannary 18, 1803. Mrs. Coe's parents were among the earliest pioneers of Jefferson County. In March, 1834, Mr. Coe and family removed to Union County, locating temporarily in Union Township; then removed and settled in Allen Township, where Mr. Coe bought a farm of 200 acres of Reu- ben P. Mann ; the same spring he made an addition of 160 acres to the original purchase. This whole tract of land, except a few acres, was in its primitive condition. There were few im- provements, and, there being no mill within a convenient distance, in 1837 Mr. Coe erected a mill on Big Darby, in Allen Township, which he operated twelve years. In 1850, during the gold excitement, he, with his second son, Joseph, started for California. While crossing the plains he was seized with the flux, and after a severe illness returned home and died January 18, 1851. He served in various official capacities of the township and was Elder in the Presby- terian Church at his death. He was the parent of twelve children, five of whom are living. l'hilip, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on the farm and received his educa- tion in the pioneer schools of his day. At an early age, he took charge of his father's farm and conducted it successfully till his (father's) death. October 10, 1850, he was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Woodworth, a daughter of Charles and Laura Woodworth. She was born in Mass- achusetts May 17, 1833, and died June 21, 1854. Mr. Coe celebrated his second marriage Feb- ruary 8, 1855, with Louisa S. Smith, daughter of James R. and Anna (Masters) Smith. Mrs. Coe was born September 15, 1832. Nine children were the fruits of this union ; eight are liv- ing, viz .: Anna I., Mary E., Lottie M., William D., Charles II., James P., Martha L. and Wal-

475

ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

ter T. Mr. and Mrs. Coe are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Coe is identified with the I. O. O. F. and Masonic order, in which he has taken the Scottish Rite, thir- ty-second degree. Politically, Mr. Coe is of pure Republican sentiment. He has always dis- played a deep interest in all religious and educational enterprises. By occupation he is an ag- riculturist and stock-raiser. Since 1858 he has been engaged in manufacturing cheese. He keeps thirty cows and makes from 10,000 to 12,000 pounds of cheese annually. His farm con- tains 328 acres of finely-improved land, and is adorned with a large and commodious frame resi- dence, with all the latest improvements. It is furnished with a furnace, gas in all the rooms, and cold and hot water baths.

WILLIAM H. CRARY, farmer, P. O. North Lewisburg, Clerk of Allen Township, was born near his place of residence August 12, 1840. He is a son of Ebenezer W. and Harriet M. (Morse) Crary, natives of Connecticut 'and New York. In 1836, they removed from what is now Lake County, Ohio, to Allen Township, where Mr. Crary bought a farm of 135 acres. He died near Sandusky, Ohio, in October, 1846. Mrs. Crary departed this life March 6, 1877. While Mr. Crary lived in Allen, he held several important township offices ; among them was Justice of the Peace for six years, Clerk two years and Land Appraiser one year. He and wife were formerly members of the Presbyterian Church, but when they came to this county they united with the Lutheran Church. They had five children, three of whom they reared to ma- turity. William H., our subject, is the eldest ; he was brought up on the old homestead and educated in the common schools. June 14, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Olive A. Inskeep, daughter of William and Mary Inskeep, and a native of Allen Township. She was born January 11, 1841. Five children were born to this marriage; of these three are living- Jennie M., born October 24, 1869 ; Charlie F., born June 16, 1876; and Mary E., born July 29, 1878. Mr. Crary is now filling the office of Township Clerk for the eleventh year. He owns a half-interest in a farm of 135 acres and is engaged in farming. He was the chief worker in securing petitions for some of the first pikes in the township, and has been engaged more or less in their construction since their first introduction in the township. Ile and wife are ardent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which they have been prominently identified for twen- ty-three years. Politically, Mr. Crary is a stanch Republican.

B. H. B. GRISWOLD, farmer, P. O. Milford Center, an old and respected pioneer of Union County, was born in Goshen Township, Champaign County, April 19, 1816. He was a son of James and Polly (Beal) Griswold, and a grandson of Obadiah Beal, a Revolutionary patriot, who served from beginning to end in the Revolution. He migrated to Champaign County, Ohio, some time during the war of 1812, and died in that county. Mr. Griswold's parents were mar- ried in Rutland, Vt., and removed to Champaign County about 1814. They survived the scourge of typhoid fever of 1822-23. Mr. Griswold subsequently removed to Union County, where he died. Our subject is the eldest son and third child of seven children. He passed his boyhood and early manhood on his father's farm, and received such an education as the com- mon schools of the day afforded. When nineteen years of age, he assumed the payment of twenty-three acres of land, thus furnishing a home for his parents. In 1850, he purchased his present farm and settled on it the same spring. Mr. Griswold has cleared and improved his land to a good farm and has always followed its pursuits. October 30, 1837, he was joined in marriage with Amanda Melvina Peck, a daughter of Thomas Peck. Mrs. Griswold was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, May 3, 1814. They were blest with two children-Cynthia J., wife of E. C. Marsh, and Serepta J. Mrs. Griswold departed this life February , 1874. Mr. Gris- wold is a member of the First Universalist Church of Woodstock, and in politics is a Republican. He has been prominently identified with the Grange since its organization in the county, having served as Master, Lecturer and Chaplain. He was Justice of the Peace of Allen Township two terms and Trustee twelve years, besides other local offices. Mr. Griswold has been a useful and active citizen. He owns a good farm, containing 150 acres.

CLEMENT B. HOLYCROSS, farmer, P. O. North Lewisburg, second son of Abraham and Hester A. Holycross, was born on the old homestead, in Allen Township, March 13, 1845. He was reared to manhood in his native place and educated in the common schools. May 2, 1864, he was enrolled as a soldier in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio Na- tional Guard. He served as drummer, and was discharged with the honors of a faithful soldier September 3, 1864. September 12, 1866, he was married to Miss Settie Epps, a native of Coam- paign County, and a daughter of Thomas and Clarissa Epps. She was born May 11,$1846. One son, Orrie B., blesses this union ; he was born April 5, 1873. Mr. H. owns a farm of sixty- eight acres and is engaged in agriculture and keeping Poland-China hogs. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Bepublican.

ROBERT C. HOLYCROSS, youngest son of Abraham and Hester A. Holycross, was born in Allen Township, December 5, 1854. He was reared a farmer hoy, and educated in the common schools. December 24, 1874, he was joined in marriage to Miss Mary, daughter of Nelson and Almira Cooksey. Mrs. H. was born in Allen Township May 21, 1856. Their three children are Arthur L., born November 18, 1875; Edgar A., born November 5, 1878, and Grace B., born December 14, 1880. Mr. Holycross owns sixty-three acres of the old homestead and is engaged in farming.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 140

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