The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 145

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 145

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).

JOHN R. DIXON, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek, was born August 12, 1827, in Virginia. His parents were John and Frances Dixon, with whom, in the spring of 1839, he came from Ross County, Ohio, to Union County, and settled in Jackson Township, where they remained until their decease. Of a family of twelve children, six are now living-Lucy A., Elizabeth, Frances, Martha J., Nancy A. and John R. In October, 1854, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Sabria V. White, who was born in October, 1829, in New York State. When three years of age, with her parents, Paul and Mary White, she came to Portage County, Ohio, and subse- quently to Marion County. This union has been blessed with nine children, six of whom are now living, viz .: James F., Lucy F., Susan A., Philip T. M., Olive J. and Nancy E. Mr. Dixon has seen much of pioneer life, having settled, comparatively speaking, in the woods. For twelve years he has served as Assessor of Jackson Township, and, in 1880, was appointed Enumerator of the Census in his township. He is the owner of fifty acres of land in a good state of cul- tivation.

JAMES M. DUTTON, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek. The subject of this sketch was born November 26, 1837, in Marion County, Ohio. His parents were David and Sarah A. Dutton, natives of Delaware, who came to Marion County at quite an early day. Our subject, in his youth, was trained to the pursuits of farming, and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. He was married, in Marion County, Ohio, to Miss Helen Keeler, who was born January 20, 1835. She was a daughter of Hiram and Velina Keeler, both de- ceased, of Jackson Township. This union has been blessed with three children, viz .: William R., born June 18, 1861; Ada M., born November 20, 1862, and Sarah B., born September 9, 1864. In the spring of 1876, from Marion County, with his family, he came to Jackson Town- ship, this county. He is the owner of forty-one acres of tillable land, in the northern portion of the township.

JAMES L. FISHI, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born November 6, 1847, in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio. Ilis parents are Cornelius E. and Elizabeth R. Fish. Ile was reared to manhood on a farm and received the rudiments of an English education in a dis- trict school. On November 16, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Susan McElroy, who was born April 3, 1845, in Ireland. She is a daughter of William McElroy (deceased) and

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Elizabeth McElroy. When a child, with her parents she came to America, and by way of New York came to Union County, this State. Their union has been blessed with three children-Wash- tella, born November 6, 1873 ; Carrie E., born January 10, 1876; and Chauncey C., born March 25, 1881, Mr. Fish is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and the owner of 100 acres of land. He resides in the southern portion of Jackson Township.

WILLIAM A. GODFREY, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek, was born February 27, 1844, in Ross County, Ohio. IIis parents were Isaac Godfrey, a native of Maryland, and Elizabeth Godfrey. In 1854, with his father, his mother having died, and other members of the family, he came to Jackson Township, this county. Of a family of nine children, tour are yet living, viz .: Nancy, Mahala, Annie and our subject, who is the youngest child. On May 3, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Melissa Austin, daughter of Mark and Cynthia Austin. By this union there has been an issue of three children, two of whom are now living-Chauncy, born September 18, 1875 ; Nellie, born August 12, 1877 ; and Eugene (deceased). In August, 1864, he en- listed in the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently par- ticipated in the battle of the Cedars, Kingston, N. C., and the burning and evacuation of Deca- tur, Ala. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865. Mr. Godfrey is a member of the Bap- tist Church and the owner of fifty-two acres of land. He resides in the northern portion of Jackson Township.

JOSEPH J. GOLDSMITH, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born July 1, 1828, in Franklin County, Ohio. Ilis parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Goldsmith, his father a native of Ken- tucky and his mother of Ireland. When two years of age, with her parents, his mother emi- grated to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where she married a Mr. Chambers, by whom she had two children, both of them now deceased, and with him she came to Franklin County, where he died. She here married, after the decease of Mr. Chambers, Thomas Goldsmith, father of our subject. To them were born seven children, five of whom are now living. Thomas Goldsmith was born in Kentucky, and, when a young man, with his parents went to Virginia. He came to Franklin County a short time prior to the breaking out of the war of 1812. Our subject was reared in Franklin County, where, in August, 1848, he married Miss Eliza A. Thompson, daughter of William Thompson, a native of Scotland, and Susannah Thompson. This union has been blessed with six children, two of whom are now living, viz .: William C. and Oliver H. In the fall of 1853, he came to Union County, and, after living in different parts of which, he finally, in the spring of 1881, settled in the southern portion of Jackson Township. He has served as Treasurer of York Township and Trustee of Claibourne Township. lle is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church and of the I. O. O. F. lodge, and owns fifty-one acres of land.

WATSON A. HALL. miller, P. O. Rush Creek, was born in Portage County, Ohio, January 10, 1839. He is a son of Henderson Hall, deceased, and Mary Hall, now of Delaware County. When five years old, with his parents, he went to Delaware County, where he married, in March, 1859, Miss Eliza J. Farver, daughter of Nelson and Eliza J. Farver, by whom he has one child, viz .: Almer E. For twenty-two years Mr. Hall has been quite successfully engaged in the saw and grist-milling business. He remained in Delaware County until the spring of 1881, at which time he came to Essex, this county. In August, 1862, he enlisted, in Delaware County, in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battles of llaines' Bluff, Arkansas Post, and the siege of Vicksburg, and received an honorable discharge in July, 1865. He is of an active, stirring business disposition, and a respected member of society.

HENRY M. HALL, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek. The subject of this sketch was born in Franklin County, Ohio, September 11, 1846. He is a son of John and Keturah Hall, of Frank- lin County. In his youth he received a liberal English education. On December 28, 1870, in Franklin County, he married Miss Frances I. Walton, who was born October 1, 1849; she is a daughter of Gideon and Rebecca Walton, of Franklin County. To them have been born four children, viz .: Charles M., born May 30, 1873; John J., born April 28, 1875; Martha R., born July 31, 1879, and Josephine, born August 9, 1881. In the fall of 1875, he came to Union County and settled in Jackson Township. He is the owner of fifty-five acres of land, and is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace. As an agriculturist, Mr. Hall is meeting with success.

GEORGE W. HANDLEY, farmer, P. O. Richwood. This venerable citizen of Jackson Township was born June 14, 1814, in Loudoun County, Va. He is a son of Daniel aud Annie Handley, and when about five years of age, his father died. When twelve years old, with his mother and several other members of the family, he came to Licking County, Ohio. From his youth up he has devoted his attention to farming, and received but a rudimentary education. On December 8, 1836, in Perry County, he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Bugh, who was born July 1, 1818. She was a daughter of Israel and Amelia Bugh, early settlers of Perry County. To them have been born ten children, seven of whom are now living, viz .: John T., Eliza J., Melinda C., Amelia A., Martha E., George V. and Martin. The names of the deceased are Mary F., David E. and William H., In the spring of 1875, with his family, from Lick- ing County, Mr. Handley came to Claibourne Township, this county, and located in said town-

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ship until the spring of 1882, when he came to Jackson Township, where he now resides. He is the owner of 113 acres of land in a high state of cultivation.

GEORGE B. HANDLEY, farmer, P. O. Richwood. The subject of this sketch a young agriculturist of Jackson Township, was born July 11, 1856, in Licking County, Ohio. He is a son of George W. and Catherine Handley, whose sketch appears in this work. He was reared to manhood on a farm and received a common school education. On March 2, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Eva Cheney, daughter of Lorenzo and Anna M. Cheney, of whom we have also made mention in this work. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 71, at Richwood, and of the Fourteenth Ohio National Guard Regimental Band, and the owner of seventy acres of laud.

WINGET HARRAMAN, farmer. P. O. Rush Creek. The subject of this sketch, a prominent agriculturist of Jackson Township, was born April 3, 1846, in Marion County, Ohio. He was a son of David and Nancy Harraman. When twelve years of age, with his father he came to Jackson Township, this county. In his youth he had theopportunities of receiving but a meagre education. He participated in the battles of Red River, Little Rock, the siege of Vicksburg and other engagements in the war of the Rebellion, with the Fortieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and received an honorable discharge from the service. In November, 1867, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Martha J. Baldwin, daughter of Henry Baldwin (deceased ) and Edith Baldwin. To them have been born six children, of whom five are still living-William H., John F., Clarenie L., Florenie A., Carrie A., and Jesse (deceased). Mr. Harraman has been remarka- bly successful in business ; he is a member of the 1. O. O. F. society, and the owner of 498 acres of land.

HENRY HAZEN, lumber merchaut and farmer, P. O. Woodland. William P. IIazen, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in May, 1817, in New York State, and when twelve years of age came to Ohio. He married Maria L. Langdon by whom he had six children, five of whom are now living, viz .: Our subject being the oldest, Edward E., Phoba A., Philander F., and Martin L. His wife died in 1853, and he was married in December of the same year to Mrs. Charlotte J. Vincent, a widow. About the year 1838, at Deerfield, Portage County, he engaged in the foundry business, having learned the trade of a molder in his youth. IIe there continued in business until 1840, when he opened a foundry at Rosenna, and carried on the bus- iness successfully until 1848, in which year he formed a partnership with his brother, under the firm title of W. P. Hazen & Co. They carried on the business until 1851. In 185], he em- barked in the lumber trade at Atwater, Portage County, where he continued his business until 1860, in which year he went to Warren, Trumbull County. Ile here carried on the lumber business successfully uutil 1862, when he admittel as a partner our subject. In 1863, they closed up their business at Warren and came to Jackson Township, this county. In 1866, they admitted as a partner Elward E. Hazen, and the firm henceforth transacted business under the title of W. P. Hazen & Sons, until 1880, in which yeur the partnership was dissolved. William P. Hazen affords to us a striking illustra ion, of what a poor boy can do if he puts to work his brains and muscle with a determination to succeed. At the time of his arrival in Ohio he had according to his own statement " a few shillings in his pocket," and to-day he is the owner of 1,500 acres of land in Union County, 700 acres in Florida and other vast possessions. He was in his day one of the most active and stirring business men which Union County possessed. Our subject was born July 11, 1838, in Portage County, Ohio. In January, 1864, he married Miss Alice E. Wells, who was born in February, 1842 ; she was a daughter of John F. and Dorotha Wells, of Portage County. To them have been born six children-William P., Charles E., Maria L., Benjamin W., Lettie A. and John F. His business career has been principally in connec- tion with that of his father, as shown in this sketch. In connection with his farming, at present he is also engaged quite extensively in stock-raising an I lumbering. He has served as Trustee of Jackson Township. Through his exertions was secured the post office at Woodland, where he officiated as Postmaster several years. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society and of the I. O. O. F. society.

EDWARD E. HAZEN, merchant an 1 lumber dealer. Woodland, was born in Portage County . Ohio, April 14, 1843. He is a son of William P. and Maria L. (deceased) Hazen, of whom we have made mention in this work. He received a fair English education in his youth. In October, 1862, he married Amelia Herst, by whom he had four children, three now living, viz., Charlotte J., William P. aud Edward F. After her decease, he married Lydia Robinson, of Mar- ion County, by whom he has one child, Daniel E. For many years, with his father and brother, of whom we have made mention, as partners, he transacted business. He is at proseut exten- sively engaged in the mercantile trade, and still more extensively in the lumbering business. le is the owner of 597 acres of land and other valuable properties. He has been exceedingly successful in business.

JONATIIAN W. HEDGES, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born March 3, 1829, in what was formerly known as Fairfield, now Hocking County, Ohio. His parents were Caleb and Polly Iledges, natives of Maryland, who came to Fairfield County at quite an early day. He spent his youthful days in the quietnde of farm life, and received but a common school education. On Feb- ruary 23, 1854, he married Rebecca M. Brown, who was born in May, 1833, a daughter of John

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and Mary Brown, of Hocking County. To them have been born eleven children, seven of whom are yet living, viz., John A., Gaylord, Wilfred N., Orpha, Eunice, Effie and Ray C. In 1855, Mr. Iledges moved his family from Hocking to Delaware County, where he located two years and came to Union County He settled in the southern portion of Jackson Township, where he now resides. He has served as Trustee of Jackson Township, and with his wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the owner of 231 acres of land.

EDGAR D. HORTON, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Licking County, Ohio, Sep- tember 5, 1836. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (deceased) Horton, natives of Vermont, who came to Licking County, Ohio, about the year 1834. Of their family of twelve children, nine are now living, viz., Edwin, Orson, Thomas, Paschal I., Charlotte M., Sophia J., Emily A., Helen M. and Edgar D. When thirteen years of age, our subject entered his father's store at Fredonia, Licking County, as a clerk, and he continued with him until he reached his twentieth year. In March, 1865, at New Dover, Union County, he entered into the mercantile business for himself, and continued in the same for some five years. He subsequently spent a short time in Iowa, and came to Jackson Township, this county, in 1871. He is at present engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and became attached to the Army of the Cumberland. At the battle of Chickamauga, he received a gunshot wound in the right arm, which somewhat disabled that member. He continued in the service until February, 1864, at which time he received an honorable discharge at Camp Denni- son. On April 23, 1864, he married Miss Sarah U. Criswell, daughter of William and Tacy Cris- well, both of whom are deceased. This union has been blessed with six children, three of whom are now living-Frank, Lottie A. and Thomas J. He has served as Trustee and Assessor of Jackson Township, is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and the owner of fifty acres of valuable land.

WILLIAM R. HUGHES, farmer, P. O. Woodland, was born in Cambria County, Penn , July 30, 1828. His parents were Thomas Hughes (deceased) and Hannah Hughes, his father a native of Wales and his mother of Pennsylvania. When six years of age, with his parents, he came to Marion County, Ohio, where his mother still resides. He remained in Ohio until 1849, in which year he returned to Pennsylvania, where, in December, 1853, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Rachel S. Ritner, who was a daughter of Maj. Peter and Rachel S. Witner, and a niece of Joseph Ritner, who at one time was Governor of Pennsylvania. By this union there has been an issue of five children, viz .: George R., Thomas H., Everett L., William L. and Alice, the latter two of whom are deceased. Mr. Hughes remained in Penn- sylvania until 1875, in which year, with his family, he returned to Marion County, where he located until the spring of 1881, when he came to Jackson Township, this county. In June, 1861, as Captain of Company E, he enlisted in the Twenty-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the battle of Antietam and others, and was discharged in the following Septem- ber. He re-enlisted in May, 1863, in the Fifty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as Captain of Company B. He subsequently was engaged in the memorable battle of Gettysburg, and continued in the service until September, 1863, when he received his final discharge. While in Pennsylvania, he at one time was a candidate for State Senator, but was defeated by his opponent, Lewis W. Hall, by a small majority. He has also served as Mayor of Wilmore, Cambria County. Mr. Ilughes is a gentleman of culture and education and a member of the F. & A. M. society.

JOHN C. JOLLEY (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born October 3, 1819, in Union County, Ohio. He was a son of John and Hannah Jolley. He was reared to man's es- tate on a farm and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. On October 7, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary Keyes, an estimable lady, born March 8, 1828, in Madison County, Ohio. She was a daughter of Daniel and Betsy Keyes, with whom, when a child, she came to Union County. By this union there has been an issue of three children-Homer, born January 22, 1854; Preston, born April 3, 1856; and Emily D., born June 21, 1861. In 1856, he settled in Jackson Township, where he remained until his decease, in August, 1862. To his family he was an indulgent husband and father, and with his fellow- men he dealt with a spirit of generosity and uprightness. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; his bereaved widow, who still resides in Jackson Township, is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the owner of ninety-four acres of land.

WILLIAM KEELER, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek, was born June 12, 1844, in Jackson Township, this county. His parents were Hiram and Velina Keeler, natives of Vermont. About the year 1836, they came to Union County and settled in Jackson Township, where they spent the remainder of their days. Of their family of eight children, five are yet living, viz .: Orlando, Helen, Amelia V., Melissa E. and William. On October 31, 1880, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Amanda Sells, daughter of Peter and Catharine (deceased) Sells. They have one child, viz., George W., born August 10, 1881. He resides in the northern por- tion of Jackson Township, and is the owner of sixty acres of land.

RUSSELL B. LANDON, farmer, P. O. Richwood. The subject of this sketch was born July 8, 1831, in Delaware County, Ohio. His parents were James and Elizabeth Landon, his father a native of Pennyslvania, and his mother of Michigan. They came to Delaware County

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at quite an early day. Of their family of eight children, six are now living, viz .: Elizabeth, Sarah, Darius, Mary J., Catherine F. and Russell B. Our subject was reared to manhood in Delaware County. On October 16, 1856, he was united in marriage with Miss Sabrina Rodgers, who was born October 27, 1835, in Virginia; she is a daughter of Joseph and Ilannah (de- ceased) Rodgers. When a mere child, with them she came to Delaware County, where they located several years, and subsequently moved to Marion County. By this union there has been an issue of seven children-Elizabeth H., Martha O., Joseph B., Arthur R., Cora M., Orange G. aud Emma G. In the spring of 1868, with his family from Marion County, Mr. Landon came to Union County, and settled in Jackson Township. He is a member of the M. E. Church, and the owner of seventy acres of land, in the southern portion of the township.

LEVI E. LEWIS, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born May 23, 1833, in Worcester County, Md. His parents were John and Uneta Lewis, natives of Maryland, the latter deceased. About the year 1840, they came to Pickaway County, Ohio, where his mother died when our subject was eleven years old. Ilis father afterward married Mrs. Martha Mitchell. They sub- sequently moved to Franklin County, where they remained until 1880, in which year they came to Union County. Our subject spent his youthful days in the quietude of farm life, and re- ceived a fair English education. On August 18, 1853, he married Miss Susan E. Morten, who was born June 2, 1836, in Pickaway County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Seth Morten (deceased) and Sarah Morten, natives of Connecticut, who came to Pickaway County about the year 1832. This union has been blessed with eight children, viz .: John W., Seth L., Sarah A., Edward M., Susan M., Unet. J., Franklin B., and Mary E. In 1880, from Pickaway, with his family, Mr. Lewis came to Union County and settled in Jackson Township, where he now resides. For twelve years, as a local minister in the Christian Church, he has labored zealously for the advancement of the Master's cause. He is the owner of one hundred acres of land.

S. C. LOVE, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek, was born October 9, 1846, in Morrow County, Ohio. His parents were Leonard and Catherine Love. When about seven years of age, with his father, step-mother and two sisters, he moved to Delaware County, Ohio, where his father settled and remained until his decease. Our subject served a short period in the late war of the rebellion, in the One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was attached to the Army of the Cumberland. On December 15, 1870, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Criswell, who was born November 24, 1848, in Licking County, Ohio. Her parents were William and Tacy Criswell. To them have been born three children-Carrie, born August 6, 1871 ; Valentine, born March 7, 1873, and Wilfred C., born September 19, 1878. In the spring of 1876, our subject settled in the northern portion of Jackson Township. this county, where he still resides. He is a self-made man, having procured all he has by his indus- try and strict adherence to business. He has served as School Director, and is the owner of sixty-four acres of land, the greater portion of which is under a state of cultivation.

HARVEY MATHER, farmer, P. O. Rush Creek, was born in June 1820, in Delaware County, Ohio. Ilis parents were Increase Mather. a native of New Jersey and Anna Mather. When about three years of age, with them he came to Union County. He was reared to man's estate on a farm and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. In November, 1840, he married Miss Jane Dysert, daughter of John and Mary Dysert. This union has been blessed with seven children, viz .: Daniel D., John D., Oliver B., Mieton M., Aaron A., Mary L. and Thomas J. (deceased). In 1849, Mr. Mather settled in Jackson Township, near where he now lives. He has served as Justice of the Peace in Jackson Town- ship for fifteen years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the owner of 120 acres of land. As an agriculturist, he has been successful, owing to his industry and judicious management.

THOMAS MOORE (deceased) was born in January, 1834, in Union County, Ohio. His parents were Harvey and Magdalena Moore, who had a family of eight children, seven of them are now living, viz .: John, Elizabeth M., Margaret, Cyrus, Nancy M., Martha E, and Magda- lena. In June, 1856, our subject was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Ellen Moore, daughter of William and Ann Moore, of Claibourne Township, this county. To them were born six children, of whom five are now living, viz .: William II., Mary E., Phila, John HI. and Olive I. He served in the late war of the rebellion perhaps sixteen months, but was an invalid during the greater portion of the time. To his family Mr. Moore was an indulgent father and loving husband. lle was a member of the Disciple Church, and peacefully departed this life in November, 1878, respected by all who knew him. He left to his widow, who still resides in Jackson Township, and who mourns her irretrievable loss, seventy-eight acres of land.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 145

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