The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 149

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 149

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).

534

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Rev. Evan Evans became stated supply, serving until September, 1860. Rev. Henry Vandeman was stated supply from April, 1861, to April, 1865; Rev. Alexander S. Thorne, from April, 1865, to October, 1869; Henry Shedd, from May, 1870, to the spring of 1873, preaching each alternate Sabbath in sum- mer and occasionally in winter. John W. Thompson preached during the summer of 1873. Nearly every Sabbath during the following winter the pul- pit was vacant. In the summer of 1874, Rev. Henry Shedd returned. In April, 1875, Rev. Charles S. Wood commenced his labors in this church in connection with the Richwood Presbyterian Church, and served until January, 1876. In November of that year, Rev. Charles W. Torrey began a pastorate which continued three years, devoting one-half his time to this church. Rev. William G. Marsh is the present pastor. The first meetings were held chiefly at the dwelling houses of Joseph Miller, Beriah Wilkins and James McCrea, but after a few years the services were transferred to the Miller Schoolhouse and conducted there until the first church edifice was erected in 1855. It was a frame building, 28x40, built on a lot of ground donated to the church by Beriah Wilkins and was dedicated in February, 1855, by Rev. James Smith.

assisted by Rev. James A. Sterrett. This house of worship remained in use until the fall of 1882. During the summer of 1882, a tasty, well-finished and handsome frame church was erected on the same lot where the old church building stood. It is 32x48 feet in size, and was constructed at a cost of about $2,300. The principal contributors to the erection of this house of worship were Andrew McNeil, William T. Fulton, John Sterling, William McGinnis, Sylvanus Taylor, Isaac Cahill, Benton Cahill, Anthony Middlesworth, Uriah Cahill, and Benjamin Thomas. It was dedicated November 5, 1882, by Dr. Taylor, of Wooster University, from first Kings, vi, 7.

Andrew McNeil and Dennis Mears remained the only Ruling Elders until 1851, when John E. Cahill was added to the number. January 5,1857, Rich- ard McEldery and Charles E. Wilkins were elected additional Elders. In 1865. Dennis Mears removed to Illinois, and Richard McEldery to Allen County, Ohio, but their places in the session were not filled. In 1874, the congregation fixed the term of service of Elders at three years. It had previously been for life or until removal for cause. In 1844, Uriah Cahill was elected and re- elected in 1877 and 1880. Charles Wilkins and Andrew McNeil have also been re-elected and are also members of the session. The latter has served as Elder since the organization of the church, an uninterrupted term of over fifty three years. In 1879, William McElroy was elected as Elder.

The congregation has a substantial membership of about forty, and is in all respects a flourishing society. Its membership was greatest about 1864. Since that time there has been a considerable emigration from the church to the West. During the summers, a Sabbath school has been regularly main- tained since the organization of the church.

Mt. Pleasant United Brethren Church is situated about a mile south of York Center. The society was organized about 1850, through the efforts of Rev. Frederick Hendricks. Its early membership was drawn largely from the Methodist society at York Center. The first meetings of the newly formed class were held in Henry Tobey's blacksmith shop and in the neighboring schoolhouse, but within a short time a hewed log house was built, finished in primitive style with plank seats, most of them without backs. Henry Tobey, David Davis, Amon Davis, George Davis, Sr., and their families, William Tobey. William Henson and family were early members. The old church stood on the land of William Murphy, and was used only ten or twelve years, when the present handsome frame edifice was erected on land donated by Casper Stalder, through the efforts and contributions of William Henson, Judson

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

Storms, Amon Davis, David Davis and the citizens residing in the vicinity. The membership now includes about seventy souls. Summersville Circuit, to which this church belongs, comprises, besides it, Mt. Zion, Darby and West Mansfield Churches. David Davis, one of the first members, was a local preach- er and served on this circuit for several years.

The United Brethren Church at Summersville was organized about 1850 in the Hyde Schoolhouse. A building was commenced here, but Summers- ville, upon reconsideration, was deemed a better site and the building was removed and completed there. It is a frame and is still in use and has re- cently been refitted and repaired. The society was once strong. Among the earlier members were Moses Horn and wife, George Davis and wife, James Meadles and wife, Ephraim Yarington, wife and sons and the Keeners. Owing to removals of members from the township and deaths, the membership has been greatly reduced, and is now quite small.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

P. C. ADAMS, farmer, P. O. Broadway, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, September 17, 1824, and is a son of Charles and Mary (Cline) Adams, the former a native of Delaware, of En- glish descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. The father was a farmer and stock dealer, and for fourteen years made a business of driving cattle from Fayette County to the markets at Cincinnati. Our subject was reared ou a farm and received such ad- vantages of education as were at hand for farm boys at an early day. He has been a life-long farmer and has met with success in all of his farm operations. He has resided in York Town- ship since 1862, at which time he came, with his family, as a paroled prisoner. He enlisted in the Ninetieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was taken prisoner and paroled in Kentucky in 1862. He afterward enlisted in the Eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was detailed Commissary Ser- geant and wounded in 1864 while guarding a railroad train. He is a stanch Republican in politics, but, being a quiet, unobtrusive man, has never aspired to official position and has had no such honors bestowed on him by his party. He is a representative man of his township, the owner of 168 acres of well-cultivated land and has made his possessions by his own personal ef- forts. He was married, in 1853, to Lenora Green, a native of Logan County, Ohio, and a daughter of Rev. Thomas Green. By this union eight children were born, six surviving, viz .: Indiana, wife of Washington Patree ; Nancy, wife of William Johnson ; Lydia A., wife of Rich- ard Harris; Maria Ellen, wife of H. Henson ; Armetha M., wife of C. Bennett ; and Charles W.

JOSEPH T. ATHA, farmer, P. O. West Mansfield. Thomas Atha, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Maryland, in 1786, and with his parents, removed to Loudoun County, Virginia, where he married, probably in the year 1804, Miss Abigail Miller, by whom he had fourteen children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: John, William, Sarah, Elizabeth, Joseph T., Nancy A., Simeon L. and Thomas. In 1810, he emigrated to Champaign County, Ohio, where he remained but a few months. In the spring of 1811, he moved to Logan County and settled in the woods in Monroe Township. During the war of 1812, he enlisted in the service as Drum-Major, for three months, and for his services, from the Government, received a grant of land in Illinois. A short time after he had settled in Logan County, Mrs. Atha, who still resides there, one day had occasion to gather some ginseng, the root of which was then in demand for medicinal purposes ; she was accompanied by two faithful curs, who on their way encountered a wolf, and after a long struggle, with her assistance, they succeeded in destroying the beast. The Government, at that time, paid a reward of $10 for every wolf scalp that was brought to Urbana, where she forthwith took the scalp and received her reward. With the many priva- tions of life which they encountered, by faithful adherence to business and to habits of industry, they succeeded in making for themselves and family a comfortable home. Mr. Atha died in October, 1870 ; his widow still survives him, now in her ninety-sixth year, and though old, she has retained her reason and memory uncommonly well for one of her age. Our subject was born in Logan County, Ohio, January 23, 1827, and received a good common school education. When twenty years of age, he came to Union County and began school teaching, in which he continued, alternately, for perhaps thirteen years. For his first teaching he received $10 per month, which was considered very good wages, but during the latter part of his teaching he received as high as $25 per month; "and at these prices made and saved enough money to make the first payment on his land." On May 8, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Nancy A. Skidmore, who was born February 8, 1832, in Logan County. She was a daughter of Joshua and Hope Skidmore, who were early settlers in Logan County. To them have been born eight children-Sarah E., David P., Henry C., Mary F., Hope A., Charity D., Orinda J. and Rachel, the latter two of whom are deceased ; he is also rearing as his own his grandchild, Ida M. Wilgus, daughter of Lorenzo D. and Orinda J. Wilgus, the latter being the

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

eldest daughter of our subject, and having been wedded to her husband but eleven months, died. In 1856, Mr. Atha settled in the southwestern portion of York Township, Union County, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Atha, with their four oldest children, are members of the M. E. Church. He has served as School Director many years, and is the owner of eighty-two acres of land.

AMOS W. BALLINGER, farmer, P. O. West Mansfield. Thomas Ballenger, deceased, father of our subject, was born February 18, 1826, in Logan County, Ohio, he was a son of Caleb Ballinger, deceased, and Rebecca Ballinger, his mother at present' residing with Mr. Isaac Dalley, of this township. For his first wife, in Logan County, he married Mary A. Harvey ; nine of their children are now living-Alonzo H., Eliza J., Caleb E., Rebecca E., Hannah W., William B., Alice L., Amos W. and George M. After her decease in December, 1862, he mar- ried Christena Bechtel, who was born January 16, 1843, in Fairfield County, Ohio; her parents were Andrew and Magdalena Bechtel. By her he had four children, two of whom are still living-Andrew S. and John E. He was a member of the M. E. Church, and died March 25, 1878. He left 111 acres of land to his widow who survives him and resides in the western por- tion of York Township. Our subject was born in Union County, Ohio, August 8, 1857. On September 16, 1876, he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Winner who was born in Febru- ary, 1857; she was a daughter of John and Margaret Winner-both deceased-of Logan County. To them has been born one child, viz .. Mary M., born May 7, 1878. Mr. Ballinger is a mem- ber of the M. E. Church, a Republican, and the owner of seventy acres of land.

JONATHAN BEARD, farmer, P. O. York. Our subject was born in Delaware (now Morrow) County, Ohio, October 2, 1820; he is a son of Victor and Mary A. Beard, natives of New York State, who were married in Delaware County, Ohio, and were the parents of five children, two of whom are now living, viz .: Jonathan and Joseph. Abont the year 1854, they came to Union County, where they remained until their decease, the former in September, 1855, and the latter in June, 1876. Jonathan, on July 30, 1846, was married to Miss Polly Stevens, who was born June 28, 1830; she was a daughter of Elijah and Phoebe Stevens, of Knox County, Ohio. To them have been born eight children-Cordelia, Elizabeth A., Mary E., James J. N., Philander W., Clara B., Jonathan C. and one deceased. In 1848. he came to Leesburg Township, Union County, and after living in different portions of Union County, he finally, in the autumn of 1881, settled in York Township, where he now resides. Mr. Beard is a member of the M. E. Church, and the owner of over eighty acres of land.

LEVI H. BECHTEL, farmer, P. O. Richwood. The subject of this sketch was born Decem- ber 23, 1842, in Fairfield County, Ohio; his parents are David Bechtel (deceased) and Matilda Bechtel. When five years of age his father died, and a short time after, with his mother, he moved to Delaware County, where he remained until the spring of 1875, when he came to Union County. On October 8, 1865, he married Miss Nancy J. Mills, who was born October, 1842, and was daughter of the late Rev. Pierson Mills, of Delaware County. By this union there has been an issue of three children-Charles W., born March 2, 1876; Rosa B., born August 2, 1877, and Frank C., born July 13, 1878. Mr. Bechtel was one of the incorporators of the Union County Farmers' Insurance Company, and at present is one of the Directors. He is also serving as trustee of York Township, and is connected with the Richwood Importing Com- pany. He is a Democrat, the owner of ninety- seven acres of land and resides in the northern portion of York Township.

L. W. BOLENBAUGH, farmer, P. O. York. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, December 18, 1836; he is a son of Jacob Bolenbaugh (deceased) and Saralı Bolenbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania, who with their parents come to Ohio when quite young. They were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 20, 1830. In 1834, they came to Union County and settled in York Township, where our subject now resides. In August, 1878, Jacob departed this life, respected by all who knew him; his widow survives him and resides at the home of our subject. They were the parents of three children-Lewis F., David D. and L. W. Our subject was reared on a farm and received but a limited education. On October 1, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Alvira IIarris, who was born July 6, 1840, and was a danghter of Jacob and Elizabeth Harris. To them have been born five children-David C., Howard (de- ceased), Ida, Otis G. and Maud. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was employed principally in doing garrison duty. He received an honorable discharge in September, 1865. Mr. Bolenbaugh is one of the incorpora- tors of the Union County Farmers' Insurance Company, and is the owner of 118 acres of land in a high state af cultivation.

URIANI CAHILL, farmer, P. O. York, was born in Claiborne Township, on the Cahill homestead, in this county, December 29, 1841. In 1839, his parents, John E. and llaunah Cahill, came to Union County, and settled near Fulton Creek, in Claibourne Township. Uriah, in his youth devoted his time principally to farming, and obtaining a good English education. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirty first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Third Division, Fourteenth Corps, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in nearly all the battles in which Gen. Thomas' command was engaged ; also the Atlanta campaign, and in Sherman's grand march to the sea. He remained with Sherman's army until the close of the war, and was honorably

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

discharged in July, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio. On March 3, 1864, while home on veteran furlough, he married Isabel Worbs, a daughter of Laban H. and Martha J. Worbs, of Union County, and a sister of Mrs. Lemuel Cahill. To them have been born two children-James C. and Isaac J. In August, 1868, he settled in the southern portion of York Township, of which he has served as Trustee several years. In the fall of 1881, he was elected for three years a County Commissioner, the duties of which office he is performing with credit to himself and the county. In June, 1881, he was elected the first President of the Union County Farmers' Insurance Company, and in June, 1882, was re-elected to the same office. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and of the Presbyterian Church at York Center, and the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres.

LEMUEL CAIIILL, farmer, P. O. York, was born in Claibourne Township, on the Cahill homestead, about four miles west of Richwood, January 12, 1847. His parents were John E. and Hannah Cahill, of whom we have made mention in another portion of this work. After receiving a rudimentary education, he attended, for nine months, a high school at Marysville, and during the latter portion of 1867, and beginning of 1868, he attended, for six months, the Ohio Business College at Delaware, from which institution he received a diploma .. On May 23, 1870, he married Miss Mary F. Worbs, daughter of Laban H. and Martha J. Worbs. They had two children-Cora B., born November 25, 1871, died July 8, 1872, and John II., born March 25, 1873. In 1871, Mr. Cahill settled in the southern portion of York Township, near where he now resides. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and the owner of 241 acres of tillable land.

GEORGE W. COONS, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, July 29, 1840. His parents were Thomas S. Coons and Rebecca Coons, the latter now deceased. In December, 1861, he enlisted in the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was attached to the Army of West Virginia. He participated in the battles of Cedar Mountain, Cross Keys, Sulphur Springs, and the second battle of Bull Run, where he received a wound in the left leg, which terminated in a thigh amputation. On the battle-field he was taken prisoner by the confederates, and left eight days without food. He, however, finally was properly ex- changed, and was honorably discharged from the service on November 25, 1862. On January 25, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Elliott, who was born January 26, 1849, in Portage County, Ohio ; she is a daughter of Wilkinson and Sarah Elliott. To them have been born four children, three of whom are now living-Orville F., Orland T., an infant and one de- ceased. Mr. Coons has served as Assessor of York Township; has been successful in business. and is the owner of a fine farm of 158 acres of land. He resides in the northern portion of York Township.

STERLING F. COONS, farmer. P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, September 6, 1847 ; is a son of Thomas S. and Rebecca (deceased) Coons. From his youth, he has devoted bis attention principally to agricultural pursuits. On July 25, 1870, he married Mi-s Hope Haines, who was horn June 9, 1852, in Union County, Ohio. She is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary (dece ased ) Haines. For ten years subsequent to his marriage, he resided near Rush Creek, in Washington Township, but in the spring of 1880 he located ou the homestead farm in the northern portion of York Township. Politically, he is a Repub- lican, and he is the owner of 150 acres of land in a good state of cultivation.

N. H. COONS, farmer, P. O. York, was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 18, 1825, and is a son of George and Keziah Coons, who settled in York Township in 1830. His father filled several important offices in the township and died in 1856, respected by all who knew him. On May 15, 1852, he married Miss Fidelia Phelps, who was born in 1831 ; her father was a Baptist minister and a very active member of society. They have had eight children, of whom four are now living-Cynthia A., Jason, James and Mary I. Mr. Coons resides on his farm in the northern portion of York Township.

JOHN M. CURL, farmer, P. O. West Mansfield. The subject of this sketch was born November 18, 1828, in Logan County, Ohio. His parents were James R. Curl (deceased ) and Louisa Curl, both natives of Virginia. He was rearod to man's estate on a farm and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. On March 13, 1856, he was united in marriage to Miss Caroline M. Munsell, who was born December 15, 1836, in Lorain County, Ohio ; she was a daughter of Alvin and Mary Munsell. To them have been born eight chil- dren, viz .: Louisa, born April 26, 1857 : James N., born November 30, 1858; Emily E., born June 2, 1861, died December 5, 1862; Clement L., born January 1, 1864 ; Robert P., born Au- gust. 8, 1866; Nellie C., born August 20, 1868; Huldah E., born September 15, 1871 ; and Charlie, born March 4, 1877. Mr. Curl resides in the western portion of York Township and is the owner of seventy-two acres of land.

JEREMIAH M. DANFORTH, farmer, P. O. Raymond. The subject of this sketch was born June 18, 1825, in Licking County, Ohio ; he is a son of David and Anne Danforth, who emigrated from Vermont to Licking County, Ohio, in 1817. They remained in Licking County until 1837, in which year they came to Union County. They were the parents of seven children three of whom are now living, viz. : Bliss, Julia, and Jeremiah M. Our subject has from his youth been engaged in the pursuits of agriculture, and he received but a rudementary education.

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

On October 14. 1847, he was united in marriage with Miss Polly A. Smith, who was born March 24, 1823 ; she was a daughter of Charles and Sarah Smith, of whom we have made mention iu this work. To them were born four children, viz. : Thomas C., born September 14, 1848; Eliza J., born May 22, 1851 ; Sarah A., born February 27, 1855; and David S., born January 24, 1861. Mr. Danforth for more than one-third of a century enjoyed with his faithful wife the pleasures of married life, when on December 26, 1881, death called her away ; she left behind her a wealth of love and affection, and will not soon be forgotten by the loved ones who mourn their irretrievable loss. For several years Mr. Danforth served as Justice of the Peace in Taylor Township. He is a member of F. & A. M. lodge and the owner of 723 acres of land. He resides in the southern portion of York Township. IIe had two brothers, who participated in the war of the late rebellion; his father, David, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his grand- father, Peter Danforth, was a valiant soldier of the Revolutionary war.

JAMES M. DARLING, Notary Public and insurance agent, P. O. Bokes Creek. The sub- ject of this sketch was born in Windsor County, Vt., April 25, 1817, and in September, 1836, with the Stoddard family, he left Vermont for Ohio. Their journey was long and tedious, trav- eling by stage, by the Erie Caual and by Lake Erie. After many disappointments and having en- lured many privations, they finally, over muddy roads and through inclement weather, by way of Columbus, arrived at Woodstock, Champaign County, which was their destination. For per- haps ten years he resided in Woodstock, the first three years of which during the summer months he worked on a farm and in the winter taught school. For the following seven years he engaged in the boot and shoe making, having learned the trade with his father when a young man. In 1840, he married Jane Harvey, daughter of Erastus Harvey (a Baptist preacher), and Ann Harvey, both of whom are deceased. To them were born three children, viz. : Charles W., John R., and Elizabeth. Mrs. Darling died June 3, 1845, and in February, 1849, he married Mary A. Shirk, by whom he had three children, viz. : David O., Alice M. and Joseph M. His second wife died April 23, 1865, and on November 12, 1865, he married for his third wife Amy Warford, widow of the late Joseph Warford. In 1846, he left Woodstock for Middletown, where he followed his trade for five years and from there he moved to a farm in Paint Township, Madison County, where he remained until he came to Union County. He first located in Lib- erty Township, but in October, 1865, he came to Summersville, York Township, where he now re- sides, and is engaged in the boot and shoe business. In January, 1869, he was appointed Post- master, and is still serving as such; for many years he has been a Notary Public and Commis- sioner of Deeds. Mr. Darling takes considerable interest in literary matters, one of his produc- tions being a brief but valuable history of York Township published in 1876. He is a member of the Christian Church.

ELZA H. DAVIS (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born December 9, 1816, in Pennsylvania. His parents were David and Elizabeth Davis. When a young man, he came to Ohio, and in October, 1846, in Marion County, he was joined in matrimony to Miss Mary E. Walker, who was born October 16, 1829. She was a daughter of James and Elizabeth Walker, natives of Delaware, who came to Pickaway and subsequently to Marion County at quite an early day. By this union there has been an issue of seven children, three of whom are now living, viz. : Elza C., James E. and George D. Shortly after the date of his marriage he came to Union County, and settled in the northeastern portion of York Township, where he remained until his decease. He was an affectionate husband and father, and esteemed by all who knew him. In his death Union County lost one of her most energetic and best citizens. He left to his widow, who still resides where he settled, 285 acres of land.

DAVID B. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. York. George Davis, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, August 23, 1816, and in 1821, with his parents, David and Keziah Davis, he came to Harrison County, Ohio, where they remained until 1833, in which year they came to Union County and settled in York Township. He married in Union County Miss Nancy Hyde, daughter of Samuel and Elizabetlı Hyde (deceased). Two of their children are now living, viz. : David B. and Mary E. He is a member of the M. E. Church and the owner of 170 acres of land, and resides at York Center. Our subject was born in Union County, Ohio, September 24, 1834. On January 9, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane Miller, who was born in September, 1837, in Union County. In the spring of 1867, he settled in the south- ern portion of York Township, where he now resides, and where he owns 150 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 149

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