The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 170

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 170

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).

In the southwestern portion of the township is a religious society of the Free-Will Baptist persuasion, which owns no house of worship, but meets in the Bird Schoolhouse. It was organized there about ten years ago by Elder George Baker, then of Marion County, Ohio. He and Elder K. F. Higgins have been the only two pastors in charge. The early membership was small, and included the names of Gorum Bird and wife Arsadilla, Albert Bird and wife Mary, William Peterson and wife Ellen, and Rachel and Mary Elliott. A Sabbath school has been supported until the present year, when, owing to the temporary suspension of regular services, the school, too, ceased active work.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCIIES.

ISHMAEL ARMINTROUT, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born )11 Rockingham County, Va., December 25, 1823, and when twelve years of age, with his parents, Jacob and Fanny Armintrout, he went to Indiana, where they, however, remained but a short time. From thence they came to Montgomery County, Ohio, where they located two years, and for the year following lived in Madison County. They subsequently went to Franklin County, where they remained until their decease. Of a family of nine children, five are now living, viz .: Gideon, Martha, Clara, Ishmael and Jemima. On June 6, 1846, our subject was united in marriage in Franklin County to Miss L. S. Warner, who was born May 21, 1836, in Che- nango County, N. Y. She is a daughter of Stephan and Hannah (deceased) Warner, now of Franklin County, Ohio. To them have been born ten children-Lucy M. (deceased), Henrietta F., Jacob S., Delilah J., Addison O., Martha, Albert J., Henry G., Isadora and Clara E. In the spring of 1869, with his family, he came to Washington Township, Union County, and for three years located near Byhalia ; he then moved to the western portion of Washington Town- ship, where he now resides. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the owner of 140 acres of land in a good state of cultivation.

JOSEPHI C. BALDWIN, farmer, P. O. Mt. Victory, Hardin County, Ohio, was born in Stark County, Ohio, July 3, 1833 ; his parents were Roswell and Martha Baldwin, his father a native of Connecticut and his mother of Virginia. They settled in Stark County at an early day. When fifteen years of age, with his parents, he came to Logan County, where they re- mained until 1871, in which year they came to Washington Township, Union County. On Sep- tember 24, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah S. Elliott, who was born November 29, 1833; she is a daughter of Samuel and Martha Elliott. To them have been born five children, three of whom are still living-Mary E., Martha M. and Charles R. In February, 1871, he came to Union County and settled in Washington Township, where he now resides. He has served as School Director and is a member and an Elder of the Friends Society. On September 24, 1882, their silver wedding was celebrated, when Mrs. Baldwin, who has been an invalid for eight years, became the recipient of many valuable presents. They have a large circle of friends and acquaintances, with whom they are quite popular. Mr. Baldwin is the owner of fifty-six and one-half acres of land.

NATHAN M. BALDWIN, junior member of the firm of G. J. Baldwin & Co., Byhalia, was born May 17, 1844, in Champaign County, Ohio. He is a son of Lewis C. Baldwin (deceased)

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and Ann Baldwin. When about ten years of age, with his parents, he came to York Township, Union County. He received a common-school education. On September 15, 1869, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Cahill, daughter of Clement Cahill (deceased) and Martha Cahill, of Washington Township. The fruits of this union are two children-William W. and Howard O. In connection with his mercantile trade, he is at present also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the owner of forty acres of land. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Ninety-second Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and received an honorable discharge in September of the same year. He has served as Justice of the Peace in Washington Township.

GOULD J. BALDWIN, senior member, was born December 23, 1847, in Champaign County, Ohio. Like his brother, when a boy, he came to Union County with his parents. On July 21, 1870, he married Miss Louisa O. Southard, daughter of Ely B. and Jane Southard. They have one child-Otway. For twelve years, he has been engaged in the mercantile business. As a firm, they are courteous and obliging to their patrons, and always aim to give satisfaction. They deal in dry goods and general merchandise, such as is usually kept in a country store.

G. BIRD, farmer, P. O. Mt. Victory, Hardin County, Ohio, was born in New York State October 21, 1817. When two years of age, with his parents, James and Mary Bird, he came to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, where they remained until he was perbaps twelve years of age. They then came to Logan County, where they located until the spring of 1839, when they came to Washington Township, Union County. They endured the usual hardships and self-denials which are incident to pioneer life. Of a family of six children, three are now living, viz., Gorum, William and Albert. In May, 1849, our subject was united in marriage to Arcadilla Scott, daughter of James and Margaret Scott, early settlers of Cham- paign County ; she is a distant relative of the late Gen. Winfield Scott. This union has been blessed with six children-Sarah M., Caroline, Emeline, Dellie, Darwin S. and John W. (de- ceased). He has served as Justice of the Peace of Washington Township for six years, and as Trustee several years. He is a member of the Baptist Church and the owner of 145 acres of land.

ELI BOLEN, blacksmith, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Adams County, Ohio, October 17, 1847; he is a son of Alexander Bolen and Lydia Bolen, the former at present residing at Bellefontaine, Logan County. When five years of age, with his parents, he came to Union County. On April 17, 1870, in Hardin County, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda McCall, daughter of Thomas and Judith McCall, of Hardin County. To them have been born two children-Ivery L., born February 11, 1874, and Coral W., born March 30, 1871, died May 10, 1879. In 1870, Mr. Bolen engaged in blacksmithing in Logan County, and continued the same several years. In April, 1879, he located at Byhalia, this county. He does general blacksmithing, and being a first-class workman, gives entire satisfaction to his pa- trons. He has been abundantly successful in business, owing principally to his industry and good management. He and wife are both members of the M. E. Church.

NATHAN BURNSIDE. farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Logan County, Ohio, December 4, 1817. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth Burnside, who came from Virginia, and settled in Logan County at an early day. He has seen and en dured much of pioneer life. On April 2, 1840, in Logan County, he married Miss Sarah Mc- Gee, daughter of William and Jane McGee (now deceased), of Logan County. To them have been born eight children, six of whom are still living, viz .: Alexander W., William M., Samuel G., Lewis C., Mary J. and Elizabeth E. In 1843, he came to Union County, and for eighteen months located in Washington Township, on a tract of land where he now resides. He subse- quently spent a short time in Iowa, Indiana and Logan County, Ohio, but in 1847 or 1848 re- turned to Washington Township. He has served as School Director, and is a member of the Baptist Church. As an agriculturist, he has met with good success, being a man of industrious and economical habits. He is the owner of 143 acres of land.

ENOS CAHILL, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Tuscara- was County, Ohio, March 17, 1829. He is a son of William and Rebecca Cahill. On August 1, 1849, in Tuscarawas County, he married Miss Isabel Martin, who was born September 3, 1827 ; she is a daughter of James and Jane Martin, now deceased. By this union there has been an issue of ten children-Rebecca J., Alexander, Mary M., William J., Susannah, Martha, Joseph H., Alpheretta, John E. and one died in infancy. In the autumn of 1863, with his family, he came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township, at Byhalia, where he now resides. As an agriculturist, he has been successful, owing to his industry and good management. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and continued in the service until the following October. He has served as Assessor and Trustee of Washington Township, and is the owner of ninety-four acres of land in a good state of cultivaticn.

ALFRED DAVIS. hardware merchant, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born October 20, 1836, in Union County, Ohio ; he is a son of Ebenezer Davis (deceased) and Mary Davis, early settlers of Union County. In August, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and continued in the service until September of

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

the following year. On March 8, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Melvina L. Pinney, daughter of [Iorace and Christena (deceased) Pinney. They have two children-Minnie and Elbert. Prior to his engaging in the hardware and grocery business, he engaged in farming, with the exception of one year spent in the mercantile business at Ridgeway, Hardin County. In March, 1882, he located in Byhalia. He is a gentleman of a pleasant disposition, and ac- commodating to his patrons. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. society, and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

VALENTINE DEAR, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, Hardin County, was born in Baden, Germany, in April, 1823. His parents were Jacob and Frances Dear. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and in his youth received but a meager education. In October, 1844, he was united in matrimony to Miss Margaret Rostetter. By this union there has been an issue of nine children, of whom eight are now living, viz. : Jonas, Theresa, Bertha, Felix, Sarah, Anne, Mary and Peter. In 1866, with his family, he emigrated to America, came to Union County, and set- tled in Washington Township. He is industrious, and the owner of 105 acres of land.

JONATHAN C. FIELDS, farmer, P. O. Richwood, was born in Logan County, Ohio, Oc- tober 26, 1818. His parents were Robert and Susan Fields, early settlers of Logan County. Of a family of eight children seven are yet living, viz. : Jonathan C., Jefferson C., Andrew J., Robert, Barbara, Lucinda and Charlotte. Our subject was in his youth trained to the pursuits of farming, and received the rudiments of education in a district school. On February 18, 1841, he was united in matrimony with Miss Elizabeth J. Atha, daughter of Thomas and Abigail Atha, of whom we have made mention in another portion of this work. To them have been born ten children, viz. : Mary A., Susannah, Melissa J., Easrum, Jasper N., James R., Emma O., Levi C., Thomas J. and Sarah E., the latter two of whom are deceased. In March, 1850, Mr. Fields settled in the eastern portion of Washington Township, this county, on the farm at present oc- cupied by him. He owns 108 acres of land, and is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

JEHU GRAY, farmer, P. O. Byhalia, was born March 11, 1827, in Champaign County, Ohio. His parents were John and Ellen Gray, natives of Virginia, and early settlers of Champaign County. Of his father's family of six children two are now living-Jehu and Louisa. In his youth, Jehu received a fair English education, by means of which he was enabled for several years to teach school. On June 25, 1849, in Champaign County, he married Lydia Miller, daughter of John and Margaret Miller, of Champaign County. By her he had three children- John L., Aaron E. and Emma, the latter two of whom are deceased. Mrs. Gray died January 16, 1866, and on March 21, 1867, he married Miss Johanna Stalder, daughter of Casper and Mary Stalder, of York Township, this county. To them have been born one child-Howard E. In the spring of 1852, Mr. Gray came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township. For nine years he has served as a Commissioner of Union County, and for many years as Clerk of Washinton Township. He discharged the duties of said offices faithfully and creditably. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and F. & A. M. societies, and the owner of 343 acres of land.

HENRY H. GREEN (deceased) was born May 21, 1814. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received a common school education, and for perhaps twelve years taught school. For his first wife he married Sarah Ellis, by whom he had one child (deceased). He was again married, on November 4, 1851, to Miss Lydia F. Lukens, an estimable lady and daughter of Jesse and Beulah Lukens, of Logan County, Ohio. By this union there was an issue of seven children, six of whom are now living-John L., Henry S., Ellis, William B., Sylvia A. and Angeline. About the year 1850, he settled in Washington Township, this county, where his widow now resides. He served as Trustee of Washington Township, and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a kind and loving father and an indulgent husband, and departed this life January 28, 1870. He left to his widow 161 acres of land.

JAMES D. HAINES, farmer, P. O. Byhalia, was born April 2, 1832, in Champaign County, Ohio; his parents were Allan and Sarah Haines, natives of Virginia, and among the first settlers of Champaign County. His father was a soldier of the war of 1812 with Great Britain. Of a large family of children, four are now living-James D., Jonathan, Harvey M. and llope. In December, 1860, our subject married Keziah Stamats, daughter of John Stamats, of York Town- ship, this county, and by her had one child-Cyrus N. She died in 1863, and in 1865 he mar- ried Rhoda Speek, by whom he had two children-Aggie M. and Aaron C. (deceased). She died in 1875. For his third wife, he married, in March, 1877, Elizabeth Martin, widow of the late Luther Martin, of Union County, and daughter of Casper and Mary Stalder, of York Town- ship, this county. By her he has one child-Sylvia J. In the spring of 1859, he came to Union County and settled in Washington Township. He has served as Treasurer of Washington Township one year. He is the owner of 308 acres of land, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM M. HIAINES, farmer and pike contractor, P. O. Byhalia, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 20, 1841, and is a son of Jonathan Haines and Mary Haines (deceased) his father now residing at Byhalia, this county. When three years of age, with his parents, he, came to Union County, and in his youth received a fair English education. On June 4, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret J. McPeck, who was born July 27, 1844, in Har-

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

rison County, Ohio. She is a daughter of William H. and Elizabeth McPeck, of York Township, this county, whose biography appears in this work. They have two children, viz .: George M., born June 24, 1870, and Mary E., born May 23, 1872. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the First Battalion Ohio Sharp-Shooters, Army of the Cumberland. On November 8, 1864, he was taken prisoner at Kingston, Ga, by the confederates, and was subsequently confined in nine different Southern prisons. At the close of the war he was exchanged, and was honorably dis- charged from the service July 12, 1865. In connection with his farming, Mr. Haines is also engaged in building pike roads by contract. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for eight years has been a local minister. He is at present filling the office of Trustee of Washington Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and the owner of 128 acres of land.

CALEB F. HAINES, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born February 20, 1845, in Union County, Ohio. He is a son of Joshua B. Haines (deceased) and Mary Haines, of this county. About the year 1840, his parents came to Union County and settled in Washington Township, where his father died August 17, 1882. They were the parents of seven children-Caleb F., Margaret, Lydia J., Fannie L., Rebecca, James H. and Sarah A., the latter five of whom are deceased. On January 6, 1867, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Margaret D. Miller, who was born November 28, 1849; she was a daughter of Thomas and Delilah Miller, whose biography appears in this work. To them have been born four children, viz .: Aaron L., born April 19, 1869; Milton B., born September 24, 1872; George F., born March 22, 1878, and Josephine, born June 5, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Haines are both members of the M. P. Church. In March, 1865, he enlisted in the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and continued in the service until the following October. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and the owner of about 160 acres of land.

JOIIN HARRIMAN, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born May 21, 1827, in Harrison County, Ohio. His parents were Simpkin and Sarah Harriman. When about sixteen years of age, with them he came to Washington Township, this county. From his youth up he has been engaged in farming. On August 28, 1852, he was uuited in marriage to Miss Rachel Thornton, who was born in 1834; she was a daughter of Jesse and Nancy Thornton, early settlers of Union County. To them have been born five children, viz .: Caleb F., born No- vember 15, 1853; Rebecca J., born May 12, 1855; Mary M., born September 11, 1862; Hannah M., born December 12, 1868, and Harvey A., born January 31, 1874. As an agriculturist, Mr. Harriman has been successful, having comparatively little with which to start in life. He is at present serving as Trustee of Washington Township, and for twenty years has been engaged in auctioneering. He is the owner of ninety-five acres of land, and is recognized as one of the thrifty agriculturists of Washington Township.

GEORGE HARRIMAN, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 19, 1837. His parents were Simpkin and Sarah Harriman. When six years old, with his parents, he came to Washington Township, Union County, where his parents settled. Of a family of twelve children, nine are now living, viz .: Amos, John, Ezra, Ellen, Martha, Joshua, George, Rebecca and Ruth. In April, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirty- first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles of Chick- amanga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Murfreesboro, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Goldsboro, Kingston, N. C., and numerous other engagements. He was honorably dis- charged in July, 1865. On July 4, 1868, he married Miss Mary C. Moffitt, who was born in April, 1846, in Champaign County, Ohio; she is a daughter of Nathan Moffitt (deceased), and Lucy A. Moffitt. To them have been born five children-Flavilla, James S., Donna M., Frankie J. and William H. (deceased). Mr. Harriman is a member of the I. O. O. F. society, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the owner of seventy acres of land. He has served as Assessor of Washington Township.

ROBERT HICKS, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in England December 26, 1825. When twelve years of age, with his parents, Thomas and Catherine Hicks, he emigrated to America, and came to Knox County, Ohio, where they remained until their de- cease. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm, and received but a limited education. On September 27, 1853, in Knox County, he married Miss Eunice Thompson, who was born January 22, 1834, she was a daughter of Asa and Anne Thompson, of Knox County. By her he had nine children-Mary L., George H., Maria L., Salona E., Anna C., Ida J., John, Hattie B. and Bertha C. She departed this life February 17, 1879, loved and honored by all who knew her. In the fall of 1864, with his family, Mr. Hicks came to Washington Township, this county, and settled where he now resides. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of ninety-eight acres of land.

MATTHEW LINGREL, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Lo- gan County, Ohio, November 25, 1825, and is a son of Jeremiah Langrel (deceased) and Eleanor Lingrel; his father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Pennsylvania. In 1837, with them he came to Washington Township, this county. On March 21, 1850, in Marion Coun- ty, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha Essex, a daughter of James and Ellen Essex, of .... 1.on County ; to them have been born eight children, of whom five are yet living, viz .: Louis

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

M., Alice, John II., Newton H. and Reed. For twelve years, he has served as Justice of the Peace in Washington Township ; he has also served as Clerk and Trustee of the township. Mr. Lingrel is one of the self-made men of whom Union County may well be proud, for, according to his own statements, he commenced life with but comparatively little, and he is at present the owner of a fine farm of 370 acres. He is a member of the I. O. O. F Lodge, and resides at his home in Byhalia.

WILLIAM MACOUBREY, farmer, P. O. Richwood. The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland March 2, 1825, and is a son of William and Mary A. Macoubrey. He married in Ireland Miss Jane Mulligan, daughter of James and Esther Mulligan. To them have been born three children-Mary A., born December 29, 1846: George A., born January 4, 1852; and William J., deceased. In 1857, with his family he emigrated to America, and by the way of New York came to Union County, Ohio. After living in several different parts of Union County, he finally, in the fall of 1873, settled in the southeastern portion of Washington Township. He is a man of industrious and economical habits, which have secured for him success. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and the owner of fifty acres of land.

JAMES W. MAHAFFEY, druggist, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, January 15, 1853. His parents were James and Matilda (deceased) Mahaffey, of Liberty Township, this county. He received a good English education. In the spring of 1879, he entered into the drug business at Newton, this county, where he remained until May, 1881, in which year he moved to Byhalia. He has established a good trade and is meeting with suc- cess. On December 25, 1875, he married Miss Allena Haines, daughter of Harvey M. and Elmira (deceased) Haines, of Union County. This union has been blessed with two children- Wilbur and Maud. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society.

BRAYTON A. MARTIN, physician, Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Con- neticut February 5, 1836. His parents were Hosea and Beulah Martin. When a youth, he learned the trade of a carpenter and followed the same for several years. In 1863, he came to Union County, York Township, and for a time made his home with his aunt, Mary M. Martin. widow of the late Enos Martin. During the latter portion of 1866, and the beginning of 1867, for five months he attended the Starling Medical College at Columbus, and he again attended it in 1868 and 1869, and graduated in March of the latter year. In July, 1869, he located at Byhalia and began the practice of his profession, where he remained until 1873. He then spent two years in Connecticut. In 1875, he went to Schuyler County, Ill., where he located until 1880, in which year he returned to Byhalia. On December 22, 1873, he married Margaret Wilson, by whom he had one child-Mary Luella. Dr. Martin has been Treasurer of Washington Town- ship; is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and a physician of merit.

JOHN McPECK, farmer, P. O. Byhalia, an aged and venerable citizen of Washington Township, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., May 11, 1814. His parents were John and Sarah McPeck. In his youth, he learned the trade of stone-cutting and brick-laying, and followed the same for more than twenty years. In 1836, he came to Harrison County, Ohio, where, on August 3, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Susannah McAfee, who was born March 3, 1824, in Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of James and Mary McAfee, with whom, when three years old, she came to Harrison County. To Mr. and Mrs. McPeck have been born seven children-James B., Orville D., Daniel, Mary T., Sarah M., William D. and Amanda M., the latter two of whom are deceased. In 1852, he came to Union County and settled in Wash- ington Township. Like other early setlers, Mr. McPeck has endured hardships and self-denial. The tract of land on which he settled had perhaps three acres partly cleared ; but by his indus- try and pluck he succeeded in clearing it and to-day we behold it transformed into a good farm of eighty-three acres. He has served as Trustee of Washington Township, and is an ardent member of the Methodist Protestant Church.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 170

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