The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 171

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 171

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).

GEORGE M. McPECK, farmer, P. O. Richwood. The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison County, Ohio, July 19, 1842, and is a son of William 11. and Elizabeth McPeck, whose biography appears in this history. When a youth, with his parents, he came to Union County. He received a fair English education and for a short time taught school. 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 Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and the second battle of Bull's Run, where he received a wound in the thigh. His regiment was then transferred to the Potomac and took an active part in the field of Gettysburg. He was subsequently trans- ferred to the Army of the Cumberland, Twentieth Corps, and was engaged at Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Averysboro, Bentonville and numerous others. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service. On May 15, 1877, he married Miss Rachel E. Rowe, daughter of David Rowe (deceased) and Catherine Rowe, of Illi- nois. To them have been born two children, viz .: Winnifred, born October 10, 1878, and Mar- garet (deceased). He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and of the Grand Army of the Republic, and the owner of 137 acres of land.

TIIOMAS MILLER, farmer, P. O. Byhalia, an aged pioneer of Washington Township, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, December 17, 1812. His parents were John and Margaret Miller, who emigrated from Virginia to Fayette County, Ohio, in 1804, and remained there a

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

short time, when they moved to Champaign County, where they remained until their decease. They were the parents of twelve children, six of whom are now living, viz .: Joshua, Elizabeth, Margaret, Thomas, Rees and David. On March 2, 1837, in Champaign County, our subject married Miss Delila Wade, who was born November 11, 1819, in Champaign County, Ohio ; she is a daughter of Garland and Rebecca Wade, natives of Virginia, who settled in Champaign County about the year 1813. By this union there has been an issue of eleven children-Jere- miah, Daniel M., Ellis W., Jehu W., Margaret D., Elizabeth J., Mary E., Mattie L., John J. F., Thomas F. and David E. ; the latter two of whom are deceased. Three of his sons-Jeremiah, David and Daniel were participants in the late war of the rebellion. In the spring of 1846, he came to Union County, and settled in the eastern portion of Washington Township, where he now resides. He has served as Treasurer of Washington Township twenty-five years ; is a mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant Church, and the owner of a fine farm.

GEORGE MILLER, physician, Byhalia. The subject of this sketchi was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 12, 1848, and is a son of William Miller, deceased, and Lucinda Miller. He was reared in Shelby County, and received a fair English education. During the latter por- tion of 1869, and the beginning of 1870, for five months, he attended the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, and again attended it in 1872 and 1873, and graduated in March of the latter year. In the fall of 1875, he located at Byhalia, this county. He enjoys a good practice and is meeting with marked success. On July 1, 1880, lie was united in marriage to Miss Lavina Tallman, who was born October 30, 1847, in Union County ; she is a daughter of Thomas W. and Mary Tallman, of Washington Township. They have one son, viz., George O., born March 18, 1881. Among his patients, Dr. Miller is quite popular, being an affable and agreeable gen- tleman. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society.

ROBERT MOODY (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born in Ireland in 1832. His parents were James and Margaret Moody. He was reared on a farm and received but a rudimentary education. In June, 1853, he married Miss Jane Stewart, who was born in March, 1830, in Ireland, and was a daughter of Samuel and Jane Stewart. By this union there has been an issue of four children-Mary J., born February 20, 1855 ; Robert, born September 18, 1858 ; William D., born February 16, 1861, and George S., born March 15, 1863. In 1861, with his family, he emigrated to America, and came to Union County, Ohio. For several years he lived in York Township, when he came and settled in the southern portion of Washington Township. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and respected in society. To his family he was a devoted father and husband. On December 7, 1864, he fell at Murfreesboro, Tenn., while de- fending the flag of our Union in the late rebellion. His widow and fatherless children feel their irretrievable loss, but we trust their loss will be his gain. He left to his widow sixty-four acres of land. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

JESSE MOORE (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born in Perry County, Ohio, October 27, 1817. Ilis parents were George and Rachel Moore, natives of Pennsylvania, who settled in Perry County at an early day. On February 23, 1842, he was united to Miss Jemi- ma Rockhold, who was born July 11, 1825, in Maryland ; she is a daughter of William and Ann Rockhold, who came to Muskingum County, Ohio, about the year 1833, where they located several years. Her father having died in Muskingum County, with her mother, she subsequently went to Perry County. In the spring of 1865, with his family, from Perry County our subject came to Union County, and located near Marysville one year. In 1866, he moved to Washington Township, and settled where the widow now resides. He was the father of fourteen children- William W., Elizabeth E., Mary A., Susan M., James A., Jonathan A., Jacob H., Ruth L., Jesse F., Alpheus A., Ann J., Matilda H., George W. and Elisha J., the latter two of whom are de- ceased. To his family he was a devoted husband and father. He departed this life May 7, 1868, respected by all who knew him. He left to his widow, who mourns her irretrievable loss, 100 acres of land.

AARON RICHARDSON, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, May 18, 1819. His parents were Barnet and Elizabeth Rich- ardson, both natives of Virginia. Of a family of twelve children, eight are now living, viz. : Clark, Maria L., Washington G., Joshua, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane and Aaron. From his youth up, our subject has devoted his attention to agriculture, with the exception of ten or twelve years spent at carpenter work. On December 26, 1844, in Marion County, he married Maria T. Topliff, daughter of Horatio and Sarah Topliff, of Mansfield, Conn. By her he has one child, viz., Jasper N. Mrs. Richardson died May 23, 1849, and on December 21, 1856, he was mar- ried to Clarinda H. Young, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, in February, 1831; she was daughter of Eli and Nancy Young. To them have been born seven children-Maria T., James C., Benton R., Granville M., Wheeler A., Harriet E. and George W. (deceased). In 1857, he settled in Washington Township, this county. He has seen considerable of pioneer life, and endured many hardships. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are both members of church ; they have a fine farm of 113 acres, on which are erected good and substantial buildings, making a pleasant home.

BENJAMIN ROGERS, farmer and tile manufacturer, P. O. Byhalia, was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 5, 1836. His parents were Michael W. and Mary Rogers. From his

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

youth up he has been engaged in farming, In November, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Luey A. Gamble, who was born in Union County, April 21, 1843; she is a daughter of Robert and Annis (deceased) Gamble. This union has been blessed with nine children, viz. : Clara A., Dora E., James R. W., George M., Elenora, Aaron O., Delpha O., Frank B. and Rosa, the latter two of whom are deceased. In the fall of 1863, he came from Licking to Union Coun- ty, and located in Dover Township, until the fall of 1872, when he settled in Washington Town- ship. Besides his farming, he is quite extensively engaged in the manufacture of tile for draining purposes. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. society, and the owner of ninety-six acres of land.

SOLOMON SCHERTZER, farmer, P. O. Larue, Marion Co., Ohio, was born in Frank- lin County, Penn., September 19, 1824. When four years old, with his parents, Emanuel and Eve Schertzer, he came to Stark County, Ohio, where they located seven years. They sub- sequently came to Ross, Franklin and Union Counties, and finally located in Hardin County, where they remained until their decease, he in 1844, and she in 1864. Of a family of eleven children, five are now living. On April 12, 1845, in Union County, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Thornton, daughter of Jesse and Nancy Thornton, who were early settlers of Union County. By this union there has been an issue of eleven children, ten of whom are still living, viz .: Jesse, Sarah J., Lorenzo, Peter, Melissa, Emanuel, Nancy, William, James and Lillie. In 1862, he came from Hardin County and settled in the northern portion of Wash- ington Township, where he now resides. He has been successful in business. He is a member of the church, and the owner of 109 acres of land.

SAMUEL SHERWOOD, farmer, P. O. Byhalia, was born in Madison County, Ohio, Novem- ber 29, 1834, and is a son of Andrew and Irena Sherwood, of Darby Township, Madison County. He has, from his youth up, devoted his attention to farming, and received but a limited educa- tion. On March 6, 1856, in Madison County, he married Miss Hester A. Converse, who was born May 5, 1838, in Union County. She was a daughter of Edwin and Louisa Converse. To them have been born six children-Abigail M., Owen E., Elbert E., Esta F., Alfred P. and Louisa L., the latter two of whom are deceased. In the fall of 1863, Mr. Sherwood settled in Washington Township, this county. In the management of his farm, he has everything done in the most orderly and advantageous manner, which has secured for him success. He has served as Treasurer of Washington Township four years, and as Township Trustee and Clerk, and at present officiates as Justice of the Peace. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and the owner of 218 acres of land.

JOSEPH SCHMALZ, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in December, 1823, in Alsace, France (now Germany). His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth Schmalz. From his youth up he has devoted his attention to farming .: In November, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Dear, daughter of Jacob and Frances Dear; she was born in March, 1830. By her he has six children, viz .: Christian, Elizabeth C., Mary M .. Josephine G., Lucy L. and Caroline. In 1853, he emigrated to America, and by way of New York came to Ohio. In the autumn of 1863, he settled in the northern portion of Washington Township, Union County, where he now resides. He is industrious and enterprising, and the owner of 138 acres of land.

SOLOMON SIMPSON (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born December 30, 1802, on the Potomac River, in Virginia, and when a mere child, with his parents, Isaac and Susan- nah Simpson, he came to Licking County, Ohio. In Licking County, he married Eleanor Car- lisle. She is a daughter of David and Susanna Carlisle. In August, 1848, with his family, he came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township, on a tract of land at present occupied by his widow. He was the father of thirteen children, of whom nine are now living, viz .: Eliza- beth G., Stephen D., William, Deborah, Louisa, Samuel, Daniel, Emily and Sylvester. Mr. Simpson remained on the land settled by him until his decease, in May, 1866. He was a lov- ing husband and indulgent father, and respected by all who knew him, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow, a venerable and aged lady, still resides on the home- stead, and is the owner of fifty acres of land.

HARRISON S. STAMATS, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, Ohio, May 20, 1833. He is a son of John Stamats, a pioneer of York Town- ship, this county, whose biography appears in this work. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received but a rudimentary education. In 1859, he married Miss Mary Robbins, daughter of Ira A. and Mary Robbins, of Union County, and by her he had one child-Mary, (now deceased). Mrs. Stamats died September 4, 1861, and on January 19, 1862, he was again married, to Miss Hope Haines, a daughter of Allen and Sarah Haines, early settlers of Cham- paign County. They have four children-Claudia MI., Allie E., Atty F. and Frankie. A short time subsequent to his marriage, he settled in Washington Township, where he now resides. Mr. Stamats is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and for twelve years has been Assessor of Washington Township. He has been successful in business, and is the owner of 112 acres of land.

JOHN H. TEMPLE, farmer, P. O. Byhalia, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, July 1, 1839. His parents are Edward and Peggy Temple, his father being a native of Pennsylvania,

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WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

and his mother of Virginia ; they came to Guernsey County at an early day. He was reared to man's estate on a farm, and received but an ordinary English education. On June 10, 1859, in Guernsey County, he married Maria Morrison, who was born June 1, 1839; she is a daughter of Joseph and Theda A. Morrison. To them have born ten children-Margaret, Joseph M., Sarah (deceased), Theda A., Martha, Mary E., John (deceased), Ida D., Harry E. and Frank. In 1864, he came to Franklin County, and located two years, then spent two years in Madison County, and in March, 1868, he came to Union County, and settled in Washington Township, where he still resides. He has served as School Director, and is the owner of forty-two and one- half acres of land.

DAVID L. TUSSING, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. The subject of this sketch was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 5, 1836. He is a son of Henry and Mary Tussing. From his youth up, he had devoted his attention to farming, and received the rudiments of an English education in a district school. On October 18, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Wright, daughter of Leven Wright (deceased) and Letitia Wright, whose sketch appears in the history. They have two children, viz., Frank Z. and Clara A. In 1867, he located on the Wright farm in York Township, this county, where he remained until January, 1881, when he came to Washington Township. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of seventy-one acres of land.

WILLIAM WELLWOOD, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born July 3, 1840, in Kings County, Ireland. His parents were John Wellwood (deceased) and Catherine Wellwood. When twelve years of age, he emigrated to America, landing at New York, where, for the following six years, he drove an express delivery wagon for a publishing house. In 1858, he came to Plain City, this county, where he was employed about six years. On November 19, 1866, in Seneca County, he married Miss Catherine Vetter, who was born October 10, 1842, in Seneca County ; she is a daughter of Adam and Eve (deceased) Vetter. To them have been born five children, viz .: Joseph W., Florence U., William E., Harry C. and John (deceased). In October, 1869, he settled in Washington Township, Union County, where he now resides. He is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and the owner of 135 acres of land in a high state of cultivation.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Byhalia. William Williams, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born September 10, 1819, in Franklin County, Ohio. He married Miss Nancy Thomson, by whom he had three children, two of whom are now living, viz., William and Lydia. In 1852, he came from Marion to Union County, and located in Washington Township, on the farm at present occupied by our subject, until 1859, in which year he moved to Franklin County, where he died March 12, 1877. His wife died October 29, 1869. William Williams, the sub- ject of this sketch, was born September 4, 1850, in Marion County, Ohio. After receiving a rudimentary education, he attended for eighteen months the university at Athens, and when six- teen years of age he entered Delaware University, which institution he attended two years. On March 27, 1879, he married Miss Carrie E. Evans, who was born November 26, 1859; she was a daughter of John and Ivy Evans, of Franklin County, Ohio. They have one child, viz., Jennie D., born November 2, 1879. In April, 1879, Mr. Williams returned and took possession of the homestead formerly owned by his father. He is a member of the F. & A. M. society, and is the owner of 200 acres of tillable land.

HENRY WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. West Mansfield, Logan Co., Ohio, was born April 9, 1820, in Logan County, Ohio. His parents were Obadiah and Susan Williams, natives of Virginia, who settled, in Logan County, at an early day. Of a family of eleven children eight survive, viz .: Obadiah, Henry. Jeffrey, Lorena, Cecilia, Rachel, Mary A. and Nancy. In July, 1844, our subject married, in Logan County, Miss Minerva Green, daughter of George R. and Ruth Green, of Logan County. To them were born seven children-Isaac M., Madison, George, Obediah, Eudora, Ruth A. and Elizabeth, the latter two of whom are now deceased. For more than a quarter of a century, with his companion, he enjoyed married life, when, on February 18, 1870, she quietly passed away, and left behind her a wealth of love and affection. In 1845, Mr. Williams came from Logan County and settled in Washington Township, this county, where he now resides. He is a self-made man, and has seen a great deal of pioneer life. He owns a farm of 151 acres.

DANIEL T. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, April 4, 1838. His parents are Asa Williams, a native of North Carolina, and Elizabeth Williams, a native of Ohio. In his youth he was trained to the pursuits of farming, in which he is still engaged. On January 5, 1865, he married Miss Mary Starrick, daughter of William and Keturah Starrick, of Logan County, Ohio. This union has been blessed with three children, viz. : Omar E., born February 11, 1868; William E., born De- cember 10, 1871, and Ralston B., born December 13, 1872. After his marriage, Mr. Williams located in Logan County until September, 1870, at which time he came to Washington Township, Union County, where he now resides. He is a member of the Society of Friends, and has served as a School Director. He has been successful in business, and is the owner of fifty-one and three-fourths acres of land in the western portion of the township.

SAMUEL WRIGHT, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, Hardin Co., Ohio, was born in New York State November 18, 1813. When a mere child, with his parents, Elisha and Rachel

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Wright, he was brought to Athens County, Ohio, where in April, 1839, he married Miss Deborah Wheeler, daughter of Ezeriah and Rachel Wheeler. By this union there has been an issue of nine children, viz .: Maria A., Mary E., Lucinda H., Samuel L., Edmund E., Joseph N., Jane, Jeannette and Lucy A. In 1848, he came with his family to Union County, and settled on a tract of land in the northern portion of Washington Township, where he still'resides. Mr. Wright has seen considerable of pioneer life, and endured much hard work. He is the owner of 100 acres of land, and a member of the United Brethren Church.

JAMES WRIGHT, farmer, l'. O. Byhalia, was born in Union County, Ohio, April 5, 1842, and a son of Leven Wright (deceased) and Letitia Wright, of whom we have made mention in this work. In May, 1861, he enlisted in the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles of Shiloh and Stone River, at the latter battle re- ceiving a wound in the thigh. After remaining in the hospital for some time, he was discharged in May, 1863. In January, 1864, he veteranized in the Eighty-second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and subsequently participated in the battles of Cotton Mountain, Lost Mountain and Dallas, where he received a wound in May, 1864, in the left hand, and was again obliged to go to the hospital for a short time, after which he again joined his regiment and continued in the service until the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge in June, 1865. He was united in marriage to Miss Annis Mead, who was born December 23, 1845, in Logan County, Ohio ; she is a daughter of Potter and Mary Mead, formerly of Logan County. They have one child, viz .: Leven M., born May 23, 1868. In October, 1865, Mr. Wright settled in the southern portion of Washington Township, where he now resides. He has been prosper- ous as a farmer, is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of fifty acres of land.

CHAPTER XIV.

TAYLOR TOWNSHIP.

THIS township occupies a central position in Union County, and was the last constituted township in the county; the greater portion of the territory now comprised within the boundaries of said township was formerly embraced in Liberty and Leesburg Townships. Although the territory embraced in this township was not settled until several years after some of its neighbor town- ships, and only a little more than three decades have elapsed since its organi- zation, yet it stands as a formidable rival of its neighbors in its progress, schools, churches, improvements and wealth. The first settlers here had some advantages over those of the earlier settled portions of the county, in that they had much nearer markets, and a nearer base of supplies. The settlers were industrious and enterprising, and the township has made rapid progress.

In the Commissioners' record we find the following: "December 5, 1849, Commissioners' met; present, a full board. Resumed the consideration of R. L. Judy's petition for a new township, and agreed unanimously to erect a new township to include the following described territory: Beginning at the north- east corner of Survey No. 5,646, thence running its east line and the east lines of 3,691, 5,386, 14,632, the north and east lines of 5,507 to

the southeast corner of 5,507 (being in the north line of Paris Town- ship); thence westward on the south lines of 5,507, 14,632, 42,664, 5,249 (part of said distance being the north line of Paris Township) to the south- east corner of 5,229; thence northward with its west, line to the south line of 4,265; thence westward with its south line to its southeast corner; thence northward with its west line to its northwest corner; thence eastward with its north line to the southeast corner of Green's lot of sixty acres, being in a public road, until its intersection with the Bellefontaine & Delaware road; thence eastward with said road until the southeast corner of John R. Burrows' land; thence northward with Burrows' east line to his northeast corner; thence westward with his north line to his northwest corner; thence northward to the

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TAYLOR TOWNSHIP.

southwest corner of Survey No. 5,635, being in the York Township line; thence north ward with the west line of 5,635 to its northwest corner; thence eastward with its north line and the north line of 15,015 to the west line of Survey No. 3,690; thence with its west and north lines and the west and north lines of 5,646 to the beginning, including all the surveys mentioned and territory included within said boundaries; provided, also, that the roads mentioned as being traversed by said line be considered as belonging to Liberty Township. The new township to be called Taylor."

Although this township was later settled and so recently erected, the lands were surveyed about as early as other portions of the county. The surveys are as follows: Surveyed, September 14, 1799, for Flavery Frazer, representa- tive of William Frazer, deceased, 1,000 acres. Survey No. 3,690; Lucas Sulli- vant, D. S. Surveyed, September 11, 1799, for Flavery Frazer, representative of William Flavery, deceased, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 3,691; Locas Sulli - vant, D. S. Surveyed, July 5, 1802, for John Holmes, assignee, 1,333} acres, Survey No. 4,264; Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, July 5, 1802, for John Holmes, assignee, 1,333} acres, Survey No. 4,265; Joseph Kerr, D. S. Sur- veyed, November 7, 1803, for Benjamin Grimes, 1,333} acres, Survey No. 4,405; Joseph Kerr, D. S. Surveyed, November 20, 1807, for Nathan Reid, assignee, 400 acres, Survey No. 5,247; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, April 20, 1808, for Thomas Boyer, 1,000 acres, Survey No. 829; Duncan Mc- Arthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 16, 1808, for Robert Means, assignee, 990 acres, Survey No. 5,386; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 8, 1807, for Baylor Hill, 390 acres, Survey No. 5,507; James Galloway, Jr., D. S. Surveyed, November 9, 1811, for James Gilmore, 1,200 acres, Survey No. 5,635; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 16, 1809, for Robert Means, assignee, 1,8662 acres, Survey Nos. 5,629 and 5,493; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, April 20, 1808, for Thomas Worthington, assignee, 750 acres, Survey No. 5,626; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, November 17, 1809, for Robert Means, assignee, 1,828§ acres, Surveys No. 5,778, 5,641, 5,806 and 6,495; D. McArthur, D. S. Surveyed, April 10, 1809, for Thomas Worthing- ton, assignee, 250 acres, Survey No. 6,156; Duncan McArthur, D. S. Sur- veyed, October 30, 1834, for Cadwallader Wallace, 100 acres, Survey No. 13, - 593; Cadwallader Wallace, D. S. Surveyed, November 5, 1841, for James Taylor, Jr., assignee, 530 acres, Survey No. 14,632; E. P. Kendrick, D. S. Surveyed for James Galloway, 50 acres, Survey No. 15,015.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 171

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