The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072

USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 102

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

Jacob P. B. enlisted in the war in the spring of 1865, One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment, serving about seven months, when he was honorably discharged. Peter Z. was mustered in in September of 1864, serving about eleven months in Sherman's Corps. He was engaged in several battles, but fortunately escaped without injury, and received an honorable discharge. Reuben Berlien, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment August 11, 1862, Company F, and was mustered into service September 24. The following day he was moved to Virginia and joined the command of Gen. Millroy. On the 12th day of June, he was taken prisoner at Winchester, but was exchanged November 6, joining his regiment at Martinsburg in March, 1864. After this his first engage- ment was at New Market, under the command of Gen. Siegel. Following this came the engagements of Piedmont, Lynchburg, Linchford, Winches- ter, Martinsburg, Strausburg, Charleston, Halltown, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. All these battles were passed through without injury, and followed by an honorable discharge on the 12th day of June, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. He was married to Mary E. Zimmerman, daughter of Conrad and Margaret A. (Ropp) Zimmerman, and is happily residing on his farm at the present time. He is highly esteemed by his neighbors, and looks back with considerable pride and satisfaction upon his military record.

HENRY S. BOWER was born November 30, 1805, in Chester County, Penn. He is the son of David and Susan (Kepner) Bower. His great- grandfather was a native of Germany. Receiving an ordinary education in the schools of New York, on March 29, 1828, he married Miss Dorothy Bower, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Shoenmaker) Bower, also of German parentage. Mrs. Bower was born July 28, 1806. After his marriage Mr. Bower removed to Livingston County, N. Y., stopping in that locality four years, after which he emigrated to Ohio in 1832. This trip, a distance of 350 miles, was made in eleven days, traveling in a covered wagon, as was the usual custom of those days. Settling in Jackson Township, Wyandot County, Mr. Bower entered 300 acres of land, himself and a neighbor, Mr. Hovey, being the first settlers of the township. He was at one time the owner of 400 acres, 175 of which he cleared and broke as " first land." It is now divided among his children, with whom he at present makes his home. He is the father of seven chil- dren, five still living-Susan, wife of Erastus Bohannon (deceased); Jeffer- son D., Nelson J., Rosanna H., wife of Thomas B. Flower, and Henry. The deceased are Israel, Roxyanna and Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Clinger. Mr. Bower has always been a faithful Democrat, having cast his first vote for Andrew Jackson. He has served as Justice of the Peace eighteen years; as Trustee, two years; as Treasurer, two years; refusing all the honor of these offices longer. He was, at one time a member of the Masonic, also of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. He is still strong for one of his years.

JEFFERSON D. BOWER was born in the State of New York, Septem- ber 12, 1834. He is a son of Henry S. and Dorothy (Bower) Bower, with whom he came to Ohio when very young. On the old homestead he was reared and educated, leaving off his studies at the age of nineteen. He remained at home, however, worked by the month and " farmed on shares " till his marriage, which important event took place March 26, 1863, Miss Sarah J. Flower, daughter of John and Susannah (Fitch) Flower, being the fortunate bride, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was born in Bedford County, February 16, 1804, and her mother in Beaver County, July 11, 1808. They came and settled in Jackson Township, Wy-

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

andot County, about 1825, being among the first settlers of this locality. They are the parents of twelve children, of whom six are still living- Henry, Thomas, Lydia A., Sarah J., Martha and Samuel. Mr. Flower died March 30, 1873, Mrs. Flower still living in the seventy-sixth year of her age, and being remarkably strong for one so old. Mr. Bower, the subject of this sketch, by inheritance and purchase, has secured eighty-six acres of land, which he keeps in a good state of repair and cultivation, and values at $75 per acre. In 1875, he constructed a handsome residence at a cost of $1,250. He also erected one of the finest barns in the township in 1883, at a cost of $600. He deals in the best grades of live stock, and votes the Democratic ticket, having cast his first vote for Buchanan. He is an en- thusiastic Granger and one of the most respected and worthy citizens of his township.

SAMUEL M. BURNETT. This worthy pioneer was born February 19, 1820, in the State of New York. He came to Wyandot County with his parents in 1834, then but a mere boy. He is the son of Elisha and Polly (Howe) Burnett. The former was born July 7, 1773, and died in March, 1868; the latter was born March 15, 1788, natives of Connecticut and Massachusetts respectively, and of Scotch lineage. Mr. Burnett was one of the first settlers of Jackson Township, having located there while the Indians were quite numerous, and sometimes troublesome, and when only " blazed " trees were available to guide the footman from one settlement to another. Being on friendly terms with the savages, he frequently joined in the chase with them, though, while yet a youth, was at one time, through some misunderstanding, threatened by violence at their hands. The first and greatest necessity in those days being that of subsistence, and the edu- cational advantages being few, our subject was compelled to devote the greater part of his time to the clearing of the forest for the production of the potato and the "Johnny-cake." In the month of August, 1849, Mr. Burnett was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Tillbury, daughter of Abraham and Betsy A. (Taylor) Tillbury, who was born May 31, 1834, in the State of New York. They are the parents of eight children-Emily J., born May 31, 1850; Eliza, March 25, 1852; William, April 17, 1854; John H., February 3. 1856; Benjamin, March 10, 1859; Mary E., October 17, 1864; Samuel, March 3, 1867, and Joseph, September 5, 1872. After his marriage Mr. Burnett settled upon a farm of forty acres that had been en- tered for him when a boy, and this, by subsequent additions, he has in- creased to 220 acres. His farm is nearly all in a state of cultivation, the improvements thereon having been wrought out for the most part by his own industrious hands. He is well inured to the hardships of pioneer life, and well understands the difficulties incident to the founding of a home in the wilds of the frontier. His faithful wife still lives to share his compan- ionship and the fruits of their mutual toils. Politically, Mr. Burnett is a Republican, and a good neighbor and citizen.

ARNOLD DURENBERGER was born April 20, 1833, in Reigolds- wiyl, Canton Basel, Switzerland. He is the son of Jacob and Margaret (Frae) Durenberger, who are both residents of Switzerland at the present time. Of the seven children, of which Mr. Durenberger is one, but three are living, viz .: Arnold, Rheinhart and Justiss. The deceased are Cath- arine, Sarah, Elizabeth and Charley. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the common schools of his native country, closing his school work at the age of eighteen. After this he was engaged four years as an appren- tice in the carpenter's trade, emigrating to the United States in 1856, and

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JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade fifteen years. In 1860, he married Miss Margareta Iti, daughter of John and Margareta Iti. In 1873, he moved to Hardin County, Ohio, where he pur- chased 140 acres of land, afterward adding eighty acres more. Of these 220 acres about 100 are cleared and under a high state of cultivation. The farm is ornamented with a fine residence, which cost $3,000, and a barn worth $2,000. Its value is estimated at $75 per acre, it being well drained and generally supplied with all the modern improvements. Mr. Duren- berger is a member of the Grange fraternity, and is Democratic in poli- tics. He is well respected by all who know him, and one of Jackson's most worthy citizens. His family consists of three children-John, Henry and Emma.

HENRY FERNBAUGH was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 1, 1843. He is the son of John and Elizabeth (Brandt) Fernbaugh, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. His father removed to Crane Township, this county, when Henry was but four years of age, and entered eighty acres of land, and leaving a possession of 120 acres at his death. The family consisted of nine children-George, Catharine, Eliza, William, Joseph, Henry, Mary A., John T. and Jacob B. The father died in 1877, aged sixty-nine years, and the mother in her seventy-third year, residing in Crane Township at the time of their decease. Henry Fernbaugh was edu- cated in the district schools, and enlisted in Company K, Fifty-fifth Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at the age of eighteen years. He was en- gaged in some of the most important battles of the war, prominent among which were the following: Moorefield, McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Moun- tain, Freeman's Ford, Sulphur Springs, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Charleston, Buzzard's Roost, Hickory Grove, Lost Mountain, Peachtree Creek, and the siege at Atlanta. Besides

these heavy battles Mr. Fernbaugh was in every skirmish with Sherman in his march to the sea. He was taken prisoner at Chancellorsville, and de- tained at Alexandria five months, but was finally exchanged. At the siege of Atlanta he was permanently injured, from the effects of which he has never recovered. He received an honorable discharge in July, 1865. His marriage to Miss Mary E. Shriver, occurred October 7, 1866, she being the daughter of Rev. David and Mary (Hendrickson) Shriver, who settled in Marion County in 1833. Mr. Shriver was engaged in the ministry about forty years;' a few years of this time in the interest of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and the remainder in the interest of the Church of God. He was the father of nine children, Mrs. Fernbaugh being the seventh. His death occurred in 1874, at the age of sixty-eight years, and that of his wife in 1863, at the age of fifty-five years. 'Mr. and Mrs. Fernbaugh are the parents of seven children, only three of whom are living, viz .: Minnie J., born October 3, 1869; Marion R., born December 2, 1874, and Laura G., born July 8, 1882. The deceased are Ordella E., Sarah F., Anna M. and an infant. In 1865, Mr. Fernbaugh purchased a farm of forty acres, where he resided until the spring of 1875, at which time he purchased another of eighty acres south of Kirby. On this farm he remained until the fall of 1881, when he again sold out and purchased his present tract of forty acres, which he has improved to a large extent, and which he now values at $100 per acre. A neat barn and a comfortable house are among the principal improvements. Politically, Mr. Fernbaugh is a Republican, and, with his wife, a member of the Church of God at Kirby. He has served as Elder, Deacon and Trustee of this religious denomination, and is reckoned among its most worthy members.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

J. H. FORNEY, the subject of this sketch, was born October 12, 1835, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He is the son of John and Mary (Shroy) Forney, the former born October 11, 1811; the latter in 1813, natives of Ohio and Maryland respectively, and of German descent. They were the parents of seven children-J. H., George W., Amanda J., Margaret A., Catharine E., William R. and Elmira W. Of these but the former three are living. The second son, William, enlisted in the United States service, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment, in August, 1862, and entered the Army of the Potomac. He was engaged in numerous battles, but was unfortunately wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, dying from the effects of his injuries at Little York, Penn. J. H. Forney, the subject of this sketch, was educated in a common school and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1864, he purchased land in Jackson Township, Wyandot County, to the amount of 152 acres, where he now resides. This entire tract has been cleared by himself, except forty acres which he has sold since the first purchase. The first tree was cut for the log cabin, in which he formerly lived. This cabin has now given place to a fine frame dwell- ing, erected at a cost of nearly $2,000. Mr. Forney has held the office of Trustee four years. He is Republican in politics, and one of the most suc- cessful farmers of Jackson Township.

JOHN J. GASTER, the subject of this sketch, was born in the romantic country of Switzerland, in 1845. He came with his parents to this country in 1858, settling in this county. His parents were natives of Germany, bearing the names of Henry and Anna (Snider) Gaster respectively. Six children were the fruits of their marriage, namely: Barnabas, Henry, Ros- anna, Mary, John J. and Robert. Mr. Gaster was educated in the German language, and on coming to this country, made his first stop at Upper San- dusky. He immediately began his daily labors on the farm and elsewhere, which he continued till 1865. He then enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in at Lima, and afterward removed to Camp Chase, where he remained till dis- charged. He then returned to Jackson Township, and resumed his agri- cultural work, which he has since engaged in. His father's death occurred in 1871. May 1, 1881, Mr. Gaster was joined in marriage to Miss Mary S. Heller, daughter of Philip and Sarah (Switzkable) Heller, born Febru- ary 22, 1859. After the death of his father, he and his brother worked together on the old homestead, to which they had fallen heirs, until by purchase, he secured his brother's interest, after which he assumed full possession. In politics Mr. Gaster is a Democrat. He is a member of the 1. O. O. F., the G. A. R. and still resides upon the old farm of his father. He is an enterprising farmer, and, with his wife, highly esteemed.

PHILIP HELLER, born July 4, 1824, in Dauphin County, Penn., came with his parents to this part of the country in 1826. He is the son of Adam and Anna (Massner) Heller, both born in the year 1806, natives of Pennsyl- vania, and of German parentage. Their family consisted of three children -Philip, Almira and Mary A. The subject of this sketch, being left an orphan at the age of six years, was compelled to labor for his board and clothes until his sixteenth year, when he engaged in a woolen factory, pur- suing this work until the outbreak of the Mexican war. He then enlisted at Buffalo, going directly to New Orleans; but, the war having suddenly closed, he was honorably dismissed, and returned to Toledo, Ohio, where he engaged on a fishing boat until 1846. He was next engaged in a machine shop at Fostoria for one year, and after that as civil engineer for two years.

845

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

Leaving that occupation, he again resumed work in a woolen factory at Finley for one year, but after that time removed to Blanchard to engage in the same work, buying a half interest in a factory at that place. At Blanch- ard he remained four years, at the expiration of which he removed to Wood County, where he erected a saw mill and lath factory. Six months were spent in this enterprise, after which the carpenter's trade was taken up and followed till August of 1862. He then enlisted in the United States service, One Hundred and First Regiment, going into camp at Monroeville, Ohio. At Perryville his first engagement took place, and he afterward did skirmish duty at Cumberland Gap. Receiving injuries of the spine, he was placed in the hospital, and soon after received his discharge at Quincy, Ill., for disability. He then returned to Wyandot County, bought thirty acres of land, and engaged with the railroad company at a good salary till 1868. He then purchased the farm where he now resides. In January, 1856, Mr. Heller was married to Sarah Switzkable, ten children blessing their union -Susan, John L. A., Louise B., Martha J., Malinda, Charley, Elijah and Ida L. George and Maggie are deceased. He is a Democrat and member of the G. A. R.

GEORGE HESSELDENZ was born near Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, February 1, 1854. He is the son of Peter and Mary (Hovt) Hesseldenz, natives of Prussia, and of German descent. They were the parents of nine children, of whom only the subject of this sketch is living. Mr. H. died January 2, 1877, of dyspepsia, at the advanced age of sixty-three years. Mrs. H. was stricken with paralysis, and died near New Riegel, in 1861. Of their nine children, two sons and three daughters died of cholera near Tiffin, Ohio, in the years of 1848, 1850. In 1864, another son and daughter died at New Reigel. The eldest son died in 1882, aged thirty-eight years. He was educated in the German Catholic school, and when eleven years of age moved with his father to Wyandot County, where he followed the voca- tion of a farmer till his thirteenth year. He then went to Upper Sandusky, where he worked one year as an apprentice to the carpenter's trade, after which he returned to the farm, where he remained till his sixteenth year. Not satisfied with the labor of the farm, he went to Tiffin and began work on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, following the line to Defiance. At eighteen Mr. George Hesseldenz went to Minnesota, doing general day labor, and remained in that State thirteen months. He then returned East to New York and Philadelphia; thence to Wabashaw, where he remained six months. Leaving this place, he visited relatives in St. Louis, and afterward secured a position in a grist mill at Waterloo, Ill., where he remained one year. On June 13, 1876, Mr. Hes- seldenz was united in marriage with Catharine A. Schaiper, daughter of Anthony and Mary Schaiper. Mrs. Hesseldenz was born November 9, 1858. They have four children-Henry, Matilda, Charlie and Angaline. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Hesseldenz returned to Wyandot County, and settled upon a farm, where he remained one year. He afterward spent four years in the interest of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, and in 1882 estab- lished himself in a grocery store at Kirby, subsequently adding silverware and hardware, and is doing a good business. Mr. Hesseldenz is a Democrat and a member of the Catholic Church.

GEORGE H. HINES was born October 8, 1853. He was the son of Adam and Sarah (Kitch) Hines, and, like many other pioneers, received but the limited education which the schools of his time afforded. At the age of eighteen he left off his school-going to engage in the more urgent

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

duties of the farm. He was married July 14, 1881, to Miss Lizzie Snider, daughter of John and Margaret (Pink) Snider, both born in Germany. In this family were nine children, six now living, viz .: Mary, Lena, John, Lizzie, Bergaman and Charley. The deceased are Bellvy, George and Mar- garet. Mrs. Hines, the wife of our subject, was born April 20, 1861. One child, Maggie E., has been born to them, her birth occurring July 5, 1882. After his marriage Mr. Hines remained upon the old homestead, which he hired and bought in 1875. He is a Democrat in politics, and shares the companionship of an exemplary wife, in addition to the material com- forts of a home.

L. E. LANDON was born May 14, 1844 in Portage County, Ohio. He was the son of James and Ruth (Dudley) Landon, natives of Connecticut, and of English parentage. Mr. Landon was reared on a farm, and when about eight years of age moved with his parents to Ada, Ohio, to assist them to provide a home. He was afterward engaged in saw milling and other work as a day laborer till 1864, when he enlisted in the army, Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Camp Chase, and after remaining at that point one week was ordered south. Halting at Martinsburg, his regiment encamped with- in four miles of that place, and Mr. Landon was placed on patrol duty to guard the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. They were soon driven from this point to Harper's Ferry, and shortly after engaged in the battle of John Brown's Schoolhouse. This was Mr. Landon's first military fight. He was moved later to Maryland Heights, where he remained till the expiration of his time of enlistment; he then returned to Columbus and was discharged. On June 16, 1870, Mr. Landon was married to Miss Caroline Ott, daughter of J. G. and Evea {Heisel) Ott. Mrs. Landon was born December

25, 1845. They have two children-Clara A., born October 22, 1871, and Clifford F., born August 19, 1878. Soon after his marriage Mr. Landon engaged in the drug business in the town of Kirby, as a partner of T. H. Falty, but, subsequently purchasing the latter's interest, he now controls the entire stock and is doing a good business. He is a member of the G. A. R. and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was appointed Postmas- ter at Kirby in 1872, and still holds the office.

JACOB LAUTINSLAGER, physician and surgeon, was born July 29, 1853, in Lancaster County, Penn. His parents were George and Elizabeth (Clois) Lautinslager, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively, and of German parentage. When five years of age, Mr. Lautinslager came with parents to Clark County, where he resided fourteen years, attending the district school as a means of education. At the age of nineteen he moved to Urbana and entered the High School of that city, from which he graduated at the age of twenty-three. He then began the study of medicine at that place with the well-known physician, Dr. H. C. Pearce. By a close application to his studies he soon obtained a thorough knowledge of the science, beginning with chemistry and ending with obstetrics. He subse- quently attended lectures at the Columbus Medical College, Columbus, Ohio. graduating with honor February 28, 1882, and soon located in Kirby, where he is building up an excellent practice.

J. A. LILES, born April 25, 1846, in Richland Township, this county, is the son of Isaiah and Catharine (Young) Liles, natives of New York and Ohio respectively. Mr. Liles was reared upon the farm and was educated in the district school. In January, 1863, he enlisted in the Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was mustered in at Columbus, and, pro-

847

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

ceeding to Chattanooga, was put upon the skirmish line and followed Hood to Buzzard's Roost, fighting on the march. At Ball's Knob he received a wound from a minie ball, from which he became so disabled as to be sent back to the division station, and later to the hospital at Chattanooga. Re- maining at the hospital about one month. he proceeded to Nashville, thence to Jon Holt, thence to Camp Dennison, where he was discharged on account of disability resulting from wounds causing a disease of the heart. Mr. Liles was married September 24, 1868, to Elizabeth Brockney, daughter of John and Adaline (Kersey) Brockney, who was born September 16, 1848. They are the parents of six children, viz. : Adaline C., Minnie E., Mary L., Ralph A., Loyd E. and Earl L. After marriage he lived with his grand- father, managing his farm until making a purchase of fifty acres for him- self, to which he has since added, by subsequent purchases, till he now owns 178 acres. On this farm, which is in an excellent condition, he still resides. His residence is one of the finest in Jackson Township. In poli- tics, Mr. Liles is a Republican; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the G. A. R. and the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOHN LOUBERT was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 26, 1813. He is the son of George and Mary A. Loubert, the former born in 1768 in Germany, serving in the war against Napoleon, receiving a severe wound on the head by the cut of a saber. He served as a soldier six years and emi- grated to the United States in 1803, remaining in Baltimore until 1807, when he removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, while that region was still an un- subdued wilderness. Educated in the log schoolhouse, and sharing the dis- advantages peculiar to the times, Mr. Loubert remained at home till his father's death occurred, after which he engaged in the carpenter's trade un- til his marriage in 1858. He then purchased a farm of eighty acres, on which he labored, in connection with his work in carpentry, till 1865. Yielding to the call of his country, on February 17, 1865, he enlisted in the United States service, being then fifty-two years of age. He was a member of Company I, One Hundred and Ninety-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in at Camp Chase. He started im- mediately for Virginia, stopping at Harper's Ferry. From there he pro- ceeded to Halltown, thence to Charleston, Winchester, Stevenson's Station, Reed's Hill and Harrisonburg, at the latter place going on duty, where he remained two weeks. He then returned to Winchester and was mustered out, receiving his discharge at Columbus, Ohio. His military career being ended, Mr. Loubert again turned his attention to his trade and the management of his farm. September 19, 1858, the happy event of his marriage took place, joining his worldly interests with those of Mrs. Mary Miller, widow of the late Jacob Miller, and who was born July 25, 1819. Two children were born to them. viz., John C., born October 25, 1859, and Mary C., born June 12, 1862. In politics, Mr. Loubert is a Republican; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the G. A. R. and the Lutheran Church.

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The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 102

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway Number of Pages: 1072

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072