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 105

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 105

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SIMEON B. COOK was born in Richland County, Ohio, October 10, 1840; the son of James B. and Hannah (Corwin) Cook, she being a second cousin of ex-Gov. Corwin. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, of German and Irish ancestry. The father was born in 1818; the mother in 1820. They were married in Richland County in 1839, and moved to this county in 1844, buying eighty acres in Mifflin Township and later adding twenty-six acres. They had nine children-eight living: Simeon B., T. Ann, Z. Adilla, Solomon H., James M., A. Maria, William, Harriet, and Elizabeth S .- deceased. The father died in 1861, aged forty-two years; the mother is still living, aged sixty-five years. Our subject attended the schools of his neighborhood and remained with his parents till 1864, May 2, when he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regi- ment Ohio National Guards; was engaged in the battles of Fredericksburg and Berryville; was wounded in the shoulder at latter place, returning home September 2, 1864, discharged. January 12, 1864, he married Miss Julia Hildreth, daughter of Stephen and Jane C. (Mills) Hildreth, whose history is given elsewhere in this book. Six children were the fruits of this union-four living: Frank L., born January 23, 1865-dying January 26, 1875; Willis E., born February 3, 1867; Elton J., July 2, 1869; Julia A., January 19, 1872-died January 3, 1880; Bertha J., March 5, 1876, and Clara L., September 8, 1881. Mr. Cook rented land during the first four years of his married life, buying his present farm of 117 acres in 1870. This farm is well improved and stocked with good grades. Politically he is a Republican, and served four years as Trustee of his township. He is a member of the G. A. R. at Marseilles and also of the Methodist Episco . pal Church, of which he has been a Class Leader since 1870. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

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MARSEILLES TOWNSHIP.

PETER L. DEMAREST (deceased) was born August 19, 1800. He was a native of New York, and is the son of Lucas Demarest. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution, and his father in the war of 1812. His mother was of French lineage, and his father probably German. He received a limited education, spending most of his life upon the farm. He was married November 2, 1826, to Miss Olive P. Parsons, daughter of James and Huldah (Beach) Parsons, natives of Connecticut and New York respectively. She was born September 16, 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Demarest were the parents of seven children, three living-L. James, Edwin and David P. David O., John S. and two infants are deceased. They con- tinued farming in Genesee County, N. Y., ten years, coming by wagon to Ohio in 1835, and settling in Marseilles Township, entered 160 acres of land, on which they resided until 1868. In 1868, they removed to Mar- seilles, where Mrs. Demarest still resides. Mr. Demarest was a Republican. He sent his two sons to the war, and was a charter member and Elder at the organization of the Presbyterian Church. He died October 10, 1883, one of the most respected of pioneers.

WILLIAM EMPTAGE was born in England, March 11, 1833. He is a son of Thomas and Ann (Homersham) Emptage. He was given but a limited education, coming to America with his parents when quite young, and remaining home until his eighteenth year. He served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade three years, and continued at that business in Mar- seilles (one year at Bellefontaine) till September 12, 1861, when he en- listed in the United States service, Company G, Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infan try, and participated in the following battles: Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Lovejoy Station; traveled 3,000 miles, lay in Louisville Hospital one month from cold and fever, and was honorably dis- charged September 17, 1864. He returned home, and has been farming since. With his brothers he has added 100 acres to the homestead, which numbers 483 acres. In politics Mr. Emptage is a Republican, and a mem- ber of the G. A. R.

FREDERICK FEHL, one of the leading farmers of his township, was born February 10, 1820, in Adams County, Penn. He is the son of John and Sarah (Wolf) Fehl, natives of Pennsylvania and of German and Scotch parentage respectively. His father, John Fehl, was drafted for the war of 1812, but before presenting himself the war closed. His grandfather, Wolf, was drafted for the Revolutionary war, but owing to physical disa- bility was exempted from the service. John Fehl was born September 1, 1792, and his wife, Sarah, April 16, 1794. They were the parents of nine children-five of whom are still living, namely: Valentine, Frederick, Elkana, Delilah and Margaret. The deceased are Christina, Elizabeth John and Caroline. John Fehl emigrated to Wyandot County in 1834, settling where our subject now resides, entering eighty acres of land, and subsequently purchasing 100 acres more. His death occurred July 8, 1871. His wife is still living, "hale and hearty," in her ninetieth year. Freder- ick Fehl, the subject of this sketch was educated in the common school, and remained at home till the event of his marriage, which took place in 1865; Miss Mary McCleary, daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth (McCormick) McCleary being his chosen wife. They have been blessed with nine chil- dren, five of whom are still living, viz .: Jane (wife of Byron Rubens), Almira (wife of Charles Vanorsdall), Henry, John and Valonia (wife of

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Robert Watt). The deceased are Sarah, Alexander, James and Clara, and these were joined by their mother, Mrs. Mary Fehl, in 1881, her death oc- curring on the 6th of September of that year. By purchase, and as an heir, Mr. Fehl obtained the old homestead of 180 acres, of which, five and one- half acres have since been appropriated as the "Orchard Grove Cemetery." Of this tract of land Mr. Fehl has cleared fifty acres, besides spending twenty-five years in the old grist mill, the remains of which still stand on the premises. The farm is in good repair, being provided with over one mile of tile under-draining. In politics, Mr. Fehl was formerly a Whig, but is now a Republican. He is noted for his benevolence, and is highly esteemed as a citizen.

GEORGE W. FOX was born in Richland County, May, 17, 1849, son of Augustus G. and Louisa (Dorm) Fox, early settlers of Richland and this county (1854), where they still reside. They are the parents of five children, George W. being the second. He received instruction in the dis- trict schools, afterward attending the Delaware College two terms; also at Republic, Ohio, and the Ada Normal. He began teaching in his nine- teenth year, and has continued in the profession most of the time since, teaching seven successive terms near home-four terms in the home dis- trict. He was married, March 27, 1878, to Agnes L. Vanorsdall, daughter of Abram and Ruth (Snider) Vanorsdall (see sketch, Jackson Township). They have two children-Ray A., born June 2, 1880; Cora E., March 31, 1882. He purchased his farm of 160 acres, paying $5,000, in 1876, and since his marriage has been more or less engaged in agricultural pursuits; farm well stocked and improved, valued at $9,000. Politically, Mr. Fox is a Democrat, and, with his wife, a member of the York Street Christian Union Church. Mrs. Fox also taught nine terms of school and has done much for the mutual success of herself and husband.

HORATIO S. GATES, of the firm of Lindsey & Gates, dealers in dry goods, groceries, etc., at Marseilles, was born March 3, 1852, in Allen Coun- ty, Ohio, son of Dr. Charles W. and Jane S. (Ramsdell) Gates, natives of York State, and of English ancestry. His father was born in 1815, and his mother in 1820. His father came with his parents to Medina County, Ohio, in 1833, and his mother to the same county in 1837. They were married, December 22, 1841; moved to Allen County in 1849, settling at Maysville, where his father practiced medicine sixteen years. He came to Marseilles in February, 1865, and located as a physician, buying a drug-store, house and lot, and 160 acres of land. He became an old and honored citizen, and died September 22, 1880. His wife is still living, and is quite vigorous for one of her years. They were the parents of four children, two surviving- Horatio S. and Electa. Harriet S. and an infant are deceased. Hora- tio S. Gates was educated in the district schools, and in early youth entered his father's drug store, commencing business for himself at the age of twenty-one with G. W. Davis, under the firm name of Davis & Gates, drugs and groceries, doing a very successful business till 1876, when they disposed of this establishment and purchased another in Galion, Ohio, re- maining two years; returning to Marseilles in 1878. Mr. Gates then en- gaged as assistant to his former partner two years, both forming a partner- ship in 1880, under the firm name of Davis & Gates, doing a thriving bus- iness until 1882, when they sold out and opened business in Marion in the grocery and provision trade, doing an excellent business. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Gates purchased a half interest in the present establishment of Lindsey & Gates, where he is now engaged with a stock of $12,000, doing

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MARSEILLES TOWNSHIP.

a thriving business. He married, February 22, 1880, Miss Dilly Seligman, daughter of William Seligman. Two children blessed this union-Flor, born January 9, 1881; and Grace, October 7, 1882. Mr. Gates is a membey of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge at Marseilles; Master of Second Veil, Mccutcheon Chapter, No. 96, at Upper Sandusky; and Commandry K. T. at Marion. He is an active, enterprising and successful young business man, and well respected as a citizen.

SOCRATES HARTLE (deceased), one of the pioneers of the county, was born in Georgetown, Penn., July 23, 1818. He was the son of Michael and Sarah Poe Hartle, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. They were the parents of seven children-three now living-Susan, John and Esther. Our subject was educated in the common school, ceasing his studies at sixteen, his father having died while he (Socrates) was yet a child. He, John, Esther and their mother came to Ohio in 1831, settling in Hardin County, entering eighty acres, emigrating from his native place in a wagon. He lived with his mother till his twenty-sixth year, and was married April 18, 1844, to Miss Henrietta Hendrickson, daughter of Thomas B. and Mary E. (Martin) Hendrickson, natives of Maryland, and of German and English ancestry respectively, Thomas B. having been a soldier of the war of 1812. They moved to Marion County in 1830, entering 240 acres in Grand Town- ship (then New Marseilles), and reared a family of seven children, six liv- ing-Maria, John, Henrietta, Sophia, Elizabeth, Michael and Russel. The deceased is Lenox J. Thomas, her father, died in 1875, aged ninety-two years; her mother is also deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hartle had seven children, six still living-Americus V., born January 19, 1846; Mary E., July 23, 1847; Susan W., December 8, 1848; Matilda M., July 12, 1851; Sarah A., March 4, 1853; Addison F., March 3, 1855; Adam M., December 8, 1857. In 1849, he bought 120 acres in Hardin and Marion Counties, and lived upon this farm until 1870, when he purchased 300 acres in Marseilles Township. To this, by subsequent purchases, 240 acres were added in Marion County. In 1875, his present place was purchased-214 acres. At the time of his death Mr. Hartle owned 1,288 acres of land. He began with nothing, and at his death left an estate of $70,000. He died June 21, 1877. Mr. Hartle was an active Republican, and a strong member of the Presbyterian Church, an Elder during the last years of his life He was also a liberal contributor to the church and to benevolent purposes gen- erally. His widow, born October 23, 1816, is still living upon her farm near Marseilles, her son Adam residing with her, both being members of the Presbyterian Church.

ADAM M. HARTLE was born in Hardin County, Ohio, December 8, 1857, son of Socrates and Henrietta (Hendrickson; Hartle, whose notice ap. pears elsewhere. He attended the common schools and remained, on the old homestead all his life. He was married May 10, 1883, to Miss Rhoda A. Terry, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Simpson) Terry, who were the parents of four children, three living-Scott, John and Rhoda. Her father is still living, aged fifty-five years, a resident of Hardin County. Upon his father's decease, our subject inherited 196 acres of land, joining the old homestead of 214 acres, besides 183 acres recently purchased-in all 593 acres, valued at $60 per acre. Mr. Hartle does an extensive agricultural and live stock business, usually employing two assistants on his farm. He was elected Township Trustee in 1882 and 1883; is a Democrat in politics, and an honorable citizen. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church; she was born January 10, 1859.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

HENRY HANDCHY was born in Canton Basel, Switzerland, November 22, 1833, son of John and Elizabeth (Bousher) Handchy. He was educated in the schools of Switzerland, and with his father emigrated to America in 1845, settling in Stark County. Ohio. In 1846, moved to Little Sandusky, this county. His father died in 1955-killed by a falling tree. He was sixty- three years old. His mother died in Germany in 1845. Henry Hand- chy, the only surviving son of his father's family, was hired out when in his fifteenth year to Joseph Shilling, of Marseilles, and remained with him seven years. He married November 30, 1856, Miss Almira Haner, daughter of Henry Haner. She died in 1876, aged thirty-seven years, leaving at that time seven children, six of whom still survive --- Rosa, Joseph. John, Jessie, Edward and Louis C. Charles is deceased. March 24, 1879, Mr. Handchy was married to Mrs. Isabel Yencer, daughter of Jacob Keyes. She had three children, two, Mary and Ivy, by her former husband, and one, Altha, by Mr. Handchy. In 1855, Mr. Handchy rented a room in Marseilles, and established himself in a grocery and provision store, doing a good business for one year. He then purchased the store-room of Benjamin Ellis, in which he conducted the same business successfully till 1877. He then purchased a farm of 120 acres in Marseilles Township, later adding thirty acres joining the village, and engaged five years in agricultural pursuits. In the spring of 1882, he purchased a half interest in the grocery and provison store with Lemuel Krisher, and is still doing a thriving business under the firm name of Handchy & Krisher, with a stock of $1,800. Mr. Handchy is serving as Trustee of his township, which office he has held for three years; was a member of the Town Conncil five years, and School Director three years. He is a Democrat, a Master Mason, member of Council at Bucyrus, No. 57, and a good citizen.

THOMAS HEWLITT was born in New York, December 12, 1827, son of Philip and Margaret (Sutphen) Hewlitt, natives of New Jersey, of Eng- lish and German parents. His father was born February 26, 1794, eu- gaged in war of 1812; his mother September 11, 1797. They were married about 1813. They came to New York before marriage, and remained till 1847, when they removed to this county, locating where our subject now resides. buying eighty acres of land; had two children-Randall and Thomas. He died October 28, 1857, the mother March 27, 1862. Our subject obtained a limited education, and turned his attention to farming at the age of eighteen. He was married October 13, 1853, to Margaret Morrison, daughter of Mrs. Tacy Morrison, now Mrs. Pumphry, native of Pennsylvania, and born February 26, 1809. Her husband, John W. Pumphry, was in the war of 1812. She came to Ohio at the age of ten, living a number of years in Clinton and Fayette Counties, to this in 1853; is the mother of three daughters, Mrs. Hewlitt being the eldest, with whom she resides. Mr. and Mrs. Hewlitt have two children-Z. P., born Jan- uary 5, 1862; George M., born December 15, 1855, died January 11, 1862. Mr. Hewlitt " hired " and purchased his present farm of eighty-six acres, clearing fifty acres of heavy timber land, and built a neat residence in 1875, costing $1,200. He is a hard worker, has split 400 rails in one dav. He makes a specialty of " registered " hogs and fine varieties of wheat; values his land at $50 per acre. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the past twenty- nine years, and Class Leader six years. Mrs. Hewlitt has also been a member of the same Church since her twelfth year.

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MARSEILLES TOWNSHIP.

STEPHEN HILDRETH was born in Dutchess County, New York, September 17, 1797. He was the son of David and Abigail (Toppan) Hil- dreth. His brother James was in the war of 1812. Mr. Hildreth received a common school education, and remained at home till his marriage to Miss Hannah Gernea in 1820. They had three children, two living-David and Mary. Susan died aged seven years. His first wife died about 1830, aged thirty-three. March 12, 1839, he married Miss Jane C. Mills, daughter of William P. and Anna (Powell) Mills, natives of New York, and of English extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Mills were the parents of eight children, five living-Joseph W., Jane C., Draton O., Charles H. and Edwin D., Alonzo W., Mary A. and Roderick R. are deceased. The mother died October 9, 1865, aged seventy-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth are the parents of five children, four living-William J., born March 28, 1840; Julia C., August 1, 1842; Emily A., February 1, 1857; Alvina J., January 2, 1860. They removed to this county in 1844, settling near where they now reside, purchasing eighty acres of forest land. Before the war Mr. Hildreth was a Democrat, but since a strong Republican. Himself and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church, and among the oldest and most highly respected citizens of their neighborhood. The former is in his eighty- seventh year, and is still able to do much light outdoor work. Mrs. Hil- dreth, born March 12, 1818, is still living in excellent health.

DAVID B. HILDRETH, born in Fulton County, N. Y., October 15, 1830, is the son of Stephen and Hannah (Gernea) Hildreth, natives of New York (see Stephen Hildreth's sketch). Mr. Hildreth was educated in the common schools and at twenty-one, began work for himself, engaging in daily labor and farming till 1853. In September of that year he married Miss Sarah A. Thomas, daughter of David Thomas. She died July 23, 1859, leaving one child -- James A. He married again, Sarah S. Kirby; she died leaving four children-Charles, Lizzie J., Mary A. and Sarah S. June 14, 1876, he married Miss Kezie Davis, daughter of Robert Davis. In 1853, Mr. Hildreth bought twenty-four acres of land in Marseilles Township to which he has added by subsequent purchases till he now owns 160 acres, valued at $60 per acre. He owns also his town residence and four other town lots. He was in the United States service, Company B, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving four months, being en- gaged in the battle of Frederick City, and receiving an honorable discharge. His grandfather Hildreth was forced to work on the British forts of Long Island when a boy. His maternal grandfather was in several fights with the Indians, at one time only he and a comrade escaping. In politics Mr. Hildreth is a temperance Republican, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hildreth began life a poor boy and has accumulated a handsome property by his in- dustry and economy.

SAMUEL P. HILL was born in Center County, Penn., November 4, 1830, and is the son of Rudolph and Catharine (Hare) Hill, natives of Ger. many and Pennsylvania respectively. His father came from Germany when a young man and married in Pennsylvania, moving to Crawford County, Ohio in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Hill were the parents of six children, four still living-Anna, Leah, John and Samuel. The deceased are Julia and David, the latter killed in the late war. The mother died in Richland County, February 24, 1870. Our subject, S. P. Hill, obtained an ordinary education, at the age of six by the consent of his mother, taking up his resi- dence with James McCormick, and remaining with him until the latter's

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

death, which occurred August 23, 1873. On the occasion of this death, Mr. Hill inherited 120 acres of land, upon which he resided at intervals till 1875. At this time he sold the farm and removed to Mansfield, Ohio, and' four years later to Marseilles, purchasing a house and lot on Main street. November 18, 1869, he was married to Mrs. Hannah Holm, widow of James Helin, by whom she had two children, both deceased. She was the daughter of Alexander McCleary, of Mifflin Township, this county. One child has been born to them-John F., born February 26, 1873. Mr. Hill is a strong Republican; elected Justice of the Peace in 1881; re elected in fall of the same year, and giving general satisfaction. With his wife, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

ISAAC JOHNSON was born in Antrim County, Ireland, in May, 1827; son of John and Mary (Knoland) Johnson, his mother dying when he was two years old. He was brought up by his father and hired out at the age of thirteen, receiving ten shillings for his first six months' labor. He came to America in 1854, locating in Livingston County. N. Y .; came to Upper Sandusky in 1855, and, after a period of ten to fifteen years spent in daily labor and renting land, purchased his present farm of 129 acres, now one of the best cultivated farms in the township. In 1881, he crected a fine residence at a cost of $2,000. His property is estimated at $10,000. In 1864, he was married to Eliza Prestou, daughter of James Preston. They have three children-Ivy J .. Anna B. and Andrew. Elizabeth is deceased. Mr. Johnson is an independent voter, and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

G. W. KEMP, M. D., was born in Stark County, Ohio, June 24, 1822; son of George and Isabel (Hughes) Kemp, natives of Maryland and Penn- sylvania respectively and of English lineage. His grandfather Kemp was a Revolutionary soldier for seven years. Soon after their marriage his parents moved to Stark County, and some years later to Richland County thence to Hancock County, where they entered 120 acres and resided six years. He afterward removed back to Richland County, but returned in 1842, and died in Hancock. He was the father of eight children who at tained their majority-Mary and Agnes (twins), David, George W., Sarah, Isabel, John and Jesse. He died October 1. 1862, agod seventy years; his wife about 1861, aged about seventy-one years. Our subject, George W. Kemp, was educated in the schools of Richland and Ashland Counties, attending one year at Vermillion College, Ohio. He began reading medi- cine in 1848, under J. R. Rodgers, of Haysville, Ashland County, and pur- sned this study two years, laboring at "lettering " or painting for support in the meantime. He graduated at Cleveland Charity Medical College (which subsequently became the medical department of the Wooster Uni- versity) in 1860, but began practicing in 1849, having attended a course of lectures at Miami Medical College at Cincinnati. He enlisted as a private soldier in September, 1862, and was detailed in General Hospital at Bowl- ing Green, Ky., as Hospital Steward, remaining in that position till April 18, 1863, when he was discharged, and received a commission May 19, 1863, as First Assistant Surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This charge he held till October 6, 1863, when failing health compelled him to resign. He was in the battle of Chickamauga, but returned to Kenton, where he recuperated one year, and subsequently settled in Marseilles, where he has since resided and built up an extensive practice in the regular Allopathic school of medicine. October 20, 1844, Mr. Kemp was married to Miss Irene Greeley-a relative of

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Horace Greeley - who died in 1851, leaving Romina Asenath, their only child; was married again November 18, 1852, to Mrs. Jane Alban, a niece of the late Gov. Vance, she passing away February 26, 1854. Mr. Kemp was again married, July 4, 1855, to Ervilla M. Snow, four chil- dren having been born to them-Sarah E. (deceased), Orvis, Lucy E. and G. Wilber. He has a comfortable dwelling and several lots in Marseilles, also a store-room, thirteen acres of land near the village, a lot in Ada, Ohio, and several lots in Enterprise, Van Wert County. Mr. Kemp is a rigid temperance Democrat, member of the G. A. R. at Marseilles (Surgeon of Post), and, with his wife, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, officially connected, having lately been licensed as a local preacher. He was commissioned a surgeon in the army by Gov. Tod, on the recommendation of prominent surgeons and his neighbors. He is an energetic citizen and a member of the Medical Society of Cleveland. He is now suffering from a disease contracted while in the service as surgeon, which is yearly growing on him.

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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 105

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

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