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 109
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891
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
1866, to Theresa Ann, daughter of James B. and Hannah (Corwin) Cook. Their children are Lilly May, born September 25, 1868; and Julia May, March 17, 1872. Mr. Hendrickson owns 160 acres of good land and is a thorough farmer. He is quite a sportsman, and makes an annual trip to the deer haunts of Michigan. He is a Democrat, and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his eldest daughter. Mrs. Gibson, after an illness of many years, passed away January 20, 1884.
JACOB HOLLANSHEAD was born in Frederick County, Va., January 7, 1815, son of Thomas and Iva (Deal) Hollanshead, the former of whom died the same year. The latter remarried in 1819 to William Stayner of Pickaway County, their children being Maria, Thomas and Susanna B., wife of David Bower. Mr. Hollanshead came with his stepfather to Marion County in 1824, and resided there till 1846. He was married to Jane Con- rad, daughter of Jacob and Eve (Van Devander) Conrad, January 4. 1838. She was born May 23, 1817, after the death of her father. This union was blessed by eleven children: Mary Ann, born March 10, 1839; Maria, De- cember 13, 1840; William H., November 3, 1842; Jacob S., March 5, 1847; Orrin F., February 24, 1849; Milton M., August 3, 1853; Matilda J., October 14, 1855; Julia V., July 5, 1858; Emma, September 10, 1861. The deceased are Thomas, born April 2, 1845, and missing after the battle of Stone River in 1862-63; and Elizabeth, born March 6, 1857, died March 31, 1865. In the spring of 1846, Mr. Hollanshead came to this county and located on the farm where he now resides, his log cabin giving place in 1857 to his present comfortable frame dwelling. His first land purchase was made at the Government land sales in 1845, and to this he has added, by subsequent purchases, till he now owns 360 acres valued at $75 per acre. He is quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, his annual product usually amounting from $1,500 to $2,000. Mr. Hollanshead served as County Com- missioner three years and in the minor offices of Trustee, Treasurer, Justice, etc., many years. He is a thorough and life-long Democrat, and has been officially connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for thirty -five years.
MILTON M. HOLLANSHEAD, son of the above, was reared in the rural districts, educated in the district schools, supplementing this by several terms in the Normal School at Ada, Ohio. He has since engaged, to a considera- ble extent, in teaching, and at present is a member of the Board of Exam- iners of this county. In connection with his pedagogic labors Mr. Hollanshead is largely engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, making a specialty of fine sheep, having one of the best flocks in the State. He was married September 13, 1882, to Miss Annie L., daughter of John R. and Hannah (Bennett) Layton, the date of her birth being September 11, 1862. He and Mrs. H. are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the former a Democrat, rocked in a hickory cradle.
ANDREW J. KAIL was born in Harrison County, Ohio, January 28, 1821. His parents, Adam and Anna (Capper) Kail, were natives of Vir- ginia and of German and Irish lineage. They located in Harrison County in an early day and purchased eighty acres of land, on which they resided nineteen years. He then moved to Carroll County and purchased 160 acres, where the father died in October, 1852, Andrew J., the subject of this sketch, was brought up on a farm and early inured to the hardships per- taining therato. In 1853, he bought 160 acres in this county, where he has since resided. He subsequently added to his possessions and owned at his death 240 acres in excellent condition, valued at $80 per acre. He was married December 20, 1849, to Julia V. Lindsay, daughter of Samuel and Mary
892
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
Lindsay, and three children were born to them-Samuel P., January 30, 1853; William, December 13, 1854; Anna E., November 24, 1856. Mrs. Kail's death occurred November 30, 1856, and Mr. Kail was married May 1, 1860, to Miss Sarah McHugh, daughter of William and Sarah (Culberson) McHugh. She was born October 9, 1828. Three of their six children are living -- Julia V., born November 7, 1861; Scott, September 3, 1865; Frank I., October 5, 1870. Andrew J., James A. and John C. are deceased. Mr. Kail died suddenly while in Upper Sandusky March 12, 1884. The Wyan- dot Union, in noticing his death, says: "Mr. Kail was one of our most substantial and influential farmers, owning and occupying one of the finest farms in Mifflin Township. He was a man of many excellent qualities, en- joying the high esteem and respect of all who knew him, and his many friends will learn of his unexpected death with much sorrow and regret. He was admired and respected by every one for his kind and cheerful dispo- sition, integrity and honor. He started in life with a limited capital, but by his excellent business qualities, devotion to his affairs and great indus- try, he prospered in everything he undertook and amassed a handsome estate. He was one of the representative Democrats of Wyandot County, and always took an active part, in politics when any important office was to be filled, and in other matters of importance he was generally consulted by his neighbors and those directly interested." For many years he was a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church, and was always active in the promotion of its interests and welfare, and few men were more liberal in aiding religious and benevolent enterprises than he.
SAMUEL P. KAIL, son of the above-named gentleman, was born Jan- uary 30, 1853. He is a native of Carroll County, and came to this locality when but one year old. He obtained a fair education in the district schools and subsequently attended the Normal School at Ada, Ohio, five terms. This culture he has turned to advantage by teaching, having taught seven terms. He was. married October 21, 1879, to Miss Matilda J. Hollanshead, daughter of Jacob and Jane (Conrad) Hollanshead, and two children have been born to them-Clarence C., born November 24, 1880, and Ira J., Au- gust 6, 1882. Mrs. Kail was born October 14, 1855. In 1879, Mr. Kail purchased seventy-nine acres of land in this township, where he now re- sides, farming during the summer and teaching during the winter seasons. Since the death of his father he has taken charge of the old farm and of settling his estate.
HARMON R. LESLIE was born in Marion County, Ohio, March 27, 1848. He is a son of John and Esther (Smith) Leslie, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and of Scotch and German ancestry respectively, the father born May 15, 1808, the mother December 13, 1813. The dates of their re- spective deaths are September 21, 1851, and September 2, 1861. Six of their seven children are living-Louisa, James S., John J., Martha, Samuel D. and Harmon R. The latter, who is the subject here considered, was brought up on the farm, and obtained a good education in the district schools and the high schools at La Rue and other points. He engaged in teaching eight years; kept a drug store two years, and afterward studied medicine under Dr. Hardy and attended one course of lectures at the Cleveland Med- ical College. He was married August 4, 1880, to Miss Sarah Lindsey, daughter of James and Elon (Stiverson) Lindsey, natives of Ohio, and of Scotch and German parentage respectively, the former born November 23, 1814, the latter July 29, 1814. The dates of their respective deaths are February 19, 1881, and November 1, 1882. Mrs. Leslie was born Decem-
893
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
ber 8, 1849. She also attended medical lectures with her husband, in view of graduating in the profession. They have one child, James W., born Octo- ber 24, 1882. They are jointly the owners of 160 acres of land, which they inherited from Mr. Lindsay and eighty acres by purchase. Of the Lindsey family four are living-Robert, Ann M., Sarah and Mary. The deceased are: John, killed in battle at Moulton, Ala., May 29, 1864; David, killed at Monocacy, July 10, 1864, and James, who died at home June 16, 1858.
HUGH MASON. a native of Frederick County, Va., was born Septem- ber 11, 1833. His parents were natives of Virginia and of German and Scotch lineage, his father, William, born October 8, 1799; his mother, Mary M. (Cameron) November 5, 1799. They came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1834 and resided there till the death of the father, February 11. 1841. The mother died December 16, 1878. Hugh, the second son of the above parents, was left an orphan at eight years of age and was compelled to labor diligently for many years to aid in supporting himself and mother. He was married December 31, 1857, to Miss Jane E. McLain, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Neff) McLain, born August 25, 1835. They have no children. In 1864, Mr. Mason enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and joined the Army of the Potomac. On account of physical disability he was not placed in act- ive service, and on leaving the hospital at Washington was discharged. In 1874, he moved upon his farm of forty-four acres in this county, having purchased the land in 1872. This farm he has placed in good condition, having earned all that it now contains or promises by hard, honest toil.
JOHN W. McCLEARY is a native of Franklin County, Penn., born. February 2, 1840. His father, Mathew, was born March 8, 1812, and died in February, 1879. His mother, Susanna, was born June 13, 1816, and still survives. Seven of the nine children are yet living-John W., Mar- tha J., wife of Charles Hunter; Sarah, wife of Morris Owens; Leah, wife of George Hawkins; Isaiah, Joshua, Jemima, wife of Daniel Fox. The parents came to this county in 1847, and purchased 200 acres of land on which they resided till Mr. McCleary's death. John W., our subject, was brought up on the farm above mentioned. In 1865, he purchased 100 acres, to which he has since added forty acres, all in good condition as to soil, buildings, etc. He married July 18, 1861, Miss Anna D. Englehart, of Terre Haute, Ind., daughter of Martin and Christina Englehart, born April 4, 1843. Their six children are Eliza J., born April 19, 1862; Silas W., August 9, 1863; Amanda E., October 22, 1867; Sylvia J., December 9, 1869; Herschel V., December 22, 1871; Marietta C., July 1, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. McCleary are members of the Christian Union Church, and also of the Patrons of Husbandry.
ASA QUAIL was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 27, 1838, is a son of Henry and Barbara (Pepple) Quail. He was reared to farm la- bor, and after obtaining his majority worked by the month and rented land until he had acquired a sufficient sum to purchase forty acres of land, to which he has since added forty acres more. He was married May 28, 1863, to Miss Mary R. McLain, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Neff ) McLain. She was born May 14, 1843. Their six children are all living-Sylvia J., was born April 19, 1865; Martha E., June 4, 1871; Mary A., June 11, 1873; George A., April 29, 1876; Iva B., September 3, 1878; Asa A., May 1, 1882, Mr. Quail is a member of the Church of God, and a Republican politically. He has a comfortable home, most of which he has earned by the "honest sweat of his brow."
894
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
JOHN QUAIL is a native of Marseilles Township, son of Henry and Barbara (Pepple) Quail, born May 4, 1840. He grew up on the farm in this county, and is familiar with the various steps of its progress. In 1866, he purchased eighty five acres of land, and by subsequent purchases bas increased this number to 125. His land is in a good state of cultivation and provided with comfortable buildings. Mr. Quail was married March 8, 1865, to Miss Mary Reubins, and one child was born to them-Frank E., born August 29, 1867. Mrs. Quail departed this life March 15, 1868, and Mr. Q. was again married November 4, 1869, to Miss Ida Kiser, daughter of Wesley and Malinda (Reid) Kiser, five children blessing this union- George H., born March 2, 1871; Guy P., November 11, 1872; Virgil K., February 19, 1875; Rollo V., August 30, 1881; Victor Q., November 13, 1883. Mr. Quail obtained such an education as the ordinary district schools afforded. He has ever been a hard laborer and commanded the es- teem of his community.
MARQUIS L. ROWLAND, son of John and Catharine (Ady) Rowland, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, March 10, 1844. His father was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born May 4, 1804; his mother, of Ohio, born August 9, 1817. They were of German and Irish descent, and came to this county in 1855, purchasing 100 acres of land in Mifflin Township. He died April 13, 1857, in his fifty-third year, a member of the Disciple Church. Mar- quis L., our subject, grew up on the farm of his father. At thirteen, he was left an orphan, and thereafter labored hard to help support his wid- owed mother (who now resides with him). and obtain an education. He has taught several terms of school, was elected Township Clerk in 1871, serving one term, and April, 1874, Justice of the Peace, in which office he is now serving his fourth term. Mr. Rowland was married November 29, 1866, to Miss Atty A. Ludwig, daughter of Gabriel and Eliza A. (Johnson) Ludwig, and six children have resulted-Francis L., born January 9, 1868; Willis P., born September 7, 1869; Dora A., July 4, 1871; Allen T., May 25, 1873; Ira T., April 30, 1875; Curtis M., June 11, 1879. Mrs. Rowland was born October 12, 1845. Mr. Rowland is a member of the F. & A. M., owns 120 acres of land and is highly esteemed as a citizen.
GEORGE RIESER is a native of Baden, Germany, born May 11, 1824, and son of George and Raekina Rieser, also natives of Germany. He came to this county with his parents in 1846, and established a brick-kiln in Up. per Sandusky, where he resided about six years, when he purchased eighty acres of land in Mifflin Township, where he still follows the occupation of a farmer. His farm was once timber land and has been hewn into a valuable home by the greatest industry and perseverance. Mr. Rieser was married, October, 1847, to Elizabeth Fehter, who was born in Switzerland, Decem- ber, 1828. Their union has been blessed with one child-William H., born September 10, 1848. Mr. Rieser was a soldier of the standing army, in Germany, and has passed a life of many vicissitudes, but finds himself in good circumstances in his declining years.
WILLIAM F. SMITH was born in Bedford County, Penn., January 18, 1833. He is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Wehen) Smith, natives of Penn- sylvania, and of German parentage. There were eight children in the family, four living -Henrietta, wife of Ferdinand Switzer; Elenor, wife of Jacob Switzer; William F. and Sophia, wife of William Rieber. The deceased are Margaret, Caroline, George A. and Reuben, who enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Winchester. After engaging in brick-making a
895
MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP.
number of years in various localities, the father came to this county in 1851, and purchased 120 acres of land, where he died a few years later. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in good standing. Will- iam F., the subject of this notice, was reared on the farm, and, after his father's death, aided in supporting the family. He was married, Decem. ber 26, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Stevens, daughter of John and Sarah Ste- vens, and the following are the names of the children born to them: Josiah J., October 20, 1855; George W., Sept. 7, 1857; John A., April 2, 1859; Reuben E., December 28, 1860; William V., March 20, 1863; Elenor M., May 26, 1868. Mr. Smith purchased and inherited 120 acres, on which he resided fourteen years. He then removed to Bucyrus to burn brick for the new Union School building, at that place sold his farm, purchasing one of 480 acres (the Renick farm), which he afterward disposed of in small lots, and purchased his present property. Besides 159 acres in this township. he also owns forty acres in Marseilles Township, and is ranked among the best farmers of the county.
ORRIN F. STRAW was born on the farm where he now resides, July 29, 1846. He is a son of Joel and Mary (Swayze) Straw, the former born near Waterbury, Vt., August 11, 1811; the latter in Sussex County, N. J., December 5, 1808. They were married in this county, August 11, 1836, their children being Rachel, born May 29, 1839; Orrin F., July 29, 1846; Amanda, November 15, 1849; Angenette, September 7, 1852, and four others deceased. The father died January 28, 1867, aged fifty-six; the mother is still living at the ripe age of seventy-five years. Our subject was mar- ried April 9, 1873, to Miss Maria M., daughter of Barnett and Catharine (Woodcock) Hughes, and a native of this county, born March 27, 1849. Their children are George W., born April 5, 1874; Iva E., October 27, 1878; Anna B., July 25, 1881; and William S., who was born July 19, 1876, and died May 11, 1880. Mr. Straw owns 307 acres of good land, and is one of the substantial farmers of the township. He is a Republican and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, formerly a Treasurer of the township.
GEORGE THIEL was born in Luxemburg, Germany, Nov. 11, 1828. He is a son of Lawrence and Catharine (Wynande) Thiel, who were the parents of eighteen children. Our subject was married to Susanna Bricher in Echternach, August 11, 1849. In 1854, he emigrated to America, being 114 days at sea with half rations for many days, and three days with noth- ing to eat or drink. His wife and two children crossed the water in the fall of the same year, suffering shipwreck, from the effects of which the children both died. Mr. Thiel located first in Seneca County, but six years later purchased land in this county, now owning 258 acres. His children by his first wife are Ferdinand, born November 1, 1858; Stephen, March 22, 1861; Henry A., November 16, 1863. Mrs. Thiel died August 1, 1865, and Mr. Thiel was married, November 24, 1865, to Anna Bantz, daughter of John and Mary A. (Lusch) Bantz. The children by this marriage are George S., born August 28, 1866; Edward, March 11, 1870; Catharine, November 25, 1871; Mary, May 28, 1873; Paul, July 18, 1875; John, March 3, 1878: Susanna, January 30, 1880; Peter, April 11, 1883. Mr. Thiel is a Demo- crat and member of the Catholic Church.
JONATHAN O. VANORSDALL was born in Cuba, Allegany Co., N. Y., January 13, 1836. He is a son of Andrew and Katie Vanorsdall, was reared on a farm, and educated in the district schools. He came to this county with his parents in 1846, and on February 24, 1860, was married to Mar-
896
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
garet Simmerson, daughter of Walter and Mary (Snyder) Simmerson. They had six children, three now living-Ida M., born May 14, 1864 ; Charley O., December 10, 1866; Clara B., September 26, 1869. Mrs. Van- orsdall was born September 26, 1833. Being a shoemaker by trade, Mr. Vanorsdall followed this occupation till 1870, when he moved upon his farm, since engaging in agricultural pursuits. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and highly esteemed by the citizens of their community.
W. W. WHALEY was born in this county April 15, 1862. He is a son of Wilford and Juliette (Parlett) Whaley, his father having been born August 25, 1822, and died June 11, 1883. Before his death he had ac- quired by hard labor and good management 145 acres of well-improved land, with all the comforts of a pleasant home. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his widow, who still survives in her fiftieth year. W. W. Whaley was an only son. He resided with his father till the death of the latter, at which time he inherited 100 acres of the homestead, where he still resides with his mother and aged grandmother, who was born February 15, 1800. His farm is in a good state of cultiva- tion, and well provided with all the buildings necessary to comfort and con- venience. Mr. Whaley is counted among the best farmers of his com- munity, and is well respected as a citizen.
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897
PITT TOWNSHIP.
CHAPTER VIII.
PITT TOWNSHIP.
ITS LOCATION AND RELATION PRIOR TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY -PRIMITIVE SETTLERS AND THEIR IMPROVEMENTS-FIRST ROAD-VIL- LAGES OF LITTLE SANDUSKY AND FOWLER-THEIR CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS -THE TOWNSHIP AS COMPARED WITH 1845-ITS LIST OF REAL AND PER- SONAL ESTATE OWNERS-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
TI "HE portion of Wyandot County designated by the above title was formed at the organization of the county in 1845. It is composed of twelve sections which formerly belonged to Salt Rock Township, Marion County, and the remainder from the reservation. It is one of the southern townships of the county, being bounded on the south by Marion County, on the west by Marseilles and Mifflin Townships, on the north by Crane Township, and on the east by Antrim Township .*
Pitt is one of the most fertile townships of the county, a large portion of its area being made up of prairie land. The Sandusky River enters near the northeast corner of Section 25, and flows in a tortuous, general northwest direction, leaving the township at the northwest corner of Section 15, while the Little Sandusky Creek enters near the center of the township on the south, and flows north, being joined by Honey Run from the east near the southern line of Section 35, and uniting with "Big" Sandusky near the center of Section 26. These streams water the eastern half of the township, which is also favored by several flowing springs. The western portion of the township is drained by several small streams which take their rise in that region and flow in a northwesterly direction, carrying the sur- plus water from the fertile fields which are so generally provided with the "blind" tile ditches, and affording an ample supply of water to the large herds of stock which may not be provided with pools and springs. The territory is well adapted to general agriculture and stock-raising, and is the seat of operations for some of the most prominent dealers in this section of the State, chief among them being David Harpster, C. R. Fowler and Lewis Straw.
PRIMITIVE SETTLERS.
At this period it is difficult to state positively who the first settler of Pitt Township was, as, like the Irishman's rattlesnake, " where there's one there's two ; " so it usually transpires, at least in the settlement of a terri- tory so large as that which is usually comprised in the limits of a township. John Wilson, a native of York State, is reputed to have located here in 1820, the first white man to call the locality his home, though it is well- known that one Walter Woolsey came here in the same spring. The former was a married man with the brilliant advantage of eight children; the lat- ter was a bachelor, also a native of York State. He built a little log cabin in Little Sandusky in 1820, and in his maturer years was finally persuaded
* The township derived its name from one Pitt, who resided here at the time of its organization, and who moved here from New Jersey in 1822.
898
HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
to "turn from the error of his way." He married. It is also stated that Ebenezer Roseberry, a somewhat noted hunter and frontier sportsman, located in the southern part of the township as early as 1818, though it is not quite certain that any white man ventured to raise his cabin in that locality as early as that date. For 1820, we find the names of Ora Bellis, William and Samuel Morral and Nehemiah Staley ; and in 1821 there ap- peared re-enforcements in the persons of Jacob Snyder, David H. Bargley, George Johns and Peter Bowsher. Anthony Bowsher was also one of the first settlers. He was born in Union County, Penn., in 1800, and grew up, so to speak, on the frontier, the family moving from Pennsylvania to Ohio in an early day, and settling near Circleville, Pickaway County. Anthony was married in the fall of 1818, and in the spring of 1819 settled in this township, built a small cabin on "Garbland," and with one Staley, his father-in-law, began improving eighty acres of land, which was surveyed during that year. About 1828, Maj. Bowsher, as he was latterly called, erected a building at Bowsherville, and began keeping a hotel and store, which occupations he continued there for forty years. He had a race track, and for many years Bowsherville was a favorite rendezvous for equine sportsmen of this and adjoining counties. Maj. Bowsher is still living, and but a few months ago went from Upper Sandusky to Kansas to reside with his son. Others said to have located in the township in the years 1821, 1822 and 1823, are Alexander Frazier, Cornelius Wilson, Michael Harmon and Jacob Brewer.
In the spring of 1820, John Wilson built a log cabin eighteen feet square in Little Sandusky, and this, we are informed by good authority, was the first clapboard canopy that was erected in this township by the de- fenseless hands of the pale-faced inhabitants. The first schools were held in a log cabin on Section 10, the house having been occupied formerly by Anthony Bowsher for a dwelling. William Brown, from New Jersey, was the first teacher who taught "the young idea how to shoot" amid these humble surroundings. In.1824, the first school building of the township was erected by Michael Harmon and his neighbors on Mr. Harmon's land, the northeast quarter of Section 11, and here Mr. Brown instructed the youth at intervals for seven or eight years. Other early teachers were Will- iam Howe and Mary Howe. In the sixty years that have followed, the progress has been such that seven well-established schools have been founded, the buildings being erected on the respective Sections 11, 15, 23, 27, 31, 33 and 35.
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