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 112

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 112

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).

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PITT TOWNSHIP.

8,200 in a single year. His usual flock numbered about 7,000, but he is now disposing of his sheep, and stocking his lands with cattle. In 1871, he erected his handsome and commodious mansion one-half mile north of Fowler, at a cost of $15,000, and is still actively engaged in superintend- ing his large possessions. His marriage to Rachel S. Hall occurred April 6, 1847. She was a daughter of James Hall, a soldier in the war of 1812, and an early settler in Pickaway County, Ohio. Three children were born to them, two yet living-Sarah A., wife of Col. Cyrus Sears, and Ivy, wife of William L. Bones, a wholesale dry goods merchant of New York City, with residence on Staten Island. In September, 1867, Mrs. Harpster's death occurred, and Mr. H. was married, in 1877, to Miss Jane Maxwell, daughter of John Maxwell, and grand-daughter of William Maxwell, who edited and published the first newspaper of Cincinnati, his wife setting a portion of the type. Mrs. Harpster is a refined and accomplished lady, and a member of the Baptist Missionary Church. In politics, Mr. H. is a strong Republican without political aspirations. In selling lots for Fowler City, he has a clause inserted in each deed stipulating that intoxicating liquors shall not be sold thereon. He is one of the most highly respected citizens of the county, and has an extensive acquaintance throughout the State. He began life a poor boy, and under very unfavorable circumstances; but by his energy, perseverance and business tact, has amassed a fortune not ex- ceeded by that of any one in the county, owning at the present time 7, 520 acres of land, and a large amount of other stock of various kinds. Besides attending to his personal business affairs, Mr. Harpster has given some at- tention and contributed from his means to public enterprises, in all of which he has shown the same energy, and his efforts have been crowned with the same success. The C., H. V. & T. R. R., which has brought into the county many valued conveniences, had no firmer friend nor warmer sup- porter during its contemplated and constructive period than Mr. Harpster, and the people of this community owe more thanks to him than to any other one man, for the location and construction of that road. At the time of one of the first surveys, the line from Marion to Sandusky passed through Pitt Township, some distance east of where the road is now located. This was something of a disappointment to those living in the western part of the township, and as Mr. Harpster and others came home from visiting the sur- veyors on said east line, while passing along the Little Sandusky and Bow- sherville road, and as it happened within the present limits of the C., H. V. &. T. right-of-way, one of the party asked Mr. Harpster what he would give to have the railroad pass at that point. He replied, the right-of-way three and one-half miles, and a wool clip. And he proved as good as his word, for when the road was built he gave the offered right-of-way and took $10,000 stock, which he increased by purchases, until when the road changed hands, he received about $23,000 for his interest. He was the founder of Fowler City, named in honor of Mr. C. R. Fowler, and has encouraged and supported the business interests of that village. He gave generously toward the construction of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fowler.

SILAS S. HART, a native of Wayne County, Ohio, was born November 26, 1845, to Elijah and Catharine (Henning) Hart, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and Irish lineage. His parents came to Wayne County in 1838, and to this county in 1848. Their children were Eva A., Mary, William, Israel, Joanna, Samuel, Nancy, Silas, Samilda and Hiram. Eva A. and Elizabeth are deceased. The mother died July 15, 1881; the father is still living, in his seventy-eighth year. Silas S., our subject, obtained a

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

good education, having attended the Upper Sandusky High School two .. terms, and the Greensburg Seminary the same length of time. He began teaching at twenty one, and is now teaching his twenty-second term, en- gaged at, Little Sandusky. During summers he usually clerks in store, sells farm implements or books. Mr. Hart was married, March 5, 1874, to Eliza- beth Healy, the daughter of Jacob Healy, four children having resulted from this union-Alphonso J., born December 21, 1874; Irene G., July 15, 1878; Louis G., October 8, 1881; and Ora S., July 8, 1883. Mr. Hart is a Republican, and both he and Mrs. Hart are members of the German Re- formeded Church.

HENRY HERRING, a native of Canton Basel, Switzerland, was born August 25, 1826. He came to the United States with his parents in the spring of 1845, and settled in New Baltimore, Fairfield Co., Ohio. He stayed there until the fall of the same year, when he moved to Wyandot County, Ohio, and " worked around " several years, until finally he could buy a small piece of land. In June, 1855, he was married to Miss Mary M. Snyder, of Hancock County, Ohio, born May 18, 1835. To them were born five children-Louisa M., Anna E., Henry, John and Rosa B. Henry died the 27th of June, 1873, at the age of ten years. The others are all about grown. Some years ago Mr. Herring built a substantial brick dwell- ing, and now owns 500 acres of land of fair quality, and, should his life be spared, he can live on what he acquired in his younger years. -

BARNET HUGHES (deceased) was born in Greene County, Penn., September 16, 1808. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Swan) Hughes, pioneers, of Irish nationality. Barnet came to Ohio in 1827, having previ- ously married Sarah Walton, who, dying, left him three children-Thomas, Sarah and Simeon, the latter deceased. He was married, April 27, 1845, to Catharine E. Woodcock, daughter of John. L. and Margaret (Coons) Woodcock, natives of New York, and of English and German extraction. Her parents came to this county in 1837, settling near the site of Fowler, Their children were ten in number, Mrs. Hughes being the third. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were the parents of eleven children, eight living-Maria (wife of Orren Straw), Iva (wife of B. W. Martin), Augustus, John C. F., Catha- rine B. (wife of W. S. Harvey), James L., Samuel H. and William S. The deceased were John L., Mary M. and Louis S. Mr. Hughes began in stock dealing quite young, and continued the business till his death, at which time he owned 1,000 acres of land in one tract. He was an expert hunter and an admirer of fast horses, of which he reared and sold many. He was a Republican, and served as Trustee several terms. He died No- vember 26, 1873, leaving an estate of $60,000. His widow still resides on the old homestead of 326 acres, which is tilled by her sons Samuel and William. She is now, in her fifty-eighth year, strong and healthful.

JAMES LINDSEY HUGHES, son of Barnet and Catharine E. (Wood- cock) Hughes, was born June 9, 1860. He is a native of Pitt Township, and was educated in the district schools, remaining at home till his marriage to Miss Belle Young, February 9, 1882. She was a daughter of Edward and Sarah (Kerr) Young; she was born June 24, 1861; was educated in the common district school, and commenced teaching school when she was six- teen years old, and taught until she was married. Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have one child, Jamie B., born January 12, 1883. Mr. Hughes inherited seventy acres of land from his father's estate, and erected a comfortable residence in 1883. He is a Republican, and a substantial, hard-working citizen.

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PITT TOWNSHIP.

AMBROSE C. HUNT is a native of this township, born October 10, 1841; his parents are Snowden and Lydia (Updegraff) Hunt, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, the latter of German ancestry. They came to this county soon after their marriage in 1827, and settled on the present homestead, purchasing first eighty acres, and adding to this till his possessions embraced 505 acres. Their children were Ambrose C., William S., Elvira, Nancy and Elmira. The father died in 1851, aged thirty-six years, the mother in 1878, aged sixty-two .. At her husband's death she was left with five children (the oldest less than thirteen years) which she reared, and in the mean time paid for one hundred acres of land. Am- brose Hunt remained on the homestead, farming and dealing in stock till his marriage, May 6, 1877, to Miss Jennie, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Stillwagoner) Swartz, born November 11, 1846. They have one child- Iva A., born April 1, 1879. In 1878, Mr. Hunt purchased the hotel property at Fowler, which he conducted four years, disposing of the same October 1, 1883, and engaging in the stock business; he inherited 102 acres from, his father's estate, all in good condition, valued at $100 per acre; he was a member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards, and participated in the action at Berry- ville, being discharged at the close of the 100-day service. Mr. Hunt is a strong Republican and good citizen. Mrs. Hunt is a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church.

WILLIAM S. HUNT was born in this township November 18, 1850; he is a son of Snowden and Lydia (Updegraff) Hunt, old residents of this county. (See sketch of A. C. Hunt.) He was educated in the common schools, aban- doning his studies at the age of twenty; he remained at home assisting about the farm, of which he assumed full charge for a number of years; on his mother's decease, he inherited 102} acres of land, valued at $75 per acre, and which he has largely improved; he owns the old homestead, the residence having been erected in 1869, at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Hunt is a Republican and unmarried; he has two sisters-Elvira and Nancy Hunt, the former born March 9, 1844, the latter August 22, 1846. They received the education afforded by the district schools, and remained at home with their parents till the latter's death, at which time they each came into possession of 1022 acres of land, which has since received their attention. The farms are valued at $75 and $50 per acre respectively, and tilled by renters or tenants. In 1883, they erected on the farm of the latter a hand- some residence, costing $1,700, and in which they will henceforth abide. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and highly esteemed as ladies of keen business tact, good judgment and character.

GEORGE I. HOKE is a native of Crawford County, Ohio, born Sep- tember 20, 1853; son of William and Henrietta (Smith) Hoke, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1834, settling in Crawford County, Ohio, where he established a cabinet shop, and did an extensive business; he was an expert in the art of inlaying bone, brass, ivory, etc., and brought. with him from Germany an outfit of tools presented to him by his employer at the close of his apprenticeship for the mastery of his trade; he spent many years in Strasburg, his handiwork being among some of the finest in Europe; he died in 1873, aged fifty seven years. The mother died in 1863. George Hoke, the subject of this sketch, was given a common school educa- tion, and at sixteen began work in a sash and door factory, subsequently with J. Stoll & Co., entering the carriage shops of Seider & Beidler, of Upper Sandusky, in whose employ he remained six years. In 1879, he

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

formed a partnership with M. B. Myers in the manufacture of wagons, buggies, etc., at Fowler, where they are doing a flourishing business. Mr. Hoke was married, March 12, 1874, to Mary Fought. daughter of Aaror Fought, and three children have been born to them -- William F., Martha R. and Rolley. In politics, Mr. Hoke is a strong temperance Democrat; as a citizen ho is highly osteomod.

CHARLES HORNBY was born in Lancashire, England, August 5, 1830, son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Cottam) Hornby, parents of cight chil dren, the father a butcher by trade. Ho began the tailor's trade as an apprentice at the age of cleven, serving nine years, and emigrated to the United States in 1856. He came directly to Little Sandusky, having a cash capital of 40 cents, and engaged as a farm laborer for S. M. Fowler, by whom he was employed seven years. In 1863, he rented a small shop in the burg, and gradually established his now thriving merchant tailoring business. His first bill of goods was purchased at a cost of $200; he now carries a stock of $3,000 in ready-made and piece goods, notions, etc. Mr. Hornby was married, July 18, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Bradley, and four children were born to them -- Alice (wife of Hiram Fowler). Della (wife of Frank Stoneburner), Ernest and Maud. Mrs. Hornby died in 1869, aged thirty-three years, and Mr. H. was married April 12, 1871, to Mary Martin, daughter of C. S. Martin. (See sketch of B. W. Martin.) This latter marriage has resulted in the birth of four children, viz., Roy, Floy, Edward and a babe unchristened. Mr. and Mrs. Hornby are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the former being Steward of the same and Superintendent of the Sunday school, both well respected throughout their community.

HENRY C. JURY is a native of this county, born in Antrim Township November 15, 1837. His parents were Abner and Priscilla (Winslow) Jury, natives of Virginia and New York respectively. They were married in this county in 1836, having come to Ohio with their parents a number of years before, settling in this county. They purchased a farm of 100 acres, and were the parents of seven children-Henry C., John R., Sarah J., Margaret, Samuel W., Olivo and Cyrus (the latter deceased). The father died in 1851, aged forty years; the mother is still living, a resident of this county, in her sixty-sixth year. After the death of his father, Mr. Jury assisted in maintaining the family till his twenty-sixth year. He farmed rented land one year; bought and sold stock one year, and in 1866 removed to Missouri, where he purchased 180 acres in Henry County, where he resided

eleven years. In 1877, he returned to this county; resided one year at Nevada, dealing in stock, and then engaged in farming on the old home- stead, where he remained till October, 1883. when he purchased his present hotel property and engaged in that business. Mr. Jury was married, August 25, 1863, to Julia A. Roseberry, daughter of John and Amanda (Garrett) Roseberry, early sottlers of Crawford County, and eight children have been born to them -- Howard J., C. Edward, Clara A., Mary E., Olive J., Minnie G., John B. and Anna. Mr. Jury is a thorough Democrat, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mre. Jury is a member of the Presby terian Church, and both are highly respected as citizens

JOHNSTON KERR. deceased, born March 11, 1810, in Pennsylvania, is a son of James Kerr, who came to Knox County, Ohio, with his family in 1812. Early in lifo our subject learned the blacksmith's trade, which Le plied twelve years, his wife working in the shop with him, "blowing and striking." He married Miss Celinda Moore March 11, 1833, she being the

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PITT TOWNSHIP.

daughter of John and Mary Moore, and by this marriage the children were Lorenzo, Caroline (wife of J. C. Lynch), Orville, Eli, Oregon and La Fayette; four others are deceased. He removed to Marion County, and entered 160 acres, on which he resided twenty years, dealing extensively in stock. In 1856, he sold his possessions in Marion County, and removed to this, purchasing 400 acres, and owning 900 at the time of his death. He still engaged in stock-dealing, and at his death left an estate of $85,000 to $90,000. He died August 20, 1873. His widow still resides in Little San- dusky. She was born June 14, 1813.

MICHAEL KOTTERMAN was born in Northumberland County, Penn., July 5, 1807 ; his parents were Michael and Catharine (Hettrick) Kotter- man, natives of same State, and of German descent. His father spent six months in the war of 1812. Our subject attended school nine months, farmed till his twentieth year, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he engaged in twenty-one years. In 1848, he purchased his present home, first consisting of 80 acres, now 187, valued at $75 per acre. He was married, April 30, 1831, to Miss Sarah King, daughter of Peter and Mary (Witmore) King, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively, and early settlers of Perry County, Ohio, coming to that locality about 1810, and rearing a family of fourteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Kotterman are parents of nine children-Caroline, wife of Edward Montee ; Susan S., wife of James S. Sankey ; Solomou, Noah, David, and Ellen, wife of Levi Swinehart. The deceased are Mary, an infant, and Levi, killed in the bat- tle of Bull Run, second. They began life with meager means, but have amassed a fortune of $15,000. Mr. Kotterman is a Democrat ; both himself and wife members of the United Brethren Church at Little Sandusky.

SOLOMON KOTTERMAN, son of Michael and Saloma (King) Kotterman, was born in Perry County, Ohio, February 22, 1839. The early part of his life was passed at home, and in work for his immediate neighbors. He was married. September 28, 1862, to Miss Matilda Foucht, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Weimer) Foucht, and six children were born to them- Leefee B., May 14, 1864; Adella C., November 9, 1866; Elizabeth E., May 13, 1871; Charles A., June 30, 1874 ; Nevin T., March 16, 1880, and H. Franklin, born January 18, 1881, died March 5, 1881. Mr. Kotterman purchased his present farm of 107 acres, paying $45 per acre. He erected his comfortable residence at a cost of $1,500 in 1880, and now values his farm at $80 per acre. Politically, Mr. Kotterman is a Democrat; he is serving his fourth year as Trustee ; was two years Constable, twice elected Assessor, is a member of the Board of Agriculture, and, with his wife, of the German Reformed Church, of which he has been a Deacon for the past sixteen years.

GEORGE KRAMER, son of John and Elizabeth (Orsendorf) Kramer, is a native of Pennsylvania, born March 3, 1820. His parents were of German descent. His father was drafted (did not serve) in the war of 1812. Their children living are John, Samuel and George ; the deceased are Hen- ry, Michael, Elizabeth, Catharine and Jacob. The father died in his sev- enty-eighth, the mother in her seventieth year. At seventeen, our subject began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he followed thirty years. He came to Ohio and located in Wayne County in 1842, to Ashland County in 1846, and to this county in 1852. He first purchased 80 acres, but has added to this till he now owns 155. He has cleared 120 acres and made many other improvements, erecting a comfortable residence, at a cost of $1,200, in 1869-70. Mr. Kramer was married in 1844 to Miss Anna C. Thorn, daughter of Frederick Thorn. They had eight children-John H.,

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

William T., George D., Samuel D., Margaret, Elizabeth, Sarah A. and Lodema. Mrs. Kramer was born February 5, 1821. In politics, Mr. Kra- mer is a Democrat ; both himself and wife are members of the German Reformed Church, of which he was both Deacon and Elder many years.

SUMNER E. LEWIS, born in this township December 19, 1856, is a son of Stanton J. and Wealtha M. (Stanton) Lewis. (See sketch.) He assisted about his father's farm and attended the district school, closing his studies in the high school of Upper Sandusky at the age of twenty. He was married in 1877, to Miss Sylvia Boyer, daughter of Jacob and Mary A. (Miller) Boyer, her father dying when she was but one year of age. They have two children-Ora S., born January 13, 1878, and Stanton J., May 13, 1880. Mrs. Lewis was born October 13, 1860. Mr. Lewis inher- ited 120 acres from his father's estate, and this he has improved in various ways. He built a neat cottage in 1878, and a fine barn in 1883. He is a Republican in politics, and well respected socially.

MILES S. LEWIS was born in this township January 3, 1849. He is a son of Stanton J. and Wealtha M. (Stanton) Lewis, natives of New York, and of English descent. His father was employed in a carding mill in Genesee County, N. Y., before marriage, which occurred in 1844, migrating to Ohio the same year. He settled in Marion County, where he engaged in farming and school teaching. In 1847, he entered 160 acres, where his widow now resides. Their children were Miles S. and S. Everett, living, and Minerva C., Julia C. and William S. Mr. Lewis was highly respected, serving as Clerk and Trustee of his township several years. He died Jan- uary 12, 1880, aged sixty-three years ; his widow still survives, she was born April 19, 1818. Miles Lewis, the subject of this sketch, received a good education in the common branches, taught one term, and tilled the "home farm" till his father's decease, when he inherited and purchased 160 acres, which he has well stocked and improved. He was married, June 22, 1871, to Miss Kate Stoneburner, daughter of Noah and Magdalena (Hite) Stoneburner, and two children have been born to them-Clara M., born June 22, 1872, and Princess M., October 7, 1875. Mrs. Lewis was born February 14, 1855. Politically, Mr. Lewis is a Republican ; himself and wife are highly esteemed in their community.

GODFRED LININGER was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, August 22, 1843, son of John and Mary (Struan) Lininger, who emigrated from Germany about 1814, locating in Upper Sandusky. The father died December 11, 1871; the mother still survives. Godfred resided with his parents for twenty-five years, farming and operating a threshing machine. His first wife, Addie, died August 1, 1879, leaving five children-Frank W., born May 23, 1869; Mary M., born April 9, 1873; Harry D., March 1, 1876; Carrie V., October 29, 1878; Elnora M. is deceased. Mr. Lininger was again married, February 19, 1880, to Arinda C. Eakin, born March 29, 1856, daughter of James and Mary E. (Weatherby) Eakin, three children resulting-Thomas B., born December 2, 1880; Bertha E., March 31, 1882, and Godfred, July 26, 1883. Mr. Lininger rented his father's farm one year, then purchased forty acres of the James farm, where he resided two years, and purchased his present farm of forty acres in 1874. He has made many improvements, building a fine bank barn in 1883. He is a Democrat in politics, and himself and wife both church members.

B. W. MARTIN was born in Little Sandusky, Ohio, December 25, 1848. He is a son of Caleb S. and Elizabeth (Coons) Martin, natives of Maryland and New York respectively. They came to this locality in 1835,

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the father, a shoe-maker by trade, still a resident of the above village. Their children were Burke W., Mary P., Alice L., Charles R. and Minerva, the two latter deceased. The mother is also still living. B. W., the sub- ject of this sketch, was engaged in daily and monthly labor and in clerking till twenty-one years of age, obtaining a fair education in the meantime. He then purchased the grocery stock of J. F. Myers, and has since engaged in mercantile business, first independently, then with William Montee, next with J. L. Lewis, the present firm of Martin & Whittker being established in 1874. They do a thriving business, dealing in all kinds of country prod- uce. Mr. Martin was married, October 4, 1871, to Miss Ivy E. Hughes,

daughter of Barnet and Catharine E. Hughes. They have four children- Luella M., Alice B., Charles S. and Sidney W. Besides their stock in store, the firm also owns 150 acres of land in good repair, valued at $65 per acre. In politics, Mr. Martin is a Democrat.

JOHN MAWER is a native of Lincolnshire, England, born February . 2, 1833, son of Thompson and Mary (Boxter) Mawer. He obtained a limited education; began " working out " at the age of ten at 6 cents per day; began life for himself at the age of fifteen at $1 per month, and sailed for America in 1861. He located in Marion County, worked the first year by the month, afterward renting, and still later buying forty acres (1863) for $250. He bought and sold several different farms, purchasing his present homestead of 146 acres in 1878. Mr. Mawer was married, July 31, 1863, to Agnes A. Lane, widow of James Lane, by whom she had two children-Betsey T. and L. Jane, the latter deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Mawer have three children-Francis O., born May 7, 1864; Sherman D., August 17, 1865, and Marcellus G., October 10, 1870. Mr. Mawer is a Republican, himself and wife being members of the church.

THOMAS McCLAIN, son of David and Martha (Swan) McClain, was born in Greene County, Penn., February 29, 1816. His parents were of Scotch ancestry, his great-grandfather coming from Scotland. His grand- father, Abijah McClain, was a Revolutionary soldier and his father a soldier of the war of 1812, helping to build the fort at Upper Sandusky, and wit- nessing the treaty of peace with the Wyandots. His father migrated to Ohio in 1835, and settled at Bowsherville, buying 400 acres of land with Barnet Hughes. He was the father of thirteen children-three by his first wife, Martha Swan, and ten by his second, Rebecca West. He died in 1852; his first wife's death occurred in 1820. Thomas McClain obtained a limited education in subscription schools, and worked upon the farm of his father, coming to this county with the family. He was married, January 26, 1837, to Rosanna Bowsher, daughter of Anthony Bowsher, from whom the village was named. She died in 1852, aged thirty-two years, leaving eight chil- dren-David, Leefee, Susan and Thomas (all deceased), Martha, Anthony, Samuel, Zelinda and Ann. In 1853, Mr. McClain was married to Miss Mary Kipfer, daughter of John and Elizabeth Kipfer, three children result- ing from this union-Rozilla (wife of Henry Swisher), James and Charles. He purchased his first land, 134 acres, at the Government sales, and this number he has increased to 432 acres, 248 in Mifflin Township, all well stocked and improved. In 1872, he erected a fine brick residence. In pol- itics, Mr. McClain is Independent; he has served as Trustee of the town. ship, and was elected Commissioner of the county three successive terms, always by large majorities.

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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 112

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

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