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 113

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 113

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CLAY MILLER was born in Pitt Township February 20, 1846. His . parents were William and Sophia (Karr) Miller, natives of Kentucky and

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

Ohio respectively, and of German and Scotch-Irish descent. His maternal great-grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier. William Miller came to Ohio in 1833, locating first in Marion County, but later leasing land of the Indians and purchasing at the Government. land sales 720 acres, to which he added till at his death he owned 1,000 acres. He was an extensive stock-dealer, and served as Justice of the Peace about twenty years. His nine children were Gilford D., Rebecca, America, Jordan, Elizabeth, George, Charles, Ellen and Clay. George is deceased. The first four children were borne by Mr. Miller's first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gordon. The father died in 1864, aged sixty six, the mother, February 18, 1881, aged seventy-three. Clay Miller, the subject of this sketch, was edu- cated in the district schools, worked upon the farm and at eighteen enlisted in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guard, participating in one skirmish, and retiring at the close of his " 100 day " service. At his father's death he inherited 100 acres, now owning 400, one of the best farms in the township. He makes a specialty of sheep- raising, now owning 1,200 head. His residence was consumed by fire April 14,1883, and he is now erecting a fine new dwellimg with all the modern improvements. Mr. Miller was married, October 27, 1870, to Miss Mary Kerr, daughter of James and Jane (Ellis) Kerr, and four children have been born to them-William Mc., born August 28, 1871; Maggie, March 30, 1873; James D., January 10, 1876; Harry C., February 24, 1883. Mr. Miller is a Republican and at present Trustee. Mrs. Miller was eight years a teacher in the public schools.

WILLIAM MOUSER is a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born March 3, 1808. His parents, James and Polly (Potts) Mouser, were natives of Vir- ginia and of German and Irish descent. His paternal grandfather, a soldier of the French and Indian war, was captured by the savages and condemned to be burned at the stake, but a heavy rain occurring on the night before his execution loosened the thongs by which he was bound, and he escaped to the fort, which, after falling into a pool of water and being shot at several times by the guards, who mistook him for a spy, he succeeded in entering. Mr. Mouser's maternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His parents came to Ohio in an early day and reared a family of twelve children. William is the fourth son and was educated in the common schools, residing with his parents till his marriage, which occurred January 2, 1834; his marriage to Elizabeth S. Anderson was blest with six children. She died June 30, 1869, leaving three sons-Decatur, Mason and David, the three daughters having died young. He was married March 17, 1872, to Miss Henrietta Webb, born October 6, 1832, daughter of Elisha and Mary (Faulk- ner) Webb. Their only offspring-George W., was born March 1, 1875. Mr. Mouser rented land about eight years, purchasing his present farm in 1847, being compelled to clear the timber from the site on which to erect his cabin. He has always been a hard worker and an enterprising citizen. He is a Democrat and has served as Trustee of his township about seven years.

DAVID D. MOUSER, son of William and Elizabeth S. (Anderson) Mouser, was born in Pitt Township July 18, 1852. He was educated in the common schools and has always resided on the old homestead. He was married, June 2, 1879, to Miss Sarah Evens, a native of Pennsyl- vania, and two children have blessed their union-Paul, born July 5, 1880, and Myna, born August 8, 1882. Mrs. Mouser was born August 16, 1862. Mr. Mouser is an industrious and enterprising farmer, giving most of his

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attention to the cultivation of cereals of various kinds; he has kept a minute account of his daily proceedings for the past sixteen years, now writing his fifth volume. In politics, Mr. Mouser is a Democrat. He is a member of Old-School Baptist Church at " Rocky Fork," having united with that sect in 1875.

M. BAKER MYERS, of the firm of Hoke & Myers, was born at the In- dian mills near Upper Sandusky, November 2, 1855. He is a son of George and Elizabeth Myers, who came from Cumberland County, Penn., in 1848, and purchased the old mill referred to. Mr. Myers obtained a fair educa- tion in the union schools at Upper Sandusky, abandoning his studies at the age of sixteen, and entering the shops of Seider & Beidler, where he en- gaged in the blacksmith's trade, and worked about seven years for that firm. In 1879, he formed a partnership with G. I. Hoke, in blacksmithing and wagon manufacturing at Fowler, where they have built up an extensive and lucrative business, having as large a trade as any establishment of the size in the county. Mr. Myers is a strong advocate of temperance, and is an industrious and enterprising young man of good character.

CHRISTIAN NIEDERHAUSER is a native of Switzerland, born in Canton Berne, January 8, 1822; his parents, David and Elizabeth (Eausey) Niederhauser, were natives of the same country, and emigrated in 1832, settling in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, rearing a family of nine chil- dren, two living-David and Christian; John, Frederick, Samuel, Eliz- abeth, Ann and two infants are deceased. Our subject obtained the rudiments of an education, and September 2, 1847, married Miss Elizabeth Knaus, daughter of Thomas and Susanna (Richman) Knaus, born May 29, 1820; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. Mr. N.'s grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. N. have but three children living-Elizabeth (wife of John Brant), John and Susan. The deceased are David, Edward, Benja. min F. and two infants. Mr. Niederhauser purchased his present farm in 1846, then 83 acres, now 123, much of which was forest land cleared by himself and wife. He erected a "bank" barn costing $700 in 1868, a brick house costing $1,000 in 1870, and a fine windmill in 1883. Mrs. N. received a stroke of paralysis in 1874, and has since been an invalid, hav- ing lost the entire use of her limbs. Mr. N. is a Democrat in politics, and both are members of the Reformed Church.

JOHN NIEDERHAUSER, son of the above, was born December 3, 1852; he made his home with his parents till his marriage to Miss Rosanna E. Sig- ler, January 27, 1876. Her parents are William and Rosanna (Mitchel) Sigler, natives of Pennsylvania and residents of Eden Township. Mr. and Mrs. Niederhauser are parents of four children-Neven O., born July 6, 1878; Emma B., March 20, 1881; Christian E., August 26, 1883, and an infant deceased. Mrs. N. was born July 6, 1849. Since his marriage, Mr. N. has tilled his father's farm. He purchased sixty-six acres near this in 1882, and during the past five years has operated a Huber thresher. He is a Democrat, and both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church.

ISAAC NUTTER, son of Christopher and Elizabeth (McIntire) Nutter, was born in Harrison County, Va., May 1, 1826. His parents were natives of Virginia, and lived and died in the "Old Dominion." His father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and reared a family of fifteen children, our subject being the youngest. Not having the advantages of free schools, his education is limited. He came to Ohio in 1853, and located in this county.

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October 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty- third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was engaged only at Win- chester, being wounded before having an opportunity to fire his gun. Being wounded in the arm, amputation of the member was necessary, as a result of which he receives a pension of $30 per month. Mr. Nutter was married, December 11, 1848, to Margaret E., daughter of Isaac and Edith (Sivel) Duff, natives of Virginia, and of Irish descent. Eight children have been born to this union-John A., Edith (wife of Cornelius Brewer), William, Almedia (wife of John Miller), Laura B. (wife of Samuel Smith, deceased), Margaret (wife of Samuel Miller) and Isaac N., the two latter deceased. The mother was born November 28, 1829. Mr. Nutter purchased his little farm in 1865. He is a strong Republican.

WILLIAM PARKER, son of Thomas and Eliza (Smith) Parker, was born in Lincolnshire, England, May 22, 1839. He worked several years in his native country at 8 cents to 16 cents per day, and emigrated to America in 1837; he made his home with his uncle, Mr. Plum, and did daily labor two years, when he began farming for himself; he was married December 17, 1861, to Elizabeth, daughter of Christopher Wise. They had three children, two living- William H. and John F .; Mary E. is deceased. Mrs. Parker died April 27, 1866, aged twenty-six years, and Mr. Parker was mar- ried October 8, 1868, to Miss Eliza Marsh, daughter of Mahlon Marsh. In 1870, he purchased a farm of forty acres, valued at $80 per acre, and in 1876 added twelve acres near Fowler, erecting a fine residence, costing $2,000, in 1878. Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, he being a Republican in politics.

WALTER R. ROWSE was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, July 29, 1852, to Quincy A. and Rebecca E. (Sweney) Rowse, natives of Ohio, and of German lineage. His grandfather Rowse was an early settler of Crawford County, helping to lay out the town of Bucyrus, serving as Justice of the Peace many years, and also as Clerk of court. The children of the family are Walter R., Lincoln R., Lucy T., Robert, Henry, Silas, William H., Edwin R. and Clarence, the four latter deceased. The mother died in 1860; the father was married three times and died February 19, 1878. His father's aunt carried a musket in the war of 1812, dressed in male attire, acting as a spy. Walter Rowse was educated in the public schools of Bucyrus, re- moving to the farm with his parents in 1869. He was married, January 4, 1876, to Miss Cornelia Straw, born December 5, 1859, daughter of David and Rebecca (Williams) Straw. The children from this marriage are Quincy A., born October 1, 1876; Frank N., August 4, 1878; Arthur C., December 17, 1880; Racy M., September 18, 1882. Mrs. Rowse inherited 363 acres from her father's estate, and the same is well stocked and im- proved. Mr. and Mrs. Rowse are located in a pleasant home and highly esteemed as citizens.

JOHN T. SCHUG, born in Prussia September 20, 1826, is a son of Nicholas and Catharine (Rauch) Schug. Being too low in stature to be- come a member of the German Army, he came to America in 1849, and in 1858 came to Little Sandusky, residing with his mother-in-law two years, farming and smithing. Prior to this, he was engaged several years travel- ing and repairing all kinds of machinery, and in the spring of 1851 opened a blacksmith shop at Canal Dover, where he conducted a successful business seven years. In 1860, Mr. Schug moved to the village of Little Sandusky, and where he has built up a good trade. He was married in the autumn of 1851 to Barbara Manerer, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Manerer, na-

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tives of Switzerland, this union being followed by six children, of whom but one, Frederick J., is now living. Mrs. Schug died August 27, 1879, and Mr. S. was married, October 14, 1880, to Mrs. Sarah J. Bower, daughter of John and Susan Swartz. Her children by her first husband were Mary, wife of Charles Fichter; Susan and David H. Mr. Schug is doing a good business, having the leading shop in town, in connection with which his step-son, David Bower, conducts a wagon shop. In politics, Mr. Schug is a Democrat; he is a member of the German Reformed, and his wife of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

COL. CYRUS SEARS is a native of Delhi Township, Delaware Co., N. Y., born March 10, 1832. His parents were Elkanalı and Desiar (Phelps) Sears, whose history is elsewhere detailed. (See sketch of J. D. Sears). Cyrus Sears, the subject of this sketch, removed with his parents to a farm near Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1836, where he resided till about 1852, attending the district schools during winters in the mean- time. He afterward attended the Union Schools of Bucyrus one year; taught one term; took a course in book-keeping, and while waiting for a business opening, learned the art of telegraphy. He was employed one year by T. Stout & Co., of Upper Sandusky, as book-keeper, and in the spring of 1855 began the study of law with his brother J. D. Sears at Upper Sandusky, subsequently entering the Cincinnati Law School, where he graduated at the close of the first term, but attended a second course of lectures as a more thorough preparation for his work. After spending about one year in the employ of Messrs. Ferguson & Long, he located in Bucyrus one year and then formed a partnership with his brother, J. D. Sears, with whom he remained till 1861. Mr. Sears then removed to Cin- cinnati and engaged in the practice of his profession, but soon joined the Burnet Rifle Company, of which ex-President Hayes was first Captain, and ex-Gov. Noyes and many other since distinguished men were privates. In July, 1861, Mr. Sears began recruiting the Eleventh Ohio Independent Battery, and August 12, of the same year, was mustered into it as private, serving till March 22, 1866. He was commissioned First Lieutenant of said Battery October 12, 1861, and for gallant and meritorious conduct, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment Louisiana Vol- unteers, soon after known as the Forty-ninth Regiment United States Colored Infantry. Owing to the absence or disability of the Colonel, Mr. Sears was in command of this regiment during twenty-seven of the thirty- five months of its service, and as evidence of his efficiency Gen. Rosecrans indorsed, in his own hand, the order of his brigade commander, sending him home on recruiting service after the battle of Iuka, and recommended that he should be permitted to go, on account of gallant conduct. This order was also indorsed favorably by Gen. U. S. Grant, who, also, in his own hand, recommended him for promotion for gallant conduct. His pro-

motion was also recommended and his general good conduct commended by several more of the most prominent officers in the service by letters and orders, which he now has in his possession, but which are too numerous and extended for insertion in this sketch. That portion of Gen. Rose- crans' order referring to the action of the Eleventh Ohio Battery, under Col. Sears, in the above battle is as follows: "The Eleventh Ohio Battery under Lieut. Sears was served with unequaled bravery under circumstances of danger and exposure such as rarely, perhaps never, have fallen to the lot of a single battery during the war." Col. Sears was severely wounded in this battle by a musket ball. On May 27, 1865, he was married to Sarah

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

A. Harpster, daughter of David and Rachel (Hall) Harpster. (See sketch.) He took his bride to Vicksburg, Miss., from whence he was soon placed in command of the District of Yazoo City, where they spent the summer of 1865. At the close of the war, our subject returned to Upper Sandusky and resumed his legal profession, in the course of which he made the argument credited to J. D. and C. Sears, in the case of Shaffer vs. McKee in the 19th Ohio State Report, which argument received the compliment of the court (see report), and attests the ability of its author. During the summer and fall of 1867, he was engaged in reporting the proceedings of the Louisiana Senate at New Orleans, and while there, reported the celebrated Pinchback speech so extensively circulated. By rigid economy, Mr. Sears was enabled to save about $6,000 of his military wages, and this with $1,000 more, was totally lost in an attempt to raise a crop of cotton near Vicksburg im- mediately after the close of the war. Hoping to more speedily retrieve his broken fortune, he abandoned the legal profession and purchased a half- interest in the machine works of Upper Sandusky, where for several years a profitable business was conducted under the firm name of Stevenson & Sears. This firm being dissolved, he established himself in the mercantile business in the new village of Fowler in 1876, where he is still engaged and where he has erected one of the finest homes in the county. He has four children-Horace H., aged seventeen; Iva R., fourteen; Fanny E., eleven, and Laura J., the latter but ten months old. During his attendance at the law school, Mr. Sears boarded himself as a necessary economic measure, living so plainly as to reduce his expenses to less than $1 per week, but notwithstanding this he was one of the most athletic in the school, being one of the few chosen from about 1,500 members of the Young Men's Gymnasium, to take part in their public exhibitions, and, at his present age, is a man of remarkable physical health, strength and activity, who bids fair to reach threescore and ten years in a good stage of preservation.

DAVID SMITH (deceased), son of Daniel and Mary E. (Duddleson) Smith, was born in this county March 9, 1829. His parents were of En- glish parentage, natives of New York. He obtained a fair education, and October 13, 1851, was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Blackburn, daughter of William and Mary (Blackburn) Blackburn, natives of West- moreland County, Penn. She was born June 19, 1829. Her parents came to this county in 1836, and purchased land in Tymochtee Township. Their ten children are all living, viz., Sarah A., Thomas, Ruth, Rebecca, Moses, John, Ellen, Isaac, Page and Elizabeth. The father died April 14, 1854; the mother is still living, in her eighty-fourth year, residing with her daughter Rebecca. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith- Zachariah, Mary E., Augustus and William, the latter deceased. Mr. Smith inherited the farm where Mrs. Smith now resides, and made most of the improvements thereon. He died August 24, 1861 (killed by a log rolling upon him), leaving his widow with three children, which she has carefully reared. She has a life lease of the estate, 280 acres, her son Augustus and daughter Mary residing with her.

ZACHARIAH T. SMITH, son of David and Rebecca (Blackburn) Smith, was born in this county September 10, 1851. His father dying while his son was yet young, the latter obtained but a limited education. He tilled the farm under the direction of his mother till he was twenty-one years of age, at which time he inherited about ninety-five acres, which he has since since cultivated, living at the old home. He makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs, Merino sheep and Plymouth Rock chickens. He

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was married, October 5, 1875, to Miss Sarah E. McLain, daughter of Abra- ham and Catharine A. (Berlein) McLain, and two children have been born to them-Jennette, August 11, 1876, and Paul, born November 8, 1880. Mrs. Smith was born October 30, 1857. Mr. Smith is a Republican, and has served as Justice for the past six years. He is Master of the County Grange (of which Mrs Smith is also a member) and Statistician of this county for the Agricultural Department at Washington, D. C. He is an enterprising young farmer and a good citizen.

JOHN H. SMITH, born in Richland County, Ohio, November 13, 1817, is a son of John H. and Elizabeth (Kiefer) Smith, natives of Maryland, and of German descent. His parents were married in Harrison County, and moved directly to Richland about 1815, entering 160 acres. Their children were John H., Henry, Elizabeth, Solomon, Margaret, Maria, Sarah and Ja- cob. The family removed in 1865 to Wood County, where the father died in 1875, aged eighty-six years; the mother in 1866, aged seventy-four. Mr. Smith rented land several years, coming in 1849 to this county, where he purchased his present farm in 1851. This farm contains 160 acres, all well-improved, provided with a good residence erected in 1859, at a cost of $1,000. He also owns ninety-one acres in Wood County. He was married, April 22, 1841, to Miss Sarah Wirick, daughter of Henry and Catharine (Spade) Wirick, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. Her parents settled in Richland County in 1821. Her father died January 7, 1879, aged ninety years; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, fighting in the battle of Fort McHenry. Her mother died January 9, 1878, aged sev- enty. seven. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had five children-Mary E. (wife of Will- iam B. Wolsey), Franklin H., Lodemie (wife of S. P. Balliet), Samantha (wife of Samuel Suder, deceased), Almarine A. (wife of Samuel Bowman). Mrs. Smith was born March 18, 1822. In politics, Mr. Smith is a Demo- crat, voting first for Van Buren.

JOHN W. SNYDER, born December 17, 1837, is a native of Richland County, Ohio. His parents were Vatchel and Mary A. (Hull) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish and German nativity. His great- grandfather came from Ireland, and was a soldier in the Revolution. His parents came to Ohio when his father was but a lad of ten or twelve years. They settled in Mansfield, and reared a family of five children- Nancy, Drusilla, Mary A., John W. and Rebecca M. The father died, aged seventy-five years; the mother passed away in 1869. Mr. John Sny- der, our subject, remained at home with his parents till twenty-four years of age, farming and learning the carpenter's trade. His marriage to Eliza A. Snyder occurred April 24, 1862, she being a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Willhelem) Snyder, natives of Pennsylvania. The children by this marriage are Mary E., born June 4, 1863; John W., Jr., September 20, 1864; Edward V., March 1, 1866; Jonas V., April 25, 1867; Ida M., Octo- bor 20, 1868; William H., November 19, 1882. Mrs. Snyder was born February 3, 1844. After marriage, Mr. Snyder worked at his trade a few years; engaged in saw milling four years; farmed rented land afterward till purchasing his present farm in 1875. During the past six years he has paid somne attention to grapes and other small fruits, doing a very profitable business. In politics, Mr. Snyder is a Democrat.

HIRAM STALTER was born in Frederick County, Md., December 6, 1808. He is a son of Henry and Rachel (Moler) Stalter, the former born at sea, the latter in Maryland. His father was a soldier of the Revolution. In 1818, his parents came to Perry County, where they spent the remainder

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of their days. Of their fourteen children, but three are living-William, Julia A. and Hiram. The father died in 1840, aged sixty-four years; the mother in 1860, aged eighty-three years. Hiram Stalter, our subject, re- ceived but a limited education, and at sixteen learned the carpenter's trade, which he pursued many years. He rented land a few years, purchased a saw mill about 1834. and, three years later, traded the mill for 200 acres in Allen County. This farm he sold in 1845, and purchased 120 acres where he now resides, his entire farm consisting of 305 acres, valued at $65 per acre. Mr. Stalter was married, September 24, 1828, to Anna Teler, who died fifteen years later. Their children were David, John, Julia A., Malin- da, Mary M .; Hiram and Lydia A. are deceased. Mr. Stalter married Louisa Dennison March 14, 1844, and she dying October 29, 1851, left one . child living, Ann L., and three deceased-Victoria E., Emaline and Har- riet. January 1, 1852, Mr. Stalter was married to Miss Catharine Brant, daughter of Christina and Anna (Ellenberger) Brant, who emigrated from Switzerland in 1845. Three children were born of this union-Mary E., Hiram T. and William B. Their mother was born September 17, 1832. In politics, Mr. Stalter is a Democrat. Himself and wife are both members of the German Reformed Church.

NOAH STONEBURNER was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 2, 1823. He is a son of Jobn and Catharine (Bretz) Stoneburner, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively, and of German and French descent. His paternal grandfather was a soldier of the Revolution. His father came to Ohio at the age of eighteen, and was married in Fairfield County in 1822. Their children were Noah, Elizabeth and Levi, all living, and Christina, Mary A., Catharine, Samuel, John, Melinda and Ellen, de- ceased. The father died in 1860, aged sixty years; the mother is still a resident of this township, in her eighty-first year. Noah Stoneburner remained at home till twenty-three. He was married, February 20, 1848, to Magdalene Hite, daughter of David Hite. She died in 1859, having borne three children-E. Agatlra (wife of J. M. Purky), Frank E., Catharine (wife of Miles Lewis). He was married, September 12, 1862, to Mrs. Mary A. Boyer (widow of Jacob Boyer), daughter of W. B. and Mary (Burns) Miller. She has five children, one Sylvia (now the wife of S. E. Lewis), by her first husband; the others are Miller, Charley A., Mary M. and Minnie E. Mrs. S. was born December 8, 1837. Mr. S. purchased his first farm of eighty acres in Antrim Township, later adding eighty acres more, all forest land, where he resided most of the time till 1867. He pur- chased his present farm of 174 acres in 1878; built his "bank" barn in 1874; erected his large frame house in 1881, and is one of the substantial citizens of the township. In politics, Mr. Stoneburner is a Democrat.

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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 113

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

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