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 81
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Advent Christian Church .- This church was organized February 18, 1867, in the early part of the winter of which year Elder Jonas Wendell, of Penn- sylvania, and Elder D. R. Mansfield and wife, of Michigan, came to Nevada and conducted a series of meetings in the Lutheran Church building, as a result of which there was an extensive revival, and the above-named minis- ters assisted by Elder King effected an organization. Elder King was the prime mover in securing the services of the clergyman referred to, and had prepared the field for their effective work by having previously promulgated the doctrines of the Advent denomination to quite an extent throughout the vicinity. By his influence and that of others the services of the able Dr. G. W. Stetson, as pastor, were subsequently secured. Prominent among the original members were H. A. King, Henry Welty, Martin Bacon, Catharine . McJuncken, Rebecca McJuncken, Martha Young, Cornelius Mclaughlin, Benjamin Hopp, C. P. Hopp, Mary A. Hopp, R. M. Stewart, Truman Daily, George Benedict and Andrew Benedict. The first and present church build- ing was erected in 1869, and was dedicated in October of the same year. The edifice is made of brick, and cost when completed and furnished $11,- 000. It is located within Antrim Township on lots two and three, of Petrey's Addition, and is 40x70 feet in size. Elder H. G. McCulloch was the first pastor engaged and remained with the church about one year; his brother, Elder Eusebius McCulloch was next called and was retained eleven years; Elder J. W. Hobbs, of New York began his pastorate November 20, 1881, and has continued to the present time (1884). The church has suffered some by the removal of many of its members to other parts of the country. During the pastorate of Elder E. McCulloch, Elder Miles Grant, a promi- nent Adventist Evangelist, of Boston, Mass., came to Nevada and assisted in a series of meetings in which the church experienced quite a revival.
In 1883, the ladies of the church organized a "home mission society "
William Brayton
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with the following officers: Mrs. W. J. Hobbs, President; Mrs. Charles Young, Vice President; Mrs. John Russell, Secretary; Mrs. Joseph Spon- hauer (?), Treasurer. The church building has recently been provided with a bell and refurnished. The present officers of the society are Dr. R. M. Stewart, Benjamin Hopp, Truman Daily, William Snyder and Hiram Young, Trustees; John Russell and Cornelius Mclaughlin, Deacons. A Sabbath school is kept up with considerable interest by the society, and is now in a prosperous condition, John Russell, Superintendent. The organization has always received liberal aid from those citizens of Nevada who are not mem- bers of any denomination.
EDEN CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
This company came into existence November 19, 1868, the original mem- bers being John Markley, John Kisor, Josiah Andreas, David Balliet, Til- man Balliet and Cyrus McCauly. At the time of the organization, John Kisor, Josiah Andreas and John Markley were elected Trustees, David Bal- liet, Treasurer, and Tilman Balliet, Clerk. The association purchased a tract of three acres one mile north of Nevada, at a cost of $600, exclusive of the expense of grading and fencing, and at once proceeded to lay off the ground in burial lots, selling the same to those who were able to purchase, and donating to those who were not. The grounds are kept in good con- dition, and the location is decidedly pleasant. The first remains deposited therein were those of Elizabeth Balliet, who died September 8, 1866. Since that time this city of the dead has made many accessions to its numbers. The association has been reduced by deaths, removals, etc., to two mem- bers-Cyrus McCauly and T. Balliet; the former is Treasurer, and the latter Secretary.
SCHOOLS.
For some time after the town of Nevada had been surveyed, the school- going population was so small as to render a special subdistrict inexpedi- ent, and during this time the youth of the new village were compelled to " plod their weary way" to the district school one mile south of town. By the year 1863, however, the village had assumed metropolitan airs to such a degree as to render a village schoolhouse necessary, schools having been conducted for about three years previous in a town hall which was situated on Lot No. 20. The Nevada subdistrict was created in 1860, and the " special district" according to law in 1866. The first building was erected in the northeast part of town at a cost of $590. It was a frame structure, and was in constant use up to the time of the completion of the new brick building in 1876. The old edifice was but one story in height, and contained two rooms, these being inadequate to accommodate the large and increasing number of pupils for some time before the new building was erected.
April 5, 1875, it was voted by the people of Nevada to raise by tax $8,000 for the erection of a new schoolhouse according to plans and specifi- cations which were duly set forth; but this amount being insufficient to com- plete the edifice, a tax of $4,000 more was voted April 29, 1876. In the same year the work was completed, and the pupils systematically disposed in their new quarters, the total cost of the new building amounting to $14,- 500. It is one of the neatest and most convenient school buildings in this section of the State, and is the best evidence of the intelligence, culture and enterprise of the people of Nevada that could possibly be given. It con-
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
tains six regular school rooms, besides the Superintendent's office and class room and basement. It is heated by the Theobald steam heater, manufact- ured at Canton, Ohio. The class rooms are well furnished, and the whole structure, interior and exterior, bears the marks of good taste and judgment in its construction.
The Superintendents or high school teachers who have had charge of the schools since the erection of the frame building in 1863, are as follows: J. L. Cook, Charles Williams, Emily Servis, Julia Moe, Mrs. L. Dumbaugh, Mollie Forbes, Mr. Nye, W. R. Crabbs, W. F. Car, Mr. Dwire, M. E. Stearnes and D. E. Niver. The schools are in excellent condition, and are managed by an efficient corps of teachers, headed by an able Superintend- ent, Mr. Niver, as mentioned above. The total number of pupils is about 290. The subordinate teachers are: I. C. Ginther, A Grammar Department; Mary Colby, B Grammar; Ida McDermot, Intermediate; Ida Peas, A Pri- mary; Miss M. A. Barr, B Primary.
SOCIETIES.
F. & A. M., Nevada Lodge, 343 .- The few members of the Masonic fraternity in the vicinity of Nevada congregated at the store of Cook & Goodbread, where they conducted their preliminary meetings, which were quite frequent; and by the untiring efforts of the worthy brothers, John Tudhope, Benjamin Eaton, J. H. Crabbs, W. F. Goodbread and others, jurisdiction from adjoining lodges was obtained, and application was made to the Grand Lodge for a charter, which was received May 12, A. L. 5862, A. D. 1862. The first members under the dispensation were William B. Miller, John Tudhope, William F. Goodbread, James H. Gillam, Edward G. Steiner, William McJunkin, James S. Cummins, H. W. Williams, Peter Doty and James H. Crabbs.
November 6, A. L. 5862, the Most Worthy Grand Master, by his proxy, Brother M. Smith, by authority conferred by a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio at its annual session held at the city of Columbus on the 21st day of October, A. L. 5862, proceeded to install the officers, assisted by Brother M. H. Kirby as Deputy Grand Master, and Brother Sands as Grand Marshal. The charter was then read by the order of the Grand Master, whereupon the Grand Marshal proclaimed Nevada Lodge fully organized and authorized to take rank and precedence as Ne- vada Lodge, No. 343. And it was so. The names of the officers under the dispensation were as follows: William B. Miller, W. M .; John Tudhope, S. W .; William F. Goodbread, J. W .; Peter Doty, Secretary; James S. Cummins, Treasurer; Ed. D. Steiner, S. D .; James H. Crabbs, J. D. ; James H. Gillam, Tiler. The society has prospered since its organization, and now has a membership of forty-six, with $1,200 in the treasury. The reg- ular time and place of meeting is the first Thursday on or before each full moon, at Nevada. The present officers are Thaddeus B. Armstrong, W. M .; George W. Gregg, S. W .; Joseph M. Wilcox, J. W .; James N. Goodbread, Secretary; William F. Goodbread, Treasurer; David B. Wolf, S. D .; John A. Ankrum, J. D .; A. B. Stansell, Tiler.
I. O. O. F., Nevada Lodge, No. 625 .- The dispensation for this society was received from the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio June 2, 1876. The first members under the dispensation were M. R. Hull, J. D. Rex, A. A. Harding, J. C. Rosegrant and G. Hall. The officers installed under the dispensation were M. R. Hull, N. G .; J. D. Rex, V. G .; A. A. Harding, Secretary; J. C. Rosegrant, P. G .; G. Hall, Treasurer. The order first
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held its meetings in the Hull Block, but, after two years, removed to E. Lidle's block, where their meetings are still conducted. The present mem- bership is twenty-five, and the financial condition is good. The present officers are J. C. Rosegrant, N. G .; Benjamin Hopp, V. G .; Samuel Fisher; W. H. Gay.
Knights of Honor, Lodge 277 .- The dispensation granting a charter to this society was received from the Grand Lodge April 7, 1876, the members under the dispensation being A. J. Flaherty. H. F. Bemendefer, Samuel Be- ver, J. C. DeJean, C. H. Denjer, J. N. Goodbread, B. F. Hopp, C. P. Jones, Henry Kurtz, John Klingler, H. G. Lea, John McMahon, C. Pfisterer, B. F. Smith, B. W. Nye, A. N. Sawyer, H. W. Williams, W. B. Woolsey, H. H. Welsh and D. B. Wolf. At the organization, H. W. Williams was in- stalled as Dictator; H. H. Welsh, V. D .; S. Bever, Assistant D .; A. J. Fla- herty, Chaplain; H. G. Lea, Guide; T. C. DeJean, Rep .; J. N. Goodbread, F. R .; A. N. Sawyer, Treasurer; B. F. Smith, Guardian; John Klingler, Sentry; B. W. Shay, W. B. Woolsey and C. Pfisterer, Trustees; D. B. Wolf, Post Dictator. The financial standing of the order is reported good; the number of members is now twenty-five. The present officers are: John Russell, Dictator; James McMahon, Vice Dictator; H. G. Lea, Assistant Dictator; A. J. Gillam, Chaplain; J. A. Brown, Rep; A. N. Sawyer, F. R .; J. W. Goodbread, Treasurer; H. L. Snyder, Guide; W. B. Woolsey, Guar- dian; A. Cromer, Sentry. The society meets on Monday evening of each week, in I. O. O. F. Hall, Lidle building.
G. A. R., Leith Post, No. 127, Department of Ohio .- This post was or- ganized by Mustering Officer Col. H. A. Brown, in 1881, the charter being received from the headquarters Department of Ohio, August 24 of that year. The charter members were J. K. Ankrum, J. A. Brown, Irvin Bacon, R. B. Conant, T. C. DeJean, E. W. Davis, G. W. Gregg, Daniel Good, John Hehr, M. N. Keltner, J. S. Leith, T. P. Miller, R. C. Miller, William Mon- tee, C. O. Oldfield, John Russell, R. M. Stewart, B. F. Smith, J. A. Stew- art, A. N. Sawyer and Levi Wilson. At the organization of the post, the members were commissioned as follows: J. A. Stewart, P. C .; J. A. Brown, S. V. C .; J. S. Leith, J. V. C .; John Russell, Chaplain; Dr. R. M. Stew- art, Surgeon; A. B. Conant, Adjutant; T. P. Miller, Quartermaster; Levi Wilson, O. D .; B. F. Smith, S. M .; J. A. Ankrum, Q. M. S .; R. C. Miller, O. G. Since its organization, the post has held its meetings in the I. O. O. F. Hall. The present membership is forty-one, and the order is in good condition financially. The present officers are: Orin Campbell, P. C .; Wes- ley Grubb, S. V. C .; Amos Miller, J. V. C .; Rev. D. S. Caldwell, Chaplain; Dr. R. M. Stewart; I. B. Kemp, Q. M .; J. A. Ankrum, O. D .; Samuel Fisher, O. G .; J. S. Leith, S. M .; Eli Maskey, Q. M. S.
OFFICIAL.
At the spring election of 1866, the first town officers of Nevada were elected. W. R. DeJean has the honor of being the first to occupy the Mayor's chair, and Valentine Dombaugh was elected first Recorder. The original Councilmen, as shown by the old records, were E. R. Welsh, Will- iam McJunckins, John Tudhope, C. P. Hopp and C. F. Hoffman, the sixth member being unrecorded. In the course of events, the history of these officers has partially repeated itself, W. R. DeJean being re elected to the Mayorship in the spring of 1884. The present Recorder is R. E. Morris.
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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES ANDERSON is a native of Lancaster County, Penn., born September 9, 1813. His parents, Hugh and Sarah (Miller) Anderson were natives of the same county, were of Irish and Scotch descent, were married there and reared a family of nine children. They removed to Washington County, Penn., in 1824, and to Ashland County, Ohio, in 1833, there pur- chasing 160 acres of land on which he resided until his death which oc- curred about 1849-50, his wife's decease taking place about one year later. James Anderson resided with his parents in the counties of Lancaster, Penn., and Ashland, Ohio, and attended the schools afforded in those times. He was married in Ashland County, January 25, 1838, to Elizabeth Hill- born, born December 27, 1819, daughter of Amos and Mary (George) Hill- born, her parents being natives of Pennsylvania, and of Irish parantage. The children resulting from this marriage were Rachel A., born November 20, 1841; May M., September 3, 1843; Sarah E., May 5, 1845; James L., May 6, 1847; Peggy J., May 18, 1850; Catharine J., August 5, 1852; Hannah M., January 13, 1855. An infant and Joseph Mc. are deceased. The latter was born July 4, 1840. He enlisted in the three months' service under Capt. Kirby, in April, 1861, and at the close of his service enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years. He was killed in the battle at Rocky Face Ridge May 11, 1864, and is buried in Southern soil. In 1846, our subject removed from Ashland to this county and purchased at the sales eighty acres on Indian Run. This
farm, purchased at $2.65 per acre, he has cleared and improved and now values the same at $80 per acre. He has a comfortable home in Nevada- the fruit of hard labor, served as Trustee several years; was one of the founders of the Presbyterian society at Nevada, having been an Elder over forty years, and is highly esteemed as a citizen, favoring the Republican policy of government.
JOSEPH BACHTELL, deceased, was born in Frederick County, Penn., September 14, 1805. His father, Christian Bachtell, was born in Pennsyl- vania February 11, 1772, and his mother, Catharine (Smith) Bachtell in the same State February 17, 1771. The children were Jacob, Samuel, Lanah, Susan, Christian, Joseph, Catharine and David. The father died in Stark County, Ohio, February 18, 1828; the mother in this county June 11, 1846. Joseph Bachtell was married in Stark County, Ohio, November 5, 1829, to Ann M. Moore, daughter of William and Mary (Gillet) Moore; the former born in Maryland in 1778, the latter in same State August 20, 1778, their children having been John, Ann M. and Elizabeth. Her par- ents were married March 31, 1805, the father dying in this county in June, 1855; her mother in Stark County November 27, 1842. Joseph Bachtell came from Stark County, Ohio, in 1845 and purchased 100 acres of land in Antrim Township, which he labored on till 1875, when he removed to Ne- vada, where his death occurred July 30, 1883. His wife previously depart- ed February 9, 1872. He was a man of good character and generous im- pulses. His children were Susan, born August 29, 1830; Samuel, April 17, 1833; Henry, September 5, 1835; Uriah L., August 3, 1837; Mary L., March 23, 1840; Sarah E., August 27, 1842; Adah, May 11, 1844, and Emmet E., April 6, 1849.
EMMET E. BACHTELL resided with his parents till about twenty- five years of age, and obtained a good education in the common schools. He has always resided on the homestead, where his father located in 1845,
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and is an energetic and successful farmer. He was married, February 18, 1875, to Miss Nancy C. Castanien, daughter of John and Christina (Als- poch) Castanien, natives of Perry County, Ohio. (Seesketch of John Castan- ien-Pitt Township). Mr. and Mrs. Bachtell have one child-Elton E., born February 17, 1876. They are members of the Emanuel Reformed Church and held in high esteem by the members of the community in which they reside. In politics, Mr. Bachtell is a Republican. He had two brothers in the late war-Uriah L. and Samuel.
SAMUEL BACHTELL enlisted in the Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, was made Second Lieutenant, and served three months, sub- sequently enlisting in the three years' service, holding the same rank. He was detailed for duty in the Signal Service at Munfordville, Ky., on Gen. Thomas' staff, in March, 1863, remaining on this duty till promoted to First Lieutenant, with an order to return to his regiment. This order was countermanded by Gen. Rosecrans, however, and he was ordered by the Secretary of War to report for examination, after which he was made Cap- tain of the Signal Corps September 1, 1864. He was assigned to duty as Chief Signal Officer of the Army of the Cumberland, on Thomas' staff, but was subsequently transferred to Gen. Sherman's staff by the re- quest of the latter, having been complimented for getting dispatches from Marietta to Rome, Ga., thereby saving the garrison two million rations and 8,000 head of beef cattle. Mr. Bachtell was with Sherman to the sea, and in the campaigns of the Carolinas, witnessing the surrender of Johnson's army. At Washington, he was promoted to Brevet Major for meritorious service rendered in the campaign of Atlanta, Savannah and the Carolinas. He was mustered out of service in June, 1866, having been the only Cap- tain in the regular signal corps from the State of Ohio, though twelve were presented at the Senate for confirmation. He had thirty officers and 250 men under his command, and received several letters from Gen. Sherman complimenting him on his successful management.
IRVIN BACON was born in Crawford County, Ohio, December 1, 1837. He is a son of Charles and Parmelia (Nation) Bacon, natives of Pennsylva- nia and Tennessee respectively, and born in the respective years, 1801 and 1811. His parents were married in Bucyrus about 1833-34, and resided in Crawford County most of their lives. His father was a carpenter and mil- ler, and did some work at various other trades, closing his life in 1851; his mother died in 1877. The children of the family were Ralph W., Irvin, Martin F., John D. and Catharine J. Irvin, the subject of this sketch, re- sided with his parents until his father's death, and then began life on his own resources. He was employed two years in a carding factory at Bucy- rus, and was subsequently employed in various kinds of labor till he en- listed in the army August 11, 1861. Through the unauthorized action of Col. Harland, he became a member of the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volun- teer Cavalry, and participated in the battles of Big Bethel, Newport News, siege of Suffolk, South Quay, Franklin, South Anna Bridge, Ashland Sta- tion, Jackson, Bottom's Bridge, King's Court House, Garrett's Station, Pe- tersburg, Pine Level, Roanoke Station, Ream's Station, Stony Creek, Je- rusalem Plank Road, Charles City Road, Darby Town Road and many other minor engagements. He was captured at Darby Town Road, and held in custody in the Libby, Salisbury and Danville Prisons from October 7, 1864, to February, 1865. On the 22d of the latter month, he was parolled, and in the month of March, 1865, he was exchanged and joined his regi- ment, the war ending with Lee's surrender a few days later. Mr. Bacon
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was promoted to Sergeant; then to First Sergeant, 1862; Second Lieuten- ant, July 1, 1864; and to Captain, October 1, 1864. He served his country four years and eight days, receiving his discharge August 19, 1865. In 1866, Mr. Bacon purchased eighty acres of his present farm, where he has since been engaged in agriculture and stock-raising, now controlling 139 acres, valued at $75 per acre. He has dealt some in fine stock, and usually keeps good grades. He is a stanch Republican, and served as Assessor two years; Trustee two years, and was a candidate for Sheriff in 1883. Mr. Ba- con was married, March 1, 1866, to Azaba Leith (see sketch of Hiram Leith), who died May 17, 1878, leaving one child-Clara, born July 1, 1867. His second marriage to Mrs. Lydia Grove, née Spenny, occurred May 10, 1881, and one child-Carl -- was born to them October 24, 1883. By her first marriage Mrs. Bacon had six children, namely, Jonas E., Emma V., Aaron A., Dorsey L., James H. and William H. Mr. Bacon is a mem- ber of Grange No. 771, K. of H., 277, and G. A. R., 127. He is a very en- ergetic and successful business man and is popular as a citizen.
SAMUEL BEVER, proprietor of the Nevada Planing Mill and Lumber Yard, was born in Seneca County, Ohio, August 30, 1833. His parents were George and Sabina (Bretz) Bever, the former a native of Rock- ingham County, Va., born March 22, 1800; the latter born in Penn- sylvania. There were eleven children in the family, the only living at the present time being Melissa A., Samuel, Joseph, Adaline, Sarah A.,
Gideon and Amanda. The father died in Seneca County in 1869, the mother in 1874. Samuel Bever, our subject, resided with his pa- rente on the farm, attending the district schools till 1860. On Janu- ary 11 of that year, he was married to Chistina Miller, born in. Craw- ford County in the year 1835, daughter of Daniel and Lovina (Strat- ton) Miller. By this marriage, three children were born-Ross A., Octo- ber 12, 1860; Earl R., May 15, 1863; and Sabina E., July 19, 1873. In 1867, Mr. Bever removed to Nevada, and established himself in the saw mill business, which he conducted four years. He next engaged in the walnut lumber trade one year, and erected his planing mill in 1872. He now does a flourishing business, manufacturing to order all kinds of doors, sash, store fronts, etc., usually employing six workmen. Mr. Bever served one year as Trustee of Eden Township, and four years in the Council. He is a Democrat and member of the Knights of Honor-Post Dictator. His father, George Bever, settled in this county in 1824.
WILLIAM L. BLAIR, President Nevada Deposit Bank, is a son of James and Sarah A. (Lineberry) Blair, and was born in Warren County, N.J., De- cember 20, 1831. His parents were of Scotch ancestry, who emigrated from that country in 1729 and 1749, and settled in New Jersey to aid in estab- lishing civil and religious liberty. They were instrumental in establishing Princeton College, New Jersey, John Blair having been Vice President and Professor, and Samuel Blair having been chosen President but resigning in favor of Dr. Wetherspoon, one of the signers of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. James and Sarah Blair were married in Warren County, N. J., where they resided the greater portion of their lives. . After the death of his wife, which occurred August 8, 1853, Mr. Blair migrated to Ohio, set- tling in this county, on what is known as the Judge Welch farm, near the village of Mexico, residing here till his death, which occurred September 17, 1867. He had served as a soldier in the war of 1812. There were eight children of the family, six of whom survive, viz .: William L., Eme- line, Matilda, Theodore F., Caroline and James A. The deceased were
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Marshal and Malinda. The father owned nearly 1,000 acres of improved land at the time of his death. In early life, he was a prominent citizen of New Jersey, having filled several responsible county offices. He was influ- ential as a citizen and highly respected in his community. William L., the subject of this sketch, obtained the rudiments of an education in the district schools of New Jersey. He resided on the farm till eighteen years of age, when he embarked in life on his own resources. He first came to this county in 1853, to engage in the stock business, driving cattle and sheep over the mountains to Eastern markets. Attracted by the fertile lands in the Sandusky Valley, he decided to make this county his future home, and purchased 160 acres of improved land, near Sycamore, settling here permanently in the spring of 1854. Since that time, Mr. Blair has been identified with various business enterprises; he was one of the incorporators of the Nevada Deposit Bank, which began business in May 5, 1873, and at the first meeting of its stockholders, May 5, 1873, he was elected President, still holding that position. He is also President of the Farmers' Bank, of Winfield, Kan., and one of its principal stockholders. He owns a valuable and well-improved farm, near the corporation of Nevada, and is one of the substantial citizens of the county. Mr. Blair was married December 16, 1857, to Henrietta B. Fox, daughter of Charles C. and Caroline (Boyd) Fox, natives of New York and Kentucky respectively, of Scotch descent, and res- idents at that time, of this county, but now deceased. Six children are the fruits of this marriage. Idella B. was born November 5, 1858; Francis P., February 2, 1860; Caroline S., August 24, 1861; James A., May 7, 1863; William C., August 18, 1866; Mary E., June 3, 1874. Mr. Blair has been highly successful as a financier, and is held in high esteem as a citizen. He is a Republican, himself and family being associated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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