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 94

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 94

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CHARLES M. KARR, deceased, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, Au- gust 17, 1814. He was a son of Hamilton and Susana (Nighswanger) Karr, natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and of Scotch and German descent respectively. His parents were married in Marietta, Ohio, about 1792 or 1793, but resided in Meigs County. The children born to them were Sallie, William, Margaret, John, Hamilton, Sophia, Maria and Charles M., all de- ceased but Maria, who now resides in Hampden County, Mo., in her sev- enty-fifth year. The father died in 1827; the mother with her children moved to this county in 1828, and died in Crawford Township in 1845, leaving the farm to her son, Charles M., who added to the same and gave his attention to general agriculture and the raising of fine sheep, in which he was quite successful. He was married, September 22, 1846, to Sarah J. Kentfield, who was born in this township July 3, 1826; her parents were Smith and Azuba (Judd) Kentfield, natives of Massachusetts, where they were married October 2, 1821, near South Hadley. In 1822, they moved to Ohio and located in Wyandot County on land entered by Mr. Kentfield just previous to his marriage. He cleared and improved this land, and added to his first purchase till he owned nearly 600 acres. He endured many hardships and spent his life in incessant toil. His only children were Da- vid L. and Sarah J. He died December 25, 1854, his wife March 28, 1874, their respective ages being sixty-two and seventy eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Karr had four children-Edith L., born September 20, 1855; Ellen J., May 15, 1857; Stanley S., June 21, 1859; William H., January 27, 1863-all living but Stanley S., who died in infancy. Mr. Karr passed away Septem- ber 11, 1864, at the age of fifty years. He was a Republican and well re- spected. Mrs. Karr moved to Berea, Ohio, in 1867, and three years later back to Carey where she remained till 1876, when she returned to the farm, where she still resides.

HENRY W. KARR was born in this township August 27, 1842. He is a son of Hamilton and Mary (Brown) Karr, natives of Meigs County, Ohio, and Franklin County respectively. They were married in this county in August, 1827, their children being Canarissa, Maria and Sophia (twins), James, Laura, Douglas, Henry, Clalilda and Mary. The deceased are Maria, Sophia and Douglas. The father died in 1873, but the mother still

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survives. Our subject resided with his parents till his enlistment in Com- pany A, One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, July 27, 1862. He served till March, 1863, and was then discharged. October 17, 1864, he again enlisted, and took part in the engagements at Dismal Swamp, Savannah, Raleigh, and with Sherman to the sea, receiving his discharge in October, 1865. Returning home, Mr. Karr resumed farming, and in 1870 purchased eighty acres, the old home farm, on which he has since resided. He was married, August 10, 1871, to Miss Winnifred Davidson, who was born in Mount Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio, January 25, 1848, the daughter of George H. and Rachel (Payne) Davidson, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. Her parents moved to Wyandot County in 1858. They had eleven children-William, Mary, Eliza, John, Elias, Winnifred, Hulda, Edward, Geneva, Clara and Lina, all living. The father died Sep- tember 30, 1875; the mother resides in Salem Township. Mr. and Mrs. Karr have had two children-Tessie and Mark; the former is deceased. Mr. Karr is a member of the Masonic order, and a Republican.

NATHAN KARR, son of John and Mary (Wright) Karr, was born in Morgan County, Ohio, April 6, 1838. His parents were born in this State, and were of Irish and English descent respectively. They were married in Meigs County, moved to Wyandot in 1845, and located in this township. The children born to them are Rhuhama, Nathan, Ann, John, Rebecca and Mary. The father died in December, 1864, the mother is also deceased. At the age of seventeen, Mr. Karr began operations for himself. He made his home with Smith Kentfield till the latter's decease. He was married, March 29, 1869, to Miss Ruth Sickley, who was a daughter of Jonathan and Doro- thea (Kemmerly) Sickley, and born in Ridge Township. Her parents were mar- ried in Fairfield County, Ohio, and moved to this county in an early day. Their children were Susan, Sarah, Jacob, Ruth, Lena and Sampson. The mother died in 1857; the father in 1860. After the death of Mr. Kentfield, our subject found a home with McD. M. Carey for several years. August 14, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served through the entire war. He participated in all the principal battles -Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mis- sion Ridge, Knoxville, was through the entire Atlanta campaign, thence back to Nashville, and from that point to Texas, where he was discharged December 25, 1864. He then returned home, rented land, and farmed till 1880, when he purchased forty acres in this township, where he has since resided, engaged in the independent pursuits of farm life. Mr. and Mrs. Karr have five children-Elton R., Ruie M., William H., John W. and Charlie.

A. P. KELLY is one of the members of the firm of Manecke & Co., dealers in lumber and manufacturers of doors, sash, etc., at Carey. He was born in Hancock County, Ohio, June 22, 1845. When about ten years old, he moved with his parents to Fremont, where he obtained a good common school education. At fourteen, he began clerking in a general store in Fre- mont, and this work he continued till December 1, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, Seventy-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served without the slightest injury till September 10, 1865, when he was mustered out of service as Sergeant, receiving his discharge at Columbus, Ohio. He then returned home, and in the spring of 1866 went to Missis- sippi, where he engaged in farming a short time, but without success. He moved back to Ohio, where he remained till 1870, when he removed West again, locating in Kansas. In October, 1874, he again returned to Ohio,

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

and located at Fostoria, where he lived till 1877, when he removed to Carey, and engaged in his present business. April 30, 1868, he married Helena Richards, of Fostoria. They have four children-John T., Valeria, Jessi and baby. Mr. Kelly is a member of the Masonic order and of the G. A. R.

JOHN KEMMERLY was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 22, 1822. His parents, Jacob and Christina (Yager) Kemmerly, were both natives of Germany, and came to the United States when young. His father was a butcher by trade, and was for some time after arriving in this country en- gaged in that business at Lancaster, Ohio, where he married Christina Yager, and reared nine children-Catharine, John, Dorothy, Joshua, Bet- sey, Jacob, Samuel, Sarah and Henry-all living except Dorothy. The whole family removed to this county in 1836. They located near the pres- ent site of Carey, and there engaged in farming, having little advantages of schools. The mother died here in 1868; the father survived till August, 1877, dying in his eighty-fifth year. John Kemmerly began work for him- self at the age of nineteen years, taking jobs of clearing and such other work as he could do. He was married, July 13, 1842, to Elizabeth P. Wal- ker, who was born at Massillon, Ohio, August 12, 1825, and daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Walker, who were natives of County Armagh, Ireland. They came to this county with two children; stopped a short time in Penn- sylvania; thence moved to Stark County, Ohio, and thence to Ridge Town- ship, this county, in 1832. There were ten children-William (son by Mr. Walker's first wife, who died in Ireland), Mary, Richard, Jane, Nancy, Margaret, John, Ann, Robert, Sarah and Elizabeth-only three surviving, Ann, in Kansas; Margaret, in Hancock County, and Mrs. Kemmerly. Mr. Kemmerly operated a saw mill successfully till 1862. He then purchased 133 acres near Carey, and engaged in farming till 1881, when he moved to town, where he has since resided. He still owns 160 acres east of the town of Carey, and also a residence in the village.

DAVID L. KENTFIELD, deceased, was born in this township March 9, 1825. He purchased land here in an early day, and at the death of his father in 1854 became the owner of 320 acres more, to all of which he added by subsequent purchases till he owned nearly 500 acres. He gave his chief attention during his entire life to general farming and stock-rais- ing. He was married, October 11, 1849, to Rebecca Park, who was born in Warren County, N. J., October 18, 1827. Her parents were Jonathan and Eliza (Davis) Park, the former born in New Jersey in 1797, the latter in the same State in 1800. They were of English and German descent respect- ively, and were married in their native State about 1821. In 1845, they moved to Sycamore Township, this county, where they purchased land, on which they afterward resided. Their six children were Aaron D., Mary E., Rebecca, Sarah J., John B. and William W .- all living but Aaron. The father died November 16, 1859, the mother April 19, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. Kentfield have had five children-Mark D., Laura C., Vinton S., Leta and Linnie M. Mr. Kentfield was a member of Company D, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, having enlisted August 14, 1861, and served faithfully for three years. He was discharged with honor August 19, 1864, and returned home to farming pursuits. He served as Justice of the Peace several years, and was elected to other offices of trust. He was an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he was officially connected. He died April 2, 1884, and his remains now repose in the Richie Graveyard. Mrs. Kentfield still continues the management of the farm, which contains 380 acres, and on which was erected a fine brick residence in 1880 at a cost. of $3,000.

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CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP.

JACOB KNEASAL is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and was born June 12, 1822. His parents, George T. and Sarah (Yeager) Kneasal, were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and emigrated before their marriage about 1817. His father obtained passage across the ocean from a company to whom he had sold his services for two years in payment for the same, doing work for a farmer in York County, Penn. When his term expired, he came to Ohio and located in Fairfield County, near Lancaster. He there made the acquaintance of and married Sarah Yeager. They removed to the north part of the county after marriage, entered forty-nine acres of land and toiled as pioneers till 1838, when they moved to this county and again began the battle with the wilderness. There were seven children-Jacob, Sarah, George, Elizabeth, Susan, Christina and Catharine-all living save Eliza

beth. The father died in 1845. Jacob Kneasal, our subject, began work for himself by clearing land and doing such other work as he could find em- ployment at.

Being the eldest of the family, his education was limited- a little reading in a German school, and a slight knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic in German and English obtained at home on Sun days and during evenings was the extent of his schooling. At the age of twenty-two, he began work for David Smith at $10 per month for the sum- mer of 1844. After his father's death in 1845, he returned home and took charge of the farm for five years, he and his brother clearing the greater part of the homestead. He was married, October 18, 1849, to Barbara Reef, of Fairfield County, daughter of John U. Reef. He then went to the county named and was engaged five years on his father-in-law's farm. After the death of his wife's mother, he returned to this county and began to improve the farm of forty acres purchased previous to his marriage. To this tract he afterward added eighty acres, and the whole farm he recently sold. His wife died October 24, 1881. They had no children of their own, but reared two boys-Edward and John Campbell, twins, who were orphans brought from New York in February, 1867. Mr. Kneasal moved to Carey in 1879. He was a Democrat previous to the war; was a Republican from that date till late years, but now advocates Prohibition sentiments. He is a member of the Grange and of the Evangelical Church, of which lattor society Mrs. Kneasal was also a consistent member.

H. B. KURTZ. This worthy merchant of Carey was born in Lancaster County, Penn., September 28, 1827. His parents, David and Margaret (Bard) Kurtz, were also natives of Pennsylvania, were farmers, and reared eix children -- Elizabeth, Fannie, H. B., Susan, B. F. and D. P. His mother resides in Juniata County, Penn., in her eighty-second year. In 1848, Mr. Kurtz began business for himself. He went first to McAllister, Penn., where he conductod the business of the firm of J. & H. B. Kurtz, in general merchandise, continuing there until 1852. He then sold his interest in the store, moved to Ross County, and engaged in railroad construction about one year, doing considerable work on the Marietta & Cincinnati road. In 1854, he returned to Juniata County, Penn., and married Sarah Rick- enbach, and on his marriage day started for Ohio. He settled first in San- dusky County, and one year later moved to Hancock, where he purchased a farm. In 1859, he went to Carey, and engaged as salesman for David Straw, remaining two years. He then returned to his farm and its pursuits, remaining till April, 1876, when he sold out and came to Carey in the in- terest of the Champion Machine Company. One year later (1877), he opened his dry goods business, in which he has since engaged with gratify- ing success. Although not a banker, large sums of money are deposited

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

with him by persons who desire him to act as custodian of their funds. He pays out large amounts on checks, operating with the National Exchange Bank of Tiffin. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz are the parents of eight children --- Emma A., Ida B., David S., Willis R., Edgar B., Mettie and Cara. The latter and an infant are deceased. Part of the family are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Kurtz is not a member of any church society, but is liberal to all benevolent causes. He affiliates with the Republican party, and is a worthy citizen of the most excellent type, highly esteemed by all who know him.

ROBERT LOWERY, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, was born February 10, 1833. His parents, Jeremiah and Nancy (Montague) Lowery, were natives of Virginia, were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, moved to Pickaway County later, and, in 1835, came to this county. They entered land in Crawford Township, and there reared their children-Robert, Mary A., Diana, Ellen, Susan, John, William and Edward, who are all living, so far as known, but Susan. The mother died in 1851, the father in 1866. Robert Lowery was married, July 15, 1860, to Rachel Martin, of this town- ship, a native Washington County, Md., born August 7, 1829, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (McClure) Martin, also natives of Maryland. Her par- ents were married in their native State, moved to Pennsylvania, and thence, in 1853, to this township. Their children were Maria, Julia A., Luther, Matthew, Elizabeth, Catharine, John, Margaret, Jacob, Benjamin and Joseph. The father died August 14, 1879, the mother February 1, 1884, aged eighty-four and eighty eight respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Lowery have three children-Fannie, born February 1, 1861; William A., September 17, 1862; John M., November 8, 1866. Robert Lowery began business for himself at the age of nineteen. He worked at various kinds of labor about two years, and then went to Pulaski County, Ind., where he entered eighty- six acres. After several exchanges in lands, and as many changes in loca- tion, he finally purchased his present farm of eighty acres, where he has resided since 1868. His land is valued at $80 per acre. He and Mrs. Lowery are members of the United Brethren Church. In politics, Mr. Lowery is a Prohibitionist.

RUSSELL MCCLURE, carpenter and joiner, was born in Oneida Coun- ty, N. Y., August 30, 1819. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother of Connecticut. He began operations for himself when quite young, learning the carpenter's trade, and following ship-building for ten years. In June, 1845, he was married to Milea Joy, a native of New York, and seven children were born to them, namely, Newton C., Emma J. (wife of M. B. Smith), Thurston W., Anna (now Mrs. Starr) and Ada. Abby W. and Herbert R. both died in 1864, aged sixteen and eleven respectively. In 1868, Mr. McClure removed to Carey, where he has since been engaged at his trade. He is a Republican in politics, and strong in the faith. The fam- ily are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

T. W. McCLURE, attorney, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., March 19, 1856. His parents removed to Carey, Ohio, in 1868. He received a good education in the public schools of his adopted town, and at sixteen began operation in life on his own responsibility. He spent six years clerking in hotels at Findlay, Norwalk and Canton, returning in March, 1881, to Carey. He then began the study of law with M. B. Smith, with whom he has since been conducting a large insurance business in connection with his legal profession, the firm being known as Smith & McClure. They represent eleven of the principal insurance companies, and are doing an ex- tensive and profitable business.

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CRAWFORD TOWNSHIP.

ALONZO F. MILLER, D. D. S., was born in Rich Hill Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, October 3, 1852. He is a son of Henry and Elmira (Flemming), his father born in the same county, his mother in what is now the incorporation of Pittsburgh, Penn. The latter's mother died while Mrs. Miller was an infant, and she was reared by two aunts, who moved to Ohio in her eighteenth year. Dr. Miller's great-great-grandfather, Reasnaugh (which in this country is called Reasoner), was a French Hugue- not, and was compelled to flee to this country to escape the persecutions inaugurated against their creed in France. Philip Miller, an ancestor of Dr. Miller, was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to this country in company with a widowed mother, brother and sister. He was bound out to a party in Baltimore, Md., and from the time of his separation from his brother and sister at New York he never heard from them. They were all bound out to parties in Baltimore to pay their passage-virtually, sold into slavery. The brother and sister eventually located in Washington County, Penn. Dr. Miller's grandfather, Abraham Miller, located in Muskin- gum County, Ohio, about 1817. His father, Henry Miller, still resides in that locality. Dr. Miller was reared on a farm, and at the age of nineteen had a good common school education. He supplemented this with a course at Muskingum College, the Northwestern Normal School at Republic, Ohio, and the Iron City Commercial College, Pittsburgh. In 1876, he began

the study of dentistry with Dr. Davis, of Fostoria. In March, 1878, he located in Carey, where he has established an extensive practice in his profession. He was married, September 13, 1877, to Elmira S., daughter of Rev. Henry and Lydia (Voght) Strauch, the former a minister of the Evan- gelical Church. Mrs. Miller was born April 9, 1861, in Chillicothe, Ohio. Edna L. is their only child. Before locating in Carey, Dr. Miller attended the Ann Arbor Dental College, at which he graduated in May, 1878. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a much respected citizen. The Doc- tor is the eldest of nine children-Alonzo F., Rachel L., Lena M., George D., Elmer L., Della M., Mary E. and Jacob H., all living.

JOHN R. MILLER was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 13, 1815. His parents were Warick and Mary (Hodges) Miller, natives of Pennsyl- vania, and of English and German descent respectively. They were mar- ried in Ross County, their four children being Elizabeth, Thomas, Rebecca and John R. His mother died in 1816; his father July 16, 1865. Mr. Miller was married, March 31, 1836, to Catharine A. Burke, of this county, a native of Seneca County, and daughter of James and Elizabeth (Ridgway) Burke, natives of Virginia, and Irish and English descent. Her parents married near Portsmouth, Ohio, in 1825, and moved to this county about ten years later. They had six children, two of whom are still living- Isaac and Caroline. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller two children were born, both dying in infancy. Mrs. Miller passed away in December 30, 1838, and Mr. M. was married, June 17, 1841, to Elizabeth Reynolds, of Hancock County. She was born in Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Schall) Reynolds, also natives of Pennsylvania. Her parents migrated to Ohio in 1835, and located in Hancock County. ' Their children are George W., Elizabeth, Maria, John, Andrew, Abner, Napoleon and Peninuah, all living but the last, Abner and Napoleon. The father died in 1846, the mother January 30, 1884. In 1835, Mr. Miller purchased seventy eight acres in this township, where he still resides, having added to his original purchase till he now owns 252 acres, valued at $75 per acre. He has served in the office of Trustee, and with his wife is a member of

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

the Methodist Episcopal Church, his former wife was also a member of the same society. He is a Republican in politics, favoring prohibition. The children born of these parents are Elizabeth, Elias, Cyrus E., and Flor- ence M. all living and married.

ALBERT H. MYERS, M. D., was born at Royalton, Fairfield Co., Ohio, July 20, 1830. His father, John Myers, was born in Virginia; his mother, Mary A. (McKee) Myers, was a native of Baltimore, Md. There were eight children in the family, namely, Albert H., Mary D., Henrietta B., John, Samuel D., George S., James A. and Charles C. John Myers, the father, was a wagon and carriage maker. He located with his family in Carey in 1845, and established himself in his trade, which he continued for some years, his sons assisting him in the trade. At the age of sixteen, Albert H., the subject of this notice, began teaching school, and when he had saved sufficient funds, began the study of medicine, with Dr. J. N. T. Foster, of Carey. He entered the Cleveland Medical College, and attended two terms of lectures, graduating. He went to Shelby County. Ill., where he practiced till the opening of the war, and then returned to Carey for the purpose of enlisting, but finding four of his brothers in the field, he decided to stay at home. Charles C. Myers went as a substitute at the age of six- teen; was taken prisoner, and died of starvation and exposure in Ander- sonville. Dr. Myers purchased the only drug store in Carey, at that time, and in partnership with his old preceptor, Dr. Foster, engaged in the drug business and the practice of his profession. This firm continued a profitable existence for several years and then dissolved, since which time Dr. Myers has devoted his entire attention to his profession. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Lodge, the Knights of Honor and Methodist Episcopal Church. He was married to Juliette I. Humastun, of Carey.

JACOB NEWHARD, one of the chief dry goods merchants of Carey, Ohio, was born in Allentown, Lehigh County, Penn., November 18, 1831. His parents, Jacob and Louisa (Hallchber) Newhard, and all the ancestry for four or five generations, were natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject began life in his own interest at the age of nine, as errand boy in a hardware store at Allentown. His early education was limited. He went to Philadelphia at the age of seventeen, and was employed there in a wholesale dry goods store until 1852, when he returned to his native place. In 1854, he removed to Carey, Ohio, and engaged in dry goods business with Messrs. Dowce & Co., with whom he remained about eighteen months, after which he engaged with D. Straw & Co. from 1856 to 1862, when he enlisted in Company F, One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made Second Lieutenant, serving till December 23, 1862, when he was discharged on account of disability. He then returned to Carey and resumed business with D. Straw & Co. In 1864, he opened a dry goods and clothing estab- lishment at Carey, and conducted the same two years, then moving to Upper Sandusky, and engaged with Mr. Laden eighteen mouths. He next removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged as traveling salesman nine months, for Babcock & Hurd, wholesale grocers, then returning to Carey and resuming work in the employ of D. Straw & Co., with which firm he re- mained till 1871. A short period in the insurance business was followed by two years in the dry goods trade independently, and this by another en- gagement with D. Straw & Co. till November, 1874, when he engaged, in 1877, with H. B. Kurtz, in his present business. Mr. Newhard married Matilda Bixby, May 10, 1857, and March 22, 1876, she died, leaving four children-Jay P., George F., Hubbard and Winfield. J. He was married

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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 94

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

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