USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 2 > Part 57
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JOHN MARSH (deceased) ; born in the State of Virginia Nov. 2, 1794; became a resident of Clark Co. about 1818, being one among the pioneers of the county, locating here at the same time as others of those honored fathers who endured so many hardships, and laid the foundations and performed the primary work for this prosperous and growing county. Mr. Marsh was married, Feb. 28, 1833, to Maria, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Dye, who were among the first settlers of Miami Co., locating there about the same time of the Knoops, in 1798. Maria was born April 7, 1812. By this union they had three children-Nathan, Mary Jane and John D. Mr. Marsh died June 4, 1837, aged about 43 years. He was a remarkably industrious, energetic and successful business man, commencing in life with no capital, earning his first few dollars by his daily labor, grubbing and clearing up land in this, then almost unbroken wilderness ; he was industrious and economical, and day by day and year after year he increased his capital, bought a farm, and from time to time added more land by par- chase, became an extensive stock-dealer, and although he lived to only middle age, yet he became owner of 800 acres of land, and left his widow and family with a good com- peteney. She remained upon the home place, with her children, who were then quite
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small ; and though a great charge and care devolved upon her, yet she was competent for the occasion, and her affairs were carefully managed and ber children grew to matur- ity. Mrs. Marsh married for her second husband James Jones, who was born March 28, 1800, a native of Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrated the 31st day of January, 1839. By this union they had six children, five now survive-Malinda, Benjamin (deceased), Werden, Thomas, Elizabeth and Walter. After their marriage, Mr. Jones took charge of the farm of his wife, where he remained till his death. which occurred Nov. 6, 1852. Mrs. Jones still remains upon the home place, where she has now resided nearly forty-eight years ; and since Mr. Jones' death has. with the heip of her sous, carried on the farm. In this brief sketch we have a history of some of the pioneers whose lives and labors may be read with great interest and profit by their chil- dren's children, long after the present generation has passed away.
NATHAN MARSH, farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Springfield. Born Dec. 17, 1833, on the farm where he now lives and has always resided; is a son of John and Maria Marsh, whose history appears in full in sketch of John Marsh (deceased ), in this work. Our subject, being a mere child about 3 years of age at the death of his father, was left in the care of his mother, by whom he was raised, and under whose watchful care he grew to maturity. Was married Nov. 9, 1859, to Catherine, daugh- ter of Jacob and Eleanor Yeazell, whose history also appears in this volume. By this union they have seven children -- Laura L. (now Mrs. Hoyt. of New York City), Liz- zie D., Richard D., Nathan, Mary, John and Jessie. Mr. Marsh has followed the foot- steps of his father in his occupation as a farmer and stock-dealer. Belonging to one of the old pioneer families of notoriety and prominence, Mr. Maish has always taken a front rank in his community ; has held many local offices, such as Township Trustee, School Director, etc .; the latter office he bas filled for twenty years.
REV. ROBERT MILLER (deceased). Rev. Robert Miller was born in Prince George Co., Md., on the 19th day of August, 1767; his father was born in America, of Scotch parentage, and died while a soldier for the cause of American independence, leaving a widow and six children, of whom Robert, then only 11 years of age, was the oldest. His lot was the usual one in those days, of a hard struggle with poverty, not- withstanding which he educated himself in the English branches of study ; learned the trade of carpenter and worked at his trade for several years, until the 19th day of Jan- uary, 1793. he was married to Mary Highfield (to whom were born three children ), and immediately afterward moved to the State of Virginia, wher : he lived until the fall of 1796, when he emigrated to Kentucky, crossing the mountains to the Monongahela River, near Brownsville, Penn., where he remained during the winter, and in the spring of 1797, conveyed his family and household goods on flat-boats down that river and the Ohio to Limestone (now Maysville), Ky., in which State he settled as a farmer. first in Mason and afterward in Fleming Co. May 7, 1799, his wife having died, he was mar- ried again to Elizabeth Hanson, who had born to her six children. In the year 1812, he again removed his family to the Pretty Prairie, in Champaign Co., Ohio, and bought a considerable body of land in what is now known as Moorefield Township, in Clark Co., where he died Oct. 18, 1834, and was buried in the graveyard of the Moorefield M. E. Church, being a traet of land which he himself had donated as the site for a church and for burial purposes. His own account of his religious life and ministry is quite lengthy, and we have space for only a few extracts; he wrote of himself as fol- lows : " My mother and most of my relations called themselves church people the Church of England ), and I thought nobody was right as to religion but them. I some- times heard of a people called Methodists, and from what I heard about them I was exceedingly mad against them, and thought they were the false prophets. About che 21st year of my age, the Methodists bezan to preach in the neighborhood where I lived. Among the rest of the people, I went to hear what these bad folks would say. The preacher began to preach, and I to hear; my prejudices were removed ; my heart felt the truth of his doctrine, and I went home in some sense a Methodist. In February, 1789. I joined the church. April, the same year, the Lord spoke peace to my soul." From this time forward, all through his life, he was an uncompromising foe to wicked-
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ness of all sorts, so much so as that he said of himself, " My friends thought I was overmuch righteous because I would not run with them to the same excess of riot. ] became the wicked's by-word and the drunkard's song." In 1802, he was licensed to preach, when, as he wrote, I now began, in my plain manner, to cry aload against wickedness of all kinds, such as swearing, Sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, and. abore all, the abominable practice of holding our fellow-creatures in bondage. Now the tongue of persecution was let loose against me by the wicked, and not only by them - but by the religious, so-called, of ali denominations, the Methodists not excepted ; but still I went on to preach." Rather an early Abolitionist for a Kentuckian was this old- time Methodist preacher. The result of this controversy was that, after manumitting a few slaves which he possessed, he removed from what he called " the bloody land " to Ohio. In the year 1809, he was ordained, by Bishop Asbury, a local Deacon, and in 1831, by Bishop Roberts, a local Elder in the M. E. Church. As a preacher, he was clear, incisive and forcible in his utterance, and famous throughout this part of Ohio for his quaint and graphic illustrations. Many stories are told by early settlers of his peculiar gifts and powers in the pulpit, for none of which have we space in our record. He died, as he had lived, fearing God and not man, and left a widow, now long since dead, and a large family of children, who, with their descendants and connections, are among the most prominent residents of Clark, Champaign and Logan Cos. Having felt the finns of prensation in his earlier ministry, there was placed, by his own request, on his tombstone, in the little quiet graveyard above named, the simple epitaph, " Let me alone."
MILTON M. MILLER (deceased), farmer and local minister ; P. O. New Moore- field; born in , Kentucky Dec. 23, 1811; was a son of Robert and Elizabeth ( Han- son) Miller, he a native of Virginia and she of Maryland. They became residents of Clark Co. in the spring of 1812, locating upon the farm now owned by Abraham Mum- per, and here they resided till their death. He died Oct. 18, 1834; his wife died in . August, 1857. They were parents of six children, and he had three by first marriage. Two only now survive-Mary (now Widow Banes), and Maria (now widow of Samuel Hunter). They were strictly pioneers in this neighborhood, taking their farm right from the woods in its wild state, and enduring all the labors and hardships incident to such life, bringing the forests into fine cultivated fields, with waving grain, and replacing their primitive log cabin with a comfortable frame house, and before their death were. able to enjoy the general comforts and conveniences of life, and all accomplished by his own labor and industry. He owned two quarter sections of land, and in connection with his many labors and progress in accumulating property and obtaining the comforts. and conveniences of a good farm and home, he was an active Christian worker in the. N. E. Church, being a local preacher for many years, and in his death the community lost a kind neighbor and the church a great worker. Our subject being but an infant when his parents moved to this county, was nurtured, raised and grew to maturity inured to the hardships of the early settlers of that day, and lived with his parents till. their death. He was married, Nov. 29, 1832, to Mary T., daughter of Samuel T. and. Rebecca ( Dunlap) Hedges, he a native of Virginia and she of Kentucky ; became set- tlers of Champaign Co. about 1812. They were parents of eleven children ; those now living-Mary T., James, Jane, Elizabeth, Tabatha, Sarah and Samuel. Mary T. was born Sept. 22, 1814. Mr. Miller and wife had ten children, six now living- Mary E., Rebecca, Clara L., Robert N., Hattie M. and Milton M. Mr. Miller followed the footsteps of his father in being an industrious, energetic farmer ; also an active Christian and a local preacher in the same church, and thus continued to the end of his life, which was terminated very suddenly. On May 5, 1872, having returned from church feeling wearied, he laid down to rest, and when called by his daughter to dinner, was found dead. This, though a severe stroke and loss to his family, was doubtless his eternal gain.
REUBEN SCIFERS, farmer; P. O. Springfield ; born in Virginia Feb. 14. 1833; is a son of Jacob and Naney (Romick ) Seifers, natives of Virginia, but who emigrated to Ohio and located in Champaign Co. in September, 1833, and there resided
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till their death. He died Sept. 9, 1875 ; she died Nov. 17, 1869. They were parents of fifteen children; fourteen now survive -- Matilda, Eliza, Catharine, Elizabeth, Will- iam H. H., Reuben, Martha Jane, Isabel and James HI. (twins), Samuel, Sarah Aun, Rachel, Margaret and Hannah Ellon; one deceased-Mary, who married David Jen- kins, by whom she had eight children. Mr. Scifers always followed farming as an occu- pation ; was a remarkably active and industrious man, having to make his own way through life; raised a large family of children, besides supporting his aged mother for many years, who lived to the remarkable age of 96 years. Mr. Scifers was a soldier in the war of 1812. He lived to the advanced age of 90 years, and was quite smart and active up to within a few days of his death. Our subject remained at home with his father till his majority. He then learned the trade of plasterer, which he followed till last summer, when he gave up his trade and has entered upon farming, to which he intends to devote the remainder of his life. He bought the farm upon which he now lives in the spring of 1868, upon which he has since resided, with the exception of two years, during which he lived in Springfield. He was married, Jan. 30, 1859, to Mary F., daughter of Valentine and Elizabeth (Maggert) Hullinger, he a native of Pennsyl- vania and she of Virginia. By this union they have two children-Alice Ada (now Mrs. Charles O. May) and Ulysses Grant.
JACOB SHOWERS, farmer; P. O. New Moorefield; was born in Maryland, March 31, 1809 ; is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Miller ) Showers, he a native of Pennsylvania and she of Maryland. In 1819, removed to Virginia, where they lived until 18344, when they removed to Ohio, locating in Champaign Co., on what is known as "Pretty Prai- rie ; " here they resided until their death ; he died June 3, 1847, aged 63 years ; his wife died Aug. 23, 1858, aged 68 years. Of a family of eleven children when they came to Ohio, six are now living-Jacob. Emanuel, Andrew, John, Mary and Hezekiah. M .. Showers was a very industrious, upright man ; he was brought up to the blacksmith trade, which he followed for many years, or until his removal to Virginia, since which time he has followed farming. When he started in life, his only capital was a good con- stitution and willing hands ; these he used diligently, and on " Pretty Prairie " he had one of the best farms in this section of the country, and had all the comforts and con- veniences of life, and these were all made by his own labor and industry. He was a man who refused offices, yet had the entire respect and confidence of the community. and was often solicited to accept many township offices, but refused them. He lived a long and useful life, and died loved and respected by all who knew him. Our subject remained with and assisted his father on the farm until 1834. Was married, Aug. 28. 1834, to Mary, daughter of Peter and Catharine ( Archey) Grove, he a native of Mary- land and she of Pennsylvania; issue, seven children ; four now survive-Susan E .. Abraham HI., Peter G. and Charles H. In the fall of 1838, Mr. Showers bought and located upon his present farm, where he has since lived, having made a continued res- idence here of forty-two years. Mr. Showers, like his father. has never desired office, yet has served more or less as School Director and Township Trustee. In his early life. he was a school teacher, and during his life has taken great interest in the welfare of the schools, and served as Director thirteen years. Mr. Showers has passed the active portion of his life, and now, from his advanced years and poor state of health, is living at his home, retired from active business.
WILLIAM TEACH, fariner; P. O. Springfield; was born in this county and township May 25, 1840. Is a son of Peter and Sarah (Angle) Teach, natives of Penn- sylvania, but became residents of this county and township about 1837 or 1838, where they followed farming as an occupation, and resided here until his death ; he died June 5, 1878. His wife is still living, now about 70 years of age. They were parents of seven children : five now survive-Daniel. Catharine, William, Martin and Franklin : two deceased -- David and Josiah. The latter died while in the army in the late war of the rebellion, he having enlisted in the 17th Ohio Battery. serving about nine months, when he was stricken down by sickness and death. Mr. Peter Teach, when he came to this county, was possessed of no means, but, by industry and economy, be became owner of a good farm and home and raised a large family of children, and gave them
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such advantages in education as those days afforded. He was also an active worker in the M. E. Church, having been a member for many years. Our subject remained at home with his father until his majority. Was married May 20, 1860, to Susanna, daughter of Charles and Catharine Leatherman, natives of Virginia, becoming residents of Ohio in 1855. They were parents of nine children ; seven now survive-Elizabeth. Susanna, David, Catharine, Barbara, John W. and Nicholas M. Mr. Leatherman always followed farming till the death of his wife, which occurred March 25, 1878, when, about a year later, he broke up housekeeping, since which he has resided with our subject, his son-in-law. He is now about 70 years of age ; has been a hardworking, industrious man all his life. He and wife were members of the German Baptist Church. Mrs. Su- sanna Teach was born Apri! 6, 1840. They have four children-David M., Peter L., Sarah C. and Jennie May.
THOMAS C. WILSON, farmer ; P. O. New Moorefield ; was born in Mercer Co., Ky., Sept. 11, 1806. Is a son of James and Anna (Clelland) Wilson; he a native of Virginia and she of Maryland, becoming settlers of Kentucky about 1802, and remained residents there about five years ; thence removed to Indiana near Lawrenceburg ; thence to Greene Co., Ohio, about 1813; thence to Clark Co., about 1815, remaining about one year ; thenco into Champaign Co., where they resided till their death. He died Feb. 27, 1837, aged 64 years ; his wife died in October, 1833, aged nearly 57 years. They move parents of eleven children ; five now survive-Rebecca, Elizabeth, Thomas C., Philip S. and David V. They were noted as active members of the Presbyterian Church from their early life, and died in the triumphs of a living faith. Our subject, at his majority, started out in the world for himself by working for $7 per month, and from this made his first capital and start in life. Was married, March 19, 1835, to Miss Jane H., daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Baldwin, natives of Virginia. She was born Dec. 19, 1801, being one of a family of eight children, one only now living-John W. Their issue is three children-Elizabeth Anu (now Mrs. Kennedy), James B. and Mary Jane, who married Evan R. Price, by whom she had two children-Evan Clelland and James B .; her husband died Sept. 26, 1871. Mr. Wilson's wife died Nov. 20, 1875. Mr. Wilson spent the first portion of his married life upon the farm where he now lives ; thence bought a farm near New Moorefield, where he resided seventeen years. In June, 1856, he bought and located again upon the farm where they first lived, and where he has since resided for a period of twenty-four years. He has 340 acres of excellent land, with fine buildings and improvements, most beautifully located, constituting a very pleasant farmer's residence. Mr. Wilson has never held or sought office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his own business affairs. Has been an active member of the Presbyterian Church since 1833, almost half a century. Has been a friend to education, having given his children special advantages by sending them to the high school at Springfield several terms. His life has been one of active usefulness, giving liberally of his abundant means to the support of schools and churches and all worthy objects.
JONAS WYANT, farmer; P. O. Springfield ; born in Maryland, April 25, 1822; is a son of Jacob and Susanna (Ridenour) Wyant, also natives of Maryland, but who removed to Ohio in October, 1837, locating in Miami Co., where they remained till the spring of 1838, when they removed to Champaign Co., residing in that county till 1845, when his sons bought the farin upon which they now live, and the family located here, where they lived until the death of Mr. Wyant; he died in January, 1851. They were parents of nine children, six now living-Susanna, Mary Ann, Hannah, Emily, Joseph and Jonas. Mrs. Wyant was married the second time to John Wyant, and became a resident of Warsaw, Ind., where she lived till her death. Our subject came with his parents to Ohio when in his 17th year, remaining with his father till his death. Was married Nov. 6, 1851, to Susan Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel and Dolly Ann (Vowls) Dennis, natives of Virginia, becoming residents of Ohio about 1835, where they resided till her death. She died Nov. 2, 1865. He is still living, now about 78 years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wyant have had uine children; eight now survive-Mary, Catharine, John F., William J., Chas. Edward, James V., Walter J., Emma V. and
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Clive Parker. Mr. Wyant has a farm of 112 acres of good land, mostly in good cu !- tivation, with good buildings and improvements ; also a small farm in Champaign Co. of 40 acres, well improved; also some good town property in Lagonda ; all of which has been made by his own industry, as when Mr. Wyant started out in life, he had no capital. Has labored hard and diligently, and, with economy and good management, has become well and comfortably situated, with an abundance of this world's goods for all the comforts of life. Mr. Wyant has been a member of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches for over thirty years, and his wife a member of the Reformed Church eleven years.
GEORGE W. YEAZEL, farmer ; born July 4, 1851, a native of Clark Co .; is a son of Jacob and Eleanor Yeazel, he a native of Ohio and she of Virginia. Jacob was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Nov. 10, 1809; is a son of Arbaham aud Mary (Curl) Yeazel, natives of Virginia, but became early settlers of Clinton Co., Ohio, where they resided till January, 1810, when they removed to Clark Co., and located upon the place where Jacob now resides. Here they lived till their death. He died Jan. 2, 1832; his wife died Sept. 22, 1828. When they came here, they began in pioneer style in the " little log cabin," opening out and clearing up the farm right from the primitive forest, and consequently endured all the hardships of such pioneer life. But before his death, by his own labor and industry, the work of his hands was rewarded by a good farm and home, with most of the comforts of life. Mr. Yeazel was a man of great integrity of character, and nau the confidence of the people, and although he never sought office, yet he was Justice of the Peace for several years. Of a family of fourteen children, seven now survive-Sally, David, Jacob, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sidney and James. Jacob remained with his father upon the home place till his death. Was married March 31,
1831, to Eleanor, daughter of John and Jane (Davis) Foley, natives of Virginia, who became residents of Clark Co. about 1805. Issue, seven children -- Eliza Jane, Catha- rine, John A., James E., Win. H., Ellen and George W. Mr. Yeazel is now 71 years of age; has been a resident of this county and upon the same farm seventy years; has, in connection with farming, dealt considerably in stock ; has been a man of industry and integrity of character, and taken a live interest in schools and the public interests of his township and community. Has held the office of School Director twelve years; and Township Trustee four years. Our subject was raised to farm labor. Was mar- ried Nov. 20, 1872, to Jennie, daughter of Jacob and Rachel McClelland, natives of Ohio. Issue, four children-Alice, Jacob, Mabel and Laura Bell. Mr. Yeazel located upon a farm of his father's, and afterward bought it, upon which he lived five years, then sold it and bought the farm upon which he now lives, and has since resided. He has 40 acres of good land, all in cultivation, upon which he has erected good buildings, and has good improvements, constituting a pleasant home and residence. Mr. Ycazel, in connection with farming, deals more or less in stock, and, although compara- tively a young man, is well situated, and having the confidence of the people, will, doubtless, make a success in life.
JACOB YEAZEL, JR., was born in Clark Co., Ohio, July 8, 1842, and is the son of Jeremiah and Jane M. Yeazel, and grew to manhood upon the old home- stead. He was married, Jan. 13, 1868, to Harriet Jones, daughter of John H. and Jemima C. (Bodkin) Jones, natives of Clark Co., and parents of five children-Will- iam W., Harriet Ann, Isabella and Virginia (twins) and George H, who was killed in the war of the rebellion. Mrs. Yeazel's father was killed by his horses running away with him Feb. 24, 1870, and her mother died Feb. 5, 1875. Mr. Yeazel farmed on various places until the spring of 1877, when he bought and located upon the farm of 170 acres, where he now resides, which is an excellent farm and under good cultivation. One chill has been born to them-Glenna A. Mr. Yeazel has bright prospects, being a good farmer and an upright man.
JEREMIAH YEAZEL, deceased. Of the many large and well-known families of Clark Co., the Yeazels are no doubt one of the most extensive in relationship and numbers. Jeremiah Yeazel was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1806, and was the son of Abraham and Mary (Curl) Yeazel, natives of Virginia, who settled in
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Clinton Co., Ohio, at an early day, coming to this county in January, 1810, and locat- ing in the southeast part of Moorefield Township, where Mary Yeazel died, Sept. 22, 1828. and her husband Jan. 2, 1832. They had a family of fourteen children, seven of whom are jut living, and Joemich grew to manhood. inured to the privations and. hardships of pioneer life. He was married, , Dec. 20, 1827, to Jane M. Hodge, daugh- ter of Andrew and Isabel (MeTire) Hodge, natives of Virginia, who first removed to Kentucky, coming to Pleasant Township, Clark Co., Ohio, in 1808. Mr. Ilodge entered 480 acres of land, upon which they spent their lives, enduring every hardship and trial which was the common lot of the pioneer, his wife dying Dee. 6, 1823, and he March 7, 1858, at the advanced age of 88 years. Of a family of six children who were born to Andrew and Isabel Hodge, all are now dead, Mrs. Yeazel having been the last survivor, she dying June 5, 1881, after a short illness, comforted in her last moments by the presence of her children. She was the only member of the Hodge family, born after her parents' settlement in this county, her birth occurring Dec. 24, 1809. Jeremiah and wife lived on rented farms for seven years, then bought a piece of land upon which they resided about eleven years, when they built the large house which has been the family home since the spring of 1845. To Jeremiah and Jane M. Veazel were born twelve children -- William E., John, James H., Mary J., Isabell, Andrew H., Jacob, Henry, Lousa, Scott, Edward W. and Sarah A., all of whom are living. with the exception of the youngest. They started in life poor, but by their own labor had accuruniated a good competency, when death severed the union, Jeremiah dying Jan. 16, 1861, upon the day he was 55 years old. Politically, a Republican ; he was a man well known and respected, and was a representative member of one of the leading fami- lies of Clark Co. His widow, with the help of her faithful children, added to the estate left by her husband until she was the owner of 558 acres of land under good cul- tivation, with fine improvements, which constituted a beautiful home for her in her declining years.
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