USA > Ohio > Darke County > The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; > Part 105
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111
730
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Mr. Drew is a member of the United Brethren Church, with which he has been identified since 1867.
POLLY FORD; P. O. Jaysville ; Polly Ford was the wife of Mordecai S. Ford, who was born in Kentucky in 1807, and came to this county with his motlier when quite young, his father having died while in the Indian war. Mr. Ford remained with his mother until the year 1829, when he was united in marriage with Polly Tillman, daughter of John Tillman, and located near her father's, just over the line in Preble Co., where they lived about two years, then bought the land upon which she now resides ; they moved here into a little log house, and just a few trees cleared away, so as to give a foot-hold for future labor in clearing up a farm ; Mr. Ford took hold with an indomitable will to make a home and to try to gain some of the comforts of life; and coupled with this, and during the most of his life, while struggling for the temporal interests of his family, he was not unmindful of his spiritual interests, and those of his family and the community in which he mingled, having given his life early to Christ, and taking upon himself as his disciple to preach the Gospel to his dying fellow-men, in which work he remained until his death ; he also realized the importance of education, and was engaged more or less as a teacher in the public schools ; he educated and qualified each and every one of his children, who all became teachers. During all these labors, Mr. Ford brought his farm of 160 acres most of it into good cultiva- tion, erected a good brick house, barn and other buildings convenient and com- fortable ; all this was done by indefatigable toil and industry ; and finally, his labors being done, at the call of his Divine Master. whom he had served so long and faithfully, he departed this life Nov. 23, 1867, to reap the reward of his labors in that better land "from whose bourn no traveler returns," and where no toils or cares ever come. They were the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom are now living, viz .; John, Henry, Delilah, Nancy, Worley, Martha, Royston, Mary and Lydia A. M .; all married and settled in life except John, Mary and Lydia, the two latter remaining at home with their mother; four of the sons became practicing physicians. Mrs. Ford is now 70 years of age, enjoying very good health, and may live many years yet to enjoy the fruits of their united labors, and the society of her kind and loving children.
LEVI FOURMAN, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; was born in Darke Co., in 1852 ; is a son of John and Saralı Fourman ; John was born in Pennsylvania and Sarah in Montgomery Co., Ohio; they came to this county in an early day, as given in sketch of John Fourman in this book. Levi Fourman was married in 1876 to Sarah Reichard, daughter of William and Nancy C. Reichard, who were from Preble Co., Ohio ; they have one child, viz., Lily Florence ; Levi is the fifth child of John Fourman, who when married, located where he now lives, upon 80 acres of fine land given him by his father, and upon which he has built a good two- story frame house. and a large barn and other buildings for convenience and com- fort. and is now as well fixed to live comfortable and happy as many who have toiled for years to make their home ; and, if he follows the footsteps of his father in industry and good management, he will in all probability become a wealthy and prominent citizen of his township.
JOHN FOURMAN, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; was born in Pennsylvania in 1820 ; his parents were John and Catharine Fourman, both natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Fourman came to this county with his parents, where they lived and died ; he was the second in a family of eight children, all of whom are living. He was married in 1845 to Sarah, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Baker, both born in Pennsylvania. John and Sarah Fourman have had born to them fifteen children, twelve of whom are now living, viz., Susannah, Jacob, Henry, Levi, Sarah, Sam- uel, Ananias, David, John, Allen, Emanuel and Elizabeth. They located on the farm, where they now live, in 1846; they cut the first stick of timber, made an opening, and built a small frame house with lumber sawed from a mill of their own " put up" when they first entered the county ; from this beginning they toiled.
731
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
on, enduring the hardships and deprivations, gradually making improvements, till now he has 241 acres of land ; he at one time had 1,000 acres of land, but has given to his children, to settle on, all but the 241 acres, which he still owns ; thus showing what an immense amount of labor has been performed, what an amount of property accumulated, and what a fine start he has given his children in life. This industrious and useful life of theirs will stand upon record on the pages of this history as a memorial for their children and their children's children, for all time to come.
GEORGE MARKER, farmer and gunsmith ; P. O. Gettysburg ; was born in 1830 in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; his parents were Jacob and Sarah Marker ; Jacob was born in Maryland in 1803, and Sarah in Montgomery Co., Ohio ; her maiden name was Shively, and she was born in 1809; they came to this county in 1835. Mr. Marker, the subject of this sketch, was married, in 1852, to Lydia Ebert, who was born in 1835 ; she was the daughter of William and Mary Ebert, who came from Pennsylvania at an early day ; they have had born to them eleven children, eight of whom are now living, viz., Isaac, Luther, Mary Elizabeth, Anna Jane, George Calvin, Dora Margaret, Jacob Wm. and Lewis Hiram. They located upon the farm where they now reside, containing 55 acres of land, with not a stick of tim- ber cut ; cleared out a small piece of land, put up a log cabin, and thus made a foothold to what is now their home, and then continued to work on, clearing up and improving, as time and means would permit, till now they have a good farm- house, a large, fine barn, and other buildings convenient and comfortable, 40 acres cleared and well cultivated. When he commenced life, he had about $700, and from this start he has accumulated a handsome property by hard labor and indus- try, which we can place upon the pages of this book as a worthy example to the young and rising generation.
J. B. MEHAFFIE, farmer; P. O. Delisle ; was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., May 27, 1826, being the eldest of seven children, three boys and four girls, the broth- ers dying shortly after reaching their manhood, unmarried, and leaving no heirs ; but the four sisters are all living ; his parents were John and Elizabeth Mehaffie ; they are natives of Pennsylvania, the former was born in 1800, the latter in 1803 ; his grandparents were John and Martha Mehaffie ; the grandfather was a cosmopolite, being born upon the Atlantic Ocean, his parents being then on their way from Ireland to America, he being one of four children ; the grandmother was born in Juniata Co., Penn .; her maiden name was Hoag ; the grandfather was born about 1763, and the grandmother about 1770 ; the grandfather dying about 1838, and the grandmother in 1846 ; the father of the subject of this sketch, died in October, 1854 ; his mother is still living. Mr. Mehaffie came to Preble Co., Ohio, in 1851 ; remained about three years, then returned to Pennsylvania, where he was united in marriage, in the same year, to Eleanor, daughter of John and Margaret Vanasd- len, both natives of Pennsylvania; her mother was the daughter of William and Rebecca Steele, who emigrated from Ireland in an early day, and came to this county with one child ; Rebecca Steele was the daughter of Taggart ; Mr. Mehaflie returned with his wife to Preble Co., Ohio, where they lived about three years ; then moved to Montgomery Co., where they remained till August, 1872, when they came to Darke Co., on the farm on which they now reside ; Mr. Mehaffie was favored with a good education, and before he was of age he took the honorable and useful occupation of teaching school, which occupation he has followed every year for thirty years, not missing one winter during that time, but what he was in the school-room ; during this time, when not engaged in teaching, was raising tobacco and farming ; the farm upon which he now lives, consisting of 80 acres, he pur- chased of John Smith, of Arcanum, at a cost of $5,000, in 1872, with no buildings except a small log-house; Mehaffie has since built a large addition to the house, and has built a fine large barn and other outbuildings for convenience and com- fort ; has greatly improved and cleared up the land, till now he has a fine farm, with 65 acres in good cultivation; they have had born to them six children,
732
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
all now living, viz., Horace W., William C., Margaretta, Elizabeth, Clara E. and Myrta, the oldest, Horace, being married and settled in life, and the others yet single and at home ; Mr. Mehaffie has never desired or taken any active part in political matters ; he is now, however, Township Clerk ; Mr. Mehaffie and wife are active members of the United Brethren Church, having been members of the same for twenty years.
JOSEPH GORDON MILLER, carpenter and farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Poplar Ridge ; son of John Phillips Miller and Rachel Baldwin, was born about five miles northwest from Taneytown, Carroll Co., Md., July 12, 1824, and settled in Adams Township. September, 1845. Was united in marriage with Rachel Trowbridge, in Van Buren Township, Sept. 20, 1849 ; children's names-John W. T., David B., Albert F., Eleonor J., Simon F., James H., Rachael M. J. In the fall of 1845, was examined by David Beers, John Wharry and Dr. Briggs and from them received a certificate to teach school ; was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace August, 1859, and served six terms ; served five or six terms as Trustee of this township ; when the militia was organized, was elected Captain for this township, and received his commission. Has been a resident of Sec. 2, Van Buren Township, since 1822.
JOHN J. OSWALT, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; a native of Germany ; was born in 1836 ; he is the son of Martin and Anna M. Oswalt. Mr. Oswalt came to America in 1852, when 16 years of age ; after being here about eighteen months, he returned to Germany for his mother and two sisters, his father being dead ; brought them here and located in Franklin Township, this county, in 1854. He was united in marriage in 1862, to Elizabeth, daughter of Elias and Mary Baker, who were both natives of Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they have had eleven children, all living, viz., Delilah, Elias, Sarah, Anna Magdalene, Mary Ellen, John Henry, Morton, Lydia, Elizabeth, Charles Ellsworth and William David ; they located upon the farm upon which they now live, the next spring after they were married, having at that time bought 80 acres all in the woods ; this was the beginning in clearing up the land to make a home, and by industry and hard labor they have now a fine farm, having bought 80 acres more, making in all 160 acres of good land, and about 115 aeres in a good state of cultivation ; this has all been accomplished, together with raising a large family of children, by diligent and earnest labor, coupled with good management and frugality ; and we are pleased to place this record upon the pages of this history, as a bright and shining example which may be read by his children's children, and all future generations, in all time to come.
ALLEN PEARSON, farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; one of the old pioneers of Darke Co .; was born in South Carolina in 1806, and when about 6 years of age, came with his mother (his father having died when he was but an infant), to Ohio and settled in Warren Co., where he remained till about 15 years of age, when they settled in Darke Co .; at the time Mr. Pearson came here, it was a perfect wilderness ; in most directions there were no settlers within twelve to fifteen miles of him, and many Indians roamed through the forests ; at that time, they would pack their corn to mill for a distance of twenty miles or more. Mr. Pearson was united in marriage in 1827, to Mary, danghter of Moses Arnold, also from South Carolina, who came here prior to Mr. Pearson, hence making them among the very oldest settlers of Darke Co .; to them eleven children have been born, of whom only four are now living, viz., Maria, Mary Ann, Edney and Westley ; the children are married and settled in life, the three daughters in this county, and Westley in Illinois. Mr. Pearson and wife are among those indus- trions old pioneers, who came here poor and endured all the hardships incident to such life, in fact, endured perhaps more than most of other residents ; as an illus- tration-when they came here they constructed a little log hut, with an opening to answer for an entrance, and hung up an old quilt for a door ; this was early in the summer of 1818 ; the floor of the house was the " mother earth ;" they had no chimney, but built their fire on the ground, in the middle of the room ; in this manner, they lived till fall, when some little improvements were made ; from this
733
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
commencement. step by step, they advanced along life's journey, gradually making such improvements as their wants and means demanded and would justify, till, at the present time, they have 200 acres of land, and about three-quarters of it under cultivation, a good brick house, good barns, etc., with all necessary comforts of life, thus being an example to rising generations of what industry, coupled with frugality, will accomplish.
WILLIAM ROBESON, farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., in 1817 ; came with his father to Ohio in the same year, being only 2 months old ; his father, David Robeson, located first on the Miami River, about eight miles below Dayton, where he remained about sixteen years, when, in 1833, he moved to Darke Co. and located in Butler Township, where he lived till his death, which occurred three years after, or in 1836. Mr. Robeson, the subject of this sketch, resided on the home place about seventeen years. He was married to Esther Dongan in 1849 ; she was the daughter of Isaac Dongan and was born in Butler Co. in 1828. In 1852, Mr. Robeson bought the farm upon which he now resides and moved on to it the same year, there being about 30 acres cleared and a small cabin erected upon the same ; by hard labor and industry, he now has a fine farm of 140 acres, 85 acres being under cultivation. There have been thirteen children born to them, and only four of them now living, viz., Isaac D., Eliza D., Mary Ann and Ida Ellen May ; two are married, and two remain single at home. His wife died in May, 1874, since which time his daughters have taken charge of his household affairs. Mr. Robeson has accumulated all his present wealth by dint of his own exertion, with the exception of 40 acres, which he received from his father ; he gave his only son a start in life by giving him 44 acres of land ; he is now married and settled upon the same. Mr. Robeson is now past 62 years of age, and enjoying good health, and may live many years to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and, perhaps, to add to his possessions.
PATRICK SHIELDS, farmer ; P. O. Delisle ; was born in Preble County, Ohio, in 1831 ; his parents, Isaac and Elizabeth Shields, had born unto them thirteen children, of whom ten are now living ; his father and mother were natives of Preble County. Mr. Shields was the second child of his parents, and came with them to Darke County in 1838, and located in Van Buren Township, where he has lived to the present time, with the exception of three years, in which he lived north of here about fifteen miles. In 1853, Mr. Shields was united in marriage with Mary J., daughter of Caleb and Mary Brown ; to them have been born eight children, all of whom are now living, three boys and five girls, viz., Nancy, Mary Alice, Caleb, Elizabeth, William L., Laura May, Ada and Donovan F. Mr. Shields, though not one of the oldest, but yet an early settler, says he remembers well of the many hunts after wolves, bears and various kinds of game, which were then so plentiful ; Mr. Shields commenced farming twenty-seven years ago, with a capital of $80, one cow and half a dozen chickens, and from this small beginning has, by industry, frugality, skill and management, advanced step by step toward success, till now he is the owner of 221 acres of land, all under cultivation, and as good land as any in the township ; has a good, two-story frame house, nearly new, and everything con- venient and comfortable. During all this labor, Mr. Shields paid in support of the war of the rebellion about $1,600 ; he is still a man in middle age, and, with the fine competency he has obtained, the ability with which he handles his means, the industrious habits, and interesting family he has to help him on, he will in all probability arise to a prominence among the residents of the county ; he is a living example in correct business habits for his children and future generations in time to come.
ISAAC M. SHIELDS, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum; was born in this county and township in 1846 ; his parents were Isaac and Elizabeth Shields, natives of Preble County, further record of whom is made in sketch of Patrick Shields. Mr. Shields was married in 1864 to Ellen, daughter of Mathias and Amanda Weaver, further record of whom is made in sketch of Amanda Weaver. Mr. Shields
734
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES .
has always followed farming, having bought and sold several farms, upon which he lived for longer or shorter times, until, in the spring of 1874, he bought the farm where he now lives, and moved on to it in spring of 1875, since which he has built a large brick house, a very fine barn and made other improvements, and has now one of the finest residences in the township. When Mr. Shields started in life, he had no capital of any amount ; he is now owner of 280 acres of land, 220 now under good cultivation ; this large property with all improvements he has become owner of by his own activity, industry and shrewd management, and is still a young man of 33 years of age, just in the prime of life ; and, should his health be spared, he has every prospect of becoming one of the wealthiest men of the township. He is the father of seven children, six being now living, viz., Amanda E., Isaac Mathias, Susanna. Minnie Rosella, Elva Mariah and William Ray. He was one of those who, at the call of his country during the rebellion, allowed his patriotism to carry him forward to its defense ; he enlisted early in the war in 1862, in the 110th Regi- ment, in Company B, O. V. I., and served through the war, returning safely to his loved ones at home. In this sketch, we are pleased to put upon the pages of the history of Darke County one of its citizens, a young man whose record shall stand a bright and shining light of industry, success and true patriotism to his children and children's children, and all future generations, as a worthy example to follow ; and if they do follow it, it will lead to the sure road to success and prosperity.
WILLIAM TOWNSEND, farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; was born in Neave Township in 1830 ; his father, James Townsend, was born in South Carolina, and emigrated to Ohio in an early day, and located in Greene County, where he remained a few years, then moved to Darke Co., Neave Township, where he lived until his deatlı ; his settlement in the county was in the days of the pioneers, there being but few settlements in the neighborhood ; he was the father of six children, four of whom are now living. William Townsend, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of the family : he lived with his father till his death, which occurred when he was about 17 years of age ; then he remained with his mother till after her deatlı. He was united in marriage in 1854, with Elizabeth, daughter of Jonas Hartzell ; she was born in Pennsylvania, and came to this county with her father when she was about 2 years of age ; since their marriage, they have been blessed with six children. all of whom are now living ; Mr. Townsend has followed the honest and honorable occupation of farming during his life, with the exception of about three years, in which he was engaged in the milling business ; he has, by his own labor and industry, with a small inheritance from his father, obtained a competency, having a fine quarter-section of land, mostly under cultivation. He is a prominent and active member of the United Brethren Church, with which he has been connected for five years, and has had the pleasure of seeing the three oldest of his children become worthy members of the church. Thus, while working and accumulating this world's goods, he is also in the higher and nobler work of trying to lay up treasures in heaven, and training up those under his charge in the "nurture and admonition of the Lord."
ALFRED TOWNSEND, farmer ; P. O. Jaysville ; was born in Van Buren Township in 1834. on the place now owned by William Townsend ; his parents were Jonathan and Susanna Townsend. He was married in 1856, to Mary A., danghter of Isaac and Elizabeth Shields; she was born in 1833 in Preble Co., Ohio, and moved with her parents to this county in 1836, being then about 3 years of age ; she is the third in a family of ten children. Mr. Townsend was of a family of four children, having two sisters and a half-brother, he being the youngest of the three first born. After Mr. Townsend was married, he followed farming on rented farms till 1868, when he bought 80 acres, on which he now lives ; he added 40 acres to it in 1875, making him now owner of 120 acres. They are the parents of ten children, four boys and six girls, all of whom are living, and ranging from 3 to 23 years of age, viz., Sarah E., Andrew J., William H., Ida May, Mary Bell,
735
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
Isaac Edward, Josephine, Effaretta, George Alfred and Martha Ford. Mr. Town- send is one of those who has had his " ups and downs ;" he was early thrown upon his own resources, but had been favored with a good education ; has followed teaching school nearly every winter ; he first taught school before he was 16 years of age ; he has now a good farm of 85 acres in cultivation, with good build- ings, very comfortable and convenient ; he has held several township offices, such as Assessor, Clerk and Trustee, thus showing that not only has he been successful in life. but has the confidence of the community in which he lives by the trusts confided in him. Mr. Townsend is one of those who, during the late war-the rebellion-took up arms in the defense of his country's rights and its flag, having enlisted in the 152d O. V. I., Co. I., entering as Orderly Sergeant, in which capacity he served four months ; he was then promoted to First Lieutenant in the O. N. G., in which he served till honorably discharged, thus proving himself a true soldier and a patriot in time of his country's danger.
AMANDA WALKER ; P. O. Arcanum ; was the wife of Mathias Weaver, who was born in Preble Co., Ohio, in 1821, and Amanda Weaver was born in Butler Co., Ohio, in 1828 ; his father, Larkin Weaver, was a native of Virginia ; Mrs. Weaver's father, Lewis Blackman, was a native of England, who came to this country at an early day. Mathias Weaver was married to Amanda Blackman in 1844, and moved to Darke Co., Van Buren Township, about 1845, and located on the place upon which she now lives ; the land was then all a wilderness ; they cut away the timber and built a little log house, so as to shelter them from the weather, with a few boards up in the loft, where they kept their meat and provis- ions, etc ; from this beginning, they labored on until 1873 ; they then had a good farm of about 100 acres, nearly all in cultivation. Mr. Weaver was taken sick, and died Oct. 26. 1873 ; since which time she has remained a widow, and carried on farming with industry and ability, which has enabled her to keep her family together with her, and to enjoy the home and comforts which they had by their united efforts and industry obtained prior to his death. They were the parents of nine children, all of whom are living, viz., Ellen, Emma, Maria, Mary Jane, Susan, Lydia Ann, Lucinda Josephine, Lewis Edward and William Harvey ; four are married and settled in life ; the other five single and at home with their mother, to cheer her on her way through the journey of life. We should mention that they had accumulated 180 acres of land prior to Mr. Weaver's death, 80 acres of which has been divided among the four married children-thus giving them a capital on which to begin their business life.
WILLIAM WEAVER, farmer ; P. O. Arcanum ; was born in Madison Co., Va., in 1812 ; his parents were Larkin and Susannah Weaver. Mr. Weaver came to Preble Co., Ohio, with his parents in 1820, and then moved to Darke Co., Van Buren Township, and entered 80 acres of land, where he now lives. He was mar- ried in 1835 to Mary, daughter of Charles and Jemima Harriman, natives of Scioto, Ohio ; when they came to Darke Co. upon their land, there was not a stick of timber cut ; they made the first opening and built a small log house ; worked and toiled on from year to year, enduring all the hardships incident to that day ; from year to year they were enabled to see the forests disappear and the various improvements take their place ; plenty and comfort take the place of want and scarcity, till now he is owner of 100 acres of excellent land, for which at one time he was offered $100 per acre. They are the parents of eight children, four boys and four girls, six of whom are now living, viz., Daniel, Eliza Jane, Jemima Ann, Susan Etta, John H. and William Allen, all being married and settled in life, except Susan Etta, who, having lost her husband, is at home keeping house for her father, Mr. Weaver's wife having been dead thirty-two years, dying in 1848. Mr. Weaver is now 68 years of age, is enjoying good health, has been a widower, as stated above, for thirty-two years ; he is a very popular auctioneer and cries a great many sales through his neighborhood ; he is one of those jovial and jolly old pioneers, who is kind hearted, notwithstanding his many odd ways ; in fact has
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.