The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 106

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076

USA > Ohio > Hardin County > The history of Hardin county, Ohio > Part 106

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).

927

CESSNA TOWNSHIP.

disability. Mr. Reid has always followed farming, and still resides on his farm of 160 acres, which is under a high state of cultivation. Although sixty-two years of age, he is still robust and hearty, his even life and tem- perate habits having contributed to his good health. Respected by all, he stands out a bold beacon light to the young, saying " Go thou and do like- wise. "

GEORGE HOUSER REID, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, December 31, 1849. (For his parentage see sketch of S. A. Reid in this volume. ) He was educated in the common schools and brought up to farming. He was married to Mary 'Elizabeth Bryan, born October 5, 1849, and a daughter of John and Hannah (Huey) Bryan, of Jay County, Ind. Her father was born in Allen County and was one of the first settlers of Jay County, Ind .; her grandfather was a native of Pennsylvania, and also a pioneer of Jay County. Both of her parents helped to give decent burial to the soldiers' bones collected around Fort Recovery. Mr. Reid and his wife are the parents of two children -- Lewis Eugene, born September 13, 1875, and Eva Loraine, born October 27, 1877. Mr. Reid is still young and occupied in farming, but so afflicted with rheuma- tim that he is often unable to do a good day's work.

GEORGE D. ROBERTS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born February 6, 1847, and is a son of John and Ann (Mahan) Roberts. His father was, born October 17, 1817, in Virginia and came to Carroll County, Ohio, in 1828, and was one of the pioneers of that county. He was a member of the Church of Christ, and died September 30, 1882, after a life of service to God and his fellow-men. Our subject was married, August 30, 1873, to Miss Eva Thorpe, born April 1, 1854, daughter of Milo and Mary (McCord) Thorp, of Sandusky County, Ohio. Mr. Roberts was educated at. the common school of the county, and he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ. They have four children-Myrtie B., born July 15, 1874; Eddie, born January. 25, 1876; Clarence Emmet, born April 20, 1878; and George Elgin, born June 16, 1883. Mr. Roberts follows farming for an occupation, and owns eighty acres of land. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served as Trustee of his township. He is a man of sterling worth and reliable character, well worthy of the estima- tion in which he is held by the community where he resides.

ELLIS SAMS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Brown County, Ohio, May 30, 1827. His mother, Elizabeth Gatts, was a daughter of Mar- tin and Sarah Gatts, of German descent, who came to Brown County, Ohio, at an early day. . Her father owned a mill and three farms near Newhope, and was Justice of the Peace in his township for several years. Our sub- ject's father was Levi Sams, born September 6, 1798, died May 9, 1855; his mother was born October 12, 1800, died January 10, 1870. They were married August 3, 1825. Our subject was united in marriage, April 9, 1850, to Delilah Hendriexson, born in Brown County, Ohio, March 19, 1829, and a daughter of George and Alley (Courts) Hendriexson. Her father was born January 31, 1803, died September 23, 1854; her mother was born January 13, 1801, died September 6, 1854; they are buried on the homestead in Scott Township, Brown County, Ohio. George Hendriex- son was a Methodist Episcopal exhorter and class leader, a pattern of Christian piety, and was respected and beloved by all. He served several years as Justice of the Peace of his township. Mr. Sams and his wife have had nine children, as follows: Eliza Jane, born March 9, 1851, married to Wilson Cole September 22, 1870, by whom she has had four children;

928

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

Sarah Elizabeth, born April 14, 1852, died February 20, 1853; William Levi, born July 25, 1853, married to Emma Bell Draper, March 15, 1876; Emeline, born January 23, 1855, married March 11, 1873, to Samuel Strahm; George Farris, born July 27, 1857, married October 5, 1880, to Mary Martin; Melissa, born May 29, 1859, married October 7, 1880, to David C. Hively; John Alonza, born March 24, 1861; Charles, born January 31, 1863; and Francis Marion, born December 11, 1867. Mr. Sams and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Sams is an old-fashioned Jackson Democrat, has served as Justice of the Peace of Cessna Township, and has also filled several minor offices.

JOHN SCHWEMMER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, is a native of Germany, born in the year 1820, and is a son of George and Christine (Steve) Schwemmer. His parents emigrated to America in 1842. Our subject married, in 1855, Mary Eliza Wedertz, a native of Germany, who came to America when about twenty years of age. They have eight children, viz., Mary Eliza, born January 12, 1857, and wife of Michael Bush, of Kenton; Wilhelmina, born February 19, 1859, wife of George Henry, of Kenton; William Oscar, born January 7, 1861; John Noah, born May 13, 1863; Charlie Ellsworth, born November 13, 1866; Andrew J., born April 25, 1870, and Caroline, born April 25, 1872. Mrs. Schwemmer died March 14, 1874. At the time of the rebellion, Mr. Schwemmer was drafted in 1864, but hired a substitute. He belongs to the Lutheran Church. H owns a fine farm of 105 acres of land, located on Section 11, Cessna Township.

MICHAEL STEINER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, is a native of Germany, born in 1828, and is a son of George and Margaret Steiner. He emigrated with his parents from his native country in 1846, and was fifty-two days on the voyage. He located in Holmes County, Ohio, and subsequently, in 1858, in Hardin County, where he has since remained. His education was obtained from the common schools of Germany, and by occupation he is a farmer. In 1859, the year following his arrival in Hardin County, Mr. Steiner was united in marriage to Elizabeth Metzger, born in 1831 in Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Metzger, of German descent. Eight children have resulted from this union, viz., John M., William F., Mary Eliza, Lucinda Emeline, Joseph Elmore, Aaron and Ames (twins), and Charles F. Mr. Steiner and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Steiner's brother, Enoch Metzger, was killed by a thresher in Hancock County, Ohio. Her father's and mother's death's were just one week apart; the former was aged seventy-five and the latter seventy-four years. George Steiner, the father of our subject, was born in 1796, is still living and resides in Hardin County.

GEORGE JOHN STEINER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born June 1, 1830, in Germany, whence he emigrated in 1844, first locating in Holmes County, Ohio. In 1858, he moved to Hardin County, Ohio, where he owns a farm of eighty acres in a fine state of cultivation and with good farm buildings. He was married, October 4, 1860, to Julia Ann, widow of Robert Skates, and a daughter of August and Christena Guider. Mrs. Steiner was born in Columbus, November 9, 1835. Her father moved to Hardin County when she was six years old. Mrs. Steiner by her first hus- band had four children, all of whom died in infancy except one-Mary V. Skates, who is married to James W. Cessna, in Hardin County, but moved to Kansas in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Steiner have been blessed with five children, viz., Henry William, born November 9, 1861, at home; an in-

929

CESSNA TOWNSHIP.

fant, deceased at the age of ten days; John Daniel, born August 26, 1865, at home; Emma Lavinia, died at the age of five years and ten months; and Clarence Wilson, born May 13, 1875, at home. Mr. Steiner and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Steiner is a farmer and has a comfortable home with pleasant surroundings.

ASA WARD, P. O. Kenton, Hardin County, Ohio, was born in Madison Township, Perry County, Ohio, October 25, 1815. He was mar- ried in 1845 to Louisa Gipe, third daughter of Henry and Margaret Gipe, who emigrated to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1840. Has been a resident of Hardin County, Ohio, since 1865. He has six children as follows: John H., married to Mariah Shadly, deceased, and sub- sequently to Samantha Grubb; Lucy Margaret, wife of John Daniels, of Hardin County; Mary Minerva, deceased, wife of Gilman House- worth; Sarah Ann, wife of Alexander Daniels, a resident of Cessna Town- ship; Barbary Elizabeth, wife of Elisha Atha, of Allen County, Ohio; and David Edwin, at home. Mr. Ward is a fine type of the pioneer farmer; honest, intelligent and hospitable. He is very much respected by all that have his acquaintance, and has filled various positions of honor and trust.

JACOB WARMBROD, farmer, P. O. Kenton, is a native of Switzer- land, born May 19, 1836, and is a son of John and Barbara Warmbrod. He came with his parents to the United States in 1852 and settled in Har- din County, Ohio, in the same year. On October 2, 1863, he was married to Anna Mary Wagoner, a native of Switzerland, whence she emigrated with her parents when about two years of age. The three children born to them are Lee, born in 1866; Mary, and Laura. Mrs. Warmbrod departed this life in 1874, and in 1876 Mr. Warmbrod remarried, taking for his second wife Katy Fry, a native of Hardin County, Ohio. This union re- sulted in three children-Effie, Robert Ingersoll and Neddy. Mr. Warm- brod is an intelligent, energetic farmer, but takes no part either in political or church affairs.

JOHN ROBINSON WETHERILL, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in England March 19, 1809. His parents were William Peter and Ann (Fountain) Wetherill. In 1821, our subject emigrated from England, land- ing in New York, and the following year came to Ohio and located in Rich- land County, remaining there until 1839, when he settled in Hardin Coun- ty. In 1834, he was married to Betsey Gloyd, of Richland County, Ohio, by whom he had thirteen children, viz., Rebecca F., wife of Henry Groves, both deceased; William P., married to Martha Irwin, and residing in Allen County, Ohio; Adelaide, wife of J. L. B. Leatherman, and a resident of Allen County, Ohio; Amanda, wife of William Conner; Alexander, mar- ried to Lydia Ellen Heath, of Allen County; James G., married to Emily Donelson and living in Hardin County; Thomas F., married to Cordelia A. Rombeau, and resident of Paulding County, Ohio; Eulalia, at home; Harriet Ann, wife of John C. Durbin, of Hardin County; Sarah, wife of Milton Belford, of Allen County; Ira R., married to Susan Latimer and residing in Allen County; John Franklin, married to Sally White, in Allen County; and Alice, wife of Granville Latimer, of Hardin County. Mrs. Wetherill died in 1865, and Mr. Wetherill subsequently married Phœba, Ziegler, daughter of John Tankard, of England. Four of Mr. Wetherill's sons served during the rebellion, James G., in the Fortieth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry; Alexander and Thomas, in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment; and William P., in the One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Vol-

930

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

unteer Infantry. Mr. Wetherill and his first wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and his present wife of the Disciple Church.

JOHN WILSON, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born July 29, 1844, and is of Irish parentage, a son of James and Ann (Sutton) Wilson. He came to Ohio in 1863, and, in the spring of 1869, settled on his present farm of fifty acres, which he has since been occupied in cultivating. . On May 22, 1861, he enlisted in the New York Second Scott Life Guards, and served to June of 1863. He took part in the following engagements: Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, seven days before Richmond, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, second Bull Run, Chantilla, and at the last named battle he was slightly wounded. The regiment had started out full and returned with 138 men, and his company with only eighteen. He was awarded a silver medal for meritorious conduct. On March 17, 1870, he was united in marriage to Eliza Jane Bateson, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, by whom he had four children. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church. Mr. Wilson is an F. & A. M. in good standing in Lodge No. 154, in Chapter No. 119, and in Council No. 65, of Kenton.

OWEN PERRY WILSON, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Marion Township, Hardin County, Ohio, May 3, 1853. He is a son of H. H. and Mary J. (Cooney) Wilson, of Logan and Champaign Counties, Ohio, re- spectively. Our subject was reared on a farm, educated at the common schools and completed the scientific course of the Northwestern Ohio Nor- mal School, June 11, 1875, the course including instruction at Mount Union College, the years 1874 and 1875. Since then he has been teaching; was for five terms in the common schools of the county and one year in the Normal School at Ada. He was united in marriage, October 2, 1877, to Mary Lindsey, born May 6, 1857, a daughter of James H. and Elon Lind- sey, of Wyandot County, Ohio. They have one child, a son, who was born March 29, 1880, died April 7, 1880. Mr. Wilson and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a Class Leader, and where he has also served as Superintendent and teacher in the Sabbath school. He and his wife visited the centennial of 1876, their trip includ- ing Washington City and New York, returning via the Hudson River and Niagara Falls. Their wedding tour in 1877 included Niagara, with other Eastern points of interest.

HALE TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM H. ALLYN, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., April 4, 1817. His parents, Pelatiah and Amelia Allyn, were natives of Connecticut, whence they moved in 1822, settling in Portage County, Ohio, where they remained for the rest of their years. Mr. Allyn died about 1855, followed by his widow about 1866. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, October 4, 1838, to Miss Sarah, daugh- ter of Charles Slayton. She was born in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., De- cember 21, 1819. To this union have been born eight children, five living, viz., Amelia, Julia, Franklin, Mary and Walter. The three deceased are Albin, Homer and Charles W. Mr. Allyn began life as a carpenter. Sub- sequently engaging in farming, he bought ninety-seven acres of land,

931

HALE TOWNSHIP.

which is now all improved and has good farm buildings. He lived in Union County, Ohio, from 1852 to 1866, coming thence to Hardin County, where he has since resided.

CHARLES ANSLEY, farmer, P. O. Ridgeway, was born in Kentucky August 4, 1814. His parents, William and Mary Ansley, moved from their native State, Maryland, to Kentucky, and from there emigrated to Ohio in 1835, settling in Logan County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were interred in the Rush Creek Cemetery of that county. William Ansley pursued farming for his occupation. The subject of this. sketch was married, September 1, 1886, to Mary, daughter of Charles and Eliza Spencer, the former deceased. She was born in Maryland January 29, 1815, and is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Ansley owned ninety acres of land in Logan County, Ohio, which he sold, coming to Hardin County in 1856 and settling in Hale Township, where he purchased 205 acres of land. He sold ninety-seven acres to his son, and has since added, and now owns 345 acres, most of which is improved. He also takes an interest in the breeding of cattle. To Mr. and Mrs. Ansley have been born six children, of' whom five are living, viz., James R., George W., Mary J., Charles T. and Lida E .; Joan (deceased) was born June 18, 1837, died June 8, 1851. Since coming to Hardin County, Mr. Ansley has been very successful in his business.

ALONZO D. BAILEY, druggist, Ridgeway, was born in Washington County, Ohio, June 6, 1844, and is a son of William B. and Mary Bailey. His father was a native of Virginia, born April 19, 1803, died in 1867; his mother, born in New Jersey April 25, 1808, died in 1875. They emigrated to Belmont County, Ohio, moving thence to Washington County, from there to Logan County, where they both died. Alonzo D., our subject, was mar ried, February 14, 1872, to Miss Celestia, daughter of Thomas and Eliza Stewart, both deceased. She was born in Logan County, Ohio, February 15, 1849. To Mr. and Mrs. Bailey have been born six childern, viz, Daisey, Dean R., Claude S., Stewart W., Darel and Vance. Mr. Bailey learned the shoe-maker's trade, following it for several years, and in 1873 engaged in the drug business, owning the only drug store in Ridgeway, and has a good town and country trade. He has filled the office of Treas- urer of the village, and he and his family are well respected by the com- munity in which they reside.

IRA W. BAKER (deceased) was born in Tioga County, N. V., October 19, 1820. His father, Joseph I. Baker, was a native of Massachusetts, his mother, Electa Baker, of Connecticut. In 1827, the parents moved to In- diana, locating in Lawrenceburg, and ten years after pressed forward to Champaign County, Ohio, and settled fourteen miles from Urbana. Mr. Baker, the father of our subject, died in April, 1856, having been preceded by his wife in 1852. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, June 21, 1848, to Rebecca Monroe, who was born in Warren County, Ohio, March 2, 1831, and is a daughter of George and Elizabeth Monroe, both deceased. Mr. Baker was a member of the Methodist Protestant Church, which church the family still attend. His farm consisted of 102 acres of land, located in Hale Township, where the widow and family are residing. The land is well improved and has good farm buildings on it. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born nine children, of whom seven are living, viz., Sarah (wife of Jonathan Fenstemaker), James, Eva, Ada (wife of Elroy Morvin), George W., Emma M. and Burt. The two deceased were Oliver W., born July 11, 1849, died July 12, 1851, and Olive J., born May 3, 1851, died

932

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES :

January 3, 1871. Mr. Baker died June 17, 1879, his loss deeply mourned by the family.

URIAH BALDWIN, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, was born in Cham- paign County, Ohio, May 30, 1824, and is a son of Daniel and Hannah Baldwin. His father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Tennessee, and his mother in Ohio, in which State they were married, settling in Cham- paign County, thence coming to Hardin County in 1835. Mrs. Baldwin died here October 8, 1847, and her husband subsequently married a Miss Steward and moved to Logan County, Ohio, where he died March 6, 1866, his widow following him January 17, 1883. The subject of this sketch chose farming for his occupation, and some years ago bought 122 acres of land, to which he has since added forty acres, and is now living on the farm. He was married, September 5, 1848, to Hannah L., daughter of Abner and Hannah Snoddy. She was born in Logan County, Ohio, Decem ber 5, 1827. This union has resulted in seven children, of whom five are living, viz., Joan (wife of A. T. Sponsler), Daniel, Abner, Dora Inez, Beulah and an infant (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin also raised and educated an adopted daughter, who goes by the name of Nettie B. Baldwin. During the late war, Mr. Baldwin was in the 100-day service, in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was in several skirmishes. He lived for six years in Ridgeway, and built the first house in the place, but since then has resided on his farm. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church. He has filled the offices of Assessor and Trustee of Hale Township for three years each.

E. S. BUTLER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Ridgeway, was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 11, 1838, and is a son of Benjamin and Eliza Butler. His parents are natives of Virginia, whence they moved to Logan County, Ohio, at an early day. His mother, who is living, is still a resi- dent of that county. Our subject came to Hardin County in 1867, settling in Buck Township, removing from there, in 1880, to Hale Township. He was united in marriage, in 1861, to Miss Rachel Ansley, who was born Au- gust 16, 1842, and died December 19, 1880. He then-March 22, 1882 -- married Miss Hattie Shaw. He is the father of three children by his first wife-Florence A. (wife of O. W. Dille), Henry H. and George E. His first wife was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Butler is a member of the Masonic order. His farm consists of 500 acres of well-improved land, with good farm buildings-one of the best arranged farms in Hardin Coun- ty for the raising and breeding of stock. Mr. Butler makes a specialty of short-horned cattle and Shropshire-Down sheep, importing his sheep from England and his cattle from Kentucky. He has met with good average success since coming to this county.

ELIAS CONVERSE, farmer, P. O. Mount Victory, was born in Madi- son County, Ohio, April 22, 1829. His parents, Silas and Betsey E. Con- verse, were natives of Vermont. His father emigrated to Ohio about 1815, his mother some years after, making their permanent home in Madison County. Mrs. Converse died in 1836, and her husband subsequently mar- ried Diadoma Bowers, a native of Vermont. Mr. Converse was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1880, followed by his widow in November of 1882. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, April 22, 1851, to Miss Margaret E., daughter of Farrow Clemmons. She was a native of Ohio, born December 12, 1832, and died January 26, 1860. Mr. Converse married again, September 27, 1860, Miss Julia S., daughter of Harris and Julia Janes, born in Madison County, Ohio, January 1, 1839. Mr. and

933

HALE TOWNSHIP.

Mrs. Converse are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. By his first marriage he had two children-Amy H. and Webster E. (deceased); the former is the wife of Thomas C. McCall. By his second union, Mr. Converse has had six children (one deceased) -- Estella U. (wife of , William L. Bird), Ettie E., Ernest E., Nellie G, and Mable L .; Rody, deceased. Mr. Converse has always pursued the occupation of a farmer. He inherited forty acres of land in Madison County, Ohio, which he sold and bought 640 acres in Missouri. He subsequently purchased 100 acres in Hale Township, Hardin County, where he and his family reside. He came to this county in 1866 and has been generally successful. He is a member of the Masonic order, and has filled the offices of Trustee and Justice of the Peace in Madison County, and Trustee of Hale Township. He has been on the School Board here for eight consecutive years.

CHRISTIAN COPP, farmer, P. O. Ridgeway, was born on the James River, Botetourt Co., Va., March 9, 1809, and is a son of George and Christina Copp. His father died in Virginia when our subject was nine years of age, and his mother afterward married John Walker, who also died there. The widow subsequently came to Hardin County, where she re- mained for the rest of her life. Our subject emigrated from Virginia to Logan County, Ohio, and remained there for seven years, coming, in 1841, to Hardin County and settling on the farm where he resides. He purchased 154 acres, mostly woodland, with a small cabin thereon, and added from time to time, until he and his son now have 225 acres. They did own 265 acres, but sold forty of it. Our subject was united in marriage, October 28, 1830, to Julia Ann, daughter of Jacob and Christine (Deisher). She was born on the James River, Va., October 31, 1812. Her father died in Virginia, her mother in Hardin County, Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Copp have been born eleven children, of whom five are living, viz., Virginia, wife of Kemp Gaines; Mary, wife of N. R. Swallow; Ferdinand, married, May 25, 1876, to Eunice Haynes; Harriet, wife of John Swallow; aud Samantha, wife of Michael Seedle. The deceased are Christena, Sarah, Martha, Alice, George and 'Julia Ann (wife of Smith Wallace). Mr. and Mrs. Copp are members of the Christian Church. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace and Trustee of the township for three years.

GEORGE W. CORWIN, farmer, P. O. Ridgeway, was born in Logan County, Ohio, July 10, 1831, and is a son of Daniel and Nancy Corwin. His parents emigrated, in about 1827, from their native State to Pennsyl- vania, coming to Logan County, Ohio, where they lived until 1843, mak- ing a final move to Hardin County. Mrs. Corwin died in May, 1851, and, for his second wife, Mr. Corwin married Mary Ann Bruce, and removed to Missouri, where his wife died in 1882. He is still living, and has been engaged in farming through life. The subject of this sketch was married, May 3, 1852, to Rose J., daughter of James and Elizabeth Eddy, both de- ceased. She was born in Logan County, Ohio, May 7, 1833. Her father died January 12, 1857, followed by her mother March 26, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin are members of the Christian Church. They are the parents of nine children, of whom seven are living, viz., James D., Charles, Elizabeth S., George A., Jeannette, Anna B. and Harley. The deceased are Leander, born January 1, 1866, died January 9, 1879, and an unnamed infant. When Mr. Corwin first started in life, he rented land, on which he farmed for six years and then purchased thirty-five acres of land where he resides, and to which he has added until he now owns sixty-eight acres of improved land. In 1876, he engaged in the manufacture of tile, but has lately sold

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.

The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 106

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076