The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 115

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 115

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JOSEPH WARD, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Clark County, Ohio, April 17, 1839. His parents, Debigia and Nancy Ward, were natives of Champaign County, Ohio, whence they emigrated and located in Clark County, where they remained until their decease. Mr. Ward died in 1842, and Mrs. Ward subsequently married William Roberts, who has since died. Mrs. Ward is now living in Champaign County, Ohio. Our subject acquired a com- mon school education, and has pursued the occupation of a farmer ; he owns sixty-two and a half acres of improved land. On October 28, 1865, he was united in marriage to Harriet Elizabeth Ford. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 18, 1843, and is a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Ford. The latter died in April, 1849. Her father is still living and is a resident of Hardin County. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have been blessed with seven children, as fol- lows : Jacob C., William J., Rachel D., Mary M., John B., Fannie B. and Robert N.

M. WOOLLEY, farmer, P. O. Belle Centre, was born June 19, 1838, in Athens County, Ohio. His father, William Woolley, was a native of New Jersey, his mother was born in Virginia. They migrated to Ohio, at an early day, locating in Athens County. They subsequently moved to Indiana, thence returned to Athens County, Ohio, which they afterward left for Union County, and finally, in 1868, came to Hardin County, where they remained until the death of Mr. Woolley, which occurred on July 6, 1880. Mrs. Woolley subsequently removed to Logan County, Ohio, where she is still residing. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage October 15, 1857, with Hannah Keith, who was born in Allen County June 2, 1839, and is a daughter of John and Julia Keith. Her parents are both deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Woolley have been born eleven children, of whom the eight living are as follows : Mary A., Ralph, Martha J., Frank, William M., John C., David E. and James C. Mr. Woolley has always been engaged in farming, and owns fifty acres of land where he is residing.

CORNELIUS WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Jumbo, was born in Licking County, Ohio, January 6, 1835. His parents are Joseph and Jerusha Williams,

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the former deceased in December, 1880. Our subject was united in marriage February 3, 1860, to Phebe Fuls, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, in November, 1839, and is a daughter of Jacob and Anna Fuls. Her parents, both deceased, died in McDonald Township. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams have been born six children, viz .: Elmira, wife of Joseph Remick, Ann M., Nevada, Holmes, Ira and John A. Mr. Williams has been engaged in farming most of his lifetime, and is the owner of 243 acres of land, with good farm buildings. He came to Hardin County when a boy, and has been generally successful. Mrs. Williams is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has filled the office of Township Trustee for two terms, also that of a School - Director.

JAMES W. WILLIAMS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Licking County, Ohio, November 14, 1837. He is a son of Joseph and Jerusha Will- iams, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of New York State. They were married in Licking County, Ohio, and moved to Hardin County in 1839, settling in McDonald Township. Mrs. Williams died in November, 1880, in McDonald Township, after which Mr. Williams removed to Missouri, where he re-married and is still residing. The subject of this sketch was married, April 7, 1864, to Sarah J. Liles, born July 27, 1838, in Logan County, Ohio, a daughter of Jeremiah and Elander C. Liles, the latter deceased. Seven children resulted from this union, five living-Frederick, Oren L., Elender R., Norman and Sherman. The deceased are Lewis C. and Nora A. Mr. Williams and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Williams has followed the occupation of a farmer, and is the owner of 130 acres of well-improved land. He has filled the office of a Township Trustee, and is a useful citizen of Mc- Donald Township.

JOSEPH ZAHLLER, farmer, P. O. Jumbo, was born in Pennsylvania, January 17, 1815 ; his mother, Margaret Zahller, a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1860, at the age of sixty years. His father, Christian Zahller, was born in Germany, whence he emigrated with his parents when one year old. In 1836, he came with his wife and family to Ohio, located in Hardin County, where he lived to the time of his decease, 1878, at the age of eighty- seven years. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, September 28, 1843, to Harriet Hemphill, born in Ross County, Ohio, October 25, 1822. and a daughter of Andrew and Anna Hemphill, both deceased. Five children have resulted from this union, of whom two are living, viz .: Sarah A. and Margaret M. The three deceased are William H., John A. and Joseph. Mrs. Zahller is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Zahller has resided in Hardin County since 1836, and has been a life-long farmer. He is the owner of a fine farm of 200 acres of mostly improved land, with fine farm buildings, and has been generally successful.

ELIJAH D. ZIMMERMAN, deceased, one of the old pioneers of Hardin County, was born in Ross County, Ohio, July 4, 1815. His parents were An- drew and Ruth Zimmerman, both natives of Pennsylvania. They emigrated to Ohio, locating in Ross County, from which they subsequently moved to Har- din County, where they finally settled. Mr. Zimmerman, Sr., died September 14, 1844, and his wife on November 24, 1855. Our subject was reared among the hardships of a new country and labored hard in clearing his land to bring

it under cultivation. He was married in September, 1838, to Calista Stamats, born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1816, a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Sta- mats, both deceased. This marriage resulted in seven children, six living, viz .: Augusta, born July 1, 1839, wife of Gilfred Carnes; Margaret J., born January 1, 1842, wife of W. T. Patterson; Elizabeth C., born March 31, 1844, wife of C. W. Henkle; Martha, born December 27, 1847, wife of Hamilton Harrod; Hi- ram L., born November 27, 1849, married to Mary B. Borden, and Byron L.,

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born June 18, 1853. The one deceased was Peter, born April 30, 1840, died March 15, 1851. Our subject was engaged in farming and stock dealing, and at the time of his decease owned 520 acres of land. He died on the home- stead, July 26, 1866, and his widow on September 16, 1867. His two sons, Hi- ram and Byron, resided on the home farm, consisting of 90 acres, of which By- ron owns 60. They are engaged in farming and stock dealing, and are general- ly successful. Hiram L. owns a good farm one mile distant from the old home- stead, and both he and Byron L. own land in Anderson County, Kas.

HUMPHREY ZIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 7, 1828. He is a son of John and Rebecca Zimmerman, natives of Ohio and Pioneers of Hardin County. His father was born January 19, 1800, his mother, on August 7, 1806. They were married on November 3, 1825, and in 1837 settled in McDonald Township, where they spent the remain- der of their years. Mr. Zimmerman died October 6, 1864, and his wife on No- vember 3, 1878. Our subject was married September 18, 1855, to Susan Wright. She was born on April 9, 1832, and was a daughter of Jacob and An- na Wright. She departed this life on August 15, 1867, and Mr. Zimmerman subsequently married Emily Dolph, January 17, 1870. This lady was born January 11, 1847, and was a daughter of Benjamin and Margaret Dolph, the for- mer deceased. Mr. Zimmerman is the father of seven children, four living, viz .: John W., born July 29, 1857; Jennie, born October 10, 1860, is the wife of George W. Tidd; Samantha, born August 4, 1863, is the wife of Wesley McCoy; and Levi L., born April 4, 1865. The deceased are-Sarah, born Feb- ruary 28, 1859, died August 4, 1860; Susan, born July 28, 1867, died Septem- ber 2, 1867, and an infant. Our subject has been engaged in farming, and by his industry and perseverance, has accumulated 137 acres of land, all under cul- tivation and well improved.

THOMAS J. ZIMMERMAN, farmer, P. O. Belle Centre, was born March 28, 1847, on the home farm in McDonald Township, Hardin County, Ohio. He is a son of John and Rebecca Zimmerman, natives of Ohio, one of the old pio- neer families of McDonald Township. His father was born January 19, 1800, died October 6, 1864. His mother was born August 7, 1806, died November 3, 1878. They were married November 3, 1825, and settled in McDonald Town- ship in 1837, at a time the country was covered with timber, and the Indian still wandered through the forest. Mr. Zimmerman, Sr., cleared the farm where his son Thomas now resides, which farm at first consisted of 450 acres. It now belongs to Thomas Zimmerman, and comprises 175 acres of land. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage, April 22, 1875, to Braska McWilliams, born in Ohio, April 22, 1857, and a daughter of James and Belinda McWill- iams. This union has resulted in four children-Alice M., Cora, Charles W. and James. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Zimmerman follows farming and stock-raising for his occupation; has been generally successful in life, and is one of the useful citizens of McDonald Township.

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GOTTLIEB ADAM, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Medina County, Ohio, January 28, 1837, and is a son of Charles and Christina (Roecker) Adam, both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany. His father emigrated to America in 1833, and settled at first in New York, but finally, in 1836, moved to Medina County, Ohio, where he had a family of eight children, of whom six grew to adult age. His father preached in the Lutheran Church. Our subject had a brother who also preached in a Lutheran Church, in Barry County, Mich., but Gott- lieb learned the occupation of a farmer, and has followed it through life. In 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, Company L. He served under Gen. Sherman, on the march of the latter to the sea, and for eleven months was Gen. Crooks' body guard. He served until the close of the war, after fighting in a number of battles and skirmishes. In 1867, he married Mary Knoedler, who was born in Ohio, in 1848, and is a daughter of John F. and Rosa Schor- renberger, both natives of the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany. Her parents emigrated in 1845. Eight children have blessed this union, viz. : Frederick S., John G., Rosa B., Charles F., Mary Ellen, Jacob William, Henry N. and Mabel C. Mr. Adam generally votes on the side of the Democrats in politics.

PETER AHLEFELD, banker, Ada, was born in Richland County, Ohio, and is a son of Rhinehart and Phœba (Young) Ahlefeld. Rhinehart emi- grated from Germany to America in 1802, settling in Baltimore, Md., where he resided for three years, and then went to Ohio, at the time the latter was ad- mitted into the Union as a State. Rhinehart Ahlefeld was a first-class miller, which trade formed the chief occupation of his life. In 1863, he came to Har- din County, and settled in Liberty Township, where he spent the remaining years of his life, and died in 1874, a well honored and respected citizen. Peter received a common school education at the log schoolhouse of Liberty. Upon the attain- ment of his majority, in 1863, he formed a partnership with his brother Nathan, and opened a general store in the mercantile trade in Ada. This partnership lasted a year, when he formed a new one with E. W. Gilbert, which continued for eighteen months, at the end of which time, seeing the necessity of a more thorough education, he sold out his business and went to a commercial college in Pittsburgh, where he graduated in 1865. For two years after he was on the road as a commercial traveler for a New York firm. In 1867, he returned to Ada and formed a partnership with E. E. Williams in the dry goods business, which lasted for two years, and he then remained by himself in the business until 1870. For the two succeeding years, he was out of business; but, in 1872, on the organization of the Citizens' Bank, he was appointed cashier, and re- mained in that capacity until 1874, when he and his brother bought the bank. In 1876, he bought out the interest of his brother in the bank, and has since continued it alone. In 1868, he was married to Rebecca Trumbo, of English descent. They have two children-Eugene R. and George I. Mr. Ahlefeld is a prominent business man. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and in politics is a Democrat.

WILLIAM ANSLEY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Fleming County, Ky., February 9, 1811, and is a son of William and Polly Ansley. His mother, whose maiden name was Kerzey, was born in Maryland, and is of French origin. His father, also a native of Maryland, is of English descent, and by occupation a farmer and shoe-maker. In 1836, he settled in Ohio, six miles north of Belle-

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fontaine. Our subject was on the farm, and attended the log school- house. In 1840, our subject settled in Section 35, Liberty Township, this county, and is now the owner of a farm of 180 acres, all secured by great labor. He well remembers those early days, when he could shoot deer, wolves and bears. He was familiar with the Wyandot Indians, among them the noted Bob and Bill McCloud ; and cast votes with only sixteen others. He was mar- ried, in 1840, to Mary Catharine McAdams, a daughter of James McAdams, a wealthy and influential farmer. Mrs. Ansley was the only daughter, and was born in Tennessee ; she is an amiable, pleasant woman, and has brought up her children to be sensible men and women. Her children, six in number, are as follows : Leah, wife of J. F. Mongier, farmer ; Katherine, wife of Scott McCoy; Carrie, wife of George Craig ; Emma, Jim and Ella. Mr. and Mrs. Ansley are members of the Disciple Church. In politics, Mr. Ansley votes on the Repub- lican side.

SAMUEL ARBUTHNOT, timber dealer, Ada, was born November 24, 1818, in Wheeling, Va., and is a son of Robert and Patience (Johnson) Arbuthnot. His mother was born in Pennsylvania, and is of German and Scotch descent, and his father was a native of Ireland. His parents were married in Pennsylvania and came to Ohio in 1831, settling in Guernsey County, where his father became a wealthy farmer. Samuel was brought up on his father's farm, receiving a limited education, and, in 1842, at the age of twenty-four years, he came to Hardin County, and settled in Marion Township, where he followed farming for twelve years. He has resided in Ada since 1858. There are, at present, only two families in Ada that were in the place when Mr. Arbuthnot arrived in it. Mr. Arbuthnot has been in various kinds of business in Ada, and at present is a lumber dealer. In 1839, he married Miss M. Lantz, a daughter of George Lantz, who came to Ohio at an early date, and served in the Indian war. They have seven children living, viz. : Robert, Elizabeth, Lovina, Samuel, Minerva, John and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. Arbuthnot are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Arbuthnot has been Trustee and Class Leader ; has been an Assessor and a member of the Ada Council ; and. is a Master Mason. In politics, he is a Republican.

W. H. BARKER, mason, Ada, was born May 20, 1843, in Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Nancy J. (Benedict) Barker. His mother was a native of Connecticut, and his father of Pennsylvania, both of English de- scent. His father was an enterprising man. He was a miner in California for a time, and, in 1832, came to Ohio and settled in Knox County, where he still resides. He was proprietor of a saw mill, but in later years has pursued farm- ing. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm and in his youth learned the trade of mason. For two years, he was working down South at his trade. In 1861, he enlisted in the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company B, and served three years. After the war, he traveled through the West, working at his trade. In 1870, he returned to Ohio, and settled in Ada, where he is work- ing successfully as a mason, and is classed among the best in the county. He owns the house and lot in Ada, where he resided. He married, January 28, 1869, Olive Durbin, of Knox County, Ohio. She is a daughter of John Dur- bin, and is of English descent. Five children have blessed this union, viz. : Gemima G., Odo E., Elizabeth Ellen, Margaret and Ada Pearl. Mrs. Barker is a. member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Barker is a member of the Odd Fellows society, and is a Royal Arch Mason. In politics, he is a Republican.

A. BARLOW, liveryman, resides in Ada, Ohio.

REV. A. C. BARNES, A. M., was born in Summit County, Ohio, September, 9 1835. His father, Denison Barnes, was born in Hampden Co., Mass., September 6, 1801, and with his parents emigrated to Ohio in the spring of 1815, stopping.

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one year in Trumbull County, and the 1st day of April, the following year, found them putting up their log-cabin on the ground in Summit County, New- ton Township, which has now been the home of father and son for sixty-seven years. The parentage still further back on the paternal side were born of the sturdiest New England stock, and can be traced, in earlier times, to a descent from a united English, Welsh, and Irish origin. His grandfather, on the maternal side, Samuel Bodine, was born in Rockingham County, Va., and his ancestry on both sides is traced from New Jersey and Maryland to Holland and Germany. Samuel Bodine, having settled with his little family on the State line between Pennsylvania and Virginia, in 1817, moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in which county he lived until he died at the age of eighty-four years. Grandfather Barnes died at the age of eighty seven years. Nearly all of the ancestry on both sides raised large families and were, almost without exception, possessed of great tenacity of life. Many of them reaching eighty, ninety, and the maternal great- grandmother one hundred and one years. The childhood of our sketch was passed on the farm, going to the district school in winter, with hard work on the farm all the rest of the year. Commenced his college course at Baldwin University, Berea Ohio, at the age of sixteen, and often teaching alternate years, and working at home during the intervals, graduated in the classical course at the age of twenty-three. All his ancestry, so far as we have knowledge, embraced the Arminian form of theology, and were stanch members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this sketch was happily converted to God while at the University, at seventeen years of age, under the labors of Rev. Liberty Prentice. From a child, his thoughts had been turned toward the Christian ministry ; but as he grew to manhood he conceived a great aversion to being led out in that direction. After his graduation, to escape the call to the ministry, he spent two years in the South and West, teaching and circulating books, in which, financially, he was very successful, but all the while harassed by the conviction that he ought to preach. At last, yielding to what he felt to be the order of Providence, he entered the traveling of Methodist Episcopal Church at the session of the Central Ohio Annual Confer- ence, held in Kenton September, 1861. He was married, March 16, 1861, to Miss Harriet P. Gee, of Geauga County, Ohio, with whom he had studied side by side in the University, both graduating in the same class. On February 2, 1866, while stationed at Wapakoneta, she joyfully passed to the land of eternal light and song, leaving her husband with two babies, one three years, and the other three weeks old. About one year after, he was married to Miss Jane E. Thrift, of Kalida, Ohio. During his pastorate, he has served four charges one year each, four charges two years each, and three charges three years each, coming to Ada and entering upon the pastorate here last September. The con- ference year thus far has been quite prosperous, sixty having been already received into the church, twenty-seven being heads of families.

BASTABLE & VAN LIEW, established in 1873. The largest hardware room in Hardin County ; a full and complete stock of hardware always on hand, in the old Ream Block, west side Main street.

CYRUS BOLEY, deceased, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, October 24, 1829. He was a son of Jacob and Jane (Hampson) Boley, both natives of New Jersey and of German descent. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education, and learned farming for his occu- pation. In 1852, at the age of twenty-three years, he came to Hardin County and took a farm of the Government land in Liberty Township. He owned 122 acres at the time of his decease. In 1859, he was married to Margaret Mc- Ginnis, by whom he had two children-Sarah T., wife of Edward Mann, a farmer in Liberty Township ; and Austin S., at home. Mrs. Boley is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Boley was a Democrat. He died August 1, 1879, and is deeply mourned by his family.

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THOMAS BOYD, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born March 4, 1821. He is a son of William and Susannah (Walling) Boyd, the former a native of Penn- sylvania and the latter of Ohio. William Boyd was of Irish and his wife of German descent. William Boyd was a wheelwright by trade, and at an early date made spinning wheels. The account which he kept shows that he has made 3,500. In the later years of his life he was a farmer, and brought up his son on the farm, allowing him an education from the common schools in Delaware County. Thomas staid with his parents. until he was twenty-seven years of age. He had chosen farming for his occupation and was very success- ful with it. Having started with $800, given by his parents, he now, by his own exertions, owns a farm of 172 acres and a good property in Ada. In 1863, our subject settled in Hardin County and came to Ada in 1879, and then re- tired from farming and is now living on Main street. In 1848, he married Susannah Davenport, a sister of Dr. Davenport. They have one child, Albert J., who is married and does farming on his father's farm. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; the latter was Trustee and Steward in the Methodist Episcopal Church of Delaware County ; he was also delegate of the annual conference, and Class Leader and Superintendent of the Sabbath school. He ranks among the best citizen of Ada.

HENRY BROSEUS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born March 25, 1848, in Allen County, Ohio. He is a son of Peter and Sarah (Meckline) Broseus, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. His father, a farmer, settled in Allen County at an early date. Our subject was reared on the farm and for his occupation selected farming. He is now settled on a farm on Section 26, Liberty Township, where he is employed in stock-raising, making a specialty of sheep, and has been very successful. In 1871, he married Miss Eliza M. Walser, a daughter of Peter and Sarah Walser, both of German descent. Four children have blessed this union-Sarah F., Peter F., John H. and Pemelia O. Mr. and Mrs. Broseus are members of the Lutheran Church. Although not an old resident of Liberty Township, Mr. Broseus is a very popular farmer.

WILLIAM N. BRYAN, of Ada, was born March 25, 1848, in Caroline Md. He is a son of William and Sarah (Adams) Bryan, the latter a na- tive of Maryland. His father, of Irish descent, came to Ohio in 1855, and set- tled in Marion County, where he followed his trade of blacksmith, and also pur- sued farming. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving an ordinary edu- cation from the common schools. For his occupation, he chose the trade of a carriage-maker. In 1872, he came to Hardin County, Ohio, and has been working ever since at his trade. He is now employed in Conner's carriage shop, having charge of the body and wood work department. The Bryan Wind-Mill was invented by our subject; it is coming into general use, and proves to be a source of revenue to him. The patent was secured in 1882. Mr. Bryan was united in marriage with Matilda Uncapher in 1868. She is a daughter of Solomon Uncapher, of Ohio, and is of German descent. Four chil- dren have blessed this union, of whom three are living, viz .: Presly F., Olive and Merritt. Mr. and Mrs. Bryan are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Bryan is a class leader and a member of the Knights of Honor.

J. M. CANDLER, minister, Ada, was born May 18, 1819, in Lynchburg, Campbell Co., Va. He is a son of John and Phœbe (Boaz) Candler, both from Virginia. His father, a farmer. came to Ohio in 1823, and settled at first in Clinton, and finally after several removals, came, in 1832, to Hardin County, and settled on Section 7, in Liberty Township. He died in 1835, and his widow several years after. Our subject, the fifth of a family of eleven, three of whom are living, was reared on the farm, and attended the log schoolhouse. This schoolhouse was only 12x14 feet, and the only text book used was

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 115

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