The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 116

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

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Webster's spelling book. He followed farming until about 1853, when he went into the ministry, although not ordained until February 5, 1862. He has been a minister in Allen County, has organized Sabbath schools and three churches -the Plumb Creek Church, in Putnam County, one in Paulding County and one in Allen County. He is now in charge of two churches. On November 18, 1845, he married Susannah Rayl, a daughter of George and Prudence Rayl, the former of Irish and the latter of German descent. They had eight children, six of whom are living, viz., Alvira S., wife of John Hyndman, a plasterer in Ada ; Amanda, wife of Mr. Freeman Kimmel, a farmer in Allen County ; Nancy, wife of Andrew Devore, a brick mason in Forest, Hardin County; Marshall, a farmer ; John W., at home; and William. In politics, Mr. Candler is a Demo- crat. He was an Assessor at one time, assessing the township in two days and a half. He is the owner of forty-six acres of land in Section 16, where he now resides, and has lived in Liberty Township two years longer than any other resident of the township.

THOMAS CAREY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Perry County, Ohio, July 22, 1835. He is a son of John B. and Jane (Work) Carey, whose sketch will be found in connection with that of R. L. Carey, a brother of our subject. Thomas is the eldest of a family of thirteen, seven of whom are still living. He received a limited education at the common schools, and selected farming for his occupation. In 1861, he bought a farm in Liberty Township, which he cultivated, and is now the owner of 120 acres of valuable land. In 1867, he married Elizabeth Clapphan, by whom he had two children, Lenna Leota and John William. Mrs. Carey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Carey is a Democrat in politics, and has been a successful farmer.

R. L. CAREY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Perry County, Ohio, No- vember 27, 1840. He is a son of John B. and Jane (Work) Carey, the former from Delaware, the latter from Pennsylvania. His grandfather emigrated from Ireland, and settled in Delaware, and afterward moved to Perry County, Ohio, where he carried on farming ; he died in 1845. The father of our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a limited education, and, in 1859, settled in Lib- erty Township, on Section 23, where he is still living with his wife, and owns 439 acres of land. Our subject was one of a family of thirteen, seven of whom grew up and are married. He has followed farming for his occupation since a youth, and is the owner of a farm in Liberty Township where he resides. On November 24, 1868, he married Elizabeth Bowland, a native of Ohio, which union has not been blessed with children. Mr. and Mrs. Carey are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he and his father are Demo- crats.

NELSON CAREY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Perry County, Ohio, May 14, 1855. He is a son of John B. and Jane (Work) Carey (see sketch of R. L. Carey), being the youngest of a family of thirteen. Nelson was edu- cated at the Ada Normal School, and since a youth has followed the occupa- tion of a farmer. He is the owner of a farm in Liberty Township, where he is also employed in raising stock. He was married in 1879 to Lydia McGlum- phy, who was born in Pennsylvania, of English descent. One child, Lora Blanche, has blessed this union. Mr. Carey is a Democrat in politics, and is a useful citizen of Liberty Township.

P. CARSON, retired, Ada, was born November 8, 1818, in Mansfield, Ohio. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wilson) Carson, the former a na- tive of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. John Carson came to Ohio in 1814, and settled in Richland County, at a time when there were about ten Indians to one white man. He was a farmer and brought up our subject, who was the fourth child, on his farm, allowing him the ordinary education from the common schools. Our subject wisely followed his father's occupa-

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tion of farming, and has pursued it for twenty-five years, with success. In 1844, Mr. Carson married Nancy Shanks, of German descent, and from Rich- land County, Ohio. Her father, William Shanks, was a farmer for several years in Crawford County. Then bought a farm of 200 acres, where he lived until 1881, and then came to Ada. Mrs. Carson has three children-C. M., who is married and has a farm near Forest ; W. B., a practicing physician in Bucyrus, Crawford Co., Ohio, and Alice, who attends school. Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Carson is a Democrat in politics, and is a well-known citizen in Ada.

A. B. CHARLES, Justice of the Peace, Ada, was born February 19, 1848, in Richland, Ohio. He is a son of Elijah and Hannah (Bostock) Charles, the former of whom is a native of Ohio, and the latter of England. The latter came to America at the age of nine years. Elijah Charles was a farmer, and brought up his son on the farm, giving him a common school education, and sending him for two years to the Baldwin University. For two or three years after, he taught school and also farmed. In 1871, he came to Ada, and opened in the grain and seed business, which he followed six years, at the end of which time he was elected Justice of the Peace, and still serves in that capac- ity. In 1872, Mr. Charles married Antha Morehead, a native of Richland County, and a daughter of Alexander Morehead. They have two children- Orville Eugene and Arthur. Mrs. Charles is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Charles is a member of the Knights of Honor, and in the years 1878 and 1879 was the Mayor of Ada.

S. S. CLAYTON, merchant, Ada, was born April 4, 1855, in Montgomery County of this State. He is a son of William and Margaret Clayton, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Virginia, both of English descent. William Clayton was a tailor by trade, and worked at it for a number of years, but in his later years has been a commercial traveler. Our subject received his education from common schools, and the Normal School of Valparaiso, Ind .; also from the Normal School in Ada. At the age of seventeen years, he began teaching school ; he taught for seven consecutive years, most of the time in towns. He was in the lumber trade, in company with Mr. Clemmer, with whom he continued for one year, and then started in his present business, a dealer in ready-made clothing, hats, caps, gents' furnishing goods, and mer- chant tailoring. In this business, he has secured a good class of customers, and is quite successful. In 1879, Mr. Clayton married Miss L. A. Reece, a daughter of W. L. Reece, a banker and prominent citizen of Ada. They have one child, Charles W. Mr. Clayton is a Democrat in politics ; was elected City Clerk at the spring election, he being the only Democrat elected on the ticket. By his friends, he is considered to be an honorable gentleman.

MARTIN CLINE, farmer. P. O. Ada, was born, in 1827, in France. He is a son of Paul and Catherine Cline, both natives of France. His father was a farmer. Our subject was educated at the common schools in France, where he learnt farming. On coming to America, he made his first dollar by grubbing, working by the job. He worked out by the day and month to get started, and finally, after working out several years, was enabled to rent land, which he would work, and he is now the owner of 260 acres of good land in Liberty Township. In 1848, he married Mary A. Starner, who was born in Germany, and is a daughter of Silfary Starner. They have four children-Philip, a farmer in Mercer, married to Julia King ; Mike, a farmer, married to Anna Quinn, and living at his father's farm; John, farmer, and Married to Celia Quinn, and Mary, wife of Jasper Price, a farmer in Liberty Township. In politics, our subject is a Democrat.

M. M. CONNER, manufacturer, Ada, was born in Ohio, July 31, 1852. He is a son of Kyrne and Mary (Corby) Conner. His parents were natives of

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Ireland, and soon after their marriage came to America and settled in New York. His father was a railroad man in his early life, but he did farming in his later years. Our subject was brought up on the farm, but chose the occupa- tion of carriage painter, which he pursued for twelve years. He is now a manufacturer of carriages, in partnership with his brother, on Johnson street, south of the railroad depot. The business was originally conducted by Will- iam Conner and J. Johnson, in 1874, but, on the death of the latter, it has been carried on by the present firm. The latter, have by their energy and faithfulness, extended the business and it is still on the increase. In 1881, Mr. Conner married Belle McCormick, of English descent. They have one child, Joseph J. Mr. Conner is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Freemasons, a Knight of Honor, and of the Red Men. Mr. Conner also pays some attention to the breeding of imported chickens, of which Buff Cochins forms his specialty.

WILLIAM CONNER, manufacturer, Ada, was born in Amsterdam, New York State. The names of his parents and their nationality may be found in the sketch previous to this of his brother, M. M. Conner. The subject of this sketch received an ordinary education at the common schools and was brought up on the farm. He learned the trade of carriage blacksmith, at which he worked for six years. In 1874, he went into business in Ada, and has con- tinued at it ever since. The extent of the business, in which he has one-half interest, has been mentioned in the previous sketch of his brother, who is his partner. In 1877, Mr. Conner was united in marriage with Mary Devore. The latter is of German descent, and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Conner is a Democrat in politics ; is the owner of a very neat and substantial residence in Ada, and ranks among the well-known citizens of that place.

J. E. COX, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Highland County, Ohio, Janu- ary 26, 1822. He is a son of William and Margary (Bruce) Cox, both natives of Virginia, and of Scotch and English descent. His father followed farming. Our subject spent his youth on the farm, attending the common schools, and chose farming for his occupation. On November 1, 1849, at the age of twenty- eight years, he married Miss Hannah Stout, a daughter of Peter and Ann (Eyre) Stout, the former a native of Tennessee, of German descent, the latter a native of Virginia, of Welsh descent. To this union there were born five chil- dren-Peter B. (deceased), Maggie (deceased), James W., Elmer D. and Hattie E. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are members of the M. E. Church. In 1855, he came with his family to this county and settled in Liberty Township, where he is now the owner of a well-improved farm. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, and was wound- ed at the battle of the Wilderness. Since the war, he has been carrying on farming. In politics, he is a Republican, and is greatly respected by all his friends.

W. W. CROOKS, freight and ticket agent, Ada, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, June 4, 1856. He is a son of Rev. J. F. and Catherine Crooks, both of Tuscarawas County, and of Irish and English lineage. His grand- father, Robert L. Crooks, was born January 1, 1800, and is still living, residing in Van Wert County where he is a retired farmer. The latter is remarkable for never having used tobacco in any form, or used liquors. The father of our subject was a teacher by vocation, until 1861, when he enlisted in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, for eight months, served as private, and then was ap- pointed to the office of a Chaplain, which he retained to the close of the war. Our subject received his education from the graded schools, and from Oberlin College. For his occupation, he chose to be on the railroad, and, in 1870, learned telegraphy. The following year he was put in charge of the night office at Van Wert, which position he held three years, and was then appointed

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to the charge of the day office. In 1880, he was promoted to the position of operator in train-dispatcher's office at Fort Wayne, Ind., but resigned the same year and returned to Van Wert. He finally proceeded, in 1881, to Ada, where he has since remained. Mr. Crooks was united in marriage, in 1879, with Miss Rosa J. Ross, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Kepper) Ross, both of English descent. One child has resulted from this union, named Josiah Ross Crooks. Mr. and Mrs. Crooks are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Crooks is a Royal Arch Mason of the Ada Chapter, No. 138, and Knight Templar of Shawnee Commandery, No. 14, of Lima, and in politics is a Republican.

J. T. CUNNINGHAM, merchant, Ada, was born in Fleming County, Ky., March 26, 1837. He is son of Reuben and Sarah McClelland, both of Irish descent and natives of Kentucky. His father, who was a farmer, reared his son on the farm, giving him a common school education. When, in his youth, J. T. Cunningham left the farm, he clerked in a grocery store, receiving for two years his board and clothing, and after that his highest salary was $15 monthly. He then took one-fourth interest. in the store, giving his time and experience against the capital of W. H. Truesdall. In this he was successful, but three years after, in 1869, sold out and purchased a farm three miles north of Lima ; this farm he retained for two years, then sold it and in 1872 came to Ada and opened in the dry goods business. He has a very large custom, and his polite and gentlemanly demeanor has rendered him very popular. His stock is extensive, the last invoice being $16,000. He has met with but few reverses in business, and all he possesses has been secured by his own exer- tions. In 1860, he married Anna E: Clippenger, who bore him four children, viz .: Mason E., Franklin C., Zua F. and Charles W. Mrs. Cunningham died June 8, 1877. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Cun- ningham was married a second time, to Lorena Holland, daughter of Col. B. A. Holland, of Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are much thought of in Ada.

RALPH DAVENPORT, physician and surgeon, Ada, Ohio, was born in Delaware, Ohio, September 6, 1834. His parents emigrated from Ireland to America about the beginning of the present century, and first settled in what is now the State of West Virginia, then however, part of the Old Diminion. After remaining there a short time, they removed to Belmont County, Ohio, where they resided until the year 1830, when they finally removed to Dela- ware County, settling there as pioneers and living there until his father's death, which occurred during the prevalence of the Asiatic cholera in the year 1850. About this time, the subject of our sketch entered the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity at Delaware, Ohio ; after a three-year course at this university, he entered the office of Dr. John White, of Delaware, Ohio, he having chosen medicine and surgery as his profession. He here read the prescribed time, and also at- tended two full courses of lectures at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, graduating in that institution in the term of 1857-58, then prac- ticing his profession until the outbreak of the late war, when he enlisted in the army. Commencing with the lowest step in the ladder, he steadily ad- vanced in medical positions, from hospital cadet to brigade Surgeon, until the last year of the war, when becoming somewhat tired of field service, he entered Asyliun United States Army General Hospital, Knoxville, Tenn., as a ward Surgeon, serving in this capacity until appointed to the superintendency of Holstein General Hospital, after which he was appointed Surgeon in charge of Brownlow United States Army General Hospital, Knoxville, Tenn., in which position the close of the war found him ; he then resigned his position there and retired to private practice in the village of Ada, Ohio, where he has ever since resided and still resides, practicing the profession of his choice.

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N. M. DAVIDSON, engineer, Ada, was born December 28, 1833, in Trumbull County, Ohio. He is a son of John and Polly (Mason) Davidson ; the latter was a native of New York and of English descent; the former of Scotch descent, and a native of Vermont. He died in 1881 at the age of eighty-four years. Our subject was educated at the common schools and learned farming in his youth, which occupation he has followed most of his life. For many years, he was on the road selling farming implements. He is of a mechanical turn of mind, and has invented a machine that has proved to be a source of great revenue to him. This is the Davidson Traction Engine, . that does work on both the farm and the road, and is the most complete and practicable traction engine in the market; it was patented March 27, 1877. In 1858, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage with Lucinda Wick, a daughter of David Wick, who is of German lineage. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Davidson is a Republican in politics, and is a noted citizen of Ada.

JAMES DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Washington County, Penn., December 6, 1807. He is a son of Enecial and Deborah (Lane) Davis. The former of English descent, is a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Irish descent, is a native of Maryland. James was one of a family of eight ; his education was derived from the common schools in Washington County, Penn. He learned the saddler's trade from his father, and followed it up to his twenty-fourth year, after which he engaged in farming, and continued it for thirty-eight years, being unusually successful in it. In 1852, he settled in Marion Township, Hardin County, where he farmed until 1880, and then re- tired from business and settled in Ada a wealthy man. In 1862, he enlisted in the Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was discharged at Lexington, Ky., in 1863. Six of his sons were in the army, four of his own, and two of his step-sons ; one of the latter, John T. Norris, was killed in battle. In 1837, he married Jane Honey, who died without issue the same year. In 1839, he married a second time, Elizabeth Davis, who was the widow Norris at the time. Seven children were the result of this union-Samuel, who keeps a furniture store on Main street ; James M., a partner with the former ; Thomas and Isaac, twins ; William (deceased) ; Lorenzo D. and Cephas. Mrs. Davis died October 21, 1876. Both she and her husband were members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Davis, in politics, was a Republican, but lately voted on the Prohibition ticket.

DAVID DAVISSON, a retired farmer in Ada, was born in Virginia April 13, 1825. He is a son of John and Charity (Chrichfield) Davisson, natives of Virginia and of Scotch and English descent. John Davisson died when David was fourteen years old ; the latter was thus obliged to look out for himself at an early age. He had received a limited education from the district schools, and when he left his father's farm he rented land until he made some headway. He now, after hard work and great economy, can be said to be well off, all owing to his own exertions. In 1860, Mr. Davisson married Pamelia E. Suder, a native of Ohio and of Dutch descent. She was born in 1837. They have two children-Addie May and John F., both attending the Normal School. Mrs. Davisson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Davisson is a Republican ; he was Justice of the Peace in Auglaize County and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, being Master Mason of Lodge No. 205.

ELI BEAGLE, minister, Ada, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, December 10, 1827. He is a son of John and Mathilda (Selsam) Beagle, both natives of Maryland and of German descent. His father, in his early years, was a shoe-maker, but he finally carried on farming. Our subject was brought up on the farm, and in his youth learned the trade of shoe-maker. He was, in company with his two brothers, carrying on a shop for several years, in

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Hancock County. In 1860, he moved to Dunkirk, Ohio, where he pursued his trade and remained eleven years. In 1874, he came to Liberty Township and bought a farm of eighty acres, and has since been living there. In 1850, he married Elizabeth J. Sears, a daughter of Presley W. Sears. She was born in Virginia and is of English lineage. They have six children living-Eliza A., wife of D. P. Shall, a farmer ; John P., a harness-maker of the firm of Patterson & Beagle in Ada ; Howard, a farmer in Marion Township ; Hattie M. ; Lydia M. and Bessie R. Mr. and Mrs. Beagle are both members of the Baptist Church, where the former has been for several years a Deacon. In 1856, he had acted as a minister, and five years after was regularly installed and has been minister in the Dunkirk Church ever since. For one year he has been preaching in the Liberty Chapel.

A. E. DEGLER, penman, Ada, was born March 28, 1853, in Berks County, Penn., and is a son of Daniel and Lydia (Hiester) Degler, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, and of German lineage. His father was a farmer, and brought up his son on the farm, allowing him an ordinary education from the common schools. In 1874, at the age of twenty-one years, our subject took writing lessons of A. A. Southworth, with whom he continued about four months ; and then, being discouraged, he worked on the farm. After a short time he resumed his lessons, taking them .of G. W. Michael, of Lebanon. He remained there five months, and then went to a business college of B. M. Worth- ington's, at Toledo, Ohio, where he took a full course of book-keeping and pen- manship. For one winter, in 1877, Mr. Degler was a teacher of penmanship at the Western Reserve Seminary. In 1879, he was at Oberlin College, where he remained three months, taking lessons in plain and ornamental writing. In 1881, he accepted the position as teacher of penmanship in the Northwestern Ohio Normal School, at Ada, Ohio, resigning said position in 1882, to engage in mercantile business. Disposing of his stock of merchandise in the fall of 1882, he opened a " Pen Art Institute," in which he has been quite successful. He is considered to be the most accomplished penman in the county. Mr. Deg- ler married at West Farmington, Ohio, Miss Ella H. Lewis, of Iowa. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Degler owns two residences in Ada, and also the building where he has his school.

EDWARD DICKENS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in England May 4, 1831. He is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Dickens, both natives of England. His father, who was a farmer, emigrated to America in 1851, and settled in New York City, where he followed teaming, remaining there two years and a half. He then farmed for one summer, and after that went to Logan County, Ohio, where he was for two years working at a saw mill. He finally came to Hardin County, twenty-four years ago, and settled in Liberty Township. In 1856, he married Hannah Caster, a native of Pennsylvania, and a daughter of John Caster. She had one child, now deceased. Mrs. Dickens died in 1857. He was again married, this time to Mrs. Smith, widow, whose maiden name was Grace Miller. They have four children-Sarah E., wife of C. W. Preston ; John, at home, Ida J. and Della L. Mr. and Mrs. Dickens are members of the Evangelical Association. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty- fifth Ohio National Guards Company ; he received a wound in battle, which crippled him for life. In politics, he is a Republican.

HUGH DOBBINS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Mahoning County No. vember 10, 1820. He is son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Mckibben) Dobbins, the former of whom was a native of Washington County, Penn., and the latter of Harrison County, Ohio. His parents were of Scotch and Irish descent, they having fled from the Highlands of Scotland, during the persecution there, to County Down, North of Ireland. Matthew Dobbins lived to the advanced age of eighty years, and died at Lima, Ohio. He was in the war of 1812, when

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eighteen years of age. Of the seven children he had, four are still living- Hugh, John, Nancy and Joseph. Martha Dobbins (Anderson, by marriage) died in San Jose, Cal., five years since, and Elizabeth and Mary Jane died in infancy. Hugh received an education from the common schools, and also at- tended Miami University one term. He spent four years in teaching school, one year at Lima, one in the village of Clifton, and two years in the country. He was Recorder of Allen County, one year by appointment, and three by election. In 1847, he married Mary A. Elwell, by whom he had five children- Arthur Chalmers, Mary Elizabeth, Charlie Dill, James Anderson, and Calvin Middleton, who died in infancy. Mrs. Dobbins died December 12, 1856. In - April, 1858, Mr. Dobbins married a second time, to Mary Jane, a daughter of John Funstons, of Clark County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins, and all the children living, are members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1869, when Mr. Dobbins came to Ada, he bought a tract of land, now inside the corporation of Ada, and laid it out in what is known as Dobbins' First and Second Additions to Ada. His residence is very pleasantly situated on the corner of Normal and South Gilbert streets.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 116

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