The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 117

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 117

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JOHN DOBBINS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born December 22, 1821, in Trumbull County, Ohio. He is a son of Mathew and Elizabeth Dobbins, of whom a sketch has been given in connection with that of Hugh Dobbins, a brother of our subject. John Dobbins received a limited education from the common schools and was brought up on his father's farm near Lima, Allen County, where he remained until 1869. At the time of the war, he was buying horses for the Government. In 1850, Mr. Dobbins was married to Mary A. Skilling, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Skilling. Mrs. Dobbins was a teacher in early life, and is a lady of cultivation and refinement. They have five children-Ella E., Lewis L., Olive O., Mary M. and William W. One of the daughters, Olive, is a graduate of the Ada Normal School, Mary is a music teacher, and William is a telegraph operator. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dobbins is a Republican in politics. For twenty years he has been a Ruling Elder in the church. He was a Justice of the Peace in Allen County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins are very well known in Ada, and are very popular.

S. S. ELBERSON, restaurant keeper, Ada, was born August 14, 1842, in Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Nogle) El- berson, the former a native of New Jersey, and of German descent, and the latter a native of Pennsylvania and of Dutch descent. In 1829, Benjamin El- berson came to Ohio and settled in Hancock County, where he pursued farm- ing until 1855, when he removed to Hardin County and settled in Washington Township ; he died in 1877. Our subject was the oldest of a family of nine ; he received an education from the common schools of Hardin County and worked with his father on the farm until he was twenty-two years old. In 1866, he opened, with his father, a grocery in Ada, in which he was successful, but was unfortunately burned out, the whole business block being consumed ; he has since being carrying on a restaurant, styled " The Bon Ton." He also deals in confectionery. He is now in good circumstances and is the owner of two business houses in Ada. In 1868, Mr. Elberson married Margaret Mc- Elroy, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth McElroy, of Scotch and Irish lineage. They have three children-Eva May, Virgil Olive and Hattie Pearl. Mr. Elberson is a Democrat in politics, and is an Odd Fellow in Lodge No. 427.

GEORGE EPLEY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born April 21, 1830, in Stark County, Ohio. He is the son of George and Margaret (Wooster) Epley, both Germans. His father emigrated to America before twenty-one years of age, and is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years. Our subject was

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one of a family of eleven, of whom there are nine that attained adult age. He received his education in Fairfield County, and selected farming for his occupa- tion. In 1853, he came to Hardin County, and settled on eighty acres of land, south of Ada, near the normal school; this land is now laid out in town lots. He is now the owner of 415 acres in Liberty Township. In 1855, he was mar- ried to Miss Barbara, daughter of N. and Charlotte (Suter) Hich, botlı natives of Germany. By this union there have been four children-Elizabeth C., George N., Samuel A. and Jacob F. Mr. and Mrs. Epley are members of the Presbyterian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat; has been trustee and dea- con, and is a good business man.

JOHN EVICK, farmer, P. O Ada, was born March 8, 1822, in Ross Coun- ty, Ohio. He is a son of Christian and Sarah (Fisher) Ross, the former a na- tive of Virginia and of German descent, and the latter a native of Vermont and of English lineage. His father, a farmer, came to Ohio at an early date and settled in Ross County, where he had a family of fourteen children, seven liv- ing, of whom John is the sixth. Our subjeet has never attended school, but spent his youth in working on the farm, and has followed farming through life. In 1848, he married Phobe Russell. who died in 1865. She had six children, three of whom are living-John R., a farmer in Hancock County; S. R., the wife of John Dodge, and Cassus P., living in Delphos, Ohio. In 1866, Mr. Evick went to Allen County, where he remained two years, and then, in 1868, came to Liberty Township, in Hardin County, where he has since remained. In 1871, he formed a second union, marrying Eleanor Dodge, the widow of John McElroy. She was born in 1830, in Ashland County, and is the daughter of Calvin Dodge, a native of New York, and of English descent. They have one child, Charlotte, the wife of John Maxwell, a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Evick are. members of the Evangelical Church, in which the former has been a deacon .. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, No. 909, a Gatekeeper and Over- seer. In politics, he is a Democrat.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born February 14, 1816, in Hamilton County, Ohio. He is a son of Asahel and Betsey (Rice) Franklin, the former of English and the latter of Irish descent. Asahel Franklin and his wife were born in Vermont, and settled in Clark County, Ohio, in 1822, where he carried on farming most of his lifetime. He had ten children, of whom our subject is the eighth one. Benjamin learned brick-making in his youth, and followed this occupation, together with farming, up to his thirty- fourth year. In 1853, he cleared and settled a farm, and is now owner of a fine place of 162 acres in Allen County, Ohio. He married in 1846, Catherine Wood, daughter of Isaac and Jane (Carey) Wood, both of whom are natives of New Jersey. Four children resulted from this union, three of whom are liv- ing-Jane, deceased; Ellen, wife of Henry Hinkle, a farmer ; Abigail, wife of William Candler, a farmer ; and Mary M., wife of Solomon Huber, a farmer in Allen County. Mrs. Franklin has been a member of the Christian Church for twenty-seven years. Mr. Franklin is a Universalist. He is a very quiet man, and is highly respected by all who know him intimately, and he stands among the best citizens of Ada.

JOHN FRIEDLY, Mayor of Ada, was born December 25, 1833, in Ger- many.' His parents emigrated to America in 1835. They first settled in Penn- sylvania, and then went to Indiana, in 1839, and finally proceeded to Clark County, Ohio, where his father followed farming, although his trade was that of a baker. Our subject was brought up on the farm, receiving an ordinary edu- cation from the common schools, and for his occupation chose farming, which he followed up to his thirty-fifth year. He then came to Ada and opened a gro- cery store, which he finally relinquished and formed a partnership with A. B. Charles in the grain trade, following it for four years ; the grain elevator was

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built by our subject. After this, Mr. Friedly was in the hardware and agri- cultural implements industry, and for several years introduced the steam thresh- ing machine in this part of Hardin County, and in Allen and Hancock Counties. In 1877, he was elected Mayor of Ada, and served two terms, and in 1882 was again re-elected. In 1861, Mr. Friedly married Nancy Freed, also of German parentage. They have eight children, seven of whom are living, viz .: Anna, Permella, Manuel, Ella, Albert, Rena, Edith L. and Willie. . Mrs. Friedlv is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Friedly is a Republican in political sentiments, and is much esteemed by the citizens of Ada.

S. G. FOUGHT, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born March 4, 1829, in Perry - County, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob and Eva (Dacham) Fought, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. His father, a farmer, was an early set- tler of. Perry County, liaving resided there for nearly seventy years. Our sub- ject was reared on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he worked out by the month for a time, and was for seven years afterward in a saw mill. He subsequently went to farming, which he has since followed for his occupation. In 1860, he came to this county, settling on Section 31, where he is still residing, and is the owner of 120 acres of good land. In 1859, he mar- ried Alvena Joerris, who was born in Germany, and is the daughter of George Joerris. Her parents are both Germans. Nine children resulted from this union, of whom eight are living, viz .: Melinda A., Meda P., Caroline E., Lodema Catherine, Sarah E., Emma Amelia, Rosetta Margaret and William A. Bertha, the youngest but one, is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fought are members of the Reformed Church, where the former has been an Elder ; he has also been Su- perintendent of the Sabbath school. In politics, Mr. Fought is a Democrat. He is one of the leading Germans in the township.

JOHN J. GARLINGER, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born July 19, 1824, in Bed- ford County, Penn. He is a son of William and Christina (Anhart) Garlinger, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania, and of English descent. His father, a carpenter and farmer, came to Ohio and settled in Columbiana County, and from there moved, in 1849, to this county, where he died in 1866. Our subject's mother died in 1859. The subject of this sketch was the third of a family of sixteen, and was reared on a farm. He did not attend school, but picked up his learning after his marriage. He started out in life with but 50 cents in his pocket, and, after working around and picking up odd jobs, he suc- ceeded in buying some land in Liberty Township, and has added to it until now he is the owner of 240 acres. In 1847, he married Mary Hardman, daugh- ter of Michael and Mary Hardman, both of whom are Germans. By this union there have been eleven children, ten living, viz .: John H., deceased; Minerva, wife of John Gerkey; Delorma T .; Mary L., wife of S. Phillips, farmer in Ne- braska ; Lucy E., wife of George Commans, proprietor of a tile factory; Ab- bie, wife of Josiah Boutwell, farmer in Hancock County; Julia S., wife of Louis Boutwell; William F., farmer ; Ida Alice, wife of Howard Begle ; Flor- ence E. and Sarah Ann. Mrs. Garlinger is a member of the Christian 'Church. Mr. Garlinger is a Democrat in politics ; is a Trustee and School Director, and a noted farmer of Liberty Township.

ISAAC GARWOOD, farmer and fruit-grower, P. O. Ada, was born in Mar- ion Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, June 30, 1842. He is a son of Bani and Ruth (Kelly) Garwood, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. They were the parents of seven children, of whom our subject is the second. He was reared on the home farm, near where he now resides, and at the age of nineteen enlisted in Company D, Eighty-seventh Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and, three months later, was taken prisoner in Miles' surren- der at Harper's Ferry, Va. After being paroled, lie came home, and engaged in school teaching, until exchanged, when he re-enlisted in Company A, One

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Hundred and Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as Duty Sergeant until the close of the war, since which time, until recently, he has been principally following the vocation of school teaching, but has now located on a beautiful farm of twenty acres, near Ada, on Section 27, and devotes his time to fruit-growing and agriculture. He has a beautiful grove of 400 cherry trees, and grows small fruits in abundance. He was married, in 1871, to Minerva Longenecker, a daughter of David and Sarah (Hatfield) Longenecker. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, August 10, 1845, and is of English and German descent. The five children born to them are Lorena Estella, born January 17, 1873 ; Althea May, born May 6, 1874, and died March 14, 1876 ; Maurice Jay, born August 23, 1876, and died March 15, 1877; Alva Ray, born Sep- tember 23 1878 ; and James A., born October 15, 1881. Mrs. Garwood is a member of the Christian Church.

HORACE GILBERT, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Canada, April 10, 1805. He is a son of Josiah and Cloe (Barnard) Gilbert, both of English descent, and both natives of Vermont. His father was a carpenter and joiner. Our subject was educated at the common schools in Canada and Vermont. In 1840, he emigrated to the United States, and settled in Ohio, Liberty Town- ship. He was married in 1833, February 27, to Sarah Wood, a daughter of Hezekiah and Elizabeth (Savage) Wood. Ten children have resulted from this union, five of whom are living-Berthina, wife of John Shuster, a wealthy farmer and one of the early settlers of this township ; Horace, deceased ; Mary A., deceased, wife of Dr. Walters, a prominent physician, a sketch of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume ; Alvin, deceased ; Melissa, deceased, wife of William Kidd ; Orinda A., deceased ; Laura, wife of Frank Ream, de- ceased; eighth,- -; the ninth and tenth, twins, Marantha and Miranda, the former, wife of Williamn Cross, of Ada, and the latter, wife of Henry Ream, of Ottawa, who was formerly a citizen of Ada. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are mem-

bers of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Gilbert is the owner of the first store that was opened in Ada. He bought it of the railroad company. He also owns a valuable farm of 160 acres and considerable other property. In politics, he is a Republican.

C. W. GILBERT, Ada, was born in Geauga County, Ohio, November 15, 1832. He is the son of Harmond and Susan (Webster) Gilbert, the former of whom is a native of Vermont and the latter a native of Canada, both of Englishi descent. Harmond Gilbert was a farmer in Canada, and moved, in 1832, to Geauga County, Ohio, where he remained until 1845; he then moved to a farm three miles west of Ada, where his wife died in 1848, after which he settled in Ada. He was twice married, and by his first wife had thirteen children, six of whom are living. The subject of our sketch is the fourth child and second son. Our subject received an ordinary education from the common schools, and chose farmning for his trade, although he has also followed several other occupations during his lifetime. Since 1862, he has farmed a great deal. He is also a dealer in real estate. In 1854, he married Mary, daughter of David Scott, of English descent, and a native of Warren County, Ohio. They have four children-Elmer G., a telegraph operator in Cheyenne, Wy. T .; Carl J., who is attending a medical college in Cleveland ; Attie, now the wife of M. F. Eggerman, a teacher in the graded school in Ada ; and Dexter D., who is in the stove and tinware business. Mr. Gilbert is a Republican, in politics, and is a Royal Arch Mason.

M. V. GILBERT, photo artist, Ada, was born January 6, 1844, in Mahon- ing County, Ohio. His grandparents, Samuel and Nancy (Fowler) Gilbert, on his father's side. were natives of New Jersey ; those on his mother's side, Peter and Elizabeth (Glass) were natives of Maryland. They lived to an advanced age, and his great-grandfather lived to be one hundred and seven years old. Our subject

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moved with his parents, in 1850, and settled in Allen County, two miles south of Maysville, and afterward moved into Maysville. His education was very incomplete, as he attended school only two months in the winter, and had in all about one year of schooling. But after his marriage, he took lessons in read- ing, writing, and some lessons in music, and soon became more proficient. He has acquired quite a taste for literature, and is now subscriber to the Encyclo- pedia Britannica .. In 1861, Mr. Gilbert enlisted in the Fifty-fourth Ohio Vol- unteers (Second Regiment of the Zouaves), at Camp Dennison. He was in the Corinth campaign, and then proceeded to Memphis, and finally reached Chatta- nooga. He was in the whole campaign of Atlanta, and was discharged in 1864, after a service of three years and twenty days. On his return home, he learned photography, at Lima, of his cousin, Thomas Dalzell, and set up a gal- lery in Ada in 1865. On April 25, 1865, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Groty. They have eight children, four of whom are liv- ing, two boys and two girls. Mr. Gilbert owns the residence on Main street, where he lives, and also the two photograph galleries.

R. L. GREENWOOD, baker, Ada, was born March 7, 1845, in Greene County, Ohio. He is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Layman) Greenwood, both natives of Virginia and of English descent. His father pursued farming all his lifetime. Our subject was brought up on the farm and attended the common schools of Greene County. Up to the age of twenty-two years, he worked on his father's farm and then did farming for himself. In 1870, he married Isabella Maynard, who was born in Dayton, Ohio. Two children were the result of this union-Harry M. and Anna Grace. Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Greenwood, when he first came to Ada, opened in the grocery business, in which he remained eighteen months, when he started the bakery, at which he has been very successful. Mr. Green- wood is an industrious, energetic man, well educated, and is highly respected by all who know him. In politics, he is a Democrat.

JAMES F. HALL, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born March 17, 1838, in Allen County, Ohio. He is a son of James F. and Maxy (Fisher) Hall, both natives of Virginia, the former of English, and the latter of German descent. His father, a farmer, lived for nearly a half century in Allen County. Our, subject spent his boyhood on the farm, receiving a common school education. and learning all about farming, which has formed his occupation through life. He is also a thresher, and has run a thresher for the last twenty years, and a steam thresher the last three years. In 1861, he married Dosha A. Hashe, who was a native of. Allen County. By this union he had three children- David, Mary Ellen and James. Mrs. Hall died in 1866. In 1867, Mr. Hall formed a second union, this time with Emily C. Hardwick, a native of Ohio, whose mother was of German, and her father of English descent. They have eight children, viz .: Cora Alice, Lottie J., Thomas F., Charles (deceased), Jessie, George E., Albert and Babin. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the M. E. Church. In 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, and was discharged the same year. In 1871, he came to Liberty Township, Hardin County, where he has remained ever since. He owns 157 acres of land in this county and some property in Han- cock. County, all secured by his own exertions. In politics, he is a Republican.

CHRISTIAN HAMMER, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Lorain County, Ohio, in 1833. He is a son of Godfrey and Christine Hammer, both natives of Germany. His parents came to America in 1832, and settled in Lorain County, where his father followed farming, although his trade was that of a carpenter. Our subject, the fourth son of a family of six, was reared on the farm, and at- tended the common schools. He learned the trade of carpenter in Michigan, and afterward worked at it for three years in Iowa. He married, in Michigan,

ty en

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in 1858, Miss Lydia Bradford, who is of English descent. Ten children re- sulted from this union, all living. viz .: Elnora, wife of John Turner, a farmer ; Henry, a farmer ; Charles, Julia, Albert, Clara, Minnie, John, Alice and Olie. Mr. and Mrs. Hammer are members of the United Brethren Church. In 1871, twelve years ago, he came to this county and settled on Section 9. He owns 180 acres well-improved land. He is also proprietor, in company with Mr. Patterson, of a saw mill, the firm being styled Hammer & Patterson. In poli- tics, he is a Democrat. He was a Township Trustee in 1881 and 1882 ; is a prominent member of the Odd Fellows, and is in the encampment of the sub- ordinate lodge in Ada.

SAMUEL HETRICK, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born October 3, 1827, in Perry County. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Fought) Hetrick, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. His father was a son of Peter Het- rick, a farmer ; he followed farming, and also the trade of a blacksmith, and came to Ohio in 1804, at a time the Indians still abounded in that vicinity, and settled in Perry County. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a com- mon school education, and was able to read and write both in English and Ger- man. He came to this county in 1856, and settled on Section 33, when it was all a wilderness. In 1855, he married Leah Klingler, daughter of Adam Klingler, of German descent. Her parents were both natives of Pennsylvania. Five children were the result of this union-Benjamin F., Rufus C., Jacob L., William H. and Sarah E. Mr. and Mrs. Hetrick are members of the reformed church, where the former is a Deacon and an Elder. Mr. Hetrick has been successful in farming, and is the owner of 118 acres of land.

N. HIGH, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born December 8, 1832, in Crawford County, Ohio. He is a son of Nicholas and Charlotte (Shutle) High, both na- tives of Germany. His parents emigrated to America in 1827, and in 1833 came to this county, settling on Section 8, where our subject is now living ; they had a family of five children-Jacob, who died in Illinois in 1882 ; Eliza- beth, wife of George Rusher, farmer ; Barbara, wife of George Epley, farmer in this township ; Caroline, wife of Samuel Epley, farmer; and our subject. The latter never attended school for more than a week; at that time there were no schools in the township, and afterward he was ashamed to attend at his age. He learned farming for his occupation, and, in 1851, was doing odd jobs to get started, and in 1857 bought a separator, which machine he used four years. He is now running a large saw mill, and is the owner of 200 acres of valuable land. He was married, in 1866, to Sarah Markley, daughter of Fred Markley. Her parents emigrated from Germany. Seven children resulted from this union, viz .: Elie, Oscar, Lester, Ora, Mary, Sarah and Habben. In politics, Mr. High is a Democrat.

B. A. HOLLAND, lawyer. Ada, was born October 21, 1822, in Fayette County, Ohio. He is a son of Thomas and Lorena (Cahill) Holland, both na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of English descent. Thomas Holland, a carpenter, came to Ohio in 1800, and settled at first in Harrison County, and thence moved to Fayette County. Our subject was educated in Fayette County, and learned the trade his father had followed. In 1836, he went to Lima, Allen County, and resided there up to 1862, at which latter time he enlisted in Com- pany K, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served with great distinction in the war; at first he was commissioned Second Lieuten- ent, then First Lieutenant, then Captain and Major, and finally Lieutenant Colonel. On his return home from the war, he studied law for three years, and took up the practice of it, although not regularly admitted to the bar until 1875. He is now one of the prominent lawyers of Ada. In 1844, Mr. Holland was united in marriage with Lydia Oshorn, a native of Warren County, Ohio. Four chil- dren have blessed this union, viz .: Thomas E., a lawyer in Paulding County,

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Ohio ; Rachel A., wife of James McKenny, a contractor and lumber dealer in Lima ; Lorena A., a prominent merchant of Ada, and James C., an architect, who stands high in his profession. Mrs. Holland is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Holland is a member of the Masonic order; is a prom- inent member of the G. A. R., and commander of the Post in Ada.

WILLIAM HOLMES, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born April 25, 1810, in Ohio. He is a son of Obadiah and Rebecca (Thomas) Holmes, both natives of Virginia and of English descent. His father, who was a blacksmith, came to Harrison County, Ohio, while a boy. He had a family of seven children, of whom William is the eldest. Our subject learned farming when a youth and has made it his occupation. In 1862, he was in Allen County, where he remained until 1874, when he came to this county and settled on Section 7, Liberty Township. He was married in 1830, to Margaret Jenkins, who was born in 1810 in Pennsylvania,and is the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Walker) Jenkins, of English descent .. Her father, a farmer, came to Ohio when she was six years old. . Nine children have resulted from this union-Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Benadom, a farmer in Allen County ; Rebecca, wife of Isaac Williams, farmer ; Obadiah, blacksmith and carpenter ; Mary J., wife of James McKnight ; Joseph, a stone mason in Tuscarawas County ; William, farmer in Van Wert County ; Anna L., wife of Thomas Williams ; Margaret Allen, wife of James Grubb, farmer, in Liberty Township ; Cellestine, wife of John Grubb, farmer in Williams County. Mr. Holmes' children are all married, and he has had by them thirty-eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which the former has attended since 1829. He has been Class Leader for twenty-five years and is Steward and Trustee. Mr. Holmes himself, three sons, six sons-in-law and seven grandsons are all Republicans.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 117

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