The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 121

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 121

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ROSEL SCOTT, farmer, P. O Ada, was born February 9, 1844, in Portage County, Ohio. . Mr. Scott is a Democrat in politics. He has been

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a member of the Town Council, and is now Marshal of Ada. For many years he has been proprietor of the flax mill.

WILLIAM A. R. SHADLEY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born October 24, 1832, in Frederick County, Va. He is a son of Asaph and Margaret Shadley, both natives of Virginia and of German descont. His father came to this county in 1837, and settled on a farm four miles south and one mile east of Ada, where he spent the remainder of his life. He had a family of nine children, eight of whom grew up. Our subject was the fourth child, and was reared on the farm, receiving an education in a log schoolhouse. He learned farming for his occupation, and has followed it through life. In 1856, he went to Kansas, and returned in 1860. He is the owner of a farm of ninety acres of land. He has formed two marriages; his first wife, Mary Peoples, daughter of James and Nancy Peoples, died in 1857, with- out issue. His second marriage was made in 1863, with : Elizabeth Custer, daughter of Peter and Sarah Custer, of German lineage. The result of this union has been eight children-Elmer N., Peter A., Jemima J., Sarah E., Elizabeth, Ellen, Henry Addison, John W. and Early W. Mr. Shad- ley is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

JOHN SHANKS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born September 26, 1821, in Richland County, Ohio. He is a son of Thomas and Susannah (Pense) Shanks, both of Westmoreland County, Penn., and descended from the Pennsylvania Dutch. His father, a miller, came to Ohio in 1815, and set- tled in Tuscarawas County, where he remained five years and then moved to Richland County, remaining there seven years, after which he moved to Goshen Township, in that part that has since been added to Jackson Town- ship, Wyandot County. He settled on a farm of 200 acres of Government land, and spent there the remainder of his life; he died in 1872, at the ad- vanced age of one hundred and one years. The mother of our subject died in 1857, in Goshen Township. Our subject is one of a family of fourteen, thirteen of whom attained the adult age, and four are living in Ohio. He was reared with his brothers on the farm and attended the common schools. He started out in life with a farm of eighty acres, and in 1878 had accu- mulated 480 acres. He has given 160 acres to his children. Besides farm- ing, he is engaged in stock-raising, at which he has been very successful. In 1846, he was married to Miss Jane, daughter of John and Mary (Harris) Mustard, the former of Irish and the latter of Scotch descent. She was born in Pennsylvania, May 22, 1829. Her father was in the war of 1812, and in 1844 came to this county and followed farming. Mr. and Mrs. Shanks are the parents of six children, of whom two are living-R. S., a farmer in Liberty Township; John H., at home. Mary A., Charles M., Clara A. and Ida J., all deceased. In 1864, Mr. Shanks enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company I, served one hundred days and was Second Sergeant. Mr. and Mrs. Shanks are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shanks is a Republican in pol- itics, has served several terms as School Director and in 1872 was elected County Commissioner.

R. S. SHANKS, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Liberty Township January 1, 1851. He is a son of John and Jane (Mustard) Shanks. A sketch of his father appears elsewhere in this volume. Our subject received a good education from the select schools, and at the age of nineteen years became a teacher, in which vocation he was unusually successful, and bore an almost enviable reputation. He finally abandoned teaching for farming,

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and settled on a farm of eighty acres in Section 36, Liberty Township. In 1872, he married Miss Mary C. Ream, a daughter of Abraham Ream, of whom mention has already been made in this volume. This union has re- sulted in two children-William C. and Frances. Mr. and Mrs. Shanks are members of the Presbyterian Church in Ada. In politics, Mr. Shanks is a Republican, and has been Trustee for two years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 427, and of Encampment No. 226 of Ada. He takes an active interest in the schools and in all literary societies of this district.

H. S. SHANNON, hotel proprietor, Ada, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, August 7, 1832. He is a son of Joseph C. and Melinda V. Shannon, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Virginia. Joseph C. Shan- non was a farmer, and Auditor of Hancock County at the time of his death, in 1836, and was among the pioneers of Hancock County. He was brought up on the farm, receiving only a common school education. Our subject decided upon the jeweler's trade for his occupation. He learned it in Belle- fontaine, Ohio, and worked at it for thirty years, spending fifteen years in Findlay, of Hancock County. In 1868, Mr. Shannon pursued the jewelry business in Ada, where he continued it for a number of years. Since 1879, he has been proprietor of the hotel south of the railroad depot, on Johnson street. In May, 1883, became proprietor of the new and elegant " Young " Hotel, on North Main street. In 1875, Mr. Shannon married Eliza Downer, of English descent, who was a widow with two children-Hattie, the old- est, who died January 8, 1882, and Freddie I., who is at school. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In pol- itics, he is a Republican. In the years 1874 and 1875, he was the Mayor of Ada. He is a member of the School Board, a member of the Board of Health; has been a Township Clerk, and altogether he has filled nearly all the public offices of Liberty Township.

HAMILTON SHAW, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born July 2, 1810, in Ohio. He is a son of Jonathan and Sarah (Woolam) Shaw, the former a native of Pennsylvania and of German parentage. His father was also a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish descent; his occupation was that of a farmer, in which he was generally successful, and he was also a teamster. Our subject was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education. He learned the carpenter trade in his youth, but farming has been his main occupation. In 1847, he came to Hardin County, settling in this township, where he still resides. In 1831, he was united in marriage with Abigail Turner, a daughter to Thomas and Martha (Valandingham) Turner. They have five children, viz., Thomas T., a farmer in Indiana; John, a farmer in Iowa; Jonathan, who farms in this township; Martha J., wife of James Wood, of Dunkirk, and Mary E., wife of Malcolm Nichols, a prominent farmer and business man.

ALBERT SHAW, boot and shoe dealer, Ada, was born in Orange Town- ship, Hancock Co., Ohio, September 22, 1846. He is a son of John and Jane (Montgomery), both natives of Ohio. Albert received a district school education, and was brought up on his father's farm until fifteen years old. In his sixteenth year, he learned the tanner's trade, serving at it three years. In 1863, he bought the tannery in Ada, in company with William McElroy, with whom he continued until 1876, when he bought out the latter, and has since carried it on alone. He is also in the boot and shoe trade, having started a manufactory and a sale store in Ada in 1879, and now carries a large stock, which would often invoice over $10,000, quite a

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large figure for a town the size of Ada. On September 24, 1869, Mr. Shaw married Eliza Rothstock, who is of German lineage. They have had three children-William, John, and Elta J. (deceased). Mr. Shaw is a Democrat. He served as Mayor for one term; was nine years a Councilman of Ada; has been Justice of the Peace; is an Odd Fellow and member of the En- campment, and is also a member of the Knights of Honor.

W. H. SHENDEWOLF, clerk, Ada, was born October 9, 1861, in Pleasant Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, and was brought up on his father's farm in Hardin County. His parents were natives of Germany, and have been residents of this country for many years. His father is a wealthy farm- er, who spends much of his time in reading, and takes great interest in the subject of education. Our subject attended the normal school in Ada, but did not finish the course, preferring to be at business. He went into his uncle's store, where he improved his time in studying the business, and is now installed as head clerk. His plain, outspoken ways in speech serve him in good stead as a salesman, and he is noticeable as being a thorough business man. In the social circles, he is very popular, and takes an active interest in all the gatherings of the young people; by his male friends he is regarded as being what they call " a good fellow."

DANIEL SHUSTER (deceased) was born February 22, 1828, in Tus- carawas County, Ohio. He was a son of John and Elizabeth (Wingate) Shuster, the former of German and the latter of French descent. Our sub- ject was reared on the farm, receiving a limited education. He followed farming for his occupation, and came to Hardin County in 1842, and set- tled in this township, where, with the exception of two years in Allen Coun- ty, he spent the remainder of his life. He was married, in 1851, to Chris- tine, daughter of Adam and Katherine Kuhn, the former of Dutch and the latter of German descent. There are seven children by this union, living- Clara, wife of George Guyton; Lucy May, wife of Anthony Allerding, a farmer in Hancock County; Angela, Charles B., Ada and Ida (twins) and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Shuster were both members of the Lutheran Church. He was a Democrat in politics, and filled the office of Township Trustee. At the time of his decease, he was in good circumstances, and was highly respected by all who knew him.

JOHN SHUSTER, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born April 20, 1831, in Ohio. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Wingate) Shuster, the former of German descent and a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of English descent and a native of Delaware. His father was a successful farmer, and came to this county in 1839. Our subject, the sixth of a family of ten, received a common school education and learned farming, which has been his chief occupation. He was a hard worker in his early days, and, in or- der to get a start, was obliged to work out by the day and do odd jobs. He is now the owner of 328 acres of land. In 1854, he married Parthenia Gilbert, daughter of Horace Gilbert. They have eight children living, viz., Emma, wife of Noah Long, farmer; Smith, at home; Laura J., wife of Albert Akerman; Frank, at home; Alice, Horace, Eugene and Freeman. In politics, Mr. Shuster is a Democrat.

PROF. L. M. SNIFF, Ada, was born in Star Township, Hocking Co., Ohio, November 30, 1849. His father, Isaiah Sniff, of English descent, was born in New Jersey in 1804, came to Ohio in 1812 and located with his father in Muskingum County. His mother, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Moore, was of Irish descent. She was born in Delaware, and, with her family, came to Ohio about 1812, settling in Muskingum County also.

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The subject of this sketch was brought up in very humble circumstances, in the hills of Southern Ohio. His father was the owner of eighty acres of poor land, and the misfortune of being blind for thirty years before his death helped to keep the family in a state of poverty. It was through this extreme poverty that our subject passed his early years of training. He could. attend school but a few weeks each year. The summers were spent on the farm or away from home as a hired hand. The winters were usually spent in chopping cord-wood. Three summers were spent in digging iron ore. At the age of seventeen, he saw in the life that his elder brothers were living the life he must live if he did not change his plans. An am- bition for power, and the dread of a life of menial service, were the forces that changed his career. At this period he could read tolerably, and knew a little of arithmetic, and found it very difficult to start in the classes of a

select school three miles away. After attending this school three short terms, he taught his first school the winter he was eighteen. That brought him $125, $13 of which he kept, and the remainder was handed over to his father and mother. The following spring found him in the iron ore mines, digging for money to attend school. After making $50, he started on foot for the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio; walked forty miles, and took a train the rest of the way. Eight weeks in this school took all his money, except enough to land him forty miles from home. He taught the following winter, clearing $200. This was turned over to his father and mother, all but enough to buy a suit of clothes. Again he goes to the iron mine, again to Lebanon and again to the schoolroom, making $200. We next find him called to the Northwestern Normal School, in Republic. Here he is paid his board and tuition for teaching four classes. After five

months, he receives his board, tuition and $100 a year; the next year, $400 and boards himself. This year enters the school as a full teacher, on a salary of $800 a year. Before the close of this year, the school was moved to Fostoria, Ohio, and our subject resigned and spent the summer of 1875 in a medical college near Philadelphia. He soon after received a call from the Trustees of the Fostoria school, to conduct that institution. This posi- tion he held until the close of that school year, when he took the position of Tutor in English Composition and English Literature in Bethany Col- lege, W. Va. The object of this change was to avail himself of an advan . tage to pursue farther the study of the Greek and Latin languages. After remaining here one year, Prof. E. V. Lollans, President of Kentucky Classical and Business College of Kentucky, offered our subject $1,700 a year to teach mathematics and botany in that institution. The offer was accepted, he remained there two years, and then accepted a call to the Northwestern Ohio Normal School at Ada, Ohio. In this field he has al- ready worked four years. Mr. Sniff was married, in 1872, to Elvira Van- dervort, of Southern Michigan. Her paternal ancestors were of German descent. Her mother's maiden name was Rogers. The Rogerses figured very conspicuously in the Christian reformation inaugurated by Alexander

Campbell. Mrs. Sniff's grandfather, Samuel Rogers, was a powerful preacher in the Christian Church, and his brother, John Rogers, an author of considerable note. Prof. Sniff has three children, viz., Anna Mary, Irene Mildred and Dana Grenville. His past life has been much varied, but on the whole very successful. He regards his past poverty as his fort-

une. He has accumulated but a few thousand dollars worth of property. For a number of years, all that could be made went into books and school- ing, and when his schooling was done, many hundred dollars were sent

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home for the maintenance of father and mother. Prof. Sniff has been a member of the Christian or Disciple Church for fourteen years, and has preached in that church more or less for eight years. In politics, he is a Republican.

J. T. SOUDER, carpenter, Ada, was born in Crawford County, Ohio, May 22, 1848. He is a son of William and Margaret (Latimer) Souder, the former a native of Virginia, of German descent, and the latter a native of Ohio, of Irish descent. Our subject was reared on the farm until twelve or thirteen years of age, and then learned the tanner's trade, which he worked at for eight years, when he became a carpenter and has followed that trade since 1867, and of late years has done considerable business as a contractor. Early in 1865, he enlisted in the army and served until the close of the war. In 1869, Mr. Souder was united in marriage with Alice Sells, a daughter of George W. Sells, a prominent citizen of Ada. They have five children -- Anna. Elta, Mary, Leon and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. Souder are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics Mr. Sou- der is a Republican.

JOHN D. STOKESBURY, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born January 13, 1846, in Hancock County, Ohio. He is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Yeag- ley) Stokesbury, the former a native of Ohio and of Scotch and German descent, and the latter a native of Virginia and of German lineage. Our subject spent his youth on the farm, attending the common schools, and for a short time the high school. He was soon able to teach; then fol- lowed teaching and farming at the same time, but farming formed his oc- cupation through life. In 1881, he came to Hardin County and settled in Liberty Township, and is now owner of 215 acres of land. He married in 1870, Rebecca Ream, of German descent. They had five children-Jacob S., Ida May, George W. and Francis (twins, both deceased), and Jesse. Mr. and Mrs. Stokesbury are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; the latter was a Class Leader and Steward for two years at the United Brethren Church, where they were formerly members. He was Clerk of Van Buren Township, Hancock County, and was a member of the Grange Association. In politics, he is a Democrat.

C. STRAHM, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Ada, was born in Colum- biana County, Ohio, July 19, 1824. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Ar- nold) Strahm, both natives of Switzerland. His parents came to America in 1821, and settled in Columbiana, where his father followed his trade of a shoe-maker. Our subject was reared on a farm and received a limited education. After working around, doing odd jobs, he came in 1853, to this county and settled on Section 3, Liberty [Township, where he is now the owner of 285 acres of land. He is a successful raiser of stock and a grape grower. He was married in 1849, to Mary Harding, a native of Colum- biana County and of German descent. To this union there have been born eight children, viz., Mary A., Melissa A., Samuel, Rebecca J., George D., Rosena P., Frank and Celem. Mr. and Mrs. Strahm are members of the Reformed German Church, where the former is 'Deacon. Mr. Strahm is a Township Trustee, a member of the Independent Order of Odd fellows, No. 427, Ada Lodge, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a man highly esteemed for his good sense and manly principles.

DAVID THOMPSON, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Highland Coun- ty, Ohio, May 16, 1823, and is a son of Joseph and Amy (Beals) Thomp- son. His mother is still living at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and resides with him. Our subject, who was one of a family of six, never

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attended school except for seven days in his life. He was first working at teaming, and then was on the railroad for two years, and finally, in 1855, was able to buy eighty acres of land in Liberty Township, to which he has since added, and now owns 317 acres. In 1856, he married Eliza J. Mooney, a daughter of James Mooney, of German descent. He has had by this union three children- William, a farmer, who owns eighty acres of land; Joseph, and Margetta (deceased). Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Thompson votes on the Democratic side in politics, and is a noted farmer in Liberty Township.

JOHN TRESSEL, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born October 24, 1810, in Warren Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. He is a son of George and Catherine (Shuster) Tressel, both natives of Washington County, Penn., and of German descent. His father, a farmer, was in the war of 1812. Our subject spent his early years on the farm, receiving the ordinary edu- cation from the common schools, and learned farming for his occupation. He did not follow this immediately, but was working in a mill with his father up to the age of twenty-one years. He was then in the mill busi- ness for himself, and continued at it for nine years. In 1842, he came to this county and settled in Liberty Township on Section 9, where he im- proved the land, which was covered with timber. In 1844, he started a grist mill and in 1846, a saw mill, and continued both of them for nine- teen years, when he was obliged to move to facilitate the drainage of the marsh. He is the owner of 140 acres, having entered eighty of them in 1833. He was married, in 1833, to Eliza Lappin, by whom he had four children, all grown up, viz., Samuel, Martha J., wife of Mr. Rutledge; George C. and Angeline. Mrs. Tressel died in 1856. Mr. Tressel married again, in 1859, Mrs. Amos Wells, a widow, whose maiden name was Mary McKnight. They have four children living -- Alice, the wife of Erostus Turner; Daniel A., a farmer on the homestead; Katherine Isadora, married to Howard Turner; and James Grant. Mr. and Mrs. Tressel are members of the Lutheran Church, in which the former is an Elder. . Mr. Tressel is a Republican in politics, and has been Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and a School Director for a number of years.

WILLIAM N. TYLER, farmer, P. O. Ada, was born in Bedford Coun- ty, Va., April 24, 1823. He is a son of Nelson and Mary (Hodge) Tyler, the former of English and the latter of Irish descent. His father settled with his family in Logan County, Ohio, in 1831. Our subject was reared on the farm, educated at the common schools, and for his occupation se- lected farming. In 1850, he settled on Section 35, Liberty Township, Hardin County, Ohio, and now owns a fine farm of 180 acres, which he has accumulated by hard labor. He has formed two marriages, the first of which was to Mary Thompson, a daughter of Joseph Thompson; she died without issue in 1870. The second union was made in 1871, with Louise, a daughter of Benjamin Tremain. By this union there are two children -William and Amy. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler are members of the Disciple Church. Mr. Tyler does not belong to either political party, but votes for whom he thinks is the best man. He has been a member of the Grange association, and is one of the prominent farmers of Liberty Township

J. W. WALTERS, physician, Ada, was born October 7, 1830, in Fair- field County, Ohio. He is a son of Lower and Ruth (Sharp) Walters, the former of German descent, a native of Virginia, and the latter of English descent, a native of Ohio. Our subject was brought up on his father's farm until he was twenty-two years old, then took up the study of medicine, on

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which he decided as a profession. For three years he studied in Hancock County with Dr. Ellis, and then was with Dr. Drake in Arlington. In 1857, he practiced in Ada, where he remained till 1863, when he proceeded to Ann Arbor and studied in the State University, where he grappled with the complex subject of medicine and surgery; his ambition was to excel. On his return to Ada, Dr. Walters practiced for eight years, and then pro- ceeded to Cincinnati and resumed his studies, determined to be thorough in them. He finally graduated in 1871, both in medicine and surgery, and his practice since has been very successful. His wide experience secures to. him an extensive practice, to which he attends with a faithfulness and promptness seldom equaled. The Doctor has formed two marriages in his lifetime. The first was in 1861, with Mary A. Gilbert, by whom he had two children (both deceased); the second in 1867, with Mary E. Thompson, who bore him two children-Hester V. and Emma M. Mrs. Walters is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The Doctor owns a valuable farm of 160 acres, besides other real estate. He is a Democrat in politics, and a Knight Templar.

SAMUEL WATT, JR., Postmaster at Ada, Ohio, was born at Kenton, Ohio, February 9, 1843. He is a son of Samuel Watt, Sr., and Sarah Watt, both of English descent, who settled in Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1840. When our subject was one month old his parents moved on a farm. five miles north of Kenton, where they remained for fifteen years. They then returned to Kenton. Samuel Watt, Jr., enlisted in Company K., Thirty-third Ohio, September 23, 1861; re-enlisted in January, 1864; was badly wounded at the battle of Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864, being shot through the thigh. Five inches of the bone were resected and he lay four- teen months on his back with his leg in a swing; it was twenty-one months before he undertook to walk on crutches. In 1866, he went into the cloth- ing business with Lewis A. Miller at Kenton, Ohio. In September, 1866, he- bought out Mr. Miller and moved his stock to Ada, Ohio. On May 7, 1867, he was united in marriage to Matilda Preston, daughter of John Preston, a prominent farmer of Marion Township, Hardin County, Ohio. Seven children resulted from this union, viz., a daughter who died in infancy; Anna, Gertrude, Clara E., Flora B., Leroy W., Donna G. (died when nine months old), and Ray Park. Our subject was appointed Postmaster at Ada, Ohio, February 19, 1869, by Andrew Johnson. He then closed out his stock and gave his whole attention to his office, and since then has been commissioned as Postmaster by Grant, Hayes and Arthur. His father, Judge Watt, died at Ada, Ohio, October 30, 1876, aged seventy-one years four months and fourteen days. His mother died at Ada, Ohio, October 15, 1882, at the age of seventy-five years one month and fifteen days. They were both members of the United Presbyterian Church, and loved by all who knew them. Mrs. Watt is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Watt, Jr., in politics is a Republican. He is a member of Ada Lodge, No. 427, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Ada Encampment, No. 226, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Carmon Post, No. 101, Grand Army of the Republic, Ada Lodge, No. 1882, Knights of Honor, also Grand. Guardian, Grand Lodge Knights of Honor of Ohio.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 121

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