The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 83

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 83

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and lumber business, in which he remained four years. In February, 1874, he was appointed agent for the United States Express Company, in which capacity he has since diligently and faithfully served. The following year he opened in the grocery trade, and has attended both branches of his busi- ness to the present time. He was married, in December, 1871, to Miss Mattie, daughter of Dr. Usher P. Leighton, a pioneer of Hardin County, where she was born. To this issue four children have been born, three of whom are living, viz., Jay, Usher and one not yet christened.

CYRUS N. BUFFE, life insurance agent, Kenton, was born February 11, 1844, in Clark County, Ohio. He is a son of Sampson and Diana (Stamats) Buffe. His parents were both natives of Ohio, and of German descent. His father is a wealthy and influential farmer in Auglaize County, and is now seventy-two years of age. His mother died April 20, 1856, at the early age of thirty-eight years, leaving the subject of our sketch without the sweet influence of a mother's love, at the age of twelve years. Our sub- ject is the only son of a family of four, and he was brought up on the farm until eighteen years old, receiving his schooling from the common schools of Auglaize County. In 1862, he enlisted in the Forty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and fought in fifty battles and skirmishes, that being the whole number the regiment participated in. He was always on duty, and was never sick, wounded, nor taken prisoner, although having many narrow escapes. In 1865, at Columbus, he was honorably discharged. On his return home, he remained with his parents for a year, but was not con- tented with farm life, and, in 1867, embarked in mercantile trade, and opened a general store in company with Mr. Cline. This was continued success- fully for seven years, when Mr. Buffe sold out, and soon after was on the railroad as a commercial traveler. Two years after, he bought out his former partner and resumed his previous business for two years more, when he then came to Hardin County. For a short time he was a salesman in the clothing store of Wolf Bro., and, in 1880, became engaged in his present occupation. He is special agent for the Union Central Life Insur- ance Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio; the home office is in Cincinnati, corner Fourth and Central avenue, and his headquarters are at Kenton. In 1873, Mr. Buffe was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Gullett, who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William and Mary 'E. (Pendry) Gullett. Their only child -Charles H. T .- died at the age of five months. Mrs. Buffe, who was a member of the Baptist Church, died Sep- tember 23, 1882. Mr. Buffe has an adopted daughter-Daisy Gertrude. In regard to religion, Mr. Buffe recognizes no creed or form, and has no sympathy with the fashionable religion of the day. He only believes in the true and undefiled religion that makes every man your brother and every woman your sister-that is, in universal brotherhood and universal salva- tion. In politics, Mr. Buffe is a Republican. He has been School Direct- or, Postmaster and Township Clerk, Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, and is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he is Royal Arch Mason. He is a gentleman of good habits, courteous and polite to all, being particularly noted for his kind and genial ways.

JOHN CALLAM, manufacturer and merchant, Kenton, was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1839. His father, Peter Callam, was a native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and settled in Toronto on his migration to the American shores. He is at this time a resident of Saginaw, Mich. The subject of this sketch came to Kenton in 1874, and established the " Mich- igan Lumber Yard," purchasing the old Ferney Planing Mill, a landmark

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of early times. This building he moved, using it for shed room, and erected on the same site the present building, which is 65x120 feet, and is three stories in height. The dry kiln and molding shed is 50x100 feet and two stories high. The capacity of the mill is 40,000 feet a day, employing a force of from thirty to thirty-five men. Mr. Callam manufactures shin- gles, lath, doors, sash, blinds, moldings, brackets, stair rails, posts and balusters, besides dealing in salt, lime, plaster, cement and all kinds of coal. Adjoining his manufactory is an extensive tract of land connected with the purchase, a portion of which is covered with lumber of all descriptions suitable for his work, and a large number of dwellings mostly occupied by the men in his employ. Mr. Callam is a man of large experience in this business, and was for years connected with his brother in Saginaw, Mich., and his entry among the manufacturers of Kenton created one of the most extensive interests in this city. He was married, in Saginaw, Mich., in 1870, to Miss Isabella J. Reid, a native of Buffalo, to which union there have been born four children, all living, viz., Nellie J., George A., Hattie B. and Bessie. Mr. Callam is one of the Directors of the water works, and is an active, enterprising business man of Kenton.

SAMUEL CAMPBELL (deceased) was born in Frederick County, Va., September 15, 1800. He is a son of John and Elsie (Dunlap) Campbell, the former a native of Lancaster County, Penn., the latter of Loudoun County, Va. Mr. Campbell grew to manhood in his native county, and there married, in March, 1830, Miss Mary Moulden, a native of England. This union produced three children, viz., John, Sarah and Dorathy, the latter being the only survivor. About 1833, he removed to Fairfield Coun- ty, Ohio, and two years later purchased a building lot on Franklin street, in Kenton, settling there in 1838. Soon after, Mrs. Campbell died-in September, 1838 -- and, on March 28, 1839, he was again married, to Miss Matilda Alexander. She was born March 23, 1808, and died without issue September 13, 1857. She was the mother of three children by her first marriage, all of whom survive. Mr. Campbell was again married, Decem- ber 15, 1857, to Catherine Curry, who was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., Jan- uary 3, 1810, and died without issue June 30, 1876. Mr. Campbell was a shoe-maker by trade, applying himself closely to it all his life. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Democratic party, and cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. He was prominently identified in various local offices of trust, and was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church since his twenty-first year.

CHARLES CANAAN, foreman in mill, Kenton, was born in Lynn Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1845. He is a son of Jehu and Louisa (Scott) Canaan, natives of Madison and Licking Counties, Ohio, respect- ively. James K. Scott, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer of Hardin County, where he lived and died. He purchased the old Kellogg farm, north of Kenton. The paternal grandfather of our sub- ject, John Canaan, came with his family and entered land in Cessna Town- ship, where he had 400 acres of land in the tract. He afterward moved to Benton County, Ill., where he died. He and James Scott were soldiers in the war of 1812. The father of our subject is living in Big Rapids, Mich., where his wife died July 4, 1879. The subject of this sketch was the second of a family as follows: James S., residing in Mecosta County, Mich .; Charles, our subject; Electa, wife of J. E. Cunningham, of Big Rapids, Mich .; twin brothers, Usher L. and Asher L., the former deceased and the latter a resident of Big Rapids, Mich .; Emma, wife of George

S. Atlook

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Langly, also of Big Rapids. Our subject has resided in Hardin County, with the exception of seven years spent with the family in Iowa. His father moved to Buck Township; thence to Kenton, where our subject has since lived. He served in the ranks of the Union army, enlisting in 1862 in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served to the close of the war. He fought in the battles of Moss Creek, East Tenn., Peach Tree, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Chattahoochie, was with Thomas in the engagement at Franklin and Nashville, and also fought at Fort Fisher. He was at the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, June 11, 1865. Returning home he worked at blacksmithing for two years, and then became connected with Walker's saw and scroll mill, i . which he has worked ever since, beginning with its organization. In 1870, he was married to Miss Phoebe Ducker, a native of Logan County, Ohio, by which union there have been five children, as fol- lows: Eva, Louisa, Fannie F., Emmett and Elta Z. Mr. Canaan has filled the office of Councilman for the past five years, and is still serving in that capacity. He was also Trustee of Buck Township, and served for one term as Assessor. He is a member of both branches of the I. O. O. F.

S. H. CAROTHERS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Huntingdon County, Penn., in 1819. His parents were James and Polly (Fitzsimmons) Carothers, the former a native of the Highlands of Scotland, the latter of Ireland; both died in Huntingdon County, Penn. His grandfather, James Carothers, emigrated to Fort Philadelphia during the Revolution, in which war he served as one of the body guards of Gen. Washington. Our subject is the youngest f a family of eight children, he and a sister being the only survivors; the latter, Eliza, lives in Huntingdon County, Penn. Mr. Carothers went to Greene County, Ohio, in 1842, coming thence to Hardin County in 1846 and purchased a farm in Pleasant Township, whence he moved, in 1851, to his present farm of 160 acres. In 1840, he was married at Chambersburg, Penn., to Miss Nancy, daughter of Mitchell and Lydia Gilmore, both Pennsylvanians. To this union six children were born, viz., Alcitta, deceased; Gilmore, born April 21, 1844, residing in Indiana; Lydia B., deceased, born March 22, 1849; Florence J., born January 14, 1851; Sarah B., born April 12, 1856, and William H., born October 11, 1861. Mrs. Carothers died in 1861, and, for his second wife, Mr. Carothers mar- ried Ann E., daughter of Roland and Elizabeth (Musser) Reese. When Mrs. Carothers was two years old, her parents came to Wooster, Ohio; thence moving to Hancock County, where they both died. By his second union, Mr. Carothers has two children -- Lizzie, born April 8, 1863; and Roland R., born May 16, 1865. Mr. Carothers served as Township Trustee for many years. He and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal . Church, of which he has been a member for thirty-two years, and a class leader for about twenty years.

JOHN M. CARR, County Treasurer, Kenton, was born in Fayette County, Penn., November 19, 1827, and is the youngest in the family of John and Rachel (Reynolds) Carr, both natives of Virginia. His maternal grandfather, John Reynolds, an officer during the Revoluton, secured lands in Logan, Hardin and Union Counties, 2,600 acres in all. Our subject's parents settled on the land in Hardin County, having previously lived in Franklin County, where they had located in 1830, and were among the first settlers of this county. They reared a family of eight children to adult age, six of whom are now living. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, where he lived until the death of his parents. His education

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was derived from the common schools. In 1854, he was married to Maria, daughter of Charles Scott, a pioneer of Hardin County. The latter was one of the first Commissioners of Hardin County, and served as Justice of the Peace to the close of his life. Mrs. Carr was a native of Hardin Coun- ty, and died in 1870, leaving a family of seven children, viz., Thornton W., Jennie B., Maud (wife of Dr. G, Brockman, of Kenton), Scott, Car- rie, Maria and John. Mr. Carr's second marriage was in 1872, with Belle, daughter of Paul K. Seig, and a native of Taylor Creek Township. To this union one child-Lydia-has been born. Mr. Carr occupied various offices of trust prior to his election to his present office, which occurred in the fall of 1881, and which office he is still faithfully occupied in. He has been engaged in stock-dealing for the past twenty years and owns a farm of 170 acres in Taylor Creek Township. He is a member of the Christian Church, and numbers among the oldest and most popular citizens of Kenton.

GEORGE J. CARTER, dentist, Kenton, was born in Lenawee County, Mich., in 1853. He is a son of Richard and Mary (Bolton) Carter, the former a native of Ireland the latter of Michigan. His father removed to New York State, locating in Oswego County, where he died. He was a farmer by occupation, and reared a family of two children, both living. The subject of this sketch acquired his primary education from the common schools. He studied dentistry for three years, under Dr. Gantz, in Ligo- nier, Ind. In 1875 and 1876, he attended lectures at the university in Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating in June, 1876. The following month he came to Kenton, and opened his present office, where he has since been succes- fully engaged. He was married, in Noble County, Ind., in 1875, to Miss Pyrena, daughter of Abram and Emily Pancake, of that county. One child -Lloyd-has blessed this union. Dr. Carter is a member of the State Dental Association, and is regarded as one of the principal dentists of Ken- ton. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F. of Kenton.

PAUL CASTOR, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Allegheny County, Penn., March 13, 1813, and is the only living son of John and Eleanor (Moore) Castor, the latter of Irish descent. His father was a native of Vir- ginia and a son of Arnold Castor, who settled in Virginia about the time of the Revolution, in which war he was a soldier. John Castor was drafted in the war of 1812, but, it being toward the close, he did no service. He, with his wife and four children, came to the West at an early time, and located in Wayne, now Holmes, County, Ohio, where his wife died in 1819. He subsequently moved to Richland County; thence to Hardin County in the spring of 1834, entering three quarter-sections of land in Sections 13, 14 and 23. He was again married, in Richland County, in 1923, to Miss Anna Dilly, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom there were five children, one living-Eleanor, the widow of Harrison Looker. Mr. Castor lost his second wife by death in Hardin County in 1842, and took for his third, Elizabeth Brown, the widow of Solomon Russell, a pioneer of 1834 to Hardin County. Mr. Castor settled on Section 23 and died in December, 1881, aged ninety-three years eleven months and three days. Paul Castor, the subject of this sketch, settled on Section 14, in Pleasant Township. He was married, December 27, 1836, to Miss Eleanor Hineline, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio, and daughter of Redding Hineline and Nancy Burgen, pioneers, in 1834, to Hardin County. The latter died in Guernsey County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Castor have had a family of ten children, but four living, viz., John W., a resident of Lancaster County, Neb .; George B., at home; William P., also at home, and Mary, wife of H. L. Holmes,

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living in Hardin County. Mr. Castor retired from active duties in 1875, moving with his life-long companion to Kenton, where he is enjoying the fruits of his well-earned labor. He was Infirmary Director for three years, and has held various offices of trust. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the family number among the oldest and most esteemed connections of the pioneer families. One son-Jacob-en- listed in 1861 in the Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from Wooster, Ohio. He was twice wounded in the hand at Chattanooga, Tenn., and was detailed in a company to guard the prisoners at Rock Island, Ill., where he was taken sick and died June 26, 1865, of brain fever.

WILLIAM P. CASTOR, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Pleasant Township, Hardin Co., Ohio, in 1849, and is the youngest living child of Paul Castor, one of the oldest and most esteemed pioneers of Hardin Coun- ty. He was married in this county, in 1871, to Miss Celesta, a daughter of Henry Smith, a pioneer of this county, where she was born. Mr. Castor has filled the office of Trustee of Pleasant Township, served as Assessor for two years and is connected with the Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church. He numbers among the oldest residents of the county. His farm lies near the original homestead, and contains at this time 100 acres.

BENJAMIN F. CESSNA, physician, Kenton, was born near Bedford Springs, Bedford Co., Penn., in 1826. His parents, Jonathan and Catha- rine (Boore) Cessna, brought him, the same year, to the eastern part of Ohio. In 1833, they removed to Hardin County, where he resided with his parents, on a farm near Kenton, until nineteen years of age. During that time, he attended the schools of Kenton at intervals, and then matriculated in the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained for three years. Upon leav- ing the university, he studied medicine in Kenton, and graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan in 1852. He then lo- cated in Van Wert, Ohio, where he practiced his profession. In 1858, he again attended lectures, and graduated at the Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Penn., after which he resumed practice in Van Wert. He continued there until 1876, when he came to Kenton and retired from active practice. In 1866, he was appointed Surgeon of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, holding the position for ten years. During the war, he was appointed by Gov. David Todd to examine the first draft of his district, and commissioned for surgical service in the army, which position circumstances prevented him from accepting. In 1867, he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from the Ohio Wesleyan University, of which institution he was elected Trustee by the alumni in 1872. Dr. Cessna is an honorary member of the Fort Wayne Medical Society, and of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, of which latter he was first Vice President. In 1855. he advanced to the Royal Arch degree in the Masonic order.

WILLIAM T. CESSNA, attorney, Kenton, was born near Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio, August 7, 1836. His parents, Jonathan and Catherine (Boore) Cessna, were both natives of Bedford County, Penn., whence they emigrated to the West, settling in Coshocton County, Ohio. In 1831, Jonathan Cessna came to Hardin County, and entered 714 acres of land near Fort McArthur, which is still owned by his son, Benjamin, and on which he settled with his family in 1833. In 1834, he was appointed Asso- ciate Judge, to fill an unexpired term of two years, and, in 1842, was re- elected by the General Assembly for seven years. He was a man highly esteemed and widely known. He was the father of ten children, as follows:

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Jonathan, Helen, Benjamin F., Louisa, Oliver P., Virginia (deceased), Caroline, William F., Harriet E. and John. Mr. Jonathan Cessna died in October, 1868, and was followed by his widow in 1870. The subject of this sketch was brought up on the homestead and received a common school edu- cation. Early in life, he determined upon a legal pursuit, and, in 1856, en- tered the Ohio Wesleyan University, graduating in 1861, and, in 1864, the Law Department of Michigan University. He then entered the ranks of the Union army as a private in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, which was assigned to the Army of the Potomac. He rapidly gained promotion, being appointed Sergeant-Major, Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant and Adjutant. He fought in the battles of Second Bull Run (where he commanded a company of skirmishers in front of Milroy's brigade), McDowell, Cross Keys, Cedar Mountain and five days' battles on the Rappahannock and at Chancellorsville. He left the Eastern army and was commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Third Ohio State Guards, in which rank he served till the close of the war. He is now Colonel com- manding the Seventh Ohio National Guard. In 1865, he was admitted to the bar, and the following year began to practice at Kenton. He served the city as Mayor in 1865 and 1866, and again in 1881 and 1882. He was elected to the Legislature in 1869, during which time he was prominent in introducing and securing the passage of bills beneficial to the interests of his people. In politics, he is a strong Democrat, and his whole public life has thus far proved him a thoroughly capable and upright public servant. In 1873, he was married to Miss Alice Teeters, a native of Hardin County. Mr. Cessna has nearly retired from the practice of his profession, devoting his time to other business commanding his attention.

W. M. CHESNEY, physician, Kenton. was born April 27, 1821, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Mahan) Chesney, deceased, both natives of Pennsylvania. When eighteen years of age, our subject commenced the study of medicine at Jamestown, Penn., with Dr. Williams Gibson. He subsequently began the practice of his profession in Wyandot County, Ohio, where he was appointed Postmaster under President Tyler. He filled that office until his removal to Marseilles, in 1844, where he was again ap- pointed Postmaster, under President Van Buren. The same year he was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. George Armstrong. She died in the spring of 1847, leaving one son-James. During the winters of 1847 and 1848, Dr. Chesney attended the Medical College and the Marine Hos- pital at Charleston, S. C., and in the following year entered the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1850. The same year, he further pursued his studies in the Starling Medical Col- lege, passing graduation in 1851, and at once entered upon a course of studies in the Pennsylvania University at Philadelphia. In 1851, be was married to Miss Rachel Merriman, sister of L. Merriman, of Kenton, to which union were born five children, but one living-Blanche. The eldest child-Alice -was the wife of Rev. I. G. Hall, a Presbyterian divine. They settled in Lima, Ohio, and during a visit to the home of her parents, in the winter of 1880, she was taken suddenly sick and died shortly after- January 31, 1881. She was a lady of excellent character and refinement, and her sudden demise was a bereavement deeply felt by the relatives and friends. Charles, Roscoe and Frank died in infancy. In 1863, Dr. Ches- ney came to Kenton, and became a member and President of the Hardin County Medical Society, continuing in the position four or five years. He is a member of the Northwestern Medical Society of Ohio, also of the

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American Medical Society. He represented the Hardin County Society as a delegate to the American Medical Society at New Orleans, La., in 1869, and was appointed, by Gov. Bruff, Examining Surgeon of Hardin County, with rank of Major. For about seven years, Dr. Chesney and Dr. Rogers, of Kenton, were in partnership in the drug business, after which time he devoted himself entirely to his practice until 1880, when his poor health compelled a retirement. He is now living a quiet and unostentatious life at his home in Kenton, surrounded by his family and friends.

WILLIAM CLOSE, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Washington County, Penn., in 1805, and is a son of Phillip and Betsy (Moore) Close. His parents are both Virginians by birth, and came at an early time to Marion County, Ohio, where they both died. They reared a family of ten children, four of whom survive. The subject of this sketch left Marion County, moving to Carroll County ; thence came to Hardin County in 1855, settling on his present farm of 328 acres, the greater part of which he has. cleared. In 1831, he was married, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, to Miss Margaret Farber, who died leaving a family of eight children, all living, viz., Wesley M., residing in Dunkirk, Ohio; Isabel, wife of John Wall, of Hardin County; John; Phoebe, wife of Julius Schoonover, Hardin County; Elizabeth, wife of Alice Charlton; Harriet, wife of Mr. Murphy, of Marys- ville, Ohio, Jane, wife of John Garlett, of Hardin County, and Arkinson, residing in Crawford County, Ohio. For his second wife, Mr. Close mar- ried Nancy Powell, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, by which union. there has been no issue. He and his family are connected with the United. Brethren Church.

ELIAS COLLINS, blacksmith, Kenton, was born in Salisbury Town- ship, Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1817, and is a son of John and Sarah (Gil- bert) Collins, both natives of Pennsylvania. His parents moved from Lan- caster to Washington County, Penn., in 1832, settling in Logan County, Ohio, where they were among the distinguished pioneers. In the spring of 1836, John Collins removed with his family to Hardin County, locating in Round Head Township, where he entered 120 acres of land, for which he paid $1.25 per acre. He lived to enjoy pioneer life but a short time, dying on the 9th of August, 1837. He left a wife and nine children, one of whom was born after his decease. All of the nine children lived to maturity, and are scattered in various parts of the country. The subject of this sketch remained on the homestead until 1844, when he moved to Kenton and did work in contracting and cutting on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad. He had learned the blacksmith trade in Pennsylvania and Logan County, Ohio, but engaged in farming until 1859, when he bought out a blacksmith shop. He enlarged the building, and has since been constantly and suc- cessfully engaged in his trade. In 1842, when in Round Head Township, he was married to Miss Sarah Monroe, a native of Chillicothe, Ohio. This. union has resulted in nine children, six of whom are living-Isaac M., engaged with his father in the shop; Hiram F., mail agent on the I. &. B. W. Railway; Albert, in the United States Regular Army, now in Texas; Sarah Ellen, wife of Daniel A. Brighton, residing in Norwalk, Ohio; Rachel A., wife of Edward E. Dean, Principal of the High School in Kenton, and. Maggie M., at home. Mr. Collins is one of the sturdy and popular pioneers of Hardin County.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 83

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