The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 94

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

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JOHN GOSLEE, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, January 11, 1818. His father, Joab Goslee, a native of Delaware, came to Ohio just previous to the war of 1812, in which war he was a soldier four or five months before its close. In 1820, he bought 160 acres of land in the north part of Champaign County, Ohio, where he lived until his death, in the fall of 1869. He was married in Pickaway County to Elizabeth Messick, a native of Delaware. They had ten children, seven still living. Mrs. Goslee died previous to the civil war. The sub- ject of this sketch lived in Champaign County until twenty-five years of age, receiving a fair education. He was married February 20, 1842, to Mary Ann Kenton, born in Champaign County, and a descendant of Simon Kenton, the great hunter and warrior. On April 13, 1842, Mr. Goslee and family came to Hardin County and purchased sixty acres of land in Round Head Township, which farm was soon after increased by a gift of 100 acres from Mrs. Goslee's father. Mr. Goslee built a rude log house and the family moved into it on May 3, 1842. The farm was timbered land, and Mr. Goslee hired it to be cleared at the rate of 37} cents per day and $3 per 1,000 for mauling rails. At one time, he was the owner of 700 to 800 acres, of which he sold and gave away a good portion, and now owns about 550 acres located on Sections 3 and 4, all secured by his own industry. He has had six children by his first wife, four living, viz., James, farmer of Marion Township; Elizabeth, wife of James R. Hill of Round Head Town- ship; Mary, wife of Spencer Messick, farmer of Marion Township, and Melissa, wife of Jerry M. Alexander, farmer of McDonald Township; Mrs. Goslee died October 1, 1851, and Mr. Goslee again married September 9, 1852, Diana Prouse, a native of Maryland. They had six children, two living, Chancey W. and Margaret I. Mrs. Goslee died November 7, 1876, and Mr. Goslee was married the third time, May 28, 1878, to Henrietta Prouse, sister to his former wife. Mrs. Goslee is a member of the Pleasant Hill Church, and Mr. Goslee's two previous wives were also members of this church during their lifetime. Mr. Goslee was formerly a Democrat in politics, but has lately become a Prohibitionist. He has served several terms as Director of School District No. 3.

REUBEN HENKLE, deceased, a well-known farmer of Round Head Township, was born in Virginia in January, 1807. He was one of a family of five boys and two girls, whose parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Forse) Henkle. They came to Ohio about 1817, locating in Clark County, where the parents died. Our subject was reared in Clark County, living with his parents until twenty-two years old. He was married August 27, 1829, to Elizabeth Yeazel, a native of Clark County. After marriage, he en- gaged in farming, and on February 13, 1837, brought his family to Round Head Township, settling in the southeastern quarter of Section 20. The greater part of his life was spent in clearing off the timber and improving the land. He died Octobor 23, 1856, and is buried in the Henkle grave- yard, a portion of his farm. He was a Whig and Republican in politics, took an active interest in the welfare of the township, county, State and nation, and, at the time of his decease was serving as Trustee of the town- ship. He was the father of five sons and five daughters, six living. three sons residing in this county, Isaac N., Ambrose D. and R. L., all farmers

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of Round Head Township. Mrs. Henkle is living at the age of seventy-two years, and resides on the homestead. Isaac N., the eldest son, farming on Section 18, near the Newton Road, was born ne ar Springfield, Clark Co., Ohio, May 11, 1835. He came to this county with his parents, and was here reared and educated. He lived with his father until twenty years old, and then farmed for two years on his father's land near the Ada pike. He rented land and was engaged in cultivating it until August 6, 1862, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until May 25, 1865. He was wounded at the battle or Resaca, Ga., May 14, 1864, and is now drawing a small pension. After his return home, he lived on the " John F. Henkle farm," east of the Ada pike, for three years. He fell heir to forty acres of land, and after- ward bought of the heirs forty acres more of the same tract, and, October 6, 1868, settled on his present farm. He is a Republican in politics, but has never held office. He was married June 22, 1856, to Elizabeth Queen, a native of Delaware County, Ohio, by whom he had one daughter, de- ceased. Mrs. Henkle died in April, 1859, and Mr. Henkle was again mar- ried, June 19, 1861, to Abigail Huffman, a native of Logan County, Ohio. She was the mother of four children, all living, Wilbur E., Mary A., Stella C. and John C. Mrs. Henkle departed this life December 8, 1878, and Mr. Henkle was married, November 19, 1879, to Mrs. Sally (Walters) Bar- low, widow of Lawrence Barlow. She had two daughters hy her first mar- riage, Norah and Dora. Ambrose D., the seventh child and fourth son, was born on the old homstead May 22, 1848, and was reared on the home farm, obtaining a moderate education. He has always lived on the home farm and has followed agricultural pursuits all his life. He inherited forty acres of the homestead, subsequently bought forty more of the heirs and has lately purchased twenty acres more, making his entire farm to consist of 100 acres. He was united in marriage February 2, 1871, with Mary, daughter of J. W. Stinson, a prominent farmer and stock-breeder of Round Head Township. Of the five children born to them, three are living, Frank, William and Boyd. Mrs. Henkle died December 22, 1881, and is buried in the Henkle graveyard, where a blue granite monument marks her last resting place. Mr. Henkle is a Republican in politics, and is serving his second year as Constable of the township.

JAMES HILL, the founder of a branch of the Hill family in Hardin County, was born in Maryland June 22, 1763. His father served in the continental army during the revolutionary war, and was killed during that strife or died soon after. His wife also died soon after, leaving James an orphan, who resided in his native State until 1812, when he came to Ohio, locating in Logan County. Soon after, he became a soldier in the war of 1812, and during his absence from home his wife and family were obliged to seek protection in a block house, and there remained, safe from maraud- ing savages, till the war ended. James Hill married Sarah Tidd, probably a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Round Head Township in 1825, and located forty acres of land on Section 20, where he carried on farming the remainder of his life. He died September 24, 1862, aged ninety-nine years, two months and three days. His wife died about 1851, aged seven- ty-seven or seventy-eight years. They were the parents of eight children, one now living, James, residing in Cessna Township, Hardin County. James Hill was one of the organizers of the early Methodist Bowdle So- ciety and, later of the Bowdle Church. He was a Democrat in politics. His physical condition was excellent, as, during his long life of a century

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(lacking one year), he never had need of a physician. One son, Samuel Hill, was born in Logan County, Ohio, April 23, 1812. He accompanied his parents to Hardin County in 1825 and lived with his father until the latter's death. He was the fourth and youngest son. He bought forty acres of land adjoining his father's, and at the latter's death, inherited the whole homestead of forty acres. He farmed on this land till his death, which occurred May 27, 1872, his age being sixty years one month and four days. He was married to Priscilla Scott, a native of Pennsylvania, who bore him two sons, Hamilton and James. The latter was drowned when two years of age. Mrs. Hill died January 2, 1869, aged fifty-four years, eleven months and twelve days. Samuel Hill was also a member of the Bowdle Society, and subsequently a Class Leader in Pleasant Hill Church. He was probably a member of the Masonic fraternity. In poli- tics, he was a Democrat, and served his neighbors and friends as Township Trustee and in several minor offices. He and his wife are buried in Pleas- ant Hill Cemetery. Hamilton Hill, the surviving son of Samuel Hill, was born on the old homestead August 17, 1840. He obtained a fair education, and when seventeen years old secured a position as teacher in a neighbor- ing school. He taught for 720 days in succession in District No. 3, and followed that profession till thirty years of age. Since that period, he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of a fine farm of 100 acres, seventy of which are well improved. He was married on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1862, to Ann M., daughter of Andrew Poe, an early settler of Round Head Township. They have three children, John L., school teacher in District No. 3; Ida L. and Stella B. Mr. and Mrs. Hill are members of the Fletcher Chapel. Mr. Hill is a Democrat, and was Township Clerk for several years, declining a re-election in the spring of 1878, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

JAMES R. HILL, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born December 18, 1835, in Round Head Township. He is a son of James Hill, native of Trumbull County, Ohio, a pioneer of this township and now a resident of Cessna Township. He was married to Eveline Spencer, a native of Logan County, Ohio, who bore him two children, both living. His second mar- riage was with Elizabeth Richards, a native of Champaign County, by whom he had ten children, five living, our subject being the only one a resident of Round Head Township. Mrs. Hill died in July, 1872, and Mr. Hill on June 8, 1883, and was buried at Pleasant Hill. The subject of this sketch was reared on the homestead, obtaining a fair education, and remained with his father until twenty-four years of age. On October 4, 1860, he was married to Marietta White, a native of Logan County, Ohio. He then purchased his farm, which now consists of 100 acres of land on Section 8, on the Ada pike. It is under a high state of cultivation, with good farm buildings, and Mr. Hill has since erected a fine farm residence. He is a member of the Pleasant Hill Church, where he is a Class Leader, and, in politics, is a Prohibitionist. Mr. Hill has two children by his first wife-Luella, wife of Robert Ford, residing on the adjoining farm; and Francis Alonzo, deceased. Mrs. Hill died November 12, 1858. Mr. Hill was again married, September 18, 1870, to Elizabeth Goslee, a native of Round Head Township, and daughter of John Goslee, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Four children have been born, two living, James Vernon and Effie Louisa. Marietta E. and an infant are deceased, the former being but six years of age at the time of her death, but very intel- ligent. She left instructions how to be buried, with verses to be sung at

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her funeral, and was the first to be interred in the new Pleasant Hill Cem- etery. Mrs. Hill is also a member of the Pleasant Hill Church. In early life, Mr. Hill attended school at Bellefontaine, and subsequently taught school in Round Head Township, at different periods in ten years.

C. W. HURLBURT, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Vermont, March 28, 1810. He is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Cisco) Hurlburt, na- tives of Vermont. The latter died in this State, and the former subse- quently removed to Canada, where he passed the remainder of his life. They were the parents of eight children. The subject of this sketch re- mained at home until twenty-two years of age, and then went to Pendleton, N. Y., and two years later removed to Ohio. He obtained employment as steersman on the canal, and during this time made his home at Newark. He then went to Utica, Licking Co., Ohio, lived there two years and next was employed in laying the " mud sills " on the Lake Erie and Mad River Railroad (now Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western, the first railroad built in this State. He subsequently took a lease of land near Fort McAr- thur, this county, and nine years later bought eighty -seven and a half acres near by. He sold this farm and bought a tract of land of eighty acres near Ada, to which he removed and lived on, about seven years. He finally sold that farm and bought his present farm of seventy-six and one-half acres in the western part of Round Head Township, near the Scioto River, removing thereon October 1, 1869. He was married, June 26. 1856, to Patience, daughter of William Lawrence, an early settler of Hardin Coun- ty, locating one mile south of Marysville, near Allen County line. Mr. and Mrs. Hurlburt have had ten children, eight living-Uriah, John R., Augustus, A. I., Elizabeth, Alfred, Mary L. and Rose Ella. Mr. Hurl- burt and his wife, while residing near Ada, were members of the Method- ist Church at that point. On February 10, 1864, he enlisted in the Eighty- second Regiment, Company B, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served eighteen months. He was severely wounded in the head and knee at Dal- las, May 24, 1864, and taken to the hospitals at Nashville, Tenn., and Jeffersonville, Ind. He was afterward taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill., and there guarded prisoners until his discharge. The wound in his head has seriously interfered with his hearing, and the wound in his left leg was the direct cause of his lameness. Mr. Hurlburt is Republican in politics, but has never held office.

ROBERT IRWIN, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born near Wood- stock, Champaign Co., Ohio, September 7, 1814. He is a son of Thomas and Mary (Thomson) Irwin, the former a native of Ireland, the latter of Kentucky, and both deceased. Robert Irwin was reared in Champaign County and farmed there until about 1838, when he came to this township. He located on 115 acres of land, given him by his father, and afterward bought another tract of seventy-eight acres, thirty-eight of which he gave to his daughter. This land was all covered with timber, and during the forty-five intervening years, Mr. Irwin has cleared about ninety acres. He has always been engaged in farming, with the exception of last year, when poor health caused him to desist. He is a member of the United Presby- terian Church at Round Head, and an Elder in that body; is a Republican in politics and has been Supervisor and School Director. He was married about forty-one years ago to Henrietta Rolinson, a native of Kentucky. They have had four children, two sons and two daughters, one son and one daughter living-Mary, wife of James Graham, a school teacher, residing in Nebraska, and Thomas H., at home with his father. Mrs. Irwin depart-

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ed this life January 4, 1881, aged sixty years. She is buried in Round Head Cemetery. Thomas H. Irwin, farmer and manufacturer of tiling, was born on the old homestead July 26, 1849. He received a fair educa- tion and has always resided on the farm. In 1872, J. Q. Herford and Rob- ert Irwin erected tile works on the latter's farm and carried on their manu- facture for ten years. Then James Graham bought out Mr. Herford's in- terest in the business, and, in 1882, Thomas Irwin purchased the entire bus- iness of the two partners. He employs a force of four men and three horses, and, in the summer of 1883, manufactured about 3,800 tiles, ranging from two to eight inches in diameter. The clay for these tilings is found on the farm. Sales are made mostly in this county, but large amounts are disposed of to dealers and farmers in Logan and Auglaize Counties. Mr. Irwin was married October 17, 1872, to Estella Mowry, a native of Au- glaize County, Ohio. By this union there are four children, three living, Annie M., Ella C. and Ida A. Mrs. Irwin died in 1880, and is buried in Round Head Cemetery. Mr. Irwin is a member of the Summit Grange, No. 526, Knight of Honor, in Auglaize County, and is connected with the Re- publican party.

JOHN W. McNEAL, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, August 24, 1820. His father, Archibald McNeal, probably a native of Ross County, Ohio, where he was reared, was married to Sarah Newland, a native of Virginia. They had two children, our subject and one sister, deceased. Mr. McNeal died in Ross County 'in 1832, and his widow in 1862. The subject of this sketch was reared in Fayette County, and served an apprenticeship at the stone and brick mason and plasterer trades, which he followed from 1840 till 1861. In 1845, he went to Auglaize County and was there until 1850. On November 30, of that year, he was married to Susannah Mahan, daughter of Mathew Mahan, a pioneer of Round Head Township. Of the seven children born to this union two are living, Mary A., wife of James Lawrence, a resident of Jaggar, Marion Township, and William Archibald. Two years after his marriage, Mr. McNeal removed to Paulding County, where he bought land. The continued ill health of his wife forced him to sell out and remove back to this coun- ty. When the late war commenced, he enlisted in Company E, Eighty- second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly three years. He was honorably discharged, July 8,1864, but with the loss of his health. Since then, he has farmed, as far as his health would permit. He has lately rented his farm, and with his son is engaged in the manufacture of drain tiling. In politics, Mr. McNeal is a Republican, and served eighteen years as Township Constable. He is now Road Supervisor.

WILLIAM MARSH, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania. He was a son of Enoch Marsh, also a native of the Keystone State. When quite young, his parents came to Ohio and located in Guernsey County, where he was reared and married Nancy Dillen, a native of Belmont County, Ohio. After marriage, he was engaged in farming in Belmont and Guernsey Counties, and, about 1838, came to this county, taking up eighty acres of land in Elder Creek, Round Head Township, where he remained a short time. He then removed to Round Head Village, engaged in the grocery business for some years and lived there until his death. He was a Whig in politics, and for several years Justice of the Peace of Round Head Town- ship. Mr. Marsh and his wife were the parents of eleven children, three living, one of whom is a resident of this county. Frank M. Marsh, farmer, residing on the J. Smith tract, No. 10,300, south of the Wapakoneta pike,

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was born in Elder Creek, this township, May 8, 1842. He was mostly reared in Round Head Township, and, after his father's death, went to school at Cleveland for a year. He was engaged in farming on rented land until 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Reg- iment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served as a non-commissioned officer and was discharged about three years after date of enlistment. After the war, he was engaged in the manufacture of tobacco at Cincinnati for a short time, and then purchased his present farm of sixty acres. Mr. Marsh is Republican in politics, has been Township Trustee and is now Director of School District No. 5. He was married April 10, 1854, and his family consists of five children, two boys and three girls, the latter living, viz., Martha E., Fannie May and Emma B. Mrs. Marsh is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Round Head Village.

F. W. MOESINGER, manufacturer of buggies and wagons, horse shoeing and general repair shop, Round Head, was born in Baden, Ger- many, March 8, 1849. His father was Michael Moesinger, also a German. The subject of this sketch was reared in his native land, and when four- teen years of age learned the wagon-maker's trade. In 1867, he came to America, worked in New York and Connecticut for about a year and then worked at his trade at the following named places: Lima, Ohio, one sum- mer; Louisville, Ky., one year; Evansville, Ind., one year; Denver, Col., and other points, three years; Missouri, St. Joe and other places, four years. He then made a visit to his native land (in 1877), and, in 1878, re- turned to this State, locating at Lima for one year. In the spring of 1879, Mr. Moesinger came to Round Head Village and was employed by William Moore for three months. He then established himself in business in the north end of the village and remained there two years, at the expiration of which time he bought two lots and erected his present shop. The build- ing is of frame, 42x40 feet in size, two stories high, with a paint shop ad- dition, 16x40 feet, one story. Mr. Moesinger employs two hands for help, and manufactures all kinds of vehicles, sleighs, etc., also does horse shoe- ing and general repairing. He commenced business with a small capital, and his success, which has been excellent, was obtained only by persistent efforts and tireless energy. Mr. Moesinger owns a dwelling house adjoin- ing the shop, which he rents. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never been an office-holder.

SAMUEL W. NEVILLE, proprietor of saw mill, Round Head, was born in Monroe County, Va., near the white sulphur springs, October 22, 1834. His father, Samuel Neville, was born in Fincastle, Botetourt Co., Va., in 1801. He was a son of John Neville. Samuel Neville, Sr., a sadler by trade, came to Bellefontaine, Ohio, in 1836, lived there nine years, and, in 1845, came to Round Head Township. He married Maria Murphy, by whom he had six daughters and four sons, all of whom reached maturity; the youngest died at the age of twenty-four years. Eight of this family and the mother are still living, the latter residing in Round Head Village. The subject of this sketch was but four years old when he came to Ohio, and thirteen years of age when he came to Hardin County. He first attended the school kept by "old father" Henshaw, a rather eccentric old man, who always pronounced his words in the old fashioned drawling style. In June, 1851, Mr. Neville went to work on a locomotive on the Lake Erie & Mad River Railway, the first railway built across this State. He remained on this road for about ten years, advancing to the position of fireman and en- gineer, and deserves the credit for having " fired" the first locomotive that

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entered the city of Dayton. Since that time, he has been engaged mostly in running saw mills in Ohio, Michigan and Virginia. In January, 1883, he leased and commenced operating his present,mill. He was married, March, 1862, to Addie, daughter of Squire William Marsh. One son was born to them, William P., now engineer at the saw mill and a natural musician and fine pianist. Mrs. Neville died in 1868, and Mr. Neville was again married, July 9, 1870, to Genoa, daughter of Andrew Poe, an early settler of Round Head Township. They have five children, three sons and two daughters, three living, viz., Burns L., Blanche L. and Ray. . Leona (three years old) and an infant are deceased. Mr. Neville was for- merly a Democrat in politics, has always been in favor of temperance and of late years has been a strong prohibitionist.

ANDREW POE, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, May 1, 1815. His father, David Poe, was a native of Ken- tucky and came to Ohio about 1812. He enlisted in the Light Horse Guards, but was rejected on account of a blind eye. He settled in Picka- way County, subsequently in Ross and Fayette Counties, and, in 1830, re- moved to the " Patron's Survey," McDonald Township, Hardin County, taking up 200 acres of land, where he lived till the death of his wife and then came to Round Head, where he died. He was married to Elizabeth Ritchey, a native of Ireland, who came to this country when a year old. They had twelve children, five living. The subject of this sketch came to Hardin County when seventeen, and lived with his parents until twenty-one years old. On February 11, 1837, he married Levina Zimmerman, a na- tive of Twin Township, Ross County, Ohio. After his marriage, he bought eighty acres of land in McDonald Township, but never lived on it. In the fall of 1839, he purchased eighty acres on Section 32, Lima Road, on which he resides, and which he has increased to 203 acres, besides own. ing 102 acres of the Clark Survey, in the south part of Round Head Town- ship. He has owned altogether about 543 acres in this county, all secured by his own efforts, and of which he has given away 238 acres to his chil-

dren.

He has never hired an acre cleared and never went into debt.

politics, he is Democratic. He has seven children living, viz., William; Milton, a farmer,, of Lenawee County, Mich .; Ann M., wife of Hamilton Hill, of Round Head Township; Genoa, wife of S. M. Neville, of Round Head; Samantha, wife of James Smith, a farmer of McDonald Township; David, who married Martha Harrod and lives on the home farm, and Douglas, at home. Mrs. Poe is a member of the Presbyterian Church. William, the eldest son, a farmer on Sections 16 and 17. Ada & Round Head pike, was born on the homestead December 18, 1S38. He was raised in Round Head Township, obtained a good common school education and re- mained with his father until twenty-five years old. On March 24, 1863, he was married to Helen M., a sister of C. N. Buffenburger, of Kenton, and has had six children, as follows: Florence, Marquis, Ada N., Byron

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 94

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