The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 95

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 95

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B., Leotta and Vesta. Mr. and Mrs. Poe and their daughter Florence are members of the Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. After mar- riage, Mr. Poe bought eighty acres of land on Section 5, Round Head Township, resided there one year and then returned to the homestead, where he farmed for seven years. He then purchased 100 acres of land on Section 17, on which he has since resided. In September, 1882, Mr. Poe bought eighty acres of land on Section 16, and has purchased twenty acres of land on the Robert Stevenson section, also forty acres of the Edward Mahon farm, on Section 4, making in all 240 acres. He has lately erected

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a neat and substantial residence on his farm. Mr. Poe is a hard worker and a good financier, and deserves credit for his success in life. He is a Democrat in politics, but has never had time to hold office.

A. RIPLEY, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Champaign Coun- ty, Ohio, July 26, 1832. His father, Jacob Ripley, was probably a native of Rockingham County, Va., and came to Ohio about 1815. He located about three and a half miles northwest of Urbana, where he lived till just before the Mexican war, when he removed to Sangamon County, Ill. He died at the latter place, the same year. He was thrice married. His first wife was a Miss Boswell, by whom there were five children, one living, a resident of Brookston, White County, Ind. His second marriage was with Sarah Scott, a native of Champaign County, Ohio (mother of our subject). They had eleven children, four living. Mrs. Ripley died about 1842. His third marriage was with Elvira Owens, also a native of Champaign Coun- ty, Ohio. They had one child, now deceased. The subject of this sketch assisted his father on the farm till the latter removed to Illinois. He then hired out to do farming until 1856, when he came to Round Head Township and bought forty acres of timber land. He has since added 120 acres, and now owns a farm of good, productive land and has good farm buildings. Mr. Ripley attributes his success to the motto "pay as you go." In poli- tics he is a Republican, and has served two terms as Township Trustee. He was once connected with the Patrons of Husbandry. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, Company B, and was subsequently appointed Sergeant. He participated in the battle at Mossy Creek, in the two days' fight at Franklin, Tenn,, and at the two days' fight at Nashville. He was at Fort Anderson on Cape Fear River, and was honorably discharged at Salisbury, N. C., June 24, 1865. Mr. Ripley was married in Hardin County, Au- gust 9, 1855, to Letitia Moore, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of William and Sarah (Sampson) Moore, who early settled on the farm ad- joining that of our subject. Of the eleven children born, eight are living, viz., William, David, who married Elizabeth Effingham, Sallie, Van Bert, Mary, Ida, Joseph and Anna. Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are members of the Pleasant Hill Church, of which the former has been Steward and Trustee for many years.

ANDREW RITCHEY, one of the earliest pioneers of Round Head Town- ship, a retired farmer, residing on Section 9, Ada & Round Head pike, was born in Mercer County, Penn., October 16, 1809. His father, John Ritchey, a native of Spain, came to America about the first part of the present cen- tury. He was a farmer, and, about 1814, located in Logan County, Ohio, where he died a few years later, and was buried near the present site of Bellefontaine. He was married to Mary Hill, probably a native of Ireland, who bore him seven children. Of this family, only two are living, our sub- ject and his brother Samuel, residing in the western part of Round Head Township. Mrs. Ritchey died about 1824. Our subject came to Hardin County with his mother and two brothers, William and Samuel, about 1817. They first lived in what was afterward known as the Bowdle settle- ment, where they remained until the death of the mother. The two oldest boys subsequently went back to Logan County, where both married. Our subject early learned the blacksmith trade with Samuel Tidd, grandfather of Alexander Tidd, working for him three years. He was then employed by the month in clearing land, and finally resolved to own some land. He entered two tracts of forty acres each, one of which was in the Bowdle set-

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tlement, and lived on the latter place till about twenty-five years ago. He then sold his land and bought forty acres of his present farm on Section 9. He afterward added seven acres to this purchase, but in the winter of 1882 and 1883, he divided his farm between two of his children. Mr. Ritchey was one of those who organized the Bowdle Society and afterward Bowdle Church, and in later years the Pleasant Hill Church, of the same denomi- nation. He served as Trustee of the latter body three years. His maiden vote was cast for Andrew Jackson, but he subsequently became a Whig and Republican in politics. He was married May 8, 1832, to Sarah, daughter. of Samuel Tidd, by whom there were five children, four living, viz., Mary Jane, widow of Robert Colvert, who has five children and now lives with her parents; Sarah, wife of Jefferson Rutledge, of Ada; Charles H. and Lydia, wife of D. C. McConsey, whose sketch appears elsewhere. Mrs. Ritchey is still living and enjoys good health. Andrew Ritchey never en- joyed the advantages of a good education, but has always been a hard- working and earnest citizen, and deserves credit for his labors in helping to clear and develop this township. The fourth child, Charles H., a farmer on Sections 9 and 4, of Round Head Township, was born September 1,1840, in the Bowdle settlement. He was reared and educated in Round Head Township, and remained with his parents until the war commenced. In 1862, he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and served as a private for nearly three years, being hon- orably discharged at Louisville, Ky. When he came home, he purchased forty acres of his present farm, subsequently bought another tract of forty acres adjoining, and in the winter of 1882-1883, his father gave him twenty-four acres, which increased his farm to 104 acres. The greater part of his two first purchases was timber land, and by hard labor he has suc- ceeded in clearing about forty acres of his farm. He is a member of Pleasant Hill Methodist Episcopal Church and a Republican in politics, but has never held office. He was married, November 8, 1865, to Martha J. Bell, a native of Guernsey County, Ohio. They have one son, James Oliver, attending school in the Hill District. Mrs. Ritchey is a member of the Pleasant Hill Church.

RICHARD RUTLEDGE, deceased, late farmer, was born in Maryland, July 28, 1798. He was a son of Thomas and Mary (Burton) Rutledge, na- tives of Maryland, who located in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1810. They subsequently removed to Champaign and Logan Counties, and, in 1833, settled on Section 17, Round Head Township, where both died. Rich- ard Rutledge was married when nineteen years old, in Champaign County, to Mary Lewis, and there engaged in farming, and afterward moved to . Logan and Hardin Counties, locating a farm on Section 17, in the Bowdle settlement, where he lived till May, 1860. He had previously bought forty acres of Government land on Section 20, and afterward purchased forty acres more and another forty of his son, B. W. He removed to this farm and lived there till his death, on January 12, 1875. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and early connected with the Bowdle So- ciety, subsequently the Bowdle Church, and Fletcher Chapel. In politics, he was a Republican, and, while a resident of Logan County, served seven years as Justice of the Peace. He filled the same office in Round Head Township for twenty-one years. and was also Township Assessor. He had sixteen children by his first wife, three living. Mrs. Rutledge died in 1845, and he was again married in June, 1846, to Mrs. Sarah (Hill) Lay, a daughter of James Hill, a native pioneer of Round Head Township. They had one

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son, Sampson. Mrs. Rutledge died in 1873. Sampson M. Rutledge was born on the " G. W. Rutledge farm," April 10, 1847, and has always re- sided in Round Head Township. He obtained a limited education and re- mained on his father's farm until the latter's death, when he was willed the old homestead, then consisting of 128 acres of land. He was married March 19, 1869, to Amanda Walters; a native of Auglaize County, Ohio, by whom he had five children, four living-Richard B., John F., Benja- min W. and Marion R .; one, an infant, is deceased. Mrs. Rutledge is a member of the Fletcher Chapel. Mr. Rutledge is a Republican in politics.

T. J. SPENCER, farmer, P. O. West Newton, Allen County, Ohio, was born in Round Head Township October 23, 1841. His father, Watson Spencer, was a native of New Antioch, Clinton County, Ohio, where he lived until nineteen years of age, and then went to Logan County, Ohio. Four or five years later, he came to Round Head Township and took a lease for some years. He afterward rented a farm of Thomas Rutledge for four or five years, where he farmed and lived until his death, in February, 1878. He was a strong Republican, but never held office, except Constable of the township. He was married, about 1838, to Ellen Rutledge, a native of Logan County, Ohio, by whom he had eight children, three living, two be- ing residents of this county. Mrs. Spencer Fied about 1851, and is buried in the Henkle graveyard. Mr. Spencer subsequently took, for his second wife, Nancy Mead, by whom he had a family of six children, all of whom excepting one, are living. The subject of this sketch was reared in Round Head Township, remaining on the home farm until November 13, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company E, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until June, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. He has never held rank except that of a Corporal, and was wounded once at Savannah, Ga. After coming back to Hardin County, he was married, September 29, 1868, to Mary A., daughter of John Gossard, of Wayne Township, Auglaize County, Ohio. They have six children, Francis, Nora E., Hiram F., Elizabeth J., Thomas J., Jr., and Wilbur F. After marriage, Mr. Spencer raised one crop in Auglaize County, where he lived on William Poe's land one year and on John F. Henkle's place, four years. About 1875, he bought his present farm of forty acres on Section 6 near West Newton Road, and, in 1879, purchased the old homestead of forty acres of the heirs. Sixty-four of these eighty acres are cleared and in good condition for farming. Mr. Spencer is a Republican and has served both as Supervisor and Township Trustee.

JAMES W. STINSON, farmer and stock-breeder, P. O. Round Head, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, June 17, 1824. His father, Morris Stinson, a farmer, was born on Walnut Creek, near Hillsboro, Highland, County, but removed to Champaign County, Ohio, about 1823, and died there early in the year 1829. He was married to Melvina Williams, a native of Virginia, who died in March, 1868. They were the parents of three children, one daughter and two sons, our subject being the only sur- viving member. James W. Stinson was reared in Champaign County, ob- tained a fair school education, and, at the age of sixteen years, taught school for six months in Middletown. The following summer, he was farming, then taught the next winter, after which he married and lived on a rented farm for four years. His next venture was in the grocery business at Mid- dletown, but, four years later, he sold his stock of goods and removed to a farm near Middleburg, Logan County, where he resided for fourteen years. In October or November of 1866, he came to Round Head Township and

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bought eighty acres of land on Section 9, on which his son settled. He then purchased forty acres on Section 17, Ada & Round Head pike, where he has since rsided, his entire farm consisting of 120 acres. He was mar- ried, August 13, 1844, to Selina Brenton, a native of Birmingham Town- ship, Chester County, Penn. Twelve children were born to them, seven living, viz., James, a resident of Adams County, Ill .; Susan, Hope, Fan- nie, Paulina, Levi, who married Emma Tidd, and Joseph, attending the Ada Normal School; Mary, Phelina T., Jefferson and Franklin are deceased. Mr. Stinson is an extensive breeder of short-horn cattle and Poland-China. hogs; is successful and deserves credit for trying to better the condition of the stock in this county. He is a Democrat in politics, served one term as Justice of the Peace in Logan County, Ohio, and was elected to the same office in Round Head Township, which is strongly Republican. He has also served as Trustee of the township and Director of School District No. 6. He was a member of the Hardin County Agricultural Society for eight years and was Township Assessor in 1882.

HUGH H. TIDD, deceased, an early and well-known citizen of Round Head Township, was born in Logan County, Ohio, in December, 1816. He was a son of Samuel Tidd, an early settler on Mad River, in Logan Coun- ty, and who was married to Rebecca Hill. They came to Hardin County in 1828, locating on Section 21 in Round Head Township, where Samuel Tidd died at a ripe age. The subject of this sketch was reared in Hardin County since his twelfth year, receiving a very limited education. At his father's death, he inherited 100 acres of the homestead, and subsequently bought 153 acres more and lived on this farm of 253 acres until his death. He died, February 18, 1878, aged sixty-two years. He helped to organize Pleasant Hill Church and was one of the Trustees for many years. In pol- itics, he was a Republican. He first married Mary, daughter of William Given, of McDonald Township, by whom he had nine children, six living. Mrs. Tidd died in December, 1862, and Mr. Tidd was again married a few years later to Sarah J. Caseman, a native of Allen County, Ohio. They had seven children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Tidd departed this life February 6, 1878. Alexander G., the third son of Hugh and Mary (Given) Tidd, was born on the old homestead, April 24, 1838. He lived on the farm until twenty years of age, and then bought eighty acres of land adjoining the homestead, where he lived six years. He then sold that farm and pur- chased 102 acres in McDonald Township, on which he lived until July, 1881, when he sold it and bought the old homestead of 253 acres, where he has since resided. Mr. Tidd is a member of a Methodist class in McDon- ald Township, is a member of the Republican party, and was Trustee and School Director in McDonald Township for two terms each. He was united in marriage September 20, 1860, with Margaret R., a native of Marion Township, and daughter of Isaac McElhany. They have had four children, three living, Frank M., Albert L. and Hollister S. The eldest child, Rilla Allen, died in 1874, aged thirteen years, two months and nine days Mrs. Tidd is a member of the Pleasant Hill Church. Isaac McEl- hany, deceased, was born in Ireland, May, 1799. He was the only child of James McElhany and Margaret Stewart (both of whom died in Ireland), and came to Pennsylvania when twenty-one years of age. He labored in the iron works there for two or three years, then came to Licking County, Ohio, where he worked by the month for a short time. He was there mar ried to Margaret Kirkland, a native of that county, and after marriage came to this county. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Marion Township,

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entering 160 acres of land, on which he lived until his death. He died April 5, 1871, aged seventy-two years. He also owned forty acres of land, a por- tion of which is now covered by the Northwestern Normal School, at Ada. He had four children by his first wife, two living, Margaret R. Tidd and John, the latter residing at Ada. Mrs. McElhany died in 1852, and Mr. McElhany was again married a year later to Rebecca, daughter of Hamilton Scott, a pioneer settler of Hardin County. They had one daughter, still living. Mr. McElhany's third wife was a distant relative, named Margaret McElbany, a native of Ireland, and by whom he had several children, all but one deceased. Mrs. McElhany still survives.

H. W. WALTERS, farmer, P. O. Round Head, was born in Berkeley County, W. Va., March 21, 1840. He is a son of Michael Walters, black- smith, also a native of West Virginia, who, in the spring of 1855, came to Ohio, locating near Springfield, where he was engaged in farming for several years. About 1873, he came to Hardin County and resided with our subject till his death, on June 12, 1881. He was married to Catherine Rightstine, a native of Jefferson County, W. Va. They had five children, all of whom are living. Mrs. Walters died about Christmas, 1869. The subject of this notice lived in his native State until fifteen years of age, then came with his father to Ohio, remaining with him on the farm until January, 1867, when he married Josephine Stewart, a native of Champaign County, Ohio. Four children have resulted from this union, Lillie, Alma, Frank and Lenori. They have also reared a boy, Melvin Lile. In March, 1873, Mr. Walters came to Round Head Township and bought his pres- ent farm of eighty acres on Section 5, west of the Ada & Round Head pike, which he bought of James Moore, a son of William Moore, a pioneer settler of Round Head Township. Mr. Walters raised all the stock his farm can afford and has been fairly succeessful in life. He is a member and Trustee of Pleasant Hill Church, and Mrs. Walters is con- nected with the Zion Baptist Church in Allen County. Mr. Walters is a Democrat in politics, and has served one term as Township Trustee.

TAYLOR CREEK TOWNSHIP.

JOHN C. BAILEY, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Kenton, was born in Taylor Creek Township, Hardin County, December 30, 1831. His par- ents were Basil and Catherine (Hullinger) Bailey, the latter a native of Champaign County, Ohio. His father was born in Martinsburg, Va., and moved to Hardin County about 1827. He died October 5, 1843, aged for- ty-five years, and is buried by the side of his wife in the township where our subject resides. In 1878, our subject was married to Hortie, daughter of William Shepherd. She was born in Miami County, Ohio, January 12, 1856. Her father was born in Virginia August 18, 1818; her mother, Sarah A. Yazen, in Champaign County, Ohio, August 15, 1823, died January 5, 1869. Mr. Bailey is the father of three children-Frank, Morton and Charles. He was a member of the Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany D, and served from 1861 till 1863. He lost his left limb at Freder- icksburg, Va., December 13, 1863. His brother Silas died while in the army at Fort Laramie, in 1863. Mr. Bailey is now living on the old home- stead and is the owner of 1373 acres of well-improved land.

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J. A. BOWER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Logan County, Ohio, August 26, 1840, and is a son of Peter and Amy Bowers. On November 5, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy C. Corwin, a native of Hardin County, Ohio, born July 17, 1851. They are the parents of three children, Myrtie A., Oliver P. and Minnie. Mr. Bower served thirty-seven months in the Thirteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company F, and was engaged in four regular battles besides numerous skirmishes. He owns sixty-five acres of land and has resided in this county for two years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 381, at Rushsyl- vania.

PETER CROSS, farmer, P. O. Silver Creek, was born in Bowling Green Township, Licking County, Ohio, January 11, 1818. His parents, John and Margaret (Bowers) Cross, were natives of Pennsylvania and pio- neers of Licking County, Ohio, where his father died at the age of sixty - eight years. Our subject was married in Logan County, Ohio, to Miss Susanna, daughter of William and Sarah White, and a native of Logan County. This union has resulted in thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters (four deceased); all are married and have families. Mr. Cross owns sixty acres of land, and has resided in Hardin County for twenty years.

LEVI DERR, farmer, P. O. Silver Creek, was born in Logan County, Ohio, April 23, 1838. His parents, Davis and Martha (Johnson) Derr, were natives of Allegheny County, Penn., and Wayne County, Ohio, re - spectively. Davis Derr was born in the year 1803, and came with his par- ents to Logan County, Ohio, in 1821. Our subject's parents were married in Logan County and removed to Hardin County in 1855, settling in Taylor Creek Township, where Mr. Derr owned 167 acres of land. Our subject is the sixth child of a family of twelve children. He was reared on a farm and acquired a common school education. He enlisted, August 20, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served on guard of the prisoners on Johnson's Island until July 17, 1865. He then came home and has since pursued farming. He was mar- ried, January 29, 1862, to Mary E, daughter of John and Sarah Duff; she was born in Logan County, Ohio, October 28, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Derr were the parents of eight children, four living, viz., Henry A., Martha A., Howard C. and Anna M. Orie J., Nettie B. and two infants are deceased. Mr. Derr and family are members of the United Presbyterian Church; he is a Republican in politics, and was Township Trustee for one year. He owns eighty-three acres of the old homestead.

DAVIS J. DERR, farmer, P. O. Silver Creek, was born in Logan County, Ohio, July 16, 1848. He is a son of Davis and Martha (Johnson) Derr, natives of Allegheny County, Penn., and Wayne County, Ohio, re- spectively. His father was born April 30, 1803; his mother, on June 9, 1806. They were married in Logan County, March 31, 1825, and, in 1855, came to their present farm. Mr. Derr died December 3, 1866, followed by his wife on May 6, 1875. They had twelve children, our subject being the young- est of the eight living. Our subject was brought up on a farm and acquired a common school education. He was married, February 29, 1872, to Nancy J., daughter of John and Eliza (Seaton) Rice; she was born in Lynn Town- ship, October 15, 1848. To this union there have been born three children, Elmer G., John A. and Eliza F. The family are members of the United Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Derr is a Trustee. In politics, he is a Republican, and for eleven years was a School Director. He is a farmer and stock-raiser and owns eighty-three acres of the homestead.

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ROBERT I. EWING, merchant, Silver Creek, was born in Lancaster County, Penn., January 26, 1835. He is a son of James F. and Isabelle (Fleming) Ewing, natives of Chester County, Penn., where the latter is now residing. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and acquired a com- mon school education. In 1853, he came to Logan County, Ohio, settling in West Liberty, where he resided till 1858; then went to Carroll County, Mo., and remained there till his enlistment in the army. He enlisted December 28, 1861, in Company G, Eighteenth Missouri Volunteer Infan- try, and served in the Army of the Cumberland, Tennessee, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps. He fought in the battle at Pittsburg Landing. He veteranized February 1, 1864, and re-enlisted in the same company and regiment, of which he was commissioned Second Sergeant. He accom- panied Gen. Sherman on his march to the sea. His company was detailed as provost guards soon after the evacuation of Atlanta, and served on that duty to the close of the war. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 18, 1865. At the close of the war, he came to Logan County, Ohio, and. in June, 1866, to Silver Creek and engaged in merchandising, in which business he has since been occupied. On July 1, 1866, he was ap- pointed Postmaster of Silver Creek and has since filled that position; he is also serving in the capacity of Township Clerk. He was married, December 20, 1866, to Mrs. Orella J. Stevenson, widow of Robert Stevenson, and daughter of Isaac Harris. She was born November 7, 1842, and has had a family of five children, viz., Nettie M., Alpharetta, Le Roy, De Moine and Marvin G. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Ewing belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 558, at Belle Center, Ohio. He has an annual business of $6,000, and carries a stock of $1,500.

WILLIAM HANNA, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Silver Creek, was born in the year 1840 in County Fermanagh, Ireland, where his parents, George and Alice (Rutledge) Hanna, are now residing. Our subject is the eighth child of a family of thirteen. He was reared on a farm and re- ceived a common school education. He was married, May 1, 1860, to Miss Cloanna, daughter of Edward and Eliza Wallace, and a native of County Cavan, Ireland, born March 17, 1843. This union has resulted in eight children, six living, viz., George, John E., Mary, Effie S., Chloann and Eliza J. William and David are deceased. In 1865, our subject came with his wife and family to America, settling in Taylor Creek Township. He bought fifty-two acres of land adjoining his present farm, which he cleared and improved, living on it for two years. He then rented a farm of 139 acres near Yelverton, remaining on it for four years, removing thence to his present farm. In 1877, he also bought from Caleb Hill a further piece of land of eighty-seven acres on which he resides, adjoining the fifty-two acres he previously purchased. In 1830, he erected a residence at a cost of $1,200; his farm is valued at $75 an acre. In the spring of 1882, he purchased another farm of sixty acres, located one mile southeast of where he lives, making a total of 199 acres. He engages in farming and stock-raising.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 95

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