The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 127

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180

USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 127

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S. C. GUNDY, farmer, P. O. Mechanicsburg, was born in Washington County, Penn., October 6, 1841, and is a son of James W. and Mary Gundy, who were natives of Scotland. They were married in Scotland, and emigrat- ed to Pennsylvania, where they settled. James died in Pennsylvania in 1848; Mary is still living. S. C. Gundy, at eleven years of age, went to work by the month, and thus continued until 1861, when he began farming as a renter. He was united in marriage with Jennie Weaver, September 9, 1864; she was a native of Pike Township, Madison County, where she was born November 20, 1842. After marriage they moved on their own land, and farmed and cultivated the soil. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the Masonic orders. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter. Alice, who was born July 24, 1867. She has been with

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them since she was two years old, and has been attending school at the con- vent, in Somerset, one year, and intends to finish her course of education there.

JACOB HEFFLEY, farmer, P. O. London, was born in Greene County, Ohio, January 11, 1822, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Wilson) Heffley. Charles was a native of Lancaster County, Penn., where he was born in 1789. He died August, 1864. Elizabeth was a native of Ken- tucky, and died in 1855. They were married in Greene County, Ohio, in 1814. Our subject, at the age of twenty-two years, engaged in chopping wood at 373 cents per day, and thus continued working by the day and month until he was married. After his marriage, he began farming as a renter, and thus continued for four years, when he moved to Indiana, where he bought eighty acres of land, and remained there seven months, but be- coming dissatisfied he sold his land and moved back to Ohio. He began farming again as a renter, for the period of six years, when he bought 100 acres of fine land, where he resides, to which he has since added until he now owns 212 acres of land in Clark and Madison Counties. The land is in a high state of cultivation, with splendid building improvements upon it. He acquired a common school education, in the common schools of Ohio, and was united in marriage with Mary Ann Goodyear, February 20, 1845. She was a native of Pennsylvania, born August 10, 1827. To this union have been born two children, of whom one survives, viz .: Martha Ann.

AMOS J. HOWARD, deceased, was born on Goose Island, in the Con- necticut River, Grafton County, N. H., and was the son of Amos and Miran (Mills) Howard, who were natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Howard was born April 9, 1775, and Mrs. Howard, March 18, 1774. They were united in marriage, March 22, 1796, and in the fall of 1808 he moved his family to Virginia, where he engaged in teaching school that winter, and in the spring he resumed his journey down the Ohio River in a flat-boat, to the site where he died. His family consisted of himself, his wife, two daughters and our subject. He remained in that locality until his death, which occurred January 15, 1843; his wife died March 26, 1860. Our subject was only six years old when he settled in Madison County, Ohio. When very young, he engaged in farming and stock-raising, a business he followed until his death, which occurred April 16, 1882. He was married twice, his first wife being Rachel Kirkly, to whom he was married December 22, 1825, and by whom he has five children, all now living, viz .: Napoleon B .. Mary J., John M., Clinton and Marion. She died September 4, 1858, and on March 24, 1861, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Cowan, with whom he lived until his death. Marion Howard, the son who furnishes the above facts, was born in Madison County, Ohio, and now resides with his step-mother on the home farm. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising, and owns 900 acres of splendid land in Madison and Champaign Counties. He is a young man of steady habits, and is much respected in the community in which he lives.

JOHN B. LANCK, farmer, P. O. Tradersville, was born in Virginia January 17, 1814, and is a son of Simon and Mary (Beck) Lanck, who were both natives of Virginia. John emigrated to Ohio by himself. After he was twenty-one years of age, ho worked for his father on the farm ten years. and his father gave him sixty acres of land. Ho, after that time, gave him 100 acres, and John afterward added until he had 426 acres; he has given 150 acres to his children, leaving for himself 276 acres, which is

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all well improved. He acquired a common school education. He was united in marriage, September 1, 1846, with Louisa Morris, a native of Ohio, where she was born in 1826. By her he has had six children, viz., Catharine S .. Reason G., Simon F., Sallie R., Corwin and John F. The oldest one of the children is the present Representative of Madison County. Mr. and Mrs. Lanck are both members of the Methodist Church.

SCHUYLER LEWIS, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Tradersville, was born in New York February 25, 1812, and is a son of Gardner and Martha (Barber) Lewis, natives of New York, the former born March 3. 1786, and the latter September, 1788. They were married in New York in 1811, emi grated to Vermont in 1822. pressed forward to Ohio in 1836, and settled in Somerford Township, Madison County, where they remained until their death. She died in March, 1845. and he married for his second wife Ruth Hutchison, who lived until September 1. 1880. at which time she died, Mr. Lewis, her husband, having died in 1862. Schuyler engaged in farming by the month at seventeen years of age. and continued, at $8 per month, for eight years, when he bought 100 acres of land, and has since added to it until he owns 1,662 acres of fine land, the most of which is in Madison County. He was united in marriage, October 25, 1836, with Lida Hasard, who died August 8, 1862. He married for his second wife Eliza J. Candler, April 4, 1866, and by her had one child, viz., Howard, born November 22, 1872. Mr. Lewis has had a very limited education, but he has become one of the largest and most successful farmers and stock-raisers in the State.

PHILIP MARKLEY. farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Somer- ford Township, Madison County. Ohio, August 12, 1825, and is a son of Jonathan and Mary Markley. Philip, at twenty-one years of age, en- gaged in farming ; he bought fifty acres of land, and his father gave him fifty acres more, to which he has since added until he owns, at the present time, 413 acres of fine land, in a high state of cultivation. He has been married three times; his first wife was Catharine Kiskeder, to whom he was married in 1847. She died September 12, 1849, and in October, 1851, he was united in marriage with Eliza J. Atcheson, by whom he has five chil- dren living, viz .. William A., Jacob M., Jonathan F .. Maria and Eliza Jane. His second wife died May 20, 1861, and he was united in marriage with his third wife October 6, 1862, and by her has five children living, viz., Philip M., John G., Harry K., Bertha R. and Rosa. Mr. and Mrs. Markley are church members, he belonging to the Christian Church and she to the Methodist.

JOHN L. MARSH, farmer, P. O. London, is a native of Clark County, Ohio, and is a son of Noah and Eliza (Egman) Marsh. The former was born in North Carolina August 31. 1796, and emigrated to Ohio via Springfield when there were only eighteen houses in the town. the best be- ing a howed-log building. They first stopped in Champaign County where he remained till 1812. when he pressed forward to Clark County, and then to Madison County. Ohio, where he settled and remained until his death, which occurred February 11, 1853. His wife was born in Ohio February 19. 1798: they were married in Clark County. Ohio, October 5, 1820. John L. Marsh engaged in work for himself at twenty-one years of age. He first assisted on the farm one year, then engaged as a renter, and thus continued for three years, when he bought fifteen acres, and has since added to it un- til he owns 240 acres: he was married in March, 1859, to Cleopatra Good- year, who was born in Clark County November 1, 1839. This union has been blessed with eight children, of whom six survive -- Samuel, Wilbert,

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Henry, Howard, Cora and Toland. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh are both members of the Methodist Church.

NEWMAN MITCHELL. one of the men who helped make a history for Madison County, was born April 29, 1811. on the banks of the Ohio River. forty miles above Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the son of Ensign and Lucy (Hubbard) Mitchell. His father moved to Madison County, Ohio, and settled on a farm about four and a half miles southeast of Mechanics- burg, in the year 1815. In about the year 1826, his father moved to an- other farm, near Rosedale. This farm consisted of 600 acres, bought from one Galloway. Newman and his brother Abizar bought 450 acres of this farm from their father, and succeeded in paying for it; he married, Janu- ary 1. 1837. Miss Cassandra Bradley, daughter of David and Nancy Brad- ley. born March 17, 1818, sister to Lawson, David M. and Shelton Bradley. He made subsequent purchases until he owned over 100 acres of land in that settlement; and in 1853 he bought the "Tom Morris farm," near Tradersville, on to which he moved in that same year. In 1865, he bought the Nathaniel Griffin farm, 433 acres, for which he paid $20,000. He after- ward assisted his son-in-law, David Bales, in buying out the heirs in the Bales farm, one mile north of Somerford, consisting of about 355 acres; he then added, by three different purchases, nearly 1,000 acres from the D. W. C. Sawyer farm, adjoining his home farm. His later purchases, made after the war, were in conjunction with his son, Charles Mitchell, as an equal partner. With what he has given to his children, he now owns about 2,200 acres, all of which is well improved: he has always been diligent, industri- ous and honest. " Uncle Newman's " word has always passed at par value. For many years he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church; he has made his money in legitimate enterprises. He never indulged in any "wild cat " speculations. He dealt in cattle and other live-stock, and has generally been an extensive farmer, employing hired help to quite an extent; he has been a good husband, a good father, a good neighbor. a peaceable and law-abiding citizen, and a good example for both young and old. What more need be said of any man ?

THOMAS H. NICEWANNER, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Washington County, Md., February 1, 1844, and is a son of Henry and and Sarah (Brown) Nicewanner. Henry was a native of Virginia, born in December, 1815, and Sarah was a native of Maryland, born January 18, 1819. They were married in Maryland. emigrated to Ohio in 1861 and settled in Somerford Township, Madison County, where Sarah died in 1844. He married for his second wife Sarah Smith. Our subject, when twenty-two years of age, began farming and milling, and con- tinued until 1877, when he bought 100 acres of land, sold that and bought 133 acres in Indiana. Soon afterward he sold that and bought town prop- erty in Somerford, where he resides. He has held the office of Township Trustee of Somerford Township. He was united in marriage with Nancy A. Ellsworth, December 26, 1868. She was born in Clark County, Ohio, May 1, 1844. To this union have been born five children, of whom four survive-Candy H., Ressie D., Rosa L. and Thursey D. We are called upon to chronicle the sad death of little Willie, which occurred March 29, 1882. While the little fellow was carrying an armful of corn in the barn lot. he was hooked by a cow, causing his death almost instantly. Mr. and Mrs. Nicewanner have been members of the Methodist Church for a great many years.

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WILLIAM M. OVERTURF was born in Ohio, December 21, 1832, and was a son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Griffin) Overturf, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, where they settled and remained until their death, the former in Feb- ruary, 1847, and the latter in June, 1881. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living. Our subject, after his father's death, be- gan working for himself as a farm hand by the month, and thus he con- tinued for a time, after which he learned the carpenter trade. He acquired a common-school education, and was united in marriage, August 14, 1854, with Hannah J. Long. Four years after his marriage, he commenced studying for the ministry, and in 1860 he began active service in the Christian Church. He has been engaged in the good work for twenty-two years, preaching in Somerford for sixteen years. Mr. and Mrs. Overturf are the parents of five children, viz .: Frank, Clark. Flora. Elmore and Hattie. Mr. Overturf is held in the highest esteem by his congregation and the people of his community.

JOHN PAINE, retired farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Maryland, in 1813 and is a son of Jesse and Nancy (Griffin) Paine, who were natives of Maryland. They were married in Maryland, emigrated to Ohio, and set- tled in Madison County, where they remained until their death, he in 1859, and she in 1864. Our subject, when twenty-two years old, began working by the job, and thus he continued for two years, when he commenced farming as a renter, and followed this for five years, when he bought fifty-one acres of land, which he worked for himself. He also owns nice town property. He was married four times. The first time he was united in marriage with Jane Helderstine, in 1835. She died in 1840, and he married Sarah Celler in 1842. She passed away in 1844, and he married Betsy Cuberly in 1846. She died in 1848. He remained a widower until 1851, when he was united in marriage with Sarah McDonell. He is the father of twelve children, of whom seven survive, viz., Arminta, Anna Belle, John W., James O., Catha- rine. Eliza J. and Mary. Mr. Paine is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a very pleasant and sociable old gentleman.

G. M. POTEE, retired farmer. P. O. Somerford, is the son of Sutton and Hannah (Markley) Potee, was born in Maryland, March 21, 1817. His parents emigrated to Ohio in September, 1817, and settled in Madison County, where they remained until their deaths, he March 9, 1863, and she February 7, 1868. Gabriel, at the age of nineteen, began farming as a renter, and thus he continued for eight years, when he bought twelve acres of land, to which he has since added until he owns 243 acres, in a high state of cultivation. He acquired a common school education, and has been Township Trustee of Somerford Township for three terms, an office he filled with credit to himself and his constituents. He was united in marriage with Levina Mitchell December 4, 1836 She was a native of Madison County, Ohio, where she was born January 22, 1819, and by this union has had eight children, of whom five survive, viz., Claudius, Lizzie, Newton, John M. and Nancy A. Mr. and Mrs. Potee have been members of the Methi- odist Church since they were sixteen years of age.

SAMUEL PRUGH, farmer and stock-raiser. P. O. Somerford, was born in Maryland October 28, 1811, and is a son of George and Margaret (Markley) Prugh, the former of German descent, and the latter a native of Maryland, where they were united in marriage. They emigrated to Ohio in 1812, and settled near Somerford, Madison County, where they remained until their death. Samuel, the third son and fourth child of the family, acquired a

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common school education, and remained at home with his parents until twenty one years of age, when he went to work for himself by the day as a farm hand, but at the expiration of the first year, he engaged as a renter for a few years. He was united in marriage, March, 1835, with Nancy Bradly, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 8, 1818. Soon after their marriage, he purchased and kept a grocery in London, a business he en- gaged in for three years, at the expiration of which time he and his brother bought 600 acres of land in Union Township, Madison County. He has since added to this purchase until he owns at the present time 960 acres of well-improved land. He and wife are the parents of thirteen children, of whom eleven are living, viz., Ellen, Margaret, Mary, George W., Nancy F., H. H., Malinda, Emma M .. Samuel M., Laura E. and James B. Mr. Prugh is a member of the German Baptist Church.

G. W. PRUGH, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Somerford Town- ship, Madison County, Ohio, June 16, 1816, and is a son of George and Margaret (Markley) Prugh, natives of Maryland, where they were married. They emigrated to Ohio in 1812, and settled in Somerford Township, Madison County, where they remained until their deaths, the former in 1841, and the latter in 1864. G. W. Prugh, when twenty-one years of age, engaged in farming as a renter, and thus continued for twelve years, when he bought sixty-two acres of land, which he afterward sold, and his wife having inherited 409 acres from her father's estate he farmed that. He acquired a common school education, and has filled the office of Treasurer of Somer- ford Township for seven years. He was united in marriage with Louisa Wilson February 8, 1838. She is a native of Madison County, and was born Jannary 5. 1823. To this union have been born three children, viz. : Valentine H., Maria J. and Theodore. Mr. and Mrs. Prugh are members of the Christian Church.

GEORGE PRUGH, farmer, P. O. Somerford. The subject of this sketch was born in London, Madison Co., Ohio, January 13, 1832, and is a son of Gabriel and Matilda (Wilson) Prugh; the former was born in Mary land in 1804. and emigrated to Madison County, Ohio, when a boy. The latter was a native of Ohio. They were married in Madison County in 1831, and settled in Somerford Township, where they now reside. George Prugh was engaged for the first few years of his life in working by the month, after which he engaged in farming as a renter, and thus continued for six years, when he engaged in taking public contracts, a business he followed for fifteen years. at the expiration of which he bought a hundred acres of woodland in Clark County, Ohio. In a short time he sold that, and bought 340 acres of land in Somerford Township, where he now resides, and from which he has since sold 105 acres, leaving 235 acres of good land. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and has held the office of Township Trustee of Somerford Township for five years. He was united in marriage with Julia Connors September 15, 1858. The result of this union has been four children, viz. : Effie. William, Thomas and Lewis. Mr. Prugh lives in one of the oldest houses in Madison County.

JAMES W. D. STATELER, farmer, P. O. London, is a native of Licking County, Ohio, where he was born June 28, 1818. He is a son of Michael and May (Dunlap) Stateler, who were both natives of Virginia. They emigrated to Licking County, Ohio, and afterward to Madison County, where they settled and remained until their deaths, he in 1842, and she in 1873. James has been engaged in farming and raising stock all his life. He rented land the first ten years, then bought 200 acres of well-improved

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land, to which he has since added until he now owns 480 acres. He acquired a common school education, has been a member of the Masonic order for ten years, a member of the I. O. O. F. for twenty-five years, and has served as Trustee and Clerk of Somerford Township. He was united in marriage to Miss Phebe Round March 23, 1843. This union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom five survive-Michal, Sarah, William, Mary and John.

ASA TAYLOR, retired farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in New York January 20, 1803, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Davis) Tay- lor, natives of New York, where they were married. They emigrated to Now Jersey, where they remained fifteen years, and then emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1821, where they remained until after Andrew's death, when the widow moved to Madison County, where she remained until her death. Asa Taylor first engaged to work in a woolen factory, and in this occupation he continued for four years, when he lost his health. The next two years of his life he spent in traveling for his health, and feeling able once more to resume work, he engaged with a man to drive stage, and con- tinued at that business for four years. After he quit driving stage, he moved to the country, and settled within one half mile of where he now re- sides. He first bought 150 acres of timbered land; sold that and bought 100 acres of improved land, where he resides. He acquired a common school education, and was united in marriage in 1830, with Eliza Comer, who has borne him eight children, of whom six now survive, viz. : David, Oliver, William, Sarah, Sylvanus and Oscar. Mr. Taylor is one of the oldest citi- zens of Somerford Township.

WILLIAM TETER, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Virginia November 25, 1827, and is a son of John and Dorothy (Lossen) Teter, natives of Virginia. where John was born in 1805, and Dorothy in 1808. They were married in Virginia, where they remained until their death. William em- igrated to Ohio in November, 1851, and settled in Madison County. He first engaged as a farm hand, working by the month. and thus he continued for seven years, when he engaged as a renter, and has continued ever since in this capacity. He raises a great deal of stock, principally sheep. He ac- quired a common school education in the common schools, and was united in marriage, June 8, 1853, with Miss Mary Kennedy.

DAVID WARD, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Clark County October 15. 1825, and is a son of Andrew and Sarah (Marsh) Ward. An- drew was a native of Virginia, and Sarah of Clark County, where they were united in marriage. They moved to Madison County, Ohio, in 1842, and settled in Somerford Township, where they remained until their deaths, which occurred in 1852. David Ward, when twenty-one years of age, en- gaged in farming at $10 per month, and thus continued for four years, when he inherited from his father's estate seventy-five acres of land, to which he has since added until he owns about 700 acres, all well improved. He en- gages to some extent in the raising of cattle and hogs. He acquired a com- mon school education in the common schools of Ohio. He was united in marriage with Mary Lannon in 1869. To this union have been born four children, all living.

ALEXANDER WEST (deceased). The subject of this sketch was born June 21, 1809, and is a son of Edwin and Margaret (Shell) West. Edwin was born December 17, 17SS, and Margaret, December 10, 1782. The sub. ject of our sketch was united in marriage with Elizabeth Curl, March 31, 1831. She was born March 29, 1812. He engaged in farming as a renter

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for the first few years, when he bought seventy acres of fine land where his widow now resides. He acquired a common school education, and served as Justice of the Peace of Somerford Township for a number of years, and was filling that office at the time of his death, which occurred December 20, 1861. Mr. and Mrs. West were the parents of fourteen children, of whom seven survive -- Margaret, Sarah, Edmond, Linnie, Samuel, Mary Ann and Thomas. He was a member of the Methodist Church.

JAMES M. WILLARD, farmer, P. O. Somerford, was born in Somer - ford Township, Madison County, Ohio, October 21, 1829, and is a son of Abner S. and Hulda (Colver) Willard. The former was a native of Vermont, and he was born in 1791; he emigrated first to Canada, then to New York, and in 1812 to Champaign County, Ohio, where he remained until 1815, when he came to Madison County, where he settled and remained until his death, December 16, 1872. Our subject's mother was born on the banks of Lake Champlain, in the State of New York, 1796. They were married in Madison County, Ohio, in 1817, where she died June 3, 1861. James M. Willard was united in marriage with Ellen Hull November 25, 1851. She was born in Madison County, Ohio, July 2, 1830. Soon after their marriage, Mr. Willard engaged in farming and stock-raising, a business he has followed ever since. He rented land for a few years, when he bought 200 acres, and has since added to it until he now owns 258 acres of well- improved land in Somerford Township. He acquired a common school ed- ucation, and served as.Commissioner of Madison County for three years- elected by Republican votes. He has held the office of Township Trustee of Somerford Township at different times; has been elected School Director by his neighbors, and has filled that office for twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Willard are the parents of six children, of whom five are living, viz. : Tab- itlia, Edwin E., Nettie O., Louie R. and Horace M. Mr. Willard is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, and he and his wife are both members of the Universalist Church.

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The history of Madison County, Ohio, Part 127

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1180

Author: Brown, Robert C; W.H. Beers & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W.H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1180