Crawford County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 17 of 22)
From A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio .., published 1902. 15,954 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
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15,954 wordsMachine-read from scans of A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio .., published 1902. Nothing has been corrected: fixing what looks like a misspelled name is how an invented one gets published. Source changes are marked where they occur.
Air. Baumgartner is a native of Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, where his birth occurred on Christmas day of 1858. His parents, John G. and Christina (Moll) Baumgartner, had four sons. His mother died when he was twelve years of age, and three years later he came to Chatfield township, Crawford county, living with Lewis Durr until he had attained the age of twenty years, when he began working for Air. Brose in a brickyard. He there remained as an employe for four years, and then purchased a half interest in the brick and tile yard, the business being carried on under the firm name of Brose & Baumgartner until 1893, when the present style of Baumgartner & Company was assumed. Our subject is the secretary and treasurer of the company, and the success of the enterprise is largely due to his enterprise and -careful, competent management. The annual sale of tile and brick amounts to about ten thousand dollars. In 1879 a sawmill was also added to the business and the lumber manufactured and sold also adds materially to the income which the firm enjoys. Mr. Baumgartner also owns a cider mill with a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels of cider per day. He purchased the Chatfield mill and elevator in 1900, and not long afterward sold a one-fourth interest, retaining three-fourths, the style of the firm being the Chatfield Mill and Grain Company. The mill has a capacity of fifty barrels per day. Thus Mr. Baumgartner has continually extended the field of his operations until to-day he is one of the leading business men of his township.
In 1882 occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Elizabeth Brose, and unto them have been born seven children: Susan S., Daniel F., William H., Manette F., John J., Armenia C. and Fredeline F. The family is well known in this locality and their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance.
In his political affiliations Mr. Baumgartner is a Democrat, and for several years he served as president of the Chatfield township school board. He manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his town and county and co-operates in many movements for the general good. Without pecuniary help and with no special advantages of any kind, he entered upon his business career, and by close application, untiring energy and strong resolution he has steadily advanced until he now occupies an enviable position on (the plane of affluence. Straightforward dealing has ever characterized his --transaction of business, and his strict regard for commercial ethics has won him the confidence, while his success has gained for him the admiration, of his fellow men.
David A. Scott
David A. Scott was born January 13, 1845, on tne farm where he yet resides, and represents one of the early pioneer families of Cranberry township, for the Scotts came to this section of the state during an early period in its development and have ever been important factors in its upbuilding and substantial growth. William Scott, the father of our subject, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. His father was killed in the war of 1812, and about 181 7 the grandmother of our subject died, leaving a family of eight children. William Scott was then but nine years of age. With his four brothers and three sisters he went to Wrayne county, Ohio, where they found homes with relatives, and in that localitv William Scott was reared, learning the trade of a cabinet-maker in his youth. In the spring of 1832 he came to Cranberry ownship, and from the government entered the south forty acres of the farm now owned by his son David. The forest trees stood in their primeval strength and in the midst of the green woods he erected a log cabin. In the succeeding autumn he returned to Wayne county and was there united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Irvin, who was burn in Wayne county about 1 81 2, her parents being honored pioneer people of that section of the state. In the spring of 1833 he brought his bride to his new home, and after two or three years he entered another forty-acre tract of land adjoining his homestead on the north. As the years passed he made excellent improvements upon his place, and in 1861 erected a handsome and commomious frame residence on the north half of his farm. Then with his family he left the cabin home which had sheltered them during so many years of the pioneer days and took up his abode in the new dwelling, where he remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1883. His wife passed away about 1879, and only two of their nine children are yet living, the sister of our subject being Letitia,. the wife of Henry Rapp, of Auburn township, Crawford county. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and served as trustee of the township for several years. He was widely and favorably known as an influential and prominent citizen, co-operating in all movements for the general good. He did not hold membership in any religious organization, but was a God-fearing man, who supported all charitable and church work. His preference was for the Presbyterian church, of which his wife was a devoted and consistent member.
David A. Scott is familiar with the history of Crawford county from early days. He lived here at a period when the work of progress and improvement was in its incipiency. He acquired his education in the district schools and worked in the fields from the time of early spring planting until crops were harvested in the autumn, thus becoming familiar with all departments of farm labor. When twenty-one years of age he took charge of the home farm, which he operated on the shares, and on the 1st of July, 1869, he secured as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Adeline Runnion, their wedding being celebrated on that date. The lady is a native of Cranberry township and a daughter of William Runnion, who came to Crawford county in pioneer days from Richland county, Ohio, which was the place of his nativity. At the time of his marriage Mr. Scott received from his father as his patrimony fifty acres of a tract of sixty acres which adjoined the home place on the east, and there he settled with his bride, remaining upon that place until his mother's death, when he removed to the old home place in order to care for his- father during his declining years. "While living upon his own farm he had also continued the operation of the homestead, and in 1874 he purchased the remaining ten acres of the farm. After his mother's death he bought sixtytwo acres of the old home place, on which stood the farm buildings, and his sister took possession of the remaining" twenty-eight acres. Thus Air. Scott's property was increased to one hundred and twelve acres, and in 1897 he purchased fifty-three and a half acres of the Volney Powers estate. In 1900 he bought the old Volney Powers homestead of eighty acres - one of the most valuable and best improved farms of the county, situated about a mile east of New Washington. During the years of his manhood he has been numbered among the most progressive and energetic agriculturists of his community. His diligence and his labors are directed by sound business judgment and keen sagacity, while his honesty in trade transactions is proverbial.
The home of Air. and Mrs. Scott has been blessed with thirteen children, of whom twelve are yet living: Fairy B., wife of Dr. E. C. Kimmerline, of Lykens township; Sherman, a drug clerk employed in South Bend, Indiana; Eva O., the wife of Adelbert Smith, of Seneca county, Ohio; Florence M., Dorcas, Melvin, Russell, Earl, Charles, Walter, Ralph and Mabel, at home. The family is one of prominence in the community, and Mr. Scott realizes the value of education as a preparation for life and has given his children excellent educational privileges. Five of the older members of the family have been successful teachers, and Fairy, Sherman and Dorcas are graduates of the high school of New Washington. The first named taught in the primary, intermediate and grammar departments of the New Washington schools and was recognized as a most successful and capable educator. In his political views David A. Scott is a stanch Democrat, and has served for several years as trustee of his township. He also filled the position of school director for eighteen successive years, and his labors were earnest, effective and beneficial in promoting the welfare of the schools. He is a member of Hyperion Lodge, K. of P., of New Washington, and not only in fraternal but in all walks of life he enjoys the esteem of his fellow men by reason of his diligence to the obligations and duties of both public and private life.
Michael Marouart
One of the best-known representatives of agricultural pursuits in Crawford county that the fatherland has furnished to the new world is Michael Marquart, who was born in Baden, Germany, on the 27th of April, 181 7. His- parents were Michael and Margaret ( Fechter) Marquart He is now the only survivor of their family of five children. His parents were also natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a farmer by occupation, and during the financial panic of 1817 he lost his property and afterward worked for wages as a farm hand. In his parents' home Mr. Marquart remained until eighteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to learn the brick and stone mason's trade. Believing that he could better his financial condition in the new world and that better opportunities could be secured, he started from home accompanied by his sister. They took passage on a steamer down the river Rhine to Havre de Grace and then embarked on the sailing vessel for America, landing in New York city August i_\ 1839, after a voyage of fifty-seven days. On reaching the eastern metropolis he found that he had a capital of but about two dollars. However, he gained the friendship of a fellow passenger who told Mr. Marquart that if he would go to Ohio with him he would loan him the money, which he could repay at a later day.
Accordingly our subject and his sister made their way to Tuscarawas county, where Mr. Marquart first found employment in the ore bank near New Philadelphia, and from the wages he there received he was enabled to return the money advanced for his fare to Ohio. Later he worked at his trade and at various other occupations, allowing no opportunity to pass whereby he might gain an honest dollar. In 1843 ne canie to Crawford county, and, with the money which he had saved from his earnings in Tuscarawas county, he purchased sixty-nine acres of the present home. This was almost entirely virgin forest, only a small portion of the land having been cleared. On this a log cabin had been erected by the original settler and it served him as a home until 1 86 1, when he erected his present substantial farm residence. About 1862 he purchased twenty-seven acres of land adjoining the home farm, and a year or two later added another tract of eighteen acres. Since then he has purchased three other farms, one of seventy-seven acres and another of eighty acres in Cranberry township and a third of thirty-six acres in Seneca county, so that his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and seven acres. His farm is well improved with all modern accessories and conveniences. In appearance it is neat and thrifty, and the well-tilled fields return him golden harvests.
In the year 1844 Mr. Marquart was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Streile, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, who came to America when a young lady. They had five children, but only one is now living, Caroline, the wife of William Long-year, of this township. The mother died in 1854, and in. 1855 Mr. Marqnart was again married, his second union being with Caroline W. Longyear, a native of Wurtemberg, who came to America with her father, Michael Long-year, when she was twenty-six years of age. Her father spent most of his time with his daughter and died at the home of our subject. By the second marriage there were seven children, of whom five are living, namely : August, a resident farmer of Cranberry township; Jefferson, who is also living in the same township; George, who operates the home farm; Wilhelmina, the wife of William Beckstine, of Cranberry township; and Emma, the wife of Frank Leonhart, of Chatfield township. In 1900 Mr. Marquart was again called to- mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 13th of March, six days before the seventy-second anniversary of her birth. He is a Democrat in his political affiliations and is a member of the German Evangelical Lutheran church, in which he held various offices, serving for many years as trustee, as deacon and as elder. His has been a busy, useful and active career. Startingout in life in the new world empty-handed and having the disadvantage of unfamiliarity with the language and customs of the people, he nevertheless readily adapted himself to his new surroundings and with determined purpose and unflagging industry worked his way steadily upward to a place of affluence, being now one of the substantial residents of Crawford county. He has passed the eighty-fourth milestone on the journey of life and is still a hale and hearty old man, well deserving the veneration which should ever be accorded to one of his years and also enjoys the warm regard of young and old, rich and poor.
Adam Eckstein
One of the finely developed farms in Cranberry township, supplied with all modern equipments and facilities, is the property of Adam Eckstein. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, February 15, 1845, and is the second of the six surviving children of George and Mary ( Simmermaker) Eckstein, who were the parents of six sons and two daughters. The father also was a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, and after arriving at man's estate he was there married. In the year 1848 he came with his wife and three children to the United States, landing in Xew York, whence he started for Ohio, going first to Albany, thence to Buffalo by way of the canal, on to Sandusky by way of the Great Lakes and from there by rail to Shell)}-, whence they drove across the country to Vernon township, Crawford county. When Mr. Eckstein arrived in this county his cash capital consisted of but forty dollars. With this he purchased a team of oxen and began farming on rented land. A year later he removed to Richland county, and for three years cultivated a rented farm in Sharon township. He made all of his own furniture, which was limited in amount as well as primitive in character. The first year a chest was used as a table, this having been brought from the old country, but the other furniture wTas largely of his own manufacture. In 1852 he returned to Vernon township and purchased of George Dixon ninety-three acres of land, upon which his son John now resides. About one-half of this had been cleared and a log cabin erected. To the further development and improvement of his land the father devoted his energies throughout his remaining days. He was frugal and thrifty, and in later years was enabled to buy an adjoining tract of eighty acres, so that his farm comprised one hundred and seventy-three acres. In 1866 he built a large bank barn and two years later erected a commodious and substantial frame residence and added other accessories, so that his place became one of the best-improved farms in the county. The men and measures of the Democracy received his political support. He belonged to the German Reformed church and for several years was one of its trustees and held various other church offices. His labors were of benefit in the upbuilding and advancement of religious and educational work and in the material development of the community, for he assisted largely in reclaiming the wild lands for purposes of civilization. His death occurred February 7, 1885. His surviving children are: Philip, who is living in Huron county, Ohio; Adam; Peter, of Crestline; Catherine, now the wife of Urias Baublitz, a farmer of Cranberry township; George, who died, leaving six children, Lizzie, William, George, Frank, Minnie and Emma, who are residents of Vernon township ; William, who died, leaving four children, Calvin, Albert, Augusta and Xettie, of Crestline; John, who makes his home in Vernon township; and Julia, the wife of Louis Fisher, of Crestline.
When only about three years of age Adam Eckstein was brought by his parents to the new world, and amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Ohio he was reared. He can remember when great forests stood where cultivated fields are now seen and when man}- of the thriving towns and cities were mere hamlets. In the district schools, such as the pioneer days afforded, he pursued his education, and in the summer months he took his place in the fields, aiding in the work of plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained at home until his marriage, with the exception of two summer seasons, during which he was employed by neighboring farmers. On the 6th of September, 1868. he wedded Miss Catherine E. Feick, a native of Hesse-Darmstadt and a dauo-hter of
George and Anna E. Feick, who spent their entire lives in the fatherland. Mrs. Eckstein came to America in 1867 to join her sister Margaret, the wife of Fred Beach, of Crestline, who had come to America the year previous. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eckstein were horn six children, and five of the number are yet living, namely : Catherine, the wife of William Kessler, of Auburn township; John F., who resides on a tract of eighty acres belonging to his father; George A., a carpenter of Oberlin, Ohio; and William E. and Julia A., at home.
In the spring following his marriage Mr. Eckstein purchased eighty acres of his present farm and began agricultural pursuits on his own account. In 1878 he erected a substantial frame residence and in 1891 built one of the largest barns in the county. In 1883 he purchased an adjoining forty acres of land, and in 1897 bought an additional tract of eighty acres lying just across the road from the home place, so that his landed possessions are now two hundred acres. He carries on farming along progressive lines, and upon his place are seen not only substantial buildings but also the latest improved machinery and splendid modern ecniipments, while the well-tilled fields indicate to the passer-by the careful supervision of an energetic owner. His ballot supports Democratic men and measures, and for three years he served as a member of the school board, but has never been an active politician in the sense of office seeking. He holds membership in the German Evangelical Lutheran church, and for six years was one of its elders., His financial aid and labors have contributed to its upbuilding and growth, and in his life he has exemplified its teachings and belief.
Emaxuel L. Lutz
Upon the farm in Chatfield township upon which his father now resides Emanuel L. Lutz was born and reared. His birth occurred December 16, 1853. At the usual age he entered school and through the winter months pursued his studies, while in the summer season he worked in the fields, aiding in the raising of crops from the time of early spring planting until after the autumn harvests. He did not go out to work, but assisted his father until his marriage, when he began making a home of his own.
In 1874 Mr. Lutz was joined in wedlock to Gertrude Schaffer, a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Schaffer, and their home has been enlivened and brightened by the presence of five children born to them, namely : Manetta, William F., Clara M., David H. and Emma L. Soon after their marriage our subject and his wife removed to their present farm. Here he owns one hundred and twenty-three acres of land, and, like most of Ohio's farming land, it is a richly productive tract, yielding good harvests for the care and labor bestowed upon it. Mr. Lutz also owns fifty-eight acres of land elsewhere and is a successful general farmer. He realizes the dignity of labor, and industry has been one of his chief characteristics from his youth. Upon this he has builded his success, his sound judgment and reliable dealing also assisting him in acquiring the comfortable competence and good home which are to-day his.
In his religious views Mr. Lutz is a German Evangelical Lutheran, holding membership in the church in Chatfield. His political support is given the Democratic party, and on that ticket he has been elected to public office, having served as trustee of Chatfield township from 1895 until 1899, his long retention in office well indicating his faithful performance of duty. His friends, and they are many, know him as a man of genuine worth, and as a representative citizen of his township he well deserves mention in the history of Crawford county.
Peter Durnwald
Peter Durnwald, a resident farmer of Chatfield township, was born in Bohemia, Germany, in 1841, and is one of the nine children of Wenzal and Mary Durnwald, the others being: Margaret, who died at the age of ten years ; Anna, deceased ; Elizabeth ; Alary ; Magdalena ; Martin ; Joseph ; and Peter. It was in the year 1854 that the father brought his family to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which was sixty-five days between port and port. Coming at once to Crawford county, they settled in Cranberry township, where the father purchased a small farm of eighteen acres and began to carve out a home for his family in the new land.
Peer Durnwald was then a youth of fifteen. His childhood was largely devoted to assisting his father, but at the age of twenty-one he began working for himself, being employed by the month as a farm hand. Thus his time was passed for several years until he had money enough to begin farming on his own account. At the age of twenty-five lie purchased the farm upon which he now resides and it has since been his place of abode. A cabin stood on the place when he took possession and fifteen acres of the land had been cleared, but otherwise the place was unimproved. It comprised one hundred and forty-three acres of arable land, and the well-tilled fields now bring him golden harvests. Everything about the farm is kept in good condition and the lain uof his hands in indicated by this desirable property, all of which he has acquired through his own efforts. For many years he was agent fur a harvesting machine company.
Mr. Durnwald was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Deling, and for many years they traveled life's journey happily together, but in 1886 the}' were separated by the hand of death, the wife being called to her final rest. They had ten children, of whom the eldest, Elizabeth, is now deceased. The others are Martin, Anna, Rosa, Frank, Peter, John, Julia, AJatilda (deceased) and Edward.
Mr. Durnwald is a stanch Democrat in politics, but has never held office. He and his children are members of the Catholic church. Having improved the opportunities which America offers to her citizens, he has advanced financially, and to-day is accounted one of the substantial farmers of his community.
For many years Jacob Brown has engaged in dealing in live stock, and his business has been conducted along such safe lines and in such an honorable manner that he has won a very gratifying competence. He resides in the village of Chatlield, and is there accounted not only a prosperous business man but also a progressive citizen, whose labors have contributed to the upbuilding of the town.
Air. Brown was born in Lykens township, Crawford county, Alav 4. 1864,. and is a son 1 \ < rottlieb Brown, a native of ( rermany. The son spent his childhood and youth on the family homestead in Lykens township, and in the district schools of the neighborhood pursued his education. At the earlv age of fourteen years he began buying and trading horses, a business with which he has since been connected. When eighteen years of age he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, and in connection with farming continuing to deal in horses. At the age of twenty he became connected with J. T. Carbin in a mercantile venture in Lykens, but after a year disposed of his interest there and entered into partnership with < r. V. Hare. They established a eral store, which they conducted successfully for four years, and at the same time Mr. Brown engaged in dealing in horses and cattle. On the expiration of that period he came to Chatfield, where he has since been successfully and of farm animals and is thus enabled to make judicious purchases and sell to advantage, thus realizing a good profit. He also owns one hundred and eight acres of desirable land in Chatheld township.
In 1 89 1 Air. Brown was married to Miss Hannah Kalb, a daughter of John Kalb, and unto them have been born four children: Shannon J., Milton J., Neva O. and Feltus E. The family have a wide acquaintance and their friends in the community are almose equal in number to the number of their acquaintances. Socially Mr. Brown is a member of Wren Lodge, K. of P., of Lykens, and in his political adherency he is a Democrat. He has been corporation treasurer of the village of Chatheld since its incorporation, and while residing in Lykens was for two terms assessor, treasurer for six years and postmaster for four years. Llis official duties have ever been discharged with the same business-like dispatch, fidelity and integrity that has marked his business career and made him one of the valued and respected residents of Chatheld.
August Muth
August Muth is a representative example of the German-American citizens of Crawford county. The fatherland has furnished to Ohio many men of worth, whose enterprise and industry have not alone promoted their own advancement but have contributed to the general prosperity, and to this class August Muth belongs. He was born in Germany, December 17, 1850, and spent the first fifteen years of his life in his native land, after which he sailed for America, for he had received favorable reports of the opportunities afforded to young men in the new world and therefore resolved to try his fortune here. For three years he was employed as a salesman in a store in Pittsburg, Pennsvlvania. and on the expiration of that period he embarked on an independent business venture. For seven years he ran a huckster's wagon, and then with the capital he had acquired he established a wholesale produce store in Pittsburg, successfully conducting the enterprise for five years. In 1885 he purchased his present store in Chatfield, Crawford county, Ohio, and has since carried on operations as a general merchant. He carries a large and wellselected stock of goods, and his earnest desire to please his patrons, his energy and his honorable dealing have brought to him prosperity. He also> established the Clear Springs Creamery, which not only is a source of profit to the owner but is of value to the farming community by furnishing a market for the dairy products. He was likewise instrumental in securing the Short Line Railroad
Mr. Muth has been twice married. He first wedded Louise Voight, and they had five children : Mary, Martin, Walter and two who died in infancy. For his second wife Mr. Muth chose Miss Caroline Mohrhoff, and they had seven children, namely : Clara, who died in infancy. Arnold, Bertha. Annie, Callie, Harry and Amelia. The family attend the German Evangelical Lutheran church, of which Mr. Muth has been a life member. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to* give his time and energies to his business interests, in which he has met with creditable and well-deserved success.
Among the progressive men of Liberty township, Crawford county, who are well known and respected, none stand higher in public esteem than does David A. Lutz. Mr. Lutz was born in Chatfield township, this county, on September 9, 1867, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Ulmer) Lutz, and was a member of a family of four children, the two- survivors being himself and his sister Catherine, the wife of W. E. Green, of Liberty township. Daniel Lutz, the father, was also a native of Chatfield township and was born on December 12, 1837, a son of Gottlieb and Gottlieben ( Kibler) Lutz, both of whom were born in Wurtemberg, German}-. There they married and two of their children were born there before the family emigrated, in 1832. to America. Their voyage covered sixty days, and they came directly from Xew York to Lisbon, Ohio, where Gottlieb worked for one year at his trade of weaver. In 1833 he removed to Crawford county, settled in Chatfield township, entered forty acres of land and built his cabin in the forest. Later he bought additional land until his farm numbered one hundred and twenty-eight acres. His death took place on his farm when he was seventy-one years old, his faithful wife having passed away in 1850.
At the age of twenty years Daniel Lutz began to learn the carpenter's trade and worked at it for some time In 1865 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Ulmer, and then purchased his father's farm, the latter coming to live with his son, and so continued until his death. In 1882 Mr. Lutz purchased one hundred and eight acres of land, and also the Keller farm of fifty acres which adjoined it on the east, and then removed to his new home, disposing of his Chatfield township farm some years later. Mr. Lutz is one of the leading members of the Lutheran church, and for twelve years has been a trustee and a member of the building committee that erected the present imposing brick structure known as the St. Paul German Lutheran church of Liberty township. In his political life he has always been an uncompromising Democrat. His life and character have made him one of the most esteemed citizens of the county. The mother of our subject was born in Liberty township, July 2j, 1838, a daughter of Daniel and Barbara Uimer, both of them natives of Germany. They came to Crawford county the same year as did the Lutz family. The mother passed out of life May 1 1 , 1898.
The early life of our subject, David A. Lutz, was spent upon his father's estate, and he was afforded the best possible opportunities for the attainment of an education. When eighteen years old his father entrusted a portion of the farm to his care, and he operated it on shares. On December 10, 1891, he was married to Miss Mary Luidhardt, a native of this township, a daughter of John and Louisa Luidhardt, the former of whom was bom in this township. His lather, George Luidhart, came to Crawford county at an early day. Mother Luidhardt was a native of Germany and was brought to this country when she was but a child.
Jn September, 1891, our subject, in partnership with his brother-in-law, W. E. Green, purchased the old Lutz farm in Chatfield township and also the old Keller farm of seventy-two acres in Liberty township, both of these having been the property of Mr. Lutz, Sr. During one summer the partners engaged in cultivating together, but in the following September they divided their interests, our subject acquiring the Keller farm, while Mr. Green took the Chatfield township farm. Mr. Lutz is one of the energetic young agriculturists of this county, and not only successfully cultivates his own land but also tills eighty-six acres of that belonging to his father. Like his father, he is a stanch member of the Democratic party. For three years he served as a trustee in the Lutheran church and is highly valued there. He has displayed great ability in his chosen occupation, and his success has been very gratifying not only in a pecuniary way but also in the position it has given him as a worthy representative of an honored and industrious family. -
Rev. Daniel Brose
Rev. Daniel Brose, who for many years has been connected with agricultural and industrial interests in Crawford county, and is also laboring for the spiritual welfare of the people among whom he lives as a minister of the
Pietist church, makes his home in Chatfield township, and upon the farm where he now resides his birth occurred on the 31st of October, 1849. His father, Michael" Brose, and his grandfather. Andrew Brose, were both natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and in 1832 the latter brought his family to the new world, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which was then the only means of navigation. He settled in Liberty township, Crawford county, but his death occurred soon afterward. His son. Michael Brose, was married in this county to Agnes Steinhielber, and soon afterward they took up their residence in Chatfield township, the father devoting his remaining days to agricultural pursuits. He was industrious, energetic and determined and provided a comfortable living for his large family. He died in 1872. at the age of sixty-five years and five months, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty years and five months. They were members of the Pietist church and were earnest Christian people, having the warm regards of all with whom they were associated. They had thirteen children : Jacob, who is living in Williams county, Ohio; Gottlieb, of Indiana; Rebecca, wife of Simon Long, of Indiana; Daniel, of Chatfield township; Fridericka. wife of Jacob Reidle, of Chatfield township: Catherine, the wife of Daniel Long, of Chatfield township; Elizabeth, wife of John Baumgartner, of Chatfield township; David, of Cranberry township; Mary A., the wife of Samuel Calb, of Chatfield township; and Lydia S., the wife of Michael Streib, of Whetstone township. Three died in their childhood.
Born and reared on the old home farm, on attaining his majority Mr. Brose, of this review, became associated with his father in the cultivation of the fields and the management of the property, and so continued until 1878, when he began the manufacture of brick and tile and also sawing lumber. In 1889 he extended the field of agricultural pursuits, and to this dual occupation he gives his attention with excellent success. He now owns one hundred acres of good land in Chatfield township and follows general farming in addition to his other pursuits. He is active, energetic and persevering, and his well-conducted business affairs have brought to him a good profit. In the manufacture of tile and brick he has been associated with his brother-in-law, J. Baumgartner, as a partner.
On the 15th of March, 188 1, Rev. Brose was united in marriage to Miss Levina Bower, of Brownstown, Illinois, and nine children grace their union, of whom seven are vet living: Alice S., Ida M., Fredericka M., Lavina K., Lizzie L., Daniel F. and Michael S. The other two died in childhood.
has been a minister of the Pietist church of his neighborhood, numbering about forty-five families, and he also acts as pastor of another church in Todd township, numbering about forty-two families. His influence is widely felt and the work which he has performed in the cause of Christianity has brought forth rich fruits.
Simon Shade
For almost a third of a century Simon Shade has resided upon the farm in Lykens township which is now his home. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, April 7, 1834, one of the thirteen children, five sons and eight daughters, who were born of the marriage of Samuel and Catherine Shade. Of this number ten reached years of maturity. In 1836 the father removed with his family to Seneca county, Ohio, taking up his abode in Venice township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land that had been owned by a previous purchaser who had erected a log cabin upon the place. Mr. Shade cut away the dense forest, prepared the land for the plow and in due course of time garnered abundant harvests. For a number of years he made his home thereon, but eventually removed to Tiffin, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of seventy years. His wife survived him and reached the advanced age of ninety-six years, while her father died at the extreme old age of one hundred and two years. He served with the American army in the war of the Revolution.
Upon the home farm in Seneca county Simon Shade spent the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He was married in 1859 to Miss Louisa Kniemen, and their union has been blessed with four children: Clara, the wife of R. Brown, of Bloomville ; Lizzie, who married J. F. Runyon, of Van Wert, Ohio: S. Andrew, who is upon the home farm; and Willie E., at Cygnet.
After his marriage Mr. Shade located upon a farm of eighty-six acres, upon which he resided until 18O9, when he came to his present home in Lykens township. He has here eighty acres of land and one hundred and sixty acres in Chatfield township. His home is a commodious and pleasant farm residence, and good barns and outbuildings furnish shelter for grain and stock. Everything about the place is kept in good condition and the well-tilled fields yield a golden return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
was si ruck by lightning on the 18th of July while in the church attending a funeral. She was a most estimable lady and had many warm friends. Mr. Shade belongs to the German Reformed church, and in his political affiliations is a Democrat. He entered upon his business career without capital and the success he has achieved is, therefore, the merited reward of his own labor, for his has been a busy, active, useful and honorable life.
James Dunlap
The family of Dunlap in America comes of Scotch ancestry, and in all generations it has produced men and women of exceptional ability and worth. It is ably represented in Ohio, and its most prominent representative in Crawford county is James Dunlap, of Texas township, a progressive and prosperous, farmer of much influence and importance in local affairs.
Tames Dunlap was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania. January 13, 1832, a son of John and Mary ( Loeman) Dunlap. who had six sons and two daughters. The following data concerning different members of this family will be found interesting: James Dunlap, the subject of this sketch, was the first in order of birth. Daniel served his country as a soldier one hundred days in the Civil war and lives in Kansas. John lives in Rchland county. Ohio. Samuel was during a greater portion of the Civil war a member of the Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and is now living in Oklahoma. \\ illiam fought for the flag in the Civil war as a member of the Third Ohio Cavalry and is now living in Kansas. Mary and Abbie are dead. Jacob was a member of the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry and saw much arduous and dangerous service in the war between the states.
John Dunlap settled in Texas township, Crawford county, Ohio, in 1835,. and bought forty acres of land, on which there was a clearing of a few acres and a small log cabin. He improved the property and died there in 1S7S. at the age of eigty-two years. His wife died in 1846. When his parents went to Texas township James Dunlap was three years old. He remembers having walked a mile and a half to a school kept in a log school house and states that during his youth game was plentiful in the woods round about and Indians were frequently seen. When a mere boy he began to help his father clear land and put it under cultivation, and when he was sixteen yars old he began working out by the month, but made his home with his father until 1854. when, December 2$< he married Mary Livensparger, who bore him eight children. Their daughter Florence married a Mr. Dorrick, of Tiffin, Ohio. Their daugh- ter Laura is the wife of Scott Hoyellett, of Texas township. Their daughter Jane married William Tuttle, of Crawford county. Their son Elmer lives in Bucyrus, Ohio. Their son Sidney lives at Shelby, Ohio. Their daughter Minnie is dead. Their daughter Elva is the wife of Horace Miller. Their son Ralph lives in Sycamore, Ohio.
For a time after his marriage Mr. Dunlap lived at Bloomfield, Ohio. He then moved to a small farm in Kent county, Ohio, which he had previously pre-empted. Jt was heavily timhered and he made a small clearing there and erected a log cabin, in which he was domiciled for two years. Then he removed to Crestline, Ohio, where for one year he was employed by a sawmill -company. From there he removed to Wyandot county, where after three years he bought seventy acres of land in Eaton township, on which he lived until the spring of 1862, when he removed to Texas township, where in the September following he bought eighty acres of the farm on which he now lives.
In 1864 Mr . Dunlap enlisted as a private in Company C, Eightieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was sent to North Carolina, where it performed picket duty until the spring of 1865. Thence in succession it went to Xashville, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, Washington, D. C, and Alexandria, Virginia, where it was stationed until the close of the war. After he was discharged from the United States service with all due honor he returned to his farm in Texas township, Crawford county, Ohio, and has since given his attention to general farming and stock-raising with such success that he has added to his home farm until it now contains one hundred and sixteen acres, and he owns fifty acres in another tract.
In politics he is a Democrat, and he wields considerable political influence in his township and has served his fellow townsmen for many years as a school and for six years as township trustee.
Hexry D. E. Jofixstox
Prominent among the pioneer families of Crawford county is that of Johnston, of which Henry D. E. Johnston, deceased, was a representative. His father, Thomas F. Johnston, was a pioneer settler of the county, coming here in 1826 from Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, where he was born February 3, 1800. He was a son of an Irish emigrant who settled in Lycoming county. In 1823 Thomas F. Johnston married Martha L. Walton, a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Rogers) Walton, and was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, May 11, 1803; her early ancestors in America were from England. It was soon after his marriage that Thomas F. Johnston emigrated to Crawford county, coming by wagon and team.
On coming to this county it was his first intention to follow his trade, that of cabinet-making, in Bucyrus, then a village of some eight log cabins and two frame buildings. The place not promising much for him in the way of remuneration from labors at his trade, because of which he turned his attention to farming in Whetstone township until the year 1829, he removed to Findlay, Hancock county, this state, where he lived for three years, and then returned to Crawford county, settling in Dallas township. While in Hancock he served as county auditor one term. He acquired large landed possessions in Crawford count}' and his farming interests grew to larger proportions. He also became a large stock-raiser, especially of sheep. He was a good business man and amassed a good estate. His death occurred November 1, 1862. His wife survived him many years, dying at an advanced age in Bucyrus, to which city she removed in 1865. She bore her husband the following children: Henry D. E., the immediate subject of this sketch; S. G. Johnston, who died in 1870, aged forty-three years; Henrietta, who married Thomas J. Monnett and died in 1871 ; Lavina, who died at the age of fifteen years; Josiah S., who died in infancy; W. H. H. Johnston, who, as a member of the Thirty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the Civil war, served for a short time and was honorably discharged on account of failinghealth, and who died in 1865; James O. Johnston, who also served a short time in the Civil war, but fell a victim of consumption in 1865; Oregon Johnston, who served also in the Civil war and died in 1876; and Agnes J. Johnston, the youngest of the family, who also is deceased. Consumption was hereditary in the family and of it nearly all the children died.
Henry D. E. Johnston was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, August 8, 1825, and was reared amid the scenes of pioneer life, obtaining a limited education. He was brought up on the farm and farming and stockraising was his life pursuit. He was a shrewd, careful and successful business man. For a few years he was associated with his brother, S. G., in the business of dealing in stock. In 1857 he married Miss Jane Ludwig. the youngest child of Samuel Ludwig, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. For two years after his marriage Mr. Johnston was engaged in both farming and stock-dealing, but, removing to Bucyrus, he engaged exclusively in the stock trade for three years. He then returned to the farm and was thereafter engaged in both farming and the stock business until the time of his death, which occurred April 19, 1870. He left three children, namely: Nora, Zua and Mary Agness. In politics Mr. Johnston was a Republican, and a short time before his death he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was possessed of many sterling qualities. A creditable portrait of him appears in this volume.
Benjamin F. Simmons
Long prominent in agricultural life of Crawford county, Benjamin F. Simmons is one of the best known and highly esteemed citizens. His birth was in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1827, and he was a son of Lawrence and Alar}' ( Rice) Simmons. They had a family of four children born to them, but our subject is the only survivor.
Lawrence Simmons, who was the father of our subject, was also born in the Keystone state, about 1805, and was married in that state. By vocation he was a farmer, but when operations on his land were interrupted by unfavorable weather he filled up his time in the manufacture of splint-bottomed chairs, for which he found ready sale. About 1829, when our subject was but two years of age, the family emigrated to Crawford county, Ohio, a devoted aunt, a sister to the mother of our subject, carrying the child with her all the distance on horseback. Upon arrival in Ohio Father Simmons entered eighty acres of land, which was located one and one-half miles south of Sulphur Springs, in Liberty township, and upon this land he erected a cabin in the woods and started upon the task of clearing this land. The industry of Air. Simmons seemed to have no limit, for in addition to clearing and cultivating his land he added very materially to the income by making the comfortable chairs as above mentioned, also looms, which were needed in every household, and in working in wood generally, possessing a natural skill in this line. Naturally he prospered, and was soon able to add to his original purchase of land, buying an adjoining sixty acres, and upon this farm of one hundred and forty acres he resided until 1846, at that time selling it to advantage and moving to Todd township, where he bought the farm of one hundred and sixty acres which adjoins the present farm of our subject on the south, and shortly after he bought another farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, lying just across the highway from his on the east. Some years later he sold one of these farms and removed to Bucyrus, our subject taking charge of the other farm.
After some six years of residence in Bucyrus, Mr. Simmons returned to the farm, but shortly after a fine offer was made him which resulted in the disposal of this valuable property. Then Mr. Simmons bought a small home property near the village of Nevada, and here he lived during the remainder of his life. The mother of our subject died the year following the removal of the family to Ohio, and the second marriage of the father was to Miss Catherine Swisher, and to them six children were born, all of whom have passed away, Mrs. Simmons also passing out of life. The third marriage of Mr. Simmons was to Mrs. Mclntvre, but there was no issue of this marriage, and she survived her husband for some eighteen years.
In public affairs Mr. Simmons was prominent and was a leader in the Democratic party, but he is best remembered as one of the enterprising and devoted members of the United Brethren church, to which he contributed liberally and gave much of his time and attention for a long period. He was the founder and prime mover in the building of the first church of this denomination in Osceola, which is now in course of rebuilding, and he was also the leading" spirit in the erection of the church in Nevada, after his removal there, and was valued for his Christian character.
Despite the long journey from his native state Benjamin F. Simmons grew to robust manhood in his pioneer home, developing a strong body and that love for agricultural pursuits which certainly gives a healthy trend to the mind as well as to the body. His education was acquired in the pioneer school-house, and Mr. Simmons can readily recall the old slab benches and puncheon floors, as well as the lessons learned within its walls.
In 185 1 our subject was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Souders, who. was a native of Liberty township, in this county, and who was a daughter of "William Souders, who was one of the old pioneers of Libertv township. Shortly before the marriage of Mr. Souders, the father and sons built a sawmill on the farm, on Broken Sword creek, and for the succeeding nine years Benjamin gave continued attention to the working of this mill. For some time this was only a sawmill, but later Mr. Simmons became its sole owner, with eleven acres of land, and he then added a set of buhrs and fitted it up completely as a flouring-mill. For a number of years he made as excellent flour here as was made in any other place in the state, up to t86o. At that date he exchanged this mill for a farm of forty acres and a residence property in Oceola, later selling the latter, but he removed his family to the farm. At that time the land was heavily timbered and Mr. Simmons began the hard work of clearing, but this was given up on account of the death of his wife, at which time he broke up. housekeeping.
etta Chapman, who died in 1892. Three children were born to the first union, but all of them have passed away. Two children were born to the second marriage, the only survivor being Lawrence D., who is the farmer on the home farm and is a man of prominence and stability in the township, at present being its efficient treasurer. He was married in 1894 to Miss Rice Forest, and two children have been born to this union, - Ralph and Benjamin, both bright, intelligent youths.
For some time following his second marriage our subject continued on his own farm, but later sold it and took charge of his father's farm while the latter resided in Bucyrus. Upon the return of the elder Mr. Simmons our subject purchased his present farm of eighty acres and has resided here in great -comfort ever since. His son manages the operations of the farm and Mr. Simmons is enabled to take his ease after a busy and industrious life He has always been an active Democrat in politics and enjoys the esteem of the county, through which he is regarded as one of the most highly valued of its citizens, a man whose word is as good as his bond, and as one who may always be found exerting an influence in the direction of morality as well as progress.
Richard Cover is the foreman of the roundhouse in Crestline, a responsible position which he capably fills, being well qualified by broad experience, executive force and sound judgment. Fie was born in Richland county, Ohio, December 24, 1846. His father, Cyrus K. Cover, was a native of Pottsville. Pennsylvania, and about 1835 emigrated to Richland county, Ohio. He became a contractor and builder and followed the business in Richland county until 1856. About 1852 he came to Crawford county and the following year took up his abode in Crestline, where he opened and conducted a hotel for about a year. . He afterward gave his attention to the butchering business and was following that business at the time of his death, which occurred when he was fifty-two years of age. In politics he was a stalwart Democrat and for two terms served as constable. His wife, Margaret Pfiefer, was a native of Pennsylvania, where she remained until her marriage. She lived to be eightytwo years of age, passing away in Crestline. This worthy couple were the parents of eight children, one of whom died in infancy, while four sons are yet living.
Richard Cover, the sixth child and fourth son of the family, was about two years of age when brought to Crawford county. He was reared and edu- cateci in Crestline and worked with his father in the butchering business until 1869, when he became connected with the railway service as fireman on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago road, acting in that capacity for twenty-one months. He was then promoted to the position of engineer, serving in that position for three years, running between Crestline and Alliance. Subsequently he was made foreman of the roundhouse at Crestline and for twenty-six years has thus been connected with the road, his long service indicating most clearly his faithfulness to duty and his ability in the discharge of the work devolved upon him. In 1901 he asked for a day job, which the company granted him. "Sir. Cover was united in marriage in Crestline in 1870 to Miss Amanda Richards, a native of this city and a daughter of B. O. and Mary Richards, early settlers of Crawford county, now living in Kansas. Mrs. Amanda Cover died in 1879. Unto our subject and wife were born two daughters, Viola, who is now the wife of James Reecb of Crestline, Ohio, a telegraph operator; and Ada, wife of Horace Burgett, a fireman on the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad at Crestline. There are also two grandchildren, Xed and Helen Reed. In political views Mr. Cover is a stanch Democrat, firmly advocating the principles of the party as set forth by its leaders and special conventions, yet he has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his entire attention to- his business interests.
George D. Zimmerman
The prominent citizen of Todd township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose familiar name is above, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, April 5, 1835, a son of John Zimmerman, a native of Union county, Pennsylvania, who married Eliza Davidson. The father of John Zimmerman was killed when the latter was five years old and John was brought by his mother to Columbiana county, Ohio, and thence taken to Wayne county, also in this state, where Mrs. Zimmerman and her sons bought military land from the United States government and where John was married.
John and Eliza (Davidson) Zimmerman had children as follows, all living in this state : George D. ; Ephraim, who lives in Bucyrus ; Israel, who lives in Wyandot county; Nathan, who lives in Defiance; Albert, of Findlay ; and Hannah, who married B. H. Clendenin, of Antrim township, Wyandot county. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman and their family removed to Crawford county, Ohio, in 1846, settling in Todd township, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land from Judge Swan, of Columbus, Ohio, where the village of Lem- ert has since grown up. Thirty acres of the tract had been cleared and a log house had been built upon it. There John Zimmerman lived out the remainder of his days and died December 20, 1878, at the age of seventy-three years. From the time of the organization of the Republican party he acted with it in all questions of public policy. He served his township as trustee and filled other important offices. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and was liberal in the support of its various interests. His wife died February 25, 1887, aged about seventy-one years.
When John Zimmerman brought his family to Todd township the subject of this sketch was about eleven years old. He remained with his father until he was twenty-one years of age, assisting him about his farm work and attending the common schools near his home as opportunity afforded during the years of his youth. In 1856 he went to the far west by way of the Nicaragua route. He engaged in prospecting for minerals on the north fork of the American river and later on Bear river, but made his headquarters about sixteen miles from Sacramento, California. He remained on the coast about four years, during which time he took up several mining claims, and then returned to< Ohio with the expectation of going back to California, but at the request of his father he remained and for two years was with him on his home farm. He married Phoebe Jane Caughey, of Sycamore, Ohio, and after his marriage he located on the farm in Todd township which he has since owned and operated. The place comprises one hundred and ten acres of land, well improved and very productive, much of which Mr. Zimmerman devotes to general farming. Mr. Zimmerman is a Republican.
Mrs. Zimmerman, who died January 6, 1900, bore her husband si-x children, as follows : Alida C, who is the wife of William Lambright, of Nevada, Ohio ; Viola, who is the wife of Scott Ekleberry. of Todd township ; and Clara. Amy, Annie and Daisy, who are members of their father's household. Clara is a milliner and Viola and Daisy and Annie have achieved an enviable reputation as school teachers.
John Dillinger
A representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Crawford county, John Dillinger has resided within its borders for more than sixty years and throughout a long period has been a most active factor in its substantial development and improvement. He was born in Stark county, Ohio. September 24, 1827, the family residing at that time near Canton. His father,
Joseph Dillinger, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and was of German descent. He was reared upon a farm and in early life learned the miller's trade. When a young man he emigrated westward to Stark county, Ohio, where he married Susanna Smith, and as honored pioneer people of Ohio they aided in laying' the foundation for the development and upbuilding of the commonwealth. They had six children, namely : John, of this review ; Hiram, who is living in Putnam county, Ohio ; David, Harriet, Emeline and Manais, all now deceased.
In the year 1834 Joseph Dillinger came with his family to Crawford county and located in Lykens township, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government - the farm upon which Henry Oblander now resides. He then contracted with Ben Huddle to build him a logcabin for thirty dollars, but on account of illness Huddle was unable to perform the work and when the Dillinger family arrived in the county there was no1 house awaiting their occupancy. They unloaded their goods in the woods and erected a shanty of clapboards and later built of round logs a cabin containing one room. They had to clear a place on which to build, so heavily was the timber. There were few roads in the county and everything was yet in a primitive condition. The father cleared and improved his farm and made his home thereon until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-seven years of age. His wife died a few years later.
Mr. Dillinger, of this review, was a little lad of seven summers when the family came to Lykens township. He was reared upon the pioneer farm and aided in clearing and cultivating the land. He never had the privilege of attending school until he was thirteen years of age, and his advantages were v then very meager, but experience, observation and reading have added greatly to his knowledge. In 1850 he rented a farm of eighty acres, and after cultivating it for three years purchased the property upon which he resided until 1867, when he came to his present farm. His landed possessions aggregate two hundred acres, and the place is well improved with all modern accessories and conveniences. A substantial residence, with barns and good outbuildings in the rear, stands in the midst of highly cultivated fields and neatness and thrift characterize everything about the place. Mr. Dillinger carries on general stock-raising. He has been buying cattle, hogs and sheep for thirty years and has been shipping since 1872. Since 1892 he has been engaged in buying stock at Sycamore, and his business endeavors have been crowned with a gratifying degree of success.
unto them have been born nine children : Marilda, the wife of Enoch Watson, of Clyde, Ohio; James, a stock-buyer of Lykens ; Delilah, the deceased wife of James Fenchner; Arlita, the wife of E. R. Runyon, of Van Wert, Ohio; Alary A., the wife of Moses Vance, also a stock-buyer of Lykens; David, who is engaged in buying and selling stock at Bloomville ; John, who is living in the same place ; Laura, the wife of Milo McClelland, their home being on her father's farm; and Leonora, the wife of William Salty, of Clyde, Ohio.
Air. Dillinger gives his political support tu the men and measures of the Union Reform party. Since 1863 he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is likewise a member of the Baptist church. He is a most enterprising and progressive citizen and no resident of Lykens township has done as much for its welfare and progress as Mr. Dillinger, who withholds his co-operation from no movement calculated for the general good. He is generous and genial in disposition and wherever known he has won many warm friends.
Horatio W. Markley
Horatio W. Markley is one of the progressive and prominent men of Crawford county, and is a descendant of several of the most distinguished families of this part of Ohio. Mr. Markley was born in Liberty township, Crawford county, on July 24, 1848, and was a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stough) Markley. The paternal great-grandparents were Joseph and Susannah (Wigley) Markley. They came to what is now Ashland county, then Richland, Ohio, in 181 5, entering about three hundred acres of land on the present site of the city of Ashland. Here he erected and later conducted an extensive distillery business, and as the years passed became one of the substantial men of the locality. Both he and wife were unusually corpulent, their accumulated weight being metre than five hundred pounds. Every year, arrayed in a peculiar riding costume, one feature of which were beaver hats, they made a horseback trip to the eastern relatives, where they were expected with pleasure on account of their many admirable traits of character. They reared a family of eleven boys and two girls, all of them being of more than average weight and size. The smallest of the boys, faceciously called "the runt." weighed two hundred and fifty pounds. All of the family lived to marry and rear families of their own. The extraordinary strength of five of these sons excited general comment, as each one could take a full barrel of whis- key up in his hands and drink from the bung. Perhaps the strongest of all was Horatio, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, in 1804, and was considered the strongest man in the county. Shortly after his marriage he came to Craw ford county and entered one hundred and forty-four acres of land in Liberty township, where his daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Teel, now resides. With the assistance of his brother Mathias, who had preceded him here some years, assisted also by the two wives, a comfortable log cabin was built and on this farm he spent his whole life. Pie became prosperous and was able to leave his children very well situated, giving each one a farm at the time of maturity. He was long one of the leaders in the English Lutheran church and was known through the county for his kindness and liberality. No call for help was ever disregarded, and when death came, in 1880, at the age of seventy-six, the mourners extended far beyond those of his own family. He married Nancy Link, who was the daughter of Adam Link, also a remarkable man. He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, where he owned six hundred acres of land on the present site of the city of Wheeling. Pie was a veteran of the Revolutionary war. Plis father was killed by the Indians during the early days. Being surrounded by Indians, he and a friend bargained for their lives, and, as the Indians promised safety, they came out, only to be tomahawked by the savages, who destroyed everything they could find, tore open feather beds to see the feathers fly, killed the cattle and cut up the leather in the tan yards. Adam Link lived over a century, dying in 1864, at the advanced age of one hundred and two years, nine months and twenty-seven, days.
The maternal great-grandparents of our subject were also well-known: people, John Stough being a Lutheran minister, who first married Mary Hagmyer, and later Catherine Troutman. The great-grandfather, Thomas Charlton, was of English birth, and married Elizabeth Mercer. John G. Stough,. the maternal grandfather, was a native of Perry count)'', Pennsylvania, and came tO' Crawford county shortly after his marriage to Sarah Charlton, a native of Washington county, Maryland. Air. Stough settled on the farm now owned by the Widow Moderwell, entering one hundred and sixty acres of forest land, built him a log cabin in the forest and hung up a quilt for shelter in place of a door. When meat was wanted for the larder he took his gun, stepped a few paces away from his home and soon shot a deer, so plentiful were they at that time. His family went through every phase of pioneer life, but in this wilderness he reared a fine family and remained until advanced in years, when he moved to Vernon township and died there at the age of eightv-
Joseph Markley, the father of our subject, was born on the old Horatio Markley homestead, on December 4, 1824. and grew up at home, early doing his part of work on the farm. His education was necessarily limited, but through life he was a great reader and in time became self-educated and was thoroughly informed concerning the public events of the day. His marriage was to Elizabeth Stough, in Liberty township, who was born on October 21, J 827, and she was a daughter of John G. and Sarah (Charlton) Stough. After his marriage he located on seventy-two acres of land one and one-half miles north of the Markley homestead and during the second year realized enough from the sugar maples on the farm to pay for it. Here Air. Alarkley resided until his death, in May, 1858. at the age of thirty-three. His life had been ;* busy one and he had succeeded well. He was very active in the affairs of the English Lutheran church, and was a member of the Republican part)'. \fter the death of Mr. Markley his widow married Peter Rutan and now resides in this township. One daughter was born of this marriage: Anna, the wife of Oliver Wheaton, a pattern maker of Mansfield.
Horatio \Y. Markley, the bearer of an honored name, was reared on the home farm and acquired hut a limited education. He was married on February 23, 1871, to Miss Maria C. Rader, who was bora in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Aaron and Sabina (Bower; Rader, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The}- came to Crawford county previous to 1850. After his marriage our subject and wife went to Columbiana county and located on a farm belonging to Michael Charlton, but two years later the}" returned to Crawford county and purchased a farm of seventy-two acres two miles north of Sulphur Springs, where the family resided for four years. Then Air. Markley sold that and bought eighty acres in Cranberry township, on which farm he remained for three years, later selling that also. For the following nineteen years he successfully operated a farm of one hundred and sixty acres belonging to his sister-in-law. Airs. Julia Rader. In 1884 he bought forty acres located one-fourth mile south of his present home, and this land he retained four years and then exchanged it for the farm he now occupies. This consists of sixty-two and one-half acres and upon it he has erected a most desirable set of buildings, modern in construction and attractive in appearance. He removed to this place in 1899.
Air. Markley has been very successful during these years of industry, has become well known and esteemed in the county and has reared a most estimable family, viz.: Franklin A., city solicitor for the B. & O. Railroad at Toledo, Ohio; Hattie E., a millinery trimmer at Toledo; Bert \Y., deceased; Esther B. and Ross \Y., both at home. In politics our subject has always been a stanch Republican, and fraternally he is connected with Liberty Lodge. No. 845. K. of H. His wife is a member of the L. O. T. M. and of the Lutheran church. He is one of the progressive and energetic men whose example in a community is for its benefit, and all through Crawford county live those who most hisrhlv esteem Horatio YV. Markley.
Elijah Lyons
Elijah Lyons, who is engaged in the cultivation of a good farm in Cranberry township, has always resided in Crawford county, his birth having occurred in the township which is still his home, on the 22d of May. 1850, his parents being Jacob and Susan (Robison) Lyons. The father was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, and was a son of Adam and Barbara Lyons, who came to Ohio about 1830, settling in Richland county, near Shelby, where his father leased a tract of land for several years. He was then in limited financial circumstances and on the expiration of his lease he came to Crawford county, residing in Cranberry township up to the time of his death. Adam Lyons' children were George, John B., Jacob and Susan. The father of our subject was fourteen years of age when he came to Ohio, and eight vears later he purchased eighty acres of the farm upon which his son Elijah now resides. Soon afterward he further completed his arrangements for a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Susan Robison, who was born in Perry counv. Pennsylvania, a daughter of William and Christina ( Zeigler) Robison, who came to Ohio about the same time the Lyons family removed to this state. They took up their abode in what is now Auburn township, Crawfor countv. then a part of Richland county, and later removed to Cranberry township, spending their last days upon the farm where Mr. French now resides. George Robison, an uncle of Mrs. Lyons, was an officer in the war of 1 81 2, and for many years thereafter was a leading figure in military circles. Two of her brothers, William C. and Thomas Henry, were loyal supporters of the Union cause during the Civil war. and the latter died near Arkansas Post while in the army.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lyons located on the farm which he had purchased and later he added to this a tract of ten acres. To the further development and improvement of his property he devoted his energies until his death. His study of political issues led him to give his support to the Democracy, but he was never an office seeker. In early life he held membership in the Presbyterian church, but hi later years, as there was no church of that denomination in the neighborhood, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was an energetic and persevering man and bravely faced the hardships of frontier life. He secured school land covered with a dense forest, built a cabin, cleared away the trees and in due course of time had a comfortable home for his family. He died in 1891, and his wife passed away in 1894. She, too, was a loyal and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four children were born unto them, but only two are now living, the sister of our subject being Matilda, widow of Thomas Baer, of New Washington.
Elijah Lyons enjoyed the sports in which boys of the period usually indulged, pursued his education in the district schools and assisted in the work of the home farm. His earl}- educational advantages, however, were supplemented by study in the Plymouth high school, in the Delaware University and in a Presbyterian seminary at Lexington, Ohio. Prior to his seventeenth year he began teaching and for nine terms followed that profession through the winter months. In the spring he would then attend school in order to perfect his own education and in the summer he assisted in the work of the home farm. In the fall after he had attained his majority he went to La Salle county, Illinois, where he remained for eighteen months, after which he engaged in teaching school for one term and also worked on a farm. He then took charge of the home farm, operating" it on the shares up to the time of his marriage.
In 1880 Mr. Lyons was joined in wedlock to Miss Susan J. Holtz, of Huron county, and then took his bride to Van Wert county, Ohio, settling on forty acres of land which he had purchased only a short time previous. Twenty-two months later his wife died, and after bringing the remains to Huron county for interment he returned to Van Wert count}-, disposed of his farm and chattel property and then again went to his old home. In the following autumn he purchased a farm of fifty acres, now owned by Albert Nye.. It was then all covered with underbrush, but with characteristic energy he began to prepare it for the plow, and in due course of time abundant harvests rewarded his labors. He was again married, February 14, 1886, his second union being with Miss Susannah Smith, a native of Crawford county and a daughter of Jesse and Eva ( Shoup) Smith. Their union was blessed with two children. Clarence E. and Wilbert W., but the latter is now deceased.
After his second marriage Mr. Lyons erected a residence upon his farm and there made his home until 1892. In the year previous his father had died
-and Mr. Lyons then traded his farm to his sister for her share in the old home place and also handsomely provided for his mother. He is now the owner of the old home farm, - a valuable and desirahle property, attractive in appearance by reason of the excellent buildings and richly cultivated fields. He usually votes the Republican ticket, but is not strongly partisan, believing, however, in clean politics and the support of men who will secure purity in government. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the support of which he contributes, also attending its services. He belongs to Hyperion Lodge, No. 651, K. P., and has passed all the chairs. As a member of the school board he has manifested his friendship fur the cause of education and as a citizen he is public-spirited, heartily endorsing all movements for the general good.
One of the well-known and highly esteemed residents of Auburn township, Crawford county, Ohio, is Ezekiel C. McNutt, who is a representative of one of the old pioneer settlers of this couny. The birth of Ezekiel McNutt, who is the subject of this biography, was on June 2, 1839, in Columbiana county, Ohio, and he was the son of Abraham and Mary J. (Craton) McNutt, and he was one of seven children born to them, the five surviving members of the family being : Alexander, a resident of Bucyrus ; Abraham, a resident of Liberty township, in this county; Mary J., the wife of Aaron Darr, of Sulphur Springs; Rachael, the wife of Aaron Park, of Gabon, Ohio; and Ezekiel C, the subject of this sketch.
Abraham McNutt was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in 181 2, and grew to manhood on his father's farm, at the age of eighteen leaving the parental roof for the town of Petersburg, where he learned the trade of tanner and engaged in that business until 1840, at which time he became a resident of Crawford county, Ohio. Here he purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty-seven acres of land in Liberty township, near the Cranberry township line, and settled in a small log house in the woods, this cabin having been erected by the original settler. The land had not been either cleared or improved, and Mr. McNutt immediately engaged in the labor of preparing the land lor cultivation. He built a comfortable hewed-log cabin, which in time gave place to a substantial brick residence that was his home until his death, which occurred in 1874, when he was sixty-two years of age. In politics Mr. McNutt was a stanch Whig, but later became identified with the
Republican party. He was a man noted for his sound judgment and deep conviction, but was of that temper that enabled him to live through the tryingtimes of the Civil war in perfect amity with his neighbors, although he w.as surrounded by those of differing political opinion. So well was he known and so highly esteemed that his views were never questioned. Mr. McNutt had been reared in the faith of the Methodist church, but did not formally connect himself with any religious body, although he was a God-fearing man and a regular attendant upon church services.
F.zekiel C. McNutt was the youngest son of the family and was afforded good educational advantages. At the age of twenty-one he began to teach the district school during the winter season and spent the summer on the farm, and this quiet, useful life was suddenly changed by his enlistment for service in the Union army. On August I, 1864, he became a member of Company G, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of General Hatch. The latter had charge of about ten thousand men on the coast of South Carolina, where they were stationed until April, 1865, guarding Confederate prisoners. In April of that year our subject's regiment started for Savannah and took part in the engagement at Honey Hill and Red Hill, and also some sharp skirmishes, receiving his honorable discharge at Charleston, South Carolina, on Jul}- 15. 1865.
After his war experience our subject returned home and resumed his old life, teaching and farming, as previously, continuing until 1872, at which time he and his brother-in-law erected a building in New Washington, where they opened up a grocery and provision store. For three years our subject was connected with this business, having the entire management of it, remaining one year after his marriage.
Mr. McNutt was married en July 7, 1875, to Miss Mary J. McKee. who was born in Waynesburg, Auburn township, and she was the daughter of James McKee, of Scotch-Irish extraction, who was born in Perry county, Pennsylvania. Mr. McKee came to Crawford county about 1833 and settled in Auburn township, spending his life in this and Cranberry township. One year after marriage Mr. McNutt, in 1876, removed to the farm of his fatherin-law, in Cranberry township, the latter desiring the presence of his daughter, her mother having died in April of that year. For seven years our subject farmed on shares for his father-in-law, and he made his home with our subject's family, where he received devoted, filial care. In 1883 Mr. McNutt removed to a farm of forty acres in Cranberry township, which he purchased some time prior to this date, and remained on this tract for four years, at the end of that time selling it and purchasing forty-one acres just across the line, in Auburn township, remaining here until 1895, when he also sold that farm advantageously and removed to his present one of eighty acres. This is hue farm land, and here our subject and family enjoy all the comforts of country life. Two of their three children survive, these being: Edna E., who married Levi Lash, in this township; and James Wesley, who was horn on December 12, 1886, hence is only fourteen years of age. but is remarkable for intellectual gifts, as he has successfully passed the Boxwell examination and is a vouth of great promise. Frederick E., the second child, has passed away. In politics Mr. McNutt, like his honored father, is identified with the Republican partv. Both he and wife were reared in the Methodist church, but as there is no' organization of that kind here they attend and support the Lutheran church, where they are highly valued.
Too much cannot be said in favor of that excellent German stock whicii has produced some of our best citizenship in all parts of America. Industry, honesty and frugality are leading traits in the German character and they are qualities which make for success anywhere.
Tacob Gearhart was a pioneer in Jefferson township, Crawford county, Ohio", in 1834. He was born November 30, 1813. in Elshoff, Rhine province, district of Wettinstein, Germany. He was reared and educated and learned the wagonmaker's trade in his native land. April 13, the year mentioned, with his brother George, he came to America in a sailing vessel, which consumed seven weeks in making the voyage, landing at the American port June 4. He located in Jefferson township, where he entered eighty acres of government land, on which he erected a log cabin and on which he lived a bachelor life for about a year, when he married an old German sweetheart who had come out to this country. Jacob Gearhart and Mary Elizabeth Baetzel were married September 8, "1834, in Crawford county, and have had children as follows : J. T., who was born in Jefferson township, February 11, 1837; Mary, who became the wife of John Heitzman, who is now a retired farmer living at 294 Evans street. Bucyrus, Ohio: Lewis and Adam, who are dead: Lena, who is the wife of Henry Edler, of Crestline, Ohio: Emanuel, who lives on his father's old home farm ; and Joseph, who died young.
Jacoh Gearhart lived at his place of original settlement in Jefferson township the remainder of his life except during two years. He cleared and im- proved the farm and established a brewery on it, which he managed successfully for several years. From time to time he was engaged in butchering. He was a citizen of influence and a member of the German Reformed church. He died September 4, 1889, aged seventy-five years, nine months and five days.
J. J. Gearhart was reared on his father's farm and assisted him in his various enterprises, and as opportunity afforded attended school in a log school house near his home. In the winter months the big boys took turns at chopping wood with which to keep the school-room warm. In 1859 he married Jacobina Iseman, and they had eight children, concerning whom we make the following observations : Henry F. lives in Jefferson township. Clara A. is the wife of Calvin Knell, of Jefferson township. Charles F. lives at Leesville, Ohio. Xettie is the wife of John Kiebler, of Jefferson township. Lena E. is the wife of Samuel Kiebler and they have a home with her father. Lewis is dead. Adolphus and Edward died in infancy.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Gearhart removed to his present farm of eighty acres, eighteen acres of which was improved, and for two years he lived in the little log cabin which stood on the place and which was superseded by a more modern residence. He now owns one hundred and ninety-seven acres of land and is a progressive and successful general farmer and stock-raiser. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church and he has always been liberal in his contributions toward its support. Politically he is of the Democratic faith, and his public spirit has led him to favor every movement for the general good of the people of his township and county. He has many times served on juries and he is the present incumbent of the office of road commissioner of Jefferson township.
Robert Gregg
That sensible, practical, industrious and successful Pennsylvania stock which has been a factor in the development of the civilization of nearly every section of our country has been especiallv potent in Ohio, and among its bestknown representatives in Crawford county is Robert Gregg, of Texas township.
Robert Gregg was born on the old Gregg homestead in the township above mentioned, September 23, 1839, a son of William Gregg, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1802, and was brought by his father, 'Andrew Gregg, to Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1804. There Robert Gregg's grandfather acquired government land and improved a farm on which his son William was brought up to manhood, attending such schools as were then available to him in that then new country and doing his part in the work of clearing wild land and putting it under cultivation. He married Margaret Smith and they had ten children. Of these Catharine Achsah and Lewis died young. John lives in Sycamore township, Wyandot county, Ohio. Nancy married James McClung and lives in Iowa. James is dead. Robert was the next in order of birth. William S. and Andrew are dead, and Minerva E., the youngest, married George Tuttle and lives in Crawford county. Robert, John and William S. all served their country as soldiers in the Civil war. The parents of these children went to Crawford county in 1828 and settled in Texas township, where the father entered a claim of two hundred and forty acres of government land, on which he built a two-room house of round logs. He made the journey to the county with an ox-team and settled in the midst of a dense wilderness, in which game was plentiful and Indians were often seen, and he was so handy with his rifle that he soon achieved a reputation as an expert squirrel hunter. He was prominent in local affairs, and helped lay out roads and organize school districts, and in a general way aided in putting the wheels of civilization in motion. He gradually improved his farm in every way and died there in April, 1879. His wife died about 1854. They were members of the Methodist church, in which to the end of his days Mr. Gregg was an active worker.
Robert Gregg was brought up to farm life, was educated in the common ^schools and lived with his father until the spring of 1861, when he went to Minnesota, and where a few months later he enlisted as a private in Company G, First Regiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, to serve for three years or during the war. After the affair at Bull Run, where he had his first experience of actual warfare, he went to Alexandria, Virginia, and thence to Washington, D. C, and not long afterward he was sent to a hospital at Georgetown, and after four weeks there he was sent to another hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, where after nine weeks he was appointed to the hospital staff, on which he served two years. In the fall of 1863 he rejoined his regiment in Virginia and served in the Army of the Potomac until honorably discharged from the service in April, 1864.
Returning to Crawford county, Mr. Gregg farmed with his father for one year and then removed to the place on which he now lives. His home farm consists of one hundred and twenty acres and he owns another farm of the same size, and he is a very successful general farmer and stock-raiser. He is a prominent Republican and has served his fellow citizens as township trustee for two years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
In 1864 'ie married Miss Eliza J. Magoffin, who has borne him seven children, the eldest of whom, Clarence E., is dead, and the others are named, respectively. Layton H., Willis C, Addie, Blanche, Albert C. and Walter B. Mr. Gregg is a man of much public spirit, who, having a vivid recollection of the old subscription schools taught in log school houses by incompetent teachers, has a!! his life done everything in his power to advance the cause of education in his township and who has been ready at all times to assist to the extent of his ability all movements which in his good judgment have promised to benefit his fellow citizens.
Aaron Carrick
The prominent citizen of Chatfield township, Crawford county, Ohio, whose name is above is deserving of the honor which by common consent is accorded to veterans of the Civil war. He was born in Huron county, Ohio, June 2~ , 1836, the third child of Joseph and Frederica ( Harklerhodis) Carrick, natives of Pennsylvania. His father was born July 16. 1808. his mother September 8, 1809, in Bedford county, and they were married in Stark county, Ohio, April 6, 1829, and some time afterward removed to Columbiana county, this state. They had children named Laura A., William, Aaron and Sarah. William lives in Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio. Sarah married R. Piatt, of Michigan.
The Carrick family located in Chatfield township. Crawford county, in 184^), on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. Joseph Carrick had been a carpenter by occupation, but he then bought one hundred and five acres of land and devoted himself to farming, in which he was successful until his death, which occurred November 12, 1877. He left a 'record as a worthy and respected citizen of much enterprise and public spirit, an honest man, who loved his wife, his children and his neighbors.
Aaron Carrick passed his boyhood in attending school and in work on the I arm. In August, 1862, when civil war was rife in our land and brave and stalwart men were needed to crush the spirit of rebellion, he responded to the nation's call and for three years nobly did a soldier's duty in defense of the starry banner. His regiment was the One Hundred and Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was included in the Army of the Potomac. He participated in the battles of Winchester. Newmarket, Fisher's Hill, Staunton, Perryville, Lynchburg, Richmond and Snicker Gap. At Perryville he drove an ambulance in which wounded soldiers were conveyed to Harper's Ferry, and while in that service was captured by the Confederate general, Mosby, under the following interesting" circumstances : While returning from Harper's Ferry and driving through a small village young Carrick noticed a fine horse that was tied to a hitching-post at the side of the street, and in a laughing way he said to the man driving the ambulance next behind his : "There's Mosby's horse. I wonder where he is?" Not long after the ambulance train had passed through the village the owner of the horse appeared on the scene, and, joining the officers in command of the party, rode with them nearly ten miles, when, in a strip of woods, Mosby's men dashed down upon them and captured the train and its escort. Mr. Carrick soon escaped, however, and, dodging through the woods, gained a cornfield, where he hid for some time. That night he slept under a pile of rails and early in the morning he set out for the Union lines. Some negroes living in a cabin gave him some cornbread for breakfast, for which he was especially grateful, considering that they had no other food in the house. When he rejoined his command he found that a detachment of Union troops had during the night, after a brisk skirmish, recaptured the entire ambulance train. He served until honorably discharged from the service in 1865, and then returned to Ohio and engaged in farming. In 1868 Mr. Carrick married Lucy Ann Fike, a native of Venice township, Seneca county, and a daughter of Peter Fike, and she has borne him three children, only one of whom, their son, Jacob A. Carrick, survives.. Mr. Carrick is a man of commendable public spirit, who to the extent of his ability aids eveiw movement having for its object the general good, and he is known as a friend of education, a liberal supporter of religious worship and an advocate of good roads.
Daniel Green
For twenty years Daniel Green has resided upon the farm which is now his home. The place comprises one hundred and twelve acres of land in Chatfield township, and is highly cultivated, bringing to him a good return for his labor. Throughout his entire life he has been connected with agricultural pursuits. He was born upon his father's farm in Liberty township, Crawford county, June 25, 1846, and when eighteen years of age came to Chatfield township. He entered upon an independent business career when twenty-seven years of age, at which time he purchased his present farm, but he continued to live at home until his marriage, which occurred in 1877, Miss Elizabeth Heiby becoming his wife. Their union has been blessed with six children :.
Provenance
Text from A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio .., published 1902, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.