Dallas Township

Dallas Township

SAMUEL COULTER, farmer ; P. 0. Bucy- j rus ; was born May 13, 1801, in Huntingdon Co., Penn., is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Bryce) Coulter, formerly of Pennsylvania ; came to j Ohio in 1832, and settled in what was then Marion Co., now Crawford, on the place he now owns ; is the only one of the pioneers who still owns the first 40 acres that he entered of the Government. Was married, April 18, 1826, to Miss Sarah Keer. of Pennsj-lvania. Their children are John H., of Marion Co. ; James N., of Des Moines. Iowa ; William K., Macon Co., 111. ; Sai-ah, wife of William Simmons, Esq. ; Margarette, wife of Thomas Price, of Marion ; Martha, wife of William Keer, of Piatt Co., 111. ; Samuel, now living at Holden, Mo. ; Marj', wife of John Hourer, of Marion Co. ; George W., now living at home ; Samuel and James were soldiers for three years during the war. Elizabeth, his sister, has been living with him for about twenty years since his wife died. He owns 200 acres of good land ; is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and polled his first vote for Jackson, and has been a Democrat ever since.

MAJ. M. G. CARMEAN, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus; he was born in Ohio, Dec. 31, 1804 ; a son of John and Nancy (Grayless) Carmeau, formerl}- of Maryland. They emigrated to Ohio in the spring of 1804, and settled in Rock Co., where the subject of this sketch was raised, and where he married, Sept. 30. 182!), Miss Rachel Long, of Petyisylvania. The following children were born to them : Mary A., wife of H. Coulter, of Marion Co., Ohio ; Jonathan D.. living in Bucyrus ; Ellen E., Matthew L., married IMiss Grolsbaugh, of Pennsylvania ; Nelson died Aug. 17, 1851. Maj. Carmean was, for a number of years, the Major of the Marion Co. State Guards. Has been noted throughout this county as a successful veterinary surgeon. He came to this county with no money, but a strong constitution and a will to work, and by economy and industry he has secured a competence, owning 900 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Carmean are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Carmean is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Has been honored by his neighbors by being elected Trustee for many years. He is a Republican. CHRISTIAN HOOVER, farmer ; P. 0. Wyandot ; was born Sept. 22, 1844, in Antrim Township, Crawford Co., but shortly after his birth, Wyandot Co. was organized and Dallas Township formed, which included the farm upon which Christian wag born ; he is at the present time living on a portion of this land which his grandfather, Christian Hoover, settled upon in 1822, and shortly afterward purchased from the Government. His only son.

William Hoover, tbe father of the subject of this sketch, was boru Nov. 1, 1816, in Pickaway Co., and was but 6 years of age when his father removed to Crawford. William was married, Oct. 18, 1838, to Miss Phoebe Swisher, of Groveport, Franklin Co. They were the parents of ten children, five boys and five girls ; these children are all living. Christian Hoover is the second son , he received a thorough education in the common branches at the district schools of his township ; his first teacher was Archibald Beels, now an editor at South Bend, Ind. When he grew old enough to work, he labored on the farm, assisting his father until he became of age. In the sjjring of 1866, he commenced to farm for himself, and has been engaged at this occupation ever since with more or less success ; he has paid some attention to the raising of stock, but his income has been derived from farming more than from stockrearing. He was married Oct. 21, 1868, to Miss Lo Kirby, and they are the parents of five children, four are still living, three boys and one girl - Ernest, Burdette K., Charles W. and Maud. Mr. Hoover has never been anxious to serve the people in an official capacity, but has been frequenth' chosen to conduct the business of the school district.

JOHN T. HOOVER, farmer and stockdealer ; P. 0. Wyandot, Ohio ; was born in Dallas Township, Crawford Co., Sept. 1, 1840 ; is a son of Tom Hoover, of Bucyrus ; was raised in this township, and married to Miss Mar}' E., daughter of James Hufty, of Logan Co., Oct. IS, 1866. They have four children - Pauline, Parmelia, Leo H. and Ray. He owns 160 acres of good land. When his county called, he enlisted in the 11th Ohio Batter}', and for thirt}'- eight months was at the front doing good service. Was with Gen. Fremont in Missouri in the fall of 1861, stationed at Fort Lamine ; at Otterville during the winter of 1861-62 ; then crossed the country to Booneville and St Charles ; then to Cape Girardeau, Mo. ; was with Gen. Pope at the memorable taking of Island No. 10, and the Mississippi campaign of the spring of 1862 ; then went with Gen. Pope's arm}' to Pittsburg Landing, where, for forty da3'S and nights, was on duty with his batterj" in the " On to Corinth " struggle ; was at the battle of luka. Miss., when his company lost sixteen men killed and thirty-two wounded ; they then lost their battery, but regained it the next day, and, at the second battle of Corinth, the Confederates had cause to remember the long-range "whistles" of the 11th Ohio; moved with Grant to Grenada, Miss., and with Sherman to Vicksburg ; also took part in the capture of Milliken's Bend, Napoleon and Grand Gulf; and was at the front during the march to Jackson, and in the great battle of Champion Hill ; siege of Vicksburg ; afterward at Helena and Little Rock, Ark., and was sent to assist in Gen. Banks' Red River expedition. During all these long, weary years, Mr. Hoo\'er was never absent, sick or failed to do his duty. Crawford Co. should be proud of such a soldier. JAMES HUFTY, farmer and stock-dealer ; P. 0. Bucyrus. James Hufty was born in Greene Co., Penn., July 8, 1818, and was a son of James B. Hufty (who was born in Berks Co., Penn.), and Cassandra (Lucas) Hufty, of Greene Co., Penn. They had born to them four sons and four daughters - Thomas L., living in Indiana ; Jacob, now living in Cass Co., Mo. ; John L., in Iowa ; Martha, wife of David Ta}'- lor, Esq., of Wisconsin ; Amanda, who died at home in Greene Co., Penn. ; Cassandra, now Mrs. Hughes, living in Pennsylvania ; Phoebe, flow Mrs. Pryor, of lowji. Mr. Hufty died on the old homestead in Greene Co., Penn., on Aug. 3, 1874. Mrs. Hufty is now living with her son James, in Crawford Co., Ohio. The subject of this sketch was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Parmelia McLain, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, formerly of Greene Co., Penn. They had born to them one son and three daughters - Sarah A., Mar}^ E., wife of John T. Hoover, of this township ; Charles M., now of Ft. Wayne, Ind. ; and Frances L. Mrs. Hufty died March 1, 1871. On the 15th of October, 1873, Mr. Hufty was married again to Miss Elizabeth V. Wright, of tiiis county, formerly of New York. Mr. Hufty moved from Pennsylvania to Knox Co., Ohio, in 1837, and, in 1848, moved to Crawford Co., and settled where he now resides. Few men in the county have been more successful in lousiness, and none have the confidence of the county to a greater extent than Mr. Huft}'. He has been elected Commissioner for six j'ears, giving satisfaction to his constituents, and is at present Land Appraiser of his township. He has been Trustee of the township a number of years, and for ten years was the Assessor, and has also been for a number of years connected with the

Biographical Sketches

School Board, and the good schoolhouse and schools show the hand of a master. He owns a good and well-improved farm of 289 acres of land, is a leading Democrat, and his motto is. " What is wortli doing is worth doing well." He is one of the hoiwd of ollicers of the Crawford Connty Agricultural Soiietv.

MRS. MARY J. JOHNSON, farmer, P.O. Bucyrus ; was born in Pickaway Co., Ohio, Jan. 18, 1830, and was a daughter of David Whitesel, of Pennsylvania, and Rebecca Emmerson. of Virginia. She was united in marriage to Samuel T. Johnson Dec. 3(1, 1853. Jlr. Johnson was born Sept. 4, 1827, in this county, and was a son of Mr. M. Johnson, a sketch of whose life appears in Bucyrus Township. Thejhad nine children - Herschel, Belle S.. Jennie, William, David W., Thomas F., Otoe A., Henry and Ellis. Mr. Johnson died March 13. 1871. leaving Mrs. Johnson with a large family of little children to care for, which she has done well. She owns 240 acres of fine land in Dallas Township. Her father, David Whitesel, moved to Indiana several years ago, and died in 1878. There were fourteen of the Emmersons, who all lived to maturity.

JOHNSTON "family. Prominent among the early (lioneers of Crawford Co., who were instrumental in opening a wild and unbroken tract of valuable country, and through whose industry, settlers were induced to seek homes within the boundaries of what is now one among the richest agricultural districts of the Western Reserve, were Mr. Thomas F. Johnston and his wife, whose portraits, with other of the old pioneers, were selected to embellish the pages of this book.

The name of this branch of the Johnston family is of Irish origin, as the father of Thomas F. emigrated from Ireland to the United States, and settled in Lycoming Co.. Penn., where Thomas his only child, was born, on Feb. 3, 1800. But little of the surroundings of his earl}- life are known. However, as he gi'ew to manhood, he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker, which trade he learned, and had worked at it for about two years previous to his marriage to Miss Martha L. Walton, which event occurred on Sept. 20, 1823. Mrs. Johnston is the daughter of David and Elizabeth (Rogers) Walton, and was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., May 11, 1803. Her grandfather Walton was one of three brothers who emigi-ated from England.

Her parents were farmers, and at that early daj' but few opportunities were attbrded for attaining an education. After their marriage, the}- remained residents of Lycoming Co. until the fall of 1825, when, in company with a brotherin-law of Mrs. Johnston, a Jlr. Benjamin Warner, they set out by team over the old Pennsylvania wagon road for the West. They had journeyed as far on their way as the little town of New Gardon, Ohio, when they were stopped by a heavy snow-storm, where, the very next day after their halt, Mr. Johnston was taken sick with fever, antl did not recover till the following spring. On April 1, 182G, they again started, and this time succeeded in completing their journey without further mishap. It was the intention of Mr. Johnston to begin work at his trade upon his arrival in Bucyrus. A very short time, however, served to convince him that such means of support for himself and family must not be thought of as the city of Bucyrus at that time comprised eight log cabins and two little frame buildings, and a dry board, from which to make an article of furniture, could not be found in the place. Mr. Johnston's principal property consisted of a set of tools, and. when he found these of but little use, he turned his attention to farming, and settled first on 40 acres located in Whetstone Township, Crawford Co., that he purchased by the help of Mr. Warner, where he resided until 1829, when, becoming dissatisfied on account of the scarcit}' of timber, he removed to Findlay, Hancock Co., Ohio, where he resided during the years 1829-30-31, and then returned to his old home, and settled in Dallas Township, Crawford Co., about four miles from his former residence. While he was a resident of Hancock Co., the citizens nominated him the Republican candidate for County Auditor, to which office he was elected, and discharged the duties pertaining to it to the entire satisfaction of all interested. While Mr. Johnston's duties, as an officer of the county, called him from his home much of the time, Mrs. Johnston was left to protect herself against the Indians and wild animals, both of which were very plentj', and,- among the latter, was the large graj' timber wolf which sometimes became very ferocious, and would gather in quite large numbers around the cabin. Their cabin was but a rudel}' constructed affair, and in its then unfinished condition, was lacking a door, to supply which, Mrs. Johnston had hung a bed-quilt to protect herself and her small children from the night air, Indians, wolves and other wild animals. Those were truly pioneer days, of which but few of the present generation comprehend the hardships and privations.

In the latter part of 1831, as before stated, Mr. Johnston removed from Hancock Co., and again settled on his farm. He was induced to return to Crawford Co., on account of a number of his own and Mrs. Johnston's relatives, who had followed them westward. On returning to the farm, it was the custom of Mr. Johnston to work at his trade in the winter and follow farming in the summer. He also gave much attention to stock-raising, and particularly' to sheep, of which he would have at times as many as 6,000. As he acquired more capital he increased his stock business and bought more land. He was a good financier, and in all his undertakings he was successful. At the date of his death, which occurred very suddenly on Nov. 1, 1862, he owned 1,300 acres of choice land. He was one of the noble old pioneers of the county, whose death was mourned by many tried and true friends of pioneer days. He was a member of the order of A., P. & A. M., and for many years he held the office of Justice of the Peace in Scott Township. In 1865, ^Mrs. Johnston removed to BucjTUS, where she .still resides. She is now in her 78th year, and is one of the honored and respected old ladies of the city. In her old age her life is being spent in the company of her daughter and youngest child, Miss Agnes, who is the only one living of the nine children born to them. In this sketch of the Johnston family, it is our purpose to give a brief sketch also of each of these nine children, the oldest of whom was H. D. E. Johnston, who was born on Aug. 8, 1825. in Lycoming Co., Penn., and was about two months old when his parents emigrated to Crawford Co. His early life was spent on his father's farm, where he was engaged in farming and attending to stock, a business in which he subsequently became engaged on his own account. Though he had few opportunities of acquiring an education, he grew, through experience in the stock trade, to be a shrewd, careful and successful business man. He and his j-ounger brother, S. G., were instrumental in helping their father to his earlier success, as the former did not leave home until he was about 28 years

I of years were associated together in this business, the elder doing most of the buying, selling and shipping, while S. G. looked closelj' after the interests of the business at home. On May 6, 1857, H. D. E. was married to Miss Jane Ludwig, youngest child of Mr. Samuel Ludwig, who was one of the old pioneers of Crawford Co., and whose portrait and biography appear in this book. For two years after their marriage, Mr. Johnston was engaged in farming and stock-dealing. He then removed to Bucyrus and engaged exclusively in the stock trade for three years. He then returned to the farm where he was engaged in the stock business and at farming until his death, which was caused by consumption and occurred on April 19, 1870. Mr. Johnston was an active member of the communit}', and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. During the war of the rebellion, though he was not subject to

I Dallas Township who might be drafted. He left, at his death, a fine property of 515 acres to his wife and their three children, all of whom were daughters.

i associated with his brother in business. Their first purchase of land together, was the old Isaac Monnett farm of 500 acres. This farm afterward became the property of S. G., and is still owned by his widow and heirs. During the war of the rebellion, he also contributed largely to the substitute fund of Dallas Township. He was an active, energetic business man, and, at his death, which was also caused by consumption and occurred on April 19, 1870, he left to his wife and children 900 acres of valuable land. Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Marj- J. Whetzel, and there were born to them nine children, six of whom are now living, five sons and one daughter.

intelligent mind, and, though the opportunities were few in their country home, she learned verj' readily, and, with the few advantages of her surroundings, she acquired a fair education, after which she attended the Marion schools. She had advanced so far at the age of 14 years as to be able to teach, and, for a short time prior to her marriage, she was engaged in this work. On Oct. 19, 1847, she was married to Mr. Thomas J. Monnett, who was a minister of the M. E. Church, and has since become a distinguished member of one of the most prominent families of Crawford Co. Her disposition and nature were all that a minister could desire, as, at the early age of 1 0 years, she had united with the M. E. Church, and remained until her death a consistent member and a hard worker in the Sabbath school. She aided Mr. Monuett much in his ministerial duties, and frequently, bj' her quick perception and long study of the Scriptures, made many valuable suggestions that added much to the power and eloquence of his sermons. There were six children born to them, four only of whom are living, three sons and one daughter. Her death, which was caused by consumption - a disease hereditarv in the family - occurred on Nov. 20, 1871.

Lavina Johxsto.v was born on the farm of her parents on Jan. 20, 1832, and was the fourth child born to Mr. and Mrs. Johnston. Her short life was spent in the home of her parents. At the early age of 15 years, she sickened and died of the same disease which afterward caused the death of her brothers and sisters - consumption. Her death occurred on May 15, 1846.

JosiAH S. Johnston was born on Feb. 22, 1834. His death occurred in his infancy, and was caused by his falling into a well and drowning on Nov. 1, 1835.

W. H. H. Johnston, the fourth son and sixth child of his parents, was born June 28, 1836. His early life was spent on the farm. He acquired at the district schools a fair education, and then took a full course at the Columbus Commercial College. Shortly after finishing his college course, he entered as a volunteer the 34th 0. V. I., under Col. Shaw. He entered the service for three years, but the exposure and hard marching through which he soon brought on spinal disease, on account of which hfi was honorably discharged, not, however, until his father haid gone to Washington and interested the Secretary of War in his behalf Shortly after he was brought home, his parents sent him for treatment to the Longview Hospital of Cincinnati. His death occurred there on April 24, 1865. June 22, 1863, he was married to Miss Caroline Carnahan, whose death occurred about eight months after their marriage.

James Q. Johnston, the fifth son and seventh child, was born Nov. 5, 1838. His life was spent on the farm until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he, too, entered the 34th O. V. I., under Col. Shaw. A short season of army life destroyed his iiealth and soon brought him home to his parents, a victim of that dread disease consumption, from the effects of which he died March 10, 1865.

Oke(Jon Johnston, the j'ouugest of the sons, was born on Feb. 4, 1843. Though much against the wish of his parents, he, too, entered the army for three years. He was also a member of the 34th 0. V. I., and one of the Lieutenants of Company A. He was the only one of the three brothers who withstood the hardships of army life, and served his full term of enlistment. His duties were of a miscellaneous nature, as much of the time he was on detail duty. He was an excellent sharp-shooter, and did his countrj' very effective service in this peculiar mode of warfare. After returning from the army he spent about one year in Columbus, in the employ of the Government. In the winter of 1871, he married Miss Kizzie, daughter of John Hill, who was one of the early pioneers of Marion Co., Ohio. Though Mr. Johnston had passed unharmed through many hardfought battles, he was forced at last to give up, and, on Nov. 1, 1876, his death was caused by consumption.

Agnes J. Johnston, the j'oungest of the nine children, was born Aug. 15, 1845. Her early education was received principally at the Bucyrus schools, which she attended until she was 14 ; she then completed her education at the Oberlin College. In early childhood she was hurt so badly while at plaj- as to leave her lamed for life. For several years she has spent most of her time in New York and Jersey City, under the care of the best medical skill of those cities.

E. B. MONNETT, farmer and stack-dealer ; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Marcii 21, 1837 ; is a sou of A. Mouuett, of Bucyrus. Mr. Monuett was raised in Marion and Crawford Counties, and was united in tlie holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Ellen C. Barton of Pennsylvania, Nov. 20, ISGl. They have been blessed with four children, two of whom are living - Nettie B. and William A. Mr. Monnett owns one of the best stock farms in the county, consisting of 553 acres of land in Dallas Township, watered by the Scioto River, running through from north to south, thus always furnishing a bountiful supplj' of pure, fresh water to his herds. He is extensively engaged in bu3'ing and shipping stock to New York, Pittsburgh and other Eastern cities. He commenced when he was 22 j^ears old, and has kept it up with increased vigor ever since. He makes a shipment nearly every week in the year. He also owns a nice little farm near Buc3'rus ; is a strong friend of education, and has been one of the School Board for a number of years ; is clerk of the township, and is always identified with all progressive movements in the county ; is a stalwart Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Monnett are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OLIVER MONNETT, farmer and stockdealer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Aug. 12, 1840, the son of A. Monnett, Esq., whose life appears in this work. He was raised in Marion and Crawford Cos., Ohio, and was married to Miss Etta, daughter of Charles Reamer, Esq., of this county, and formerly of Pennsylvania. To them have been born two sons and three daughters - Lorain H., Dimma, Milla, Charles A. and Emma. He owns 954 acres of land, all well improved, on which is built one of the best houses in the county. Mr. Monnett is extensively engaged in stock-raising, often having over 1,000 head on his farm. He is favorably disposed toward all Christian denominations, but is himself a member of the M. E. Church.

M. J. MONNETT, farmer and stock-dealer ; was born in Marion Co., Ohio, Aug. 24, 1847, son of A. Monnett, of Bucyrus ; was raised in Marion and Crawford Cos., and was married to Miss Alice A., daughter of G. W. Hull, Esq., of Bucyrus (a sketch of whose life appears in this work), Jan. 5, 1869. They have had one son born to them - Orra Eugene. He is engaged in raising stock on his fine farm of 560 acres of land, which is in excellent condition, and well watered, the Scioto running through it from north to south. Mr. and Mrs. Monnett are members of the M. E. Church, having their membership at the Scioto Chapel. Mr. Monnett is a Republican in politics, of the stalwart

MRS. MARY MASON, farmer; P.O.Caledonia, Ohio ; was born in Dallas Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, Oct. 5, 1823 ; daughter of Samuel and Rachel (Smith) Line, formerly of Pennsylvania. Mr. Line moved from Pennsylvania to Delaware Co., Ohio, and from there, in 1820, to Crawford Co., where the subject of this sketch was raised. She was married, April 12, 18