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Decorative drawing: a modest post office building with a flagpole. Not a photograph of this place.

Holmes Township (part 2 of 2)

Part 2 of 2 of the account of this township in History of Crawford County and Ohio, published 1881. 8,870 words, covering 1 settlement. Source changes inside the text are labelled at the exact paragraph where the next book begins.

Contents

1 section

The section headings the book prints inside this chapter, on this part. Each one jumps to where it begins.

Parts

2 pages

The source prints this as one continuous account. It is split here so no single page grows too heavy to load; the text runs straight on across the parts and nothing is omitted.

The chapter

8,870 words

Reproduced complete and unedited from History of Crawford County and Ohio, published 1881. The text is machine-read from scans, so expect recognition errors: misspelled names, dropped words, and stray characters. Nothing has been corrected, because correcting a proper name invents one. The headings below are the books' own; source changes are labelled in place.

WILLIAM KERR, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Aug. 24, 1808, and is the son of William and Sarah (Abraham) Kerr, and is of Welsh-Irish descent. In the fall of 1832, in company with a colony of twenty-one, he removed to this State and settled in Whetstone Township, near the Plains. He lived here until 1877, when he removed to his present home. He was married, Feb. 14, 1838, to Miss Jane Clark, of Whetstone Township. This union was blessed with nine children - Archibald, Ann, Alexander E., Nancy, Elizabeth, Sophia, Jane, Margaret, and a son who died in in fancy. Those living are all married, and doing well. Archibald entered Co. K, 81st 0. V. L, in the fall of 1862, under Maj. W. H. Chamberlain, and died at Corinth, Miss., of a fever, Dec. 1, 1862, aged 24 years 9 months and 25 days. Mr. Kerr has made* his property by hard labor and frugality, and is now in comfortable circumstances. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church of Bucyrus, and have been so for twenty-five years.

WILLIAM LINN, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; is a well-known resident of this township, where he has lived since the year 1834. He was born on Sept. 6, 1805, and is the son of John and Margeretta Linn, who came from Germany in 1834, and settled in this portion of the county, where he has ever since resided. He has raised five children, who are now all married, and in prosperous, well-to-do conditions in life. Their names are William, Sophia, Lewis, Caroline and Julia. The father is a frugal, industrious man, who has labored hard throughout his lifetime to accumulate his property, and is now an old and highly respected citizen.

JOSEPH LONNES, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born March 17, 1802, in Berkeley Co., Va., near the town of Bath. He is the son of John and May (Spahr) Lonnes. A singular coincidence connected with his birth is that he was born in the same house that had been the scene of his mother's birth also. When he had reached his 9th year, his father removed to Columbiana Co., Ohio, and settled some six miles from the Ohio River. He was the oldest of eleven children, seven of whom are now living, and a large share of farm work fell to him in early life. He was married, in 1829, to Miss Jane Boeman, and seven children are the fruits of this marriage. One of his sons, Lambert, was stabbed and killed by one Joseph Morran. All of his children have been given good starts in life, and all are now doing well. Mr. Lonnes is a self-made man, and has accomplished all by hard labor and frugal industry. He is one of the much-respected citizens of his township, and is a stanch Republican.

BENJAMIN LUST, farmer ; P. 0. Broken Sword ; was born July 24, 1854 ; is a son of Frederick and Sophia (Buhl) Lust, residents of Lykens Township. His father was a native of Germany, his mother a native of Pennsylvania. Benjamin attended school in winter and worked with his father on the farm the remainder of the time, until about 17 years of age, when he engaged in farming with his father until after attaining his majority. He was married, March 2, 1876, to a Miss Eberhart, daughter of George Frederick and Catharine Elizabeth (Hamm) Eberhart. After marriage, Benjamin resided on his father-in-law's farm for about three years, when he purchased the farm on w4nch he now resides. Of his father's family, there were eight children - four sons and four daughters - of whom Benjamin was the fourth son, for whom, on account of his energy and ability, we predict a bright future.

ABRAHAM LICHTENWALTER, former; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Sept. 17, 1817, in Stark Co., Ohio, and is the second son of Michael and Mary (Eyster) Lichtenwalter. He received but about eight months' schooling m his whole life, the remainder of his time being devoted to work on the farm. He was married, Feb. 7, 1839, to Elizabeth Allbaugh, of Stark Co., and, the following fall, removed to Crawford Co. and settled in Holmes Township, at a time when it was very sparsely' settled, and when the greatest amount of hard work was necessary to bring the soil to a good state of cultivation. His marriage resulted in ten children, of whom Harriet died at IS years of age ; Emeline died at the age of 3 years ; Michael at 4 months ; Nancy Ann at 9 years of age, and two more in very early infanc3^ Those married are Mary Eve, born May 16, 1847, married to Jacob Linn, May 16, 1871, died July 31, 1871, of typhoid fever ; Matilda Elizabeth, born April 16, 1850, married to Edwin Chapman Sept. 2, 1869 ; they had four children - Charles Clinton, Laura Bell, Alberta, and one who died in early infancy ; William H., born Aug. 22, 1852, living at home, and working the ftirm for his father ; was mai'ried to Candace Correll, daughter of Jacob Correll, a farmer of Holmes Township ; she died July 23, 1877 ; William was remarried Dec. 25, 1879, to Alice C. Reinsberger, daughter of John Reinsberger, a resident and prominent farmer of Carroll Co., Ohio ; Elmira, boi'n Jan. 24, 1857, married to Levi Sponseller Feb. 11, 1874 ; living near Bloomville, Seneca Co., Ohio. There are three children - My rta May, born March 15, 1876 ; OUa J., born Dec. 5, 1877 ; Orrie F. A., born May 7, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Lichtenwalter are genial and well-respected citizens of their township, and are greatly esteemed by all who know them.

JACOB MILLER, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Aug. 17, 1820, and is the youngest son of John A. and Mary E. (Wert) Miller, residents of Dauphin Co., Penn. They moved to Crawford Co. in October, 1830, and settled in Todd, then Sycamore, Township. After living there about ten years, they removed to Holmes Township, where they lived, and died twentyfive years ago. Our subject worked on the farm and received a common education. At the age of 22 years, he married Miss Polly Shupp, daughter of a respected citizen of Holmes Township. This wife dying, he was again married, only to again lose the wife of his affections. He married his third and last wife, Mary Ream, on April 13, 1852. He has had nine children born to him. Those living are Thomas, Elizabeth, Sarah, Eve, Christopher, Maria and Emma. Catharine and John died in infanc}'. Mr. Miller and wife are both members of the Lutheran Church, are exemplary Christians, and are well esteemed in the township where they live.

STEPHEN McBRIDE, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born May 5, 1809, and is a son of John and Ann (Maloy) McBride, natives of Virginia, who moved to Columbiana Co., Ohio, about the year 1804. Our subject attended school a few months in earl}' life, and assisted his father on the farm until marriage, and two or three years thereafter, then moved to Crawford County, Nov. 15, 1836, with his wife and two children, having been married March 3, 1831, to Eliza Weisman, a native of Cumberland Co., Penn. ; by this union there was one child, Mahlon, born April 18, 1832. His second marriage was to Hannah Boyle, June 13, 1833, of Columbiana County, by whom he had two children - Eliza Jane, born June 19, 1834, and Sarah Ann, June 22, 1837 ; some time after, he was again called upon to la}' away beneath the sod the one upon whom his affections had been centered, and on the 19th of Jul}-, 1840. he was married for the third time to Patience Lewis, of Crawford Count}', b}' whom he had ten children - Elizabeth, born June 18, 1841 ; John, April 26, 1843 ; Joshua L., Feb. 9, 1845 ; Wm. Lockard, Jan. 14, 1847 ; Jeremiah J., Sept. 16, 1849; Hannah M., April 4, 1852; Rachel U., May 7, 1854; Stephen A., June 7, 1856; Martha M., June 11, 1859, and Reuben R., April 30, 1866 ; all of whom are living and married except the two youngest, who are at home assisting their parents. John served in the late war over four years ; was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and served and suffered nineteen months and eight days of priscm life in six different Southern hells, but his life was spared and he returned home. Mr. McBride, his wife and most of the famil}', are members of the United Brethren Church ; working with a willing hand for the advancement of the "cause and kingdom" here. Mr. McBride, at the advanced age of 72 years, is hale and hearty, able to work, and to enjo}' the rewards of his beautiful home and the abundance of his farm, which has been given him for the toil and suffering which he endured in his early pioneer life.

Co., Ohio, is tlie son of Stephen McBride. He attended school in the winter, and assisted his father until about 20 years of age, when he engaged in farming. He was married Nov. 3, 1855, to Sarah Jane Hemminger ; by this union there are seven children - William A., born Sept. 24, 1856 ; Samuel B., Dec. 30, 1858 ; Emmerellis, June 23, 1861, Marsella, Jan. 23, 1866 ; Ida, March 23, 1868 ; Sadie, June 29, 1874, and Stephen M., Feb. 19, 1877, all living and at home, except William, who married Angeline Goodwin, on Aug. 8, 1878, and Emmerellis, married to a Miss Doufler, Dec. 17, 1877. Mr. McBride and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and excellent people.

DANIEL McCLANE, retired farmer ; P. 0. Wingert's Corners ; was born July 30, 1809, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the oldest son of John and Eve (Jury) McClane, who both died in Pennsylvania. Mr. McClane was raised on a farm, and attended district school. He also learned the trade of a weaver with his father at home. He was married June 29, 1828, to Elizabeth Shaffner, in his own State, she being eight days younger than her husband. Two years later. Ma}' 5, 1830, he removed to this count}', and since 1869, has been a resident of Holmes Township. He is an old and highly respected citizen, and though 71 years old his hair is not whitened, but retains its raven black color. Mr. and Mrs. McClane are both estimable Christians, and members of the Evangelical Association of Wingert's Corners. Of their marriage, there were eleven children, all of whom are dead, and bvit one grandchild is left as heir or descendant. The names of their children are John Martin, Sarah Ann, Leah Jane, Nancy Loretta, Lucy, Sylvester ; the remainder all died in infancy. Sarah married Martin Ditty, of Holmes Township ; John Martin married Polly Hiesch, whose daughter, Loretta, is now living.

WILLIAM MATEER, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Sept. 9, 1823, eldest son of James and Elizabeth (Shrum) (Spangler) Mateer, near Rosstown, York Co., Penn. His mother was born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Penn., Dec. 5, 1793; father born Aug. 31, 1794, near Lisburn, Cumberland Co., Penn., of Scotch-Irish descent. William Mateer, our subject's great-grandfather, started to this country from Ireland, early in 1700, with his family, consisting of wife and four sons - William, James,

Robert and John, and buried all at sea ; after settling in America he had four other sons, whom he named same as first four. The subject of our sketch attended school in winter, and worked with his father on the farm in summer, until about 21 years of age, at which time he engaged in farming with his father, until his 23d year, when he was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Ann Wagoner on Sept. 8, 1846 ; she was born Feb. 12, 1825, youngest daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Draver) Wagoner, respected farmers of Cumberland Co., Penn. Mrs. Mateer's father was born Oct. 8, 1787. her mother Dec. 1, 1784. They moved from Cumberland Co., Penn., to Holmes Township, landing in Bucyrus on Aug. 30, 1854, and engaged in farming near the place on which they now reside. Two children were their issue - Mary Elizabeth, born May 18, 1847, died Nov. 1, 1850, and William Albert, born Oct. 20, 1850. The latter attended school and helped his father on the farm until about 20 years of age, and, being a close student, was always at the head of his class. He was married. Dec. 31, 1874, to Miss Martha J. Davis, who was born May 20, 1855, daughter of Jacob and Adaline (Mount) Davis, of Ashland Co., Ohio ; from this union, there was one child - Benjamin Franklin, born Nov. 11, 1875; William A. died July 18, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Mateer and their daughter-in-law and child are members of the M. E. Church, and are enjoying a happy life at their pleasant home.

JAMES MOORE, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Jan. 25, 1817, in Washington Co., Penn., and is the youngest son of James and Emma (Crow) Moore. His father came from Ireland to engage in the Revolutionary war, and settled in Washington Co., Penn. He removed to Columbiana County in 1820, was left an orphan in his 3d year by the sudden death of his father, who retired at night in health, but was found in the morning a corpse, and the sudden shock so affected the mind of his mother that she became insane. Mr. Moore only attended school about nine months, and went to work early. He first worked for $3 per month, and the second year for $4. Then he engaged for three years in the tobacco business, and, proving himself skillful, he received higher wages than ordinary hands. He worked one whole year without losing more than half a day, and that was at the request of his em- ployer. When 28 years old he learned the cooper's trade with his cousin, John Crow. He worked here two years, and then engaged in the business for himself the next two years. After this he removed to Crawford County, and settled on the farm where he now lives, and where he has prospered, owing to his habits of industry and energy. He was married in his 22d year to Catharine Lonnes, sister to Uncle Joseph Lonnes, the oldest living settler of Holmes Township. Four children - Ephraim M., Elmira, Joseph A. and Mary Frances are living. John James is deceased. He enlisted in 1862, in Co. C, 101st O. V. I., and went to the front imraediatel}", engaging in two battles before that of Stone River, in which last he was shot three times and killed, after serving faithfully three months. Those living are all married, Joseph married Alice Vore, and is on the home farm ; E. M. married Lizzie Crall, of Liberty Township, and is a farmer of that township, and also a valuable salesman in Emrich's store, Bucyrus ; Elmira married Prof John A. Roberts, of Knoxville, Marion County (Iowa) ; Mary married Lewis H. Vore, who is a carpenter by trade, but is now fai'ming in Southern Kansas. Mr. Moore has served the Methodist Church forty-one years as an efficient class-leader, and has assisted in the Sunday-school work twenty-six years, being Superintendent twenty-three years of that time, and is filling that position efficiently at present. He organized the first Sunday school ever held in this township. He is also Vice President of the Crawford County Sunday School Union. He has organized and kept up some six or seven Sunday schools. He is actuated by the true Christian principle and spirit, and is a man who can spend his declining years in reviewing the good which his hands have done, and which will make rich his crown in the kingdom above.

HENRY G. PEASLEY, farmer ; P. O. Bucyrus; was born July 7, 1814, in Clinton Co., N. Y., and is of English-Irish descent. His father's name was Samuel, and his mother's maiden name Jane Greene. Mr. Peasley attended school and assisted his father on the farm during his youth. In June, 1834, he came with his father to Mt. Gilead, being one month and six days on the road. In Morrow Co. Mr. Peasley engaged in farming for several years, and then removed to Crawford Co. He was married, in February, 1840, to Miss Ann Quaintance, daughter of Fisher and Sarah (Frey) Quaintance, who came to Crawford Co. in 1829, from Jefferson Co. Of this marriage there were six children - Sarah, born March 25, 1841, died at the age of 5 ; Narcissa, born March 31 , 1843 ; Ira, born Sept. 16, 1848, died Oct. 27, 1865, and Charles, born Aug. 19, 1850, died Oct. 29, 1865, both of diphtheria ; cut off in the flower of their youth, their loss was a keen blow to their loving parents and all who knew them, as they were kind, sociable and beloved by all ; Minerva, born April 23, 1856, and Cynthia, born Dec. 14, 1858, are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley are members of the Friends' Church, and are greatly esteemed by all who know them.

SAMUEL PETERMAN, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; is the son of John and Barbara (Eckert) Peterman, and was born in York Co., Penn., Sept. 21, 1810. He attended school in winter until he was 16 years of age, and then assisted his father on the farm until his 21st year. His parents removed to this county in October, 1827, and entered 320 acres of land in Libert}' Township, on the Sandusky River ; they cleared a portion of it, and erected a hewed-log cabin. Five years afterward, our subject left the farm of his father and went to Bucyrus, where, for twenty-five years, he was engaged in hauling goods between Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Columbus and Sandusky, with a six-horse team. After that, he returned to the farm on which he now lives, and ha3 remained there ever since. He was, during his teaming career, entrusted with a great deal of money for transportation, and always proved himself a man who could be trusted. He now has a nice property, all gained by his own efforts and industry. He was married, Nov. *1 9, 1833, to Violet Hinebaugh. daughter of Conrad and Mary (Trout) Hinebaugh, of Philadelphia, Penn. They had two children - Mary Ann, died at the age of 4 years, and an infant, which died very young.

W. H. POOLE, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born April 18, 1828 ; is a son of Rodney and Elizabeth (Hoy) Poole, of Frederick Co.," Md., who moved to the town of Mexico, in what was formerl}' Crawford Co. (but, since the division, Wyandot), in the fall of 1835, where they lived until 1849, when they moved to the farm on which W. H. Poole now lives, where the family resided until his death, which occurred in July, 1865. After moving to the now beautiful farm, which was, at the time of their settlement, a dense forest (there being but one neighbor in an area of several miles), they cleared a patch large enough for a log cabin, in which they lived and endured the sufferings of an early pioneer life, in clearing and beautifjMUg their home. The parents of our subject moved to Norwalk for the purpose of educating their children, five in number, where the father was connected with the college for two 3'ears, then moved back to Mexico, thence to the farm, and thence to Mansfield, where they engaged in the lumber business for a time, when they retired from the business, and returned to familiar haunts. At the breaking-out of the late war, the subject of our sketcli enlisted in Co. L, 10th 0. V. C, on Oct. 10, 1862, under Capt. Brink, serving three 3^ears, Gen. Kilpatrick Division commander. He was close to the General when he was wounded at the battle of Resaca ; at Atlanta, when the division was surrounded ; and at Bentonville, Savannah, and several other places of importance. Having served his time, he was honorably discharged, came home, and engaged in farming. He was married Oct. 19, 1859, to Miss Catharine Hartman, daughter of Andrew and Susan Hartman, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co,, Penn.

ELI P. QUAINTANCE, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Aug. 16, 1818, in Jefferson Co., Ohio, and is the second child in a family of nine. His youth was spent on a farm and in gaining an education to fit him for usefulness in life. Mr. Quaintance was married in 1842 to Hannah Kirk. Of this union there were eight children, seven of whom are still living and have settled in life, possessing comfortable homes and good families. Mr. Quaintance has, by hard labor and frugal industry, amassed considerable property, and is one of the most prominent men of his township, being held in high esteem by all who know him, as a man of enlightened views and extended information.

JOSEPH W. QUAINTANCE, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Aug. 31, 1828, in eTefferson Co., Ohio, and is the sixth child of Fisher and Sarah Quaintance. His parents removed to Crawford Co. in 1829, and were among the pioneers of this section. They engaged in farming, and the subject of our sketch was reared on a farm, and has always followed this branch of honest toil. He was married in March, 1853, to Lucinda L. Gidley, a native of Bristol Co., Mass., who removed to this county in 1851. Nine children were the fruit of this union, seven of whom are still living - Basha, married to John A. Eaton, a prominent attorney of Bucyrus ; Isadore B., Edith May, Ira Ellsworth, Lemert F., Core E. and Howard B. Charles and Frank are deceased. Mr. Quaintance owns one of the oldest farms in the county, which has been called the Old Flake Farm. Years ago, there was a mysterious murder committed here ; an old peddler was killed, and, in order to cover up all traces of the crime, his bod}', wagon and all were thrown into a well and covered up ; who the peddler was, and also the identity of the perpetrators of the deed, have never been disclosed, and the whole affair is shrouded in mvsterv.

A. J. QUAINTANCE, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born March 4, 1844; the eldest son of Joseph and Hannah (Hale) Quaintance. Joseph, father of the subject of this sketch, was taken away from his famil}^ by the hand of death, leaving the care of a large family upon his eldest son, who was about 16 3-ears of age, thus depriving him of the limited educational advantages of his forest home, having attended school only three months in his life ; but, by energy and perseverance, he has been successful as a farmer, and is enabled to give his family the advantages which he was deprived of His father and mother were natives of IMaryland, and moved to Holmes Township. Crawford Co., in the spring of 1855, where thej- lived until death, witli the exception of a few years in Liberty Township. A. J. Quaintance was married, Oct. 9, 1859, to Mary Heller, daughter of D. J. Heller, a prominent farmer of Holmes Township. From this union thei'e were ten children - Israel J.. Joseph, Leroy, Martha Etta, Daniel, Oscar, Alverta, Blanche, James and Olive, all living except Israel and Alverta. who died in infancy". He enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. C, 101st 0. V. I., and was sent to the front immediatel}', under Capt. McDonald, and participated in many of the most bloody contests ; was in Sherman's march to the sea ; at Franklin, Tenn., when Gen. Hood raided that country ; was at Lookout JMountain ; wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga, and sent to the hospital at Crawfish

Biographical Sketches

Springs ; after recovering, lie returned to his command, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. His brother, T. E. Quaintance, was torn to pieces b}' a cannon ball at his side, while he was miraculously saved. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and respected by all.

JOHN ROBERTS, farmer ; P. 6. Bucyrus ; was born April 7, 1805, in Lycoming Co., Penn., and was the eldest son of Greorge and Catharine (Rickerd) Roberts. The subject of our sketch spent his boyhood on a farm, and received a common-school education. He was mai'ried on March 6, 1826, to Lavinia Walton, eldest daughter of David Walton, of Lycoming Co., Penn. Of this marriage, there are six children - Fleming, Wesle}', George Washington (born Feb. 22, 1832, on the centennial anniversary of the birth of his namesake), Mary, Edwin and Willis. Mr. Roberts removed to Crawford Co. in 1828, in a portion which was then a part of Marion Co. He commenced farming, and has always continued a tiller of the soil. He lived on his farm in Whetstone Township for thirty-seven years. His first wife died in February, 1872. He was married July 16, 1873, to Miss Belle Chambers, of Whetstone Township. By this marriage, there are two children - John and Aubrey N. Mr. Roberts is a highly valued citizen of Holmes Township, where he has lived fourteen years. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for forty -two years. One of his sons, Edwin, served in the cause of the Union in the late war, under Capt. Moderwell.

J. C. REIFF, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born March 15, 1836, and is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Geiger) Reiff, of Wurtemberg, Germany. The subject of our sketch attended school under the compulsory laws of his " Faderland," until his 15th year, when he entered a private college of agriculture, preparatory to entering the Government College ; but, before being advanced a step higher, he moved to this country to live with his uncle and aunt, who had also come to America, the former in 1852, and the latter in 1853. Our subject engaged with his uncle in stone-cutting, masonry and plastering for about twelve years, at Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio. He was married, Jan. 17, 186_^ to Mary Shock, of Seneca Co. This union has been blessed with nine children - Charles G. F., Paul A., Eliza M., John C, Hannah M., Henry J., Lewis W., and two girls who died in infancy. Mr. Reift', since moving to his farm in 1863, on which there were three acres cleared, has, by his indomitable energy and determination in working at his trade during the day, cutting timber and burning brush at night, cleared up 75 acres, and opened one of the finest limestone quarries in Crawford Co., which he is running extensively, and in which he was quite severely injured. He has held several of the offices of the township, and is filling the office of Trustee at the present time creditably to himself, and satisfactorily to his constituents.

CHRISTOPHER SCHIEBER is a prominent farmer living in Holmes Township. He was born March 4, 1820, and is the oldest son of Caleb and Magdalena (Prosey) Schieber. There were of his father's family ten children, all of whom are now living. The subject of our sketch was united in marriage to Lydia Harshberger in August, 1849, and by this union there are three children living - Jacob, born in December, 1852 ; John, in February, 1854 ; Magdalena, in September, 1856. Priscilla was born in August, 1859, but is now dead. Jacob, John and Magdalena are married, and are living now in Libert}^ Township, and doing well. Mr. Schieber's mother is still living, at the advanced age of 82. Our subject, coming here in early times, had several experiences with the Indians, and is quite a prominent pioneer.

MOSES SPAHR, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus. The subject of this short sketch was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., in 1814, and is the son of George and Catharine (Guyer) Spahr. He is the fourth child of a family of eight children. From his earliest childhood, he was brought up on a farm and inured to labor. He came to this county at an early day, and is one of its honored pioneers, as he forwarded the advance of civilization by clearing up the wilderness and impi'oving his land. He has now a fine farm of 160 acres, well improved, which he has acquired bj- industry and perseverance. In early days, almost his only associates were the wild red men of the forest. He is a bachelor, and is one of the most respected citizens of Holmes Township.

GEORGE A. SPAHR, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born June 21, 1825, and is the son of Jesse and Margaret (Peterman) Spahr, of Cumberland Co., Penn. His parents removed to Crawford Co. in 1830, and are still living, both in their 81st year, there being but seven months difference in their ages. Our subject attended school and remained on the farm until he was about 22 years of age. He was married, Dec. 10, 1846, to Catharine Cover, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Zent) Cover, who was born Dec. 24, 1825. They have had seven children - Joshua, born Dec. 18, 1849, and died April 22, 1875; Julia Ann, born April 8, 1851 ; Daniel, Dec. 23, 1847 ; Lavinia, Nov. 8, 1852 ; Moses, Oct. 10, 1854 ; George, Nov. 13, 1857, and Eliza, July 11, 1859. Daniel married Elniira Aumiller, who died Nov. 25, 1879. Julia Ann married Eli Miller. Lavinia married Ellas Crall. Moses married Hannah Taylor, and two are living at home. Mr. Spahr moved on to his present farm one year after his marriage, and has lived there ever since. He has worked hard to acquire his property, and has been industrious and frugal. He has always been a Democrat, and hasbeen Trustee of the township. He is a member of the United Brethren Church of Bucyrus, of which church his son ]Moses is Pastor. He is a man universally respected in the township, and a devoted Christian worker in the cause of his Master.

REBECCA SELLS, former ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; the widow of Jacob Sells, was born April 13, 1813, and is the daughter of John and Anne (Malvy) McBride. She attended district school until about 19 years of age, when she engaged in teaching school, in which occupation she was employed for about six years, when she was married Oct. 4, 1838, to Jacob Sells, who was a son of Peter and Barbara (Sluss) Sells, of Stark Co., Ohio, who moved to Crawford Co., about the year 1831. Jacob and Rebecca went to keeping house, immediately after marriage, in a home of their own on the Tiffin road, where they lived several years. Jacob was an architect and builder by profession, and, on account of his extensive business, was compelled to be away from home the greater portion of the time, thus leaving to the care of his noble wife a large family of children. Mrs. Sells is a woman of great force of character, and has an indomitable will and courage ; sharing the hardships and trials of an early pioneer life, she displayed a noble Christian character, and in all that which is most beautiful in woman - the love of home, husband and children - she is the perfect type of the true wife and mother. Mrs. Sells suffered many trials on account of her fearless advocacy of abolition principles, their residence being in a community where secessionism predominated, and also from her husband's absence of seventeen months during the war, he being in attendance at the land sales in the Osage country, Missouri. Their communication being cut off, she supposed him to be dead, but had not lost all hope, until one day she was notified that the corpse of her husband was awaiting her at Bucyrus, to which place she went almost broken-hearted. The body was identified by the family and friends, but, before removing the corpse, what must have been her surprise, joy and gladness, upon being put in possession of a communication from her husband stating that he would be with them in a few short hours, may be imagined ; thus a scene of the deepest sadness was turned to one of rejoicing and gladness. Mrs. Sells is a twin sister of Mrs. Lockard, Hving near Cleveland, whose family has gained so much notoriety in different parts of the country. ^Irs. Sells was blessed with ten children - John, born Aug. 22, 1840, and died May 15, 1842 ; Annie E., born Jan. 11. 1841 , Sarah Cordelia, born Aug. 20, 1843; Mary E., born July 4, 1845 ; Susan M., born Jan. 7, 1847; Isaac D., born Jan. 1, 1849; Jeremiah M., born Feb. 3, 1851; Jennie R., born Aug. 14, 1856 ; Newton V., born July 17, 1858, and Jay J., born July 1, 1860 ; seven of these are married, and two daughters, iMary and Jennie, single are still living at home. Newton V. was formerly a law student at Ann Arbor, Mich., was engaged with a surveying party in the West, and lecturing on temperance ; he is a rising young man and now studying in Columbus. Ohio. Jay J. is a student at the Columbus Medical College; Isaac D. is a portrait painter and sign-writer, and Jeremiah a prominent farmer in Wood Co., Ohio. Jacob Sells died May 21, 1874. after a severe illness of seven months. The widow and family are members of the Lutheran Church.

HENRY SHUPP, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born Dec. 29, 1815, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the third son of .^lichael and IMargaret (Wise) Shupp. His father removed to Crawford Co. in May. 1828, and entered 80 acres of land on Broken Sword, in Holmes Township. There they lived eight years, and then moved on the farm where Mr. Shupp now lives, and where his father lived till his death. He lived at home until his marriage, some thirty-two j-ears ago, to Dora Easterday,daaghter of a respected citizen of Liberty Township. They have six children - Malinda, Lucia Ann, Louisa, Solomon, Henry and Charles. All of his children except Charles are married and doing well, a portion of them being in Nebraska. Mr. Shupp and his wife are both estimable members of the community, and members of the Evangelical Association.

SAMUEL SHUPP, farni3r; was barn Aug 2, 1828, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the youngest son of John and Anne Maria (Yeager) Shupp. His father removed to the farm where the subject of our sketch now lives, in the spring of 1831. He worked on the farm and attended school until he was 21, when he was married, in October, 1848, to Mary Young. She died some time after, leaving one child, Emma Clara, aged 2 months. He was remarried, in the spring of 1851, to Rosanna Schaal, daughter of a respected farmer of Holmes Township. There are six children of this marriage - John, Mary A., Simon L., Sarah J., Rebecca A. and Emma E., all of whom are living, and all are married save Simon and Emma. His second wife died in February, 1863, and he has since then married to Elizabeth Gerhart, of Holmes Township. There are two children of this marriage - ^Edwin and Rolandus. Mr. Shupp has been a member of the church and a prominent Class-leader, and, since his connection with the church, has been an exhorter and local preacher, doing valuable work for the cause of the Master.

SAMUEL SHAFFNER, tarmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born Dec. 13, 1811, in Dauphin Co., Penn., and is the son of Martin and Sarah (Fleisher) Shaffner. He was reared on a farm, and attended school until his 14th year. In 1829, his parents removed to Whetstone Township, settling on the Boyer farm. When about 15 years of age, he was apprenticed to John Bretz, to learn tanning, but at the end of two and a half years, he came with his father to this county, and assisted on the farm. He was married, May 8, 1832, to Miss Frances Shultz, of this county. By this marriage there were three children - Henry was born Oct. 17, 1833, and was killed at Franklin, Tenn., while fighting in defense of his country. He was before this taken prisoner, and almost starved by the inhumanity of his captors, at Belle Isle, but, being exchanged, he came home, recruited his health and returned to the field, experiencing many hairbreadth escapes, and was finally killed. Martin was born April 5, 1838, and he also served in the war ; was at the siege of Vicksburg, and in many of the hard-fought battles for three years, and escaped without a scratch. After the war, he engaged in farming, and removed to Wood Co., where he died in June, 1879 ; Sarah was born July 1, 1842 ; she married William Kinney, and is living near Warsaw, Ind. Mr. Shaft'ner's first wife died Sept. 13, 1858. His second marriage occurred, Nov. 25, 1860, to Miss Hannah Martin, who died June 3, 1869. Esquire Shaffner is one of the prominent men of his township, having held several oflfices of trust and responsibilit}', for which he was especially fitted. He is a member of the M. E. Church of Holmes Township, and an exemplar}' Christian gentleman.

GEORGE STROHM, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born Nov. 20, 1844, in Southern France ; son of Frederick and Mary E. Rodebach. His parents moved to New York State at Waterloo, the journey across the ocean lasting thirty-five days, and, after a residence there of six years, they removed to Annapolis, this county. After a residence here of eleven years, he removed to the farm where he now lives. His father died in 1864, and he bought the property of the other heirs. He was married, March 2, 1871, to Catherine Leitzy, of Holmes Township. The^^ have four children - Mai'y Eve, Rosa, Frederick Francis and John George^all living at home. His mother died on April 19, 1874. Mr. Strohm is a prominent and infiuential citizen, is an industrious farmer and an honor to the community in which he lives. Both himself and wife are members of the German Lutheran Church of Bucyrus, and are estimable people.

HANNAH SxiWYER, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born May 4, 1830, and is a daughter of Andrew and Rebecca (Heaton) Ridgeley, the former a native of jNLiryland, the latter of Pennsj'lvania ; they moved to Crawford Co. about the time of the Revolutionary war, the father enlisting soon after their removal. The subject of this sketch was married May 15, 1851, to S. F. Sawyer, a prominent farmer; nine children blessed this union - William S., Ann Eliza, Simon J., Melville J., Emma A., John B., Rebecca I. J., Wilmer A. and Frank F., all of whom are living except Melville J., and four of whom are at home and four married. Mr. S. F. Sawyer died Oct. 20, 1878, of that terrible affliction, cancer, after suffering all that man could suffer, leaving a widow and four children on the farm, to care for themsgIvgs

SIDNEY L. SPORE, farmer ; P. 0. Broken Sword ; was born July 10, 1833, and is a son of David C. and Lucy L. (Long) Spore, the former born in Schenectady Co., N. Y.,the latter of Canada, about fifty miles from Montreal. They moved to Chatfield Township, this county, in June, 1837, and bought a piece of laud with about three acres cleared and a log cabin. Upon this they labored and endured the privations of a newly settled country, the father teaching school in the winter time, at 50 cents a day, to obtain a sustenance for his family, and, on one occasion before leaving his family, the father had purchased a barrel of flour, for which he had paid thirty-six days' labor in teaching, and which was to be delivered to his family : so he took his departure, trusting that all would be well with his little flock. But not so ; on his return he found his family in a famishing condition, the flour not having been delivered, and they had subsisted for six whole days on nothing but parched rye. In 1857, after a twent}' years' residence, they sold the farm, the mother afterward moving to Macon Co., 111., the father having died Dec. 25, 1862. The subject of this sketch has attended school only sixty-three days in his life, going bare-footed one and threefourths miles across the woods and through the snow ; the remainder of the time, until attaining his majority, being spent in assisting in the work of the farm. At 22 years of age, he taught school in the winter, and worked by the month in the summer for three years, and then worked his father's farm for two years. He enlisted in Co. I, 57th 0. V. I., Oct. 8, 1862, and was sent to Nashville, Tenn., where he joined his regiment ; thence to Vicksburg, and was present at the time of Sherman's defeat, in the eight-day siege. At tliat place he had his knapsack stolen from his back b}' a piece of shell which he never succeeded in bringing to justice. He then participated in the contest at Arkansas Post, which resulted in a glorious victory, for the Union forces took 8,000 prisoners, and reduced the fort. They were then sent back to Vicksburg, with the combined force under Gen. McClernand, and worked on the canal at that place, and, on account of exposure, suffered from a severe attack of typhoid fever. After recovery from the fever, he was taken with chronic diarrhoea, sent to Lauson Hospital, at St. Louis, and then discharged on account of disability. To use his own language, he says : " I owe the preservation of my life to Mrs. Springer, of Boston, Mass., who was President of the Woman's Union Aid Society, Mi's. Dr. Jones, of St. Louis, and other noble members of that association. Through Mrs. Springer's efforts, who walked three miles to Oen. Schotields headquarters, and laid my case before him in person, I procured my discharge." His clothing having been lost, as also his descriptive list, he was unable to draw the necessary money or clothing for his return home ; so, without money or clothing, except a suit of underclothing, which the ladies of the association had given him, he left the hospital in a weakened and destitute condition ; but through the kindness of the people with whom he came in contact, he was enabled to reach Bucyrus, where he was met by anxious friends. He remained at home recruiting his health for about fifteen months, when he re-enlisted in the 179th O. V. I.; was promoted to 1st Sergeant, his command being at Nashville, Tenn., on post-duty, and was discharged June 17, 1865. There have been nine children in his family, five of whom are living - Sumner, born July 28, 1858; Honora, Sept. 6, 1859; Aud D., July 20, 1861, died Feb. 18, 1880 ; Armeda, March 15, 1863, died March 30, 1863; Oua, June 6, 1864, died same day ; Rufus D., June 6, 1866 ; Benjamin M., Aug. 17, 1868 ; Motta, Jan 10, 1873, died Feb. 2, 1873, Loretta, Sept. 26, 1875. The surviving members of the family are at home, except Sumner, who is attending school at Oshkosh, Wis. Mr. Spore and wife are members of the Evangelical Association. He is a Republican.

WILLIAM TAYLOR, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born April 10, 1811, and is a son of William and Fanny (Foster) Taylor, of Louisa Co., Va., but who moved to Albemarle Co., Va., near the University. He was left an orphan at 4 years of age, by the death of his mother, and at 1 0 years of age commenced the carpenter's trade with his father, at which he is still working in connection with his farm duties. He never attended school a day in his life, but has obtained a good common-school education by the study of the Bible, which has been his constant companion for fift}' years. He has also been engaged in the milling business, as well as carpentering and farming, having run a grist and saw mill for four years before leaving Virginia He moved to this county in the fall of 1833, to what was then Sycamore Township - which was, after the division of the counties, thrown into Wyandot - where he lived for fifteen years, and then moved to Holmes Township, where he has lived ever since. He has attended every election since 1833, except one, and has been a prominent man in his township. He was married Aug. 12, 1832. to Patience Sayrs, of Pickaway Co., Ohio. This union has been fruitful of eight children - Josephus, Jasper, Newton, William S., Ephraim S., Benjamin F., Elizabeth F.. Susan Armiuta and Mary Helen, who are all living except Elizabeth, who died in infancy, and Susan A., who died at 33 years of age, leaving one child. Jasper and Ephraim^ the only two able-bodied men in the family, enlisted in the 101st 0. V. I., went through with Sherman in his raid, and fought in many of the most closel}' contested battles on the field, Jasper only being wounded in the leg. Mr. Taylor and his family have suffered all the trials of a very early pioneer life, in the first clearing-up of the country, but are now reaping their reward in the enjoj^ment of a beautiful home. He and his estimable wife have been leading members of the church for forty-eight years, consistent Christians, esteemed and respected by all.

JESSE VORE, farrier ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Aug. 15, 1805, in Berks Co., Penn., and is the eldest son of Absalom and Margaret (Gary) Vore. He attended school until he was about 21, in the meantime learning tailoring, serving three and a half years. He then worked at his trade with George Ossman, of Millikin Center, Penn., until about 1852, when he engaged in farming for about seven years. In March, 1859, he came to Osceola, Crawford Co., and six weeks afterward he purchased the farm on which he now lives, and has improved it and made it " blossom as the rose." He was married March 30, 1830, to Catharine Musser, daughter of a respected farmer of Center Co., Penn. There were eleven children born of this marriage, seven of whom are living - Margaret Ann, Matilda. Absalom, Lewis H., Catharine A., Mary Elizabeth and Alice. Harriet, Julian,

Sarah and John A. are deceased. Those living are married and doing well. Lewis and Mary are in Kansas ; Catharine married Frank Fralick and is living near Hartford City, Blackford Co., Ind. Mr. Vore's success in life is due to his own eflforts. His father died when he was very young, leaving a widow with three children to contend against the world alone. Mr. Vore has filled several offices in the township. He is a member of the German Reformed Church, of Bucyrus, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church of the same cit3^

ELLIS WINNER, farmer ; P. 0. Bucyrus ; is the son of Abraham and Rachel (Worner) Winner, and was born in Sussex Co., N. J., Oct. 23, 1812. His life was mostly spent in his native State. He was married in Columbia Co., Penn., in 1836, to Miss Ruth Parker. He has nine children - Sarah A., Martha J., Lewis, Charles, Hering C, Andrew, Lemuel, Simon Peter and Daniel Webster. Martha J. and Charles reside in Kalamazoo, Mich. Two sons were of his first marriage - Joseph Lloyd, now living in Wilmington, N. C; Chester P. lives in Wayne Co., engaged in wool manufacturing. Mr. Winner's first wife lived but three years, and he was remarried in 1840. She was Mary Carr, of Columbia Co., Penn. Mr. Winner was for two years traveling agent in Ohio for the Bucyrus Machiae Company, and for two years in Pennsylvania. He was also for three years agent throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania for Monnett's Patent Fence. He is an industrious farmer, and a man who stands eminently in the esteem of those who know him.

JOHN WENTZ, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus; was born in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., Penn., Sept. 1, 1837, and is the eldest son of John and Mary (Monard) Wentz. His parents moved to Blackford Co., Ind., in September. 1839, and Mr. Wentz was hei^e reared on a farm, and has always followed agricultural pursuits. He was married, Nov. 26, 1857, to Catharine Greenwich, only daughter of Jacob and Christina Greenwich. They have nine children - Mary E. (who was married, Dec. 4, 1879. to T. J. Caldwell, a prominent farmer in Bucyrus Township), Annette, Clement L., Willis J., Ora Alice, Clara Dell, Ida May, Emma Pearl and John Earl. Mr. Wentz is a prominent citizen and farmer, is a stanch member of the English Lutheran Church, and is a man who stands high in his communitv.

CHRISTIAN WILHELM, farmer; P. 0. Bucyrus ; was born Feb. 20, 1826, in Wurtemberg, German)-, and emigrated to this country when quite 3-oung, proceeding to Lancaster, Penn., where they wintered, and then moved to Columbiana Co., Ohio, wliei'e they lived three years, afterward moving to Crawford County. The subject of this sketch did not attend school in his youth, on account of a lack of knowledge of the English language, he not being able to speak a word of English until after he was 18 years of age. At the age of 14 3' ears he was left an orphan b}' the death of his father, from which time he worked as a farm hand, except one year, when he worked in Joe Walker's warehouse, at Tiffin, Ohio, until the fall of 1851, when he went to California, and engaged in mining, meeting with considerable success until the spring of 1856 ; when he came back to Ohio in the following July, he commenced clearing on his present farm, and a glance at his beautiful home and pleasant surroundings will be evidence enough of his industr}' and good management. He was married Dec. 20. 1857, to Esther Houston, four children blessing this union - Sarah E. H., William, Jan. 1, 1861; Laura, Jan. 31, 1864, and Ethel, Aug. 13, 1870; Sarah E. was married to Thomas Miller, Sept. 1, 1878; the rest are living at home, assisting their father in household and farm duties, their mother having died Feb. 7, 1875, of that dread disease, consumption, leaving her cares upon her two young daughters, who are taking upon themselves nobl}', the responsibilities of the bereaved household.

Broken Sword ; was born Feb. 29, 1808, and is the widow of William Wingart, formerly of Wingert's Corners. The husband of the subject of this sketch did not attend school until after his first marriage, which occurred Sept. 19, 1830, to Elizabeth Keener, in Pennsjdvania. After marriage, he attended school a short time to learn to write and cipher. Wm. Wingart came to L3'kens Township, to what is now Wingert's Corners, about 1835, built a shop, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture until about 1851, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits for six years, and then moved to the farm on which his family now live,, on April 3, 1857, improving his farm and commanding the respect of his neighbors, being elected to some of the prominent offices of the township. By his first wife, there were seven children, three of whom are living - Henry, Louisa, Mary, Maria L., born July 23, 1831 ; "Henry M., June 2, 1833 ; Melinda, June 3, 1835 ; Louisa A., Sept. 28, 1836 ; Jane E. and Emma C, twins, born Aug. 11, 1839; Mary E., Oct. 18,1841. His first wife died Oct. 18, 1841. He was married a second time, at Lykens Township, Crawford Co., Ohio, to Elizabeth Shupp, on Jan. 30, 1842, by whom he had eight children - Martha, born June 9, 1844; Wm. Nelson, April 12, 1846; Jacob Seal, Sept. 25, 1848; James K. Polk, Feb. 9, 1851; Philo Pierce, July 24, 1853; Alice L., Oct. 5, 1855; Sarah C.,'Nov. 6, 1857, and Delia May, May 28, 1860 ; all of whom are living and married except Delia May, who is living at home with her widowed mother, her father having died, Nov. 25, 1864, after an illness of about four j^ears. They are members of the Albright Church.

Provenance

Text from History of Crawford County and Ohio, published 1881, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive. The settlements listed against this township are matched by point-in-polygon test of each Geographic Names Information System coordinate against the Census Bureau's county subdivision boundary, not by name.