Mifflin Township (part 18 of 35)

The paternal grandparents of our subject were Benjamin and Martha Brubaker, both natives of the Keystone state. Among their children was Peter Brubaker, also born in Pennsylvania in 1804, and there he was married about

1827 to Katharine Albert, a native of Lancaster county, that state, where her birth occurred in 1809. Peter Brubaker was reared to agricultural pursuits under his father, and at an early date located in Ashland county, Ohio, on a tract of land embracing one hundred and sixty acres, all of which was overgrown with timber. He was among the pioneers of this part of the state by whose energy the land was cleared and transformed into the fertile fields which are seen today. With the assistance of his son George he erected his first dwelling, which was a log cabin, and cleared his land, putting it under cultivation. Here he spent his remaining days. When he first became interested in politics he voted on the side of the whigs, but later changed his political views and supported the democratic party during the candidacy of James Buchanan for president, whose personal friend he was, the two having been reared in the same county. As to his religious convictions, he accepted the faith common in that section of the Keystone state and was affiliated with that denomination of Christians known as the Mennonites. He reared a family of twelve children, four of whom survive, namely: Katherine Brubaker Hiller; George; Barbara Brubaker Root; and Amos.

George Brubaker was reared on his father's farm, in the meantime taking advantage of the neighboring schools where he obtained his education. He remained under the parental roof until he was twenty-four years of age, when he started out in the world for himself and engaged in working a farm on shares for about ten years, at the termination of which period he purchased a tract of land containing ninety-two acres. Subsequently he purchased an additional twenty-seven acres, most of this land having been cleared, and upon it he made such improvements as to facilitate the occupation of farming. At the end of fifteen years he disposed of it and purchased another farm containing one hundred and sixty-eight acres, which he still owns and which is located two miles west of the village of Ashland. Here he carried on general agriculture together with stock raising until 1902, when he removed to Ashland, where he now lives in retirement. He also dealt in live stock in connection with his other business.

In 1856 Mr. Brubaker was united in mhrriage to Miss Sarah Cotner, whose birth occurred here in 1828, and to this union have been born twelve children, all of whom are living and received their educations at the Ashland high school, namely: John Wesley; Peter; Jacob, Ettie Brubaker McCarty; Norma Brubaker Eby ; George Washington; Lottie Brubaker Hoik; Harley C. ; Ida May; Albert; Emma; and Katherine. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker also have twenty-four grandchildren, so far no deaths having occurred in the family. In 1901 the Brubaker family established an annual reunion which they have since continued and the assembly on these occasions being large are, needless to say, interesting and looked forward to by the several members of the family as the chief event of the year.

The democratic party has always receive^ Mr. Brubaker's vote, as he is a stanch believer in the wisdom of its policies, and since casting his first vote for Buchanan he has not found cause for leaving his party. From 1888 to 1895 he served as county commissioner, holding the office for two terms and a year extra by appointment. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the

Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of that denomination of Christians known as the Disciples of Christ. Being a man whose enterprising spirit has greatly added to the financial worth of the community he is accounted one of the county's most worthy and substantial citizens.

Michael Frangkiser

Michael Frangkiser has now passed the seventy-first milestone on life's journey and at the present writing, in 1909, is living retired in the enjoyment of well earned and well merited rest. He was long closely and prominently associated with the business interests of Loudonville, having for twenty-four years been engaged in the hardware trade here. Liberal, enterprising and energetic in all his transactions he so controlled his business interests that year after year he was able to add to his savings, making his present rest from business possible. He was born at Ludwigs Winkel, near Bermingsentz in Rhenish Bavaria, October 20, 1837, a son of John §nd Katharine (Winkler) Frangkiser, both of whom were natives of that country. The father died when his son Michael was but ten years of age and the boy afterward came to America with his widowed mother and a half-brother, Peter Yachey, in 1851. They did not tarry on the eastern coast but made their way direct to Loudonville, where they joined Jacob Mosier, a half-brother of Mr. Frangkiser, who had been here for five years.

Mr. Frangkiser has resided in or near Loudonville since that time, covering a period of more than fifty-seven years. He spent nine years in agricultural pursuits, being employed for seven years by others after which he carried on farming on his own account for two years. Then taking up his abode in the town, he purchased an interest in a grocery business and operated in that line for eight years, when he turned his attention to the hardware trade and for twenty-four years was engaged in that line. During the first eleven years he was the junior partner of the firm of Priest & Frangkiser but afterward was alone in business and conducted a well equipped establishment which brought to him gratifying success. He made careful purchases, was reasonable in his prices, and by his straightforward dealing and unfailing courtesy he secured a liberal patronage. Thus year by year he prospered until he was at length enabled to retire from active life. He has made judicious investments in property, being now the owner of real estate in the town and also of a small farm to which he gives his personal supervision. For the past twenty-five years he has resided on Butler street, in Loudonville, and about five years ago erected his present home. In 1860 Mr. Frangkiser was married to Miss Magdalena Lorentz, who was born at Birlenbach, a little village in Alsace, April 19, 1841. She was a daughter of Jacob Lorentz, whose birth occurred November 28, 1815, at Griess, in the canton of Brumath, arondissement of Strasburg, department Bas Rhine, Alsace, his parents being Andrew and Maria (Hickel) Lorentz. He was confirmed March 29, 1829. On the 28th of July, 1840, he married Miss Salomea Gassman, a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Roe)

Gassman, in the village of Birlenbaeh, canton of Loultz, Alsace, and in 1844 they emigrated to America. After about a year they removed from Erie county, New York, to Holmes county, Ohio, and unto them were born nine children, four sons and five daughters. The wife and two of the children passed away before the death of Mr. Lorentz, which occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Michael Frangkiser, March 4, 1902. He was a man of many good qualities and his death was deeply regretted by his friends and family.

Mrs. Frangkiser was only four years of age when her parents came to the new world and located on a farm near Glenmont, in Holmes county, Ohio, while subsequently they made their home on a farm between Lakeville and Nashville, Ohio. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Frangkiser have been born five children: John, living in Mansfield ; Amelia, who is the widow of Winfield Bartlet, a resident of Loudonville ; Delphina, the wife of William Schauweker, of Loudonville ; Charles, deceased ; and Edward, also of this place.

During the long years of his residence in and near Loudonville Mr. Frangkiser has ever taken a deep and active interest in matters pertaining to the general welfare, giving his support to many measures for the public good. He has served as a member of the city council and as township appraiser, but whether in office or out of it he is always loyal to the best interests of the community. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party and he is a member of Zion Lutheran church. His life has been actuated by high and honorable principles and has marked a close conformity with his religious belief.

Philpot Curran Cowen

The name of Cowen has figured in connection with the history of Ashland county from pioneer times. Of Irish ancestry, the first of the name in America were David and Mellie (Reed) Cowen, who emigrated from Downpatrick, in County Down, Ireland, to the United States in 1801, accompanied by their sons, Joseph and David. They were believers in Irish independence as promulgated by Napper Tandy and the Society of the United Irishmen, sympathizing with Washington and Napoleon in their struggles against hereditary monarchy. They landed at New Castle, Delaware, and settled on a farm near Oxford, Chester county, Pennsylvania. There the son, David Cowen, Jr., married Elizabeth Hood and located on a farm where he spent his remaining days. His son, Washington Cowen, removed to Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, where he married Eliza Lemon. They were the parents of John Kissig Cowen, an eminent railroad lawyer and president of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

The other son, Joseph Cowen, who had married Ellen Allison in Ireland, remained on a farm in the neighborhood of his parents and his brother David, near Oxford, for twelve years, when he removed to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm near Pittsburg in 1813. In the fall of 1831 he came to Ashland county in a Conestoga wagon drawn by four horses, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson, Philpot C. Cowen. He was accompanied on this journey by his wife and daughters, Rachel, Jane,

Sarah and Mary, and his sons, George and William. His other children, John ; Margaret, the wife of David Boice; and Sophia, the wife of James Kelsey, remained in Pittsburg until the following year, when they came to Green township and settled on adjoining farms, but John afterward went south with the intention of going to New Orleans by way of the rivers and \\yis never heard from again.

William Cowen was the second son and fourth child of Joseph and Ellen (Allison) Cowen, who were married near Downpatrick, Ireland, and landed at New Castle, Delaware, in 1801, their eldest child, Margaret, being then a year old. William Cowen was born near Oxford, Chester county, Pennsylvania, February 16, 1809, and when four years old accompanied his parents across the Alleghanies and for nineteen years was a resident of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. The father was in limited circumstances and lived on many called Coal Hill for a term of three years, at an annual cash rent, but unable to pay this he gave up the farm the second year and the landlord took all his chattels. To escape imprisonment for debt he took advantage of what was called the Insolvent Debtors Act, which allowed the debtor his liberty upon his taking oath that all his property was turned over and that he would do all in his power to discharge the indebtedness. Eventually Mr. Cowen satisfied all of his creditors.

William Cowen, like the other members of the family, was early thrown upon his own resources, and from the age of twelve years earned his own living. He did not have the opportunity to attend school for more than three months altogether. With a flail he threshed the harvest of 1831, amounting to three hundred bushels of wheat, which was sold in Pittsburg at sixty cents a bushel. With this money and their household goods the family started for Ohio. In those early days the settlers were hospitable and cheerfully aided the traveler as he wended his way through the forests, over new roads, to hew out for himself a farm in the midst of the forest. The landlord of the wayside tavern permitted them to cook over his fire and gave them lodging for a nominal fee. The first house the family occupied in Ohio was a cabin on the Manner, farm near Newville, Richland county, in which they lived from October 31, 1831, until January, 1832, when they took up their abode on a farm in Green township, where the father died. This quarter section was purchased from William Taylor, who held it by certificate of purchase from the general government. The purchase price was five hundred dollars, of which two hundred and fifty dollars was paid in cash, and in addition to that he gave him the two horses and the wagon which had been used in moving westward, leaving an unpaid balance of one hundred dollars.

William Cowen gave stalwart support to the democratic party until 1876 when, opposing the resumption of specie payment as advocated by the democratic party, he voted for R. B. Hayes as president and afterward gave his allegiance to the republican party at state and national elections, but cast an independent ballot at township and county elections. In April, 1839, he was chosen constable of Green township and at the end of his first term of two years was reelected. Imprisonment for debt was then in vogue and was often re- sorted to. In his own words : ' 1 Times were hard, money scarce, and occasionally I had one hundred executions against residents of my township, my costs amounting in a year to one thousand dollars, about one-third of which was collected. * ' After serving as constable Mr. Cowen began to practice law before justice courts and was regularly admitted to the bar September 29, 1848, at Mansfield. He always remained on a farm and operated his fields but was often engaged in trying suits before justices. In these trials he met a number of the eminent members of the bar of this part of the state. In April, 1861, he was elected assessor of Green township, and in April, 1862, was chosen justice of the peace and was twice reelected. At the October election in 1865 he was chosen commissioner of Ashland county and by reelection served for six years. He contributed generously to the building and support of churches and believed in liberality and humanity, and that any creed which deprived a human being of a single right, or took from him a single quality of mercy which society could safely give him was inhuman and cruel and unworthy of human sanction.

On the 24th of March, 1855, William Cowen wedded Mary Comer, daughter of John and Anna (Newkirk) Comer. She was born in Clinton township, Wayne' county, Ohio, December 11, 1822. Her parents were Virginians. Her paternal grandfather, Samuel Comer, removed to the Northwest Territory in 1801, and was a resident of Pickaway county when Ohio was admitted to the Union. Her maternal grandfather, Tunis Newkirk, was a slave owner and the owner of a large estate in Berkeley county, Virginia, of which he disposed and then entered an extensive tract of land near Lancaster, Ohio, about 1805. When about eighteen years of age Mrs. Cowen united with the Baptist church at Loudon ville and soon after her marriage became a member of the Greentowi. Baptist church. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cowen were born six children, of whom three died in infancy, while one daughter, Frances, who was born March 14, 1866, became the wife of Marion Reed, a prominent practicing attorney of Mansfield, on the 11th of August, 1890, and died October 8, 1892. The surviving members of the family are: Mrs. Naomi Jane Boyd, who resides near Brownlee, Saskatchewan, Canada ; and Philpot C. The father died August 15, 1890, and the mother passed away April 25, 1908. Their genuine personal worth and many splendid traits of character won them the love and esteem of all who knewT them, and causes their memory to be cherished by their surviving children and friends.

Philpot C. Cowen was born on the farm about a mile northeast of Perrysville, August 6, 1856, and has always resided here save for three years which he spent in the practice of law in Loudonville. He completed his literary education in Greentown Academy and took up the study of law under Judge Manuel May, in Mansfield, in 1876, being admitted to the bar in 1878. In the spring of that year he opened an office in Ashland but soon afterward his father prevailed upon him to return home, loaning him money that he might make a start in farm work. In 1887, however, he went to Loudonville, where he engaged in the practice of law for three years, but upon the death of his father, in 1890, he returned to the home farm and has since given his attention to general agricultural pursuits. He has three hundred and fifty acres of land, constituting the south half of section 21, and the remainder in section 20. He carries on general farming and stock raising and his capably conducted business affairs are bringing to him substantial success.

On the 1st of September, 1888, Mr. Cowen was married to Miss Vesta Henry, who was born on a farm in Meigs township, Morgan county, Ohio, May 31, 1867, and is a daughter of Professor and Margaret (Tennant) Henry, the former a relative of the distinguished Patrick Henry, whose patriotic speeches roused the colonists at the beginning of the Revolutionary war as he set before them the principles of liberty and the practices of the British government in encroaching upon the rights of the American people. Professor Henry has long been known as a successful and able educator of Ohio, and now resides at McConnellsville, Morgan county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cowen have been born eleven children: John Kissig; William Allison; Joseph Francis; Roger Woods; James Henry; Mary Christine; Helen Woods; David; Patrick Henry; and Margaret. Of these Mary was accidently killed when two and a half years of age, and the others are still living.

In politics Mr. Cowen has been a life-long democrat, and while active in support of the party has never sought nor held office. He is a broad minded well informed man, whose support of any party or principles is based on a thorough understanding thereof, and his opinions are not without weight and influence in the community.

Mrs. Nancy Christofel

Mrs. Nancy Christofel, well known and highly esteemed in Ashland, was a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio. She was born in Richland county in 1834 and was a daughter of Joshua Ford, one of the earliest settlers of that county, who located within its borders when the work of improvement and development seemed scarcely begun there. He secured wild land and converted it into productive fields and from time to time he added to his holdings until he was the owner of an entire section of six hundred and forty acres. He also gave to each of his seven sons a tract of land of eighty acres and the family were closely, prominently and helpfully associated with the agricultural development of that part of the state.

Mrs. Christofel spent^ her girlhood days in her parents ' home, acquired her education in the public schools and was trained to the duties of the household so that she was well qualified tp take care of a home of her own by the time of her marriage when on the 1st of September, 1859, she became the bride of Jacob Christofel. HPr husband was born in 1824 and was a carriagemaker by trade, following that occupation in Mansfield, Ohio, throughout his entire business life. He had been married little more than two years when the Civil war broke out and men from all sections of the country flocked to the standard of the nation, going from the counting rooms, the workshops, the offices and the fields. Mr. Christofel was among the number who in 1861 offered his aid to his country, enlisting as a member of the Sixty-fifth Ohio Infantry Regiment.

He went to the front as captain of his company and after serving for one year he was killed in 1862 at the battle of Stone River, thus laying down his life on the altar of his country. His remains were brought back home for burial, his grave being made in the Mansfield cemetery. His command had been with Sherman's brigade and Captain Christofel proved a most valorous and loyal soldier and officer.

Besides his widow Captain Christofel left one son, Joshua Ford, who was born July 30, 1860. He was a young man of marked ability whose future seemed bright with promise but when he had almost completed a course of study in Berea College he passed away in April, 1881, his death coming as an irreparable loss to his mother. Following the death of her son Mrs. Christofel adopted a daughter, Odessa L. Kirk, whom she reared and educated. She was graduated from the Ashland union school and is now the wife of W. A. Smyth, a horse buyer and shipper of Jefferson county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Smyth have two living children.

Mrs. Christofel belonged to the Methodist church and was an earnest Christian lady whose life was actuated by the high ideals of her religion. She became a resident of Ashland, where she made her home until her death in April, 1909. She was greatly esteemed here, her many good traits of heart and mind winning for her the love and respect of all who knew her.

Lewis Q. Cummings

Lewis Q. Cummings, a prominent agriculturist of Sullivan township, this county, where he has resided all his life, is descended from a family who were among the early pioneers of this section of the state. He was bom December 2, 1861, on the farm he now occupies, a son of John P. and Ellenor (Barber) Cummings. His father came from Cherry Yalley, New York, to this state in 1834 with his parents, Archibald and Elizabeth (Shanklin) Cummings, their objective point being Canaan, Wayne county, where were then living Mrs. Kinney and Alexander S. Lankland, cousins of Mrs. Elizabeth Cummings. The journey was made by schooner from Buffalo to Cleveland, thence by canal to Akron and on to Canaan. They had no team but brought with them a wagon and a few household goods. After spending a few weeks at Canaan, they located on a farm a mile and a half west of what later became the village of Sullivan. The family at that time consisted of father, mother and six children, but the three older ones remained in New York state, coming to Ohio a few years later. The only survivors are James, who now lives in Milan, Ohio; and Andrew, who was born in Sullivan and now resides in St. Louis, Missouri. The father of our subject, who was a farmer and stock raiser by occupation, departed this life in 1868. In his family were six children, namely: William F. ; Milton J., who resides in Seattle, Washington; Lewis Q., of this review; and Edwin F., Mary and John, Jr., who died in youth and young womanhood.

On his father's farm Lewis Q. Cummings was reared, engaging in the daily routine of agricultural life during the summer months and in the winter acquiring his elementary education at the district schools. After working for a few years on the farm he was matriculated as a student at Oberlin University, where he pursued a course of study. Shortly after leaving the institution he was united in marriage and then returned to the home farm, where he has since resided, actively pursuing agriculture in company with his brother William F., the business being transacted under the name of Cummings Brothers. They have one hundred and ninety acres of land, all of which is highly improved and under a high state of cultivation and the farm is considered one of the best, for the production of all kinds of grain, that there is in the county. They have every convenience with which to carry on farming by modern methods. Their land is thoroughly drained and every acre tillable, and their buildings are substantial and of the most modern type. They also deal in stock on a large scale and are well known throughout the county as breeders of thoroughbred Holstein cattle, of which they have an excellent herd, their animals always commanding top prices.

On October 10, 1888, Mr. Cummings wedded Miss Mary Holbrook, daughter of Henry F. and Adeline (Davis) Holbrook, of the village of Ashland. Her grandparents, Bernard and Sarah (Millett) Holbrook, came from Vermont to this state in 1835, and settled in Sullivan township, Ashland county, of which they were pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Cummings have the following children : Louise R., a student at Wooster University ; Charles M. ; John H. ; and Archibald B.

In politics Lewis Q. Cummings is a republican and, being active in party affairs, he is frequently chosen to represent his party as a delegate to county, district and state conventions. He has always taken an interest in local affairs and, being an agitator of public improvements, he proceeds., upon the theory that a community is judged by what it is and that good roads and schools, modern public buildings, well kept public and private grounds, indicate the intelligence and progress of the people. He has served the township as trustee for fifteen years, for a number of years as a member of the school board and was a vigorous agitator of the present central high school system, this township being the first in the county to favor its adoption. Mr. Cummings, together with the members of his family, attends divine services at the Congregational church. He finds recreation, pleasure and relaxation in his home, which he has supplied with every comfort and which bears evidence of education and refinement and with his wife and family he finds the ideal of life's true happiness.

E. F. Shelley, whose life has been characterized by an habitual regard for all that is best in human activities, is numbered today among the honored and valued residents of Ashland county, where for many years he has been operating as an enterprising, energetic and successful business man. He is now engaged in the banking business, having in 1907 been elected to the presidency of the

Residence Of E. F. Shelley

Citizens Savings Bank of Londonville. He was born on a farm near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, in October, 1853, and is a son of John and Katharine (Smith) Shelley. The father's birth occurred in October, 1829, on Shelley island in the Susquehanna river, in Pennsylvania, and when eight years of age he accompanied his parents on their removal to Wayne county, Ohio. His entire life has been devoted to general agricultural pursuits and he now resides on a farm near Jeromeville, Ashland county.

In 1875, E. J. Shelley was united in marriage to Miss Tamzen Cornell, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, who was there reared. Her parents were Jason and Rachel (Critchfield) Cornell, the former a native of Wayne county and the latter of Holmes county, Ohio. The father has now passed away but the mother yet resides in Wayne county. Mr. and Mrs. Shelley are the parents of a daughter, Martha T. The family is very prominent socially, the hospitality of the best homes being freely extended them.

In his political views Mr. Shelley is an earnest democrat and has served two terms as mayor of Loudonville, first by appointment to fill a vacancy and later by election. His administration was characterized by practical reform and improvement and he stood for restrictive and legislative enactments which would further the interests and upbuilding of the city. Indeed he has been connected with many important improvements in the town and his labors have contributed much its upbuilding and substantial growth. Fraternally he is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to Hanover Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Loudonville: Mansfield Commandery, K. T. ; and the Consistory of Dayton. He is likewise connected with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Mansfield. He is an approachable, genial man, courteous and cordial, has an extensive acquaintance and is popular with all who know him. His record is a most substantial one for he has always correctly judged his own capacities and those interests which make up life's contacts and experiences. In his business affairs he has discriminated between the essential and the non-essential and the utilization of the former has brought him to a prominent place in commercial and financial circles in Ashland county.

Charles W. Swineford

Charles W. Swineford, one of the younger men affiliated with the business interests of Ashland in a prominent capacity, as traffic manager for the Dr. Hess & Clark Stock Food Company, is a native of Montgomery township, born on a farm two and a half miles east of Ashland, November 15, 1870, a son of Curtis and Elnora (Worley) Swineford, natives of that place. The grandfather, Emanuel Swineford, came to this county from Center county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1837, locating in Ashland and subsequently removing to a farm in Montgomery township. The father of the subject of this review engaged in agricultural pursuits until he retired a few years ago and is now residing in Ashland at the age of sixty-five years. He still maintains a remarkable degree of health and vigor which enable him to participate in the joys and comforts of the prosperity that his many years of active life have afforded him. He and his wife are ardent Christians and hold membership in the Lutheran church, in which they are active workers and, striving to frame their conduct in obedience to the tenants of their faith, they are a worthy couple, meriting that degree of respect due to all who love the Christian faith and endeavor to emulate the life and walk of their Master.

On his grandfather's farm Charles W. Swineford spent his boyhood days, engaging in the daily routine of agricultural life and acquiring his education at the district schools. Subsequently he pursued a course of study in the grammar schools of Ashland and remained on the home farm until he was seventeen years of age, at which period of his life he entered a telegraph office in Claypool, Indiana, where he served his apprenticeship. He was then placed in charge of an office at Chouteau, Oklahoma, on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, being employed by this company for two years" and serving at various points along the line of the system. He next entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific Railroad but finally gave up the vocation of telegraphy, at the time of the opening of the Cherokee strip. However, he did not participate in the rush for the land, arriving thirty days after the opening. He spent about two years in that part of the country and then returned to Ashland in 1898, where for three years he was engaged as yard master for the Erie Railroad Company. Upon resigning his position he entered the employ of the Dr. Hess & Clark Stock Food Company as invoice clerk and was later promoted to the position of traffic manager, the duties of which station he is now performing, his ability making him invaluable to the concern.

On December 5, 1901, Mr. Swineford wedded Miss Stella Brinkley, of this city and to this union have been born : Georgia Elnora ; Curtis Wilbur ; Donald E. Worley; and Robert Doyle, who died April 17, 1909. Mr. Swineford is a stanch supporter of the republican party and has taken a deep interest in the affairs of the city, being at present a member of the Ashland city council, in which capacity he has been serving for the past five years and is president pro tem, of that honorable body. He belongs to Montgomery Lodge, No. 355, Knights of Pythias, and is a past captain of the Uniformed rank. Mr. Swineford has always evinced those qualities of character designed to command for him the respect of all with whom he may come in contact and as a business man, being industrious and enterprising, has done much toward supporting the financial interests of the city of which he is justly entitled to a place among its representative commercial leaders.

Isaac Wolf

Isaac Wolf was born in Green township, May 24, 1844, and is a representative of one of the old and prominent pioneer families of Ashland county. His grandfather, Isaac Wolf, Sr., was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1789 and was a son of John Wolf, a native of Germany, who became the founder of the family in the new world. In 1818 they removed from Pennsylvania to

Ohio, and Isaac Wolf entered one hundred and sixty acres of land, constituting the northwest quarter of section 25, Green township. The place is now occupied by his granddaughter, Mrs. W. J. Simms. It was then a part of Richland county, Ohio, for Ashland county had not been set off at that time. Much of this district of the state was covered with the native forest growth and still bore many evidences of Indian occupancy while presenting all the conditions of frontier life. Immediately after the arrival of John and Isaac Wolf they cleared an acre of land which they planted to wheat and also built a log cabin. They then returned to Pennsylvania and the following spring Isaac Wolf came again to Ashland county with his family and his parents. The parents later returned to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where they died. Isaac Wolf remained here until called to his final rest. He served as a soldier in the war of

1812 and was always loyal in his citizenship. When he erected his log cabin there was not another house within a mile of it. He was engaged in farming throughout his entire life and he also manufactured wooden plows, for the people who were near him, as the steel plow had not then come into use. All the farm machinery was very crude and primitive as compared with that of the present time, and the work of the farm was much more difficult and arduous, but with determined purpose and characteristic energy Isaac Wolf carried on the work of the fields, clearing and cultivating his land until generous harvests rewarded his labors. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church. In

1813 he married Nancy Small and his death occurred in 1840. In his family were the following children: Warring; Sylvester, who married Hannah Gladden; Abrilla, who became the wife of Henrj' M. Hoover; Milo A., who wedded Elizabeth Priest; Boston F., who married Elizabeth Cotton; Aletha, who is the widow of Jacob Reinhardt and lives in Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Orsamus S., who married Parmela Fuller; Samantha A., who is the widow of S. D. Ferry and lives in Loudonville. The two sisters living in Loudonville are now the only surviving members of the family.

The eldest son, Warring Wolf, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1815, and was brought by his parents to Ohio in the spring of 1819. Here he was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life and early became familiar with the arduous task of developing and cultivating the land. He always followed farming as a life work and his industry and perseverance enabled him to gain a place among the substantial citizens of his community. His political endorsement was given the democratic party and his follow townsmen, recognizing his sterling worth and ability, frequently called him to public office and he served as justice of the peace for six years and also trustee of Green township and assessor for three years, and the duties that devolved upon him were ever discharged in a most prompt and faithful manner. His life was at all times actuated by high and honorable principles, his righteousness and integrity undoubtedly having their root in his earnest, Christian faith. He was a charter member of the Loudonville Baptist church and served as one of its deacons for over sixty years, or from the death of his father until his own demise, which occurred February 28, 1902. He had a family of nine children, but five of the number died in childhood. Those still living are: Mary A., who is the widow of John L. Metcalf and resides in Jeromeville, Ashland county;

Isaac ; Margaret E., who is the wife of W. J. Simms, of Green township, occupying the old homestead farm which her father entered from the government ; and ment ; and John P., of Loudonville.

Isaac Wolf, whose name introduces this record has spent his entire life in Ashland county, where he has given his time and attention to farming, save for the period in his youth which he devoted to the acquirement of his education in the public schools. He remained under the parental roof until his marriage and then started out in life on his own account by renting a farm north of Perrysville, where he lived for fourteen years. During that period he carefully saved his earnings until he was able to purchase his present farm adjoining the old homestead farm which her grandfather entered from the governon section 24, Green township, pleasantly situated two miles north of Loudonville on the Loudonville and Ashland road. He carries on general farming and stock raising and now has a well improved property, supplied with good buildings. He erected a comfortable dwelling and also a good barn and has ample shelter for grain and stock upon his place. The fields present an attractive appearance and the farm work is carried on along most modern methods.

On the 28th of October, 1868, Mr. Wolf was united in marriage to Miss Alice Freshwater, who was born in Loudonville, Ohio, in June, 1849, and is a daughter of Reuben and Chloe (Charters) Freshwater. They were early settlers of Loudonville, coming to this county from Detroit, Michigan. The father was a cooper by trade and both he and his wife spent their remaining days in Loudonville. Their family numbered four sons and two daughters who reached adult age, while one son died in early life. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolf have been born two children: Earl, a jeweler of Loudonville, who is married and has one child, Virginia; and Edna, the wife of W. B. Wolf, of Mansfield, and the mother of one daughter, Lois.

Mr. Wolf gives his political allegiance to the democracy. Since his boyhood he has been a member of the Baptist church and his life has at all times exemplified the high principles of integrity, justice and honor which everywhere command respect and confidence. His home is one of the finest country residences in the county. It is commodious, richly and tastefully furnished and built in modern style of architecture. A fountain plays in front of the house and there are many fine springs on the farm, which is therefore well watered. A well kept lawn surrounds his home and the place gives every indication of the cultured and refined taste of the owner. Moreover it is a monument to his thrift and enterprise as well as his progressive spirit.

Calvin Day Mason

Prominent among the enterprising and progressive business men of Ashland is Calvin Day Mason, who is connected with insurance and several other lines of activity which are potent forces in the commercial and financial development of the city. He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, during a temporary residence of his parents in that place, but the greater part of his life has been passed in Ashland, where he has ever been known as an honored citizen. He represents an old American family. His paternal grandfather was a Virginian by birth and was of Scotch-Irish and Welsh and High Dutch descent. However, at an early period in the colonization of the new world his ancestors located in Virginia. On leaving that state the grandfather came to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and a number, of years later removed to Jefferson county, Ohio. He had married Elizabeth Simonton, one of a numerous family of daughters of French Huguenot lineage whose father owned an estate near Easton, Pennsylvania. His land there was granted him in recognition of the aid which he had rendered when the colonies were in arms against the mother country in the Revolutionary war. His holdings were extensive and when he removed to western Pennsylvania he disposed of all of his property near Easton save a section which he thought was worth nothing, believing it to be too hilly to be of use. Today, however, the beautiful city of Easton crowns those hills.

James Simonton Mason, the father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1813, and was the second son in a large family. His parents, uniting as they did the Scotch-Irish and French Huguenot strains, were devoted Christian people and faithful adherents of the Presbyterian church. James Simonton Mason was reared in a home of culture and refinement and of Christian teaching and the lessons impressed upon his mind in early youth bore rich fruit in later years. His nature was retiring and sensitive but he always manifested strong convictions and held to high ideals. He possessed notable physical strength and vigor until he met with an accident in middle life which permanently impaired his health. He was a young man at the time of the removal of his parents to Jefferson county, Ohio.

It was while living in that county that James Simonton Mason formed the acquaintance of Miss Sarah Elizabeth Day, whom he wooed and won. She was a lady of beautiful character and most attractive personality, a daughter of Nicholas and Juliet (McFarin) Day. Her father was a native of Harford county, Maryland, and was a son of an Englishman by birth, who became a slave owner in the south. Loosing his father when young, Nicholas Day became the ward of Colonel Rumsey, a distinguished attorney of Annapolis, who directed his education. When he had completed his school course he accepted a position as salesman in a wholesale house in Baltimore, Maryland, where he remained until eighteen years of age, when he went to western Pennsylvania and had charge of government store some miles above Pittsburg, in connection with the commissary department of General Wayne's army in the Revolutionary war. At that time he owned land at Pittsburg but the town contained only a few cabins, and following the close of hostilities with the mother country he settled at Denniston, Pennsylvania, where he conducted an extensive and prosperous mercantile enterprise. He also became a prominent factor in other branches of business and speculated largely in lands in western Pennsylvania. His business interests were carefully directed and his sound judgment and keen discernment found expression in the substantial success which attended his labors. He was extremely public-spirited, interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and at one time, at his own expense, he built a bridge over a stream in Westmoreland county at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. He first married Margaret Denniston, and after her death wedded Juliet McFarin, a daughter of a Presbyterian minister, the Rev. Thomas McFarin, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and a niece of Dr. McCroskey, of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and cousin of Rev. McCroskey, afterwards bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Detroit, Michigan. Rev. McFarin was a native of Scotland and a graduate of Edinburg University. On coming to America he located near Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and for many years preached to a large and wealthy congregation. He never used his salary for his own benefit, however, but donated it to the charitable work of the church, living an independent life on his estate where hospitality was one of the crowning features of his home. His daughter, Juliet, was educated in the Chambersburg Female Seminary and a few years after her graduation gave her hand in marriage to Nicholas Day, who at that time was forty-four years of age while his bride was twenty-two. Their home became known far and wide for its rare culture, its refinement and Christian influence. It was the center of social life, of unlimited hospitality and of most generous charity. Theirs was the typical home of the south in its palmiest days when they had a large retinue of servants, including bondsmen who were in the family through several generations. In his later years Mr. Day suffered financial reverses, and though he was forced to give up his property, his integrity remained unimpaired through all. The latter years of his life were devoted to teaching school and in his old age he was a resident of Jefferson county, Ohio.

It was in that home that Sarah Elizabeth Day spent her girlhood and in 1842 she gave her hand in marriage to James Simonton Mason. The following year they came to Ashland and for a brief period lived with some cousins on a farm west of the town. Soon, however, Mr. Mason purchased a general store which he conducted for some time and they took up their abode in this city. On withdrawing from mercantile pursuits he became identified with the Ashland Mutual Fire Insurance Company as general agent, remaining in connection therewith for sixteen years, during which time he traveled over the state, establishing the business of the company in various localities. He then opened a local agency in Ashland in company with his son, Calvin, and the business has been continued to the present time.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mason were born five children, of whom the eldest died in infancy. Of the surviving members of the family Calvin Day Mason is the senior. The next son, William Franklin Mason, was born in Ashland and after completing a high-school course read medicine with Dr. David Sampsel, Sr., and pursued a course of study in Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with honors. He bedded Mary Norris near Fort Recovery, Ohio, and died December 24, 1908, after having practiced long and successfully in the western part of this state. James R. Mason, the third son, was born in Ashland, is a high school graduate and also attended the Wooster University. After teaching for several terms in this county he traveled extensively in the interests of the Kilbourne Publishing Company. He afterward located in Port Townsend, Washington, where he engaged in the real-estate business for several years and is now a representative of the shipping and insurance interests of Seattle, Washington. He married Mrs. Alice Baldwin, the widow of Dr. Charles Baldwin, of that city. Juliet Elizabeth Mason, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Simonton Mason, is a native of Ashland and makes her home with her brother and his family here. When the parents removed to Ashland a cousin of Mrs. Mason, Margaret C. Drum, was one of the household. They regarded her as their own child and she was educated in the Ashland schools, part of the time attending the old academy. She was particularly interested in the good work of the church and Sunday school and took active part in the work carried on for the soldiers during the Civil war as a member and the president of the Ladies Aid Society, and when this society disbanded after the war its members voted her theft* large and beautiful flag as a recognition of her services. For some years she was a teacher in the Ashland schools and later became the wife of James H. Clark of Cleveland, Ohio, but is now deceased.

Following their removal to Ashland Mr. and Mrs. James Simonton Mason built one of the first houses on Center street and occupied it for many years, it being now owned by Senator Patterson. Afterward they made their home on the present site of the United Brethren church. There the wife and mother passed away April 27, 1891, in her seventy-third year. Mr. Mason survived for seven years and died at his new home on Pleasant street, August 23, 1898, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. Their records constituted an integral

Source changes here: from History of Ashland Country Ohio, by A.J.Baughman, published 1909; 274,169 words in this source stream.

Mifflin Township

Mifflm township was surveyed in 1807, and settlements were made there in 1809. Before the creation of Ashland county, Mifflin was in Richland and was a full township, but it was divided when Ashland was erected, less than one-half of the territory and population falling within the boundaries of the new county. For the most part the western limit is the center of the Blackfork.

The surface is generally broken and hilly, but the soil yields bountifully to cultivation. The township is well watered by the Blackfork and smaller streams.

Long before Mifflin was settled by white men, it was a favorite hunting ground for the Indians, as all kinds of game abounded in the primeval forests. The settlement and history of Mifflin township have been similar to that of the other townships of the county. In the beginning there were dangers from savages and from the climatic diseases of a new country. But in time Mifflin grew, improved and prospered, keeping step with her sister townships and is hopeful that trolley cars will in a few years traverse her territory.

count the mountains; and Mifflin is a small place unless you count its environing hills and its chain of beautiful lakes, the latter lying placidly between the village and the Blackfork of the Mohican.

Among the oldtime residents of Mifflin township mention should be made of J. F. Benninghof, who was born in Germany and came with his parents to America when he was seven years of age and settled in Mifflin township a few years later, where he became quite prominent and served for a number of years as Justice of the peace. As a printer, he held a ''case'' in a number of offices, both German and English, but is now living in retirement in Mansfield.

Prominent among the first settlers were the Bradens, the Croningers, the Cullers, the Harlands, the Hersheys, the Selbys, the Stamans, the Zeimers, the Copuses, and others.

The Petersburg Lakes

Those who have never visited the lakes may want to know more about them, for the contemplated improvements will make the place more noted. The number and location of the lakes, the size and depth of each, and other matters pertaining to the locality are objects of inquiry now, and it is the purpose of this article to give information along these lines.

The Petersburg lakes are situated in Ashland county, eight miles east of Mansfield, and are three in number, forming a chain. The upper lake is the smallest, having an area of only about ten acres, and is called Mud lake. The middle, called the Bell lake, has an area of about thirty acres, and the lower or Big lake (sometimes called Culler's) has an area of fifty to sixty acres, and is a half-mile or more in length. There is a surface connection between the lakes, and it is supposed there is also a subterrean one. There is an outlet from the lower lake into the Blackfork, a short distance to the west. The lower lake has a depth of from fifty to one hundred feet. The lakes are fed by subterranean springs from the Mifflin hills on the east, and the waters are clear and cold. These lakes are noted for their abundance of fish and the locality for its myriads of mosquitoes.

Interlaken, Switzerland, is not a large town, it is said, unless you count the mountains; and Mifflin is a small village, unless you count the Petersburg (or Mifflin) lakes that le between the town and the Blackfork. These lakes are evidently counted - figuratively - and have aided in making Mifflin one of the most noted villages in this part of Ohio, and its prominence will be still further enhanced when a trolley line connects it with the city of Mansfield.

fork and are surrounded by native forests, the greater part of their direct environs being marshy ground, too wet for cultivation. However, the elevation on which the summer hotel stands is high and dry and commands a good view of the lake. The Big lake is a clear, beautiful sheet of water, but the forest surroundings impart a feeling of loneliness, and causes one to exclaim: '*O, Solitude! where are the charms That sages have seen in thy face?''

When General Hedges made a survey of that locality in 1807, he was embarrassed over the variations of his compass. In order to test the accuracy of the survey, the lines were resurveyed, still the variations existed. He thought the chaining might be imperfect, and had the lines surveyed the third time, with the same results. Jonathan Cox, in 1808, had a similar experience. The consensus of opinion was that magnetic ores in the earth influenced the needle.

But the only ore yet discovered in that village is ""bog ore'' at the lakes. Bog iron-ore is a mineral of variable composition and is found in alluvial soils, in bogs and lakes. There may, however, be other ore in that locality, which, if unearthed, would add another page to that storied valley and material wealth to its people.

"'Unele'' Jonas' lake is in Mifflin township, Richland county, but being within a mile of the Ashland county line and its history being a very interesting one, an account of its creation is here given:

'"Unele'' Jonas' lake is in Mifflin township, seven miles east of Mansfield. It covers an area of eight acres and its depth is about seventy feet. This little body of water has been called by different names, such as Sites', Swearingen's and others, but in the past was simply '' Uncle Jonas' lake,'' after Jonas Ballyet, the first owner. It is now more generally known as the lake where the wagon load of hay sunk, meadow and all, according to tradition.

In 1821, Jonas Ballyet entered the northwest quarter of section 15, Mifflin township, and near its center he found a lake covering about an acre. Its immediate surrounding was level land to the extent of eight acres, all enclosed with a rim of hills of gentle slope, except a place at the east side where the ground was lower as though inviting an outlet for the pent-up waters of the lake. Through this depression, ''Uncle Jonas'' cut a ditch with the view of making the low land about the lake tillable.

The lake lies a mile west of the Blackfork of the Mohican. and between them is a tract of marshy land called the Black Swamp, into this a ditch was eut from the lake.

''Uncle Jonas' '' theory seemed quite plausible, but he was later confronted with a condition he had not anticipated. The ditch was opened on the 25th day of July, 1846, and was of sufficient depth to lower the surface of the lake eight feet. On the day following the greater part of the level land surrounding the lake, comprising about six acres, was engulfed - sank out of sight - leaving only the tops of the higher trees, with which the land had been covered, visible. And in time the tree tops also disappeared. The opinion was that the lake was of greater size beneath than was apparent upon its surface and that lowering the water caused the ground to break off from the rim of hills, and being thus loosened, sank to the bottom.

This sinking caused the earth to quake and tremble for miles around, and alarmed the people of that vicinity, some thinking the ''end of the world'' had come, began to pray as they had never prayed before.

As this incident occurred during the Millerism period, people were more prone to attribute the trembling and jar to heavenly than to earthly causes, for although there may not have been a Millerite in that neighborhood, yet the doctrine and teachings of the Rev. William Miller had been so universally disseminated and propagated that they influenced many unconsciously.

The time set by Miller for the ''second coming of Christ'' was the year 1843, as he interpreted the prophecies, but as the expected event did not occur other dates were given later, and the people were admonished to say not in their hearts, ''My Lord delayeth His coming.''

Digging this ditch outlet to the lake was a losing enterprise to ''Uncle Jonas,'' for instead of reclaiming land, he lost six acres thereof, timber and all.

A few years later there was another sinking of grounds into the water, increasing the lake to its present size of between eight and nine acres, but as the low land has all been engulfed, no apprehension is felt that any similar occurrence will take place in the future, as it is not believed that the lake extends beneath the hills.

Prior to.this land sinking episode, catfish, sunfish and some other varieties abounded in the lake in great quantities but are not so abundant there now.

The water of the lake when viewed as a body is an ocean-green in tint of coloring, yet when dipped up seems pure and clear. The lake is circular in form and in its hill-frame setting is one of the most beautiful of the many attractive places in old Richland. The slope at the southeast is covered by a shady grove, from whose retreat one might imagine some highland maid might

The lake is not only beautiful in sunshine but is interesting in storms, when the thunder's deep reverberations roll like billows over its waters. And when the gleaming rainbow sheds it lustre upon the placid surface, no artist can sketch its beauty, while in the background of the picture may be read by faith the eternal promise that the earth shall not again be destroyed by water.

Mifflin was formerly called Petersburg, in Mifflin township, was laid out by William B. James, Peter Deardorff, and Samuel Lewis, June 16, 1816. It was located on the old state road leading from Wooster to Mansfield. For many years it was very thrifty, and, under the old stage era, and during the early settlement of Richland county, was well patronized by the traveling public. George Thomas erected the first tavern, which he conducted until about 1820. The removal of the old stage lines, and the construction of railroads, diverted travel to other lines, and for many years the village has been sustained almost

"Mohicanville was laid out July 2, 1833, by Simeon Beall and Henry Sherradden. 'It is situated in the southwest corner of Mohican township. Population

The water power of the village is the main source of its prosperity. The three principal springs emerge from the summit of the hill on the west side of the town and from their head to the bed of the creek, a distance of about three hundred yards, the fall exceeds one hundred feet, turning three wheels of a combined diameter of sixty-two feet.

An Interesting Trio

Near Nankin, north of Ashland, lives an interesting family of three, maiden sisters, aged respectively ninety-seven, ninety-five and eighty-nine years, making a joint age of two hundred and eighty-one years. Their family name is Coutts, and the ladies are named respectively Katie, Janie and Mary.

There were seven of them - father, mother, two boys and three girls - when they left Alford parish, in the north of Scotland, in 1834, and took ship at Glasgow for America, which they reached after eight weeks at sea.

In time they came to Ashland county, where John Coutts wrestled with the primeval forest to such good purpose that, before he died, he had one hundred and eighty acres under cultivation.

The sons married, the father and mother died, and the Coutts maids became the Three Old Maids. Then their brothers died, but one of them was survived by a son, George Coutts, who latterly has come to run the farm for them. He and his wife and Jimmie live on another part of the farm.

Up to the time of the coming of George Coutts, Aunt Katie ran the farm, plowing, harvesting, milking the cows. Even now she takes a hand at the milking.

If there have ever been any love passages in the lives of the Three Old Maids they came to naught. The neighbors say the suitors were sent about their business with such emphasis that they never came back.

So the Three Old Maids have lived alone, each contributing her share to an almost perfect life, and no man has ever had the right to say, ''It'shall be done thus-and-so in this house.''

They are Scotch - so very Scotch that, though three-quarters of a century have passed since they saw the land of heather, they still have the burr in their tongues, they still eat porridge, they still cling to the Covenanter's faith and eall the church the ''kirk."'

A short time ago the Cleveland Herald sent a special correspondent to Ashland county to interview this interesting trio, and the Sunday following the paper devoted a full page, with colored illustrations, to the remarkable record of the Coutts sisters, whose long and useful lives have won for them the esteem of everybody who admires the sturdy virtues of the Seotch race.

Urna Rt Dao

Perrysville is the only town in Green tow nship, and was laid out June 15, 1815, and was named Freeport. It was the second town founded in what is now Ashland county. The Coulters being very prominent people there, the town was locally known as Coultersville. Some years after its founding, the name of the town was changed from Freeport to Perrysville, in honor of Commodore Perry's victory over the British on Lake Erie. In 1830, the town contained nine inhabitants, but in 1860 the number had increased to one hundred and thirty-five. A pottery plant was established there a few years since, which has added materially to the business and population of the town. The village is pleasantly situated in the fertile valley of the Blackfork, on the line of the Pennsylvania railroad. The town supported an academy for a number of years, an account of which is given elsewhere in this work.

In the communication to the Perrysville Enterprise newspaper, Mrs. Nancy L. Eddy, daughter of the late Hon. John Coulter, states that the quarter section of land now owned by Thomas Beavers, the quarter section on which Perrysville is built, and the quarter owned by Alonzo Shambaugh were all entered by her father in the fall of 1810. Mr. Coulter soon found that one quarter section of unbroken forest was all he could manage, and sold the Beaver quarter to his father, Judge Thomas Coulter, and the one on which Perrysville stands to his uncle, George Crawford. He kept the Shambaugh place and occupied it as a family home for thirty-five years. The first house built in what is now the town of Perrysville, was the cabin on the Crawford place which stood across the road from where the Sam Trease house now stands.

The old store room occupied many years by H. L. Stearns, and the old hotel building lately torn down, were among the first buildings and were probably erected as early as 1814 or 1815.

The first wedding was that of Harvey Hill and Abigal Coulter, which occurred in 1812, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Scott, of Mt.

The first school was taught by Mrs. John Coulter, in her cabin house on the Shambaugh place; her pupils were mostly young men who felt the need of more learning. Mrs. Coulter's maiden name was Elizabeth Rice, sister of Alexander Rice, and she had in early girlhood the advantages of a boarding school education in Montpelier, Vermont. The first schoolhouse in Perrysville was a log building with a huge fireplace

The ground for the Perrysville cemetery was donated for cemetery purposes by Thomas Coulter, and was deeded ''for cemetery purposes forever,'' so that the land can never be legally used for any other purpose. Additions have been

The first interment in the Perrysville cemetery was that of Solomon Hill and was made in the summer of 1812. The grave is plainly marked by a headstone, and is near the front entrance to the cemetery.

When Solomon Hill died, the settlers were at a loss to know what to do for a coffin. There were no ready-made caskets then, and there was no lumber from which one could be made. It was hot June weather, no way for embalming the dead, and it would take several days to make a trip to Mt. Vernon and that was the nearest place where boards could be obtained to make a coffin. But the emergency was met by one of the grand old pioneers giving his wagon-bed from which a coffin was made. Giving up a wagon-bed at that time was a. great sacrifice. Every man at that first funeral carried a musket, fearing an attack from the Indians. The funeral procession had to cross the Blackfork in canoes to the place of interment.

Garfield is said to have remarked facetiously that a college is a log with a pupil on one end and Mark Hopkins on the other. In little Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, in the last quarter of the nineteenth century, one could have seen an ordinary frame building in a yard adorned with a few evergreens, called ''Green Town Academy.'' The teacher with high massive forehead and coat of many colors, could have been seen there almost any hour of the day with an enthusiasm that made him blink his eyes, snap hig fingers, and slap his ankles together, impressing on a few students in each of his many classes, the duty of Mastery, and his own unique personality. He was filled with that kind of fire that would drive worthless students out of the town and draw the worthy one to his most remarkable college. Although Professor J. C. Sample went to public schools but two years in his life, I consider him and Professor M. Soy D. D., of Capitol University, Columbus, Ohio, to be the two greatest teachers I have ever met ; - considering his opportunities, I consider Professor Sample the greatest. A little sketch of his life should be preserved for the pleasure and information of his many students. Professor J. C. Sample was born in Harmony, Butler county, Pennsylvania, July 9, 1837. He attended the district common schools but two years, spending the greatest part of the first seventeen years of his life in the woolen factory of his father, Robert 'Sample; he was a born student and thinker. In the fall of 1855 he entered the Presbyterian Academy at North Sewickly, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1856 he began teaching school and continued until 1860, when he was elected principal of North Sewickly Academy. He remained there until the fall of 1862, when he entered the army, from which in July, 1863, he was honorably discharged. He was called immediately to the principalship of the Sewickly Academy, but did

Because of his known character, he was chosen superintendent of Poland schools where he taught until the fall of 1864, when he resigned and entered Vermillion Institute at Hayesville, Ashland county, Ohio. In the fall of 1865, he was called to take charge of a select school at Perrysville, Ohio, which school he opened the 17th day of September, where he remained until 1869, when he resigned to go with Dr. Dieffendorf to Nebraska City, Nebraska, He there studied and taught with Dr. Dieffendorf for one year in Otto University. He was again recalled to Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, where Green Town Academy, in the winter of 1870-71, was born from the select school. The fall of 1873 the presidency of Willamette Valley College, Oregon, was offered to him, but he refused to accept it. On New Year's day of 1878, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth E. Groff, the daughter of Elias Groff, of near Perrysville, and the same year he refused the chair of Classic Instruction in Buchtel College. He continued his work in Green Town Academy until the fall of 1893, when he resigned in favor of Rev. E. Schultz. Rev. Schultz continued the school for a year and then abandoned it. The Academy building served as a Lutheran Mission until in November of 1895, when it was utterly destroyed by fire. The Professor's home, however, remained a college. Up to the fall of 1908 he has occupied his usual seat on one end of the '' John Hopkins' Log,'' and his children the other.

I said Profesor Sample went to school only two years; I should have said seventy-two. He has been a very careful, industrious student all his life. As a linguist he could teach, and has taught, English; Anglo-Saxon; German; Dutch; Spanish; French; Greek and Latin. As a historian I have never met his equal. He is passionately fond of German and English literature and widely acquainted in the original, with English, German, French and Spanish authors. He was as much attached to the study of geology. If you, who happen to be reading these lines, were a student of ''Old Green Town,'' you will remember the shelves on shelves of fossile collecting, that were on view in the library room. The pieces ran into the hundreds, a specially rich and carefully labeled exhibit of the upper Devonian and Sub-Carbonniferous strata of Ashland and adjoining counties. It was destroyed by the fire along with our library. I can well remember the morning of 1878, when I set on the log with its great teacher, and how with half closed eyes, he described the wonderful gold fields of Alaska and the far north, a quarter of a century before they were discovered. The airships were as real to him then as they are to us now. When I stop to think of those days, it is with a grateful heart, I thank God that he gave me Professor Sample for my preparatory college instructor. God placed him just where he belonged. Such a man could not work in any high echeol, nor with any college faculty. He does not believe in any '""hop, skip and jump system of education. ''Instruction'' and '"Education'' are very different terms with him. He used to say ''If you wish instruction, sit down, I will talk to you; if you wish education, here are the books; you must get that yourself. Iam here only to help you; I can't give you that.'' It may seem like a slavish method to most teachers to require a student so thoroughly to master his English grammar, that he could recite it like a declamation and get a grade, on review, of ninety-nine and three fourth per cent., but Professor Sample's students could do that, before he was through with them, and they could talk English as correctly as the best students of other schools could write it.

"'Old Greenleaf!'' Do you remember Friday reviews? - Up to proportion, a half hour of definition; then the other half, through? Solutions? Severer still! Strange, is it not, that we not only approved, but loved this exceeding severity of class discipline? Professor Sample would surely have lost one-half of his pupils, had it been abandoned. It was our school distinction. May this not account for another unique fact? During the thirty years of Green Town history, not a single disgraceful incident occurred to mar her memory of the past, and but one case of public discipline.

But with these old memories, thought and pen would wander far a-field, I know not where! Result of it. Out of perhaps three hundred and fifty young men, whose names appear on the class rolls of Professor Sample's '' Boys,'' nearly, or perhaps altogether one hundred, are now in the professions; more than 'the baker's dozen'' are, in county offices and in all the professions here in Mansfield now. Between three and four thousand pupils have been taught by this woolen factory boy, who went to the public schools only two years. <A descendant of the Scotch Presbyterians, he remained in that church until his marriage with Miss Groff, after which he united with the Lutheran church. He always, in politics, has been a democrat.

Down by the ''Clearfork'' he lives in his large library of well selected books. digging deeper and deeper into the wonderful mysteries of God.

Hayesville is situated near the center of Vermillion township. The original proprietors of the town of Hayesville were Rev. John Cox and Linus Hayes. As the Loudonville and Ashland and Wooster and Mansfield roads crossed at this point, Mr. Cox concluded that it might be the site of a future town.

The town of Hayesville was laid out in the fall of 1830, and the town plat recorded in Mansfield, October 26, 1830. _ The first public sale of lots occurred on the 18th of November of the same year. '

The postoffice at Hays X-Roads was established January 18, 1827, and Mr. Cox appointed postmaster. This office he held until July 1, 1841, when, for political reasons alone, which then existed, but do not now, he was removed, and Mr. D. K. Hull appointed in his place. When the postoffice was established, it was supplied several years by a weekly mail carried on horseback by John Willson.

Hayesville is situated on the east half of the southeast quarter of section 15, township 21, of reserve 15, formerly known by the name of Hayes X-Roads, being the lands of Messrs. J. Cox and L. Hayes. The principal or main street is laid out on the road leading from Wooster to Mansfield, with one row of nineteen lots on each side - each lot sixty feet front by one hundred and twenty feet back. The road leading from' Loudonville to Ashland crosses the above named road at right angles, with twenty lots to the east and eighteen lots to the west.

Dr. Harrison Armstrong located in Hayesville in 1832, and was the first regular physician of the place.. He soon won confidence and for a period of twenty years had a large practice. Dr. David Armstrong, also of Hayesville, possessed many characteristics of his ancestry, both in sense, wit and humor. As a physician and business man he stood deservedly high among his fellowmen, and his death was much mourned.

At an early day educational interests were manifested by the citizens of Vermillion township, schools were established and the youth were taught the rudiments of education.. Later select schools were formed for the benefit of those thought to be beyond the tuition of the common school teacher. In 1844- 45, an academy was founded and a charter for the same was obtained from the Ohio legislature, and the name '' Vermillion Institute'? was bestowed upon the institution.

The old Vermillion Institute at Hayesville is now conducted as a high school under the common school laws of Ohio, and is in charge of Professor D. K. Andrews, a former Richland county boy.

Vermillion Institute was the outcome of a feeling for higher education of the people of the township. The funds to erect suitable buildings were raised by a joint stock company - The site - two acres of land, was donated by W. W. Scott. The corner stone laid in 1845, on Fourth of July - The Rev. Lewis Granger delivered an oration and the school was christened Vermillion Institute. After five years the management passed into the hands of the Wooster Presbyterian.

The people of Hayesville like those of many other small towns live in the glory of the past - we are still proud of the reputation of Vermillion Institute. In its most prosperous years when such institutions were few and far between, its catalogues show that it was unusually well known and that its reputation was more than state-wide. This was particularly the case when that noted educator and distinguished scholar, Rev. Sanders Diefendorf L. L. D. was at its head, under whose skillful management and well earned reputation as a teacher it had from two hundred to three hundred and fifty students enrolled. Many of these ambitious students could be cited by name who have since won high places in the missionary fields, in the pulpit, at the bar, in the medical profession and have become useful and influential citizens in every walk of life, and it is proved by the many letters received by the present citizens of our village and the visits from '"'the old students'' that Vermillion Institute and Dr. Diefendorf are still cherished in the memories of those who are now far.away - and all give credit and regard to the days spent here, for good influences, for scholarship and the brotherly love kindled among the

Savannah

Savannah, Ashland county, was founded by the Rev. John Haney and was laid out in December, 1818. Being at the crossing of two important public roads, the town soon took root and grew into quite an active business place, and when the evolution-fever for the dismemberment of old counties and the formation of new ones raged in Ohio in the '40s, Savannah was a candidate to become a county seat town. But the lines being run from north to south, instead of from the east to the west, the town of Ashland carried off the honors. And Savannah's commercial hopes were not realized, and for a few years affairs seemed as though the little village might not be able to keep its place upon the map.

But in 1849, the Rev. Alexander Scott opened a school in Savannah, which in time became an academy and which has ever since been greatly the life of the town and the pride of the beautiful country surrounding it. Of the six institutions of that kind founded in Ashland county during the academy founding era of fifty years ago, the Savannah academy is the only one in existence today - a verification of the fittest.

In the spring of 1854, the Rev. Alexander Scott was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Savannah, and soon after his settlement there, it occurred to him that the interests of both the church and the community would be greatly promoted by the founding of an academy there. There were a large number of young people within the bounds of the congregation that' seemed desirous of securing a better education than could be obtained at a common school. Some of these were going to neighboring institutions. Others desired to go but could not afford the expense. With a view of meeting this want, on the 17th of September, 1856, the Rev. Mr. Scott opened a classical school under the name of the ''Savannah Male and Female Academy.'' Sixteen pupils were enrolled the first day, which number was increased to twenty-five before the close of the term, and to about one hundred before the end of the year. The second year, having secured more commodious accommodations, the school became still more prosperous. On Thanksgiving day, 1858, preliminary steps were taken to form an academy association with a board of trustees, which was successfully accomplished within a few weeks, and the institution has been successfully conducted ever since.

The Rev. Mr. Scott the founder of the academy is now eighty-eight years of age resides in the village and looks back with satisfaction to the work he founded and that the institution is prosperous today.

Savannah is built upon a lovely elevation, the base of which to the south and west is washed by the clear waters of the Vermillion river, or rather the headwaters thereof, just after being loosened from the Vermillion lakes, whose clear waters glisten in the sunshine south and east of the village, and where the moonbeams glimmer in sheens of beauty. These lakes are situated just north of the dividing ridge which traverses Ohio from the northeast to the southwest and forms the water shed of the state.

These Vermillion lakes are locally known as the McWilliams and the McLain lakes. The McWilliams lake is the larger of the two and is much deeper. There is a grove near each lake, and they are quite popular resorts for campers during the hot season.

The town is situated upon a beautiful plateau, and the houses of the village are of modern architecture, are kept well painted and the streets are clean and shady, evincing civic pride and betterment that is commendable everywhere. The lakes and lovely landscapes make a charming background to the village picture.

The first instance in which the population of Savannah was taken separate from that of Clear Creek township was in 1860, when it was three hundred and sixty, but it has increased some since. The first settler in the town was Joseph Fast. The first schoolhouse in the place was a-small log building, erected on the northeast corner of the town plat. There are three churches in the village - Methodist, Presbyterian and United Presbyterian. While the most of the buildings in the place are modern and up-to-date, there is one old building yet standing as a relic of the past. It is a rambling old structure, two stories in height and perhaps sixty feet front, and stands on the west side of Main street south of the academy building. It was built for a hotel and was called the **Tallehill.'"'

The Savannah academy has been, since its founding, christian, but not denominational. The ground, upon which the academy buildings stand, was donated for that purpose by the Rev. John Haney, the founder of the village. Daniel D. Templeton was the first president of the board of trustees.

Calling at the academy at a recitation hour, upon being ushered in, we were kindly greeted and confronted a sea of up-turned handsome and intellectual faces of a score of lady pupils, and later had the pleasure of meeting the principal of the school, the Rev. W. J. Machwart, who, with the Rev. H. F. Kerr, his able assistant, keep the institution up to its former high standard.

Jeromeville is in Mohican township, situated where the Mansfield- Wooster old-time stage road crosses the Jeromefork of the Mohican river. The town was laid out February 14, 1815, by Christian Deardorf and William Vaughn, who had purchased the land from John Baptiste Jerome a short time before, and the town. was named Jeromeville in honor of Jerome. It is surrounded by fine farming lands, and no better soil for fertility can be found in the state than those along the branches of the Mohican. The climate is a healthful one, the scenery of the hills and valleys enhancing and romantic and many legends are

Jeromeville has a population of over four hundred, and being eligibly located in the northwest part of the township, it is a good business town for its size. It was the third town platted within the present limits of Ashland county

A branch of the Ramsey railway system runs from Custaloga, on the Pennsylvania road, northwest to Ashland, a distance of twenty-five miles, passes through Jeromeville and has added much to the business of both Jeromeville and Ashland. The road is called the Ashland & Western, and it is expected that the line will be extended to Lorain on the lake. There is also talk of extending the line south to the Ohio river.

Jeromeville at present contains three churches - the Christian, the Methodist and the Lutheran. A Presbyterian church was organized there in 1817, and was the first church in the place. They erected a church edifice in 1820, and the denomination prospered there for many years, but the organization finally ceased to exist and the church building has been remodeled and is now used as a store room.

The oldest building yet standing in Jeromeville was built for a hotel and was occupied as such for three-fourths of a century, but is now used for a furniture store and a dwelling. The building is in fair condition and seems good for another century. It is two stories in height, over fifty feet in length by about forty in width, and was considered a massive structure at the time it was erected. Additions were added in the rear for dining room and kitchen. This hotel structure was built of brick and sided with heavy, hard wood lumber, perfectly matched and accurately fitted. A two-story porch with massive pillars and with railings nearly surrounds the building. There are great, old-fashioned fire places in both the first and second stories, of sufficient capacity to thoroughly heat the building and to admit of wood without much cutting. The first floor contains four large rooms with a wide hall running crosswise of the building in the center. The second story was formerly one large room, which was used as a bed room and upon festive occasions as a ball room. A large attic furnished further accommodations when needed.

All the material that composed the building inside and out was of hardwood, such as black and white walnut, cherry, oak, ash, maple, etc., all worked out by hand, floors, doors, siding, and all. The pillars are of black walnut and were cut from the stump here and all hauled by teams of oxen to Wooster, Ohio, and were turned out by William Spear; the range work, pillar bases etc., were cut out by Samuel Jackson, a stonecutter of great skill.

In the old stage-coach days this town was a relay station, and is about midway between Wooster and Mansfield, and this stage route was the most prominent and important between the Alleghenies and the northwest. Hence the Hargrave tavern was none too large for the accommodations needed. There are three other buildings yet standing in the town which were built for hotels back in the stage days, but are less pretentious. In one of these, the one in which the postoffice is now located, the first session of court in the county was held, before a county seat had been located.

Another house is yet standing, supposed to be quite or nearly a century ol. In the early settlement of the place it was the home of a Mr. MeKahan, a whee. wright, who had a little shop adjoining, where he manufactured spinning wheels, which were used by the pioneer women to spin wool and flax. Spinning wheels are known to the people of today only as relics and curiosities.

A road from Wooster through Jeromeville to the west was cut through the forest in the fall of 1812 by General Beall's army. This road became a great thoroughfare, and is still used and called ''Beall's Trail.'' A blockhouse was built in the autumn of 1812 at Jeromeville by the troops for the protection of the settlers and was placed under the charge of Captain Murray, who remained there for some time. This blockhouse stood upon a slight knoll at the north part of the village, back of the railroad station, near the flouring mills. .

After remaining in the vicinity of the blockhouse one or two days, General Beall crossed the Jeromefork, and his pioneers opened a path along the old Wyandot trail, in a northwesterly direction, to the banks of a small stream, where they formed a camp. This location was subsequently known as the Griffin farm. The camp received the name of ''Mercer,'' in honor of Major Musser, who commanded one of the regiments. The distance of this camp from the present site of Jeromeville, was about three miles. Here the army remained about two weeks. It was during their stay in this camp that the battle of the ''Cow Pens'' occurred.

About the year 1762, Mohican John, a noted chief of the Mohegans, came to the vicinity of Jeromeville with a band of his tribe numbering about two hundred, and established a village upon the west side of the Jeromefork, upon a knoll or eminence, about a half mile west of the present town of Jeromeville. The village was called Mohican Johnstown, in honor of their noted leader.

The names of some of the heads of the families were Aweepsah, Opetete, Catotawa, Nesohawa, Buckandohee, Shias, Ground Squirrel Buckwheat, Philip Canonicut, Billy Montour, and Thomas Jelloway.

The Delaware Indians had a settlement near Jeromeville, which they left at the beginning of the war of 1812. Their chief was old Captain Pipe. When young he was a great warrior, and the implacable foe of the whites. He was in St. Clair's defeat, where, according to his own account, he distinguished himself, and slaughtered white men until his arm was weary with the work.

The village contained a council house and about sixty or eighty pole lodges or wigwams, and was located near the old Wyandot trail. The village was a common resort of hostile Indians on their warlike excursions to western Pennsy]- vania and Virginia, in the days of the border wars. Many white captives had been led up the old trail, by the village, from 1780 to 1795. The Indians had cleared some fifteen or twenty acres of bottom land, which the squaws cultivated in corn, after the Indian manner. About one mile northeast of the Indian village, a Frenchman by the name of John Baptiste Jerome, resided in a comfortable cabin, having an Indian wife and a daughter, the latter aged about fifteen years. He also had horses, cattle and swine, and had cleared about thirty or forty acres of bottom land along the stream at the west side of what is now Jeromeville, on which he raised corn, and supplied many of the early pioneers with seed corn. .

When the old Portage road was surveyed in 1810, Jerome lived in a cabin near the foot of Main street in Jeromeville. When Captain Douglas removed the Indians, the wife and daughter of Jerome accompanied them. It has been "stated that Jerome gave them the choice of going with their people or remaining with him, and they chose to go with the Indians. The following concerning Jerome is from Hill's history of Ashland county:

'"John Baptiste Jerome was born near Montreal, Canada, of French parents, in the year 1776 or 1777. When seventeen or eighteen years of age he crossed the lake with some French emigrants, and settled among the Indians at the mouth of the Huron river. He married an Indian girl, supposed to have been the sister of a noted Indian known as George Hamilton. After remaining on the Huron a few years, he removed to Upper Sandusky, and resided among the Indians until the campaign of General Anthony Wayne. In company with Captain Pipe, of the Delawares, he was engaged in a number of battles against the American forces, and was at the famous battle of 'Fallen Timbers.' At the time of his residence in this county, he often related anecdotes concerning that battle, describing the amazement of the Indians at the rapidity and violence of the movements of Wayne's army - the Indians comparing him to a huge 'black snake,' and ascribing almost supernatural powers to him. He asserted, that for a long time, the very name of 'Mad Anthony' sent a chill of horror through the body of an Indian. They had, prior to the appearance of General Wayne, baffled the armies of the American generals, and committed many barbarities upon the wounded and dead soldiers left upon the battle field; but, when he came, like a huge anaconda, he enclosed and crushed the warriors in such a frightful manner that they had abandoned all hope of resisting his victorious march, and were glad to stop his ravages by making peace.''

After the treaty at Greenville in 1795, John Baptiste Jerome, Captain Pipe, and a number of the Delawares left the northwest and settled in what was formerly Mohican Johnstown, on the south side of the stream, about a half mile from the present site of Jeromeville. The stream was thenceforth known as the Jeromefork, which name it doubtless received from Jerome. The precise period of this migration cannot be accurately fixed, but was doubtless as early ag 1796 or 1797. Jerome crossed the stream and built a cabin a little southeast of the present site of the mill, where Joseph H. Larwill found him, his wife and daughter, while surveying, in 1806-7. Captain Pipe built a wigwam and located about one mile from Jerome, near what is now the Hayesville road. When the first settlers came into Mohican township, Jerome resided in the aforesaid cabin.

Prior to his being separated from his wife, Jerome was noted for his hospitality, his wife being an excellent cook and housekeeper, considering her opportunities, Jerome being her only instructor as to domestic duties. During the

About the year 1817 Jerome and his German wife removed to his old residence at the mouth of Huron river, where he died a few years afterwards, in indigent circumstances. After Jerome's Indian wife left him, he married a German woman from the Clearfork settlement.

In the fall or early part of the winter of 1812 the family of William Bryan, residing on the Jeromefork, about a mile and a half below J eromeville, were one afternoon surprised by the appearance of a couple of Indians. As the Indians of the neighborhood had all been removed, their presence occasioned suspicion. They asked for food, and while it was being prepared a girl was dispatched to the fort to give the alarm. Thomas Carr and the Frenchman, Jerome, immediately armed themselves and started in pursuit, but before they reached Mr. Bryan's house the Indians had taken their leave and pursuit was abandoned.

The days following our visit to Jeromeville, the old dam, which for nearly a century had spanned the river there and furnished power for the grist mill, was blown out by dynamite, by order of the court, on account of the dam backing the water and overflowing the land. The court awarded Mr. Plank, the proprietor of the mill, ten thousand dollars damages for being deprived of this water power, and the money was paid to Mr. Plank a short time previous to the dam being destroyed.

Mr. C. T. Alleman, aged sixty-three, a life-long resident of Jeromeville, takes a commendable interest in the history of his town. The author of this work is indebted to him for favors.

Loudonville is in Hanover township, situated on the line of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, midway between Mansfield and Wooster. The town is twenty miles from Ashland, twenty from Mansfield, twenty from Wooster, twenty from Millersburg and twenty from Mt. Vernon - an equal distance from five county seat towns.

Loudonville was laid out August 6, 1814, by Stephen Butler and James Loudon Priest, and was named for the latter. The first sale of lots was made September 14, 1814. There was one cabin on the site of Loudonville before the town was platted and was the home of Stephen Butler. It had but one room, but was used as a tavern, and was therefore the first hotel in the place, Chappel, who settled near the town site in 1814, was Mr. Butler's nearest neighbor. fs place are similar to those already given of other communities, and the struggles and triumphs of. its early settlers who came to the wilderness and who after

During the trouble with the Indians, Mr. Priest erected a fort upon his premises for the safety of his family and the members, and it was ealled ''The Priest Stockade."'