Wayne Township (part 15 of 15)

Christian Eby was twenty-two years old when his parents moved to Ohio. He resided with them until his marriage, five 3'ears later, and then went to live with his wife's father for a year. He next farmed the homestead on shares for two years, and then bought twenty-five acres ou the northwest corner of Section 20, Milton Township, where he lived a year and a half. lu the spring of 1858 he bought of his wife's father his present farm, and removed to it the following fall. February 28, 1834, Mr. Eby was married to Mary Ann, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Feightuer) Schrag, of Greene Township, former born in Switzerland, in June, 1792, and died September 8, 1858 ; latter born in Somerset County, Penn., August 3, 1804, and came with her parents to Ohio when seventeen years old. She lives part of the time with Mr. and Mrs. Eby, and part with her daughter

Christina, wife of Jacob Gochnour, in Wayne Township, this county. Notwithstanding her advanced age, she is in full possession of all her faculties. Jacob Schrag was an industrious man, of a kind, neighborly disposition, and well thought of. Mr. and Mrs. Christian Eby were the parents of six children: Jacob and John (deceased in infancy), Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Christian S. and Barbara E., living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Eby are membersof the Medina County (Ohio) Mennonite Church, and are conscientious and upright people, good neighbors, well spoken of by evei'y one who knows them. During their many years' residence in Greene Township, many friends and no enemies have been made by them, and we are pleased to print this testimony of their worth.

L JIfRS. MARY (WOODS) MAIZE, \/\ widow of Jeremiah Maize, a former well-known resident of Wayne County, now lives in the house in which he died, in the city of Wooster. She was born in Allegheny County, Penn., August 19, 1824, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Robbins) Woods, the former a native of Ireland, who was brought to this country by his parents when he was but three years of age, they settliug iu Pennsvlvanin. The mother was born at Wetheisfield, Couu., her ancestors being Yankees. Brintnall Robbius, our subject's grandfather, was a revolutionary soldier, and drew a pension from the Government. When Mnry Robbins was but five years of age her parents removed to Pennsylvania, and there she grew to womanhood, and met and wedded Alexander Woods. Five children were born to them, but two of whom are now living, our subject, and a brother, Reuben W., now a resident of Illinois. In 1843, Alexander Woods fell a victim to that dread disease, consumption, at the age of fifty-two, his wife surviving him nearly twenty years, dying in 1802, aged nearly seventy-six years. They had made their home in Wayne County in 1833. Mr. Woods was an ardent Abolitionist, and both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

The subject of this sketch was ten years old when her parents came to Wayne County, and here she grew to womanhood, and here her home has ever since been. At the age of twenty-one she was united in marriage with Jeremiah Maize, a native of Dauphin County, Penn., his parents also being natives of that State. His father was a contractor, and built many locks, bridges, etc. In 1834, Jeremiah Maize came to Wayne County, which thereafter remained his home until his death. His parents both came at the same time, and both died in Wooster. Jacob Maize kept the stage office in the American Hotel building, where he had the first regular stage line ever run out of Wooster. Some time prior to his marriage he had built a house and barn on his farm in Wooster Township, now owned by Gen. Wiley, and to that place he took his young wife, they making their home there, for some four years. Later he moved to a farm he had purchased in Wooster Township, south of Wooster, and remained thereon until 1809, when the family removed to Wooster, which was his home until his death, which occurred in October, 1885, at which time he was sixty-five years old. His life had been a busy and a successful one. He had keen, shrewd judgment, and did not follow in any beaten track, but took those paths and followed those plans which promised the greatest success. While living on his farm ho dealt largely in stock, and found it profital)le.

Jeremiah Maize and our subject were parents of six children, viz: Jacob Alexander, Alice L., Harvey W., and Mattie F., all deceased; and Horace A. and Frank, both farmers in Wooster Township. Horace A. resides on the old homestead. He was united in marriage with Miss Louise McClure, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth McClure, and to this union have been born three children, viz: Harvey, Percy and Florence. Frank resides on a ' farm near the old horae. He married Miss Kate Hartman, daughter of B. J., and Elizabeth Hartman, and a native of Wooster; they have one child, Paul. Jeremiah Maize in his lifetime was highly respected, and his personal character was without stain. In all his niimerous business transactions he ever sustained an honest reputation.

JLLIAM NOLD. This gentleman is a respected citizen of -^ Wayne County, and was one of its early settlers. He was born in Wetzlar, Prussia, November 19, 1819, and in his native land learned the trade of a butcher, which had been the vocation of his father and others of his ancestors. His father, John Nold, immigrated to America in 1837, bringing with him his wife, four daughters and son William. The family lived in New York for a year, where the father carried on his trade. But he determined to seek a home in the West, and in 1838, reached Wooster, where he concluded to settle. The country was then new, and the settlers had many hardships to endure and difficulties to overcome, but with stout hearts and willing hands the immigrants persevered, and soon made for themselves a home. At this time they experienced much difficulty in their business. The cattle were wild, and had to be often chased for long distances and brought for miles to the town, after being shot. It was from the exhaustion caused by pursuing on foot these wild cattle, that the death of John Nold resulted. Notwithstanding the extreme labor required to capture and prepare the meat for market, money was so scarce that a quarter of beef sold from $1.50 to $2.50, and mutton was correspondingly cheap, bringing from two to three shillings a quarter. The father did not, however, live many years to enjoy his new home, dying in 1843, at the age of fifty-two. In 18G2 his widow followed him to the grave, at the age of sixty-six years. This worthy couple were parents of seven children, two of whom died in Germany ; one died in this country, and our subject and three sisters still reside in Wooster; the latter are Mrs. A. Imgard, Mrs. F. Imgard and Mrs. G. Gasche.

The education of William Nold was received in the schools of his native country. He has labored hard in the land of his adoption, aiding his father, and has not only seen, but materially helped to make, the wonderful changes which have converted a wilderness into a prosperous county. In June, ISH, when in his twenty-fifth year, he was united in marriage with Miss Frederika, daughter of William Hoeguer, and a native of Pennsylvania. Of this union five children were born, viz. : Matilda, who died at the age of twenty; William, who died in infancy; Jeanette, Mrs. John Hoelzel, of Wooster; Mary, Mrs. W. Groff, of Columbus, Ohio, and Ella, wife of Rev. M. Groh, of Silver City, N. M. For more than thirty years Mr. Nold carried on the business of butchering, and in June, 1865, having by constant industry and attention to business, and thrifty habits, accumulated a competence, he retired fi-om active labor, and at once made a visit to the home of his childhood. He also traveled through France and Switzei-land. During the Civil War, while the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry was stationed at Wooster, he supplied it with meat, and the manner in which he discharged his duty gave great satisfaction. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party, and for a number of years was elected township trustee ; for eight years he was a trustee of the Wooster Water Works, discharging all duties entrusted to him in a highly creditable manner. For fortythree years he has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and was one of the founders of the order in Wooster. He is also identified with the K. of P. and the Independent Order of Red Men. He is an

Mr. Nold lias always occupied a high place in the regard of his fellow citizens, and is one of the most respected men in the county. He has aided materially in the upbuilding of the city of Wooster, and Nold Avenue was named in his honor within her borders. He was born in Lancaster, Fairfield Co., Ohio, February 2-4, 1808. His father, named John, was a native of Washington County, Md., of German parentage, and was married to Ruth Nagle, who was a native-born American. Her father and two of his brothers were Revolutionary soldiers, and both of his brothers died while in service. John Fogelsou and wife had eight children, and David is the only one of the three survivors who lives in Wayne County. The father was a blacksmith by trade, and died in 1848, in Fairfield County, Ohio, whither he had migrated. Tiie mother died in 1854, in Allen County, Ind.

Our subject learned the trade of shoemaker, in Mansfield, Ohio, and in 1S'20 came to Wayne County, arriving November 7 in Wooster, which has ever since been his home. There he followed his trade until 1878, when he retired to the repose of private life, well earned by a long life of industry and frugality, and is now enjoying his rest and the respect of his life-long neighbors. February 17, 1835, he was united in marriage with Euth, daughter of Christian and Lydia (Eaton) Smith, and a native of Wayne County. Her parents were born at Big Egg Harbor, N. J.,, and were among the pioneers of Wayne County, where they located in 1809. He was a dresser of deer skins, and soon after their marriage removed to Greenbriar County, Va., where the promise of business seemed good, and from there he went to near Washington City, and thence to Pittsburgh, and from there removed farther down the Ohio and established a ferry, and after some time they came to Wayne County, where both died. Mr. and Mrs. Fogelson had eight children: Maria, now a resident of Duluth, Minn. ; Byron, in Wooster; Schiller, in Marion County, Ohio; Irving, in Duluth, Minn. ; Josephine, living with her parents, and Corydon, Luther and Franklin, deceased.

it was but a small place, and he has witnessed and participated in its growth and development to its present flourishing condition. His early life was one of labor and struggle, but a firm will and a determination to succeed has brought success. He has ever been industrious, temperate and upright, and now, in the evening of his days, is reaping his just reward. Though advanced in years he and his faithful wife are well preserved and in good health, and are comfortably living in their family home on Henry Street. Both are valued members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, but has never taken an active part in public affairs. At the time of the Kebelliou our subject being too old to go himself remained at home, but was represented by three of his sons - Byron, Corydon and Schiller; Corydon, at the Battle of the Wilderness, received a wound from which he never recovered. He was shot in the mouth, the ball lodging in his neck, from which paralysis resulted.

Mr. Fogelson has a clearness of mind quite exceptional for his time of life, which, with his extensive experience, makes him an entertaining conversationalist.

II n ATTHEW JOHNSON ami Sarah, lYI ^^^ wife, settled iii Wooster iu J -" Is 17, having come from Beaver County, Peun. They were two of the first members of the old Seceder Church, now called United Presbyterian. He was born March 20, 1785, and died June 17, 1853. Mrs. Johnson was born May 20, 1787, and died February 5, 1877, a remarkabh- smart and interesting old lady, loved and respected by all who knew her. They had a family of six sons and one daughter: John, Matthew, James, Elias S., William, Perry and Belinda, the hitter of whom married Thomas Power and resided iu Wooster until her death, in lsS2. Tlie sons were all active business men, none now living, James, the last .-^urviviuii one, dviujr iu Wooster in 1888.

WILLIAM H. BANKER, of Wooster, is proprietor of the largest -^ - ' carriage and wagon manufactory in Wayne County, is one of its most enterprising business men, and an important factor in its prosperity. He was born in Germany. September 13, 1838, and had tlie misfortune to lose his father (whose name was Henry ) when he was but four years old. Six years later, when our subject was ten years of age, his mother decided to come to America, and join a lirother, George Nieman. a resident of Pittsburgli, Penn. In this place they lived until William H. was sixteen years old, when his uncle decided to go to California, in search of gold, leaving his family behind. He then began learning the trade of carriage-making with C. West, one of the most extensive dealers at that time in Pittsburgh. He also assisted his aunt in carrying on his uncle's business. He remained in Pittsburgh until 1863, when he came to Ohio, and began work at his trade for a carriage maker there, with whom he remained until 1874. The panic which began in October of the previous year causing the failure of his employer, Mr. Banker purchased the shop from the assignees, and this was the beginning of the extensive business which he has since built up and is now carrying on, and which his rare good business ability and thoroughly upright dealing have brought to its |)resent large pn)portions.

In ISUO Mr. Banker was married to Miss Christiana Heinlein, a native of Pittsburgh. Their wedded life was of l)ut short duration, as the angel of death claimed her ten years later, and she passed away leaving four children, all of whom are yet living. Her two sons, William D. and Albert C, are in Pittsburgh, where they are engaged in the manufacture of bicvcles; a ilaughter.

now Mrs. W. L. Firestone, resides in Wooster, and Flora Eliza is still under the paternal roof. In 1871 Mr. Banker was again married, his bride being Miss Alvira Barnes, who has borne him two sons: Arthur L. and George August. Mr. Banker is in the fullest sense of the word a self-made man, and the competence he has acquired and the honorable place he holds in the community are the rewards won by his untiring industry, honesty and upright life. He fills a large place in the public affairs of his adopted city. In politics he acts with the Democratic party, and he is now serving his third term in the city council; for four years he was trustee of the city water works board; was chairman of the building committee when the new city hall was built, and was the prime mover in estal)lishing a paid fire department. He had always taken a warm interest in fire department matters, for fifteen years being connected with the department in Wooster, and for ten years he had been one of the fire commissioners of the city of Pittsburgh. In fact in every enterprise tending to the welfare of the community he has borne a prominent and active part. In social life he is also well known, and is a leading member of many organizations. He affiliates with the orders of the K. of H., the K. of P., the Iron Hall, Chosen Friends, and he and his wife are closely identified with the English Lutheran Church. Mrs. Banker takes much interest in the Mission Aid Society, and both are liberal contributors to all benevolent projects. They have a wide circle of fi'iends, and no family stands higher in the esteem of the community.

V J( ON. AVELLINGTON STILWELL, '^ attorney atlaw, Millersburgh, Ohio, is a native of Holmes County, born in 1817. He is a descendant of an English family that was prominent in the days of Charles I and Charles II. The family name was originally Cook, and consisted of three brothers who were leaders of the party opposed to the crowned head of England. One held a prominent position imder the British Government during the reign of Charles I, and was executed for being conspicuous in securing the death of the Kiug. The two remaining brothers then removed to Holland, whence all letters sent were signed Stil-well, and finally became Stilwell. The family has been a prominent one both in military and civil life, and since its identification with American history has had representatives at the bar, on the bench, in State legislature and in Congress. At an early day the name became prominent in the State of Ohio.

Wavxe Couxtv

The representntive of the family who is the subject of our notice is no exception to the general rule, and although in youth his circumstances were not at all encouraging to one fired with an ambition to hold a high position among his fellowmen, yet by determination and perseverance he was finally successful, and today he stands at the bead of his profession, and is one of the most honored men in the county. His early life was one of toil on the homestead farm. Paying his way by teaching during the winter, he obtained an academic education, and theu turned his attention to the study of his chosen profession, and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. He served four years as school examiner, to the general satisfaction of teachers and public. Already his fellow-citizens recognized the ability of the young attorney, and the following year he was called upon to represent them in the State legislature. Here, nlthougii one of the youngest members of that body, he was conspicuous in the argument and as the first to open the discussion upon the famous Fifteenth Amendment del^ate. In 1872 he was again returned to the legislature, thus serving a period of four years. For several years he gave his attention to the practice of his profession, and his work was usually attended with success, both at the bar and as a counsellor. In 1882 he was the choice of the

Democratic party for, and elected liy a large majority to, the position of Judge of the Common Pleas District compo.sed of Holmes, Coshocton, Wayne, Riciiland, Ashland, Morrow, Knox, Delaware and Licking Counties. In this position he has performed his duties impartially, and is lionored by the profession, irrespective of political preferences. At the close of his time he declined renomiuation. preferring to resume liis [)ractice, whidi is a lucrative and in every way a satisfactory one. The question of tariff, its operation and effect, has probalily received as much of his attention, as from any man of his age in Ohio, and ho is a pronounced taritf reformer. In 1884, before the name of "trust" was iieard, he predicted, in a series of papers, that, fostered by high tariff taxes, combinations of capital would take place to raise prices of the necessaries of life, to do which they would docrease production, and consequently decrease the amount of work and the wages of the toilers. He is a great admirer of Ex-President Cleveland for the exhibition of his courage seen in his message wliicii called the public attention officially to the evils of the combinations which he bad predicted were the natural outgrowth of high tariff, and, in IS88, he took a prominent part in the tariff discussion, making thirty-six S|)eeches, and having twice as many calls whicii he could not fill. He recocruizes that the economic question involved in the tariff, with its kindred growth, the trust, is the greatest danger now threatening the toiling people, and that to deal with the subject properly the people are called upon, for their own preservation, to bring to the front, and especially to the halls of Congress, men of the highest ability, together with unflinching courage.

The judge is still a young man, and, in the years that lie ahead of him, is destined, if the people realize their own best interests, to have a still firmer hold on the hearts of the people than he already enjoys, and the ambitions of liis youth ma}' be far excelled in the realities of the future.

RS. NANCY J. YARNELL is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, -^ born in Plain Township, a daughter of Joseph B. and Catherine (Shelly) Springer, and granddaughter of Jacob Shelly. Her parents came to Wayne County from Pennsylvania in 1832, and became identified with all the material interests of the county. The mother died in 1874, and the father in 1879, aged sixty-seven years. They had a family of seven children, but two of whom, Ellen (now Mrs. William Myers, of Plain Township) and Mrs. Yarnell are residents of Wayne County. One son, Benjamin, is deceased, and a sou of Mrs. Springer by a former marriage, Jacob Miller, Jr., is al.^6 deceased.

Nancy J. Springer remained with her parents until l>!tJ4, when she was married to Cyrus Yarnell, a native of Wayne County, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Yarnell. After their marriage the young couple removed to Missouri, where they lived until 1880, when Mr. Yarnell died, aged forty-five years. Mrs. Yarnell then returned to her native home, and has since lived in Wooster Township. She has had a family of five children, viz.: Joseph H. (deceased), Samuel, William (deceased), Catherine Ellen and one who died in infancy.

THOMAS POAVER was born in Washington County, Penu., December 31, 1807, and died in Wooster, ' Ohio, July 15, 1881. In 1818 his father, Neal Power, with his familj', settled on a farm in Wayne County, about two and one-half miles south of Wooster. In 1828 the subject of this sketch, then twenty-cue j-ears of age, began what proved to be a long business career, entering the emploj- of J. R. Church, whose store-room adjoined the court-bouse. Soon after commencing his work tlie courthouse ami all the surrounilinujs were destroyed by fire, ami lie then accepted a position with Lake k Hand, and later with J. & D. Jones, dry goods merchants, of which latter firm he soon became a member. The firm afterward changed to T. & S. Power, who did business a number of years. Subsequently Mr. Power engaged alone in the clothing business for years, being later on and up to the time of his death associated with his son, Perry J. Power, in the same business.

On November 19, 1835, Thomas Power was unitetl in marriage with Belinda, daughter of Matthew Johnson, Sr., an old ])ioneer. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Power: Perry J., and two others wlio died in infancy. Mr. Power was actively engaged in business in Wooster for fifty-two years, and, through all the fluctuations and adversities experienced ill a business career of all those years, be remained the same modest, generous, upriglit citizen. He was n man of exemjjlarv life, iienerous to friends, a devoted liusbaud and father, a standi friend and a good citizen. ,

His wife was boin at Little Beaver, Columbiana Co., Ohin. January 2S, 1815, and died October 15, 1882. Her father, Matthew Jolinson, Sr., well known to Wooster's oKlest residents, was a captain in the War of 1812, serving under Gen.

Harrison. On liis way with his company to Fort Meigs lie was so pleased with the place that at the close of the war he bought property in Wooster, and with his wife and family of eight children - John S., Matthew, James, Belinda, Elias, William, Perry and Reasiii - (all of whom have passed away) moved to Wooster in 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were the early founders of the olil Seceder Churcli at AVooster, and were identified with all the early reminiscences of the place. Mr. Johnson served in several oflices, as president of the town council, sheriff of Wayne County, etc. He died June 17, 1858. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Johnson, survived him many years. She was a woman of great excellence of character, and was \wloved by all who knew her. She lived with Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Power a quarter of a century after the death of her husband and until the time of her death, in 1877. Mrs. Power, her daughter, was a lovely and inestimable woman, possessing many virtues. She was not only the most respected but one of Wooster's oldest residents, having lived here since 1817, a period of sixty-five years. Her house was the welcome home of relatives and friends. Mr. and Mrs. Power were faithful members of the Episcopal Churcli. They had sliared each other's joys and .sorrows for forty-five years. Mrs. Power survived her liuslwnd oniv a sliorf time.

Their son, Perrj' J., who is well and favorably known, was born in Wooster, Ohio, was educated in the public schools, commenced his business career as deputy postmaster (James Johnson being postmaster) under President Buchanan, and afterward continued as deputy postmaster two years with Enos Foreman, postmaster under President Lincoln; afterward he sold dry goods for two years with his uncles, J. B. and N. Power. In the year 1S66 he engaged as merchant in the clothiug business, in which he continued until 1886. He was married in 1883 to Miss Mary D. Woods, of Baltimore. With his wife and family lie removed, in 1886, to Chicago, 111., where he is engaged in the insurance business.

JACOB DURSTINE, junior member of the firm of Hartman & Diirstine, --' lumber merchants and manufacturers of building supplies, in Wooster, Wayne Co., Ohio, was born in Westmoreland County, Peun., October 22, 1823. His paternal ancestry, supposed originally to have been Germans, were driven by the tide of war, in the fifteenth century, to the French border, settling in Alsace, where their first authentic history begins. Here they lived many years, subject to all the vicissitudes of the wars of the sixteenth century; espousing the cause of the Huguenots and sharing their fate; enduring the horrors of the Catholic and other disturbances under the reign of Louis XIII, and sharing the misfortunes of the early Protestants under Catholic political outrages, until finally, during the reign of Louis XIV, Avheu Protestantism had seemingly received its final overthrow in Alsace, and it became unsafe longer to acknowledge their religious belief, they sought relief from Catholic intolerance and oppression, and with others, emigrated to the New World, where they hoped to be able to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.

Arriving in America about the year 1660 - twenty years before the treaty of William Penn - they located in what is now known as Berks County, Penn., and gave at once the name of their old home, Alsace, to their new one, as a guide for those who might follow, which title is still retained as the name of a township in Berks County, which they originally settled. Here they planted a colony, and so far as possible established friendly relations with the Indians, acting only on the defensive in self-protection. This policy, added to their strong Protestant

Hiul religious convictions, ))rouglit them into close relations with William Penn, and aided materially in shaping and carrying into successful operation Peuu's celehiated treaty with the Indians in 1682, which transformed a savage wilderness into a great pacific commonwealth, without bloodshed. Several generations of the Durstine family here grew to maturity, and settled in various parts of the Colonies and Canada, the name in some instances being slightly changed, that of Hannah Dustau, the heroine of Haverhill. Mass.. being a familiar example.

During the Revolutionary period, one of the Durstiues acted as a mail carrier and special messenger, in the interest of the Colonial Government, and at the age of one hundred and five years walked twenty miles in a single day, through forest and over mountains, carrying an important message to General Washington, and was a hale old man until his death, which occurred at the unusual age of one hundred and twenty years. One of the great-grandsons of tiiis old veteran was the grandfather of the subject of this biographical memoir. He moved to Westmoreland County, Penn.. about the year 1800, and settled on a farm some distance east of Pittsburgh, when, asa village, it boasted of a population of only 1,500 people. The only public conveyance of products and merchandise at tiiis time was by teams, and between seed time and harvest he became a public teamster over the mountains between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. At one time he was entrusted by the Government with a sishorse wagon-load of money from the United States Bank and Mint at Philadelphia, which he carried secretly to the mountains for safety from the invading enemy in the War of 1812. Unlike some modern custodians of public funds, he did not "skip to Canada," but after the danger was over he returned the money in safety to the Government, receiving a receipt and letters of commendation which are yet preserved by the family.

He reared a family of nine children, one of whom, Abraham, at the age of twenty-two years, married Miss Catherine Sherrick, of Fayette County, Penn., by whom he had six children, three daughters who died young, and three sons who grew to maturity: Jacob, John and Abraham, Jr., Jacob being the subject proper of this sketcli.

At the age of two and a lialf years Jacob was brought to Ohio by his parents, who moved by the overland route in covered wagons in 1825, and settled on a tract of unbroken forest land at the junction of Wayne, Holmes and Stark Counties, on the banks of a pleasant stream, which, from its many adjacent sugar and maple trees, was named Sugar Creek.

Here they began at once to establish a home out of the wilderness. They lived in the primitive style of pioneer life and, as the family grew, gradually brought the forest under subjection, stoutly contested by the Indians and wild beasts of the neighborhood. Game was plentiful, droves of deer coming within a few rods of the door. Wild turkeys and wild Indians vied with each other in making tempting cries, to allure the young pioneers to the hunt, but they were kept busy on the farm, as they were obliged to raise all necessaries, except what little they occasionally got in exchange by selling wheat at thirty cents a bushel, which they were obliged to take twenty or thirty miles to market. Luxuries they had none; coffee, tea and store clothes were almost unknown ; stoves were a great rarity ; all fires for cooking and heating purposes were made in large deep fireplaces, with backlogs drawn in by horses to keep up the fires during the long, tedious winters. They raised their own flax and wool, and spun and wove all their garments by the slow pioneer processes. There were no public schools at that time, and the educational advantages of Jacob Durstine were very limited, his boyhood days for the most part being spent in the labors of the farm; nevertheless bj- a few months' attendance at a subscription school taught by his father (at the request of the early settlers), and later by a few months' at the first public school, he acquired sufficient education to enable him to teach in the early public schools of that section. Arriving at the age of manhood, he commenced for himself on a leased farm in Wayne County, adjacent to his father's.

At the age of twenty-three he married Miss Mary Ann Hartman, sister of his present partner, a native of Cumberland County, Penu , and daughter of Rev. Peter and Elizabeth Hartman, who had moved to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1830. Three years later Mr. Durstine bargained for the old homestead in Sugar Creek, to which he moved, and here remained until some of the children born to this union were of such an age that better school facilities were desirable. He then sold the old homestead farm and bought another near Wooster, whither he moved in the spring of 1867. Here he devoted his time to the management and improvement of his farm, at the same time affording opportunities for the education of his children, of whom there were five. In 1876 he abandoned agricultural pursuits, and, renting his farm, came to Wooster, where he embarked in the lumber business, the firm of Hartman & Durstine being established that year. Two years later he purchased a home on Beall Avenue, where he now resides.

The children completed uuiversity courses, and are now nearly all married and settled elsewhere. Their record is as follows: Frank H., the eldest, married to Miss Mary Heuion, of Ann Arbor, Mich., is a practicing physician in Cleveland, Ohio; Lee B., married to Miss Kate Sarles, of Boscobel, Wis., is general manager of the Equitable Life Insurance Company, at Des Moines, Iowa; Alice E. is married to Rev. F. N. Riale, Ph.. D., who has a pastorate in Independence, Iowa; Harvey Wilton died in infancy; Clara B., the youngest, is the only one of the childi'eu remaining at home.

Jacob Durstine has never taken a very active part in politics, but has always done his duty at the polls. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay, Whig candidate for President in 1844. He supported the Whig party until 1856, when the better class of Whigs and Democrats united to form the Republican party, with whicli he has ever since allied himself. During the War of the Rebellion, on account of physical disability, he was exempt from all active service, but he nevertheless took an active part, financially and otherwise, in assisting and encouraging the raising of volunteers, and gathering and shipping commissary stores to the front, his wife being [)resident of the Auxiliary Aid Society, organized to send supplies to the soldiers on the field and in hospitals.

Mr. Durstine has always been active in all educational and religious enterprises, giving liberally toward i>enevolent objects. He served for years as president and clerk of the township Board of Education; he organized the first Sabbathschool ever held in his section, and wa.s for years its only superintendent. From his boyhood he has borne a strong Christian character, the foundation of which dates back to the use of the Bible as his school reader, and he has ever since been a close and thorough Bible student. He has occupied every office in Church relations possible for a layman to fill ; for many years he was a prominent member of what is known as The Church of God, or Winebrennei-ian, and spent much time and money in building up that denomination, holding for some years the treasurership of the board of missions of that body. Recently he united with the Bethany Baptist Church of Wooster, of which he is now one of the officers, and an active, earnest and influential member.

Source changes here: from History of Wayne County, Ohio, published 1910; 1,268 words in this source stream.

Wayne Township

Wayne iownship derives its name from the county, which was named for Gen. Anthony Wayne - "Mad Anthony." This township is centrally located in the county and touches the incorporate line of the city of Wooster, the seat of justice. It is a full congressional township, six miles square. It dates its organization from October 12, 1816, and in 1870 had reached a population numbering one thousand seven hundred and fourteen. Its population according to the federal census of 1900 was one thousand seven hundred and eleven.

The first white man to settle within the limits of this township was among the following, but it is not certain who did actually effect the first clearing. The first pioneer band was as follows : James Glass, the Roses, the Feazles, the Clarks, Meeks, Turners, Thomas Armstrong, Moses Thompson, Thomas Pomeroy, Henry Perrine, George Gibson, Ralph Cherry, John and Peter Vanostran, Fred Garver, Armstrong Davison, John Richey, John and Peter Bacher, Thomas Beall, Peter Anspaugh, Peter Eiker, George Bair, Henry Snyder, Peter and Jacob Ihrig, William Elgin, Mordecai Boon, Peter Everly, Jacob Seiford, Benjamin Miller, Abraham Vanmeter, William Burgan, Alexander Hanna,

Ered Garver erected the first saw-mill in the township, in 1814. A year later he built the first grist-mill, deriving his water power from the Little Apple creek.

Being so near the city of W'ooster, there have never grown np any towns of much importance in Wayne township. The only one now in existence is Madisonburg, in the center of the township.

The churches and schools of this township are treated in the two chapters on these respective subjects, and to which the reader is referred.

While it is not the object of this volume to treat much on the personal histories of many of the pioneers, as many are fully treated in the biographical volume of this work, yet it may be of historic interest to menfion, in this township history, something concerning the life and deeds of the Wasson family.

Joseph Wasson, Sr., was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 29, 1773. His grandson, Joseph Wasson, was born June 30, 1839, two miles east of Congress village, Wayne county, Ohio, and until the age of eighteen years, remained upon the farm, when he first began his ventures upon the untried seas of life's journeys. He spent much of his life on the Pacific coast, where he achieved a reputation as a writer. He was for many years a newspaper man, acting as editor, proprietor and correspondent. He attended the Vienna Exposition as a special correspondent for Forney's Press, writing a series of brilliant letters, signed "Josef." On his return, he was despatched to New Orleans by the Press and New York Times as a correspondent. He was one of the early contrilxitors to the Overland Monthly. He was in the campaign and within twelve miles of General Custer when he was destroyed by the Indians, a correspondent of Eastern papers and furnishing the news of that region to the Associated Press. He finally settled down in such work and profession in San Francisco, California.

Greene townshiji is second from the north as well as from the east line of Wayne county - in it the thriving city of Orrville is situated - and it was organized February 5, 1817, taking its name from Major-Gen. Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary soldier and a native of Warwick, Rhode Island. The population has grown from two thousand seven hundred and fifteen in 1870 to three thousand three hundred and eighteen in 1900. as shown by the federal census. The first township officers were: Trustees, Peter Flickinger.

in this connection that the inhabitants of this part of Wayne county observed one peculiarity in the first occupancy of it. It was a wilderness, overgrown with timber, with the exception of about twelve acres on the southwest C|uarter of section 3. which was clear of trees, stumps, and even roots, and was called by the first comers "the Indian field."

Tradition is not always reliable to pin history to, but in the absence of the recorded facts we always must place some credence to traditionary features of early settlements. In this case a tradition runs thus : As early as

1802. a party of four young men, who had passed from Pennsylvania to Cleveland, and leaving the latter place for Tuscarawa, now Coshocton, were attacked by the Indians and one of their number killed, when the remaining three retrated by tbe line of trees they had blazed. The bullet that killed the young man entered a small oak tree, which the Indians notched high above the ground. A few years later two of the three young men, accompanied by others, returned to the spot of the murder, discovered the notched tree, but saw no remains of their dead comrade. This was evidently the first Avhite person to meet death within what is pow Greene township.

The first settlement was made in 1811 by Michael Thomas with his wife and seven children. He emigrated from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and located on the southwest quarter of section 33. Following him came in Thomas Boydston and wife, who settled on the same section. For three years these were the only settlers in the township. In 1814 Lorenzo Winkler and family came in from Virginia, settling on section 22. Until 1815 emigration to this part of the county was very limited. Among those who soon found their way to this township, and became permanent settlers may be mentioned George Boydston. Thomas Hayes, David McConahay, David Boydston, David Antles, Thomas Dawson, John Wade, George Smith, Thomas Smith, Jacob Breakfield, John Harris, Douglas Wilford, Barter Harris, James Sparks, John Hobbs, Francis Shackler, Isaac Robins, Phineas Burrwell, Thomas Johnston, John Bigham, Robert Calvins, Jacob Cook, Charles Kelley, Will Ruffcorn, George Carson, Jacob Breakbail and Thomas Alison.

By 1817 the township had a population of one hundred and forty-seven souls, of w'hich twenty-six were legal voters. In April, 1817, the first election was held at the residence of William Barnett, on section 21.

The first birth in the township was a daughter of Michael Thomas, born September 25, 1812; the second was that of Richard Antles, February 3, 1813.

In the autumn of 1815 John Wade built a hand-mill to crush corn for family use ; this was situated upon the farm later owned by D. L. Kieffer.

The first warrant was issued for the arrest of John Treasurer, for assault and battery, upon complaint of Cephas Clark. Treasurer was a "fortune teller," and Clark had his fortune told "on tick" ; the teller proved to be a liar, and Clark "bucked" and wouldn't pay, whereupon Treasurer got him "in chancery" and drafted "sirloins on his frontispiece." Both were citizens of East Union township.

The first school was taught by Peter Kane, a student of Oxford, England. The pioneer school house was a log cabin eighteen by twenty-two feet, on the northwest quarter of section 23.

The first death in the township after its settlement by the white race was on December 27, 1817, and occurred at a raising on the old Ruble farm, the victim being Christian Partshie, who was killed by the falling of a stick of timber.

wholesale and retail; hotel, W. G. Coulter; bank, Farmers and Merchants, The professional men were, at the same date, Drs, W. G. Zimmerman, H. M. Yoder, H. A. Schollenberger ; attorney, Joseph Gallagher.

The banking business is carried on at this point by the Farmers and Merchants Bank, with W. H. Zaugg as its president and E. U. Burkholder as its cashier.