792 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.

ROBERT BARNHILL, a prominent pioneer farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Mifflin County, Penn., March 17, 1809, son of Gabriel and Nancy (McCurdy) Barnhill, natives of Pennsylvania. Gabriel Barnhill was one of the early farmers of Harrison County, Ohio, and filled the office of justice of the peace as early as 1812. His family consisted of eleven children, Robert being the second (he has two brothers and two sisters living). The subject of this sketch was reared on the old home farm, and acquired his education in the common schools of that day. He came to this county in 1836 , and settled in Liberty Township, Which at that time was densely covered with forest. He assisted in clearing away the timber that they might have a few acres of land to cultivate, and whereon to raise the necessaries of life. His present farm consists of 140 acres of fine land, on which he and his family have made many improvements. Mr. Barnhill was united in marriage in Wayne County, Ohio, the fruits of which union were six children, three of whom survive: Agnes (wife of George Markley), Margaretta M. (wife of John Miller) and James (married to Elizabeth Ramsey). The deceased are Anderson, Sarah E. and Mary A. After the death of his first wife Mr. Barnhill became united in marriage with Mary A., daughter of Henry Keel, and the fruits of this union are Joseph (in Iowa, married to Sarah Loy), Robert (a farmer, married to Mary E. Dennis) and Eliza J. (wife of M. R. Longbrake). Mr. Longbrake was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, September 27, 1846, and chose farming as his life vocation. He was married in 1871, and had the following named children: May A., G. W., J. H. (deceased), A. V., William E., Myrtle and Belle Grace. The families are members of the Christian Union Church. Mr. Barnhill is school director and township trustee. In politics he is a Democrat.

FRED BROBST, proprietor of saw-mill, P. O. Findlay, was born in Germany, April 16, 1851. His mother died when he was but seven years old, and his father, Joseph Brobst, brought him to America soon after. Joseph Brobst, being a poor man, put young Fred out to work on a farm in

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 793

Henry County, Ohio, and for several years the son saw nothing of his father. When still young, Fred came to this county and worked one year at the carpenter trade; afterward attended the high school in Findlay, sad subsequently worked on a farm for John Schoonover for five years. In 1871 he embarked in his present enterprise, saw-milling, which he has since followed with marked success. In 1875 Mr. Brobst was united in marriage with Miss Samilda, daughter of John Schoonover, and they have one child, Harvey. Mr. and Mrs. Brobst are members of the United Brethren Church, of which he has been trustee and class-leader, and in all the affairs of which he takes a deep interest.

JUSTUS CHASE, farmer, Findlay, was born in New York State, August 29, 1817, son of George and Elizabeth (Wilson) Chase, natives of New York, of English descent, and who moved to Madison County, Ohio, in 1817, and from there to Hancock County in 1830, where they remained until their death, Mrs Chase dying in 1832, and Mr. Chase in 1869. They reared a family of five children, our subject being the eldest. Justus Chase has made farming his business through life, and has resided on his present farm since March, 1831. He is the owner of over 200 acres of fine land, besides property in Ottawa, Denver and North Baltimore, Ohio. Mr. Chase was united in marriage, November 7, 1839, with Mary A. Jones, born in 1821, in Westmoreland County, Penn., daughter of James and Martha (Black) Jones, the former born in Pennsylvania in 1791, and the latter in Maryland in 1799. Mr. and Mrs. Jones moved from Liberty Township, Westmoreland Co., Penn., to Liberty Township, Madison Co., Ohio, and afterward to Liberty Township, Perry County, and in 1833 settled in Liberty Township, this county. To our subject and wife were born nine children: George D., Martha J. (deceased), Elizabeth (wife of Chris Porter), Cerilda M. (wife of Isaac Taylor), Harrison (deceased), James W. (deceased), Mary S. (wife of James H. Chase), Annettia (wife of John R. Osborn) and Justus Z. Mr. Chase is one of the substantial farmers of Hancock County, and he and his wife have been consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for over forty years.

A. C. EWING, Findlay, superintendent of Hancock County Infirmary, was born in Liberty Township, this county, November 26, 1854, son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Insley) Ewing, natives of Ohio, the former of German descent, the latter of English extraction. Cornelius Ewing, who was a tiller of the soil all his life, came to this county in 1853, and settled on a farm in Liberty Township; his family consisted of four children, our subject being the eldest. A. C. Ewing was reared on the farm and followed agriculture as an occupation until he reached his majority; he afterward went to Findlay and engaged as a clerk in a wholesale and retail store, and was thus employed for five years; then went to farming for himself. Mr. Ewing is the owner of a farm of eighty acres in Union Township. In politics he is a Democrat and is a member of the Democratic committee of Hancock County. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In 1884 Mr. Ewing was appointed superintendent of Hancock County Infirmary. He is a kind-hearted man, Well calculated for the position he fills, and is ably assisted by his wife. Mrs. Arabella Ewing is a daughter of John King and is of English descent. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were united in marriage in 1878, and they have one child, Maud May. Our subject et and wife are members of the Evangelical Church, and he is a class leader and superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

794 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

HENRY FRY, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in April, 1809, in Prussia, his parents being also natives of same. Our subject acquired his education in his native land, where he remained until 1832, at which time he came to America; he labored by the day and month to get a start for himself, and was one of the early settlers of Liberty Township, this county. His first purchase was eighty acres of land where he and his family reside, and by industry and economy he added to this eighty-acre tract until he at one time owned 590 acres. He has assisted his children to a start in the world, and now owns over 300 acres of fine land. Mr. Fry was united in marriage, in 1839, with Susan Spangler, and by this union there are fourteen children, twelve of whom are now living: John H., married to Sarah Rudisill; Susan, wife of Jefferson Readebaugh; Solomon, married to Susan Witters; Reuben, married to Mary Deal; Jacob, married to Katie Marshall; Benjamin, married to Laura Gross; Sarah E., wife of Zachariah Bish; Mary A., wife of Thomas Codner; James B., Elmer E., Sherman D., and Arvilla E., are still unmarried. The deceased are Clara E. and Emma Eliza. The family are members of the Church of God. In politics Mr. Fry is a Republican.

DAVID P. HAGERTY, farmer and school examiner, P.O. Findlay, was born in Fayette County, Penn., April 3, 1844, son of Samuel J. and Maria (Gween) Hagerty, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of Irish and the latter of English descent. Samuel J. Hagerty was a stone-mason in early life, and afterward became a farmer; his family consisted of five children-three daughters and two sons-our subject being the eldest son. David P. Hagerty was reared on the farm, received a liberal education, and, on reaching his majority, commenced teaching school in Pennsylvania, where he taught for four terms, and also farmed. He came to this county in 1874 and taught school here for some time, but, for the last year or two has devoted his time to farming, in which pursuit he has been successful. He now owns 121 3/4 acres of land, well stocked, and With a good house and barn upon it. Mr. Hagerty is a great reader and a liberal purchaser of books. October 19, 1865 he was united in marriage with Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Sloterback), Browneller, the latter a native of Pennsylvania and of German descent. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty are Lizzie D., Albert L., Anna B., Samuel J. and Emma O. Mr. Hagerty is a Democrat in politics, also justice of the peace, and now a member of the board of school examiners of this county. His great-grandmother, who is a descendant of the house of Burgess, holds the title to Staten Island, New York.

MARION HULLINGER, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Findlay, was born in Eagle Township, this county, August 14, 1841, son of George and Mary Ann (Keel) Hullinger, natives of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent, and who were among the early settlers of Eagle Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. George Hullinger separated when our subject was a small boy, and George Hullinger afterward went to Indiana where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in 1878. Robert Barnhill became our subject's step-father and by him the latter was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. Mr. Hullinger chose agriculture for his vocation in life and is now the owner of a good farm of fifty-two acres of land in Liberty Township, this county. In 1861 he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Flick, daughter of John Flick and of English descent. Three children have blessed this union: Oliver, Edward and Nellie. Mrs. Hullinger died in 1882; she was a mem-

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 795

ber of the Church of God. Miss Sarah Beman is now keeping house for Mr. Hullinger. Politically our subject is a Democrat.

T. S. PORTER, farmer and stock raiser, Findlay, was born in Liberty Township, this county, April 7, 1848, son of Amos, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, of Scotch and German descent. Amos Porter, who in early life was a blacksmith, later became a farmer, and is now wealthy and influential, still residing in Liberty Township, this county. He is one of the pioneers of the county. His family consisted of ten children, five of whom are now living, our subject being the second. T. S. Porter was reared on the farm, received a common school education, and has made agriculture his occupation. In 1870 he was united in marriage with Miss Marietta, daughter of L. M. S. Miller; her parents were Pennsylvania-Dutch. This union has been blessed with four children: Lillie May, Delos D., Florene G. and Ralph R. Mr. and Mrs. Porter are members of the Evangelical Association, of the Sabbath-school of which he has been superintendent. In politics Mr. Porter is a Republican. He served for fifteen years as township clerk of Liberty ToWnship.

ANDREW POWELL, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born May 25, 1827, in Fairfield County, Ohio, came to this county with his parents, Samuel and Sarah Powell, in 1834, and was reared in Liberty Township, this county. He was united in marriage, December 20, 1848, with Phoebe Ann Pates, who died September 15, 1859, leaving six children: Mrs. Emily Dreisbach, Theodore, Franklin P., Mrs. Priscilla De Long of Tipton County, Ind., Elijah (deceased) and Roger Sherman. After the death of his first wife Mr. Powell became united in marriage, in 1860, with Caroline Dotson, who died in 1877, leaving seven children: Mrs. Sarah E. Hamlin, Ellsworth, Charles D., Sullivan, Huntington, Jennie June and Homer K. For his third wife Mr. Powell married, March 5, 1878, Sarah A. Longbrake, widow of Harmon Longbrake and daughter of Andrew Fellers. At the time of her marriage with our subject she had three children, Cora S., Minnie E. and Curtis E. By her union with Mr. Powell she has two children: Inez May and James G. Mr. Powell has been industrious and successful in life and owns a fine farm of 295 acres of as good land as there is in this county. His farm includes the family homestead and here he has erected a handsome brick residence and added other valuable improvements. He also owns 120 acres of land in Tipton County, Ind., and valuable town property in Findlay, Ohio. He devotes a great deal of attention to the business of bee keeping, and was one of the earliest to introduce this industry into this county. He now has a fine, well-stocked apiary. Mr. Powell and family are members of the United Brethren Church. He has largely contributed to the erection of a fine church, costing over $5,000, called the "Powell Memorial Church," on his premises. Mr. Powell is a man of upright and firm principles, a valuable and prominent citizen, highly respected by the entire community. In politics he is a Republican.

D. M. POWELL, farmer and stock raiser, P O. Findlay, was born in Hancock County, Ohio, February 3, 1840, son of Samuel Powell, a native of Pennsylvania, who was among the early settlers of this county. Samuel Powell settled in the Wild woods and reared a family of thirteen children, the subject of this sketch being the ninth. D. M. Powell was reared on the farm, acquired hie early education in the common schools and has made agriculture the business of hie life. He has been successful and is now the

796 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

owner of a first-class farm, comprising 236 acres of land in Liberty Township, this county, on which he resides. In 1866 Mr. Powell was united in marriage with Hannah, daughter of Jonas Hartman, and a native of Pennsylvania, of Dutch descent. They have one child, Fannie.

SAMUEL SAGER, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, August 18, 1815, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Freed) Sager, natives of Rockingham County, Va., and of German descent. Our subject's father, who was a farmer, reared a family of sixteen children, Samuel being the third. Our subject was reared on the farm, and attended school in the log schoolhouse of that day. He first came to this county in 1837, whop the country was new and inhabited by Indians. It took several days to come from Kenton, Hardin Co. , Ohio, to Liberty Township, this county. He was unable to procure food along the route and had to subsist on what little he could carry with him. He was without money, but with strong arms and a willingness to work he proceeded to deaden thirty acres of timber, on the farm where he now resides, and the following spring he moved here. His farm comprises 160 acres of good land, and he has lived to see the wild forest converted into fertile farms. Samuel Sager was united in marriage in 1837 with Margaret Whistleman, a native of Virginia, and of German and English descent. Their children are John, born in Liberty Township, this county, December 22, 1839 (he is a plumber by trade, and resides in Findlay, Ohio; he was twice married, first to Eliza Cramer, by whom he had one child - Emmie-wife of Thomas Fleck (they have four children-Freddie, Guy, Gail and Baby), then to Lizzie, daughter of Aaron Baker, and three children have been born to them, Ida, Dora, Dell and Dennis); Samuel A, a farmer, married to Mary Jane, daughter of Daniel Fisher (have two children, William Amron and Edith Roy; live in Findlay); George, a farmer, married to Diana, daughter of Aaron Baker (have four children: Ora, May Hester, Joseph and Emra); Lewis, a farmer, was married twice, first to Mary Ann, daughter of Michael Bolton, and by her had one child-May then to Emma, daughter of Isaac Fellers (have one child, Mabel); Milton, a farmer, married to Etta, daughter of Henry Croninger (have three children Royce, Birdie and Squire) ; Nancy, wife of Ellis Sperno (have three children, Alice, Netta and Samuel); Mary Ellen, wife of Milton Proven mier (have four children: Martha, Jane, Lewis and Addie); and Maggie, wife of Manuel Deeds (have three children: Zettie, May, Emmit and Herman. Milton and Nancy are twins.

JOHN SCHOONOVER, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, March 8, 1827, son of Abraham and Margaret (Baker) Schoonover, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively, and of Dutch descent. Abraham Schoonover, who was a farmer, came to Ohio in 1831, and settled on a farm north of Findlay, this county. He reared a family of six children, three of whom are now living, John being the third in the family. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and chose the occupation of agriculturist. He has been successful in life, and now owns 199 acres of well-improved land, where he at present resides. He married, in 1851, Mary Comer, a daughter of Isaac and Hannah (Berton) Comer, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively, and of German descent. Isaac Comer, who was a farmer, came to this county in 1832, and settled on a farm, now owned by Jacob Wagner, located west of Findlay. He reared a family of eleven children, eight of whom are now living, Mrs. Schoonover

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. - 797

being the sixth in the family. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Schoonover now living are Suffronia, wife of V. Powell; Samilda, wife of Fred Brobst; A. P., book-keeper in Findlay; William Lawrence; Harvey and Clara. Our subject and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, of which he is a trustee. In politics Mr. Schoonover is a Republican. He has been school director for several terms, and township treasurer for twenty-eight years.

O. P. SHAW, farmer and stock raiser, P. O., Findlay, was born in Blanchard Township, this county, October 1, 1844, son of George (Jr.) and Elizabeth (Wise.) Shaw, the former a native of Stark County, Ohio, of German descent, and the latter a native of Germany. George Shaw, Jr., the father of our subject, and who was a farmer, came to this county with his father (who was one of the first settlers of this county) in 1826; he reared a family of seven children, our subject being the third. O. P. Shaw was reared on the farm. In 1861 he enlisted in Company H Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and became a non-commissioned officer; he was wounded twice, the first time being at the battle of Chickamauga; in 1862, while guarding a wagon train in Kentucky, he was taken prisoner; in 1864 he received an honorable discharge from the service. In 1866 Mr. Shaw was united in marriage with Mary J. Downing and their union has been blessed with eight children; Olive, Maretta, Ethel, David, Vina, (George, Jane and Dorothy. Mrs. Shaw's parents were among the early settlers of Blanchard Township, this county. Mr. Shaw is the owner of a farm of 193 acres of land in Liberty Township, this county: he has served as township trustee; became a member of the Masonic fraternity in 1867, in Benton Ridge. Those of the family having a church membership are connected with the Presbyterian Church. Politically our subject is a. Republican, and will vote for James G. Blaine in 1888.

DAVID SHERICK, farmer, P. O. Findlay, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, February 11, 1831, son of Peter and Barbara (Fink) Sherick, natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. Peter Sherick, who was a farmer, came to this county in 1852; he settled in Liberty Township and cleared up the farm where our subject now resides; he is now on a farm in Findlay Township, this county; his family consisted of eight children, five of whom grew to maturity, the subject of this sketch being the fifth. David Sherick was reared on the farm, attended the common school and chose agriculture as his vocation in life. He has been successful, and is the owner of 208 acres of well improved land in Liberty Township, this county. In 1854 our subject united in marriage with Miss Catherine Heck, daughter of George Heck and of German descent. born in Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Sherick have been born the following named children: Peter; Barbara, wife of T. C. Boyd; Martha. wife of R. M. Poe; Irine; Emma; John and Maud. Mr. and Mrs. Sherick are members of the Church of God, in which he was elder for several years. In politics he is a Republican. He has been trustee of Liberty Township, this county, and school director for six years in succession.

S. B. SWARTZ, farmer and stock raiser, P. O. Findlay, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, March 1, 1836, son of George and Mary (Beery) Swartz, natives of Ohio, of Pennsylvania descent. George Swartz, who was a farmer all his life, came to this county in 1858, and settled where his son S. B. now resides; he reared a family of six children, our subject being the

798 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY,

third. S. B. Swartz was reared on the farm, attended the common school in Fairfield County, Ohio, and chose agriculture for his occupation. He is now the owner of 111 acres of good land in Liberty Township, this county. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss S. A., daughter of S. H. Radebaugh, and a native of Ohio, her ancestors being from Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz have four children; Charlie S. Morris W., Nelson R,, and Merle E. Our subject and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has held the office of township trustee and school director. In politics he is a Republican.

G. W. WHISTLEMAN, farmer and stock dealer, Findlay, was born in Findlay, Ohio, September 24, 1860, son of John and Christians (Kisor) Whistleman, former a native of Rockingham County, Va., latter born in Ohio, both of German extraction. John W Whistleman, who was a farmer and one of the pioneers of this county, settled where Findlay now stands, when there were only four houses in the village; he died May 4, 1885. G. W. Whistleman, the youngest of a family of four children, was reared on a farm, and wisely chose agricultural pursuits for his occupation. He now owns one-half interest in the home farm, 'consisting of eighty-nine and one-half acres near Findlay. In 1882 our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth Clamfus, a lady of German descent, and to this union was born, October 23, 1885, one son. Mr. and Mrs. Whistleman are members of the Evangelical Church; in politics he is a Republican.