STOKES TOWNSHIP - 627 STOKES TOWNSHIP. G. M. CLOVER, blacksmith; New Hampshire; is son of Joshua, and Rachel Clover, and was born Dec. 8, 1823, in Franklin Co., O. His father was born and reared in Virginia, and accompanied his parents to this State. They settled in Ross Co., and, while there, four of the sons entered the army and served through that memorable war, being with Hull when he surrendered. Joshua was one of the number, and shortly after his return was married. In 18l5, they all moved to Franklin Co., where the father bought a section, and each of those who had served in the war entered a quarter section of new land. There were ten sons and two daughters of the family, and, as then all located in one township, the "Clover settlement" was known for miles around. They nearly all lived there until their death, Joshua dying in 1842, and his devoted and loving companion in 1866. G. M. Clover was united to Sarah M., daughter of Abraham and Jemima (Benjamin) Wright. She was born in New Jersey Sept. 23, 1824, .and came to Franklin Co. during her childhood. Their marriage was celebrated Dec. 22, 1843, and he then went to the blacksmith's trade in Madison Co., and after serving an apprenticeship, returned to his native county, where he continued working at the trade until October, 1875, when he came to where he now resides. He has built up a good business, which speaks well for his reputation as a mechanic. His marriage has produced a family of eight children, five of whom are living-Benjamin, Zachariah T., Abraham, Maggie and Byron. The eldest two are married, the eldest being a farmer, the second a wagon-maker, and the third a blacksmith and engineer. Mr. Clover held all the township offices while in Franklin Co., except one, being Justice of the Peace six years, an office he is now filling, having been re-elected in April, 1879. Both he and wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church in early life, in which he was class-leader seventeen years. Since the war they have belonged to the M. P. Church. He has always been a Democrat, and voted first for James K. Polk. ADAM FRANK, carpenter and farmer; P. O., Bloom Centre; is one of our enterprising citizens, and can trace the family history back to the time when they emigrated to the New World. Near the year l763, a family of this name emigrated to this country from Holland, and one of the son, who bore the name of Adam, was then about 10 years of age. The family were in straitened circumstances, and Adam's services were contracted for a number of years in order that they might pay their passage and get started in the new country. He served through the Revolutionary war, and was married to an English lady, by the name of Elizabeth Dryburg; he lived for many years in Virginia, and from there moved to this State; he died in his 87th year, and his companion a few years later, at the same age. One of their son, named James, was born in September, 1791, in Virginia, and accompanied his parents to this State; he 628 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. was married, in 1815 to Elizabeth Merrill, who was born in Pennsylvania, but was then living in Columbiana Co. They lived in that county until 1829, when they moved to Licking Co., and bought a tract of new land, on which they resided until the spring of 1847, when they moved to this county; he died Aug. 28, 1849, and his wife Aug. 15, 1851, Their union produced eleven children, our subject being the fourth; he was born Feb. 26, 1821, and was married Jan. 24, 1841, to Rhoda A., daughter of Alva and Maria (Conklin) Page; she was born Dec. 17, 1825, in Broome Co., N. Y., and came to this State when 10 years old. In 1844, they went to Illinois, and lived there one year, then two years in Iowa, and returned to this county, where they have since lived, except the year 1878 they were in Tennessee. Mr. Frank has cleared a good farm, and has also worked at the carpenters' trade many years. He served in Company F. 191st O. V. I, and both he and wife belong to the First Christian Church, in which she has been preaching since 1862, her labors for the Master having been crowned with success. Mr. Frank has served as deacon over twenty years. They have four children living-Adaline, Caroline, Maria and Edward A., all of whom are married. Mr. Frank is at present identified with the Prohibition party. MOSES SMITH, farmer; P. O., Bloom Centre; is one of the prominent and well-to-do farmers of this township, and is highly esteemed by all; he was born Oct. 12, 1819, in Pickaway Co.; his father, Jacob Smith, was born in 1792, in Lehigh Co., Pa., and when 14 years of age accompanied his parents to this State; they moved here in a wagon, and bought a tract of new land in Pickaway Co., on which they lived till their death; Jacob served in the war of 1812, and, in the above-named county, was married to Christina Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at an early day; their union took place in 1812, and they always lived on the farm on which they commenced housekeeping. Their union was blessed with nine sons and five daughters, all of whom were living at the time of his death in 1871. His companion departed this life in 1873. Moses commenced for himself shortly after he arrived at his majority, and for several years worked out and farmed; he rented property until he possessed the means to-buy a farm of his own. In October, 1851, he moved to where he now lives; the farm was partly cleared, but it was only by years of patient toil that it was brought to its present state of usefulness and value. Mr. Smith held the office of Postmaster for eighteen years after coming to this township, it being known as the Muchinippi postoffice, and was discontinued a number of years ago. He has been well connected with the township offices. and is now serving his twelfth term as Treasurer, a sufficient guarantee of his integrity and worth. He cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren, and has never deserted his first love, the old Democratic party. His marriage was celebrated Oct. 14, 1847, and has produced seven children; those living are-Marinda Irene, George M., Andrew M., Christina E., Maggie S. and Moses A.; the eldest two daughters are married; Andrew and Maggie are schoolteachers, as was also their sister Christina before her marriage. JACOB H. TANNEHILL, tile manufacturer; Lewistown; is the third of a family of eight children, and was born Sept. 27, 1840, in this township. His father, William Tannehill, was born in 1809, in Champaign Co., and although he often worked at the coopers' trade, and was an adept at others, yet he paid his principal attention to farming. He secured a help-meet in the person of Miss Sarah Harner, and in 1838 moved to this county, and soon after bought 120 acres of land in this township. It was all forest and he endured many hardships and privations while developing it and supporting his family of small children. He died in October, 1853, and had just previously sold his property, but had not moved away. The family soon moved to Washington Tp., where they resided until 1867, and then went to Minnesota, a part of them being there and part in Nebraska. The mother being in these two States alternately with her children. Since arriving at his majority Jacob has been "shifting'' for himself, and has been a contractor for a large part of the time, engaging in any kind of business that promised success. He has been unfortunate in some instance, but, for the last six years has been engaged in the manufacture of drain-tile, with good success. He makes ZANE TOWNSHIP. - 629 over 10,000 rods every season and finds ready sale for all he can manufacture. Realizing the truth of the saying: "It is not good for man to be alone," he, on June 19, 1879, was united to Miss Aleda M. Bennett of Shelby Co. She is a daughter of Lucius Q. and Clarinda Bennett, and was born in Clark Co., Oct. 13, 1863, He has always been a Democrat. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)