THE HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY, OHIO
1883 - By Leggett, Conaway & Co.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
G
(1907 MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY - LETTER G)
ABRAHAM GABLE (Claridon Township) was born November 20, 1830, the son of Peter and Mary (Boyer) Gable, natives of Pennsylvania and both of German stock, who had eight children, seven surviving--Susan, Mary, Abraham, Elizabeth, Christena, Catherine and Lovina. Solomon died aged nineteen years. Mr. Gable was born February 11, 1806, and died March 15, 1879. Mrs. Gable born March 11, 1808, resides with her son Abraham. Mr. Gable obtained from the district school a practical education. He enlisted in the Union army November 19, 1861, Company D, Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, participating in the following battles: McDowell, Cross Reyes, Cedar Mountain, Bull Run (second battle), Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie and Mission Ridge; also in these skirmishes: Franklin, Port Republic, Freeman's Ford Rappahannock Ford, Sulphur Springs and Water Bridge. He marched during this time not less than 2,500 miles, and was honorably discharged December 31, 1863. Reenlisting again in the same company, January 1, 1864, he fought at Valley Fort, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Tenn., going through the Atlanta campaign and with Sherman to the sea. He was captured at Goldsboro, and after lying in the rebel lines ten days was paroled, being sent to Annapolis, Md., thence to Camp Chase, and was discharged June 23, 1865. Returning to his home in Claridon Township, he married, October 19, 1865, Catherine Heverly a daughter of John and Christena (Miller) Heverly. Their six children were Elmore E., born June 23, 1868; Ida L., April 6, 1873; Cora B., July 2, 1876; Emma A., October 16, 1880; Samuel G., October 17, 1866, dying February 28, 1869; Willis W. and Wilson H. (twins), June 28, 1870; the former died January 11, 1871, and the latter December 12, 1873. Their mother was born July 17, 1838. Mr. Gable has a farm of 115 acres of valuable land, worth $75 per acre. As a citizen, he commands the respect of his neighbors. He is an influential member of the Evangelical Church and an exsorter in the same. He is Superintendent of the Sabbath school, a liberal contributor to all deserving objects and a Republican in sentiment.
WILLIAM GABLER, (Waldo Township) (1907) of the firm of Gabler & Gompf, merchants, was born in Waldo Township, September 2, 1839. His parents, John G. and Dora (Weinert) Gabler, emigrated from Wuerttemberg, Germany, in 1827, and settled in -- County, Penn., where they lived' about two years; at the end of which time they came across the Allegheny Mountains in a one-horse wagon to Pleasant, now Waldo, Township, where Mr. Gabler entered 120 acres of land. A site was cleared and a log cabin erected, which they occupied until 1849, when a two-story brick house was built. This was their home until their death. Mr. Gable departed this life in August 1882, at the age of eighty-six years; his companion preceded him in May 1878, aged seventy-eight years. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom our subject is the youngest. He remained on the homestead until Fort Sumter was fired upon, when, the same month, he joined Company D, Seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He fought at Phillipi and Cheat River, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis at the expiration of his term of service. He returned to this county and followed agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1872, when he engaged in the grocery trade at Waldo, in which be continued up to 1880. He then started in the dry goods trade and in July 1882, moved to his present store room and admitted J. G. Gompf as a partner. They built their large store room at a cost of $4,000. This firm carries a stock of $10,000 and enjoys a good business. December 1869, Mr. Gabler was married to Miss Laura A. Rupp, who died in November 1872, leaving two children Edson C. and Laura. Mr. Gabler again married in February 1872, to Lucinda Stroup, by whom he has had four children; three are living Dora, Ralph and Charles. Mr. Gabler is a member of K. of P., and in politics is a Republican. He is serving his second term as Township Trustee.
CHARLES F. GARBERSON, (Marion Township) the son of John R. and Susan (Irey) Garberson, is a native of Claridon Township born June 6, 1851. Having a love for learning, he took the classical course at the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he graduated June 26, 1873. He then began the study of law under the instruction of W. Z. Davis, attorney, and in 1876, was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State. As a student, he received such preferment as being elected to the presidency of the graduating class of 1873, Secretary of the College Lecture Association and of being chosen to deliver the presentation speech at the first class-day exercises held at the aforesaid university. In June 1876, he opened his law office at Marion, since which time he has continued the practice of law. September 14, 1876, he married Miss Anna Graham, who was born November 14, 1851, a daughter of Rev. John and Jane (McKee) Graham. The name of their only child is Marginia, born April 28, .1879. Mr. Garberson. is a prominent young lawyer; is a member of the County Board of School Examiners, of the K. of P., of the F. & A. M., and, with his wife, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
JUDGE JOHN R. GARBERSON, (Claridon Township) whose portrait appears in this work, is one of the leading citizens of Marion County. He was born in Holmes County, Ohio, November 20, 1821, and is a son of David and Rosannah (Resley) Garberson. His father was born in Now Jersey November 15, 1759, and his mother in Maryland July 8, 1780. They were of Welsh and German descent respectively, and were married in Knox County, Ohio, February 24, 1820, and settled in Holmes County, where they lived five years, and at the expiration of that time returned to Knox, in which county they resided until 1838, when they removed to Claridon Township and settled on the farm now occupied by the subject of this sketch. Their married life was blest with four children, three of whom are now living, viz., John R.; Melinda, wife of Nickson Baker; and Amanda, wife of Levi Irey, of Fayette County, Ill. Mr. Garberson departed this life April 29, 1843, and his widow July 6, 1852. Judge Garberson passed his early life on a farm, and obtained his education principally in the public schools of Marion. He spent eight years in the profession of teaching, after which he turned his attention to farming, to which he has devoted a larger portion of his life. He has been a resident of Marion County since 1839, and is a prominent and extensive farmer. He owns 700 acres of land, 660 acres of which are improved, and 300 acres under a high state of cultivation. He makes a leading pursuit of keeping registered stock. Judge Garberson has achieved a merited success in the business relations of life, and stands as one of the foremost citizens of the county, He is a man of public enterprise, and every legitimate movement that was intended to contribute to the benefit of the community or county has always received his generous support. As a man and a citizen, Judge Graberson is honorable and upright, and as a public officer he has a record that reflects upon him the highest credit. In 1854, he was elected to the office of County Clerk and reelected in 1857, serving two terms. Eight years after his retirement from position (in 1868), he was appointed Probate Judge to fill the vacancy this caused by the death of Maj. Busby; so satisfactory were his services in this capacity that he was chosen to serve a full term. He has served in nearly every local office of his township. In politics, Judge Garberson is a stanch Republican, and has been prominent in the affairs of his party in the county for many years. April 30, 1844, Judge Garberson celebrated his marriage with Miss Susan Irey, daughter of Samuel and Jenila (Bean) Irey, both deceased. Six children have crowned this union; of these four are living-Loretta, born August 22, 1848; Charles F., June 6, 1851; John M., June 14, 1853; and William R., August 1, 1856. David S., was born August 12, 1845, and died March 19, 1846; Irey was born November 4, 1846, and died June 16, 1847. Mrs. Garberson was born December 3, 1823, and died September 26, 1857. Judge Garberson again married, March 12, 1859, Miss Sarah Curtis, of Richland County. He and wife are earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
HENRY C. GARVIN (Claridon Township) was born in Franklin County, Perin., January 18, 18-27, the son of Henry and Catherine (Omwake) Garvin, also natives of Pennsylvania, but of Irish and German ancestry respectively. Having married, they removed to Ohio, stopping at Tiffin a short period, but settling in Fremont, where he became a merchant for many years. They were the parents of fourteen children, nine now living--Hezekiah, Henry C., William, Samuel, Jacob, John, Susan, Catherine and Malinda. Mrs. Garvin died at Fremont March 3, 1873, and then Mr. Garvin moved to Big Island Township, this county, and died March 3, 1883, being eighty-five 'years of age. Henry C. was joined in marriage August 2, 1819, to Rebecca J. Staley, born December 28, 1829, and eight children have been born to them -Columbus, Virginia, Anna R., Alice R. and Emma, living. The deceased were John F. and two infants. Mr. Garvin, finding himself afloat in the world at the age of thirteen, had very little opportunity to advance his education; at nineteen years of age, he mastered his trade, that of carriage and wagon making, at Leightersburg, Md., beginning in 1843. In 1845, he located at Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio, continuing there four years. He then returned to Hagerstown, Md., where he resided sixteen years. March 22, 1864, he landed in Marion, Ohio, and having worked at his trade a short time, established himself in lumbering at Gurley Station seven years. In October 1872, he removed to his present site, Claridon, Ohio, and has become a permanent citizen, working at his trade. In 1873, he was elected Chief Magistrate, and will have served in that capacity his fourth term by the 15th of April 1884. He owns property in the village. He belongs to the Democratic school of politics, and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife also belongs.
WILLIAM GARVIN, (Claridon Township) of the firm of Garvin & Weis carriage and wagon makers, was born in Franklin County, Penn., June 13, 1835. His parents, Henry and Catherine Garvin, were natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married. They came to Seneca County, Ohio, in 1852 or 1853, and resided near Tiffin for eighteen months, when they moved to Fremont, Ohio, where his wife, Catherine, died in 1873, aged sixty-eight years. He, died in 1883, aged eighty-five years. William Garvin received a common school education, and at the age of sixteen commenced learning his trade, at Green Castle, Penn. After completing the same, he removed to Cardington, Ohio, where he was employed at his trade for six years, at the expiration of which time he removed to Marion. October 20, 1857, he was married to Ann L. Wilcox, who was born September 14, 1837. She was a daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Wilcox. This union was blessed with three children, only one of whom is living, namely, Harry D., born November 6, 1858. Mrs. Garvin died April 17, 1862, and April 8, 1869, Mr. Garvin was married to Susan Hock, a daughter of John and Almira Hock, by whom he has had three children-George, born January 11, 1870; Laura B., April 5, 1873; and Lee M., born December 5, 1877. Mr. Garvin remained in Marion Until 1862, when he enlisted in Company E, Ninety-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles of the rebellion: Vicksburg, Sabine Cross Roads, Forts Morgan and Gaines, the taking of Mobile, etc. His term of enlistment for three years having expired, he was honorably discharged from the service at Camp Chase, Ohio. He then returned to Marion, and moved to Claridon in 1867, where he has since resided and been engaged in business. The present firm gives employment to eight hands. Mr. Garvin has served the township as Township, Clerk four years. Is a Democrat, a member of the F. & A. M. and of the United Brethren Church.
CHRISTIAN GAST, (Prospect Township) born April 23, 1726, and his wife Christina, born in 1729, were both natives of Wuerttemberg, Germany. About the year 1750, immediately after their marriage, they emigrated to America, first settling in Maryland, not far from Philadelphia, Penn., and subsequently moving to Center County, Penn., where they passed the remainder of their lives. They had two sons and one daughter who grow to maturity and raised families. Their names were John, Nicholas. Catherine and Christian. The last mentioned bought a farm on the banks of the Juniata River in the town of Frankstown, Huntingdon Co., Penn., where he and his wife both died, he at the advanced age of about eighty years. They rasied a family of ten children, who grew to be men and women, Their names were as follows: Catherine, born February 12, 1789; Christian, August 9, 1790; John, November 13, 1793; George, February 8, 1706; Jacob, March 24, 1798; William, March 15, 1800; Mary, March 21, 1803; Margaret, December 15, 1805; Sarah, December 17, 1807; Samuel, January 19, 1810.
CHRISTIAN GAST, (Prospect Township) one of the children last mentioned, was married in Huntingdon County, Penn., about the year 1813, to Elizabeth Moyer, a daughter of Philip Moyer, and settled on a farm in Greenfield Township, Bedford County, Penn. They emigrated to Ohio in 1832, bringing with them a family of nine children, who were named as follows: Margaret, born March 3, 1814; Elizabeth, March 14, 1816; Philip, February 24, 1818; Christian, November 10, 1819; Catharine, February 12, 1822; George, November 16, 1823; Sarah, April 1, 1826; David, December 17, 1828; Mary, November 25, 1830; the next and youngest child was Abigail, born in Marion County, May 23, 1833. On the arrival of the family in Ohio they located in what is now Prospect Township, Mr. Gast buying 600 acres of land at $4 per acre. It was then a wilderness, only fourteen acres having been improved at all. On this clearing there was an old round-log house, into which the family moved, April 27, 1832, and occupied as a residence until 1840, when he erected a stone house on nearly the same site. In this house he and wife passed the remainder of their lives. His son David now owns and occupies this house as his residence. It is situated on the east side of the road and is the first house going south from Prospect Village after crossing the bridge that spans Battle Run. The 600 acres of land that he purchased was on the east aide of the Scioto River and included the land now occupied by the village of Prospect. formerly Middletown, of which he was the original proprietor. He caused to be surveyed and laid out in lots and streets the original plat for the village September 17, 1835, then consisting of eighty-one lots, besides lots donated by him for church, school and burial purposes. Subsequently he made three additions to the village consisting of 119 lots. He was a man of decided religious convictions and a firm friend and supporter of the cause of education. He and wife were members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which denomination he served in various offices for many years, and the first church built in the village, a small frame structure that stood on the site of the present brick schoolhouse, was built principally by contributions from him; he afterward contributed largely in the erection of the present brick Lutheran Church. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, his first vote being cast for Gen. Jackson for President; he subsequently became a Whig, and in the latter days of his life a Republican. While living in Pennsylvania, he served his community as Justice of the Peace, and during his residence in Prospect Township served in many of its local offices. He was a man of sterling worth, a sympathizing and valuable counselor for those who needed and asked advice, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens to an eminent degree. At his death, which occurred the 29th of December 1858, the township lost one of its most worthy citizens and pioneers. His worthy wife departed this life some eight years afterward. They had lived a happy married life together for upward of forty-five years, and now lie side by side in the village cemetery overlooking the waters of the placid Scioto. At the funeral of Mr. Gast, a sermon was preached in the German language from the fourteenth chapter of John, first and second verses; also in the English language, from the second epistle of Paul to Timothy, fourth chapter and seventh and eighth verses. Mr. Gast in his early years learned the trade of a wagon maker, and during his residence in Prospect followed that business to a greater or less extent, in connection with his farming and other interests. At a meeting held in Prospect a year or two since, there were thirty-six families present who lived within two miles of Prospect Village that were descendants in some degree of relationship of the pioneer Christian Gast. His descendants are now among the best and most respected citizens of Prospect Township.
CHRISTIAN GAST, (Prospect Township) born November 10, 1819, and a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Moyer) Gast, before mentioned, passed his youth on his father's farm, and lived with his parents until twenty-three years of ago. During this time he learned the wagon-maker's and carpenter's trade. He was married, February 17, 1842, to Miss Mary Cratty, a daughter of Robert Crafty, with whom he lived seven years, when he was, on the 29th of Jane, 1848, bereaved of his wife by death. By this marriage there were the following children, all of whom are living: William W., born September 2, 1843; John M., November 16, 1845; and Mary Ellen, May 12, 1848. The following year, on July 5, 1849, Mr. Gast was married to a sister of his former wife, Miss Jane Crafty, who was born January 1, 1833. By this union there were three children-Philip M., born February 2, 1854; Matilda A., December 28, 1855, and now deceased; and Ida L., November 28, 1868. Mr. Gast is one of the most substantial and respected citizens of Prospect Township, and all those enterprises that advance the prosperity and enlightenment of the community he is ever ready to promote and aid by his personal influence and liberal donations. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church, in which be has held some office, such as Trustee Deacon, etc., for many years. He has made farming the business of his life; in this calling he has been successful, and now owns 100 acres of valuable land with fine improvements, adjoining the corporation of the village of Prospect. In politics he is a Republican.
DAVID GAST. (Prospect Township) This gentleman is one of the leading citizens, financially and socially, of Prospect Township. He is a son of the original proprietor of Prospect Village mentioned above, and was born in Frankstown Township, Bedford County, Penn., December 17, 1828. He was married at Circleville, Ohio, May 0, 1852, to Miss Catharine M. Row, a daughter of David and Catharine (Hoffman) Row, of that place. From this marriage there were seven children, only two of whom are living, as follows: George F.(1907), who married Mattis Boxwell, is a farmer and resides in Prospect Township, and Samuel, (1907) who lives at home. Mr. Gast has lived on a farm since infancy, and has been engaged in farming pursuits all his life, and, as he was the youngest son, always resided with his parents at the homestead, where they settled in Prospect Township in 1832, and of which he is now the owner, including 180 acres of land, mostly adjoining the corporation of* Prospect Village. In connection with his farming and other interests, for the last thirty years he has devoted much of his time to the study and treatment of diseases of horses and stock. In the treatment of these diseases he has been eminently successful, and he is known as a successful veterinarian over a wide extent of country. He has for the last few years devoted much time to the successful treatment and cure of cancers, his method being by outward appliances and internal remedies, but in no case using the knife. His treatment in many cases has proved a cure, restoring the patients to perfect health. Mr. Gast is a Republican in politics, and although the Democrats are in the majority in Prospect Township, be has been elected to many of its local offices. He was Justice of the Peace nine years, Township Trustee three years, and Township Supervisor for many years. He has been a member of the Lutheran Church for thirty-eight years, and his wife thirty-five years. He has held the office of Deacon of this church for about eighteen years, and some kind of church office continuously for thirty years. In all matters pertaining to the welfare of the church and Sunday school, he takes an active part, and for the past four years has acted as Superintendent of the Sunday school, a position he had previously filled for several years. As a representative citizen of this township, we give the portrait of Mr. Gast in this work.
GEORGE GAST (Prospect Township) (1907) is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Moyer) Gast, and was born November 16, 1823, in Pennsylvania. He passed his youth and early manhood on the homestead with his parents, during this time following the vocation of a farmer and also learning the carpenter's and wagon-maker's trades. When about thirty-three years of age, he was married to Miss Margaret Edelman, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Edelman. of Marion County. The marriage ceremony was performed January 1, 1856. From this union five children were born, as follows: Arthur L.(1907), Mary Elizabeth (who is now the wife of Dr. G. H. Masters, a practicing physician at Prospect Village, and they have one child-Emma); Eva and Amelia-all living with their parents except the married one. They lost one child, an infant, named Jesse Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Gast are members of the Lutheran Church. He has officiated as leader in the Lutheran Church choir continuously for nearly thirty years, and also as Sunday school teacher and librarian for several years. Mr. Gast has an excellent farm of 100 acres adjoining the village of Prospect, on which be has a large and commodious residence, with other fine improvements. A fine barn was destroyed by fire, supposed to be the work of incendiaries, who were enraged at the very decided stand he took against intemperance and the traffic in spirituous liquors in the vicinity. He is a firm advocate of temperance, a good citizen, and a liberal, conscientious Christian gentleman, and a worthy descendant of his pioneer father. He has in his possession an Indian relic which he found near Battle Run many years ago. It is an Indian tomahawk of fine make, inlaid with six pieces of silver, the hammer end being made hollow for use as a pipe. From its fine workmanship it is inferrable that it once belonged to a chief.
G. F. GAST, (Prospect Township) (1907) a native of Prospect Township, was born August 25, 1856, a son of David and Catharine M. (Row) Gast. This gentleman has always followed farming, and now resides one mile west of Prospect Village, adding to his farming the raising of fine poultry. He was married, January 2, 1881, to Mattie A. Boxwell, daughter of Titus and Lucetta Boxwell, of Pleasant Township.
JOHN B. GAST (Prospect Township) was born September 18, 1827, and is a son of William Gast, who was born March 15, 1800; his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Lingerfelter. At the age of sixteen he learned the tailor's trade, and afterward learned the cabinet maker's trade, which business he carried on in Prospect Village for eighteen years, when he bought sixty-six and one-half acres of land west of the village, where he has ever since resided. He was married, January 1, 1832, to Miss Sarah Smith, a daughter of Jacob and Frances Smith, who came to Ohio about 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Gast have two children-Elizabeth Frances, born March 16, 1853; and Candace Ann, born August 5, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Gast are members of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN M. GAST, (Prospect Township) teacher of vocal and instrumental music, was born on November 16, 1845, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Cratty) Gast. He passed his youth and young manhood at the homestead of his father near Prospect Village, during this time acquiring a good literary education at the Prospect Schools. Exhibiting a decided taste and talent for music, he early applied himself to its study, under some of the best teachers of vocal and instrumental music in the country, among them Prof. Minelli, of Delaware, when attending the Academy of Music at Xenia, Ohio, and Dr. George F. Root, of Chicago, 111. For the past eighteen years, Mr. Gast has been a successful and popular teacher of vocal and instrumental music in this county, and is at present teaching six different classes in vocal music, besides having thirty-six pupils in instrumental music. He has a fine farm of eighty-five acres adjoining the corporation of Prospect Village, valued at from $100 to $150 per acre, on which he has an elegant residence, within a few rods of the corporation line and near the railroad depot. Mr. Gast was married, December 15, 1872, to Mellusina Leist, born January 5, 1849. a daughter of C. B. and Isabel Leist, natives of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Gast have a family of three children- Cora Estella, born August 11, 1877; William A., born September 25, 1880; and Carrie Belle, born March 20, 1882. Mr. Gast is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics is a Republican.
REV. PHILIP GAST (deceased), (Prospect Township) was a son of Christian Gast, the proprietor of the original plat of Prospect. He was a Lutheran minister, coming to Prospect in 1832. In 1857, he became the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at this place, where he preached about nine years, when he was prostrated by the typhoid fever and died October 20, 1865; about the same time, two of his sons fell victims to the same disease. His widow, whose maiden name was Lucy, A. Dressier, was a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Samuel Dressler. She died in Prospect in 1881, and both are buried in the village graveyard on the banks of the Scioto River. They had nine children, five sons and four daughters, two sons and four daughters living; one died when an infant. Matthias and William both died of typhoid fever, aged respectively nineteen and eighteen years, Samuel H. is living in Prospect Village a partner in the hardware business with B. K. Herbster, the firm being Herbster & Gast. He has been Mayor of the village one term, member or the Council. School Board, etc. In politics, he is a Republican. The other son. Edward C. Gast, is now living in Fremont, Ohio, following the hardware business. Samuel H. Gast was married, May 24, 1883, to Miss Louisa C. Herr, of Galion, Ohio; they reside in Prospect Village.
PHILIP M. GAST (Prospect Township) is a son of Christian and Jane (Cratty) Gast. and a grandson of Christian Gast, the original proprietor of Prospect Village. He was born February 2, 1854. When twenty-four years of age he engaged at clerking in Prospect Village, a business he followed the greater part of the time for five years. He owns sixteen acres of valuable land, in and adjoining the village corporation, on which there is a fine residence, where in he lives with his family. He is now engaged principally in farming, and has charge of the homestead, 100 acres, owned by his father. Mr. Gast was married, March 11, 1877, to Miss Hattie C. Jelley, a daughter of John H. Jelley, of Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio. She was born November 24, 1859. They have three children-Metta Gertrude, born February 11, 1878; Christian Scott, May 10, 1880; Robert Roy, May 18, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Gast are members of the Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM W. GAST (Prospect Township) is a native of Prospect Township, and was born September 2, 1843. He is a son of Christian and Mary (Cratty) Gast; he lived at the homestead of his parents until twenty-one years old, meanwhile receiving the advantages of a common school education. At this age, he commenced business for himself by buying forty-eight acres of land a half mile east of Prospect Village, for $2,300, which he sold in 1870 for $3,600. He subsequently bought 110 acres one and a half miles east of Prospect Village, for $5,000, which he still owns, and is valued at $100 per acre. In the fall of 1882, he bought five-eighths of an acre of land just east of the railroad depot in Prospect Village, for building purposes, on which he has erected a large and commodious brick house for his residence, at a cost, with outbuildings, of nearly $3,000. In addition to his farming business, he has for the past five years been successfully engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. He is of an energetic disposition, enterprising and progressive, and is known and respected as one of the best citizens of the township. He was married January 3, 1867, to Esther G. Grigsby, of this township, and a daughter of John Grigsby, They have a family of three children-Elida, born February 22, 1871; Clara M., born December 20, 1875, and Mary Jane, born December 2, 1880. Mr. Gast is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
GEORGE W. GEARHISER, (Waldo Township) farmer, P. O. Waldo, was born on the old homestead in Waldo Township, April 23, 1848, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Renz) Gearhiser. Barbara was born October 22, 1825 in Bronnweiler, Wuerttemberg, the daughter of Sebastian and Anna Margaretha (Hack) Renz. He is the eldest son and second child of a family of ten children. He was educated in the common schools and remained at home till he came of age, aiding in clearing up the land. He farmed the homestead till 1877, when be bought eighty-six acres on the east bank of the Whetstone River. This he has also cultivated, and is engaged in raising stock, of which he keeps a good grade. He was married, March 29, 1874, to Mary R., daughter of Jacob and Eliza Jacoby. She was born in Richland Township June 7, 1853. Their family consists of two children -Jacob Wesley and George Walter. In politics, our subject is a Democrat. He owns eighty-six acres of highly-cultivated land.
JACOB GEARHISER (deceased), (Waldo Township) was born in Baden, Germany, in May 1814. He came with his parents, John and Catharine Gearhiser, to America in 1828. They settled in Waldo Township. Mr. Gearhiser bought eighty-three acres of land, part of the farm. He died in ---, leaving 160 acres of which our subject got sixty acres and his two sisters fifty acres each. Mrs. Gearhiser died in 1880. Our subject's sisters were Christina, wife of Peter Hoffman, and Catharine, wife of Dennis Hotman. Catherine died soon after her parents, and our subject bought part of her land. He was married, December 4, .1846, to Barbara, daughter of Sebastian and Margaret Renz. She was born in Bronnweiler, Wuerttemberg, Germany, October 22, 1828. Their family numbered twelve children, of whom ten are living. viz.: Catharine, George W., Elizabeth. Henry (1907), Lewis, Jacob, Sebastian, John (1907), William and Charles. Mr. Gearhiser died November 2, 1872, leaving, eighty-three acres of land. He was a prominent and active member of the German Lutheran Church up to the day of his death. In politics, he was a Democrat.
JOHN J. GIDDIS (Claridon Township) is a native of Somerset County, N. J., born July 12, 1841, a son to Thomas and Rebecca (Saunders) Giddis, natives of the same, State and of Scotch and English extraction. The father was born October 2, 1808, and died in 1867; the mother was born January 30, 1810, and died October 11, 1865. John G. Giddis came to Ohio in 1860, stopping in Morrow County two years; be then settled in Claridon Township, where be has since resided April 16, 1863, he married Caroline Van Buskirk, a daughter of Lawrence and Sarah (Debow) Wooley. This union has been blessed with four children, three living-Minnie V., born January 31, 1864; Cyreu F., February 16, 1866; and Ora E, September 3, 1869. Jessie S., born January 11, 1874, died December 28, 1877. Mr. Giddis is a farmer having fifty-two and one-quarter acres of excellent land, most of it valued at $100 per acre. He has served three years as Trustee of the township. is a respected and industrious citizen, believes in the Democracy, is a member of the IOOF., and, with his wife, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EVAN GILLESPIE (Montgomery Township) was born in Gallia County September 6, 1815, the son of Robert and Sarah (Rice) Gillespie, of Welsh and Irish ancestry, and natives of Virginia and Kentucky respectively. They came to Ohio, and were married near Gallipolis October 2, 1814. They resided in Gallia County, Ohio, until 1835, when they moved to Montgomery Township, when ,Only nineteen votes were polled, entering eighty acres of land, obtaining -thereupon a patent from President Van Buren. They reared a family of eight children, four living-Evan, Noah (1907), Eleanor (of Illinois) and Lucinda (of Iowa). The names of the deceased are Matilda, Isabella, Mahala and Margaret. The father died July 17, 1860, and the mother in February 11, 1877. Our subject having obtained a limited schooling, remained with his parents until he attained his majority when he returned to his native county, engaging for one year upon a blast furnace. He then spent three year, upon the Miami Canal for $1 per day. June 19, 1845, he married Catherine Drake, daughter of Joseph and Doratha (Albertson) Drake, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey severally. They came to Marion Township, in 1822; he died August 19, 1850, and she May 19, 1883. Our subject and wife have had ten children, seven of whom are living-John Q., Joseph D.(1907), Charles F., Mary E., Maggie, Eva G. and Mirty. The names of the. deceased are William H. S., Dolly and Delfine. Mr. G. commenced life with a small competence, but his labors have been attended with success. He is ,the owner of 350 acres of valuable land, and is worth $40,000. He is a prominent citizen, and respectably known. He belongs to the Republican party, the IOOF, and with his wife to the Free-Will Baptist Church, of which he is a liberal supporter.
NOAH GILLESPIE (Grand Township) (1907) was born in Gallia County, Ohio, March 1, 1817. He is a son of Robert and Sarah (Rice) Gillespie, natives of Virginia; Robert Gillespie was born in 1788, and Mrs. Gillespie in 1791; Mr. Gillespie came to Ohio with his father, William Gillespie, in 1802, and settled in Muskingum County. William Gillespie was born in Ireland, and crossed the waters before the Revolution; he served three years in that war, and was engaged in the battle of Brandywine; he died in Gallia County, Ohio, in 1828. Robert Gillespie, the father of the subject of this sketch, entered the war with Great Britain in 1814, in Capt. Van Horn's company, under Gen. Tupper, and served one year, receiving his discharge at Fort Meigs. He returned to Gallia County, where he married Sarah Rice in 1815, and in May 1835, came to Marion County, Ohio. He bought forty acres of land, and entered eighty acres in Montgomery Township the subsequent year. In 1851, he sold for the purpose of going West, and purchased 160 acres on the southern line of Grand Township, where he died July 17, 1860; his widow survived him till February 11, 1877. They reared eight children, four of whom are now living. Our subject was reared to manhood on a farm; in 1839, he engaged in teaching, which profession he followed during the winter seasons for twenty-one years; in 1847, he took charge of the homestead, and subsequently became the owner of it, June 19, 1847, he was joined in marriage to Miss Emaline C. Owens, daughter of Margaret and Isaac Owens. Mrs. Gillespie was born in Sussex County, Del., March 18, 1820. To this marriage were born seven children; of these five are living, viz., Lauretta (wife of Walter James), Harrison D., Hiram E.(1907), Horace G. and Florence (wife of Thomas Anderson) ; Byron and La Fayette are deceased. Noah Gillespie has served in various capacities of official trust in his county and township; he was a member of the Board of County Commissioners one term; Justice of the Peace sixteen years in succession; Trustee ten years, and Assessor twenty years. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns a well-improved and highly-cultivated farm of 200 acres.
T. J. GLIDDEN, M. D. (Prospect Township) Dr. Glidden is a native of Westfield, Morrow County, Ohio, and was born in June 1836. His father, T. P. Glidden, was a physician and practiced at Cardington, Morrow County, for many years. T. J. commenced reading medicine in the office with his father in 1857; after reading with him four years, he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, as a student and graduated in 1865. On finishing his medical course, he began practicing in Radnor, Delaware County, remaining there until 1872, when be removed to Prospect Village, continuing his practice there until the present time. He has a practice extending for miles around Prospect, and owns and operates a drug store in the village. He has retained the most of his old patients in Radnor Township, where he first commenced, they having followed him. He was married, at Cardington, Ohio, to Miss Millie Liggett, daughter of Alexander Liggett, of that place. They have three children-Nellie M., Edna V. and Anna A.-all living at home except, Nellie, who is now the wife of Dr. Gorslene, of Radnor. The Doctor is a Republican.
J. O. GOMPF. (Richland Township) This family originated in Germany about 1800; five Gompf brothers were living in that country. One sailed for Rio Janeiro, South America, where he has become very wealthy, often visiting his boyhood home in later years. Another embarked for Philadelphia, becoming physician of repute and affluence. Two others removed to London, doing thriving business. The fifth brother was our subject's grandfather, Philip Gompf. He served in the German Army fourteen years against Napoleon Bonaparte, escaping without a wound, the only man in the regiment who returned unimpaired. His son John G. was our subject's father. J. G., Gompf is an intelligent, enterprising citizen, a native of Richland Township, where he was born February 3, 1837. He is a son of J. G. and Sarah (Seltzer) Gompf. His father came from Hessia, Germany, in 1835, while his mother came from Pennsylvania in 1833. They located on what is known as the old Gompf farm, and reared a family of three children; the father died in 1870, aged eighty-two years, the mother still surviving at the age of eighty years. His grandfather Seltzer attained the remarkable age of one hundred and two years, and cradled wheat in his one hundredth year. Mr. 0. obtained his education wholly in the common school. When a young man, he saved 265 sheep, worth $4,500, from drowning, by an exhibition of fortitude almost unparalleled in the county. June 5, 1862, he married Miss Julia A. Pontius daughter of John and Anna (Warline) Pontius. Nine children have blessed their home, one dying" young; the living are Calvin O. G., John B. W.', William H., Charles M. E., George D. N., Cicero B. F., Joseph H. M., Mary J. M. and Francis M. W. Mr. Gompf purchased thirty acres of the south farm in 1862, which he has increased to 277 1/2 acres, valued today at $80 per acre. His farm is well fenced and underdrained. He cultivates with special care fine sheep, of which he owns at present 200 head. Mr. G. and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has served in nearly every capacity, being Class Leader at present. His follow-citizens have continued him as Justice for three years, and made him Land Appraiser in 1870. He is now President of the Board of Education. He has settled several estates satisfactorily.
JOHN P. GOMPF, (Waldo Township) of the firm of Gabler & Gompf, merchants, Waldo, was born in Richland Township, June 23, 1843. and is a son of George and Sarah (Celsar) Gompf, natives of Hesse, Germany, and the neighborhood of Little York, Penn., respectively. The former was born March 19, 1795, and came to America in 1821, settling in Richland Township this county. The latter was married in York County, Penn., to David Kelley and moved with her husband to Richland Township in 1820, where the latter died. Mrs. Kelley subsequently, in 1832, married Mr. Gompf. He died, September 23, 1879, and his widow is now residing on the homestead in Richland Township. They had three children-John. P., Sarah. widow of Daniel Obone, and our subject. John P. Gompf was reared on the homestead and received a common school education, remaining at home till he came of age. He farmed the homestead for three years, and in 1870 bought fifty-one acres in Waldo Township. on which he resided till 1880, when he sold and bought sixty-two and a half acres adjoining Waldo. He is now owner of twenty-two lots in Waldo Village, having his house within the corporation limits. Fifty-six and one-third acres are outside the corporation. He has paid considerable attention to sheep raising for sixteen years, and in September 1882, embarked with Mr. Gabler in mercantile business. He was united in marriage, August, 15, 1863, with Christina Metzger, daughter of Philip and Philippine (Schuetz) Metzger, and to this union were born eight children--Flora. Rosa A., Elmira Clara A., John. Webster, Mary and Maud S. Mr. and Mrs. Gompf are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat; has served as Trustee of Waldo for nine successive years, and is a thoroughly representative, self-made man.
CHARLES H. GOODING (Pleasant Township) is a reliable citizen, and is a native of Pleasant Township, the son of Sylvester and Eliza (Love) Gooding, who emigrated from New England in 1823; he was a native of Massachusetts and she of Connecticut. They located where our subject now resides, entering eighty acres of land, which is now increased to 200 acres. The father was a hard worker, having cleared in his day 160 acres. He reared a family of seven boys, and died in 1872, at the age of seventy-four. His wife still survives, in good health, aged seventy-nine. Her grandfather, Tuttle, was a Revolutionary soldier. The common school gave Mr. G. his education. At the age of twenty-one, he went West for eight years, two of which he spent in Illinois and six in California. He took with him, on his passage across the plains, a drove of cattle, and four months were spent in making the trip. Upon his return, he purchased and improved the old homestead of 200 acres, which is now well drained, fenced and cultivated. His farm is stocked with the best grades. Our subject's marriage to Miss Mariam Jordan, daughter of Timothy and Climena Jordan, of Maine, occurred December 1, 1862. Their five children are May, Clara C.. Annadelle, Clifford 0. and Harry. Mr. G. has never been an office-seeker, but has been a member of the County Board of Agriculture for six years, and of its Executive Committee five years.
GEORGE GOODING (Pleasant Township) is one of the leading, enterprising citizens of Pleasant Township, of which he is also a native; was born February 22, 1828. He was a son of Christopher and Sarah (Jones) Gooding, who hailed from the States of Massachusetts and Vermont, respectively, and were of English descent. Christopher Gooding was a soldier in the war of 1812. About 1820, he removed from Now York to Ohio, locating where our subject now resides. They reared a family of seven children. His death took place in 1875, at the age of eighty-eight years, while his wife attained the age of seventy-five. Mr. Gooding, having obtained a practical education in the common schools, bought the Freeman farm, of eighty acres, which was the nucleus of his present farm of 376 acres, valued at $90 per acre. His farm is well drained, in good repair and well stocked. His fine country residence was built in 1870, costing from $15,000 to $20,000. It is finished with all the modern improvements, hot and cold water being found in every room. It is also elegantly furnished, and visitors are most hospitably entertained. Mr. G. keeps the best of live stock, and has been dealing in the same for many years. He owns a lime kiln, from which he ships annually seventy-five to a hundred car loads. He was married, March 13, 1860, to Miss Martha Humphrey, whose birth took place July 22, 1833. She is the daughter of William and Mary (Reece) Humphrey, of Green Camp Township, and is a lady of excellent judgment. Their one daughter and only child, Ella, was born in 1861, and was the idol of both father and mother, but in her twentieth year consumption, that pale boatman. rowed
her across life's stream The products of her facile brush brighten the home of her bereaved parents. The piano at which her hand was accomplished stands idly by. "Gone, but not forgotten," impresses one from every room.
JOHN GOODING (Pleasant Township) was born September 10, 1813. He is a native of Pleasant Township and a sin of Sylvester R. and Eliza Gooding. Having obtained an ordinary education, he passed one season in the State of Colorado. Returning in 1874, he married, September 22, Ellen Millisor, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Millisor, of Pleasant Township. They have two children-Daisy E. and Dallas 0. Mr. Gooding bought his present residence in May 1874, consisting of 102 acres, for which he paid $7,500; it is now valued at $8,000. He has four acres of orchard, mostly apples and peaches. He is building this summer a neat, substantial residence, which will cost $1,000.
FREDERICK GORENFLO, JR., (Pleasant Township) was born August 30, 1846. in Friedrichstal, Baden, Germany, the son of Frederick and Catherine Gorenflo. Our subject came to America and settled in Marion County in 1854, with his mother. Subsequent to his marriage, he rented, for three years, the Jacob Lust farm, and then for two years the Russell farm. In 1877, he bought his home of eighty acres for $62.50 per acre. He has a good farm and outbuildings, having repaired the latter in 1882. March 26, 1874, he married Miss Mary Lust, daughter of Jacob and Ann M. Lust, of Marion Township. Their union has resulted in six children, three dying young. The three living are Gertrude, Pearly and Henry F. Mr. and Mrs. G. associate with the Lutheran Church.
CHRISTIAN GRACELY, (Montgomery Township) proprietor of a hardware, tinware and agricultural implement establishment at La Rue, Ohio, was born September 1, 1844, and is a native of Richland Township. He is the son of Jacob Friederich and Sophia (Drollinger) Gracely, natives of Ellmendingen, Baden, Germany. His father came to America about 1830, and married soon afterward. The common schools have given our subject his education. When aged fifteen, he embarked upon life for himself, farming one year, and then black smithing eleven years. February 6, 1872, lie entered the building he now occupies, starting the first hardware store in La Rue. He has a. large and commodious store, and carries a full line of goods, amounting in stock to $4,000. He also owns 150 acres of land in Iowa. May 8, 1865, he married Hannah A. Schrote, daughter o Jacob and Christie A. (Young) Schrote. The name of their only child was Mary B. She died (1868), aged seven months and ten days. Mr. Gracely has greatly prospered in business. Is respectably known throughout the county, and he and wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, he believes in prohibition of the liquor traffic.
CHRISTOPHER GRACELY (Big Island Township) is a native of Richland Township, born August 15, 1846, the son of Jacob Friederich and Sophia (Drollinger) Graessle, who came from Ellmendingen, Baden, Germany in 1832, locating in the above township. Cholera raged upon the vessel upon which they came, and forty-eight of their fellow-passengers died. They were six weeks moving, with an ox-team, from Cleveland to their place of settlement. They removed to Big Island Township in 1873. The mother died in 1857. Their children numbered nine; one son is Rev. David Gracely, of the German Methodist Episcopal Church. The old gentleman, born in 1806, is still vigorous. Christopher, having received a fair education, married, April 18, 1871. Miss Angeline Bauer, daughter of Croft Bauer, of Pleasant Township. The name of their only child is Emanuel W. Mr. Gracely purchased his home of eighty acres in 1871, paying $5,000, adding since forty acres, all worth $65 per acre. As a farmer, he has a fine beginning. His $1,000 barn is just completed. His farm is stocked with the best grades. This is the fourth year of his Township Trusteeship. Himself and family are members of the German Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served in all official relations. He is a highly respected citizen.
SAMUEL H. GRANT (Green Camp Township) was born in Jackson, Union Co., Ohio, March 17, 1838, the son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Vanmetre) Grant The former was a Marylander, born about 1800, coming to Ohio in 1815, and dying in 1837. the latter was a " Buckeye," of Pickaway County, born about 1818. They had four heirs-Samuel H., Jonathan, John and Amanda, the last two deceased. Samuel obtained an education in the very common schools of his native township. Early in life he devoted himself to, farming, remaining with his mother until her decease in .1862, He married, November 24, 1864, Sarah J. Robinson, a daughter of Dr. Robinson, of Hardin County, Ohio,. She was born about 1843 and died June 27, 1869, aged twenty-six years, having borne two children-Mary J., aged seventeen years, and Henry E., who died June 11, 1869, aged eighteen months. Mr. Grant again married, August 10, 1871, Angie A. Parratt, daughter of law and Antoinette (Minor) Parrett. To them four children were born, three living--Lizzie M., aged ton years; Belle D., nine years; and Charley, six years. are. His present farm consists of fifty -three acres, which he found in the green," but has made it by his own energies a productive soil. He is a worthy citizen, and served in Union County two terms as Township Trustee. Himself and wife and daughter Mary belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church (" Mount Olive"), and he to the Democratic school of politics.
J. F GRAY (Big Island Township) (1907) is one of Big Island's highly respected and thrifty farmers; is the son of Judge George and Mary Gray, and was born October 23, 1834. They came from the State of Delaware in 1817, locating in Salt Rock Township, where they remained till 1850, when they moved to Big Island Township. He served two terms as Probate Judge. Of his seven children, five were boys. J. F.'s grandfather, Frazer Gray, was on military duty at the hanging of Maj. Andre, the British spy, and he often conversed with Gen. Washington. Mr. Gray. was married, June 1, 1865, to Miss Amelia E. Riley, daughter of Patterson and Sarah A. Riley, of Marion Township. Their union has been supplemented with six children, two dying infants; the surviving are David, Robert, Cora and Eddie. Mr. Gray rented several years, but purchased his present farm in 1872, consisting of 160 acres, paying $45 per acre, worth today $80 per acre. He takes great pride in his farm, having a good barn, fences, etc., and $340 worth of tiling done. Every rod of his land is arable. This summer (1883) he is building one of the finest houses in the township, at a cost of $3,000. His varieties of stock are of the best. Both himself and wife belong to the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) Church at Urbana, Ohio. Mr. Gray is Town Treasurer, and has been for five years; the Trusteeship he has also held. He is a member of the, Masonic Blue Lodge at Marion, No. 70, also an official member of the Chapter. He is a respected and thrifty farmer.
JAMES D. GREGORY, (Marion Township) merchant tailor, was born in Cardington, Morrow Co., Ohio, March 8, 1850. His parents, John and Louisa Gregory, removed to Marion in 1862 and Mr. Gregory spent the remainder of his early life in this place. He attended school until 1868-69, when he engaged with his father in the grain business, and was associated with him up to February 17, 1881. In 1879, he engaged in the merchant tailoring trade, now employing twenty-four bands and is doing a leading business. March 25, 1883, he was married to Miss Nettie B. Monnett, daughter of Ephraim B. Monnett, a prominent banker of Bucyrus, Ohio. Mi. Gregory is a member -if the IOOF, K. of P. and Royal canum. He served as a member of the City Council 1880-81, and is a gentleman of honor and integrity.
ABRAHAM GRUBER, (Marion Township) deceased, was born in Jefferson County, Va., July 19, 1819. His father, Christian Gruber, settled in Marion Township in 1826, entering 160 acres, now a part of the Infirmary farm. He died February 26, 1827, aged thirty-eight years. and two months. Abraham's mother, Mary E. Gruber, died November 19, 1880, aged eighty-nine years and ten months. Of their six children, only one is now living. Abraham had a common school education. In 1845, he bought 160 acres of land in the southeastern part of the township; in 1858, sixty-six acres; and in 1865, forty-five acres-the second purchase being where his son, Thomas B., now resides. He married Frances Bell, who was born December 18, 1823, and died September 16, 1873. In this family were born eleven children. nine of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Gruber were prominent members of the United Brethren Church; he was a Trustee of the township at the time of his death, which took place December 24, 1868, in Marion Township.
SIDNEY W. GRUBER (Marion Township) was born in the city of Marion February 7, 1858, next to the youngest of eight children born to Abraham Gruber. Having secured a fair education, he commenced, when sixteen, to work by the month, continuing three years. In 1876, he bought a farm of ninety acres in this township. His marriage took place, April 1, 1880, to Martha J. Ulsh, a daughter of John and Jemima Ulsh. She died in March 1881, leaving one son-William A. He again married, in December of 1882, Miss Mamie Hefner, who was born May 17, 1855, a daughter of John and Nancy Hefner. He is a Republican, and an enterprising farmer.
THOMAS B. GRUBER, (Marion Township) son of Abraham Gruber, is a native of Marion Township, born March 21, 1845, and educated in the common schools. He is the owner of fifty acres of land, besides fifty-four acres of the original homestead and forty-five acres located in Claridon Township owned by his father. He erected a two-story frame house in 1876, at a cost of $1,500. March 29, 1868, be was married to Rebecca E. Holverstott, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Holverstott. She was born April 10, 1848, and died April 18, 1882, the mother of five children, of whom three are living-Mary F., Ida E. and Jacob T. Harley J. and Jennie M. are deceased.
JOHN GUGLE, (Marion Township) shoemaker, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 9, 1828. the son of George and Barbara (Shuh) Gugle. They crossed the ocean with six children in 1836, stopping in Philadelphia until next spring; thence they went to Madison County, Ohio, where they remained until autumn; thence to Marion County, settling in Richland Township.' Here they purchased forty acres of land and cleared a good portion of it. About 1860, they removed to Whitley County, Ind., where the father died in 1862. Mrs. Gugle returned to Marion County and died in February 1878. The subject of this sketch is next to the youngest of their six children. He obtained a fair education in the common schools, going only throe months out of five winters. When sixteen, he took hold of his trade, giving three years to acquire its mastery under the tutorship of Levi H. Randall. Fetter & Gugle did business from the spring of 1851 to 1854; since then Mr. Gugle has been alone, doing a good business. He established himself in him present location in 1856, and he has a pitcher that has been in this shop ever since. He was married, July 27, 1850, to Miss Barbara Brant, who was born in Switzerland, November 5, 1827, the daughter of Christian Brant. Only five of their seven children are living-Anna R., Mary E., Callie, Julia and Florence B. Two daughters died in infancy. In politics, Mr. Gugle is a Democrat. He owns his shop, where he also deals in boots and shoes, and he owns his residence on the corner of Main and Canal streets, and a house and lot on South Main Street. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
LEWIS GUNN. (Marion Township) (1907). The subject of this memoir is a native of Ross County, Ohio, born March 7, 1829, a son of Henry and Sophia (Schrock) Gunn, who were born in Northumberland County, Penn. Having been united in marriage, they emigrated to the above county in Ohio in 1822; but in 1830, they moved to Marion County, settling in Marion Township, one and a half miles northeast of town, entering 160 acres. He had entered this the year previous. Mr. Gunn was a weaver by trade, and practiced his art until his death, July 24, 1841, at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Gunn, born December 24, 1784, resides with Lewis at the advanced age of ninety-eight. Her father, Paul Schreck, was a soldier in the war of Independence and she has been the mother of thirteen children, five living, Lewis being the youngest of the family. He was reared upon the farm and the country schools educated him. He took charge of the homestead from his eighteenth to his twenty-fourth year; be also worked as a farm laborer one year. In the autumn of 1855, he came to Marion, and for seven years made post and rail fencing. Having operated a saw-mill one year, he was made a partner in the planing mill, and continued this until 1875, when he became a stockholder in the Huber Manufacturing Company, taking charge of the planing mill department, which position he still occupies. For two years he was a Director in the company. His wedding nuptials with Sarah C. Stonebarger were celebrated March 31, 1853; her death took place August 4, 1854, leaving one child-Chester B. Gunn. Mr. Gunn solemnized his second marriage November 22, 1855, with Margaret Stonebarger, who died July 24, 1856. He was married the third time to Miss Leanna Comstock, daughter of Gideon Comstock-three children have been born to this union-Caroline, wife of H. C. Waggoner; Eva F., wife of Clay Harvey; and Lewis W., who died May 4, 1881, aged thirteen years. Mr. Gunn in 1864 was a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty sixth Ohio National Guard, and served honorably during his time in the army. He owns an attractive residence on Main Street, together with five sixths of an acre of ground. He is a thoroughgoing citizen, a Prohibitionist politically, and is serving him fourth term as Councilman. He and his wife affiliate with the United Brethren in church membership.
JOHN GURLEY (Marion Township) is the son of William and Susan (Beatty) Gurley, of the Emerald Isle, County Wexford. His father was born March 12, 1757, reared in Wexford and educated in the schools of that place. When sixteen, he began a fourteen years' apprenticeship as a silversmith and was tan lit by two men. He prosecuted his trade at the above place until July 1798, when, on account of the Catholic war against the Protestants, he was persecuted and his life threatened. Five times he was taken from the jail with his life in jeopardy. This took place in the above year (1798). He studied for the ministry and preached a number of years before he went to England, and preached until 1801. He met Rev. John Wesley in Ireland. He followed his trade two years in Liverpool. He came to America, settling in Norance, London, Conn., and continuing his trade until the fall of 1811, when he moved to Perkins Township, Huron County, Ohio. He was the father of seven children, four living-Rev. James, William D., John, and Susan, wife of Thomas Cochran. Ann, Sallie, Eliza, Dempster, William, Leonard, Elizabeth and John are deceased. He died in Perkins Township, February .10, 1848. Mrs. Gurley died in October of the same year.
JOHN GURLEY, (Marion Township) son of the preceding. was born in Zanesville, Ohio, December 19, 1813. He passed his childhood and youth upon a farm. When twenty he went to Sandusky City to learn the tinner's trade. In 1838, he moved to Marion with his trade, plying it twenty years. He then purchased his present location and eight acres, and he has since been growing fruits of various kinds. He has a farm of 160 acres in Big Island Township which he oversees. He was wedded, December 10, 1839, to Miss Hannah Monnett, daughter of Jeremiah and Aley Monnett. She was a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born December 13, 1817. Her death occurred April 15, 1880, leaving one son-Leonard B.(1907), who was born June 19, 1845, and was united in marriage, February 6, 1878, with Miss Sallie Barnhart, daughter of John and Harriet E. Barnhart. Their one child is Harry L., born August 1, 1879. Mr. Gurley is a revered citizen, a stanch Republican and an exemplary Christian. He was a member of the City Council several years, and Treasurer of the township about as long. He is one of the oldest church Trustees, and has been Class-leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years. His family belong to that church also.
HON. JOHN D. GUTHERY. (Bowling Green Township) (1907). This well known and honored citizen of Marion County is of Scotch-Irish and English ancestry, though his parents, Joseph and Hannah (Dever) Guthery, were natives of Pennsylvania and Kentucky respectively. They came to Pike County, Ohio, at a very early day, and from there to Marion County in 1827, settling in Salt Rock Township. Joseph Guthery was born in Greene County, Penn., March 29, 1700, and died in Marion County, Ohio, February 5, 1856. His wife Hannah was born January 17, 1796, and died in Marion County, Ohio, in 1864. They had four children, all sons-John D., born September 16, 1819; and Isaac F., born October 24, 1821, are the only surviving ones. Mr. John D. Guthery obtained a good English education under the tutorship of Joseph M. Dickinson, in the common schools of the township, and from the age of twenty to twenty-seven years taught school at intervals. He was married, April 23, 1854, by the Rev. J. K. Ford, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to Susan Frederick, a daughter of John and Lydia (Earhart) Frederick. By the above marriage, there were the following children: Joseph D.(1907), March 12, 1855; James B. (1907), October 28, 1856; Rachel A., March 29, 1859; William L.(1907), February 15, 1862; John H. (1907), June 30, 1864; Isaac S. (1907), February 8, 1866; Frederick E.(1907) and Alma Dell, twins, born January 13, .1868, all of whom are living except Alma Dell, who died December 14, 1869; and Emma C. was born February 18, 1858, and died August 8, 1868 John D. Guthery, the subject of this sketch, is the largest landholder in the township, owning some 1, 240 acres, a large proportion of which is under cultivation. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served the township and county in various official positions, always with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents, among which were nine consecutive years as Township Clerk, Land Appraiser three times, Justice of the Peace twenty. one years, and for two terms represented his county in the Ohio State Legislature. He is a man of excellent judgment, strict integrity and of rare executive ability, and his whole public career is without a stain, He has retired from active farming, renting, most of his land to tenants, but still resides on the homestead in Bowling Green Township. The parents of his wife were of German extraction, but natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. Their children were Matilda, Ann, Catherine, Simon, Rachel, Philip E. and Susan, who still survive, Sarah, Elizabeth, Lydia, John F., Eve and Mary are deceased. All these children lived to have families, excepting Sarah, who died at the acre of sixteen years. The father, John Frederick, died December 23, 1853, and the mother of this family, Lydia, died August 29, 1859.
JOSEPH D. GUTHRIE, (Bowling Green Township) son of John D. and Susan (Frederick) Guthrie, is a native of Bowling Green Township, born March 12, 1855. He finished his educational career by completing a commercial course at Lebanon. Ohio, in 1873; he then became a pedagogue, teaching the winter months until his marriage. This important event occurred May 29, 1877, with Miss Mary E., daughter of John G. and Elizabeth Wolford. Their union has been crowned with the birth of Erven, aged four years, and Bernard, one and a half years. Mr. Guthrie is a respected and energetic young man, having under his control about 600 acres of land. He ranks among the leading farmers and stock dealers in his township. He votes the Democratic ticket.
J. H. GUTHRIE (Big Island Township) is a stirring, vigorous young man, of only eighteen summers; was born June 30, 1865, the son of John D. and Susan Guthrie, of Bowling Green Township. He has been prosecuting his studies at the Ada and Danville Normal Schools, but this spring (1883) he has been conducting the "Longacre farm," owned by his father, and consisting of 126 acres. On this farm are twenty-five acres of wheat, seventy-five acres of corn and good live stock In all probability Mr. Guthrie will make this his permanent residence. The farm arm is supplied with good stock.
JOSEPH D. GUTHRIE, (Green Camp Township) (1907) son of John D and Susan (Frederick) Guthrie, is a native of Bowling Green Township, born March 12, 1855. He finished his educational career by completing a commercial course at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1873. He then became a pedagogue, teaching the winter months until his marriage, May 29, 1877, to Miss Mary, a daughter of John G. and Elizabeth Wolford. Their union has been crowned with the birth of Erven, aged four years, and Bernard, one and a half years. Mr. Guthrie is a respective and energetic young man, having under his control about 300 acres of land. He ranks among the leading farmers and stock dealers in his township. He votes the Democratic ticket.
PHILIP E. GUTHERY, (Bowling Green Township) son of Isaac F. and Rachel (Frederick) Guthery, was born in Bowling Green Township July 31, 1857. His parents were early settlers in Marion County, and now are living at Marion. Philip E. was reared on a farm, in the meantime obtaining a good English education. Since the age of nineteen, he has depended on his own resources and is now the owner of 120 acres of land, valued at $05 per acre. He was married, July 4, 1877, to Lizzie M. Clark, a daughter of George S. and Elizabeth Clark. From this union there are three children-Mabel, born June 11, 1878; George M., January 21, 1880; and Sybil, born February 5, 1882. Mr. Guthery is an enterprising farmer and citizen, well and favorably known. He is a member of the F. & A. M. and a Democrat.