798 - PERRY TOWNSHIP



PERRY TOWNSHIP

WILLIAM ADDLESPERGER, farmer; P. O., Levering; is the second son of William and Caroline (Frankfetter) Addlesperger; he was born in Shepherdstown, Va., Dec. 25,1821. The family moved from his native State when he was ten years old, to Greene Co., Penn. where he engaged in clearing for five years. At fifteen he came to Ohio, and lived in Perry Tp., Richland Co., going to school in the Culp District. He worked at milling, farming and clearing land, until he reached his thirtieth year. He was married October 12, 1851, to Alice A. Green, daughter of Elder Benjamin Green; she was born on this place February 1, 1824. After marriage, he settled on forty acres of his present farm, to which he has added sixty acres more, which includes the old homestead of Benjamin Green. He erected his present elegant frame residence of ten rooms, in 1876. He raised a family of one son and two daughters, all living at home-Mary E., born May 29,1852; John, January 1, 1854; Emma, December 19, 1861; his wife died July 12, 1867. Mr. Addlesperger votes the Republican ticket, casting his first ballott for Henry Clay, of Kentucky; his parents were both natives of Virginia; and his father followed the occupation of cooper; his mother died when William was six days old, leaving John, another son, some two years old. 'His father married Lydia Kimball, of Wheeling, Va., in 3827, where he lived


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 799

about three years, then removed to Greene Co., Penn., in 1831, where he worked at coopering about five years. In the Spring of 1835, he came to Ohio, settling in Perry Tp., Richland Co., where he lived some three years, when he removed to Mt. Gilead, where he worked at his trade until about one year before his death, which occurred March 11, 1867. He attained the age of fourscore years, and was a fine scholar in German and English; by his second marriage, he was blessed with eight children-Margaret, Thomas, Cobb, Susanna, Benjamin, Mary, Louis and Rebecca; Benjamin is - dead, he had served as Deputy Sheriff of the county. Our subject began life without capital, and the meager training which the early schools afford, and by persevering toil and careful study, has surrounded his family with a beautiful home, where taste adorns, and hospitality maketh glad all comers.

STEPHEN C. ACKERMAN, farmer; P. O., Levering; son of John and Ida (Cook) Ackerman; was born January 11, 1830, on the old homestead; spent his youth on the farm and went to district school until he reached his majority. He united his fortunes with Elizabeth Kline, March 2, 1851; she was a daughter of James and Abigail (Hyle) Kline; was born August 30, 1832., in Middlebury Tp., Knox Co., Ohio. After marriage they lived on his father's farm one year, then purchased 80 acres south of the present home, on which he dwelt eleven years, then returned to the homestead and lived about four years, when at the death of his father there was a division of the estate, and Stephen became possessor of 72 acres of the old place, on which he lives at present. Five children have been born to them-John W., Mary, who married Curtis Hardgrove, of Knox Co., Ohio; James L.. who married Miriam Killen, of Waterford; Libbie and Leroy. Our subject and his estimable lady are members of the Disciple Church. His father, John Ackerman, was born October 22,1805, in Bedford Co., Penn.; he is the oldest son of John and Amy (Barton) Ackerman. We will now follow the fortunes of John Ackerman, grandfather of Stephen C. He was born about 1760, and at the breaking out of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted and fought in all the engagements until the close. He was in the memorable battles of Lundy's Lane and Bunker's Hill. The Colonel under whom he served was very severe on his troops, and denied them the privilege of filling their canteens with water as they crossed a brook on that sweltering June day. Many perished from thirst, without a wound on their bodies, and as Ackerman passed through the brook he dipped up water enough in his hat to preserve his own life. He, often remarked: "That Colonel never walked before his command after that day." He was never off duty with wounds or sickness during the war, and received a pension of $94 dollars a year for faithful service. In the fall of 1810 John Ackerman, John Cook and William Levering came on horseback together, and each entered a quarter section of land on this branch of Owl Creek. John Ackerman, being fifty years old when shown the land by the Surveyor, said: "I will take the first quarter, as I am the oldest." Cook took the next. It was during this brief visit that he employed Thomas Mitchell to erect a cabin on his land. It was raised by men from Fredericktown, six miles distant. The next spring he set out with his family. They landed at their cabin in the wilderness April 8, 1811. He had two sons and two daughters -John being five years old when they arrived; Catherine, Abram and Mary. When the Seymour family were murdered, they were notified of approaching danger by "Johnny Appleseed," and went into the blockhouse three weeks, near Lucerne. The first crop of wheat which they raised to sell was cut with a sickle, threshed with a flail and cleaned by throwing it up and fanning it with a sheet. They hauled it to Zanesville, and sold it for three shillings per bushel, and with the proceeds purchased leather at 50 cents per pound and salt at $3 per barrel. The grandfather was a great mower, and at the age of seventy five he led six men until three gave out, unable to go to supper. He split 100 rails in a day when he was eighty years old. He departed this life Sept. 6, 1844, aged 83. Grandfather Ackerman and all his family were members of the Regular Baptist Church, and he helped to erect buildings in which the members worshiped. The hospitality of his house, and that of his son, John, was so unbounded, that it was known among the brethren for two generations as the "Baptist Tavern." John, the father of Stephen C.,


800 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

was like his father in many respects. He married Ida Cook, a daughter of Rev. John Cook (see sketch of Stephen Cook), and they always lived in the family of his father. At his death John received the old homestead as his share of the estate. He also was a devoted member of the Harmony Church, and kept its graveyard many years. His memory was remarkable, and although he kept no record, could tell the exact location of every grave within its limits. They raised seven children to manhood and womanhood-Stephen C., Morgan, Rachel, Amy A., Louis B., Leander and James Harvey, and two died young. This closes a brief sketch of an old and respected family, which may look back with pride on its examples of sturdy, self-reliant, Christian manhood.

JOSIAS BAUGHMAN, farmer; P. O., Shaucks. The above named gentleman is the representative of one of the pioneer families of Perry Tp. He is the third son of Francis W. and Mary (Beckley) Baughman, born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., Ohio, June 12, 1824. He lived with his father until his death, October 17, 1859. In January, 1860, the estate was settled up, and our subject purchased one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead, where he has remained ever since, making a specialty of the raising of horses and cattle. He supported his aged mother until her death, January 4, 1876. His father, Francis W. Baughman, was born in York Co. Penn., Oct. 1, 1791. He was married to Mary Beckley, March 28, 1816. She was a native of that State, born March 23, 1794. In two weeks after marriage they set out for Ohio in a fourhorse covered wagon. After a wearisome journey of about four weeks, they arrived where Hanawalt's Mills stand at present. Here the grandfather of Josias had purchased a quarter section on which at that time of arrival a grist mill stood, and some improvements had been made. Being unwell on the journey, they tried for several miles to purchase a loaf of wheat bread but failed. They moved into a log house near the mill, where the family lived some twelve or fourteen years and run the mill, which acquired a good reputation, and was patronized by the settlers far and near. It was at first furnished with the characteristic "Nigger-head Burrs," but gradually improvements were made. The father was sick after his arrival and unable to sit up, but hearing that John Shauck, his old neighbor was coming, he walked to the window, and improved rapidly from that time until well. John Shauck returned to Pennsylvania on a visit, and the settlers being largely from the same locality, availed themselves of an opportunity to send letters to their friends more direct and with greater safety, than the mails of that day could offer. On the day of his return there was a "raising " at Abram Hetricks, and he pledged each man not to read his letter until the building was up. Francis W. Baughman settled on his place in this township about 1830, where he Owned 315 acres. He had seven children-Mary Ann died when five months old; Julian born April 27, 1818; Henry born May 5, 1820; Josias (subject). Mary died at age of 12; Lydia died at age of 8 years and Francis died in infancy. The father was a consistent and zealous member of the Evangelical Association.

JACOB BURKEBILE, farmer; P. O., Woodview; only son of Peter and Frances (Downey) Burkebile; was born in Baltimore Co., Md., in September, 1824; he came with his parents to this township when five years old; he went a long distance through the woods to school, on the Johnston Road; he went but a short time each year until I sixteen; then worked for his father until twenty three; he united in marriage with Susanna Green, April 20, 1848. She is a daughter of Benjamin Green. They lived with his father until his death, which sad event occurred May 31, 1870. He was seventy-six years old. Frances, his wife, died April 19, 1851, aged seventy years. At the death of his father, our subject, being the only son and heir, became possessed of the homestead, of 100 acres. They have reared to womanhood, two daughters-Frances, born Nov. 1, 1851, married Orange Baker, and lives in Congress Tp.; Anna Jane, born Oct. 9, 1854, married George Burkebile, of Pennsylvania, and lives in this township. His parents were natives of Baltimore Co., Md., where his father followed the double occupation of shoemaker and farmer. They drove a two-horse team through in about 1828 or '29, and at the same time there came eight other families, who settled for the most part in this township. Mr. Burkebile left


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 801

his family at Jelin Singrey's while he erected a hewed log house on the eighty acres which he had entered here, during the winter; he cut his road to the place, which was all in woods then. The family moved to their house in the spring of, probably, 1830, and that year he put out a small patch of corn and potatoes. From that time forth, the father worked at clearing and farming in summer, and on his bench in winter; by this means he employed men to clear his land; he was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church; he had one son and two daughters Jacob, our subject; Frances, died in Maryland, and Sarah, who died here. For the history of Mrs. Burkebile's family, see sketch of Enos Green.

JASON J. COVER, Shaucks; was the oldest of ten children born to Daniel and Lydia (Stevenson) Cover; he was born in Frederick Co., Md., Feb. 5, 1823. Until 13 years old he attended such school as could then he afforded, when coming to Seneca Co., and there to East Perry, in Richland Co., 0., with his father, his assistance became necessary in the clearing and farming the now land. He stayed upon the farm some four years, when an opportunity of changing his business offering , he entered the employ of Creigh & Shauck Lek in his seventeenth year. He continued with this firm, serving behind the counter, in the post office, at the warehouse, packing pork and caring for horses; he served in various capacities, often working until ten or twelve o'clock at night, for eight dollars per month, turning over to his father every dollar of his earnings until he reached his majority. He then hired out to J. T. Creigh for $130 per annum and his board, refusing an offer of $144 per year from another merchant; he took his pay in clothing, notes and accounts against customers. Here he remained for nine years, his ability commanding repeated addition to his yearly salary, until it reached $175 per year. During the five years that he worked as clerk for himself he laid by $650, and in May, 1849, was taken into the firm of D. M. & J. T. Creigh & Co., as partner; he received six per cent. upon his capital and one-fourth of the profits on the entire business, which then included a general store, business, shipping of produce, buying notes, packing pork and dealing in flax seed. For five years the firm did a prosperous business, and at the expiration of the term of partnership he found himself in possession of a capital of $4,000, and the Creighs retiring at the head of a fine business. He associated his brother with him in business, under the name of J. J. Cover & Co., with a combined capital of $5,500; this left the firm in debt, with payments of $1,000 and $2,000, to he met in annual installments, which was successfully accomplished. Mr. Cover has been in active business ever since; save during the last year or two he has not paid so much attention to his store trade. During his active business career it was his custom to visit New York every six months to purchase goods, making some thirty-nine trips in all. In the fall of 1861 his business shrewdness led him to buy an enormous stock of dry goods, groceries and hardware, so that it taxed the capacity of his buildings to their utmost to bold them. His supply lasted three years, and was closed out at enormous profits,. reaching 300 or 400 per cent. He has maintained the business of the early day in all its branches, save, perhaps, that of pork-packing, doing a trade of from $25,000 to $75,000 per year, and that without the usual amount of friction. Business misunderstandings have been rare, and though obliged on two or three occasions to have recourse to the services of a Justice of the Peace, he has never had a case in court. In the course of his business life., Mr. Cover has had the forming of the business character of eleven young men, who are now promising business men on their own account, or in positions of wider usefulness. He always took a lively personal interest in the young men in his employ, and now follows their career with all the interest of a near friend. Among these are Christian Gauwiler, since deceased, John Schantz and Jerome King, doing a prosperous business at Mansfield, Tolman House in the produce business at Cameron, Mo.; George R. Hosler, at Johnsville; Samuel Wagner, at Shauck's Mills ; Robert Leedy, farming in the west ; John W. Thenna, druggist and postmaster at Johnsville; John Held, of Newhouse & Held, and his two sons, Upton I. and Jacob K. These young men stayed with Mr. Cover not less than three years, nor any more than four, two of them being employed sometimes together. He remembers them as industrious,


802 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

honest ]ads of fair ability; his business abilities have been felt elsewhere, and in the settlement of the large bankrupt estate of J. S. Trimble, when the liabilities reached a sum exceeding $100,000, his management was especially creditable ; he assisted also in organizing the First National Bank of Mt. Gilead, of which he has been a stockholder and director from the first. During the war he was prominent in securing volunteers to free his township from draft, and was employed by other communities to act in this capacity for them, paying from $120 to $650 for substitutes. On Sept. 2,1852, he married Catherine, daughter of Jacob King (see biography) ; she was born Sept. 20, 1833, in Troy, Richland Co., O. This union has been blessed with six children, five of whom are still living: Upton J., born Oct. 10, 1853 ; Alverda J., Oct. 20,1855, died Aug. 28, 1869, aged 13 years, 10 months and 8 days; Jacob K., born Nov. 25,1857; Laura B., Feb. 5,1863; Minnie R., Nov. 25, 1867; Katie D., Oct. 20, 1874. Of his brothers and sisters, Thomas W. married Mary I-less, of Columbus, and is at San Bernardino, Cal., engaged in raising tropical fruits; Josiah S. married Ann Wertz, and lives at the same place, and is engaged in the same business as his brother Thomas; Mary M., now Mrs. George Biddle, resides on the Cover homestead in Perry Tp.. Richland Co., 0.; Martha E., deceased, was the wife of William Lewis, of Congress Tp.; Eliza J., deceased, was the wife of Isaac Markwood, also deceased, leaving a daughter, Alverda E., now residing with U. A. Cover; William H. H. married Mary, only daughter of William Corson, near Belleville, Richland Co., O.; he is a farmer and stock-dealer near Waterford, 0.; Daniel P. married Mary A. Fowler, of Fort Scott, Kan., and is now engaged in raising tropical fruits at Riversides, San Bernardino Co., Cal.; John W. married Mary Sourbrum, of Troy, Morrow Co., where he is farming; and Upton A. married Susan Lamb, retired merchant, of Johnsville. Thomas was one of the discoverers of the celebrated Alder Gulch diggings, of Virginia City, Montana. Jason has survived all the male citizens of Johnsville that were here when he first came to the place, some forty years, ago. He was first a Whig, and voting for John C. Fremont, he has followed the fortunes of the Republicans ever since. He joined the United Brethren in Christ at the age of thirty-three, and has been an Active member ever since, acting as trustee, leader, Sabbath-school superintendent, and never without some official duty to discharge, ever since. His father, Rev. Daniel Cover, came from Frederick Co., Md., and after sojourning in Seneca Co., 0., one year, he made a permanent settlement in Perry Tp., Richland Co., O., in 1836, on eighty acres of land, which he owned until his death. He was a minister of the United Brethren in Christ-among the first of that faith in this locality. He preached quite extensively in what are now Morrow and Richland counties, almost every Saturday and Sunday, without remuneration. The records show that during his ministerial labors of about twenty years in this country, he helped to organize and build five churches. He died in 1855, mourned by a family of ten children.

THOMAS COLES, dealer in stoves and tinware, etc., and tinner; Shaucks; son of Thomas and Mary (Symmons) Coles was; born in Cornwall, England, Aug. 19, 1840; he passed his boyhood in Launceston, and went to school until 12 years of age; at that time he began learning the tinners' trade in the shop of Mr. Serrill, where he served an apprenticeship of one year, after which he followed the trade, working in the same town two and a half years for wages; he then found employment in a tanyard until his 17th. year. Aug. 12, 1857, he embarked from the port of Plymouth for America, and after a voyage of thirty-five days reached Quebec, and from there went to Coburg, Ontario, where he served three and a half years under the instruction of William Tourjee, tinsmith, becoming a skillful and competent workman, he went to McGregor, Iowa, where he worked for sometime as journeyman for Stow & Hopkins. In May, 1866, he went to Boscobel, Wis., where he worked at his trade, except one or two winters; he then came to Johnsville, and found employment in the shop of Jacob Steffee until 1871, when he erected the building where Adam Lucas lives, and worked there until the summer of 1874, when he built the present substantial frame building, 22x36 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, with a handsome store-room and shop on the first floor. Mr. Coles is prepared to do all kinds of tinwork, roofing and


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 803

spouting, and keeps in his warerooms a fine assortment of stoves, pumps, hardware, tinware and agricultural implements, at most reasonable prices. He united his fortunes with Mary E. Lincoln, of Boscobel, Wis., in Feb., 1863. She is the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Kay) Lincoln, born Dec. 18, 1845, in Iowa Co., Wis. Her parents came to this county in 1864, and live at present in Gilead Tp.; they have a family of seven children-Mary E., Ada, Azariah E., Joel K., David H., L. Augusta and Jessie B.; all are living. Mr. Coles is a P. G. member of Johnsville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. O. F., and C. P. in Harmony Encampment, No. 174, at Belleville, Ohio; he began the battle of life without capital or aid by any one, and now, by careful management he has a prosperous business, and a desirable home. He has only one son-Richard E. Coles, who was born Oct. 3, 1864, in Boscobel, Wis.

ASHER CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Shaucks; son of John and Mary (Fisher) Craven; was born Oct. 8, 1828, in Perry Tp. He was raised on the farm, and educated in the old log school house situated one mile southwest of his present residence. The furniture was of the rudest kind, and his first teacher was Richard James. He was married to Caroline Phillips, Oct. 1, 1857; she is a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hetrick) Phillips; born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., 0., Oct. 11, 1833. They lived on the old homestead for about three years, when they purchased 821 acres here, and moved here in the spring of 1861, where they have lived up to the present. Three children have been born: to them Jacintha, born Aug. 9, 1858; John Calvin, died when three years old; Miles L., born Jan. 14, 1862. Mr. Craven votes with the Democratic party, and has been three times chosen Trustee of his township, and has twice assessed the township. He is a Past Grand member of Johnsville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. O. F.; member of Richland Grange, No. 252, in which he has served as Secretary; he owns 200 acres of land, the product of his own labor and management. His father, John Craen, son of Beckly W. and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Craven, was born near Trenton, N. J., Oct. 3, 1797; he passed through the dangers of the Indian war of 1812, and came with the family to Perry Tp. in about 1822, being at that time a young man of 25; he purchased 40 acres of land on the school section, all in the woods. By his energy and labor he carved a home out of this wilderness and united his fortunes with Mary Fisher, by whom he raised a family. She was born in Morris Co., N. J., March 20,1794.

CYRUS CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Woodview; son of Beckley W. and Elizabeth (Balse) Craven. He was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, near Short Creek, Nov. 15, 1816. The family moved on this section when he was only four years old, and he grew up in the woods, varied by occasional visits to the old cabin school house, situated one-half mile south of his home. His first teacher was Jesse Downer, from the mountains, and very severe. The house was illuminated by what sunlight could pass through its long windows of greased paper. The fire-place filled one end of the house, and the floors and furniture were alike made of puncheon. The teacher's position was not even honored by the presence of a chair. Mr. Craven went only about three terms in all. He worked for John Shauck in the saw-mill when he was 19, and broke his shoulder while turning a log. His father was a carpenter, and he worked with him at the trade until he reached his majority, after which he followed the same calling until 1852, putting up several large barns in the neighborhood. He purchased his present home of forty acres at $10 per acre in 1850. He married Nancy Bell July 7, 1852. She is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Lash) Bell, born in Bellville, Ohio, May 17,1817. Her grandfather came from Belmont Co., Ohio, about 1815, and laid out the town of Bellville on his farm. The great grandfather of our subject, Thomas Craven, came 'from London, England, in 1729; he landed at Wilmington, and journeyed from there to Philadelphia, and near the site of old Philadelphia he was hotly pursued by wolves, and sought refuge by climbing a sycamore tree, where he remained all night. He settled near Princeton, where he taught school, and raised four sons, one of whom was Thomas Craven, Jr., grandfather of Cyrus. He came to Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1805, leaving Beckley W., his second son, in Pennsylvania. He emigrated from Sussex Go. of that State about 1810, intending to join his father at Cincinnati, Ohio; but


804 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

when he reached Harrison Co., Ohio, the danger of an outbreak from the Indians seemed to threaten imminent peril, so he stopped there with his family about ten years. He then gave up his first intention of joining his father, who died at Cincinnati; he came about 1821 or 1822 to this township, and settled on forty acres of school land, all in woods. He was born in Trenton, N. J., and was a member of the Episcopal Church. He followed the occupation of carpenter. He first wedded Elisabeth Carpenter by whom he had five children-Nancy, Hiram, Martha, John and Sally. She died, and he afterwards married Elizabeth Balse. Ten children were born to them-Lewis, Mahala, Anson, Cyrus, Fanny, Eliza, Emily A., Lucinda, Beckley and Elias. The father passed away peacefully about 1855. Cyrus, our subject, is of the true type of a self-made, self-educated, whole-souled gentleman; a fine marksman and skillful hunter. In early days he killed thirty-six deer in one fall, and the records of Crawford Co. show that he killed an old she-wolf and her five cubs where Galion, Ohio, now stands. He voted the Democratic ticket, until 1879, when he identified himself with the National Reform and Greenback party.

ALBEN COE, farmer and dealer in stocks; P. O., Shaucks; is the fourth son of Alben and Ruth (Nickols) Coe; he was born in Chester Tp., Morrow Co., 0., Nov. 21, 1834; passed his boyhood on the farm, and went to district school in winter. At twenty-two he rented his father's farm for two years; then purchased 75 acres of the present place, about 1858. He has since added, at one time 85 and at another time 94 acres, until his estate now covers 254 acres of fine farming lands. He erected a large house in 1879 on the site of a similar structure, which was built in 1874 and burned in 1878. His present elegant frame residence of ten handsomely finished rooms he erected in 1878. Thus has our farmer-boy, who started in life with no capital but three dollars in money, two strong hands and a willing heart, surrounded himself and family with a beautiful home and handsome competence. He has been interested for some time in the raising of draft horses, having some very fine specimens of the Clydesdale stock. He has dealt in stock quite extensively for the last nine years. He takes an active interest in the Agricultural Society, having been a member of its Board for six years. At the call of his country Mr. Coe enlisted Sept., 1861, for three years, in the 64th Reg., Co. C, of the 0. V. I., commanded by Capt. Brown and Col. Forscythe. He participated in the fortunes of that regiment until it reached Stevenson, Ala., when he was sent home to recruit the ranks. During the five months in which he was thus engaged he took to the front at one time men who were assigned to the "11th " O. V. C., and at another time he enlisted eighteen men. He entered the old 9th O. V. C. as First Lieutenant, but was soon promoted to the office of Captain. He led his company in the engagements of Decatur, Alabama and Center Star. They started on a raid, and were in a continual fight with the Rebel, General Forrest, for sixteen days. He was at the siege of Atlanta. At one time Forrest ditched the train in which they were riding, and his men disengaged themselves from the debris and formed in line of battle on the opposite side of the cars, completely routing the Rebels. At Lawrenceburg Capt. Coe's company charged on the 3rd Georgia Reg., gaining a signal victory and killing eighteen. They also fought in the Charge of Waynesboro, and all the engagements of that memorable "March to the Sea." He was mustered out Aug. 5, 1865. He was married Sept. 18, 1856, to Rebecca H. Shauck daughter of Elah Shauck, born Jan. 31, 1834, in this township. Ten children have been born to them of which there are but five living-Alva L., born June 23, 1857; Laura E., July 6, 1863; Claude E., Sept. 3, 1868; Glenn H., Nov. 7, 1869; Nevada, Aug. 8, 1977. Five died when young. Mr. Coe votes the Republican ticket. He has a relic of by-gone days in the shape of an ancient wooden clock whose history extends back to 1780. It was brought from Pennsylvania by the Lemmon family. Alben Coe, father of our subject came from Lancaster Co., Penn., and settled on what is now known as the Russell Farm; the land was first entered by Nathan Nichols. At the time of his settlement-probably about 1817, there was no one living on the site of Mt. Gilead. Allen Kelley was his nearest neighbor. Here he built a cabin on the banks of the Whetstone and followed the trade of black-smith-no doubt the first of his craft


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 805

in that region. He helped to cut and carry the logs and raise the first cabin ever erected in Mt. Gilead. At that time deer were very plenty, and one day a pack of dogs pursued one to the banks of the stream, and as it came out on the opposite side, Mrs. Coe struck it with a stick just back of the ears and killed it. The family lived in different parts of Morrow Co. for some years, then removed to Delaware Co., where they lived some three years. They settled on the farm where our subject lives in 1856; where they lived two years then removed to Richland Co. where they lived some three years, when they settled in Gilead Tp., where the father died April 6, 1870. His wife, Ruth Coe, died about 1840, and he subsequently wedded Mary Conway of Sparta, Ohio. Of the first marriage seven children were born-Nathan N., who married Letitia Blakely of Mt. Gilead. He lives there now, having retired from the farm. Sarah, now Mrs. Joseph Patton of this county; William married Ann Smith, and is a farmer in Gilead Tp.; John R. married Sarah Friend of Tipton, Iowa; he now lives in Nappa Co., Cal.; Marth J., deceased, was wife of Orange McDonald; Alben, subject of this sketch; Emma R. married William Logan of Richland Co., Ohio. They now live at Spring Green, Wis.

ANSON CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Woodview; son of Beckley W. and Elizabeth (Balsa) Craven; was born in April, 1812, in Washington Co., Penn. The family came to Ohio when he was only two years old, and lived in Eastern Ohio some eight years, when they settled on the "school section." Anson was about ten years old, and the family being in somewhat limited circumstances, his labor was required at home, so he had only about four months schooling in all; he worked by the month for John Shauck in the sawmill for some time; he chopped in the "beech woods," removing all the timber at $4 per acre; in this way, he purchased forty acres on the school- section, besides caring for and supporting his aged parents until their death; his present farm embraces eighty acres of good land, the fruit of his own labor and management; when he was twenty-four-just in the prime of manhood-he cut a deep gash in his knee-joint, which stiffened it and made him a cripple for life; he now lives on the old homestead with three of his sisters, a worthy example of sturdy, honest, self-made manhood.

DR. A. B. DENISON, physician; Shaucks; son of Benjamin and Eunice (Williams) Denison; was born March 9, 1837, in Susquehanna Co., Penn. He lived on a farm and received the rudiments of an English education until he was fifteen, when he entered a general store as clerk, where he remained until he reached his majority. In 1858 he left the store and engaged in lumbering and farming for three years, at the expiration of which time he entered upon the study of the profession, for which nature has so eminently fitted him, in the office of Dr. T. C. Denison, of Mehoopeny, Wyoming Co., Penn. Here he remained one year, making careful preparation for the course of lectures which he attended in the Medical Department of Michigan University, at Ann Arbor, in the fall of 1862. He returned to Mehoopeny, and practiced with success until September, 1865, when he came to Johnsville, and practiced until November of that year, at which time he entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, where he graduated Feb. 26, 1867. He returned to Johnsville, where he has built up an extensive practice in Morrow, Richland and Knox counties. Dr. Denison has gathered a fine collection of Professional Works, of which he is a close student. He began life with few of this world's goods, and has gained a handsome competence. His success in practice is largely due to his comprehensive reading, quick perception and sound judgment. He united his fortunes with Mary J. Ross, Sept. 2, 1867. She is a daughter of Benjamin Ross, of Mehoopeny, Penn. They have one son-Adam B., born May 29,1868. The Doctor's father, Benjamin Denison, was Physician; died in February, 1837, leaving family of nine children-John W., now a Physician at Mehoopany; Elizabeth, deceased, was wife of R. T. Stevens, and leaves a family; George M., died in 1866, in Pennsylvania; C. G., a merchant at Corning, New York; Eunice, now Mrs. R . T. Stevens; T. C., a Physician at Mehoopeny; Lewis B., died at the age of 18; Ann, died when young, and A. B., subject of these lines. Dr. Denison is a member of Mansfield Lodge, F. A. M.; also the Mt. Gilead Chapter.


806 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

DR. J. W. DAVIS, physician; Shaucks; is the only son of John and Sarah J. (Wickersham) Davis. He was born in Adams. Co. Ohio, April 15,1853. He assisted his father in agricultural pursuits, going to the public schools of his neighborhood until he was eighteen years old, when he became a clerk in a store at Locust Grove, where he remained about two years. In the fall of 1873, he entered the Commercial Department (if the West Geneva College at Logan Co. Ohio, where he graduated in the spring of 1874, when he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. J. L. Wright, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, attending lectures at the College of Indiana located at Indianapolis; on his return he became a partnet- with Dr. Wright, which lasted until the fall of 1875, when Dr. Davis retired to enter the P. M. College of Cincinnati, from whence he graduated Feb. 20, 1876; he first located at Carey, Wyandott Co., O., where he remained about one year, and afterwards for a brief period at Mexico, 0.; he located in his present office at Johnsville, in Oct., 1877, where he has a good practice in Morrow and adjoining counties; June 5, 1877 he was married to Laura A. Meckley, a daughter of Andrew and Mary (Hosler) Meckley, born Jan. 1.6, 1859, in Troy Tp., of this county. Dr. Davis and his wife are both members of the Evangelical Association at Haldemans ; his parents were both natives of Adams Co., O.; they were married Feb. 17, 1852, by Rev. Huston ; his mother, Sarah J. Davis, departed this life Jan. 22, 1855, aged 20 years and 6 months, leaving our subject, the only child ; his father again married Elizabeth Sharp, Nov. 18, 1856; of this marriage seven children have been born -Edwin, Sarah Belle, Rhoda, Marv, William, Milton and Leonidas ; they lived in the path of Joint Morgan's raid, in 186:3, and the Doctor, their a lad of tell years, was out plowing when three rebels came up and demanded the team; but our subject not willing to be interrupted, said to the near horse, "get up Joe," but when a revolver was presented he reconsidered their request, and said: "Whoa ! Joe;" they took three horses, which were never recovered, and when his father came home and found them gone he was very indignant, and snatching his gun he followed them to his father's porch, when two of the "raiders" came up, leading a valuable grey horse ; they asked why he had his gun and told him to go home; he said he would show them leveling his gun, they fled in great haste, leaving the horse which they were leading ; but they soot returned in numbers, and Mr. Davis sough refuge in a corn field near ear by, which they were surrounding, and as he fled to the woods the fired seven shots at him ; some of them were so near that he could hear the whizzing of the balls ; he passed on through the woods just as the main army passed along; they came so near that he was obliged to he flat upon the ground; in the haste with which he made preparations in starting out, he filled one of his pockets loosely with powder, and now, a he lay prone in a rut filled with water, the powder in his pocket became thorough saturated.

MATTHIAS DEISCH, harness manufacturer; is the son of Matthias and Alma (Rapp Deisch. The name of Matthias Deisch has been handed down front father to son for five generations. Our subject was born in the town of Fluorn, Wurtemberg, Germany Oct. 24, 1818; he was carefully educated in the schools of his native Kingdom from his sixth to his fourteenth year, being catechized in the Old Lutheran Church. His father died when he was fifteen years old, and he was hired on by his guardian to work on a farm for one year; he was their apprenticed to learn liar ness-making, giving two and a half years labor arid $55 in money besides. The "boss under whom he served was very exacting and required his apprentice to work from four o'clock in the morning until tell and some times one o'clock at night. He sailed from Bremen May 20, 18:37, and after a prosperous voyage of severity days, he arrived at New York in August; His passage cost $34; he remained in the metropolis only three days when he went to Schenectady and found employment on the Erie Canal, where he worked about one month; he next worked on a farm near Moorsville, New York, about two months; from there he next found work on the railroad near Catskill about six weeks then he worked at his trade in Cairo some thing over a year, when he went to Butler Co., Penn., and sojourned about eighteen months; Mr. Deisch came to Belleville, Ohio in the fall of 1839, and Sept. 19 he begat work in the shop of Ephraim Walter, where


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 807



he worked until 1842; he was married to Naomi Hill, of Belleville, Dec. 3, 1840; he carried on a shop of his own in for some time; in the fall of 1843 he came to Johnsville, where he has resided ever since, Jan. 20, 1849, his shop burnt in the night with a total loss of contents and all; by his energy and perseverance it was soon rebuilt. Jan. 1, 1860, he was appointed Postmaster at Johnsville, which position he held- until May 10, 1875. At twelve o'clock, June 14, 1865, he left his home in America for a visit to the scenes of his childhood; his route lay from New York to Queenstown, Ireland, which was accomplished in eleven days; from there to Liverpool, London, Paris, Strasbourg, and reached Fluorn, his native town, at ten o'clock p. in., July 4. Thus our traveler, after an absence of twenty-eight years beheld his native home when his loved and adopted land was celebrating its independence, and at last in glad paeans of joy, proclaiming all men free and equal. After remaining about six weeks to settle up his father's estate, he returned by the way of Harvre, and reached New York after an ocean voyage of seventeen days; he is a devoted member of the United Brethern in Christ, in which he has held the offices of Trustee, 'and is Steward at present; he has performed the duties of Sexton for twenty-four years. His wife, Naomi Deisch, was born in Fredericktown, Sept. 1, 1821; she died April 5, 1873. Six children were born to' them-Martha A. was born Dec. 28,1843; Amanda, Feb. 2,1848; James S., Jan. 9,1852; E. Clark, Oct. 22,1859; Sarah E., Jan. 15, , 1842, died Feb. 3, 1877; Laura A. died in infancy. Mr. Deisch was married to Elizabeth Starter, Oct. 1, 1875; he still does a thriving business at harness-making, and is able to furnish from his stock the finest and most durable kinds of work at most reasonable rates.

ELAH DENNIS, farmer, and dealer in agricultural implements; P. O., Woodview; is the third son of Samuel and Catherine (Crack) Den n is. He was born on his present place, Sept. 17, 1824. He passed his youth here, and went to the old school house near where Joshua Singrey lives. It had a large fire-place in one end, and was furnished with slat seats, desks on pins around the wall. His first teacher was Abram Stevens. He often went but two weeks during the year, on account of the time required for threshing out the grain. At nineteen he began to learn wagon-making with his brother in North Woodbury. He worked at the same business with Samuel Hoffman, and after learning the trade he formed a partnership with his brother Emanuel, which lasted some eighteen months, when he quit wagon -making, an d took charge of the farm of George Rule, and farmed it for two years. He next went to the homestead, where he farmed about ten years; from there he removed near N. Woodbury, and worked in u steam sawmill one year. Subsequently he bought an interest in the "Fish Farm," and lived on that two years. He next bought the 80 acres where Gabriel McWilliams lives, and sojourned there some two years; he then sold his farm and engaged in merchandising in North Woodbury for two years; then retired from the store and purchased the Gantz farm of 60 acres, where he lived ten years, when he sold, and bought the homestead of 83 acres of Samuel Hoffman, in the spring of 1875. He married Eliza J. Rule, Sept. 17, 1845, being just 21. She is a daughter of George and Mary Rule, born March 29, 1829, just south of Woodbury. Of this marriage two children have been born Leander, born April 25,1851. He has a good education, and has followed- the occupation of farmer., He is now farming the home place in partnership with his father. He has a fine stock of Poland-China hogs and Shortborn cattle. He united his fortunes with Elizabeth E. Krout, Apr. 7, 1872. She is a daughter of Jacob and Lovina (Rule) Krout, born July 12, 1852, in Baltimore Co., Md. Leander has two children-Ora A., born May 10, 1873; Mary A., Sept. 5, 1876. Wiry H. (see sketch of John Krout.) Samuel Dennis, father of our subject, was born in Juniata, Md., May 3, 1787. He lived in his native State 34 years, dividing his attention between the farm and the distillery. He married Catherine Crack, of Maryland, Apr. 12, 1812. In the fall of 1821 they sit out with a two horse wagon for Ohio, and owing to the inclement weather and had roads they were six weeks on the way. They arrived during the holidays and passed the winter with George Rule on the Fredericktown Road. In the spring he moved into the house vacated by Adam


808 - PERRY TOWNSHIP

Lucas, where he lived till fall; in meantime he built a shanty on the present eighty, which he had purchased of George Rinehart, a brother-in-law, about 1820. They lived in this shanty two years without fire-place, floors, door or windows. They built a fire in the middle of the house, and fashioned a bed and table by driving pins in the wall. The wolves would approach within two rods, and keep a dismal howling until almost sunrise; and the Red Skins would pass through the woods almost daily. When he arrived, he had but fifty cents in money, and he often worked at clearing all day for a bushel of corn. He would chop in the woods all day and make shoes by fire-light at night. He cleared fifty acres of his own farm and about five acres each year for others, for many years. His cattle would often stray away, and he would find them five miles distant. He went to raisings and log-rollings seven miles distant in early times. He helped to cut the first roads that were opened through this vicinity. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and was class-leader. His faithful wife died Feb. 15. 1861, aged 72 years, and he lived with subject, who cared for him nineteen years. He departed this life March 25, 1880, aged ninety-two years, 10 months and 20 days. His mental and physical powers seemed but little impaired until the last. In 1879 he mowed the door-yard four times. He raised seven children, and one died in infancy-Elizabeth, now Mrs. Edward Murray of Marion Co., Iowa; Uriah, carpenter and stock dealer at North Woodbury; Emanuel, wagon maker at Woodbury; Lucinda, now Mrs. Samuel Hoffman of this township, Elah (subject); Samuel, blacksmith in Nebraska; Jacob, deceased; Franklin, died when eighteen months old. George Rule, the father of Mrs. Dennis, came with his family from Baltimore Co., Maryland, in 1828, and settled on a quarter section where Norman Merwine lives. It was all in woods then, and he erected a cabin with a puncheon floor, in which he lived for some time, he cleared up the farm and erected the present building before he left. He sold eight lots from his farm for the Village of Woodbury, and donated the one on which the United Brethren Church stands; he lived on that place until 1863, when he engaged in trade at different places, first at West Point, then Galion, Ohio, and from thence to Bourbon, Ind. He now lives at Argus, Marshall Co., Ind. He was much respected by his fellow citizens, and was chosen Justice of the Peace many years, he was also Assessor and Trustee of his township. He was one of the first members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and he'd the office of Elder. He raised eight children to manhood and womanhood-Catherine, now Mrs. Adam Grove of Kosciusko Co., Ind.; Eliza J., wife of subject; Josiah, farmer, near Bourbon, Ind.; Eliza, the wife of our subject; Henry R., farmer in Kansas; Margaret, now Mrs. John Gautz of Argus, Ind.; Levi, farmer at Argus, Ind.; Jacob, farmer in this township; George lives in Indiana.

ENOS GREEN, retired farmer and merchant; P. O., Levering, Waterford; is the third son of a well known and highly respected family-the children of Elder Benjamin Green. He was born on the old homestead where William Addlesperger lives, June 14, 1826. He went through the woods to the Rinehart district, a mile and three quarters distant. Lawrence VanBuskirk, a Pennsylvanian, was his first teacher in the old log schoolhouse. As soon as he grew up he rode the horses to thresh, and cleared with the men in the woods, living at home until twenty three. He united in marriage with Rachel Clark May 15, 1849. She is a daughter of William and Abigail (Owen) Clark, born July 7, 1829, in Knox, Co., 0. Her parents were from Vermont, and the Owen family came very early and settled in Middleburg Tp. William Clark came some time later, an orphan. They raised two daughters, Rachel and Ruth, now Mrs. William Penn, of Waterford. After marriage our subject farmed on William Clark's place some eighteen months, when he moved on forty acres, where his residence stands, on which at that time two acres were cleared, and a, small cabin. By his energy and toil Mr. Green has been eminently successful in business. He now owns two hundred acres of fine farming lands, of which he cleared a large portion and erected handsome and substantial buildings. Rachel Green bore him three sons-William R., George 0. and Levi C., who all died in youth. His wife. Rachel departed this life, Jan. 1, 1855. He married Margaret Merwin March


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 809

22, 1857. She is a daughter of John and Amelia (Campbell) Merwin, born September, 1835, in Pennsylvania. The Merwin family came to this county in 1839, where they have since lived, raising a family of eight children, as follows-Jacob, a farmer in Illinois; Elizabeth, widow of Ira Dewitt, of Gilead Tp.; William, farmer in Congress To.; Julia A., now Mrs. James Muncie, of Iowa City; Rebecca, now Mrs. Peter Syphers, of Missouri; Peter, deceased; Norman, of Perry Tp.; Margaret, wife of subject. Of the last marriage one son and two daughters are living; Norman D., born May 15, 1859; Sarah J., born Oct. 29, 1862, married John Hough of Knox Co., Feb. 26, 1880; Ada, born Oct. 25, 1869. Two died when young. Mr. Green formed a partnership with F. V. Gwen, of Waterford, for the transaction of a general merchandise and produce business at that place, under the firm name of Green and Owen. This partnership was formed in Sept., 1879, and the high social standing of these gentlemen, together with an extended acquaintance, has brought the new firm an extensive trade. Mr. F. V. Owen is a nephew of Mr. Green, and a graduate of the Ohio Central Normal School. He was formerly principal of the Schools at Waterford, and is now Postmaster and Justice of the Peace. The firm carry a large stock of dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots and shoes, and everything needed by a farming community, and are doing a prosperous business, on the principle of large sales and small profits. Mr. Green moved his family to Waterford April, 1880. He is a Democrat of the old-fashioned type, and was Trustee of his township for six years. He united with the Harmony Regular Baptist Church some twelve years ago, under the administration of Elder L. B. Sherwood. He stands as the representative of a worthy family, which may point with pride to its examples of a sturdy, self-reliant Christian manhood. Elder Benjamin Green, the father of Enos, was born in Baltimore Co., Md., June 15,1778. In his youth he learned the tailor's trade, and worked for some time to the city of Baltimore. He united with the Regular Baptists, in early life, and began preaching when about thirty years of age. He traveled among the churches in the East quite extensively. Some of his preaching tours even extended to the brethren beyond the mountains. He came, with wife and two children, in the fall of 1817, and settled in Perry Tp. He entered one hundred and sixty acres of govern ment land, which cost $200, and purchased eighty acres of Henry Sams, which had a cabin and small improvements, which cost him $800. Here he worked at his trade most of his time, employing men to clear his land. Custom came from Mt. Vernon and other distant points. He engaged here in the regular work of the ministry, and during life had the pastoral care of four churches in this State Salem, Mohican, Harmony and Wayne churches. He wedded Charon Caples, of Maryland, and five sons and four daughters were born to them, as follows-Isabel, widow of Abram Ackerman; Robert, deceased, leaves two children; Susan, now Mrs. Jacob Burkebile (see sketch); Joseph, farmer, of this township; Alice Ann, now deceased, was wife of William Addlesperger (see his biography); Enos, subject of this sketch; Jephtha, now farmer and stock-raiser, at Yamhill Co., Oregon-, Elizabeth, was wife of the late Gilbert Owen, and is now wife of Benjamin Spitler, a merchant at Bloomville, 0.; Joshua, farmer and blacksmith, at Bourbon Co., Kan.

G. R. HOSLER, merchant; Shaucks (Johnsville); is the fourth son of George B. and Catherine (Rorbaugh) Hosler. He was born in this township, Oct. 3, 1834; he lived on the farm until 18 years old, when he went to Mt. Gilead as clerk in the general store of J. D. Rigor & Co. Severing this engagement at the end of a year he became salesman in the establishment of Cooper, Eichelberger & Co. of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, for two years. He then came home, where he remained in charge of the farm until 1860. Then he came to Johnsville in the employ of J. J. Cover & Co., serving in the capacity of clerk until the spring of 1866, at which time he commenced business in the present room under the firm name of Hosler, Morgan & Dise. This partnership lasted ten years, during which they did a large business. In 1876 Morgan and Dise retired, and Mr. Hosler continues under the firm name of G. R. Hosler & Sons. They do an extensive business in dry goods, groceries, hats, caps, boots and shoes, and drugs; they also deal largely in produce. An experience of nearly thirty years in buying and


810 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

selling goods, enables Mr. Hosler to give satisfaction to his many customers in both style and prices. He was married to Elizabeth Shell, a daughter of Christian and Margaret (Weaver) Shell. She was born in Nassau, Germany, Sept. 28,1834, and came with her parents, when six years old, to America, after a voyage of forty-two days. They settled in this township. Mr. Hosler has a family of nine children-Ella M. was born Aug. 25, 1855; James N., Sept. 10, 1856; Elmira E., Dec. 27,1857; L. Roy, March 30, 1859; Frank C., Dec. 31, 1861; Alverda J., Aug. 23,1864; M. Foye, Feb. 22, 1867; Clement L. V., April 27, 1871; C. Marshall, Oct, 21, 1873. Our subject has been closely identified with the public interests of his township since he reached his majority; he has been Clerk eleven years, Assessor for thirteen years, and Justice of the Peace for fifteen years; also Trustee, and Enumerator foe 1880. In every position his honesty of purpose and purity of character has won the confidence of his fellow citizens, and placed his official life above reproach. His parents came from York Co., Penn., in the month of May, 1832, and made their settlement one-half mile northwest of the site of North Woodbury, which only contained three log huts at that time. Here his father, George B. Hosler, bought sixty acres of land of Jacob Baker, and built a cabin. He followed the double occupation of carpenter and cabinetmaker. And as the early pioneer, becoming weary with the burden of years and toil, passed into that dreamless sleep that knows no waking, his handi-work furnished the burial casket, and with his four-horse wagon instead of the plumed hearse of today, they wended their sorrowful way to the silent cities of the dead. He was a soldier in the war of 181.2 under Captain May and Major Shauck. He was Trustee of his township and an influential member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, being one of its founders, and for many years Deacon and Elder. He and George Rule taught singing in English and German, often attending these concerts on Sabbath barefooted. He raised six children Henry, Abram, Samuel, Leah, Catherine and G. R. He died Sept. 23, 1863, aged 69 years, and the mother still lives with our subject, aged 84 years.

JOHN M. HELD, shoemaker; Shaucks. Among the successful and reliable business men of Johnsville, Mr. Held deserves more than a passing notice. He is the son of John M. and Barbara Held (her maiden name was Duld); he was born Feb. 16, 1827, in the town of Tuttlingen Wurtemberg, Germany. The laws of that country compel the attendance at school of all children from the age of six to fourteen; accordingly he attended the school in his native town eight years; on the completion of his studies, Mr. Held, then a youth not yet fourteen, entered the shoe shop of Peter Kuntz, for an apprenticeship of three years; here he toiled from four in the morning until twelve at night, boarding himself the first year and lodging at home during the entire period, besides paying twenty-eight dollars, all for the sake of learning a trade. At the end of the third year, Mr. Held was employed for eighteen months as journeyman in the shop of Jacob Reichle, when the shoemakers formed a combination, agreeing to cut down prices to ten cents for making a pair of sewed boots. Then he left the bench to work in his father's bakery until his emigration to this country. In the meantime, he was drafted into the army, but owing to the fact that his father, who had served his country under Napoleon Bonaparte, was getting old and feeble, and the support of the family resting largely on John M., he was exempt from service. In 1849 he learned that a neighbor was going to the United States, whereupon he at once resolved to accompany him; accordingly they sailed from Havre, April 11, 1849, and after a stormy voyage of forty-three days, they reached New York. He found employment at his trade in Philadelphia for two years. During that period he formed a matrimonial alliance with Barbara Miller, a tailoress, who was born in Bornheim, Kingdom of Bavaria, on Feb. 20, 1821. She came across the ocean with her brother in October, 1849, and they settled in Philadelphia. After marriage, each remained in the employer's family through the day, lodging in a room which they rented. Some time after they removed to Mansfield, Ohio, where Mr. Held opened a shop of his own, but he only worked here eight months, removing to Johnsville in 1852, where they rented the building now used as the Miracle House, which served as shop and dwelling. Here Mr. Held and his


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 811

wife worked night after night during the first until twelve o'clock at night, she binding shoes. In 1854 he purchased the present shop and residence fronting on Delaware Street, west of Main Street, in which he has worked at making and repairing boots and shoes for twenty-six years, building up a large trade in every kind of wear. There you will at present find a full stock of every variety, and two competent workmen, whose long experience and well known skill gives a perfect guarantee of satisfaction, at reasonable prices. Mr. Held has three children-John, born Oct. 23, 1851; Sarah, Dec. 8, 1857; Frank, Feb. 5, 1866; George died when nine months old. He has also raised in his family a nephew-Frederick Myers, now a workman in his shop. Mr. Held and wife hold a membership in the Lutheran Reformed Church; his business relations have been such that he never had a suit in court or before a Justice. Mr. Held came to Johnsville with nothing but a strong will and skillful bands, and through his own energy and management has attained a position among the substantial business men of the place.

WILLIAM HUNTSMAN, farmer; P. O., Woodview; is the oldest son of Jonathan and Nancy (Wherry) Huntsman. He was born January 25, 1817, on his present farm, where he spent his boyhood and youth amid the busy and exciting scenes of a half a century ago. To these pioneer sons learning yielded her scantiest gifts for brief periods in winter amid the confusion of an unclassified school, but poorly taught in most cases. Here our lad thumbed his English Reader and dog's eared spelling book before the blazing log heap, while his back was freezing. At twenty he began learning the carpenter trade, which he followed some three years. June 25, 1840, he united his fortunes with Catherine Bechtel, a daughter of Martin Bechtel. She was born January 2, 1819 in Pennsylvania, where her parents died and she came with her brother to Ohio in about 1833. After marriage, Mr. Huntsman purchased eighty acres of his present home of his father to which he moved in June, 1840. During his residence here he has cleared a large portion of it, and adorned it with handsome and substantial buildings. He has a family of one son and four daughters Nancy J., born July 14, 184.4; Mary E., March 11, 1847; Clancy, December 6, 1848; Lydia A., May 18, 1851; Minerva C., March 9, 1855. Mr. Huntsman has been tendered positions of trust in his township, having served four terms as Trustee, and various other offices. He early united with the Protestant Methodist Church, but in later years he united with the Evangelical Lutheran church of which he is now a devoted member, and an efficient Superintendent of the Sabbath School. He takes a deep interest in the temperance cause, and believes the time has come for prohibiting the Ruin Traffic. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came from Washington Co. of that State, and settled here in the Spring of 1816, raising his first, cabin on the 4th of July. He had entered a quarter-section of land here in 1815; they had lived with the grandfather of our subject until his cabin was raised, when they moved in, without floors, doors or chinking; they went to Zanesville for salt and leather, and below Mt. Vernon for breadstuffs. The wolves were plenty, and their howling at night made sleep difficult at first; he would shoot of his gun to frighten them away. The dusky sons of the bow and arrow chased their game through the woods. His mother often assisted in clearing, and at such times would take William, her first born, and lull him to sleep in a sugar trough. Eight children were born to them-William, subject of this sketch; Israel married Elizabeth Wilhelm, and is now a carriage trimmer at Mansfield, O.; Josiah married Nancy Garver, a farmer of Richland Co.; James W. married Catharine Baker, lives in Richland Co.; Noah married Rachel Rule of Polk Co., Mo., where he died in 1879; Amariah C. married Mary Culp of Richland Co., farmer on the Old Homestead; Mary J. (deceased), was wife of Peter Wirick (deceased); Sarah died at the age of twenty-two. Four of the brothers were in the army during the late war-Josiah, Amariah C., James W. and Noah. The father was one of the eleven who helped to organize this township in 1817, and was elected its first Clerk, and afterwards held the offices of Trustee and Treasurer. He taught school at Hanawalt's Mills, among the first in old Perry Tp. He died about 1866; and his wife, mother, of our subject, died about 1859. William Huntsman owns three hundred acres of well im




812 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

proved land, the fruit of his labor. He is breeding a fine herd of short-horn cattle from a full-blooded animal; has also a fine flock of sheep

FRANK HALFERTY, farmer; P. O., Woodview; oldest son of John and Annie E. (Woodrow) Halferty; was born in this township, Aug. 10, 1853; he is the representative of an old and honored family, whose history we will now trace as far as the information could be obtained. The great-grandfather of our subject, James Lowther, was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1771, and united in marriage with Margaret Filloon, Sept. 15, 1795. She was born in Pennsylvania, April, 1776. After marriage they settled on forty acres of land in Westmoreland Co., near the old turnpike leading from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia; here he followed the occupation of wagonmaker, by which he supported his family; he owned another tract of sixty acres; he divided his time somewhat between the wagon-shop and farm, on which he reared log cabins. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and raised a family of three sons and seven daughters, of which Elizabeth, grandmother of our subject, who is still living, was one. She was born in Westmoreland Co., Pa., Sept. 26, 1796, and united her fortunes with William Halferty, of the same county, April 12, 1814. He was a son of Edward and Margaret (Fleck) Halferty, born about 1788. They lived in the Keystone State until about 1822, when he emigrated, with a family of five children, to this township, settling on the present half section, which his father had entered before. They drove a three-horse team and two cows, and were about two weeks on the road; they stopped with relatives, near Independence, Ohio, about six weeks, owing to the sickness of the children; during this period Mr. Halferty worked on his cabin, into which they moved in the fall; some five acres had been underbrusbed, but not understanding where the boundary lines were, a portion of it proved to be on the wrong place. Their cabin had puncheon floors, and paper window lights. At the time of their settlement only five families lived on the school section, and during the following winter, feed being so scarce, they took their cattle to the woods, cutting down elm and linn trees, on which they browsed. William Halferty died April 21, 1828, leaving Mrs. Halferty with nine small children, the oldest being but fourteen years old, almost in the wilderness, with few resources, but an indomitable courage, and an energy that knew nothing of failure. She was possessed of remarkable physical powers, being able to pick up two bushels of wheat and put it on a horse. They were favored with remarkable health, and paid no doctor bills in the family. They all worked together to clear up the farm and put out crops, and as the boys grew up she held them firmly to the principles of right. If, perchance, either of the big boys did not obey her word, his size did not prevent her from administering a wholesome lesson of correction. They cleaned wheat by fanning with a sheet, and went to mill at Mt. Vernon. Of the family five were born in Pennsylvania, and four in this township. James L., who married Mary Lamb, and she died, and he subsequently married Rachel Sherman, also deceased; he lives in Noble Co., Ind. Edward married Henrietta Carr, and lives in Noble Co., Ind. Margaret, now widow of Martin Buchner, and lives in North Woodbury; Isabel, still at home; John, father of our subject, (see sketch); William, died July 28, 1875, in Noble Co., Ind., leaves wife and two children; Mary lives with her mother; Robert married Sophia Waltman, of Richland Co., 0., now lives in Noble Co., Ind.; Jane, now Mrs. William Imes, who lives in Noble Co., Ind. The father of our subject, John Halferty, was born in Fairfield Tp., Westmoreland Co., Penn., Oct. 10, 1820; he was eighteen months old when the family came to Ohio in the spring of 1822. He attended the subscription school a short time for six winters, probably not more than nine months in all. June 24, 1837, he began learning the trade of carpenter and joiner with Daniel Bowman, serving an apprenticeship of two years; he erected some buildings on the home place, and worked as journeyman for one year. About 1840 he employed hands and began building by contract, which he continued for a period of about fourteen years, generally employing about three hands. He built several fine residences, churches and schoolhouses in this and Richland counties. In 1854 he purchased forty acres of section sixteen and rented the homestead on which he


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 813

began farm operations. His labors were attended with success, and he now owns a large interest in the homestead, and his first purchases. He united in marriage with Ann E. Woodrow, June 24, 1851. She is a daughter of John and Hester (Sills) Woodrow, born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Oct. 12, 1829; five children have been born to them Frank, born Aug. 10, 1853; Mary J., Oct. 22,1855, married John Green of this township; Martha E., born Dec. 14, 1861; Almeda, Jan. 15, 1864; John Halferty, Jr., April 18, 1871. Mr. Halferty is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, in which he has held the office of Trustee; he is a member of Johnsville Grange, No. 802; he supports the measures of the Democratic party, and has been elected Trustee a number of terms ; he has also held the positions of Assessor and Land-Appraiser. Thus have we traced through four generations, the fortunes of a family whose history is a part of the country's heritage.

GEORGE HARMAN, blacksmith; Woodview; he is the second son of John and Queen Anne (Smith) Harman; born Nov. 3, 1837, in the town of Nimburg, Kingdom of Bavaria of the German Empire. When he was seven years old, the family sailed from Bremen, and after a voyage of nine weeks, reached Baltimore; they settled on a farm about seven miles from the city, where they lived for some time when they removed to Baltimore and lived there until his parents died, the father in 1869, and the mother in 1867, leaving three sons and one daughter John, George, Joseph and Mary. Our subject went to school, but in his youth he worked at different kinds of employment until he reached his eighteenth year, when he served a three years' apprenticeship at blacksmithing with Abraham Oeligrath, of Middletown, Md.; he worked as journeyman some four years, part of the time in Baltimore; he united his fortunes with Miss Louisa Oeligrath, Jan. 20, 1863. She is the third daughter of Abraham and Amelia (Marsailles) Oeligrath; born in Middletown, Md., Oct. 8, 1842. Her father came from Prussia to America in 1834, being twenty-five years old; he has followed blacksmithing in Middletown since 1835, building up a good business; he was well educated in Prussia, and served in the army three years; he takes a deep interest in politics, and has been Justice of the Peace for many years; in 1837, he married Amelia Marsailles. Of this marriage nine children were born-Amelia, Sarah, Louise, William, Elnora, Rosina, Emma, Ferdinand and Lillian. The mother was born in Prussia, of French parentage, her father being a captain of fifty in the French army under Napoleon, and met and married her mother during one of the campaigns. After marriage, Mr. Harman started a shop of his own in Carroll Co., Md., where he worked about ten years; he then set out for Ohio, arriving at Mansfield April 15, 1873, where he worked some six months; in the following fall, he came to Johnsville, Ohio, where he worked about sixteen months as the partner of Charles Parsons; he purchased the present residence and shop in North Woodbury in April, 1875, where he does an extensive business in general blacksmithing and the manufacture of buggies and wagons of the most substantial and attractive varieties; he has but three children living-George G., born July 22, 1867; Ina Rosabelle, Jan. 13, 1874; Pearl Lilian, Sept. 20, 1877. Four are dead-Elmer, Bertha J., J. Elwood and Amelia E.

WILLIAM IRELAND, farmer; P. O., Shaucks. Among the "new settlers " of this township, the above named gentleman is worthy of more than a passing notice as a representative ex-soldier and a worthy citizen. He is a son of Andrew and Nancy (Goben) Ireland; born in Danville, Knox Co., Ohio, May 14,1844. He passed his boyhood in the village, and assisted his father in the hotel until he was 15. He then engaged to work for his grandfather two years for two colts - one of which died before the time was up, and William, being a lad of 17, enlisted in the 30th Regiment, Company A, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. Hayes and Col. Hugh Ewing. This regiment formed a part of the illustrious 15th Army Corps. Our subject enlisted July 1, 1861, for three years, and fought in the battles of the siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Black River, Manassas Junction, Bull Run, South Mountain, Antietam, siege of Atlanta, and with Sherman in his "march to the sea." He re-enlisted in 1863, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war, being mustered out at Little Rock, Arkansas. He was never off duty from


814 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

wounds or sickness. He was taken prisoner at Atlanta, but escaped the same day. In the last battle in which he fought at Goldsboro', a musket ball passed through his cartridge box, which lie keeps as a trophy of his narrow escape. Out of twenty-two who enlisted in his regiment from Knox Co., he was the only one who returned at the close of the war. On his return he lived with his grandfather Ireland one year, when he united his fortunes with Sarah Cutler. Their marriage ceremony was celebrated July 4, 1866. She is the only daughter of Robert and Esther (Evarts) Cutler, born in Schuyler Co., Ill., Oct. 15,1842. Her father, Robert Cutler, was born August, 1808, in Wheatacre Parish, County of Norfolk, England. His father was a farmer, and he was well educated. In 1826 he left "Merry England" for the island of Jamaica, where he became a bookkeeper on the Chiswick estate, situated in St. Thomas, in the East, for about two years. He next became bookkeeper on the Surge Island estate, and was promoted to the position of overseer at the end of a year, but he soon became disgusted with the Negroes and the business, and going to Kingston, took shipping for New York, arriving in the spring of 1832. He at once Journeyed- to Mansfield, O., and bought eighty acres of land in Richland Co. He then made a trip to England in 1833, and returned, settling on his land for eight years, when he sold out and emigrated to Iowa, and for three years became a squatter on land situated on the Des Moines river. He then returned to Belleville, O., where he united in marriage with Esther Evarts, and they removed to Schuyler Co., Ill., where he remained until 1854, when his wife died, leaving him with one child-Sarah. We will now follow the fortunes of our subject. At the time of his marriage he had only one hundred dollars capital. He farmed near Palmyria two years, making a trip to Kansas the following winter. After his return he engaged in farming in Knox Co., O., some two years, then emigrated with his family to Mason Co., Ill., where he remained two years, visiting various points of interest in Iowa in the meantime. Then leaving his family in Illinois, he started with team and wagon, March 5, 1872, and traveled through Kansas and Nebraska to the Colorado line. He selected Jewell Co., Kansas, as a home, where he lived the life of a pioneer in its truest sense. He owned 255 acres of Ian d here, in which he plowed the first furrow ever plowed in the county. He sent for his family, and they lived four miles from any white settler. The nearest town, of a few huts, then was Edgar, forty-five miles distant. For two years he went one hundred and ten miles to mill and for groceries, leaving his family alone. As the country began to settle up, he kept a ranch, selling the products of his farm to the emigrants, and giving to those who were not able to buy. He was Justice of the Peace there, and married nine couple, yet he had never seen any one married but himself. At the expiration of four years he returned to Knox Co., O., and settled on the present place of fifty-three acres, March 1, 1879; also owns eighty-one acres in this township, all made by his own labor. He is a member of Johnsville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. O. F. Has five children living-Robert, born April 18, 1867; Lewis, March 18, 1869; M. Esther, June 27, 1873; Ida B., Aug. 15, 1875, died when six months old; Charley, born Dec. 27,1877. Infant daughter, April 7,1880.

ABEL JAMES, farmer; P. O., Andrews; is the second- son of Henry W. and Hannah (Jones) James; he was born in Chester Tp., of this county, Sept. 8, 1819. He was eight years old when his father removed to the woods of Congress Tp., where he was engaged in clearing. He went to subscription school but a short time, his services being required at home for the support of a large family. At 21 he went to South Bloomfield Tp., where he cleared land for three crops on the same , and at the expiration of three years he married Rebecca McClain, March 23, 1843. He then returned to his father's, taking charge of the farm for six years. He next removed to Wright Tp., Ottawa Co., Mich. Here he owned 83 acres in the green woods. He cleared 37 acres of his own land, and slashed 53 acres into windrows for others; his skill and endurance enabled him to split six hundred rails in a day. He was here nine years and four months, and in the meantime his wife died, leaving him with four little children. Archibald, born Oct. 2, 1844, married Lovina Furston, and was in the army three years and wounded in the Battle-of the Wilderness; he now lives in Muskegon Co., Michigan;


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 815

Charity J., born Jan. 2, 1846, now Mrs. Levi Myers, and lives in Northern Michigan; Adelbert J., born June 27,1850; Mary, April 3,1855, died when nine months old. He united in marriage with Eliza McClain, June 16, 1855. She is a daughter of John Harris, of South Bloomfield Tp., and widow of the late Evan McClain. Of this marriage two daughters were born-Rebecca, July 6,1857; Hannah R., Oct 24, 1859, died at the age of five years and twenty-two days. Mr. James returned to this township in September, 1858, and during the same month he purchased the home place, where he has lived ever since. He united with the Free Will Baptist Church about 1852, but withdrew from that church, and with others formed a Regular Baptist Church while in Michigan. He is now a member the Harmony Baptist Church. His father, Henry W. James, was born in September, 1781, in Pemrockshire, South Wales; his father died when he was six years old, and he went to live with an uncle by the name of Henry David, where he was employed in carting coal and lime until his eighteenth year. In Sept., 1799, he took shipping for America. The ship was carried by a head wind far to the south, and prolonged their voyage to nine weeks and three days. They landed at Philadelphia, where he engaged in sawing and dressing marble for some time; from there he went to New York, and tarrying but a short time in the city, he went to Steubenville New York, and there learned the double trade of miller, and millwright. He remained here about eight years, and owned a small farm. His brother, Elder David James, who had emigrated some fifteen months before Henry, lived here, and they both concluded to emigrate to Pennsylvania. They settled in Alexandria Co., where Henry found employment with a wealthy miller, by the name of Lowry. He united in marriage with Miss Hannah Jones, Oct. 30, 1807. She was born in Cardiganshire, South Wales in December 1788. She came over in 1801, after a journey on the ocean of six weeks and three days, and the family settled in Alexandria Co., Pa. After marriage, Mr. James remained in the mill until 1811, except for a short period in 1809, when he and a relative, by the name of Elder John D. Thomas, set out on foot for Ohio. They journeyed across the mountains and swam the Ohio river, and entered land in Chester Tp. While they were thus wandering in the wilderness of Knox Co., strange and sad events were transpiring at home. Before setting oat Mr. James had moved his family, and household goods in the house of Mr. Thomas, where the two ladies lived together. One Sabbath they made preparations for going to church, carefully securing the smouldering embers in the fire-place, as they supposed; but on their return from church, the house was in flames, and everything was lost, including over three hundred dollars in silver, for which Mr. James had sold his land in New York; all that remained was sixty dollars, which he had loaned, As the silver could not be found in the ashes, it is supposed that the house was robbed, then burned to conceal the crime. On his return, Mr. James labored in Pennsylvania, until the fall of 1811; when he, with his wife and two little girls, set out for Ohio, with an ox team. They landed at Licking Co., 0. in September, where his brother, Elder David James, had preceded him some months; they remained here two and a half years ; while here the Indians became very troublesome, and at one time fired at his cabin in the night, and he returned their fire, aiming where he saw the flash of their guns, while his wife guarded the door with a large knife, and the Indians finally dispersed ; he served in the war of 1812, under General Meigs, he and six others being detailed as scouts ; they captured two hostile Indians, which were sent as prisoners to Delaware, 0. At one time during this campaign, the soldiers' rations were reduced to one pint of meal to three men, and Mr. James came home nearly starved, and his wife was obliged to give him food in small quantities at first ; during his absence the wife often took her little ones and bid out to avoid the scalping-knife of the savages. After the war, probably about the spring of 1814, he removed forty miles west, to the fifty acres of land which he had entered in 1809, in what was then Chester Tp., Knox Co., 0.; hardly had surrounded his little family with a few of the necessaries of life, when the devouring element swept away all again. It was in 1815, when he lived in a log cabin whose "bat and clay " chimney was built up but a short distance, and to prevent fire from blowing across the


816 - PERRY TOWNSHIP

floor, it was covered each night with boards; on this particular morning he had gone to a log rolling, while the mother had gone to a neighbor's with her babe, leaving four little girls, the oldest being six, at home ; by some means the clap-boards had not been removed, an and when the children built a fire, they caught and communicated a blaze to the roof ; the youngest child was sleeping on the bed, and the other three heard the roaring of the flames and were bewildered, not knowing what to do; they were leaving when they suddenly remembered their little sister ; the flames were creeping around the bed, when they went in and dragged her, sleeping, from the bed, out of the door, just as the roof fell in with a crash; they went to the woods, sobbing and frightened ; they hid, and the little one, not conscious of her great danger, went to sleep again near the foot of a large tree; in the meantime, the news of the fire was borne to the men at the log-rolling, and the distracted father, wild with grief at not finding his little ones, would have rushed into the flames, saying, " Let me find my children's bones," but they restrained him, and diligent search was made, and there was great rejoicing when the little wanderers were found. Men came seven miles to raise them a cabin, 'and in three weeks they had another house, and received many contributions from the large-hearted settlers of that day. He attended ten log rollings with his ox team on ten succeeding days. In every community in that early day, some means of grinding their grain was the most pressing need; hence, his services as millwright were sought far and near. In the absence of any other material., he used the common country stone or "Nigger Head" for burrs, which required great labor and patience to dress them. He built or repaired many of the earliest mills in the country, among which may be mentioned Joseph Coles of Delaware Co., Judge Young near Lucerne, Kesslers of Marion Co., and the Waterford Mills; also many others in Knox and Richland counties. He rented his farm and was away from his family most of his time. He purchased two lots in Mt. Gilead, and erected the first frame ever built in that place about 1824; he moved his family there in April 1825, and took charge of Mr. Eustick's mill for two years. He then removed to the new land in Congress Tp., where he lived until March 1836, when he moved to the present place of eighty acres, where he lived out the remainder of his days. He was a stone mason and bricklayer, and built many chimneys in this country. In constructing mills he was often required to work in the water, and this, with the many other hardships he underwent, began to manifest itself in broken health during the last thirty years of his life, in which he suffered very much. He and his faithful wife were both consistent and devoted members of the Regular Baptist Church during their lives. He united with the church in Wales at sixteen. He served the church as deacon for thirty-one years, to the full satisfaction of all. The companion of his joys and griefs, departed this life Sept. 20, 1855, and he passed away in the triumphs of a living faith July 2, 1864, at the ripe old age of eighty-three. On his death bed he said: "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Twelve children were born to them, but two, Henry and John died young, while ten grew up to manhood and womanhood-Frances, widow of Hiram A. Hilliard, and resides in Harmony Tp.; Mary, widow of Thomas J. Hilliard, now resides in Ottawa Co., Mich.; Rachel, from whom this sketch was obtained, was born in Licking Co. 0., Nov. 19, 1811. She lived in her father's family until his death, caring for him in his declining years. She has always had delicate health, and her father secured her a rife interest in the homestead, where she now lives, with her brother Abel. In her fifteenth year she was received into the Bryn Zion Baptist Church, by her uncle David James. She had been previously carried to the water for baptism, and even amid her infirmities, rejoiced in a Savior's love. The church met at her father's in Mt. Gilead, on account of her ill health, and five candidates received the right hand of fellowship. Phebe, wife of James M. Hilliard of Knox Co.; Anna, now Mrs. Nelson Smith, of Knox Co., O. David now resides in Ottawa Co. Mich. Abel, subject of this sketch; Abigail, widow of John Parks, and lives in Crawford Co. O.; Samuel, (see sketch, among those of Franklin Township); Daniel T. farmer, of Congress Tp.

JOHN N. KROUT, teacher; Wood-


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 817

view; is the oldest son of Jacob and Sarah L. (Rule) Krout, was born Aug. 24,1850, in York Co., Penn. He lived upon a farm and went to the district schools of his neighborhood until twelve years of age when the family moved to North Woodbury, and upon examination he was admitted to the higher department of its schools, where he studied until eighteen, when he assumed the duties of teacher. His success is attested by the fact that he taught thirteen terms in one school. He has taught twenty-three terms in all, only missing one term since he began. He has been Principal of the Woodbury schools, where he was formerly a pupil. He has been a member of the Teachers' Institute of this county for many years, and has served on its Executive Committee, with efficiency and ability. March 16, 1875, a large competitive Spelling Match was held in the Court House of Mt. Gilead. Mr. Krout secured the first prize over a large number of competitors-a large Unabridged Dictionary-as the best speller of the he county. He has gathered quite a collection of valuable books. Mr. Krout is a member of the New School Baptist Church. He united his fortunes with Mary Dennis, Dec. 6, 1870. She is a daughter of Elah Dennis (see sketch); was born April 4, 1853, in this township. Three children have been born to them-Emma was born May 9, 1872; Clinton, Oct. 15, 1874; Clara, June 6, 1876. By frugality and careful management Mr. Krout has purchased a valuable house and lot in Woodbury, and 80 acres of farming land in Kansas, all the fruit of his own labor. The parents of Mr. Krout are of German origin; his father, Jacob Krout, was born in Baltimore Co., Md., June 18, 1824, and his mother whose maiden name was Sarah L. Rule, was born Jan. 20, 1827. They were united in marriage June 18, 1847, in Pennsylvania, where they lived a part of the time until March 1858, when they emigrated to Ohio, settling near West Point, where he lived two years working at the carpenter trade in meantime. He then purchased a farm of 70 acres in North Bloomfield Tp., which he cultivated until 1862. He came to North Woodbury in March of that year, and engaged in milling for about ten years, and has since worked at carpentering. They have a family of nine children-Mary A., now widow of the late Rev. Thomas W. Dye of this township. She had five children-Lua E., Elzy A., Clement C., Zila L. and Raleigh B.; John N., subject of this sketch; Elizabeth E., now Mrs. Leander Dennis of this township; Jacob B., was born in Baltimore Co., Md., July 27, 1856. He came with his parents to this county in 1858. He attended the higher department of the school at North Woodbury, and began teaching at eighteen; he has taught thirteen terms in all, seven of which he taught in the same district. He removed to Keokuk, Iowa, where he is still engaged in teaching, and bids fair to stand at the head of his profession. Charles A., was born March 12, 1862, in North Bloomfield Tp., of this county. He completed a course of study in the North Woodbury Schools; subsequently he entered the Union Schools of Chesterville. O., under the instruction of Prof. William Morrow. He went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he began teaching at 17 years of age, and is now bringing to a successful close his "third" term. in the district where he was first employed; George F. was born in this county, March 31, 1859. He received a good education in the Graded School of North Woodbury. He chose the avocation of farming. He united his fortunes with Miss Ella Kelly, a daughter of Samuel Kelly of Gilead Tp., where he is now employed in tilling the soil. The remaining members of the family still at home are Hiram E., Vincent D. and Ida F. Krout; one died in infancy.

JACOB KING, retired farmer; P. O. Shauck's (Johnsville). Among the old and influential citizens who settled in the vicinity ere this county was born, stands the worthy gentleman whose name heads this sketch He is the son of George and Mary (Blasser) King; was born in York Co., Penn., Jan. 30 1805. He lived on the farm until he was sixteen, enjoying but few advantages for education; he then worked at milling in his father's mill about six years. He married Mary Winters March 27, 1827; she was born in York Co., Penn., June 18, 1809. After marriage he rented land in York Co. for about two years, when he formed a desire to come to Ohio. He enlisted the sympathy of his father in the movement, which resulted in their selling out, and ere long two heavily loaded wagons were bearing the King family across the mountains to the Buckeye State.


818 - PERRY TOWNSHIP

The family stopped with a brother-in-law in Wayne Co., while Jacob and his father came to Troy Tp., then Richland Co., where they selected three hundred acres of land, on which some small improvements had been made. Jacob bought 120 acres of John Mitchell in the spring of 1833, on which he built and run a saw-mill some tenor twelve years, Here he lived and made many Improvements on his farm until 1864, when he sold his farm and came to Johnsville to enjoy the rest and quiet which his abundant labors had so richly won. Here he owns four lots and eight acres of land south of town. When Morrow Co. was organized, the line dividing Troy Tp. passed through Mr. King's farm, leaving his residence in the new county. He was a member of the first Democratic -Convention, which lasted all night, and was solicited to be a candidate for Commissioner, but declined. He has ably filled the offices of Trustee and Justice of the Peace a number of times during his residence in both counties. It will be seen by reference to the map of the county that a portion has been severed from the western part of Troy Tp. In this area Mr. King lived, and desiring to be set back into Richland Co., for sufficient reasons, he quietly raised a petition of twelve men in his school district, and through the influence of Barnabas Burns, a friend of his their in the State Senate, two sections of Troy Tp. were set back into Richland Co. He was Trustee at the time, and so neatly had the work been done, that they waited until about ten o'clock for him to open the election, riot knowing of the change. Mr. King is a Democrat of the "old time" type-a faithful and efficient worker in its ranks. He raised a family of four children-Leah was born April 8, 1828, in Pennsylvania; married Henry L. Shauck, by whom she has four children living; she died Sept. 26, 1874; Catherine, Sept. 20, 1833, now. Mrs. Jason J. Cover (see sketch); Jane, Nov. 8, 1838, was wife of Charles Dise; she died March 21, 1872, leaving three sons; Jerome J., May 4, 1842, and united in marriage with Mary Miller, a daughter of Dr. Miller, of Mansfield, Ohio, where Jerome is engaged in the grocery business at present.

BENJAMIN KEIFER, farmer; P. O., Sbaucks; second son of Peter and Susan (Meister) Keifer, was born Dec. 30, 1846, in this township; he lived at home until 28; he then united his fortunes with Louisa Portner, April 18, 1875. She is the oldest daughter of David and Margaret (Noward) Portner; born Jan. 17,1852. David Portner was born in Switzerland about 1824, and came across the ocean with his parents when about two years old. His parents settled in Clinton Co., Penn., about 1826, where they lived until 1833, when they moved to Troy Tp., of this county, on 74 acres of land. David wedded Margaret Noward, Oct. 31, 1849. She was a daughter of George and Margaret (Radal) Noward. Both of her parents (grand-parents of Mrs. Keifer) were born in Bavaria, Germany, and came across the ocean in the same vessel in 1819, and settled at Lebanon, Perin., where they were married, and came to Troy Tp. in 1833. Mr. Noward was born Sept. 2, 1799, and is now eighty-one years old, hale and hearty. David Partner raised six children-Louisa, Jacob M., Samuel S., Mary C., Chrissie A. and Hattie B. After marriage, our subject settled on the present place, where he rents 80 acres of his father's farm; he votes with the time-honored party of Jefferson and Jackson. One daughter has blessed this union-Emma 1. Keifer; born Jan. 16, 1876. His father, Peter Keifer, son of David Keifer, was born Dec. 9, 1804, in Bavaria, Germany; he was sent to school about three years; at the age of thirteen he hired out to work on a farm by the year, which he continued for fourteen years; for the first year's work he received three dollars, and the highest wages received during that period was eighteen dollars per year; he left home for the United States, May 11, 1834, sailing from the port of Havre, and after air ocean voyage of six weeks, he arrived at New York July 14; he went by rail and steamboat to Philadelphia, and from there to Lebanon Co., Penn., where he worked on the farm some eight months; in the spring of 1835, he joined his uncle, Philip Keifer, who was journeying to Ohio; he walked the most of the way. They settled in Troy Tp., of this county. Although unused to chopping, on his arrival he began clearing land at from three to five dollars per acre; in this way he cleared some eighty acres for others; about 1836, he purchased twenty-five acres where his present


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 819

residence stands; by his own energy and frugality, he now possesses the entire-quarter section, on which he has cleared sixty acres and erected substantial buildings; he married Susan Meister, April 28, 1844. She was born in Switzerland, Aug. 22, 1812, and came over with her parents during the same year as Mr. Keifer. Her parents settled at first in Wayne Co., Ohio, and afterwards removed to Fulton Co. Of this marriage three children have been born-John, born April 23, 1845; Benjamin, Dec. 30, 1846; Sarah, Feb. 22, 1853. Peter Keifer and wife are members of the Mennonite Church, in which he holds the office of Deacon.

DANIEL LEVERING, farmer; P. O., Levering; is the representative of one of the oldest and most highly respected families in the township of Perry. A genealogical account of the Levering family, embracing 193 pages, was published in 1858, which gives an account of two brothers, Wigard and Gerhard Levering, who emigrated from Germany about 1685 and settled in Roxborough, Philadelphia Co., Pa. It is thought that their father, Rosier Levering came from France, as the name has a French sound. This account includes ten generations, and up to 1858 enumerates 2,091 descendants of that name. Daniel Levering, son of Nathan and Mary (Kearney) Levering, was born May 9, 183:3, on this farm, where he passed his boyhood and youth; attended school on the bill near by, about three months per year until lie reached his majority, his first teacher being Charlotte Gregg. He then worked for his father until 1857, when he took a three months' tour through the West, visiting various places of interest in Iowa and other States. He united in marriage with Sarah K. Iden, March 1, 1858. She was born July 31, 1833; her parents were both natives of Loudoun Co., Virginia. John Iden was born in 1806, and Dorcas Furr was born in 1812. They were married April 22, 1830, and emigrated to Knox Co., in 1835, where they lived three years, settling permanently in Congress Tp. of this county, where they raised a family of nine children-Martha J., Sarah K., George W., Francis M., John A., Susan E., Thomas T., Lloyd D. and Melville M. After marriage Mr. Levering settled on a quarter section of land in Congress Tp., where he tilled the soil for eight years; then moved to an eighty-acre lot which he purchased in the same township; remaining here six and a half years, he sold out and purchased 130 acres of the old homestead, to which he came in 1873. He has cleared a portion of the place since then, realizing 100,000 feet of walnut lumber from the timber removed. They have three children -Martha 1. was born May 8, 1859; Clint, Sept. 12, 1863; Addie M., April 9, 1872. Daniel Levering, grandfather of our subject, came on horseback in 1812, and entered a half section of land, near the present site of Waterford, O.; he then went back to Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1813, he and a family of seven children, together with William Rambo, who married his daughter Grace, in Pennsylvania. The names of the family are as follows Grace, Henry, Charles Nathan, John, Noah and Joseph ; they drove two five-horse teams and four head of cattle, on the old wagon road from Bedford Co., Pa., one hundred miles this side of Baltimore; they were twenty one days performing the journey ; he purchased another half section of one of the Mitchells on his arrival, and built a grist and saw mill. The town of Waterford was laid out on a part of his land, and the post office was named "Levering," in honor of John Levering, his son, who was the first Postmaster. The family settled in the woods, and lived on corn-bread at first ; they sowed some buckwheat, probably the first raised in this vicinity, and it attracted large numbers of wild turkeys, which they killed ; it was on his farm that the block house spoken of in the sketch of Stephen Cook, was built, and it was connected with the residence by a protected passage-way. Daniel Levering was born Feb. 3, 1764, in New Jersey, and died Dec. 31, 1820, leaving Nathan, the third son and father of our subject, to settle up his large estate. We will now trace the fortunes of Nathan Levering. He was born Oct. 14, 1795; he was eighteen years old when he came to this State. Possessing a fair education, obtained in the schools of Pennsylvania, he attended school two terms in the old log school house on his father's farm, then began teaching, which he soon abandoned for the more congenial employment of farming. He received 160 acres of the present site from his father's estate, to which he added fifty acres more, clearing a


820 - PERRY TOWNSHIP

large portion. He united in marriage with Mary Kerney, April 17, 1827. She was a daughter of William and Sarah (Mackey) Kerney, arid was born Sept. 4, 1800. They lived in a double hewed log house just east of this until 1845, when Mr. Levering burnt two hundred thousand brick and built the present substantial residence of nine large rooms and a ball, using one hundred thousand brick in its construction. The building is therefore thirty-five years old, yet in a state of good preservation. Nathan Levering raised a family of eight children-Sarah A., deceased, was wife of John McAnall; Mary J., now Mrs. Robert Moffet, of Congress Tp.; Esther, died at the age of twenty; Daniel, William W., now in Philadelphia; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jacob O. Talmage; Martha, now Mrs. T. McKee; Samuel, died at about twenty-five, leaving two children. Nathan Levering died in December, 1872. He was a man of sterling integrity and irreproachable character; he was just-ice of the peace in this township for a number of years. He was delegated by this section to influence the legislature in behalf of the organization of the county at two different sessions of that body. lie and wife were members of the Harmony Presbyterian Church, and he assisted in building the old log and also the frame building which stands at present.

BYRAM LEVERING, farmer; P. O., Woodview; son of Morgan and Mary (Bell) Levering; was born June 9, 1842, in North Woodbury, He spent his youth attending the village school, and working on the farm, near by, during the vacations. At 21 he had a good education, and began the struggle of life, for himself. He purchased the quarter section of land here, and began farming, arid stock raising quite extensively. At 23 he wooed and won the hand of Leah Ruhl daughter of Henry H., and Catherine (Patterson) Ruhl. Site was born Dec. 15, 1840, in this township. Their marriage was celebrated April 6, 1865. Five children have been born to them; four are living, arid one died in infancy. Nora, Orpheus, Alfred H., and Hylas Allen. After marriage he settled on his present home, where he erected an elegant brick Mansion of fifteen rooms, at a cost of $5000, in 1872. By his energy and management he has added another farm of 160 acres to his estate, and now owns some 320 acres of fine farming lands, with, with handsome and substantial buildings on the same. Mr. Levering has given close attention to the improvement of cattle, and has at present a herd of 27 fine grades of the short -horn stock. He was formerly interested largely in sheep. Mr. Levering, wife and daughter, are all members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. His father, Morgan Levering, was the second son of William and Ruth (Bryson) Levering, (See sketch of Milton Levering). He passed his boyhood on the old homestead in Franklin Tp. At 21 he became a clerk in the store of John Markey, at Belleville, Richland Co. 0., where he remained about four years. He then came to North Woodbury when there was only four houses in the village. A partnership was formed for general merchandise and produce business about 1836, consisting of four part ners-Morgan Levering, John Rule, John Markey, and Elkanah Van Buskirk. The two latter soon retired, and Rule and Levering continued in partnership until 1851. They hauled away produce and goods with a six-horse team to the lakes, and across the mountains to Baltimore, and other eastern cities. They raised three sons-Allen, Byram and Robert; two died young. The father died Jan. 25, 1860.

SHANNON LEVERING, farmer; P. O., Levering ; son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Blair) Levering, was born near Waterford, 0., March 25, 1842. He received a good education in the Waterford schools, and at 21 rented his father's farm, where he continued to farm some five years. He began farming on the present place in 1868, where he owned a one-half interest. In the fall of 1871 he purchased the remaining one half interest of his brother Charles. He now owns 107 acres of fertile land, known as the Old Van Buskirk Property. The old brick house, yet in good preservation, was built about 1825, and is a marvel of endurance. against the "tooth of time."Mr. Levering united in marriage with Lydia Ogle, Nov. 11, 1869. She is a daughter of John Ogle, born in this township Nov. 29, 1850. (See township history for Ogle family.) Mr. Levering and wife are both members of the Disciple Church, and he is a Democrat in politics. His father, Joseph Levering was born in Bedford


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 821

Co., Pa., Nov., 1805; he was eight years old when the family moved to Ohio, and the youngest one, by the name of William, having died in Pennsylvania. They came in 1813, when the Indian troubles were most appalling, and the settlers rushed together and built a block-house, and connected it with the residence which is still standing on the hill near the village, but the blockhouse has been removed long since. Joseph grew amid these stirring scenes of pioneer life, and went to the first schools of the settlement. According to an ancient custom, he being the youngest son living, he received the homestead of 168 acres at the death of his father. This he cleared up and improved. He married Elizabeth Blair, May 21, 1833, She was a daughter of William Blair, born in Bedford Co., Pa., May 7,1806, and came with her family to Ohio in 1811. (See sketch of Calvin Blair.) He and his faithful wife were members of the Presbyterian Church; he held the office of, Elder. He died a triumphant death May 26, 1871, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, exclaiming in his death-bed: "I feel that I am dead, and my life is hid with Christ in God." His wife soon followed him, passing away Aug. 26, 1877. They leave five children living and two dead-Edwin, at the age of three; Lurane, now Mrs. E. W. Brown, near Waterford ; Charlotte died in youth Charles, farmer, near Chesterville, O . ; Shan non, subject; Edward and Calvin, both farming on the old homestead near Waterford, O.

A. A. LUCAS, dealer in boots and shoes; Shaucks (Johnsville); son of Adam and Maddalena (Emig) Lucas, was born in Perry Tp., Jan. 22, 1838; he lived at home on the farm until 22, when he was employed one year by Mr.' Cover; he next formed a partnership with 1. N. Lewis in the grocery business at North Woodbury, which lasted about one year, when Lewis retired, and Mr. Lucas continued for a number of years, keeping a post office and store; he worked for Levering & Rule five years, when he sold his property in North Woodbury, and moved his family to Johnsville; he then purchased the right of eight counties in Indiana for Owen's patent fence, selling farm, township and county rights for one year; he traded one county for a lot in Indianapolis, which he still owns; he then acted as traveling salesman for H. M. Weaver & Company, selling boots and shoes, by sample, for one year. He opened his present shop and store-room in the spring of 1878, where he keeps a full stock of boots and shoes of every variety of styles and prices. He united in marriage with Susan N. Mao-ill, of North Woodbury, Aug. 25, 1864. Of this marriage one child was born-Arita 0. His wife died June 8, 1865. He married Mary A. Pittman, of Pulaskiville, Ohio, in December of 1866. Two children were born to them-Clement L., born Sept. 24, 1867, died Aug. 16, 1868; Alvicktus G., born June 14, 1869, died Sept. 14, 1870. Mary A., his wife, died Sept. 28, 1870. March 26, 1872, he united his fortunes with Lottie R. Edwards, of Homer, Ohio, with whom he has. two children-Doda G., born Jan. 7, 1875, died April 14, 1875; Mamie J., born May 18,1878. In addition, to this record of sorrow, Mr. Lucas has had many accidents; when 4 years old he fell into a kettle of hot water; at 12 a horse on which he was riding, fell, throwing him beneath the feet of another horse, breaking his arm; at another time his arm was broken by falling from a sled, and his limb was broken by an accident, when riding in a sleigh. He is a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has held the office of Clerk for a number of years. Adam Lucas, father of our subject, was born in York Co., Pa., May 2, 1795; he was drafted in the army in the war of 1812, but being only 18, his father employed a substitute; he worked some six years in a still house; he then married Elizabeth Evets in 1820, and in October of that year he came on horseback to Ohio, and entered a quarter section of land in this township. In the spring of 1821 he drove through in a wagon, being on the road from April 9 to May 2. They lived in the wagon in the woods until July 4, while the wolves howled around at night. He reared a cabin and made a small clearing, when his wife died Dec. 30, 1821. He remained in his lonely cabin until the following spring; he started back to Pen Pennsylvania, Feb. 11, 1822, where he arrived March 30. He united in marriage with Magdalena Emig, Nov. 9, 1823, and they started to Ohio in April, 1824; and again he settled in the little cabin where he lived for nearly half a century, replacing the rude domicile of 1821 with large and handsome buildings; in later years he


822 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

purchased another 80-acre farm, on which he lived until his retirement from active life. Thirteen children were born to them-Rebecca, Levi, Isaac, Leah, Caroline, Elizabeth, Magdalena, Adam A., Susan, John, Abraham A., are living, while Jacob died in Missouri, at the age of 23, and Charles died at 13.

BARTON LEWIS, farmer; P. O., Woodview; is the oldest son of John and Mary (Ackerman) Lewis; he was born Dec. 29, 1830, in Knox Co., 0.; his father was the second in a family of four sons and four daughters, who left New Jersey for Ohio in 1812, but hearing of the Indian trouble-, here, they remained one year in Pennsylvania, coming to what is known as the "Jersey Settlement" of Knox Co., in 1813. It is said that a company of these settlers, before reaching their destination, camped on the banks of a small creek, and started in the morning in search of the land which they had entered. They wandered about all day, coming at night to the same spot; when James Bryant, one of the party, said, "Here we are at Granny Creek," and it retains that name to this day. There were but few families in Wayne Tp. then the Douglass, Bonar and Bryant families were among the first. They fled to the fort at Fredericktown during the war. Two sisters of John Lewis could shoot a rifle with great accuracy and skill. The marriage ceremony of John Lewis and Mary Ackerman was celebrated at her father's, Oct. 20, 1829. After marriage they removed to the old Lewis farm in Jersey Settlement for two years, when his father died suddenly, before a sufficient title had been secured to the land. He passed about one year on Ackerman's farm, then entered a quarter section of land in -this township on which he settled about 1833, in the woods. The steady blows of his ax rang through the forest until the sunlight greeted field after field of his farm; this was a time when a' fraternal spirit reigned supreme among the early settlers, and John Lewis attended the log-rolling or the raising almost every day for a month, every spring burning his own brush-heaps at night, after a hard day's work. He raised a family of five sons, all of whom are living-Barton, William, Thomas, 1. Newton and Byran. He was a devoted member of the Old School Baptist Church, in which fie for many years held the office of Deacon. He was chosen at different times to fill various positions of trust in the township-such as Assessor and Trustee. After a life of toil and hardships, he passed away in January, 1879, at the age of seventy three; respected by all for his sterling integrity and purity of character. Barton Lewis grew up on the farm in Perry Tp., getting a limited education, until he was twenty-one., when he worked by the month for William Lewis, at $16 a month for four years. Subsequently he purchased land in this township on which he lived until 1873, when he. purchased the present quarter section on the Johnstown Road. Oct. 1, 1857, he united in marriage with Martha Acton; she was a daughter of Gabriel and Catherine (Vanbuskerk) Acton, and was born Feb. 4, 1838, in this township; she died July 13, 1874, leaving a family of six children-Alwilda, Milton, Orrilla, Kate, Jane and Weems, all living. Mr. Lewis has been chosen to fill the offices of Assessor and Township Trustee; he was a member of the Old School Baptist Church for eight years.

JACOB I. MILLER, farmer; P. O., Wood view; is the third son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Winters) Miller; he was Vern in New York Co., Penn., April 30, 1833. When he was five years old, the family settled in this township, and Jacob was sent to district school when he could be spared at home; often he was required to ride horses while they were tramping out wheat on the barn floor for four weeks in winter. He was married to Sarah Cyphers June 5, 1856; she is a daughter of James and Keziah (Baughart) Cyphers; was born Oct. 7, 1832. Mr. Miller purchased sixty acres of land in Congress Tp., and lived upon it about four years, then sold this, and farmed on rented land for the next six years. He purchased his present home of 110 acres in 1866, and has made considerable improvement. In 1875 he bought the old homestead of 80 acres, in this township; his township has made an almost continuous draft upon him for service. For six years he was Trustee, and nine years he assessed the township, and is Land Appraiser for 1880. To these positions he has been called almost without opposition, and his ability and unswerving integrity have gained the confidence of all. Mr. Miller and wife are both active members of the Evangelical


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 823

Lutheran Church, in which he is Treasurer. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living-Joanna, Elwood C., William L., Charley C. and Ardella, Clement, and an infant. His parents came from York Co., Penn., in 1838, and settled on 80 acres in this township, known as the " Miller Farm;" when they came, there was only a cabin and a small clearing, and by his energy lie cleared it up and erected substantial buildings upon it. They raised a family of seven children-Aquilla, Abram, John, Jacob I., Catherine, Samuel and Sarah four of whom are living; John was killed in the army; Samuel Miller, the father of Jacob, died in Jan., 1872, and his mother is yet living. He was a prominent worker in the United Brethern Church, in which he held a membership until his death. He was a man of great industry and integrity, and was esteemed and revered by all who knew him.

ABRAM MILLER, farmer; P. O., Shaucks; son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Winters) Miller; was born Oct. 25, 1828, in York Co., Pa. He was 10 years old when he came with his family to Ohio. The family settled in the southwestern part of Perry Tp. When a youth Abram learned blacksmithing, serving an apprenticeship of two years under John Walker of Woodbury. After this lie worked for wages two years, at Johnsville, when he set up a shop on his father's place, wherein he worked about one year. He united in marriage with Miss Jane Hanawalt, Dec. 4, 1851. She is a daughter of John and Susan (Klinefelter) Hanawalt, born in York Co., Pa., May 13, 1828. After marriage Mr. Miller divided his attention between the shop and the farm some three years. He then removed to Troy Tp., Richland Co., where he farmed two years; from there to the adjoining township of Perry, in Richland; also farming eighty acres of the present place which he rented of Widow Lamb. In 1858 he purchased this farm of 160 acres of fine arable land. He moved here in March, 1859, where he has resided since, erecting a large barn forty by seventy-two feet; he also built a fine frame residence of ten rooms in 1872. Mr. Miller began with but few of this world's goods, and by his force of will and ceaseless energy attained a handsome property. He has taken much pains to improve the blood and character of his stock, raising some fine heavy horses; and has a fine animal of the Short Horn Durham stock, and pure Chester white hogs. Every enterprise of a moral or religious nature receives the hearty co-operation of Mr. Miller. He holds a membership in the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and has been trustee of his church. He is also a member of Johnsville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. O. F. He is Overseer of Richland Grange No. 250. He has been trustee of his township two terms; he has a family of five daughters and one son -Alice, born Oct. 13, 1852, married Sherman Myers, and lives in Marion Co., Ohio; S. Nevada, born Sept. 20, 1854, married B. F. Thuma of Johnsville; Mary R, born July 1, 1857, married Seymour Lindsay of Lexington; Janette, born Sept. 22, 1859; Emma F., June 27, 1862; Charley L., Jan. 3 1866.

GEORGE S. NEWHOUSE, merchant; P. O., Shaucks, (Johnsville); is the son of Kasper and Susan (Jager) Newhouse; he was born Dec. 20, 1834, in Alldorf, Rhenish Bavaria. As prescribed by the laws of that country, he attended school seven years, almost without vacation. Subsequently he spent about two years traveling in Prussia and other German States. In 1852 lie passed down the river Rhine, taking a farewell view of the "Faderland." He sailed from the port of Havre, and after a voyage of thirty five (lays arrived in New York City July 2, 1852. Thus we find our subject, a lad of seventeen, without a relative in this country. He chose the avocation of tailor, and devoted himself to that work in the city for about five years, except a brief period when he made a trip to the Western States, visiting various points of interest; lie returned to New York in the fall of 1855, where he united his fortunes with Mary Smith, Sept. 30, 1855. She was born in Wittenburg, Germany, Oct. 5,1835, and came across the ocean in 1852, with a sister, now Mrs. Morris Kline, of Johnsville. Mr. Newhouse came to this village in August, 1857, where he followed tailoring until the breaking out of the war; he entered the Union army under Col. Swayne, of the 43d Regiment, O. V. I., Company "E," and when his term of service had expired he re-enlisted in the 179th Regiment, and fought until the close of the war, being honorably discharged. In the spring of 1870 he opened a merchant tailoring establishment in Johnsville, in which he


824 - PERRY TOWNSHIP

continued until 1876, at which time he formed a partnership for five years with John Held, under the firm name of Newhouse & Held. They carry a large assortment of dry goods, groceries, clothing, hardware, and everything needed by a farming community. They have business room of forty feet by twenty-two, with wareroom attached. Mr. Newhouse has made an eminent advancement in that ancient and honorable order of Free and Accepted Masons. He holds a membership in Belleville Lodge, No. 376; Mt. Gilead Chapter, No. 59, and the Mansfield Commondery of Knight Templars, No. 21. Has five children living-George W., Clifton S., Frank M., Dell L. and Irwin S., and two died when young.

EZEKIEL C. PENN, farmer; P. O., Levering; son of John and Mary (Chumblin) Penn; was born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., Ohio, June 26, 1841. At eighteen he went to the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, during the spring term of 1860, and attended the Chesterville Union Schools that summer; he taught school in the home district the following spring of 1861; in the fall he again assumed the duties of teacher, but during the winter he lay aside the "birch," and rushed to the rescue of his imperiled country. He enlisted October, 1861, in the 72d Regiment, O. V. I., Company C. His first engagement was in the Battle of Shiloh, having previously been in a skirmish of Friday. He was just recovering from the measles, and as he lay on. the night of the battle, he was taken sick and sent home on a furlough, in April. He returned to Camp Chase in August for examination, and was honorably discharged. He united his fortunes with Sarah J. Winand, Oct. 2, 1862. She is a daughter of John and Cynthia (Painter) Winand, of this township. She was born July 3, 1841 (see biography of John Winand). After marriage Mr. Penn settled for two and a half years on the homestead of his father; lived on a rented farm some six months, then purchased seventy-nine acres in Richland Co., where he engaged in farming two and a half years. He purchased his present home of eighty-two acres, and moved here Feb. 27, 1869, where they have since lived. raising a family of three children-Clement, born June 10, 1863; John R., Feb. 24, 1866; Mary C., Feb. 19, 1876. Mr. Penn, with wife and sons, are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, near Waterford, in which he holds the office of Elder. The parents were baptized under the preaching of Elder Wagner, at Mansfield, in October, 1871. Mr. Penn is a tireless worker in the Church and Sabbath-school, and believing in education in its highest, noblest sense, he has surrounded his family with music and books, and the hallowed influences of an enlightened Christian home. The Church to which he belongs has a brief history, which we will follow. Some years since, Mr. Newell Grant, of Richland Co., became dissatisfied with the creeds with which he was acquainted. He began searching for the truth and the true church; in due time he was put in communication with the Seventh Day Advent Church, at Battle Creek, Michigan, and found that their views coincided with his own. Through his influence two ministers, Elders Vanhorn and Lawrence, came, and Mr. Penn heard them, and some of the church's literature found its way into his family He investigated and studied two years; then began keeping the Sabbath; and social meetings were held here in his house in 1869. In April, 1872, Elder O. Mears, of Bowling Green, Ohio, organized the first church in this house, consisting of seven members. They met in his dwelling about two years, in the meantime holding meetings at different points in Franklin Tp. They are now known as the Waterford Society, and have built a neat and substantial frame church one-half mile west of Waterford, which was dedicated by Elder H. A. St. John, in January, 1874. The church has increased quite rapidly, and has at present a membership of forty-four, which meet every Sabbath for church and Sabbath-school. John Penn, the father of our subject, was born in Baltimore Co., Maryland, May 5, 1800; his parents were natives of England; he learned the coopers' trade when a youth, and remained with his first employer until twenty-one. He then traveled in Pennsylvania and Virginia, going to Loudoun Co., Va., where he married Marv Chamblin in 1824. The Chamblin family were from New Jersey. He soon removed to Jefferson Co., near Harper's Ferry, where they lived some eight years, when he came to Ohio with five children, settling on eighty


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 825

acres of almost new land in Perry Tp., Richland Co., in October, 1834. The wife died in April, 1844, and he died March 1st, 1879. Nine children were born to them Elizabeth -Mrs. John Vermillion, of Greene Co., Ohio; William, farmer near Waterford, Ohio; Mary E., deceased; John, farmer of Hardin Co., Iowa; Deborah J., now Mrs. George Penn, of' Iowa; Maria, now Mrs. Ovin Boggs, of Whitley Co., Ind.; George, farmer in Noble Co., In(].; Mahlon, died in the army; Ezekiel C., subject.

AMOS RULE, merchant; Woodview; is the third son of John and Susan (Blosser) Rule; was born June 2, 1832, in this township. He worked on the farm, and received such instruction as the schools of his neighborhood could give. In 1853, being twenty-one years of age, he became a clerk in the store of Morgan Levering at Woodberry. In the meantime he devoted his spare moments to the study of medicine. April 5, 1855, he united in marriage with Caroline Buchner of this township, and soon after emigrated to Nebraska, where he engaged in the practice of medicine for about two years, then returned to North Woodbury. He entered into a partnership with Allen Levering in the mercantile business. This partnership lasted about six years, and during that time the first draft for troops was made, and it fell on both partners. They hired substitutes and continued business until Levering sold his interest to Norman Merwine, and again both Rule and Merwine were drafted on the second call, and escaped by paying $300 each to the volunteer credit fund, to secure the township's quota. Subsequently Mr. Merwine sold his interest to Robert Levering, which partnership lasted until 1876, when Levering retired, leaving Mr. Rule sole proprietor. He carries at present a full stock of dry-goods, groceries, bats, caps, boots and shoes, and in short, everything demanded by a farming community, at prices that favor the purchaser. Mr. Rule attended lectures at Stirling Medical College, and has been quite successful in practice, but is not actively engaged at present. He is Post master at present, and has been Treasurer of Perry Tp. for 12 years. He has a family of twelve children-Benjamin F. was born Jan. 27, 1856; John A., March 28,1859; Allen V., Aug. 11, 1860; Anna M., Oct. 27, 1761; Emma J., born March 25,1863; Minnie B., Aug. 17, 1864; Amos M., Dec. 14, 1865; Ellis O. and Rosa M. (twins), Apr. 3, 1867; Robert R., Aug. 16, 1869; Louisa C., Feb. 26, 1871; Isaac N., Nov. 25, 1872; Ohio M., a son, died at the age of five years. His father, John Rule, was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Dec. 14, 1796; his mother, Susan Blosser, was a native of York Co., Pa. They were married in Pennsylvania, and came by team to Ohio in 1828. They cut a portion of the road through from Mansfield, O. They settled in this township, near Woodbury, living in a covered wagon until they cleared a site and built a cabin. Their two sons, John and Isaac, were small, and the father toiled in his clearing lone - handed. He cleared about 100 acres of the 160 which he entered two years before. A brother, George Rule, and others of the family, came with him. He became a partner with Morgan Levering in 1836, and this relation lasted until 1851, when Mr. Rule retired. Has a family of three sons and one daughter-John, Isaac, Amos and Lovina, now Mrs. Norman Merwine. He departed this life March 12, 1874, at the ripe old age of 77 years, esteemed and respected by all.

HENRY H. RUHL, farmer; P. O., Wood view. Among, the successful farmers of Perry Tp., Mr. Ruhl deserves more than a passing notice ; he is the oldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Hosler) Ruhl ; he was born in York Co., Pa., April 14, 1808; his father died when he was seven years old, and as he grew up he worked very hard for the support of the family until he was twenty-five years old. The mother re-married, and they came as a family, in the spring of 1833. Arriving, May 10, they rented a house near where Jacob I. Miller lives, and in August of that year they purchased 160 acres of Mr. Ruhl's present farm, of John Bigham, for $500. The only improvements made were a small cabin and seven acres under brushed. The family consisted of four children-Henry H , (subject) ; Polly, who married John Warner, of Pa.; Rachel married John Garberick; and Jacob. The mother died about 1835 ; March 20, 1836, he married Catherine Patterson, a daughter of James and Esther (Erstine) Patterson; she was born in York Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1802 ; her parents afterwards removed to Maryland, from


826 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

which they emigrated to Congress Tp., of this county, in the fall of 1825, where the entered eighty acres in the woods ; they raised eight children to manhood and womanhood, all of whom were born in the East-John, Samuel, Peter, William, Catherine, Elizabeth, Mary and Nancy. Mr. Rhul has lived on present place since his marriage; he and his esteemable wife, who has been a help-mate indeed; both worked in the clearing together in early days, burning their brush and log heaps at might ; Mr. Rhul and his brother Jacob, went to thirty log-rollings one spring, and about hat many in the fall ; he has cleared about one hundred acres here, and now owns three hundred and twenty acres, principally the fruits of his own labor ; Mr. Ruhl and his entire family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church ; he has held a membership for forty-eight years, and has filled ably the various offices of Elder and Deacon ; he has been Trustee of this township eleven terms, elected frequently, almost without opposition ; Mr. Ruhl has raised two daughters, and one died in infancy; Catherine and Leah-Mrs. Byram Levering (see sketch); Catherine Ruh] was born Sept. 10, 1838, in this township; at twenty-seven she married Jacob Rule, a son of George and Mary Rule (see sketch of Elah Dennis) ; her husband, Jacob Rule, was born Nov. 28, 1842, in Perry Tp., near Woodbury; he lived on a farm until eighteen, then became a clerk in a store, for some time ; subsequently he worked on the farm by the mouth, about four years ; after his marriage with Miss Ruhl, he worked for Levering and Merwine about eight months, after which he began farming on the lands of H. H. Rub], where he has lived ever since ; in 1874 he purchased eighty acres of land. Four children have been born to them-Eva, born Sept. 24, 1866; Hernia, April 21, 1872 ; Idella, Nov. 17, 1874 ; Heilman H., March 2, 1880. He and his wife -are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

REV. J. F. SIMONS, farmer, and dealer in agricultural implements; P. O., Levering; is the second son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hardman) Simons; he was born Oct. 28, 1825, in Bedford Co., Penn.; he went to school about three months per year until sixteen, when he received instruction in an Academy in Cumberland Co., Md., for nearly two years; by close application, he so carefully employed his advantages here that he responsible work of teaching, which he successfully followed for four terms in his native county, working in a tannery during vacation; being twenty-three years of age, he was filled with a desire to visit the West and find a new and larger field for his energies; accordingly, he joined his uncle, Jacob Hardman, early in the spring of 1848, and they arrived at McFarren's, of Perry Tp., Richland Co., Ohio, March 19; he taught school that summer, and took a tour through Indiana, visiting various points of interest; he returned and taught school in the Lamb District the following winter; he married Catharine A. Wirick, Feb. 11, 1849. She is the second daughter of Peter and Deborah (Huntsman) Wirick, born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., on the 16th of September, 1826. After marriage, Mr. Simons lived on McFarren's farm one year; in the fail of 1849, he purchased his present farm of 80 acres, all in the woods then. The next year a hewed log house was erected where the present handsome frame structure now stands. Here they have lived and toiled for thirty years. The following year after he settled, he planted a fine orchard and sowed six acres of wheat. His own labor has removed sixty acres of heavy timber, and erected the substantial buildings of the present. In 1856 there was an almost total failure of the wheat crop in some localities, from the ravages of the weevil, making breadstuffs scarce. Mr. Simons hauled timber to Mt. Vernon, for which he received in payment a ten-dollar bill; he purchased a barrel of flour with it in Mansfield, and started home; he was soon overtaken by merchant, who claimed the bill was counterfeit, and on taking the bill to the lumber dealer, he denied giving it to him, and as a consequence, Mr. Simons lost the much-needed sum; he is a Democrat, and has assessed this township, and served on its Board of Education. For some time past he has effected extensive sales of D. M. Osborne Company's Agricultural Implements, in this arid Richland and Knox counties. He early united with the Disciple Church, and has been a faithful minister in its ranks for a number of years. His wife and seven of the children are within the sacred fold of the same church. Eleven children


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 827

have blessed this union, all living but twoMarv E. born Dec. 24, 1849; Rebecca, March 24, 1851, married Frank Hathaway, and live at Levering Station; Deborah, July 2, 1852, married Leander Ackerman of Knox Co,; Lomirah, born Dec. 29, 1853, died Sept. 6, 1877; Freeman born D., Feb. 2,1856; Lean der Jan. 16, 1858, married Miss Beulah Lukens of Ridgway, Ohio; Catharine, born Oct. M., 24, 1861; Addie A., March 19, 1864; Minnie June 26, 1866; Vernie G., May 16, 1868, died Feb. 7, 1870; Mamie, Sept. 29, 1871. The father of Mr. Simons followed the occupation of miller; spent his days in Bedford county and was the father of seven children-Maria, Mary' Elizabeth, David, Josiah F., John and Rebecca. Peter Wirick, the father of Mrs. Simons, is one of the few pioneers yet living whose vivid recollections extend back over more than a half century of thrilling scenes and great privations. To his grand- daughter, Miss Mary E. Simons, we are indebted for the following sketch of this remarkable man's life: Peter Wirick, oldest son of John and Elizabeth Wirick, was born in Washington Co., Penn., on the 25th of July, 1794. His parents were of German descent, and reared to manhood and womanhood nine children. His father was a farmer and millwright, and left his native State when Peter was a small child, settling in Belmont Co. 0. Here he learned to read, write and cipher, which was all they taught in the schools of that day. He never attended school after reaching his twelfth year. About 1806, his father again sold his property and removed to Guernsey Co. 0., where he lived some six years, and being of a roving disposition-never satisfied-he again sold out and removed to Richland Co. 0., and settled on the stream known as the Mohican. Here he entered land, and not being able to obtain the money for which he sold his former place, they were compelled to live very poor indeed for some time. Their clothing, warp and woof, was manufactured by their own hands. Peter had now reached his eighteenth year, and had never worn aught but "homespun." This was about the year 1812, and the almost unbroken forest abounded with every variety of wild game. Under these circumstances, Peter developed a passion for hunting which seemed to be innate, and has characterized him from that day to this. He being the oldest son, ranged the forest that the family might have meat while, his father labored in the mill, and in various ways sought to drive the "wolf" from his door. In the years following 1812, the Indians gave the settlers much trouble. They "forted" three times, and under the command of Samuel Watson erected a block-house on the site of Belleville, which consisted then of a few dwellings. In this place of refuge they spent a greater part of the summer, and late in the autumn returned to their homes. On this twenty-third birthday he was married to Miss Deborah Huntsman, by squire Amariah Watson. She is a daughter of James and Catherine Huntsman. Her parents were from Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Richland Co. in an early day. (See sketch of William Huntsman.) Soon after marriage Mr. Wirick entered land near Bellville. It was then a wilderness, full of deer and other wild game, which it was his chief delight to pursue and kill. Here he resided seventeen years, and in that time thirteen children were born to them-nine sons and four daughters, as follows: James, born April 3,1817; John, March 29, 1818; Jacob, Jul 31, 1819; Peter, Oct. 11, 1820; Mary Ann, Dec. 4, 1821; George, Jan. 24, 1823; William, Sept. 20,1824; Catherine A., Sept. 16, 1826; Daniel, Feb. 8, 1828; Jesse, Aug. 10, 1829; Washington, May 13, 1831; Elizabeth, in 1833; Deborah, Sept. 5, 1834. He sold his land on the Mohican for $1000, and purchased his present home of 94 acres for $800. Here three sons were bornJeremiah, born July 16, 1836; Harrison, Nov. 25, 1838; Ziby, Dec. 27, 1840; making sixteen children in all, of which eleven are living, and in prosperous condition in life, and have families, except a son and daughter. The parents were members of the Disciple Church for many years, but drifted away, and at present the father's sympathies are with the Universalist Church; be has been a Republican can since the organization of the, party, and formerly wore the name of Whig. He was the finest marksman of his day, and was ever ready to join a bunting party and spend days and even weeks in the forest; he spent the autumn months for eighteen years in bunting, and killed during his life over six hundred .deer. On one occasion Mr. Wirick was out hunting with a brother-in-law, John Hunts-


828 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

man, on the " Craven " farm, when from some cause they became separated. Soon after Peter saw a large "Buck," on which he fired, wounding it severely. He approached the animal, intending to knife it, but found that he had forgotten his knife. The deer was very angry and powerful, and he could only defend himself by striking heavy blows on its head with the muzzle of his gun until blood flowed freely from its nose, but its fury increased, until closing, they both fell on the snow covered earth, then stained with the blood of man and beast. Strength and courage were fast giving way when with mighty effort he caught the animal's neck and threw him on his side, but unfortunately with his feet toward him, giving the beast a decided advantage which he was not slow in using, for in this position he kicked and lashed his foe terribly. To use his own words: "I was bruised from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet." Realizing that the struggle would Id be brief with such odds against him, with an almost superhuman effort he threw the deer on its other side with its feet from him, and seizing his neck, with one limb across his body, he thought to destroy his sight with a flint, which he usually carried in his shot-pouch. But, alas ! no flint was there. Ile next searched for a pin or splinter of spicewood to accomplish the work; but the splinter was of little service to him. Despair was about to seize him, when he heard the report of his comrade's rifle, and his call brought him to the rescue. They dispatched their plucky antagonist by cutting his throat. Mr. W. is now eighty-six years old, feeble and tottering on the verge of the silent grave, where he must soon follow his faithful companion to rest. She bore burdens, such as few mothers have suffered or endured. A strong determination arid a powerful constitution sustained her through all.

DOCTOR D. M. L. SINGREY, physician and surgeon; Levering; second son of Jehu and Jane (Lemmon) Singrey, was born on his present farm Feb. 11, 1822; he went to school near where his brother Joshua lives, in the first school house built in Perry Tp., taught by Lawrence Van Buskirk, who boarded at his father's, and often carried our subject, a four-year-old pupil, to school on his back. As he grew up, he toiled in the clearing and in the field from early morn till the day's close, until he was 18 years old, when his father moved to Bellville, Ohio. He attended the schools of that place until he reached his majority, reading medicine with, Dr. Jacob Singrey during vacations. He then entered the office of Dr. James C. Lee of Belleville, where he reviewed the whole course of study which he completed in two and a half years. A series of popular lectures on medical subjects were given at Belleville during the winter of 1846. The doctor removed to the old homestead, where he began the practice of medicine in Oct. 1847, and has continued ever since, except one year and four months spent at Albion, Noble Co., Ind. He has a good practice in Morrow, Knox and Richland counties. The doctor is a fine type of that class of men whom our country delights to honor -as "self-made" and self-educated; he has been a member of the Richland County Medical Association; he has been a constant reader of the best books, of which he has a fine collection; he is a consistent member of the Harmony Regular Baptist Church, having united with that body in September, 1865, in which he is now Trustee; he cast his first vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and stands with that time-honored party to-day. He united in marriage with Charlotte A. Bonar of this county, on the 25th of December, 1856. She was born in Congress Tp., April 13, 1836, a daughter of John Bonar. Of this marriage seven children were born, five of whom are living-Hoy L., born Nov. 20, 1857; Thomas B., May 9, 1861; Lucy A., April 16, 1867; Fred L., Nov. 5, 1876; Ben B., Oct. 16, 1879. Two died in infancy - William F. and Kate. Hoy L. Singrey resides at Belleville, Ohio, where he is telegraph operator on the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. Jehu Singrey, father of D. M. L., was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Aug. 16, 1779; he followed the trade of miller and millwright in his native State; he married Jane Lemmon, Oct. 30, 1808. After seven years of wedded life had passed over their heads, they were fired with a desire to see the new Eldorado just carved out of the great Northwest Territory; accordingly they journeyed across the mountains, and after a journey of twenty - two days reached the little cabin which his brother-in-law, John Shauck, had built on the


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 829

Mohican, near the site of Shaucks' Mills, September, 1815. As Mr. Shauck had not arrived with his family, Mr. Singrey settled here for the winter, and in the meantime entered one hundred and sixty acres here and erected a house, into which they moved in the spring of 1816. On the morning of his first visit to this place, he set out with gun in hand, and just as he reached the hill on which the house stands at present, he was confronted by three Indians, one of which gave a low whistle and waved him back with his hand, and looking down in the hollow, he saw three deer feeding, and bringing his gun to his shoulder, sent a ball with unerring aim through the heart of one of them. He soon removed the hide and gave the Indians half, and ever after that they called him the "White Chief." They were his nearest neighbors, there being a wigwam of over one hundred and fifty Wyandott Indians camped in sight of his father's house for seven consecutive years. Tom Lion, the "Big Foot," was their Chief. The best of feeling ever existed between this family and these dusky children of the forest, and no instance of treachery or depredation occurred during their stay. Mr. Singrey associated with them until he could talk their language. The wife often baked for them, and exchanged bread for fresh meat. The wolves made sad havoc of his sheep during the first five years; hogs were killed by the bears. Jehu Singrey was a fine marksman; he killed wild cats, bears, and wolves; he killed twenty-three deer from September to Christmas. During the first two years he went to Newark and Mt. Vernon to buy breadstuffs. He built several of the first mills, working with Henry James. The fifth season after his arrival, more wheat was raised than could he consumed in the family, and he took a load to Mt. Vernon, where Gilman Bryant, a merchant there, offered him twelve and a half cents per bushel in goods if he would empty it into the streets for the hogs to eat. He drove on to Zanesville, where he received fifteen cents per bushel in sugar, rice, salt and leather. He was an "old time" Democrat, casting his first vote for Thomas Jefferson. He was elected the first Justice of the Peace in Perry Tp., in the spring of 1817. He owned three hundred and twenty acres in this and Congress Tps. His nearest white neighbors at the time of settlement were Henry Sams, on the old Green place, and Daniel Levering, near Waterford. He and his wife were baptized in the Clear Fork of the Mohican, by Elder Benjamin Green, by which they became members of the Salem Church, and on the organization of the Harmony Regular Baptist Church, became the first members of that body; he departed this life Apr. 23,1847, aged 67 years, 8 months and 23 days, and his faithful wife died May 9, 1831, aged 47. Seven children were born to them-Elizabeth, born June 27, 1810, now Mrs. Dr. James C. Lee, of Belleville, 0.; Rachel, born Sept. 7, 1.812, died Nov. 16, 1850, was wife of Elijah Clark, a tailor at Belleville, 0.; Sarah A., born June 11, 1814, lives at Belleville; Joshua, born Jan. 15, 1816; D. M. L., Feb. 11, 1822; (subject) ; Alice, June 5, 1826, lives in Belleville. Christian Singrey, grandfather of our subject, was born near Luzerne, Switzerland, on the 27th of Sept., 1723. He came to America about 1746, landing at Philadelphia, and settled in the Colony of Pennsylvania, where he remained some time, when a passion for a little lady whom he had known and loved in his native land became his master and he returned to claim her. Elizabeth Ingold was but thirteen years of age, but their love laughed at obstacles, and they were wed, and hastening back to the Colony with his young bride, he never lost his residence there. Having been seven years in the Colony of Pennsylvania, he took out naturalization papers, dated Sept. 27, 1753, bearing the Great Seal of the Crown of Great Britain, "on whose dominion the sun never sets." This ancient and yellow document is still in the possession of the Doctor, as is also his lancet over one hundred and fifty years old. There were five sons and three daughters born of this marriage, of which Jehu was the seventh child. Christian Singrey was a zealous patriot, and loaned nearly half a bushel of gold and silver coin to the Continental Congress, and received in payment their issue of paper money, which was almost worthless; he was an Army Surgeon in the Revolution under General Washington, and had his head-quarters at Baltimore. Jehu Singrey, James McClure and Peter Wirick cut the road from Lexington through Kelley's Corners, in the


830 - PERRY TOWNSHIP

winter of 1816. The Lemmon family came from Ireland in the person of John Lemmon, great-grandfather of our subject; he settled in Baltimore Co., Md., and married, raising a family of seven children, of which Alexis Lemmon, grandfather of our subject, was one. He wedded Rachael Stansberry, a sister of General Stansberry, of Revolutionary fame. Eight daughters were born to them, of which Jane, mother of our subject, was the seventh child.

JOSHUA SINGREY, farmer; P. O., Darington; oldest son of Jehu arid Jane (Lemmon) Singrey; was born near the site of Shauck's Mills, on the 15th of Jan., 1816. His youthful bon-fires were the brush-heaps of the clearing. He put his hand to the plow almost as soon as he could reach the handles, and has never looked back or forsaken the calling of an honest yeoman He was introduced to the beauties and mysteries of the alphabet in the old log school-house which stood on the site of his own garden. Here Lawrence Van Buskirk gathered his little flock, day after day, as they came through the woods, into a rude domicile, whose only floor was the rich soil. The grateful sunlight, promoter of growth and beauty, struggled through the windows of paper, aided by the use of grease. Here, before the great fire-place, with its "cat and clay" chimney, he learned to read, write and cipher. He united in marriage with Miss Eliza Fike, May 10, 1840. She was a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Ullery) Fike, born in Bedford Co., Penn., 'March 31, 1820. Joshua lived under the paternal roof until his father's death; at which time he purchased eighty acres of the old homestead-his present home. Here he has tilled the soil all his life, except three years, when he worked at saddle and harness-making in Belleville, 0. About 1866 he cut down an ash tree on the farm, which had been deadened about ten years before; and on splitting it open they found the unmistakable marks of a former girdling which had healed over. He and others counted the year-ring growths outside of the first incisions, and they numbered one hundred and seventy-three, which, since 1856, would make nearly two hundred years since the cutting was done by an implement fashioned by the "Pale Face. " Here is a problem for for the historian. Who did it? When a little boy the Indians often stole upon him softly, when they would startle with a thrilling war-hoop, which seemed to give them great delight. Joshua and his sister were often sent in search of the cows, when they wandered away, sometimes two miles distant through the woods. At such times, when they lost the direction of home, the cows would lead them safely along, although they saw wolves. Mr Singrey has a family of six children living, and two dead--Benton, born April 14, 1841, married Martha Bennet, of Marshal Co., Ind; Jehu, born Jan. 23,1843 he has been thirteen years in the Far West, and is probably dead; James L., born May 13, 1845; John, Sept. 12 1846, married Elizabeth Berget, of this township; R. Jane, born Aug. 4, 1858-now Mrs. James Van Buskirk, of Knox Co., 0, Rachel E., born March 27, 1851, married Lemmon Hettrick, of Marion Co., O.; Ruth A., born Dec. 27, 1854; Mary A., Sept. 11, 1852, died at the age of 19 years, seven months and fifteen days.

MOSES SHAUCK, selling buggies; Shaucks (Johnsville); is the representative of an old and highly respected family in Perry Tp.; he is the second son of Elah and Barbara (Haldeman) Shauck. He was born in this township, Jan. 6, 1837; his youth was absorbed with the labors on the farm just east of Johnsville. At the age of nineteen he entered the Otterbein University, at Westerville, O., and was an in attendance during the years of 1856, 18,57, 1858 and 1861, giving his attention to the farm during vacations. He responded to the call of his country, enlisting in the 43d 0. V. I. as member of the regimental band, and participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. - He was discharged in September, 1862, when he returned to his native village and engaged in the milling business four years, except a period of 4 months, when he went to defend the Nation's Capitol as Captain of a, company in the 136th Regiment 0. N. G. Subsequently he purchased 157 1/2 acres of land in Perry Tp. a portion of the old homestead on which he lived until the spring of 1880, when he moved to his present residence in Johnsville. He united in marriage with Kesia Hewitt, December 11, 1862; seven children have been born to them Lenore was born Oct. 22, 1863; Avalie, May 7, 1866; Edna, Oct. 5, 1868; Edgar A., Aug


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 831

8, 1870; Mary, May 16, 1874; Hewitt, Jan. 6, 1878; Vida, Jan. 24, 1880. John Shauck, grandfather of Moses, came from York Co., Penn., in a four-horse wagon in the spring of 1816. They settled on the Mohican, near where Shauck's mills stand, in a cabin which he had built previously. He and Abram Hetrick had made a visit in about 1814 or 1815, and John Shauck had entered section " 5," and erected the cabin above mentioned; they followed the Indian trail to this point. John Shauck was a Major in the Pennsylvania Militia and a Director of the Farmers' Bank at Mansfield. He was one of eleven who organized Perry Tp., in 1816. He kept the first Post Office and gave the present office its name, but the town was named for John Ely, who laid out the eastern half. Grandfather Shauck had two sons and one daughter-Elah, Mary A. and John Jr. We will now trace the fortunes of Elah Shauck, the eldest son of John Shauck, and father of our subject. He was born in York Co., Penn., about 1808, and was therefore about eight years old when the family came to Perry Tp. He always lived with and cared for his parents until their death; he managed his father's farm, and built the present grist-mills in 1844; he married Barbara Haldeman, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., and came with her family to this county but a few years after the Shaucks. Of this marriage nine children were born-Jacob H., Rebecca H., Moses, Jeriel, John A., Sarah, Martha D., Mary A. and Ermina, five of whom are living; his wife, Barbara Shauck departed this life Jan. 16,1862, and he married Lucy W. Hess of Columbus, Jan. 21, 1863, by whom he has one daughter living, Corrilla; he was one of the pillars of the United Brethren Church, and has held its various offices; he was Superintendent of the Sabbath School and an untiring worker in its ranks; all the enterprises of the Church received his earnest support; he was a trustee of Otterbein University; also of the Brethren's Printing House at Dayton, when it most needed aid. He was one of the first free soilers of this locality, and kept perhaps the only "Station" on the Under-ground Railroad in this township, helping many a poor fugitive on his way to freedom, and keeping all who came. He owned two hundred acres of land here, and eleven hundred acres in Iowa.

HENRY C. SHAUCK, farmer; P. O. Shaucks (Johnsville), is the oldest son of, William H. and Mary A. Shauck; he was born near Jobnsville, July 11, 1830 ; he lived in his father's family until twenty-three, in the meantime, gaining a fair education in the Johnsville schools ; he united his fortunes with Sarah A. Hetrick, Sept. 6, 1853. She is a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Winters) Hetrirk; was born in Troy Tp., Richland Co., O., March 25, 1835. After marriage Mr. Shauck farmed about three years on his father's farm, then purchased seventy-six acres of the present place, where he has lived ever since; he has added to his first purchase one hundred and ten acres of the old homestead; Mr. Shauck has three sons living and one daughter dead. Arthur was born June 19, 1854, married Nettie Shenefield, and has two children; Florence M. was born May 30, 1858, and died July 12, 1861 ; Charlie was born July 22, 1860 ; Samuel Irwin, July 9, 1868. Mr. Shauck is a Republican in politics; his father, William H. Shauck, was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 27, 1794 ; he was a soldier in the war of 1812, and pursued the calling of millwright ; he came from York Co., of the Keystone State, in about 1816, being about twenty-two years of age, and entered 160 acres of land, clearing a portion of it. He devoted himself to building mills for some years, erecting three saw mills, a woolen mill and several grist mills in this vicinity. He sold his first purchase of land to Garver and Baldwin, and purchased 160 acres here of parties in the east about 1833; and in 1834, he laid out on his land that portion of Johnsville lying west of Main street, while John Ely laid out the eastern half. They then drew cuts to see who should name the village, and John Ely being the successful one it was named Jo ville instead of "Williamsport." He made two or three trips on foot to Pennsylvania, and owned four hundred and sixty seven acres of land here, and six hundred and forty acres in Missouri and Iowa. He was a member of the New School Baptist Church. He married Mary A., only daughter of John Shauck (see sketch of Moses Shauck). Fourteen children were born to them. Catharine, now Mrs. William Dwyer, who lives near Johnsville 0.; Henry C., subject of this


832 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

sketch; Rebecca, now Mrs. John Knox, of Westerville, O.; Sarah, died in youth; Frank]in B. married Emma Pancost, and lives in Galion; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Smith, near Lexington, O.; Elah, died in youth; Julia A., now Mrs. Samuel Fouts, of Westerville, O.; Mary A., now Mrs. John White, of Shilo, O.; Barbara. E., now Mrs. Jacob A: Weenland, of Westerville, O.; John L. married Miss Josie McMillen, and lives near Rushville, Ind.; Albert B. married Miss Anna Miller, and is principal of the schools at Dayton, O.; Alice died in youth; William L. lives in Indianapolis, Ind.; William H. Shauck, the father, died Aug. 1, 1862.

LUCY W. SHAUCK, retired; Shaucks; is the daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Gordon) Hess. born near Columbus, Ohio Feb. 7,1824;, she passed her youth on the farm, and went to the common school until 16 years of age, when she attended the Academy at Delaware, Ohio, then under charge of Prof. MacElroy, three terms. The next year she went to the school at Granville, Ohio, under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, where she remained one year. She was married to Elah Shauck, Jan.21,1863. Of this mar; marriage two children were born-Corrilla, born June 13, 1867, and Daniel, who died in infancy. Of the early history of the Hess family it is known that Balser Hess, grandfather of our subject, came from Hesse Kassel, Germany, in an early day, and settled in the land of Penn, where he married Eva Hensel, of Bedford Co., Pa.; he was a farmer by occupation, and came with his family, by team, to Ohio, cutting his way to a point on the river near where Columbus stands at present; he lived in a wagon until they erected a cabin on the banks of the Olentangy. There were only a few houses at Frankleton, and none where Columbus stands. This was about 1796 ere Ohio was a State. They passed through the excitement of the Indian war of 1812, and fled to "Block House" at Frankleton, at the time of "Drake Scare." At 35 years of age, Daniel Hess, father of our subject, married Sarah Gordon, who also came from Bedford Co. when she was only 2 or 3 years old, and settled with her family at Frankleton. Seven children were born of this marriage-Lucy W., Amanda, Daniel, Philemon, Mary A. and Horatio, are living, and Calvin A. is dead. The present handsome brick residence of Mr. Shauck was built in 1831, and has stood the storms and "silent tooth of time " for half a century-a marvel of preservation.

JOHN W. THUMA, druggist; Shaucks (Johnsville); is the eldest son of Simon and Eliza (Shuler) Thuma. He was born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., O., March 1, 1846; passed his boyhood on the farm one mile east of Johnsville, and attended the village school until he was eighteen, when he entered the United States service in the "136th" Ohio National Guards, spending nearly four months. He returned and began teaching school, in which calling he continued five terms with success. In the spring of 1866 he entered the Otterbein University at Westerville, 0. He united in marriage with Emma Bull, Oct. 29, 1868. She is a daughter of Ephraim and Elizabeth (Ridenour) Bull; was born in Washington Tp., Richland Co., Nov. 27, 1844. Her father was a native of Maryland, and her mother was from Pennsylvania, and both came to Richland Co. in an early day, where they were married about 1830, and seven children were born to them-Delilah, Martin, William, Susan, Carrie, Emma and Elizabeth. Her father was a farmer, and the family were members of the Lutheran Church. Our subject began his mercantile career as clerk in the employ of J. J. Cover & Co. in the spring of 1868. He remained in their store until 1872, when he bought a large stock of pure drugs and erected his present large and commodious business room, in which he keeps at present a full stock of drugs, groceries, books, stationery, fancy and toilet articles and wall paper at very reasonable prices. Mr. Thuma has been Postmaster here since about 1875. He is an extensive reader, and is well informed on all current topics. He brings to his business an exquisite taste, combined with eminent business qualifications. He has three children-Cora E., was born Dec. 29, 1869; Olney B., Oct. 10, 1872; Lockie E., March 14, 1875. His parents were natives of Cumberland Co., Pa. The father came on foot in about 1835, being eighteen years of age. He settled near Hagerstown, O., where he followed the trade of blacksmith. In about 1846 he purchased 150 acres near Johnsville, where he raised five children-Esther V.,


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 833

John W., William O., David E. and B.Franklin.

JOHN WINAND, Jr.; farmer and stockraiser; P. O., Levering; only son of John Winand, Sr. His mother's maiden name was Mary M. Howard; he was born in Hopewell Tp., York Co., Penn., April 5, 1821; he worked on the farm in summer, and went to school to his father in winter, whereby he received an education that strengthened mind and toughened muscle. He learned both the English and German languages. His father settled on a portion of his present estate when John was fifteen years old, and he went to school in the old Pioneer School House in the Culp District. He worked under the paternal direction until his twenty-second year. On the sixth of April 1843, he married Miss Cynthia Painter of Perry Tp., Richland Co., O., where she was born July 2, 1824, hence was nineteen years old at her marriage with Mr. Winand. She went to the same school with him in the old log school house, with one long window on each side, and slab seats without backs. In those days when help was scarce, she worked on the farm helping to clear, hoe corn, when not stepping to the music of the wheel's low hum, or plying with deft fingers the flying shuttle, as she wove the woollen, linen and carpet. She is a daughter of John and Rachel (Red) Painter, being the sixth child in a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living as follows-Hamilton, a farmer in East Perry Tp.; Marv, widow of Jerry Huntsman, now of Noble Co., Ind.; Lydia, widow of Jerry Rule of this county; Susan, Mrs. Adam Rule of North Bloomfield Tp.; George, farmer in Richland county; Cynthia, wife of subject; Rachel, Mrs. George Hines of Noble Co., Ind; Armindia, Mrs. Joseph Lukens of Iowa; Charity, Mrs. William Lukens of Knox Co., O. John Painter, her father, was a native of Virginia, and came to Perry township about 1812, where he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land in the green woods, his nearest neighbor being three miles distant; he followed the Indian trail to the site of Fredericktown, and cut his way to the spot which was soon to be converted into a pioneer home. They lived in the wagon until a cabin was reared moving in ere it was furnished with doors or windows. Often the father was obliged to go to such distance for provisions that he could not return the same day, and the terror-stricken wife was left alone with her babe, which she dared not leave, even to hunt the cow. The little family sought safety in a block-house near Fredericktown during the war of 1812. The father toiled almost incessantly in those days, fighting the wolf from the door in more senses than one; his sturdy ax cleared over one hundred acres of his farm. We will now trace the fortunes of our subject: he tilled his father's farm of eighty acres, from 1843 to 1850, when he purchased it, and being the only son living, he became the support of his aged parents which he performed generously and well, until their demise some twenty years from that time. In those days Mr. Winand and his faithful wife worked early and late until the fair fields smiled, and the little cabin gave place to a substantial frame dwelling in 1861, where they lived until 1873. In that year he moved on his present place, which is adorned by a handsome frame residence of nine rooms and a large barn, sixty-one by thirty-five feet in dimensions; his present estate covers an area of two hundred and eighty acres, comprising rich farming lands, rolling meadows and beautiful sugar groves. Of late years sheep-raising has been the special employment of Mr. Winand, and he now has a; fine flock of two hundred and fifty; he is an old-time Democrat, casting his first ballot for James K.Polk, and now holds the office of Township Trustee; he has six children living-Sarah J., now Mrs. E. C. Penn (see history); William H., born July 24,1849, married Matilda Ruby, lives in Waterford; Silas F., born May 29, 1853, married Candis Fawlin, lives in this township; Mary J., born March, 18, 1856, married Thomas Williams of this township; John C., born Jan. 7, 1859, at home; Chancey A., born Nov. 2, 1867, at home; four sons died when young-George B., infant; Charles H. and Leroy M. John Winand, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania on the 18th of Sept., 1789; he was well educated in English and German, and taught school quite extensively; he came to Ohio when the country was new, and bought 80 acres of land, for which he paid $500; he had three childrenJohn, our subject; Mary A, and William; the latter died at the age of three years. John Winand, Sr., departed this life April 7, 1870,


834 - PERRY TOWNSHIP.

aged 81 years, 6 months and 19 days, and his wife died in March, 1873. Two ancient relics are kept in the family of Mr. Winand-an ancient wooden clock, over one hundred years old, owned by John Winand, grandfather of our subject, and a German Bible, printed in 1770.

ENOCH WAGNER, retired farmer; P. O., Shaucks; son of Matthias and Nancy (Delong) Wagner; he was born in Harrison Co., O., January 27, 1826 ; he lived on a farm near New Philadelphia, and attended the common school until his seventeenth year, when he went to learn boot and shoe making with Charles Antrus of Uhrickville, O., with whom he served two years, receiving $30 the first year and $40 the second year, as wages, besides learning the trade ; being now a trusty workman, he continued in the same village one year; from 1845 to 1850 he worked for brief periods at the following places -Shelby, Lexington, Indianapolis and Cedar Co., Ia., when he returned, settling on a farm near Uhrickville, O., where he continued working at his trade until 1864; during the winter of that year. he purchased his present place, of thirty-eight acres, on which he has lived ever since ; he at present rents his fields, and gives his attention to the raising of stock, especially shortborn cattle, of which he has some very fine specimens; he has also been successfully engaged in bee culture for some time; he was formerly a Democrat, but has voted the Republican ticket since the days of Pierce ; he married Sarah Wirick, in June, 1867; she is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hetrick) Wirick, born in this township, March 21, 1830; her father was a native of Guernsey Co., O., and her mother of York Co., Pa.; both came to this vicinity in an early day, and after marriage, settled near King Corners, where they raised a family of six childrenSarah, David, Valentine, Catherine, Rosanna and Rachel. Mr. Wagner's father lived and died in Tuscarawas Co., 0., raising a family of ten children-Sarah, Isaac, Nancy, George, John, Enoch, Jefferson, James, Harrison and Matthias.

SAMUEL WAGNER, miller; Schaucks; son of John and Christiana (Keifer) Wagner; he was born in this township June 17,1842; he lived on the farm one mile west of Johnsville until nineteen years old, when he became a clerk in the store of J. J. Cover & Co., some eighteen months. In 1862 he went to Ontario, where he found employment as clerk in a store at New Hamburg; he remained until the spring of 1866. In the meantime he wooed and won the band of Lavina Morley, a daughter of George and Hannah (Hall) Morley. She was born in Wilmot Tp., Waterloo Co., Ontario, Jan. 23,1845. On his re turn to Johnsville, Mr. Wagner engaged in merchandising, in partnership with his brother for a period of ten years, under the firm name of Wagner & Brother; retiring from the from the store in 1876, they became sole proprietors of Shaucks' mills, in which they had purchased a third interest in 1873, an additional third in 1874, and the entire property in 1876. The firm owns a grist and sawmill, two dwellings, with eight acres of land, the business block occupied by Newhouse & Held, and a dwelling in the southern part of town. The large grist-mill on the Mohican was built in 1844; it now has adequate steam power, and- all modern improvements; it has three run of buhrs, and an ample capacity for merchandise and storage purposes; the custom work is in charge of a competent miller of twenty-five years' experience. Mr. Wagner owns his present handsome brick residence of seven rooms, which he built in 1877; he has four children living-George J., born December 15, 1866; Anna C. died at the age of five; Clarence L. was born December the 6th, 1874; Charles R., April 26, 1877; Ivor E., February 16, 1879; his father, John Wagner, was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, May, 1800; he learned the trade of cabinet-making in Germany. In 1837 he emigrated with a family of three children to the United States; one child died on the, ocean; they arrived in New York in July; they came by way of Buffalo, Sandusky City and Mansfield-settled first an thirty-five acres in this township. He had nine children; five are livingValentine, farmer in this township; Elizabeth, widow of Elah Zigler; John K., partner with subject; Samuel, (subject) Henry lives in this township. Subject has been a member of the Johnsville Seal Board.

C. YOUNG, harness-maker and saddler; Shaucks. Among the intelligent and publicspirited citizens of Johnsville, it is fitting and


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES - 835



proper that we here make mention of the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, as a man who has aided largely in building up the business interests and industries of the place. He is a native of Auerbach, Germany, born Jan. 20, 1833; he was carefully educated in the schools of his native town until fourteen years of age, when his father, Peter Young, who was a harness-maker, placed him in his shop to learn the trade; he remained six years, becoming a skillful workman in every branch of the business. As the "Fatherland " did not at that time furnish very remunerative employment for her mechanics, our subject being twenty-one years of age determined to come to America. Accordingly, he embarked from Bremen, March 1, 1854, and after a stormy voyage of eighty-three days, in which he experienced severe sea-sickness of ten days' duration, and on Easter Sunday a storm that threatened destruction to the good ship, they reached New York City May 24, 1854. Mr. Young worked in a provision store in this metropolis of the New World for about four months; then came to Findlay, 0., where he worked some three years in the harness-shop of Mr. Meffet, afterwards working for some time in his own shop. He came to Johnsville about January, 1863, where he found employment one year in the shop of J. H. Shearer, after which he began business in his present shop. At the call made for troops to guard the Nation's capitol, he responded and served about four mouths in the 136 Regiment 0. N. G., at the close of which he re enlisted in the 179 0. V. I., and was honor ably discharged at the close of the war, when he returned to Johnsville, where he has sine done a prosperous business in the manufacture and sale of harness and saddles. He now employs three skillful workmen who turn out every variety of most elegant and durable work, whose popularity is attested by his large sales and a constantly increasing demand He united his fortunes with Louisa Lieb of Findlay, O., Sept. 26, 1836; she is a native of Wurtemburg, Germany; she was born Jun 4, 1835, and came to Ohio in 1854 during the same month, but not in the same ship in which Mr. Young came. Thirteen children have been born to them, all living but one-August E. was born July 15, 1857; Sophia, Oct. 10, 1858; George J., June 21, 1860; Joseph P., March 14, 1862; Charley C. and Eliza L. (twins), January 30, 1864; Anna H., April 11, 1866; Mary H., April 9, 1868; Frank F., Oct. 14,1870; Sarah J., Nov. 10, 1872, Maggie, Sept. 7, 1873; Elmore, Feb. 27, 1813, died Aug. 1875; William, born Sept. 30, 18 76. Mr. Young is a member of the School Board, and takes a deep interest in the education of the young. He and wife are active members of the Baptist Church.


(RETURN TO THE FRONT PAGE)