|
978 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: TODD TOWNSHIP. ELI EVANS, farmer ; P. O. Poplar: is the son of David and Elizabeth (Dissinger) Evans, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania the former of Welsh descent. the latter of German; his father was a weaver by trade, at which he was engaged during the early part of his life. He afterward engaged in farming and died in Crawford Co., Ohio, at the age of 54 years and Mrs. Evans at the age of 72 years. Our subject was born in Summit Co., Ohio. in 1826, and while young he obtained a limited common-school education. At the age of 20 he engaged in the chair-making business at Bucyrus, Ohio which he followed for about twenty years, all the work having to be done by hand. About 1865, he purchased some land, since which time he has been engaged in farming. Mr. Evans was married in 1848, to Sarah Stelts, by whom he has had five children. two of whom are living - William and Emma. Mr. Evans has a good farm pleasantly situated just south of the proposed new station of Lemertville. on the O C. R. R. He is a consistent member of the United Brethren Church and in politics is Liberal Republican. STEPHEN FANT, M. E. minister. Osceola was born in Louth, Lincolnshire, England and while a young man emigrated to Canada afterward to the States. He entered the ministry at Ashland, Ohio in 1846, since which time he has been so engaged. It is not necessary to recount the number or to detail the amount of work done by this venerable man; suffice it to say that he has been a great revivalist, and we think the means of doing much good in the world. His home for many years was at Delaware, where he educated his children, seven in number, all of whom are now married. Two daughters are living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, one son in Chicago and the others living in different parts of the State of Ohio. Our subject's charge. as now located, has been organized since he came here in 1878, and is composed of Holmes, Chappel, Little York, Belle Vernon and Osceola, and the different societies taken all together have about 147 members. The only eulogy we will pass upon this venerable minister's life, is that when his Master calls him home it will not be said that he lived in vain. JOHN FOSTER, farmer: P. O. Osceola: was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., in August 1810, and is the son of Thomas Foster, who was born in the State of Pennsylvania. Where he died at the age or 56; his mother's name prior to her marriage was Elizabeth E. Wilson a native of England, who died when our subject was an infant. Mr. Foster received a common-school education, and followed clerking at Jersey Shore for twenty-one or twenty-two years. In 1837, he moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, and bought the land where he now resides: he had 20 acres cut clown and then returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained five years, and. in 1843, he removed his family to their home in Ohio. He was married, in 1831, to Sarah A. Lea: her parents were Lacias P. Lea and Catharine (Rowe) Lea. The former was a native of England and died in Ohio, at the age of 80, and the latter died when Mrs. Foster was an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had seven children, of whom two are living - Catharine. now Mrs. Coder, of Parker Co., Texas: and Sarah E., now Mrs. Norris, of Tiffin, Seneca Co., Ohio. our subject is opposed to secret societies: is a member of the M. E. Church, and takes an interest in the elevation of society. He was formerly a Whig, and is at present a radical Republican. JAMES FORREST. Jr., plasterer and mason: P. O. Osceola: is a son of James Forrest, Sr., who was born in Barre Township, Huntingdon Co., Penn., on Jan 18, 1799. His mother's name prior to her marriage was Margaret Aston; born in Lancaster Co., Penn., on Aug. 23, 1807. Mr. Forrest. Sr., always followed farming as a business: his early education was very limited. except that acquired by himself. He was a man of great force of character, a reader, and one who, by his own efforts became able to converse intelligently on nearly any subject. During the war of 1812, his uncle was drafted, and assigned to Commodore Perry's command, and not being able to go, Mr. Forrest Sr., volunteered his services to go in his uncle's stead, being then 13 years of age. Being large of his TODD TOWNSHIP. - 979 age, he was accepted, and was one of the crew that took part in the engagement of the Twin Sisters, between the American and British fleets, on Lake Erie, which ended so gloriously for the Americans that it has ever since been styled "Perry's Victors." He filled several offices of trust creditably to himself and to his constituents: he was sergeant-at-arms of the house of Representatives of the State of Pennsylvania, under Gov. Shunk's administration, in 1844, himself with family moved to Osceola, Crawford Co., Ohio, in the spring of 1854, and purchased a farm north of the town a quarter of a mile, where he died. Being troubled with water-brash, he had become weak and debilitated, and. after a severe storm. the excitement was so great, perhaps. that he gave way and expired in his chair, supported by two of his sons, one on each side of him. in the 81st year of his age. He left no enemies, had a poor opinion of lawyers, thought little of physicians, was opposed to fees, and thought lawyers and all officers of trust ought to be paid salaries; his character was impressed with the hardihood of old. and he was always ready for any thing that might occur. He was a worthy member of the I. O. O. F., taking all the degrees, and was Noble Grand of the Lodge at Saulsburg, Penn. There was a beautiful tribute to the deceased passed by a friend, and a poem composed by his daughter. Mrs. Harter, which shows the high degree of intelligence of which the family is possessed. Our subject was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn.: he obtained rather a limited common-school education, but by his own efforts, having read a great deal of history, etc., he is able to converse freely on all general subjects. His early life was passed on the farm and at the age of 23, he commenced the trade of plasterer and mason, which he has followed ever since though never serving an apprenticeship. He was married Dec. 16, 1857, to Rebecca J. Brown. They have seven children - John L., Mary Juniata, now Mrs. Charles Welsh: Joseph E.., James A., Dahlgren L., Frank M. and Moreau B., all living. stout and hearty. Mr. Forrest and his father were always Democrats. GILBERT JUMP, farmer; was born in Greene Co., N. Y., in 1842. His parents were Elijah and Charity (Jones) Jump, both of whom were natives of the State of New York. his father being a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Jump, with his parents, moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, in 1843, where the latter died, the father at the age of 81, and the mother about the age of 82 years. When our subject came to the State of Ohio, he purchased land near where he still resides and commenced the task of clearing and improving his farm; and a glance at his premises-his large and commodious dwelling - show how well he succeeded. There were many Indians in the country when he came to it, and. though peaceable with the whites, they had many quarrels among themselves. Mr. Jump was married in 1837, to Olive Aultman. She died in 1844, leaving three children - Ransom, Isaac. and Laraujah, now Mrs. Gunndy, Mr. .Jump was again married, in 1845, to Eliza McCuen, by whom he has five children-George, Delos, Morell, Seymour and Viroqua. Using his own language. "He has been a Democrat ever since he was born." WILLIAM T. KELLEY, merchant, Osceola; was born in Wood Co., Ohio. May 23, 1854, and is the son of John A. and Nancy (Patterson) Kelley. His father moved to Wood Co., Ohio, about the year 1830, being one of the first settlers and building the first log cabin in Montgomery. Township, where he engaged in farming. He was Justice of the Peace for many years and was Probate Judge for two terms in succession before the county seat was removed to Bowling Green, it then being Perrysburg. Both parents died at an advanced age. He has one half-brother. who went to California during the gold fever of 1850, where he has since resided, being now worth probably- $100,000, which shows how well he has succeeded. Mr. Kelley can relate numerous events of his early life, how he stuck in the mull. slept in the woods, and caused his parents no little alarm. He received a common-school education, and was thrown on his own resources when quite young. He worked during four successive summers in a nursery in Geauga Co., Ohio, after which, he went to Gratiot Co., Mich., and engaged with the Monroe Nursery Co., for whom he worked three years, after which he bought a half-interest in a woolen-factory and chair-factory, which was burned in 1876, supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. From there, he returned to Mill Grove, Wood Co., Ohio, where he purchased a half -interest in a drug store on borrowed capital, and afterward bought the entire stock. He had an adventure 980 - BIOGRAPHICAL. SKETCHES: in business, of short duration. in North Baltimore, Ohio, and in May 1880, moved his stock of goods and family to Osceola, where he is doing a flourishing business in drugs and groceries. He was married, Feb. 8, 1879, to Lora Phillips, who was raised in Sycamore, Ohio, by which union they have one child. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Republican. G. W. LEITH, retired : P. O. Nevada, Wyandot Co.; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio; in October 1810; his grandparents were captives of the Indians for twenty-nine years roaming from place to place. his father being born during their captivity. They were of the floating frontier class, moving from place to place, finally locating in Fairfield Co., Ohio. where our subject's father died when he was yet a little boy. He was brought to Crawford Co., Ohio, in the beginning of April 1824, by a guardian and was engaged in the pursuits incident to farm life. clearing, grubbing, farming. etc. Mr. Leith never had the privilege of attending school, except one-half day in his life, when it rained, and he could not work in the corn. The event of that day was his throwing a chip through a greased-paper window, for which he received an application of the birch, the remembrance of which is still vividly impressed upon his memory. though now in his old age. After his marriage, his wife being a good reader, the Judge learned to read and write, the hardest part being to get the connection of different subjects. When Mr. Leith settled in Crawford Co., he was the first settler in Leith Township, called "Leith" after his grandparents (the captives). The entire county being thinly settled, the Indians and their ponies roamed over the prairies and through the forest at will. And many times our subject has started after his horses in the morning, they having strayed off during the night. and followed after a band of Indian ponies; only clad in shirt and breeches, following trails sometimes all day, without anything to eat. The first week that he was in the county he got lost in the evening, and had to remain out all night; to add to his terrors, the wolves made the night hideous with their howls, often coming so near that he could see them. On several occasions his wife remained in the camp all night alone, without doors or windows, he being away from home. Mr. Leith was married to Margaret Steele. of Seneca Co., who has been the mother of ten children, the youngrest being twin daughters, though but five are left to cheer them in their old age. The Judge never voted until 1840, for the reason that he was never before satisfied in his own mind that he knew how to vote intelligently, voting for Gen. Harrison, after which he voted the Whig ticket until the organization of the Republican party which ticket he has voted ever since In 1845, Mr. Leith was elected to the office of Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, which office he filled during the term of eight years, very creditably for himself, and with satisfaction to his constituents. Through the partiality of his friends, he was once nominated for Representative, and twice for the Senate, but failed from the fact that he was in one of the strongholds of Democracy, and could not get the votes. The Judge is one of the early pioneers, having come to the county more than half a century (fifty-six years) ago, and was acquainted with the early settlement and organization of the county. The Judge though feeble with age and the hardships through which he has passed, still possesses a clear mind and a food memory and has been one of the most important personages that figured in the early settlement of the county. LEWIS MILLER. farmer: P. O. Poplar; was born March 18, 1836, in Seneca Co., Ohio; he received a good education attending the common schools while young and at the age of 18 entered the Otterbein, University, situated at Westerville. Ohio, where he attended for two years. after which he attended Heidelberg College , at Tiffin, Ohio, one year. Mr. Miller had a desire to enter the legal profession, but after commencing the study of law was compelled to give it up on account of his health. His parents were Jacob and Phoebe (Pennington) Miller. His father is a native of Ohio, and still living; his mother was a native of Virginia: she died at the age of 66 years. Lewis has taught about twenty terms of school, has been School Examiner for some time. and has been enraged in farming to some extent nearly all his life. He has been considerable of a sporting man and was the owner of "Ketchup," bred and raised by his father taking several handsome races and making his best time at Tiffin, Ohio, in 2:24. Mr. Miller was married. on Feb. 12, 1880, to Crilley A. TODD TOWNSHIP - 983 Houseburg. He is a man of good information, and a Democrat. LUTHER M. MYERS, retired ; P. O. Osceola; was born in the State of Maryland in the year 1814, and is the son of Adam and Margaret (Worman) Myers. Mr. Myers attended subscription school while young at different times until he was 14 years of age, paying a small sum per quarter, his grammar consuming a part of his time for three days, and he improvised rules for arithmetic to suit himself. Mr. Myers served an apprenticeship at milling, carpentering and in millwrighting. He had charge of a mill for several years, and. in 1848, moved to Wyandot Co., Ohio, where he resided until 1854, at which time he removed to Crawford Co., Ohio, where he has since resided. He was married, in 1844, to Susan Hoy, and both of them are living to a good old age, though not blessed with any children. Our subject has been a life long Democrat, though laying aside party affiliations at tinges in local matters, voting for those who, in his judgment, are the Most eminently qualified to fill the positions sought. Mr. Myers is a man that keeps thoroughly posted on all general subjects, and takes an interest in all enterprises of interest to himself and those around him. He is a Notary Public, and. by his unpretentious manners, he commands the.good will and respect of his neighbors and fellow-men generally. JOHN OUTHWAITE:. tanner: P. O. Osceola: was born in Fulton Co., Penn on Nov. 10, 1820, and is the son of William and Elisabeth (Thompson) Outhwaite, both natives of Yorkshire, England. They came to America in February 1818 and settled in Fulton Co., Penn., where they lived seventeen years, and in 1836 moved to Seneca Co., Ohio, where they resided during the remainder of their lives, the father living to the age of 64 and the mother to the age of 54 years. John attended subscription schools in Pennsylvania, and the public schools after coming to this State, receiving a fair education for the time. He left his parents and engaged in business for himself when he was about 25 years of age, and about two years afterward purchased the land where he now resides. He has made several additions since, now being the owner of 240 acres of land. all under cultivation, with good buildings, orchards, etc. He takes an interest in fine stock and in improvements of all kinds. He was married, Feb. 22, 1855, to Drusilla Brown, of Seneca Co., Ohio, daughter of William and Rachel (Wiltsie) Brown. They have two children living, Susan Belle. Born Nov. 3, 1859, now Mrs. Tucker, and John R., born March 8, 1863, and three dead. two of who died young and one, William B. died Dec. 3, 1879, aged 23, years. He was a young man of promise and his death was a grief to his father and regretted by all who knew him. Mr. Outhwaite's wife died on Dee. 2, 1868, and on April 27, 1873, he was again married to Susannah Brown, a sister of his former wife. Our subject has been a member of the church nearly all his life, and was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party to which he still adheres. DAVID POLLOCK. farmer: P. O. Osceola was born in Ashland Co.,Ohio. on Aug. 8, 1825; son of Joseph and Nancy (McKinzey) Pollock, the latter a native of Pennsylvania and Mr. Pollock, a native of Virginia, who moved to Richland Co., Ohio, in 1812, being among the first settlers of that county. He helped raise the first house in Ashland and the second house in Mansfield. They lived in Richland Co., until their death occurred. the father dying in 1867, and Mrs. Pollock in 1871. David remained with his parents (getting a limited common - school education, the time of his attendance not exceeding eighteen months in all) until 1851, when he moved to Crawford Co., Ohio. Where he purchased 80 acres of land on which he now resides, and cleared the space to build a house. His farm is all cleared and the additions to it, together with the handsome brick mansion which stands where used to be the little log cabin, showing the degree of prosperity which now surrounds him. He was married. in 1851, to Mark Bailey, who was born in Ashland Co., Ohio: her parents being natives of Jefferson Co., Ohio, and were relate to Thomas Ford, once Lieutenant Governor of the state. They have had seven children, five of whom are living - Joseph, Loren, Lambert, Robert and Alice L. Mr. Pollock was formerly a Whig and has been a Republican since the organization of the party. CAPT. JOHN WERT, retired mechanic, Osceola; was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., on Aug. 3, 1808, and is the son of Joseph and Barbara (Kitch) Wert. both of American birth. His grandmother was one of the many women 984 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: brought to this country, during the early settlement of the country, who served a number of years (being sold to the highest bidder) to defray the expenses of the voyage to this country. Our subject, with his parents, moved to Crawford Co., Ohio. in 1826, and settled on the Sandusky River, about ten miles from Bucyrus, where his father entered 160 acres of land. The Captain. in 1828, attended school in Bucyrus, working morning and evening for his board. being clad in the pioneer outfit-buckskin breeches, moccasins and coon-skin cap. The schooling he received, however, did not exceed four months. He worked one year at $7 per month, after which he served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. which business he followed for fourteen years, and afterward followed millwrighting for thirty-three years. The Captain moved to Osceola in 1847. where he has since resided. He was married. in 1831, to Sarah Ziggler, by which union they have been blessed with eleven children, eight of whom are living - Sarah A. E., Mary J., Nancy C.,. Harriet C., Henry J. F., Edward D., Roy G. and James S. M. He first voted the Democratic ticket. voting; for Gen. Jackson, next for Gen. Harrison, and. since the organization of the Republican party, he has been one of its strongest adherents; JOHN WIREBAUGH, farmer; P. O. Osceola ; was born in Pennsylvania on July 28, 1806, and is the son of Nicholas and Elizabeth (Fisher) Wirebaugh, both natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject. with his parents, cause to Columbiana Co., Ohio, in the year 1812, and, after the formation of Carroll Co., they were in that county, where the parents died, the former being 73 years of age and the latter about 63. Our subject received a limited education attending subscription school in the old-time schoolhouses, with puncheon seats and greased windows. He moved to Crawford Co., Ohio, during the year 1847 and bought the land where he now resides. and cleared a place for buildings. An event of the first day was that they lost their axes while at dinner, and had the trouble of hunting some time before they found them. Our subject was married to Elizabeth Potts, from which union they had six children-William H., Nicholas J., Elizabeth R., Sarah C., Nathan P. and .John F. His wife died while he was yet in Carroll Co., and he was again married, to Elizabeth Horner who is still living. They have four children - Cyrus S., Stuart C., Ladora E. and Isaac V. Mr. Wirebaugh is a member of the Christian Church at Bucyrus, Ohio; and has been a life-long Democrat. |