974 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: VERNON TOWNSHIP. (RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) JAMES ANDERSON, farmer ; P. O. Tiro; was born June 21, 1833, in Vernon Township, on the site of his present home. He is the son of David and Rachel (Dickson) Anderson. His father was born in Huntington Co., Penn., and when a young man came to Ohio with a kit of shoe-maker's tools, and worked at his trade for some time. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where, in 1826, he was married to Mary D. Hamilton, who died in 1828. He came to Crawford County and settled in Vernon Township in the year 1830, and after farming awhile engaged in mercantile pursuits at De Kalb, keeping a general store for some fifteen years, during which time he made considerable money He next went to Shelby, where he also engaged in business for some two years. He was one of the original stockholders in the old State Bank of Mansfield, now the Richland County Bank, and continued so until his death. He was also Vice President of the Shelby Bank. In 1838, he had married Miss Rachel Dickson. of this township. He was a distinguished patriot and Republican, and during the war assisted the cause of the Union by his means and influence. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and was distinguished for his liberality church beneficence. He was the father of thirteen children, now scattered throughout several States, all doing well. This truly good and honored man died May 17, 1873, at Morrison. Ill., while on his way to California, to visit a son. His wife lived until Oct. 9, 1879, when she died at Shelby, Ohio, in the 75th year of her age. She was loved and revered by all who knew her as a noble woman who had lived a consistent Christian life. and is remembered as a dignified, refined and intelligent woman, worthy of the honored husband whose faithful wife she was. James, her son and the subject of this sketch, lived in this township until 1852, at which time he went to Shelby, and engaged in the store of his father. He also engaged in mercantile pursuits in Shiloh and New London. He then came lack to Shelby, and commenced in the grain business, which he continued until the close of the war, making a considerable amount of money. In 1866, he removed to his farm of some 400 acres, and has since lived there and tilled the soil. He is a prominent business man and a prominent farmer of his neighborhood. He is a stalwart Republican and has always held to that faith. He was married, Oct. 15, 1858, to Elizabeth Stimmel, of Shelby, Ohio. They have four children - Alva H. a student at Gambier, Ohio; Willis Swanner, Charles Henry and Rachel May at home. ADAM BILSING, agent and farmer; P. O. Leesville. This gentleman, the son of Henry and Christina Billing, was born in Franklin, Loehbach Province, of the Principality of Hesse, Germany, Feb. 11, 1822. With his parents. he removed to America. in 1832, stopping a month in Columbiana Co., arriving at the place of his present home in the fall of the same year. His father built the first house erected in their vicinity. His family was quite large, and he was a man of great respectability and honesty. The subject of this sketch was married Oct. 15, 1845. to Miss Lavinia Fisher, and this union was blessed with these children-.J. H. Barnard C.. Mary C., W.A., Eliza E., Anna D., Amilda C., Flora Maude, Margaret E. (deceased). Mr. Bilsing's first wife died Oct. 28,1871. He was remarried Oct. 5, 1873, to Catharine Dapper, whose parents live in this neighborhood. Of this marriage. there are three children-Aaron P., Augusta Lorena and Frank. Mr. Bilsing is a self-made man, who has worked hard to obtain his present wealth. He commenced as a blacksmith, at which trade he worked for some time. He has now a fine farm of 250 acres, and is engaged principally as agent for all kinds of farming machinery. in which business he has made a success, being well known throughout the county as a man of varied information and honesty. He is enterprising. as the management of his farm will show. He, is a Christian, and has been for a number of years. and stands foremost among the citizens of the township. RICHARD W. CAHILL. retired farmer ; P. O. De Kalb. This distinguished citizen, so well known to people of Crawford Co., was born in VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 975 Westmoreland Co., Penn., March 6, 1802, and is a son of Abram and Nancy Wallace Cahill. His father was an officer in the State Militia, and at one time had command of all the forces in Western Pennsylvania. In 1818, the subject of this sketch removed to Wayne Co., Ohio, with his parents. In June 1827, he removed to Crawford Co., filling a clerkship in a store at Bucyrus for six years, after which he came to the farm which he now occupies, and has made it his plaice of residence for forty-five years. He was married, first. to Miss Eliza Cummins, of Richland Co., who died in 1843. He was remarried. to his present wife, in 1843, her maiden name being Catharine Richards. Mr. Cahill had, in his youth, been denied the advantages of education, and he had accordingly applied himself, when a young man, to the study and reading of various books, so that he became self-educated and self made. In 1841, his ability and education were recognized by the people of Richland Co., and he was elected to the State Legislature in 1841, and re-elected in 1842 and 1843, serving his constituency in an admirable manner, not partisan. Although elected as a Democrat, he often assumed an independent attitude and voted as his judgement directed. He has a fine family of sons and daughters, of which he is justly proud. His oldest son, Abram, studied law with Osborn, of Dayton, and was also a partner in the firm. He went to Texas and there died. David was County Clerk for a number of years, and is now practicing law in Bucyrus. Isaac, is at present Deputy Clerk of Court. Richard Cahill. Jr., is in Napoleon, Ohio, and the younger portion of his family is at home. Mr. Cahill has striven to educate his children for useful positions in life, and now, in his declining years, looks with pride upon his family, an ornament to society. He is a consistent whole souled Christian gentleman and commands the respect anal admiration of all who know him. His life has been one of distinction. and one that would be a model for many of the rising generation. Endowed with talent, he has used it for the good of his State and the benefit of his family. ARTHUR CLELAND farmer: P. O. Tiro is the first white child that was born in Vernon Township, the date of his birth being Feb. 6, 1826. He is the son of William and Rachel (Ramsey) Cleland, his father being one of the first settlers in the township. He was born in County Down, Ireland, May 14, 1796, and came to America with his parents in 1819. They landed at the mouth of the Delaware River, and lived for eighteen months at Wilmington, Del. From there they went to Brooke Co., Va., where, in 1825, Mr. Cleland was married, and afterward came to Ohio, settling here in the woods, and clearing up the soil, and out of a wilderness gaining for himself a fine farm of many acres. He has raised a family of eight children, all of whom are living - Arthur C., Mary, Margaret, Jane, Susan, William, Rachel, Eliza and John. Arthur, the subject of this sketch, received his education in this township, and has always lived in the county, being for some years in Sandusky Township. He was married, Oct. 4, 1855, to Priscilla Gundrum, a native of Pennsylvania. They have three children - William John, Arthur Bevington and Rachel Anne, all living at home. Mr. Cleland is a man of good and varied information, and a much respected citizen, having held several township offices. His father is also a fine gentleman. being even yet hale and hearty, notwithstanding his advanced age, and the family is one of culture and refinement. JAMES DIXON, Jr., farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Tiro. This gentleman, one of the prominent members of the Dixon family, is a son of Jonathan Dixon, and was born on the farm where he now resides, July 25, 1827. As will be seen by other biographies of the Dixon family, his father, Jonathan, was one of the earliest settlers in this township, having removal here from Pennsylvania in 1825. A remarkable fact in the family history, which will be found more at length in the biographies of the older members, is that thirteen children were at one time settled on farms, on all sides of their father's place, within hearing of his dinner-bell. The elder, Andrew Dixon, grandfather of James, Jr.. was born in 1776, and emigrated to this county in 1831, some time after the advent of his sons. James. Jr., was educated as well as the schools of his day would permit, and spent the days of his early manhood on the farm. He was married, in May 1855, to Martha Caldwell, of Vernon Township. By this marriage there are four children Luatto, David C., James E.,. Martha A. Mrs. Dixon died in 1870, and her death was mourned by a large number of friends and relatives. Mr. Dixon was remarried in 1872, May 22, to Elizabeth 976 - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: Simon, born in Cranberry Township. They have two children - Clayton L. and Andrew. Mr. Dixon is living on the farm of his father, who is now an old man, being in his 79th year. Our subject has been identified as a leading stockman, having been engaged in shipping for several years. He has been .Justice of the Peace for a long period, and is a man of considerable knowledge and good judgement who stands high among his neighbors. J. G: STOUGH, retired farmer: P. O.Shelby was born in Fayette Co., Penn.. Oct. l1, 1802, and is a son of ,John and Catharine (Trautman) Stough. His father was a native of York Co.. Penn., and his grandfather was born in Wurtemberg. Germany. His mother's father was born in Maryland, and. while he was very young, the Indians killed his father and carried away into captivity three of his sisters. Some time afterward, he came to Ohio, on the Kilbuck. near Wooster, and rescued them. taking them back home. If Mr. Stough's father came to Ohio in October 1806, and settled first in Columbiana Co., where he lived some twenty-three years. In November 1826. the subject of our sketch moved to Crawford Co. and settled in Liberty Township. His father came in 1829. He was a minister of the Gospel, and entered the ministry of the Lutheran Church in 1793, and served the Lord in his calling for fifty-six years, dying in July . 1845. Mr. Stough received a substantial education, and commenced to farm. He was a farmer in Liberty Township for forty years, and has been a resident of Vernon for thirteen years. He was married to Sarah Charlton. in Columbiana Co., Aug. 22, 1826. She was a native of Washington Co., Md. and born April 8, 1805. She was a devoted and Christian wife, a loving and sacrificing mother, and blessed Mr. Stough's varied pathway for fifty-three years, departing this life the 4th of September. 1879. They had eleven children-Elizabeth, who is still living and married: John T., dead : Jehu dead; Catharine, living ; Jonas, dead ; Francis dead; Alba. dead ; Joseph. a member of Co. C. 49th O. V. I., and was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro; Sarah Ann, living; Frances. dead; Mary, still living. Throughout his long and peaceful life. Mr. Stough has been a consistent Christian, and more, he has worked hard in the vineyard of the Master, with an eye single for the glory of God. His father before him beheld his labors blessed. as he lifted up his voice in the primitive scenes of this county. Revered be his memory, anal also the memory his son, who, old and feeble is now waiting for the gates of pearl to open, and once more join with those who have gone before, and be again united with the wife of his youth and the comfort of his declining years. JOHN WARNER, farmer: P. O. Liberty Corners. This gentleman, who is one of the prominent citizens of his township and county, was born June 9, 1817, and is a native of' York Co., Penn. He is a son of Charles and Catharine (Babbitts) Warner, who with their family removed from their native State and settled in Harrison Co., Ohio where they remained nine years. removing, at the end of that time to Vernon Township, Crawford Co., where John has ever since resided. At the tine of Mr. Warner's advent here, it was of course, a wild and unsettled country. the improvement of which required great labor anal exertion. His father was a man of upright integrity, who stood high in the community, and was universally respected. His labors improved a great portion of the land near the town of West Liberty, and it was by his own unaided exertions that he raised his family and gained for himself a competency. John assisted his father when young and was afterward bound out as apprentice to a carpenter, and soon after commenced business for himself. While he was just beginning his shop was burned to the ground, and he lost all; securing more tools he went to work again and amassed from his own labors a considerable fortune, and has now two farms, comprising in the aggregate 240 acres of land. He was married in 1840, to Rebecca Jane French, daughter of Judge French of this county. Six children were: the fruits of this union. two of whom, Catharine and Charles, are dead. Those living are William, .Julia Ann, Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Warner is in every sense of the word a self-made man. who has made all by his own exertions. He has a fine home just north of Liberty Corners, and has the respect of the entire community as one of its most influential members. He has served the township as Clerk for fifteen years, and as Justice of the Peace for eighteen, and has given the best of satisfaction in the administration of his offices. He is well read on the various topics of the day, and no man in the township VERNON TOWNSHIP. - 977 stands higher in the public estimation than Esquire Warner. P. B. YOUNG. physician and surgeon. Crestline. Dr. Young, one of the eminent practitioners of Crawford Co., was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, March 8, 1832, anal is the son of Jacob and Susannah (Brown) Young. His father died in 1849, and his mother in 1854. In 1855, the Doctor entered upon the study of medicine in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, completing the course in 1860. He began practice in Freedom, Beaver Co., Penn. In 1862, he entered the military service as Assistant Surgeon of the 136th O. V. I., and. in 1863, was commissioned Surgeon of the 2d Penn. V. I. in which capacity he served untill the close of the war. He then came to Crestline and began the practice of his profession, and remained there ever since, where he sustains an enviable reputation as a man skilled in the practice of medicine and surgery. He was married in 1862, while in Pennsylvania. to Miss Sarah M. Gormley, a native of that state: they have one child, Howard B. Mr. Young is a self-made man in every respect. By his own efforts, he obtained an academic education and pursued his medical studies. During the twenty years of his successful practice, he has attended strictly to the affairs of his profession, devoting to it his entire time and attention. In 1874, he was appointed Railroad Surgeon of the P. Ft. W. &. C. R. R. at Crestline, in which capacity he still serves this company. He has a beautiful and pleasant home, and is blessed high among them as a man of truth and principle. J. B. YETZER, farmer; P. O. Crestline. Among the old and highly respected citizens of Vernon. and especially of the thrifty Germans in its southern part, is the above named gentleman, who was born in Vogelsang, State of Aargau, Switzerland. April 15, 1819. With his parents he removed to America in 1833, settling on his present property in 1834. His father died when the son was 22, leaving him as almost the entire supporter of the family. The country at that time being very wild, and requiring great labor. Mr. Yetzer worked hard to make his farm profitable and to support his father's family. He was married March 25, 1845, to Hippolyte Catty, who was a native of France: their union was blessed with twelve children, six of whom are living. His wife continued the journey of life with him until Dec. 23, 1876, when she died. Their children, who survive are all in good condition in life and are such as a father might be proud of Mr. Yetzer, throughout his life, has been a consistent Christian, adhering strictly to the principles of honest and upright integrity. He still lives on the farm which his labor improved. and has a comfortable home and pleasant surroundings. He stands high in the community, and is one of the best-read men of his township, and has worked hard to achieve his present prosperity, and is now spending the days of his old age in the quiet of the scene of his early manhood.