350 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Kucal; Rachel R., born September, 1851, married to Daniel Allison; Tryphena -- Collins, born December, 1857, married to Oliver Allison; Joseph Collins, born 1859.
Abram Tallman Collins, oldest son of Joseph Collins, was born July 19, 1837, in Tiffin Township. Married to Magdalena Kindigh April, 1865. Their children were Etta C., died aged fourteen months; Charles T., born April, 1870. Mr. A. Collins enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under first call for troops; enlisted again in Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was in service till the close of the war. En 1865, moved to Stryker, Williams County, where his business of livery has since been conducted.
John Cameron. The subject of this sketch, and the eldest son of Mordecai and Nancy (Isaacs) Cameron, was born in Donegal Township, Lancaster Co., Penn., June 24, 1807. On the 19th of November, 1829, he was married to Miss Lydia Stenger, of Wayne County, Ohio. Soon after his marriage, he moved to Mohican, in Wayne County, Ohio, where he lived about three years; then moved to Wooster, Wayne County; remained there but a short time, when he returned to his father's, where he left his family and determined to go West and obtain a home for himself and family in Western Ohio. In 1833, he started, alone, with no one to bear him company save the rifle and the compass, and after several days' travel over roads and through swamps almost impassable, he came to where Toledo is now situated. Only a few huts then marked the place of this now beautiful city. Remaining there a short time, and after painting a schooner belonging to Capt. Platt, he resumed his journey, passing several Indian tribes on' his way up the Maumee River. After reaching "Fort Defiance, " he changed his course, and came up Tiffin River as far as Mr. John Wissler's, where he remained a short time looking at the country around Lick Creek, when he returned to his family, yet in Wayne County, Ohio. This was his first visit to Defiance (then Williams) County. Eight more round trips were made by him, all of which were accomplished on foot. In the spring of 1834, in company with his brother, Samuel P. he returned again, and bought land on Lick Creek. In the fall of the same year, he moved his family to their newly adopted home. For many years the log cabin was their castle and he shared bountifully in the hardships incident to those early days of pioneer life. He took an active part in showing land to the early settlers, and thus became acquainted with the location of the most valuable lands throughout the county, as well as with the early settlers, by whom he was highly respected. He was elected Treasurer of Williams County, then including Defiance, in 1841, which offrce he held two terms, serving with honor aid credit, after which he returned to his farm on Lick Creek, was immediately elected Justice of the Peace, serving fifteen years. In 1865, he moved to Evansport, Defiance County; was appointed Postmaster, which position he held at the time of his death, August 4, 1875. In 1870, he was appointed Assistant Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio, and officiated in taking the census of that year. In politics, he was a Democrat, until the breaking-out of the rebellion, when he identified himself with the Republican party. He became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age, and coutinued therein an active and devoted member until his death. He was a kinsman of the Hon. Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania. The family of John and Lydia Cameron consisted of the following children: Nancy Jane, born May 11, 1831, in Perry Township, Wayne Co., Ohio; married to R. B. Olmstead May 25, 1852; again married on the 10th day of October, 1864, to Tunis Stirers; Harriet Bostater, born August 29, 1833, in Wayne County, died June 25, 1848; John Stenger, born January 30. 1836, in Tiffin, Ohio, married to Elizabeth Snider August 26, 1858; Lucretia Ann, born January 27, 1838, in Tiffin Township, Ohio, married to Amos Snider November 5, 1857; Simon Mordecai, born in Tiffin Township, married to Miss Martha A. Lingle November 21, 1865, married to Miss Susan M. Bennett in 1882; William Wallace, born January 25, 1843, in Pulaski Township, Williams County, died at Lebanon, Ky., March 9, 1862; he was a private in Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Robert Bruce, born in Bryan, Pulaski Township, December 13, 1845, married to Miss Isabella C. Christy October 15, 1876; Edwin Ruthvin, born October 3, 1848, in Tiffin Township, died, July 24, 1819; John P. Cameron, born March 29, 1851, in Tiffin Township.
Lydia (Stenger) Cameron was born in Lycoming County on the 18th day of September, 1810. Her parents, John and Nancy Ann Stenger, moved from Pennsylvania to Wayne County, Ohio in 1817, at which time she was but six years old. On the 19th of November, 1829, she was married to John Cameron. In the fall of 1834, in company with her husband and other members of his father's family, she came to Williams County (now Defiance County). She was just twenty-four years of age on the day of their arrival here. In a new and wilderness country, surrounded with the trials and burdened with the hardships incident to pioneer life, she and her husband commenced to make for themselves a home. With the exception of four years, she lived on the farm until
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1865, a period of about twenty-seven years. But bard work, long continued toil, care and anxiety had done their work, and the once vigorous constitution had become impaired and broken. In 1865, she, with her husband, moved for the last time, to the country village of Evansport, to spend the evening of life within its quiet and peaceful limits. At the early age of seventeen years, she became a member of and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and re tained therein an unbroken membership until the time of her death, a period of nearly fifty-four years. She died at the residence of her son, Simon M. Cameron, in Evansport, on the 29th day of April, 1881, in the seventy-first year of her age. She was the mother of ten children, of whom mention is made in the sketch of the life of John Cameron herein.
John P. Cameron, youngest son of John and Lydia Cameron, was born in Tiffin Township on the 29th of March, 1851. He remained with his parents on the farm until the fall of 1865, when he accompanied them to their new homed in Evanspert. Here he attended the district school during the winter sessions, and worked on the farm during the summer vacations, until 1869, when he entered the Bryan Normal Academy, and received therein an academic education. In March, 1873, he began the study of law, and in the fall of the same year entered the law department of the university at Ann Arbor, Mich., where he remained two years, graduating therefrom in the spring of 1875. In the spring of 1876, he was admitted to practice law, and on the 5th day of July of the same year came to Defiance, and commenced the practice of his profession, having his office with Hon. W. D. Hill and Gilbert D. Myers. On the 5th of November, 1877, he formed a partnership with the above-named firm, and continued a member thereof until about March 1, 1879, when the firm was dissolved by mutual consent. On the 9th day of March of the same year, he entered into copartnership, for the practice of law at Defiance, with Benjamin F. Enos, which partnership terminated on the 1 st of January, 1880 (Mr. Enos having been elected Prosecuting Attorney of Defiance County). Immediately thereafter, on the same day, he associated himself with and became the partner of Henry B. Harris, in the practice of law in the same place, which partnership continued until February 1, 1882, when, by mutual consent, it was dissolved. In the fall of 1881, he received the nomination for, and in October, of the same year was elected to, the office of Clerk of Courts of Defiance County, heing the first Republican Clerk ever elected in Defiance County. and on the 9th of February, 1882, he entered upon the duties of his office, which he has faithfully discharged to the satisfaction of his numerous friends in both parties, who united in electing him to his responsible position.
Robert B. Cameron, the fourth son of John and Lydia (Stenger) Cameron, was born in Bryan, Williams Co., Ohio, December 13, 1845. From thence he accompanied the family to his father's farm on Lick Creek, in Defiance County, where he remained, working on the farm, until the fall of 1865, at which time he and his brother, John P. Cameron, together with their father and mother, moved to the village of Evansport. In the winter of 1865-66, he attended school in the village, George W. Ury being teacher. In the spring following, he entered the Bryan Normal Academy, at Bryan, Ohio, under the tutorship of Prof. C. W. Mykranz, where he remained four terms, of three months each. He commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Houston Russell, April 1, 1869, at Evansport, Ohio; attended medical lectures at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), in the class of 1870 and 1871, and of Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the class of 1872 and 1873, graduating at the latter school February 22, 1873, since which time he has been practicing medicine in Evansport. He was married to Miss Isabella Christy, daughter of John and Fanny Christy, of Williams County, Ohio, October 15, 1876. Their family, by this union, is as follows : Lillian May, Robert Clay. ton and Roy Belt. Dr. Cameron was appointed Postmaster at Evansport in 1875, serving in that capacity until 1881, when he resigned. He was once appointed and twice elected Trustee of Tiffin Township, which offrce' he now holds. He assisted his father in preparing the census reports for the district comprising the townships of Adams, Tiffin, Washington and Delaware, in 1870, and was himself appointed Enumerator of Census for the township of Tiffin in the year 1880, which position he filled with such neatness and accuracy as to receive the highest commendation from the Supervisor of Census for the Northern District of Ohio. He is a member of Northwest Chapter, No. 45, R. & A. M., Bryan, Ohio; of Evans-port Lodge, No. 511, F. & A. M., and of Evansport Lodge, No 489, I. 0. 0. F. ; was elected W. M. of Lodge 511, and served in that office, by the unanimous voice of said lodge, from 1876 to 1882. He has been thrice elected Secretary of Lodge 489, I. 0. 0. F., which position he now holds.
Christopher Kuhn was born in Germany June 8, 1808; immigrated to Tiffin Township in 1844, having been previously married (August, 1835) in Germany to Miss Ann Mary Barbara Borea. They had a fam ily of seven children--Barbara (dead), Ann Mary, Henry, John, Peter, Christopher and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Kuhn departed this life September 14, 1875, and Mr. Kuhn still continues to reside on his farm in Section 33 of this township.
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Obadiah Purtee, son of Lawrence and Rebecca (Webb) Purtee, was born July 29, 1833, in Tiffin Township, on the farm entered by his father on Section 32. His father was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1801, and the latter (he thinks) near Dayton, Ohio. They were married in 1827, and died on the farm they entered here. Their children were Rachel (dead), Hannah, Obadiah, Louisa, Lucretia, George, Joseph and Catharine (the latter died in infancy). Hannah and Louisa reside in Missouri, the rest are residents of this county. Obadiah married, September 26, 1860, Elizabeth, daughter of Frederick and Anna (Wissler) Engle, born June 26, 1839. Of this union the fruits are three children-Anna, born February 9, 1862, died February 13, 1865; Horatio E., born September 21, 1864, and Esther J., born October 24, 1866. The father of Mrs. Purtee was born in Pennsylvania, her mother in Pickaway County, Ohio, and was daughter of the old pioneers, John and Catharine Wissler, and she is still living on the old farm entered by Mr. Engle in 1835, after he came from Dayton, Ohio, whither he moved from Carlisle, Penn., in 1829.
Jacob Hall was born in Pennsylvania January 15, 1803, and married Susannah Coy in 1822. Mrs. Hall was born July 2, 1805, in Greene County, Ohio. They came to Defiance County in the fall of 1831, and settled in Section 15, Tiffin Township. Mr. Hall died April 5, 1851, and Mrs. Hall died October 23, 1870. Their family consisted of Rebecca, born January 11, 1823, and married Thomas Robinson, she died February 15, 1848; John born January 8, 1825, died July 10, 1845; Sarah Ann, born in 1827, and married William Churchman October 22, 1847; George C., born June 23, 1830; Jacob, born August 30, 1832; Jesse Hall, born January 17, 1835; Oliver Hall was born February 7, 1838; Adam, born March 14, 1841; William, born April 10, 1843. George Hall, a brother of Jacob Hall, accompanied him when he moved to this township.
George C. Hall, the son of Jacob and Susannah (Coy) Hall, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, June 23, 1830. The next year he was brought by his parents to Tiffin Township, where he has resided ever since. His parents were among the few earliest pioneers, who opened up the wilderness of Tiffin Township, and George was raised amidst the privations and hardships of frontier life. He was married, October 13, 1852, _to- Mary Ann Bailor, who was born March 10, 1832, the daughter of John and Nancy (Lantz) Bailor. Her mother was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 6, 1813, and married John Bailor in the spring of 1831. Mrs. Hall was the only child by this marriage; John Bailor died in August, 1832, and his widow married, for a second husband, Solo- mon Snider, by whom she had the following children: Amos, Samuel, Elizabeth and Louisa. They emigrated to Defiance County in 1842, where Mrs. Snider died December 31, 1852. The children of George C. and Mary Ann Hall were Rosina A., born in 1854, married James M. Phillips June 14, 1876, and died September 5, 1881; Clarissa A., who married John Ermine June 14, 1878; Francis M., married to Phoebe Kellermire. January 12; 1881; Archibald A., Amos J., Wesley A. (deceased) and Elmer. Mr. Hall is a prosperous, successful farmer of Tiffin Township, and owns the old homestead of his father in Section 15, which was wrested, with his assistance, from its primitive wilderness and converted into one of the best improved and finest farms of Tiffin Township.
Jacob Hall, son of Jacob and Susannah Hall, was born August 30, 1832, in the old log cabin in Tiffin Township, which his father built and removed to in 1831. He was reared in Tiffin, and married Margaret Christy January 5, 1854. She was born in Washington County, Penn., April 12, 1832. Their family consisted of Emma (deceased), Cora (deceased), Robert C., who married Mary Fribley in February, 1881; John, married September 14, 1882, to Fannie May Russell; Freddie (deceased), Anna and Maggie. Mr. Hall volunteered in the service in 1861, but sickness prevented him from taking the field. June 21, 1863, he enrolled his name in Company E, Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged, by reason of expiration of term of enlistment, February 10, 1864. He resided in Williams County in 1855, and from 1860 to 1871 was Constable of Tiffin Township. He now owns and occupies a farm in Section 3, adjoining Evansport. He also owns a brick-yard, which was started in 1878, and is now supplying the village and surrounding country.
Adam Hall, another son of Jacob Hall, was born March 14, 1841, on his father's homestead, where he remained till eighteen years of age, when he began doing for himself. He commenced working at his trade, carpentering, in the spring of 1861, and continued till his enlistment in Company E, Fourteenth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, February 8, 1864. He remained in service till the close of July, 1865. He returned home and was married, September 14, 1865, to Elizabeth Dieden. daughter of Jacob and Hannah Dieden. She was born in Tiffin Township January 24, 1847. After marriage, they settled in Stryker, Williams County, and resided five years, then returned to Defiance County, eventually settling on the farm they now occupy, in Section 9. Their children are Henry H., born June 4, 1866; Otto A., born December 21, 1867; Ernest A., born May 24, 1871; Jennie M., born September 26, 1875, and Western M., born August 1, 1877.
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William Hall was born in Tiffin Township April 10, 1843 ; is the son of Jacob and Susanna Hall, pioueers of Tiffin. He was raised iu his native township, and learned the cooper. trade. He was married, April 26, 1866, to Laura A. Ury, daughter of George W. Ury, of Washington Township. Their children are Flora C., born August 15, 1867 ; Edwin E., born March 10, 1869 ; Alice B., born September 27, 1870 ; George F., born July 31, 1872 ; Grace M., born December 30, 1876 ; and Franklin F., born January 9, 1880. Mr. Hall enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, February 23. 1864, and served to the close of the war, receiving his discharge at Camp Dennison May 29, 1865. After his marriage he moved to Stryker, Williams County, where he lived about eight years, when he removed to this township. In February, 1873, he purchased 120 acres in the woods, which he has cleared and now occupies.
Jesse Hall, son of Jacob and Susanna (Coy) Hall, was boru June 17, 1835, and married Mrs. Christiana B. Rethmel, in April, 1857. She had two children by her first husbaud ; Joseph Cullen (deceased) and Johu H., who married Maria Ackerman. Mr. Hall's children by this marriage were Leander, who married Sarh Jane Myers, in December, 1879 ; Willard (deceased), Clement L., Maude L., Kate B., Willie C. and Jesse G. Mr. Hall is a prominent farmer of Tiffin, aud his nearest post office is Evansport.
Oliver Hall, son of Jacob aud Susanna Hall, was born February 7, 1838, at the old pioneer home. He received a common school education, and spent his time ou a farm, and is still farming eighty acres in this township, which he took when covered with woods and cleared up. He married Ann Maria, daughter of John A. and Catharine (Winters) Garber, who was born December 14, 1842, in Tiffin Township. They have had six children, viz., Florence, born December 27, 1861, died January 9, 1865 ; Minnie A., born August 13, 1864 ; Thomas B., born August 13, 1866 ; Dora A., born February 24, 1868 ; John H., born October 13, 1871 ; Melvin D., born August 25, 1876.
Frank Hall, youngest child of Jacob and Susanna. Hall, was born November 16, 1845, on the old pioneer farm, and received a common school education. He learned the carpenter trade, but now has sixteen acres of the westerly part of the old home farm, on which he was raised. He was married, December 25, 1873, to Miss Sarah C., daughter of John and Catharine (Willi- man) Buck, of Williams County, Ohio, who was born January 10, 1854. They have one child, Charlie, born October 15, 1874.
George Hall, Sr., son of Peter and Catharine (Harsbargar) Hall, was born December 22, 1804, in Bradford County, Penn., and came with his parents to Dayton, Ohio, at the age of sixteen. His father died there. aged about eighty-two years. His mother died in Indiana, aged eighty years. Mr. Hall was married, February 1833, to Miss Catharine Carroll, who died in July, 1878. They had eleven children-Peter, Susan (dead), Jacob C., William C., Adam C., John S., Elizabeth, Solomon, Martin G., Sarh (dead) and Delilah A. Mr. Hall was among the first to settle in Tiffin Township, north of Tiffin River, coming in the fall of 1831, aud being one of the seven families who came together, being Coys', Suider's aud Hall's. Mr. Hall has been famous for building log cabins, having built sixteen in the township of Tiffin, and lived in all of them ; some upon lands upon which he squatted, and others upon which he bought and had made a start, and then sold out and built again. He built a frame house in Evansport, his present home, which he now occupies in his seventy-ninth year.
Adam C. Hall, son of George and Catharine (Carroll) Hall, was born in Tiffin Township, August 16, 1842 ; grew up on farm, attending district schools in winter until he was seventeen years of age. He then went to to learn the coopering business, and continued at this until he was twenty-one years of age, When he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 22, 1861 ; was engaged in skirmishing ; was at Wildcat Mountain and was victorious over Zollikoffer, and at the battle of Mill Springs, Ky. Was then taken sick, sent to the hospital, and from there discharged July, 1862, and sent home ou account of disability. He was married, February 7, 1863, to Mary, daughter of John and Martha (Reed) Dunn, the former born in Dublin, Ireland, A. D. 1820, died in Medina County, Ohio ; the latter, born Medina County, Ohio, in 1826, died October 22, 1863, in Evansport, aged thirty-seven years,. Mr. Dunn came to this county while a young man an I settled in Pennsylvania, and from there to this State to Medina County, where he married. His children were Sarh (dead), Mary, Maurice and Ella. Mr. Dunn died and Mrs. Dunn married a Mr. Murry, by whom she had several children, but one living, a daughter, Esie. Mr. Hall resumed the coopering business after coming out of the army, and has continued ever since, and started iu connection therewith the hotel business in Evansport, in the summer of 1882, and continues both at the present time.
John Snider, born in Perry County, Ohio, March 12, 1807, is a son of Daniel and Mary (Harshburger) Snider, who were born and married in Pennsylvania, and came to Perry County iu 1806. Their children were Rebecca, George, Jacob, Mary, Susan and Catharine (twins), Daniel and Betsy (twins), Solomon and Samuel (twins), John, Joseph, Sally and Fanny. Mr. Snider was married twice, choosing for his second wife Betsy Patterson, and by her has two children, David and Eli. The subject of this sketch labored on a farm until he was nineteen years of age, when he went to learn the carpenter and cabinet-making trades. He was married, December 29, 1830, to Miss Nancy Coy. They came to Defiance Couuty in 1831,
354 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY
starting from Greene County September 6, and arriving in Tiffin Towuship September 18, 1831. He was one of the number who organized the township in 1832. On arriving in this township, they camped out at Ephraim Duty's, and again where Thomas Rethmel's house now stands. The Coys and the Hals accompanied them to this county. They were the first whites who crossed the Tiffin River. North of Duty's the banks had to be cut down so they could cross. In April, 1831, Mr. Snider entered the land he now lives on in Section 3. They came to this county by way of Fort Amanda and St. Marys, and the country was mostly wilderness. Mr. and Mrs. Snider and eleven of their children are alive, and live near to each other. They are truly a remarkable family. Their children are Daniel C. Snider, born October 25, 1831 (married Sarh C. Bohn, daughter of George and Catharine-Spangler-Bohn, April 9, 1857. Their children are George H., Johu W., Minnie C. and Hattie M. Mr. Snider was a school teacher from 1851 to 1859, and lives in Section 10, Tiffin Township) ; Mary T. Snider, born November 6, 1833 (married Tomas Yeager May 5, 1853) ; Sarh E. Snider, born January 7, 1836 (married William Kintigh, and lives in Stryker) ; Martha Snider, boru June 27, 1838, and married Samuel Yeager ; Abigail Snider, born December 22, 1840, and married Samuel Shuter ; Solomon Snider, born February 22, 1843 (killed at the siege of Atlanta August 1, 1864) ; Rebecca Snider, boru February 6, 1845, and married Brice H. Garber ; Samantha Snider, born November 28, 1847 ; Ruhama A. Snider, born May 19, 1850 (married James N. Replogle) ; Joseph Snider, born September 18, 1852 (died September 21, 1852) ; John W. Snider, born September 18, 1852 (married Serepta Lingle, April 30, 1874 (they have one child-Flora E., born June 15, 1875) ; Thomas C. Snider, born January 16, 1856, and married Clara Buck, November 28, 1878 (they have one child-Myrtie May, born April 14, 1882) ; Jacob Emery Snider, born May 8, 1858, and married Clara Spangler October 21, 1880 (they have one child--Nellie, born August 6. 1881).
Thomas Yeager was boru November 9, 1828, in Butler County, Penn. His parents were John and Mary E. (Duke) Yeager, who had a family of fifteen children -Daniel, died at the age of two years ; Catharine; Jacob, died in 1857 ; Mary, died in 1865 ; Francs, Was in the army in the late war and had his lcg shot off, (amputated). and died from the wound at Alexandria. He had enlisted in a Michigan regiment ; Elizabeth, John, Rebecca J., Absalom, Thomas, Susan, Andrew, Amelia, Samuel, who married Martha, daughter of John and Nancy Snider, who were old pioneers ; and Sarah. His father was of German descent, his mother Scotch. They moved from Butler County, Penn., when the subject of this sketch was about four years of age, and located in Stark County, in Union Township ; from there to Portage County, near the place now known as Kent; from there to Perrysburg, Wood County, in 1842; then to Henry County, in 1844. His mother died there in 1845, aged fifty-four years. His father then moved to Prairie Duemasque, and married Widow Shasteen ; he then moved to La Grange County, Ind. The subject of this sketch then left home at the age of nineteen years, coming to Evansport in October, 1847, penniless. He received his first schooling by working nights and mornings for board, thereafter he taught the district school six years, in which he has received his education ; married Mary T. Snider, oldest daughter of John and Nancy Snider, May 5, 1853, by whom he had five children, of whom the two following are living-John A., born December 25, 1856 ; Nancy E., boru June 13, 1858. After marriage, he farmed for three years, then engaged in the mercantile business, at which he still continues at Evansport, keeping an excellent general store. He enlisted in the army in the late war ; in June, 1863, raised a company for the service (Company E, Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry), and went out as Captain of said company on the six months' call. He served his time, then returned and resumed the mercantile business ; he has been very successful, having set up his son, John A., and his son-in-law, A. C. Cameron, in the same business in Evansport. Mr. Yeager taught the school in Evansport in which he received his education, also his son, J. A., and his wife, Ella M. Ashbrook, also his son-in-law, A. C. Cameron, and his wife, Nancy E., have all taught the same school in Evansport, in which they all attended school. Mr. Yeager's wife was a school teacher also, and has taught in this county, but not at Evansport.
John A. Yeager, the first child and eldest son of Thomas Yeager, was born December 25, 1856. He had the advantages of a common school education, and graduated at Valparaiso, Ind. He taught the district school in his native town (Evansport) several terms, then entered the store of his father as clerk for a time, and then entered into partnership in same business with his brother-in law, A. C. Cameron, aud still continues in the same. He was married, March 23, 1879, to Miss Ella M., daughter of Thomas and Susan (Demorest) Ashbrook, who was born March 16, 1858. They have one child-Mattie Belle, born January 15, 1881. Mrs. Yeager was born near Columbus, Ohio ; attended school at Delaware, Delaware Conuty. Her father was in the late war ; was wounded and died from the effects at Vicksburg. Her mother afterward came to Defiance County, and married S. P. Cameron in the fall of 1866, and died August 31, 1880.
Samuel Shuter was boru December 8, 1834, in Montgomery County, near Dayton, Ohio. His parents, Peter and Barbara (Honsinger) Shutcr, were boru in Lancaster County, Penn. They have had twelve children-Elizabeth, Mary, Andrew W., Sarah, Samuel, Daniel, Catharine, Christiana, Barbara, Peter (deceased), George and William. All living but Peter, who was killed in a steam saw mill by an explosion, in Montgomery
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County, Ohio. His grandfather, Christian Shuter came to Montgomery County when the father of our subject was twelve years old, being among the first set tiers of Montgomery County. Here the subject of this sketch grew to manhood ; attended district school ; remained at home until twenty-one years of age, then starting out in life worked at the cooper business, also at carpenter work. In the spring of 1857, he came tc Defiance County, and in the spring of 1858 he entered into copartnership with Thomas Yeager, in the mercantile business, in Evansport, in which he continuer short time. During this time he married Miss Abigail daughter of Old pioneers, John and Nancy Snider she was the fifth child born in Evansport, A. D. 1840 Four children have been born to them-Mary 0., born October 18, 1859, died November 5, 1864 ; Thomas E. born December 11, 1867 ; John W., born December 19 1869, and Charles R., born December 1, 1877. Mr. Shuter enlisted in service August 15, 1861, as private it Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; served a little over two years, veteranized or the 10th day of Decemher, 1863, served till close July 23, 1865 ; commenced the mercantile business in Sep tember of 1865 ; continued in it till 1877, then retired
Solomon Snider, a brother of John Snider, was born in Perry County, Ohio, in March, 1811, and was mar ried in Fairfield County, Ohio, to Mrs. Nancy Bailor The fruits of this marriage were four children-Amos Samuel, Elizabeth and Louisa, all born in Fairfield County, Ohio. In the fall of 1841, Mr. Snider came to Evansport, put up a tannery and continued in the busi ness about twenty years, when he sold out to his sot Amos, and removed to Fulton County, Ohio.
Amos Snider, a son of Solomon and Nancy Snider was born December 16, 1834, in Fairfield County, Ohio and came with his parents to Evansport in 1841 Here he received a common school education, ark worked several years at the harness-making business, At the age of twenty-three years, he engaged in the tanning business with his father, and finally bought hit out and continued the business about fifteen years. It 1875, he engaged in agricultural and hardware busi ness, which has been a success, and which business hr still follows. He was .married, November 5, 1857, to Miss Lucretia A. Cameron, of Tiffin Township, who war born January 27, 1838. She was the daughter of John and Lydia Cameron. The fruit of this marriage ha: been the following children : Harriet L., born August 12, 1858 ; Lydia J., born December 3, 1862 ; Mary L. born May 12, 1864 ; Martha C., born January 23, 1867 and died March 5, same year ; Frank M., born October 3 1868 ; Clyde C., born October 18, 1871 ; Lake R. born May 12, 1874 ; Celia A., born July 8, 1880 Harriet L., the oldest, married Clarence Betts, and arc living in Williams County.
Samuel Snider, son of Solomon and Mary Snider was born November 1, 1836, in Fairfield County, Ohio His parents came to Evansport, Defiance County, when Samuel was about five years old. His father being a tanner by trade, he went into the business at Evansport, Samuel working at the business until about twenty-two years of age, when he struck out in life for himself, and is now carrying on the harness-making business, in Evans-port. He was married April 21, 1859, to Miss Lorinda E. Fuller, daughter of John and Sarah (Thayer) Fuller, the former born in Vermont, in 1790, the latter born in Massachusetts, in 1799. Mrs. Snider was born April 17, 1839. The fruit of this marriage is, William R., born January 24, 1860 ; Arthur S., born October 18, 1863 ; George H., born September 29, 1865 ; Alma E., born February 9, 1868 ; James C., born January 9, 1874 ; Charles, born November 3, 1876.
George Purtee was born in Kentucky near the Blue Licks. By his first marriage he had four children-Aquilla, Polly, Betsy and another son whose name is forgotten. He was again married to Rachel Hague, with whom he had seven children-Enos, George, Phebe, Hetty, Sarah and Nancy. He died, and Mrs. Purtee married George Nichols, by whom she had two children. He died and she married Dennis Downing. She died about the year 1866, aged over ninety years.
Enos Purtee was born in Virginia June 2, 1794. The date he came to Highland County, Ohio, with his father's family is unknown. He was married in Highland County, Ohio, to Phebe Dunkins, in the year 1816 ; they had nine children-Hester Ann, George, William, James, Milton, Lovina Phebe, Johu Evans and Sarah. Enos Purtee came to Defiance County (then Williams) in the spring of 1826, and assisted in building the dam across Tiffin River, at Brunersburg. John Perkins had a grist mill at Brunersburg; at that time . William Buck lived near Brunnersburg. In the fall of 1824, Mr. Purtee moved his family to Defiance County, arriving at Brunersburg Christmas Eve, 1824. His . sixth child, Lovina Purtee, was the first white child born in Tiffin Township. He remained over winter at Brunersburg, and in the spring moved on John Lawrence's place, in Noble Township, stayed there one summer, and in the fall of 1825 moved on Doty's Run, remaining there two years, and in the fall of 1827 entered 110 acres of land in Section 20, built his house and lived on this farm when he died. When he moved to this county, there were plenty of Indians, white people being scarcely ever seen. He saw Occonoxee Shane (who was born under the old apple-tree at Defiance), Coffee-Pot, and other noted chiefs, "medicine-men" and warriors. Mr. Purtee and Ephraim Doty lived near to each other, and their closest neighbor lived three miles away, John Purtee, Sr., in Noble Township. Mr. Purtee hunted wild game, such as wolves, bears, turkeys, deer, otter, foxes, etc., for money to pay for his farm. He raised his family almost wholly on wild game. If it had not been for the wild game, Tiffin Township would not have been settled.
356 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
Ephraim Doty's was the only family living in the township when Mr. Purtee came here. Mrs. Phebe Purtee died June 10, 1855. aged sixty-one years. He was again married to Mrs. Catharine Jones, May, 1856. Mr. Purtee died April 5, 1876, aged eighty-one years ten months and three days. Mrs. Purtee died February 22, -1878, aged sixty-nine years. Hester Ann Purtee was born June 2, 1817, and was married to Henry Brown, August 28, 1842. They had four children. Mrs. Brown died December 10, 1879, and Mr. Browu died December 11, 1879. George Purtee was born April 5, 1819, and was married to Nancy Grrster, February, 1839. They had one son, Enos, dead. Mrs. Purtee died, and he was agaiu married to Anna K. Gurwell, November 30, 1841, Rev. Thomas Winters, officiating. They have ten children—Mary, dead. Phehe Ann, married to William Stailey, May 6, 1866. They had two children. Mrs. Stailey died March 12, 1879 ; an infant son, dead. Elizabeth Marie, married to George Johnstoue, February 22, 1871. Again married to Johu Hanna, June 17, 1880. Addie Emeline, married to Lewis F. Carter, Septemher 15, 1881. Johu William, married to Lilly Kimble, November 30. 1881. Loretta Victorine, married to George Keller, July 4, 1875. They had two children—Clyde and Donald G. (deceased). Henry G. (deceased), Jacob Monroe and Frauk S. George Purtee lives in Section 25. William -Purtee was born Jauuary 23, 1821, and was married to Sarh Wisler, December 11, 1852. They have one son—Elmore Forrest. Lives in Section 32. James Purtee was born in the year 1823, and was married to Rebecca Beuner, November 11, 1849. They had seven childreu—Enos, Lizzie, Frank, Jacob, Martin, James, and an infant son,' dead. , Lives in Michigan. Milton Purtee. born iu the year 1825, married to Margaret Justice. December 19, 1852. They have five children—Harriet M. Tryphena Anna C., Ida and . Lives in Michigan. Lovina Nam, born in the year 1827, married to William Rath, June 8, 1851. They had seven children. Mrs. Rath is dead. Phebe Purtee, born in the year 1829, married to Wellington Anson. They have no family. John Evans Purtee, born in the year 1831, married to Sarah Ingle, May 18, 1852. They have five children— Ellen, married to Alexander Mattock. They have two children. Orlando Benton, married to Hattie J. Ury, December 5, 1876. They have two children. Alexander B., married to Louisa J. Hatfield, 187—. They have one child. Frank (dead) and Charles. Johu E. Purtee lives in Bryan, Ohio. Sarah Purtee, born in the year 1833, married to Franklin Winans. They have four children—William E., Mary, Phebe C. and William. Purtee owns the old homestead in Section 20.
John W. Wissler was born March 27, 1830, in Pick- away County, Ohio. was the youngest son of John Wissler and Catherine (Weldty) Wissler, who were the parents of nine children, viz.: Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, Solomon, David, Sarah, Henry, John W. and Lydia. John Wissler, with his family, came to Defiance County, Ind settled. on the banks of Tiffin River, in Tiffiu Township, iu 1833. At that time, there were only two other families in that part of the couuty. There was no cleared land and the woods were filled with hears and wolves. But the family set to work with that earnestness which is always destined to bring success. And indeed it did, for before many years they had one of the finest farms in Northwestern Ohio. He hecame County Surveyor, and among many of the important grounds that he surveyed was the Defiance Cemetery. He .was not thoroughly educated, but was a natural-born genius. He made chairs, clocks, compasses, aud in fact almost everything that could be made by hand out of wood and brass. He retired from farm labor at about the age of sixty years, and died in 1882 at the remarkable age of ninety years. John W. married Caroliue Brininger in the year 1855. She was the oldest daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Nagle) Briniuger. The former was born in Baden, Germany, and the latter in Stuttgart, near Wurtemberg. They came to America hefore au acquaintance was formed between them; met, and were united in marriage in Easton, Penu., at which place they lived about ten years; then the family moved to Defiance County, Ohio, aud became wealthy farmers. They were blessed with six children, viz.: Caroline, Freddie, Louise, Sophia, Sarah and Heleu, all dead except the oldest. Iu 1870, they retired from farm life aud moved to Bruuersburg to eujoy their old age free from toil, where Mr. Brininger died in 1880 at the age of seventy years, aud his wife is still living with her ouly remaining daughter, Caroliue. For twenty years after the marriage of John W. Wissler aud Caroline Brininger, they were well-to-do farmers. They became parents of four children—Fanny, born July 6, 1857; Dora, born on January 9, 1861, died May 2, 1873: Hittie, born September 23, 1865; Mollie, born August 21,1879. In 1875, they purchased a home in the city of Defiance and moved there for the purpose of living an easier life, and mainly to obtain better educational advantages for their three remaining children. At the present writing, the family are all together, and at the spring election of 1882 Mr. Wissler was elected as first Republican Street Commissioner, and successfully performed his duty as such.
David Wissler was born August —, 1827, in Pickaway County, Ohio; was brought up a farmer, and still continues the business in Section 21, Tiffrn Township, where he now lives, being a portion of the farm entered by his father in 1833, by deed dated October 7, 1835, from President A. Jackson. He married Miss Martha Elizabeth Carr, daughter of Robert and Hannah (Creely) Carr, November 20, 1853; her father, a Pennsylvanian by birth and Irish descent, was in the war of 1812; was born in 1775 ; her mother was of French descent, and was born in Vincennes, Ind., A. D. 1800. They had six children—Robert, John N., Julia A., Will-
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iam H., Martha E., Hanuah M. (dead). David Wissler's family consist of John F., born December 19, 1854 ; Florence M., born December 27, 1856 , Willis W., born January 8, 1860 ; Elmer E. (dead), born June 14, 1862; Frances M. (dead), born October 9, 1865 ; Edwin G., born February 29, 1868 ; Leonora, born May 6, 1870 ; Freemau W., born April 4, 1872 ; Vallorous (dead), born January 4, 1874; Dora (dead), born February 11, 1876.
David Miller, one of the most extensive farmers in Tiffin Township, was born April 18, 1825, in Holmes County, Ohio, his ancestors beiug from Germany, who settled first near Baltimore, Md., then removed to Peunsylvania and thence to Ohio in 1802. His grandfather's name was Jacobs, his grandmother's name Hartman. On his mother's side, his grandparents were David Weaver, aud hrs grandmother he thinks was a Coonrad. The parents of our subject, Abraham and Elizabeth (Weaver) Miller, were Pennsylvanians, the former born October 1, 1801, died in Richland Township November 9, 1847 ; the latter died on Section 35, Tiffin township, at the home of David, her son, February 13, 1868, aged sixty-seven years. Their children were David, Jacob (dead), Barbara (dead), Daniel, John (dead), Coonrad, John B. Philip, Catharine (dead) and Mary. Daniel and J. B. Philip live in Coshocton County. Our subject married, Fehruary 13, 1857, Mary A., eldest daughter of Lewis and Diana (Webb) Purtee, born August 22, 1828. Their children were Lewis, born May 1, 1852 ; Franklin L., born July 30, 1854 ; Orlando, boru February 25, 1857, died January 31, 1860 ; John, born October 31, 1860 ; Allen, born May 11, 1865 ; Sophia, born February 29, 1868 ; Malinda, born December 10, 1870 ; Charlotte, born January 4, 1874. Lewis Muntee, who was a soldier in the late war, was married to Catharine Miller, sister of the subject of this sketch, but died iu 1865 at the close of the war. His wife died April 13, 1865, leaving three children, viz.: Clara E., born May 10, 1863 ; Sarh and Amanda, twins, born April 13, 1865. Mr. Miller had no advantages of school, attending but eighteen days in all. Spent his boyhood days in Holmes County. Came to Defiance in fall of 1857, aud entered 160 acres in Tiffin, Section 25, at $1.00 1/2 per acre, aud part at $1.33 1/3 per acre. Mr. Miller is serving in the capacity of Township Trustee, which position he has occupied for a number of years. He now owns 400 acres of land, probably the largest farm in the township.
Charles A. Skinner was born in Harwinton, Litchfield Co., Conn., September 21, 1812. Lived there until he was seventeen and had the advantages of common school and academy. At the age of seventeen, he started out as a peddler of silverware and jewelry, visiting the States of New York, Ohio and Kentucky. He was married to Elizabeth Hamilton, of Goshen, Conn., aud settled down in Montville, Geauga Co., Ohio, at which place his wife died. Mr. Skinner theu came to Williams County, Ohio, where he married the daughter of Col. William B. Sprague, by whom he had two children- Charlotte and Corintha. Charlotte married James Turner, of Williams County. Mrs. Skinner died May 11, 1854. After her death, Mr. Skinner spent several years in traveling through the Southern States. In 1861, was married again, to Rachel, daughter of John and Margaret Donaldson, who were early settlers at Evansport and died here. Of this union, one child was born to them, Mary J., born in 1862. Mrs. Skinner came to Evansport when about eight years old, with her parents, from Pennsylvania, where she was born. Settled in Evansport, ou Section 3, May 8, 1836, where they now live and where her parents died. Mr. Skinner's parents, Zimri and Sally (Bartholomew) Skiuuer, were born in Litchfield County, Conn.
William Rath was born in the town of Carlisle, Cumberlaud Co., Penu., May 8, 1826, aud came to Defiance County in 1846. Worked the first year near Brunersburg, part of the time with William Travis, now deceased, one of the oldest settlers in the county. In May, 1848, William Rath commenced working at blacksmithing iu Tiffin Township, on the banks of Bean Creek, aud worked at his trade until 1852. Since that time has worked at farming, by first cleariug up the forest, which was covered at that time with a very heavy growth of timber. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Lavina M., daughter of Enos Purtee, who, with Ephraim Doty, settled in the township in 1826, they being the first white settlers. Miss Lavina M. Purtee was born June 3, 1827, beiug the first child born of white parents in Tiffin Township. By the marriage of William Rath and Miss Lavina M. Purtee, they had seven children, five sons and two daughters, who are all living. William Rath's wife died in 1870, when he afterward married Mrs. Caroline Hockman, by whom he has had two children, a son and a daughter, the son being deceased.
Francis L. Key, born at Miamisburg, Montgomery Co., Ohio, Jauuary 11, 1836, is a son of Thomas and Margaret (Gephart) Key, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Pennsylvania. They had teu children-Celestia, Francis L., Edward (deceased), Mary, Albert, William H., Flavius, Edna aud Hobart. The parents came to Montgomery County, where they married and speut their days. At the age of twelve, Francis L. eutered a cigar shop to learn the trade. In 1858, came to Evansport, where he eugaged in his trade and farming, and is now engaged in the manufacture of brick, in company with Jacob Hall. He was married, June 5, 1863, to Weltha A., daughter of John Garber, an old pioneer. - They have nine children, as follows : Mary, Maurice, John (deceased), Francis, Charles, Millie, Edward (deceased), Dewitt, Alviu. Mrs. Key was born November 25, 1845.
Frederick Speicer was born February 17, 1845, in Wurtemberg, Germany. His father was born iu the same place, in 1804, and his mother iu 1805. The father
358 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
died at the age of fifty-seven, and in April, 1866, Mrs. Speiser came to America, and died in Noble Township, aged sixty-three. Their children were Christopher, born May, 1835 ; Gottfried, October, 1836 ; Charles, October, 1842 ; Frederick, February, 1845 ; Frederica, November, 1846, and two who died infants. Frederick, our subject, landed in New York September 27, 1865 ; then came to Defiance, entering Adam Minsel's shoe shop, learning the trade. He was married, November 15, 1868, to Miss Louisa Hayes, daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Ackerman) Hayes, who was also born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Fehruary 21, 1848. Children, eight, viz.: Amelia, born August 20, 1869 ; William, born September 16, 1870 ; Minnie, born October 8, 1871 ; Clara, born April 4, 1873 ; Ritta, born January 31, 1875 ; Lewis, born March 18, 1876 ; Eleanora, born August 19,1878, and Lillian, born September 25, 1880.
William F. Andrews, was born August 18, 1846, at Hamilton, Ontario ; was son of Israel and Mary (Blanchflower) Andrews. The former was born in Lower Canada, the latter in England, and came to this country at the age of twelve years. Grandfather Andrews was formerly from Spain. The family of Israel Andrews were Joseph F., William F., Amelia and Eliza (twins), John and Susau. Mr. Andrews remained at home till eleven years of age, and then worked out on farm till the fall of 1861, when he enlisted in Company E, Ninth Michigan Volunteer Infantry, aud went into camp at what was then Fort Wayne, Mich. He then got a furlough home and ahout three days thereafter, while at home, broke out with small-pox, and was then discharged on this account. He re-enlisted July 31, 1862, in Company C, Twenty-second Michigan Regiment, and was honorably discharged June 26, 1865, at the close of the war. He was at the siege of Chattanooga all through that campaign, till Sherman started for the sea. He came to Ohio and was married, on March 27, 1866, to Miss Kate E., daughter of Emanuel and Susan Hoover, who was born November 3, 1849, in Covington, Ohio. They have six children, as follows-Fanny B., born April 26,1867, died February 3, 1869 ; Lillie G., born December 3, 1870 ; Harman G., born September 11, 1872 ; Tau D.,, born December 26, 1874 be h P., born November 18, 1876 ; Emmet G.. born January 6, 1881, and Emma A., boru January 2, 1883. Mr. Andrews started out in 1867, and learned the stone mason's trade and followed this up by learning the hrick-laying and stone-cutting, mastering each branch of the business, at which he continued till December, 1882, when he went to Evans-port and engaged temporarily in keeping hotel and restaurant.
Daniel Fribley was born April 22, 1824, in Stark County, Ohio. He had no advantages for education, and is a self-made' man. Having received but three months' schooling, which was during the first year of his apprenticeship at the milling business, at the age of about sixteen years, in the fall of 1840. After spending two years in Stark County at the business, he went to Holmes County, and spent about four years in milling there, and from Holmes he went to Florida in Henry County, in 1845, and ran a mill for David Harley two years ; then he bought him out and united with Dr. Parry and one Gibbon in building a new mill, which he afterward purchased, aud then sold out to John Brown, and bought a farm in Richland Township, occupying the same for about two years, during which time, 1872, he and Abraham Coy built the present grist mill at Evansport, at a cost of $13,000, on the old site, or nearly so, of the old Pioneer Mill, built by Coys & Snider, which ceased to grind in 1868. In the fall of 1872, Mr. Fribley purchased Coy's interest in the mill. In December, 1882, he sold a half-interest to Enos Kimble. Mr. Fribley was married, July 4, 1850, to Miss Jane Scott, of Heury County, Ohio, who was born in Piqua County, Ohio. Of this marriage, three children were born-John H., who died in infancy ; Caroline, born November 2, 1852 ; Frank C., born September 24, 1854. Mrs. Fribley died May 18, 1858. Mr. Fribley then married Adeline Braucher, September 4, 1859. Two children were born of this union-Isaac A. and Mary A. (twins), boru August 14, 1860. Mrs. Fribley died November 23, 1861. Mr. Fribley, for his third wife, married Frederica, daughter of Frederick Rothenhurger. She was born May 17, 1839, in Wurtemberg, Germany. Seven children bless this union-Jane (dead), born January 22, 1864 ; Elsie, born July 24, 1866 ; Lulie, born June 12, 1868 ; Bessie G., March 5, 1872 ; Fannie 0. (dead), born April 25, 1874 ; Daniel R. (dead), born December 20, 1876 ; Dollie L., born May 27, 1878. Mr. Fribley's parents were born in Pennsylvania, but came to Stark County, Ohio, where they died.
Frank C. Fribley, a son of Daniel and Jane (Scott) Fribley, was born September 24, 1854, in Florida, Henry Co., Ohio ; spent his boyhood days in the district school, and assisted his father about the mill. At the age of about eighteen years, he came with his father to Evansport, and continued with him in the milling business till the fall of 1882, when he went to Hicksville, and purchased a third interest in the Anchor Mills, of that place, where he now resides.
Dr. Houston Russell, son of Samuel and Margaret (Gusler) Russell, was born in Hampshire County, Va., November 9, 1823. His grandfather, Jonathan Russell, was of English, and his grandmother of Irish descent. His maternal grandfather, Nicholas Gusler, was from Germany, and his grandmother Gusler was a Vermont lady. They settled on the banks of the Potomac River, on the Maryland side, opposite Hampshire County, Va. In 1824, Samuel Russell, accompanied by his brother-in-law, John Acus, left Hampshire County for Ohio, and settled down in Madison County, where they suffered much with the disease commonly called " milk sickness." Here they remained until the fall of 1830, when
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they sold their farms at a great sacrifice, and moved to Williams (now Defiance) County, Ohio, and spent the winter at what is now Brunersburg. In the spring of 1831, as soon as the ice was out of the river, Bean Creek or Tiffin River, they moved up the river in pirogees, and settled ou what is now Section 20 of Tiffin Township, where they, with their wives, Sarh (Russell) Acus, and Margaret (Gusler) Russell, quietly repose in what is called the McCauley Cemetery. The childreu of Samuel Russell were Houston, John J., William, Amanda (deceased), James E., David (deceased), Nancy J. and Elmira (deceased). Dr. Houston Russell, the subject of this sketch, spent his early life iu helping to clear up the farm on which his father settled in the wilds of Tiffin Township, with the Indian boys as his chief playmates in childhood, there being ten Indians at that time to one white. In the fall of 1850, after three years' study of medicine under Dr. William C. Porter, of Evansport, he began practice as a physician, aud is still in practice at the same place, having located at Evansport in 1850. From the fall of 1848 to the fall of 1850, Mr. Russell acted as Deputy Treasurer of Defiance County, John Tuttle being Treasurer. Mr. Russell was married to Miss Lucretia Ann Cameron, Rev. Ebenezer Lindsey officiating. They have one adopted daughter, Fanny May Russell. In the fall of 1860, Mr. Russell was elected Justice of the Peace in Tiffin Township, and served until the fall of 1866. During the six years he served as Justice, not one case brought up before him was appealed to a higher court.
Samuel P. Cameron was born September 1, 1815, in Kingwood, Preston Co., Va., and is the only living son of ten children of Mordecai and Nancy (Isaacs) Cameron. The elder Cameron was a tanner in Pennsylvania. In 1817, he removed with his family to Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked at his trade until 1834, when he came to Tiffin Township, then a part of Williams County. Here he entered eighty acres of land, built a cabin and began clearing, residing thereon until his death, February, 1860, aged eighty-seven years. He was a half-uncle of the Hon. Simon Cameron. Samuel P. Cameron worked with his father until his majority. He was married, October 17, 1838, to Eliza Mullen, of Wayne County, Ohio. Six children were born to them, three of whom are living. Mrs. Cameron died October 18, 1865. Mr. Cameron was afterward married, October 27, 1866, to Mrs. Susan Ashbrook. By this union there followed one son. Mrs. Cameron died August 31, 1881. In 1842, Mr. Cameron purchased eighty acres of land in Washington Township, Defiance County, which he sold in 1852, and again purchased 160 acres. This he also sold in 1864, and came to Springfield Township, and purchased 300 acres on Tiffin River, now his home. Mr. Cameron was Justice of the Peace, and has been Township Trustee for several years. He has some of the finest cattle to be found. He is a Universalist, a stanch Republican and prominent citizen.
Alexander Bohn, son of George and Cathariue (Spangler) Bohn, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Tiffin Township with his parents about 1855, who bought of Thomas Churchman what is known as the Doty farm, where the parents died, leaving the farm to their two children-Alexander aud Sarh C., now the wife of Daniel C. Snider. Alexander remained on the farm for some time, then sold out to Andrew Jackson Lewis, who now owns aud occupies the old pioneer Doty farm, of which mention is made iu several instances of the Tiffin Township history, on the banks of the Tiffin River. Mr. Bohn then moved to the village of Evansport, where he now resides. He married Miss Elmira Dawson, daughter of William and Hanuah (Acus) Dawson. To them has been born one daughter.
John A. Garber, eldest son of Henry and Susanna (Arglebright) Garber, was born November 29, 1811, in Augusta, Va. His parents had a family of five children, viz : John A., Abraham, Frederick, Sarah and Susan. They came to Preble County, Ohio, in 1816. John A. Garber was a tanner by trade, and carried on the business for a number of years in Preble County till 1841, when he came to Defiance County and settled in Tiffin Township. He was one of the first Commissioners of the county, after it became Defiance County in 1845 and served in that capacity for twelve years, and was Treasurer of the county for some years. Mr. Garber was married, December 25, 1832, to Miss Catharine Winters, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Wiuters, of Montgomery County, Ohio, with whom he has lived over half a century. They had a family of sixteen children, viz.: Christiana B., Sarh J. (dead), James W. (dead), Susan M. (dead), Thomas J. (dead), Ann M., Brice H., Welthy A., Frances A. R. (dead), Johu W. (dead), Amelia M., Frank P., Charles R. (dead), DeWitt C., Mahlon E. and Cora M. (dead). Mr. Garber died June 25, 1883, and was buried from the Methodist Church at Evansport, Rev. I. N. Brackney preaching the sermon.
Brice H. Garber, son of John A. aud Catharine (Winters) Garber was born March 15, 1844, in Tiffin Township. He had the advantages of the district schools in winter, aud farmed in summer, and is now farming iu Section 9, fifty acres. He was married, January 25, 1866, to Rebecca A. Snider, daughter of John Snider, the early pioneer of Tiffin Township. They had three children born to them, viz.: John W., born April 11, 1869 ; George H., born September 3, 1872 ; Clarence M., born February 17, 1877.
DeWitt Clinton Garher, son of John A. Garber, was born November 15, 1855, on the old homestead, on Section 9, Tiffin Township. He grew up on the farm until about seventeeu years of age, when he went to Evansport to learn the blacksmith trade with Benjamin F. Corwin, after which he started a shop of his own in the same towu, where he still continues the business. He married Miss Mary C. Spangler, daughter of John and Elizabeth Spangler, of Tiffin Township. They have
360 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
two children-Bertha May, born February 24, 1877 ; Laura Bell, born August 21, 1879.
Jacob Moon, Jr., was born August 12, 1803, in Old Winchester, Va. His father, Jacob, Sr., was born in Germany, and came to America when a boy to Virginia, and from there moved to Allegheny County, Md., where he died, aged ninety-five years. His mother, Rebecca (Gray) Moon, aso died at the age of ninety-five years in Maryland. They had six children, four sons-Thomas, Jacob, Jr., William, John, and two daughters. Jacob, Jr., worked at home, farming till twenty-six years of age, then married Elizabeth A. Wiles, daughter Of William and .Sarh (Bowman) Wiles. Her parents were of Dutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Moon have eight children-Eugene J., Norman, Isaiah G-., Ann, Perry, Caroline, John, Harriet. Eugene married Katie Oxen-rider, of Tiffin Township. ; Norman went to Missouri, and is still unmarried ; Isaiah married Sarah, Moon and lives in Tiffin Township ; Perry married Lydia Figley, of Washington Township; Ann married John G. Wheelan and lives on the homestead with her parents ; Caroline married John Meek, of Bryan ; Harriet married Lewis Sugar, who lives in Stryker; John married Betsey Wieland. Mr. Moon came to Ohio in 1829, near Steubenville, then came to Tiffin Township in 1833 with his wife and one child. When he came to Ohio, he had 50 cents in cash and a mare on which his wife and child and his effects were carried. This was his condition when he came. He prospered afterward and got a farm of 200 acres. He is now retired and lives happily with his son-in-law in Tiffin Township.
John G. Wieland, born November 5, 1823, in Wurtemberg, Germany; was son of Gottlieb and Frederica Wieland, also natives of Wurtemberg, who had a family of ten children, of whom but two, our subject and his sister, Barbara C., grew up to adult age, and the sister who married Theobold Fisher died in New York March, 1873. The father died iu 185H, the mother in 1851. They immigrated to America in 1831, settling in Erie County, N. Y. Johu G., our subject, came to Tiffin Township. in 1850, taking up 188 acres. His first marriage, was with Rosina C. Kurtz, on April. 9, 1849 ; she also came from Wurtemberg. She bore him six children-John A., Emma L., Sophia, Barbara, Lucinda and Wesley J. _Mrs. W. died December 9, 1861, and on May 20, 1862, Mr. W. again married Sarah Moon, by whom he has six children-Evaline, Christopher B., George B., Harriet., Cora A. and Fannie. The present Mrs.. W. is the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Moon, and was born in this township 'July, 1838. Mr. Wieland is a skilled carpenter as well as farmer.
John J. Russell was born July 13, 1825, in Madison County, Ohio, and December 9, 1847, married Catharine, .widow of Hiram Acus, who had four children by her first husband-Delilah, Elizabeth, John and Hiram (deceased). Mrs. Russell was a daughter of Stephen Winans and .Charlotte Mash, of New Jersey, who had eleven children-Samuel, William, Sarah, Hannah, Fan nie and Richard (died young), Stephen, Frazy, Charlotte and Susan (twins) and Catharine A. All of these are dead except Charlotte, who resides at Wasseon, Stephen W. in Nevada,and Catharine (Mrs. Russell). Mrs. Russell's parents came to Miami County in 1824, and died there. Her grandfather, Samuel Winans, fought in the Revolutionary war, and her brother, Frazy, raised a company for the Mexican war, rose to. he a General, enlisted in the last war, took his company to Washington, D. C., where he took sick, and returned home to die. Mr. and Mrs. Russell had six children-Samuel A., Sarah E. (dead), William H., Phebe E., William F. and James F. -
Solomon Bergman, born February 21, 1834; in Licking County, Ohio ; is son of John and Ehzabeth (Polk) Bergman, natives of Maryland, who came successively to Fairfield, Licking and Hancock Counties, in which last place they died, having had thirteen children, eight sons and five daughters, of whom twelve grew to maturity. Solomon remained at home until 1862 ; moved to Defiance Township and built a cabin on eighty acres purchased in 1857. He married, March 18, 1855, Caroline, daughter of Asa and Elizabeth (Moore) Cheney, a native of Hancock County, by whom he has four children-Samantha E. was born January 10, 1856 ; E. Douglas, born October 30, 1859 ; Sarah E., born March 8, 1863, died Octoher 7, 1869 ; Minnie M. E., born October 15, 1866.
Samuel Schlosser, born January 13, 1807, near Harper's Ferry, Md., is the son of Andrew and Catherine (Poffenberger) Schlosser, of German descent, who came to Mansfield, Ohio, where they died. Samuel learned the tanner's trade ; came to Ohio over half a century ago, and married Nancy Mays, daughter of John and Nancy Mays, who was born January 2, 1811, in Center County, Penn. They had ten children, seven of whom survive. They were Andrew, Elizabeth, Catherine, Lucinda, John, Ezra, Samuel, George, Isaiah and William ; Ezra enlisted in the late war, at Mansfield; was taken prisoner, and died at Danville. Mr. Schlosser came to Tiffin Township in 1846, settling on the farm where he now lives, consisting of eighty acres in Section 4, and of 160 acres in section across the road. Mrs Schlosser, although seventy-two years old, still enjoys comfortable health as well as her aged spouse.
George Black, farmer and carpenter. on Section 18, Tiffin. Township, was born February 21, 1837, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and received his education at the common schools, and taught school for four terms. He came to Tiffin Township, September 12, 1842, locating on Lick, or Otter Creek. He married, October 30, 1860, Elizabeth A., daughter of Ahraham and Elizabeth Spangler, who was born November, 1840. Their children are Ada R., Charles D., Jennie G., Mary, Nellie G., George H., Harriet E., Margie and John C.
Abraham Spangler, born August 30, 1836, in Perry
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Township, Ashland Couuty. Ohio, was the son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Fisle) Spangler, who were born in Pennsylvania, the former in 1796, the latter about 1800. The subject of this sketch remained at home until twenty-three years of age ; he was married February 24, 1859, to Sarah, daughter of William and Hannah (Aces) Dawson, who was born at Brunersburg February 16, 1837. Soon after marriage they came on to their farm of sixty acres, of which fifty are cleared, ou Sectiou 17. Mr. Spangler has worked at the carpenter trade off aud on for nineteen years. His parents were born in York County, Penn., aud were of German descent ; his grandfather Spangler was a minister of the Gospel, aud was one of the first settlers of York County ; his parents came to Ashland County about 1834, and to Defiauce County about 1853, and died here.
Peter Spangler, born in Adams County, Penu., February 20, 1821, was son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Fisle) Spangler, who had nine children, viz. : Susan, Peter, Michael (dead), Mary, Henry, Elizabeth, John, Abraham and Rudolph. Peter, our subject, remained at home, received his education only up to his tenth year in the district schools, and assisted on the farm until twenty-seven years old, when he started for the West, coming to Highland Township, and purchasing, in 1850, a farm of 160 acres on Section 28 ; thence he came to Tiffiu Township, locating on Section 6, on a place of which ten acres was cleared, but there was no road as yet cut out. He was married November 14, 1849, to Ann M., daughter of John and Elizabeth Cory, of Ashland County, who was born October 9, 1830. Their children were nine in number-John M., Elizabeth M., Mary E., Edmond E., Iola M., Alice L., Cora, Kate and Frank. Of these, John, Elizabeth, Mary, Iola and Alice are deceased. Mr. Spaugler's parents came to this towuship in 1854 and died here. Mrs. Spangler's parents moved to Morrow County, where they died ; her brother William served in the late war.
Philip McCauley was boru March 22, 1823, in Carlisle City, Cumberland Co., Penn. His grandfather, Philip McCauley, was a native of Ireland, but, on account of rebellion, was obliged to come to America, settling in Bucks County, Penn., where he married his wife, Mary, a native of Pennsylvania. They had three children, all now dead. Their names were Mary, Patrick and Susan. The grandfather, aged one hundred aud one, fought in the war of 1812, died in Pennsylvania, and the grandmother, in Tiffin Township, aged ninety-one. His grandparents on his mother's side were of German origin, but came to Pennsylvania and died there. His father, Patrick, was born in Bucks County, Penn., in 1802, was a shoe-maker by trade, carrying on business in Carlisle, Penn., for nine years, spending about twenty-five years at his trade. He was married April, 1822, to Elizabeth Engle, by whom he had twelve children-Philip, Henry, John G., Mary A., Julia (deceased), Andrew J., Nathaniel, Susan, Elizabeth, Charles (deceased),
Patrick (deceased) and Caroline. The first five were born in Pennsylvania, the rest in Ohio. He moved to the towu of Union, Montgomery Co., Ohio, in 1830, working there at his trade until 1863, when he came to Tiffin Township, and entered a farm on Section 21, iu the dense wilderness, but after clearing up his farm, etc., he died in comfortable circumstances, at the age of sixty-nine. His wife still survives him, at the house of her son-in-law, Orlando B. Porter, iu her eighty-first year. Philip, the subject of this sketch, at nineteeu years of age, left the farm, and in 1840 worked on the State dam. Again, in 1841, he worked three years at shoe-making, when he bought the farm where he now resides, ou Section 32, from E. Phelps and W. S. Browu, and in 1844 45, taught the school in the German district, with twenty scholars on the roll, and fourteeu who could not speak English ; teacher's salary $13 a month. Ou April 2, 1846, he married Mary, daughter of John and Cathariue Wissler, who was born in Pickaway County November 20, 1819. Their children arc John C., born June 16, 1847; Orlando T., born May 11, 1850, married Caroliue Lehman, residing near Hicksville ; Sarh C., born July 19, 1857, married Peter Kuhn, of Defiance ; William H., born Septemher 28, 1852, married Ida Spaugler and lives in Tiffin Township ; Harriet M., born April 25, 1854; Freeman, born January 18, 1857, died March 10, 1851. Mr. McCauley has now a fine 160-acre farm, with good house aud outbuildings, aud Mud Creek flows through the farm. Helms served his township for over ten years as Trustee and School Director, aud three years as Justice of the Peace.
William Churchmau, born September 29, 1825, iu Preble County, Ohio, was son of Thomas and Susauua (Argerbright) Churchman, the former born June 22, 1794, in Virginia, and died March 21, 1867, at Evansport ; the latter, who was the widow of Mr. Garber when she married Mr. Churchman, was also a native of Virginia, and died in Tiffin Township in 1846, aged fifty-seven years. They came from Preble County to Tiffin Township in October, 1845, buying out Doty, first settler iu Tiffin, on Tiffin River, the place now owned by William Lewis. Mr. Churchman was in the war of 1812, and married for his second wife Mrs. Sullivan ; he had one son, Walter, now deceased, by this wife. By his first wife he had nine children-Amelia, Elias (dead), George, Lucy A., Adeline (dead), William, Thomas, Sarah (dead), Malinda. Our subject remained with his parents until of age, when his mother died, and he rented the farm for three years, and took care of the family. He married, October 22, 1847, Sarh Ann, daughter of Jacob and Susanna Hall, by whom he has had seven children-Francis M. (dead), Urias and Lester (twins), William S. (dead), Susanna. M. and Edward (twins, the latter dead), and William G. Our subject remained on the old farm until the fall of 1853, when he bought a farm ou Sections 6 and 7 of this township, cutting a road two miles through the woods. His nearest neighbor was
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one and a half miles off. For milling, he usually went to La Fayette (now Pulaski) with oxen and a two-wheeled cart, eleven miles through woods. He enlisted in the late war in August, 1861, in Company D, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served fifteen months, and was discharged for disability, but re-enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Regiment in the following February, serving until the close of the war.
Jacob Erman was born in Rockingham County, Va., February 4, 1820. His grandfather, George Erman, was a Hessian, born in Prussia, whose wife was born in Switzerland. He came to America, wag married, and settled in York County, Penn., and served in the Revolution under Gen. Washington. George Erman, father of our subject, was born in York County, Penn., and, in 1806, married Sarah Argabright, a native of Rockingham .County, Va. They have ten children-John, Polly, Malinda, Delilah, Ann, Jacob, George, Elijah, Caroline and Amanda Jane. February 1, 1844, Jacob married Lucy A. Churchman, daughter of Thomas and Susan Churchman. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, October 12, 1822. Her grandfather, Thomas Churchman, was boru in London, England. Mahlon 0. Erman, the ouly child of Jacob and Lucy Erman, was born April 3, 1848, married Serena J. Purtee, daughter of Capt. John and Nancy (Brown) Purtee, and resides in Section 28, this township. Jacob Erman resides on his farm, in Section 29. He came to this country in 1853.
Alexander Rogers, Jr., boru January 23, 1824, in Delaware County, Ohio, was son of Alexander and Martha Taylor Rogers, of Pennsylvania, and parents of a family of five sons and seven daughters. Our subject worked on his father's farm in his youth, and married, February 10, 1853, Alley, daughter of Eli and Rachel (Nichos) Sherman, born Septcmber 29, 1834. They have been blessed with ten children, as follows : Lavina, born January 11, 1.854 ; Carmine V., born May 18, 1855 ; Lafayette, born December 27, 1856 ; Andrew J., born August 28, 1858 ; Cyrus E., born September 8, 1860 ; Franklin K, born October 16, 1862, died, aged four years and eight months ; Harvey F., born September 24, 1864 ; Alfred A., boru May 1, 1867 ; Willie F., born March 4, 1869 ; Hiram W., born March 19, 1871. Lavina married John Figley, and resides in this township. Lafayette married Josephine Bidlack, and also resides in Tiffin. Mr. Rogers enlisted as a private in Company E, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, February 28, 1864, and served until the close of the war, being honorably discharged from the service July 11, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. His maternal grandfather, Taylor, fought in the Revolutionary army, and his paternal grandfather, Rogers, died at the advanced age of one hundred and three years, in Cumberland County, Penn.
Peter Gares, born December 22, 1836, in Bavaria, Germany, was eldest son of Jacob and Mary E. (Drum) Gares, also Bavarians, who immigrated in September, 1839, landing in New York, with Peter, their only child. During their three weeks' stay in New York, their next child, Charles, was born. After a short stay in Williamsport, Penn., they came to Rome, Richland Co., Ohio, where the father worked at his trade of wagon-making till the fall of 1841, when they removed to Brady Township, Williams County, where they remained until his death, on Novemher 25, 1876, at the age of seventy-six years. Mrs. Gares survives him on the old homestead in Williams County. They had five daughters and three. sons : Peter, Charles and John R. (who enlisted in Company F, One hundredth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry:, in 1862, died in Cincinnati Hospital), Catharine, Sarah, Mary E. (dead), Caroline (dead), Louisa (dead). Grandmother Drum came to this country about 1850, and lived at her daughter's (Mrs. Mary Gares), until she died, aged eighty-nine. Grandfather Drum died in Germany. Peter Gares married, December 2, 1858, Christiania, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Beederwell) Toberen, born April 5, 1838. Her parents were Prussians, who came to New York in 1833, thence to Massillon, Ohio, and thence to Tiffin in 1835. They had a son, Asa, born November 5, 1840. He died in 1856, and she February 20, 1878. Mr. Gares had a family of nine children--Sarh E., born February 24, 1860, and died January 4, 1867 ; John W., born March 22, 1862 ; Charles E., born January 14, 1865, died November 30, 1866; Jacob H., born July 4, 1867 ; Orestus P., born April 27, 1870 ; Clara O, born July 16, 1873, and died April 23, 1875 ; Emerson W., born October 14, 1876, and died 22d of same month.; Mary E., born October 20, 1877 ; Frederick W., boru July 3, 1881, the day following the shooting of President Garfield. Mr. Gares bought out the old Tobereu homestead, entered by Henry Hockman and Frederick Toberen, and has now a farm of 147 acres. Mr. Gores has been elected to most of the township, as well as some of the county, offices. In the spring of 1859, he was elected Township Trustee, and served five years ; Assessor in 1866, and re-elected in 1867 ; Infirmary Director at the organization in 1869, one year, and re-elected in 1870 for three years, to the fall of 1872. During this time, in 1871, he was elected Township Treasurer, and served in this capacity two years. In the fall of 1873, he was elected County Commissioner, and re-elected in 1876, serving six years in all. During this time (in 1877) he was again elected Township Treasurer, and at each annual election has been chosen hy the people of his township as its Treasurer, and at this writing, 1883, is still in this honorable position. Mr. Cares has one of the finest farms in Tiffin, in Section 15, it being in a fine state of cultivation. His residence and farm buildings are also notable objects in the township.
John Strawser, son of David and Rachel (Smith) Strawser, was born September 21, 1839. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Ross County, Ohio, in 1849. Remaining there but a short time, they came to Defiance County and settled in Tiffin Township,
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where they remained till 1866, wheu they removed to Williams County. Their children were Mary (deceased), George W., John, Phillip, David (who died in the service, war of 1861-65, at Camp Chase, in the fall of 1864), William A., Anna C., Albert and Rufus. John Strawser, the subject of this sketch, enlisted in the service of his country August 15, 1861, in the Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Company D, and was honorably discharged September 13, 1864, having passed through the hardships and exposure of three years all right, except a heavy sun stroke, which came near ending his days, and from which he still suffers severely at times. He was married, October 8, 1868, to Sophia C. Kleine, daughter of John G. and Catharine (Klotz) Kleine, who was born September 3, 1851. Of this marriage two children have been born ; the first died in infancy, the second child, Cora E., was born June 5, 1873. Mr. S. has eighty acres good land, is an excellent farmer.
John H. Rethmel, son of Joseph and Christiania B. (Garber) Rethmel, was born, October 20, 1852, in Tiffiu Township, Defiance Co., Ohio. He learned the cooper business, but has always been a farmer. He was married, April 24, 1873, to Maria L. Ackerman, daughter of Henry F. and Clara (Mapes) Ackerman, who was born in Montgomery County, Ohio. The fruit of this marriage has been six children, viz.: Charles C., Cora B., Wade H., Grace N., Alvin R. and Gola O.
Mrs. Martha Barnhart was the daughter of William Collins and aunt of Thomas Rethmel, and grand-aunt, of John Rethmel, was born in Lycoming County, Penn. 1794. She moved to Defiance County iu the fall of 1839, her name then being Mrs. Pidcoe. She was married to Jacob Barnhart hi 1843. He died 1852. Her hospitable table was ever welcome to the circuit preacher." Aunt Patty, as she was familiarly called, had heen a member of the Methodist Church sixty-two years, and was acquainted with all the old Methodists of her day. She was a resident of this vicinity (Evansport) thirty-six years. She died Juue 15, 1875, at Evansport, aged eighty-one years.
Lewis Partee, Janitor of Central School building, also Special Policeman, was born November 6, 1845, in Tiffin Township, and was married, December 20, 1866, to Hannah Louisa Cassil, daughter of John It and Christina Cassil. She was born, January 20, 1851, in Northwest Township, Williams County, Ohio, soou after which the family removed to Kansas, the then far West, and came back to this county with her mother in 1865, her father being lost or murdered on the plains of Western Kansas hi 1859. Their family consists of four boys and one daughter. Alonzo Clement Partee was born December 13, 1867 ; Charles Eddie, September 26, 1869 ; Lewis Robinett, September 1, 1872 ; John Bernard, March 24, 1877 ; Gertie May, March 15, 1881. Lewis Partee, father of the subject of this sketch, son of John and Nancy Partee, was born February 15, 1802, in Colerain Township, Ross County, Ohio, and was married in October, 1827, to Diana Webh, daughter of Obadiah and Catharine Webb. She was born in Berks County, Penn., December 12, 1804. After this marriage they settled in Tiffin Township in Section 34, where he also built a saw mill on Webb's Run. This mill also had oue run of buhrs for grinding corn for the early settlers, at that time their principal food. This family consisted of eleven children ; their names were Mary Ann, George, Joseph, Rebecca, Jemima, Obadiah W., John, Ephraim, Lewis, Ann Maria, Sarh Ann. Six are dead-George, Rebecca, John, Ephraim, Ann Maria, Sarah Anu. Three sons were in the war of the rebellion ; George was a private in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and is supposed to have been captured and killed by guerrillas uear Mauchester, Tenn., iu 1863, as nothing has ever been heard of him since. Obadih W. was in Company -, Forty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; served three years ; was six mouths a prisoner, and came home all right, and is now living in Defiance. John was iu Company E, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; enlisted in the fall of 1861 ; was in several battles and was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and died of his wounds at Chattanooga, Tenn., September 30, 1863, in his twenty-fourth year.
John G. Stever was born December 27, 1838, in Wuertemburg, Germany. His parents, Johu Stever and Christiana (Elser) Stever, were born in the same place ; came to America in 1846 and landed at New York July 4, with their family of two children, John. G. the oldest son, and Ludwig his brother ; Sophia died on the passage over and was buried in the ocean. They have had eleven children in all, of whom but two are living-- John, the subject of this sketch, Louisa, who married Harman Wisewiller, formerly of Tiffiu Towuship, and who are now living iu Iowa. His parents came from New York to Tonawanda, near Buffalo, N. Y., remaining four years there. In 1850, they moved to Tiffin Township and reuted the Heffner, uow the Spangler farm, for five years, and then bought a wild lot of Frederick Von Boren, in Section 11, of eighty acres, iu the fall of 1855, and proceeded to erect a log cabin. Mrs. Stever died on this farm soon after their arrival in the woods, and Mr. Stever then married Mrs. Mary Huff, and after her decease he married his present wife, Mary Redenbaugh. John G., the subject of this sketch, remained at home aud helped his father clear up the farm, attending district school in the winter till nineteen, when his father gave him his time, aud on August 4, 1858, was married to Sarah Toberen, eldest daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Shryer) Toberen, who were from Germany, and came to this couutry iu 1834, to Massillon, Ohio, where they were married, and from thence to Defiance County, in 1835, and entered a farm of 100 acres in Section 15,
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Tiffin Township. In 1837, they moved onto it. Their family consisted of five children, viz.: Sarah, Mary William, Frank, all dead but Sarah and Mary. Sarah married John G. Stever, the subject of this sketch ; Mary married William Linebrink and lives in this township. Their children are-Sarah, Jacob, NOM., Alfred, Christina and Inez. The children of Johu G. Stever were Jacob W. (deceased), born December 15, 1859; Charles L. (deceased), boru June 21, 1862 ; Edward F., boru August 13, 1864 ; Frederick S., born September 26, 1867 ; Willis 0., born February 7, 1871 ; Miriam, M., born October 15, 1874 ; Bertha E., born May 21, 1878. Mr. S. purchased the farm entered by Henry Shirman, who came when the Toberens and Hockmans did, in 1834 or 1835. Their neighbors were Coys, Hals and Sniders. Mr. Stever has served the township a number of years as Trustee. He had a brother killed near Atlanta, Ga. (See Ohio in the war.)
Aaron Bennett was born in Cincinnati December 14, 1814 ; his parents were Aaron and Ruth (Lord) Bennett. They were married in Cincinnati in 1813. Mr. Bennett was their only child ; Mr. Bennett's father died in St. Louis, Mo., in 1816 ; Mrs. Bennett lived in Cincinnati a number of years, then moved to Indiana, then to Evansport, where she lived with her son until her death, which occurred in 1874 ; Mrs. Bennett was a cousin of the celebrated Gen. John Hovey, and also a cousin of Mr. Lord, the millionaire land owner, who has been so popular. Mr. Bennett's grandfather, Joseph Lord, served in the Revolutionary war ; while at New York he cut on a small powder born used for priming, the position of the city, vesses in the harbor, etc. Mr. Thomas H. Kintigh now has it in his possession. Aaron Bennett came to Defiance County in 1840 ; Rev. Thomas Winters and family and John C. Shaffer and family accompanied him. Rev. Winters purchased land of James Wilson where John A. Garber now lives. Mr. Shaffer moved into a cabin (where the Garber Schoolhouse now stands), used hy John Clampett as a blacksmith shop ; he afterward moved to Springfield Township, Williams County. Mr. Bennett was married to Miss Rebecca Shaffer July 2, 1841 ; Mr. Bennett got the first marriage license issued after the county seat of Williams County was moved from Defiance to Bryan ; Edwin Phelps was County Clerk ; Mr. Bennett served as Postmaster of Evansport one year from the winter of 1845, and aso from the spring of 1855 to 1860. Also, as Justice of the Peace two years from the spring of 1858, and again from 1866 to 1878. Mrs. Bennett died January 15, 1879 ; Mr. Bennett lives with his sou, Dr. Bennett, in Evansport. Mr. Bennett's family was-William Thomas Bennett, born in Brunersburg, Ohio, May 13, 1842, and married Mary Spangler, January 1, 1863. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infautry, and served until he was mustered out of service in June, 1865, having participated in the battles of the Wild Cat, Chickamauga, etc., and brought home with him the razor used by the rebel Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer ; it is the real " simon pure " article ; he aso brought a Lieutenant's Commission in the Southern army. He lives in Brunersburg, Ohio. Orlando Bennett, boru May 13, 1845, married Margaret Buck, September 21, 1869. They have had three children, one of whom is dead. August 18, 1862, Mr. Bennett enlisted in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh .Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; was in Bragg and Buell campaign, in Kentucky ; under Burnside, in East Tennessee ; siege of Knoxville, with Gen. W. T. Sherman ; from Chattanooga to Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville, under Gen. George H. Thomas ; around to Fort Fisher, North Carolina, by way of Washington ; participated in the capture of Fort Anderson, on the Cape Fear River, and the fall of Wilmington, N. C. ; joined Sherman at Goldsboro, N. C. ; then to Raleigh, then to Greensboro, to receive the surrender Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and his troops ; mustered out of service at Sausbury, N. C., June 27, 1865. In the spring of 1866, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Houston Russell, and graduated from the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, at Cleveland, Ohio, in the spring of 1869, and has been in constant practice ever since. Valentine Bennett, born December 13, 1846, died July 14, 1867. Alice Bennett, born September 14, 1849, and married to Thomas H. Kintigh. They have seven children, and reside in Michigan. Susan May Bennett, born May 17, 1851, married Simon M. Cameron, March 8, 1882. Caroline Bennett, born February 28, 1853, married to Harrison T. Kintigh. They have seven children, and live in Hicksville, Ohio. Fannie Bennett was born February 25, 1855, died April 26, 1857. Addle Bennett, born May 1, 1856, died July 29, 1861. Della Bennett, born February 15, 1858. Belle Bennett, born December 10, 1860.
James S. Gurwell was born in Penusylvania June 10, 1779, and was married to Mary Ridgely. They moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and then to Crawford County. H. S. Knapp's " History of the Maumee Valley " mentions Mr. Gurwell aud Westell Ridgely as being early settlers in Crawford County. In 1841, Mr. Gurwell, wife and family, moved to Williams County, and settled in Pulaski Township, arriving June 18, 1841. Mr. and Mrs. Gurwell are both dead. Mr. Gurwell, during the war of 1812, served under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, on Lake Erie, and was present at Perry's victory. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Gurwell were Westell Ridgely Gurwell (dead) ; Jacob Young Gurwell, married Maria Cox. They had eleven children. Mrs. Gurwell died December 27, 1874. In 1875 Mr. Gurwell married Mrs. Mary P. Cameron. They live on Section 34, of Tiffin Township. Mr. Gurwell has served several terms as Infirmary Director. Anna Keys Gurwell, boru August 29, 1823, married George
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Purtee, November 30, 1841. John Gurwell, married Margaret Heller. They had but two children, both now deceased. Mr. Gurwell is again married, to Rebecca Christman, and lives in Williams County. James Gurwell (deceased). William Harrison Gurwell, married to Sarah Kimble. They have ten children, and live in Doniphan County, Kan. Elizabeth Gurwell, married to William Shook, April 8, 1851. , They have eleven children, and live in Williams County. Henry Gurwell, married Jane Lindle. They have five children, and live in Williams County. Maria Gurwt11, married William Stailey. They had three children. Mrs. Stailey is dead. Mary Gurwell, married Hiram Meade. They had two children, and lived in Berrien County, Mich., where they both died. Enos Gurwell, (dead).
Martin Gurwell was born October 5, 1847, in Williams County, Ohio, and came to Tiffin Township with his parents April 9, 1849, when about eighteen months old. His great-grandfather, Jacob Gurwell, came from Scotland about the year 1760, and settled in Mercer County, Penn., serving in the war of the Revolution, under Gen. George Washington. His grandfather, James S. Gurwell, son of Jacob, was born in Mercer County, Penn., June 10, 1785, and served in the war of 1812. In 1816, he moved to Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1818 was married to Miss Mary Ridgley and settled in Crawford County, Ohio, the same year, where he lived until 1841, when he moved to Williams County, Ohio, where he continued to reside till his death, in January, 1855. His father, J. Y. Gurwell, the second son of James S., was born in Crawford County, Ohio, April 26, 1821, and came with his parents to Williams County, where he grew up to manhood. In 1844, he returned to Crawford County, Ohio, where he was married, August 28, 1845, to Miss Maria Cox, and again returned to Williams County and remained there until 1849, when he moved on to the farm where he now resides in Tiffin Township, Defiance Co , Ohio. His children were : James Ira, Martin, Orlando, Rebecca E., Jacob R., Lovina A., Ruth, Sarena A., Salathiel, Mary C. and Charles A., eleven in all. Of this number. but four survive, viz., Martin, Salathiel, Mary C. and Charles A. Martin Gurwell was married, June 2, 1871, to Miss Angeline P. Ury, daughter of George W. and Amanda M. (Meek) Ury, of Washington Township, and settled in Section 27 of Tiffin Township, Dcfiance Co., Ohio, where they now reside. Their children are Jennie Viola and Sylva May, who are living, and an infant son, deceased.
Bartholomew Yeagley was born in New Jersey July 4, 1776, and married Elizabeth Clark in Pennsylvania in 1796. Mrs. Yeagley was born in Maryland in .1778. The families of the Clarks and Yeagleys settled near Hagerstown, Md. Mr. Yeagley was by profession a shoemaker, and during the war of 1812 did good service by making shoes for the soldiers. Mrs. Yeagley had four brothers who served in the war of 1812, under Gen William Henry Harrison, and were all through the campaign. Their names were Enos, John, George and David Clark. Enos was taken sick on the returu march, and, being unable to accompany the rest, was left to die in the Black Swamp, then in the height of its dismalness. After several days had passed, he recovered strength enough to continue on his way, and finally reached his home in Columbiana County, Ohio. Mr. Yeagley moved to Fairfield County, Ohio, then to Coplumbiana County, from Pennsylvania, at an early date, and settled near New Lisbon. In 1827, he moved to Stark County, Ohio, where he resided until 1848. Mrs. Yeagley died in 1843, aged sixty-five years. In 1848, Mr. Yeagley and family of seven children moved to Defiancc County and settled in Tiffin Towuship. Mr. Yeagley died December 24, 1863. Most of his children have removed from Defiance Couuty.
Adam Sullinger was born August 16, 1784. He married Sarah Borders, who was born July 19, 1794. They were married about the year 1810, and had eight children-John, Jacob, Andrew, Abram, Caleb, Rolla, Asa and Mary. They lived in Montgomery County, Ohio, near Dayton. Mr. Sullinger served about two months in the war of 1812, at the stockade at Dayton, Ohio. In 1834, Jacob Hall and Woolry Coonrad, of this township, moved them to this township, three yoke of oxen being pressed into service to convey them here. They arrived here August 18, 1834, and erected a cabin where Mr. Skinner now lives. They afterward moved to Evansport. Mr. Sullinger died January 18, 1856. Mrs. Sullinger died April 28, 1882, aged eighty-seven years nine months and fifteen days.
Jacob Dieden was born in Bavaria, October 14, 1807. In 1837, he came to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he married Hannah Clark, in 1840. In 1843, he moved to Section 16, Tiffin Township, and died there April 16, 1872 ; Mrs. Dieden resides with her son. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dieden were Christian Dieden, born September 12, 1841, and married Louisa Steir in 1870 ; Mrs. Dieden died September 14, 1878. Mr. Dieden served four years as Township Clerk, from the spring of 1872 ; he lives on the homestead in Section 16, Tiffin Township. Catharine Dieden, born August 17, 1844, resides with her brother. Elizabeth Dieden, born January 24, 1847, married Adam Hall, September 14, 1865. Hannah Dieden, born in 1849, married to Charles W. Brown, April 18, 1867.
Ezra Rethmel was born in Lycoming County, Penn., October 17, 1788, and was married to Mary Collins (who was born October 22, 1792), Novcmber 10, 1814. Mrs. Rethmel died April 11, 1867. Mr. Rethmel died in Lycoming County, Penn. The children of this couple were Elizabeth Rethmel, boru August 20, 1815 ; married Isaac Gibbs. Their children were Ezra, Charles (deceased), Benjamin F. (deceased), Mary E., Martha and Oliver twins, Oliver dead. Ezra and Frank were in the late war, Ezra in the Thirty-eighth Regi-
366 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Frank in the Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, aud died in service. Mr. Gibbs died in 1861. They lived in Tiffin Township, Defiance County ; William Rethmel, boru September 13, 1817, and married Sarah Pidcoe, in March, 1841. Their children were George, Edward, Louisa, Mary C., Elizabeth, Ellen, Ezra, Elmer. George and Edward died in the civil war. They lived in Lycoming County, Penn. Mr. Rethmel died in 1871 ; Ezra. lives in Tiffin Township. Effie Rethmel, born November 8, 1821, married Samuel Schick, in January, 1841. Their children were Elizabeth, Mary, Peter, Thomas, Lovina, Martha, William and . Mrs. Schick died in 1858. They lived in Lycoming County, Penn. Phebe Rethmel, born July 12, 1823, married Caleb Sullinger in January, 1842. They had three children. They live in Springfield Township, Williams County, Ohio. Thomas Rethmel, bon May 19, 1824, married Lucy C. Southward, November 3, 1853. They live in Section 10, Tiffin Township. Mr. Rethmel settled there in November, 1841. March 12, 1850, in company with John Conrad, he went to California by the " overland route," crossed the American Desert, where they saw some sorrowful scenes, aud arrived in the Sacramento Valley July 24, 1850. He mined about six or eight months, then teamed and worked in a hotel. He was at numerous places on the American, Calaveras, Yuba Rivers, etc. He returned in the fall of 1852. Joseph Rethmel, born June 20, 1827, married Christiana Garber, in November 23, 1851. They had two children-John H. and Joseph C. (deceased). Mr. Rethmel died November 4, 1853. They lived in Tiffin Township. Martha Rethmel, born July 29, 1829, married Rolla Sullinger in August, 1847 ; they had three children. They live in Evansport. Mary Rethmel, born March 6, 1831, died in 1836.
Frederick Enneking was born in Oldenburg, Germany, February 13, 1821. He came to the United States from Bremen, Germany, on the "good ship" Caroline, Capt. Fulkman, and arrived at New York City June 20," 1843, after forty days' fair sailing. He traveled about a short time, and finally settled in Franklin County, Penn., and lived there eight years. He married Margaret Smith August 30, 1849. They moved to Tiffin Township and settled in Section 31 (where they now live), in April, 1852. Their childreu are Mary Enneking, born August 15, 1850, and married Abraham Spitler, April 13, 1871 ; they live iu Noble Township ; Elizabeth Enneking, born October 19, 1855 ; Amos Enneking, born October 25, 1859.
Henry Brown, son of Reuben Brown, was born April 13, 1819. His parents were from the State of New York. His father was horu in 179!), and married Sarh Jones iu 1818. Came to Williams County, Ohio, in 1833, and settled in Tiffin Township, where the County Farm now is ; lived there until 1863, then moved on the Von Berm farm ; lived there until 1871; then returned to Defi ance, where he lived two years, aud then to Evansport, where he died in 1874. Mrs. Brown died February 1, 1862. Mr. Brown married Mrs. Hannah Kintigh in 1864. She lives in Evansport, Ohio. Henry Brown married Hester Aun Purtee August 28, 1842, by whom he had four children Charles Wesley, born March 12, 1844 (married Hannah Dieden, April 18, 1867. They had two children Carrie E. and Kenneth V., deceased. Mr. Browu lives in Section 17. August 2, 1862, he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, aud served until the close of the war); Phoebe Catherine, born May 30, 1853, died February 20, 1862 ; Sarh Lovina, born March 9, 1856, died March 16, 1856 ; Nancy Delila, born June 10, 1859, died March 22, 1862. Henry Brown died December 11, 1879, and Mrs. Brown December 10, 1879.
John Wesley Brown was born August 18, 1849, on the County Farm. In 1856, he came to Brunersburg with his parents, and worked on a farm there. In 1872, he returned to Tiffin, settling on the old Von Beren farm on Section 16, where he still resides. He married, August 18, 1875, Sarah T., daughter of Charles F. and Elizabeth (Brubaker) Krotz, who was born in Mark Township May 16, 1854. Their children were Harry C., Minnie A. (twins, died in infancy, aud born March 26, 1876), and Mattie, born February 22. 1878.
Parmenas Kibble was born in Rockingham County, Va., March 1, 1790, and was married to Catharine Justice in December, 1817. Mrs. Kibble was born near Chamhersburg, Peun., June 5, 1795. The Kibbles and Justices moved to Hocking County, Ohio, at an early date, at which place Mr. Kibble was married. Their children were Robert, Margaret, Joseph, Eliza Ann aud William Nelson. Mrs. Kibble died January 11, 1865, and Mr. Kibble died December 23, 1872. Mr. Kibble's parents were George aud Ann Kibble. Mrs. Ann Kibble died September 14, 1854, aged ninety-five years eleven months aud twelve days, aud is interred in the Evausport cemetery.
William Kibble, a son of George Kibble, came to Defiance County in 1830, and built a cabin at the place , now called "Kibble Hollow ;" lived there a time and theu moved to Evansport. He died in Iowa a number of years ago.
Parmenas Kibble came from Hocking County in the spring of 1832, and put out a crop of coru. In August of the same year he moved his family out, and " anchored " at the month of Webb Run. In the spring of 1833, he entered seventy acres of land in Section 29, moved on it, put up his cabin, cleared up his farm, and lived there until 1857. when he moved to Section 32. While Mr. Kibble resided in Hocking County, Ohio, he was engaged for a time with Jesse Donley in transporting produce, such as flour and whisky, to New Orleans, La., on rafts constructed of sycamore logs. George Kibble was overseer on a Virginia plantation. Their meats were mostly wild game, of which they became
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 367
very tired. Their wheat crop for a year or so was so affected that all who ate bread made of the flour became very sick. (This was what is termed sick wheat.) During this time, Mrs. Katbie rode, frequently, ten miles or so down the Maumee River, on horseback, to get a peck or half-bushel of corn meal ; and very often the allowance to the children would be but two small cakes! The first schoolhouse in Mr Kibble's neighborhood, was built on his farm about 1836, and John Cameron was the teacher.
Robert Kibble was born September 1, 1818, and married Mary Ann Coffman in 1841. Their children were Catharine (dead), Alvaro (dead), Margaret A; (dead), William N. (dead), Jane (dead), married Sidney Anson ; John, now in Nebraska ; Mary E., married Otto Shumaker ; Nancy, married Jacob Oliger ; Sarah ; Ida, married Jacob Wehber. Robert Kibble was in the late war, enlisting in Company F, Forty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in October, 1861, and died at Shiloh, Tenn., April 3, 1862. Mrs. Kibble died June 25, 1863, aged thirty-eight years eight months and twenty-three days.
Margaret Kibble was born January 18, 1820, and married Andrew Romine in 1845. Their children were James A., married to Elizabeth Gibson. She died July 19, 1878 ; married again in January, 1880, to Alice A. Clutter, and lives in Paulding County, Ohio ; William N. (dead), Alphonso (dead). Mr. Romine died January 4, 1853, aged thirty-two years. Mrs. Romine died January 18, 1853.
Joseph Kibble was born May 25, 1825, and married Caroline' McDorman, September 15, 1850. Their children were Joseph C.' (dead) ; Alice, married Cyrus Decker ; Kate,. married Job W. Cook ; Lillian V., mar, ried Isaac 0. Hanna. Mrs. Kihble died, November 6, 1879. Mr. Kibble married Mrs. Caroline Meek May 18, 1881. They live in Bryan, Ohio. Joseph Kibble served his country in the Mexican war, and aso in the late war.
Eliza Ann Kibble was born March 5. 1828, and married Jacob Hudson October 24, 1847. Their children are Mary E. and Lilly M. They live in Bryan, Ohio.
William Nelson Kibble was born April 12, 1830, and married Catharine Brubaker February 25, 1853. Mrs. Kibble was born near Chambersburg, Penn., April 11, 1833. Her parents were Daniel and Catharine Brubaker. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Kibble consisted of Melvin 0., now in Butte City, Montana ; Orlando P., now in Georgetown, Colo. ; Emma G., married Winfield S. Yarlott November 6, 1878 ; Frances L. (deceased), Abrham L., Jennie V., Edwin, Frank (deceased), Nettie M., William N., Jr. Mr. Kibble owns and occupies the old homestead, consisting of 218 acres, for which his mother sold her wool bed-blankets. manufactured by her in Hocking County, there being no money in this section of the country at that time. "The first death which occurred in Lost Creek Towuship (now Farmer) was a hunter who lived in Section 9, and whose death occurred about 1835. The coffin was made by Obediah Webb, who lived on the east side of Bean Creek, opposite to the farm now owned by Lyman Langdon. The coffin was lashed to a pole, and carried by Abraham Webb and William Kibble, on their shoulders, to the hunter's camp, a distance of nearly thirteen miles on a direct line, and their route was through the woods, without a path to guide them. They crossed Bean Creek at dusk, and, with a pocket compass to guide ' them, and a hickory bark torch to light their way, they set out with their burden on their lonely route, and reached the hut at 3 o'clock in the morning. He was buried on the northwest quarter of Section 10." Horace S. Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley. Nelson Kibble is said to have killed the largest deer ever seen in Tiffin Township.
Jacob Figley was born in Germany in 1717, and was married to Delila Davis. The date they came to the United States is unknown. They had eleven children. He served all through the Revolutionary war under Gen. Washington. He died in 1825, aged one hundred and eight years. Abraham Figley, son of Jacob Figley, was born in Berks County, Penn., in 1769, and was married in 1790 to Catharine Donelson, a lineal descendant of one of the Donelsons of the Highland clan in Scotland. They had eight children. Mrs. Figley died in December, 1806. In November, 1808, Abraham Figley married Elizabeth Hughes, by whom he had four children. He served in the Indian war of 1794-95, having moved from Berks County, Penn., to Washiugton County. He moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1808, and died there in 1834, aged sixty-five years. Simon Figley, second son of Abraham Figley, was born in Washington County, Penn., March 1, 1794. In February, 1813, he enlisted as a private soldier a regiment commanded by Col. Stephenson, and during his four months' stay at Lower Sandusky, assisted in the erection of Fort Stephenson. In June, 1813, a company of the soldiers were ordered to Cleveland, at which place they were commanded hy Maj Jessup, Mr. Figley being among the number. Raving nothing to do, Maj. Jessup commanded them to muster twice a day. One day an English war vessel came within sight of the fort, and as the fort at that time contained ouly ,a hundred men, the Major thought up a plan of scaring the " beef-eaters," which was as follows : The shore of Lake Erie being lined with treeso but a small portion of the fort-ground, could be seen. Calling up the soldiers, the Major ordered them to march in a zigzag manner, so that but half of the soldiers could be seen at a; time, and while one-half were in sight, the other half were not. To a casual observer from the lake it would seem that a whole regiment were marching. They " marched " in this manner several times during the day, and in the morning John Bull's minions were gone, skipped, struck for lower timber. Mr. Figley was
368 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
discharged from service in August, 1813. April 27, 1819, Simon Figley was married to Margaret Hannum, Rev Clement Vallandigham officiating. Mrs. Figley was born in Lancaster County, Penn., February 12, 1798. Her parents were Robert aud Sarah Shields Hannum. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Figley were Eleanor Jane Figley, born September 27, 1820, died August 6, 1840 ; Jason Figley, born July 4, 1822, died August 18, 1855 ; Sarah Martha Figley, born February 11, 1824, married to Samuel Near, by Thomas Dew, J. P., September. 2, 1849, and died April 8, 1865 ; Silas Figley, born April 10, 1826, married , to Rachel Partee, daughter of Lawrence aud Rebecca Partee, February 26, 1852, Frederick A. Koons, J. P., officiating. They lard four children-John F., married to Lovina Rodgers, November 30, 1876, by Aarou Bennett, J. P. ; Simon B., married to Evelyu E. Wielaud June 30, 1878, by William Rath, J. P.; Rebecca A. (deceased) ; Hannah E. (deceased). Mrs. Figley died November 2, 1864. December 29, 1864, Mr. Figley married Delila Acus, daughter of Hiram and Catharine A. Acus, Houston Russell, J. P., officiating. They have one son-Silas W. Lives ou Section 19. Margaret Figley, horu February 21, 1828, died December 13, 1834. Rachel Figley, born December 23, 1829, died August 20, 1840 ; James Figley, born July 9, 1832, married to Mary Tarr, daughter of Levi. aud Margaret Tarr, ou May 2, 1857, John Cameron, J. P., officiating. They have seven children--Scott S., married. to Julia Hatfield, May 11, 1876, by Rev. Lewis Tiedeman ; Achsa A., married to Albert Motter, March 20, 1880; Elmer G., James W., Mary B., Jennie M. and Martha A. They live on Section 30. Elizabeth Caroline Figley, born July 29, 1834, married to Charles A. Jeffers April 11, 1869. Their children are Charles H., Eva L., Andrew B. Mrs. Jeffers and family live in Defiance. Simon Washington Figley, born March 27, 1837, married to Caroline Tarr, daughter of Levi and Margaret Tarr, on August 11, 1860, by Samuel Cameron, Justice of the Peace. They had four children-Lee E., Charity Z., Kate and Ellen S. Corporal S. W. Figley served three years in the civil war, from August, 1862, to August, 1865, in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in thirty battles and skirmishes, most notably being the sieges of Nashville and Atlanta, and returned home unhurt. He lived. on Section 13, Washington Township, where he died April 8, 1872. Lydia. Ann Figley, born June 28, 1839, married to Samuel P. Moon, by Nelson Slater, Justice of the Peace, August 30, 1860. Their children are B., married to John H. Gerst, April 23, 1882; Hulda M.,. Amos M., Wallace J., George W., Lyman C., and Frank B. They live on Section. 13, Washington Township. In , March, 1836, Simon Figley moved to Crawford County, Ohio, and settled near Bucyrus. In 1840, he with three of his children, Eleanor, Jason and Rachel, were taken sick with what was called the milk sickness, a peculiar disease, which cannot be described, which resulted in the death of Eleanor and Rachel. In March, 1841, Mr. Figley and family moved to Defiance County and remained one year on a farm owned by Lyman Laugdon in Noble Township In 1842 he settled in Section 30, Tiffin Township. Mr. Figley has always been a farmer aud his sons are well-to-do farmers. He quit fanning at the age of seventy-five years. November 12, 1874, Margaret Figley, his wife and companion for over fifty-five years, departed this life at the age of seventy-six years and nine months. June 14, 1877, Mr. Figley was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Ohliger, of Brunersburg, Ohio, Rev. Gershom Lease officiating. While visiting in Fremont, Sandusky Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1881, he learned that several prominent gentlemen in that place contemplated publishing a " History of Sandusky County." As Mr. Figley assisted in erecting the old fort at that place, as mentioned elsewhere, he was able to give a full description of the fort aud its surroundings, and a diagram was drawn from the description. September 21, 1882, he was admitted to the Soldiers' Home at Dayton, Ohio. He remained there .a short time, and returning to this county spent the winter with his son James. In April, he returned to the Home, where, after a few weeks' illness, he died of exhaustion, on Thursday, May 24, 1883, aged eighty-nine years two months aud twenty-three days, and was iuterred in the Home cemetery with the usual ceremonies and full honors- of war.
John T. Craine was born June 9, 1856, near Petersburg, Monroe County, Mich. ; his father, James Craine, was born March 16, 1823, in the parish of Ballagh, Isle of Man, aud emigrated to America in the • spriug of 1849, landing iu New York and proceeding to the vicinity of Macedon Center, Wayue Co., N. Y.,. where he remained until September, 1854, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, at which place he was married, in September, 1855, to Elizabeth Clague, whose parents were also from the Isle of Man. She was born at Black Rock, N. Y., February 4, 1834. The newly married pair went to Michigan, where they .remained until 1864, at which time they with their family moved to Defiance County. The subject of this sketch was married to Lizzie Gruber, November 13, 1878, who was born April 21, 1855, whose father, Jacob Gruber, was barn at Waldrems, in the Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, December 5, 1819, and emigrated to America in 1849; remained in New Jersey aud Pennsylvania until 1852, when he came West, stopping in Defiance County, where he was married to Elizabeth Toberan, who was also born in Germany in the Kingdom of Prussia, February 22, 1815, and emigrated to America in 1837, since which time she has lived in Ohio.
John N. Walter, born in Allegheny County, Penn., January 14, 1818, was the son of John and Catharine (Roup) Walter. His grandfather was born in Wurtem-
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 369
berg, Germany, October 8, 1755, and immigrated to America, settling iu Lancaster County, Penu. Of their eight children, John, the fourth child, was born in Lancaster County April 16, 1789. John married Catherine Roup, whose parents had immigrated from Germany to Allegheny County, Penn. Of their eight children, John N., the subject of this sketch, was the third. They moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1836, and there John N. was Married, April 20, 1843, to Anna Urseman, who was born near Berne, Switzerland. From Stark County, Mr. Walter removed to Henry County in 1849, and settled in Marion Township, when there were but thirteen families in the township. Iu January, 1852, he removed to Evansport, where he now resides. Mr. Walter is a maker of violins and firearms. He has also engaged in house-painting. His children are David Walter, born November 20,1845 ; married Jennie Shaffer, June 5, 1873 ; residence, Toledo ; and John N. born July 9,1852 ; married to Lida Winecope in March, 1874 ; residence, Toledo.
CHAPTER XXXI.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-GEORGETOWN--VOTERS IN 1845-PERSONAL
REMINISCENCES.
THIS township was organized in 1838. It was I heavily timbered and somewhat marshy. When We dense forests were cleared away and the marsh land drained, the township improved very much in agricultural respects. The land. when brought to the sun, improved in quality and richness, and has now some fine farm land and many pleasant and charming homes. There are four churches in the township: One Winebrenarian in Section 22, a frame, built in 1870, cost $1,000; one Methodist Episcopal Church, built about 1872, and cost $700; one Lutheran, a frame, built in 1876, on Section 9, and cost about $1,000; and one United Brethren, a brick, built in 1881, on Section 1, and cost about $2,000. The schools in the township are nine, four frame and five brick. Constantine Southworth was the first teacher in the township. There are three steam saw mills in the township. One on Section 7 is owned by W. Hill and Peter Anthony, and was built in 1866 for about $2,000; another in Georgetown, on Section 21, was built in 1863; one had been there before that time. It is owned by Charles Fieldner & Sons, and cost about $2,000, and saws lath and shingles by steam. The third one is located on Section 13, erected in 1882, cost about $2,000.
GEORGETOWN
It originally consisted of 28 lots. Was faid out in 1846 by George Ridenour. It now has two stores and post office, one shoe shop, one blacksmith shop, one agricultural store, one broom factory, one schoolhouse, one town house, one physician and one Methodist Episcopal Church near by.
VOTERS IN 1845.
The following is a list of Washington Township voters in October, 1845: Zachariah Hurtt, Arthur
Graham, John Garloch, James M. Skeen, Benj. Lintz, Gideon Skeen, Jacob Garlock Andrew Bostater, Levi Tarr, Thomas Dew, Linas Doud, Samuel P. Cameron, Solomon Yockey, Thomas Marks Swoorn, James Lawrence, Israel Phillips, John Donnelly, Peter Garloch, H. H. Hannah, John Ginter, Jesse Donnelly, John Ury, George Ridenour and Phillip Brannan. Benjamin Lintz, Loins Tarr and Thomas Dew, Judges; Linas Doud and Andrew Bostater, Clerks.
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
Martin Struble was born April 1, 1825, in Sussex County, N. J., one of eleven children, ten of whom grew to maturity. Came with his parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1834, and settled in Hubbard Township until 1850, when he came to Williams County, and remained there three months and then located in Farmer Township, Defiance County, in June A. D. 1850. He was married August 25, 1852, to Miss Rebecca Frazier, who was born February 12, 1828, in Trumbull County, Ohio. His family are Charles E., David E., Edwin B. and Julia F. Three are dead, Mary E., Hannah M. and Ella M. In the fall of 1852, Mr. Struble removed from Farmer Township to the village of Defiance, now city of Defiance, and kept the hotel known as the Washington House situated on the hill on the north side of the Maumee River in North Defiance. In February, 1855, he nave up the hotel business and removed to Williams Center, Williams County, and taught the school there during the winter of 1855-56, and in the spring of 1856 he moved onto his farm in Washington Township where he now lives, having made his purchase of 300 acres mostly wild land, the previous year, 1855. He now owns about 400 acres worth from $40 to $50 per acre. Mr. Struble
370 - HISTORY OF DEFIANCE. COUNTY.
taught the school at the village of Georgetown in his township, six terms, from 1856 to 1862. He has held most of the offrces of his township, and in October, 1880, he Was elected Commissioner of this county, and at this writing (1883) is still one of the incumbents. Mrs. Struble is the daughter of Hugh and Mary (Lyons) Frazier. Her father was a native of Maryland, her mother of Trumbull County, Ohio. Her grandfather Lyons was a soldier in the Revolution, and three of her brothers were in service during the rebellion, Anthony, as Captain in a Pennsylvania regiment; David, in a regiment from the same State, known as the " Bucktail regiment," and John in the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. He died in service and was buried in Gov. Wise's Garden, at Spottsylvania, Va.
George W. Ury was born in Fairfield. County, Ohio, July 9, 1821, and October 30, 1845, married Amanda M. Meek, who was born in the same county August 3, 1826. Their children are Laura A., Sarah J. (deceased), Angeline P., Elbridge W., George D., Freeman O., Franklin P. (deceased), Mina M. '(deceased), Hattie, John H. (deceased), and Alice M. Mr. Ury's paternal grandfather Was born in Germany. His father, Christian Ury, was born in Maryland, in 1770, and married Catherine Stripe, a native of Pennsylvania. Their children were Jacob, Samuel, David, John, William, Lewis L., Isaac G., Nancy A., George W., the subject of this sketch, and Catherine Isaac now resides in Davenport, Iowa; Catherine, at Fort Scott, Kan.; Nancy (Phillips) in Tiffin Township. Lewis L. was a soldier in the late war; was killed near Fort Scott, Kan., by a bushwhacker, in 1865. Christian and Catherine (Stripe) Ury both died in Fairfield County, the former March 27, 1837, the latter in April, .1851. Mrs. George W. Ury's parents, Jacob and Sarah (Smith) Meek, aso both died in Fairfield County. The subject of this sketch came to Washington Township a single man, and purchased eighty acres of land; he then returned to Fairfield County, married and returned to Washington Township, November 1, 1847, and became a permanent settler. His brother, John was aso an early settler, and died in this county. George W. began teaching at the age of nineteen years, and has taught thirty-five terms. The first winter after he came to this township, he taught the winter term of three months for $13 per month, boarding himself. Of the $39 thus earned, $18 was paid in cash, being the amount of public money for the district, the balance in produce. Andrew Bostater paid him iu corn, John Donley in potatoes and cabbage, and H. H. Hannah furnished him with meat, these three being the principal contributors. Mr. Ury is now a well-to-dn farmer and has passed his threescore years. He has never sued nor been sued, a record which is truly worthy of emulation. He held for eight years the honorable position of County School Examiner, and being a pioneer teacher, has always taken a warm interest in the educational progress of the county.
George W. Benner was born December 18, 1836, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and came to Tiffin Township, Defiance County, with his parents in 1815. His parents were George Benner and Barbara Benner. When they arrived, the township had but few settlers in it and there was plenty of deer, some bear and a great number of wolves, wild cats, turkeys and small game. The forests were quite heavy and hard to clear up. It was then a common thiug to go three or four miles to raise a cabin and take a dinner along. There were no roads to direct any one; they had to follow blazed trees to a new clearing v‘ here logs were to roll or a cabin was to be erected. In those days they made a large quantity of maple sugar each spring, which brought a fair price. It was so diffi. cult to get feed, that they had to cut browse to feed cattle in the spring of the year to save them from starving. There was no hay to be had at that time, and in the spring of the year it was difficult to keep stock from starving. The country was new, and all kinds of hardships had to be endured. He removed to Washington Township about 1866. For milling, Hilton's mill at Brunersbrug had to be visited. Mr. Benner married Miss Jemima Partee August 14, 1856. His children are Clarissa M., Millard F , Warren W., Emma C. and George F. These are all grown and all married but George F. Mr. Benner had three brothers--Jacob, Jesse and Simon.
George Ridenour was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, October 6, 1811. He remained in that county until 1833, attending school, when he married Miss , Catherine Hilbert, March 14, 1833, in Harrison County, where they lived four years and removed to Washington Township, Defiance County, in May 1839, where he has resided since. At that time, Mr. Samuel Ridenour was Justice of the Peace. Mrs. George Ridenour thinks the first cabin was built about 1832 or 1833, by Jesse Donely, where his son Henry now lives. Mr. Ridenour was at an election held in the township where there were twelve voters—Hugh Donely, Jesse Donely, John Donely, Henry Donely, Sr., Samuel Ridenour, Andrew Bostater, Peter Dodd, Zachariah Hurt, George Hurt; James Craige, James Lawrence and Andrew Findlay. Of these, Samuel Ridenour and Andrew Bostater are the only ones living. The family of VI.. Ridenour are Peter, Daniel, Elias, Mary Ann, Isaac, Susan, Simon, Andrew, Hannah, Josiah and Hilbert, all married and living. Isaac, Elias and Simon were in the war of 1861 to 1865. Elias and
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY - 371
Isaac were in Company F, Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Simon was a member of One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Mrs. Clarinda Doud was born September 3, 1817, in Franklin County, N. Y., and remained there until eighteen years of age, when she was married to Linus Doud, April 20, 1834, and the same year came to Geauga County, Ohio, where they remained six years, and then removed to Washington Township, Defiance County, where Mr. Doud purchased land in Section 22 and erected a cabin and began pioneer life in the forests. Roads were then scarce and new, and in a bad condition, and Mr. Doud was compelled to endure many privations and hardships. There were no schoos in this part of the township at that time. There was then a log cabin on Section 16, used for holding elections. That house was used for the first school in that part of the township, and the first teacher was Mrs. Clarinda Doud, in 1843, in the summer, and Mr. Doud taught the second school in the town ship on Section 23, which is now District 2, in 1843 and 1844. The hooks then used were the English Reader, the Elementary spelling book, Adams' Arithmetic and the New Testament as a reader. Mr. Dotal and wife raised eight children, who were successively teachers in the township. Mr. Dozed acted as Justice of the Peace two or three terms in Washington Township, from 1845 to 1854, and as Clerk for some time. He was probably the second Justice of the Peace in the township, Mr. Zachariah Hurt acting one term, from 1842 to 1845. Linus Doud died April 5, 1872, aged about seventy-five years. The members of his family were Horace A., Sarah E., Albert L. (dead), William H. (dead), Edward B., Liba B., an infant, dead, Mildred W., Linas P., (dead), Clarinda A., Forrest W., Mary A. (dead), *Wallace E. and Frank E. William H. died from disease contracted in the army of 1865; Dr. Forrest W. graduated in medicine at Philadelphia and also at Cincinnati, Ohio. During Mrs. Doud's time as teacher in her first school, she rocked one of her children in a sugar trough in the absence of a cradle.
William Ufer was born November 19, 1830, in Prussia, Germany, and emigrated in 1853 and landed in the city of New York and came directly through to Medina County, Ohio, and removed to Washington Township, Defiance County, May, 1856. Mr. Ufer married Miss A. B. Steingass, January 28, 1855. She died February 9, 1877. She left three boys and six girls-Ottellia, William, Ida, (dead), Franklin, Amelia, Rosa, Flora, and Albert. Mr. lifer was married a second time to Miss Sarah Johnson, July 17, 1879. Has one child by second wife. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the spring of 1864, and re-elected since and is now serv ing on his seventh term. He states that the manufacturing of cheese has become quite a business in Washington Township. The Sugar Grove Factory is a joint-stock company and has a capital of $1,000. The Directors are William lifer, Charles Stailey, Turley and George Galer, George W. Benner and George Myers; Treasurer, George holler; William Ufer acts as President and Otto Fieldner as Clerk. The company was chartered February 17, 1880, and George Benner is salesman. Mr. Ufer is a leading citizen among the German population of the township.
Andrew Bostater was born January 30, 1804, in Washington County, Md.,and came with his parents, John and Agnes, to Jefferson County, Ohio, the same year. His father, John Bostater, died in Washington Township, Defiance County, January 24, 1849, aged about seventy-five years. Agnes Bostater, his mother, died in Williams County, in December, 1865, aged about eighty-five years. Their children were Andrew, Catherine, Elizabeth, Jacob, John, Mary, George (dead), and David. Andrew Bostater married Harriet Cameron December 20, 1831. Mrs. Bostater was born in Lancaster County, Penn., November 15, 1810. Their children were Milton C. (dead), Dr. Andrew J., Francis Marion (dead), George W., Adelia A., Harriet J., Benjamin F., Leander (dead), Ellen L., Nancy J. and John W. Dr. Andrew J. served in the war of 1861 to 1865. Mr. Andrew Bostater came to Washington Township in the fall of 1837. At this time the pioneers were Hugh Donley, Jesse Donely, John Doneiy, Widow Donely, Samuel Ridenour, Peter Doud, Zachariah Hurt, James Finley, James Craige and Andrew Finley,who was a great hunter. The first Justice was Samuel Ridenour, as early as the spring of 1838. Mr. Bostater served as Justice of the Peace a number of years at an early day, and was Treasurer two or three terms and Clerk for seine time. Mr. Bostater purchased 240 acres of fand in 1837. His present homestead contains about 400 acres, and is well improved and is valuable land.
Isaac Garver was born July 15, 1827, in Fayette County, Ohio, and came to Wayne County in May, 1831, with his parents, Christian and Mary (Kilter) Garver, of Fayette County, Penn. Christian Garver died in Ashland County September 30, 1874, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Garver, his wife, yet survives, and was seventy-eight years old in April, 1883. Mr. Isaac Garver married Miss Hannah Clinker October 3, 1850. She died January 4, 1864, in Washington Township. He married Miss Erneline Cumings November 1, 1864. His family was, by his first wife, Amos C., Leander W., Clarissa (dead), Sloan A., Delilah M. and Frank; and by his second wife, Lucy
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A., Dora B., Sarah L., Isaac O. C. Mr. Garver has been Justice of the Peace about eighteen years. Mr. G. thinks the successive Justices for Washington have been Samuel Ridenour, two terms; Zechariah Hurtt, three terms; Linus Doud, four terms; Thomas Dew, about that time; Isaac Ewings was elected two terms. The present Justices are William Ufer and Isaac Garver.
William Pearce, Sr., was born in Fayette County, Penn., December 27, 1780. His children were Rachel (dead), Jane (dead), Andrew, Mary (dead), Elizabeth (dead), William N., Thomas R. (dead), Margaret, Mathew K., Joseph H. William Pearce, Sr., and family came to Washington Township, Defiance County, in 1836, and entered 160 acres of land, near where John Goller now lives. Mr. P. died in three weeks after he came, aged about fifty-seven years. His family remained a short time after his death, then returned to Richland County, thence to Van Wert County, and in 1844 to La Grange County, Ind. In 1846, Mrs. P. and three children returned to Washington Township. Mrs. P. died there April 17, 1868, aged eighty-seven years. William N., Margaret and Mathew are still living in Washington Township. Margaret Peirce, February 28, 1839, married Levi Tarr, of Richland County, Ohio. He came to Washington Township in the fall of 1844. Mr. T. resided here until his death, which occurred June 8, 1848. His children were Mary, Levina (dead), Caroline and Samuel-all grown. Samuel lives with his mother in Washington Township. William Pearce, Jr., says that when they came, in 1836, Washington Township had but nine voters in it; they were James Craige, James Lawrence, Zechariah Hurtt, George Hurtt, Andrew Findley, William Pearce, Sr., Andrew Peirce, William Pearce, Jr., Jesse Donley. Of these, Andrew and William Pearce, Jr., are the only ones living. Mr. Pearce thinks Zechariah Hurtt was Justice at that time. Mrs. Levi Tarr has in her possession the remains of a chest which, it is said by good authority, once belonged to Gen. Burgoyne, and was purchased. by William Pearce at a Government sale. It has evidently been used, as it is bound securely with iron hoops. William N. Pearce was born April 10, 1815, and married Nancy Slater January 13. 184.5. Their children were Margaret,-born in 1845 (deceased); Mary Jane. born December 18, 1847; Thomas, born March 8, 1850 (deceased); Martha Ellen, born July 20, 1853 (deceased); Sadie Elizabeth, born in July, 1858. Mrs. Pearce died August 22, 1858. Mr. Pearce is still a resident of Washington Township.
Philip Strawser was born rn Ross County, Ohio. July 14, 1840, and came to Washington Township August 27, 1842. He married Miss Susan Dean, of Crawford County, August 27, 1862. Their children are Margaret, Agnes and Clara Manilla. The father was named David Strawser, and his mother's name Rachel Strawser. They came to Defiance County in 1842. Mrs. Strawser's father was Samuel Dean, and her mother's name Margaret Dean. They came to Defiance County about 1858. Philip Strawser was a private in the war of 1861-65, in Company E, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from August, 1863, to July 14, 1865. Mr. Strawser resided in Williams County about one year, when he removed to Washington Township. Mr. David Strawser removed to Williams County ahout 1866, where he yet lives. The family of David Strawser was George W., John, Philip, David (dead), Catharine, William Allen, Albert and Rufus--all grown. Of these, Philip, George W., John and David were in the war of 1861-65. David died at Camp Chase in 1864. Mr. S. states that he recollects of seeing Indians here at the time he came to the county. Mr. David Strawser was a great hunter. All his boys followed in his footsteps in this respect.
Christopher Persin was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 21, 1839, and settled in Washington Township in 1843, and married Miss Delana Bidlack September 15, 1860; has but one child--Franklin W. His wife was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 10, 1842. His father was Francis Persin and his mother Sarah Persin, and they lived in Defiance County about 1843. His wife's father is Samuel Bidlack, and her mother Mary Bidlack. They came to live in this county about 1856. Christopher Persin served in the war of 1861-65, as a private in Company D, in the Thirty-eighth Regiment, for three years, and was discharged in July, 1865. His brothers, Conrad and Frederick, aso served in the Thirty-eighth Regiment, in Company E, the same time. Mr. P. came with his father to this county and settled in Tiffin Township.
John Mason was born in Maryland July 24, 1814, and married, November 14, 1839, in Maryland, to Miss Mary Spissert. Their children were George, William (dead), Amelia, Catharine (dead), Jacob R.. Francis T.. David S., Eva E. and Sarah S. The father of Mr. Mason was Jacob, and his mother Rebecca. The father of Mrs. Mason was David Spissert, and her mother was Eva E. Spissert. They both died in Maryland. George W. Mason was a private in Company D, Thirty-eighth Regiment, in the war of 1861-65, and died July 19, 1862, at Nashville, aged about twenty-one years." Mr. Mason settled in Washington Township, in 1862, on Section 19.
James Gorrell was born in Washington County, Md., March 19, 1790, and came to Washington Township in 1853. He married, the first time, September
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21, 1812, in Pennsylvania, and the second time March 17, 1845. His family was George W. (dead), William and Lucinda. The father of Mr. Gorrell was James Gorrell. and his mother Sarah Gorrell. They died in Pennsylvania. The father of Mrs. G. was John Peterson, and her mother Polly Peterson. Mr. James Gorrell was in the war of 1812, and suffered in the ranks from exposure. Mr. G. lives on Section 2, in Washington Township.
Henry Lorah was born in Wayne County, Ohio, May 16, 1849, and settled in Washington Township in 1867. Married Miss Delila Harding June 11, 1876, his first wife, Catharine Sherg, having died February 14, 1862. His children were Ida E., William W., Daniel I. and Asa C. ; Philip, a step-son. The father of Mr.Lorah was John B. Lorah, now dead, and his mother's name was Elizabeth Lorah; she yet lives in Noble Township. They came to Defiance County about 1847. The father of his wife was Uria Harding, and her mother Sarah Harding; she is dead. They came to Defiance County ahout 1845. Mr. Lorah's great-grandfather served in the American Revolution, and was once elected to Congress. Samuel Lorah served in the war of 1861-65, as private in the Thirty-eighth Regiment, and was killed by a comrade accidentally.
Henry Donley was born in Canada, in May, 1823, and came to Washington Township in 1831, and married Angeline Troxell in 1854, in Washington Township. His children are Delila, Walter and Frank, all living and grown. The father of Mr. Donley was Jesse Donley, and his mother Margaret Donley. His parents are both dead. They settled in the township about 1831. The father of Mrs. Donley was John Troxel, and her mother, Catharine Troxel. They came into the county about 1850, and are now both dead. Jesse Donley, father of Henry, was the first settler in Washington Township, having arrived in 1831.
Andrew Scott was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, June 24, 1824, and settfed in Defiance County in 1870; married Miss Mary K. Thoman, of Columbiana County, January 20, 1847. Their children were F. P., Harriet J., Mavin A., Robert S., Seymour R., Anna A., Hiram A., Charles H., Cloyd H. and Caden D.—all living. His father was Patrick Scott, and his mother Jane Scott. The father of Mrs. Scott was Thomas Thoman. and her mother, Mary Deniston. They never resided in Defiance County. Capt. Andrew Scott commanded a company in the war of 1861-65, in the Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served from enlistment till January, 1865. His company was from Columbiana County. He remained at the head of it during the war. The company consisted of select men and of as fine soldiers as ever marched to the front. The Captain takes quite an active interest in the welfare of his country. The Captain was in twenty-five or thirty battles and skirmishes, with Sherman on his famous "march to the sea," and returned all right.
Mrs. Mary Hanna was born in Franklin County, Ohio, July 14, 1816, and came with her husband, Hezekiah Hanna, to Washington Township, in 1841, and located on Section 13. She married Mr. Hanna in Fairfield County, May 5, 1835. Their children were Mary, Daniel, Caroline, an infant (dead), Angeline (dead), Orlando, George (dead), and John. Her father was Henry Barman, and her mother, Susanna Barman. They never resided in the township of Washington: Her husband's father was James Hanna, and his mother Sophia Hanna; never lived in Defiance County. Mrs. Hanna's father, Henry Barman, was in the war of 1812; Danief Hanna, her son, was a private in Company E, Forty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Militia, in the war of 1861-65, from October, 1861, to January, 1866, and returned uninjured. At the time Mrs. Hanna settled in Section 13, Jesse Donley and others were her neighbors. Mr. Hanna cleared a site for the cabin in 1841, and did much hard work.
Samuel Perry Moon was born in Defiance County in 1837, and his wife in Crawford County. Ohio, June 28, 1839. They were married in this county August 30, 1860. His wife's maiden name was Lydia A. Figley. The names of their children, Rilla, Belle, Hulda, Madora, Amos M., Wallace J., George W., Lyman C. and F. Bostater. The father of Mr. Moon was Jacob, and his mother Elizabeth. The father of his wife was Simon Figley, and her mother Margaret Figley. They settled in Defiance County in 1841. Simon Figley served in the war of 1812. The Moon family were among the early settlers of Washington Township, and some of the family now live in Tiffin Township.
John Kintner was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, December 22, 1825, and came to Washington Township in May, 1844. He married Rebecca Lintz September 17, 1852. Mrs. Kintner was born in Stark County, Ohio. The names of their children are Nancy Jane, Benjamin F., Simon A., Mary C. (dead) and Michael E. (dead). His father is Michael Kintner, and his mother Nancy Kintner. They came to Defiance County in 1824. His wife's father's name was Benjamin Lintz, her mother Rebecca Lintz. They came to this county about 1842. Michael Kintner built the first saw mill in Washington Township, on " Little Lick Creek," on Section 18. This mill ran by water until about 1870.
Mrs. Mary Keller was born in Columbia County, Penn., February 24, 1809, and married to George
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Keller May 26, 1829, in Pennsylvania, and came to this county November, 1845. Mr. Keller died May 24, 1870, aged sixty-nine years. The children of Mrs. Keller were Lydia, Catharine A. (dead), Samuel, Fannie (dead), Charlotte (dead),. John, Margaret Jane (dead), William (dead), Mary E., Rachel, Lucinda, George and Rosalpha. Her father was Archibald Campbell, and her mother, Fannie Campbell. They settled in Defiance County, November, 1845, and are both dead. The husband's father was John Keller, and his wife, Catharine Keller. They lived and died in Wayne County, Ohio. Mrs. Keller's grandfather was in the war of the Revolution. Mrs. K.'s son, Samuel, served as a private in the war, in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Regiment, from August, 1862, to July, 1865. When Mr. and Mrs. Keller settled in Defiance County, it was in Washington Township, which was then a dense forest, upon land where Charles Gofler now lives.
William Donley was born in Athens County, Ohio, December 11, 1833, and came to Washington Township, Ohio, in the spring of 1836, and married Miss Amelia Cummings July 6, 1862. She is dead. He married Miss Lucy McFeters, at Defiance, in 1875. Their children were Arie (dead), Lillie C., Sarah (dead), John W., Ollie (dead), Charles Q., an infant. The first five children were by the first wife, and the last two by the second wife. Mr. Donley's father was John, his mother, Elizabeth. They lived in Defiance County in 1835. The father of Mrs. Donley was Isaac Cummings, and her mother, Sarah. They lived in Defiance County in 1847. William Donley served in the war of 1861-65, as a private in Company F, Forty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from November, 1861, to March, 1862. Mr. Donley's father, John Donley, was one of the first settlers in Washington Township, and a noted hunter.
John Earlston was born in Pennsylvania May 2, 1821, and came to Defiance County in May, 1837. He married Miss Keller in 1853. She is now dead. Their family were Mary, Uretta, Isaac H., George W., William A., Margaret A., William Sherman, James W. Mr. Earlston's father was Isaac; and his mother, Sarah. They both came to this county in 1857. Mrs. Earlston's father was Goerge R. Keller, and her mother, Mary. They were both early settlers. John Earlston's grandfather was in the war of the Revolution. Isaac Earlston, his father, settled on Section 12 when he came into the township of Farmer.
Dr. N. W. Hartshorn was born in Knox County, Ohio, January 20, 1822, and removed from there to Medina County, and from there to Allen County, where he remained to 1.856, when he removed to Putnam County, and from there to Defiance County in 1863, and from there to Kosciusko County, Ind., and then returned to Georgetown, Defiance County, where he has since remained in practice. He studied medicine with Drs. Harper and McHenry, of Lima, thirty-five years ago. A Dr. Calkins practiced in Georgetown about six years, from 1855 to 1860.
George Goller was born in Germany, October 25, 1827. Be lived for some time with his parents in Medina County, Ohio, where he married Miss Mary Strahle, June 3, 1850. They came to Defiance County in 1854. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Goller came to Defiance County the same year. Mr. Goller's parents, Michael Goller and Barbara Goller, are both dead. Mrs. Goller's parents, George Strahle and Mary Strahle, are also dead. Mr. Goller's family consisted of Louisa, Julia (dead), George J., Mary Ella, Frank M., Charles A. and Reuhen S. When Mr. Goller came to Defiance County, he purchased eighty acres of land where he now resides. This land had never been improved; Mr. Goller has improved it himself and built the first cabin and worked the first steam saw mill in the township. He has also heen Trustee about nine years and Assessor several times.
S. K. Beattie, farmer, P. O. Williams Center, was born in Cumberland Valley, Penn., in 1820, and is a son of Robert and Mary Beattie, natives of Pennsylvania, who were of Irish descent. Our subject resided in the above State until 1833, when he removed to near Mansfield, Ohio, where he lived until 1846, at which time he came to Williams Center, and two years later settled in Washington Township, where he bought land, which he cleared up. At present, he owns 120 acres of highly cultivated and well-improved land. He has served as Treasurer of the township twenty-one years, one term as Justice of the Peace, and Trustee and Assessor a number of terms each. He was married in 1842 to Miss Sarah J., daughter of William Carrothers, of Richland County, Ohio, who has borne him seven children, five of whom are living, viz.,Joseph H., Elizabeth M., Samuel W., John L. and Cena. Sarah H. and Robert, deceased. Mr. Beattie is one of the selfmade men of the county, he having begun life poor. Politically, he has always voted with the Democratic party.