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whose public schools he was educated. He remained at home until thirty-one years of age, at which time he was married and after that event he rented a farm in North Bloomfield township, on which he resided for the ensuing four years. In 1893 he purchased a tract of forty acres in Washington township and subsequently he purchased more land, so that he now owns and operates a fine estate of two hundred and thirty-five acres of highly cultivated land. In politics he endorses the cause of the Democratic party and he has been honored by his fellow citizens with various local offices of trust and responsibility, among them being those of land appraiser, school director for the past four years, constable and justice of the peace. On the 8th of November, 1910, he was elected as a member of the board of infirmary directors. Fraternally he is a member of the Washington Grange, No. 1728.
On September 26, 1890, Mr. Goodrich was united in marriage to Miss Rosina Parks, who was born in North Bloomfield township, July 31, 1873, and who was reared and educated in Wood and Sandusky counties, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Goodrich became the parents of three children one of whom is deceased, namely : Calvin, born in 1892 and who died in infancy ; Elmer A., born September 9, 1890, remains at home, as does also Drucilla J., whose birth occurred September 6, 1898.
Mr. Goodrich has been a hard worker all his life and he is a good manager and a good financier. He is a man of broad information and much kindliness of spirit and he and his wife are numbered among the best known and most influential citizens of this county.
BURTON C. RAMEY.—It is but mete that in a history of the careers of representative citizens of Morrow county, Ohio, be accorded recognition to him whose name initiates this review. Mr. Ramey has resided on his splendid country estate in South Bloomfield township during practically his entire life time, and the same is one of the model farms in this section of the country. It comprises one hundred and forty-four acres and is in a high state of cultivation, the substantial buildings and general air of thrift which pervades the place being the best evidence of Mr. Ramey's ability as a practical agriculturist.
Burton C. Ramey is a son of Alonzo Ramey and he was born on a farm in Knox county, Ohio, on the 4th of January, 1868. Alonzo Ramey was a grandson of Peter Kile, one of the oldest settlers in South Bloomfield township, and he was born in 1842, a son of T. A. and Melinda (Kile) Ramey. Peter Kile was the father of ten children, namely : John Reason, Melinda (Mrs. T. A. Ramey), Simon, Washington, Ransom, Harvey, Catherine, Mary E. and Wiliam W. Alonzo Ramey was one in a family of six children : Alonzo, Armida, Washington, Brown, Emmett and Orpha. He farmed until he was twenty years of age and he then, in 1862,
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enlisted as a soldier in the Ninety-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving with all of gallantry and faithfulness for a period of ten months, at the expiration of which he was so reduced by disease that he was discharged and mustered out of service. Thereafter he was an inmate of the parental home until his marriage. October 4, 1864, to Miss Sarah A. Mortlev, a niece of David Mortley, who wrote the constitution of Ohio and who was long actively connected with the progress and development of the old Buckeye state. Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo Ramey became the parents of two children: Delma, born July 9, 1865 ; and Burton C., the subject of this review. Mr. Ramey passed his life as a farmer and he resided upon the old Peter Kile estate until his death, March 3, 1907.
Mr. Ramey, of this notice, was reared to the sturdy discipline of the home farm, in the work and management of which he early became associated with his father. His educational advantages consisted of such privileges as were afforded in the public schools of his native place and after his marriage, in 1890, he assumed active charge of the old home farm, upon which he has resided during the long intervening years to the present time. This estate was the first tract of land to be cntered in this section of Morrow county, the original owner having been Peter Kile, great-grandfather of Mr. Ramey. It is interesting to note that Mr. Ramey has in his possession the old sheep-skin deed, signed by President James Monroe, which Mr. Peter Kile received when he settled here. Diversified farming and the raising of high-grade Delaine sheep occupy Mr. Ramey's working hours and he holds prestige as one of the most successful farmers in this vicinity.
On the 9th of October, 1890, Mr. Ramey was united in marriage to Miss Belle Bockover, who was born and reared at Sparta, the date of her nativity being the 25th of December, 1872. She is a daughter of James and Mary Bockover, of Chester township. Mr. and Mrs. Ramey have one son, Homer A., whose birth occurred on the 2nd of March, 1892. He was graduated in the Sparta High School as a member of the class of 1908 and for one year was a student in the Parkville University, at Kansas City, Missouri. He is now engaged in teaching in the public schools of this county and in the same is achieving marked success. He has remarkable talent in public speaking and is known throughout this section of the state as the young boy orator. He has a magnetic voice and personality, has a wonderful command of language and his eloquent manner of presenting his speeches has been the means of winning to him numerous medals in the various contests in which he has participated. In August, 1906, he was presented with a silver medal at Sparta ; in the following October he won a gold medal at. Mount Gilead; in August, 1907, at Levering, Ohio, he won the grand gold medal in the Women's Christian Temperance Union contest ; at a contest at Steubenville, Ohio, he won second place; and in November, 1907, he was chosen from seven candidates as
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the winner of the diamond medal at Nashville, Tennessee. In th last-mentioned contest seven states were represented: Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Texas, and the finals were held at Nashville, Tennessee, on the 9th of November 1907. In this contest Mr. Ramey was awarded the diamond medal and he had the honor of meeting personally the governor of Tennessee, who heartily congratulated him for his success. A brilliant future is predicted for this gifted son of Ohio.
In his political adherency Mr. Ramey accords a stanch allegiance to the cause of the Republican party and he is an ardent sympathizer with all measures and enterprises advanced for the general welfare of the community. In a fraternal way he is connected with the Sons of Veterans at Mount Vernon, Ohio. He and his wife are popular and prominent factors in connection with the best social activities of their home township and hold a secure vantage ground in the confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Rainey have four of the old parchment deeds, the oldest one being signed by President James Monroe, April, 1819. Two of 1834, are signed by President Andrew Jackson, and the other signed by President John Quincy Adams. This makes twelve of the old heirloom deeds found in Morrow county and they are valuable documents.
WILLIAM J. LANGDON.—Among the native sons of Morrow county who have shown full appreciation of its attractions and advantages and have here found ample scope for productive effort in connection with the great industry of agriculture is Mr. Langdon, who is one of the progressive farmers and stock-growers of Gilead township, where he owns ninety acres of the old homestead farm on which he was born and where he occupies the residence in which he was ushered into the world on the 2d of August, 1876.
William J. Langdon is a son of Samuel and Hattie (Jaggers) Langdon, the former of whom was born in St. Joseph county Michigan, where his parents settled in the early pioneer days, and the latter of whom was born and reared in Licking county, Ohio, their marriage having been solemnized on the 23d of March, 1865. Of the three children it may be recorded that Robert, the eldest of the number, is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Morrow county; Nellie died at the age of ten months; and William J., of this sketch, is the youngest. The father is a resident of Morrow county and an agriculturalist. His wife died April 4, 1910. Both were earnest and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Samuel Langdon is numbered among the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Gilead township and is influential in local affairs of a public nature. He was a child at the time of his father's death and was reared to manhood in the home of Robert Stanley, of Morrow county, Ohio, whither he came in the year 1839. He remained on the farm of his foster-father
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until he had attained to his legal majority, and in the meanwhile he attended the district schools during the winter terms, when his services were not in requisition in connection with the work of the farm. When twenty-two years of age, in company with two other young men, he went to Iowa, making the overland trip with team and wagon, and in Mahaska county, that state, he secured a quarter section of government land. He remained in Iowa five months and then returned to Ohio, where he finally purchased a farm, but at the age of twenty-eight years he returned to Michigan, his native state, where he remained four years, at the expiration of which he sold the farm which he had there acquired and came again to Ohio. In 1874 he purchased the fine homestead farm in Gilead township, Morrow county, and this owes the major part of its excellent improvement to his well directed energies and good management. He has had boundless capacity for work and he won success through the legitimate application of his excellent mental and physical forces, the while his life in all relations has been guided and governed by lofty principles of integrity and honor. His name merits an enduring place on the roll of the sterling citizens who have lived and labored to goodly ends' in Morrow county.
William J. Langdon was reared to manhood on the homestead farm which he now owns and its discipline was most benignant, giving him an enduring appreciation of the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor. The public schools of his native township afforded him his early educational advantages, and he contmued to attend school at intervals until he was twenty years of age, his training having included a partial course in the high school in Mount Gilead. As a boy he began to assist in the work of the home farm and he has continued to be associated in its work and management. He has been the owner of ninety acres of the old homestead since 1910, and in thrift and enterprise, as well as in personal integrity, he has well upheld the prestige of the name which he bears. He gives his attention to diversified agriculture and the raising of excellent grades of live stock, and, as already stated, is one of the representative farmers of his native county, where his circle of friends coincides with that of his acquaintances.
Liberal and public-spirited as a citizen but never ambitious for political office, Mr. Langdon gives his support to all measures advanced for the general good of the community. He was originally a Democrat in his political proclivities but recently he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party, of whose cause he has since been a stanch supporter, in so fax as national and state issues are involved, while in local affairs he votes for men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment. Both he and his wife are earnest and zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Boundary, and he has served as class-leader in the same. On the 26th of November, 1898, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Langdon to Miss Emma Fogle, who was born in Harmony
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township, this county, on the 6th of February, 1880, and who is a daughter of William Fogle, a representative farmer of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Langdon have three children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here noted : Ralph, June 5, 1900; Bertha, June 13, 1902 ; and Nellie, May 19, 1904.
MAHALA D. GORDON.—Among the many families of Chester township whose individual histories are pleasantly interwoven are eminent the families of Gordon and Gardner, of the former Mrs. Mahala Gordon, a venerable and much honored lady being a widely known Wand admirable representative. Her husband, the late Sidney Gordon, was born near Fredericktown, Ohio, June 24, 1831. He was the son of William and Mary (Hedden) Gordon, the former of whom was a native of Manchester, England, and the latter of New York. Sidney's brothers and sisters were Nelson, Elmer, Emeline, Marvin, William, Melissa and Hannah.
Sidney Gordon's father ran away from home in England at the age of seven years, because of a whipping administered to him by his father, joining his uncle on a whaling expedition and remaining for some time upon the "bounding main." A number of years later he enlisted in the English army as a private, this step at first greatly incensing his father, who was a rich silk manufacturer and who desired to have him go into business. One day when his company was lined up for roll call, an officer rode up in front of the ranks and called out the name of William Gordon, summoning him to headquarters. He went in fear and trembling, anticipating trouble, but he was agreeably surprised to learn that he had been promoted to a lieutenancy, the rank having been purchased for him by his father. He was a good soldier, doing service for over seven years and being finally promoted to the rank of captain. The English government offered a large reward to the man who would kill their enemy, Napolean Bonaparte, and upon one occasion upon the battlefield young Gordon was near "The Little Corsican" and had an excellent opportunity to do his country the great service. As he was raising his musket, Bonaparte saw him and gave him the sign of the Orangemen. This had the desired restraining effect as Gordon was of that order. Fearing the English government would learn of his failure of duty, he left the army after peace was declared and sailed for America, his mother previously packing a Bible among his effects, which is one of the chiefest treasures of the Gordon home at the present day and which bears upon the fly-leaf, "Published in Cambridge, England, 1760." William Gordon was a man of fiery temper and unbending will, but he was possessed of sterling principles. His experiences with the Catholics in the Irish insurrection made him ever after on his guard against them, and he sometimes referred to them as a foe which never slept. One feautre of a remarkable life was the fact that he lived to amazing length of years, being one
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hundred and nine years of age at the time he was summoned to the Great Beyond. He engaged in agriculture and resided during his life in America in New York, New Jersey and Ohio.
Sidney Gordon, a son of the foregoing, married Miss Mahala Gardner, who was born September 12, 1833. She was the daughter of John and Rachel (Mockabee) Gardner, natives of Ohio, and besides a sister, Martha, she had three brothers, Nelson, Charlie and Melville, who were soldiers in the Civil war, their service extending over nearly the entire period. Sidney Gordon, like his father, was a valient soldier, enlisting at the time of the war between the states as a member of Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His wife was left with six small children bravely to face the problems of existence during his absence.
After the marriage of Sidney and Mahala they resided for ten years with the parents of the former. They then removed to Iowa, where they purchased three hundred and sixty acres of land, but they remained in the new state only about a year. They returned at the desire of Father and Mother Gordon, who wished to feel that they were near them in their old age, and the younger people cared for the older for thirty years, for they lived to an advanced age. William Gordon's wife was a venerable lady of wonderfully sweet and kind disposition and during the thirty years in which her children lived with her they never knew her to be angry.
Sidney and Mahala Gordon became the parents of seven children : Rosa, the eldest who died at the age of thirty-six years; Helen ; John, Herbert, Charlie, Sidney and Mary. Helen married Robert Zolman and resides at Pulaskiville, their offspring being Walter, Eddie, Freeman, Lloyd, Maud and Grace. John, who makes his home near Chesterville, married Lucy Selover and their children are May, Maud, Ada and Harry, Herbert married Gustavia McLaughlin and their residence is in Butler, Ohio. Charlie married Elizabeth Ackerman and is the proprietor of a furniture store at Mansfield. They have one son, Fred. Sidney resides on the old home place. He married Lola Squires, who, dying, left one daughter, Bertha. He was married a second time, Maggie Hartman becoming his wife. Mary became the wife of L. B. Shurr, proprietor of Rogers Lake, a popular summer resort. The demise of the elder Mr. Gordon occurred on August 28, 1905, and his widow occupies their home in Chesterville, surrounded by hosts of friends. She and her family have ever been held in high esteem and are regarded as of the finest type of citizenship.
JOHN W. GARBERICH.—Holding a place of prominence among the more intelligent and progressive agriculturists of Morrow county stands John W. Garberich, who is known throughout this section of the Buckeye state as a successful horse breeder and
Vol. II-16
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trainer, a subject to which he has given much thought and attention and on which he is considered an authority. His fine farm is beautifully located in Washington township, about six miles southwest of Galion, and is well equipped and well kept, everything about the premises indicating the thrift, industry and keen judgment of the proprietor. He was born April 24, 1868. in Polk township, Crawford county, Ohio, a son of Isaac Garberich.
His grandfather, John Garberich, was born and reared in Germany. Immigrating to the United States, he lived for a while in Pennsylvania. In 1829 he came with his family to Ohio, locating in Crawford county when it was still in its virgin wildness, two small log cabins being the only buildings standing on the present site of the beautiful city of Galion. He had the distinction of being among the first white man to settle west of Galion, and it took him and his helpers two days to cut a way through the trackless woods to the homestead two miles distant, which he secured from the government. Taking up one hundred and sixty acres of dense woodland, he made .an opening in which to erect a log cabin and began the improvement of a farm from the forest. He succeeded well, and about 1831 or 1832 he erected a brick house, which is still standing, manufacturing the bricks on his farm. Endowed with true German thrift, he succeeded in his agricultural labors, and was known as one of the best and most progressive farmers of his times. He married Elizabeth Ruhl, also a native of the Fatherland, and to them were born seven children, Isaac having been one of the younger members of the parental household.
As soon as old enought to wield an axe or hoe, Isaac Garberich began to assist his father in the pioneer task of hewing a farm from the wilderness, remaining at home until ready to establish a household of his own. He then bought land adjoining his father's estate, and was there engaged in general farming during his remaining days. To him and his good wife, whose maiden name was Susan Smith, nine children were born, namely : Martha, wife of Henry Hagerman, of Tiro, Ohio; Sarah, wife of Amos Dice, of Galion ; Ella, wife of George Hesser, of Crestline ; W. 0., of Stillwater, Oklahoma; B. F., engaged in farming on the old homestead ; Eva, wife of Cal McClure, of Crawford county ; Bertha, wife of Frank Kieffer, of Crawford county; Minnie, wife of John Albright, of Pennsylvania ; and John W., the subject of this brief personal record.
Brought up on the home farm, John W. Garberich in common with the boys of his neighborhood attended the district school throughout the days of his youth, in the meantime becoming familiar with the different branches of agriculture. Choosing the occupation of his ancestors, he saved his money and at the age of twenty-five years bought a farm in Whetstone township, Crawford county, where he carried on general farming and stock-raising with excellent pecuniary results until the spring of 1907. Dispos-
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ing then of that property, Mr. Garberich purchased two hundred and twelve and one-half acres of land in Washington township, Morrow county, six miles southwest of Galion, where he has since resided. His improvements and appointments are among the best in the vicinity, his stables and barns being models of convenience and comfort, and his buildings especially adapted to his needs as a stock raiser and farmer. Mr. Garberich is a lover of animals, and in the breeding and raising of horses has had excellent success. He has in his stables some of the finest Percheron and Belgium horses to be found in the country, and is justly proud of his stud. He also breeds cattle and hogs, keeping the Jersey-Duroc hogs and Hereford cattle.
Mr. Garberich has been twice married. He married first Elizabeth Kieffer, a bright and charming woman who at her death in 1899 left five children, namely : Walter, Irving, Mildred, Clyde and Frankie, all of whom are at home. Mr. Garberich married second Laura B. Shoemaker, and to them one child, Robert, has been born. Politically Mr. Garberich is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for public honors. Socially he belongs to the Galion Grange. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Garberich are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Iberia.
JOHN B. CULP.—Numbered among the valued and highly esteemed residents of Morrow county is John B. Culp, a well-to-do agriculturist of Westfield township. He was born June 7, 1838, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, a son of Andrew Culp.
Andrew Culp, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Cumberland county in 1809, and was reared to agricultural pursuits. He carried on general farming in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, until about 1859, when he came with his family to Ohio, where he spent his remaining years, passing away February 10, 1890. He married Leah Beam, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and died in Ohio in February, 1867. Eight children were born of their union, as follows : Catherine S., who married Michael Hoke ; Fannie became the wife of John Phillips ; Maria married Jacob Smith ; Sarah became the wife of Edward Robinson; John B., the special subject of this brief personal review ; Samuel, a soldier in the Civil war, died at Washington, D. C.; Simon and George.
Growing to manhood on the home farm, John B. Culp obtained his education in the district schools, attending the winter terms only, his help being needed at home during seed time and harvest. At the age of twenty years he came with the family to Ohio, locating in Marion county. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred And Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, commanded by General William Tecumseh Sherman. With his regiment he took part in numerous engagements, including the battles at Over-
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alls Creek and Murfreesboro and the one at Wise's Cross Road. At Murfreesboro, Mr. Culp was wounded in the left foot, the bullet which penetrated it being still in his possession. He now receives a pension of fifteen dollars a month. Receiving his honorable discharge from service at the close of the war, Mr. Culp returned to Marion county, where he lived until 1866. He subsequently spent a short time in Waldo, Mississippi, where he was an engineer and a blacksmith. On coming to Morrow county, soon after his marriage, he settled in Westfield township, where he has since been prosperously engaged in tilling the soil, his well-kept farm of fifty acres lying five miles northwest of Ashley.
Mr. Culp has been twice married. He married Catherine Strine, who died in September, 1865, leaving no children. Mr. Culp married for his second wife, November 6, 1866, Mrs. Margaret (Strine) Waddle, a sister of his first wife and the widow of Isaac Waddle, who at his death left her with three children, namely : John S. Waddle, born July 5, 1854; James G., born September 9, 1856; and Benjamin I., born September 11, 1858.
Mrs. Culp's father, John Strine, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and died in Marion county, Ohio, June 7, 1888. He married Mary Monosmith, who was born in the same county, in 1807, and died in Marion county. Ohio, June 9, 1886. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows : Catherine, the first wife of Mr. Culp ; Margaret, now Mrs. Culp, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, April 5, 1834; Elizabeth ; Nancy J.; Mary M.; Jacob ; John M. ; James ; Peter ; Martin and Henderson, Jacob, Peter and John M. all served as soldiers in the Civil war, Peter losing his life in the battle at Kenesaw Mountain.
Mr. and Mrs. Culp have no children. Politically Mr. Culp supports the principles of the Democratic party, and has filled various local offices to the satisfaction of the people, including those of township trustee and assessor. He is well known throughout this section of the county, and both he and his estimable wife are held in high regard.
RANDALL L. BEARD.—An industrious, enterprising farmer of Morrow county, Randall L. Beard is an excellent representative of the agricultural community of Bennington township, in the prosecution of his independent calling having met with signal success, at the same time winning the respect and esteem of his neighbors and friends. He is a native of this section of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Morrow county, December 20, 1851. His father, Reuben Beard, born June 2, 1805, married Eliza Loveland, whose borth occurred October 19, 1810. The parents lived on a farm in this vicinity, and here brought up their family of six children, two of whom, in 1911, are still living, namely Randall L., of this sketch, and Lucinda, wife of Abram Harran, of Columbus, Ohio.
Brought up in Bennington township, Randall L, Beard profited
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“THE MAPLE GROVE FARM,” RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. R. L. BEARD
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by the facilities afforded him in his youthful days to obtain an education, attending the winter terms of the district schools until sixteen years old, when he began doing a man's work on the home farm. Finding the occupation a most congenial one, he has continued an agriculturist until the present day. Prosperity has smiled upon his efforts, his home estate containing one hundred and seventy acres of as fine farming land as can be found in the locality, and this under his intelligent management has been highly cultivated and improved. Mr. Beard formerly owned two hundred and seventy acres of land, but when his children married he assisted them in establishing homes of their own by giving them either money or its equivalent in land.
On February 16, 1870, Mr. Beard married Sarah M. Frost, who was born in Bennington township, April 24, 1852, and was reared on the farm of her parents, Alfred and Sarah J. (Price) Frost. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have three children living, namely : Manley, born November 26, 1870, married Ida Corwin, and resides in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county ; Alice, born June 6, 1879, is the wife of B. J. Knouff, of Centerburg, Ohio ; and Anzy, born June 13, 1889, married Bertha Dunham, and lives in Bennington township.
Mr. and Mrs. Beard occupy an assured position in the community in which they reside, and are consistent members of the Christian church of Sparta. In his political relations Mr. Beard is identified with the Republican party. He has served three years as assessor of the township, and was appointed township trustee. Fraternally he is a member of Marengo Lodge, No. 216, Knights of Pythias.
WARREN SWETLAND.—Many people gain wealth in this world, many gain distinction in the learned professions, and many are honored with public offices of trust and responsibility, but to few is it given to attain so high a place in the esteem and affection of their fellow citizens as that enjoyed by Mr. and Mrs. Warren Swetland, who are known throughout Morrow county as Uncle Warren and Aunt Margaret. Their spacious and comfortable residence in South Bloomfield township is widely renowned for its generous hospitality and is often referred to as the "Orphans Home," hospice having frequently been given to those unfortunates, who at an early age, have been bereft of their parents. Farming and sheep-growing have ever been Mr. Swetland's chief occupation and he is prominent throughout the state as an authority on wool.
A native son of the fine old Buckeye state, Warren Swetland was born in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, on the 24th of April, 1834, and he is a son of Giles and Sarah (Lewis) Swetland, the former of whom died in 1881 and the latter of whom was summoned to life eternal in 1864. Of the six children born to Giles and Sarah (Lewis) Swetland, five are living in 1911, namely ;
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Byram, aged eighty-six ; Joseph C., aged Eighty-two years, is mentioned on other pages of this work; Emily is eighty years, of age; Warren, aged seventy-six, is the immediate subject of this review; and William, who is represented elsewhere. Lambert died at the age of twenty-two. The Swetland families living in Morrow county are the edscendants of Artemas and Lydia (Abbott) Swetland, who immigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1810, location having been made in Delaware county, whence removal was made to South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, in 1818. Artemas Swetland engaged in farming and resided in South Blomfield township until his death. He was survived by a family of four sons and one daughter : Augustus W., Giles (father of Warren), Fuller, Seth and Manilla. Concerning some of the early adventures of the Swetland family the following extract is here incorporated from an article which appeared in a history of Morrow county, under date of 1880.
"Artemas Swetland, the grandfather of Warren, when a boy was in the fort at the Wyoming massacre and escaped death only by remaining with his father, Luke, who was on picket duty inside. Warren's great-grandfather, Abbott, was murdered shortly after this by the savages. When the Indian scare was over the settlers began to return to their farms. One day, while at work in the field with another pioneer, Mr. Abbott saw the Indians coming and started to run, but was shot, crippled, overtaken by them, and dispatched with a tomahawk. Artemas Swetland was in the war of 1812, enlisting while in Delaware county, Ohio. He was one of the first settlers in South Bloomfield township, and his sons, Augustus, Giles and Seth, vividly remember the hardships through which they passed in their new home in the wilderness.
Luke Swetland, the great-grandfather of Warren Swetland, was known during his life time as the Seneca captive. While returning home from a mill in the Wyoming Valley, in Pennsylvania, he was taken prisoner by the Seneca Indians and carried off to Seneca Lake, in New York, where he was detained for one year and two days before he managed to make his escape. He was taken into camp and adopted by an aged squaw as her son. Not exactly pleased with that state of affairs he was constantly on the alert for a chance to make his escape and finally he met with a detachment of Continental soldiers, commanded by Captain Robert Dunkle and Samuel Ransom, in 1777. This force of soldiers gave him the succor required and subsequently he was conveyed to New Jersey, where he joined Washington's army and saw active service in the war of the Revolution. He was at Valley Forge during the strenuous winter of 1777-8 and saw a great deal of service before the close of the war. Relief was sent to Wyoming at the time of the massacre, in 1878, but the soldiers arrived too late to be of any assistance.
As a youth Warren Swetland availed himself of the advantages afforded in the district schools of South Bloomfield township and
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thereafter he engaged in agricultural operations. He has resided on his present fine estate of one hundred ad eighty-six acres in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county, since 1857 and is still giving the work of the place an active supervision. In connection with diversified agriculture he has devoted considerable time to sheep-growing, being known the county over for his success in the breeding of Delaine sheep. On different occasions he has been requested to send samples of his wool to the state wool commission, and he has in his own possession samples from every prominent wool-grower in the world. During his extensive travels he has visited important sheep ranches throughout the universe and each place has contributed some new idea to his vast fund of knowledge in regard to sheep-raising. Mr. Swetland, besides the raising of a fine grade of sheep, has sheared sheep each year himself for sixty-six years without the loss of a single year. Possibly there is not another man in the Middle West who has such a record.
On the 1st of February, 1857, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Swetland to Miss Margaret A. Thomas, who was born in Chester township, Morrow county, on the 31st of July, 1836, and who is a daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann (Davis) Thomas. The mother was a daughter of David and Margaret Davis and she was born in the little country of Wales on the 6th of December, 1813. She was called to her reward on the 8th of January, 1902, and an interesting fact about her personality is that just prior to her death she wrote her own obituary. She was one of the pioneer teachers in this section of the state, walking one mile and a half to the scene of her labors and receiving in. return for her services the meager salary of one and a half dollars per week. David and Margaret Davis, grandparents of Mrs. Swetland, came to America from Wales and landed at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1820. Mary Ann Thomas was born December 6, 1813, and died January 8, 1892. She, with her parents, David and Margaret Davis, and one brother came to America in 1820, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, where they resided for six years. Then they started for Ohio, coming via Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Davis died in 1827. After his death the grandmother married Henry George, in 1833, and they resided on a farm in Chester township during the remainder of their lives. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas were devout members of the Baptist church, in whose faith Mrs. Swetland was reared, but she became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1858. Mr. Swetland joined the Methodist Episcopal church in 1855, and he and his wife are very prominent factors in all activities of a religious nature, he having been class leader and a steward in the Sparta church of that denomination for the past fifty years. Mr. and Mrs. Swetland have no children of their own but they raised and educated an orphan girl, named Arrilla Lewis, who is an own cousin of Mr. Swetland and who became the wife of Daniel Potts in 1869. She now resides near Sparta, Ohio.
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In politics Mr. Swetland was originally a Democrat but he now accords an uncompromising allegiance to the Prohibition party, and while he has never been moved with a desire for political preferment of any description he is ever on the alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with all projects advanced for the good of the community and county at large. Mr. and Mrs. Swetland have traveled extensively in various parts of the world and they can relate many interesting incidents in connection therewith. They are both very kind hearted and hospitable, contributing generously of their time and means to all worthy philanthropical movements, and no one who solicits their help is sent away unaided. Their place of abode is known as the "Orphans Home" and they are everywhere known as Uncle Warren and Aunt Margaret. Their broad human sympathy penetrates every nook and corner and nothing but goodness radiates from their hearts. It may truly be said concerning them that the circle of their friends is coincident with that of their acquaintances.
JAMES R. PORTER.—Living on his pleasant homestead in Westfield township, James R. Porter is numbered among the successful and enterprising agriculturists of Morrow county, where for many years he has been actively engaged in the cultivation of the soil A native of Ohio, he was born June 9, 1849, in Delaware county, and there brought up and educated.
His father, James Porter, was born in Pennsylvania, and while young came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Delaware county in pioneer days and there spending the remainder of his life, during his active career being engaged in general farming. He married Eliza Kane, who was also born in Pennsylvania, and when a child was brought by her parents to Delaware county, Ohio. She died on the home farm in Delaware county, and her body was laid to rest beside that of her husband in the Marlboro church yard. Of the five children born of their union, three are living, as follows : Elizabeth, wife of Lester Olds, of Kansas ; Henry W., of Arkansas, and James R.
James R. Porter became familiar with the three "rs" in the district school. Left fatherless at the age of thirteen years, he assumed a large part of the responsibility of the care of the family, and until his own marriage had charge of the home farm. Coming to Morrow county, he located in Westfield township, where he now has a well-improved and highly productive farm of sixty-five acres, which he is managing most successfully, each year gathering abundant harvests. He is a general farmer, but pays considerable attention to the raising of stock, which he finds a profitable industry, He is a Democrat in politics and a strong advocate of all measures calculated to advance the interests of the community.
Mr. Porter married, in 1869, Sarah. Claypool, who has passed to the life beyond, her death occurring on the home farm October
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24, 1907. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Porter, namely : Laura, wife of William Blake, of Delaware county, Ohio ; Hattie, wife of Frank Mayfield ; Bertha, living at home ; Addie, who after graduation from the Ashley High School taught school for a time, is the wife of Ralph Riley ; and Minnie, who was graduated from the Ashley High School and afterwards took a corn-. mercial course at Valparaiso, Indiana, is now a bookkeeper in Cleveland, Ohio.
LEWIS MILLER.—The German is rightly regarded as one of America's most valuable sources of immigration, the typical citizen of German birth and parentage bringing to the nation those characteristics necessary to the best civilization. To this class belongs Lewis Miller, a progressive agriculturist and good citizen of Troy township, whose birth occurred in Prussia, Germany, January 10, 1838, his parents being William and Margaret (Baker) Miller. Mr. Miller, now a gentleman of venerable years, was but ten years of age when the family made their migration to the new country, of whose opportunity they hoped much, the year of the event being 1848. They found their way to Ohio and located near West Point, Morrow county, where the head of the house secured land and engaged in farming. Mr. Miller received the rudiments of his education in the excellent schools of the Fatherland and he never found an opportunity to attend school after coming to the United States, what additional education he obtained being gained incidentally. Life in a new land, with strange customs and another language, was indeed strenuous and earning a livlihood was the first consideration.
Mr. Miller remained beneath the home roof until he became twenty-two years of age. About the year 1861 he secured work on a farm and received for his services thirteen dollars a month, a large part of which modest wage he was able to save. Afterward he hired his services to George Lefever and worked for him two years and then for a time worked for other parties by the month. By the exercise of the utmost diligence and thrift he saved eight hundred dollars and with this purchased forty acres of very desirable land, for which he paid one thousand dollars and which he eventually sold for one thousand, five hundred dollars. He has become one of the succesful farmers of the locality, owning one hundred and sixty-three and one-half acres at the present time and having sold forty acres to each of his sons.
On March 23, 1865, Mr. Miller laid the foundation of a happy home life by his marriage to Margaret A. Longstreth, who was born in Brush Creek township, Muskingum county, Ohio, October 11, 1844, this worthy lady, like her husband, being a descendant of sturdy German stock. She was reared in Muskingum county until the age of eighteen years and then came to Canaan township to care for her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs.. Thomas Patten, in their declining
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years. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have reared a large family of children, eleven sons and daughters having been born to them, and seven are surviving at the present day. Carrie B. is the wife of Mima Bigler; Ida E., is the wife of Jacob Warrick; Sarah S., is the wife of William Hershner; Miss Martha J. is at home ; Charles L. married Nora M. Carpenter; Frank L is single and at home ; and Amanda M. is the wife of Elmer Sipes. All the children have secured the good common school education afforded by the county. The deceased children of Mr. and Mrs. Miller are Thomas L., Rosanna, who became the wife of Harvey Hershner and died February 5, 1893; Mary A., who died March 2, 1893, and George, who died July 21, 1904.
The Miller family attends the Methodist Episcopal church at Steam Corners and are valuable in its work. The head of the house gives allegiance to the Democratic party and is public-spirited and a supporter of all good causes. The family is widely and favorably known in the county in which their interests have so long been centered.
JOHN MCCAUSLAND.—John McCausland, who for fourteen years has been the genial and efficient post master of Chesterville and who is also the proprietor of a well-managed hardware store, has been in business here longer than any other man in the place. In other days, previous to becoming identified with the grocery business, he was a photographer. This much respected citizen is a veteran of the Civil war, having given his services almost throughout the entire course of that conflict.
Mr. McCausland was born in Congress township, Richland now Morrow county, on the 12th day of July, 1838, the son of David and Mary (McClaren) McCausland, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Scotland. When young people they answered the beckon of opportunity from the shores of the New World, the year in which they took up their residence in America being 1833. They eventually found their way to Ohio and five years after their arrival upon our shores the birth of the subject occurred. They, became the parents of eight children, four of whom died in infancy and the four surviving being James, John, Elizabeth and Margaret. These boys and girls attended the district school in Congress township called Miracle School.
Mr. McCausland assumed the responsibilities of a married man on the 14th day of June, 1864, when occurred his union with Henrietta Smith, daughter of John A. and Mary M. (Baker) Smith, natives of the state of Maryland. Mrs. McCausland was one of a family of nine children, whose names were Susanna, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Henrietta, Mary, John, Peter, Horace E. and Alice. After their marriage Mr. McCausland and his bride located in Chesterville, where the former opened a daguerrotype business and after conducting this for two years he accepted a position as a clerk
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in a grocery, and subsequently, when he had obtained a thorough knowledge of the business, he established a grocery business of his own, and in the same enjoyed wide patronage. For the past fourteen years Mr. McCausland has faithfully discharged the duties of the office of post master of Chesterville, his daughter Izola successfully acting as his assistant.
Mr. and Mrs. McCausland became the parents of the following eight sons and daughters: Frank, Britomart, Izola, Gladys, Arthur, Edith, Wastella and Catherine. The two sons reside in Oregon, where they have a homestead of three hundred and twenty acres. Britomart became the wife of Frank Sheively of Chesterville. Gladys married A. C. Seffner, of Marion, Ohio. Catherine is a trained nurse in Marion and Edith is employed in a department store in Canton, Ohio. Wastella and Izola reside at home with their father and are his devoted companions, the latter, as previously mentioned, being his assistant in the post office. The demise of the wife and mother occurred April 2, 1907, her mortal remains being interred in Maple Grove cemetery in Chesterville. This kind and sympathetic lady is lovingly remembered by hosts of friends.
Mr. McCausland and his daughters are honored members of the Presbyterian church, in which the father has held the office of ruling elder for twenty-five years. .In his long-time business relations with the people of Chesterville he has proved himself well worthy of the confidence and respect in which he is held, his honesty and uprightness being unquestioned.
It is appropriate to add something of the military career of Mr. McCausland. When the Civil war became a terrible reality and the call for three year men was sent forth he was the first man •in his township to enlist, becoming a member of Company E, Twenty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. His service extended over a period of two years and he was wounded in a skirmish at Horse Shoe Bend at New River, West Virginia. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Scarey Creek, Gauley Bridge, Sewall Mountain and many others. As to political conviction he was reared a Democrat, but came out of the Civil war a Republican and has given his allegiance to the men and measures of the "Grand Old Party" in the ensuing fifty years.
SAMUEL E. JAMES.—An effetive exponent of the agricultural industry in his native county and a citizen to whom is accorded that popular approbation which is the accurate metewand of character, Mr James merits consideration in this work as one of the progressive farmers and stock-growers of Gilead township, where he is the owner of a well improved farm of eighty-one acres eligibly located two and one-half miles northwest of Mount Gilead, the metropolis and judicial center of the county.
Samuel E. James was born in Franklin township, this county,
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on the 20th of June, 1864, and is a son of Samuel and Ellen (Crothers) James, both of whom were likewise born in Ohio, where the respective families were founded in the pioneer days. Samuel James was a son of Henry James, who emigrated from Wales to America when a young man and who passed the closing years of his life in Morrow county, Ohio, where he was long identified with agricultural pursuits. The mother of the subject of this review was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, and was a daughter of James Crothers, who was born in Ireland and who became a prosperous farmer in Ohio. Samuel James was born on his father's farm in Franklin township, Morrow county, and here he was reared and educated under the conditions and influences of the pioneer epoch in the history of the old Buckeye commonwealth. He was a man of strong character and marked energy and he eventually became one of the successful farmers and influential citizens of Franklin township, where he continues to reside at the present time. His wife was summoned to the life eternal at the age of sixty-three years, and their six children, four sons and two daughters, are living. The father is a stanch Democrat in his political adherence.
Samuel E. James, whose name initiates this review, gained his early experience in connection with the work of the homestead farm and he duly availed himself of the advantages of the district schools, which he continued to attend at varying intervals until he had attained to his legal majority. He continued to be associated with the work and management of the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he showed his youthful independence and ambition by securing work by the month on a neighboring farm. He continued to be thus engaged, as a valued and trusted employe, for a period of about twenty-seven years, and in the meanwhile he carefully saved his earnings, with the definite purpose of eventually engaging in agricultural pursuits upon his own responsibility. In 1899 he purchased a farm of seventy-one acres in Harmony township, and there he continued his well directed labors until 1908, when he sold the property and bought his present attractive homestead of eighty-one acres in Gilead township. He took up his residence on this place in the spring of 1909, and his energy and progressive ideas are shown in the unmistakable thrift and prosperity in evidence in all departments of his farming enterprise, which includes diversified agriculture and the raising of excellent grades of live stock. Mr. James is a stalwart in the camp of the Republican party and he holds membership in the First Baptist church of Mount Gilead. Mr. James is a bachelor and remains, so far as can be-discerned, "heart-whole and fancy free."
ARTHUR BECK.-A enterprising and energetic citizen of the younger generation in Congress township, Morrow county, Ohio, is Arthur Beck, who is one of the popular and successful teachers
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in the public schools at Guiding Star. Mr. Beck was born in Congress township on the 11th of May, 1890, and he is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Williams Beck). The father was likewise born in this township, the date of his birth being June 13, 1849. He was the youngest in order of birth in the famliy of seven children reared by Frederick and Katherine (Smith) Beek and in his youth he availed himself of the opportunities afforded in the district schools of this county. In 1871 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Williams, whose birth occurred on the 20th of Octo ber, 1847. She is a daughter of John and Juliana (Carr) Williams who were for a long time representative farmers in Morrow county. In 1886 Jacob Beck moved to Galion, where for a period of twenty-two years he was actively engaged in the lumber business, moving at intervals to the country with his saw mill outfit. In 1890 he purchased a farm of one hundred and forty acres in Congress township and later he bought an additional tract of twenty acres from his brother, Frederick Beck. In 1901 he purchased a farm of one hundred and fifty-four acres from Clinton S. Rhodewick and Ebenezer Wood and in 1908 he purchased a strip of nine acres of land from C. M. Bowers. In all he now owns farming land to the extent of three hundred and five acres, all of which is in a high state of cultivation, yielding him a fine profit. To Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Beck were born seven children, concerning whom the following brief data are here recorded: Julia is the wife of Van Horn Davis and they reside at Galion, Ohio; Estella married Melville Myers, of Moline, Illinois ; Catherine is now Mrs. Claude Hetrick , of Congress township ; Frank is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Congress township, as are also Clyde and Charles; and Arthur is the immediate subject of this review. In politics Mr. Beck is a stalwart in the ranks of the Democratic party and as a citizen he is prominent and influential in all matters tending to advance the general welfare of the community. He and his wife are devout members of the German Reformed church and they hold a high place in the confidence and regard of all with whom they have come in contact.
Arthur Beck was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm in Congress township, in the work of which he assisted his father during his vacations. After completing the curriculum of the district schools he attended the Guiding Star High School for a time, after which he became a student in the high school at Mount Gilead, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1908. When eighteen years of age he successfully passed the teachers' examination in Morrow county and was immediately granted a certificate for teaching. He initiated his work as a pedagogue in a school in Franklin township and in 1909 he procured a position as a teacher in a school at Guiding Star, where he has since been engaged in teaching. Although very young, his alert mentality and broad information make him particularly eligible for
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pedagogic honors and whether he continues life as a teacher or later diverts his attention to other channels his well directed energies will make of success not an accident but a logical result. In December, 1909, he was admitted to membership in the Pleasant Grove Disciple church, in the Sunday school department of which he was elected superintendent in 1910. Mr. Beck takes pride in the latter honor, as he has the distinction of being superintendent one of the largest Sunday schools in Morrow county. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the principles and policies for which the Demcoratic party stands sponsor and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with various organizations of representative character.
WILLIAM FARIS BLAYNEY is actively identified with farming and stock-raising in Washington township, Morrow county, Ohio. He is interested in community affairs and his well directed efforts have been a potent element in the progress and development of this section of the fine old Buckeye state of the Union. He has with ready recognition of opportunity directed his labors into various fields wherein he has achieved success and he is recognized as one of the loyal and public-spirited citizens of this county. He was born in Gilead township, Morrow county, Ohio, on what was long known as the Jonathan Maxter's farm, the date of his nativity being August 29, 1852. He is a scion of the Scotch-Irish nobility and is a son of Charles and Mary Jane (Blayney) Blayney, both of whom are now deceased. The ancestry of the Blayney family is traced back to Lord Thomas Blayney, who was born and reared in Ireland. John Blayney, son of Lord Thomas Blayney, became the father of four sons, namely : John, George, Edward and Charles, the youngest of whom, Charles, was the grandfather of him whose name initiates this review. John Blayney, great-grandfather of William F. of this sketch, immigrated to the United States about the year 1870, and he located in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he resided for a number of years and where he was identified with agricultural pursuits. Charles Blayney, Jr., wedded Mary Jane Blayney, and they became the parents of the following children : Fulton I., Clement, George E., Mary Elizabeth, Evaline I., and William F. Mary became the wife of M. M. Iden and they reside at Caledonia, Ohio ; an Evaline I. married J. L.. McAnall, of Morrow county.
William F. Blayney was reared to the invigorating discipline of the home farm and he early became associated with his father in the work and management thereof. As a boy he attended the district schools of his native township and when he had attained to years of discretion he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he is engaged at the present time on his farm, eligibly located four miles north of Edison. In addition to diversified farming he raises a large amount of good stock. He is a stanch
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supporter of the cause of the Democratic party in his political proclivities and in religious matters is a devout member of the Presbyterian church. He is a stockholder and director in the Peoples' Savings Bank at Mount Gilead and has other financial interests of importance.
On September 7, 1875, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Blayney to Miss Georgians M. Newson, a daughter of A. B. Newson, of this county. She was born and reared in Gilead township and the date of her birth is November 19, 1857. To this union has been born one daughter, Jesse Belle. The daughter was afforded a good common school education and she remains at the parental home. The farm of Mr. and Mrs. Blayney is known as "Maple Springs" and will be known as such in Morrow county.
WILLIAM C. BRENIZER.-Occupying a conspicuous position among the foremost agriculturists and business men of Westfield township is William C. Brenizer, who has long been an important factor in promoting and advancing the prosperity of the community in which his entire life has been passed, and in which he is held in high repute as a man and a citizen, his straightforward course in life winning him friends everywhere. A son of William G. Brenizer, he was born in the house which he now owns and occupies September 10, 1866. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Brenizer, was born July 1, 1793, in Pennsylvania. In early life he moved to Maryland, but after living there a few years he came with his family to Ohio, locating in Westfield township, Morrow county, in 1829. Purchasing a tract of timbered land, he labored with unceasing toil to improve a homestead, performing no inconsiderable part in helping to develop the resources of this part of the state. He married, December 6, 1821, Margaret Griffith, who was born in Pennsylvania March 4, 1803, and like him was of German descent. They reared a family of eleven children, as follows : John C:, born November 21, 1822; Adam, born June 8, 1825; William G., born February 26, 1827, father of William C.; Maria J., born August 11, 1829 ; Benjamin G., born July 22, 1832 ; Margaret A., born April 19, 1835 ; Henry H., born August 29, 1837 ; Mary C., born January 9, 1840; Cicero H., born June 25, 1842 ; Martha L., born March 5, 1845 ; and Francis M., born March 22, 1850.
Born in Maryland, February 26, 1827, William G. Brenizer was scarce two years old when brought to Morrow county by his parents. He grew to manhood on the homestead, but had no school advantages. Developing his mechanical tastes by learning the trades of a carpenter and cabinet maker, he became on expert workman and acquired a goodly share of this world's wealth, in the later years of his life being prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits on his large and well-managed farm. He died, an honored and respected man, December 21, 1910. He was active in political circles, holding various township offices, and was serving, with Wil-
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liam Brooks and Carper Swetland, as county commissioner when the county jail was erected. He married, February 17, 1853, Beulah Dr. N. 0., who was graduated from the Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, and from the Cleveland Medical School, is a practicing physician in Austin, Texas; Jesse T. died in infancy; and William C.
Brought up on the home farm, William C. Brenizer laid a substantial foundation for his future education in the district schools and the Cardington High School, and afterwards entered the Otterbein University. Forced to leave on account of ill health, he decided to try life in the open, and returned to the old home farm, on which he has since resided. As an agriculturist Mr. Brenizer has met with eminent success, his farm of two hundred and ten acres being now in an admirable state of culture and one of the most valuable and attractive estates in Morrow county. Owing to his sound judgment and persistent energy, he has accumulated considerable property, owning in addition to his home estate a business block in Cardington.
Mr. Brenizer married, September 28, 1887, D. Ella Shaw, the ceremony which united them for life being performed by Rev. A. Orr, presiding elder of the United Brethren church. She was born in Westfield township, Morrow county, February 16, 1865, a daughter of Jonathan and Mary A. (Barry) Shaw. Six children have made their advent in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brenizer, namely: Iva M., who died in infancy ; Laura B., born June 5, 1890, was graduated from the Cardington High School and is now a teacher in the public schools ; Myra B., born June 25, 1892, was graduated from the Cardington High School, and is now a student in the Otterbein University ; Anna G., born June 25, 1900 ; Ella M., born September 29, 1901; and Wilma E., born February 6, 1908, In his political affiliations Mr. Brenizer is a Republican, and has served most satisfactorily to all concerned as justice of the peace for Westfield township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Brenizer are faithful members of the Fairview United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee and the treasurer.
HIRAM BARBER.-It is the object of this volume to preserve an authentic record, as far as possible, of the lives and deeds of those who have assisted in the upbuilding of the varied interests of Morrow county. The rank that a city or county holds very largely depends upon the achievements of its citizens. Some add to its reputation by official service, some by professional skill, some by increasing its manufacturing or commercial interests and some by cultivating and improving its lands. To give a faithful account of the lives of the old settlers and representative citizens of a community is to write its history in its truest sense. Mr. Barber is one of the venerable residents of Morrow county and for many years has been actively associated with its farming interests.
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“SUNNY-SIDE” STOCK FARM. RESIDENCE OF MR. AND MRS. HIRAM BARBER
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HISTORY OF MORROW COUNTY - 775
Hiram Barber is a native son of Westfield township, Morrow county, Ohio, and the date of his nativity is December 9, 1853. Mr. Barber on the paternal side traces his lineage to the French, and the original spelling was "Barbour." On the maternal side he traces his lineage to the Spanish. He is a son of James L. and Elizabeth (Benedict) Barber, both of whom were born and reared in the state of New York, where was solemnized their marriage and whence they came to Morrow county, Ohio, at an early day, location being made on the farm on which the subject of this review now maintains his home. James L. Barber received his educational training in the public schools of the old Empire state and he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the major portion of his active business career. He and his wife became the parents of eight children, and of the number four are living in 1911. The father was summoned to the life eternal in November, 1861, and the mother passed to the great beyond on the 14th of May, 1899.
After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Westfield township, Hiram Barber, at the age of fifteen years, became actively identified with the work and management of the home farm. His parents died when he was a mere youth and he was thus forced at an early age to assume the responsibilities and cares of life. He and his brother Melvin, ran the home farm until Hiram had attained to his legal majority, at which time he was married. Thereafter removal was made to the present fine estate of one hundred and forty-four acres, sixty-two of which belong to Mrs. Barber. The farm is eligibly located seven miles distant from Cardington and everything about the place indicates thrift and a high degree of prosperity. Mr. Barber is engaged in diversified agriculture and the raising of high grade stock and he is conceded to be one of the most successful and influential farmers in the township, where he is held in high regard by his fellow citizens.
On the 30th of January, 1874, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Barber to Miss Mary E. Foust, who was born in Westfield township on the 16th of October, 1854, and who is a daughter of Wilson Foust. Mr. and Mrs. Barber have six children, concerning whom the following brief data are here recorded, Della is the wife of Clay Curren, of Westfield; Luetta, who is now Mrs. L. L. Sharp, was educated in the schools of Westfield and she was a teacher prior to her marriage ; Bruce B., who was graduated in the Ashley High School and in the Starling Ohio Medical College, with the degree of Doctor of. Medicine, in 1911, is now engaged in the active practice of his profession at Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Barber is both a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, and is a member of the college fraternity Alpha Kappa. Myron H., married Ada McLead and they reside in Trumbull County, Ohio ; James W., after completing the prescribed course in the Ashley High School, attended the Columbus Business College, at Columbus, Ohio, and he is now a popular and successful teacher at Westfield ; and Carrie,
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who was likewise graduated in the Ashley High School, is also engaged in the pedagogic profession at Westfield. Another child, Miss Mayme Nell Barber, was born September 23, 1885, and died at the place of her birth, Westfield, Ohio, August 22, 1908, aged twenty-two years, ten months and twenty-nine days. Her illness was of short duration, dating back only three weeks previous to her death, when she was taken sick with typhoid fever. Mayme was of unusually kind and affectionate disposition, self-sacrificing in her nature, especially in the home circle, where she will be sadly missed. She graduated with honors from the Ashley High School in the class of 1904. She was a consistent Christian young lady and had many virtues of mind and heart that endeared her to all that knew her. She was converted in the Westfield Methodist Episcopal church during the winter of 1903, under the pastorate of the Rev. Gray, and was an acceptable member of the church. In June, 1905, she was elected president of the Ladies Aid Society and fulfilled her duties in that capacity in a very acceptable manner. Although young in years she seemed to have the judgment of more mature years and was interested in everything that pertained to the church.
The funeral occurred on Tuesday, August 25th, at 2:00 o'clock, and was very largely attended by a host of relatives and friends. Accompanied by the strains from the organ played by Miss Ruth Olds, six young ladies of the class of '04, preceeded the casket into the church, carrying flowers. After the reading of the scripture lesson and prayer, the choir sang a selection, after which the obituary was read. Then Mrs. Elizabeth Wilt Wornstaff, of Ashley sang very sweetly, "I heard the voice of Jesus say." After the sermon the services closed by the choir singing "Jesus Lover of my soul." The services were beautiful and impressive and were conducted by Rev. Gray, of Caledonia, with burial at Marlboro. The Pythian Sisters, of which she was a member, attended in a body and had charge of the services at the cemetery. She leaves a father and mother, three brothers and three sisters to mourn.
In his political convictions Mr. Barber is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party, and while he has never had a great deal of time or ambition for political preferment he has given most efficient service as township assessor and as a member of the local school board. In a fraternal way he is a member of Ashley Lodge, No. 457 ; Knights of Pythias, and his wife is a member of Good Hope Temple of the Rathbone Sisters, No.. 266. Mrs. Barber is a valued and appreciative member of the Order of the Eastern Star, No. 147. Mr. Barber is an intelligent, broad minded man, of courteous demeanor, and thus far his career has been one of great activity and signal usefulness. He bears an unsullied reputation in business and social circles and his honesty and integrity have gained him the unqualified regard of all with whom he has come in contact. Entirely free from ostentation, he is kindly and
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genial in his relations with others and has the friendship and good will of his fellow citizens, who esteem and honor him for his manly character and genuine personal worth. The homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Barber is known as "Sunny Side."
WILSON FOUST.—Persistency and energy, as coupled with integrity of purpose, are the factors which conserve success and make it consistent. To the larger and surer vision there is no such thing as luck. Through his own well applied endeavors. Wilson Foust has made the most of opportunity and he himself built the ladder by which he has risen to affluence. Although now ninety years of age, he still retains in much of their former vigor the splendid physical and mental qualities of his youth. Mr. Foust, in his active life, was a carpenter and cabinet maker by trade, and at one time he owned as much as seven hundred acres of fine land in Morrow county, Ohio.
Wilson Foust was born in Westfield township, Morrow. county, Ohio, the date of his nativity being the 7th of April, 1821. He is a son of Abram and Elmira (Munson) Foust, the former of whom was born in Ohio, on the 6th of April, 1796. The mother was twice married, Mr. Foust being her second husband. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Foust resided for a time in Delaware county, Ohio, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Almira, Esther, Harriett and Wilson. Wilson Foust was reared to maturity on the old home farm and he received his educational training in the public schools of his native place, attending the old log subscription school until he had attained to the age of about fourteen years. He then began to work at the salary of ten dollars a month and eventually learned the carpenter's trade. He also learned the trade of cabinet maker and in due time entered into a partnership with Adam Wolf, they being interested in the making of fanning mills. Subsequently he went to Iowa, where he remained for a period of three years and where he was successful in his various ventures, making considerable money and gaining a lot of valuable experience. About 1851 he returned to Morrow county, where he purchased a tract of sixty-two acres of land, to which he added a small tract at a time until he was the owner of a fine estate of seven hundred acres.
In politics Mr. Foust accords an unswerving allegiance to the principles promulgated by the Democratic party and for a time he gave most efficient service as supervisor of his township. He has ever manifested a deep and sincere interest in public affairs and his contribution to progress and development has been of no mean order. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Masons and Odd Fellows. He is a fine old man and commands the high regard of all with whom he has had business or personal dealings. He is most generous and has given to each of his children a fine large farm.
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Mr. Foust has been twice married. On the 5th of November, 1850, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Ellen Claypool, who was born and reared in Licking county, Ohio, and who was summoned to the life eternal in 1855. To this union were born three children, Warren, who resides at Cheyenne City ; Bruce, of Trumbull county, Ohio ; and Mary E., who is the wife of Hiram Barber, to whom a sketch is dedicated on other pages of this work. On the 14th of September, 1856, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Foust to Miss Lucy Durkee, who was born on the 20th of February, 1835 and who is a daughter of Schuyler and Felicia (Southworth) Durkee. She was reared and educated in Morrow county, where occurred her marriage to Mr. Foust. This union has been blessed with four children—Carson, Kelley, Lozana and Elmira, all of whom are married and reside in this county and Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Foust number among the oldest settlers in Morrow county and they have ever been prominent and popular citizens.
Mr. Foust traces his lineage to the German, as his grandfather came from Germany, and the original spelling of the name was "Faust."
JOHN C. HOSKINS, president and general manager of the Hoskins & Rush Manufacturing Company at Mt. Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, is an energetic business man of the type that no amount of opposition can phase. He is a man of quick perception and keen business ability and in his particular line of enterprise is building up an important industry in this place. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, on the 4th of February, 1872, and is a son of William H. and Mary L. (Johnson) Hoskins, the father now deceased and the mother is living in Toledo.
Mr. Hoskins was enrolled as a pupil in the public schools of Toledo until he had attained to the age of sixteen years, at which time he left school to become paymaster for the Woolson Spice Company at Toledo, with which concern he was connected in that capacity for a period of five years. Thereafter he and his brother William H., became ticket bookers at Toledo, following that line of enterprise for the ensuing six years, at the expiration of which John C. Hoskins became interested in the manufacture of telephones at Orville, Ohio. Two years later in 1906, he disposed of his interest in the telephone buisness and came to Morrow county, locating at Cardington, where he was in the wood-working business and in the manufacturing of furniture. There he organized a company and there he continued to reside until 1909, in which year he came to Mt. Gilead, where he organized the Hoskins & Rush Manufacturing Company, the same being dealers in wood specialties and wholesalers in hardwood lumber. Associated with him in business as a member of the Hoskins & Rush Manufacturing Company is M. M. Hoskins, who is treasurer of the concern. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state in 1909, with
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a capital of ten thousand dollars, Mr. Hoskins being the principal and the largest stock holder.
At Monroe, Michigan, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Hoskins to Miss Mary M. Hanson, of Toledo, Ohio. To this union have been born three children, namely : Severina, born August 25, 1893, is a student in the Mt. Gilead High School; John C., Jr., born February 1, 1902; and Homer, born May 20, 1905.
Mr. and Mrs. Hoskins are zealous members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a stalwart supporter of the cause of the Republican party in his political convictions. The beautiful Hoskins home on West High street is owned by Mr. Hoskins and is renowned for gracious and generous hospitality. Mr. Hoskins is one of the prominent and influential business men at Mt. Gilead and is widely esteemed for his straight forward methods and sterling integrity of character.
BYRAM LEVERING, whose years have lengthened the thread to the golden time of life, is one of the prosperous and prominent citizens of Morrow county, Ohio. He is now living virtually retired on his fine estate of one hundred and sixty acres in Perry township, Morrow county, where he is the owner of a beautiful residence. He has the satisfaction of knowing that the farm, the improvements and the good buildings have all been wrought by his own plans and oversight and that the success in life attained by him is largely the outcome of his own well directed endeavors. At one time he was the owner of some five hundred acres of most arable Buckeye lands but he has generously divided most of this land among his children. He and his wife are recognized for their genial, hospitable ways and they command a high place in the confidence and esteem of their neighbors and friends.
At Woodbury, Perry township, Morrow county, Ohio. on the 9th of June, 1842, occurred the birth of him to whom this sketch is dedicated and he is a son of Morgan Levering, who was born and reared in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, whence he accompanied his parents to Morrow county, Ohio, in the year 1816. William Levering, grandfather of Byram Levering, was likewise born in the old Keystone state of the Union and after his immigration to Ohio he entered a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of government land in 1812. He then returned to Pennsylvania, where he resided for the ensuing four years, at the expiration of which ho removed, with his family and all portable goods to Ohio, settling on the land previously entered by him. He was identified with farming operations during the remainder of his life and he lived to attain to the venerable age of eighty-five years. Morgan Levering was a child of but eight years of age at the time of his arrival in Morrow county, Ohio, and he was reared to maturity under the invigorating influences of the home farm, his preliminary education having consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the
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public schools of the locality and period. After reaching man's estate he became a clerk in a store at Belleville, Ohio, remaining at that place for some four years. He then married and came to Woodbury, in Perry township, this county, where he began operations in general merchandising and where he continued to reside during the residue of his life. He was summoned to eternal rest on the 25th of January, 1860, and at the time of his demise was worth as much as twenty-five thousand dollars, all of which he had acquired through his own thrift and industry. At the time of his settlement in Perry township, in 1836, he was the owner of seventy-five dollars but as the result of his fine executive ability and admirable business instincts he made of success not an accident but a logical outcome. He was the father of five children, two of whom are living in 1911, namely : Byram and Robert B., the latter of .4 whom now maintains his home at Mt. Vernon, Ohio.
Byram Levering was reared to adult age in his native place of Woodbury, where he attended the public schools and assisted his father in the work and management of the store. He was a youth of but eighteen years of age at the time of his father's death and he then purchased the farm on which he now resides. With the passage of time he accumulated a landed estate amounting to five hundred acres of most arable land in Morrow county and when his children grew up he divided the land amongst them, retaining for himself only the original homestead of one hundred and sixty acres. He constructed his present beautiful and substantial brick house in 1872 and everything about his place is indicative of that thrift and prosperity which characterizes the practical, well-to-do farmer of the modern day. While he is now living retired from the active responsibilities connected with running the farm, he still gives to the same a general supervision. Associated with him in the management of the homestead is one of his sons, who devotes considerable attention to general agriculture and the raising of high grade stock.
On the 6th of April, 1865, Mr. Levering was united in marriage to Miss Leah Ruhl, who was born and reared in Perry township and who is a daughter of Henry Ruhl, long a prominent farmer and representative citizen in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Levering became the parents of five children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated : Nora, is the wife of J. H. Webb and they maintain their home in Perry township ; Orpheus D., is a machinist in Columbus, Ohio ; Alfred H., remains at the parental home ; Morgan is deceased; and Hylas A., is now a resident of Congress township, Morrow county.
Mr. and Mrs. Levering are devout members of the Lutheran church, in the various departments of which they have ever been active and helpful workers and in which he has given most efficient service as deacon and elder. He is a liberal contributor to all charitable and benevolent institutions and is widely renowned as a man whose charity knows only the bounds of his opportunities.
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He is a man who takes a great interest in the advancement and welfare of the county and for nine years he served in the capacity of township trustee. In his public record, as in his private life, one sees the same stanch care for the interests of the people as he displayed for his own private business. In his political convictions he endorses the cause of the Democratic party and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with various representative organizations of a local nature. His wisdom and ability are commended by those who know him and as citizens he and his wife command the highest esteem of their fellow citizens. They are known throughout the county for their affability, and their spacious, comfortable home is recognized as a center of most generous hospitality.
FRANK SHIVELY.—Among the generous, whole-souled, public-spirited citizens of Chesterville and its vicinity must assuredly be numbered Frank Shively, who in the useful capacity of a skilled blacksmith has contributed his share to the prosperity and progress of the community in which he is situated. He was born November 30, 1852, near Johnsville, Ohio, and is the son of Jacob and Adaline (Lamb) Shively, the former a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. The subject is one of a family of five children, the other members being John, who died in infancy ; Martha; and two half brothers, Ben and Lew.
In the year 1889 Mr. Shively was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. McCausland, a daughter of John and Henrietta (Smith) McCausland, of Chesterville. The McCausland family consisted of nine children, three of whom were sons and six daughters, the following being an enumeration : David L., who died in infancy, B. Frank, Arthur V., Mary B., Izola, Gladys, Edith, Wastella and Anna K. In youth Frank and Arthur McCausland were employed as clerks, and they now reside in Harney county, Oregon, where they have homesteaded three hundred and twenty acres of land. Anna and Gladys became trained nurses, Marion being the scene of their activity. The latter married Arthur Seffner and makes her home in Marion.
Mr. Shively was reared in this vicinity and received his education in the schools of Richland county. At an early age he embarked in the blacksmithing business, and when marriage had placed upon his shoulders new responsibilities he continued in the same field and chose for his permanent location Chesterville, in whose many sided life he has ever since taken an active and useful part. His geniality and kindliness have served to make him popular here and his thrift and industry have crowned his labors with prosperity.
Mr. and Mrs. Shively share their pleasant and hospitable home with one daughter, Edith Franceine, now aged seventeen years, one of the admirable young women of the place, who with her father
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and mother enjoys the goodwill of their many friends and neighbors.
In his political affiliation Mr. Shively gives heart and hand to the policies and principles of the Democratic party, which since his earliest voting days he has supported. He is interested in all measures likely to result in benefit to the many and can ever be depended upon to give his support to the same.
WALTER S. EMERSON.-A man whose splendid success in life has been on a parity with his fine initiative power and marked executive ability is Walter S. Emerson, who is president and general manager of the Mt. Gilead Tile & Pottery Company. As a penniless youth he began life and through persistent application and earnest devotion to duty he so shaped his course as to make all count for good, with the result that today he has not only gained a competency but has also secured a high place among the representative business men of Morrow county. Mr. Emerson is a native son of Mt. Gilead, his birth having here occurred on the 22nd of May, 1871. Both of his parents, whose names were John W. and Sarah (Purcell) Emerson, are deceased, the former having died on the 22nd of September, 1910, at the venerable age of eighty years and eight months, and the latter having passed away on the 29th of August, 1876.
John W. Emerson was born at Leesburg, Loudoun county, Virginia, on the 22nd of January, 1830, and in the Old Dominion commonwealth was reared to maturity. There, on the 9th of October, 1851, occurred his marriage to Miss Sarah E. Purcell, and soon after that event he and his wife came to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, where two of his sisters, Mrs. Craven 0. Van Horn and Mrs. David Sanders, resided. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson became the parents of seven children, all of whom were born in Ohio and two of whom died in childhood. The other five still survive and concerning them the following brief data are here incorporated: Mrs. Hicks Mosher is a resident of Cardington, this county ; Mrs. J. R. Seitz, Mrs. Frank Kline and Walter S. Emerson, of this review, all maintain their homes at Mt. Gilead; and Mrs. John Nulk resides at Columbus, Ohio. As previously noted, the mother was summoned to the life eternal on the 29th of August, 1876. When the dark cloud of the Civil war obscured the national horizon Mr. Emerson came loyally to the front and tendered his services in defense of the Union. On the 14th of June, 1861, he enlisted for a term of three years in Company E, Twenty-sixth regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, one of the most heroic Ohio regiments and one which took part in nearly all the battles in the department of the Cumberland, from Shiloh to Nashville. He was always ready and eager for duty and participated in thirty-two battles, some of the most sanguinary in the war. On the 1st of January, 1864, he re-enlisted as a veteran for another term of three years and
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served thereafter until the close of the war, being finally mustered out of the army on the 21st of October, 1865, at Victoria, Texas, after a period of four years and four months in the service. During his active business career Mr. Emerson was identified with the butchering line of enterprise.
On the 7th of September, 1881, Mr. John Emerson was again married, his second wife being Miss Susannah Heidlebaugh. To this union were born seven children, namely : Harry, of Galion, Ohio; Howard, of Akron, Ohio ; Lloyd and Ralph, of Mt. Gilead ; and three who are deceased. Mr. Emerson's death was a cause for widespread grief in the county in which he so long made his home. He was a great sufferer in the last years of his life and received the tenderest of care from his wife and children. Besides his widow and children and many grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren mourn his departure. The funeral services were conducted under the auspices of Hurd Post, Grand Army of the Republic, on September 30, 1910, and his remains were laid to rest in River Cliff cemetery at Mt. Gilead. Mr. Emerson was a man of straightforward and honorable principles, one who recognized his duty and did it unwaveringly. His was a just and upright mind and he left as an heritage to his children a fair and untarnished name.
Walter S. Emerson was a child of but five years of age at the time of his mother's death. He attended the graded schools of Mt. Gilead until he had attained to the age of fifteen years and he then turned his attention to farm work. Two years later he went west to Iowa, where he worked on a farm by the month for the ensuing three years, during which time he managed to save as much as four hundred dollars. In 1890 he returned to Mt. Gilead, where he purchased a dray and engaged in the transfer business for a period of six years, during which time he gained capital enough to pay for a tract of one hundred acres of most arable land in the vicinity of Mt. Gilead. He began to save by putting a quarter of a dollar in a box each day, later raised the sum to half dollars and finally to dollars. After purchasing his farm he disposed of the dray line and .gave his time to agricultural pursuits, in which he was engaged for a period of six years, at the expiration of which he sold his farm and purchased another in Franklin township which he sold to the same party. He thus made six hundred dollars and bought one hundred and seventy acres in Congress township. Thereafter he became interested in practical business affairs and in 1902 came to Mt. Gilead, where he engaged in the grocery business, following the same for six years, when he disposed of his stock and went to Florida for the winter season. In October, 1909, he bought seventy shares out of one hundred and fifty in the Mt. Gilead Tile & Pottery Company, of which he was elected president and general manager. This concern was organized and incorporated in 1906, with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars
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and it is one of the most important industries in this section of the fine old Buckeye state. Mr. Emerson has other interests of broad scope and importance in Mt. Gilead. He owns a half interest in the Kline & Emerson Bakery and has considerable real estate of high value. He has a half interest in a general store at Edison, Ohio, the same being known under the title of Edison & Greenfield, and he owns a fine farm of one hundred and seventy acres in Congress township. He is also interested in the horse and mule business, in which he is an extensive breeder.
On the 29th of May, 1891, Mr. Emerson married Miss Anna B. Taylor, who is a daughter of Martin Taylor, of Ohio, and who was reared and educated in Morrow county. To this union were born four children, namely: Mary, Ralph, who died September 25, 1907, Gertrude and Howard. Mr. and Mrs. Emerson are devoted members of the First Baptist church of Mt. Gilead and they are most ardent church workers.
Politically Mr. Emerson is a stalwart Republican and he has always manifested a deep and sincere interest in all matters conducive to the general welfare. He is a member of Charles H. Hull Lodge, No. 196, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor, and he is also affiliated with L. H. Breese Camp, Sons of Veterans.
JAMES BENDER is one of the flourishing agriculturists of Morrow county and, better yet, one of its broad minded citizens whose support has ever been given to all measures likely to result in benefit to the whole of society. He can say what it is given to few people to say, that he was born on the very farm upon which he lives at the present day. The date of the birth of Mr. Bender was May 15, 1851, and he is a son of George and Elizabeth (Reath) Bender. The family came to the Buckeye state from Pennsylvania, the father of him whose name initiates this review having been born in Cumberland county of the Keystone state September 1, 1799, and he lived nearly to reach the psalmist's allotment, his demise occurring April 19, 1868. His father was John Bender, who took for his wife Barbara Coke.
In glancing at the maternal ancestry of Mr. Bender we find that the Reath family is of Irish origin. Adam Reath, the grandfather of Mr. Bender's mother, was born in Erin and came to the United States in 1801, to seek out the bettered fortunes he hoped to find for himself and his descendants in "the land of the free and the home of the brave." He was twice married, first to Polly Door, who died in 1814, and second to Peggy Campbell. They were well along in life when they came to Ohio, the year being 1840, but Adam was to have only a few months in the Buckeye state, for he was killed on the fallowing Christmas. Elizabeth Reath was born April 12, 1807, in Indiana county, Pennsylvania, and was united in marriage to the subject's father July 14, 1832.
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The following children were born to them : Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Thompson ; Sarah J., wife of Peter Ballmer; and James, (the above being those who survive) ; and those now deceased, Mary, wife of Henry Bardman ; Margaret, wife of J. S. Ross; Barbara, who died at the age of fourteen years; David R., who married Anna M. Stull ; and George W., who married Sarah Haldeman.
The scenes amid which James Bender resides are very dear to him, for here he was born, here reared and here have come to him the principal events which make life significant. He received his education in the district school and early came to the conclusion to adopt as his own the honorable calling of his fathers—agriculture. His energy, thrift and integrity have brought him success and he owns one hundred acres advantageously situated in Troy township, the village of Steam Corners being situated on the southwest corner of his farm and ten miles southeast of Galion, Ohio.
Mr. Bender laid the foundation of an exceptionally happy home life when on March 15, 1883, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth Yost. To them were born five children, of whom two are living at the present time. Clark Y, is engaged in farming, he married Edna Meckley, and they have one child, Mary Elizabeth; Maude M., is the wife of William F. Ench, and they have one child, James Edward Ench ; Elena B., born May 12, 1891, died August 11, 1891; Boyd J., born July 12, 1894, died in infancy ; George V., born March 14, 1897, also died in infancy. Mr. Bender's first wife was called to her eternal rest May 18, 1901. On March 16, 1905, he took as his wife Jennie Coldwell, who was born in Springfield township, Richland county, January 10, 1862, the daughter of Jonas and Jane E. (Calvert Coldwell. Jonas was the son of James and Jennie (Williams) Coldwell, and Jane E. Calvert was the daughter of Joseph and Catherine Calvert.
Interested in all the good causes of the community, Mr. and Mrs. Bender are found as zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church and the former holds the office of steward. They are also pupils in the Sunday School. In politics Mr. Bender gives his heart and hand to the men and measures of the Republican party and he is not unfamiliar with the duties of public life, having served as one of the township trustees. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bender are widely and favorably known.
Mrs. Bender's father, Jonas Coldwell, was born in Springfield township, Richland county, and her mother, whose maiden name was Jane E. Calvert, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1837, the date of her birth being that upon which American independence was born, namely July 4. The Coldwells and Calverts have been men and women of high citizenship and enjoying general respect.
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LUCIANA SNYDER, who is a popular and successful teacher in the public schools at Liberty Center, Morrow county, Ohio, was born in Congress township, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1888, and she is a daughter of George T. and Juliana (Steffey) Snyder. The father was born in Ohio and he is a son of John and Mary (Clay) Snyder, both of whom are deceased, the former having come to the fine old Buckeye state as a pioneer from Pennsylvania. George T., married Juliana Steffey, a daughter of George and Luciana (Bartner) Steffey, also of Pennsylvania. To this union were born five children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated: Obel, is the wife of John Henry, who is engaged as a laborer at Mt. Gilead ; Lola, is the wife of Carl Snyder, an agriculturist in the vicinity of Tabor church; Luciana is the immediate subject of this review ; and Harold Clay and Lyrra both remain at the parental home. George T. Snyder is a farmer by occupation and he owns a fine little estate of forty acres in Congress township, the same being in a high state of cultivation. In politics he is a stanch advocate of the policies promulgated by the Prohibition party and he and his family are devout members of the Williamsport United Brethren church.
To the public schools of her native place Luciana Snyder is indebted for her early educational training and the same was later supplemented by an effective course of study in the Johnsville High School, in which she was duly graduated as a member of the class of 1909. She received her teacher's certificate on the 3rd of April, 1909, just prior to her graduation from high school, and she inaugurated her efforts in the pedagogic profession in the ensuing September by taking charge of the schools at Liberty Center, Morrow county, this state. She attended a session of summer school at Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, in the summer of 1910, and she is rapidly gaining headway and prestige as an able and successful teacher in this section of the county. Miss Snyder is exceptionally well read for one of her years, is studious by nature and has an excellent future in store for her in her chosen vocation. She is decidedly popular and is very prominent in the best social activities of the community.
BENJAMIN F. RINEHART is a prominent farmer and stock raiser in Washington township, Morrow county, Ohio. He owns a finely improved farm of one hundred and two acres and the same is in a state of high cultivation. Mr. Rinehart has been identified with various lines of enterprise and in all of them has achieved eminent success as the result of well applied energy. He was born in Perry township, Morrow county, Ohio, the date of his nativity being June 3, 1848. He is a son of Joshua and Salome (Shafer) Rinehart, the former of whom was a son of Jacob Rinehart a daughter of Conrad Shafer. The Rinehart family traces its ancestry back to stanch German stock and the name was originally
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spelled Reinhard. Joshua Rinehart was born and reared in York county, Pennsylvania, whence he came to Perry Township, Morrow county, in an early day. He became the father of the following named children: Isaiah, Jemima, William, Ephraim, Benjamin F. and Genius P. The only daughter, Jemima, became the wife of Hiram Craven and they maintained their home at Morrow. The father was summoned to the life eternal in 1897 and the mother passed away in 1892.
Benjamin F. Rinehart was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm in Perry township, this county, and in that place he attended school until he had attained to the age of seventeen years, at which time he went to Pennsylvania, where he was variously employed, one of his interests being the nursery business. In 1869 he went west to Kansas, where he remained for two years, at the expiration of which he returned to Morrow county, Ohio. Soon after his return he was married and thereafter he turned his attention to agriculture and the growing of high grade stock. He is a carpenter by trade but is not actively identified with that occupation. In politics he is a Democrat and at the present time, in 1911, is assessor of the southern part of Washington township. Mr. Rinehart is a valued and appreciative member of the Mt. Gilead Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and he and his wife are zealous members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Iberia.
On March 9, 1876, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rinehart to Miss Mary E. Braddock, who was born in Washington township on the 1st of January, 1853, a daughter of Martin C. and Mary A. (Sipes) Braddock, whose aneestory is traced back to General Braddock of Revolutionary war fame. Mr. and Mrs. Martin C. Braddock passed their entire lives in Ohio, where their deaths occurred in 1856 and 1899 respectively. John Braddock, paternal grandfather of Mrs. Rinehart, married Margaret Gray in 1801, and in 1808 came to Ohio, where he entered a tract of government land in Morrow county. Mr. and Mrs. Rinehart have four children, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated: Starling A., is married and resides in Washington township ; Bessie, was graduated in the Iberia High School and is now a student in the business college at Mansfield, Ohio ; Enola, was graduated in the Iberia High School as a member of the class of 1905 and for the past three years has been a popular and successful teacher in the public schools of Morrow county; Lemoine D., was a student in the Iberia and Mt. Gilead High Schools and he now remains at the parental home, where he is associated with his father in the work and management of the home farm. One child, Verna E., who was born March 27, 1880, died July 25, 1893. Mrs. Rinehart being of Revolutionary stock is entitled as well as her children to become members of the great order, sons and daughters of the Revolution, which is a high honor. Mr. Rinehart is well known in Morrow county, where
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occurred his birth and where he has passed much of his life, and here he has gained the warm regard which is ever given in recognition of sterling worth and admirable personal traits of character.
WILLIAM S. LEFEVER.—As one of the representative farmers of the younger generation in his native county and as a citizen whose popularity is of the most unequivocal type, Mr. Lefever well merits consideration in this volume. His well improved farm of eighty-five acres is located one mile north of the village of Edison, in his. native township of Canaan, and here he is successfully engaged in general farming and stock growing, which are lines of industry with which the family name has here been long identified.
William S. Lefever was born in Cannaan township, this county, on the 29th of October, 1882, and is a son of Frank and Mary (Lyon) Lefever, who are well known and highly esteemed citizens of this township, where the father was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He is a native of Morrow county, Ohio, born May, 20, 1852. He was educated in the schools of his native county and his whole life has been devoted to agriculture and stock raising. His wife was born in the little state of New Jersey, in October, 1855, and both are still living. Under the vitalizing influences and labors of the home farm William S. Lefever was reared to manhood, and he has had the good judgment not to waver in his allegiance to the great basic industry with which he thus became familiar in his boyhood days. He is indebted to the excellent public schools of Morrow county for his early educational training, which was effectively supplemented by a course in a business college in the city of Mansfield, this state. He continued to be associated in the work and management of his father's farm until he had attained to the age of twenty-seven years, and in 1910 he purchased his present farm, whose location is most attractive, as it is situated on the well improved thoroughfare known as the Boundary road and is only a mile distant from the thriving village of Edison. Mr. Lefever is enthusiastic and progressive in his chosen vocation and his farm is a model of thrift and prosperity. He raises the various agricultural products best suited to this section and also raises live stock of excellent grades. His attitude in connection with civic affairs is marked by liberality and distinctive loyalty, and he is now serving as constable and also as health officer of his township. The principles and policies of the Democratic party enlist his hearty support and he takes a lively interest in public affairs, especially those of local import. Mr. Lefever is a member of the United Brethren church in Climax and his wife holds membership in the Universalist church. In a fraternal way he is identified with Iberia Lodge, No. 64, Knights of Pythias, in the village of Iberia, and he is active in its work.
On the 22nd of June, 1903, Mr. Lefever was united in marriage to Miss Lucille Coe, who was born in the village of Edison,
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this county, on the 15th of May, 1886, and who is a daughter of Samuel Allen Coe, a representative business man and sterling citizen of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Lefever have three children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here indicated : Dorothy E., January 11, 1905; Harold E., November 4, 1906 ; and Esther L., February 8, 1908. The attractive country homestead of Mr. and Mrs. Lefever is known as "Idlewild Farm," and the doors of the hospitable home are ever open to their friends.
WASHINGTON GARDNER, grandson of John Gardner and sixth and youngest son of John Lewis and Sarah (Goodin) Gardner, was born on a farm two miles due north from South Woodbury February 16, 1845. In his fourth year the mother died leaving a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters. Shortly after his mother's death the subject of this sketch was taken into the home of his paternal uncle, for whom he had been named, and until he entered the army lived in or near the village of Westfield. The young lad early learned the lessons of self denial and self help. In the spring of 1859, when but fourteen years old, his uncle engaged him to work for Mr. Robert Kearney, a most estimable man who owned a farm a little west of Westfield, for six dollars a month and board ; the next year for the same party for seven ; and the next for eight dollars a month. Mr. Kearney had a small but well selected library, of which the "hired boy" made good use during his leisure hours and in the long winter evenings after his next day's school lessons had been prepared.
In the spring of 1860, after a winter in the village school, taught by Mr. Joseph B. Breckenridge, who at this writing is still a resident of Westfield and very proud of the career of his former pupil, he attended the Mount Hesper Academy located in the Friends Settlement near South Woodbury then and for many years conducted by the late Jesse and Cynthia Harkness. Many of the sons and daughters of Morrow county were educated at this one time well known and popular school.
On the evening of Saturday, October 26, 1861, a largely attended war meeting was held in the lecture room of the Methodist Episcopal church, addressed by James Olds, of Mount Gilead. At the close of the address a call was made for volunteers and young Gardner was the first of a considerable number of Westfield boys to go forward to the desk on the platform and write down his name. The boy recruit who had hitherto scarcely been outside of his native county now entered Upon a new and strange life. It was rough and dangerous but valuable school. Its lessons given in the camp, on the march, around the bivouac, on the picket post, during the seige, upon the battlefield and in the hospital were if rightly applied, such as to better fit one for the subsequent duties and responsibilities of life. Mr. Gardner became a member of Company D, Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry Volunteers. The
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history of this company being elsewhere given in detail in this volume, it is enough to say that this, according to the official records. youngest member of the company shared every campaign, march, siege and battle participated in by his regiment until hit in battle on the afternoon of Saturday, May 14, 1864, at Resaca, Georgia, in Sherman's campaign for Atlanta. His clothes were pierced by the bullet of a Confederate sharp shooter in the battle of Stone's river and his bayonet scabbard cut into, and the little finger of the left hand grazed on the second day at Chickamauga, but blood
was not drawn until the well aimed bullet was fired at Resaea which permanently disabled and made him henceforth a sufferer for life. The wounded soldier was fortunate in the care he received in the temporary hospital near the battlefield and again in Chattanooga, to which place he was removed from Resaca and later in Nashville, where he was confined for months on a cot in the First Presbyterian church, which was used as a hospital in that city. He was here when Hood's army invaded the Tennessee capital in December, 1864, and on the 14th of that month, the day before the battle of Nashville opened, he was honorably discharged by reason of expiration of term of service.
Returning to the home of his uncle, Washington Gardner, at Westfield on a Friday evening in December, 1864, a veteran of more than three years of service in war though still a youth under twenty years of age, he at once put into execution a resolution formed while in the army, viz, that if he lived to get home he would go to school. On the Monday morning following his arrival home from the war on the preceding Friday night he enrolled as a pupil in the Beach Grove Academy at Ashley, Ohio. After one term here he entered the preparatory department of Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, where he remained four terms and in the fall
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MRS. WASHINGTON GARNDER
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WASHINGTON GARNDER
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of 1866 matriculated as a freshman in Hillsdale College, Michigan. He remained in this institution for three years having in the meantime among others as fellow students, Will Carleton, the poet ; Albert J. Hopkins, for many years a member of Congress, and later a senator of the United States from llinois; John F. Downey, dean of the University of Minnesota and one of the foremost educators in the middle west; and Joseph H. Moore, now and for many years one of the justices of the Michigan Supreme Court. During his senior vacation in the summer of 1869 he visited among his old friends in Morrow county, some of whom prevailed upon him to take his last collegiate year at Delaware. After a successful examination he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which institution he graduated from the classical course on the 30th day of June, 1870, receiving the degree of A. B. and later that of A. M. in Cursu.
During all his school days Mr. Gardner purposed to study law, with a political career in view, but while at Delaware influences were brought to bear that changed the course he had previously marked out for himself. The fall of 1871 found him a student in the Boston University, School of Theology. In the second year of his course his health gave way after a continuous strain in school and hard work in vacations to earn money with which to meet his expenses in college. In the fall of 1875 he entered the Albany Law School, from which he subsequently graduated as valedictorian of his class. In the meantime he had married Miss Anna Lee Powers, of Abington, Massachusetts. Mrs. Gardner, on the paternal side, is connected with the well known Powers family of New Hampshire, her father being a native of that state, distinguished in sculpture. law and politics. Her mother was a Miss Reed, related to the people of that name both in Massachusetts and Maine. Her ancestors on the maternal side have lived in Plymouth county since the landing of the Pilgrims from the Mayflower. To Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have been born seven children—Grace Bartlett, Mary Theodosia, Carleton Frederick, Elton Goldthwaite, Raymond Huntington, Lucy Reed and Helen Louise. All are living except the first named, who died in early infancy. All are married and settled in life, except Miss Helen, who is at this writing a girl of eighteen.
In the fall of 1876 Mr. Gardner removed with his family to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and entered upon the practice of law in partnership with Mr. Samuel A. Kennedy, a former college chum. After one year in the law he entered the Michigan Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church and preached for twelve years, at the end of which time he was tendered and accepted a professorship in Albion College, Michigan. In March, 1894, while serving in this capacity he was, without solicitation, requested by Governor John T. Rich to accept the position of secretary of state to fill out an unexpired term. Laying the matter before the trustees of the
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college they advised him to accept. He was subsequently twice nominated by acclamation and elected to the same office. While serving as secretary of state he was nominated and elected to congress by the Republicans of the Third Michigan District and was five times elected to succeed himself, serving in the 56th, 57th, 58th, 59th, 60th, and 61st Congresses. Ten of his twelve years in Congress he was a member of the Comittee on Appropriations. During his service on this committee estimates aggregating $3,405,927,100.10 were considered and bills amounting to $3,185,567,336.69 were framed and carried through Congress, resulting in a saving to the government, below the estimates, of $220,359,763.41. Mr. Gardner also served as chairman of the Committee on Expenditures in the Department of Commerce and Labor. Through the Committee on Appropriations he was closely associated with the building of the Panama Canal. It was before this committee that the Chief and his assistant engineers annually appeared to explain the progress of the enterprise. Three times at the request of the President of the United States Mr. Gardner with his associate committee members visited the Canal Zone and inspected the work with great care in order that the committee might have the fullest and most accurate information upon which to base their recommendations to the Congress. He also visited Cuba, Porto Rico, Jamaica and other of the tropical countries.
In Congress Mr. Gardner had the reputation of preparing with great care and thoroughness of detail the appropriation bills of which he had charge and of advocating and defending the measures presented by him with such clearness and force that not infrequently bills carrying many millions of dollars passed the critical scrutiny of the House with very little of change. For ten years he was a member and for four years chairman of the subcommittee having in charge the District of Columbia appropriation bills. Such was the manner in which he discharged the duties assigned him and so greatly were his services appreciated by the citizens of Washington, that on the eve of his retiremnt from Congress a public dinner was tendered him at which there were present the President of the Uited States, the speaker of the House of Representatives, many members of Congress, and about three hundred of the foremost citizens of the Federal City. President Taft, in speaking for the capital of the nation, said in part: "I came here to join with you in testifying to the gratitude that we all ought to feel toward a member of Congress who has given so effective attention and so much of his time in Congress for the benefit of the District of Colunbia." The Hon. John W. Yerkes in behalf of the citizens of Washington, in a personal tribute to Mr. Gardner, said : "This homage, these thanks of the people of Washington—a crown unlike the laurel and the bay will never wither—must, notwithstanding your modesty and simplicity, your abhorrence of show and parade, accompany you back to your home
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in the Lake state, a trophy of war yet of victory ; the capture by you of the high esteem and affection of a great city." Major William V. Judson, engineer commissioner of the District of Columbia, in behalf of the commissioners of the district, said : "Mr. Gardner has never inserted in an appropriation bill a single item to gratify a friend or to win the applause of the thoughtless. No man in Washington owes him a thank you for a special favor. I bear witness to the sterling qualities of this man. His honesty, infinite patience and intelligent application are too unworthily recognized by any mere public dinner. In giving this slight token of respect we feel that we honor ourselves more than we do him." Admiral C. H. Stockton, the acting president of George Washington University said, that "the hand of Representative Gardner is to be seen in every good thing in the district. There is no one more just or better qualified to present our great projects to Congress." Mr. Speaker Cannon said, " have come to give my personal, committee and political friend a sad farewell because his going from us is a real loss to the American Congress." No greater welcome has ever been accorded a guest of honor than when Mr. Gardner was introduced by the toast master, Mr. John Jay Edison, to acknowledge the tributes paid him. The entire company arose and cheered him mightily. Handkerchiefs were waved and flowers were tossed toward him.
We insert the above extracts from the Washington Star of February 26, 1911, as showing at the, end of a long career in Congress the esteem in which a Morrow county boy is held in the capital city of the nation. Surely it is a faraway distance from the place of an obscure, motherless and self-dependent lad of fourteen years working on a farm at six dollars a month to the central figure in a great banquet hall in the capital of the nation receiving as a tribute for public services well and faithfully performed homage and plaudits from some of the nation's most distinguished citizens. It is but another illustration of the possibilities of the American boy. The citizens of Morrow county are justly proud of its having been the birth-place of Washington Gardner. They are proud of his useful and honorable career. His home is Albion, Michigan.
WILLIAM F. COOK.—In the prosecution of his independent occupation of a general farmer William F. Cook has met with gratifying results, his land being fertile and well adapted to the production of the cereals common to this section of the country, of which he raises good crops each season. A native of Westfield township, his present home, he was born February 11, 1854, a son of the late John Cook.
David Cook, Mr. Cook's paternal grandfather, was born, bred and married in Ireland. In 1801, accompanied by his young wife, he immigrated to the United States, impelled by the spirit that led
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so many men of energy and enterprise to seek new homes in the wilds of America. Making his way to Ohio, he lived first in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, from there coming to Morrow county, where he spent the closing years of his life, his body, at his death, being laid to rest in Westfield township. He was very loyal to the country of his adoption, and served her valiantly in the war of 1812 and in the Mexican war.
John Cook was born in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, but was educated in Morrow county. He spent the greater part of his life in Westfield township, being an honored and respected citizen, his death occurring here in 1883. In 1861, about seven years after the birth of his youngest son, he became totally blmd. an affliction from which he never recovered. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Nichols and who died in June, 1883, four children were born, William F., the special subject of this brief sketch, having been the fourth child in order of birth.
Reared on the parental homestead, William F. Cook obtained his elementary education in the rural schools of his native district and subsequently attended the Cardington High School for three years. Then, after teaching school a year, Mr. Cook turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has since devoted his energies to the care of his farm. He has forty-three acres of land in his home place, which is advantageously located on the Cardington and Delaware road, but two and one-half miles from Cardington Here Mr. Cook is carrying on general farming successfully, having all the necessary farm buildings and machinery required by a first-class, modern agriculturist. He is not paticularly active in politics, and belongs to but one fraternal organization, that one being the Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, of Columbus, Ohio.
Mr. Cook married, September 4, 1884, Mellvonia Watkins, who was born February 28, 1861, in Gilead township, Morrow county, where she lived until nine years old,- when her parents, Thom.. J. and Sarah (Henry) Watkins, moved to Cardington township. She was educated in the district and the Cardington schools, living at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of six children, namely : Ivah, twenty-four years of age, is the wife of Elmer Bond, of Cardington township, and mother of two children, Florence and Charles; Florence, twenty-two years old; George, now twenty-one years old; Marion F., a graduate of the Carding-ton High School; Ira, seventeen years old; and Inez, who was born eight years ago. Mrs. Cook is a member of the United Brethren church at Shawtown, Ohio. Mr. Cook on national affairs upholds the Democratic doctrine.
WILLIAM E. MILLER.--A contractor and builder of note in Mount Gilead and a man whose varied business interests are of most prominent order is William E. Miller, who through persistent
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effort and constancy to the work at hand has made his way to the goal of success and gained distinctive prestige as a representative business man.
William E. Miller was born on a farm in Gilead township, Morrow county, Ohio, the date of his nativity being May 17, 1853. He is a son of Nehemiah and, Rachel (Straw) Miller, the former of whom was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of whom claimed Morrow county, at that time Knox county, as the place of her birth. Nehemiah Miller came to Morrow county, Ohio, at an early date and here was solemnized his marriage. He was a cabinet maker by trade and was one of the most prominent citizens in Mount Gilead. He was summoned to the life eternal in 1902, at the age of eighty-nine years, his cherished and devoted wife having passed away in 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Nehemiah Miller were the parents of the following children : John, Martha N., Gilbert E., Lucinda C., John F., Parker J., William E. and Mellville D.
William E. Miller, who was the next to the youngest in order of birth in the above mentioned family, was reared to the age of nineteen years on the home farm and at that age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, under the able preceptorship of his uncle, Wiliam Miller, Nit̊ was a large contractor. He worked on several large court houses, among them being those of Richland, and Erie, Licking counties, Ohio. After he had learned his trade he continued to be identified with this line of enterprise for a period of twenty-seven years, during which time he remodeled the Morrow county court house two times. He also constructed the Methodist Episcopal church, the Masonic temple and several other fine buildings in Galion; Ohio, and he has been instrumental in the erection of many of- the finest residences in Mount Gilead.
Mr. Miller is the owner of considerable real estate in Mount Gilead, including his fine home on North Main street. He erected and organized what is now known as the Mount Gilead Lumber Company, which he operated from 1880 until 1905. He is one of the directors of the Morrow County Bank and in the Hydraulic Press Works. He is general manager, secretary and treasurer of the Mount Gilead Water, Light, Heat and Power Company, in which he is also a director and stockholder; is president of the Mount Gilead Savings and Loan Association; and is a stockholder in the Marengo Bank. In politics Mr. Miller is a stalwart Republican and for a number of years he was treasurer of Mount Gilead. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 169, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in religious matters he is of the Presbyterian church and his wife is a member of the Baptist church, in whose behalf they have ever been most ardent workers.
On the 27th of September, 1877, was recorded the marriage of Mr. Miller to Miss Sarah L. George, a daughter of Enoch and