UNION COUNTY, OHIO - 1883 HISTORY - MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP - BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL ANDERSON, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, was born in Mill Creek Township, August 7, 1841. His parents were Isaac and Emeroy (Hill) Anderson, the former a native of New York City, and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Anderson's parents were natives of Scotland, and emigrated to America in 1790, locating in New York City, where they both died during the war of 1812, leaving five children-Anthony, Alexander, Isaac and two daughters. Isaac, the father of our subject, was early apprenticed to the tanner's trade in the city, serving until he was about twenty years of age, when he went to Indiana; then came to Madison County, Ohio. a short time after and resided near Plain City till 1821, when he came to Mill Creek Township and purchased 220 acres of land. He cleared up most of the farm, and was Trustee of Mill Creek a great many year,-. He married Miss Emeroy Hill, by whom he had twelve children, eight of whom are now living, viz.: Mary A. (wife of James Guy), Elizabeth (wife of Gideon Carr), Maria (wife of Joseph Norris), Simpson, Polly (widow of Amazial Hayes), Alexander, Daniel and Andrew. Mr. Anderson's death occurred April 5, 1867, and his wife died September 4, 1854, Daniel was brought up on the farm And educated in the common schools. January 3, 1861, he was married to Miss Esther, daughter of Conrad and Mary A. Carr. Mrs. Anderson was born in Delaware County, Ohio, January 1, 1844. Their three children are as fol. lows: Elmer, born December 13, 1862; Mollie B., born November 17, 1864, and G. Clifton, born October 17, 1874. Mr. Anderson is a thorough and successful farmer and stock-raiser. His farm contains 12.5 acres and is well-improved. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and in politics is a Democrat.

WALTER B. BEECHER, farmer, P. O. Marysville, one of the leading farmers of Mill Creek Township was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., May 23, 1832. His parents, Zina and Lucretia (Sanford) Beecher, were natives of near New Haven, Conn. His father was born in November 1784, and his mother October 27, 1790. They were married in New Haven, Conn., and in 1807 removed to Herkimer County, N. Y., thence to Grant County, where they resided, Mr. Beecher operating a tannery till the fall of 1836, when they removed to Licking County, Ohio. Mr. Beecher bought a farm of 220 acres and farmed and kept a dairy till his death, October 25, 1865. Mrs. B. died February 26, 1880. They had nine children, six sons and three daughters. Two of the daughters are deceased. Walter, the youngest, was reared on the homestead in Licking County and educated in the common schools. His father bought 371 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, and in April 1853, gave it to his sons, George and Walter. The following winter, then a single man, Mr. Beecher came and settled on his share of the land, 185 acres; all was in woods. He cleared a place and erected a log cabin. The succeeding year, 1854, he married and moved into his new home. Mr. Beecher started here a poor man, with only a horse, saddle and bridle, and $2 in money. But, with an indomitable energy, he began to carve his fortune out of the woods. He cleared off his farm, all but twenty acres and kept making additional purchases till he now owns 523 acres of the best land in the township. Mr. Beecher is a thorough and successful farmer and has dealt largely in stock. He keeps a flock of about 600 sheep, besides a good many cattle. He is a man of great perseverance, and his success was, no doubt, largely due to those elements of character. December 10, 1854, he was married to Orinda J., daughter of Samuel and Jane (Riddle) Sherwood. Mrs. Beecher was born in Madison County, June 1, 1834. Seven children were the fruits of this union, four of whom are now living, viz. : Emma F., born September 5, 1857, wife of W. A. Bill; Lucretia J., born March 28, 1860, wife of Chester K. Siegman, and have one child, Ada O., born April 4, 1882; Zina A., born March 29, 1864; and Willie L., born June 25, 1870. Henry H. born July 22, 1872, and died November 9, 1876; Bertha A. born August 13, 1876, and died February 8, 1877; an infant son died October 13, 1868. Mrs. Beecher's parents were early settlers in Madison County. Her father was born April 2, 1807, and died December 29, 1859. Her mother was born March 8, 1812, and died December 21, 1836. They were married February 11, 1830. Mrs. Beecher is a member of the Methodist Church, and Mr. B. is a Republican.

JAMES BELL was born in the State of New Jersey about the year 1778, and was married to Miss Sarah Warner, of Pennsylvania, in 1799, they having Iwo children born to them in Pennsylvania, after which they emigrated to the State of Ohio, in the year 1804, to Warren County, near what is now the town of Lebanon, and there they had a son born to them December

344 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

12, 1805, Silas Bell, for whom this biography is written in memory of. He was brought by his parents to Union County, Ohio, in the year 1813, and settled on the farm now owned by W. C. Henderson, Mill Creek Township. He (James Bell) was one of the first settlers in the township. He was the first Squire elected in the township, and held the office for many years, he having the largest and most convenient log cabin in the township, for there were no other kind of houses those days. The township elections were held at his house for several years. Now that we have given a brief history of the parents of Mr. Silas Bell, we will endeavor to give a biographical history of Silas Bell. He came to Union County with his parents in 1813, being eight years old and not large enough to do much work, and finding a vast wilderness and the Indians, bear, deer, wolves and other wild animals too numerous to mention, he naturally became a great hunter and trapper, and followed that until he was a man grown, running some narrow risks and performing some feats that are almost incredible to relate, a few of which we will endeavor to give in this sketch. Being late in the fall, Mr. James Bell (the father of this family) took his gun early in the morning and went in pursuit of venison; he killing a deer in a very short time, he dragged it to the path leading to the house. He went to the house and took his boy, Silas, and his sister, to prepare the meat for use, telling them to keep the path until they came to the deer, and he would go around through the woods and perhaps he might kill another. They had gone but a short distance when they heard the report o f their father's gun. They had proceeded but a few paces farther when a large bear came into the path a few rods ahead of the children, they having nothing to protect themselves with but an ax. This boy not being easily soared, squared himself in the path, when the bear came at them with open mouth, snorting so loud that it made the woods ring. It came on within about one jump of the boy, who stood firm with ax drawn ready for the conflict, when bruin stopped short, wheeled to the left and disappeared in the woods. The boy being excited by the bear and encouraged by its flight, was bound to pursue the animal and renew the attack, but his sister being older and more thoughtful, persuaded him to let the bear go. The bear had been wounded by their father, but he made his escape. This was the adventure and courage of a boy of fourteen summers. Another venturesome act he practiced in his hunting career was climbing the most gigantic trees in the wilderness for coon and wild honey, one act of which the writer of this sketch, was an eye witness, but not of the one we wish to relate. The tree was an oak, five feet in diameter, in which he had found a swarm of bees. He managed to fell a small tree against it, by means of which he reached the large limb in which the bees were, about seventy feet from the ground. He chopped the limb from the large oak, and in falling it knocked the small tree to the ground. Looking around him a moment, he saw one of the limbs of the oak extended out over a tough black hickory. His first thought was to crawl out on the limb and jump down on that tree. The thought was no sooner than the action. He jumped down a distance of fifteen or twenty feet, lighting safely in the top of the hickory. Such were some of the adventures of his boyhood days. He continued to live with his father and mother until he was in the twenty-first year of his age, this being the year 1826, when he was married to Miss Abigail Sherman, and in the spring of 1827, settled on the farm now owned by Phineas Bell, his only surviving son. Now, at this period of life, he in a great measure abandoned his hunting and trapping and went to actual labor. Not having much taste for farming, he sought labor on different jobs of public works, such as canals, turnpikes, etc. He followed this avocation until the fall of 1839, when he had the sad misfortune to lose his wife, leaving him with six children, the oldest twelve years old. One thing remarkable about him was, he remained a widower the remainder of his life. After losing his companion, he was compelled to stay at home with his children, so he took up the boot and shoe making, followed that of falls and winters about twenty years, making sugar during the spring, and digging wells during the summer season of that period or time, after which he abandoned all these kinds of labor and turned his attention to the improvement of his farm. His four oldest children being girls, left him with but little help on the farm, the writer being his only son; but he being a man of iron constitution, and equally firm in purpose, he was fully able for the task. He continued his labor on the farm a few years, when he took a notion to see the Western wilds. He having a brother in the central part of Kansas, he first went there. They made up a party and went on a buffalo hunt. This aroused the hunting spirit that had almost died out in his mind. He shouldered his gun with the rest of the company and started for the buffalo plains, where they found them in countless numbers. We have often heard him remark that he could see buffalo as far as the eight of the eye could extend. He killed several of them; killed one antelope slid one wolf. He shot the wolf at break of day. There were several wolves eating at the carcass of a buffalo they had killed near where they had camped. Not being light enough to see very well, he shot somewhat by guess. Seeing he had crippled it, he took up the neckyoke of the wagon and attacked the animal, which gave him fight. So his first adventure was with a bear and last with a wolf. Ile then returned home and resumed his labor on the farm, and at his death had one of the finest improved farms in Mill Creek Township, with the exception of buildings, which he never took much pride in. Now that we have given a brief history of the adventures and pursuits of labor of Mr. Silas Bell, we will give an impartial sketch of the moral character of the same. He had the good fortune, by nature, to be very wild in temper, and very regular in all the habits of life, which insured him general good health.

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A mild temper, regular habits and a charitable disposition gained a lasting friendship of all that knew him. His life was an exemplary one, full of faith, hope and charity, and goodwill toward men. Such is a partial history of the late Silas Bell, who died May 20, A. D. 1879, in the seventy-fourth year of his age, and thus passed away one of Union County's pioneers.

JOHN L. BORGER, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 17,1827. In 1843, his parents, John W. and Elizabeth (Shure), Borger, emigrated to America, settling in Columbus, of which city they remained residents till 1858, when they came to Union County. John L. is the eldest child and was raised and educated in Germany. He learned brick-making in Columbus, and in 1853 went to Crawford County, where he followed it six years. In 1859, he removed to Darby Township, this county, and bought a farm of 196 acres; and a short time afterward added twenty-one and a half acres, He occupied this farm till 1872 when he purchased his present homestead in Mill Creek Township, which contains 326 acres. Mr. Borger began when a poor boy, working for 6 cents a day. He made his start manufacturing brick, and when he left Crawford County in 1859 he had $5,000, which he invested in a farm in Darby Township. By his perseverance and energy, he has made large and valuable property. April 7, 1850, he was married to Maria, daughter of George and Elizabeth Denterlein, by whom be has had the following children, viz.: Mary, Maggie, wife of L. Conrad, John K., George A., John L., John M. and Lizzie. Mr. and Mrs. Borger are members of the Lutheran Church, and in polities Mr. B. is a Democrat.

JOHN H. P. BOUIC, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Montgomery County, Md., December 11, 1826, and is a son of Robert H. B. and Rebecca (Lakin) Bouic, natives of Maryland. His grandfathers, Peter Bouic and Daniel Lakin were slave-holders in Maryland, and wealthy men. The former was born in France and came to this country when eighteen years of age; the latter was born in England and came to this country before the Revolutionary war, in which he served seven years. Benjamin Lakin, a son of the above gentleman, served in the war of 1812. The father of our subject died in Maryland August 17, 1828. He was born October 3, 1799. His mother was born April 18, 1798. They were married May 25, 1823, and had three children. Daniel L., who died September 3, 1854; Washington A., died October 27, 1882. Mrs. Bouic removed to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1830, and in 1835 she purchased 231 acres of land in this township for $1,050, on which she settled the same year and lived thereon till her death, which occurred December 23, 1870. Our subject was married November 6, 1851, to Catharine, daughter of Christian and Hannah Myers, who was born in Union County, Ohio, January 10, 1830. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living, viz.: Christian W., Rebecca J., Hannah S., Mary C., Clara A., John D., Florence O., and Jacob. Emaline M., deceased. He owns 115 acres of the old homestead, and keeps a high grade of stock. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has been Elder three years.

THOMAS N. ELSOM, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, second child of William H. and Martha J, (Rittenhouse) Elsom, was born in Albemarle County, Va., August 20, 1849. He was brought by his parents to the county the fall after his birth, and settled in Dover Township. He was raised principally in Mill Creek Township and received his education in its schools. March 25, 1873, he was married to Miss Emma J., daughter of Luther and Mary A. (Scott) Winget. Mrs. Elsom was born in Delaware County June 13, 1852. Five children were born of this marriage, of whom two are living-Stewart Clayton, born January 4, 1879; and Mary Effie, born December 23, 1880. Nora M., born April 6, 1874, died March 1, 1879; William Stanley, born October 5, 1875, died March 2, 1879. A son died in infancy. Mr. Elsom located on his farm in 1873, and is engaged in farming and raising Spanish Merino sheep. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and are charter members of the Grange. He owns a farm of 102 acres.

JACOB L. FELKNER, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Hawkins County, East Tenn., September 1, 1819, and is a son of Jacob and Mary E. (Hutchinson) Felkner. In 1827, they removed to Franklin County, Ohio, and in 1836 removed to Delaware County, Ohio, where both died. Lewis Felkner, father of Jacob, Sr., was born in Germany, and settled in Virginia. In 1827, the father of our subject bought 120 acres of land here, sixty of which he gave to him. He died Christmas Day, 1840. The subject of this sketch was married, November 5, 1840, to Ellen, daughter of Jacob and Mary Carr, who was born in Grant County, W. Va., in 1821. To them have been born six children, five of whom are living, viz.: Calvin, Mary E., Luther, Dudley and Laura. Jacob L., deceased, aged sixteen years. When twenty-two years of age, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed fifteen years, and in an early day he made many coffins. He has served as Trustee two terms, and was Land Appraiser in 1870. Politically, he is a Democrat.

CALVIN FELKNER, farmer, P. O. Ostrander. Delaware County, eldest son of Jacob L. and Ellen Felkner, was born in Mill Creek Township February 13, 1842. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. April 13, 1862, he was married to Marinda, daughter of James Liggett. Mrs. Felkner was born in Mill Creek Township February 9, 1845. Of their four children, two are living-William Arthur, born September 13, 1866, and Laura Amelia, born May 23, 1871. Sarah Ellen, born May 18, 1863, and died August 5, 1879, and Fay Shields, born February 27, 1868, and died October 6, 1878.In April 1862, Mr, Felkner located on the

346 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

farm he now occupies, which contains eighty-seven and three-fourths acres. He is by occupation a farmer, and rears fine horses-roadsters. In politics, he is Democratic.

DAVID FISH, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Frederickstown, Md., December 8, 1829. His parents, James and Catharine (Easterday) Fish, were natives of Maryland, and of Irish and German descent. They removed to Columbus, Ohio, in 1833, and the following year to Mill Creek Township. Mr. Fish bought a farm of 118 acres, and at his death, which occurred January 18, 1871, he owned 160 acres of land. Mrs. Fish died August 20, 1872. They were members of the Protestant Methodist Church, and were the parents of ten children. David was reared on a farm, and spent his early life with his father in clearing it up. When of age, he married and rented till 1864, when he purchased fifty-one and one-half acres of land, which he sold in April, 1874, and bought his present farm. October 26, 1854, he was married to Miss Elizabeth S., daughter of Isaac and Sarah Wells. Mrs. Fish was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., September 17, 1827. Of six children born to this marriage there are living James I. C., Sabin R. and John W. Emanuel M., David H. and Sylvan A. are deceased. Mrs. Fish is a member of the New Providence Presbyterian Church. In politics, Mr. Fish is Democratic. He owns a well-improved farm of 160 acres, and is engaged in farming and keeping Poland-China hogs. In 1880, he erected a residence at an expense of $2,000. Mr. Fish started in married life with less than $100, and by dint of energy he has acquired valuable property.

CHRISTIAN H. GRAHAM, farmer, P. O. Marysville, was born in Paris Township September 22, 1839. He is a son of Robert and Judith (Bell) Graham. The former was born in 1808, and in 1812 came with his parents to Clark County, and in 1821 settled in this township. His grandparents came from England, and both died in Hamilton County, Ohio. Robert was married to Judith Bell December 22, 1829. They lived in this township till 1867, when they removed to Marysville, where he died in January 1882. She departed this life in August 1869. To them were born six children. He married for his second wife Mary J. Williams, in January 1870. Our subject is the third son and fifth child, and was reared upon the farm. April 23, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three months, but served until August 13, 1861. He re-enlisted November 20, 1861, in Company H, Forty sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was appointed Chief Musician, in which capacity he served till July 1, 1864. He was in the Fifteenth Army Corps, and took part in seventeen of the hard-fought battles of the war, and was honorably discharged at Columbus in 1865. He received a sunstroke at Jackson, Miss., from which be has never recovered. April 3, 1863, be was married to Lavina, daughter of Philip and Margaret Miller. She was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, November 10, 1844. Six children have been born to them, viz.: Alva D., Marion L., Ella M. and Eva M. (twins), William P. and Emma. L. They are members of the Christian Church. He is a member of the Central Ohio Christian Conference. He has been Township Trustee five terms. Also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He owns sixty-five acres of land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.

GEORGE HANAWALT, JR., farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, son of Samuel and Catharine (Acton) Hanawalt, was born in Mill Creek Township February 24, 1855. He was reared on a farm and received his training in the common schools. February 24, 1874, He was joined in marriage to Miss Esther A., daughter of Josiah and Mercy Baughman. Mrs. H. was born in Union County April 30, 1855. This marriage was blest with four children-Samuel J., born December 10, 1874; Berry E., born April 14, 1876; Pearl O., born March 30, 1880, and Myrtle R., born October 17, 1882. Mr. Hanawalt owns 107 acres of well improved land, and is engaged in farming and rearing Spanish Merino sheep. He is identified with the orders of I. O. O. F. and I. O. R. M., and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM C. HENDERSON, farmer, P. O. Watkins, a prominent agriculturist and fine stock-raiser of Mill Creek Township, was born in Indiana County, Penn., October 28, 1825; his parents, John and Anna (Jack) Henderson, cattle to Union County and settled on the farm occupied by the subject of this sketch. William is the youngest son and next to the youngest child of twelve children-seven sons and five daughters. He spent his youth and early manhood on the homestead, and received his education in the common schools of Mill Creek Township. When of age he took up the cooper's trade at New California, and followed it seven years, most of the time on the home farm; he made his start in this way, and in 1850 bought thirty-four acres of the homestead. He finally bought out all the heirs and owned the whole farm, which contained 140 acres. To this he kept making additional purchases of land till he now owns 431 acres, which constitutes one of the best farms in Union County. In 1873, he had built a large, commodious brick residence, the finest in the township. Mr. Henderson embarked in life a poor boy, working at the pittance wages of 25 cents and 31 cents a day; he has been an upright, honorable, hard-working man and by his untiring energy and industry has achieved success. In public enterprises and improvements, he has always lent his aid and support. To the pikes he has given at least $3,500. December 1870, Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Moses and Margaret Sewell, by whom he has two bright little children-Myrtie A. and an infant.

SIMON D. KILGORE, farmer, P. O. Jerome, a large farmer and stock-raiser of Mill Creek Township, was born in Canaan Township, Madison County, May 10, 1837. He is the youngest

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of ten children, six of whom are now living. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Patterson) Kilgore, were natives of Westmoreland County, Penn., and Botetourt County, Va., respectively; he was raised on his native place and was educated in the common schools of the district. Ile resided with his father till 1868, when he purchased 209 acres of his farm in Mill Creek Township. His father came with him in 1865, and lived in the family till his death. Mr. Kilgore was married July 3, 1864, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham and -Martha Cary. Mrs. K. was born in Madison County, Ohio, February 19, 1842. Three children were born to this union -Ettie J., born March 13, 1869; Cora E., born June 15, 1875; and Thomas H., born March 6, 1877. Mr. Kilgore owns a well improved and highly cultivated farm of 305 acres, and is a successful agriculturist and stock-raiser of the township. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he has always voted with the Republican party.

WILLIAM D. KIRKLAND, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, an old pioneer of Mill Creek, was born in Mecklinburg County, Va., December 20, 1808. His parents, George and Martha (Stanback) Kirkland, were also natives of Mecklinburg County. His father was born March 5, 1777, and his mother December 14, 1791. They were married in 1807, and removed to Charlotte County, Va., in 1812. From that county Mr. Kirkland was drafted in the war with Great Britain, and served eighteen months. His father, Burrel Kirkland, served from beginning to end in the American Revolution, after which he moved to Montgomery County, Ky., where he died, aged one hundred and eight. In 1829, our subject's parents removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where they both died; the former in December 1863, and the latter September 13, 1875. William, at an early age, learned wagon and carriage making, at which both his father and grandfather were professionals. He followed it till 1838, and more or less till 1858. In four years at his trade, near Dublin, he made and saved $400, with which, in 1840, he bought 70 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, for which he paid $212. He would often work in the harvest-field cradling grain all day, and then work all night at his trade. In February 1841, he moved on his new farm on Mill Creek, and followed the farm of summers and his trade of winters, till 1858, since which time he has farmed alone. In 1852, he purchased thirty acres, paying for the same $300. He has made subsequent additions, till his farm now contains 300 acres of land, most of which he has cleared and improved himself. Since 1859, he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising, and for the last four years be has kept French and Clydesdale horses. September 10, 1829, he was married to Jane, daughter of John Trusler, who died September 9, 1853, leaving five children; four are living-Lizzie, wife of Adam Robinson; Hannah, wife of Wilson Brown; George and William John is deceased. Mr. Kirkland was married the second time May 2, 1859, to Elizabeth A. Beard, daughter of Michael and Mary Beard, and a native of Zanesville, Ohio, where she was born October 29, 1823. Two sons were born to this union-Michael A. and Marion E. Mr. Kirkland embarked in life a poor boy, but, through perseverance and energy, he has made for himself valuable possessions. Politically, he is Democratic, having cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson.

LUTHER LIGGETT, farmer, P. O. Watkins, was born in this township October 11, 1836, and is a son of Absalom and Millie (Carr) Liggett. He (Absalom) was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 9, 1810, and was a son of James Liggett, who was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1778. He settled in Ross County, Ohio, in 1810, and in 1817 removed to Delaware County, Ohio, and settled at what is now Ostrander, where he died in 1864. The father of our subject was the fourth child of a family of ten children, viz: Job, Joab, Abner, Absalom, William, Millie, Cooorod, Susan, James and Gideon-all deceased but Abner. Absalom was married, in 1833, to Millie Carr, who bore him ten children, of whom eight lived to maturity, Luther being the eldest child. He was married, in 1857, to Maria, daughter of James W. and Laura R. (Kinney) Wilkinson, by whom he has had seven children, six of whom are living, viz.: Newton E., James A., Louisa A. L., Wayne, Clara M. and Henry C. An infant daughter deceased. After his marriage he lived on a rented farm till 1862, at which time he purchased ninety-six acres of land. At present he owns 300 acres of valuable land. He deals extensively in short-horned cattle, some of which he has exhibited at the World's Fair. He is now serving his fourth term as a member of the Agricultural Board, two years of which time he has been Vice President of the society. He has also served as Township Trustee, Township Clerk and Treasurer. In October, 1882, he was elected a member of the Board of County Commissioners. Politically, he is a Democrat, and has been delegated to various State and county conventions. Mrs. Liggett was born in Marysville, December 17, 1836. Her parents came to the above place in 1836, where they resided till 1857, and moved to Butler County, Neb., where they both died-the former, March 25, 1882, and the latter March 7, 1875. Mr. Wilkinson served as Probate Judge of Butler County two years, and, while a resident of Marysville, filled the office of Justice of the Peace.

ABNER LIGGETT, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, was born in Mill Creek Township April 17, 1850; he is a son of James and Sarah Ann (Richards) Liggett, of Virginia and New York respectively. His father was born November 14, 1817, and his mother April 20, 1819. They were married in Delaware County October 1, 1840, and had eight children-Arthur, married Clarinda Freshwater; Marinda, wife of Calvin Felkner: Abner (our subject); Joab, married Rose Honeter, and since Estelle Thompson ; Gideon; Minerva wife of Hiram Penny; William and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Liggett came to Union County in 1844, where they both died; the former August 29, 1882, and the latter March 28, 1870.Abner was married

348 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

April 7, 1870, to Casale, daughter of George and Margaret (Moore) Swank, and a native of Darby Township, Union County, where she was born June 17, 1861. They have two children James Ray, born May 10, 1872; and Mona S., born October 5, 1880, and died November 24, 1881. Mr. Liggett owns the old homestead, which contains 164 acres, and is engaged in farming and rearing short-horned cattle. He is serving his second term as Trustee of Mill Creek, and in politics is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

ELDER DANIEL LONG, deceased. The subject of this sketch, for many years pastor of the Christian Churches of the eastern part of Union County, was born in Alleghany County, Md., August 9, 1789. He was a son of Rosamond and Margaret (Devault) Long, who settled in Maryland prior to the war of the Revolution ; he was the youngest of nine children. About the time of the war of 1812 he came to Mill Creek Township, Union County, and served during the latter part of that war; he traveled over the southern part of the State on his Gospel mission and organized churches. He founded the first Christian Church in the county, and the first church of that order in Mill Creek Township, over which he presided as pastor till his death, which occurred November 26, 1873, aged eighty-four years, while conducting a series of revival meetings at Mill Creek Chapel. His marriage with Nancy Kelley, which occurred April 22, 1813, was blest with one child-Thomas W., who was born June 3, 1819; he was reared on a farm, and educated in the Worthington Schools. When nineteen years of age he engaged in teaching, which he followed till 1860, and was one of the most efficient teachers in the county. January 30, 1846, he was married to Miss Nancy, daughter of Stephen Latimer. Mrs. Long was born in Franklin County, Ohio, January 28, 1820. Three sons were born to this union-Daniel, born June 26, 1850; married Laura B. Bodley and have three children Nancy B., Alice and Lou. Stephen, born January 28, 1862; and George W., born December 25, 1853, and married Sarah Freshwater. Mr. Long died October 25, 1865, while serving as Township Treasurer. He left an estate of 275 acres of land, of which Stephen now owns 121 acres, embracing that portion which has the residence erected in 1861. Mrs. Long resides with Stephen. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising. In April 1876, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and re-elected in 1879; he is a member of the Grange and I. O. O. F., and in politics possesses the Democratic views of his lather.

GEORGE W. LONGBRAKE, farmer, P. O. Watkins, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, January 4, 1840; his father, Jacob Longbrake, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, was born January 17, 1808; And his mother, Susan Farnum, a native of Essex County, N. Y., was born September 17, 1811. Her parents, Zebediah and Jane Farnum came to Franklin County, Ohio, in 1818, and in 1822 to Mill Creek Township, where they both died ; the former October 19, 1852, and the latter February 7, 1852. Jacob Longbrake came to Union County with his mother in 1830, and settled in Dover Township. He married December 12, 1833, and died January 10, 1865, leaving a widow and four children-Marinda, wife of Robert Thompson ; Roxey A., wife of James H. Bethard; George W., the subject of this sketch; and Ida A., wife of J. L. Richey. Emily Al. is deceased. George W., our subject, was retired to manhood on a farm and was educated in the common schools. April 15, 1868, he was married to Miss Bell J., daughter of James B. and Jane Richey, and a native of Dover Township, where she was born September 26, 1852. They have two children-Alma E., born August 23, 1870; and Lima, born February 28, 1879. In 1850, Mr. Longbrake's parents settled on the farm he now occupies. He owns 100 acres and is engaged in farming and stock-raising In 1864, Mr. Longbrake was a member of Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He served 100 days and was discharged at Columbus, Ohio. In 1882, he was elected to the Board of Township Trustees.

WARRET OWEN, farmer, P. O. Watkins, one of the oldest Justices of the Peace of Union County, was born in Champaign County. Ohio, July 3, 1823. His parents, James and Rebecca (Henry) Owen, were natives of Virginia. His grandparents, on his father's side, it is thought, came from Wales prior to 1776, and his grandfaher served in the Revolutionary war. The parents of our subject moved to Champaign County before the war of 1812, and died when he was a boy of about ten years. He is next to the youngest of eleven children, of whom ten lived to maturity. At the age of fourteen, Warret was apprenticed to the saddlery and harness, matters' trade. He worked two years in Mechanicsburg then came to Marysville, and remained with Evans & Jennings till November 1840. In 1845, be came to Watkins, and established himself in his trade, which he followed successfully up to 1873. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1859, and has since filled that office, now serving his twenty-fourth year. He is a man good executive ability, and has no doubt acted as Justice longer than any other man in Union County. In 1861, he was appointed Postmaster at Watkins, and has served in that capacity ever since that date. December 22, 1844, he was married to Emily Farnum, daughter of Zebediah and June Farnum, who were among the early settlers of Mill Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Owen were blessed with five children; of them three are living-Rebecca J., wife of Berry Hanawalt; John R., who married Catharine A. Gamble, and Aurelious A., who married Mary R. Davis. James Z. and Susan C. are deceased. Mr. Owen was largely instrumental in organizing the Methodist Episcopal Church at Watkins, and with his family has been prominently connected with it ever since. He is now serving as Class Leader and Circuit Steward.

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MILL CREEK TOWNSHIP. - 351

JOHN PEIRSAL, farmer, P. O. Watkins, an old pioneer of Mill Creek Township, was born in Chester County, Penn., March 21, 1812. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Boyer) Peirsal, natives of Chester and Dauphin Counties, Penn., respectively. Mr. Peirsal was born March 18, 1784, and his wife April 15, 1784. They were married in Pennsylvania, and reared most of their family there. Of their children, the following are living: Silas, Richard. John, the subject of this notice, Elizabeth, widow of John Haney, and Mary A., widow of John Poe. Mr. and Mrs. Peirsal died in the same year, and at about the same age. John, our subject, when seventeen years of age, took up blacksmithing in Waynesburg, Penn., and served an apprenticeship of four years. He followed his trade principally till April 1839, when be came to Mill Creek Township. He first bought 109 acres of land, but continued to purchase till his farm increased to a farm of 700 acres. January 9, 1834, he married Catharine Westley, daughter of Samuel and Christina Westley, and a native of Berko County, Penn., where she was born January 9, 1814. Of fifteen children born to this union, eleven are living, viz.: Christina, wife of Alexander Anderson; Elijah Westley and Silas (twins); Evan; Marv, wife of John Stayman; George; Margaret, wife of Perry Smart; John, Catharine, Enoch and Jacob. Samuel, Eliza and Elizabeth are deceased. Mrs. Peirsal died August 22, 1877. Mr. Peirsal started out when a boy to carve out his fortune, and through his years of energy and industry he became the owner of 700 acres of valuable land, which he divided among his children, till he now owns but 300 sores. Politically, Mr. P. is Democratic. He cast his first vote for old Gen. Jackson.

GEORGE PIERSOL, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, Delaware County, fourth son of John and Catharine Piersol, was born on the old homestead in Mill Creek Township June 24, 1842. He was reared on a farm till of age April 1, 1864, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiment Ohio National Guards. He served in the Eastern army, in Maryland, and participated in an engagement at City Point, Md., and witnessed the battle of Petersburg and Butler's charge, at Fort No. Eight. He was honorably discharged at Camp Chase the following September. In 1866, he went to Kansas and followed carpentering two years and returned, locating on his present farm in spring of 1869. April 1867, he was married to Mrs. Barbara Harriger, widow of J. C. Harriger, and daughter of William and Harriet McCauley. Mrs. P. died October 11, 1869, leaving one child, Mary, who was born October 8, 1868. Mr. Peirsol was again married February 24, 1872, to Miss Abigail C., daughter of Dr. J. T. and Eliza R. Robinson. Mrs. P. was born in Fulton County, Penn., December 1, 1852. Their children are as follows: Eliza, born February 2, 1873; Enoch W., born June 30, 1875; Joseph T., born April 1, 1878, and Orvil, born April 17, 1881. Mr. Peirsol owns a farm of eighty-five acres. He was one term Trustee of Mill Creek Township.

E. P. ROGERS, farmer, P. O. Marysville, a prominent breeder of thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep, was born in Licking County, Ohio, May 6, 1852. He is a son of John C. and Nancy Rogers, who reside in Marysville. He is the youngest of three children. He passed his early life on a farm, and was educated in the common schools and Delaware Commercial College, from which institution he graduated in February, 1881. He taught school one year, and then came on the farm. He is engaged extensively in buying and selling French and Clydesdale horses. His chief attention is given to breeding thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep, in which pursuit he has been very successful. As a fine sheep and horse raiser he ranks as one of the leading men of the county. He is a regular exhibitor at the world's fair. January 23, 1880, he was married to Miss Alice C., daughter of A. G. and M. R. Boring. Mrs. Rogers was born in Dover Township February 22, 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the New Dover Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the orders of I. O. O. F., I. O. R. M. and K. of P. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns fifty acres land, and has charge of 300 acres more which he cultivates.

DR. THOMAS P. SHIELDS, of Mill Creek Township, was born in Cumberland County, Va. On his father's side he is of Irish and Scotch descent, the family having emigrated to this country, locating first in the State of Delaware, and subsequently moved to Virginia. His grandfather, John Shields, was an officer, Captain, in the Revolutionary war. His father, David Shields, was raised in Rockbridge County, Va., and served in the war of 1812-14. His grandfather on his mother's side was Joseph Watkins, of Goochland County, Va., who was of Welsh descent and of a Quaker family. His grandmother was Mary Carrington, a sister of Gen. Edward Carrington, of Revolutionary fame. He was with Washington throughout the Revolution, a member of his staff, and an intimate friend of La Fayette. The Carringtons were English, and settled in Virginia at an early day. Dr. Shields, after attending the primary schools in his neighborhood, took a course in Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Va., and then attended lectures in the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, and the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia. After graduating, he settled on the farm on which his widowed mother resided and on which 'he was born, and practiced successfully his profession as physician and surgeon. For some years before the late war, he had been connected with a volunteer military company. This company was ordered out early in the war, and attached to the Eighteenth Virginia Regiment, Confederate States Army, which served mostly in the Army of Northern Virginia. In the winter of 1862, his health becoming impaired, he resigned his position and received the appointment of Surgeon, and served principally in the

352 - HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

hospitals until the close of the war. In 1867, he removed to Ohio with his family and settled in Mill Creek Township, on a farm belonging to his sister, Miss Mary C. Shields. Since then he has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising, taking great interest in short-horn cattle and sheep, and has been a liberal exhibitor at our county fairs. He was one of a few who formed the first farmers' club in the county, and was a member of the first grange in the county. He was afterward made a Deputy by appointment from the National Grange, and organized the granges in this county, and a large number in other counties in the State. He has been an active worker in the grange, and has frequently represented the granges of the county in the State Grange. He has been connected with the county agricultural society for some years, and is at present the Vice President of that society. He has been a warm advocate of public improvements and favored whatever was calculated to advance his neighborhood and county. He served a number of years as Treasurer of Mill Creek Township, and the School Board. In religion, Dr. Shields is an Episcopalian, but there being no church of that denomination within reach, be has been liberal in supporting other churches in the vicinity, and has been an active worker in the Sunday school. He has been married twice; first he married Miss Martha C. Bradley, of Pikeville, Ala., who died in 1859, leaving a son and daughter. The son, Gamble Shields, married Miss Lulie A. Liggett, a daughter of Arthur Liggett, Esq., of Mill Creek, and is now living on a farm in Hamilton County, Ohio. The daughter, Martha Thomasia Shields, is living with her father. He was married a second time in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth J. Ford, of Cumberland County, Va., who was known to a large circle of friends in this county and State as a lady of rare accomplishments. She died March 26, 1882, leaving nine children, viz.: Fannie M., Alfred W., Carrington. Mary H., Bessie P., Richmond L., Ruth E., Jennie V., Buretta F.



ROBERT L. STIMMEL, farmer, P. O. Ostrander, a native of Franklin County, Ohio, was born December 14, 1837. His parents, Abraham and Elizabeth (Lisle) Stimmel, were natives of Franklin County, and came to Mill Creek Township in 1844. His grandparents, Michael and Catharine (Plumb) Stimmel, came to Franklin County, Ohio, before the war of 1812, and died in Hamilton Township. Robert's parents resided in Mill Creek till 1857, when they returned. to Franklin County, where they died-Mr. Stimmel June 7, 1866, and Mrs. S. February 1873. Mr. Stimmel was born June 11, 1818, and Mrs. S. in 1815. They had ten children, of whom Robert is eldest. They came to the county in 1859 and bought a farm, now containing 1661 acres, besides 107 acres in another part of the county. His marriage with Rebecca E., daughter of Joseph and Mary Hutchinson, occurred February 3, 1859, and was blessed with ten children; eight are living-Alvin, Irwin, Hattie, Joseph L., Emma, Robert T., Viols and Freddie. Charlie and Clara are deceased. Mrs. Stimmel was born in Mill Creek February 16, 1840. Mr. Stimmel is serving his second term as Justice of the Peace. He was Township Trustee four years, and Clerk two years. He owns 278 acres of land, and follows farming and stock-raising.

W. T. THOMPSON, merchant, Watkins, was born at Watkins, Ohio, June 6, 1851, and is a son of James and Catharine (Gamble) Thompson, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Ireland. They had a family of twelve children, of whom eleven survive-ten boys and one girl. The wife and mother died in 1854. The father still survives, at the age of seventy-one years, and is a resident of Delaware, Ohio. Our subject was raised and educated at Watkins, and resided with his father until he reached his majority, when he purchased 100 acres of land in Mill Creek Township, on which be lived seven years. After leaving the farm, he entered the mercantile trade at Watkins, where he is still engaged in business. In 1872, he married Mary Alice, daughter of Lewis and Catharine (Miller) Lemay, residents of this township. To this union four children have been born, all now living, viz.: Gueretta, Catharine, John and James.

JOHN W. WELLS, P. O. Ostrander, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, November 7, 1835. Is a son of Isaac and Sarah (Trusler) Wells, natives of Hawkins County, Tennessee, and Rockingham County, Va. His father was born September 15, 1798, and his mother February 15, 1804. They were married March 8, 1825, and in 1829 removed to Dublin, Ohio, where they lived till 1836, at which time they settled in this township, on the farm occupied by our subject. Here he died October 26, 1844. His wife departed this life July 12, 1872. To them were born ten children, three eons and seven daughters. John W. is the second son and sixth child. He was married February 25, 1873, to Rachel, daughter of James L. and Elizabeth McKirgan, who was born in Tennessee, June 11, 1844. To them have been born five children, three of whom are living, viz.: Byron B., Clarence M. and Albert D. Rose and Ralph died in infancy. He owns eighty-eight acres of valuable land, all well improved. He and wife are exemplary members of the Presbyterian Church.

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