OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

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Morrow County,  Ohio
History & Genealogy

South Bloomfield Twp. –
IRA SALISBURY, retired farmer P. O. Sparta; is a native of New York, and was born in 1811; his parents were old settlers in the State of Ohio, and were closely identified with its history.  When the father came to Ohio, in 1815, having considerable money, and not thinking it wise to carry it with him, he placed it in a trunk, which was sent by rail, but in its passage to Ohio it was broken open and rifled of all this hard earned money.  This loss baffled his calculations, and he had many hardships to undergo before he had a home he could call his own.  Upon his arrival in Ohio he stopped for four months in the old fort at Delaware, and at the expiration of that time, moved to a farm that he had rented, five miles north of the town; he remained there about twelve years, working, economizing and saving, and then purchased a farm of 130 acres, in Harmony Tp., where he moved in about 1828, first stopping for a short time near Mt. Gilead; both the father and mother were born in 1780, and were married in Sept., 1805.  These parents, Ephraim and Lydia (Windsor) Salisbury had a family of seven children -- Celinda, Ennis, Ganza, Ira, Ephriam, Amy and Rebecca, all of whom are married and have families of their own.  Ira’s education was limited because of demand for his services on the farm.  At the age of 21 the proceeds of his labor went to himself, yet he continued to live with his father.  He was united in marriage Dec. 12, 1833, to Hannah, a daughter of Rev. David James, and by her had a family of eight children -- David, Ephriam, Elizabeth, Dinah, Ennis, Adin, Minerva and Brunson.  Mr. Salisbury lived with his father until he died; supporting him, but using the proceeds for himself.  In June, 1847, the father gave Ira a deed to the 130 acres, purchased when he first came to Harmony Tp.  At different times this was added to, until, he owned 380 acres; but since that time he has disposed of it all.  Mr. Salisbury at present owns some lots, and a few acres of land in and near Sparta.  His wife, Hannah, died Dec. 13, 1865; and on the 26th day of Nov., 1868, he married Diana (Hamill) Manville, the widow of John Manville.  Mr. Salisbury’s sons Ephriam, Ennis and Adin, were in the late war.  Adin lost an eye at Chattanooga.  Ennis was in sixteen battles, going on the march to the sea with Sherman.  Ephriam and Ennis are both married, and live in Missouri, and have families; Diana is married and lives in New York.  Mr. Salisbury is a member of the Baptist Church; he became a member in 1824.  He is also one of the most radical and influential Republicans in the southern part of the county.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 676-677
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
JUDSON A. SALISBURY, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born May 31, 1850, in this township, where he has always remained. His father’s name was Emness and his mother’s, Elizabeth (Evans) Salisbury. His father died when he was young, which left Judson in the sole care of his mother, who took a mother’s interest in him and gave him the advantage of an education, requiring only a portion of his time on the farm. He was married Dec. 24, 1872, to Nora, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Titus) Kelly. Her parents had six children: Amanda, Henrietta, Bennett, Nora, Judson and Belle. She was born May 22, 1851; 112½ acres of land were given him by his mother. In 1871, he built himself a fine dwelling, in which he now resides. They have three children, Lizzie B., Charles K. and David C.  He is a member of Chester Lodge No. 204, I. O. O. F., in which he has held office. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church at Chester, in which he is Trustee. They are active members of the Sunday School.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 616
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
JOSEPH SAYRE, deceased, Mt. Gilead; was born in Dover, Morris Co., N. J., Sept. 5, 1805, and lived there twenty-four years, during which time he learned the blacksmith’s trade, and in 1829 came West, prospecting, and entered the place located one mile north of Mt. Gilead; he then returned to New Jersey, and settled up his business, and Oct. 25, 1831, married Miss Almira E. Hurd, a native of Morris Co., N. J.; in the fall of 1832, they came West on the farm he had formerly entered. They built a log cabin in the woods, and began clearing a farm, on which he lived until his death, Sept. 13, 1875. Of their eight children, seven are living -- Louisa, now Mrs. W. H. Green, of Coshocton, O.; Alfred H., on the present place; Sidney A., in Nebraska; Eveline F., now Mrs. M. Burt, of Mt. Gilead; Annie E., now Mrs. Jas. Stewart, of Mansfield, O.; Emma C., teaching at West Liberty, O.; Maria C., living at home; Harry Seward, killed while in the army.  Mrs. Sayre is living on the old homestead, where she settled in 1832.  Her parents, Joseph and Matilda (Seward) Hurd, were natives of New Jersey and New York. They married in New Jersey and lived most of their lives in Morris Co., where they died. The ancestors of these families were from Holland and Wales, and bore a conspicuous part in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Sayre’s grandfather was Col. John Seward, who took an active part in that struggle.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 555-556
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Franklin Twp. –
JAMES SCHANCK, dealer in horses; Pulaskiville. The subject of this sketch was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Apr. 2, 1818. He was raised on a farm, and had few advantages for education, being three miles distant from the school-house. On reaching his majority he went from beneath the paternal roof. He soon after purchased forty-eight acres where his son Ulysses lived, and in time added twelve acres more. It was wild land, and he at once began clearing and improving it, working very hard until he was “out of the woods.” In about 1845 he began dealing in horses, of which he was always fond. His first venture was to lead a drove of ten or fifteen horses to Cleveland, where he shipped to Buffalo by steamboat, and then led them through to Tompkins. Co., N. Y. a journey of fifteen days. He has handled from fifty to two hundred horses per year for thirty-five years. During the war he furnished some five hundred horses for the Government. He has shipped to and sold horses in the following markets: New York, Patterson, Newark, Newton, Port Jervis, Providence, Boston, Buffalo, Albany, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Columbus. He married Margaret Stevens, a daughter of Jacob and Nancy Stevens, of this township, on New Year's day, 1840. In eleven months she died, leaving one child, who lived two months longer. In 1842 he united his fortunes with Rebecca Jane Stevens, of the same family. She was born in this township, June 16, 1826. Of this marriage eight children were born -- Nancy A., born Aug. 29, 1843; married Banner Hart, of this township; Ulysses, July 4, 1845, married Hattie B. Hammond, and has a son and daughter -- Budd D. and Iva M. He is a man of remarkable energy, fine business qualities, and a pleasant gentleman, who is doing a prosperous business with his father in shipping horses; John B., born Aug. 18, 1847, died Aug. 13, 1874; James, born March 12, 1851, married Mary E. Jenkins, and is now dealing in horses at Providence, R. I., Mary, died when three years old; Alta, born June 6, 1858, married Joseph Lincoln, of Congress Tp., Ella May, born Dec. 5, 1861; Ida Belle, Nov. 25, 1865. Our subject is the youngest son of William and Mary (Hoff mire) Schanck. His grandfathers, Schanck and Hoffmire, both came from Holland. His father learned the trade of a mason in New York City, and lived for some time in Monmouth, N. J., and went from there to Tompkins Co.; N. Y. About 1831, he emigrated to Huron Co., Ohio, where he lived until about 1836, when he moved to Knox Co., Ohio, where he resided until his death, in about 1841. He was the father of nine children -- William, Rebecca, Anna, Sally, John, Peter, Susan, James and Lydia; of these but three a re living.  Peter, a farmer in Clinton Co., Mich.; Lydia, now Mrs. Samuel Peoples, of this township, and James; all the rest leave families.  Mr. Shanck lived on what is known as the “Clutter Farm,” from 1866 to 1879; but the reverses of business over which he had no control, and for which he was not responsible, came, and he gave up all. He now lives with his son Ulysses, his wife having died. He is a man of quick perception, sound judgment, a close student of human nature, and upright in all his business transactions. Of the Stevens family, extensive mention is made in the history of this township. Abednego Stevens, grandfather of Mrs. Schanck, came to Mt. Vernon about 1810, where he bought a large tract of land, and soon after entered a large body of land in this township; and his son Jacob, settled on the farm where James Lanhers now lives, about 1812.  His wife, Nancy, walked through from Bedford Co., Penn. They blazed a road through from Mt. Vernon, while she walked a distance of eighteen miles and carried her child; and Jacob at one time carried a grist to Mt. Vernon on his back. Her husband was away much of his time at Mt. Vernon, and she was made the victim of the treachery and malice of the Indians, being at home with the little ones. Her husband died in 1829, leaving her with six small children, but she managed to raise them comfortably. She is now living in DeKalb Co., Missouri, in her eighty-seventh year. For the courage and presence of mind in great danger, history should perpetuate her name, along with such heroines as Hannah Dustin.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 793-794
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Westfield Twp. –
JOHN SCHORR, farmer; P. O. Cardington; deserves especial recognition in our work as an example of what German industry and thrift has done in this township.  Beginning without a dollar, he has, by his own labor and prudent management, worked his way to the foremost rank among the farmers in this locality, and, in fact, his farm is excelled by none in point of fertility and improvement, brought out by the skillful hand of Mr. Schorr; he was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 14, 1813, of Fredrich and Elizabeth Schorr, and was brought up at farming; he came to America in 1841, landing in New York, from whence he went to Columbus, O, where he worked as a laborer for twelve years; in 1843 he married Anna Mary Schertzer, also a native of Bavaria, who came here with her parents in 1838.  In 1853 he moved to this county, buying fifty-five acres of land at Shaw Town, which he subsequently traded for a farm of the same amount, embracing a part of the tract he now owns, and to which he has since added, at one time, forty-five acres, and another sixty acres; in addition to this he owns a house and lot in Cardington; his farm is well ditched, and has superior buildings, and he is engaged in general stock raising.  He has a family of five children -- John, Elizabeth, married to Fred Heimlich, and Mary Ann, married to Daniel Beckel, are settled in Richland Tp., Marion Co., on good farms.  His oldest daughter, Barbara, is married to Jacob Young, one of the business men of Delaware, O.  His youngest son, Lewis Fredrick, is engaged in farming with his father.  Mr. Schorr is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in politics a Democrat.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 648
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

South Bloomfield Twp. –
FLOYD SEARS, farmer P. O. Bloomfield; is the son of Enoch Sears and Laura (Marvin) Sears, and was born in New York, Jan. 7, 1817.  The father was a farmer, and of English decent.  The parents were married in 1816, and came to Ohio in 1834; there was born a family of eight children, three of whom died in infancy -- Floyd, Lewis, George, Harriett, Aaron Burr, Rufus, and two that died in infancy.  George W. married Rebecca Love, and lives in South Bloomfield Tp.; Aaron B. married Catharine Struble, lives in South Bloomfield Tp.; Lewis died; Harriet married Dr. L. T. Dewitt; Rufus married Mary Struble, and lives in Richland Co., Floyd spent his youth at home, receiving a limited education.  In March, 1839, he married Victorine P., daughter of Sheldon Clark, and to them there were born three sons -- Clark G., born July 13, 1840; Smith, born Feb., 1843; the third son died in infancy.  In 1863, Clark married Deborah J. Cavert, daughter of John and Rebecca Cavert; they have one son, Charley A., born Dec. 6, 1871.  Smith married Susan Vail in 1864, and lives in the village of Bloomfield; as does Clark and family, also.  Enoch Sears died in 1876, and his wife in 1871.  Mrs. Sears’ grand-parents, on her father’s side, were Daniel Clark and Phedima (Curtis) Clark, who had a family of four children -- Roswell, Marshall, Ransom and Sheldon.  Sheldon’s wife was Selina McEwen, daughter of Ephraim McEwen.  In Sheldon’s family were two girls -- Victorine P., born 1822, and Rebecca J., born 1828.  Rebecca married Charles Jackson; he died, and she afterward married Allen S. Moffett.  Sheldon Clark came with his family to South Bloomfield Tp., in 1826.  Floyd is a Republican, and himself and family are members of the M. E. Church.  Mr. Sears has held various township offices of trust; he owns 210 acres of well improved land; he is one of the trustees of the Bloomfield Cemetery.  His father sowed in wheat the first summer-fallow ever sowed in the township, and raised quite a good crop.  Mr. Sears is one of the most prominent men in the township, and is universally honored and respected.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 677-678
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
WILLIAM SECHRIST, farmer; P. O. Shaucks; was born in York Co., Penn., Feb. 23, 1834, and is the oldest son of Henry and Mary (Clinefetter) Sechrist, who are both of York Co., Pa.  At the age of 23, William came West and lived two years in Marion Co., and in Clark Co. one year, when he returned to York Co., Pa., and after, one year’s stay, returned to this county and worked one year in Johnsville, where he was married to Caroline Henry, who was born Feb. 12, 1842 (in this township), who is a daughter of Martin Henry; her mother’s maiden name was Julia Ann Wilhelm.  After marriage, they moved to Marion Co., where he had twenty acres of land, and lived two years on the place, which proved to be so sickly that he sold it and returned to Morrow Co., and lived eight years on the Ridy place, in Perry Tp.; he afterwards moved to Mr. Henry’s farm, which he worked one year, and then made a purchase of the land he now owns, which consists of forty-four acres, all of which he acquired by his own industry; beginning life poor, he has fought his way through, and has worked hard for what he earned, and saved his means until he was able to purchase his home. He is a, good farmer, and his farm is well kept. They have had five children, whose names and ages are as follows: Mary, born March 19, 1863; Eli, October 18, 1865; Ida, September 26, 1868; Alice, December 13, 1872; Sarah A., December 15, 1874.  He is a member of the Lutheran Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 700
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

North Bloomfield Twp. -
ANNA CATHARINE SEIF, farmer; P. O., Galion; was born in Baden, Germany, Jan. 1, 1830; she was the eighth in a family of ten children; her parents were Conrad and Charlotte Peaster. Her father was a farmer, and being in humble circumstances, he emigrated to this country in 1834, hoping to better his condition. He first settled in Crawford Co., near Galion; but in 1847 he moved into what is now Morrow Co., and remained two years, when he removed to Michigan, and lived there the rest of his life, dying in 1864. Catharine had few of the advantages of procuring an education in those early days, as she commenced working out when very young, and did a woman's work when a mere child; she was married Aug. 13, 1848, to Michael (second son of Jacob and Margaret) Seif; they lived together very happily until his death, which occurred July 13, 1873. He was an upright man and strictly moral. He was a class-leader in the German Methodist Church for eighteen years, to which he and his wife belonged. They had eight children, seven of whom are living – Margaret, John F., Catharine E., Daniel, Joseph A., Mary H., and Lydia L. Their third child, Samuel, died in Michigan a short time before his father's death. The property was left to Mrs. Seif, and she is constantly improving it, and endeavoring to make it as attractive as possible, thereby hoping to induce her sons to remain on the farm and not let it go to strangers.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 630.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

North Bloomfield Twp. -
PHILIP SEIF, farmer; P. O. Galion; the youngest of a family of five children, was born in Baden, Germany, March 3, 1829, and was brought to this country by his parents with the rest of the family when but three months old; he passed his boyhood days in helping clear up the farm, on which he has always lived; when in his twelfth year, his father died, and his life was rendered none the pleasanter by this event, as it increased the cares of himself and brothers. He now lives on the old homestead, where he spent his early life; he was married Oct. 16, 1853, to Harriet, daughter of Henry and Catharine Alshouse, seven years afterward she was called from this world of trouble, leaving a sorrowing husband and three small children – Franklin, Lewis and William. He was again married, Aug. 29, 1861, to Mrs. Rachel Dye, who had two children by her first husband (James Dye); their names are Vincent K. and Nancy. There are six children by the second marriage – Harriet, Ellen, Fernando, George, Michael and Edward. Mr. Seif owns a good farm of about 100 acres; he has been Trustee of the township, and his good nature and sociable disposition surround him with friends.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 630.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

North Bloomfield Twp. -
JACOB SELL, farmer; P. O. Whetstone; is the third of a family of ten children, and was born May 20, 1827, in York Co., Penn.; his father, Adam Sell, was born in Adams Co., Penn., and his mother, Mary (Schisler) Sell, was from the same State, York Co. Mr. Sell, Sen., was a blacksmith, and worked at the trade as long as he remained in his native State; he emigrated to Ohio in 1834, and soon settled on the farm on which Jacob now lives; there were enough logs cut to build a small cabin, and from these a shop was formed; as soon as he could build a house he moved on the farm and when not engaged in the shop he was busy clearing up and improving his land. He soon quit the trade and paid his whole attention to farming, until his death, which occurred in 1878. Jacob left home when of age, to learn the carpenter's trade, and worked at this for twelve years, when he started for the “gold fields” of California. After five years of varied success as well as varied employment, he returned to this State, and once more worked at his old trade till the death of his father, when he moved on the old homestead, and has since been a farmer. He was married July 13, 1865, to Elizabeth, daughter of Adam and Margaret Hibner; she was born Feb. 13, 1841, and is German descent; her father died when she was 5 years of age, and from that time till her marriage she had to take care of herself; she experienced all the hardships incident to the life of one in her situation, yet she was protected by Him who has promised to be the orphan's guide. They have three children -- Mary J., Adam H. and Charley W.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 629-630.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Cardington Twp. –
JOHN SELLARS, farmer and stock-dealer and raiser; P. O., Cardington; was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Nov. 1, 1827, and is the oldest of a family of four children of Jacob and Effa (Fluckey) Sellars; George Fluckey, a revolutionary soldier, and grandfather of John Sellars, removed from Perry Co., O., to Morrow Co., and settled upon the farm now owned by the former, in the year 1834.  John Sellars’ parents came the same year and entered an adjoining piece of land. They brought with them 40 heads of sheep, but it was not long until the entire flock were killed by the wolves, which at that early day were very troublesome. They were hard-working people, and had soon made for themselves comfortable homes. Jacob Sellars died in 1850, his loss being deeply felt by his family and numerous friends; his wife survives him and is a resident of Cardington Tp.  John Sellars passed his youth and early manhood assisting his father upon the farm; he received but a limited education, and on the 29th of March, 1849, was united in marriage with Miss Jane Curl, daughter of William Curl, Esq., one of the early settlers of Cardington. Tp.; she was born Jan. 9, 1828, in Clark Co., O.  The fruits of this union were ten children, eight of whom are now living -- Selby, Lucinda, Wiley, Amanda, Lovina, Isadora, Ross and Leman; those deceased were named Alva and Freeman. Mr. Sellars first purchased forty acres of land, which he has owned a great many years; he now owns 310 acres of well-improved land in Cardington Tp.; also valuable property in the village, besides lands in Paulding Co., O., and in Missouri. He is a Prohibitionist politically, and an earnest advocate of the Temperance Reform. He takes great interest in religious and educational enterprises [sic], and has, for a great many years, been a consistent member of the United Brethren Church. He deals largely in fine stock of all kinds; he has a stud of thirty horses now upon his farm, and is the owner of Mohawk Jackson, whose record as a trotter is scarcely second to any horse in the State; he is also the owner of several fine Bashaw horses. There are few men in Morrow Co. who have done so much to improve all kinds of stock as Mr. Sellars, and the county would be much better off had it more such men.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 585
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Harmony Twp. -
B. A. SELLERS, farmer; P. O., Chesterville; war born Feb. 3, 1851, and is a son of Henry Sellers, whose sketch appears in Chester Tp. He early began attending school, and became very proficient in his studies, which enabled him to teach school; this avocation he followed for three terms, and was considered the most successful pedagogue of the township. He was married Sept. 21, 1873, to Minerva A., daughter of Joel D. and Abigail (Lewis) Bruce; she was born March 2, 1855. They settled after marriage on the present farm of 84 acres, owned by his father, and has since remained here. Has been prominently identified with the Democratic party, and by that organization was chosen Township Clerk for the year of 1880. He makes a specialty of Poland-China hogs. His wife is a member of the Old School Baptist Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 716
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Chester Twp. –
HENRY SELLERS, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born in 1816, in Pennsylvania; his father, David, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, Sarah Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania; they emigrated to Ohio about 1834, and settled in Harmony Tp., this county; their children were John, Henry, Joseph, David, William and Sarah, (twins), and George. Henry remained with his parents and attended school, aside from which he performed the necessary duties about the farm. He was married in 1844, to Margaret H., a daughter of Jacob and Priscilla (Martin), Wolfe; she was born in Richland Co., this State, and was one of thirteen children: Joshua, Eliza, Nancy, John, Jacob, Priscilla, Margaret, Sarah, George, Sabina, Mary A., Martin -- the latter was scalded to death -- (one died unmarried). This union has given Mr. Sellers four children -- Nancy, Loretta, Esther A., and B. A.  In 1849, he bought the present farm of 100 acres, of Charles Wright, owned first by Thomas George; he has improved the same and has one of the finest farms in the country, being well watered by springs; he has been Township Trustee of Harmony. He votes the Democratic ticket. He and his brother John cut out 320 rods of road in this county.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 615
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Franklin Twp. –
GARRETT SELOVER, farmer; P. O., Chesterville; among the wealthy and influential agriculturists of Morrow Co., the gentleman whose name heads this sketch deserves more than a passing notice, as a man who has succeed in spite of many discouragements; he is the third son in a family of five children -- James, Isaac B., Garret, John W. and Mary A.; Garrett was born Sept. 27, 1821, in Tompkins Co., N. Y.; his father, William Selover, and family (except James) came to Middlebury Tp., Knox Co., Ohio, in about 1835, and James, the oldest son, was married in the state of New York, and joined the family the next winter; the parents were natives of New Jersey, and came to New York in an early day. They purchased 75 acres in Middlebury Tp., and 174 in Franklin Tp.; both were in the green woods then. Mr. Selover united in marriage with Elizabeth Winteringer, Dec. 21, 1843, and in about 1844 settled on 100 acres of the present site. Three children were the fruit of this union, all of whom are dead. His wife, Elizabeth, died Oct. 15, 1852.  Nov. 8, 1853, he was married to Esther, a daughter of William and Grace (Lavering) Rambo; she was born June 28, 1826; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and settled near Stephen Cook’s, in 1813, where they raised a family of eight children -- Reece L., Mary, Daniel, Nathan, Lamech, Tabitha, Eli and Esther. Eli Rambo enlisted in the 26th Michigan Regiment, and fell at Richmond, May 11, 1864. Mr. Selover received a limited education, and by close attention he has developed his mind and amassed a handsome property of 200 acres of land; he and wife hold a membership in the Presbyterian Church; his eminent success in business has made him a useful man in township affairs, and for many years he has been chosen Trustee. He has one son, Lamech R. Selover, who united his fortunes with Hannah J. Rogers, of Montgomery Co., Penn., Dec. 25, 1879.  Our subject lost his sight in the fall of 1871, and by a painful operation, he partially recovered.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 795
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
HENRY SHADE, farmer; P. O., Pulaskiville; was born in Perry Tp., in Nov., 1829, and is the fifth child of a family of six, born to Henry and Nancy (Parker) Shade; both were natives of Baltimore Co., Md., and emigrated to this region at an early period of its settlement; the father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and moved into this township in 1845, locating on the farm now owned by Mr. Axtell; here he lived until his death in 1847; he was born in 1782; Henry lived at his paternal home until his marriage with Hannah Cyphers, who was born in New Jersey, Oct. 24, 1835, the daughter of James and Keziah (Banghart) Cyphers; they were married May 12, 1856, and located on the farm which he now owns, consisting of eighty acres; the buildings upon it are improvements made by him; they have had eleven children, nine of whom are living; the record in the family Bible gives the order of births as follows -- Christina, born March 15, 1857; Lucina, Sept. 5, 1858; Rose, Sept. 4, I860; Frank, Oct. 17, 1863; John, Sept. 11, 1865; James H., July 24, 1867; Charles, Nov, 29, 1869; Fred, Dec. 18, 1871; Burr, May 10, 1873; Ossie and Voicy, twins, Sept. 20, 1878. The latter died Oct. 29, 1878, and the former April 9, 1879; Mr. Shade’s mother still lives and resides with him, having been in an almost helpless condition for two years.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 699-700
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. -
JACOB H. SHAFER, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Cardington; was born in Delaware, now Morrow Co., Ohio, about the year 1815, and lived there until he was 25 years of age; he then moved to Marion Co., and farmed there for fourteen years; thence to Cardington, where he followed teaming and farming, until 1868, when he came to his present place, and has lived there since. Nov. 24, 1841, he married Miss Hester Ann Cupp; she was born in Pickaway Co., and moved to Crawford Co., and lived there until she was 17 years old, when she went to Delaware Co., and lived there until her marriage. They had twelve children, eight of whom are living, viz.-- Mary E., now Mrs. Albright, Van Wert Co., Ohio; Helen M., now Mrs. Lewis, of Morrow Co., Ohio; Barbara A. at home; Wm. S., Morrow Co., Ohio; Nancy, now Mrs. Loffer; Morrow Co., Ohio; Sarah C., now Mrs. Lucas, Marion Co., Ohio; Jacob A., Morrow Co., Ohio; Lucetta F., now Mrs. Kisling, Morrow Co., Ohio; also Minnie F., adopted in infancy. Mr. Shafer has always been a hard-working man, and has earned all he has by his own labor and management. He owns 113 acres located two miles southeast of Mt. Gilead. His parents, William and Sallie (Dewitt) Shafer, were natives of Pennsylvania, they married there, and came to Delaware Co., Ohio, in the year 1810; he enlisted and served during the war of 1812, after which he moved to Cass Co., Ind., where he died; his wife died in Marion Co., Ohio, previous to his going West. Mrs. Shafer's parents, Conrad and Elizabeth (Cruninger) Cupp, were natives of Pennsylvania; they married there, and moved to Pickaway Co. at an early day, and in 1824, they moved to Crawford Co., where they died.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 556
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Washington Twp. –
J. W. SHAFFER, farmer, P. O., Galion; was born in Washington Tp., Morrow Co., July 17, 1846; his parents (still living on the farm adjoining) were among the early settlers, coming from Mansfield, O., but originally from Germany.  Mr. Shaffer has spent all these years on his father’s farm, or that portion of it which is come into his possession.  His opportunities for an education were limited to the public schools in the near vicinity, but these were eagerly seized and conscientiously improved.  May 3, 1866, he married Miss Mary Burkhart, whose early home was in Pennsylvania, but more recently in Marion Co. of this State.  They have three children; the two oldest are as follows: Sarah Ellen, 13 years, and Ida May, 7 years of age.  Mr. Shaffer has a fine farm, numbering 50 acres, in a fine state of cultivation.  In this he interests himself, keeping it in good repair, raising good crops, and is making a success as a practical farmer.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 751
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
REV. HENRY SHEDD; Mt. Gilead; was born in Jeffrey Cheshire Co., N. H., May 16, 1803, and is the son of John and Susannah (White) Shedd; his mother was born in Massachusetts, and his father in New Hampshire; he was a blacksmith by trade, engaged in farming the latter days of his life; he died a Christian in 1819.  A few months after his death, Henry commenced study with a view of obtaining an education. While fitting for college at the Academy in New Ipswich, N. H., he was converted and united with the Congregational Church of New Ipswich. His college studies were pursued at Dartmouth College, under the Presidency of Bennet Tyler, D.D., where he graduated in a class of thirty-six, in the year 1826.  Just one half of the class became ministers of the gospel.  Five members of the class have resided in the state of Ohio -- Salmon P. Chase, Prof. John Kendrick, Rev. A. R. Clark, Rev. Henry Little, were members of the class; during the course of Rev. Henry Shedd’s classical studies, he taught school about twelve months to obtain means to enable him to pursue his education; pursued three years’ course of study in the Theological Seminary, Andover, Mass., and graduated in a class of thirty-four, in the year 1829.  While he was a member of college and of the seminary, he spent several vacations dividing his Sabbaths in neighborhoods destitute of regular preaching, holding religious meetings, organizing Sabbath schools and visiting from house to house.  One of these places was in New Hampshire, where he labored in 1828, and where is now the city of Manchester, the largest city of that state.  He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of Newburyport, in April, 1829, and spent the vacation of six weeks immediately following in assisting Rev. N. Bouton, of Concord, N. H., in his pastoral labors.  During that vacation and the term following at the Seminary, he preached forty-four times in various places.  He was ordained Sept. 24, 1829, with fifteen others, by the Presbytery of Newburyport, in Park Street Church, Boston.  By his commission from the Executive Committee of the A. H. M. Society, he was appointed to preach the gospel in such place in Ohio as should be designated with the advice of Rev. Jacob Little, L. G. Bingham, and A. Pomeroy, after his arrival.  Oct. 7, 1829, Rev. Mr. Shedd and wife left Leominster, Mass, the residence of his mother and step-father, Deacon Abel Kendall, for Ohio, by stage; went to Schenectady, N. Y.; proceeded by canal boat to Lockport; thence by stage by way of the Falls to Buffalo; thence by steamboat to Cleveland; thence by carriage route to Granville, where they arrived Oct. 28, taking the most expeditious route, without unnecessary delay, taking them three weeks to make the journey; his location was fixed in the eastern part of Marion Co., in the beech woods in a place now called Mt. Gilead, then a new, woody, muddy country, without roads or bridges or any improvements, except little openings here and there in the dense forests, with the hospitable new-comers in their cabins, connected by trails or blazed paths.  Two Presbyterian Churches had been erected a few years previous, and left without preaching; one three miles east, called Center, and the other six miles west in Canaan Tp.  The Presbytery of Columbus, with which Rev. Mr. Shedd united, then embraced seven counties; this field he occupied twenty years.  He then spent one year and a half in preaching in Pisgah, when He returned to Mt. Gilead, where he remained four years longer, when he received a call from Lower Liberty and Little Mill Creek; after an absence of eleven years he returned to Mt. Gilead.  That field included what is now Morrow Co., and parts of Richland, Crawford, Marion and Delaware Counties, embracing fourteen points where he preached regularly, besides many other places where he preached occasionally.  Within the field he supplied seven churches, as follows: Center, five years as stated supply and three years pastor; Canaan, four years as stated supply and one year pastor; Mt. Gilead, seven years as stated supply, and eleven years as pastor; Oxford, one year as stated supply; Sandusky, two years as stated supply; Berlin, nine months as stated supply. The other missionary field to which he removed in April 1842, and occupied eleven years, embraced the most of Union, part of Madison, and a considerable portion of Delaware Counties; he had in the field seventeen points where he preached regularly. He also supplied seven churches in that field, Lower Liberty, Little Mill Creek, Middletown, Marysville, Newton, Delhi and Ashley.  He has been installed three times; Nov. 1, 1833, pastor of Centre of Mt. Gilead and Canaan; May 27, 1842, pastor of Lower Liberty Church; April 28, 1854, pastor of Mt. Gilead Church.  He had preached up to 1864, 4,011 times, administered the Lord’s Supper, either alone or assisted by others, 221 times; baptized 340 persons; married 107 couples, and officiated at the funeral of 223 persons.  He began his ministry in poverty and in debt, and through the whole of his ministerial support, thirty-two and a half years, has averaged but $280 per year.  Rev. Shedd married Miss Mary Gerrish, of Canterbury N. H., Sept. 28, 1829, by whom they had two sons, both living.  She died March, 12, 1835; was married to his present wife, Miss Lucretia George, of Dunbarton, N. H., Sept. 18, 1838; they have one daughter and four sons.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 553-554
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Peru Twp. –
LEWIS D. SHERWOOD, farmer; P.O., Ashley; is the son of David and Margaret Sherwood. David was born October 27, 1802, in Smyth Co., Va., and died Jan., 1873, and his wife, died July, 1876, in Delaware Co., Ohio.  Oct. 22, 1828, Lewis D. Sherwood was born, and in the following year (1829) his parents removed to Ohio. In 1851, June 5, Lewis married Laura J. Ashbrook, born October 23, 1832.  August 18th, 1857, his daughter, Lucy A. Sherwood, now the wife of Wellington M. Shoemaker, was born; she alone being the only representative of Mr. Sherwood’s family union. By occupation Lewis D. Sherwood is a farmer, tidy and economical in all his operations, and consequently gives evidence of thrift in all his surroundings; naturally of a high social order, he of course is one of that class that ever constitutes the basis of good society.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 658
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Congress Twp. –
JAMES SHIPMAN, farmer; P. O., Andrews; Dec. 13, 1824, was the most important event in the history of James Shipman, who was then ushered into the world, in Northumberland Co., Penn., from where his parents, Harmon and Mary (Hull) Shipman, emigrated and settled in this county, in Franklin Tp., where he entered a piece of land, and remained on it until his death, which occurred in 1853; his wife died Aug. 20, 1859.  James remained at home until he was 24 years of age; he then started out for himself, empty-handed.  May 22, 1849, he was married to Elizabeth Emick, born May 20, 1827, in Knox Co., near Mt. Vernon, who is a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Sawyer) Emick, both of Rockingham Co., Va.  After James’ marriage, he began renting land, which he continued four years, then bought fifty acres in the woods; not a stick had been cut on it; here he built him a cabin 24x18, and lived in the same until 1863, when he sold his interest in Franklin Tp., and moved to Congress Tp., three-quarters of a mile south of Williamsport; there he bought 80 acres of land, and has since been an occupant and owner of the same, having the same clear of debt or incumbrance. They have two children -- George W., born April 2, 1850, who is married, and in business for himself; John V., born Feb. 17, 1857, at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shipman are members of the Baptist Church, having been connected with that denomination for twenty-five years.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 700
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Washington Twp. –
JOSEPH H. SHUMAKER, farmer; P. O., Galion; was born in Berks Co., Penn., in the year 1814; his parents were always residents of that county, while his grandparents were amongst the earliest settlers of the same.  Mr. Shumaker remained with his parents till about 18 years of age, when he was apprenticed to the shoemakers’ trade.  He first engaged in that business in Lycoming Co., of his native State, where he carried on a shop for more than a year.  He was now enabled to enlarge his business, and so removed to Harrisburg, and kept a boot and shoe store for the next four years; then he returned to Lycoming Co., where, this time, he remained about four years.  His next change occurred in October, 1844, when he came to the State of Ohio, settling in Fairfield Co., still “sticking to his last;” but, having purchased a farm his attention was somewhat divided between shoemaking and farming.  His trade seems to have become less and less enjoyed, and his farm more desirable; accordingly, after thirteen years passed in these two occupations, he next removed to Washington Tp., Morrow Co., settling on a farm some two miles west of his present residence, and engaged altogether in farming.  At length he moved across the county line into Polk Tp., Crawford Co.  This was in 1864.  Here he engaged in a variety of occupations sufficient to crowd the time and attention of a half-dozen different men -- farming, stock-droving, the grocery and commission business; at the same time owning and managing a steam saw-mill.  Eight years were occupied with these crowding activities; in 1872 he was weary of this variety of life, and hence returned to Washington Tp., to pass the remaining years of his life on a fine farm, in the extreme northeast of the township.  When engaged in business in Harrisburg, Penn., he married Miss Susan Walton, whose early home was in Muncie, Penn., who has shared with him, all these changes.  The old family Bible tells the following story: John, born Sept. 2, 1837; Ebenezer, Dec. 28, 1839; Harriet, Sept. 9, 1842, (died Nov. 18, 1879;) James, Jan. 20, 1845; Joseph A., Sept. 7, 1847; Ann M., Oct. 31, 1849; Elmira C., Feb. 5, 1852; Emily R., June 9, 1854; Clarissie, July 17, 1856; Franklin P., Dec. 20, 1858.  This reveals the fact that all these have lived to maturity; one only has died, and of the remainder, all except two are married, and are living in homes of their own, more or less distant, one only beyond the bounds of the State.  Such is a brief record of an eventful life crowned with success.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 750-751
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
OTIS SHURTLIFF, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born May 22, 1816, in Vermont; his parents, Otis and Lydia (Hinkley) Shurtliff, were natives of Massachusetts, and were Scotch Yankees. They moved to Vermont, and there the father died in 1830. The mother then returned to her native State, and there died about 1844, and was the mother of thirteen children: Hiram, Lucy, William, Clarissa, Otis, Lydia, Seth, Mary, Harmon, Ruth, Caroline, Henry and Samuel. The father was in the war of 1812. , Our subject was always energetic, attempting to carry out every act he began; when quite a boy, he was engaged in splitting a log and finding he was unable to sever it with the maul and wedge, applied some powder in an auger hole and touched it off with a coal of fire; he has since had but one eye, a splinter having struck him, completely putting out the left eye. In 1835 he went to Panama, N. Y. and learned carpentering, which he continued for about twelve years, and during that time he served as Constable, and run a butcher shop a portion of the same. In 1855, he came with his brother William and his own family to Fredericktown, and remained there one year, and then farmed for J. L. Denman, for three years; and in 1863 bought four acres of his brother William, and has remained there since. His first marriage occurred May 12, 1842, in New York, to Cynthia A., daughter of Cyrenus and Rachel Glass; by her he had five children -- Cyrenus, Helen, Otis, Walter and Charles P. All survive. Walter is engineer on the Ft. Wayne & Chicago R. R. and Charles P. is brakesman on the same route; the other two boys are farmers; Helen married Wallace Gordon; he died; she again married a Mr. Mason; Mr. Shurtliff's wife died, April 18, 1872. He was again married in 1873 to Eleanor, a daughter of Joshua and Mary (Livingstone,) Ketcham. Her parents were born in York State, and her father died there; her mother came to Ohio in 1835, settling near Chesterville. Her mother married Edward Robinson. Mrs. Shurtliff was one of ten children -- John, Joshua, James, Jane, Mary A., Eleanor, Sallie, Phoebe, Isabel and Charles, (M. E. minister, in Cincinnati). The rest that are living are farmers. Mrs. S. was formerly married in 1845, to David Ayres, by whom she had Carrington, who married Alice Thayer, and Alta L., who married Alvin Scott. Mrs. Shurtliff was born May 18, 1821, in Hebron, Washington Co., N. Y.; she has 45 acres adjoining his, all well improved. Mr. Shurtliff has been School Director, and once joined the Sons of Temperance; he voted first for the Whig party, and since for the Republican; his grandfather Shurtliff was a native of Rhode Island, and a noted tailor. The Mr. Robinson spoken of in this sketch was a Revolutionary soldier.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 618
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Perry Twp. –
REV. J. F. SIMONS, farmer, and dealer in agricultural implements; P. O., Levering; is the second son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hardman) Simons; he was born Oct. 28, 1825, in Bedford Co., Penn.; he went to school about three months per year until sixteen, when he received instruction in an Academy in Cumberland Co., Md., for nearly two years; by close application, he so carefully employed his advantages here that he responsible work of teaching, which he successfully followed for four terms in his native county, working in a tannery during vacation; being twenty-three years of age, he was filled with a desire to visit the West and find a new and larger field for his energies; accordingly, he joined his uncle, Jacob Hardman, early in the spring of 1848, and they arrived at McFarren’s, of Perry Tp., Richland Co., Ohio, March 19; he taught school that summer, and took a tour through Indiana, visiting various points of interest; he returned and taught school in the Lamb District the following winter; he married Catharine A. Wirick, Feb. 11, 1849.  She is the second daughter of Peter and Deborah (Huntsman) Wirick, born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., on the 16th of September, 1826.  After marriage, Mr. Simons lived on McFarren’s farm one year; in the fail of 1849, he purchased his present farm of 80 acres, all in the woods then.  The next year a hewed log house was erected where the present handsome frame structure now stands.  Here they have lived and toiled for thirty years. The following year after he settled, he planted a fine orchard and sowed six acres of wheat.  His own labor has removed sixty acres of heavy timber, and erected the substantial buildings of the present.  In 1856 there was an almost total failure of the wheat crop in some localities, from the ravages of the weevil, making bread-stuffs scarce.  Mr. Simons hauled timber to Mt. Vernon, for which he received in payment a ten-dollar bill; he purchased a barrel of flour with it in Mansfield, and started home; he was soon overtaken by merchant, who claimed the bill was counterfeit, and on taking the bill to the lumber dealer, he denied giving it to him, and as a consequence, Mr. Simons lost the much-needed sum; he is a Democrat, and has assessed this township, and served on its Board of Education.  For some time past he has effected extensive sales of D. M. Osborne Company’s Agricultural Implements, in this and Richland and Knox counties.  He early united with the Disciple Church, and has been a faithful minister in its ranks for a number of years.  His wife and seven of the children are within the sacred fold of the same church.  Eleven children have blessed this union, all living but two -- Mary E. born Dec. 24, 1849; Rebecca, March 24, 1851, married Frank Hathaway, and live at Levering Station; Deborah, July 2, 1852, married Leander Ackerman of Knox Co.; Lomirah, born Dec. 29, 1853, died Sept. 6, 1877; Freeman born D., Feb. 2, 1856; Leander Jan. 16, 1858, married Miss Beulah Lukens of Ridgway, Ohio; Catharine, born Oct. M., 24, 1861; Addie A., March 19, 1864; Minnie June 26, 1866; Vernie G., May 16, 1868, died Feb. 7, 1870; Mamie, Sept. 29, 1871.  The father of Mr. Simons followed the occupation of miller; spent his days in Bedford county and was the father of seven children -- Maria, Mary, Elizabeth, David, Josiah F., John and Rebecca.  Peter Wirick, the father of Mrs. Simons, is one of the few pioneers yet living whose vivid recollections extend back over more than a half century of thrilling scenes and great privations.  To his grand-daughter, Miss Mary E. Simons, we are indebted for the following sketch of this remarkable man’s life: Peter Wirick, oldest son of John and Elizabeth Wirick, was born in Washington Co., Penn., on the 25th of July, 1794.  His parents were of German descent, and reared to manhood and womanhood nine children.  His father was a farmer and millwright, and left his native State when Peter was a small child, settling in Belmont Co. O.  Here he learned to read, write and cipher, which was all they taught in the schools of that day.  He never attended school after reaching his twelfth year.  About 1806, his father again sold his property and removed to Guernsey Co. O., where he lived some six years, and being of a roving disposition -- never satisfied -- he again sold out and removed to Richland Co. O., and settled on the stream known as the Mohican.  Here he entered land, and not being able to obtain the money for which he sold his former place, they were compelled to live very poor indeed for some time.  Their clothing, warp and woof, was manufactured by their own hands.  Peter had now reached his eighteenth year, and had never worn aught but “homespun.”  This was about the year 1812, and the almost unbroken forest abounded with every variety of wild game.  Under these circumstances, Peter developed a passion for hunting which seemed to be innate, and has characterized him from that day to this.  He being the oldest son, ranged the forest that the family might have meat while, his father labored in the mill, and in various ways sought to drive the “wolf” from his door.  In the years following 1812, the Indians gave the settlers much trouble.  They “forted” three times, and under the command of Samuel Watson erected a block-house on the site of Belleville, which consisted then of a few dwellings.  In this place of refuge they spent a greater part of the summer, and late in the autumn returned to their homes.  On this twenty-third birthday he was married to Miss Deborah Huntsman, by squire Amariah Watson.  She is a daughter of James and Catherine Huntsman.  Her parents were from Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Richland Co. in an early day.  (See sketch of William Huntsman.)  Soon after marriage Mr. Wirick entered land near Bellville.  It was then a wilderness, full of deer and other wild game, which it was his chief delight to pursue and kill.  Here he resided seventeen years, and in that time thirteen children were born to them -- nine sons and four daughters, as follows: James, born April 3, 1817; John, March 29, 1818; Jacob, July 31, 1819; Peter, Oct. 11, 1820; Mary Ann, Dec. 4, 1821; George, Jan. 24, 1823; William, Sept. 20, 1824; Catherine A., Sept. 16, 1826; Daniel, Feb. 8, 1828; Jesse, Aug. 10, 1829; Washington, May 13, 1831; Elizabeth, in 1833; Deborah, Sept. 5, 1834.  He sold his land on the Mohican for $1000, and purchased his present home of 94 acres for $800.  Here three sons were born -- Jeremiah, born July 16, 1836; Harrison, Nov. 25, 1838; Ziby, Dec. 27, 1840; making sixteen children in all, of which eleven are living, and in prosperous condition in life, and have families, except a son and daughter.  The parents were members of the Disciple Church for many years, but drifted away, and at present the father’s sympathies are with the Universalist Church; he has been a Republican can since the organization of the party, and formerly wore the name of Whig.  He was the finest marksman of his day, and was ever ready to join a bunting party and spend days and even weeks in the forest; he spent the autumn months for eighteen years in bunting, and killed during his life over six hundred deer.  On one occasion Mr. Wirick was out hunting with a brother-in-law, John Huntsman, on the “Craven” farm, when from some cause they became separated.  Soon after Peter saw a large “Buck,” on which he fired, wounding it severely.  He approached the animal, intending to knife it, but found that he had forgotten his knife.  The deer was very angry and powerful, and he could only defend himself by striking heavy blows on its head with the muzzle of his gun until blood flowed freely from its nose, but its fury increased, until closing, they both fell on the snow covered earth, then stained with the blood of man and beast.  Strength and courage were fast giving way when with mighty effort he caught the animal’s neck and threw him on his side, but unfortunately with his feet toward him, giving the beast a decided advantage which he was not slow in using, for in this position he kicked and lashed his foe terribly.  To use his own words: “I was bruised from the crown of my head to the sole of my feet.”  Realizing that the struggle would be brief with such odds against him, with an almost superhuman effort he threw the deer on its other side with its feet from him, and seizing his neck, with one limb across his body, he thought to destroy his sight with a flint, which he usually carried in his shot-pouch.  But, alas! no flint was there.  He next searched for a pin or splinter of spicewood to accomplish the work; but the splinter was of little service to him.  Despair was about to seize him, when he heard the report of his comrade’s rifle, and his call brought him to the rescue.  They dispatched their plucky antagonist by cutting his throat.  Mr. W. is now eighty-six years old, feeble and tottering on the verge of the silent grave, where he must soon follow his faithful companion to rest.  She bore burdens, such as few mothers have suffered or endured.  A strong determination and a powerful constitution sustained her through all.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 826-828
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
GEORGE S. SINGER, liveryman, Cardington; was born in Frederick Co., Md., Sept. 15, 1837. Is one of a family of five children, of John and Sarah (Hockensmith) Singer, both of whom were of German descent, but natives of Maryland. The father owned a farm and country store -- the most of his time being spent therein. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, and was a man who had the sincere respect of every one. He never removed from his native State but remained near the place of his birth until his death, in 1859; his wife survives him, and is now residing upon the old homestead in Maryland, aged 82 years. George S. Singer remained at home assisting his father upon the farm and in the store until he was nineteen years of age. He then came to Ohio and stopped for some time, both in Tiffin and in Marion. He attended school at Delaware, O., some two years and then taught school several winter terms. He was married to Miss Annie M. Roach, March 6, 1859; she was born in Morrow Co., O., June 13, 1842. There are four children -- Harley S. Van Doren C., Emery M. and Mary Ella. He came to Cardington in 1857, which for the most part he has since made his home. He first engaged in the grocery trade, but on the breaking out of the Rebellion he enlisted in Co. C., 96th O. V. I. He was in a great many hard-fought battles, and saw much active service. After well and faithfully serving his country for three years, he returned home, after which for five years he was in the employ of the C. C. C. & I. R’y Company as Shipping Clerk; he then engaged in the livery business. He owns one of the largest and most commodious livery stables in Central Ohio. In connection with his livery business he also is engaged in the coal and lime trade; he also owns a large ice house, and annually puts up large quantities of ice. His home property is nicely situated on Marion St. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.; and of the I. O. R. M., of Cardington. Politically he is a Republican, though liberal in his views of men and things.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 585
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Perry Twp. –
DOCTOR D. M. L. SINGREY, physician and surgeon; Levering; second son of Jehu and Jane (Lemmon) Singrey, was born on his present farm Feb. 11, 1822; he went to school near where his brother Joshua lives, in the first school house built in Perry Tp., taught by Lawrence Van Buskirk, who boarded at his father’s, and often carried our subject, a four-year-old pupil, to school on his back.  As he grew up, he toiled in the clearing and in the field from early morn till the day’s close, until he was 18 years old, when his father moved to Bellville, Ohio.  He attended the schools of that place until he reached his majority, reading medicine with, Dr. Jacob Singrey during vacations.  He then entered the office of Dr. James C. Lee of Belleville, where he reviewed the whole course of study which he completed in two and a half years.  A series of popular lectures on medical subjects were given at Belleville during the winter of 1846.  The doctor removed to the old homestead, where he began the practice of medicine in Oct. 1847, and has continued ever since, except one year and four months spent at Albion, Noble Co., Ind.  He has a good practice in Morrow, Knox and Richland counties.  The doctor is a fine type of that class of men whom our country delights to honor as “self-made” and self-educated; he has been a member of the Richland County Medical Association; he has been a constant reader of the best books, of which he has a fine collection; he is a consistent member of the Harmony Regular Baptist Church, having united with that body in September, 1865, in which he is now Trustee; he cast his first vote for James K. Polk in 1844, and stands with that time-honored party to-day.  He united in marriage with Charlotte A. Bonar of this county, on the 25th of December, 1856.  She was born in Congress Tp., April 13, 1836, a daughter of John Bonar.  Of this marriage seven children were born, five of whom are living -- Hoy L., born Nov. 20, 1857; Thomas B., May 9, 1861; Lucy A., April 16, 1867; Fred L., Nov. 5, 1876; Ben B., Oct. 16, 1879.  Two died in infancy -- William F. and Kate.  Hoy L. Singrey resides at Belleville, Ohio, where he is telegraph operator on the Baltimore and Ohio R. R.  Jehu Singrey, father of D. M. L., was born in Baltimore Co., Md., Aug. 16, 1779; he followed the trade of miller and millwright in his native State; he married Jane Lemmon, Oct. 30, 1808.  After seven years of wedded life had passed over their heads, they were fired with a desire to see the new Eldorado just carved out of the great Northwest Territory; accordingly they journeyed across the mountains, and after a journey of twenty-two days reached the little cabin which his brother-in-law, John Shauck, had built on the Mohican, near the site of Shaucks’ Mills, September, 1815.  As Mr. Shauck had not arrived with his family, Mr. Singrey settled here for the winter, and in the meantime entered one hundred and sixty acres here and erected a house, into which they moved in the spring of 1816.  On the morning of his first visit to this place, he set out with gun in hand, and just as he reached the hill on which the house stands at present, he was confronted by three Indians, one of which gave a low whistle and waved him back with his hand, and looking down in the hollow, he saw three deer feeding, and bringing his gun to his shoulder, sent a ball with unerring aim through the heart of one of them.  He soon removed the hide and gave the Indians half, and ever after that they called him the “White Chief.”  They were his nearest neighbors, there being a wigwam of over one hundred and fifty Wyandott Indians camped in sight of his father’s house for seven consecutive years.  Tom Lion, the “Big Foot,” was their Chief.  The best of feeling ever existed between this family and these dusky children of the forest, and no instance of treachery or depredation occurred during their stay.  Mr. Singrey associated with them until he could talk their language.  The wife often baked for them, and exchanged bread for fresh meat.  The wolves made sad havoc of his sheep during the first five years; hogs were killed by the bears.  Jehu Singrey was a fine marksman; he killed wild cats, bears, and wolves; he killed twenty-three deer from September to Christmas.  During the first two years he went to Newark and Mt. Vernon to buy breadstuffs.  He built several of the first mills, working with Henry James.  The fifth season after his arrival, more wheat was raised than could he consumed in the family, and he took a load to Mt. Vernon, where Gilman Bryant, a merchant there, offered him twelve and a half cents per bushel in goods if he would empty it into the streets for the hogs to eat.  He drove on to Zanesville, where he received fifteen cents per bushel in sugar, rice, salt and leather. He was an “old time” Democrat, casting his first vote for Thomas Jefferson.  He was elected the first Justice of the Peace in Perry Tp., in the spring of 1817.  He owned three hundred and twenty acres in this and Congress Tps.  His nearest white neighbors at the time of settlement were Henry Sams, on the old Green place, and Daniel Levering, near Waterford.  He and his wife were baptized in the Clear Fork of the Mohican, by Elder Benjamin Green, by which they became members of the Salem Church, and on the organization of the Harmony Regular Baptist Church, became the first members of that body; he departed this life Apr. 23, 1847, aged 67 years, 8 months and 23 days, and his faithful wife died May 9, 1831, aged 47.  Seven children were born to them -- Elizabeth, born June 27, 1810, now Mrs. Dr. James C. Lee, of Belleville, O.; Rachel, born Sept. 7, 1812, died Nov. 16, 1850, was wife of Elijah Clark, a tailor at Belleville, O.; Sarah A., born June 11, 1814, lives at Belleville; Joshua, born Jan. 15, 1816; D. M. L., Feb. 11, 1822; (subject); Alice, June 5, 1826, lives in Belleville.  Christian Singrey, grandfather of our subject, was born near Luzerne, Switzerland, on the 27th of Sept., 1723.  He came to America about 1746, landing at Philadelphia, and settled in the Colony of Pennsylvania, where he remained some time, when a passion for a little lady whom he had known and loved in his native land became his master and he returned to claim her.  Elizabeth Ingold was but thirteen years of age, but their love laughed at obstacles, and they were wed, and hastening back to the Colony with his young bride, he never lost his residence there.  Having been seven years in the Colony of Pennsylvania, he took out naturalization papers, dated Sept. 27, 1753, bearing the Great Seal of the Crown of Great Britain, “on whose dominion the sun never sets.”  This ancient and yellow document is still in the possession of the Doctor, as is also his lancet over one hundred and fifty years old.  There were five sons and three daughters born of this marriage, of which Jehu was the seventh child.  Christian Singrey was a zealous patriot, and loaned nearly half a bushel of gold and silver coin to the Continental Congress, and received in payment their issue of paper money, which was almost worthless; he was an Army Surgeon in the Revolution under General Washington, and had his head-quarters at Baltimore.  Jehu Singrey, James McClure and Peter Wirick cut the road from Lexington through Kelley’s Corners, in the winter of 1816.  The Lemmon family came from Ireland in the person of John Lemmon, great-grandfather of our subject; he settled in Baltimore Co., Md., and married, raising a family of seven children, of which Alexis Lemmon, grandfather of our subject, was one.  He wedded Rachael Stansberry, a sister of General Stansberry, of Revolutionary fame.  Eight daughters were born to them, of which Jane, mother of our subject, was the seventh child.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 828-830
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
JOSHUA SINGREY, farmer; P. O., Darington; oldest son of Jehu and Jane (Lemmon) Singrey; was born near the site of Shauck’s Mills, on the 15th of Jan., 1816.  His youthful bon-fires were the brush-heaps of the clearing.  He put his hand to the plow almost as soon as he could reach the handles, and has never looked back or forsaken the calling of an honest yeoman.  He was introduced to the beauties and mysteries of the alphabet in the old log school-house which stood on the site of his own garden.  Here Lawrence Van Buskirk gathered his little flock, day after day, as they came through the woods, into a rude domicile, whose only floor was the rich soil.  The grateful sunlight, promoter of growth and beauty, struggled through the windows of paper, aided by the use of grease.  Here, before the great fire-place, with its “cat and clay” chimney, he learned to read, write and cipher.  He united in marriage with Miss Eliza Fike, May 10, 1840.  She was a daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Ullery) Fike, born in Bedford Co., Penn., March 31, 1820.  Joshua lived under the paternal roof until his father’s death; at which time he purchased eighty acres of the old homestead -- his present home. Here he has tilled the soil all his life, except three years, when he worked at saddle and harness-making in Belleville, O.  About 1866 he cut down an ash-tree on the farm, which had been deadened about ten years before; and on splitting it open they found the unmistakable marks of a former girdling which had healed over.  He and others counted the year-ring growths outside of the first incisions, and they numbered one hundred and seventy-three, which, since 1856, would make nearly two hundred years since the cutting was done by an implement fashioned by the “Pale Face.”  Here is a problem for for [sic] the historian.  Who did it?  When a little boy the Indians often stole upon him softly, when they would startle with a thrilling war-hoop, which seemed to give them great delight.  Joshua and his sister were often sent in search of the cows, when they wandered away, sometimes two miles distant through the woods.  At such times, when they lost the direction of home, the cows would lead them safely along, although they saw wolves.  Mr. Singrey has a family of six children living, and two dead -- Benton, born April 14, 1841, married Martha Bennet, of Marshal Co., Ind.; Jehu, born Jan. 23, 1843 he has been thirteen years in the Far West, and is probably dead; James L., born May 13, 1845; John, Sept. 12 1846, married Elizabeth Berget, of this township; R. Jane, born Aug. 4, 1858 -- now Mrs. James Van Buskirk, of Knox Co., O, Rachel E., born March 27, 1851, married Lemmon Hettrick, of Marion Co., O.; Ruth A., born Dec. 27, 1854; Mary A., Sept. 11, 1852, died at the age of 19 years, seven months and fifteen days.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 830
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
AMOS SIPES, farmer; P. O., Andrews; born Oct. 26, 1825, in Bedford Co., Pa.; there were ten children in the family, he being the fifth child; nine are now living, born to Henry M. and Margaret (Outkelt) Sipes; she was born in New Jersey, and her husband in Pennsylvania.  Amos came to Perry Co. with his parents when but 1 year old, where they lived four years, then moved to this county, locating near Armstrong s Mills, in Washington Tp.  Before attaining his majority, Amos had learned the blacksmith’s trade.  His advantages, educationally, were limited, but such as they were, he improved them.  Feb. 4, 1847, he was married to Elizabeth J. Dickerson, born May 28, 1825, in Washington Co., Pa., and was a daughter of Leonard and Susanna (Wolf) Dickerson, natives of Pennsylvania. The Dickersons are a family of marked intelligence, her uncle having represented his county in the Legislature for a number of years. Mr. Sipes, when beginning life was poor, and worked the first year by the day and month at farm labor; the next year he set up in business for himself, at West Point, where he plied his trade for two years, and at his father’s solicitation, he returned to the farm, where he stayed two years, and then bought forty acres in North Bloomfield, and lived there fourteen years.  April 10, 1866, he moved to his present home, one mile northeast of Williamsport, and considers himself settled for life; he has now 113 acres of land. They have five children -- Vialetta, now Mrs. D. Armstrong, Susanna (Mrs. Rienhart), Henry D., Sarah E., Mrs. P. Riley, of Coffee Co., Kansas, and Dubois, at home. He, his wife and three of the children, are identified with the United Brethren Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 699
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
D. M. SLACK, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead, was born near Trenton, N. J., April 6, 1825, and lived there about four years; they then moved to New York; his father working at carpentering in Tompkins Co., for eight years; they then, in 1837, moved to Ohio, and settled in Knox Co., where his father followed his trade until his death, in 1840; Mrs. Slack afterward married Mr. John Crowl; he is a pensioner of the war of 1812; they now live in Mt. Vernon.  After his mother’s second marriage, D. M. Slack hired out, and later he learned the carpenter’s trade, with his brother; Jan. 20, 1848, he married Miss Almeda Dexter; she died in 1852; they had two children, one living -- Franklin T.; his second marriage was to Mrs. Thomas; of their two children, one is living -- Almeda; his present wife was Miss Martha Ann Logan; they were married Dec. 20, 1871; they have two children -- Budd L., and Sarah B.  After his first marriage, Mr. Slack learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed for a number of years; he also worked at carpentering and farming.  In 1873, he came to his present place, which contains eighty acres, located three miles northeast of Mt. Gilead; he has been a hard worker, and is considerate towards his fellow men; he has taken no part in politics, and has held no office except connected with the school and road; his parents, Theophilus and Sarah (Priest) Slack, were natives of New Jersey; they raised a family of ten children, eight of whom are living.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 554-555
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Westfield Twp. –
EZEKIEL B. SLACK, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born Feb. 5, 1832.  His father, William Slack, was born in Franklin Co., Ohio, in 1804, and at the age of 4 years, moved to Delaware Co., where his younger brother was born, the first male child born in Delaware Co.  At the age of 24, he married Rhoda Smith, a daughter of Simeon Smith, a Revolutionary soldier, and a native of New York State.  They moved to Oxford Tp., Delaware Co., where were born five children.  After receiving his education, Ezekiel married Miss Sarah J. Smith, Sept. 6, 1857, who was born June 5, 1838.  He engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war, when he joined the 121st O. V. I. Co. D.  His regiment within a few months went into the battle of Perryville, and then Chickamauga, in the latter losing severely.  He went with Sherman on his “march to the sea;” he was under fire almost every day.  At the battle of Bentonville, he received a severe gunshot wound which passed through his face destroying the sight of his right eye and hearing of his right ear, notwithstanding which he remained with his regiment until the close of the war.  His comrades speak of him as a brave soldier and a generous man, and he now enjoys the esteem of all who know him.  He had a nice home, with delightful surroundings and has had four children -- Lois (deceased), Lester L., Minnie E. and Rhoda L.  He is of very patriotic stock, his grandfather being a soldier of 1812, and his great grandfather of the Revolution.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 646
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
JOHN SMILEY, retired Farmer; P. O. Chesterville. This old pioneer of Morrow Co. was born March 18, 1800, in Washington Co., Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1826, attending school in the old log school houses; he was the only boy of the family that lived to be of age; his parents had, in all, eleven children, all of whom are deceased but John. His parents moved to Knox Co. by team in 1832, where the father died about 1840, and the mother in 1854; they were both Presbyterians.  Mr. Smiley was married in 1820 to Asenath, daughter of Stephen and Hannah (Woolverton) Corwin (a relation of Senator Thomas Corwin, of Ohio). They lived with his parents until 1826, when they came to Knox, now Morrow Co., Ohio, where he at once entered 160 acres of land, getting his patent from J. Q. Adams. His first wife died Aug. 22, 1828; they had three children: Daniel married Elizabeth Hardenbrook (now in Warren Co., Illinois); Nancy (deceased), Hannah married Sterling Reed, who died in the war of the Rebellion; later she was married to Curtis Campbell. Mr. Smiley was again married Oct. 11, 1830, to Sarah, daughter of George and Jennette (Dinsmore) Lee. Her father emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania when 20 years old; her mother was born in Pennsylvania. They had eleven children (two deceased): Elizabeth, James, Mary, Jane, William, John, Joseph, Sarah, Hannah. Her parents were Presbyterians. His father died about the year 1839, and her mother in 1843. Mrs. Smiley was born Sept. 20, 1810, in Pennsylvania; she came with her parents to Ohio when 12 years old; she and her husband settled in Franklin Tp. soon after marriage, and bought a farm, now containing ninety-five acres, well improved, which is the fruit of their own labors. Mr. Smiley has split rails at 25 cents per hundred; by second marriage he has ten children: Samantha married Robert Allen; Eliza J. married Lewis Allen; Mary E. married W. W. Kendall; Martha, William L., clerking for Goble; C. D., grocer in Chesterville; four deceased. William, Samantha and C. D. have each taught school. Mr. Smiley has been Township Trustee two terms, and School Director for many years. The family all belong to the church, in which they take, a deep in interest. In 1877, Mr. and Mrs. Smiley retired from the farm and are now pleasantly situated in this village, where they will enjoy their remaining days.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 615-616
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Canaan Twp. -
ALFRED M. SMITH, farmer, P. O., Caledonia, is a native of Washington Tp., and was born Oct. 9, 1850; son of William J. Smith, who was born July 30,1828, in Ross Co., Ohio, and came to this county with his father, Jefferson Smith, in 1835, locating on Sec. 3, where he had entered forty acres of land, adding to it afterwards until he had 164 acres. Here William remained until 1872, since which time he has been a resident of Gilead. Alfred stayed at home until his 25th year, and was then married to Sabina J. Dounce, who was born March 22, 1853, in Claridon, Marion Co., daughter of James and Ann (Lawrence) Dounce, who were natives of England. Since Mr. Smith's marriage, he has been located on the homestead farm, which he now owns, and has had two children, -- Elsie Ray, born July 26, 1877, and Hugh James, Oct. 7, 1879. May 16, 1880, death invaded Mr. Smith's home, and bore off the baby, Hugh. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the M. E. Church; Mr. Smith is a liberal patron of the public journals, and is among the representative young men of this county.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 740
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Cardington Twp. -
G. B. SMITH, farmer; P. O., Cardington; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1813; during his infancy his father died, and some four years later his mother married Mr. Aaron Smith. G. B. lived with his mother until he was 16 years of age; he received but a limited schooling, having to walk three miles to school; at the age of 16 he began working about the neighborhood at farming and carpentering, and followed the same until he was married to Miss Mary E. Clements, March 3, 1836. She was born in Loudoun Co., Va. After the marriage he moved to just over the line to Smyrna, where he kept the Ohio House for eleven years; he then sold the place, and followed carpentering until 1851, when he bought a farm, and lived on it until 1863, when he sold it, and came to Morrow Co., Ohio, and settled on his present place. By the marriage there were twelve children nine of whom are living -- William, living in Harrison Co., Ohio; Harriet H. Jenkins, living in Hardin Co., Ohio; Minerva Kirk and Mrs. Francina Smith live at Pottowatomie Co., Kansas; Julia Ann Garberson lives in Mt. Gilead, Ohio; Josiah lives in Delaware Co., Ohio; Charles E., Pottowatomie Co., Kansas; Mary E. Stewart lives in Minnesota; B. Franklin, at home. He owns 117 acres of land, located two miles north of Cardington. His parents, William and Huldah (Bogue) Smith, were natives of Virginia and South Carolina; they were married in Harrison Co., Ohio; they came to the State of Ohio -- he in 1806, and she in 1801; they married in 1811, and settled in Guernsey Co., where he died in 1819; she died near Cardington. Her second husband died in Minnesota. By the first marriage there were four children -- two are living -- G. B. and Amos; by the second marriage there were also four children, of whom three are living -- Syntha Stewart, of Minnesota, William H., of Plymouth, Ind., and Henry D., of Cardington, Ohio.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 583-584
Contributed by a Friend of Genealogy

Gilead Twp. -
G. V. SMITH, of Smith & Tucker, saw-mill; Gilead Station; was born in Perry Co., Ohio, Sept. 1, 1844, and lived there until he was six years of age; when, with his parents he moved to Fairfield Co., O., and lived there three years; thence they moved to Morrow Co., O., and settled on a farm about two miles north of Gilead Station, where G. V. lived until he became of age; Dec. 26, 1868, he married Miss Margaret L. McCormick; she was born in this county; after the marriage he moved to Gilead Station, and the year following, he engaged in the lumber and saw-mill business; first in the firm of McClain, Rinehart & Smith, and later was connected with the firms of McClain & Smith, Smith & Smith, and finally the present -- Smith & Tucker; though the business was confined to the county, they had several locations. By his marriage there are six children -- James E., Mary W., George C., Murdie I., Marshal B., and Roy; his parents were George and Elizabeth (Pugh) Smith; he died in Fairfield Co., Ohio, and she in Morrow Co., O.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 555
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Westfield Twp. -
L. D. SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Cardington; was born in Westfield Tp., Nov. 22, 1851. His parents, Selah Smith and Esther Smith, were also natives of this township. His father, owing to the condition of the country, received only a meager education in the schools, yet in after life picked up a great deal good practical knowledge. The mother was Esther, daughter of Abram Foust, who figured prominently among the first settlers, and served in the war of 1812, as mentioned elsewhere. These parents both passed through the experience of. frontier life; they ground their meal with hand-mills, and when all kinds of game, such as wild turkey, deer, bear and hare were abundant, Mr. Smith's youth was spent here, attending school and assisting his father until 1875, when he took charge of the farm. Two years later he married Miss Lydia McConaughy, whose parents were from the West. They have one child. Mr. Smith possesses a farm of 200 acres of most excellent land and about the best buildings in the township. His house, a two story building, consisting of ten rooms, was built in 1876, and his barn a year later. In the rear of his house is a large brick structure, the lower part of which is used as a cellar, the upper as a granary. He has a good orchard of grafted fruit. Mr. Smith confines his attention in stock, entirely to raising sheep, having in his flock 200 fine ewes, shearing from six to eight pounds of wool each. His farm is known as the "Oak Grove Farm," deriving its name from the fact, that there is located on it a 40 acre lot of the best oak timber in the township. He is a member of the Ashley Lodge of Free Masons.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 648
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Lincoln Twp. -
S. M. SMITH, farmer and stock-grower; P. O., Cardington; was born in Harmony Tp., Morrow Co., Ohio., April 29,1838. His father and grandfather were born in Connecticut; the first in 1796, and the latter in 1752. In 1796, the year of the father's birth, the grandfather, with his family, moved to Luzerne Co., Penn., (now Wyoming Co.) where the grandfather died, in 1822, and where the father lived until the death of his mother, which was in about 1811, at which time he went to live with a sister in York State, where he lived until of age; after which he followed rafting on the Susquehanna River until 27 years of age; he was married Aug. 3, 1823, to Polly Marcy. They had four daughters -- Adaline, Elizabeth, Nancy and Lydia. The mother of these children died Aug. 23, 1831. The father again married, Nov. 8, 1832. His second wife was Martha Marcy, a sister to his first wife. She was born Dec. 4, 1813. From his second marriage there were eleven children -- Lucy, Caroline, Perry Z., Sidney M., Ursula M., Madison M., Leonard, Millard F., Linton N.; two died in infancy. The Marcy family are of English descent, and the first of the family that came to America was John Marcy, who came over in 1686; he came from Roxbury, England, where he was married and where his wife, Sarah Hadlock, was born Dec. 16, 1670. They had eleven children, the eldest of which was born in England -- Annie, John, James, Edward, Joseph, Benjamin, Moses, Samuel, Sarah, Ebenezer and Elizabeth. The grandfather of Polly and Martha Marcy was Zebulon Marcy, who was born June 8, 1744, and their father was Zebulon Marcy, Jr., who was born July 10, 1780. The grandfather was of a family of eight children -- Zebulon, John, Lydia, Nicholas, Sarah, Zebulon Abel and Jerusha. The first child must have died when young, as there are two in the family by the same name. In their father's family -there were also eight children -- Polly, Nicholas B., Eunice, Betsy, Patty, Lucretia, Daniel and Zarina. S. M. Smith was reared on a farm until 17 years of age, at which time he went away to school, where he remained until of age, with the exception of three winters that he taught school in that time. His parents came from Pennsylvania to Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1824, where they resided until 1828, at which time they came to Morrow Co., where the father died Oct. 28, 1868, and where the mother yet lives. The first year after quitting school, Mr. Smith farmed, and taught school in the winter, and the next year he was in the book business, canvassing, and after that he and a brother built the present foundry in Cardington. They remained in this business until 1865, when he sold his interest in the foundry to his brother; after which he sold machinery of different kinds, until the fall of 1865. He was married Oct. 3, 1865, to Ruth M. Buck, who was born in Morrow Co., May 5,1838. The history of her parents will appear in this work. Since his marriage, Mr. Smith has been farming during the summer, and teaching school in the winter season; he has taught school for fifteen winters, but the last few years he has been dealing in fine Merino sheep; he had two brothers in the late war, Madison M. and Leonard. The first enlisted in 1862, and served three years and four months; he was in Co. B. 43, O. V. I. The second was in the three months' service, and was sent to Washington, where he was at the close of the war.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 769-770
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Washington Twp. -
WM. SMITH, merchant; Iberia; was born in Knox Co., O., April 29, 1853. His father, William Smith, spent his minority in Ireland, while his mother, Miss Sarah Ann Ray was born in Washington Co., N. Y. His father came to America in 1818, and remained in the State of Pennsylvania several years when he removed to Knox Co.. O. He married Mrs. Sarah Ann Livingstone (nee Ray), then of Pulaskiville of that county, Jan. 10, 1850. Mr. Smith spent the most of his minority on his father's farm. He came to Iberia at the age of 18 years, to attend the Ohio Central College, and then went to Oberlin. After spending some time at the latter place he returned to Iberia to engage in mercantile pursuits. October 31st, 1878, he married Mary L. Paxton, whose home has always been in Iberia. About the same time he received into partnership J. C. Irwin, and together the business is being pushed forward with success. His fellow townsmen have already recognized him as a rising young man by electing him three successive terms to the office of Township Clerk, and more recently he has been made Notary Public. Besides attending to the duties of the offices (where the people have placed him) he is also diligent in business affairs.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 750
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. -
HENRY SNIDER, farming and fruit-culture; Mt. Gilead; is a native of Washington Co., Ind.; he was born on a farm on the banks of the Potomac, Sept. 15, 1812, and worked on the same and attended school until he was 19 years of age; he was then apprenticed to the house-joiners' trade, to Geo. Keifer, and followed the business there until 1835; he then came to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and in company with Mr. D. S. Talmage, carried on the business of contractors and builders until 1865, when he came to his present place and engaged in farming and fruit-growing. He married Miss Nancy C. Talmage, Oct. 29, 1839; she was born on her father's farm, in Knox Co., Ohio, Nov. 7, 1820; of their four children, three are living -- America M., now Mrs. E. C. Chase, of Mt. Gilead; Nettie H., now Mrs. J. M. Dunn, of Marysville, Ohio; Ida F., now Mrs. C. M. Jones, of Plane [sic] City, Ohio. Mr. Snider's parents were John and Eve (Broches) Snider; they were natives of Washington Co., Md., where they married, and where also Mrs. Snider died; he came west to Mt. Gilead in 1833, and lived there until his death, in 1844; of their eight children, three are living -- John R., in Cincinnati; Susan, now Mrs. D. S. Talmage, of Mt. Gilead, and Henry, of the same place. Mrs. Snider's parents were Joseph and Catharine (Beers) Talmage; they were natives of New Jersey, whither their parents had moved from England. They mere married in New Jersey, and moved to Ohio in 1804; they settled ill Fairfield (now Knox) Co., where they cleared a farm and lived until 1834; they then moved to Marion Co., where he died in 1837. Mrs. Talmage then came to Mt. Gilead, and lived there until 1874, when she died, in her 93rd year.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 555
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

North Bloomfield Twp. –
JOHN SNYDER, farmer; P. O. Corsica; was born March 31, 1818, in Cumberland Co., Penn., likewise the native county of his parents, Henry and Elizabeth (Shetron) Snyder. John's father was an officer in the war of 1812, when but 16 years old. On receiving his discharge at the close of the hostilities, he worked on a farm till his 22nd year, when he went into the boot and shoe business in Shepherdsburg, Penn. Failing health induced him to again engage in farming, and in 1834, he moved to Ohio, settling in Richland Co. Here he lived nearly twenty years, when he sold his property and moved to Whitley Co., Ind., where he passed the rest of his life, dying in his 72nd year. John lived with his parents till his 23d year, working on the farm and teaching school during the winter in a cabin school-house, with slab-benches, the desks being shelves on three sides of the house. He was married June 13, 1841, to Mary A., daughter of Henry and Hannah Muck. She was born June 16, 1819. By this marriage were born nine children, only four of whom are living – Elizabeth A., Silas W., Mary A. and Charles H.  Mr. Snyder cleared his own farm, and lived on it for six years, when he sold it and went into the mercantile business at Blooming Grove; his health soon failing, he retired after five years of close application, and has since been a farmer; he has held different township offices, and was County Commissioner one term, filling the office with credit. He is one of the charter members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and was the first Lecturer in the lodge. He is a Christian gentleman, and has hosts of friends.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 631
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

South Bloomfield Twp. –
WM. B. SPECK, miller; Sparta; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1822; son of Augustus and Sarah (Reed) Speck; he is a miller, as was also his father, and is said to be one of the finest sawyers in the southwestern part of the county; his grand-father was a Saxon, and, while passing through Germany, was seized and pressed into the army, and his regiment was employed by the British, to assist in quelling the rebellious colonies in America, but while the troops were coming to this country, he succeeded in making his escape.  Mr. Speck’s grand-father Reed claims to have built the first log cabin where Steubenville now stands.  His grand-mother Reed had three brothers, who were present at Crawford’s defeat.  Mr. Speck was married in 1838 to Elizabeth Lewis, and has by her a family of three children -- Clinton B., Flora A., and Augusta V.  Clinton is in the drain-tile business in South Bloomfield Tp; Augusta is married to George W. Butler, and lives in the same township; Flora A. lives at home with her father, and is the possessor of unusual musical talent.  Mr. Speck owns the present saw mill at Sparta, which is said to be one of the handiest in the county.  There were eleven children in Mr. Speck’s father’s family, and when the father died, there had not been a death before in the family for forty-five years.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 677
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
WILLIAM F. SPENCER, merchant; Cardington. Mr. Spencer was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Feb. 24, 1822, and is the son of George and Eunice (Tanley) Spencer, who were the parents of eleven children. William F. Spencer passed his youth upon the farm, and had a common school education; he was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe Mosher, March 27, 1844; from this union there were three daughters -- Edith A., Eunice D., and Lydia. Mr. Spencer came to Cardington Tp. in 1846, and has since made it his home; he owns a nicely-improved farm of 221 acres near Cardington, and has the management of the Stock Store in Cardington, of which he is a stockholder. This store keeps constantly on hand a large stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., etc.  Mr. Spencer is a Prohibitionist, but makes it a rule to vote for the man, and not for the party. He and his family belong to the religious sect known as the Friends.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 584
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Washington Twp. –
J. M. STIGERS, merchant; Iberia Station; was born in 1844, in Washington Co., Penn.  When but 8 years of age he was thrown upon his own resources, and at that time came within the territory of Morrow Co., O., and almost immediately settled in Washington Tp., at Iberia Station.  Stigers had merely common school advantages, but these were carefully improved upon.  Preferring single blessedness so far of his life, he is yet unmarried.  When 17 years of age he commenced working on the C. C. C. & I. R. R.; two years were passed upon the road, one year in the passenger depot, and five years in the freight depot, in Cleveland; all the time in the employ of the same company.  In 1869 his health failed, and on account of this he commenced the business of a peddler; this he continued for five years, when he regained his health and returned to Iberia Station, to engage in the grocery and commission business, and in this business is now engaged with success.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 751
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
JAMES STILLEY, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born Sept. 10, 1821, in Morrow Co., where he has remained; his father, John, was born Dec. 1, 1792, in Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania; and his mother, Mary Kirkland, in the same, in 1794. They were married there in 1813; the father came out in 1807, driving a team for his Uncle John, stopping for a short time, but soon returned, and at the age of 16 began boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, continuing two years; he returned to Ohio in 1814, and bought 214 acres of land, a military tract. In 1818 he brought his family here, and spent the rest of his days. He was one of the first members of the Methodist Church; there was a class formed at his house. He was Justice of the Peace; he died June 25, 1878, and his wife died Nov. 8, 1867, and was a Methodist. Their children were -- Tobias, Eliza, Jeremiah (dead), James, Ruth, Rebecca, Nancy, Mary, Sampson and Joel. James attended school some in the log school-house, and farmed. He was married Nov. 18, 1847, to Ann J., a daughter of David and Margaret (Pugh) Davis. They settled, after marriage, on the present farm of 107 acres; he has added thirty-four and one-fourth acres, obtained entirely by their own labors; himself and son bought 160 acres of land in Kansas in 1880. This son, C. W., is their only child, and was born Feb. 7, 1849, and married Oct. 11, 1877, to Anna M., daughter of Noah and Margaret Melick; he has one child, Rebecca. Mr. Stilley has been connected with the Baptist Church since March 1, 1857, to which his wife has belonged since 1855. He cast his first vote for Harrison, and has since voted the Republican ticket.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 618
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Chester Twp. –
W. T. STUMP, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born March 19, 1836, in Wayne Co., this State. His father, George, was born in Fayette Co., Pa., in 1804. His mother’s maiden name was Jane Patterson. The father came to Ohio when a boy, with his father, who settled in Fredericksburg, there engaging in grist milling; when married, he began keeping hotel at Edenburg, Wayne Co., afterward transferring to a farm in the same county, where he died June 6, 1847, leaving a wife and two children -- W. T. and Matilda; the latter married Jasper McCracken. The mother married again, Aug. 2, 1854, to Jonathan Willitts, by whom she had one child -- Francis A. She died May 2, 1870, having been a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. W. T. Stump attended school as much as, he could, in his younger days, and at the age of 19 began working at the carpenters’ trade with Hugh Rogers, at Chesterville, which he continued eight years; and was married July 4, 1865, to Mary J., a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Bruce. Her father was born in Virginia, and her mother in Ohio. They had three children -- Mary J., Lovinia E. and Mildred M. The parents attended the Baptist Church. Mr. Stump settled, after marriage, on 43 acres, owned now by Mason Howard; in 1869 he bought 70 acres, the present farm, of John Slater, and has improved the same, making it one of the finest farms in the country; he has since bought thirty-eight acres; he raises some fine sheep. Mrs. Stump qualified herself well for a mother by teaching in the school-room for nearly three years; she was born Oct. 22, 1845. They have had five children (one infant died unnamed) -- Grant V., born Jan. 12, 1868; Alice, G. May 15, 1872; Cora E., July 22, 1874; Leroy B., Jan. 8, 1877.  Mr. Stump is now serving his fifteenth year as Justice of the Peace; was Land Appraiser for 1880, served as School Director, and enlisted in Co. “A.,” 20th O. V. I., being the second man to enlist from Chester Tp.; he also enlisted in Co. “F.,” 136th O. N. G.; is member of Chester Lodge, No. 204, I. O. O. F., and F. & A. M., at Sparta; he is a strict Republican; he and his wife are Presbyterians.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 617
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Westfield Twp. –
HENRY STUTZ, grocer; Westfield; among the German citizens of Westfield Tp., none are more highly esteemed than Henry Stutz; he was born in Bavaria, Aug. 27, 1838, and at the age of 16, emigrated to the United States; he had, previous to this, received a good German education, attending day school eight years, and Sunday school two years: his father dying, left his mother with the care of four children -- Emma, Adam, Henry and Frank.  When Mr. Stutz landed at Castle Garden, he found himself the possessor of two French sous (about two cents), and after borrowing from a friend $1.50, he went to Albany N. Y., where he remained three years, in the meantime learning the turners’ trade; at the end of this time he went to Upper Sandusky, Ohio, where, their being little demand for his trade, he learned the shoemakers’ trade, at which he worked about twenty years; he married Mary Sieger, Jan. 26, 1863; of their nine children, only four are now living -- George, born Nov. 14, 1865; Charles F. May 9th, 1867; William, Aug. 30, 1870; Della, Jan. 8, 1878, and Ida May, Jan. 2, 1880.  After spending nine years at Upper Sandusky, four of which he was in business for himself, he then came to Westfield in the fall of 1866, and bought the property known as the Westfield Hotel, which he carried on in connection with his shoe-shop for five years, after which he opened a grocery in the hotel; in the spring of 1880, he purchased his brother Frank’s stock of goods, and moved into the building formerly occupied by him.  By persevering industry and good management he has accumulated a good deal of property, and is one of the influential men in this community.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 646-647
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
JOHN SWALLUM, retired; Andrews. Among the old-time representatives and early settlers, who have been associated with the events and changes pertaining to this county for about fifty years, is Mr. Swallum, who was born Sept. 11, 1796, in the “Old Dominion,” Frederick Co.; his father, Joseph, was one of the 1000 Hessians, who were sent over to this country in Revolutionary times, and was taken prisoner by Gen. Washington.  Mr. Swallum’s mother’s name was Christina; there were ten children in the family, James was the fifth in order.  Mr. Swallum emigrated to Jefferson Co., this State, in 1817, and after one year’s residence moved to Belmont Co., where he was married to Margaret Defard, a native of this State; after a residence of three years they moved to Ashland, Richland Co., where they lived nine years, and in the fall of 1830, moved to this county, and settled on the land he had entered and where he now resides; here he built a cabin, and began improvements; he has had seven children -- Betsey, Susan, Katie; Malinda, Margaret, Levi and Sarah. Betsy is now Mrs. S. Myres; Margaret is dead; Susan, now Mrs. James Maxwell; Katie, now in Michigan; Levi, in Clarke Co.; Sarah, now Mrs. Robert Fish; Malinda, at home, and taking care of her father in his declining years, he being about 84 years of age.  He has been a member of the Christian Church over forty-two years. His wife died June 14, 1864, her death was caused by her horse running away with her, and injuring her to such an extent, that she died in a few hours afterwards, being 66 years 2 months and 20 days old.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 699
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
J. C. SWETLAND, farmer; P.O. Chesterville; is among the well-to-do farmers of Morrow Co.; he was born June 5, 1828, in Bloomfield Tp., this county; his father, Giles, was born in Luzerne Co., Pa., and his mother’s, maiden name was Sarah Lewis; a further mention of them will appear in Bloomfield Tp.  Mr. Swetland remained with his parents until Dec. 24, 1854, when he was married to Emily, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Burns) Howard; she was born Aug. 9, 1832, and taught school two terms; they now possess 830 acres of finely improved land, the greater part is the fruit of their own labors; he has pipes carrying water from the many springs to different parts of the farm, making it convenient for stock, in which he deals largely; Mr. Swetland paid out $700 to clear the township draft; he is now Commissioner of this county, and has held other offices with credit to himself and those who have chosen him; he had six children -- infant, deceased; Truanna, deceased; Avarilla, Elzina, Henry W. and William H. His wife and two daughters are members of the Baptist Church, and he of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Swetland spun the last tow in this part of the country; her grandmother Howard would sew and knit on her travels to and from different places, and would walk one and a half miles to milk once per day. He has plowed corn with the old wooden moldboard plow; this no doubt laid the principles of industry which have never been eradicated, judging from his taste in improving his farm. He is an active Republican, an upright and honest man.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 616
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

South Bloomfield Twp. –
WARREN SWETLAND, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Sparta.  The Swetland families, living in or near Sparta, are the descendants of Artemas and Lydia (Abbott) Swetland, who emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio, in 1810, first locating in Delaware Co., in 1818; they moved to South Bloomfield Tp., and remained there until their deaths, leaving a family of four sons and one daughter -- Augustus W., Giles, Fuller, Seth and Marilla.  Warren Swetland is the son of Giles and Sarah (Lewis) Swetland, who were the parents of five sons and one daughter.  Warren was born in South Bloomfield Tp., in April, 1834, and, until about 1856, he remained with his father, clearing and improving the place.  He farmed, with his brother, one year in Chester Tp., and was then united in marriage with Margaret A., daughter of Daniel and Mary (Davis) Thomas.  They have no children, but have raised and educated all orphan girl, named Arrilla Lewis, who was married to Daniel Potts, in 1869.  Mr. Swetland owns 129 acres of well-improved land, near Sparta, and is one of the nine men who own and have charge of the fine cemetery north of Bloomfield.  He was formerly a Democrat, but at present supports the Prohibition party.  His wife and himself are members of the M. E. Church, at Sparta.  Artemas Swetland, the grandfather of Warren, when a boy, was in the fort at the Wyoming masacre, 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 coining, and started to run, but was shot, crippled, and overtaken by them, and dispatched with the tomahawk.  Artemas was in the war of 1812, enlisting while in Delaware Co., Ohio.  He was one of the first settlers in South Bloomfield Tp., and his sons, Augustus, Giles and Seth, vividly remember the hardships through which they passed, in their new home in the wilderness.  This family is noted for longevity, and, although some of them are nearly four score and ten, yet they are full of vigor and strength.  The family is well known, and universally respected.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 676
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

South Bloomfield Twp. –
WILLIAM L. SWETLAND, farmer and stock raiser; P. O., Sparta,: is the son of Giles and Sarah (Lewis) Swetland, and was born in South Bloomfield Tp., Aug. 31, 1838.  He spent his youth on his father’s farm, where he remained until he was 24 years old; but began to accumulate property for himself at the age of 21.  On the 25th of Dec., 1861, he was united in marriage to Cornelia E., daughter of Jabez and Mariah (Slack) Hulse, and has by her a family of five children -- C. Duane, born Aug. 1, 1863; Minnie R., Aug. 1, 1867; Silenda L., Aug. 28, 1869, Manning L., April 1, 1872, and Burton V. E., Aug, 31, 1874.  Mr. Swetland own 235 acres of land, all well improved; he has in his possession a watch which belonged to his great-grandfather, Luke Swetland; he also has an old wooden moleboard plow, used by his father in early times, which he values highly as a keepsake.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 676
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
DAVID L. SWINGLEY, physician; Mt, Gilead; was born in Washington Co., Md., in 1813, his father, Leonard Swingley being a native of that State; his mother, Prudence (Brentlinger) Swingley, was born in the fort, during the Indian war, on the present site of the city of Wheeling, W. Va.  David L. had six brothers, and two sisters -- William, Henry, Frederic, Alfred, Harmon B., George R., Amelia, and one deceased; his father emigrated to Knox Co., Ohio, in 1824, settling four miles south of Mt. Vernon, remaining there a year; he then removed to Chester Tp., Morrow Co., at that time a part of Knox Co.; he died in Cardington, in 1849; was a member of the Lutheran Church, and respected by all who knew him.  David, the subject of this sketch, left home at the age of 24, pursuing his studies at the Willoughby Medical College, of Lake Erie, near Cleveland, Ohio; he commenced the practice of his profession in Chesterville, then Knox Co., in 1840; in 1844 he was married to Maria Holt, daughter of James and Elizabeth Holt, by whom he had two children -- Mason, born March 10, 1848, and James L., born in 1852; the eldest son died Sept. 15, 1866; the younger son is well known as one of Mt. Gilead’s leading druggists.  Mr. Swingley became a member of the Universalist Church in 1867, and is widely known in Morrow and adjoining counties, as a successful physician, and a reliable man.  His office is in the Van Horn Block.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 552-553
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
HARMON SWINGLEY, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born Feb. 10, 1815, in Maryland; he spent his youth attending school and farming; when a young man he learned chair-making with his brother Henry, at Chesterville, and continued the same for several years; he was married in 1840, to Ruhannah, daughter of John and Asenath (Graham) Ogle; her parents were married in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1811, and settled in Richland Co.; she was one of seven children -- Rachel, Nancy, Ruhannah, born Mar. 23, 1811, Phoebe, Mary, Clarinda, John. They settled, after marriage, on the present farm of 112 acres, then in the green woods; they have improved the same, and now enjoy the benefits of a fine, arable farm; they are members of the Christian Church. They had one child, Josephine, married in 1860 to Chambers H., son of Benjamin and Rose (Elliott) Kerr; his father was born in 1800, in Ohio, and his mother in Pennsylvania, in 1806; the father was a farmer and millwright. Chambers was born April 23, 1837, and was one of seven children -- Sarah, John B., William E., Eliza J.; Chambers H., Wilson S. and Rose.  Mr. Kerr has by his marriage with Miss Swingley -- John E., born Aug. 12, 1861; James H., born in Nov., 1862; Harmon O., Mar. 25, 1865; Charles C., Aug. 3, 1869; Mary E., Oct 11, 1874; Rhue, Nov. 6, 1878.  Mr. Kerr owns 70 acres of well improved land.  His wife is a member of the Christian church; he votes the Democratic ticket, and is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 615
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist