BIOGRAPHIES
(Transcribed by Sharon Wick)
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio
with Illustrations and Biographical
Sketches,
by George William Hill, M.D. -
Published by Williams Bros.
-1880 -
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DR. DAVIDSON
arrived about the year 1829, and continued in practice until 1833,
when he removed to Canton, Illinois. He is represented as a
gentleman of good social bearing and fair medial attainments.
His Christian name is not remembered.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 169 |
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HUGH DAVIS was born in
Franklin county, Pennsylvania, June 23, 1802, and died in Ashland,
Ohio, June 13, 1876, aged seventy-four years.
Martha S. Davis was born in Franklin county,
Pennsylvania, December 12, 1803, and died at Ashland, Ohio, April
8, 1870, aged sixty-six years, three months, and twenty-four days.
Hugh Davis came to Knox county, Ohio, about 1820
and returned to Pennsylvania in 1821, where he completed the trade
of tanner, after which he married Martha S. Morrow, in
1829, and returned to Mount Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, and lived
some months, working for James Loverage and Samuel
Trimble, at the tanning business, and about 1829, located in
Ashland upon the property now owned by Justus W. Davis, his
son. He erected and carried on a tan house upon this lot,
commencing business about 1830. Himself and the late
George Swineford were the only tanners in the village.
Mr. Swineford had purchased the property of George
Croft, where the machine works of D. Whiting are now
located, and carried on business, while Mr. Davis as a
rival, erected property on the east end of Main street.
The family of Mr. Davis consisted of Morrow
H. Lester Finley, Justus Wilson, Sylvester Curtis,
Josephine Agnes, Ilgar Vanleer, and Martha Estelle.
The two girls are dead. The boys are all living and
married.
Justus W. was born April 13, 1833, in Ashland
county and married Miss Catharine Jane Trimble, of
Carlisle, Pennsylvania, daughter of Thomas Trimble, Nov.
11, 1857, at Mount Vernon, Ohio. Their children are:
Horace Urie, Thomas Trimble and Mary Ellen.
Mr. and Mrs. Davis were originally members of the
old Hopewell Presbyterian church, and, upon its sale and transfer
to the Catholics, never united with the First church.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 222 |
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ISAAC DAVIS was born in
New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1802.
When quite young he was apprenticed to learn the art of weaving.
In consequence, his education was neglected, and he could neither
read nor write. At the age of nineteen years he went to
Juniata county, where he remained some years working at his trade.
In the year 1823 he married Miss Fanny Stoner,, of that
county. That lady survived until 1876, when she deceased,
aged about eighty years. In 1834 Mr. Davis came to
Mifflin township, then in Richland county, and purchased a farm of
eighty acres in section one, of Benjamin Hershey. The
land at that time was ready all in its native forest. He and
his sons in after years cleared the land and reduced it to a state
of excellent culture. Mr. Davis made weaving a
business for many years. In this respect he was a useful
citizen. He was a good weaver, and by his industry and skill
made sufficient to support and educate his sons and pay for his
farm. When he arrived at Mifflin township he found John
Hewey, William Hewey, Henry Roland, Peter Brubaker, John Brubaker,
Solomon Wertman, Abraham Doty, James Andrews, Leonard Croninger,
Benjamin Hershey, and Father Gongwer, who had preceded
him as pioneers. Nearly half a century has passed since he
arrived. Great changes have taken place. Nearly all
these pioneers have paid the debt of nature. Only one or two
of his old neighbors yet live. For several months the health
of Mr. Davis has been gradually failing, and finally terminated in
consumption of the lungs. In his prime he weighed about
three hundred pounds. He became greatly emaciated before
death. He was a member of the River Brethren church, about
thirty-five years, and was an exemplary Christian. He died
on Friday evening, Dec. 18, 1879, and was buried at the Mennonite
church, in Mifflin township, on Saturday, December 20th.
The family of Mr. Davis consisted of nine
children - Susannah, single; Samuel, married to
Catharine Roland; Mary, wife of Dillman Switzer;
George, single; John, married to Margaret C. Day;
Isaac, married to Sarah Hilburn; Abraham, married to
Mary Kagey; William married to Rebecca Sechrist, who is
deceased, and again to Barbara Callen; Fanny, married to
Jacob Hetler, Mr. Davis had forty-four
grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 257 |
|
Vermillion Twp. -
WILLIAM DAVIS was born in Mifflin
township, Aug. 28, 1836. He is a son of Isaac and
Francis Davis, who are among Ashland county's early
settlers, a sketch of whose lives will be found elsewhere in
this work. The subject of this sketch remained with his
parents and worked on the farm until he was eighteen years of
age, when he left home to learn the carriage making trade with
Ames & Leach in Ashland. Here he remained about two
years and a half, when he, in company with John Burnett,
went to Iowa and worked at his trade and on a farm, and in about
eighteen months returned to Ohio and worked at his trade some
three years and a half, when he enlisted Aug. 14, 1862, as a
private soldier in the First Ohio independent battery, and
remained and served his country until the close of the war, and
was discharged on the twenty-sixth day of June, 1865. He
was faithful in the discharge of a soldier's duties, as he was
only excused from service about two weeks during the whole term.
At Cloid mountain and many other places he saw hard fighting,
and engaged on severe raids and hard marches, and with many
others of his comrades withstood the necessary privations and
hardships of a private soldier. On Oct. 5, 1865, he was
married to Miss Rebecca Sechrist, of Richland county,
Ohio. He remained one year with his father, when they
moved to Vermillion township and commenced life for themselves.
They have ever since made this their home, his whole time being
given to the steam saw-mill, at what is known as Steam Corner,
in the northwest corner of Vermillion township. They have
three children - two daughters and one son. Mrs. Davis
died May 14, 1874, and on the nineteenth day of November, 1874,
he married Mrs. Barbara Callin, widow of Hugh Callin,
of Montgomery township. They have no children.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 301 |
|
DR. WILLIAM N. DEMING,
from Medina county, Ohio, is believed to have been the third
physician of Ashland. He arrived about the winter of 1826.
He continued in an active practice until 1837, when he located in
the village of Orange, where his brother, Charles, was
engaged in the mercantile business. He resided in Orange
about two years, when he became a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, during a revival, and prepared to enter the
ministry. He attended conference, and was assigned to a
circuit. Upon returning home he was taken suddenly very
sick, and died, after a brief illness. The doctor is
represented as having been an excellent physician, and a man of
many accomplishments. His untimely demise was much lamented.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 169 |
![](../graphics/donley_small.jpg)
John Donley
Sarah A. Donley |
JOHN DONLEY
was born near Orange village, Ashland county, March 20,
1817. His parents, Thomas and Susan Donley, came to
Ohio from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in Feb. 1817, and when
he was two weeks of age, located on the farm where they passed the
remainder of their lives, and where the subject of this sketch
lived and died. John Donley attended the first
subscription school in the township, which was taught by Elijah
Banning, in a log cabin situated on a corner of the Donley
farm, in early life partaking of the hardships of pioneer
life, and lived to see fruitful farms take the place of the rugged
forests of his boyhood days.
March 11, 1845, he was married to Miss Sarah A.
Alberson, and soon after marriage removed to Nashville, Holmes
county, where they remained one year, when they returned to
Ashland county, and for the four succeeding years lived on a farm
at that time owned by Major George W. Urie. In 1850
Mr. and Mrs. Donley removed to the old home farm in Orange
township, where they ever after lived, where he died June 26,
1880, of general debility, at the age of sixty-three years, three
months and six days.
A family of eight children was the result of this union
of whom seven are now living, as follows: Calvin, Susan,
Edward, Jennie, Rachel, Lizzie and Carrie.
Frances died when a small child.
John Donely was a man of strict integrity, and
one who lived his family well. No one with whom he had
business or friendly association ever had cause to charge him with
double dealing. He was honest to a fault and scorned
deception. He was widely known as a man of more than
ordinary ability and intelligence, with strong likes and dislikes,
but when apologies were offered, was ever ready to forgive.
His life ws that of a Christian, and he died with a Christian's
hope. For many years he had been a leading member of the
Orange Presbyterian church, and for the past fourteen years held
the responsible office of ruling elder. Through storm and
shine he went to hsi beloved church, and never faltered in his
support. In the course of his life he amassed a comfortable
competence, which was acquired by his own hard labor, seconded by
that of his wife, who has proved for him a helpment indeed.
The greatest prize he left his family was that of a pure
character, an unblemished reputation and an unsullied record.
These by his family are more prized than all else.
Thomas and Fannie Campbell Alberson, the parents
of Mrs. John Donley, were born in Pennsylvania - he in the
city of Philadelphia, and his wife, Fannie Campbell, in
Westmoreland county. The Campbell family removed to
Harrison county, Ohio, in 1817, and about the same time Mr.
Alberson came to the same place, where they were married in
1819. They moved to Ashland county in 1837, and
settled in Orange township, where they passed the remainder of
their lives. Mr. Alberson was a ruling elder of the
Presbyterian church, and by occupation was a farmer.
Sarah A. Alberson was born in Archer township,
Harrison county, Feb. 12, 1825, and was married to John Donley,
March 11, 1845. She became a member of the Presbyterian
church of Orange in 1853, and has since remained in its communion.
Since the death of her husband, she has occupied their old home
with her five daughters and son, William Edward.
Another son Thomas C., is married, and lives on the
adjoining farm.
-----
JOHN DONLEY was born in Orange township,
Mar. 20, 1817, on the old Wertz farm, and married Miss
Sarah A. Alberson, Mar. 11, 1845. Hen then removed to
near Nashville, Holmes county, where he remained one year and came
back to Ashland County. He moved to his present home in
1850, and has resided there ever since - thirty years. He
was the father of eight children. Seven of them, Calvin,
Susan, Edward, Jennie, Rachel, Lizzie and Clara are
living. Francis died when but a small child.
In 1830 the school-house was built in Donley's
district, and he and his brother Thomas were the first
scholars; Elijah Banning the first teacher.
The principal old citizens in the district were the
McConnells, the Clarks, the Flukes, the
Hesters, the Murphys, the Mackerels, Robert Mickey,
Peter Biddinger, William McConnell, Thomas McConnell, John Burge,
Isaac Mickey, Daniel Summers, Thomas Donley, Robert Culberson,
John Bishop and Jacob Hiffner.
Mr. Donley died June 26, 1880. He was a man
of strict integrity, and a man who lived his family. No man,
with whom he associated, ever had cause to charge him with
double-dealing. He was honest to a fault, and scorned
deception. He was widely known, for he was a man of more
than ordinary ability and intelligence. He had strong likes
and dislikes, but when apologies were made none forgave more
quickly. His life was that of a Christian. For many
years he had been a leading member of the Orange Presbyterian
Church,, and for the past fourteen years has been a ruling elder.
Through storm and shine he went to his beloved church, and never
faltered in its support. He amassed a good competency by his
own hard work. But the greatest prize he left was that of a
pure character, an unblemished reputation and an unsullied record.
These to his sorrowing wife and children, are farm more prized
than all else. He was followed to his last resting place by
all his neighbors and friends, who thus testified their
appreciation for his goodness and worth. Funeral services
were conducted by Rev. Kelly, of Savannah assisted by
Revs. Cummings and Jones. Peace to his ashes.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 255 |
PORTRAIT |
THOMAS
DONLEY was born in
Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1780, and deceased, on his
homestead in Orange Township, Ashland county, Ohio, Oct. 21, 1850.
He came to the township in 1817, and resided there until his
decease. His first wife died before he did, when he married,
in 1844, Miss Mary McKinney, of Milton township, who still
survives at an advanced age, supposed to be near one hundred
years, there being no record of her birth. Her health is
good, and she retains a good memory of the past. Her sight
and hearing are gradually failing. Her father, Patrick
McKinney, died when she was young, in Cumberland county,
Pennsylvania. She emigrated with her mother and Ross
McKinney to Milton township, 1816, and resided near the old
Hopewell churchy, where she deceased and was buried many years
ago.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 255 |
|
HON. JOHN
DOUGHERTY was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania,
October 10, 1819. His father, Daniel Dougherty,
was born in Ireland and emigrated to the United States in 1806,
and landed at Baltimore, and thence removed to Washington county,
Pennsylvania. He emigrated with his family to Milton
township, now Ashland county, in 1822, where he died. Mrs.
Dougherty and her children removed to Vermillion township
in 1832. Here John grew to manhood, attending the
schools of the neighborhood. At an early age, he took an
active part in politics, and being a fluent speaker, he was
regarded as the leader in his township. He voted with the
Democracy. He rarely asked official promotion for himself.
When the gold fever of 1850 spread over the land, he joined in the
search of the hidden treasure in California. His venture
proved a success, and he returned in 1854. In 1858 he again
visited the Pacific slopes, and remained until 1863. He
prospected in the mines of Idaho, Washington and British Columbia
with success, and returned to his old home in Ashland county.
In 1861, prior to his return, he was elected a member of the
California legislature, and served one session, and resigned.
Having visited nearly all the mines of the Pacific slopes, he is
of opinion there is plenty of gold in the Black Hills, which fact
is being concealed by the Indian ring and other speculators.
In 1872 he again returned to California, in the hope of restoring
his declining health, and remained eleven months, to no advantage.
His malady is chronic rheumatism, with which he has been tortured
for several years. He now resides near Jeromeville. He
has been twice married. He is an exemplary member of the
Catholic church. He is a high-toned gentleman. (Mr.
Doughterty died in 1878)
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 176 |
|
THOMAS
DUNLAP was born in the north of Ireland in 1772, and in
infancy came with his father's family to Westmoreland county,
Pennsylvania, about the beginning of the war of the Revolution.
Upon reaching manhood, he married Margaret Blair, and in the
spring of 1809, removed to Tallmadge, Portage county, Ohio. He
remained there until November, 1830, when he located in Ruggles
township, Huron (now Ashland,) county. When he entered the
township he found the following settlers, who had preceded him
some years: Daniel Beach, Bradford
Sturtevant, John Jameson, Aldrich
Carver, Harvey Sacket, Justus Barnes,
Norman Carter, Reuben Fox, Salmon
Weston, Taylor Peck, G. Ferrier,
Mr. Murphy, Andrew Clark, James Poag, Enoch Taylor, Benjamin
Green, Joshua Frost, Samuel Monroe, David Blair, John Hall, Samuel
Monroe, David Blair, and Enoch Taylor were shoemakers, and
Benjamin Green and Joshua Frost, blacksmiths.
John Dunlap, oldest son of Thomas Dunlap,
came on the worked for Daniel Beach, prior to the removal
of the Dunlap family, and died at the cabin of Mr.
Beach.
Thomas Dunlap died in 1847, aged seventy-five
years, and his wife in August, 1872, aged eighty-six. The
family were: John, who died at the cabin of Mr.
Beach, William, Thomas, Nancy, wife of W. McMeekin,
Alexander, David, SAmuel, Solomon, Amos, James, Joseph, and John
F. All are now dead except David, William and
James. David resides in Wood county, Ohio;
William in Michigan; and James in Sullivan, Ashland
county, Ohio. He has been commissioner of Ashland county six
years, and is at present conducting a hotel. He married
Minerva Myers, daughter of Jacob Myers, of Clearcreek.
He has four boys and four girls.
The Dunlap family was noted for tremendous
physical power. All the sons, but two, were full six feet in
height, and averaged about one hundred and eighty pounds in
weight. As axe-men, log rollers, and pioneer delvers in the
forest, it would be difficult to find another equally vigorous
class of brothers. Like their Scotch-Irish ancestors, they
were all frank and generous.
Source:
History of Ashland County, Ohio with Illustrations and
Biographical Sketches, by George William Hill, M.D. - Published
by Williams Bros. 1880. - Page 181 |
NOTES:
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