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BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY, OHIO
Containing
A History of the County; Its Townships, Towns, Churches,
Schools, Etc.; General and Local Statistics; Military
Record; Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent
Men; History of the Northwest Territory;
History of Ohio; Miscellaneous
Matters, Etc., Etc.
ILLUSTRATED
Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co.
1883.
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Blanchard Twp. -
HARVEY J. EAGER, Justice of the Peace,
Dunkirk, was born June 25, 1841. His father, deceased, and
buried in New York, was of Scotch and Welsh descent. His
mother, Melissa Eager, was the daughter of John Ayres,
a native of Gloversville, N. Y., and of Welsh and Scotch
lineage. The subject of this sketch, when fourteen years
of age, emigrated to Wisconsin, where he attended the schools
for one year, and then came to Wauseon, Fulton Co., Ohio, where
he now has three brothers residing, one of whom is among the
wealthiest in the county. In 1859 and 1860, he was in New
York, a conductor on the street cars of Sixth avenue. ON
the 1st of October, 1866, he was married, in Wauseon, Fulton
County, to Lucy, born June 11, 1837, in Wauseon, Fulton County,
the daughter of Avery and Sallie (Davis) Lamb, the former
a native of Vermont, and of Scotch and Welsh descent, the latter
of native of New York State. This union has resulted in
one child, a son, born on the eleventh year of their marriage,
Oct. 2, 1877. In the spring of 1878, Mr. Eager
drove a four-horse team from Wauseon to Cherokee County, Kan.,
and was thirty-six days on the road. He was occupied for
four yeas in Kansas in stock-raising, and returned to Kenton,
Hardin Co., Ohio, where, in 1871, he was engaged in the creamery
butter business, and was very successful. In 1875 and
1876, he was in a flour mill. In 1878, he came to Dunkirk;
was the Mayor of the town nomination of Probate Judge, but was
defeated by J. E. Lowry. Mr. Eager is a member of
the Masonic order at Kenton, and in politics is an anti
monopolist. He is a gentleman of pleasing address,
possesses a high sense of honor, and is conscientious and
courteous in his business dealings. Although positive in
his conviction of right and wrong, his varied experiences in
life, and his intuitive knowledge of human n_____ _ombine to
give him broad and liberal views of men and ________. He
supports with energy and enthusiasm that which enlists his
sympathies, and his decision of character makes itself felt and
respected by all with whom he comes in contact.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 871 |
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Cessna Twp. -
JOHN ECCARIUS, farmer, P.O. Kenton, is a
native of Germany, born Oct. 23, 1834, and is a son of George
and Margaret (Gessard) Eccarius.
He came with his parents of America in 1849, and the same year
settled in Hardin County, Ohio. His schooling was mostly
obtained in Germany and he was reared to farming. He was
united in marriage in April, 1857, to Margaret Oschman,
a native of Germany, who came to Hardin County with her parents
in 1854 and 1855. Nine children resulted from this union,
viz., Jannette, Ernest, Caroline, John George, Martha, David
Robert, U. S. Grant, Carl and Florin. Mr. Eccarius
was a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, and was in the engagement at John Brown's
meeting house. He belongs to the Lutheran Church, is in
politics, a Republican, but has never sought nor held office.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner,
Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 921 |
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Cessna Twp. -
SAMUEL MITCHELL EDENS, saw-miller, P. O.
Kenton, was born in West Virginia June 20, 1840. His
parents, John and Sarah (Miller) Edens, were natives of
Virginia and of German lineage. When quite young, our
subject came with his parents to Ohio, locating in Highland
County, and subsequently, in 1855, in Hardin County. He
was reared on a farm and attended the common schools; then
worked at milling for about twenty years, and is now running a
mill of his own. In 1869, he was united in marriage to
Catherine Jane, a daughter of John and Mary Ann Swartz,
of Muskingum County, Ohio. They have eight children, viz.,
Ervin Algern, Arizona Adelaide, Emery Melvin, Leona
Adelle, Euretta Almena, William Merlin, Lillian Dale and
Reginald Guy. Mr. Edens served one week in the chase
after Morgan during the Morgan raid in Ohio.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner,
Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 922 |
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Blanchard Twp. -
W. D. EDGAR, lumber merchant, P. O.
Dunkirk, was born May 2, 1838, in Hardin County, and is a son of
David H. and Zuba (Hamlin) Edgar; the former a native of
Pennsylvania and of German descent, the latter a native of New
York State. The subject of this sketch was reared and
educated in this county, and is by occupation a farmer and
dealer in lumber. He enlisted April 18, 1861, in the
Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was discharged Nov 23, 1863.
He participated in the following battles: Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville, Rich Mountain, Gettysburg, Winchester, also in
many skirmishes. At the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3,
1863, he was wounded in the breast by a minie ball and lost the
use of his arm. He is now receiving a pension. He
was married, at Findlay, by Rev. Mr. Done, Nov. 4, 1866,
to Dora, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Davis)
Tanner, born Apr. 13, 1849, in Hancock County, Ohio.
Her father is a native of New Jersey, and emigrated to this
State at the age of twelve years; her mother was born in
Virginia, and came to this State with her parents at an early
day. Mr. Edgar is the father of five children,
viz.: Marchie, born Aug. 11, 1867; Lenora, born
Feb. 28, 1869; Maud, born June 7, 1870; Bertha A.,
born June 7, 1875, and Ruby A., born Nov. 21, 1882.
Mrs. Edgar is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Edgar is a member of the I. O. O. F.; member of the
Grand Army of the Republic; was Chief of Police at Columbus for
two years, from Dec. 1879, to Mar. 4, 1882; served as Auditor of
the County in 1868 and 1869; four about eight years was Deputy
Sheriff and three years Postmaster of Dunkirk.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 872 |
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Dudley Twp. -
GEORGE ELSASSER, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was
born Aug. 20, 1836, a native of Germany and a son of John and
Margaret (Bishop) Elsasser. He was educated at the
schools of Germany until his fifteenth year, when, in 1850, he
emigrated and settled in this State. He is a farmer and
saw-miller by occupation, and owns sixty acres of land in Dudley
Township. He was married in May, 1861, to Cathem Glock
born in 1838, in Germany, who bore him three children,
William (deceased), John and Maggie.
Mrs. Elsasser died in 1871. On May 15, 1881, Mr.
Elsasser formed a second union with Naoma Brown born
in 1836 in Union County, Ohio. Mrs. Elsasser is a
member of the United Brethren Church, and Mr. Elsasser of
the German Reformed Church. In politics, he is a
Republican, and has filled the positions of Trustee, Supervisor
and School Director.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner,
Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 896 |
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WILLARD
C. EMERY, M. D. A position of prominence in the
medical fraternity of Kenton is held by the subject of this
notice, who began in the spring of 1884, and has since had a
large and remunerative patronage. He is a following of the
homeopathic school, and is ability and success have done much
toward gaining popularity for that system among the people of
this locality. In the diagnosis of intricate and
complicated cases he displays an accuracy and skill that prove
his thorough knowledge of the profession in its every
department.
The Emery family originated in Germany, but has
been represented in America for many years, and three
generations have been residents of Ohio. Peter H. Emery,
the father of our subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, whence
he removed to Ohio Early in the 40s, and with his brother
started the first carriage factory in Bellefontaine. His
death occurred in that city in 1865. The lady whom he
married, Mary Ann Anderson, was of Scotch-Irish ancestry,
and her father, Matthew Anderson, was one of the pioneers
of Logan County, his home being on a farm near West Liberty.
During the last twenty years of his life he was totally blind.
One of his sons was a member of the Wisconsin State Legislature
and State Senate, and now makes his home in that state.
Mr. Mary A. Emery survives her husband, and now resides in
Bellefontaine.
At the time of the death of Peter H. Emery, his
wife was left with four small children dependent upon her.
Of these the eldest, W. C., was born in Bellefontaine, Logan
County, Ohio, April 16, 1856. His three sisters are
Jennie, who resides with her mother at Bellefontaine;
Sallie, wife of E. W. Patterson, a well-to-do
stockman of Bellefontaine; and Mamie, wife of Dr.
Frank Griffin, a dentist of Bellefontaine. The subject
of this sketch received his literary education in the common and
high schools of his native city, and in 1876, when twenty years
old, commenced to read medicine with Dr. J. H. Wilson, of
Bellefontaine. Later he attended lectures at the Pulte
Medical College of Cincinnati, from which institution he was
graduated in the spring of 1879.
Forming a partnership with his former preceptor, Dr.
Emery remained in Bellefontaine until 1884, when, as above
stated, he came to Kenton. He was united in marriage, in
1884, with Miss Emma May Kerr, the daughter of an
extensive and successful commission merchant of Buffalo, N. Y.
Unto their union there have been born two sons and two
daughters, named as follows: Hazel, Marguerite, Horace
Clayton and Willard Sprague. The religious
connections of Dr. and Mrs. Emery are with the
Presbyterian Church, in the welfare of which he takes a deep
interest. In political affairs he advocates the principles
of the Republican party, and is well informed concerning matters
pertaining to local and national prosperity. His
residence, an attractive house recently erected, is situated on
North Detroit Street, and is one of the most cosey and pleasant
homes in the city.
†Source #2 - Portrait
& Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895
- Page 386 |
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Buck Twp. -
JOHN ESPY was born in Beaver County,
Penn., Mar. 2, 1811, there grew to manhood, and in August, 1836,
was married to Miss Jane Anderson, a native of the same
county. To this union one son, Thomas, was born, who
for many years has been one of the leading business men of
Kenton, From Beaver County, Penn., Mr. Espy and
family removed to Taylor Creek Township, Hardin Co., Ohio,
arriving at the destination Sept. 1, 1838. Here he lived
upon a farm until the autumn of 1840, when he removed to Kenton,
and engaged in the manufacture and sale of wooden pumps until
the eyar 1844, when he entered a distillery on the present site
of the Snow Cloud Mills. During the ensuing year the
grinding for the distillery was done by the old Ross horse mill,
which was operated, as its name implies, by a horse tread-wheel.
The insufficiency of this mill for the growing demands of the
day was soon recognized by Mr. Espy, and in 1846 he
erected the present Snow Cloud Flour Mill in connection with the
distillery. The erection of this mill marked a new era in
the milling operations of the community, for this was the first
steam flour mill erected within the county. Mr. Espy
continued the operation of this mill about eight years, when he
sold it, and purchased a saw mill on the south side of the town.
With this enterprise he was connected about twelve years.
In 1865, the Marseilles Flouring Mill was purchased, but at the
expiration of the first year Mr. Espy returned to Kenton,
and at once erected the present Espy Mill, which went into
operation Mar. 30, 1867. To this enterprise he devoted his
attention until 1872, when he withdrew from all connection with
milling operations. From this date up to within about a
month of his death his whole time and attention were devoted to
the improvement of the home farm on the south side of town.
During the last month of his life, he had purchased the old
woolen mills property, and planned the erection of another large
flour mill which should supply the growing demands of the old
mill, whose increased patronage had outrun its capacity.
The death of Mr. Espy, Nov. 28, 1878, brought this
undertaking to a close for the present. Such were the
leading events in the business affairs of Mr. Espy that
he justly earned the title of "the pioneer miller of Hardin
County." Beginning with empty hands, by persistent
application to business, he was enabled to achieve some of the
greatest milling operations of the county and period. In
his capacity as a pioneer, he contributed to the development of
the public interests of the community, always an advocate of all
measures of advancement, and a champion of every project of
improvement. Although deeply interested in public affairs,
he would never allow his name to be used in connection with any
office beyond those of his own township, always giving as a
reason for his aversion to office - the urgent demands of his
private affairs. Thus, while a partisan of strong
convictions and deeply devoted to the interests "by attending to
the business of others." His party received his sympathy
and influence; his private affairs, his energy and time.
In business he was a man of strict integrity, rigid in exaction
of all obligations, and unswerving in his plans. Possessed
of a high sense of justice, and an indomitable will, no question
of expediency could allure him aside from what he considered the
line of duty. In private life he was kind, forbearing and
affable. With a plan unwavering, an energy untiring, and a
will unflinching, he rose to affluence; but this success not
only failed to produce pride or coldness, but rather served to
enlarge its sphere of usefulness, as generosity and liberality
were prominent traits of his character. Although having reached
the advanced age of sixty-eight, his death came suddenly and
unexpectedly and was deeply deplored by the whole community, for
the public recognized in his demise an almost irreparable loss.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 1042 |
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Cessna Twp. -
B. P. EULIN, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was
born in Hardin County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1847. He is a son of
John Perry and Elizabeth (Linck) Euline, natives of Ohio.
His father was a pioneer of Hardin County, and is still living.
Our subject was reared on a farm, securing a common school
education, and for a time was a teacher in the schools. He
has since been engaged in carrying on farming. On Nov. 7,
1872, he married Rachel O., daughter of William and
Nancy Cessna, which union resulted in one child, Cora
Elizabeth, who died when little over a year old.
Mrs. Eulin died Mar. 10, 1875, and Mr. Eulin
remarried Dec. 25, 1878. His second wife is Mary
Elizabeth, daughter of Israel and Patsey Smith and a
native of Fayette County, Ohio. Mrs. Eulin is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Eulin
was a member of Warden of the Patrons of Husbandry, but his
Grange has since been discontinued. In politics, he is a
Republican, has served as Constable, and is an intelligent,
thrifty farmer.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner,
Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 922 |
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Buck
Twp. -
DAVID EVANS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Wales,
June 20, 1813. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth
(Jones) Evans. (See sketch of John Evans.)
David was the youngest of five children, two living -
John and David. The deceased are Mary,
Margaret and Magdalena. Our subject was reared
on the homestead, and obtained a fair education from the common
schools. At an early age, he began providing for his
mother and a sister. In April, 1852, he sold his farm in
Gallia County, Ohio, and came to Hardin County. Here he
bought 202 acres of land at $14 an acre. He has since
cleared the land, and has 125 acres under cultivation. He
assisted in cutting out and making the road in his section of
Buck Township, and also gave a helping hand in founding churches
and schools. He was largely instrumental in the
organization of the St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church, with
which he has since been connected. In 1878, he erected his
brick residence, at a cost of $2,200. On Jan. 9, 1833, he
was united in marriage to Lovina, a daughter of John
Price, and born in Union County, Ohio, in September, 1816.
This union has been blessed with fourteen children, nine living,
as follows: Elizabeth, wife of James Bailey,
Margaret, wife of Paul K. Sieg; Bethany, wife of
Ira Richards; Mary, wife of Thomas McElres; Thomas P.;
Nancy A., wife of Edward Moy; Phebe, wife of
Charles White; William H., Maria and two
infants. Mr. Evans and his wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr.
Evans is a Democrat, but has never sought office.
Thomas P. Evans, the eldest son of David Evans, was
born in Delaware County, Ohio, Mar. 20, 1845. He was
married Mar. 7, 1867, to Laura E., a daughter of John
and Saloma Tyler. She was born in Orleans County, N.
Y., Mar. 13, 1846. The six children born are Saloma L.,
Arthur, Lovina E., Asher T., Gertrude L. and Alta M.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 1044 |
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Marion Twp. -
J. B. EVANS, physician and surgeon,
Huntersville, P. O. Ada, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Jan. 17,
1844. He is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Webster) Evans,
the former a native of Wales, the latter of Connecticut.
During his minority, he was educated at the common schools of
Knox and Union Counties, and subsequently took a regular course
at the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and a course at the
Medical College of Fort Wayne, Ind. In March, 1865, he was
married to Rebecca Louisa, a daughter of George Davis,
of Union County, Ohio, and one of the most accomplished of Union
County's fair belles. One child blessed this union, Eva
Dell, born Aug. 8, 1867. Mrs. Evans died
May 14, 1869. In November, 1872, Dr. Evans
remarried.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Warner,
Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 950 |
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Buck Twp. -
JOHN EVANS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born in Cardigan,
Wales, Feb. 12, 1803. He is a son of Thomas and
Elizabeth (Davis) Evans, both natives of Wales. His
father was born in October, 1782, his mother on Feb. 12, 1783,
and were of Welsh stock. In 1818, they emigrated from
their native country in a sailing vessel, and were fifty-two
days on the voyage. They landed at Baltimore in June, and
then went to Pittsburgh. They subsequently proceeded down
the Ohio River in a flatboat, to Gallipolis, Ohio. Mr.
Evans entered eighty-four acres of land in Gallia County,
lived there till 1824, then removed to Delaware County,
purchasing a farm of 200 acres in Thompson Township. He
died in October, 1828. For seven years he was a sea
captain. He started out a poor boy, and with energy,
combined with a good practical business mind, acquired his large
and valuable property. His estate was estimated to be
worth $40,000. The subject of this sketch inherited 100
acres of land in Delaware County, of which he cleared sixty
acres. He then sold out, and bought 207 acres in Buck
Township, Hardin County, to which he added until he had acquired
477 acres. He divided this land among his children,
remaining 217 acres, worth $75 an acre. He was married,
Jan. 29, 1829, to Maria Cochran, a daughter of James
and Elizabeth Cochran, and a native of Ohio, born Dec. 3,
1809. Mrs. Evans died July 28, 1860, leaving a
family of twelve children, four living - Thomas, John E.,
David C. and William E. In politics, Mr.
Evans was formerly a Whig, but now belongs to the Democratic
party. He held the office of Township Trustee for five
years. David C. Evans, the third son living, was
born in Thompson Township, Delaware County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1847.
He was reared on the homestead, and obtained a limited education
from the common schools. On April, 25, 1871, he was
married to Miss Varena, a daughter of John and Mary
Fry. She is a native of Switzerland, born Dec. 17,
1851. The four children born are Emery D., Willis J.,
Charles E. and Earl. Mr. David Evans
owns ninety-six acres of land, and is engaged in farming and
stock-raising. He makes a specialty of Poland China hogs.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 1043 |
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Buck Twp. -
JOHN E. EVANS, farmer, P. O. Kenton, was born on the old
homestead, in Delaware County, Ohio, Jan. 7, 1847. He is a
son of John and Maria Evans, with whom he had come to
Hardin County, where they settled. He is next to the
youngest son living, and twin brother to David C. Evans.
He was reared on the homestead, in Buck Township, and secured a
fair education from the common schools. On Feb. 22, 1876,
he married Miss Jennie, a daughter of Francis B. and
Nancy (Conner) Slagle, and a native of Ross County, Ohio,
born Mar. 3, 1852. No children have blessed this union.
Mrs. Evans' parents had settled in Pleasant Township when
she was three years old, and where she attained womanhood.
Mr. Evans resided on a part of the homestead until Nov. 30,
1881. He owns 160 acres of land, besides eighty-one and a
half near Silver Station, given him by his father. He is
engaged in farming and stock-raising, making sheep a specialty
of the latter. Mrs. Evans is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church of Grant Station. Mr. Evans
is a Democrat in politics, and is now serving as Township
Trustee and School Director.
Source: History of Hardin Co., Ohio - Publ.
Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co. - 1883 - Page 1044 |
NOTES:
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