|
BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Logan County and Ohio
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers
186
Dearborn Street
1880
w/ some illustrations and
portraits
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO
1880
BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE to
RETURN to LIST of BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
Liberty Twp. -
DR.
J. ORDWAY retired physician; West Liberty.
The data that we have been able to obtain of Dr.
Ordway is of exceeding brevity, but the early
history of Logan Co. scatters his name on many pages of
this book. He was born in New Hampshire, June 22,
1800. His father, John, died when he was
three years old, and he was thrown out on life's current
without the care of the father; hence, his school days
were limited as he must care for the necessaries of
life. He remained with his mother until the age of
8, and then went to live with his grandfather Ordway,
who sent him to one of the old pioneer log cabins, where
he learned his A. B. C.'s; at the expiration of two
years he returned to his mother, she having, in the
meantime, married Robert Christie; he remained at
home until 16, during that time he was engaged on the
farm, but his active mind sought other labors, and he
left the parental roof and began attending school at
Springfield, O. (the family having moved to Clark Co.
some time prior to that time). Extreme poverty
brought this young student to want, and he readily
sought night employment in a cooper shop, and during the
day would attend his recitations; his labor at night
would bring him enough means to pay his board; this he
continued for two years; he became very apt in his
classes, and found some moments for extra labors, which
he improved by reading medicine; at the age of 18 he
began teaching school in the country at $20 per month,
and during his spare time was reading medicine with
Dr. Lawrence, of Springfield; the latter he
continued for three years, which was the requirement of
the law; he th3en went before a board of censors at
Dayton, Ohio, and was examined, and got an excellent
grade; he at once began practice with his preceptor for
a short time and then, May 28, 1828, began at West
Liberty, being then the first and only practitioner at
this place; he soon gained a wide practice, and made
himself known as a skilled and efficient physician;
during a period of three months, he rode down three
horses, and enjoyed only nine nights sleep during that
time; his extensive practice began to injure his health,
and he began to withdraw about 1844 or '45, and finally
booked the last account in 1849, and devoted his entire
time to merchandising, which he had entered prior to
that time. In this vocation he was successful, and
accumulated quite a little fortune; he retired from
business in 1862, on account of ill health, and since
that time has turned his attention to farming 250 acres
of land in Logan and Champaign Cos.; he owns three lots
50x150, 1½ acre lot in the
north part of town, two other lots and buildings, all in
West Liberty, making in all, together with his lands, a
valuation of $40,000 to $50,000, all of which is the
fruit of his own labors. He was married, Jan. 7,
1830, to Sabrina E. McGruder; she died in1848; he
was again married, Mar. 8, 1849, to Mandane S. Fish;
she is still living, and has been of great assistance in
accumulating their fortune. Dr. O. was
always eager to witness anything of interest, and one
time he walked twelve miles to see an elephant, perhaps
the first that ever came through this country in a show.
He has served in some small township offices, as
Treasurer and Town Councilman. The present Mrs.
Ordway was born in 1822, in Randolph, Orange Co.,
Vt. Her father, James Fish, died when she
was nine months old, and her mother, Achsah (Lamson)
Fish, was married again in 1835, to Washington
Granger, a local Methodist Episcopal minister. She
had by her former marriage six children, four of whom
survive. Her mother died in 1868, and was a member
of the Christian Church. Mrs. Ordway came
in Oct. 1845 to Urbana, with William Harbach (an
uncle). She there taught school until married; she
was educated at the academy at Randolph Corners, in
Vermont; she early took an interest in singing, and
became a very efficient alto singer; she was often
selected as an alto representative to musical
conventions in the East; at her ripe old age, now, she
has a very distinct and sweet voice, and is the leading
alto singer in the Methodist choir at this place.
She and the doctor have been identified with the
Methodist Episcopal Church for two score or more years,
the financial interest of which denomination has been
benefited by their relationship, as well as their
connection morally and otherwise. The doctor cast
his first vote for John Q. Adams, for President,
and has always taken an interest in the official
selections, yet, during all this, he has never sought
office. In Dr. Ordway we find a marked
instance of a self-made man, talented, energetic and
careful; educated by his own energies and perseverance;
sociable and affable in his intercourse with all, of
good legal abilities, fine physical organization.
The hand of time has touched him gently. J. B.
McGruder, the father-in-law of our subject, came to
Clarke Co., O., in 1827, was transferred soon after to
Champaign Co., and thence to Logan Co., in 1830; he was
a large shareholder in the east and brought with him
Maria Hawkins (one of his old slaves) and three
children - Windsor, Margaret and Stacey;
her husband was taken south. She now lives in
Washington, D. C. Father McGruder was an
early merchant at this place, and had his business room
where is now the present site of Woodward's boot
and shoe store. We clip the following from a Logan
Co. paper: "We have the melancholy duty of announcing
the death, by suicide, on the night of Tuesday last,
1850, of the Rev. J. B. McGruder, of West
Liberty, in this county. The deceased was an
elderly man, but had enjoyed remarkably god health until
within a comparatively short period, when he sank into
deep melancholy, and in a fit of derangement put an end
to his existence by hanging. No event, we presume,
has ever produced so deep a sensation among the citizens
in the vicinity in which he lived, and were he had
resided for more than twenty years. He was
universally respected and beloved. He has been, we
know not for how long, but we presume for the greater
part of his life, a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and adorned its doctrines by his daily walk and
conversation. He was one of the most earnest and
most devoted Christians that we have ever known.
Whenever good was to be effected, whenever anything was
to be done, promotive of the temporal and eternal
welfare of his fellow man, father McGruder was
found among the most earnest, efficient and unwearying
laborers. But his earthly career is now ended, and
he is gone to his reward. He leaves many sad
hearts to mourn his unfortunate and melancholy death."
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 719) |
Perry Twp. -
WALTER PAINTER, farmer; P. O.,
East Liberty; was born Apr. 14, 1811, while on his way
to this State from Lancaster Co., Pa. His parents
were Abraham and Sarah (Branson) Painter, both
natives of the Old Dominion. The family, upon
their arrival here, first located at what is now known
as East Liberty, making a purchase soon after their
arrival. In 1817, they moved to Jefferson Tp., and
located land where Alexander Jamison now
lives. This land was finally "swapped" for the
place now owned by Philip Crouse, west of
Zanesfield. This his father cleared up, and
remained on the same until his death, which occurred
Sept. 4, 1834. There were eight children in the
family, Walter, being the fourth in number. His
father, Abraham, was born in Frederick Co., Va.,
Apr. 1, 1781. His wife, Sarah, was born in
the same county, April 8, 1785. She died in Zane
Tp., Nov. 25, 1845. Their marriage took place
Sept. 2, 1807. Walter left home at 22.
On Sept. 11, 1834, he was married to Hope
Haines, who was born Feb. 19, 1816, in Champaign
Co., daughter of Joseph and Rachel
(Ballinger) Haines. He was born in
Virginia - she in New Jersey. They emigrated West
in 1806, and settled in what is now Zane Tp., Logan Co.
After Mr. Painter was married, he worked
near Middleburg, and settled where he now lives in 1836.
It was then "all woods," he being the first settler in
this 'neck of woods." He has 156 acres. Of
eight children born him but three are now living -
Abner, on Mill Creek; Abraham, in Indiana;
Alfred, on farm adjoining. Mr. Painter
has been a hard worker and seen a deal of pioneer life.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - Page 655 |
Jefferson Twp. -
EZRA PARK, farmer; P. O.,
Bellefontaine; was born on the same farm on which he now
resides, Nov. 10, 1836; is the eldest of two children,
living, born to James and Elizabeth V. (Marquis) Park.
James Park was born in Belmont Co., in November,
1812; his wife in Washington Co., Pa., in 1810.
The family settled upon this farm about the year 1836,
where he died Nov. 20, 1871; she, Dec. 21, 1861.
Ezra was married Nov. 1, 1876, to Margaretta
Wingerd, who was born in Knox Co., O., June 20,
1851. Her parents are Martin and Catherine
(Baughman) Wingerd; he was born in Franklin Co.,
Pa.; his wife also. They are residents of Knox Co.
Ezra, like his father, has always been a
Democrat. He has 111 acres of land located in this
township.
Source: History of Logan County
and Ohio - Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical
Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street. - 1880 - Page 764 |
McArthur
Twp.-
DAVID PATTERSON, farmer; P. O.,
Huntsville; is one of the early settlers of this
township, to which he moved more than half a century
ago; he was born May 15, 1810, near Belfast, Ireland.
His father, Abraham Patterson kept store until
the breaking out of the Irish Rebellion, in which he
served as Captain; he was married to Martha Gourley,
who bore him nine children, and in 1818, with his entire
family, emigrated to the New World, settling in Mercer
Co., Pa., where they lived until 1830, when he moved to
this township; he and two sons bought 500 acres of
military land, which they divided equally; he was an
ardent believer in the doctrines of the Reformed
Presbyterian Church, and the first one of that
denomination in this community; he helped build the
first church, and attended Church Synod at Pittsburgh on
horseback; he died in 1855, aged 89 years, his wife
having died three years previous, aged 80 years.
David cleared his father's farm, doing most of it
himself; he would often go five miles to raisings and
log-rollings, and often went thirty days during one
spring; he has never left the old homestead, but brought
his wife there when married, Jan. 9, 1837, to Jane,
daughter of John and Betsey Wylie. She
was born April 5, 1810, in Beaver Co., Pa., and came to
this county in 1834. Their union was blessed with
three children, one of whom is living. Believing in the
abolition of slavery, he helped many of them on their
way to the North, once going as far as Sandusky; he lost
his earthly companion Nov. 5, 874, and now lives with
his son, A. Gourley, who served a short time in
Company C, 132nd O. V. I., and married Sarah E. Gray,
who has borne him six children. They are members
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, to which Mr.
Patterson has contributed financially as well as
spiritually; he owns nearly 300 acres of land, which has
changed from a dense forest to a valuable and beautiful
property through his industry.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 828 |
Rush Creek Twp. -
J.
S. PATTERSON, potter; Bellefontaine; was born in
Bellefontaine, O., Feb. 22, 1854, and is the son of
Joseph Patterson, one of the pioneers of Logan Co.
Our subject learned a trade as carriage-maker with
Miller Bro's., of Bellefontaine, working at
his trade until 1880, when he entered the pottery
business. He is now in company with Nathan
Pensey. These gentlemen have just embarked in
their present business, which stands fair to be very
extensive at an early day. Mr. Patterson
was married in Bellefontaine, Aug. 9, 1876, to Miss
Dola C. Burkhart, born in Lake Twp., Logan Co., a
daughter of William Burkhart, who died at 74
years of age. Mr. Patterson's wife died
July 4, 1880.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page e 607) |
Lake Twp. -
W.
P. PATTERSON, marble works; Bellefontaine; was
born in McArthur Tp., Logan Co., Dec. 26, 1836, and is
the son of William Patterson, who was born in
Ireland, having emigrated to America when about 13 years
of age, and located in Pennsylvania; about 1829 he came
to Logan Co., O.; he was a brick mason by trade, and was
engaged in building the first court-house of Logan Co.;
he also had a brother, Joseph, who was a
carpenter by trade, and worked on the same building.
Our subject remained a resident of his native township
until 1869, during which time he was engaged in farming
and working at his trade of carpenter. During the
late civil war he enlisted in Co. G, 1st O. V. I., where
he served three years and fourteen days, participating
in all the prominent battles and marches of this
regiment - Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, campaign around Atlanta; returning home,
he then went to Dayton, O., where he worked at the
carpenter's trade some two and one-half years, when he
returned to Logan Co. In 1879 he embarked in the
marble business, in partnership with J. K. Stewart,
this firm doing some of the leading work in the marble
line. Mr. Patterson is now alone in the
marble business. He married, in 1868, Miss
Maggie Zimmerman.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 606) |
Miami Twp. -
PAUL
F. PETERS, florist; De Graff. Paul F.
Peters was born in the kingdom of Saxony, Germany,
Mar. 25, 1855. His father was a florist to
Prinz Heinrich, 67th, and from him learned the art
of floral culture. The laws of the land demanded
two years of military service, and to escape this demand
he left for Brazil in 1873. Here he worked as
florist, having charge for a year and a half of a large
garden belonging to Peisher & Co., and afterward
about the same length of time for other parties, making
rose culture a specialty. He then came to
Cincinnati, O., where he remained two years. Next,
for seven months he had charge of the farm and flower
gardens of Kentucky University at Lexington, Ky.
Then for six months was in partnership with his brother
in Cincinnati, growing flowers for the general market of
that city. This partnership being dissolved he
came to De Graff, where he is now engaged in his
favorite work. Having devoted the attention of his
past life to the work of the florist, he is enabled to
make of it a grand success.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 780 |
DAVID
A. PIATT, merchant; Quincy, was born near
West Liberty, Logan Co., O., Oct. 3, 1844; son of
David P. Piatt, and Sarah (Askren) Piatt.
His father and mother both moved with their parents to
West Liberty, when they were children, the father from
Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., Penn., and his mother from
Fayette Co., Penn. The dates of their birth being
- the father Aug. 25, 1806, mother's Feb. 12, 1806; they
were married Nov. 19, 1829. Mr. David P. Piatt,
was a member of Kreider Lodge, F. & A. M., and in
assisting in the are of some member's family, contracted
the disease of small-pox, of which he died, Feb. 17,
1865. He was a farmer for sometime in West Liberty
Twp.; he however traded his farm for property in Quincy,
and went into the business of store-keeping. He
held the office of Justice of the Peace, and several
minor offices. The post office was kept in his
store from the first of its opening; after his death the
post office was kept by Miss Isabel Piatt until
1877. When David A. Piatt was but one year
old he came with his parents from West Liberty to
Quincy, and on Nov. 8, 1866, married Miss Rose Anna
Castenborder; they now have four children living,
the names and dates of birth in order are - Lulu
Belle, Oct. 7, 1867; Ora Estelle, July 20,
1870; David Corwin Nov. 3, 1876; Princess
Joanna, July 28, 1879. He commenced keeping
store in Quincy, Mar. 8, 1873, and as he had only the
advantages of a common school education, he has had to
do a large amount of reading and studying, to keep pace
with his business and the times. He entered the
late war in March, 1862, enlisting under Cap.
Nicholas Trapp; and was in the service for three
years, in the 1st O. V. I. and was in a number of
battles, always ready for duty, and came out of the many
engagements without a wound. As a soldier, he
acquitted himself with honor to his country. And
to-day we find him in comfortable circumstances, keeping
a store well stocked with goods pertaining to a first
class grocery, a member of I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 285,
also a member of the Baptist Church; he is not satisfied
with being a member only in name, but carries it into
his business, and adheres to the golden rule.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 781 |
DONN PIATT.
This noted journalist and author is a native of Ohio,
and makes the beautiful Mackachack Valley, in Logan Co.,
his home.
He is, as his name indicates, of French origin, and
retains more than any other member of this influential
family the characteristics popularly attributed to that
nation.
All the Piatts of the United States States
originated from two brothers, Jacobins, who fled
religious persecution in France, first to Holland and
subsequently to the United States.
One, the progenitor of the Ohio, Pennsylvania and
Illinois Piatts settled in New Jersey, while the
other went to South Carolina and thence to the West
Indies.
Jacob Piatt, grandfather of Wykoff, Donn
and H. Sanders Piatt, was a noted officer of the
Revolution, having enlisted as a private and fought his
way up to a position by assignment at one time on the
staff of Gen. Washington.
John H. Piatt, son of Jacob, was a
successful merchant and banker at Cincinnati, and to his
energy and enterprise that city owes much of its early
prosperity.
Donn studied law. He says he was put upon
the bench shortly after his admission to the bar, by
kind friends, that he might learn something of his
profession.
From the bench he was transferred to the Diplomatic
Corps by President Pierce, and served as
Secretary of Legation at Paris, and for a year,
during the illness of the Minister, was Chargé
d' Affaires.
This promotion got the
Secretary into serious trouble. As Secretary, he
was paid at the rate of $2,000 a year, and accommodated
his expenses to his pay. As Chargé
he was plunged into an indebtedness that Congress met so
long after, that he was stigmatized and abused in a
manner that was extremely unjust.
Returning to the United States, he resumed the practice
of law until the war broke out, and he volunteered as a
private to fight for the government. Promoted to a
Captaincy, he soon after accepted the position of
Adjutant General on the staff of Gen. Robert C.
Schenck, and under that gallant and able officer,
continued in the service until the end of the war.
He took part, with the praise of his superior officer,
in the battles of the first and second Bull Run, Cross
Keys and Bull Pasture Mountains. After the
wounding of his general, at the second Bull Run, he was
assigned to duty as Judge Advocate, and as such
conducted the investigation of Gen. Don Carlos Buell,
that was so protracted that it came near surviving the
war. It was, as Inspector General of the Middle
District, with headquarters at Baltimore, that Col.
Piatt with Gen. William Birney, and aided by
Henry Winter Davis and Judge Bond,
inaugurated the enlistment of slaves in the military
service, against the wishes of the administration, that
made Maryland a free State in thirty days.
For this act of insubordination he lost favor with the
government, and when the Union men of Maryland, and
Delaware waited on the President, asking, on the
retirement of General Schenck, he being returned
to Congress, that Col. Piatt be promoted to the
position of Brigadier General, and given command
of the Middle District, Mr. Lincoln said, in his
quaint way: "Schenck and Piatt are good
fellows. If there's any rotton apples in
the barrel, they can be counted on to hook 'em out; but,
gentlemen, they run their machine on too high a level
for me. I don't have much obedience, but a little
is necessary, you know."
Twice subsequent to this, when a list of names was sent
in for promotion to Brigadier General, from the War
Department, Mr. "Lincoln seeing that of Col.
Piatt, drew his pen across it, saying: "Knows too
much."
Twice subsequent to this, when a list of names
was sent in for promotion to Brigadier General, from the
War Department, Mr. Lincoln seeing that of
Col. Piatt, drew his pen across it, saying: "Knows
too much."
After the war, in 1865, Col. Piatt sought and
secured to return to the Ohio Legislature for Logan Co.,
that he might aid in sending his General, Robert C.
Schenck, to the United States Senate. He
failed in this, but succeeded in making it very
disagreeable to his brother members, by introducing
various measures of reform, and advocating them with the
wit and sarcasm, for which he is as remarkable in
oratory as he is with the pen. Among other
proposed reforms was a measure tending to take the
police of cities from the political arena, so that it
might serve as a conservator of the peace, in protection
of society, instead of being a political machine of most
degraded sort.
Of course he failed, and became, in consequence of this
and other like measures of reform, extremely unpopular.
It is told of him that a member came one day and asked
his assistance for a bill then pending.
"Give me the papers and I will do my best in its
support," said the member from Logan.
"Oh! I don't mean that," responded the honest
member. "I want you to pitch into it in one of
your devilish speeches. Then all these fellows who
can't get even with you any other way will vote for it."
Donn Piatt sickened as much of his legislative
career, as did his constituents, and there was an
unanimous consent given to his remaining at home.
It was after this that Col. Piatt turned his
attention exclusively to journalism, with which he had
been trifling from time to time as an amusement.
Employed by the Cincinnati Commercial, as its
Washington correspondent, he began and continued for
three years, giving a letter a day during the sessions
of Congress. These letters were remarkably
successful. while awakening a sensation at the
National Capitol among officials never before so
criticized and commented upon, they were copied more or
less by every journal in the country. The secret
of his success is told by the correspondent himself, in
a letter published not long since. He says: "I
founded a new school. I discovered that the
American people longed for personalities, and I catered
to that taste. At Washington I found official
agents who had to be treated with ridiculous tenderness,
for they owned the city and all the pen-drivers therein,
and hid their imbecility and wickedness under the cover
of exalted position. I found the House a Cave of
the Winds, and the Senate a preposterous fog-bank.
I pried into both, creating the same astonishment and
disgust felt by a convocation of carrion crows in a dead
oak when a sportsman disturbs them with bird shot.
To hold a solemn old pump of a Senator up to ridicule
was as startling as it was delicious to the public."
The school founded by Col. Piatt consisted of a
crowd of correspondents, who imitated all his faults,
without a ray of the merit found in selecting for attack
only charlatans, rogues and imbeciles, and garnishing
these attacks with wit, to make them acceptable.
Col. Piatt sought to bring the evil effects of
our government into disfavor. His followers have
succeeded in fetching the government itself into
contempt.
At the end of the three years correspondence, Col.
Piatt and George Alfred Townsend started the
Washington Capitol. a weekly journal that is to
this country what Punch has been to
England, and the Figaro to France.
George Alfred Townsend retired at the end of
three months from the editorship of this independent and
amusing journal, that has since been conducted by
Col. Piatt alone.
Although known widely for his wit, Donn Piatt
cannot be considered a humorist, by which is meant one
who has this quality only. His wit or humor, as it
is popularly called, is but an aid to more serious aims.
His graver writings, married by a cynical turn and much
eccentricity, having had so much influence that one
regrets the wit that gives a flavor of insincerity to
all he does.
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio - Chicago: O.
L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street. - 1880 - Page 583) |
| |
Monroe Twp. -
R.
J. PIATT; is a son of Gen. A. S. Piatt,
and came to this state with his parents. When he
was but two years of age. Raised up at home, to
farming, and attended the common schools, also one
year at Mt. Saint Mary's, under Bishop Rosencrantz;
then remained home until the out break of the war, when
he enlisted in the 13th Regiment, and went out for three
months; was commissioned 2d Lieutenant by Gov. Todd,
and was detailed for staff duty on his father's staff,
where he served until after the battle of
Fredericksburg, when he resigned and returned home.
On July 17, 1865, in Ireland; after marriage he stayed
three years in Pulaski Co., Ill., where he was engaged
in the lumber business. In 1871 he returned to
Monroe Twp., and has since remained; six children are
the result of this marriage.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 677) |
Union Twp. -
REV. DAVID PLANK, farmer and
minister; P. O., Bellefontaine; was born May 15, 1833,
in Mifflin Co., Penn. To give anything like a
correct sketch of the Plank Family in this
country would necessitate reference to documents and
dates which are now beyond our reach in the
irretrievable past. However, in about the year
1700, or shortly thereafter, one Melcher Plank
(the name originally was Blank; by the variation
of the English pronunciation the orthography was changed
to Plank), with his four sons and two daughters -
Christian, John, Jacob, Peter, Rebecca and
Barbara - emigrated from Germany to this continent,
and settled about Berks Co., Penn. His son,
Christian, married and settled himself in that
section, and had a family of six sons and two daughters
- John, Christian, Isaac, Joseph, Jacob, Samuel,
Martha and Barbara. Samuel, the
youngest son, was born in Lancaster Co. in 1808; he
married Juliana Hartzler, a native of his own
county, who was born in 1819. They are the parents
of the present generation of that name in Logan Co.
They came here with six of their children - Joseph
C., David, Leah, Elizabeth, Martha and Barbara
- October, 1845, and settled on the same farm where
David resides. After they came here the family
was increased by three - Juliana, Samuel W. and
Mary Only two of Christian's family
survive - Martha, in Champaign Co., and
Barbara, who lives near by her nephew David;
they are both well advanced in years. David's
father died here, after a life of quiet usefulness, Dec.
11, 1878, and his mother April 11, 1879. David's
early life was spent on the farm and attending to the
various duties of the same; his marriage was celebrated
with Martha Hartzler Feb. 14, 1856. She was
born in Pennsylvania, June 9, 1836, and came to
Champaign Co. with a sister in 1853. They have
eight children living - Samuel H., Salome M., Levi
L., Mary E., Lydia, Juliana, Katie and David.
Mr. Plank was ordained a minister of the Ormish
Mennonite Church in this township, Oct. 19, 1859.
They are now known as the "Walnut Grove" congregation.
Mr. Plank is now the longest officiating minister
connected with said congregation.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 794 |
Miami Twp. -
GEO.
G. POOL, farmer; P. O., De Graff. Mr.
Geo. G. Pool was born in Shelby Co., O., one mile
north of Sidney, May 13, 1827, son of Rev. Geo. Pool
and Mercy (Wilkinson) Pool. Rev. Mr. Pool
came to Ohio about the year 1812, and was drafted about
as soon as he arrived here, Mrs. Pool coming with
her parents when she was but a child, and settling near
Urbana, Shelby Co., O. They were married Sept. 8,
1814. G. G. Pool was married to Miss
Chloe McKinnon in 1850 and settled in Logan Co.
She was born in Clark Co., and came to Logan in Mar.,
1836. To this couple were given - Daniel H.
(deceased), G. W., Mary J., Thos. W. (deceased),
Emma, J. W., Alfred C. (deceased), and an
infant, which died in infancy. G. W. Pool
was married to Miss Oma Glick in July, 1875.
Miss Mary J. was married to W. F. Hamer,
and now resides in Logan Co., O., only two of the
children having married up to the present time.
After Mr. Pool was married he rented a farm for
one year, and then cleared up a farm of 80 acres in
Logan Co., on which he lived for thirteen years; he then
came to his present farm of 157 acres in 1864. He
was raised on a farm and had the usual advantages of the
farmer's lad, which, in the days of his youth, were not
great. Notwithstanding these limited privileges,
he has been a member of the School Board for fifteen
years, and, understanding the value of an education, has
given his family a better one than he had, so that all
but two of his children now living have taught school
for several terms.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 781 |
Harrison
Twp. -
JOSEPH M. PORTER, P. O.,
Bellefontaine; was born in Washington Co., Pa., Apr. 14,
1824; his parents, Charles and Margaret Porter,
were natives of the same county; they came to Licking
Co., Ohio, in 1825, where they resided until 1832, and
came to Logan Co., where the parents died; the father
died May 14, 1863, and mother, June 29, 1867; the father
was a carpenter by trade, and held the office of Justice
of the Peace in Bellefontaine for nine years.
Joseph Porter was raised principally on a
farm, and was married, in 1854, to Margaret S.
Sullivan; she was born and raised in the county; her
father was of Virginia and her mother of North Carolina;
they came to the county in a very early day. From
this union there were five children, two of whom are now
dead - Addie M., Ida M., Charles L., Lucy and
Lilly J. The two last named are deceased.
Mr. Porter resided in Logan Co. until 1849, when
he went to Michigan, where he remained until 1852, at
which time he returned to Logan Co., and worked on the
railroad until 1855. He went to Illinois in 1856,
and resided there until 1863, when he again returned to
Logan Co., and, always being willing to work, he found
plenty to do, and by industry and economy has acquired a
neat fortune. In 1865, he was appointed
Superintendent of Logan Co. Infirmary, a position
he held until 1872, when he was superseded by
Benjamin R. Kemper. Mr. Porter went to
his farm, and farmed for himself until 1875, when he was
again appointed to superintend the Infirmary, and he has
held that place ever since. The people find his
services invaluable in this respect, owing to his strict
honesty and unswerving integrity. He and family
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically, he is a Republican.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 624 |
Perry Twp. -
JOSHUA POWELL, farmer, P.O., West Mansfield; born Feb.
12, 1824, in Columbiana Co. His parents were
Henry and Rachel (Fowler) Powell. He was born
in Germany, and came to America when a lad, and was
bound out to a man by the name of Nubo.
Joshua was raised to farming pursuits. His
parents were poor, and were unable to give their
children any pecuniary assistance. At the age of
25 he was married to Lovina Fisher, who was born
in Portage Co., daughter of Charles and Minerva
(Alfred) Fisher, both of whom were natives of
Pennsylvania. The first purchase of land Mr.
Powell made was sixty acres in Summit Co., at $10
per acre, which was disposed of three years afterwards
at $20 per acre. In 1853 he came to Logan Co.,
purchasing 112 acres at $6.50 per acre, which was across
the line in Union Co. Four years afterward he sold
it for $12 per acre, after clearing a portion of the
timber. Since 1853 he has been a constant resident
of the county. He now has 183 acres of land, and
well improved, large and commodious farm-house newly
built, and everything about him are monuments to his
industry and perseverance. Beginning life poor, he
has worked his way up from poverty to comfort and
plenty. Having enough of this world's goods about
him for his maintenance, he is now leading a
comparatively retired life, enjoying the fruits of his
labor. He now has his second wife; she was
Minerva Fisher before marriage, and sister to his
first companion, who died May 18, 1867. Eight
children were born them; but seven survive, who are
Nancy A., now Mrs. James Skidmore of Union
Co.; Charles Henry, Thomas W., Melissa, Mrs. R.
Hindle; Edgar, Sarah J. and Harriet E.
He and family are all members of the Free-Will Baptist
Church. His last marriage was in November, 1869.
His early education was entirely neglected.
Schools were scarce, and at subscription rates.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - Page 655 |
Lake Twp. -
WILLIAM
POWELL, deceased; Bellefontaine; was born in
Pennsylvania, on a farm. When a young man he
learned the carpenter's trade. In 1796 or 1797 he
came to Ohio, and located at North Bend, where he was
engaged in farming and hunting, remaining there until
1802 or 1803, when he moved two miles east of Urbana,
remaining there until 1812; he then moved to what is now
known as Bellefontaine, Logan Co., with his wife and ten
children, two of whom are now living in Bellefontaine -
James Powell and Mrs. Powell Mays, who was
born near Urbana, O., Dec. 25, 1806; came here with her
parents in 1812, and married John Mays, of
Kentucky; by his marriage they have had two children, a
son and daughter. The daughter, Elizabeth,
was married in 1846 to E. B. Lowe, to whom she
bore seven children. The Powell family came
here at an early day, when the Indians and wolves were
plentiful. William Powell died in 1835, at
77 years of age, his wife having died in 1840, at 76
years of age.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 608) |
McArthur
Twp. -
LANFORD PRATER,
physician and surgeon; Huntsville; was born Aug. 1,
1840, in this county, and is a descendant of one of the
early settlers; his grandfather, Newman Prater,
was born in Virginia in 1745, and was their married to
Nancy Robinson; he was a farmer by occupation,
and although an old man, served in the war of 1812,
receiving in injuries from which he died; the family,
which then consisted of wife and six children, soon
after started for this State, moving all the way on
pack-horses, and four of them were obliged to walk the
whole distance; they settled permanently in this county
and the sons went to work for different parties, in
order to support the family; John, the youngest
but one, was born Jan. 1, 1800, and has always been a
tiller of the soil; he was married to Mary Pope,
who was a native of North Carolina, and came to this
State the same year as the Prater family, and
lived five years in Highland Co. before coming here; he
retired from the farm in 1876 and has since lived with
his son, losing his earthy partner Feb. 4, 1880.
Lanford taught school several terms in different
parts of the county and served with credit in the war,
being in different regiments, and having four discharges
in his possession; he graduated at the Indiana Medical
College in 1871, and practiced in Grant Co., that State,
until October, 1879, when he located at this place; he
was married Mar. 5, 1863, to Isabel, daughter of
Joseph and Eliza Watson; she was born Dec. 18,
1844, in Tyrone, Ireland, and emigrated to this country
when 8 years old; by their union six children have been
born - Charles, Harriet, Charlotte, Eliza J., Mintia
and Lanford; the family belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and
has always been a Republican.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 827 |
Rush Creek Twp. -
CHARLES
QUINN, farmer; P. O. Rushsylvania.
Charles Quinn was born in Champaign Co., O., in
1818. On the 9th day of October, 1838, he married
Clarissa Chamberlin, who was born in Monroe Co.,
N.Y., on the 23d day of May, 1819. The same year
in which he was married he settled in Logan Co., where
he remained until his death, which occurred Aug. 7,
1865, leaving a widow and four children to mourn his
loss. The children were - Caroline, born
July 22, 1840; Emily, May 18, 1841, and who died
Oct. 11, 18643, nearly a year prior to her father's
death; Mary, Oct. 14, 1842, and died in
July, 1869; Harriet, April 18, 1844, died June 7,
1878; Catharine, Feb. 22, 1852, and married
George W. Lash, Jan. 14, 1875, who resides with his
mother-in-law and manages the affairs of the farm.
The residence of Mrs. Quinn stands exactly on the
line of the old road called Hull's Trace, which was
visible at that time, and the red man often lodged in
her house. Their huts still remained on the farm,
and wolves howled in all directions. She has seen
bears, wildcats, deer, and other denizens of a wild
forest, in their native state, and prior to her marriage
heard George McCullough preach in a cabin which
stood on the farm where she now resides. The
raising of wheat and fine horses in a specialty on this
farm, and hospitality and kindness are among the virtues
of this household.
Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 ~ Page 699) |
NOTES:
|
