OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

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Morrow County,  Ohio
History & Genealogy

Gilead Twp. –
ANDREW CAMPBELL, farmer; P. O. Gilead station; was born on his present place Jan. 11, 1835, and has always lived on the same.  Dec. 22, 1859, he was married to Miss Nancy Jane Farley. She was born in Washington Co., Pa., and came to this locality, with her parents, when young. They had three children, two of whom are now living -- Halleck S. and Amanda. He owns 95 acres of land, located a quarter of a mile west of Gilead Station. In 1863 he erected a sorghum mill on his place, and has conducted the business in connection with his farming interests. His father, Andrew Campbell, was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, July 25, 1803, and in his eighteenth year he and his brother, Johnson, came West on foot.  He entered 160 acres, the present place being part of the same. They built a log cabin, in regular pioneer style -- but one room, puncheon floor, split-board roof, etc.; they lived with their neighbors, cleared, and made improvements, put out some wheat, and went back to Jefferson Co., and returned with their mother and family, their father having died in the year 1819.  The family occupied the log cabin, near which was a camp of Indians, though the family experienced no trouble on their account, though, probably, the fact of Mr. Campbell being a large, powerful man, and an expert hunter, had something to do with their friendly disposition.  The fall after he came here he had two horses, two cows, a few sheep, and $18 in money; they made their own clothing, and traded butter and deer skins in Frederick, for muslin and calico; he also worked at pump-making. After he became of age, he deeded 110 of his 160 acres to his mother, and lived with her until he was 26 years of age, when he married Miss Susannah Burnside, a native of Virginia. After his marriage he occupied the remaining 50 acres, and improved and lived on the same until his death, Oct. 21, 1878. They had nine children, of whom but one is now living -- Andrew.  Mrs. Campbell died Sept. 8, 1864. 
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 525
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Franklin Twp. –
JESSE CAMPBELL, farmer; P. O., Pulaskiville; the subject of this sketch was born July 12, 1802, and is a son of Benjamin and Sarah (Teitsworth) Campbell; he is a native of Northumberland Co., Penn., and spent the days of his youth on a farm, receiving but little education, as his home was among the mountains with the nearest school seven miles distant. His father dying just after his son had reached his majority; Jesse was left to to [sic] help in the support of the family, which filial duty he performed for four years. In the fall of 1825, with his mother and five children he came to Ohio, being conveyed by wagon, the journey occupying twenty-one days. He immediately entered eighty acres of land and erected also a hewed log house, hauling logs to a saw-mill below Mt. Gilead. The first spring he put out two acres of corn; he remained here some two years when he went East in company with Allan Kelly, driving a heard of cattle; during the next seven years he worked by the day and month at various points, including the Canal R. R.  Sept. 6, 1832 he Was united in marriage to Ellen Williams, a daughter of Jonathan and Elleanor (Ues) Williams; his wife was born Feb. 24, 1813 and shared with him the pleasures and pains of life until her death, April 1, 1878.  For some time after marriage he lived with his wife’s father, and then buying a team in the fall of ’35 he removed to his mother’s place. His brothers and sisters having married and scattered, each for themselves, he in time bought the place which he still owns. Mr. Campbell is the father of four children now living, two dying when quite young -- Jonathan W., born Oct. 30, 1836, married Mary Hogler and settled in Lee Co,, Ill; Mark W., born March 23, 1844, married a Miss Bumbarger, and is in Ogle Co., Ill.; Sarah B., born Jul y 12, 1847, is still at home; Eliza J., born July 17, 1854, at home. The mother of Mr. Campbell died Dec. 26, 1868, aged 98 years, 7 months, 16 days; her mother also had lived to he 98. He is a Democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson; with his wife and family he is a member of the M. E. Church, and since early manhood has been a constant Christian and man of upright integrity.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 776-777
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Canaan Twp. –
JOHN CAMPBELL, farmer; P. O., Caledonia; was born Sept. 23, 1810, in Loudoun Co., Virginia; is a son of William and Catharine (Wright) Campbell, who are of Scotch and Irish descent. John was but one year old when his father died, and came West with his mother when five years of age, and located in Muskingum Co., where they remained about three years; also stayed at Darby Plains, the same length of time; went to Waldo and remained one year, and in Delaware Co., several years, and in 1822 came to this township, with his mother, who had married Frederick Dunklebarger, who entered land and located on the same. Jan. 22, 1835, John was married to Lucinda Downs, who was born Jan. 12, 1814, in Ross Co., Pa., the daughter of David and Sarah (Murphy) Downs; he being a representative of Loudoun Co., Va., and she of Ohio birth. After their marriage they settled on the same section where they now live, their domicile being made of logs with puncheon floor and stick chimney. The forest stood in its primitive beauty, no clearing having been done at this time. Indians were plentiful, and were camped about them, watching with a jealous eye the encroachments of the settlers on their domain; here Mr. and Mrs. Campbell spent the prime of their life, enduring all the privations and hardships that attend the settlement of a new country; their corn was pounded in a mortar or ground by a hand stone, and their clothing was of their own manufacture. Their first summer spent in their cabin was without any floor; a hole cut in the side served as a place of ingress; the fire was made upon the ground, the smoke seeking its own outlet; yet they were happy, and looked for better days to come; 1880 finds them in possession of an excellent home, and a farm of 185 acres, and everything about them to make life enjoyable. They have eight children -- Martha N., at home; Eliza, now Mrs. S. Rice; John N., Sarah J., now Mrs. Strawman; William W., James W., Alfred M., George W.  Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, as well as the entire family, are members of the M. E. Church of which Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were among its first members.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 720-721
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Canaan Twp. –
THOMAS A. CAMPBELL, farmer; P. O. Gilead Station; is a descendant of the Campbell family, who were among the early arrivals in this part of the township. Mrs. Campbell, the widow of A. Campbell, a grandfather of Thomas, emigrated here at an early period, and made a purchase of land, part of which is now occupied by W. J. Campbell, the brother of Thomas. Thomas was born in Gilead Tp., Oct. 21, 1822, and is the eldest of a family of five children, whose parents were William and Mary (Axtell) Campbell. The Axtells are of Yankee extraction, while the Campbells are of Irish. Dec. 25, 1861, he was married to Beliah Webster, who was born Sept. 11, 1836, in Gilead Tp. She is a daughter of Marvin and Maria (Newson) Webster, whose father was an early settler in Gilead, and among the first to build in the town of Gilead. After Mr. Campbell was married, he rented land in Gilead Tp. some time, and subsequently moved to his farm, consisting of fifty acres. They have had seven children; five are living -- John E., Mary, Sarah, Myrtie, Imo and Charley C.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 723
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Franklin Twp. –
WILLIAM T. CAMPBELL, farmer; P. O., Pulaskiville; son of Benjamin and Sarah Campbell; was born Oct. 8th, 1795, in Northumberland Co., Pa.; his father came from New Jersey to Penn. just after the Revolutionary war and engaged in farming. They raised a family of eleven children -- John, Mary, William T., Margaret, Lanah, Jesse, Joanna, Sarah, Benjamin, Levi and Jane -- all grew to manhood and womanhood.  William T. being only a boy came to Cincinnati, O., in 1812; he remained in the State until 1817, when he and two others began a pilgrimage to the “Keystone State;” they walked 550 miles. He was married May 10, 1818, to Sarah, daughter of Robert and Mary (Reynolds) Campbell; she was born in Oct., 1798, in Pennsylvania.  He remained here four years; he ran a saw-mill a short time, taught school in the winter and wove during vacations.  He emigrated with his family to this township about 1822, living in a cabin near where Center schoolhouse stands. Here he taught in the old cabin schoolhouse mentioned in the history of this township. In the spring of 1824 he removed to the farm where Samuel Hull now lives; with a strong and willing hand he wielded the ax until the sun shone on the smiling fields. He continued for many years to teach school in the winter; he was the first and only one for many years who taught grammar and geography in the district school; he taught in all fifteen terms; the lowest wages he received was $12.50 per month, and was also a teacher of vocal music, using the old patent notes in his singing school. The sterling integrity and quick intelligence of Mr. Campbell peculiarly fitted him for a leader in public affairs; he has been chosen to fill the office of Trustee, which he filled with honor to himself and satisfaction to all; but in the church has his manly zeal, coupled with a benevolent Christian spirit, shone with untarnished luster for more than half a century; during a membership of fifty-four years in the M. E. church, he successfully filled the offices of Trustee, Class-leader and Steward many times; no solicitor for church enterprises ever appealed to him in vain. The subject of temperance early engaged his attention, being a charter member of the first society organized in the neighborhood. He raised a family of nine children -- Mary A., Jane, Jackson, Sarah, William E., Levi, Ermina, Lodema and Lovina. Two others, Baxter and Joseph, died young; his second son, William E., served as engineer in the late war.  Mr. Campbell’s success in farming has been commensurate with his unremitting labors; before he retired from business he owned 350 acres of land, which he has since bequeathed to his children. He moved into the present house in 1858. The wife of his youth died Feb. 27, 1868, and he married Mary Harris Feb. 20, 1873. He received only a common school education in boyhood, but many a night found him poring over his books by firelight.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 775
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Washington Twp. –
S. D. CASS, farmer; P. O., Iberia; was born in Portland, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Feb. 14, 1819; his father, Joseph Cass, was a native of Vermont, and his mother, Miss Jane Dixon, of Cherry Valley, N. Y.  Mr. Cass came with his parents to Ohio in 1838, and settled near Mt. Vernon, Knox Co., where he remained about twelve years; four years were passed in South Bloomfield, Morrow Co., when he removed to Washington Tp., and located where he now resides.  In 1855 he married Miss Martha Ann Story, whose early home was near their present location.  They have seven children -- Vienna, 23; J. C. Fremont, 21; G. Dudley, 20; Eugene B., 15; D. Webster, 13; Henry C., 7, and Paul, 5 years of age.  Mr. Cass has always been engaged in farming, though he has taught school eighteen winters in succession, superintending his farm the while.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 745
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
CHRISTOPHER H. CHAMBERLIN, retired; Andrews.  Mr. Chamberlin was born April 19, 1811, in Hunterdon, Co., N. J., and is a son of Gideon and Catharine (Hulsiger) Chamberlin. His father immigrated to Franklin Tp. (now in this county), in 1828, and lived there until his death. The demands of a new country, and the limited educational privileges to be found here at that time, gave but few opportunities for the children of the pioneers to gain even the rudiments of an education.  Mr. Chamberlin attended the frontier schools but five weeks, and with this limited time, spent on his books, he was obliged to be content, and labored on his father’s place until 22 years of age, when he set up for himself; with his bare hands as his sole capital, he secured a farm for himself, and married Miss Sarah Lyon, a native of Ohio; he settled down to build his fortune; tired of the slow progress of this pursuit, he five years later took up the carpenters’ trade, serving at first for 50 cents a day; he continued in this occupation for thirteen years, investing his earnings in the meanwhile in land, purchasing an interest in his father’s estate; this property, a few years later, he traded for sixty acres, situated in Harmony Tp., upon which he moved and went to work to cut out a farm from the wilderness; he stayed here but a short time, when an opportunity for engaging in mercantile pursuits presented itself, and he moved to Mt. Gilead, setting up in trade about 1853; three years later he sold out his business, and went to Butler Co., Iowa, where he remained a little over three years, returning at that time to Mt. Gilead, and engaging in traffic at his old place of business; in the spring of 1866 he again retired from the store, and went to farming in the southeastern part of Gilead Tp., staying there, however, but a year, when he removed to Williamsport; not content to remain idle, he soon engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he continued until 1877, when he retired from active life. Mr. Chamberlin has been twice married, losing his first wife in 1862; and afterward married Mrs. Mary Truax, a native of Marengo Co., Ohio. Four children were born by his first wife -- Catharine, Phoebe A., Lucretia and John M., the latter deceased. The daughters are all married to men of prominence at the county seat -- Catharine, to Dr. Shaw; Phoebe, to Judge Gardner, and Lucretia to R. P. Halliday, Cashier of the First National Bank.  Mr. Chamberlin has always borne a prominent part in the various communities in which he has lived, his sound judgment and ripe experience gaining for him the confidence and suffrages of the people; he has affiliated with the Democratic party, has served as Justice of the Peace in Harmony and Congress, a combined term of nearly nine years, and now, after serving three years as Township Treasurer, is still discharging the duties of that office, to which he was re-elected in the spring of 1880.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 684-685
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
D. L. CHASE, county clerk; Mt. Gilead; was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., in 1834, and is the son of Robert and Annie (Cramer) Chase; his mother was born in New Jersey, and his father in Connecticut. In 1836, they, with their three children (our subject being one of them), started for Ohio, arrived and located in South Bloomfield, Morrow Co. (then Knox Co.); they settled on 72 acres of land; his mother and father are now living, his father being 73 and his mother 75 years of age. Our subject was born on the farm; he farmed in South Bloomfield for a number of years, when he began teaching school, which he followed in Morrow and Delaware Cos. for several years; he was a resident of Iowa two years, and one year in Illinois.  Mr. Chase has made his home in Morrow Co.; he was a resident of Westfield Tp. for seven years; he filled the office of Assessor of South Bloomfield Tp. for six years, giving entire satisfaction, and in 1875 he was nominated by the Republican party to the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court, being elected to that office by a majority of 190 votes; he was reelected by same party in 1878, by a majority of 563 votes, showing that Mr. Chase’s first term was satisfactory to the people; he has gained many friends, and is recognized as one of the best County Clerks Morrow Co. ever had.  Mr. Chase is a Republican in politics, and a member of the M. E. Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 525
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Harmony Twp. -
SAMUEL W. CHIPPS, farmer; P. O., Chesterville; was born Nov. 18, 1813, in New Jersey. His father, Joseph, was born in 1795, and his mother, Elizabeth (Woodruff) Chipps, in 1787, in the same, state. They had four children -- S. W., John, Cynthia and Harriet. The father was drafted in the war of 1812, but hired a substitute. Samuel W. had but poor opportunities for an education, and at the age of 25 he came to Ohio by way of Ann Arbor, Mich., from which place he walked; he made his settlement at Chesterville, and worked for a while for Dr. Lord, at that place; while there, in 1840, he married Cinderella Struble; he enlisted in the 30th O. V. I., and died in Keokuk, Iowa, in the hospital; John N., Sarah, Wesley, Melville, Peter, Daniel, Sophronia, George and Joshua, they rented in Chester Tp., for four years, and in 1845 they settled where they now reside, buying 103 acres. He has now 145 acres of well-improved land, attained mostly by their own labor. He has taken a deep interest in township enterprises, especially in the schools; Wesley, Daniel, Joshua and George are all teachers. His wife died Sept. 23, 1877, and was an active and faithful member of the Methodist Church. He was again married to Mrs. Ruth Woodruff, who had by her former husband (Theodore Woodruff) two children -- Kate and George.  Himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. He has always been identified with the Republican party; he cast his first vote for the Whig party. He paid his portion of the township draft.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 704-705

South Bloomfield Twp. –
WESLEY CHIPPS, merchant and Post Master; Sparta; was born in Delaware Co., O., Oct. 13, 1847.  He is the son of W. and Cindrella (Struble) Chipps, who came to Ohio from New Jersey in December, 1838.  Wesley remained with his parents on the farm until he was 18 years old, when he began business for himself; he worked two summers on a farm, going to school during the fall and winter, until the winters of 1866 and 1867, when he taught his first term of school.  The following summer he canvassed for a map in Delaware Co.; he then went to school in the fall, and during the succeeding winter taught again.  In 1868 he was employed as clerk in a drug store at Lima, Ohio, but taught the following winter.  He worked on the farm at home during the years of 1869 and 1870; shortly after this he went to Mt. Vernon and clerked in a drug store, and on the 5th of March, 1872, started a drug store in Sparta, where he remained until March 31, 1875.  On the 18th of March, 1872, he was united in marriage to Estella Newcomb, a daughter of Stephen L. and Meradah (Ink) Newcomb, and by her had one daughter -- Oral M., born, Aug. 3, 1873.  On the 16th of December, 1879, his wife died from spinal disease.  His daughter, Oral, lives with her grandfather Newcomb, near Chesterville.  In March, 1875, Mr. Chipps moved to Pulaskiville, where he clerked until October of the same year; he then began a partnership business at Sparta with Henry Hulse, under the firm name of Chipps & Hulse, and has continued there ever since.  Chipps & Hulse purchased the store of W. C. Harris, which consisted of a general stock of dry goods, hats, caps, groceries, hardware, etc., invoicing between $3,000 and $4,000.  The stock at present consists of dry goods, notions, hats, caps, boots and shoes, queensware, groceries, etc.  They keep constantly on hand a stock of from $4,000 to $6,000 worth, and during the year their sales amount to $12,000; they do the largest business of any house in Sparta.  They are centrally situated, and Mr. Chipps is the present Post Master at Sparta.  Mr. Chipps, though a young man, is universally known and respected by the citizens in the southern part of the county; he started with scarcely a dollar, but by industry, economy and sterling honesty, has acquired considerable property, and, what is better still, a name without stain or blemish.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 663-664
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Westfield Twp. –
JACOB CLAYPOOL, farmer and stock raiser P. O., Westfield; was born in Ross Co., O., Jan. 23, 1820; his father, William Claypool, and mother Sarah (Sperry), were natives of Virginia, and came to Ohio in 1802, thus giving them rank among the early pioneers.  His father served in the war of 1812.  He came to Westfield Tp. in 1827, where he spent his declining years, and where he reared a family of eleven children, eight or whom are now living (those deceased lived beyond the age of fifty years).  Mr. Claypool’s early life was spent amidst the scenes incident to the frontier.  He has seen his father shoot wild game from his own door, and when the supply of meat began to run low, he would shoulder his gun and not return until he was well supplied with game, especially deer, which were quite common.  Mr. Claypool gained such an education as the times would allow, and began to do for himself before arriving at his majority.  He married at the age of 25 Miss Martha McDonegal, a native of Delaware Co.  His father dying soon after, he began business, for himself; he bought out the other heirs and took the home farm.  There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Claypool seven children, six of whom are now living, and all are married and settled in life except the youngest.  The oldest, Dr. Albert Claypool, is a prominent physician of Toledo.  Another son is Gen. Agent of the Howe Sewing Machine Co., and resides at Nyack, New York.  Mr. Jacob Claypool is one of the wealthiest farmers of Westfield Tp., possessing a farm of 214 acres of the best land in the township, and good buildings thereon, and a farm in Wood Co., and is a careful business man.  He has for many years been a prominent member and officer in the M. E. Church.  In politics he is a Republican, and was formerly an Abolitionist, voting the ticket when only one other man in the township had the courage to do it.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 635
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Lincoln Twp. –
ANDREW CLICK, farmer; P. O., Cardington; was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, in 1814; his parents were natives of Pa., and came to Fairfield Co. about 1808, where they lived until 1832; they then moved to Franklin Co., and both died there in 1861. About 1843 Mr. Click came to Morrow Co.; was married in 1837 to Sarah Alspach, whose parents were early settlers in Fairfield Co., and came to Franklin Co. previous to the Clicks; from this union there were eleven children, three of whom are now dead; they had one son, John H., in the late war, as member of the 96th Reg., O. V. I.; after two years he died, while yet in the service of his country; Mr. Click purchased a farm of 106 acres, in Lincoln Tp.; when he first came to the county this land was densely covered with timber; this he cleared off, and turned the wilderness into cultivated fields, thus establishing a home for the enjoyment of himself and of those who came after him.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 763
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
COE BROS. (Coe Bros. & Co., hardware, drugs, etc.); Gilead Sta.  S. Allen and Geo. O. Coe are natives of Marion Co., Ohio; they were born Sept. 26, 1846, and March 23, 1849, respectively.  Mr. S. Allen Coe lived at home until he became of age, he then went to Johnson Co., Kansas, where he bought and improved some land, which he afterwards sold; he also conducted a threshing machine; he remained in Kansas about nine months when he returned home and farmed until 1872, when he was engaged to conduct a lumber business at Gilead Station, for Johnson, Collins & Wensels, with whom he remained for eighteen months; he then engaged in the grocery business at Mt. Gilead under the firm of Bowen & Coe; they continued for three years, when he sold out and came to Gilead Station and formed the present firm.  July 28, 1873, he married Miss Sybil E. Flint; she was born in Ohio; they have three children, two living -- Homer F., and Nellie E.  Geo. O. Coe lived at home about three years, when he went to live with his sister on a farm near Mt. Gilead, where he lived until 1867, when they moved to the old homestead, which his brother-in-law had bought, and they lived there until 1870; he then engaged in the drug business in Mt. Gilead with D. T. A. Goorley, and after three years he sold out his interest and went back to the farm; May 14, 1872, he married Miss Viola McCormick; she was born in this Co., and they lived on the farm (his brother-in-law’s), which he farmed on the shares, until 1877, when he, came to Gilead Station, and engaged in his present business. By his marriage there are three children -- Elbert G., Lulu M., and Ray McC. -- their parents, Abraham and Margaret Nichols Coe, were natives of Virginia; he was born Dec. 23, 1806, and married Nov. 5, 1829; she died Sept. 21, 1849.  They had nine children, seven living.  Dec. 28, 1851, he married Mrs. Sellers, formerly Miss Elizabeth Wallace, a native of Perry Co., Ohio; they have no children; Mrs. Coe has one child by former marriage -- Avarilla R., now Mrs. Shepard of Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Mr. Coe early learned the blacksmith’s trade, and came to Mt. Gilead, O., about 1827, and has lived in this vicinity since.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 524-525
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Canaan Twp. –
JAMES H. COEN, farmer; P. O., Caledonia; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Aug. 26, 1827; his father, Isaac Coen, died when James was but two years of age; his mother’s maiden name was Mary Williams, and married the second time when James was but 12 years of age, sending him to live with a man who was to learn him the carpenters’ trade, but who kept him doing drudgery instead, and he despaired of ever learning the trade, and left, after staying with the man three years; he then went to live with Henry Valentine, staying there three years also; he then set out for Marion Co., and worked by the month, and “grubbed” and chopped cord-wood at thirty-three cents per cord, boarding himself; at the age of 27, he was married to Ann Harrison, who was born Aug. 22, 1834, in Fairfield Co.; is the daughter of Jacob and Rachel K. (Rice) Harrison; Jacob was born Jan. 17, 1805, in Fairfield Co., and was married to Rachel Rice, April 23, 1829, and moved to Marion Co. in 1834, and settled in the “beech woods;” he joined the M. E. Church in 1841, and was the first person to join Jacob Geyer’s class, and was the first Sunday-school superintendent. He died Oct. 23, 1873. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Coen, he began farming; his first purchase was the Knowles grant, which he afterwards sold and settled on the Badger farm, and began buying out the heirs; had an interest in some land in Van Wert Co., which he traded for a two-horse wagon; since Mr. Coen’s location here, he has remained, and is permanently settled; he has now about 250 acres of choice land, beautifully located, no better in the township, and he is among the county’s best farmers and self-made men; they have six children -- George F., Mary A., Lizzie, Nora M., Hattie B. and Harrison H.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 722-723
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
SALO COHN, merchant tailor and dealer in gents’ furnishing goods; Mt. Gilead. This gentleman came to America from Berlin, Prussia, in the year 1870, and took up his residence in the city of Cleveland, Ohio; where he engaged with Messrs. Koch, Goldsmith, Joseph & Co., (manufacturers and wholesale dealers in clothing and piece goods). He was assigned the charge of the piece goods department, by reason of his excellent judgment of that line of goods, which he acquired by fifteen years’ experience among the manufacturers in Germany. During his stay in Cleveland he became very popular, his frank, out-spoken manner, and fair and honest dealing, winning him a large circle of friends, with whom he was loth [sic] to part.  But in the summer of 1879 he was called to mourn the death of his little son, Berthold, aged 7 years and 6 months, and being alarmed at the then prevailing sickness of the city, he determined to move to the country with his wife and remaining son, Martin; accordingly, upon hearing of the intention of Messrs. Rowland and Talmage to sell their business, he visited Mt. Gilead, and being favorably impressed with the place and the people, he concluded to purchase the business and make a permanent settlement. The terms were arranged ,and he took charge in the spring of 1880, thus securing a prominent location and the largest storeroom in the place, in which he has since placed a mammoth stock, by far the largest in the county, all selected in the best taste as to style and quality, thus affording unequaled facilities to patrons. Though but a short time has elapsed since Mr. Cohn came to Mt. Gilead, he has already, by his courtesy and fair dealing, established his as a reliable one-price store, in which all receive a hearty welcome, and a general satisfaction is expressed by the patrons, at the elegant goods, moderate prices, gentlemanly manners and advantages of the new one-price store. In social matters Mr. Cohn has also made his influence felt, and his liberality to enterprise, and all movements tending to the betterment of the community, is a prominent feature of his character.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 527-528
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

South Bloomfield Twp. –
WILLIAM RILEY COILE, P. O. Sparta; Reuben Coile and Margaret Prosser were married Feb. 13, 1845.  The former is a son of Abraham and Mary (Filchmyer) Coile, and was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., April 15, 1822; the latter is the daughter of William and Ann (Jones) Prosser, and was born Oct. 4, 1822; to this union was born the following family: Alonzo B., born March 8, 1846; Alfred S., Dec. 25, 1848; Thomas M., Jan. 28, 1850; Leroy, Oct. 17, 1851; Lycurgus D., May 21, 1853; Mary A., Oct. 1, 1855; William Riley, June 13, 1858; Lucelia R. Jan. 11, 1860; Joanna A., Feb. 5, 1862; Daniel E., April 1, 1864, and Reuben E., March 28, 1867.  The oldest three are dead; Alfred was killed by a boiler explosion in a steam sawmill in Marion Co., in 1869; Leroy married Emma R. Emmerson; Lycurgus, Anna James; Lucelia, Thomas James, and Mary, Judson Smothers, the former three living in South Bloomfield Tp., and the latter in Bennington Tp.  Reuben Coile, Sr., now owns 40 acres of good land, near what is known as “Red Hill.” The Coiles are old and prominent citizens, having lived in the township for thirty-five years; they are members of the United Brethren Church.  Their son William, or Riley as he is more familiarly known, is an enterprising young man, full of push and pluck, and will make life a fine success.  He is at present working for W. C. Barr, near Bloomfield village. 
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 663
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
CHASE COLE, teacher and farmer; P. O. Chesterville; is the son of Thomas F. and Charity (Phillips) Cole; his father was born in Pennsylvania and his mother in Knox Co.; they are both living in Knox Co., and six children have blessed their home -- M. F., Chase, William, Robert, Mary and Alice. The parents are active Methodists.  Chase was born Sept. 24, 1857, in Knox Co., and early manifested an interest in the common schools. He attended the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, about three terms, and has engaged in teaching during the winters. He was married July 4, 1879, to Ettie, a daughter of James and Mima (Campbell) Hull; her parents are living in Franklin Township. Mrs. Cole is a member of the Methodist Church at Pulaskiville, this county. They have one child -- Thomas F. They are farming on Mr. Mettler’s farm, and having good success. Mr. Cole is a good teacher.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 596
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Perry Twp. –
THOMAS COLES, dealer in stoves and tinware, etc., and tinner; Shaucks; son of Thomas and Mary (Symmons) Coles was; born in Cornwall, England, Aug. 19, 1840; he passed his boyhood in Launceston, and went to school until 12 years of age; at that time he began learning the tinners’ trade in the shop of Mr. Serrill, where he served an apprenticeship of one year, after which he followed the trade, working in the same town two and a half years for wages; he then found employment in a tanyard until his 17th year.  Aug. 12, 1857, he embarked from the port of Plymouth for America, and after a voyage of thirty-five days reached Quebec, and from there went to Coburg, Ontario, where he served three and a half years under the instruction of William Tourjee, tinsmith, becoming a skillful and competent workman, he went to McGregor, Iowa, where he worked for sometime as journeyman for Stow & Hopkins.  In May, 1866, he went to Boscobel, Wis., where he worked at his trade, except one or two winters; he then came to Johnsville, and found employment in the shop of Jacob Steffee until 1871, when he erected the building where Adam Lucas lives, and worked there until the summer of 1874, when he built the present substantial frame building, 22x36 feet in dimensions, two stories in height, with a handsome store-room and shop on the first floor.  Mr. Coles is prepared to do all kinds of tinwork, roofing and spouting, and keeps in his warerooms a fine assortment of stoves, pumps, hardware, tinware and agricultural implements, at most reasonable prices.  He united his fortunes with Mary E. Lincoln, of Boscobel, Wis., in Feb., 1863.  She is the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Kay) Lincoln, born Dec. 18, 1845, in Iowa Co., Wis.  Her parents came to this county in 1864, and live at present in Gilead Tp.; they have a family of seven children -- Mary E., Ada, Azariah E., Joel K., David H., L. Augusta and Jessie B.; all are living.  Mr. Coles is a P. G. member of Johnsville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. O. F., and C. P. in Harmony Encampment, No. 174, at Belleville, Ohio; he began the battle of life without capital or aid by any one, and now, by careful management he has a prosperous business, and a desirable home.  He has only one son -- Richard E. Coles, who was born Oct. 3, 1864, in Boscobel, Wis.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 802-803
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Washington Twp. –
SAMUEL COLMERY, farmer; P. O., Iberia; was born in Washington Co., Pa., Feb. 1827.  His parents were early residents of that county; his paternal ancestry is Irish, and the maternal, Scotch.  When Mr. Colmery was 11 years of age his parents moved to Ashland (then Richland) Co., O., and settled near Hayesville.  In the spring of 1850 Mr. Colmery went across the plains to California with an ox-team, occupying five months in the passage between Independence, Md., and Placerville, Cal.; he remained in that State a little more than six years.  After his return, his mother having removed near to Iberia, he returned to that place.  Mr. Colmery was married Jan. 20, 1858, to Miss Elmira Hanmer, originally of Elmira, N. Y.  During the following summer he settled in Knox Co., O., where he remained seven years; after one year spent on a farm in the southeast part of the township, he settled on the farm where he now resides.  They have eight living children -- Wm. W., 21; Walter Scott, 20; Mary Alice (now the wife of Chas. W. McFarland, living in the eastern part of the township); Samuel Finley, 16; Alexander Alpheus, 14; Robert Chalmers (who only lived to be six years of age); John L., 9; David Ray, 6; and Abbie May, three years of age.  Mr. Colmery is an elder in the Presbyterian Church.  He has three brothers preaching for that Church in this State, and one brother teaching in the State of Mississippi.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p, 745
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
ABRAM CONKLIN, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born Sept. 21, 1815, in Pike Co., Pa., and remained there until 1837, when he came to Ohio; his father Nathaniel was born in 1785 on Long Island, and worked at shoemaking. In 1810 he came to Pennsylvania, and farmed and ran a sawmill; here he married Elsie Vanocker, by whom he had eleven children -- Abram, John, Nathaniel, George, Jacob, David, Hannah, Elizabeth, Susan, Clara and Matilda. Jacob, John and David were in the war of the Rebellion. The parents were Methodists. Mr. Conklin attended school eighteen months; when nine years old he began working on a farm for Philip Smith at $15.00 per month, and at the expiration of nine years he was getting $18.00 per month. He was married Oct. 19,1835, to b., daughter of Peter and Anna Struble; her father was born about 1787, and mother in 1789, in Sussex Co., N. J., and came to Ohio by team, in 1837. They had twelve children, John, George, Daniel, Philip, Wesley, Nelson, Stephen, Mary A., Phoebe, Cendrilla, Elizabeth and Catharine. Her father died in 1856, and her mother in 1863; they were. Methodists. Mrs. Conklin was born in 1809. When Mr. Conklin and wife came to Ohio, he made their living by teaming, hauling wheat and pork for the merchants at this place, to Lake Erie and return, he continued this laborious avocation for eight or ten years. In about the year 1847 he began an ashery at this place, which he continued one year, and then farmed and bought and sold horses for quite a while; he has, likely, handled from 500 to 1,000 head. He was elected Constable in 1841, and served about eight years; he took a mail contract in 1841 from Chesterville to Shelby, Richland, Co., for five years. In 1872 he took the route from Chesterville to Centerburg, Knox Co., for four years. In 1868, he engaged in the same from Mt. Gilead to Frederickstown [sic], which he still continues. He owns twenty acres of well-improved land, fourteen of which adjoin the town and the rest very near. They are now pleasantly located in a fine house, built in 1851, at a cost of $1,000, which has since been repaired and is now valued at $1,800. He was elected Sheriff of Morrow Co. in 1854-1856, by the Republicans, getting a large majority. If we mistake not, this county was then Democratic. He has been an auctioneer 42 years, and while sheriff he did all his own auctioneering. In the winter of 1838, he cried 65 sales, and has auctioned fifteen since Oct., 1879. He has always been a temperance man, and asserts that he never treated any one for the sake of a vote. In 1876, he and D. S. Mother (mentioned herein) built a family vault at a cost of $1,000; Mr. Conklin hauled every stone in the same. In an early day he hauled wood for one winter to pay for a stand, chair, and bureau, all of which he has as relics. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin raised one child (Caroline French), who married Dec. 20, 1860, D. S. Mother, who was born June 29, 1838, in Chesterville; he commenced working at plastering in 1852; he enlisted in Co. "E," 1216. O. V. I was first sergeant, served nearly three years; was wounded Sept. 20, 1863, at Chickamauga, Tenn., in the left forehead. He went with Sherman to the sea, lived five days on parched corn. On return engaged with Conklin in the mail route; member of Chester Lodge, No. 238, A. F. & A. M., Mt. Gilead Chapter, Clinton Commandery, No. 5, Mt. Vernon and Knight Templars. He has two children, Jewett A. and William B. is a Republican.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 595-596
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Westfield Twp. -
EDWIN M. CONKLIN, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born Sept. 6, 1835, in this township. His father, Jacob Conklin, was born in St. Alburg Tp., Grand Isles Co., Vermont, June 10, 1782. His father, Abram Conklin, was a soldier in the war of Independence; he came, to Ohio in the fall of 1813, and located in Liberty Tp., Delaware Co., and a year later joined the Light Horse, under Capt. Murray, and served under Gen. McArthur, participating in several skirmishes, suffering the vicissitudes of war, sometimes going three days without food. He was married to Orra Payne, Sept. 17, 1818; she was born in New Hartford, Litchfield Co., Conn., July 6, 1798, and came to Ohio in 1817. They immediately started for their new home in Westfield Tp., as described in the history of the township. Mr. Conklin died March 12, 1875, having been a member of the Methodist Church seventy-two years, his home being the first preaching place in the township. Edwin had charge of the farm after his fifteenth year, and hence was deprived of many school privileges which other boys had, but he has by no means neglected the cultivation of his mind, and is proverbial for his accuracy. He has for more than twenty years kept a journal of every day's transactions, and for the same length of time a tri-daily thermometrical record. He married Lottie Shoemaker, Oct. 15, 1872, who died Jan. 12, 1876. To them was born one son -- Edwin J., July 1, 1874. He married Martha Van Brimmer Feb. 11, 1880. Her parents were among the early settlers. Mr. Conklin has been prominently identified with the Odd Fellows; he was Deputy Grand Master for this district about four years, and Representative in the Grand Lodge two years; he passed all the chairs in both branches, joining the encampment at Delaware, and was a charter member, both at Cardington and Ashley, and was one of the charter members of the Myrtle Lodge of the Daughters of Rebecca, at Westfield. He was the first one to take hold of the Grange movement in this locality, and was the first delegate from here to the State Grange, in Xenia, in 1874, and was made Deputy for Morrow Co., and in that capacity organized the Grange at Cardington, Lincoln, Harmony, Canaan, Johnsville, Peru and Marengo. He has always been a Republican, casting his first vote for Fremont in 1856, and has held various township offices. He has a farm of 105 acres, in a good state of cultivation, which is known as the "Pleasant Home Farm."
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 636-637
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

North Bloomfield Twp. –
PHILANDER CONKLIN, farmer; P. O. Corsica; is one of the most promising and energetic young farmers in the county, and was born Oct. 6, 1856, in Crawford Co., Ohio. His father, David Conklin, was born in Paterson, New Jersey; he was a shoemaker by trade, but, not liking the business, he worked at other occupations until the year 1851, when he moved to Galion, Ohio, and purchased a hotel and livery stable, which he managed with good success; but wishing to engage in business in which his boys could find useful employment, he traded his town property for a farm, three miles east of Galion, where he lived the rest of his life. His wife died soon after he moved to Galion, and he then married Susan Acker, by whom he had four children. Philander was married Feb. 13, 1876, to Sarah S., daughter of Joseph and Samantha McFarland. She was born Nov. 27, 1858, in Morrow Co. Her father is one of the leading men in the county, and has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice for many years, being the only doctor at Blooming Grove; he is also a local elder in the M. E. Church.  Mr. Conklin has made farming his chief occupation, but has been engaged lately in selling farm machinery, with good success. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church at Blooming Grove. His political views are Democratic, but believes in the elevation of the best men, irrespective of party. They have one child -- Joseph, born Jan. 14, 1879.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 622-623.
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

South Bloomfield Twp. –
JOSEPH CONWAY, farmer; P. O., Bloomfield; was born in Virginia, Sept. 15, 1816, and lived there until he was 11 years old; he then came, with his oldest brother, to Ohio.  In about a year after reaching the State, this brother died, and he then lived with his brother-in-law, James Shumate.  When he became 16 years old, he hired out by the year, for $8 per month.  At the expiration of a year, his employer raised his wages to $10 per month, by the year; but this hard work did not suit Joseph, who pined after the profession of medicine.  He was too poor to attend college, though he bought some medical text books, and began to read; he taught school, and tried other sources to raise money, but his health failed him, and he became discouraged.  He finally gave up the idea of ever being a physician, and, in bitter disappointment, took consolation in getting married to Melvina Sanford, daughter of William and Melvina (Hubbell) Sanford.  To this union were born the following children -- Benson A., Melville, Eva, William O., Olin and Wesley.  Benson enlisted in the well-known 96th Regt., O. V. I.  While quite sick, he was brave and spunky enough to push ahead of his regiment, and engage in the battle of Chickasaw Bayou, but the exposure and fatigue were too much for him; he took the measles, which, with other diseases, and the bad cold he caught, caused his death.  Melville married Phoebe Evans; Eva married Thomas Hicks; William married Elsie Jackson; Olin married Emma Thatcher; Wesley is single, and at home.  All live in South Bloomfield Tp.  Joseph’s father died in 1823, and his mother in 1855.  His parents’ family consisted of Thomas, Jane, Mary, John L., Ann, William, Joseph, James and Charlotte.  Joseph is a Republican, and was formerly a Whig; he is also a member of the M. E. Church.  He owns two or three hundred acres of land, and is one of the most intelligent and influential men in the township.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 664-665
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Harmony Twp. -
JOHN W. COOK, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead; was born April 8, 1835, in England. His father, Peter, was born in 1797, and his mother, Charlotte (Preedy) Cook, in 1805, both natives of England. His father was a confectioner and malter; he had fifteen children, by his union with Charlotte, three of whom survive. John W. is the only one in this county. Our subject attended school until he was eight years old, at which time he was compelled to nurse his younger sister; at the age of eleven he began to learn the baker's trade, at which he continued for twenty-one years. In 1854, he came to Morrow County and engaged in farming for Richard Hammond, and continued in his employ for some time, and then engaged with James Auld, and was next employed by Joseph Guage, in Union Co. In the fall of 1857, he was married to Harriet, daughter of Robert and Mary May; she was born in England. Mr. Cook sent for her to come over when he felt that his means would justify him in taking unto himself a help-mate; this celebration was witnessed by Rev. George Gordon, of Iberia, this county; this companion soon died, in 1859. He was again married in 1862 to Matilda J. Waters; she was born in 1832. They had five children --Mary A., Harriet M., Charlotte E., James M. and John W. He then rented in Washington Tp., until 1864, when he enlisted for 100 days in Co. A, 13th O. N. G. In 1866 he settled on 40 acres in Gilead Tp., buying the same of Lee Russell, and in 1875 sold the same to James Brown, and bought the present farm of 73 acres. He has been energetic, and has very much improved the farm. He is making a specialty of grain and stock. This is more than likely the best watered farm in the county; he has filled some township offices. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; they were married by Rev. Mr. Shedd. Mr. Cook is the only member of the Prohibitionist party in this township.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 704
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Franklin Twp. -
DR. S. M. COOK, minister; Levering; is a native of Franklin Tp., being the second son of Rev. Stephen Cook; his mother's maiden name was Mary Van Cleve; he was born Oct. 1, 1845, and passed his boyhood amid the scenes and labors of rural life, until he reached his 20th year. In 1866 he attended the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. After his return he taught school for some time. Subsequently he began reading medicine in the office of Dr. W. N. King, of Mansfield, Ohio; after remaining here one year he went to the Michigan University, receiving instruction in the Medical department one year; he next visited Iowa, and found employment in the schools of that State; when his school reached a successful close he entered the Iowa Business College at Des Moines completing his course there; he returned to Ohio and united his fortune with Margaret A. Hardgrove, of Knox Co., Sept. 4, 1870. In October following he entered the Ohio Medical College, graduating March 1, 1871, with the first honors of his class. He began the practice of Medicine in Pulaskiville, Ohio, remaining one year; he removed to Waterford, Ohio, where he remained five years, building up a large and lucrative practice in Knox, Morrow and Richland Counties. In 1877 Dr. Cook sold his property in Waterford, closed his office, and purchased his present home of thirty-two acres in Franklin Tp., and entered the ministry under the auspices of the Disciple Church, leaving a profession where wealth and distinction awaited him in the near future; from a sense of duty to his God and a love for his fellow beings, he engaged in a cause where only sacrifices sweeten toil; and a conscious presence of Him who said it is more blessed to give than to receive, is more than riches. He united with the North Branch Church at the age of 13 years, following his Master in the ordinance of baptism, under the administration of Rev. N. A. Walker, of Indianapolis, Ind. During the first year of his ministry Mr. Cook baptized 60 persons, who came confessing their sins; he is now preaching for different churches in Morrow, Knox and Licking counties. Although Dr. Cook would gladly retire from the practice of medicine, he is called to many a home where disease and want go hand in hand, and fees are never thought of or demanded. He has gathered a fine collection of miscellaneous books, embracing 160 volumes, in addition to his medical library. They treat of theology, history, science and literature. He has a family of two sons and three daughters -- Lovina R. was born June 19, 1871; Van Cleve, July 20, 1873; Scott, June 9,1875; Connie L., Aug. 14,1877; Etha, Sept. 5. 1879.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 778
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Franklin Twp. -
SIMON J. COOK, farmer; P. O., Levering; is the oldest son of William P. and Louisa (Mann) Cook; was born October 5, 1835, in Franklin Tp.; he passed his boyhood on his father's farm, attending, during a part of the year, in the common school, until he was prepared to enter the Chesterville High School, which he did, pursuing a course of study under the instruction of Professor J. B. Selby, then Principal. For a time he divided his attention between teaching and farming, having taught in all six terms. He was married Jan. 9, 1862, to Mary C. Hull, born Jan. 11, 1838, in Center Co., Pennsylvania; she is the youngest living daughter of Peter and Sarah (Huckley) Hull; her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1843, settling permanently in Franklin Tp. in 1844. They had eight children -- Samuel S., Isaac, James, William, Elizabeth, Charlotte D., Mary C. and Ellen, who died in Pennsylvania. Mr. Cook is known as a successful farmer, and has a desirable farm, with good, substantial buildings; he and wife are members of the Disciple Church; votes with Democratic party; he has two adopted children, J. Clinton and Addie R.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 775-776
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Franklin Twp. -
REV. STEPHEN COOK, farmer; P. O., Levering; was born Feb. 25, 1811, in Washington Co., Md. He is a son of John and Rachel (Bryson) Cook; his parents came here when Stephen was about 18 months old. It was in the fall of 1812 that the family of Rev. John Cook began their journey to Ohio with a five-horse team; they arrived in October, cutting their way through the woods to a cabin and a small clearing, made by John Cook, a son, some three months before, on the land purchased by the father in 1810. Rev. John Cook enlisted under Captain John Schenk for one year, and then became a "Minute Man," fighting in the battles of Germantown and Flat-bush, of the Revolution. The Cook family, along with five or six others, fled to Daniel Levering's during the Indian troubles, where they erected a blockhouse, near Waterford; the men working on building, while the women and children were crowded in the dwelling for two days, until Mrs. Cook, being a lady of culture and refinement, said that she would rather face the Indians than remain longer.  At one time, Tom Lion, a friendly Indian, was there on butchering day, and they asked if the Indians could furnish hams of venison for the winter, and tallow of the deer for medical purposes. Some time later two Indians came on Sunday with six saddles of venison; no one was at home but Mrs. Cook, so she gave them a dinner and told them to help themselves to potatoes, which they did, taking six bushels in payment for the venison. The winter of 1812 brought many hardships to the family, owing to the difficulty of procuring provisions; corn was to be found below Mt. Vernon, and the family lived on cornbread and blue venison that winter. Mr. Cook began preaching in Maryland, where he united with the regular Baptist Church in an early day, and he continued his ministrations in this county, organizing the first Church in the house of Benjamin Hart. He was married to Ida Van Liew of New Jersey, by whom he had six children  -- John, Asher, William P., Polly, Dinah and Elizabeth. The wife of his youth dying, he married Rachel Bryson; by this marriage five children were born -- Ida, Stephen, Joseph, Nathan and Ruth. The Bryson's were directly related to the old Stevens family, of which Thaddeus Stevens is the illustrius [sic] representative. The ancestry points also to the Hale family, whose progenitors were of the nobilty [sic] of England. Rev. John Cook departed this life Aug. 22, 1822, when Stephen was only twelve years old; he attended school the following winter, and from that time the care of the bereaved family and the interests of the farm claimed his attention; taking charge of the home place when he was 15, he continued to farm it until 1837, when he purchased 100 acres, where he has lived ever since, near a beautiful spring of clear, sparkling water, which scarcely varies in its ceaseless flow from year to year. He was married to Mary Van Cleve October 27, 1833; she was a daughter of William and Rebecca (Powell) Van Cleve, and came to Ohio about 1831, with Lawrence Van Buskirk, from Bedford Co., Penn. This marriage has been blessed with ten children -- Caius M. C., Stephen M., John. M. C., Ida, Mary C. and Lua R., are living; while Lovina, Mary, Louisa and Caroline are dead; two of these are ministers of the Disciple Church, and all are married except John M. C. and Lua D., who are still at home. Stephen, when a boy, became a subscriber to the Fredericktown Circulating Library, and by the flickering light of a lard lamp he might be found night after night, poring over the pages of all the ancient and modern histories extant, in those days; from these lessons of "Philosophy teaching by example," he obtained a conception of human life, which aided him in the education of his own family, which claimed his attention for thirty-five years; Mr. Cook votes the Democratic ticket, but is not a strict partisan; he and his family are members of the Disciple Church, in which he has preached for forty-five years, beginning at the age of 24. His labors in the cause of the Master for nearly half a century have been prompted by an untiring zeal for humanity.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 777
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Westfield Twp. -
WILLIAM COOK, school teacher, Cardington; was born in this township, Feb. 11, 1854, near the east branch of "Whetstone." His father, John Cook, who deserves most especial mention as one of the earliest pioneers of this township, was born at Lancaster, O., Dec. 5, 1811. His parents came from Virginia to Ohio, about four years before the latter became a state -- and came to Delaware Co., and settled at Fort Morrow, near Norton, in 1813, and a year later in this township. Of his father, David Cook, especial mention is made in the general township history. His mother's maiden name was Ruth McLung.  Mr. Cook married Louisa Nicholas, March 9, 1837, who was born in Shenandoah Co., Va., in 1814. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are now living, and five residents of this county. Mr. Cook has been a resident of this township over sixty years, but nearly twenty years ago the light was forever vanished from his sight, and he became totally blind, and sadly he said to the writer: "Many grandchildren have grown up around me, the face of not one of whom have I ever seen." William is a young man of rare promise, and great energy. He improved his early advantages, although only permitted to attend school in the winter, his services being required the balance of the time. At the age of twenty he went to Cardington, where he spent one year in school, to fit himself for teaching, applying himself closely, especially in the study of languages, making a specialty of German. He intends shortly to enter on the study of medicine, and he will without doubt, make his mark as a physician. His grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812, and his great grandfather of the Revolutionary war.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 637
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Franklin Twp. -
WILLIAM P. COOK, farmer; P. O., Levering; son of John Cook, whose history appears in the sketch of Stephen Cook. His mother's maiden name was Ida Van Liew. Both parents were natives of Monmouth Co., N. J.  Mr. Cook was born May 31, 1800, in Washington Co., Maryland. He was 12 years old when he came with his father to Franklin Tp.; his memory therefore extends over a longer period of the township's history than almost any other person in it. He attended school in Maryland when a boy, and only went to school about thirty days in this county. He worked with his father until his death, which occurred when William was 22 years old. From this time he divided his attention between farming and teaching for three years. Receiving a quarter section of land from his father's estate, he moved on the present site in 1825. He married Louisa Mann, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Lawhead) Mann, who came from Bedford Co., Pa., in 1813, settling just west of Cook's. She was born Dec. 15, 1807, in Bedford Co., Pa. They have two sons and two daughters  -- Dinah, now Mrs. Samuel T. Gallegher, and has two children; Mary, now Mrs. William Peoples, and has four children; Simon J. Cook and Aleet R. Cook. William P. united with the Harmony Baptist Church at 20 years of age, where he remained eleven years. Subsequently he identified with the Disciple Church, of which his wife is also a member, where he has been a faithful and consistent member for over 46 years. During that period he has repeatedly been chosen to fill the office of elder. In his youth he purchased an interest in the Fredericktown Library, and step by step these records of the past were forced to yield their treasures to the earnest youth who was struggling for development of mind and heart, amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. Mr. Cook has for many years voted the Democratic ticket, casting his first vote for that prince of orators, Henry Clay. His son, Aleet R. Cook, who married Alvina Stackhouse, is living with his father, and has one son.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p, 776
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Gilead Twp. –
ELIAS F. COOPER, machinist; Mt. Gilead; was born in Mt. Gilead, in 1836; the son of William and Jane (Dunlap) Cooper.  He was born in Washington Co., Pa., in 1805; she was born in the same place, in 1812; William Cooper was engaged in cabinet making up to the time of his emigration to Knox Co., Ohio, where he continued the business until about 1840, when he went into the milling business, which he followed until his death, in 1878.  Elias remained at home, working in the mill, until 1864, when he engaged in machine work with S. R. Merrill, in Mt. Gilead, which he continued until 1873, when he resumed the milling business; in 1877 he was running a portable saw-mill, and during 1879 was in the machine shops at Columbus, Ohio.  March 15, 1880, he opened his machine shop, two blocks west of Main Street, in Mt. Gilead, and is now in good shape for the transaction of business, with ample steam power; he gives special attention to the repairing of machinery of all kinds, in both wood and iron.  Mr. Cooper was married Oct. 13, 1863, to Frances Germain, daughter of Albert Germain; they have four children -- Clarence, born Feb. 4, 1866; Florence, March 16, 1869; Otho, March 10, 1871, and May, born May 3, 1875, Mr. Cooper has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows since 1858; in 1876 he joined the Universalist Church, and is a reliable and prompt business man.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 526-527
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
S. L. COOPER, planing-mill; Mt. Gilead; was born Feb. 21, 1838, at Mt. Gilead, Ohio. His father, Elias Cooper, and his mother Maria (Talmage) Cooper, were born in Knox Co., Ohio.  Mr. Cooper being a carpenter, it was but natural that his son should turn to the same business as his father; he remained at home until 21 years of age, learning his trade thoroughly.  Aug. 26, 1860, he was married to Margaret C. White. She died on the 22nd of May, 1873.  In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the 136th O. N. G., being honorably discharged at the end of a year from the time of enlistment. He then went to Galion, Ohio, and entered the Government service as Local Mail Agent; about the spring of 1868, he removed to Newark, Ohio, where he engaged in railroad work, being one of the contractors for the building of the Newark, Somerset & Straitsville R. R.; he subsequently returned to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and in 1870 commenced the erection of the Cooper Block, on Court street, fitting up a fine store for the sale of groceries and queensware; he continued in the trade until 1872, at which time he took a contract for grading twenty miles of the Atlantic & Lake Erie R. R.  In October, 1874, he was again married, this time to Jennie, a daughter of William and A. Noe. They have one child -- Claude C.  Mr. Cooper is actively engaged in the lumber and planing-mill business, in company with Milo Doty, the firm name being Cooper & Doty, located two blocks west of Main street.  Mr. Cooper is a Mason, and a member of the M. E. Church; in politics, a Republican.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 528
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
CORWIN & LAMB, livery; Mt. Gilead, Ohio; are located one block east of the American House, Mt. Gilead. They are provided with every convenience for the successful prosecution of their business, having a complete outfit of horses, buggies and carriages; they can, with propriety, ask for a liberal share of the public patronage; Leander A. Corwin, the senior member of the firm, was born in the year 1834, being the fourth child of James Corwin, of Knox Co., O.  Leander’s father and grandfather were tanners.  James continued in the business for some time, but a brother taking his place in the tannery, he engaged in the stock trade, which he continued until the time of his death, in 1876. The mother having died in 1868, both being buried on Thanksgiving day.  Leander during his youth was engaged in farming, but finally went to Mt. Gilead, where he went into the livery business with his brother, and buying and trading in stock; this partnership was dissolved in due time, when he spent about one year in settling up his father’s estate; he farmed another year but continued his residence in town. The year following was spent in buying and shipping horses to Michigan. Mr. C. married Susan B. Blakely, and has one son about 16 years of age. Mr. Corwin began his present business in 1879.  W. B. Lamb, the other of the firm, commenced business for himself at the age of 14; at 16 having accumulated a little money, he commenced trading in stock, and while at times has been farming, has been mainly occupied in buying and raising stock. I n 1864 he enlisted in the 179th O. V. I., remaining in the service until the close of the war, during which time he was principally employed in slaughtering cattle for the brigade.  In March, 1859, he was married to Mary A. Dye, of Williamsport, O.; has an interesting family of two children -- Ida Belle, born in 1861, Fred, born in Sept., 1864. He joined the Odd Fellows’ Lodge No. 469, in 1870; has been a member of the School Board some ten years; he is a Democrat.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 528
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

South Bloomfield Twp. –
FRANK COTTON, blacksmith; Sparta; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, July 31, 1852; he is the only son of Omer and Sarah (King) Cotton; the grandson of Emmett W. Cotton, and great-grandson of Harrison Cotton, one of the early pioneers of South Bloomfield Tp.  The father of Frank is at present in Mobile, Alabama, a speculator in cotton; the mother lives in Illinois.  Frank’s youth, until he was 14 years old, was passed at home, going to school; when he arrived at that age, he started out in life for himself, working on a farm by the month; in 1870 he commenced learning the blacksmiths’ trade at Green Valley, Knox Co., O.  In the spring of 1874, he engaged to work at his trade with Abraham Herron, at Sparta, with whom he remained until 1877; he then erected a shop of his own, where he has remained until the present.  Mr. Cotton’s marriage with Melissa daughter of Boyd and Ann (McKee) Clark was celebrated Jan. 1, 1874; his wife’s death occurred July 17, 1875; his second wife was Mary, daughter of William and Lavina (Keller) Helt, to whom he was married Oct. 1, 1876; to the second marriage was born one daughter, Hallie O., born June 9, 1879.  Mr. Cotton is a Democrat in politics, and a Universalist in religion; besides doing a general blacksmithing business, he makes a specialty of horse-shoeing, and repairing mowing and reaping machines.  Mr. Cotton is said to be one of the best blacksmiths in southern Morrow Co.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 665-666
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
JASON J. COVER, Shaucks; was the oldest of ten children born to Daniel and Lydia (Stevenson) Cover; he was born in Frederick Co., Md., Feb. 5, 1823.  Until 13 years old he attended such school as could then he afforded, when coming to Seneca Co., and there to East Perry, in Richland Co., O., with his father, his assistance became necessary in the clearing and farming the new land.  He stayed upon the farm some four years, when an opportunity of changing his business offering, he entered the employ of Creigh & Shauck in his seventeenth year.  He continued with this firm, serving behind the counter, in the post office, at the warehouse, packing pork and caring for horses; he served in various capacities, often working until ten or twelve o’clock at night, for eight dollars per month, turning over to his father every dollar of his earnings until he reached his majority.  He then hired out to J. T. Creigh for $130 per annum and his board, refusing an offer of $144 per year from another merchant; he took his pay in clothing, notes and accounts against customers.  Here he remained for nine years, his ability commanding repeated addition to his yearly salary, until it reached $175 per year.  During the five years that he worked as clerk for himself he laid by $650, and in May, 1849, was taken into the firm of D. M. & J. T. Creigh & Co., as partner; he received six per cent upon his capital and one-fourth of the profits on the entire business, which then included a general store, business, shipping of produce, buying notes, packing pork and dealing in flax seed.  For five years the firm did a prosperous business, and at the expiration of the term of partnership he found himself in possession of a capital of $4,000, and the Creighs retiring at the head of a fine business.  He associated his brother with him in business, under the name of J. J. Cover & Co., with a combined capital of $5,500; this left the firm in debt, with payments of $1,000 and $2,000, to be met in annual installments, which was successfully accomplished.  Mr. Cover has been in active business ever since; save during the last year or two he has not paid so much attention to his store trade.  During his active business career it was his custom to visit New York every six months to purchase goods, making some thirty-nine trips in all.  In the fall of 1861 his business shrewdness led him to buy an enormous stock of dry goods, groceries and hardware, so that it taxed the capacity of his buildings to their utmost to bold them.  His supply lasted three years, and was closed out at enormous profits, reaching 300 or 400 per cent.  He has maintained the business of the early day in all its branches, save, perhaps, that of pork-packing, doing a trade of from $25,000 to $75,000 per year, and that without the usual amount of friction.  Business misunderstandings have been rare, and though obliged on two or three occasions to have recourse to the services of a Justice of the Peace, he has never had a case in court.  In the course of his business life, Mr. Cover has had the forming of the business character of eleven young men, who are now promising business men on their own account, or in positions of wider usefulness.  He always took a lively personal interest in the young men in his employ, and now follows their career with all the interest of a near friend.  Among these are Christian Gauwiler, since deceased, John Schantz and Jerome King, doing a prosperous business at Mansfield, Tolman House in the produce business at Cameron, Mo.; George R. Hosler, at Johnsville; Samuel Wagner, at Shauck’s Mills; Robert Leedy, farming in the west; John W. Thenna, druggist and postmaster at Johnsville; John Held, of Newhouse & Held, and his two sons, Upton J. and Jacob K.  These young men stayed with Mr. Cover not less than three years, nor any more than four, two of them being employed sometimes together.  He remembers them as industrious, honest lads of fair ability; his business abilities have been felt elsewhere, and in the settlement of the large bankrupt estate of J. S. Trimble, when the liabilities reached a sum exceeding $100,000, his management was especially creditable; he assisted also in organizing the First National Bank of Mt. Gilead, of which he has been a stockholder and director from the first . During the war he was prominent in securing volunteers to free his township from draft, and was employed by other communities to act in this capacity for them, paying from $120 to $650 for substitutes.  On Sept. 2, 1852, he married Catherine, daughter of Jacob King (see biography); she was born Sept. 20, 1833, in Troy, Richland Co., O.  This union has been blessed with six children, five of whom are still living: Upton J., born Oct. 10, 1853; Alverda J., Oct. 20, 1855, died Aug. 28, 1869, aged 13 years, 10 months and 8 days; Jacob K., born Nov. 25, 1857; Laura B., Feb. 5, 1863; Minnie R., Nov. 25, 1867; Katie D., Oct. 20, 1874.  Of his brothers and sisters, Thomas W. married Mary Hess, of Columbus, and is at San Bernardino, Cal., engaged in raising tropical fruits; Josiah S. married Ann Wertz, and lives at the same place, and is engaged in the same business as his brother Thomas; Mary M., now Mrs. George Biddle, resides on the Cover homestead in Perry Tp. Richland Co., O.; Martha E., deceased, was the wife of William Lewis, of Congress Tp.; Eliza J., deceased, was the wife of Isaac Markwood, also deceased, leaving a daughter, Alverda E., now residing with U. A. Cover; William H. H. married Mary, only daughter of William Corson, near Belleville, Richland Co., O.; he is a farmer and stock-dealer near Waterford, O.; Daniel P. married Mary A. Fowler, of Fort Scott, Kan., and is now engaged in raising tropical fruits at Riversides, San Bernardino Co., Cal.; John W. married Mary Sourbrum, of Troy, Morrow Co., where he is farming; and Upton A. married Susan Lamb, retired merchant, of Johnsville.  Thomas was one of the discoverers of the celebrated Alder Gulch diggings, of Virginia City, Montana.  Jason has survived all the male citizens of Johnsville that were here when he first came to the place, some forty years ago.  He was first a Whig, and voting for John C. Fremont, he has followed the fortunes of the Republicans ever since.  He joined the United Brethren in Christ at the age of thirty-three, and has been an active member ever since, acting as trustee, leader, Sabbath-school superintendent -- and never without some official duty to discharge, ever since.  His father, Rev. Daniel Cover, came from Frederick Co., Md., and after sojourning in Seneca Co., O., one year, he made a permanent settlement in Perry Tp., Richland Co., O., in 1836, on eighty acres of land, which he owned until his death.  He was a minister of the United Brethren in Christ -- among the first of that faith in this locality.  He preached quite extensively in what are now Morrow and Richland counties, almost every Saturday and Sunday, without remuneration.  The records show that during his ministerial labors of about twenty years in this country, he helped to organize and build five churches.  He died in 1855, mourned by a family of ten children.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 801-802
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
JOHN CRAIG, retired, Mt. Gilead; is a native of Washington Co., Penn.; he was born on the farm April 23d, 1807, and lived there for seventeen years; he then came West to Richland Co., Ohio, and was apprenticed to the carpenters and joiners’ trade, with James Bell, with whom he served for three years and six months; he then, April 1, 1830, married Miss Jane W. Kerr; she was also a native of Washington Co., Penn., and moved to Richland Co., Ohio, with her parents when she was but a child; after the marriage he bought a small piece of land near Lexington, and worked at his trade, doing a general builder’s business until 1852, when he came to Morrow Co. and bought a farm in Congress Tp., which he farmed until 1877; he then came to Mt. Gilead, putting the farm in the charge of Mr. Jno. Piper, whom he raised from infancy. While in Richland Co. he served as Assessor of Washington Tp.; he has also served as Trustee of Congress Tp. Mr. Craig has for eighteen years been a member of the Church of Christ, serving as Deacon in the same for twelve years.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 526
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
B. B. CRANE, insurance agent; Cardington. Robert Crane, the grandfather of B. B. Crane, was born in Mifflin, Pa., Aug. 24, 1776. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Taylor, was born in Huntington Co., Pa., Aug. 22, 1778; they removed to Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1818. Robert Crane was a soldier of the war of 1812, and occupied a high position as a citizen; he died Nov. 21, 1841, and was followed by his wife Aug. 24, 1851. Their son, R. T. Crane, and the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, June 2, 1807, and was married to Miss Rhody Hector, Sept. 2, 1832; she was born Jan. 2, 1814, and died June 7, 1877. The father died Aug. 30, 1841; he was a man noted for his mechanical ingenuity; it was he who constructed the celebrated “Political Spere,” used during the campaign of Harrison and Tyler. It was an ingenious piece of mechanism, representing upon its surface the different States of the Union; during the campaign it was rolled through different states, and attracted a great deal of attention; it went the grand round, and at last found a resting-place in the “Smithsonian Institute,” Washington, D. C.  B. B. Crane was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1834; he received a good common school education, and was variously employed until 17 years of age; he afterward served an apprenticeship at the painters’ trade, after which he attended R. M. Bartlett’s Commercial College, from which institution he graduated in 1855; in 1857 he visited the Pacific slope, where he remained some time; after his return to Ohio, he followed painting until the breaking out of the Rebellion, when he enlisted as a private, in Co. E, 3d O. V. I. after serving for two years, he was discharged to accept the position of 1st Lieutenant in a company of the 97th O. V. I., but owing to sickness, was never able to do duty; in 1864 he came to Cardington, where for some time he followed his trade. He was united in marriage with Mrs. Sarah E. (Doty) Shurr, Dec. 31, 1864. She was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Jan. 3, 1842. Her parents were among the first settlers of Morrow Co., an account of which will be found in the history of Bennington Township, this work. In Mr. Crane’s family were five children, three of whom are now living, viz: Fred L., Annie and Cora B; those deceased were named Mary and Nellie. Since his marriage, Mr. Crane has been variously employed; he was one of a company of men who, in 1866, built the Enterprise Block, the first brick block in the town; he has for some time been in the insurance business; he represents some of the best companies in the United States, and is doing a good business; during the crusades he did good and effective service in the cause of temperance; he is the present Secretary of Cardington Lodge, No. 384, F. & A. M., and has been at different times a member of the City Council and the Union School Board; he is a Republican. He owns a nicely-improved home property on Main street, Cardington, besides valuable timbered land in Michigan; he possesses great natural abilities as a business man, and is well known for his integrity.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 569-570
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Washington Twp. –
EVAN J. CRANE, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Salem Tp., Muskingum Co., O., April 26, 1827; his paternal grandfather came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the year 1808, and brought with him four sons, one of whom, Joseph, the father of Evan J., is now living in Iberia.  Our subject passed his youth on his father’s farm, and as he became older he taught school in the winter months, and farmed during the summer; Nov. 4, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Cassandra Geyer; they lived on the farm until 1857, when they moved to Sonora (7 miles cast of Zanesville), and engaged in the general merchandise business.  In 1864 he removed to Iberia, and has since conducted a general merchandise business at that place; by his marriage there has been five children -- Marion C., Rosetta C., George W., Florence M. and Della V.; his sons graduated with honor at Eastman’s business college, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and are now engaged with their father in the store at Iberia; in each of the different communities in which Mr. Crane has lived, he has held prominent positions; he has been Post-master almost continuously since 1858; he has also held the office of township clerk and trustee, also justice of the peace, in all of which positions he has proven himself worthy of the trust reposed; early in life he connected himself with the M. E. Church, and has ever since maintained the Christian principles of the Church of his choice; in 1868, when the Iberia circuit was organized, he was elected recording steward, and has served as such since; also as secretary of the board of trustees of the Ohio Central college, of which he has been a member since its re-organization; in the slavery and temperance reforms he has taken a prominent part, and his influence has always been on the side of right, the question with him being the way of duty, and when it is decided he unswervingly walks therein.  Aug,. 3, 1849, is the date of Mr. Crane’s initiation into the mysteries of Free and Accepted Masons in Malta Lodge, No. 118, at Norwich, Muskingum Co., Ohio, and has never severed his connection with that body; he has taken all the degrees in the Blue Lodge, and all chapter degrees, was a charter member of Hubbard Lodge No. 220, at Adamsville, Ohio, also 1st Senior Warden of same, and is now a member of the Royal Arch Chapter at Galion, Ohio.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 744
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
ANSON CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Woodview; son of Beckley W. and Elizabeth (Balse) Craven; was born in April, 1812, in Washington Co., Penn.  The family came to Ohio when he was only two years old, and lived in Eastern Ohio some eight years, when they settled on the “school section.”  Anson was about ten years old, and the family being in somewhat limited circumstances, his labor was required at home, so he had only about four months schooling in all; he worked by the month for John Shauck in the saw-mill for some time; he chopped in the “beech woods,” removing all the timber at $4 per acre; in this way, he purchased forty acres on the school section, besides caring for and supporting his aged parents until their death; his present farm embraces eighty acres of good land, the fruit of his own labor and management; when he was twenty-four -- just in the prime of manhood -- he cut a deep gash in his knee-joint, which stiffened it and made him a cripple for life; he now lives on the old homestead with three of his sisters, a worthy example of sturdy, honest, self-made manhood.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 805
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
ASHER CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Shaucks; son of John and Mary (Fisher) Craven; was born Oct. 8, 1828, in Perry Tp.  He was raised on the farm, and educated in the old log school house situated one mile southwest of his present residence.  The furniture was of the rudest kind, and his first teacher was Richard James.  He was married to Caroline Phillips, Oct. 1, 1857; she is a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Hetrick) Phillips; born in Perry Tp., Richland Co., O., Oct. 11, 1833.  They lived on the old homestead for about three years, when they purchased 82½  acres here, and moved here in the spring of 1861, where they have lived up to the present.  Three children have been born to them -- Jacintha, born Aug. 9, 1858; John Calvin, died when three years old; Miles L., born Jan. 14, 1862.  Mr. Craven votes with the Democratic party, and has been three times chosen Trustee of his township, and has twice assessed the township.  He is a Past Grand member of Johnsville Lodge, No. 469, I. O. O. F.; member of Richland Grange, No. 252, in which he has served as Secretary; he owns 200 acres of land, the product of his own labor and management.  His father, John Craen [sic], son of Beckly W. and Elizabeth (Carpenter) Craven, was born near Trenton, N. J., Oct. 3, 1797; he passed through the dangers of the Indian war of 1812, and came with the family to Perry Tp. in about 1822, being at that time a young man of 25; he purchased 40 acres of land on the school section, all in the woods.  By his energy and labor he carved a home out of this wilderness and united his fortunes with Mary Fisher, by whom he raised a family.  She was born in Morris Co., N. J., March 20, 1794.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 803
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Perry Twp. –
CYRUS CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Woodview; son of Beckley W. and Elizabeth (Balse) Craven.  He was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, near Short Creek, Nov. 15, 1816.  The family moved on this section when he was only four years old, and he grew up in the woods, varied by occasional visits to the old cabin school house, situated one-half mile south of his home.  His first teacher was Jesse Downer, from the mountains, and very severe.  The house was illuminated by what sunlight could pass through its long windows of greased paper.  The fire-place filled one end of the house, and the floors and furniture were alike made of puncheon.  The teacher’s position was not even honored by the presence of a chair.  Mr. Craven went only about three terms in all.  He worked for John Shauck in the saw-mill when he was 19, and broke his shoulder while turning a log.  His father was a carpenter, and he worked with him at the trade until he reached his majority, after which he followed the same calling until 1852, putting up several large barns in the neighborhood.  He purchased his present home of forty acres at $10 per acre in 1850.  He married Nancy Bell July 7, 1852.  She is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Lash) Bell, born in Bellville, Ohio, May 17, 1817.  Her grandfather came from Belmont Co., Ohio, about 1815, and laid out the town of Bellville on his farm.  The great grandfather of our subject, Thomas Craven, came 'from London, England, in 1729; he landed at Wilmington, and journeyed from there to Philadelphia, and near the site of old Philadelphia he was hotly pursued by wolves, and sought refuge by climbing a sycamore tree, where he remained all night.  He settled near Princeton, where he taught school, and raised four sons, one of whom was Thomas Craven, Jr., grandfather of Cyrus.  He came to Cincinnati, Ohio, about 1805, leaving Beckley W., his second son, in Pennsylvania.  He emigrated from Sussex Co. of that State about 1810, intending to join his father at Cincinnati, Ohio; but when he reached Harrison Co., Ohio, the danger of an outbreak from the Indians seemed to threaten imminent peril, so he stopped there with his family about ten years.  He then gave up his first intention of joining his father, who died at Cincinnati; he came about 1821 or 1822 to this township, and settled on forty acres of school land, all in woods.  He was born in Trenton, N. J., and was a member of the Episcopal Church.  He followed the occupation of carpenter.  He first wedded Elisabeth Carpenter by whom he had five children -- Nancy, Hiram, Martha, John and Sally.  She died, and he afterwards married Elizabeth Balse.  Ten children were born to them -- Lewis, Mahala, Anson, Cyrus, Fanny, Eliza, Emily A., Lucinda, Beckley and Elias.  The father passed away peacefully about 1855.  Cyrus, our subject, is of the true type of a self-made, self-educated, whole-souled gentleman; a fine marksman and skillful hunter.  In early days he killed thirty-six deer in one fall, and the records of Crawford Co. show that he killed an old she-wolf and her five cubs where Galion, Ohio, now stands.  He voted the Democratic ticket, until 1879, when he identified himself with the National Reform and Greenback party.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 803-804
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Franklin Twp. –
RODNEY CRAVEN, farmer; P. O., Chesterville; is the son of James and Abbie (Holmes) Craven; he was born in Loudoun Co., Virginia, Jan. 3, 1820; his parents were natives of the “Old Dominion,” and followed the occupation of farming, but gave their son Rodney a good education.  June 29, 1843, he was married to Sarah E. Jones, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Simpson) Jones, born May 29, 1820, in Virginia; her parents were natives of that State, and owned a plantation of 260 acres, and seven slaves. They reared five children, but all are dead but Mrs. Craven; her father died Nov. 2, 1867, leaving a legacy of 134 acres of the old homestead to our subject. In the fall of 1843 Mr. Craven set out for Ohio, and after a journey of 21 days in a big wagon, they arrived at, Knox Co., where they remained only one year, removing from thence to Harmony Tp., of this county; here they lived on a farm of 120 acres for 18 years; the family next removed to Decatur Co., Indiana, where they remained about three years, then returned and spent about three years near Leverings Station. The intervening years from that time to this the family have lived in Franklin Tp. Eleven children have been born to them -- Virginia, William H., John A., James R., Mary E., Reuben R., Winfield, George, Laura, Alice, and an infant died; James R. enlisted in the 187th O. V. I, Company G, and John A. enlisted in the 88th O. V. I., Company K; these two noble boys were only 17 and 18 years old, who left the comforts of home at the call of their country; in a few short weeks they were taken down with the measles, and died within two days of each other; their remains were sent home to the sorrowing family.  Each year, when the glad earth is thrilled with the lay of feathered songster, and clad in the rich garb of leaf and flower, may the lowly mounds where rest the remains of James R. and John A. Craven, be strewn with choice tributes of a grateful Nation. Mary E. died April 29, 1878.  Mrs. Craven was a member of one of the aristocratic families of Virginia, and unused to work until she came to this country, but has struggled bravely until a large family surrounds her, and as handsome competence for the future.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 778-779
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Congress Twp. –
J. W. CRAWFORD, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead. Among the descendants of the early settlers in this county, and who were among the brave defenders of our nation, is the above, who was born Jan. 17, 1839, in North Bloomfield Tp.; son of John and Margaret (Braden) Crawford, who was born in Washington Co., Penn., 1808, and emigrated to this State, Columbiana Co., with his parents in 1812, remaining there until 1832, when he moved to North Bloomfield Tp., where he entered land, and remained on the same till his death, which occurred April 23, 1877; he was a mail very highly respected, and whose intelligence and good judgment always won for him the confidence and esteem of all who knew him; he filled every office of trust in the township; he served as Justice of the Peace for twelve years, and was one of the most useful and influential men in the township. Mr. Crawford was raised to farming pursuits, and has had several years experience in teaching the young "idea"; he remained at home until he was 24 years of age.  In 1862, he enlisted in Company I, 87th O. V. I.; he served also in the 136th O. N. G., wearing the blue for three years; upon his return home he went to Powesheik Co., Iowa, remaining three years; and in 1868 he was married to Mary Harriman; born in this township in 1841; the daughter of John and Edith (Busby) Harriman. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and helped to build Fort Meigs, and was corner man when laying up the logs. He entered 320 acres of land in Perry Tp., and subsequently moved to Congress Tp., where he remained until his death; he was born June 10, 1791, and died Sept. 4, 1871; his wife was born Jan. 24, 1804, and died Feb. 13, 1867. After Mr. Crawford was married, he spent ten years in Gilead Tp.  In 1871 he bought 101½  acres of land in Congress Tp., where he now resides; and has two children -- John H., born Nov. 21, 1870; R. Harriman, Nov. 24, 1874.  Mrs. Crawford is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Crawford is a member of the Republican party.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 684
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
AMOS CRICHFIELD, farmer; P. O, Mt. Gilead; was born in Somerset Co., Penn.:, Feb. 28, 1805, and lived there until 1812, when his parents moved to Ohio, and farmed in Muskingum Co.; in 1824 Amos went to Gawley, W. Va., and worked at the stone-work on the James River Turnpike, and in 1826 worked on the stone-work of the Pennsylvania Canal at the aqueduct, over the Juniata.  May 15, 1829, he married Miss Rebecca Moore, who was born in Pennsylvania; in the spring of 1830 he drove to his present place and has lived here ever since; he had previously walked out here and entered the place; he found all a vast wilderness, in which wild animals abounded; he built a log cabin in the woods and cleared his place. He has a vivid recollection of the early pioneer times, in which he acted his part. He and his wife enjoy good health and live on the old homestead. They are members of the Baptist Church, which they joined thirty and forty years ago, respectively. Of their ten children seven are living -- John D. lives on adjoining farm; M. A., now Mrs. Beaty, lives in Kansas; James R. lives in this vicinity; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Goorley, lives in this vicinity; Geo. W. lives near Levering Station, this county; Elvira, now Mrs. Jas. Brown, lives in this vicinity, and Sarah E., now Mrs. J. M. Irwin, lives on the old homestead with her parents.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 525-526
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Gilead Twp. –
JOHN D. CRICHFIELD, farmer; P. O., Mt. Gilead; son of Amos and Rebecca (Moore) Crichfield, was born on the farm, Nov. 9, 1830, and lived at home until 1852; Oct. 10, of that year, he married Miss Margaret Geary; she was born in Ireland and came to this country when 3 years of age. After his marriage he moved to his present place, and has lived there since; they have two children -- Rosie E. and Sheridan E., both living at home. Mr. Crichfield has been a member of the Baptist Church for the past twenty-two-years, and has taken an active interest in the affairs of the same; he has for a number of years been Superintendent of the Sabbath school. 
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 526
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Chester Twp. –
L. C. CROWL, farmer; P. O. Chesterville; was born Sept. 28, 1843, in Chesterville, where he remained the most of his boyhood days until 25 years old. His father, Philip, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother, Harriet Ayres, was born in Vermont; both came to Ohio when young. The father was an efficient tailor in Chesterville for many years. They had ten children, six of whom are living -- George, Ann, Marcella, Lucy, Olive and L. C.; the father died in 1861, the mother is still living.  Mr. Crowl enlisted in Co. "C," 96th O. V. I., in which he remained for three years, when he returned then to the farm in 1865, and worked for Mr. Rowling by the month for two years. He was married in 1867, to Viola, daughter of Freeman and Ann (Lewis) Westbrook; her parents were both from Wales, and came to Ohio in 1840; they had three children, Viola and two infants deceased. Her father was killed, by falling from a balloon at Sparta about 1861 or 1862. Her mother afterwards married Creg Taylor, by whom she has one child -- Rosa.  Mrs. Crowl was born 1850; Mr. Crowl rented for ten years after marriage; and then in 1878, bought 55 acres where they now reside, which he is improving, making a fine farm, being well watered by living water. They have had three children, Fred P., Anna Z., deceased, Hattie B.; himself and wife are members of the Baptist church, in which they take deep interest. 
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 596
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

Westfield Twp. –
JOHN B. CULP, farmer; P. O. Westfield; was born in Franklin Co., Pa., June 7, 1838.  He was the oldest son of Andrew and Leah (Bean) Culp, who raised a family of eight children.  At the age of 20 his parents moved to Waldo Tp., Marion Co., O., where his mother died; his father is now a resident of La Bette Co., Kan.  Mr. Culp was for some time engineer in the Richland (now the Willow) Flouring Mills, and subsequently the Waldo Mills.  He married Miss Catharine Strine Jan. 15, 1861, and soon afterward entered the army and served in the Quartermaster’s Department in Kentucky for about four months.  He afterward enlisted in the 174th O. V. I., Co. I., under Capt. Garrett, and was assigned to the Western army, under Gen. Thomas; he was in the battle of Overhall’s Creek, and seven days later in the battle of the Cedars, in which he was wounded and obliged to remain in the Hospital six months; he was mustered out at Camp Denison in June, 1865.  His wife died Aug. 22, 1865, and in 1866 he married Mrs. Margaret Waddell, widow of Isaac Waddell, who died Nov. 6, 1859, leaving her with three sons -- John S. James G, and Benjamin I.  She and the first Mrs. Culp were sisters, and their parents were John and Mary (Moneysmith) Strine.  Their grand-father, John Moneysmith, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war; their brother, Peter Strine, was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, and another brother died in the army of sickness.  Mr. Culp’s brother Samuel, was one of the “Lincoln Guard,” and died at Washington, D. C.  In 1873 Mr. Culp bought the farm where he now lives, consisting of fifty acres, on which he in the fall of 1879 erected his elegant residence.  His farm is known as Mt. Pleasant, and is under a good state of cultivation.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 637-638
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
HENRY W. CURL, farmer and stockraiser; P. O., Cardington; was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Oct. 21, 1829; his parents, William and Margaret (Arbogast) Curl, came from Clark to Morrow Co., Ohio, in 1835; the former was born in Miami Co., Ohio, Aug. 9, 1807, and the latter in, Virginia, in 1808.  Jeremiah Curl, father of William, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and one of the first settlers of the Miami Valley; William Curl and wife are the parents of five children, all of whom are living, the youngest being past forty years of age. He and wife connected themselves with the M. E. Church in 1828, and have ever since lived exemplary Christian lives, and are loved and respected by the entire community. Henry W. Curl lived with his parents upon a farm until he reached his majority, when he began for himself. He was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Johnston, Oct. 24, 1850; she was born in Perry Co., Ohio, July 4, 1829. Her parents, William and Catharine (Fluckey) Johnston, were pioneer settlers of Perry Co., Ohio, and came from there to Morrow Co. in 1830. They were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now dead, as are the parents. In Mr. Curl's family there were seven children, six of whom are now living -- Elzy S., Franklin M., Cora A., Haze D., Ida M. and Ada B. The one deceased was a twin sister of Ida M., and died in infancy. Mr. Curl first purchased forty acres of wild woodland and began its improvement; he added to it by purchase from time to time, until he owned 180 acres of well-improved land. This was in Marion Co.; he sold that in 1867, and purchased “the old Kees farm,” of 148 acres, one of the best improved in Cardington Tp., upon which he has since resided. He is a staunch Republican, politically, and a member of the M. E. Church.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 570
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Cardington Twp. –
WILLIAM H. CURL, farmer and stock raiser; P. O., Cardington. This gentleman was born in Clark Co., Ohio, Aug. 20, 1834; he is son of William and Margaret (Arbogast) Curl; he remained at home, until about 20 years of age, when he began for himself. He was married to Miss Rebecca Johnston, Apr. 27, 1854; she was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1832; she died May 7, 1864. The results of this union were four children -- Perry N., Sarah, Lucena, and Lemuel. Mr. Curl was united in marriage with Miss Susanna Shaw, Sept. 14, 1864; she was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Feb. 4, 1841; four children are the fruits of this union -- Jonathan S. Willie H., Maggie O., and Ellis R.  Mr. Curl owns 215 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation. He has obtained all his property by bard work and close attention to business, and is in the fullest sense of the term, a self-made man. He is a Republican, and a member of the M. E. Church, and has held a great many positions of honor and trust in the township. He is one of Morrow county's most respected citizens.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 570
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Westfield Twp. –
STEPHEN H. CURREN, farmer; P. O., Cardington, was born in Westfield Tp., Oct. 11, 1837.  He attended school, and assisted his father until of age; his father, Nehemiah Curren, was born in the State of Tennessee, May 18, 1807, and came to Ohio with his parents when a child.  His advantages for an education were very limited, having to go four and five miles through the woods to reach the nearest school.  His wife, Stephen’s mother, was born in Fairfield Co., Ohio, in 1814; her parents, whose names were Willey, were from Pennsylvania.  Nehemiah Curren was married March 1, 1835, and moved to the place where he now resides, then entirely in the woods.  Of his father’s family, which consisted of twelve children, three brothers settled in this county.  Of his own, there were ten children; two are now residents of Michigan, one of Delaware Co., Ohio, and five, three girls, and two boys, are in this county.  Of the sons, one lives on the home-farm, and the other, Stephen, lives on his own farm, a half mile distant.  One brother, George W., was killed at the battle of Arkansas Post.  Stephen H. Curren was married to Miss Emily Wood, Nov. 3, 1858, whose parents came here in an early day from New York State.  There were born to them five children, three only -- Alice, Estelle and Rosa -- are now living.  Mrs. Curren, dying Nov. 23, 1872, he married Miss Phebe Brenizer, March 9, 1874, who also was a native of this county.  From this marriage, there is one child living -- Clay W.  Mr. Carren [sic] is a member of the Cardington Lodge of Free Masons.  He started in rife with only the smallest setting out, that the custom of that day recognized -- a horse, saddle, bridle, and a suit of clothes: and has since secured, entirely by his own industry, a good farm and a nice home.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, pp. 635-636
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

Westfield Twp. –
T. J. CURREN, lumber manufacturer; Westfield; was born Jan. 31, 1845.  His father, Jesse Curren, was born in Delaware Co., in what is now a part of Marion Co., June 6, 1819, but at the age of 15 he moved to the vicinity of Norton, where, at the age of 21 he married Miss Malinda Stratton, of Vermont parentage.  From this marriage there were seven children, five of whom are now living. The oldest son, Francis M., served in the 96th O. V. I., taking part in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, Fort Wagner, Fort Gaines, and remaining until the close of the war.  Thomas Jefferson Curren, with his parents, moved to the place where his father now lives, when be was 7 years of age; here be remained until his 27th year, during which time be learned the carpenters’ trade.  He married Exa Thornburg, a native of Westfield Tp., from which union there were two children -- Jessie Estelle, born June 18, 1872, and Emory, Nov. 24, 1874.  After marriage he resided nearly four years in Van Wert Co., Ohio, and on his return to Westfield Tp. his wife died, March 16,1877. He is now engaged in the saw-mill business, doing custom work chiefly, but also manufactures lumber for the market.  He is a good business man, and highly esteemed, and is in politics a Republican.
Source: History of Morrow County and Ohio – Chicago: O. L. Baskin, 1880, p. 636
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.