P. R. CADY, a respected farmer of Lincoln township, Morrow county, Ohio, forms the subject of this article.  The Cady family were for many years residents of the New England States.  Noah Cady, the father of this gentleman, was born in Windsor county, Vermont, in the year 1784, son of Parley Cady, also a native of the Green Mountain State.  Noah Cady married Miss Hannah Davis, daughter of Ezekiel Davis, both of Vermont, and in that State he and his wife reared their family, passed their lives and died.  They had eight children, only one of whom, P. R., is now living.
     P. R. Cady was born on his father’s farm, August 4, 1815, and spent the first seventeen years of his life there.  Then he left Vermont and went to St. Lawrence county, New York, where he made his home several years, and where, in 1837, he married Sophronia Granby, a native of the Empire State.  The year following their marriage they came west to Ohio and settled in Cardington township, then Marion, now Morrow county.  For several years he worked in an ashery, and he also helped to build the first bridge across Whetstone creek.  About 1840 he settled on a farm in what is now Lincoln township, this county, the farm having a log house and a small clearing.  Subsequently he traded this place for another farm a little further east, and moved to it and began the work of clearing and improving.  Here, August 18, 1857, his wife died.  Of their children, five in number, we make record as follows: Norman, born November 2, 1837, married Annie Mott and has six children, their home being in Miami county, Ohio; Lucius, born May 13, 1839, is a resident of Kansas City, he and his wife, née Annie Lee, having two children; Myron A., born November 12, 1843, a resident of Cardington, Ohio, married Mattie Wiseman and has four children, Mary L., born May 5, 1848, is the wife of Francis Conklin, Sauk county, Wisconsin, and has six children; and Harriet M., born March 24, 1850, is the wife of Van Kirkpatrick, Wisconsin, and has six children.
     In 1858 Mr. Cady married Mrs. Harriet (Warner) Benson, a native of Dutchess county, New York, and a daughter of John H. and Julia (Robinson) Warner.  Her father was born in Connecticut, October 12, 1785, and her mother in New York, January 31, 1787, and they were married in Dutchess county, New York, October 1, 1808, and settled in that county.  Soon afterward they removed to Poughkeepsie, New York, still later to Onondaga county, that State, and from the latter place came to Ohio in 1833, and settled in the woods of Lincoln township.  Here her father died, January 25, 1852, and her mother September 25, 1862.  They had nine children, as follows: Emeline Wheeler, of Wisconsin, is eighty-three years of age; Mrs. Cady, aged eighty; Eliza Benedict, of Cardington township, this county, aged seventy-eight; Daniel, aged seventy-six; Maria, deceased; Julia Ann Alter, deceased; Almira Cushman, of Wisconsin; Mary Jane Aldrich, of Kansas; and Amanda Aldrich, also of Kansas.  Mrs. Cady was born December 20, 1813, and until she was fifteen years of age lived near Poughkeepsie.  In January, 1831, she became the wife of Leander Benson, a native of New York, and they came to Ohio in 1831 and settled on the farm where she still lives.  Here she has resided for sixty-three years.  Mr. Benson died February 14, 1856.  They had eight children, only three of whom are now living, viz: Henry G., who is married, has two children, and lives in Colorado; Nelson, of Ashley, Ohio, has a wife and two children; and Adeline Ashley, who also has two children.  Mrs. Cady’s son Nelson served in the late war, as also did two of Mr. Cady’s sons, Norman and Myron.
     Both Mr. and Mrs. Cady have for years been members of the Christian Church, and he is a Deacon in the same.  Politically he is a Prohibitionist.  He has served as School Director and Township Trustee.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 385-386
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist

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.

HARRY B. CAMPBELL, D. D. S. ––A native son of the fine old Buckeye state and a citizen who holds a secure vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem is Dr. Harry B. Campbell, who was born in Lincoln township, Morrow county, Ohio, on the 3rd of March, 1878.  He is a son of Andrew and Ada F. (Farlee) Campbell, the former a native of Indiana and the latter of Ohio. Andrew Campbell is a prosperous farmer in Cardington township and he and Mrs. Campbell are the parents of four children, of which number the Doctor is the eldest.  Blanche is the wife of F. A. Moore, a resident of Cleveland, Ohio; Frank an electro plater; and Marie, in school.
     Dr. Harry B. Campbell grew up on the old farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father.  His preliminary educational training was gained in the district schools and this discipline was later effectively supplemented by an independent course in the Cardington High School.  Thereafter he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits until 1905, when he was matriculated in the Ohio Medical College at Columbus, in the dental department of which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1908, duly receiving his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.  Immediately after his graduation he opened an office in the Kreis block, and he now controls a large and representative patronage.  A thorough technical training along the line of his chosen work, together with innate ability, makes him one of the leading dentists in this county.  In a professional way the Doctor is affiliated with various medical organizations of representative character.  He is a valued and appreciative member of Cardington Lodge, No. 384, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Cardington Lodge, No. 194, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a past grand.  In politics he is a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor and he and his wife are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the different departments of whose work they have been most active factors.
     In the year 1909 was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Campbell to Miss Virginia Ireland, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Maxwell) Ireland, representative citizens of Cardington.  The father was identified with agricultural pursuits during the major portion of his active business career and he is now living virtually retired in the enjoyment of former years of earnest toil and endeavor.  Mrs. Campbell was reared and educated in Morrow county and she is a woman of most gracious personality.  Dr. and Mrs. Campbell have no children.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 632-633
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.

M. W. CARIS is one of the well-known farmers and venerable citizens of Lincoln township, Morrow county, Ohio.  His parents, Frederick and Rachel (Hoke) Caris, both natives of Pennsylvania, were married in that State, and before the war of 1812 they came West and settled on a tract of wild land in Portage county, Ohio.  There, in the midst of the forest and surrounded on all sides by the Indians, they improved a farm, spent the rest of their lives and there died.  Frederick Caris was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, and rendered valiant service in that conflict.  In their religious views he and his wife were Universalists.  They were the parents of fourteen children, nine of whom reached maturity.  Four of that number are now living, viz.: Mary Price, of New Albany, Indiana, aged eight-six years; M. W., the subject of this sketch, aged eighty-three years; Hiram, of Fulton, Ohio, aged seventy, and Rachel Miller, of Coldwater, Michigan, aged sixty-eight.
     M. W. Caris was born on his father’s frontier farm in Portage county, Ohio, April 25, 1812, and remained at home until he was twenty-three years of age, his educational advantages being limited to the district schools.  When he was twenty-three he went to Crawford county, this State, and rented a farm which he cultivated five years.  Then, in 1845, he came to Delaware county, (now Morrow), and settled on the farm he has since occupied.  This part of the country was then almost an unbroken wilderness, ––thick woods and no roads.  Here he built a cabin and settled down to the work of clearing and improving his land.  He also cleared other land in order to secure the money with which to pay for his own farm, as at the time he came here he had only $1.18.  The first corn he raised was planted in holes which he grubbed out between the roots of the beech trees, and when the stalks began to grow he encouraged their progress by clearing away the weeds with the grub-hoe.  By this means he raised enough corn to fatten two hogs for winter meat.
     He passed through many hardships in his early life, but by honest and earnest toil and by the cheerful assistance of his good wife he secured a competency and now in his old age is surrounded with all the comforts of life.  He has given some of his land to his sons and still has seventy acres left.  Of his ten children all are living except one, Albert G., who died in the army.  The others are Joel F., John, Squire, Lonzo, Myron C., Isaiah J., Edson B., Harland and Mary A.  Mary A. is the wife of Elias Ogg and lives in Knox county, Ohio.  Each has had a high-school education.  Mrs. Caris is a member of the Christian Church, and all her children belong to the church and live Christian lives.
     In his political views Mr. Caris has all his life been in harmony with the Democratic party.  His first presidential vote was cast for Andrew Jackson.  While he has never been an office-seeker, he has served as Trustee of Lincoln township and for fifteen years was School Director, being one of Morrow county’s worthy citizens.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 311-312
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JOHN R. CARPENTER, B. D.—It is most pleasing at this juncture in the history of the lives and careers of prominent men in Morrow county, Ohio, to accord recognition to Rev. John Randolph Carpenter, a native son of the fine old Buckeye state and a citizen whose interest in the material and spiritual welfare of his fellow men has long been prolific of good. Rev. Carpenter was born on a farm in the vicinity of the city of Cleveland, this state, the date of his nativity being December 29, 1859. He is a son of Charles and Harriet (Bennett) Carpenter, the former of whom was born near Dover, Vermont, and the latter of whom hailed from the province of Quebec, Canada, whence she came to Ohio as a young girl. The Carpenter family is one of long standing in America, the original progenitor in this country having come hither from England in the year 1605, he being one William Carpenter, who settled at Mendon, Massachusetts, where he was engaged in the great basic industry of agriculture until his death. He was born in England in the year 1605. Rev. Carpenter, of this review, is a direct descendant from William Carpenter and is a member of the ninth generation of the family in America. He traces his ancestry from William through Abiah, Oliver, Oliver, Oliver, Barow G., Captain John and Charles, the latter of whom was his father. Captain John Carpenter was a gallant and dashing soldier in the Revolutionary war and the three Olivers were sea captains. The other members of the family have been identified largely with agricultural pursuits. The founder of the family in Ohio was Captain John Carpenter, who came to the Western Reserve, in Ohio, about the year 1830. He was a farmer by occupation and he passed the residue of his life in this state. He married Mis Lucina Thompson and they became the parents of nine children. The captain was summoned to the life eternal on the 29th of January, 1861, and his wife passed away on the 1st of July, 1867. The Carpenters were very religious people and for many generations were stanch adherents of the Baptist church. Charles Carpenter, however, transferred his allegiance to the faith of the Universalist church in his boyhood and to the teachings of that order reared his children. Of the nine children of Charles and Harriet Carpenter four grew to maturity, namely: Rev. B. G. Carpenter, who is a Universalist minister at Peoria, Illinois; Jennie M., who is the wife of Richard Hewitt and who resides near Jamestown, Virginia; John R., the immediate subject of this review; and Lydia, wife of J. L. Stetson, died July 25, 1900. The father passed away in 1883 and the mother died in 1906.
     John Randolph Carpenter was reared on the home farm near Cleveland, Ohio, and he received his preliminary educational training in the public schools of the district. At the age of twenty-one years he was graduated from the high school at LaGrange, Indiana, and thereafter he became a popular and successful teacher in the North Olmsted schools, continuing to be so engaged until he had reached the age of twenty-three years. He then felt a call to the Universalist ministry and entered the theological department of Lombard College, at Galesburg, Illinois, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1887, duly receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. He was ordained to the ministry of the Universalist church on the 27th of October, 1887, and thereafter accepted a call to a church of that denomination at Delphos, Kansas, where he was pastor for the ensuing eighteen months, at the expiration of which he assumed charge of a church at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he remained for one and one half years. He then returned to Ohio, where he was engaged in the work of his calling at Newtown, Belpre, McConnelsville and Peru, coming to Mt. Gilead in June, 1904. He has charge of the Universalist churches at this place and at Attica, Ohio.
     On the 23rd of February, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Rev. Carpenter and Miss Mary Morecraft, of Woodstock, Ohio. To this union have been born two sons, Loring C., whose birth occurred on the 16th of September, 1890, and who is a student at LeHigh University; and Marvine G., born October 10, 1894, who is a student in the local high school.
     Politically Rev. Carpenter endorses the cause of the Democratic party and he served as mayor of Mt. Gilead from January 1, 1908, until June 1, 1910, giving a most able and satisfactory administration of the municipal, affairs of the city during his incumbency of the mayoralty. In the grand old Masonic order he is a member of Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons; and Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons, in which he is past master and past high priest, respectively. He is also affiliated with the Charles H. Hull Lodge, No. 195, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor commander. He is also a member of the Lemuel H. Breese Camp, No. 65, Sons of Veterans, of which he is past commander. In his lifework Rev. Carpenter has ever been prompted with a desire to benefit mankind and to devote progress wherever possible.   He is a distinctly moral man, of tried integrity and uprightness, and is regarded with marked esteem by all who know him.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 538-540
Contributed by a Friend of Genealogy

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.

ANDREW CATON, a prominent farmer of Morrow county, is a son of Thomas Caton, who was born in Orange county, New York, about 1791.  His father, Robert Caton, was a native of Maryland, and was a Quaker minister.  Robert, John and Betsey Caton lived in Maryland at the commencement of the Revolutionary war.  Robert and John were obliged either to take the oath of allegiance to the British crown or enlist in the Federal army, and both chose the latter.  John was appointed carrier of dispatches from one post to another.  After the close of the war he united with the regular Baptist Church, and became a minister in the same.  Robert served as a soldier during the entire struggle, and after the war embraced the Quaker faith.  He settled in Orange county, New York, where he reared his family and departed this life.  He was married three or four times, Judge John D. Caton, of Ottawa, Illinois, being a son of his last wife.  The mother of our subject, formerly Amy Gillis, was a native of Ulster county, New York.  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Caton were married in that county, but made a permanent home in Seneca county, where the father died, in 1838.  The mother came with her children to Ohio in 1843, locating near Galion, and her death occurred at Blooming Grove, this State.  The family were Quakers.  Mr. Caton was a prominent Democrat in political matters, having served as deputy under Sheriff Call, and also held many other offices They were the parents of six children, two sons and four daughters, and two sons and two daughters are now living, namely: Dollie, aged eighty years, is the widow of Jesse Everett, and has one child; Arthur S., aged seventy-five years, is a resident of Blooming Grove, and has one child; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Caroline, wife of Sigmond Baker, also of Blooming Grove, and has one child.  The two deceased daughters are Mary Baughman and Martha Cummings.
     Andrew Caton, the subject of this sketch, was born August 15, 1822, and received his education in the common schools of Seneca county, New York.  In 1847 he settled in the heavy timber in Berrien county, Michigan, built a log cabin, and cleared part of that and another farm.  In 1853 he left that State and located on the farm now owned by Robert A. Beatty in Cardington township, Morrow county, Ohio, which was then in its primitive state, but was put under a good condition for cultivation.  Mr. Caton removed to Waldo township, Marion county, in 1865, spent the following year in the village of Cardington, in 1867 located in Wayne township, Knox county, and in 1885 came to Chesterville, where he has a fine residence.  In political matters Mr. Caton has been a life-long Democrat, and has served as a Councilman six years and also as Trustee of Chester township.
     In April, 1847, he was united in marriage with Artemisia Baker, a native of Richland county, Ohio, her father having been one of the earliest settlers in that locality.  She died May 19, 1848.  October 12, 1848, our subject married Jane Montgomery, born in Troy township, Morrow county, May 22, 1825, a daughter of John and Margaret (Taylor) Montgomery, natives of Jefferson county, Ohio.  They located in the woods of Troy township sixty-five years ago, where they were among the pioneer settlers, and where the father subsequently died.  One of his brothers was a soldier in the war of 1812.  The mother died in Stark county, Ohio, while on a visit to her son.  Six of their children grew to years of maturity, and four are now living, namely: Samuel N., of Stark county; Mrs. Caton; Hamilton, a resident of Iowa; and Eliza McKeown, of Cardington township.  The parents were members of the Methodist Church, and the father was a stanch Democrat.  Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Caton have had nine children, as follows: J. S., of Cardington, married Elizabeth Woolf, and has one child; Artemisia, deceased; Arthur S., a graduate of Delaware College, and a very fine scholar, married Dottie Moore, and resides in Coshocton, Ohio; A. L., of Chester township, Morrow county, married Mary Launing; Benjamin F., a resident of Cardington township, married Belle McKeown; Emma J., deceased, was the wife of Thomas Cole; Thomas married Cora Carson, and resides in Chesterville; George S., married Nora Peck, and lives in Coshocton; and Charles W., a resident of this city, married Minnie Hales.  Mr. and Mrs. Caton are members of the Baptist Church at Wayne, Ohio, in which the former has served as Trustee and Treasurer for many years.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 420-421
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

CHRISTOPHER H. CHAMBERLIN, a venerable and honored citizen of Mount Gilead, Morrow county, and one who was for many years one of the leading business men of the place, must call forth in this connection such consideration as is manifestly due him as, in the repose and retirement of his beautiful home, he views the hurrying throng with kindly and indulgent gaze, reflecting on what has been wrought within the long span of his days and resting from the ceaseless toil and endeavor which brought to him success and the regard of men.
     The father of our subject was Gideon Chamberlin, who is supposed to have been a native of New Jersey, and to have been born about the year 1779, the son of John Chamberlin.  Gideon Chamberlin was a farmer during his entire life.  Circumstances prevented him from bearing arms in the War of 1812, but he provided a substitute.  He married Catherine Hulsizer, who was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, the daughter of Christopher Hulsizer.
     Gideon and Catherine Chamberlin removed from New Jersey to Pennsylvania, about 1817, and there the latter died, in 1837.  They were the parents of nine children, of whom all but one lived to attain mature years.  At the present time there are but three surviving and all of these are men of venerable years.  Their names, with age (in 1894), are here given: William, aged eighty-five; Christopher H., our subject, aged eighty-three; and John aged seventy-nine.  The father came to Ohio in 182$ and settled in Franklin township, Knox county (now Morrow county), where he was one of the pioneer residents and where he made his permanent home.  Somewhat later our subject went to Wooster, Wayne county, and entered a tract of land for his father, and here they took up their abode in the virgin forest, ultimately reclaiming the place and bringing it into effective cultivation.  On this farm, which was located on Owl creek, the father died, about 1837.  He had been a member of the Baptist Church in Pennsylvania.
     Christopher H. Chamberlin, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, April 19, 1811, receiving limited education advantages in Pennsylvania, whither his parents removed when he was but a child.  He was seventeen years of age when his father removed to Ohio.  His educational advantages were extremely meagre in character, but he was ambitious to learn and had a receptive mind, being thus enabled to secure a good practical education as the result of personal application and study.  This line of reading and study has led him along to a position of much intellectual strength and wide information.  As a boy he was compelled to work in the employ of others, but he continued to make his home at the paternal domicile until the time of his marriage.
     In 1833, he wedded Miss Sarah D. Lyon, who was born in Ohio, her place of nativity having been a block-house, near Fredricktown [sic], which building was being used for the protection of the women and children during the war of 1812, her birth having occurred in that year.  After his marriage our subject constructed a log cabin on the farm of his father-in-law, and there continued to abide for three years, assisting in the work of the farm, which was located in Franklin township, this county (then Knox county).  After three years had thus elapsed, his little log house was destroyed by fire and he then went to Bloomfield township and settled on a place which is the location of the present town of Sparta.  Here he remained five years, after which, in 1840, he returned to his father’s old place.  The father had died and our subject purchased the interests of most of the other heirs to the estate.  He built a house on the old homestead and occupied the same for a time, after which he disposed of his interest in the farm, taking in exchange a tract of sixty acres, in Delaware county.  This place was located in the dense woods of Harmony township, Delaware county (now Morrow), and he remained upon the same for a period of thirteen years, clearing up the land and improving it.
     In 1853 he resigned his connection with agriculturism and came to Mount Gilead, where he engaged in the mercantile business and continued the enterprise for three years, after which he removed to Butler Center, Iowa, where he was engaged in merchandising somewhat over two years, after which he removed to a point ten miles distant in the same county (Butler), and there conducted a store for two and one-half years.  In 1859 he returned to Mount Gilead and resumed merchandising in the same building which he had previously utilized for the same purpose.  After a short time he removed to the town of Williamsport, six miles east of Mount Gilead, and there continued in the mercantile trade for several years, after which he once more returned to Mount Gilead and took up his residence, where he has lived for the past thirteen years.
     The devoted and cherished wife of our subject entered into eternal rest in 1861.  They were the parents of six children, of whom only two are living, namely: Phoebe Ann, wife of Asa A. Gardner, of Mount Gilead, and the mother of two children by a previous marriage to Enoc Gerge: and Lucretia J., wife of Robert P. Halliday, of this city: they are the parents of two children.
     Mr. Chamberlin consummated a second marriage April 19, 1863, when he espoused Miss Mary Truex, née Linn, who is a native of Monroe county, this State, where she was born April 20, 1811.  Our subject and his estimable wife are zealous members of the Baptist Church of Mount Gilead, and Mr. Chamberlin has been particularly active in temperance work, having identified himself with the Murphy movement many years ago.  Politically, he is an ardent Democrat of the Andrew Jackson type, his first vote having been cast for that sturdy President, in 1832.  He has been consistent in the upholding of his political faith, both in defending and supporting the same.  He held preferment as Justice of the Peace in this county for a term of nine years, and in Bloomfield and Congress townships served as Constable, and in Congress township as Township Treasurer and Justice of the Peace.  During the war our subject contributed liberally of his means to the support of the Union cause, with which he was thoroughly and uncompromisingly in sympathy.
     Mr. Chamberlin’s life has not been one of supine ease and of futile dreams.  He has worked diligently and consecutively, and the high measure of success which is his has come as the direct result of his own efforts.  When he started out in married life his earthly possessions were summed up in an axe and a good splint broom, which latter he had made with his own hands.  Who would deny to such a man the reward which is so justly due, ––the respect of his fellowmen?  One of the patriarchs of the county, and one known far and wide for the integrity of his character, our subject abides, in his declining days, safe in the honor and esteem of the community.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 183-185
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.

GEORGE L. CLARK is a representative of the Logan Gas Company of Mount Gilead, Ohio, and as such maintains his business headquarters at Mount Gilead, where he has resided since 1902. His financial interests in this section of the fine old Buckeye state are of varied order and he is prominent in Ohio Masonry. Mr. Clark was born at Warren, Pennsylvania, on the 29th of April, 1859, and is a son of James and Mary E. (Stevens) Clark, both of whom are still living.
     The father, James Clark, a prominent lumberman and a leading citizen of Warren, Pennsylvania, was born in Scotland December 23, 1831, and is a son of James and Jane McPherson Clark, and a grandson of William Clark. James Clark, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Scotland in 1800. His early life was devoted to lumbering and farming. He came to America in 1846 and settled in Glade township, Warren county, Pennsylvania, on a farm now occupied by his son Alexander Clark. Upon locating in this county Mr. Clark devoted his entire time to farming, the vast tracts of available territory proving highly tempting. He was married in Scotland to Jane McPherson, a native of that country, and they became the parents of six children, one daughter and five sons, named Isabella Kitchen, deceased; James, father of George L.; John, now a resident of Warren, Pennsylvania; Alexander, who lives on the old farm in Glade township, Warren county; Lewis, who died in 1878; and William, who died in 1874. The mother of this family died in 1880 and her devoted husband followed her to the other shore in 1883, aged eighty-three years. They were faithful members of the Presbyterian church.
     James Clark received his early mental training in the schools of his native country and came with his parents to the United States in the year 1846. At the age of eighteen he took up the trade of a millwright and followed the vocation for a few years, but gradually was drawn toward lumbering pursuits. He built the. Warren Saw and Planing Mills, located on the large island, in the year 1864, and operated them until 1892, when he sold out to Newmaker and Reed. In 1881 the mills were destroyed by fire, but Mr. Clark was not to be undone by the fire fiend and before the smoking ruins had cooled he had plans prepared for new mills, which he erected and had in operation within the year. He enjoyed great success, the mills being one of Warren's most important industries while under the Clark management, and it continued as a flourishing enterprise under the new firm.
     In 1858 Mr. Clark wedded Mary E. Stevens, daughter of S. G. Stevens, of Warren, Pennsylvania, and their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, equally divided as to sons and daughters and as follows in name: George L., Jessie I., Lucy A., Edward A., Frederick C., Annie M., Archie J., and Ethel E. The eldest son, George L, is the subject of this review; Jessie I. married W. R. Johnson, of Falconer, New York, and has one son, R. C., Lucy A., is the wife of J. W. Richards and resides in Warren, Pennsylvania; Edward A. married Addie Horigan, daughter of Thomas Horigan, and they also reside in Warren, their only son being named James A.; Fred C. and Annie M. are at home; Archie J., married Maud Graham, daughter of Jesse Graham, of Warren, and they are the parents of one son, Byron G.; Ethel E. is the wife of Carl T. Campbell, a resident of Sisterville, West Virginia, and the mother of a son, James T.
     Clark is a valued and progressive citizen and ever first and foremost in any enterprise calculated to promote the welfare of his adopted town. He has been a director of the Warren Savings Bank since its organization and the only one now living of its first directors. He has also served on its discount committee continuously since the organization of the bank and he is vice president of the Warren and Chautauqua Gas Company and one of its board of directors.
     George L. Clark was reared and educated in the town of Warren, Pennsylvania, to whose graded schools he is indebted for his preliminary training. At the age of seventeen years he became interested in the gas and oil business and continued to be identified with it until 1882, was then in the lumber business until 1892, when he assumed the position of superintendent of the lines and towns of the Warren-Chautauqua Gas Company, at Warren, Pennsylvania, being thus engaged for some seven years and nine months. He has been in the employ of the Logan Gas Company since June 23, 1902. He was with that concern at Warren, Pennsylvania, for a period of seven years and nine months and for the past eight years has been agent for the Logan Gas Company at Mount Gilead. He holds considerable stock in the gas company and is the owner of fine residence property in Mount Gilead. In politics he accords an uncompromising allegiance to the cause of the Republican party and though he has never manifested aught of desire for the honors or emoluments of political office he is ever ready to do all in his power to advance the general good of the community. Fraternally he is affiliated with Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 206, Free and Accepted Masons, and for three years was its high priest; Gilead Chapter, No. 59, Royal Arch Masons; and Marion Commandery, No. 36, ­Knights Templars. He is a member of the high priesthood of Ohio.
     Mr. Clark married on June 30, 1886, at Garland, Warren county, Pennsylvania, Sadie E. Wilson, who died at Jamestown, New York, in 1902. On August 19, 1902, at Saint Francis De Sales church, Newark, Ohio, he married Miss Adelia Igo, who was born at Grafton, West Virginia, and reared at Newark, Licking county, Ohio. To this union has been born one child, George L. Clark, Jr., whose birth occurred on the 2nd of October, 1906, at Mount Gilead, Ohio. He was baptized at Blessed Sacrament church at Newark, Ohio, in March, 1908.
     Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 624-626
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.

ELLSWORTH W. CLEVENGER. ––A resident of Morrow county since his childhood days, Mr Clevenger has attained to precedence as one of the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of Canaan township, where he is the owner of a finely improved farm of seventy acres in sections 27 and 34.  Farming is a prosaic and monotonously arduous vocation to one who fails to bear progressive ideas and discrimination such as are demanded in other lines of enterprise, but to the one who knows and appreciates its details and is willing to put forth a due amount of efforts it offers the most independent position and the most generous returns.  Mr. Clevenger is one who has thus taken advantage of the gracious opportunities offered in connection with the great basic industry, and his success has been on a parity with the well directed effort he has put forth.
     Mr. Clevenger was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 23d of October, 1872, and is a son of Lorenzo C. and Esther (Pletcher) Clevenger.  The mother was born in Morgan county, this state, and was a daughter of the late Eli Pletcher, who passed the closing years of his long and useful life in Morrow county, where he died at the age of seventy-seven years.  The mother of the subject of this review died March 31, 1896.  When Ellsworth W. Clevenger was two years of age his mother and her parents came from Morgan county to Morrow county and located on a farm one mile and a half northwest of the village of Edison, in Canaan township, where he was reared to maturity and where his honored grandparents passed the residue of their lives.  He was afforded the advantages of the public schools until he was twenty-one years of age.  Soon after attaining to his legal majority Mr. Clevenger became associated with his mother in the purchase of a farm of twenty acres, located a half a mile north of the village of Denmark, this county, and he had the supervision of the same for the ensuing six years, at the expiration of which the property was sold and he removed to his present farm, upon which he has made good improvements, the while everything about the place is kept in good repair and excellent order, indicating the thrift and enterprise of the owner.  The place is devoted to diversified agriculture and stock-growing, and is one which is constantly increasing in value, as are other farms in this favored section of the old Buckeye state.  Mr. Clevenger gives his support to those projects and measures that tend to conserve the general welfare of the community along both material and social lines and he is at the present time school director of his district.  In politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party, and he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Denmark, Lodge No. 760.  Both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
     On the 27th of December, 1894, Mr. Clevenger took unto himself a wife, Miss Lola C. Apt, who has proved a devoted companion and helpmeet.  She was born in Canaan township on the 2d of February, 1877, and is a daughter of Jacob Y. Apt, who was a prosperous farmer of this township.  Mr. and Mrs. Clevenger have four children, as follows: Alta L., Gladys M., Harold J., and Charles E.  The eldest daughter, Miss Alta, is a member of the class of 1913 in the high school at Edison, and the two children next younger are attending the school of their home district.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 807-808
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

ADAM CLOUSE. ––Numbered among the skilful and prosperous agriculturists of Morrow county is Adam Clouse, who owns and occupies a valuable farm in Canaan township, which is near the place of his birth, the date thereof being March 22, 1855.  During his half century and more of life, which has been passed in this vicinity, he has won for himself an enviable reputation as an honest man and a good citizen, and as one who has contributed his full quota towards the advancement of one of the best counties in Ohio.  His father, Peter Clouse, was born in Switzerland in 1814, and when eleven years of age came to the United States with his parents locating in what is now Canaan township, Morrow county, Ohio, where his father took up a tract of government land.  Here he grew to manhood and subsequently engaged in farming on his own account.  He married Mrs. Nancy (Apt) Garster, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and of the eight children born of their union Adam, the subject of this brief sketch, is the sole survivor.
     Attending the district school during the days of his boyhood and youth, Adam Clouse obtained a practical knowledge of the common branches of learning and when ready to start in life for himself chose the free and independent occupation of a farmer.  Laboring with unremitting industry, he has met with richly deserved success as a general farmer and stock raiser, his fine farm of one hundred and fifteen acres being advantageously located one and one-fourth miles north of Denmark.  His homestead is under a high state of cultivation, and with its improvements and appointments is considered one of the choice estates of this part of the county.   In 1905 Mr. Clouse added to the value and attractiveness of his estate by the erection of a fine residence, which contains all of the modern conveniences and improvements, and invariably elicits words of praise from the passing traveler.
     Mr. Clouse married, in 1877, Martha A. Overly, who was born July 8, 1859, in Ross county, Ohio, and was there educated in the common schools.  Her parents, Elisha and Lucinda (Kinnamon) Overly, died in early life, leaving two children, a son and a daughter.  Left motherless when but three years of age and fatherless at the age of twelve years, Mrs. Clouse and her brother were brought up by an aunt, who did the best she could for them until they were able to look out for themselves.  Mrs. Clouse came to Canaan township when a girl of seventeen years, and a year or so later married Mr. Clouse.  Two children have blessed their union, namely: Ada B., born June 20, 1879, is the wife of Charles I. Reed, of Canaan township; and Elsie May, born February 25, 1895, is a student in the public schools.
     A Democrat in his political affiliations, Mr. Clouse has served as township treasurer and as road supervisor, and at the present writing is a member of the local school board.  Fraternally he belongs to Calanthia Lodge No. 116, K. of P., of Caledonia, Ohio.  He is an active and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church of North Canaan, of which he is a trustee and a steward and a teacher in its Sunday School.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 865-866
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.

EDWARD COE. ––An active, enterprising and progressive agriculturist of Morrow county, Edward Coe is the proprietor of a well kept and well appointed farm in South Bloomfield township, which has been his abiding place the greater part of his life.  In addition to managing his farm most successfully, he owns and operates throughout the harvesting season a threshing machine, an industry in which he has been engaged for many years.  He was born July 21, 1855, in Bloomfield township, a son of Edward Coe, Sr.
     Edward Coe, Sr., a native of England, came to the United States with his parents, who settled first in New York state, but later came to Ohio, and from here proceeded westward to Iowa, where they remained permanently.  Edward Coe, Sr., a painter by trade, remained in Morrow county, and after following his trade for some time, bought a farm in Bloomfield township, and there resided until his death, about 1862.  He was twice married.  By his first wife he had three children, Ann, Ellen and William.  He married for his second wife Elizabeth Ebersole, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of John D. and Mary Ebersole, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Edward, the special subject of this sketch, Albert and Elbridge.  He was a stanch Republican in politics, and a trustworthy member of the Christian church at Sparta.  His second wife survived him, passing away in 1883.
     Residing on the parental homestead of one hundred and thirty acres until his marriage, Edward Coe assisted in its management as soon as old enough to work.  He subsequently invested his money in land, and is now the owner of a fine farm of ninety acres, which he is managing most successfully, the greater part of it being under good cultivation, while the improvements are of a practical and substantial character.  Early in his career Mr. Coe purchased a threshing outfit, with which he has since traveled extensively in this section of Morrow county throughout the threshing season, his services being ever in demand at that time, and for thirty-three years has not missed a day’s labor with his machine, a record scarcely to be equaled in this or in surrounding states.
     Mr. Coe married January 2, 1869, Viola Roberts, who was born February 10, 1852, in South Bloomfield township, a daughter of W. S. Roberts and granddaughter of Solomon and Mary (Coleman) Roberts, pioneer settlers of Ohio.  W. S. Roberts learned the carpenter’s trade when young, but later bought land in Bloomfield township, Morrow county, and was engaged in the cultivation of the soil until his death, February 5, 1905.  He was an active worker in the Democratic ranks, and for several terms served on the township board.  While working at his trade he assisted in building the public school house at Sparta.  Mr. Roberts’s wife, whose maiden name was Lydia A. Swetland, survived him, passing away in November, 1910.
     Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Coe, namely: Floy M. and Minnie A.  Floy M., born August 18, 1882, married Earl Hicks, of South Bloomfield, and later became a resident of Fredericktown, Ohio.  They have two sons Lawrence E. and Maurice Coe.  Minnie A., born February 10, 1885, is the wife of Jasper Meiser, of Sparta, and has one son, Herbert.  Mr. Coe is Independent in politics, voting as his conscience dictates, regardless of party affiliations, and has served several years as a member of the local school board.  Fraternally he is a member of Sparta Lodge, No. 268, I. O. O. F., in which he has held all of the chairs.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 636-637
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

GEORGE O. COE. —For some thirty years was George O. Coe engaged in the drug and hardware business at Mt. Gilead and at Edison, Morrow county, Ohio, and he is now residing on his fine farm of eighty acres in Gilead township, where he is identified with diversified agriculture and stock raising. He is a man of prominence and influence in the Republican party, in the local ranks of which he has been an active factor. Mr. Coe was born on the farm on which he now resides on the 23rd of March, 1849, and is a son of Abraham and Margaret (Nichols) Coe, both of whom were born and reared in Virginia, the former in Frederick county and the latter in Loudoun county. The father was born on the 23rd of December, 1806, and his death occurred on the 6th of October, 1893; the mother was born on the 4th of August, 1813, and she was summoned to the life eternal on the 21st of September, 1849. After the death of his first wife Abraham Coe wedded, December 28, 1851, Mrs. Joseph Sellers. No children were born to the latter union, but by his first wife Mr. Coe became the father of nine children, of whom George O. was the ninth in order of birth. Margaret (Nichols) Coe was a daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Thomas) Nichols, the former of whom was born November 30, 1770, and the latter, June 13, 1782. About the year 1828 Sarah Nichols entered a tract of three hundred and twenty acres of government land in section 26, Gilead township, one quarter of which is now owned by the subject of this review and who also has the original deed of the land.
     George O. Coe was reared to the invigorating discipline of the home farm and his educational training consisted of such advantages as were afforded in the district schools. When twenty-one years of age he went to Mt. Gilead, where he engaged in the drug business, in which line of enterprise he was eminently successful, continuing to be thus identified for fully three decades. In 1902, however, having attained a competency, he retired from active participation in business affairs and since that time he has resided on his splendid farm in Gilead township. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and he has ever exerted his influence to further all projects advanced for the general welfare of the community. In 1903 he was elected to the office of precinct assessor, in which he served for two years with the utmost proficiency. He is a man of fine, straightforward principles and sterling integrity of character and as such is highly esteemed in the community which has represented his home from the time of his birth.
     On the 14th of May, 1872, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Coe to Miss Hannah V. McCormick, who was born in Canaan township, this county, on the 12th of January, 1855, a daughter of Seth and Rachel (Brown) McCormick, for many years prominent farmers in this section of the fine old Buckeye state. Mrs. Coe was reared in Edison, where she was also educated. To Mr. and Mrs. Coe have been born six children, namely: Elbert G., whose birth occurred on the 5th of July, 1874, was graduated in the Edison High School and in Scio College of Pharmacy and he is now a druggist at Hastings, Florida, and married to Emma G. Walker, of Franklin, Pennsylvania; Lulu M., born January 16, 1877, was graduated in the Edison High School, where she was a successful and popular teacher for a period of two years; she is now the wife of William G. Taber, of Mt. Gilead; Ray M., born March 9, 1879, was graduated in the Edison High School and is now a resident of Hastings, Florida; Anna M., and Amy M., twins, were born April 12, 1884; Amy M., died in April, 1897, and Anna M., after completing the prescribed course in the Edison High School, was postmistress in Edison for five years; she is now Mrs. Chas. I. Van Natta, of Gilead township; Fred O., born October 14, 1889, was graduated in the Edison High School and was engaged in teaching for two years in the public schools of Morrow county, and is now a student in Wesley College at Delaware, Ohio. The entire family are devout adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church at Edison, in which Mr. Coe is a member of the official board.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 591-595
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.

EDWARD R. COILE. ––The descendant of an honored pioneer family and an honored resident of South Bloomfield township, Edward R. Coile is numbered among the enterprising and thrifty agriculturists of Morrow county, where he owns a well-kept farm, in the management of which he exercises great skill and good judgment.  He was born on the homestead where he now lives, March 28, 1867, a son of Reuben Coile and grandson of Abraham Coile, an early pioneer of Ohio, coming to this state from Virginia.
     Reuben Coile was born in Virginia, but was reared in Morrow county, Ohio, coming here with his parents.  He began life for himself in South Bloomfield township, buying forty acres of land, on which he carried on general farming until his death, in 1900.  He married, February 13, 1845, Margaret Prosser, who survived him, passing away in 1904.  Eleven children were born into their home, as follows: Alonzo, born March 8, 1846; Alford, born January 25, 1848; Thomas, born January 28, 1850; Leroy, born October 17, 1851; Lycurgus, born May 21, 1853; Mary, born October 1, 1855, married, August 4, 1874, Judson Smothers; Riley, born June 13, 1858; Luceilia, born January 11, 1860, married, in November, 1878, Thomas James; Johanna, born February 5, 1862; Daniel, born April 1, 1864; and Edward R., the subject of this sketch.  The father of these children was a Republican in politics and a member of the United Brethren church.
     Until after the death of both of his parents, Edward R. Coile resided on the parental homestead, which has become his through inheritance.  Since a boy of fourteen years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and as a general farmer and stock breeder and raiser has met with unqualified success.  For the past five years he has also been running a saw mill in Knox county.  On his homestead Mr. Coile has three apple trees and a pear tree that were set out by his Grandfather Coile in 1831.  The pear tree, which is sixty-five feet in height and nine feet in circumference, bore fruit every year until 1910, never missing a season.  Mr. Coile is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and has served on the local school board.  Religiously he belongs to the United Brethren church.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 721-722
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.

ELIJAH CONARD. ––The memory of Elijah Conard, Chesterville’s well-known wagon maker, will long remain green in the hearts of the many who knew and loved him.  His quiet, industrious life was consecrated to the good, the true and the beautiful, and it is but natural that he should have won the abiding confidence and respect of the people in whose midst he lived and labored.  His years were more than those allotted the majority of mankind, for he was born June 4, 1822, and died March 10. 1906, the mortal part of him being laid to rest in the Chesterville cemetery.  Mr. Conard was the son of Edward and Mary (Bowman) Conard, both of whom were natives of Knox county, Ohio, their immediate forbears having been pioneers in that locality.  There were seven children in the family, an enumeration of whom is as follows: Mary, Bowman, Samuel, Rhoda, Elizabeth, Raymond and Elijah.  Elijah Conard’s first marriage was to Mahala Simmons, and one son was born, Lewis N., and he wedded Miss Mary A. Potter, daughter of Joseph Potter, of Delaware county.  Two children were born to this union––Bessie Luella and Don Lamerton.  The second marriage was with Miss Nancy Stark, November 11, 1852, and she was the daughter of John and Cornelia (Wilcox) Stark, natives of Pennsylvania.
     Shortly after their marriage, the young couple commenced life together at Homer, Ohio, where Mr. Conard engaged in work at his trade.  Later they removed to Chesterville, which was to prove their permanent residence, Mr. Conard here conducting a wagon shop for the rest of his life.  He was a good workman, careful and conscientious and was a careful repairer.  The union of Mr. and Mrs. Conard was blessed by the birth of four children, the youngest of whom––Martha Luella––died at the age of seven years.  The others are Henry, Charleton, Cornelia and Rozilia.  The only son married Mary E. Ralston, of Knox county, and their present residence is at McBain, Michigan.  Their seven children are as follows: Nancy L., John R. (deceased), George (deceased), Cora, Henry, Helen G. and Virginia.
     Mr. Conard was generally recognized as a useful citizen, a good man and a kind neighbor.  His widow still remains in their pleasantly situated Chesterville home.  She is tenderly eared for by her dutiful daughter, Cornelia, whose presence and thoughful [sic] attention comfort her mother in the evening of life.  Mother Conard is an interesting woman with a remarkable memory and although now in her ninetieth year she takes great pleasure in repeating by the hour beautiful favorite poems pertaining to Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, the home of her childhood.  One of the best loved of these is the following: 

“How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood;
What fond recollections their memories recall.
The days, happy days, I spent in thy wildwood,
Watching in springtime the cataract’s fall.

“Their memories I treasure, it still gives me pleasure
To think of those moments of sweet long ago,
When from the proud summits and loftiest limit
I gazed on thy beauty and glory below. 

“Enchanted I sat in the shade of thy bower,
Inhaling the sweet-scented breeze from the hills,
Made sweet with the breath of the wild, fragrant flowers,
Swelled with the sound of the murmuring rills.

“Forget them I’ll never; my heart’s longing ever
To visit once more the historical ground;
And roam in the wildwood, as oft in my childhood,
And view from thy hillside thy diamond dust mound
Oh lovely Wyoming, oh fairest Wyoming,

My joy and my home.
”Like her beloved husband, Mrs. Conard is esteemed by neighbors and friends among whom she has passed a long and useful life.  She can look back with particular satisfaction over the fact that she and her husband always endeavored to implant in the minds of their children a desire for true and honest citizenship.  Mr. Conard was a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist church and his venerable widow and daughter Cornelia are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 816-817
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

EDWIN M. CONKLIN, a farmer of Westfield township, was born on the farm where he now resides, September 6, 1835. His father, Jacob Conklin, was born in Grand Isle county, Vermont, June 10, 1787, a son of Abram Conklin The latter married Anna Hilliker when she was only sixteen years of age, and immediately afterward he went into the Revolutionary war. She had three brothers in the war, and on the return home the friends and neighbors gathered to have a joyful celebration, and Mr. Conklin was introduced to his wife, but she had changed so greatly during his absence that for some time he did not recognize her, much to the enjoyment of all their friends present. The celebration was held at the hotel in Grand Isle, and Abram Conklin afterward purchased the place, the father of our subject having been born there. He was the second son of ten children, five sons and five daughters. Three brothers, John, Abram and Jacob, came to Ohio. Abram came from Vermont to Delaware county on foot in 1817. He reared a large family of children, some of whom are still living in that county. John engaged in merchandising at Cleveland, and while on his way to New York for goods was waylaid and robbed.  James located in Morrow county. Another brother, Jerry, moved to Illinois, where he reared a large family, and died there.
     Jacob Conklin, father of our subject, came on foot from Vermont to Delaware county, Ohio, in 1813. He joined the Light Horse Cavalry, under Captain Murray, and served under General McArthur in the war of 1812. While a soldier he frequently went without food for three days, and suffered many other severe privations. Mustered out of service at Chillicothe, Ohio, he located in Liberty township, Delaware county, near where the paper mill now stands, south of the city of Delaware. April 3, 1821, he removed to the farm where our subject now resides. Mr. Conklin cut logs and built a cabin, blankets having been used for doors and windows, and remained here until his death, March 12, 1875. He was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. For seventy-two years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, his home having been the first place where religious meetings were held in the neighborhood. He frequently attended quarterly meetings in a log house at Columbus. Having no money, he worked one week with his ox team to assist in building the first Methodist Episcopal Church in Delaware.
     September 17, 1818, Mr. Conklin was united in marriage with Orra Payne, who was born in New Hartford, Litchfield county, Connecticut, July 6, 1798, a daughter of Ezra Payne, born in that State September 17, 1765. He came to Liberty township, Delaware county, Ohio, in 1817. His wife, formerly Amy Mattison, was born November 26, 1769, and they had thirteen children, namely: Amy, Ezra, Austin, Anson, Betsey, Orra, Alvah, Phebe, Hiram, Edmond, Elvira, Miles and William. Two of the sons were soldiers in the war of 1812. Mrs. Conklin died October 20, 1880, having been a hard working woman all her life, having spun and wove and made the clothes worn by her family. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin had seven children: Clarissa, the only daughter, was born in Liberty township; she first married E. White, and their three children are all now deceased: after his death she became the wife of Forester Armstrong and they had three sons, two yet living, Philemon and Mathew; Lyman B., deceased at the age of twenty-one years; Ezra M., of Waldo township, Marion county, Ohio; William A., deceased; Philemon J. died April 13, 1879; Dr. Abram V., residing in Delaware county, Ohio; and Edwin N.
     Edwin N. Conklin, the youngest in the above family, and the subject of this sketch, has remained on the home farm since his birth. He owns 100 acres of fine farming land. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and in 1892 was elected Justice of the Peace, his commission having been signed by Governor McKinley. He has also served as Township Trustee two years, as member and president of the School Board the same length of time, and has held other minor offices. Mr. Conklin was the first to take hold of the Grange movement in this locality, and was the first delegate to the State Grange at Xenia, Ohio, in 1874. He organized the lodges in Cardington, Lincoln, Harmony, Canaan, Johnsville, Peru and Marengo townships. He also served as Master of the Farmers' Alliance, and attended the State Alliance at Galion, Ohio, in 1891. Mr. Conklin is prominently identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having served as Deputy Grand Master of this district for six years, was a Representative in the Grand Lodge for two years, 1874-5, passed all the chairs in both branches, joined the encampment at Delaware, and was a charter member both at Cardington and Ashley. He was also a charter member of Myrtle Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, at Westfield. He was made a Free and Accepted Mason at old Hiram Lodge, Delaware, Ohio, in 1868 and was a charter member of Ashley Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Ashley, Ohio.
     October 15, 1872, our subject was united in marriage with Charlotte Shoemaker, who was born September 19. 1844, a daughter of Jacob Shoemaker, of Westfield township. Their son, Edwin Jacob, born July 1, 1874, is now living in Galion, Ohio. The wife and mother departed this life January 12, 1876. February 11, 1880, Mr. Conklin married Martha Van Brimmer, born in Napoleon, Indiana, May 15, 1846, a daughter of Jacob and Almira (Birch) Van Brimmer. She was the youngest of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have had three children: Ason, born October 19, 1880, died November 5, 1880; a daughter, born March 9, 1883, died March 18, 1883; Virgil Lavan, born October 9, 1885. Mr. Conklin has kept a diary of where he has been and what he has done, every day for over twenty-five years, and has kept a thermometrical record of the weather for the same length of time, making three observations a day, -- at 6 A. M., 12 M. and 8 P. M.
     He has also kept a cash account for over twenty-five years, noting every cent he has received and every cent paid out and what for.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 357-359
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.

JOHN W. COOK, superintendent of the Buckeye Milling Company, is a representative business man and one of the most popular and highly respected of the citizens of Mount Gilead and Morrow county. The industrial activities of any community form one of its chief sources of material prosperity and the fair capital of Morrow county is particularly fortunate in having at the head of an enterprise of such broad scope and importance a man as progressive, independent and upright as he. He has won the success which ever crowns well directed labor, sound judgment and untiring perseverance and at the same time he has concerned himself with the affairs of his native county in a loyal, public-spirited way. The concern of which he is the head was incorporated as the Buckeye Milling Company, and since 1888, the date of said incorporation, it has undergone many changes. Further mention of the company is made in the historical part of this work.
     Mr. Cook is a native of Morrow county, his birth having occurred some two and one-half miles southeast of Mount Gilead September 6, 1873, his parents being John W. and Matilda (Mateer) Cook. The family is one well known in this part of the Buckeye state, his father being one of the highly esteemed representatives of the great basic industry in this locality. The head of the house is a native of Gloucester, England, his birth having occurred in April, 1834. He was reared in his native land until the age of twenty-two and he was a baker by trade. John Cook is a self-educated, as well as a self-made man. He came to America in 1856 in a sailing vessel, embarking at Liverpool and being six weeks en voyage. When he landed in New York he awakened to the fact that he was a stranger in a strange land and with very little capital. For a while he worked at his trade at Staten Island, becoming associated with an uncle, and in 1858 he came on to Galion, Ohio. As he had no money with which to start in business he secured work on a farm, and it proved so thoroughly congenial that he made it his life work. He is now living east of Iberia on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
     The subject's mother was born in Morrow county, Ohio, in 1833, and her maiden name was Matilda Mateer. She was educated in the common schools and she, as well as her husband, was a devout Presbyterian. She was called to her eternal rest November 15, 1889. The union of this worthy couple was celebrated in 1862 and somewhere near that time the father enlisted as a member of Company A, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, receiving his honorable discharge after a term of service. John W. is the youngest member of the family of five children. Alice became the wife of J. W. Walker, of Toledo; Hariette M. is the wife of J. C. Brown, of Harmony township; Charlotte E. is single ; and James M. resides at Mount Gilead, where he is engaged with the Hydraulic Press Company.
     When Mr. Cook was about eighteen months old his parents moved from Gilead township, which had been the scene of his nativity, and took up their residence upon a farm in Harmony township. This valuable tract of seventy-three acres was one of the most valuable and advantageously situated in the county and here were passed the boyhood and youth of the subject. At the proper age he entered the district cshool [sic], which he attended in the winter, in the summer assisting in the various forms of employment to be found upon a farm. When he was seventeen years of age he had some idea of taking up the work of telegraphy, and to that end went to Columbus, where he attended for some time a school of telegraphy. Upon his return to Morrow county he resumed farming for a time, his previous training in that line having given him an up-to-date knowledge of this department of activity. However, he was inclined rather toward commercial and industrial affairs, and about the year 1902 he entered the hardware store of A. L. Pipes, at Fulton, Ohio, where he gave efficient service for about a year. His identification with the town of Mount Gilead dates from September 13, 1903, upon which date he accepted a position with the Buckeye Milling Company, as superintendent of the same. Judging by subsequent events the step was a fortunate and most judicious one, and probably permanently directed the course of Mr. Cook's usefulness. This enterprise, as previously mentioned, was incorporated in the year 1888 by Thomas E. Duncan and others. In 1906 he purchased an interest in the Buckeye Milling Company and still retains the important position of superintendent. The concern, which owes much of its constant expansion to his fine executive force, has gained recognition as one of the finest milling industries in the state.
     Mr. Cook became a recruit to the ranks of the Benedicts when on April 9, 1908, he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha A. Blyth, daughter of John and Louise (Wittibbslager) Blyth. She was born December 15, 1876, in Galion, Ohio, and received her education in the graded and high schools of that place. In 1892 she, with the rest of the household, removed to Bucyrus, her father having been elected to the office of county treasurer of Crawford county, in which important incumbency he served two terms. He was a stalwart Democrat and was well known throughout this part of the state. In 1898 the Blyth family removed to Fulton, Ohio, where the father was engaged in the stone quarry business under the firm name of Rumer & Blyth. John Blyth was a member of the English Lutheran church of Bucyrus and was also a high Mason, being past grand patron of the Grand Chapter of Ohio, and he was probably more widely known and universally beloved and respected than any other member of the order in the state. He was a thirty-third degree Mason, having taken the last degree in Boston, Massachusetts He was a veteran of the Civil war, his service extending over two years as a member of Company B, of the Thirty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was wounded at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864, and received his honorable discharge March 14, 1865. He was a native Scotchman, born at Kirkcaldy, county of Fife, August 22, 1841. At the age of fourteen he went to Cornwall, Canada, and his identification with Galion, Ohio, dates from the spring of 1863. He was a mechanic by occupation. This honored and public-spirited citizen was summoned to the life eternal in February, 1906, upon which regrettable occurrence Mrs. Blyth, with her family, removed from Fulton to Mount Gilead, where she now resides. She and her husband were the parents of six children.  L. W. Blyth resides in Cleveland, Ohio; T. O. Blyth is in business in Ft. Wayne, Indiana; Edith became the wife of T. J. Wiseman, of Joliet, Illinois; Ruth L. and Raymond J. still reside at home.
      Mr. Cook is a very prominent and popular member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Mount Gilead Lodge, No. 169. He has had honors showered upon him in fraternal circles, being past grand and past chief patriarch, and he is also a member of Morrow Encampment, No. 59.  Mrs. Cook is a member of Bucyrus Chapter, No. 3, of the Eastern Star, and she is a prominent member of the Fulton Rebekah Lodge, in which she has passed all the chairs.
     The subject gives his heart and hand to the men and measures of what its admirers term “The Grand Old Party.”  He is, in short, liberal and progressive in his attitude as a citizen and takes a deep interest in all that touches the advancements and prosperity of his native country. Genial and companionable, his circle of friends is circumscribed only by that of his acquaintanceship and he stands as a popular representative of the best type of business man. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church of Mount Gilead and assist with their sympathy and support all the good measures of the church body. Their home is one of the attractive and hospitable ones of the place.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 849-852
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

WILLIAM F. COOK. -- In the prosecution of his independent occupation of a general farmer William F. Cook has met with gratifying results, his land being fertile and well adapted to the production of the cereals common to this section of the country, of which he raises good crops each season. A native of Westfield township, his present home, he was born February 11, 1854, a son of the late John Cook.
      David Cook, Mr. Cook's paternal grandfather, was born, bred and married in Ireland. In 1801, accompanied by his young wife, he immigrated to the United States, impelled by the spirit that led so many men of energy and enterprise to seek new homes in the wilds of America. Making his way to Ohio, he lived first in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, from there coming to Morrow county, where he spent the closing years of his life, his body, at his death, being laid to rest in Westfield township. He was very loyal to the country of his adoption, and served her valiantly in the war of 1812 and in the Mexican war.
     John Cook was born in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot county, but was educated in Morrow county. He spent the greater part of his life in Westfield township, being an honored and respected citizen, his death occurring here in 1883. In 1861, about seven years after the birth of his youngest son, he became totally blind, an affliction from which he never recovered. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Nichols and who died in June, 1883, four children were born, William F., the special subject of this brief sketch, having been the fourth child in order of birth.
     Reared on the parental homestead, William F. Cook obtained his elementary education in the rural schools of his native district and subsequently attended the Cardington High School for three years. Then, after teaching school a year, Mr. Cook turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and has since devoted his energies to the care of his farm. He has forty-three acres of land in his home place, which is advantageously located on the Cardington and Delaware road, but two and one-half miles from Cardington.  Here Mr. Cook is carrying on general farming successfully, having all the necessary farm buildings and machinery required by a first-class, modern agriculturist. He is not paticularly [sic] active in politics, and belongs to but one fraternal organization, that one being the Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, of Columbus, Ohio.
     Mr. Cook married, September 4, 1884, Mellvonia Watkins, who was born February 28, 1861, in Gilead township, Morrow county, where she lived until nine years old, when her parents, Thomas J. and Sarah (Henry) Watkins, moved to Cardington township. She was educated in the district and the Cardington schools, living at home until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are the parents of six children, namely: Ivah, twenty-four years of age, is the wife of Elmer Bond, of Cardington township, and mother of two children, Florence and Charles; Florence, twenty-two years old; George, now twenty-one years old; Marion F., a graduate of the Cardington High School; Ira, seventeen years old; and Inez, who was born eight years ago. Mrs. Cook is a member of the United Brethren church at Shawtown, Ohio.  Mr. Cook on national affairs upholds the Democratic doctrine.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 797-798
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

DAVID G. COOMER, a farmer of Lincoln township, Morrow county, is a son of Jonathan Coomer, born in Massachusetts in 1787.  He was a farmer by occupation, a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  His father, Benjamin Coomer, was born in North Providence, Rhode Island, March 8, 1748, a son of Benjamin Coomer, Sr., born in Massachusetts in 1710, and the ancestor of the Coomer family in America.  The mother of our subject, formerly Amanda Guernsey, was born in Connecticut, September 18, 1791, a daughter of Southmayd Guernsey.  Jonathan Coomer was married July 4, 1813, while serving as a soldier in the war of 1812.  They settled on his father’s farm in Gorham, Ontario county, New York, but about 1818 located on a wild tract in Niagara county.  He improved two farms in that county, and resided there until 1834; from that time until 1855 was a resident of Marlborough township, Delaware county, and in the latter year located on the farm where our subject now resides.  He died January 18, 1856, and his widow survived until September 3, 1876.  Jonathan Coomer and wife were the parents of seven children, six now living, viz.: David, the subject of this sketch; Dr. H. N., of Ashley, Ohio; Albert B., of Payne, Paulding county, this State; Erasmus D., deceased; Jonathan M.; Sabra D. Warner, of Van Buren county, Michigan; and Alma R., wife of Henry Welch, who resides near Van Wert, Ohio.
     David G. Coomer was born in Gorham, New York, August 7, 1814, and received his education principally in the district schools of Niagara county, also attending the high school in Lockport one term.  At the age of twenty years he began teaching, and followed that occupation forty terms.  Mr. Coomer remained with his father during the latter’s lifetime.  After his marriage he located and remained on his father’s farm in Marlborough township, Delaware county, until 1855, and since that time has resided where he now lives.  He owns twenty-two and a half acres of land.  Previous to the civil war, Mr. Coomer was Lieutenant of a State militia company in Delaware county.  In political matters he is a stanch Republican, and served as Trustee of Lincoln township during the civil war.  His father served as Justice of the Peace a number of terms in Marlborough township, Delaware county.
     September 15, 1839, D. G. Coomer was united in marriage with Phoebe Clark, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a daughter of Elihu and Mary (Keene) Clark, natives of New York.  They came to Ohio as early as 1805 or 1806, locating near Worthington, Delaware county.  The father died in Oxford township, same county, March 24, 1845, and the mother died February 11, 1865.  Mr. and Mrs. Clark had thirteen children, all but one of whom grew to years of maturity, and four are now living, viz.: Mahiel L., James P., Phoebe and Sarah.  The last is the wife of Morris M. Coomer.  David G. Coomer and wife have had seven children, five now living, as follows: James H. and Albert S., both deceased in the army; Chauncey D.; Mary Malvina, wife of Joel F. Caris; Henry C.; Henrietta Eliza, wife of Frank Hoffmire; Ida A., wife of Lonzo G. Caris.  D. G. Coomer is a Universalist in faith, and his father, although for many years a Methodist, entertained the same doctrine for several years previous to his death.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 275-276
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.

COLONEL JOHN S. COOPER. ––When Colonel John S. Cooper, commanding the One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was so honorably mustered out of his four years’ service in the Union army, he was only twenty-four years of age.  Soon afterward he located in Chicago to study law and was absorbed into the great civil body of the nation as a vital and vitalizing personal element; that fine type of manhood, whose steadfast courage and brilliant deeds of war were founded on moral convictions and a high standard of faith.  He had smoothly melted into the blue ranks of the Federal army with several hundred other fine, bright-eyed students of Oberlin College, and by merit and an irresistible something––which, in war and peace, has been branded “dash”––he rose through the consecutive grades to the lieutenant-colonelcy, commanding his regiment during the last year of his military service.
     As a lawyer, Colonel Cooper never lowered his standard of faithfulness, thoroughness and prompt and fine execution of whatever movement he undertook, his legal character being well indicated by the remark of a professional friend and opponent.  “When Colonel Cooper was on the opposite side of a suit,” he remarked with a reminiscent twinkle, “we knew we were engaged in a legal contest to be finally decided in the court of last resort.”  No higher tribute can be paid to this beloved soldier, lawyer and citizen, than to say that he was ever a brave, a manly, a generous opponent, when the battle was on, and the first to extend the friendly hand when the conflict was over, whether he had emerged from it loser or victor.
     John Snider Cooper was a native of Mount Gilead, Morrow county, Ohio, born on the 23rd of July, 1841, to Isaac and Elma (Talmage) Cooper, pioneers themselves and widely connected with the pioneer families of the locality.  The son was orphaned at an early age, and was lovingly received into the family of his uncle, James Madison Talmage, where he reached young manhood in close friendship with his cousins Viola and Eugene Talmage, and (now) Mrs. Annis Olds and Mrs. Emma Barton.  His ideals of life were therefore largely received through the precept and example of his good uncle.
     Colonel Cooper obtained his earlier education in the Mount Gilead schools.  Although usually active, both physically and mentally, he was never unbalanced or unruly, but seemed to instinctively perceive the value of combining discipline with alertness and of curbing ambition with common sense.  His progress was therefore both rapid and substantial.  About his last school days at Mount Gilead were in 1857, when Professor Edward Miller presided over the old school house which stood near the present high school structure.  At the age of sixteen he entered Oberlin College, in which he was a senior at the outbreak of the Civil war.  On April 25, 1861, almost at the outset of hostilities, he enlisted in Company C, Seventh Ohio Volunteers, in which regiment he was later made sergeant, and in October, 1862, was promoted from sergeant to captain in the Eighth Regiment, United States Colored Troops, and on November 17, 1864, was commissioned as lieutenant colonel of the One Hundred and Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out of the service July 10, 1865, after more than four years of fighting, marching and soldierly campaigning.  He was severely wounded in one of the battles before Richmond, Virginia, in 1864; but notwithstanding this, and his hard and continuous service, both in the engineering corps and as a commander of troops, he came to Chicago soon after his discharge, entered vigorously into the study of the law and was admitted to practice.
     Colonel Cooper’s fame as a Chicago attorney was largely gained in the practice of corporation law, and as one of the leaders handling of suits which involved important business and financial of the bar had a most substantial reputation for the successful interests and broad questions of the law bearing upon them.  He saw deeply, quickly and clearly into the most profound and complicated litigation, and spared nothing to master every detail, technicality and fact affecting the matter at issue.  The result of the complete mastery of his subject matter was that he always presented his cases to jury or court with the same force and clearness as its conception and evolution in his own mind.  No wonder that his clients had unbounded confidence in him, and that his fellow-attorneys “on the other side,” highly respected and, sometimes feared him––the latter, only if their cause was not just.
     One of Colonel Cooper’s acts which earned him fame far beyond the bounds of his home city or state was his organization of the Minnesota Park and Forest Association, which resulted in the establishment of the Minnesota National Park by congressional act.  He was one of the leaders in the movement which, even since his death, has so gathered in strength looking toward the conservation of the vast natural resources of the United States, which the past generation have dissipated with such criminal carelessness and avariciousness.  The persistent agitation, under his leadership, by which congress was induced to set aside the splendid park in Minnesota, was in direct line with the general movement which is sweeping the nation at this time.  During his long residence in Chicago he also kept in affectionate touch with his old comrades-in-arms, being an active member of the George H. Thomas Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Commandery of Illinois.
     On the 23rd of July, 1873, Colonel Cooper was united in marriage with Miss Minnie A. Curtis, of Michigan.  Their union occurred in that city and to the old home of the mourning widow were taken the remains of the gallant soldier, able lawyer and high-minded citizen, after his mortal life flickered away, November 20, 1907.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 932-934
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.

PROFESSOR ARTHUR C. CORWIN. ––A man of scholarly tastes and attainments, possessing a well trained mind and excellent executive ability, Professor Arthur C. Corwin, superintendent of the Iberia High School, holds a position of note among the leading educators of Morrow county, where his experience as an instructor has been largely gained.  No calling has a wider-reaching and more potent influence than that of the educator and thus it is a matter of general congratulations to find the duties of an office such as his in the hands of one so well qualified.  A son of Charles E. and Lucy (Gantt) Corwin, he was born October 2, 1883, in Sparta, Morrow county, Ohio, and there reared on a farm.
     Laying a substantial foundation for his future education in the district schools, he was graduated from the Sparta High School, after which he continued his studies at the University of Wooster, in Wooster, Ohio.  Having fitted himself for the career pedagogic, Professor Corwin began his career as a district school teacher in his home township and subsequently was engaged by the schools of Mount Liberty, Knox county.  In 1904 he was employed as superintendent of the Alum Creek High School, where he remained one year and the following year he was elected to a similar position in the Troy township high school, which position he held two years, resigning to accept his present position.  It was in the year 1907 that the Professor was elected superintendent of the Iberia High School and he has ever since been actively connected with the institution.  Under his regime the school is in a flourishing condition, sustaining a high rank among similar institutions of learning in this part of the state.  Mr. Corwin is highly esteemed in literary and social circles and takes deep interest in educational matters, as a member of the Morrow county Board of School Examiners performing the duties devolved upon him most ably and faithfully.
     On the 6th day of June, 1906, Professor Corwin established an independent household by his marriage, his chosen lady being Mamie E. Cooper, of Williamsport, a former teacher in the public schools and a daughter of E. E. and Jora (Brewer) Cooper.  They have one child, a son named Harold, born November 2, 1909.  Politically the Professor is a sound Republican.  Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the sons of Veterans, and religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 730-731
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.

WILLIAM H. COUNTERMAN. ––An enterprising and practical agriculturist, Wiliam [sic] H. Counterman is prosperously engaged in his independent vocation in one of the pleasantest and most desirable sections of Westfield township, Morrow county.  His farm is finely located, and its fifty-two acres of rich and fertile land are in an excellent state of cultivation, bearing evidence of his thrift and good management.  He is a systematic and thorough farmer, and from his father, who was a skilled mechanic, has inherited decided mechanical talent.  Skillful in the use of tools of all kinds, he can turn his hand to good advantage in many directions, being a good blacksmith, and in addition to having a smithy has a well-furnished machine shop, in which he does a great deal of the necessary repairing of tools and machinery, saving not only much valuable time but large sums of money.  A son of P. S. Counterman, he was born January 3, 1865, in Marion county, Ohio, but was brought up and educated in Morrow county.
     P. S. Counterman came from Marion county, Ohio, to Morrow county with his family in 1873 and located very near Westfield, where he followed his trade of a mechanic.  To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Creglow, eight children were born, namely: One child, a daughter, died in infancy; Sarah J., wife of Levi Luke; Mary A., wife of Moses Slack; Mrs. Martha Lomos, of Toledo, Ohio; Ella, wife of Jerry Claypool; William H., the special subject of this personal notice; James, a resident of Westfield township, married Clara Foust; and Ida, wife of Charles Foust, of this township.
     Coming with his parents to Morrow county when a small lad, William H. Counterman attended school until twenty years of age, obtaining a good education.  Under his father’s instruction he became proficient in the use of tools and is a veritable genius, in his shop doing all kinds of iron work and wood work, as mentioned above.  When ready to settle in life he bought land in Westfield township, and as a general farmer has found both pleasure and profit.
     Mr. Counterman married, February 18, 1893, Orra Worline, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, September 5, 1844, a daughter of Isaac and Catherine (Whisler) Worline.  When she was a girl her parents moved to Delaware county, Ohio, from there coming to Morrow county and locating in Westfield township, where she was brought up in the same neighborhood as Mr. Counterman, who wooed and won her for his bride.  Mr. and Mrs. Counterman are genial, affable people, living honorable, upright lives, attending to their own affairs, and are highly respected throughout the community.  They are generous and hospitable, in love with life and its reasonable pleasures, and in order that they may see as much as possible of the country roundabout have purchased a fine Brush automobile, in which during the summer seasons they take many an enjoyable trip.
     Politically Mr. Counterman votes the Democratic ticket, but he takes no active part in public affairs.  Fraternally he is a member of Ashley Lodge, No. 421, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
     Mr. and Mrs. Counterman have by their industry and frugality accumulated all this property.  They began by the week and month wage, saved their wages and purchased their present farm, which is known as “Ingleside” and located on the old Delaware and Mansfield pike, four and one-half miles from Cardington and three and one-half miles from Ashley, Ohio.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 812-813
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.

UPTON J. COVER, who has for years figured as one of the representative business men of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, is now engaged in the seed business, with headquarters in the Center Block, on Center street.
     Mr. Cover was born in Morrow county October 10, 1853, a son of Jason J. and Catherine (King) Cover, and was reared in the village of Johnsville in Perry township, this county, where his father was both a farmer and merchant.  After completing his common school studies he went to Westerville, where he entered Otterbein University and pursued a course of study.  Returning home, he worked for his father on the farm and in the store until 1878, when he engaged in the grain business at Edison, Ohio.  After two years spent at that place he sold his interests there and then, in 1880, associated himself as a partner with Mozier Brothers in the grain and seed business at Mt. Gilead.  In 1890 Mozier Brothers sold their interest in the business, and the firm became Levering and Cover, which continued five years.  Afterward Mr. Cover continued the grain business, which claimed his attention until 1905, when he sold out to Wagoner Brothers.  Since that time he has conducted a seed business.  He has a three-fifths interest in the building in which his store in situated, and where he has a prosperous business, and he owns several residences in Mt. Gilead and one in Columbus, Ohio.
     Mr. Cover married Sarah Held, of Johnsville, Ohio, in 1879, and they have two sons: Donn, a clerk in the post office at Mt. Gilead, was born October 30, 1883, and Franklin, born October 22, 1895, has entered Mt. Gilead high school.
     Politically Mr. Cover is a Republican.  Religiously he is identified with the Methodist Episcopal church of Mt. Gilead, in which he is prominent and active, being a trustee and member of the official board.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 668-669Contributed 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.

ARTHUR CRAVEN is identified with Morrow county, Ohio, as one of its district school teachers, and as son and grandson of its respected citizens. He was born in Franklin township, this county, August 12, 1886. In due time he completed the district school course, and at the age of seventeen successfully passed the examination and received a teacher's certificate. He has taught school five years in Franklin township and two years in Gilead township. In the meantime he attended Wooster University, where he prepared himself for more efficient work as teacher, and in his chosen profession is meeting with marked success. A member of the Franklin Baptist church, Mr. Craven is active both in church and Sunday school work, for the past two years having been superintendent of the Sunday school.
     Mr. Craven is a son of E. J. and Sarah (James) Craven, who were married October 8, 1885, and who now reside on a portion of the old Craven home place.  E. J. Craven was born July 2, 1858, and began life for himself as a farm hand. By industry and careful economy he saved enough money with which to purchase some land, and he now owns eighty and a half acres, thirty-seven of which are a part of the old homestead. His father, Rodney Craven, a native of Loudoun county, Virginia, was born January 3, 1820; was reared to farm life and had the advantage of a good education. He came west to Ohio in 1843 and settled in Knox county, near Levering Station, where he remained three years. Then he removed to Harmony township and purchased a farm of one hundred and twenty acres; and he spent three years in Decatur county, Indiana. In his family were eleven children, namely: Virginia, William H., John A., James R., Reuben R., Winfield, Edward J., George, Laura, Alice and one that died in infancy. James R. and John A., at the ages respectively of seventeen and eighteen years, enlisted for duty in the Civil war the former joining Company S, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the latter, Company K, Eighty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; both died in the service. Mr. Craven's mother, Sarah E. (James) Craven, was born June 2, 1862, and is a descendant of one of the prominent old Virginia families who owned plantations and slaves. Her parents, Samuel and Ellen (Carrothers) James, were natives of Virginia; the former is now living in Cardington and the latter died in 1889. Arthur Craven married Miss Bernice S. Haldeman on February 22, 1911, and they are living in Troy township. Mrs. Cravens was educated in the common schools and is a graduate of the Johnsville High School, class of 1907. She taught in Perry and North Bloomfield townships about two years. She is a member of the United Brethren church in Troy township.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 575-576
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.

ADAM CRIDER. ––The substantial, progressive and well-to-do agriculturists of Morrow county have no more worthy representative than Adam Crider, who through his own exertions has met with success as a farmer and stock raiser and is now living retired from active pursuits at his pleasant home in Iberia, enjoying the fruits of his years of toil.  A son of Daniel Crider, he was born May 9, 1849, in Crawford county, Ohio, not far from Middletown.
     Born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, Daniel Crider came to Ohio in search of a favorable location, and having bought land in Crawford county was there employed in tilling the soil the remainder of his life.  He married Mary Horn, a native of Pennsylvania, and of their union eleven children were born, seven of whom are now, in 1910, living, as follows: Anna, wife of Hezekiah McClure, of Crawford county; Catherine, wife of Nathan Cooper, also of Crawford county; Lydia, wife of Adam Ashcroft; Louisa, of Leesville; Daniel, of Leesville; Adam, the subject of this brief sketch; and Joseph, of Denmark.
     As a boy and youth Adam Crider assisted in the labors incidental to farm life, obtaining a practical knowledge of the various branches of agriculture.  When ready to begin work as a wage earner he engaged for a time in railroading, afterwards becoming a tiller of the soil.  A man of untiring energy and ambition, possessing good judgment, he has met with more than average success in his labors as a farmer and stock raiser, and is now the owner of one hundred and thirteen acres of valuable land lying one mile north of Iberia, eighty acres being in Tully township.  He has been especially successful as a dealer in stock, buying, feeding and shipping hogs, an industry which he finds profitable when carried on judiciously.
     Mr. Crider married on November 21, 1876, Josephine Holmes, and they are the parents of four children, namely: Walter, who is married and lives in Tully township, Marion county; Clifford, married and living in Morrow county; Claudia, wife of Jay Auld, of Greene county; and Tamar, wife of James Nelson, of Marengo, Ohio.  Fraternally Mr. Crider is a member of Galion Lodge, No. 186, K. of P., and religiously he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 745-746
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JOSEPH CRIDER. ––In Canaan township, Morrow county, are many enterprising agriculturists who bring to their calling good business methods and excellent judgment and whose labors are crowned with success.  Noteworthy among this number is Joseph Crider, who for nearly a quarter of a century has been diligently improving his property, continually adding to its value, his present homestead, with its substantial buildings, giving ample evidence to the passer-by of his skill and good taste as a practical farmer and rural householder.  A son of the late Daniel Crider, he was born August 1, 1852, in Crawford county, Ohio, where his early life was spent.
     Daniel Crider was born, in 1803, in Pennsylvania, and died November 3, 1880, in Crawford county, Ohio, whither he removed soon after his marriage.  His wife, Mary Horn, was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania, and died in Ohio April 21, 1895.  Eleven children were born of this union, namely: Ann, born March 22, 1830; Catherine, born August 14, 1831; Barbara, born November 7, 1832; Lydia, born April 29, 1834; Elizabeth, born March 16, 1836; John born March 1, 1838; Mary, born September 16, 1840; Louisa, born June 16, 1843; Daniel, born July 11, 1845; Adam, born May 9, 1849; and Joseph, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned.
     Brought up on a farm, Joseph Crider attended the district school as a boy, gleaning a good knowledge of the common branches of study.  At the age of sixteen years he began life for himself, poor in pocket but rich in energy and ambition; with sturdy industry and judicial frugality he laboriously toiled onward and upward, rising by slow degrees from poverty to a condition of comparative affluence, since his marriage having had the cooperation of his wife, a woman of ability and judgment.  In 1887 Mr. Crider purchased one hundred acres of land in section twenty-one, Canaan township, and in its cultivation and improvement his efforts have been amply rewarded, his farm being one of the most attractive and valuable in the vicinity.
     On December 30, 1875, Mr. Crider was united in marriage with Elizabeth Russell, who was born March 1, 1853, in Crawford county, Ohio, on the farm of her parents, Perry R. and May (Gladhill) Russell.  Mr. and Mrs. Crider are the parents of five children, namely: Mary, born November 18, 1876, is the wife of John Hardman, of Canaan township; Bessie, born April 29, 1884, married Glenn Bolinger; Amanda, deceased; Florence, born February 10, 1894; and Paul, born November 29, 1896, died in infancy.
     Politically Mr. Crider is a sound Republican and genuinely interested in local and national affairs.  Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Denmark, Ohio.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 856-857
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

HARRY S. CRUIKSHANK, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, may be pointed out as an example of what a young man of thrift and enterprise can accomplish without initial capital and without financial backing to start an enterprise.  Some special mention of him is of interest in this connection and, briefly, a sketch of his life is as follows:
     Harry S. Cruikshank was born on a farm in Delaware county, Ohio, in September, 1872, a son of Stephen L. and Mary (Woodland) Cruikshank, natives of Morrow county, Ohio, and London England, respectively.  His boyhood was spent in farm work and in attendance at the district school near his home.  At the age of eighteen years, with his brother as partner, he began buying hay in Delaware county and shipping to market.  They began on a small scale, with practically no capital, and by close study of the situation and careful management of the 'business prospered from the very beginning of their undertaking.  They went into debt for their horses and hay baler, and it was necessary at times for them to borrow money, but they had good credit and they were careful to keep their credit good.  Good credit!––that, they regarded as the key to success.  Their partnership was continued four years.  In September, 1900, Harry S. came to Mt. Gilead, which has since been his headquarters, and where he is now conducting an extensive baled hay business.  In addition to operating at Mt. Gilead he buys, bales and makes shipments at other points, inluding [sic] Westville, Prospect and Waldo, Ohio.  From these places his annual shipments average in the neighborhood of a thousand carloads.
     Mr. Cruikshank has made profitable investments in large tracts of land in Tennessee and Georgia, and at home he is a stockholder and director in the National Bank of Morrow county.
     He lives with his family in West High street.  Mrs. Cruikshank, formerly Miss Grace Babcock, is a native of Marengo, Ohio.  They have two children, Robert G. and Harry B., the former born January 1, 1897––the latter, in April, 1907.
     Mr. Cruikshank casts his franchise with the Republican party, and is identified fraternally with the Masonic Order, having membership in Mt. Gilead Lodge, No. 169, F. and A. M.  He and his family attend worship at the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member of the Official Board.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – p. 498
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.

JOHN B. CULP. ––Numbered among the valued and highly esteemed residents of Morrow county is John B. Culp, a well-to-do agriculturist of Westfield township.  He was born June 7, 1838, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, a son of Andrew Culp.
     Andrew Culp, a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Cumberland county in 1809, and was reared to agricultural pursuits.  He carried on general farming in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, until about 1859, when he came with his family to Ohio, where he spent his remaining years, passing away February 10, 1890.  He married Leah Beam, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1812, and died in Ohio in February, 1867.  Eight children were born of their union, as follows: Catherine S., who married Michael Hoke; Fannie became the wife of John Phillips; Maria married Jacob Smith; Sarah became the wife of Edward Robinson; John B., the special subject of this brief personal review; Samuel, a soldier in the Civil war, died at Washington, D. C.; Simon and George.
     Growing to manhood on the home farm, John B. Culp obtained his education in the district schools, attending the winter terms only, his help being needed at home during seed time and harvest.  At the age of twenty years he came with the family to Ohio, locating in Marion county.  In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred And Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was assigned to the Twenty-third Army Corps, commanded by General William Tecumseh Sherman.  With his regiment he took part in numerous engagements, including the battles at Overalls Creek and Murfreesboro and the one at Wise’s Cross Road.  At Murfreesboro, Mr. Culp was wounded in the left foot, the bullet which penetrated it being still in his possession.  He now receives a pension of fifteen dollars a month.  Receiving his honorable discharge from service at the close of the war, Mr. Culp returned to Marion county, where he lived until 1866.  He subsequently spent a short time in Waldo, Mississippi, where he was an engineer and a blacksmith.  On coming to Morrow county, soon after his marriage, he settled in Westfield township, where he has since been prosperously engaged in tilling the soil, his well-kept farm of fifty acres lying five miles northwest of Ashley.
    Mr. Culp has been twice married.  He married Catherine Strine, who died in September, 1865, leaving no children.  Mr. Culp married for his second wife, November 6, 1866, Mrs. Margaret (Strine) Waddle, a sister of his first wife and the widow of Isaac Waddle, who at his death left her with three children, namely: John S. Waddle, born July 5, 1854; James G., born September 9, 1856; and Benjamin I., born September 11, 1858.
     Mrs. Culp’s father, John Strine, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and died in Marion county, Ohio, June 7, 1888.  He married Mary Monosmith, who was born in the same county, in 1807, and died in Marion county. Ohio, June 9, 1886.  They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Catherine, the first wife of Mr. Culp; Margaret, now Mrs. Culp, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, April 5, 1834; Elizabeth; Nancy J.; Mary M.; Jacob; John M.; James; Peter; Martin and Henderson.  Jacob, Peter and John M. all served as soldiers in the Civil war, Peter losing his life in the battle at Kenesaw Mountain.
     Mr. and Mrs. Culp have no children.  Politically Mr. Culp supports the principles of the Democratic party, and has filled various local offices to the satisfaction of the people, including those of township trustee and assessor.  He is well known throughout this section of the county, and both he and his estimable wife are held in high regard.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 757-758
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

  JESSE B. CULVER. ––Prominent among the leading citizens of Morrow county is Jesse B. Culver, who owns and occupies one of the most desirable homesteads in Bennington township.  It comprises two hundred and seventy-five acres of fertile land under excellent cultivation, and with its comfortable and convenient set of buildings is very attractive, indicating to what good purpose the proprietor has employed his time and means.  Here his entire life has been passed, his birth having occurred on this farm July 15, 1846.  He is desended [sic] from a New England family of stability and worth, his father, William Culver, having been born in New Haven, Connecticut.
     Left fatherless when but two years old, William Culver remained at home until sixteen years of age, when he was seized with the wander lust, and traveled through a large part of the southern portion of the United States.  Returning from the Southland, he passed through what is now Morrow county, Ohio, making the entire journey on foot and becoming well acquainted with the country.  While in the South, at a hotel in Big Springs, Alabama, he was robbed by his landlord of the four hundred and fifty dollars money that he had, but friendly Indians subsequently recovered his money for him, returning it intact.  In 1822 he again visited Morrow county, with which he had been so pleased when passing through, and here entered eighty-four and one-half acres of land from the government.  Erecting a log cabin in the midst of the wilderness, he began the task of clearing a farm, and on the homestead which he improved spent the remainder of his days, dying at a venerable age, in 1881.  He was a successful farmer and trader, and also loaned money.  After the formation of the Republican party, he was one of its strongest supporters, and as a public-spirited and able man was held in high esteem.  He married, in what was then Delaware county, Ohio, but is now Morrow county, Elizabeth Bennett, who was born in Orange county, New York, and came with her parents to Ohio when a girl.  Of their family of five boys and four girls, but two children are now, in 1911, living, namely: Jesse B., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned, and Mrs. Sarah M. Chase, of Marengo.  The mother survived her husband about four years, passing away in 1885.
     Brought up on the home farm, Jesse B. Culver attended the public schools quite regularly until fifteen years old, when he began assisting his father in the management of the homestead property.  He subsequently commenced buying and selling stock, building up a thriving business as a trader and continuing it until 1908, when he retired from active pursuits, being forced to do so on account of ill health.  Mr. Culver has since lived retired from active business, his previous accumulations of money enabling him now to enjoy a well-deserved leisure.  He has other interests, however, being one of the stockholders of the Marengo Banking Company.  He has been influential in agricultural matters, and for fifteen years was one of the directors of the Morrow County Fair.
     Mr. Culver married, September 17, 1878, Nettie Boner, who was born March 6, 1855, in Utica, Licking county, Ohio, and was there reared and educated, attending the common and the Union schools.  She subsequently taught school several terms before her marriage, for a time teaching in South Bloomfield township, Morrow county.  Their only child, Daisy, born March 16, 1880, is now the wife of A. E. Osborn, of Bennington township.
     Mr. Culver is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church at Bloomfield, which he has served as trustee, and he is now treasurer of the Bloomfield Cemetery Association.  He is prominently identified with the Republican party, and has never shirked the responsibilities of public office.  He has filled various township offices, serving as county commissioner for six years and nine months, from early in 1892 until the latter part of 1898, and at the present time is justice of the peace.  Fraternally Mr. Culver is a member of Chester Lodge, No. 238, Free and Accepted Masons; of Sparta Lodge, No. 268, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand; and of Marengo Lodge, No. 216, Knights of Pythias.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 826-829
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

LEE S. CUNARD. ––Many of the ablest men in America are ardent devotees of the great basic industry of agriculture and it is well that this is so because the various learned professions are rapidly becoming so crowded with inefficient practitioners that in a few years it will be practically impossible for any but the exceptionally talented man to make good or even to gain a competent living therein.  The independent farmer who in addition to tilling the soil cultivates his mind and retains his health is a man much to be envied in the days of strenuous bustle and nervous energy.  He lives his life as he chooses and is always safe from financial ravages and other troubles of the so-called “cliff dweller.”  An able and representative agriculturist who has much to advance progress and conserve prosperity in Morrow county, Ohio, is Lee S. Cunard, who owns and operates a finely improved farm in Lincoln township.
     Lee S. Cunard was born in Lincoln township, near Fulton, Morrow county, Ohio, the date of his birth being October 1, 1881.  He is a son of Alexander H. and Virginia A. (Craven) Cunard, both of whom are now deceased and both of whom were born and reared in Loudoun county, Virginia, whence they came to the old Buckeye state of the Union in an early day.  Judge Stephen T. Cunard, grandfather of him whose name initiates this review, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, on the 3rd of February, 1803.  In early life Judge Cunard entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter’s trade; his preliminary educational training was of a primitive nature but in due time he supplemented the same with extensive reading and eventually became a learned man.  He was a son of Edward and Edith (Thatcher) Cunard, both of whom were likewise natives of the Old Dominion state.  Edward Cunard sacrificed his life in the war of 1812, in which he was a lieutenant.  He witnessed the entrance of the British troops into the national capital and participated in many important battles marking the progress of the war.  Prior to his military service he was a civil engineer, in which profession he prosecuted a good livelihood.  His father was Edward Cunard, Sr., a gallant soldier in the war of the Revolution.  The Cunard family traces its ancestry back to the Hirsts, of Yorkshire, England, the original progenitor of the name in America having come to this country in the year 1680, location having been made in the vicinity of Baltimore, Maryland.
     The paternal grandmother of Lee S. Cunard, of this review, was Vashti B. (James) Cunard, a native of Loudon county, Virginia, born in 1805.  She was a daughter of David and Charlotte (Bradfield) James, who came to Ohio at an early day.  The marriage of Judge Cunard to Vashti B. James was solemnized in Virginia on the 26th of November, 1826, and they removed to Ohio in 1835, settling in the wilds of Lincoln township, Morrow county, then known as Delaware county.  The trip across the mountains into Ohio was made in an old fashioned carry-all, in which were driven the mother and small children, together with such portable goods as the family possessed, the father walking the entire distance.  Judge Cunard secured a farm of about one hundred acres near Mt. Gilead and there constructed a rude log house, which was the family habitation for a number of years.  He was a Whig in politics originally, but later gave his allegiance to the Republican party.  At the time of the organization of Morrow county, in 1848, Stephen T. Cunard was appointed associate judge of the court of common pleas and later he became a member of the state board of equalization for the senatorial district comprising the counties of Knox and Morrow.  At the time of the inception of the Civil war he aligned himself as a stanch supporter of the Union cause and he was a man of prominence and influence throughout his entire life in Ohio.  He was summoned to eternal rest on the 3rd of March, 1881, his cherished and devoted wife having passed away on the 6th of May, 1871.
     To Judge and Mrs. Cunard were born four sons and two daughters, concerning whom the following brief data is here incorporated: Mary C., became the wife of Orman Kingman, of Lincoln township; Captain Ludwell M. was long engaged in farming in Morrow county; Henry E. is deceased; Thomas C., resides near Fulton, this county; Alexander H., was the father of the subject of this review; and Amanda E., who married Dr. A. E. Westbrook, of Ashley, is deceased.  All of the sons were soldiers in the Union army in the Civil war, Ludwell M. and Alexander H. having been members of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Henry E. was a member of Company I, Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and he lost his life in the battle of Perryville on the 8th of October, 1862.  Thomas C. was a soldier in the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  Alexander H. Cunard was born on the 22nd of August, 1845, and he was a farmer by occupation.  He married Miss Virginia A. Craven and they became the parents of two children: Orria V., who resides with the subject of this sketch; and Lee S., to whom this article is dedicated.  The mother is a descendant of an old Virginia family and she long survived her honored husband and died on the 14th of September, 1909.  As previously noted, the father was a soldier in the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Civil war.  From the effects of extreme exposure suffered at the battle of Stone river he contracted pulmonary consumption and as a result of this dread malady he died in 1886.
     Lee S. Cunard was reared to adult age on the old home farm on which he now resides, and he received his education in the public schools of Lincoln township.  He was a child of but four years of age at the time of his father’s death and as he was an only son he was early obliged to assume the practical responsibilities of life.  He relieved his mother of the management of the old farmstead and he and his sister continued to maintain their home with the aged mother until her death, in 1909.  The sister now keeps house and Mr. Cunard works and manages the farm.  Orria V. owns seventy-three acres of land in Lincoln township, where they reside, and Mr. Cunard has a farm of eighty-seven acres near Cardington.  The sister is a woman of most gracious personality, is prominent in charitable work in this section and is a zealous member of the Baptist church.
     In his political adherency Mr. Cunard is a stanch advocate of the principles promulgated by the Republican party and while he has never manifested aught of ambition for political preferment of any description he is ever on the alert to help along any measure advanced for the good of the community and the county at large.  He is a general farmer and stock-raiser and holds prestige as one of the ablest agriculturists in Lincoln township.  Fraternally he is affiliated with Bennington Lodge, No. 433, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.  Lee Cunard is now a student in the Landon School of Art and Cartooning, at Cleveland, Ohio, and he has been a student therein for two years.  He is a man of philanthropical tendencies and he and his sister are prominent and popular factors in connection with the best social activities of the community.  They are both unmarried.
Source:  History of Morrow County, Ohio by A. J. Baughman - Vol. II - Chicago-New York: The Lewis Publishing Co. - 1911 – pp. 866-868
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

CAPT. LUDWELL M. CUNARD. ––It is with distinctive satisfaction that the biographist directs attention to the life history of him whose name initiates this review, for not only is the record of personal worth and accomplishment such as bears its lesson, but in the tracing of his ancestral history there issue many points of interest, ––a narrative that tells of honest and industrious sons of the American republic, that gives intimation of the deeds of loyal men who gave themselves to the defending of their country in time of warfare, and that speaks of the incidental conquests which have been gained in the “piping times of peace.”
     The father of our subject, Judge Stephen T. Cunard, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, February 3, 1803.  He grew to manhood in his native county, receiving a somewhat limited education; he worked at the carpenter’s trade in his early life.  He was a son of Edward and Edith (Thacher) Cunard, both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion State, the former of whom was a Lieutenant in the war of 1812, in which service he offered up his life.  He witnessed the entrance of the British troops into the national capital, and was an observer of their impious depredations.  He had been a civil engineer.  Edward Cunard was the son of Edward, Sr., who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution.  The family traces its origin back to the Hirsts, of Yorkshire, England, the first representatives of that line having settled in the American colonies as early as 1680, and the original of the branch to which our subject traces his lineage having located near Baltimore, Maryland.
     The mother of Ludwell M. Cunard was Vashti B. (James) Cunard, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1805, the daughter of David and Charlotte (Bradfield) James, who left the Old Dominion and became pioneers of the State of Ohio, whither they came at a very early period.  Stephen T. Cunard and Vashti B. James were married, in their native State, November 26, 1826, and in 1835 they came to Ohio and settled in the woods of Lincoln township, in that part of Delaware county which was later made a part of the present county of Morrow.  At that time the section was an almost unbroken forest, with here and there the rude cabin of a hardy and courageous settler.  In 1836 there were twenty-eight votes cast at the general election in Lincoln township, and Judge Cunard was one of that number.  At the time of his death, in 1881, there were just three of this original number of voters still living, and the last survivor was gathered to his fathers in 1891, namely Christian Stovenour.
     When Stephen T. Cunard started out from his native State on the eventful journey to the frontier forests of Ohio, he brought with him his wife and two children, and all their earthly possessions.  The means of transportation employed was an old-fashioned carryall, in which the devoted wife rode in state, with her infant son (the subject of this sketch) on her lap, and his sister, who was somewhat his senior, by her side.  This sister is still living, the widow of the late Orman Kingman, of Lincoln township, and to her specific reference is made elsewhere in this volume.  In this primitive equipage the little family was transported from Loudoun county, Virginia, to their destination in this county, their route being along the line of the old national turnpike road as far as Wheeling, West Virginia.  The entire financial resources of the family were summed up in $50., which the devoted wife and mother carried in her pocket, the father having walked the entire distance and cared for his dear ones with utmost solicitude.
     Reaching their destination the father prepared a habitation for the family, erecting a little log cabin, 16 x 20 feet in dimensions, at a point five miles south of the present flourishing town of Mt. Gilead, which place was named by Daniel James, an uncle of the mother of the subject of this sketch.  The father secured 100 acres of wild land and at once essayed the task of clearing and improving the same.  This he did in time, and as he was careful, methodical and a good manager, success attended his efforts, and he became one of the prominent and substantial farmers of the section.  He was originally a Whig in politics, but upon the organization of the Republican party he gave to it his support, taking an active interest in the work of the local organization and keeping in close touch with the issues of the day.
     At the time Morrow county was organized, in 1848, he was appointed Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, under the old constitution, and later on he was a member of the State Board of Equalization for the senatorial district comprising the counties of Knox and Morrow.  During the progress of the late civil war he maintained an earnest interest in the Union cause, any lent effective aid in many ways.  The death of our subject’s mother occurred May 6, 1871, and that of the revered father March 3, 1881.
     Stephen T. Cunard and wife became the parents of four sons and two daughters of whom we offer the following brief record: Mary C. is the relict of the late Orman Kingman, of Lincoln township, whose memoir appears on another page; Ludwell M., subject of this review; Henry E., deceased; Thomas C. married Hannah Wiseman, and resides near Fulton, this county Alexander H. is deceased; Amanda E. is: the deceased wife of Dr. A. E. Westbrook of Ashley, Delaware county, and was the mother of three children.  The mother of our subject was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The father stood high in the fraternal order of Masonry, and his influence was always on the side of morality and true Christianity.  He was man of noble impulses, a true patriot, an indulgent father and a kind husband.  All of his sons were soldiers in the late civil war.  Our subject and Alexander were members of the Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the latter suffered an extreme exposure at the battle of Stone River.  From the effects of this exposure the dread disease of pulmonary consumption was superinduced, and as a result of this malady he died, in 1886, leaving a wife and two children.  Henry E. was Captain of Company I, Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862.  Thomas C., was a member of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
     Ludwell M. Cunard, the immediate subject of this sketch, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, December 31, 1834, and was an infant when his parents came to Ohio.  His educational discipline was gained in the primitive log school house, which nestled in the beech forests of Lincoln township, this county.  He remained on the paternal homestead until he attained his majority, lending a willing hand to the clearing and improving of the farm.
     December 6, 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary M. Rose, daughter of James and Nancy (Gordon) Rose, both of whom were natives of Perry county, Ohio, in which county they were married in 1832.  They settled near Fremont, Sandusky county (then Lower Sandusky), in the “Black Swamps,” now the finest part of the State.  Here they developed a good farm.  In 1853 they removed to Lincoln township, this county, and settled on a farm, which Mr. Rose subsequently sold and then retired from active business, taking up his abode in Cardington, this county, where he died January 17, 1890, his widow passing away on the 13th of the following February.  They were the parents of eleven children, of whom we make mention as follows: David Calvin Rose, was Captain of Company E, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died December 26, 1861, while on duty with his company, leaving a widow and two children, all of whom are now deceased; James M., was a member of the same company, and is now Probate Judge of Chase county, Kansas; Henry N., was also a member of Company E., and is now a resident of Nebraska; John M. was a member of the Tenth Ohio Cavalry, and is now a resident of Miami county, Kansas; Edward L., also a member of the Tenth Cavalry, is deceased; Charles J., a soldier in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, lives in Florida; Alonzo J., who served in the Third Cavalry, is a resident of Delaware county; Mary M., is the wife of our subject; Martha A., is the wife of Geshem H. Mosher, of Delaware county; Eliza S., is the wife of Elizy S. Curl, of Cardington township.  The parents were members of the Methodist Church, and the father served as Justice of the Peace for a full quarter of a century and as Commissioner of Sandusky county four terms, being an ardent Republican and a public-spirited man.
     Mrs. Cunard was born in Sandusky county, December 1, 1835, and received her education in the district schools of that locality.  After his marriage our subject rented of his father a farm of 600 acres and worked early and late in its cultivation, his efforts being attended with success.
     In August, 1861, he enlisted as a member of Company E, Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which command he served for two years, being mustered out as Second Lieutenant.  After the war he returned to his home and formed a partnership with his father in the operation of their extensive farm, ––this association maintaining until. 1878.  In the meanwhile our subject had secured in his own right a farm of 225 acres, and on this place he continued to reside until 1881, when he purchased his present attractive residence in Mt. Gilead, and retired from active business life.
     Mr. and Mrs. Cunard are the parents of three children, namely: Millard Fillmore, married Eva Ensign, has two children and resides at Granville, this State; Nancy Crittenden is the wife of J. F. Gardner, of Lincoln township, and has eight children; Rosecrans M., is the wife of Dr. A. E. Westbrook, of Ashley, Delaware county.  Mr. and Mrs. Cunard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He was made a Master Mason in 1861, in Mt. Gilead Lodge, No. 206; and in 1882 he took the Chapter degrees and is a member of Gilead Chapter, No. 59, being Past High Priest of the same.  He holds a certificate of honorable membership in American Union Lodge, No. 1, F. & A. M., the same stating that the preferment was granted him “for distinguished Masonic services in behalf of American Union Lodge, No. 1.”  He is a charter member of James St. John Post, No. 282, G. A. R., of Cardington, and also a charter member of Hurd Post, No. 114, of Mt. Gilead, being a Past Commander of the order.  In politics Mr. Cunard is a stanch, uncompromising Republican, supporting his party in every instance, even those of minor sort.  During the later years of his life he has devoted some of his leisure time to literature.  He has written several poems for publication, two of which we take pleasure in inserting in this sketch of one who has not only a delicate sense of the sublime, but also a taste for genuine irony, as the two following poems are evidence:

A DAY DREAM.

BY L. M. CUNARD.

To-day, in pleasing reveries, I lived o’er
  My childhood’s happy hours;
Methought I played ’round father’s cabin door,
  And gathered sweet wild flowers.
I thought I saw again my mother’s face,
  That same sweet smile was there,
And, as of yore, I saw so plain the trace
  Of toil and anxious care.

I saw again our play-house, down the lane.
  Just as in olden time,
And then I fancied that I heard again
  The cow-bell’s evening chime.
I heard the plaintive song the whip-poor-will
  At sunset used to sing,
And saw the oak tree, as of old, there still,
  (The one we called “the King.”)

The same old well, the windlass, rope and chain,
  I saw in my day dream;
I heard the old clock calling off again
  The miles from life’s swift stream.
The wide old cabin fire-place––sight so grand––
  The children all were there,
I felt the gentle touch of mother’s hand;
  (Why starts this blinding tear?)

I looked above the old log cabin door,
  And saw the robins’ nest,
Then heard a song I’d often heard before;
  Life’s cares my soul oppressed.
I will not, can not, now that song repeat,
  A charm is in each word;
It soothes my heart with melody more sweet
  Than ancient shepherds heard.

O, pleasing day dreams, happy reveries,
  Sweet solace of my life,
Brood o’er my soul; such holy memories
  Obscure these scenes of strife.
In these day dreams 1 am a child again,
  And mother smiles on me;
New life seems pulsing through each sluggish vein,
  A joyous ecstacy.

A REPROBATED INFANT ON REVISION.

Listen, O ye Synods, hear me on revision,
  I have somewhat on that subject to declare,
And I pray you, ere you hand down your decision,
  Hear a voice which comes from regions of despair.
I was once a blue-eyed infant, and my charms
  Were a doting mother’s pride, so oft she pressed
Fondest kisses on my cheeks, while loving arms
  Folded her own darling’s image to her breast.

I was fated by those blest “decrees eternal,”
  With the “reprobated angels” to be damned;
“For the glory of the Father,” the infernal
  Regions are with infants not a span long crammed.
And from year to year “the smoke of our torment”-ing
  Is ascending, incense sweet before the Lord.
We’re a seething mass of “non-elect” fermenting
  In this lava-bed, a hopeless, howling horde.

And our “number is so certain;” (hear the story),
  In God’s councils long before your world was made,
Our Creator thought he’d “manifest his glory,”
  And the prank “predestination” somehow played.
I know it seems unrighteous and unfeeling
  To be “foreordained to everlasting death,”
But remember, don’t forget it, there’s no healin
  For the soul when God uncorks his bottled wrath.

When two summers o’er my head had sweetly vanished
  I was destined, or decreed, I know not which,
From the joys of earth and heaven to be banished
  Where no hope, nor love, nor mercy cannot reach.
Here I mingle with the reprobated luggage,
  Dumped together in accord with the “decrees;”
The last arrival was one Davis and his baggage,
  From his quarters in a southern diocese.

My dear mother, to eternal bliss elected,
  Up in glory, over yonder, looks on me;
Heaven’s beauty, heaven’s grandeur is reflected
  To augment, a thousand fold, my misery.
Wisdom, mercy, love so boundless, in ordaining
  Those for bliss, and these for endless pain and woe,
Was to teach the creature God intends maintaining
  His “sovereignty” while ages come and go.

For the glory of “the Father of all mercies”
  Here we languish while eternity shall roll,
Not a reprobated creature ever here sees
  Nor feels a moment’s pleasure in his soul.
Profound pleasure hath Jehovah in our wailing,
  And complacently He smiles when He looks down,
To behold another reprobate come sailing
  To abide eternally ’neath Satan’s frown.

So “unchangeably designed” from the beginning,
  And “particularly” fixed by the “decrees,”
Is our portion, that to think thus late of winning
  An amendment is a species of disease
Akin to that of Saul, when he went killing
  The Amalikitish infants.  Simple Saul,
With his appetite for mutton, was unwilling
  To slaughter Agog’s sheep, so saved them all.

God and Samuel both were wroth with such behavior,
  Saul’s mistake was in amending God’s decree;
When the cranky king assumed to be a Saviour,
  He transcended all the bounds of decency.
And when Samuel heard the lowing of the cattle,
  And the bleating sheep and lambs beyond the gate,
He gave Saul a good sound cursing, for the battle
  Was of God; the orders, “kill, annihilate.”

So I charge you, yes, I warn you, use discretion;
  Do not tinker with “God’s fixed eternal laws;”
Pray don’t meddle with the sacred old “Confession,”
  Hands off, Elders, don’t attempt to patch a clause.
Think of Saul, ––hist, here comes Satan, I expect he
  Heard me talking non-revision; if so be,
He’ll order Pluto, with his imps, to inject me
  Full of brimstone; good-bye, Elders, pity me.

—[L. M. C.

Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 168-172
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.

PRESLEY CURTIS, who has long been concerned with the agricultural industries of Cardington township, Morrow county, Ohio, has passed his entire life in the Buckeye State, and his memory traverses the long years intervening between the pioneer days and this end of the century period.
     His father, Samuel Curtis, was born near Leesburg, Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1794, a son of Barnabas Curtis, who is thought to have been a native of Massachusetts.  The latter was one of seven brothers who settled along the Ohio river, and their history from that time is obscure, no records concerning them being extant.  The father of our subject was a soldier in the war of 1812.  He married Melinda Sinclair, who was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, in 1789.  Their marriage was consummated in Belmont county, Ohio, where they settled and made their permanent home.  Prior to his marriage, the father had learned the cooper’s trade at Elliott’s Mills, Virginia, and he followed this line of occupation for some time, after which he purchased a six-horse team and engaged in transporting goods to the West, as Ohio was then known, before the national turnpike road had been built.  After his marriage he settled in Kirkwood township, Belmont county, Ohio, the date of such location having been 1824.  Here he had purchased land of the Government, the farm being heavily wooded, stony and entirely unreclaimed.  Our subject has in his possession the original deed of this land, the same having been signed by President Andrew Jackson.  The father cleared and improved the farm, and was a quite extensive land owner at the time of his death, which occurred in 1868.  His widow, who had been a cripple for seventeen years, died in 1872.
     They were the parents of seven children, five of whom are now living, namely: Mary Jones, of Hendrysburgh, Belmont county, Ohio; Isaac, of Harrison county, this State; Margaret Ann Forman, of Belmont county; Presley, subject of this review; and Samuel, a resident of Belmont county.
     Presley Curtis was born in Kirkwood township, Belmont county, Ohio, May 24, 1830, and there remained until he had attained man’s estate.  In January, 1856, he was united in marriage to Harriet H. Romans, who was born in Flushing township, Belmont county, January 25, 1834, the only daughter of Harrison D. and Louisa (Haynes) Romans, pioneer settlers in that county.  They also became the parents of one son, Harvey A. Romans.
     After his marriage our subject settled on his father’s farm, where he remained for seven years, after which he purchased a farm in Flushing township, the same county, devoting himself to its cultivation for three years.  February 14, 1864, he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied his regiment to Kentucky, where they were assigned duty in guarding railroad lines.  He served in this way until October of the same year, and then returned home, sick.  As a result of his service his health was quite seriously impaired for a year after his discharge.
      Mr. Curtis came to Morrow county in April, 1866, and settled on his present farm, which comprises 125 acres, all under effective cultivation and devoted to mixed farming.  Our subject has given special attention to the raising of stock, and has been very successful in this line of enterprise.  He has dealt largely in live-stock, and drove cattle into the leading markets before railroad transportation was to be had.
     Mr. and Mrs. Curtis became the parents of three children, two of whom are living, namely: Alva E., who married Ada Frye, lives in Cardington, this county, and has two children; and Rev. Emmet H., who married Lizzie, the daughter of F. C. Stanley, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume, is a resident of Gravity, Iowa, and has one child.  Mrs. Curtis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Fraternally our subject is identified with James St. John Post, G. A. R., of Cardington.
     Mr. Curtis was a school teacher in early manhood, and he has ever maintained a lively interest in educational work, giving his children exceptional advantages.  He has been School Director for many years, having held this preferment in Belmont county.  In politics he supports the principles advocated by the Republican party, and has been quite an active worker, though in no sense an office seeker.
Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 172-174
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.