BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Richland Co., Ohio -
from 1808 to 1908
Vol. I & II
by A. J. Baughman -
Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co.
1908
| |
REV.
WILLIAM O. SCOTT. Although now living quietly in
Butler in the filial care of his own and his wife's father,
Rev. William O. Scott has devoted much of his life to the
work of the ministry and in the church has done effective
service for the advancement of moral and spiritual interests.
He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Mar. 20, 1856, and is the
son of Thomas H. and Margaret M. (Lyons) Scott. His
paternal grandfather was William Scott, a native of
Ireland, and the family was founded in America about 1770.
Settling in Pennsylvania on his arrival in the new world,
William Scott was married in that state, his wife, Miss
Susana Scott, being a native of Pennsylvania, whence they
removed the Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1800. This state had not
then been admitted to the Union. The Indians far
outnumbered the white settlers and it seemed that the seeds of
civilization had hardly been planted here, but Mr. and Mrs.
Scott bravely faced the dangers and hardships of pioneer
life and aided in laying broad and deep a foundation upon which
has been builded the present prosperity and progress of the
commonwealth. Mr. Scott passed away in Jefferson
county in 1832 at the age of fifty-two years, while his wife
died in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in 1865, at the age of
eighty-five years.
In their family were twelve children, but Thomas H.
Scott, the father of our subject, is the only one now
living. He was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, Jan. 12,
1820, and was reared amid the wild scenes and environments of
pioneer life. Having arrived at years of maturity he was
married on the 25th of November, 1847, to Miss Margaret M.
Lyons, whose birth occurred May 1, 1829. In his youth
Thomas H. Scott attended the public schools and
afterwards began teaching, which profession he followed during
the winter terms for seven years. During the period of the
Civil war, however, he put aside business and professional cares
and offered his services to the government, enlisting in 1864 as
a member of Company F, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days. During this time
he was engaged in guarding prisoners at Fort Delaware and on the
15th of September, 1864, he was mustered out. For a
considerable period in his early life he devoted his time and
energy to general agricultural pursuits and in 1867 he joined
the Muskingum annual conference of the Methodist Protestant
church, with which he was connected for fifteen years, preaching
at different places during that period. He is still
connected therewith, being now superannuated. For the past
ten yeas he has divided his time between the homes of his son
and daughter. He is a remarkably well preserved man for
one of his age and his mental faculties seem as yet undimmed.
He has always been a student and a thinker and has kept abreast
with the times in all matters of general progress.
He is now living with his son, William, at the very
venerable age of eighty-eight years, while his wife passed away
Apr. 14, 1906. They were the parents of six children:
Albert G. and Andrew M., both of whom are now deceased;
Ida B., who has also passed away; William O., of this
review; Ella L., the wife of Charles G. Busbee, of
Fairfield county, Ohio; and Frank S., deceased.
William O. Scott was reared in his native county
and as a boy trudged off each morning to the district school and
therein mastered the common branches of learning. The
periods of vacation were largely devoted to farm work and when
eighteen years of age he began teaching school, following the
profession for eight years and proving a capable educator, his
ability being manifest in the readiness with which he imparted
to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He then took
up the work of the ministry and joined the Muskingum Annual
Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church in 1882.
Three years later he came to Butler as pastor of the church of
that denomination at this place. He afterward accepted a
call from the church at Wellsville, Ohio, but in 1896 returned
to Butler, where he has since made his home. He is supernumerary
assistant to the pastor here and is on the retired list for the
time being that he may care for his own and his wife's father
during the evening of their lives. When circumstances
permit, however, he will again take up the active work of the
ministry, for his interest in the work has never abated nor his
zeal for the cause slackened. He now controls one hundred
acres of land, of which he owns one-third, and from which he
derives a good rental. His portion lies within the
corporation limits of Butler.
Mr. Scott has been married twice. On the
1st of June, 1887, he wedded Margaret Craig, who was born
July 21, 1865, and died in September, 1896. Following her
demise he married her sister, Miss Marilla A. Craig, on
the 28th of September, 1897. She was born Mar. 19, 1861,
and by this marriage there is one child. Paul Craig Scott,
born Nov. 6, 1898. Mrs. Scott is a daughter
of James A. and Mary Ann (Eicher) Craig. The father
was born Oct. 17, 1826, and makes his home with Mr. and Mrs.
Scott, as does the former's father. Mr. Craig's
parents were Joseph and Margaret (Spear) Craig. The
former was born Jan. 29, 1797, in Pennsylvania, and died on what
is now the Scott home in Butler, July 7, 1887, at the venerable
age of ninety years and six months. His wife, who was born
in the Keystone State, October 29, 1801, died here, May
11, 1884, at the age of eighty-two years and six months.
The family is noted for longevity. Mrs. Scott's
grandfather, Joseph Craig, came to Richland county in
1828 and purchased eighty acres of land, which constitutes a
part of what is now the Scott farm. IN the midst of
the unbroken wilderness he built a log cabin, which was without
windows or doors until after Christmas, blankets being hung up
at the openings for protection. Here the family lived in
true pioneer style and when company came they utilized pumpkins
for chairs. Upon this farm is a spring which has been
piped into Butler and furnishes water for a large portion of the
population. Joseph Craig continued to follow
farming throughout life and was one of the most scientific and
successful agriculturists of this section. His son,
James Craig, conducted a tanyard in Butler for many years
and also took contracts for clearing timber from land. He
would buy land, clear it of timber and then sell it again, and
in this way made a good profit on his investment. He has
now reached the evening of his life and in his declining days
has the care and tender devotion of his daughter and son-in-law.
When twelve years of age Mary Ann (Eicher) Craig's
mother became an invalid and the daughter not only cared for her
during life, but took her place at the loom and spinning-wheel
during winter months but was able to reap as many dozens of
grain with the sickle as any man. Besides her own home
duties she promptly and cheerfully responded to the many summons
from the sickrooms throughout the neighborhood. Her home
beside the spring on the hillside was ever open to the minister
of the gospel, her purse and pantry to the hungry, her sympathy
and love to the tempted and sorrowing, and her words of counsel
and fervent prayers a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by
night around and about her home and kindred. To her the
words of Scripture might have been aptly given: "She
seeketh wool and flax and worketh willingly with her hands.
"She riseth also awhile it is yet night, and giveth
meat to her household and a portion to her maidens.
"She stretcheth out her hand to the poor: yea, she
reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
"She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is
the law of kindness.
"Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband
also, and he praiseth her." - Proverbs 31:13031.
Mrs. Scott is a graduate of the high school at
Fort Wayne, Indiana, of the class of 882, and in early womanhood
she engaged in teaching near mount Vernon, Ohio, and
successfully followed that profession until she had to give up
her school work to care for her father and mother. She has
taken care of nine old people in all each one being over seventy
years of age. In this regard she is certainly doing a
noble work and one which entitles her to the esteem and
admiration of all with whom she has been brought in contact.,
She is the youngest of a family of six children: David,
now deceased; Atchison D., living in Richmond, Indiana;
Arminda J., the wife of W. Montis, of Des Moines,
Iowa; Margaret, who was the first wife of Mr. Scott;
Jerusha M., the wife of Francis J. Kanaga,
of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Mrs. Marilla A. Scott.
Both Mr. and Mrs Scott are held in the
highest esteem by reason of lives that are exemplary in many
respects. Their influence has ever been on the side of
right and progress, of justice and truth, and with them
Christianity is a matter of daily living and not of Sunday
observance alone. It is manifest in their relations with
all with whom they come in contact and their unfaltering
fidelity to the principles in which they believe.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by A.
J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg, 965 |
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WEBSTER H. SHRYOCK,
one of the best known citizens of Richland county has sine
1901 been president of the County Agricultural Society. He
is also identified with several business enterprises of
importance, wherein capable management, keen discernment and
unflagging enterprise are constituting the elements in his
success. He has been a resident of the county since 1877,
in which year he located in Springfield township. His
birth occurred in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia on the 12th
of February, 1858, his parents being Jacob N. and Mary E.
(Dinges) Shryock.
Jacob N. Shryock was a merchant and during his
boyhood days Webster H. Shryock assisted him in
the store. He also pursued his education in the public
schools and at the age of nineteen years came to Ohio. He
followed farming for one year in Morrow county. He has
lived in Richland county for thirty-one years and for two years
was employed at farm labor, after which he began the cultivation
of a rented farm. Later he bought sixty-five acres in
Jackson township, which he afterward sold and subsequently
invested in twenty-five acres in Springfield township.
This he still owns, together with city property. He
furthermore derives a good income from his investment in
mercantile liens. In 1903, at Ontario, in association with
Robert M. Taylor, he established a machinery company and
now owns and conducts a store for the sale of machinery, buggie,
harness, implements, fertilizers, flour, etc. In 1906 the
firm established a similar house in Mansfield, where the
business is still being carried on, the trade having already
reached extensive and profitable proportions.
In 1879 Mr. Shryock was married to Miss Mary
J. Haffich, of Springfield township, Richland county, and
they have four children: Hoyt S., who is
superintendent of the golf grounds of Mansfield; Eula N.,
a teacher in the Company; and Mary Goldie, who is a
high-school student.
Mr. Shryock is a member of the Knights of
Pythias fraternity and also belongs to the Highland Grange.
He has always been deeply interested in the agricultural
development of the community and has done effective work in its
behalf. For years he has served as a director of the
Richland County Agricultural Society and in 1901 was elected its
president, since which time he has been continued in the
position by reelection. For five years he has been a
member of the school board of Springfield township and the cause
of education. For five years he has been a member of the
school board of Springfield township and the cause of education
finds in him a stalwart champion. He has a wide
acquaintance in the county of his adoption and his fidelity to
duty in all life's relations has gained him the regard of his
fellowmen in a high degree. Among his friends he is a
genial, social gentleman of cordial disposition, and his friends
esteem him highly for his genuine worth.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg, 609 |
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ALEXANDER
STEEL was one of the industrious and enterprising
agriculturists of Richland county, where he owned and operated
one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 6, Jefferson
township. In all he has six farms, aggregating seven
hundred and twenty-five acres. He brought this farm under
a high state of cultivation. He was numbered among
Richland county's native sons, his birth having here occurred
Nov. 20, 1821. At that time the county bore little
resemblance to the improved and thickly settled district which
we see today. There were still many evidences of frontier
life here and amid pioneer experiences Alexander Steel
was reared while spending his boyhood days in the home of his
parents, James and Elizabeth (Thissel) Steel. His
father was a native of Ireland, whence he came to the new world,
but the mother was born in Pennsylvania. There family
numbered seven children, two sons and five daughters. The
sons, John and Alexander, are both now deceased and all
of the daughters have passed away with the exception of Mrs.
Caroline Tobias, who is living in Rochelle, Illinois.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the
routine of farm life for Alexander Steel in his boyhood
and youth. He worked in the fields and acquired his
education in the public schools He always followed the
occupations of farming and stock-dealing and became one of the
prosperous agriculturists of his community.
On the 26th of March, 1867, he was united in Marriage
to Miss Emma E. Hosack, who was his second wife.
She was born in Richland county, Oct. 15, 1838, and was a
daughter of Adam and Margaret (Stout) Hosack. Her parents
were natives of Pennsylvania and came to this county in 1825,
making the journey by a wagon, known as a "Prairie schooner."
Her father purchased land here, at once began its development
and carried on general farming here for many years. He
died in 1884, aged eighty-six years, while his wife survived
until 1888, dying at the age of eighty-four years. In the
family of this worthy couple were six children: John and
Cyrus, both of whom are now deceased; Elizabeth,
the wife of D. T. Montague, of Xenia, Ohio; Ann M.,
the widow of G. W. Sagar, and a resident of
Fredericktown, Ohio; Mrs. Steel were born two daughters:
Jennie, now the wife of Harry Heiple, of
Oklahoma City, and Edith, the wife of Charles Mock,
of Bellville, Ohio.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Steel carried on
general farming and achieved a creditable measure of success
through his well directed labors. He was a stock buyer,
dealing in horses, cattle and hogs. He reached the age of
sixty-four years and passed away Jan. 30, 1886, in Richland
County, where his entire life had been spent. Those who
knew him - and his friends were many- entertained for him the
warmest regard because of his faithfulness to all of the duties
that devolved upon him as a man and citizen. In his
political views he was a republican and agave to the party
stalwart support.
Mrs. Steel began teaching school at the age of
fifteen years and followed the profession for twelve years,
proving a capable instructor and disciplinarian. In the
home farm she has one hundred and sixty acres of land on section
6, Jefferson township, and personally manages the property, her
fields being operated by able employes, while she gives general
supervision to all work. She belongs to the Presbyterian
church and is a lady whose many good traits of heart and mind
have gained her the esteem and confidence of all with whom she
has been brought n contact.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from
1808 to 1908 by A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke
Publishing Co. 1908 - Vol. II - Pg, 764 |
| |
HENRY
F. STOVER. Throughout a long period Henry F.
Stover has been identified with the agricultural interests
of Richland county, and today as proprietor of the Longview
Dairy he is well known in various sections of the county.
He was born on the farm which is now his home, November 14,
1862. His paternal grandfather, John Stover, came
from Pennsylvania to Richland county in 1835 and here his
remaining days were passed. His son, who also bore the
name of John Stover, and became the father of our
subject, was born Near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1823,
and arrived in Mansfield, Ohio, with his parents, on the twelfth
anniversary of his birth. He followed farming as a life
work and became the owner of three good farms, one comprising
one hundred acres, a second of one hundred and eight acres, and
a third of one hundred and twenty-one acres. He was a
democrat in his political views, but was not active as an office
seeker. His religious faith was that of the Reformed
church in London, Ohio. He died in Richland county,
September 2, 1888, when he had reached the age of sixty-five
years. His wife bore the maiden name of Leah Landis.
She was born in 1833, a daughter of Rev. Jacob S. and Mary
(Miller) Landis, the former a native of Lancaster county,
Pennsylvania, born in 1811, while the birth of the latter
occurred in the year 1812. They were reared and married in
the Keystone state, coming to Richland county in 1838 and
settling on a farm in Jackson township. The father gave
his time to farming and to preaching the gospel until his
demise, which occurred when he had reached the age of sixty-four
years.
The family of Rev. and Mrs. Jacob Landis
numbered ten children, as follows: Mary Ann; Leah,
who afterward became Mrs. Stover; Amanda; J. M.,
of Shelby; Jacob, who died in the army; Isaac, who
resides in Shelby; Margaret, deceased; Mrs. Katharine
Kline, a resident of Marshall county, Indiana; Mrs.
Susan Kline, who has departed this life; and David,
who died in infancy. After the demise of Rev. Jacob S.
Landis, his widow married again, her second union being with
a Mr. Wagner, who has also passed away. Mrs.
Wagner still survives and now makes her home with her eldest
son, J. M. Landis, in Shelby.
The family of Mr. and Mrs. John Stover numbered five
children, three daughters and two sons: Mary, who
died at the age of twelve years; Nancy, who became the
wife of Samuel Huffman and died in 1903; Elizabeth,
the widow of Willard Laser, of Shelby; Henry F.,
of this review; and John Edward, who died in infancy.
Following the father's death, the mother was again married, her
second union being with George Mitchell, and they now
make their home in Taylortown.
Henry F. Stover, whose name
introduces this record, was reared on the home farm, early being
trained to the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the
agriculturist. He remained under the parental roof until
he had reached mature years and upon starting out in the
business world he chose the occupation to which he had been
reared. He now makes his home on one hundred acres of
land, situated on section 15, Jackson township. He is
engaged in general farming and for the past five years has been
engaged in dairying, his place being known as the Longview
Dairy. He also operates another tract of seventy acres on
the shares and formerly had a third tract of sixty acres, which
he operated for sixteen years. He possesses excellent
business ability and sound judgment and in carrying on his
business affairs is meeting with success.
Mr. Stover was married September 17, 1884 to
Miss Ida B. Clark, who was born in Jackson township,
November 14, 1864, a daughter of Samuel and Polly Jane (King)
Clark. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Stover has
been blessed with eight children: Flossie Fay,
John Carle, Samuel Clark, Cornelia B., Ruth M., George Russell,
Helen L. and Albert Raymond. The eldest
daughter, Flossie Fay, is now the wife of Howard Hawk,
of Jackson township, and they have one child, Donald S.
Mr. Stover is a democrat in his political views and
affiliations, and on the party ticket was elected trustee of
Jackson township. For thirteen years he served as a member
of the school board. Both he and his wife are members of
the Presbyterian church at Shelby. He belongs to that
class of representative men who rapidly discern opportunities of
improvement and, brooking no obstacles, are forging their way to
the front.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg, 871 |
| |
CHRIST
B. STRAUCH, who for twenty years was engaged in the
dairy business, is now giving his attention to general farming
on the tract of thirty-two acres located in Sandusky township.
He is a native of Rhineberger, Germany, born Mar. 28, 1842, a
son of Christ, Sr. and Margaret (Weaver) Strauch,
who are like wise natives of the fatherland. The father
was a shoemaker by trade and conducted business in that line in
his native country. In 1848, however, he emigrated with
his family to the United States and located in Crawford county,
Ohio, where he engaged in farming. His family numbered
four children, namely: Conrad, who lives in
Crestline; Christ B., of this review; and Elizabeth
and Adam, both of whom have passed away.
Christ B. Strauch, whose name introduces this
sketch, is the second son and second in order of birth in his
father's family. He was a little lad of six years at the
time of the emigration of the family to the new world. His
education was acquired in the common schools of Crawford county,
where he was reared to the age of twenty-one years. He was
early trained to the duties of the home farm, giving his father
the benefit of his services up to the time he attained his
majority, when he began life on his own account by being
employed by others at farm labor. After a time spent in
that manner, he came to Richland county, where he has lived for
more than thirty-six years. He now owns thirty-two acres
in Sandusky township and he also has one and one-half acres in
Crawford county. For twenty years he gave his time and
attention to dairying, but has abandoned that pursuit and is now
engaged in general farming. He has met with success in his
undertakings and is numbered among the substantial citizens of
this section of the state.
In 1866 Mr. Strauch established a home of his
own by his marriage to Miss Catherine Blazier, who, like
her husband was born in Germany. Their marriage was
celebrated in Crawford county and their home has been blessed
with ten children, namely: William, at home;
Catherine, David and Conrad, all of whom reside in
Toledo, Ohio; Sarah A., the wife of George Greter,
who lives in Toledo,, where he is manager for the firm of
Tietke Brothers; Henry, who is employed by the Bell
Telephone Company at Columbus, Ohio; Margaret, who is
also with the Bell Telephone Company at Lima, Illinois, being
employed on inside work in the capacity of electrician; and one
who died in infancy.
Mr. Strauch votes for the men whom he deems best
fitted for office, regardless of party affiliation. For
one term he served as road supervisor, but otherwise has filled
no public office. He and his family are members of the
German Reformed church. He is a man of high moral worth
and is respected by his fellowmen, for in his dealings with all
he is honorable and straightforward. For a long period he
has made his home in Richland county and is therefore well known
in many sections as well as in the city of Crestline.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg, 856 |
| |
MICHAEL
STUFF, who is living on his farm of eighty acres on
Section 7, Jefferson township, was born in Perry township,
Richland county, on the 15th of Sept. 1826, his parents being
Jacob and Mary (Garns) Stuff, natives of Bedford county,
Pennsylvania. Coming to Ohio in the spring of 1826, they
entered land in that part of Richland county which is now
Crawford county, but subsequently traded it for the eighty acres
on which our subject now resides. They placed many
improvements upon the farm, which remained their place of abode
until they were called to their final rest. The father's
death occurred in 1896, when he was in his eighty-first year,
and his wife passed away in 1895, at the age of seventy years.
Their family numbered eleven children, but the only ones now
living are Michael, of this review; and William,
of Noble county, Indiana.
Michael Stuff began his education in a
subscription school conducted in a little log building and
received a good practical training in the district schools which
he later attended. He remained under the parental roof
until twenty-two years of age and then worked by the month for
three years, receiving from seven dollars and a half to ten
dollars for his services. Subsequently he learned the
carpenter's trade, being identified with that line of activity
for fifteen years, and for two years worked in a mill. He
then purchased the old home farm on section 7, Jefferson
township and has since given his time and attention to its
cultivation and improvement, gaining a gratifying annual income
through the careful conduct of his agricultural interests.
On the 29th of December, 1858, occurred the marriage of
Mr. Stuff and Miss Anna Baker, a daughter of
Henry Baker, who was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr.
Stuff was one of a family of seven children and by her
marriage has become the mother of eleven: John,
born Oct. 9, 1859, is a resident of Bellville; Jacob,
born April 7, 1861, lives in Jefferson township; Sarah E.,
born April 24, 1865, is the wife of Isaac Sarff, of Knox
county, born August 3, 1871, is a resident of Jefferson
township; Samuel, born December 10, 1873, lives in
Hancock county; Harvey, born June 18, 1876, lives at
home; Franklin, born Dec. 29, 1878, resides in Jefferson
township; Roylan, born August 14, 1881, lives at home and
is engaged in teaching school; Mary, born July 18, 1885,
is the wife of Mr. Bessler, of Henry county; and one is
deceased.
In his political views Mr. Stuff is a democrat
and has served as township trustee. He is connected with
the Masonic lodge at Bellville, and his seven sons are also
members of this fraternity. A native son of this county,
he has been a well known and worthy resident here for eighty-two
years and now receives the veneration and respect which should
ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on life's journey
and who has been honorable and upright in every relation.
Source: History of Richland Co., Ohio - from 1808 to 1908 by
A. J. Baughman - Chicago: The J. S. Clarke Publishing Co. 1908 -
Vol. II - Pg, 863 |
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