.
OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of Genealogy
Express
|
Welcome to
SANDUSKY COUNTY, OHIO
History & Genealogy |

Biographies
Source:
Commemorative Biographical Record of the
counties of
Sandusky & Ottawa, Ohio
J. B. Beers & Co. 1896
<
CLICK HERE to RETURN to 1896 BIOGRAPHICAL
INDEX >
< CLICK HERE to RETURN to
LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
|
ORION VAN DOREN
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the
counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ.
J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 148 |
|
H. A. VAN
EPPS. Thirty years have passed since the "cruel
war" waged between the North and South was ended, and even the
youngest of men who served their country in those dark days are
growing old. But they never tire of the stories of camp
life, of forced marches through the burning heat and deadly
swamps of the South, of hair-breadth escapes and desperate
encounters, or of the dreary days in Libby Prison, or the
lingering horrors of Andersonville and Belle Isle. A few
more years, and these stories will be handed down by their
descendants, for the old soldiers will have answered to their
last roll call, and will have passed beyond, happy in the
thought that they leave behind them a government united and at
peace. While they live, however, it is our privilege to
honor them for their noble deeds, and to show our gratitude for
the bravery and zeal with which they defended the homes and
institutions so dear to us.
It is, therefore, with pleasure that we are enabled to
give the record of the veteran whose name opens this sketch, and
whose recollections of the war are always listened to with
delight, especially at the camp-fires and reunions of the "boys
in blue." Mr. Van Epps is a ready writer, and
portrays most vividly the scenes which were enacted under his
personal observation, especially the story of Grierson's
raid, in which he was an active participant. The limits of
a biographical sketch will not permit an extended account of
Mr. Van Epps' life during the war, but the following brief
story of his career will prove of interest to his many friends
and acquaintances.
H. A. Van Epps was born in Middlebury, Wyoming
Co., N. Y., Mar. 8, 1842, and came of good old Knickerbocker
stock. His father, Charles Van Epps, was born on
the Mohawk river, N. Y., and removed to Middlebury, Wyoming Co.,
N. Y., in 1806. He was a carpenter by trade, and
subsequently engaged in farming; in politics he was a Democrat.
He died in Middlebury in 1854. Our subject's mother, whose
maiden name was Betsy Wilson, was born in Middlebury in
1812, and died in 1893 at the good old age of eighty-one years.
She was the mother of children as follows: Elizabeth,
who married H. M. Choat, and lives in Darien, Genesee
Co., N. Y.; Jane, who died when ten years old; Charles,
who lives on the old homestead in Middlebury, and is fifty-five
years old; H. A., our subject; Fayette, deceased
when quite young; Delphene, who lives in Darien, N. Y.,
and is unmarried; George, who died when fourteen years
old. Mrs. Van Epps' father was a native of Vermont,
of sturdy Yankee ancestors, and held the rank of colonel in the
war of 1812.
The subject of our sketch grew to manhood on the home
farm in Middlebury, assisting his father in agricultural
pursuits and obtaining his schooling in the district schools and
Wyoming Academy. In March, 1861, he went to Carroll
county, Ill., where he was engaged in farming. When the
call to arms sounded throughout the land the patriot blood in
his veins responded, and laying aside all personal
considerations he enlisted Sept. 5, 1861, in Company B, Seventh
Illinois Cavalry, for the three-years' service. When the
three years had expired the Rebellion was still unsubdued, and
on Feb. 10, 1853, he re-enlisted in the same company and
regiment, and remained until the close of the war, being
honorably discharged Nov. 12, 1865, after a continuous service
of four years and two months. During this time he received
several well-earned promotions. In 1863 he was made a
corporal, in 18563 a sergeant, and April 20, 1865, he was
appointed second lieutenant.
During these four years Mr. Van Epps followed
his regiment through a considerable portion of Missouri,
Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. He was in
sixty-three engagements, great and small, among which were the
following: The siege of Corinth, in the spring of 1862;
battle of Corinth, in October 1862; Iuka; Coffeeville;
Colliersville; Lynville; West Point; Okalona; Summersville;
siege of Port Hudson; fight at Clinton, La.; Campbellsville,
Tenn.; Shoal Creek, Franklin and Nashville, when Hatch's
brigade, of which he was a member, captured three forts of
redoubts. He was also with his regiment when following
Hood on his retreat from Nashville to the Tennessee river, a
distance of 125 miles. This was a terrible experience, the
marches being made through rain, sleet and snow, and when the
weary soldiers reached Gravel Springs no food was to be
obtained, and for two weeks they lived on parched corn.
Mr. Van Epps also took an active part in the
famous "Grierson Raid," from La Grange, Tenn.., to Baton Rouge,
La. He, with his company, was detached from the balance of
the command and remained alone for five days in the very heart
of the Rebels' country, during which time, it is estimated, they
traveled four hundred miles, being in the saddle night and day
and enduring untold hardships. While on picket duty at
Coldwater, Tenn., guarding a bridge eight miles from camp, the
enemy charged upon his company, capturing all but five of them -
himself among the number - who made their escape by running
across the fields. They finally reached camp at Colliersville,
giving the alarm in time to save the entire command from being
captured, as the enemy shortly made their appearance, expecting
to take the Union soldiers by surprise. They met with a
warm reception instead, and were badly defeated. While
acting as sergeant Mr. Van Epps commanded his company for
five months, and at the second day's battle before Nashville,
while engaged with the enemy in the woods, his captain, who at
the time was acting-major, fell mortally wounded; under Mr.
Van Epps' leadership his little band held the Rebel line in
check while the dying officer was removed from the field.
Mr. Van Epps served under Gens. Rosecrans, Denver,
Hatch, Grierson, Wilson, Thomas, Banks and McPherson,
in different divisions and army corps. While escaping
almost miraculously any serious accident during his long term of
service, he was not without some mishaps. While on drill
in the summer of 1864, he was thrown from his horse and received
a severe injury from which he has never fully recovered.
He was taken with the measles while at Bird's Point, Mo., and
was removed to the hospital at Mound City, Ill., and also spent
about five weeks in the hospital at Town Creek, Ala., suffering
from fever.
After the war was over Mr. Van Epps returned to
his home in New York, where in 1867 he was married to Miss
Ellen Bailey, who died July 16, 1872. To this union
three children were born: Gertrude E.; Leona M., and
Elmer A. Mr. Van Epps was married, the second time, to
Miss Isadora Cornell, who was born at Lindon, Genesee Co.,
N. Y., in 1847. Two children have been born of this
marriage- Ethel A. and Ernest C. Our subject
followed farming with success in New York until he sold out and
came west. Locating in Fremont, in 1881, he purchased the
Starr flouring-mills. These he remodeled to the roller
process, adding the latest improvements, and also erecting fine
elevators. He carried on these mills, doing a large
merchant and domestic business, until the close of the year
1893, when he disposed of this property, and the following April
purchased the flouring-mills and warehouse at New London, Ohio,
and is at present operating the same. During his residence
in Fremont he made many friends and was considered one of the
substantial business men of the town. He served four years
in the city council, and he s past commander of the G. A. R.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the
counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ.
J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 148 |
|
JOHN VICKERY.
From absolute poverty the subject of this sketch has risen to a
position of affluence and honor. The condition of a
penniless English farm laborer he has exchanged for the
proprietorship of large landed interests in York township,
Sandusky county. And in this happy transformation of his
material situation he gives due credit to the opportunities of
the American citizen. Mr. Vickery often goes over
the past in retrospect, and compares the possibilities of the
poor man in England with his opportunities in America.
From his own experiences and observation he concludes that
American citizenship is a priceless boon.
Mr. Vickery was born in Devonshire,
England, in May, 1829, son of Robert and Rachel (Randall)
Vickery. His father, who was a laborer, died
before his recollection, leaving six children: Elizabeth,
whose husband, Mr. Lowrey, was killed by a railroad
accident at Clyde; William, who died in York township;
Robert, of Fremont; John, subject of this sketch;
Richard, of York township; and Ann, who died in
England. At an early age John was bound out,
receiving, until he attained his majority, only his board and
clothes for his services, and, Mr. Vickery says,
they were poor clothes at that. After he became of age he
worked for a farmer for four years at wages amounting to only 11
cents a day and his board; and this, too, was the highest wages
paid for that class of labor in the locality where he lived.
At the age of twenty-five years he resolved to seek his fortunes
in the New World; so in 1854 he bade good-bye to his friends and
to his sweetheart and crossed the ocean. He came via
Quebec, and was $17 in debt for his passage when he reached
Sandusky City. He began work for a farmer near Bellevue,
and remained in his employment fifteen months. But his
purpose now was to get himself established in life.
Renting a place, he began farming on his own account, and at
Bellevue he soon after married Miss Jane Parker,
whom he had wooed and won in England. The household
prospered, but the mother was called away after she had given
him three sons: Thomas, now a prosperous farmer of York
township, married; John, who assists him on the farm, and
James P., a schoolteacher and farmer of York township.
In 1866 Mr. Vickery purchased the farm of 120
acres which he now owns, and continued to farm it until in 1889,
when he bought twenty acres near Colby, and retired on ample
means. In 1881 he had purchased another tract of 120 acres
in York township, and gave it to his sons in 1887, after having
paid $8,000 on the same. The twenty-acre tract at Colby he
has given to his second and present wife, who was Miss Mary
Bichler. Mr. Vickery has served his township
three years as trustee, and is now road supervisor of his
district. In politics he is a stanch Republican, and in
religious faith a member of the United Brethren Church. He
is a man of sterling integrity and principles, and one of the
most highly respected citizens of the community in which he
lives.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the
counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ.
J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 236 |
|
JAMES P. VICKERY,
farmer and school, York township, Sandusky county, was born Mar.
24, 1864, in Groton township, Erie Co., Ohio, a son of John
and Jane (Parker) Vickery, who both came from England.
Our subject came with his parents to Sandusky county, where
he grew up on a farm, attended country schools and laid the
foundations for success in life. At the age of seventeen
he began teaching country schools during the winter seasons, in
which he has continued during the past eleven years. His
first term was in Seneca county, then two terms in Michigan, and
the rest in Sandusky county. He now resides upon and works
the homestead farm of his father, comprising 120 acres, in York
township. He is a progressive, aspiring, energetic farmer,
and takes a lively interest in the Young People's Society
meetings at the Mt. Carmel U. B. Church, not far from his home.
He is a Republican in politics, but no partisan. On Apr.
2, 1890, he married Miss H. May King, of Clyde, Ohio,
daughter of John and Mary (Diment) King, and born in
Bellevue, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1866. Her parents were married in
1861, lived in Bellevue until 1877, then removed to a farm in
York township, thence in 1882, to Clyde, Ohio, where they have
since resided. Mr. King is a blacksmith by trade.
Their children were: Matilda, born in 1862, died in
infancy; Louise, born Sept. 22, 1864, married A. G.
Winnie, editor of the Ottawa County Republican, of
Port Clinton, Ohio; H. May, wife of our subject;
Minnie Estelle, born Jan. 30, 1876, now senior in the Clyde
High School.
Mrs. H. May Vickery attended school at Bellevue
until she reached the A Grammar grade, then five years at
Birdseye Corners, then as far as the senior class in the Clyde
High School, and later two terms at the Green Spring Academy.
She has taught country schools - one term in Erie county, two
terms in Michigan, and ten terms in Sandusky county. Her
present farm home is a welcome resort for the young people of
her neighborhood.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the
counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ.
J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 844 |
|
WILLIAM VOGT, a
prosperous farmer of Riley township, Sandusky county, was born
Oct. 29, 1857, and is a son of Henry and Madeline Vogt, the
former of whom was born in Switzerland Jan. 31, 1811.
Henry Vogt came to America in 1837, and ran a large truck
line. On June 20, 1848, in Philadelphia, Penn., he was
united in marriage with Madeline Mangold, who was born in
France June 20, 1828, and they became the parents of six
children, as follows: Henry, born Aug. 4, 1850,
married Mary Bauman, and lives in Fremont, Sandusky
county; Albert, born Jan. 13, 1853, married Tillie
Hudson, and they have had one child (they live in Ballville
township, Sandusky county); Elizabeth, born June 3, 1855,
married Frank Bartis, and they had three children (she
died Feb. 21, 1892, and was buried in Ballville township,
Sandusky county); William is the subject of this sketch;
Frank, born Dec. 1, 1860, lives in Fremont, and George
was born Feb. 9, 1864. In 1860, after running the truck
line for about twenty-three yeas, Henry Vogt sold out,
came west, and settled in Ohio. He was in business two
years in Fremont, and in 1862 moved to Riley township, where he
bought a farm of one hundred acres, which cost him two thousand
dollars. In 1887 he sold his farm, bought a property of
ninety-seven acres, and lived there until his death, which
occurred Jan. 1, 1882. He was school director for several
years, was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the German
Reformed Church.
William Vogt was united in marriage May 4, 1880,
in Riley township, with Mary Livingston, who was born
June 3, 1859, and they have had two children, namely:
William A., born Jan. 22, 1888. Mr. Vogt had
the benefit of a common-school education. He has
fifty-eight acres of valuable land about two miles northeast of
Fremont, and follows general farming. He is a Democrat in
politics, and attends St. John's Church. His grandfather
Henry, who was born in Switzerland, married Barbara Hirt,
and they had two children, Henry and
John.
Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the
counties of SANDUSKY & OTTAWA, OHIO - Publ.
J. B. Beers & Co. 1896 - Page 354 |

CLICK HERE to
RETURN to
SANDUSKY COUNTY, OHIO |
CLICK HERE
to RETURN to
OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS |
FREE GENEALOGY RESEARCH
is My MISSION
GENEALOGY EXPRESS
This Webpage has been created by Sharon Wick exclusively for Ohio
Genealogy Express ©2008
Submitters retain all copyrights |
|