OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS - Seneca Co., Ohio

Source:
History of Seneca County, Ohio
containing a History of the County, It's Townships, Towns,
Villages, Schools, Churches, Industries, etc.;
Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men;
Biographies; History of the Northwest Territory;
History of Ohio; Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.
- Illustrated -
Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co.
1886.

Bloom Twp. -
WILLIAM M. DAVIS, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born Jan. 18, 1819, in Perry County, Ohio. His Father, John Davis, born in 1785, in Frederick Co., Md., married, in 1816, Miss Hannah Kershner who was born in Franklin Co., Penn., in 1790. After keeping the Harpers Ferry Hotel and ferry for two yeas they moved to Perry County, Ohio, where they lived until Nov., 1824, when they settled permanently on Sec. 8, Bloom Twp., this county. They were thirteen days coming 126 miles. There were not fifty acres cleared in the township and there were more Indians than white people. Seneca John with a tribe of Indians camped close to the farm, and they would trade deer meat and skins for provisions. (John T. Reed, now a resident of Bloomville, taught the second school in the first school-house in the township). Mr. Davis went to mill at Tiffin when there were but seen houses; hauled provisions to Toledo when there were not ten houses on the road. He saw the first train that ran through the county, Hogge being the engineer and Jesse Durbin, conductor, who afterward became a Methodist minister. John Davis and Russel Munsell built on that farm a saw-mill, in 1826, which was rebuilt later and sold to John Shonts. This mill was for some time the only one on Honey Creek above Melmore, and was usually kept running day and night making lumber for the early settlers to use as flooring, etc. John Davis was a very industrious man and led an active life. He was a Methodist and helped establish the first church in the township. He died in 1849. He was a man of generous disposition, always liberal to the poor. His wife a Presbyterian and an earnest Christian woman died in 1840. The children of this couple are William M.; Jonathan and Dr. Thomas W., of Wapella, Ill.; Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, of Bloomington, Ill.; Milton R., of Mendota, Mo.; and Mrs. Sarah Stinchcomb of Bloom Township, this county. Milton R. was a soldier, enlisting in Illinois and serving in defence of his country during the late Rebellion. William M. Davis married July 31, 1845, Sarah Lemmert, of Crawford Co., Ohio, who died in 1872. The children born to this union are as follows: Mrs. Serepta Corey, of Bulgoe, Ohio; John C.; Milton R., of Bairdsburgh, Iowa; Mrs. Virginia Howland (deceased); Bruce and Charles F. Mr. Davis married, on second occasion, in 1877, Mrs. Louisa Super, born in Lancaster County, Penn., daughter of John Myers, a resident of Wayne Co., Ohio. Mr. Davis is one of the oldest pioneers of Bloom Twp. He is an upright man, highly respected by all.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 734

Liberty Twp. -
J. H. DAVIDSON, merchant and notary, Bettsville, was born in Ottawa County, Ohio, Sept. 1, 1843, son of Hugh and Salina (Poole) Davidson (both now deceased), early settlers in Ohio, and who had seven children, two of whom died without issue; Laura, married to Stephen Cowell (by whom she had one child, Alice), her second marriage was with James McNutt (by whom she had a family), she died in Lucas County, Ohio; Mary, married to John Fish (she died in Wisconsin leaving a family); those now living are Sarah, wife of Charles Lutz, in Tiffin, Ohio; J. H. and William, in Rice County, Kas. The subject of this sketch started out in life with but a meager education, and with nothing but a willingness to do and a strong determination to succeed. He learned the trade of milling, which he followed several years, then engaged in farming and merchandising at Fort Seneca, where he held the office of justice of the peace for six years. In September, 1881, he came to Bettsville, engaged in merchandising, and the following March received his notarial commission. He enlisted Aug. 22, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until June 29, 1865. At the battle of Rude's Hill he was severely wounded in the thigh, and with eight others was taken prisoner upon the field and confined in Libby prison, only he and one comrade escaping death at that place. He was married, Feb. 3, 1867, to Emma Abbott, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, and daughter of Henry and Eliza (Lott) Abbott, who were among the early and prominent settlers of this county. By this union there have been born three children: Maud and Mabel, twins, who died early in life, and Henry, who is still living. Mr. Davidson was a good soldier, and is an energetic and enterprising business man.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page

Adams Twp. -
HENRY A. DETERMAN, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, was born in Adams Township, this county, Dec. 25, 1851, son of Harman H. and Mary E. (Beinedick) Determan, natives of Germany, where they were married Sept. 24, 1833, near Western Kapplen. They came to this country in 1834, and settled upon the land where the father still resides, and which he has improved with his own hands. Harman H. Determan reared a family of eight children, of whom four are now living, and all married: George, Samuel, Catherine E. and Henry A. Our subject, who is the youngest, was married, Aug. 27, 1874, to Miss Mary A. Kistler, of Adams Township, this county, where she was born August 27, 1856, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Shawberry) Kistler, early settlers in thsi county, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Determan have one daughter, Dora A. Our subject has purchased eighty-four acres of good land, which he is improving in many ways. Mr. Determan is a member of the German Reformed Church, and Mrs. Determan of the Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 703

Bloom Twp. -
JOHN H. DETTERMAN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born May 18, 1810, in Prussia, Germany. He immigrated to America in 1833, and went with his brother, Harmon, and some friends to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he worked one year on the Wabash & Erie Canal. Then he came to this county where he was married, in January, 1834, to Miss Kathrina Steigemeier, also a native of Prussia, Germany. After living one year in Scipio Twp. and five years on Honey Creek, this township, Mr. and Mrs. Detterman located in Adams Twp., where they went to work clearing up a farm. Mrs. Detterman died Aug. 2, 1866, leaving three sons: Harris, Amos and Samuel. Mr. Detterman was married on second occasion, Mar. 5, 1867, to Mrs. Ann Somers, who was born in Center Co., Penn., and came to Sandusky Co., Ohio, at eight years of age, with her father, Frederick Rhinehart. In 1868 Mr. and Mrs. Detterman settled permanently in Bloom Twp., this county, where they purchased a fine farm of 200 acres on which there is an excellent stone quarry. Mr. Detterman has given each of his sons an independent start in life. He and his wife are members of the Evangelical Church.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 735

Bloom Twp. -
SAMUEL DETTERMAN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born Jan 16, 1849, in Adams Twp., this county, and is a son of the well known pioneer John H. Detterman; our subject received his education in the schools of the home district and in 1869 came with his father to Bloom Twp. this county. Here he was married, Dec. 25, 1870, to Miss Jane Shawman, and by this union were born the following children: Emmet Edson, John Uri, Jesse Henry (deceased), Samuel Winfield and Jacob Richard. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Detterman settled on what is now a fine farm of ninety-nine and a half acres of improved land situated on Honey Creek, where they have since resided. They are consistent members of the Evangelical Church. Our subject is an enterprising and successful farmer, highly respected by all who know him.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 735

Eden Twp. –
WILLIAM R. DE TRAY, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born June 16, 1811, in the village of Johnson, R. I., a son of Anthony and Amy (Mathewson) De Tray, the latter a native of Rhode Island. Anthony De Tray, born in Connecticut, emigrated to New York State in 1821, where he remained until 1822, when he came to Ohio and settled in Crawford Co., near Melmore, and there spent the remainder of his days. His family consisted of two sons and two daughters: Amy, widow of Philip Perdew; Jackson, who died in Michigan; Nancy, formerly the wife of R. Weeks, now Mrs. Bartlett, and William R. Our subject was married, Dec. 28, 1836, to Mary S., daughter of Robert Weeks, now Mrs. Bartlett, and William R. Our subject was married, Dec. 28, 1836, to Mary S., daughter of Robert Weeks, and by this union were born six children: Mary F., now Mrs. Ebersole (the only one surviving, has one child named Minnie), and Annie, Anthony W., Charles, Alice and Willie, all deceased. Anthony W. had two children: William W. and Josephine. Mr. De Tray came to this county and settled in Eden Township, where he still resides, having a farm of 160 acres of land, with fine improvements, located on the Melmore Road. He is a thorough-going and successful farmer, and a highly respected citizen. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Tiffin and Rock Creek.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 848

Bloom Twp. -
JACOB DETWILER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Bloomville, was born Apr. 9, 1828, in Columbiana Co., Ohio. His parents, Jacob and Elizabet Detwiler, natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., settled in Bloom Twp., this county, in 1844, locating a new farm which they at once began to clear and improve. Jacob Detwiler, Sr., died in 1850, his widow in 1860. They were parents of the following children: Samuel, Jacob and Mrs. Hannah Geiger. (Mrs. Jacob Detwiler, Sr., was also the mother of five children by her previous marriage with Christ Shetter.) Our subject was united in marriage, Apr. 30, 1857, with Elizabeth Muckley, born in Bloom Twp., this county, Mar. 6, 1834. Her father, George Muckley, came from Germany to Stark County, Ohio, and was there married to Miss Magdalena Troxel, a native of Pennsylvania. They located in Bloom Twp., this county, in 1833. Mr. Muckley died Mar. 20, 1843. His widow subsequently married Isaac Rohrer, and now lives in Mahoning County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Detwiler located where they now reside, in 1860, and have one of the best improved farms in the township. Their children are Emma O., Mary M., George E., Della J. and Samuel M. Mr. Detwiler is a member of the Mennonite society, and Mrs. Detwiler, of the Reformed Church.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 735

Bloom Twp. -
JOHN R. DICKEN, farmer, P. O. Bloomville, was born Nov. 27, 1834, in Liberty, Ohio. His parents, David and Diana (Lewman) Dicken, natives of Bedford Co., Penn., settled in Liberty Twp., this county, in 1831, and entered land from the Government. He was a local preacher, and one of the earliest shoe makers of that township. Of their thirteen children three boys and five girls are living. The deceased are Isaac O. and Henry C., who gave their lives in defense of their country in the war of 1861; Joshua H., who died at home, from disabilities received in his country's service: Albert M., who died of consumption, and Martha. David Dicken ended a useful life Apr. 7, 1871; his widow died Oct. 21, 1873. Our subject was married, July 15, 1855, to Mary A. Sour, a native of Summit County, Ohio, and who came to Seneca County, in 1852, with her parents, Jacob and Mary A. (Harter) Sour, and to this union were born Jasper P. (of Hicksville, Ohio.), Mrs. Luella S. Ringle (of Jackson Township, this county), U. S. Grant, Genora E. and Clinton E. Mr. Dicken spent four months in 1864 as a soldier in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He held position of second corporal, and left a record of a brave and faithful soldier, always at his post. After their marriage our subject and wife resided in Jackson Township, this county, until March, 1883, when they settled in Bloom Twp., where they have a farm of 100 acres. Mr. Dickson is a Republican in politics. He held the office of trustee of Jackson Twp. four terms; was also postmaster of Amsden, this county, eight yeas. He is a member of high standing in the I. O.O. F.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 736

Eden Twp. –
JOHN L. DOWNS, farmer, P. O. Melrose, was born Aug. 22, 1812, in Ross Co., Ohio; son of John and Caroline (Holden) Downs, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. John Downs, Sr., came to Seneca Co., in 1821, and with his brother entered 480 acres of land, which he afterward took himself. In 1823 he came again, and let the job of clearing ten acres and putting up a cabin. The following year he brought his family and began pioneer life. There were fourteen children in his family, four of whom are living: Catharine (Mrs. P. Minich), Eliza M. (Mrs. J. Corbett), Lemuel, a neighboring farmer, and John L. Our subject was married, in 1845, to Margaret A. Wheaton, and who bore him ten children: James (deceased), Frances A., Orville, Caroline (deceased wife of C. H. Funk, had one child – Nettie M.), Sarah J., Lehre, Latie, Dora, Ida M. and Mertie (latter died in infancy). Mr. Downs occupies the land which his father entered, now a well-improved farm of 220 acres. Having been a successful farmer, he is now enjoying the fruits of his labor. His first vote was cast for Martin Van Buren for President.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 848

WARREN DROWN, farmer, P. O. Green Spring, is a native of New Hampshire, born in 1814. He went with his parents, Solomon and Fanny (Dennis) Drown, in 1815 to New York State, in 1832 to Pennsylvania, and the 1839 came to this county, where his parents both died; they had a large family and children. Warren Drown has give his attention to general agriculture and has made many valuable improvements on his farm of ninety acres, which was originally nearly covered with forest. He was married in 1844 and is the father of two daughters: Elizabeth and Emma, former the wife of James Reed, of Huron County, Ohio, and the mother of three children: Jessie, Freddie and Warren. Emma is still with her parents.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page

DAVID W. DUDROW, farmer P. O. Green Spring, is a native of Frederick County, Md., born Oct. 25, 1825, son of David and Elizabeth (Hines) Dudrow, also natives of Maryland, of German descent. Of their family only came to this county in 1845, settling in Adams Township, where he purchased and improved a large farm, upon which he still resides. He was married, Jan. 8, 1853, to Mary J. Rule, of Adams Township, this county, where she was born Nov. 3, 1834. Her parents, Daniel and Jane (Groscrost) Rule, were about the first settlers in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Dudrow have been born eight children, four of whom are yet living: Byron, practicing law, in partnership with H. R. Finefrock, at Fremont, Ohio, has twice been elected city solicitor of Fremont; William, who owns and cultivates a large farm, at Green Spring, in Adams Township; Fred and Mary J., latter attending Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio. The deceased are John, Alice, Daniel and David, the two latter being twins. Mr. Dudorwn has nearly 450 acres of land, which he and his son, Fred, operate, giving considerable attention to stock-raising, merino cheep, etc.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page

Hopewell Twp. -
ARLINGTON DUNN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born Feb. 6, 1845, in Hopewell Township, this county, son of William N. and Sophia W. Dunn, natives of New York State, and who came to Ohio in 1842, settling on the old homestead. Our subject's grandfather, James Dunn, came to the county in an early day, and bought 400 acres of land. His sons came here afterward. To William N. Dunn and wife were born seven children: Elnora (died in infancy), Arlington, Devolson, William G., Deroy C., Norman and John A. They were all educated in the county schools. Our subject was married Aug. 12, 1873, to Mary L. Oster, the second in the family of seven children of Jacob and CAtharine (Seewald) Oster, the former a native of Nassau, the latter of Sipperfelt, Germany, and who came to America in 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were born three children: Cora Sophia, Clara May and William Arlington. Mr. Dunn enlisted in the army during the civil war, and served in the Twenty-fourth Corps in the Army of Western Virginia two years ten months and six days to the close of the war being then twenty years old. He is now erecting a fine brick resident in the most modern style, having a fine location on Wolf Creek. He is a member of the G. A. R.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 857

Hopewell Twp. -
DEROY C. DUNN, farmer, P. O. Tiffin, was born Oct. 16, 1852, in Hopewell Township, this county, son of William N. and Sophia W. (Clark) Dunn, natives of New York State. Our subject was united in marriage, Jan. 16, 1877, with Savilla, daughter of Frederick and Susan Crum, of Clinton Twonship, this county, and to this union has been born one child. Mr. Dunn and family occupy the old home farm belonging to his father, and which is finely improved.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 858

Hopewell Twp. -
WILLIAM N. DUNN, of Hopewell Township, was born in Sullivan County, N. Y., Feb. 1, 1815. In 1834 he, in company with his parents, removed to Wayne County, remaining there until the year 1841, at which time he removed to Hopewell Township and cleared off the site of his present homestead, containing 120 acres. In 1842, after having cleared a small space and erected a log-cabin, 18x20 feet, he married Sophia W. Clark of New York. They resided here eight years, when Mr. Dunn erected a large building and moved his family into it, where they resided until it was destroyed by fire together with eight other buildings, which calamity occurred April 13, 1872. The family consists of six children - all sons - an only daughter dying in infancy. Of these sons Arlington married Mary L. Oster; Devolson married Mahala E. Miller and William G. married Alice M. Smoyer all residents of the township. The farm contains 200 acres of land, a fine residence (which is occupied by D. C. Dunn, a son of Mr. Dunn) and a barn, 40x82 feet. The family now reside in a fine brick house in Tiffin, No. 23 Water Street, over looking the Sandusky River. Mr. Dunn has been a hard worker, and is now enjoying the fruit of his industry.
SOURCE: History of Seneca County, Ohio containing a History of the County, Publ. Chicago: Warner, Beers & Co., 1886. - Page 857

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