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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio
Containing Biographical Sketches of
Prominent and Representative Citizens,
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the
Presidents of the United States.
Chicago - Chapman Bros. -
1892
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JOHN
DECKARD, one of the pioneer residents of this county,
stands among the foremost of the successful farmers who have
contributed so greatly toward the development of this
county. His home, which is located on section 23,
Perry Township, is under good tillage, and from its
well-cultivated fields, Mr. Decker reaps rich
harvests in compensation for the toil and care expended.
He is one of the oldest men now living in his township,
whose growth he has watched with pleasure, promoting it in
his capacity of an energetic agriculturist.
The original of this sketch is a native of this county,
having been born Jan. 21, 1828, and is a son of Daniel
and Catherine (Brown) Deckard, natives of Pennsylvania.
The father of our subject emigrated to this county as early
as 1815, and for a time after coming here was engaged as a
distiller. Finally, however, he settled on a farm in
Canton Township, four miles south of the city of that name.
His property was in its primitive condition, and Mr.
Deckard erected thereon a log cabin, in which he made
his home until his decease, which occurred in June, 1889.
His wife, who preceded him to the better land by a year, was
the mother of twelve children, of whom seven still survive,
namely: John, our subject; Rebecca, Mrs.
Michael Frederick; Amos; Hannah,
the wife of Michael Yocy; Daniel;
Jane, Mrs. K. Richard; and Reuben.
John Deckard of this sketch was reared to man's
estate in his native county, and received his education in
the primitive log schoolhouse. He was married Feb. 2,
1850, to Miss Caroline Miller, who is also a native
of this county, and the daughter of George and Ann Miller.
To them has been granted a family of five children, four of
whom are living, namely: Melissa, Mrs. Christian
Ash; Cyrus, Bradley C. and Charles.
Our subject owns a valuable
estate, which comprises ninety-five acres of land. His
present substantial position has been reached entirely
through his own perseverance, and his life shows what an be
accomplished by a person with courage and determination.
He has done much pioneer work in this county, and sustains
an enviable reputation as a first-class agriculturist.
Politically, Mr. Deckard is a Republican in politics,
and in social affairs is connected with Perry Grange.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 184 |
REUBEN
DECKARD. The farming interests of Canton
Township are carried on by an active, intelligent class of
men, who are thus performing their share in maintaining and
extending the agricultural interests of Stark County.
Among them is the gentleman whose name is at the head of
this sketch, and who is a member of one of the old pioneer
families of this section.
A native of this county, Mr. Deckard was born on
what is now his present farm, Oct. 16, 1850. He is a
son of Daniel Deckard, who was born in Pennsylvania,
in 1797, and was of German descent. The father
followed the trade of a distiller in his native State, and
came to Ohio in 1818 when a young man, driving a four-horse
team here for a Mr. Miller. On taking up his
abode in this section, he again engaged in his former
business, and a few years later, desiring to become a
farmer, purchased forty acres of the farm on which his son
is now located. There was a log house on the place and
deer and all kinds of wild animals roamed the prairies.
At his death, he left an estate of one hundred and ninety
acres of Canton Township and a quarter-section of land near
Ft. Wayne, Ind., both of which bore all the improvements to
be found upon a first-class estate. He began the
battle of life with limited means, having only enough money
when coming to this county with which to purchase a mattox,
and with this he began to grub stumps for his neighbors.
In the prosecution of his business affairs, he was accorded
the credit of being a very pleasant man with whom to deal
and who was honorable in all his transactions. In his
political belief, he was a member of the Republican party,
and during his life here contributed his quota to advance
the best interests of his township.
The mother of our subject, previous to her marriage,
bore the name of Catherine Brown. She
was born in Berks County, Pa., in 1808, and was thus twelve
years of age when she accompanied her parents to this county
in 1820. By her marriage with Mr. Deckard
were born twelve children, of whom the following grew to
mature years: Rebecca. John, Amos, Daniel, Delilah,
Jane, Reuben, Joseph, and Hannah. The mother of
these children died in her seventy-fourth year, in 1882.
She was the daughter of Balser Brown, who was born in
Pennsylvania and was a shoemaker by trade. He was very
prosperous in a business way and died in this county when in
the prime of life.
He of whom we write obtained his first schooling in the
log schoolhouses of pioneer times. He was twenty-two
years of age when he began life on his own account, and took
charge of the home farm on condition that he could buy out
the other heirs. Jan. 12, 1873, he was married to
Miss Sarah A. Snively, who was born in Perry Township,
this county, in 1850. Of the three children born to
them one is deceased, Clarence L. Those living
are Linnie A. and John D.
Mr. Deckard has achieved success in the
pursuit of his calling, and is now the proud possessor of
one hundred and thirty-three acres of land, which is as
valuable and productive as can be found in the county.
His estate is neatly fenced and is stocked with good grades
of cattle and horses. He carries on mixed farming, and
in him the citizenship of his town has a good
representative, as he is in all things a thoroughly
honorable man, just and generous in his dealings, and in
every respect eminently trustworthy. Among the good
buildings on his estate is a commodious frame house and
large barns which give ample accommodation for the shelter
of crops, stock and machinery.
Mrs. Deckard is a member of the United
Brethren Church; she is a most estimable lady and looks
carefully after the interests of her household. Mr.
Deckard has views of his own on all subjects, and is
a pronounced Republican in political sentiment. He is
accorded a high place among our most worthy and respected
citizens, and is widely and favorably known throughout this
county. For a more extended notice of his ancestral
history, the reader is referred to the sketch of his
brother, John Deckard, which appears on another page
in this volume.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 440 |
HENRY
DECKERD is a representative farmer and stockman of
Stark County and stands among the foremost men of his
calling in Canton Township, where he is successfully
managing his extensive agricultural interests. He
comes of a family well known in this section, which is
notably connected with its early history, and all the
members of which lived to attain advanced years. He of
whom we write was born on the southwest quarter of section
28, Canton Township, Oct. 11, 1839, and is a son of
Benjamin Deckerd, who was born in Berks County,
Pa., Feb. 26, 1794.
The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in
Germany and emigrated to America in company with his father,
who was a minister in the German Reformed Church and who did
much to promote the interests of that denomination in
Pennsylvania, where they settled. In connection with
his ministerial duties, he owned and operated a farm in
Berks County, where he died at an advanced age.
Benjamin Deckerd chose for his wife
Miss Rachael Swineheart, who was born Aug. 1,
1797, also in Berks County, their marriage being solemnized
Aug. 12, 1817. They made their home on the farm in their
native county until the spring of 1828, when they removed
over the mountains by means of wagons and teams to this
county, where the father purchased land on section 28,
Canton Township. The tract was heavily timbered and
not having provided a means of shelter for his family he
left them at the home of his brother Daniel, who had
preceded them to this section, and, clearing a spot of
ground, erected a log cabin of the pioneer type. He
was a man of large build and remarkable constitution.
Being a man of industrious habits, he immediately set to
work to clear his purchase and ere long had the satisfaction
of seeing the once barren tract transformed into a fertile
and productive farm. In
addition to his farm work, he made a specialty of riving oak
shingles, with which articles
he supplied the settlers for many miles around. To
himself and wife was born a family of ten children, all of
whom are now living, the eldest being seventy-four years of
age and the youngest fifty-three years old. Catherine,
Mrs. Washington Myers, makes her home in
Canton; Jacob resides in Iowa; Rachel, who
married Samuel Krieg, is living in Wabash
County, Ind.; Sarah, Mrs. Stults, makes
her home in Huntington County, that State; John, in
Whitney County, Ind.; David resides in Osnaburg
Township, this county; Elizabeth, Mrs.
Kroft, makes her home in this township; Mary,
Mrs. Neidig, also resides in Osnaburg
Township; Christina, Mrs. Hershey, is
living in this township, and Henry, our subject.
The mother of these children died Apr. 12, 1877, aged eighty
years, eight months and eleven days. The father, who
survived her many years, departed this life Jan. 31, 1888,
aged ninety-three years, eleven months and twenty-five days,
thus lacking only six days of being ninety-four years old.
There remained to mourn his loss ten children, sixty-two
grandchildren and sixty-five great-grandchildren. He was a
member of the (German Reformed Church, while his good wife
was an adherent of the Lutheran faith.
Henry Deckerd, of this sketch, was reared
on the old home place and attended his first school in the
primitive log cabin chinked with mud and sticks and provided
with slab benches for seats. When reaching his
majority, he began in life for himself, and making a visit
to his sister, Mrs. Sarah Stults, in Huntington
County, Ind., taught a term of school during the winter of
1860-61. Returning home at the end of that time, he
worked on his father's farm by the month for one year, and
Dec. 22, 1862, was married to Miss Rebecca Cook,
who was born in Pike Township, this county. Their
union was blessed by the birth of eight children, of whom
the following seven are living: William, Lewis H.,
Charles E., Benjamin C., Ira E., Harvey C., and Mary
E. The mother died June 30, 1888, and the lady
whom Mr. Deckerd chose for his second wife,
December 13 of that year, was Miss Mary
Judd, of Osnaburg Township.
The farm of our subject comprises one hundred and
twenty-five acres, which bear all the substantial
improvements and upon which he has erected two sets of
buildings. He is engaged in mixed farming and each
year feeds and ships large numbers of cattle. His
barn, which is one of the best in the township, was erected
in 1875, and the handsome frame residence which adorns the
place was built in 1881. In 1888, Mr.
Deckerd caused to be erected on another part of the farm
a large barn, which he uses to good purpose.
Mr. and Mrs. Deckerd are members of the German
Reformed Church at Osnaburg. Formerly a Democrat in
politics he now votes with the People's Party and is
identified with any scheme that will in any way forward the
interests of his community. He has been very
successful in all his undertakings, which he attributes to
his close attention to business and good management.
He is a typical self-made man, as what he is he owes to his
own exertions and the assistance and counsel given him by
his good wife.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 485 |
BENJAMIN DOLL, a native of
this county, has done much important pioneer work. He
has passed the sixtieth milestone that marks an honorable
life, and is still keenly interested in farming and
stock-raising. His estate, is amply supplied with
commodious buildings for every purpose, and he is regarded
as one of the prominent men in his community, and has many
warm friends who esteem him highly for his sterling worth.
Mr. Doll was born July 27, 1827, in this
county, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Risher)
Doll, natives, respectively, of Pennsylvania and
Maryland. His mother, when nine years of age, in 1809,
emigrated to Stark County in company with her parents, and
during her life could relate many an interesting tale of
pioneer life in the new State. In that early day, the
family were often compelled to flee to the block-houses in
order to protect themselves from the Indians.
John Doll, the father of our subject,
emigrated to this State with his parents in 1814, the family
locating in Osnaburg Township, this county, making their
home in a log cabin in the woods. Of his large family
of children, the following survive: Our subject,
Josiah, Frank, Isaac, George and Eli.
His of whom we write was reared to man's estate in this
county, and received a practical education in the common
schools Many an acre of raw prairie land has he broken
with the old-time plow, drawn by oxen, and with the ox-team
hauled grain to market in those days. In his youth he
was inured to hard labor, but thereby developed
self-reliance and force of character, which have proved of
incalculable benefit to him in later years.
The lady of whom our subject was united in marriage in 1857
was known in her maidenhood as Miss Catherine Fisher,
and to them was born a family of eight children:
Josiah, Flora, Denison, Logan, Melville, Cora, Albert,
and Kent. The wife and mother
departed this life May 14, 1888, and the lady whom
Mr. Doll chose for his second wife was Mary
A., a daughter of John Jeffers, a
resident of this township.
In
the spring of 1852, the original of this sketch went to
California, taking passage on a steamer from the harbor of
New York City, and landed after a voyage of one month in San
Francisco. He remained in the Golden State for three
years, and was engaged in mining with fair success. He
has since visited California on three different occasions,
but always returns well satisfied with his home in the
Buckeye State.
Mr. Doll
is the proprietor of one hundred and sixty acres of valuable
land which his industry and enterprise have placed
under excellent village, and from which he reaps a
comfortable income. In politics, he is a stanch
Republican, warmly advocating the principles of that party,
and does all in his power to advance its interests. He
has served acceptably as School Director in his district,
and is a member of the Perry Grange at Massillon.
Mr. Doll is a man of sensible opinions on
all subjects with which he is conversant, his dealings are
always on the square, and his credit in money matters, as in
all things whatsoever, is sound.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 378 |
DR. JAMES E.
DOUGHERTY, of Canton, is a native of the Keystone State.
He was born in Beaver County, Mar. 13, 1820, and is the
eldest child and only son in a family of four children,
whose parents were John and Elizabeth (Crail)
Dougherty, both natives of Pennsylvania. The
father was born in Franklin County, Dec. 3, 1796. The
mother was born on the 25th of June, 1801, and was a
daughter of John Crail, Esq., a Revolutionary
soldier. James Dougherty, the grandfather of
our subject, was a native of Ireland, the Crain
ancestors coming from the isle of Man. The mother of
our subject died in her twenty-sixth year, and the father
passed away in Richmond, Ohio, Mar. 20, 1831.
James E. Dougherty, whose name heads this
record, attended the common schools of Jefferson County,
Ohio, and afterward was a student in the classical institute
of Richmond, where he spent two years and a half. He
then engaged in teaching at intervals, and also took up the
study of medicine with Dr. E. M. Pyle, of Richmond,
after which he attended the Cleveland Medical College.
The succeeding five years of his life were passed in Beaver
County, Pa., after which he located in Jefferson County,
Ohio. In 1849, he took up his residence in Greentown,
Stark County, where he continued in the active practice of
medicine for thirty-six years. In the prosecution of
his chosen profession he was quite successful, his skill and
ability winning him a large and lucrative practice and
gaining for him a wide reputation.
The Doctor has been twice married. He first
wedded Miss Phobe L. Thompson, of Carroll County,
Ohio, daughter of William R. Thompson. Their
union was celebrated Apr. 11, 1844. At her death she left
one son, William T., who is now connected with the
iron business in Newcastle, Pa. On the 27th of September,
1849. Dr. Dougherty wedded Miss
Angeline. daughter of Thomas Gorgus of
Greentown, Ohio, and a native of Lancaster, County, Pa.
By this marriage, eight children have been born, four sons
and four daughters, of whom three sons and one daughter are
yet living. Charles A, is a graduate of a dental college;
Louis was graduated from the Cleveland Medical College, and
is engaged in practice in Greentown; James E., who
was a teacher for some years, died in 1888; John F.
graduated from the dental college of Philadelphia; Mary
E. is Deputy Recorder of Stark County; Sarah A.
became the wife of Martin A. Mattice and died in
1891; Maggie died at the age of seven years; and one
daughter died in infancy.
Duriug the late war. Dr. Dougherty
enlisted in May, 1864, and became Lieutenant-Colonel of the
One Hundred and Sixty-second Ohio National Guards, which
were called out for one hundred days' service and sent to
Covington, Ky., doing garrison duty at that place most of
the time. In politics, he has been a stalwart
Republican since the organization of the party, and has been
honored with several official positions. In 1885, he was
elected County Recorder and came to Canton in December, to
take charge of the office for a term of three years. He won
the election by a majority of sixteen, and so faithfully did
he perform his duties that he was re-nominated in 1888, and
at the second election won the victory by a majority of six
hundred and seventy-one, running one thousand ahead of his
ticket. Since retiring from the Recorder's office, he
has spent the most of his time looking after his general
business and practically lives a retired life.
Socially, the Doctor is a member of Canton Lodge No.
60, A. F. & A. M.; Canton Chapter No. 84, R. A. M., serving
two years as High Priest; Hadassah Lodge No. 350, I. O. O.
F., of Greentown, and Canton Post No. 25, G. A. R. He was
Secretary of the Lake Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company
from 1877 until 1885, when he resigned the position.
Himself and wife are consistent members and active workers
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is one of the
teachers in the Sunday-school. Their home is situated
at No. 118 South Cleveland Avenue, and is a large frame
residence built in modern style and finished and furnished
very tastefully. The Doctor has long been identified
with the history of Stark County, and whether in public or
in private business, his life has been upright and
honorable, winning him the confidence and esteem of all with
whom he has come in contact.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 136 |
JOHN
H. DWYER. Conspicuous among the representative
citizens of Stark County, Ohio, now prominent in their
different callings, none have been more successful or
displayed more good judgment in the management of their
affairs than the gentleman whose name is mentioned above.
Although formerly a very prominent agriculturist of the
county, and a man whose good sense on all matters relating
to the farm was recognized by all, he is at present an
active member of the Empire Clay Company.
Mr. Dwyer claims Michigan as his native State
and was born near Dexter, Washtenaw County, on the 15th of
Sept., 1842. He is of Irish parentage, his parents,
James and Mary (Bahan) Dwyer, being natives of that
country. Like many others of that much down-trodden
race, the elder Mr. Dwyer's day dream was for liberty
and the right to cope with his fellow-men on an equal
footing in the battle of life, and as a consequence, when
seventeen years of age, he emigrated to the "land of the
free." The mother was but seven years of age when she
emigrated with her parents to America and settled with them
in Michigan. After marriage, the parents of our
subject moved to La Port County, Ind., and there made their
home for many years. There the father's death occurred
in 1860.
The original of this notice was fifth in order of birth
of a large family, and it fell on him to assist his mother
in taking care of the younger children, after the death of
the father. In 1869, he went to South Bend, Ind., and
when twenty-eight years of age was married there, on the 7th
day of May, 1872, to Catherine L. Maudru, a native of
Stark County, Ohio, born Oct. 13, 1845, but who was residing
in South Bend at the time of her marriage. Our subject
made his home in South Bend until 1878, after which he went
to Poweshiek County, Iowa, and bought eighty acres of wild
land. This he immediately began improving and here he
continued to reside for twelve years. On the 1st of
April, 1890, he left the farm, although he still owns it and
moved to Louisville, where he became the fourth partner in
his present business. He is wide-awake and
enterprising and one of the foremost men of the county.
His marriage was blessed by the birth of seven
children, viz: Mary A. born Apr. 24, 1875, at South
Bend, Ind.; John Joseph, born in South Bend, Ind., on
the 21st of March, 1876; Florence, born in Poweshiek
County, Iowa, Mar. 4, 1879; Charles, born in the same
county, Dec. 27, 1882; James, born in that county in
1885; Lewis, born in the same county, Nov. 27, 1887;
and Rosetta, born in Louisville, Ohio, on the 22d of
June, 1891. The subject of this sketch is a member of
the Holy Catholic Church and was confirmed at the age of
seventeen. His two eldest children have also been
confirmed. Mr. Dwyer is a member of the
Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and he is also a member
of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Stark
County, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: Chapman Bros. - 1892 - Page
131 |
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