* Click on underlined names for
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Jackson, Benjamin -- For a country
village, Bellville has been the home to able and prominent men. James
McCluer and Benjamin Jackson were associate judges of the court of common pleas
under the old constitution of Ohio. While McCluer later removed to
Leesville, Crawford County (Ohio), Judge Jackson continued to live at Bellville
until his death, at a ripe old age, a few years ago. Judge Jackson raised
a large, respected and respectable family of children, of whom the late wife of
our fellow townsman, L.J. Bonar, was the last of her family. For many
years Judge Jackson was engaged in the mercantile trade, and was postmaster
during the latter part of Buchanan's administration. Judge Jackson was a
gentleman of the old school, polite and dignified in his bearing and while
sociable in his way, never permitted familiarity to beget indifference.
During the latter years of his life Judge Jackson gave special attention to the
cemetery; bought land, had the grounds enlarged and systematically
platted, until it is now one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the state and
the "Snake Hill" of the long ago had but little resemblance to the "Beulah
Cemetery" of today. [Mansfield News: 28 May 1899]
Jenner, Abraham -- Dr. Abraham Jenner was
a prominent citizen of Ontario for many years and represented Richland County in
the Ohio legislature in 1858-60. Dr. Jenner was the father of Judge John W.
Jenner and the Hon. S. Eberle Jenner, of Mansfield. Submitted by Amy.
[Bellville Messenger: 25 June 1903, Vol. 11, No. 25]
Johnson, Robert M. -- Among the graves
decorated yesterday was that of Robert M. Johnson, a soldier of the Mexican War,
whose burial was the first interment in the present Mansfield Cemetery. Robert
M. Johnson was a son of the Rev. James Johnson, who was the pastor of the U.P.
church of this city from 1821 to 1852. When but 18 years old, Robert Johnson
enlisted to fight under his country's flag in Mexico, and died at Santillo, May
11, 1847, one month before the expiration of his term of enlistment. With
loving hands his comrades brought his remains home with them, and they were
buried in the (then) newly opened cemetery. A marble monument stands on the
burial lot, on which is this inscription: "Robert M. Johnson, May 11, 1847. A
volunteer to the Mexican War. Died at Saltillo. His remains were borne home by
his beloved fellow soldiers to his grief-stricken parents. The first burial in
this cemetery. This lot was donated to him by the directors." The text
inscription on the Johnson monument is: "Blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord." In the same lot lie the remains of the minister-father and the
soldier-son. And following the text might be added: "Honor to the dead, who in
life defended their country's flag." In that spirit, the graves of American
soldiers were decorated with flowers yesterday.
Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 06 June 1902, Vol. X, No. 24]
Johnston Family
Johnston, D.R. -- Dr. D.R. Johnston, of
this city, who spent some time as a missionary in Turkey and her dependencies,
is writing a series of very interesting papers on the Moslem faith for the
Shield. [Ohio Liberal: 04 July 1877]
Johnston, William "Bugle Bill" -- He was
of Irish blood, but born on the blue waters of old ocean and brought to Ohio a
child, and when a young man was a teacher of youth and associated with Lorin
Andrews. With Andrews he taught at the Ashland Academy, and when that school
was moved to Mansfield and located in the basement rooms of the Congregational
church, the building erected previous to the present one on the same site,
William Johnston was the assistant of that famous teacher Lorin Andrews. Then
it was, as a student, I first made the acquaintance of Mr. Johnston. He was
young, unmarried, spare, light-complected, blue eyed, very attractive
personage. I knew the lady he afterward made his wife, the daughter of Joseph
McComb, a wealthy forehanded farmer on the Jerome Fork of the Mohican. Her
brothers, Judson and Albert, were my schoolmates, and with them I have spent
many Saturdays and Sundays at their father's home. Mr. Johnston was a true son
of Erin, and his pen was as eloquent as his tongue, and his tongue was touched
with a flame of fire, sometimes vituperative, dealing in invectives, but for the
most time persuasive and pleasant. In his young manhood he was of the Whig
school of politics and a great admirer of Henry Clay, and when the presidential
battle of 1844 was waged between Clay, of Kentucky, and Polk, of Tennessee,
Johnston with an associate published the "Richland Bugle", the blasts of which
were very effective for Clay and Frelinghuysen, and against Polk and Dallas.
The "Bugle" was conducted with great vigor and blasts and blows were frequent at
the SHIELD AND BANNER, and its then editor, John Y. Glessner, which were
pleasing to Whigs and very annoying to their opponents. Never prior had the
local papers indulged in such warfare, and the fight was on and hot. "Harry of
the West" was defeated, and Johnston's heart was sad indeed. Shortly after he
moved to Charlotte, Michigan, and for some years there resided. In Michigan he
published a newspaper, but with varying fortune, and after considerable of an
interval of time returned to Ohio, but without fortune or any accumulation, save
his increased family. Then commenced a struggle for existence, and it
culminated in his study of the law and entry on its practice. The American
party, made up of men of both the Democratic and Whig parties, controlled in
part local as well as state affairs, and the blood of the Irishman began to glow
into a heat, and he abandoned the Whigs, because forsooth some Whigs were
pronounced Native Americans, overlooking the fact that some Democrats were
likewise. He was the candidate of the Whigs for Probate Judge against Judge
Myers, and defeated by a very large vote, and Johnston landed into the bosom of
the Democracy and thence forward his political associations were with those he
had ever before most bitterly opposed and bravely fought. He was associated at
first in practice with Mr. Purdy, who was exceedingly kind to him, but his new
party predilections lead him into business association with Judge Thomas W.
Bartley. When he blowed the Bugle in 1844 his articles on and against Mr.
Glessner approached the line of libel very closely if not fully so. Day and
Smith, who bought the Jeffersonian and resurrected its waning fortunes and
christened it anew as the Mansfield Herald, made the fight a vigorous one
against Mr. Glessner and the SHIELD, and used the editorial articles copied from
the Bugle; and --illegible-- of all things, the republicans of such articles
were made the basis of an action on behalf of Mr. Glessner against Day & Smith,
and Johnston was the attorney and advocate of Mr. Glessner. If Mr. Glessner's
good name was assaulted, the Bugle blasted it, and the Herald only resounded the
Bugle notes. The Bugle was not called to account, but the Herald was required
to respond and defend the libel action. Right thinking men could now draw the
line, and Mr. Johnston lost many friends, and deserved to lose them. But time
moved on. The Civil War was waging, and in the dark day of 1862 a gallant
soldier, General James H. Goodman, of Marion County, at the front, was nominated
for Congress by the Union party, and Wm. Johnston received the nomination of his
party, and Johnston won, and so served a term in the Congress of the United
States. His service was not marked by any brilliancy. The brilliant, daring
and developing young Whig of 1844 had become a Congressman it is true, but the
fires of his youth were gone, the sentiments which had called forth his power
and awakened and aroused his heart no longer controlled him and at the end of
his Congressional career he returned home, and shortly thereafter went into a
decline and died. The wound given his pride when the friends of his young
manhood made reflection, on foreign born peoples made a grievous sore, and he
lost the elasticity of the years of '40 and '44 and '48, and yet it should be
remembered that he was possessed of gifts and also of application and acquired
habits of industry, and was partially, at least, a success in his last chosen
field of endeavor, the law. His widow and son and daughters after his death
removed to Philadelphia, Pa., where the father and grandfather McComb had made
some provision for them. -- H.C.H.
Submitted by Amy.
[Richland Shield & Banner: 27 October 1894, Vol.
LXXVII, No. 24]
Jolley, John
Martin -- John Martin Jolley, son of Absalom and Phebe Jolley, who
removed from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Richland county, Ohio, in 1819,
was born in Springfield township, Richland county, April 24th., 1830. Received
his education principally in the public schools but studied for a time at
Oberlin college and at Gundry's Commercial College, Cincinnati, O. He was
deputy clerk of court of common pleas of Crawford county, Ohio, in 1848-9, and
deputy auditor of Richland county, Ohio, in 1850 and '51. In 1853 became
book-keeper and teller in the bank of E. Sturges, Sr. & Co., where he remained
until the Richland National Bank was organized in 1865, when he was elected
cashier of that institution and retained the position until January 1, 1884.
From that time until October, 1889, he was cashier and book-keeper on the
wholesale shoe house of H.M. Weaver & Co. In 1863, Mr. Jolley was elected
treasurer of Richland county, but had the business of the office transacted by
T.J. Robinson, deputy. Mr. Jolley has written much for the local newspapers and
is the author of many musical compositions and recently purchased the HALIFAX
JOURNAL at Daytona, Florida, and removed to that place. Mr. Jolley has been
married three times and has a wife and one child, a daughter, living. Submitted
by Amy. [THE MANSFIELD HERALD: 24 April 1890, Vol. 40, No. 23]
Jones, Johannes A. -- Dr. Johannes A.
Jones, who departed this life Tuesday, Dec. 3, was born Sept. 30, 1830. He was a
son of Joshua A. Jones who resided on a farm near Philadelphia. His early life
was spent upon the farm and he received his primary education in the country
school. When a youth he entered Flack's graded school in New York City, spending
the vacations clerking for his uncle, J. A. Jones, after whom he was
christened. After graduating from this school, his father desired that he
should study for the ministry, but, through the influence of another uncle, Sir
Walter Jones, M.D., LL.D., a famous physician of London, England, he began the
study of medicine and entered Bellvue hospital, a medical institution in New
York, from which he graduated in 1858. He next graduated from the Homeopathy
Medical College of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, in 1859; from the New York
Ophthalmic hospital for the eye, ear and throat, in 1860; from the Hannaman
Medical Institute of Philadelphia in 1861. He then went to London and studied
one year with Sir Walter Jones, who was then in the height of his success, after
which Dr. Jones was appointed chief surgeon of the eye and ear department of the
institute with which his uncle was connected, remaining there two years. He then
returned to New York and founded the Jones eye and ear institute, which he
abandoned four years later on account of ill health, and again went abroad,
spending 19 months in the principal hospitals of London and Vienna. He then
returned to America and became a traveling specialist. Dr. Jones came to
Mansfield about 31 years ago, purchased the present family residence on Spring
Mill Street, married Miss Frances I. Barr, daughter of Col. Barr of this city,
and has since resided here continuously, spending the summers at home and the
winters traveling from city to city practicing his profession. He quit practice
at Little Rock, Ark., in 1881. During these years he amassed considerable
property in this city. The survivors of his family are his wife and four
daughters, namely: Mrs. L.J. Elliott of Racine, Wis., Misses Madelle, Bessie and
Leile, the later aged 12 years. In his home life Dr. Jones was attentive to his
family. He was fond of children and music and gave each of his children all of
the educational opportunities at command. When alone with his family his
greatest pleasure was to have his children entertain him with music, in which
manner most of his evenings were spent. He would insist on having his children
bring their associates to their home and, no matter who the guests might be, he
made it a rule to spend a half hour with them in social intercourse and he was a
hospitable entertainer. In his every-day life he was not disposed to mingle much
with the outside world. He chose but few personal friends and those who knew him
intimately held him in high esteem. Outside of the few whose fellowship and
confidence he preferred he lived a retired life. Since he retired from practice,
members of his family say, he had not been absent from home three nights in all
these years, except, in the company with some member of his family, to attend
entertainments or social events to which the family was invited. Dr. Jones was
abstemious in his habits and opposed to the use of liquor and tobacco in any
form, even for medical purposes. He was a persistent advocate for temperance,
was a member of the Methodist church since boyhood and preserved in books all
the lessons taught by him in the Sabbath School when a young man. He was a
demitted member of the Masonic fraternity but never affiliated with the lodges
in this city. Submitted by Amy.
Kauffman, Anna (Staman) -- Mrs. Anna
Staman Kauffman, the subject of this sketch, was born near Lancaster, Pa., Sept.
9, 1808. Her parents emigrated westward to Ohio as early as 1823 and founded
their new home on the eastern bank of the Black Fork at what is known as
Staman's Mill. At the age of 20 she was united in marriage to Christian Kauffman
and the happy twain at once took up their abode on the farm where she has ever
resided and where she was laid to rest Mar. 25, 1896, at the advanced age of 87
years, 6 months and 13 days, her husband having preceded her by 20 years. Their
union was blessed with one son and four daughters. Jacob graduated from the Inn
City Business College, afterwards enlisted in the Illinois Regiment and served
his country faithfully, loyally and bravely to the close of the war. Soon after
his return he, like many other bright and energetic young men, sought his
fortunes in the west. His whereabouts could not be ascertained for the last 20
years and is mourned as one dead. Sarah, the eldest daughter, was married to
Alexander McElroy and they have always resided near the city of Mansfield. Their
elegant and hospitable home is known by many. Anna, though in poor health much
of the time, has been her mother's constant companion and helper, and with her
Christian faith and fortitude ministered her every want. Fanny, the third
daughter, married Emanuel Charles. They are in possession of a model farm and
their happy home with its genial inmates is a blessing to all about them.
Maria, the youngest daughter, was married to Dr. N.V. Kendig of Hayesville, O.
Though now deceased, had she lived would have seen her three sons attain marked
success in their professional callings. Mrs. Kauffman possessed very strong
characteristics, and no doubt was one of the best types of a refined
Pennsylvania farmer's wife. A class, whom no one ever knew but to bless. She was
industrious, frugal, and methodical. She was in all things honorable, kind and
considerate. Some of the last moments of Mother Kauffman's long and eventful
career were spent in caring for and looking after the the comfort of others. And
many who followed her to her last resting place and saw her gently laid beside
her kindred on their own quiet ground will call to remembrance her late acts of
charity and deeds of benevolence. Yes, generations yet unborn will some day
rise up and call her blessed. Submitted by Amy. [RICHLAND SHIELD & BANNER: 04
April 1896, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 47]
Keller, Cecelia - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF
MRS. CECELIA KELLER -Today is the eighty-fourth birthday anniversary of Mrs.
Cecelia Keller, widow of Peter Keller, who has made her home for the past 56
years at 106 West Fourth street. Mrs. Keller was born in Lancaster, Pa., Sept.
22, 1826, and came to Ohio with her parents as a young girl, the family having
resided for a number of years at Mifflin. She has been a member of the First
Methodist church of Mansfield for many years and has always taken an active
interest in church work. She has one son, Frank Weldon, residing in this city.
Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield News, Page 3: Thursday, September
22, 1910]
Kelly, J.H. -- Dealer in Stoves & Tinware,
is conducting an enterprise of noteworthy consideration, and we gladly devote
the requisite space to speaking of the establishment which he represents. Mr. K.
established his present business something over a year and a half ago, and from
the start has taken a leading position among the best business houses in the
place. Mr. K. has been a resident of the county for the past 23 years, and for a
number of years previous to coming here was engaged in the same line in our
neighboring village of Lexington. His stock of stoves and tin ware is large and
complete, and comprises goods of the very best quality. Job work of every
description -- roofing, spouting, guttering, &c. are important features of the
enterprise. Mr. K. is a wide-awake business man, and none are more worthy of
success. Submitted by Amy. [BELLVILLE WEEKLY: 02 January 1874, Vol. 2, No. 44]
Kemp, Rev. George M. -- THE REV. GEORGE M.
KEMP -- A Student, Soldier, Minister and Practical Business Man. The Rev.
George M. Kemp is one of Mansfield's ablest and most zealous ministers of the
gospel. He was born Dec. 30, 1838, in Belmont county. His father, Dr. J. A.
Kemp, resided on a small farm near Barnesville and in addition to rural pursuits
he was a medical practitioner. Mr. Kemp is a graduate of Bethany, class of '71,
which is the principal theological seminary of the Disciple church. He married
in June, 1861. The war of the rebellion had waged three years when Mr. Kemp
enlisted in Co. E., 36th O. V. I., which was assigned to detach service. At the
expiration of 10 months he was detailed on a recruiting commission to return to
Ohio to raise troops. He organized Co. I., of the 179th regiment, at Belmont,
was commissioned captain, Sept. 28, 1864, and remained in command of the company
until it was mustered out June 18, 1865. There are few Mansfielders who know
that the chaplain of McLaughlin Post, 131, G. A. R. for the past six years is
entitled to the military distinction of a captain. The principal engagement in
which Captain Kemp and his men participated was between Hood and Thomas, Dec.
15-16, at Nashville, Tenn., where the regiment was stationed. It was after
returning from the war that Captain Kemp began his theological studies at
Bethany. Upon his graduation he was made pastor of the Disciple church at Lima,
where he remained from July, 1871, to November, 1879. He then became pastor of
the Mansfield church for one year; was pastor of the church at Iowa, Mich., two
years and then returned to Mansfield having been appointed assistant evangelist
for Ohio, in which capacity he served three years after which he officiated as
years. he now engages in general church work and divides a portion of his time
between the churches at Fostoria and Gibsonburg. Mr. Kemp's first wife, who
died in July, 1879, was the mother of his three children. His present consort
was formerly Louisa Bingner, of this city, whom he married in December, 1880.
Mr. Kemp has mercantile interests in this city, being the senior member of the
enterprising firm of Kemp, Burson & Co. furniture and carpet dealers, East
Fourth street, in the Elk block. Submitted by Jean and Faye. [WEEKLY NEWS
(Mansfield): 16 July 1891]
Kenny, Thomas J. -- (aka: Hon.
Thomas J. Kenny) Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the
Richland-Ashland circuit; d. 4/1882; born at Geneva, Ashtabula,
Ohio; resided in Ashland, OH; Lawyer; member of Ohio
Senate 1861-1863; delegate to Democratic National Convention held at
Cincinnati, OH; married; one son, one daughter.
[(Cleveland, OH) Plain Dealer: 21 April 1882]
Kerr, John -- Monday. John Kerr, who
has gained an enviable reputation as a school teacher in this county during the
last eight years, will shortly leave for Springfield, Ill., where he has secured
a position in one of the suburban schools of that city. Mr. Kerr's
Democracy will not come amiss in the metropolis of Sangamon County and the
capital city of the Sucker state.
[Richland Shield &
Banner: 29 July 1893]
Kerr,
Winfield S. -- Winfield S. Kerr, Republican candidate for senator of the
27th. and 29th. joint senatorial district, is a native of Richland County,
having been born in Monroe Township. In his early youth his educational
advantages were limited. At the age of eighteen he became a freight brakeman on
the Pennsylvania railroad in which occupation he lost his arm in a collision in
1872. Afterwards, he began the study of telegraphy, but an inclination to a
learned profession led him in another direction and in 1877 he entered the
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and took a two years' course in the law
department. He was admitted to practice in 1879 and immediately opened an office
in Mansfield where he has since resided and has taken a front rank among the
attorneys of the city. Mr. Kerr is a close student of analytical mind and grasps
the legal points of a case readily and presents an argument logically and
eloquently. As a man and citizen, Mr. Kerr is held in highest regard by those
who know him best. He is an honorable, capable, manly man whose life in public
and private is above reproach and his mental endowments are such as will make
him a worthy representative in the state senate of the people of this district.
Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD WEEKLY NEWS: 29 September 1887, Vol. 3, No. 44]
Kile, A.C. -- Mr. Kile, the member from
Richland County, was born in County Down, Ireland, January 7, 1810, and
emigrated to the United States in 1817, settling in Beaver County -- now
Lawrence County -- Pennsylvania, which place he left in January, 1834, and came
to Ohio, locating in Richland County, Worthington Township. He received a
common school education. Mr. Kile is a carpenter and joiner, and a farmer. He
was elected Constable in 1840, and served in that position for four years, after
which he assessed his township for three years. In 1851 he was elected Justice
of the Peace, in which office he has done service for fifteen years. this is
certainly faithful endurance in public office. He was elected to the House of
Representatives in 1869, and re-elected in 1871. He was a member of important
Standing House Committees in the Fifty-ninth General Assembly, and is a member
of several committees of the Sixtieth General Assembly. He is, and always has
been, a Democrat, having cast his first vote for General Jackson for President.
He was married in 1841 to Miss Phipps -- has had five children, four of whom are
still living. Mr. Kile is now over sixty years old, and yet he has the
appearance of a man of forty-five. Is honest, unassuming and practical, and
gentlemanly in his bearing toward men of both parties, and to all people.
[Biographical Sketches of The State Officers, and of The Members of the Sixtieth
General Assembly of the State of Ohio, W. Darwin Crabb, Columbus, 1872]
Kincaid,
George William & Anna Minerva (Bond) -- George William Kincaid was born
in Philadelphia, June 23d., A.D. 1790, on Fourth Street between Market and
Chestnut Streets, where he spent his childhood and youth. His parents named him
William, but his father having been an active officer in the Revolutionary War
became intimately acquainted with Gen. Washington, and frequently called at Mr.
Kincaid's and dandled the little boy on his knees, and at one time told his
parents to name him "George", and George was prefixed to his name, and ever
after his name was and is George William, and not George Washington as was
generally supposed. Mr. Kincaid has vivid recollection of matters transpiring
in those times. He remembers Washington well, and sitting on his knee, and
seeing his funeral procession pass. He shook hands with Gen. Lafayette in 1824.
In 1811 Mr. Kincaid volunteered and took an active part in getting recruits for
the then pending war of 1812. He was commissioned Sergeant-Major, and held that
office during the war. Mr. Kincaid was assigned to the first company 14th.
regiment of Gen. Brown's army, and participated in all the hardships and battles
of that army during the war of 1812. Among the principle ones were at Fort
George, Sackets Harbor, Fort Erie, Chippewa, Lundy's Lane, Queenstown, Thames
River and many other battles and skirmishes of less note. When Gen. Ross
started to capture Washington and other cities along the rivers and Eastern
coast, Mr. Kincaid was among his pursuers, and was assigned to Fort McHenry for
duty, for the defense of Baltimore, and took an active part in that memorable
bombardment on the 12th. and 14th. of September, A.D. 1814; for 48 hours having
nothing to eat. On the 13th. a soldier's wife brought her husband his breakfast
in a bucket. He tried to persuade her to leave the fort immediately, but she
said: "No, if you die here I want to die with you." When he had eaten his meal
she stooped to pick up the bucket, a shell came and tore her body to shreds and
cut the husband nearly in two, and she died with him. Mr. Kincaid at one time
helped to replace the flag on the fort, which had been shot down, and they kept
it up for Mr. Key to "See by the dawn's early light". Mr. Kincaid was hit on the
left hand by a fragment of an exploded shell. The wound was very slight, but the
scar is yet there, and is the only wound or scar he received during the war.
Near the close of the war Mr. Kincaid was on duty at the headquarters of Col.
Lane in Philadelphia, when a sealed package was sent in. It was referred to him
to examine. He broke the seal and read aloud the treaty of peace. This was the
first news of the ratification of that instrument in Philadelphia, and great was
the rejoicing for many days thereafter. Mr. Kincaid voted for President Monroe
in 1814 and has voted at every succeeding Presidential election up to the
present time. Miss Anna Minerva Bond was born at Martinsburg, Va., April 22,
1802, and was married to George William Kincaid at Woodbery, Frederick County,
Md., on September 3d., 1818, by Rev. Hammond of the M.E. Church. The children
born to them were fourteen, only four of them are now living. Mr. Kincaid came
to Bellville in A.D. 1836, with his large family, and without any means of
support but his trade, tailor. By the assistance of a faithful and industrious
helpmate, with constant labor and economy, he succeeded in feeding, clothing,
and caring in a proper manner for them, until they acquired age and skill to
care for themselves. When at times he asked for credit for rents and other
necessaries, he got it and always paid the last dollar and never was sued. After
the twin having lived and labored diligently together as husband and wife nearly
67 years, the wife died in Bellville, July 10, 1884, aged 82 years, 2 months and
18 day. Mr. Kincaid is still in Bellville, now in his 95th. year. He is quite
feeble and in destitute circumstances, yet with his pension and assistance of
the Odd Fellows, of which order he has been a member for many years, he is eking
out his remaining days. His honest, upright and moral character has attached to
him many friends; his enemies are not known. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD
HERALD: 04 June 1885, Vol. 35, No. 29]
King, Charles H. -
Mansfield's Oldest Business Man Celebrates
Anniversary of Birth -- Today is the eighty-ninth birthday anniversary of
Charles H. King, of 103 Bowman street, who was born in York county,
Pennsylvania, Oct. 7, 1821, and who has been a resident of Mansfield for
fifty-six years. Mr. King was brought to Ohio by his parents in 1825 and the
family located on what was then uncleared timber land in the southwestern part
of Stark county, in which vicinity he resided during his boyhood and young
manhood. As a boy he worked on a boat on the Ohio canal or assisted his father
in clearing land during the summer and taught school during the winter, having
begun teaching school at the age of sixteen years and continuing in that work
for about fifteen years. One of Mr. King's most prized possessions is a
teacher's certificate, the last issued by a township board of examiners, which
was issued to him by the board of examiners in Tuscarawas township, Stark county
under date of Dec. 30, 1837, nearly seventy-five years ago. Photographs of
three of his teachers' certificates were on exhibition at the Jamestown
exposition and are now filed in the state department at Columbus. Mr. King came
to Mansfield in 1854, and was for some years engaged in the monument business
here. More than twenty years ago he started in the grocery business and still
continues in that business, having a store on Bowman street. Submitted by Jean
and Faye. [The Mansfield News, Page 5: Friday, October 7, 1910]
Kingsboro, Jane (Wilson) -- Sketch of the
Life of Mrs. Jane Kingsboro, a Pioneer. In the death of Mrs. Jane Kingsboro, at
Indianapolis, Saturday evening at 6 o'clock, Richland County loses another
pioneer. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. T.J. Maiden. The remains
will be brought to Shelby and the funeral held Tuesday at 1:30 o'clock,
standard, from the home of her son, H.E. Kingsboro, on South Broadway, the Rev.
Dr. E.M. Page, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church officiating. Mrs..
Kingsboro was preceded in death by four children and her husband. The children
who survive her are: Mrs. T.J. Maiden, Mrs. Addie Guype, Mrs. Nettie Guinn, all
of Indianapolis, and Mrs. John Weller and H.E. Kingsboro, of this city. Mrs.
Marietta Roberts, of this city, is now the only remaining member of the Wilson
family. When General Eli Wilson, Henry Whitney, Stephen Marvin and Lemuel
Raymond established a trading post in 1818 where Shelby now stands -- the
country was a wilderness, Raymond's log cabin was erected where E.S. Close now
lives, Whitney's where the library now stands, Wilson's where Mrs. W.T. Mickey
now lives and Marvin's where Daniel Martin now resides. The four families were
the first to come into the <illegible> of Sharon township. They came from
Fairfield, Conn. They entered a quarter section of land each. The 80 acres
entered by Gen. Wilson was sold to John Gamble. It included that part of the
city west of the Blackfork. The consideration was $600 and it was all paid in
silver. Gen. Wilson tied it up in a cotton handkerchief and carried the money
through the wilderness to Wooster to the land office where he entered another
piece of land on the east side of the Blackfork and built his cabin, where the
Carmichael block now stands. John W. Weiser of South Broadway, lives in a house
erected by Gen. Wilson. This house and the Marvin house which stands near the
railroad are the two oldest houses in the city. That portion of the original
land owned by General Wilson was only transferred three times, passing from the
government to Gen. Wilson, thence to his daughter, Mrs. Jane Kinsgboro, thence
to her son, H.E. Kingsboro. General Wilson's children were as follows: Mrs.
Jeanette Welsh, Hiram Wilson, Mrs. Harriet Gamble, Mrs. Jane Kingsboro, Mrs.
Marietta Roberts, Edgar Wilson, Mrs. Lucinda Bowers and Charles Wilson. She was
born Jan. 27, 1817 and was six months old when her father, Gen. Wilson settled
here. The first shoemaker in Shelby was her husband, John Kingsboro, father of
H.E Kingsboro. He came to this section of the country from Pennsylvania on foot
and first settled at Lexington. Later he came here when the first hotel was
opened. [Mansfield Daily Shield: 14 October 1902 - as reprinted from the
Shelby Globe]
Kirkwood, Senator -- Senator Kirkwood of
Iowa spent a part of his early life in Mansfield, Ohio. While there he
stood among the foremost lawyers at th ebar, and was noted both as a counselor
and pleader. He was very plain in both manner and dress. He wore an
old, short, yellow faded coat, which gave him the nickname of "Old Yellow Coat"
taken from a character supposed to represent him in a local novel called the
"Unjust Judge". [Ohio Liberal: 25 July 1877]
Kline, Morris & Sophia (Smith) -- Morris
Kline and wife, of Johnsville, are natives of Germany. Mr. Kline came to America
in 1851 and Mrs. Kline in 1853. He came to Lexington, Richland County, in 1854,
where he met Sophia Smith (now Mrs. Kline). The winter before going to Lexington
he went to school at the Knox school house between Bellville and Lexington,
where he learned to read and write English, when 28 years old reading in the
first reader. Having been married in the fall of 1855 he and his wife moved to
Johnsville in the spring of 1856 and all they had was a few household goods and
a set of blacksmith's tools. With long days and arduous toil upon the part of
both they have accumulated some little property, a farm of 87 acres, and a
comfortable home in Johnsville, besides having raised a family of ten children,
four boys and six girls and have given each some help. The children are all
married except the two youngest, Clint and Hattie, who are at home. Frank lives
in Edison, John on a farm west of Johnsville, George, Mrs. Newhouse, Mrs.
Sheriff, Mrs. Dewitt and Mrs. Cass are living in Mansfield, and Mrs. Biddle in
Johnsville. It having been some time since all had been together it was agreed
that on Wednesday, the 31st. of August, that they would all gather once more at
the old home in family reunion, there being 25 grandchildren, 45 in all. It
being a pleasant day all were permitted to enjoy the shade of the beech and
sugar trees, the good things upon the bountifully spread table and the singing
and speech-making. Mother Kline was presented with an elegant set of dishes. An
annual reunion organization was affected with Frank Kline for president, Hattie
Kline, secretary, and George Kline, treasurer. -- One Who Was Present.
Submitted by Amy. [Mansfield Semi-Weekly News: 06 September 1898, Vol. 14, No.
74]
Kline, Odessa -- *A letter written by
Odessa Kline, dated 15 July 1899 was published in the Mansfield News
(7/23/1899), about her residence in California. Refer to microfilmed copy
of the newspaper for a copy of this letter.
Knofflock, George -- George Knofflock arrived in Mansfield on the 5th.
of April, 1861, to make Ohio his home. Seven days later Ft. Sumter was bombarded
and then followed the president's call for troops. And, although young Knofflock
was but a few days over 14 years old, he enlisted in the 8th. Ohio Infantry, but
was rejected on account of age when the regiment was mustered into service.
Returning home, he bided his time and on the 27th. of July, 1861, he enlisted in
Capt. M.W. Morden's Company E, 32nd. O.V.I. - Col. Tom Ford's regiment -- and
was in every battle in which that command was engaged; never missed a duty and
never went to a sick call. He was blessed with health and his life seemed
charm-like protected, for although he was in the thickest of the fight in 22
battles, was never wounded. He was good-natured and cheerful; his wit was always
crisp and sparkling and to the sting of a repartee he could add the honey of the
clover. He could fight all day, dance all night, and be ready for duty, fresh
and breezy, the next morning. He was a general favorite in both company and
regiment and would cheerfully share his last hard tack or handful of corn with
his comrade. George Knofflock re-enlisted as a veteran December 9, 1864, at
Vicksburg, Miss., and was promoted to sergeant the July following. The 32d.
O.V.I. was first in service in West Virginia and was in the surrender at
Harper's Ferry. Later it was transferred to the west, was in the siege at
Vicksburg, in the Atlanta campaign (in the 17th. corps), and finally in that
memorable march to the sea. And when Comrade Knofflock sings "Marching Through
Georgia" as he does at camp fires so cleverly and well, he is but telling in
poetry and song the events through which he passed and in which he
participated. He was honorably discharged at Columbus July 27, 1865, after
having seen four years of actual service. Returning to this city he joined
Mansfield Fire Company No. 1, in September, 1865, and has been identified with
the fire department ever since, and now, as for a number of years past, holds
the position of "chief". In 1868 he accepted a position with the Aultman-Taylor
company, and has since continuously been in their employ, holding the important
position of shipping clerk, and ranks with the leading business men of the
city. When but a boy Comrade Knofflock determined to achieve success in life,
and industry, perseverance and integrity has succeeded. Learning came to him
intuitively. He is well read and has traveled extensively. He is deservedly
popular among all classes. Submitted by Amy. [Mansfield Semi-Weekly News: 11
October 1898, Vol. 14, No. 84] [Photo
2]
Knott, James W.
-- James W. Knott, the
Democratic nominee for state auditor returned home from Springfield at
noon and has had many calls since, at his home on West Fourth Street, by
friends who congratulate him upon the honor conferred upon him by the
convention. Mr. Knott was born in
Coshocton County, near West Beford, Aug. 14, 1853. His father, the
Rev. James W. Knott, was a minister of the Presbyterian Church who moved
his family to Richland County in 1853, about a year before his
death. Mrs. Knott, who is yet living, and family, moved to Ashland
County in 1867, where her son James spent his youth upon a farm. In 1873 Mr. Knott began
teaching a country school but before he finished his first term he was
elected principal of the grammar schools at Ashland where he remained
until 1878. Meanwhile he prepared himself for studying privately in
the freshman and sophomore course of the Wooster University and after one
year as a student at the university he graduated in 1879 with the highest
grade of his class. That same year Mr. Knott was elected
superintendent of public schools at Tiffin where he remained eleven
years. While at Tiffin he was unanimously elected professor of
natural sciences by the Wooster University board in 1883 but he declined
the position. In 1887 he was also elected superintendent of the
public schools of Sandusky which he also declined. In 1890 Governor Campbell
tendered him the position of superintendent of the deaf and dumb state
institute at Columbus which he at first declined but was subsequently
persuaded to accept and he remained at the head of that institution during
Governor Campbell's administration. It was with a reference to his
administration as superintendent of this institution that one of its
graduates wrote during an investigation of his successor's administration,
"Mr. Knott's administration is one bright spot in the history of that
institution in the past ten years." In 1892 Mr. Knott was
elected superintendent of the public schools of Wooster where he remained
one year. During that year he was twice elected to positions in the
Columbus schools which he declined. He was re-elected superintendent
at Wooster at a higher salary than was ever before paid in that city but
he declined as he was subsequently elected superintendent of the schools
of Mansfield at a higher salary than was ever paid a superintendent of
schools in this city. Of his work in this city
the people of Mansfield are conversant. The schools are now in
better condition than ever in the history of Mansfield and this is the
fourth city in Ohio to have high school graduates admitted to the Michigan
State University at Ann Arbor without examination, the other cities being
Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo. Prof. Knott has also become a
prominent instructor in institute work. Mr. Knott, while at
Tiffin, married Miss Ettie Nyman, a daughter of Philetus Nyman, a retired
manufacturer of that city, and they have a family of three bright
children. [Richland Shield & Banner: 24 August 1895, Vol.
LXXVIII, No. 15] <<
photo
>>
Kohler, Paul -- One of the most brilliant
seniors is Paul Kohler, and consequently he has been a conspicuous member of the
coveted Honor "M" society of M.H.S. We asked Paul what his favorite "eats" were
so that the underclassmen could obtain like sustenance, and thus assure M.H.S.
of more brilliant seniors even after '27 has departed. It is none other than the
famous peach pie a la mode. (Freshmen take notice!) We hesitate dubiously about
making public Paul's ambition, for fear of causing too much commotion and
disturbance. It is to get a girl. Paul's activities are Honor "M" society (2)
(3) (4), Vice-President (3), Latin club (3) (4), Treasurer (4), Social Science
Service Club (3) (4), Football (3), Manhigan (4), Football manager (4), and Pin
and Ring committee (4). Submitted by Amy. [THE HYPHONERIAN: 08 October 1926,
Vol. IX, No. 2]
Krause, John
Jr. -- Mr. Krause was born in Mansfield, March 19, 1848, and has always
lived here. He was the eldest son of John Krause, Sr., with whom he became
engaged in the grocery business about 25 years ago, the firm name being John
Krause & Sons. Upon the retirement of their father the business was conducted
by Krause Brothers. Mr. Krause retired from this firm about two years ago and
is now the principal proprietor of the Mansfield Ice Co. He is a director and
vice-president of the Bank of Mansfield, is a director of the Mechanics'
Building & Loan Co. and is also interested in other local business enterprises.
He was elected trustee of the water works in 1893 and is the president of the
board. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield & Banner: 09 February 1895, Vol.
LXXVII, No. 39 - From an article entitled "The Board of Water Works Trustees"
pertaining to new rules that the Board had enacted]
LaDow, Jesse E. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF
ATTY. J. E. LADOW -Tomorrow is the birthday anniversary of Jesse E. LaDow, who
was born in Plymouth, this county, Oct. 30, 1862, and who has practiced law in
this city since he was admitted to the bar in October, 1887. After attending
the Ohio State and the Ohio Northern universities Mr. LaDow came to Mansfield
Sept. 1, 1885, and took up the study of law in the office of Jenner & Tracy.
Fraternally Mr. LaDow is a member of the Elks and Masons. Submitted by Jean and
Faye. [The Mansfield News: Saturday, October 29, 1910]
Lafferty, James -- The parents of James Lafferty were both Irish and
English extraction, being born in America in the old Keystone state --
Pennsylvania. The ancestors all lived to a good old age. His mother died at the
ripe old age of 84, while the grandmother on his father's side lived to the
enormous age of 111 years. An aunt, Mrs. Hamilton, lived to the age of 96. James
Lafferty comes from a long lived ancestry. His parents were farmers and lived on
Mingo Creek, Washington Co., Pa. James Lafferty, son of John and Mary Lafferty,
was the oldest of a family of eleven children, seven brothers and four sisters.
The sisters all have gone over to the majority; the five brothers are still
living, the youngest of whom, is 68 years old. James Lafferty was born on a
farm in Washington Co., Pa., Dec. 4, 1808. Here he lived till the age of nine
when the family moved to Harrison Co., O., bought a farm of 160 acres of land
all in the woods. Here the subject of this sketch lived on the farm as all his
ancestors did, developing those muscles of iron and mind of pure mould capable
of standing, like the mighty oak, against a century of storms. They battle with
all the hardships of pioneer life in that early day, living in a cabin and
working among the roots. Here at the age of 24, Mr. Lafferty was united in
marriage to Mary Patterson of his neighborhood, with whom he spent 24 happy
years of his life. James Lafferty and wife, together with the whole family
moved to Richland County in 1838, the father locating on what is known as the
old Lafferty farm, two miles east of Bellville, where James located in the town
of Bellville. The old Block House was remaining yet and Huron Street was Main
Street. Soon Mr. Lafferty was engaged to drive stage for the Ohio Stage Company
in whose employ he spent many years, making Truksville or Ganges, Mansfield,
Bellville, Mt. Vernon, Centerburg, Sunberry and Columbus. Always four horses and
sometimes six horses were driven to these stages. Mr. Lafferty prided himself in
keeping fine horses. There were no railroads or telegraph lines. From ten to
sixteen passengers were drawn with the stage, taking from 1¼ to 1½ hours to
drive from Bellville to Mansfield. James Lafferty moved to Mansfield in 1841 as
deputy sheriff under David Wise. Afterwards he engaged in buying horses,
shipping them to Canada and Buffalo. In 1841 when the California fever swept
over this country taking so many of our citizens to the Pacific coast, while
many a poor fellow perished on the long tedious journey, James Lafferty, in
company with twenty others, bought tickets for $300 apiece to San Francisco,
Cal., setting out for New York City on their way to California -- the country of
gold. At New York they took a boat to Aspinwall and crossed over the isthmus of
Panama on mules and on foot. The mountains are very steep and precipitous. The
boat must sail around South America to get to the Pacific ocean. On this trip
around it was wrecked and never came. The unfortunate company lay in Panama more
than three months while many of their company died from fevers. Mr. Lafferty
with many others returned home losing their $300, the price of the ticket. On
his return to Mansfield he again entered the office of deputy sheriff and kept
the jail for a period of four years, during which time Mrs. Lafferty died.
After a time he married Maria S. Patterson, Oct. 25, 1855, who was then engaged
in teaching in Bellville Union Schools, under Supt. Moses Dickey, now "Judge
Dickey" of Cleveland. James Lafferty is well remembered by many of the older
people of Mansfield. Mr. Lafferty now moved to Haysville and kept hotel one
year when the war broke out. He then, at the call of his country, enlisted in
the three months' service. Served his time out and then re-enlisted in the three
years' service, continuing until his health failed him. During his army life he
was in the battles of Second Bull Run, Cedar Mountain and several others. He was
honorably discharged on account of poor health; recruited up, got a position in
Nichollsville, Ky., and continued there for sixteen months till the war closed.
It is due to be said in this connection that Mrs. Lafferty, his wife, went into
the army with him, with a regular commission as army nurse, and continued
throughout the war. Mrs. L. is very handy around the bed of sickness, and it is
no small compliment that her hands have relieved the wants and lessened the
dying groans of many a comrade on the fields of war. James Lafferty passed from
this life quietly at his home on Huron Street, Friday, April 6, 1894. He was 85
years, 4 months and 2 days. His body was laid to rest in Bellville Cemetery on
Sunday. Rev. C.W. Caldwell, of the Presbyterian church, officiated. Submitted
by Amy. [BELLVILLE INDEPENDENT: 12 April 1894, Vol. 6, No. 48]
Lahm, Frank P. -- Lieut. Frank P. Lahm,
U.S.A., of this city, made the first and most successful flight ever made by a
dirigible balloon from Fort Omaha, Neb., yesterday. Dirigible No. 1, under
control of Lieut. Lahm, accompanied by Lieut. Foulois, was up fifteen minutes,
the maximum height being 105 feet. A new rudder, constructed by direction
of Lieut. Lahm, greatly aided the smooth trip. While making the third
circle in the neighborhood of the fort a steam pipe broke, making it necessary
to stop the motor. Descent was made easily. The motor will be
repaired tonight and the dirigible will ascend again tomorrow. [Mansfield
Daily Shield: 27 May 1909, p. 2]
Lahm, Frank P. -- Lieut. F.P. Lahm,
U.S.A., the Mansfield boy who has achieved an enviable reputation as being one
of the best informed aeronauts in the United States Army, passed through the
city this morning over the Pennsylvania for Fort Omaha where he has been
detailed to take charge of tests of the dirigible balloons. He was met at
the depot by relatives. [Mansfield (OH) Daily Shield: 22 May 1909]
Lamberton, Christopher --
Christopher, a Mansfield Pioneer, was born on the
family farm in Aughill, Londonderry, Northern Ireland in the year 1766. Little
is known of his early life, but he attended the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
His first mention in the United States is through his application for
citizenship submitted in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 4 October 1799. In 1800
He appears in the records of Beverley Virginia, now West Virginia as a Lawyer.
It was there that he married Sidney Elizabeth Pugh, widow of Jacob Westfall, on
the 15th of March 1802. Christopher in addition to his legal
practice, assisted in the operation of a trading station operated by his brother
James who resided in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. His business brought him often to
Carlisle where he also engaged in legal affairs. Indian activity increase in
the years leading up to the War of 1812, and some time prior to 1820 he removed
to Carlisle. Four sons were born to Christopher and Sidney; Christopher I. m
Marinda Edsall, James Pugh m Margaret Caroline Lee, Jonathan Westfall m. Ann
Saffold, and Robert M. m. Eliza Minerva Edsall. Some time prior to 1827,
Christopher and his family removed from Carlisle to Mansfield, as he is listed
in the regional census of 1827. Christopher’s sons Robert and Christopher are
listed in that census as working at the tannery operated by their uncle, John
Pugh, located on West Diamond St. On the 29th of November 1826, his
wife Sidney passed away, and was buried on the family farm. Christopher
remarried in 1828, Sarah E. Burge. To that union five children were born; Jane
Elizabeth m. George Rule Blackburn, Hester Manerva m. (1. Samuel Laird, 2.
George G. Holmes, 3. Robert Poling Shade). Their sons, Christopher, Jonathan,
and Robert, named after 3 of his sons with Sidney, all died young. Christopher
operated his farm as well as a legal practice in Mansfield. He was also a
member of the local Masonic Lodge. Christopher passed away on the 3d of January
1860 at the age of 94, and was buried on the family farm, and later relocated,
with his family, to the Mansfield War Memorial Cemetery in Mansfield.
Christopher did not live to see his family divided by the Civil War.
[Written and submitted by Kelly]
Lambright, Sarah (Copus) -- Mrs. Sarah Lambright is a granddaughter of
the Rev. James Copus, who was killed by the Indians in the battle at Copus Hill,
Sept. 15, 1812. A monument marks the place where the fearless Copus and the
brave soldiers fell, in the most terrible tragedy of the pioneer period. Mrs.
Lambright resides at No. 61 North Foster Street, Mansfield, and is the widow of
the late Levi Lambright, whose father settled in what is now Mifflin Township,
Ashland County, in 1810, and was a neighbor of the Copus family. Although Mrs.
Lambright is only 63 years of age she is identified with the pioneers by family
ties and associations. The greater part of her young life was passed with her
grandmother, and thus the experiences and stories of the pioneers were the
fireside tales she heard in her youth. Her father, Wesley Copus, was a boy of
10 years when the Indians attacked their forest home, and was in the besieged
cabin when his father was killed. A granite monument marks the place where the
fearless Copus and the brave soldiers fell. Submitted by Amy. [Semi-Weekly
News (Mansfield): 26 August 1898, Vol. 14, No. 71]
Lee, Homer -- And there is Homer Lee, son
of the late county treasurer, John A. Lee. Homer is at the head of the
strongest bank note company in the world, and he does not fear competition from
any of them. [Mansfield Herald: 09 December 1886]
Lee, Jerome -- Still one other of the
younger men of our bar I ought not to forget for any consideration, a native of
Ohio, the son of a man of great worth, the grand-son of a distinguished divine
in the early history of Ohio, and himself a man of exceeding great ability,
though very modest and not at all disposed to push himself to the front. His
early education was in our public school, then prepared by that marvelous old
man Rev. Doctor James Rowland, for college, and by him fitted for matriculation
in Jefferson College, of Western Pennsylvania, and graduated after a four-years
course. With him in the same class were Robert Henry Rowland and my youngest
brother, Andrew Newman Hedges, whose untimely death occurred after such
collegiate training and subsequent study of the law in the first year of
majority. With them was a classmate who for many years since has represented a
district of Philadelphia in the Congress of the United States, General H.H.
Bingham. But it is not General Bingham or my loved brother, on whose grave for
thirty spring times the grass has freshened, that I desire to write, but of
their friend and mine, Jerome Lee. He was my student and my friend also. He
was a quiet man, but I doubt if he had many equals at any time in the history of
our bar and few superiors in intellect or fine intellectual power. He was a man
of extensive reading and knowledge of men and things. Keen in analysis, logical
in statement, and intensely able in unraveling that which was irrelevant and
immaterial so as to reach the very kernel of truth. On his admission to the bar
the war for the maintenance of the Union was still in progress and his services
were enlisted in a clerical and accounting capacity by Major Carpenter of the
pay department. At the close of the war he was transferred to Washington, and
while there he more fully equipped himself for his profession in attending law
lectures. Returning to Ohio, he was chosen solicitor of our city, and the
duties of that office were never more ably performed than by Jerome Lee. His
general practice was not extended, afflicted with asthma, he was advised to make
his home beyond the Blue Ridge and he removed to Washington, and soon his
special abitility was recognized, and for twelve long years he was chief in a
division in the treasury department. His special work was in the line of his
profession; the examination of questions and preparation of legal opinions in
given statement of facts and the construction of statutes, rules and customs.
His ability was marked and marvelous; his integrity whole, and the treasury of
the United States was saved from raids by his able and conscientious discharge
of duty. He died in office. Few sons of Richland were more able than Jerome
Lee. His worth was not known to the multitude, and so knowing him well I would
wreathe his memory with a garland of the flowers of friendship. My brother's
classmate and companion, my own student and trusted and beloved friend. --
H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland
Shield & Banner: 15 December 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 31]
Lefever, C.A. -- The Furniture man, is
driving an enterprise of no little importance to our town, and one deserving of
a foremost position among the best business houses of the place. Mr. L.
established business here about 20 years ago, and has ever since been catering
to the wants of the public in his line. He has a large and well selected stock
of goods, comprising every thing pertaining to a first class furniture store,
much of which is of his own manufacture. He is possessed of long practical
experience in the business, and has become acquainted with the wants and
requirements of the public, which fact has contributed largely to his success.
Mr. L. is an honorable, fair dealing man, and as a business or citizen none are
better or more favorably known to the public. His establishment ranks among the
best in the place, and he is doing by far the leading business in his line, and
is deserving of increased success. Submitted by Amy. [BELLVILLE WEEKLY: 02
January 1874, Vol. 2, No. 44]
Leiter, Collin P. -- CAPTAIN COLLIN P.
LEITER was born in Leitersburgh, Washington County, Maryland, February 14th.,
1833. In 1837-8 his parents removed to Ohio, and settled in Mansfield, where his
father carried on the tailoring business on the spot where the Opera House
building now stands. Subsequently they moved to Springfield Township, in this
county, where they are now living. The subject of this sketch was apprenticed to
James Norford, carpenter, at Massillon, Ohio, when fifteen years of age, served
his time, and afterwards worked at the trade in Richland County without
interruption, until 1861, excepting two years that he was building school houses
in Van Wert county. He was married July 7th., 1857, to Miss Eliza Jane Shepard,
of Richland County, a native of Virginia, and they are the parents of four
daughters and one son, now living. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company
"I", 15th. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served as a private soldier until he was
commissioned Second Lieutenant April 21st., 1864. During this time he was with
the Army of the Tennessee and the Army of the Cumberland in their battles and
campaigns. In the campaign against Atlanta he was in the 4th. Army Corps, under
General Howard, in the Second Division, and General Willich's Brigade --
afterwards General Gibson's. On the 27th. of May, 1864, near Dallas, Georgia, at
a place designated in General Orders as Picket's Mills, otherwise called Burnt
Hickory, and New Hope Church, he received a severe wound, from canister shot, in
the right hand, which rendered amputation necessary the next day. He was with
his regiment at the time, charging in the line of the whole division upon the
enemy's extreme right. The severity of this engagement is shown by the fact of
twenty-six being killed, wounded, and captured from his company alone. From the
field hospital he was sent to Lookout Mountain, and there obtained a twenty
days' leave of absence, and reached his home August 1st. This leave was extended
twenty days further, but feeling sufficiently recovered, he returned before its'
expiration, and found his regiment had gone south to Jonesborough, flanking the
enemy's left, and were inaccessible to him. He then reported to the 20th. Corps,
who were this side of Atlanta, and when that city was evacuated, went in with
them, where, shortly after, he met his regiment falling back, on the 8th. of
September. In the meantime he had been commissioned 1st. Lieutenant, and then
promoted to a Captaincy, but sudden marching orders prevented him from being
mustered under these circumstances. The army then fell back before Hood to
Franklin, and after that battle, to Nashville. Here all wounded and disabled
officers were put on detached service, by order of the General Thomas, and
Captain Leiter was on a military commission until mustered out of service,
January 30th., 1866. During this time the notorious guerilla, Champ Ferguson,
was tried and convicted, the investigation occupying fifty-five days. He
returned to Richland County, when mustered out of service, in the winter of
1866, and in the spring of that year he was elected Mayor of Shelby, also
Justice of the Peace and Clerk of Sharon Township. In the summer of 1867, he was
appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, which office he held until May
20th., 1873. He has been elected Mayor every year in succession since 1866, and
is the present incumbent. He is also Justice of the Peace, and gives his entire
time to the duties of these offices. Submitted by Amy. [ATLAS MAP OF RICHLAND
COUNTY, OHIO. By A.T. Andreas. Chicago, Ill., 1873, p. 23]
Lemon, Frank H. -- Frank H. Lemon, well
known to Mansfield people, brother of ex-Marshal Henry W. Lemon, is to be deputy
warden of the federal prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. The St. Paul
Pioneer Press, of Aug. 19, says: Frank H. Lemon, of this city, yesterday
afternoon received the news that he had been appointed deputy warden of the
government prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Maj. R.W. McClaughry, a prison
man of many years' experience, is warden of the Leavenworth prison, having taken
charge of affairs there July 1. Soon after coming there he decided that it
would be necessary for the best interests of the prison to get a new deputy
warden and he wrote a letter to Warden Wolfer, of this city, asking him to
recommend a good prison man if he knew one. *see remainder of article in
the 23 August 1899 issue of the Mansfield News.
Leonard, James A. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
OF SUPT. J. A. LEONARD -Today is the birthday anniversary of James A. Leonard,
superintendent of the Ohio State reformatory, who was born neat Huntingdon, Pa.,
Sept. 12, 1854. Superintendent Leonard's work has been along educational lines
for the past one-third of a century. It was in 1901 that he was appointed
superintendent of the reformatory and the application of many of his
humanitarian and progressive ideas in the handling of first offenders has proved
a great benefit to many young men in whom evil inclinations have been repressed
and manhood, self-respect and self-reliance developed. Submitted by Jean and
Faye. [The Mansfield News, Page 3: Monday, September 12, 1910]
Leyman, N.N. -- An antithesis to Colby in
age, in all respects possibly, was another member of the bar of Richland, N.N.
Leyman, born in the county, of the younger sons of a pioneer father, Mr. Henry
Leyman, who in the early years was a builder, merchant, mill owner, and for a
term a member of the General Assembly of Ohio. Young Leyman was educated in the
public schools of Mansfield, admitted to the bar on gaining his majority, and
immediately entered on a successful practice with his former preceptors. He was
a young man of marked ability, but he matured early, like his father, and
reached his greatest height when others were only climbing the lower slopes of
fame. Success came to him early, and with success ambition lead him onward. A
few years ago he considered a great city offering more possibilities and he
removed to New York. But his sun declined and when hope was at its highest he
departed, and this young son of old Richland fills a grave near by the billows
of old ocean. Still, subject sketches of our bar would be lacking if Leyman's
name was not on the roll. -- H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield &
Banner: 22 December 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 32]
Lintholm, Peter -- The following facts
anent the killing of Peter Lintholm at New Castle, were obtained of M.E.
Douglas, whose boyhood years were passed in Springfield Twp.: Peter Lintholm
had passed the prime of life when the tragedy occurred that cost him his life.
He was called "Old Peter Lintholm" and was rather feeble-minded, and was easily
irritated, and upon this occasion was being teased by one Samuel Cristman,
whereupon Lintholm struck Cristman, and the latter stabbed Lintholm with his
knife, with which he had been whittling. The knife-blade passed between two of
Lintholm's ribs and penetrated the heart, Lintholm dying almost instantly. At
the preliminary hearing before 'Squire William Douglas, Cristman was bound over
to the court of common pleas, where he entered the plea of self-defense, upon
which he was acquitted. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 25 June 1903,
Vol. 11, No. 25]
Loback, A.W. -- Captain A.W. Loback was
the first lieutenant of Captain Moody's company of "first-call" troops. In 1862
Comrade Loback raised a company at Bellville for the three-years service, and
went into the 102nd. O.V.I., and served until the close of the war. Captain
Loback is a loyal friend, a good neighbor, and took good care of his troops, and
a braver soldier never "donned the blue". Submitted by Amy. [Bellville
Messenger: 28 May 1903, Vol. 11, No. 21]
Lockhart, Aaron -- Aaron Lockhart is a
wealthy farmer who resides east of Bellville. He now owns over a quarter
section of land. He came to this section of the country in an early day from
Virginia, making the journey on horseback. He had handled cattle and sheep
largely since he came to Ohio. About twenty years ago he had his farms largely
stocked with sheep, but the ravages of foot-rot made the business so annoying,
that at the present time he gives his attention largely to cattle. He was born
July 5th., 1803. He married Mary Ann Lafferty, who was born Feb. 29th., 1833.
Their children are Mary Jane, born Oct. 27, 1853, Maria Elizabeth, Margaret Ann,
born Sept. 21st., 1858, William Jefferson and Abraham Madison. The mother died
June 29th., 1870, Maggie, Aug. 29th., 1874, and Jane a few years ago. Misses
Jane and Libbie spent about five years at the Young Ladies' Institute at
Granville, Ohio, devoting their energies principally to the study of music, in
which they made great acquirements. They spent several years also in teaching
it. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Star: 24 August 1882, Vol. 5, No. 47]
*In the following week's paper, it was clarified that Mr. Lockhart actually
owned more than a section of land, not just a quarter section*
Longmire -- The Longmire family, mother
and three children, who were sent last week by infirmary directors to
Indianapolis, where they were supposed to belong, have come back, the officials
there refusing to have them. The children have been placed in the
children's home. [Semi-Weekly News: 19 February 1897, Vol. 13, No.
15]
Longsdorf, Fred -- The NEWS today presents
a likeness of Fred Longsdorf, captain of the central fire department. Mr.
Longsdorf was born in Cuyahoga County, Dec. 2, 1848, but he has been a resident
of this city for more than 40 years. He enlisted in the army in 1863,
serving as a member of the Second Ohio artillery for two years and three months,
returning home at the close of the rebellion. Fred Longsdorf served in the
fire department immediately after the war when there was nothing but volunteer
companies, being a member of No. 2 Hose Company for years. In 1884, when
the new paid department was organized Mr. Longsdorf was appointed a member.
He first drove the hook and ladder truck and afterward the hose wagon and when
George Knofflock was made chief engineer in 1886, he was appointed captain of
the central department. Capt. Longsdorf is at present the only man in
service who was with the paid department when it was organized. He is a
good fireman and has served the city well, acting also as superintendent of the
fire alarm system. About two years ago the local fire alarm telegraph
system was changed under Capt. Longsdorf's supervision from one to four circuits
thus saving the city a matter of about $400 expense. In the central
department there are at present four trucks, four double teams and seven men and
everything in the building in the way of fire apparatus is of the most approved
kind. [Semi-Weekly News: 18 May 1897, Vol. 13, No. 40] <<
photo >>
Loughridge, William -- .... Wm. Loughridge,
who removed so many years ago to Iowa, that not a half dozen members of the bar
of 1894 know anything of him. Once he was a partner of Thomas H. Ford, but
their joint labors did not assure a large clientage or well-filled purse, and
Loughridge saw the need of obedience to the counsel and half-way command of
Horace Greeley: "Go west, young man". West he went. In his purse was scarcely
sufficient to pay the passage money. He once a few years ago told me the
laughable story of his first few weeks stay at the county seat, then a mere
village, of the county, on the bench of which he afterward presided, and which
county and others he for years represented in the Congress of the United
States. He told me the story as we sat in the parlors of a finely constructed
and equipped hotel in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the property of Wm. Loughridge, and in
substance it was: "When I arrived at Oskaloosa it was a mere village, but my
means were exhausted and I could not go further on had I wished. So I sought
the village taverns, engaged room and board, and going to my room displayed my
belongings, which included an accordion. Great shades! Wm. Loughridge a
musician! In my soul may have been harmony of sweet sounds, but in my voice and
ear were no inception or conception thereof. I then looked at the village to
find a room for an office. Found my landlord was building a little house on a
lot he owned; he would not rent it, but insisted I should buy it. I told him I
was short of money, but that made no difference, for he did not want cash, but
sold it to me on time, and more, he sold me forty acres adjoining the village on
same terms. Came back to the tavern and the daughter of mine host had spied the
accordion and a sale to her mother of it secured a receipted board bill for many
weeks. The village grew. I laid out the forty acres in an addition, and my
fortune was made." So it was. Mr. Loughridge, when I called on him, was worth
more than one hundred thousand dollars, and had been judge and congressman. His
only son was at Yale, and he was the "biggest" man in the city of Oskaloosa,
Iowa. He is not now living, but died only a few years ago. He was tall,
angular, but fairly brainy. I close the sketch. The career of Loughridge is an
argument why some young men in the crowded lines of Ohio's bar should go west
and command fame and fortune. -- H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield &
Banner: 01 December 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 29]
Lowrey, George H. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY
OF GEORGE H. LOWREY -Genial George Lowrey will celebrate his birthday
anniversary Sunday and his legion of friends hope he may see many more returns
of the day. Many good wishes are going up in smoke for the happiness and
continued prosperity of the Republican councilman. Mr. Lowrey was born at
Cuyahoga Falls, but has lived many years in Mansfield. For many years he was in
the shoe business as clerk, proprietor and traveling salesman. He was in
business with "Heavy" Lemon several years but during the last six years, he has
been in the cigar business. Mr. Lowrey ia a past exalted ruler of the Elks.
Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield News: Saturday, November 19, 1910]
Lybarger, Anthony - Son of Henry Lybarger
(Daniel2, Henry1) was born in 1800 and died in 1882. He
owned a grist and saw mill in Richland County, Ohio. His children were:
William, Mary, Ann, Dr. Silas C. and Job (father of Dr. Edwin B. Lybarger). [A
Brief History of the Lybarger Family by Donald F. Lybarger, 1915]
Lynch, Larry -- All the old inhabitants of
Shelby have known Larry Lynch for many years. He or his ancestors came from the
sod, and he must be a distant relative of the celebrated Gen. Patrick Lynch, of
Chili. Larry is an old soldier. He enlisted on August 20th., 1862, under Capt.
John Newman, of Crestline, in Co. H., 123rd. Ohio. He was terribly wounded at
Winchester, Va., June 15, 1863. He is now about 68 years old. Larry was
completely knocked out in his first battle. He seems to bear a charmed life.
He has since then been reported as dead but always comes around again, and it
will take more than a rumor to satisfy people that he really is dead. If he
could kill himself he would have been dead long ago. He is a ditcher. He would
stand for hours in the slush and water of a ditch and come out all right. He
could lie out all night, anywhere, even in a calaboose, and be around again in a
few days. In fact he can lie anywhere -- all the time -- to get his beverage.
He has a commanding frontage, an iron constitution and powerful frame. He is
the only Union soldier who was ever known to wish the rebel soldiers pensioned.
His theory is that any soldier shot at should have a pension for it.
Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield
& Banner: 11 August 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 13]
Mack, A.J.
-- Judge A.J. Mack was born in Shelby, Ohio, March 15, 1845, and departed this
life after a long-continued illness June 14, 1895, aged fifty years and three
months. His parents were Dr. John Mack and Mrs. Sophronia B. Mack, both
deceased, who were among the early pioneers of this county, and both very highly
esteemed for their worth and usefulness in the community in which they resided.
His father was strong intellectually, aggressive, independent, and self-reliant;
his mother gentle, cultured, refined and possessed all the Christian graces in
an unusual degree. Born of such parentage, his early advantages were of the
very best. Judge Mack passed through the usual college course and graduated at
the Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio, in 1868. He then read law with the
firm of Messrs. Jenner & Jenner, and spent a portion of the years 1869-70 in the
law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he
graduated with high honors. He was admitted to the bar in June 1870, practiced
his profession for a time with his preceptors Jenner & Jenner, and was then
appointed prosecuting attorney of this county, to fill the vacancy caused by the
resignation of Hon. John K. Cowan. In 1873, Judge Mack associated himself with
Judge Joel Myers as editors and proprietors of the OHIO STATESMAN, a Democratic
daily paper published at Columbus, once the leading Democratic paper of Ohio.
In 1876 he returned to Shelby and to the practice of his chosen profession and
at once entered into all the affairs and enterprises of his native home with
that enthusiasm so characteristic of him. He was elected a member of the board
of education and for many years served as its president; was vice-president of
the Buckeye Insurance Co. and of the Shelby Fair Association. He was elected
Probate Judge of Richland County in 1884, and was re-elected in 1887 by a
largely increased majority. His thorough knowledge of the elementary principles
of law, his familiarity with the practice and his high sense of justice and
equity made him a model officer and the rights of the widow and the orphan were
most carefully considered and were objects of his special solicitude. At the
time of his death he was one of the trustees of the Soldiers' and Sailors'
Memorial building. He took a deep interest in the management of its affairs and
served as treasurer of the board for a number of years. He filled all these
positions of honor and trust, to which he was called by the partiality of the
public, faithfully, conscientiously and with a high order of ability. He was a
pleasant and attractive public speaker, a ready writer, a great reader of
current literature and kept fully abreast of the times on all public questions.
He was a wise counselor and eminently successful as a trial lawyer. He was a
member of the B.P.O. Elks, and was a 32-degree Mason. In September, 1877, he
married Miss Ida A. Lybarger, daughter of H.R. Lybarger, of Shelby, who, with
one daughter, Mary, survives him and to both of whom the sympathies of this
entire community will go out in their great bereavement. The funeral services,
conducted by the Rev. Dr. Hubbell, of whose congregation the deceased was a
member, will be held at the residence, 312 Park Avenue West, Monday at 3 p.m.
Interment private. Burial in the Mansfield Cemetery. Submitted by Amy.
[RICHLAND SHIELD & BANNER: 22 June 1895, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 6]
Mack, John
-- Among the pioneer citizens of our county none was more honored by those who
knew him best than Dr. John Mack, of Shelby, Ohio. When eight years of age he
came to this county with his parents from Owasco, Cayuga County, N.Y., where he
was born on the 16th. day of August, 1810. His parents settled on a farm near
Plymouth (then Paris), in this county, in 1818. He received the good common
school education of those days, which he improved by a liberal and general
course of reading. He read medicine with Dr. Benschotter, of Plymouth, and
attended medical lectures at Cincinnati and the Western Reserve Medical College,
of Cleveland, from which institution he received his diploma. He at once
commenced the practice of medicine in Shelby and for nearly fifty years was one
of the leading physicians and surgeons in this part of the state. His judgment
among his professional brethren was always highly regarded and his counsel was
sought and his opinions treasured by members of his profession over a wide scope
of country. His judgment upon matters presented for his consideration outside
of his profession was sought and treasured, as well as acted upon, by his large
circle of friends and acquaintances. He was strong and firm in his convictions,
his motto being that of Davy Crockett "Be sure you are right then go ahead". In
earlier life he took quite an interest in politics. He was throughout life a
firm and consistent Democrat, casting his first presidential vote for Andrew
Jackson and his last for Grover Cleveland. He was strong in all his
convictions, earnest in support of all his views, but allowed to others the
widest liberty of thought and action. In 1851 Dr. Mack was elected the first
Senator under the new constitution in the then Ashland-Richland district.
During his senatorial term he was chairman of the committee on Benevolent
Institutions and a leading member on several other prominent committees, and as
a law-maker he maintained the high character he had won in his profession and in
private life, which was universally recognized and respected. On account of the
press of professional duties he declined a re-nomination for a second term. He
was a delegate to the national convention of 1856 and was always active in the
cause and councils of the Democratic party. At the time of his death, Sept. 7,
1887, and for a long time prior thereto he was an active member and one of the
elders of the Presbyterian church of Shelby and deeply interested in all that
pertained to Christianity. For over twenty-five years he was a member of the
Shelby school board and was a strong advocate of a broad and liberal education.
He was a man of generous impulses and active in all that benefited his fellow
man. As a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he was one of the most
helpful and faithful. He attained all the honors of his subordinate lodge and
when well advanced in years took upon himself the duty of district deputy grand
master for the district in which he lived, and ably performed the duties of his
office. As a Mason he attained the rank of a Royal Arch and on the organization
of Shelby Lodge he was elected treasurer and from that time until the day of his
death, nearly a quarter of a century, it never knew another. In his profession
he was pre-eminently the friend of the poor and needy and never pressed the
collection of a professional bill. In fact, during a long professional and
business career he never brought suit against any man, nor was suit brought
against him. We are gold by those who have seen that in his books many accounts
are balanced with the words "Cr. By lent to the Lord", and we have no doubt that
such investments will bring the surest and largest returns. Among all the early
residents of our county none gained higher repute than Dr. Mack, and we are sure
none have left behind them a more savory reputation, and none a warmer place in
the hearts of those who knew him. His life was as the life of the truly wise,
and therefore his memory will be cherished. Mrs. Emily A. Jenner, wife of Judge
J.W. Jenner, of the Circuit Court, and A.J. Mack, attorney-at-aw, of this city,
were his children. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield & Banner: 30 June 1894,
Vol. LXXVII, No. 7]
Macmillen, Francis
Mann, John Wesley -- John
Wesley Mann, a former resident of Mansfield, left for Los Angeles, Cal., a few
days ago, and with him his three children and a Mrs. Mollie Luper of the above
city in the golden state. Mann left his wife behind. In fact he
cruelly deserted her. He gave no reason, nor can any be imagined.
Mann has had a checkered career, and the story as told by Mrs. Luper, who raised
him until the age of twelve, reads like a novel. John Wesley Mann was born
near this city and was thrown upon the world at an early age by the death of his
father. A guardian was appointed, and the lad was thrown from pillar to
post, until he was about six years of age. At this time he was "bound out"
to a farmer near Danville, Ill. He was shamefully treated, almost starved,
and illy clothed. His miserable existence was noticed by a neighboring
family named Luper, who finally adopted him as a son. He grew up to be a
good, hard-working boy. The brightest spots in his life at this time were
the letters he received from a sister living near Mansfield, and telling him how
much she would like to see her baby brother. On one Sunday when John was
about eleven years of age, he was left in charge of the house, while the family
attended church some few miles distant. In the house, in an old-fashioned
trunk, Mr. Luper had $800 in bank bills. The key to the trunk was kept hid
under a flat stone in the yard. To keep his eye on the trunk was the last
charge that was given young Mann. The family attended service and at about
4 o'clock they returned. On looking about the premises nothing was seen of
the boy. A search was instituted, but without finding him. Finally
Mr. Luper thought of his money, and the thought flashed through his mind that
perhaps the young fellow had stolen the $800 and ran away. The key was
found, and on opening the trunk the money was found untouched. Time sped
by and nothing was hears of the runaway. Young Mann turned up in Mansfield
a few weeks after leaving his western home, and went to work. He was
successful and at the age of twenty-one he married. After five years of
married life his wife died, leaving three children to the care of the father.
A few years after the death of his wife he married a Miss Frank, who lived in
Johns' addition. Shortly after he moved to Sandusky city. Now comes
the strangest part of the story. After twenty years Mrs. Luper who had
left Danville for California, turned up at Sandusky to see her boy by adoption.
She visited him for several weeks, and finally prevailed upon him and wife to
accompany her to California. Mr. L. Mann and his wife and their children
came here last week to purchase tickets. The party remained a few days,
and during that time Mrs. Mann left for near Lucas to visit relatives. She
returned here Monday, ready to start with the rest of their future home.
She came up street, and went into Mason's drug store to rest. Here she was
told that a package had been left for her. She untied it and found that it
contained a pair of spectacles, which she had loaned to Mrs. Luper. On
going to the boarding house where the trunks had been left, and on opening them
she found that everything had been taken there from but her own effects.
She inquired and found that her husband, Mrs. Luper and the three children, had
left over the P.F. Wednesday week. Wednesday Mrs. Mann received a letter
from her husband telling her not to think of him more, and that he hoped she
would get along all right in the future. Mrs. Mann, who is an invalid is
crazed with grief over the cruel desertion. She left for Sandusky Tuesday.
Mrs. Mann says she will obtain money and follow her husband. The affair is
a peculiar one. Why Mann deserted his wife under the circumstances, and
what influence Mrs. Luper, who is many years his senior, used to make him leave
her, is a mystery. [Mansfield Herald:
02 December 1886]
Mansfield, Edwin -
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF JUDGE EDWIN MANSFIELD -Today is the birthday anniversary
of Judge Edwin Mansfield, who was born in Ashland county June 9, 1861. Judge
Mansfield took up his residence in Shelby in 1882 and was admitted to the
practice of law in 1886. He was elected to the common pleas bench in 1906 and
has since taken up his residence in this city. Submitted by Jean and Faye.
[The Mansfield News, Page 3: Thursday, June 9, 1910]
Mansfield, G. -- Lexington. The
beautiful hills and vales that environ Lexington are familiar sights to Dr. G.
Mansfield, who lives here. He was born Dec. 2, 1823, in a log cabin in the
gloomy solitude of the forest, and Dr. Teagarden, famous in the county's annals,
was the accoucher. Dr. Mansfield's parents first located four miles south
of here at Langham's Mill in 1814. There was a camp of Indians near their
cabin but they had not the natural savage instinct of the race to reek their
hands in the blood of the invaders of their realm. His mother long used a
butter ladle that was fashioned by the deft hands of an untutored son of the
forest. She often sat alone in the cabin in the dreary solitude near the
mill and with fast pulsating heart watched the trees sway that lined the banks
of the stream as some bear swam under their wide spreading branches. It
was in 1816 that his parents located east of Lexington and but two or three
cabins had been reared in the town. Dr. Mansfield owns the farm on which
he was born and he loves to worship at nature's shrine in the howling depths of
the massive progeny of the forest.
[Semi-Weekly News: 22 December
1896, Vol. 12, No. 100]
Marquis, Fred S. -- Major Fred S. Marquis
has been appointed a trustee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Memorial Library
Building by Judge Mansfield to serve seven years. The appointment of Major
Marquis gives the Spanish-American war veterans representation on the board.
[Mansfield (OH) Daily Shield: 3 May 1909]
Matson, Lyman Beecher --
... studied the law and entered on its practice with great vigor, and ... the
promise was very bright. Matson plied the midnight oil and pushed ahead. He
was from his childhood orphaned, but he was educated in Indiana at Wabash
college, returned to Ohio, entered on the study of the law, was admitted and was
very successful. In 1876 he died. He had not reached the zenith of his life or
his accomplishments. He was ambitious, laudably so. And one may not write of
the career of the lawyers of old Richland and not include him. Submitted by
Amy. [Richland Shield & Banner: 29 December 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 33]
Matson, Uriah -- Uriah Matson, father of
J.S.B. Matson, assisted Joseph Curran and others in cutting this
Mansfield-Shelby road through the forest. In 1858 Uriah Matson was awarded
an ax for having been the champion wood-chopper of the county, at which time he
made the following statement: "I came to Richland County the 4th. day of
August, 1815, and from that time to October, 1822, I followed chopping
exclusively, during which time I chopped about 190 acres of land, and did a
large amount of other chopping, such as making rails, sawing timber for frames,
getting bark for tanners, etc. Since 1822 I have chipped and cleared
upward of 80 acres on the farm I now occupy. I think I have done more
chopping, assisted in raising more cabins and rolling more logs than any other
man in the county. When I came there were but four families living in
Springfield township." Mr. Matson was of Scotch-Irish descent. He
was born in 1793 and died in 1873. He resided in Jackson township many
years. J.S.B. Matson is now living in Shelby and has a large collection of
curios and relics.
[Mansfield News: 30 July 1899]
McBride,
Curtis E. -- The Hon. Curtis E. McBride, the candidate for
representative, whose name heads the county ticket, was born in Monroe Township,
August 11, 1858. He is the son of Union McBride. He attended the country schools
until he was 16 years old, after which he attended the Wooster University five
years. He then began reading law with the late Col. Barnabus Burns and the
late Thomas McBride and was admitted to the bar March 7, 1882. After two years'
practice with Thomas McBride & Son, Mr. McBride formed a partnership with S.G.
Cummings in 1884 which yet exists. Mr. McBride was a member of the board of
education of this city from 1884 to 1890 and was a member of the city council as
a representative of the old Third Ward during 1885 and 1886, the latter year as
president of that body. Sept. 14, 1888, Mr. McBride had the misfortune to be
severely injured in a railroad accident at Ankenytown, since which he has been
obliged to go about on crutches. In 1893, Mr. McBride was elected as the
representative of Richland County in the State legislature and he was recognized
as the leader of the Democratic minority of that body. He was honored by Speaker
Boxwell by appointment on four of the most important committees -- the
judiciary, taxation, prison reform and corporations. Mr. McBride is a member
of Mansfield Lodge F.A.M., Mansfield Chapter R.A.M., Mansfield Commandery K.T.,
Dayton Chapter Rose Croix, Cincinnati Consistory, Scottish Rite Masons and Al
Koran Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Cleveland; a member of the Mansfield
Lodge I.O.O.F., Mohican Encampment and Canton Mansfield; a member of Madison
Lodge Knights of Pythias of this city, of which he is past chancellor and which
he represented in the grand lodge four years; also a member of Mansfield Lodge
B.P.O. Elks. Mrs. McBride was formerly Miss Minnie Rhodes of Ashland, and two
daughters gladden their home on Park Avenue West. Submitted by Amy. [RICHLAND
SHIELD & BANNER: 28 September 1895, Vol. LXXVIII, No. 20. From a series of
articles about the Democratic candidates running in the November 5, 1895
election in Richland County]
McBride, Duncan -- Duncan McBride was born
in Virginia in 1807, came with his parents to Richland County in 1817, and
settled one mile north of Lucas, in a log cabin, which for a time had no floor
but the earth; later a puncheon floor was laid and a quilt was hung up for a
door. In those das they put bells on their horses and on their cows, which were
turned out to browse in the woods, which were the only fields of pasture then.
In hunting for them they were apt to encounter almost any kind of wild animals,
from bears to porcupines. When the dogs attacked the latter their mouths would
get filled with the quills of the porcupines, and then their yelling and howling
was terrible. Their master would have to pull the quills out of their mouths,
to which the dogs would submit intelligently. In 1829 Duncan McBride bought a
farm at the foot of the Mohawk Hill in Monroe Township, upon which he resided
until his death, in 1862. Duncan McBride was a justice of the peace for many
years, and during the period when cases that now go to the common pleas court
were then tried before justices of the peace. One of these was the notable
"California case", which was tried before Justice McBride, and in which the Hon.
John Sherman and the Hon. George W. Geddes were opposing counsel. This was
before Sherman went to congress and before Geddes was elected a judge of the
common pleas court. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 26 February 1903,
Vol. 11, No. 8]
McBride, Ruth (Barnes) -- The good people
of Lucas honored mother McBride unawares on the 79th. anniversary of her birth,
and presented her with a comfortable upholstered rocking chair. The presentation
was further supplemented by an excellent dinner, which all enjoyed. The company
present, of forty persons, was composed chiefly of the older residents and
pioneers of this county and was as venerable an assembly as we ever met with.
Ruth McBride was born in Steubenville, Jefferson County, Ohio, March 23, 1806.
She came to this county with her parents, Benjamin and Susanna Barnes in the
autumn of 1813, and has resided in this place ever since that date. She was
married in 1825 to Alexander McBride, who died in 1880. She was the mother of
eleven children, six of whom are now living, the elder of whom, Thomas McBride,
Esq., is an eminent lawyer of Mansfield, Ohio. One is located in Olney, Ill.,
and two in the State of Kansas. Her only daughter is Mrs. Samuel Barr, of Lucas,
with whom she makes her home. Submitted by Amy. [THE MANSFIELD HERALD: 02
April 1885, Vol. 35, No. 20]
McBride, Thomas -- Thomas McBride was born
in the valley of the Mohican, of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and read law in
Mansfield. When admitted to the bar he removed to a western county in Ohio, but
after an interval of years returned to the county of old Richland and practiced
his profession with great ability and industry. His was strong will power,
intense likes and dislikes, fairly cultured, more logical power than rhetoric,
he made of life a success. He was a close student of the law, but not of
letters or literature generally, and thereby he lacked something of the skill
and power he might have attained had he been more broadly educated. He was not
a polished advocate but a vigorous one, and in invective not surpassed by any of
his contemporaries. He was a skillful cross-examiner of both classes of
witnesses, those determined not to tell that which they knew and those eager to
tell all and more than they know. His special ability was made manifest in
examination of witnesses and cross-examination. Possibly he o'er-leaped the
line of prudence and propriety often and so made enemies of friends, but never
made friends of enemies. He did not seem to broadly weigh the duties and
responsibilities of counselor and advocate. But once retained on a special case
his every effort was put forth to gain this cause, irrespective of all other
considerations. As a general practitioner this was not good policy. One may be
absolutely true and most efficient for his client and yet not antagonize
opponents' friends personally. Still he was very much of a man, and gained
distinction as a trial lawyer and counselor. He was devoted to the church of
his choice, the Presbyterian, and was an official member thereof. More than a
score years ago a most dread disease developed and, hoping and fearing --
hopeful of recovery and fearing the worst -- he passed the weary years. Work,
work, was the only relief and he gave himself to it as though brain and bone
would never grow weary, but the fell destroyer was also at work and gained the
mastery, and Thomas McBride was numbered with the great majority in our greater
city -- the city of the dead. -- H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield &
Banner: 22 December 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 32]
McCluer, James Jackson
McCluer, John Allen
McCluer, Samuel
McCluer, Samuel -- Samuel McClure is
probably the only pioneer living who saw Troy township at the very beginning of
its settlement. He was born in Arnold's Valley, Rockbridge County,
Virginia, A.D. 1802, August 18th. Emigrated to Ohio in 1808; settled
near where Circleville now stands. Moved to Jefferson township, Richland
County, Ohio, and settled where Bellville now stands, March 15, 1809.
Moved from that and settled in Troy township, Richland County, March 9, 1815,
where he resides at this time. He was married to Rhoda Mantoney, July 28,
1830. The first marriage in Jefferson Township was Jonathan Oldfield to
Elisabeth McCluer. The first child born in Jefferson township was Mary
McClure, now living in North Bloomfield township, Marion county: married
to John Davis. [Ohio Liberal: 04 June 1873, Vol. 1, No. 9]
McCluer, Thomas
McClure, James -- Two miles northwest from
Lexington in the sere of life lives James McClure, Esq., whose mind is rich in
historical and thrilling legends of the Indians of this fertile region and of
the political history of the primitive days of our grand commonwealth. This
venerable gentleman, who was born 79 years ago four miles from that sublime
architecture of nature, the Natural Bridge, Virginia, is amazed at the rich and
busy marts which have sprung up as if by magic between rock-ribbed and sterile
New England and the Pacific's golden strand. A few years after his birth his
father removed to Chillicothe, but the blighting miasma of that region caused
the family to direct their course farther westward, locating in Jefferson
Township in 1809. When they in 1815 located on the site of the gentleman's
present residence wild animals roamed in unfettered freedom, the Indians were
the sovereigns of this prolific region and they were awed by their wild orgies,
and little but the rude and sublime beauty of nature entranced their vision.
Amariah Watson, whose ax was the first to break the silence of nature in troy
and who first filled its virgin soil, had first erected a house in the solitude
of the forest north of the village near the banks of the historic Mohican, and
when the McClure family made their advent here there were but two houses in the
village, one of which was erected by Amariah Watson on the site of the residence
of Mrs. P. Colman, and the other was built by the father of Col. Cook. The
memory of the name of Amariah Watson, who died more than 25 years ago, is
revered by Col. Cook and Mr. McClure, who with nerves of steel and hearts of
valor endured with him the trying ordeals incident to life in the early era of
our broad domain. There was then not a single house between Lexington and
Bellville, and in all our beautiful realm west of the cabin of the McClures
where now is a marvelous civilization but four houses had been erected prior to
their arrival. About the time of the arrival of the family in Troy the country
was emerging victorious from the second conflict with England and the hearts of
the settlers throbbed convulsively with joy at the brilliant achievements of
Commodore Perry at Lake Erie and General Jackson at the Crescent City. Thomas
Worthington, of Ross County, was then Governor of the State, and James Madison
was Chief Magistrate of the Nation. Mr. McClure was an ardent admirer of the
valor, the patriotism and the inflexible will of Andrew Jackson, and he voted
for President first for that stern conservator of the constitution. Mr. McClure
has a violent hatred of the crime of human vassalage, and the aggressiveness of
the defenders of the blighting curse fired his heart with just indignation and
caused him to early identify himself with the free soil party. He voted both
times for Jackson, and he next cast his ballot for President for Van Buren. The
campaign of 1840 was the most memorable in the annals of the country. The land
was being lit, as it were, by the brilliancy of the matchless eloquence of Tom
Corwin, and the venerable gentleman speaks with thrilling rapture of the
enthusiasm inspired by the eloquence, the beautiful imagery and gems of wit and
profound logic of that illustrious statesman. The gentleman has keen practical
judgment and a clear conception of the social, scientific and political
problems, which absorb the public mind, and the lightness of his spirits, the
vigor of his step and the luster of his eyes indicate strong vitality and a much
longer tenure of life. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD HERALD: 15 May 1884, Vol.
34, No. 26]
McClure, Samuel -- Samuel McClure is
probably the only pioneer living who saw Troy township at the very beginning of
its settlement. He was born in Arnold's Valley, Rockbridge county, Virginia,
A.D. 1802, August 18th. Emigrated to Ohio in 1808; settled near where
Circleville now stands. Moved to Jefferson township, Richland county, Ohio and
settled where Bellville now stands March 15, 1809. Moved from that and settled
in Troy township, Richland county, March 9, 1815, where he resides at this time.
He was married to Rhoda Mantoney, July 28, 1830. The first marriage in Jefferson
township was Jonathan Oldfield to Elisabeth McCluer. The first child born in
Jefferson township was Mary McClure, now living in North Bloomfield township,
Marion county; married to John Davis. Submitted by Elizabeth. [OHIO LIBERAL:
04 June 1873]
McCormick Family -- The COLUMBUS JOURNAL,
September 17th.: Yesterday Mr. Francis A. McCormick and wife celebrated their
golden wedding. Fifty years ago, September 16, 1834, Mr. F.A. McCormick and
Elizabeth H. Crum were married, Rev. Edmond Sehon, Methodist Episcopal minister,
performing the marriage ceremony, in a small frame house (yet standing) on the
south side of Friend Street, between High and Front Streets. Mr. McCormick was
born in this city, January 22, 1814, in a log house which stood on Town Street,
opposite Town Street Church. His wife was born in Frederick County, Va., April
7, 1817, and moved with her parents to Columbus when six years of age. Mr.
McCormick's father, George McCormick, was one of the first settlers in Ohio, he
having come to Chillicothe about 1811, for the purpose of superintending the
building of a residence for Governor Worthington. Later, through the influence
of Governor Worthington, he secured the original State Capitol in this city, and
remained thereafter a citizen of Columbus. We believe that he was for a term or
two treasurer of Franklin County. Mr. and Mrs. McCormick were the parents of
children who arrived at the age of maturity as follows: Mrs. James E. Sehon,
deceased; Mrs. West O'Harra of this city; Mr. W.B. McCormick of Prairie
Township; Mrs. D.M. Brelsford of this city; Mrs. E.H. Clover, deceased; Mrs.
George U. Harn of Mansfield, and Miss Mahala McCormick, yet living with her
parents. They also have living ten grandchildren. Both Mr. & Mrs. McCormick are
enjoying good health and bid fair to live to celebrate the majority of their
youngest living grandchild. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD HERALD: 18 September
1884, Vol. 34, No. 44]
McCue, C.T. -- C. T. McCue is a native of
Wabash, Ind., where he was born June 12, 1858. His parents are both dead. He
came to Mansfield Dec. 2, 1878, to take the agency for the Cincinnati Enquirer.
At that time there were no daily papers published in Mansfield and as "Tom" was
a hustler, he worked up a big list of subscribers and it became a profitable
business for him. Several years ago he opened a cigar store in the Wiler House
block, which has been headquarters for horsemen and whenever a man is wanted who
is fond of talking about horses he can usually be found at McCue's. This
naturally followed because Mr. McCue is a devotee of the turf and in his time
has owned some good horses. He was for several years secretary and is now
treasurer of the Mansfield Trotting Association and is the president of the
Natural Gas trotting circuit. He has always taken great interest in the meetings
on the Mansfield track and has always contribute to their success by his energy,
enthusiasm and experience. He has given up all other matters of late to devote
his full time to the interests of the Mansfield Cash and Package Carrier
company, of which he is secretary and manager. He is a member of the city board
of elections and the vice president of the board. Mr. McCue and Miss Ada
Slanker, of Wadsworth, were married Nov. 26, 1879, and they are the parents of
two bright little girls, Maudie and Ruth. Mr. McCue resides at 51 West First
street. Submitted by Jean & Faye. [WEEKLY NEWS (Mansfield): 30 June 1892]
McCullough, David -- On Thursday morning,
July 3d., 1884, in his 75th. year, at his residence on East Market Street,
passed away from earth one who for over sixty-two years has been a resident of
Mansfield -- Judge David McCullough. The demise of this old citizen demands at
our hands more than a passing notice. Very few are left who were his
contemporaries in 1822. If numbered they would scarcely exceed a score. His long
continued residence, however, is by no means the best reason why THE HERALD
regards it its duty to chronicle, at some length, his life and death. David
McCullough was an affectionate husband, a kind father, a genial companion, an
excellent citizen, and an honest man, and in all these varied relations he was
loved, respected and honored. He came to Mansfield a lad, with very meager
advantages or opportunities for education, and in his youth was set to work to
acquire a trade, and thereafter carried on the business of tailoring for a great
many years. In that business, as in everything else, he was neat, tasty,
artistic to a degree that gave him prominence, not only in Mansfield, but
throughout the county. On his marriage to Miss Catherine Tomlinson he
established his home on the lot where he died. As the years came on a large
family of thirteen children were born, and David McCullough practiced the
economy, industry, and pursued his business with energy, so as to raise and
properly educate his children; and never was there a father blessed with greater
love than his daughters and sons bore him. The family circle was for many years
unbroken by death, and the Judge would grow more cheery as he spoke of his
baker's dozen around the family hearth stone. Then came the time when, one by
one, the daughters were married and went out from the home circle, and nothing
gave him more pleasure as they established their homes, than to visit first one
and then another of his children. For many years husband and wife traveled
life's way together, but in 1878, Mrs. McCullough was stricken with disease and
death, and to relieve the sense of loneliness the Judge thereafter more
frequently visited his children and remained with them for longer intervals of
time; and so, as his children were in the far West and Southwest, opportunity
was given him to see much of the Western country; but he invariably after a time
turned his face eastward and sought the home of his youth. In truth, one of his
strong traits of character was love for his old friends. In 1849 he was elected
by the 46th. General Assembly of Ohio, an Associate Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas of the county, and sat on the bench with Judge Stewart, Judge Barr and
Judge Chew, and relinquished the office after the adoption of the present
Constitution of the State. In 1855 he was elected County Treasurer and served
for one term in that very responsible official position. For many years his
party affiliations were in the old Democratic party, but on the organization of
the Republican party joined its ranks, and was an active promoter of its
principles. There was some thing very genial and attractive in our friend. When
the younger man, prior to the Mexican War, he was active in the military
organizations of our then growing town, and commanded the "Mansfield Blues" and
independent company organized by Samuel R. Curtis, after his graduation at West
Point, the same person who was Major General Curtis in the War of the
Rebellion. There was much music in the soul of Judge McCullough and its outward
manifestations were many. He was a member of the first band ever organized in
Mansfield, and when the writer was a lad, he frequently heard David McCullough,
Ezekiel Stokes and others making the air harmonious with the sweet melody of
their voices. For many years he was a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal
Church, and his funeral obsequies were solemnized at Grace Church, on July 4th.,
at 4 o'clock p.m. Would that time and space permitted us to say more of our
friend. For many years an active member of the Masonic Brotherhood, his whole
life was one of fraternity with his fellow men, ever ready and always willing to
do any duty required of our common humanity. He lived long, served his Maker,
and loved his fellow man. Hail and Farewell. VERY SAD - Mr. M.W. Fleming, of
Richmond, Ind., one of the sons-in-law of Judge McCullough, reached Mansfield,
Thursday evening about 10 o'clock, and having saluted his wife with a kiss,
turned to the window, when hemorrhage of the lungs occurred, and in a few
moments, to the horror of his friends, Mr. Fleming bled to death. The next
morning the body of the deceased, accompanied by his heart-broken wife, was
transported to Richmond for burial. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD HERALD: 10
July 1884, Vol. 34, No. 34]
McCurdy, Andrew R. -- Andrew R McCurdy was
born Nov. 2nd 1835 in Richland County Ohio, near Mansfield on a farm. My father
was a farmer and he worked part of the time in a saw mill for Mr. Campbell and
he had a threshing machine and in the fall of 1843 he traded with Mr. Campbell
for land in Indiana and in October 1843 we packed up one load in a covered wagon
and Uncle Jo Donaldson had another and he came out with us and came back and on
our way out we stayed at Hardin county to Uncle Jonathan and Smiley Mathews and
arrived in Fort Wayne Ind. Friday evening and we stopped at the HediKin House
and Mr. Calvin Anderson was landlord. On our way after leaving Hardin County we
came to a ten mile woods at sunset. We camped at the edge of the woods all
night. Mr. Anderson had taken the HediKin House in May 1843 and on Saturday
morning it was clear and a frosty morning and we started for the woods. I walked
through the town to see the sights and I had no shoes on and my feet got so cold
I had to get in the wagon to get them warm. On our way out Mother and some of
the children had the ague. We arrived at Mr. William Wells. Our land cornered
with his on the north east of his. He came a year on his before we did and we
stayed with them until we built a house and on Monday we located our land and
selected a building spot and cleared off a spot and cut logs for the house and
in a short time had the house built and roof on but could not get the doors and
windows in before cold weather and we had to hang up quilts and blankets to keep
out the cold and we could not get it daubed. We had it chinked and that would
keep some of the cold out. And in the spring of 1844 we finished our house and
cleared a patch for corn and potatoes and in the summer we cleared some for
wheat but the boys had to work out to help to support the family and Mother done
weaving on her loom and in the winter of 1844-1845 we cleared up another patch
of ground and in the summer we could work out again all we could. We did not get
much schooling some winters only a few days at a time. We worked for Mr. Joseph
Jones and he was a hard man to work for and the winter of 1845-1846 we had some
large poplar saw logs to sell. They was ten feet long and over five feet in
diameter and we had to take them to Thren Andrews sawmill six miles. And we got
one dollar a log for them delivered and it would take all day haul one load with
oxen and bob sled and when we wanted meat to we went to the woods and killed
wild hog or deer and it is very dangerous to go after them with a dog. They will
chase a dog and the dog will follow you. I was out in the wood and came across a
drove of wild hogs and my dog was along and as soon as they seen the dog they
after and he after me. I had to climb a tree but they crushed the dog so we had
to kill him. I was out hunting the cows evening and I heard something like a
child crying and I ran to it and the dog had a fawn that is a young deer and I
took it home and kept it all summer and in the fall it run off wild. We had
some good schoolteachers and some not so good. A Mr. Cole he was an old bachelor
and he taught one winter and one summer of 1844 and in the summer he would go to
sleep and we had George Hutzell. He was a good teacher and we had Mary Smith an
old maid. She was good and we had Mr. Isie Clanton he was good. He taught at the
Manning schoolhouse and in 1853 cousin John Donaldson taught school at
Huntertown and he made his home with us. And in 1850 I went to live with Joseph
Jones and Caroline Fair was living with them and I had the whooping cough and
the would not let me come home. They was afraid I would give it to the rest of
the children. I helped to dig the first ditch in the big prairie that goes to
Huntertown. It was a hard job and in 1857 Mr. Jones had some relatives to visit
him. One of the young ladies gave me a Bible and I have it yet. They was from
the south. They was nice folks and in 1852 Samuel Shryock sold his mill to John
Stoner and Shryock and family came to live with Jones. His father in law and
Shryock wanted to go to California during the gold excitement and he was going
to take with him his son Joseph and John Thompson, Bro William, and myself. I
was to do the cooking. We was all ready to go on Saturday but Mrs. Shryock got
sick on Sunday and the Dr. said Mr. Shryock would have to give up going or he
would lose his wife so we did not go. And in 1852 Mr. E L Barbour taught
geography Peltons outline maps and we would sing it. I took two terms with him
and also Bro William and we got so we could teach it and Bro William bought the
maps of Mr. Barbour and in Jan 1853 we started out to teach geography and we
went to Hardin County Ohio to our Uncles Jonathan and Smiley Mathews and had two
classes and had a good time. I could sing like a lady. I had a song I would sing
and I would have to sing often. The title of the song was Our New Country. I
remember the chorus: For fish we used the hook and line, We pounded corn to
make it fine, On Johnnycake our Ladie dined, In our new country. We had a
chance to sell our maps so we sold out and then we went to Mansfield Ohio to
visit our relatives and I was to Uncle David McCurdy at Lexington. James Marlow,
John Rusk, Jacob Culler at Lucas and Hugh McKee and Cisneys at Saranac and
Joseph Donaldson and Francina Zimmerman at Spring Mills. I was staying with
Joseph Donaldson and he wanted me to drive his team on the PFW and CRR. His boys
was all to school. The RR was located close to the farm in the winter of 1853. I
worked on the RR. It was hard work had a long fill just west of the Spring Mill
and had high filling about fifteen feet high and we had to turn on the grade and
would have to let the hind wheels go down the grade. The top was so narrow and
the king bolt came out and let the hind wheels go down the bank and it was hard
to get up. I got some of the other teamsters to help me get them up and it was
cold and I got tired hauling dirt so that was my last day teaming on the RR.
And I received a letter from Father wanting me to come home. I had to get ready
for our spring crops and after corn planting my Bro Joseph want down near
Columbia City to work on the PFW and CRR and we worked until the corn was ready
to work and we came home. We got our pay in the old mill in Columbia City, came
home, and I went to work for Joseph Jones and Samuel Shryock and family was
staying with him. They moved to Fort Wayne and Samuel Shryock and his son
Joseph went into business. Joseph Jones bought a farm eleven miles from
Lafayette on the Grand Prairie in 1854 and in March Jones with his family drove
through with his team and Caroline Fair and I went with him and we went through
Logansport and to Lafayette and then out to the farm and we had a very wet
spring. Had hard time to get out the spring crop and I had the most of the work
to Samuel Shryock sold out in Fort Wayne and he came to Jones to help farm but
they could not agree. So he left. Jones was a hard man to work for. I had some
spots with him. I was the only one that would stay with him. In the winter of
1854 and 1855 he came on a visit to Fort Wayne and he came back in a sleigh and
we had plenty of snow and I used the sleigh after he came back. Caroline Fair
and I went to Mt. Morence to get some molasses to make taffy and the box came
off and spilt us out. We was going to see A. G. Mills to invite him to the taffy
pulling and he married Caroline after that. We had a nice spring and got out a
good crop and Mitton Freeman helped one to do the farming and Mrs. Jones was
visiting at Lafayette. Mrs. Winona his adopted daughter and Mrs. Jones died at
her house and after her death Mr. Jones sold out and we came to Lafayette and we
stopped at the Jones Hotel and I got a chance to learn the painters trade with
Carnahan and Pierce and I engaged with them for three years. The first year for
fifty dollars and the second seventy-five and the third for one hundred. The
second year Mr. Pierce died. I had been staying with him and Thomas Martin was
one of the apprentice's boys I stayed with Mr. Canahan until my time was out and
I went in partnership with him. We had a job at Delphi Ind. and during the
Presidential campaign of 1850 was a hot and I was active in the campaign. We
would attend rallies as border ruffians. You could tell who they were and on
election day we was at Delphi and the train was late so we had to get the
section hands to take us 18 miles to Lafayette on hand car. Got there just in
time to vote for Freemans and Dayton. My first vote and last but we had a good
time out of the campaign. And in the fall of 1859 I went out to Oxford Benton
County hunting chickens and stopped with Mr. Martins and had a good time and on
my way home I went to camp meeting at Tipacano (Tippecanoe) Battle Ground and
Mr. William Martin of Lafayette brought his niece out in a buggy and he wanted
me to take charge of her. He was an old bachelor and I had to take care of her
so got her dinner and all the money I had but twenty five cents to my name, I
said I was not hungry and I waited on her but before she got through I saw a man
that I had done some work for and he gave me five dollars and I got hungry right
away and had a nice time with the young lady. And in the winter 1857 and 58 I
worked in the candle factory and I boarded with Mrs. Lesley and in the summer of
1858 I worked for Mr. T A Carnahan and in the spring 1859 I went to St. Louis
and worked on steam boats and on the Lindle Hotel and I boarded with Mr. Myers
and I was to see my Uncle Alexander McCurdy and I had to drink the river water
when on the boats and it made me sick so in the fall I came home and I Doctored
with Dr. Doland. He could not help me and in the spring of 1860 I went to
Lafayette and drank artesian water and I got well and I went to Indianapolis and
my Uncle Alexander McCurdy had moved from St. Louis and he died in 1860. I went
to Cincinnati Ohio and stayed a short time and I went to Memphis Ten. on a boat.
Had a nice ride and was in a storm at Cairo Ill. and got to Memphis and I got a
job with Jones and Tagg and I had a good job and I stayed until Dec. 1860 and
the Rebels was drilling and I had to leave. After the election of Lincoln it got
hot. I came home and stayed at home all winter and in March 1861 I went to work
for J J Kamm and the first work I done was on the Avaline Hotel and I worked
until the 27 of April 1861. I enlisted Co. F 12th Regt. Ind. Vol. and we drilled
out on the old fair grounds. And Capt. George Humphrey was our Capt. and he
wanted me to play the fife for his Co. and he bought me a fife and when we got
to Indianapolis I had my photo taken with my fife. We enlisted for three months
and they wanted us to go for three years. We all voted to go for one year. Our
Regt. was sent to guard the Ohio River. Our Co. was stationed at Newburgh,
Indiana and our company guarded the Ohio River and Colonel Link commanded the
Regiment and George Humphrey was Lieut. Col. and George Nelson was our Capt. and
O K Hinkle was our first Lieut. and John Godown was our second Lieut. And our
Co. was stationed in the college grounds and when we heard the news of the first
battle at Bull Run, two of our guards was talking of the fight. One of them said
he wished he had been in the fight and the other guard raised his gun and
pointed it at him and shot him through the head. He didn't know the gun was
loaded. They was the best of friends. The one that shot was a relief for the
other guard to go to his breakfast. The name of the one that shot was Gabe
Stembarger. I cannot remember the name of the one that got shot. That was our
first funeral and I had to play the dead march and we buried him at Newburg Ind.
It was a sad day for us all. And in a few days after the battle of Bull Run we
was ordered to Washington and in July 1861 we went to Townsville and took the
train for Washington and when we got to Harrisburg Pa. our order was
countermanded and we was ordered to Harpers Ferry Md. and we arrived at Sandy
Hook and for several weeks we camped in Pleasant Valley and on Maryland Heights
and we had a nice time. The remainder of the summer going around Sugar Loaf Mt.
and all we had to was to drill and march and we marched through Darrstown and
Hagerstown and we always had to play the fife and drum when going through the
towns and in the fall we came to Antietam and our Regt. guarded the Potomac
River and I had a good time. I had to go after the mail to Harpers Ferry six
miles. Mr. Newton Bingham was first Sergeant and had charge of a picket post and
a canal boat came along. It was loaded with shells and Sergeant Bingham took one
from the boat and thought he would set it off and he got a fuse and lit it and
run away. It did not go off so he went to see the reason and as he got over it,
it went off and killed him. He was the second one killed by accident. That was a
sad time. He was sent home for burial. He was one of my chums. And in our mess
in camp I had Harve Kriss, Luke Valentine, Amos Sine, John Henning, Can Brown.
Luke Valentine and myself would sing songs and hymns to the rest of the boys. I
numbered the knap sacks for the boys and I charged five cents marking them and
some of the boys paid and some never paid. One of the boys we called Mother
Rusteelan. He was cook and a good cook too. And he could make fried cake as good
as any body. I was going down to Harpers Ferry one day and the boys was
shooting across the River at the Rebels and they was shooting too and I shot
into a house on the other side. I could hear the bullet strike the house. We was
on the towpath between the river and canal and the bullets struck the water in
the canal and we had to get down in the canal to keep them from striking us. We
had a cannon up on the mountain and they shelled them out and they wounded some.
We could see them taking the wounded away and I went to Harpers Ferry after the
mail. A few days after some of our boys went over the river and rebels came up
behind them and took them prisoner and kept them a few months and they was
exchanged. Gabe Smihar and William Smith was the ones taken. I was fishing one
day in the basin and a canal boat came along and I saw Mr. Myers from St. Louis.
I called to him. He did not recognize me. He got off at the aqua dock and he
knew me. He was going to Sharpsburg and he came to Va. to settle up his estate
and the next day he came to see me and I went with him to Sharpsburg and I had a
good time with him. I boarded with him when I was in St. Louis in 1859. There
was a gristmill near our camp on the Antietam crick and the miller would give us
all the flour and corn meal and the miller's daughter baked us pies. Some of the
country people would have a keg of whiskey out in the mountains and some of the
boys would find it and get drunk. Josh Parker and Cass Smith would get drunk
whenever they could get whiskey. Josh Parker was the worst one in the Co. After
he came home he had his arm shot off at some celebration. He had been drinking.
We was stationed at Antietam four months and had a good time all winter and on
the first day of March in 1862 we was ordered to Winchester Va. and we took a
canal boat up to Williams Port and we was after Stonewall Jackson and we went
through Bunker Hill and on to Winchester and on our way we stopped at a house
where Jackson ate his dinner at eleven o'clock and we got there at one o'clock.
The folks had left with Jackson and had left two old darkies to take care of the
place and we had some nice ham to eat but the boys was so mad they broke a large
mirror in a thousand pieces and I had get the officers to stop them or they
would brake a nice piano to pieces. And we chased Genl. Jackson out of
Winchester and we stayed seven days and we was ordered to Warrington Junction
and the first day we crossed the Shando (Shendandoah) River and camped on Blue
Ridge Mountain and the next day we got over the mountain to All Day and when we
got into camp and was putting up our tents and getting supper we got orders to
remarch back to Winchester and we marched all night to the top of Blue Ridge
Mountain where we was the night before and the next day we got across Shando
River. And within five miles of Winchester and the order was countermanded and
we was ordered back to Warrington Junction and when we got across the Shando
River, it was dark and we camped that night on top of Blue Ridge Mountain for
the third night and marched every day and the next night we got to All Day and
we got to Warrington Junction. And we stayed there until our time was out and
was ordered to Washington where we was discharged May 19, 1862 and we was in
Washington two weeks. We was ordered in Grand Review before President Lincoln
and he gave us a good talk and thanking the boys for what they had done. Advised
them all to re-enlist as many as could. I came home. On my way home I stopped at
Lucas to see Grandmother Donaldson and Uncle Jacob Culler's and go to Fort Wayne
the last of May 1862 and was at home in Eel River Township a short time and came
to Fort Wayne and went to work for J J Kamm at painting and worked for him all
summer and most of the winter. And in Feb. 1863 I went to Nashville Tenn. for
Bro Smiley to bring him home. He was in the hospital. He was sick. He belonged
to the 88 Regt. Ind. Vol. and I was there two weeks and I took sick with typhoid
fever and was sick four weeks. I was staying at Capt. Drivers and I had good
care and Bro Smiley was getting better and he wanted me to come home as soon as
I got able and he would come home as soon as he would get his discharge. I
stopped to see him when I started home and he was better but that was the last
time ever got to see him. The hospital was moved and he got sick and died and
was buried in Nashville Tenn. I got home and took a relapse and was sick four
weeks at Kamm's and when I was getting better a young lady, a Miss Mary J. Line
came to Kamm's to stay with them and her sister Annie was staying with them and
we had a good time and I boarded with them all summer and October 25, 1863 I was
married to Mary J. Line. The Rev. Ruthrof married us and we stayed with Kamm's
on Berry St. and we was painting the Berry St. Church and we tried to work on
New Years Day of 1864 but it was too cold. That was the cold New Years and while
we was working at the church Mary had all her wedding clothes stolen and we
never heard from them and in April 1864 we bought out Robinson furniture. They
lived in John Dawson's house on E Berry St. and we went to house keeping and
Annie lived with us and J J Kamm and I went into business on Columbia St. under
Calericks Hall in the paint and wallpaper business. My health failed and I sold
out to George Mill and I went in with O L Starkey in the painting and Annie had
the small pox and after she got better we moved to Mr. Webbers house on Lewis
St. and when Annie had the same pox in the Dawson house Myrtie was born and I
had to take care of Annie and the baby. I could not get any one to come to the
house and the house we was in on Lewis St. Mr. Webber sold and we had to move.
We could not get a house. We stored our goods and the folks went out home and I
boarded at the Hediken House and I bought a house of Mr. Blystone on W. Main St.
in 1865 and we lived a few months in the house and sold it to Mr. Recol. I did
not get any better and the Dr. said I had better go on the farm. I bought a farm
of Amos Manning north of my father's in the Eel River Twp. and moved out in the
fall and I rented it to Bro William and we lived in the same house and I taught
school at the Manning school house in the winter of 1865 and 1866 and on Jan. 5,
1866 our little Myrtie died and she was buried at Eel River and in the fall of
1865 I went out to Wolf Lake and bought a load of wheat for seed and paid $2.00
per bushel for it and the next harvest we did not save a grain. The weevils eat
it up, a total failure. We had a good crop of corn. My health was no better. I
could not work on the farm. We had a sale and sold off every thing and the folks
went home to stay and I came to Fort Wayne to get work and I got a job with J B
White and Barden to buy on the streets for the fruit house and before we moved
to town John was born at the old home and I rented a house on the corner of
Wayne and Harrison and we moved in the last of Nov. 1866 and Annie lived with
us. And in Dec. Mart Hall wanted me to go in Orffs Store to clerk and I was
with them seven years and in 1867 we moved to W. Jefferson St. in Mr. Thumans
house and in 1868 we moved to Webster St. Rented at Mr. Bridenstine and Millie
was born there in 1869 and in August 1870 we bought a house, no. 38 Lavina St.
of Reason V Jones and George was born there and in 1875 I left Orffs. Father
died in 1877 on Lavina St. Went with George De Wald & Co. and was with them
until Frank was born 1880 on Lavina St. In 1881, I sold out and went to Albion
with Adams and Mossman and we moved to Columbia City and had a store Adams
McCurdy and Co. and we rented a house of Mr. Jones and we broke up. Adams used
the money and I closed the store and Adams sold the store to Halderman and I got
out $1000 dollars and we came back to Fort Wayne and I went to work for George
DeWald & Co. again and we rented a house on W Jefferson St. and in Oct. 1885 I
bought a house on Third St. Mother died in 1888. Was with DeWalds until they
burnt out in 1899 and the clerks started the Wayne D.G. Store in 1900. The firm
was JTM Lloyd, Christ Hitzman, A R McCurdy, Herman Koppel, and E J Williams and
we had good business and in 1902 I was taken sick and I sold out and in 1902 &
1903 we went to Columbia Alabama for my health. Came home April 11, 1903 and May
4, 1904 went to Hot Springs and came home the last of June 1904. Andrew died
June 18, 1907, age 71y 7m 16d, buried in lot #87 section G, Lindenwood Cemetery,
Fort Wayne, IN. Typed from Andrew's handwritten pages by Loren Anderson of
Canton, Michigan. Submitted by Loren. [Transcribed from the handwritten notes
of the subject]
McDermott, John -- JOHN McDERMOTT, Bridgewater. - Representative from Adair
county, was born in Richland county, Ohio, February 17, 1858. Moved with his
parents to Iowa the same year and settled on a farm in Benton township, Cass
county. Educated in the public schools. In 1880, moved to a farm in Massena,
township, where he continued farming. Married Anna Marsh, March 11, 1884, and
they have six children living, three sons and three daughters. In 1892 moved
to Bridgewater, Adair county, and engaged in the lumber business, still
continuing his farming and stock raising. In 1900 he added the grain business
to his other lines of work, which he operated for fifteen years. At present he
is engaged in the lumber business, farming and stock raising. He was elected to
the legislature in 1930 and re-elected in 1932. A democrat. Submitted by
[email protected]. [Posted at
this site with Debbie's permission
http://www.iagenweb.org/history]
McFarland, Charles -- George U. Harn
writes the SHIELD from Columbus concerning Charles McFarland, a former Mansfield
boy, who is rapidly climbing the ladder of success in the sunny south. McFarland
has been for several years the chief chemist at the great Miles sugar plantation
of Louisiana in the employ of J. Rollings, one of the most prominent sugar men
in that state where it is sugar or nothing. McFarland has but recently purchased
the St. Rose sugar plantation in St. James Parish, Louisiana. He, however, will
not sever his connection with the Miles laboratories. Charles McFarland is the
son of William McFarland of Wood Street, who is a carpenter by occupation.
Charles left Mansfield about nine years ago and entered a university at
Lawrence, Kan. He purposed, when he left Mansfield, studying civil engineering,
but his means were exhausted before he could finish the course. At Lawrence, he
became acquainted with a sugar planter who was attracted to him by his
intelligence and ability. A strong friendship grew up between them and when he
had finished the course in chemistry, he accompanied the planter to his southern
home to secure employment to raise enough money to finish his schooling in civil
engineering. He was greatly pleased with his surroundings and accepted a
permanent position and has steadily risen. The position of chief chemist was
offered him several years ago, and his future was then secured. McFarland's
relatives in this city will be pleased to know of his success. His parents
reside on Wood Street and he is a brother-in-law of Charles W. Fritz, county
Auditor-elect. Charles McFarland's success is but an evidence of the ability of
Mansfield brains to push to the front wherever an opportunity presents itself.
Submitted by Amy. [RICHLAND SHIELD & BANNER: 14 March 1896, Vol. LXXVIII, No.
44]
McIlvaine, Alexander and William -- Over
fifty years ago, there came from Adams Co., Penn. into Richland a family of
mother, sons and daughters. The elder sons were stalwart young men and enured
[sic.] to work. They had acquired the trade of plasterers and found abundant
employment in a growing town and prospered. A younger brother worked with them,
but diversified his work and increased his gains by also acquiring the art of
the tailor. The mother long since departed to the undiscovered country, but here
the sons married and settled, here they took up the duties of citizens. Here
they became early in their career citizen soldiers of the independent uniform
companies of the militia of Ohio. Here they took an active part in building up
the town and here they were active as unpaid volunteer firemen, and here they
shared with others the duties and responsibilities of councilmen of the village
and of the city, when the incorporated village of Mansfield was advanced to the
dignity and grade of a city of Ohio. From here in 1849 one of these brothers
was of that little band of the citizens of Mansfield, who, first of all the
people of Richland County, traveled by land and by sea to the Golden Gate and
engaged in gold mining in California, and after returning again, essayed the
journey accompanied by his brothers -- but in time all returned to Ohio. Of
these brothers, the youngest still lives, and I will not write of him but of his
elders -- both of whom are not, for when the nation decorates the graves of its'
gallant dead, the people of Mansfield as they tread the avenues and walks of our
beautiful cemetery, tarry first here and then there, and place flowers on the
sod covering the mortal part of each of these brothers, both of whom were the
friends of my boyhood days. When the tocsin first sounded and the call for
defenders of this union in April, 1861, was first made, one of them eagerly
sought to be enrolled, and when the next day thereafter Ohio's first troops
gathered in Ohio's capitol, Alexander McIlvaine marched as first lieutenant of
Co. I, First Ohio Reg't. and with the other 2,000 brave men, comprising First
and Second Ohio regiments to the front. Completing the term of service and
returning to Ohio he actively participated in recruiting men for the Sherman
Brigade and when that organization was completed commanded Co. A of the 64th.
Reg't. His heart was in the Union cause. His health was firm and he was gifted
as a soldier -- and it was inevitable that such a man must rise in grade, and so
it was, and in time he became the colonel commanding that gallant regiment. He
was a fearless man, a courageous man, conspicuously so, and by reason thereof he
lost his life at Rocky Face Ridge. More than 30 years ago he died, but we would
now make note of the man, and perpetuate his memory, so that when three more
decades of years have come and gone the services of Alexander McIlvaine, as
citizen and as soldier, may still be remembered and appreciated. But may I also
write of the brother Captain William McIlvaine of the 120th. Ohio. Younger by a
few years than his brother Alexander, and a brainier man also, somewhat taller,
more muscular, more angular, more indifferent in dress, less careful of his
personal appearance, but possessed of larger will power, and very forceful. Had
William McIlvaine been given early advantages, educational and otherwise, few
men in our little city would have proven his superiors. His special trade made
the summer time, and late spring and early autumn, seasons of work with head and
hands, and his energy and industry were such that he accomplished a vast deal
when employment was to be had at all, but there were dull years in Mansfield,
years when little building was done, and then he did whatever his hands found to
do, farm or other work as it could be had, but the long winter nights year after
year developed William McIlvaine and he became a student of men, events, books,
policies, parties and governmental questions. He was a careful and persistent
reader of all that was written of our western country. The explorations of Lewis
& Clarke, Fremont Stevens, Hazen and others he was thoroughly conversant with.
He was a modest man, but a good citizen and a good soldier. In the fall of
1892, he passed away after a lingering illness, the seeds of which were sown in
his campaigning and exposure during the years of his military service in defense
of the Union. The sons and daughters of these brothers, Alexander and William
McIlvaine, may be glad and rejoice that their fathers performed every duty
devolving upon them as citizens and soldiers ably and well while our common
country has not forgotten the debt of gratitude to the surviving widows. --
H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [RICHLAND SHIELD & BANNER: 08 February 1896, Vol.
LXXVIII, No. 39]
McIntire,
W.A. -- W.A. McIntire was born in Bellville, Feb. 7, 1860. His father
was drowned April 10, of the same year, and he, being the only child, was for
years the sole support for his widowed mother. In 1883, he removed to Plymouth,
this county, where he established himself in the cigar business, in which place
he still resides. He has always been an active business man, an esteemed and
respected citizen, and a staunch Democrat, uniting in his efforts to further the
interests of his party. Has twice been elected constable, and has been deputy
sheriff in the northern part of the county for nearly five years. Submitted by
Amy. [RICHLAND SHIELD & BANNER: 31 October 1896, Vol. LXXIX, No. 25]
McLaughlin, E.W. M.D. -- Prior to the discovery of
gold, in the mill race, of Sutter the Swiss, at New Helvetia, the home ranch and
fort property, granted under Mexican rule to General S., there lived in the old
county of Richland four men, all physicians, all men of mark. These four men
left for the time their household Gods [sic.] behind them in the land of the
Buckeye, and where the dogwood blooms and blossoms, and journeyed westward to
the land beyond the Rockies. In age, in length of practice, in the confidence
of the people, the order in which they may be named -- ought to be named
possibly, is the following: Eli Teegarden, M.D., Jonathan Bricker, M.D., W.G.
Alban, M.D., and E.W. McLaughlin, M.D. The first named in time sent for wife
and children and made his permanent home in the gold state, and his body is
buried in its shining sands. The second, Jonathan Bricker, for some years
followed the practice of his profession to California, then returned to Ohio,
thereafter removed to Illinois, and his dust is now commingled with that of the
prairies over which waves the tasseled corn. The third remains on the Pacific
Coast, though now being in Washington, the new-born state of the far northwest.
Dr. Alban was a student and son-in-law of Dr. Abraham Jenner, of Ontario. He
belonged to the guild of printers also, and more than forty years ago was the
editor and publisher of the Nevada Journal, a newspaper issued in Nevada City,
Cal., in one of the richest gold mining districts of that gold producing state.
Dr. A. has enjoyed the distinguished honor of having for a devil in his print
shop a youth who thereafter became the Governor of California, a Senator in the
Congress of the United States and a minister plenipotentiary to a foreign
country and court, the Hon. Aaron A. Sargeant. The last of the four was Dr. E.B.
McLaughlin, who settled in the Shasta country, north of the Sacramento, and
there made and lost several fortunes, but finally returned to Ohio and died in
Mansfield a few years ago. It is of interest to write of these four men, all,
save one, now numbered with the dead. It may also be of interest to recount
some of the successes as well as to outline the peculiarities, mental and
physical, of the men who, half a century ago, were known throughout the
boundaries of the old county. Teegarden was a tall, large-framed man, tender
kindly eyes and face. His medical skill was recognized as fair, his public
spirit pronounced, and as he gathered in the shekels he disbursed them in adding
to the growth of the town, and the more substantial building thereof, and in '46
when the first railroad, the old Sandusky & Mansfield, first ran into Mansfield,
he not only built the Teegarden House, the forerunner of the Welden which
preceded in name the Saint James, which later is known as the Vonhoff, but Dr.
Teegarden with others built a large grain warehouse north of Fourth Street and
east of Sugar Street, and to which a switch track of the Sandusky & Mansfield
railroad then extended. The Doctor's business operations were various and some
were entrusted to other hands, and he found himself in need of cash-money. So
when the glitter and glamour of the gold placers of California cast a promising
ray of hope eastward, he embraced the opportunity to rapidly recuperate his
fortunes, and he sailed the waters of the two oceans and crossed the isthmus of
Darien and entered the Golden Gate. He was physician, hotel-keeper, merchant,
miller, law maker, and always a man of affairs in the state of his new home.
Thither in time he caused to journey to him his wife and children, and his
daughters became the wives of men of energy and activity. His long-time
residence was at Yuba City, where he cultivated acres of luscious fruit. His
heart was in that beautiful land, and though he returned to Mansfield in the
centennial year on a visit, it was only a visit, and California was his home, as
it is the place of his burial and his tomb. Dr. Teegarden was of that energetic
class, it would have made no difference where his habitation might be
established, he would have attained a measure of success. He lived in a realm
of hope, and if by human endeavor, life could be made more happy, Dr. Teegarden
put forth the effort and wrought on, sure of the accomplishment. One
granddaughter is the wife of a distinguished jurist who adjudicates matters of
dispute between the Christians and the Mohammedans in Oriental lands. But the
old doctor and his wife and the larger number of his sons and daughters sleep
the sleep of death, and are buried in the land whose shores are washed by the
broad Pacific sea. Dr. Jonathan Bricker was of different mould, dark complected,
black-haired, bright-eyed, quick perception. He was born in Pennsylvania, came
to Ohio a young man, devoted to his profession, and was very successful. His
movements were nervously active and quick, and there was that indefinable
something about the man which begat confidence in his knowledge, and in his
skill. Of his immediate family none remain in that old county; but the present
Dr. W.R. Bricker, of Shelby, was his relative and his student, and, looking back
into my boyhood days, my judgment now is that Dr. Jonathan was the superior
physicians of the two, yet Dr. William R., in the long run of life, was all
around the more successful. Dr. Alban I have met within the passing years at
his home in Walla Walla, Washington, still practicing his profession and
universally respected and highly regarded. Dr. E.B. McLaughlin so lately passed
away that many now living well remember him. He started in life as a builder
and worker of wood, but taking up the study of medicine he gained distinction in
his profession and the active part of his professional career was in
California. He left no immediate descendants, but a number of relatives by
blood and marriage. -- H.C.H. Submitted by
Amy. [Richland Shield & Banner: 27 April 1895, Vol. LXXVII, No. 50]
McLaughlin, William -- A native son of
western Pennsylvania; his birthplace so near the Ohio line that it may be said
he was a Buckeye. In his early manhood on the farm, then removed to Richland
County. In his purse no scrip or coin, on his back nearly his all of worldly
goods, with a brain not cultured, but with more of cunning than most men, tall,
straight, and strong. On his arrival in Mansfield he gave the world of that
hamlet and the country about it to understand that he was a lawyer and ha come
to cast his fortunes with the early settlers of "old Richland". He possessed
one faculty in large measure, that of making and retaining friends, and was
gifted with another that largely aided to make him a success professionally and
in that field of political endeavor, and that gift was this: He took counsel of
himself and of men in the opposition to him when he had weighed and determined
them to be honorable, rather than seeking the advice of those in accord with
him, whom he judged to be as ambitious as himself. His education was very
meager and text books were to him hardly half open, but he studied the book of
nature; studied the make-up of his fellows, their weaknesses rather than their
strength. He attached himself to the few, but made much of the multitude. His
special friends in partisan matters were always of the opposite party, and his
greatest fear was of men in his own political organization. His success at the
bar was phenomenal in the early years of his practice for Bartley was a close
student, Brinkerhoff had keen and quick perceptions, Stewart was possessed of
commanding figure, a voice unequalled, and a superb equipment in every way save
one; he lacked industry. Newman had all the qualities of Stewart with great
ambition and great industry added, and McLaughlin was possessed of none of the
gifts which these four had, and yet in all his early years he attained success.
He was elected prosecuting attorney and discharged the duties well. He was
advanced to the Senate of Ohio, and made Speaker thereof, and he was recognized
as a most excellent and able presiding officer, and he once told me that he was
always cognizant of his inability and realized that if his party associates
should once put him in peril as a presiding officer his position would be as
unstable as the crown of a king -- but that his rule was to get close to the
leading honorable man of the other party and be guided greatly by him. Oh, the
genius and the cunning combined! He was, in fact, a popular and successful
Speaker, much more so that Thomas W. Bartley, who succeeded him in the State
Senate and in the Speaker's chair. He was an advocate rather than a counselor.
In the days of his largest practice actions-at-law were more based on injuries
to person and reputation than on commercial transactions and for damages, for
breaches of marriage contracts and crim con. McLaughlin possessed a good
clientage among the old men of the county, and varied were his experiences.
Fertile in resources of the ad-captandum kind, he won many victories before the
juries of the county, and if the law of the case were against him, he would,
though not rich in reasonings, have the court leave undisturbed the verdicts;
shrewd enough to suggest to the judge to keep his hands off the findings of the
twelve good and honorable men in the box. I have referred to his soldierly
instincts. He was commissioned a major general commanding a division of Ohio
militia, and was such when the Mexican War occurred. Volunteers were called
for, Ohio's quota was three regiments of infantry. I well remember the training
day. The command was put through the facings and maneuvers in the grove on the
south side of Park Avenue East. There as nature grew, in 1846, was an
amphitheater; a bubbling spring of pure water near by, the umbrageous oaks and
elms standing here and there and the carpet of green under their feet, and the
canopy of the sky above. The command was at a parade rest. The call was read.
A neat speech or two were made and "attention" was the next command. The whole
division came to a shoulder arms, and those who were willing to volunteer were
ordered to march ten paces to the front. The boys marched forward. McLaughlin
of the number. Thomas H. Ford, James Cantwell, Wm. Smith, Wm. L. Tidball, M.R.
Dickey, John Crall, Joseph Reisinger and as many altogether as made two
companies. McLaughlin was commissioned captain of one company and Ford of the
other, and soon they marched away to camp Washington, near Cincinnati, and
became a part of the 3rd. Ohio, whose colonel was another Mansfield man, Samuel
R. Curtis. The year went by and peace came, and a new empire came with it from
Mexico, to increase and add to the area, extent, greatness and glory of the
Republic; but with it came the seeds of discontent and disunion, increase of
slavery in the south, and so on and up to 1861, when the war for the Union was
waged. McLaughlin was an old man then and military spirit had declined. In all
Ohio but little if any organization was maintained, but when Abraham Lincoln
called, the old man responded, went to the front again as captain and served
three months. Then authorized to raise a squadron of cavalry and was
commissioned the major, and with his command went into the highlands of
Kentucky. The sands were running out. Broken in health, he was ordered home on
a sick leave, and on the Big Sandy, with his face to the sun, ere he had reached
his loved ones, or they him, the soul left the body and the old soldier's
campaigning was ended. -- H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield &
Banner: 11 August 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 13]
McLean, W.T. [Mansfield News: 15 April 1905, p. 6]
Meek,
James M. (external link)
Merchant, George B. -- In response to the
50 printed invitations 35 or 40 guests were present at the residence of George
B. Merchant on Orchard street, to help celebrate the host's 60th. birthday. The
evening was spent in social enjoyment, which was enlivened by playing n the
piano by Mr. Merchant's daughter, Mrs. M.A. DePue, accompanied by vocal music by
Wm. Braby. An elegant supper was served. George B. Merchant was born in Berkley
county, Va., and the family removed to this city in 1870. Before coming here he
served two terms as recorder of Marion county. In Richland county, he served two
terms as deputy recorder and two terms as township clerk. He enlisted in the
union army April 22, 1861, and was mustered out on June 29, 1864. About a month
before his final retirement from service he had the back part of his jaw shot
away in battle. Mr. Merchant is a representative citizen and his many friends
were pleased to be able to greet him while enjoying exceptionally good health,
considering the fact that he was very ill several years ago. Mr. M.A. DePue, his
son-in-law, acted as master of ceremonies. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD NEWS,
02 October 1890, Vol. 40, No. 46]
Meredith, John - Born in 1818, one of the pioneers of Troy Twp.
Received his Masonic degr4ees in Mansfield Lodge in 1843 and was elected Master
for the year 1848, reelected for 1849, and again served as Master in 1862.
Elected County Auditor in 1841 and served as one of the first infirmary
directors in 1846. Elected Probate Judge of Richland County in 1858. [HISTORY
OF MANSFIELD LODGE NO. 35, F. & A.M., 1814-1951, pp. 43-44]
Miller, David P.
Miller, George -- Lexington. George
Miller, Esq., of Lexington, attained the age of 79 years, Feb. 11 and he is yet
very alert and views life with the happy thought and zest of youth. There are
many noteworthy episodes in his life. He was born Feb. 11, 1819, on the island
of Thanet, a picturesque little spot whose shores the English Channel lave. In
1829 his parents bade adieu to this beautiful sea girt home and after a
tempestuous voyage of six weeks landed at New York. The family were enroute to
Mansfield and at Buffalo boarded the steamer Buckeye and while gliding
tranquilly along a section of the steamer's boiler exploded, killing one man and
injuring another. The steamer was repaired at Erie and finally reached Sandusky,
where the family disembarked. They rode to Mansfield in a quaint five horse
wagon. The driver being Simon Pearce, a famous Jehu then. They lived three
months in Mansfield and the first work Mr. Miller's father did there was for
Henry Leyman on the Ben Johns house. The first time George Miller attended
Sunday school there he was accompanied by Charles Hedges. George was inspired
with much fear one day when in the little log temple of justice by seeing
Constable Billy Wilson, a noted athlete, incarcerate a prisoner in the loft
which was used as a bastile. In January, 1830, his parents located three miles
north of Lexington on an 80 acre tract which was covered densely with the
massive progeny of the forest and he has a vivid recollection of the last bear
that was killed in that region. William Hartupee, a noted nimrod, got on the
trail of a huge bear and after a hot pursuit through the tangled forest and dark
morasses the alert animal scaled a tree and growled defiance from its lofty
retreat. But the hunter killed the bear. Sixty years ago, George Miller rode
horseback to Lawrence County, in southern Illinois. He was there six months and
there met Levi Zimmerman, Esq. of Mansfield. But the aspect of that modern Egypt
was so somber that they decided not to remain. Justin Carpenter, uncle of George
F. Carpenter, also when there, but he viewed the barren waste and did not unload
his goods and returned and located near Lexington. George Miller did not find
felling the progeny of the forest on his father's farm congenial to him and late
in the 40's he engaged in the shipping business in Mansfield and next in
Lexington, where he has lived 45 years. He has a vivid recollection of the noted
campaign of 1840, when the land was lit, as it were, by the brilliancy of Tom
Corwin's marvelous eloquence. He heard Corwin address a mighty throng of Gen.
W.H. Harrison's partisans in Columbus and he voted for the valiant hero of
Tippecanoe in Lexington. Mr. Miller was in London, Eng., over 40 years ago and
there he conversed with the famous adventurer Lola Montez, the brilliance of
whose beauty dazzled and entranced the world. Submitted by Amy. [Semi-Weekly
News (Mansfield): 15 February 1898, Vol. 14, No. 13]
Miller,
M.L. -- The above is a good likeness of M.L. Miller, senior member of
the firm of Miller & Dittenhoefer, the pioneer among the merchants now doing
business in Mansfield. Mr. Miller began business here in 1848 and at no time
since then has his location been more than eighty feet from his present
establishment at the northeast corner of Main and Third streets. His first
location was at the McFall corner, then in the room first door south of the old
Wiler House office, and in 1857, he erected the building now known as Miller's
Opera House, which he has occupied continuously since January, 1858. Mr. Miller
is sixty-one years of age, was born in Bavaria, came to this country in 1844,
and to Mansfield in 1848. He enjoys in the highest degree the confidence and
respect of an acquaintance circle acquired through forty years of residence in
this city. He has had three sons associated with him at different times in
business, all of whom are now successfully engaged in business for themselves in
New York, Louisville and Cleveland. At present Mr. Miller's son-in-law, A.B.
Dittenhoefer, is connected with him in business. Mr. Miller is also the
proprietor of the opera house which bears his name. That his long and honorable
business career in Mansfield may be continued for many years to come is the wish
of the many friends of Mansfield's pioneer merchant. Submitted by Amy.
[MANSFIELD WEEKLY NEWS: 15 December 1887, Vol. 4, No. 5]
Miller, Robert B. (external link)
Mitchell, George F. -- In further
sketching the lives of the earlier physicians and surgeons of the county,
possibly not in the order of his appearance in the field of labor, but as
prominent in his profession and as pronounced in his prominence as any of his
brethren, comes George F. Mitchell, M.D. Born in the year 1808, in the month of
May, less than eight years the junior of Dr. Bushnell, a native of the hills of
western Pennsylvania, in the county of Washington, a region which has become
classic by reason of its numerous colleges and seminaries and the sturdy manhood
and beautiful womanhood of its people, the part of the country that stood the
shock of the early contentions of English and French for supremacy, and the
borderland where savage and civilized life for decades were at variance and
doubtful which won the victory, where Braddock fell and where Washington began
his great career. It was there Dr. Mitchell was born and after boyhood began
his medical studies; his preceptor a leading and distinguished physician of
Pittsburg; though he took his degree in the famous Medical College of
Cincinnati. In 1831, when only 23 years of age, he removed to Ohio and settled
in the village of Olivesburg in Richland County, a village in that day
prosperous and in midst of the richer part of Richland County. But his skills
was such as to render his service in constant demand both at home and beyond the
lines of a village and country practice, and in 1846 he removed to Mansfield and
ceased not his laborious life till death ended at the same time his pilgrimage
on earth and his professional career. On the morning of March 31, 1869, he
visited his patients, the retiring to his home engaged in trimming his vines and
trees; suddenly the heart ceased its beating, and George F. Mitchell's life on
earth was closed. His years of life were sixty and one. One of his
professional brethren, Miller, lived not so long, while another, Bushnell,
apparently of more delicate constitution and precarious health, was spared so
long that he nearly compassed a century. Dr. Mitchell was of stalwart build
physically, and in the thirties was counted a man of prodigious strength. He
was a portly man in his bearing, dignified in character, learned in his
profession, careful in his practice, courteous, prudent, ever pursuing the safe
course, taking nothing for granted without the most searching inquiry and
examination, and his success was such as might be looked for in such a
conscientious man and so skillful and careful a physician. When the great war
came on Dr. Mitchell had passed the half century of life. His ripe experience,
great medical learning and masterly skill would have been of great service to
the country, had he been able to respond to the invitation of the Surgeon
General of Ohio, and enter the military service. His close pressing engagements
at home, duties he owed the community in which he had so long lived, controlled
his judgment and wisely, and he could only respond when emergencies demanded
short terms of service. After the battle of Shiloh he went to the front. After
the conflicts and contests of the armed battalions in the valley of Virginia he
gave his time and skill to the soldiers of the Union. Of his family, two sons
and a daughter preceded him, and the same number survived him. It gratified him
that two of his sons followed in the field of work of their father. The elder
of the two, Dr. Milton Mitchell, whose young life went out years ago, was a man
of brilliancy and great promise. The younger, George Mitchell, the practitioner
of today, so nearly resembles the father that in him the father seems to again
appear in the activities of a successful professional career -- worthy son of a
worthy sire. His youngest son is a skillful dentist, but has not pursued his
profession with unwearied assiduity. Many years his wife survived him, and in
her old age passed away. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield & Banner: 23
March 1895, Vol. LXXVII, No. 45]
Mitchell, Ira C. -- The Rev. Ira C.
Mitchell. Of the Rev. Ira C. Mitchell, the new pastor of the Disciple church in
this city, the Pan-Handle News of Wellsburg, W. Va., of Feb. 14 says:
"Rev. Ira C. Mitchell left yesterday, with his family, for an enlarged field of
labor with the church at Mansfield, O. Few men have gone from this community
who ranked with him in force, eloquence and ability, either as minister or
attorney. Socially, he was a most companionable man; pleasant and fascinating
in conversation, deep, keen and logical whether in or out of the pulpit, and
with a wide scope of general knowledge rarely met with in professional men.
Although having come in contact with the people both as pastor and lawyer, yet
he leaves behind him not one with an unkind feeling, and takes with him only
their love, regard and good wishes. His noble wife and her bright, pleasant
daughters will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of their
acquaintance, and who knew them but to love them." Submitted by Amy.
[Mansfield Evening News: 18 February 1890, Vol. 5, No. 296]
Moody, Miller -- Captain Miller Moody, a
son of the Rev. John Moody, the philanthropist, was the captain of Company I,
16th. O.V.I., a company of "first-call troops" raised at Bellville at the
outbreak of the Civil War. at the close of that term of service, he raised a
company at Bellville for the 59th. New York Infantry and became its captain. He
was in the battle of Gettysburg, where he received wounds from which he died,
after submitting to five amputations. His remains were brought home and
interred in the Bellville Cemetery. Capt. Moody was a graduate of Kenyon
College, and had been a member of the Ohio legislature in 1849-50. Captain
Moody wore faultless broadcloth, and was of dignified bearing and courteous
manners, but the poor and humble ever looked upon him as a friend. He gave his
life to his country and who could do more! Submitted by Amy. [Bellville
Messenger: 28 May 1903, Vol. 11, No. 21]
Moody, Miller -- Captain Miller Moody was
a son of John Moody, a pioneer preacher of the Christian church. Preacher
Moody was an example of a good Christian. He was a man of wealth, but was
generous to the poor. The year of the great scarcity of bread-stuff, he
refused to sell flour to those who had money. "Take your money and go
elsewhere to buy; my flour and meal are for those who have no money."
And so he acted, but his prosperity only increased, and his means for doing good
were enlarged. His large grist mill is still in use, and is now owned by
Ed Simpson. Miller Moody received a college education. He inherited
wealth, but never engaged much in business. He represented Richland County
in the legislature and served his country as a soldier in war. Moody was
one of the best dressed men in the county, and his cuffs and Byronic collar were
always faultless in their whiteness. Capt. Moody died of wounds received
at the battle of Antietam, after suffering five amputations, and his remains
repose in the cemetery of his native village, and his memory is held in
affectionate regard by his old-time friends and neighbors.
[Mansfield News: 28 May 1899]
Moorhouse,
Margaret (Baggs) Hull -- "Aunty" Moorhouse is one of the best known
women in Richland County. For nearly 60 years she has catered to the public as
the landlady and manager of a hotel or boarding house, and has boarded and fed
jurors and witnesses, the number of whom would aggregate into the thousands.
Her maiden name was Margaret Baggs, and she was born in Washington Co., Pa.,
eighty-three years ago and came to Ohio with her parents in 1822 and settled in
Cadiz, which place was her home until her marriage with George Hull in 1836.
Hull died in 1879, and two years later the widow married Thomas Moorhouse --
father of George Moorhouse, the attorney. Mr. Moorhouse died in 1893, and being
again a widow, Mrs. Moorhouse is often called "Aunty" Hull, the name she was
known by for so many years. Upon the streets of Cadiz, Bishop Simpson and
Margaret Baggs were playmates. She well remembers the Hon. John A. Bingham, who
afterwards attained distinction and honors as a congressman and as a diplomat
and whose oratory has not only resounded over the hills and along the fair
valleys of Ohio, but has also rolled and roared through the nave and corridors
and echoed from the fretted ceiling of the halls of congress. "Aunty" is of the
Methodist faith and has been a faithful member of that denomination for many
years. Her brother, James Baggs, and Bishop Simpson joined the Methodists at the
same camp meeting. Another brother, William, married Elizabeth Niman, sister of
our fellow townsmen, James A. and John B. Niman. The Baggs family furnished
brave soldiers as well as honored civilians. John Baggs served his country
through two wars and Robert was killed in the battle of Chickamauga. Many
soldiers lie in unmarked graves in the southland, but it matters not, for their
brave deeds are remembered by their countrymen with patriotic gratitude and at
the general resurrection their bodies shall come forth unmaimed in the fruition
of the glory of the life everlasting. Mr. and Mrs. Hull came to Mansfield in
1838, landed at the Teegarden -- now the Vonhof -- and soon afterwards bought
the Pugh house, where the Masonic temple now stands, changed the name of the
hotel to the Pennsylvania house, which they conducted successfully for a number
of years. In the spring of 1861, they leased what was known as the bank
building, opposite the old "North American", where the Purdy building now stands
and there kept boarding house for 27 years. This house was the recognized
headquarters for jurors and court witnesses for more than the fourth of a
century. The day of the Webb execution, "Aunty's" meal receipts amounted to $76
-- 304 meals. "Aunty" still keeps a few boarders. She keeps no help. Even at
her advanced age she is able to attend to her household duties as of yore.
"Aunty" Moorhouse grows old cheerfully. Grows old? No! A good woman never grows
old. Years may pass over her head and silver her hair, but when goodness and
benevolence dwell in her heart, she is as young in spirit as when the springtime
of life opened to her view. No one thinks of age when in her presence, for among
her acquaintances she is a friend and benefactor, always cheerful in spirit, and
active in deeds of kindness and mercy, although they may be humble. Such a woman
is "Aunty" Moorhouse. -- A.J. Baughman. Submitted by Amy. [SEMI-WEEKLY NEWS
(Mansfield): 09 August 1898, Vol. 14, No. 66]
Morgan,
Samuel Melvin -- Samuel Melvin Morgan, another soldier whose biography
reads like a novel, was born in Boston, Mass., Feb. 3, 1847. His mother being
left with four children, her brother, who was a sea captain, took young Sam on
shipboard when he was but six years old, and for eight years the vessel was his
home. They were engaged in the merchant trade and circumnavigated the globe
several times. He has "rounded" the cape, "doubled" the Horn, and sailed through
the straits of Magellan. He was in China before he was nine years old; has been
in every clime, in almost every country and seaport in the world. He was never a
sailor before the mast, but assisted his uncle in various ways from cabin-boy to
clerk. This is giving the story briefly in a few lines. Eight years upon the
high seas is a longtime and fraught with adventures and dangers, but those eight
years gave to Morgan a knowledge of the world that he could not have acquired in
any other way. Returning to Boston a few months before the outbreak of the
civil war, when the call was made for troops he enlisted April 17, 1861, in the
First Massachusetts infantry and was in the battle of Bull's Run. After his
discharge from the three-months service, he enlisted for three years with the
74th. New York Infantry, which was a part of Gen. Daniel E. Sickle's brigade,
and when the general was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, Morgan was one of
the four soldiers who carried him off the field. Comrade Morgan participated in
all the battles in which the army of the Potomac was engaged. His company went
into the battle of Antietam with 72 men and came out with 41. When Gen. Hooker
was transferred to the west, Morgan, who was on detached duty, accompanied that
gallant officer, as a member of his staff, to Lookout Mountain, and participated
in the memorable battle above the clouds. At another time Morgan was temporarily
detached and for several months served with a New York Battery. On the 5th. of
February, 1884, Morgan re-enlisted as a veteran for three years, was appointed
sergeant and was honorably discharged at San Francisco, Cal., Oct. 1865, having,
while on detached duty, crossed the plains with the 18th. United States
infantry, his last service in the army being at the Golden Gate. From April,
1861, to October, 1865 -- four years and six months' service for his country
before he was 19 years old! After his discharge from the army he became a
wood-workman, his specialty being carriage building and worked at different
times in various parts of the country. He also sailed a season or two on the
lakes, and has made three trips across the Atlantic since the war. He came to
Mansfield about 20 years ago, as foreman of the Kintner's carriage works. He
later worked with the McCoy brothers at house-building, and upon the completion
of the Memorial Building he received the appointment of janitor and policeman,
and has so efficiently performed his duties that he has been retained throughout
the management of the different board of trustees. Sam, as he is familiarly
called, is kind-hearted, generous and obliging and he is never so happy as when
he can do some one a good service -- especially his G.A.R. comrades, or the
management of the hospital association. Submitted by Amy. [Mansfield
Semi-Weekly News: 11 October 1898, Vol. 14, No. 84]
Morris, Benjamin -- On Tuesday, November
13, 1883, a company of relatives and friends convened at the residence of
Benjamin Morris, near Shenandoah, Richland County, to celebrate his 72nd.
anniversary. He was born in Washington Co., Pa. in 1811, was married to Jane B.
Black, of Chester Co., Pa., in 1831. They resided in Pennsylvania until 1847,
when the moved to Ohio and purchased the farm they now reside on. To them was
born five sons, viz.: B.F., J.T., G.B., W.H. and I.P. Their mother departed this
life February 23, 1871. After the company had partaken of a social repast, B.F.
Morris stepped forward and presented his father with a beautiful gold-headed
cane -- a very nice token to serve as a staff in his declining years. His speech
was very fitting and added solemnity to the occasion. At the same time a silver
cake basket was presented to the step-mother, and was thankfully received. Dr.
McMillen, of Shelby, made a few remarks, which were well received. The sons are
all settled in life and are engaged in the following lines of business: B.F.,
G.B. and W.H. are farmers; J.T. and I.P., merchants; W.H. with his family, left
the next day, the 14th., for California, his future home. The company present
numbered 80, and may they all live to meet again on similar occasions.
Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD HERALD: 06 December 1883, Vol. 34, No. 3]
Morrow, Charles V. -- Charles V. Morrow
was born in New York state, May 16th., 1823, and grew to manhood on a farm. He
married Elizabeth C. Fitting, daughter of Solomon Fitting, and they commenced to
keep house in Mansfield, the marriage date being Jan. 17, 1859. He followed the
grocery business some time, and then kept a livery stable. About a year after
marriage he came to Bellville, about two years afterward went to farming. He
moved on a farm south of Bellville in 1863. He filled the office of Justice of
the Peace nine years, during which time he solemnized about forty marriages, and
settled a number of estates. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Star: 12 October
1882]
Morrow, John -- John Morrow was a
Bellville merchant for nearly a half-century. He has been dead for a number of
years, and the survivors of his family live elsewhere. Submitted by Amy.
[Bellville Messenger: 28 May 1903, Vol. 11, No. 21]
Morrow, John -- John Morrow was for many
years a merchant at Bellville. He resembled William H. Seward in
appearance, and had been his schoolmate. Morrow was bred to the law, but
was diverted from it into the channel of trade. Morrow was erudite, but he
preferred to consider and discuss men and events rather than books.
Beneath his dignity there was a vein of humor, and he could tell a story and
enjoy a joke, but never indulged in personal ones nor descended to the plane of
a "kidder". Morrow had a dog that made the store his headquarters for many
years and in the summer season when the windows were open in the story above the
storeroom the dog would stand for hours at a time with his feet upon their low
sills looking out and down upon passers-by. The dog died and the day
following a peddler came along who had a dog the exact counterpart of the Morrow
dog ins size, color and markings, but being a Turn-spit, he had short legs --
legs only about half the length of the Morrow dog. For the consideration
of one dollar the ownership of the canine was transferred from the peddler to
Mr. Morrow and the "Turnspit" took the position in the store that his late
predecessor had before him. Then the fun began, when people came to the
store, they would look at the dog, then at Morrow, and ask, "Squire, where alls
your dog? What has happened to him? Se how short his legs have
become!" Morrow would reply: "I told the boys not to leave those
windows hoisted upstairs, that the dog was liable to jump out and get 'stowed
up'. Now look at him! See his legs!" And dozens of people
looked at the dog and wondered, never doubting that it was the some "dorg" and
that he ha jumped out of the upstairs window to the stone pavement below and had
thus been "jammed up". And the merchant would look over his gold-rimmed
spectacles, which he wore well down on his nose, and feign commiseration over
the supposed mishap. 'Squire Morrow was a leading citizen of Bellville for
many years. He was the father of Capt. W.F. Morrow, of Cincinnati, a
traveling salesman, who frequently visits Mansfield. [Mansfield News:
28 May 1899]
Morton, N.S.
-- N.S. Morton, Esq., came to Sharon Township in A.D., 1830 -- from Ontario
County, New York, and has been a resident for over forty-six years. He first
"entered" the farm on which Mr. Jacob Clark now resides, and commenced clearing
it up. This entitles him to the honor of being one of the pioneers of the
township, a fact we were not aware of, when we placed him among those who came
"twenty years later". [Shelby Independent News: 20 July 1876, Vol. 8, No. 39]
Murphy, Robert
Nail, A.F.
-- A.F. Nail enlisted in the First Ohio Independent Battery Dec. 11, 1861 and
was honorably discharged June 25, 1865, and says the only reason any man can
give for having a better time than he had must be that he was in the service
longer. He was 15 years and 7 months old when he enlisted. Patriotism seems to
run in the Nail family, which has had representatives in all the wars in which
our country has been engaged. Frank, as Comrade Nail is familiarly called, has
been in the show business for the past 25 years and as "Uncle Joe" in the play
of the "Drummer Boy" has no equal upon the stage. He has played in all the
principal cities from Boston to San Francisco. He was a member of the committee
recently sent to Camp Wikoff to look after the welfare of Company M and no
better selection could have been made. Frank knows how to talk to the boys and
how to care for them too. He is popular everywhere and has the confidence and
respect of the community where he has always lived. Family names are repeated
and represented in both army and navy. Four generations of Selbridges have
served in the navy; three Porters, three Perry's, six Rogerses, and in looking
over the list of naval and army officers today it is surprising to observe how
many of the names appear upon the pages of the history of the past. Submitted
by Amy. [Mansfield Semi-Weekly News: 11 October 1898, Vol. 14, No. 84]
Newman, Jacob -- In our last sketch, the
one on General James Hedges, we indicated that some time we might write of his
associate in founding the town of Mansfield. The name he bore was Jacob Newman,
of Holland ancestry, though born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but removed
to Franklin County in that commonwealth, close on the Maryland line. He was
the eldest of quite a family and the leader thereof, in time chief of his clan
and head man of his kindred. He was tall, straight, strong, large-chested and
large limbed, a man physically of great power, yet wonderful alertness and
activity, a pioneer, one who goes before, removing obstructions, preparing the
way for others, a leader of men, more, a leader of leaders, confident of his
superiority, calm in his strength yet quiet and unobtrusive. He had married in
Pennsylvania and had been bereft of wife. All his children, save one, were left
with the kindred of their mother. One son, his name-sake, Jacob, settled near
their home and later on in the conflict of the ages, when the mighty contending
armies, Union and Confederate in the Civil War, fought the battle of Antietam,
the sound of the guns, the flash of the glittering sabers and the movements of
men in battle array were plainly heard and seen at the hearth-stone and home of
Jacob, the son; in fact the field of Antietam is partly on his farm. One
daughter became the wife of Dr. John Free, a learned scholastic man of quiet
peculiarities and devotion to books. And of her sons, two attained fair
distinction in the army of the Republic as Major and Lieutenant Colonel
respectively in an Union regiment. The youngest son, Henry by name, he took
with him, moving first into Westmoreland County, Pa., then to Stark County,
Ohio, and finally built his cabin, first cabin in the limits of old Richland, on
the Rocky Fork of the Mohican near the site of Campbell's mill as now called,
two miles or less from Mansfield. Jacob Newman, the pioneer, married again in
Franklin County, Pa., and his second wife was the good woman whom in my
childhood was loved and revered as my grand-mother. Leaving the cabin home on
the Rocky Fork he joined General Hedges and became interested in the site where
Mansfield is now. His first home was on the hillside south of the run which
springing into existence between the hills of nature formed them to the
southwestward, meanders down and through the south side of the original town
plat. Afterward a new cabin home was constructed, located almost exactly where
now stands the Newman block on the north side of North Park street. There in
the cabin on the hillside south of the run, my grand-mother Newman, with her
sons Henry, Andrew S. and Joseph were located, and left when Jacob Newman went
forth to guide and direct the American soldiery forward to the northwest to meet
the British foe, and their more implacable allies the red-skinned savages in the
war of 1812. During the expedition Jacob Newman was prostrated with pneumonia,
and returning shortly thereafter, died on June 20, 1813. Then it was that my
mother, a little girl, was sent for, and she came from the old home in
Pennsylvania traveling as far as Canton with a family emigrating into the
Western country, and from Canton, mounted on an Indian pony and guided by a
woodman, pony and woodman dispatched by her mother to bring her hither. She rode
through the great stretches of timber, only a trail through the woods to
Mansfield. Few were the settlers and poor, of little value their cabin homes.
Great had been the dread of the foe, organized as part of the army of England's
King; greater was the dread of the savages. The little band of settlers
seriously grieved over their loss in the death of Jacob Newman, and that loss
was intensified by the absence of James Hedges, who then was at the front with
his general, Wm. Henry Harrison. The death of Jacob Newman marks the beginning
of an epoch. His estate was the first administered upon, his will and the record
thereof, may be found in the first of the county records touching estates in the
county. His widow survived him until the year 1835. His son Henry, born in 1802,
the year of Ohio's birth, remained in the old county, became a farmer, but
having become quite a large land-holder in Williams County in 1849, removed
thither, and there resided until his death in 1893. In the passing years
frequent were the visits of Henry Newman to the old county, hardly four months
going by in which he did not look in on to the old home and old friends. His
memories of the early days were vivid, his conversation touching the past full
of interest. Politically his fortunes were with the party of John Quincy Adams,
the party of Henry Clay, the party of Harrison, Taylor and Scott. Later a
Republican, the part of Lincoln and Grant. His sons, three in number, all were,
at the front in the great war of the rebellion. His eldest still lives, named
for his grand-father, was a captain in the 44th. Indiana, but at Shiloh was shot
and reported dead, so that even his father journeyed to the field of carnage to
bring the body of his boy home for burial. But, miracle of miracles, he lived,
and yet lives to hail the old flag. His younger boys, Joseph and Andrew,
served as lieutenant and captain in the 38th. Ohio. One died on the field of
Chicamauga and the other broken down in health survived only some years after
the close of the war. The blood of the pioneer coursed the veins of these
grandsons. The youngest son of Jacob, the pioneer, was the General Joseph
Newman, a sketch of whom we have here before published in these series. He was a
brilliant man, born Sept. 25, 1812; an appearance much like his father, tall and
straight. He was for two terms prosecuting attorney, a State Senator in the
44th. and 45th. General Assemblies. A Major General of the Ohio Militia. His
service in the Senate was with giants, and he was well regarded by all, yet he
died July 17, 1847, ere he had filled out five and thirty years of life. Had his
life been prolonged, the promise of his usefulness was very great. The other
son, Andrew S. Newman, will be well remembered by many of our young people now
living as a man of many virtues, of strong individuality, of sterling character,
of marked usefulness. His only daughter became the wife of A.C. Cummins, Esq.,
and his only living descendant is the daughter of Capt. Cummins. On the 3d. day
of January, 1872, Andrew S. Newman passed away, and he and his daughter for
years have rested, and near by them is the dust of the old pioneer whose life
went out in 1813, and the ashes of the wife whose body was buried in 1835. My
mother survived all save one brother, Henry, but on the 13th. day of January,
1883, to her the final summons came, and she departed in her 80th. year. My
mother, as daughter, wife, mother, was one of the excellent women of the earth,
intelligent, industry all through her life was manifested, kindly ways,
neighborly, charitable to all, and helpful to the humblest and weakest of her
sex. Quick to perceive the right, she was eager to pursue it, and every
opportunity for doing substantial good in the community was improved. The sick
and feeble were succored, the weak and weary strengthened, and in her the poor
always had a friend. In the sketch of Jacob Newman, it seems but the discharge
of a loving filial duty to write something of my honored uncles and my revered
father and loving mother. The families were families of pioneers in this part of
Ohio. They were devoted to their friends and they counted among their friends
all those worthy ones, who in the early days, made their homes on the hill-sides
and in the valleys of the Mohican. Though a mere lad, well do I recollect the
visit of William Henry Harrison to Mansfield and the home of my Uncle James
Hedges. The special occasion was a mass meeting of the Whigs, a speech by
General Harrison and then the quiet visit over night at the farm house. I can
almost now hear the clear tones of that grand old man who shortly thereafter was
chosen chief magistrate of the republic. With my brothers I sat in front of my
father's house, the same old brick residence which is now standing in the
northeast corner fronting the park, while General Harrison spoke from a platform
erected at the east end of a one-story building known as the Market House, which
latter was south of a line projected east and west and would be a continuation
of the south side of Park Avenue West and Park Avenue East. Will you permit me
from my memory to describe the central part of Mansfield. That which is now
Central Park was an open common, but nearly in the center thereof, east and
west, but on the north half thereof, if divided into two equal parts, north and
south, was the county court house. It was a red brick building and I think
exactly square, the walls on the north and south, east and west being each the
equal of the other. The roof was a hipped one on each side, and in the center
and crowning it was a cupola with hood-like covering. The court room was on the
first floor and the offices on the second. Fifteen years thereafter the form of
the court house was all changed; the roof was demolished at each end north and
south, a Grecian porch, with Grecian columns sustaining a projecting roof was
constructed, thus converting the structure into a Grecian temple. The county
offices were placed on the first floor and the court room on the second. A very
substantial court house in the modifications was made less substantial and less
beautiful. South of the court house a distance equal to the width of Park Avenue
but slightly east, was the Market House, with open ends and sides and supporting
columns and floor of brick, divided into stalls for the use of butchers and
truckers. At the east end of the Market House a stand was erected and on the
platform thereof, William Henry Harrison, addressed assembled thousands of the
people of Ohio. I can with my memory's eye now see John Meredith, editor of the
SHIELD AND BANNER, the predecessor and forerunner of you who are now in the
management of the print shop; the same John Meredith who still survives and
lives in Shelby, Ohio, perched on the roof of the Market House taking notes and
interjecting questions as General Harrison proceeded with his speech. Let me
tell you of the buildings of 1840 which stood on the four sides of the square.
On the north was the Sturges' store, a two-story brick, and east of it a frame
ware house, then east a little frame office, the law office of Jacob Parker and
thereafter of C.T. and J. Sherman. Then the Newman House, brick in front and log
weather boarded in the rear, and then the Smarts' or the Phoenix Hotel, a frame
building of some pretension. On the south side was the North American Hotel, of
brick, two stories; nest the small one story home of Deacon Maxwell, then the
home, two-story frame, of Deacon Mathias Day; then the residence of John M. May,
frame, for this was before the brick was erected; then a little wooden building
used as a cabinet shop and occupied by Captain Joseph N. Snyder, and in the
southeast angle the Presbyterian Church, a frame, the predecessor of the brick
now standing with a gilded ball of copper on the steeple from which extended a
lightning-rod grounded at the front of the building. On the east side of the
square was the old brick residence of Ellzey Hedges, the corner room of the same
used as a country store room; next south was a story and a half frame residence
standing where now is the I.O.O.F. building; next a small frame office , the
office of James Hedges and on the corner where now is the M.E. Church, a frame
office building one story, the office of Dr. Wm. Bushnell, in the window of
which was displayed not only drugs, medicines, but curious things of stone and
jars containing snakes and reptiles. On south of Park Avenue was the tailor shop
of David McCullough and a frame two-story building of Matthew Lind; then the
office of James Stewart and the office building and residence, story and a half
high, of Samuel R. Curtis, afterward a Major General of the volunteer army. On
the west were frame one and two story buildings extending from Park Avenue north
to the alley, used as general stores and rooms. South of Park Avenue was the
Bowland homestead and store rooms, the same as now, though they have undergone
many changes and repairs, and still south were one and two storied dwellings.
The streets were of clay, the walks for the most part were gravel pressed down
by feet of the men and women passing and repassing. On the square were stumps of
the forest trees, and a few locust trees had been planted which in spring time
bloomed and shed a sweet perfume. When the mass meeting was practically over
General Harrison repaired to the home of James Hedges on the farm. In that plain
old house were beside him, James Hedges, Henry Newman and Ellzey Hedges and the
evening was employed in social converse until the wee sma' hours of the morning.
Four plain men talking together of early events and scenes and successes of the
then present growth and greatness of Ohio, and prospectively looking forward to
its' greater glory and grandeur, when it, the land of the Buckeye, should take
advanced place and position and even out-strip in the race of Commonwealths her
old mother, Virginia. This sketch is growing to a prohibited length. Some time
again I may write of Ellzey Hedges and Josiah Hedges. The latter lived in
Mansfield until about 1820, them removed to the site and founded Tiffin. --
H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [RICHLAND SHIELD AND BANNER: 25 May 1895, Vol.
LXXVIII, No. 2]
Niman, James A. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF
JAMES A. NIMAN -- Today is the eighty-second birthday anniversary of James A.
Niman, Mansfield's pioneer undertaker, who was born May 4, 1828, on a farm about
two and a half miles north of this city and now owned by William Wallace. Mr.
Niman's father, with three brothers, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in 1816 and
entered a section of land in this county. At the age of eighteen years Mr.
Niman left his father's farm and came to Mansfield to serve a three-year
apprenticeship at cabinet-making. On March 9, 1849, he went into the furniture
and undertaking business, having first been located on Fast First street, near
the corner of Adams street. Afterward he was located on the lot just north of
the Bissman building on North Main street and later established a furniture
store and wareroom where the Case grocery is now located. In 1863 he purchased
the property at 109 North Main street, where he has since been located. He
continued in the furniture business until 1880 when he disposed of that branch
of the business and has since given his entire attention to undertaking, still
continuing as the owner and manager of the business. It is not unlikely that
during the 61 years Mr. Niman has been in the undertaking business he has had
charge of more than ten thousand funerals as in some single years during that
time he has conducted over three hundred funerals. A life-long resident of this
city, Mr. Niman is known to practically every resident of the city and he is
respected by all who know him. Until a comparatively short time ago his health
was remarkably good for a man of his age and even now he is in reasonably good
health, although he recently passed through a sick spell which weakened him
considerably. Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield News: Wednesday, May 4,
1910]
Niman, John B. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF
JOHN B. NIMAN -Sunday is the birthday anniversary of John B. Niman, of 245 West
Fourth street, who was born in this county, only about 2 1/2 miles north of
Mansfield, Sept. 25, 1838. Mr. Niman spent his early boyhood on the farm, but at
the age of twelve years came to Mansfield and entered school. During the civil
war he served first in the Fifteenth Ohio and later re-enlisted as a sergeant in
the One Hundred and Sixty-third O. V. I. In 1872 he, with others, started the
Union Foundry and Machine works, of which for the past six years he has been the
sole proprietor. Mr. Niman is a member of McLaughlin Post No. 131, G. A. R., the
National Union, a fraternal organization, and the First Congregational church.
Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield News, Page 7: Saturday, September 24,
1910]
Niman, John B. -- The parents of the Niman
family of Mansfield were John and Margaret, who came from Pennsylvania and
located about two and one-half miles from Mansfield on the Olivesburg road in
early days. Here were born Elizabeth, who married a gentleman named Baggs, and
who lives with her aged mother in this city, James A., Wm. B., John B., and
Jeremiah, the latter a citizen of Bucyrus. All of these five children are living
and have made more or less of a mark in the world. John B. Niman was 52 years
old Thursday, and that evening many more friends than he was aged in years
dropped into his happy home on West Fourth street. The family was prepared for
the guests, as they always are, as a sumptuous dinner testified. The head of the
house was not. In short, he was surprised. However, he took in the situation,
and speedily made all feel at home. The house was crowded with friends when Mr.
Niman returned from work. After he was at ease Dr. Hubbell arose and said: Mr.
Niman: We heard a few days ago that you had been born. This was not so much a
surprise to us as that you were born so long ago. We heard that you were to be,
tonight promptly at 6:00, not 52 years old, but 52 years young, as Oliver
Wendell Holmes would say. So a few of your neighbors and friends thought we
would come around and see if it was really so. We find a good deal of a child,
so much so that we think a pitcher will be more suitable and serviceable than a
bottle. Although a bottle for some grown up babies seems still to come handy.
But we are glad to believe that you have no farther use for the bottle, if
indeed you ever had. For you do not look as though you were brought up in that
way. Your stalwart figure provokes rather the question: "Upon what meat hath
this our Cæsar fed, that he hath grown so great?" Your friends were afraid that
you would forget that you ever were born, (it was so long ago) that they thought
they would come around and remind you of it and sort of surprise you with your
own advent. And for fear that you should ever again forget it they have brought
you this choice souvenir, and they have bidden me to present it to you,
accompanying it with the hope that it may be ever bright and beautiful with
birthday memories. They beg you to receive it as an expression of their esteem
and good wishes for you and yours, "as long as grass grows and water runs." By
some strange alchemy of friendship and good cheer which go with this pitcher,
may you drink from it the very elixir of life which shall give you health and
youth, and (shall I say it?) beauty also. So that as the years come and go, and
you score one more every time, you shall find that it is really one less, and
that you are all the while growing young again; so that if you live long enough
you may get to be quite a boy yet. Yes, my friends, let us all be boys together
tonight, full of frolic and fun. Why not? The good book speaks of immortal
youth. Let us begin it in this world and keep on forever. Bailey in his Festus
tells us we should "Live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; in
feelings, not in figures on a deal. We should count time by heart throbs. He
most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best." Accept then, my
friend, the gift and greetings that go with it. We are glad that you were born,
and your wife too, and as a consequence your children also. May the girls in the
next generation all be boys, and the name of Niman go down the generations
forever. May you live yourself a hundred years and may your shadow never grow
less. The presents were fine and consisted of two handsome easy parlor
upholstered chairs, a china pitcher, a china cup and saucer, a gold pen and
holder, a large leather pocketbook, a fine pair of spectacles, a book rest,
etc. The spread was one of the finest ever set in this city, and the entire
affair was one long to be remembered. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD NEWS, 02
October 1890, Vol. 40, No. 46]
Nolin, E. J. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF E.
J. NOLIN SUNDAY -Tomorrow will be the birthday anniversary of Edward J. Nolin,
young Mansfield druggist, who was born in Wayne county Aug. 14, 1876. As a boy
he resided in Wooster with his parents for some years and about twelve years ago
came to Mansfield. Until a little over four years ago he was a drug clerk but at
that time he and V. O. Peters bought the Lindsey drug store on North Main
street. Something over a year later Mr. Nolin bought out his partner's interest
in the store and has since conducted the business alone. Submitted by Jean and
Faye. [The Mansfield News, Page 4: Saturday, August 13, 1910]
Norris, Dorothy -- Dorothy Norris was born
June 28, 1925, in Mansfield and has attended several schools here. She is
president of the 9-B Tuesday afternoon group of Girl Reserves and a member of
G.A.A. and Emblem. Her favorite sports are tennis and skiing. Submitted by
Amy. [THE JOHN SIMPSON TIMES: 01 December 1939, Vol. 13, No. 3, p. 4]
O'Donnel, William E. - BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY OF WILLIAM E. O'DONNEL -Today is the birthday anniversary of William
E. O'Donnell, former county recorder and well known resident of this city, who
was born in the Province of Connaught, county Mayo, Ireland, Oct. 13, 1860. He
came to America with his parents in 1865, the family locating in Springfield. He
came to Mansfield at the age of 12 years and was for nine years in the employ of
the Aultman & Taylor company as a molder. He served as a police officer for a
number of years and was city marshal from 1881 to 1888. He was elected county
recorder on the Democratic ticket in 1891 and served two terms in that office.
Last fall he was the Democratic candidate for mayor of Mansfield against Mayor
Brown. Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield News, page 3: Thursday,
October 13, 1910]
Oldfield, Jonathan -- AN OLD PIONEER --
Mr. Jonathan Oldfield is on a visit to relatives and friends in this place from
Peoria, Ill., where he removed two years ago. He is about 86 years old, and he
and Thos. McCluer came to the spot where Bellville now stands, commenced
clearing, and with the help of the Indians raised a log cabin in the spring of
1808. This was the first improvement in Jefferson Township, and nearly the first
in Richland County. Jonathan Oldfield and Elizabeth McCluer were married shortly
after the McCluer family came out the following season. This marriage was the
first marriage that took place in Richland County. [Bellville Dollar
Weekly: 25 October 1872, Vol. 1, No. 35]
Ordway, A. -- A. Ordway was engaged in the
manufacturing and mercantile business for a number of years. There are three
surviving members of the family -- two daughters and a son. The former live in
Michigan; the latter, James T. Ordway, who was a soldier in the Civil War,
married Captain Moody's youngest daughter, and resides at Trenton, Mo.
Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 28 May 1903, Vol. 11, No. 21]
Osborn, Will E. -- Will E. Osborn, editor
of the Gazette, at Antwerp, Ohio, gave us a friendly call last Saturday.
He was a resident of our city before the war. [Ohio Liberal: 28 August
1878]
Ott, Louis A. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF
LOUIS A. OTT -Today is the birthday anniversary of Louis A. Ott, the jeweler,
who was born in Mansfield on July 30, 1880. He is one of Mansfield's prominent
and leading young business men, having been engaged in the jewelry business
since he concluded his education. He is also railroad watch inspector for the
Erie, Pennsylvania and Baltimore & Ohio railroads. Submitted by Jean and Faye.
[The Mansfield News, Page 3: Saturday, July 30, 1910]
Oyster, Jacob -- Jacob Oyster was born in
Columbiana County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1825, and was 77 years old on his last birthday
anniversary. He came to Richland County when he was 10 years old. Enlisted in
Co. D, Fourth Ohio Infantry, under Capt. George Weaver, May 16, 1847, and served
until July 15, 1848, and was in nearly all the battles of the Mexican War. He
also served in the Civil War and is now leading a peaceful, quiet life in the
hills of the gold region north of Bellville, where he owns a farm of 18 acres.
He has been twice married. His first wife bore him seven children, his second
wife five -- twelve children in all. Although in humble circumstances and
surroundings, Mr. Oyster is happy in the love and care given him by his wife and
children. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 22 January 1903, Vol. 11,
No. 3 as part of a column about surviving soldiers of the Mexican War]
Palm, Andrew -- The subject of this sketch
was born in Cumberland County, Penn., Aug. 20th., 1816, and his father's name
was Jacob Palm. His parents came to Washington Twp., Richland Co., Ohio, in
1841, where his father died. Mr. Palm worked on a farm till twenty-eight years
of age, when he commenced the wagon-making trade in Springfield, Penn., and
followed this trade thirteen or fourteen years near Lexington, Richland County.
He married Jane Moore, in Cumberland Co., Penn., April 1st., 1845. They moved to
Indiana after he quit his trade near Lexington, and remained three years, when
he returned and settled north of Bellville where he has since lived, working on
the farm in the summer and making wagons in the winter. His wife was born
September 20th., 1817. Their children were Margaret J., Isabel, Martha M.,
William M. and Sarah E., Jane, Martha, Margaret and Isabel are dead. Isabel was
married to Moses Walters. Sarah was married to S. Anderson. Submitted by Amy.
[Bellville Star: 03 August 1882, Vol. V, No. 44]
Palmer, T.S. -- Here is an interesting
letter from T.S. Palmer, a pioneer of Richland now a resident of Los Angeles,
California that will interest many readers of the News. In a letter
renewing his subscription he says: My father located there 78 years ago.
I was born a few years after. I lived in Mansfield a short time in 1836,
then again from 1842 to 1845. I knew Mansfield in the time of the elder
Sturges, Mays, Rowlands, McCombs, McFalls, Grimes, Avery and Drennen, Bartleys,
Stewarts, etc., etc. Doctor Bushnell with his long curly hair has been a
fixture in my mind from my earliest recollection. Among the "kids" of my
time were John Sherman, who was sweeping out the office and keeping things clean
for his elder brother, Charley Sherman. My boy friend, Emanual (now Judge)
May, and many others who have passed over the "dark valley". My father
John E. Palmer lived six miles northeast of Mansfield near what is now Pavonia.
I left Mansfield in 1845 and the state of Ohio in 1847, half a century ago.
What great changes have occurred in that time! No one man can take it all
in, vast is no name for it. It is bewildering to contemplate a marked
epoch in our national history. I had somewhat of a wandering disposition,
I traveled through the south and west, the "great west" and in 1849 after
driving an ox team for over 2,000 miles. I brought up in the gold digging of
California. Since then I have made many ocean trips, 11 trips across
the continent through all the territories and nearly all the states. Now I
have settled down in my old age in one of the finest little cities and the most
delightful climate in America. -- T.S. Palmer [Semi-Weekly News:
23 March 1897, Vol. 13, No. 24]
Parker, Jacob
-- To write of the early men of Richland, the pioneers in the law, we must not
pass by Jacob Parker and James Purdy. Neither of them were advocates, but both
were good lawyers and Parker was a great judge. Parker all his life was
embarrassed with a hesitancy of speech, stammering over the Ss-Ss-Ss and the
hard Cs-Cs-Cs and the harder Ks-Ks-Ks and the busy Bs-Bs-Bs. There is one still
living, his nephew, greater than he, who in exceedingly rapid speech is met with
the same hesitancy, but in a much less degree -- a little blemish only. Parker
was an omnivorous reader of text books and reports, and he both read and
digested, Methodical, analytical, logical, using his knowledge with skill and
ability, he knew the law. Always friendly with his brothers of the bar, he was
of vast service to the profession throughout all northern Ohio. His intellect
was keen. His apprehension and comprehension of facts quick and perfect and his
application and industry marvelous, and the generosity in his nature, especially
as manifested toward younger and less equipped members of the profession, made
him most welcome in the offices of his juniors. He loved the law and the
investigation of questions for the sake of the intellectual acumen which came
from the effort. His service on the bench was under the constitution of 1802,
when the Court of Common Pleas was composed of one lawyer and three laymen, and
his circuit included the counties of Knox, Richland, Holmes, Medina and Wayne.
Neither Ashland nor Morrow were then known to the map, but were portions of the
other counties named, and practically he administered the law in that large
circuit, for the associates mainly limited their labors to the probate of wills
and the administration of estates. Now the number of Common Pleas Judges in the
same territory is increased six to eight fold and the dockets were not more
crowded than now. The salary of Judge Parker never exceeded twelve hundred
dollars a year. The judiciary system in Ohio was not in fact improved by the
Constitution of 1851. Prior and subsequent to his service on the bench, he was
not averse to earning and obtaining good fees, and he did not lack in desire or
ability to use his earnings for his own enjoyment. He was not only a most able
judge and affable man and genial companion, but was a liver and knew how to
tickle his palate and gratify his stomach. Born in New England, the
brother-in-law of Charles Sherman, who was a Justice of the Supreme Court of
Ohio, and graced it as it was graced by Peter Hitchcock and Calvin Pease and
Ebenezer Lane and Jacob Burnett, he was a good citizen and in his long life
added to the fame of the bar of Richland, and to the standing of the whole
community in which most of that life was passed. He died at a good age leaving
behind him the accumulations of his years, one daughter, the wife of Mr. John
Wood, and one son, Charles W. Parker. A second daughter, Elizabeth, preceded
him to the undiscovered country. His residence in Mansfield for all the years I
knew him was a stately mansion, well built, one of the very best in all the
town, which later on was the home of his daughter, and still later yielded in
part to the torch and then gave way to a statelier pile of stone, now the First
Lutheran Church, in which another son of old Richland, able and wise, preaches
the gospel of good tidings to men, the poor and the rich, the lonely and the
high alike; preaches it in simplicity, yet with great vigor; preaches and is
successful and is exceedingly useful. Parker, if alive, would not be averse to
such use of his old home. -- H.C.H.
Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield
& Banner: 25 August 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 15]
Parsons, Maria -- The Akron (OH) Times
speaks of Miss Maria Parsons who a few years since taught the Mansfield High
School with such success, and whom many of our readers will doubtless remember,
as follows: "Miss Maria Parsons, principal of the High School, intends to
retire to her home in Zanesville, at the close of the present term. She
will leave a host of warm friends, and her pupils will universally regret her
departure. [Ohio Liberal: 30 May 1877]
Patterson, A.A. -- A.A. Patterson is our
next subject for consideration as the proprietor of one of our leading Grocery
and Provision Stores, and he is conducting an enterprise than which there is
none more popular in the place. This house was established about three years
ago, and from the star has taken a leading position among the best business
enterprises in the place. The stock of fancy and stable groceries is full and
complete, and he also deals extensively in country produce, confectionary, nuts,
fruits, tobacco, cigars, &c. The office of the Western Union Telegraph Co., is
located in this establishment, Mr. P. as operator, in which he has had long
experience. As a business man or citizen none are more popular, and we
cheerfully commend his enterprise to the people of Bellville and vicinity.
Submitted by Amy. [BELLVILLE WEEKLY: 02 January 1874, Vol. 2, No. 44]
Paxton, Samuel -- On the 6th. inst. the
neighbors of Samuel Paxton celebrated, in a grand and good manner, his 80th.
birthday anniversary, at his home in the pleasant hamlet of Hagarstown. One
hundred and twenty-five friends honored him by their presence, because he has
always honored himself by a pure and well ordered life, establishing a character
complete in exalted manhood. It was a regular love feast, as well as a feast of
fat things. These friends of Mr. Paxton exercised their good gifts by the
purchase of clothing, a full suit, from underwear to overcoat, hat and shoes,
also a fine dress for his wife, who is one year his senior. The gifts were
presented in behalf of the company, by J.L. VanBuskirk and accepted, on Mr.
Paxton's behalf, by John Steel, Esq. In the evening the young folks held a
social entertainment, which was voted by all to be a grand affair. Mr. Paxton
was born in Franklin County, Pa. He visited Ohio in 1840 and moved to Woodbury,
Morrow County, May 21st., 1844, and has lived in this section of the state
since. His has been a busy and useful life and now, as he nears the sunset
line, where the shadows of evening gather, full of years and loved by all, we
wish him many more birthdays full of blessings and happiness extreme. --
J.L.V.B. [Richland Shield & Banner: 21 March 1891, Vol. LXXIII, No. 44]
Peterson, Aaron E. - Prominent Monroe
Township Resident Celebrates His Birthday Anniversary --
Aaron E. Peterson, with a number of his Grand Army and other
friends, is celebrating today the sixty-fourth anniversary of his birth, at his
fine new residence near Hazel Dell, in Monroe township. Mr. Peterson is of a
prominent family, his grandfather, the late Col. Solomon Gladden, having been an
officer in the war of 1812 and later a prominent citizen of Monroe township,
where for many years he held offices of honor and trust. Mr. Peterson's wife is
also of a noted family, her father having been the late Judge Taylor, of
Ashland. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are pleasantly situated, are prosperous, have a
large farm and an elegant residence, being well equipped to royally entertain
their friends. Mr. Peterson was a union soldier in the war of the rebellion,
was a member of Company I, thirty-second O. V. V. I., a regiment that was
through the most strenuous campaigns of the civil war. Of Mr. Peterson's
comrades in this city to whom invitations were sent are: Capt. S. F. Bell, T. W.
Ford, P.P. Ford, George Knofflock and A. J. Baughman. Also others in attendance
from this city are Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Hughes and Miss Sade E. Baughman. It is
thought that the Thirty-second Ohio infantry - the regiment in which Comrade
Peterson so faithfully served his country - lost more men than any other Ohio
regiment. It entered the field Sept. 15, 1861, 950 men strong and during the war
received more than 1,600 recruits, making a total of about 2,600 men, of which
number only 555 remained to be mustered out with the regiment at the close of
the war. The accompanying picture of Mr. Peterson is reproduced from a
photograph taken when he was a young man. Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The
Mansfield News, Page 8: Friday, July 22, 1910]
Phillips, William --
The senior
member of the bar of Polk county, in point of years of practice, is now William
Phillips, his membership dating from July, 1856. Judge Phillips was born
September 22, 1827, in Steubenville, Jefferson county, Ohio. His parents,
Thomas and Rebecca (Irwin) Phillips, were natives of Pennsylvania, the father of
Irish and the mother of Welsh descent. William was reared upon a farm; his
education being received in the common schools and supplemented by a college
course. In 1851 he came farther west, and engaged in mercantile pursuits for a
time in Peoria, Ill., and in Galesburg and Henderson, in the same state. Having
an early and natural inclination for the legal profession, he pursued his
studies for several years with his usual industry and thoroughness, and, in
1854, was admitted to practice in the courts of Illinois. In the same year he
came to Iowa and located with his parents upon a section of land in Greene
county, near to what is now the flourishing town of Jefferson. This town he
laid out and aided in having made the county seat. In July, 1856 he took up his
permanent residence in this city, forming a legal partnership with Judge Curtis
Bates, then one of the leading attorneys of the state. Three years later this
partnership was dissolved, and the firm of Phillips & Phillips organized, the
junior partner being a younger brother, James Harvey Phillips. This firm was a
very successful one. Later, Col. C. H. Gatch became a member of the firm under
the style of Phillips, Gatch & Phillips. In a few years Col. Gatch retired, and
was succeeded in the firm by Col. E. J. Goode. This firm under continued for
several years and then was dissolved. J. H. Phillips was elected Mayor of Des
Moines, and William Phillips joined forces with Hon. James G. Day, who for a
number of years had been a justice of the Supreme Court of Iowa. This
partnership continued until 1894, when by mutual agreement, it was dissolved.
In 1896 was formed the present firm of Phillips, Ryan & Ryan. With the
exception of the first, Judge Phillips was the head of all these legal firms,
and the high rank they secured and maintained was largely due to his ability and
application. August 20, 1857, in Des Moines, Judge Phillips was married to
Miss. S. Jennie Rutan, a native of Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of William
Rutan, a niece of Gov. Samuel J. Kirkwood, and granddaughter of Gov. Clark, one
of the territorial governors of Iowa. Their married life has been a happy one.
To them have been born four children, two sons and two daughters. Of these two
have departed this life; Nellie, an infant of one year and John Frank, who grew
to the manly age of twenty-eight and around whom many hopes were built. Thomas
William, the eldest son, is manager and secretary of the Merchants' Consolidated
Insurance Company, of which Judge Phillips is president, and Jennie B. is
married to Dr. J. B. Hardy, a prominent physician of Phoenix, Arizona. Judge
Phillips has all his life been pre-eminently a worker. A lover of his
profession, he has always been a close student, and invariably devotes himself
persistently to any cause he undertakes. He is always true to his clients, and
at the same time is conscientious in the discharge of every duty devolving upon
him. With him right is right and wrong is wrong, and nothing could influence
him to smother an honest conviction, political or otherwise, for the sake of
personal ends. True to himself, as to all others, he has for many years gained
and retained the confidence and respect of men of all classes in this large
community. While a man of liberal views, he has deep religious convictions; his
benevolence has made his own success a continuous, though quiet benefit to many
less successful, and a strong aid to all helpful or charitable enterprises. By
his own brain and heart and application Judge Phillips has a right to his high
rank at the bar and in business and social circles. Submitted by Deb. [Annals
of Polk County, Iowa: and city of Des Moines, Iowa: G. A. Miller Print. Co.,
1898]
Pipe, Captain
Pittenger, Harriet
-- Myself
and husband left Harrison County and arrived in Richland County in the year
1833. We arrived in the county in the evening at the place called Charles'
grist mill. The place I will never forget, for when crossing the bridge
there my husband's brother, who was the driver of the Pennsylvania wagon, drawn
by four large horses lost control of the horses and the wagon was thrown
overboard with all the occupants which consisted of my mother-in-law, myself and
my sister-in-law. The latter and myself had with us our two small babies
which were both drowned during the accident. There being quite a number of
men handy the rest of us were saved and kept over night by Isaac Charles.
The babies were taken to Samuel Charles' home where he made a coffin large
enough for both and they were buried in the Osborne graveyard. After a
couple of days we were able to go to Henry Pittenger's where we stayed for two
weeks. Their house being quite small, we moved into an open log house
which my husband had built. This was in January, and very cold weather to
live in a house that was not even daubed to keep cold out. This was in
Franklin Township where George Tucker now lives. We lived at this place
for 18 years during which time we had four children born to us. We lived
in the large woods and could tell several startling events that happened while
there, but as this is simply a sketch of my life, I will not relate every
narrative. By hard work my husband cleared the farm, which was 80 acres
and by myself with the loom we managed to pay for the farm. Then we sold
the farm to Jacob Landis for $2,200 and bought the farm where Henry Pittenger
now lives and paid $2,600 for 104 acres of land. Later we bought the John
Francis farm, one mile from Pavonia, for $7,000 and lived there 14 years and
there my husband, Isaac Pittenger, died at the age of 72 years. Then I
moved back with my son, H.O. Pittenger. [Semi-Weekly News: 16
February 1897, Vol. 13, No. 14]
Pitts, Mrs. John -- Pleasant Valley.
Mrs. John Pitts, a lady about 50 years old, had been a sufferer with nervous
troubles and a few weeks ago her mind became unbalanced. She grew very
despondent and begged her husband to take her life. As time passed she
grew worse and last Friday her husband placed her in the insane asylum at
Toledo. She has but one child, a daughter, about 10 years old.
[Semi-Weekly News: 07 May 1897, Vol. 13, No. 37]
Pollock, Clermont R. -- Clermont R.
Pollock received his degrees in Mansfield Lodge and was elected [Worshipful]
Master, November 2, 1827. He served as Secretary in 1822, Junior Warden in 1823,
Junior Deacon in 1825, and Senior Warden in 1826-27. The first saw-mill in
Mansfield was built by Clermont and Robert Pollock. It was a tramp-wheel mill
propelled by three yoke of oxen and was located a short distance south of the
Park Theatre, corner
of Diamond and South Park Streets. The first brick house in Mansfield was
built where Maxwell's store is now located on the west side of Main Street. It
was first occupied by Clermont Pollock, a wheel right and a son-in-law of Judge
McClure. Submitted by Amy. [HISTORY OF MANSFIELD LODGE NO. 35, F. & A.M.,
1814-1951, pp. 27-28]
Poppleton, Samuel -- Major Samuel Poppleton, a "Green Mountain boy" who
fought under Col. Ethan Allen, and who had the honor of placing the American
flag on Fort Ticonderoga at its surrender, May 10, 1775, lived in Richland
County a number of years, and is buried in the Evarts graveyard, a mile south of
Bellville. The major was a color sergeant at the time of the surrender, and
stood near to Col. Allen and heard his demand, "In the name of the Great Jehovah
and the Continental Congress". Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 06
June 1902, Vol. X, No. 24]
Porch, Jesse W. -- Jesse W. Porch, of this
city was elected Most Worshipful Grand Patriarch of the I.O.O.F. of Ohio by a
vote of 636. Three other candidates received respectively 371, 282 and 232
votes. [Ohio Liberal: 06 June 1877]
Potter, E. J. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF E. J. POTTER -Today is the
birthday anniversary of E. J. Potter, the well-known Mansfield photographer, who
was born in Wayne county Sept. 19, 1844. He was scarcely more than a boy when,
in September, 1861, he enlisted in Co. E of the Third Ohio Volunteer cavalry, in
which he served for three years and four months. He was captured and held as a
prisoner of war for eleven months, having been confined in confederate prisons
at Libby, Richmond, Belle Island and Andersonville. Soon after his discharge
from military service he came to Mansfield and engaged in the photographic
business and has been here continuously since that time with the exception of a
short time spent in Indianapolis. Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield
News, Page 5: Monday, September 19, 1910]
Price, James A. -- Tuesday. James A.
Price, editor and proprietor of the Bellville Messenger and the Butler
Enterprise, was in the city yesterday. Jim is the only newspaper man in
Richland County who can afford to own and operate two newspapers.
[Richland Shield & Banner: 22 July 1893]
Purdy, James -- James Purdy, who survived longer than any of his early
associates, and lived more years on the earth, measuring time by the sun, was a
personage and a factor in the history of Richland not to be overlooked. Of
Scotch-Irish parentage, his birth place was in the state of Pennsylvania and
near the borders of Maryland. He was of a long-lived family and heredity did
much for him in that respect. His inclination and disposition and determination
was to do, not simply to be, to exist, then pass away. When a young man in his
native hills, and near the shores of the Susquehanna, he acquired the trade of a
cooper, and in his old age he once in a conversation assured me, and with
seeming delight in the statement, that he was an excellent cooper, but he looked
forward to a life of greater general activity, and more accomplishment, so he
became a student of the law, removed to the state of New York, entered on a
course of study, and had for preceptor one of the brilliant men and masters of
the law in that state. He prided himself on his special and general knowledge
then and there acquired, and with the course of the sun started westward to
Ohio, Indiana, thence Kentucky, but his innate sense of justice quickly moved
him beyond the borders of a state where some men were masters and others were
slaves; and backward were his steps, and hearing that there was some opening
for a young lawyer at Norwalk, Ohio, he temporarily sojourned there, but shortly
came to Mansfield and lived for many years. Hither came his father and mother,
brothers, sisters. His mother was a wee small woman, with all the energy and
enterprise of a man, down to the days of her declining suns, and slacked not her
push even when vital powers were largely on the wane, and her son, her
distinguished son James, inherited much from her, but had in addition a great
physical frame structure. In time he established a county newspaper and with
his brother John conducted it. It was a small affair. Copies and volumes of it
exist and are to be found. There was not much editorial writing, there was no
current gossipy column, there were no police court reports, there were no
illustration cuts -- object lessons for the eye and understanding, but there was
some solidity and much sense, and the news brief -- a mere skeleton thereof --
were given the sparse settlements. The publishing -- the newspaper business --
was an incident, a side employment only; the main occupation in those days of
James Purdy was the practice of his profession. Later on be became a banker,
the first and only president of the Farmers' Branch of the State Bank of Ohio
located at Mansfield, which was succeeded by the Farmers' National Bank. He
became a promoter of railroad building in the west as well as in Ohio. He
purchased large bodies of land on the Maumee and also beyond the Mississippi.
His business enterprises extended to the Pacific coast on the acquisition and
settlement of California. He married later in life than men ordinarily do and
there came to bless his home daughters and sons -- a large, old-fashioned family
-- and the son of his old age, his namesake, served the republic as a soldier in
the Union army, and in that fact the father gloried. But what estimate have we
of him as a lawyer? Possibly if he had made the law his sole occupation it
might have been said of him that he was eminent. The law, however, is a jealous
mistress and demands undivided affection and attention, and such affection and
attention James Purdy never gave. He was well grounded in the elementary
principles, especially of equity jurisprudence and practice, and while an
interesting talker, there was nothing of the eloquent tongue. A strong reverent
religious vein ran all through him -- Presbyterian in his faith and doctrine.
He acquired a more than modest fortune and devoted something of it to the
upbuilding of Wooster University and kindred educational interests. A certain
degree of ambition and pride possessed him -- pardonable it was. He lies buried
in our city of the dead. Father, mother, wife, children -- some of them keep
him company. The story of his life, an epitome of it, is by his own order
engraved on his monument. The granite may crumble, the base and shaft may
disappear, the very lines cut in stone may fade away, but the little gift to the
Wooster University goes on in its beneficent work, forever on. It may be, aye,
it is, his living monument. -- H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland Shield &
Banner: 01 September 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 16]
Rainey, Cecil -- Cecil Rainey, son of Mrs.
Chas. Hill of W. First Street, will graduate from the O.S.U. on June 23 and will
leave at once for the Philippines where he will teach the native teachers.
[Mansfield (OH) Daily Shield: 02 June 1909]
Raitt Family
Raitt Family - Some history found in an
article regarding The Robinson Castle. [click
here]
Randall,
Sarah (Kelley) Ewing -- Mrs. Sarah Randall, who will be 90 years old,
should her life be spared until the 14th. of February, next, is the oldest
member of the Baptist congregation in Mansfield. She was baptized by immersion
in the Mac-a-cheek over 50 years ago, and has been a consistent member of the
Baptist denomination ever since. After her removal to this city some 12 years
ago, she united by letter with her church here, and is faithful in attendance at
its services for one of her advanced years. Her pastor, the Rev. Frank D.
McFarlan, sometimes holds cottage prayer meetings at her home, and the aged
mother joins in the service. Mother Randall has trodden the Christian path for
over half a century, and her daily prayer is that she may be faithful until the
end. She realizes that her days are far spent and that the twilight of their
close may soon gather around her, and when the darkness comes she will look with
faith for the pierced hand of her Savior to lead her across the dark valley into
the brightness of the paradise beyond. <<scripture omitted>> Not only her
church, but the G.A.R. and its auxiliary society should feel in close touch with
Mother Randall, for her grandfather was a soldier in the war of rebellion and
her father a colonel in the war of 1812. As a child she remembers of her
father's return from the service in 1815. Mrs. Randall's maiden name was Kelley
and she was born near Chillicothe, Ross County, this state, in 1809. She was
twice married and is now a widow. She is the mother of 11 children, eight of
whom she has buried. Her first husband's name was John Ewing, whose father was a
cousin of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, who was a senator in congress and later a
cabinet minister. Her second husband was Elliot Randall. There was much in the
surroundings of the young life of Mrs. Randall that is associated with the early
history of Ohio. Chillicothe was at that time the seat of government of the
state. Near by her parents' homestead, on a beautiful elevation, commanding a
magnificent view of fertile valley of the Scioto and its bounding hills, was
situated Adena, the country-seat of Gov. Worthington. The mansion was built of
stone, was embossed in shrubbery, with fine gardens attached to the grounds. It
was erected in 1806, at which time it was the most elegant mansion west of the
Alleghenies. Near Adena is Fruit Hill, the country-seat of Duncan McArthur, and
later the home of his son-in-law, the Hon. William Allen. Later the residence of
Mrs. Randall was amid the beautiful scenes and historical associations of the
romantic Mac-a-cheek. Mother Randall has two daughters living on North Main
Street, Mansfield. Mrs. Rust and Mrs. Collins, and she makes her home with the
latter. -- A.J. Baughman. Submitted by Amy. [Mansfield Semi-Weekly News: 06
September 1898, Vol. 14, No. 74]
Reed, Harriet
Remy, Edward
-- The subject of our sketch was born in Washington Township, Richland County,
February 11, 1853. He is the son of the late Peter Remy, who was married to Anna
M. Touby. His parents were both natives of Germany, and it can be properly said
that he is of German extraction. He is the oldest of eight children, and when
five years old came to town and received his education in the public schools of
this city. After completing his education he held the position of bookkeeper
with the firm of M. & J.H. Black, who formerly did a partnership in dry goods.
After being there a short time he accepted the position of bookkeeper of the
Richland National Bank, where he remained for a period of four years. In 1874 he
went into the office of J.A. Lee, County Treasurer, and acted as deputy four
years. In 1878, he went into the grocery business with his brother, Frank M.,
and still has an interest in the concern. In 1882, he again went into the
Treasurers' office as deputy under J.J. Douglass, which position he still
occupies. In the spring of 1885, he was nominated by the Democrats for County
Treasurer, by a majority of over 1909 over his competitor, his vote being 2998,
against 1,089 for the opposing candidate. He is a young man of good habits, is
well known all over the county, and has many warm friends in this vicinity.
Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD HERALD: 09 July 1885, Vol. 35, No. 34]
Remy, Mariana B. -- Mariana Remy came from
West First school and for the past winter attended school in California. However
she still believes M.H.S. is the best school on the map, and is very
enthusiastic about the Hypho, the Manhigan, and the faculty. Mariana refuses to
reveal her middle name, other than it begins with B. We sincerely hope it is
nothing as terrible as Begonia or Bluet. Her ambition is to get through school
and be somebody, and we are sure she will achieve her goal. Mariana has belonged
to man of our high school clubs and societies, among which are Glee Club (2) (3)
(4), Blue Tri (1) (2) (3) (4), Art club (1), Dramatic Club (5), and Travel Club
(4). Submitted by Amy. [THE HYPHONERIAN: 08 October 1926, Vol. IX, No. 2]
Rhule, Charles -- Lexington. Charles Rhule,
who lives west of Lexington, is among the few persons, living or dead, who were
born in Richland County at a period so remote as 1814. He first saw the light in
a rude cabin of the primitive type in Perry Township, Dec. 16, 1814, and but few
were ever ushered into the world under less auspices circumstances. His father
would have made his advent there two years sooner, but he was drafted into the
army in the war of 1812. Being mustered out he began the erection of a cabin at
the designated place and it had no fire-place when Mr. Rhule was born and this
will illustrate the fortitude of pioneer women and the asperities incident to
pioneer days. The cabin was reared in a wild weird spot and deer, wolves and
bear roamed in unfettered freedom through the vast expanse of somber forest. Mr.
Rhule often saw the Indians pass the cabin when en route to Mt. Vernon to trade
their furs, but they had not the savage instinct of the race to reek their hands
in the blood of the invaders of their realm. His father hauled grain to
Mansfield and sold it to John Wiler. He often went with his father and he
recollects when there were but two houses north of the City Mill. Mr. Rhule
helped clear up the farm where he was born and in 1840 located at his present
home. He was the fifth of a family of 17 children and it is noteworthy that his
mother was born in Pennsylvania in 1781 and died in Missouri in 1881, having
rounded out a century of life. Mr. Rhule has a vivid memory of pioneer life and
he regrets that man's vandal hands has destroyed the beauties of nature at whose
shrine he fondly worships. He is yet remarkably alert. Submitted by Amy.
[Mansfield Semi-Weekly News: 18 October 1898, Vol. 14, No. 86]
Rhule, Charles -- It is noteworthy that
Charles Rhule, who lives two miles northwest of Lexington, is one of the few yet
living of the brave athletic men who blazed the way through the trackless
primitive wilds of Richland county and he is probably the only person living who
was born in the same county at a period so remote as Dec. 14, 1814, and few were
ever ushered into the world under more adverse circumstances. He first saw the
light in a log cabin of the rude primitive type a few miles south of here in
Perry township. The chimney was not yet built in the cabin, the family having
been necessitated to move into it before it was finished and the storm fiend
howled in, loud sep--chral tones as it swept through the naked branches of the
huge trees that environed their lonely abode. It beat the earth in its awful
fury and the cabin shook and the snow and bleak howling blasts crept through the
crevices and though his birth was under such inauspicious circumstances, Mr.
Rhule developed into a remarkably strong and athletic man. The smoke of no other
cabin could be seen curling through the dense foliage of the vast gloomy expanse
of forest in which many wild animals had their lair and contended fiercely with
the lone pioneer for the sovereignty of that now beautiful region. Mr. Rhule
when a small boy, often saw Indians passing enroute to Mt. Vernon to trade their
furs. But these Indians had not the savage instinct of the race to reek their
hands in the blood of the white invaders of their realm. He was captain of a
military company nearly seventy years ago and few men of his age are so active
as he. There will be no more Americas to subdue from the primitive savagery of
nature and Mr. Rhule and his co-pioneers are of a type which the world will
never see again. Their names and deeds should be recorded on history's pages and
not be lost in fading tradition. Submitted by Amy. [MANSFIELD NEWS, 05
November 1901, Vol. 17, No. 210]
Rice, John F. -- John F. Rice .... was the
last survivor of Commodore Perry's battle on Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813, known in
history as Perry's Victory. Mr. Rice died March 8, 1880, aged 90 years, 5
months and 17 days. Mr. Rice owned a farm of fifty acres, being a part of the
southwest quarter section 28 of Jackson Township, but the last few years of his
life were passed in Shelby, at the home of his foster daughter where he died.
His funeral was an historical one. The flag on the dome of the state house at
Columbus was at half-mast, as were the flags from the custom houses at Cleveland
and Sandusky. These honors were accorded him on account of the distinction of
having been the last survivor of the valiant band who fought under the gallant
Perry. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 19 February 1903, Vol. 11, No.
7]
Richardson, James R. - BIRTHDAY
ANNIVERSARY OF JAMES R. RICHARDSON -Today is the eighty-first birthday
anniversary of Former Mayor James R. Richardson, who was born July 1, 1823, in
Allegheny City, Pa. He came to Mansfield in 1871 and engaged in the manufacture
of mineral and soda water. Upon the death of Isaac Gass in 1875, Mr. Richardson
was elected to fill the unexpired term as mayor and was re-elected two years
later, on the Democratic ticket. Since then he has served several terms as
justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Pythian Knight
and a member of the Knights of Honor, having for a number of years been an
active worker in several of these orders. Submitted by Jean and Faye. [The
Mansfield News, Page 9: Friday, July 1, 1910] *A small article about Mr.
Richardson selling his business can be found in the 30 July 1892 edition of the
Richland Shield & Banner.
Rickel, Henry -- Henry Rickel, of Cedar
Rapids (Iowa), was born in Richland County, Ohio, August 16, 1835. His father,
Samuel Rickel, was of German descent and was born in Bedford County, Penn.
Several members of his family were in the revolutionary war, and an uncle was
killed at the battle of Brandywine. His more remote ancestors came from
Frankfort-on-Main, where many of the same name are now living. He was a cabinet
maker, and in 1829 removed to Richland County, Ohio. He married Barbara Smith,
who was of German and English descent, and whose father, Henry F. Smith, was a
soldier in the war of 1812. Samuel Rickel and his family moved in 1839 to
Springfield, Ill.; from there to Galena, and in 1849 to Clayton County, Iowa.
Henry Rickel's education was commenced in a log schoolhouse in Illinois, and
completed in the schools of West Union, Iowa. He learned the cabinetmaking
trade and worked at that until about 21 years old. After that he engaged in the
book and stationary business at McGregor and at West Union, Iowa, under the
firm name of Rickel & Huffman, until 1860, when he commenced the study of law
with Hon. L.L. Ainsworth, of West Union. In September, 1862, he assisted in
raising Company C, of the Sixth Iowa cavalry, and served with that regiment
until June, 1864, when he was compelled by ill health to resign. Captain
Ainsworth commanded the company and Mr. Rickel was second lieutenant. The
regiment was engaged in frontier service, under Gen. Alfred Sully. Before
enlisting he assisted in raising five other companies in Fayette County. In
1866 Mr. Rickel formed a law partnership with Hon. William McClintock, of West
Union, which continued for a number of years. He was also connected in the law
business with Hon. William E. Fuller and D.W. Clements, of the same place.
Later he was a partner of Hon. W.V. Allen, now United States Senator from
Nebraska. In 1878 he removed to Cedar Rapids, and became a member of the firm
of Rickel, West & Eastman. For the past twelve years he has been a member of
the firm of Rickel & Crocker. Politically, Henry Rickel is a republican and his
first vote was cast for John C. Fremont, but from 1863 to 1874 he voted with the
democratic party. He then voted for Hayes for president, and since that time
has usually voted the republican ticket. He was for several years mayor of the
city of West Union, and was a member of the house of representatives from
Fayette County during the session of the Seventeenth General Assembly. He was
married October 14, 1857, to Susan Brown, of West Union, who was born in Yates
County, N.Y. They have had two children, Willie, who died at the age of 11
years, and Lillian M., who is the wife of Alfred H. Newman, of Cedar Rapids.
Mr. Rickel is a member of the Methodist Church, and belongs to the Odd Fellows.
For many years he has been active in promoting temperance reform in Iowa, and
took a leading part in the enactment and enforcement of the prohibitory law,
delivering many lectures in northern Iowa. [Biographies and Portraits of the
Progressive Men of Iowa by B.F. Gue, Des Moines, 1899.]
Ricksecker, John
Ricksecker,
John -- John Ricksecker was 95 years old Friday, Aug. 19, 1898, and it
was the saddest anniversary of his life, for upon that day the mortal remains of
his daughter, Mary, were consigned to the grave. She was his youngest child and
had the principal care of the household for 25 years, as her mother had become
an invalid. After the death of the mother, the father and daughter lived alone,
which made him feel the loss the more. She was a kind and loving daughter and
devoted her life to the care of her parents. Mr. Ricksecker was born in
Frederick County, Maryland, but came to Ohio over 60 years ago and located on
the West Fourth Street Road, four miles from Mansfield, and owns the place he
cleared from the forest. He was a carpenter and cabinet-maker by trade, and as a
specimen of his work he has a bureau he made over 50 years ago, and its close
joints and fine veneering shows his skillful workmanship. He also served his
neighborhood as an undertaker, using a one-horse wagon as a hearse, and in the
absence of a minister at a funeral he conducted the services. Father Ricksecker
is the oldest member of the Mansfield M.E. church, having been a member of that
denomination 73 years, and his life is an exemplification of the psalmist
invocation "Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense and let the
lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice". He was converted at a camp
meeting held at Rattle Snake Mountain in 1825. This camp meeting was a memorable
one which Father Ricksecker yet vividly recalls. The Methodists of Washington
City, Baltimore and other places, joined in this out-door convocation of
worship. Hundreds of tents and thousands of people were upon the grounds. The
Negroes were also there, but as the color line was drawn, they had a camp of
their own. The principal encampment consisted of white tents forming a
semi-circle surrounding an amphitheatre of rude seats facing a rustic pulpit,
canopied by the boughs of the trees. The seats were made by placing boards
across logs which had been placed in position for that purpose. For lighting
purposes four posts were placed in the ground upon the top of which was built a
platform covered with gravel and pine knots from the forest were placed upon
this and lighted, which illuminated the grounds, making a beautiful blending of
light and shadow. The singing was by the congregation and never could vocal
music have been more expressive and sacred, never more triumphant, as in great
waves of melody it rolled up through those forest trees, filling the air with a
joyful sound. Then came words of prayer and of exhortation. Even the birds, as
they flitted from bough to bough in the green canopy of the trees, seemed to
tune their morning carols and evening orisons in touch with the worshipful
below. <Further descriptive text regarding the encampment omitted> Among the
noted preachers present were Novel Wilson, Stephen Rossel and John A. Collins,
noted pulpit orators, at a time too, when oratory meant something more than a
name. <Further descriptive text regarding the encampment omitted> Father
Ricksecker is well preserved physically and is in the full possession of his
mental faculties, and a stranger in conversing with him would hardly place his
age at over 80. He cultivates his garden, take care of his horse and drives to
town frequently. He is regular in his church attendance, has a good word for
every one and is respected and held in the highest regard and esteem by the
whole community. Another daughter, a Mrs. Thompson, has come to make her home
with her father. In the ante-war times, Father Ricksecker was an anti-slavery
man, and as he lived near a station on the "under ground railroad" he often
assisted the Finneys in caring for the traffic upon that line. One of the most
noted stations of the "Underground railroad" was at "Uncle" John Finney's in
Springfield Township, four miles west of Mansfield, on the Walker's Lake road,
where the Mansfield and Cookton road crosses the road leading from Spring Mills
to Lexington. The farm is now owned by George F. Carpenter, the well-known
lawyer and capitalist. It was during the administration of Martin Van Buren
that the doctrine of the abolition of slavery began to be propagated. At first
there was a distinction drawn between those who were opposed to the extension of
slavery and those who were in favor of the abolition, but as revolutions seldom
go backward the latter in time absorbed the former. "Uncle" John Finney was a
man of strong conviction and as bitter as Cato was in ancient Utica, when he
denounced the fugitive slave law under the operation of which runaway slaves
were returned to bondage. Finney did not want to simply drift with the tide --
he was too assertive and strong willed for that -- he wanted to take an active
part in forming public opinion and shaping public events. The fugitive slave
law not only required people to assist in returning slaves to their masters, but
made it a penal offense to refuse to do so, which rendered it so repugnant to
the people of the north that they prided themselves more upon its breach than
upon its observation. <<portion of text describing various incidents along the
underground railroad omitted>> John Finney's first wife was a Marshall, an aunt
of John Marshall, of Bowman Street, this city. James Finney owned the farm south
of his brother John's and facing on the Leesville Road, where his daughters,
Miss Jennie and Miss Lizzie, yet reside. Among Mr. Finney's old-time neighbors
were John Neal, James Marshall, John Ferguson, Mr. Maybee and John Bishop, some
of whom preceded and others followed Mr. Finney to where under-ground railroads
are unnecessary and unknown. -- A.J. Baughman. Submitted by Amy. [Semi-Weekly
News (Mansfield): 13 September 1898, Vol. 14, No. 76]
Rigby, J. A. - BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF J.
A. RIGBY SUNDAY -Sunday will be the birthday anniversary of J. A. Rigby,
president of the J. A. Rigby Cigar company, who was born in Mansfield, May 1,
1860. Mr. Rigby's career is an admirable exemplification of what a combination
of ambition, energy and perseverance can accomplish in the business world. As a
young man he was employed for about six years in a local wholesale house, after
which he began jobbing cigars in a small way, with headquarters in a room in the
rear of his father's shoe store. At the start he was his own salesman and would
go out on the road for the first four days of the week taking orders and would
then come back home and pack up and ship the cigars for which he had taken
orders. From this small beginning the big business of the J. A. Rigby Cigar
company has grown, with its large force of salesmen and many brands of cigars
which have won popularity all over the country, prominent among these being the
William Penn. Mr. Rigby is also largely interested in a Philadelphia cigar
factory, which recently erected an immense new building which is regarded as one
of the finest and most sanitary cigar factories in the country. submitted by
Jean and Faye. [The Mansfield News: Saturday, April 30, 1910]
Rinehart, Herbert Louis -- When he grows
up Herbert Louis Rinehart intends to be an electrical engineer. But now he is
just "Herbie", one of the jolliest and best natured seniors. His hobby is
sleeping, but we wonder if anyone ever saw him "owl-eyed". Even though "Herbie"
is one of the mathematics sharks, he says he comes to school only "by request".
We are not certain though whose request he meant. "Herbie" is a well known
member of the band, having joined in his freshman year. Besides band his other
activities are Hi-Y (2), Football manager (3) (4) and Red and White club (3).
Submitted by Amy. [THE HYPHONERIAN: 08 October 1926, Vol. IX, No. 2]
Robinson, John Sr. -- John Robinson, Sr.,
a pioneer of Richland County, was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in the
year 1804. Five years after his birth, his parents removed with him to Mercer
County, Penn. and five years later to Richland County, O., locating on the tract
of land now owned by William Tarres and sons, and building their first house on
the flat near the line of the railroad. The early school days of John
Robinson, Sr., were spent in a log school-house on a corner of the farm now
owned by Aaron Lockheart, and near the present residence of Jehu Durbin. Later
he attended school near the site of the Honey Creek school-house, in a school
building called Hard Scrabble. Reuben Evarts, Sr., and Mrs. Elmina Oldfield were
among his school-mates. On January 17th., this year, Mr. Robinson was eighty
years old, and in good health for a man of his age. He has ever lived an honest
life, and at peace with his neighbors. He never made a purchase unless he had
the money to pay for it, and thus escaped the evils resulting from the credit
system of doing business. In early life he was very fond of hunting. He would
rise on a morning and arm himself with a piece of corn pone and a gun, which he
had secreted the night before, and not return until late in the evening. Of a
family of six brothers, he and a brother in Van Wert County, are the only
survivors. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Star: 31 January 1884, Vol. 7, No. 18]
Rockwell, Samuel M. -- Samuel M. Rockwell,
who was born in Norwalk, Conn., Dec. 2, 1811, and came to Sharon Township in
1815, took a commendable interest in history, and published a number of
historical sketches and to these he had intended to add others, with the
intention of having the same published in book form, but death cut short his
labors. Each year it becomes more difficult to gather data on the past history
of the county. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 19 February 1903, Vol.
11, No. 7, part of a series of articles regarding the townships of Richland
County]
Rohme, John -- John Rohme, of Lucas, was a
member of Capt. Thomas H. Ford's company C, of the Third Ohio infantry.
Enlisted May 28, 1846, and was mustered out with the regiment June 18, 1847.
Mr. Rohme also served two enlistments during the Civil War. He was in the
employ of the Pennsylvania railroad company for many years and is now on its
retired pension list. Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 29 January
1902, Vol. 11, No. 4 as part of a series of articles regarding soldiers of the
Mexican War]
Rowland, Robert Henry -- I knew also well
Robert Henry Rowland. Born in the county, prepared likewise by his father for
college, graduating the same year at Jefferson and returning to Ohio, he also
became a student-at-law and was admitted to the practice. He was a young man of
special ability, and his specialty was finance. He prospered, not taking up the
work of his profession, but sought position in a different line, and for a
number of years was teller of the Richland National Bank, the heaviest monied
institution at the time in the city. He developed well and was accorded
prominence and position. He sought official place at the hands of the people
and was elected treasurer of the county. I would not open the story of the
misfortune that overtook him, now closed for one and twenty years, by the
concurrent action of all men and all parties. He was too confident of his
powers, rested too fully in his ability to master the situation. One thing I
know, that prior to his entry on the duties of the office the methods of
book-keeping of treasurer of the county were less than now. He was the first to
inaugurate system method and accounting day by day. The country at large, Ohio
included, fell into a panic. The failure of Jay Cooke, the reaction after the
war, with all its troubling consequences, came. Rowland did that which every
treasurer before him did. The money of the treasury was not at all on hand in
money. In his case he could not realize and so he did a very unwise thing. He
temporarily left the state and, returning with more than half the money, the
other half being in securities not taken away, he effected a settlement and went
west. For many years thereafter he was the cashier of a great hotel in
Milwaukee and was greatly trusted. Bright's disease developed by his sedentary
habits of life, and a few years ago he departed into the "far off country". --
H.C.H. Submitted by Amy. [Richland
Shield & Banner: 15 December 1894, Vol. LXXVII, No. 31]
Royer, A.J. -- Charles' Mill. A.J.
Royer, son Joe, and daughter Daisy, will start for California about April 1,
where he expects to make his future home. Mr. Royer and family leave with
the best wishes of his many friends here who are sorry to lose him as a
neighbor. [Semi-Weekly
News: 23 March 1897, Vol. 13, No. 24]
Ruhl, Elizabeth -- Mrs. Elizabeth Ruhl,
widow of George Ruhl, was born in Maryland. With her husband she emigrated
to Perry township, Richland County, in the year 1812, where she resided till the
year 1868; then she emigrated to Holt County, Missouri, where she resides
at present, and is the oldest lady in that county. She is now in her 97th.
year -- is the mother of 17 children, 85 grandchildren, 88 great-grandchildren,
making in the aggregate 190, all of whom are living except 22. Her health
at this writing is very good. There is no doubt but she may reach one
hundred years. She has been blind 17 years. [Richland Shield &
Banner: 16 January 1875]
Rummel, David J. -- David J. Rummel passed
the latter years of his life in Bellville. His son, O.B. Rummel, now owns the
grist mill below Butler which his father built and operated for many years.
Submitted by Amy. [Bellville Messenger: 28 May 1903, Vol. 11, No. 21]
Rummel, Joseph P. -- Bunker Hill is in
Worthington township, three miles east of Butler, and there the boyhood years of
Capt. J. P. Rummel were passed. His father, Peter Rummel, located on the Hill in
1844, when the captain was but four years old. The hill never assumed to be a
village, but as the location is both conspicuous and commanding, and is the
center from which six roads take divers courses, the hill is quite prominent and
a church has stood upon its summit for many years. On the corner east of the
church was the Rummel residence, one of the largest houses in the township. A
store of general merchandise was kept in one end of this building and the other
industries of the place consisted of a blacksmith shop and a gun shop. The
latter, however, was not at the corners, but a few rods out on the Perrysville
road. Reed Dutton, a gunsmith, lived there in the '50s, but the place is now the
home of Samuel Spohn. When the first call for troops was made in April, 1861,
four men from Worthington township, went to Bellville and volunteered in Capt.
Miller Moody's company I, 16th Ohio. They were J. P. Rummel, Willis Clark, John
Simmons, and Oliver Lichty. After the close of that term of service Mr. Rummel
re-enlisted for three years as a private in Co. B, 120th O. V. I. Before leaving
camp Mr. Rummel was promoted to a lieutenant and seven months later wore the
bars of a captain, and served his country faithfully until the close of the
war. After Capt. Rummel's return from [rest of line omitted] located in
Mansfield and engaged in the grocery business, in which he continued for several
years and until the burning of the Hedges block, in 1871. Capt. Rummel later
engaged in the manufacture of suspenders, in which business he continued for
?5 [first diget unclear] years. From a small beginning his business grew and
increased until his plant was one of the largest of the kind in the country,
employing from one hundred to two hundred hands. At present the captain is not
engaged in business. He has a fine home on Park avenue west, in the fashionable
residence part of the city. [According to records found at familysearch.org,
Joseph P. Rummel was born February 7, 1840 in Richland County, the son of Peter
Rummel and Susannah Clopper. He married Eva R. Redrup on March 7, 1866 in
Mansfield.] Submitted by Jean. [Excerpts from an article entitled "Old Bunker
Hill" written by A.J. Baughman in the SEMI WEEKLY NEWS of 20 September 1893]
Rummel, O.B. -- O.B. Rummel, Dealer in
Hardware, is conducting an enterprise of importance, and we gladly devote the
required space to speaking of the establishment he represents. This house,
established about two years ago, has from the start taken a leading position
among the best business enterprises of the place. The stock embraces a general
line of shelf and heavy hardware, cutlery, &c. This is the only house of the
kind in the place, and consequently is in the enjoyment of a large and
increasing patronage. The appointments of the store are first-class and it is in
fact a model establishment in every respect. Mr. R. is a wide-awake business man
and none are more worthy of success. Submitted by Amy. [BELLVILLE WEEKLY: 02
January 1874, Vol. 2, No. 44]
Rummel, Susana (Lahman) -- Although
nearing the century mark in age, Mrs. Susana Lahman Rummel is enjoying excellent
health at her home near Lucas. She is one of the oldest women in Richland
County, where she has resided for 60 years. Mrs. Rummel was born Aug. 5,
1839; in the primitive forests of Knox County near Mt. Vernon. She
grew up in those surroundings and lived there until her marriage to Silas Rummel,
a young miller who was operating a flour mill on the Owl Creek. Soon after
the wedding ceremony had been performed on Dec. 20th., 1860, she and her husband
moved to Richland County, locating at Campbell's mill east of Mansfield which
Mr. Rummel acquired through purchase. He sold this mill seven years later
and purchased the Lucas Mill together with a large tract of land which he
tilled, in the vicinity of Lucas. This mill burned down after Mr. Rummel
disposed of it about 25 years ago, and it was never rebuilt. Mrs. Rummel
shared the early day hardships of her husband, who died at the age of 83 years.
She can read without glasses very well, but requires spectacles to see at a
distance. Her hearing is slightly impaired but otherwise she is blessed
with the best of health when her age is taken into consideration. She is a
member of the Lucas Congregational church. Mrs. Rummel lives in the home
with her daughter, Mrs. Lewis Dickes, a home in which she has resided for 36
years. She gets about the house without use of a cane, and delights to
talk of old times when she lived among the Knox County forests.
[Loudonville (OH) Times: 19 September 1929, p. 1]
Russell, John -- John Russell was born 5
Jun 1820 Beaver County, Pennsylvania died 10 Feb 1888 aged 67y 7m 3d in Franklin
Twp, Richland County, Ohio. He was in the 14 Congressional District.
He was a Private Class 2 in the Army, serving from 1863-1865. He was the
6th child of William Russell (born about 1784 of Beaver County, Pennsylvania).
He married Sarah J Neil on 11 Sep 1845 in Richland County, Ohio. He was
the 2nd Great Grand Uncle of my Husband Frank William Russell 1938-2003.
[source: Roberta R]
