(History of Morrow County, Ohio: By Abraham J. Baughman, Robert Franklin Bartlett Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1911)

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Samuel P. Gage cashier of the People's Saving Bank Company, of Mt. Gilead, Ohio, was born in Morrow county, Ohio, October 2, 1850, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of this locality. His parents, William F. and Mary J. (Price) Gage, passed the greater part of their lives in Morrow county. William F. Gage was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, a son of Phillip and Deborah (Flood) Gage, with whom when a boy he came to Ohio and settled near Sparta, in Bennington township. Morrow county, where he grew to manhood and married. He owned one hundred and forty acres of land in Bennington township, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies for many years, up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1898. Politically he was a Republican, radical and enthusiastic, and for years was active in local politics. He was a staunch member of the Methodist Episcopal church, as is also his widow, now eighty years of age. Her parents, John Price and wife, were natives of Pennsylvania. Of the children of William F. and Mary J. Gage we record that J. P., the eldest, is a resident of Kansas ; Samuel P., next in order of birth, is the subject of this  sketch ; Eliza A. is the wife of William Hunt of Morrow county ; P. W. is a resident of Delaware, Ohio; and Elsworth is engaged in railroad business at Alexander, Ohio.

Reared on his father's farm, Samuel P. Gage attended district school until he was sixteen years of age, after which he was a student at Galena High School and Cardington High School and later spent two years at Lebanon, Ohio, where he took a course in the National Normal University. In the meantime he taught school, beginning when he was eighteen, and by this means paid his own way while he pursued his higher studies. All told, he taught school sixty months, a part of this time being principal of a private school. And his experience as teacher added to the value of his service when he was made a member of the School Board of Mt. Gilead.

In 1873 Mr. Gage built the Central House at Marengo, Ohio, which he operated for eight years, and at the same time filled the office of township clerk. In 1881 he was elected clerk of Morrow county. He was the incumbent of this office two terms, having been re-elected, and served in all six years. Afterward, for a period of six years, he was secretary and treasurer of the Hydraulic Press Manufacturing Company. Then he engaged in banking. For eleven years he was cashier of the National Bank of Morrow County, and at the end of that time he was one of the organizers of the People's Saving Bank Company, which began business April 23, 1904, and of which he has from that date held the position of cashier. At the present writing, 1911, this bank has a deposit of two hundred thousand dollars, and its officers are as follows: Dr. W. B. Robinson, president; W. M. Carlisle, vice president ; Dr. N. Tucker, second vice president ; S. P. Gage, cashier; A. C. Duncan, assistant cashier; and Z. A. Powers, teller. During his successful business career Mr. Gage has accumulated considerable property, including two valuable farms in Morrow county, one of two hundred and eighty acres in Gilead township and the other, four hundred and forty acres in Bennington township, and residence property at Mt. Gilead and Columbus. He and his family reside in their pleasant home on Cherry street Mt. Gilead. Mrs. Gage, formerly, Miss Alice Sherman, born April 18, 1851, is a daughter of Daniel Sherman and previous to her marriage was engaged in teaching. She and Mr. Gage were married in 1872, and they are the parents of one son, Ralph P., born January 5, 1875, who is a graduate of both the Mt. Gilead High School and Delaware College, he having received the degree of A. B. at the age of twenty-one years. He is now engaged in the practice of law at Los Angeles, California.

Like his father before him, Mr. Gage is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member of the official board, and at the time of the building of  the Methodist church edifice in Mt. Gilead he served as chairman of the building committee. Fraternally he is identified with Mt. Gilead Lodge, No. 169, I. 0. 0. P., and Encampment No. 59, and in the latter was a member of the board of trustees. Mr. and Mrs. Gage were charter members of the Rebekahs at Mt. Gilead, Ohio, Lodge 352. They have crossed the continent of America twice, visiting their son.

Submitted & Transcribed by
Barb Ziegenmeyer

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History of Morrow County and Ohio : containing a brief history of the state of Ohio from its earliest settlement to the present time, embracing its topography, geological, physical and climatic features, its agricultural, stock-growing, railroad interests, etc. : a history of Morrow County, giving an account of its aboriginal inhabitants, early settlement by the whites, pioneer incidents, its growth, its improvements, organization of the county, its judicial and political history, its business and industries, churches, schools, etc. : biographical sketches, portraits of some of the early settlers and prominent men, etc., etc.. Chicago: O.L. Baskin, 1880

Page 692

Jacob Miller, Jr., farmer; P. O. Shaunks; born in Cumberland Co., Pa., Sept. 2, 1825, and is a son of Jacob Miller, who was born March 17, 1792, in Lancaster Co, Pa., whose wife was Catharine Cassel, born in Dauphin Co., Pa., in 1792, and died April 30, 1878.  The family emigrated to Richland Co. when Jacob, Jr. was 5 years of age, where they remained until 1841 when they moved to Congress Twp., and became permanent residents.  At the age of 23 Jacob was married to Mary J. Wright, who was born in Richland County.  Jacob’s father was a wagon-maker by trade, which business he followed for eight years; after this he engaged in farming. Jacob has now a good farm, consisting of 168 acres.  Their children’s names are  Jason, Asa, Mary A., Virda and Zenis.  His wife and Mary A. are members of the Disciple Church.

Submitted By

Nancy Piper

 

Page 701-702

M. C. Wolford, farmer, P. O., Andrews; is a native of Dauphin Co., Pa., and was born Aug. 24, 1820; is the eldest of a family of eight children, born to George and Esther (Cassel) Wolford, both of Pennsylvania.  Michael Cassel, came west with his parents when he was but 10 years of age, they located in Franklin Tp., Richland Co.  Here he was raised and stayed until he was 23 years of age.  Jan. 23, 1843, he was united in wedlock to Elizabeth Kohler, who was born April 15, 1822, in Adams Co., Pa; her father’s name was Jacob, whose wife was Elizabeth Miller.  After the marriage Mr. Wolford moved to Blooming Grove Twp., where he bought eighty acres in “the woods,” which he cleared up, and upon which he lived nine years.  March 25, 1852, he moved to this township and bought 160 acres of land, situated 2 ½ miles north of Williamsport, on the “angling” road, leading to Mt. Gilead; he has a splendid location, one of the finest in the township; he has since added to his original purchase, having now 240 acres. They have five children – Mary E., now Mrs. C. B. Hart, John G., Uriah E., Leah M., now Mrs. Allen Peoples, and Jacob C.  March 19, 1880, Mr. Wolford Bid a sad farewell to the companion of his wedded life; an amiable lady, a kind mother and affectionate wife, as well as a truly Christian woman.  Mr. Wolford is a member of the Disciple Church, of which his wife was a constant member.

 Submitted By

Nancy Piper

 

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Morrow County Ohio

Biographies

Transcriber: Charlotte Slater

 

William F. Bartlett, merchant: Chesterville, Ohio (now transiently At Upper Sandusky, Ohio,} This gentleman, whose portrait appears in this work, is one of the oldest merchants in the county, he having spent 50 years in commercial pursuits in the vicinity of Chesterville,. He was born in Clinton (as it was then called), 2 miles north of Mt Vernon, Knox Co., Ohio in April 1813. His education was limited to the facilities of the old log school houses of his period. He attending the Clinton , Plummers and Work Schools , located in the neighborhood of his birth place. At the age of 17 he engaged in the store of Mr. Gilman Bryant, at Mr. Vernon, and clerked for him for 3 years; he then served 1 year with T. W. Rogers & Co. of the same place. February 1, 1834, he moved to Chesterville , Ohio , and assisted Mr. William Shur in closing out a stock of auction goods. In September following he went to New York with I. Warner Miller, and purchased a stock of good for the firm of Bartlett & Shur, who opened in October 1834, at Chesterville. Our subject’s father, Hugh Bartlett, came to Chesterville in 1835, and died in 1837. Messrs. Shur & Barlett took the stock in store at appraisement, under the firm name of Shur & Bartlett. They continued until 1841 when the business was disposed of; during this year he bought a farm of R. E. Lord, and began improving same; also built a place for his mother in Chesterville. In 1842 he again went into merchandising with his brother George, firm, W. F. Bartlett & Co; they continued for 6 years, when it changed to Wm F. & G. V. Bartlett, Mr. William F. living on his farm part of this time. In the fall of 1845 he and his brother, C. T. occupied their new store in Chesterville, and later the firm of Bartlett & Moore was formed, and the business is continued under that name. Few indeed are they who can boast of 50 years of commercial life. During this long term Mr. Bartlett has seen whole generations pass away, and a vast forest turned to a productive county; the old lonesome and winding wood road turned to well attended highways, dotted with beautiful homes and leading to cities then unknown. 

 

JOHN THEODORE BUCK, County Surveyor; Cardington, Ohio, who’s portrait appears in this work, was born in Lincoln Township (then in Delaware Co.) on the old homestead where he now lives, May 24 1832. His father, Edmund Buck, was a native of Connecticut , and came, when a young man, to Peru Township in Delaware Co., Ohio , about 1813. He soon after married Anna Hubbell, a native of New York , and after purchasing, settled in 1817 on the land now owned by the subject of our sketch; here John divided his time between the farm and the district school until 21 years of age, gaining a good common school education. During the years 1853-54 he attended Mt. Hesper Seminary, under the tuition of Jesse and Cynthia Harkness, whose names have almost become household words in this vicinity. In the winters of 1844-45, and 1862 he taught school; in 1856 he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, where he paid especial attention to the department of civil engineering; in the following year he was appointed  Deputy County Surveyor of Morrow Co. under Thomas Sharp; he served under him for the balance of the unexpired term, doing the greater part of the business of the office, and on the 11^th day of October, 1859, was elected to the office of surveyor on the Republican ticket. Mr. Buck has filled this office with rare acceptance, and has been re-elected time after time, until he is now serving on his twenty third year of service, with two more to fill out in his unexpired term; his ability in the line of his profession is recognized abroad, and he is frequently called into adjoining counties for the purpose of making surveys or hunting up lost lines and corners. During the winter of 1879-80, Mr. Buck prepared for the County Commissioners of Morrow Co an elaborate set of maps for the use of the county, which are greatly admired for the elegance of the drawing, and the accuracy of the plats. Mr. Buck is also a Notary Public, having served as such since Feb. 10, 1870; in 1863 he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the first regiment of Ohio Militia, and subsequently, on the 16^th day of September, 1863, was promoted to the position of Lieutenant Colonel of said regiment. In 1862, during the Rebellion, he served in the defense of the Southern border of Ohio against the threatened invasion from Kentucky . Mr. Buck was united in marriage to Miss Martha Ann Nichols, Nov 19, 1863; the latter was born in Lincoln Township , July 5 1844. Five children have been born to them – Thaddeus Eugene, Arthur Henry, Annie Mary, Minnie and Ralph. Annie Mary died of that dreadful scourge – diphtheria- Oct 26, 1875, aged four years and 24 days.

PART III- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

             GILEAD TOWNSHIP

 

    B. ANDREWS, attorney at law; Mt Gilead. Of the successful and highly respected attorneys of the Morrow County Bar, may be mentioned Mr. B. Andrews, who was born in Westfield, Chautauqua Co. N.Y. October 21 1822, and is the son of Erastus and Polly (Freeman) Andrews; his mother was born in Massachusetts, and his father in Vermont; our subject was raised on the farm, where he remained until he was about 20 years of age, when, in 1826, with his parents, he came west to Ohio, and located in Medina County, and formed the village of Westfield in that county; his father died there in 1846 and his mother died near Westfield, in 1873. Our subject, after obtaining a good common school education in the Wadsworth Academy, and a select school by Henry Bates, began the study of law in the office of C. A. Lake, of Medina, where he remained about one year, when he went to Wooster, where he entered the law office of Cox & Wason; and in 1846 he was admitted to the bar in Wooster, when he returned to Medina and commenced the practice of law, which he continued in Medina for some three years, when, in June 1849, he came to Mt. Gilead and began the practice of law, during which time he has formed partnerships with E. F. Riley, one year; Henry Albach, one year; D. Rogers six years and in 1875 the present firm of Andrews & Allison was formed, which today is one of the strongest law firms of Morrow County. In 1864 Mr. Andrews was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, and re-elected to same office in 1866, which he filled with credit and honor for four years. He was married September 8, 1844, in Wooster , Ohio to Miss Rachel hand. They have six children.

 

O. ALLISON,  wool dealer; Mt. Gilead; was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1811, and lived there three years; the family then came to Ohio and farmed in Columbiana County and lived on same until he was 11 years of age; he was then bound out for seven years to Mr. Orth, a woolen manufacturer, and continued with him six years thereafter; he then went into partnership with Thomas Wallace, and in a cabinet making shop at New Lisbon, and followed the business until 1844, when he came to Delaware, now Morrow Co., and engaged in buying sheep and wool; which business he has since continued in. In 1872 his son, Abner, became a partner in the business. Mr. Allison has been thrice married. First to Jemima Burt, a native of Columbiana Co Ohio Sept 5, 1833; she died Oct 10, 1840; of their three children two are living; John and James. William died at Paducah , KY while in the army (20^th O.V.I). His second wife was Lydia Wheeler, a native of Columbiana Co., Ohio; they were married June 10, 1841; she died Sept 9, 1861; they had nine children, seven now living: Charles, Abner, Melville, Isorah, Jane, Ellen and Kate. His present wife was Lydia Thompson, a native of York Co., Pennsylvania . They were married March 16, 1864; they have no children.

 

HENRY ADAMS, livery: Mt. Gilead ; Mr. Adams’ stables are located on Center Street . He is the son of John F. and Jane (Fitting) Adams; was born on Feb 23, 1830, in Lexington , Richland Co.; his father was engaged in the mercantile business for about forty years and died in 1864. Henry left home March 24, 1850, being then 20 years of age; he went to California, where he remained two years, when he returned and engaged in the dry goods business, with his father, in Mt. Gilead, until 1856, when he took a trip to Northern Iowa, which consumed about six months, when he returned and went into the dry goods trade, with George E. House; he remained with him until 1861, when he went to work for the father of Mr. House, until 1865, when he bought out the grocery and provision stock of Dunn & Roland, and continued in that business for about two years, when he sold to T. B. Reynolds & Bro.; after which, in company with R. P. Halliday, he purchased the stock of dry goods of E. P. George; one year later he sold out to Allen Levering, and remained with Mr. Levering seven years, or until 1874; he was then with Talmage & Styles one year, since which time, he has been in his present business, first with L. Corwin, for two years. Since Sept 1877, Mr. Adams has had for his partner E. C. Chase; they are conducting a first class livery stable, and are ready at all times to accommodate the traveling public. Mr. Adams was married in 1859. They have two children, Frank and Jennie.

 

 

D. R. AXTELL, farmer; P. O. Gilead Station; was born in Knox Co., Ohio, June 10, 1823, and lived there until 1837; he then went to Logan Co. with his father, his mother having died June 19, 1923. In 1838 they came to Marion (now Morrow) Co., and settled near Mt. Gilead, and he worked in that vicinity; November 2, 1848 he married Miss Catharine, Daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Dillon) Brown; she was born in Knox Co., Ohio; after the marriage he settled on his present place, which he had previously bought, and has lived here since, except about fourteen months, spent in traveling West, in Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Kansas; of their three children, two are living- Lou and Nettie; he has eighty acres two miles northwest of Gilead Station, and forty acres in Canaan Tp., this county, which he had obtained by his own labor. He and his wife and family are members of the M. E. Church; he since 1839 and Mrs. Axtell for the past thirty years; he has always taken an active interest in church affairs, and has served as steward for twenty six years. He has also served as Sabbath School Supt. His parents, Isaac and Rebecca Riggs Axtell, were probably natives of Pa; they settled in Knox Co, Ohio , about the year 1817; she died here in Knox Co., after which he married Mrs. Abigail Jewell, with whom he lived until his death, in Logan Co., Ohio , in the spring of 1838. They had no children; she lived with her children by her first marriage, until her death in Union Co., Ohio . By Mr.Axtell’s first marriage, there were ten children, of whom but one is living – D.R.

 

ELI ASHWILL, farmer; P. O. Gilead Station; was born in Canaan Tp., Marion (now Morrow ) Co., Ohio July 17, 1835, and lived with his parents until he was 12 years of age; he then hired out and worked in the vicinity until 1857; January 19, of that year, he married Miss Sarah Cook. She was born in Knox Co. Ohio. After his marriage he lived with his father-in-law and farmed the place and later bought the part he now lives on, and which now contain sixty eight acres, adjoining the village of Gilead Station . By this marriage there were nine children, eight now living; Florence L., Elmer E., H. Estell, Fred, Jennie, Burt, Rosie B., and Nelson B. His parents, James and his second wife Agnes (Stewart) Ashwill were natives of Virginia; they married there, and, in 1826, came to Ohio and settled in Canaan Tp., where by purchase and entry, they owned 160 acres of land, and lived there with what comforts the pioneer days afforded. He died here in the year 1842. Mrs. Ashwill went to Illinois , and lived with her son until her death in 1856. They had nine children, seven of whom are now living; John, Living in Illinois ; Robert, in Kansas ; Richard, in Illinois ; Eli, in Morrow Co., Ohio ; Frank D., in Delaware Co., Ohio ; Henry and Nelson C., in Kansas . All are married and have families, and are well to do.

 

EDWIN H. BREES, farmer; P. O. Mt. Gilead; was born in New Jersey, Sept 30^th, 1829, and when but six months of age his parents came to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, where his father engaged at his trade of wagon making, and was probably about the first in the place. Edwin H. Attended school until he was about 18 years of age; he also worked at farming some, and when 19 he was apprenticed to the carpenters’ and joiners’ trade with Townsend & Miller, and followed the business for twelve years. He also served as express agent for thirteen years, and was for two years in the livery business, the firm being Corwin & Brees; they ran a hack line and had the mail route; he then engaged in the grocery business, and continued in the same most of the time for eleven years, when, owing to the partial loss of his sight, he retired from business for four years, when he moved to his present place and has lived here since. May 28 1854, he married Miss Harriet Talmage; she was born in Knox, now Morrow Co., of their three children two are living, viz: Lafe B., druggist, now in Leadville, Co., and Charles S., apprenticed to carpenters’ trade at Mt. Gilead . His parents, Alfred and Rachel ( Lyons ) Brees, were natives of New Jersey . They married there, and came here as stated. He served as justice of the Peace in the early days of Lincoln Tp., and was one of the well known men of that period. By the marriage there were five children, four of whom are living; viz: Edwin H. on the old homestead; Stephen, now living in Chase Co., Kans.; Caroline, married and living in Chase Co., Ks; Sidney A., living in Chase Co, Ks. After the death of Mrs. Rees, he married Miss Hannah Mosher, by whom he had seven children, six of whom are living, viz: Asa M., Rachiel, and now Mrs. G. L. Wood, of this Co., Joseph, (Hannah and Alfred), and Bathiah, now Mrs. Kirk of Iowa . After the death of his second wife, he married Eunice Mosher, with whom he lived until his death. She is living with her father near Cardington, O.

 

CHARLES BREESE, farmer and stock raiser; P. O. Mt. Gilead; was born in Morris Co., New Jersey, April 19, 1811, attended school and worked on the farm until he was 17 and was then apprenticed to blacksmithing with William Ford, at Dover, New Jersey, and served with him until he was 21; he then opened a shop at Rockaway, New Jersey, and in 1832 came to Ohio and worked in Mt. Gilead for two years; he then returned to New Jersey and lived there three years, during which time, July 22, 1836, he was married to Miss Phebe Bockoven. She was born in the same place, May 30, 1818. In 1838 he again came to Mt. Gilead and built a residence and shop on some land he had formerly bought, and carried on his business there until 1854, when he sold out and bought his present place, located one mile northeast of Mt. Gilead, and containing ninety acres. At first he bought forty five acres of timber and cleared the same, afterward adding to it. They had six children; three now living; Emeline, now Mrs. Mateer, living in Mt. Gilead; Lemuel H. Blacksmith in Mt. Gilead , and Harriet A., now Mrs. Bargar, living in this vicinity. Mr. Breese came West in a wagon to Mt. Gilead , using the old Pioneer road, and has since crossed between here and New Jersey some twelve or fifteen times. In the early days he took wheat in payment for his work, and hauled the same to Sandusky . His son Lemuel H. enlisted in the 96^th O. V. I. Company D., in 1862, and served during the war, being a prisoner some three months. His brother served in the Mexican war. His father served in the war of 1812, and his grandfather served in the war of the Revolution. His parents were Stephen and Harriet ( Ogden ) Breese, natives of Morris Co, New Jersey , and lived there until their death. Mrs. Breese’s parents were George and Margaret (Smith) Bockoven; they were natives of New Jersey ; they died in Morris County .

 

G. S. BRUCE farmer; P. O. Mt. Gilead; was born in Culpepper Co., Va., March 26, 1813, and lived there until the fall of 1827, when they moved to Ohio and settled in Knox Co., near Mt. Vernon, and engaged in farming. While living there, June 1, 1829; his father was killed by lighting, while repairing about the barn. They next moved to Knox, now Morrow Co., and later moved to a farm in Chester Township on which a part of the family yet resides. Mr. G. S. Bruce lived there most of the time until 1839, he then lived in different townships, teaching school, and, while at Woodbury, served as Postmaster and Justice of Peace for seven years. In 1851, he moved to Mt. Gilead , and was elected Auditor, a position he held for four years. In 1855, he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed until 1857. In 1860, he was appointed Postmaster of Mt. Gilead, and served as such nearly six years, since which time he had chiefly been engaged in farming. In May, 1839, he married Miss Hannah Livingston, a native of Washington Co., N.Y.; she died May 7, 1851. They had four children, three now living – Sarah, now Mrs. William Miller; Libbie, now Mrs. H. G. Cooper, and Oswell M., living in Iowa; his present wife was Mrs. Hull, formerly Miss Rachel Adams, and a native of Knox Co., though raised in Richland Co. They have one child, William F., now living in Walla Walla , Washington . His parents, Elijah and Malinda W. (Browning) Bruce, were natives of Culpepper Co., and came to Ohio as stated; she died in 1854. Of their nine children; five are living – J. D., living on the old homestead, near Chesterville, this County; Nancy D., now Mrs. Livingston, living in Monroe, Iowa; Elizabeth S., now Mrs. Thomas, living in Albion, Indiana; John A., at same place and Mr. G. S. Bruce, of Mt.Gilead.

 

B. A. BARTON, of Miles, Barton & Miles, Mt. Gilead; dry goods; was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, Sept 21, 1852; he lived on his father’s farm until he became of age, and then engaged as clerk with Mr. B. Fogle, in the general merchandise business, and continued one year. He then formed a partnership with Mr. J. L. Swingle and conducted a millinery and notion business, which they continued one year, and sold out. Mr. Barton then became a partner in the present firm. April 19, 1877, he married Miss Elma Talmage, who was born in this county. They have two children – James and Frank.

   

 

D. D. BOOHER, of Irwin & Booher, real estate and abstract office, also insurance; Mt. Gilead; was born near Weston, VA., Oct. 17, 1841; his mother died during his infancy and he lived with relatives in Virginia until he was nine years of age, when he and his brother came West with their uncle, and settled in Westfield Township, near Cardington, and lived there about five years; in 1853 his father settled near Cardington and upon his marriage in 1855, D. D. and his brother Spencer made their home with him. D. D. soon hired out by the month and worked until 1861; in April of that year he enlisted in the 4^th O. V. I. for three month’s service, and they were afterward reorganized and enlisted for three years’ service, throughout which he served, taking part in the battles of Rich Mountain, Winchester, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, North Anna, Cold Harbor, etc. At Gettysburg he was slightly wounded, and at Cold Harbor , just three days prior to the discharge of the command, he was wounded and confined to the hospital for three months. He then returned to Cardington , Ohio , and attended school, commencing in the lowest classes, and after a year’s course, began teaching in the district schools part of the time and attending school part of the time. He taught at the Westfield school, and later attended the Normal school at Lebanon , Ohio , and in the summer of the third year he, with Mr. Brown, taught the Cardington School . The following January he resigned his position and entered upon the duties of County Recorder , serving as such for six years. He continued in Mt. Gilead, after his term of office, until 1877, when he moved to his farm, located one and a half miles northeast of Mt. Gilead, Oct 3, 1872, he married Mary, daughter of Dr. Granger, of Westfield Township this county. They have four children: Raymond, Edna Dean, Ada and Emma. His parents, Joseph and James (Devies) Booher, were natives of Virginia and married there. She died there in 1841. They had two children: Spence and D. D. He continued in Virginia until 1853, when he moved to Cardington, and in 1855 married Miss Amanda Foust. He lived in that vicinity until his death, in September, 1877; she is living near Cardington.

 

DR. J. M. BRIGGS retired; P. O. Mt. Gilead. The subject of this sketch was born on his father’s farm in Washington Co, N.Y. Oct 11, 1809, and resided there until he became ten years of age, at which time the family removed to Franklin Co., N. Y. and engaged in farming; during his residence there his parents died. He remained there until the year 1835 and began reading medicine in 1827, under Drs. Paddock & Bates, and later attended lectures at Burlington , Vt. , graduating at the Franklin Co, Medical Institute N. Y. In the year 1835, he came to Marion Co., Ohio , and practiced medicine in Caledonia for twenty years; he then moved to Iberia, Morrow Co., and educated his family, doing but a limited practice, and preferring not to become actively engaged. After a residence of five and ha half years, he came to Mt. Gilead and served as Clerk of the Courts for two terms; in 1864, he was elected President of the 1^st National Bank of Mt. Gilead, and retained the office until February, 1880, when he resigned. November 26, 1839, he married Miss Sarah J. Farrington, a native of Erie Co., N.Y. Of their three children two are living, Mary A., now Mrs. Rev. A. T. Rankin, of Kingston , Ind. , and William H. of this place.

 

A. M. BARTLETT, farmer; P. O. Mt. Gilead; is a native of Delaware Co., Ohio; he was born on his father’s farm, April 16, 1816, and lived there sixteen years, when with his parents he moved to Columbus Ohio, and in 1833 he was apprenticed to the edge tool trade at Mt. Gilead, and followed the business for sixteen years; he then engaged at farming in this vicinity, and has followed the same since. In all he has served as School Director for 27 years, and has been President of the Board of Education for ten years; also served six years each as Township trustee and Justice of the Peace here, and in North Bloomfield Township . Nov. 9 1837, he married Miss Sarah Nichols, a native of Virginia . She died March, 19, 1856. Of their eight children six are living – R. F., Juliet, Althea, Marcella, Albert W. and N. H. January 4, 1857, he married Miss Eliza A. Adams, a native of New York ; she died July 29, 1874. They had five children, three of whom are living, viz: Fred W., Annetta M. and Alice P. Oct 15, 1874, he married Mrs. Helt, formerly Miss Emily Sweetland. She was born in South Bloomfield Township , this Co. , and Oct 6, 1830. She was married to Mr. J. C. Helt July 2, 1848; he died Aug 4, 1871. They had four children, viz: Morrilla V., now Mrs. Wright of Knox County , Winfield C., now at school in Boston , LaGrande and Nellie F. Of the two deceased children by the first marriage of Mr. Bartlett, one died in infancy, and the other, John O., enlisted in the 65^th O. V. I. and served with the regiment until his death at the battle of Chickamauga . 

 

 

CHARLES BIRD, retired: Mt. Gilead; was born in Northumberland, Pa, Dec 3, 1810, and lived there eighteen years, being engaged on the farm and in attending school; they then moved to Knox (now Morrow) Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming in Franklin Township where he lived until he was 21 years old, when he was apprenticed to the carpenter’s trade with William Ely, with whom he remained two years. He then carried on the business on his own account. On Feb 14, 1833, he married Miss Mary Geller; who was born in Knox Co., Ohio , in 1837. They moved to a farm near Mt. Gilead, and lived there for three years; he then came to the village, and followed his trade until 1860, when he engaged in the hardware business, and followed the same for some six or seven years; he then resumed his trade, and built many of the principal residences of the place and surrounding country; in 1870 he retired from active business; of the ten children, six are living – John, Charles, Jr., Frank, Sarah, Clem and Sabina. Mr. Bird has always taken an active interest in all public enterprises, and he took an active part in securing the forming of Morrow Co, and contributed liberally to that end.

 

ELZY BARTON, contractor; Mt. Gilead; was born in Belmont Co., Ohio, Sept 1813, and lived there four years, when they moved to Knox Co., and farmed there for eight years. During their stay there, his parents died. After the father’s death the children lived with friends in the neighborhood. At the age of 16, Elzy was apprenticed to the tailoring trade; in 1833 he came to Mt. Gilead and carried on a tailoring shop for seven or eight years; he then farmed in the county until 1873, when he began contracting R. R. work, and in the fall of 1874, he moved to Mt. Gilead and occupied his present place, in the spring of 1875. Mr. Barton served as Constable in Marion, now Morrow Co., for seventeen years, and was sheriff of this county from 1859 to 1862, also, Deputy Provost Marshal, part of that time. He has also acted as auctioneer for the past thirty five years. April 17, 1837, he married Miss Nancy Ann Adams. She was born in Virginia and came to Ohio in infancy with her parents. They had seven children, five living -  Victoria, now Mrs. W. S. House, of Mt. Gilead; Walton C., Flora, now Mrs. M. L. Ryan, of Piqua; Berwick, of Miles, Barton & Miles, Mt. Gilead, and Gertrude.

 

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DAVID BAILEY, farmer, P.O. Mt. Gilead; was born in Bedford Co., Ohio . March 5, 1820, and lived there until he was 12 years of age, when, with his grandparents, he came to Marion, now Morrow Co., Ohio, and settled on his present place. He lived here with his grandparents until their death, in 1841, and 1838 respectively. He then worked by the month on the farm and in driving team to Baltimore, Md. Sept 8, 1843, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John and Catharine Weaver She was born in Belleville, Ohio, Dec. 24, 1821. He teamed after his marriage for six years, driving to Cumberland , Md. , and Pittsburgh , Pa ; he also had a farm rented during this time, he teaming in the winter. He then bought 80 acres of land, and moved on same; and though he has never had any educational advantages, nor acquired anything outside of legitimate farming, he has been successful, and has increased his property from time to time, until now he owns 640 acres here and 130 in Kentucky  By the marriage there have been fifteen children; thirteen of whom are living – Mary Ann, now Mrs. Fagley, lives in this county, John, Andrew, Samuel and Nelson, live in Medcalf Co., Ky; Jane, now Mrs. Baker, lives in this county; Hiram lives in this county; George lives at home; Viola, now Mrs. Baker, this county; Levina, Joseph and Sarah T. live at home.

 

J. F. BOWEN, grocer; Mt. Gilead; was born on Christmas day 1846, in Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio; he was a son of Isaac and Ann Bowen; his father was born in Wales, in 1801; the mother, also a native of Wales, was born in 1805; they emigrated to Radnor Township, Delaware Co., Ohio, in 1838, where they remained but a short time, when they removed to Columbus, Ohio, staying some two years, then going to brown Township, where they bought sixty three acres of land, at that time a wilderness, and built a home. The father died in 1849, the mother in 1861. The son remained at home during his youth, and was finally bound out to Francis Jones, a farmer; four months later he enlisted in Co. D, 95^th O. V. IL, and Captain Edward Taylor commanding. The first engagement in which he participated, ended in the severe defeat at Richmond, Ky.; the forces were afterwards reorganized, becoming a part of Grant’s army; he was at Shiloh, the second capture of Jackson (Miss) campaign before Vicksburg, and was afterward captured  by Forrest, near Memphis, and was in the prison at Andersonville four months, then exchanged; in 1864 was a in the pursuit of Price in Missouri, and was in the engagement under Thomas at Nashville; afterwards helped take Fort Spanish, at Mobile Ala; in 1872 he was married to Julia A. Jenkins, daughter of the Reverend Thomas D. Jenkins, of Chesterville, Ohio; has four boys – Thomas Davies, William Clyde, Milo Stewart and Charles F. Mr. Bowen commenced the grocery and queens ware business in 1878, and now, in company with John Galleher has one of the leading stores of the kind in Morrow Co., situated on Main Street, Mt. Gilead, Ohio.

 

JACOB BAUGHMAN, Prop. American House, Mt. Gilead . The genial proprietor of the American House at Mt. Gilead , OHIO , ranks among the few who really know how to keep a hotel. Having been in the business for nearly twenty six years, he knows precisely what to do and how to do it. He was born in Adams Co., Pa. , and July 2, 1808. His father, Joseph Baughman, a native of Pennsylvania , was born in 1767. His mother, Rebekah (Reynolds) Baughman, also a native of Pennsylvania , was born in 1771, both deceased. In 1828, his mother, with her three children, removed to Lexington, Richland Co., Ohio ; Jacob being then 20 years of age. He remained at home until he was 25, and then worked as an apprentice for one year in his brother’s shoe store. He then set up in business for himself, continuing in the business for thirty years. In 1854 he bought a hotel, carrying it on in connection with the shoe store, until 1866, when he closed out his interests and moved to Mt. Gilead , Ohio , where he bought the American House, April 1, 1866. Mr. Baughman has been married twice; April 30, 1833, was married to Mary A. Woods, by whom he had eleven children – Joseph, Rannells, David W., Agnes, L. Harvey, Charles P., deceased; Elijah J., Amanda, Alexander, Henry H., and Owen. He married his second wife Nancy J. Patterson, April 26, 1856, daughter of Thomas Patterson. They have one child, Hattie, born in the spring of 1861.

 

COE BROTHERS. (Coe Brothers & Co., hardware, drugs, etc.) Gilead Station. S. Allen and George O. Coe are natives of Marion Co., Ohio ; they were born September 26, 1846, and March 23, 1849, respectively. Mr. S. Allen Coe lived at  home until he became of age, he then went to Johnson Co., Kansas, where he bought and improved some land, which he afterwards sold; he also conducted a threshing machine; he remained in Kansas about nine months when he returned home and farmed until 1872, when he was engaged to conduct a lumber business at Gilead Station, for Johnson, Collins & Wensels, with whom he remained for eighteen months; he then engaged in the grocery business at Mt. Gilead under the firm of Bowen & Coe; they continued for three years, when he sold out and came to Gilead Station and formed the present firm. July 28, 1873, he married Miss Sybil E. Flint; she was born in Ohio ; they have three children, two living – Homer F., and Nellie E.  George O. Coe lived at home about three years, when he went to live with his sister on a farm near Mt. Gilead, where he lived until 1867, when they moved to the old homestead, which his brother-in-law had bought, and they lived there until 1870; he then engaged in the drug business in Mt. Gilead with D. T. A. Goorley, and after three years he sold out his interest and went back to the farm; May 14, 1872, he married Miss Viola McCormick; she was born in this Co., and they lived on the farm (his brother-in-law’s) which he farmed on shares, until 1877, when he came to Gilead Station, and engaged in his present business.  By his marriage there are three children – Elbert G., Lulu M. And Ray McC.  – their parents, Abraham and Margaret Nichols Coe, were natives of Virginia; he was born Dec 23, 1806, and married November 5, 1829; she died Sept 21, 1849. They had nine children, seven living. Dec 28, 1851, he married Mrs. Sellers, formerly Miss Elizabeth Wallace, a native of Perry Co, Ohio ; they have no children. Mrs. Coe has one child by a former marriage – Avarilla R., now Mrs. Shepard of Council Bluffs , Iowa . Mr. Coe early learned the blacksmith’s trade, and came to Mt. Gilead , Ohio , about 1827, and has lived in this vicinity since.

 

ANDREW CAMPBELL, farmer; P. O. Gilead Station; was born on his present place Jan 11, 1835, and has always lived on the same. December 22, 1859, he was married to Miss Nancy Jane Farley. She was born in Washington Co, PA., and came to this locality, with her parents, when young. They had three children, two of whom are now living, Halleck S. and Amanda. He owns 95 acres of land, located a quarter of a mile west of Gilead Station. In 1863 he erected a sorghum mill on his place, and has conducted the business in connection with his farming interests. His father, Andrew Campbell, was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, July 25, 1803, and in his eighteenth year he and his brother, Johnson, came West on foot. He entered 160 acres, the present place being part of the same. They built a log cabin, in regular pioneer style – but one room, puncheon floor, split board roof, etc.; they lived with their neighbors, cleared, and made improvements, put out some wheat, and went back to Jefferson Co., and returned with their mother and family, their father having died in the year 1819. The family occupied the log cabin, near which was a camp of Indians, though the family experienced no trouble on their account, though, probably, the fact of Mr. Campbell being a large, powerful man, and an expert hunter, had something to do with their friendly deposition. The fall after he came here he had two horses, two cows, a few sheep, and $18.00 in money; they made their own clothing, and traded butter and deer skins in Frederick, for muslin and calico; he also worked at pump making. After he became of age, he deeded 110 of his 160 acres to his mother, and lived with her until he was 26 years of age, when he married Miss Susannah Burnside, a native of Virginia . After his marriage he occupied the remaining 50 acres, and improved and lived on the same until his death, Oct 21, 1878. They had nine children, of whom but one is now living – Andrew. Mrs. Campbell died Sept 8, 1864.

     

 

D. L. CHASE, county clerk; Mt. Gilead ; was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y. in 1834, and is the son of Robert and Annie (Cramer) Chase; his mother was born in New Jersey , and his father in Connecticut . In 1836, they, with their three children (our subject being one of them) started for Ohio , arrived and located in South Bloomfield, Morrow Co, (then Knox Co.) they settled on 72 acres of land; his mother and father are now living, his father being 73 and his mother 75 years of age. Our subject was born on the farm; he farmed in South Bloomfield for a number of years, when he began teaching school, which he followed in Morrow and Delaware Cos. for several years. He was a resident of Iowa two years, and one year in Illinois . Mr. Chase had made his home in Morrow Co.; he was a resident of Westfield Township for seven years; he filled the office of Assessor of South Bloomfield Township for six years, giving entire satisfaction, and in 1875 he was nominated by the Republican Party to the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court, being elected to that office by a majority of 190 votes; he was re-elected by same party in 1878, by a majority of 563 votes, showing that Mr. Chase’s first term was satisfactory to the people; he had gained many friends, and is recognized as one of the best County Clerks Morrow Co. ever had. Mr. Chase is a Republican in politics and a member of the M. E. Church.

 

AMOS CRICHFIELD, farmer; P.O. Mt. Gilead was born in Somerset Co., PA., February 28, 1805, and lived there until 1812, when his parents moved to Ohio, and farmed in Muskingum Co.; in 1824 Amos went to Gawley, W.Va., and worked at the stonework on the James River Turnpike, and in 1826 worked on the stone work of the Pennsylvania Canal at the aqueduct, over the Juniata. May 15, 1829, he married Miss Rebecca Moore, who was born in Pennsylvania; in the spring of 1830 he drove to his present place and has lived here ever since; he had previously walked out here and entered the place; he found all a vast wilderness, in which wild animals abounded; he built a log cabin in the woods and cleared his place. He has a vivid recollection of the early pioneer times in which he acted his part. He and his wife enjoy good health and live on the old homestead. They are members of the Baptist Church , which they joined thirty and forty years ago, respectively. Of their ten children seven are living – John D. Lives on an adjoining farm; M. A. now Mrs. Beaty, lives in Kansas; James R. lives in this vicinity; Mary Jane, now Mrs.Goorley, lives in this vicinity; George W. lives near Levering Station, this county; Elvira, now Mrs. James Brown, lives in this vicinity, and Sarah E. now Mrs. J.M.Irwin, lives on the old homestead with her parents.

 

JOHN CRAIG retired, Mt. Gilead; is a native of Washington Co, PA.; he was born on the farm April 23^rd, 1807, and lived there for seventeen years; he then came West to Richland Co., Ohio, and was apprenticed to the carpenters and joiners’ trade, with James Bell, with whom he served for three years and six months; he then, April 1, 1830, married Miss Jane W. Kerr; she was also a native of Washington Co., PA., and moved to Richland Co, Ohio, with her parents when she was but a child; after the marriage he bought a small piece of land near Lexington and worked at his trade, doing a general builder’ business until 1852, when he came to Morrow Co. and bought a farm in Congress Township, which he farmed until 1877, he then came to Mt. Gilead, putting the farm in the charge of Mr. John Piper, whom he raised from infancy. While in Richland Co. he served as Assessor of Washington Township; he has also served as Trustee of Congress Township. Mr. Craig has for eighteen years been a member of the Church of Christ , serving as Deacon in the same for twelve years.

 

JOHN D. CRICHFIELD, farmer; O.O. Mt. Gilead; son of Amos and Rebecca (Moore) Crichfield, was born on the farm Nov 9, 1830, and lived at home until 1852; Oct 10 of that year, he married Miss Margaret Geary; she was born in Ireland and came to this country when 3 years of age. After his marriage he moved to his present place, and has lived there since; they have two children- Rosie E. and Sheridan E., both living at home. Mr. Crichfield has been a member of the Baptist Church for the past twenty two years, and has taken an active interest in the affairs of the same; he has for a number of years been Superintendent of the Sabbath school.

 

H. G. COOPER, furniture; Mt. Gilead ; was born at M. Gilead , Ohio , June 8, 1845; the son of Elias and Mary (Talmage) Cooper, both natives of Ohio . They had five other children, besides the one mentioned – S. L., J.H., Clara R., E.C., and Hortense (deceased). His father was a carpenter, following this business nearly all his life. H. G. Cooper spent his youth in farming, working at the carpenter’s trade, and going to school. At about 18 years of age, he went into a grocery store with his father, remaining there about three years; he then resumed work at the carpenter’s trade, following the same until 1872, when he began to work for Runyan & Ayers. He remained with them until the store passed into the hands of J. Hathaway, and was engaged with him until the 1^st of January 1877, when he entered into a partnership with P. T. Miller & Co. continuing with them until Dec 1879, when the firm was changed to Cooper, Miller & Co. The present date finds them located in the Van Horn Block, Mt. Gilead , where they have one of the finest stocks of furniture in Morrow Co.; they also keep a large assortment of wall paper, and are agents for sewing machines, the Eldridge machine a specialty. Mr. Cooper was married Nov. 19, 1873, to Miss E. A. Bruce, daughter of George S. Bruce; they were married in Marion Co., Iowa ; they have one child, Oswald P. born April 13, 1879.

 

ELIAS F. COOPER, machinist; Mt. Gilead ; was born in Mt. Gilead , in 1836; the son of William and Jane (Dunlap) Cooper. He was born in Washington Co., PA, in 1805; she was born in the same place, in 1812. William Cooper was engaged in cabinet making up to the time of his emigration to Knox Co, Ohio , where he continued the business until about 1840, when he went into the milling business, which he followed until his death, in 1878. Elias remained at home, working in the mill, until 1864, when he engaged in machine work with S. R. Merrill, in Mt. Gilead , which he continued until 1873, when he resumed the milling business; in 1877 he was running a portable saw mill, and during 1879 was in the machine shops at Columbus , Ohio . March 15, 1880, he opened his machine shop, two blocks west of Main

Street, in Mt. Gilead , and is now in good shape for the transaction of business, with ample steam power. He gives special attention to the repairing of machinery of all kinds in both wood and iron. Mr. Cooper was married Oct 13, 1863, to Frances Germain, daughter of Albert Germain; they have four children – Clarence, born Feb 4, 1866; Florence, March 16, 1869; Otho, March 10, 1871, and May, born May 3, 1875. Mr. Cooper has been a member of the order of Odd Fellows since 1858; in 1876 he joined the Universalist Church , and is a reliable and prompt business man.

 

 

GEORGE N. CLARK, Vice president of the Morrow County Bank, Mt. Gilead; was born in Boardman Township, Trumbull, now Mahoning Co., Ohio, March 24, 1814, and like others at that early period, had few facilities for acquiring an education; he lived at home on the farm until he was 24 years of age, and March 22, 1838, he married Miss Mary A. Lowry. She was born in the same county. After his marriage he moved to Portage Co., where he farmed one year, and in the spring of 1839 he came to Woodbury , Delaware , now Morrow Co., and engaged in the general merchandise business, which he continued there for twenty six years, serving as Postmaster for twenty two years of that time. Also, in 1851 he was elected on the Democratic ticket the first Representative of this county, to the Ohio Legislature, and served for two terms, it being the first session of the new constitution. July 18, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the 96^th O. V. I., and served with that command for eight months, when, owing to disabilities, he received his discharge. In 1864, he came to Mt. Gilead and served as County Auditor for four years, since which time he has been Superintendent of the County Infirmary for three and one half years, and has also been identified with several of the business interests of this place. July 18, 1876, M. Clark was called to mourn the death of his wife. They had five children, of whom four are living – Cyrus C., Augustine, Alice M. and Samuel C.  In Feb 1880, the Morrow County National Bank was organized, with Mr. Clark as Vice President, and began business March 22, following. In early times when in business at Woodbury, Mr. Clark had his goods hauled by wagon from Sandusky , and in other ways participated in the comforts of pioneer life.

 

SALO COHN, merchant tailor and dealer in gents’ furnishing goods, Mt. Gilead . This gentleman came to America from Berlin , Prussia , in the year 1870, and took up his residence in the city of Cleveland , Ohio ; where he engaged with Messrs. Koch, Goldsmith, Joseph & Co. (Manufactures and wholesale dealer in clothing and piece goods). He was assigned the charge of the piece goods department, by reason of his excellent judgment of that line of goods, which he acquired by fifteen years experience among the manufactures in Germany . During his stay in Cleveland he became very popular, his frank, out spoken manner, and fair and honest dealing, winning him a large circle of friends, with whom he was loath to part. But in the summer of 1879 he was called to mourn the death of his little son, Berthold, aged 7 years and 6 months, and being alarmed at the then prevailing sickness of the city, he determined to move to the country with his wife and remaining son, Martin. Accordingly, upon hearing of the intention of Messrs. Rowland and Talmage to sell their business, he visited Mt. Gilead , and being favorably impressed with the place and the people, he concluded to purchase the business and make a permanent settlement. The terms were arranged and he took charge in the spring of 1880, thus securing a prominent location and the largest storeroom in the place, in which he has since placed a mammoth stock, by far the largest in the county, all selected in the best taste as to style and quality, thus affording unequalled facilities to patrons. Though but a short time has elapsed since Mr. Cohn came to Mt. Gilead, he had already, by his courtesy and fair dealing, established his as a reliable one price store, in which all receive a hearty welcome, and a general satisfaction is expressed by the patrons at the elegant goods, moderate prices, gentlemanly manners and advantages of the new one price store. In social matters Mr. Cohn has also made his influence felt, and his liberality to enterprise, and all movements tending to the betterment of the community, is a prominent feature of his character.

 

           

CORWIN AND LAMB, livery; Mt. Gilead, Ohio; are located one block east of the American House, Mt. Gilead. They are provided with every convenience for the successful prosecution of their business, having a complete outfit of horses, buggies and carriages; they can, with propriety, ask for a liberal share of the public patronage. Leander A. Corwin the senior member of the firm, was born in the year 1834, being the fourth child of James Corwin, of Knox Co., Ohio . Leander’s father and grandfather were tanners. James continued in the business for some time, but a brother taking his place in the tannery, he engaged in the stock trade, which he continued until the time of his death, in 1876. The mother having died in 1868, both being buried on Thanksgiving Day. Leander during his youth was engaged in farming, but finally went to Mt. Gilead , where he went into the livery business with his brother, and buying and trading in stock. This partnership was dissolved in due time, when he spent about one year in settling up his father’s estate. He farmed another year but continued his residence in town. The year following was spent in buying and shipping horses to Michigan . Mr. married Susan B. Blakely, and has one son about 16 years of age. Mr. Corwin began his present business in 1879. W. B. Lamb, the other of the firm, commenced business for himself at the age of 14. At 16, having accumulated a little money, he commenced trading in stock, and while at times has been farming, has been mainly occupied in buying and raising stock. In 1864 he enlisted in the 179^th O. V. I. remaining in the service until the close of the war, during which time he was principally employed in slaughtering cattle for the brigade. In March 1859, he was married to Mary A. Dye, of Williamsport , Ohio . Has an interesting family of two children – Ida Belle, born in 1861, Fred, born in Sept 1864. He joined the Odd Fellows Lodge NO 469 in 1870; has been a member of the School Board some ten years. He is a democrat.

 

S. L. COOPER,    planing mill; Mt. Gilead ; was born February 21, 1838, at Mt Gilead, Ohio. His father, Elias Cooper, and his mother Maria Talmage Cooper, were born in Knox Co., Ohio . Mr. Cooper being a carpenter, it was but natural that his son should turn to the same business as his father; he remained at home until 21 years of age, learning his trade thoroughly. August 26, 1860, he was married to Margaret C. White. She died on the 22^nd of May, 1873. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted in the 136^th O. N. G. being honorably discharged at the end of a year from the time of enlistment. He then went to Galion, Ohio, and entered the Government service as Local mail Agent; about the spring of 1868, he removed to Newark, Ohio, where he engaged in railroad work, being one of the contractors for the building of the Newark, Somerset & Straitsville R. R.; he subsequently returned to Mt. Gilead, Ohio, and in 1870 commenced the erection of the Cooper Block, on Court Street, fitting up a fine store for the sale of groceries and queens ware; he continued in the trade until 1872, at which time he took a contract for grading twenty miles of the Atlantic & Lake Erie R. R. In October, 1874, he was again married, this time to Jennie, a daughter of William and A. Noe. They have one child- Claude C. Mr. Cooper is actively engaged in the lumber and planing mill business, in company with Milo Doty, the firm name being Cooper & Doty, located two blocks west of Main Street . Mr. Cooper is a Mason, and a member of the M.E.Church; in politics, a Republican.

 

JUDGE A. K. DUNN, lawyer; Mt. Gilead ; is the lawyer of the longest practice at the Morrow Co. Bar, and has built up a professional business that is second to none in the county. He was born in Washington Co, Maryland , January 3, 1819. His parents, Jacob and Rosanna (Kershner) Dunn, were natives of Maryland , and reared a family of fifteen, hiring a teacher by the year to educate them and such other children as cared to share the benefit with the expense. Judge Dunn’s father was a millwright in early life, but in later years he turned his attention to farming, and in 1830 came to Ohio , settling in Knox Co., just south of Mt. Vernon . Judge Dunn’s early life was divided between the farm and the school, until about 1836. In the fall of this year, having come to Ohio with his father, he engaged as clerk in one of the stores of Mt. Vernon , in which his father was a partner. The business, however, proved exceedingly distasteful to him. Sleeping in the law office, where his older brother, David was a student, and frequently visiting the place on other occasions, he early evinced a strong preference for the law. His older brother, however, was the apple of his father’s eye and he was the only one which the fond parent thought fit for a professional career. The death of David, in July, 1837, however, disappointed the hopes of the father, and made him look more favorably upon the wishes of his younger son, resulting in his sending him to Kenyon College for his preliminary education, where he remained three years. Mr. Dunn entered the law office of Hurd & Norton in March 1845, and studied three years. In April of 1848, he came to Mt. Gilead . The formation of the new county attracted a number of lawyers, young men seeking an unoccupied field and an equal chance, and others who aspired to a political life or preferment in the legal profession. These causes brought together some twenty five or thirty lawyers. All have long since left Morrow co., save Judge Dunn, who had been practicing his profession here for the last thirty two years and is the sole representative of the bar of 1848, at the opening of the first term of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1876, he was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Judge Dirlam, of Mansfield . He was one of the originators of the first National Bank of Mt. Gilead , and was the third President. At the end of this year, he closed his connection with the bank by disposing of his stock. Mr. Dunn was an active worker in the Whig party, and during the first years of the Republican Party. Since the days of re construction and the prominence of the “machine” in politics, he has voted with the Republicans, under protest, and is a champion of the civil service reform, and honest methods in politics. February 1854, he was married to Emily Armentrout. His family consists to two sons, both of whom are lawyers, one in Charleston , Ill. the other in Mr. Gilead.