Smalley - Steele

JOHN P. SMALLEY (Perry) p. 333(1)

John P. Smalley is the youngest son of John and Elizabeth (Bradfield) Smalley, and was born on the place where he now resides, June 28, 1823. His father was a native of New Jersey, and his mother was a Virginian by birth. The father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and endured many of the hardships that were common to the lot of the soldiers of that war. He was married in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1807. He was born in the year 1777. He was one of the early settlers of Ashland county, coming here as early as the year 1819, when the beautiful fields we now see in Perry township were covered with a dense wilderness. His experience was similar and his hardships the same, as those endured by the pioneers of that early day, graphic accounts of which we read elsewhere in this volume. John P., the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents until his marriage to Sarah A. Davis, a native of Delaware county, New York. This event took place December 23, 1847. To them have been born eleven children, eight of whom are living: John A., Matthew R., Lindsley H., Frank E., and Charles A.; McClellan, who died in early childhood; Sarah E. who died in childhood; Anna M., Harriet E., Lottie and Sanidda, died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Smalley have been earnest, consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church for the past twenty years—that branch of the Christian religion best exemplifying their beliefs. He has served his county two terms as a county commissioner, and was a careful and faithful officer. Mr. Smalley has, by dint of hard work and careful management, accumulated a fine property. Commencing in poverty, he is now surrounded by a nice family of children and has one of the pleasantest homes in the township. Mr. Smalley is one of Ashland county’s most highly respected citizens. He is noted for his careful habits and good judgment in all matters of a public or business nature. He is spoken of by his neighbors and citizens as one of Perry township’s substantial farmers, and is well regarded by all who know him. He has held the office of township clerk nine years in succession, and was land appraiser as far back as 1860. He held this position in 1870 and also assisted in 1880. He has never aspired to official position, but has been sought out by his fellow citizens, and the office has ever sought the man. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

RICHARD SMALLEY (Perry) p. 336(1)

Richard Smalley was the eighth child and fifth son of Richard and Catharine (Emmond) Smalley. The father was a native of New Jersey, and the mother of Virginia. Their first settlement in Ohio was in Jefferson county, where our subject was born. They moved into Ashland county about the year 1820, and settled on the farm, which is still in the possession of their son, Richard. A half-section of land was his first purchase, on which he built a log cabin and commenced his pioneer life in earnest. At this time, the now beautiful fields of Perry township were a dense wilderness, and it took courage and a brave heart to face the hardships they had to undergo.

Our subject left home before reaching his majority, and worked as a farm hand for Captain Andrews, of Ashland, continuing at this ten or fifteen years. Then he bought a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, near Olivesburgh. After making several purchases of land, and as often changing his residence, he was married to Ardilla Vantilburg, of this county, in the year 1840. To them have been born nine children, five of whom are living. Their names are as follows: Henry C., who was a soldier in the hundred-day service; John W., who was a brave soldier, and died in St. Louis in the service of his country, and now lies buried in his native county; Daniel, who was a soldier, and was killed at Athens, his remains now lying somewhere in the “sunny south” in an unknown, but not forgotten grave, his body never having been found; Richard V.; Jacob, who died in infancy; Silas W., Dr. Benjamin F.; one, an infant unnamed; and William E. Two only live at home—William and Silas. Although not members of any church organization, Mr. and Mrs. Smalley are peace-loving and law-abiding citizens. By dint of hard work, industry, and a wise economy, Mr. Smalley has risen from a poor man to be one of the thriftiest and most substantial farmers of Perry township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Smalley come from old pioneer stock, and to them posterity will look with mingled pleasure and pride for the results they have achieved. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

R.V. SMALLEY (Perry) p. 334(1)

R.V. Smalley, fourth son of Richard and A. Smalley, was born in Montgomery township, Ashland county, Ohio in the year 1847. He resided with his parents until the time of his marriage in the year 1876 to Miss Barbara Jane Golbert. While he is not associated with any church organization, he is a firm advocate of law and order. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

RICHARD S. SMILIE (Perry) p. 327(1)

Richard S. SMILIE, second son of John A. and Catharine Smilie, was born in Chester township, Wayne county, Ohio, in the year 1841. With his parents he came to what is now Perry township, Ashland county. After moving about several times his father finally made a permanent settlement in Vermillion township, and there remained until the time of his death, in 1867, surviving his wife about fourteen years. Mr. Smilie was a man esteemed wherever known. Richard, the subject of our sketch, was married in the year 1866 to Miss Frances Dorland. The fruit of this union was three children, one son and two daughters. Their names are as follows: Jessie, J. Paul and Millie. Mr. Smilie lost his wife December 12, 1879, leaving him with three little children. He served as clerk if his township for one term, and is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has always been one of its most liberal supporters. Mr. Smilie enlisted in the service of his country August 25, 1862, for a period of three years, and was taken prisoner in the spring of 1864, and discharged July 7, 1865, as a prisoner of war, and came out without a scar, although he was not without his hairbreadth escapes, at one time having his pipe and tobacco knocked out of his mouth by a shot from the enemy. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

ADAM SMITH (Troy) p. 336(1)

Adam Smith, son of Henry and Leah Smith, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio May 3, 1831, and came to Ashland in the year 1846 with his parents. He has been a resident of the county ever since, with the exception of about three years that he spent in California. He was twice married; first, on July 18, 1859, to Elizabeth Richards, daughter of Wesley and Jane Richards, who was born in Wayne county, July 5, 1840. The fruit of this union was seven children, as follows: Loren C., Leah J., Willis J., Lewis H., John W., Martin R., and Nora E., all of whom are living. Mrs. Smith died July 9, 1877. Mr. Smith was married July 30, 1879, the second time, to Miss Jennie Pickard, second child of John and Mary A. Pickard, born November 16, 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. When Mr. Smith came to Ashland county the farm he now owns was all woods. Mr. Smith served in the office of trustee of Troy township one term. When Mr. Smith went to California he went by the way of New York; from there he went to Aspinwall; from there crossed the isthmus to Panama; from there to Gargonia, Mexico; and from there to San Francisco, and then to Sacramento, and took the steamer up the river to Red bluff, in Chasta county, and from there to Trinity county, and footed it forty miles over the mountains to work in the mines. He remained there three years and four months, and by this time he had a good start and returned home. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

DAVID SMITH JR. (Orange) p. 344(1)

David Smith jr. was born in Perry township, Wayne county (now Ashland), Ohio, December 4, 1824, and moved to Orange township about the year 1839 where he has since resided. He was married to Rossetta, daughter of John and Anna Bails, who was born in Wayne county April 11, 1834, They have had a family of eight children as follows: Iva A., John B., James N., Maggie E., Emmit H., Stewart S., Etta M., and Emma C., all living but James N. and Stewart S. Four of the children are still at home. Mr. Smith and wife are earnest members of the Presbyterian church. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

GEORGE B. SMITH (Clearcreek) p. 393(1)

GEORGE B. SMITH was born in Ashland, Ohio, December 5, 1844. He received his education at the Ashland union schools, and at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio. He was admitted to the bar at Ashland in 1867, after reading the required time and course in the office of his father, J.W. Smith, and soon after was taken into his fathers business as partner, which partnership still exists. He was also admitted to the circuit court of the United States for the Northern district of Ohio, at Cleveland, in 1874. In 1879 he was married, at St. Louis, to Miss Jessie Sutherland, of that city, daughter of Hon. J.W. Sutherland, a former well-known Ashland county boy. In 1878 he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of his county, being elected thereto by the Democratic Party, of which he is an active working member. At the end of his first term he was again renominated for the same position. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

HENRY SMITH (Troy) p. 181(1)

HENRY SMITH was born in Pennsylvania in 1796, and located in Columbiana with his parents after the war of 1812. He moved thence to Clearcreek township, where he resided until 1846, when he purchased a farm and settled in Troy township. He cleared and improved a valuable homestead. He died in 1865, aged about sixty-nine years. His family were: John, Adam, Samuel, Joseph, Elizabeth Biddinger, Susan Stenz, Mary Ann Beymer, and Caroline Barrack. The family are considerably scattered. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JAMES B. SMITH (Vermillion) p. 299(1)

James B. Smith was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, November 18, 1815. When a little more than one year old, his parents moved to Ashland county and located in Vermillion township, about three miles south of Hayesville, on land entered by Mr. Smith’s grandfather. This section of the country was unimproved, and they had to endure the hardships that only these hardy pioneers could. James, the subject of this sketch, grew up among these scenes, in which he took part, until he reached manhood. March 3, 1840, he married Lydia Workman, and at once emigrated to the State of Illinois, where he expected to remain; but in the fall of the same year his father’s death decided him to return to the scenes of his childhood, and after closing up the affairs of his father, he settled down where he now resides, and determined to remain here. From that time to the present, Mr. Smith has seen the many changes that have taken place. Where the old forest trees swayed to and fro, waving fields of grain and grass now fill the heart of the owner and passer-by with thankfulness to him who ruleth the destinies of mankind. The old log cabins, with their spacious fire-places, have gone, and in their place are beheld beautiful and convenient houses, brick and frame, and large barns filled with the abundant harvest. The ox team, and the ungainly cart with its wooden wheels, we see no more, but, in its stead, the prancing steed, in light, but durable harness, moves rapidly over a smooth road, with a four-wheel vehicle that would have been a thing of wonder to our venerable forefathers. Mrs. Smith died February 3, 1845. They had four children. One child, a daughter, and the first of the family, died at the age of two years. The others are: Lydia Amanda, who was the wife of John VanDeren, and died in March 1874, in Kansas; Ruth Ann, wife of Dr. Cole, of Crestline, Ohio; and Stephen S., who is married and lives in Jasper county, Missouri. April 15, 1847, Mr. Smith married Martha Jane McClure. To them have been born five children; two sons and three daughters. Wilber F. died May 29, 1854. Of the remaining four, one son is married and the three daughters remain with their parents. Mr. Smith has served as justice of the peace for six years, and although a Republican since the existence of that party, he was elected to the office in a township which was strongly Democratic. Mr. And Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Hayesville. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

NATHAN W. SMITH (Hanover) p. 297(1)

Nathan W. Smith was born in Wayne county, Ohio in 1835, and came to Ashland county in 1856 with his father, who settled on the farm now owned by John Richey, in Vermillion township. In 1866 he married Maggie E. Lair, of Wilmington, Clinton, Ohio. He learned photography in Wooster, Ohio, with Walter Jones, and has since been located in Hayesville, Monroeville, Fostoria and Upper Sandusky, and is now located in Loudonville. In politics he is a Republican, and is the father of three children, Lulu, Olive and Mildred. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

ROBERT W. SMITH (Milton) p. 351(1) Entry #1

Robert W. Smith was a native of Vermont, and the eldest son of Elisha and Amy Smith. He was born December 1, 1799, and with his parents moved to the State of New York, and from there to Ohio in the year18— and settled first in what is now Plain township, Wayne county, but shortly afterwards moved to Mohican township, Ashland county where he made his permanent residence until his death. He died at his home about three miles southeast of Jeromeville. He married for his first wife Priscilla Hatch, by whom he had eight children: Wilber R., Julia A., Adelia, Elisha, Lydia, Asa, Edmund P., and Harriet. All are dead except Edmund P. His first wife died, and for his second wife he married Mrs. Isabella Cliffs, who still survives, and now resides in Iowa with her son Dr. D.B. Cliffs, a prominent physician of that State. She has reached the advanced age of eighty years. He suffered from a severe hemorrhage of the lungs at the age of twenty-five, and was never considered a strong man physically from that time until the day of his death. He was, however, a very active, energetic man, and possessed of a good mind and rare business qualifications. He gave his attention to the buying and selling of stock, which he followed with good success. The pursuit of this business necessitated his leading much of his life on horseback, and this, no doubt was the means of prolonging his life. He was a man of good judgment and careful business habits, and accumulated a handsome property. Our subject experienced all the hardships and privations that were common to the pioneers of that day. He was a resident of Ashland county when it was a howling wilderness and but one house was to be found between Jeromeville and Ashland. He made several trips to the mouth of the Huron River to get a barrel of salt, that being the nearest point at which it could be procured. He narrowly escaped with his life, one night on his way home with provisions he had procured for the household. The wolves followed him for a long distance, he keeping them back with a stick he carried . They followed him even to the door of his cabin, and by the time he reached his home had become so bold as to almost defy his frequent attacks upon them with his club. His father Elisha was born February 18, 1873, and died January 29, 1851. His mother was born April 7, 1778, and died August 22, 1856. The only surviving member of this family is Edmund P. Smith, of whom we cannot refrain from saying just a word. He is a genial, courteous gentleman, and highly esteemed by the citizens of his native county. He was born August 31, 1834, and was married November 24, 1857 to Miss Ellen E. Hoy, who was born August 28, 1835, and is the daughter of one of the early settlers of Ashland county, a sketch of whom will be found in another place of this volume. To him has been born one child, Julia M., August 10, 1858. Mr. Smith served a term of nearly three years in the late war on General Garfield’s staff as quartermaster sergeant. He is a staunch Republican and an earnest advocate of his chosen party’s measures and principles. Independent in thought and action, he is esteemed by members of both parties alike for his convictions upon all matters of a public nature. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

ROBERT W. SMITH (Milton) p. 402(1) Entry #2

Robert W. Smith was married to Priscilla Hatch about January, 1823. She was a native of New York, born March 25, 1799, and died March 3, 1837. The family consisted of eight children: Wilbur R., Julia A., Elisha, Adelia, Lydia, Asa, Edmund P., and Harriet Smith, all deceased, save Edmund P. Robert W. Smith’s life was full of the hardships, privations and dangers of pioneer life. At one time returning late to his hut with provisions, and night overtaking him, he was chased a long distance by a pack of hungry wolves, and only escaped by throwing a ham of fresh pork to them as he sprang into the hut which was opened and quickly closed by a comrade inside. He was full of energy, and amongst his first successful enterprises, was buying cattle and oxen, and driving them to Detroit, Michigan, to sell, passing through “Black Swamp” where there were twenty miles without a habitation, and often compelled to return to his starting point at night for accommodations for himself and horse. In later years his son, Edmund P., often accompanied him to Michigan to buy cattle to bring home to graze and fatten on his farms. He bought horses, and travelled them to New York city to sell, and sold dry goods in the town of Mohicanville. The latter business proved very unprofitable but he died worth a handsome competence, leaving a name of stainless integrity to community, and a sacred memory of unfailing tenderness and affection for his family and friends. He died July 16, 1872. About 1844 he married a worthy and estimable lady, Mrs. Isabella Cliffe, a native of Scotland, who still survives at the ripe age of eighty years. She passes her declining years with her son, Dr. D.B. Cliffe, of Franklin, Tennessee, a very prominent physician, and noted during the civil war for his unwavering devotion to the Union. (Transcribed and contributed by Linda J. Collins)

THOMAS SMITH (Milton) p. 201(1)

Was a native of Sussex county, State of Delaware, and was born January 12, 1780. His parents being quite poor, he was compelled at an early age to enter the employ of strangers to procure a living. When a mere boy he became a sailor, in the coast trade, on the Delaware Bay. For many years he followed a seafaring life, during which he became well versed in the vocabulary of that branch of human enterprise, and obtained from “Jack” a wonderful store of anecdote and song. He was vivacious, brave, and uncommonly active, and prided himself on being an experienced sailor and hardy seaman. In the meantime, he acquired a fair knowledge of the English branches taught in the schools of Delaware, wrote a fair hand, and concluded to abandon the sea and seek a home in the far west. In 1805 he married, and in 1806, with his wife and father’s family, emigrated, by the usual route, to Fairfield county, Ohio. In 1813 he was drafted to serve in the army in the northwest part of Ohio, and was out twenty-one days, when peace was declared and he discharged. In March 1818, he emigrated to Milton township, and located for a short time on what was then known as the Jonathan Markley farm.

He subsequently purchased the farm on which his aged widow now resides, near Burns’ schoolhouse, to which he removed. Mrs. Smith thinks his nearest neighbors then were: Nicholas Rutan, John Owens, John Taylor, Jacob Foulks, William Houston, Benjamin Montgomery, Boston Burgett, John Crabbs, David Crabbs. Andrew Burns, Robert Nelson, Frederick Sulcer, John Bryte, and a few others, very much scattered.

At the April election, in 1819, Thomas Smith was elected a constable for Milton township. At the April election of 1820 he was elected one of the trustees for Milton township. In 1821 he was re-elected. In 1823 he was elected appraiser of property. In 1824 he was re-elected appraiser of property. In 1825 he was elected lister and appraiser of property. In 1826 he was elected supervisor for his quarter of the township. In 1827-8 he was elected overseer of the poor of the township. In 1829 he was elected treasurer of Milton township. In 1830 he was elected justice of the peace, and was re-elected the six succeeding terms, making a continued service of twenty-one years. During his official career as justice of the peace he was repeatedly elected township treasurer, trustee and road supervisor. Very few officials anywhere had a stronger hold upon the confidence of the public. In the midst of his official duties, in 1837, he taught a district school and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of his employers.

It may be proper, in this connection, to speak more fully of the popularity of the squire. He was benevolent to a fault. He rarely permitted a plaintiff to distress a debtor, always endeavoring to prevent the accumulation of cost, by giving the party notice prior to commencing an action. His docket shows that after judgment had been rendered he often neglected to exact the full payment of his own costs. This act of mercy, though it ill rewarded him for his time and worry, made him many friends among the poor pioneers. Again, he was free with his money, social and remarkably shrewd. He could tell a good story, sing a pioneer or sailor song, and was the central figure at a logrolling, house-raising, corn husking, or at an election. It was his custom, on election days, to treat his friends. For many years saloonkeepers from Ashland were in the habit of sending beer and gingerbread to the polls in Milton township, at the elections. When Squire Smith was in his prime he often purchased a keg of beer and treated his political friends, and to wind up the sport, took a large roll of gingerbread under each arm, and passing through the crowd, permitted those who desired to do so, to pluck off a large slice. This produced much amusement among the young men, and the mirthful voters joining in, the scene was decidedly rich. In the meantime the voting quietly progressed, and Squire Smith was always elected. In the days of old corn whiskey, he was expected to treat with a stronger stimulant than beer. In his familiar moods, he would take a tumbler of whiskey, put in sugar, and stir it with his finger, and invite his friends to drink health and prosperity. To abstinence people this may seem objectionable; but church members, as well as all others, by the customs of those days, were regarded as uncivil unless they treated their visiting friends.

The long official services of Mr. Smith show that he retained the confidence and respect of the people of his township to the last. He was emphatically an honest man. As a politician he was frank and firm. He declared he was a Democrat after the Jeffersonian and Jackson school.

His death occurred July 18, 1851. Being exceedingly fond of fruit, he climbed upon a rail fence, near his residence, to gather cherries from a tree, and his foot-hold being insecure he fell upon his head and shoulders, dislocating his neck, and expired before he was discovered. He was about seventy-two years of age at his decease. His widow, now (1875) eighty-seven years of age, still survives, and possesses a clear recollection of the past, though physically quite frail. Mr. Smith was the father of eleven children, seven sons and four daughters: Robert, Henry, John, Mitchel, Charles, William and Thomas, and Ardilla, Catharine, Margaret and Malinda, all of whom are married, and some of whom reside in other parts of the State. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JOHN SNYDER (Perry) p. 328(1)

John Snyder and family emigrated from Adams county, Pennsylvania October 20, 1833, and arrived at Jeromeville on the above mentioned date, with but one shilling in his pocket, which was expended on the following morning for one pound of butter. Fortunately for him, his services were much needed, he being a carpenter. He at once contracted to erect a barn on what is now known as the Glass farm, and by the aid of his four willing sons, Levi, Jeremiah, H.K. and William, his task was soon completed. In the spring of 1836 he leased the Meng farm, and for a period of three years he combined cabinet making with farming. After the expiration of his lease, he made several removals, when he finally returned to Perry township and settled on the Schwartz farm, where he remained until the death of his wife. Two years after this sad occurrence he and his family, with the exception of Henry, moved to LaGrange county, Indiana, where he followed cabinet making and contracting, meeting with severe losses by fire. Yet, with all his trials and reverses, he lived to the ripe old age of eighty-four years, retaining his full vigor and strength of mind. Henry, the subject of this sketch, and the only representative of the Snyder family residing in Ashland county, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, in the year 1817. He came to Ohio with his parents, and now resides in Perry township. He was twice married, first, in the year 1837, to Miss Anna Meng. To them were born five children, four sons and one daughter, as follows: Andrew Phillip, John H., Jacob M., Samuel, and May Margaret Ann, all of whom are living, but Samuel, who died at the age of eleven years, from an injury received from the kick of a horse; the daughter also died in early childhood, at the age of two years. The wife and mother died in the year 1875, leaving a family of three children. Mr. Snyder was again married, in the winter of 1879 to Elizabeth Meng. He is an earnest member of the Reformed church, and has always been one of its most liberal supporters. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

DAVID G. SPENCER (Sullivan) p. 356(1)

David G. Spencer was born in Harrison county, Ohio in 1819 where he received a common school education. In 1840 he married Margaret Ferrell, and came to Ashland county and settled on the farm now owned by John Spencer, in Sullivan township. He is a farmer and stock raiser and has been trustee of the township several years and still holds that office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Republican. He is the father of four children: Mary E., wife of E.W. Chamberlain; Joseph W., who married Laura J. Bolles; Charles F., who married Alice Close, all living in Ashland county, and one child who died in infancy. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JOHN A. SPENCER (Sullivan) p. 355(1)

John A. Spencer was born in Harrison county, Ohio in 1822; came to Ashland county in 1845 and settled on the farm where he now lives, and has been engaged in farming and stock raising. In 1852 he went by way of the isthmus to California, where he engaged in mining for fifteen months with good success. In 1853 he returned by the Nicaraugua route. In 1849 he married Margaret Summers of Ashland county and is the father of seven children: Devilla, who lives in Montana; Addie, Herschel, Biddy, Milton, Christina, and Mary, all of whom live in Ashland county. For three years he has been constable in Lake township; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Democrat. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JOSEPH W. SPENCER (Sullivan) p. 355(1)

Joseph W. Spencer was born in Maryland, in 1796, where he received his education. In 1816 he came to Ohio and first settled in Harrison county where he married Biddy Archbold. While there he was elected justice of the peace four terms. In 1845, he came to Ashland county and settled on the farm now owned by John A. Spencer; and was here elected justice of the peace two terms. For about fifty years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and died in 1864 his wife surviving until 1878. Seven of his nine children are living: David, who married Margaret Ferrill; Sarah A., wife of William A. Beck; John A., who married Margaret Summers; Mary J., wife of Valentine Piper–all living in Ashland county; Joseph W., who married Susan Bemer, and lives in Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of Frederick Housman, of Ashland county, and Daniel who lives in Michigan. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JACOB SPRENG (Mohican) p. 362(1)

Jacob Spreng, son of John and Catharine Spreng, was born in Alsace, Germany, October 8, 1813. His father and mother were born at the same place in 1774 and 1777, respectively, and raised a family of seven children, all of whom came to America in 1831. Jacob Spreng was married May 12, 1838, to Margaret Faber, by whom he had thirteen children: Philip, Barbara, Catharine, John, Jacob Frederick, and George Christian, twins, Isaac, Otto, Enos, Mary Amma and Lydia Anna, twins, Martha Matilda and E. Albert. He has one grandchild, John Calvin Smith, son of Barbara, who lives with his grandfather, his mother having died when he was an infant. Mr. Spreng is a member of Hop Evangelical church.]. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JOHN SPRENG (Mohican) p. 360(1) Entry #1

John Spreng, son of Jacob and Margaret Spreng, was born in Clinton township, Wayne county, May 14, 1845, and was married September 23, 1866, to Matilda B., daughter of Alfred and Elzan Baird, by whom he had four children: Alfred A., born August 12, 1867; Isaac E., born March 23, 1869; one who died in infancy, unnamed; and Mary, born October 21, 1875. Mr. Spreng is a member of the United Brethren church, in which he has held the most important offices, as well as having been class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday school. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

JOHN SPRENG (Mohican) p. 362(1) Entry #2

John Spreng, son of Jacob and Margaret Spreng, was born in Clinton township, Wayne county, May 14, 1845, and was married September 23, 1866, to Matilda B. Baird, daughter of Alfred and Elzan Baird. By this union were born four children: Alfred, born August 12, 1867; Isaac E., born March 23, 1869, who died in infancy; Mary Maud, born October 21, 1875. Mr. Spreng has always followed farming; he served as supervisor in his district in 1870. He joined the United Brethren church in 1862, of which he has been a prominent member up to this date, and in which he has held the principal offices of the church. Besides being superintendent in their Sunday-school for a number of years, has served as class-leader at least ten years. (Transcribed and contributed by Linda J. Collins)

JOHN SPRINGER (Montgomery) p. 210(1)

JOHN SPRINGER was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 27, 1794. He was of German descent, his ancestors having come from that country prior to the American Revolution. He grew to manhood amid the border scenes of his native country, and learned the story of the cruelties of the savage red men. His education, in consequence of the newness of that region, was confined to the elementary branches. At the age of twenty, in the year 1814, he visited Richland, now Ashland county, Ohio, and selected the homestead, where he deceased. His father, Michael Springer, had entered three quarter sections of land at the office in Canton, in Montgomery township, upon one of which he built a cabin, while John selected another tract. On this trip he was accompanied by Jacob and William Figley and his son John. They all camped together by the side of a large log, against which they erected a shed-roofed camp-house. They built the first cabin for Jacob Figley, who moved to it first, and made the farm the homestead, where he died many years since. In raising the cabin, they invited John and Charles Wheeler, Conrad Cline, Jacob Heller, Jesse Newell, Jacob Cline, and the late Daniel Carter and son, they being pretty much all the settlers in the township. Provisions were growing very scarce. Michael Springer and the Figleys had brought along a few bushels of corn-meal, some potatoes, and a little salt meat on a pack-horse; but when the cabin was ready to be raised their food had become almost exhausted. In preparation for the raising, John Springer took his gun and hunting dog the day before the frolic, and scoured the forest in search of wild meat. When he arrived near Beall’s trail, some two miles south of their hut, his dog treed a large and very fat raccoon, which he shot, and upon arriving at home dressed and boiled it with potatoes for dinner on the day of the raising. He obtained from some of the pioneers a little flour, which was mixed in a sugar trough and baked in an ash-cake for the same occasion. With a degree of merriment Mr. Springer informed the writer that the hands all thought it a very fine dinner and relished it very much, washing it down with parched corn coffee boiled in a brass kettle. This was in December 1814, just sixty-four years ago. That region of Montgomery township was then a dreary and dense forest, inhabited by wolves and other wild animals. The war of 1812 was drawing to a close. They had been six weeks preparing Mr. Figley’s cabin and were glad to retrace their steps to Allegheny county. The party returned by way of Wooster, then a mere village, staying one night at a little hotel kept by a Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jacob Figley, who was a brother-in-law of Mr. Springer, returned to Ohio in 1816 and occupied his cabin; while John Springer did not permanently locate until 1818. He came out and cleared a fraction of the land prior to that time, making his home part of the time at the hotel of William Montgomery, then located where the hardware store of Mr. Stull now stands, and often went deer hunting with the late George Swineford to supply their quota of wild meat–he also boarded at the same log hotel. About this time he married Elizabeth, daughter of the late Daniel Carter.

When Mr. Springer located he was of the opinion his neighbors were William Dwire, Solomon Sherradden, John Owens, Peter Swineford, George Butler, the Wheelers, Clines and Newells; and in 1820 Henry Springer, Elijah Smith, Jesse Callihan, who married Rachel Carter, and the Figleys, William and Jacob.

Mrs. Springer deceased about 1847, since which time John Springer has resided with his children. His family, at his decease, consisted of five sons and five daughters, all grown: William, John, Lorin, Augustus and Herbert, Susan, Matilda, Rachel, Elizabeth and Irsula, all living.

Mr. Springer lived a harmless and exemplary life. For nearly fifty years he was strongly attached to the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal church, though of late years, from the distance of his residence from the church, he was compelled from the infirmities of age, to remain at home most of the time.

At the organization of the Pioneer and Historical society of Ashland county, he became an enthusiastic member, and was always in attendance at the regular meetings. It is a remarkable fact that Mr. Springer was never known to have been sick until his last illness, which was but of a few days’ duration. He died at the residence of Samuel Thornburg, in Montgomery township, Thursday, December 5, 1878, aged about eighty-four years, of general debility.

He was followed to the grave, the final resting place of all, by a large number of neighbors and friends. He was buried at the Carter cemetery beside his wife and kindred. Peaceful is the rest of the good and true. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

THOMAS SPROTT (Clearcreek) p. 187(1)

Thomas Sprott p. 381

THOMAS SPROTT was born in Newville, Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, March 4, 1766. His parents were of Irish birth, from county Downe, in Ireland, and immigrated to America in the year 1764. When Thomas Sprott was a small boy his parents moved to the region now known as Allegheny county, and settled on the banks of the Youghiogeny River, where they remained a short time. Owing to the sparseness of the settlers and the hazards of Indian invasion, they deemed it best to change their location. The father of Thomas selected a new home, twelve miles west of Pittsburgh, and four south of the Ohio River, which at that point runs nearly west. Here he erected a strong log cabin after the manner of the pioneers, and commenced to prepare a farm for culture. The Wyandot and Delaware Indians made frequent incursions among the border settlers, capturing the children of the pioneers, killing and scalping whole families, and conveying away horses and other property.

These expeditions were so frequently repeated that the Government deemed it best to establish forts within the Indian territory. Accordingly, General McIntosh was ordered to construct a fort near the junction of the Beaver with the Ohio river, in the spring of 1778. It was built of strong stockades, furnished with bastions, and mounted one six-pound cannon. The fort was called McIntosh, after the general. A strong garrison was placed within the fort to protect the settlements. The ferocity of the northwestern Indians continuing, and many incursions being made by them into the border settlements, General McIntosh was ordered to conduct an expedition, consisting of one thousand men, to Upper Sandusky to punish the warriors. Prior to setting out, he erected Fort Laurens, on the Tuscarawas, and proceeded on his expedition, the result of which is narrated in the history of the times.

The pioneers of the border were generally rough, rugged and fearless men. They taught their sons the art of border defense, and it was not unusual to find boys at the age of twelve or fifteen years fine woodsmen and unerring marksmen. The sons of Mr. Sprott, like the Wetzels, the Shepards, the Zanes, and others, were early taught the use of the rifle, that they might aid in repelling the savage red-skins in their attempts at capturing or murdering the settlers. At the age of seventeen Thomas Sprott was sufficiently skillful to become an effective scout and spy, and was induced by Brady, to enter the service.*

In 1779 General Broadhead was ordered to Fort Pitt with his regiment, and Samuel Brady, who had been at the siege of Boston, and was a lieutenant at the massacre of the Paoli, accompanied the regiment. A short time prior to this, his father and brother had fallen by the hands of Indians, and Brady had sworn to avenge their murder; and was full of relentless hate. He was selected by General Broadhead, upon the suggestion of General Washington, as a suitable officer to proceed to Upper Sandusky to ascertain the number of British and Indians in that region. He was appointed captain of the spies, and furnished a rude map of the country in which the Indians were supposed to be located. He was accompanied by four Chickasaws, and some eight or ten select woodsmen and Indian hunters, as spies. They were all dressed and painted in true Indian style, and looked so much like Indians that it was really difficult to distinguish them from the genuine article. Brady was versed in the wiles of Indian strategy, and was well acquainted with their languages and mode of warfare. He led his band in safety through the deep, dark forests, across streams and over marshes and bogs to the Sandusky. On the way, his Chickasaws, deserted him, and suspecting treachery, he was doubly on his guard. On his arrival at Sandusky, he concealed his men, and stealthily approached the Indian town in company with a select spy, where from his concealment he saw about three thousand Indians engaged in the amusement of the race-ground. They had just returned from Virginia and Kentucky with some fine blooded horses. After watching the Indians some hours, he and his companion returned to the place where he had concealed his spies and they turned their faces homeward. On the homeward trip to Fort McIntosh, Brady and his men had several startling adventures. He returned to Fort Pitt and made due report to General Broadhead, and was saluted as a hero.

In 1789 a line of spies and scouts was formed to patrol the borders from Fort Henry, now Wheeling, to Fort Le Boeuff on Lake Erie, of which Samuel Brady was captain. Thomas Sprott, Samuel Sprott, Alexander McConnell, Lewis Wetzel, George Foulks, Adam Poe, Andrew Poe, and some eight or ten other active border hunters were members of the company, which was regularly organized. About this time Captain Brady concluded to enter the Ohio wilderness and proceed in the direction of Upper Sandusky, in the hope of discovering an encampment of the Indians, who were constantly harassing the border settlers. In company with George Foulks, Thomas Sprott, Samuel Sprott, McConnell, a young man by the name of Grant, and five or six others, whose headquarters were at Fort McIntosh, Captain Brady ascended Big Beaver to the mouth of the Mahoning and encamped over night. During the ascent of Beaver, one of the company shot a very fat young bear, a part of which they roasted and cooked for supper. They all eat heartily of the meat, and during the night young Grant was taken suddenly very sick; in the morning he was unable to proceed. After consultation, it was agreed that he should return to Fort McIntosh. He was unable to go alone. Lots were drawn to determine who should accompany him. The task fell upon a young man who was very anxious to continue with the expedition, and he refused to go back. The lot then fell upon Thomas Sprott, very much to his regret, because he was desirous of advancing. He and Grant descended the Beaver in a canoe, and landed safety at the fort.

Captain Brady and his men continued up the Mahoning to about the present site of Youngstown, where they left the stream and traveled through the forest in a southwest direction, until they reached Sugar creek, some twelve miles below the present site of Wooster, where they found a camp of Indians, one of which they shot, while another fled into the forest. The escaping Indian appeared to be a chief, and fled across the creek with the fleetness of a deer, and disappeared. From this point they traveled a westerly course until they reached a stream now known as Apple creek, where they found a camp with one man, a woman, and a boy. They shot the man and woman, and the boy being some distance from the camp, and hearing the guns, cautiously approached, dodging from tree to tree; and when he had come within speaking distance, one of Brady’s men told him to come in, as his father and mother were safe. The boy became alarmed and attempted to escape; but one of the sharp shooters shot him through the bowels as he ran, and so disabled him that he was easily caught. On examination it was found the wound would be fatal. It was then determined to dispatch him. The poor little fellow understood what was to be his fate, and clung to the legs of one of the scouts, begging him to save his life, and take him along. A blow from a tomahawk soon silenced his cries and his body was left as food for wild beasts.

From 1781 to 1791 during the Indian hostilities, Fort McIntosh was the principal headquarters of Brady and his men. Here the Sprouts, McConnells, Wetzels, Poes and Dickinson’s often met for consultation. From 1783, the close of the Revolutionary war, until the defeat of Harmar and St. Clair, the border settlements were comparatively secure from Indian invasion. Brady and his men often passed up the Beaver to the Mahoning, and once or twice to the Cuyahoga where, on one occasion, Brady made a celebrated leap to escape from his pursuers. His trips with the spies frequently extended to Fort Laurens on the Tuscarawas.

In 1793-4 Thomas Sprott was employed by the Government to carry the mail from Fort Legionville, the winter quarters of General Wayne, to Fort Franklin on the Allegheny. His route was along an old Indian trail, without bridges or means of crossing streams, which he was compelled to wade, many times when flooded with ice. The trip was beset by many dangers, yet he delivered his precious packages promptly.

In 1795, after the treaty of Greenville, Thomas Sprott crossed the Ohio and located a tract of land near the present site of the village of Darlington, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania. About this time he married Mary Woodburn, of Allegheny county, and moved upon his farm, which consisted of four hundred acres. The disastrous defeat of the combined tribes, at Fallen Timbers, by General Wayne, and the large cession of territory made the United States by the tribes at the treaty of Greenville, completely humbled the warlike leaders, and a peace of fifteen years between the Indians and pioneers of Ohio prevailed.

The transition from Indian scout to the peaceful occupation of agriculturist was easy and agreeable to Thomas Sprott. He soon became noted as a quiet and careful farmer. To the day of his death he took great pleasure in narrating the adventures and hairbreadth escapes of Brady and his men, and proudly contended that the great State of Ohio was indebted to such leaders and men for expulsion of the merciless savage, who had so often desolated the borders of Pennsylvania and Virginia.

Mr. Sprott remained on his farm in Beaver county until 1821, when his excellent wife deceased. In 1823 he purchased a farm in Clearcreek township, Richland, now Ashland, county, and with his family, consisting of four sons and four daughters, located thereon, James, his oldest son, remaining in Beaver county.

When Mr. Sprott arrived in Clearcreek it was but sparsely settled. The Delawares and a few of the Wyandots returned annually to make sugar and hunt. They were then harmless and annoyed no one. Mr. Sprott had but little intercourse with them, and was never disturbed. He had seen enough of the red-skins on the eastern border of the State; and the sight of a tomahawk and an Indian hunter brought unpleasant memories of the past.

In 1839 Mr. Sprott deceased, and according to a desire expressed sometime before his death, was buried on a favorite Indian mound a few hundred yards northeast of his residence, where his son William was also buried in 1845. The location of the mound is very striking. It was built upon an upheaval of drift deposited during the glacial period, something over ninety-feet high, with a circular base some three hundred yards in diameter. This natural upheaval or deposit of drift was slightly flattened on the top, where the Indians erected two mounds, each of which possessed a diameter, at the base, of about twenty-five feet, and a height of about five feet. From the top of this mound a grand view is presented. The observer can take in a landscape of five or six miles, exhibiting as fine a valley of land as can be seen on the globe. Here, Thomas Sprott, the brave old scout and pioneer, rests from his toils, with a reputation unsullied, and a consciousness of having done his duty as a citizen, a soldier, and a Christian.

Mr. Sprott raised an excellent family of sons and daughters, who are much scattered; Thomas, jr., aged seventy-two, resides on the old homestead; Samuel, aged seventy-one, resides in Auburn, Indiana; John, aged sixty-seven, resides at Bryan, Ohio; Jane married Colonel Samuel Russell, and resides in Seattle, King county, Washington Territory; Martha resides in Savannah, Ashland county, Ohio; Mary married Samuel Sprott, a cousin, and resides in Leseur City, Minnesota. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

THOMAS STAFFORD (Vermillion) p. 307(1)

Thomas Stafford was born September 15, 1815, in Jefferson county, Ohio. Nathan Stafford, his father, moved from Jefferson county in September 1820, and bought a tract of land from Ephraim Palmer, where he remained until his death, in September 1847. The subject of this sketch made his father’s house his home until he was married, March 5, 1839, to Phebe, daughter of David and Betsy Stevens, who came to Vermillion township in 1832, and located on a tract of land adjoining Mr. Stafford’s farm, where they lived the remainder of their lives, Mr. Stevens to the ripe age of nearly eighty years, having deceased in 1866. Mrs. Stevens died in 1877, aged eighty-two years, ten months, and six days. Mrs. Stafford says, that though her father and mother lived to such an advanced age, yet their minds were bright, and they were not childish, as most persons are at that age.

The parents of Mr. And Mrs. Stafford, the subjects of this sketch, were surely pioneers, and are remembered by many who are much younger. They have four children, one son and three daughters, three of whom are married and have gone to try the realities of life for themselves. Amanda M. was born in December 1839, and is the wife of J.N. McClanahan, and attorney-at-law at Chariton, Iowa. They were married in September, 1872, and have three children: Arvilla, the second child, who was born in 1842, and remains with her parents; David L., who was born in August, 1846, and was married February 13, 1873, to Miss Martha E. Heiser, of Mohican township, Ashland county, and has three children; the youngest child is the wife of T.C. Nelson, married in December, 1876, and lives in Hayesville, and has one child. Mr. And Mrs. Stafford still live on the farm that was their first purchase about thirty-four years ago. They have a fine farm, and seem quite contented, as they well may, to make it their home the balance of their days.

Mr. Stafford has served the interests of his township as supervisor, and has, for many years, held the office of school director. They are cheerful, and are well calculated to await old age without regret for the past. Mrs. Stafford died at the age of eighty-two years and a few days, about three days previous to the death of Mrs. Stevens. The mother of Mrs. Thomas Stafford purchased in Green township, in 1844, and remained there about two years and a half, when they purchased their present home. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

BENJAMIN STAMAN (Mifflin)

George William Hill, M.D. History of Ashland county, Ohio, page 401
Benjamin Staman came from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, in about 1827. In 1830 he was married to Anna Kauffman, who came with her parents from the same county at about the same time. She was the daughter of Dr. John Kauffman, who was a physician of good reputation, both in Pennsylvania and after his settlement in this State. To Mr. and Mrs. Staman were born five children, two of whom died in infancy and childhood, and one, Jacob B., died when twenty years of age. The two now living are John K. and Christian C. Mr. Staman built a saw-mill on his property, which has since been several times repaired and added to, and is yet in use. His wife died in 1877, and he now lives with his son John K. After he had been here for some time he bought a portion of the Zimmer or Seymour place, which he still retains. John K. Staman, his son, was born March 8, 1833, and was married February 25, 1869, to Elizabeth A. Grabill. They have had five children; Anna E., Clara B., Cyrus B.(who died when seven months of age), Willard and Frank. Christian C. Staman was born June 25, 1838, and was married in 1862 to Elizabeth Croninger. They have had two children, Nettie and Huldah. The latter died in infancy. Both John K. and C. C. Staman have fine collections of Indian antiquities and geological specimens. (Transcribed and contributed by Barbara H. Hart)

JACOB STAMAN, SR. (Mifflin) p. 318(1)

Jacob Staman was born November 5, 1812, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and in 1824 came with his father to Mifflin township. He died in 1866 on the old farm, near what is known as Staman’s mill, aged about fifty-three years. He left four sons, William, Abraham, Curtis J., Francis L., and five daughters, Anny, Mary M., Fanny B., Harriet E., and Elizabeth H. The sons are all married but one, Francis L., and all the daughters but Elizabeth H. Mrs. Fanny Staman, formerly Miss Fanny Lantz, married Mr. Laman in 1842, in Richland county. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

PETER HIGH STAUFFER (Hanover) p. 296(1)

Peter H. Stauffer was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania; and in 1875, at Milford, Berks county, Pennsylvania; he opened a printing office and began the publication of a paper called Our Home Friend, which he published there two years, and one year at Quakertown, in connection with a job office. In 1878 he came to Loudonville and purchased the Advocate office, and began the publication of the Loudonville Advocate, in connection with Our Home Friend, the latter having a circulation of nine thousand and the former nine hundred. In 1875 he married Augusta, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Vermillion township. Mr. Stauffer is a member of the Mennonite church, and is the father of two children: Gilman and Clara. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

ALONZO N. STEARNS (Green) p. 279(1)

Alonzo N. Stearns, was born in Perrysville in 1827, and in 1851 married Mary J. Heath, of Loudonville. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, having learned his trade of A.A. Quick. He followed that occupation twenty-six years, when he bought a saw-mill of Henry Feese, and has since been engaged in lumbering. During the late war he enlisted in company C, One Hundred and Twentieth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, under Colonel French. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics is a Republican. He is the father of five children, Matthias H., Myron N., Robey, Emma and Eva. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

HORACE L. STEARNS (Green) p. 279(1)

Horace L. Stearns, son of Nathan Stearns, was born in Green township, Ashland county, Ohio in 1821. In 1846 he enlisted in company A, Third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, commanded by Captain William McLaughlin. The regiment was commanded by Samuel R. Curtiss, in the Mexican war. He went to Mexico, traveled as far as Matamoras, and was discharged in consequence of disability. In 1849 he began keeping the American house in Perrysville, Ohio, having bought out John Shaffer, and he remained in that business twenty-two years. In 1866 he went into the dry goods business in company with N.P. Reed. The partnership lasted but six months, and Mr. Stearns soon went into the same business alone, and is still engaged in it. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Democratic prohibitionist. He has held the office of constable, township clerk and township treasurer. In 1844 he married Barbara N. O’Hara, who died in 1855. She had one child, Barbara A., who died when fifteen years old. In 1850 he married Rachel B. Huntsbury, who died in 1851. She had one child, Myron N., who was drowned in 1860, when nine years old. In 1855 he married Margaret Butteroff, who died in 1870. In 1871 he married Mary J. Veach, and by her had two children, Ora V., who died in infancy, and Mary V. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

NATHAN STEARNS (Green) p. 278(1)

Nathan Stearns, born in Connecticut in 1788, came to Ohio in 1817, and settled in Green township, Ashland county, on the farm now owned by the McKinley brothers. It was then a wilderness. He was a shoemaker, and worked at his trade in connection with farming. In 1810 he married Mary Morehouse, who died in 1870. They were both members of the Baptist church. He died in 1851. In politics he was an old-line Whig. He was the father of seven children, Lucius S., supposed to have died in Cochactaw with cholera in 1832; Warren L., who married Jane McCreaden, and died in the army; Charlotte M. who married Phillman H. Phuner, and afterward married Lawrence Omera, of Loudonville; Horace L., who married Mary J. Veach; Norman L., deceased, who married Rebecca Smith, and died in Indiana; Milo E., who married Mary A. Calhoun, and lived in Tipton, Missouri. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)

J.H. STEELE (Mohican) p. 359(1)

J.H. Steele, son of J.L. and Margaret M. Steele, was born October 6, 1853 on the farm known as “Evergreen Home,” four miles west of Massillon where his father was also born. He remained with his father until the fall of 1871, when he entered Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, from which he graduated, and received the degree of A.B. in 1876. Then he entered the seminary of the same college and pursued a theological course, and in 1878 received a call to the ministry in Mohican, charge of Tuscarawas classes. In his youth he became a member of the Reformed church. After completing his studies, he was married to E. Allie Chapman, daughter of T.W. Chapman, who was born in Bethlehem, Stark county, Ohio. They have one child: James Chapman, born December 4, 1879. Mr. Steele has occupied the Mohican charge since he first commenced preaching. His wife attended Glendale academy, and afterwards studied at Heidelberg College, where she received lessons in painting, drawing and music. Both have the confidence and love of their congregation, and of the people among whom they live. (Transcribed and contributed by Russ Shopbell)