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(Source: A Centennial Biographical History of Crawford County, Ohio -
Chicago: 1902)
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JOHN C. CAHILL.
Prominent among the eminently successful farmers of Crawford
county, Ohio, is John C. Cahill, who is one of the most
progressive and intelligent agriculturists of his locality and
one who has raised his farming operations into a science. The
birth of Mr. Cahill was on the farm which he now
occupies, in Vernon township, on April 14, 1862, and he is a son
of Richard Wallace and Catherine (Richards)
Cahill, and was a member of a family of thirteen children
born to his parents. The seven survivors of this once large
family are: Eliza, who is the wife of Washington
Cummins; James, who resides in Tiro; Isaac,
who is an attorney in Bucyrus; Richard, an attorney who
resides in Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio; Warren, who
lives in this township: John C., the subject of this
sketch; Jennette Gundrum, of Toledo, Ohio.
Richard W. Cahill, the father of our subject,
was a distinguished citizen of Crawford county. He was born in
Derby township, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, on March 6,
1801, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. He was a son of Abram
and Nancy (Wallace) Cahill. His father was an officer in the
state militia, and at one time had charge of all of the forces
in western Pennsylvania. In 1818 Richard W. Cahill
removed with his parents to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1827 removed
to Crawford county and later purchased the farm which our
subject now occupies. In 1829 he married Miss Eliza
Cummins, who died in 1843. To this union were born two
children: Abraham, who became a distinguished lawyer of the
Dayton, Ohio, bar; and David C., now a practicing
attorney of Bucyrus, Ohio. In 1844 he was married to Miss
Catherine Richards. In 1841 Mr. Cahill was elected
to the state legislature and was re-elected in 1842 and in 1843,
serving his constituency in an admirable, non-partisan manner.
In 1850 he was elected a member of the Ohio constitutional
convention, serving with distinction as a member of that body,
In all his career, both public and private, the sympathies of
Richard W. Cahill were always with the great masses of the
common people, and he was at ail rimes an uncompromising foe of
corporations. Mr. Cahill became a large land owner
before his death, which took place on October 2, 1886. His home
farm consisted of one hundred and sixty acres, while he also
owned two hundred acres east of the town of DeKalb, one hundred
and twenty acres in Auburn township, which is now the property
of B. F. Lash, and other holdings. He was a power in the
Democratic party and held many of the township offices besides
his public service in the legislature and constitutional
convention. He was known as a consistent Christian gentleman,
and his declining years were comforted by the affection of all
who knew him.
The mother of our subject was born in 1822, in Vernon
township, which is now Jefferson township, a daughter of
James Richards, who was the second settler in the
township, appearing here in 1821. He was the first blacksmith in
the locality, and shortly after the erection of his cabin built
a small round-log shop. He made cow bells, prepared iron points
for plows, hammered out and tempered axes, obtaining his
supplies of iron from Sandusky City. Mr. Richards
found much to do in repairing settlers' wagons that had become
disordered in the long journey from the east. At this date there
were but two roads in the township. The Columbus and Sandusky
road, running north .and south through the township, had been
first cut out about the year 1818, and was simply a blazed path
through the forest, from which undergrowth and fallen trees had
been removed. The death of the mother of our subject was on
February 28, 1898.
John C. Cahill, whose successful farming
operations, in connection with his prominent identification with
all progressive movements in the township, bias became an
important factor in this part of Crawford county, was reared on
his father's farm. His primary education was completed in the
public schools, from which he graduated into the normal college,
at Ada, with a view of still pursuing higher branches in a
university. However, his father was alone on the farm and needed
his assistance, and in 1880 our subject returned to the old home
and took charge of the operations there. His parents experienced
tender care as long as they lived, and after the death of his
father he purchased the interest of the other heirs and now owns
the old Cahill farm, with the exception of two small portions.
Mr. Cahill is a thoroughly honorable man, liberal
with his employes and generous of heart—destitution and poverty
never appealing to him in vain. Modest and unassuming in manner,
yet when drawn out in conversation his opinions are sound and
valuable upon all questions which come under his observation. He
is a scientific farmer, thoroughly up-to-date and manages his
agricultural operations on the same basis that he would conduct
any other business. Hence he has been unusually successful and
many of his neighbors are inclined to follow his methods.
Mr. Cahill was married in 1887, to
Miss Mary Weirich, who was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, a
daughter of Christian and Addie (Miller) Weirich, both of
whom are now deceased. To our subject and wife have been born
three children, as follows: Allen W., John R. and
Edith, deceased. In politics he has been a life-long
Democrat, and has been honored by his -fellow citizens by
election to many of the responsible offices of the township. For
a considerable period he served as township trustee. At the
present time he is-serving his second term as clerk of the
township, his efficiency and honesty making him one of the most
highly esteemed officials in the county. Mrs. Cahill
is a consistent member of the United Presbyterian church, and
our subject is usually an attendant upon the services there with
Mrs. Cahill. For very many years the family name
has been one which has commanded respect in Crawford county, and
our subject is a worthy representative of it. |
AMOS B. CHARLTON.
Among the eminently successful and widely known farmers and
stock-raisers of Liberty township, Crawford county, is Amos
B. Charlton, who was born on the 7th of September, 1835, in
this township, a son of Michael and Anna (Mason) Charlton.
Nine children were born to the parents of our subject, and of
these six still survive, namely: Mary, the wife of L.
H. Mason, of Ashland county; Elizabeth, the widow of
J. H. Wert; Amos B., of this sketch: Narcissa,
the widow of William Tobias, of Wooster, Ohio;
Jonas,. formerly a member of the One Hundred and First Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, and now a resident of Columbus county, Ohio;
and Alpheus D. Charles was a member of
Company C, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, during the Civil war, and
died of typhus ever at Grafton, Virginia; and Anna and
Alexander have also passed away.
The father of this family, Michael Charlton,
was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on the 5th. of March, 1808, a
son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Menser)
Charlton, who, with their family of ten children, emigrated
to Columbiana county, Ohio, as early as 1822. In 1829 his father
gave him a tract of eighty acres of land in Liberty township,
Crawford county, which the latter had entered some time
previously. After one summer s work on this farm, however,
Michael returned to Columbiana county, and there married
Anna Mason, who was born, therein in 1810. In the
following spring they returned to Liberty township and settled
on their farm, and this became their permanent residence. As
time went on Michael Charlton bought other land,
adding at different times. till he owned four hundred and
thirteen acres in Liberty township, and one hundred and sixty in
Columbiana county. A long and useful life was his, and although
it extended to his ninety-first year it was filled with good
deeds, and when death came, on January 15, 1899, he was
sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends. To the end he
took an interest in public affairs, was. a stanch Republican and
was a most estimable man. The mother had passed away on
September 20, 1892, at the age of eighty-one years, eleven
months and seven days.
Amos B. Charlton, our immediate subject, grew to
manhood surrounded by excellent home influences, and it was not
until he had attained his majority that he embarked in farming
upon his, own account. His success as a dealer and shipper of
stock was immediate, but the Civil war broke out just at this '
time, and on August 12, 1861, he enlisted for service in Company
C, Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made second
lieutenant of his company. He saw eight months of service in the
Army of the Cumberland, under General Buell, but
was then stricken with typhoid fever and was sent to the
hospital at Louisville, Kentucky, for several weeks. So eager
was he to be again in the field that he rejoined his regiment
before he was able, suffered a relapse and was obliged to resign
his command, sending in his resignation. A change seemed to
cause sp much improvement that his comrades persuaded him to
recall his resignation, and in his desire to be again on the
field of duty he did so, but the very next day he was again
prostrated and was quickly put aboard the train and sent home.
This explains why he never received any formal discharge,
although he had been a brave and faithful soldier.
The following summer was spent by Mr.
Charlton in recuperating, but the next season he again
engaged in farming, working for his father on the shares and
also resumed his buying and shipping of stock to eastern
markets. When Mr. Charlton first engaged in the
business of shipping- he was the youngest shipper in this
section of the country. His judgment was excellent, he
understood his market, was careful and cautious and his business
in this line so prospered that the time came when he shipped as
high as ninety thousand dollars worth of stock in a single
season. In 1872 he purchased the home farm, consisting of one
hundred and seventy-one acres, and has ever since continued to
make this desirable place his home. He sold it in 1894 to L.
H. Mason, who in turn sold it to W. H. Charlton.
The marriage of Mr. Charlton was in 1809,
to Miss Emma E. Hoppel, a native of Northampton county,
Pennsylvania, born on the 23d of October, 1849, and came to
Crawford county with her parents when quite young. To this
marriage were born seven children: Virgil H., who is in
the office of the Osborne Machine Company, of Columbus,
Ohio; Ary B., a hotel man of Allegheny, Pennsylvania;
Michael Z., a teacher, who resides at home; Anna, a
teacher and wife of Dr. E. E. Bevington, of Sulphur
Springs, Ohio.: Mabel, .also a teacher, who is the wife
of W. F. McCameron, of Sandusky township; and
Orlo H. and Donald H., who are living at home. All of
the children of Mr. Charlton have been afforded excellent
educational opportunities and four of them have been acceptable
teachers. Virgil H. and Michael Z. finished their
courses at Ada (Ohio) College.
Mr. Charlton has been identified with
various interests, for nine years being a partner in the
butchering business in Sulphur Springs, continuing until 1895,
and he did not give up his successful stock business until 1885.
Since the latter date he has paid considerable attention to the
farm. In politics he has ever been a stanch Republican, and most
acceptably served the township as assessor for three years. His
connection with the Lutheran church has covered many years, in
which he has held the position of trustee and is known as one of
its most liberal supporters. Not only is Mr. Charlton
an intelligent and liberal-minded man, but is also something of
a traveler, having visited fourteen of the states in the Union.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, in which he
is highly esteemed. |
COLONEL WILLIAM CRAWFORD,
in whose honor Crawford County was named, was a Virginian, of
Scotch Irish lineage, born in the year 1732. His childhood
home was that of a pioneer farmer of the Old Dominion. His
education was limited. In early life he learned the art of
surveying in companionship with Washington, and followed the
vocation, together with farm work, until about twenty-three
years of age.
In the year 1755 he forsook the plow and compass and
began a most brilliant military career. Commissioned an
ensign by the governor of Virginia, and joining the company of
riflemen, he accompanied the army of the ill-fated General
Braddock in the march against Fort du Quesne. For
gallantry displayed upon that disastrous occasion, Ensign
Crawford was promoted the following year to a
lieutenancy. Later he received a captain's commission,
recruited a company and participated in the second march against
Fort du Quesne, reaching which the army found it vacated.
For three years thereafter Captain Crawford remained in
the army service of Virginia, and then returned to his home in
the valley of Shenandoah. Until 1767 he was again engaged
in farming and surveying. After examining the valley of
the Youghiogheny, he located there in what is now Fayette
county, Pennsylvania, thither removing his family in the year
1769.
When the war of independence came on he recruited a
regiment for continental service. Jan. 12, 1776, he was
made lieutenant-colonel of the Fifth Virginia Regiment, and Oct.
11th, the same year, he was appointed colonel of the Seventh
Regiment of Virginia battalions, by congress, commission to be
dated the 14th of August. Colonel Crawford served
under Washington upon the seaboard, repaired to Fort
Pitt, built Fort Crawford, engaged under McIntosh in the
Detroit expedition, aided Clark's expedition, then
retired from active military service by returning to his home,
hoping to discontinue in warfare. But, induced to join in
the Sandusky expedition, we find him again in warfare, and it
was in this last named expedition that he lost his life.
While on this expedition he was captured by the Delaware
Indians, and at their hands met an awful death by torture, -
burning at the stake, June 11, 1782!
It is fitting that some mention, in this connection, be
made of the gallant officers who served under Colonel
Crawford in the Sandusky expedition. |
ELIAS CRISSINGER,
a trustee of Dallas township and a prominent farmer and
successful stock-raiser, was born near Peru, Illinois, August
11, 1853. He was a son of William and Mary (Baker)
Crissinger, both natives of Ohio, the former of Marion
county and the latter of Crawford county. The paternal
grandparents were of Dutch ancestry and removed from
Pennsylvania to Crawford county, Ohio, early in its settlement,
later going to Marion county where they spent their last days.
William Crissinger was
reared in Marion county, but his wife grew up in Crawford
county, where her father, Benajah Baker, was a
pioneer settler of Whetstone township. Later in life he removed
to Indiana and died in Jasper county. Four children were born to
Mr. and Mrs. Crissinger, one of whom has passed away.
After the death of our subject's mother in Illinois, when he was
but two years old, the father placed the children in the care of
their paternal grandparents. Later he married a second time and
lived in Marion county, and from there, in 1861, he entered the
United States army, and upon the expiration of his term of
enlistment re-enlisted, and died at Murfreesboro while serving
in the cause of his country.
Our subject did not live with his grandparents very
long, as after his second marriage the father claimed his
children. After his death they were directed by a guardian and
thus Elias had several early homes, but was given a
common-school education and was taught how to work on a farm.
From early life, however, he was obliged to earn all he received
and perhaps the stern discipline of necessity helped to make him
the reliable and excellent man he now is.
In 1874 Mr. Crissinger was married to
Harriet L. Houser, a daughter of Anthony Houser,
of Marion county, Ohio, and then settled in Dallas county, where
he began farming, first as a renter. An accidental discharge of
a shotgun so injured his hand that the amputation of his arm
below the elbow became necessary, and affliction which was borne
with most wonderful courage.
For the following seventeen years the family resided in
Marion county upon a forty-acre farm given to Mrs.
Crissinger by her father, but in 1896 he bought a farm of
one hundred and sixty acres, in Dallas township, Crawford
county, where he has since lived and followed farming.
In 1897 Mr. Crissinger was elected
trustee, and in 1900 was re-elected for a second term and in the
spring- of 1901 he was made assessor also and is now serving in
both positions, to the entire satisfaction of the community. In
politics he is a member of the Democratic party and is one of
the representative men of his community. With his wife and
family of eight children he belongs to the Methodist church,
where he is most highly esteemed for his many traits of
Christian character. His business relations have brought him
into contact with almost all the residents of the township and
there is no one who has more friends than Elias
Crissinger. |
JACOB CRUM. One of
the old and highly respected farmers of Crawford county is Jacob
Crum, who has established a reputation as a thorough farmer and
estimable and useful citizen during a residence here which
covers more than a half century. Mr. Crum was born
in Adams county, Pennsylvania, on April 10, 1825, and he was a
son of Moses and Margaret (Rex) Crum, and was one of a
family of six children which was born to his parents. Of this
family our subject and his brother Michael, who is a
resident of Richland county, are the only living
representatives.
Moses Crum was a farmer in Pennsylvania,
where he was born in 1792, and from that state he emigrated to
Ohio, about 1838, locating in Sharon township, Richland county.
Here he lived until 1877, at which time he passed away, at the
age of eighty-five years and two months. His most worthy widow
survived him for about ten years, her age reaching ninety-five
years. Mr. Crum possessed at the time of his
decease about two hundred and forty acres of land, and provided
well for his children, ever taking a deep interest in their
welfare.
Jacob Crum was reared to farm work and
was about thirteen years old when his parents removed to Ohio.
His educational advantages were limited, his only opportunity
being during the few winter months when he could be spared from
the farm, the school house being such as the pioneer locality
provided, as at that time the advantages of education were not
always appreciated by those who were obliged to provide houses
and teachers.
Our subject remained at home until his marriage, in
1855, to Miss Susan Naser, who was a native of Cumberland
county, Pennsylvania, and who was a daughter of Samuel
Naser, who came to Richland county in 1834. Mr.
Naser located in Sharon township and lived there his
remaining years. After marriage our subject and his young
wife began housekeeping on the farm which he now occupies, in
Vernon township. This property was a present from his honored
father and comprised one hundred and sixty-six acres, to which
our subject has since added other lands. In 1880 he purchased a
tract of forty acres, which is located one-fourth of a mile
south of his home place, and in 1885 he bought another farm, the
location of the latter being in Auburn township, across the
highway from his residence farm, and consists of one hundred and
seventy acres. With these additions our subject owns three
hundred and seventy-six acres of land, and carries on extensive
farming and stock-raising operations.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Crum,
as follows: Samuel, residing on the Auburn township farm;
Elzina, the wife of Warren Turtle, of
Shelby: Jeremiah, of the state of Washington; Curtis,
of Shelby, Ohio; John, residing at home; Catherine,
the wife of Edward Johnson, of Shelby; and Luella,
deceased. In politics Mr. Crum has been a
life-long Democrat, and has been of service to his locality in
several offices, notably as school director, for several years.
He has been long one of the leading members of the Reformed
church, as was his wife until her death, in 1888. During his
long life in this locality Mr. Crum has witnessed
many changes, and has done his part in {developing the
agricultural section in his vicinity, and is held in "high
esteem and is one of the most substantial citizens of the
county. |
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