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REV. GEO. VAN EMON, one of the purest men
who ever lived, may well be claimed by this township, as nearly
all his life in this county was spent here. As a minister
he was sincere, and his words carried conviction with them.
As a christian he was blameless. As a neighbor he was kind and
hospitable. As a citizen he was one whose example might be
safely followed. |
JOHN VAN SICKLE. In
these times and in this country, where birth and social position
have an inconsiderable influence on one's success in life, the
man whom history most honors is he who has started in life with
little capital and has made his way to the top in spite of
obstacles. John Van Sickle of Pleasant Township is
a good example of this character of a man. The parents of
this man were John and Edith (Felters) Van Sickle
The former was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1812, and his
ancestry is traceable to good Holland stock; the latter was a
native of Stark County, Ohio. They located in Blanchard
township of this county in 1837, at first buying forty acres of
land and later eighty acres more. In 1855 they sold this
and removed to Pleasant township in 1856, where he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres, but little of this was improved and he
spent a good many years in bringing it under cultivation.
Afterwards he sold this farm and bought one of eighty acres near
McComb, upon which he lived until his death in 1885, in the
month of March. He was married three times, his first wife
being Angeline Housworth, who bore no children. His
second wife was Elizabeth Felters, who was the mother of
Thomas, deceased; David; Isaac; John, our subject;
George, who died in the army; Elizabeth; Nancy;
Samantha and Servatus. By his third wife,,,
Jane Brooks, he had Steven, William and Martha.
His second wife, the mother of our subject died on December 8,
1861. He was a strong, rugged man, of large build, above
the average in intelligence, an inveterate hunter, and always
provided well for his large family. He was the first man
in his county to own and operate a threshing machine. He
was a strong adherent of the principles of the Republican party
and a worthy citizen of his county.
John Van Sickle, Jr., was born in Blanchard
township, Hancock County, Ohio, in 1841, attended the district
schools and completed his education in Findlay. After his
school days were over he taught for several terms, but finding a
life of confinement too great a strain he turned his attention
to agriculture. He and his three brothers served in the
Civil war; David was in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer
Infantry; George enlisted in the same regiment after its
reorganization; Isaac was in the One Hundred and
Thirty-second Ohio; and John served in Company L, First
Heavy Artillery, Ohio Volunteers from Aug. 8,1864, to the end of
the war. On his return from the army John bought
his present farm. On March 16, 1868, he was united in
marriage to Laura D. Davis, daughter of Alfred Davis,
and born Jan. 5, 1854; two children were born: Irvin L.,
in 1871, and Ivy Dell, in 1879, who became the wife of
B. B. Brumby.
Mr. Van Sickle is a self-made man who began life
with his hands and an earnest purpose as his capital, and by
thrift and industry has accumulated considerable property.
In 1879 he built a commodious and comfortable brick house
besides his general farming he devotes some time to fruit
growing. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic,
Post No. 155; he and his wife are consistent members of the
Methodist church; and in all affairs concerning business or
society in general he makes the influence of his upright
character felt.
Source 4: Centennial
Biographical History of Hancock Co., Ohio - Pub: New York &
Chicago by The Lewis Publishing Company - 1903 - Page 370 |
Findley Twp. -
WILSON VANCE was the son of
Joseph Colville Vance, and Sarah, his wife, whose maiden
name was Wilson. Mr. Vance's father was born March
24, 1759, and was married April 10, 1781, in Loudon County,
Virginia. He emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1783.
Mr. Vance's parents were both what was called Scotch Irish
Presbyterians. They emigrated to Kentucky in 1788, where
Wilson Vance was born Jan. 19, 1796, in Mason County.
The family came to Ohio in 1800, and settled in Old Town, Greene
County. In 1804 they removed to Urbana. In 1816
Mr. Vance and his brother William went to Fort Meigs,
on the Maumee River, where for a time they clerked for their
brother Joseph, who was afterwards Governor of Ohio.
On the 14th of March, 1820, he was married to Sarah
Wilson, by Rev. John Thompson, in Champaign County,
and returned with his wife to First Meigs, where they remained
until the fall of 1821, when with his wife and one child, and
all their earthly possessions on an Indian Pony, he came to
Findley, himself walking the distance. He moved into the
old fort until his log cabin was completed. The next
season he erected a two-story log house, and kept a tavern.
These buildings were situated on the south bank of the river, on
the east side of Main Street. Mr. V. also farmed
the bottom lands along the river, and by industry and economy
laid the foundation of his future prosperity.
In 1830 he built a one-story frame house with five
rooms, and in 1831, he in company with John W. Baldwin,
opened up a dry goods store, using the south room of the house
as a business room. This is the same building now occupied
by G. C. Barnd, in rear of the Sherman house.
In 1837 Mr. V. bought out the interest of Baldwin,
who went to New York City. Vance was engaged
actively in mercantile pursuits up to 1852, when he sold out his
stock at auction.
He however did not wholly retire from business, but was
a partner with his sons, Miles W. and William, at
Bluffton, Ohio, up to the date of his death.
Mr. Vance was one of the first Justices in the
county, and officiated at the first marriage in the county.
He was the first Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and the
first County, Treasurer of Hancock County, and the second Post
Master at Findley. He superintended the building of the
first flouring mill in the county. The structure was put
up in 1825, and belonged to Elnathan Cory, and was on the
site of the present Carlin Mill. His wife did all
her own work, and that which was necessary in the boarding of
the sixteen men employed in putting up the building, digging the
race, and building the dam, although at that time she had three
little children to look after and care for.
Mr. Vance and his wife were of the first
membership of the Presbyterian Church, and I believe both were
still members at their decease. The Church was organized
at his part in sustaining the church, and contributed liberally
to its various objects.
Mr. Vance was a good neighbor, an upright
citizen and an honest man. He was a man of strong
convictions, not easily swerved, and whilst honest in his
opinions, and determined in his actions, he of course made some
enemies for the time being, but no one questioned his motives.
Mr. Vance was the father of twelve children, eight sons
and four daughters, all of whom are dead but three, William,
Horace M., and Bridget. Wilson Vance died March
1st, 1866. His children were all born in this county
except Joseph, who was born at Ft. Meigs, and Miles W.,
who was born in Urbana. William was the second male
child born in the county. |
Cass Twp. -
JAMES VICKERS was
born in England, and came to this country in about 1825, and
settled in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1833, he made his way to
this county, and commenced his labors on the farm now owned by
his son James A. No man in the township was more
generally respected, than was Mr. Vickers.
Conscientious, honest, temperate and hospitable, kind to all, a
friend to the poor, and always ready to render assistance to the
weary emigrant. His house was the home of the Methodist
itinerant, and here were held the services of the church, until
a suitable building for the purpose was erected on his land.
To the building of this house and the sustaining of the minister
of the church, he was a liberal contributor. Mr.
Vickers was a farmer, and by the aid of his good wife and
his family, which was a large one, he always had a abundance.
He died in 1867, lamented the entire community. His wife
survived him until 1881.
(Sharon Wick's Note: He is found in the 1860 Census of
Hancock Co., Cass Twp. in Film Series M653 Roll 982 Page 265,
Dwelling 961 Family 937 with wife Sarah and children Mary and
John Francis. His son James lives in Dwelling 960 Family
936 with wife and 3 children.) |
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