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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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Logan County,
Ohio
BIOGRAPHIES
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits) |
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
DR.
J. ORDWAY retired physician; West Liberty.
The data that we have been able to obtain of Dr.
Ordway is of exceeding brevity, but the early
history of Logan Co. scatters his name on many pages of
this book. He was born in New Hampshire, June 22,
1800. His father, John, died when he was
three years old, and he was thrown out on life's current
without the care of the father; hence, his school days
were limited as he must care for the necessaries of
life. He remained with his mother until the age of
8, and then went to live with his grandfather Ordway,
who sent him to one of the old pioneer log cabins, where
he learned his A. B. C.'s; at the expiration of two
years he returned to his mother, she having, in the
meantime, married Robert Christie; he remained at
home until 16, during that time he was engaged on the
farm, but his active mind sought other labors, and he
left the parental roof and began attending school at
Springfield, O. (the family having moved to Clark Co.
some time prior to that time). Extreme poverty
brought this young student to want, and he readily
sought night employment in a cooper shop, and during the
day would attend his recitations; his labor at night
would bring him enough means to pay his board; this he
continued for two years; he became very apt in his
classes, and found some moments for extra labors, which
he improved by reading medicine; at the age of 18 he
began teaching school in the country at $20 per month,
and during his spare time was reading medicine with
Dr. Lawrence, of Springfield; the latter he
continued for three years, which was the requirement of
the law; he th3en went before a board of censors at
Dayton, Ohio, and was examined, and got an excellent
grade; he at once began practice with his preceptor for
a short time and then, May 28, 1828, began at West
Liberty, being then the first and only practitioner at
this place; he soon gained a wide practice, and made
himself known as a skilled and efficient physician;
during a period of three months, he rode down three
horses, and enjoyed only nine nights sleep during that
time; his extensive practice began to injure his health,
and he began to withdraw about 1844 or '45, and finally
booked the last account in 1849, and devoted his entire
time to merchandising, which he had entered prior to
that time. In this vocation he was successful, and
accumulated quite a little fortune; he retired from
business in 1862, on account of ill health, and since
that time has turned his attention to farming 250 acres
of land in Logan and Champaign Cos.; he owns three lots
50x150, 1½ acre lot in the
north part of town, two other lots and buildings, all in
West Liberty, making in all, together with his lands, a
valuation of $40,000 to $50,000, all of which is the
fruit of his own labors. He was married, Jan. 7,
1830, to Sabrina E. McGruder; she died in1848; he
was again married, Mar. 8, 1849, to Mandane S. Fish;
she is still living, and has been of great assistance in
accumulating their fortune. Dr. O. was
always eager to witness anything of interest, and one
time he walked twelve miles to see an elephant, perhaps
the first that ever came through this country in a show.
He has served in some small township offices, as
Treasurer and Town Councilman. The present Mrs.
Ordway was born in 1822, in Randolph, Orange Co.,
Vt. Her father, James Fish, died when she
was nine months old, and her mother, Achsah (Lamson)
Fish, was married again in 1835, to Washington
Granger, a local Methodist Episcopal minister. She
had by her former marriage six children, four of whom
survive. Her mother died in 1868, and was a member
of the Christian Church. Mrs. Ordway came
in Oct. 1845 to Urbana, with William Harbach (an
uncle). She there taught school until married; she
was educated at the academy at Randolph Corners, in
Vermont; she early took an interest in singing, and
became a very efficient alto singer; she was often
selected as an alto representative to musical
conventions in the East; at her ripe old age, now, she
has a very distinct and sweet voice, and is the leading
alto singer in the Methodist choir at this place.
She and the doctor have been identified with the
Methodist Episcopal Church for two score or more years,
the financial interest of which denomination has been
benefited by their relationship, as well as their
connection morally and otherwise. The doctor cast
his first vote for John Q. Adams, for President,
and has always taken an interest in the official
selections, yet, during all this, he has never sought
office. In Dr. Ordway we find a marked
instance of a self-made man, talented, energetic and
careful; educated by his own energies and perseverance;
sociable and affable in his intercourse with all, of
good legal abilities, fine physical organization.
The hand of time has touched him gently. J. B.
McGruder, the father-in-law of our subject, came to
Clarke Co., O., in 1827, was transferred soon after to
Champaign Co., and thence to Logan Co., in 1830; he was
a large shareholder in the east and brought with him
Maria Hawkins (one of his old slaves) and three
children - Windsor, Margaret and Stacey;
her husband was taken south. She now lives in
Washington, D. C. Father McGruder was an
early merchant at this place, and had his business room
where is now the present site of Woodward's boot
and shoe store. We clip the following from a Logan
Co. paper: "We have the melancholy duty of announcing
the death, by suicide, on the night of Tuesday last,
1850, of the Rev. J. B. McGruder, of West
Liberty, in this county. The deceased was an
elderly man, but had enjoyed remarkably god health until
within a comparatively short period, when he sank into
deep melancholy, and in a fit of derangement put an end
to his existence by hanging. No event, we presume,
has ever produced so deep a sensation among the citizens
in the vicinity in which he lived, and were he had
resided for more than twenty years. He was
universally respected and beloved. He has been, we
know not for how long, but we presume for the greater
part of his life, a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and adorned its doctrines by his daily walk and
conversation. He was one of the most earnest and
most devoted Christians that we have ever known.
Whenever good was to be effected, whenever anything was
to be done, promotive of the temporal and eternal
welfare of his fellow man, father McGruder was
found among the most earnest, efficient and unwearying
laborers. But his earthly career is now ended, and
he is gone to his reward. He leaves many sad
hearts to mourn his unfortunate and melancholy death."
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits ~ Page 719 - Liberty Twp.) |
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J.
S. PATTERSON, potter; Bellefontaine; was born in
Bellefontaine, O., Feb. 22, 1854, and is the son of
Joseph Patterson, one of the pioneers of Logan Co.
Our subject learned a trade as carriage-maker with
Miller Bro's., of Bellefontaine, working at
his trade until 1880, when he entered the pottery
business. He is now in company with Nathan
Pensey. These gentlemen have just embarked in
their present business, which stands fair to be very
extensive at an early day. Mr. Patterson
was married in Bellefontaine, Aug. 9, 1876, to Miss
Dola C. Burkhart, born in Lake Twp., Logan Co., a
daughter of William Burkhart, who died at 74
years of age. Mr. Patterson's wife died
July 4, 1880.
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits ~ Page 607 - Rush Creek Twp.) |
W.
P. PATTERSON, marble works; Bellefontaine; was
born in McArthur Tp., Logan Co., Dec. 26, 1836, and is
the son of William Patterson, who was born in
Ireland, having emigrated to America when about 13 years
of age, and located in Pennsylvania; about 1829 he came
to Logan Co., O.; he was a brick mason by trade, and was
engaged in building the first court-house of Logan Co.;
he also had a brother, Joseph, who was a
carpenter by trade, and worked on the same building.
Our subject remained a resident of his native township
until 1869, during which time he was engaged in farming
and working at his trade of carpenter. During the
late civil war he enlisted in Co. G, 1st O. V. I., where
he served three years and fourteen days, participating
in all the prominent battles and marches of this
regiment - Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge, campaign around Atlanta; returning home,
he then went to Dayton, O., where he worked at the
carpenter's trade some two and one-half years, when he
returned to Logan Co. In 1879 he embarked in the
marble business, in partnership with J. K. Stewart,
this firm doing some of the leading work in the marble
line. Mr. Patterson is now alone in the
marble business. He married, in 1868, Miss
Maggie Zimmerman.
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits ~ Page 606 - Lake Twp.) |
R.
J. PIATT; is a son of Gen. A. S. Piatt,
and came to this state with his parents. When he
was but two years of age. Raised up at home, to
farming, and attended the common schools, also one
year at Mt. Saint Mary's, under Bishop Rosencrantz;
then remained home until the out break of the war, when
he enlisted in the 13th Regiment, and went out for three
months; was commissioned 2d Lieutenant by Gov. Todd,
and was detailed for staff duty on his father's staff,
where he served until after the battle of
Fredericksburg, when he resigned and returned home.
On July 17, 1865, in Ireland; after marriage he stayed
three years in Pulaski Co., Ill., where he was engaged
in the lumber business. In 1871 he returned to
Monroe Twp., and has since remained; six children are
the result of this marriage.
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits ~ Page 677 - Monroe Twp.) |
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WILLIAM
POWELL, deceased; Bellefontaine; was born in
Pennsylvania, on a farm. When a young man he
learned the carpenter's trade. In 1796 or 1797 he
came to Ohio, and located at North Bend, where he was
engaged in farming and hunting, remaining there until
1802 or 1803, when he moved two miles east of Urbana,
remaining there until 1812; he then moved to what is now
known as Bellefontaine, Logan Co., with his wife and ten
children, two of whom are now living in Bellefontaine -
James Powell and Mrs. Powell Mays, who was
born near Urbana, O., Dec. 25, 1806; came here with her
parents in 1812, and married John Mays, of
Kentucky; by his marriage they have had two children, a
son and daughter. The daughter, Elizabeth,
was married in 1846 to E. B. Lowe, to whom she
bore seven children. The Powell family came
here at an early day, when the Indians and wolves were
plentiful. William Powell died in 1835, at
77 years of age, his wife having died in 1840, at 76
years of age.
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits ~ Page 608 - Lake Twp.) |
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CHARLES
QUINN, farmer; P. O. Rushsylvania.
Charles Quinn was born in Champaign Co., O., in
1818. On the 9th day of October, 1838, he married
Clarissa Chamberlin, who was born in Monroe Co.,
N.Y., on the 23d day of May, 1819. The same year
in which he was married he settled in Logan Co., where
he remained until his death, which occurred Aug. 7,
1865, leaving a widow and four children to mourn his
loss. The children were - Caroline, born
July 22, 1840; Emily, May 18, 1841, and who died
Oct. 11, 18643, nearly a year prior to her father's
death; Mary, Oct. 14, 1842, and died in
July, 1869; Harriet, April 18, 1844, died June 7,
1878; Catharine, Feb. 22, 1852, and married
George W. Lash, Jan. 14, 1875, who resides with his
mother-in-law and manages the affairs of the farm.
The residence of Mrs. Quinn stands exactly on the
line of the old road called Hull's Trace, which was
visible at that time, and the red man often lodged in
her house. Their huts still remained on the farm,
and wolves howled in all directions. She has seen
bears, wildcats, deer, and other denizens of a wild
forest, in their native state, and prior to her marriage
heard George McCullough preach in a cabin which
stood on the farm where she now resides. The
raising of wheat and fine horses in a specialty on this
farm, and hospitality and kindness are among the virtues
of this household.
(Source: History of Logan County and Ohio -
Chicago: O. L. Basking & Co., Historical Publishers, 186
Dearborn Street. - 1880 - w/ some illustrations and
portraits ~ Page 699 - Rush Creek Twp.) |
NOTES:
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