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(Source: History of Mercer County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens -
Edited and compiled by Hon. S. S.
Scranton, Celina, Ohio -
Published by Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Illinois - 1907 -
*UNLESS Otherwise Noted.)
FOSTER
JACKSON, a prosperous farmer of Union township,
residing on a farm of 80 acres owned by him and his brother,
located in section 7, wad born in York township, Van Wert
County, Ohio, August 27, 1880, and is a son of Simeon and
Rebecca (Hays) Jackson.
Simeon Jackson was born in Van Wert County in
1851 and died in 1902. He was a son of Federal
Jackson, who was one of the pioneers of Van Wert County,
and who died when his son was a small child. Simeon
Jackson enlisted in Company A, 49th Reg., Ohio Vol.
Inf., and served four years and three months. He participated
in a number of severe engagements, including the battles of
Gettysburg, Shiloh, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and Mission
Ridge. He was at Atlanta, also at Jonesboro and at Lovejoy.
Mr. Jackson was mustered in at Lima, Ohio. He
was wounded in the jaw during the war, which caused a cancer
and resulted in his death in 1902. Mrs. Jackson
was born in 1851 and is still living at the age of 55 years.
They became the parents of sons and daughters, namely: Otis,
who is traveling through the West; Elzy, who married
Etta Couch, of Spencerville and resides on the farm
that he and his brother Foster own; Oscar, who lives on
the home farm with his mother in York township, Van Wert
County; Minnie, widow of George Lamb,
residing with her mother in Van Wert County, who has two
children—Leah and Leslie; Sallie, who
married Charles W. Brown and died in 1897, leaving five
children—Louis, Cole, Rea, Jessie
and Florence (deceased) ; Willis, who married
Ella Rickets, of Baltimore, Ohio, where he now
resides—he has five children.
Foster Jackson was reared in York
township, Van Wert County, until 15 years of age, attending
school in District No. 3, and then went South to Birmingham,
Alabama, being also at Chattanooga, Tennessee, for a time.
After returning home,, he went to Illinois and Indiana for one
year, after which he returned to Ohio again and engaged in the
moving business, moving houses and buildings. He met with much
success and continued in this business until 1904, when he
located on the Branson Roebuck farm. Two years later he bought
the Doc. Cole farm of 80 acres, on which he now
resides, where he has since been engaged in general farming.
Mr. Jackson also owns an 80-acre farm in Idaho,
which is under irrigation; on this land in 1906 he raised
1,500 bushels of wheat from 72 acres. The farm in Union
township is owned in partnership with his brother, who is now
engaged in the moving business.
Mr. Jackson was married
in 1901 to Maud Dull, a daughter of Delbert
and Melissa (Roebuck) Dull,,of Union
township. Two children were born to Mr. and
Mrs. Jackson: Ralph, aged three years, and
Roy, who is one year old. |
BERNARD
JOHNSMAN, a representative agriculturist of Jefferson
township, who owns a fine farm of 80 acres, situated in
section 34, township 5 south, .range 2 east, was born April
14, 1834, in Prussia, and is a son of Christopher and
Christina (Borgman) Johnsman.
Bernard Johnsman was 26
years of age when he came to America. He had obtained a fair
education in the public schools of his own land and had
performed his military duty by serving three years in the
Prussian Army. As his parents were dead, nothing prevented his
seeking a home and friends in another country. The first place
in which he settled after reaching the United States was
Lockland, near Cincinnati, where he remained three years, but
after marriage he removed to Minster, Auglaize County. There
he worked three years on a farm, and then came to his present
place, buying these 80 acres in 1867. Here Mr.
Johnsman has developed a valuable. farm and carries on
general farming and stock-raising.
At Lockland, Ohio, in 1863, Mr. Johnsman was
married (first) to Clara Lutz, who died in 1868,
leaving two children, Clara and Henry, both now
deceased. The latter lived to be 22 years old and the former
reached her 29th year. Mr. Johnsman was married
(second) to Katie Huelsmari, and they have had
10 children, namely: John, a farmer in Jefferson township, who
married Delia McKinsey and has two children,
both deceased, Bernard and Walter Bernard;
Clemmens, a cavalryman in the United States Army, now
stationed in Oregon; Andrew, Frank and George,
who assist on the home farm; Mrs. Caroline
Hill, residing at Fairmont, Indiana, who has one daughter,
Thelma; Mary, who married William
Harlet and lives in Celina; Elizabeth and
Christina, who are at home; and Catherine, who died
in infancy.
In politics, Mr. Johnsman is a stanch
Democrat. He belongs to German social organizations at Celina.
He is a worthy member of the Catholic Church and devotes a
part of his income to religious purposes and is a reliable and
upright citizen.
(pg. 617) |
AARON
JONES, who is a large manufacturer of drain tile, at
Burkettsville, belongs to an old and numerous family which
has been established in Ohio since the grandfather's time.
He was born Jan. 18, 1855, in Gibson township, Mercer
County, Ohio, on the old home farm, and is a son of
Edward and Mary Ann (Rood) Jones.
Abraham Jones, our subject's grandfather, was a farmer in
New Jersey; before he was married and had a family, he moved
to Butler County, Ohio, where he engaged in farming and
manufacturing brick. At a later date he removed to
Darke County and settled in what is now Gibson township,
Mercer County, being among the first settlers. At that
time this whole country was yet covered with a heavy growth
of timber. He died on this farm when about 65 years
old. His wife, Rebecca Pierson, a native of
Butler County, Ohio, survived him many years, dying at the
age of 92. Of their large family these names have been
preserved: Sallie Ann, who was the wife of
Isaac Foster; Edward, father of our subject;
Washington and Francis (twin); Margaret, who was
the wife of Amos Keller; Abbie, who was the wife of
Jacob Replogle; Betsey, who was the wife of
Benjamin Misner; and James, the only survivor,
who married Minivera Keltner and now lives on the
homestead farm in Gibson township.
Edward Jones, father of our subject, was born on
the farm in Butler County, Ohio, and was a boy when he
accompanied his father to the farm in Darke (now Mercer)
County, but was old enough to give assistance in the
erection of the round-log house which constituted the first
home, and in the clearing of the land. At the age of
21 he was united in marriage with Mary Ann Rood, a
daughter of Aaron and Phebe (Carter) Rood. She
was born Nov. 30, 1821, on a farm in Connecticut and lived
in the house in which she was born until she was 18 years of
age, when she accompanied her parents to Darke (now Mercer)
County, Ohio. Her mother lived to be 94 years of age.
She was the only daughter in her parents' family, her three
brothers being: Alpha, Lauren B. and William
Henry. The Rood brothers well known
residents of this county, are large farmers, and successful
brick manufacturers. To them is credited the making of
the first brick in this county.
After the marriage of Edward Jones and Mary Ann Rood,
in 1840, they resided for a short time at the Jones home
and then moved to Fort Recovery, where Mr. Jones went
into the manufacture of brick. This was a new industry
as nothing but logs had previously been used in this
locality for construction purposes. The present
thriving town of Fort Recovery was then a cluster of 10 log
houses, built around the old log inn, and it was long the
custom of the young people to gather in it and enjoy dancing
on its rough floor. The greater number of meetings of
all kinds were held there on account of the old building
given a larger audience room than was afforded by any of the
private cabins. Whether brick cost too much or whether
the early settlers of Fort Recovery were well enough
satisfied with their picturesque log huts, the writer is not
informed; at any rate Mr. Jones seems to have given
up his brick-making enterprise there after a short trial and
moved on a farm of 40 acres which he bought, which was
located southeast of the hamlet. In a short time he
sold his farm, however, and bought 200 acres from his uncle,
Walter Decamp.
After moving to the new farm, Mr. Jones put
up a commodious hewn-log house and set to work making brick
for the new house, which in the course of time replaced the
log one and which still stands sound and strong. On
this farm Edward Jones passed the rest of his life
and died in August, 1900, when over 80 years of age.
His widow still survives, bearing her weight of years
remarkably well. In 1906 when she attended a farmer's
jubilee celebration, held at Fort Recovery, the first prize,
a bonnet, was awarded her, she being the eldest woman in
attendance.
Edward Jones and wife were the parents of 12
children, as follows: Harvey, who married
Mary Arnold and lives not far from Fort Recovery, in
Indiana; David P., who married Elizabeth N.
Williams and lives in Mercer County, near Fort Recovery;
Abbie, a resident of Indiana, who is the widow of
Abraham Rantz; Lauren B., who married Sadie
Winn and lives near his brother, Aaron; William T.,
who married Amanda Winters and lives in Chicago;
Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of George
Fremeyer; Aaron and George (twins), the
latter deceased at the age of six months; Henry, who
married Lucy Howe, and lives at Lightsville, Darke
County, Ohio; Phebe, who married O. A. Penny
and lives in Paulding County, Ohio; Mary Ann, who
married E. T. Firth and lives in Greenville, Ohio;
and William Henry, who died in infancy.
Edward Jones was a prominent man in his township; he
served in the offices of trustee and supervisor and was also
a member of the Board of Education.
Aaron Jones attended the schools of his native
township until old enough to be of use to his father at the
farm work and at brick-making, in which occupations he
became well trained. On August 30, 1883, he was
married (first) to Irene Whitesell, a daughter of
David Whitesell. They moved to Burkettsville,
where Mrs. Jones died on October 23rd of the
following year. Mr. Jones was married (second)
on Oct. 14, 1888, to Emma Arnold, who was born Dec.
23, 1868, on her father's farm in Darke County, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had seven children, as
follows: Edward L.; Nellie, who died aged 11 years;
Harley, who died aged 14 days; Orley, who died
aged 11 months; and Nora, Jesse and Ora.
Henry Arnold, Mrs. Jones' father, was twice
married; first, to Catherine Holsapple, to which
union were born eight children, namely: Mary, Isaac,
Samuel, Sarah, Susan, Joseph, Sophia and Elizabeth,
deceased. Mr. Arnold was married (second) to
Sophia Ulery, and they had six children, as follows:
Eliza, Anna, Henry, Emma, John and William.
Both parents of Mrs. Jones died in Darke County.
They were worthy members of the Dunkard Church.
Mr. Jones has been a resident of Burkettsville
since 1884. He owns an excellent farm of 64 acres in
section 34, Granville township, and 20 acres in business
interests in Burkettsville and in his 22 years of residence
here has firmly established himself in the confidence of his
fellow-citizens. Politically he is identified with the
Republican party and takes a deep interest in all that
concerns good government both in local and national affairs,
but is not an aspirant for office.
Mr. Jones and family belong to the Disciples'
Church at Burkettsville, to which he gives a liberal
support. A view of the family group accompanies this
mention. He is connected fraternally with the Knights
of Pythias and the Junior Order of the United American
Mechanics. He is one of the representative men of the
town.
~ Page 393 |
ABRAHAM
JONES, a well-known citizen and successful farmer of
Gibson township, lives on his farm of 40 acres, situated in
section 24, which is a part of the old homestead farm of 100
acres, on which his venerable father still lives.
Mr. Jones was born May 10, 1854, in Gibson township,
Mercer County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Minerva (Keltner)
Jones.
James Jones was born in Butler County, Ohio, and
accompanied his parents to Mercer County when 10 years of
age, his father, Abraham Jones, being a pioneer.
James Jones was married July 4, 1849, to Minerva
Keltner, who was a daughter of Abraham and Betsey (Wirtz)
Keltner. She was born in Darke County, Ohio, and
was reared near Rose Hill. Almost immediately after
their marriage, the young couple moved to Gibson township
and established the present home. Here 15 children
were born to them, as follows: Hiram, who is
farmer in Miami County, Ohio; Nancy, wife of
Jackson Pearson, living in Darke County; Abraham;
Susan, wife of Amos Robbins; George, a
resident of Weston, Ohio; Mary wife of George
Parant, residing in Oklahoma; Martha, wife of
George White, living near Wellsburg, Indiana; Frank;
Abigail, wife of George Garretson living at
Ansonia, Darke County; James, who resides in Recovery
township; Albert and William residents of
Gibson township; Jacob, who is married, and lives at
home; Cora, wife of Washington Stump; and
Sarah, who died aged one year. The 14 survivors of
this large family are mainly scattered in different homes,
but all are near enough to have pleasant family gatherings
very frequently. The old house gave way to the present
one in 1892.
Abraham Jones has always lived in Gibson
township and still remains under the old home roof. In
1883 he was married to Alice Emmons, who died in the
following year, leaving one child, Alva.
~ Page 365 |
CALVIN
MARION JORDAN, one of Butler township's well-known
agriculturists, residing on his well-developed farm of 40
acres located in section 17, was born September 21, 1866, in
Portland, Jay County, Indiana, and is a son of Abraham and
Sarah (Spade) Jordan, and a grandson of Garret
Jordan.
Garret Jordan, who was a native of
Ireland, emigrated to America about 1830, settling in Meigs
County, Ohio. He died in 1876, near Portland, Indiana, leaving
to his family a farm of 160 acres. Abraham Jordan
was born at Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio, and is now residing
in Jay County, Indiana, where he owns a fine farm of 160
acres. He married Sarah Spade and they have four
children: William, who married Sarah Logan
and lives at Portland, Indiana; Bertha, who married
William Wilson and lives in Jay County, Indiana;
Calvin Marion; and Grant, who married Ora
Hughey and lives in Washington township.
Calvin M. Jordan
was reared in Jay County, Indiana, and attended the district
schools of Portland. In 1890 he came to Mercer County and
engaged in farm work. In the spring following his marriage he
moved to his mother-in-law's farm in Washington township,
which he managed until 1903, when he came to his present
property, which he had purchased in 1898. Here he has made
many improvements, including the erecting of a large frame
house and barn. Mr. Jordan was candidate for nomination
on the Democratic ticket as infirmary director, but was
defeated, through it being a four-cornered fight; he carried
his own township by a handsome majority. Mr. Jordan was
married September 21, 1889, to Olive Loughridge,
who is a daughter of William and Elizabeth Loughridge.
They have one son, Ralph, who is attending the
Coldwater High School. |
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