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JOHN S. IRELAND
resides on a farm of 93 acres in section 33, Ridge township, and
is widely and favorably known throughout Van Wert County, where
he was born June 24, 1848, and where he has resided all his
life. His parents were William D. and Mary M. (Stemen)
Ireland.
William D. Ireland, who was born in Ross County,
Ohio, is supposed to have been of Irish extraction. His
parents removed to Allen County while he was still young, and it
was there he reached manhood and married Mary M. Stemen,
a native of Pennsylvania. With his brother, Elihu S.,
he came to Van Wert County, and entered 120 acres of land in
section 33, Ridge township, upon which they located in 1847, and
where he continued to reside until his death some 18 years
later. He took an active interest in township affairs,
serving as trustee and also as constable for a number of years;
was a Republican in politics, and a member of the Masonic blue
lodge at Van Wert. The following children survive him,
viz.: John S.; Mary M. (Mrs. G. H. Poe), of
Kenton, Ohio; Eliza J. (Mrs. Jacob C . Smith); Lydia
A. (Mrs. John Chamberlain), of Michigan; Christian S.;
Rachel L. (wife of Harvey Sanders); and Elizabeth
F. (Mrs. J. A. Uncapher).
John S. Ireland spent his early years in the
manner of other country boys of his day, going to school during
the winter and assisting in the farm duties during the spring
and summer months When old enough to start in life for
himself he continued the work with which he was familiar and in
which he has been so successful.
On July 4, 1873, Mr. Ireland was married
to Iva C. Junkins, who is a native of Hardin County,
Ohio. Six children have blessed their home, viz.; Elmer
H., Alvin W.; Orven O.; Walter H.; Marion E.
and Freddie O.—the two last named being deceased.
Mr. Ireland is a Republican and was at one time
constable. He was also on the School Board for a number of
years, and was a strong factor in raising the standard of
education in Ridge township. Mr. Ireland is
a member of the Society of Friends and is a trustee of the
church in Ridge township, known as the “Prodigal Home.”
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 552 |
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AUSTIN T. JOHNSON,
one of the most prominent men of Liberty township, owner and
operator of 202 acres of valuable farm land, 162 acres situated
in section 12, and 40 acres in section 14, was born in Richland
County, Ohio, on Jan. 4, 1842, and is a son of Richard M. and
Rebecca (Walkup) Johnson. The father, a native of
Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, became a farmer of Richland
County, Ohio, and in 1836 moved to Hardin County, Ohio.
Originally the owner there of 40 acres of land, he increased the
home farm, from time to time, successfully engaged in
agricultural pursuits, and at the time of his death was a very
prominent man.
Austin Johnson was less than a year old when his
parents settled in Hardin County, where he was reared and
educated. On July 10, 1861, soon after the outbreak of the
Civil War, he entered Company D, 34th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and
served through the entire conflict. In 1863 he veteranized,
being severely wounded at the battle of Winchester, after which
he was in the hospital for three months. Regaining his
health, he returned to his company, but the entire command was
captured at Beverly, West Virginia, and Mr. Johnson
was then confined in Libby Prison for about two months. On
Feb. 28, 1865, his regiment was consolidated with the 36th
Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and with this regiment he was mustered
out on July 27, 1865. After the close of the war he
located in Van Wert County, having in 1863 bought a farm of 60
acres.
Austin Johnson was married Aug. 16, 1865,
to Rosanna M. Unger and they had two children. Of
these, John Richard died when past six years of
age. William B. Johnson, the surviving son, married
Mary Magdalene Parker and lives on his farm of 80 acres.
He has one daughter, Mary Lenore.
Fraternally Mr. Johnson is a member of the I. O.
O. F.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 665 |
Mr. and Mrs.
Benjamin Johnson |
BENJAMIN JOHNSON,
who for the past 40 years has resided on his present farm of 160
acres, in section 11, Willshire township, this county, owns one
of the most thoroughly improved and finely clutivated
estates of the locality. He was born in Pennsylvania, near
the border of West Virginia, on June 1, 1839, and is a son of
Elias and Jemima (Emmett) Johnson.
Elias Johnson, the father, was born in West
Virginia in 1810, and died June 11, 1861, his entire life having
been devoted to agricultural pursuits. In 1848 he came to
Willshire township, Van Wert County, Ohio, and entered 640 acres
of land in sections 11 and 12, paying therefor $1.25 per acre.
At his death his estate was still intact, with the exception of
100 acres which he had given his son Benjamin. In
his earlier days Mr. Johnson was a Democrat, but later in
life became a Republican. He was a man of quiet, domestic
tastes, and was most highly respected by those who knew him
best. Elias Johnson's wife was Jemima Emmett,
who was born in West Virginia and died in 1859, aged 40 years,
the mother of the following childrne: Benjamin, of this
sketch; Wilson and Jacob, both deceased;
Armitta; Mary Ann; Elizabeth, deceased; Smith, of
Paulding County; George, of Liberty township, and three
children who died in infancy. Wilson Johnson,
the second born of the family, enlisted for service in the Civil
War—first, for three months, .and one year later, reenlisting
under Capt. T. S. Gilliland and serving for three years.
After the war he returned home and finally died in Willshire.
Benjamin Johnson was reared to the age of nine
years in Brooke County, West Virginia. His parents then
started for Willshire township, Van Wert County, the trip to
Cincinnati being made by boat and that to St. Mary by canal.
The mother and other children, with the household goods, were
stowed away in the great canvas-covered conveyance coming from
St. Marys; Benjamin still remembers how proud he was to
make the journey on horseback with his father. The family
settled near the present farm, and Benjamin Johnson
has spent all his subsequent years in this township, his
homestead of 160 acres being all that remains in the family of
his father’s former large body of entered land. When he
took up his residence here, a small clearing had been made and a
cabin built: now a handsome family residence stands in place of
the latter, and 100 acres of the farm are under a fine state of
cultivation.
On June 24, 1860, Benjamin Johnson was
united in marriage with Delila Morehead, who was
born in Liberty township and died Sept. 24, 1904, aged 63 years
and 24 days. The deceased lady was the estimable daughter
of Vinton and Phoebe (Heller) Morehead, pioneers who had
preceded the Johnson family in Willshire township.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had seven children born to them:—
Wilson Wallace: Rose Alphia May.
deceased: Annie, wife of Fred Handwerk. of
Willshire township; Melvin A., who lives at home:
Clalinda Alice, wife of David T. Johnson, of Fort
Wayne, Indiana; Benjamin F., deceased; and a child who
died when an infant. Mr. Johnson is a
pronounced Republican, and is one of the leading members of the
United Brethren Church of Liberty township, being one of its
trustees and long serving as a class leader and steward.
As one of the upright and useful members of his community, Mr.
Johnson is worthily grouped as among the substantial
representatives of the honorable pioneer families of Van Wert
County. Portraits of
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson accompany this sketch.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 723 |
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DAVIS JOHNSON,
for many years one of the leading men of Van Wert, a member of
one of the old pioneer families of this part of Ohio, and
one of its first surveyors, was born June 17, 1814, in Harrison
County, Ohio, and died Mar. 19, 1890 at his home on the corner
of Main and Market streets, Van Wert. He was a son of
Joseph and Mary (Davis) Johnson.
The Johnson family is of English extraction.
Abel Johnson, the paternal grandfather of Davis
Johnson, was born in England and was an infant when his
father, Benjamin Johnson, emigrated with his
family to America, in 1744. Abel Johnson was
reared and educated in Philadelphia. He learned the
cooper's trade, and was married there, in 1768, to Anna
Alexander. Of their 15 children, 12 reached maturity.
In 1782 he removed with his wife and children to Virginia (now
West Virginia), and died in 1824.
Joseph Johnson, father of Davis Johnson,
was reared a farmer and learned the cooper's trade, which in his
day was a very profitable one. He remained in Virginia
until after his marriage, when he removed to Harrison County,
Ohio, where he subsequently entered 480 acres of land. He
was the first white man to locate in that county, and his
daughter Anna was the first white child born in Stock
township. During the War of 1812 he was made adjutant of a
regiment. In 1837 he came to Van Wert County, where he
entered a large amount of land, his entire land holdings in Ohio
at this time aggregating 2, 160 acres. Here he became one
of the first county commissioners, and in his official position
assisted in the organization of the townships. He filled
other offices of responsibility, and the records of the time
show him to have been a man of good judgment and uncorruptible
integrity. He died July 29, 1855. On Apr. 12, 1806,
he married Mary Davis, who was born Jan. 3, 1783, in
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, of Welsh parentage.
They had 10 children, our subject being the fifth in order of
birth.
Davis Johnson was reared and educated in
Harrison County. His educational acquirements was
sufficient to enable him successfully to teach school, to which
profession he devoted some years. He also followed
surveying, and thus assisted greatly in the original surveys of
Van Wert County. His first marriage was in Harrison
County, but his wife died after he had settled on a farm in
Willshire township, Van Wert county, leaving a daughter, who
subsequently married J. I. Cable, of Van Wert.
After his home was thus broken up, he returned to his father's
roof and lived there until 1856, when he removed to the town of
Van Wert in order to assume the duties of county treasurer, to
which office he had been elected. He was a man of keen
business perception, and showed his foresight by investing
extensively in land, which later became very valuable and
enabled him to become financially well-to-do. In politics
he was a Republican. In early life he joined the Masonic
fraternity and was one of the charter members of Van Wert Lodge.
In September, 1854, Davis Johnson married
(second) Mrs. Susan A. Lennox, daughter of James and
Jane Short, of Richland County, Ohio, and the widow of
Dr. John Lennox, one of the pioneer physicians. The
children of this union were: Mary Alice, deceased;
Ella, residing at home; W. Scottb, formerly deputy
probate judge of Van Wert County; Brough, a farmer;
Anna, wife of T. Tumbleson; Lorenzo, now at Seattle,
Washington; and Charles, Emma C. and Abel,
deceased.
In his religious belief, Davis Johnson was a
Quaker, and his life was patterned in accordance with the
precepts of this body. Mr. Johnson still occupies
the old family home in Van Wert. She is a member of the
Presbyterian Church. All of the surviving children are
well settled in life and are esteemed members of society.
One son, W. S. Johnson, who is now successfully engaged
in the practice of the law in Van Wert, is one of the leading
members of the bar and a very prominent citizen of both city and
county.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 588 |
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GEORGE D. JOHNSON,
one of the enterprising farmers of Liberty township, living on a
farm of 80 acres in section 19, was born in Willshire township,
Van Wert County, Ohio, Aug. 11, 1855, and is a son of Elias
and Germina (Dimmett) Johnson.
The father was born in Pennsylvania and was reared,
educated and married in that State, moving to Van Wert County in
the early '40s. There he entered a farm of 640 acres,
mostly wilderness and much prairie. He first built a
round-log house for the family to occupy and then entered upon
the task of clearing the timberland. He placed a large
part of it under cultivation, under his good management the
property being converted into one of the best farms in the
township. Elias Johnson’s wife died when our
subject was about two years of age, and in 1861 he married
Elizabeth Leslie, who passed away just four weeks
after their union at the age of 51 years.
After the death of his father, George D. Johnson,
made his home with his brother Benjamin until he was
about nine years of age, when he went to live with his aunt.
Mrs. Mary Johnson. In 1876 he was married to
Charity Ann Agler, a daughter of Joseph
Agler, a sketch of whom will be found in this work.
Mr. and Mrs. George D. Johnson have four children,
namely—Birdie, who married Benjamin Dull, lives in
Glenmore, Van Wert County, and is the mother of five children;
Cary, who married Mollie Miller, also resides in
Glenmore, and has one child; and Willis, and Laura,
who both live at home.
Mr. Johnson inherited a
farm of 119 acres from his father, operating it until 1882, when
he sold it and purchased the farm of 80 acres where he now
lives. Mr. Johnson is a member of the United
Brethren Church, and fraternally is connected with the I. O. O.
F.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 518 |
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JAMES K. P. JOHNSON,
one of the prosperous and progressive agriculturists of Hoaglin
township, residing on his farm in section 34, is a native of the
Buckeye State, having been born in Butler County on Nov. 19,
1844. He is a son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Mustard)
Johnson, prominent residents of that county, of which they
were both natives.
In Butler County our subject received his education in
the public schools, and was reared to manhood. He took up
the occupation of a farmer, and followed that work in that
county until the year 1870. In that year he came to Van
Wert County and engaged in farming in Ridge township for about
26 years, coming to Hoaglin township and in present farm in
1896.
On Aug. 26, 1869, Mr. Johnson was joined in
marriage to Emma Yeakle who was born in Butler County,
Ohio, Feb. 28, 1848, and is a daughter of Michael and Susanna
(Troutman) Yeakle. Her parents were early settlers of
Butler County, the former coming from Pennsylvania and the
latter form North Carolina. Eight children blessed the
union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, seven of whom are living
and reside in this county. The record is as follows:
Harry, deceased; Charles D., of Hoaglin township;
Susie, wife of Elmer E. Allen, of Hoaglin
township; Willard, of Ridge township; Nellie, wife
of Charles Barringer, of Pleasant township; Herman J.,
of Hoaglin township; and Alonzo G. and Ruth, both
of Hoaglin township. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are
members of the Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church, to which they
contribute liberally both to their time and means, and they are
among the first families of the section. Mr. Johnson
is a Democrat in politics.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 794 |
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THOMAS P. JOHNSON,
a prominent resident of Van Wert, the owner of a fine farm of
160 acres in section 21, Hoaglin township, and a veteran of the
great Civil war, is a native of this State. He was born in
Allen County, Ohio, Feb. 4, 1841, and is a son of Thomas
Xenophon and Mary F. (McClure) Johnson.
The father of Mr. Johnson was born in Scott
County and the mother in Harrison County, Kentucky. In
1829 they moved to Champaign County, Ohio, and from there, in
1839, they moved to Allen County, where they settled in the
woods as pioneers. Their land was in Bath township, where
Samuel McClure, our subject's uncle, had been the first
settler. He found the Indians trustful and kind, and they
assisted him in the building of his cabin. As far as our
records reveal, this family had no troubles with the aborigines.
Thomas P. Johnson was reared on his father's
farm in Bath township. His educational opportunities were
the best the locality afforded during his boyhood; but as he
grew older, he enjoyed instruction in the Lima High School.
After completing his education, he taught school for 15 winters
through Allen and Van Wert counties, and in this ay became known
over a wide extent of country. He recalls many of the warm
friends of those days and many interesting experiences.
Among the very first to respond to the call for troops
at the opening of the Civil war which, to the dismay of the
North, dragged its weary length over years of suffering and
death, was Thomas P. Johnson, who came forward with his
life in his hand, leaving behind him the quiet school-room and
his hopes of higher literary training. On Apr. 22, 1861,
he enlisted in Company A, 20th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and with
his loyal companions was hurried to Virginia, where the almost
raw recruits were put to guarding railroads. During this
first enlistment of three months duration, Mr. Johnson
fought in his first battle, that a Carrick's Ford, Virginia, and
became a seasoned soldier. He served out his time, and
then returned to Bath township. Mr. Johnson
re-entered the army on May 2, 1864, enlisting in Company B,
151st Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf., for 100 days, but served for a
considerably longer period, during which time he was commander
of a brigade of transportation at Washington, D. C. Again
he was honorably discharged, and again another call came for
troops, he again responded for the third time, enlisting on
Sept. 8, 1864, in Company A, 180th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.
The regiment to which his company was attached became a
part of the 23rd Army Corps, under command of General
Schofield. During this term of service Mr. Johnson
participated in the battle of Wise's Forks at Kingston, North
Carolina, and in numerous very serious skirmishes and hot
engagements. Good fortune attended him, and although he
had thrice enlisted in the service of his country, and had been
exposed in company with others of his command, he was able to
return home uninjured. He was honorably discharged
at Columbus, on July 25, 1865, the regiment having been mustered
out at Charlotte, North Carolina, on July 12, 1865.
Mr. Johnson came to Van Wert County in 1865, and
two years later secured possession of the 160 acre of land in
Hoaglin township, which he still owns. At that time it was
but a wild tract, still in its virgin state. Mr.
Johnson immediately commenced its clearing and development
and now, almost 40 years later, it is one of the most valuable
properties in the county.
On Nov. 15, 1874, Mr. Johnson was united in
marriage with Jennie M. Ford, who was born in Champaign
County, Ohio, and died on Aug. 10, 1875. On July 15, 1877,
Mr. Johnson was married to Mary A. Russell, who
was born Dec. 12, 1844, in Licking County, Ohio, and is a
daughter of Daniel A. and Fanny (Townsend) Russell.
Mr. Russell was a native of Ohio, but his father was born
in New Hampshire of New England stock. Mr. Russell
was born in New York. When Mrs. Johnson was seven
years old, her parents moved to Allen County from Licking
County, and were very early settlers in Jackson township, where
they became respected residents and substantial people.
In 1878 Mr. and Mrs. Johnson removed to
Bluffton, Ohio, where he entered into business and became a very
prominent citizen. The esteem in which he was held was
evidenced by his election as mayor. During a part of his
residence at Bluffton, he was city engineer. For a time he
served as assessor of Richland township, Allen County, being a
man whose qualifications for office as well as sterling
character in every relation of life have commanded the
recognition of his fellow-citizens. Politically Mr.
Johnson is a Democrat, and during four years of his
residence in Hoaglin township he served as a justice of the
peace.
For some years after leaving Bluffton, Mr. and Mrs.
Johnson lived on the farm in Hoaglin township; later they
settled at Van Wert. They are members of the Christian
Church at Van Wert and are leaders in its activities.
Mr. Johnson is a popular member of the W. C.
Scott Post No. 100, G. A. R., of Van Wert. In large
measure he is a self-made man. Early in life he determined
to possess a good education and worked hard for the means to
procure it. Although public events brought about a
possible change in his aspiration, he has shone the same
determination to succeed in whatever he undertook, which marked
him in his early youth.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 410 |
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HON.
W. SCOTT JOHNSON,
at one time deputy probate judge of Van Wert County, now engaged
in the practice of law at Van Wert, was born in this city, Mar.
19, 1861, and is a son of Davis and Susan A. (Short) Lennox)
Johnson. A sketch of Davis John appears
elsewhere in this work.
Mr. Johnson was primarily educated in his native
city. In 1879 he entered the National Normal School, at
Lebanon, Ohio, for the summer term, and then returned to the Van
Wert High school, which he attended until June, 1880. In
the following September he entered the preparatory department of
Kenyon College, at Gambier, Knox County, Ohio, then known as
Milner Hall, a military school for boys. He continued to
be connected with that institution until the spring of 1882,
when he returned to Van Wert in order to enter business.
During the remainder of 1882 and a part of 1883 he was employed
in the grocery business in this city, but resigned in the spring
of 1883 to accept the position of deputy county recorder.
He continued in office until the spring of 1885, resigning then
to accept the agency of the United States Express Company, also
becoming agent at Van Wert for the leading newspapers of Chicago
and Cincinnati.
In the meantime the young man had been entertaining an
ambition for professional life, and in order to find leisure for
the reading of the law he disposed of his business interests and
entered the office of Saltzgarber & Glenn, where he
remained both as a student and clerk until Jan. 1, 1889, during
which time he also filled the position of secretary of the Van
Wert Gas Company. Early in 1889 he entered the Law
Department of the University of Michigan, from which he was
graduated in June of that year, having completed a two-year
course in six months, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme
Court of Ohio, second in the class of 66 students. Mr.
Johnson then became associated in the practice of the law
with Hon. Hiram C. Glenn. This partnership was
dissolved by mutual consent in July, 1891. He continued to
practice alone, enjoying a very large clientage until February,
1894, when he was honored by an appointment as deputy judge of
probate for Van Wert County. During his continuance on the
bench, Mr. Johnson made a record that holds out a
stimulus and example to those who are called upon to assume the
high responsibilities attached to such a position. He
proved that he possessed a well-balanced judicial mind with the
intellectual honesty and freedom from bias which are required in
a judge. He served one term also as prosecuting attorney
of Van Wert county. He has always stood very high at the
local bar and he belongs to the various county and State
organizations relating to his profession.
On Aug. 2, 1883, Mr. Johnson was married to
Mary Raker, who is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth
Raker, of Fulton County, Ohio. They have three sons,
namely: David, Glen and Paul Hastings.
Mr. Johnson was cradled in the Republican party,
and during all his political life he has been an active factor
in his party. During 1894 and 1895 he served as chairman
of the Republican County Executive Committee, and upon numerous
occasions has advanced his party's interests and ably
represented its principles as a delegate. Fraternally
Mr. Johnson is very prominent being a member of the Odd
Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of America and the
Improved Order of Red Men. In the last named society, he
holds the highest office in Ohio, that of Great Sachem; at
present he is a representative for the State of Ohio, by
election, to the Great Council of the United States, which met
last year at Nashville, Tennessee, and meets again this year at
Dallas, Texas. In religious belief he is a Presbyterian.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 600 |
Mr. & Mrs.
Benjamin Jones
& Family |
BENJAMIN JONES,
deceased, formerly one of the substantial farmers of Willshire
township, where he owned a finely improved farm of 293 acres,
located in section 10, was also an honored survivor of the great
Civil war in which he served for four years. He was born
in Richland (now Ashland) County, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1837, and died
Jan. 27, 1903.
Benjamin Jones, the great-grandfather of our
subject, was born in Wales and came to America in company with a
number of colonists, with whom he settled on a portion of the
site of the present beautiful city of Baltimore, Maryland, where
he subsequently died, leaving children, James Jones, a
son, was born at Baltimore, resided there until he was 21 years
of age, when he migrated to Ohio and in 1808 settled in Columbia
County. He married Rachel Arnold and they lived in
various sections of the State, including Stark, Wayne, Medina
and Richland counties. In the county last named he died in
1840 and was survived by his widow for five years.
James Jones, son of James and father of
Benjamin, was born near Baltimore, Maryland, in Dec, 1807,
and henee was but an infant when his parents brought him
to Ohio. In July, 1843, in Medina County, he married
Catherine Deweese, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth
(Shaffer) Deweese, and to this marriage were born these
children: Joseph, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Uriah and
Daniel, all deceased; James of Idaho; and John
of Michigan. At different periods James Jones and
is family resided in Medina and Richland counties, Ohio, and
Adams County, Indiana. The mother of the family was born
in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Dec. 19, 1819, and died in
Indiana, Sept. 12, 1899. In political sentiment James
Jones was a Democrat, and in religious belief, a Catholic.
The late Benjamin Jones was brought up to hard
work and strict discipline, both on the home farm and in the
household. His education was that afforded by the district
schools of his locality, where, in spite of their disadvantages,
he became a well-informed young man. He was reared to be
loyal to the government, and no one opposed him, when in 1861,
he decided to enter the army to assist in overcoming the
rebellion. He became a member of Company A, 47th Reg.
Indiana Vol. Inf., and during the entire four years of his army
life proved himself a true, loyal and courageous soldier on the
field of battle, and a cheerful bearer of the innumerable
hardships which fell to his lot. The list of terrible
battles in which he took part proves conclusively that his
service was one of danger as well as honor. He
participated in the battles of Fort Madrid, Missouri; Fort
Pillow, Tennessee; Browns Plantation, Mississippi; Jackson,
Mississippi; Catau Bayou; Muddy Bayou, Martinsville and
Atchafalaya, all in Louisiana; Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and
Mobile, Alabama; Vicksburg, Riddle Point, Gibson, Champion Hill
and many smaller engagements. At Vicksburg, June 18, 1863,
he was seriously wounded in the head, and bore the mark to his
grave. On another occasion he was kicked on the head by a
mule which produced an injury to his skull, and he also had one
leg crushed - an injury which also gave him trouble all his
subsequent life and on account of which, the government justly
awarded him a pension. Mr. Jones received his
honorable discharge from his country's service, on Nov. 1, 1865,
having been appointed to the rank of sergeant on Oct. 30, 1862.
When this brave soldier returned from the army, he
possessed what he had saved from his wages and what he had saved
from his wages and what had earned by working for some of his
less thrifty comrades. He had always been accustomed to
hard work. He had always been accustomed to hard work, as
his father had died when he was only 11 years old and heavy
responsibilities had thus fallen early upon him.
On Dec. 24, 1865, Mr. Jones was united in
marriage with Mary Dailey, who was born Nov. 12,
1846, in Adams County, Indiana, and is a daughter of James
and Mary (Johnson) Dailey. James Dailey was born in
Athens County, Sept. 23, 1819 and his wife of Harrison County,
in 1822. Mr. Dailey acquired 600 acres of land in
Adams County, Indiana. He died Feb. 27, 1863, but was
survived by his widow until Dec. 4, 1886. The maternal
grandfather of Mrs. Jonese, Joseph Johnson entered 240
acres of land in section 10, Willshire township, coming here
from Harrison County on May 14, 1836.
On Mar. 17, 1866, Benjamin Jones and wife
settled on their present farm, a part of it being a portion of
the land entered by Joseph Johnson. It then
contained 160 acres, which had been partially cleared and on
which stood good log buildings. Mr. Jones
continued to add to the original farm until he owned 293 acres.
65 acres of which form so valuable an oak forest that the place
is appropriately known as the “Forest Oak Farm." This farm
he continued to operate during his active life, carrying on a
general line of agriculture and raising excellent stock.
The property has been greatly improved, in 1882 Mr.
Jones erecting the commodious brick residence, which was
fitted up with everything to make it a comfortable and even
luxurious home. Here his last days were passed in
comfortable retirement.
Mr. Jones left his widow and numerous
descendants, having had a family of 13 children, as follows:
Emma, wife of George Hawkins, of Wren; Eva,
wife of Nelson Moser, also of Wren; Daniel D.,
who is studying medicine at Chicago, Illinois; Esias T.,
of Adams County, Indiana; Benjamin Oscar, who is
the capable home farmer, taking all care from his mother;
James, who died aged three months; Charles J., a
resident of Adams County, Indiana; Harry O., a practicing
physician in Oaklahoma; Mary A., a student in the
Van Wert High School; and Harvey H., Clarence C., Fred C. and
Clara A., all attending school and living at home.
In his political convictions, the late Benjamin
Jones was a stanch Republican, but he was no seeker for
public office. He took a deep interest in the Grand Army
of the Republic organization at Willshire, and thoroughly
enjoyed meeting his old war comrades. As a business man
Mr. Jones possessed keen insight and sound judgment.
He was a devoted husband, a kind and careful father, reared a
family which is creditable to him and to the community, and took
an honest pride in his reputation as an honest and upright man,
When he passed away he was mourned by the entire community, for
many there were who, during his lifetime, had experienced his
practical kindness and profited by his friendly advice. A
picture of Mr. and Mrs. Jones and
their family accompanies this sketch.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 549 |
| |
DAVID J. JONES, one of the prominent
citizens and leading agriculturists
of York township, resides on his
finely improved farm of 175 acres
situated in section 34. He was born Mar.
27, 1850, in Jackson County, Ohio, and is a
son of John H. and Mary (Edwards) Jones,
natives of Wales, who both died in the county
named, the former in 1892 and the latter in
1893.
For a number of years during his early
manhood, Mr. Jones engaged in school-teaching
and two of his sons are similarly employed.
Although a practical farmer, Mr. Jones has taken an interest in other lines than
agricultural and has been prominently identified with the
township's public affairs. Since 1887 he has been sewing
as justice of the peace in York township, enjoying a reputation
for legal knowledge and sound judgment second to no like
official in this part of the county, having satisfactorily
adjudicated in a number of complex cases.
In Jackson County, Ohio, in 1877, David J. Jones
was married to Lizzie Lewis, who is a daughter of
David and Eliza (Davis) Lewis, natives of Wales.
The father died in Jackson County, in 1888, and the mother in
1878, while on a visit to her daughter in Van Wert County.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Jones are: John L.;
Lizzie A.; David E.; Mary Edith, who died
July 2, 1888, and was buried in the Venedocia Cemetery; Ada
C.; Mary; and Evan E. Mrs. Jones
died Apr. 7, 1902, after a lingering illness of several months,
and was buried in the Venedocia Cemetery. The children of
the family have been liberally educated, and are prominent in
the intellectual and social circles of the community.
Mr. Jones is one of the broad-minded, clear-headed men of
this locality and keeps fully abreast of the times. He is
an elder in the Zion Calvinistic Methodist Church, which is
located northwest of his. home.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 639 |
| |
JOHN JARVIS JONES,
a retired resident of Venedocia, has been identified with Van
Wert County since the days when dense woods covered a large
portion of it, and game and wild birds were plentiful where now
stand substantial buildings, cultivated farms and villages, all
connected by rapid lines of transportation. Mr.
Jones was born in the parish of Pennant, North Wales, May
26, 1826, and is a son of John and Catherine (Jarvis) Jones.
His parents were natives of Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and of
their six children, the following survive: John Jarvis,
the eldest born; Margaret (Richards), who lives in
Montgomeryshire; and Evan, a noted divine, who resides in
Caernarvonshire, Wales.
It has been often remarked that an illiterate Welshman
is rare, the school laws of Wales making it almost impossible
for her sturdy sons to leave her shores in the shadows of
ignorance. Being a young man of native intelligence.
John J. Jones was especially well educated prior to coming
to America. Arriving at the port of New York in June,
1851, after a trip of seven weeks, the sailing vessel “Guy
Mannering” safely deposited in the first city of America its
mixed human freight of 1,000 individuals, composed of English,
German, Irish, Scotch and Welsh immigrants. Mr.
Jones was one of these. He made his way from New York
to Cincinnati, adding to his capital by working in a boiler shop
in the latter city, until he had learned that better
opportunities awaited those willing to labor, in Van Wert
County. When he arrived, there was but a single house
standing between Spencerville and Jennings Prairie. The
forests still harbored bears, wolves and deer; there were plenty
of squirrels and turkeys, and, as Mr. Jones
humorously expressed it, “concerts were given by the blackbirds
in one swamp, which were equaled by the frogs in another.”
Mr. Jones found plenty of hard, physical labor
here, assisting settlers in clearing the land, in grubbing out
the roots of forest giants and in building the early log cabins.
He became almost an expert in the making of corduroy roads—
those necessities in a wet and swampy section, which have long
since been displaced by gravel and rubble, while drainage has
redeemed the land. For work of this kind Mr.
Jones received $13 a month and he continued to perform it
for four years.
In 1857 Mr. Jones visited Iowa, but in
1860 returned to Van Wert, where he engaged to work by the year;
but on Aug. 19, 1862, at Delphos, he entered the Union service,
enlisting at Delphos, in Company F, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.,
and serving under Generals Doyle, Burnside,
Judah and Scofield. The 118th Ohio was attached
to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in a number
of battles, notably those of Moose Creek, Kingston, Franklin and
Nashville, the various engagements aggregating 24. At
Knoxville, Tennessee, he was confined for six weeks in the
hospital, and on account of disabilities, resulting from his
three years of hard service, receives a pension of $24 per
month.
Mr. Jones is an independent thinker, both
in politics and religion. He is a good American citizen,
although not born on American soil, and believes in giving
practical support to statesmen whose actions prove that they
have the best interests of the country at heart. He
expresses admiration for the character of such men as Abraham
Lincoln, Grover Cleveland and Theodore
Roosevelt. During his residence in Venedocia Mr.
Jones has accumulated considerable valuable property and
has done considerable building here. Through his just
philanthropy, he has made it possible for many people to obtain
comfortable homes without being burdened by embarrassing debts
or heavy interest. He stands very high in public esteem
and possibly is as well known as any other resident of the
village, being a man of wide reading and enlightened views.
Mr. Jones is unmarried.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 511 |
NOTES: |
