Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/774

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��BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

��22, 1831, he was married to Miss F. A. Sonaustine ; they have raised a family of ten children, nine of whom are still living; — Margaret Jane, Mary A., Cath- erine, George W., Ellen M.. Emma C, John L., Frank- lin P. and William A.; the one that died was the oldest child, named Joseph F., who went to California in 1852, leaving here the 19th day of March ; resided there until his death, March 21, 1877. Mr. Snapp is con- sidered amongst the old settlers of his county, and himself, together with his brothers, can recall the many privations and hardships they had to contend with that the present and future generations will never have to cope with. One son, John L., is home on a visit from his home in Nevada, where himself and brother, Frank P., own a large tract of land and carry on the stock and mining business.

SNELL, FRANK, was born in AVayne Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1849, where he resided with his parents until the age of 18 years, when he removed to Wadsworth, Medina Co., where he remained about four years ; from therel he went to Berea, Cuyahoga Co., where he remained about two years, when he came to this place, where he has since resided. While at the age of 18 years, he learned the trade of carriage-paint- ing, which has since been his occupation, he now having charge of the painting department in his father-in-law's (Mr. Sanker) carriage factory. In the year 1876, Sept. 7, he was married to Miss Jennette C. Sanker. They have one child, a daughter, named Blanche, 3 years old. By fair dealing and strict attention to business, he has built up for himself a good trade.

STARR, ELIZABETH, MRS., was one of the pioneer settlers of Blooming Grove Township ; she was born Sept. 12, 1787, in Huntington Co., Penn., and lived there ten years, and removed to Beaver Falls in the fall of 1797, arriving at the falls Nov. 4, 1797. Mar- ried Aug. 23, 1810, lived there until 1818, removed to Richland Co., in 1818, leaving the falls May 1, and arrived at her home in the wilderness of Blooming Grove on May 12, where she has lived until now, March 4, 1880. Her grandfather Colwell, on her mother's side, came from Ireland; her grandmother Colwell was American-born, born in Chester Co., Penn. ; her maiden name was Elizabeth McClain. Her grand- father, John Mitchell, was born in County Tyrone, Ii-eland ; his father's name was George; grandfather Mitchell and grandmother Mary Camble, were both born and married in County Tyrone, Ireland, emigrated to America, and settled near Chambersburg, Penn. Her father and mother, Robert Mitchell and Anne Col- well, before marriage, were forted from Indians, near Huntington, Penn., on one Litel's farm, part of each year of the seven years of the war of independence, and were married in 1783. Her brother, David Col- well, was a soldier under Washington ; was in the battle of Brandywine, helped take the Hessians at Trenton. She has always been on the frontier, never had the advantage of an education, not so much as to read and write, and gave these sketches from memory. She has lived under the administration of every Presi- dent from Washington down.

STARR, MITCHEL, M. D., Shanandoah, was born in Butler Township, Richland Co., Oct. 27, 1820, and has since resided in the county. Studied medicine

��in 1847, with Dr. Allen, of Rome, and began practicing in 1851, and by close attention to business has secured a large practice. During the late war the Doctor en- tered the service as Assistant Surgeon of the 174th 0. V. I., continuing with the regiment until the close of the war, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession and the management of his two farms. He is the fifth child of Robert and Eliza- beth Starr, old settlers of the county. In 1852, he was married to Mary M. Cummings ; their children are Grattan F., Wilson S., and Judson C. His parents came to the county in 1817, and located the farm upon which his mother (who is still living, at the age of 92) yet resides. The old lady has been blind for fifteen years, but retains her mental faculties in a remarkable degree ; her birthday is Sept. 12. The Doctor is not a politician, but has voted "the Prohibition and Republi- can tickets. When Gov. Tod called out the " Squirrel Hunters," Dr. Starr responded, and marched to the de- fense of Cincinnati, which was then threatened by Gen. Kirby Smith. He relates that while on this expedition, one of his comrades went on a foraging expedition and secured some sweet potatoes, but was followed by the owner of the potatoes, who threatened to shoot the forager ; whereupon the man with the gun was ar- rested, and while surrounded by the soldiers, one Flanders, who probably had previous acquaintance with him, accused him of being a rebel ; whereupon he was made to hold up both hands and swear to support the Constitution of the United States, of the State of Ohio, work in the trenches for the Government, and take postage stamps in exchange for sweet potatoes. The Doctor enjoys talking of old times, and says the cradle in which he was rocked was a sugar trough. They ground their corn in a horse-mill, the nearest being located at Olivesburg. The bed occupied by his mother when her fourth child was born was constructed of four forked sticks driven in the ground for bedposts, upon which sticks and straw was laid.

STARR, GRATTAN F., was born in Weller Town- ship, this county, March 19,1853; he has resided in this township since 1857. He was married, Dec. 18, 1873, to Annie Funk ; they have three children, two of whom are still living ; Judson died at the age of (i months. Mr. Starr is the first child of Dr. Mitchell Starr, of whom mention is made elsewhere. He has always paid his attention to farming. Mrs. Starr was born in Franklin Co., Penn., where she resided until the age of 6 years, when her parents came to this county, where she has since lived.

STARR, WILSON S., was born in Olivesburg, this county, Oct. 21, 1855, and has always lived in the county ; his grandmother and his father are among the oldest surviving settlers of the county. Mr. Starr has been principally salesman in a store, situated at Shen- andoah, although he has farmed some. At present, he is engaged in the manufacture of tile, in partner- ship with Nathan Whisler. They have the facilities to manufacture all sizes, and expect to keep constantly on hand the best tile made, and to sell at prices to suit the times. He was married, Aug. 31, 1877, to Emma F. Runyon ; they have one child — Lottie.

STARR & WHISLER, tile manufacturers, Shenan- doah ; keep constantly on hand the best tile manufact-

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