In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1902) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902), History of Crawford County and Ohio : containing a history of the state of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time ... a history of Crawford County ... biographical sketches, portraits (1881)
REV. THOMAS J. MONNETT, farmer and minister, Bucyrus, whose portrait appears in this work, is a son of Rev. Jeremiah and Alcy (Single) Monnett, and was born Jan. 26, 1826, in Pickaway Co., Ohio. When nine years of age, his parents removed to this county and settled on the place where he now lives. They came from an old and thickly settled country, and, arriving at their new home in a heavy rain, drenched to the skin, the prospect before them seemed anything but inviting. In the midst of all this his mother was taken sick, which added to the anxiety of the situation. Young Monnett was employed in harding stock, and riding among the yellow-blossomed weeds, which covered the Plains: he was often lost almost in sight of his father's cabin. An old cabin residence near by was converted into a schoolhouse during the summer of 1836, and Harriet Bover, an Eastern lady of some attainments, taught the first school in it. Pupils came four or five miles to the first winter school, which was taught by a Mr. Kenough. In these schools young Monnett studied until he was 16, mastering the common branches as far as taught by those early teachers. In his 16th year. Rev. Osborn Monnett, of the Norwalk Seminary of the Methodist Episcopal Church, came to the neighborhood, and soon after started a school at his own residence, in which he was enrolled among the first pupils. He was a very thorough teacher, and for two years, young IMonnett pursued the studies of grammar, philosophy and algebra. About the year 1845, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan Universitjat Delaware, and returned and took charge of the home school that winter at $18 per month, it being the first school under the district system. He taught two terms, at the same time occupying himself ! with individual study. At 21 years of age, he began reading medicine with Drs. F. Swingley j and Douglass, of Bucyrus, and recited to them j for one year. Previous to attaining his majority, he read Clark's Commentaries through to his father, who was a minister of the Gospel, and the church licensed him to preach, but, not feeling sure of his duty, he did not then enter the ministry. A few years later, however, being called by the church and his own convictions, he took charge of Melmore Circuit, under Presiding Elder Wm. Disbra, for one year, as supply. He was then recommended unanimously by the circuit to the North Ohio Conference, and in 1853, he joined the conference and was sent to Fostoria, where he labored for two years, having a glorious revival each year; he was then sent to Kenton, one of the strongest charges at that time in the conference; and was ordained Elder, having completed a comprehensive course of study in four years, which usually requires six years. He remained at Kenton one year, and then went to Upper Sandusky, laboring there two years with good success. He was then removed to the Caledonia Circuit, which enabled him to be at home, and here he labored for two j'ears, having a large revival at Monnett Chapel, in which 108 persons joined the church; he labored continuously for forty-two nights, which proved too much for his already over-asked system, and brought on a hemorrhage of the lungs, and he retired for two years, much broken down in health. In 1861, he took a superannuated relation to the North Ohio Conference, and on his recovery he labored in the ministry in various places. He has been called upon to settle up some large states for T. F. Johnston and others. About 1861, he began stocking his farm and had good success, and some years later, he purchased the old homestead; he now owns about 1,200 acres of fine farming and grazing land. He has been engaged in various public enterprises, among them the Bucyrus Woolen Mills, and is now, with J. G. Frayer, owner of the Bucyrus Gas Works. In 1848. he was married to Henrietta Johnston, of Dallas Township, and had born to him by this marriage, seven children, viz.: Orwin Bruce, of this township; Wm. A., commission stock-dealer of Chicago; Francis S., still at home; John G. (deceased 10 years); Effle at home; Webster and Agnes, died in childhood. His wife died Nov. 22, 1871, in her 43d year, and on the 4th of September, 1873, he was married to Miss Sarah Rexroth, of Buc3'rus, who was born at Winchester, in this county. May 4, 1842, and educated in the Bucyrus schools, and at Mt. Union College. She began teaching at 15, and taught seven terms in this county; in 1862, she began teaching in Bucj-rus Union Schools, and continued until 1873, teaching in every grade, and in the high school department. She was identified with the missionary work in this county, having been Corresponding Secretary of the Cincinnati branch of the AVomen's Foreign Society and Sunday school work, and is now Superintendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Monnett's father and uncle came about 1835, and were the first Methodists in the neighborhood. His father married Alcy Slagle, who was born in Virginia, and received from her father's estate a number of slaves, which he brought across the Ohio River to free them, when he moved to Pickaway County in 1801. Mr. Monnett, the subject, has always been a Republican in politics. He was nominated for the State Senate in the district composed of Crawford, Wyandot and Seneca Counties, and cut down the Democratic majority 400 votes; was also nominated for Representative in 1879.
As printed in History of Crawford County and Ohio : containing a history of the state of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time ... a history of Crawford County ... biographical sketches, portraits (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
THOMAS J. MONNETT.
The influence which Thomas J. Monnett had upon the material and moral development of Crawford county was very great. As a minister of the gospel he labored for the spiritual welfare of the people, and at the same time he was an active factor in many movements and enterprises which contributed to the prosperity and happiness of the people among whom he lived and by whom he was ever held in the highest esteem. He departed this life in Crawford county, in May, 1901, and the community thereby lost one of its.most valued citizens.
"His life was noble and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up And say to all the world 'This was a man.' "
Thomas J. Monnett was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, January 26, 1826, a son of the Rev. Jeremiah and Alcy ( Slagle) Monnett. When he was nine years of age his parents removed to Crawford county and settled on "the plains" south of Bucyrus. They were among* the pioneers of the county and aided in its primitive development, assisting to lay broad and deep the foundation upon which its present prosperity and progress rests. In the country schools such as were common at that time the son Thomas pursued his studies, mastering the branches of learning which were taught in such institutions. He afterward attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, in 1845, and subsequent to his return home engaged in teaching school. He studied medicine to some extent, but under the direction of his father, who was a Methodist minister, he prepared for that holy calling and was at length licensed to preach for the same denomination. For many years he proclaimed the "glad tidings of great joy" among the people of Ohio, acting as pastor of the Methodist churches at Fostoria, Kenton, Upper Sandusky and other places. At Fostoria he was associated with G. W. Collier, now chaplain in the United States army, located at Columbus, Ohio. In 1861 he became superanuated and thereafter, not being in good health, his ministerial labors were not consecutive, although he never lost his deep interest in Christian work and did much to advance the cause of the church.
In 1 86 1 Mr. Monnett located upon his farm in Bucyrus township and became a successful ami extensive agriculturist and stock-raiser, but his efforts were not confined alone to this line. He was interested in the Bucyrus Woolen Mills, the Bucyrus Gas works, together with other enterprises, and his business and executive ability made his advice and management of value in the successful control of such industrial concerns.
Mr. Monnett was married, in 1848, to Miss Henrietta Johnston, of Crawford county, and unto them were born the following named children: Webster, who died in childhood; Orwin Bruce; William A.; Francis S.; John G., who died at the age of nineteen years; Efhe. who was the wife of Hon. S. W. Bemalt and died November 20, 1898; and Agnes, who died in childhood. The mother departed this life November 22, 1871. at the age of forty-two years, and on the 4th of September, 1873. Mr. Monnett was joined in wedlock to Sarah Rexroth, who was one of the early school teachers of the county. In politics he was always a stalwart Republican and supported his position by intelligent argument, always keeping well informed on the issues of the day. During his work in the ministry he was an earnest, forceful and convincing speaker and his influence was widely felt. In business he was industrious, determined and straightforward and thereby won prosperity. During the last few years of his life he lived retired in Bucyrus. He was a man whom to know was to respect and honor, and his career furnishes an example well worthy of emulation.
As printed in A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1902. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.