Aaron Story Dresser (1800-1893)[1]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Memorial ID 55453925, Find A Grave, accessed August 21, 2021 was a farmer, educator, and preacher. He was a native of New Hampshire and ended up in Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio.
Biography
Early life
Aaron Story Dresser was born on July 1, 1800 in Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[2]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021 He was the third of ten children of Samuel Dresser (1763-1859) and Rachel Story (1774-1869).[3]Augusta Harvey Worthen, History of Sutton, New Hampshire, Part II (Concord, NH: Republican Press Association, 1890), 688, HathiTrust, accessed August 30, 2021
The Dresser family moved around New Hampshire during Aaron’s youth. By 1802, they were living in Springfield, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. By 1807, they were in New London, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Around 1812, they settled in Sutton, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, where Samuel and Rachel would remain.[4]Augusta Harvey Worthen, History of Sutton, New Hampshire, Part II (Concord, NH: Republican Press Association, 1890), 688-689, HathiTrust, accessed August 30, 2021
Aaron “had a good common-school education,”[5]“R. W. Kelly,” Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1897), 810-811 and, after reaching adulthood, he worked as a teacher. In 1821, he was a teacher in Warner, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[6]Aaron S. Dresser teaching recommendation, Warner, New Hampshire, October 15, 1821 In 1823, he taught in Fishersfield, now Newbury, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.[7]Aaron Story Dresser teaching recommendation, Fishersfield, New Hampshire, March 18, 1823
In Ohio
In February, 1824, Aaron Story Dresser left New Hampshire along with his uncle, Aaron S. Story. They “endured many hardships and privations, and came to Ohio in the autumn of 1824.” En route to Richland County, the pair passed through Cleveland, Milan, Norwalk, and Mansfield, then only small villages. During the winters of 1824 and 1825, Aaron Dresser taught school in New Haven and Bloomfield.[8]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
Although his obituary states that “he first bought land in Richland county in the year 1825 and began to the clear the same,”[9]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021 it appears that his initial land purchase in Richland County was on August 3, 1826, when he purchased two parcels totaling 27 acres in Section 1 of Township 19N, Range 20W. The first of these parcels, 3 acres from the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 1.[10]Asa Dickerson to Aaron S. Dresser deed recorded August 15, 1827 in Richland County Deed Book v. 5, page 47 in Richland County (Ohio) Recorder, “Deed books, 1814-1913; deed index, … Continue reading The second of these parcels was 24 acres in the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of Section 1.[11]David Hunter to Aaron S. Dresser deed recorded August 15, 1827 in Richland County Deed Book v. 5, page 48 in Richland County (Ohio) Recorder, “Deed books, 1814-1913; deed index, … Continue reading At the time, this was part of Bloomfield Township in Richland County, but it is now part of Sandusky Township, Richland County, Ohio.
On April 30, 1826, he was married to Esther H. Davis (1808-1857)[12]“Esther H Davis Dresser,” Memorial ID 55453943, Find A Grave, accessed September 4, 2021, also of Richland County.[13]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021 For the next six years, they operated their modest farm in Richland County. In 1828, they had one cow, valued at 8 dollars.[14]Aaron S Dresser in Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio in 1828 in “Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850,” FamilySearch, accessed September 2, 2021 In 1830, they had three cows, valued at 24 dollars. [15]Aaron S Dresser in Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio in 1830 in “Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850,” FamilySearch, accessed September 2, 2021 In 1831, they had one horse, valued at 40 dollars, and one cow, valued at 8 dollars. [16]Aaron S Dresser in Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio in 1831 in “Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850,” FamilySearch, accessed September 2, 2021 In 1832, they had one horse, valued at 40 dollars, and two cows, valued at 16 dollars. [17]Aaron S Dresser in Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio in 1832 in “Ohio Tax Records, 1800-1850,” FamilySearch, accessed September 2, 2021
In addition to farming, Aaron continued working as a teacher. On February 18, 1831, he received a teaching certificate from Richland County school examiners.[18]Aaron Story Dresser teaching certificate, Richland County, Ohio, February 18, 1831
In 1832, the Dressers sold their farm in Richland County, and on May 2, 1833, they purchased 160 acres in the southeast quarter of Section 27 of Canaan Township, Marion County, Ohio (now Canaan Township, Morrow County, Ohio).[19]Robert F. Hickman to Aaron S. Dresser deed recorded November 2, 1833 in Marion County Deed Book v. 5, page 491 in Marion County (Ohio) Recorder, “Deeds, 1821-1937; index to deeds, … Continue reading They stayed on this farm for about one year, selling it on April 19, 1834. [20]Aaron S. Dresser to Michael Shafer deed recorded December 4, 1834 in Marion County Deed Book v. 6, page 347 in Marion County (Ohio) Recorder, “Deeds, 1821-1937; index to deeds, … Continue reading
In Wood County, Ohio
In the Summer of 1834, the Dressers moved to Wood County. At that time, the vast majority of Wood County was part of the Great Black Swamp, and the voyage was arduous. The journey was “made with ox-teams, and they crossing many deep streams, some of which the cattle had to swim. Their land was in an uncleared forest, where they built a small house, and much hard labor was expended in preparing the land for cultivation.”[21]“R. W. Kelly,” Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1897), 810-811 “He came to this country [i.e., Wood County] with neither dog nor gun, and strange to say, was never molested by any wild animals or Indians.”[22]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
On December 30, 1835, Aaron Dresser received two land patents for land in Wood County. The first, for 160 acres in the southeast quarter of Section 25 of Township 4N of Range 11E (Portage Township), was the land on which he built his house.[23]Aaron Dresser land patent, Document Number 10518, Accession Number OH0920__.355, Issued December 30, 1835, General Land Office Records, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, … Continue reading The second was for 81.01 acres in the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 30 of Township 4N of Range 12E (Montgomery Township). [24]Aaron Dresser land patent, Document Number 10518, Accession Number OH0920__.383, Issued December 30, 1835, General Land Office Records, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of the Interior, … Continue reading Although this land was located in the Great Black Swamp, neither of these parcels were located in land that was identified as inundated in the initial survey of the land in 1822.
In addition to farming, Aaron Dresser maintained an interest in education while in Wood County. In 1844, as school examiner and overseer of the poor, he made a petition for school funding to the state legislature:
The standing committee on Common Schools, Colleges, and Universities, to whom was referred the petition of Aaron S. Dresser, school examiner, and overseer of the poor, of Portage township, in the county of Wood, and nineteen others, praying that a tax of fifty cents be levied on each dog in Ohio, for school purposes, have had the same under consideration, and now report–
That the petition more properly belongs to another committee of the House, and reccommend [sic] that the same be referred to the committee on Finance; and your committee ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.
Said report was agreed.
Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Ohio, Vol. XLIII (Columbus: Samuel Medary, State Printer, 1844), 413[25]Journal of the House of Representatives of the State of Ohio, Vol. XLIII (Columbus: Samuel Medary, State Printer, 1844), 413, HathiTrust, accessed August 29, 2021
He was also on the first recorded school board for Portage Township, in 1856:
Schools.–From an old record book found in D. L. Hill’s house, long after the first search for township books was made, it is learned that Samuel Johnson, W. C. Underwood, and Aaron S. Dresser, were members of the school board, in session at the Johnson school house, April 21, 1856. At that time a $250 building was authorized for District No. 5, while a house in District No. 1, was reported near complete. In July, Collister Haskins presented a deed of the lot on which the house in No. 1 was built, his school tax being cancelled in recognition of his liberality. A house was erected in District No. 4, that year.
“Portage Township,” Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1897), 391[26]“Portage Township,” Commemorative Historical and Biographical Record of Wood County, Ohio (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1897), 391, HathiTrust, accessed August 29, 2021
Later life
Esther died in 1857[27]“Esther H Davis Dresser,” Memorial ID 55453943, Find A Grave, accessed September 4, 2021, Aaron outliving her by almost 36 years. He continued to farm in Portage Township during this time, and was listed as living with at least some of his children in both the 1860[28]Aaron Dresser in Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio in “United States Census, 1860,” FamilySearch, accessed September 5, 2021 and 1870[29]A. S. Dresser in Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio in “United States Census, 1870,” FamilySearch, accessed September 5, 2021 U.S. Censuses. By 1880, he was living with his daughter Mary Ann and her husband, Reuben Perez Hillard.[30]A. S. Dresser in Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio in “United States Census, 1880,” FamilySearch, accessed September 5, 2021
He seems to have been in good health into his 80s:
An Old Pioneer.–Father Dresser, of Portage, 82 years old, an old Sentinel reader, gave us a call Monday. He is mentally and physically bright, active and energetic. His located in Wood county 48 years ago.
“An Old Pioneer,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), October 5, 1882[31]“An Old Pioneer,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), October 5, 1882, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
In the autumn of 1888, at the age of 88, he suffered his first of several strokes.[32]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
In 1892, he started divesting himself of his property:
He was until about a year ago possessed of a large amount of land in Portage and Montgomery townships, but at that time very justly divided it as he thought best among his surviving children and was happy in the knowledge that each owned an equitable share before he closed his eyes on this world.
“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893[33]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
Aaron Story Dresser died on April 17, 1893 in Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio, due to a stroke.[34]Arron Dresser death record, Wood County, Ohio, in “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” FamilySearch, accessed August 31, 2021 He was buried alongside his wife in Riverview Cemetery in West Millgrove, Wood County, Ohio.[35]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Memorial ID 55453925, Find A Grave, accessed August 21, 2021
Affiliations
Religious
Aaron Story Dresser’s father, Samuel Dresser, was “licensed to preach by the Baptist and F. W. Baptist denominations.” [36]Augusta Harvey Worthen, History of Sutton, New Hampshire, Part II (Concord, NH: Republican Press Association, 1890), 689, HathiTrust, accessed September 4, 2021 Presumably, Aaron went to Baptist churches in his childhood.
Around 1825, while in Richland County, Ohio, Aaron became a Methodist. When he first moved to Wood County, “he was a minister in the M. E. [Methodist Episcopal] Church, and was soon successful in organizing a class, and Rev. Harlow Hill of Montgomery township, was made class leader. Mr. Dresser ever labored to maintain a good christian character and to stand for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…He contributed largely to the erection of all the churches within eight miles of his home, and ever esteemed it a pleasure to be invited to speak in any of these sanctuaries. He endeavored daily to keep a good and gentle christian spirit and so the same seed.”[37]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
Political
Aaron Story Dresser supported Whig and later Republican candidates. In 1859, he advocated for either Horace Greeley or Salmon P. Chase to be the 1860 Republican presidential nominee:
Aaron S. Dresser, of West Millgrove, in remitting his subscription, winds up a short letter to the editor of the Journal with the following sentiments, which are “sound on the goose:”
“Now may happiness, prosperity, and success attend you, and all others, in laboring for Right and Truth; and may Horace Greeley, of New York, Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio, or some other good man, of these United States, be our next President; and may corruption and all wickedness come to an eternal end, and our land and people be freed from cruelty and oppression.”
Greeley would make a capital President, and would do as much as any other man towards putting an “eternal end” to “corruption and wickedness.” He would run like a dog with a tinshop tied to his tail. He would get an enormous vote at Pike’s Peak! Hurra for Greeley, say we; and accursed be he who won’t say hurra for Greeley!
“Horace Greeley for President,” Perrysburg Journal, November 24, 1859[38]“Horace Greeley for President,” Perrysburg Journal, November 24, 1859, Chronicling America, accessed August 29, 2021
In 1888, he supported Benjamin Harrison and mentioned his support for William Henry Harrison in 1840:
A Harrison and Morton pole was raised on the farm of A. S. Dresser last Thursday, from which floats a beautiful flag made by his daughter, Mrs. R. P. Hillard. Mr. Dresser voted for Gen. Wm. H. Harrison. He is 88 years old and helped raised [sic] the pole and expects to vote for Benjamin Harrison in November.
“Six Points,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), October 18, 1888[39]“Six Points,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), October 18, 1888, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
Children
Aaron Story Dresser and Esther H. Davis had seven children:
- Sarah Ann Dresser (1827-1841)[40]“Sarah A. Dresser,” Memorial ID 55453911, Find A Grave, accessed August 29, 2021
- Eliza Jane Dresser (1830-1897)[41]“Eliza Jane Dresser Kelly,” Memorial ID 55483458, Find A Grave, accessed August 29, 2021
- Susan Lavinia Dresser (1832-1855)[42]“Susan Lavania Dresser Hall,” Memorial ID 55453900, Find A Grave, accessed August 29, 2021
- Daniel Davis Dresser (1835-1874)[43]“Daniel D Dresser,” Memorial ID 55453886, Find A Grave, accessed August 29, 2021
- John Story Dresser (1837-1857)
- Margaretta Dresser (1840-1909)[44]“Margaretta Dresser Adams,” Memorial ID 118192392, Find A Grave, accessed August 29, 2021
- Mary Ann Dresser (1847-1894)[45]“Mary A Dresser Hillard,” Memorial ID 51998390, Find A Grave, accessed August 29, 2021
The 1860 Census lists a 12 year-old named Levi living with Aaron Story Dresser,[46]Levi Dresser in Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio in “United States Census, 1860,” FamilySearch, accessed September 3, 2021 but multiple sources state that Aaron and Esther had seven children, and no sources actually list Levi as their child.
Obituary
Aaron S. Dresser, who was probably the oldest man in Wood county, died on Monday at his residence in Portage township. He was 93 years old and came to Wood county nearly 60 years ago from New Hampshire.
Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), April 20, 1893[47]Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), April 20, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
AARON STORY DRESSER.
—–
Wood County’s Oldest Citizen Passes Away–Born in 1800, and a Resident of this County for 57 Years–A Delayed Obituary, but Interesting.
—–
The SENTINEL’s correspondent from Six Points sends in the following very interesting life sketch of an honored old pioneer, and apologizes for its lateness by the statement that the article was compiled in the most part from a partially prepared life history from the pen of the subject of the sketch.Six Points, April 24, 1893.
Aaron Story Dresser of this place died quite suddenly of paralysis at his home, Monday, April 17. He had had several attacks of this disease, the first of which occurred in the autumn of 1888, and since that time, as seldom is the case, he had had three partial strokes of the same, the fourth occurring Monday and resulting in his death.
Mr. Dresser was born in Boscarwen [Boscawen], N. H., July 1, 1800. His father was Samuel Dresser, an old revolutionary war veteran, of Rowley, Mass. His mother was Rachel Story of Hopkinton, N. H. He lived in N. H. until February 1824, endured many hardships and privations, and came to Ohio in the autumn of 1824 with his uncle, Aaron S. Story; passed through Cleveland, Milan, Norwalk, and Mansfield, then only small villages. He taught school in New Haven and Bloomfield during the winters of 1824 and 1825 and became a christian about this time. He first bought land in Richland county in the year 1825 and began to clear the same. He was married to Esther H. Davis of that county, April 30, 1826. Seven children were born to them–two sons and five daughters, three of whom survive him. Mr. Dresser moved from Richland county to Marion county and remained there about a year. He owned land in that county and sold it and bought in Portage township, Wood county, where he moved with his family in June, 1834, and remained there until the time of his death.
When he moved to Wood county there were but few settlers in the northwestern part of the state. Most of the state was forest and very heavy at that. The Indians mostly had gone to Upper Sandusky to the reservation. Mr. Dresser built himself a cabin at once and began the battle with nature in removing the trees. He came to this country with neither dog nor gun, and strange to say, was never molested by any wild animals or Indians. McCormick’s grain mill at Millgrove began grinding in September of the same year Mr. Dresser came to Wood county. At this time he was a minister in the M. E. Church, and was soon successful in organizing a class, and Rev. Harlow Hill of Montgomery township, was made class leader. Mr. Dresser ever labored to maintain a good christian character and to stand for the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He was honest and true to all as a husband, father and neighbor. He contributed largely to the erection of all the churches within eight miles of his home, and ever esteemed it a pleasure to be invited to speak in any of these sanctuaries. He endeavored daily to keep a good and gentle christian spirit and sow the same seed.
He was until about a year ago possessed of a large amount of land in Portage and Montgomery townships, but at that time very justly divided it as he thought best among his surviving children and was happy in the knowledge that each owned an equitable share before he closed his eyes on this world.
The funeral took place Wednesday, April 19, from the M. P. Church, Rev. McNutt of Bradner, officiating, and the remains were laid to rest beside his wife in the West Millgrove cemetery. Peace to his ashes.
“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893[48]“Aaron Story Dresser,” Wood County Sentinel (Bowling Green, Ohio), May 4, 1893, Wood County District Public Library, accessed August 28, 2021
Published biographies
Aaron S. Dresser emigrated to Portage township, Wood County, southeastern quarter of section twenty-five, in June, 1824.[sic] He entered his land at the Bucyrus office, in May, 1834. The names of those then in the township, who had preceded him, were Callister Haskins, Joseph Cox, Jacob Eberly, and a few others, probably. A road was partly cut to Perrysburg, covered most of the year by water.
H. S. Knapp, History of the Maumee Valley (Toledo: Blade Mammoth Printing and Publishing House, 1872), 437[49]H. S. Knapp, History of the Maumee Valley (Toledo: Blade Mammoth Printing and Publishing House, 1872), 437, HathiTrust, accessed August 29, 2021
Census records
- 1830 U.S. Census, Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio
- 1840 U.S. Census, Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
- 1850 U.S. Census, Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
- 1860 U.S. Census, Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
- 1870 U.S. Census, Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
- 1880 U.S. Census, Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
Property records
Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio Deeds
| Deed Date | Record Date | Grantor | Grantee | Volume | Page | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1826-08-03 | 1827-08-15 | Asa Dickerson | Aaron S. Dresser | 5 | 47 | 3 acres of the NW corner of the SE quarter of the NE quarter of section 1, Twp. 19, Range 20 |
| 1826-08-03 | 1827-08-15 | David Hunter | Aaron S. Dresser | 5 | 48 | 24 acres in the SW corner of the NE quarter, section 1, Twp. 19, Range 20, 24 acres |
| 1832-09-26 | 1833-08-30 | Dresser Aaron S. | John Mitchell | 10 | 255 | 27 acres in the NW corner of the SE quarter, section 1, Twp. 19, Range 20 |
Marion County, Ohio Deeds
| Deed Date | Record Date | Grantor | Grantee | Volume | Page | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1833-05-02 | 1833-11-02 | Robert F. Hickman | Aaron S. Dresser | 5 | 491 | SE quarter, section 27, Twp. 5, Range 17, 160 acres |
| 1834-04-19 | 1834-12-04 | Aaron S. Dresser | Michael Shafer | 6 | 347 | SE quarter, section 27, Twp. 5, Range 17, 160 acres |
Wood County, Ohio Land Patents
| Name | Date | Doc # | Township | Range | Aliquots | Section |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dresser, Aaron | 1835-12-30 | 10518 | 4N | 11E | SE 1/4 | 25 |
| Dresser, Aaron | 1835-12-30 | 10546 | 4N | 12E | W 1/2 SW 1/4 | 30 |
| Dresser, Aaron S | 1853-12-01 | 43782 | 3N | 12E | N 1/2 NE 1/4 | 2 |
Wood County, Ohio Deeds
Tax records
Bloomfield Township, Richland County, Ohio
Canaan Township, Marion County, Ohio
| Lands and Houses | Personal Property |
|---|---|
| 1834 |
Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
| Lands and Houses | Personal Property |
|---|---|
| 1836 | |
| 1838 | |
| 1840 | 1840 |
| 1841 | 1841 |
| 1842 (version 1), 1842 (version 2) | 1842 |
| 1843 | 1843 |
| 1844 | 1844 |
| 1845 | 1845 |
| 1846 | 1846 |
| 1847 | 1847 |
| 1848 | 1848 |
| 1849 | 1849 |
| 1850 |
Voting records
Portage Township, Wood County, Ohio
- 1840-10-13
- 1841-10-12
- 1842-04-04
- 1843-05-25
- 1846-10-13
- 1850-04-01
- 1850-10-08
- 1851-06-17
- 1852-10-12
- 1853-10-11
- 1854-10-10
- 1856-10-14
- 1858-10-12
- 1859-04-04
- 1860-10-09
- 1863-10-13
- 1865-10-10
- 1866-10-09
- 1867-10-08
- 1868-04-06
- 1870-10-11
References