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Pix #1 - The B.L. Long residence, shown in the above artists sketch, was that family's residence back in the 1870's. It was on a large tract of land owned by Long, located in sections 1 and 2 in the northeast part of Jackson Township. Today, the farm part is owned by Melvin Kline who resides in the original home which has undergone some remodeling. The Kline's bought the property in 1941 and have lived there since 1942 initially farming the land, but not rent out the fields.

PIX #2 - Carmen (Ash) Lyons and her cat Morris

PIX #3 - The house build by William Ash, Carmen (Ash) Lyon's grandfather, where she has lived for many years.

Carmen (Ash) Lyons, one of Amsden's senior citizens, a lifetime resident of that village, is still spry, with a keen memory and she's interesting to talk to. She resides in the large brick house, shown in one of the accompanying photos.

Carmen is always ready to carry on a lively and informative conversation about many subjects including her birthplace.

The house where she has lived for many years was built by William Ash, her grandfather, picutured and written about in a previous article. The house built in 1863 is similar to a number of brick houses he built in about that same period in the Amsden area. The brick for all of the houses was made from clay taken from a pit just north of the Ash house shown in this column.

ASH FAMILY PUBLIC SPIRIT

William Ash donated all the bricks to build the Methodist Church in Amsden. And the land for Jackson Liberty School, close to Carmen's home, was donated by Charles Ash, her father.

Carmen was born to Charles and Isabelle (Foster) Ash, pictured in an earlier article, in the house east of her present home. In more recent years it was remodeled by Earl Ash (now deceased) for he and his wife Ethel.

Carmen recalls the fire which damaged the house when she was a girl, and how she was seriously burned at that time. She recalls her recuperation in her grandfather's house where she now lives.

Louis Bromfield, the celebrated author and naturalist, was a good friend of Carmen. She visited his home and farm near Mansfield many times prior to his death. She is well versed about Bromfield and always anxious to talk about him and his accomplishments. She even hopes to take another trip to see the property, now supervised by the state. Carmen said the room where today's photo of her was taken was the setting for many marriages in years past. Looking at the charming stairway leading from that room to the second floor she remarked, "Many important politicians, both state and national, including presidents, used that stairway, having stayed overnight".

The Ash family have been Republicans, starting with William Ash, her grand- father, Charles Ash, her father, was active in politics in the state and county as was her brother Earl, who was known as Mr. Republican.

Carmen went to the country school on County Road 5, which is now the residence of John Cochie at 6014.

FAMILY IMPORTANT TO CARMEN

Carmen has had many interests in her life, but her family has been very important to her. Her daughter Jean, who married a Gregory Trumpler, lives close to her. Mrs. Gordon (Isabel) Gair, her other daughter had an untimely death, but their son, Chris, was part of our conversation. Chris is vice president of a bank in Florida. Jed Trumpler, 1290 Morningside Dr., another grandson, as well as his son Jed, have an interest in farming and will probably carry on the family tradition of land ownership and cultivation in the Amsden area.

The presence of "Morris" Carmen's cat, in the photo, shows her interest in animals. In our conversation she recalled, gleefully, "old freckled face Chief" their farm horse when she was a girl.

OTHER PIONEERS OF JACKSON TOWNSHIP

PLINY TRUMBO: Born in Jackson Township, May 17, 1845, to Enoch and Eleanore Trumbo. Reared on family farm and continued that pursuit all his life. Served his country during the Civil War, wounded at battle of Stone River, taken prisoner and confined in Libby Prison. In 1867 he married Lydia Nederhouser, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Kingsley) Nederhouser. To them were born three children. He filled the offices of trustee, assessor and clerk of Jackson Township.

BENJAMIN WYANT: Born in Jackson Township Nov. 6, 1853. Son of Isaac and J.C. (McDugle often spelled McDougal) Wyant. His father Isaac came to Jackson Township in 1833, where he farmed all his life. Benjamin in 1879 married Sarah Lybarger, daughter of William C. and Elizabeth (Ash) Lybarger. To them was born William, Charles and Elizabeth. The Wyants were Methodists.

JACOB YOCHUM: Born in Germany Dec. 13, 1836, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Nusser) Jacob Sr. was a cabinetmaker but followed farming most of his life after coming to America. He following farming eventually acquiring 240 acres in Jackson Township. In 1860 he married Sarah Sowders, a native of Germany, and to them were born Henry, Jacob, Edward, Walter, Peter, Mary, George, William and Laura Anna. The family were Lutherans. Mr. Yochum having been deacon, trustee and superintendent of the Sunday School.

CABINETMAKER AND FARMER

B.L. LONG: Born Sept, 12, 1823, to Daniel and Margaret (Brill) Long, natives of Pennsylvania. Our subject was one of 10 children. He married Mary Johnson in 1850, daugter of Henry F. Johnson. To that union were born three children, Melissa, Margaret C. and Daniel F. The family belonged to United Brethren church and he was a class leader, steward and trustee.

READER FEEDBACK:

The quantity of material about Amsden has prohibited the publishing of Feedback. Even though the series continues, some of the response from readers is included today:

AMSDEN'S DAUGHTER VISITED AREA ONCE

Early in the series a telephone call came from Mrs. Arthur Bickelhaupt, 1105 W. Seneca County Road 28.

She said Earl Ash has always used "Isaac" as the first name of Amsden, the man who surveyed and layed out the railroad through the village of Amsden, and for whom the village was named.

The references I used in the articles named his as Beman Amsden. The 1874 Seneca Atlas showed that "Beman Amsden" owned considerable land in Jackson Township in sections 10, 11, 14 and 20, presumably granted to him by the government because he was a surveyor and had provided services to the state.

Mrs. Bickelhaupt recalls Earl Ash telling that Beman Amsden's granddaughter visited the village of Amsden when Ash was still living, and he (Ash) showed her around the area where her ancestor had been prominent.

The author believes it was Willis Wyant who told me that Beman Amsden, after leaving the area, continued his profession of surveying, working his way to the west coast.

WYANT'S WIND COMMANDS MUCH DATA

Of course Wyant has telephoned when articles have appeared and expressed his appreciation for them. If fact, he was helpful to me when exploring research data. Willis, having been raised in the Amsden area, is in command of so much data, that when he talks to me he mentions so much...names, data and events, so rapidly, it is impossible to grasp and retain all of it.