Short Biography of Henry E. Phile

HENRY E. PHILE. No better illustration is needed of what can be accomplished in the face of seemingly unsurmountable obstacles, by any one who possesses a courageous heart and determined will, than that shown in the simple record of the gentleman whose name opens this sketch, and who holds a prominent place in Allen township, Ottawa county, where he has resided for nearly thirty years. That he has inherited some of his energy and perserverance, the following brief sketch of his parents will testify.

Henry Phile, the father of our subject, was born in York county, Penn., May 30, 1804. His education was very limited, for the schools in those days were few and far between, and the facilities offered exceedingly meagre; he was, however, of an inquiring turn of mind, and eagerly seized every opportunity to add to his store of knowledge, reading everything he could procure. He learned the trade of a cabinet-maker, when a youth, and worked at it for several years, then took up farming in Northfield, Summit Co., this State, to which he came about the year 1826. He was very ingenious and although he had never served any apprenticeship at carpentering, he readily picked up the practical part of the business and built several houses, barns and other buildings in and around Summit county, as well as two canal boats. He also worked at coopering, and could boast of making the first pail and barrel ever made in Northfield township, and also the first window sash that was ever put in a house there. In addition to this he began the manufacture of carriages, of which he built seven, and at the age of eighty-five he made a wagon, out and out, which is now in the possession of a grandson, and is highly prized by him. He lived to the good old age of ninety years, passing away in Northfield township, January 16, 1894. He was a man of strong character and great energy, and was respected by all who knew him.

The mother of our subject, Roxana (Cranmer) Phile, was born in 1811, in Northfield township, and was a daughter of Jeremiah and Hannah (Cole) Cranmer. Her father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, during which he was wounded, and he carried both British and indian lead in his body to his grave; he was buried in Northfield township. His family consisted of ten children, namely: Jeremiah, David, Abram (who served in the Rebellion), Esther, Hannah, Eunice, Nancy, Roxana (mother of our subject), Sallie, and Joseph, who died young (his was the first grave made in what is now the cemetery at Northfield, and for seven years was the only one; wolves and wild beasts were plentiful in those days, and the family were obliged to build heaps of logs over his grave to prevent them from despoiling it). Mrs. Phile died in 1892, two years before her husband, having lived a useful and busy life, and leaving behind her only tender recollections of a mother's care and affection.

Henry E. Phile, the subject of this sketch, was born March 14, 1837, in the township of Northfield, Summit Co., Ohio, where, at the public schools, he received his education. On arriving at manhood he assisted his father upon the farm until 1862, at which time, with many of his neighbors and friends who rallied around "the flag of their country" when it was threatened by disloyal hands, he enlisted in Company B, Sixty-first Ohio Infantry, in which he served two years and three months, the regiment being stationed most of the time on the Rapidan river, Virginia, where they were doing hard service at the front. Mr. Phile was on detail duty in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia. He was not mustered out with his regiment, but was discharged in Nashville, Tenn. Returning home he came to Clay (now Allen) township, and purchased eighty acres of timber land, on which he built a small log cabin and lived for some time. In February, 1865, he again enlisted in the army, this time joining the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Infantry. His time of service was short, however, for he was seized with paralysis and was discharged June 9, of the same year, at Nashville, and returned to his father's home at Northfield, where he remained until May, 1866. At the expiration of that time he returned to Clay township and added forty acres more to his possessions, making a total of 120 acres.

A weighty problem in life now presented itself. How was he, in feeble health, obliged to go about on crutches, and physically unable to labor, to accomplish the feat of clearing off this land, supporting his family and paying a debt of five hundred and fifty dollars? There were only four log cabins in his vicinity, not a road within three miles of his shanty, the land covered with dense forests, and no comforts or conveniences of any description. It was here that the undaunted courage and steadfast purpose of this stout-hearted pioneer and his brave wife came into play. They cheerfully bore all hardships, hired what help they could procure, worked day and night, and, as a result of twenty-nine years' labor, have to-day one of the most highly improved farms in the county, on which stands a splended brick residence, with numerous barns, outhouses and other improvemetns, which make the place an ornament to the township, and a credit to the intelligent management of its owner.

Mr. Phile was married, January 7, 1860, to Evaline N., daughter of John and Lydia (Spafford) Tryon, the former of whom was a farmer in Northfield township. Mrs. Phile proved herself the worthy wife of a worthy pioneer, and bore no small part in the prosperity of her husband and the development of the township. She died May 27, 1885, much regretted. To this happy union but one child has come, Alsom E., whose birth took place May 9, 1862, in Northfield township. He attended the public schools in Clay township for some years, and took a three-years' course at Oberlin; he then attended a private school at Port Clinton, conducted by Miss Mothly, from which he was graduated in 1881. He now owns eighty acres of hsi father's old farm, on which he lives. Alsom Phile was married November 18, 1884, to Emma, daughter of Reuben M. and Lucy M. (Ensign) Babcock, the former an acriculturist and maufacturer of charcoal, who lives in Allen township. They have one son, Alsom E., born December 21, 1891, and one daughter, Eva J., born December 20, 1886. Our subject belongs to the G. A. R., and is a member of the American Protective Association. In politics he is a Republican, and with his family he attends the Baptist Church.

Source: "Pioneer Recollections of the Early 30's and 40's in Sandusky County, Ohio" ⁴⁴¹⁰