Horace Gabriel
Horace Gabriel, representative citizen and successful general farmer, residing on his carefully cultivated farm of 110 acres, situated in Scioto Township, was born December 28, 1849, in Scioto Township. Delaware County, Ohio, and is a son of Luther and Maria B. (Lawrence) Gabriel.
The father of Mr. Gabriel was born in Union County, Ohio, March 14. 1823. and was reared at Milford Center. After bis marriage, December 4. 1845, he came to Scioto Township and bought a part of the Lawrence farm, on which he lived during the remainder of his life. He erected a log house, cleared his land and raised cattle, sheep, hogs and horses. He married Maria B. Lawrence, who was born in Scioto Township, June 3, 1826. Her ancestors, in the persons of John and Mary (Townly) Lawrence, came to America during the reign of George III. They settled near Boston, Massachusetts, removing thence in 1770 to Adams County, Pennsylvania. Their son. Joseph Lawrence, was born in 1733 and died in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1705. He married Sarah Moffit, who was born in 1743 and died September 12, 1839. He probably served in the Revolutionary War. Their eldest son bore the name of John. He became a distinguished man and was serving his second term in the Pennsylvania Legislature when he resigned political honors in order to take part in the War of 1812. In 1796 he married Jeanette Cochran who was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, December 10, 1777, and died October 18, 1818. He moved to Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and from there, in 1814. to Scioto Township, Delaware County, where he died June 4, 1815. His was the first burial in the cemetery north of Ostrander. He was an intellectual and enterprising man, and hoped to be able to give his children a good education. When he died his widow was left in the wilderness home, with but a little patch of cleared land around her humble dwelling. His sons continued the clearing of the farm and never had the chance to become as well educated as their father.
Joseph Lawrence, a son of John and Janette Lawrence and the maternal grandfather Hrace Gabriel, was born in Pennsylvania, November 4. 1797, came to Scioto Township in 1814, and died .March 14, 1859. He married his cousin, .Mary Cochran, who was born July 9, 1799. Of their nine children, eight grew to maturity, namely: Milo H., Maria Butler, Elanor Jane, John William and James Smith, twins, Susan Emily, Roxanna Caroline and Joseph Samuel. The mother of this family died September 13. 1860. Joseph Lawrence was a fine singer; for many years he led the church choir, and when an old man still enjoyed attending singing school. All the members of the Lawrence family were reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.
The children of Luther Gabriel and wife were: Henrietta, born September 24, 1846, who married Adam Newhouse; Horace; John W., born May 26, 1852, residing in Scioto Township; Joseph, born June 11, 1854, residing in Scioto Township; Edward S., born July 6, 1857, residing in Scioto Township; Rosalia, born July 2, 1858, residing at Ostrander; and Otis C, born September 6, 1860, residing in Scioto Township. The Gabriel family was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.
Horace Gabriel spent his boyhood attending the district school and in performing the usual duties of the farm. When he was twenty-three years old he bought 30 acres of land, which he subsequently cleared and disposed of very advantageously. He then bought 50 acres and has since added to it until at present he has 110 acres. He raises cattle, sheep, horses and hogs, together with corn, oats, wheat and hay. His farm is a busy place during the summer harvests.
On March 13, 1873. Mr. Gabriel was married to Susan Frey of Scioto Township, whose father was killed on the western plains while en route for California. They have two children, Luther and Clarence. The elder son assists his father on the farm. The younger son, who resides at Van Wert, Ohio, married Nellie Bevo. Mrs. Gabriel was reared in the German Reformed Church at Delaware, but attends the Presbyterian Church with her husband, at Ostrander. Mr. Gabriel has been a trustee of the latter for eighteen years. In politics he votes with the Democratic party. He is a member of the Maccabees organization at Delaware.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens by James R. Lytle