Alonzo Fleming Hoskins
Alonzo Fleming Hoskins, a prosperous and enterprising general farmer, of Thompson Township, was born on the homestead where he now resides. April 8. 1855, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fleming) Hoskins. His paternal grandfather. John Hoskins. was a native of Wales, who emigrated to America about 1807, landing in the city of Baltimore. He was an early settler in Delaware County, locating first near Millville, now Warrensburg, later settling on a farm adjoining that of the subject of this sketch to the south. The farm was then covered with heavy timber, no improvements having been made, and should therefore be referred to in this connection as wild land rather than a piece of agricultural property. He built a log cabin on it and began the arduous work of clearing off the timber. In course of time the improvements made by him completely changed the aspect of the place. The log cabin gave way to a brick house, and smiling fields appeared instead of the trackless forest. There he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Their family included 12 children, several of whom died in infancy. The following is their record in brief: Jane, married John Randall. Rachel became the wife of John Lenox. Betsy married Owen Avery. Another daughter. Ann, married George Moyer. Henry married a Miss Fields. Jacob (father of the subject of this sketch) married Elizabeth Fleming. Perry married Hannah Deck. Ebenezer never married.
Jacob Hoskins was bom on the farm in Thompson Township above referred to, March 21, 1822, and resided there all his life. He married Elizabeth Fleming, who was a daughter of Crozier Fleming, a native of Ireland, who settled in Radnor Township, Delaware County, at an early day. Jacob Hoskins settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Alonzo, and made thereon some of the first improvements, building the present residence about 1870. Soon afterwards he erected the barn that stands on the farm. The first house was a weather-boarded building, which was destroyed by fire, after which Mr. Hoskins erected a log house. About 1870 he built the present residence. His wife Elizabeth died in 1862. She had borne him six children, as follows: Oliver, who was a druggist residing in Prospect, married Miss Ellen Greek; Jennie who died in 1862; Alice, who is single, resides in Prospect; Alonzo F. married Miss Jennie Fields, daughter of Marshall Fields, of Delaware County, Ohio; Ida. who is single, resides in Prospect; and one son who died in infancy.
Alonzo F. Hoskins was educated in the district schools and was brought up to farm life and labor. He was married in 1882 and subsequently resided in several different places, being a resident of Union County for nine years. For the past seven years he has occupied the old Hoskins homestead in Thompson Township, the farm which he owns and cultivates successfully, containing 103 acres. He is a highly esteemed citizen of the township and is well versed in the science of farming. He is a member of Prospect Lodge. F. & A. M., No. 144; Durwood Lodge, K. of P., at Prospect (No. 153); and of the Prospect Lodge of Modern Woodmen. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Jennie Hoskins died February 15, 1903. She and her husband had been the parents of the following children: Ethel, residing at home; Annie B., wile of Albert B. Keef, residing in Cleveland, Ohio; and Leah, who married Dillon Howser, and has one son—Robert Hoskins Howser. Mr. and Mrs. Howser reside in Richwood.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908