Benjamin F. and Lyman P. McMaster
Benjamin F. and Lyman P. McMaster, extensive land owners and farmers of Brown Township, Delaware County, Ohio, have attained a high degree of success and are widely known throughout the county. Operating under the firm name of McMaster Brothers, they have cultivated the tract of 425 acres left by their father, and to this added from time to time until the farm has been almost doubled in size. In past years they bought, raised and fed stock on an extensive scale, making a specialty of high grade Short Horn cattle and standard-bred draft horses and roadsters. They have bred and raised some fast horses, which made fine records for speed on various race courses. In Short-Horn breeding they have favored the red, and have a large herd almost uniformly of that color. Substantial men of the public spirited type, the McMaster Brothers have always worked for those improvements which tend to add to the comforts of life, as well as to enhance the value of property, in Brown Township.
The McMaster family has long been one of prominence in Delaware County. Benjamin McMaster, the grandfather, was born September 24, 1795. in Ontario County, New York, and was the third in a family of four children. He was quite young when his father died, and in 1813 located in Scioto County, Ohio. There he operated the first saw-mill in the county, and sawed the lumber used in the old State House in Columbus. In 1814 he moved to the village of Worthington, and lived in part of the house in which Colonel Kilbourne kept tavern. In the latter part of the same year, he came to Delaware County and cleared twenty acres for Dr. Warren. In 1817 he went to Champaign County, and the next year married a daughter of Lemuel G. Humphrey, of Liberty Township, Delaware County, who lived but a few years. Shortly afterward he again came to Delaware County and bought 100 acres of land on Elm Creek, upon which he built a cabin of the pioneer pattern, moving into it about ten o'clock one cold December night, when about fifteen inches of snow covered the ground. This is a little evidence of the hardships of the pioneer days. His worldly possessions at that time were one yoke of steers, one heifer, ten head of young hogs, a dog, a small supply of household goods and provisions, and fifty dollars in money. He cleared his farm, which was considered in those days the finest improved and richest in Brown Township, it being bottom land, which before the days of extensive drainage was not subject to frequent inundation as at present. Benjamin McMaster resided on this farm until 1851 when he moved to Ashley and erected a warebouse and forming a business partnership, he continued in this business until his death in 1888. By his first marriage, Benjamin had three children, namely: Robert; Horace, who in 1852 bought the farm settled upon by his father and William. His second marriage was with Electa Perry, widow of William Perry, by whom be had three children—Alvin, Elmina and Philemon Perry. The children of her second union: George. Esther, Hiram and Eloisa. This hardy old pioneer treated his own and the Berry children with the same kindness and consideration, and assisted each to an excellent start in life.
Robert G. McMaster. father of the McMaster Brothers, was born December 3, 1818, and grew to manhood on the home estate in Brown Township. He worked out by the month for two years for David Bush, and with the aid of bis father bought 100 acres of land which was the nucleus of the large farm of McMaster Brothers. This place was very little improved and Robert lived in a cabin for some years. He bought and bred stock with good results, financially, and added to his realty holdings until at his death, February 28, 1873, he had 423 acres. He was joined in marriage with Mary Worline. who was born in Troy Township, and was a daughter of Henry Worline. She died December 10, 1847, five children having been born of their union, as follows: Benjamin F., born September 15. 1842: Lyman P., born April 6, 1844; Theodore D., born October 23, 1843, died June 24, 1889; Mary Emma and Mary Etta, twins, born December 3, 1847. The latter died young and the former is the widow of David O. Jones, by whom she had a daughter, Hattie R. Jones. Mrs. Jones lives on the farm her grandfather settled on and improved. Robert G. McMaster was a Democrat and although not active in politics served as township trustee and once was a candidate for county commissioner. Religiously, he was a member of the Universalist Church.
Benjamin F. McMaster served nearly three years in the army during the Civil War, having the rank of corporal. He enlisted August 13, 1862, in Company D, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was mustered in September 10, and in just 28 days thereafter participated in the battle oi Perryville, Kentucky. He was with the Army of the Cumberland. He took part in many important engagements, among them: Chickamauga; Chattanooga, where they had three or four days' fighting; accompanied General Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta, being in spirited action at Kenesaw Mt.; Rome, Georgia; Red Oak Station, Georgia; and Jonesboro. After arriving at Atlanta, Davis' Division, of which the One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment was a part, was detached and sent to Florence, Alabama, after which they rejoined General Sherman at Atlanta, and on November 15, began the memorable march to the sea, arriving at Savannah, on December 10, 1864. On January 20th began the invasion of South Carolina, and then of North Carolina, actions at Averysboro, Bentonville and Goldsboro, making their expedition. The army arrived at Raleigh, North Carolina, where they were located at the time of General Johnston's surrender. Proceeding northward they participated in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, and were there honorably discharged, June 8, 1865. Although passing through the war without serious sickness or injury, he had numerous narrow escapes. At Kenesaw Mountain, where 164 of the regiment met death in about fifteen minutes of fighting, a piece of shell struck and bent the barrel of Mr. McMaster's gun, rendering it useless, but saving him from injury and possible death. On June 19, 1865, he returned home to Brown Township, where he has resided continuously since.
Lyman P. McMaster, who has always been recognized as a capable business man, was called upon to serve as commissioner of Delaware County, serving three years, one year being chairman of the board, in a most efficient manner. He was elected on the Democratic ticket by a majority of 480 votes, although located in a Republican stronghold. He has also served two terms as township trustee.
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