Marshalls
This is one of the oldest and most prominent families of Shelby County, as already indicated by the county records. Judge Samuel Marshall was born in Ireland in 1775, but came with his father to the United States in 1784 and settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Here Judge Marshall married Margaret Cracraft, and shortly afterward moved to Butler County, Ohio, where he resided until 1808, when he came and located on land now owned by William Marshall, in Washington Township, this county. Here he became one of the most prominent men of his day, and served as one of the first associate judges of the county, a position he held during a number of years. He was one of the first contractors for the old Piqua and Fort Defiance mail route, and the route from Piqua to Bellefontaine. His sons Hugh and C. C. Marshall carried the mail over these routes at a very early day. Judge Marshall also served as county commissioner, and in all oflicial capacities, as in the private walks of life, he was greatly respected during his active and influential career. His death occurred February 12, 1838, and he bore with him to the grave the deep and abiding esteem born of that confidence reposed by a whole community. His widow survived him until August, 1854, when she laid aside the cares of a useful life to be mourned by a host of devoted friends.
William Marshall, a son of Judge Marshall,was born in this county January 30, 1819, his age thus corresponding exactly with that of the county. As a boy he commenced life by purchasing furs through the country, in which business he was engaged for several years. Later along he took a contract for the grading of two miles of the C. C. C. and I., or old B. and I. Railroad bed. All this time, in fact nearly all his life, he has been engaged in the live stock trade, and has probably done more horseback riding in this occupation than any other man in the county. He is now the owner of the old home farms of his father and father-in-law, these being two of the earliest settled farms in the township. In 1841 he married Margaret Leighty, who was born in Shelby County October, 1818, with whom he raised a family of five children, four of whom are living, viz., Orlando S., Martha, Samuel C., and Allen L. Mrs. Marshall died February, 1850. In November, 1852, he married Martha A., daughter of Moses and Ann (née McCullough) Sturgeon. This family had come to Shelby County in 1816, and it was here that Martha was born in 1820. Her parents were born in Pennsylvania in 1776, and coming to this county reared a family of ten children, of about four are still living. Mr. Sturgeon died here in 1849, while his wife survived him until 1850.
After his marriage Mr. Marshall continued engaged in farming and stock-dealing, to which his life has been almost wholly devoted. One of his sons, Vincent, moved to Illinois, where he became an extensive stock dealer, occupying a prominent and respected position up to the date of his death, which occurred in that State in 1873. His loss was lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends. The only child of William Marshall by his last wife is one daughter, Margaret, born in 1854. George died September, 1877.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883