^^

M Leonhard Scratch

Spouses and children

Notes

Individual Note

Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers, Toronto, 1905, p. 85-87:
Rev. Alexander Scratch (Kratz), a retired minister of the Methodist Church, a direct descendant of one of the pioneer families of Essex County, and one of the most highly revered citizens of Leamington, was born in Gosfield township, Essex, July 18, 1826, son of Henry and Isabella (Wilkinson) Scratch.
     The name of Scratch is a corruption of Kratz, the change being of comparatively recent date. In the old spelling it appears on historic records as the cognomen of men who performed heroic and humane deeds. The first of whom there is record is one Peter Kratz, who "lost his life in the year 1759, while assisting in burying the dead after a battle between the Romans and Protestants concerning religion." This is his record. Just where the battle was fought is not known, but his home was at a village some three miles from Frankfurt-on-the-Main, called Teutonhoofer. Of his wife nothing is known.
     On Feb. 14, 1756, at Teutonhoofer, was born Leonhard Kratz, son of the above mentioned Peter. Of his early years there is no record, but in 1776, at the age of twenty, he was a soldier in an army that came to America from Germany to help England quell the rebellion of her Colonies. These German troops were raised by conscription, and the regiment in which young Leonhard served was well drilled at home, and was commanded by Gen. Baron De Beidesel. Bound for Quebec, they landed at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and by reinforcing Gen. Carleton were to drive back the invading Americans from Canada. Under Gen. Burgoyne they participated in that General's historic invasion, which ended in his surrender of his whole army at Saratoga, Oct. 11, 1777, to the American Gen. Gates. The German (or Hessian) contingent of the surrendered army was marched into the colony of Virginia, and there held prisoners of war two years, one of the stipulations of the surrender being that they should take no further part in the war. They were offered free passage home, or the privilege of sharing with loyal subjects of King George in grants of land. This was in 1779, and when this offer was made public Leonhard Kratz was absent on a furlough, visiting some friends but recently arrived from Germany. During his absence his company disbanded, some eagerly returning home. Whatever would have been Leonhart's choice the time to make it was past when he returned to headquarters and found that some of his comrades had gone, and some had cast their lot with the inhabitants of the New World. He, himself, was by force of circumstances obliged to remain, and, naturally, he determined to avail himself of the guaranteed land grants.
     In 1779-80, many colonists left Virginia for Kentucky, and among the numerous bands was one in which traveled the Munger and Toffelmeyer families and Leonard Kratz, the last named being, from a previous knowledge of the country, the guide. The Indians were hostile and the whites were in constant danger. In the Munger family was a daughter Mary, between whom and the young guide sprang up a lasting affection. They sought parental sanction, but this was positively denied, as the young suitor was a stranger-a soldier from a distant land. The unhappy state of affairs required a desperate remedy, and Leonhard proved himself master of the situation. Biding his time until they were well advanced into the wilderness, he halted, and declared he would no longer act as guide unless consent to his marriage with Mary Munger was given. This was done, and as soon as a properly authorized person was obtained their marriage ceremony was performed, in the open air, by the side of the wagons holding all their earthly possessions. The party then proceeded to the fertile valley of the Licking in Kentucky. Ruddell's, a station for protection against the Indians, was built, and the settlers made preparation for the next spring's planting. The open enmity of the Redmen made this a most difficult task, it being necessary to wield an axe or a hoe with one hand while the other held a gun. In the spring of 1780, after their corn was in, came the terrible raid of six hundred Indians and Canadians, the former under the notorious Simon Girty, and the whole under Col. Byrd. The settlers became the prey of the Indians, the young wife of Leonhard Kratz giving birth to her first child during the excitement of the parley at the station. Her husband, also a prisoner, was loaded with a huge copper kettle on his back, the marks of which he carried all his life, and, torn by his physical anguish and his fears for his young wife, from whom he was separated, his sufferings can be better imagined than described. A few hours' delay was made owing to the mother's critical condition, and then the women and children were placed in boats and carried down the river. A few evenings later, as they unloaded to camp for the night, the young mother, her babe in her arms, staggered from weakness, and sank at the root of a tree, and the poor baby's head struck the tree, causing instant death. With her own hands Mrs. Kratz hollowed out a grave, and buried her first born from sight. The men were marched across the country, and starvation almost closed the suffering of Leonhard Kratz, still bound to his copper kettle. A squaw, Mona Du Quatte, took pity on him, and slipped him food, and years afterward he was able to repay her by kindly care in her old age. The men prisoners were taken to Detroit, and purchased from the Indians by Gen. McCoombs, the price being paid in blankets. Under kindly care of the authorities their strength returned. Mr. Kratz had no knowledge of his wife, but he kept constant watch of the boats arriving with prisoners from all over the country. At last she came, but so bent, so emaciated, he did not recognize her until she called him by name, and then he bore her in his arms like an infant to quarters where she would be cared for.
     In 1781 Leonhard Kratz and his wife located on Hog Island, and once again began life together, and in time a son, Peter, was born to them. As Mr. Kratz had never been discharged from the army, some unfriendly comments had been made, calling him a deserter. This he determined to have corrected, that his children could bear a name untarnished. It necessitated a trip to Germany, which he made in 1782, securing his honorable discharge, and thus forever setting that question at rest. At the end of eighteen months he returned home to find his son Peter had died in his absence. About 1785 they moved to Trenton, Michigan, and in 1787 became tenants of Gen. McCoombs, on Grosse Ile. In 1792, the Governor of Canada having offered grants of land to the U. E. Loyalists and other who had assisted Great Britain in the war, Leonhard Kratz and his family again became subject to the British King. The lot given him was No. 9, in Gosfield township, County of Essex, Ont., containing 200 acres, and this he exchanged with an old German for Lot No. 2, later purchasing No. 9, thus becoming the owner of 400 acres. The log house first erected was replaced in 1823 by a spacious brick home.
     Leonhard Kratz was a prominent man. His education had been acquired in the Old World, where he enjoyed advantages not to be obtained in a new country. He was reared in the faith of the Episcopal Church, and while he never united with any other denomination he freely gave to all, and his home was always open to the clergy, regardless of creed. He was hospitable and generous, and the Indians often sought favors of him, regarding him a man of great bravery and daring. Through the influence of the first schoolmaster in Gosfield, McMurray by name, who insisted that the name Kratz was, in reality, Scratch, and ought to be so spelled, the change was made, Leonhard, himself, finally submitting to it. He died at Gosfield Aug. 12, 1829. His wife died in 1840.
     To Leonhard and Mary (Munger) Kratz were born the following children, eleven in all: The first died as above stated; Peter died while his father was in Germany; Susanna, born on Hog Island, July 23, 1785, married, Feb. 9, 1802, John Wigle, and died Jan. 29, 1860; Peter (2), born at Trenton, Michigan, Nov. 29, 1785, married in Colchester, May 3, 1808, Mary Wigle, and died March 14, 1871; Isabella, born on Grosse Ile, May 18, 1788, married, at Mt. Pleasant, Feb. 12, 1805, Wendel Wigle, and died May 21, 1881; Katie, born on Grosse Ile, in 1789, married George Friend, and died in 1812; Mary, born on Grosse Ile, July 26, 1791, married at Gosfield, Dec. 16, 1813, and died at Jeffersonville, Indiana, April 6, 1870; Elizabeth, born at Gosfield, July 25, 1793, married in Gosfield, May 31, 1809, Charles Howard Friend, and died in Lockland, Ohio, July 7, 1853; Leonard, born in Gosfield in 1795, married --Sellars, had one daughter, and died in Ohio; Henry, born in Gosfield, April 5, 1797, is mentioned below; John, born in Gosfield, July 24, 1801, married in November, 1818, Sarah Malotte.
     Henry Scratch (Kratz) was born in Gosfield township, April 5, 1797, and his entire life was passed in his native township. For some years he was successfully engaged in the practice of medicine. In 1818 he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and in 1847 he was ordained a Methodist minister. He was greatly beloved in the community, and he died universally regretted, Jan. 23, 1861. In Colchester, in 1817, he married Isabella Wilkinson, who was born May 25, 1798, daughter of John Wilkinson, a native of County Derry, Ireland, who came to Malden township in 1801, and died that fall. To Henry and Mrs. Scratch were born children as follows: (1) Peter, born May 6, 1818, married Sept. 11, 1838, Mary Lytle, who was born July 3, 1820, and died Nov. 28, 1854. Their five children were, Henry, Elizabeth, Nicholas, Thomas and Theodore. (2) Mary Ann, born April 3, 1820, in Gosfield, married there, Sept. 5, 1838, Thomas Govereau, born in Amherstburg April 19, 1815. Their nine children were Melissa, Peter, Hester (who died at the age of eight years), Clarissa, Lewis, Alexander, Sylvester (who died at the age of four years), Mary and Arthur. (3) John, born March 2, 1822, married (first) Harriet Randall, and (second) Sarah Wright, and had six children, Benjamin, Darius, Mary Ann, Martha, Alexander and Sarah. (4) William, born March 20, 1824, married Charlotte McDonald, and had seven children, Lucy, Viola, Floretta, Almeron, Arnold, Estelle and Henry. (5) Alexander is referred to farther on. (6) Clarissa, born May 10, 1828, married June 4, 1848, Joshua Adams, who is mentioned elsewhere, and had three children, Isabella, Mary and Hester. (7) Melissa died at the age of six years. (8) Edgerton, born July 31, 1834, married May 12, 1854, Jane Cowan.
     Alexander Scratch (Kratz) was born July 18, 1826. The common schools afforded him a substantial foundation for his future attainments, and he enjoyed also a period of study under Col. King, a noted educator of that time, residing in what is now Kingsville. His school days ended, he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. Reared in a Christian home, he early gave himself to the services of his Master. In 1871, after sixteen years as a local preacher, he regularly entered the ministry. His first charge was the Rondeau circuit in the County of Kent, from which he was transferred to Fort Erie, Ont., whence after two years he was sent to Vienna, County of Elgin. Three years of faithful labor there ended with his appointment to Sweaburg, County of Oxford, where he remained a like period. One year more in Vienna and then his appointments, in order, were: Embro and Thamesford, County of Oxford, three years; Durham, two years; Salem, County of Bruce, three years; Everton, County of Wellington, one year; and Mildmay, County of Bruce, one year, thus completing forty years of faithful and devoted work in the Lord's vineyard - twenty-four years of reguarly ordained ministry, and sixteen in local preaching. Earnest himself, he was gifted with the eloquence that comes from true love and sincere faith, and from an inborn knowledge of his subject. In his own daily life he has followed, as best he knows, the teachings of the Nazarene, and through his efforts and the force of his noble example and self-sacrifice many have been brought to Christ. In June, 1895, he was superannuated, and located in Leamington. There, with his beloved wife, he is now passing the evening of his life in rest and comfort, and although now in his seventy-ninth year he is still active, and ever ready when called upon to labor in the cause he loves so well.
     In February, 1847, Rev. Alexander Scratch was married to Ann L. Adams, who was born in Colchester township June 1, 1828. Five children came to bless their home: (1) Salonis, born Nov. 19, 1847, married Alice Jane Cowan, who died Aug. 6, 1899. They had two children, one now deceased, and Elmer, living. (2) Matthew M., born Aug. 8, 1849, married Eliza French, and they have seven children, Alexander, Edmond, Lucy, Howard, Alvin, Florence and Reneldo. (3) Edgerton, born March 17, 1851, married Jane Jeffries, and had nine children. (4) Joshua, born Aug. 29, 1853, died the following November. (5) Priscilla Ann, born Aug. 3, 1856, married Joseph Craddock, and has fourteen children living; several are deceased.
     Mrs. Scratch proved herself an ideal minister's wife, assisting her husband ably and energetically in his material and spiritual duties. As a sound theologian, she was often able to help him on difficult subjects. She has long been an efficient Sunday-school teacher, and has often served as superintendent of the Sunday-school.

Commemorative Biographical Record of the County of Essex, J. H. Beers, Toronto, 1905, p. 33-36:
Scratch. The ancestor of all of this name in the County of Essex was Leonard Scratch, or Kratz, as it was originally spelled, and the record of his life forms an important chapter in the early history of that region. The Scratches have become related by marriage to the Malotts, the Wigles, and other well-known families of the county, and all those names have been prominent in its annals from the earliest days. They were among the first pioneers, and as they have aided in the clearing of the land and the development of the country in its physical sense, so they have also been prominent in the social structure, taking a conspicious part in the religious, educational and political life of the community they were most instrumental in founding. Its advancement in every sense has always been their care, and as a consequence they have been regarded as substantial, intelligent citizens, looked up to as public-spirited on every question, and possessing excellent judgment in the management of public affairs as well as in the conduct of their own interests. Their coming to Canada was one of the incidents of life on the frontier.
     Leonard Scratch was born Feb. 14, 1756, at Teutenhoofer, near the city of Frankfort, Germany, and was a son of Peter Kratz. At the age of twenty years he was drafted into the army, and he formed one of that company which was sent to the colonies to aid Great Britain during the Revolutionary war, serving under Gen. Burgoyne. He took part in a number of battles, until the surrender of the entire army, in October, 1777, after which the soldiers were given their choice between returning home and receiving a share of free lands. This offer was made in 1779, when Leonard Scratch was away on a furlough, and upon his return he found his regiment disbanded and gone. This caused him to decide to remain in America, and being familiar with the woods he was hired by a number of pioneers to go as their guide into Kentucky. With the party was a family named Munger, the eldest daughter in which family, Mary by name, soon attracted the attention of the guide. He proposed marriage, and after some objection from the young woman's parents, was accepted, and they were married soon afterward. A favorable location for a settlement having been found, a number of families united in building a stockade for protection from Indian attacks, this fort or station being called Ruddell's, in honor of the oldest settler. In June, 1780, this small gathering of pioneers was surprised by an army of six hundred Canadians and Indians, the latter commanded by Simon Girty, and whole party headed by Col. Byrd, an officer of the British army. They were obliged to surrender, and several of the party were taken prisoners by the Indians, among them being Leonard Scratch and his young wife. He was started northward with one party, and in time reached Detroit, where an American officer, Gen. McCoombs, was then in command. He purchased the prisoners, as was his habit, paying for them in blankets. Leonard Scratch had no more knowledge of the whereabouts of his wife than she of him, but he kept a sharp watch on all boats that arrived from the south, in the hope that he would find her among the prisoners brought in almost daily by the Indians. He was at length rewarded, and husband and wife were reunited. Mrs. Scratch was nearly dead from exposure and hardships when she reached Detroit. In 1781, after they had in a measure recovered from these frightful experiences, Leonard and Mary Scratch took up their residence on Hog Island, now Belle Isle, and there a son, Peter, was born to them. In the winter of 1782 Leonard Scratch started on a trip to his native land in order to obtain an honorable discharge from the army. With many other soldiers of the Hessian army who had remained in Armerica, he had never been formally discharged, and as a consequence there were insunuations that all such should be ranked as deserters. Always priding himself on his good name, this story affected Leonard Scratch so deeply that he determined to clear up any uncertainty on the point, and he succeeded in doing so. He returned to his home in Canada after an absence of eighteen months, to find that his son Peter had died during his absence. The family remained on Hog Island until 1785, and then for about a year and a half lived in Trenton, Michigan. On March 25, 1787, Leonard Scratch and his family, with several others, moved to Grosse Ilse, which was then owned by Gen. McCoombs.
     In recognition of his military service Mr. Scratch was enrolled with the United Empire Loyalists, and as such was entitled to a free grant of land, besides other privileges. He received Lot 9, in the western division of the township of Gosfield, as his U. E. right, and moved to that place in 1792. He afterward exchanged with an old German for Lot 2, but the German soon tired of his lot and it again passed to the original owner, Leonard Scratch thus coming into possession of 400 acres on the banks of Lake Erie. On the front of Lot 2 he put up a log house, and at once began the work of clearing the land. In time he prospered, and was able to buy more land, his holdings eventually amounting to considerably over a thousand acres. He gave a farm to each of his relatives of the name of Leonard. He was not only prominent as a well-to-do man, but was looked up to by his neighbours of all classes, and in his day was by far the most important man in the township. His judgment was sought in all the matters of the moment, and he was highly respected, for he lived an upright, useful life, devoted as much to the interests of his fellowmen as to the furtherance of his own projects. He and his family occupied the log house until 1823, when he erected the large brick house in which he passed the remainder of his days. Bred in the Umbrian Church, he was never united with any other, but his house was open to ministers of all denominations, and he gave liberally to all worthy causes, whether of a religious nature or otherwise. He was a large man physically as well as mentally, and many interests rounded out a life full of the best that the world offers. Though always looking out for the good of others, he was ready to defend his own rights when necessary, as is shown by an incident of the war of 1812. A company of American soldiers had been quartered in his loomhouse, and when they left they carried off his plow chains. He did not hesitate to follow and demand their return from the officer, who returned them with many apologies and evidently admired the pluck of the owner.
     Another incident in the same line will not be out of place. In those days it was customary to keep liquor in the house. The Indians had told Leonard Scratch that he must do so, and that if he refused to furnish them with it, they would kill him. The next morning after making this threat five Indians appeared, and demanded liquor. Mr. Scratch, not one whit dismayed, walked out of the house armed with sword and rifle, and the Indians, being armed only with tomahawks, promptly stopped their threats, saying he was too brave.
     Leonard Scratch passed away Aug. 12, 1829, and his widow survived until 1840. The were the parents of eleven children, the two eldest dying in infancy. Susanna, born July 23, 1785, on Hog Island, married John Wigle, and they had a family of fifteen children. Peter, born Nov. 29, 1786, at Trenton, Michigan, was married in Colchester, this county, May 3, 1808, to Mary Wigle; he became the first postmaster of Gosfield, in 1831. Isabella, born in Gosfield May 18, 1788, married Wendle Wigle, and was the mother of fifteen children. Katie, born in 1789, became the first wife of George Friend, of Virginia, and later settled in Indiana. Mary, born July 26, 1791, became the second wife of George Friend. Elizabeth, born July 25, 1793, married Charles Friend. Leonard Scratch married a Miss Sellars, and went to Ohio, where he died, leaving one daughter. Henry, born Apri 5, 1797, was the father of Edgerton R., and is mentioned below. John, born July 24, 1795, is mentioned below.
     Henry Scratch was born April 6, 1797, on the old homestead on Lot 2, in the east division of the township of Gosfield, and was there reared to manhood. His youth was filled with hard work, and he received little opportunity for education, attending school in all only three months, but by application he gained considerable knowledge and became a fairly well educated man. On attaining his majority he received from his father the south part of Lots 8 and 9, west division, comprising 360 acres, and on the lake shore he built a log house which stood until 1845. However, he had in 1834 erected a large brick mansion, 40x55 feet in dimensions, using in its construction 96,000 brick, this was one of the first brick buildings in the county. In recent years it has been torn down, and part of the brick was used in building the Howard Scratch home, in Kingsville. Henry Scratch devoted his time principally to farming, but he also followed the mason's trade in connection therewith, having learned same when a young man. During the rebellion of 1837-38 soldiers were billeted at his home, and with them a surgeon, Dr. McKenzie, under whom, during those two years, Mr. Scratch gave his attention largely to the study of medicine. When the Doctor returned east he left large quantities of medicine, and as there was no doctor in the neighbourhood at the time Mr. Scratch took up practice, with much success. All his life he was an active worker in religious affairs, being a Methodist in belief, and he became a local preacher of that church in 1818, continuing in the good work until his death. One room in his large house was given over to church purposes. Politically he was a stanch Reformer, he served as reeve and county councillor with marked efficiency. Thus it will be seen that in spite of his lack of early advantages he gained and maintained a position of prominence in the county, being identified with its most important interests, and in his death, which occurred Jan. 23, 1861, the community lost one of its best citizens.
     Henry Scratch was married in Colchester, in 1817, to Isabella Wilkinson, who was born in Ohio May 25, 1798, and died Nov. 29, 1854. They became the parents of seven children, of whom we have the following record: Peter, born May 6, 1818, married Mary Little, who died Nov. 29, 1854. Mary Ann, born April 3, 1820, married Thomas Govereau. John, born March 2, 1822, lived in Tilbury township, County of Kent; he married (first) Harriet Randall and (second) Sarah Fox. William, born March 20, 1824, married Charlotte McDonald, and their descendants live in Detroit. Alexander, born July 10, 1826, married Ann Adams; he is now a supperannuated minister, and resides at Leamington. Melissa died when six years old. Edgerton R. is mentioned below.
     Edgerton R. Scratch was born July 31, 1834, in the log house near the lake which his father erected on his removal to the homestead. During his boyhood he attended school under Col. King, receiving good advantages, and he was trained thoroughly in the work of the farm. When he struck out on his own account he engaged in that calling, receiving 120 acres on the north part of the homestead property. After a time he disposed of forty acres of this tract, but he still retains the balance, which he keeps under an excellent state of cultivation. As becomes a member of the family, he has taken his place among the intelligent citizens of the county, and no member of his community is more highly respected. In May, 1854, he located on his land, building a log house for his first dwelling, and by untiring labor he succeeded in clearing his land, which is now one of the most desirable farms in the township. It is well improved in every respect, and in 1872 Mr. Scratch erected a comfortable residence.
     From early manhood Mr. Scratch has taken an active part in the work of the Methodist Church, of which he has been a local preacher for the past quarter of a century. He is class-leader and one of the trustees of the Kingsville Church, in which he has been prominent for many years. In public affairs he was equally active, and for a long time was township collector and magistrate. On May 20, 1854, Mr. Scratch was united in marriage with Jane Cowan, daughter of William and Mary (Stevens) Cowan. They have no children of their own, but have reared an adopted daughter, Lavena Adeline. The family occupies a high place in the social and religious life of the locality.
     Judson Scratch, a successful farmer of the township of Gosfield South, is a son of Theodore Scratch and a grandson of John Scratch, and a great-grandson of Leonard and Mary (Munger) Scratch. John Scratch was born July 24, 1795, in the township of Gosfield, where he grew to manhood. He was reared to agricultural pursuits, and in time inherited the old homestead. He was quite a prominent man in his day, and served as magistrate from 1834 until the time of his death. In November, 1818, he married Sarah Malott, who was born May 10, 1799, and died Feb. 21, 1849. To this union came children as follows: Leonard, born March 25, 1820, was married Nov. 14, 1837, to Mary McNamara, who was born in Ireland in December, 1822. Theodore, born June 20, 1822, became the father of Judson Scratch. Merian, born Oct. 28, 182?, was first married to John Nutson, and subsequently became the wife of Alexander Wilkinson. Mary, born March 10, 1827, was married April 29, 1847, to Capt. William J. Malott, who is mentioned elsewhere. Esther, born April 19, 1829, was married April 29, 1845, to Samuel Black, who was born in Ireland Oct. 1, 1823, and is now one of the most respected residents of Kingsville. Peter died when fifteen years old. Albert was born Dec. 5, 1831. The mother of these dying, John Scratch married Sarah LaFleur, who was born June 11, 1833, and to this union were born: Wallace, June 2, 1853; Richard, Nov. 14, 1855, (residing in Kingsville); Parmelia (who died aged twelve years); Almer, March 12, 1857, (who married, and died in Hamilton); George, July 13, 1863 (of Kingsville); Alberta, April 29, 1869 (wife of Mr. Sawyer, of Mersea township).
     Theodore Scratch was born on the homestead June 20, 1822, and when twenty-two years old came into possession of 100 acres of that place, lying in Lot 2, east division. Later he sold that place to Daniel Wigle and bought a farm west of Ruthven, but after a few years he bought a fifty-acre tract in Lot L, 2d Concession, to which he removed. That land is now almost within the village of Kingsville, but when he first moved to it it was swampy and heavily timbered, and he built his house on the highest spot. There his family was reared, and there Mr. Scratch passed the remainder of his days, reaching the advanced age of eighty-two years, and living to see the place all cleared and highly improved. Mr. Scratch was prominent in the various interests of his community, for forty years serving as deacon of the Baptist Church, in which he held membership most of his life. He also took an active part in municipal affairs, as a stanch member of the Reform party, and was tax collector for several years when Gosfield North and South were one. Theodore Scratch was but sixteen years of age when he served in the rebellion and he received the distinction of appointment as orderly for Col. Prince.
     On April 29, 1844, Theodore Scratch was married to Sarah Loop, by whom he had three children: Alfred, now a prosperous business man of Fitzgerald, Georgia; Sydney, who died of fever while serving in the American rebellion, in 1863, at the age of seventeen years, and was buried in Virginia; and Josiah, who died when four years old. For his second wife Theodore Scratch married Elizabeth Tofflemire, on Sept. 24, 1854, and they became the parents of four children: Sarah, who is the wife of Darwin Jones, of Gosfield North; Caroline, who died when twelve years old; Theodosia, who died when five years old; and Judson. The mother of these dying Jan. 27, 1899, Mr. Scratch married Mrs. Mary Glady, by whom he had no children.
     Judson Scratch was born July 4, 1861, on the place he now owns, and was reared there. He enjoyed such advantages as the village schools afforded, and meantime was trained to hard work on the farm, when twenty years old coming into possession of the farm, which he has carried on ever since. His holdings comprise 100 acres, he having acquired the fifty-acre tract adjoining his original place, and all of his land is cleared and under a fine state of cultivation, most of this improvement representing the work of Mr. Scratch himself. He has done well in his agricultural work, and his place give evidence of the prosperity and thrift of the owner, who is painstaking in all his work. He carries on general farming, and also raises some tobacco. In 1863 he built his present cozy brick house, and he has also put up all the other buildings which adorn the place.
     Mr. Scratch has given proper attention to his private affairs, but he also finds time for local public matters, and has been quite prominent in municipal politics, serving six consecutive terms as councillor. In 1902 he was candidate for reeve. His political faith is that of the Reform party. For nine years Mr. Scratch has been a member of the board of education of Kingsville, and in 1902 was chairman of that body. Socially he affliates with the I.O.O.F. and A.O.U.W. at Kingsville, having held membership in the latter order for fourteen years, and being at present a past master
     On Jan. 9, 1881, Mr. Scratch was united in marriage with Miss Zilla Wigle, and to this union have come two children: Roy Howell, born June 24, 1884, and Theodore Michael, born Jan. 17, 1892.
     Michael J. Wigle, father of Mrs. Scratch, was born in the township of Gosfield March 15, 1831, and was the fifteenth child born to John and Susanna (Scratch) Wigle. He is now a resident of Kingsville. He married Jane Crow, and their family consisted of four children, namely: Cornelia, born July 7, 1854, is the wife of John Ulch. Rosenia, born Sept. 16, 1856, is the wife of Charles Quick, a merchant of Kingsville. Byron, born Sept. 6, 1858, married Maud Broadwell. Zilla, born Dec. 17, 1860, is the wife of Judson Scratch.