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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
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ALLEN COUNTY, OHIO
HISTORY & GENEALOGY
BIOGRAPHIES
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BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
ISAAC J. BABER,
farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in German Township, Allen Co.,
Ohio, Oct. 6, 1842; son of James and Susan (McMullen) Baber,
natives of Virginia and early settlers of this county. Our
subject received a limited common school education, and having
been raised on a farm has naturally made farming the principal,
occupation of his life. He was united in marriage, Oct.
27, 1867, with Mary M. Thomas, of German Township, this
county, and by her has eight children: William Brinton, James
W., Frankin Orwood, Albert, Naoma, Margaret, Walter, and
Isaac Jr. Mr. Baber's sole possession when he started
out for himself, at the age of twenty-one years, was a colt
valued at $25. HE was fully determined to make the most of
his opportunities, however, and now owns 121 acres of land,
eight-five of which are under cultivation, proving him to have
been an active man. Mr. Baber was formerly a
granger. In his political views he is Democratic. He
is a consistent member of the Christian Union Church.
(Source #2) |
G.
W. BAILEY, farmer, P. O. Beaver Dam, was born in
Rocking-ham County, Va., June 15, 1S84, son of William and
Lydia (Neuschwander) Bailey, also natives of Virginia, of
English and Irish descent, former a farmer. Our subject was reared
on a farm, receiving a common school education. He settled in
Richland Township, this county, and engaged successfully in
farming. He was married, in 1852, to Malinda, daughter of
Dr. Jacob Driver, and to this union were born
twelve children. all of whom are now living: John P.,
an attorney at law in Ottawa, Ohio: P. R., a law student,
now engaged in the insurance and loan business at Lima, Ohio;
Mary, a teacher, wife of John Luke; Jacob W., a
telegraph operator; Daniel M., a school teacher and general
agent; Jennie, wife of A. G. Kenney; and Nancy
E., Alice, Charles, Sadie, Melvin and
Edward at home. Mr. and Mrs.
Bailey take much interest in their children, four of whom
received collegiate education, five teaching school. Mrs.
Bailey is a member of the German Baptist Church. Our
subject is an industrious man and now owns a well-improved farm in
Richland Township, this county.
(Source #2) |
JOHN N.
BAILEY, lawyer, Spencerville, was born in Auglaize County,
Ohio, September 3, 1839 ; eldest son of Christopher and Nancy
(Noble) Bailey, natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively,
early settlers of Auglaize County, and who are still living on the
old homestead. Our subject was raised on a farm and received a
common school education. He was married, February 11, 1861, to
Minerva Baber, who died in 1876, leaving to his care seven
children: Mary A., Minnie M., Alice M., Emma J., Charles F.,
Lillian and Arthur N. His second marriage, which
occurred November 20, 1879, was with Hannah Caldwell,
of Darke County, Ohio. Early in life Mr. Bailey learned the
carpenter's trade, at which he worked as contractor, building
railroad bridges, etc., till 1880. He read law more or less till
that year, and then entered the law school at Cincinnati, Ohio,
graduating in June, 1882. and immediately commenced practice at
Spencerville. Although young in the profession, his success is
such as usually attends years of hard labor. In addition to his
practice Mr. Bailey owns a farm in Amanda Township, this
county, consisting of 216 acres of land, and also other property
in Spencer Township. His property is the result of his own
efforts, and he is virtually a self-made man. He is master of
Arcadia Lodge, No. 306, F. & A. M. He has been a consistent member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly twenty-three years.
Our subject is a stanch Republican, although not an office seeker.
In the performance of his professional and business transactions
he bears the reputation of being an honorable and upright man.
(Source #2) |
JOHN N. BAILEY, one of the
leading representative men of Ohio, is by profession a banker
and an attorney at law. He was born in Maulton township,
Allen county, Ohio, though now a part of Auglaize county,
Sept. 3, 1839, and was the eldest of five sons born to
Christopher and Nancy (Noble) Bailey. His grandparents
were natives of Virginia and of good old Quaker stock, their
family dating back in church relations to the reign of King
Charles II. The father, Christopher Bailey, was
born in Virginia in September, 1807, being the son of Thomas
and Mary (Timberlake) Bailey, who were also natives of
Virginia and of good old English stock. The grandfather,
Thomas Bailey, removed with the small family to Highland
county, Ohio, in 1808,in which county they became pioneers and
were interested in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of
their days. They experienced all the privations of pioneer
life, and here, in the woods, reared their family and became
first among the well-known and highly popular citizens of
the neighborhood.
Christopher Bailey was scarcely a year old when
his parents immigrated to Highland county, Ohio, where he was
reared to manhood upon a farm, and received his education mainly
in the subscription school of that day. He early in life
studied civil engineering, which profession he followed
occasionally at local work, and also taught school during the
winter seasons for several years. He remained in Highland
county, Ohio, until twenty-eight years of age (18350, when he
migrated to Allen county, Ohio, and entered 160 acres of land in
what was then Maulton township, but now belongs to Auglaize
county. Here he forged from the forest a good farm, upon
which he lived and enjoyed many of the comforts and pleasures of
this life, rearing his family to man and womanhood, and upon
which he died. He was one of the prominent men of his
township and served in some of the minor offices, such as
justice of the peace and town treasurer; politically he
affiliated with the whig party. He was reared by Quaker
parents and adhered to their faith until middle age, when he
joined the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was a
prominent worker until his death. He was twice married,
the first time choosing Miss Phebe Baker for his
companion; she died a few years later, leaving two sons, viz.:
Jacob, now a resident of the state of Iowa, and Walter,
deceased. For his second companion he chose Miss Nancy
Noble, who at that time was a resident of Mercer county,
Ohio, having been born in Clinton county in Sept., 1815; by this
marriage they became the parents of five sons, namely:
John N., the immediate subject of this sketch; Girard,
a physician and farmer of Mercer County, and an ex-soldier of
the Civil war, from which he was mustered out as captain;
Joshua, also a soldier in the late year, a member of Company
B, Ninety-ninth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry, and was
killed in battle in Saint Paris, Ky.; Greene, a farmer of
Auglaize county, and Elisha, deceased in early manhood.
This old couple went hand in hand down life's journey, living to
see their family all grown to manhood and established in life,
the mother dying in 1888, and the father in the spring of 1891,
having both been highly esteemed citizens wherever known.
John N. Bailey, the subject of this sketch,
remained at home on the farm until seventeen years of age, when
he began working at the carpenter trade, and continued in this
until twenty-four years of age - teaching meanwhile three
winters - and in all doing a large amount of public work as
bridge builder for railroad, etc. About this time he began
reading law, and in the winters of 1880-81-1-82, attended the
Cincinnati School of law, graduating in 1882, in which year he
began the practice of his profession in Spencerville, to which
he has since given his entire attention. He enjoys a large
and lucrative practice - the largest, without doubt, in Allen
county, outside of the city of Lima. In 1891, in company
with his son-in-law, Austin Brittton, established the
Farmers' Bank of Spencerville, which is now doing a large
business, with Mr. Bailey as president and Mr. Britton
as cashier.
Mr. Bailey is also an extensive farmer, being
the owner of 440 acres of good farmland in Spencer and Amanda
townships, operated as stock farms. Mr. Bailey, in
1889, made a trip to Europe, and he has otherwise traveled
extensively and is an intelligent and trustworthy observer.
It has been his aim to keep himself in touch with the times and
fully abreast with current events. Politically he is a
republican to the core, and desires nothing better than the
republican party to interpret his political views. He is a
Mason, a member of Acadia lodge, No. 306, and a Knight of
Pythias of Spencerville lodge, No. 251. Mr. Bailey
has been twice married, his first wife having been Miss
Minerva Babber, who died at the age of thirty-six years,
leaving seven children: Mary A., Minnie, Alice (deceased),
Emma, Charles F., Lillian and Arthur H. Mr. Bailey
was married the second time, in 1879, to Mrs. Hannah Caldwell
of Darke county. The family are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church and Mrs. Bailey is
superintendent of a Sunday-school. It would be fulsome to
add more to this sketch. A good wine needs no bush, so
does a good man need no spoken praise. His deeds are his
best friends; his actions his stanchest champions.
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
A.
BALMER, farmer and stock-raiser. P. O. Bluffton, is a
native of Richland Township, this county, and was born March 9,
1S43. His parents, Peter and Mary (Stauffer) Balmer,
natives of Switzerland, came to Wayne County, Ohio, and were there
married. In 1849 they came to this county and settled on a farm
here. They were parents of thirteen children, twelve of whom grew
to manhood and womanhood, nine of whom are now living. Our
subject, the fifth born, was reared on the farm, attended the
school in Richland Township, and worked at the carpenter's trade.
He was married, in 1870, to Miss Anna, daughter of David
Beeler, by whom he had three children: Calvin, Amanda and
Andrew. Mrs. Balmer died in 1875, and two years later
our subject married Jennie Beeler. a cousin of his first
wife and a daughter of John Beeler. To this union were born
three children, two now living: Sarah and Ella. Both
wives were of German descent. Mr. and Mrs. Balmer are
members of the German Reformed Church, in which he has served as
deacon. Mr. Balmer is one of the trustees of Richland
Township. In politics he is a Democrat.
(Source #2) |
B.
BALMER, farmer and stock-raiser, Bluffton, was born in
Richland Township, this county, February 15, 1847; son of Peter
and Mary Ann (Stauffer) Balmer, natives of Switzerland, and
who were parents of thirteen children, twelve growing up, nine of
whom are now living. Our subject, the seventh child, was reared on
the farm, acquired a common school education, and learned the
carpenter's trade, at which he worked four years, farming,
however, being the principal business of his life. He is the owner
of eighty acres of land, on which he now resides. He was married
in 1871 to Elizabeth Lugibihl, the fourth born in the
family of nine children of John W. Lugibihl, a farmer, and
an early settler of Allen County. Her parents were
German, and most of their family now reside in this county. To our
subject and wife were born the following children: Emma,
William, Peter and John. Mr. Balmer
is a member of the German Reformed Church, his wife of the
Mennonite Society. He has served as a school director. In politics
he is a Democrat.
(Source #2) |
| |
REV.
JOHN BARNHARD, retired minister and farmer, P. O. Richland,
was born in Maryland, February 20, 1821, eldest son and second in
the family of David (a farmer) and Margaret (Walker)
Barnhard, who were of English and German descent. They raised
two daughters and two sons. Our subject was reared on the farm,
and, not having ever had the privilege of attending school,
educated himself. He was married when twenty years old to Nancy
Lambert, a native of Germany, where her parents were also born,
and the children by this union were as follows : Melvin Z.,
Virgil F., Leonadas Q., Philena M., Sylvester W. (The
first three named served in the Union Army during the war of the
Rebellion.) They also raised and adopted John T. Huber, who
is now a telegraph operator at Beaver Dam. Mrs. Barnhard
died in i860, and in 1861 our subject married Amanda C.
Jennings, by whom he has one child, John Williams Wesley.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnhard are members of the Methodist Church. He
has been a local preacher, and was engaged in farming for a number
of years. He lived in Knox County, Ohio, from 1829 till he came to
Allen County, in 1856, and has since resided here. He owns a
well-improved farm in Richland Township, which he rents, however,
and is now living a retired life on his property in Beaver Dam. In
politics Mr. Barnhard is a Republican.
(Source #2) |
JOHN
A. BARR, a highly respected citizen of Beaver Dam, Allen
county, and one of the veterans of the war of the Rebellion, was
born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, August 14, 1837. He is
descended from Irish ancestry, his grandfather having emigrated
from Ireland, and settled in Tuscarawas county. It is
believed that his father, John Barr, was born in
Tuscarawas county, and served as a soldier of the war of
1812-15, or, as it is sometimes called, the second war for
independence. He was married twice; first, to a Miss
Baker, by whom he had three children: Thomas,
Hughes and Margaret. After the death of his
first wife he was married to a Miss Boone, who was born
in Maryland, of German ancestry, Aug. 17, 1814, and died in
Tuscarawas county, Jan. 9, 1859. After this marriage he
settled down in Tuscarawas county on 100 acres of land, and
cleared it up from the woods, making of it a good farm. To
this second marriage there were born three children, one that
died in infancy, and (Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen &
Co., 1896 James and John A., the latter being the
subject of this sketch. Thomas, a son by his first
wife, was in the Nineteenth regiment Michigan volunteer
infantry, and served three years, being in the Atlanta campaign
and being wounded near Marietta, Ga.
John A. Barr, received in his youth the
education common to boys of that day and age of the world.
When he was but two years of age his father died and he was
reared among strangers. He was living in Tuscarawas
county, Ohio, when the war broke out, and was the first man in
his company to enlist in the service of his country, becoming in
private soldier in company B, Fifty-first regiment Ohio
volunteer infantry, under Captain Woods, his term
of enlistment being for three years or during the war. He
served in this company until he veteranized at Shell Mound,
Tenn., Jan. 1, 1864, and continued in the service until
honorably discharged as a corporal, Oct. 3, 1865, at Victoria,
Tex. During his period of service he participated in the
following battles: Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain,
Missionary Ridge, and in most if not all of those of the Atlanta
campaign, including Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain,
Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro and Lovejoy Station, and many
smaller battles and skirmishes too numerous to mention.
Afterward he was in the Fourth corps under Gen. Thomas,
and fought at the battle of Franklin and that of Nashville, and
then went to Texas, where he remained until honorably
discharged. He was always an active soldier, ready to
perform any duty assigned him, was never captured by the enemy,
and was never in the hospital.. He was in all the battles,
skirmishes, marches, and campaigns in which his regiment was
engaged, except the battle of Murfreesboro, when he was sick in
his tent. Always a faithful soldier, his duty was promptly
and cheerfully performed. His left eye was blinded early
in the war, and the sight of this eye was later entirely
destroyed. He was promoted corporal for meritorious
conduct near the close of his term of service. After the
war was over Mr. Barr returned to Tuscarawas county,
Ohio, and not long afterward removed to Williams county, still
later removing to Allen county, and was married at Beaver Dam,
Aprl 26, 1883, to Mrs. Levina (Dilly) Murray, who was
born August 14, 1855, and is a daughter of Jacob and Anna
(Johnson) Dilly.
Jacob Dilly was born in New Jersey July 15, 1809,
of an old American family. On Feb. 13, 1834, he was
married in his native state, and moved to Ohio, settling in
Tuscarawas county in 1837, and in the spring of 1855 he moved to
Allen county. The farm he purchased and cleared lies on
the line of Monroe and Richland townships, and here he labored
for years, making a good and comfortable home for himself and
family. In 1865 he removed to Beaver Dam and died when
eighty-three years of age. He and his wife were the
parents of nine children, beside Mrs. Barr, as follows:
Margaret, Catherine, James, John, Leona A., and
Aaron, and three that died in youth. John and
Aaron were soldiers in the Civil war, serving in an infantry
regiment. Mr. Dilly was a member of the Disciples'
church at Beaver Dam, was a republican in politics, and a highly
honored citizen.
Mr. and Mrs. Barr, soon after their marriage,
settled at Beaver Dam and there he engaged in various kinds of
employment for some years, such as farming, running a stationary
engine, etc. In politics he is a prohibitionist, and both
are members of the Disciples' church. They are the parents
of two children, Sadie and Mary. Mr. Barr
had been married, previous to her marriage with Mr. Barr,
to George Murray, by who she had one child, Wilda.
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
REV. DAVID P. BASINGER, minister and farmer, P. O.
Bluffton, was born in Richland Township, this county, August 14,
1841. His parents, Christian, Jr., and Catherine (Lugibihl)
Basinger, were natives of Germany, the father, a farmer by
occupation, being a son of Christian Basinger, Sr., who
came to America in 1824, settling in Virginia, where he lived for
ten years, and then moved to this county, in 1836. Here the father
of our subject lived, from the time he was nineteen years of age
until his death, which occurred April 21, 1876. David P.
was the eldest of twelve children, nine of whom attained maturity.
He was reared on the farm, early attending the common schools but,
later, academies in Findlay and Lima, and then taught school for
six years in Allen and Putman Counties. He also worked at
carpentering for a time. He was married in 1867, to Mrs.
Barbara Amstutz, daughter of Peter Schumaker,
an early settler and prominent farmer of this county (by her first
marriage she had two children: Peter D., a school teacher,
teaching German and English, and Abraham C., a farmer). To
Mr. and Mrs. Basinger were born the following children:
Nahum, Joel, Noah, Lydia, Julia, David and Reuben. Mr.
Basinger was ordained a minister of the Reformed Mennonite
Church, in 1882. He is an earnest and devoted follower of the
Great Master, and allows no personal concern to stand between him
and his duty to God. He has been also engaged in farming, during
his life, and is owner of a well improved farm in Richland
Township.
(Source #2) |
JOHN
C. BASINGER, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O Columbus Grove,
Putman County, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 5. 1834;
son of Christian and Catherine (Lugibihl)
Basinger, natives of Germany, who came to America when young.
His father, a farmer, who lived to the advanced age of
eighty-five, died in 1882. They raised a family of fifteen
children, of whom John C., the third, was reared on the
farm, receiving his education in the schools of Richland Township,
this county. Our subject has been a farmer all his life, and now
owns a first-class farm in Rich-land Township, consisting of 160
acres, whereon he resides. He was married, in 1859, to
Elizabeth Wixel, a native of Germany. Their children
are Theophilus, Christian, Noah, Leah
(deceased), and Caroline. They have an adopted daughter—Maggie
Flatt. Mr. and Mrs. Basinger
are members of the Mennonite Church.
(Source #2) |
NOAH C. BASINGER, farmer and school teacher. P. O.
Bluffton, of German descent, was born in Richland Township, this
county, June 15, 1860, youngest son and twelfth in the family of
Christian and Catherine (Lugibihl) Basinger. Our subject was
reared on a farm in his native township and here obtained the
rudiments of his education, subsequently attending the high
schools at Bluffton and Ada, and Hayesville College. He then
taught for several terms, but subsequently engaged in farming,
which has been his principal occupation. Mr. Basinger owns a half
interest in the farm, comprising 140 acres, where he and his
brother Peter P. now reside. He is not a church member. In
politics he usually votes the Democratic ticket.
(Source #2) |
PETER P. BASINGER, farmer, P. O. Bluffton, was born on
the farm where he now resides in Richland Township, this county,
June 3, 1857; son of Christian, Jr., and Catherine (Lugibihl)
Basinger, natives of Alsace, Germany (then belonging to
France). Christian Basinger, Jr., a farmer by occupation,
was born in 1817, and when seven years old, his parents came to
America and settled on a farm in Virginia, where they remained for
ten years, thence moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, and after a
few years to this county. The family consisted of twelve children,
nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. Our subject, the
eleventh in the family, grew to maturity on the farm where he now
resides, receiving his education in the township schools. He was
married, in 1880. to Miss Mary Alice Lower, a
daughter of Samuel Lower, a farmer, and Catherine
(Baer), who were natives of Wayne County, Ohio. Mr. and
Mrs. Basinger have been blessed with three children:
Catherine Olive. Samuel Alfred and
Isadore. Our subject and wife are members of the Reformed
Mennonite Church.
(Source #2) |
SAMUEL
BASSETT, farmer, P. O. Beaver Dam, was born in Allen
County, Ohio, October 23, 1848, son of Lewis and
Sarah (Edgecomb) Bassett, of English descent,
and natives of New York and Ohio, respectively, the former of whom
came to Alien County, Ohio, over half a century ago, and was a
farmer all his life. They reared a family of eight children.
Samuel, the eldest, was reared on the farm, receiving his
education in this county, and early in life commenced to teach
school. During the late civil war he enlisted in 1864, in Company
I, Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry; was engaged in the
battle of Atlanta, and participated in other battles and
skirmishes. He was discharged at the close of the struggle, and
returning home worked at the carpenter's trade for a time, then
commenced farming. He is now the owner of two farms. Mr.
Bassett was married in 1868, to Mary, a daughter of
D. L. Whip, a retired farmer of Beaver Dam, and to this union
were born six children: Otis, Bossie, Sadie,
Louise, Clarie and Samuel. Mr. Whip
was born in Maryland, December 31, 1822, son of George and
Sarah (Barnett) Whip, who were of German descent; he has been
twice married, Mrs. Bassett being the fourth in a family of six
children by his first wife; Mr. Whip's present
wife's mother, aged eighty-five, and his own mother, aged
eighty-six, are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Bassett are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he is class
leader. In politics he is a Republican.
(Source #2) |
J.
T. BATES, proprietor of stone quarry, P. O. Bluffton, was
born in Allen County, Ohio, April 27, 1837, son of Elijah and
Nancy (Chandeler) Bates, natives of Virginia, the former of
English descent, who had been a farmer all his life, and the
latter of Irish descent. Our subject, the sixth in a family of
eleven children, was reared on the farm, receiving his schooling
in the log schoolhouse in Bath Township, this county, and worked
on the farm until he was twenty-seven years old. He then went to
Lima, Ohio, and worked by the day for a time. In 1874 he came to
Bluffton, and opened a stone quarry, which he has conducted
successfully to the present time. Mr. Bates was
united in marriage in 1860,with Miss Susanna Bope,
whose parents were Germans (her father, George Bope,
was a farmer in Allen County). This union has been blessed with
six children: William H. (a telegraph operator in Colorado,
and who learned telegraphy at Blnffton under Myron
Rounsavell, who is the agent here for the Lake Erie & Western
Railroad), Tempa J., Nannie May, Elijah H, Bertha B. and
John Earl. Mr. and Mrs. Bates
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a Republican
in politics; has served as supervisor and township trustee of
Rich-land.
(Source #2) |
CURTIS BAXTER, one of the
oldest and best known farmers of Marion township, Allen county,
was born in Ross county, Ohio, Oct. 26, 1822. His
great-grandfather was a native of Ireland and an early settler
of Pennsylvania. SAMUEL BAXTER, the
father of our subject, it is thought, was born in Knox county,
Ohio, where he married Polly Boyd, who became the mother
of three children - Sarah, Polly and John. Polly
(Boyd) Baxter died in Knox county, where he married, for his
second wife, Keziah Cremean, daughter of Curtis
Cremean, and to this union were born nine children, viz:
Jane, James Maria, Samuel, Curtis, Smith, Rachael, David and
Eliza, all of whom were born in Ross county, with the
exception of Eliza, who was born in Allen county, Ohio,
Samuel Baxter, in October, 1828, came to Allen county,
and settled on the Auglaize river, in Amanda township, about
seven miles south of the farm now occupied by our subject,
Curtis Baxter. The county was at that time an utter
wilderness, and Mr. Baxter's life here was but brief, as
he died two years after his arrival, leaving his widow with her
large family to struggle with the adversities of life in the
dense forest. James, the eldest son, was at that
time but fourteen years of age, and two years later the family
moved to Huwey Run.
Curtis Baxter came to Allen county with his
parents, reaching Amanda township Oct. 29, 1828, and still has a
vivid recollection of the wolves and other beasts of prey, as
well as the abounding deer and other game that roamed the
forests through which his elders had to cut their way to reach a
site for the erection of a cabin, and he also has pleasant
memories of the superabundance of fish that made their home in
the waters of the Auglaize river. The grist-mill was fifty
miles away, and for daily use the pioneers ground their corn in
household hand-mills. An old fashioned log school-house,
with split logs for seats and desks, and floors of clay or
puncheons, was the temple of learning, and here Curtis
received his limited education.
Amid such scenes Mr. Baxter grew to
manhood, but married early. Jan. 8, 1843, he took to wife
Miss Emily Johns, daughter of
Griffith and Rachael Johns, who were the parents of thirteen
children, viz: Sarah, Emily, Ethan, Vienia, Jesse, Biah,
Martha, Louisa, Palina, Meliss, Tamsa, Eliza, and one
deceased. The father lived to be over sixty years of age,
and he and wife were members of the Methodist church.
After marriage Mr. Baster settled on a farm of
seventy-five acres in teh woods, which farm he later increased
to 202 acres, but of this he disposed of thirty-five acres
subsequently, retaining for his own use 167 acres. On this
homestead have been born in Mr. and Mrs. Baxter eleven
children, viz: Samuel M., Eliza J., John, William A.
B., David E., Curtis T., Clarissa A., Elizabeth, Emily
M., Charles and one child that died in infancy.
Curtis Baxter was a soldier in the late Civil war, serving
in company A, Thirty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, for eight
months; his son, Samuel M., was also a soldier and served
for two years in McLaughton's squadron. Curtis
was enrolled September 22, 1864, at Lima, fought at Averysboro
and Bentonville, N. C., having accompanied Sherman on his march
to the sea, and was present at the grand review in Washington,
D. C., in which city he was honorably discharged June 5, 1865.
November 14, 1888, Mr. Baxter was united in
marriage with his second wife, Cynthia E. Hawkins.
of his children by his first wife, Samuel M., deputy
sheriff of Van Wert county, and also city marshal of Van Wert
city, married Mary J. Miller, who became the mother of
four children, and then died; for his second wife he married
Ellen Cahill, but to this union no children have been born;
Eliza J., is the wife of William J. Judkins and
has six children; John married Jennie Hayden, of
Iowa, and has two children; William A. B.
married Sarah Dennis, and has three children; David
E., mayor of Delphos, married Vida Morgan, and has
one child; Curtis T. married Osie Westerfield, and
has four child; Clarissa A. married James E.
Wickham and has three children; Elizabeth married
Charles Mollenhour and has five children; Emily M.,
married David Rosell, and has six children; Charles M.,
married Estella Brickstell, and has three children.
Curtis Baxter is a highly respected citizen and
has the full confidence of the people of his township, who he
has served as trustee, constable, as a member of the board of
infirmary directors, and as a member of the school board.
He is an ardent member of the Methodist church, in which he has
filled the office of steward for many years, and his social
standing is with the best families of Allen county, who have an
enduring respect for him on account of his christian virtues and
usefulness as a citizen, not to mentioned the esteem in which he
is held as an ex-soldier.
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
DAVID BAXTER, SR., a
prominent farmer of Marion township, Allen county, Ohio, is a
son of Samuel and Keziah (Cremean) Baxter, was born in
Ross county April 28, 1828, and was about six months old when
brought by his parents to Allen county. By reference to
the sketch of Curtis Baxter, which sketch precedes this
biographical notice, the reader will find further details
relating to the history of the Baxter family. The
opportunities afforded for an education in the pioneer days were
somewhat meager and our subject was compelled to rest satisfied
with the knowledge to be obtained in the old log school-house,
but even that was sufficient for the requirements of frontier
life. The services of our subject were in demand as a
woodsman and farmer and he was, at a very early day, given full
employment in clearing away the forest and in bringing the soil
into a state of productiveness, and he manfully devoted himself
to the performance of these duties on the homestead until he was
twenty-two years of age, when he married Miss Elizabeth Shock,
daughter of Peter and Mary (Boyd) Shock.
Peter Shock was born in Allegheny county, Pa., in
Feb., 1799, was married in his native state, and came to Allen
county, Ohio, in 1846, settling in Amanda township on eighty
acres of woodland. He and wife are still living at the
ages respectively of ninety-six and eighty-nine year, and are
the parents of eleven children, viz: Levi, Elizabeth, Huldy,
Carlisle, Mary A., George, Catherine, Sarah, Alvina, William and
Peter. The parents are members of the United Brethren
church and are greatly venerated by their neighbors.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baxter
settled on thirty-seven acres of woodland, which Mr. Baxter
cleared up and brought to a fine state of cultivation, and added
thereto until he became possessed of 213 acres, all of which he
cleared from the timber as rapidly as he acquired it. He
has now a most beautiful residence, and his farm buildings are
models of convenience and neatness. To the union of Mr.
and Mrs. Baxter have been born ten children, viz: Lewis,
Simon P., William, Mary, James, Nelson, Franklin, Ulysses
(who died at the age of ten years), Lester
and Samuel, twins; Samuel died when six months
old. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are consistent members of
the Methodist church, in which Mr. Baxter has been a
class leader for twelve or fifteen years; as to a member of the
church he can count the years back to the number of forty-six;
but he does not confine his pecuniary aide to the Methodist
congregation alone, for he has contributed to the building fund
of every church edifice within a radius of ten miles from his
home. In politics Mr. Baxter is a republican and
has served as a member of the township school board; he takes
great interest, indeed, in educational matters, and is equally
ardent in his advocacy of good roads. He is a most
excellent farmer, is straightforward in all his dealings, and
has the esteem of all the community in which he lives.
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
DAVID E. BAXTER, Jr., mayor
of the city of Delphos, Ohio, and one of the representative men
of that city, is a native of Allen county, Ohio, having been
born in Marion township, within five miles of Delphos, on the
29th day of April 1858, a son of Curtis and Emily (Johns)
Baxter, of whom a full biography is given above. While
prominent in his neighborhood Curtis never south public
office, the only position he ever held being that one of the
first infirmary directors of Allen county. He and his
three brothers - James, David E., Sr., and Smith
are the oldest living settlers of Allen county in point of time.
Emily Johns was also born in 1822 in Ross county, Ohio.
Her death occurred on March 4, 1887. There were born to
Curtis Baxter and wife seven sons and four daughters, one
now deceased.
David E. Baxter, the eighth child born to his
parents, was reared on the farm in Marion township, and while a
boy attended the common schools. When about eighteen years
of age he began teaching, which he continued for a period of
twelve years, and during that time, in the intervals between the
terms of his schools, Mr. Baxter himself attended school
at Elida, Ohio, and at Valparaiso, Ind. He began his
political career in 1887, when he was nominated by the
democratic party of Allen county for the state legislature, but
was defeated at the election, his party being generally
disrupted that year. In 1888 he was elected as a democrat
to the office of justice of the peace of Marion township, which
office he holds at the present time, having been re-elected at
the present time, having been re-elected twice in succession.
On June 30, 1888, he was appointed by President Cleveland
post master at Delphos, and held that office nearly through
President Harrison's administration. His term of
office as postmaster expiring on August 15, 1891, he accepted
the position of assistant postmaster under C. P. Washburn,
and held that position for three months. In the spring of
1892, he was elected mayor of Delphos, and in 1894 was
re-elected to that honorable position. During Mayor
Baxter's administration some of Delphos' most extensive
street improvements have been made - the Minute Fire department
inaugurated, water works system constructed and the telephone
exchange established. His administration has been
singularly clean, energetic and satisfactory, winning for the
mayor the high encomiums of his fellow-citizens. Mayor
Baxter has three times been a delegate from Allen county to
the Ohio state conventions, taking a prominent part in all.
Mayor Baxter is one of a company of citizens who
are engaged in the development of oil and gas wells in the
neighborhood of Delphos, the company having under lease 2,000
acres of lands. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
in which he has attained the degree of knight templar, being a
member of Shawnee commandery, No. 14, at Lima. He is also
a member of the I. O. O. F., of which he has filled all the
chairs. He is at present the worshipful master of Hope
lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., of Delphos. He is also a
member of the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Knights of
Pythias. In November of 1895 he was elected as
representative to the grand lodge of I. O. O. F., from the
twenty-sixth district. Prior to Mayor Baxter's
appointment as postmaster, he was a county school examiner for
three months, which office he was compelled to resign upon
entering upon the discharge of the duties of postmaster, but is
at the present time examiner for the Delphos union schools.
Mayor Baxter was married on December 23, 1884,
to Miss Vida B. Morgan, who was born near Gomer, Allen
county, and is the daughter of Thomas B. and Margaret Morgan.
To their union one son - Richard A. - has been born.
Mr. Baxter is now reading law, with the expectation of
making it his future profession.
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
JOHN F. BAXTER, member of the
Delphos city council from the Fourth ward, was born in Marion
township, Allen county, Ohio, Dec. 14, 1857. He is the son
of Samuel and Mary (Robbins) Baxter, both natives of Ohio
and both deceased. Our subject was reared on the farm in
Allen county, and attended the district schools, securing a fair
English education. He remained on the farm until 1880 and
then came to Delphos, and has resided here ever since. His
occupation has been chiefly that of a salesman in the dry goods
business, having held positions with S. F. Shenk, H.
J. Wolfhorst & Co., and other well-known firms. He has
always been a stanch republican in politics and has taken an
active interest in public affairs. He was the nominee of
his party in the Fourth war for city councilman in the spring of
1895, and was elected by a majority of twenty-seven votes, which
was an increase over the party's last majority, and the largest
republican majority ever given for councilman by the ward.
In the council Mr. Baxter is one of the leading members.
he is chairman of the claims committee, and is also on the
committee on street light and police, and on the buildings and
grounds.
Mr. Baxter resides on the corner of West Third
and Bredick streets, in the Fourth ward, Delphos, Van Wert
county. Mr. Baxter was married on Dec. 25, 1887, to
Cora A. Smith, daughter of Casper Smith, of
Delphos. Mr. Baxter is a member of the I. O. O. F.,
fraternally, and the National Union Insurance company.
Mrs. Baxter is a member of the Presbyterian church and of
the Daughters of Rebecca. For twelve years she has
held a position as teacher in the Delphos public schools.
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
SAMUEL BAXTER
(Source#1: A Portrait and biographical record of Allen
& Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co., 1896 ) |
JOHN M.
BEARD, druggist, Spencerville, was born in Mahoning County,
Ohio, February 3, 1848; son of Milo and Mary (Osburn) Beard,
natives of Mahoning County, Ohio, latter of whom died in 1851;
former still resides in Fort Wayne, Ind. Our subject's early life
was spent on a farm. In 1865 he went with his parents to Allen
County, Ind., and during 1866-67 he attended the school at
Roanoke, Ind.. and the three following years at Fort Wayne, and
Cleveland. Ohio. During twenty-four months of this time he engaged
in teaching. He entered upon his business career as drug clerk, in
the employ of T. M. Biddle, druggist, of Fort Wayne, with
whom he remained seven years. He then engaged about four months
with J. A. Tyler & Co., at the end of which time he
purchased an interest in a drug store at Delphos. Van Wert Co.,
Ohio, in partnership with H. P. Eysenbach, and carried with
him to his new place of business the best wishes of the community
he had served so long as prescription clerk, and where he had
gained the reputation of being a careful and efficient pharmacist.
Remaining in Delphos over a year, he then removed to Spencerville
and formed a partnership with Theo. Eysenbach, in
the drug and hardware business; two years later the firm dissolved
and divided the business, Mr. Baird retaining the
drug department. On December 14, 1881, he was married to Miss
Eva Brown, who was born in Delphos, Ohio, January,
18, I860, by whom he has one child, Lois, born February 28,
1883. At present Mr. Beard is township and
corporation treasurer. He is a member of Summit City Lodge, No.
170, F. & A. M., of Fort Wayne; politically he is identified with
the Democratic party.
(Source #2) |
JAMES H. BEDFORD,
farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Sept. 26,
1846; son of Samuel and Mary (Murray) Bedford, who
settled in Bath Township, this county, in 1849. He was
married Dec. 19, 1876, to Catherine, daughter of Samuel and
Susan (Rogers) Ditzler, of Perry Township, this county, in
issue of this union is one child - Charles A. Mr. and
Mrs. Bedford are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject has filled several of the minor offices of Perry
Township where he located in 1881. In politics he is a
Republican.
(Source #2) |
SAMUEL BEDFORD,
farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., Oct. 28,
1808, and is a son of Thomas and Jane Bedford. He
was reared in his native city, and came to Ohio in 1830,
locating in Warren County, where he resided up to 1849, when he
came to Bath Township, Allen County, settling on the farm where
he now resides, all of which he cleared and improved himself.
He was a blacksmith by trade, which, in connection with his
farm, he carried on up to 1884. He was married Oct. 9,
1838, to Mary A., daughter of John and Sarah (Stewart)
Murray of Warren County, Ohio. The issue of this union
was nine children: John (deceased), Sarah (wife of
Milton Patrick), Mary E. (deceased), Milton D.,
James M., Margaret E. (wife of Lewis Brentlinger),
William A., Samuel S. (deceased), and Isaac N.
In politics Mr. Bedford is a Republican. He is a
member of the Society of Friends, and his wife is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
(Source #2) |
JOSEPH P. BENERDOM,
farmer, P. O. Allentown, was born in Leesville, Va., Nov. 27,
1826, son of John and Mary (Carr) Benerdom, who were
married in Virginia, moved to Ohio in 1834, settling in Carroll
County, where they died a few years since. Our subject
came to this county in 1864, and settled in German Township,
where he still resides. He was married in Tuscarawas
County, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William
and Margaret (Junkins) Holms, who now reside in Hardin
County, Ohio. To this union have been born nine children:
William, Mary, John, Charles, Margaret, Oby, Bertha, Thirsey
and Ida, all now living but Mararet. Mr. and
Mrs. Benerdom are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
at Allentown, Ohio.
(Source #2) |
GEORGE BENROTH, proprietor of saloon, Bluffton, was born in
Germany, September 1, 1844; son of Charles and Anna (Scheller)
Benroth, former by trade a cooper. Our subject received a good
education in the common schools of Germany, and there learned the
cabinet-making trade, at which he worked till he came to America,
in 1865, settling at Bluffton. After engaging at his trade here
for two years, he opened a furniture store which he carried on
till 1881, when he sold out and commenced a saloon and lunch room
business; he also sells tobacco, and has a good trade. Mr.
Benroth was united in marriage, in 1867, with Miss
Anna, daughter of Rev. Ulrich Steiner,
a Mennonite minister; she is a native of Allen County,
Ohio. This union has been blessed with eight children: Edward,
Ferdinand, Rosa, Mary A., Pauline, Albert, Emma and
Minnie. Mr. Benroth is a Democrat in politics.
(Source #2) |
THOMAS
J. BENTLEY, farmer and stock-raiser. Bluffton, was born in
the eastern part of Ohio, July 14, 1822; son of John and Nancy
(Patten) Bentley, of English descent. John Bentley,
a native of Massachusetts and a farmer by occupation, died at the
advanced age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Nancy Bentley, born
in Maryland, died aged seventy-six years. During the last ten
years of their lives they made their home with our subject.
Thomas J., the fifth in a family of six children, was reared
on the farm, receiving a limited education in the common schools
of Ohio, and early in life learned wagon making at Youngstown,
Ohio. In 1852 he came to Hancock County, subsequently returned to
Allen County, and settled in Bluffton, where for four years he
carried on a wagon shop. He then purchased a farm, and has since
engaged successfully in agricultural pursuits, owning now 160
acres where he resides, in Rich land Township. In politics he is a
Republican. Mr. Bentley has been twice married, first in
1845, to Miss Barbara Fusselman, by whom he
had the following children: W. S., a farmer; Edward;
Ella, wife of N. Carney: Rozelia: Agnes and H. G.
Mrs. Bentley died in 1863, and in 1865 our subject was married
to Mrs. Rachel M. Ault, of English descent,
widow of Philip Ault, who was a member of the
Fifty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and lost his life
in defense of his country. They were parents of seven children,
all married: Nancy E., Rosanna, Matilda, Theodocia and
R. S.; Elijah and "Wellington are deceased. Mrs.
Bentley's grandfather served in the Revolutionary war. Her
father, Elijah Perkins, a wealthy farmer, whose
parents died when be was a child, has been very successful in
business, possessing at one time 800 acres, and is at present
owner of 600 acres of well-improved land in Richland Township; he
is ninety-eight years old, and his wife ninety-two years.
(Source #2) |
EPHRAIM
BERYMAN, farmer, P. O.
Spencerville, was born in Allen County, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1840, the
eldest of six children born to Russel and Margaret (Slawer)
Beryman. Russel Beryman, a native of Montgomery
County, Ohio, was but six years of age when brought to Shelby
County, Ohio. He was an influential farmer and stock dealer,
and died July 9, 1879, his wife having preceded him May 9, 1848.
Our subject was reared on a farm; and his Educational advantages
were limited to a few weeks each year in the common schools. He
entered upon his career in life as a farmer, which he has made the
principle occupation of his life, in connection with which he has
done more or less trading in and handling of live stock. He was
married December 5, 1861, to Deborah B. Blackburn, who was
born in Columbiana County, Ohio, May 28, 1842, daughter of
George
and Charlotte (Weber) Blackburn, early settlers of
Columbiana County. To this union eight children were born:
Harley A., John G., Elbert S., George W., Alma M., David
E., Ira P., and Flora E. Mr. Beryman purchased his farm
in Spencer Township, in 1875, and removed to same three years
later, since when he has added to his original purchase and now
owns 120 acres of land situated on the Lima and Spencerville Pike,
and which is considered one of the best farms in this locality. He
has placed the same under a high state of cultivation, the result
of many days of hard labor. His aim is to excel in the production
and quality of his crops. Mr. Beryman was formerly a member
of the Grange. He is a consistent adherent of the Baptist Church.
(Source #2) |
T.
H. BIERY, butcher, Bluffton, was born August 16,1844, in
Lehigh County, Penn.; son of John (a farmer) and May (Kimerer)
Biery, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German
descent. Their family consisted of ten children, of whom T. H.
is the youngest. Our subject received a common school
education, and early learned butchering, in which business he has
continued all his life. He came to Bluffton, this county, in 1875,
and opened a butcher shop and meat market, and has continued here
ever since, meeting with more than average success. He was
married, in 186/, to Miss Sarah Wasser, a
native of Hancock County, Ohio, and to this union were born eight
children: William, Lew, Felix, James, John, Milton,
Charles and Stillman. Mr. Biery is a member of the
German Reformed Church, his wife of the Lutheran Church. In
politics he is a Democrat.
(Source #2) |
| A.
C. BITLER, firm of Marriott & Bitler, merchants,
Harrod. This house established business at Harrod, in
1883. They carry a general stock of about $3,500, and
conduct a large and lucrative trade. The subject of this
sketch, junior member of the firm, was born in Schuylkill
County, Penn., June 21, 1857, son of Samuel and Sarah Bitler,
pioneers and residents of Auglaize County, Ohio. Our
subject came to this place ostensibly to enter mercantile trade,
in which he has been very successful. He was appointed
postmaster at Harrod, April 1, 1884, succeeding G. W.
Campbell, which position he has acceptably filled, and
during his short residence in the place he has won many friends.
Mr. Bitler was married in Auglaize County, Ohio, in 188,
to Miss Clara, daughter of William and Lydia Frasier.
Two children were born to this union, both now living: Isa M.
and Elmira G. |
PETER
BIXEL, P. O. Bluffton, is a representative farmer, and was
prominent among the early settlers of Allen County. He was born in
Holmes County, Ohio, April 28, 1833; son of Peter and Fannie (Diller)
Bixel, natives of France and Switzerland, respectively, and
who came to America when young. They were married in Holmes
County, and had a family of twelve children, of whom Peter is the
fourth; they came to Allen County in 1845, and settled on a farm.
Our subject received his education in the common schools of Putnam
and Allen Counties, and wisely chose farming as his life
occupation, as his father and grandfather had done before him. He
has been very successful, and now owns 200 acres of well improved
land. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Fannie Suter, a
native of Putnam County, Ohio, and of French descent, and this
union has been blessed with thirteen children, eleven of whom are
now living: Christian, David, Maggie, Peter, Anna, Fannie,
John, Mary, Elias, Samuel and Elizabeth. Mr. and
Mrs. Bixel are members of the Mennonite Church, of Richland
Township. Our subject takes a just pride in his children, and has
carefully educated them. He has served ten years as school
director of his township. In politics he is a Democrat.
(Source #2) |
WILLIAM F.
BLAIR, superintendent of the Orphan Home of Allen county,
is a son of Dr. Brice and Rebecca (Perdue)
Blair, the former of whom was a son of Brice
Blair, the former of whom was a son of Brice Blair,
of Bedford county, Pa. The family belong to that famous
race, Scotch-Irish, which has given to this country so many of its
sturdy sons, among them the eighth president of the United States,
Andrew Jackson, whose personality produced such a
permanent effect upon the destiny of the Union. The
ancestors of Mr. Blair originally came from Ireland,
and settled in Cumberland valley in Pennsylvania.
Brice Blair, the grandfather of the subject of
this sketch, was one of the early settlers of Bedford county, that
state. He married Agnes McCauley, who was born in
Baltimore, Md., and to this union were born the following
children: John, Archibald, Edmund, James, Brice, Rebecca,
Rachel, Mary, Susanna, Sarah, Elizabeth, Nancy. Mr.
McCauley, father of Mrs. Brice Blair, passed his life
as a farmer in Bedford county, where he died in the present
century.
Dr. Blair, father of the subject, was born
January 22, 1813, in Bedford county, Pa. He read medicine
with Dr. McPherson, of Tuscarawas county, coming to Ohio in
1835, and settling near New Albany, Tuscarawas county, practicing
there until the fall of 1854, when he removed to Allen county,
settling in Jackson township, where he purchased a farm of sixty
acres of land. Beside this small piece of land in Jackson
township he also owned 240 acres in Auglaize township, and also
160 acres in Stark county, Ind., which he, however, purchased some
time later, so that he was somewhat of a landed proprietor at one
time.
The farm in Jackson township he cleared up of its
timber and improved as well as the one of Auglaize township, so
that he found but little time to devote to his profession.
He died in Jackson township on his farm, March 10, 1876, widely
known as a wide-awake, active, industrious and enterprising man.
Politically he was a democrat, and religiously a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, was a trustee of his church and took
unusual interest in the work and success of the Sunday-school.
Dr. Blair was married in 1843. His wife, born January
19, 1814, is a daughter of William Perdew, of Bedford
county, Pa., and is still residing on the home farm in Jackson
township, the father of the following children: Nancy,
Sarah, Mary, William and Rebecca. By her marriage
to Dr. Blair Rebecca became the mother of the following
children: John, of Auglaize township; Edward,
of the same township; Martin, who died in 1876; Nathan
P., of Auglaize township; Brice, of the same township;
William F.; James H. (deceased), of Auglaize township;
Nancy, widow of Isaac Heffner; Clara, wife of
Harrison Heffner; Jennie (deceased), wife of John
McCullough; Elizabeth, wife of Madill Fisher; and
Mary, wife of David Applas, and Jessie Allen
(deceased).
William F. Blair was born October 23, 1849, in
Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and was reared in Jackson township, Allen
county. His education was superior to that generally
received by the young men of that time, as in addition to a good
common-school training, he attended the high school at Lima, and
Delaware college, and also the Western Normal university at Ada.
Besides all this he read medicine was his father; but
nothwithstanding this preparation for the practice of one of the
most useful of the professions, he preferred teaching school, for
which he was eminently prepared. He therefore taught in the
public schools of Allen county for twenty years - in Jackson
township, in Bath, in Auglaize and in Perry township, in all of
which has he scholars who still pleasantly remember his work among
them and for them. In 1879, tired of the life of a
pedagogue, he settled down upon his father's farm in Auglaize
township, and became a general farmer he purchased a farm in
Jackson township, supplying ample room for the exercise of any
ability he might possess. Upon this fine farm he was
occupied in the way just mentioned for twelve years, and then he
accepted a position with the Ohio Oil company, being engaged with
them leasing land, etc., until 1893, when he was appointed to his
present honorable position, that of superintendent of the Orphan's
Home, Allen county, which he fills to the acceptance of all.
While he was a resident of Jackson township he was made a trustee
thereof. Politically Mr. Blair is a democrat, and he
is a member of the county central committee. Fraternally he
is a member of Lima lodge, No. 91, K. of P.
Mr. Blair was married in 1879, to Miss
Rosetta E., daughter of W. H. Craig, of Jackson
township, and has a family of children as follows: Luther C.,
Cliff, Harry, Ethel and Leah. W. H.
Craig, father of Mrs. Blair, is one of the progressive
and substantial farmers of Jackson township. He is of
English decent on both sides of his family. His great
grandfather, George Craig, came from England and settled in
Washington county, Pa., and it is believed he was a soldier in the
Revolutionary war. He died in Washington county in which
county the grandfather of the subject's wife was born, was reared
to manhood and was married to a Miss Pittinger. After
the death of his wife he moved westward, to Highland county, Ohio,
in 1833, and was there among the pioneers. He was always a
farmer, did not remarry, and died in the last named county, being
instantly killed while cutting down a wild cherry three, when
working on the public road.
Joseph Craig, his son, and the father of W.
H. Craig, was born in Washington County, Pa. He was
about twenty years of age when his father came to Ohio, where
Joseph married a Miss Charlotte Rains, daughter of
George and Nancy Rains. Joseph Craig and his wife
Charlotte, were the parents of the following children:
George T.; William H.; Louisa, who died at the age of
eighteen; Martha, wife of W. F. Straw; Nancy, wife
of Frederick Bashore; Angeline, wife of Thomas Bashore;
and John. After their marriage the parents of
these children lived for a number of years in Highland county,
engaged in farming but in 1852 he removed to Jackson township,
Allen county. Upon his 160 acre farm he engaged in general
farming and in raising stock. He was an old-line whig, later
a republican was township trustee, township treasurer, and a
school teacher, besides being one of the early pioneers. He
died in 1872, his widow dying in February, 1881.
William H. Craig, was born May 3, 1835, in
Highland county, and was seventeen years of age when his parents
removed into Allen county. While he received a good
education in his youth, yet he always preferred farming to any
other calling, thereby showing excellent judgment. Mr. Craig
was married June 2, 1858, to Susan Hulliber, daughter of
John and Mary (Keith) Hulliber, of Licking county, and has
children as follows: Rosetta E., wife of Mr. Blair;
Mary C.; Iva C., deceased; Araminta L.; Nora O.; Walter
W. Mary C. is the wife of N. M. Boyd; Araminta L.
is the wife of Clement Patterson; Nora O., is the wife of
Percy A. Kershaw, a successful teacher of Jackson township,
and a printer by trade. Mr. Craig enlisted in April,
1862, in company d., One hundred and Sixty-first Ohio volunteer
infantry, and campaigned in Maryland, the District of Columbia and
Virginia doing considerable skirmishing near the capital, and was
honorably discharged in September, 1862. Immediately upon
his marriage he settled on a farm of fertile land, well situated
and well improved, which he has still more improved. He is a
strong republican, but has never cared for office, preferring to
devote his time to his legitimate calling. He is widely
known and a highly respected citizen.
Source #2 |
DAVID M. BLISS, one of the most prominent
agriculturists of Marion township, Allen county, Ohio, is a son
of a pioneer, and was born in Lima, the county seat of Allen
county, July 17, 1845, of good old English Puritan descent
paternally.
Col. Lester Bliss, father of our subject is a
punitive son of Knox (now Morrow) county, Ohio, and was born
August 10, 1847, although is claimed by an elder sister that the
place of his nativity was Cooperstown, N. Y. Dr. David
Bliss, father of Col. Bliss, was a practitioner at
Cooperstown, N. Y., but was born in Connecticut of English
Puritan ancestry. He married Mary VanTress, of New
York, of Holland descent. Samuel Bliss, great
grandfather of our subject and father of Dr. David Bliss,
was a patriot in the war of the Revolution. Dr. David
Bliss was the pioneer physician of Sparta, Morrow county,
Ohio, where he practiced until his death, which occurred in
1846, at the age of about sixty years, and where he also served
as a justice of the peace. He was the father of seven
children, viz: Dr. Morgan L., Maria, Mason, Mahala,
Porter, Lester, and Mary A., all now deceased with
the exception of the two last named.
Col. Lester Bliss received a liberal education
at Gambier (Knox county) and Granville (Licking county), Ohio
and studied law in Mount Vernon, Ohio, under the Hon. Henry
B. Curtis, a leading lawyer and a man of wealth - practiced
his profession at Lima, Allen county, Ohio, until 1850, then
removed to Delphos, where he continued in practice until the
breaking out of the Civil war, in the meantime having been
elected, by the democratic party, twice as prosecuting attorney
of Allen county; also, in 1850, as the first mayor of Delphos,
and in 1853 as a member of the state legislature; the same year
he was also nominated for the office of lieutenant-governor of
the state of Ohio, but withdrew his name from the ticket in
order to accept the position of superintendent of the Ohio &
Indiana railroad - an office he filled for several years.
August 1, 1862, Lester Bliss enlisted at
Delphos, in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer
infantry, and was at once appointed quartermaster, with the rank
of major; one year latter was commissioned lieutenant-colonel
and served with Burnside in the east, and was also at the siege
of Knoxville, and in many minor engagements, and served until
ill-health compelled him to resign his commission in 1865.
In 1863 he purchased his present farm, comprising 312 acres, on
which he has resided since the close of the war, when he
discontinued the practice of his profession, ill-health
precluding its further continuance. The first marriage of
Col. Bliss took place, in 1844, to Miss Belinda hover,
daughter of Emanuel and Carline (Adgate) Hover, and this
union was blessed with two children - David M. and
Lester L., of whom the latter was a soldier in the Civil war
and died at Fort Scott, Kans. the domestic happiness
resulting from the first matrimonial alliance of Col. Bliss
was of short duration only, as Mrs. Bliss was called away
in 1848, and the second marriage of the colonel was with Miss
Aldulia, daughter of William Curtis, the result of
this union being one child only - Dr. Charles C. Bliss,
of Delphos. For thirty years Col. Bliss has
been a member of the Methodist church, in which he has filled
all the major offices. At the outset of his political
career Mr. Bliss was a democrat, and at the outbreak of
the war became a war democrat, and later on joined the
republican party; he is a member of the G. A. R. post at
Delphos, and has ever been an active factor in the affairs of
the county, which he has guarded with the utmost care.
David M. Bliss, the subject of this sketch
received his preliminary education in the common schools of
Delphos, and this was supplemented by an attendance for two
years at the Wesleyan college of Delaware, Ohio; he then read
law with his father, but never engaged in practice. For
two years he was in mercantile business at Delphos, and also
conducted a newspaper at Sidney, Ohio, two years, and later a
paper at Lima. His first marriage was with Miss Mary A.
Lytle, who died of consumption nine months after the
wedding, and Mr. Bliss, in 1870, was joined in wedlock
with Alice J. Neel, of Lima, Ohio - this union being
blessed with three children, viz: Lester L., Neel V.
and Mary A. In religion Mr. Bliss is a
Methodist; in politics he is independent but has filled the
office of justice of the peace and township trustee, and has
been a member of the board of education for fifteen years.
He is a member of the K. of P. at Delphos and is well known
throughout Allen county for his integrity and unswerving
devotion to his word. His skill as a farmer is universally
recognized, and his social standing, with that of his family, is
with the best circles in the township and county. (Source #2) |
JACOB BOOK,
farmer, P. O. Spencerville, was born in Marion County, Ohio, July
24, 1844; son of John and Catherine (Epley) Book, natives
of Germany, who were the parents of nine children of whom Jacob
is sixth. John Book came to America in 1821, and located in
Marion County, Ohio; he is now retired from active life, a
resident of Van Wert County, Ohio; his wife died in 1878. Our
subject was married, March 28, 1871, to Isabel Masters, who
was born in Clermont County, Ohio, July 22, 1850, daughter of
William and Malinda (Ross) Masters, of VanWert
County. She has borne him six children: John F.,
Nancy C. (deceased), William H., deceased), James A.,
Joseph A. and Rosa E. (twins). Mr. Book
is one of of the most influential men of the township, and, as the
appearance of his farm denotes, is a practical farmer. He aims to
excel, and to produce and to have the best to sell. Having been
reared on a farm, his educational advantages were necessarily
limited to the common schools. Although not an office seeker he is
a leader of the Democratic party in this vicinity; is an active
member of Jennings Grange, No. 1320. He came to Spencer Township,
with his parents in 1863, and in 1871 purchased the homestead
where he still lives.
(Source #2) |
ABRAHAM
BRENNEMAN, farmer, P. O. Lima, is a native of Rockingham
County. Va.. born February 21. 1831; son of David and Catharine
(Mover) Brenneman. who came from Virginia to Fairfield County,
Ohio, and then, in 1847, to Allen County, where the latter died
and the former still resides; they were the parents of twelve
children, eleven of whom are now living. Our subject, who is the
eldest, was married, August 21, 1856, to Miss Eliza Ward,
of Monroe Township, this county, a native of German Township, this
county, and daughter of William and Elizabeth (Ridenour) Ward,
who were married in this county, and where Mrs. Ward died.
Mr. Ward now resides in Perry Township, this county. To our
subject and wife have been born eight children: Henrietta E.,
William C., Mary C, David W., Sarah A., Abraham P., Jacob B.
and Frank H., all living except David W. and Abraham P. Mr.
Brenneman followed carpentering for five or six years, and
in 1856 purchased land in Monroe Township, this county, which he
improved, and to which by industry and economy he added many
acres, owning now 249 acres in Monroe Township, 320 in Sugar Creek
Township, and 93 in Bath Township, all this county; also 160 acres
in Paulding County, Ohio; in all 822. He came to Sugar Creek
Township in 1877. Mrs. Brenneman is a member of the
Christian Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat.
(Source #2) (See Next Biography below here) |
ABRAHAM BRENNEMAN,
one of the oldest settlers of Sugar Creek township, and one of
the most successful and wealthy farmers in Allen county, comes
from sturdy German ancestry. His grandfather,
MALACHI BRENNEMAN, was a farmer of
the state of Virginia, and David Brenneman, son of
Malachi, was the father of the subject of this sketch, was
born in Rockingham county, Va., May 14, 1805, 2as a farmer by
occupation, was a well educated man, and was a member of the
Christian church. He married Miss Catherine Myers,
who was born Jan. 15, 1809, in Shenandoah county, Va., she being
the daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Crumpacker) Myers.
Mr. Brenneman moved to Fairfield county, Ohio, Oct. 1, 1842,
and there rented land, and resided upon two different places for
three ad a half years. He then moved to Franklin county,
where he remained one and a half years, and in 1847 finally
removed to Allen county (then Putnam county), and settled in
Monroe township. His wife had some money and they together
bought 110 acres of land, a little of which had been cleared by
some former owner, or possibly, squatter. With the
assistance of his sons he cleared the rest of this land, and
afterward bought eighty acres more, becoming one of the
substantial and prosperous farmers of his day. David
Brenneman and his wife were the parents of twelve children,
viz: Daniel F., Abraham, Elizabeth A., Samuel C., Rebecca J.,
Mary A., Sarah E., Lydia F., David D., John H., Jacob P. and
Martha A. Mr. Brenneman was a deacon in his church
for many years, and Mrs. Brenneman was a member of the
same church, and he assisted in building the first Christian
church in Monroe township. He was a democrat, and was
honored by his fellow-citizens by being elected to the office of
township trustee, but cared less for political affairs than for
general matters of interest to all, such as religion, education
and social progress. He was a hard-working man, and reared
his family to habits of industry, economy and honesty.
Sept. 4, 1892, he died at the age of eighty-seven years and four
months.
Abraham Brenneman, the subject of this sketch,
was born Feb. 21, 1831, in Rockingham county, Va., was reared a
farmer, and has followed that occupation with more than ordinary
success all his life. When he was about eleven years old
his parents removed from Virginia to Fairfield county, Ohio,
making the journey was wagon and horses. This journey is
still fresh in his memory. Coming with his father in 1847
to Allen county, he here assisted in clearing the farm, and was
educated, as were other boys of that day, in the common school.
On Aug. 21, 1856, he was married to Eliza Ward, born July
18, 1835, a daughter of WILLIAM and
Elizabeth (Ridenour) WARD.
WILLIAM WARD was the grandson
of an Englishman who came to America before the Revolutionary
war, and fought in that war as an American soldier. His
name was William, and his son's name was William,
bringing the name down to the father of Mrs. Brenneman,
so that there were three generations of William Wards.
William Ward, father of Mrs. Brenneman, was born in
Fairfield County, Ohio, July 1, 1810. He and his wife were
the parents of four children, viz: Sarah, Eliza, Mary A.,
and John H. Their marriage occurred in 1833, and
Mr. Ward died Oct. 12, 1894. He was a member of the
United Brethren church. The first wife of Mr. Ward
died when Mrs. Brenneman was six years old, that is, in
1841, and he was then married to Sarah Faustnaught, a
widow, ńee Sarah Wright.
To this marriage there were born four children, viz:
George H., Marion, William and David.
After the death of his second wife he married Hanna Angus,
by whom he had two children - Elizabeth and Leslie.
Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman, after their marriage,
settled on 150 acres of land near Cairo, in Allen county, a
portion of which belonged to his wife before her marriage.
Part of the town of Cairo is laid out on this land. When
he settled thereon but eight acres were cleared, but the
remainder was cleared by him and was made into a good farm.
A good and pleasant house was erected by him, and also other
buildings, and many other improvements were made. In 1877
Mr. Brenneman bought his present farm, then containing
250 acres. This farm was cleared and improved, and cost
him $80 per acre, the total cost being $20,000. This is
one of the best farms in Allen county, together with its
improvements. Previously he had purchased, in Monroe
township, 177½ acres, and in Monroe
and Sugar Creek townships, 160 acres. He had also 166
acres in Bath township, 185 acres in German township, and eighty
acres in Paulding county; making in all 972 acres, all fine
farming land. This property, which is a good fortune in
itself, he has acquired and accumulated by his own industry and
good management, generally making sure of his investments
beforehand, but notwithstanding all the care he has taken, he
lost, by misfortune, some $15,000.
Mr. Brenneman and his wife are
the parents of eight children, viz: Henrietta,
born Oct. 24, 1858 - died Oct. 20, 1887; William C., born
Nov. 20, 1860; Mary C., born Feb. 2, 1863; David W.,
born Mar. 31, 1865 - and died Oct. 15, 1868;
Sarah A., born Jul. 20, 1867; Abraham P., born Mar.
7, 1870 - died Oct. 12, 1871; Jacob B., born Aug. 19,
1872, and Frank H., born Dec. 23, 1874. Mr. and
Mrs. Brenneman are members of the Christian church, and
Mr. Brenneman has served his church as trustee. In
politics he is a democrat, but as the above brief sketch
indicates, he has always cared less for politics than success in
life as an agriculturists and as an accumulator of property.
His career and example forcibly illustrate the possibilities of
American citizenship, teaching what may be accomplished by
industry, economy, hard work and good judgment.
(Source #1 - Page 214) (See also, Biography above this one) |
DAVID BRENNEMAN,
of Marion township, Allen county, Ohio, is a son of Jacob and
Caroline (Ogden) Brenneman, and was born in Fairfield
county, Ohio, Nov. 28, 1840. He was brought to Allen
county in September, 1853, by his parents, and was here reared
to manhood. Aug. 12, 1862, he enlisted in company A, One
Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three
years or during the war, and was honorably discharged at
Knoxville, Tenn., June 20, 1865. His regiment left Lima
Sept. 12, 1862, and in Oct. of same year was engaged in guard
duty on the Kentucky Central railroad; later, he was at the
siege of Knoxville, and was twenty-one days and nights under
fire; next had a hard fight at Mossy Creek, in Tennessee; then
returned to Knoxville and was engaged in building pontoon boats
until the spring of 1864, when he went on the Atlanta campaign,
fighting at Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Snake
Creek Gap, Peach Tree Creek, and at Atlanta. After the
fall of that city Mr. Brenneman was with Gen. Thomas
in Tennessee, was at Strawberry Plains, Jonesboro, Morristown,
and on to Salisbury, N. C.; was also at Lynchburg, Va., and
several other points, doing good work in the engineer branch of
the service until his final discharge.
Returning from the war, Mr. Brenneman engaged in
the saw mill business for four years, but in the meantime, Sept.
27, 1866, married Phebe A. Lutz, who was born Dec. 13,
1846, a daughter of John and Sarah A. (Griffith) Lutz.
John Lutz was of German descent and his wife of Welsh
extraction. The former was born in Perry county, Ohio,
Jan. 13, 1820, a son of John Lutz, who was born in
Maryland in 1787 and married Louise Leese, who was born
Oct. 14, 1794. To John and Louisa Lutz, the father
of Mrs. Brenneman, was thrice married - first to Sarah
A. Griffith, who was born Mar. 19, 1837, a daughter of
David Griffith, who bore him four children; his second wife
Elizabeth Miller, who also became the mother of
four children, and his third wife was Sarah Doner, who
bore him four children, likewise.
After his marriage, Mr. Brenneman located in
Amanda township, Allen county, lived there four years, and then
came to his present farm of 160 acres in Marion township.
There have been born to him four children, named Laura A.,
Irvin E., Sarah E. and Stephen A. Mr. and Mrs.
Brenneman are members of the Methodist church, and for nine
years Mr. Benneman has been trustee in that body.
In politics he is independent, and has served as trustee of his
township four years. He is a member of the Grand Army of
the Republic, belonging to Armstrong post, at Lima. Of the
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Brenneman, Laura married
David Williams, a farmer of Van Wert county, and is the
mother of three children, named Groen Lenora, William David
and Anna; Irvin married Ollie Kircofe, and is
working on the home farm; Sarah E. is married to
Albert Morris, a blacksmith in the Lake Erie & Western
Railroad shops, at Lima.
The Brenneman homestead was first settled by
Christian Stukey, the deed having been signed by President
Andrew Jackson, May 2, 1833. The next owner was Daniel
Conrad, and by him it was transferred to Jacob Brenneman
in March, 1853. It is now one of the finest farms in the
township, is one of the oldest settled in the neighborhood, and
Mr. Brenneman has cleared up the greater pat of it.
Mr. Brenneman relates many reminiscences of the Civil
war, which are too voluminous for repetition in the sketch of
this character. He was a brave and faithful soldier, and
his conduct in civil life ahs been such as to win the esteem and
heartfelt regard of all who know him. He is upright,
public spirited, and generous in his impulses, and few citizens
of Marion township stand in a better light before the public
than he.
The family originally were German Mennonites, who fled
from persecution in Germany and sought shelter in the country
where all religions and sects are given freedom to worship in
their own way. They were faithful followers of Menno
Symons, and the founder of the branch of the family to
which John L. Brenneman belongs was Abraham, his
grandfather, who was born about 1745, so that it was probable
that the family first settled in southeastern Pennsylvania, some
time prior to the Revolutionary war. Abraham Brenneman
first married a young lady named Maria, who was born
about 1747, and died March 29, 1788, the mother of seven
children, viz: Magdalene, born Dec. 6, 1770;
Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 1773; Malachi, born May 11,
1775; Francis, born Oct. 18, 1777; Barbara, born
Jan. 13, 1780; Daniel, born Mar. 24, 1782, and Abraham,
after the death of his first wife, married Magdalena Schenk,
who was the mother of seven children, viz: Henry, John,
Jacob, Catherine, Mary, David and Abraham.
Abraham Brenneman, when grown to manhood, left the
home in Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm in Rockingham
county, Va., where he prospered and reared his family, and there
died Mar. 8, 1815, in his seventy-first year. He was well
remembered by many people of his latter day, as he was noted for
his hospitality and liberality to all poor people; he always
kept a large store of wheat on hands to give to the poor and
needy, and many were those who could look to him as their
benefactor. He was honored and respected by all, and from
him fourteen children have descended, of whom all grew to
manhood and womanhood and raised families, excepting
Catherine, who had no children. All the Brenneman
family who are settled in Allen county, except Christian
Brenneman, who lives in Sugar Creek township, trace their
descent back to this Abraham Brenneman, while
Christian Brenneman traces his descent to a brother of
Abraham.
Jacob Brenneman, the third son of Abraham,
by his second wife, was the father of the subject of this
sketch, and was born on the old homestead in Rockingham county,
Va., Oct. 7, 1796, and married Mary, the daughter of
John Berry. After marriage he settled on the old
homestead in Rockingham county and eight children were born to
them, the four oldest of whom, John L. Abraham, Barbara
and Isaac, grew up the reared families; the four youngest
died while quite young after moving to Ohio. About 1828
Mr. Brenneman moved his family from the old home in Virginia
to Fairfield county, Ohio, where he bought a farm of 120
acres of partly cleared land; this he improved and was
prospering when his wife died, about October, 1832. In the fall
of 1836 he married Caroline, the daughter of David and
Rebecca (Frey) Ogden, who were natives of Virginia and of
English descent. By this marriage Mr. Brenneman had
eight children, viz: Catherine, David, Jacob, Rebecca, Noah,
William F. (deceased), Sarah A. and Charles B.
About September, 1853, Mr. Brenneman moved
his family to Marion township, Allen county, and settled on a
farm of 160 acres, a small part of which had been cleared.
He improved this land and made it his home the remainder of his
life, dying Jan. 1, 1865, being in his sixty-ninth year.
He was a prosperous and very successful farmer, and a
hard-working and honest man, and taught his children that hard
work was honorable, and that they should be honest and upright
in all things. It may be well said that his word was as
good as his bond. He was a democrat in politics, and a
faithful member of the Mennonite church, and was honored and
respected by all who knew him. (Source #1 - Page 212) |
HON. CALVIN
S. BRICE, one of Ohio's favorite and most distinguished
sons, was born in Denmark, Marion (now Morrow) county, of the
Buckeye state, Sept. 17, 1845, and is a son of William
Kirkpatrick and Elizabeth (Stewart) Brice. The father
was descended from an old Maryland and Pennsylvania family, was a
graduate of Hanover college and the Princeton Theological
seminary, and was a clergyman of much note, while the mother, a
lady of fine education and exemplary traits of character, was a
native of Carrollton, Ohio.
Calvin S. Brice, now United States senator from
the great commonwealth of Ohio, obtained his early education in
the common schools of his district, and this was supplemented by
attendance at schools of a higher grade at Lima, and such was his
native ability and industry that, at the early age of thirteen
years, he was so far advanced that he was able to enter the
preparatory department of Miami university, at Oxford, in his
native state, where he studied one year, and then entered the
freshman class. To those who knew the man, when a young,
red-haired boy, endeavoring to get an education at Miami
university, his after life has always been a story of exceeding
interest. What wealth he may have has been earned through
his own efforts, supplemented by a judgment and; business capacity
rarely equaled. He inherited none of it. The only heritage that
came to young Brice was a sound constitution, an active mind, a
thorough brand of American pluck and grit, and an intelligent
comprehension of the way in which to put these to the best use.
While at school his progress was marked, and he was looking
forward to graduation, when there came a call that his patriotic
impulses and the ardor of a true-hearted American boy would not
permit him to ignore. When the call of the president came, young
Brice, although but fifteen years of age, relinquished his
studies, enlisted as a member of Capt. Dodd's University
company, and in April, 1861, took his first lesson in military
discipline at Camp Jackson, Columbus. In April, 1862, he was
enrolled a member of company A, Eighty-sixth Ohio volunteer
infantry, of which Prof. R. W. McFarland was captain, and
served with the regiment during the summer of that year in West
Virginia. Returning to the university, he resumed his studies,
completed the regular course, and graduated in June, 1863.
Mr. Brice then took charge of one of the public
schools of Lima, and while so engaged acted for some time as
deputy county auditor. He had already formed the purpose of
devoting himself to the profession of law, and made use of such
spare time as he could command in study until the spring of 1864,
when the old impulse to make his power effective for the good of
the Union cause led him to again return to the field. He recruited
company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and
as captain served in the First division of the Twenty-third corps
in Tennessee, Georgia, and the Carolinas, until July, 1865. While
still in the field he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel for
meritorious services, but owing to the return of peace he was
never mustered in under this commission. With the return of peace,
Mr. Brice again devoted himself to what he felt was the
real work of his life. He applied himself, with renewed activity
and interest, to the study of law, subsequently entering the law
department of the university of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and was
admitted to practice by the state and the United States district
and circuit courts at Cincinnati, in the spring of 1866.
Associating himself with Mr. Irvine, he formed
the law firm of Irvine & Brice, and began the practice of his
chosen profession in Lima, where he remained more than ten years.
As a member of this law firm Mr. Brice became connected
with the legal department of the old Lake Erie & Louisville
railroad. This was the beginning of the career of Mr. Brice
as a railroad magnate. As one of the counsel for this road, he
obtained an insight into the actual work of railroading and saw
spread before him the opportunities which he subsequently grasped.
He became interested in the road financially, modestly it is true,
but his holdings gradually increased. His mind, capable of looking
into the future, foreseeing what should be done and doing it at
the right time, I saw where the money was being lost in the
railroad business and where it should be made. Quick of conception
and equally quick in execution, Mr. Brice recognized that
the extension of systems and the opening up of new territory would
enhance the property.
This idea developed and resulted in the construction of
the "Nickel Plate" railroad, a name given to the road in jest by
Mr. Brice, and which he and his associates constructed
parallel to the Lake Shore road. The Lake Shore had refused to
make a satisfactory arrangement for taking care of the traffic
turned over to it by the Lake Erie & Western, and its refusal led
to the building of this new line from Chicago to Buffalo, which it
was compelled to buy to get rid of the dangerous opposition that
it gave promise of being. This operation opened the eyes of the
eastern railroad world to this rising genius of the west. His
subsequent career as the moving spirit of large railroad interests
and corporate investments is thoroughly familiar to the public.
In politics, Mr. Brice has likewise been
singularly fortunate. He stands today the leading politician in a
great state, and one of the men of national prominence as a
democrat, with courage to do what he believes to be right, and
what the best interests of the whole people demand. He first came
before the people in politics when he was named for the Tilden
electoral ticket in 1876. He was also on the Cleveland electoral
ticket in 1884, and was a delegate to the Saint Louis convention
in 1888, where he was elected to represent Ohio on the national
democratic committee, and he was made chairman of the campaign
committee in the ensuing national campaign. At the death of M.
William H. Barnum, in 1889, Mr. Brice was made chairman
of the national committee, making a vigorous, but unsuccessful
fight for the re-election of Mr. Cleveland. No man ever
spent more of his time for the advancement of his party than did
Mr. Brice in that campaign, and it is notorious that no man
ever spent more of his private means for the advancement of the
cause of the ticket which he was championing.
In January, 1890, Mr. Brice was elected by the
legislature as a United States senator to succeed Hon. Henry B.
Payne. In the senate Mr. Brice has not been compelled
to serve the probationary period that usual falls to the lot of
young members. He forged at once to the front and became an active
and important figure in the councils of his party. On the
troublesome questions growing out of the railroad system and
transportation problems, his advice has been eagerly sought by
statesmen of both parties. He devoted much time to the tariff
question, and it was largely through his work that the party was
able, so far as the senate was concerned, to agree upon a bill
that consolidated the party vote in that body, and made it
possible for the bill to become a law and tariff reform to be an
assured fact. Mr. Brice will never be counted an orator. He
is not gifted with rhetorical speech, but his short pithy
five-minute speeches have condensed within them the essence of the
subject upon which he speaks and drives a point home to his
hearers in a way that impresses itself upon the understanding. He
has been a hard-working member and has reflected credit upon the
state, which has honored him with a seat in the senate of the
United States. The vast railroad interests with which Mr. Brice
has been and is connected, have not prevented his active labor in
other fields of investment or development. He organized and
became president of the gaslight company at Lima; assumed a
controlling interest in the First National Bank of Lima upon its
incorporation, and has been the promoter of, or a large
stockholder in, many of the manufacturing interests in that
thriving place. He is also identified with the Chase National Bank
of New York, and a leading spirit and director of the Southern
Trust company. Contrary to an opinion expressed, Mr. Brice
does not speculate in stocks. Purely speculative profits appear to
have little charm for Mr. Brice, he rather preferring the
fruits of a bold enterprise in his particular field wherein his
many friends can share; and such is his prestige that the
subscribers to such as are brought out by him are only limited by
the amount of the subscription. As a trustee of the Miami
university in Ohio, vice-president of the Ohio society in New
York, vice-president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity of New
York, a member of the Manhattan, the Lotos, the Athletic, and
other leading clubs, and in like position of a public or social
character, Mr. Brice has proven himself a useful and
campanionable man.
Calvin S. Brice was most happily united in
marriage September 9, 1869, at Lima, Ohio, with Miss C. Olivia
Meily, and this union is blessed by the birth of three sons
and two daughters. Although engrossed in business and social
affairs he never carries them into the quiet atmosphere of home.
As soon as he turns from his office in the afternoon, by a
wonderful power of self-control, he shakes off all business care,
and goes happily to a home that is palatial in its appointments
and restful in its luxury. There, environed by the tenderness of
family ties, and delighted by the grace of culture and the beauty
of art, Mr. Brice welcomes his friends to royal hospitality
and most enjoyable entertainment. (Source #1) |
REV. WM.
KIRKPATRICK BRICE, deceased, was born in Adams county,
Pa., near Gettysburg, November 12, 1812.
Alexander and Margaret (Kearsley) Brice, his
parents, moved to Springboro, Warren county, Ohio, in 1815.
In 1830 he became a member of the Washington church,
and having the ministry in view, soon began his studies at Walnut
Hills at the opening of Lane seminary, which was then a classical
as well as a theological school. In 1836 he graduated at Hanover
college and at once went to the Princeton seminary, where he
finished his course in 1841. He was licensed to preach, by the
Second presbytery of New York, March 17, 1841, and began his
ministry in the churches of Washington and Muddy Run, in Miami
presbytery, serving them six months and then took charge of Canaan
church in Marion presbytery, and in 1843 he was ordained and
installed as pastor of Canaan church, also preaching as stated
supply of Mount Gilead one-third of his time. In the beginning of
the year 1849 he took charge of the Truro, Kalida and Ottawa
churches in Putnam county, Ohio, and was installed as pastor of
Truro in 1850. His labors at Truro were blessed, the church
becoming self-supporting and growing to be one of the largest in
the synod. Here he remained about twenty years, up to the time of
his death. In 1869 he had an attack of pneumonia which left him
with impaired lungs, from the effect of which he died July 19,
1870. In 1845 he married Elizabeth Stewart, of
Carlton, Ohio, who died April 16,1852, leaving three children—Calvin
S., William and James, the last named died in
infancy. William died in the spring of 1890. In 1854
Rev. Brice married Clementine Cunningham,
of Lima, Ohio, who is still living, by whom he had four children—
John K., Anna E. (Mrs. O. B. Selfridge, Jr.), Herbert L.
and Mary, wife of Edward Ritchie, of
Cincinnati, Ohio. By the first marriage of the Rev. William
Kirkpatrick Brice, it will be perceived that he became the
father of Ohio's eminent statesman and business prodigy, Calvin S.
Brice, whose biography and portrait precede this sketch.
(Source #1) |
| HERBERT L.
BRICE.—Among the most active and prominent young attorneys
of Lima, Ohio, is Herbert L. Brice, a son of Rev.
William K. and Clementine Brice. Mrs. Brice is a
daughter of William Cunningham, a leading citizen of
the same place. Herbert L. Brice, the subject of this
sketch, was born near Columbus Grove, Ohio, April 9, 1865, and at
the death of his father, which occurred when young Herbert
was about five years of age; his mother settled in Lima, her
present home. Here Mr. Brice obtained his early
education in the public schools, remaining in these schools until
he was fifteen years old, and in 1880 entered Oxford academy,
where he prepared for Wooster university. Entering Princeton
college in 1883, he pursued his studies there three years, and was
graduated from that institution in 1886. Having already chosen his
profession he at once entered Columbia Law school in New York
city, and was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, in 1888. So
careful and thorough had he always been in his school and college
courses that he found himself prepared to immediately engage in
the practice of his profession, and at once formed a partnership
with S. S. Wheeler at Lima, Ohio, which partnership
continues to the present time. Politically Mr. Brice
is a republican and has always taken great interest in the success
of his party. He is also to some extent engaged in business, being
at the present writing. president of the Lima Natural Gas company,
and he is also a member of the B. P. O. E., No. 9, of Lima, Ohio.
Few men in this part of Ohio have a brighter prospect before them
than has Mr. Brice, who is thoroughly well qualified for
any practice that may fall to his share. His social standing, it
is needless to say, is co-equal with that of the most prominent
citizens of the county, his ancestors, as. well as himself, having
been quite eminent. (Source #1) |
JOSEPH
BROWER, farmer. P. O. Elida, was born in Rockingham County,
Va., February 16, 1827; son of John and Hannah (Miller) Brower,
and brother of Daniel Brower, of German Township,
this county. Our subject came to this county in 1844. He was
married. August 9, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Stephens, of
this county, a native of Pittsburgh, Penn., born October 19, 1823.
daughter of John and Rachel (Davis) Stephens, natives of
Wales, and who came to America in 1820. settling in Pittsburgh,
Penn., where they remained until 1835, then moved to this county,
where they died. They were parents of five children, of whom two
are now living: David and Elizabeth. To the union of
our subject and wife have been born the following children:
Rachel (deceased), Alonzo S., John S. (deceased), and
Abraham L. Mr. Brower purchased property in Sugar Creek
Township in 1848, and has improved many acres of land in the
county. He has served his township in many of its offices
—assessor, land appraiser, and justice of the peace. He and his
wife are members of the U. B. Church. In politics he is a stanch
Republican.
(Source #2) |
A. BRYAN, M.
D. and druggist, Spencerville, was born in Franklin County,
Penn., April 21, 1828; son of John and Elizabeth (Kraig) Bryan,
natives of Pennsylvania, and parents of eleven children. Our
subject, the fourth in the family, received a common school and
academic education, and after five years spent in reading
medicine, he entered the medical schools of Philadelphia, Penn.,
graduating in 1867. He entered upon the practice of his chosen
profession in Clermont, Penn.; soon after went to Elk County,
remaining there till 1875, when he removed to Buffalo, N. Y. and
graduated at the Medical University. He then spent about three
years in practice in the oil regions. In 1879 he moved to
Colorado, where he was interested in mining, at same time
following his profession till 1883, when he went to Bloomfield,
Ind., and engaged in the drug business a few months, but losing
his stock by fire, and not being able to procure a suitable room
in which to continue business, he came to Spencerville, purchasing
a stock of drugs, which he has recently moved into a commodious
room near the Keeth House, and here he carries on the drug
business in connection with his duties as a physician. The doctor
was married, in 1865, to Clara Holden, a native of
Pennsylvania, who has borne him one son—Charles, born November 4,
1866. Politically Dr. Bryan is a Democrat.
(Source #2) |
CHARLES F.
BUEHLER, stoves and tinware, Spencerville. was born in
Baden, Germany, November 4, 1853, youngest child of George and
Anna Maria (Floesch) Buehler, and was brought to
America by his parents when an infant. They located at New Bremen,
Auglaize County, Ohio. Early in life our subject learned the trade
of tinner, and since the age of fourteen has depended upon his own
efforts. He came to Spencerville, January 14, 1875, and opened a
tin store with a limited capital, but by industry and economy his
trade steadily increased, and he was able to add continually to
his stock, which is now complete. In addition to stoves and
tinware he deals quite extensively in all kinds of hard and soft
coal. Mr. Buehler was married, November 18, 1879, to Miss
Katherine Schoenthaler, who was born in
Philadelphia, Penn., March 22, 1855. She has borne him one son and
one daughter—Frederick and Lillie. Mr. Buehler is a
consistent member of the German Lutheran Church. He was formerly a
member of the town council. Socially, he ranks high in the
estimation of the community for his many good qualities.
(Source #2) |
THOMAS C.
BURNS, dry goods merchant, Spencerville, was born in
Ashland County, Ohio, May 17, 1843; son of John H. and Margaret
(McClure) Burns, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of
Pennsylvania. They had nine children, of whom Thomas C. is
fourth. Our subject was raised on a farm, and received a common
school education. He entered upon his career in life as a harness
maker, an occupation he followed about two years. He then
engaged as clerk in a dry goods store at Perrysville, Ohio, where
he remained about eleven years. In 1879 he removed to
Spencerville, opened a dry goods store, in partnership with E.
F. Veach, and has since continued in this line. From the
commencement of his business career his trade has gradually
increased, and his kind and obliging manners in attending to the
wants of his many customers, as well as by his close attention to
business, have gained for him hosts of friends. In order to better
accommodate this trade the firm removed, in September, 1834, to
their present commodious room, and their stock is as complete as
any in the town. Mr. Burns was married, February 23, 1870, to
Kate Castor, who was born in Vermont, July 25, 1850, by
whom he has two children: Wade A. and John H. Mr. Burns is
one of the present councilmen; was formerly a member of the I. O.
O. F.: religiously he is a consistent member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Politically he is a stanch Democrat.
(Source #2) |
GEORGE S. BYERLY,
farmer, P. O. Lima, was born in Rockingham Co., Va., Mar. 4,
1847, and is a son of David and Phebe Byerly. From
five years of age he was reared in Washington County, Tenn.,
where he received a common school education, and lived until
1861, when he came to Allen County and located in Bath Township.
In 1864 he settled on the farm he now occupies, on which he has
made all the improvements in erecting buildings, etc. He
was married Nov. 4, 1862, to Sarah, daughter of Daniel
and Polly (Leedy) Miller of Bath Twp., by whom he has had
twelve children, ten now living: David, Mary, Daniel, Lalura,
Jesse, Ellen, Oscar, William, Frederick and Chester.
Mr. and Mrs. Byerly are members of the German Baptist
Church. He has been a school director of Beth Township for
twelve years; in politics he is a Republican.
(Source #2) |
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