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DEFIANCE COUNTY
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BIOGRAPHIES

These biographies have been extracted from
Commemorative Biographical Records of Northwestern Ohio
including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams & Fulton.
Published at Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co. 1899.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

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* GACKEL, Louis H.
* GARES, Peter
* GARMAN, Jacob F.
* GEARHART, Joseph H.
* GETROST, William H.
* GINTER, Alfred		 * GLODEN, Joseph Peter, Rev. Father
* GODDARD, Timothy B.
* GOLLER, Charles F., Esq.
* GREENLER, Henry
* GRIM, John C.
* GRUNER, Samuel I.
 
LOUIS H. GACKEL
 
PETER GARES.  The commonplace duties of life, trivial though they may seem to the casual observer, demand for their proper fulfillment the same admirable qualities of character which in a higher degree and under other circumstances attract universal notice and approbation.  However it may seem o the superficial mind, our rural communities furnish an excellent field for the development of the traits which go to the making of good citizens, and one purpose of this work is the preservation of records which show the innate worth and dignity of such a life.
     Prominent among the representatives of the agricultural interest of Defiance county was Mr. Gares, who in his lifetime was a leading citizen of Tiffin township.  He was born Dec. 22, 1836, in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, and the fall of 1839 was brought to the United States by his parents, Jacob and Mary Elizabeth (Drumm) Gares, who first located Richland county, Ohio, but after a residence of three years there removed to Williams county, where they spent the remainder of their lives.  Our subject, who was the eldest of their eight children, was six years of age when the family took up their residence in Williams county, where he was reared to manhood on his father's farm.  On leaving the parental roof at the age of twenty years, he started out to make his own way in the world empty handed, and was employed by the year at farm labor for some time in Tiffin township, Defiance county.
     There Mr. Gares was married Dec. 2, 1858, to Miss Christina Toberen, who was born in that township Apr. 5, 1837, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Beiderwell) Toberen, natives of Prussia, Germany.  On emigrating to America her parents located in Massilon, Ohio, where they lived for about three years, and then came to Tiffin township, Defiance county, where their deaths occurred.  Mr. and Mrs. Gares began their domestic life on the present farm of one hundred forty-eight acres of highly cultivated and well improved land, which at the time of purchase was mostly in its primitive condition.  Of the children born to them - John W., Jacob H., Orestes P., Mary E. and Frederick W., are still living; four died when quite young; Sarah died at age of seven years.
     Mr. Gares was prominently identified with the public affairs of his township, and his fellow citizens recognizing his worth and ability often called him to office.  For two terms he creditably served as county commissioner, as infirmary director four years, was treasurer of the township from 1878 until his death, which occurred Sept. 30, 1897.  He also filled the offices of township assessor and trustee to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.  In his political affiliations he was a Democrat.  For thirty-five yeas he and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which Mrs. Gares still belongs, and it is safe to say that no couple in Tiffin township were held in higher regard or had more warm friends than Mr. and Mrs. Gares.  His death was a sad loss, not only to his own family, but also to the entire community.
 
JACOB F. GARMAN.
     In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success through unfavorable environments, we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The following history sets forth briefly the steps by' which our subject, now one of the substantial agriculturists of Defiance county, residing in Section 10, Defiance town­ship, overcame the disadvantages of his early life. Mr. Garman was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1831, a son of George P. and Rebecca (Frankenberger) Garman, also natives of that State, the former born in Lebanon county, the latter in Bucks county. In 1846, with their family, they emigrated to Defiance county, Ohio, and located in Defiance township; but the father did not long enjoy his new home, dying here November 26, 1847.  The mother passed away in the same township in 1871. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Andrew Garman, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Pennsylvania after the Revolutionary war. His death occurred in Lebanon county, that State.
     Jacob F. Garman is eighth in the order of birth in a family of nine children—three sons and six daughters—and was fifteen years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county, Ohio, in 1846. As the schools of that early day were widely scattered his education was lim­ited to seven months' attendance at the district school nearest his boyhood home, but he has made the most of his advantages, and is today a well informed man. Upon the home farm in Defiance township he grew to manhood, and throughout his active business life has successfully engaged in farming.
     Mr. Garman was married in Defiance township to Miss Winnie A. Shirley, who died in less than a year after their marriage. He was again married in that township, his second union being February 23, 1868, with Mrs. Annie (Cromley) Knight, widow of George Knight, and daughter of Jonas Cromley, of Pickaway county, Ohio. She was born in that county, and died in Defiance township, Defiance county, August 19,. 1890. Two children were born of the second union: David C, who is mentioned below; and Nancy A., who died at the age of six months.
     Fraternally Mr. Garman is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. For two terms he acceptably served as trustee of his township, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of political positions, though he has ever taken an active interest in all local affairs. His support is never withheld from any object which he believes calculated to promote the religious, educational or material welfare of his adopted county, and he is therefore recognized as one of its most useful and valued citizens.
     David C. Garman, son of our subject, was born in Defiance township May 23, 1869, and there he has always made his home. His elementary education was obtained in the public schools, and subsequently he was a student in Defiance College for several terms, after which he was one of the popular and successful teachers of Defiance county for a time. In Henry county, Ohio, he was married December 24, 1892, to Miss Isora Abbott, who was born in Defiance township, Defiance county, November 13, 1871, a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Gray) Abbott, of that township. They have two children: Winona, born November 24, 1893; and Vida, born June 6, 1896.
 
 
JOSEPH H. GEARHART
     Mr. Gearhart, proprietor of the Auglaize Dairy Farm, in Defiance township, Defiance county, is one of the representative and popular citizens of his community.
     Born July 28, 1850, in Crawford county, Ohio, Mr. Gearhart is a son of John D. and Mary J. (Hottle) Gearhart, in whose family were six children, he being second in the order of birth.  The father died in Defiance township, Defiance county, but the mother passed away in Paulding county, Ohio.
     When eight months old Joseph H. Gearhart was brought by his parents to Defiance county, and upon the farm where he still makes his home he was reared to manhood, early becoming familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  The farm comprises eighty-six acres of highly cultivated and well improved land, which yields to the owner bountiful returns for the care and labor bestowed upon it.  In connection with general farming Mr. Gearhart has given special attention to dairying since April, 1888, and in this branch of his business has also met with a well merited success.
     In Highland township, Defiance county, Mr. Gearhart was married to Miss Rebecca Watson, a native of Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and a daughter of Gabriel Watson, of Highland township, Defiance county.  The children born of this union are as follows:  Charles, Lottie (now the wife of T. Morehead), Fannie, Alta, Eva, Roy and Ruth.
 
ALFRED GINTER   This enterprising farmer residing in Section 13, Hicksville township, Defiance county, has throughout life been closely identified with the interests of this section of the State, as he was born in that township, August 3, 1846.  His father, Casper Ginter, was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he married Rachel A. Lytle, and at an early day they became residents of Hicksville township, Defiance county, where she died in 1846.  There the father also died upon his farm April 10, 1883.  Seven children were born to them, as follows:  John/ Moore/ Mary, wife of Samuel Hilbert; Elizabeth, wife of John Watson; William; Jacob; and Alfred.
     Under the parental roof Alfred Ginter remained until sixteen years of age, assisting his father in the labors of the farm, and attending the public schools near his home.  He then entered his country's service, enlisting Feb. 6, 1863, in Company E, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and taking part in a number of engagements, including the battle of Bentonville, North Carolina.  After about nineteen months of faithful and arduous service, he was honorably discharged, as the war was over.  Returning to his old home in Hicksville township, he there engaged in farming for a year and a half, and then went to Cedar country, Iowa, where he worked on a farm for three years, after which he returned to his native county.
     On Jan. 1, 1870, in Milford township, Defiance county, Mr. Ginter was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Balser, who was born in Crawford county, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1849, and is the eldest in a family of eleven children - four sons and seven daughters.  Her parents, Conrad and Eliza (Good) Balser, are now residents of Mark township, Defiance county.   Mr. and Mrs. Ginter have eight children living, namely: Charles W., Chalmer H., Ida J., Anna E., James B., William F., Cora R. and Nora E.  They lost one daughter, who died at the age of two years.
     For the first nine years after his marriage, Mr. Ginter lived in Mark township, and then removed to his present farm in Hicksville township, where he owns forty acres of highly improved land.  Politically he affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes a deep interest in its success.
 
REV. FATHER JOSEPH PETER GLODEN.  Father Gloden, who is pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist, at Defiance, commonly called the German Catholic Church, has gained, during his comparatively brief stay in that city, a high place in the regard of its best citizens.  Coming with an enviable record of effective work as a pastor at other points in the diocese, he has added new laurels to his reputation by his able administration, which has resulted not only in substantial improvement to the church property, but in the deepening of the spiritual life of his people.
     Father Gloden was born in the village of Remerschen, in the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Germany, Jan. 12, 1842, a son of Nicholas Gloden and his wife, Susan (Kline).  His father being a prosperous agriculturist, the best educational facilities which the locality afforded were secured for the talented boy.  Until the age of eleven he attended the schools of his native village, and he then entered the college at Luxemburg, where he spent a year and a half.  During the next seven years he pursued his studies in the classical seminary at Metz, France, philosophy being made a specialty.  On leaving his institution in 1867, he came to the United States, and took the course in theology in St. Mary's Seminary, at Cleveland, Ohio, and on Sept. 30, 1869, he was ordained to the priesthood.  On the following day he was appointed assistant pastor of St. Peter's Church at Cleveland, and held that post until May 28, 1870, when, owing to ill health, he returned to his old home for a year.  The Franco-German war was at its height during his visit, and the Gloden farm being only fifteen miles from Metz, the sound of the cannonading could be heard there during the progress of the memorable engagement at Metz.  In July, 1871, Father Gloden returned to this country and took charge of St. Nicholas Church at Berwick, Ohio, remaining there until May 26, 1886.  During this interval he built a brick school building for the Berwick parish, and a church at Carey, Ohio, where there was a small congregation, of which he also had charge.  On leaving Berwick he went to Fostoria as pastor of St. Wendolin's Church, and here under his energetic management the church was remodeled and enlarged, and a brick school house erected, thirty-five or sixty feet.  His health again became impaired, and a change being deemed advisable he was transferred, on Mar. 19, 1891, to the pastoral oversight of St. Joseph's Church at Randolph, Ohio, where he remained during the summer.
     On Nov. 1, 1891, Father Gloden received his appointment to his present charge at Defiance, and with characteristic energy he has worked to strengthen and enlarge the influence of the church, his labors being crowned with success.  One phase of his work was the erection of a new church edifice, which has begun in 1894 and completed in 1896 at a cost of nearly forty thousand dollars.  It is one hundred and thirty-five by fifty-three feet, built of brick in Romanesque style, and has a seating capacity of seven hundred on the lower floor, with a gallery accommodating one hundred.  The church property occupies a whole block, the parish school, which averaes about one hundred and ninety pupils, being also located there, and the new church stands on the corner where Jackson and Fourth streets meet.  Its dedicaiton, Sept. 13, 1896, was the occasion of great rejoicing, and Bishop Horstman, of Cleveland, was present to aid in the imposing ceremonials.
 
CHARLES F. GOLLER, ESQ.  This leading citizen of Washington township, Defiance county, is prominently identified with political affairs as well as with the agricultural interests of that locality. For many years he has been an active member of the local Democratic organization, being frequently chosen as a delegate to conventions of the party. He enjoys the distinction of being the oldest office holder in his county, as he has been continuously "in harness" since 1865, and at present he is serving his third term as justice of the peace.
     Like many of our most thrifty and enterprising citizens, Mr. Goller is of German blood, his parents, Michael and Eva B. (Hitchelberger) Goller, having been born near Wurtemberg, Germany, the former on September 17, 1795, and the latter on February 25, 1799. This worthy couple were married in Wurtemberg, and resided there for about ten years, during which time our subject's father, who was an expert carpenter, was in the employ of the king all those ten years. In 1831 he came to America with his family, arriving at Cleveland, Ohio, on August 15th of that year, and soon afterward he settled in Medina county upon a tract of twenty-seven acres of woodland, which he cleared and cultivated while following his trade. About 1855 he spent ten months in Defiance county, and in 1856 he returned there to make his home with his son Jacob, in Washington township, where he died July 3, 1870. His wife breathed her last April 22, 1865, at the old home in Medina county. They had eight children: Mary (deceased), George, Jacob (born in Germany), John (deceased), Louisa, Catherine, Charles F., and Gottlob.
     Mr. Goller was born January 28, 1840, in Liverpool township, Medina county, and remained at home until he reached the age of sixteen years. He then went to Lorain county, Ohio, to learn the wagon maker's trade, and for some time after completing his term of apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman there and in Medina and Wayne counties. In the spring of 1859 he settled in Defiance county and on November 25, 1860, he was married in the town of Defiance to Miss Mary E. Keller, a daughter of George Keller, one of the earliest residents of Washington township. The young couple established their home at the present farm in Section 18, Washington township, where Mr. Goller has made many improvements from time to time, erecting substantial buildings, and bringing the one hundred and fifty-eight acres under a high state of cultivation. Socially he is connected with the I. O. O. F., and he is also prominent in religious work as a member of the Lutheran Church.
     Mr. Goller's political activity has already been mentioned, and in addition to the various public offices to which he has been elected in this connection since 1865, he has served for three years as a trustee of the Orphans' Home in Defiance county; has been school director for thirty consecutive years, and re-elected for three years more; has served as one of three officers in the Farmers Butter and Cheese Company; has served as a director in the Farmers Mutual Fire Association for eight years, and seventeen years as agent in this same company; was elected township district supervisor, and served as supervisor in his district four years; has been guardian of two families for sixteen years, and at different times administrator of estates. He is now serving his tenth year as trustee of trust of several thousand dollars.
     The family is prominent socially, and Mrs. Goller, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, August 24, 1844, was reared in Washington township, Defiance county, her parents having removed there in 1847. Ten children have brightened our subject's home: George M., Charles H., Laura E. (Mrs. E. H. Doud), Robert K., W. G., Kinnie E. (Mrs. Peter Donzy), Edward D., John W., Samuel P., and Eugenia.
~pg 508
 
HENRY GREENLER.  One of the most energetic and progressive citizens of Defiance county is Mr. Greenler, the subject of this sketch.  He was born Sept. 24, 1851, on the farm in Section 35, Richland township, where he still makes his home.  His parents, G. C. A. and Mary (Heollrich) Greenler, were natives of New Bavaria, Germany, where they were reared and married.  On crossing the Atlantic to the United States in 1837, they came to Defiance county, Ohio, locating first at Independence, later removing to the farm in Richland township, whereon our subject now resides, and there made their home until called to the world beyond the father dying Dec. 14, 1873, the mother on Apr. 27, 1896.  They had five children who reached years of maturity, namely: John, William, Matilda, Henry and Mary.
     The subject of this sketch was reared to habits of thrift and industry upon the home farm, and is now one of the most skillful and thorough agriculturists of Richland township.  During his boyhood and youth he received a good common-school education, which has been of great practical benefit to him in later years.  In connection with general farming he is also interested in stock raising, making a specialty of Belgian horses and Red-polled cattle.  The old homestead, which he now owns, consists of one hundred and fifty acres of fertile and productive land under excellent cultivation and improved with good buildings, and eleven miles of tile drainage.  He also owns eighty acres along the river in Section 23.
     In Highland township, Defiance county, Mr. Greenler was married Apr. 8, 1880, to Miss Maria Ottillie Troeger, who was born in that township, Oct. 28, 1860, a daughter of George and Anna (Sawer) Troeger, the former a nataive of Bavaria, Germany, the latter of Pleasant township, Henry county, Ohio.  After the marriage of her parents they located in Highland township, Defiance county, where the father died in May 6, 1877; the mother is still living.  Their children were: Maria O., Catherine, William, Lewis, Michael, Lizzie and Maggie.  To Mr. and Mrs. Greenler have been born eight children, as follows:  Cora, Carl, Anna, Adam, William, Harmon, Lizzie and Richard.
     In political sentiment Mr. Greenler is a Populist, and in local politics he takes quite a deep interest.  He has been a member of the school board, and also trustee of Richland township, discharging the duties of both positions in a most satisfactory and capable manner.  With his family he holds membership in the Lutheran Church, and at the time of the erection of St. Stephen's Church in Highland township, Defiance county, he was serving as treasurer and trustee of the society.  To the building of the church, which cost six thousand dollars, he contributed liberally of both time and means.  He is one of the most popular and influential citizens of this community, over whose life record there falls no shadow of wrong.
 
SAMUEL I. GRUNER. The present principal of the High School of Brunersburg, Noble township, S. I. Gruner, is one of the most successful and popular educators of Defiance county, as well as one of its enterprising and progressive young men.
     Doctor Samuel Gruner, father of our subject, was born in Berne, Switzerland, in 1824, and in early life emigrated to America. In this country he was united in marriage with Mrs. Hannah Wandt (nee Miller), a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1834, and in New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, they began their domestic life. From there they came to Defiance county in 1864, and located on a farm in Noble township, where the father died in 1872, honored and respected by all who knew him. The mother is still living. In their family were five children—one son and four daughters—three daughters deceased.
     On the home farm in Noble township, Samuel I. Gruner was born September 10, 1866, and was there reared to manhood. With the exception of two years spent in Seneca county, Ohio, he has always made his home in that township, where he now owns and operates a good farm of sixty acres, having become thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits during his boyhood and youth. In the common schools of Noble township he acquired his elementary education, subsequently entering Defiance College, where he was graduated in 1895. Since 1887 Mr. Gruner has engaged in teaching exclusively during the winter seasons in Defiance, county, mostly in Noble township, and since the winter of 1895 he has been principal of the High School of Brunersburg. A man of scholarly tastes, he is well fitted for his chosen calling, having the power to readily impart to others the knowledge he has himself acquired.
     Mr. Gruner affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes great interest in political affairs. In the spring of 1894 he was elected clerk of Noble township, and has since most creditably served in that position. In religious faith he is identified with the German Lutheran Church of Defiance. In short he is an exemplary young man, with a bright future before him, and is well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by those who know him best.
 
 
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