OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS - Defiance Co., Ohio

OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS

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DEFIANCE COUNTY
OHIO

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.

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

NOTE: If you are interested in any of the names listed below, please contact me
and I will put it on her sooner. Thanks, Sharon Wick

* LASH, William
* LATCHAW, John R. H., D.D., Rev.
* LEACH, John W.
* LEADERS, Harman C.

* LILLY, John Wesly., Rev.
* LINDERSMITH, Henry C., M.D.
* LIPP, Henry Jr.

WILLIAM LASH, This well known farmer, residing in Section 11, Hicksville township, Defiance county, has for almost half a century been identified with this section of Ohio, and has contributed greatly to its materials progress and prosperity. He has championed every movements designed to promote the general welfare, has contributed greatly to is material progress and prosperity. He has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests.
     Mr. Lash was born in Wayne County, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1825, a son of Henry and Nancy (Craven) Lash, who were born and reared in Pennsylvania, and died in Wayne county, this State. On his father's farm our subject remained until he attained his majority, acquiring his education in the public schools, and assisting in the labors of the fields. In the county of his nativity he was married Oct. 14, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Maxwell, also a native of Wayne county, born Sep. 26, 1830. Her parents, William and Isabella (Johnson) Maxwell, were natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania, and the father died in Wayne county, Ohio, while the mother passed away in Hicksville township, Defiance county, at the home of her son, W. R. Maxwell, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere, in connection with that of the son, Frank Maxwell.
     Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lash, three died in infancy. Those living are Henry; Elizabeth, now the wife of George Strain; Isabella, wife of H. H. Huber; Eliza, wife of Andrew Huber; Louisa, wife of R. Greer; Laura, wife of C. F. Denious; and Ida, wife of Wilbur Miller.
     For four years after his marriage, Mr. Lash continued to reside in Wayne county, and then removed to Williams county, Ohio, of which Defiance county then formed a part. In Florence township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and to the cultivation and improvement of that place he devoted his energies until 1871, when he bought his present farm in Section 11, Hicksville township, Defiance county. Here he has erected a good brick residence, and made many other valuable improvements, so that the farm, comprising one hundred acres of fertile and productive land, is now one of the most desirable places of the community.    Farming has been his chief occupation throughout life, and in his undertakings he has met with a well-deserved success. For several years he was a most efficient member of the school board of his district, and for two terms he capably filled the office of township trustee.

JOHN R. H. LATCHAW, D. D. REV.

JOHN W. LEACH. Among the pleasantest rural homes of Richland township, Defiance county, is that of Mr. Leach in Section 2, North Richland precinct, and its gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material comforts. Our subject is a veteran of the Civil War, and bears an honorable record for brave service in the cause of freedom and union, and in the paths of peace has also won an enviable reputation through the sterling qualities which go to the making of a good citizen.
     Mr. Leach was born April 2, 1834, on a farm in Marshall county, West Virginia, a son of Joshua and Hannah (Spoon) Leach, both natives of Pennsylvania. From the county of his nativity he accompanied his parents on their removal to Coshocton county, Ohio, in the spring of 1840, and ten years later went with them to Henry county, this State. After a residence there of seven years they removed to Grundy county, Illinois, where they made their home until called to their final rest. In their family were four sons and seven daughters, our subject being the eldest son and second child.
     John W. Leach was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys in a frontier settlement, and he remained with his parents upon the farm in Henry county, Ohio, until the fall of 1855, when he located upon his present farm in Section 2, Richland township, Defiance county. Here he has lived uninterruptedly, with the exception of the four years spent in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion. The place comprises five hundred acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and he has erected thereon a fine set of farm buildings.
     In October, 1861, Mr. Leach enlisted in Company F, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was made sergeant of his company. For almost four years he was in the service, and was always found at his post of duty, never losing a day during the entire time. He participated in fifty-six engagements, including some of the most important battles of the war, such as Fort Donelson, Pea Ridge, Corinth, Metamora, Jackson (Miss.), and Baker's Creek. He was also in the siege of Vicksburg and the siege of Atlanta, and was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. The war being over and his services no longer needed, he was honorably discharged July 19, 1865, and mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. He is now an honored member of Bishop Post, No. 22, G. A. R., of Defiance.
    On the 2d of October, 1866, Mr. Leach was married to Miss Mary E. Brubaker, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 19, 1838, a daughter of the later David Brubaker, of Henry county, this State. To them were born six children, as follows: Charles D.; John J.; William; Russell A.; Emma D.; and Alma. Of these Charles D. married Annie Baker, of Richland township, where they now live, and they have two sons - Wesley D. and Julian. John J. married Emma Minsel, also of Richland township, and they now live in Mark township; Emma J. married George E. Gackel.
     Sine the organization of the Republican party, Mr. Leach has been one of its stanch supporters, and has done all in his power to insure its success. He has served his fellow-citizens as township trustee, and in the fall of 1896 was appointed by Governor Bushnell as representative to the Farmers' United States Conference, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. His loyalty to his country has ever been above question, and his labors in the interests of his adopted State have been most effective and beneficial.

HARMAN C. LEADERS

JOHN WESLY LILLY, REV.

HENRY C. LINDERSMITH, M.D. Dr. Lindersmith, though one of the younger representatives of the medical profession in Defiance county, has already attained eminent success in his chosen calling, and is a popular physician of Sherwood. Born in Montpelier, Williams County, Ohio, October 12, 1867, he is a son of George W. and Frances (Umbenhour) Lindersmith, the former of whom is now a farmer of Fulton county, Ohio.
Our subject, who is the elder of two children born to this worthy couple, was reared in Williams and Fulton counties, and completed his literary education at the Fayette Normal University of Fayette, Ohio. In preparing for his professional career, he attended the Detroit College of Medicine for two years, and was afterward a student in the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri, for one year, graduating from that institution in March, 1894. Coming to Sherwood, Defiance county, he at once opened an office, and has since successfully engaged in practice, his skill and ability soon winning him recognition.
Doctor Lindersmith was married in Sherwood, Apr. 14, 1897, to Miss Mary E. Clark, a daughter of the late William Clark, of Mark township, Defiance Co., The Doctor is a member of the Defiance County Medical Society, and also of Sherwood Lodge, No. 149, I. O. G. T., as he is a strong temperance man.

HENRY LIPP, JR. The substantial and progressive agriculturist of Delaware township, Defiance county, traces his ancestry to that distant land, the grand and awe-inspiring home of the brave and hardy Swiss.
     Henry and Ana (Sutter) Lipp, parents of our subject, were natives of Switzerland, the father born Dec. 21, 1815, the mother on Sept. 4, 1822. They came to America in early life, and located in Putnam county, Ohio, several years prior to their removal, in the spring of 1861, to Delaware township, Defiance county, where they are still living, carrying on farming operations. They are the parents of nine children - four sons and five daughters. Mrs. Henry Lipp's mother, Mrs. Barbara Schneider, died in Putnam county, Ohio.
     Henry Lipp, Jr., was born in Putnam county, Ohio, Mar. 29, 1851, and is the eldest in the family. In the county of his birth he remained until he was ten years old, and then accompanied his parents to Delaware township, Defiance county, where he continued to reside until he was twenty-six years of age. Returning then to Putnam county, he found employment on a farm, and there remained four years, at the end of which time he again removed to Delaware township, where he has since continuously resided.
     On Jan. 16, 1883, Mr. Lipp was married at Defiance to Miss Catherine Gecowitz, who was born in Defiance township, Defiance county, Ohio, Jan. 15, 1864, a daughter of Andrew (a farmer of Defiance county), and Christina (Bauer) Gecowitz, the former a native of Poland, born Jan. 24, 1813, the latter born in Germany, May 13, 1829, and both of whom are yet living. After coming to this country, they first settled in Paulding county, Ohio, but removed to Defiance county, where they have since made their home with the exception of about a year, during which time they lived in Virginia. They have had six children - four sons and two daughters - Mrs. Lipp being the fifth child.
     Immediately after marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lipp settled on the farm in Delaware township, which is their present home. It is located in Section 14, and contains one hundred and eighty acres of land, on which Mr. Lipp has erected good buildings and made other improvements, thus enhancing both the appearance and value of his property. He is actively interested in bee culture, having at the present time some seventy swarms, from which he derives a considerable income. The pleasing home of Mr. and Mrs. Lipp is brightened by five children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Anna C., Oct. 29, 1883; John H., Jul. 11, 1885; Emma M. May 21, 1887; Clara C., Mar. 23, 1890; and Laurina Estella, Nov. 7, 1898. Politically Mr. Lipp acts with the Democratic party, and he formerly took an active part in all matters of local interest. HE and his wife are members of the Reformed Church.

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