BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
Historical Atlas
Paulding County, Ohio
ILLUSTRATED
Containing Maps of Paulding County, Townships, Towns and Villages,
Compiled by O. Morrow and F. W. Bashore
ALSO
Maps of the United States and State of Ohio.
Together with a Statement of the Settlement, Growth and Prosperity of the County,
Including a Personal and Family History of Many of its Prominent Citizens.
Illustrated
Madison, Wis.:
The Western Publishing Co.
1892

	Benton Twp. - A. W. DEARDORFF, liveryman, was born in September, 1857, in Logan county, Ohio, and in childhood removed with his parents, Abraham and Mary (Brown) Deardorff, both natives of Pennsylvania, of German and Irish extraction, to Kosciusko county, Ind., and remained under the parental roof until thirteen years of age.  Not being strong, he began learning the miller's trade, and later became an expert engineer, spending several years in charge of stationary engines.  In 1882 he began working for N. E. Prentice & Co., of Antwerp, Ohio.  The following year he came to Payne to superintend the building of the bucket factory and continued a trusted employe until 1887, when he resigned and purchased a livery stock and established his present business.  He keeps a good stock and is very popular where known.  Starting out a poor boy, his business shows what industry and economy will do.  Mr. Deardorff was deprived of an education, save as his own preceptor.  He affiliates with the republican party and is a member of the K. of P.  He was married in March, 1878, to Miss Allie Jackson, of Crane township, this county.  Three children bless this union:  Arrie, Izorie and Guy. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 39
	Emerald Twp. - JOSEPH DEISLAR is a native of Seneca county, Ohio, and dates his birth from the 18th of January, 1859.  He is the third child born to George and Catherine (Shade) Deislar, natives of Bavaria, Germany, and Pennsylvania, respectively.  The father, who was born in 1825, was seven years old when he was brought to America by his parents and was reared and educated for the occupation of a farmer.  He served an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, at which he worked ten years.  His wife, whom he married when he was thirty years of age, was a Miss Shade, who came to Ohio in her childhood and was raised in Seneca county.  They had eight sons and three daughters, who they reared.  Mr. Deislar, Sr., resides in Seneca county, in view of his childhood's home.  He and his wife are members of the Reformed church.  Joseph Deislar received a common education and started life on a farm doing job work.  He removed to Paulding county in May, 1887, and located upon his present farm, which consists of sixty acres of well improved land.  He votes the democratic ticket and was land appraiser of Emerald township in 1890.  Miss Agnes Kint, of Williams county, who was born Mar. 15, 1865, became Mr. Deislar's wife, Feb. 11, 1886, and they have three children: Carmia A., Cady L. and Mamie A.  Mrs. Deislar's parents are Daniel and Margaret (Kollers) Kint, natives of Germany. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 58
	Emerald Twp. - NICHOLAS R. DEMONGEOT. - Among the well known citizens of Emerald township is Nicholas Demongeot, a native of France, who was born June 6, 1848, the son of Celestine and Mary (Colia) Demongeot who are elsewhere mentioned.  The parents came to this country in 1855 and located in Newport, Mich., where they remained for three years.  Findlay, Ohio, was then their home for four years, when they removed to this county in 1865, locating where they now live.  Nicholas Demongeot married Mary Shingler, the daughter of Antoine and Rosaline (Gray) Shingler, and these children are the offspring of the marriage:  Henry (deceased), Allie, Freddie, Rosaline, Minnie (deceased), Lewis (deceased), Frank J., Clara and an infant deceased.  Mr. Demongeot is an aggressive democrat, fully alive to the interests of his party.  The family belong to the Catholic church. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 58
	Washington Twp. - ELIAS A. DEMPSY (colored) was born in North Carolina, Jan. 26, 1839, the son of James and Keturah (Ashe) Dempsy, freedman.  The subject of this sketch was but five years of age when his parents removed to Clarke county, Ohio, where they remained but a short time.  They then went to Logan county, and in 1863 located in Paulding county, where the father died, Feb. 19, 1888.  The mother, who survives her husband, is a resident of Washington township.  Mr. Dempsy was reared on the farm and received his education in the country schools.  He engaged in teaching in the public schools of Logan and Paulding counties from 1860 to 1879, since which time he has devoted his attention to farming and the business duties of his office.  He was married in Logan county, June 4, 1861, to Elizabeth, the daughter of Richard and Sophia (Hearst) Jackson, of Virginia, and had seven children, named James A., William C., Elias S., Mary E., wife of W. D. Simons; Minnie A. (deceased), Keturah, wife of George McGee, and Elizabeth C.  Mrs. Dempsy died June 25, 1874, and Mr. Dempsy married in November, 1875, Sarah, the daughter of L. D. and Mary (Roberts) Hearn.  The issue of this union is Ollie V., Cora J., Luther B., Lucius, Dorothy L. and Inez Z.  Mr. Dempsy, who is an active republican, ahs held the office of township clerk for nine years and that of notary public for the same length of time.  HE and wife are members of the Methodist Church.  Mr. Dempsy located in this county in 1863 on a farm of sixty acres.  In connection with his agricultural pursuits, he is engaged in raising fine horses.  He leads a useful life and is recognized as a good farmer and a first-class citizen.      W. H. Dempsy, brother of the subject of this sketch, was born in Logan county, Feb. 13, 1849.  He is engaged in the ministry, being pastor of the Baptist colored church of Washington township. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 81
HON. F. B. DEWITT	Paulding -   FRANCIS BYRON DeWITT was born Mar. 11, 1849.  The old stock of DeWitts are of Scotch descent, who came from Holland, to Orange county, New York, long prior to the Revolutionary war.  His great-great-grandfather was the sire of nine boys, all of whom became the heads of families.  The work of perpetuating the name and replenishing the earth is a family characteristic, which is well known by the family traditions covering a period of over one hundred and fifty years.  Charles De Witt, his grandfather, removed from Orange county, N. Y., to Richland county, this state, in an early period in the history of Ohio, and afterward took up his home on a farm in Delaware county.  This farm is now occupied by Francis DeWitt, and has been a family homestead for sixty-two years  F. B. DeWitt says that time has worn the soil, "yet my veneration for the old farm has grown stronger as the years roll by."  Francis, his father, was born in Richland county, in 1819, and Sarah McLane his mother, was born in Pickaway county, in 1821.  This couple still living, have celebrated their golden wedding, and the subject of this sketch is the fourth child of a family of ten children, nine of whom are now living.  His early life was passed on the old homestead, where a good opportunity was afforded for plenty of hard work and a country education, so essential to success in life.  He spent about four years in academic and collegiate education, making a specialty of the higher mathematics.  When asked at college to what class he belonged he invariably replied, to the irregular scientific preps.  His profession is such that the details of mathematics have not been called into practical use, yet his faculty for correct mathematical reasoning is made apparent by every turn of his successful career.  Let us pass for a moment to his military life.  In 1860 he procured an old drum for one dollar in boy's work, in husking corn.  He enlisted the friendship of an old Mexican war drummer, who gave him some points  in this kind of music.  In 1861 he could pound the sheep skin so that the neighborhood boys, who had military ambition, could keep step quite well in their home drill.  Seeing others go to war and hearing the stories of camp life and battle field, he was seized with the irrepressible passion for becoming a soldier.  He enlisted at the age of twelve, in the Forty-sixth Ohio regiment, and was at the battle of Shiloh.  On the campaign to Corinth he acquired a temporary disability, from which, after the fall of Corinth, he was discharged.  Remaining out of the service but five weeks he enlisted, in 1862, in the One Hundred and Twenty-first Ohio regiment.  He was with his regiment at the battle of Perryville, Ky.; in Rosecranz's campaign through Tennessee, and under Steadman at Chickamauga; his regiment, holding the right wing of the army on that memorable field, achieved a national reputation for maintaining every foot of ground over which it fought, capturing a rebel flag from the Twenty-second Alabama against odds on an open field, firing the last gun in that most terrific conflict, and serving as a rear guard to the great army which withdrew in the direction of Chattanooga.  In Bragg's siege of Chattanooga which followed, DeWitt says:  That his experience of hunger impresses him yet; how every soldier on short rations coveted the army mule's ear of corn and the musty cracker, which was out of reach and carefully guarded at the commissary, and how we hailed with a soldier's delight the re-inforcements under Sherman and Grant, of the army of the Tennessee from Vicksburg, and his regiment in the entire which they bought.   He participated with his regiment in the entire Atlanta campaign, 100 days under fire, and knows by experience of the Savannah campaign in marching through Georgia.  In the campaign from Savannah through the Carolinas, while venturing too far in advance of the army with a squad of Shermans bummers, he unfortunately, after a sharp encounter with a detachment of Wheeler's cavalry, became a prisoner of war, and learned something of Confederate prison life in Salisbury, Danville and Libby prisons; at the latter prison he remained until the close of the war in 1865.  All of DeWitt's military life, except while a prisoner, was at the front.  Others as young who served so long were in favored positions.  The history of this country perhaps does not furnish a parallel of one of such tender years undergoing such long and hard service and retaining such a powerful constitution and robust health as he possesses.  He thinks that the front and battle field to him who is shielded in the fortunes of war by the kind hand of providence is the paradise for the soldier.     DeWitt came to Paulding in the spring of 1867, and performed manual labor through the summer and attended school in the winter under Samuel Means, in the old frame school building which stood on the southeast corner of the public square.  His collegiate course was between this and 1872.  His vacations were spent at hard labor in replenishing his purse, so that the beginning of each school year found him at his desk with limited means, a sun-burned complexion, calloused hands and a strong determination to acquire knowledge.  Having read law under T. B. Holland, at Paulding, he was admitted to practice in 1875.  He at once built up a good law practice and at all times enjoyed the respect and confidence of the bench and bar.  His success in some of the most distinguished criminal cases in the history of the legal jurisprudence of Paulding county, such as the Upthegrove, Plumley and Waterside cases, has earned for him a good reputation as a prudent criminal lawyer, while his ability as a civil lawyer having to his credit success in a long line of important real estate lawyer having to his credit success in a long line of important real estate cases passes without question.  He was married, in the spring of 1875, to Dell V. Williams, and, as a result of this happy union, is at the head of a family of highly appreciated children:  Gail, John S., Eva M. (deceased), William B., Clayton and Florence Bell.  Eva May, his second daughter, who departed this life in the summer of 1887, will long be remembered by many in Paulding as the very bright, interesting child.  Now residing upon his reservoir farm of about 700 acres in Crane township, he is taking quite an interest in agricultural matters.  The product of this farm for 1891, when considering the short time it has been occupied, is almost phenomenal.      On July 25, 1891, Mr. M. N. Utley, a democrat and merchant of Cecil, was his opponent.  The county, in 1890, gave a democratic majority of 468.  This, although not promising upon its face, was deemed a sufficient fighting chance for one of DeWitt's courage.  The campaign, though long and closely contested, resulted, on Nov. 3rd, in DeWitt's election by 343 majority.  As Mr. DeWitt is a man of good character, well defined intentions and honest convictions, his friends have no  fears but what he will acquit himself with credit to his people, as the first reprehensive of Paulding county. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 27 or 28 ------------------------- NOTES: * Sarah McLane's obituary can be found in Abstracts of Obituaries, Death Notices and Funeral Notices from the Delaware Gazette, Delaware, Ohio: 1895-1904 - partial excerpt as follows: Obituary.  Sarah McLane was born near Circleville, Pickaway Co., OH, Jan. 2, 1821.  She was of Scotch-German descent, and inherited a strong will and indomitable courage.  Her early life was spent near her birthplace.  On Apr. 11, 1841, she was united in marriage to Francis DeWitt, of Delaware Co., who survives her; for nearly 61 years they  (book as to be either bought or rented to see the rest) ALSO NOTE:   Francis Byron DeWitt can be found at www.findagrave.com Memorial #141705133 Born Mar. 11, 1849 Indiana and died Mar. 21, 1929, Paulding, Paulding Co., OH
P. O. DOERING	P. P. DOERING Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page
	Auglaize Twp. - JOHN GEORGE DOTTERER - One of the finest improved farms in Auglaize township, consisting of 371 acres of land, is the property of John George Dotterer, a native of Germany, born Apr. 4, 1830.  His parents were Christopher and Francesca (Demel) Dotterer, who had nine children, two of whom died.  The parents came to America in 1849 and in 1851 came to this county and made Emerald township their home.  Here the father died in 1875, the mother having preceded her husband to the grave, dying in 1869.  John G. Dotterer remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he learned the trade of a shoemaker.  In 1847 he came to America and landed in New York in April of that year.  He worked in this city at his trade for thirteen months and then came to this state, working at Bucyrus, Tiffin and Sandusky respectively.  May 11, 1856, Mr. Dotterer was united in matrimony with Miss Catherine Rummel, the daughter of Peter and Eve Rummel, of Germany.  After his marriage, our subject removed to Junction, and until 1866 worked at his trade.  At this time he embarked in the general mercantile business, which in 1870 was changed to a grocery and hardware establishment.  In 1889 a disastrous fire swept through his store, and the loss incurred was heavy.  Dr. Dotterer is a democrat and as such has held the offices of township treasurer and trustee. He was brought up in the faith of the German Reformed church, to which organization he is a liberal contributor.  Twelve children were born into the home of our subject, namely: John P. (deceased), Mary C. (deceased), William H., Mary E. Christine (deceased), Benjamin R., Jerome G., Emma R., Catherine F., Ollie A., Franklin A. and Elsie L. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 37
	Auglaize Twp. - W. H. DOTTERER, a leading merchant of the county, is a dealer in fine groceries, tobacco, cigars and general merchandise.  He was born in Auglaize township June 23, 1861, the son of J. G. Dotterer elsewhere mentioned.  He remained with Miss Addie, the daughter of S. and Gertrude C. Most, occurred on the 14th of October, 1887.  One child, named Orson S., is the result of this union.  Mr. Dotterer  who is an aggressive democrat has been assistant postmaster for six years, the postoffice being situated in his store.  He is one of the progressive young citizens of the town in which he lives. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 37
	Blue Creek Twp. - HUGH DOWNING, a prosperous farmer of Blue Creek township, is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, and was born Aug. 25, 1844, the second son of James and Sarah (Cameron) Downing, natives of Ohio, of Welsh and English extraction.  Hugh Downing the grandparent, was a native of Pennsylvania, lived a farmer's life and was a pioneer settler of Carroll county.  James Downing was reared as a farmer, which pursuit he followed for a time.  Later he dealt extensively in stock and then in lumber, removing in 1881 to Paulding county, where he erected a first class saw ill west of Scott.  He had 100 acres of timber, which he shipped to various markets and the mill was operated for four years.  In 1885 Mr. Downing abandoned lumbering and has since been actively and successfully engaged in farming, being the possessor of a 160-acre farm.  He is a hale and hearty old gentlemen, active and energetic, though he has passed the time allotted to man and is now seventy-four years of age.  He was the father of ten children, two sons and three daughters of whom still survive.  His eldest son, while a member of company H, Sixty-sixth Illinois volunteer infantry, was killed in Georgia, during a skirmish.  Hugh Downing was reared on the farm and educated in the neighboring schools.  From his eight until his fifteenth years he was a resident of Tuscarawas county, and in 1861 he came to Harding county, where he enlisted in 1864 in company F, One-Hundred and seventy-six Ohio volunteer infantry, serving until the close of the war.  He answered the roll call each day during his service and received his honorable discharge June 22, 1865.  Returning to Harding county he in connection with his father followed lumbering until after coming to Paulding county.  He was the owner of 200 acres of property, which he farmed in connection with his lumber business, and in 1881 removed to Paulding county where he has since resided, an honored resident of Blue Creek township.  He is an ardent republican, and an active worker in the ranks of his party.  He was happily married Mar. 27, 1875, to Miss Ardella, daughter of Samuel and Mary (Hodge) Arnold of German and Irish extraction.  Mrs. Downing was born in 1857, and has borne her husband three children, Harry (deceased), James A. G., Lura Belle; she is a member of the M. E. church and an estimable lady. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 42
	Auglaize Twp. - SAMUEL M. DOYLE, the son of Samuel Doyle, Sr., was born at Dayton, Ohio, in 1847.  The father was a native of Kentucky and a leaser of public works.  The mother was a native France.  Samuel M. Doyle, the subject of this notice, was educated in the city schools of Columbus, and began life for himself at the age of fourteen, by running an omnibus to Camp Chase.  He was afterward employed in various trades, and in 1871 removed to Paulding county, where he has since been engaged in stock-raising and keeping a hotel; also owns one of the best stone quarries in the state, which has furnished thousands of yards to the B. & O. railroad, and to the county and state.  He is a successful business man, energetic and progressive, and is highly esteemed in the community where he resides.  He is a democrat in politics, though not actively engaged in party affairs.  Dr. Doyle was married in 1870 to Miss Hattie M., daughter of Gazaway Moccabee.  Mrs. Doyle was born in 1851, and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, named Samuel M. Doyle, Jr.  Mr. Doyle is a Universalist in religious belief, and his wife is a worthy member of the Methodist church.  They have many friends who wish them well. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 37
	Blue Creek Twp. - ALMON DUNHAM, proprietor of the pail stave factory of Blue Creek township, was born Aug. 22, 1856, in Woodville township, Sandusky county, Ohio, the son of Davis and Louisa Dunham, natives of the "Buckeye State."  The father was a farmer by occupation and raised a family of six sons and two daughters.  In 1873 on the 3rd of April, Mr. Dunham died at the early age of forty years.  His widow survives him, and resides on the homestead farm.  Almon Dunham grew to manhood on the farm, and attended the schools of the neighborhood.  He was the eldest of the family, and after the death of his father stayed with his mother until twenty-one years of age, then started out in the life for himself.  He farmed for a while, and in connection with his brother, William did threshing for several seasons.  On Dec. 9, 1882, he came to this county and settled upon a farm in section 9 of Blue Creek township, where he owns eighty acres of well cultivated land.  Mr. Dunham established his factory in 1884, and he has been successful in his venture.  He also operates a saw mill in company with his brother, and this business has proven a profitable enterprise.  The marketing is carried on principally at Erie, Penn., where he finds a ready sale for his goods.  Mr. Dunham is ever to be found with the enterprising and charitable movements of the township, and since his coming here has rapidly risen to the front rank of business men.  He was united in marriage with Miss Aurelia Jones, on the 10th of February, 1878, and the christian names of their children are:  Lulu, Cora, Lavena, Sopha May and Walter H.  Mrs. Dunham was born in Sandusky county, Nov. 10, 1858, and is the daughter of Josiah and Catherine (Moury) Jones, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania.  She is a lady of culture, widely known in the community where she resides.  Mr. Dunham's politics are democratic, and he is an esteemed citizen in all the walks of life. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 42
	Blue Creek Twp. - DANIEL H. DUNLAP, a farmer, and a director in the county infirmary, was born in Delaware county, Ohio, Jan. 26, 1861, one of eight children - five sons and three daughters, the offspring of James and Sarah (Coles) Dunlap, natives respectively of Ohio and New York.  William Dunlap, the paternal grandfather, was a native of Ireland, and one of thirty sons, born to his father in three marriages.  He left home at the age of twelve years, and came to America, where he followed farming and became well-to-do.  He was n early settler of Ohio, and married there, becoming the father of two sons and one daughter.  His death occurred in 1861, after a long life of activity and usefulness.  He was a Mason in high standing, and a democrat in his political belief.  James Dunlap, his son, and the father of our subject, was born and reared in Delaware county.  He followed farming all his life with the exception of seven years, which he spent in the town of Delaware as the proprietor of a meat market.  He served in the minor offices of the township, and belonged to the I. O. O. F., in which lodge he had filled most of the chairs.  He died in 1879, leaving a widow and five children.  Mrs. Dunlap removed to Paulding county in 1883, and is making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Joshua Smith.  She is a devout member of the Baptist church.  Daniel Dunlap, the subject of this mention, was educated in the common schools, and at the age of eighteen years began work upon the farm.  In 1880 he purchased eighty acres of land in Blue Creek township, but was not entirely successful in this venture.  He worked hard and saved enough money to make a home for himself, and is now the possessor of a good farm on the Van Wert Pike.  Mr. Dunlap is a stanch republican, and takes great interest in the welfare of his party.  He was married Oct. 28, 1880, to Miss Minerva C. Harris, born in Delaware county in June, 1861, the daughter of G. W. Harris.  They have had three children: Clyde L., Ada and Clarence W., who died at the age of five months.  Mr. and Mrs. Dunlap are members of the Baptist church, and highly respected in the community where they reside. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 42
	Carryall Twp. - DANIEL DUVAL, a leading citizen of Carryall township, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, Apr. 9, 1839, the son of Elias and Katie (Punches) Duval, of French and German descent.  Our subject was but ten years of age when his parents died, and his boyhood was spent among strangers in Defiance county.  He drove a packet on the Wabash canal for three years, and carried mail from the state line to Defiance.  He then followed lumbering for five years with good success.  Mr. Duval was married to Miss Sarah J., daughter of Joel and Elmira (Sensabaugh) Dils, on Sept. 23, 1861, and these children were born to them: Orley J., Oliver (deceased), William, Katie E., Leonard, Claude and Nolan.  Mr. Duval entered the army on the 1st of September, 1861, as a member of Company G, Thirty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three yeas, and re-enlisted Dec. 25, 1864.  He was wounded at Atlanta, Aug. 8, 1864, and was sent to the hospitals at  Chattanooga and Nashville for nine months, receiving an honorable discharge at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on June 4, 1865.  Upon his return home, Mr. Duval engaged in farming in Henry county, where he remained until 1888, at which time he removed to Carryall township, Paulding county.  He is a pensioner, and during service participated in the battles of Atlanta, Corinth, Perrysville, Stone river, Murfreesboro, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge.  Politically Mr. Duval is a republican and a man highly respected by all. Source:  Historical Atlas of Paulding Co., Ohio - Publ. 1892 - Page 52

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