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SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO

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BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
History of Shelby County, Ohio
and representative citizens
Publ. Evansville, Ind.
1913
947 pgs.

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JOSEPH V. GAIER, a general farmer and respected citizen of Cynthian township, who owns seventy-six acres situated in section 18, Basinburg Special School District, one-quarter mile east of St. Mary's turnpike road, was born in McLean township, Shelby county, Dec. 26, 1877, and is a son of Jacob and Louisa (Wise) Gaier.
     Jacob Gaier
was a farmer throughout his active years and resided in Shelby county where he was a man well known and much respected.  He died when aged sixty-five years and his burial was in the cemetery attached to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie, he having been a member of that church.  He was twice married and two children were born to his first union and seven to the second.
     Joseph V. Gaier attended school in boyhood in the Berlin district and then helped his father on the home farm in McLean township until his marriage when he settled on his present place where he has carried on general farming and stock raising ever since.  He remodeled and repaired the buildings and made many improvements and has a home and farm in which he justly takes pride, all of his land being under cultivation except ten acres in timber.
     Mr. Gaier married Miss Elizabeth Barhorst, a daughter of Joseph Barhorst, a daughter, Helen Elizabeth.  Mr. Gaier and family belong to St. Michael's Catholic church at Fort Loramie.  Like his late father he is a democrat but has never desired public office of any kind.  He is a quiet, industrious farmer, one who attends to his own business and performs his duty as a citizen according to his best judgment.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 537
WALDO M. GAINES, M. D., physician and surgeon, at Pemberton, O., has been professionally established here since June, 1910, and has built up a very satisfactory practice, and, as a permanent citizen, has identified himself with the best interests of the place.  After completing the high school course at Covington, O., he entered the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and subsequently the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Indianapolis, Ind., where he was graduated in the class of 1905.  For five years he was engaged in medical practice at Covington and from there came to Pemberton.  Dr. Gaines is a son of Dr. Charles E. and Laura (Stevens) Gaines, the former of whom has been engaged in medical practice at Covington for twenty-five years.  The other two members of the family are residents of Covington, namely: Mabel, wife of Clifford Townsend, and Theodora.
    
In 1908, Dr. Waldo M. Gaines was married to Miss Lena Brown, who was born in Miami County, O., a daughter of William and Mary (Tobias) Brown.  The father of Mrs. Gaines was a contractor in Miami county and died there.  She has one sister and one brother: Cora, who is the wife of George Thompson; and Edward.  Dr. and Mrs. Gaines have one daughter, Mary Frances.  They attend the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist churches.  Dr. Gaines is identified with the leading medical organizations of the county, is a republican in his political views, and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias at Covington.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 738
SAMUEL I. GAMBLE, the subject of this sketch, is among the oldest if not the oldest native born citizen of Sidney. He was a son of Samuel and Mary Gamble and became one of the lights of their household, November 18, 1828. The humble domicile stood on the site of James Crozier's carriage factory on Ohio avenue. At that time all north of North street and south of South street was a forest.  The streets were ungraveled, the side walks but little better, and no artificial lights penetrated the gloom of night or annoyed strolling lovers. When Samuel junior was three years old Samuel senior bought 220 acres of land in Salem township for $5 an acre and which now is comprised in the farms of Joseph P. and John Thomas Staleys farms. When old enough Samuel entered the freshman class-in a log school house from which he graduated in due time, completing his education in the edifice with the bark-on.
     In 1846 he went to Sidney to learn the cabinet makers trade of James Irwin, Sr., but in two years left for a clerkship in the store of James and Samuel McCullough on the site of Clemens Amann's drug store. The 1849 gold fever raged worse than ever in 1850 and attacked Samuel, his brother William, his father and sixty-one others. Five persons usually accompanied one wagon. Equipped with a wagon made upon honor by the late .Jacob Piper, and a yoke of oxen they started for Cincinnati, March 26, 1850, bought provisions there, good bacon at $2.50 a hundred pounds, took a boat for St. Joseph, Mo., and arrived there April 12. Mr. Gamble, Sr., took sick on the river and died in two days after reaching St. Joseph, where he was buried. The party stayed there for. four weeks waiting for grass to start. Two yoke of steers and a yoke of cows were bought when the long journey was commenced. They knew that the land before them did not abound in milk and honey so the cows were bought and furnished them with lacteal fluid but they did not buy a swarm of bees so had to forego the honey. The California trail, beaten by the immense tide of emigration, was a good road over which they averaged about twenty miles a day. The Indians were very friendly giving them no annoyance, but they saw but few buffalo or game of any kind as they did not take kindly to the stream of civilization across their domain.
     They arrived in California, September 11, losing but one out of their teams., a cow while crossing a desert 40 miles wide. It was estimated that 125,000 people crossed the plains in 1850. Oxen stood the tramp better than horses. Samuel and his brother William, followed placer mining with fair success for thirteen months when they sold their claims, which subsequently proved to be very rich .and after staying in the Golden state two years they took a sail vessel on the Pacific for Panama, landing at San Juan and crossed the isthmus where the canal is now being excavated, then took one of Commodore Vanderbilt's sailing vessels for New York, where they arrived just six hours less than a three month's trip and as soon as his sea legs had resumed their normal condition and became land worthy, started for Sidney, finding the burg very much the same as he left it two years before, for the city had not then begun to tear off the moss and' stir with growing pains and more modern ideas.
     He bought a half interest in the drug store of his brother-in-law, Benjamin Haggott, situated where Dickensheets grocery on Main avenue now is, then moved to the room now occupied by the Elk saloon, in Poplar street. He soon bought out Mr. Haggot and rented one half the room to S. N. Todd for a book store and after nine years in the business sold out to Todd and Vandegrift. Being of horticultural taste, he engaged in fruit and vegetable raising on his little farm northeast of Sidney and followed it for several years, then moved to Sidney to the double lot near Benjamin's D. Handle factory, where he has lived for thirty years and where he indulges in the luxury of small fruits grown in this climate and which he richly enjoys.
In March, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cunningham on the farm north of Sidney, latterly known as the Joseph Fry farm. Three sons were born, Wallace, now first steward of the insane asylum at Logansport, Indiana; William, now of Sidney; and John, who lately with his wife returned from a home visit to Sitka, Alaska, where he has lived about twenty years. John went there as teacher employed by. the Presbyterian church industrial school, but is now engaged in mining in Chickagoff island, forty miles from Sitka.
     In 1864 Mr. Gamble enlisted in the army and was at Petersburg,. Virginia, during the long bombardment of that city, but escaped unharmed.
     Mr. Gamble belonged to the United Presbyterian church here as an active member for forty years and then joined the First Presbyterian church. He has been identified with the Sunday school for more than seventy years and as teacher for fifty years. In politics he has always been a stalwart Republican since the organization, with the outspoken courage of his convictions.
     Such, in brief, is a biography of Mr. Gamble, who for eighty-four years has been identified with Sidney and close vicinity as one of its most esteemed citizens.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 411
GEORGE L. GEARHART, who carries on general farming and stock raising on his valuable farm of eighty-four acres, which lies in Perry township, Shelby county, O., was born in this township, Jan. 18, 1870, and is the only son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Burditt) Gearhart.  The father, who is now deceased, was born in Miami county, O., and the mother in Hancock county and the latter resides with her only daughter, Marilla, who is the wife of Wyant A. DeWeese.
     George L. Gearhart
remained on the home farm assisting his father after his school days were over, until he was twenty-three years old and then started out for himself.  He began by renting 164 acres in Perry township, which he cultivated until his father died when he inherited his present farm of eighty-four acres and settled here.  Many improvements seemed desirable and as rapidly as possible Mr. Gearhart brought them about, these including the tiling of the land in many places, the remodeling of the barn and the erection of a handsome residence with many modern comforts installed.  He is a wide awake, progressive farmer and is prosperous.
     In December, 1892, Mr. Gearhart was married to Miss Lavina J. Fogt, who was born in Shelby county, a daughter of John B. and Isabel (Ragan) Fogt.  They were farming people of this county and the father died on his farm in Franklin township and his burial was in the Pearl cemetery.  The mother survives and is a resident of Pemberton, O.  They had the following children:  Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Young; Elizabeth; Albert; Elmer; and Bertha, who is the wife of Charles Knief.  Mrs. Fogt subsequently married William Line and they have one daughter, Ona, who is the wife of W. J. Foster.
     Mr. and Mrs. Gearhart
have two children:  Gladys Ruth and Joy Marie.  They attend the Methodist Episcopal church.  Mr. Gearhart has always been a democrat in his political preference, and fraternally is identified with the F. & A. M. at Port Jefferson, O.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 727
JOHN C. GERBER, one of Dinsmore township's most substantial and best known citizens, was born on his present home farm of 160 acres, in Shelby county, O., Oct. 7, 1837, and is a son of Peter Gerber, who was a pioneer here.  Peter Gerber was born in Switzerland and probably lived in Pennsylvania after first coming to the United States, as his wife was born in that state.  They were married at Miamisburg, O., and came later to Dinsmore township, Shelby county, settling in the wilderness, and, as all pioneers, had to battle with many difficulties.  They passed the rest of their lives on this farm.  Three children were born to them:  Samuel, John C.,  and Lucinda, John C. being the only survivor.
     John C. Gerber had but meager educational opportunities in his youth but whenever his father could spare him in boyhood, attended the district schools.  Farming in all its phases and stock raising engaged his attention until within a few years, since when he has lived in comfortable retirement.  His home farm of 160 acres lies four miles northeast of Anna, O., and his total aggregate of land in Dinsmore township is 740 acres.  These farms have been well improved through his own industry and with the assistance of his sons.
     Mr. Gerber married Miss Mary Catherine Smith and they have had a family of nine children born to them, one of whom died in infancy.  Sarah,  the eldest daughter, married George Metz and they live near Jackson Center, O.  Lizzie married George Billing and they live in Salem township.  Edward married Elizabeth Metz and they live near Jackson Center.  Albert married Catherine Sherer and they live four miles southeast of Botkins, O.  Clara married Samuel Fogt and they live in Dinsmore township.  George, Henry and Anna all reside at home.  Mr. Gerber and family belong to the Lutheran church.  Politically he is a democrat and his sons are of the same faith.  During his long life spent in Dinsmore township he has seen many changes take place and old families and customs pass away and his reminiscences are exceedingly interesting.  He has proved in his own case and his own family that investments in land are safe and profitable and that agriculture gives prosperity and contentment when intelligently and persistently followed.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 758
WILLIAM ENOS GILFILLEN, who, in association with John A. Wones, does a large business at Maplewood, O., under the firm name of the Maplewood Elevator Company, dealing in grain, grass seed, coal, lime, cement and other commodities, was born in Salem township, Shelby county, O., Sept. 21, 1873.  The parents of Mr. Gilfillen, William and Margaret A. (Baker) Gilfillen, were residents of Shelby county, the father for many yeas carrying on agricultural industries with success.  He died in Jackson township, where his widow still lives.  They had the following children: Emma D., wife of W. E. Coleman; Elizabeth, wife of Logan Clayton; and William Enos.
     William E. Gilfillen
, obtained his education in the public schools and afterward worked with his father on the home farm until he was twenty-five years old, after which he rented land and carried on general farming until March, 1912, when he became the junior partner in the firm of Wones & Gilfillen, by purchasing the interest of E. E. Young in the Maplewood Elevator Company.  The business is in a prosperous condition and is on a safe financial basis.
     In 1893 Mr. Gilfillen was married to Miss Rhoda Davis, who was born in Auglaize county, O., but was reared in Shelby county.  She is a daughter of Harvey and Catherine (Morris) Davis whose other children were: Louie, who is the wife of Hamer Wagner; Floyd; Eliza, who is the wife of Albert Thompson; Charles; Mabel, who is the wife of H. A. Stahler; Fannie, who is the wife of Frank Reese; John; and Pearl, who is the wife of Henry Dosic.  Mrs. Gilfillen was the third born in the above family.  Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilfillen: Raymond and Vernon.  He is nominally a republican but reserves the right to exercise his own judgment in political matters and frequently votes accordingly.  He has served on the school board, having a good citizen's interest in the public schools.  For some years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows at Jackson Center, and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 707
SAMPSON G. GOODE, M. D., a physician and surgeon in active practice at Sidney, O., with office and residence at No. 310 North Ohio avenue, has been a resident of Shelby county for thirty-one years and established in his profes­sion at Sidney since 1894.
     Dr. Goode was reared in Champaign county, O., and from the country schools entered the academy at Urbana, where he made such unusual progress in his studies that he was awarded a teacher's certificate when he was but fourteen years of age. Afterward he continued to divide the sea­sons, working on the farm during the summers and teaching school, mainly in Champaign county, during the winters, for about fourteen years. He never had the leisure to wander far from this strict discipline as he was ambitious and dependent on his own efforts in order to prepare for the medi­cal career which was his goal from early youth. He prepared for college while teaching, under the direction of Drs. B. F. Baker, D. R. Barley and Dr. Musson, all of St. Paris, O., and after seven years of study was graduated from the Eclectic Medical College at Cincinnati, O., in 1880. In the. following year he came to Shelby county, locating at Pemberton, two years later removing to Port Jefferson and from there came to Sidney. Here he has been very successful in his professional life and has been active in public matters and -on one occasion was the candidate of the democratic party for the state senate.
     On January 2, 1867, Dr. Goode was married to Miss Mary Jane Ammon, of Champaign county, O., and two children were born to them: Dora, who is the wife of Charles W. Ogden, a merchant at Port: Jefferson; and, A. G, a graduated physician now in Alaska. Dr. Goode is physician and surgeon for the Shelby County Infirmary and Asylum. He belongs to the State and National Eclectic Medical societies and: is identified fraternally with the Elks.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 443
THOMAS GREEN, whose farm of 100 acres lies in a beautiful section of Shelby county, in Washington township, nine miles southwest of Sidney, was born in Butler county, O., March 28, 1832, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Pearson) (Roseyboom) Green.
     John Green was born in Licking county, O., where his people had settled at a very early day. He was married in Butler county and later moved into Mercer county, where his death occurred about 1869. His occupation was farming after his return from serving in the War of 1812. Of his children, four sons and two daughters lived to maturity and one daughter died at the age of eighteen months.
     Thomas Green went to school in both Butler and Mercer counties and farming has been his main business in life. During the Civil war he enlisted in the 100 day service as a member of Company I, 156th O. Vol. Inf., but was sick during the larger part of the time, the hardships and unusual exposure bringing many a brave man to the army hospitals in those days Mr. Green is a member of the G. A. R. post at Piqua, O. On November 2, 1865, he came from Mercer county, his previous home, to Shelby county and has lived ever since on his farm in Washington township, which he still oversees but is now retired from active labor.
     Mr. Green married Miss Sarah Jane Preston, who came of a very loyal and patriotic family, her father and three of her brothers serving in the Mexican war and all, even the father, who was then beyond the age limit, serving in the Civil war, and one brother died in Tennessee. Mr. Green and wife have had five children: Cynthia, who is the wife of Henry Bailey; William A., who lives near his father; Benjamin, who is a resident of Chicago; Ella, who died at the age of eighteen months; and Carrie B., who married John Jones. Mr. Green and family are members of the United Brethren church. He votes with the republican party and formerly served as a trustee of the township. He is one of Washington township's most respected citizens.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 431
JOHN F. GRISEZ,* general farmer and carpenter, who resides in section 15, Cynthian township, Shelby county, O., where he owns fort-five acres of excellent land, was born in Darke county, O., Jan. 8, 1876, and is a son of Frank and Mary Grisez.   The father was born in France and the mother in Ohio and there were seven children in the family.
     John F. Grisez was six years old when his parents brought him to Shelby county and he attended school at Sidney and afterward learned the carpenter trade.  He resided at Dayton, O. , until 1907, following his trade and then came to Cynthian township, Shelby county, and purchased the farm he now occupies.  The buildings on the place required to be remodeled before they satisfied Mr. Grisez and he has done other improving and now has all his land, with the exception of five acres in timber, under fine cultivation.  a farm that adjoined that of his father, and is a daughter of John Stifel.  While residing at Dayton, Mr. and Mrs. Grisez had three children born to them:  Henry, Louis and Anna, and after coming to the farm two daughters were born, Bertha and Margaret.  Mr. Grisez and family belong to S. S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church at Newport, O.  A stanch democrat, Mr. Grisez has frequently been elected to position of responsibility by his party and served one term as road supervisor and for five years has been a member of the board of education of the Grisez special school district, of which, at present, he is clerk, this district having been named in honor of his family.
Source: History of Shelby County, Ohio and representative citizens - Evansville, Ind. - 1913 - Page 838

 

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