BIOGRAPHIES.
Source:
A Portrait and
Biographical Record of Allen and Van Wert Counties, Ohio
containing biographical sketches of many prominent and representative
citizens :
together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents
of the United States, and biographies of the governors of Ohio.
Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co.,
1896
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JOHN IKIRT CABLE,
of Van Wert, Ohio, is a native of the Buckeye state, was born in
Columbiana county, June 21, 1835, and is a son of Joseph and
Susannah ( Stallcup ) Cable. The Hon. Joseph Cable,
father of our subject, was probably one of the most remarkable men
ever produced within the territorial limits of the present great state
of Ohio. His birth took place April 17, 1801, on Ohio soil,
before the territory was admitted to the Union as a state, and October
25, 1827, in Columbiana county, he married Miss Sussannah Stallcup,
who was born in Pennsylvania May 1, 1811. Ignoring the events
which occurred during the early live of Joseph Cable, we must
content ourselves with a brief narrative of his varied and phenomenal
experience after marriage. Just after that event he located at
New Lisbon and engaged in editing the Ohio Patriot until 1837, giving
tangible evidence of his ability as a political and general writer;
thence he went to Steubenville, and there published the Gazette until
1839, when he moved to Carrollton and published the Jeffersonian until
1842, when he sold the plant, and, for the nonce, relinquished
editorial work and devoted his attention and talents to politics,
which latter led to his election to the United States house of
representatives from the Seventeenth Ohio congressional district for
two successive terms; he next located in Sandusky city, and for two
years edited the Bay City Mirror; thence he went to Paulding, and for
two years held the position of collector at the junction of the
Wabash & Erie canals, and when that office was vacated, or abolished,
on account of the abandoning of the Wabash extension of the Miami &
Erie canal, he came to Van Wert, and the influence of his trenchant
pen was felt though his editorship of the American from the spring of
1857 until 1860, at which time the Bulletin was established, which
journal, in conjunction with Capt. Scott, he edited until 1862,
in the spring of which year he engaged in the work of securing
pensions for the three month soldiers, at which task he assiduously
labored for about twelve months; he then went to Wauseon, Ohio, where
he edited the Wauseon Republican four years, and next returned to
Paulding, where, in partnership with his son Fielding, he
founded the Gazette, which they controlled until 1870; he also for a
short time managed a newspaper at Antwerp, in the same county, but
finally returned to Paulding City, retired from active life, and
passed the remainder of his days in peace until his death, which
occurred May 1, 1880, honored by the citizens of the state and
lamented by hosts of admiring friends. His wife, Miss
Susannah (Stallcup) Cable, was called away November 1, 1842,
having borne her husband five children, viz: Fielding and
Elizabeth, deceased; John I., our subject, and two infants
that died unnamed. Mr. Cable's second marriage took place
in Carrollton, Ohio, November 16, 1843 to Jane Watt, who was
born in Mercer county, Pa., March 22, 1811, and who died August 7,
1887, the mother of two children - Mary, deceased, and
Martha A., wife of Homer Meacham, superintendent of the
Miami extension of the Erie. The names of the children of
Joseph Cable are thus grouped together, that the progeny of this
great man may be found at a glance. In religion, Mr. Cable
was a Presbyterian and fraternally he was a Mason, having been
grand master of Ohio in 1840.
John Ikirt Cable, whose name opens this
biographical record, was reared in Carroll county, Ohio, but learned
that the art of printing in the office of the Ohio Picayune and that
of the Bay City Mirror, at Sandusky; he then entered the office of the
Paulding Gazette, which his father and brother had established for
Judge Latta, and of which he had charge until 1855; then went to
Steubenville, worked in a job office for a short time, then returned
to Paulding and for a year acted as deputy sheriff under John
Crawson; in 1857 he came to Van Wert and worked for Col.
Alexander on the American for three months, then, in partnership
with Lewis Evers, bought the office in the fall and operated
the same until the spring of 1859, when he married and moved to a farm
in Willshire township and located on a piece of land owned by his
wife, of whom further mention will be made below. Here he
resided until August 4, 1862, when he enlisted in company E,
Fifty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years, and was
assigned to the army of the Cumberland; he reached Lexington August
22, 1862, was made wagon-master, and filled the position fourteen
months, when, in front of Chattanooga, he was placed in the ranks and
served with his company until the fall of Atlanta, July 22, 1864, when
he was withdrawn from the ranks and detailed to duty in the
quartermaster's department, where he remained until December, 1864,
when he rejoined his company, with which he did duty until after the
grand review at Washington, D. C., where he was honorably discharged
June 3, 1865. On his return home he engaged in teaming for a
year, then for a year and a half worked in the Bulletin office; next
he farmed a short time, and then again returned to Van Wert, where he
now owns a delivery line.
The marriage of Mr. Cable took place July 7,
1858, to Miss Anges P. Johnson, who was born in Harrison
township, Van Wert county, October 31, 1839, a daughter of Davis
Johnson, of whom a sketch is given on another page. To this
happy union have been born six children, viz: Davis J.,
an attorney of Lima, Ohio; Minnie G., wife of Charles S.
Hough, of Van Wert; Anna Pearl, at home; Maj. Doyal C.,
deceased, and two deceased infants. Mr. and Mrs. Cable
are Methodists in religion, and in politics he is a republican, having
cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont; he has
served as trustee of Pleasant township for six years, and as
assessor for four years, and took the enumeration of the township in
1890; fraternally he is a member of the G. A. R., of which he is
present commander, and he is also master of exchequer of the K. of P.
lodge of Van Wert.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 83 |
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FRANKLIN
CARLO is a native of Ohio and was born in Champaign county,
October 5, 1842. His father, Dr. Morris Carlo, was born
December 18, 1801, in the city of Dresden, Saxony. At the age of
twenty-nine years he came to America, landing in New York city, whence
he came to Ohio and engaged in the practice of his profession, that of
physician, in the city of Cincinnati. He had a fine education
and was able to converse fluently in six different languages. He
was married in Cincinnati, in 1832, to Anna B. Sutter, who was
born in Philadelphia, Pa., Oct. 5, 1813. Shortly after their
marriage they located in Saint Paris, Champaign county, Ohio, where
they were among the pioneer settlers of that place. In a few
years they moved on a farm near by. To them were born fifteen
children, of whom ten reached the years of maturity, viz:
Louisa, widow of A. Walborn, of Van Wert county, Ohio;
Edwin, of Champaign county, Ohio; Frances, wife of F.
Fromme, of Saint Paris, Ohio; Franklin, the subject of this
sketch; Anna, widow of J. N. Richison, of Yellow
Springs, Ohio; Mattie, wife of H. B. Davis, of Denver,
Colo.; Morris V., of Jay county, Ind.; John A.,
deceased; Ella, wife of J. B. Leonard, of Bucyrus, Ohio,
and Charles R., of Illinois. Dr. Carlo died August
4, 1864, and the mother died in September, 1878, at the home of her
daughter, Anna Richison, in DeGraff, Ohio, and was laid to rest
beside her husband in Spring Grove cemetery, near St. Paris, Ohio.
They were both faithful members of the Lutheran church.
Franklin Carlo, the subject proper of this
biography, was reared on the farm in Champaign county, Ohio, and when
he had attained his majority he enlisted as a soldier in company I,
One Hundred and Thirty-forth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, served
out the brief term of his enlistment and then re-enlisted in company
E, One Hundred and Eighty-fifth regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, and
did his duty as a gallant soldier until the close of the war, when he
was honorably discharged at Lexington, Ky. His description then
was: Five feet, eleven and a half inches high, light complexion, blue
eyes, light hair, and weight 180 pounds. In the spring of 1866, in
company with his brother Edwin, he crossed the plains overland
to Colorado and Montana in search of gold; the search was a failure
and he returned, via Yellowstone and Missouri rivers, on a small
Mackinaw rowboat, to Omaha, Neb., thence by stage to Des Moines, Iowa,
thence by rail to his old home in Champaign county, Ohio, where he
engaged in farming till his removal to Hoaglin township, Van Wert
county, Ohio, in September, 1869, where he had sometime previously
purchased a farm, on which he has since made his home and increased it
to 210 acres. With the exception of $750 of the capital
necessary to make the first payment on and to improve this farm, he
has earned the money with which to pay for it by his individual
exertions, thus showing himself to be practical in his vocation and
well deserving the success which has attended him throughout his life.
On ay 20, 1869, he was married to M. A. Hattery,
who was born in Van Wert county February 2, 1847, a daughter of
Edward and Mary Hattery, of whom mention is made elsewhere in
these pages as being among the prominent pioneer settlers of this
county. This union has been blessed by the birth of seven
children, viz: Edward F., present deputy county
treasurer; Bertha L., wife of Delbert McMillen;
Jennie Lind; Bessie; Chester Arthur; Earnest Rutherford and
Gladys Ruth; the latter two are twins, born September 23, 1892.
In religion Franklin Carlo and wife are Lutherans, and in
politics he is a republican, under the auspices of which party he has
served as township clerk one year, county commissioner three years,
and is now occupying the office of county treasurer, to which he was
first elected in November, 1893. In 1895, Mr. Carlo,
having filled the office to the great satisfaction of the public, was
re-elected county treasurer in one of the hottest contests that the
republicans ever entered upon in the county, but he was carried
through by a handsome majority, and this fact alone speaks volumes as
to Mr. Carlo's immense popularity.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 89 |
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EDWARD CARMEAN,
an ex-soldier of the Civil war and now a prosperous merchant
of Jackson township, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in
Allen county, Sept. 25, 1844, a son of William and
Margaret (Miller) Carmean, of whom an extended notice is
made elsewhere in this volume, and in which will be found
the genealogy of our subject. It will be found that
William, the father, was drowned accidentally in an
attempt to cross the Big Auglaize river when our subject was
but two months old, and that the infant was thus left to the
care of its bereaved mother at a very tender age.
She was, however, equal to the task imposed on her, as is
proved by the subsequent career of her son.
Edward Carmean was educated in the pioneer
school of his childhood, but was an apt scholar. At
the age of about nineteen years he enlisted at Lima, Allen
county, Ohio, Dec. 16, 1863, and was enrolled in January,
1864, in company B, eighty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry,
under Capt. W. Titus, to serve three years or during
the war, but his services lasted only until his honorable
discharge, at Louisville, Ky., in July, 1865, on account of
the close of hostilities. He fought at Resaca, Spring
Station, Rome Cross Roads, and Kingston. Mr.
Carmean, however, had an attack of sickness during his
service and was confined in hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn.,
and at Rome, Ga., was afterward detailed to the hospital
department, being disabled, and later granted a furlough
home for thirty days in November, 1864, at the expiration of
which he reported for duty, but, his regiment being before
Richmond, Va., and communications cut off, he was assigned
to the militia corps, with which he served until ordered
back to Louisville, Ky., to be mustered out and honorably
discharged.
On his return home Mr. Carmean engaged in
farming, and Nov. 5, 1865, was married, in Allen county,
Ohio, to Miss Mary M. Poling, who was born May 4,
1848. He then lived in Allen county until Mar. 9,
1867, when he came to Van Wert county and settled in the
woods of Jackson township, when its voting population
numbered but thirteen. Part of his tract he cleared up
and sold, and then bought eighty acres additional in the
same section, and also partly cleared this tract, on which
he made one of the most pleasant homes in that township.
He had, however, had much of his cleaning and improvement
done with the help of others, having been badly disabled
when a soldier. In 1891 he traded his farm for a
general store in Wetsel, of which he has made an enviable
success, being a man of naturally good business abilities.
To the happy marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Carmean
ahve been born seven children, viz: Amanda C., John W.,
George W., Elizabeth, Freda V., Lydia O., and Ollie.
In religion Mr. and Mrs. Carmean are both members of
the United Brethren church and are strong adherents of the
faith. In politics he is a republican, and his first vote
was cast for the re-election of Abraham Lincoln to
the presidency of the United States. Mr. Carmean
holds an excellent position in the social circles of Jackson
township, and is recognized as a an upright and
straightforward merchant and gentleman in every respect.
He has reared a respectable family, and during a residence
of four years in Paulding county gave his children every
facility for a first-class education.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 208 |
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GEORGE CARMEAN,
of Jackson township, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in Old
Chillicothe, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1819, and in 1835 became a
pioneer of Allen county, Ohio, being then but sixteen years
of age. His father, WILLIAM CARMEAN,
was a native of Delaware, and when a young an came to Ohio
and settled in Ross county, near Chillicothe, on Buckskin
creek, and there married Margaret Miller, a native of
Pennsylvania and a daughter of George Miller, of
Dutch descent, to which marriage were born ten children,
viz.: George, Frederick, Sarah, William, Mary, Jacob,
Elizabeth, Rachel, Joseph and Edward. William
Carmean came to Auglaize county after marriage and was
accidently drowned in the Big Auglaize river, while
attempting for the stream on horseback.
George Carmean, our subject, located in Allen
county, Ohio, in 1835, and worked as a farm hand until his
marriage, in October, 1840, to Elizabeth Carr, a
daughter of Solomon and Mary Carr, the former of whom
came from ross county and an early settler on the Big
Auglaize river in Auglaize county. After marriage
George Carmean and wife settled in Allen county, where
they lived until 1872, when they came to Van Wert county,
and located in the woods of Jackson township, where he ha
cleared up a farm of eighty acres, and met with a course of
prosperity seldom equaled. To his marriage with
Miss Carr, there have been born the following children:
Margaret, Isaac, William, Melissa J., Abraham, Solomon
and Jesse. Mr. and Mrs. Carmean are sincere
members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics
he was first an old-line whig, and afterward a republican.
The patriotism of the Carmean family was
well represented, during the late Civil war, by four of the
sons, who enlisted in the following order: Joseph, in
Allen county, in August, 1861, in company B, Eighty-first
Ohio volunteer infantry, veteranized in January, 1864, was
mustered out at Louisville, Ky., July 13, 1865, and died in
Van Wert county July 3, 1867; William enlisted in
Allen county, in August, 1862, in company A, One Hundred and
Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, was promoted to
sergeant, and detailed for duty at Nashville, Tenn.;
Edward enlisted in Allen county, Feb. 29, 1864, in
company D, Eighty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, was
confined four months in hospital, and was mustered out at
Louisville, Ky., July 13, 1865; Jacob D. enlisted at
Lima, Allen county, Sept. 24, 1864, in company G, One
Hundred and Eightieth Ohio volunteer infantry, was in
hospital at Washington, D. C., then at Nashville, Tenn., for
two months, and was discharged for disability Apr, 13, 1865.
This is a fine military record for one family.
Mr. Carmean is a typical American
pioneer. At the age of sixteen years he walked through
the woods from Chillicothe to Wapakoneta, a distance of 200
miles, and at the latter place found but one building—a log
tavern; he met but one white man, but there were numerous
groups of Indians scattered along in wigwams; he inquired
his way to his uncle's place on Hogg creek in Marion
township, Allen county, and thus, with the assistance of a
settler, found his uncle's home in the woods. At that
time there were few houses in Lima, and Delphos had not been
settled at all. Game was plentiful in Allen and Van
Wert counties, and many were the deer and wild turkeys
killed by Mr. Carmean, and not a few bears.
After settling on his land in Jackson township, Van Wert
county, Mr. Carmean underwent all the
hardships, or nearly all, that he had endured on his first
settlement in Allen county, but his toil was considerably
mitigated, in clearing up his farm from the woods, through
the presence of a larger number of neighbors, and the
readiness through which help and more improved implements,
were attainable. He has developed a fine and fertile
farm, improved in every respect, has reared a highly
respected family, and is now passing away his years in
comparative ease, enjoying the harvest consequent upon his
long and arduous labors, and recognized by his neighbors as
one of the most experienced farmer in the county, and
honored as an upright gentleman who has never been known to
commit an act of injustice nor ever to have violated his
word.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 91 |
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JACOB D. CARMEAN, a
substantial farmer of Jackson township, Van Wert county,
Ohio, and an ex-soldier, is a son of WILLIAM
and Margaret (Miller) Carmean, and was born in Buckskin
township, Ross county, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1830. He
received but little education, as he was but ten years old
when his father died, after removing to Allen county, where
there were but few schools. Jacob D. was reared
on a pioneer farm and also served three years at the
carpenter's trade. Sept. 23, 1862, he married, in Ross
county, Miss Henrietta Miller, a native of that
county and a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Adams)
Miller, the union resulting in the birth of four
children - Christian and Jesse, who reached maturity
- and Nancy and Elizabeth, who died young.
After marriage Mr. Carmean resided in
Ross county one year, then, in1853, moved to Auglaize
county, rented land for a year, and in 1854 removed to Allen
county; there he enlisted, at Lima, Sept. 24, 1864, in
company G, One hundred and Eightieth Ohio volunteer
infantry, for one year or during the continuance of
hostilities, and was honorably discharged at Washington, D.
C., Apr. 13, 1865. During his service he was seized
with lung fever through lying on the wet ground, and was
first confined in hospital at Nashville, Tenn., and later at
the point of his discharge, where he was confined about two
months, and where he was confined about two months, and has
ever since been troubled with bronchial complaints. He
fought in Tennessee and Alabama and gave every evidence of
being a valiant and gallant soldier.
In 1870 Mr. Carmean moved to Van Wert county,
and bought a tract of eighty acres in Jackson township,
uncleared and unimproved. He cut a space in the woods
whereon to erect a cabin and worked hard for one in his
condition of health, and with the aid of his son succeeded
in making a good farm. Here Mrs. Carmean died
in 1874, and May 6, 1875, Mr. Carmean chose, for his
second helpmate, Mary Ogden, a daughter of James
and Sarah (Frey) Ogden, of Allen county. This lady
died eleven months after marriage, leaving no offspring.
The third marriage of Mr. Carmean took place Sept. 3,
1867, to Virginia F. Ogden, who was born June 4,
1848, in Fairfield county - a sister of the second
Mrs. Carmean. James Ogden, the father, was a
native of Rockingham county, Va., born Mar. 1, 1780, was a
soldier in the was of 1812, and became a pioneer of
Fairfield county, Ohio, whence he moved to Hocking county in
1852, where he followed his trade of blacksmithing and died
Aug. 29, 1865; his widow, Sarah, who was born in
Rockingham county, Va. May 9, 1799, survived until Sept. 14,
1891, when she expired at the residence of our subject.
To Mr. and Mrs. Ogden were born ten children -
Henry, Malinda, David, Jane, Abraham, Rebecca, James, Mary,
Sarah and Virginia F. To Mr. and Mrs.
Carmean have been born four children - Charles, Mary,
Cora and Frank. In religion Mr. and Mrs.
Carmean are identified with the Christian Union church,
of which he was formerly a trustee, and in politics he is a
democrat, having always been a friend and promoter of
religious and educational establishments. He is one of
the most successful farmers of the township, although he has
suffered much from the illness incurred during his military
term of service. He has reared a respected family and
is himself highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens as an
upright, industrious, and strictly moral gentleman.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 756 |
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MAJ. ISRAEL DILLE CLARK,
deceased. Such a work as the one in hand exercises its most
important function when it enters a memoir to one who has passed a
long and useful a life as did the honored subject whose name
initiates this review. The story of his career is one that
tells of long identification with the history of Ohio, of unstinted
and loyal service to his country in the crucial hour of civil
warfare, and of high position in professional ranks and as a man
among men. Probably the name of no one man in the city of Van
Wert recalls to those who knew him such mingled feelings of pride
and sorrow as that of Maj. Israel D. Clark - pride for his
sterling character and his exalted ability, and sorrow for the
deprivation which came when he was summoned into eternal rest.
He was prominently identified with the interests of the city and
county, and this compilation would be inconsistent with itself were
there failure to revert in detail to the history of the career of
this noble man.
Israel D. Clark was a native son of the Buckeye
state, having been born at Shelby, Richland county, on the 22d of
April, 1820, the son of Thomas and Nancy (Dille) Clark, both
of whom were natives of the same county, of which their respective
parents figured as among the earliest pioneer settlers. They
were identified with agricultural pursuits and were people of
sterling integrity. The father was one of the successful and
influential farmers of the pioneer locality and his life was
characterized by that ceaseless toil and endeavor which insure
success in temporal affairs. He was a republican in his
political adherency, and both he and his wife were Presbyterians in
their religious faith. They became the parents of six
daughters and two sons, all of whom are now deceased.
The subject of this review was the fourth child in
order of birth, and he was reared under the sturdy and invigorating
discipline of the parental farmstead, receiving his preliminary
educational discipline in the common schools. On the 24th of
September, 1840, he was united in marriage, in his native county, to
Abbie Cook, whose death occurred on the 3d day of January of
the succeeding year. September 26, 1841, at Mansfield, Ohio,
was consummated his marriage to Miss Rachel Scott, whose
demise occurred April 15, 1875. She left three children:
John Willis Clark and Rilla Clark, deceased, and Mrs.
C. M. Sutphen, whose death occurred in 1894. Tot eh third
marriage of our subject due reference will be made in succeeding
paragraphs.
Major Clark removed from Mansfield to Van
Wert county in the year 1842, and in 1848 he received the
appointment as postmaster of the city of Van Wert, proving a most
capable and discriminating executive. He had devoted his
attention to a careful course of reading in the law, and in 1854 he
secured admission to the bar. His personal popularity and
integrity, as taken in connection with his marked professional
ability, secured to him within the succeeding year the election to
the office of probate judge of the county, in which important and
exacting position he served with signal fidelity for a term of three
years. After his military career (which will be considered
later on) was terminated, he was accorded still further public
recognition, having been prosecuting attorney of the county from
1864 until 1868; justice of the peace from 1870 to 1873; and having
served the municipality of Van Wert both as a member of the common
council and in the highest office in the gift of the city, that of
mayor, his administration as chief executive of the city's affairs
having been one of marked honesty and one in which the best
interests of the community were carefully conserved. In 1858
he was associated with other representative men of the city in the
publication of the Ohio Weekly Bulletin, which was edited by the
late Capt. W. C. Scott and which wielded an unmistakable and
beneficial in this section of the state.
The thundering of rebel cannon on Fort Sumter raised a
responsive protest in the nature of our subject, who was thoroughly
patriotic and loyal to the cause of the Union, and whose patriotism
was one of decision and action. He was one of the first to
respond to President Lincoln's call for troops to assist in
suppressing the Rebellion, and he immediately organized and enlisted
a company, which was assigned to the Fifteenth Ohio volunteer
infantry and became company E. He was commissioned captain of
his company and proceeded with his command into Virginia. They
were engaged with the enemy at Phillipi and Laurel Hill, and
in the conflict at the latter place the Confederates lost their
first general, Garnett, who was killed in action. At
the close of their three-month term of enlistment, the regiment
returned home, and upon the subsequent call for 300,000 more men for
a three-years enlistment, Capt. Clark forthwith proceeded to
raise another company, his efforts meeting with ready response and
the organization becoming company A of the Fifty-second regiment,
which was assigned to the army of the Cumberland. Their
initial engagement was at Perryville, Ky., where the regiment lost
many of its brave men, and where Capt. Clark rendered such
valiant service as to secure to him a commission as major of the
regiment. His efforts in behalf of the union were zealous and
indefatigable, and he endured the dangers and vicissitudes of
military life with that fortitude which is begotten of full sympathy
with and determination to defend a righteous cause. Finally
the hardships and exposures of the service made such serious inroads
upon his health that he was compelled to resign his commission and
to bid a reluctant farewell to his comrades in arms, realizing that
his usefulness on the field of battle was thus ended by untoward
circumstance. He returned to his home, with shattered health,
and he never regained his constitutional vigor, but suffered from
heart disease and other incidental ills during the residue of his
days, bearing the sequelae of his military service with as great
patience as had he valiantly borne arms on the field where grim-visaged
war reared its horrid front. Such were the defenders of our
nation's honor, and to their memory should there be granted a
perpetual reverence and homage. Though thus afflicted by
disease and attendant suffering, Maj. Clark continued in the
practice of his profession, though the organic disorder of his heart
compelled him to abandon all active duty at irregular intervals.
For a year prior to his demise he was confined almost entirely to
his home, but was an heroic sufferer, and uncomplainingly awaited
that denouement which could along bring him relief. He entered
into eternal rest on the 9th of January, 1884, aged sixty-three
years, eight months and seventeen days, and the community mourned
the loss of an honored veteran of the late war and a man of innate
nobility of character.
In his political adherency he was a stalwart, supporter
of the republican party and its principles, and in addition to the
various other official positions he had held he also served as
United States marshal for some time after his return from the war.
He was prominently identified, in a fraternal way, with the Masonic
order, being one of the oldest members of the same in Van Wert, as
is shown in the fact that the records bear evidence that he was the
first man initiated into the mysteries of the order in this city,
the date of this ceremonial having been October, 1852. He
became a member of the First Presbyterian church at the time of its
organization, and continued to be a devoted adherent until the time
of his death. He was also one of the honored members of Scott
post, No. 100, Grand Army of the Republic.
In conclusion we revert to the domestic chapter in the
life history of Maj. Clark, finding that, on the 14th of
August, 1877, was consummated his marriage to Sarah M. Pearce,
of Willshire, this county. She was born in Champaign
county, Ohio, June 5, 1840, the daughter of Lorenzo and Catherine
(Bishop) Pearce. Her father came to Van Wert County and
settled in Willshire in 1847, and was there engaged in agricultural
operations until the time of his death, which occurred June 25,
1882. His wife was born in Champaign county, Ohio, June 29,
1816, and as the result of their union were born the following named
children: Anna E., wife of Dr. N. Croninger, of Kansas
City, Mo.; Cinderella, deceased; Sarah M., widow of
our subject; Mary C., deceased; Alfalander S.,
deceased; Thomas, deceased; John M., of Elwood, Ind.
They were all members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The
mother died Dec. 14, 1854. Major and Sarah M. Clark
became the parents of two children: Roscoe Dille, who
died at the age of eight months, and Fred P., who remains as
a comfort and solace to his mother. Mrs. Clark
and her son are members of the Presbyterian church, with which the
honored husband and father was so prominently identified.
Maj. Clark left to his widow and son a comfortable
competency, Mrs. Clark being the owner of valuable
property on South Washington street.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 101 |
| |
REV.
JOSEPH J. CLARKE, the pious and scholarly pastor of Saint
Mary's Catholic church at Van Wert, Ohio, was born in Utica, N. Y.,
Dec. 22, 1853, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Ohara) Clarke.
Father Joseph Clarke received his preliminary education in
the Assumption academy in Utica, and after leaving this school was
employed in the same city for four and a half years in a dry-goods
store, he then, in 1872, entered Saint Charles College, near
Baltimore, Md., whence he went, in 1877, to Mount Saint Mary's
Emmetsburg, Md., where he took a three -year course in theology
under Bishop Watterson; he then came to Ohio, entered the
diocese of Cleveland, and was ordained Nov. 11, 1883. He was,
first, assistant priest at Cleveland; then at Hudson, Ohio; then at
Elmore, near Cleveland; then at South Thompson, Ohio; then came to
Van Wert, Ohio, in March, 1891, and here he has since remained, in
charge of Saint Mary's parish. The congregation was organized
in 1868, and the first mass was celebrated in an old frame
residence; the church edifice was erected by father Hoeffel
in 1874; the first pastor was Rev. James Leddy, who
had charge until 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. John T.
Cahill; in 1879, Rev. P. Barty followed Father Cahill
and remained until December 1881, when he was succeeded by
Rev. T. J. O'Neil, who performed the functions of a pastor until
March, 1886; he was followed by Rev. E. F. Rohan, and in
November, 1887, Father Rohan was relieved by Rev. M. J.
Clear; in March, 1891, Father Clear was withdrawn, and
our subject, Rev. Joseph J. Clarke, was placed in charge of
the flock, who hold him in the most reverential admiration for the
unfaltering faithfulness with which he has filled every function
pertaining to his sacred office. The present church building
is of brick, is 54 x 36 feet in the ground plan, and was erected at
a cost of $3,200. Father Clarke has also a mission at
Convoy, Van Wert county, also at Spencerville, Allen county, Ohio,
both of which receive his most tender care.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 96 |
John Collins
Mrs. Sophia Collins
|
JOHN COLLINS, a pioneer of Ridge
township, Van Wert county, Ohio, and a thriving farmer, is a son of
Samuel Collins and was born in Hocking county, Ohio, Sept. 24, 1824.
Samuel Collins owned no land, and he and his son John
Collins made their living by working out by the day or month
until the latter reached his majority. John then
started out on his own account, and until twenty-three years of age
worked principally for three men- Samuel Strous, John Strous
and Solomon Riegle - in the meantime working hard and
faithfully and living economically. As fast as he earned
twenty-five or fifty dollars he would place the sum at interest in
the hands of some good farmer. His first earnings, however, he
had invested as part payment on a forty-acre farm, and his money he
made by cutting corn for Hiram Flanagin, who married Polly
Strous. Corn-cutting was the harvest of Mr. Collins,
the season lasting about three weeks, during which period he made as
much money as he otherwise could in two months. To use his own
expression he would make his ties and cut the inside round after
night, ready for a big day's work on the morrow." This was his
course of life until his marriage. To again quote Mr.
Collins: "Seeing it was not good for one man to be alone,
John Collins, aged twenty-three years, five months and
twenty-five days, and Sophia Stebelton, aged sixteen years,
one month and two days, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony
at the residence of Jesse Stebelton, Fairfield county, Ohio,
on the nineteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord 1848,
comformably to the ordinance of God, and the laws of the state."
After marriage he continued to reside in Fairfield, Hocking county,
four years, and then in October, 1851, he came to Van Wert county,
and purchased forty acres of land; he then returned to Hocking
county, four years, and then in October, 1851, he came to Van Wert
county, and purchased forty acres of land; he then returned to
Hocking county, where he passed the winter, and on the 12th of
March, 1852, he started west again with his family, consisting of
himself, his wife and three babies, a nephew, his mother and one
dog, and a hired man by the name of Hayne. They reached
Van Wert on March 21, rested in town awhile, and on the 27th arrived
safely on his forty acres. On the twenty-first day of August
following, he purchased forty-acres, of which twenty were deadened,
just across the road from his first forty, and paid for it in full,
with the exception of $100, which was to be paid in nine months.
The same day on which he made this purchase he was seized with
infammatory rheumatism, and for about six months was compelled to
use crutches and was unable to do any work, and in the meantime his
mother died - and thus his misfortunes were augmented; but his
determination and will were strong, and his arms sinewy, and as soon
as he recovered from his rheumatic attack he took a job of
wood-chopping for Robert Conn at thirty seven and a half
cents a cord, and averaged four cords a day in the winter. He
walked a mile night and morning to and from his work, and when his
job was completed he was ready to make the last payment on this part
of his farm and his eighty acres are now free of debt. To
clear this land up, however, he worked from four o'clock in the
morning until twelve at night, but now he has something to be proud
of. In 1857 he bought sixty additional acres of John Hire,
adding to the old farm on the east, making in all 140 acres in Ridge
township, of which over 100 are under a state of cultivation, are
thoroughly underdrained, and improved with buildings costing over
$7,000.
Mr. Collins has had born to him seven sons and
seven daughters, of whom eleven still survive - all married and
themselves heads of families. The names of these children are
as follows; Mary E., I. N., Andrew J., Martha E., Daniel
W., Anna, Franklin, Lucinda, Jasper, Lovina, Dora, Ida, John and
Perry. The integrity, industry and morality of Mr.
Collins are well recognized in his community, and none stand
higher in the esteem of the people of Ridge township than he and his
family. As Mr. Collins naively quotes, "My life has been
checkered with darkness and light, but the sweet star of hope was
always in sight; though oft I have erred - I confess it with tears -
sustained by God's grace, I have reached seventy years."
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 108 |
Samuel Collins
Mrs. Elizabeth Collins
(Deceased) |
SAMUEL COLLINS, a retired business man and
prominent citizen of Van Wert, Ohio, was born in Hocking County,
Ohio, Oct. 2, 1822, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Davis) Collins -
the former a native of farmer of New York state, and the latter a
native of Ohio. Samuel and Sarah were the parents of
four children beside our subject, viz: Eli, Nancy, Joseph and
Sarah, all deceased. Mrs. Sarah Collins having
died, Samuel married his deceased wife's sister, Nancy
who became the mother of two children: John, residing in Van
Wert and Perlina, widow of Reuben Everett, of Hocking
county.
Samuel Collins, our subject, was but two years
of age when his mother died, but he remained on the home farm until
he reached his third year, when he made his home with his
grandmother, Davis, with whom he resided until his majority,
when he learned the milling and cording business with George
Dunkel, at what is now Laurelville, Hocking county, Ohio, and
subsequently for seven years had the management of Mr. Daniel's
milling business. In 1846, Mr. Collins was united
in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Featherolf, daughter of
Benjamin and Hannah (Fink) Featherolf, of Hocking county.
To this union have been born eight children, as follows: An
infant, deceased; Lewis, who became a lawyer at Van Wert,
Ohio, and now resides in New Mexico; Martin, now in South
Dakota; Jennie, wife of E. B. Gilliland, of Van Wert;
Peter, a farmer of Van Wert; Emily, who died in early
childhood; Samuel, who died at the age of thirteen years;
Hannah who superintends her father's home. In 1851, Mr.
Collins came to Van Wert county, and settled on a farm of sixty
acres which he had purchased in 1845, to which he has since added
until he now owns 380 acres, all of which has been thoroughly
tile-drained, well fenced and improved with first class buildings.
Beside this splendid farm, Mr. Collins is the owner of an
eighty-six acre tract of land, on which there are three producing
oil wells. He is also the owner of valuable city property,
including a desireable resident on South Washington street, Van
Wert, which he makes his home. Mr. Collins holds to the
Baptist church, and in this faith his loving and amiable wife died
Nov. 12, 1886. In his politics Mr. Collins is a
prohibitionist, of which he has been an adherent for seven years.
The only society with which he has ever associated himself, outside
of his church, is that of the Patrons of Husbandry, of which
he was made master of the Pleasant township grange on its
organization. He is highly respected as an upright and useful
citizen, and his aid is never lacking toward any enterprise that
bears the impress of usefulness to the public at large.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 96 |
| |
DANIEL M. CONROY, of
Washington township, Van Wert Co., Ohio, is a native of Ireland, was
born Dec. 4, 1840, and is a son of MICHAEL and Ann (Delaney)
Conroy. The father, Michael, brought his family to
America in 1849, and this family at that time consisted of himself
and wife and children, named James, Mary, Elizabeth and
Daniel M. The father was a farmer in the old country, but
i America worked on a railroad until his death in Delphos, at the
age of about fifty-seven years. He was a devout Catholic and a
much respected citizen and gave his two sons to the defense of the
Union, viz: James, who served throughout the struggle in
company F, Twenty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, was in many severe
battles - among them Gettysburg - was more than once wounded, and
for a long time a prisoner in the Libby den in Richmond; he died
some years later in Paulding, Ohio, from the effects of his wounds;
Daniel M., the younger son and the subject of this mention,
enlisted at Delphos, Ohio, in the Dennison guards, in 1862, for a
term of three years or during the war. He served at Camp
Dennison and in the Kentucky on guard duty until seized with a
complication of the lung fever and muscles, and was confined in
hospital over two months, his weight being reduced from
140 to 105 pounds, and the result being nearly fatal. On
partial recovery he was found unfit for a soldier's duty, being
almost totally deaf as well as emaciated, and he was therefore
honorably discharged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, in January, 1863, after
six months of army life.
Daniel M. Conroy, our subject, was between eight
and nine years of age when he came with his parents to America,
received a common-school education at Delphos and Van Wert, and
learned the stone-mason's trade, and up to the date of his
enlistment his life was uneventful, or, at least, was not marked by
any special incident. After his army experience he at once
returned to Delphos, but it was some time before he was capable of
doing any work. In due course of time, however, he resumed his
trade of stone-cutting, and Mar. 4, 1867, married Miss Sarah Ann
Gilliland, who was born in Ridge township, Van Wert county, June
8, 1836, a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Gilliland.
Thomas Gilliland was a pioneer of Ridge township, coming, in
November, 1835, from Fredericksburg, Md. He has married, in
Maryland, Oct. 29, 1831. Catherine McCann, a native of
Fredericksburg, born Dec. 7, 1811, and to this union were born seven
children, who grew to maturity, viz: Robert, Edward, Maxwell,
Mary, Martha, Henrietta and Sarah. Thomas Gilliland
cleared up a farm of 170 acres, became an influential citizen and a
justice of the peace, and died on his farm at the age of about
fifty-one years, a member of the Presbyterian church. For
further information regarding this prominent pioneer family the
reader is referred to the biographies of E. B. Gilliland and
others to be found elsewhere in this volume.
After marriage Mr. Conroy continued to work at
his trade in Delphos until 1873, when he removed to Van Wert, and in
1882 came to his present farm in Washington township, where he owns
twenty-nine and one-half acres, and has a pleasant home. He
has been quite successful as an agriculturist - drawing from his
early experience - and makes the pursuit profitable, and to the
income derived from his farm he has been remembered by the
government with a pension of $22 per month. The marriage of
Mr. and Mrs. Conroy has been blessed by the birth of five
children - Catherine, Mattie, Mary, John, and one who died
young. The Conroy family are all devout members of the
Catholic church, and in politics Mr. Conroy is a republican.
He has been a very industrious man, and has always been an upright
and respected citizen, but is now unable to any longer labor, and
his deafness has become almost total. One of his daughters is
now the wife of John Fawcett of Middlepoint, and has one
child.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 114 |
| |
PERRY CLARK CONN,
deceased, formerly a prominent and exceedingly popular business man
of Van Wert, was born in 1844. He was a son of Andrew and
Margaret (Patterson) Conn.
Andrew Conn was born in Cecil county, Md., Mar. 19,
1803, and in 1812 was taken by his parents to Pennsylvania. In
1827 he removed to Mansfield, Ohio, have just previously married
Miss Margaret Patterson. Mr. Conn resided in
Mansfield for nineteen years and was twice elected treasurer of
Richland county. While there he was prominently engaged in the
banking business, being at the head of the firm of Conn., Sherman &
Co., Hon. John Sherman being a member of the firm.
Retiring from the banking business he soon afterward, in 1856,
removed to Van Wert, where he resided the rest of his life, his
death occurring at the residence of his son, John A. Conn,
June 23, 1879, after an illness of about eighteen months.
Mr. Conn was a member of and a ruling elder in the Presbyterian
church, and was frequently honored by the members of his church by
being selected as delegate to district and general synods.
During the Civil war he was a strong patriot, and while the war was
going on was elected treasurer of Van Wert county. As a public
servant, he was always faithful to his charge; as a private citizen,
he was public spirited; as a neighbor, he was kind and
accommodating, and as a friend, he was devoted and true.
Rev. A. V. Stockton, of the First Presbyterian church,
officiated at the funeral. John A. Conn, one of his
sons, has long been a prominent business man of Van Wert, and stands
high as a financier. For years he was cashier of the First
National bank of that city, but he is now practically retired,
though he is conducting a grocery store in the interest of his sons.
Perry C. Conn removed to Van Wert at the same
time that his father came from Mansfield, in 1856, and for some
years was engaged in various kinds of business. In 1864 he
enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer
infantry, in which he served until the close of the war. He
then established himself as a grocer in Van Wert, and for some years
he was associated with R. Slade, under the firm name of
Slade & Conn, but subsequently purchased his partner's interest
and conducted the grocery trade alone until his death, which
occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1888, at the age of forty-four, and
should therefore have been in the prime of his strength and
usefulness when his days were cut short by the fell destroyer.
His disease was consumption, which disease has for the most
part so far baffled the skill of the most learned physician.
In 1872 he was elected recorder of Van Wert county, and
so faithfully and well did he perform his duties, that he was
re-elected in 1875. At the close of his second term it was
generally and cheerfully admitted that the records of his office
were a credit to his worth as a public official, and to his
character as a private citizen. In later years he was engaged
in several business enterprises, but, on account of declining
health, his hopes could not be fully realized. He was a
universal favorite among men, and at the time of his death it was
written of him that he had never made an enemy in the world.
He was one of the best known and most popular men in the county,
standing high in every relation. His integrity of character
was entirely above suspicion, and his word was everywhere taken as
gospel truth, without the slightest shadow of question. If a
good name is better than great riches, he was indeed a wealthy man.
To his widow and his children, and likewise to his other relatives
and friends, this must continue to be a constant source of pleasure.
Mr. Conn was married in Van Wert, Ohio, July 3,
1867, to Miss Sophronia Saltzgaber, the ceremony being
performed by the Rev. Mr. Darnell. Mrs. Conn was
born in Shelby county, Ohio, Mar. 22, 1848, and is a daughter to
Samuel and Jane (Vanhorn) Saltzgaber. Samuel Saltzgaber
was born in Lebanon county, Pa., Jan. 12, 1800, and was of Dutch
parentage. His father was John Saltzgaber and his
mother Margaret Eiseminger. Samuel was educated in a
Dutch school and in 1834 moved to Richland county, Ohio, residing in
this state the greater part of his life. He was married twice
- first to Catherine Stover, Sept. 28, 1820, by whom he had
five children; and, second, to Jane Vanhorn, May 29, 1834.
By his second marriage he became the father of seven children.
Mr. Saltzgaber was best known as a hotel keeper, having been
engaged in this business from 1840 to 1870, at Monroeville, Ind., in
Shelby, Ohio, and in Van Wert. For many years he was a whig,
but during the latter part of his life he has been a republican.
He is a member of the Christian church, and has always been a
temperate man and now, at the extreme age of over ninety-six years,
resides in Van Wert with his son, the Hon. G. H. Saltzgaber,
a prominent attorney at law.
Jane Vanhorn, the second wife of Mr.
Saltzgaber, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1806.
Her father was JESSE VANHORN, and her mother,
Sidney Miller, born hardy pioneers of the olden time, who
braved the dangers and hardships of the frontier life when it was
frequently a struggle with wild beasts, and, as some have written,
with still wilder men. Mrs. Saltzgaber was a member of
the Christian church, and always taught her children those precepts
and principles necessary to a correct life and equally necessary to
the perpetuation of the institutions of their county.
Perry C. Conn by his marriage to Miss Saltzgaber
became the father of four children viz: Harry L.; Rowena,
the wife of John S. Guthrie; Walter L., and Carl P.
All of these children are living. Harry L. Conn is
now court stenographer of Van Wert county. He is an expert in
his art, and noted for his accuracy. All the lawyers have
implicit confidence in his work. He is bright, active and
intelligent is a graduate of Van Wert high school, and is in every
respect a credit to his native city. Mrs. Conn is still
living and is one of the most highly respected ladies of Van Wert.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 907 |
John Cramer
Ann E. Cramer |
JOHN CRAMER, of Van Wert, Ohio, was born in York Co., Pa.,
Oct. 9, 1822. His father, JOHN CRAMER, SR., also a
native of York county, Pa., was born in 1792, a son of Helfar
Cramer, who came from Germany and who took an active part in the
American Revolution, and after the war settled in York county, where
he died, leaving seven children. John Cramer, Sr., was
married in York county, Pa., in 1816, to Catherine Schlote,
by whom he had nine children, viz: Daniel, of Fostoria,
Ohio; Henry, also of Fostoria, Ohio; John, our
subject; Mary, deceased; Emanuel, of Ionia, Mich.;
Adam, deceased; Adam of Fostoria, Ohio; Sophia,
wife of P. Wickerham, of Seneca county, Ohio; Sarah,
wife of Augustus Elliott, of Ionia, Mich.; and Levi,
deceased. John Cramer, Sr., came to Ohio in 1840 and
settled on a farm in Seneca county, where he died June 29, 1856, his
wife having departed Sept. 16, 1854. They were members of the
German Lutheran church, and in politics Mr. Cramer was a
democrat. He had served in the war of 1812 as a captain, and
was an honored man in his community, where he left a fair fortune.
John Cramer, whose name introduces this
biography, was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents
to Seneca county, Ohio, and had then finished his education.
Until twenty-one years of age he remained on the home farm, and then
engaged as a laborer in a saw-mill in Seneca county for two years,
and then, in 1847, he married, and bought eighty acres of land, on
which he at once located and cultivated until 1864, when he came to
Van Wert and bought 120 acres in Pleasant township, where he now
resides and still owns seventy-five acres of finely improved land.
His marriage, alluded to above, took place in Seneca county, Ohio,
Dec. 29, 1847, to Ann E. Shaffner, who was born in Crawford
county, Ohio, Sept. 17, 1830, a daughter of Martin and Ann E.
(Wert) Shaffner. Martin Shaffner was born in Lebanon
county, Pa., Feb. 27, 1795. His father, Martin Shaffner,
Sr., married Frances Halderman, who was born Sept. 30,
1762; Martin, Sr., and his wife resided for some years in
Lebanon county and then moved to Dauphin county, where they both
died; they were the parents of nine children, viz: Jacob,
Nancy, Martin (father of Mrs. Cramer), Henry,
Frederick, John, Christian, Frances and Elizabeth.
Their son, Martin, Jr., was married Dauphin county, Pa., to
Anne E. Wert, and to this union were born three children, viz:
Levi, deceased; John F., of Willshire, Ohio, and Ann
E., wife of Mr. Cramer. The parents of the above
settled in Crawford county, Ohio, in 1829, where the mother died
Sep. 22, 1831, and the father, Sept. 17, 1870, both members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. To the marriage of our subject and
his wife have been born nine children, viz: John W. and
William J., both deceased; Sarah C., wife of John W.
Balyeat, nurseryman of Ionia county, Mich.; Frank A. and
Ralph W., of Van Wert; Irene H., wife of J. W.
Kensler, of Ridge township, Van Wert county; Anna E., at
home; Martin S., M. D., of Ohio City, and Charles B.,
a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church at Celina, Ohio.
The family all worship in the Methodist Episcopal faith, and in
politics Mr. Cramer is a prohibitionist; he is also a member
of grange No. 82, of which he was treasurer fourteen years.
Source: A Portrait and Biographical Record of Allen and
Van Wert Counties, Ohio - Publ. Chicago: A. W. Bowen & Co. -
1896 - Page 154 |
NOTES: |
