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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A Part of Genealogy
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Welcome to
Van Wert County,
Ohio
History & Genealogy |
BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
History of Van Wert, Ohio
and Representative Citizens
Edited & Compiled by Thaddeus S. Gilliland, Van Wert, Ohio
Published by Richmond & Arnold: Chicago, Illinois
1906
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George H. Marsh |
GEORGE H. MARSH
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 513 |
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CHARLES W. McCONAHY.
For many years the late Charles W. McConahy was a
prominent business man of Van Wert, his line being that of
florist. He was born July 13, 1867, and was a son of
Joseph and Dela (Link) McConahy, formerly of Wyandot
County.
The father of Charles W. McConahy has always
been a farmer, but since the death of his son has given
valuable assistance to his daughter-in-law, who found
herself with heavy responsibilities on her hands on account
of her late husband's extensive operations. Charles
W. was one of a family of eight children.
The early life of Charles W. McConahy was passed
in Wyandot County, where he attended school. He first
went into the undertaking business; but in 1900 he embarked
in the florist business investing in building lots at Van
Wert, where he constructed his greenhouses. The
property is valued at several thousand dollars. Had he
been spared, there is no doubt that he would have become one
of the leading florists of the county, his business
perceptions being excellent and his knowledge of the
particular line he followed being complete. The
business is carried on by Mrs. McConahy, who is a
lady of much enterprise and business faculty.
Mr. McConahy, who is a daughter of George W.
Richey, one of the substantial farmers of Van Wert
County. She was left a widow on Nov. 21, 1902.
Both she and the late Mr. McConahy were active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His
fraternal connections were with the Royal Arcanum and the
Knights of Pythias. He was a man who was very highly
esteemed, of pleasant, genial nature, and he left behind
many warm friends. In business he was honest and
upright, and in every position in life to which duty called
him, he served to the best of his ability.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 607 |
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THE M'COY FAMILY. Two
brothers, David W. and Alexander McCoy, came to the
county in 1837 and endured the hardships of pioneer life and
left a record of good citizenship and upright lives.
Of large families, but two of David W. McCoy's family
are now living - William Creighton McCoy and Mrs.
Elenor Harnley. Of Alexander McCoy's family
there are yet living Moses H., Alexander R., Joseph G.
and Almira Vanatta.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 150 |
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DAVID L. McDONALD,
one of the leading business men of Van Wert, now engaged in
handling automobiles, is one of a family of five children
born to his parents, Dr. David L. and Margaret
(Robertson) McDonald, who resided near Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania. The father of Mr. McDonald, now
deceased, was one of the leading physicians and surgeons of
Franklin County, Pennsylvania, where the family is well and
favorably known.
David L. McDonald was born in Franklin County,
Pennsylvania, Nov. 26, 1872. In February, 1897, he
became a resident of Van Wert, embarking in a drug business
which he successfully conducted for some years. He
then disposed of the business in order to enter into the
automobile line, in which he has met with encouraging
success. Politically Mr. McDonald is a stanch
Democrat and for years has been looked upon as a party
leader. He has held numerous positions of prominence
in the party and in the fall of 1905 was the Democratic
nominee for mayor.
Mr. McDonald was married to Anna K. Rupright,
a native of Van Wert, and they have two children - John
R. and David L., Jr. Mr. and Mrs.
McDonald have a very pleasant home on the corner of
Cherry street and Central avenue, Van Wert, and are members
of the German Lutheran Church.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 491 |
Residence of
George W. Michael
Family, Close up |
GEORGE W. MICHAEL
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 593
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ABSALOM A. MILLER,
one of the venerable citizens and well-known pioneers of Jackson
township, who resides on his excellent far of 85 acres, located in
section 18, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Feb. 24, 1829, and is a
son of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Adams) Miller.
The parents of Mr. Miller were natives of
Ross County and belonged to pioneer families of that section.
Absalom A. Miller was thus reared amidst pioneer
surroundings, and few know better than he, the courage, patience and
effort required to endure the many hardships of early days. He
attended the subscription schools in his boyhood, where the teaching
was thorough if not very extended. Mr. Miller can still
recall the log-cabin school in which he gained the greater part of
his early knowledge of books. From childhood he was taught to
work, and by the time he was 25 years of age and had left his native
county, he was a thorough and practical farmer. For a number
of years he lived in Allen County, and from that county enlisted for
service in the Civil war, entering Company H, 179th Reg. Ohio Vol.
Inf. He participated in the battle and siege of Nashville and
served under General Thomas for one year, being honorably
discharged on account of the closing of the war.
On September 7, 1853, Mr. Miller was married to
Rachel A. Carmean who was born in Ohio, Feb. 3, 1833, a
daughter of William and Margaret (Miller) Carmean, the former
of whom was a native of Maryland and the latter of Ohio. They
were early settlers in Ross County. The father was drowned in
the Auglaize River when Mrs. Miller was a small girl.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had 10 children, of whom three are
now living: Sarah C., a music teacher, living at home;
Alvira E., wife of Joseph Shaw, of Grover Hill; and
Annie L., wife of R. A. Oakley, of Jackson township.
In the fall of 1874 Mr. Miller removed with his
family from Allen to Van Wert County and settled on the farm where
he now lives. Again pioneer conditions prevailed more or less,
and both he and wife experienced many hardships in the early days
which have long since passed away. For a number of years he
served as school director of District No. 3, and for nine years was
a trustee of Jackson township. A portion of this time he was
president of the board. Politically Mr. Miller is a
Democrat. Both he and his wife are valued members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. They are widely known, and they
have a large circle of devoted friends. Their hospitable home
is frequently the scene of social gatherings.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 435 |
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MRS. CATHERINE MILLER,
widow of Abraham Miller who died in 1888 at the age
of 46 years, is the owner of a valuable farm of 80 acres
situated in section 27, Liberty township. She was born
in Shanesville (now called Rockford), Mercer County, Ohio,
and is a daughter of George Conrad and Catherine
(Deal) Koepple.
George C. Koepple was a native of Germany and came
to America with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Koepple,
who settled in Mercer County and were among the early
pioneers of that county. Mr. Koepple owned 95
acres of land in Mercer County, where he was engaged in
farming, and was the father of 12 children, 10 of whom are
still living.
Catherine Koepple was reared in Mercer County,
and in 1866 was married to Abraham Miller, a son of
Henry and Elizabeth Miller, of Mercer County, and a
brother of George Miller, of Liberty township.
For one year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Miller
lived in Mercer County and in 1867 moved to Liberty
township, Van Wert County, locating on the farm which is now
occupied by the widow, and which is a very valuable
property, as oil has been developed upon it. There are
at present ten producing oil-wells on the farm. Four
children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller, namely:
Ora, the oldest, who resides at home; George Perry
who married Bertha Stuck and has three children -
Mary Catherine, William Kenneth and Beatrice Leola;
Henry Conrad, who died when five weeks old; and
Oliver Chester who lives at home. Mrs. Miller
and sons continue to operate the home farm and in 1894
erected a large barn on the place. The fmaily all
attend the United Brethren Church.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 657 |
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GEORGE MILLER,
owner and operator of a farm situated in section 35, Liberty
township, was born in Dublin township, Mercer County, Ohio,
on Oct. 20, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Shetterlly)
Miller.
Henry Miller was born in Fairfield County, Ohio,
and was a son of Peter Miller, a native of Germany
and a millwright by trade, who died in Fairfield County.
Henry Miller, father of George Miller was
reared in Fairfield County, but was married in Clermont
County, to Elizabeth Shetterly. She was a
daughter of Phillip Shetterly, a prominent German
farmer of Clermont county, who at one time, with his two
brothers, owned a great deal of land where Cincinnati now
stands, and which they traded for two farms of 160 acres
each in Clermont County and one farm in Indiana. After
his marriage, Henry Miller moved to Mercer County and
located in Rockford for a time, subsequently settling on a
farm of 80 acres which he owned. He at one time owned
a farm in Liberty township, Van Wert County, just west of
where Ohio City now stands. This he traded for his
farm in Mercer County, where he spent the remainder of his
life. He was the father of eight children, of whom
George was the third. He died May 14, 1892, and
his wife died Dec. 23, 1891.
George Miller was reared and educated in Mercer
County and in 1860 was married to Margaret Keffer, a
daughter of Adam and Bertha (Jarvis) Keffer. Mrs.
Miller was born in Pennsylvania, where her parents were
both born and raised. They later moved to Tuscarawas
County, Ohio, and passed the remainder of their days.
Mrs. Keffer dying in1843 and Mr. Keffer in
1874.
After his marriage, George Miller moved to his
farm of 80 acres in Liberty township, where he has since
lived. He first occupied a log house for many years,
and in 1894 erected his present large frame house. To
Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born nine children:
Emeline, who married William Rickard and died at
the age of 42, leaving two children - Cora and
Mabel; Mary who married Amos Rickard, lives on
her father's farm and has two children - Sherman and
Homer; Thomas, living in Mercer County, who
arrived Alverta Clouse and has four children -
Clella, Norma, Clayton and Garret (deceased);
Alba, who married William Edwards, of Van Wert,
and died at the age of 31 years; Lewis, who married
Sylvia Rousch, lives in Liberty township, and has
three children - Ottis, Gladys and Margaret;
Elizabeth, who married Loren Loro lives in Mercer
County and has one child - Elva; Nellie and Della
(twins), the former deceased at the age of 21 years and
the latter at the age of 18; Henry, the fourth child
in order of birth, who died at the age of four years and
seven months.
Mr. Miller is a Republican, and was elected by
that party to serve two terms as township trustee; he was
also supervisor of the township. He is a member and a
director of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his
wife is also a member. He was one of the building
committee at the time of the erection of the present church,
subsequent to the burning of the old church.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 758 |
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LEWIS MILLER,
one of Liberty township's first-class farmers, residing on a farm of
80 acres in section 13, was born in the township named, on Nov. 9,
1872, and is a son of George and Margaret Miller a full
sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work.
Lewis Miller was reared and educated and has
always resided in his native township, being recognized as one of
the most progressive young agriculturists of the locality. He
was married on Nov. 9, 1892, to Sylvia J. Rousch, a daughter
of George and Mary Jane Rousch.
George Rousch was born in New York State and later
moved to Medina County, Ohio, where he was married, settling in Van
Wert County about 1866, and locating on a farm of 160 acres.
He had three children, of whom but one is living - Mrs. Miller,
the wife of our subject. William, the oldest, died in
infancy, and Samuel, died at the age of two years.
The father died in October, 1872; the widow resides in St. Mary's,
Ohio.
Lewis Miller and his wife have three children -
Ottis G., Zella Gladys and Mary Margaret. In
1895 Mr. Miller built a fine large barn on the homestead and
in 1900 remodeled the family residence. Mr. and Mrs. Miller
are both members of the Methodist Church.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 677 |
Rev. James F. Mounts |
REV.
JAMES F. MOUNTS,
a super-annuated minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church
(if it be permissible Episcopal Church (if it be permissible
to speak of a minister as retired who still takes a very
active part in church work), has been engaged in work for
the Master since 1858, the greater portion of this long
period within a few miles of Van Wert where he now resides.
He was born Dec. 17, 1824, on a farm in Pleasant township,
Marion County, Ohio, and is a son of Humphrey and Sarah
(Fleming) Mounts, both of whom were natives of
Pennsylvania.
The parents of Mr. Mounts were married in
Delaware County, Ohio, and later moved to Marion county
where the father purchased and cleared a farm of 160 acres.
They were honest, hardworking people, who bravely faced the
hardships and dangers of the new country in order to found a
home for themselves and children. The nearest white
neighbors were five miles distant, while the Indians were
numerous and always in evidence. Both parents died on
this farm, the father passing away during the Civil War, in
which he was too old to take part, although he had been a
soldier in the War of 1812. There were 13 children in
the family, 11 of whom reached maturity and were married,
their progeny being numerous and widely scattered - but of
the 11 children mentioned, the only survivor is the subject
of this sketch.
James F. Mounts remained with his parents,
assisting in the work of the farm, until his 19th
year, when his earnest ambition to obtain an education
resulted in his entering the Wesleyan University, at
Delaware, Ohio. Lake of means, however, caused by
withdrawal at the expiration of two and a half years; but
this period had been spent in hard study, and the knowledge
there obtained was the foundation which which, by a course
of systematic and comprehensive reading, he reared a
structure of useful and almost unlimited information.
For a few years after leaving college he was engaged in
teaching in the common schools, the union schools and as
principal of the Delaware school, during the last four years
residing at Prospect.
An important epoch in Mr. Mounts' career and one
which had great influence over his entire life was his
marriage on Sept. 18, 1847, to Ellen Landon, who was
his constant inspiration and guide. Mrs. Mounts
was born in October, 1825, in the southern part of Marion
County, near the village of Prospect, and was a daughter of
Darius and Mary (Bowen) Landon, who were natives of
the State of Pennsylvania, whence they came as pioneers to
Ohio. Their family consisted of 3 sons and 6
daughters. Mrs. mounts was engaged in teaching
school for 12 years previous to her marriage and in that, as
in all that she undertook, was most successful. She
was a lady of rare charms, both physical and intellectual,
her personal beauty being of an unusual type - her rosy
cheeks and coal-black eyes being in striking contrast with
her beautiful auburn hair, which surmounted pleasant and
kindly features. She took great interest in her
husband's work and the influence she exercised over all
those about her was a most wonderful gift, contributing in a
marked degree to smooth many of the rough places in the road
traveled by the pioneer circuit rider. Mrs. Ellen
Mounts answered the summons which called her to the
higher life on Oct. 5, 1897, amid the universal and
heartfelt sorrow of those she left behind. Something
of the wonderful patience and lovableness of the lady may be
gained from these words of the bereaved husband: "In
all the 50 years and 18 days of our married life I have
never once seen her real angry." The children of
Rev. and Mrs. James F. Mounts were as follows:
Mary Ellen who is the wife of D. H. Myers, of
Allen County; Sarah Florence and a child, both of
whom died in infancy; James E., who is married and
resides with his father; and Emma Luella (Oyler), who
died at the age of 26 years.
In September, 1858, James F. Mounts received a
recommendation from Prospect to the Methodist Episcopal
Conference of Central Ohio, which met at West Liberty, Ohio,
and appointed him to the Richwood circuit. He was
given a hearty invitation to return to this field after his
term concluded, but the conference thought best to give him
a new charge and he was sent to Celina, Ohio. After
two years there, in 1861, he was assigned to the Van
Wert circuit where he remained two years. In the fall
of 1863 he was assigned to the Delphos circuit, where he
remained three years. From Delphos he went to St.
Marys, where he remained two years. He was then
assigned to the Van Wert circuit for two years, one year of
which he had a regular station in connection with the
circuit work. For the two years following he had
charge of the Marysville (Union County) circuit, after which
for two years he had the Bryan (Williams County) circuit.
He then had the Mendon circuit for two years, during which
period he made his home at Van Wert. He was then
assigned to the Elida circuit; he moved his family there and
remained in charge of that circuit two years. For more
than 40 years he was pastor of the various charges within a
radius of 20 miles of Van Wert and resided here 12 years of
this period. After leaving Elida he was a Convey, St.
Marys, Ohio City, Celina, Rockford and Dixon, during which
period he resided in Van Wert, except when he served in
Rockford.
Mr. Mounts has been one of the most successful
ministers in this circuit, an dnever failed to raise the
money with which to pay off the indebtedness on church or
parsonage wherever he was stationed. Churches were
built by him at Newton and Salem, and two in this circuit.
In 1897 he was superannuated, but his lifelong habits of
industry have ill fitted him to be content with idleness and
he has acted as supply many times, besides preaching at
about 50 funerals, within the past two years, and performing
an equal number of weddings. He has united over 900
couples in his life, and read the lat words of hope and
comfort over as many caskets, often exceeding 40 per year.
There are numerous cases where he has married the father and
mother and all their children; where he has married and
preached the funerals of whole families. During
the first three years of his ministry he drew a salary of
$300 per year, out of which he paid his own house rent; his
highest salary has never exceeded $900; during all the years
of his ministry his yearly salary averaged about $700.
Out of this, by rare good management, he has managed to lay
aside a competency. His savings were carefully
invested here and in addition to a 75-acre farm on the
Defiance road, about two and a half miles from Van Wert, he
owns a tract of 1¼ acres just
outside the city limits, upon which he has recently
completed a comfortable residence.
Rev. James F. Mounts is a Republican, and still
takes the liveliest interest in the outcome of a political
struggle. While teaching in Marion County, he was a
candidate for county treasurer, and received a very
flattering vote; his opponent, a cousin, who was a local
preacher and a Democrat, was elected by a majority of only
60 in a county which usually went Democratic by an
overwhelming majority. Even now, when possible, Mr.
Mounts is a faithful attendant at primaries and other
political meetings. For a number of years he has been
a member of the Masonic fraternity and is a man whose
friends are not only legion, but scattered through all the
secular walks and found in every religious denomination.
A portrait of Mr. Mounts accompanies this sketch.
History of Van Wert County, Ohio - Publ. by Richmond &
Arnold - Chicago, Illinois - Publ. 1906 - Page 349 |
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