USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 20
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Jasper J. Barnett, who is living a retired lite, has in former years been actively asso- ciated with agricultural and mercantile in- terests in Fairfield county, and was also numbered among the soldiers that Ohio sent to the front at the time of the Civil war. Ile was born in Madison township. Perry county, Ohio, April 28. 1833. and is a son of Solomon and Nancy ( Upton ) Bar- nett. The father was born in Washignton county, Maryland, and the mother was also a native of that locality. After arriving at years of maturity they were married and soon afterward came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Perry county, where they were numbered among the prosperous agricul- urists of the community. In 1844 they re- moved to Clear Creek township. Fairfield county, where the father spent his remaining days, passing away there in 1875. His wife survived him and afterward removed to the village of Amanda, taking up her residence with our subject, where she died in 1884.
In the family were eight children. The fol- lowing reached years of maturity; Jemima, Margaret, Jasper J., Jane. Robert and Lewis. In his political affiliations the father was a Democrat and both he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Jasper J. Barnett spent the first twelve years of his life on the home farm in Perry county and during that period attended the district schools, while later he continued his. education in the public schools of Drinkle and in Kingston Academy, of Kingston. Ohio. lle then began teaching in the pub- lic schools and followed that profession for fourteen years, proving his capability as an educator by the clear and ready manner in which he imparted to others the knowledge he had acquired and by the way in which he maintained discipline. On abandoning that profession, he turned his attention to farming. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Com- pany 1. One Hundred and Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of
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Captain E. Griffith. Soon afterward Mr. Bussard, of Fairfield county, a daughter of Barnett was commissioned first lieutenant and was ordered to Baltimore, Maryland, where he did garrison duty for one hundred days, at the expiration of which period he received an honorable discharge in Septem- ber. 1864.
Returning to Fairfield county, Mr. Bar- nett engaged in farming and stock raising and also devoted his attention to school teaching for two years. In 1867 he pur- chased his father's old homestead, thus be- coming the owner of two hundred acres of land, to the further development and culti- vation of which he devoted his energies with untiring activity until 1882. His labors made his place one of the desirable farms of the county, his enterprise and capable management being manifest in the neat and thrifty appearance of the farm. At length he put aside business cares and in 1882 re- moved to the village of Amanda, where he established a harness store, but later he dis- posed of that enterprise and is now living retired.
It was in the year 1865 that Mr. Bar- nett was united in marriage to Miss Mary
Daniel and Rhoda ( Seidener) Bussard. Her grandparents were pioneers of Maryland, having settled there in colonial days. The parents of Mrs. Barnett were both natives of Maryland and from that state removed to Fairfield county, Ohio, the Bussards being very early settlers of this portion of the state. Mrs. Barnett was born in Fairfield county, November 5, 1839, and by her mar- riage became the mother of two children. but Cora E. died in her twelfth year. The surviving daughter is Jennie A.
Mr. Barnett is a stanch advocate of Re- publican principles, having supported the party since attaining his majority. He also belongs to Tarlton Lodge, No. 218, I. O. O. F .. and was once a member of McPher- son Post, G. A. R. Since 1849 he has been an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has always been loyal to its teachings and active in its work, do- ing everything in his power to extend the influence and promote the growth of the church. Mrs. Barnett is also an active mem- ber of the same church, with which she united in girlhood days.
JAMES C. MOCK.
Fairfield county is fortunate in that her offices are largely filled by men of ability. trustworthiness and marked devotion to duty. Among the number now connected
with the public service is James C. Mock, who is filling the office of recorder and makes his home in Lancaster. He was born in that city on the 23d of May. 1865, his
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parents being Martin and Mary ( Harmon) Mock. His father was born in Berne town- ship. Fairfield county, July 7. 1833. and his wife was also a native of this county, where she spent her entire life, passing away in 1877. David Mock, the paternal grandfa- ther, was a native of Pennsylvania and mar- ried Miss M. Ruble, of Greensburg. Penn- sylvania.
At the usual age James C. Mock entered the public schools of the county, there pur- suing his education for several years. He afterward spent one term in the high school at Carroll, Ohio, and then began teaching. which profession he followed acceptably for six years. On the expiration of that period
he became identified with agricultural inter- ests and for a number of years was em- ployed as a salesman in different stores, but now he is giving his entire attention to his official duties. He had previously served as assessor and as township clerk, and in November, 1899, he was elected county re- corder upon the Democratic ticket. entering upon the duties of the office in September, 1900, for a term of three years. He has proved himself an efficient officer, dis- charging his duties with promptness and fidelity, and his course is one meriting the praise and commendation of all fair-minded citizens, by whom he is held in high esteem as a capable and worthy citizen.
HENRY CLAY WEAVER.
Henry Clay Weaver, who is identified with the farming interests of Fairfield coun- ty, Ohio, and with the shoe manufacturing Imisiness of Rochester, New York, makes his home in Lancaster, although he spends considerable time in the cast. He was born in this county and is a representative of one of the oldest and most honored families. His paternal grandfather. Adam Weaver. removed from Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, to the village of Lancaster, Ohio, in the beginning of the nineteenth century, and was first connected with business interests here as a salesman in the store of Rudolph Pitcher. In the year 1810 he was elected
justice of the peace of Hocking township and was so fair and impartial in his rulings that he was continued in the office for eight- een years. In 1812 he was serving as a lieutenant in Captain Sumner's Company of Artillery and when the second war with England was begun this company reported to the governor at Franklinton for service. but owing to the fact that AAdam Weaver was then sheriff of Fairfield county the gov- ernor excused him from active field service and Sosthenes MeCabe was elected lieuten- ant in his place. In the year 1826 Mr. Weaver was elected county treasurer and filled that office for four years. He was
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almost continuously in office in the county through a very extended period and was recognized as a leader in public thought and action at an early day, his opinions largely shaping the public policy during the early years of the century. He was a very active, vigorous man and was one of the posse of men under Thomas Ewing who went to ar- rest the counterfeiters in 1818. He died in the year IS41.
Among his children was George Weaver, once the editor of the Lancaster Gazette; Mrs. Philip Bope; and John C. Weaver. The last named was the father of our sub- ject. He became a very active factor in business circles as a merchant and banker of Lancaster. He was born in this city in 1816 and watched its progress and advance- ment through many years. His business in- terests aided in promoting its commercial and financial activity and also brought to him a handsome return on his investment. He was united in marriage to Nancy Archer,
a native of Ripley, Brown county, Ohio, and a daughter of a Revolutionary soklier. The mother of our subject died at Clifton Springs, New York, in 1880, and the father passed away in 1877. Two children sur- vive them: Henry C., of this review, and Mary Archer, the wife of C. R. Richards, a shoe manufacturer of Rochester, New York, with whom Mr. Weaver is engaged in busi- ness.
Henry Clay Weaver pursued his edu- cation in the public schools of Lancaster, completing the high school course. He is now largely interested in real estate in Fair- field county, being the owner of two or three good farms, yet he spends a large portion of his time in Rochester, New York, super- intending his manufacturing interests in that city. He is a very progressive and enterpris- ing business man, who forms his plans readily and is determined in their execu- tion. Such men are the bone and sinew of any community.
JACOB CROUSE.
Jacob Crouse, a resident farmer, living on section 32. Pleasant township, was born in Walnut township, Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 24th of September. 1849. His fa- ther. Levi Crouse, was born in Maryland in 1813 and was a son of John Crouse, a planter, who brought his family from the south to Ohio in 1818, taking up his abode
in Walnut township. Fairfield county, upon a farm which he developed and improved in the midst of the forest. Levi Crouse was only five years of age at the time of the removal. He assisted in the work of the home farm and was married to Catherine Bibler, by whom he had four children: La- vina, who became the wife of Renben Sands,
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a farmer, but both are now deceased ; Eliza- beth, the deceased wife of Thomas Avery, a resident of Newark, Ohio; Peter, a farmer of Van Wert county, Ohio; and Jacob, of this review.
Upon the old family homestead Jacob Crouse was reared and in the winter months he pursued his education in the common schools, while in the summer months he as- sisted in the work of the fields, On the 13th of June, 1871, he married Teresa Wil- helm. Her father, Samuel Wilhelm, was born in Berkeley county, West Virginia, and was a son of John Wilhelm, who was born in Pennsylvania and was descended from an old Pennsylvanian family. He became the overseer of a plantation in the Old Domin- ion and there carried on agricultural pur- suits for many years. His son, Samuel Wilhelm, was in a boat on the Ohio river on the night of the memorable meteoric shower in the year 1833. Locating first in Cincinnati, he remained there for several months and then came to Lancaster in March, 1834. Flere he engaged in the man- ufacture of furniture, making a specialty of chairs and bedsteads. For eighteen years he successfully carried on that business on Broadway and with the profits of the enter- prise he eventually purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Pleasant town- ship, where our subject and his wife now reside. In 1852 he abandoned industrial and commercial pursuits, removing to his farm. On the 20th of June, 1834. Mr. Wilhelm was united in marriage to Miss Rachel .\r- nold. Her father was born on a planta- tion near Hagerstown, Maryland. and her
grandfather, George Arnold, became one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio, emigrating to this state in 1801. Here he located a tract of land in what is now Pleasant township, Fairfield county, where the county infirmary is located. This he bought of the govern- ment. He erected the first gristmill in the county on Fetter's Run. in Pleasant town- ship, which was of great benefit to the set- tlers, as prior to this they had to go to Zanes- ville and Chillicothe for their meal and flour. While on a prospecting tour he and the party with which he traveled were attacked by the Indians and he was wounded in the fight. After locating his land he returned to Mary- land and brought his family to the new home. Among the number were his son Frederick and his wife and their four chil- dren-Joel; Daniel: Sarah, who married Nathan Bright; and Susan, who married Samuel Shaffer. After their arrival nine more children were born to him, of whom two died in infancy, while Maria and Fred- erick K. died unmarried; Rachel became the wife of Samuel Wilhelm, the father of Mrs. Crouse : Lehr married David Bright ; Absalom: Israel; and George. The mother of this family bore the maiden name of Bar- bara Petrie. Her father, when a young lad, came from Holland to America, landing at Baltimore, and was sold out to service in order to pay the price of his passage, as was the custom in those days. He learned the business of manufacturing powder and after- ward became a wealthy merchant of Hagers- town, Maryland.
Unto Samuel and Rachel (Arnold ) Wil- helm were born six children, four sons and
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two daughters: Mary, who died unmar- ried ; Diana, who married David Ewing, a farmer of Pleasant township, and died May I, 1900: James, who is now engaged in the real estate business in Columbus, Ohio; Mar- tin L., a Lutheran minister of Wooster, Ohio: Teresa N., the wife of our subject ; and Margaret B., the wife of William A. Wright, a retired farmer now living at Mag- nolia Springs, Union county, Ohio.
Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Crouse reside upon
her father's farm and he is numbered among the progressive and enterprising agricult- urists of the community. Their home has been blessed with two children, but one of the number died in infancy, the daughter Abigail, however, being still under the pa- rental roof. The parents hold membership in the Lutheran church and give their finan- cial and moral support to many worthy ob- jects for the betterment of the community and the world at large.
THEODORE LAPE.
Among the enterprising and progressive citizens of Amanda is Theodore Lape, a dealer in furniture and house furnishing goods, and his business qualifications are such as to have won for him prosperity and gained for him the confidence and respect of the entire community. He was born in Amanda township. Fairfield county, No- vember 3. 1856. His father, Maxsil Lape, was also born in the same township, his natal day being February 22, 1819. His parents were pioneer settlers of Ohio, who removed from Pennsylvania to Fairfield county about 1810 and in the midst of the forest cleared and developed a farm, upon which they reared their children. Maxsil became one of the early agriculturists of Amanda township and through the years of his business career was engaged in the tilling of the soil, his labors being rewarded by
abundant harvests. He was also one of the most active workers and liberal contrib- utors of the Lutheran church, in which he long held membership. In the early days meetings were often held in his home and he did all in his power to spread the work of the gospel. Twice married he chose for his first wife Miss Caroline Fausnaght and unto them were born six children: Belle, now deceased; Simon; Monroe; David; Theo- dore ; and Benjamin. After the death of his first wife Mr. Lape was again married, his second union being with Catherine Bailey, of Fairfield county, by whom he had three children : Edward E., Wilson C. and Verna E., but the first and last named have passed away.
In taking up the personal history of Theodore Lape we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favor-
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ably known in Fairfield county. His early mental training was received in the public schools of Amanda township and later he continued his education in Clear Creek township. He remained upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age and upon starting on life's journey for himself he chose as a companion and helpmate. Miss Ella Kesler, their wedding being celebrated in 1882. The lady was born in Amanda town- ship and was a daughter of Peter and Mary ( Barr) Kesler. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm in Clear Creek township and in addition to the culti- vation of the fields Mr. Lape engaged in stock raising, following both branches of the business until 1886, when he removed to Amanda and established his present store here. He carries a large and well selected stock of furniture, carpets, curtains, wall paper, stoves and queensware, in fact every- thing that is needed in fitting up a home. He has the latest style of goods, which he
sells at reasonable prices, and his patronage is already extensive and is constantly grow- ing. His store room is twenty-two by one hundred and twenty-seven feet and every foot of space is utilized in accommodating his goods. He also owns an excellent farm of fifty-five acres, which is under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. and Mrs. Lape have no children of their own, but adopted a little daughter, Mary Helen, and when she died at the age of five years. her loss was very greatly felt. for they had become very much attached to her. They both hold membership in St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran church of Amanda and are generous in their conribu- tions for its support and are zealous in its work. Mr. Lape is also a member of Center Star Lodge, No. 480. K. P. He is deeply interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his community and as a public-spirited citizen does everything in his power to pro- mote public progress and improvement.
REV. GEORGE W. MECHLING, D. D.
Rev. George W. Mechling is the pastor of St. Peter's Lutheran church of Lancaster. Ohio. A native of Pennsylvania. he was born in Westmoreland county in July, 1836. His father. Rev. Jonas Mechling, was also a native of Pennsylvania and was reared and educated in Westmoreland county. The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Theobald Mechling, a native ci Bavaria.
who sailed from the fatherland to America in 1727. lle landed in Germantown. Penn- sylvania, and his family was living near Valley Forge throughout the struggle for independence. During the campaign of Washington his widow resided at Zions- ville, Pennsylvania, where she spent the re- mainder of her life. Daniel Mechling. the great-grandfather of our subject, was identi-
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fied with many business interests. He was engaged in the banking business, was a deal- er in lumber, and also followed agricultural pursuits. Philip Mechling, the grandfather, was a native of Dauphin county, Pennsyl- vania, and in later years removed to West- moreland county. He married Catherine Coder, a representative of an old colonial family of the Keystone state.
Rev. Jonas Mechling, the father of the well known pastor of St. Peters' church, also devoted the best years of his life to the min- istry, as a minister of the Evangelical Lu- theran church. He married Miss Florinda Gressinger, a daughter of Andrew Gress- inger, who served with the rank of major in the military organization of Pennsyl- vania. His wife was a Miss Mclaughlin, and her ancestors came from Scotland, be- longing to one of the old colonial families. Theobald Mechling bought land from Will- iam and Thomas Penn, which property de- scended from one generation of the family to another, and as the years passed its value gradually increased. It lay near the cor- porate limits of Philadelphia and was finally sold in 1896. The family was prominent and active in public affairs in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and Theobald Mech- ling was one of the founders of the Luther- an church in Zionsville, that county.
Rev. George W. Mechling, whose name introduces this record, spent his early boy- hood and a part of his school days in Greens- burg, Pennsylvania and afterward resided in Westmoreland county, where he contin- tied his studies. A high school course pre- pared him for college and he then came to Ohio, entering the Capital University at Co-
lumbus, where he prosecuted his studies for five years. On the expiration of that period he began active preparations for the ministry as a student in the Lutheran Theological Seminary, in which he was graduated in 1859. Soon afterward he was ordained by the Lutheran synod of Ohio and entered the ministry, his first charge being in the vicin- ity of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, there re- maining until 1865. In that year he came to Lancaster, Ohio, and accepted the pastor- ate of St. Peter's Lutheran church, in which he has served continuously since, covering a period of thirty-seven years. When he- assumed charge here the congregation was small and somewhat scattered, but it now numbers about one thousand communicants. Under his leadership rapid and substantial growth has been made and the fine church edifice was erected in 1883. The church in point of artistic design is one of the most attractive in this part of the state. The decorations are of a superior character, mod- eled by the best and most skilled artists and sculptors. Many of the specimens were made in Munich, Germany, copied from the works of Thorwaldsen. They are among the finest of the state and the congregation has every reason to be proud of this fine house of worship. The work of the church is well organized in its various departments and its influence is being continually ex- tended throughout the various avenues of religious training,
Dr. Mechling has been ably assisted in all his work by his estimable wife. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Trimble, of Columbus, a native of Fairfield county and a daughter of James Trimble,
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formerly of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This union has been blessed with five children : Cyrus 1 .. , a prominent clothier of Lancas- ter: Susan, the wife of John A. Mayer, a shoe merchant: Herbert T., city clerk of Lancaster : Alice Matlack, an accomplished musician : and Elizabeth, wife of J. R. Bolen- baugh, of Dayton, Ohio.
Dr. Mechling is one of the trustees of the Chicago Theological Seminary and was for many years president of the District Synod of Ohio. For a considerable period he served as recording secretary of the Gen- cral Council of the Evangelical Lutheran church of North America, and in 1898 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by Wittenburg College, of Spring- field. Ohio. He is widely recognized as one
of the most eminent divines of his denomina- tion. In the pulpit he is logical, earnest and convincing, a fact which is indicated by the large membership of his church. At this point it would be almost tautological to en- ter into a series of statements as showing our subject to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions. but there are dominating elements in his in- dividuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which as taken in con- nection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, having naturally gained for Dr. Mechling the respect and confidence of men.
JOHN H. THIMMES.
Faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to ad- vance a man's interests than wealth or ad- vantageous circumstances. The successful men of the day are they who have planned their own advancement and have accom- plished it in spite of many obstacles and with a certainty that could have been attained only through their own efforts. This class of men has a worthy representative in John HI. Thimmes, who as a member of the firm of Thimmes Brothers, is engaged in the wholesale and retail shipping and pork pack-
ing business. They are also proprietors of two meat markets in the city of Lancaster and the business has assumed extensive pro- portions, calling forth keen discrimination. capable management and untiring industry in its conduct.
John Il. Thimmes was born in the city of Lancaster. November 1. 1853. His fa- ther, Mathias Thimmes, was a native of Baden, Germany, where his birth occurred on the 24th of April, 1831. He was in his eleventh year when, in April, 1842. he was brought to the United States by his par-
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ents. Nicholas and Catherine ( Snider) Thimmes, who on crossing the Atlantic to the new world took up their abode on a farm in Fairfield county, Ohio, where they resided until called to their final rest. Mathias Thimmes, the father of our sub- ject. was reared upon the home farm and on leaving the parental roof learned the butcher's trade in Lancaster. He afterward opened a meat market in this city and in connection with its management began deal- ing in live stock, hogs and cattle. He car- ried on his own butchering and often bought and sold for parties in the east. His busi- ness reached quite extensive proportions, be- coming one of the leading commercial in- terests of this city. In August, 1851, in Lancaster, Mathias Thimmes was united in marriage to Louise Oatney, of this city. She was born in Fairfield county in February, 1832, a daughter of Benedict and Christina ( Houserine ) Oatney. She is the only sur- viving member of his father's family, with the exception of Mrs. Emma T. Sheffer, of Fairfield county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thimmes were born fourteen children : John H., of this review : Benedict, who died An- gust 3. 1858; Christ C., born May 6, 1857 : Charles N., born Angust 4, 1858; Louisa, born March 3. 1866, and now the wife of J. P. Miller, a merchant of Columbus ; Will- iam E., a butcher, who was born March 22, 1862: Frank D., born December 14. 1863: Mary E., born October 18, 1865 ; Sarah E., born February 12, 1867, and now deceased ; Maggie L., who was born January 19, 1869, and is the wife of Ed. Brown, a merchant tailor of Indianapolis, Indiana : George Mathias, who was born November
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