USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > A Biographical record of Fairfield County, Ohio, illustrated > Part 21
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17. 1871, and is engaged in the butchering business: Emma G., born December 12,. 1873, and now the wife of Henry McLeod, of Danville, Illinois ; Clara Philomina, born March 8, 1876; and Joseph F., born June 27, 1877. The father of this family died in September, 1893. but the mother is still living. He was a Democrat in his political views and was a devout member of St. Mary's Catholic church, to which Mrs. Thimmes and all her children and grand- children also belong.
John H. Thimmes, whose name begins this sketch, was educated in the parochial schools of Lancaster, and at the age of twelve years began to assist his father in the meat market, which had been established in 1848, and was conducted by his father until 1877. Our subject continued to assist in the conduct of that enterprise as an em- ploye until his twenty-first year, when he entered into partnership with his father, the connection being continued for four years. On the expiration of that period our sub- ject purchased his father's interest in the market, continuing business alone for three years, when he entered into partnership re- lations with his two brothers, Christian and Charles W., under the firm name of Thimmes Brothers. They are now carrying on an extensive butchering business and have a large building, which was erected for packing, smoking and curing of meats. There is also a cold storage in connection and the members of the firm are extensive buyers and shippers of hogs and cattle. They also feed large numbers and handle annual- ly about thirty thousand hogs and a large number of export cattle, which they buy and'
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ship to Baltimore, Maryland, their principal hog markets being Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, and Chicago, Illinois. The business has now assumed extensive proportions and an- nually Lrings to the partners a handsome financial return on their investments.
John H. Thimmes, of this review, has been married three times. He first wedded Mary Bodenheimer, of Fairfield county, by whom he had seven children, namely : Lor- etta. Leah, Silas, Annie, John, Mary and Rachel. There were no children by the sec- ond marriage. For his third wife Mr. Thimmes chosen Helen Winters, the widow of Mr. Breslin. Our subject, his wife and children are all members of St. Mary's Catholic church. They have a very fine resi-
dence, modern in all its appointments and supplied with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries which go to make life worthy the living. In addition to his city property Mr. Thimmes owns a fine farm of four hundred acres, where he raises cattle and hogs and where the fields are under a high state of cultivation. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been ac- corded due recognition of labor, and to-day he is numbered among the substantial citi- zens of his county. His interests are thor- oughly identified with those of the north- west, and at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement cal- culated to benefit this section of the country or advance its wonderful development.
JOHN B. WOLFORD.
For two-thirds of a century John B. Wolford has been a witness of the growth and prosperity of Fairfield county. Many changes have occurred in that time, for the labors of the citizens have wrought great transformation, reclaiming the wild land for the purposes of civilization, replacing the log cabins by large and substantial resi- dences ; towns and villages have sprung up, industries and manufactories have been in- troduced, and on every side are seen the evi- dences of civilized progress and improve- ment known to the older sections of the country. Mr. Wolford has taken a deep in- terest in all this work and has contributed
his share to the county's development. He now resides in Hocking township upon the Beck road.
He was born one mile west of this place, on the oth of September. 1836. His pa- ternal grandfather spent his entire life in West Virginia, there dying at the advanced age of ninety-one years. The family is of German descent and many of the sterling characteristics of that race have descended to our subject. The.parents of John B. Wolford were Adam and Jane ( Slane ) Wolford. The father was born in Hamp- shire county. West Virginia, and after ar- riving at years of maturity wedded Jane
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Slane, whose birth occurred in the same lo- cality about 1825. When he was twenty- five years of age he left his old home and emigrated westward, taking up his abode in what is now Hocking township, Fairfield county, Ohio. Here he purchased a tract of land, developed a farm and also erected a sawmill on Hunter's Run, that stream crossing his land. His place comprised forty-one acres and upon it he made sub- stantial improvements, developing an excel- lent home for himself and family. There he continued to reside for forty years, being engaged in farming and the manufacture of lumber. He was also a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit to some extent, so that he was an active factor in the in- dustrial interests of the community. At the age of sixty-seven, however, he sold his mill and removed to Van Wert county, Ohio, where he owned property. He spent some years there and then returned to the old homestead in West Virginia, making it his place of residence until eighty-one years of age, when he was called to his final rest. He voted with the Democracy, and his re- ligious faith was indicated by his member- ship in the Lutheran church. His wife had passed away fifteen years before the deatlı of her husband, dying on the home farm in Hocking township when sixty-seven years of age. She, too, was a member of the Lu- theran church and her Christian example has had a marked influence upon the lives of her children. Eight children were born unto her. but only two of the number are now living. Norman, who was a carpenter by trade, died in Van Wert county, Ohio. at the age of thirty-two years. James, who
carried on carpentering and farming in Hocking township, passed away at the age of thirty-two years. Margaret died in Co- lumbus at the age of fifty-one. Susan died in Hocking township at the age of twenty- one. Mary Ann died in infancy. Sarah Jane also died in infancy. Elizabeth is the widow of G. A. Finefrock, who was a shoe- maker of Columbus, Ohio. John B. com- pletes the family.
Mr. Wolford, whose name introduces this record, acquired his early education in the common schools and through his youth assisted his father upon the home farm and in the operation of the sawmill, remaining under the parental roof until he had attained his majority. Thinking, however, to follow some other work than that of the fields, he then went to Lancaster, where he learned the carriagemaker's trade, which he followed many years, and in connection with this he engaged in the manufacture of hominy, hav- ing a mill at his home place. In the latter enterprise he has continued for a period of forty-one years, and he invented a mill and holds a patent thereon. In business affairs he is noble, reliable, prompt and energetic. and his strong determination enables him to overcome all obstacles, thus working his way upward to success.
On the 2d of March, 1862. Mr. Wolford was married in Lancaster, Ohio, to Miss Caroline Groves, a daughter of Andrew Groves, formerly a resident of Pleasant township. Her father was a very prominent and influential citizen of Fairfield county, his birth occurring here, and during the years of his business activity he was known as a prosperous and progressive farmer.
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolford were born eight children, five of whom are living: Luther died at the age of seven months. William, who is a teacher in the district schools, makes his home with his parents. He has taken quite a prominent part in local politics and has served as township as- sessor and at present is clerk of the town- ship. Alice is the wife of Elliott Pence, a merchant of Indiana, by whom she has one son, Wolford. Thomas is a resident farmer of Ilocking township, living near Amanda. who married Edith Kerns and had two chil- dren, Mabel, who died at the age of eight months, and Donald. Lizzie is the wife of Clyde Coffman, who is a mail carrier on the rural route. Charles died at the age of three years. Susan died when only a month old. Edward is an employe of the Ilocking Valley Works at Lancaster. All of the children were born in Hocking township
and were provided with the educational privileges to fit them for the practical and responsible duties of life in this hustling and bustling age.
Mr. Wolford has seen much of Fairfield county cleared of the timber, and the greater part of its improvements made. He has done his full share in working to upbuild the same and is known as a representative man of his community. He has held the office of township treasurer for nine years, dis- charging his duties most promptly and ca- pably. Hle votes with the Democracy and is a member of the Lutheran church. In business he has achieved success through honorable effort, untiring industry and ca- pable management and in private life he has gained that warm personal regard which arises from true nobility of character. defer- ence for the opinions of others, kindliness and geniality.
JOHN C. HARTMANN.
John Christopher Hartmann, a retired carpenter and builder, of Lancaster, Ohio, was born in the kingdom of Hanover, Ger- many, May 31, 1834. His parents were William and Wilhelmina ( Harding) Hart- mann, who were also natives of the same lo- cality and there resided upon a farm until July, 1847, when they crossed the broad At- lantic to the new world, landing at Quebec, Canada. From that city they made their
way to Buffalo, New York, thence by boat to Cleveland, Ohio, and up the canal to Lan- caster, Captain Reel being in command of the packet in which they completed their journey. They landed at Kinney's ware- house at the end of Maine street. The fam- ily consisted of father, mother and ten chil- dren --- eight sons and two daughters. In the following spring the father purchased one Imindred and sixty acres of land ir. Berne
JOHN C. HARTMAN
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township and with his family took up his many years he was associated with the work abode thereon, devoting his energies to of contracting and building, although at times he was identified with agricultural in- terests. farming and stock raising. With the fam- ily came two young men by the name of Jolın Rosemeyer and William Bush and an adopted daughter, Saphronia Burgess, who is now the wife of Valentine Myers. In the party were also Henry Senna, his wife and a son, who settled in Lancaster. William Hartmann, the father of our subject, con- tinted to reside upon the farm for a number of years, becoming one of the successful agriculturists of the community. In 1857 his wife died and in 1862 he sold his farm and removed to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Two years later he returned on a visit to Lan- caster, and while here was taken ill and died in October of the same year. Of their ten children, five brothers and two sisters are vet living, namely : Henry, of Fort Wayne, Indiana : John C., of this review ; Charles, a farmer: August; John; Wilhelmina; and Sophia. Those who have passed away are William Conrad and Frederick.
In accordance with the laws of his na- tive land Mr. Hartmann attended school be- tween the ages of six and fourteen years. He accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to the new world and remained upon his father's farm in Fairfield county until eighteen years of age, when he began earning his own living by working as a farm hand for James McKinley. After a year had passed he commenced learning the cabinet maker's trade in the shop of Charles Wagen- hals, of Lancaster, but this work proved too confining and he turned his attention to car- pentering, which would allow him to be out in the open air to a greater extent. For 12
After his marriage Mr. Hartmann re- moved to the old homestead, which had be- longed to his father, in Berne township, and there engaged in tilling the soil until 1861, when he removed to the farm belonging to his mother-in-law in Hocking township. In 1863 he went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he built a large banked barn for his brother. When this work was completed-and the barn was one of the finest in the entire coun- try -- he entered the employ of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad, with which he re- mained tintil October, when he returned to Lancaster and entered the employ of the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad in the carpenter department of the car shops, where he continued until 1866, and the fol- lowing year he began contracting and build- ing on his own account and also acted as manager in the erecting of buildings for other parties. He had at times from twelve to twenty-five men under his direction, and many of the substantial structures of this city and the surrounding country stand as monuments to his thrift, skill and enterprise. In 1873 he was elected policeman under Mayor Saul Schlow, under whom he served for two years, while for one year he con- tinued under Mayor Bendeum. He after- ward turned his attention to farming, own- ing a valuable tract of sixty acres just out- side the corporate limits of Lancaster, and to its development and improvement he gave his attention in connection with contracting and building.
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Mr. Hartmann has always been a stanch advocate of good roads and his efforts in this direction have been of great value and benefit to the county. He brought the sub- ject up before the board of county commis- sioners and impressed upon them the im- portance of having a good road or pike lead- ing from Lancaster to the State Farm, a dis- tance of six miles. This suggestion was adopted by the county commissioners and work was begun upon the pike and Mr. Hartmann was made its superintendent and not only directed the labors of the men thus engaged but also took an active part in the building of the pike and is still serving as its superintendent. The city of Lancaster and Fairfield county appropriated the funds necessary for the construction of four miles of this pike, while the state was to appro- priate the means for the construction of the remaining two miles. The building of this road has been of great practical benefit to the citizens of this portion of the state and Mr. Hartmann deserves great credit for what he accomplished. In 1863, on his re- turn from the west, Mr. Hartmann joined the volunteer fire department, becoming a member of the "Old Reliance." a hand en- gine company. Later, when the city pur-
chased a steamer, Mr. Hartmann became its first foreman.
In 1858 was celebrated the marriage of our subject and Miss Caroline Boden, of Lancaster, a daughter of Charles and Fran- cis Boden. They became the parents of three children : Charles E. ; Sophia, the wife of E. Wagenhals; and Theodore. The mother died in 1892 and Mr. Hartmann was again married, his second union being with .Amelia. a daughter of Emanuel Wagenhals. This marriage has been blessed with one son, Walter Charles, who is now six years of age. The family have a pleasant home at No. 1270 South Broad street. Mr. Hartmann is a Democrat in his political affiliations. en- dorsing the principles of the party as set forth by Andrew Jackson, and religiously is a member of the German Lutheran church. This church was established in 1847 and Mr. Thartmann's father took an active part in its organization. The church on Chestnut street was erected by the members, the work being done free of charge, while Mr. Hartmann was the one who circulated the paper asking for assistance. He lived to see it completed. and when his spirit had left its earthy tene- ment the funeral sermon was preached from its altar.
MRS. NANCY McCLEERY.
Mrs. Nancy MeCheery has for many years resided in Greenfield township, her home being on section 27. and throughout Fairfield county she has a large circle of
friends. She was born near Hebron, in Licking county, Ohio, July 2. 1821. Her father, Martin Beaver, was a native of Vir- ginia, and was a son of Abram Beaver.
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who was born in Virginia and devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He died in 1824 at the age if sixty-six years, while his wife, Barbara Beaver, passed away in 1823, at the age of fifty-six years. When a young man Martin Beaver came to Ohio, settling in Licking county. He married Elizabeth Rhoads, who was also born in the Old Do- minion and they took up their abode on a farm. The father was a minister of the Baptist church and for several years en- gaged in preaching in Licking and adjoin- ing counties ; his high moral worth, his kind- ly manner and other estimable qualities, en- dering him to all who knew him. He died in his seventy-fifth year, but his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of many. His wife was a daughter of John and Catherine Rhoads, also natives of Virginia. Her fa- ther died in 1825 and her mother in 1835.
Unto the parents of Mrs. McCleery were born thirteen children, ten of whom reached adult age. She was the fourth child and second daughter and was reared in Licking county, early becoming familiar with the duties of the household and pursuing her education in the common schools. In 1845 she became the wife of William McCleery, who was born in Pennsylvania. April 8. 1804, and when eleven years of age came to Ohio with his parents, who located upon the farm which is now the home of Mrs. McClcery. The son was there reared and the educational advantages offered in the schools of Greenfield township were enjoyed by him. He first married Priscilla McCall and unto them were born four children, but only one is now living: Sarah, the wife of George W. Beck, of Hocking township,
Fairfield county. The deceased are Maria, who married Reason De Balt: Elizabeth, who married Michael Finef. ock; Samuel R., who was twice married, first to Sarah Kemmer and second to Laura Patterson. He served four years in the Civil war as a member of the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, which was in the mountains of the west, fighting the Indians then engaged in their work of massacre and devastation.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. McCleery wedded Nancy Beaver, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom three daughters and two sons are yet liv- ing, namely: William, who married Mar- tha Leonard, and makes his home in Liberty township; Martin, who married Josie Baichley, and resides in Pleasantville : Pris- cilla, the wife of G. W. Nye, who is living in the state of Washington; and Melissa and Emma, who are at home. Those deceased are: three who died in infancy ; Clara, who Lecame Mrs. Pressley Compton and died March 15, 1874. leaving one child, Ida Stella, who married R. J. Peters in 1898, and they have one son, Ralph; Mary Alice, the youngest of the family, who married Albert F. Turner, of Bremen, and died No- vember 20, 1888.
Mr. McCleery served as assessor of his township and also filled the office of treas- urer. He was a well known and prominent member of the Presbyterian church, took an active interest in its work and served as a teacher and superintendent of the Sunday- school'of the Greenfield Presbyterian church. He liberally assisted in erecting the house of worship in that place and did all in his power to advance the welfare and ex-
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tend the influence of the church. In poli- tics he was a stanch Republican and neither fear nor favor coukl swerve him from a course which he believed to be right. He died .August 11. 1873. respected and hon- ored by all who knew him. His widow still
survives him and is well known in Green- field township, where she has so long resided. The circle of her friends is almost co-ex- tensive with the circle of her acquaintances and well does she deserve mention in the history of her adopted county.
JOSEPH SHERBURNE.
When a little lad of six summers Joseph Sherburne was brought to Fairfield coun- ty. More than three-quarters of a century have since passed and wonderful have been the changes which have occurred. No cen- tury in the world's history has witnessed such marvelous development along the line of commendable progress as has the nine- teenth, and Joseph Sherburne ever took a keen interest in the fact that his adopted county has kept in touch with the universal advarcement. His life was devoted to agri- cultural pursuits on the farm where he made his home ap to the time of his death, in Rush Creek township. His birth occur- red in York. Pennsylvania, October 26, 1818. His father. Henry Sherburne, was born in the Keystone state and with his family came to Ohio, settling in Fairfield county. In Pennsylvania he had married Miss Mary Siferd, of that state, and they became the parents of five children : Henry ; Emanuel, who was killed in the Civil war ; Harriet : Eliza : and Joseph, of this review. The father devoted his energies to agricult-
ural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death. He passed away in Berne township about two miles from the present home of our subject. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
During the days of his boyhood Joseph Sherburne looked upon the log cabin homes which were a feature of the landscape of Fairfield county and experienced the trials as well as the pleasures of frontier life. He pursued his education in a log school house, but his advantages in that direction were not of a character to compare with those afforded by the common-school system of the present time. When only about eight or nine years of age he went to work upon his father's farm and to him gave the bene- fit of his services until about the time when he attained his majority, when he began farming on his own account, renting land of his father. After his marriage he pur- chased eighty acres of land. Later he sold that property and became the owner of a farin close to the one upon which his widow now resides. Again he purchased another
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farm and in all he had at the time of his death, four hundred and twenty-five acres of valuable land, comprising one of the rich- est farming tracts in Fairfield county. When he started out in life for himself he had not a dollar, but he relied upon unflagging in- dustry and capable management to bring him success. He did not believe in waiting for opportunity, or for something to turn up, but made business opportunities himself and through well directed efforts he accumu- lated a handsome competence, thus leaving his family in very comfortable circum- stances.
On the 22nd of March, 1840, Mr. Sher- burne was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lutz, a native of Perry county, Ohio. She was born January 17, 1821, and with her parents afterward came to Fairfield county. Her father entered land from the govern- ment in this locality. Her parents were John and Louisa Lutz, both natives of Mary- land, but they are deceased and their chil-
dren have also passed away with the excep- tion of Mrs. Sherburne.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Sherburne was blessed with nine children, namely : Eli, Sarah and Lydia, all deceased; John, who is living in Van Wert county, Ohio; William, a resident of Illinois ; Lavina, who died in infancy; Minerva, the wife of John Brelimer, of Circleville, Ohio: Calvin, who is married and living in Illinois ; Ella, who is living in Rush Creek township; and Bell. the wife of William D. Krout, also of Rush Creek township. Mr. Sherburne took great delight in providing comfortably for his family. He carried on general farming and also engaged in the raising of full-blooded stock. In politics he was a Republican and was a member of the United Brethren church. He was honest with his fellow men, faithful in friendship and to home ties, and when called to his final rest many mourned his loss. He passed from this life to thic spirit world in 1899.
ELNATHAN S. MALLON.
Elnathan S. Mallon is accounted one of the most highly respected citizens of Aman- da township, who is to-day as loyal to his country's welfare as when the rebellion threatened the disintegration of the Union and he donned the soldier's suit of blue and went to the south in defense of his country. As long as memory lasts the people of this
nation will hold in gratitude those brave sons of America who fought to preserve the Union intact. His life history began May 30, 1832, on which day he first opened his eyes to the light in the family home three miles west of Lancaster, his parents being Cyrus and Elizabeth (Myers) Mallon. The father was also a native of Ohio and was a
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farmer by occupation. In 1832 he joined the regular army and after five years of army life settled in Georgia.
The mother of our subject died when he was only two days old, and he was then taken by an aunt to Tarlton making it his home until he was six years of age, when he was adopted by John Wilson, of Hock- ing county, who resided near Perry. Mr. Mallon then remained with Mr. Wilson un- til he attained the age of seventeen years, when he started out in life on his own ac- count. Since that time he has been depend- ent entirely upon his own resources and has won the proud American title of a self- made man. He learned the trade of a car- penter and resided in Circleville for twelve years, after which he emigrated westward. When eighteen months had passed, however. he returned to Ohio and here he sought as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Sophia Brown, their wedding being celebrated in 1856. She was also a native of this county and a daughter of Jacob Brown, a stone mason and farmer. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and soon afterward Mr. Mallon purchased his present place of residence. which he has made his home continuously since.
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