USA > Ohio > Putnam County > A Portrait and biographical record of Allen and Putnam 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, pt 2 > Part 42
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Dr. Alva L. Paul attended, in his youth, the common schools of his native county, spent some time in the Greenfield academy, and such was his progress that, at the early age of sev- enteen, he was sufficiently advanced in his studies to engage in the profession of teaching. Actuated by a landable desire to pursue his literary education in a higher institution of learning, the doctor husbanded his meager earnings, and in due time entered Miami uni- versity, Cincinnati, in which he took a partial course, paying his way in the meantime with the proceeds of his teaching. Yielding to a desire of long standing, the doctor, in 1870, began the study of medicine with Dr. George S. Castureght, of Lithopolis, Ohio, and sup- plemented his readings by a full course in the medical department of Miami university, and later was graduated from the Long Island Medical college, of New York, in the class of 1875. He made a specialty of the eye and car, and in order to fit himself thoroughly for that department of the profession the doctor spent some time in the hospital at Brooklyn, N. Y., graduating therefrom in 1875.
Fitted by both intellectual and professional training, the doctor, after his graduation, be- gan the practice at Ottawa, where he has since
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continued to reside, acquiring, in the mean- while, a large and lucrative business in Put- nam and adjoining counties. Standing in the front rank among his brethren of the profes- sion, in the prime of manhood, surrounded by many friends, and moving in the best circles of society, there is probably no physician that occupies a more enviable position than does Dr. Panl. Ile keeps fully abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his profession, is a close student, and his services are frequently required in difficult cases at considerable dis- tances from his home. He is a member of the State Medical association, and fraternally stands high in the Masonic order, being past master of Ottawa lodge, No. 325, past high priest of Ottawa chapter, No. 115, and past T. I. M. .of council No. 169. He also belongs to the K. of P., Knights of Maccabees, and is a mem- ber of the National Union, in the deliberations of all of which he takes an active interest. Po- litically, he is a stanch republican.
The doctor was married October 27, 1875, to Miss Gertrude Paul, daughter of Truman E. Paul, M. D., of Putnam county, Ohio, a union blessed with the birth of two children: Edwin T., a student in the Findlay college, prepar- ing for the legal profession, and Gertrude, member of the senior class of the Ottawa high school.
PILLIAM PFAHLER, who stands high as a farmer and business man of Van Buren township, Putnam county, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, September 15, 1838. His parents, John G. and Caroline (Wagman) Pfahler, were natives of Germany, but came separately to America and were married at Warren, Ohio. The father was a butcher in the old country, but was a progressive man, and after reaching the United States ran a threshing machine and
finally became a prominent farmer and land owner. His death took place in Putnani county, while on a visit in 1882 at the age of eighty-three years, he being a member of the German Lutheran church at the time. His family comprised six children, named as fol- lows: William, our subject; John G., on the homestead in Crawford county; Caroline, wife of John Arden; Charles, on the homestead; Sophia, married to John Croft, of Marion county, and Christ, of Marion township, Henry county.
William Pfahler, our subject, has mostly followed farming pursuits. At the age of four- teen years he left the home farm and went to Illinois, where he was employed as a farm hand one year, and one year in running a threshing machine; he then returned to his native county, was employed for a year, by the month, at farming, carpentering and saw- milling; he next engaged in carpentering, and during the proper season he ran a threshing machine. In 1862, he married, in Crawford county, Miss Mary Dewalt, a native of that county, born August 16, 1841, a daughter of Abel and Lucinda (Sparks) Dewalt, who were born in Harrison county, Ohio, and in Wash- ington county, Pa., respectively, both of Ger- man descent and married in Carroll county, Ohio. Mr. Dewalt was a farmer during his active life, and died in January, 1895, leaving a wife and seven children, named as follows: John, on the homestead; Mary, wife of subject; Elizabeth, Thomas, Quinn, Delilah and Abel. Eleven children blessed the marriage af our subject, in the following order: Charles, died in infancy; William Q., May 23, 1864, a farmer; Lucinda, October 7, 1866-wife of Daniel Tegard; Sarah E., September 2, 1868 -- wife of Sherman Powell; Mary S., April 8, 1870 -- wife of John Keran; Columbus O., February 19, 1872; Thomas J., July 18, 1873; Auna 1 .. , April 19, 1875: Christian G., February
£
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
19, 1877: Rosa M., May 24, 1879, and Samnel J., October 10, 1881.
In 1865 Mr. Pfahler came to Putnam county and bought eighty-eight acres of wild land, on which he erected a small cabin (which he still retains as a relic) and then cleared up his place, doing much of this work at night, and it was at least ten years before his farm was brought to a condition fit for the support of his family. Of course he did his own car- penter work, and was among the first to intro- duce wood tiling, although some of his neigh- bors remonstrated against such an innovation. He had always a leaning toward threshing machines, and about 1871 he, with a partner, A. Casteel, engaged in running such machine and continued in the business fifteen years, using the first traction engine brought to the locality. After the dissolution of his partner- ship with Mr. Casteel he joined another gen- tleman and continued in the 'same business until 1886, when he turned his interests over to a son, who is still engaged in it. About 1880 Mr. Pfahler built a saw-mill, which he still owns, and up to the past year continued to do carpentering.
Mr. Pfahler has added to his first purchase of land in Putnam county twenty acres to his home place, and two other farms of forty acres each. The home place of 108 acres has about eighty acres cleared, ditched and tiled, and under a superior state of cultivation, and his dwelling, mostly his own handiwork, is an orna- ment to the neighborhood. His wind-pump sup- plies this with water, and also supplieshis barn, which is commodious and strongly constructed, and all his numerous ont-buildings are made to match; his orchard is set in the choicest varieties of fruit adapted to the latitude, and. on the whole, he has one of the best equipped homesteads in the township. Of his two other farms, fifty-eight acres are cleared and under cultivation. For the accommodation of the
sorghum-growing farmers, Mr. Pfahler has erected a sorghum-mill on his home farm, and he has, beside, put up an excellent cider-mill. Of late he has given his chief attention to his farm and is now reckoned among the best agri- culturists in the township, although his natural leaning is more toward mechanical pursuits. He is a gentleman of undoubted integrity and public spirit and has done a vast deal toward advancing the interests of the community in which he has so long resided in every respect- financially, morally and materially. During the late war he was appointed drill-master of the state militia by the government and held his position until near the close of hostilities, when the militia was disbanded, when, as luck would have it, he was himself drafted, but pail a substitute $1,000 in cash; but this substitute never served, as the war closed before he reached the front. Few men have done as much for Van Buren township as Mr. Pfahler, and fewer men are more highly honored by its citizens.
REDERICK PITSON. superintend- ent of the Rice farin, of Palmer town- ship, Putnam county, is a native of the Buckeye state and was born in Lucas county, December 31, 1858. His father, Peter Pitson, was born in or near Ber- lin, Germany, in 1814, came to America at the age of twenty-eight years, and settled in Lucas county, Ohio, which was then quite new, and wrought out of the forest a good farm. He there married Catherine Jackhin, also a native of the vicinity of Berlin. To this union were born the following children: Minnie, wife of Peter Hartselt; Matthias; Barbara, wife of Joseph Fackelnan; Mary, wife of August Herr; John, Frederick, Peter, Stephen and Catherine -the last named deceased. The mother of this family died in 1860, a devout member of
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of the Catholic church of the parish of Provi- dence, Lucas county. Later the father mi- grated to Mercer county, Ohio, where his death occurred in September, 1886. He also was a devont member of the Catholic church, a democrat in politics, and a hard-working, honest farmer, highly respected by all who knew him.
Frederick Pitson, the subject of this sketch, received a good common-school education and was reared to agricultural pursuits, which he has always followed. February 25, 1890, he married Miss Frances Bibler, who was born in Iroquois county, Ill., a daughter of John and Matilda (Layton) Bibler. Mr. Bibler, now deceased, was a member of the Disciples' church and in politics a democrat. Mrs. Bibler still resides in Putnam county and is highly re- spected by her neighbors for her many womanly virtues. Mrs. Pitson was a child when brought from Illinois to Ohio by her parents, was here reared to womanhood, and here met and was married to Mr. Pitson. To the congenial marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Pitson were born two children: John P. and Frances M .- the latter deceased. After his marriage Mr. Pit- son was placed in charge of the farm of A. V. Rice & Co., and he still holds this position. This farm comprises 320 acres of prairie land and is chiefly cultivated for potatoes and onions, and under the management of Mr. Pitson has been made to yield a handsomely profita- ble crop annually. June 23, 1894, Mr. Pitson was bereaved of his beloved helpmate, who died a member of the Catholic church, deeply lamented by her husband and child and a large circle of sincere and devoted friends, who had become attached to her through her many womanly virtues and amiable disposition. Mr. Pitsou is himself a Catholic, adhering to the faith of his father in this respect, as he also does in politics, being a stanch democrat, always exercising his franchise in favor of his
party at the polls, but never seeking office. Since residing in Putnam county, he has made hosts of friends, through his manly qualities and honest conduct-never being intimidated in the expression of his honest convictions on any subject. He has filled his present position faithfully and efficiently, and it is needless to say he has met with the approbation and holds the confidence of his employers, whose inter- ests he has so successfully subserved, as well as promoted.
ARON OBERBECK. - Among the successful, self-made men of Put- nam county is Aaron Oberbeck, the present auditor, who was born June 29, 1843, in Bucks county, Pa. The Ober- becks were early settlers of Pennsylvania, and their ancestry is easily traceable to the first settlement of New York, the name having been common among the early Dutch immi- grants of that state. Later a representative of the family emigrated to Pennsylvania, in which state the great-grandfather of the sub- ject of this biography was born. His grand- father, Conrad Oberbeck, was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving as captain during that struggle, followed farming all his life, and died in his native state at the advanced age of ninety-four years. His son, John Oberbeck, father of Aaron, was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1812, and at the age of twenty-eight 'married Sophia Beck, daughter of Philip Beck, also a soldier in the last war with Great Brit- ain. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. John Oberbeek resided in Bucks county, which was their home until 1848, when Mr. Oberbeck came to Ohio, locating in Greensburg town- ship, Putnam county. His family at that time consisted of himself wife and four children, and for their support he relied upon the cabi- net-maker's trade, which he had previously
Альт Овенвеск
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
learned at his old home. He resided later at Kalida, nntil the death of his wife in 1884, since which date he has made his home with his son Aaron in Ottawa. To John and Sophia Oberbeck were born ten children, all deceased but four, the majority of them dying in in- fancy. Those surviving are Louisa, wife of S. E. Mills, of Leipsic; Sarah, wife of William I. Baxter, of Van Wert county; Christina, wife of John Warner, of Hancock county, and Aaron, whose name introduces this biography.
Mr. Oberbeck's boyhood was spent in at- tending the public schools in Kalida, Ohio, in which he acquired a fair knowledge of the English branches. He was one of the first brave boys to respond to the country's call at the breaking ont of the rebellion, enlisting April, 1861, in company E, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, being at the time less than eighteen years of age. On account of sickness he was not accepted for the service, but, nothing daunted, he enlisted again the same year in company A, Fifty-seventh Ohio vohin- teer infantry, with which he served until hon- orably discharged on the 12th day of Septem- ber, 1864. Mr. Oberbeck's army record was made up of duty faithfully performed, and, although the youngest and smallest in his com- pany, on the recommendation of his colonel, was appointed corporal for gallant conduct at the battle of Shiloh. He participated in many bloody battles, including Shiloh, Corinth, Champion Hill, or the siege of Vicksburg, Baker's Creek, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign, Arkansas Post and a number of other battles and skirmishes-twenty-three in - all. Mr. Oberbeck had many narrow escapes, one of which is worthy of note. While in the thickest of the fight at Shiloh he was struck by a rifle ball, which spent its force after pene- trating the package consisting of some half dozen letters, a daguerreotype, folded silk handkerchief and a folding comb which he car- : 22
ried in his pocket, the package thus proving the means of saving his life.
After being discharged Mr. Overbeck re- turned home, and for two or three years there- after attended school, teaching during the win- ter seasons. Later, he accepted a position in the recorder's office, and during the summer of 1869, served as a deputy clerk of courts and at intervals before and afterward clerked in the auditor's office. In 1866 he took up the study of surveying, to which he devoted all leisure time, and became quite proficient. In 1871 he was appointed deputy county surveyor, and five years later was elected to the office, and discharged the duties of the same most effi- ciently for a period of six years. At the expira- tion of his term of office he continued his pro- fession of civil engineering and was thus em- ployed until elected county auditor, in 1892. 'In the meantime he served for a period for fif- teen years as city engineer, for three years was a member of the Ottawa school board, and for four years was a member of the city council of Ottawa During his long period of public serv- ice Mr. Oberbeck has proven faithful to every trust, and his record is such as to warrant the belief that any position to which his fellow- citizens may call him in the future will be ably and worthily filled. As already stated, Mr. Oberbeck is a self-made man, and it can be truthfully said of him that he is the architect of his own fortune. He has always been actu- ated by a landable desire to increase his knowl- edge and to discharge the duties devolving on him when placed in public office.
Mr. Oberbeck was married December 5, 1871, to Miss Jennie Cartwright, daughter of William and Panline (Bowman; Cartwright. Mrs. Oberbeck was born in Putnam county, July 14, 1851, and died April 3, 1889, the mother of three children: Laura E., born June : 9, 1873, wife of John Conine. Harry, born August 16, 1875; and Nellie, born December
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9, 1879. Mr. Oberbeck's second marriage was solemnized with Katie Eisenbach, daughter of Conrad and Christina Eisenbach, January 23, 1890, which union has been blessed with the birth of one child, Zella, who was born July 14, 1891. In politics, Mr. Oberbeck is one of the leading democrats of Putnam county. He is a member of the G. A. R., belonging to Thomas Allen post, No. 576, and has been a member of Blanchard lodge, No. 284, I. O. O. F., for about twenty-five years.
0 TTO L. PLETTNER .- It is interest- ing to note the life-history of one who has, by indomitable pluck and in- dustry, succeeded in surmounting the many obstacles in the pathway leading toward success, and who has from the smallest begin- ning accomplished desirable results in the line of achieving success in a business way. A perusal of the following sketch will be valuable to young men starting in life on their own ac- count, as showing what may be accomplished by energy and perseverance, coupled with the exercise of good judgment. Otto L. Plettner is himself a young man still, but he has achieved a great measure of success, and is now owner of the machine, blacksmith and wood- working shops located in the lively little village of Continental, Ohio.
He was the eldest of a family of seven chil- dren born to John and Eva (Fashbaugh) Plett- ner. His father, who was born at Frankfort- on-the-Oder, in Germany, April 16, 1832, came to America when he was twenty-five years of age, and settled in Fulton county, Ohio. Four years afterward, in 1861, he took to himself a wife in the person of Miss Eva Fashbaugh, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, July 30, 1835. In 1865 they moved to Macon county, Mo., but returned to their former home in Fulton county in 1872. Both were earnest
christian people, the father being of the Lu- theran faith and the mother a member of the German Baptist church. The latter died Feb- ruary 5, 1892. Their children were Otto L., Augusta O., John (deceased), Elizabeth, Alonzo (deceased), Amanda E., and Ferdinand (deceased). The father had served two years in the Prussian wars, and during the Civil war in this country served five months in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio volunteer infantry.
Otto L. Plettner was born in Fulton county, Ohio, July 7, 1862. Until he arrived at the age of twenty-two years he lived and worked upon the farm, at the same time obtaining the basis of a practical education in the district schools. He learned the trade of blacksmith, and later found employment in machine shops, living in his native county until 1888. At this time his foresight led him to locate in the then little village of Continental, in which place he felt assured there was a good opening for the establishment of a business in his line. That he was correct in his surmise has been clearly demonstrated. When he first arrived at Con- tinental the young man was far from rich, as far as worldly goods are concerned, but he possessed that which was of far more value- a thoroughly practical knowledge of his trade and the perseverance necessary to success. He commenced with a capital of $19 and a few tools, and to-day he is the owner of well- equipped machine, blacksmith and wood-work- ing shops, which do a large business.
Our subject was united in marriage, July 4, 1888, to Miss Minnie V. Holmes, who was born in Clay county, Ind., September 26, 1869. Her parents were Dr. W. B. Holmes and Ellen (Russell) Holmes, the former having been born in Brown county, Ohio, April 29, 1840, and the latter in Parke county, Ind., March 23 1847. They were married in October, 1866, and set- tled in Clay county, Ind., afterward, in 1876. locating in Parke county, in the same state.
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
Dr. Holme. has been and is still a leading physician in both counties, and is gentleman widely known in that section. He is a promi- nent Knight of Pythias, a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity and a veteran of the late war, having seen three years of service and partici- pating in many battles. Dr. and Mrs. Holmes are leading members of the Methodist church and active Sunday-school workers, both having filled the position of Sunday-school superin- tendent for years. Their children in the order of birth are: James A., Louis E., deceased, Minnie V., William A. and Samuel M. Mrs. Plettner's paternal grandfather, Angus Holmes, was one of the pioneers of Clay county, Ind., his wife being Sarah Cahill. Otto L. Plettner, our subject, is a strong republican, takes a lively interest in public affairs, and is a mem- ber of the republican township central com- mittee. Fraternally he is a member of Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 339. The family circle consists of husband, wife and one daughter, Mildred E., and they live most happily and comfortably in a neat residence which they own. The success which has thus far been theirs in life is due to their own efforts, their possessions have been attained by industry and thrift, and they are among the leading and most highly respected people of the live com- inunity in which they live.
J ONATHAN W. POAST, a substantial farmer of Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, and one of the present county commissioners, descends from a Holland-Dutch family that was among the first settlers of the state of New York. John Poast, his grandfather, was a farmer living near Albany, that state, and reared a farmily of seven children. One of these, John Poast. the father of our subject, was born in New York state January to, 1790, and when still a
young married man came to Ohio and located in Crawford county. His first marriage was with Polly Dolt, and to this union were born David, Susan, Ira and Benjamin F. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of the unfortunates surrendered at Detroit by Gen. William Hull. He was a shoemaker by trade, but on locating in Craw- ford county bought a small farm, and was also elected a justice of the peace. His first wife having died, Mr. Poast took for his second helpmate Susan Whetstone, and this nnion resulted in the birth of five children, viz: Jon- athan W. (our subject), William J., Henry L., Samnel and Levina (both deceased), all born in Crawford county. In 1859 Mr. Poast and his family came to Putnam county and en- gaged in farming in Sugar Creek township until he retired and went to reside with his son, Benjamin F., in Jackson township, where he died on June 2, 1868, at the age of seventy- eight years, a member of the Baptist church. He had three sons in the Civil war, viz: Ira, who was a colonel of a New York vohinteer regiment and was killed in battle; Benjamin F., who first served in a three-month Ohio volunteer infantry regiment in 1861, and re- enlisted, in 1862, in company D, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years, and was honorably discharged in July, 1865. The military record of Jonathan W., our subject, is given below.
Jonathan W. Poast, subject of this sketch, was born November 3, 1846, and was thirteen years of age when brought to Putnam county. He was reared to farming from the time he was old enough to begin work, and continued at this vocation until his enlistment, at the age of fifteen years, in company D. One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, but after three weeks of detention in camp at Lima, Ohio, was rejected on account of his size and age. In the fall of 1864 he made
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another attempt to get to the front, and re-en- listed at Lima, but was reclaimed by his father as being under eighteen years of age. Noth- ing daunted, however, and determined to serve his country in her hour of need, and being now of lawful age to serve as a soldier, he enlisted March 14, 1865, at Lima, in company E, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio infantry, and served until honorably discharged, August 7, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. He did duty in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Tennessee, skirmishing and fighting bushwackers-and of snch was the martial spirit of the boy soldiers of Ohio.
On his return after the close of the war Mr. Poast married, August 30, 1868, Miss Julia Ann E. Ford, who was born June 27, 1851, a daughter of Jonathan G. and Marinda (Hicks) Ford, of whom a history will be found in a sketch of the Ford family elsewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Poast at once departed, after mar- riage, for Nemaha county, Kans., where Mr. Poast engaged in farming for four years, and then returned to Jennings township, Putnam county, Ohio, and here, in 1877, Mr. Poast bought his present farm of forty acres, nearly all cleared, to which he has added, and now owns a fine farm of eighty-two and a half acres, which will vie with any farm of its size in the county. To Mr. and Mrs. Poast have been born three children, viz: William G., born in Kansas; Myrtle A., born in Putnam county, Ohio, and Mary Alice, also born here. In politics Mr. Poast is a democrat, and has served as justice of the peace six years, and was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1894. He is a member of the Joe Collar post, G. A. R., at Vaughnsville, and also a member of the K. of P., No. 165, of Ottawa. Mr. Poast's life has been one of energy and indus- try, as well as of morality, and through his own exertions alone has he risen to his present comfortable position in life. He has given his
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