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 45
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After his marriage Mr. Radabangh followed the cooper's trade in Licking county, Ohio, until 1833, when he moved to Hancock county, where he held the office of justice of the peace for three years. Nine years later he moved to Gilboa, Putnam county, where he remained until 1844, when he moved to Ottawa town- ship, where he spent the remainder of his years, and died in Ottawa, October 13, 1857, in the faith of the Catholic church, though in early life he and his wife had been members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He held the office of justice of the peace six years in Ottawa township, Putnam county, and was a democrat m politics. The wife died in June, 1881, also m the faith of the Catholic church. Their
children were four in number: William, who was born March 1, 1829, and was killed in de- fense of his country in September, 1864; Ben- jamin P., the subject of our sketch; Mary E., the wife of John Ward, of Ottawa, and Hor- ace, who was born September 5, 1839, and died December 24, 1882.
Benjamin P. Radabaugh, the son of John M. and Sophia Radabaugh, received his educa- tion in the common schools of Ottawa, where he had passed his boyhood. On the 6th of May, 1861, he married Lydia, the daughter of Isaac and Adeline (Palmer) Allen; this lady was born in Cohunbiana county, Ohio, Octo- ber 13, 1838, her father being a native of that county and her mother of Virginia. They have five other children, only three of whom are living: The wife of the subject of our sketch; Caroline Reidenour, and Mrs. Lucy Troyer, of Grant county, Ind. In :>53 the parents had moved with their children from Columbiana county to this county, where the parents purchased a farm and lived there until their respective deaths, the mother dying a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
About ten days after his marriage Mr Rad- abaugh responded to his country's call for faithful men, by enlisting under Capt. Allen, in company D, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, for three months' service. The com- pany was sent by way of Toledo, Columbus and Gallipolis to West Virginia, when he par- ticipated in the battle of Scarry Creek, where his captain and lieutenant were killed. He remained one month beyond the term of en- listment and then returned home and took up the peaceful pursuit of farming, he being rather a man of peace than of war. He has con- tinned farming ever since, except two years, which he spent in the town of Ottawa. He is not a member of any church, though he con- tributes liberally to all good causes. He is a member of the Thomas Allen post, No. 578,
.
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
G. A. R., of Ottawa. Politically he supports the democratic party in national affairs, but in local affairs he believes that principles and men are superior to any party. For fifteen years he has been a member of the school board of the township. His family consists of eight children, viz: Ehner E., of Miller City; Florence May, the wife of Henry Agner, of Ottawa; Allen, now living in Indiana; Cora; John, of Grant county, Ind. ; William; Mary C., and Isaac, who died when a small child.
S OLOMON RAGER, a deceased farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Franklin county June 23, 1850, a son of John Rager, of Pennsylvania-Dutch descent. Solomon was reared to farming in his native county, and January IS, 1872, married Miss Helena Coon, the union being blessed with seven children, born in the following order: Mrs. Olive Good, who died December 31, 1893; Alonzo, a farmer; Luke, carrying on the home farm; Elmer, also a farmer; Lewis, aged fourteen years; Chester, aged eleven, and Verda, aged nine years, the latter three residing with their mother. After his marriage, Solomon Rager farmed in Frank- lin county, Ohio, until August, 1884, and on the 23d of that month settled in Putnam county, where he contmued to farm until his death, which occurred January 17, 1885. He was a republican in politics, and fraternally was a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge at Winchester.
Mrs. Ifelena Rager was born in Franklin county, Olno, October 14, 1852. Her father, Luke Coon, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 8, 1826, and was of Dutch-Irish parentage. He was reared to manhood on the aun of les parents, and at the proper age married Mi -- Susan Arnett, a native of Penn- ylvania and of Dutch parentage To the
union of Luke and Susan Coon were born six children, viz: Mrs. Sarah McKee, of Illinois; John, a farmer of the same state; Helena, widow of Solomon Rager; George, a farmer of Indiana; Mrs. Emilie Pugh, deceased, and Jen- nie, wife Eli Adams, also a farmer of Illinois. After his marriage, Coon continued farming until 1856, when he removed to Illinois, where he lost his wife in 1859; he re-married, how- ever, and maintained his residence in Illinois until about 1882, when he returned to Ohio and made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Rager, until his death, which took place about the year 1887. He was a democrat in politics and in religion was a Universalist. His dangh- ter, Mrs. Rager, was carefully educated in her earily girlhood at Macon, Ill., and in that state her marriage took place. She is a member of the Christian church, and the elder three of her children belong to the same denomination. In 1888 she erected her present handsome dwelling, where she is surrounded with sin- cere friends and a large circle of admiring acquaintances.
ENRY D. REAM, proprietor of the saw and planing-mills of Ottawa and leading lumber dealer of that city, is a son of Abraham Ream, of Stark county, Ohio, and Anna (Miller) Ream, who was also born in the same county and state. Abraham Ream was born of German parent- age, spent his boyhood years in the county of Stark, and by occupation was a farmer, though for some years he was engaged in school work as a teacher. Later in life he embarked in in the mercantile business at Canton, where he opened a general store, continuing the same until 1856, at which tune he removed to Han- cock county, and engaged in the dry-goods business at the little town of Newstark, having been proprietor of that village. In 1800, he
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started a branch store at the town of Ada, Ohio, disposed of his interests at Newstark four years later, and from 1864 to 1873 was promi- nently identified in the mercantile interests of Ada. In the latter year, in partnership with his son, P. W. Ream, he started the business which is now successfully carried on by Henry D. Ream, the subject of this sketch, and con- tinued the same until his retirement from act- ive life in 1876. His birth occurred near Canton, December 10, 1821. His marriage was solemnized October 6, 1846, and he died April 25, 1895. Mrs. Ream died in 1884 at the age of fifty-four years. Abraham and Anna Ream had a family of seven children, viz: Philip W., farmer and fruit grower of Casey county, Ky. ; Henry D) .; Mary C., wife of R. S. Shanks; Isaac N., during life an employee of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, killed in a railroad accident in 1888; Jacob B., fur- niture dealer at Ada; Levi O., also a resident of Ada, and Anderson W., teacher of teleg- raphy in the Findlay Business college. Abra- ham Ream was a man of strong convictions, and for many years took a decided stand as an abolitionist against the institution of slavery. He did much for the advancement of Hancock county, was a leader in many reform move- ments, and took an active interest in political matters until the time of his death.
Henry D. Ream, the subject of this sketch, was born in Canton January 1, 1850, grew to manhood in Hardin county, and received his education in the Normal college at Ada. He remained with his parents until fifteen years of age, at which time he began working at the trade of masonry, and it is a fact worthy of note that before his sixteenth year he entered into a contract to erect a brick building. He molded and burnt the brick for the house, su- perintended its construction, and turned it over to the owner, to the entire satisfaction of the latter. Since that time he has been con-
stantly engaged in contracting, and has done a great deal of building in various parts of Ohio, some of his contracts representing over $40, 000.
From the beginning Mr. Ream has been actuated by a desire to succeed, and his life is a striking example of what can be accomplished in the face of discouraging circumstances. He, indeed, began at the bottom of the ladder, but gradually overcame every obstacle in the way of his advancement, and has met with success such as few in much longer life have attained. Mr. Ream became a resident of the county of Putnam in 1877, and has since made his home in Ottawa. In addition to his planing-mili and lumber yard he owns other valuable prop- erty, among which is a beautiful city residence and a fine farm consisting of 210 acres in Monroe township. His farin is a model in many respects, being highly cultivated, fenced with the Paige wire fencing, and contams over twenty miles of tile drainage. The greater part of the land he cleared himself, and his buildings are among the best in the county. His place is well stocked with superior breeds of cattle, hogs, etc., and aside from his real estate in Putnam county he possesses valuable property in Indiana and other states. Politic- ally Mr. Ream is a stanch prohibitionist. Ile was married May 16, 1871, to Miss Myranda Gilbert, who was born in Hardin county Janu- ary 14, 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Ream have four children, viz: Harry C., Alfred A., Lillian L. and an infant danghter.
J OHN HENRY RECKER, one of the most prominent and enterprising citi- zens of Union township, was born in Ottawa township, Putnam county. Ohio, August 1, 1846. His father, Henry Recker, was born in Hanover, March 17, 1800, there received his education, and was reared on a
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
farm. He was three times married-the last time to Mary K. Kluppenburger, who was the mother of his only child, John Henry, the sub- ject of this biographical sketch. Some time in the early 'thirties the father left the fatherland and came to America and entered forty acres of government land in Ottawa township, Put- nam county, Ohio, on which he built a log cabin and went earnestly to work clearing a farm; soon the giant tree's were laid low and rolled into heaps and burned, and a fine farm was redeemed from the forest. He underwent many privations and hardships during this early life on the farm, but as time passed by he bought other tracts of land and improved them, until at one time he owned 200 acres of fine farin land. He was very successful, and an upright, honest citizen, much respected by all. In politics he was a democrat and he and his wife both members of the Glandorf Catholic church. He died on September 21, 1866, his wife having preceded him forty-three days.
John Henry Becker, an only child, was given a good education in both the English and German languages in Glandorf. He lived on his father's farm until 1867, and on May 21, of that year, he married Paulina Kahle, who was born in Greensburg township, March 16, 1846. (See the family history of I. H. Kahle, which will be found in this volume.) After mar- riage the young couple settled on a farm which Mr. Becker had purchased in Ottawa town- ship, where they lived until 1877, when they moved to the farm where they now live. Mr. Becker is a progressive and successful farmer and a breeder of fine stock, and one of the best-known citizens of Union township. In politics he is a democrat, and he and wife are members of the Kalida Catholic church. At present he is interested in the developing of the Putnam county oil field. He is held in high esteem by his neighbors and respected by
dren are ten in number-Frank, Mena, Paulina, August, Barney, Amelia, Joseph, Ferronia, Amos and Louie ..
ARREN F. REED, M. D., physi- cian and surgeon, ex-county official and prominent business man of Ot- tawa, is an Ohioan, born and reared in the county of Allen. The doctor's father, Manuel Reed, was a native of Trumbull county, but became a resident of the county of Allen as early as 1834, purchasing a tract of 160 acres of government land that year, within a short distance of the city of Lima. He mar- ried Elizabeth O'Harr, daughter of Arthur O'Harr, one of the pioneers of Franklin county, and to whom was born a family of ten chil- dren, all of whom, with but one exception, grew to maturity. The oldest son, Arthur, a gallant soldier of the late war, died at Lima in 1865, leaving two children; the second in order of birth was Warren F., whose name intro- duces this paragraph; then follow Lorinda, wife of J. L. Smith, of . Lima; John W., ex- soldier, at this time a fruit grower in California; Irvin, who resides on the old home farm near Lima; Uretta, wife of Andrew Mcclintock, of Allen county; Sarah, married Samuel Schap- pell, of Auglaize county; Anna, wife of Jere- miah Bowsher; Aklulia, wife of William Mc- Beth, and Jenetta, who departed this life in early childhood. The father of these children was a farmer and carpenter and is remembered as a inan of quiet and unostentatious manners, and strict integrity. The mother was de- scended from an old English family, a number of representatives of which settled many years ago in Pennsylvania. The doctor's paternal ancestors were also pioneers of the Key- stone state.
Dr. Warren F. Reed received his literary 1 all who come in contact with him. His chil- i education in the district schools and high school
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of Lima, and when a young man began the study of medicine with Dr. Harper of the aforesaid city, under whose instructions he continned for some time, making substantial progress in the interim. Subsequently he en- tered the medical department of the university of Michigan, from which he was graduated in 1866, and later, in order to better prepare himself for his life work, took a course in the college of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York city. In the spring of 1867, Dr. Reed began the practice of his profession at the town of Kalida, where he remained until the fall of 1890, his business in the meantime ex- tended over the central and western parts of Putnam county. In the latter year he was elected, on the republican ticket, county au- ditor, and at once removed to Ottawa, in order to enter npon the discharge of his official func- tions. The doctor's election was certainly a flattering compliment to a worthy man, as he succeeded in overcoming a standard majority of nearly 2,000 and led his ticket by an over- whelining vote. The confidence reposed in him by his constituents was by no means mis- placed, as he discharged the duties of the office with capability and dispatch and proved a most popular guardian of the trust awarded him. He served as auditor one term, and in January, 1894, was appointed one of the assignees of the Exchange bank of Ottawa; in July following, in partnership with I. H. Kahle of Glandorf and W. H. Harper, Jr., he organized the Bank of Ottawa, with which he is still identified, being president of the institu- tion at this time. This bank does an exten- sive business and is one of the solid institutions of the kind in northwestern Ohio.
In the midst of his business and official duties, Dr. Reed did not neglect his profes- sional practice, and it is doubtful if there was wor a business man more attentive to the wants of the public, or a professional man
more attentive to the wants of his patients than was he for several years after his removal to the county seat. By close attention to his profession and by hard study he became, while at Kalida, one of the leading physicians and surgeons of the county and he still enjoys a large and lucrative practice, much more than local. He is a respected and useful citizen and is closely identified with the growth and prosperity of Ottawa and Putnam county. The doctor is a member of the American Medi- cal association, Ohio State Medical society and the Northwestern Medical association, and takes an active interest in the Masonic frater- nity, in which he has taken the chapter, coun- cil and commandery degrees. In addition to his professional business and official career, the doctor has a record as a military man, having served in the late war as a member of com- pany G, Thirty-fifth Indiana volunteer mifan- try, with which he took part in a number of battles and skirmishes, the most note:l of which were Pea-Ridge and the siege of Corinth.
Dr. Reed and Miss Clyde Gordon, daugh- ter of Judge John H. Gordon, deceased, en- tered into the marriage relation in 1873, and their union has resulted in the birth of three children: Gordon, Mary and Nellie.
HOMAS REES, a thriving farmer of Sngar Creek township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Wales, February 7, 1830, and was reared to coal min- ing under his father, for whom he worked un- til he reached his majority. In 1851 he came to America, landing in New York, whence he came direct to Ohio, having in his pocket one sovereign only, and for nine years he followed coal mining at Youngstown. Having saved some money, he bought eighty acres of land in Putnam county, and in 1860 moved upon it, built a cabin and started to clearing, but in
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
1863 disposed of this land and purchased the eighty acres on which he still resides in Sugar Creek township, to which he has added forty acres. He has also increased the original clearance of fifteen acres to nearly 100 acres, and has replaced the rude log cabin with a modern two-story frame dwelling; he has, be- side; erected a commodious barn, built all re- quisite out-houses, set out an orchard, ditched and tiled his fields and placed all his cleared land under a fine state of cultivation; he has also given considerable attention to graded live stock-horses, cattle, sheep and hogs.
In 1864 Mr. Rees enlisted in the 100-day service, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, serving under Capt. Patrick on guard duty at Washington, D. C., and after the expiration of his term was honorably dis- charged at Camp Chase, Ohio. He had, how- ever, suffered much from exposure to the sun while in the service, and was thus rendered somewhat incapacitated for farm labor; but he worked on, nevertheless, until 1884, when he made a trip to Wales for the improvement of his health and also to visit a brother; but the climate of the old country was too damp for his constitution, and he soon returned to his farm and resumed his agricultural labors.
The marriage of Mr. Rees took place in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Hughes, who was born in Wales, April 19, 1835, a daughter of Richard and May (Williams) Hughes, and who, in 1838, was brought by her parents to America. The Hughes family, on reaching the United States, first located in Portage county, Ohio, where they resided about six years and then removed to Youngs- town, where Mr. Hughes acted as foreman about the coal mines until 1855. when he came to Putnam county, bought an improved farm, and here died July 28, 1894, having lost his wife about 1877. Mr. Hughes was a well edu- cated an ! intelligent gentleman, who had never
been used to labor in the old country, and was credited with a remarkable judgment as to live stock, of which he was very fond. He and wife were members of the Welsh Congrega- tional church, and the parents of nine children, viz: Elizabeth (Mrs. Rees), David R., Wini- fred, Gomer R. (died in the army), John (who served in the late war and died a year later). James F., Thomas W., Mary J. and Martha A. To Mr. and Mrs. Rees have also been born nine children, of whom one died young, the living ones being Mary, wife of Timothy Evans; Philip, a farmer; Janet, a dress-maker; Mar- garet, married to John J. Jones, a commercial traveler; Winnie, A., wife of John G. Jones, a farmer; Richard, a farmer; Mattie E, and Thomas J., both at home. Mr. Rees is highly respected by his neighbors as an industrious and intelligent husbandman, and is an upright and useful citizen, who is never behindhand when called on to assist in the promotion of any project designed for the good of the public.
NDREW REMLINGER, the son of Sebastian and Mary (Hoover) Rem- linger, was born on November 20, 1836, in Lorraine, then a part of France-Lorraine! which has so often caused ill feelings and not unfrequently wars between France and Germany for its possession. Though born where wars and strife were fre- quent, yet Mr. Remlinger is distinctively a man of peace, preferring rather the quiet of the farm to the noisy struggles of the city. His father and mother were both born in Lorraine, on January 20, 1806, and January 16, 1812, re- spectively.
Sebastian Remlinger, the father, received his education during odd times when he was not learning the wagon-maker's trade. He served eight years in the French army and in 1832 married Mary, the daughter of Anthony
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Hoover, who was a soldier of the first class in the French army. For fifteen years after their marriage the young couple lived in France, where the husband followed his trade. In 1847 they came to America and located in Milan, Erie county, Ohio, where he followed the trade of ship-building until 1859, when he moved to Wyandot county, where he bought a farm, on which he resided until April, 1865, when he came to Putnam county and pur- chased the farm where his son, the subject of our sketch, now lives. After 1879 he lived with his son until November 28, 1890, when death called him to follow his wife, who had died on February 14, 1877. They both were members of the Fort Jennings Catholic church. In politics he was a democrat. Their family consisted of twelve children: Thomas, de- ceased; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Philip, of Huron county, Ohio, who served in the late war; Peter, living in Norwalk town- ship, Huron county; Margaret, wife of Martin Swartzmiller, of Saginaw county, Mich. ; Chris- tine, wife of William Hedricks, a butcher of Delphos, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Burton, the foreman of the stave factory at Spencer- ville, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Anderson, of Norwalk, Ohio, and four deceased infants.
While yet in France, Andrew Remlinger was able to attend school but three months, but realizing his misfortune he has always sought every opportunity to improve himself in every way possible, so that he is now a well- read man. While yet a youth he learned the trade of ship-builder, and followed this trade from 1852 to 1865, and within this time he was employed by the United States as ship- builder at Nashville, Tenn., and Bridge- port, Ala.
On November 25, 1862, Andrew Remlin- ger married Lena, the daughter of Martin and Elizabeth Bruce, but she did not live long, dying Angust 22, 1864. In February, 1863,
the husband went to Alabama, where he was employed in the Federal service in the Tennes- see river until the close of the war, in May, 1865. He then returned to Toledo, Ohio, where he worked until the fall of that year (1865), and then went to Fremont, Ohio, where he worked for two months, then worked two weeks in Milan, Ohio, and then quit his trade and moved to Norwalk, Ohio, where he worked for five years, till 1871, in the railroad shops located there. He then lived a year on a farm in Erie county, Ohio. June 19, 1866, he married Mary P., the daughter of Jacob and Mary (Beyer) Haffel. the bride having been born in Peru township, Huron county, Ohio, March 21, 1843, her parents being Germans. In 1872 he bought a place in Jennings township. Putnam county, Ohio, and farmed it three years, and then bought the place where he now lives. His family consists of five children, viz: Lewis Peter, born April 28, 1867, an excellent young man, but in poor health, who farms at home; Charles P., born November 9, 1869, a farmer in Jennings township; William T., born March 23, 1873, a druggist at Ottoville; Cornelia Augusta, born February 12, 1876, and Henry, E., born September 17, 1880. In 1892 Mr. Remlinger built a fine large barn and otherwise improved his farm. His political affiliations are with the democratic party, and he has held the office of township trustee for twelve years and that of a school director three years. He and his entire family are devout and faithful members of the Catholic church. Among his neighbors he is popular and honored, and he is progressive, liberal and public spirited.
HOMAS W. PRENTISS, a promi- nent attorney at law of Leipsic, Put- nam county, Ohio, is a native of this county, and was born in Liberty town- ship, December 23, 1843, a son of Alonzo T.
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
and Ruth A. (McConnell) Prentiss. His pater- nal grandfather, Thomas Prentiss, a native of either Maine or Vermont, married Edna Ly- man, by whom he had one son, Alonzo T., who was later lost at sea, and who was the father of our subject. The maternal grand- father of our subject, Nicholas McConnell, was a descendant of the McConnells of Connecti- cut, was a captain in the war of 1812, and in 1834 came from Portage county, Ohio, to Put- nam county, and entered land in section 36, Liberty township, on which he made his home- stead, and also entered the east half of section 35, as well as lands in Ottawa and Greensburg townships, owning over 1, 200 acres, and clear- ing up his homestead and two other farms. He married Edna Alford, a native of Connec- ticut, whose parents were early settlers of Por- tage county, Ohio. To this union were born the following children: John E., formerly of West Leipsic, but now deceased; Olive J., wife of R. J. Lowery; Ruth A., mother of our subject: Sarah J., married to S. N. Alford. Nicholas McConnell was the first justice of the peace to hold office in Liberty township, and served for many years; he was also trustee and treasurer of the township, and in politics was first a whig and later a republican. He was the founder of the United Presbyterian church of Liberty township, and the church edifice was erected ou land of his donation. He was a ruling elder, and was a delegate to the synod at Pittsburg, whose deliberations resulted in the establishment of the United Presbyterian church of Leipsic, in the faith of which this venerable pioneer passed away in 1864.
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