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 49
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ber 30, 1893; Julia A., born December 5, 1812, the deceased wife of - Ellis Long, of Franklin county, died in 1849; Charlotte, born Decem- ber 5, 1815, deceased February, 1881; Su- sanne, the wife of Emanuel Conkle, of Indi- ana, was born October 4, 1817 (she made her home with Mrs. L. A. Rower, where she died March 7, 1892); Mahala, born August 10, 1819, and died in 1837; John, born June 15, 1821, and died June 28, 1853; William, the subject of this biographical sketch, and James, a re- tired farmer of Kalida; he was born February 9, 1826. At the time of this writing-January, 1896-there were thirty-three grandchildren and sixty-three great-grandchilden, and of this number seventy-one are now living.
William Rower, the subject of this sketch, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, August 5, 1823. He laid the foundation of his educa- tion in a log school-house in the neighborhood in which he was born. He worked on a farm, and when old enough received $3 per month for his work. On September 7, 1848, he mar- ried Eliza A., who was born May 8, 1830, the daughter of James and Sarah (Cable) Pearcy. James Pearcy, father of Mrs. Rower, was a native of Ohio, having been born in 1795, and followed farming and the carpenter's trade. He was a member of the United Brethren church, a republican in politics, and held the office of justice of the peace and other minor offices. He was a leader in public improve- ments, and every enterprise that had for its aim the welfare of the community at large re- ceived his undivided attention and support. In 1820 he married Sarah Cable, a native of Pennsylvania and then living in Franklin county. Their children were eight in number, named: Eliza A., of this mention; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Beary, of Sugar Grove, Ohio; William, of Georgia; Mary, wife of Sephariah Dildine, of Georgia, now deceased; James Tallman, of Frankhu county, Ohio; Malinda
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and Amanda, twin sisters-the first married to Edward Root, of Straightsville, Ohio; the sec- ond to Harrison Talhnan, of Franklin county. Their mother died December 8, 1891, and had been a member of the United Brethren church most of her life.
After his marriage Mr. Rower lived one year in Franklin county, and in September, 1849, he and his wife came in a wagon to Jackson township, Putnam county, and settled on a beautiful tract of wild woodland, which he had previously purchased, nicely situated in the valley of the Auglaize river. They at first tried living in a tent until they could clear a space and build a log cabin, but the season was a rainy one and the tent was not proof against the hard-beating rains, and they were forced to abandon it and go to the house of a neighbor until their own could be made ready. After assisting in erecting a home for his brother, Mr. Rower put up one for himself and moved his family into it, and cleared a good farm around it. Twelve children have been born to them, viz: Samantha J., the wife of George Reynolds, a farmer in Jennings town- ship; Jane M., who died in infancy; Sarah E., the wife of Richard Reynolds, of Jennings township; Susan Ellen, the wife of Benjamin Blakely, of Jackson township; John Tallman, of Union township; William H., now living on the old homestead in Jackson township; Lewis Albert, who mannfactures tile and runs a creamery in Ottoville; Elvin, also of Ottoville, Vallandigham, who was born in Jackson town- ship October 11, 1863. and was reared on his father's farm, but has, since April, 1894. been engaged in the livery business in Kalida. where he is quite successful; Amanda A., wife of J. R. Langston, of Pine Bluff, Ark; Nancy ( ., who died in childhood, and Gurchie M., wife of William Dunavan, of Kalida. From the time be settled on his farm Mr. Rower worked hard and improved it until 1889, when
when he retired from active work, and now enjoys the fruits of a well-spent life. He still keeps up his interest in agriculture, however. His political affiliations are with the demo- cratic party, and he has held the office of just- ice of the peace, and for fourteen years that of township trustee. He has always enjoyed the confidence and- esteem of his neighbors, and has always been foremost in anything which was for the good of the neighborhood. Both he and wife are members of the United Breth- ren church, and are now the oldest pioneers of the county, and many are the tales they can tell of the early hardships and privations which they underwent when they first came to this then new county.
'ILLIAM HENRY ROWER. Among the many excellent farms in Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, one of the finest and best is the old homestead of William and Eliza Ann (Pearcy) Rower, now owned and occupied by their son, William Henry Rower, a prominent and influential farmer, who was born on this farm on June 15, 1858, and under his father's guidance learned to be an excellent farmer and was also given a good education. On April 15, 1885, he married Clara, the estimable daughter of George and Mary (Hegner) Miehls, a biography of whom will be found on another page. She was born in Carroll, Ohio, in Feb- ruary, 1861, and was there educated. After marriage the hopeful couple located in Vaughns- ville, Putnam county, where for four years the husband was engaged in the saloon business, but, it not being to his liking, he disposed of his business and property, and on March 6, 1889, returned to Jackson township and bought the old homestead, where he hal been born and had spent his happy childhood days. This I farm consists of 105 acres of excellent farming
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land, under a fine state of cultivation. He has his home nicely and comfortably furnished, and the home is rendered most happy by the cheerful voices of their two bright daughters -Mary Zora, a blonde, born January 23, 1886, and Zella Theresia, a sparkling brunette, born April 18, 1888. Their mother is a member of the Catholic church and is a genial and social helpmate, a kind mother and lovable lady. The husband is always active in all affairs which concern the welfare of the neighborhood; he is progressive and sociable and is respected by all, and in politics Mr. Rower takes an active part in the democratic party.
RS. MARY E. ROWER is the widow of Lewis A. Rower, a younger brother of James H. Rower (see his sketch) and son of John and Nancy (Chandler) Rower. Lewis A. Rower was born in Putnam county, Ohio, November 6, 1851. When Lewis was quite young his father died, and his mother, after remaining five years on the homestead, took her children; Lewis, aged eight years, and James, ten years, to Franklin county, Ohio, where they lived on a farm, and where Lewis attended school when an opportunity offered itself. When twenty- one years of age (1872) he returned to the farm in Putnam county, on which he had been born, and on February 11, 1875, he married Mary Elizabeth Begg, the subject of our sketch, who was the daughter of John and Mary (Whyte) Begg, and was born in Franklin county, June 15, 1852. She was given a good educa- tion, and had taught school, being one of the best teachers in Franklin county at that time. Her father, John Begg, was born in Cumber- wauld, Scotland, January 4, 1806, his father being William Begg, who was a mmer of Scot- land, and who had married Elizabeth Cowie,
to whom the following children were born: Mrs. Rower's father, John Begg; William, of Putnam, county, Ohio, deceased; Alexander, who died in Scotland; James, Janet, Elizabeth and Elizabeth the second, all four of whom are deceased; Robert, of Columbus, Ohio, but now deceased, and his twin brother, who died in infancy; Isabelle, the youngest, also died in infancy. William Begg, the father of this family, came to America in 1844, with his son John, and made his home with his son Robert, in Buffalo, N. Y., until his death on june 21, 1849. His devoted wife survived him scarcely a year, dying May 5. 1850.
John Begg, the father of Mrs. Rower, had received a fair education in Scotland and had worked in the mines with his father. In 1835, while yet in Scotland, he married Mary Whyte, who was born near his home in june, 1813. and to them were born six children, a - follows: Millian, who enlisted in the late Civil war on August 15, 1862, in company A, Fiftieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed at Perry- ville, Ky. ; Thomas Begg, of Sugar Creek towp- ship, Putnam county, Ohio; Janet, who make her home with Mrs. Rower; John, a farmer of Allen county; James, who died February 14. 1852, and Mary E., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Rower's father remained in Scotland until 1844, when he came to America and settled on a farm in Franklin county, Ohio. In 1875 he sold his farm and moved to Allen county, where he passed the remainder of lus life, re- spected and honored by all, two years of lu- life being spent in retirement from active work He was a prominent member of the Presby- terian church, in which he was an elder from 1858 until his death, which occurred Septem ber 19, 1886. His wife was also a member of this church uptil her death, May 19, 1878. hai politics John Begg was a stanch republican; fraternally he was , prominent member of the Masonic order.
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LEWIS A. ROWER.
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
After their marriage the subject of our sketch went with her husband to live on the home farm, on which she and her family now live. This family consists of six children: John Sumner, who was born December 4, 1875, and died December 14, 1877; Thomas Harvey, born January 9, 1878, and who is now a young man of sterling qualities and remains at home with his mother; Mary Janet, born December 17, 1879, now a charming young lady; Lewis Edson, born March 3, 1882; Philip Alfred, born September 22, 1884; Mabel Alice, born December 20, 1886. The young couple went hard to work after settling on this farm and improved it very much, and in 1885 they built their substantial and handsome brick residence, but the husband lived only a short time to en- joy it, death calling him away on November 23, 1886, after an illness of three months. In politics Mr. Rower was a democrat, yet voted rather for the mnan than the party. He was not a member of any church, yet was a good christian man, liberal and charitable to desti- tute neighbors and all needy wayfarers whom chance might lead to seek temporary relief beneath his hospitable roof, never, indeed, failing to respond to any appeal for aid.
After the death of her husband Mrs. Rower bravely took up the work where her husband had left it. We only too infrequently give women the credit of the many sterling quali- ties possessed by those who at the death of their husbands continue their work successfully. Mrs. Rower is one of those who deserve very inuch credit for the success with which she has carried on all the affairs of a productive farm. She is a straightforward business woman, pos- sessed with decision and rare business tact. She is blessed with the comfort of an interest- mg family, to whom she gives all the advan- tages obtamable. She is liberal and public spirited, and her farm is one of the best and neatest in the county.
R. GEORGE B. RUMMELL, the leading veterinary surgeon of Ottawa, Putnam county, was born in Findlay, Ohio, June 20, 1867, and is a son of David and Mary (Reed) Rummell. David Rummell was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, September 13, 1827, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine Rummell, both of whom belong to old and well-known families of that part of the state. David Rummell was reared in his native county, and early learned the trade of bricklaying, with his father, which he followed for some time in his youth, but, at the age of seventeen, apprenticed himself to learn cabinet making, and before his twenty- first year was carrying on business for himself in partnership with H. K. Lee. Messrs. Run- mell & Lee located in Findlay, Ohio, in 1848, where they remained in partnership but a short time, Mr. Rummell purchasing his partner's interest in the spring of that year, and continu- ing in the furniture business until 1856. For a short time, he was not engaged in business, but subsequently embarked, the second time, in the furniture trade with which he is still identified. In addition to the cabinet trade, he also assisted in erecting some of the leading business houses and churches of Findlay, and at this time is one of the oldest furniture deal- ers of that city. David and Mary Rummell reared a family of six children, four of whom are living at this time, viz: Ella, wife of H. W. Everson; Jessie, wife of Isaac Faucht; W. R. and George B.
George B. Rummell was reared in Findlay, in the schools of which city his educational training was obtained, completing the pre- scribed course and graduating in the class of 1884. On quitting school, he engaged in chicken farming near the city of Findlay, in partnership with Walter Meeks, but contimed that business for a short time. after which he accepted a position as salesman in a grocery
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house, continuing in that capacity for a period of about eleven months. He then returned to his father's place of business, where he re- mained until 1891, in which year he entered the Toronto Veterinary college, Toronto, Canada, where he spent the greater part of one year. During the winter of 1892-93, Mr. Rummell attended the Ohio Veterinary college, at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 1893, and immediately thereafter located at Ottawa, where he has since practiced his profession with the most enconraging success. The doc- tor's reputation is much more than local, and he stands at the head of his profession, being recognized as one of the most skillful and thorough veterinary surgeons in Northwestern Ohio. He makes a speciality of surgery and dentistry and has performed many difficult and delicate operations, one of which was the re- 'noval of a cystic tumor, or tumor of the nose, the abnormal growth being ten and one half inches long by three and a half inches in diam- eter. This was indeed a skillful piece of sur- gery, and speaks much for the doctor's success in his profession. Mr. Rminmell has a com- plete hospital, furnished with all the latest ap- pliances, and it is the most completely equipped establishment of the kind in the northwestern part of the state, if, indeed, one more complete can be found throughout the entire state of Ohio.
Mr. Rummell was married September 20, 1888, to Miss Etta Struve, of Findlay, Ohio, the issue ot which marriage is one child-Earl, whose birth occurred June 12, 1890. Politi- cally, Mr. Rummell is a republican, and as such, takes an active interest in the success of his party. The family to which Mr. Rummell belongs is noted for longevity, his grandmother Rummell having reached the advanced age of ninety years, and his grandfather the closely approximating number of years, dying at the age of eighty-nine.
S AINT JOSEPH'S CONGREGATION, Fort Jennings, Putnam county, Ohio, 1832-96 .- The first Catholic family, which settled in Fort Jennings, was that of J. H. Wellman. He left his native country, the grand duchy of Oldenburgh, in 1830, and in the same year came to this place. It was then yet a part of the wild wood of Ohio. The fort which Gen. Jennings had built in 1812 and a few wigwams were the only structures in sight. Intending to found a Catholic settlement, Mr. Wellman bought sev- eral sections of government land, divided it into smaller portions, and offered them. on casy terms of payment, to those that were willing to follow him from his native country Many availed themselves of this opportunity to se- cure a cheap homestead, and most of them rank now among the well-to-do farmers of this county. These families were visited as early as 1834 by Rev. Prof. Horstmann, from Glan- dorf, Ohio, mass being said in a private house. But when the number of families had increased considerably, they found it necessary to build a church. Hence, in 1840, Catholics and Protest- ants agreed to erect a log house, to be used for church and school purposes; the former dur- ing the forenoon, the latter in the afternoon. As soon as the structure was finishe i Rev. Father Herzog was appointed the first resident priest in Fort Jennings in 1840. He remained but a short time, and it was again attended from Glandorf, successively, by Reve. Prof. Horstmann, Kunkler and Maximillian, of the Society of the Precious Blood, until 1846. The congregation increased rapidly. In 1845, Archbishop Purcell visited it for the first time. Seeing that the church was little adapted for religions services, he advised the people to build a new one. In following year, 1846, Rev. George Boehne was appointed their pas- tor. He was anxious to execute the plan of Archbishop Purcell, but was not able to do so
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
until six years later. In 1852 he laid the foundation of the present brick church, 40x60 feet. Money being scarce, the people aided the progress of building by working at it, every week, one or two days, gratis. Two years later, 1854, it was completed at a cost of about $2,000. and dedicated to Saint Joseph on the 24th of December In this new church Rev. George Boeline labored for six years with missionary zeal. In June, 1860, he was taken ill, and died three months later, September 20, in the four- teenth year of his pastorate at Fort Jennings. From October, 1860, until March, 1861, it was attended from Delphos by Rev. Wester- holt. Next came Rev. James Goebbels, who remained in charge till 1864. During his stay he built a steeple and the present pastoral residence. He was succeeded by Revs. E. Haemers, 1864-66; C. Viere, 1866-67; M. Mneller, who attended from Ottoville, 1867-70; L. Zimbnebl, 1870-73. Rev. Charles Barbier succeeded, September, 1873, and remained in charget ill his death, Anguet 23, 1876. Rev. J.A. Michenfelder was appointed, during whose pas- torate the main altar and a new organ were secured for the church. Rev. Michenfelder was succeeded May 10, 1879, by Rev. George Teter, and he remained till May, 1881. He was followed by Rev. James Heidegger till November, 1888. During his pastorate, the third new church, 132x55 feet, brick, trimmed with stone, gothic, with a beautiful steeple, was bainlt, with clock and three bells, stained glass windows, tower, pulpit, three fine altars, con- fessionals and sanctuary, railings, all of white ash, were obtained through a very liberal do- nation of Mr. Hellman, who donated a farm worth $4, 500 for that purpose. A great deal is due to the zeal and prudent management of Father Heidegger, that the present church projected and successfully finished at a cost of about $5.000, all included.
In November, 1888, Rev. Charles Brasch-
ler took charge of the congregation, is still the acceptable and gracious, pastor, and to him the publishers of this volume are indebted for the above information. In the fall of 1882, the foundation of the new church was built; in May, 1883, the laying of the cornerstone took place, and in May, 1884, the new church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. R. Gilmore. Oc- tober 8, 1895, a new cemetery was dedicated.
In this connection, the attention of the reader may be called to the sketch of the life of Rev. Father Braschler, on page 65, of the department of this volume allotted to Putnam county.
EWIS RUNKLE, one of the most thrifty and enterprising farmers of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Fairfield county, this state, August 15, 1849, a son of George and Magda- lene (Ware) Runkle. The father, George, was born in the same county in 1821, and was a son of George Runkle, who was born in Penn- sylvania of Dutch parentage and who was an early settler of Fairfield county, Ohio, whence he moved to Hancock county, and there passed the remainder of his days, dying a member of Lutheran church, of which his wife is also a inember. He had served in the war of 1812, was in all respects a worthy citizen and the honored father of the following children by his first marriage; George, who died in 1884; Betsey, Barbara, John (deceased), Mrs. Will- iam Crossley (deceased), Marie (Mrs. Dan Garling), Mrs. Hannah Four, Lewis, Mrs. Feller and Mrs. Plotner-both the latter de- ceased. George Runkle, father of our subject, was reared a farmer and blacksmith, and about 1832 married a Miss Ware, who bore one : hill, named Sammel, but now deceased The second marriage of Mr. Runkle was with Miss Mary Magdalene Ware, sister of his nrst wife, and to
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
this union were born six children, as follows: Jacob, Jerry and Daniel, all substantial farmers of Auglaize county, Ohio; Lewis our subject; George, of Fairfield county, and Sarah, wife of John Morehart, of the same county. After his marriage, George Runkle settled down to his trade in Fairfield county, and as a democrat filled the office of school director for a number of years, and both he and his wife died re- spected members of the German Reform church.
Lewis Runkle, the subject of this sketch, was reared to his present vocation in Fairfield county, and on December 24, 1875, married Loa Buss, daughter of Jacob and Annamira (Cope) Buss, natives of Monroe county, Pa., and of Dutch descent. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Runkle have been born four children, in the following.order; Jennie Catherine, May 10, 1877, and a teacher since her fifteenth year; Tressanna, November 28, 1880, and now in school; John Buss, July, 18, 1882, died Ang- ust 6, 1883, and J. D., January 11, 1890. Mrs. Runkle, the mother of these children, was born in Hancock county, Ohio, December 21, 1855; her father, who is still living, was born in 1831, and has been four times married; his surviving children are four in number, viz: Mary, wife of our subject; John, of Findlay, Ohio, Ella, wife of Oscar Pahner, telegraph operator of New Haven, Ind., and Elizabeth, wife of Edward Erk.
After his marriage, Lewis Runkle resided in Fairfield county, Ohio, one year, and in Nov- ember, 1876, came to Putnam county and located in Union township, on the bank of the Ottawa river, where he still lives on his re- modeled and highly improved farm. In his politics Mr. Runkle is a democrat. He has been school director for a number of years and is at present township trustee, to which office he was elected in 1890, and has also held sev- eral other township offices. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge, No. 464, of Colum-
bus Grove, having been initiated into fellow- ship in 1874, in Hancock county. His wife is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has reared her children in the same faith. Mr. Runkle is recognized as one of the most practical farmers of Union township, and as a breeder of Poland China hogs, of which he makes a specialty, has few equals. As an enterprising and public-spirited citizen he is universally respected, and, although yet a com- paratively young man, holds a leading position among the formost residents of Union township.
B EMP SAMSAL, a retired farmer of Union township, Putnam county, Ohio, was born in Fairfield county, this state, May 11, 1829, a son of Paul and Elizabeth (MfcBaugh) Samsal. The father Paul Samsal, was born in Berks county, Pa., November 15, 1789, of German parent- age on his father's side. Paul was educated in Philadelphia and learned the tailor's trade. His first marriage was with Miss McBaugh, a Quakeress, and of ten children born to this union, our subject is the only one living After his marriage Mr. Samsal moved to New Jer- sey, lived on a farm a short time, and then came to Ohio and located near Lancaster, Fairfield county, where he followed tailoring. His wife died November 24, 1834, and on the 5th of March, 1835, Mr. Samsal married Sarah Scoonover, who died the following No- vember, and on March 20, 1836, Mr. Sanısal married Mary Egbert, who became the mother of three childern, all deceased. About 1852, Mr. Samsal came to Putnam county, bought a farm on which he lived three years, then moved to another, where his third wife died February 8, 1860, aged fifty-two years. About 1862 he married, for his fourth wile, Rebecca Shannon, who still hves in Kalida. Mr. Samsal died May 27, 1865, at the age of sev-
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
enty-five years. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, a Freemason, and for twelve years served as constable.
Kemp Samsal was reared, educated, and taught the tailor's trade in Fairfield county. Ohio, and February 21, 1851, married Maria Swayze, daughter of Matthias and Polly (Pick- ering) Swayze, and in 1852 came to Putnam county with his father. The children born to this marriage were eight in number, viz .: An infant son, deceased; Mrs. Sereptor; Mrs. Jane Beam, of Pleasant township, Putnam county; Ellen, who died at three years of age; John, a farmer of Union township; Elizabeth, wife of Edward S. Holt, on the home place; Lafayette, who died at the age of twenty-five years, and Orphia, wife of Samuel D. Best, of Union township. The mother of this family was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, December 3, 1828, and her parents were also natives of the Buckeye state. After his marrige, Mr. Sam- sal farmed in Winchester, Ohio, for a short time, and in 1852 bought a farm in Union township, on which be still lives, and which comprises eighty acres. It was uncleared, but improved with a log cabin, in which he and family lived until 1883, when he erected his present handsome dwelling; he now owns 240 acres, of which 100 acres are cleared.
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