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 53
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EWIS SIMON, a leading farmer of Greensburg township, Putnam county, Ohio, is native born, dates his birth April 24, 1838, and is a son of John P. and Savilla Genshimer) Simon. The father was born in Germany near Knitingh un on the Rhine, and there married Miss Genshimer, who was also a native of Germany, and was I'm in 1812. This marriage resulted in the
birth of the following children: John, a farmer near Dupont, Ohio, who was a native of Ger- many; Catherine and Philip, both deceased; Lewis, the subject of this sketch; Jacob, who died in childhood; Barbara, wife of Michael Rinkle, of Dupont; Louisa, deceased; Sophia, wife of Rev. Philip Kesler, of Dupont; Mrs. A. L. Hauck, of Ottawa; Anna, wife of W. J. Varner, of Greensburg township; Savilla, the wife of J. W. Parnell, of Greensburg town- ship; Elizabeth, deceased, and John Adam, who died at the age of ten years.
About one year after their marriage, John P. Simon came to the United States and at first located at Philadelphia, remained there six months' time, then started westward in a wagon, and finally located in Richland comty, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of mini- proved land, and became one of the pioneers of that settlement, but this farm was subse- quently so damaged by a storm that at the end of three years he disposed of his prop- orty, and, loading his household effects inb a wagon, started again for the west and this time located in Putnam county, Ohio, in '836, where he purchased a tract of wild land on which he built a house of logs, and until :863 was closely identified with the agricultural in- terests of the county; failing health then caused him to relinquish the active duties of farm life and he embarked in the general mercantile trade at Ottowa, in which he was very suc- cessful. Mr. Simon was a Mason, having joined the Defiance lodge, but afterwarti be- came a charter member of the lodge at Ka- lida, and was held in high esteem by ail its members. For a number of years he held a commission in the state militia, and we an energetic and useful citizen, always ready to assist in any project designed for the sublic good. Previous to the war he was a stanch democrat, and later an independent; but I was frequently elected to il' the m'nor offices of
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
his township. His death took place April 29, 1888, having been a prominent member of the Presbyterian church; he was mourned as one of the pioneer citizens of the township and county, whose work stands as a monument of a busy, useful and well-spent life. He was three times married; his first wife, Miss Sa- villa Genshimer, the mother of his family, was a member of the Lutheran church, and died in 1856; a few years later he married, for his second wife, Mrs. Margaret M. Landis, which union resulted in the birth of one son, Adam, who was born in 1859. His third wife was. Mrs. Margaret Hedges, who died on March 25, 1895.
Lewis Simon, the subject proper of this sketch, was reared a farmer, which has been his life-long vocation. He obtained a limited education from the old-fashioned log school- house, but most of his knowledge has been self-acquired. On April 13, 1861, he married Miss Barbara M. Dangler, daughter of George and Fannie (Fender) Dangler, and to this union were born four children, viz: Anna, wife of H. J. Kirkendall; Veronica, wife of George Ridenour; John A. and Barbara M., who died in infancy; the death of the mother of this family occurred May 11, 1868, and her loss was deeply felt by her friends and relatives. Mr. Simon was next married, March 18, 1870, to Miss Jennie Apger, the daughter of John R. and Elizabeth Apger, she being a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born February 10, 18.47. This marriage has been blessed by the birth of seven children, as follows: Mary L., who died October 31, 1876; Charles E .; Chester 1 ..; Ora A .; Lewis W .; Blanch; Ralph B., and an infant that died unnamed. Since his mar- riage Mr. Simon has been identified with the agricultural interests of Putnam county, and his farm gives evidence of his spirited enterprise and progress; he frequently visits the southern and eastern markets with his products, and never
fails to learn a useful lesson during his absence. He is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 325, at Ottawa, Ohio, also a member of the United Brethern church and an active Sunday- school worker; politically he affiliates with the prohibition party, and has filled several local offices in a most satisfactory manner.
John R. Apger, the father of Mrs. Simon, was born in New Jersey in 1816, a son of Isaac Apger, also a native of New Jersey, and of sterling English descent. Isaac Apger was one of the pioneer farmers of Carroll county, Ohio, and in 1847 moved to Wood county, then an unbroken wilderness, from which he wrested a farm that later proved to be the pride of the county, and on which he died sometime in the 'fifties. John R. Apger was educated in New Jersey, was reared a farmer, and also learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked occasionally. when not em- ployed in farming. In 1837 he married Eliz- abeth Atchley, a daughter of Isaac and Anna (Van Horn) Atchley, natives of New Jersey, but later residents of New York. These chil- dren were born to this marriage, viz: Mary C .; Mrs. Lewis Simon; Mariom N; Isaac N., deceased; Anderson S., who was a soldier and was wounded at Mossy Creek; Alletty A., de- ceased, and Lizzie, also deceased. Mrs. Eliz- abeth Apger was born in New Jersey m 1812, and moved with her parents to New York, where her marriage took place. In the year 1865, Mr. Apger settled in Carroll county, where he farmed for ten years, and then moved to Wood county, Ohio, and entered a tract of land which he cleared and improved, and for a time taught school. He lost his first wife March 25, 1865, she dying a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Apger was next married, in Wood county, in 1866, to Mrs. Matilda Wyckoff, and to this nion were born four children, viz: Benton, Parl J .. Cloise, and Blanche. Mr. Apger was a dem-
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ocrat in politics, and for years was a justice of the peace, and always a useful and respected citizen. His death occurred May 12, 1882, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
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ERRICK SKIVER, of Monroe town- ship, Putnam county, Ohio, has been identified with the interests of this township for many years, while his ancestral history touches the very early pioneer epoch in the annals of this state.
David Skiver, grandfather of our subject, was born about 1786 in Pennsylvania and set- ted in Tusciawas county, Ohio, in the early pioneer days, but, npon attaining maturity, united his life destinies with those of Sarah Warner, and took up his abode in Defiance county, at a time when that section was yet almost a primitive wilderness, entered land from the government, and was one of the first settlers, there having been only a few log cabins erected in the county, affording homes for but little more than a dozen families. The forest still abounded with game and the Indians disputed dominion with the beasts of the field. After the arrival of Mr. Skiver and his family, the Indians made frequent visits to their cabin and for six years they maintained a camp near the family home. At the present time it is almost impossible to conceive the trials and hardships which these sturdy pioneers were compelled to endure, but their courage was in- domitable, and Mr. Skiver lived to bring his farm of eighty acres into an excellent state of cultivation and to reap the rewards of his assiduous labor. In politics he was a demo- crat of the Jacksonian type, and hell a number of the more important township offices. Mrs. Skiver was a member of the Christian church, an ! she lives to attain a remarkable longevity, Lang 114 years of age at the time of her death, while her husband passed the psalmit's span,
being eighty-four years of age when he died. They were people of utmost integrity, high intelligence and absolute honor, and were well known and highly respected in the section where so many years of their lives were passed.
Isaac Skiver, the father of our subject, was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, March 12, 1826, was reared to maturity on the pioneer homestead and early became familiar with the work of reclaiming a farm from the wilderness, finding his chief diversion in hunting, in which line both he and his father enjoyed a notable distinction for their prowess -- many a deer and bear, as well as smaller game, le ving fallen before their unerring rifles It is worthy of note that the father paid for the land in Highland township, Defiance county, which he had secured from the government, by the sale of coon hides, and it is scarcely necessary to state that he and his family endured many hardships and privations. though their hie was not without its elements of pleasure. Isaac Skiver was united in marriage to Mary A. Wheeler, who was born in Germany May 14, 1830, and their children in order of birti were as follows: Merrick, subject of this review; Margaret, wife of James Van Vlerah; Regina, wife of John Alspangh; G. Henry; Josephine, wife of William Austin; Clara, wife of William Davies; Caroline A. ; Jane, deceased; Emma. wife of Adam Stork; and Hannah, vorfe of John James. The parents are still living in Defiance county, owning a fine farm of 120 acres in Highland township. The father is a stalwart democrat andl is a man of influence in the community, while the mother is a member of the Christian church They are among the old and honored pioneers of that counts, and still reside upon the place where they settled.
Merrick Skiver was born in Highland town- ship, Defiance county, Ohio, June 25, 1849, and was reared to ran's estate on to, old pioneer homestead, and it is a significant fact
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that he has never severed his allegiance to that vocation which is his by inheritance. He re- ceived a good common-school education and this has been effectively supplemented by his practical association in the affairs of life. On the 19th of August, 1873, he was united in marriage to Rosella Donaldson, who was born in Union township, Putnam county, October 21, 1853. the daughter of Aaron and Sarah A. Donaldson. Of the children of our subject and his wife we make the following record: Ollie; Elsie; Lavern, deceased; Annie, deceased; Florence: Maud; and Violet.
At the time that our subject first settled down on his present farm of eighty acres, the same was swamp land and was entirely unre- claimed, but so ably has he directed its im- provement and cultivation that the place is now one of the finest and most productive in his section of the state, and equipped with a thorough system of drainage; seventy acres of the tract are under cultivation and yield good returns. Mr. Skiver has seen this county transformed from a wilderness into one of the most favored and prosperous sections of the Buckeye commonwealth, and the change is one which he can not but view with satisfaction, the while taking just pride in the results of his own efforts. In his political adherency our subject is a supporter of the democratic party and its principles, and religiously he lends financial assistance to the United Brethren church, of which his wife is a devoted member.
ENRY SITES, the well known farmer of Blanchard township, Putnam conn- tv, Ohio, is the eldest son of Robert and Sarah Sites, and was born in Bellville, Ohio, December 6, 1828. His grandfather, also christened Henry, was of German descent, was a blacksmith, gunsmith and farmer, and married Miss Mary Dunlap.
of Scotch-Irish extraction, to which union were born seven children, named as follows: John, George, Katy, Polly, Betsey, Hannah and Robert. The father of this family was laid to rest in Virginia, while the mother died in Richland county, Ohio.
Robert Sites, the youngest child of this family, was born in Botetourt county, Va., in 1804, and was reared to the trade of carpenter. In 1826 he came to Ohio and located in Rich- land county, and for some time he worked at his trade in Bellville; about 1829 he pur- chased forty acres of land in Jefferson town- ship, to which he added until he became the owner of a neat, well-cultivated farm of ninety- seven acres, and on this farin he died in 1891. But this was not his only possession. on the contrary, he was an owner of landed estate more than that possessed by the ordinary farmer, to-wit: Another tract in Jefferson township, of 160 acres; in Hancock county, a tract of 240 acres; in Blanchard township, Putnam county, eighty acres; in Van Buren township, the same county, eighty acres, and in Monroe township, the same county, eighty acres. Mr. Sites was a democrat in politics, and for twelve years served as justice of the peace; he was a devoted member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, in which he took much interest, and in public affairs he was also deeply interested and especially active in politics. To his marriage with Sarah, daughter of Nathan Fidler, of Knox county, Ohio, the following children were born: Henry, our subject; Rev. Nathan, of the Methodist Episcopal church, who was sent as a missionary to China in 1861, and there died in 1895, after thirty-four years of faithfully performed and ardnous duty in church work; John is the fourth child; Mary, deceased wife of Lewis Young, and James, of Richland county. The mother of this family died a sincere Christian in 18, 1, and left a void in the family that was never . fterward filled.
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Henry Sites, our subject, was reared to farming, and in 1852 settled upon 160 acres of the paternal property in sections 34 and 3, in Blanchard and Van Buren townships, Put- nam county. This land he has cleared up, has made all the improvements, has occupied it until the present time, and controls, beside, another tract of eighty acres, all of which give evidence of his superior skill as a farmer. Mr. Sites was married to Miss Harriet P., daughter of Ezra Alward, but he had the misfortune to lose his helpmate in 1891. Of the five chil- dren born to this union three died in infancy, the survivors being Emma J., wife of Jacob Mullen, and Mattie M., wife of Daniel Sheidle. Mr. Sites is quite popular in his township and has filled the office of trustee and other offices of less consequence. He is recognized as be- ing a first-class farmer and as a good, useful citizen, whose word may always be relied on, and as being ready at all times to aid any work designed to promote the welfare and progress of his township and county.
PILLIAM M. SLOAN, farmer of Mon- roe township, Putnam county, Ohio, is of Scotch-Irish descent, his grand- father, a native of Ireland, having married a Scotch lady and having come to America in an early day. He settled in Knox county, Ohio, took part in the war of 1812, and died a Jacksonian democrat and a highly respected citizen. His son Absalom, father of our subject, was born in Knox county, Ohio, and was brought up a stone-mason. He mar- ried Agnes Grimes, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Morris Grimes. The chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Absalom Sloan were named in the following order: Abraham H., Wilson S. , William M., Ruth A. (deceased) . and Harrison R. The parents of this family lived in Knox county, Ohio, until 1860, when
they came to Putnam county and settled in Hartsburg, where they both died -- the father in February, 1893, a member of the Methodist church, and in politics a republican.
William M. Sloan, our subject, was born in Knox county, Ohio, October 13, 1845, received a good education and was reared to farmning until nineteen years old, at which early age he enlisted, September 14, 1864, in company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he took part in the cam- paigns in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, receiving an honorable discharge July 25, 1865. On his return from the war he continued his farming on the home place and married, June 14, 1870, Mary J. Robinson, who was born in Wayne conaty, Ohio, a daughter of Stephen and Barbara Robinson. The children that blessed this happy union were named, in order of birth, Agnes E., wife of Charles James, and Chadies W., deceased. The mother of these two chil- dren died September 14, 1873, a member of the United Brethren church, and the second marriage of Mr. Sloan took place October .: 6, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Waugh, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 6, 1847, a daughter of John and Minerva (Lawrence) Waugh. To this union have been born five children, viz: Minerva R., John A., Evalana (deceased), Mary J. and Fannie E.
Ever since his first marriage, Mr. Sloan has resided in Monroe township, where he owns an extremely well cultivated farm of eighty acres, and where he has for the past seventeen years run a threshing machine. ile has, unaided, made his present property, and through his steady habits has won the respect of his neighbors and the general public. He is a member of G. A. R. post, No. 777, of Oakwood, but has never manifested any dispo- siton to hold office, citper in his fraternal .- tions or in those of the republican party, with
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which he votes. He is contented to devote his attention to the affairs of his farm and family, and in the performance of those friendly offices and amenities of life which bind close together members of an agriculture community, and to pass a life of quiet among the neighbors and friends in whose esteem he has so high a standing.
a W. SMITH, editor and publisher of the Leipsic Free Press, is a son of John and Mary Jane (Boylan) Smith. John Smith was a son of Nimrod and Mary (Sauer) Smith, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania and settled in Stark county, Ohio, at an early day. Subsequently he removed to Hancock county, where he died, his death being caused by the accidental discharge of a gun, from which he was trying to extract the ball. Nimrod Smith was one of the true pioneers of his day, and was very fond of hunting, combining in him- self the two spirits that paved the way for the settlement and civilization of this country --- that which cleared the land of its surplus tim- ber and the other which destroyed the wild beasts of the forest.
John Smith, the father of W. W. Smith, was born November 19, 1826, in Stark county, Ohio. He was reared a farmer, and in 1859 settled on 120 acres of land in Blanchard township, Putnam county, near Gilboa, in which latter place he now resides, having re- tired from active business life. John Smith was married twice-first, June 14, 1849, to Miss Jane Boylan, who died August 28, 1851; to them were born two children, viz: Maroa J., wife of Irvin Blair, of Hubbard, lowa, and W W., the subject of this sketch. His second wife was Miss Susan Farver, to whom he was married Way 25, 1854. To this marriage there have been born seven children, viz:
Mary E., born March 5, 1855, married to a Mr. David Hoskins, and died September 5, 1880; Eugene F., born February 28, 1857, and died April 6, 1877; Clarissa A., born December 5, 1858, and died February 26, 1873; Benjamin M., born March 27, 1862, and died September 25, 1863; Norris A., born March 18, 1864, and died March 31, 1877; Cora M., born January 12, 1867, and married to Otto Harman; Burton S., born January 16. 1870, and died March 29, 1877.
W. W. Smith, the subject of this sketch, was born April 5, 1850, in Hancock county, Ohio. He moved with his father to Putnam county in 1859, where he was reared on a farm. His primary education was obtained in the common schools, and subsequently he at- tended high school at Findlay, Ohio, and Hei- dleberg college at Tiffin, Ohio. For a munn- ber of years he followed school-teaching in his county, and in 1578 established the Leipsic Free Press, which he has since conducted, and in connection therewith he has one of the finest equipped job printing offices to be found any- where in the county. Politically Mr. Smith is a democrat, and in 1894 he was appointed postmaster at Leipsic, Ohio, which office he is still filling. Fraternally he is a Mason, and is a member of Ottawa chapter and council; he is also an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. On August 27, 1874, he married Miss Viola Banghman, daughter of Abraham and Jane (Boak) Baughman, who settled in Van Buren township in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two children, viz: Clyde L., born Angust 31, 1878, and George F., born June 14, 1888. Mr. Smith is one of the live, energetic members of the democratic party in his county, always taking an active interest in its success and general prosperity. Broad minded and liberal in thought, he concedes to all the qualities of honesty and integrity in their opinions, whether they agree or differ
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from him in their conviction. For this, he clearly sees, which many do not, is the only way to have the same qualities conceded to him. Occupying the position he does, as editor of a paper, he is in a position to im- press this thought upon the public mind.
J AMES HARVEY ROWER, one of the most prominent farmers of Jackson township, Putnam county, Ohio, a man possessed of many of the noblest quali- ties which man can be possessed of, was born in this county, on the farm on which he now lives, on July 1. 1850. He is the son of John and Nancy (Chandler) Rower, the former of whom was born in Franklin county. Ohio, June 15, 1821, his father being Christian F. B. Rower. (See sketch of Wm. Rower).
Joli Rower was reared on a farm in Frank- lin county and whenever an opportunity was offered him he attended school; the time was thus passed until he was twenty-six years of age, when he married, March 9, 1847, Nancy Chandler, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, who was born January 21, 1825, of Irish parentage. Soon after his marriage he moved to Putnam county, where he owned some un- cleared land. There were no railroads then by which they could travel in comfort to their home; the journey of a week or more had to be made with heavy wagons and over rough roads. The young and hopeful couple reached their land, but there was no house to shelter them; the husband, however, set resolutely to work to build a small cabin and clear a small place around it. He continued to clear and bought additional land, and soon had a good tarm. Here four children were born to the happy couple: Elizabeth M., born January 30, 1848, and ched September 16, 1849; James Harvey, the subject of this review; Lewis Al- fred, deceased (see sketch of Mary E. Rower),
John was born in 1854 and died the same year. The father passed the remainder of his days on this farm, which was the result of his own honest toil. He was a member of the Baptist church, and in politics cast his vote with the democrats, by whom he was intrusted with the office of township treasurer, which office he held at the time of his death, which occurred on June 28, 1853. For five years after the death of her husband the wife continued to live in Putnam county; she then returned to her old home in Franklin county and married John Rager, and two children were born to them: Alice, the deceased wife of Ion Dil- dine, and Edson, now living in Franklin county; the mother died September 20, 1886.
Mr. Rower, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm and given a schooling in Franklin county. When eighteen years of age he left the parental roof determined to hold his own destiny with his own hands. For three years he worked in a grist-mill. He then, February 9, 1871, married Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Mary A. (Friesner) Stuckey, both of whom were natives of Ohio, of German descent, and were living in Fair- field county when their daughter, Elizaly th, was born, January 30, 1847. After their mar- riage the young couple, with bright prospects before them, on February 15, 1871, moved upon the farm where the husband was born. Only about one-half of the farm had been cleared by his father. The son determined that he would out-do his father and clear up the remainder. He set to work cheerfully, and with perseverance he soon saw wide fields of golden grain waving in the sun where but a short time before almost impenetrable forests had stood. He placed on his farm fine stock and good buildings, and the beautiful and com- fortable home he built in 1873; he uses the best modern machinery to cultivate his land and reap the harvest. The children born to
MRS. J. H. ROWER.
J. H. ROWER.
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Mr. and Mrs. Rower were five in number: John A., who died in infancy, Frank, who was born on March 4, 1877; Alice, whose bright face first saw light November 27, 1879; an in- fant, deceased, born November 24, 1881, and Emma, born April 30, 1885. Mr. Rower has always been identified with ever advantageous interest of the neighborhood, and has given his family all the comforts and advantages that money could buy. Honesty and progression have been his watchwords, and no man is trusted or respected more than he. He is one of Putnam county's most public-spirited citi- zens, and while looking well to his interests, he still finds time to help others, and no really doserving one goes from him without aid of some kind, either from his well-filled purse or with good advice and consolation. He is an active member of the Baptist church, and in political life he is an active worker for the in- terests of the democratic party. He has been intrusted with the office of township trustee for six years, was land appraiser in 1890, and is now justice of the peace; other minor offices have also been held by him. Fraternally he is a member of the I. O. O. F.
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