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 54
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J ACOB SMITH, JR. - The potentiality of the individual in any specific case is to be shown, no matter in what line of effort he directs his endeavors-whether it be in the electrical field or commerce where competition is rife, in the councils of the state or nation, where are directed the policies which concern the public interests, or in the quieter province which has to do with regain- ing from mother nature the benefices she has in store -- there is certain to be a measure of success attained if the efforts be consecutive and Parbest.
The subject of this sketch is recognized as 27
one of the most prominent, progressive and prosperous farmers of Union township, and it is with satisfaction that we accord him repre- sentation in this work. He was born in San- dusky, Ohio, February 16, 1840, being the son of Jacob and Mary (Meyers) Smith, to whom more definite reference is made in the biog- raphy of our subject's brother, Joseph Smith, appearing on an another page in this volume. He was a child of two and a half years, when, in 1842, his parents moved to Putnam county, where he was reared to farm life, receiving his education in the public schools. His father had purchased an unreclaimed tract of land, and in his youth our subject assisted in the work of clearing away the timber and bring- ing the farm to a high state of cultivation.
On the 3rd of February, 1870, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Bernidina Rieamann, daughter of John and Clara Rieamann, and to this marriage have been born five children: Mary, wife of Joseph Osterhage, of Kalida, Charles, born December 25, 1879, at home; Lewis, born August 27, 1881; Clara, born May 27, 1884; and Nora, born April 14, 1888. The wife of our subject was born in Greens- burg township, this county, on the 22d of Jan- uary, 1847, and her parents are still residents of this township.
For two and one-half years after his mar- riage, Mr. Smith continued to reside on the parental homestead, and then removed to the place where he now lives, the same being con- tiguous to the old home farm At the time he assumed possession of this place it was but partially cleared, and until 1885 the family maintained their abode in a primitive log-cabin. Prosperity crowned the efforts of Mr. Smith, and in the year noted he gave a tangible evi- dence of this by the erection of his present handsome and commodions residence, which is of modern architectural design and which af- fords a home where they enjoy the comforts and
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many of the luxuries of life. The entire family are communicants of the Catholic church.
Although a supporter of the principles of the democratic party, Mr. Smith has been averse to holding public office, though for some time he served efficiently as township supervisor. Though repeatedly urged to become a candi- date for offices of public trust, he has invariably declined. He has attained a position promi- nence and influence in the county, being one of its inost prosperous agriculturists and one who holds the confidence and esteem of all who recognize his sterling worth of character.
J OSEPH SMITH, who is recognized as one of the most prosperous farmers of Union township, Putnam county, is a son of Jacob and Mary (Meyers) Smith, and was born in Sandusky, Ohio, on the 29th of June, 1842. He traces his lineage to stanch old German stock, his father been born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, on the 19th of March, 1806, the son of Nicholas Smith, a farmer and a prominent member of the Catho- lie church. He reared a large family of chil- dren, six of whom are still living, as follows: Joseph, Anthony, Frank, Christina, Mary and Mina.
Jacob Smith, father of our subject, was reared on a farm in his native fatherland, and there received his education and eventfully ac- quired the trades of marble-cutter and brick- mason. His ambition finally overstepped the limitations which were set in his native land, and, in 1836, he emigrated to America and located at Sandusky, Ohio. Three years later he assumed the responsibilities of the married estate, by taking unto himself a wife in the person of Mary Meyers, daughter of Martin. She was born in Switzerland, on the 16th of September, 1815, and while she was still very young her parents died, and in 1837 she came
to America, and two years latter married Jacob Smith. They became the parents of four chil- dren, viz: Jacob, a farmer of Union township, Putnam county; Joseph, to whom this memoir is dedicated; Mary, wife of Jacob Lobenthal, a prominent lumber dealer of Henry county .; and one daughter who died in infancy. After his marriage Jacob Smith was engaged in work- ing at his trade, and in connection with this carried on farming operations. His advent in Putnam county dates back to November 1, 1842, and upon his arrival here he settled in Union township, where he entered eighty acres of government land, which he reclaimed and improved and brought into a high state of cul- tivation. The old homestead now figures as the home of the subject of this review. From that early time, when he essayed the subduing of the wilderness, until the time of his de. th, which occurred March 18, 1891, Jacob Smith continued to be identified with the agricultural interests of Putnam county, and was a mian whose correct methods and absolute probity gained and retained to him the good will and confidence of the community. In his political proclivities he was a stanch democrat, and re- ligously was a devout member of the Glandorf Catholic church, as is also his estimable widow, who now retains her home with our subject.
Joseph Smith was reared to the free and independent life of a farmer and was afforded such educational advantages as could be se- cured in the public schools of the county. February 18, 1873, occurred his marriage to Theresia Kahle, daughter of John Frank and Delia Bernidina (Wilberdean) Kahle, the former of whom was born in Germany in the year 1802, being reared and educated at Glandorf, and coming to America at the age of thirty- three years. He located in Greensburg town- ship, Putnam county, Ohto, where he entered a section of government land, reclaimed the same and evolved pro luetive fields. He was
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twice married, the maiden name of his first wife having been Jane Meyer, and she bore him one son, Gustavus, who died while in service during the late war. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Kahle married Delia B. Wilber- dean, danghter of George Wilberdean, and of the offspring of this union seven children are still living: Delia, wife of William Mough; Elizabeth. wife of Henry Steckshulte; Frank, a farmer of Greensburg township; Theresia, wife of our subject; Ignatius, a banker of Ot- tawa; Paulina, wife of Henry Recker, and Mary, wife of John Schroeder, of Greensburg township. The mother of Mrs. Smith was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1816, came to America at the age of sixteen years and located in Jennings, township, Union county, where she was eventually married. She died Jan- uary 31, 1890, aged seventy-five years. Mr. Kahle was a democrat in politics and held many important offices of public trust in the gift of his party. His death occurred in April, 1876. To our subject and his wife six chil- dren have been born, viz: Mary, January 9, 1874; Bernidina, August 2, 1876; Helena, February 1, 1880; Pauline, deceased in in- fancy; Molly, born April 17, 1884; Frances, July 12, 1887. Mrs. Smith was born in Greensburg township, Putnam county, on the 19th of May, 1853, and was here reared and educated; she and the other members of the family are communicants of the Glandorf Catholic church. The town of Glandorf was named in honor of Mrs. Smith's father, who was one of the prominent and influential men of this county.
After his marriage our subject located on his old homestead, where he has since resided. Seven years ago he erected a commodions and attractive residence which is fitted with those modern improvements and accessories which contribute so much to the comfort of life. The beautiful home is one notable for its hospital-
ity and is a favorite resort for parties made up of representatives of the best families of Kalida and other towns of the vicinity. Mr. Smith is a stalwart democrat, is progressive and public- spirited and is one of the most popular resi- dents of this section of the county.
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S ALATHIEL L. SMITH is one of the substantial and prosperous men of Putnam county, and owns a fine farm of 200 acres in Monroe township. His paternal ancestry traces back to Scotch origin, while on the maternal side his lineage is Ger- man. His grandfather, Robert Smith emi- grated from Scotland in the year 1810, being still a young man and unmarried. He first settled in the state of Maryland, and some years later married Elizabeth Little, of Penn- sylvania, and after this event they lived in that state a few years and then removed to Harri- son county, Ohio, and later to Tuscarawas county, being among the early and honored pioneers of the state. Their children were Mary., Adam, John, Leonard, Robert, Harvey, and David, who met his death in the. late war of the rebellion. The parents were Meth- odists in religion and both died in Tuscarawas county.
Adam Smith, father of our subject, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in June, 1821; he married Margaret Shouse, who was born in Carroll county, October 20, 1820. After their marriage they settled in Harrison county, later moved to Decatur county, Ind., finally re- turned to Ohio, and took up their abode in Tuscarawascounty. In 1860 they came to Put- nam county and settled in Monroe township, where, in the primitive wilderness, they pur- chased a farm of eighty acres, and prepared to make for themselves a home. Wild game was plentiful, but settlers were few and far between.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Mr. Smith was compelled to cut away the timber before he could find sufficient space to erect his modest log cabin, and it is needless to say that the little pioneer family had to en- counter all the hardships and privations of life on the frontier. Mr. Smith was a stanch re- publican in politics after the war issue came up, and was an ardent anti-slavery man. He was prominently identified with the Methodist church, and he and his wife were charter members of the first organization of that de- nomination in Monroe township. They were honest, industrious and God-fearing people, who endeavored to rear their sons and daugh- ters to lives of honor and usefulness. Mr. Smith was chaplain in the grange for many years. He died in November, 1880, and his · widow, who has now attained the venerable age of seventy-five years, still retains her home on the old homestead, being vigorous in both inind and body. Adam Smith was one of the most honored pioneers of this section, and was well known all over this portion of the county. Of the children, Sylvester died about the age of twenty years, having seen a brief service in the late war; Mary E. died at about the age of fourteen; Commodore; Salathiel L .; Arthur T., Lettie J., wife of Conrad Denis; Lorenzo and Sanford (twins), concerning whom individ- ual mention is made on another page; Madison J. D. and Edson, both of whom are deceased. S. L. Smith, our subject, was born in De- catur county, Ind., February 25, 1852, and was reared to farmning. He aided in clearing his father's farin, and also his own. In his youth educational advantages were limited, but he availed himself of such opportunities as were offered, and to-day he is a man of broad general information. May 19, 1881, he was united in marriage to Ellen Ranes, who was born in Defiance county, Ohio, August 13, 1863, a daughter of Wilkins and Mary E. (Tucker) Ranes. Her parents were married
in Allen county, Ohio, and after a few years they removed to Defiance county, where they resided for several years, and then took up their abode in Putnam county, this being in the year 1862; the father became the owner of an eighty-acre farm in Monroe township, and this he brought into effective cultivation. In politics he was a democrat and held a num- ber of offices in the gift of his party. Both he and his wife are devoted members of the Christian church, in which he was a deacon for many years. Their children were named as follows: Lemuel, William H., Elizabeth, Theopilus, John, James, Sarah (wife of Henry Sanford), Ellen (wife of subject), M Cather- ine (wife of John Spencer), Rebecca (wife of Harry Hartone), Joseph and Daniel. Our sub- ject's children in order of birth are: Delbert Elva J., Zella (deceased), Letha and Zelma. After his marriage, Mr. Smith settled on a part of his present farm, his possessions in the township now comprising an area of 200 acres, of which 120 acres are cleared and in a high state of cultivation, the place being well equipped with permanent improvements in the way of substantial buildings, which out subject has himself erected, while on the farm is kept a fine grade of live stock.
Mr. Smith is a stanch republican and has been trustee of his township on three hifferent occasions. He has also served as township treasurer, having maintained a lively interest in political affairs of a local nature. Mr. Smith: is a zealous member of the United Brethren church. Our subject is one of the most suc cessful farmers and most extensive land own- ers in the township, and his success is partic- ularly grateful to note, from the fact that he is the architect of his own fortune, having gained his marked degree of success largely through his own efforts, with the faithful aid and en. couragement of his devoted wife. He is one of the most highly honored and most influen-
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tial men of this section of the county and is well entitled to a full representation in this connection.
LORENZO AND SANFORD SMITH. It is with a feeling of distinctive gratification that the publishers refer in this work to the life history of two brothers, who are unmistakably to be numbered among the prominent and influential farmers of Putnam county, and whose ancestral his- tory has been one of intimate identification with the pioneer epoch in the annals of this state-tonching the period when were essayed the initial steps in reclaiming this now favored section from the sylvan wilds which character- ized the locality in the pioneer days. Robert Smith, grandfather of our subjects, was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to America in company with his brother William. They were still young men at the time of their leaving their native land, and were unmarried, and upon arriving here they settled in Somer- set county, Pa., and there engaged in work at the tailor's trade. Robert Smith married Elizabeth Little, a native of that county and a daughter of Adam and Mary Little. They remained in Pennsylvania until the family circle had been brightened by the appearance of three children, when, in 1826, they removed to Harrison county, Ohio, subsequently taking up their abode in Tuscarawas county, where they passed the remainder of their days. In his politics Robert Smith was an old-line whig, and in their religious faith he and his wife were stanch adherents of the Presbyterian church. Their children in order of birth were as follows: Adam, Leonard, Mary A., Thomas, John, Robert B., Harvey and David.
Adam Smith, the father of our subjects, was born in Somerset county, Pa., June 26, 1821, and accompanied his parents on their
removal to the Buckeye state. He was reared to maturity on a farm and is his later life he never severed his allegiance to this im- portant and honorable line of industry. His education was such as was afforded in the common schools of the place and period, and and he was but a small boy when his parents moved to Ohio. . Later he removed with them to Carroll county, where, in the year 1844, he was united in marriage to Margaret Shouse, who was born in that county, on the 3rd of October, 1820, the daughter of Barnard and Rachael (Palmer) Shouse; the former of whom came from Pennsylvania to Carroll county at the age of sixteen years, and was there en- gaged in teaching until his eldest grandchild had attained sufficient age to come to him for instruction. He also became the proprietor of eighty acres of land, which he cultivated suc- cessfully. In politics he was an old-line whig and he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. They eventually moved to Decatur county, Ind., and there remained until their death. The children of Adam and Margaret Smith are as follows: Sylvester, de- ceased; Mary E., deceased; William C .; Sala- thiel L .; Arthur L .; Lettie J., wife of J. C. M. Doenges; Lorenzo and Sanford (twins); Madi- son S. and Edson E., deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Smith resided in Carroll county two years, and then moved to Tuscarawas county, where they remained until the fall of 1859, when they re- moved to Hancock county and there remained one year, after which, in the spring of 1860, they removed to the farm where our subjects now reside and where the venerable mother still retains her home. At the time of their coming to this place `the land was a veritable wilderness, and when it is stated that in the family there were nine small children, it may be imagined that strong hearts and willing hands were demanded in providing for the maintenance of the family, and that there were
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many hardships and vicissitudes to be endured. They cleared up the land and made for them- selves a good home and an honored name in the community. The old homestead comprises 240 acres, has a good dwelling house and other permanent improvements, and is one of the most fertile and productive places in this sec- tion. In his political proclivities Adam Smith was an old-line whig and subsequently identi- fied himself with the republican party. The honored father, to whom was extended the ut- most filial solicitude, entered into eternal rest on the 17th of November, 1880, full of honors and of good works, and a devoted member of the Methodist church, of which his estimable widow is still a member.
Lorenzo and Sanford Smith, who are twins, were born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, April 16, 1857, and they were but two years of age when their parents moved to Putnam county. Ever since that early age they have been res- idents of Monroe township and have seen it transformed from a wilderness into its present fertile and productive condition, and have themselves contributed toward the reclaiming of the old home farm. They were rocked in a republican cradle and have never deviated from the political faith which was instilled in their minds. They still remain with their mother on the old homestead farm, and to- gether here own 120 acres, and forty acres lo- cated further west in the same township. They are devoted to their mother and to their farm- ing interests, and in their efforts have been duly successful, being numbered among the progressive young men of the township.
ALPHI G. SPENCER, a leading mer- chant of Kalida, Ohio, is a native of the place, born January 26, 1844, a son of Jabez S. and Sarah (Parker) Spencer. Jabez S, Spencer was born in Bol-
ton, Conn., May 6, 1806, a son of Jabez S. and Charlotte Spencer, also natives of Con- necticut, and of English descent. Jabez S., Jr., father of subject, was reared to farming, was also a school-teacher in his native state and for two years in Pennsylvania, and then in Findlay, Ohio. In 1834 he came to Put- nam county and entered a large tract of wood- land, which he converted into a good home, and also followed teaching. October 26, 1837, he married Miss Sarah Parker, daughter of Joshua and Deborah (Couplan) Parker, the union resulting in the birth of seven children, viz: Selden M., Lorenzo and Charlotte E., deceased; Ralph G., our subject; Putnam, . Jabez, and Alvina A., deceased Mrs. Sarah - Spencer was born in Knox county, Ohio, April 18, 1818, her father having been a soldier in the war of 1812 and a pioneer of Knox county. Her death took place December 19, 1881. After his marriage, Jabez S. Spencer, Jr., was elected county recorder, which office he held until his death, July 23, 1853: he had also served several years as justice of the peace, and in politics was a democrat.
Ralph G. Spencer was educated in the Ka- lida schools and his first employment was as a clerk. April 22, 1869, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Fredericka, daughter of Will- iam and Julia (Dress) Furnham. T > this union have been born five children, viz: Ja- bez C., born May 1, 1870, was educated to business at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., became dep- uty auditor of Putnam county, Ohio, has been an elder in the Presbyterian church ever since his twentieth year, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity; Pearl, who was born Jan- mary 31, 1872, is a leading worker in the church and Christian endeavor, and is popular and influential in the church in which she moves; Ralph G., bom October 1, 1875, is a student at the Ohio State university; Frederick, born March 24, 1878, a book-keeper in Mat-
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OF PUTNAM COUNTY.
thews & Rice's bank, of Ottawa, and Guido was born November 6, 1883. Mrs. Fredericka Spencer was born in Bremen, Ohio, August 11, 1845; her father was a native of Holland, and was born about 1817; after doing the usual four years' military service he was ordained a minister of the Lutheran church; to his mar- riage with Julia Dress, a native of Germany, were born eight children, three of whom are still living, viz: Guido, a distinguished physi- cian of New York city; Charles, a lumber dealer of Australia, and Fredericka, wife of our subject; of the deceased, four were named Julia, Minnie, William and John, and an infant, who died unnamed, was the fifth.
Rev. William Furnham came to America in 1829, and accepted a charge at Springfield, Ohio; he was then stationed at Toledo, Ohio, until 1841, and then at Bremen, Ohio; seven years later he was transferred to Fort Jennings, Putnam county, where he did good and faith- ful ministerial work until his death, a year later, in 1849. His wife was also a member of the Lutheran church, in which all the chil- dren were baptized, and in this faith she died in July, 1855. Mrs. Fredericka Spencer was primarily educated in Kalida, and in 1863 entered the Oxford (Ohio) Female institute, where she passed two years; she is a leading member of the Presbyterian church, and her children have all been baptized in the same faith.
Ralph G. Spencer, after his marriage, engaged in buying and selling stock at Kalida, in addition to farming. In 1871 he and his brother Putnam embarked in mercantile busi- ness at the stand which they still occupy, and which they enlarged in 1878, their business having prospered in a remarkable degree. Mr. Spencer is not a member of any church, although he is liberal to all churches, as well as to all enterprises of usefulness and worth. Politically he is a democrat, and served as
township treasurer two terms and as a mein- ber of the school board a number of years, still holding the position. He is esteemed as an upright business man, and as an enter- prising and public-spirited citizen, whose gen- erosity is proverbial and whose integrity has never been impugned. Following is a brief summary of the Spencer family in America.
William Spencer was in Cambridge in 1631-one of the first settlers of Hatfield, Conn .; was married in England to Agnes - about 1633; she afterward married William Edwards of Hatfield, who died in 1640, Samuel, married Sarah ---- -, who died April 24, 1706; he died in 1716; Samuel, inar- ried Hepzibah Church at Hatfield, September 16, 1696. She died September 13, 1745 He was born in 1668, died March 26, 1748; Edward, married Sarah Chapman of East Haddam, Conn., April 8, 1737; she was born September 8, 1720, died September 13, 1786. He was born April 29, 1711, died March 26, 1790. Simeon Spencer, of Bolton, married Abigail Dart February 27, 1777; she was born December 6, 1757; he was born August 13, 1749. Jabez Selden, married Charlotte Day November 11, 1804; she was born 1776, she died April 30, 1867; he was born December 27, 1780; he died September 16, 1865. Jabez Selden Jr., married Sarah Parker; he was born May 6, 1806, and died July 23, 1853.
IMROD SPEAKER, of Belmore, Put- nam county, Ohio, is one of the most prominent and successful mer- chants in the township of Van Buren. He was born in Licking county, Ohio, March 21, 1841, was reared a farmer, was well edu- cated in the common schools, and in 1857 came to Putnam county with his parents, of whom further mention will be made a few lines be- low. In 1861 Nimrod Speaker, leaving the
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parental roof, began the practical business of life for himself, which afterward resulted in a for- tune -- self-earned, but obtained not without some reverses. He first chopped wood for a year at Behmore, then contracted for cord-wood and timber, doing some of the chopping him- self, and made some money, but failed to save it. In 1865, however, he was married, and he then saw the necessity of hoarding his earnings.
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