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 1 > Part 2
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Rower, L. A 468
Smith, W. W.
507
Raabe, H .. 428
Rower, Mrs. M. E ... 468
Speaker, A.
518
Raabe, H. C. 427
Rower, W. 466
Speaker, Mrs. H. W. 518
Raabe, J 425
Rower, W. H 467
Speaker, X
517
Radabangh, B. P
Rummell, D. 471
Spencer, J. S. 516
Radabangh, J. M 4:32
Rummell, G. B 471
Spencer, R. G 516
Nenfer, S .. 393
Nichols, A. 394
Rager, J
433
Runkle, L
473
Fronte, 6.
486
Mathile, P 358
Paul, A. L 405
Rice, E.
5
Seitz, D). 496
-497
Matthews, N. E 360
Pfahler, J. G 406
Rice, M 453
Seitz, J 496-498
Matthias, J. 357
Pitson, F 407
Ridenour, Mrs. C. 455
Shafer, D. A
491
Melvin, W 361
Plettner, J 412
Plettner, O. L 412
Ridenour, I 458
Shane, J.
493
Poast, J. 418
Ridenour, J. 456
Ridenour, J. F
457
Shank, C., Jr 494
Miller, J 0-372
Pope, H. 414
306
Rimer, G. D.
454
Shenk, MI.
423
Moore, J.
373
Pratt, J. 308
Robbins Family. 461
Simon, L
502
Morris, H. 374
Price, B. A 417
Robbins, W. 462
Sites, R. 505
Skiver, D. 504
Mueller, M. 369
Murphy, D
229
Prowant, C 418
Rockey, V 463
Sloan, A.
506
Myers, G ..
391
Prowant, E 423
Prowant, J.
418
Myers, J. D.
Smith, J., Jr .. 511
Myers, J. F
(maintance, 1) 424
Quaintance, E. F 4:24
Rower, C. F. B. 466
Smith, S. 515
Myers, S. . . . . 379-380-386
Myers, S., Jr. :392
Myers, S. H 386
Nenfer, E. 393
Rager, Mrs. H.
395
Reed, W. F 435
436
McGinley, C 69
Nutter, C. C.
395
Rees, T.
Recker, H
434
Saint Mary's Catholic Church . . 364
Sakemiller, C. 208
McElderry, R #46
Norton, J.
Reed, M.
McElderry, W 347
Nutter, C.
Owens, D. F 397
Owens, J. 1
397
Remlinger, S.
437
. . Schmitschulte, H. W 477 477 Schmitschulte, J.
Reynolds, A. 451
Reynolds, Mrs. E 448
Schroder, C ..
485
Mark, M. 858
Palmer, T 404
Reynolds, J. 452
Reynolds, R. 448
Schulien, M.
487
Patrick, I 431
Reynolds, R. S 447
Schurer, A
486
Maidlow, J .. 351
Otte, G. H. 396
Rekart, W. J.
446
Maidlow, J. A. 351
Remlinger, A.
437
Parrott, J. S. 118
Patrick, W 431
Rice, A. V 5
Schurer, B
Shane, W. 493
Sherrick, K. 495-
495
Moore, J. J.
Prentiss, A. T. 441
Robbins, C. 462
Moeller, I
Price, Mrs. R 417
Skiver, 1. 504
Price, W 416
Rockey, A. 462
Smith, J. . . . 507-511-612
Roose, J
Smith, 1 .. 515
Rower, J. H. 508
Smith, W.
Sroufe, D. 524
Runkle, G .. 473
Saint Joseph's Con-
McDonnel, J. W. 344
Nienberg. B. H. 394
Mc Dowell, J 845
Nigsch, F. A. 385
Miller, H 870
Powell, D. N
Rimer, F. S. 454
12
INDEX.
PUTNAM COUNTY BIOGRAPHIES.
Sroufe, G. W 522
Troyer, 1). W 544
Watkins, J. 564
Wing, H., Jr 587
Sroufe, H. 523
Troyer, H. 541
Watkins, J. H .. 566
Winkel, R. 591
Staley, 1
524
Trover, J
541
Watkins, W. W. 563
Winkel, W 591
.Staley, J ..
525
Troyer, J. M. 543
Watterson, G. O. 567
Winkelman, J 592
Stauffer, M.
90
Tudor, H.
545
Watterson, J. 567
Winkelman, M. 593
Sterrett, R. 83
Stevick, E. 526
Umstead, E. 237
Watterson, S. 567
Wisterman, G. J. 598
Stevick, F. S. 526
Uphaus, J. G 561
Weaver, I). M. 573
Weaver, J., Jr. 572
Wollam, S 594
Stirn, G
527
Uphaus, J. P. 561
Weaver, J. M 573
Woodell, J.
Wygant, E. L. 597
Straman, J. H. 532
Vandemark, 1). 546
Welty, P .. 568
Wygant, L
597
Straman, I.
532
Vandemark, D., Sr .. 546
Welty, P. P.
563
Yarger, J 602
Stump, A.
583
V'an Vlerah, E. 552
Wendell, H. F
574
Yarger, P.
601
Stump, J.
533
Van Vlerah, S .. 552
Werner, C.
578
Yarnell, 1). 602
Summerland, W. R .. 534
Varner, 1. 547
Werner, J ..
578
Yarnell, J. 602
Summerland, W.R., Sr 534
Varner, J. 547
Werner, T. J.
581
Yenner, 1). 603
Summers, T .. 531
Vaughn, J .
553
Wight, C. E
595
Young, H.
604
Summers, W. P .. 531
Vaughn, Mrs. E.
553
Wight, R.
595
Young, W. H. 604
Sweeney, J. 538
Vaughn, M
553
Williams, B. 584
Williams, D. L. 581
Zebold, A. M 605
Veach, W.
554
Williams, E.
584
Zebold, G ..
605
Sybert, R ..
535
Sybert, W
536
Thomas, A. %
551
Von Lehinden, B. 556
Williams, J .. 5.82
Zeller, W. S. 608
Thomas, I) 536
Von Lehinden, H .... 556
Williams, S. O
585
Zinnerly, Mrs. A. B .. 609
Thomas, D. M 551
Thomas, E. 1). 536
Thome, J 537
Thome, N
537
Wannemacher, J.557-563
Wing, A.
587
Troyer, A. J.
542
Watkins, E.
564
Wing, H.
586
PUTNAM COUNTY PORTRAITS.
Andrews, H. M.
17
Ford, Mrs. J. G. 170
Myers, Mrs. Margaret. 378
Roberts, R. W 489
Auseon, J. B.
24
Gander, L ..
179
Myers, Samuel. . 387
Saint Mary's Catholic Church 366
Seitz, S 499
Smith, A. 520
Brumley, J.
72
Holtz, L. E.
234
Prowant, J
419
Summers, J. W 529
Clevenger, J
8.
Huber, H. .
283
Prowant, Mrs. J.
419
Sweeney, T. J.
539
Clevenger, B. F.
91
Hummon, A
244
Prentiss, T. W
439
Thomas, A. Z. 550
Crawfis, H. M
102
Kahle, 1. H.
261
Raugh, H. F
449
Uphaus, J. H. 560
Crow, S.
108
Kinder, G. 1).
271
Rice, A. V.
5
Welty, P. P 569
Darling, J.
112
Krauss, W. C. G.
291
Rice, C. H.
8
Werner, J ..
579
Day, H. M.
122
Krohn, S. P ..
802
Ridenour, I.
459
Douglass, C. F
140
McClung, J. C .. 337
Rimer, J.
479
Winkel, W. 590
Drerup, J. H
150
Matthias, A. C .. 356
Rower, J. H. 509
Ellis, F. N
160
Mueller. M. .. 367
Rower, Mrs. J. H. 509
Ford, J. G.
170
Myers, James
390
Rower, 1 .. A
-
Godfrey, C. M .. 328
Ogan, N. W 399
Blodget, W'
44
Guffy, W 205
Oberbeck, A 409
Boxwell, J. N
Harris, P. W. 216
Patrick, J.
430
Zebold, G., Jr. 605
Vincke, F.
555
Wiltians, G. C. 582
Zeigler, 1). 606
Vincke, J. H .. 555
Williams, H. 581
Zeigler, P ... 606
Williams, T.
5.84
Zinnerly, C 608
Wannemacher, B ... 563
Wineman, G. 588
Zinnerly, J 608
Wannemacher, C .... 557
Wineman, G. S 588
Zuercher, 1
571
Stirn, J
527
Strauss, M.
21
Van Vlerah, Mrs.C.A 552
Wendell, D. F.
574
Summers, J. W .. 528
Varner, W. J. 548
Whitis, Mrs. A.
300
Yenner, H. D 603
Sweeney, T. J .. 538
Sybert, B.
535
V'eacn, M. L. 554
Veach, W., Jr.
554
Williams, F. S .. 585
Wollam, J 594
Stevick, J 526
Uphaus, J. H. 562
Weaver, S. P 571
Watterson, J. D. 568
Wisterman, D). 598
Wineman, G 588
Basinger, J. C. 34
PRESIDENTS
OF THE
UNITED STATES.
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
EORGE WASHINGTON was born in Westmoreland county, Va., Febru- ary 22, 1732. His parents were Augustine and Mary (Ball) Washing- ton. His great-grandfather, John Washing- ton, came from England to Virginia about 1657, and became a prosperous planter. He had two sons, Lawrence and John. The former married Mildred Warner and had three children, John, Augustine and Mildred. Augustine, the father of George, first married Jane Butler, who bore him four children, two of whom, Lawrence and Augustine, reached maturity. Of six children by his second marriage, George was the eldest, the others being Betty, Sam- uel, John Augustine, Charles and Mildred.
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his eldest son, Lawrence, he bequeathed an estate on the Potomac, afterward known as Mount Vernon, and to George he left the parental residence. George received only such education as the neighborhood schools afforded, save for a short time after he left school, when he received private instructions in mathematics.
He was an acknowledged leader among his companions, and was early noted for that nobleness of character, fairness and veracity which characterized his whole life.
When George was fourteen years old he had
a desire to go to sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, but through the opposi- tion of his mother the idea was abandoned. Two years later he was appointed surveyor to the estate of Lord Fairfax. In this business he spent three years. In 1751, though only nineteen years of age, he was appointed ad- jutant with the rank of major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for active service against the French and Indians. Soon after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence died, leaving a large fortune to an infant danghter, who did not long survive him. On her demise the estate of Mount Vernon was given to George.
Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as lieutenant-governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia was reorganized, and the province divided into four military districts, of which the northern was assigned to Washington as adjutant-general. Shortly after this a very perilous mission was assigned him. This was to proceed to the French post near Lake Erie in northwestern Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, and the journey was to be made withont military escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The trip was a perilons one, and several times he came near
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
26
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
losing his life, yet he returned in safety and furnished a full and useful report of his expe- dition. A regiment of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in command of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was then begun against the French and Indians, in which Washington took a most important part. In the memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Braddock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the day with life and honor. The other aids of Braddock were dis- abled early in the action, and Washington alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped unhurt, though death was leveling my companions on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken direct aim at him several times, and failed to hit him. After having been five years in the military service, he took advantage of the fall of Fort Duquesne and the expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, to resign his commission. Soon after he entered the legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an active and important part. January 17, 1759, he married Mrs. Martha (Dandridge) Custis, the wealthy widow of John Parke Custis.
When the British parliament had closed the port of Boston, the cry went up through- out the provinces that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a congress of all the colonies was called to meet at Philadel- phia, September 5, 1774, to secure their com- mon liberties, peaceably if possible. To this congress Col. Washington was sent as a dele- gate. On May 10, 1775, the congress re- assembled, when the hostile intentions of Eng-
land were plainly apparent. The battles of Concord and Lexington had been fought. Among the first acts of this congress was the election of a commander-in-chief of the colo- nial forces. This high and responsible office was conferred upon Washington, who was still a member of the congress. He accepted it on June 19, but upon the express condition that he receive no salary. He would keep an exact account of expenses and expect congress to pay them and nothing more. The war was conducted by him under every possible disad- vantage, and while his forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion and match- less skill, he gained liberty for the greatest nation of earth. On December 23, 1783, Washington resigned his commission as com- mander-in-chief of the army to the continental congress sitting at Annapolis, and retired im- mediately to Mount Vernon.
In February, 1789, Washington was unani- mously elected president. In his presidential career he was subject to the peculiar trials in- cidental to a new government; trials from lack of confidence on the part of other govern- inents; trials for the want of harmony between the different sections of our own country; trials from the impoverished condition of the coun- try, owing to the war and want of credit; trials from the beginnings of party strife.
At the expiration of his first term he was unanimously re-elected. At the end of this terin many were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 1797, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there his few remain- ing years free from the annoyance of public life. Later in the year, however, his repose seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to take command of the armies. He chose his subordinate officers and left to
JOHN ADAMS.
29
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
them the charge of matters in the field, which he superintended from his home. In accepting the command he made the reservation that he was not to be in the field until it was neces- sary. In the midst of these preparations his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling in his throat, produced inflam- mation, and terminated fatally on the night of the 14th. On the 1Sth his body was borne with military honors to its final resting place, and interred in the family vault at Mount Vernon.
The person of Washington was unusually tall, erect and well proportioned. His features were of a beautiful symmetry. He commanded respect without any appearance of haughtiness, and was ever serious without being dull.
J OHN ADAMS, the second president and the first vice-president of the United States, was born in Braintree, now Quincy, Mass., and about ten miles from Boston, October 19, 1735. His great-grandfather, Henry Adams, emigrated from England about 1640, with a family of eight sons, and settled at Braintree. The parents of John were John and Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His father was a farmer of limited means, to which he added the busi- ness of shoemaking. He gave his eldest son, John, a classical education at Harvard college. John graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the school in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a "school of affliction," from which he endeavored to gain relief by devot- ing himself, in addition, to the study of law. For this purpose he placed himself under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He was well fitted for the legal profession, pos- sessing a clear, sonorous voice, being ready and fluent of speech, and having quick perceptive
powers. In 1764 he married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his marriage (1765) the attempt of parliamentary taxation turned him from law to politics. He took initial steps toward holding a town meeting, and the resolu- tions he offered on the subject became very popular throughout the province, and were adopted word for word by over forty different towns. He moved to Boston in 1768, and became one of the most courageous and prom- inent advocates of the popular cause, and was chosen a member of the general court (the legislature) in 1770.
Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first dele- gates from Massachusetts to the first conti- nental congress, which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himself by his capacity for busi- ness and for debate, and advocated the move- inent for independence against the majority of the members. In May, 1776, he moved and carried a resolution in congress that the colo- nies should assume the duties of self-govern- ment. He was a prominent member of the committee of five appointed June 11, to pre- pare a declaration of independence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but on Adams devolved the task of battling it through con- gress in a three days' debate.
On the day after the Declaration of Inde- pendence was passed, he wrote a letter to his wife which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "the greatest question was decided that ever was debated in America; and greater, perhaps, never was or will be decided among inen. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, that these United States are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states.' The 4th of July, 1776, will be a memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations,
30
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty God. It ought to be solemnized with pomp, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illu- minations from one end of the continent to the other, from this time forward for ever. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to main- tain this declaration, and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means; and that posterity will triumph, although you and I may rue, which I hope we shall not."
In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was ap- pointed a delegate to France to co-operate with Benjamin Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money from the French government. He left France June 17, 1779. In September of the same year he was again chosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readiness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce with Great Britain, as soon as the British cabinet might be found willing to listen to such proposals. He sailed for France in November, from there he went to Holland, where he negotiated important loans and formed important commercial treaties.
Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed January 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed threw him into a fever. After suffering from a continued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he was advised to go to England to drink the waters of Bath. While in England, still drooping and desponding, he received dis- patches from his own government urging the necessity of his going to Amsterdam to nego- tiate another loan. It was winter, his health
was delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through storm, on sea, on horseback and foot, he made the trip.
February 24, 1785, congress appointed Mr. Adams envoy to the court of St. James. Here he met face to face the king of England, who had so long regarded him as a traitor. As England did not condescend to appoint a ininister to the United States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accomplishing but lit- tle, he sought permission to return to his own country, where he arrived in June 1788.
When Washington was first chosen presi- dent, John Adams, rendered illustrious by his signal services at home and abroad, was chosen vice president. Again at the second election of Washington as president, Adams was chosen vice president. In 1796, Wash- ington retired from public life, and Mr Adams was elected president, though not without much opposition. Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded by Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics.
While Mr. Adams was vice president the great French revolution shook the continent of Europe, and it was upon this point which he was at issue with the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their power of self-governinent, and he utterly abhorred the class of atheist philosophers who he claimed caused it. On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence origi- nated the alieniation between these distin- guished men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies were with England, and Jefferson led the other in sympathy with France. In 1824, his cup of happiness was filled to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest station in the gift of the people.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
33
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
The 4th of July, 1826, which completed the half century since the signing of the Dec- laration of Independence, arrived, and there were but three of the signers of that immortal instrument left upon the earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is well known, on that day two of these finished their earthly pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. Adams had been rapidly failing, and, on the 4th, he found himself too weak to rise from his bed. On being requested to name a toast for the customary celebration of the day, he ex- claimed "INDEPENDENCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew what day it was? . He replied, "Oh, yes; it is the glorious Fourth of July-God bless it-God bless you all." In the course of the day he said, "It is a great and glorious day." The last words he uttered were "Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, resigned his spirit into the hands of his God. The personal appearance and manners of Mr. Adams were not particu- larly prepossessing. His face, as his portrait manifests, was intellectual and expressive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his manners were frequently abrupt and uncour- teous.
HOMAS JEFFERSON, third presi- dent of the United States, was born April 2, 1743, at Shadwell, Albemarle county, Va. His parents were Peter and Jane (Randolph) Jefferson, the foriner a native of Wales, and the latter born in Lon- don. To them were born six daughters and two sons, of whom Thomas was the eldest. When fourteen years of age his father died. He received a most liberal education, having been kept diligently at school from the time
he was five years of age. In 1760 he entered William and Mary college. Williamsburg was then the seat of the colonial court, and it was the abode of fashion and splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then seventeen years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine horses, and was much caressed by gay society, yet he was earnestly devoted to his studies, and irreproachable in his morals. In the second year of his college course, moved by some unexplained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had previously given much time. He often devoted fifteen hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for exercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out of the city and back again. He thus attained very high intellectual culture, and excellence in philoso- phy and the languages. The most difficult Latin and Greek authors he read with facility.
Immediately upon leaving college he began the study of law. For the short time he con- tinued in the practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distinguished himself by his energy and acuteness as a lawyer. But the times called for greater action. The policy of England had awakened the spirit of resistance of the American colonies, and the enlarged views which Jefferson had ever entertained soon led him into active political life. In 1769 he was chosen a member of the Virginia house of burgesses. In 1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beautiful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow.
Upon Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shad- well, there was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected for his new home; and here he reared a mansion of modest yet elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernon, became the most distinguished resort in our land.
34
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.
In 1775 he was sent to the colonial con- gress, where, though a silent member, his abilities as a writer and a reasoner soon be- came known, and he was placed upon a num- ber of important committees, and was chairman of the one appointed for the drawing up of a declaration of independence. This committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Rob- ert R. Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was appointed to draw up the paper. Frank- lin and Adams suggested a few verbal changes before it was submitted to congress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made in it by congress, and it was passed and signed July 4, 1776. What must have been the feelings of that man-what the emotions that swelled his breast-who was charged with the preparation of that declaration, which, while it made known the wrongs of America, was also to publish her to the world, free, sovereign and independent!
In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to Patrick Henry, as governor of Virginia. At one time the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to Monticello, to capture the governor. Scarcely five minutes elapsed after the hurried escape of Mr. Jefferson and his family ere his mansion was in possession of the British troops. His wife's health, never very good, was much injured by this excite- ment and in the summer of 1782 she died.
Mr. Jefferson was elected to congress in 1783. Two years later he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to France. Return- ing to the United States in September, 1789, he became secretary of state in Washington's cabinet. This position he resigned January 1, 1794. In 1797, he was chosen vice president and four years later was elected president over Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as vice president. In 1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, and George Clinton, vice president.
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