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 32
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CLAY HART, M. D., physician and surgeon of Spencer township, Allen county, has been a resident of Allen county since 1851. His birthplace was Troy, Ohio, where he first saw the light of day July 19, 1841. He is a son of Levi and Sarah Sewell (Tullis) Hart, natives of New Jersey and Virginia. The Harts date back directly to the singers of the declaration of independence. The father of Dr. Hart was one of a family of seven children and followed the calling of a mechanic until he came west, when he located on a farm and remained upon it until his death in 1865. He was a true Christian in life and a member of the society of Christians, to which he gave his time and money freely. The mother died February 26, 1886. Their family consisted of four children -Frances C., Dorisa Ann, Clay (our subject) and John B., who died in infancy.
Dr. Hart's early life was spent on the farm and he was educated in the schools of Delphos. After his school-days were over, he became a book-keeper, but at the breaking out of the war he enlisted-August, 1862, in company F, One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was mustered out at Evansville, Ind., July 6, 1865. He held the office of post- adjutant for nearly a year and a half. Owing to poor health he was held on detached serv-
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ice and was once given his discharge by President Lincoln, but refused to accept it, and, as an outcome of his refusal, received a letter from the executive, praising and com- mending him for his patriotism. After the war he tried farming, but after a year or so of experiment found the work was not congenial, and began reading medicine and took a course of lectures in the Philadelphia university, grad- uating in the spring of 1869. In April of the same year he came to Spencerville, Ohio, and engaged in the practice of his profession. After remaining here twenty years he went to Monticello, Van Wert county, Ohio, where he spent two years. but his health failing he re- turned to his farm in Spencer township, which he had purchased in 1884, and which consisted of 160'acres. When Dr. Hart bought this land there were but three acres cleared, but at the present time 110 acres are under good cul- tivation. Upon this he erected a pretty house and good and ample barns for stock and grain. devoting the place to general farming.
In April, 1889, the doctor was married to Elizabeth V. Rathgeber, daughter of Jacob Rathgeber, of Spencer township. In politics the doctor is a stanch and active republican and desires nothing better in the way of a political creed than this party offers. While living in Spencerville he was a member of the council, a member of the board of education and chairman of the building committee when the present school-building was built. Noth- ing more need be added than that Dr. Hart is an all-around useful man, and as such he is re- garded in the community in which he lives.
a HARLES FREDERICK HARTER, a member of the Delphos (Ohio) city council and one of the leading citizens of that place, is a native of Weingot- ten, Baden, Germany; and was born on Feb-
ruary 1, 1849. His parents were Charles Frederick and Elizabeth (Hecker) Harter, both of whom were natives of Baden. In May, 1854, they came to America, locating at San- dusky city, Ohio. The father was a cabinet- maker by trade, which trade he followed in Sandusky city until his death, which occurred in 1864, in his forty-fifth year. The mother died in 1883. To the parents eight children were born, five of whom are still living.
Charles F. Harter was five years old when brought to America. He was reared in San- dusky city, and received a German education. At the age of fourteen years he began the trade of chair-making and the painting trade, but after learning them he became tired of them, and took a position in a wholesale furniture store in Sandusky city. In 1855 he went to Evansville, Ind., where he spent several months. Returning to his old home he went to work in a spoke manufactory, where he learned that business, remaining there at work two years; he next went to Toledo, where he took charge of a spoke room, and remained there about six months. In January, 1873, he came to Del- phos and went to work for the Ohio Wheel company, taking charge of the spoke depart- ment of that factory, where he has since con- tinued. Mr. Harter has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and in 1891 was placed on the ticket by the republican party as a candidate for city councilman from the Fourth ward, and was elected. He was re-elected in 1893, and his term will expire in 1896, the the terms being for two years each. He has served on different committees, and is now chairman of the finance committee. Frater- nally, Mr. Harter is a member of the National Union and Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Harter was married February 1, 1876, to Miss Martha Lilhan Waterburg, the daugh- ter of George Oscar and Louise (Harpel) Waterburg. Mrs. Harter was born in Delphos
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March 30, 1860. George O. Waterburg was a native of Connecticut, and came to Delphos in '841, when this city was known as section "o. 10. His wife was born in Pennsylvania. He was a member of company D, Seventy- eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, enlisting Sep- tember 24, 1864, and died in the service on March 22, 1865. His wife died June 11, 1892. To Mr. and Mrs. Waterburg nine children were born, six of whom are living. To Mr. and Mrs. Harter five children have been born, as follows: George Frederick; Arthur Burkel, Alice Leona, Lucile and Cliphord Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Harter are members of the Pres- byterian church.
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ERRITT HARVEY, one of the ok and highly respected citizens of Spencerville, Allen county, Ohio, was born at Bennington. Vt., Octo- ber 20, 1824. Appollis, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Massachusetts in 1796 and --- his mother, Mary (Rockwood) Harvey, also a Bay state woman, was born in 1800. . After their marriage they moved to Vermont, where ; Merritt Harvey, of this biography, was born. Appollis Harvey was of English descent, being a direct descendant of John Harvey, of good old Puritan stock and was one of three brothers, John, Jonathan and Benjamin, who ! emigrated to America during the colonial his- tory, about the time the Mayflower came over. After many years of active busines- life in the cast, where he was engaged in extensive oper- ations of various kinds, he came to Cincinnati, !" 1843, in the employ of a land syndicate. In Piqua, Olio, he rented 'an oil-mill and oper- a' al it successfully for some time. Later, after many business ventures, he purchased a canal-boa, which ran between Cincinnati and Fort Wayne, Ind., and for two years did a flourishing business, bet en route from Cincin -!
nati to Fort Wayne, in December, 1847, his boat was frozen solid in the canal at Spencer- ville, where he unloaded a part of his goods, and took the rest to Delphos, Ohio. Owing to constant exposure and hardships he contracted pneumonia, and from its effects died February 29, 1848. He was a man with a career, and his life deserves a place in the best history of the state, but limited space forbids more than brief mention here. Six children were born to him: William R., Parmelia, Merritt (our subject), Sarah A., Albert H. and Mary J.
Merritt Harvey came to Ohio with his father in 1843 and remained with him until his death, assisting him in his varied work. His education was obtained in the public schools and at Brunswick seminary. After the decease of his father he closed up his basi- ness and engaged m the grocery trade at Spencerville, opening the first store of the kind in the village. In 1850 he sold out and taught his first public school in Spencerville, being at that time one of the best educated men in the country. He taught thirty terms and was the one authority on all questions requiring special thought and judgment. In vacations he em- ployed himself variously, sometimes purchas- ing a boat-load of produce and running it to Cincinnati, where he would sell it and return for a new venture, being always open to a good deal. He had a genius for operations requir- ing risk, and his life has been characterized by transactions of this kind. When the village of Spencerville was incorporated he was elected city clerk, and he drew up all the ordinances for its government, and a few years later was elected mayor of the little city three times in succession. He has been notary public for a number of years, a member of the city council, and in truth a father to the town. Prior to the organizing of the banks, he was engaged in buying and selling notes and securities, loan- ing money, etc., and for four wears operated
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the mail and express delivery; he has always worked for the best interests of the city and vicinity, and has never lost sight of its pros- perity or future weal.
In September, 1864, he manifested his pa- triotic spirit by enlisting in defense of his coun- try in company E, One Hundred and Eightieth Ohio volunteer infantry, and participated in a number of engagements, doing active duty until his terin of enlistment expired, and being mastered out in June, 1865, at David Island. He is one of the worthy members of the G. A. R. post, No. 322. Mr. Harvey, having been a resident of Spencerville since its organiza- tion, has been one of its leading representative mnen rom every standpoint, starting first as a teacher in the public schools, then becoming the first grocery merchant of the town, and, being favored in his early life with the advan- tages sufficient to secure a good education, was fitted to be one of its most useful citizens.
Mr. Harvey has been twice married; the first marriage occurred in 1852, when he chose for his companion Miss Rebecca A. Wicks, who died in March, 1864, in early woman- hood. In August, 1865, he married Mrs. Eliza A. Wicks, the widow of Harvey A. Wicks, and this union was blessed by the birth of five children, four of whom died in early childhood; James M., the only one surviving, is now a resident of Spencerville. Frank M., son of Mrs. Harvey by her first husband, has adopted the name of of Harvey and is also a resident of Spencerville.
ERRY F. HEIDLEBAUGH, a trustee of Marion township, Allen county, Ohio, and a thriving farmer, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, March 22, 1856, and is of sturdy Pennsylvama-German descent, from ancestry that came to America in the days of the colonies.
John Heidlebaugh, grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of Virginia, and when a young man came to Ohio, settled in Fairfield county, married there, then moved to Hocking county and cleared up a farm. His wife bore the maiden name of Sheets, and became mother of one son, Noah. John Heidlebaugh owned a farm of 250 acres, on which he died at the advanced age of eighty-one years, a hfe- long member of the United Brethren church and a highly-respected citizen. Noah Heidle- baugh, father of our subject, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, December 25, 1832, became a school-teacher and married, Septem- ber 13, 1855, Miss Ramah Mericle, daughter of Solomon Mericle, to which union were born eleven children, of whom one only died young, and ten lived to adult age, viz: Perry F .. Harriet, Maria, Martin, Albert, Minerva, Amos, Newton, William and John. For two years after marriage Noah Heidlebaugh main- tained his home in Hocking county, Ohio, then moved to Stark county, Ill., and there lived until 1865, having served in the army seventy days of the time. He then returned to Hocking county, Ohio, farmed until the fall of 1872, and passed the remainder of his days in retirement-dying in January, 1893, at the age of sixty. In politics he was a demo- crat and had served as township clerk and was universally respected.
Perry F. Heidlebaugh, our subject, was an infant when taken by his parents to Illinois, and nine years of age when they returned to the county of his birth. He was well educated and reared a farmer, remained in Hocking county until 1872, and then came to Allen county; here, August 13, 1874, he married Miss Elizabeth Brenneman, who was born in Allen county December 3, 1854, a daughter of David and Leah (Stemen) Brenneman. David Brenneman was born in Fairteki county, Ohio, September 13, 1826, and was married
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April 5, 1849. Mrs. Leah (Stemen) Brenne- man, was born June 9, 1831, and to their union were born several children, of whom Lydia, Catherine, Elizabeth and Samuel S. grew to maturity. David Brenneman came to Allen county after marriage and settled in Marion township, on 160 acres in the woods, cleared up a fine farm, on part of which Mr. Heidlebaugh now lives. Later Mr. Brenne- man increased his possessions until he owned a fertile farm of 240 acres in Marion town- ship, Allen county, and another productive farin of 120 acres in Putnam county -- all of which property was the result of his own in- dustry. He lived to be sixty-eight years of age and died February 11, 1895, a member of the Mennonite church and a very prominent citizen. (The attention of the reader is here invited to the biography of John L. Brenne- man, on another page.) y
Perry 1. Heidlebaugh, at his marriage, settled on eighty acres of the Brenneman homestead and went to housekeeping in a log cabin of primitive construction. By hard work and a skillful direction of his affairs he has increased his holding to 160 acres, but his faithful wife has lent much material assistance in reaching this favorable result. The farm is now all drained and cultivated, is im- proved with a first-class dwelling and sub- stantial barn and all necessary out-build- ings, and is one of the best of its size in Marion township. The happy union of Mr and Mrs. Heidlebaugh has been blessed by the birth of two children-Marion and Leah O .-- both of whom have been highly educated. In politics Mr. Heidlebaugh is a democrat, and for the past six years has held the office of township trustee, a position he hills to the en- tire satisfaction of his constituency. Soci- ally the family stand very high and are noted for their liberality and hospitality, as well is for their industry and morality.
LBERT HEFNER, a prosperous farmer of Bath township, Allen county, Ohio, is a native of the Buck- eye state and was born in Delaware county, October 23. 1839, a son of David and Frances Hefner, who came to Allen county in 1840. He received a good common-school education and was reared to general farming, becoming quite an expert in this particular calling. He first married, in 1859, Mi-s De- lilah Williams, daughter of Charles Williams, of Auglaize township and an ex-sheriff of Allen county. For his second wife he chose Mary, daughter of Peter Goodman, of Bath township, whom he wedded in 1864, and to this union were born eight children, as follows: Ida, wife of John McPherron, Miles and Charles, of Bath township; Fannie, deceased; Winnifred, Blanche, Mabel and Elden. The second Mrs. Hefner died May 27, 1891, and for his third wife Mr. Hefner married Mrs. Emme B. Severance, daughter of John Ziler, a thriving farmer of Perry township. Allen connty.
In 1881 Mr. Hefner came into possession of his present farm of eighty acres, on which he has since made many valuable improve- ments and developed into as fertile and pro- ductive a tract as any of its size in the town- ship. His dwelling is neat and substantial and his out-buildings commodious, and all things about him give evidence of the individual su- pervision of a practical and intelligent husband- man. Mr. Hefner is a consistent member of the Christian church, and his daily walk through life shows the sincerity of his belief in his professed faith; in his politics he is a stanch democrat, and under the auspices of his party has held the office of trustee of his township. He is highly esteemed by his neighbors as a man of integrity and as being actnated by a spirit of justice towards ap, and by a sentiment of charity, spiritual and mate-
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rial, for all to whom that comprehensive virtue should be extended, and which he freely ex- tends regardless of social condition.
J OHN HEFNER, a model farmer of Jackson township, Allen county, Ohio, is a native of that township, was born July 12, 1849, and is of sturdy Gerinan origin, but very remotely so, inasmuch as it is known that his grandfather, Isaac Hefner, was born in Pennsylvania, was there reared and married, and was a pioneer of Ross county, Ohio, where he passed the latter years of his useful life.
Isaac Hefner, son of the Isaac above men. . tioned and the father of John Hefner, our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a boy when his parents settled in Ross county. Chio, where he grew to manhood and married Mary May, daughter of John May, to which marriage were born the following children: Jacob, Harrison, Amos, Clarissa, David, John and Albert. Of these, Clarissa is now the wife of Jacob Mowery, of Bath township, Al- len county. After marriage, Isaac Hefner lived on rented land in Ross county until 1828, but was successful in making money. He then came to Jackson township, Allen county, entered land, worked hard, and finally became the owner of 1,640 acres -- an unusually large mumber for one person to be possessor of, al- though much credit must be conceded to his faithful wife for her share in the carning of this property; and it may be mentioned, be. side, that Mr. Hefner was a stock dealer for many years In politics he was a democrat He was of a very generous disposition and itberally added the religions bodies of his neighborhood. He and wife were both mem- hers of the English Reformed church, in the faith of which he died May 2, 1884, an hon- med and respected gentleman. His widow,
hale and hearty at the age of eighty-eight years, now makes her home with her youngest son, Albert.
John Hefner, the subject of this biograph- ical notice, has lived on a farm all his life, and was reared to manhood in Jackson town- ship. He received a good common-school ed- ucation. Although next to the youngest son, he was of material aid to his father in clear- ing up and cultivating the home farm. und in rendering this aid became a strong, robust and expert agriculturist. At the proper age he married Miss Flora R. Growdon, a daughter of Brice and Sarah (Ashe) Growdor who came from Maryland, the father being now a prosperous farmer of Auglaize township, but the mother deceased. Mr. Growdon is a mem- ber of the Methodist Protestant church is a republican in politics, and is a respected and useful citizen. To the congenial marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hefner have been born seven children, in the following order: Sarah O., Jesse W., Tillie, Harvey, Edith, Robert and Mary, all living.
Mr. Hefner owns and cultivates a fine farm of 225 acres, and his residence is a spacious, new modern two-story frame structure, with a stone foundation; his barn is also very com- modions and conveniently arranged and sup- plied with the most approved appliances, Mr. Hefner being a progressive middle-aged farmer, in the broadest sense of the term. In politics he is a strong democrat, but has never sought an office or any other emolument at the hands. of his party. He is a member of the English Reformed church, in which he is greatly re- spected, having been a deacon and elder for a number of years. He is also a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry, Auglaize grange, No. 347. Few natives of Allen county enjoy to as great a degree the esteem, hearty friendship and unstinted confidence of its citi- zens as Mr. Hefner.
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J AMES G. HELSER, a practical and progessive farmer of Jackson township, Allen county, Ohio, was born in Thorn township, Perry county, Ohio, Septem- ber 21, 1846, and since eight years of age has been identified with the township and county in which he now resides, having been brought to Allen county by his parents, Elijah and Eliza (Eversole) Hesler.
Elijah Helser, a native, also, of Perry county, Ohio, was born October 20, 1815, a son of John Helser, a native of Virginia, who married Mary Reisen, of the same state, and both of German descent. John Helser and wife were early settlers of Perry county, Ohio, and were the parents of nine children, viz: William, John, Daniel and Catherine (de- ceased), Elijah, George, Peter, Levi and Mary. Of this family, Elijah received a good com- mon-school education, was reared a farmer and in early youth learned the trade of carpen- ter and cabinet maker, which he followed in his native county for about fourteen years, sav- ing his earnings sufficient to purchase a farm of 240 acres in the woods of Allen county, and here removed with his family in 1854. He placed his land under a high state of cultiva- tion, and in 1860 erected a large frame barn, which, at the time, was the finest in the town- ship. In 1875 he erected a fine brick resi- dence, the second of the kind the township had seen. He has been largely engaged in stock growing and is a most substantial farmer. His marriage took place, in 1841, to Miss Eliza Eversole, and to this union were born nine children, viz: John. W., married to Milly A. Sivitz; James G., the subject of this sketch; Lemuel 1., Insband of Esther Isham; Daniel ()., of whom further mention will be made; Sarah A., de ceased wife of F. R. Thompson, M. 1)., of Nebraska; Melvina, deceased; George E .; Verda Leatherman; Jennie P. and Peter F., both deceased. The father of these chil-
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dren, Elijah Helser, is a Patron of Husbandry and a member of Jackson grange: in politics he is a democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren. Socially he stands very high in the esteem of the residents of Jackson township, whose material interests he has done so much to promote.
Daniel O. Helser, a younger brother of our subject, James G., was born in Perry county, Ohio, December 25, 1853 (Christmas day), received a good common-school edu- cation, and was reared a farmer. October 21, 1880, he married Miss Nellie Grant, a dangh- ter of Squire and Eva (Hall) Grant, and born May 1, 1861. Squire Grant is a successful farmer of Liberty township, Hardin county, but is now a widower. The children born to Daniel O. and Nellie Helser are two in num- ber, are named Clyde O. and Gelna M., and are both attending school. Mr. Helser ow's a model farm of eighty acres, improved with a modern two-story frame residence. commo- dious barn and windmill, and he and his father own the only silo in the township, Mr. Heiser also owns and operates a first-class saw-mill on his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Helser are both members of Jackson grange, No. 341, of which he has been secretary and treasurer, and both are highly esteemed in the social circles of Jackson township.
James G. Helser, the subject proper of this biography, since he has begun his career as a farmer, has made a specialty of sheep raising, giving special attention to Spanish Merinoes, and for the past five or six years to Delaines. He has sold many head for breeding purposes at high prices, and has made a grand success in his enterprise. His homestead comprises 200 acres, and he owns, beside, an eighty-acre tract, distinct from the homestead. The latter is a very fine farm, improved with a modern frame dwelling, two large barns and all other necessary ont-buildings, all of which is the re-
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sult of his own industry, with the exception of eighty acres. Mr. Helser married, in 1870, Miss Sarah Long, a native of Holmes county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Esther Long, who came from Pennsylvania and were early pioneers of Ohio, but both now deceased The union of Mr. and Mrs. Helser has been blessed with three children, viz: Charles W., Thomas (deceased) and Louis O. Mr. and Mrs. Helser are charter members of Jackson grange, and have always been leading mem- bers, Mr. Helser having been its purchasing agent since its organization-and this is con- sidered to be the finest grange in Ohio. Both are members of the Lutheran church, which they liberally aid, and Mr. Helser is a member of Sager lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., and for five years has been its secretary. In politics he is a democrat, and, though frequently solicited, has always refused to accept nomi- nations for office. He is public-spirited, and no man in the count: stands higher in the esteem of his neighbors than he.
LPHONSO D. HESSER, a thriving and industrious farmer of Jackson township, Allen county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the late Civil war, is a native of the Buckeye state and was born in Columbiana county December 31, 1844.
Johnathan Hesser, grandfather of Al- phonso D., was born in Loudoun county, Va .. in 1785; but early became a settler of Stark county, Ohio, where he married Cassenia Bierse, reared a family, and died, in Smit county. His son, James W. Hesser, the father of our subject, was born in what is now Stark county, March 9, 1819, was reared on his father's farm, and . also learned the trade of shoemaking. In 1847 James W. Hesser came to Allen conaty, engaged in farming, and is now leading a retired life at Ada, enjoying the com-
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