USA > Ohio > Crawford County > A centennial biographical history of Crawford County, Ohio > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
CAPTAIN J. G. BARNEY.
Captain J. G. Barney, who is engaged in real estate and insurance busi- ness in Crestline, is a native of the Empire state, his birth having occurred there in Wayne county, on the 6th of October. 1833. His father. Moses Barney, was born in Herkimer county, New York, and was a son of William Barney, who served as a private soldier in the Revolutionary war. He also engaged in military service under General Sullivan, which resulted in the expulsion of the Indians from the Empire state. He was a brave and loyal soldier in both wars. The Barrey family is of Welsh lineage and was found- ed in America by the great-grandfather of our subject, who, when a young man, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and took up his abode in Vermont,
245
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
whence the two sons removed to New York. The father of our subject was reared in the county of his nativity and followed the occupation of farming there until his removal to Wayne county, where he devoted his energies to the same pursuit. He served as a non-commissioned officer in the war of 1812, and died April 10, 1838. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Matilda Powers, was a native of Herkimer county, New York, and in her girlhood re- moved to Wayne county. Her father, William Powers, was also a native of the Empire state, but was of Irish descent. Mrs. Barney was left a widow with five children, the eldest being then only fifteen years of age, and the youngest, the subject of this sketch, being a little lad of five and a half years. He remained with his mother until his marriage and was reared upon the old home farm.
After his marriage Captain Barney took up his abode in Wayne county, New York, where he lived until 1859, when he came to Richland county, Ohio, and engaged in the produce business in Butler until 1864. In that year he responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting as a private in Company A, One Hundred and Eighty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he was promoted to orderly, then to sergeant major and later was made sec- ond lieutenant and first lieutenant. He was likewise commissioner of the Freedimen's Bureau, at Macon, Georgia, where he served until January 26, 1866, having charge of refugees seized and abandoned land, freedmen's churches and schools. At that place he was in command of Company D, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment of the Ohio Volunteers.
On receiving an honorable discharge Captain Barney returned to his home in Richland county, Ohio, where he remained until 1868, when he came to Crestline, where he engaged in merchandising, carrying on business with success until 1875. when he sold out and turned his attention to the real estate and insurance business. The latter line proved to him profitable and he has done a large and constantly growing business. In 1895 he extended his field of operations by becoming connected with the Building & Loan Association, of which he was secretary and agent.
Captain Barney was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth I. Clemens, a native of New York, where their marriage was celebrated. They became the parents of one daughter, Emma E., who is now the wife of Dr. W. P. Bennett. Mrs. Barney is a graduate of the Normal school, of Albany, New York, and holds a life certificate as a teacher in that state. She followed the profession for some years in New York and through a considerable period was principal of the schools of Clyde, Wayne county, New York. A most
246
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
worthy, cultured and refined lady, she presides in a most gracious and hos- pitable manner over their pleasant home and her influence in social circles has been marked and beneficial. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity and the hospitality of the best homes is extended to them. The Cap- tain is very prominent in military circles and he is now commander of Sny- der Post, No. 129, G. A. R., of Ohio, has taken an active part in its work and has filled all the offices in the order. He belongs to the Presbyterian church, with which he has been identified forty-five years, and is serving as one of its elders. In politics he is a stanch Republican, having supported the party since its organization. He served as postmaster in General Harrison's administra- tion, and while residing in Belleville he served for six years as justice of the peace and also filled the honorable position of mayor of that town. He has ever taken an active interest in public affairs, supporting all movements and measures which he believes to be for the general good. He was president of the Crestline board of education and was one of its members through a long period. By reason of his connection with the Freedmen's Bureau he served as superintendent of the schools of Macon, Georgia, while at that place, suc- ceeding General Wild, of Maine, to the position. Captain Barney has led an active, useful and honorable life and whether in public office, upon the field of battle. in his place of business or in his home he has ever been found as a true, upright and honorable gentleman, worthy of the genuine regard of his fel- low men.
JOSEPH H. BEARD.
Joseph Hiram Beard, who is now living retired in Bucyrus, has for many years been identified with the movements and measures which have contributed to advancement along agricultural lines, and has ever been a citizen of value, taking an active interest in everything pertaining to the general good. He was born on a farm four miles east of Hagerstown, Mary- land, May 3. 1830, a son of John and Susan ( Sager) Beard. The ances- try of the family can be traced back to Nicholas Beard, the great-grand- father of our subject, who came from Germany to the new world and locat- ed in Maryland, near the present site of Beard's graveyard. in Washington county. In the same locality stands a chapel, which is known as Beard's church. He had four sons, of whom Andrew, the eldest, had three chil- dren-George, Mary, the wife of Jacob Beachtel, and Margaret, the wife of Nicholas Beard. Philip Beard, the second son, became the grandfather
247
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of our subject. Nicholas, the third son, had three children .- Nicholas, George and Samuel ; Catherine, the wife of Andrew Noerr, of Washington, D. C .; and Sarah, who married Samuel Rice. George Beard, the fourth son, had four children: George: Jacob; Mary, who became the wife of Andrew Steffy ; and Laah, wife of Andrew Newcomber. The daughters of Nicho- las Beard, the original member of the family in America, were: Magdalene, who became Mrs. Mautzer ; Margaret, who married Jacob Martin ; and Eliza- beth, the wife of William Haus. The father of this family became a resi- dent of Baltimore when it was but a village in the colonial epoch of our country's history.
Philip Beard, the grandfather of our subject, was born on the old family homestead in Maryland, where Joseph's birth occurred, and died there. He made farming his life work. He married a Miss Haus and had three chil- dren: John ; Magdalene, the wife of Joseph Fiery; and Elizabeth, who mar- ried Samuel Lyday.
The first named was the father of our subject, and his birth occurred in the old family home where his son Joseph first opened his eyes to the light of day. There he was reared to agricultural pursuits, and when he had attained his majority he married Susan Sager. Two of their children died in infancy, while the others were: Ellen, now deceased; Martha, who is living in North Baltimore, Ohio; Joseph H .; Philip A., a resident of Bucy- rus township: John F., who is living in Tiffin, Ohio; and Amanda, deceased. In 1852 the parents left Maryland, removing to Seneca county, Ohio, their new home being near Tiffin, where they spent their remaining days. The father died in 1867, at the age of sixty-three years; and the mother passed away in 1897, when about ninety-three years of age.
Upon a farm in Maryland Mr. Beard of this review spent his youth, and during that time acquired a limited common-school education. He re- mained at home until his marriage, which important event in his life occurred on Christmas of 1858, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine A. Nus- baum, a daughter of David and Rebecca (Gedultig) Nusbaum, both of whom were natives of Frederick county, Maryland, and were of German descent. In 1851 they removed to Seneca county, Ohio, and there the father died in 1875. at the age of seventy-two years, while the mother departed this life in 1861, when nearly fifty-six years of age.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Beard began their domestic life upon a farm near Tiffin and there remained until the spring of 1865 when they came to Crawford county, and took up their abode on their present farm on
248
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
section 10, Bucyrus township. Mr. Beard started out upon his business career empty handed, but by indomitable perseverance and unfaltering energy was enabled to gain a start and work his way upward. On coming to this county he purchased sixty-five acres of land and now owns two hundred acres. In 1873 he erected a good frame residence and has made other desirable and modern improvements which add to the valute and attractive appearance of the place. There Mr. Beard carried on farming until 1901, when he re- tired to private life and removed to Bucyrus. For many years he has also been engaged in the insurance business. In 1875 he was one of the organi- zers of the Crawford County Mutual Insurance Company, and was its first adjuster of losses, filling that position for twenty-two years, since which time he has represented the company as agent.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Beard has been blessed with six children : Celia Viola, who married John Beckett, of Columbus ; Della Helen, who died in infancy; Joseph Lewis, who married Electa Denzer and is a farmer of Bucyrus township : Anna Della and Ralph H., at home; and Mabel Gertrude, the wife of Fred Wise, of Bucyrus.
In his political views Mr. Beard is a stalwart Republican, but had never aspired to office. He and his wife and family are members of St. Paul's English Lutheran church. He has done much to benefit the county, especially in agricultural circles. He is a member of the Grange and has been a pro- moter and supporter of the farmers' institutes of the county for more than twenty years, while for thirty-five years he has labored earnestly to advance the interests of the Agricultural Society, of which he has served as a director and vice-president. He is also a member of the Pioneer Association, and at all times has heartily co-operated in every movement which he believed would prove of general benefit.
JAMES MCKINSTRY.
James Mckinstry is the oldest living resident of Bucyrus, for he has reached the ninetieth milestone on life's journey. His has been a useful and active career, in which there is much worthy of emulation and little to regret, and now in the evening of life he receives the veneration and respect of all who know him; and while he has ontlived the friends of his early manhood he yet has many warm friends and admirers among the younger generation. He was born in Washington county. Pennsylvania, June 18, 18II, and is of Irish lineage and descended from good old Revolutionary
251
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL IIISTORY.
stock. His paternal grandfather, Nathaniel Mckinstry, was a native of Ireland, and on coming to America located in Pennsylvania, dying in Frank- lin county at a good old age. He served his adopted country in the war of the Revolution, being most of the time engaged in the powder mills. His son, John McKinstry, the father of our subject, was born in Belfast, county Antrim, Ireland, and when a little lad of three summers was brought by his parents to the new world, their first home being in Philadelphia, whence they afterward removed to Franklin county. He was there married to Miss Mary Patton, a native of Loudon, Franklin county, and a daughter of James Patton, who was born in South Carolina and served throughout the war for independence, being in the command of General Washington. He then served in the capacity of captain and did valiant service for the cause of liberty. He was of English origin, and his ancestors came to this country some time before the Revolution. The parents of our subject were mar- ried in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and then located upon a farm there, but subsequently removed to Washington county, that state, and in 1833 came to Ohio, settling upon a farm in Marion county. Mr. Mckinstry was a Jackson Democrat in early life, afterward became a Whig, and later was identified with the Republican party. He held membership in the Presby- terian church and took an active interest in its work. He died in Marion county, in his ninetieth year, and his wife passed away in the same locality in her sixty-seventh year. They were the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, of whom one died at the age of five years, while the others reached adult age. Only three are now living, namely: Thomas, of Pekin, Illinois, who is now more than eighty-seven years of age; Mrs. Rebecca Hayes, of Marion county, Ohio: and James.
The last named was the oldest son and the third child of the family, and was twenty-two years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. He had acquired his education in an old log schoolhouse in his native county, where school was conducted on the subscription plan. He attended only through the winter season, while in the summer months he worked upon the farm. He also engaged in teaming, driving a five-horse team, in hauling goods from Wheeling to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania: there were no railroads or canals in those days. After coming to Ohio he assisted in clearing and improving the farm in Marion county through several years. He became a well known and influential citizen of the community, and in 1840 was the Whig candidate for sheriff, lacking only a few votes of winning the election.
In 1842 Mr. Mckinstry was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Gar-
252
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
berson, a native of Mount Vernon, Ohio, and of German lineage. Colonel Crawford, who was burned at the stake, was her great uncle. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. McKinstry located upon a farm in Marion county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. He made a specialty of sheep, keeping on hand about a thousand head. During the last two years of the war he also had about four thousand sheep in Illinois. He owned six hundred acres of land, constituting one of the largest farms in Marion county. In 1863 he rented his property and came to Bucyrus, purchasing the residence in which he still lives. About 1871 he sold his farm in Marion county and was afterward engaged in various lines of busi- ness. He conducted a grocery store and was quite extensively engaged in the purchase and sale of horses, buying them in Canada and shipping then to Ohio. At length, after a long and useful business career, in which he won a handsome competence, he retired to private life, and is now living in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labor.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Mckinstry was blessed with ten children, namely: One who died in infancy; John Calvin, who died at the age of six years: William Thomas, a farmer of Bucyrus township: Mary E., who is the widow of John R. Miller, who resides with her father; Ann Maria, deceased : Frances Marion, who has passed away; Amanda, the wife of Theodore Shotwell, of Detroit. Michigan ; James Briggs, deceased ; Mathew, of Kansas City; and Joseph, who also has passed away. In 1890 Mr. Mckinstry was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died at the age of sixty-eight years. He cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson in 1832, supported Henry Clay in 1836 and in 1840 voted for Will- iam Henry Harrison, being an advocate of the Whig party until the organı- ization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks, becoming one of its stalwart supporters. He has also held various church offices. He aided in the organization of the church at Caledonia and was one of the building committee having charge of the erection of the house of worship. He also assisted in the repairing of the Bucyrus church, and he has contributed liberally to the support of Christian work, doing all in his power to advance the cause among his fellow men. He also has a military record, for in 1839 and 1840 he was first lieutenant of a cavalry company of Marion county. When he resigned he was succeeded by a Mr. Shaw, who was promoted to the rank of colonel and was killed at the battle of Winchester. The company was the only one of the kind in Marion county, and only two of its members are yet living-James Kerr, of Marion county, and Mr. Mc-
253
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Kinstry. The life record of our subject forms the connecting link between the primitive past of Ohio and the progressive present. He has been identi- fied with the progress and development of the state for almost three-score years, and now in the evening of life he has the friendship and veneration which he so richly merits.
JOHN R. MILLER.
Jolın R. Miller, deceased, was born in Londondary, England, Novem- ber 13, 1839, and when a boy of five years was brought to America by his parents, Joseph and Sarah ( Henry) Miller, who settled in Stratford, Can- ada, where their son grew to manhood and was educated. When about thirty years of age he came to the United States. He first located in Attica, Seneca county, Ohio, where he followed his trade, that of carpenter. In the year 1874 he married Mary E., the daughter of James Mckinstry, whose sketch is just given. He became a permanent citizen of Bucyrus about 1876, and followed his trade here at first, but at the time of his death he was engaged in the sawmill business. His death occurred August 27, 1884, being killed by a bull he was leading in the barn-yard of his father-in-law, the bull goring him to death! Unto his marriage were born four children, viz .: Carrie Gertrude. James William, Sarah and John Robert. He fol- lowed contracting and building with success for several years in Bucyrus, and was a well respected citizen of the place.
DAN BABST, JR.,
The ancestors of Dan Babst, Jr., came from Alsace-Lorraine, a province of France, known in history from the time of Henry I, of Germany ( Der Bogler, 876-936). By the treaty of Ryswick, in 1697. Strasburg and the terri- tory surrounding it in Alsace were indefinitely ceded to France. This was during the reign of Louis XIV, of France, who on his deathbed made the confession : "I loved war too much." He had loved it madly and exclusively, but this fatal passion which had corrupted and ruined France did not remain fruitless. To all people within the bounds of civilization inured the benefits. of the enormous crimes of the repeal of the Edict of Nantes and the fusilade of 1792. From these crimes against humanity arose those emigrations which brought father Daniel Babst, and the Yost family, as also many other
254
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
thousands of the truest and bravest children of France to the United States. In this later period, 1832, Daniel Babst and the Yost family crossed the Atlantic to the new world. The former remained in New York for two years and then in 1834 removed to Kindel, Stark county, and later to Canal Fulton in the same county, where he became acquainted with Miss Margaret Yost, also from the German-French Rhine, and they were married May 10, 1811. In Alsatia the families Babst and Yost had enjoyed special note and they lost nothing of this characteristic by emigration.
Dan Babst, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was born in Canal Fulton, Tuesday, October 19, 1847. In 1852 the family removed to Crestline, Craw- ford county, Ohio. Here the son passed his youth and in the public schools of that day received his primary education. From 1864 until 1867 he was a student in Oberlin, Ohio. He then left college and began the study of law under the instruction of Nathan Jones, Esquire, of Crestline, Ohio. He pursued his chosen line of work until 1872 when after examination he received his diploma admitting him to practice and from that time to the present, with the exception of one year, he has been engaged in the general practice of law. As city solicitor he served from 1877 until 1879 and then resigned to accept the appointment as mayor of the city, tendered him by the .common council. From 1878 until 1885 he occupied the position of chief executive of the city. In 1884 he was the candidate on the Republican ticket to congress, really scoring a victory against his opponent, who won but by a majority so greatly decreased that victory was only a name to cover defeat, and this is the thirteenth congressional district, which is one of the Democratic strongholds of Ohio.
But public business or political honors, however attractive they may have seemed to him, have never seriously won Mr. Babst's attention from his chosen profession. This under all circumstances and all temptations has claimed his most serious thought and most earnest efforts. As a citizen Mr. Babst has always taken a personal and active part in the local affairs of his home city and county. His vigor and sound judgment have been specially felt in the educational work of the city. He served for ten years on the school board and on the board of examiners of the city of Crestline, thus devoting to this most important of public interests the benefit of his professional acquirement and his careful literary training. In county affairs he has constantly and fearlessly supported such men and measures as tend to promote public wel- fare. In all enterprises of a public nature he has always taken a prominent part. He was largely interested in the fine system of public roads surrounding
255
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Crestline, and for this and more, which it is needless to mention, Crestline is a large debtor to Dan Babst, Jr.
His education is liberal and broad, based upon the old-fashioned college plan. When he laid down the text-books of the college course to take up those that belonged to his profession, it was not to neglect them, as is at present so often the case. His happiest hours are now, and doubtless always have been, those spent in the restful quiet of his large and valuable literary library -"swapping thought with the Good and Great of all Time" on even terms. His political opinions, as must be the case with every honest man, are based upon his convictions of right, partake of and are permeated through and through by the loyal fiber of his character. AAssociating on terms of friendly intercourse with the leading state and national politicians of his party, and when state and national politics attract public attention, campaigning with them, he has never been swayed from his sense of right, nor lost his native independence of character. In address Mr. Babst is frank, fearless and manly ; in manner, plain, systematic and practical ; in argument, cogent and convinc- ing; in matter, safe, solid and substantial: his aim being always to convince men's minds rather than to rouse their passions or excite their prejudice. As a debater he is ready with his material, exact and accurate in his statement. On questions of law he is clear, discriminating and forcible, and what few possess, he has in a singular degree,-the power of condensation and separa- tion of facts and their application to principle. For many years Mr. Babst was a member of the Republican state executive committee and has usually represented his party in the various state conventions. In 1887 he was a candidate before the Republican state convention for attorney general. In 1896, chiefly because of the money question, he withdrew from the Republican party and has since actively identified himself with the Democratic cause.
Mr. Babst was one of the counsel for the regular Masonic lodge in its prolonged litigations through all the courts with the Cerneau bodies, in which the regular Masons were successful. He is a Freemason himself and there- fore, perhaps, felt more vitally interested in the result of the litigation. He is past commander of Mansfield Commandery. K. T., and is a member of Alkoran Temple of the Mystic Shrine. His views of religion are broad and liberal and he is a generous contributor to all church and charitable work. Mr. Babst displays at the bar the same clearness of statement and the same elo- quence of diction, wit, sarcasm and invective that has distinguished him upon the stump. As an advocate he guards with honorable jealousy the rights and privileges of his profession. In the presence of the court and bar he is always.
256
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
dignified and courteous, brief in address, speaking to the point, and when that is reached resting his case. In argument he is not prolix, is careful in citation of authority and concentrates all his energies upon the points vital to his case. In business he is honorable, liberal and generous to a fault, while de- serving need always finds in him a friend. In personal intercourse he is kind, courteous and winning, and these are qualities which are thoroughly appre- ciated by his wide circle of friends, who enjoy the kindly companionship of his pleasant home, with its genial intercourse, its generous and thoughtful hos- pitality.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.