USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 26
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His brother being young, Henry Snyder remained at home until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 25th of February, 1869, Miss Ma- tilda Shank, a daughter of Henry Shank of Eagle township, becoming his wife. She was then twenty-seven years of age and had previously been en- gaged in teaching school in Eagle township. Mr. Snyder had already secured his present tract of land, but as there were no buildings upon the place, he rented a farm in Marion township after his marriage and there he and his wife began their domestic life, though he devoted one-half of his time to the improvement of his own farm. After a happy married life of five years the wife died on the 10th of October, 1874, leaving two children : Willoughby Al-
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bert, who is now a horse trainer and track driver of Bowling Green, Wood county, Ohio; and Henry Jason, who has taught four terms of school in Han- cock county and is now a student at the Tri-State College at Angola, Indiana. He married Florence Enfield, of Big Lick township, this county, and their son, Henry Ebert, is now living with his grandfather. Since the death of his wife Mr. Snyder's sister Elizabeth has continued to act as his housekeeper and has been a mother to his children, and she certainly deserves great credit for what she has done in their behalf.
In addition to the operation of his own farm Mr. Snyder had charge of his father's old homestead for three years, conducting the business for his brother, who was then in poor health, and for five years he also cultivated a farm in Marion township. He has eighty acres on Lye creek, one-half of which he has cleared and has tiled the principal part of it, mnuch of it being under water at one time. He has erected a good house and barn and made many other improvements which add greatly to the value and attractive ap- pearance of the place, so that it now compares favorably with the best farms of the township. In connection with the tilling of the soil he is engaged in the raising sheep and hogs, keeping about five hundred sheep, one hundred of which he usually fattens for market each year. His hogs are of the Poland China breed and have won many prizes at the fairs where they have been exhibited.
Since casting his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Snyder has endorsed the principles of the Republican party and at national elections always supports that ticket, but at local elections where no issue is involved he often votes for the men of the opposing party if he thinks them better qualified for the offices. In 1890 he was elected justice of the peace in a Democratic township, a fact which indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, and he creditably filled that office for one term.
A. B. LATSHAW.
A. B. Latshaw, who is a retired oil producer and an extensive farmer and stockraiser of Hancock county, operates a farm of about two hundred acres in Liberty township. His birth took place on March 23, 1852, in Ve- nango county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Latshaw belonging by birth to a state which has contributed largely to the wealth and stability of Ohio.
In early manhood our subject learned the carpenter's trade and later became a resident of Mckean county, Pennsylvania, where he was engaged
Mary.S. Latshan
-
AB Latshaw
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in the building of pump stations and oil derricks. His skill as a mechanic made his services valuable as foreman of the workmen engaged in that lo- cality, and he remained there for eight years. In 1885 he came to Hancock county, Ohio, and for some time followed the same business, but later became an oil producer himself. After looking closely into the merits of various portions of the oil producing lands, he invested in Virginia in a large tract which had numerous wells in operation upon it. Mr. Latshaw thus dis- played business acumen and was very successful, and still further proved his good judgment by selling out his oil interests at the right time, and in 1893 put his money into his fine farm. In 1894 he began the erection of his fine house, completing the same in 1895, with all modern improvements, owning now one of the handsomest homes in this locality.
In 1873 Mr. Latshaw was united in marriage with Miss Mary J., the daughter of Adam and Margaret Swartzlander, who was born on February 3, 1855, in Pennsylvania. Her father was a veteran in the Civil war and met an honored death on the battlefield of Gettysburg. A daughter and a son were born to Mr. and Mrs. Latshaw, namely: Florence L., who is Mrs. Frech and has one child, Harrold A., and Adam R., who married Miss Belle Thompson, and has a daughter, Dorathea M.
Our subject is one of the progressive citizens of Liberty township, and his fellow-citizens' confidence has been shown in his selection to positions of responsibility. For two years he has been the efficient township assessor. Fraternally he is a member of the order of Maccabees.
Mr. Latshaw is a self-made man, beginning at the bottom of the ladder and climbing to his present independent position through his own efforts. He is recognized as a man of sound judgment in business matters and as a useful member of society. He is well and favorably known in agricultural affairs and is prominent in any measures looking to the advancement of the farmer's interests. In politics Mr. Latshaw is a Republican and takes an active interest in the political affairs of his county and state. Mrs. Latshaw is a member of the Church of God.
WILLIAM J. CREIGHTON.
The above named gentleman has long been a familiar feature in the public life of Findlay, owing to his continuous connection for years with its finan- cial institutions and previous incumbency of the county treasurer's office. During his tenure of the various responsible positions entrusted to his care, Mr. Creighton has so discharged their duties and so demeaned himself in
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his intercourse with the people as to be regarded as one of the most substan- tial and reliable of the city's business men. His life story is briefly told and is but the repetition of many similar ones in its main outlines, that of a farmer's boy trained to hard work and the wholesome discipline of the coun- try, afterward utilizing his sturdy virtues to acquire position in the higher walks. Such men are always interesting, as their experiences form a distinct phase of American national life, and it is from such sources that the best blood of the country is recruited.
William J. Creighton was born in Cass township, Hancock county, Ohio, May 29, 1847, and had the usual experience that befalls farm boys. As soon as old enough, of course, he was sent to the neighborhood school, and was expected to "do chores" in the evenings after school hours. When he got to be a boy, he must help with the farm work during vacations, and make himself generally useful in the assistance of his parents. Nor did Mr. Creigh- ton depart from the other immemorial custom of all ambitious rural lads of teaching a term or two as a preparatory course before entering the great world. Accordingly we find Mr. Creighton a pedagogue at the age of seven- teen and pursuing this avocation off and on for the next eleven years. At the end of that time he received an offer to enter the office of the treasurer of Hancock county as first deputy and gladly accepted, well knowing that such positions generally lead to better. He remained in the treasurer's office four years, during which time he completely mastered all of its details, and then returned to the farm awhile. But he was not allowed to rusticate long, being called from his retreat by receiving the nomination as candidate of his party for the office of county treasurer. After a spirited campaign, in which he proved himself to be a "good mixer," Mr. Creighton was elected and served his term of two years so satisfactorily that he had little difficulty in obtaining another. Accordingly he was re-elected treasurer of Hancock county and finished his second term without mishap or adverse comment. This was Mr. Creighton's last experience of official life, but since retiring from office he has held other positions of responsibility, with different finan- cial institutions. In 1887 he was offered and accepted the position of assistant cashier in the office of the American National Bank at Findlay, and remained about twelve years with that corporation. January 1, 1901, he was appointed secretary and treasurer of the Commercial Bank and Savings Company, which position he has since retained and filled with his usual skill and ability. Mr. Creighton's only fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows, and he has served that order as representative to the Grand Encampment on two occa- sions. Mr. Creighton is a Democrat in politics. He was married September
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18, 1873, to Miss Martha Ebersole, a native of Hancock county and a daugh- ter of Henry and Margaret Ebersole, Hancock county pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Creighton have two children : David Maurice, proprietor of the Findlay book bindery, and Jessie Mabel, who graduated from Oberlin College in 190I.
DANIEL N. SCHUBERT.
The influx of German blood into this great republic was of large pro- portions during the first half of this century. The care which the German government has taken in ameliorating the conditions of its working class, has of late years resulted in checking somewhat this flow of emigration. The Buckeye state was a haven for a large number of this excellent foreign ele- ment, and Hancock county is fortunate in having within its bounds many of those who came to the state. They were honest, worthy citizens, exceedingly industrious, and their descendants have inherited their best qualities.
Mr. Daniel N. Schubert is the grandson of John Casper and Christena Schubert, who came from the fatherland in 1832. After a very short resi- dence in Crawford county, Ohio, they settled in Seneca county, where John C. entered eighty acres of land, and which was increased at various times by another one hundred. John C. Schubert is remembered as being an upright man, being a tailor by trade and a good provider ; a man who was alive to the best interests of his adopted country. Religiously he and his wife were worthy members of the Lutheran church. His family numbered the follow- ing children : Leander, Asmuth, August, Malina, Matilda, Lucinda, Harman and Sarah. Of this number Leander was the father of our subject. He was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1823, and accompanied his parents to America when they crossed the sea. He continued to live at home until he was twenty- seven years of age, having in his early youth learned the carpenter's trade. He was a first-class mechanic, as many of the beautiful homes in Hancock can testify. He was not only a good carpenter, but his farming was of a high order. He was a very careful and methodical man, watching the little things in life, and this habit resulted in the accumulation of a very nice prop- erty before his death. He owned four hundred and forty acres of the good land. His career was uneventful, save that he did his duties as a citizen, and reared his family to respect the institutions of his adopted country. He distributed his land to his children, who are now making the very best use of it. His marriage occurred in 1850, his wife's name being Susannah Grove. Their family consisted of John, born June 11, 1852; Harriet, November
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14, 1854; Alvin, February 5, 1857; Irene, October 15, 1858; Manassah D., April 21, 1860; Levi C., October 22, 1861 ; Albert G., April 29, 1864; Daniel N., July 18, 1865. The mother of the family was a native of Highland county, Ohio, where she was born October 17, 1830. Leander and his entire family were workers in the Dunkard church, he having served for a period of forty years as a deacon of that organization. On the 18th of October, 1900, this good man passed to his reward, mourned by his devoted children and a large circle of acquaintances. His wife continues the journey alone.
Mr. Daniel N. Schubert passed his boyhood days quietly in his parents' home, and in the township school acquired his elementary education. He has always confined himself to the life of a farmer. He is now in possession of the old homestead, upon which he lives with his family. His wife was Miss Ermina, the daughter of S. B. and Diana Thomas. Her marriage to Mr. Schubert took place on the 5th of May, 1889. She has presented her husband with Carl C. and Milton V., two strong, manly sons. Her birth occurred in Big Lick township January 10, 1868.
In his day Daniel Schubert is following closely in the steps of his revered father, and is highly esteemed in the community. He and his family continue their interest in the Dunkard organization, and in local life of the community he has served with credit in the office of township trustee. He is a good, substantial citizen, one who is respected and honored by all who are fortunate in having his acquaintance.
HENRY O. PURKEY.
This worthy member of the fraternity of farmers in Hancock county is a resident of Cass township. His father, Jacob, was one of the noble band of pioneers of this county, removing here in 1832 from Pennsylvania, of which state he was a native. He married Agnes Manifold, also a native of Pennsylvania, who became the mother of his ten children, of whom four survive: John, a resident of Bloomdale; Henry O., the subject of this sketch ; J. R., also of Bloomdale, and J. A. Jacob Purkey owned two hundred and forty acres of land, which he earned by honest toil. He began life a poor man, but by close application to business and dealing squarely with all men, he soon won the confidence of his fellow citizens, as well as their good will, and accumulated a very fair competence before his death. He was a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being prominently identified with its active life as a class leader. Politically he favored the Republican party, and was ever ready to do whatever was in his power to advance its noble prin-
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ciples. He passed an existence of a number of years in this county, during which he was held in high esteem, and was mourned by a large circle of friends on his death, March 18, 1866. His wife, Agnes M., outlived him fourteen years.
Henry O. Purkey, second in age of his father's surviving sons, was born in Wood county, Ohio, May 18, 1845, passed his boyhood in the quiet life of the country and received a fairly good education in the district school. Arriving at maturity he chose the vocation which Washington said was one of the noblest that man could engage in, and in this pursuit he has proved eminently successful. His first holding of real estate was purchased in the spring of 1858, consisting of fifty acres, which he held for a considerable period, improved and sold at a good profit. In 1881 he purchased the eighty acres where he now lives, which was increased by forty-seven received by inheritance. In the conduct of this farm he is exceedingly practical, using the latter day methods with success. Mr. Purkey chose as a life companion Miss Martha J. McKey, the marriage occurring October 18, 1867. The lady whom he thus honored was the daughter of Robert and Eliza McKee, and she became the mother of Eliza, born June 8, 1868; John T., May, 1870; Will- iam E., July, 1873; Ada S., July, 1876, now deceased; Robert E., October, 1878; and Orlo H., July, 1884. Of this family Eliza married Charles Doering; John T. was married to Emma Markwood; and William E. wedded Eva Stecker. Mrs. Martha J. Purkey is a native of Allegheny county, Pennsyl- vania, where she was born December 31, 1844, and came with her parents to this county in 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Purkey are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Bloomdale, of which organization he has been a mem- ber for forty-six years and is now serving as trustee. In politics Mr. Purkey is a Republican, although in local affairs he supports the man rather than the pary. Mr. Purkey is a genial, whole-souled gentleman, universally es- teemed among a very large circle of acquaintances.
DR. WILLIAM R. MOFFETT.
This an age of progress, and America is the exponent of the spirit of the age. Perhaps no greater advancement has been made along professional lines than in dentistry. New methods have been introduced, and the pro- fession has largely attained perfection. Fully in touch with the advance- ment which has been made, Dr. William R. Moffett stands as a leading rep- resentative of the dental fraternity in Hancock county, residing and doing business in Arcadia, the town of his birth. Dr. Moffett here first saw the
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light on January 3, 1871. He is the son of William and Sarah (Chambers) Moffett, both of whom are natives of the Emerald Isle. The father was born in County Down, July 1, 1837. The parents were married in their native isle and emigrated to this country in 1866, remaining a short time in Phila- delphia, after which they removed to Arcadia, where Mr. Moffett engaged in the mercantile business for a short period. He then entered the drug busi- ness, which he successfully carried on for a period of twenty years. He was a man of superior intelligence and education, and made a marked impression on those with whom he came in touch. He was a ready writer of both prose and poetry, and an interesting and fluent speaker. He served Arcadia in the capacity of postmaster for a number of years, and served the township in holding with credit some of its offices. In religious faith he was a strict Presbyterian, in which organization he was an elder. His death occurred July 2, 1899, an event which spread gloom over the entire community, for it was the loss of a good citizen. The wife still survives, and is carrying on the drug business left by her husband. Their family consists of five children, namely : George H., William R., David E., Mary and Margaret B. The mother of Dr. Moffett was a sister of Dr. John Chambers, deceased, a noted clergyman of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was also a professor in the Indiana Medical College and a surgeon of note. The Chambers family were of Scotch-English descent.
Dr. Moffett passed the days of his boyhood and youth in the village of his birth, where he received an excellent education, graduating with honor from the high school. In 1893 he was given a license as a practicing dentist, and immediately opened an office at Ottawa, Ohio, where his work proved so satisfactory that his patronage became very extensive. He remained at Ottawa until 1900, at which time he returned to his native place, where he is now practicing. Dr. Moffett uses the very latest methods of dentistry in his office, and his work is done to the entire satisfaction of his numerous and still growing patronage. In connection with his dental practice Dr. Moffett also dips somewhat into agriculture, having purchased a farm of seventy acres near Arcadia. In 1891 Dr. Moffett was united in marriage to Miss Nora Moffitt. Miss Moffitt was the daughter of John J. and Edith Moffitt, and was born in Blanchard township, February 17, 1873. To this felicitous marriage there have been born two lovely daughters, Jessie Aldine, born January 27, 1893, and Edith Pauline, born June 2, 1895.
Dr. and Mrs. Moffett are popular members of society in Hancock county, where their circle of friends is extensive, and the regard in which they are held is uniform.
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WILLIAM B. MILLER.
Industry is a leading characteristic of the German people, and this fact probably accounts in a measure at least for the unrelenting activity that has marked the life of William B. Miller and those who went before him. Hard work and rigid economy made of the father a comparatively wealthy man, and despite the heavy expense of raising a large family, Martin Miller was able to give his son William eighty acres as a start in business.
Christopher Miller came to this country from Germany in 1805, settling in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Martin, the son, who was but eight years old when he landed, remained there until 1816, when at the age of nineteen he moved to Fairfield county, this state. Here his son William was born, February 11, 1825, and here the family resided until the death of the parents, Martin dying in 1877, and his wife, who was Catherine Baker, in 1884. She was a native of Sunberry, Pennsylvania, and was seven years younger than her husband, having been born in 1804. They were members of the Reformed church and Mr. Miller was a Republican in politics. They had seventeen children; thirteen grew to maturity, seven are still living, and of this number two reside in this county.
At the age of twenty-two, in 1847, William Miller removed to Han- cock county, and three years later added by purchase one hundred acres to the eighty he had received as a gift from his father. Some of this land was not in the best state of cultivation and Mr. Miller set about at once to im- prove it. He subsequently sold twenty acres to a neighbor.
On March 24, 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane, daughter of William and Susan S. Martin. She bore him thirteen children, of whom eight are living. She was a native of Ohio, born in Fairfield county June 18, 1823, and is now deceased. For his second wife he married Mrs. Helen E. Flack.
Mr. Miller lives very near the southeastern limits of Findlay, on one hun- dred and sixty acres of valuable farming land, and is very intimately associ- ated with the political and religious life of the town. He is one of the strong men in the Republican party, has held the office of township treasurer and has also been one of the trustees of Marion township. He was justice of the peace for some time and in 1879 was nominated by his party as member of the state legislature. It was in the same year that Governor Foster was defeated by a vote of three hundred and ninety-seven, and Mr. Miller was beaten by a majority of two hundred and ninety-five votes. A comparison of these numbers will indicate the degree of Mr. Miller's popularity. As
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superintendent of the Sunday-school and class leader of the United Brethren church, Mr. Miller has put a personality into his work, the influence of which is very wide-reaching in its effects. Mr. Miller and his family belong to this church and in Findlay he is counted as one of this county's most popular, pro- gressive and representative men.
PETER SOLT.
The world instinctively pays deference to the man whose success has been worthily achieved, who has risen above his early surroundings, overcom- ing the obstacles in his path and reaching an enviable position in business circles. This is a progressive age and he who does not advance is soon left far behind. Mr. Solt, by the improvement of opportunities by which all are surrounded, has steadily and honorably worked his way upward and has attained a fair degree of prosperity.
This well known stock dealer of Eagle township was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 13th of November, 1830, a son of Conrad and Saloma Solt, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and of German ancestry. The father was between sixteen and eighteen years of age when he came to this state and the mother was quite young at the time of her removal. Besides his home farm of one hundred and seventy acres of land in Fair- field county, Conrad Solt owned three hundred and twenty acres of land in Hancock county, which he entered from the government and an entire section near Bluffton in Wells county, Indiana, which he also entered. As his chil- dren started out in life for themselves he gave to each one hundred and sixty acres of this wild land and he lived to see it all distributed among thm, dying at the ripe old age of eighty-seven years, honored and respected by all who knew him. One son, Cornelius, settled on land in Eagle township, in Han- cock county, which was given him by his father and here developed a farm. During the Civil war he enlisted in the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry and died in the service when about forty-five years of age. Some of his family still live in this county and his grandson, Sanderson Pifer, now oc- cupies the old homestead. Moses Solt, another son of Conrad, also came to Hancock county and settled on the old John Powell farm in Eagle township, but later removed to a farm near Findlay, Ohio, and from there went to Tennessee. Subsequently he made his home in various states but finally lo- cated permanently in Missouri, where he now resides. Melancthon Solt, another son, is now a grain and stock dealer living in Washington county, Kansas, where he is quite extensively engaged in the feeding of stock. The
Mrs Henrietta Solt
Peter Solt
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father was also interested in the raising of horses, cattle and hogs, and was accounted one of the best and most reliable business men of his community.
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