USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 45
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John M. Barr, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in his native city, and when seventeen years of age, in 1866, he went to New York city and took a position as a house salesman in a whole- sale hat establishment, being thus employed for a decade. In 1876 he re- turned to Findlay, where he was engaged in various business enterprises until 1881, when he became associated with his father-in-law, Hiram J. Starr, in the grain and live stock business, in Wyandot county, thus continuing operations for about five years and maintaining his home in Carey. In 1887 he returned to Findlay and became associated with others, under the firm name of Waltz, Barr & Company, in the leasing of the Lake Erie & Western elevators. The partnership was dissolved at the exiration of three years and Mr. Barr there- after retained the elevators and carried on an individual grain business until the plant was destroyed by fire. He then accepted the position of manager of the Findlay Electric Light Company, retaining this incumbency for two years and resigning the same to enter upon his able administration as post- master of Findlay, during Cleveland's second term. He did much to improve the service and facilities of the local postoffice business and his regime con- tinued for four and one-half years. He then associated himself with W. V. Coons, 11ow of Cleveland, in purchasing from the city the local gas plant, and he was made president of the company. He has since been incumbent of this executive office and his wise business policy has done much to further the success of the enterprise. He has ever shown a lively interest in all that concerns the general welfare and the legitimate advancement of the com- munity, and his aid and influence have been invariably given to worthy en- terprises for the public good. Mr. Barr is a stalwart Democrat in his political
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proclivities, and he has served as a member of the city council and also of the library board.
On the 30th of August, 1877, at Carey, Ohio, was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Barr to Miss Laura P. Starr, the daughter of Hiram J. Starr. The family is prominent in the social life of the city, and the attractive home, at 200 West Front street, is a center of refined hospitality.
WILLIAM M. NEWHOUSE.
Well known in Hancock county, William M. Newhouse is a worthy representative of the farming interests and a man whose connection with the progress and development of Hancock county has been disinterested and honorable in the extreme. At this period of writing he is prosperous farmer, residing in Washington township, owning and operating a valuable farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres. The birth of Mr. Newhouse occurred in Carroll county, Ohio, April 14, 1849. His father was James Newhouse; his mother was Susana S. May. He grew to manhood in his na- tive county, engaged in the occupations and pleasures that come to the average country boy, receiving an indifferent education in the common schools of that time. Upon arriving at maturity he adopted farming as his life work, which he has continued to follow to the present time. With the exception of five years he has always worked on the same farm, that which his father owned before him. He is reputed to be one of the very best farmers in Washington township, taking the greatest pride in adopting new methods in the culture of his lands, and keeping the improvements on his farm in the best of order. Mr. Newhouse was the prime mover in the organization of what is known as the Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Hancock county, of which or- ganization he was president for a period of six years. December 19, 1876, he was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of Henry and Katherine Brown, and born in Washington township, January 7, 1851. She is the mother of an interesting family, as follows: Jennie M., born August 30, 1877; Ada D., born March 8, 1880; Clara M., born March 30, 1884; and Riley E., De- cember 5, 1885. Mrs. Newhouse is a member of one of the pioneer families of the county, and one which has been very prominently connected with its development. William M. Newhouse's father is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born October 31, 1822. His wife, Susana May, claims nativity in the Keystone state, where she was born July 18, 1823. They came to Hancock county in the fall of 1850, and located in Washington township, where they bought eighty acres which had been somewhat improved. To this tract they
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soon added another of forty acres, the whole of which James continued to farm during his lifetime. He was a man thoroughly versed in the science of farming in his day, a fact which accounts for the proficiency of his son in the same line. In 1872 James Newhouse caused to be built a commodious brick house on the farm, which is one of the most beautiful and practical mod- crn residences in the county. Politically he voted with the Republican party. He reared a family of five children, two of whom are now living ; the other member of the family beside our subject being a brother, Thomas New- house, elsewhere mentioned in this volume.
Mr. Newhouse has by untiring industry and sound judgment won a merited success in all his undertakings, and is in all respects worthy the high regard in which he is held by his fellow men. He has made many improve- ments on his place in the last four or five years, and now has one of the model farms of the county.
REV. A. C. SIDDALL.
One of the most highly regarded citizens of Van Buren, Ohio, is Rev. A. C. Siddall, who not only has gained the confidence of his own religious body, but has won a position of esteem in this community, where his schol- arly attainments are only equalled by his usefulness as a Christian minister.
The birth of Mr. Siddall was on July 3, 1868, in Amanda township, Hancock county, Ohio, and he is a son of John C. and Phidenia (Litzen- berger ) Siddall, the former of whom was born on November 3, 1844, in Co- lumbiana county, Ohio, and the latter in 1846, in Hancock county, Ohio. John C. Siddall is a successful and practical farmer, who owns an estate of one hundred and sixty-seven acres of vauable land in Amanda township. His parents were Joshua and Mary A. Siddall, who, in 1848, moved from Colum- biana county to Hancock county. The family has long been prominent in the United Brethren church.
Rev. Mr. Siddall was reared and educated in the common schools of his native township, and after finishing the common school course, spent four years in teaching in Hancock county and then entered Heidelberg University, graduating with honor in 1897. In 1890 he entered the Sandusky conference and ministry of the United Brethren church, and was assigned to the charge at Nevada, Ohio, where he remained for one year, serving for the same length of time the church at Kansas, Ohio, and this was followed by a service of three years at Bloomville, Ohio. From Bloomville he went to Bascom, Ohio, and three years later was transferred to Van Buren, where he is most
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acceptably serving his third year. This church was organized in 1866, and was built in 1868. Under his charge it has been strengthened until its mem- bership reaches almost two hundred, with a flourishing Sunday-school of two hundred and sixty-four members. This is one of the encouraging charges in the conference and the church property here is valued at six thousand dollars. Rev. Mr. Siddall occupies the position of statistical secretary of the San- dusky conference.
In 1890 Rev. Mr. Siddall was united in marriage with Miss Rose L. Shuck, who is a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Shuck and who was born on March 10, 1870, in Amanda township. To this union there were four children : Judson C., born May 18, 1892; Ruth M., born August 21, 1893; Esther C., born June 16, 1895 ; and Alcenas C., born June 4, 1897.
As a pulpit orator, Rev. Mr. Siddall is a speaker of great power, and an expounder of clearness. His church in him has a preacher of great value, one who does not confine his Christian labors to his own denomination, but extends his influence through the community. His pleasant personality wins many to his cause, while his exemplary life sets an example which works for the good of others.
ABNER L. DAVIS.
Abner L. Davis was born on a farm four miles east of Findlay, August 20, 1849. His remote ancestors emigrated from Wales to Virginia in the year 1640. His immediate ancestor, William Davis, moved from Cumber- land, Maryland, to Hancock county, Ohio, in the spring of 1834.
C. W. BROOKS.
This well known farmer and honored citizen of Pleasant township has for many years been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Hancock county, and his many years of earnest toil have been rewarded by a desirable competence. He is a native son of the Buckeye state, his birth having occurred in Jefferson county, on the 3d of March, 1838, and he is a son of Elisha and Margaret (Woods) Brooks, the former a native of Vir- ginia and the latter of Ohio. The father, who was of English descent, fol- lowed the trade of shoemaking in early life, but after coming to Hancock county in 1845, he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, on which he farmed during the remainder of his life, passing to his final rest in 1855. The mother was of Irish ancestry. In their family were eleven chil- dren, nine of whom grew to years of maturity.
Elizabeth Jane Brooks.
Calvin W. Brooks
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C. W. Brooks, the youngest in order of birth of the eleven children, was reared to mature years on the parental farm, and in the common schools of the neighborhood he received his early educational training. Choosing as a life work the occupation to which he had been reared, he early engaged in agricultural pursuits and is now the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of fertile and well improved land. In 1862 Mr. Brooks answered the call for soldiers to aid in crushing out the rebellion in the south, becoming a member of Company G, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected captain, but by a general order the regiment was disbanded and the men assigned to other regiments. He served his full term of three years. and at the battle of Stone river he received a bullet wound directly over the heart, his life being saved only by a bag of salt which he was carrying in a side pocket, which so reduced the force of the ball that it shattered only one rib .. After his return from hostilities Mr. Brooks again took up the quiet pursuits of the farm, and has since given his attention to the tilling of the soil, his efforts in that direction being attended with a high and well merited de- gree of success.
In the year 1861 Mr. Brooks was united in marriage to Sarah A., daugh- ter of Cyrus and Betsey Hart, and a descendant of English and Irish ancestry. Unto this union were born the following children: Ellsworth, who married Rena Mackey; Norton, who married Ida Robinson; Mack W., who married Elizabeth Helfrich; Matilda, deceased; Eli, who married Clara Conine; Jennie, the wife of F. Helfer; and Lizzie, the wife of John Sheeter. The wife and mother was called into eternal rest in 1880, and on the 27th of June, 1888, Mr. Brooks married Elizabeth J. King, who was born in Portage township, Hancock county, in 1844, a daughter of William and Elizabeth King. The father was a man of great business ability, and was a large stock dealer and land owner, owning and operating two hundred acres of fine land. He be- came a resident of Hancock county as early as 1842, and was long one of its valued and influential citizens. He was many times the choice of his fellow townsmen for positions of honor and trust, and among the many public offices which he was called upon to fill was that of justice of the peace. His death occurded on the 6th of July, 1898, but his widow is still living. By his second marriage Mr. Brooks has become the father of one son, Wilbur K., who was born May 24, 1889. In political matters our subject gives support to the Republican party, and he, too, has been called upon to serve in various public capacities, having for four years been the efficient trustee of Pleasant township, held the office of treasurer for a similar period. On account of two townships being thrown out he was de-
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feated for county commissioner in 1880 but was elected to that office in 1888 by a large majority, having been nominated in the convention on the first ballot. In 1900 Mr. Brooks was appointed superintendent of the Hancock County Infirmary and has made the most able superintendent the poor farm has ever had. Mrs. Brooks, the matron of the infirmary, is a woman thor- oughly fitted in every way for the position she occupies. She was a leading and popular teacher in this county for twenty-five years prior to her mar- riage. The cause of education has also found in Mr. Brooks a warm friend, and for eight years he served as a member of the school board. In 1883 he was elected vice president of the Hancock County Agricultural Association, thus serving until 1885, when he was elected general manager. In his fra- ternal relations he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; was the first chancellor commander of McComb Lodge, No. 179, K. of P., of which he was also deputy grand chancellor; and was formerly a member of John Howard Post, No. 154. G. A. R., in which he served as quartermas- ter and commander, but is now member of Stoker Post, of Findlay. Mr. Brooks is an honored and highly esteemed member of his community, and in the county which has so long been his home he has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.
WILLIAM STEPHENSON.
William Stephenson, deceased, was for many years an honored and highly esteemed citizen of Hancock county, his time and energies being princi- pally devoted to agricultural pursuits. A native of Ohio, he was born in Knox county, August 7, 1823, his parents being John and Anna (Lee) Stephenson. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, but as early as 1814 came to Ohio and settled in Knox county, where he was numbered among the pioneers and prominent farmers. His wife was a na- tive of Ireland but was only three years of age when brought by her parents to the new world. She died at the age of sixty-three years and he was sev- enty-four years of age at the time of his death. In their family were ten children, of whom nine reached maturity.
In this family William Stephenson was eighth in order of birth. He was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, attending the common schools near his boyhood home, and aiding in the labors of the farm when not in school. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which important event of his life was celebrated October 18, 1849, Miss Mary Anderson be- coming his wife. Six children blessed this union, namely: Viola, now the
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wife of Frank Bigelow ; Laura, wife of S. B. Sneath, of Tiffin, Ohio; Marian; Anderson L., a resident of Findlay; Adda May, who died at the age of fifteen years ; and William E., a resident of Findlay.
Mrs. Stephenson was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Oc- tober 14, 1824, and comes of good old Revolutionary stock. Her ancestors were of Scotch-Irish origin and were prominent early settlers of the Key- stone state. The first of the family to come to America was James Anderson, who was born in Ireland. His son, Patrick Anderson, whose birth occurred in Chester county, Pennsylvania, July 24, 1719, served with distinction as a colonel in Washington's army during the war for independence, and was later one of the organizers of the Order of Cincinnati. His son, James Anderson, also fought for the freedom of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. The latter was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, and afterward became a resident of Washington county, that state. This worthy old soldier was the grandfather of Mrs. Stephenson. Her father, William Anderson, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1797, and was there reared and married, the lady of his choice being Elizabeth Mckibben, a native of the same county and, a daughter of Richard and Sarah ( Robinson) Mckibben. Her parents were also Pennsylvanians by birth. On coming to Ohio in 1828, William Anderson located on a farin in Licking county, where he made his home until called to his final rest on the 5th of October, 1839, when forty- two years of age. Although he followed farming throughout the greater part of his life, he was also a civil engineer and held the office of county surveyor for some years. He took a very active and prominent part in public affairs and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Nine of his ten children reached years of maturity, Mrs. Stephenson being the third child and second daughter.
For three years after his marriage Mr. Stephenson continued to reside in Knox county, but in 1853 came to Hancock county and for five years made his home in Blanchard township, at the end of which time he removed to the place where his widow is now living, at 2610 North Main street, Findlay. Throughout his active business life he successfully engaged in farming and stock dealing and became the owner of two fine farms, one of one hundred and sixty acres and the other of eighty acres, both in the oil belt. In 1888 he erected the commodious and pleasant residence now oc- cupied by Mrs. Stephenson, and there he spent his last days surrounded by all the comforts which make life worth the living. He died Sep- tember 18, 1897, honored and respected by all who knew him on account of his sterling worth and many excellencies of character. He was an
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active and consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics identified with the Democracy. His course in life was ever such as to com- mend him to the confidence and high regard of all with whom he came in contact and he left many friends to mourn his loss besides his immediate family.
JASPER T. RICKETTS.
This is one of those quiet, unassuming men who make no loud pretentions but who if their past lives be inquired into will be found to have done their duty at every conjuncture to themselves, their neighbors and their country. Such an inquiry would disclose that during the dark days of the Civil war Mr. Ricketts was well to the front and fighting among the bravest of the brave for the preservation of the Union. Further inquiry would prove that after his return from the army he was just as faithful in peace as he had been in war, making a good church member, a good public official, a good neighbor and a good farmer. It is men of this type, pursuing "The even tenor of their way" without ostentation, but always on hand at the right time and counting one in every emergency, that make every community and furnish that indispensable element known as the "honest yeomanry of the land." .Mr. Ricketts comes of pioneer ancestry, and his family has been identified with Hancock county history for more than seventy years.
Rezin Ricketts, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in the early part of the nineteenth century, was married in Hancock county, to Mercy Hess, of Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and located in 1832 on eighty acres of wild land in what is now known as Marion township. As these were rough times the new arrivals shared with others all the privations incident to the pe- riod. There was much hard work, but also little play, a general deprivation of what are called the "comforts of civilization," but for these the pioneers man- aged to find substitutes and altogether their lot was not wholly one of hard- ship. Rezin Ricketts did his full share toward developing the new country and became prominent in local affairs, serving as township treasurer several terms and as justice of the peace for twenty-one years. He also acquired a reason- able measure of material prosperity and owned one hundred and sixty acres of land at the time of his death, in 1886. By his wife, Mercy (Hess) Ricketts, who died in 1872, he had three children: Jasper T., Mary and Martha.
As will be observed Jasper T. Ricketts is the eldest of the family, and his birth occurred in Marion township, Hancock county, Ohio, May 1, 1839.
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He followed the usual routine of farmer boys by attending school in winter and working on the farm "between times," and was so engaged at the time the sullen mutterings on the political horizon foreboded the coming of the war storm. When it broke in all its fury Jasper T. Ricketts was not one of those to shrink back, but took his full share of responsibility by enlisting in Company H, Fifty-seventh Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served bravely until the close of hostilities. Mr. Ricketts's regiment was assigned to the army of the Tennessee, and he took part with it in all of its battles and skirmishes while present for duty. He was wounded at the battle of Corinth and in the fight at Kennesaw Mountain was struck in the right hip, but in the whole was fortunate in his escapes, considering the many and great dangers he had to face. When honorably discharged, August 14. 1865, he held the rank of orderly sergeant of his company, and was considered one of the dutiful and reliable soldiers of the command.
It was during a leave of absence from the front, on March 3, 1864, that Mr. Ricketts was married to Barbara A., daughter of Jacob and Judy Bly, and born in Marion township in 1842. The children of this union were eight in number, of whom six are living and two are dead, to-wit: William T., de- ceased; Harvey J. ; Lewis R .; John B. ; Logan ; Alta M., deceased; Sarah M .; and Bertha. Mr. Ricketts is a member of the United Brethren church, has served his township as treasurer and trustee and belongs to Stoker Post, Grand Army of the Republic. He has owned and lived upon his present farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres in Amanda township since 1873, has made a number of needed improvements and is generally regarded as a practical, painstaking and progressive farmer.
ADAM WOLF.
The Teutonic race has been an important element in framing our nation- al commonwealth; its qualities and characteristics have been infused with. those of other races in the development of a strictly American type and the United States willingly acknowledges its indebtedness to the German people for certain admirable qualities which are found among the representatives of the fatherland and their descendants.
The above worthy representative of the Teutonic race is a wealthy and . practical farmer of Washington township, where he resides on a beautiful two hundred acre tract, which is well tilled and well kept. As stated he is a native of Germany, where he was born April 17, 1836. When he arrived at maturity he left home, and in 1858 arrived in America, coming immediately
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to Seneca county, Ohio. Here he remained until 1865, when he removed to Wood county, where he was one of the leading agriculturists for a period of three years, cultivating an eighty acre tract. In 1868 he sold this farm and coming to Hancock county located on his present place. It is noted that this property was once owned by Abraham Deel, whose large log house remains to-day as a trophy of the early pioneer life in Hancock county. Mr. Wolf has since coming into possession of the property added many modern improve- ments, having built his present large and commodious residence in 1872. In the year 1865 he was joined in marriage to Mary Dippelhoper, a lady also of German descent and lineage, she having been born in Germany in 1844. To this marriage there have been born a family of eight children, five of whom are living: John, born in 1867; Jessie, 1871; Lottie, 1873; Emma, 1878; Andrew, 1881.
Information concerning the family history of the Wolfs is rather scant. It is known that they were prominent members of society in the German empire for a long period of years. Adam Wolf's father was Peter Wolf, his mother's maiden name having been Maria Gilbrick. Both of his parents lived out their lives in Germany, where the father died in 1884 and the mother in 1863.
In the respect that is accorded the men who have fought their way to success through unfavorable environments, we find an unconscious recogniton of the intrinsic worth of a character which cannot only endure so rough a test, but can also gain new strength through the discipline. It can be said of Adam Wolf that he is a self-made man in all which that hackneyed phrase means. He has always been an exceedingly hard worker, and the effort which he has put forth, coupled with a good head for business, has made him one of the leading men of his section.
S. N. E. PRIDDY.
Though a resident of Findlay only twelve years the above named gentleman is a native of Ohio, and has spent all his life within the confines of this state. He is a busy man and a useful one, as the various enterprises which have occupied his attention were such as benefit the community while bringing profit to the proprietor. Furnishing railroad supplies, milling and mining have been Mr. Priddy's pursuits, and in these during an active career he has met with the success that usually rewards constant labor and persistent perseverance. He comes of an old family long settled in Greenbrier county, Virginia, whence have gone forth so many pioneers for the new territories of
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