USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 5
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Sebastian Ketzenbarger, the father of our subject, accompanied his par- ents on their various removals, and his first purchase of real estate was in Union township, Hancock county, the same consisting of one hundred acres of timber land. In the midst of the virgin forest he erected a little log. house and began life in true pioneer style, but as the years passed by he succeeded in clearing his land and placing his fields under cultivation, this having been accomplished only by incessant toil and excellent management. Selling his possessions in 1866, he removed to Wood county, Ohio, where he became the owner of a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on which he made his home until 1888, and in that year he came again to Hancock county, where he now owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mr. Ketzenbarger has been twice married, his first wife having been in her maid- enhood Miss Rachel Cramer, and their wedding was celebrated on the 13th of September, 1849. This union resulted in the birth of nine children : Isabell, who was born in 1850, and is now deceased; John, born in 1851; Sarah, who
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was born in 1853, and is also deceased; Andrew, born in 1855; Irene, born in 1857; George and Ella, twins, and their birth occurred in 1859, but the last named is now deceased; Jacob O., born in 1861; and Marianna, born in 1862. Mrs. Ketzenbarger, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 21, 1822, died in 1891, and Mr. Ketzenbarger's second marriage occurred in December, 1895, when Mrs. Lucy Fox became his wife. In political matters the family have long been identified with Democratic principles.
Jacob O. Ketzenbarger, the immediate subject of this review, was taken by his parents to Wood county, Ohio, when but five years of age, and in the public schools of that county he received his early mental training. In 1889 he returned to Union township, Hancock county, and in 1900 purchased his present farm of fifty acres, which he is now operating in connection with his father's old homestead. He makes his home on the last named place, and in his farming and stock-raising interests he has met with a high degree of success. His land is well improved, and his fields now annually yield to him a handsome financial return for the care and labor which he bestows upon them. On the 9th of November, 1882, Miss Nellie Eckleberger became his wife, and they have become the parents of four children, namely: Reggie C., who was born on the 25th of September, 1883; John I., born May 1, 1887; Ella G., who was born on the 2d of June, 1890; and Ethel L., born December 27, 1895. Mrs. Ketzenbarger was born in Wood county Ohio, April 18, 1862, and is a daughter of John and Barbara Eckelberger. The Ketzenbarger fam- ily are worthy members of the United Brethren church. They are held in high regard in the community in which they reside, and their own home is celebrated for its gracious hospitality.
JOHN T. MONTGOMERY.
The subject of this sketch, though now a prosperous producer and dealer in oil, a factor in a Missouri lumber enterprise, and otherwise identified with the industrial development of Findlay, has not reached his present position without the usual "ups and downs" that generally accompany human en- deavor. He had few advantages in early life and put in many hard licks as a blacksmith before fortune smiled upon him and enabled him to live with- out the the drudgery of daily toil. He is of Irish origin, his father, William Montgomery, having been born in the historic land of Erin in 1820, whence he emigrated to the new world and after a struggle ended his days in Can- ada in 1894. It was in the last mentioned country that his son, Jolin T. Mont- gomery, first saw the light of day, his birth having occurred there in 1853.
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He was reared at Renfrew, the place of his nativity, but in 1877 made his way to the Pennsylvania oil fields. But being of a speculative turn of mind and realizing that blacksmithing was a rather slow way to make much ad- vancement, Mr. Montgomery secured an interest in some oil wells in Alle- gany county, New York. After obtaining this foretaste, and realizing the immense possibilities of this great industry, he transferred the scene of his operations to Ohio, locating at Findlay in 1887. Immediately thereafter he entered upon his career as a producer and contractor in oil, and has achieved conspicuous success in this fascinating line of investment. He is now senior member of the firm of Montgomery & Stitt, which owns wells in Hancock, Wood, Mercer, Sandusky and Lucas counties, Ohio. In addition to these inter- ests, Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Findlay Lumber Company, consisting of two persons besides himself, which has acquired a lot of timber land in Mis- souri and is operating a sawmill thereon.
In September, 1893, Mr. Montgomery married Anna M. George, who died leaving a daughter named Hortensia. In 1897 he took a second wife in the person of Miss Lida M. Shoultz, of Findlay, Ohio, by whom he has two children, John William and Irene. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church, independent in politics and a Mason. He is recognized among his associates as a man of strong force of character and remarkably good judgment in business matters. Though not a large man, his physical development is like that of an athlete, full of nervous en- ergy and with a muscular strength which suggests his early training at the anvil as the prime cause. He lives in a handsome house at Findlay, where all friends who call are entertained with cordial welcome and genuine Irish joviality.
JOHN T. ARNOLD.
While a modest man never boasts of his achievements, from dislike to what would appear as self-glorification, it is not improper for friends of the gentleman above named to say for him what he would not be heard saying for himself-that he had achieved success in the world under very disadvan- tageous circumstances. The orphan at best usually has a hard lot, but when poverty is coupled with orphanage at a very early age a cross is made which is very hard to bear. Even if the child is fortunate enough to fall into good hands there can be no substitute for a mother's love or a father's care, and when later the real battle of life begins the natural difficulties always in the way seem especially loaded for the forlorn and friendless. The fact that
John J. and Jane G. Arnold,
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Mr. Arnold had to go through all these experiences and overcame them with- out succumbing furnishes the basis for the compliment paid him in the opening sentences of this introductory, and the justness of which will be proved as we proceed.
During the latter part of the '30s Thomas Arnold was married to Rachel Moore in Hancock county, Ohio, and later took up their abode in the county of Delaware. There, on the 7th of December, 1840, John T. Arnold was born, and within six months after his advent into the world his mother was carried away by death. This first great misfortune was followed in a little over two years by another, the death of his father at that time leaving the child an orphan. Fortunately Elijah Galant, an uncle who lived in Delaware county, took charge of the boy and looked after his welfare until he grew to man's estate. When twenty years old he went to Columbus and learned the plasterer's trade, which furnished him occupation until 1864. In that year he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged. Pre- vious to this, however, he had been a member of the militia, and in both branches of the service, during the short time he remained, endeavored to do his full duty as a soldier. February 18, 1864, Mr. Arnold was married, in Licking county, to Jane Lewis, and for awhile engaged in farming in Dela- ware county. In 1866 he came to Hancock county and located on land in Orange township, where he remained until 1875, and then removed to the farm on which he now resides. This tract, consisting of two hundred acres at the time Mr. Arnold took possession, was wet land, mostly covered with tim- ber and required much ditching. The task of clearing the place and getting it into shape for cultivation was a heavy and expensive one, but Mr. Arnold managed to accomplish it in time by the hard work of himself and his em- ployes. The soil is rich and productive, and under Mr. Arnold's manage- ment his land has been made one of the best farms of its size in that neighbor- hood.
Mrs. Arnold died January 17, 1897, after becoming the mother of eleven children, whose names are thus recorded in order of birth: Lizzie, wife of Miles Raston, of Morrow county, Ohio; Dellie M., who died June 16, 1895; Thomas, who died April 9, 1880; Samuel R .; James H .; Sarah G., wife of Ross Rockey; George W., who died July 14, 1880; Ida, who died January I, 1880; Bertha A .; Hulda, who died February 7, 1883; and William J. Mr. Arnold cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and has ever since been a stanch supporter of Republican principles. He is a member of the Baptist church, and for many years was clerk of the sessions, always
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taking much interest in the religious work. At one time he belonged to the Grange, keeps well posted on affairs relating to agriculture and altogether is an kindhearted, unassuming man, who enjoys general respect as a good neigh- bor and good citizen.
EDMUND C. TAYLOR.
To the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania and Ohio, and the resultant in- dustries that grew therefrom on such a large scale, may be attributed the development of what may be called a new type of business men. The neces- sities of the case sharpened the wits, while enlarging the faculties, with the result that many of the most remarkable men of the country have owed their training to the exigencies of the great oil fields. The failures, of course, in that, as in all other lines of business, far exceed the successes, but those who were fortunate enough to be added to the latter list will generally prove, when found, to be the ruling spirits of their communities. These remarks will apply to several who have been mentioned in this volume, but to none with more force than to the gentleman whose career is herein outlined. In fact Mr. Taylor's whole life may be said to have been spent "in oil," though he himself will be the first to admit that the sailing was not always as. smooth as the term would indicate. Almost from boyhood he has been connected in one way or another with the oil industry of Pennsylvania and Ohio, and none understand better than he all the "ins and outs," the advantages as well as the dangers of the fascinating road to wealth which leads through those mysterious subterranean channels where is formed the precious fluid that has revolutionized the world. Mr. Taylor is one of those who made a success of this business, acquired wealth by dint of much hard work and risky venture, and is now at the head of one of the leading financial institutions of Findlay.
Edmund C. Taylor was born in Ohio, September 2, 1851, attended the common schools as he grew up and rounded out his education at Oberlin College. Being ambitious for a business career and full of the ardor of youth, he could scarcely await the completion of his college career before venturing into the struggle for fortune with the hosts then engaged so strenuously in developing the Pennsylvania oil fields. He was twenty years old when he reached Oil City, then the center of the industry, and lost no time in be- coming one of the throng who were making that town a hive of industry and speculative ventures. Mr. Taylor spent about eighteen months at Oil City, without any incident worthy of special mention, but regarding Butler county
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as a better opening, he repaired to that section and there continued in the same line of business for six years. In 1878 he located at Bradford and opened a nitro-glycerine manufactory, which was conducted in connection with the "shooting" of wells for prospectors, and this highly dangerous busi- ness occupied him for seven years, during which time many of those asso- ciated with him lost their lives by contact with the explosive. But the "fittest survive," according to the Darwinian philosophy, and it was Mr. Taylor's good fortune to escape all the deadly dangers incident to his perilous occupation. From Bradford he transferred his scene of operations to Rich- burg, Pennsylvania, where he became an oil producer and prosecuted that branch of the business with vigor, and more or less success, from 1881 until 1886. In the latter year he decided to abandon the Pennsylvania for the Ohio fields, and in order to be in the center of activity, located at Findlay, where he immediately resumed operations with his usual energy and was connected with the first well drilled for oil in that region. During his resi- dence of sixteen years in Hancock county Mr. Taylor has maintained his connection with the oil interests, but has found time to devote to other mat- ters of importance for the public welfare. Among his contributions in this line was his service for many years as one of the gas trustees and his man- agement of the Commercial Bank and Savings Company, to the presidency of which institution he was elected in January, 1901.
In 1889 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage at Findlay with Mrs. Grace Moore, whose maiden name was Ostermeyer, and their household is one of the social centers of the city. Mr. Taylor has long been conspicuous in Ma- sonry, having risen to the thirty-second degree in that ancient order, and is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics he lias been a life-long Republican.
HARVEY RAINEY.
For sixty-three years Harvey Rainey traveled life's journey, and each year of that period was marked with good deeds and a record of an hon- orable career, and in the evening of life he received the veneration and re- spect which should ever be accorded those who live worthily, faithfully per- forming life's duties, and following their honest convictions of right and wrong. Harvey Rainey was a well known and respected representative of the agricultural class in Hancock county, residing for the greater part of the time in Big Lick township. He was born in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1834. At the age of fifteen years he left home and learned the
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carpenter's trade under John Dickson, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, re- maining with him six years. He then went to Wisconsin and Minnesota and worked at the carpenter's trade in both states for four years, when he came to Hancock county and worked at his trade here for about six years. In 1862 he located in Big Lick township, purchasing a farm of eighty acres. As he prospered later in life he made an addition to this original purchase of forty acres, located in Washington township, and again added a tract of one hundred acres to his real estate holdings, this time in Cass township. In early life Mr. Rainey learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming in Hancock county, his system being to let his land out on the shares, while he engaged actively as a contracting carpenter, turn- ing the result of his labors into more real estate. He gradually ceased his connection with the carpenter's trade, and in 1865 abandoned it entirely, after which he followed farming exclusively. Mr. Rainey combined many noble traits of character. He was a quiet, peaceful man, inoffensive as a child, a first-class farmer and a loyal citizen. He was a member in good standing in the Methodist Episcopal church, and voted with the Republican party. His marriage was celebrated with Miss Sarah A. Taylor, April 5, 1860. Miss Taylor was a daughter of William and Jane Taylor, and to the marriage were born five children, namely : Amanda J .; Charles W .; Mary A .; George B., deceased; and Alvin D. The death of the father of the family occurred December 23, 1897.
Mrs. Sarah A. Rainey was born in Washington township, September 14, 1841, and has resided in sight of her home all of her lifetime. Her parents, William and Jane Taylor, came to this township in 1838, being natives of Washington county, Pennsylvania. They were among the worthy pioneers of Hancock county, whose descendants fill the various walks of life acceptably. Both died at the age of seventy-two. Robert, the grandfather, born in County Down, Ireland, who was of the Protestant faith and a successful farmer, died at the age of eighty years. Martha, the grandmother of Mrs. Rainey, died when about seventy years old. Grandfather and Grandmother Bell were of Welsh descent and both died of old age.
HON. HENRY BISHOP.
Hon. Henry Bishop, deceased, was prominently identified with public affairs in early days and was a recognized leader in local politics. A native of Ohio, he was born in Franklin county, November 23, 1820, and in early manhood joined his brother, John D., in Hancock county. Learning the
Mit Mars J. S. Bishop
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printer's trade in the office of the Courier at Findlay, he later purchased that paper and engaged in its publication from the 24th of January, 1839, until the Ist of July, 1845, but it did not prove a very profitable investment. He was a forcible though rather an illogical writer. Prior to disposing of the paper Mr. Bishop settled on a farm in Eagle township and devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. In early life he engaged in teaching school for a few terms.
On the 5th of November, 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Eve Smith, who was also born in Franklin county, May 21, 1821, a daughter of William Smith, and they became the parents of six sons, namely: George S., born July 1, 1842, died in Seneca county, Ohio, September 12, 1896; Will- iam is now living near Mt. Blanchard; John S. is mentioned below; Isaac lives on a part of the old homestead; Smith resides in Seneca county, two and a half miles northeast of Tiffin; and Henry Dixon is now serving as justice of the peace in Eagle township, Hancock county. The late John D. Bishop, our subject's brother, made his home in this county for many years. A sister, Polly, married Isaac Smith, a brother of our subject's wife, and they were the parents of Henry Smith, who is still living in Eagle township.
During his residence in Hancock county Mr. Bishop took quite an active and influential part in public affairs, and was elected to the state legislature at the same time Reuben Wood was made governor. Being somewhat ec- centric he attended the sessions of that august body clad in a hunting shirt and leggins, but he was nevertheless a valued member of the house and was un- wavering in his support of those measures which he believed would advance the general welfare. He died within sight of his home, June 18, 1855, being drowned in Eagle creek during high water while attempting to loosen drift- wood. He got a cramp while swimming and went down. He left a widow and six sons, the oldest of whom was only thirteen years of age and the youngest one year old. Mrs. Bishop carefully reared her children, and as soon as they were old enough to be of any assistance to her they began to aid in the opera- tion of the home farm. In 1871 she was again married, her second union being with Conrad Line, a farmer, who died in 1876. Two years after his deatlı she returned to the old Bishop homestead, keeping her own part of the house and living independently until her death, which occurred October 24, 1896. She retained her faculties up to the last, being quite well preserved for one of her years. She was a faithful and consistent member of the old school Baptist church, was a strict Sabbatarian, and an active church worker. The sick and needy in her neighborhood always found in her a friend, and she was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew her. In 1863 she erected
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a brick house upon her place, the brick being made upon the farm, but it was destroyed by fire in 1883. In addition to the old homestead, comprising two hundred and forty acres, she owned another farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Seneca county and in the management of the estate displayed excel- lent business and executive ability.
John S. Bishop, one of the leading agriculturalists and representative citizens of Eagle township, was born on the site of his present home, Decem- ber 13, 1847, and his whole life has been spent upon that farm. He remained with his mother until her second marriage, when in partnership with his brother Isaac he bought the interests of the other heirs in the property, becoming owner of one hundred and twenty acres. Nineteen years ago he erected his present residence, whichi is located on the banks of Eagle creek five and a half miles south of Findlay. He is a progressive and practical farm- er who thoroughly understands the vocation which he follows and is meeting with well deserved success in his operations. Besides his part of the old home- stead he owns another farm in Jackson township and has city property in Findlay.
On the 4th of April, 1872, was celebrated the marriage of John S. Bishop and Miss Angeline A. Woodruff, a daughter of Elijah and Sarah (Walters) Woodruff, our subject's nearest neighbors. She was born on an adjoining farm, August 14, 1850, and was there reared, she and her husband being school- mates. Unto them were born three children: Charley Cloyce, who died at the age of two years, one month and fifteen days; Sadie Blanche, now the wife of Henry Hartman, of Jackson township, by whom she has two children, John Durell and Clarence Harold; and Carrie Andra, who was educated in the Find- lay high school and is still with her parents. Both daughters have studied music and the younger is quite an accomplished pianist and also a vocalist of more than ordinary ability. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop is a little boy, Earl Bishop Newman, now nine years of age, who has made his home with them since the death of his mother during his infancy.
In his political views Mr. Bishop is a stanch Democrat, and though he takes an active interest in public affairs he has never been an aspirant for politi- cal honors, preferring to devote his undivided attention to his business inter- ests. His estimable wife is a member of the Pleasant Grove United Brethren church, but he still adheres to his mother's teachings and in religious faith is a Baptist, although he is not connected with any church organization. That his life has been an upright and honorable one is shown by the fact that those who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends.
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HARVEY C. MILEY.
The gentleman above mentioned, at present one of the popular busi- ness men at Findlay, has had a varied experience as school teacher, real estate dealer and newspaper publisher, with a little office-holding on the side. Such occupations are necessarily educational if not especially profitable, and the training added to the information acquired is apt to prove useful in later life. At any rate Mr. Miley does not regret the time spent in "teaching the young idea how to shoot" nor his experiences as a "moulder of thought" while presiding over the sanctums of country newspapers. All this is behind him now, however, and he is intent only upon making a lasting success of his present business, which is that of real estate, insurance and loans, and those who know him best are of the opinion that he is apt to succeed in whatever he undertakes.
Harvey C. Miley was born near Wauseon, Ohio, in 1855, grew up on a farm and went through the usual experiences as to training and education that fall to the lot of boys in the country. This routine continued until he had reached the nineteenth year of his age, when he made his first venture in life as a teacher of a Fulton county school. He kept up this occupation in his native county about six years and then went to Kalkaska, Michigan, where for a year he was engaged in the real estate business. This he abandoned temporarily to accept the principalship of the school at Williamsburg, which position he held a year, and then took charge of the schools at Fife Lake, where he also spent a year. Leaving the school room permanently at the end of his term at Fife Lake, he opened a real estate and insurance office at that point and conducted the same for the following two years. His next move was to Boyne City, Michigan, where he continued the real estate busi- ness two years and then purchased the Boyne Citizen, a weekly independent newspaper, which he managed a year and a half. Disposing of this plant, Mr. Miley made another investment in the newspaper field by purchasing the Enterprise, a weekly publication at East Jordan, Michigan, but this he re- tained only six months and ended his career as an editor by a sale of the plant. In 1887 he came to Findlay, opened a real estate, insurance and loan office and since then has been well to the front in that line, to which he has devoted all his time and energy with satisfactory results.
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