USA > Ohio > Hancock County > A centennial biographical history of Hancock County, Ohio > Part 51
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NORMAN L. MACLACHLAN, M. D.
It is not unusual in this work-a-day world to see young men having their own way to make, doing various odd jobs to earn a penny for the purpose of completing their education, and all honor should be paid them. That which is not worth great sacrifice would be a poor position indeed. These are the
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sentiments of the gentleman here named, and he comes honestly by them, for his own experience was in consonance with them. The family of which Dr. Maclachlan is a member came from Scotland, the first member of which he has any authentic information being his grandfather, Donald Maclach- lan, who was born in Argyleshire, in 1760, and died there in 1850. He mar- ried Agnes McFarlan and reared a family, of which our subject's father, Alexander Maclachlan, was the eighth child. He was born in Argyleshire, Scotland, on the nineth of June, 1809, and in 1840 came to Canada, where he settled in Middlesex county, province of Ontario. The Maclachlans have always been agricultural people, and Alexander was engaged in the occupa- tion of farming for a number of years in Canada, where he reared a family of ten children, all of whom are living except the youngest, who died in child- hood. Later he moved into Michigan, where he died in 1879. He had mar- ried Mary, the daughter of John Black, also a native of Scotland and a gauger by profession. His father, John Black, was born in Scotland, and lived out his days in that country.
The gentleman whose name forms the immediate subject of this sketch and who is a physician of excellent standing in the medical circles of Findlay, Ohio, was born in Middlesex county, Ontario, November 26, 1854. From that section of the country he removed with his parents in May, 1861, to Argyle, Sanilac county, Michigan, where he passed the entire period of his youth and young manhood to the age of twenty. There he received such educational advantages as were to be had in the schools of a new country at that period, in the meantime doing an immense amount of physical labor, for his parents were not of the wealthy class. The youth was imbued with the idea that he would get an education at whatever cost, and at the age of fourteen began working in the lumber camps in the winter and attending school during the summers. Any one who has any knowledge of the exceed- ingly severe physical labor exacted of employes in the lumber camps- will have some idea of the sacrifice and immense pains young Maclachlan put forth in order to receive his education. Often it was necessary to stand in icy water, waist deep. in order to perform his part of the work in getting timber down the Cass river. He, however, persevered and is now able to look back to that time with a certain degree of satisfaction. Deciding upon the medical profession as his life work, he entered the office of Dr. William H. Greene, at Cass City, Michigan, where he read medicine under his direction for a period of one year. Having then saved sufficient money to enable him to attend college, he went to Ann Arbor, where he entered the medical department of the University of Michigan, succeeding in keeping himself steadily in the
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course until his graduation on the 27th of March, 1878. Returning to the locality where he was best known at Cass City, Michigan, he began practice at that point, and for eleven years was so engaged, during which time it was necessary to make long drives over inferior roads and in all kinds of weather. Leaving that section in February, 1889 he came to Findlay, where he has since been engaged in practice. Dr. Maclachlan takes a very active interest in the public life of the communities in which he happens to reside, having served as mayor of Cass City, Michigan, during the years 1883 and 1884, and from 1892 until 1898 was a member of the cominon council of Findlay, while for two years of that period he was president of that body .. He was appointed a member of the board of United States pension examining surgeons by Pres- ident Mckinley in October, 1897, and upon the organization of this board the doctor was elected its secretary, which position he is now filling. He is also the local surgeon for the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad and the Findlay, Fort Wayne & Western companies, and the surgeon for the Findlay city hospital.
Dr. Maclachlan was married on the 27th of November, 1878, in Blen- heim, Ontario, to Enima, the daughter of John Jackson, now deceased, and to this union one child was born, Ethel May. In matters pretaining to medical science the doctor is awake to the interests of his profession, and be- longs to the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, to the Ohio State Me- dical Society and to the Hancock county Medical Society, in the latter of which he was president and is now vice-president. In matters fraternal he is a member of the Masonic Order and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having filled all the chairs in the latter organization. In political life Dr. Maclachlan is a stanch Republican and delights in the active work of his party, and whatever he is able to do in advancing the principles of that party in the minds of the people is done with alacrity and in the most cheerful spirit. Findlay is fortunate in possessing among her citizens a physician of the standing of Dr. Maclachlan, who is always awake to her interests.
JOSEPH P. BAKER, M. D.
Though a resident of Findlay only twelve years the subject of this sketch has already established himself so firmly in his profession as to make the future seem assured. His rise has been rapid, but only a natural result that follows careful preliminary preparation, backed by continuous study and a close attention to business. There is no mystery about it, however, it simply being another case of American vim and energy, supported by an honorable
D. P. Baker, M. D.
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ambition directed by educated intelligence. These are factors which usually secure success, even under the most adverse circumstances, and their display has certainly brought Dr. Baker to the front rank among the practitioners of northwestern Ohio, while also giving him a leading place in other lines allied to his professional work. If these compliments should seem strained to any one. this impression will be dispelled by a reading of the biographical details which follow and which amply justify the eulogistic tone of the opening sentences.
Joshua C. Baker, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, has spent his life mostly in the combined occupations of farming and teaching. In 1863 he married Clarissa A. Moorhead, by whom he had six children, and one of these became the popular physician at Findlay with whom this biography is concerned. Joseph P. Baker was born at Fostoria, Ohio, June 9, 1864, and was an infant when his parents removed to Hancock county, where they have since resided. During his boyhood he attended school in the neigh- borhood of his father's farm in Portage and later at Findlay, and this educa- tional process continued until he had reached the sixteenth year of his age. He then made his first business venture as a teacher in the schools of Wood county, Ohio, in which occupation he continued for seven consecutive years. At the end of this time he came to Findlay and began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Anson Hurd, one of the oldest physicians in point of practice in Hancock county. In 1888 he entered Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, and applied himself diligently to the course of study there until his graduation in the class of 1890. Dr. Baker was quite popular at Starling, both with the faculty and the students, and at the close of the term was honored by being made president of the graduating class. Immediately after leaving college he located at Findlay and entered actively upon the practice of his profession. In 1894 he attended the New York Polyclinic, and three years later took a post-graduate course in New York with a view to keeping himself abreast of all the new discoveries in every branch of medical science. His professional ability, aided by his gentlemanly bear- ing and genial address, soon fixed Dr. Baker firmly as one of the features in the social and business growth of Findlay. His popularity has been proved in many ways, as will be shown by an enumeration of the honors and promo- tions conferred upon him at different times. Shortly after locating at Find- lay Dr. Baker was admitted as a member of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association, and served as secretary of that body from 1895 until 1902. At the annual meeting of the association in the year last mentioned Dr. Baker was unanimously elected president, an honor which is a sure index of the es-
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teem in which he is held in this section of the state. Speaking of this elec- tion, the Findlay Courier, published in his home town, thus commented : "Dr. Baker has always been a very successful figure in his profession, and the fact that so young a man as he has been elected to the presidency of the association stands as quite a compliment." Dr. Baker is also a member of the Hancock County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association and the Order of Railway Surgeons. From 1890 until 1893 he served on the pension board of Hancock county, and is at present the local surgeon of the Lake Erie and Western Railroad Company at Findlay. In addition to this he has served six years as local physician of the Orphans' Home at Findlay, and holds the chair of obstetrics in the Find- lay City Hospital. He is also the leading examining surgeon at Findlay for a number of life and accident insurance companies.
On the social and fraternal side of life we find Dr. Baker filling a role in keeping with his professional prominence. His classmates at the old alma mater have never forgotten the student days, and in 1901 he was elected president of the Alumni Association, in addition to an appointment as one of the censors of the college. In 1891 Dr. Baker was created a Master Mason in Findlay Lodge, No. 227 ; is a member of Findlay Chapter, No. 58, Council No. 50, Findlay Commandery No. 49; was made a Scottish Rite Mason in 1898, at Cleveland, Ohio, and is a member of Zenobia Temple at Toledo. He is also a member of Findlay Lodge, No. 88, Knights of Pythias. Findlay Lodge, No. 75, of the Elks, and Hancock Lodge, No. 73, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, though he has not been an aspirant for official honors, aside from such as are appropriate to his profession. May 25, 1892, he was happily married to Miss Harriet, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schwartz, and with his wife enjoys a cordial welcome in the best society at Findlay.
OTTA B. MARVIN.
Though a young man and only in business about eleven years, the subject of this sketch has gained the title of the " popular jeweler " of Findlay. This complimentary designation he has earned and deserved, as well on account of his skill in the cunning workmanship required in his trade as by strict atten- tion to business and courtesy to customers. The family is of Pennsylvania origin, AAncie E. Marvin having been born in that state in 1836 and sought a home in Ohio where he lived until the time of his death. At the opening of the Civil war he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-seventh Regiment, Ohio
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Volunteer Infantry, with which he served loyally for two years. He married Margaret T. Hollawell, by whom he had six children, and of these the five survivors are thuis named: Amanda J., wife of J. N. Feller; Charles W .; Leonard A .; Otta B. and Frank J. The mother of this family died in 1895 and the father, after surviving her a few years, passed away in 1899. Otta B. Marvin, the fourth child in order of birth, was born on a farm in Marion township, Hancock county, Ohio, in 1868. He was brought to Findlay in infancy and there grew up while receiving his education in the city schools. Being naturally ambitious, and having no rich relatives to help him, young Marvin began to look around at an early age for a means to insure a liveli- hood and lay a basis for future fortune. His inclinations were along the line of mechanics and his preference for the jeweler's trade. Accordingly, when only seventeen years old he took the necessary steps to qualify himself for the calling decided upon as his life work. Having learned the details and niceties of the jeweler's art, he opened a store at Findlay in 1891 and no working day since has found him absent from his post.
In 1889 Mr. Marvin led to the altar Miss Genevieve, the popular daugh- ter of Henry C. Latham, the ceremony being performed at the parental resi- dence in Findlay. Their household has been brightened by the births of three children : Helen E., Ancie L. and Margaret T. In politics Mr. Mar- vin affiliates with the Republican party, and gratifies his desire for fraternal fellowship by membership in the order of Elks.
WVILLARD GEORGE.
It is the record of such men as Willard George that awakens the most interest, for in this country where no man is born to public honors or to pub- lic office, but where the road to these is that of usefulness and fidelity, warm commendation and interest is always elicited through the history of a self- made man who wins success and also gains the recognition of the public by reason of his fidelity to duty. Willard George is of this class. He is now one of the most trusted employes in the Ohio Rolling Mill, of Findlay, and is also a leader in Republican circles. He was born in Portage, Wood county, Ohio, in 1874, a son of Edwin George, who is now a coal merchant on the north side of this city, but for a number of years he was proprietor of a grocery store in the eastern part of Findlay. In 1875 he removed to Hancock county, settling on a farm near Mount Cory, and when our subject was four years of age the father removed with his family to Kansas and
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afterward to Missouri. In 1889 he returned to this county and has since been a resident of Findlay, being a recognized factor in commercial circles.
Willard George was less than a year old when his parents first came to Findlay, and was a boy of four years when they removed to the west. When a youth of fifteen, after the return of the family to Hancock county, he entered the employ of the Findlay Rolling Mill Company as weigh boy, one of the most humble positions in the shops; but his close application, his ready mastery of the work entrusted to him and his fidelity constantly won him promo- tion. He worked in the forenoon, and in the afternoon, instead of spending his time idly, he attended the Findlay College, where he completed a busi- ness course. He then turned his entire attention to the mastery of his trade, and to-day he is recognized as one of the best workmen in the highest class of skilled labor in the iron trade, that of puddler, or converting the material front pig to wrought iron. His connection with the present firin covers three years, during which time he has enjoyed in a full measure the con- fidence of his employers and the respect of his associates. In fact, one of his fellow workmen said : "Not a man ever worked with him that was not his friend."
It is this man who has gained prominence in Republican circles, becom- ing one of the leaders in the party, and in the year 1902 he became his party's candidate for the office of mayor. He is a practical and progressive busi- ness man and in any position to which he might be called he would be found reliable, capable and trustworthy.
Mr. George enlisted for service in the Spanish-American war in May, 1898, becoming a member of Company D, Second Regiment of the United States Engineers, in the capacity of a private. He served for one year, spending five months of that time in Cuba. He has always been active in the work for the betterment of his fellow men, and no one has been more potent in the councils of the Pride of Findlay Lodge, No. 62, of the Amalga- mated Association of Iron, Steel & Tin Workers, than he. Every office in the gift of the lodge has been his and he represented his lodge at the na- tional convention in Milwaukee in 1901.
On the Ist of January, 1902, Mr. George was united in marriage in Findlay, Ohio, to Ida G. Hoover, daughter of David Hoover, of Putnam street. They are well known young people of this city and have a large circle of friends here. Mr. George is truly a self-made man, for starting out in life empty-handed in a humble business capacity, he has steadily worked his way upward until he is now a leading representative of the in- dustrial interests of this city. He keeps well informed on the issues and
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questions of the day, and his labors in behalf of the Republican party have been effective and far reaching. He well deserves the honor which came to him in his nomination and it is a well known fact that in office Mr. George would ever be found capable, just and faithful.
HIRAM D. KRABILL.
A family which has been intimately connected with the marvelous prog- ress and development of Hancock county, and whose associations with it have always been of an honorable and upright character, is that represented by the gentleman whose name precedes this paragraph.
His grandfather, David Krabill, was a native of Stark county, Ohio, having first seen the light in that county November 3, 1806. He was the son of David and Mary Krabill. When he came to maturity he married Jemima Boden, the marriage occurring April 12, 1832. Jemima Boden was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in that state, in Cumberland county, December 22, 1812. They reared a family of children consisting of Augustus, deceased, born February 1, 1833; Jacob, September 4, 1834; Davis, July 7, 1836; Sara, January 29, 1839; Ann E., November 20, 1842; John W., November 29, 1846; Samuel D., August 23, 1849; Harriet, June 24, 1852; Hiram B., October 21, 1854; Irene J., June 21, 1858. David Krabill was a practical farmer, pursuing agriculture with eminent success, and lived to the advanced age of eighty years. He was an earnest sup- porter of the principles of religion as set forth by the Dunkard organiza- tion. His son Augustus was born in Seneca county, Ohio, where he grew to manhood and married Elizabeth Davis in 1855. The union was pro- ductive of four children, two of whom are living: Hiram D., whose name heads this sketch, and Freeman Krabill, residing at present in Gratiot coun- ty, Michigan. The father owned and operated a farm of three hundred and twenty acres, which he had acquired by hard personal labor. He was a pop- ular man in his day, was a scientific and practical agriculturist and a most loyal citizen. He served frequently in the minor offices of the community, for a number of terms having been justice of the peace, the duties of which office he discharged with credit to himself and to his constituents. He also was a member of the Dunkard church, and was highly respected for his upright and worthy character. After passing a useful life in the county of his adoption, and mourned by family and friends alike, he died in 1894. The wife survives him, being still hale and hearty at the age of eighty-seven years.
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Hiram D. Krabill was born in Big Lick township October 5, 1860, where he was given the advantages of an excellent district school, and later took a course in the public schools of Findlay, finally finishing at Ashland College. For eight successive years after his graduation at Ashland Col- lege he acted as instructor in the schools of his native county. This, how- ever, was not so much to his taste as the rural life of a farmer. He there- fore ceased teaching, purchased a farm and has since been engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. Mr. Krabill is a popular young man, and very active in supporting the principles of the Republican party. He was such an earnest and successful worker in the ranks of that organization that he was selected in 1900 to make the race for sheriff of the county on the Republican ticket. Hancock county is noted for its close contests, and never was there a more spirited one than occurred in that year. Owing to complications which Mr. Krabill and his associates could not forsee, he suffered defeat, but by only thirty-four votes. For the past twelve years he has been an efficient and active member of the school board of his township, the high character of the schools showing the quality of his efforts in that field. The farm upon which he now resides was purchased in 1881 by his father, and at the latter's death he inherited the property. His domestic life began in 1883, when he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Sara Hill. Of their four children only two are living: Arla P. and Lizzie R. Mrs. Krabill, who was a lady of refined and gentle character, died in 1892, and as a mother for his orphaned children Mr. Krabill chose Miss Rose L. Shap- stein, the marriage occurring in 1894. The second wife is a native of Mich- igan, where she was born April 10, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Krabill are both consistent and earnest workers in what is known as the Progressive Dunkard church. They are respected residents of their community, and are esteemed for their many good qualities of heart and mind.
HUGH J. KEENAN.
Hugh J. Keenan, who was for many years a resident of Findlay, Ohio, where he was extensively engaged in the oil business, was born in St. Cath- erine, Canada, in the year 1864, his father, who for eighteen years was a locomotive engineer, having been temporarily engaged there at that time. The latter died in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1884, and the mother's death occurred at Corry, that state, in 1872. From his native place the son Hugh removed with his parents to Corry, Pennsylvania, where he remained until his seventh year, while for the following twenty years he was a resident
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of Meadville, that state, receiving his education in the latter city. After his marriage Mr. Keenan went with his bride to the oil fields near Brad- ford, Pennsylvania, in McKean county, entering the employ of the United Pipe Line, but after a residence there of one year he removed to Findlay, Ohio, still retaining his connection with the same company, for whom he acted as gauger until September, 1899. After spending about fifteen years in various capacities in the oil fields Mr. Keenan decided to engage in the business on his own account, and from 1899 until his removal to his present location was very successful in his ventures. In November, 1902, he re- moved to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, his post office address being Con- neaut Lake, where he is now extensively engaged in the stock business. On the 12th of September, 1902, he purchased of Mrs. Adam Fullhart the cele- brated Galbeton, with a record of 2:111/2, and he is also the owner of Mov- ing Star, with a trial record of 2:18 at four years old.
In Crawford county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of August, 1884, Mr. Keenan was united in marriage to Minerva Ettie Keen, a daughter of John P. Keen, also a native of the Keystone state. Two children have been born unto this union,-Floy M. and Katherine A. In his fraternal relations Mr. Keenan is a member of Findlay Commandery, No. 49, and politically is allied with the Democracy. He is well and favorably known in the localities in which he has made his home as an enterprising and successful business man, and has won the respect and confidence of his townsmen and co- workers.
WILLIAM ALSPACH.
William Alspach is one of the leading merchants and public spirited busi- ness men of Vanlue, and is proud to be the descendant of one of Hancock county's oldest pioneers. His grandfather Adam was a brave soldier in the war of 1812; his wife was Barbara Wyant, and they were both natives of Pennsylvania. They came to Hancock county in 1829 and there entered one hundred and sixty acres of government land in Amanda township, where they took up their residence in the following year. He was a hard working man and did much to prepare the way for those to follow in the path of the first pioneers. He was born in 1788 and died in 1856, his wife surviving him ten years. Their family consisted of nine children, three of them yet living.
Daniel, one of their sons, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in ISII, and came with his father to Hancock county in 1830. He followed the life of a farmer and made marked success in this calling. In 1836 he married
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Catherine A. Vanlue, who was born in Northumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1818, and came to this county in 1833. Daniel Alspach died April 1, 1891, but his wife is still living, enjoying the love and esteem of all around her. They became the parents of ten children, and six are yet living: Bar- bara, Elizabeth, Alice, S. V., James P. and William; they hold various posi- tions in society and are counted among the best citizens of the county.
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