A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 149

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 149

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Thomas J. Overturf,

of the firm of Gurney & Overturf, of Buffalo, New York, was born in Portsmouth, Ohio,October 8, 1853. He is the son of Conrad and Rachel (Kendall) Overturf. His mother was a daughter of General William Kendall. When eleven years of age, he went with his parents to a farm in Rush township. He did not like country life and in the winter of 1869, came to Portsmouth and entered the High School, making his home with his brother John, and graduated in 1873. After he left school, he was employed as clerk in the dry goods store of Reed & Peebles on Market street, for one year. He then became a book-keeper in the Citizen's Savings Bank of Portsmouth, later being advanced to the po- sition of cashier.

He gave up this office to accept a position with the White Sewing Ma- chine Company, in Cleveland Ohio, in 1877. He worked in the home estab- lishment for three years and was then sent as their foreign representative to London, England. He carried an autograph letter of introduction from Ruth- erford B. Hayes, President, to James Russell Lowell, then United States Minister at the Court of St. James. He remained abroad for a year and was then transferred to Springfield, Mass. Leaving the employ of the White Sewing Machine Company, he spent one year in Kansas City. He also resided for a short time in Cleveland, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri.

He went to Buffalo, New York, in 1888, and entered the insurance and real estate office of Hume and Sanford. After the death of Mr. Sanford, he and Mr. Gurney purchased the business and continued it under the name of Gurney & Overturf. Mr. Overturf attends more particularly to the real estate branch of the business. He is a republican in national politics but in local matters is independent. On April, 27. 1887, he was united in marriage with Ida J. Wiggins, daughter of Doctor D. B. Wiggins, of Buffalo, New York, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Wiggins was born in Vermont, taught school there and afterwards studied medicine in Cincinnati. He began practice at Locust Grove, Ohio, and located in Buffalo, in 1849, where he now resides. He is now eighty years of age. Mr. Overturf resides at 16 and 18 Swan street, Buffalo, New York.

Mr. Overturf is of a very mild and liberal disposition, particularly amongst his friends. He never forgets any benefits received. He is an en- ergetic, tireless worker in his business, and has been successful in everything he has undertaken. He reversed Mr. Greeley's advise, and went east and has grown up in the city of Buffalo, New York.

Charles Walter Padan

was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, April 10, 1862. His father was John Padan, and his mother's maiden name was Hannah Craig. He was educated in the public schools of Portsmouth. At the age of fifteen. he entered the employ- ment of the Portsmouth Shoe Manufacturing Company, in which his brothers were the leading persons. He continued in their employ, advancing by reg- ular stages, until he reached the very important position of assistant superin- tendent of the company. which he held at the time they discontinued business in the fall of 1896. He then removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, took stock in and en- tered the employment of the Union Shoe Manufacturing Company of that city, as its superintendent, and is now the vice president of the company.

He is a republican and took an active part in the politics of Portsmouth and Scioto county prior to his removal to Chillicothe, having served as a member of the executive committee of both city and county for several cam-

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paigns. He belonged to the Ohio National Guard for three years. He was First Sergeant of Company H, 14th Regiment, and was with that company when it was called out in 1894, on account of the labor troubles. He was brought up in the Presbyterian faith and affiliates with that denomination. He is a mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of the World. He was married on September 15, 1885, to Miss Etta Carmichael, daughter of John and Viola (Brown) Carmichael. They have two children, Hannah Lola, born March 3, 1891, and Charles Donald, born August 16, 1894.

George Padan

was born in New York City, February 24, 1850. His father's name was John Padan, and his mother's maiden name was Hannah Craig, daughter of George Craig. His parents were both natives of Ireland, and were married May 24, 1849 in Ireland, emigrating to America within one month thereafter and land- ing in New York City August 9, 1849. Our subject is the oldest of seven children; six sons and a daughter. The father came direct to Ports- mouth, Ohio, in September, 1849, and engaged in shoe making. Part of the time he worked for others and part of the time he had a shop of his own. In 1861, he started in business on Chillicothe street, and continued in the same vicinity until his death. He received all his educaton in Ireland, and was a whig. He was brought up in the Presbyterian church, in Ireland.

Our subject was married on October 28, 1875 to Elizabeth Ellen Lynn, daughter of John M. and Alice R. Lynn. They had eleven children as follows: Alice Craig, Anna Lynn, Martha Hester, Georgia, Elizabeth Ellen, Henry, Arthur Trustem, Robert Samuel and Frank Lynn. Two children Jeanette and John Lynn died in infancy.

Mr. Padan is a member of the Second Presbyterian church. He is a re- publican in his political views. He is a Knight Templar Mason, and is Secre- tary of all the Masonic bodies in Portsmouth: Calvary Commandery, Mt. Ver- non Chapter, Solomon Council and Aurora Lodge. He was a member of the Board of Education of Portsmouth, from October 1, 1892 until April, 1896. He represented the Fifth ward. He was president of the board, 1894 and 1895.

Mr. Padan is a very modest man. He is a hard worker in any business he undertakes, and never shirked any responsibility. His work is always done on time and well done. As a friend he is reliable and true. He is a man of do- mestic habits, and has a very interesting family. He is a good student and enjoys the pursuit of knowledge. He has an excellent taste in science, litera- ture and music. His qualities make him a good citizen. If Mr. Padan has one weakness, it is his attachment to Masonry. He is one of the most prominent and active Masons in the community. He has occupied the chief offices in all the local bodies of the fraternity, and is an authority on Masonic his- tory and jurisprudence.

Henry Padan

was born June 28, 1851. He was the eldest son of John Padan. He was educa- ted in Portsmouth, Ohio. In 1874, he and his brothers, Albert J. and George started a shoe factory. They succeeded R. Bell & Company, organized in 1869.

In January, 1886, he was married to Miss Ada Kendall. He was a member of the Second Presbyterian church, a Knight Templar Mason and a re- publican in his political views. He was president of the Portsmouth Gas Com- pany for several years. On September 30, 1895, in the evening about 6:30 p. m., he was sitting in his yard in apparently perfect health. Suddenly he com- plained of feeling very unwell and in one half hour he was dead. He was an active and energetic business man of high character and it seemed the irony of fate that he should have been snatched away, without notice, in the meridian of his days, when he had given so much promise of a long life of usefulness. He left two children: Charles Franklin, aged eleven years and Henrietta Craig, posthumous, born December 24, 1895.

John Padan

was born May 10, 1823, in county Monaghan, Ireland. His father was Henry Padan, and his mother's maiden name was Ellen Harper. He was the youngest

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

of a family of eight children consisting of six sons and two daughters. He worked at farming for his father until he was nineteen years of age, when he learned the trade of a shoe-maker, at which he worked for seven years in Ire- land. He was married on May 24, 1849 to Hannah Craig, of Kilrain, near the banks of the Blackwater. They left Ireland June 23, of the same year, taking passage at Liverpool on the sailing vessel, "Waterloo", and landed at New York on August 9, 1849, where he worked at his trade for one month.

He then started for Portsmouth, Ohio, where his oldest brother Henry was located, and arrived on September 19, 1849, where he followed his trade, be- ing employed by Henry Bertram, Richard Lloyd, C. P. Tracy & Company and others, until September, 1861, when he engaged in the boot and shoe business on his own account on Chillicothe street. He continued the business for twen- ty-nine years, until his death. He was a republican in politics and a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. He was the father of seven children: George, who resides in Portsmouth, Ohio; Henry, died September 30, 1855; Robert Sam- uel, who resides in Chicago; John William, died November 4, 1863; Albert Jo- seph, who resides in Los Angeles, California; Anna Elizabeth, wife of Dr. J. B. Stephenson, of Ripley, Ohio; Charles Walter, of Chillicothe, Ohio. He died on October 13, 1890.

John Frederick Paeltz

member of the firm of Pieper & Paeltz at Otway, Ohio, was born January 28, 1860 in Clermont county, Ohio, near New Richmond. His father was Julius Ed- ward Paeltz and his mother Minnie Lavinia (Knoehl) Paeltz, both natives of Saxony, Germany. After their marriage they came to the United States in 1835 and settled in Madison, Indiana, and from there they moved to New Richmond, Ohio.

Our subject was raised on his father's farm and attended the country schools. He became engaged in the leaf tobacco business, in 1881, in Adams county, Ohio. In 1887, he came to Scioto county and formed a partnership with J. J. Pieper in the leaf tobacco business and they have conducted the business together ever since.

In 1890, he formed a partnership with Mr. Pieper in ther saw mill and tim- ber business. Their plant manufactured chair-stuffs, rim-strips and all kinds of quartered and plain lumber. The firm of Pieper & Paeltz also owns and re- ceives a royalty from a large stone quarry near Otway, operated by Bodemer Brothers. He has been a member of the School Board of Otway and its Trea- surer since 1892. He is a supporter of Republican doctrines and interests him- self in local politics, but does not seek office. He was married December 24, 1894 to Nancy Jones, daughter of A. J. and Effie Jane (Cable) Jones. Their children are Nellie Philippine, aged seventeen; Charles Andrew, aged thir- teen; Maud, deceased, aged four; Horace J., aged eight; Carlos Edward, aged six; Arthur C., aged four; and Leo Edward, aged two. Mr. Paeltz is a man with many agreeable traits, of unquestioned honesty and an ideal citizen.

Charles R. Patterson

was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, October 17, 1857. He is the son of Thomas McNutt Patterson and Caroline (Clugston) Patterson, his wife. (A sketch of T. M. Patterson will be found herein.) He attended the Portsmouth schools and learned the book binding trade of his father. For the last fifteen years, he has been in business in Birmingham, Alabama, and is at present treasurer and manager of the Dispatch Printing Company of Birmingham, Alabama.

June 27, 1883, he was married to Florence F. Hite of Clasinda, Iowa. They have had three children; Louise died at the age of one year, the surviving chil- dren are Callie and Elizabeth. Mr. Patterson has one of the largest businesses of the kind in the South. The county in which he resides has 140,420 popula- tion and the city of Birmingham has a population of 38,415. Situated in the prosperous manufacturing portion of Alabama at a railroad center, the condi- tions were favorable to his building up a good business and lie has done it won- derfully well. His training in the business in Portsmouth insured his suc- cess in Birmingham. He is one of the young men of whom Portsmouth may justly feel proud. When he has made his fortune and retired, he will doubtless return to the home of his youth, where he has a host of friends.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

Thomas McNutt Patterson

was born at Steubenville, Ohio, Dec. 13, 1826. His father's name was James Patterson, a native of Maryland, and his mother's maiden name was Margaret B. Johnson. Our subject attended school at Steubenville until he was fifteen years of age. Then he went to learn the trade of book-binding in Steubenville with James Turnbull. After he had been with Mr. Turnbull a year, the latter sold out to Abner L. Frazer, and Mr. Patterson remained in his employment for five years longer, until 1847. He went to Cleveland in the spring of 1847 and worked for Sanford & Hayward, and. remained there until the fall of 1850. He came to Portsmouth in December, 1850 and worked for Stephenson & Hunting- ton, of Columbus. The building where he was employed stood where Ben Davis now has his clothing store; the old Methodist church stood just east of it. He worked with them until 1855, when he bought one-half of the bindery from Stephenson. From the time Mr. Patterson arrived here until his marriage, he was one of the young society men of Portsmouth.

On December 24, 1852, he married Miss Caroline Clugsten, daughter of John Clugsten. In 1862, he bought one-half of the Stephenson book store, which was conducted under the firm name of Stephenson & Patterson. In 1866, he dissolved with Stephenson, and went into business for himself, over the Johnson hat store, on Market street. In 1871, he moved to the McFarland building on Second street. In December, 1882, he added the making of paper boxes to his business. In December, 1883, his business was burned out, but like the Phoenix, it rose at once from its ashes. In 1885, he moved to Front street, below the Biggs House, in the Wise Building, where he remained until 1896, when he purchased the old Gaylord Rolling Mill premises, and moved his book-bindery and box-factory to that place, where it is now conducted.

He has conducted his business successfully ever since he has been in Portsmouth. His business in book-binding has very largely increased in vol- ume with the increase of the city: and the business of making boxes is entire- ly a new feature introduced by the operation of the many shoe factories in Portsmouth. He has $7,000 worth of machinery, and employs about sixty hands. Mr. Patterson has his business in such shape that he can leave it to his sons, and take time off and enjoy himself. He takes many trips away, which he deserves, after sixty years of hard work. He takes pleasure in going to various places in the United States for recreation and enjoyment.

Mr. Patterson's first wife died in 1865. She was the mother of his sons: James and Charles R. He was married December 4, 1866 to Miss Rebecca Tay- lor, daughter of W. H. H. Taylor. The children of this marriage are: Margaret B., now Mrs. A. E. Everard; Thomas M., Jr., and Walter K. He lost three daughters and one son of his second marriage in childhood. His sons James and Walter K., are connected with him in his business. (See sketch of Charles R. Patterson.) His son, Thomas M., is now studying for the ministry of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Patterson was a whig during the existence of the Whig party, and since that he has been a republican. He has been a member of the First Pres- byterian church since 1862, andsince the organization of the Second Presbyterian church, of Portsmouth, O., he has been connected with it. Mr. Patterson is president of the Western Paper Box Manufacturing Association, comprising all the principal Paper Box Manufacturers in the district from Pittsburg to New Orleans and Omaha. He has been successful in business and deservedly so. He is a man of most sterling character, and no man enjoys the confidence of his associates in the business community to a greater extent that he does. He is most highly esteemd by all who know him as a true, Christian gentleman.

Charles Peach

was born October 21, 1838, in Montbeliard, Department de Doubs, France. His father was Charles Peach, and his mother's maiden name was Geneive Surmann. His parents left France in August, 1849, and came to New Orleans in a sail- ing vessel. They sailed from Le Havre, and were on the voyage sixty days. The family remained in New Orleans with relatives for a month, and then came to Cincinnati, where they remained a month. His grandfather, Peter Surmann was in Cincinnati, when our subject left France. He had purchased forty

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

acres entered by him at government price at Wallace Mills, and used to spend his summers there. He sent for his son-in-law, Charles Peach, Sr., to come to the United States.

Peter Surmann was a molder and machinist in Cincinnati and worked at his trade, for twenty-five years. He was a member of the National Guards and was with the re-enforcements sent to meet the shattered army of Napoleon af- ter the battle of Waterloo. He had two sons in the French service. John was in the Cavalry and served seven years. Jacob was a member of the First Zouaves and served seven years in France and seven years in Algiers. He after- wards came to the United States and at one time was a member of the Ports- mouth Fire Department. Sylvester the youngest son was the Captain of a Brit- ish merchant vessel for many years. At the end of which time his employers pensioned him off.

Charles Poach, father of our subject, was also a machinist, as well as a clock maker. He located on his father-in-law's land in 1850, and remained there during his life time except 1852 to 1854, when he was at Scioto Furnace. He died at the age of seventy-five. Our subject attended school in France and some little in this country. He could speak and read in French when he came here. His name in French is "Peache," pronounced "Pash." Our subject worked at Scioto Furnace as soon as he was able to work, and continued there off and on for years.

He enlisted in the home guard in 1861 and was released, and on August 11, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, 91st Regiment, O. V. I., for three years. He was in all the battles until he was wounded, at Stephenson's Depot, July 20, 1864; and was in the hospital at Cumberland, Maryland until he was discharged, January 21, 1865. After he returned home he engaged in farming.

He was married first in 1861 to Lovine Hopkins. They had nine children, seven living and two dead, as follows: Charles F., James, John W., Sarah Hughes of Wheelersburg, Ohio; Mary Jane Garey of Jackson Furnace, Ohio; Alexander, Jacob, Emma Maynet of Lois; George, the youngest, died in in- fancy and the oldest, Charles F., died in Nebraska. He was married the second time in 1885, to Elizabeth Garey. and they have the following children: Myrtie, Annie, Bertha, Josephine, Ellen, Eliza, Charles, Jesse and Geneive all living. Mr. Peach has always been a republican. He is a member of the St. John's Roman Catholic church at Lilly, Ohio.

John Adam Pfau

was born in the town of Schopflah, Wurtemberg, Germany, on February 28, 1839. His father followed the occupation of farming, but being desirous of having his son learn a trade, apprenticed him at the age of fourteen to a mas- ter baker, in a near-by city. Young Pfau served four years of apprenticeship and at once emigrated to the United States. After working at his trade in several cities, he reached Portsmouth and secured work with the late Jacob Oehlschlager, who at that time had a bakery on Front street, near Madison, where afterwards Pfau carried on business for himself. He worked at his trade in Portsmouth until October 18, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, 56th regiment, O. V. I. organized by Capt. Charles Reiniger. He was discharged upon surgeon's certificate of disability, September 30, 1862. He returned to Portsmouth from the army.

In the fall of 1862, he returned to his old home in Germany and estab- lished a bakery in Bessengen. Wurtemberg. In 1865, he was married to Johanna Schott, at Bessengen. He had ten children: One died in infancy and the re- maining nine are all residents of Portsmouth, Ohio. In November 1868, he re- turned to the United States, and like every one who has resided in Portsmouth, he had a special desire to return there and did so. When Mr. Pfau landed in Portsmouth with his family, he had but fifteen cents in money. He soon found friends who assisted him in starting a bakery in the building on Front street, in which he had served as a helper for so many years. His struggle was a hard one but he succeeded. Possessed of a Herculean frame, he endured work which would have broken down a man of less physical power. He would work in the bake-shop all day, making bread, and in the evening would fill a large basket with it and deliver it walking from house to house. Next he used a hand cart

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in his business for several years, until through economy and increasing trade, he was able to have a horse and express to deliver his goods. He remained on Front street until 1889 when he purchased property on Second street near Jef- ferson, where he continued the bakery until his death, which occurred on April 9, 1896.

Mr. Pfau had for his mottto, "Be honorable." When his word was given, he held that as sacred as a written contract. He had the confidence of the bus- iness men of the city. Mr. Pfau left his family in a prosperous condition. His sons are all good business men and doing well. Three of them, Jacob, Adam, and John H. are conducting flourishing bakeries in Portsmouth. Jacob is at his father's old locality, 175 W. Second street, Adam in a new estab- lishment at 97 East Eleventh street and John H. in the East End.

Adam Pfau

was born April 26, 1871, in the city of Portsmouth. His father was John Adam Pfau, a baker by occupation, and a native of Wurtemburg, Germany. His mother was Joanna Shott, also a native of Germany. They had nine children of whom our subject was the fourth. He attended the schools of Portsmouth un- til he was thirteen years of age when he began life on his own account, ulti- mately learning the trade of a baker, with his father. He went into business for himself in 1896 on Tenth and Chillicothe streets, and was there four years. In September, 1902, he moved to 97 east Eleventh street where he has an up- to-date bakery and confectionery, with all the modern improvements. He has been very successful in his business and very active and energetic. He was married November 30, 1897 to Rosa C. Lauffer,daughter of Fred Lauffer. They have two children, Mildred and Hazel. He is a member of the German Evangelical church.

Jacob Pfau

the son of John Adam Pfau, who has a sketch herein, was born September 12, 1873, in Portsmouth, Ohio. He attended the public schools and began to learn his father's business. At the latter's death, he took charge of his business at 175 West Second street, and has carried it on successfully ever since. Jake Pfau, as he is best known, is wonderfully energetic in his business. He has ac- cumulated considerable property, and thus projected a modern up-to-date new bakery on Second street. He is a member of the German Evangelical church, and of the Odd Fellows' Camp of the Uniform Rank, and Knights of Pythias. He was married August 10, 1899, to Miss Amelia Ridenour, daughter of Wesley Ridenour. He has two sons, Earl and Jacob, Jr.

Charles Pfleger

was born near Mabee, Jackson county, Ohio, May 23, 1857. His parents, Philip and Magdalena (Gallbronner) Pfleger came from Bavaria, Germany, in 1854. Mr. Pfleger came in a sailing vessel to New York. The trip occupied forty-eight days. Miss Gallbronner left Bavaria, in December, 1853. Bad weather and the leaky craft delayed her, at Antwerp seven weeks and at Cowes, England, four weeks. She reached New York five months after starting. Mr. Pfleger went from New York to Philadelphia, by ship, and from there to Pittsburg by rail. He worked at his trade as cabinet maker, three weeks at Pittsburg and came to Portsmouth. They were married in 1856 and removed to Jackson county and soon after to Madison township of this county. Charles Pfleger attended the public schools of this county and obtained a fair education. He has always fol- lowed farming. He is a democrat and a member of the German Evangelical church. He was Assessor of Madison township in 1890, and has been a member of the School Board of the township for fifteen years. He married Mary E. Russ of Jackson county, June 1, 1879. She is the daughter of William and Clara Katharine Russ. They have four children, Henry, C. W., Ella Charlotte, Frank P. L. and Anna Katherine.

Lewis Pieper,

the son of John Frederick Pieper and Henrietta (Small) Pieper, both natives of Jackson county, Ohio, was born February 23, 1860. His grandparents were

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HISTORY OF SCIOTO COUNTY.

born in Germany and came across in 1835 and settled near Jackson Furnace. They were married on the water while coming over. Mr. Pieper was raised on a farm, received his education in the common schools and left home at the age of twenty-one. After hauling ore for a short time, he came to Scioto county and farmed with his brother, John J., who had preceded him. After two years, he became engaged in saw milling. He worked at this for two years and then went to Otway with his brother, John J., Ed and Frank Gilfilian and built a planing-mill. Shortly after the Pieper brothers bought out the other members of the firm and operated the mill until 1891 when they sold out. Pieper Brothers then became engaged in buying and selling timber. From 1892 to 1894, they were engaged with John F. Paeltz in the leaf tobacco busi- ness. In the spring of 1895, Mr. Pieper formed a partnership with John

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 149

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612