A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 64

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1310

USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 64
USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 64

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September 15, 1894, Rev. Mr. Zinsmayer was assigned to the charge of Landeck, Allen county, Ohio, and is at present officiating in his clerical capacity in a most acceptable man- ner, making friends and gaining admirers as the days roll on, being a truly pions and faith- ful servant of the church and a devoted friend Dr. Ewing is a son of John A. and Eliza- beth ( Clements; Ewing, who came from Penn- sylvania to Ohio at an early day. Mr. Ewing was a farmer during his entire life, and Vas for some time a local preacher in the Disciples' church. He was also for many years a justice of the peace, and died in 1890. John A. and wife were the parents of six children, viz: Saralı J. ; A. C .: Frank, the subject; T Cor- of education. He here has under his charge four schools, supplied with four teachers, with an attendance of 150 children, all under the most perfect discipline as to study and deport- ment. as well as to morality, and all the schools in a flourishing condition financially. As an educator Rev. Zinsmaver stands without a peer, and his honored and eloquent tongue as a preacher seldom finds an equal. Pious i win, killed at Kenesaw Mountain; M J. ; and

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Eliza A. The mother of these children died in 1860, and the father married the second time and had six children by the second wife. In 1872 Dr. Frank Ewing married Miss Nancy B. Downing, a daughter of R. H. Downing, and by her has had four children, viz: Dolly, died at the age of two years; Addie, Bessie and Wava. In politics he has always been a repuplican, is a Knight Templar, and a mem- ber of the Grand Army. Mrs. Ewing is a member of the Lutheran church.

'ONAS KNISELY, of Allen county, Ohio, born in Tuscarawas county, Oc- tober 8, 1824. was reared on a farm, educated in the common schools, and remained with his parents until he was twenty- two years of age. He then went to Indiana, remained there two years, returned to Tuscar- awas county and settled down on a farm. on which he lived until 1864, when he removed to Allen county and bought the farm on which he yet lives. He has always devoted his time and attention to general farming. During the war he paid his share toward sending substi- tutes to the front. He is a son of David and Sarah (Bowers) Knisely, who removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio at an early date. John Knisely, the father of David, was also a Pennsylvanian, who came to Ohio, laid out town of New Philadelphia, in 1804, and served as commissioner of the county several terms. Mrs. Knisely died when eighty-four years old and David Knisely died in 1877, aged eighty- five years. He had fourteen children and seventy-seven grandchildren.

Jonas Knisely has been married three times-first to Elizabeth Wright; second, to Anna K. Baltzly, and third, to Eliza Shindler. By his first wife, who died December 12. 1857, he had three children, viz: Sarah M., George William and James E. By the second wife

he had four children, viz: Mary S., David S., Peter G. and Ada Z. By his third wife he has no children. Mr. Knisely is a republican in politics, has held some of the minor town- ship offices, and is a Methodist in religion.

ANIEL EVERSOLL, of Marion town- ship, Allen county, Ohio, was born in Sandusky county, was reared to farm pursuits, and is a son of Peter and Rebecca (Snider) Eversoll, both of whom died when the subject was thice years old. The children of these parents were as follows : Eliza, Catherine, Francis, Nancy, Lemuci, Rebecca and Daniel.

Daniel Eversoll was reared by an uncle in Perry county until he was seventeen years old, from which time he worked at the blacksmith trade for fifteen years. From 1854 to 1864 he worked at his trade at LaFayette, Madison county, and then enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-first regiment, Ohio volunteer in- fantry, which was assigned to the District of Columbia to guard the national capital. He served four months, during which time he was in a few skirmishes. After the war he returned home and engaged in farming and blacksmith ing, buying the farm on which he now lives. which is in a good state of cultivation. and is improved with fine baildings. General farm- ing and the raising of stock, including a fine flock of sheep, are his preference.

He married, in 1857, Miss Malvina Tomp- kins, a daughter of Abel and Elizabeth Tomp- kins, the former of the state of New York, but who removed to Allen county at an early day arriving on the day of President Jackson's second inauguration. Me. and Mrs. Eversoll are the parents of three children, viz : Will- iam H., F. M. and J. il., the first two bem; farmers, the last a blacksmith. Mr. Eversoll is a public-spirited man, is a republican m

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politics, and has held some of the minor offices, and he and his wife are members of the Christian church.

J. McFARLAND was born at Sandy- ville, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, May 31, 1835. Remaining on the farm until 1859, he was then married. During 1861 and 1862 he served in the home guard, and in August, 1862, he enlisted for three years in company E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, which was assigned to the army of the Potomac. He was in nineteen regular battles, and by a con- cussion lost the use of one ear. On the morn- ing of May 6, 1864, he was wounded in his left leg by a piece of shell, lay on the field all that day and the following night, and on the morning of the 7th was captured by the Twen- ty-sixth Georgia Confederate infantry, and, with Soo others, was taken to Lynchburg, Va. He was bayonetted by one of the guards, taken to Danville, and, two weeks later, to Ander- sonville, where he was stripped of clothing and of everything of value. Six months after- ward he was taken to Florence, S. C., where he remained until the close of the war. Return- ing home he remained four months, then went down to Columbus, where he was honorably discharged. Generally he was a farmer and a teacher before the war, and for some time after. He served as township clerk, and as postmaster at West Cairo about nine years, during the administrations of Garfield and Har- rison. Elected councilman, he served in that capacity for some time, and also as clerk of the council about twelve years. Since 1881 he has been a notary public.

Clay whig and then a republican, dying at Sandyville in October, 1876. He was married twice, the subject being the third child by the first marriage. A. J. McFarland was married to Miss Saralı Craig, a daughter of John and Susan Craig, the former dying in 1893, the latter still living at the age of seventy-seven. To this marriage there have been born no children, but Mr. and Mrs. McFarland have reared three orphans, one boy and two girls. Mr. McFarland has always been a republican, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church.

HE LUGWIG FAMILY is one of the most substantial and most highly respected of Allen county, and among its members are many of the most prosperous fariners of this county. The founder of this family in America came from Germany, and fought with Washington in the Revolutionary war. He was the great-grand- father of Jacob Ludwig, an aged and highly esteemed farmer of Marion township. Allen county, Ohio, and is still living. One of the sons of the above-named Revolutionary sol- dier, Jacob by name, married a Miss Reece, who it is believed came from Germany, and who bore her husband mne children. The father of these children survived the mother many years, and at the time of his death was nearly ninety years of age, dying on the bank of the Susquehanna river, near the towns of Mifflinsburg and Bloomsburg. P.

One of the eight children mentioned above. Jacob, was the father of Jacob Ludwig, of Marion township, and was born on the old farm in Pennsylvania. In isit or ist: he married Miss Elizabeth Fink, who lived veat Milton, Pa. She was of Pennsylvania-Patch extraction, and reared a family of four chil-

A. J. McFarland is a son of John and Mar- garet (Shuse) McFarland, respectively of Penn- sylvania-Dutch and Scotch descent, the former a farmer by occupation, and in politics a Heary | dren that lived, viz: Sophia, William, Jacob

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and George W. The Jacob Ludwig now un- . der consideration was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving, however, only a few weeks be- fore peace was declared. About 1818 he re- inoved to Pickaway county, Ohio, taking with ·him his family, consisting of himself, wife, and two children. Upon the farm there located he lived till his death, which occurred in 1824. and, as he had married about twelve years pre- viously, it is believed he was about thirty-three .years old when he died.

In due course of time his widow married .George Crites, to whom she bore two children that lived to mature years-Frederica and .Ozetta, the former of whom married John Deal, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and the latter married Josephus Drum of the same place. Mr. Crites died in Pickaway county, and his widow followed him to the grave in 1877, dy- ing at the home of Mrs. Sophia Crites, who had married Charles Crites, in 1833, in Picka- way county, but who, with her husband, set- tled in Allen county in 1839. Mr. Crites was one of the most prominent pioneers of this county, and to himself and his wife were born Daniel, who died when fifty years of age; Jacob, Catherine, Betsey, Rebecca, who died when twenty-five years old; Cyrus and Eliza .(twins), Emanuel, Mary E., Charles, who died in infancy, and George and Freedo ·(twins). All married except George, and all that married reared families except Freedo. Mrs. Sophia Crites was born in 1813, and was the eldest child of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fink) Ludwig. Though now eighty-two years of age, she yet has a most excellent memory.

Jacob Ludwig, of Delphos, one of the prominent pioneers of Marion township, and a most highly esteemed citizen, was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Fink) Ludwig, and was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway coun- ty, Ohio, December 10, 1818. He was but six years old when his father died; his mother !

was left in somewhat straightened circum- stances and when Jacob was about eight years old she found it necessary to pat him out to live with Peter Maney, with whom he lived for a few months, and then with John Pontius, with whom he lived seven years and by whom he was treated with great severity. He then lived with his brother-in-law, Charles Crites, for two years, and of whom he learned the blacksmith trade. About two months before the expiration of his apprenticeship lie re- moved to Allen county, having served his em- ployers about fourteen years for his mere liv- ing and nothing more. But little education fell to his lot, and when he aited school it was in an old log school-house with the roughest of benches and desks. Mr. Ludwig was mar- ried when about twenty-two years of age, March 2, 1841, in Pickaway county, to Miss Louisa De Long, daughter of Andrew and Catherine De Long. At this time he was still in quite humble circumstances, and was com- pelled to borrow the $t necessary to pay the clergyman that performed the marriage cere- mony, and even that $i was in shinplasters, a sort of device then in use among merchants to take the place of a better kind of money.

Andrew De Long came as a pioneer from Pennsylvania to Pickaway county, Obio, where he became a very prosperous farmer and died upon his farm when about sixty-five years old. He and his wife were the parents of the follow. ing children: Rebecca, John. Isaac, Susan, Catherine, Louisa, Caroline, Sallie Miller and Andrew. The De Longs were of a sturdy Pennsylvania-Dutch stock and were a highly respected and prominent family. Andrew De Leng was a great hunter in his day.

After his marriage, Mr. Ludwig settled in Salt Creek township, Pickaway county, and there for some time worked at the blacksmith trade. In May. iSay, he removed with his family to Allen county, working there for Mr.

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Charles Crites at the same trade until the suc- ceeding fall. In September, 1849, he removed to the Auglaize river, having purchased 394 acres of land, upon which he now lives. About sixteen aeres were partly cleared and there was a log cabin standing on the land. By dint of hard work he eleared up his land, ereeted good substantial buildings, and added other acres to his already large farm, until at one time he owned a handsome farm of 507} aeres, all of which he cleared of its timber and made of it one of the best farms in the county, by his own hard work and steady industry. This land he has divided up among his ehil- dren, giving each a share, with the exception of 106 aeres, which he still retains, including the old liomestead.

To Jacob Ludwig and his wife there have been born six children that grew to mature years, and three that have died, making in all a family of nine. Isaac was born January 3. 1842; John D., October 14, 1849; Charles C., May 12, 1853; Mary J., February 2, 1856; Obed A., March 20, 1859, and Jacob L., De- cember 16, 1861. Isaae was born in Salt Creek township, Pickaway county, and all the rest on the Allen county farm. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwig were at first members of the Lutheran church, but after removing to Allen county, they joined, first, the Methodist and the Pres- byterian church. They have always been aet- ive workers in the various church organizations to which they have belonged, and are in re- ligious as in other matters among the most J. R. Marshall lived with his parents uitil of age, but began teaching school when he was eigliteen years of age, and continued to teach until he was married. in 1874, when he be- gau farming for himself on land he still owns. In :886 he bought a farm near Rockport. on which he now lives, this farm containing 120 aeres of land, and being in a high state of ent- tivation; he raises the usual crops-wheat, oats honored members of society. Politically Mr. Ludwig has been a life-long democrat, and while he has neither hield nor sought office, he has not been without influence in the councils in the party. No man stands higher in the es- timation of his fellow-men than does Jacob Ludwig. For he is a man not only of sterling character but also of wide reading and deep and independent thought. With all this he ' and corn-but gives most of his attention to

gladly eoncedes to all other men the right to think and aet for themselves, holding them, so far as his influence goes, only to strict moral conduet, by which course he enhances the es -. timation in which he is held by all.

R. MARSHALL, of Allen county, Ohio, one of the most extensive farm- ers of the township in which he lives. was born in Mahoning county, Feb- ruary 22, 1851. He is the eldest of four chil- dren born to Cyrus and Mary ( Rced ) Marshall, the former of whom was born in Lawrence. county, Pa., and the latter in Mahoning county, Ohio. They removed to Allen county in the fall of 1851, and settled in Richland township, where he spent the remainder of his life. Upon settling in this county the land he pur- chased was entirely new and covered with timber. Mr. Marshall was a member of the Presbyte- rian church, and was of Irish descent Of the Reed family nothing is now remembered ex- cept that they were also of Irish descent. Of Mr. Marshall's brothers, five located in Allen county, viz: John, Robert, James. Cyrus and Joseph. Of Mr. Marshall's children, J. R .. subject of this memoir, is the eldest, and of the others. A. H is a farmer of Richland township, and two died while yet young. The father himself died in October, 1891, and the mother still survives, is sixty-eight years old, and is living on the old homestead.

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breeding hogs and sheep. He married Miss Ida Boyer, a daughter of Daniel and Elizabethi Boyer, the former of whom came to Allen county, Ohio, from Gettysburg, Pa., when Limą had but a few houses. He was a tailor by trade, a republican in politics, and a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have had seven children, six of whom are yet living, viz: Ear!, Lois, Mary, Elnora E., John H. and Herbert. Mr. Marshall is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and he and his wife are devout members of the Presbyterian church.

J OHN MILL, of Allen county, Ohio, a son of George and Mary (Carmony) Mill, was born in Montgomery county, May 26, 1823. George and Mary Mill were both natives of Pennsylvania, and when young were taken by their parents to the Shenandoah valley, Va., and thence to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, where they were mar- ried and remained until 1833, when they re- moved to what was then Putnam, but now Allen county, There Mr. Mill entered a tract of land, which he afterward sold and made another purchase, living on this land until his death in 1860. He was a prominent and successful farmer and in addition to managing his farm, ran a saw-mill.

His father, John Mill, was born in Scot- land, but was of German descent. He and two brothers canie to America long before the Revolutionary war, and all entered the colonial army, and at Braddock's defeat, in the French- Indian war, two were wounded and one killed. John Mill moved from Virginia to to Montgomery county, Ohio, and died there as also did his wife. John Carmony, the maternal grandfather, moved from Pennsyl- vania to the Shenandoah valley, and thence to

Montgomery county, Ohio, where he and his wife both died.

John, the subject, is one of a family of five, the others being. William, George, one that died unnamed. and Hezekiah. The mother of these children died in 1829, and the father married, in 1834, Miss Mary Ord, by whom he had ten children, viz: Richard, Anna, Jacob, Stephen, May, Thomas, Diana, Sarah, Ann and George. The mother of these children, all of whom are now dead, herself died in April. 1890.

When twenty-three years of age, John Mill began teaching school, which he followed five winters, making brick in the summer season. In 1852 he married and settled down on a farm, and followed farming until 1893, when he rented his farm and moved to West Cairo, where he is now living retired from active life He married Catherine Jones, a daughter of Roland and Margaret Jones, natives of Wales and both members of the Congregational church. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mill have had six children, viz: George R .. Mar- garet M., Sarah Jane, Ann E., John E .. and Peter T. Mrs. Mill died March IS. 1892, at the age of sixty-six years, having been a inem- ber of the church for fifty-two years. Mr. Mill has always been a consistent member of the Christian church. is independent in politics. with a leaning toward prohibition, and has served as justice of the peace twelve years.

.....

B ENJAMIN MILLER, of Beaver Dam, Allen county, was born in Highland county, Ohio, about 1825. and is the eldest of twelve children born to Christopher and Esther Fullerton Miller, both natives of Ohio. Christopher Mil- ler was a wealthy farmer, who removed from Madison county, Ohio, to Allen county, in 1833. Here he entered eigluy acres of land, to winch

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the following fall he moved his family, and began clearing and improving. Continuing to improve and to add to his estate, he at length came to be worth $75,900, notwithstanding he began with less than $500. Following are the names of his children: Benjamin, Alex- der, Andrew, Peter, Mary S., Elizabeth, Ly- dia, John W. Dichia, Christina, Josiah and Barbara. Of these only Benjamin, Barbara and Peter now survive. The father of these children died in 1875, the mother having died some years before.

Benjamin Miller has been married twice- first, to Eliza Tipton, by whom he had six children, as follows: Freeling. H., Mahala, Commodore D., Mary E., Eliza E., and Will- iam T. The mother of these children died in 1875, and Mr. Miller married, in 1877, Mrs. A. Davis, a daughter of Jonathan Lewis, an early settler of the county. To this second marriage there were born no children. MI. Miller is a republican in politics and a mem- ber of the United Brethren church. His eld- est son and one of his brothers enlisted in the army of the Union during the Civil war, the son being killed in battle and the brother dying of wounds received in defense of his country.

...

MANUEL SHINDLER was born in Allen county, Ohio, April 6. 1844. and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Por- ter) Shindler, both natives of Penn- sylvania, in which state they were married, and whence they removed to Ohio in 1834. locating in Allen county, where Jacob Shind- ler entered land twice-160 acres each time. The names of his children are given in the sketch of Samuel Shindler.

Emanuel was reared on the farm on which he yet lives, received a good common-school education, and, imitating the example of his father, has followed farming all his life. He

is a democrat in politics, takes an active in- terest in public affairs, but does not aspire to office of any kind. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Lutheran church. He was mar- ried, in 1869, to Margaret W. Pearch, a daughter of G. W. Pearch, who was born in Pennsylvania, settled in eastern Ohio, and later removed to Allen county, where he was a successful farmer and prominent public man, dying in February. 1892. By this marriage Mr. Shindler became the father of two chil- dren-Ida J., born September 21, 1870, and Hannah M., born July 2, 1872, both of whom are living at home.

AMUEL SHINDLER, a prominent farmer of West Cairo, Allen county, Ohio, was born in this county March 7, 1847, the seventh child born to Jacob and Mary (Porter) Shindler, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Pennsylva- nia. Jacob Shindler came to America with his parents, and grew to manhood in Pennsylva- nia, where he married, and after two children were born removed to Monroe township. Allen county, entered one half-section of land, and lived there the rest of his life. He was an active Lutheran, and built the church which stands upon his farm. Te reared eight chil- dren, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and one to be fifteen years of age. The eight were named as follows: Fliza, Leah, Henry, Sarah, Emanuel, Jabez, Samuel and Mary. Jacob Shindler died in 185; and his wife in 1873.

Samuel Shindler has always been identified with farming, obtained his education at the common schools and at a select school at Ot- tawa, and afterward at Leipsic. When nive- teen years old he began teaching and taught three terms. then married and settled down to farming. He has eighty actes ot land in a

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good state of cultivation, and improved with commodious farm buildings, including a de- sirable home. In 1869 he married Eliza A. Martz, born in Allen county, July 17, 1849, and a daughter of Michael Martz, a minister of the Christian church and the founder of the church at West Cairo. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Shindler there have been born five children --- one that died in infancy, and four that yet survive, as follows: Frank, Zelotus, Forrest and Earl.

Is EVI ATMUR, deceased, was a native of West Virginia born in the year of ISO1. In 1826 he was united in wedlock with Miss Louisa, daughter of John Marshall, a prominent resident of Harrison county. W. Va. About 1834 Mr. Atmur moved to Champaign county, Ohio, where he lived thirteen years; in 1848 he came to Allen county, and purchased, in Perry

township, 120 acres of land, on which he re. sided until his death. His first wife, Mrs. Louisa Atmur, died in 1868, and for his second wife he chose Ruth, daughter of S. Spencer. Mr. Atmur's second marriage took place in 1871 and his wife survived eleven years, dying in 1882, leaving no children. The children bom to Mr. Atmor's first marriage were named as follows: Marshall, May, Kevena, Jesse H., Elizabeth, Lucy, Matthias, Emma, William, Ehza, Martha and Harriet.

Marshall Aunur, the eldest son. was born in West Virginia, in 1828, and is now one of the prominent and successful farmers of Bath township, Allen county, Ohio. He married Elizabeth Hoffman, and to their nion have been born eight children. Marshall Atmiur served in the Civil war, enlisting in company F, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and from May 4, until the fall of same year, rendered faithful and gallant service.

VAN WERT COUNTY.

OHIO.

VAN WERT COUNTY.

JACOB F. ACKOM, of Harrison town- ship, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in Marion county, Ohio, April 29. 1841. His father, Peter Ackom, was born near Darmstadt, Germany, was a tailor by trade, and was a soldier in the German ariny, attaining the rank of captain. While in the army he married Margaret Rudle, who bore him seven children, six of whom are still living, viz: Jacob F., Mary, Catherine, Peter, Margaret and Elizabeth. In 1834 Mr. Ackom came to America and located in Marion county, Ohio, on fifty-one acres of land, which he sold in 1859, and then came to Van Wert county and bought 110 acres, of which eighty acres are in Harrison township and thirty acres in Pleasant township. This land he improved and cultivated until his death, which occurred in 1868, at the age of sixty-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Ackom were members of the German Reform church, in which he was an elder, and in politics he was a democrat.

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A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 64

Author: Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago : A.W. Bowen Number of Pages: 1310

Author:
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago : A.W. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1310