A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 69

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 69
USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 69

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father then purchased forty acres of land where our subject recently resided. The father died February 28, 1885, and the mother December 28, 1864, both members of the Roman Cath- olic church. To the parents, two daughters and one son were born. one of whom, Gertrude, is now the widow of Herman Wagesin. Our subject remained on the farm with his parents, - being the only son, and after the death of his father the homestead came to him by his father's will. While in the old country he learned to make wooden shoes, and made : many a pair after he came to Van Wert counts. He also worked some at the carpenter's trade. When about twenty-six or twenty-seven years of age he had saved enough money to purchase forty acres of land, which was adjoining the home place. Since then he added by purchase until he owned 173 acres of fine farm land ly- ing in sections Nos. 26 and 35.

In 1876 Mr. Baumgarte erected a large res- idence, which is one of the best in the town- ship. On May 6, 1857, Mr. Baumgarte was married to Magdaline Longmier, who was born in Pennsylvania on July 9, 1839. Her parents were Christian and Catherine (Culmann) Long- inier, both of whom were natives of Hanover. Germany. They were married in the old coun- try and came to America in about 1837. They settled in Pennsylvania, where they resided until 1842, and then came to Van Wert county father assisted in the digging of the canal. He died on August 18, 1886, aged eighty years. and his widow died on April 14. 1887, aged seventy years. To the parents nine children were born, six of whom are living, three sons and three daughters. Both parents were members of the Roman Catholic church. To Mr. and Mrs. Baumgarte eleven children were born, as follows: Henry, born May 4. 185%.

ONRAD BAUMGARTE, one of the , and purchased a farm near Delphos. The

pioneer citizens of Van Wert county, and a leading farmer of Washington township, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and was born on August 15. 1825. His parents were john Henry and Elizabeth (Grothouse) Baumgarte. The family came to America in 1845, leaving Bremen on Septem- ber 1, and reaching New Orleans on October 27. From New Orleans they came up the river to Cincinnati, Ohio, and from that city , and died June 2, 1865: Mary, born June 28. came to Delphos by way of the canal. The 1860, married Frank M. Brickner October o.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

1884; Catherine, born April 14, 1862, married October 11, 1883, to John Recker; Frank, born May 7, 1864, and married November 29, 1 890, Clara Berkemier; Julia, born June 19, 1868, and died September 18, 18;6; Theresia, born January 7, 1870; J. Henry, born Septem- ber 2, 1871, and died November 1, 1873; John, born November 12, 1874, and died August 19, ISSo; Theodore, born September 3. 1876; Joseph, born April 5, 1878, and Anna, born January 22, 1880. Mr. Baumgarte was always one of the leading citizens of Washington township. He served as trustee of the township two terms and was supervisor a number of years. He and his family are members of the Saint John's Roman Catholic church, of which church he served several terms as trustee, and in the faith of which his death occurred on February 19, 1896, a truly honored and respected citizen.

OBERT C. BAXTER is one of the prominent business men and farmers of Harrison township, Van Wert county, Ohio. His grandfather, John Baxter, came from Ireland and settled in Tus- carawas county, Ohio, in pioneer days, cleared up a farm and reared thirteen children. James Baxter, son of John and father of Robert C., was also born in Ireland, and at twelve years of age came to America with his father. He was married in Harrison county, Ohio, to Catherine Browning, reared a family of six children, and died in Harrison county, at the age of thirty-eight years.

Robert C. Baxter, the subject of this sketch, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, January 27, 1834, was reared on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when, in 1850, he cita with his mother and her children to Van Wert county and settled on a tract of land in the woods near Middlebury, which tract he assisted in clearing up and in putting under a proper

state of cultivation. At the age of twenty- two he married, in Van Wert county, Miss Rebecca H., daughter of Benjamin and Rachael Brittsan, pod by this union there were born six chiliren, viz: Emily, Clara, Ollie, Horace, Burt, and Jaac. After mar- riage, Mr. Baxter settled on school land, which he had purchased in Harrison township, but subsequently sold this property and livel a few years on a rented farm; in 1882 be bought his present farm of seventy-eight acres, on which he erected suitable and substantial buildings, and the same year engaged in gen- eral merchandising, putting in a varied and well selected stock of goods suitable for the country trade.

In 1874, Mrs. Rebecca H. Baxter was called to her eternal rest, and for his second wife Mr. Baxter married Miss Lizzie Fondra. who survived six months only after her wed- ding day. December 22, 1878, he married for the third time, taking for his wife Martha E. Gideon. Mr. and Mis. Baxter are mein- bers of the Methodist church, in which Mi. Baxter has held several offices: and in politics he is a democrat, and for six years served as justice of the peace, for five years as township assessor, and for thirteen years as postmaster of Wolfcale. Of the children born to Robert C. and Rebecca Baxter, Einma was married to Henry Finkhouse, of Harrison townssi ;. and has three children -- Clara, married to John Finkhouse, same township, is the moth. : of six children; Ollie was wedded to Gorg W. Knittle, a farmer of Adams county, Hai .. and has three children, and Horace marri ! Emma Crosier, also of Adams county, Ind.

Mes. Martha E. (Gideon) Baxter is the daughter of Henry and Lydia Bevelhis.cr Gideon, the former a native of Pennsylvania. born in 1811; he was married in his marie state, came to Van Weit county in 1855. P .: later moved to Adams county, Ind., where h

SAMUEL BAXTER.

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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

died at the age of fifty-eight years, the father of eight children, viz: Mary, Susan, Louisa (died when two years old), Martha E., Henry C., John M., Frank E, and Emma R. Mrs. Baxter was born June 16, 1842, in Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, and is a most amiable lady. Mr. Baxter is widely known in Van Wert and surrounding counties, and is recog- nized as a gentleman of the strictest integrity.

until 1891, when he moved to the city and en- gaged in buying live stock and in shipping it to the eastern markets until January, 1894, when he was appointed deputy sheriff of the county under E. R. Conn, which position he still fills.

Mr. Baxter was first married, March 23. 1865, in Allen county, to Miss Mary J. Miller, a native of that county, born October 25, 1845, and-a daughter of Isaac Miller, and by this marriage became the father of fom chil- dren: Lester C., a harness dealer at Grover Hill; Iva May, at home with her father; Jason E., of Grover Hill, and Emily V., at home. Mrs. Baxter was called to her heavenly home February 23, 1879, dying in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. The second marriage of Mr. Baxter was also solemnized in Allen county and took place, March 22, ISSO, to Mrs. Ella M. Cahill, widow of Abraham Cahill and daughter of Barber Robinson, of Crawford county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are consistent members of the Methodist Epis- copal church; in politics he is a republican. has always been a zealous and efficient oficial. and on the igth of May. 1895, was, without solicitation, appointed, by the mayor of Van Wert, to the position of city marshal. and it is needless to state the duties of the ofice, since his assmining the same, have been most faithfully and satisfactorily performed. He is a Mason, a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of the National Union. He owns a neat residence on First street, and other valuable property; is very popular with the conenunity at large, and is highly esteemed for his honest manliness of character.

AMUEL M. BAXTER, ex-deputy sheriff and city marshal of Van Wert, Ohio. and an ex-soldier, was born in Allen county, Ohio, May 26, 1846, and is a son of Curtis and Emily ( Johns ) Baxter, of whom mention is made in detail elsewhere in these pages. Samuel M. was reared on the home farm in Allen county and there attended school until his enlistment at Lima, November 27, 1863, in company B, Mclaughlin's squadron of cavalry, which was an independent company until May, 1864. when it was consolidated with the Fifth cav- alry, and assigned to Sherman's army, then at Atlanta, Ga. After the fall of that city, Mr. Baxter participated in the battle of Sweet- water, Ga. (a cavalry charge): the fight at 01 near Jonesboro, Ga., the battles of Lovejoy station, Louisville, Ga., Waynesboro and Macon, Ga., and in the hard-fought battles of Averysboro and Bentonville, N. C., and on- ward to Raleigh, N. C., being present at the surrender of the rebel general. Joe E. John- ston, April 26, 1865. His only injury was self-inflicted by his accidentally shooting him- self in one of his feet while on picket duty. He is now a pensioner. receiving $8 per month. On his return from the war he lived with his e LIAS BATXER, a highly respected citizen of Tully township, Van Wert county, Ohio, is of Irish descent, and is a son of Thomas Baxter, who cane parents until twenty years of age, when he married and rented a farm until 1882, when he came to Van Wert county and bought 100 acres in Jackson township, which he cultivated | from Harrison county, Ohio, to Van Wert 3

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

county, in 1848, and cleared up a farm of ninety-six acres, and here died, December, 9, 1893, at the age of eighty-two years. He and wife were parents of the following children: Elias, Rebecca, Robert, Sarah, John, William, Thomas, Nettie, James, Alonzo, and Nancy J. (who died when fourteen years old)-all of whom were born in Van Wert county, with the exception of Elias, Rebecca, Robert and Will- iam, who were born in Harrison county.

Elias Baxter, whose name introduces this biography, was born in Harrison county, Ohio, September 13, 1835, and came with his parents to Van Wert county when thirteen years of age. Here he attended the common schools, and here, also, learned the shoemaker's trade. June 25, 1856, he married Mrs. Mary A. Har- vey, daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Harvey) Harvey. Her father, Thomas Harvey, was a native of Ireland, who came, when young, to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he was married and had born to him the following children; Jane, Sarah, and Mary A. Thomas Harvey came to Van Wert county in 1850, and died in Harrison township at the age of about eighty years-a member of the Presbyterian church. The union of Elias Baxter and his wife. Mary, was blessed with two children, Ruth, deceased, and Sarah A. Mrs. Baxter having died, Mr. Baxter married for his second wife Mrs. Levonia Mullen, widow of Silas Mullen and daughter of George Bugsbee, a native of New England and an early settler of Penn- sylvania. but later a resident of Van Wert county, Ohio. To this second marriage of Mr. Baxter have been also born two children --- Effie and Flossie B.

No. 236 of which he has been commander and adjutant; he is also a member of Convoy lodge, No. 641. J. O. O. F., in which he has passed all the chairs. He is an earnest advocate of the temperance cause, and has been a member of the Good Templar and Sonsof Temperance societies. Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are devout members of the Methodist church. The family is highly respected by their neighbors, and Mr. Baxter is a quiet, unobtruding citizen, but is a very useful member of the community.

.. UDGE ALONZO BAKER, deceased. was born in Marion, Ohio, December 31, 1828, and when a child was brought by his parents to Lima, Allen county, Ohio, where he was reared to man- hood, when he returned to Marion and was married to a Miss Peters. Soon after his mar- riage he came to Van Wert (in IS;1), and here engaged in the dry-goods business and general trade until the call for volunteers to subdu . the late Rebellion, when he entered the service .. on the call for one-hundred day men. as major of the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Ohio national guard (One Hundred and Thirty. second Ohio volunteer infantry. On his re- turn he was appointed collector of internal revenue, which office he held until it was abol- ished when he again entered the day-goals trade, in which he continued for a few years. and then bought an interest in the Van Wert Foundry and Machine works, where he fille 1 the position of book-keeper. He sold his mn- terest in this concern in order to be able to perform the duties pertaining to the office of probate judge, to which he was elected in 1872 and re-elected in (8;5, and for which p. sidos he was re-nominated some ten days before it - demise- the republican party, of which he v .. a most ardent as well as activ . memba. bons

May 2, 18644. Mr. Baxter enlisted in com- pany I. One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served four months. In 1872 he located in Convoy, Van Wert county, where he has a most pleasant and tasteful dwelling. Ile is a member of G. A. R. post, convinced, as was the general public, that is

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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

was the " right man in the right place." The death of Judge Baker was caused by hemor- rhage of the stomach and took place Septein- ber 9, 1878, at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years, eight months and nine days. He left behind, to mourn liis loss, a wife and four daughters, beside an innumerable host of friends. Judge Baker was a Lutheran in re- ligion, and fraternally was an Odd Fellow. There was never a whisper of scandal uttered or breathed as to his social life, and he was honored by all as a patriotic and useful citi- zen and an upright judge.

OSEPH M. BAKER, an energetic and successful farmer of Pleasant township, Van Wert county, Ohio, is a native of Beaver county, Pa., and was born jan- nary 31, 1846. His parents, Enoch M. and Mary (Copper) Baker, were of Irish descent, the father of Enoch M., Robert Baker, having been born in Ireland in 1770.

Enoch M. Baker was born in Beaver county. Pa., in 1818. and was reared on the farm of his father, who died in 1863, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. Enoch, in his early days, was a school-teacher, and also learned marble cutting, but, the latter trade disagree- ing with his health, he relinquished it and entered upon the more agreeable pursuit of farming in Lawrence county, Pa. There he followed this vocation until 1855, when he came to Van Wert, Ohio, and purchased 160 acres of land, and here died February 4. 1888. His marriage took place in Mercer county. Pa., in 1842, and by this union he became the father of nine children, who were named as follows: John C., deceased; Joseph M., the sub- ject of this sketch : Emmet R., of ludianapolis, ! Ind. ; Samuel C., of Oregon; Mary J., wife of Baker is a prohibitionist. He is a member of Joseph Hook, of Van Wert: Rachae! J., de- . ceased wife of William Wise, of Missouri; Wert and is universally respected as a progress-

Sydney R., wife of Henry Lampe, of Vau Wert; Enoch A., of Decatur county, Ind., and Wilma, wife of Barton Holland, of Van Wert. Mrs. Mary Baker was born in Mercer county, Pa., in 1827, and is still living, a member of the Society of Friends. Enoch M. Baker was a true hearted American, and in 1846 responded to his country's call by enlisting for the war with Mexico, but, as it happened, was never called into active service. In politics he was a democrat, for two terms held the office of in- firmary director, and for many years was a member of the board of agriculture; he was an active worker in the cause of temperance was a member of the Legion of Honor, and died a devout adherent of the Society of Friends

Joseph M. Baker was educated in the com- mon schools of his district and grew to man. hood on his father's farm, which he assisted in clearing from the woods as the years wore on. In IS78 he moved to Missouri, and for ten years engaged in farming in Cedar county. and then returned to his home in Van Wert county, Ohio, where he has since been con- tented and happy. In 1872. Mr. Baker was united in marrage with Miss Margaret Kreider, daughter of John and Sarah (Harsh; Kreider. natives of Lancaster county, Pa. To this union have been born six children, viz: Cora E., who died in childhood: Jennie F. . J seph M., deceased; Maggie M. ; Edna M. and Jessie M. The mother of these children was born in Pennsylvania September 7, 1852. but at the age of two years was brought to Chio by her parents, who located in Ashland county, where they resided for ten years and then came to Van Wert county, where her mother is sait living, but where her father died about the year 1883. Mr. Baker and wife are mesabsis of the Friends' church, and in politics Mr. the tent of the Knights of Maccabees at Vi

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ive citizen. His farm of 160 acres is well drained and improved, and gives every indica- tion of being under the control of an expe- rienced agriculturist.

a ILLIAM S. BEALE .- One of the prominent and respected citizens of Van Wert, Ohio, and a gentleman who has made a success of business enterprises, as well as in the line of inventions, is the gentleman whose name heads thissketch -William S. Beale. He comes from good old English stock, his paternal grandfather, Albion Beale, having been born in England, and com- ing to this country early in life. He located in Butler county, Pa., where he engaged in farming, and there resided until his death.

Our subject's father, James Beale, was born May 29; 1811, in Butler county, Pa., and there remained until lie had reached manhood's estate. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Williams, in Westmoreland county, Pa., in 1837, and there followed his trade as carpenter until 1854, when he removed to Rock Island county, Ill., and engaged in farm- ing until 1881. At this time he removed to Whiteside county, Ill., where he died in the following year, his wife's death preceding his by three years. The parents were devout people, being members of the Baptist church, and it is recorded of Mr. Beale that he him- self erected a Baptist church edifice in Illinois. In politics he was a republican, and person- ally was a man of sterling worth of character. Mr. and Mrs. Beale were the parents of six children, being named in order of birth as fol- lows: Nancy J., Julia, William S., George W., Sarah A., and Christmas E. Of these only two are now living -- our subject, William S., and his sister, Julia, now the wife of J. Cain, of Hillsdale, Ill.

Our subject was Born in Westmoreland

county, Pa., January 24, 1845, and was nine years of age when his parents removed to Illinois. He grew to manhood in Rock Island county, Ill., aud there received his education in the common schools, and in 1865 supple- mented this with a commercial course of study in the Eastman Commercial college, of Chi- cago. This being completed, he returned to Rock Island, Ill., and in conjunction with his brother engaged in buying and shipping live stock, making their headquarters upon the old home farm. In this enterprise they continued until IS70, when they added the dealing in lumber, coal, etc., to their already prosperous business. In November, 1883, they moved to Van Wert, Ohio, and engaged quite exten- sively in the lumbering business, purchasing timber lands and working up the timber in their own mills for shipment. . In this line they con- tinued until 1893, when they retired from the lumber trade, and since then our subject's time has been devoted to the improvement of his land and the perfecting of his inventions.

He was married in Rock Island county, Ill., November 18, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Mc- Murphy, a lady of earnest christian character, who proved a worthy helpmate. Mis. Beale was born near Hampton, Ill., October ci. 1844, where her early life was passed. She was a faithful member of the Baptist church, and was a most earnest Sunday-school worker This union was blessed with the birth of three children: Alfred, who died in infancy; Lillie G., and Carrie E., the wife of Rev. George W. Taylor, of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Mr. Taylor is an evangelist of note, whose labors have been crowned with great results. In his life work he was notably assisted by his worthy wife, who is a musician of note, being a fine cornetist as well as a vocalist. The mother of these children died June 18, 189 ;. and was buried in Hillsdale, Rock Island county, Ill.

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

Our subject is a republican in politics, and although not a rabid partisan, still takes a proper interest in affairs of public import. Coupled with an acute business judgment, as is noted in his successful ventures, our subject is possessed of an inventive turn of mind, and of late has devoted considerable time and at- tention to perfecting some of his useful ideas. Among these may be noted a life preserver and bathing protector, upon which he has secured letters patent. It is made of vulcanized rub- ber, in the form of a vest, and has been pro- nounced a success wherever tried.

OHN C. BEAR, an experienced agricul- turist and public-spirited citizen of Ridge township, Van Wert county, Ohio, is a native of Fairfield county, in the same state, and was born April 27, 1822, a son of George and Sarah (Cherry) Bear. George Bear was a native of Rockingham county, Va., and his wife was born in Penn- sylvania, but both were children when brought to Ohio by their parents, who settled in Fair- field county, and there they grow to maturity and were married. George Bear was a farmer, a millwright, and a carpenter and joiner, and to his marriage with Miss Cherry were born seven children, as follows: Eliza and Nancy, deceased; John C., our subject; George, de- ceased; Jacob, William; and Sarah, deceased. George Bear brought his family to Anglaize county, Ohio, in 1836, and there lived on a farin until both he and wife were called away by death. While residing in Auglaize county, John C. Bear was united in marriage, May 29, 1845, with Mary Tyson, and the following February came to his present farm in Ridge township -- then densely wooded, and abound- ing in game and other will animals. Here he set to work and cleared his land, has thriven and reared a family, although he was com-

pelled to go to Fort Wayne and Spencerville for his milling. His children were born in the following order: George, who resides in Kan- sas; Smith, in Auglaize county, Ohio; Isaac, deceased; Lucinda, wife of Charles Clark, of Van Wert county; John, deceased; Albert, in Kansas; Margaret, deceased: Samuel, of Van Wert county, Ohio; Sarah, wife of William Miller; Eliza Ann, married to Henty Farrer, of Michigan; Elijah, of Kansas; Thomas, of Van Wert county, Ohio; William, at home, and Jacob who also resides on the home farm. In politics Mr. Bear is a republican, and is active in his support of the party, although he has never sought public office. In religion he and wife are members of the Society of Friends. and have done their share and more. too, in securing the erection of a meeting house of worship for the society, Mr. Bear having been one of the building committee, and through his exertions it was that the building was ulti- inately completed. Mr. and Mrs. Bear are highly respected by their neighbors, and de- servedly so, and their children residing in the county share the good will that is extended to the parents.

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YLVESTER R. BEECHER, practi- cal and expert accountant (now with Humphreys & Hughes, of Van Wert. Ohio), was born in Portage county, Ohio, July, 30, 1861, a son of Frederick and Cornelia A. (Center) Beecher. The father. Frederick, was born in Shalersville, Portage county, April 12, 1835, and died in Mantua, same county, February 12, 1866; he was very prominent socially, and as a business man stood in the foremost rank, having been teller in the Ravenna branch of the State Bank of Ohio, and the founder of the extensive mer- cantile firm of Beecher. Rhodes & Co .. at Mantua, Ohio. Mis. Cornelia A. Beecher was

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

a daughter of Reuben Center, of English de- scent, and a native of New York. Both the Beechers and the Centers are very old names in the east, and were connected, by blood and marriages, with such families as those of the Pratts, the Forts, the Van Rensselaers, the Van Buskirks, the Ethan Allen family, and that of Henry Ward Beecher. To the union of Frederick and Cornelia A. Beecher were born two children, viz: Sylvester R., who is the subject of this sketch, and Frederick, now agent for the American and National Express . companies, at Ashtabula, Ohio. Mr. Beecher was a republican in politics, and at his un- timely death left his wife and children in affluent circumstances.

Sylvester R. Beccher was reared and pre- liminarily educated at the academy at Shalers- ville, Portage county, Ohio. At the age of seventeen, he entered Mount Cuion college, where he was finally educated, finishing the course in 1881. After completing his educa- tion, he traveled extensively through the south- ern and western states, and Old Mexico, for a year. and then engaged in the grocery and queensware business in Mantua, where his father, years before, had been very successful; continuing in this business about four years, he sold out to accept a lucrative position at book-keeping.

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A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 69

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