A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 70

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 70
USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 70

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Mr. Beecher has since remained at this business, for which he is finely constituted, and has held various positions of trust and respon- sibility with some of the largest firms and cor- porations in the state, and of late years has made a specialty of expert accounting, auditing, and adjusting books of large firms and corpora- tions. In July, 1889, he came to Van Wert and accepted the position of chief accountant with the Van Wert Natural Gas company, opened their books and filled the position until 1892, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, to take charge of the office and books of Flynn,

Able and Froulke, wholesale furniture dealers and manufacturers, remaining with then from October until the following January, when he was called to Van Wert a second time to take charge of the office and books of the extensive wholesale grocery firm of Humphreys & Hughes. Mr. Beecher has been a successful teacher of book-keeping and penmanship, and is a very fine musician, being an expert performer on the cornet.

Mr. Beecher has been twice married. Jan- uary 9, 1884, he was united in wedlock with Miss Metta Maude Mcclintock, daughter of John H. McClintock, a prominent jeweler of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Two weeks after they were married, she was taken sick, and atter a lingering illness died the following June. April 30, 1892, in Newport, Ky., Mr. Beccher was married to Miss Hattie A. May, daughter of Joseph May, of Van Wert, Ohio, and this union has been blessed by the birth of two children -- Clovis May, and Nora Cornelia. Mr. and Mrs. Beecher are consistent members of the Presbyterian church, and in politics Mr. Beecher is a republican; he is also a royal arch, and royal and select master of the Masonic fraternity, and is regarded as a bril- liant and rising young man.

0 ANIEL S. BECK, a successful farmer. was born in Union township, Var Wert county, Ohio, October 23. ISAS. and here he still makes his

home. He is a son of Michael and Mary A. (Feighner) Beck, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, born in the city of Lancaster January 6, 1816, a son of Daniel Beck, who was probably a native of Germany. but who became a farmer of Pennsybari. later came to Ohio, and died in Van Wert county in February, 1863. Michael Beck, when a youth, came with his father's fammiy

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

to Ohio, making the trip in wagons, and for a few years resided in Stark county, then moved with the family to Richland county. There, January 7, 184, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Feighner, daughter of Jacob Feighner, and in October, 1846, came with his young wife and family to Van Wert county, making the journey in an ox-cart, and here he bought 120 acres of government land, placed his family for shelter at the house of a neighbor, O. W. Harvey, cut his way into the woods, built his log-cabin, and in due course of time hewed out from the forest a farin that ranked among the best in the county. To the marriage of Michael Beck and wife were born seven children, viz: Jacob H., who died serving his country at Bowling Green, Ky., January 8, 1863: George W., who also died a soldier's death in Nashville, Tenn., November 26, 1862; Adam F., of Van Wert; Daniel S., the subject of this sketch; John D., a farmer of Pleasant township, and Sabina A., wife of John Roat, and Sarah E., M. D., of Pauld- ing, Ohio. Mrs. Mary A. Beck was born Feb- ruary 25, 1818, in Richland county, Ohio, of German parentage, and died December 19, 1879, a member of the Lutheran church. Michael Beck, father of our subject, was a life-long democrat, and by that party was elected to nearly all the offices of his town- ship, among them, those of township treasurer and township trustee, which positions he held many years. He was active in the work of the Lutheran church, in which he was an office holder, contributing liberally to both church and Sunday-school, and was noted for his bountiful charity and christian kindness. His death, which took place April 15, 1893, was a sad loss to the community, and was deeply and sincerely mourned.

Daniel S. Beck, whose name opens this sketch, grew to manhood on his father's farm, was educated in the common-schools of Union

township, and in 1873 began the life of a farmer on his own account on the old home- stead. January 21, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Maggie Rank, daughter of Samnel and Mary (Koser) Rank, this marriage resulting in the birth of three children -- an infant that died in infancy, and Zelza G. and Alba L. Mrs. Maggie Beck was born in Cumberland county, Pa., November IS, 1848, and was but six years old when brought to Vari Wert county by her parents, of whom further particulars may be learned by a perusal of the sketch of Samuel Rank, to be found on another page. In politics Mr. Beck is a dem- ocrat, and in 1893 was elected township trus- tee, which office he still holds. In religion he and wife are both prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. Beck is a member of Scott lodge, No. 791, I. O. O. F. He is the administrator of the large estate left by his father, and is ably and faithfully doing his duty in this capacity. As a progressive farmer and public-spirited citizen he is held in the highest esteem, and his social position is an enviable one.

OHN D. BECK, youngest son of Mi- chael and Mary A. (Feighner; Beck, was born in Union township, Van Wert county, Ohio. in 1854, and is a brothe! of Daniel S. Beck, whose sketch precedes this. and contains in full the genealogical history of the Beck family. John D. was educated in the common schools of his neighborhood and reared to farming. In 188; he was united in marriage with Amanda J. Burtsfield, which happy and congenial marriage has been blessed with four children, viz: Catherine M., Alice A., Stephen G. and George G. The mother of these children was born in Richland county. Ohio, in 1858, and was thirteen years of age when brought to Vai. Wert county by her par-

+4.

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

ents. After his marriage Mr. Beck began farming on the old homestead in Union town- ship, which he made his home until 1890, when he purchased his eighty-acre tract in Pleasant township, and this farm he has im- proved with every modern convenience and brought under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Beck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and politically is a stanch democrat. He is a thriving agriculturist, a useful citizen and an honest man, and fully deserves the high esteem in which he is held by his fellow- townsmen.

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J JOHN BECKMANN, trustee of Wash- ington township, Van Wert county, Ohio, and a leading farmer residing two and a half miles southwest from Del- phos, was born on the farm where he now lives on July 20, 1852. His father was Will- iam Beckmann, who was a native of Hanover. Germany, and his mother was Clara Marie Hobelmann, also a native of Hanover, Ger- many. The parents were married in the old country, and came to America in IS44, land- ing at New Orleans. From that city they came up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, and from the latter city they came by way of the canal to Delphos. They settled in Van Wert county on the farm now owned by our subject, they purchasing 120 acres of land. Eight children were born to the par- ents, five of whom are now living. The chil- dren are as follows: Henry, deceased; August, deceased; William, Jolin, Mary. Catherine, Frank. deceased; Elizabeth. The father of these children died November 24, 1885. His widew still survives, and is in her seventy- third year. Both parents were members of the Saint John's Roman Catholic church, of Delphos, and the father was a member of Saint Joseph's society.

John Beckmann was reared on the farm. and attended the district schools. Upon the death of his father he became the owner of the old homestead of 120 acres, and since then he has added by purchase eighty acres. On November 7, 1879, he was married to Catherine Schemiller, who was born in Marion township, Allen county, and is the daughter of Mathias Schemiller, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Beckmann three children have been born, as follows: Aloris, August and Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Beckmann are also members of Saint John's Roman Catholic church of Delphos. In April, 1894, Mr. Beckmann was elected trustee of Washington township. Van Wert county, for a term of three years, and holds that office at the present time. He is a mem- ber of the democratic party, is a good citizen. as well as an efficient officer.

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J AMES H. BELL, a respected farmer of Tully township, Van Wert county, Ohio, springs from a colonial family of Penn- sylvania, of Irish and German descent. James Bell, his grandfather, was a pioneer of Allegheny county, and his son, Thomas Bell, fatlier of our subject, was born in that county. Thomas there married Jane Armstrong, had born to him six children-Israel, Rebecca, James H., John, Jonathan and Maria-and died in his native county at the age of seventy- nine years. Two of these children served in the Civil war, viz: James H. and Jonathan, the latter of whom, disabled in the roo-day service, in an Ohio regiment, died, a few years after the close of the war, from the effects of this injury.

James H. Bell was born in Allegheny county, Pa., September 24, 1831, was reared on the home farm, and also learned black- smithing. On coming to Ohio he located at New Concord, in Muskingum county, and on

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October 30, 1856, married Miss Mary C. Geyer, daughter of James and Sarah A. (Smith) Geyer. George Geyer, father of James, was one of the original pioneers of Muskingum county, and entered 600 acres of land in the wilderness; James Geyer was at that time but three years of age. To James and Sarah A. Geyer were born the following children: Mary C., Chris- tian A., Martha E., Ruth M. Dorcas S., Nathan J. and Sarah L. (the latter two were twins, of whom Sarah died in infancy), Jacob F., Malinda J., Rosannah E., George M. and Charles U. G. (the last named, at the age of twenty-four years, was called away). James Geyer, the father of this family, was a substantial farmer, owning 200 acres of land; in his declining years lie retired to New Concord, where he had built a handsome residence, and there died at the age of seventy-nine years, a member. with his wife, of the Methodist church and an hon- ored citizen. After this marriage, James H. Bell farmed in Muskingum county until May 2, 1864, when he enlisted at Zanesville, Ohio, in the 100-day service under Capt. M. R. Trace; fought in the battle of Maryland Heights and in two very severe skirmishes in the Shenan- doah valley, and was with his regiment in all its marches and engagements until' his honor- able discharge at Zanesville,. September 8, 1864. After being mustered out he returned to Muskingum county, whence he moved to Morrow county in the spring of 1865, and in the spring of 1868 brought his family to Van Wert county and settled on the Ridge road, close to his present location, and in 1869 bought his present farm of forty acres, then in the deep woods, but which he and his sons have since cleared up and converted into a pleasent and profitable home. Mr. and Mrs. Bell are members of the Methodist church, in which Mr. Bell has been class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school; he has taken great interest in educational affairs, and !

for three years was a member of the school board.

To Mr. and Mrs. Bell have been born seven children, as follows: John F .. Joseph A., Thomas J., George W., Laura J., Dorcas M. and Martha W. Of these, John F. is a farmer of Tully township, is married to Bernice Baker and has one child; Joseph A., a farmer of Paulding county, Ohio. married Margaret J. Clinger and is the father of two children; Thomas J., also a farmer of Paulding county, married Ida M. Spelmore, and has four chil- dren: George W., farmer, married Candace S. Miller, who has borne three children; Doicas M. is the wife of Daniel V. Clenn, a farmer of Tully township; Martha M. is mai- ried to Ellsworth O'Brien, who is farming the Bell homestead.

The grandfather of Mss. Bell was born in Pennsylvania, of sturdy German stock; James Geyer, her father, was born in Westmoreland county. Pa., August 10. 1810, was married February 6, 1837, and died in New Concord, Ohio, May 6, 1893, age eighty-two years, eight months and twenty-six days. Mr Bell. aided by his faithful wife, has made for his family a most comfortable home, and both are honored by their neighbors as being among the most respected residents of Tully township.

ENRY BEVINGTON, one of the oldest and most experienced farmers of York township, Van Wert county. is a native of Mercer county, Olto, born October 7, 1831. son of john and Eliza- beth (Heath) Bevington, the former a native of Pennsylvania. Shortly after their marriage they located in Mercer county, and in 1832 came to Van Wert county, and settled on a forty-acre tract, on which the mother still re- sides and which had been presented by John Heath to the mother of our subject, Henry

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Bevington; this land was soon converted into fine fields and to-day is the pride of the neigh- borhood. The children born to John and Elizabeth Bevington were named as follows: Margaret, deceased wife of Alexander Brown; Henry; Nancy Ann, deceased wife of John Arnold, and was the first white child born in York township; Rebecca, deceased wife of Samuel Arnold; James, who attained man's estate and is now deceased; Mercy, widow of Enoch Metz; John, who served in the late war for three years, is also deceased.

John Bevington, father of our subject, made an additional purchase to his original forty-acre tract, and passed away when our subject was but nine years of age. John Bev- ington was in reality a teamster, hauling goods from Fort Wayne to Piqua, the country at the time being so broken, that it would require two days to make the trip from Mercer to Saint Mary's. The mother of our subject has now attained the advanced age of eighty-five years, and has resided on the same farm since 1832. Henry Bevington resided with his mother until the time of his marriage, May 22, 1852, to Amanda Ries, daughter of Philip and Mary E. (Schaffer) Ries, both natives of Ger- many. To Philip and Mary E. Ries were born the following children, viz: Wilhelmina, deceased; George, who grew to manhood, married Miss Reese; Mary, the deceased wife of Enoch Barkdull; Catherine, widow of Peter Wappnei; Lydia, deceased, and Henry, of York township, all of the above children hay- ing been born in Germany; Amanda, wife of our subject; William, who died while in the late war: the latter two having been bom in Richland county, Ohio.

Mrs. Bevington's father was a farmer and wagon-maker and located in Richland county, Ohio, when he first came to America; his wife died in York township at the age of eighty- three years. The children born to Henry

Bevington and wife were John H .. married to Elizabeth Anna Davis, and is the father of thicc children: Ethel, Della and Clifford; Mary, wife of John Mathias, and mother of one child. Mertie: Charles, wedded to Laura Grant; Anderson, who married Lulu Baggs; Frances, wife of Gill Baltzell, and mother of one son: Leo T .; George; Edward and Bessie, at home.

Mrs. - Bevington is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, her parents having also been devout Christians; who worshiped at the Evangelical Lutheran church. Mr. Bey- ington has a brief but effective military history. having enlisted in company H, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served from 1864 until honorably discharged three months later. The subject's present farm was entirely in the woods, from which he cleared away the spot on which bis splendid home now stands, and his eighty acres is now fully under cultivation. Mr. Bevington is rec- ognized as an industrious citizen and thor- oughly upright in all transactions.

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AVID OSWALD BILLMAN, junior partner in the firm of Eyler & Bill- m'an, jewelers and opticians, on South Washington street, Van Wert. Ohio, was born in Pleasant Mills, Adams county Ind., March 3, 1868, a son of Frederick Bill- man, who caine to Ohio in 1873. When but five years of age David Oswald, our subject. was brought by his parents to Van Wert county. Ohio, was here educated in the city schools. and at the age of fifteen years began learning the trade of a silversmith or jeweler at home, finishing his lessons in the art at the age of eighteen, when he entered the store of Mere. dith & Rowland, where he was employed mit !! 1893, when he started business on his own de- count, with his bunch in Kimes' store on Sinh Washington street- this being a tin and store

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

store. In April, 1894, Mr. Billman united with John S. Eyler, to whom allusion is made elsewhere in this connection, and established the present flourishing business under the firm name and at the location mentioned above, where will always be found a select stock of jew- elry, watches, clocks, silverware, and every- thing pertaining to the trade, and where re- pairing of the most workmanlike order is promptly attended to and satisfaction guaran- teed in every particular, this department be- ing attended to by the practical Mr. Billman in person.

The marriage of David O. Billman was solemnized May 24, 1892, with Miss Myrtle Miller, a native of Van Wert, born in 1869, and a daughter of Samuel Miller. One child has blessed the union and is named Russell. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics Mir. Billman is a republican. They have their home in their own pleasant residence, which includes two acres of land adjoining the west end of the city, where they enjoy to the full the agreeable association of their neighbors as well as their high esteein. Fraternally Mr. Billman is a member of the National Union, and in his business relations his reputation stands without a blemish.

ENRY W. BLACHLY, one of the well known attorneys of Van Wert, Ohio, was born in Richland county, Ohio, November 24, 1858, and is a son of Dr. Henry W., and Caroline A. (Cracraft) Blachly. The father was born in Washington county, Pa., and located in Richland county, Ohio, in 1856, where he remained until Octo- ber 26, 1860, when he removed to Van Wert county, where his death took place May 6, i

1889. Dr. Henry W. Blachly was a graduate of Jefferson college, Washington county, Pa., I

studied medicine with his brother, Stephen L. Blachly, a prominent physician of Washington county, and by him was prepared for entrance into the Cleveland Ohio Medical college, from which he graduated in 1854; the following two years he practiced with his brother, then prac- ticed about four years alone in Richland county, Ohio, and then came to Van Wert county. He was married in Washington county, Pa., to Miss Caroline A. Cracraft, who became the mother of two children: Mary E. (deceased) and Henry W. The father was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, in politics he is a republican, and with his wife was a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which faith the latter still adberes, having her residence now in Van Wert.

Henry W. Blachly, the subject of this sketch, was but two years of age when brought to V'an Wert county by his parents. He was prepared, in the Van Wert city schools, for study in the scientific branches in the schools of Valparaiso, Ind., which he entered in 18;8 and from which he was graduated in 1879, He then engaged in teaching in Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, until 1882, when, in con- junction with his vocation, he was employed in the Van Wert county surveyor's office until 1834. He, in that year, began the study of law ander A. L. Sweet, of Van Wert, was admitted to the bar in 1886, and then formed a partner- ship with his former preceptor in the practice, which partnership lasted until May 20, 1893. when Mr. Sweet retired and was succeeded by W. H. Daily, the firm assuming the style of Blachly & Daily, under which it achieved an enviable reputation and was recognized as one of the most competent law firms of Van Wert city and county until June. 1895, when Mr. Blachly became successor to that firm, being assured of the success his ability so well merits. The marriage of Mr. Blachly took place in the city of his adoption, December 15, 1856, to

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Miss Hattie Saltzgaber, who was born in Michigan, October 18, 1859. and is a daugliter .of Henry and Harriet Saltzgaber, and to the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Blachly have been born two children, Hazel M. and Irma K. In political affinities Mr. Blachly is a re- publican, and fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, while socially he stands very high, being a gentleman of good address and of un- usual ability. Mrs. Blachly is a most estima- ble lady and also stands deservedly high in the social circles, being a lady of moral integrity and possessing many womanly accomplishments.

A DAM BLACK, an enterprising farmer of Union township, Van Wert county, Ohio, descends from an old Pennsyl- vania-Dutch family, and is a son of Matthew and Catherine (Myres) Black. The father was born in the Keystone state Febru- ary 4, 1816, was there reared on a farm, and learned something of mechanics, and when a young man came to Ohio and located in Rich- land county, where he was first employed in a saw and grist-mill, and was there married, and in 1848 came to Van Wert county and entered an eighty-acre tract of land from the govern- ment, which he at once proceeded to clear up and cultivate, and on which he erected a log cabin and suitable out-buildings but which buildings were in later years superceded by modern frame structures. He was well known as a successful farmer and stock raiser, and owed his success entirely to his own industry, In politics he was a repub- lican, was a class leader and chorister in the Lutheran Evangelical cherch for many years. was always a warm advocate of the cause of public education, and died, an honored and respected citizen, February 16, 1871. His wife, also a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1820, and was but a little child when I was born in Richland county September 20.

brought by her parents to Richland county, Ohio. She was married to Mr. Black about the year 1842, and became the mother of six children, viz: John, who lives on the old home- stead; Adam, our subject; Elizabeth, wife of Charles Moore, of Hoaglin township, Van Wort county; George, deceased; Henry W., a farmer, also of Hoaglin township, and Sarah, married to Samuel Albright, of Morrow county, Ohio. The mother of this family is still living.

Adam Black was born in Richland county. Ohio, January 7, 1846, was reared on his fa- ther's farm in Van Wert county, and was ed ucated in the little pioncer log school-house. He came, an infant, to Van Wert county with his parents, here grew to manhood, and as- sisted in clearing up the farm from the woods and in cultivating it until his enlistment, Feb- ruary 27, 1864, in company H. Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, under Capt. Uptergiaft, going at once to the front and taking part in the hard-fought bartle of Resaca. May 14-15. 1864; May 27, 1864, at Pickett's Mill, Ca . by was shot by a sharp-shooter. the ball passing through his arm near the shoulder, and was at once sent to the field hospital, where his wound was dressed, and then to hospital No. 19, at Nashville, Tenn., where he was con- fined three weeks, when he was sent to New Albany. Ind., Camp Dennison, Ohio, Camp Chase, Camp Douglas, Ill., and to Cairo, Il . successively, and at the latter place honorally discharged November 16, 1865. As a com- pensation for the wound here spoken of he now receives a pension of $12 per month. All his pay as a soldier he had carefully saved and forwarded to his father, who applied it to the purchase of the farm on which our sabject pon lives, and on which he settled in 1875, being this year mited in marriage with Anna Liven -- parger, daughter of David and Cacherm . Livensparger, of Richland county. This Inis

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

1841, bore her husband two children-Ruther- ford E. and Minerva C. J. (deceased) -- and died November 29, 1879. Mr. Black chose for his second wife Miss Harriet Hynes, daugh- ter of David and Nancy (Linder) Hynes, and this union has been blessed with two children -Bertha E. and Laura. Both Mr. and Mrs. Black are members of the Evangelical church and in politics Mr. Black is a republican; he is also a member of the Vance post, G. A. R., at Scott, Ohio, is an Odd Fellow and is a highly respected and useful citizen.

ATHIAS BOCKEY, one of the lead. ing farmers and citizens of Wash- ington township, Van Wert county, Ohio, residing three miles north- west from Delphos, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Big Spring township, Sencca county, on June 4, 1841. His parents were John and Margaret (Simonis) Bockey, both natives of Germany. They were married in Germany, and several of their children were born before they came to America. They lo- cated first in Seneca county, where they re- mained until 1867, and then came to Delphos, where they resided for a short time, then re- moved to Landeck, in Marion township, Allen county, where they resided several years, when they returned to Delphos. They both died in Delphos, the mother dying on April 23, 1887. and the father on April 11, 1889. Both were members of Saint John's Roman Catholic church of Delphos. There were eleven chil- dren born to the parents, only the following four of whom are now living: Elizabeth, widow of Charles Scheffer. late of Delphos; Margaret, now the wife of Joseph Meyers, of Delphos; Adam, a farmer of Marion township, Allen county, and Mathias.

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A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 70

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