A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 79

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 79
USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1 > Part 79

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

139

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

Frank C. Ida died August 18, 1881; the others are living. Frank Conner DePuy was born November 23, 1865, was educated pri- marily in the schools of Van Wert; later attended the Cincinnati college of pharmacy from 1883 until 1887, in the interval being employed in a Van Wert drug house. April 15, 1890, he was united in marriage with Miss Belle P. Brookes, daughter of W. C. Brookes, and this union has been blessed with two chil- dren-William Donald, born February 10, 1891, and Martha Catherine, born January 3, 1896. In politics Mr. DePuy is a republican ; fraternally he is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias, and he is also a member of Hiestand's band. Frank is a well known and popular young man of most excellent character and qualities, and is now clerking in Pennel's drug store in Van Wert. Viola is married to T. M. Glenn, who is living in Chicago, and is now superintendent of the Union depot in that city.

Sarah Ellen Bonner, who married Dr. DePuy, was born January 26, 1832. Her father, Joseph Bonner, was born in Maryland, in 1793, and was of German ancestry. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, and continued to work at that trade until his age compelled him to retire to a farin. Upon coming to Ohio he at first located in Mont- gomery county, then went to Preble county, and from there to Whitley county, Ind., in this latter county purchasing a farm, upon which he lived till his family were all scattered abroad to homes of their own, when he returned to Ohio, and lived in Troy, Miami county, until his death, which occurred Decem- ber 6, 1873. He was one of the patriotic inen of his country, serving in the war of 1812. and gave liberally of his means to all in need. He married Miss Jane Conner of New York state, by whom he had the following children: John, Michael, Elizabeth, William, Martin, George, Jennic, Charles, Joseph and Sarah.

Of these ten children five are yet living -- all of them married except Charles, who left home and has not been heard of since. Sarah Ellen Bonner was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, and went with her parents to Whitley county, Ind. This was in 1845, when she was fourteen years old. At the age of eighteen she was married to Dr. DePuy, and is now living quietly in Van Wert, surrounded by a a laige circle of friends. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which she joined in 1874. She and her husband adopted a daughter, Miss Cora, who is now the wife of G. L .. Marble, one of the rising young lawyers of Van Wert. Mrs. Depuy is a highly re- spected lady, kind and charitable in disposi- tion, and always ready to assist her church in its work for the good of humanity, and to aid the poor in their need.

HARLES E. DETTER, book and job printer, on Washington street, near the city building, Van Wert. Ohio, was born in Mercer county, Ohio, February 4, 1859, a son of John and Marie (Frock) Detter. The father. John Detter. was a native of Baltimore, Md., was born in 1824. and there learned stone-masonry, and, later, the trade of millwright. In 1849, he came to Clarke County, Ohio, and engaged in farming until 1855, and then moved to Black Creek township, Mercer county, and re-engaged in farming until 1863, when he removed to Van Wert county and located in Willshire township. where he remained four years, and then moved into the town of Willshire, and operated a saw-mill until his death, in October, 1873. His marriage took place in Baltimore, and there were born to him eleven children, viz. : Alice, deceased; William H .; John T. and Anna, twins: James P., of Willshire; George G., of Van Wert; Ella, of Willshire; Thomas

৳

140

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

T., deceased; Charles E., our subject; Clara, of Mercer county, and Clinton, deceased. The mother of this family died in 1864, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which church her husband had been a class leader for many years. In politics Mr. Detter was a republican, and fraternally was a Mason.

Charles E. Detter was but four years of age when brought to Van Wert county. He received his preliminary education in Willshire and at the age of fifteen years went to live with his grandfather, Frock, at Springfield, Ohio, where he attained school until twenty-one years old, and then for two years attended the Ada Normal university. Returning to Will- shire, he became editor of a local newspaper, of which he was part owner, but a year and a half later came to the city of Van Wert, and for one year read law under the prosecuting- attorney, A. L. Sweet; then, for six moths, he acted asted as local editor of the Republican; he then went to Los Angeles, Cal., and was on the staff of the Valley Echo and the Mon- day Morning News until May. 1885, when he returned to Van Wert county and published the Willshire Gazette until 1887. when he sold ont, came to Van Wert city and purchased the Daily Gazette, which, a year later, was ab- sorbed by the Daily News. Mr. Detter was then for a year a general correspondent, and in the interval attended the Tri-State Business college at Toledo and took a full course in stenography; he then returned to Van Wert and bought the job printing office, established by Dannecker & Baker, taking possession in 1893, and now doing a very prosperous busi- ness, although he still continues his duties as correspondent for several prominent daily newspapers at different points.

The marriage of Mr. Detter took place in Van Wert, Ohio, in 1889, with Miss Anna Hartzog, who was born in this county in April, 1870, and his daughter of Banjamin Hartzog. I

The children resulting from this union were three in number, and named Lulu V., Correl V. (deceased) and Hazel K. Mr. and Mrs. Detter are members of the Methodist Episco- pal church, and in politics he is a republican: fraternally he is a Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a Red Man.

LI DOWNING, a prosperous farmer of Pleasant township, Van Wert county, Ohio, and an ex-soldier of the Union army, was born August 4. 1841. He is a son of William and Catherine (Coonfare) Downing, natives of Delaware. county, Ohio, and respectively of Scotch-Irish and German descent. By occupation William Downing was both a carpenter and a farmer, and followed these pursuits until he retired al- together from active life. He still lives on the old farm in Delaware county at the age of seventy-eight. his wife having died in Septe !- ber, 1893, when she was seventy-seven years of age. In religious belief she was, and Mr. Downing is, a Presbyterian, and in politics he is one of the old-time democrats,

Eli Downing, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of seven children born to his parents. He spent his early boyhood on the farmi, at- tending school as opportunity offered and cir- cumstances permitted, a few weeks at a time in the winter season, but not every winter. After he reached the age of seventeen his sory- ices were demanded on the farm, and he man - aged the home place until he was nineteen years of age. In 1861 he removed to Van Wert and entered into contract to cut a quar- tity of wood, and returned to Delaware county in the succeeding fall. In the fall of 1861 he again came to Van Wert, and remained this time until December 6. 1861, when he went to Lima, Ohio, and enlisted in company D. Fifty-fourth Ohio zouaves, for three years.

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

141

His regiment having been ordered to Camp surgeon, who placed him on board a steam- boat and sent him to Paducalı, Ky., where he entered an improvised hospital, in which he remained until January 1, 1864, when he was so far recovered as to be sent back to his reg- iment, then at Larkinsville, Ala. In the mean- time his regiment had veteranized; but, when Mr. Downing made application for permission to veteranize also, he was refused on account of physical disability, and was furloughed home. and arrived in Delaware county February 7. 1864. He remained at home forty days, and then met his regiment at Camp Dennison, when he found out that without his knowledge he had been transferred to the invalid corps. He was thus obliged to remain in Camp Den- nison while his regiment returned to active duty in the field. In April he was sent to Cincinnati, where he remained twenty days; was then sent to Washington, D. C., and thence, on May 2, to Alexandria. Va., where he was made a member of company B, Second regiment of the First battalion, with which he served three months, when an abscess on his side and hip, a result of small-pox, becoming troublesome, he was sent to Lincoln hospital, at Washington. D. C., where he remained until honorably discharged, January ;. 1865. At that time, however, he could not walk, and his father had to go to Washington to bring him home. He reached Delaware county January 21, 1865, and was compelled to walk with two crutches for two years, and then for one year with a erutch and cane. Thus ter- minated Mr. Downing's army service, and for the most part his sufferings, but he still feels the results of the trials and hardships expe- rienced in ariny life. Dennison, remained there until February 17, 1862, when it was ordered to the front, going first to Paducah, Ky., and after remaining there thirty days being ordered up the Ten- nessee river, where it participated in the battle of Pittsburg Landing both days of the fight. From Pittsburg Landing they went to Corinth, Miss., remaining until that place was evacuated by the rebels, when they went to Chewalla, Tenn., destroying railroad bridges, etc. While at this latter place Mr. Downing was taken sick with jaundice, which terminated in or was followed by typhoid fever, and he was placed in the regimental hospital. From Chewalla he was taken in an ambulance to Memphis, Tenn., and there he remained until November, 1863. In October, however, Mr. Downing was taken ill with spinal trouble, and remained in the hospital until February, 1863. barely alive. In this last-named month all the con- valescents were sent up the Mississippi river to Saint Louis, and placed in Jefferson barracks, Mr. Downing being one of the number. He was getting along nicely until April 9, 1863, when he was taken down by small- pox and was sent to Duncan's island small- pox hospital, where he remained until June 24, losing through this disease the sight of one eye and having the sight of the other much im- paired, and was physically enfeebled for life. After being out of bed four days Mr. Downing started to rejoin his regiment, then at Vicks- burg, and arrived there just after the surrender of that rebel stronghold. He went then with his regiment to Jackson, Miss .. where Gen. Johnston was routed, and thence to Black river, Miss., where they rested until Novem- ber. : 863, and then returned to Memphis, While at home on furlough, in 1864, Mr. Downing was married, February 25. to Miss Martha E. Miller, in Van Wert. She is a thence to Corinth, luka, and Cherry Run station, at the latter place having a battle with the enemy. At this time, Mr. Downing's eye : daughter of John and Samantha Harris Mil- becoming troublesome, he was sent for by the | ler, both residents of Van Wert county. His

142

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

wife went to Delaware county just after her marriage, where she remained until his return from the army. As soon as he was sufficiently recovered to do any kind of work, Mr. Down- ing engaged in huckstering and followed this business four years. In 1870 he removed to Van Wert county, and has resided here ever since. Most of the time he has been engaged in farming in Pleasant township, but he was six years thus engaged in Middlepoint. Upon the organization, several years since, of the Soldiers' relief commission of Van Wert county. Mr. Downing was made a member thereof, and is still a member. In 1893 he was nominated by his democratic friends for county recorder, but notwithstanding he made a strong fight for election. he was defeated, with the rest of the ticket, by a small majority -- the majority against Mr. Downing being the smallest but one on the entire ticket. Mr. Downing lives with his wife and two children, that still remain unmarried, in a new and comfortable home, just completed, one mile west of Van Wert. He and his wife are the parents of seven children, as follows: Will W., of Van Wert; Addie Louella Nance, of Van Wert; Sarah Ellen Foster, of Middlepoint; Alvin Rus- sell, Lemuel Eli, Date and Bessie, the last four of Van Wert.

S ILLIAM CRIST, an ex-soldier and one of the respected citizens of Con- voy, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born on a farm in Mahoning county, Ohio, April 28, 1841, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary A. (Settger) Crist. Benjamin was also born in Mahoning county, a son of Ger- man pioneers, and to him and his wife, Mary A., were born the following children : Martin, William, Brownson, Samuel, Amelia, Anna. Susanna and Henrietta. The last two were born in Crawford county, Pa., whither Mr.

Crist moved in 1850, and the others clain! Mahoning county, Ohio, as their birthplace. Benjamin was a wagon-maker by trade, was a democrat in politics, but was a strong Union man and had two sons in the late war-Mar- tin, who served abont three years, first in a Pennsylvania regiment and then in an Ohio regiment-and William, whose war record will be found later on. Benjamin and his wife were members of the Methodist church, and in this faith he died in Crawford county, Pa., at the age of seventy-three years.

William Crist received a limited education in Crawford county, Pa., whither he was taken by his parents in 1850, and there reared until his enlistment, in July, 1861. in company I, Fifty-seventh Pennsylvania infantry, for three years. April 1, 1864, he veteranized in the same regiment and served until he lost his left leg in the battle of Petersboro, June 16. 1864, receiving an honorable discharge froin the hospital in September of the same year. He had served at Patrick, Yorktown, Chicka- hominy. Cold Harbor, Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines), in front of Richmond, Charles City Cross Roads, in Mcclellan's retreat, Malvern Hill, second Bull Run, Chantilly, Antietam. first battle of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (where he was slighty wounded), the Wilder- ness, Spottsylvania, and in many skirmishes. At the battle of Petersboro he was finally struck by a shell, and twenty-four hours later his left leg was amputated seven inches below the knee. He lay in field hospital fifteen days. and was then taken to the Christian Soldiers' hospital at Philadelphia, where he received his final discharge. He was a brave, active young soldier, weighed 200 when he entered the army. and was ever prompt in attendance at roll- call. but his shattered limb has seriously inter- fered with his life prospects. On his return home he was compelled to resort to hard work for a livelihood, and in 1866 found employment

WILLIAM CRIST.

143-144

145-14€

147

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

in a saw-mill; in 1867 he came to Ohio and worked at wood chopping in Van Wert county.

October 1, 1867, Mr. Crist married, in Tully township, Miss Miranda Cook, daughter of Levi and Nancy (Detzler; Cook, who were the parents of ten children -- Rebecca, Eman- uel, William, Levi, Isaiah, Sylvester, Eliza- beth, Emma, Ella, and Miranda. Of these, William, Levi and Isaiah were soldiers for three years, each in an Ohio regiment, during the late war, and all escaped without being wounded. The father of this family lived to be seventy-two years of age, and died in Van Wert county. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Crist three children have been born, of whom one died in infancy and the other two were named Thomas and Blanche. For many years Mr. Crist made his residence at Dixon, Ohio, but in 1894 made Convoy his permanent home, purchasing a comfortable residence and two lots. He receives a pension of $30 per month from the government, is a member of the Capper post, No. 236, G. A. R., and with his wife is a member of the Methodist church. The family is very highly thought of in the community and Mr. Crist has one of the best soldier records in this or any other county.

A LMER W. COX, member of the well known insurance firm of Cox & Law- rence, Van Wert, Ohio, is a native of Jeffersonville, Fayette county, was born in September 19, and is a son of Wesley and Mary C. (Porter) Cox.

Wesley Cox was a man of that dauntless spirit which quails not before adversity; of that ambition and energy which make fortunes for their possessors, and which raised him high in the estimation of his fellow-men. Until he reached his thirteenth year he was reared to agricultural pursuits upon his father's farm, in the meantime, however, obtaining a

much better education than was then, or is now, common to boys at that age. He was a son of John and Isabella (Arlington) Cox, both natives of Maryland, and the former a farmer by occupation. Removing to the west, they located in Madison county, Olio, and lived there the rest of their days. They were the parents of ten children, eight of whom reached mature years. Wesley was the eighth in order of birth. Both were members of and earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church, and died about 1846.

Wesley Cox, upon the death of his parents, began working at farm labor on his own ac- count and was so industrious, economical and endued with such a manly spirit, that, with a little assistance, by the time he had attained his majority he had acquired a comfortable competence. So well supplied was he with this world's goods, that he married, at the age of twenty-three, November 13, 1858, Miss Mary C. Porter, of Madison county, who was born June 4, 1839, and was a daugliter of Robert and Mary H. Porter. They lived in Madison county until 1870, when they removed to Jeffersonville, Ohio, having up to this time followed agricultural pursuits. At Jefferson- ville Mr. Cox embarked in the coal and lum- ber business, and continued thus engaged until the death of his wife, May 29, 1893, when he disposed of his coal and lumber business in Jeffersonville, and removed to Van Wert, where he is now living with his son. Mr. Cox in the time of the war was one of the strongest of the patriots, enlisting in company D. One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, a hundred-day regiment, and serving until the expiration of his terin. He then desired to re-enlist, but was rejected on account of defective hearing, which defect appears to have been overlooked when he first presented himself for enlistment. He is a member of Scott post, No. 10o, G. A. R. In politics Mr.

148

BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Cox has always been independent. He is a patriot rather than an intense partisan, and has always supported those whom he has con- sidered the best qualified for the office, whether republicans or democrats. Mrs. Cox was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and of the S. A. Gilbert relief corps of Jeffer- souville. The children born to the marriage of Wesley Cox and wife were three in num- ber, as follows: An infant that died Septem- ber 16, 1858; Lucina, born September 8, 1859, and died March 27. 1864, and Almer W., the subject of this sketch.

Almer W. Cox was reared to manhood in Fayette county. Ohio, and received an excel- lent education in the common schools. He was married March 6, 1889, to Miss Gertrude F. Carnes, who was born in Des Moines, Iowa, August 19, 1868, and is a daughter of William and Lucie (Fewell) Carnes. To this marriage there have been born four daughters, as fol- lows: Clara B., born March 6, 1890, and died June 4, 1891 ; Ruth Agnes, born March 3, 1892; Mabel, March 11, 1894, and Hazel, born March 18, 1896.

After locating in Van Wert Mr. Cox pur- chased the interest of J. Q. Augustine in the insurance business, December 1, 1892, which he thereafter conducted on his sole account until May 1, 1894, when he associated with himself W. C. Lawrence, and has since con- ducted the business under the firm name of Cox & Lawrence, who are now doing the lar- gest business in the line in the city of Van Wert, being the agent for the following sub- stantial companies: Royal Insurance company, of Liverpool, Eng .; Insurance company of North America, Philadelphia; National, of Hartford, Com .; Commercial Union Assurance company of London, Eng. ; Northern As- surance company, of the same place; North British and Mercantile Insurance company, of the same place; Home Insurance company and

Continental Insurance company, of New York; Aetna Insurance company and Phoenix Insur- ance company, of Hartford, Conn. ; Hartford Insurance company, of same place; Dayton Insurance company, of Dayton, Ohio: Con- cordia, Milwaukee; Mechanics and North West- ern National Insurance companies. of Milwau- kee, Wis .; Hanover Insurance company, of New York, and the Western Underwriters Insurance company, of Chicago. The firm of Cox & Lawrence undoubtedly do the largest business in the line in Van Wert, their premiums in 1894 alone amounting from $22,000 to $24,000, and the solidity of the companies they represent is a sufficient guarantec of the respon- sibility of themselves individually. Both part- ners as genial and agreeable gentlemen, and well deserve the popularity they have achieved both in business and social circles. Fraternally, Mr. Cox is a Mason, Knight of Pythias, and a Knight of Maccabecs.

..............

APT. DAVID P. DUNATHAN, one of the most prominent business men of Van Wert, Ohio, and ex-postinaster, was born in Mercer county. Ohio. April 17, 1840, a son of Robert Il. and Mary E. (Protzman) Dunathan. Robert H. Dund- than was a native of Franklin county, Pa., born March 7, 1810, to John and Sarah (Mc- Quown) Dunathan, of whom the former was born in Scotland, early came to the United States and settled in Franklin county, Pa., on a farm, where Mrs. Sarah Dunathan died in 1812, after which all trace was lost of her hus- band, but it was supposed that he was killed by the Indians while boating on the Mississippi river. They were the parents of two children -Robert H., and an infant, deceased. Robert H. Dunathan was reared by an uncle. Jacob B. McQuown, until twenty years of age, when he left his native state. came to Ohio and lo-

OF VAN WERT COUNTY.

149

cated in Montgomery county, where, in 1835, he married Miss Protzman, who was also a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John and Frances Protzman. Soon after marriage, Robert H. and wife moved to Sidney, Shelby county, Ohio, where he followed his trade of weaving until 1839, and then moved to Mercer county, Ohio. By his marriage with Miss Protzman there were born nine children, who were named J. H., Sarah F., David P. (our subject), James M., Jacob B., Robert L., Ed- ward P., Johnson L., and Harmon. The mother of this family was called to her final rest in 1855, and in 1856, in Mercer county, Ohio. the father married Nancy Moore, to which union were born two children-George M. and Mary. The father died in Mercer county in 1872, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and in politics a democrat, while his widow, also a Methodist, still resides in Mendon, Mercer county.

David P. Dunathan, the subject proper of this biography, was reared to manhood in Mercer county, was there educated, and on September 10, 1861, enlisted in company A, Forty-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three years, and was assigned to the Fifteenth army corps, under Gen. Logan, and first fought at the battle of Shiloh; was then actively en- gaged in the siege of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, and at Jackson, Miss .; was then on a forced march to Knoxville, and also fought at Chickamauga; in February, 1864, he veteranized at Huntsville, Ala., and served as sergeant of his company until August, 1864, when he was commissioned first lieutenant, for meritorious conduct on the field; February 2, 1865, he was promoted to the captaincy of company A, Forty-sixth Ohio volunteer infan- try. His original company veteranized, and served in the hundred days' fight from Chatta- nooga to Atlanta, and thence marched with Sherman to the sea, and onward to Washing-

ton, D. C., witnessing and participating in all the historical episodes of the triumphal march of the victorious troops until they culminated in the grand review at the national capital, May 23-24, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Mercer county, Ohio, Mr. Dunathan employed himself in farming until 1869, when he removed to Van Wert and formed a partnership with Lester Patterson, and for seven years was engaged in the manufacture of burlaps, and in 1870 added to the business an interest in a drug store, in partnership with Dr. C. B. Stemen, which in- terest he retained two years; he also formed a connection with J. J. Humphreys in the retail grocery trade, which lasted until 1883, when, under the presidential administration of Presi- dent Garfield, he was appointed postmaster of Van Wert for the usual"term of four years, but before the expiration of his term united with Dayton Hard, under the firm name of Dunathan & Hard, in the handling of agricu !- tural implements, in which business he is still prosperously engaged. The marriage of Mr. Dunathan was celebrated in Van Wert. in August, 1865, with Amanda Gilliland, a native of the city, born April 9, 1843, of whom men- tion will be found in the sketch of the Gilliland family. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Duna- than there have been born three children. of whom Charles W. is deceased and Laura R. and Jessie are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Duna- than are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and fraternally Mr. Duna- than is a knight templar Mason. He is pro- gressive and public spirited in his in :- pulses, and has been president of the school board for eight years. He has, beside his in- terest in his city business, a neat little farm of eighty-five acres in the county, and is univers- ally honored for solid citizenship. excellent business qualifications and his brilhant military career.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 1, Part 79

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