USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 11
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 11
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S AMUEL J. HACKEDORN. - The pa- ternal grandfather of the subject of this biography, David Hackedori, was a native of Germany, and an carly pioneer of Tuscarora valley, Pa., where.
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his death occurred in the early part of the present century. He was a soldier of the Revolution, and reared a family, one member of which, David Hackedorn, father of Samuel J., was born in Juniata county, Pa., in 1791. When a young man, David Hackedorn, Jr .. moved to Huntingdon county, Pa., where he married Margaret Goshorn, a native of the Keystone state, born in the year 1800. After residing in the aforesaid county twenty-seven years, David Hackedorn moved to Richland county, Ohio, where he became owner of 160 acres of land; he held various local offices, was an old-line whig in politics, and died in the state of his adoption, in September, 1885; his wife was called to her reward in 1892. The following are the names of the children of David and Margaret Hackedorn: Noah E., David A., Samuel J., George G. and Jacob R., all deceased but the last named and the sub- ject of this sketch.
Samuel J. Hackedorn was born in Hunting- don county, Pa., January 27, 1827. His schooling embraced a few months' attendance, each year, in the primitive log-cabins, com- mon in his county in an early day, and, on arriving at his majority, selected the pursuit of agriculture for his vocation. He was married in his native county and state, October 4, 1849, to Margaret Gray, daughter of Rev. George and. Emma (Bey) Gray, a union blessed with the birth of the following children: Mrs. Florence McNiel, Mrs. Jennie Crainer, Alford A. (deceased), Dolly (deceased). Mrs. Minta Balt- zell, Clarissa (deceased), Carrie G. (deceased), Ulyses O. (deceased), Howard H. (deceased) David E., Otto G. and Maud A., the last named a well known teacher of Paulding, Ohio. Mr. Hackedorn, became a resident of the county of Van Wert in 1866, and has ever since been a well known resident of the township of Liberty, where he owns a good farm. Politically he is a republican, and
for some years has been class leader in the Methodist church, with which denomination his wife is also idedtified. The father of Mrs. Hackedorn, Rev. George Gray, was a native of Ireland, and a minister of the Presbyterian church. He held pastorates principally in Huntingdon county, Pa., where he exercised the functions of his holy office for a period of many years.
EORGE A. HALL, of Van Wert, elder bother of G. M. Hall, whose biography will be found below, was born September 17, 1836, was edu- cated in the schools of Germany and also under his parents, who were highly intelligent and well informed, and especially skilled in music. April 2, 1853, our subject sailed from Rotterdam, in the packet-ship Margaret Ems, carrying a crew and passenger list reaching 600 souls, and landed in New York June 19, of the same year. After a detention of four days in that city, he went, via Albany, Buf- falo, and Sandusky city, to Carey, Wyandot county, Ohio, then to Kirby, where he worked on the P., Ft. W. & C. road as water boy, at $8 per month, from June till the latter part of November, 1853, changing from point to point: then as hostler at the Gault house in Carey until February, 1854; April, 1854, he went to Hancock county and there worked on a farm, at $6.25 per month, until August, when he was taken sick, when he went to an uncle, Peter Rader, at Upper Sandusky, where he remained until recovery; then went to Upper Sandusky Plains, where he worked on a fara: until November 29. when he flagged the train at Kirby, and finally reached Van Wert county. Ohio, November 29, 1854, and worked for a Mr. Hertel in Liberty township, for his board and two months' schooling; then took jobs at clearing and general labor until January 1,
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1856, from which time until 1859 he clerked for T. S. McKim, of Van Wert, for $75 the first year and $300 the second; he was thien sent to New York to buy a general stock of merchandise, and was given a half-interest in the store, and, under the firm name of Mckim & Hall, did business until late in 1863. In April, 1864, he enlisted in company H, One Hundred and Thirty-ninth, O. N. G. for 100 days, was elected second lieutenant of his company, and served four months in the Shenandoah valley and Point Lookout. On his return home he was employed as book-keeper by A. B. Mc- Curdy & Co., in 1865 and in 1866-in the lat- ter part of 1866, going to Vernon county. Mo., and becoming interested in a saw-mill for a year and a half; he then traded his interest in the mill for 200 acres of land in that county," and came back to Van Wert and re-entered the employ of Mr. McKim, with whom he clerked until 1871; he then clerked for J. S. Brumback & Co .. in 1871 and 1872, and again for T. S. McKim from 1872 till 1880. In the latter year he engaged in farming in Pleasant township, where he resided two and a half years, and from 1883 until August, 1888, clerked with G. M. Hall: he then went to Paulding, Ohio, and engaged in the dry-goods business, in which he still continues, although he makes his home in Van Wert.
Mr. Hall was first married, in Van Wert county, to Miss Emma Chaffin, on May 2, 1861, the union resulting in the birth of two chil- dren-William, deceased, and Charles E., now in the real estate business in Hutchison, Kans. Mrs. Hall died June 23, 1865, and Mr. Hall was next married, January 26, 1869, to Fannie Bennett, who bore three children, as follows: Edward, of Utah; Leo, with his fa- ther, and Hattie V., at home. The mother of these children was called home May 15, 1875, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church; the third marriage of Mr. Hall oc- i
curred July 10, 1876, with Villa E. Little, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, July 30, 1854, a daughter of Rev. Cyrus and Su- sanna ( Dalby ) Little, and to this union have been born two children-James C. and Fred- erick H. Mr. Hall has been steward in the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty-five years and was organist eleven years; his wife has been a member of the choir at least twenty-five years, and of the latter his daugh- ter is also a member. He has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since I878 and is likewise a member of the National Union. He is the owner of six city lots and other valuable real estate and stands high in social as well as in business circles.
INFIELD S. GIFFIN, a young and thriving farmer of Hoaglin town- ship, Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in Miami county, in the same state, March 17, 1855, and was but three years of age when his parents brought him to Van Wert county. In the sketch of A. A. Giffin, which immediately follows this, will be found an extended account of our subject's ancestors. to which the attention of the reader is invited. Winfield S. Giffin received a sound education, although, in the main, he is self-taught. For some years he was a successful school-teacher in Hoaglin township, but the greater part of his life has been passed in the pursuit of agri- culture, and it has been a successful pursuit also. His marriage took place October 10, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth Hymen, a sister of C. H. Hymen, and an account of her genealogy will be found in the biography of that gentle- inan on another page. To Mr. and Mrs. W S. Giffin have been born three children, who are still living to brighten their home and are named as follows: Charles E., Martha L. (twins), and Cyril Guy. After his marriage,
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Mr. Giffin settled on his farm of eighty acres, which is now in a splendid state of cultivation, with snug farm-house and out-buildings of con- venient size and arrangements, and here he has reared his children. In politics Mr. Giffin is a republican and is the present township clerk. In religion he is a Presbyterian, while Mrs. Giffin is a member of the Evangelical associa- tion. He is recognized as one of the most progressive young farmers of the township, is popular with his fellow-citizens and political associates, and he and family are greatly re- spected by a large circle of social friends and acquaintances.
DDISON A. GIFFIN, a young and enterprising farmer of Hoaglin town- ship. Van Wert county, Ohio, was born in Miami county, Ohio, No- vember 26, 1850, of Scotch-English extraction. His father, William Griffin, a native of War- ren county, Ohio, born December 26, 1802, was naturally of a literary turn of mind and of studious habits. His first wife, who bore the maiden name of Julia A. Van Horn, bore to him the following-named children: John and Joshua W., Elizabeth J., Phebe P., Samuel B. and Reuben T. Of this progeny Samuel B. enlisted in the late Civil war at the first call for three-month men, made April 15, 1861; at the conclusion of his service he re-enlisted, for three years, in the Forty-fourth Ohio infantry, served out his term, and again enlisted, this time in the Eighth Ohio cavalry, and was killed in a hand-to-hand conflict at Beverly, W. Va., in December, 1864. The parents re- sided in Miami county, Ohio, for some time after marriage, and there Mrs. Julia A. Griffin ended her days, and Mr. Griffin took for his second wife Mrs. Martha Whittaker, daughter of David and Nancy A. (Reed) McKee. the former a prominent and wealthy farmer of
Miami county. To this second marriage were born the following children: David J., Addi- son A., Isaac N., Winfield S. and Edward L. -- all still living. William Griffin was twice elected surveyor of Miami county. In 1858 he brought his family to Van Wert county, and located in York township, where he resided until 1861, when he moved to Hoagland town- ship here he filled several township offices and was twice elected county surveyor by the re- publican party. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, had been for many years a school-teacher in Warren, Miami and Van Wert counties, and died June 17, ISSI.
Addison A. Giffin received a very good common-school education, learned the trade of carpentering, in which he excells, and was, in his younger years, very successful in the man- agement of a tile factory for four years, mak- ing money, where two predecessors had failed: but agriculture has been the art which has made him famous in his township and county. January 13, 1875, he married Miss Elizabeth J. Hattery, who was born April 13, 1853, a daughter of Nathaniel and Ellen (Acheson) Hattery, formerly of Hoaglin township. When Mr. Hattery first settled here the county was a dense wilderness, and he was compelled to cut his way through -- from the now city of Van Wert, which at that time contained one log cabin only, standing where McCurdy's block now is. He became the owner of 320 acres of cleared land and very prominent in the affairs of the township, was a republican in politics and a deacon in the Presbyterian church, and died March 12, 1882-his wife having been called to her final rest August 10, 1876. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Hattery were named: Elizabeth J., Thomas F., John E. (deceased), Clara (deceased , Mart E., Hermia A., John .A. (deceased); Maggie E., and Nathaniel F. The children born to Addi- son A. Giffin and wife were named Edward P.
SAG. fin 1
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
and Martha E., who both died at birth, and Hermia A., born July 26, 1885. After mar- riage Mr. Giffin left Hoaglin township and went to the city of Van Wert, where he was employed at carpenter work a year; he then returned to Hoaglin township and located on a twenty-acre tract of land, but two years later, in the spring of 1878, moved to Ottawa, Put- namn county, and from April until August was superintendent of the River tile yard; then, in company with H. L. Allen, purchased the plant and operated it until the spring of 1879, when Mr. Allen withdrew from the firm and was succeeded by H. K. Vincent, of Hoaglin township, and, under the style of A. A. Giffin & Co., the business was conducted until 1881, when Mr. Vincent retired and James Acheson became his successor; in 1882 Mr. Giffin re- linquished the business, and, again returning to Hoaglin township, purchased his present home-a farm of 100 acres, well improved and cultivated. His barn, the finest in the county, was built by himself after twelve years of plan- ning. It has a stone foundation, is 44xSo feet ground plan, with a height of 28 feet 3 inches to eaves, and 45 feet to comb; it is double weather-boarded, with paper inter-lining, is supplied with water by a distant mill, contains an apartment for roots, bins for wheat, corn, oats and other grain; hay, fodder, etc., are ele- vated by horse power; the threshing machine is located on the second floor and its products sent through chutes to the bins below. This barn is so near perfection that Mr. Giffin would make no change in it even if it were to be re-constructed.
In politics Mr. Giffin is a prohibitionist, and in religion a devout Presbyterian. Form- erly he was a deacon in this church and a Sun- day-school superintendent in Union church, Hoaglin township. For nine years he was a director in the county agricultural association; he has held office in grange No. 400 since its 13
organization, and for four years has held the position of county lecturer, or pomona. Since his marriage Mr. Giffin has kept a diary of events, and also a strict account of income and expenditure, down to a postage stamp, and can tell the cost of a bushel of grain, each year, on any field. In 1893 he filled the office of superintendent of the cattle department for the State Fair association, and in 1894 served, by request, as superintendent of the swine de- partment, for the performance of which duties he received from the exhibitors an unsolicited vote of thanks. He is now solicited to write for the American Agriculturist on topics per- taining to farm industries. Mrs. Giffin has been equally successful in the management of her department of the farm, and from the prod- ucts of her chickens and cows has paid for nearly everything that has come into the house for years. Mr. Giffin was the nominee of the prohibition party for the office of state senator of the Thirty-second district. in the fall of 1895, but, of course, his party was too weak, numer- ically, to secure his election.
EORGE M. HALL, a prominent dry- goods merchant of Van Wert Ohio, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many, February 12, 1842, and is a son of John N. and Elizabeth (Rader, Hall. He was reared and educated by his maternal grandparents until thirteen years of age, when he was placed in the office of a general mer- chant, with whom he remained four years. In May, 1861, he left Bremen on a steamer, and after a passage of twelve days was landed in New York, friendless and alone. His stay in that city was but brief, and he came almost immediately to Van Wert, whither his brother, G. A., had preceded him. Here he was em- ployed for two years by T. S. McKim, and in August, 1863, he enlisted in company M, Sec-
,
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ond Ohio heavy artillery, and followed the fortunes of his regiment until 1864, when he was detailed as clerk at the headquarters of George H. Thomas, and as such served until honorably mustered out at Nashville in Sep- tember, 1865. On his return to Van Wert, he was engaged as clerk by J. S. Brumback, with whom he remained until 1882, when he opened his present dry-goods establishment at No. 10 West Main street. He carries a well assorted stock of staple and fancy dry goods, cloaks, notions, etc., valued at $20,000, and from the start has done a very profitable and prosperous trade. His store is 25 x 132 feet in dimensions, and he also carries a duplicate stock in the second story.
Mr. Hall's marriage took place in Van Wert, May 29. 1873, to Miss Harriet L. Smith, a native of Van Wert, Ohio, born March IS, 1852-a daughter of Dr. Wm. M. Smith, of whom a biography is given on another page of this volume. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hall five children have been born, in the following order : Eva B., Jessie L., Grace M., Erma Joyce and Raymond Richard. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and strictly follow its teach- ings. In politics Mr. Hall is a republican, for three years was a member of the school board and still takes a lively interest in the educa- tional matters. Fraternally he is a master Mason. His conscientious treatment of his patrons has made his store a favorite resort for buyers, and his meritorious conduct as a citizen has given him a high social position.
ETER HALL, trustee of Union town- ship. Van Wert county, Ohio, and an old and highly respected citizen of the same, is a native of Muskingum county, Ohio, and son of Peter and Sarah
Hall. The father was born in Fauquier county, Va., in the year 1774, his ancestors having been among the early English settlers of the Old Dominion.
Peter Hall, Sr., was reared on a Virginia plantation, early learned the carpenter's trade, and about the beginning of the present century moved, in company with another family, to the county of Muskingum, Ohio, settling in Zanesville, when that city was a frontier vil- lage of about a dozen log cabins. Here he worked at his trade, until disabled by a fall from a horse, after which he followed shoe- making. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Gutridge, was born about 1795, and she bore her husband ten children, only three of whom are now living, viz: Rebecca, wife of James Gabriel; Peter, the subject of this sketch, and Mrs. Abigail Rutan. In politics Peter Hall was conservative, but generally acted with the democratic party; he was a charter member of one of the oldest Masonic lodges of Virginia, and for many years was a member of the Baptist church, to which his wife also belonged; he died, in 1850, at the age of seventy-six years; his wife survived him until 1878, at which time she departed this life at the age of eighty-five.
Peter Hall, the immediate subject of this biography, was born May 26, 1828. His ed- ucation embraced a few years' attendance in the public schools of Muskingum county, and when a lad in his teens learned the potter's trade, at which he worked until his thirty- second year, making frequent flat-boat trips down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. in the meantime, to dispose of his wares. In 1861 he came to Van Wert county, Ohio, and pur- chased 120 acres of woodland in the township of Harrison, upon which he erected a small log cabin and began the task of clearing the almost impenetrable forest, by which his place was covered. Here he lived for twenty-two
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
years, during which time he developed a good farin, drained and otherwise improved his lands, erected a modern residence and other build- ings, and made his place one of the best in the neighborhood. In 1883 Mr. Hall disposed of his farm in Harrison township, and purchased his present place in the township of Union.
In 1862, Mr. Hall enlisted in the national guards, company C, for five years' service, and in May 1864, his company volunteered and entered the regular United States army. His command was at once sent to Point Lookout, where he did guard dnty the greater part of the time until the expiration of his term of en- listment. In 1857, he was united in marriage to Hannah Christy, daughter of William and Rosanna (Hostler) Christy, of Mahoning county, Ohio, a union blessed with the birth of two children: Emerson, of Fort Wayne Medi- cal college, and Wilson, who lives on the home farm. Mrs. Hall was born in the county of Muskingum, Ohio, in 1826, and died in 1880. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, and had a large circle of friends, wherever her lot was cast. In 1883 Mr. Hall wedded Mary Bryant, daughter of Enos and Mary (Newman) Bryant.
Mr. Hall has been an active member of the Presbyterian denomination for nearly forty years, the greater part of which time he has been an elder in the local congregation to which he belongs. He is a prominent mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, being a knight templar Mason, and also is a leading Odd Fel- low, and an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry. While somewhat conservative in politics, he keeps well posted upon the great political questions of the day, and supports the democratic party's national platform, but in local affairs votes for the man best fitted for office, irrespective of party affiliations; he was elected trustee of Union township in 1892, discharged the duties of the position in a man-
ner highly satisfactory to all concerned, was nominated by acclamation, and re-elected, in the spring of 1895, by a large majority.
ENRY C. HAMILTON, a popular conductor on the Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw railroad, was born in Montgomery, Franklin county, Vt., June 26, 1852. He is a son of Joshua C. and Charlotte E. (Dunbar) Hamilton, natives of Vermont, and respectively of Scotch and English descent. It is well known that the family of Hamilton is one of the most prom- inent in Scotland. Joshua C. Hamilton was a son of Rufus Hamilton, a pioneer of Vermont, and a citizen of that state. Rufus Hamilton was a member of the legislature of Vermont, for a number of terms, and likewise filled the offices of magistrate and judge. So long as the whig party existed he was one of its ardent supporters, but when the republican party was organized he enlisted in its ranks, and was thenceforth until his death a leading republican. He was one of the strong anti-slavery men in his day, and was one of the best of men in every way, He died in 1871, mourned by all that knew him.
Joshua C. Hamilton, son of Rufus and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1827, lived most of his days in Montgomery, Vt., and there followed the business of stock dealer the greater part of his life. In politics he was a republican of the pronounced type, an uncompromising opponent of the extension of slavery, and a devoted patriot until his death, which occurred in ISSo. His wife, the mother of the subject, died in 1865, leaving a family of five children, the youngest of whom was adopted by a cousin living in Montreal. Canada.
The boyhood of Henry C. Hamilton was spent at home on the farm in Vermont, and in
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attending the public schools. While still a young man Mr. Hamilton began to learn the carpenter trade, but that trade not being in accordance with his tastes he took to railroad- ing, and he has been thus engaged ever since. At the age of twenty-six he left home and emi- grated to Detroit, Mich., accepting a position as engineer on the old Canada Southern, now the Michigan Central, railroad. This position he filled eight years. He then went to Nor- walk, Ohio, where he accepted a similar posi- tion on the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad, occupying it for one year. Then he removed to South Lyon, Oakland county, Mich., and accepted a position as conductor on a passen- ger train on the Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad, which position he retained three years. From South Lyon Mr. Hamilton moved to Van Wert, taking a position as freight conductor on the Cincinnati, Jackson & Mackinaw railroad, when the road was comparatively in its in- fancy. This position Mr. Hamilton held one and one-half years, and was then promoted to passenger conductor, which position he has held ever since, and he is in point of service the oldest conductor on the road.
Mr. Hamilton was married October 25, 1882, at Grosse Isle, Wayne county, Mich., to Miss Ettie Groh, daughter of Charles and Julia Groh, natives respectively of Germany and Canada -- the latter of French descent. Charles Groh came to America at the age of eighteen, and has been a resident of Grosse Isle fifty- five years. He is still living at the age of eighty-four, hale and hearty, and in the pos- session of all his mental faculties. All his life, until within the last few years, he followed farming, but now he is retired. His wife died in 1885. To the marriage of Mr. Hamilton and Miss Groh there has been born one daugh- ter, Charlotte, and the family is living in an elegant home on First street, Van Wert, sur- rounded by a host of friends and kind neigh-
bors, all of whom hold Mr. Hamilton and his family in the highest regard. He is a member of all the fraternities of Masonry of Van Wert. and of Ivanhoe commandery, Knights Templar. of Syrian Temple, or the Mystic Shrine, of Cincinnati. Mr. Hamilton is an enthusiastic republican, and has been a delegate of his party to county and state conventions. In religion both Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton are mem- bers of the Protestant Episcopal church, and are active workers in the cause of religion.
OHN J. HANBY, superintendent of the Van Wert county farm, is a native of Perry county, Ohio, and was born De- cember 9, 1856, a son of William W. and Amanda (Overholt) Hanby, who were the parents of nine children, viz: John J., our subject; Sarah A., wife of Jesse Mechling, of Van Wert county; Joseph C., of Licking county; Alma F., wife of William Faller. of Van Wert county; Lincoln, of the same county: William G., also of the same county: Benja- min T., of Perry county, and Alta B. and David, with their father.
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