USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 35
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 35
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
named Rebecca, Sarah Susanah, Peter R., Alexander, Mary (deceased), George de- ceased, and Samuel deceased. The mother of this family died November 5, 1857, and the father was next married, June 24, IS58, to Miss Eliza Reed, who died June 24, 1864, leaving no children; the next marriage was with Mrs. McClure, April 3, 1866, to which union was born one child-living-Millie. Mr. Mentzer, now seventy-six years old. is retired from active work. He is a democrat, has been justice of the peace, commissioner three terms and has served in numerous township offices. He is a Mason and is most highly honored by his fellow-citizens.
EORGE MILLER, one of the oldest citizens of Washington township, Van Wert county, Ohio, but now deceased, was a native of Saxony, Germany, born in 1816. He came over to America when a young man, and for a number of years worked on public works in Virginia, Maryland and other states. He was married in Putnam county, Ohio, in 1845, to Susan Rader. In about 1847 he purchased forty acres of land from the government in section No. 13, Wash- ington township, Van Wert county, and moved upon it; the country was at that time but sparsely settled and was mostly woods, with few roads. From time to time he added to his original purchase until he owned altogether 112 acres, and had owned sixty acres more, which he sold to his son Henry. To Mr. and Mrs. Miller ten children were born, as follows: Henry, Charley, Ferd, John, Louis, Tilla, Ed- ward, Mary and Gust, all living, and one daugh- ter who died in childhood. April 17, 1895, Mr. Miller and wife celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, and the day was cele- brated with a family gathering and a big sup-
per, on which happy occasion all the children but two were present.
When Mr. Miller settled in Van Wert county there was nothing of Delphos but a few canal shanties. It was then known as Section Ten. so Mr. Miller has lived to see what was once a dense forest cleared and turned into as fine a farming country as can be found in the state, and saw Delphos grow from a few log houses into a thriving little city.
Henry Miller, eldest son of George Miller, was born on April 27, 1846. He remained on the farm with his parents until he was eighteen years old, and then left home. In May, 1864. he went into the Union army as a soldier, join- ing company A, One Hundred and Fifty-first Ohio volunteers. He was mustered in at Camp Chase and with the regiment was on duty prin- cipally at Washington, D. C., and in the Shen- andoah valley. He was mustered out at Camp Chase, Columbus, the last of August, 1864. having been in the 100-day service. After the war he began railroading, first on the Pennsyl- vania in Ohio, and then on the Big Four in Indiana, and continued on that for over nine years. He then worked for about five years in the Ohio Wheel works at Delphos, and then moved upon sixty acres of land in section No. 12, Washington township, which he had pur- chased some time before from his father. The land was then all wild and unimproved, but he cleared it up. Since then he has added to his land by the purchase of sixty acres in section No. I, now having altogether 120 acres. In 1889 he erected a large barn, 40x60 feet, which is one of the best in the township.
Henry Miller was married November 10. 1872, to Ida Wurzburg, who was born in Sax- ony, Germany, May 9, 1852, and is the daugh- ter of August Wurzburg. Her parents did not come to America, both having died in the old country before she came over, she being eighteen years old when she crossed the ocean. To Mr.
Lidem
THOS. SLEEN MCKIM. DECEASED.
5.31.532
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
and Mrs. Miller three children have been born, two sons and one daughter: Arthur, born July 20, 1874; Oscar, born November 12, 1876; Laura, born March 25, 1883. Mr. Miller and family are members of the Lutheran church, and are highly respected by all. George Mil- ler departed this life November 18, 1895, a member of the Lutheran church, of which his widow is still a devout communicant.
HOMAS STEEN McKIM, deceased, a native of Ross county, Ohio, was born April 17, 1818. His parents, Thomas and Jane (Steen) Mckim, were born and married in Ireland, where the father was a farmer. In 1810 these parents came to America, located in New York state, but later came to Ross county, Ohio, and. finally settled in Wabash county, Ind., where they passed the remainder of their lives on a farın. Of their eight children our subject was the sixth in order of birth, and was ten or twelve years of age when his parents removed form Ross county, Ohio, where he had been a water carrier on the old canal running through that section. He was reared to manhood in Wabash county, Ind., and was there educated in the common schools. He early learned the tinner's trade, and at this he worked through- out Indiana and Ohio until his locating in Willshire, Ohio, where he engaged in general merchandising until 1855, when he made his permanent home in the city of Van Wert, where he erected the store building now occu- pied by Seelburg & Co., corner of Main and North Washington streets, and re-einbarked in general mercantile trade. Although he had had three partners in this business, the firms were ever known as T. S. McKim & Son. He continued in trade until 1890, when he retired to a life of ease and privacy. He was also largely interested in the Van Wert tannery and
many other local interests, and being a man of indomitable enterprise and enlarged patroitism, was energetic in his promotion of the railroad interests of the city. He was a royal arch Mason, a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics a republican. Ever affable and gentlemanly, he won friends every- where, his liberality and generous disposition being subjects of universal comment. His death, which occurred June 10, 1892, cast a shade of sorrow over the . entire community and was deeply deplored.
The marriage of Mr. McKim was solemn- ized in Mercer county, Ohio, September 20, 1851, with Miss Elizabeth Barks, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, April 24, 1822. a daughter of Solomon and Jane (Shault) Barks, natives of Virginia, but at the time of this marriage residents of Ohio. They were the parents of seven children, of whom only two survive. To the union of Mr. McKim and Elizabeth Barks were born three children, viz: Emma, wife of G. W. McGavren, one of the prominent physicians of Van Wert: Joseph L., deceased, and Luella Maud. Mrs. McKim is a devout believer of the Methodist Episco- pal faith and is a leading member of the con- gregation attending First M. E. church; she is also a member of the W. C. T. U. and of the Missionary society, and is regarded as one of the most charitable and aimable ladies of the city of Van Wert.
EORGE MERICLE, a pioneer of Jackson township. Van Wert county, Ohio, is of German descent pri- marily, but comes from an old New York family more directly. His grandfather. John Mericle, was a native of the Empire state and a pioneer of Fairfield county, Ohio. where he cleared up a good farm from the woods and reared the following children: Sol-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
omon, John, Emanuel, Abe, Polly, Katie, Sallie, Lydia and Betsey.
Solomon Mericle, father of George, our subject, was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in February, 1808, and married Catherine Blosser, daughter of George and Rebecca (Garrison) Blosser, to which union were born the following children: Sallie, Mary, George, Rose Ann, Isaac, Margaret, John, Catherine, Solomon and Lydia. Solomon Mericle re- sided on 160 acres of land in Hocking county until 1865, when he moved to Allen county and settled six miles east of Delphos, where he passed the remainder of his days. His son, Solomon, served in the Fourteenth Ohio vol- unteer infantry during the late war, and he also had two other sons in the service-George and John. He died a sincere Christian.
George Mericle, the subject proper of this sketch, was born in Hocking county, Ohio, March 14. 1833, and was married in the same county, September 25, 1855, to Miss Barbara Beery, who was born in Fairfield county, May 18, 1838, a daughter of Peter and Mar- garet (Pulce) Beery. Peter Beery was of German descent and was a son of Joseph, who was a native of Rockingham county, Va., and was the father of Jacob, Samuel, Joseph, Peter, Franz and Barbara, and died on his farm before the outbreak of the Civil war. Peter Beery, the father of Mrs. Mericle, was born in Rockingham county, Va., January II, 1807, was married in that county to Margaret Pulce, and by that union became the father of eight children, viz: Elizabeth A., Sarah, Henry, Barbara, Abraham, Mary, Peter and Margaret. After making two or three moves at intervals of two years each, Mr. Beery finally settled on a farm of 400 acres in Hock- ing county, Ohio, but has since sold all but 190 acres of the home farni. He later bought 300 acres in Jackson township, Van Wert county, and on eighty acres of this George | progress of his township and county.
Mericle makes his home. Mr. Beery was a most enterprising citizen and was always prominent in the various counties in which he lived, settled up or administered several es- tates, and at one time was the owner of over 700 acres of land. He had two sons in the late Civil war-Capt. Henry and Sergt. Abra- ham, both in Ohio regiments.
After marriage Mr. Mericle located in Fair- field county, Ohio, and for a season worked for his uncle, John Mericle, then moved to Hocking county and worked for his father-in- law, Peter Beery, in a saw-mill for three years. In the fall of 1860 he came to Van Wert county and settled on eighty acres in the woods his father-in-law had given him, where he cleared up a farm. March 13, 1865, Mr. Mericle enlisted at Van Wert, Ohio, in com- pany F, One Hundred and Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was discharged at the close of the war, having served in Virginia and Delaware. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mericle have been born five children, named as follows: Margaret, Isaiah, Sarah, Noah and Minerva-all born in Van Wert county with the exception of Margaret, who is a na- tive of Fairfield county, and Isaiah, a native of Hocking county. While her husband was in the war, Mrs. Mericle did her own farming, with the exception of plowing-thus showing herself to be a worthy daughter of her illustri- ous father. She lived on fifteen acres and tilled five acres of corn, producing the best crop in the neighborhood-the season being a dry one. Mr. Mericle is now the owner of 120 acres, and is in quite comfortable circum- stances. He and wife are members of United Brethren church, and in politics he is a repub- lican. He is a highly respected citizen and an excellent fariner, holds the esteem of the entire community, and ranks second to no one in his enterprise and active interest in the
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535
OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
J 'OHN C. MILLER, deceased .- Few men in Van Wert county were more widely and favorably known than the late John C. Miller, whose death oc- curred on the 12th day of June, 1882. Mr. Miller's parents, George and Hannah (Chil- cote) Miller, were both natives of Kentucky, but their marriage took place in Crawford county, Ohio, where they lived on a farm until the father's death, after which Mrs. Mil- ler came to Van Wert county and resided with her children until called from the scene of her earthly labors in 1865. George and Hannah Miller reared a large family, eleven children in all, the subject of this sketch being sixth in order of birth.
John C. Miller was born in Crawford county, Ohio, November 22, 1826, was reared to manhood on a farm in his native county and state, and on the 17th day of September, 1849, entered into the marriage relation with Miss Sarah C. Schenck. Mrs. Miller was born in Maryland June 3, 1835, daughter of David and Lydia (Meyers) Schenck; she bore him the following children: Lydia A., de- ceased; Rebecca, deceased; Mary E., deceased; David F. ; Nancy J., wife of L. W. Balyeat; Daniel J., who resides on the home farm; John, deceased; William; deceased; Susan, deceased; May, deceased; Charles, deceased; and Ida, who resides in Van Wert. Soon after his marriage Mr. Miller moved to Van Wert county, locating in Willshire township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, on which he resided until his removal, in 1876, to a farm in Pleasant township, where he resided until his death at the date previously mentioned.
Mr. Miller was a successful farmer and made additions to his place from time to time until he became the possessor of 160 acres of land, which, under his management, was brought to a high state of cultivation and was supplied with good buildings and other con-
veniences. He accumulated a handsome com- petence, was noted as one of the leading agri- culturists of the county, and in addition to tilling the soil he achieved quite a reputation as a skillful veterinary surgeon. In his church relations he belonged to the United Brethren denomination, and in politics was a republican. His widow remained on the home farm until 1893, at which time she moved to Van Wert and has made that city her home ever since; she is also a member of the United Brethren church, and is highly esteemed by a large circle of friends in both city and county.
David F. Miller, the eldest son and fourth child born to John C. Miller and wife, is one of the young and very progressive farmers of Pleasant township. He was born in Willshire township October 15, 1857, and was reared to manhood upon the farm, and chose farming for his life work. He was educated in the common schools and made commendable prog- ress for the advantages at hand, and to the training received while in the school-room, he prudently added, from time to time, that knowledge which came within his reach. Mr. Miller is still an attentive reader and keeps well posted on all topics of the day, and also takes a deep interest in matters educational. Mr. Miller was early taught habits of industry and economy, which traits have followed him closely up to the present time, and by his en- ergy and good management has succeeded in making himself and family a good home: he was one of the poor boys that started out in life empty handed, though, with a strong de- termination to succeed, has progressed from a day laborer to be owner of a good farm, which is the result of his own skillful management and wise forethought. His farm, which is located in Pleasant township, shows the care of a true husbandman, and he has all the com- forts of the agriculturist at hand and enjoys the many blessings derived therefrom. In
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
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politics Mr. Miller is a stanch republican, at all · times ready to voice his sentiments, and lend a helping hand to the success of his party; he is recognized as one of the young and progress- ive farmers of his township and he and his wife are highly respected where known.
In 1882. Mr. Miller was united in marriage with Miss Hannah C. Miller, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Miller; this lady was born in Crawford county, Ohio, in the year 1859, and this union has been blessed by the birth of four children, viz: Sarah E., David F., Bessie M. and Charles E.
Benjamin Miller, the father of Mrs. David F. Miller, was born in Crawford county, Ohio, January 20, 1825, where he was reared to manhood among the pioneers of that county. He was married, July 8, 1855, to Elizabeth Carris, who was also a native of Crawford county, Ohio, and was born in 1832; they became the parents of the following children: James E., Hannah C., Philip C., John F., Maria S., Mary C., Almedia and Almira (twin sisters), Rebecca J. and George. About the year 1865, Mr. Miller moved with his family to Kosciusko county, Ind., where he died February 6, 1876, and his wife, January 8. 1876; they were both prominent and influential members of the United Brethern church.
note the progress and development of any sec- tion there is an absolute, scientific, necessity for biography; for individual accomplishment represents, in the composite sense, all that effects the general accomplishment. The sub- ject of this sketch is one whose ancestral history has been conspicuously linked with that of the Buckeye state since the early pioneer days, and is one that bears record of distin- guished and noble lives of accomplishments far transcending the mediocre.
Dr. McGavren is a man of high professional attainments and is recognized as one of the leading medical practitioners of the city of Van Wert, where he retains a representative practice. In his life work he has followed in the footsteps of his honored father, Dr. Hugh C. McGavren, who was one of the pioneer physicians of Van Wert and a man of noble character and deepest humanity-one whose name is prized by all whose memory recalls his kindly deeds and and his abiding sympathy for all those who are "afflicted in mind, body or estate."
Dr. Hugh C. McGavren was born in Indi- ana county, Pa., July 30, 1824, and in 1828 he accompanied his parents on their removal to the frontier wilds of Ohio; they settled in Columbiana county, where they remained until 1834, when they removed to Hardin connty, where the parents took up their permanent abode-that section being yet a portion of the Northwest territory, but the father died in the year 1853, and after his demise his widow re- moved to Iowa, where she passed the residue of her life, entering into eternal rest at the venerable age of eighty-three years.
From his boyhood Hugh C. McGavren had been animated by a desire to become a phy- sician, and this desire was not one of inaction, for after completing his preliminary studies in the common schools, he began the work of
W. McGAVREN, M. D. - It has as- suredly not been uninteresting to observe, in the series of biographical sketches appearing in these pages, the varying nationality, origin and early environ- ment of those mnen who have made their way to positions of prominence and success WVe have an American type in the past; we shall have a distinctively American character in the future, but, for the parents, amalgamation of the varied elements is going on, and the ulti- mate result is yet remote. In endeavoring to preparing himself for his chosen vocation,
HUGH C MCGAVREN, M. D. DECEASED.
531 538
MRS. MARTHA J. MCGAVREN. DECEASED.
5.59 540
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
entering upon the study of medicine, in Wyan- dot county, in the year 1845. His efforts were directed with that earnest zeal and devotion which presaged success, and his vigorous vital- ity and resolute nature enabled him to sur- mount obstacles that would have proved in- superable to a man of less individual strength. Dr. McGavren removed from Wyandot county, in 1853, in company with his brother Andrew, but did not enter upon the practice of his pro- fession until the succeeding year, when he formed a partnership with Dr. Blecker. In 1856 he located in Shane's Crossing-now Rockford, Mercer county, and eleven years later took up his abode in Van Wert, where he passed the remainder of his life, having devoted himself with unvarying earnestness to his profession, never failing to heed the call of those in distress, and gaining a marked prestige throughout the country, the while re- taining the confidence and affection of those to whom he ministered so unreservedly. In the consummation of the public interest he was one of the foremost promoters, and maintained a lively interest in all that touched the growth and development of the city and county of his residence. In this connection it is interesting to note the fact that the MeGavren family has been one represented in an almost phenomenal way in the ranks of the medical profession. In 1866 there were sixty-five physicians of the name of McGavren, all related. engaged in the practice of medicine, and scattered throughout the various states of the Union. Of the six brothers of Dr. McGavren, three were anthro- pological physicians, and two veterinary.
In the year 1847, July 4. Dr. Hugh C. McGavren was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Linderman, a native of Chambers- burg, Pa., and they became the parents of five children, two of whom died in infancy, the survivors being Mary C., wife of Dr. H. H. Holbrook, of Defiance, Ohio: Dr. George
W., the immediate subject of this review, and Olive, wife of W. G. Streit, of Van Wert. The death of the honored father of our subject occurred on February 27, 1891, and a com- munity mourned the loss of a noble man, whose life had been one of signal usefulness. His widow resided on North Washington street, Van Wert city, until her death, early in 1896.
George W. McGavren was born in Wyan- dot county, Ohio, January 20, 1851, and was reared in Van Wert and at Rockford, . Ohio. He received his preliminary education in the public schools and then entered .the office of his father and devoted himself to a thorough course of reading in the science of medicine, and later matriculated in the Eclectic Medical institute at Cincinnati, where he graduated in 1873. He took a post-graduate course at the Fort Wayne Medical college, and there grad- uated in 1877. His ambition from the start was to gain the most perfect knowledge in regard to his profession, and he has ever kept pace with the advances made in the sciences of medicine and surgery. In 1884-5 he took a special post-graduate course at the Polyclinic, in New York. Dr. McGavren entered upon the active practice of his profession in Van Wert in May, 1873, being associated with his father. He has since continued here and has gained a prestige which maintains the high standard held by his father, and he enjoys a distinctive popularity and the confidence and respect of the community.
In 1875 Dr. McGavren was united in mar- riage to Miss Florence W., daughter of A. W. Baker, and her death occurred on July 30, of the same year. Our subject's second marriage was consummated April 19, 1877, when he wedded Miss Emma G., daughter of T. S. McKim, one of the early pioneers of Van Wert. The doctor and Mrs. McGavren are the parents of one daughter, Nellie W .. who was born March 12, 1879. In politics the
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
doctor exercises his franchise in support of the republican party, and fraternally is promi- nently identified with the Masonic order, being a member of Van Wert lodge, No. 218; Van Wert Chapter, No. 71, and Ivanhoe com- mandery, No. 30, also of this city, and of Ohio Sovereign consistory and Mystic Shrine. In this noble order the doctor has advanced to the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
S AMUEL MILLER, one of the lead- ing stock buyers of Van Wert, was born in Fayette county, Ohio, Jan- uary 31, 1828. He is a son of Rob- ert Miller, who was also a native of Fayette county, who was reared on a farm and who came to Van Wert county in 1842, settling in Pleasant township, where he purchased a farm. In politics Robert Miller was a democrat, in religion he was a Methodist, and in character he was upright and honorable. In disposition he was kindly and charitable, liberal with his means and ready to assist those in need. He lived on his farm in Pleasant township until his death. He married Miss Nancy Hill, of Fay- ette county, Ohio, by whom he had nine chil- dren, viz: James, Hinton, Samuel, David, Andrew, Elizabeth, Delilah, George and John. Four of these children are dead, viz: Hinton, David, Delilah and Andrew. The rest are all married.
Samuel Miller, the subject of this sketch, was reared on his father's farm, educated in the common schools, and later began the busi- ness of buying and selling stock. This was in Van Wert county, as he was but thirteen years of age when he came here with his parents in 1842. After being in the stock business for some years he engaged in the livery business, changing back, however, after some years, to the stock buying business.
On the third of December, 1849, he was married to Miss Eliza Tumbleson, by whoin he became the father of the following children: Nancy Jane, born May 13, 1856; James W., born December 4, 1857; Etta M., born De- cember 14, 1859; Flora, born February 4, 1862; Susan, born April 13, 1864; Charles. born June 1, 1866; Hattie M., born Novem- ber 23, 1868; Minnie G., born August 19, 1872: Clyde O., born October 6, 1874; and Fred. born January 11, 1879. Of these, Nancy J., Etta M., and Flora are deceased.
The wife of James W. Miller, the eldest son of Samuel Miller, died July 2, 1894. Pre- vious to her marriage she was Mollie Mercer, of Celina, Mercer county, Ohio. She was the mother of three children, viz: Norma, Nellie and Fern. James W. Miller is at present superintendent of the telephone exchange in Van Wert. Charles, the second son of Sam- uel Miller, is a member of the dry-goods firm of Miller & Gipe; Miss Minnie G. is clerking in this store; Clyde O. is a lineman for the telephone company; Susan and Fred are both at home; Hattie M. is the wife of Oswell Bill- man, a young business man of Van Wert.
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