USA > Ohio > Hardin County > A twentieth century history of Hardin County, Ohio : a narrative account of its historical progress its people and principal interests, Vol. II > Part 14
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Although born in Logan county Charles W. Lease was reared and educated in Hardin county, spending several terms at Ada University, and a part of his early life was devoted to edneational work. Moving to Kansas in 1885, he lived there until 1893. and returning then to Hardin he purchased and moved to his present homestead. In 1880 he was married to Miss Rebecea Hakes, and a son Lloyd R. has been born to
them. Mr. Lease is a member of the fraternal order of Odd Fellows and one of the Patrons of Husbandry, and his religious home is with the Presbyterian church, which he has served as the superintendent of its Sunday school and as an active church worker, he being an elder in the church. The son, Lloyd R., who lives on the home place with his father, married Lonise Willike of this township, a daughter of J. II. Willike. They have three children: Georgia Lucile, Charles Wilbur and Lloyd Willis.
DANIEL H. WAGNER .- Among the native born citizens of IJardin county who have spent their lives within its boundaries, aiding in every possible way its growth and development, whether relating to its agrienl- tural or financial interests, stands Daniel H. Wagner, of Kenton, whose birth occurred, May 21, 1841, in Pleasant township, where his father, Samuel Wagner. was a pioneer. John Wagner, his paternal grand- father, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was at the battle of
-
yB. Rtwee. Seare,
6. 75. Lease.
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Yorktown and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. He was a life- long resident of Pennsylvania, and there his wife, Susanna Lees, also spent her years.
A native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, Sammel Wagner was born November 8, 1800. Reared to habits of industry and thrift, he began working in a Hour mill at the age of eighteen years, and during the next seven years became master of the trade of a miller. Going then to Hagerstown, Maryland, he became manager of what was then the largest Hlouring mill in the country. In 1833 he came to Hardin county, locat- ing as a pioneer in Pleasant township. All of this section of the country was then in its pristine wildness, the greater part of the land being owned by the government and on sale at one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre. He helped build the first log cabin in what is now the town of Kenton, and then the surrounding woods was inhabited by deer, bears, wolves, and wild animals of all descriptions. Selecting what he deemed the most desirable piece of land in Pleasant township, he entered it from the government, and soon began the ardnous task of hewing a farm from the wilderness. A man of indomitable resolution and perseverance, he succeeded in his efforts, redeeming a fine homestead, and subsequently assisted each of his children to homes. lle passed to the higher life November 17, 1891, at the venerable age of ninety-one years. On December 25, 1834, he married Mary Hossman, who was born in Carroll county, Ohio. Her father, Levi Hossman. a Virginian by birth, was an early settler of Carroll county. From there he came, in 1833. to Pleasant township. Hardin county, where he secured a tract of govern- ment land, on which he resided a number of years, busily engaged in farming. He subsequently removed to Iowa, and there spent the last days of his life. He married Mary Wilson, who was born in New York city, the descendant of a wealthy English family. Samuel Wagner and his wife reared eleven children, as follows: Susan, Levi, Catherine ., Daniel H., Mary A., Margaret E., Samuel T., Rachel E., Eunice C .. Isadore P., and Pheotas V.
Reared to agricultural pursuits, Daniel II. Wagner found farming congenial to his tastes, and after his marriage settled on land belonging to his father, on section twenty-seven in Pleasant township. Hle later succeeded to the ownership of the land, and managed it successfully until 1900, when he rented that property and removed to the home he now ocenpies on East Columbus street. Kenton.
Mr. Wagner has been twice married. He married first. November 5, 1868, Rachel Emmons, who was born in Muskingum county. Ohio, June 28, 1848. Her parents, William JJ. and Sarah Emmons, settled in Goshen township. Hardin county, in 1850, but subsequently removed to Kenton, where they lived the remainder of their years. Mrs. Rachel Wagner died September 5, 1885, leaving two children, namely : Carroll. who married Laura Kahler, by whom he has four children, Dan K., Edward C., Margaret and Carroll Richard; and William Dowling, who married Callie Amweg. Mr. Wagner married. September 21. 1887. Florence Williamson, who was born in Pleasant township, Hardin coun- ty, October 30. 1857. a daughter of Nathaniel and Serena Davis
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Williamson, of whom a brief personal history may be found elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are the parents of three children, namely: Mary, who graduated from the Kenton high school and is now a student in Hiram College; and Esther and John A., twins. Religiously Mr. and Mrs. Wagner are faithful members of the Church of Christ.
J. A. ORTII has for years been a prominent factor in the business affairs of the town of Dunkirk, Ohio. He is a native of this state, born in Wayne county February 26, 1836, but since he was six weeks old he has lived in Hardin county, and most of the time since 1871 has made his home in Dunkirk. Here he has acquired considerable property and has varied interests. When a young man he ran a sawmill for seven years, and for more than thirty years his planing mill, situated on North Main street, just outside the corporation limits and covering about two acres of land, has been the scene of no little activity. This plant is now operated by a twenty horse power gasoline engine.
While in Washington township, Mr. Orth served as assessor, and after he came to Dunkirk he filled that office, and he also served as a member of the town council. As in the conduct of his private affairs he has always been progressive, he has shown himself alert to promote the best interests of the town.
In 1864, when the Civil war cloud hung heavy over the land, Mr. Orth, as a member of the Seventh Company, Ohio Volunteers, was de- tailed to duty at General Sherman's headquarters, during that General's famons march to the sea. Mr. Orth served until July 28, 1865, when he was honorably discharged and returned to the little family he had left behind.
In 1860 he was happily married to Miss Barbara Markley, who bore him seven children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely: Edward, a druggist of Lima, Ohio; William, of Dunkirk; Charles of Columbus, Ohio; Olive, now Mrs. Hendershot, of Michigan; J. B. and Frederick, both of Dunkirk.
Of Mr. Orth's parents, Adam and Mary E. (Trontman) Orth, we record that both were born and reared in Germany. Adam Orth emi- grated to America about 1832. He was a sturdy, honest man with an ambition to become a good citizen of his adopted country. On his arrival in Washington township. Hardin county, Ohio, he entered two hundred acres of land from the Government, this land being then in its primitive state, covered with a heavy growth of timber. About half of this tract he cleared and brought under enltivation. Then he sold out. Afterward he bought two other tracts of land in the same town- ship, where he lived up to the time of his death, in 1870. It is worthy of record here, that Adam Orth was the first man in Washington town- ship to own a yoke of oxen. One night, accompanied by his son John, he was returning home with a load of provisions and lost his way in the dense forest. Unable to get his bearings, he turned his oxen loose, trusting to their instinet to find their way home, and he followed them, leaving his son to protect the cart load of provisions from the wild animals. As he supposed, the cattle found their way home, and the next
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morning he returned with them for the cart and the boy. Adam Orth was twice married, first to a Miss Weaver in Germany, by whom he had five children : George, John, Leonard, Margaret and Elizabeth. On the death of this wife he repaired to Germany, where he subsequently married Miss Mary E. Troutman, the mother of the subject of this sketch. Her children are John J .. J. A. and Frederick. the latter dying in 1855. Mr. Orth died on the 28th of November, 1906.
C. E. LUDWIG is numbered among the younger representatives of the agricultural interests of Washington township, where by his own unaided efforts he has made for himself and family a delightful home with pleasant surroundings. Ilere he owns a splendid estate of eighty aeres, highly improved and cultivated. Mr. Ludwig was born in Wyan- dot county, Ohio, in 1872, but he was reared and educated in Hardin county, whither he had come with his parents, G. C. and Lydia A. (Owens) Ludwig, also born in Wyandot county, on the 22d of March, 1882. The senior Mr. Ludwig purchased a farm of one hundred and two acres of unimproved land near the town of Dola, which he improved and finally sold, then buying in 1894, the farm which his son now owns, the latter purchasing it in 1899. George C. Ludwig has held the office of assessor, and has been quite prominent in the life of his community. By his first wife he has six children : George C., Jr., C. E., F. J., R. F., May and Bertha. The mother of these children died on the 17th of January, 1905, and in 1907 Mr. Ludwig was married to Mattie H. Matthews, widow of the late Elmer Matthews and a most estimable lady.
C. E. Ludwig has been identified with agricultural pursuits from early life, and he has been very successful in this calling. In 1893 he was married to Miss Adella, a danghter of Homer and Martha Vaughn, and they have five children : Irvin D., Fay E., Homer H., Ernest D. and Ana F. Mrs. Ludwig was born in Medina county, Ohio. Mr. Ludwig is a worthy member and an elder of the Presbyterian church at Dola, and he is also prominently identified with the order of Patrons and Industry.
DR. ALBERT EDWIN SMITH, D. D., Ph. D .- As president of the Ohio Northern University at Ada, Dr. Albert Edwin Smith. D. D., Ph. D., is carrying on an important work, through his wise administration gradnal- ly elevating this institution to a place of great prominence and influence among the sectarian schools of the country. A son of the late H. E. Smith, he was born. December 16, 1860. in Clermont county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather. Albert Edwin Smith, for whom he was named. migrated from Germany to this country in 1848, settling first in New York city, from there coming to Marietta. Ohio, where he was engaged in business until his death, at the age of sixty-seven years.
HI. E. Smith was born in Berlin, Germany, and there received his elementary education. At the age of thirteen years he came across the ocean with his parents, and here completed his school life. In Septem- ber, 1861, he enlisted in the Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for more than four years served in the defense of his adopted country. taking part in many engagements of importance during the Civil war.
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He subsequently continued his residence in Clermont county until his death, when but sixty-four years of age. He married, in Clermont county, Mary A. Lindsey, whose parents, Levi and Mary A. Lindsey, were pioneer settlers of that part of Ohio. His widow is still living. Ten children blessed their union, nine sons, all of whom are living, and a daughter that died when but fifteen months old.
The eldest child of the family. Dr. Albert Edwin Smith, spent his boyhood days at New Richmond, Ohio, gleaning his first knowledge of books in the common schools. At the age of fourteen years he became self supporting, working at anything he could find to do, being employed on a farm, in a briek yard and in a saw mill. At the age of nineteen years he entered the New Richmond high school, where he studied for a year. Ile subsequently worked his way through the Clermont Academy, of which J. K. Parker was then the principal, being graduated with the class of 1883, in June. The following year the Doctor preached on the Chilo eirenit, having charge of four churches in Clermont county. Go- ing then to Delaware, Ohio, in the fall of 1884, he entered the classical department of the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was gradu- ated in 1887. Joining then the Central Ohio Conference, the Doctor had charge of the four churches on the York circuit for four years. The following three years he was located in Celina, Mercer county, Ohio, from there going to Toledo, where he became the first pastor of the Epworth church, of which he had charge for a year. Dr. Smith was afterwards pastor of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church in Defiance for four years, and was engaged in his ministerial labors at Marion, Ohio, for six years, having charge of Epworth Methodist Episcopal church, the largest church in the conference. On June 27, 1905, he was elected president of the Ohio Northern University, and on July 20 of that year assumed the duties of the position, which he has since held. The Doctor is a man of strong personality, and those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance find him a polished gentleman, broadened by extensive travel. not only in our own country but throughout Europe and the Holy Land, and by contact with publie men and public affairs.
Dr. Smith married, October 26, 1887, Harriet Vergon, who was born in Delaware, Ohio, and was there educated, being graduated from the Ohio Wesleyan University on the very same day that her husband received his diploma. Iler parents, F. P. and Catherine Vergon, were pioneer settlers of Delaware county, where her father has been for many years a prominent apple grower. Seven children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Smith, namely: Rachel, Edwin, Paul, Seth, deceased, Harriet, Easter, deceased, and Benjamin. The Doctor has taken the degrees of B. A., M. A. and of Ph. D., and has twice had the degree of D. D. conferred upon him.
E. B. HIESTAND, M. D., & SON .- E. B. Hiestand, M. D., one of the leading physicians of Hardin county, has the distinction of being the longest established practitioner of Kenton, where he has built up an exceedingly renumerative patronage, his wisdom and skill gaining for him the confidence of the community. Having some years ago admitted
63. Hiestand
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his son to partnership, the firm of E. B. Hiestand & Son has become widely known throughout this section of the county, and is often called upon for counsel and advice as well as for its regular practice. A native of Ohio, Dr. E. B. Hiestand was born, April 11, 1830, in Fairfield county, a son of the Rev. Samuel Iliestand.
Rev. Samuel Iliestand was born and bred in Maryland, coming from both the paternal and maternal sides of the house of German ancestry. Educated for the ministry, he was connected with the United Brethren church during his aetive career, at the time of his death, when but fifty-six years of age, having been a bishop of the church. He married Anna Rodabough, who was born in Ohio, of German parentage, and they became the parents of six sons and four daughters, all of whom grew to years of maturity, E. B., the subject of this sketeh, being the seventh child and the fifth son.
The only survivor of the parental household, E. B. Hliestand, has had a long and useful career, in which he has met with suecess from the start, in the meantime gaining great popularity not only as a physician and surgeon, but as an esteemed and respected citizen. At the age of fourteen years, having obtained his rudimentary education in the common schools of Baltimore, Ohio, he entered the Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, where he was graduated, with the degree of M. D., in 1863. Beginning his medical career in Ansonia. Darke county, Ohio, Dr. E. B. Hiestand subsequently continued his practice at Canonburg, Hancock county, at North Washington and at Ada,
Hardin county. Coming, in 1874, from the latter place to Kenton, he
has since continued here. Ile is finely educated, by reading and study having kept in close touch with the modern methods of treating diseases. both as regards medicine and surgery. Ile has won three diplomas, receiving the first one at the Starling Medical College, the second at Rush Medical College, where he likewise took a post graduate course, and the third at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, where he also took a post graduate course. The Doctor is prominent in medical circles, being a member of the American Medical Association; of the State Medical Society; of the Northwestern Medical Association of Ohio; and of the Hardin County Medical Association.
Dr. Hiestand married. June 17, 1856, Hadassah Ann Harris, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, and they have one son living, namely : Howard E. Hiestand, M. D., junior member of the firm of Dr. E. B. Hiestand & Son. Fraternally the Doctor is very prominent in the Masonic order, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council, commandery and to the shrine. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1863 received the nomination for representative to the state legislature, but was defeated at the polls, his district being a Republican stronghold.
PROFESSOR JOHN G. PARK .- The corps of instructors of the Ohio Northern University at Ada includes scholars of distinction and merit. noteworthy among whom is Professor JJohn G. Park, one of the original promoters and owners of the school from which this institution has been developed. A native of Ohio, he was born, September 20. 1849. in
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Haneoek county, a son of William Park. He comes of Scotch ancestry, and his grandfather Park, a resident of Huntingdon county, Pennsyl- vania, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
William Park was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and was there brought up and educated. About 1836 he came to Ohio, locating in Knox county, where he lived for four years, superin- tending in the meantime the construction of Walhonding Canal. Mov- ing to Hancock county in 1840, he purchased land, and on the farm which he improved spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the venerable age of eighty-two years. Ile married Mary Riley, whose father was of Irish descent, and her mother of Seotch ancestry. IIer
parents were early settlers of Knox county, locating there when the country roundabout was in its original wildness, the wild woods being still the "happy hunting grounds" of the dusky savage, who had not then fled before the advancing steps of civilization. She survived her husband, attaining the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Of the nine children born of their union all but one are now living, John G., the special subjeet of this brief biographical sketch, being the sixth ehild in succession of birth, and the second son.
Brought up on the parental homestead in Orange township, Hancock county, John G. Park received his preliminary education in the district schools, afterwards being graduated from the high school in Ada, which was but five and one-half miles from his home. In 1870 he became interested in the school which has since developed into the Ohio Northern University, in partnership with Dr. Lehr and B. F. Neisz becoming its owner, and retaining the ownership until selling the college and its buildings to the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Professor Park was one of the first teachers of the institution, and with the exception of six months spent at Eureka College, in Eureka, Illinois, continned as one of its instructors until it was sold. In 1907 Professor Park resumed his connection with the University, teaching two hours each day. He publishes his own English Analysis. Ilis English Grammar and Language Work is published by the American Book Company. The Professor is officially connected with the Liberty Bank, of which he is one of the directorate, and has extensive interests in other lines and the owner of valuable farming property in IJardin county.
Professor Park married Lydia J. Wilson, who was born in Hardin county, Ohio, a danghter of H. H. and Mary Jane Wilson. Her father was an early settler of Hardin county, and for many years active in public affairs, serving as county commissioner. Mrs. Park is a woman of talent and culture, and a graduate of the School of Art connected with the Ohio Northern University. The Professor is a Republican in his political affiliations, and a valued member of the Christian church, in which he has been an elder for many years. He has been very influ- ential in promoting the work of the Sunday school, in which he has taught for thirty-four years.
W. F. KURTZ, an enterprising and progressive farmer of Jackson township, Hardin county, Ohio, was born in Germany, in 1849, and is
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a son of W. M. and Ann ( Windish) Kurtz. W. M. Kurtz and his wife were married in Germany and emigrated to the United States with their family. in 1858, locating in Wyandot county. Ohio. where they remained many years. Mr. Kurtz owned one hundred and sixty acres of land there, which later became the property of his son. W. F. Kurtz. Of the children of W. M. Kurtz and his wife the following survive: W. F., Charles. Minnie. Frank and Sherman.
The boyhood of W. F. Kurtz was spent in Wyandot county. Ohio. and he received a fair education. Ile taught school two years before engaging in farming on his own account. When a young man Mr. Kurtz went to Kansas and spent one year in that state, and returning to Ohio he located in Henry county. where he remained two years. After spending a short time in Hancock county he moved to Hardin county in 1884. and has made this a permanent residence since. Mr. Kurtz has made his own way in the world since he was old enough to do so, and has shown himself to possess great energy and ambition. acquiring a position of independence and comfort. He now owns four hundred and sixteen acres of land in Jackson township, where he resides. and two hundred acres in Wyandot county. Ohio. His wife owns one hun- dred and eight acres of land in Hancock county.
Mr. Kurtz is actively interested in public affairs and is a repre- sentative. useful citizen. He is well known and popular in the com- munity. and highly respected for his business ability. He is vice president of the First National Bank of Forest and has served on the school board. Mr. Kurtz is an active and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church. and supports every good cause.
In 1881 Mr. Kurtz was united in marriage with Alice Moffitt, a native of Hancock county. Ohio. born in 1852, and to this union have been born eight children, as follows: Bertha (deceased ). Clifford, Estey F .. Ray. Gail. Roy and Moffitt and Olivet. (twins). One of the twins. Moffitt. is deceased.
MICHAEL KROCK, a well known and prosperous farmer of Jackson township. Hardin county, Ohio. was born in Wyandot county. Ohio. in 1856. He is a son of Frederick and Barbara Krock. both natives of Germany, who emigrated to the United States as children. with their respective parents and located in Wyandot county. He became a sule- cessful farmer and purchased six hundred acres of land, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. Ile died in Wyandot county in 1902: his wife died in 1895. Their children were: Frederick. John. May. Lncy. Peter. Michael. Joseph, Henry. Fred and Charles. Michael is the only one who resides in Hardin county.
Michael Krock was reared in Wyandot county and educated in the common schools. Upon completing his education he chose the career of a farmer, in which line he has been very successful. as was his father before him. He settled in Hardin county in 1838 and purchased eighty acres of well enltivated land. and has made many further im- provements in his place, having a comfortable home with pleasant surroundings. He is an industrious and progressive farmer and a
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public spirited citizen. He has served as township trustee and as member of the school board. He is an earnest member of the Lutheran church of Kenton, Ohio.
About the time of his removal to Hardin county Mr. Krock married Lizzie Trautman, and they have become the parents of ten children, as follows: Annie, Tillie, Lucy, Effie. Florence, Lizzie, Henry, Edward, Charles and John. Annie, the oldest. is now Mrs. Lawrence Old- hauser. Mrs. Krock is also a native of Wyandot county, Ohio, born in 1866.
JACOB W. GRAPPY, one of the progressive farmers of Washington township, Hardin county, Ohio, dates his birth in Switzerland, December 5, 1858. He has been a resident of America, however, since 1862, when he was brought here by his parents, Nicholas and Mary A. (Struchen) Grappy, natives of Switzerland, who, upon their arrival in this country settled in Erie county, Pennsylvania. The Grappy family comprised nine children, namely: Nicholas; John; Benjamin, who died in 1873; Godfrey ; Mary, who died in 1908; Godlieb; Jacob W., William and Frederick-the last two born in Erie county. In 1873, the whole family came to Ohio and took up their residence in Hardin county. where four of the sons are still living: Nicholas, William. God- lieb and Jacob W. The father bought forty acres of land in Blanchard township, south of Dunkirk, on which he made his home, and where he died in September, 1882, at the age of sixty-six years. The mother died in 1898.
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