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 27
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Mr. Lanbis is a Democrat in political views and takes an active interest in public affairs, although on account of his extensive business he does not care to fill publie office. He is a member of the United Brethren church at Hepburn, where he is a trustee and treasurer. He is also affiliated with Hopkin Lodge No. 619. Knights of Pythias. of Hepburn, and with Lodge No. 157, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Kenton.
In 1894 Mr. Laubis married Enna Blanker, born December 18. 1877. daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Althomer) Blanker. among the oldest settlers of the county ; Mr. Blanker died in 1884. and his widow survives him, at the age of sixty years. Mrs. Laubis is a member of the Reformed church. and also belongs to the Pythian Sisters, being most excellent chief of Hepburn Lodge. Mr. Laubis and his wife have been blessed with children as follows: Earl, born January 10. 1896: Margaret, who died at the age of eight years; Russell. born September 5, 1902; and Carvin, born December 28, 1904.
WILLIAM W. DURBIN .- Among the citizens of Kenton, Ohio, to become prominent throughout the state is William W. Durbin, who
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received the appointment, through Governor Harmon, April 1, 1909, to the penitentiary board of Columbus. Mr. Durbin is well known as a prominent Democrat, and has for many years been active in party in- terests. He is a snecessful and prominent business man, and has become known throughout many parts of the country as an entertainer in the line of magie and mystery, having gained a wide reputation as a magician of wonderful powers, whose unparallelled feats have been the marvel of all who have seen them.
Mr. Durbin was born in Kenton, September 29, 1866, the only son of William W. and Margaret ( Lipold) Durbin. Mr. Durbin, Jr., was educated in the public schools of his native city, which he attended until abont 1882. when he entered the employ of the Champion Iron Com- pany and learned the trade of a coremaker, which he followed some two years. He then read law with Judge A. B. Johnson, and in June, 1886, was appointed to a position in the treasury department at Washington. He attended the National Law University in the evenings, and in. 1888 graduated therefrom. He was admitted to the bar in Ohio in June, 1888, and took a post-graduate conrse in law. On March 25, 1890,
Mr. Durbin resigned his position in Washington. Hle had been pro- moted to the post of examiner of claims in the office of the second auditor of the United States Treasury.
In 1890 Mr. Durbin married Mary L. Danaher, daughter of Thomas and Ann Danaher. of Washington, D. C. Retiring from public office, Mr. Durbin entered into the practice of his profession in Kenton, and engaged in collecting claims of officers of the late war. In 1902 Mr. Durbin became manager and treasurer of the Seioto Sign Company, and since he became connected with same the business has largely in- creased. Ile is a man of great business ability and acumen, and has been interested at various times in several different enterprises.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Durbin has taken an active inter- est in political matters, and served as a member of the board of educa- tion from 1891 to 1894, the youngest man ever elected to this office. He has been chairman of the Eighth County Democratie Committee, was at one time chairman of the State Democratie Committee and has been one of the leading. Democrats in the state. He is a natural organ- izer, and has given efficient service to his party and also to the public while serving in their interests. Ile was a candidate on the ticket with Governor Harmon for state auditor, and ran fifty thousand ahead of his ticket. although he was defeated. He was closely identified with the election of Harmon, and is held in high esteem by his fellows. Mr. Durbin has a large circle of friends, and they appreciate his many good qualities. He is a man of generous nature and high character. and has the faculty of keeping the friends he has won, being very popular with all classes of men. Mr. Durbin is a member of the Knights of Pythias. having joined the order while in Washington, and has served as chan- cellor commander of his lodge. In 1902 he joined the Elks, and has been three times elected to the office of exalted ruler.
Mr. Durbin has two sons, Francis W., born in 1891, and Thomas Andrew, born in 1894.
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PETER MAJOR DUFF, a prominent farmer and auctioneer of Hepburn, Ohio, was born May 14. 1866, at Washington Court House, Ohio, a son of Peter Duff. Peter Duff. Sr. carried on his trade of wagon-maker in Fayette county, Ohio, where he died when Peter M. was a child. He married Mary Ann Purwell, who survives him, and has now reached the age of sixty-two years. They became the parents of children as follows : George W., minister and auctioneer at Springfield, Ohio; Silas, a car- penter of Kenton; William, an oil refiner, living at Lima, Ohio; Peter M .; Naney, wife of Charles Burk, a tank builder at Carey, Illinois ; and Charles, who died in infancy. After the death of Mr. Duff his widow married K. B. Cole, a retired blacksmith, and they now reside at Ohio City, Ohio. Mr. Duff was a prominent and highly respected eitizen, and served as a justice of the peace.
The boyhood days of Peter M. Duff were spent at home, and he attended the public schools of his native county until fifteen years old, after which he worked at farming until twenty. For two years he fol- lowed teaming, worked on a railroad two years, and in 1872 opened a meat market at Ridgeway. Later he engaged in the same business at Hepburn, but sold his market and engaged in the butehering business which he followed until 1904; during this time he took up the calling of anctioneer, which he has followed with success since. Mr. Duff has gained a high reputation as a auctioneer, in Ilardin county and also in other parts of the state, being kept fairly busy at the business. Dur- ing 1908 he officiated at one hundred and twenty sales, and during 1909 at one hundred and seventeen.
Mr. Duff is the manager of a summer resort and amusement park at Hepburn, and aside from his anetioneering business has charge of a farm adjoining Hepburn. He takes an active interest in publie affairs, is a Democrat in political views, and has served two terms as township assessor and two terms as a member of the school board. He is a mem- ber of Hepburn Lodge No. 619, Knights of Pythias, having held nearly all the offices in the same, belongs to Lodge No. 234, Knighted Order of Tented Maccabees, and to Hepburn Lodge. No. 301. Pythian Sisters.
On July 21, 1886, Mr. Duff married Mina B. Hunt, born at Ridge- way, Ohio, December 29, 1865, daughter of Thomas C. and Elizabeth (Rayburn) Innt. Mr. Hunt came to Ridgeway, Ohio, from the state of New York, and was a cooper by trade; he died there in 1870. He served through the Civil war in Company E. Sixth Regiment, from Ohio. was disabled and re-enlisted, joining Company K of the Forty-second Infantry. Ile lost his health through exposure, and was discharged April 4, 1866. Upon returning to Ridgeway he was married to Eliza- beth, daughter of William and Amanda (Hunt) Rayburn ; Mr. Ray- burn was born in 1814 and his wife July 4, 1818. Mrs. Hunt died May 21, 1908, aged seventy-three years. Besides Mrs. Duff, Mr. Hunt and his wife had two daughters and one son, namely: Cynthia, wife of William Davis, a farmer of Logan county; Mary, wife of J. Wilkes, of West Mansfield; and William R., a farmer. Mrs. Duff is a prominent member of the Pythian Sisters, of Hepburn, and is now serving in the office of outer guard, having passed all the chairs. She is also a member
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of the Maccabees and the Ladies' Aid Society, holding the office of lieu- tenant-commander in the former. She is a member of the United Brethren church at Hepburn. To Mr. Duff and his wife have been born children as follows: George Horton, born in 1889, a elerk in Hepburn, Edgar Duff, born in 1892; Pearl Carlos, in 1894; Charles Lester, in 1898; Ethel May, in 1891; and Avil Gladys in 1896.
MADISON M. THOMPSON .- Prominently identified with the leading interests of the progressive city of Kenton as its mayor, M. M. Thompson is held in high esteem as a man and a citizen, and his influence and as- sistence are always sought in behalf of undertakings for the public good. A son of Robert Thompson, he was born, March 28, 1856, in Union county, Ohio, where his grandfather Thompson was a pioneer farmer, migrating to that part of the state from Virginia.
Robert Thompson was born on the homestead which his father re- deemed from the wilderness in Union county, Ohio, and was there brought up and educated. He was there engaged in agricultural pur- suits until about 1860, when he came with his family to Hardin county, locating on a farm at Mount Victory, where he improved a good estate, and was employed in tilling the soil the remainder of his active life. Ile married Miranda Longbrake, who was born in Ohio, where her par- ents were early settlers, coming from New York state. Of their family of four sons and two daughters all but one grew to years of maturity, Madison M., the special subject of this brief biographical notice, being the firstborn.
About four years old when his parents moved to Mount Victory, M. M. Thompson there received a common school education, and as a youth assisted his father in the care of the farm. When ready to be- gin life on his own account, he bought land in Dudley township, Hardin county, and was there employed as a tiller of the soil about four years. Embarking then in business as a general merchant at Mount Victory, Mr. Thompson was appointed postmaster in 1885, by President Cleve- land. Disposing of his business at the end of four years he returned to his farm, and in 1890 was elected county auditor. This important position Mr. Thompson filled satisfactorily for six years, after which he, in 1897, resumed the management of his farming estate. In 1906, desirous of giving his children good educational advantages, he became a resident of Kenton, retaining, however, the ownership of his valuable farm of two hundred and ten acres lying but eight miles from Kenton. In 1907 Mr. Thompson was elected to his present position as mayor of the city, and in the management of municipal affairs has been very successful.
Mr. Thompson married, on the 9th of April, 1881, Fannie L. Clem- ons, a daughter of Rev. James C. and Filoma (Little) Clemons, who set- tled in Green county, Ohio, in pioneer days. Mr. Clemons later became a minister and preached many years in Northern Ohio at different charges, including Prospeet in Marion county, where Mrs. Thompson lived at the time of her marriage. Nine children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, two of whom, daughters, died in infancy, while seven are liv-
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ing, namely : Roy, Grover, Clyde, Naomi, Byron M., Dewey and Margaret. A stanch Democrat in his political views, Mr. Thompson is an active worker in the interests of his party. Ile is a member of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons, and Lodge No. 157, B. P. O. E., of Kenton.
JOHN POWER DURBIN, who died at his home in the village of Foraker, Hardin county, on the 11th of April, 1905, was one of the suc- eessful business men and honored citizens of this county, and he had much to do with the development and upbuilding of the village of Foraker, where he opened the first mercantile establishment and where he continued to be actively engaged in business for nearly a quarter of a century. He served as a gallant soldier of the Union in the Civil war and as a citizen and business man he showed the same loyalty that prompted him to thus go forth in defense of the integrity of the nation. His entire life was ordered upon a high plane of integrity and honor, and at all times were vouchsafed to him the fullest measure of popular confidence and esteem. Ile was a native of Ohio and a seion of one of the honored pioneer families of the old Buckeye state, on which score further interest attaches to his career as one of the represntative citizens of Hardin County.
John Power Durbin was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 4th of Jannary, 1844, and was a son of Rev. John and Sarah (Bradie) Durbin, of whose seven daughters and five sons he was the youngest son. One brother and three sisters are still living: Samuel is a representative farmer and influential citizen of Allen county, this state; and the three sisters are married and reside in Ohio. Rev. John Durbin was a elergy- man of the Methodist Episcopal church and did effective serviee in the same for many years. Ile also became the owner of a good farm in Knox county, which was the place of his birth, and there he continued to reside until his death. Ilis wife died before the subject of this memoir had attained to years of maturity. John P. Durbin was reared on the home farm and seenred a good common school education. IIe continued to be associated with the work of the farm until the climacterie period of the Civil war, when he tendered his aid in defense of the Union. He enlisted in a regiment of volunteer infantry raised in his home county and with the same proceeded to the front. He was severely wounded in the battle of Vicksburg, and by reason of the disability thus entailed he was given an honorable discharge. He returned to his home and after recuperation re-enlisted, becoming a member of the Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which command he continued in active service until the close of the war, and with which he participated in many of the important battles marking the progress of the great fratracidal conflict. He ever manifested a deep interest in his old comrades and signified the same by his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.
After the close of the war Mr. Durbin came to Hardin county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. When the attractions of the great Kansas prairies were exploited in the early days, he removed to that state, where he secured a tract of land and began farming. Like many
Vol. II-14
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others of the early settlers he met with much loss through the depreda- tions of the grasshoppers and encountered other discouraging conditions, so that he finally left the Sunflower state and made his way back to Ohio. His resources were so reduced that he found it expedient to make the major portion of the journey on a freight train. He returned to Hardin county and located in Kenton, where he soon afterward became associated with Benjamin Connor in the opening of a general store, which they conducted under partnership alliance for some time. Mr. Durbin then disposed of his interest in the business and removed to the embryonic village of Foraker, as he had the prescience to realize that here would eventually be developed a good trading center. He erected the first store building in the village and here he continued to conduct a general mercantile enterprise for the long period of twenty-two years. He was very successful and built up a large and representative trade, extending throughout the fine section of country normally tributary to the village. He made also judicious investments in farm land in this county, and his widow still owns one farm and other properties in the village in MeDon- ald township.
Mr. Durbin was loyal and progressive as a citizen and ever gave his influence and cooperation in the promotion of enterprises and measures tending to advance the civic and maternal welfare of the community. While never ambitious for public office, he was an uncompromising advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party and, as a man of strong mentality and broad ken, he was well fortified in his opinions and convictions. He was a charter member of the lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the city of Kenton, and continued his active affiliations with this fraternal order until his death. He was a zealous and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church and contributed most liberally to the erection of the attractive church edifice of this denomination in Foraker. He was also one of the principal contractors in the building of this church. Mr. Durbin was a man of unassuming personality, but his sincerity, loyalty and impregnable integrity were patent to all, and he never lacked the inviolable confidence and esteem of those with whom he came in contact in the various relations of life. He was true to himself and thus could not "be false to any man." He made his life and labors count for good, and it is most consonant that in this history of the county that so long represented his home should be incorporated this brief tribute to his memory.
On the 16th of November, 1866, Mr. Durbin was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Wetherell, a daughter of one of the sterling pioneers of Hardin county. and of this union were born two sons and one daughter. The sons died in infancy and the daughter, Maude, is now the wife of W. A. Shoemaker, of Foraker. Mrs. Durbin, a woman of gracious and gentle personality, was summoned to the life eternal on the 25th of March, 1895, at the age of forty-six years.
On the 24th of December. 1899, Mr. Durbin contracted a second marriage, being then united to Mrs. Loretta Emmons, who was born and reared in Hardin county and who is a daughter of John and Mary (Crooks) Condon, both of whom were born in Richland county, this
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state, being members of sterling pioneer families of that section of the state. Mr. C'ondon and his wife now reside in Wyandot county. where he is a prosperous farmer and influential citizen. Mrs. Durbin is the eldest of the five children, all of whom are living: Irving, John and Purl are all successful representatives of the agricultural industry in Wyandot county. this state, and Sarah remains at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Durbin became the parents of one son. Jay Panl, who was horn on the 8th of November. 1900. and who proves a devoted little com- panion to his widowed mother. Mrs. Durbin has shown much adminis- trative and exeentive ability as a business woman and since the death of her honored husband she has most effectively managed the estate. besides which she serves as postmaster at Foraker, in which office she succeeded her husband, who had been inenmbent of the office for many years, gives a general supervision to her farming interests and other properties. In the midst of these exactions she also takes a deep and active interest in church work and is especially prominent in the affairs of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, in which she has given much service as a devoted worker. She is well known to the leading members of this noble organization and is one of the thirty delegates from Ohio to the world's convention of the same. in Glasgow, Scotland, beginning on the 4th of June. 1910. She is a woman of fine intellectual and social gifts, of most gracious and winning personality, and her cirele of friends is limited only by that of her acquaintanee. In ad- dition to her interests in Hardin eonnty she is the owner of a valuable ranch in Colfax county. New Mexico, and there she passes more or less time each year. finding reereation and also giving her personal super- vision to the direction of the work. She is one of the most zealons and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church in Foraker and is a leader in various departments of its collateral benevolences and charities.
On November 16. 1882. Mrs. Durbin was united in marriage to Lonis Emmons only son of Jackson and Sarah Emmons, one of the most prominent families of Hardin county. To this union two daughters were born both are married, Lelia the older. married Ray Ogleshee. a prominent citizen of Foraker where they reside, Mozelle the younger married W. W. Born of Kenton, who has been manager of the Western Union Telegraph offiee for fourteen years. Louis Emmons died April 2, 1896. aged forty years.
ALFRED G. WESSLING, one of the leading business men of Kenton. Ohio, and the state manager of the American Farm Produce Company. was born in Chicago, Illinois. August 16, 1869. and is a son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Mnehltke) Wessling. His father was a native of Lake county. Illinois, born about twenty miles distant from the city of Chi- eago, and after his marriage became a resident of the city, engaging in the oeenpation of teamster. Ile died in 1883, and his widow still resides in Chicago. Mrs. Wessling was born at Deerfield. Illinois. Henry Wessling and his wife had seven children, of whom Alfred G. is the fourth in order of birth and the second son.
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The boyhood of Alfred G. Wessling was spent in Chicago, where he attended the public schools. Ile located in Kenton, Ohio, in 1890, and engaged in the manufacture of butter and cheese, whiche he con- tinued until 1905, when he sold out to the American Farm Produce Company, becoming the firm's state manager. He is the owner of the Scioto Valley Stock Farm, of two hundred and forty acres, located six miles east of Kenton, where he raises thoroughbred Holstein cattle, having one hundred and twelve head at the present time. He owns two other farms in the same locality, and raises the grain to feed his stock. He is an able business man, and conducts his farms in the same able and profitable manner he does his other affairs.
On April 9, 1890, Mr. Wessling married Elizabeth, daughter of G. A. Wendt, of Chicago, and they have one daughter, Maybell. Mr. Wess- ling is a prominent Mason, having taken thirty-two degrees in the order, and is affiliated with the Shrine, Knight Templars, ete. He is also a mem- ber of Lodge No. 157, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a trustee in the Methodist Episcopal church of Kenton, and politically is a Republican. He served five years as a member of the board of educa- tion, and takes an active interest in public affairs. He is well known in the vicinity of Kenton, his business connections making it necessary for him to meet many people, and all who have done business with him have had occasion to feel satisfied with his uprightness and integrity.
DR. GEORGE J. CARTER .- Conspicuous among the leading business men of Kenton is Dr. G. J. Carter, president of the Champion Iron Com- pany, who is a self-made man in every sense implied by the term and especially worthy of representation in a work of this character. He was born October 9, 1853, in Lenawee county, Michigan. His father, Richard Carter, emigrated from Ireland to the United States when young, settling in Michigan, where he married Mary Boutton, who was born, of Scotch- English parentage, in Michigan.
Beginning the battle of life for himself at the early age of ten years, G. J. Carter did chores for his board, in the meantime attending school. At the age of twelve years he went to Noble county, Indiana, where he secured work on a farm by the day or month, with the priv- ilege of attending the winter terms of school. In the winter of 1869 he entered the employ of Dr. A. Gants, of Ligonier, Indiana, working for his board and clothes and attending school about five months of the year, remaining with the Doctor until 1871. Going then to New York state, Mr. Carter obtained work on a farm in Camden, Oneida county, where he attended school a part of the time, the remainder of the year being employed in the woods or in a saw mill. A diligent, faithful student, he obtained a good edneation, and in the winter of 1872 and 1873 he taught school in Indiana, and in the latter year began the study of dentistry at Ligonier, Indiana, remaining there until 1875. Entering then the dental department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, Mr. Carter completed the course being graduated in June, 1876. Locat- ing immediately in Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, Dr. Carter was here successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until August,
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1890, when he was made secretary of the Champion Iron Company. Serv- ing ably in that capacity, he was elected president of the company in 1894, and has since been influentially promoting its interests, it being now one of the leading industrial organizations of the county. By his untiring industry, sagacity, and wise investments, Dr. Carter has aceum- ulated a handsome property by his own efforts, owning considerable real estate of value and two fine farms.
Dr. Carter married, in 1876, Pyrena Pancake, a native of Ligonier, Indiana. She passed to the higher life in 1902, leaving three children, namely : Lloyd D., Ida and Clara. The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the Knights Templar degree. An active member of the Republican party, he has held various municipal offices, having been a member of the Kenton School Board twelve years and a member of the Equalization Board in 1900.
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