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 28
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CLARENCE M. CESSNA .- A cultivated and highly talented man, well versed in the intricacies of law, Clarence M. Cessna, of Kenton, is well known as one of the active and able lawyers of Hardin county. A native of this county, he was born, June 29, 1872, in Cessna township, a son of Zaecheus Cessna, and grandson of William Cessna, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1835, and at once located, as a pioneer settler. in Holmes county and later in the same year moved to Hardin county, taking up land in Cessna township.
Born in Pennsylvania, Zaccheus Cessna was but nine months old when brought by his parents to Cessna township. He was there brought up and educated, and in course of time became one of the prominent farmers of that locality, living there until his death, which occurred when he was fifty-eight years of age. He married Mary M. Hagerman, who was born in Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of Samuel Hager- man, one of the early pioneers of this state. She survived her husband, and now resides in Kenton. Of the family of ten children, five sons and five daughters, born of their union, all but one grew to years of maturity, C. M., the special subject of this sketch, being the seventh child, and third son in succession of birth.
After leaving the common schools, C. M. Cessna attended the Ohio Northern University at Ada, and subsequently taught school awhile, in the meantime reading law. A diligent and intelligent scholar, at the end of three years, in 1899, he was admitted to the Ohio bar, and at once began the practice of his profession in Toledo, where he remained until 1902. Coming then to Kenton, Mr. Cessna has since been actively identified with the best interests of this city, and as junior member of the well-known firm of Stickle & Cessna has carried on an extensive and Incrative legal practice. Fraternally Mr. Cessna is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and politically he is a firm supporter of the principles of the Republican party. He is ever interested in every- thing pertaining to the welfare of the general public, and as mayor of Kenton for one term, beginning in January, 1906, rendered excellent service to his fellow citizens.
Mr. Cessna married, February 26, 1900, Lula Whitmore, daughter
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of John and Jane Whitmore, Hardin county, and into their pleasant home two children have been born, namely: Dwight C. and Clara G.
HON. W. T. CESSNA, formerly a prominent attorney and business man and now living in Kenton, Ohio, retired from active life, is supposed to be the first white child now living born in the county, his birth occur- ring August 7, 1836. He is a son of Jonathan Cessna, a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, who came to Hardin county first in 1829, returned to Pennsylvania and brought his family in 1833, locating two and a half miles west of what is now the county seat. He was a judge seven years and was very active in public affairs. Jonathan's father, also named Jonathan Cessna, was of Huguenot descent.
Jonathan Cessna, father of W. T., married Catherine Boore, a native of Cumberland valley, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, W. T. being the eighth child. His boyhood days were spent in his native place, and he re- ceived his earliest education in a log schoolhouse west of Kenton. Later he attended the Kenton schools and attended the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware, Ohio, graduating in 1861, in the regular course. He entered Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private, was promoted to sergeant, second lieutenant, first lientenant, and adjutant of the regiment in the Eastern army. Receiving his honorable discharge in 1863, he returned home and in the winter of 1864 he entered law school at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and the following year was admitted to the bar at Kenton. In 1865 Mr. Cessna was elected to the office of mayor of the city of Kenton, and reelected in 1866. Mr. Cessna practised law with good success for twenty years. In 1869 he was elected to the legislature, serving two years, and in 1871 was a candidate for nomination for the office of secretary of the state, endorsed by the Ohio legislature, and was a candidate for the state senate. In 1880 he was again elected mayor of Kenton, serving with efficiency and distinction. During his administration the water works were installed in the city.
Mr. Cessna is one of the most prominent and influential citizens of Hardin county, and the citizens have delighted to proffer him the highest honors within their gift, and in every office of publie trust he has acquitted himself well, to the satisfaction of all. He is one of the most highly esteemed men in Kenton, and has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the city. In 1882 Mr. Cessna was elected president of the Pioneers' Association of Hardin county, and erected the pioneer cabin on the fair grounds. About this time he was appointed colonel of the Ohio National Guards (the Seventh Ohio) ; he was also colonel of the Ohio State Militia. Mr. Cessna has been closely identified with building up the town of Kenton, and has favored and assisted every movement for the publie welfare.
In 1873 W. T. Cessna married Alice Teeters, a native of Hardin county, daughter of Alonzo Teeters and a graduate of Glendale College, and member of a prominent family. She died August 9, 1887.
In 1890 W. T. Cessna went to Chicago and for some time dealt in
Games. R. Hill y Wife.
1
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real estate, in the building up of what is now known as West Hammond, remaining there five years. He was then elected president of the Colorado & Cripple Creek Mining Companies, also president of two other mining companies situated in Montana, also became vice president of the Big Tin Company, whose mine was located near Helena. Ile spent ten years in the mountains of Montana, and was also in the mining business in New Mexico about four years, then became candidate for the legis- lature from Grant and Luna counties, New Mexico, and delivered the declaration address at Fort Bayard in 1894, also several lectures at the normal school in New Mexico.
Among the work which Mr. Cessna has done for the benefit of his native county is the legislation he put through while serving in the legislature for the drainage of Hog Creek Marsh in IIardin county. IIe fathered the bill to issue bonds for the erection of the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Ile organized a syndicate for the drainage of the Scioto Marsh and first thought of carrying through this project in the manner adopted. For many years he has served as president of Hardin County Democratic Club.
JAMES R. HILL .- Among the successful farmers of Roundhead township, Hardin county, Ohio, who have now retired from active life is James R. Hill, a native of the township, born December 18, 1835, a son of James and Elizabeth (Richards) Hill. James Hill was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, June 2, 1805, and his father, also named James, was a native of Maryland, who lived to the venerable age of ninety-nine years. In 1810 James Hill, Sr., moved to Logan county, and between 1830 and 1833 located in Roundhead township, Hardin county. Here he spent the remainder of his life, and he and his wife are buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery.
James Hill, Jr., was married three times and was father of ten children. He was reared on a farm and became a successful farmer himself, helping his father clear the home farm and attending sehool winters when he was a lad. He received his earlier education in the country schools, and then devoted the remainder of his life to farming. He is also buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery.
The childhood of James R. Hill was spent on a farm, and he helped his father develop the farm, attending school winters, and as his father had done before him. He received his earlier education in the country schools and then attended school in Bellefontaine, Ohio. He engaged in teaching in the common sehools and later engaged in farming, to which he has since devoted his entire time.
On October 4, 1860, Mr. Ilill married Marietta White, who bore him two children : one who died in infancy, and Luella, wife of Robert Ford, of Iowa. Mrs. Hill died November 12, 1868, and on September 18, 1870, Mr. Hill married Elizabeth Goslee, who was born in Hardin county, December 2, 1845, daughter of John and Mary Ann (Kenton) Goslee. To this union six children have been born, namely: two who died in infancy ; James V., a student from Columbus, Ohio, and one of the commissioners of Hardin county; Effie A .; Bessie, a teacher in
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Allen county, Ohio; and John G., formerly a teacher and now living at home. All are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Pleasant Hill, where Mr. Hill is one of the trustees. He has for many years been an active worker in the church and Sunday school, and has been class leader and superintendent. Politically he is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He is a great worker in the cause of temperance, and helps along any movement for the publie welfare. He is a man of stability and public influence, highly respected and universally liked.
Mr. Hill owns one hundred and ninety acres of land in Roundhead township, but has retired from active farming and leaves the work in charge of his son, John G., who is a young man of energy and industry.
FRANK L. DAMON .- A well known, publie spirited and influential citizen of Kenton, Frank L. Damon, the leading furniture and carpet dealer of this part of Hardin county, is carrying on a business that was first established in 1835 by his grandfather, Inther Damon, and later conducted by his father, Warren F. Damon, whom he succeeded. A native of this city, he was born February 10, 1865, coming on both sides of the house from honored New England ancestry.
Born in Massachusetts, Warren F. Damon was but two years of age when, in 1835, he was brought by his parents to Hardin county. He was brought up in Kenton, acquiring his education in the public schools. Succeeding to the business established by his father, he continued here as an undertaker and a furniture dealer until his death, at the age of fifty-four years. He married Dorothy S. Dieus, who was born in New Hampshire seventy-eight years ago, and is now a resident of Kenton. Her father, Timothy Diens, migrated from his New England home to Ohio when she was about nine years old, locating in Hardin county, where he bought land, and from the dense forest cleared and improved a farm. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Warren F. Damon but two survive, namely: Mrs. C. W. Oakes, of Indianapolis, Indiana; and Frank L., the special subject of this sketch.
Obtaining a practical education in the publie schools, Frank L. Damon early became familiar with the details of business pursuits, and in 1882, at the age of seventeen years, assumed the entire charge of the undertaking and furniture business established by his grandfather, he being in the third generation to condnet this, the longest-established business in Kenton. Fraternally Mr. Damon stands very high in the Masonie order, being a Seottish Rite Mason and a Knight Templar. He likewise belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is active in the Republican ranks, and takes an intelligent interest in municipal affairs, having served for twelve years in official capacities, first as a member of the water works board and later on the board of publie service. During his term of office many improvements of value were established, including the paving of the streets, which was of in- estimable value to the citizens.
Mr. Damon married in 1887 Mary E. Weaver, a daughter of N. S. and Mary A. Weaver.
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J. W. CAINE .- Among the business enterprises of Kenton that have helped so materially in the progress and development of the city, the establishment of Nourse & Caine, appropriately located on Detroit street, stands well in the front rank. The house carries a general line of dry goods and notions, and the firm enjoys a good patronage, not only from the residents of Kenton but from the people of the surrounding country. The members of the firm are J. W. Caine and D. B. Nourse.
Mr. Caine was born in Somerset, Perry county, December 13, 1860, and is a son of Isaiah and Caroline C. (Campbell) Caine, both natives of Ohio, who were among the earliest settlers in Perry county. The family of Mrs. Caine came from Baltimore, Maryland, and Mr. Caine's people were from the east and of Irish descent. J. W. Caine is the seventh son and child of his parents, and was reared and educated in his native place, receiving a good education in the common schools. At the age of sixteen years he began working as clerk in a general store at Somerset. Ile worked in a retail store until January, 1881, and then engaged with a jobbing house at Columbus, Ohio, spending about twenty years traveling as salesman. He spent two years in the dry goods business at Effingham, Illinois, then returned to the road, and continued as a traveling salesman until 1901, when he located in Kenton and formed a partnership with Mr. Nourse. They employ about thirty people, and have one of the most modern and complete establishments of its kind in their part of the state. They carry a good stock and study
well the wants of their patrons. Mr. Caine is one of the leading and most influential citizens of Kenton, and in his business dealings has always exhibited the strictest honesty and integrity. Hle favors the highest principles and is well liked as well as respected by all who know him.
In 1891 Mr. Caine married Hattie Levitt. daughter of Abram and Magdalene (Kuhns) Levitt.
ALBERT M. TIDD, attorney at law, Kenton, Ohio, belongs to a family that has been identified with this locality since before Hardin county existed ; a family that has never sought prominence, but without ostenta- tion of any kind has quietly contributed to the substantial growth and development of the county. The Tidds have paid many thousands of dollars in taxes and have contributed to the work of building roads. drainage systems, and other public improvements, and they refer with pride to the fact that the first white girl baby born in the county was a Tidd-a daughter of Samuel Tidd. Samuel Tidd's settlement here was in 1821, and his first land purchase was one hundred and sixty acres. which has remained in the family for four generations, the old farm having been added to until it now contains three hundred aeres.
Ilugh Hill Tidd, one of the sons of Samuel and father of Albert M., was born in 1813, on a farm near Bellefontaine in Logan county, Ohio. and was brought by his parents to what is now Hardin county in 1821. Here he grew to manhood and reared a large family. He was twice married. His first wife. Mary (Given) Tidd, was a native of Ross county, Ohio, and a sister of Alexander Given, who was well known
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in Hardin county. By this marriage there were eight children, all of whom, with one exception, reached adult age, Albert M. being the seventh child and sixth son.
Albert M. Tidd was born at Roundhead, Hardin county, April 14, 1851. Ile received his early education in the country schools, later took the scientific course at Ada, Ohio, and spent two years in the National Normal School at Lebanon, this state. And as the foundation for his subsequent work he had the experience of five years as teacher in the schools of Hardin county. While teaching he spent his vacations in the study of law, and in 1876 at Bellefontaine was admitted to the bar. At this time he took up his residence at Marion, Ohio, and engaged in the practice of his profession, in connection with which he found time for newspaper work, in which he has always been more or less interested. While at Marion he was correspondent for a number of Ohio publica- tions including the Cincinnati Gazette and Commercial, Cleveland Herald and Columbus Journal. After a residence of twelve years at Marion he went west and spent six months in Kansas City and six months in Atchison, Kansas. While at the former place he established and edited a daily paper, The Evening Leader, which he sold when he went to Atchison. He also practiced law in Kansas. After a year spent there he returned to Kenton, Ohio, which has since been his home, and where he has practiced his profession and in various other ways been actively identified with the town. Among his newspaper work may be mentioned a long article entitled "Kenton, a Thriving City," published some years ago in the Kenton Democrat, and he wrote most of the History of Marion County Ohio, published about twenty-five years ago. He has always taken an active interest in polities, and for five years was secretary of the Republican Committee of Hardin county.
Mr. Tidd married, in 1884, Miss Virginia V. Nagle, a daughter of Henry and Asenith Nagle. She, too, is a native of Hardin county and her family were prominent in its early history. Her father built the first brick house in Roundhead township. They have two sons, Clifton HI. and Kenneth N., the former assistant manager of a branch of the Huber Manufacturing Company, of Marion, Ohio; the latter, engaged in the shoe business.
For many years Mr. Tidd has been an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church, serving in various official capacities in the church at Kenton, and for the past twelve years has filled the office of treasurer.
WILLIAM J. GELHAUS .- Among the enterprising and highly re- spected citizens of Kenton, Ohio, is William J. Gelhaus, chief of the fire department of the city. Mr. Gelhaus was born in Lee county, Illinois, May 4, 1858, and is a son of August and Catherine (Beltz) Gelhaus, natives of Germany. August Gelhaus was a native of Hessen, Germany, and came to America as a young man. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and engaged in constructing pianos and billiard tables. About 1855 he moved to Illinois and engaged in farming. About 1863 he removed to Hardin county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming near
JANE E. DUNLAP AND MARVIN DUNLAP
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Kenton, where he remained until 1867, when he engaged in the grocery business as a member of the firm of Davis & Gelhaus; he followed this business until about 1879, and then retired. He died in 1880, at the age of fifty years. His wife, also a native of Germany, died in 1870, at the age of forty-four years. They were the parents of nine children, of whom five are now living, William J. being the fifth in order of birth.
Mr. Gelhaus was about five years of age at the time his parents located at Kenton, Ohio, where he received his education. When eigh- teen years of age he became connected with the Kenton Fire Department, then made up of volunteers in the service. He became assistant captain and in 1883, at the time of the reorganization of the department, he became eaptain, holding that position until 1893, when he assumed his present position at the head of the department; he has held this position a number of years now, and has rendered the city very efficient service.
On February 13, 1882, Mr. Gelhans married Amelia Terres, a native of Seneea county, Ohio, and reared in Hardin county from the time she was eight years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Gelhaus have four children, namely : Eugene F., Laura, Cleo and Clealus.
Mr. Gelhaus has always taken an active part in public affairs, and is an ardent Democrat. He is well known in IJardin county, and is held in the highest esteem by all, being one of the representative citizens of Kenton. He and his family belong to the Catholic church.
MRS. JANE E. DUNLAP .- Among the enterprising and highly sue- cessful business women of Roundhead township, Hardin county, Ohio, is Mrs. Jane E. Dunlap, widow of the late Marvin Dunlap, who passed away February 8, 1892. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Dunlap has successfully cared for her own interests, and owns two hundred acres of rich farming land. Mrs. Dunlap was born in Roundhead township June 19, 1837, a daughter of Rev. David and Sarah (Sheets) Groves. Rev. Groves was a local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, who was born in Culpeper county, Virginia, and moved from there to Ohio. The young girl was reared on a farm, and when old enough attended the district school of her neighborhood, making such good use of her opportunities and abilities that she was able to teach school, which she continued a few years before her marriage.
In 1857 Jane Groves married Marvin Dunlap, who was a native of Ireland and is a brother of John A. Dunlap. Ile came to the United States when a boy seven years old. was well liked wherever known. made his own way in the world.
Ile became a successful farmer and He was honest and industrious, and Mr. Dunlap was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Pleasant Hill, where he was a class leader, and his widow is now an active worker in the same church. He was a member of the Masonie order, and politically supported the principles of the Republican party.
Mr. Dunlap and his wife became the parents of four children, as follows: Laura, deceased, wife of William Lehman; Burke, deceased ; Eunice, wife of Ed. Stuck, of Marion township; and JJohn, who married Mrs. Anna Wier and resides near the home farm at Harrod, Ohio.
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Mr. Ed. Stuek is in charge of the home place. He is a public-spirited, useful citizen and is now serving as one of the trustees of Ronndhead township. The farm is in good condition and its appearance attests to its able management. There are two hundred acres of land in the home place.
WILLIAM WENDT .- Kenton, Ohio, is the location of many flourishing manufacturing concerns, and among the enterprising men at the head of the same is William Wendt, who is manager of the Harris Brick Mills and Elevator. Mr. Wendt was born in Coldspring, Kentucky, October 26, 1861, a son of Fred and Fanny (Worth) Wendt, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Switzerland. Fred Wendt eame to America as a young man, locating first in New Jersey and then in Kentneky; he was a millwright by occupation, having learned the trade in his native country. He died at the age of ninety-four years. His widow survives him, now a resident of Newport, Kentucky, and has reached the age of ninety-four years. She came to America as a girl and was married at Newark, New Jersey, in 1836. They were the parents of eleven children, all of whom reached maturity, and William is the youngest of the family.
William Wendt spent his boyhood days in Kentucky and he attended school at Newport, graduating from the high school in 1878; later he attended Queen City Commercial College, from which he gradu- ated in 1879. Ile came to Kenton, Ohio, in 1884, assuming the position of teller in the Kenton National Bank, which position he held twelve years. Ile then engaged in the milling and grain business, and took his present position. Mr. Wendt is an intelligent, wide-awake business man, and understands thoroughly every branch of the enterprises under his control. His natural ability and wide experience place him among the leading business men of Kenton.
In 1896 Mr. Wendt married Mabel Harris, daughter of G. H. and Margaret (Letson) Harris, a native of Hardin county. Mr. Wendt and his wife have one son, Harris. Mr. Wendt is a Republican and actively interested in public affairs; he served one term as councilman-at-large. He is a member of the Masonic order and of Lodge No. 157, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He has been a resident of Kenton some twenty-five years, and takes great interest in its progress and welfare. At the celebration of his parents' golden wedding in 1886 the entire family was present, as at that time no deaths had been recorded.
JAMES H. ALLEN, cashier of the Kenton National Bank, is a man of sterling integrity and character, and holds a place of prominence among the leading citizens of Hardin county. A son of Hezekiah and Polly Allen, he was born January 22, 1859, at Geneseo, Livingston county, New York. His grandfather, John Allen, a native of Loraine, Jefferson county, New York, was of English descent. Hezekiah Allen was born, bred and educated in Jefferson county, New York. Subsequently lo- eating in Geneseo, New York, where he lived for over fifty years, he became attorney of the Wadsworth estate and was a resident of Geneseo
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until his death in July, 1887, at the age of sixty-seven years. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Polly Deniston, of Groveland, New York, three children were born, one of whom died in infancy; one daugh- ter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. R. B. Vallaner, lives at Geneseo, New York ; and James II. Allen, the subject of this sketch.
Completing his early education at the Geneseo State Normal School. James HI. Allen early developed much business and executive ability. In June, 1886, he came to Kenton, Ohio, and with Asher Letson and Nathan Ahlefeld assisted in organizing the Kenton National Bank, Mr. Asher Letson being elected its first president. Nathan Ahlefeld its vice president and Curtis Wilkin, cashier, and Mr. James H. Allen, bookkeeper and assistant cashier. He held this office until May 9. 1902. when he was elected eashier, a position which he has since filled with great ability and fidelity.
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