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 36
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Educated in the public schools of Kenton, John C. Bales began the battle of life for himself as a wage earner, working hy the day or the month. On March 5, 1888, desirous of engaging in some special busi- ness, he formed a partnership with Henry Alt, and for three years dealt in provisions, having a good trade. Since the dissolution of the partner- ship in 1891 Mr. Bales has condueted the business alone, and in its man- agement has met with eminent success. He has invested largely in land, and now owns and operates a valuable farm, in his agricultural ventures being equally as prosperous as in his mercantile dealings. He has for many years belonged to the Kenton fire deparement, being now its as- sistant chief.
WILLIAM P. BOWMAN is prominent among the practical and pro- gressive business men of Kenton and has for many years been identified with the varied interests of this part of Hardin county. He was born May 6. 1851, in Lancaster county Pennsylvania, a son of Joseph Bowman. His grandfather Bowman, a native of England, settled in Pennsylvania on emigrating to the United States. and during the remainder of his life
was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Lancaster county. Born and
brought up on the home farm in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, Joseph Bowman was for many years successfully engaged in mercantile pur- suits in the city of Lancaster. He was influential in business and political circles, and was appointed deputy prothonotary of Lancaster county and served two terms, rendering such good service that he was afterwards twice elected to the office of prothonotary of that county. Removing to Lieking county, Ohio, in 1860, he bought land and was engaged in general farming until 1892. Coming in that year to Forest, Hardin county, he lived retired until his death in 1898, at the venerable
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age of eighty-seven years. His first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Parker, was born in Laneaster county, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish aneestry. She died in 1851, leaving six children, as follows : Amanda, Amos, Adaline, Samuel, Joseph and William P. Joseph Bowman married for his second wife Eliza J. Davis, a Phila- delphia Quakeress. She died in 1902, having survived him four years.
Nine years of age when he came with his parents to Ohio, William P. Bowman remained at home until twenty years old. Going then to Illinois, he lived for a year in Champaign county with an older brother. Returning to Ohio, he was for three years employed as a clerk in a gen- eral store in Alexandria, afterwards being engaged in farming for several months. Loeating in Sparta, Ohio, in 1876, he conducted a hardware business there for six years. Removing to Forest, Hardin county, in 1882, Mr. Bowman was there similarly engaged until 1898, having an extensive trade in hardware. Being then elected county treasurer, he took up his residence in Kenton. In 1900 he was re-elected to the same office, in which he served two terms of two years each. In 1905 he established a hardware store in Kenton, and managed it suc- cessfully until 1907, when he traded his stock for a farm, which he still owns, in Butler county. Mr. Bowman was one of the organizers of the Crystal Ice and Cold Storage Company, of which he has been a director since its incorporation, and of which he was manager during its first year of existence. He is one of the directors of the Kenton Telephone Company, and in 1908 assisted in installing the Automatic telephone system.
Mr. Bowman married, in 1872, Lizzie Hazelton, who was born near Alexandria, Ohio, a daughter of Solon and Louise (Beaumont) IIazelton. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Politically Mr. Bowman is identified with the Republican party, and fraternally he is a member of Kenton Commandery, No. 58, K. T.
DELANO M. GAGE .- A man of push and vim, gifted with quick per- ceptions and an intelligent mind, Delano M. Gage has been identified with the industrial progress of Kenton for many years, and is now carry- ing on a substantial business as a member of the Robinson-Gage Lumber Company. A native of Ohio, he was born, August 10, 1864, in Findlay, Seneca county, coming from thrifty New England ancestry. Ilis father, Philemon Gage, was born, reared and educated in Vermont, and there learned the saddler's trade. Coming as a young man to Ohio, he located in Findlay, then a small village in a sparsely settled country. He followed his trade there awhile, and upholstered the first passenger coach that ran on the Mad River railroad. During the exciting days of 1849 he joined a band of gold seekers and made an overland journey to California, where he was engaged in mining two years. Coming home then by way of the Isthmus he visited with his family six months, and then returned to the Pacific coast, and continued his labors with pick and shovel for another two years. Having accumulated quite a sum of money, he eame back to his home in Findlay and was successfully
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engaged in mercantile pursuits for a number of years. Subsequently assisting in the organization of the State Bank at Findlay, he was elected president of the institution, and devoted his time to its management until his death, when but sixty-one years old. He married Caroline Carlin, a daughter of Parlee Carlin, a pioneer of Findlay, who for many years operated a flour mill and a saw mill on the Blanchard river. She is now seventy-eight years of age, and is spending her time with her children, of whom she has four, namely: John L., Harriet, Delano M. and Catherine.
After completing the course of study in the publie schools of Findlay Delano M. Gage still further advanced his education by attend- ing the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Upon leaving school he entered the United States Railway Mail service, for three years being railway mail clerk in Montana. Coming then to Kenton Mr. Gage was here for three years engaged in the manufacture of chairs, after- wards being employed as bookkeeper for a time at the Straw Board Works. Starting then in the lumber business he continued operations alone for a while, and then organized the Robinson-Gage Lumber Com- pany, which not only deals in lumber but manufactures hardwood lumber and wooden boxes, the business being already large and profitable.
In 1887 Mr. Gage married Anna Harris, who was born in Kenton, a daughter of George Il. and Maggie Harris. Two daughters have been born of this union, Margaret and Caroline. Fraternally Mr. Gage is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of Aminta Lodge, No. 79, I. O. O. F. Religiously he and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILSON S. COLE, an able representative of the agricultural interests of Hardin county, is a model farmer in every sense implied by the term, and now owns and occupies one of the most valuable and beau- tiful country estates to be found in this part of the state, it being finely located in Buck township. He is a native born eitizen his birth . having occurred in March, 1842, in Goshen township, where his father, Henry Cole, was a pioneer settler. His grandfather, Cole, settled in Fairfield county, Ohio, at an early day, and did his full share of the pioneer labor of developing the neighborhood in which he lived.
Henry Cole was born and brought up in Fairfield county, and be- came a farmer from choice. Soon after his marriage he took up his residence in Goshen township, coming here when the land was in its primitive condition, and the dense forests were inhabited by bears, deer, wolves, and smaller animals that roamed at will, and often caused sad havoc in the new settlements. Kenton was then a small hamlet, composed entirely of log eabins. Buying a timbered tract in the northeastern part of the township, he cleared a space in which to erect a rude eabin from round logs. This he subsequently replaced by a more commodious resi- denee built of hewed logs, riving the boards that covered the roof, holding them in place by weighted poles. For years thereafter there were no railways in the state, and the settlers had to go to Sandusky to procure salt and other articles equally necessary, an entire week
WILSON S. COLE AND FAMILY
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being consumed in making the round trip. Much of the land which he bought was covered with black walnut timber, and in elearing it large trees were felled, and timber that would now be worth thousands of dollars was burned without a thought being given as to the future wealth it might represent. In 1854 he sold that property, and purchased one hundred and twenty acres in Washington township. About one- half of the land had been cleared, and a set of log buildings had been previously erected. Selling out a few years later, he removed to Cessna township, and there resided until death, when past eighty years of age. He married for his first wife Lucinda Kaughman, who was born in Pennsylvania, of German ancestry. She died in 1855, leaving four children, Wesley, Henry, Martha and Wilson S.
The rude building in which Wilson S. Cole gleaned his early educa- tion was built of logs, heated by a fireplace, while the seats were simply split logs with pins inserted for legs, and the desks on which the pupils learned to use the quill pen was a plank of puncheon placed against the wall. To reach this palace of learning he had to trudge a mile and a half each morning, following a trail marked by blazed trees. He lived with his father, assisting in clearing and improving the land, the greater part of the time until December, 1861, when he enlisted in Company A, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the same company and same regiment in which he veteranized in 1864.
Mr. Cole was with his command in all of its marches, campaigns and battles, among the more important of which were the engagement at MeDowell's, Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Cedar Mountain, the Battle above the Clouds; was with Sherman in his eam- paign, taking part in all of the engagements enroute to Atlanta, and participated in the seige and capture of that city. He subsequently marched with the gallant hero to the sea, thenee through the Carolinas, and by way of Richmond, Virginia, to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review. Going then to Louisville, Kentucky, he remained there a brief time, and was from there sent to Columbus, Ohio, where he received his honorable discharge from the service.
Soon after returning to Hardin county, Mr. Cole bought forty acres of timbered land in Washington township, paying six hundred and fifty dollars for it. He cleared ten acres of it, set out an orchard, and then sold it for one thousand dollars. He afterwards bought another forty- acre tract in the same township, on which there were some improvements, several acres having been cleared, and a log house and stable having been erected. Mr. Cole built a frame house, and after living there eight years sold the place for two thousand and four hundred dollars. Moving then to Goshen township, Mr. Cole bought first one hundred and six acres of land, and later purchased fifty-three more acres. He farmed there successfully for nineteen years, when, having acquired a goodly share of this world's wealth, he rented his land, and lived retired from active business in Kenton. In 1906 Mr. Cole sold that estate and bought his present farm, which is advantageously located in Buck township, two and one-half miles from Kenton, assuming its possession in December, 1908. This farm, which he now occupies, contains one hundred and
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fifty-eight acres of highly improved land, and has a commodious frame barn and a large brick house thoroughly modern in style and equipments and surrounded by ample grounds, on which there are many beautiful shade and ornamental trees, rendering it one of the most desirable country homes to be found in any community.
Mr. Cole married on September 22, 1870, Eliza Jane Sams, who was born in Brown county, Ohio, a daughter of Ellis Sams, of whom a brief sketch may be found elsewhere in this biographical work. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cole, namely : Emma, who died when one month old, Clara, Earl, Della and Nellie. Della, wife of George Fink, has one son, Panl Fink. Nellie married Jacob Luckhoff, and they have one daughter, Mildred Lnekhoff, who lives in Dayton. Earl E. is now making his home in Kenton. Politically Mr. Cole is an earnest supporter of the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Cantwell Post No. 97, G. A. R. Religionsly Mr. and Mrs. Cole and two of their daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
THOMAS C. MAHON .- Conspicuons for his ability, integrity and worth, Thomas C. Mahon holds a position of note among the leading citizens of Kenton, where he is extensively engaged in the practice of law and identified with the higher interests of the city, at the present time being president of the board of education. A son of James Mahon, he was born, July 4, 1860, in Marseilles, Wyandot county, Ohio, of pioneer stock. His grandfather, Thomas Mahon, was a very early settler of Richland county, Ohio, where he resided many years. He afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits, being first located in Scot- town, from there going to Williamstown. He spent his last days in Dunkirk, Ohio, dying at the age of sixty-seven years.
One of a large family of children, James Mahon was born, May 25, 1833, in Richland county, Ohio, and as a youth began his mercantile career as a clerk in his father's store. Embarking in business for him- self, he conducted a general store at Marseilles for a member of seasons. Removing from there to Dunkirk in 1862, he was for a long time sue- cessfully engaged in business as a merchant and manufacturer. He is now living practically retired, although he devotes a part of his leisure to the superintendence of his near-by farm. He married Phebe Waples, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, a danghter of B. F. Waples, and into their household seven sons and one danghter were born, four being deceased, three sous and the daughter. The four living sons are Judson, Thomas C., Edward and Hoyt B.
During the days of his boyhood and youth Thomas C. Mahon at- tended the publie schools and assisted his father in the store. He subsequently advanced his education by an attendance at the Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, afterwards beginning the study of law in the office of Dangherty & Daugherty, completing his studies at the Cincinnati Law School. Opening a law office in Kenton in 1889, Mr. Mahon has since been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in this city, and has built up a large and lu-
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crative clientage. Ile is a man of great enterprise and ability, and is eon- nected with various organizations of a financial and fraternal nature. Ile is vice president of the Seioto Sign Company and a director in the Kenton National Bank. He is a member of Kenton Commandery, No. 58, K. T .; of Pythian Lodge, No. 164, K. of P .; and of Kenton Lodge, B. P. O. E. Politically he has always been a loyal supporter of the principles of the Democratie party, and has served acceptably in various official positions. In 1893 he was elected city attorney, and in 1896 was elected prose- cuting attorney of Hardin county. In 1899 he was re-elected to the same responsible office, receiving a handsome majority of the votes cast, and served two terms of three years each. He is now, as above related, president of the city board of education, a position to which he was elected in 1907.
On April 14, 1885, Mr. Mahon was united in marriage with Maude Alexander, who was born in Dunkirk, Ohio, a daughter of J. B. and Charlotte (Smith) Alexander. Two sons have been born to them, namely : Paul T. and Frank B. The former was graduated from the Kenton high school with the class of 1907, and the latter with the class of 1909, and both are now students at the Ohio Wesleyan University, their father's alma mater. Mr. and Mrs. Mahon and their sons are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Mahon has been a steward for many years.
ELMER S. PROTZMAN, M. D., by nature, temper and training singu- larly fitted for general medical practice, has met with marked success in his professional career, and is eminently worthy of the high position he holds among the leading physicians of Kenton. A son of the late Dr. Silas Protzman, he was born, March 28, 1872, in Fairfield, Ohio. The Doctor's grandfather, Captain John Protzman, was born in Maryland, and there obtained his early education. At the age of four- teen years, in 1805, he came to Ohio, and subsequently settled near Ger- mantown, Montgomery county, where he followed milling and distilling, two industries then frequently combined. A patriotic citizen, he com- manded a company of soldiers in the war of 1812. He died in 1861, aged three score and ten years. Ilis wife, Margaret Shafer, a native of
Pennsylvania, died in 1860.
One of a family of ten children, Dr. Silas Protzman was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, January 17, 1842. He obtained the rudi- ments of his education in the common schools of his district, and after- wards attended Holbrook's Normal School in Lebanon, Ohio. Enlisting in 1862 in Company F, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, he was at the front in the battle of Winehester, and was present when the gallant Sheridan completed his memorable ride. lle was afterwards assigned to the Army of the Potomac and took part in the engagements at Brandy Station on June 5, from August I to August 3, on September 6, and on November 8. After this he served in the Inspector General's office of the Third Division, Sixth Corps, which was everywhere known as the Old Fighting Corps of General Sedgwick. Ile was once with others taken prisoner, but his captors, fortunately, were
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Germans. He spoke to them in their own language and they exchanged their well-worn nniforms for theirs and turned them loose. He quickly rejoined his command, with which he remained until receiving his honorable discharge from the service. Returning home, Silas Protzman began the study of medicine with his brother William, who was then practicing medicine at Yellow Springs, Ohio, but is now in Lincoln, Nebraska. Being graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in 1869, Dr. Silas Protzman began the practice of medicine in Fairfield, Greene county, where he remained until 1872. Coming in that year to Kenton, he was here engaged in his professional labors until his death in 1885, at the comparatively early age of forty-three.
Dr. Silas Protzman married Henrietta Shuey, who was born near Eaton, Preble county, Ohio, a daughter of Adam Shney, who was of early Holland ancestry. The family from which she sprung was known in Pennsylvania as early as 1732, and some of its members served in the Provincial Assembly at the time of the Revolutionary war. Her great- grandfather, John Shuey, Sr., and her grandfather, John Shuey, Jr., both lived in Pennsylvania, the former spending his entire life in that state. Adam Shuey lived for a time near Hagerstown, Maryland, moving from there to Preble connty, Ohio, in pioneer days, when the country was a vast wilderness. He afterwards settled at Fairfield, Greene county, Ohio, where he improved a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he lived until after the death of his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Neiswander. He afterwards made his home with his children, and died at the age of eighty-one years. He was a member of the Reformed church, and his wife belonged to the United Brethren church. After the death of her husband Mrs. Henrietta (Shuey) Protzman married for her second husband Charles W. Oldt and now resides at Lewistown, Pennsylvania.
The only child of his parents, Elmer S. Protzman attended first the publie schools, after which he took a course of study at Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio, where he subsequently began the study of medicine with Alexander Dunlap, M. D. In 1895 he was graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in Cincinnati, with the degree of M. D., and the following year began the practice of his profession in Kenton, where he has since remained, having by skill and proved ability won the confidence and good will of the people and built up a large and lucrative patronage.
Dr. Protzman married, in 1898, Ida Marcella Watt, a daughter of James Watt, and granddaughter of Dr. Samuel Watt, an early physician of Kenton. Her great-grandfather, William Watt, born in Ireland of Scotch ancestry, emigrated to this country and lived for a time in Philadelphia. He came from there to Ohio at an early period of its settlement, and spent his last years in Cadiz. Samuel Watt was born in Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, in 1805, and when a young man there began the study of medicine with Dr. Wilson. He subsequently at- tended lectures at Jefferson Medical College in Washington, Pennsyl- vania, and began the practice of his profession in Jefferson county, Ohio, remaining there until 1839, when he settled in Kenton, where for many
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years he had a large practice, remaining here until 1858. In 1848 and 1849 he represented Hardin county in the state legislature, and in 1858 was elected probate judge, and filled the office three consecutive terms. Removing to Ada in 1873, he lived there retired until his death, in October, 1876.
James Watt was born in Kenton, Ohio, December 6, 1839, and here acquired his elementary education. He was graduated from West- minster College, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, with the class of 1865. and the following year was graduated from the Albany Law School in Albany, New York. He was subsequently actively engaged in the practice of law until 1882, when he was elected cashier of the Kenton Savings Bank, a responsible position which he filled acceptably several years. At the present time he is serving as deputy county clerk. He married Ida M. Chapman, a daughter of Harvey Chapman, of Hardin county.
Dr. and Mrs. Protzman have one child, a daughter named Caroline. Politically the Doctor has always been a stanch Republican, and has served three terms as county coroner and ten years as a member of the board of health. He is a member of the County, the State and the American Medical Societies, and takes great interest in each. Frater- nally he is a member of Latham Lodge, No. 154, F. & A. M .; of Scioto Chapter, No. 119, R. A. M .; and of Kenton Lodge, No. 157, B. P. O. E .; and he also belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution. Mrs. Protzman belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution, and is a member of the Presbyterian church.
EMANUEL LAWSON .- For a quarter of a century the late Emanuel Lawson was intimately associated with the development and growth of of the mercantile and financial prosperity of Kenton, his operations being extensive and exceedingly remunerative. He was a man of mark and of recognized worth as a citizen, his business ability being unques- tioned and his character irreproachable. IIe was born, October 11. 1830, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a son of John Lawson, who was, as far as known, a native of the Keystone state. Accompanied by his wife and children John Lawson came to Ohio about 1835, and for a number of years followed his chosen occupation of a farmer in Richland county. He subsequently moved to Defiance county, and there spent the remainder of his life.
A small boy when he came with his parents to Ohio, Emanuel Lawson profited by the meagre facilities that were afforded him in his youth to obtain an education, attending regularly the short terms of the district school. When a young man he began his independent career as an employe of the Big Four Railroad Company, being ticket agent at Shelby. He afterwards established a well-paying business as a dealer in hay and grain. In 1878 Mr. Lawson located in Kenton, and here built up an extensive business along the same line of industry. buying and shipping grain in large quantities, in his traneactions reap- ing a good annual income. He became identified with financial organizations, being made a director in two banking institutions. Here
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he resided, an esteemed and respected citizen, until his death, July 10, 1903.
Mr. Lawson married Arah E. Nagle, who survives him. She is a daughter of Henry Nagle. Her grandfather, Frederick Nagle, was without doubt a life-long resident of Pennsylvania. Until fifteen years of age IIenry Nagle resided in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was born and educated. He then came to Ohio, joining an elder
brother in Clark county. After attaining his majority he established himself in business as a merchant at West Liberty, Logan county, from there coming to HIardin county and locating at Roundhead, where he opened one of the very first stores, putting in a stock of general merchan- dise. He used to trade for cattle, and also bought stock, which he would drive to the eastern markets, making the trips on horseback, that being before the days of railroads with their palace stock cars. All of his merchandise was brought to Hardin county by canal and teams. He was very successful as a merchant, accumulating considera- ble wealth, and spent his last years retired from business activities in Kenton, passing away in the seventy-ninth year of his age. The
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