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 49
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Republicans. In those days editors were more given to a newspaper exhibition of their personal animosities than now, and it is much to be questioned if any editor ever had to endure the bitter attacks that were made on Mr. Flanagan. No name was mean enough, no insinuation coarse enough for the Republican editors to apply to the young editor. Yet he stood it like a man. He thrived. His paper prospered. His party gained the offices. That was success.
It has often been asked why Daniel Flanagan did not obtain personally more reward for his work in behalf of party. The question is easily answered. Men of definite opinions and a courage to express them can never hope to succeed in politics. Daniel Flanagan was too pronounced in his views. He could not hope for office, but his work was not with the hope of office. He did it because he loved his party and he enjoyed work. He was proud of Democracy, and that he some- times criticised the leaders of his party in these later days should only redound to the glory of his manly courage. Always a Democrat, too often most bitterly a partisan, yet he ever knew true worth when he saw it and he never failed to give one credit for faithful performance of duty, be the performer of what political persuasion he chose. This characteristic won many friends for Mr. Flanagan among Republicans, and they remained his friends all through a stormy life.
In business as in politics Mr. Flanagan was frank, quick to make up his mind, always ready to lend a hand. No business enterprise was started in this city during his residence here that Editor Flanagan did not aid in some way. He was the kind of a man that helps a town. He had ever a good word for Kenton and Kentonians, and his published words of encouragement for town and townsmen will remain an undying tribute to his memory. Public spirited to an extraordinary degree, generous to a fault, this man who might have been rich never amassed any considerable amount of this world's goods. He left the world poor as men count wealth but rich in kind words, noble acts and imperishable deeds. Too often, as Anthony said over the bier of the fallen Cæsar, "The evil that men do live after them, the good too oft is interred with their bones," but it was not so with Daniel Flanagan. His was an open life, his faults he did not conceal. He could not fawn nor flatter. He never tried to deceive. What he thought he said. If it were wrong the people at large knew it. They could condemn. If it were right he asked no praise. True to the inheritance of Irish parentage Daniel Flanagan was quick to take offense, quicker to forgive. If he erred he was willing to make amends. It he wronged any one his was the first voice to ask forgiveness. In many ways he was the living embodiment of that sound sensible advice of Thoreau, "Be resolutely and faithfully what you are, humbly what you aspire to be. Be sure you give men the best of your wares, though they be poor enough, and the gods will help yon lay up a better store for the future. Man's noblest gift to man is his sineerity, for it embraces his integrity also."
And Daniel Flanagan is dead. His last copy has been edited, the page of his life book has been closed and the recording angel has closed the volume not again to be opened
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Till the sun grows old And the stars grow cold And the leaves of the judgment book unfold.
Today he sleeps under the fir trees of yonder hill. The snow has wet with her pure tears the sod above his grave, the flowers of spring have given him the tribute of their perfume. Those who knew him living will revere him dead, and coming generations will learn from the lips of the present to honor his memory. And this by a contemporary was justly said of him: "When some future historian shall take up pen to tell of those who helped to make Kenton the model of thrift and industry that she is he will in justice to truth pay a tender tribute to Daniel Flanagan, printer, editor and citizen, but above all else a man."
H. M. BOROFF, one of the representative farmers of Jackson town- ship, owns one hundred aeres of valuable land. He was born in Allen county, Ohio, in 1851, and as a child removed with his parents to Mer- cer county, Ohio, where he was educated in the public schools. When a young man he removed to Van Wert county, where he resided until after his marriage, in 1876. He is a son of Harrison and Rebecca (Ross) Boroff, of Mercer county, where they resided on a farm until their deaths. They were the parents of fifteen children, eleven of whom grew to maturity, namely: Amanda, Alfred, John, Nancy A., Elizabeth, II. M., Jacob, Richard and Jennie (twins), Benjamin and Lincoln.
H. M. Boroff removed to his present home in Hardin county in 1901; he is an enterprising and practical farmer, and having spent most of his life in this vocation has been very successful. Mr. Boroff is a public-spirited, loyal citizen, and stands well in the community. He is an earnest member of and worker in the Methodist Episcopal church, and belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Boroff married Anna Ford, and they became the parents of six children, as follows : Orla ; Glen, pastor of a church in the North Ohio Conference; Joseph, deceased; Florence ; Hazel; Austin, deceased. Mrs. H. M. Boroff died in May, 1907.
ELMER S. KAYLOR, prominent as a farmer and stock raiser in Cessna township, was born in Logan county, Ohio, May 22, 1868, a son of George F. and Christena (Houtz) Kaylor. George F. Kaylor was a son of Reu- ben Kaylor, who came from his native state Pennsylvania with his family to Logan county, Ohio, and spent the remainder of his life there. His son George became a farmer and stockman there, but finally moved from there to Auglaize county and still later to Hardin connty. From Pleas- ant township, where he had first located on coming to Hardin county, he came to Cessna township in March, 1886, establishing his home on the farm now owned by his sons, Elmer and Claudius, and there he passed away in death in 1888. His widow still survives him and is living in Kenton. She is a daughter of John Houtz, born in Pennsylvania.
Elmer S. Kaylor was a lad of eighteen years when he came with
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the family to Cessna township, and the educational training which he had previously gained in the district schools was supplemented by study in the schools of Ada. Ohio. In association with his brother. Claudius C. Kaylor, he owns four hundred and twenty-two acres of land in one body in Cessna township. and he has gained a wide reputation as a stock raiser, raising principally sheep, hogs, cattle and horses. He is an in- fluential local worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and has served his township as a justice of the peace and as a trustee and treasurer.
Mr. Kaylor's wife was before marriage Mary Cessna. a daughter of the late Zack Cessna, and she was born and reared in Cessna township. The seven children which have blessed their marriage union are Maloda C., Lulu I., George B .. Clay C., Elmer E., Harry I. and Hugh W. Mr. Kaylor is a member in high standing of the Salem Methodist Episcopal church, and he is serving his church as a steward and trustee and as a member of its Sunday school. He also has membership relations with the Grange and with the Modern Woodmen of America.
ALPHEUS MCCONNELL .- A man of sound judgment and much ability, Alpheus McConnell, residing in McDonald township, Hardin county, is intimately associated with the development of the agricultural and industrial interests of his community as a carpenter and farmer. A son of Hugh McConnell, he was born. October 11. 1842, in Medina county. Hugh McConnell was born of German parents December 1, 1811. in Lancaster county. Pennsylvania. but was reared in Wayne county, Ohio, where his parents settled when he was a child. After his marriage he moved to Medina county. from there coming, in 1853. to Hardin county, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying April 5. 1859. He married Mary Lance, who was born in Pennsylvania, December 13, 1811, and as a girl came with her parents to Wayne county, Ohio. She survived her husband. passing away in April, 1870.
Obtaining his early education in the common schools of Medina and Hardin counties, Alpheus McConnell became familiar with the labors incidental to farm life when young. and also developed his natural mechanical ability by learning the trade of a carpenter. He has since followed farming and carpentering in MeDonald township. where he is numbered among the esteemed, valued and trustworthy citizens. Dur- ing the Civil war Mr. McConnell enlisted. September 16. 1864, in the One IIundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until receiving his honorable discharge June 17. 1865, being on guard duty at Nashville, Tennessee, the greater part of the time. Ile is an uncompromising Republican in polities, and is now one of the trustees of MeDonald township.
Mr. McConnell married, April 5. 1863. Polly Paver, a daughter of James and Ruth (Meredith) Paver, former residents of Buck township. Mr. Paver died June 23, 1880, in Hardin county, and Mrs. Paver died at the home of her daughter. Mrs. McConnell, January 3, 1887. Eight children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. McConnell. namely : Sarah Ella, born January 21, 1864, married George Washington Stram,
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and they have one child, Erma Stram; Calvin Llewellyn, born October 5, 1866, lives with his parents; Carrie May, born November 28, 1869, married Elmer Decker, of McDonald township, and two children have been born to them. Howard, who died at the age of three years, and Raymond; Edith Estella, born May 14, 1873, married Alec Given MacDonald, and died April 13, 1909, leaving her husband and four sons, Lloyd Adlai, Leo Vernon, Paul Ernest and Percy Given; Charlie, living at Grand Rapids, Michigan, born April 10, 1875, married Edna Fuller, of Michigan, and they have one child, Harold Donald; Mertie Ann, born July 10, 1877, married Henry H. Harvey, of Kenton, and they have two children, Walter Enoch and Louis Alpheus; Howard Harvey, born July 23, 1880, married Eva Snyder, and to them four children have been born. Elsie Ellen, Mary Wilma, Charlie Grey and Mertie; and Earl Wayne, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, born August 12, 1883, married September 18, 1909, Mary Varvel.
THOMAS COCHRAN DODDS .- Noteworthy among the active and ener- getic men that have made farming their life occupation and in its pur- suit have met with much success is Thomas Cochran Dodds of McDonald township, Hardin county. A native of this county, he was born, October 21. 1857, in Buek township, on the Kenton-Ridgeway pike, a son of the late John Dodds, of Scotch-Irish lineage.
John Dodds was born, in 1806, in Pennsylvania, being one of a family of seven children, of whom one son, Joseph Dodds, born in 1792, served in the war of 1812, and subsequently lived to the venerable age of ninety-four years. John Dodds married, in Champaign county, Ohio, Naney Gary, who was born in 1822, at Louisburg, Champlain county. Of the children born of their union two served in the Civil war, Andrew and Joseph. Andrew Dodds was a private in the army and died during the war, in 1863. Joseph Dodds, now residing in Ridgeway, Hardin county, enlisted in the Union army in 1861, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged from the service. He took an active part in many important engagements, and at the battle of Missionary Ridge was wounded in the right shoulder.
Receiving a practical education in the rural schools of Hardin county, Thomas Cochran Dodds began his career as a wage earner in William Dodds' saw mill, in which he was employed for four years. Renting then the farm of Joseph MeArthur, he managed it for a year, and then leased from his brother ninety-five acres of timbered land, twenty of which he cleared. Five years later Mr. Dodds rented the sixty-five-acre farm belonging to Charles McGinnis, and was there employed in tilling the soil five years. The following seven years he carried on his chosen occupation on the Breen farm of one hundred and forty-four acres. Moving then to the Tom Espy homestead, he tilled its ninety acres for three years, after which he lived on the Henry Pfeiffer place for a year. Returning then to the Breen farm, Mr. Dodds was there engaged in general farming for six years. In March 1903, he bought his present place of ten acres, and in its improvement has met with well deserved success. A decided Republican in politics,
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Mr. Dodds has served as assessor of his township. and is now township trustee.
Mr. Dodds married, March 4, 1875, Mary A. McGinnis, daughter of John and Katherine (Muller) MeGinnis, of McDonald township. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dodds, namely : Demar Dorothy, Ora, Bertha, Nettie, Maggie, John O., Benjamin, Fred, George, Naney Elizabeth, Thomas Gary, Ernest and Herma, twins, and Leo and Fred. Naney E., Thomas G., Ernest and Herma died in childhood. Demar Dorothy Dodd, born in June, 1876, died on the 27th of February, 1909. She married Daniel Vermilion, and they became the parents of six children, namely: Mildred, who died in infancy; Clara, Golda, Clarence, Etta, and Mary. Ora Dodds, deceased. mar- ried Cyrus Negley, of MeDonald township, and to them five children were born, namely: Eva, deceased; Homer; Zena; Joe; and Harry, deceased. Bertha Dodds, who married D. H. Lowry, became the mother of four children, namely: Robert, deceased; Ray; Harry; and Eva Naomi. Nettie Dodds married William Fultz, and they have three children, Ernest, Earl and Edith. Maggie, who married Frank Hites, became the mother of two children, Oney, deceased and Calley.
ALFRED HITES .- A man of industry, enterprise and ability, Alfred Hites, of MeDonald township, oeenpies an assured position among the snecessful agrieulturists of the Buckeye state, of whom, mayhap, no other eounty ean boast so large a number in proportion to its population as Hardin. A son of the late George Hites, he was born in this town- ship March 3, 1848, coming from German aneestry.
A native of Rockingham county, Virginia. George Hites was born, July 14, 1815. As a young man he migrated to the western frontier, loeating in Carroll county, where he lived until after his marriage. In 1839 he bought sixty-two and one-half acres of wild land in McDonald township, Hardin county, and having by dint of sturdy pioneer labor cleared a large part of it he subsequently bonght another timbered traet of equal area, and continued his agricultural work. On the homestead which he redeemed from the wilderness he spent the re- mainder of his life, passing away May 15, 1898. He married. in Carroll connty, Ohio, Elizabeth Hatfield, who was born March 15, 1815. and died November 10, 1896. To them six children were born, namely : William, of Kenton, married Caroline Spencer, and of the seven children born of their union four died in infaney. Adam died at the age of three months, and the other two, Anna and Arthur Banning, are resi- dents of Hardin county: Mary Ann, born JJune 9. 1840. died in 1842: Marianna, born September 30, 1849. died in the same year: Alfred, the special subject of this sketch; Nancy Jane, who was born June 4, 1852. and died March 2, 1874, married P. Sumner, of Roundhead, and had one child, now deceased; and George Westley, born July 20. 1857. died August 14, 1857.
Educated in the district schools. Alfred Hites was early initiated into the mysteries of farming, and finding that occupation congenial to his tastes as well as profitable he has since devoted his attention to the
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pursuit of agriculture. He now owns forty-eight and one-half acres of the land belonging formerly to the parental homestead, and in its care and management has met with most satisfactory results. Politically a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Hites has never shirked the responsibilties of public office, but has served as township supervisor and as a school director. Religiously he is a valued member of the Baptist church.
On December 2, 1875, Mr. Hites was united in marriage with Alice Willard, who was born, May 24. 1858, in Mercer county, Missouri, a daughter of the late Joseph Willard. Mr. Willard was twice married, by his first wife having three children, namely : John Henry, who served in the Civil war, and was killed in battle; Martha Jane; and Mary Elizabeth. Mr. Willard married for his second wife Elizabeth Hudnut, and of the children born of their union six grew to mature life, as follows: William ; James; Emeline ; Joseph Fremont, deceased; Alice, wife of Mr. Hites; and Jennie. William Willard, a resident of Holmes county, Ohio, married first Mary Berry, who died in early womanhood, leaving one child, Jennie, of Cleveland. William married for his second wife Minnie MaeLean, and they have had the following children : Dalmar; Jennie, deceased; Harry; and Fannie. James Willard, who lives in Iowa. married Rachel MeGinnis, and to them five children have been born, Thomas; Clara Belle; Effie; Robert ; and a child that died in
infancy. Emeline Willard, of Wayne county, widow of the late John Saunders, bore him six children, Frank, deceased; Thomas, a resident of Wayne county; Idell, deceased; Jennie, wife of Harvey Burnett, has two children; Hazel, wife of Harry Cliff, has one child; and Maggie residing with her mother. Jennie Willard, Mrs. Ilites' youngest sister, married John Shearer, of IIolmes county, and they became the parents of the following named children: Blanche Shearer, married Edward Hostetter, and has three children. John, Frank, and Arthur; John F. Shearer. living at home; Edna Shearer married John Stink, of Pitts- burg, and has four children; Charles Shearer, single, resides with his parents; Harry Shearer, also living at home; Walter, living at home; and Rachel Shearer, deceased.
Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hites, namely : a child that died in infancy; Rosette; Erma Virginia; Bertha; IIomer Emerson ; Leslie Harrison, living with his parents; and Blanche, living at home. Rosette Hites, the oldest daughter, married Charles Hanna- krat, of Logan county, Ohio, and into their home five children have been born, namely: Grace Reed, living with her grandparents; Myrl; Daisy Verona; Alice Odessa, deceased; and Ethel Virginia. Erma Virginia Hites married George MacFarland, of Kenton, Ohio. Bertha Hites, who married Virgil Simpson, died in January, 1906, leaving two chil- dren, Gladys Simpson, deceased ; and Paul Simpson. Homer Emerson Hites married Clementine Coolidge and they have two children, Opal Idelle and Arol May.
ALBERT B. CHARLES was born and reared in Richland county, Ohio, and settled in Ada in early manhood, beginning his career as a grain
MR. AND MRS. JACOB VASSAR
0
assar and dianily
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dealer. A man of marked financial and executive ability, he became prominent in the affairs of the city, and served not only as cashier of the Citizens' Bank but was mayor of Ada and a member of its school board. In 1885 he was elected treasurer of Hardin county, and re- elected to the same office in 1887, serving until his death in 1888. He was a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and of the Knights of Pythias, in each organization taking great interest. He married Autha Morehead, who was born in Richland county, near Mansfield, and is now living in Kenton, Ohio. Of the three children born of their union, one died in infancy, and two are living, namely : Eugene, mentioned below, and Arthur B., of Seattle, Washington.
A man of undoubted integrity and worth, Eugene Charles holds high rank among the more intelligent and popular business men of Hardin county, which he is now serving acceptably as county treasurer. A resident of Kenton, he has spent the larger part of his life within its limits, and has taken an active part in advancing its best interests. He was born, August 14, 1875, at Ada, Hardin county. A boy of eleven years when he came to Kenton. he was here educated, and in 1893 began life on his own account as deputy clerk in the office of the county treasurer. He was subsequently assistant cashier of the Kenton National Bank, holding that position from November, 1895, until Sep- tember, 1907, when he assumed his present office as county treasurer of Hardin county, to which he was elected in 1906 and reelected in 1908. Mr. Charles is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Masonic order, in which he has taken three degrees, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. Charles is one of the younger genera- tion of men, and is not only a prominent member of business, politieal and social circles, but is one who, continuing his useful activities, will, without doubt, become connected with more important events of town, county and state.
JAMES EZRA VASSAR .- One of the most successful farmers and stock- men of Taylor Creek township. Hardin county, Ohio, is James Ezra Vassar, who was born on his present homestead November 11, 1867, a son of Jacob and Mary (Corwin) Vassar. Jacob Vassar was born in Logan county, Ohio, October 4, 1837, and was a son of Daniel Vassar, a native of New Jersey. Daniel Vassar was accidentally killed by a horse in 1862, at the age of about forty-seven years. He moved to Ohio from Virginia as a young man, settling in Logan county, where he car- ried on his trade of a carpenter. He was married in Logan county, to Mary Ann Kerns, and he and his family afterwards removed to Missouri, where he died.
After acquiring his education in the publie school. Jacob Vassar remained with his parents until his marriage, at the age of twenty-two years, and then settled on the present home in Hardin county. IIe settled in the woods, proceeded to clear land and erected the present home. He first eleared thirty aeres, then added sixty acres more. He became very successful as a farmer and also became a timber-worker, making staves by hand, in which manner he paid for his home. He
Vol. II-25
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started for Minnesota in 1863, then enlisted in the Civil war as a teamster and driver for one year, later fired an engine on a steamboat, in the employ of the government, for hauling supplies. At the close of the war he returned to his home and carried on farming until his death, July 10, 1895. He was one of the charter members of the Church of Christ of Ridgeway, and politically was a Democrat, though he never cared for public office. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the local Grange.
On September 24, 1857, Jacob Vassar married Mary Corwin, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, born April 6, 1840, a daughter of Daniel Corwin, a native of Logan county, Ohio, who later moved to Scotland county, Missouri. He died in 1900, at the age of eighty- eight years. Mr. Corwin married Nancy Williams, who died in 1850. Jacob Vassar's widow survives him, has now reached the age of seventy years and resides with her son James E. The other children who sur- vive are as follows: Lydia, wife of J. S. Ludenburg, a farmer of Michigan; Nancy, wife of B. Britton, an attorney; Olive, wife of Thomas Hauser, of Patterson, Ohio; Thomas K., of Bellefontaine; and Daniel, a farmer of Hale township. Besides these there are two daughters and two sons deceased. Mrs. Vassar is a member of the Church of Christ.
The education of James Ezra Vassar was obtained in the public schools, after which he began working on a farm. When twenty-two years old he began working for his father, and worked three years on the old home, farming and raising stock. He then moved to Logan county, where he carried on a farm five years, after which he returned to the home farm and bought out the other heirs. He carries on general farming and pays special attention to stock raising. He owns one specially fine registered horse, "Harold," aged four, of English Shire stock which was imported by the Hartman Importing Company, of Columbus, also a fine road horse, "Noki" No. 41512, also aged four years. He also owns several other brood mares and colts.
Politically Mr. Vassar is a Democrat, and is active in the interests of his party. In 1906 he was elected a justice of the peace of Taylor Creek township, and is serving in his second term. He is a a charter elder of the Church of Christ. He is an enterprising and ambitious and business-like farmer, and carries on his work by modern methods and in accordance with modern ideas. He can remember many hard- ships he and the members of his family had to bear during his youthful days; he well recalls that at one time a heavy storm killed a cow which was the main support of the family.
In 1889 Mr. Vassar married Cinda Gardner, born November 11, 1873, daughter of Freeman Gardner, who died in 1909, at the age of eighty-five years. Mr. Gardner was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the pioneers of Hardin county. He married Joan Jennings, who survives him and has now reached the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Vassar died March 14, 1908, after nearly twenty years of happy wedded life, having been in delicate health for years. She was a patient sufferer and her mild and beautiful nature was loved by all who knew her,
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