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 50
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She had a large circle of friends, who held her friendship in high esteem and admired her personality. Her loss was widely mourned, by her fellow church members especially, and by all who knew her. She was an active worker in the Presbyterian church, of which she was a member. Mr. Vassar and his wife had children as follows: Randall, born October 29, 1890, at home; Joseph, born July 30, 1892; Pauline, born November 2, 1897 ; and Jacob Gardner, born December 26, 1898. Mr. Vassar is well known in the community, where he has spent almost his entire life, and is greatly respected.
SAMUEL HIRAM FALTNER, a well known and prosperous agricul- turist of Hardin county, residing in McDonald township, has for many years been an able assistant in developing and advancing the farming interests of this part of the state. A son of the late Vance Faltner, he was born, December 10, 1866, in Logan county. For a number of years Vanee Faltner resided in Logan county, but at the time of his death, in November, 1909, was a resident of Columbus, Ohio. He was twice married. He married first, a Miss Brown, by whom he had three child- ren, namely : Anna, James and Samuel Hiram. Anna married William Fisher, of Bellefontaine, and of the four children born of their union two are living, Roy and Ethel May. James, the second child, resides in Louisiana. Vance Faltner married for his second wife Mary Ann Watt, and their only child, Jesse Faltner, died when fourteen years old.
His mother dying when he was an infant. Samnel Hiram Faltner was brought up by Mr. and Mrs. James Ford, who cared for him as tenderly as if he were their own child. He was educated in the district schools, and during his entire life has devoted his time and energies to the cultvation of the soil, which at his touch yields abundant harvests. his well kept and well managed farm being one of the best improved in Roundhead township. Mr. Faltner is a steadfast Republican. having voted that tieket for twenty-two years, but he has never been an aspirant for political honors, neither has he ever joined any seeret organization.
James Ford, Mr. Faltner's foster father, was successfully engaged in general farming until 1894, when he located in McDonald township, Hardin county, where he has since resided, an honored and respected citizen. He married, September 16, 1841. Lonisa Emeline Goodnow, who was born in Champaign county, Ohio, February 14, 1825. Her father. Levi Goodnow, was born, in 1790, in Vermont, and there married Cyn- thia Beebee, whose birth occurred in that state in 1796. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ford, namely: John Riley. Elmira, Clara Josephine, Levi R., Edward Sheldon, Sarah Jane. William Frank and Louisa Ellen. John Riley Ford. the first born, died March 16. 1848. Elmira, who married Ira Downing, of Kenton, Ohio, died December 30. 1867, leaving one child. Luther Downing. Clara Josephine Ford died November 13, 1870. Levi R. Ford, the fourth child in succession of birth, died June 15, 1897. He married. June 13. 1867. Elizabeth Hews, and to them were born children as follows: Jesse E., who lived but three months; William C., living at Saint Marys, married Ida White- head; Clara Ellen, wife of Tim Bogan, of Saint Marys, has had six
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
children, of whom but two are living. Ruth and Georgia Ellen; Nora Emeline, wife of John Cawlick, of Lake View, has had two children, Wes- sie Ford, deceased, and Dorothy May ; James Alexander, deceased; Clara S., deceased and Jesse Elmer, deceased. Edward Sheldon Ford, the fifth child in order of birth, born August 9, 1850, died June 11, 1909. Sarah Jane Ford, born October 21, 1853, married Ephraim Young, and of their union four children were born, Earl, who married a young lady of Troy, Illinois; Mary Emeline, of Troy; Bertha, wife of a Mr. Stephens; and James, the oldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Young, died in May, 1903. William Frank Ford, who died in Jannary, 1899, married Rachel Sunderland, who has also passed to the life beyond. They became the parents of nine children, as follows: Glenna, wife of Francis Hankins, has one child, Eliza ; Naomi, wife of Venton Engle, of Wapakoneta, has one child, Ruth Engle; Ida died at the age of eleven years; James George, deceased; and five children that died in infancy, the two next to the last being twins. Louisa Ellen Ford, who married Jesse T. Bowdle, of Roundhead township, became the mother of three children, namely: Pearl, wife of Stuart Fisher, postmaster at Round- head, has one child, Lonisa Katherine; Oryl, deceased; and Irwin, of Roundhead, who married Edna Young.
ANDREW BREITENSTIN, a substantial and successful farmer of Dud- ley township, Hardin county, Ohio, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, May 3, 1855, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Enggasser) Breitenstin. The former was born in Baden, Germany, and died in Ohio, in 1869, at the age of fifty-two years, three months and twenty- seven days. He came with his wife and one child to America, February 19, 1850, spending a short time at New Orleans. Mrs. Breitenstin died October 9, 1904, at the age of eighty years. Two years after reaching New Orleans they moved to Columbus, Ohio, and in 1865 located in Hardin county, where they bought forty acres of land in Dudley township. Three years later they located on the old Richley farm in Goshen township, where Mr. Breitenstin died. He was a member of the German Lutheran church, a Democrat in political affairs and actively interested in the success of his party. Besides Andrew their children were: Theodore, a farmer of Goshen township; Esther, wife of Fred Born, of Goshen township; and Elizabeth, deceased.
The youth of Andrew Breitenstin was passed on a farm, and he attended the country schools until fifteen years of age. After the death of his father he worked on the homestead which his mother pur- chased, and remained with her until her death. He purchased an ad- ditional forty acres and lived on the home farm until 1904, when he sold his interest and bought his present farm where he has made all possible improvements. He makes a specialty of stock raising and is a prosperous and energetic farmer. He has earned his success through his own efforts, and always been industrious and ambitious. He is a member of St. John's church in Goshen township, of which he has served as trustee. Politically he is a Democrat but has never cared for public office.
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On September 15, 1881, Mr. Breitenstin married Anna Gertrude Bishop, who was born March 28, 1858, in Hardin county, daughter of George Bishop. Her father was born in Hessen, Germany, and at the age of thirty-seven years came to the United States and settled in Goshen township, Hardin county. Five years later he sold out and located in Buek township, where he spent the remainder of his life and died in November, 1891, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, Catherine Elizabeth Roeder, died in 1902, at the age of eighty-five years. Mrs. Breitenstin's grandfather, Michael Bishop, married Eliza- beth Fink. Besides Mrs. Breitenstin her parents had children as follows : Elizabeth, born December 28, 1840, widow of George Roeder, and two, the oldest and youngest, deceased. Mrs. Breitenstin is a member of St. John's church, and is an active worker in the Ladies' Society con- nected with the church.
To Mr. Breitenstin and his wife four children were born, namely : George William, born January 2, 1883, married Lnella Abbott and they have two children : Frieda Marie and Dorothy May; John Jacob, born February 13, 1885, single and living at home; Leo Theodore, born December 29, 1889, living at home with his parents; and Fred Edward, born December 30, 1891, also living at home.
OTIS DANIEL BRUNGARD .-- Among the energetic, enterprising and far-sighted men who are contributing their full share towards the devel- opment and advancement of the commercial prosperity of Hardin county is Otis Daniel Brungard, who as a miller, grain dealer and shipper, is carrying on a substantial business. A son of the late John Brungard, he was born, February 1, 1871, in Mahoning county, Ohio, in New Middletown. His grandfather, George Brungard, a native of Maryland, migrated to Ohio in the year 1832, locating in Springfield township. Mahoning county.
Brought up on the home farm, John Brungard began life for him- self as a merchant, for five years being located in New Middletown. Subsequently removing to Wooster, Ohio, he was there for three years engaged in the milling business, running a four mill and elevator. Go- ing then to Pittsburg, he was there similarly employed for ten years. In 1885 having disposed of his interests in that place, and of his farm in Mahoning county, he came to Ridgeway, and here founded the milling and grain business now carried on so successfully by his sons, it being the most extensive plant of the kind between the lake and Columbus, Ohio. Here he resided until his death, March 27, 1906. Ile was a valued member of the Reformed church, and was active in public affairs, being a man of ability and eminent trustworthiness. He served several years as a trustee of Mahoning county ; was treasurer of Ridgeway ; and was the first president of the Ridgeway Banking Company. He married Elizabeth Young, who was born, April 11, 1844. in Germany. and came to this country with her parents at the age of ten years. She passed to the life beyond June 13, 1891. Five children were born of their union, namely : Ella, deceased ; George C., a grain dealer at West Mansfield ; Otis D., the subject of this brief sketch ; Laura Barbara, wife
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
of John McGill, of Poland, Ohio; and John, of whom a short sketch may be found on another page in this volume.
Attending the common schools as a boy, Otis Daniel Brungard was brought up on the home farm until sixteen years of age, when he entered the Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, where he continued his studies until 1889. Turning his attention then to the reading of medi- cine, he was graduated from the Western Pennsylvania Medical College, in Pittsburg, in 1897, with the degree of M. D., and for four years was engaged in the practice of his profession at Edinburg, Pennsylvania. After the death of his father, Mr. Brungard, in partnership with his brothers succeeded to the grain business established by their father, and have continued it since with marked success. This firm, Brungard Brothers, which was incorporated with a capital of $50,000, purchased, in 1907, the Big Springs Mill and elevator, and with their elevator at Horton, built in 1904, is carrying on an extensive business, handling on an average two hundred thousand bushels of grain annually. Mr. Brungard, true to the religious faith in which he was reared, is a member of the Reformed church, and fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 588, A. F. & A. M., of West Mansfield.
Mr. Brungard married, July 11, 1906, Ina MeElhaney, who was born, March 11, 1883, in Ridgeway, a daughter of Robert MeElhaney. Mr. MeElhaney was born in Ireland sixty-seven years ago. Emigrat- ing to this country in 1864, he settled in Hardin county, where he was for a while engaged in farming. In 1875 he opened a store of general merchandise at Ridgeway, becoming a pioneer merchant of this place. He married Cornelia A. Dugan, who was born in Franklin county, Ohio, a daughter of Michael and Sarah Dugan, her birth occurring in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Brungard have one child, a boy born January 25, 1910, named Otis D. Brungard.
ALFRED K. RANEY .- One of the strongest forces in the public and industrial life of Hardin county for many years has been found in Alfred K. Raney, whose life span of many decades has been years of purposes well directed, who has made for himself a place in connection with the activities and honors of life and who has successfully sur- monuted obstacles and gained recognition for intrinsic worth of character.
Alfred K. Raney was born in Franklin county, Ohio, June 13, 1837, a son of Benjamin and a grandson of Adam Raney, who came from his native land of Germany and established his home in Franklin county, Ohio, there remaining until his death. Benjamin, his son, born near Groveport, Ohio, died in October of 1840, when fifty-eight years of age. After leaving the school room he farmed with his father until his marriage, at that time entering some land for himself, and clearing it he continued its cultivation until his death, also erecting and operating for fifteen years a tannery. He was a good Christian man, a member of the Methodist church. Of the children born to him and his wife, nee Mary Arnold, three are now living: Benjamin, whose home is in Huntington, Indiana; Margaret, the widow of Charles Goodman and a
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
resident of Kokomo, that state; and Alfred K. Mrs. Raney died at the home of Catharine Funk, an older daughter in Kokomo in 1904, at the age of seventy-six years.
One of his parents' nine children and one of the three surviving ones, Alfred K. Raney, after his father's death, remained with the five youngest of the children with his mother on the homestead, but at the early age of twelve he began working for others at whatever a boy could find to do, thus earning sufficient means to continue his schooling in the fall, this including one term in a select school in Stark county. After his marriage in the spring of 1858 he located at old Fort McArthur, and the log house which he built there with its corner posts was the first of its kind in Hardin county. Hle left there in 1880, in the meantime having purchased one hundred and fifty acres in IIale township, and building a substantial residence, and in 1897 he left that Hale township farm to come to Taylor Creek township, here purchasing his farm opposite Grange Hall. He followed a general line of farming, making the raising of Jersey cattle, Poland China hogs and sheep a special feature of his business, and he has the largest yoe sheep in Hardin county, the animal weighing three hundred pounds. He is also inter- ested in a patent mower, for which he invented a swath cleaner and improved swath board and which he had patented in the United States and in Canada.
While Mr. Raney has ever been faithful in citizenship and in civil life, his military career also redounds to his credit as a loyal and faithful soldier of the Union. On the 28th of July, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, as a private under Lieutenant England, and for three years he served with the Army of General Burnside. While following Morgan through Ohio, Mr. Raney received his first wound, and following General Sherman to Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, June 28, 1864, he was shot through the back of the neck, the same bullet wounding another soldier. They lay under the entrench- ments on the field until carried to a place of safety, and when partially recovered were taken to a division hospital for treatment. While on a three days' absence from the hospital Mr. Raney visited his regiment and finding no commanding officer of his rank he took charge and par- ticipated in the second day's fight at Nashville, Tennessee. He received his first promotion as second lieutenant on the 10th of November. 1863, while on the 10th of February, 1864, he was commissioned a first lieu- tenant, promoted to captain February 6, 1865, mustered out of the service on the 12th of the following June at Camp Harker, Tennessee, as a brevet major. Shortly after his return home Mr. Raney was elected the sheriff of Hardin county, entering the office the 1st of January, 1866, and during the years 1883-4-5-6 he represented his county in the state legislature. Throughout his membership in the house, covering two terms, he was a member of the Soldiers, Sailors and Orphans Home at Xenia, Ohio, and against great odds he succeeded in gaining for the home an appropriation of eight hundred dollars for a training blacksmith shop to be installed therein, and Mr. Raney got a bill passed to erect a new county jail costing $40,000. His labors as a
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY 1
legislator were far reaching and effective. During the World's Fair at Chicago he was commissioned to represent Hardin county on wheat in the agricultural department. Since 1902 he has served as a justice of the peace in Taylor Creek township, and on the 31st of October, 1890, he was greatly honored by being made the department commander of a Union veteran organization, with headquarters at Kenton. He is a member and has served in all the offices of Silver Creek Grange, No. 1570, is a member and a past officer of the Odd Fellows fraternity, and is a member of the United Methodist church. He is also a member and the commander of the Grand Army post at Roundhead. He with a number of others were the builders of the first graveled pike which was built one and a half miles out on the Kenton and Lima road.
On the 30th of September, 1856, Mr. Raney was married to Eliza- beth Smith, and they became the parents of the following children : Jessie D., whose home is in Columbus; Lydia, the wife of Harris Steven- son, and they have four children; Mattie, wife of William Winner, of Silver Creek, and they have eight children, the eldest son being also married and having one child; and Eveline, also in Columbus. Mr. Raney married for his second wife Lulu Kremplebein, a daughter of John and Mary Kremplebein, and they have a daughter, Dorsey, aged fourteen years and now in school.
WILLIAM H. GETZ, one of the representative farmers of Washington township, Hardin county, Ohio, has resided here for nearly two decades, and since 1897 has owned his present farm, which comprises a hundred acres of choice and valuable land. Mr. Getz is a native of Snyder county, Pennsylvania, and was born and reared on a farm, the date of his birth being November 29, 1856. His parents, Henry and Caroline (Booger) Getz, both natives of the "Keystone State," had a family of eight children, namely: Mary, William H., Perry D., George M., Catherine E., Emma C., John and Daniel W. The last two named are deceased. Henry Getz, the father, was born on the 28th of February, 1831, and died on July 14, 1899. He was a soldier in the Civil war, Company HI, One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. He enlisted, in 1863, for one year, at the end of which time he was honoraby discharged; then he reenlisted, and remained with his command until the close of hostilities, when he again received an honorable discharge. During his service he was an active participant in several hotly contested battles; he received two slight wounds, one on the back of his neck and the other on his hand, and he returned home with a record for valor and fearlessness.
In 1877, on reaching his majority, William H. Getz left the old home in Pennsylvania and went to Arlington, Hancock county, Ohio, where he remained until 1888. Since that date he has been a resident of Wash- ington township, Hardin county, his postoffice being Williamstown. During this time he has been honored with local office. For over six years he was township trustee and for the past nine years he has been a member of the school board. He began life in Hardin county with only eleven dollars and fifty cents and a wife.
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In 1888, in his native county, Mr. Getz married Miss Jane E. Greenhoe, and seven children have been given to them, namely: Mary E., who is now the wife of J. E. Moses; Vernon C., who married Miss Margaret West ; Mabel D .; Ralph H .; Ruth ; Leonard, and a child that died in infancy. Mr. Getz is a Christian gentleman, a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, and by his upright, honorable life he has won the esteem of his fellow citizens.
Mr. Reuben Greenhoe, father of Mrs. Getz, was in the Civil war for three years and died at the age of sixty-five on May 27. 1899. Hle was born and always lived in Snyder county, Pennsylvania, a tanner by trade and a good one. His wife's name was Rachel (Winter) Greenhoe. She died aged sixty-four and was also a native of Synder county. Pennsyl- vania. They had eight children: Anna, Jane, Charles, died when small, Mary, Frank (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Libbie and William. All live in Pennsylvania but Libbie, who lives in New Jersey.
A. J. GARMON is one of the agriculturists of Washington township. where he owns a splendidly improved estate of one hundred and thirty- six acres of choice farming land and on which he raises the best of crops. This farm has been purchased at various times since his removal to Hardin county in 1881, and as a whole it is a valuable and desirable property. Thirty-six acres of the traet were purchased in 1893, fifty acres in 1898 and the remaining fifty in 1902, and new and splendid buildings now complete this estate. Mr. Garmon was born in Hancock county, Ohio, in 1865, being there also reared and educated, and reach- ing man's estate he chose farming as his vocation. Ile is a son of John and Catherine (Miller) Garmon, who came from their native common- wealth of Pennsylvania to Hancock county, Ohio, during an early period in the county's history, in 1858, and they owned a farm of sixty acres there. Their children were as follows: Fannie, Clara. Trella, Frank- lin, Delilah, A. J. and Millie. John Garmon was born in Pennsylvania in 1840, and died in Washington township, Hardin county, Ohio, in 1903. He came here in 1881, and became the owner of a farm of eighty-seven and a half acres, the present home of his widow. She has reached the age of seventy-four years.
A. J. Garmon has been twice married, wedding first Miss Nora E .. a daughter of W. K. and Lucretia Zehner, and she died in 1902, leaving two children, Edna L. and Lauren. Mr. Garmon married for his second wife Miss Florence A. Zehner, a sister of his former wife. The second marriage was solemnized in 1904. They belong to the Grange.
DR. USHER PARSONS LEIGHTON, who was for many years associated with the political and public circles of Kenton, Ohio, and vicinity. be- longed to a family that has lived for many generations in America, and they have taken their part in promoting general welfare and progress wherever found. Usher P. Leighton was born at Eliot. Maine. March 16, 1810, and died at Kenton, Ohio, August 26, 1878. His memory is still tenderly cherished by those who had the pleasure of knowing him intimately and appreciating his many good qualities.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY
The emigrant ancestor of this family was born in Devonshire, England, about 1625, and about 1650 came to America, settling at Kittery, Maine. His name was Captain William Leighton; he was a ship-master and a man of intelligence and education. Captain Leighton married Katherine, daughter of Nicholas Frost, of Kittery, who was born at Tiverton, England, in August, 1633. By this union there were five children.
The father of Usher P. Leighton, Samuel (called General Samuel) Leighton, was born in Kittery, Maine, May 25, 1771, and died at Alfred, Maine, in October, 1848. He was married, in December, 1799, to Frances Usher, daughter of William Parsons, of Alfred. Samuel Leighton was a man of considerable prominence and influence, and served as representative from his district to the general assembly at Boston, in 1809. He served as justice of the peace for thirty-five years and was appointed judge of the court of sessions of York county, in 1820. He was quite active in military affairs, having been appointed ensign, by General Hancock, August 20, 1792; colonel in 1800 and brigadier general in 1818. He was the father of ten children, of whom Usher P. was the seventh.
Usher P. Leighton came to MeCutehenville, Ohio, in 1831, and there read medicine with Dr. Sampson. In 1833-34 he attended medical lectures at Bowdoin College, of Brunswick, Maine, and in 1835 received a diploma from Brown's University, of Providence, Rhode Island. In March, 1836, Dr. Leighton came to Kenton and commenced the practice of medicine, becoming very successful. He soon won his way into the hearts and confidence of the people of the community, and built up a fine practice. He was a nephew of Dr. Usher Parsons, of Providence, Rhode Island, for whom he was named. Dr. Parsons distinguished himself as a surgeon while with Commodore Perry, in the battle on Lake Erie, and his wife was a sister of Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Dr. Leighton was elected three times treasurer of Hardin county and discharged his duties with honor and credit. He was instrumental in founding the First Presbyterian church, in Kenton, Ohio, donating the lot upon which it was built and considerable lumber for its erection. He founded the Pioneer Association of Hardin county, July 4, 1871, and was its president while he lived. He was always ready to contribute to any worthy benevolent cause and had at heart the welfare of the com- munity. He was an active member of the Odd Fellows.
January 19, 1840, Dr. Leighton married Ellen Houser, danghter of Jacob Houser. She was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, September 7, 1822. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and moved to Kenton in 1832, entering many acres of land. Hle donated land for a public square and courthouse in Kenton.
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