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 56
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In 1890 Mr. Hensel married Alvinsie, daughter of Charles Hill, a well-to-do farmer of Hardin county, and to this union have been born six children, namely: Charles. Dean, Catherine, Harry, Lucile and Helen. Mrs. Hensel is also a native of Washington township, born in 1871.
BENSON M. HOPKINS, a well known and distinctively popular citizen of the village of Alger is entitled to special credit for the success he has gained through his own indefatigable efforts, as he has been dependent upon his own resources from his boyhood days and has had his full share of the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune," so far as they are ever directed against the one who thus fights the battle of life for himself.
Mr. Hopkins is a native of the old Buckeye state and here the major portion of his life thus far has been spent. He was born in Morgan county, Ohio, on the 15th of July, 1869, and is a son of James and Mary (Breeze) Hopkins. When but six years of age he was entrusted to the
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care of others than his parents, and for several years thereafter he found his home an uncertain quantity, not only in loeation but in meriting the name. He received but meager educational advantages, but has learned well the lessons to be gained in the school of practical experience, and is known as a capable business man and as a citizen of sterling integrity of character. Ile devoted his attention principally to farm work until he had attained to the age of nineteen years, after which he was engaged in mining work for about two years. Thereafter he was in the employ of the C. S. & A. R. R. He worked for this company on its coal docks and also as "hostler" of a locomotive, turning his attention to any honest occupation that would afford him due financial returns for his efforts.
In 1903 Mr. Hopkins took up his residence in the village of Alger, Hardin county, where he has since maintained his home and where he is held in unqualified popular esteem. Soon after his arrival here he leased a portion of the fertile marsh land lying contiguons to the village and he put this into effective use in the raising of melons and a large variety of vegetables. Ile found a ready market for his products and built up a prosperous business, in which he has since continued, having recently released the land for a period of five years. As a market- gardener he has gained a high reputation for his discrimination and effective handling of the various details of his enterprse. He is the owner of a fine residence property on Front street, and also owns two full lots and two fractional lots in the Dunlap addition to the village. In polities Mr. Hopkins is a stanch supporter of the cause of the Repub- lican party and both he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Hopkins was united in marriage to Miss Rosetta Roberts, who was born and reared in Perry county, this state, and they have three children, whose names, with respective dates of birth, are here noted : Noble B., February 21, 1896; Charles A., February 28, 1903; and Dale, February 15, 1908.
HENRY CONKLIN .- One of the most prominent of Hardin county's business men whose enterprise and sound judgment have not only pro- moted individual prosperity but have advanced the public welfare is mentioned Ilenry Conklin, the promoter and operator of the Mt. Victory electric light plant. Mr. Conklin was born in Jones county, Iowa. December 15, 1856. Samuel Conklin, his father, was born in Hardin county, becoming a laborer and farmer, and he moved from here to Marion county, Ohio, and from there to Iowa in 1855, but returned to Marion county during the infancy of his son Henry. He was a farmer there for some time, but finally sold his farm and with his family moved to Pulaski county, Indiana, but again he returned to Ohio, and settling in Mt. Victory he died here. His wife, Hannah, was a daughter of John Preston, a Marion county farmer, and their family numbered the following children: William, a farmer in Arenae county. Michigan ; Riley, living in Mt. Victory ; Mary Ellen, wife of Orr Pyers, also in Mt. Victory; Elmira, of this city; and Henry.
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Henry Conklin after leaving school at the age of fifteen learned and followed for two years the carpenter's trade, later was engaged in the timher and lumber business, and in 1881 began the operation of a saw mill in connection with his lumbering. On the 15th of April. 1906, he completed what was then and has since remained the only electric plant in this vicinity, and this plant furnishes both the light and power for Mt. Victory and the surrounding country. This is one of the valued and important institutions of the city, and Mr. Conklin may well feel proud of what he has accomplished in the way of public improvement and the success he has achieved.
He married on the 2d of May, 1879, Sarah E. Peaver. She was born on the 16th of December, 1856, in Hardin county, a daughter of John and Sarah (Thomas) Peaver, honored pioneers of the county. Mrs. Conklin has the following brothers and sisters: George and James, both deceased; Jane, the wife of Ross Campbell, a carpenter living in Missouri; and Edith, also deceased. Five children have blessed the marriage union of Mr. and Mrs. Conklin : Charles, who married Jennie Seidel, and they are living in Goshen, Indiana; Samuel, at home with his parents; Harry Clyde, who married Daisy Callahan, and they are living in Mt. Victory; Nellie, wife of Elmer Shirk, and they have a son Francis Edmond, the only grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Conklin; and Marie, in school. Mr. Conklin gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party.
JOHN H. CULP .- A well known and highly esteemed resident of Mt. Victory. John H. Culp has spent a large part of his active life in Hardin county, contributing to its industrial interests both as an agriculturist and as a merchant, in the meantime gaining for himself the reputation of one who deserves the confidence and trust of his fellow men. A son of Jacob Culp, he was born, March 23. 1862, in Marion, Ohio. He is of German descent, and has inherited in a marked degree the habits of industry and thrift characteristic of his ancestors. His grandfather, J. Culp, was a baker by trade, and, with his wife, Katie Culp, lived to a good old age.
Born in Durlach, Germany. Jacob Culp was there brought up and educated. Following the tide of emigration across the Atlantic, he came to America in 1851, locating in Marion, Ohio, where he followed his trade of a stone mason for several years. Investing his money then in land, he was afterwards employed in tilling the soil until his death, in 1882, at the comparatively early age of fifty-six years. He married Katie Fulmer, who was born sixty-six years ago in Germany, which was the life-long home of her parents. She came from the Fatherland with her uncle, Lewis Fulmer, who settled in Marion, Ohio, and subsequently, during the Civil war, fought bravely in defence of his adopted country. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Culp, namely: Jacob, a farmer in Meade county, Kansas; Susan, wife of H. Muth, a gardener in Mansfield, Ohio; John II., with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Charles, of Prospect, Ohio; Mary, wife of George Muth, of Mansfield; William, a cabinet maker in Columbus; Frank, an attorney, residing in
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Butler, Ohio; and Arthur, living with his mother on the old homestead.
Leaving school at the age of thirteen years, John II. Culp assisted his father in clearing the home farm for five years, after which he again attended school for two years. Subsequently, having earned some money by working three years in a bakery, he embarked in agricultural pursuits, renting land for two years in Hale township. Ile was then similarly employed in Dudley township for a year, from there going to Marion county, where he had the entire supervision of the Gill farm until 1899, a period of eight years. Mr. Culp then bought a farm on the pike, and there carried on general farming with success until 1907, when he sold at an advantage. Coming then to Mt. Victory, Hardin county, he turned his attention to an entirely different kind of business, buying a restaurant and a grocery, which he has since conducted in an able manner, at the same time having a good trade in hay, of which he is an extensive buyer and shipper.
Mr. Culp married, in 1886, Mary A. Self, who was born in Marion county, Ohio, in 1868, being a daughter of William Self, a venerable and highly respected farmer, now eighty-six years of age. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Culp, namely : Floyd, who married Bessie Moore, died March 29, 1908, aged twenty-three years, leaving one child, Mary Elizabeth Culp; Charley, born in 1887, living on the home farm; and John, born in 1892, attending school. In his political affiliations Mr. Culp is a steadfast Democrat, and is now serving as trustee of Ilale township. Fraternally he is a member of the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows; of the Knights of Pythias; and of Mt. Victory Tent, K. O. T. M. Mrs. Culp belongs to the Daughters of Rebekah, and to the Pythian Sisters, and is an active member of the Church of God.
CHRISTIAN KRAFT, one of the worthy farmers of Washington town- ship, Hardin county, Ohio, is of German descent and belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county. His grandfather, John Kraft, with his wife and son, William, came from Germany in 1833, landing at Baltimore, Maryland, and going direct to Wheeling, Virginia, to the home of their son, John. They traveled by post, the trip to Wheeling taking seventeen days. After one year's residence here, during which the mother died, John Kraft with his son William and William's wife came to Hardin county and during the remainder of their lives they were residents of this county.
The parents of Christian Kraft, William and Louisa (Stratton) Kraft, settled in Washington township in 1834, and here the father purchased two hundred acres of unimproved land, which in due time he converted into a beautiful farm. In coming from Wheeling, Virginia, which was two hundred miles away, the mother of Mr. Kraft related that the roads were so bad they were oftentimes obliged to get out of the wagon and walk, and in some places had to cut poles to lay across the road; it took two weeks to make the trip. For many years the home was the typical log house of the pioneer. They used an old horse mill on which they ground corn for meal, and also an old grater, like a horse-
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radish grater, only very much larger. They had no stoves and did all their cooking in the fire-place. Bread was baked in kettles with long legs and heavy iron lids. These kettles were placed in the fire-place, the heavy iron lids were heated and put on and over the lids coals were also placed. In those days Indians were numerous and would come to the house and ask for something to eat. Sheep had to be penned up at night to protect them from the ravages of wolves, bears and other wild beasts. The nearest grist mill was forty miles away at West Liberty, Logan county, the road to which was mostly through the woods. The round trip to the mill took two weeks and sometimes the family would be without flour for several days before the father's return, during which time they would live on roasted potatoes served with butter, which the children thought delightful. There was no well on the place and water had to be carried from neighboring farms. Like all German people, William and Louisa Kraft were thrifty and economical and good loyal citizens of their adopted country. William Kraft died at his home in this county in 1850, but his wife, who was born in 1815, survived him until 1889.
Christian Kraft was born September 24, 1845, on his father's farm in Washington township, and here he was reared and here he has always lived. Ile is the owner of three tracts of choice land containing four hundred and twelve acres, under a high state of cultivation. He figures as one of the prominent men of the community, the offices of land ap- praiser and township treasurer having been held by him. In 1876, Mr. Kraft was married to Miss Louisa Hensel, who was born in Wash- ington township, May 31, 1854, and to them have been given six children : John A., George W., L. M., Mary, Irwin and Marie.
DAVID S. TOUGH is the present chairman of the board of trustees of Taylor Creek township and one of the representative farmers and busi- ness men of his community. He was born on the homestead on which he now lives on the 11th of March, 1870. David Tough, his father, born in Scotland in September of 1830, came to America at the age of twenty- four and was for seven years engaged in blacksmithing in Urbana, Ohio, coming then in 1862 to HIardin county, and locating on the tract that now forms a part of the old Tough homestead in Taylor Creek township. This little farm of fifty-six acres at the time of the purchase was covered with timber, but Mr. Tough in time cleared the tract, built his home and transformed the tract into a splendid farm. In the city of Springfield, Ohio, in 1861, David Tough was married to Miss Janet Cummings, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1832, a daughter of James and Margaret (MacBeth) Cummings, the father a shipbuilder in Aberdeen. There was a son and a daughter born of that union, and the latter, Jessie, is the wife of William Harbert, a printer in Chicago, Illinois.
David S. Tough has spent his entire life on the homestead where he now lives, a splendid tract of one hundred and thirty-five acres, and he is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is serving his second term as chairman of the board of trustees of Taylor Creek township, and he also served his township two terms as a constable. He is an active Republican worker in local politics.
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In 1895 Mr. Tough was married to Amy Stout, who was born on the old Stout homestead in McDonald township, Hardin county, on the 24th of April, 1875, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Bell) Stout. Joseph Stout also had his nativity on the homestead mentioned, his father, Daniel Stout, having come here from Pennsylvania. He married Barbara Zahllers, a member of another of the pioneer families of Hardin county. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stout are living, the former at the age of sixty-two and the latter at the age of fifty-nine. She is a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Bergert) Bell. Mr. and Mrs. Stout became the parents of seven children, and the brothers and sisters of Mrs. Tough are Elsie Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Corwin, a merchant in Belle Center ; Denny E., at home with his parents; Mary Agnes, the wife of George Dillon, a farmer at Roundhead; Anna Bell, the wife of Roy Liles, in MeDonald township; Willard E., on the homestead with his parents; and Floyd Ivan, also with his parents. The four children of Mr. and Mrs. Tough are: Ethel, born in 1896; Mary, in 1897; Bessie, in 1898; and Agnes, in 1904. The eldest daughter, Ethel, at the age of twelve, passed successfully the examination which entitled her to free tuition in any high school in the state of Ohio. The family are members of the Presbyterian church at Belle Center.
WILLIAM H. MCGRAW .- There are many fine farms in Hardin coun- ty, Ohio, that owe a great deal of their good condition to the owners, who have spent much time and effort to bring them up to the high standard maintained by farmers of the present day. Among the enterprising farmers of Hale township is William II. MeGraw, who was born in Plain City, Ohio, March 28, 1867, and is a son of Patrick and Kate (MeLaughlin) McGraw. Patrick McGraw is a native of Ireland, who has now reached the age of ninety years, and is living retired near Kenton. He came from Ireland when a young man and settled on a farm near Plain City, where he followed farming some years, and then came to the farm where he now resides. His wife, also a native of Ireland, who came to the United States when a girl, has now reached the venerable age of eighty-six years. They are members of the Catholic
church at Summit. Besides William, he and his wife had the following children : Daniel, living at home on the farm; Lawrence, also at home; Maggie, wife of J. McGraw; Mary, married J. Connell, of Kenton, where he is a teamster; and John, living on a farm near Ashley, Ohio.
William H. McGraw received a good common school education and when he had reached the age of sixteen years he began assisting his father on the farm, which he continued until twenty-two years of age, when he worked for others until his marriage. He settled on the farm he now occupies in 1898, and has been since that time actively engaged in farming and stock raising. He has adopted the most modern methods and meets with a high degree of success. He is a Republican in political views, although he has never cared for public office, devoting himself closely to the interests of his farm.
In 1890 Mr. MeGraw married Cordelia Allen, who was born in De- cember, 1874, a daughter of Charles and Jane (Kelly) Allen. Charles
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Allen, a retired farmer of Mt. Victory, has reached the age of sixty- eight years. His wife is sixty-five years of age. Mr. Allen is a veteran of the Civil war and is a son of Ethan Allen, who was one of the largest stock dealers in Fayette county, Ohio; the family of Mrs. MeGraw came from Fayette to Hardin county in 1874 and settled in Hale township, where they lived on a farm many years; later Mr. Allen engaged in livery business at Mt. Victory for a time, but is now living retired. Mr. MeGraw and his wife have been blessed with two children: Dorothea, born April 7, 1900, and Charles, born December 6, 1894.
JAMES T. PORTER, a retired farmer and stockman of Taylor Creek township, was born on the old homestead January 17, 1844, and is a son of Andrew and Rebecca (Dunlop) Porter. Andrew Porter's father located in Green county, Ohio, in 1804, and lived there the remainder of his life. He served in the war of 1812. His wife, Jane Porter, died in 1844.
Andrew Porter was a native of Kentucky, born May 11, 1800, and died October 6, 1867. He followed farming all his life and in 1832 settled on what became the family homestead in Taylor Creek township, where he took up one hundred and twenty-two acres of land. This farm was in the woods and Mr. Porter set out to improve his land and erected a log cabin for the family home. He spent the remainder of his life on this farm and became successful as a farmer. He was a member of the Disciples church. He was a strong Whig and held various town- ship offices. He was married, September 29, 1830, to Rebecca Dunlop, who was born in Morgan county, Ohio, in 1805. Besides James T. Porter his parents had children as follows: Freeman, a farmer of Taylor Creek township; Mary Ann, wife of O. Howell, of Belle Center, Ohio; Jane, widow of J. Lowery, of Belle Center; and Susan, wife of G. C. Aldrich, of California.
The early years of James T. Porter were spent on a farm and he received his education in the district schools. At the age of seventeen years he enlisted in Company D, Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving three months under Captain Riddle. In 1864 he reenlisted for three years and served under Generals Thomas and Howard. He par- ticipated in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and Springhill. He was mustered out in 1865, at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, and returned home. After the death of his father he carried on the farm for his mother and cared for her until her death, in 1886. His father had built the first brick house in Hardin county, manufacturing his own brick.
Mr. Porter and his brother bought the shares of the other heirs to the homestead and settled there in 1877. He has made a specialty of stock raising and often wintered as many as two hundred hogs for sale in the spring. For the past five years he has been retired from active work, but still lives on the farm. He has made all possible improve- ments and has been a most enterprising, progressive farmer. He has worked hard all his life until the last few years and met with gratifying success.
September 2, 1869, Mr. Porter married Sarah J. Kauffman, who was
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born in Riehland county, Ohio, September 1. 1849, daughter of John and Mary (Shaffner) Kauffman, the latter of whom died in 1907. Mrs. Kauffman was a member of St. Paul Methodist church and an active worker for the church and the Ladies' Aid Society. Mrs. Porter has two sisters,-Mary, wife of W. Moy, a farmer living north of Kenton, and Lydia, wife of George Stone, also a farmer. Mr. Porter and his wife became parents of children as follows: Chase, born July 23, 1870, a merchant of Richmond, married Madeline LaChance and they have two children, Bernard and Fred; Albert J., born November 28, 1871, a real - estate dealer of Marion county, Ohio, married (first) Jennie Jeffers, by whom he had one child, Lois, and (second) Bernice Laughlin, by whom he had one child, Helen ; Marshall, born June 11, 1874, an undertaker of Kenton, married Elizabeth Fisher and they have one child, Emma; William A., born in 1878, a farmer of Logan county, married Catherine Titus and they have two children, Ralph and Lulu; Mary I., born in 1881, married Harry Van Fleet, a dentist of Toledo, and they have two children, Ethel and Margaret; Charles E., born September 18, 1884, lives at home with his parents; Mina C., born October 10, 1887, lives at home; and Lydia, born February 9, 1890, is at home.
Mr. Porter and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church of Belle Center. He is a member of the blue lodge of Masons in Belle Center, Lodge No. 348, and of the chapter of Kenton. Both he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Ile belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post at Kenton. Politically Mr. Porter is a stanch Republican. He has served thirty years as member of the school board and is at present chairman of same. He served two terms as land appraiser and has also been delegate to political conventions. Mr. Porter is well known in the community where his entire life has been spent, and is highly esteemed.
HARVEY BUCKMINSTER, who was for many years a resident of Ken- ton, Ohio, was a native of Vermont, born in 1800. When he was thirteen months old he was left an orphan and was adopted into the family of Stephen Strong, with whom he lived until twenty-seven years of age. Ile then entered the employ of a Mr. Smith, who hired him to drive a team over the mountains to Little Sandusky and defrayed the expenses of the trip. Mr. Buckminster worked one month for a doctor in the town and in December, 1827. engaged to work for a Mr. Chaffee, who conducted a hotel at Tymochtee (in an Indian reservation), caring for the stage horses, at four dollars per month and his board. While in this town Mr. Buckminster became acquainted with a Mr. Brown, from New Hampshire, who was the founder of Browntown, near Marseilles, and conducted a hotel in the new town. Mr. Buckminster left his position soon after and began working for Mr. Brown, about the time of his marriage. Ile married Miss Abigail Brown, his employer's daughter February 22, 1828, and in May of the same year he was employed by A. L. Hunt to drive a stage between Upper Sandusky and Bellefontaine. Ohio.
In 1839 Mr. Buckminster purchased a farm in Hardin county, Ohio.
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near Grassy Point, and established a tavern, which his wife conducted, while he continued driving stage. About a year later he entered the employ of the North American Fur Company, purchasing furs through the northwestern part of Ohio, also traveling as far north as Detroit, Michigan, making his trips on horseback. During the thirteen years he was employed with this concern he paid out some $75,000 for furs, and became well known throughout the territory over which he traveled. IIe discontinued his tavern at Grassy Point in 1842 and purchased a farm on the old Sandusky road, where he erected a log tavern and he and his wife conducted same with success and profit for a period of some sixteen years.
About 1858 Mr. Buckminster rented his farm and tavern and retired from active life, settling in the town of Kenton. He had worked hard all his life and had been successful through his own efforts, ably seconded by his wife, and they were highly respected wherever they were known. They endured the hardships common to pioneer and frontier life, and had well earned the rest they were ready to enjoy. Mrs. Buckminster died in 1868 and the following year Mr. Buckminster married Miss Ellen MeConaha, of West Liberty, Ohio, who was left an orphan in early childhood. By his first wife Mr. Buckminster had three children, namely : Jane, Louisa and Serena. By his second marriage he had one daughter, Amelia, wife of J. A. Morrison, of Kenton. Mr. Buckminster died in January, 1894, survived by his widow, who passed away in 1901. Hle was greatly interested in the progress and development of the county and was always ready to do his share in furthering any good cause. Politically he was a stanch Republican and he attended the Episcopal church, although he never became a member. He became a well-known citizen of Kenton, and was able to relate many interesting experiences of pioneer days. He had witnessed great changes in his lifetime. Coming to Ohio when the settlers were scatterd and the roads poor and but little traveled, he lived to see many wonderful im- provements and witnessed the gradual upbuilding and growth of towns and settlements where he had first seen their sites covered with timber.
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