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 9
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After reaching the age of fifteen years JJacob G. Casper began working for his father. He attended the country schools and remained at home until twenty-four years of age. He then began carrying on his own farm near the old homestead. where he built a house. Four years later he removed to the Holland farm, where he spent six years and then removed to his present home. He has one hundred and seven- ty-six acres of land, having purchased one hundred and eleven acres of the old Casper homestead in 1908. Ile carries on general farming. paying special attention to stock-raising. Ile is a member of the Reformed church and is also a member of the Hepburn lodge of Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a Democrat, and although he has never eared for public office he served as trustee of Goshen township.
On February 7. 1889, Mr. Casper married Sophia Margaret Pheif- fer, who was born September 21. 1867. in Goshen township, daughter of John and Margaret ( Hile) Pheiffer. John Pheiffer was born in Pleas- ant township, Hardin county, July 13, 1838, and died February 28. 1905, at the age of sixty years. He was the son of Adam and Sophia (Elsessor) Pheiffer, who came from Hessen, Germany, in 1837. His widow, who has now reached the age of sixty-nine years, lives with Mrs. Casper. She was born December 26, 1840, and is a daughter of Nicho- las and Elizabeth ( Rasenmeyer) Hile, who came from Hessen, Germany.
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In 1878 John Pheiffer moved to the old Wheeler farm, which was an old landmark, and Pheiffer Station was named for him. He lived at this historie place which was a tavern at one time, until his death. He was a farmer and also for several years conducted a general store, being also postmaster. The office of postmaster was held by some member of the family for fourteen years. His father Adam Pheiffer, and his wife were among the earliest pioneers of Hardin county. John Pheiffer was a merchant and farmer and condneted a general store for five years, after which he operated a threshing machine for fifteen years. He owns three hundred and seventy acres of land. He died in 1879, at the age of sixty-six years. On June 26, 1859, he married Margaret IIile. Be-
sides Mrs. Casper he and his wife had children as follows: Elizabeth, wife of John Ault, of Larne; William, of Goshen township; Eva, wife of George Banning, of Hepburn; Anna, wife of F. Lanbus of Dudley township; Minnie, wife of D. Ward, of Pleasant township; Bessie, wife of B. Hume, of LaRue ; John M., of Forest ; JJoseph, pastor of the Metho- dist church of Clinton, Missouri; and Earl C., living with Mr. Casper.
Mr. Casper and his wife have three children, as follows: Ray F., born in 1890; Irwin, born in 1898; and Frieda Mabel, born in 1901; all are living at home. Mr. Casper is an enterprising and public spirited citizen and is well known in the community. HIe is well liked and held in high esteem by his fellows.
GEORGE ELSASSER .- One of the oldest residents of Dudley township Hardin county, Ohio, is George Elsassar, who is a retired farmer living on his homestead in that township. He was born in Kurhessen, Ger- many, August 20, 1836. ITis father, John Elsasser, who was born in 1816, came to America with his parents, Ludwig and Elizabeth (Bohm) Elsasser, in 1850. They settled in Hardin county, where they pur- chased seventy aeres of land, which they cleared. Ludwig Elsasser died two years after reaching Hardin county, at the age of seventy-three years, and his widow survived him two years, passing away at the age of seventy-five years. John Elsasser continued on this farm until his death at the age of seventy-seven years. HIe was married in Germany, and his wife, who was a daughter of a Mr. Bishop, died at the age of seventy-three years. Mr. Elsasser was a member of the Lutheran church, and very active in politieal affairs, being a Republican. He was an influential citizen and highly respected in the community. George has two brothers living, Henry and William, the latter an employe at the State Infirmary.
After attending school three months in Hardin county, George Elsasser worked on the farm with his parents. He enlisted in April, 1861, in Company G. Fourth Ohio, for three months, and then at the expiration of his time reenlisted for three years. Ile was discharged at Camp Keys, Virginia, on account of disability. He served first in the Army of the Potomac and later in the Army of the Cumberland, participating in some of the most important battles of the war. Re- turning home, he followed farming near Kenton, and also worked forty years with a threshing machine in connection with his farming opera-
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tions. Later he moved to the old Smith farm in Pleasant township. also engaged in operating a sawmill three years in Paulding county, and managed a mill in Kentucky for a time. Later he removed to Hardin eounty and located on the Scioto river, where Pfeiffer is now located. He built a sawmill at Pfeiffer Station, which he carried on twelve years, and in 1897 purchased his present farm, where he carries on general farming and makes a specialty of stock raising, shipping considerable each year. He is accounted one of the representative farmers of the county, where the family is well known. He is a member of the German Lutheran church. He is a Republican in politics and has held several minor township offices. He is industrious and thrifty, and has well earned the rest he is now enjoying. Ile is a public-spirited and useful citizen, and has many friends.
In 1865 Mr. Elsasser married Catherine Glock, a native of Germany, who died January 19, 1871, at the age of thirty-two years. She was a daughter of Nicholas Gloek, and came to America as a girl of fourteen years, being employed in the family of General Robinson until her mar- riage. The children born to this union were: W. M., deceased; Margaret Bell, wife of George Darling, of Mechanicsburg; and John, who was born July 18. 1871, and now has full charge of his father's farm, managing his entire business, and has operated the threshing machine nineteen years.
Mr. Elsasser married for his second wife Naomi Brown, who was born March 6, 1836. a daughter of Amos and Susan (Bonner) Arhard. the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Germany. She came with her husband. Joe Brown, from Union county to Hardin county, in 1867. and there her husband died. She is the mother of seven children. two daughters and five sons, namely: Wallace, Augustus, Adolphus, David, C. B., Caroline and Susan. Mrs. Elsasser is a devout member of the Christian church.
ZELL H. BALLINGER .- There are many enterprising young farmers in Hardin connty, Ohio, who condnet their agricultural operations along scientific lines, and reap the maximum of profit from their land. Among the wide-awake farmers of Dudley township is Zell H. Ballinger, who was born Jannary 5, 1875. son of Thomas and Anna (Bishop) Ballinger. the former a native of Perry township. Logan county, born January 18, 1846, and died in 1888, and the latter, who was born in Zane township. Logan county March 14. 1845. died in March, 1906.
Henry Ballinger, father of Thomas. married Caroline Moore. Thomas Ballinger was married in 1868 and located in Hardin county the following year, on the farm now occupied by his son. He was a promi- nent farmer owning one hundred and fifteen acres of good land, and became a local preacher for the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose interest he was an active worker. He was a Whig and later became an ardent Republican, and served as treasurer of the township and for years as a member of the school board. He was married in August. 1868. in East Liberty, to Anna Bishop, who was born in Logan county March 14, 1845. to James and Eliza (Inkeep) Bishop. both natives of
Vol. II-5
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Chillicothe. Zell has one brother living, Earl, a farmer of Dudley township, who married Maud Fannen. He has a brother and a sister deceased. The brother, Charles E., lived to the age of thirty-four, dying in 1900. He was the oldest of the children, and was born and raised on the old homestead, like the other boys he became a farmer. He married Lizzie Kelsey, of Dudley township, a daughter of Newton and Rachel Kelsey. They had one son, Lawrence, who is with his mother, a resident of Dudley township.
Zell H. Ballinger attended school until fourteen years of age, re- ceiving a fair education. At that time his father died, and in company with his brother he carried on the farm for his mother until he was twenty-five years of age. He then moved to a farm of his own, where he remained five years, then rented the old Heckerthorn farm three years, after which he came to the homestead where he now resides, he and his brother having purchased the estate. They carry on general farming with success, and are accounted among the leading farmers of the county. The Ballinger family is well known in Hardin county, where they have been prominent for many years. They have always been public-spirited citizens, and interested in the welfare of the community and the cause of progress.
Mr. Ballinger is a stanch Republican and active in the interests of his party, having taken an active part in political matters since attaining his majority. He has served many years as committee-man. He is a prominent Mason, being affiliated with the chapter, council and com- mandery, as well as the Blue Lodge of Kenton. Ile also belongs to the Maccabees of Hepburn, and has filled all the chairs in the lodge. He and his wife are devont and earnest members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Kenton.
On April 21, 1896, Mr. Ballinger married Minnie Koch, who was born November 19, 1872, in Dudley township, a daughter of Ludwig and Elizabeth (Blankner) Koch, the former a native of Germany. Mr. Koch died in 1887, at the age of seventy-four years and six months. Upon coming to America he located at Columbus, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of tailor, and later came to Dudley township. Still later he bought a farm near Kenton, where he spent the remainder of his life. His widow is living at Kenton, and is now seventy-one years of age. Mrs. Ballinger has six sisters and two brothers living, namely: John, a farmer living in Michigan; William, a farmer living near Kenton; Lena, who married George Trapp, a carpenter living at Columbus, Ohio; Mary, wife of John Van Fleet, of Kenton ; Anna, wife of Henry Bloom, of Kenton ; Margaret, wife of C. Robey, of Kenton; Ida, wife of William Haggard, of Kenton ; and Lilly, wife of C. Moore, of Kenton.
Mr. Ballinger and his wife have children as follows: Gladys Wilhelmine, born May 27, 1897; Elwood Thomas, born August 22, 1899; and Arthur Ludwig, born April 19, 1909.
JOSEPH V. KELLY, an intelligent and progressive farmer of Dudley township, Hardin county, Ohio, was born in that township March 12, 1844. His father, Benjamin Kelly, who was born in Pennsylvania, in
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1800. eame with his family to Ohio in 1835, settling first in Marion county ; later he came to Hardin county, where he cleared eighty acres of land and ereeted a log cabin. In 1847 he erected a small frame house of black walnut, which is still standing on the old homestead. He lived here the remainder of his life, and passed away in 1865. Ile was a cooper by trade. He was a member of the United Brethren church, and was not actively interested in political matters. Benjamin Kelly married Martha Snoddy, who died in 1871. at the age of seventy years. Mr. Kelly and his wife had fifteen children, of whom Joseph was the youngest son. Besides Joseph three others are living, namely : Isabel, wife of William Davis, a farmer of Dudley township; Lucinda, wife of Samnel Smith; and Ellen, widow of B. Walters, of Columbus, Ohio.
The boyhood of Joseph V. Kelly was spent on a farm and he received his edueation in the publie schools. He helped his father with the duties of the farm until twenty-one years old, then began farming on his own account, renting land. After the death of his father he pur- chased the shares of the other heirs to the old homestead, and his mother remained with him. In 1891 he erected a modern home. one of the finest residences in the section. He has one hundred and forty aeres of good fertile land, where he has for many years carried on farming and stoek raising. Mr. Kelly has retired from aetive work and his son has the principal management of his farm.
Politieally Mr. Kelly is a Republican, and active in the interests of his party, although he has never desired to hold public offiee himself. He is a member of the United Brethren church and has served many years as trustee of the same. Mr. Kelly has for many years been extensively interested in cattle, breeding and shipping Hereford stock.
In 1870 Mr. Kelly married Mary C. Lingo, born October 29, 1846, daughter of James H. and Emma ( Kepper) Lingo, and they became the parents of three children, two who died in infancy, and James Claude, born in 1874. James C. Kelly has spent his life on a farm and is well fitted to manage one to the best advantage. He married Daisy Cramer, born November 12. 1878, daughter of John and Emma ( Willison) Cramer ; Mr. Cramer was a farmer of Hancock county, Ohio, and died December 27. 1902, at the age of sixty-two years; his wife is living. at the age of fifty-nine years, in Dudley township. She is a daughter of George Willison and Elizabeth Hazelett. The father of John Cramer. Charles Cramer, was born in 1853, in Germany, on a steamer which was navigating on the Rhine. After migrating to America he settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he followed his trade of shoemaker. Ile was married at Arlington. in 1836. to Catherine Price, and died in 1866. His son John was born March 27. 1840, in Hancock county. John Cramer was a soldier in the Civil war, having enlisted in Company A. One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Infantry. Ile was reported dead but was later found by his father and brought home. James C. Kelly and his wife became the parents of children as follows: Lenard Ray. born August 27, 1899; John Merrill, born February 12. 1901: Laura Dill, born January 16, 1903; Emma Catherine, born April 28. 1905; and Joseph, who died in infancy.
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The wife of Joseph V. Kelly died August 24, 1909, and her death was mourned by the entire community. She was for many years an earnest, devout member of the United Brethren church, and active in the Ladies' Aid Society, as well as all other work connected with the church. Her lovely disposition and high character made her greatly beloved, and her presence will be greatly missed in many cireles. After leaving school she remained at home nntil her marriage. Mrs. Kelly was a kind neighbor, always ready to give aid and counsel to the sick and distressed, as well as to lend a helping hand to anyone who called upon her. She was a kind, indulgent mother, a faithful, loving wife, and her sorrowing family have the sympathy of all who know them. She was the fourth child of her parents, and is survived by four brothers and one sister.
IRA WILLIAMS .- Many farmers of Ilardin county have worked hard for many years to keep their land in good condition and acquire a competence, and have then retired to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Among the successful men of Dudley township, now retired from active life, is Ira Williams, who was born in Genesee county, New York, Nov- ember 17. 1831, a son of Frederick Williams. The latter was born in Warren, Connecticut. February 10, 1806, and was a son of Thorp and Clarissa (Peters) Williams, the former of whom died in 1867, at the age of eighty-seven. Frederick Williams settled in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1836, and in 1838 removed to Springboro, Pennsylvania, engaging in mercantile business, which he sold in 1840, and followed farming the remainder of his life. Ile was an enterprising, successful man, and fraternally was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Abbie Jenks, who was born in New York and died in April, 1882, aged seventy- one years. Of the children of Frederick Williams and his wife. Ira is the only one surviving.
The education of Ira Williams was obtained in Ohio, and at the age of twenty-one years he graduated from the common schools of Jef- ferson, Ohio. After his marriage he began work for the Lake Shore Railroad Company. at Conneaut, Ohio, in constructing bridges, and a year later removed to Clark county, where he worked at surveying the road from Springfield to Delaware, and later from Springfield to Co- lumbus. In 1855 he removed to Logan county, where he bought a farm, and a year later located in IJardin county, on his present farm, purehas- ing seven hundred and fifty acres. He has greatly improved his farm, and now has one of the most modern and convenient farm houses in his section of the county. Some six years ago he divided his land among his children. He has now retired from active life and his present farm is managed by renters. He was the largest land owner and most extensive farmer and stockman of Dudley township, where he is widely known and highly esteemed.
Mr. Williams married for his first wife, Hanna Louisa Greene, born May 14, 1834, in Springboro, Pennsylvania, daughter of Josiah Greene. The father was born April 16, 1802, in Wethersfield, New York,
Capterra Williams no Wifi
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dying August 17, 1838, and the mother born April 21, 1804, died Dee- ember 7, 1866. They had ten children, Mrs. Williams being the eighth child. She died October 17, 1871, leaving children as follows: Ethan, a manufacturer of Kenton, Ohio, married L. Barnett, and they have one child; Homer, deceased, who left two children : Emery, who married Eva Yost, and Edna, wife of D. Baker, who has one child; Abbie, wife of William Hampton, and has two children: Stella, wife of William Wentz, has one child, and Urilla, who married Al Roberts, of Greenup, Illinois, and they have three children; Hattie who married J. Pickett, a carpenter of California, and they have one child. Frederick; Ira, of Marion, Ohio, married Ella Bridget, and they have two children; Ella married William Hampton, of Dudley township, and they have four children; James married Bell Leadman, and they have one child; Frederick, who, at the age of thirteen, was accidentally killed by a gun shot from a neighbor's boy.
Mr. Williams married for his second wife Susan Smith, who was born August 27, 1848, a native of Hardin county, and a daughter of John and Elizabeth (MeNeil) Smith, the former a pioneer settler of Pleasant township, Hardin county, who came from Pennsylvania and was a eooper and shoemaker by trade. Elizabeth MeNeil was born in Pennsylvania, March 23, 1810. John Smith and his wife have two sons living: Samuel M. and Benjamin F., both farmers in Hardin county ; they also have four daughters besides Mrs. Williams. They were parents of fifteen children. John Smith died in 1863 at the age of fifty-five years, and his widow survived him until 1892, passing away at the age of eighty-three. Ile came to Hardin county with horses and a wagon, with no money, and took up land, by hard work and great economy being able to attain more than ordinary sneeess. He left seven hundred and fifty acres of land. He was a man of untiring energy, and had a good helpmeet in his wife, who was also a good manager and able to meet bravely the rigors and hardships of pioneer existence. Mrs. Williams was the next youngest in the family of seven daughters and eight sons. Mrs. Smith's mother, Anna Eustis MeNeil, when seven years of age was captured by the Indians, and held until fourteen years of age, when she was regained by her parents. By his second marriage Mr. Williams had one child, Guy, born December 17, 1892, a graduate of Larue and Ada Universities. Mr. Williams also adopted one child when four years of age, Mande L. Fannon, now the wife of Earl Bal- linger, and they have one child, Waldo.
Mr. Williams has always done his full duty as a citizen and patriot, and not only has made a good record in private life, but heard the call of his country in her honr of need. He enlisted on May 2, 1864, in Company I, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio, for one hundred days' service, which he spent in the Shenandoah Valley and at Harper's Ferry. He entered as first lientenant and was commis- sioned as captain ; he was discharged at Camp Chase. He is a member of Owen Gray Post 274, G. A. R., of La Rue.
Politically Mr. Williams is a Republican, and he has been honore ' by his fellow-citizens by election to several township offices, in which he
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has served creditably. His integrity, honesty and high character are well appreciated by his friends and neighbors, and in all his dealings with his fellows he has shown himself to be prompted by highest princi- ples of honor. He is one of the most popular men in the county, and his opinions are considered with great respect. Ile does not believe in God, the Bible or a Hereafter and states his reasons with great convic- tion and earnestness. He is a deep student and a well-known writer, whose pen has furnished articles for the press for a number of years. Although in the matter of religion most of his neighbors do not agree with him, yet all respect his earnestness and full belief in his doctrines, in which he generally follows the noted Bob Ingersoll, of whom he is a firm admirer.
MRS. MARY ANN MILLER .- Many fine farms of Ohio are owned by women, whose husbands or fathers have spent their lives in accumulating land and other possessions, which at their death are left with the dear ones who have helped so much in the acquisition of them. Among the highly esteemed women of Dudley township is Mrs. Mary Ann Miller, widow of the late Andy Miller, of that township. Andy Miller was born in Baden, Germany, August 15, 1827, son of Michael Miller, who died when Andy was six weeks old. Mr. Miller received his education in his native country, where he lived until he reached the age of twenty- four years, and early learned to look out for his own interests. Upon emigrating to the United States he located in Columbus, Ohio, where he spent one year and then removed to Mt. Victory, where he was employed in a sawmill until his marriage, in 1858. He then bought the present homestead of the family, of seventy acres, which he himself cleared, and they were the first settlers in the section. Ile spent the remainder of his life improving and cultivating his farm, which amply repaid his labor, and being thrifty and industrious he achieved no small degree of success. He died on Angust 2, 1904, deeply lamented by a large circle of friends. He was a public-spirited and useful citizen, and politically was a Republican, although he never cared for public office. He was a member of the Catholic church. Mr. Miller was a man of strict integrity and honesty, and in his dealings with his fellow-men displayed high character and purpose, and had a reputation for stead- fastly keeping his word.
Mr. Miller married Mary Ann Thurman, born August 25, 1834, danghter of George W. Thurman, who died in 1867, at the age of seventy- one years. Mr. Thurman came with his parents, George and Mary Thurman, from Virginia to Chillicothe, Ohio, and about 1834 they settled in Dudley township, Hardin county, where they took up land, which they cleared and improved. They took their grain on horseback to the mill at East Liberty. Mr. Thurman married Margaret Carr, who died in 1879, at the age of seventy-two years. Mrs. Miller has one brother and two sisters living, namely: Zachariah, a farmer of Hardin county ; Rebecca, living with her brother; and Matilda, a widow living in Kenton, Ohio. When Mr. Miller and his wife first lived in
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Hardin county they were night after night troubled by wolves. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Christian church.
The children born to Mr. Miller and his wife were as follows: Joel C., deceased, who left one daughter, Ivy, who married Will Wess, of Kenton; George Worthington, of Mt. Victory, who married Dose Marshall, and they have one child, Glen; Margaret Ann, who died in infancy; Mathilda, wife of Jacob Weatherhalt, of Kenton, their union being without issue; Peter, at home, and who has one child, Opal; and Andy, who died in infancy.
Mrs. Miller and her son Peter attend to the farm, carrying on general farming. Peter Miller has also been considerably interested in contracting and stoek raising. He was reared on a farm and fully understands the details of the work, being able to make the most of the land. He is enterprising and industrious, and the results of his labor are gratifying.
Andy Miller served five years in the German army before coming to the United States, and during the Civil war here he enlisted in Company I, One Hundred and Seventy-ninth Ohio, for one year, serving his full time and being mustered out in 1865. After his return to his farm he was sick two years as a consequence of the devotion he had shown for his adopted country.
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