USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 43
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 43
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WILLIAM BALDWIN, one of Bethel Township's most respected citizens, who now lives retired on his valuable farm of 144 acres, which lies in Sections 30 and 36. was born October 7, 1833, at Gettys- burg, Adams County, Penna. His father was William Baldwin and his grandfather was Thomas Baldwin.
Thomas Baldwin was born in England and when he came to America, settled in Adams County, Penna., and took part in
the Revolutionary War, serving for a long time but escaping all injury. His tomb- stone, as well as that of his wife, may be found in the old Adams County Cemetery. They had three children: William, Re- becca and Jennie.
William Baldwin spent his whole life in Adams County, Penna., and was a general farmer there. He lived to be seventy- seven years of age. He married Eliza- beth Crum, daughter of Peter Crum, and she died in 1840. They had six children. namely: Thomas. John, Mary, Samuel. Peter and William. They were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and were worthy in every relation of life.
William Baldwin, who bears his father's name, alternated through boyhood and youth in attending school and helping on the home farm. When twenty-one years old he went to Franklin County and spent about six years working by the month on different farms. and then reached Miami County and worked for two years in Eliz- abeth Township. From there he next went to Indiana, where he was engaged in farm work for thirteen years and during this time was married. For six years after marriage he resided in Richmond, In- diana : from there went to near Indianapo- lis and later returned to Miami County, where he purchased his present farm of 144 acres. When he took possession he found the place run down and in need of much improving, and all this he remedied in a few years, enriching the land and carefully looking after its cultivation and either building or remodeling all the farm structures. For some ten years Mr. Bald- win has lived retired from active farm labor. Living within two miles of Tippe-
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canoe City, he finds plenty of interests to occupy his time whenever overlooking the farm becomes monotonous.
On December 17, 1862, Mr. Baldwin was married to Miss Emily Chatteman, a daughter of Charles Chatteman, and they have a family of seven children : Elwood, Samuel, Harry, William, Annie, Cora and Effie. In his political views, Mr. Baldwin is a Republican. He has always taken an interest in public affairs in a general way, but he has never consented to hold office.
JACOB KRAYER, who is engaged in the grocery business at No. 111 East Main Street, Troy, and is one of the represent- ative citizens, was born in Germany, in 1853, and obtained his education in the excellent schools of his native land. When sixteen years of age, Jacob Krayer came to America, locating first at Piqua, Ohio, where he learned the cigarmaking trade, at which he worked for two years, after which he came to Troy and entered his brother's grocery store. He remained a clerk for William Krayer from 1871 until 1880, when lie was admitted to partner- ship, under the firm style of Krayer Bros., which continued until 1886. In July of that year he entered into business for him- self, having erected his present building for that purpose, and here he has carried on a most satisfactory enterprise ever since. He keeps on hand a large and varied stock of both staple and fancy gro- ceries and maintains the high standard of excellence, which has been one of the foun- dation stones of his success.
In 1880 Mr. Krayer was married to Miss Emma Hartmann, who was born at Sid- ney, in Shelby County, but was reared at Troy. Mr. and Mrs. Krayer have six
children, as follows: Anna, Frederick, Augusta, Walter, Marie and Emma. Fred- erick assists his father in the store and is receiving excellent practical training for business. Mr. Krayer and family are members of the German Lutheran Church.
S. S. MAKEPEACE, for the past thirty years a resident of Troy, where he is a prominent grain dealer and proprietor of the Troy Feed Mills, on West Main Street, near the city limits, was born December 12, 1862, in Madison County, Indiana.
Mr. Makepeace secured a good common school education and was seventeen years of age when he left his native place and came to Troy. He had learned the milling business prior to this, in his own State, and after reaching Troy entered the em- ploy of I. N. Hoagland and worked for two years in his flour mill. He then made a short trip to Texas, but not finding busi- ness prospects encouraging, he turned North and settled at Cumberland, Ohio, where he was employed in a flour mill for two more years. From there Mr. Make- peace went to San Diego, California, and for some six years was engaged in a mercantile business, after which he returned to Troy and was engaged in a tile and brick manufacturing busi- ness until October, 1908, when he bought the present feed mill, which he has operated ever since. Mr. Makepeace owns a valuable farm of fifty acres in Miami County. He has been a very active and useful citizen and has served on the City Council. In 1900 Mr. Makepeace was married to Miss Lizzie Howell, of Cum- berland, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Catherine. He is a Royal Arch Mason and is also a member of the Order of Eagles.
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REV. JACOB COPPOCK, a minister of the Brethren Church, residing on his farm of 160 acres, which is situated in Section 22, Bethel Township, Miami County, was born in Monroe Township, Miami County, Ohio, Angust 8, 1844. His parents were Samuel and Delany (Blickenstaff) Cop- pock. The Coppock family came original- ly from England and its carly religious association was with the Quakers.
Samuel Coppock, father of Jacob, was born in Monroe Township, Miami County, Ohio, in 1817, and spent almost all his life on his farm there, his death occurring March 13, 1903, his widow surviving him but a few years. They both were interred in Maple Hill Cemetery at Tippecanoe City. Late in life he became a minister in the Brethren Church. He married a danghter of Jacob Blickenstaff, and they had six children, as follows: Moses A., who married Isabel Iddings; Jacob, our subject ; John W., who married Mary C. Hickes; Mary, who is the widow of A. G. Martindale; Elias, who married (first) Elizabeth Wells, and (second) Nancy Horst: and Elizabeth, who married M. P. Idemiller.
Rev. Jacob Coppock attended the Pear- so11 District School on the Pearson farm, one mile west of Tippecanoe City, in his boyhood and afterward assisted his father on the home place. After his marriage, in 1868, he settled first near Tippecanoe City and then located on his present farm, on which his wife was born. It contains 160 acres and is managed by the sons-in- law, Mr. Coppock giving all his time to his work as a minister, having charge of three churches, with a membership of 500 indi- viduals. From early youth his mind was directed into serions channels and since
October, 1881, he has been an accepted minister. He is a well informed man and one who is particularly well fitted to fill the office that has been bestowed on him. He gives all his time and all his energies to his people and they, in turn, respect and love him.
Mr. Coppock married in Miami County, on January 16, 1868, Susan Studebaker, the estimable daughter of S. S. and Nancy Studebaker, and they have six children, as follows: Mary Effie, who married H. B. Landis; Nancy May, who married J. S. Flory; Nettie Delany, who married Sum- ner Senseman ; Fern, who resides at home; and a twin of Fern and another babe died in infancy. Mr. Coppock has taken much interest in educational matters, affording his children excellent advantages and giv- ing service on the School Board aggregat- ing twelve years. He is in sympathy with the principles of the Republican party.
The following is a history of Hickory Grove Church, written by Mr. Coppock :
HICKORY GROVE CHURCH, MIAMI COUNTY, OHIO.
From the year 1827 the territory now known as Don- nel's Creek, Lost Creek and Hickory Grove were one or- ganization presided over by Elder Christian Frantz. In the part now called Hickory Grove Isaac Darst was a minister in the second degree and John Studebaker, deacon; in all about twenty-five members. In 1830 Henry Harshbarger, David Landis, deacons, and Isaac Karns, elder, moved in. Then what is now Hickory Grove church was organized with about forty members under the care of Isaac Karns.
In the fall of 1832 Isaac Darst died. In 1833 John Studebaker died. Soon after Abraham Studebaker was elected deacon. In 1835 Henry Harshbarger moved out and David Landis was elected to the ministry. In 1936 David Shelabarger, Adam Stinebarger and Henry Rub- som, ministers in the second degree, moved in, and Isaac Karns moved to Indiana. Shelabarger's certificate of membership contained in addition to the usual recom- mendation the staetment that he was sufficiently estab- lished to be ordained, but it had not been done for want of help, and though a novice he was ordained (which was the key to years' trouble in the church).
In IS37 James Ward and Daniel Arnold were elected deacons. Ward at this time insisted on the ordination of Darst, so that their children could be married in Eng- lish. Some time later Ward moved out. About 1849 the interest in the good cause grew so low that for a
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time there were no regular preaching services held, though there were three resident ministers; but by the efforts of David Bowman, John Darst and Peter Nead the work was again established, David Shelabarger being in charge.
In 1853 David Landis and David Shelabarger moved out, and Joseph Arnold and Jacob Suell were elected deacons. David Studebaker, a minister in the second degree, moved in. le proved a minister of great in- fluence, and being dead yet speaketh. Now there were about eighty members. Iu 1835 the present house of worship was built. Prior to that time services were beld in private homes. In 1856 Abraham Studebaker died. In 1858 Joseph Arnold was elected to the ministry, S. S. Studebaker deacon, and IIenry Rubsom and Adam Stinebarger ordained. From the time David Shelabarger moved out until the above ordination the church was under the care of Elder John Frantz, of Donnel's Creek.
In 1860 John Crist was elected to the ministry and Samuel Coppoek and Jacob Frantz, deacons. In 1861 Jesse Studebaker, minister in second degree, moved in. He remained three years. In IS62 Jobn Crist was ad- vanced to the second degree, and soon moved to Illinois. In 1863 G. W. Studebaker moved in and labored here for two years, then moved to Indiana. In this time the death of David Studebaker occurred, which was deeply lamented. There were now ouc huudred members.
About this time (1865) Rubsom and Stinebarger were relieved of their ministry by a committee from Aunual Meeting and H. D. Davy and Abraham Flory placed in charge; Flory remained in charge until the division of 81. In 1866 Samuel Coppock was elected minister. Jacob Hawier and John Filburn, deacons. In 1872 Isaae Studebaker, minister in second degree, moved in. In 1873 O. F. Yount was called to the ministry and labored here until 1876. The Middle District was formed; he and Samuel Coppock were living in that territory. In 1879 Jos. Arnold was ordained and Jacob Coppock and D. S. Filburn were elected deacons. In 1880 Henry Gump was called to the ministry and Har- rison Shull, a deacon, moved in.
In 1581 the memorable divide took from us about thirty members, including Elder Flory, our minister, and three deacons, leaving the church with Henry Gump, minister and two deacons; in all about one hundred members. The church new called Elder John Smith to take charge. The experiences had in the division were such that the church was knit together with a very strong feeling of love that, barring a few little inci- dents along the way, exists today to a very great degree. In 1881 Jacob Coppoek was called to the ministry and Henry Gump advanced to the second degree.
In 1882 the first series of meetings was held by the assistance of I. J. Rosenberger. The meetings were held with many fears on the part of some and deep anxiety on the part of others; they resulted in twenty- eight accessions and greatly confirmed the members. In 1885 D. S. Filburn was called to the ministry and Jacob Denlinger and John Tanreuther were elected deaeons, and after a short service in their official capacity they both went to their reward. In 1886 Henry Gump was ordained and Jacob Snell elected deacon. In 1891 Samuel Studebaker, Jr., and Geo. Zimmerman were called to the deaconship. In 1893 Samuel Gump was called to the ministry.
The official board now stands: ministers, Henry Gump, Jacob Coppoek, D. S. Filburn and Samuel Gump; dea- cons, Jacob Hawver, Jacob Snell, George Zimmerman and Samuel Studebaker. There are now about 150
members. During this time there have been two com- mittees from Annual Meeting to settle difficulties. We now have three points of regular preaching, with a fair attendance and interest. At no period in the history of the eburch was there a greater per cent of the Breth- ren's children in the church than now.
THOMAS JEFFERSON PENCE, V. S., who has been a resident of Troy for a period covering quite twenty-two years, has devoted himself almost exclusively to his profession during this time and is well known all over the county. He was born in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, where he still owns two excellent farms, February 24, 1847, and is a son of James T. Pence and Nancy (Shidler) Pence. The late James T. Pence was born in 1822, in Warren County, Ohio, and came to Miami County in the early thirties. He was a carpenter by trade and also engaged in farming. His death took place Febru- ary 24, 1883. The mother survived many years, dying April 21, 1908, aged eighty- eight years, three months and five days.
T. J. Pence was educated in the district schools and afterward engaged in farm- ing. For some forty years he has been a veterinary surgeon and since coming to Troy has given his entire attention to this profession, in which he has been more than usually successful. Dr. Pence was mar- ried March 15, 1892, to Miss Eliza Talian Roach, who is a daughter of Revel Roach, who was a prominent farmer in Clark County, Ohio, where Mrs. Pence was born and reared. She is a member of the Pres- byterian Church at Troy.
W. H. ALEXANDER, deceased, who bore an honorable record for service in the Union Army during the Civil War, was a prominent retired citizen of Troy and in former years was actively identified
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with the affairs of Miami County. He served two terms as county commissioner, held various township offices, and for eight years was treasurer of the Miami County Fair Board. His death took place March 2, 1909, when he was in his sixty- fifth year.
Mr. Alexander was a direct descendant of one of the earliest settlers of Miami County, and was born in Troy, August 6, 1844. His early life was passed on the farm and lie obtained a good educational training. In answer to Lincoln's first call to arms, he was one of the first to respond, enlisting in Company H, Eleventh Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Cap- tain Drury. He was in the service for more than three years and participated in . the following engagements: Cotton Moun- tain, Big Sewell, Bull Run, South Moun- tain, Antietam, Lookout Mountain, Smoke Gap, Rocky Face, and Resaca. He was wounded at Chiekamaugua, but continued in the service until he was honorably dis- charged at Camp Dennison, Ohio, June 20, 1864.
W. H. Alexander was married March 16, 1862, while home on a furlough, to Miss Eliza Boone, and they became parents of the following children: Allie, wife of Jacob Deitzer, a farmer of Concord Town- ship, Miami County; Lillie May, wife of M. H. Miller, of Troy, Ohio ; Isaac G., pay- master for the Nickel Plate Railroad, with headquarters at Cleveland, Ohio ; Carrie, wife of W. C. Elleman, of Union Township, Miami County; Mary, wife of O. C. Elleman, also of Union Township; Lulu, wife of P. H. Newman, of Miami Connty ; and Eva Irene, wife of Charles Kelley, of Troy. Mrs. Alexander was called to her final rest in 1879. In 1885
Mr. Alexander formed a second union with Mary J. Curtis, and their comfortable home was at No. 739 West Main Street, in Troy. The subject of this sketeli was for- merly secretary of The Soldiers' Relief Association of Miami County, and a stock- holder in the Troy National Bank. Fra- ternally he was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a man of wide acquain- tance over the county, and was most high- ly esteemed.
CHARLES EMORT TROSTEL, a member of the board of trustees of Eliz- abeth Township, who resides on a valu- able farm of 143 acres, situated in Section 26 and located on a cross road between the Tippecanoe City and Springfield Turnpike roads, was born July 8, 1872, at New Carlisle, Clark County, Ohio. His parents are Jacob A. and Jacob Anna (Peters) Trostel.
The father of Mr. Trostel was born near the historic city of Gettysburg, Penna., where he engaged in farming until he en- listed for service in the Civil War, in 1861. He remained in the army for more than three years and during this period was once seriously wounded. After his mar- riage he settled in Clark Connty, Ohio, where he worked as a teamster, a thresher and nurseryman and later retired to New Carlisle, where he is engaged in the furni- ture and undertaking business. He is a representative citizen and has always been identified in his political views with the Republican party. He married Jacob Anna Peters and five children were born to them, namely : Mary, Charles E., George, Margaret and Norris.
Charles E. Trostel was reared at New
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Carlisle and lived at home until his mar- directly caused by an injury received dur- ing his three years of service. He was a riage, in the meanwhile securing a good public school education. Following his, member of Company B, Ninety-fourth marriage he settled first as a renter on his Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and his record is that of a brave and efficient soldier. In politics he was a radical Re- publican. father-in-law's farm and later rented other farm, both north and west of Carlisle. He then removed to near Piqua, in Miami County, then to the Sproul farm, near Troy, and in 1907 came to the present place, known as the Pleasant Run Farm, which is owned by Mrs. Mary Link, of Troy. Mr. Trostel is an experienced and practical farmer and stockraiser and each season he feeds about fifty head of hogs and a large number of cattle.
Mr. Trostel has a very pleasant domestic circle. He married Miss Bessie Funder- burg, a daughter of George and Martha Funderburg, who resided near New Car- lisle, and they have six children: Sibyl, Erdine, Irvin, Wilson, Robert and Helen, five of them being bright students in the public schools.
Like his father, Mr. Trostel is a sup- porter of the Republican party. He has capably filled several township positions and for the past two years has been a trustee of Elizabeth Township. The farm is conveniently situated four miles north- east of Tippecanoe City.
J. B. McCOOLE, president of the City Council of Troy, Ohio, has been very prominently identified with the public af- fairs of this city during his residence of fifteen years here. He was born in 1855, near the village of Kessler, in Miami Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a son of the late William McCoole.
William McCoole was born in 1833, in Miami County, Ohio. He was a veteran of the Civil War and his death was in-
J. B. McCoole began to take care of him- self when he was not over twelve of age, hiring out to farmers during the summer seasons, and during the winters attending the district school. By the time he was nineteen years old he was ready to teach and a very pleasant and profitable portion of his life was the period of eighteen years which he spent in educational work. He taught for six consecutive years in one dis- trict and has many friends there still. In 1893 Mr. McCoole went into the lumber business, for three years being with W. H. Francis, since which time he lias been with a Mr. Crofoot. He has been a very active citizen and his civic worth has been recognized by his fellow citizens. He was elected to the City Council from the Third Ward, later was councilman-at-large and is now serving in his third year as presi- dent of the City Council. He has also been interested in State military matters, for eighteen years being a member of the Ohio National Guard, entering as a private and being advanced to the rank of captain of Company K, Third Regiment.
Mr. McCoole was married in April, 1878, to Miss Mary Lettie Van Tuyl, of Miami County, and they have one son, Edgar, who is with the Hobart Manufacturing Company of Troy. He married Miss Ber- tha Van Noy, of Troy, and they have one daughter, Ruth. Mr. and Mrs. McCoole are members of the Christian Church. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the
JACOB A. DAVY
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Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Junior Order of the United American Mechanics, and Franklin Lodge of the Masons.
WILLIAM G. WILSON, county com- missioner of Miami County and a substan- tial retired farmer residing at Troy, was born in Concord Township, Miami County, Ohio, in 1862, and is a son of the late John Wilson, who died in May, 1907, and a grandson of Robert Wilson. The latter came to Olio from England and was a pioneer settler in Miami County, but died in advanced age in Shelby County.
William G. Wilson was reared and edu- cated in Concord Township and for many years carried on extensive farming and stock raising in that section. In Novem- ber, 1908, he moved to Troy. He has been a very active member of the Republican party for a long period, on many occasions proving his fealty and frequently gaining recognition in local circles. He is a mem- ber of the important party organization known as the County Central Committee, has served on the School Board in Con- cord Township, and in November, 1905, was first elected a county commissioner, approval being shown of his serviees by re-election to the office in November, 1908.
On March 3, 1883, Mr. Wilson was mar- ried to Miss Emeline Kerr, who was born and reared in Concord Township and is a daughter of William and Rachel Kerr. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one daughter, Verna Oletha, who is a popular and suc- cessful teacher in the public schools of the county. Miss Wilson made a brilliant school record for herself, graduating from the Concord Township school when but thirteen years of age and subsequently from the Troy High School. Mr. Wilson
is identified with the Elks and the Knights of Pythias at Troy.
JACOB A. DAVY, who for over twenty- five years has been engaged in the success- ful practice of law at Troy, Ohio, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, October 26, 1854, his parents being Henry D. and Cath- arine (Bosteter) Davy. He is of English ancestry, his paternal grandfather having emigrated from England to Philadelphia in 1706.
Henry D. Davy, the father, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1811, and at an early date entered the ministry, his duties in connection therewith taking him successively to various fields in this State. In 1868 lie located on a farm in Elizabeth Township, Miami County, where he after- wards resided until his death, in Septem- ber, 1895, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a minister of the German Baptist Church, and for twenty years was chair- man of the executive committee and mod- erator of annual conference. He was united in marriage November 17, 1850, with Miss Catharine Bosteter, who was born near Frederick City, Maryland, in 1821, and who died in February, 1896. Ten children were born of this union, four of whom bore arms in the Union cause during the Civil War.
Jacob A. Davy was about seven years old when his parents moved, in 1861, to Mr. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, and dur- ing their residence of seven years there he attended the public schools. He ac- companied them on their removal to Mi- ami County in 1868, and there attended the district schools during the winter months, when he could be spared from the work on the farm. He continned farming
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until August 19, 1879, when he went to Troy and began preparations for the legal profession under the preceptorship of Theodore Sullivan, who afterwards be- came circuit judge, and M. B. Barnhart, who later moved to Columbus and became police judge of that city. He subsequently attended the Cincinnati Law School, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1881. In March, 1882, he opened an office for practice in the city of Troy, where he has since continued with uninterrupted success.
It is needless to say that Mr. Davy's present high position at the bar was not brought about without hard and persistent effort. At the outset lie realized his own deficiencies with respect to preliminary education, and with determined energy he accordingly pursued a literary and scien- tific course, reciting regularly to a gentle- man noted for his scholarly attainments. This training has been of incalculable ben- efit to him in his court work. Well ground- ed in the law and always thoroughly pre- pared in his cases, employing the best dic- tion, with a convincing style and manner, he makes a favorable impression on court and jury, and has been successful beyond the average. He has a fine library of lit- erary and legal lore, in the enjoyment of which he spends much of his time.
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