USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 53
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 53
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Lewis C. Gessaman first attended the Poplar Grove school near his home and had only the educational chances which came to country boys in more or less iso- lated regions in his youth. He worked for his father until he purchased the farm, and has spent his whole life on the old place. The land was all cleared when he came into possession and all the improving he has found necessary has been the putting up of a few buildings, with a little repair- ing and draining. The land has been well fertilized and carefully cultivated by its three owners and if placed on the market would bring a large price per acre. Mr. Gessaman is a stockholder and one of the directors of the City National Bank of Tippecanoe City.
On December 2, 1888, Mr. Gessaman was married to Miss Margaret E. Warner, daughter of Amos Warner. Mrs. Gessa- man died February 15, 1903, and was in- terred in the new cemetery at Bethel. She is survived by one son, Ernest L., who at- tends school. Mr. Gessaman was married (second) December 27, 1905, to Miss Lu- ella Perry, a daughter of Cyrus Perry. They are members of the Reformed Church, of Bethel, Mr. Gessaman being an elder. In his political sentiments he is a Republican. At one time he was identified with the Grange and also with the Odd Fellows.
WILLIAM HARRISON HELMER, a representative citizen of Lost Creek Town- ship, residing on a traet of ten well im- proved acres, situated on the Troy and Urbana Turnpike Road, abont nine miles northeast of Troy, also owns a line farm of sixty aeres in this township, which is now operated by his son. He was born
Angust 14, 1860, on his father's farm in Concord Township, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of William Jasper and Sarah Elizabeth ( Reeder) Hohner.
William Jasper Holmer was born in 1828, in Green County, Ohio, and was a son of Peter and Mary (Yates) Hehner, the former of whom was born in Germany and the latter in the State of New York. Peter Helmer and wife came to Ohio when all this section was a wilderness, journey- ing down the river to Cincinnati in a flat- boat and settling near Osborn, in Green County, where both died when advanced in years. Their ashes rest in the old Helmer family graveyard there. All their seven children have also passed away: Arthur, Solomon, William J., Elmira, Ellen, Sarah and Minerva.
William Jasper Helmer spent his entire life in Ohio, during his earlier years oper- ating a farm near Osborn. In 1870 he moved to Miami County and purchased a farm near the Studebaker Woolen Factory in Elizabeth Township and for some ten years carried on the farm and worked with his sons in the factory. He died on that farm in February, 1900. In 1854 he was married in Greene County, to Sarah Eliza- beth Reeder, a native of Clark County, Ohio. She still survives and resides one- half mile east of the Orphans' Home, on the Troy and Springfield Turnpike. To William J. Hehner and wife were born the following children: George Washing- ton, who lives in Elizabeth Township: Belle, who is the wife of Albert Gabriel, of Lost Creek Township; William Harri- son; Dora, who is the wife of William Marr, of Missouri : Minie, now deceased, who was the wife of Isaac Dye ; Ellen, who is the wife of Thomas Dewey, of Elizabeth
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
Township; Mary, who is the wife of Sam- uel Stoner, of Texas; Harriet, who is the wife of Samuel Harris, of Springfield, Ohio; and Blanche, who is the wife of Charles Folkerth, of West Milton, Ohio. William J. Helmer served in the Civil War and was honorably discharged.
William H. Helmer attended the district schools in his youth, helped his father on the home farm and 'continued to live at home until his marriage. For ten years he worked in the Studebaker Woolen mills, and in November, 1883. bought his farm of sixty aeres, in Lost Creek Township. it was known as the old Rev. Rapp farm and was then owned by Daniel Flook. Hle con- tinned to work that farm until July, 1907, when he turned it over to his son and re- tired to his present small place, which con- tains enough land to keep him busily em- ployed without making any heavy demands on his strength or time.
Mr. Helmer was married (first) on Jan- mary 16, 1884, to Miss Mary Eddy, who died May 31, 1892. She was a daughter of William and Emeline Eddy. Two chil- dren were born to that marriage: Bessie, who married Carl Thackara, and lives in Champaign County ; and Charles, who re- sides on his father's large farm. married Lillian Bair, and has one child, Reeva. On June 3. 1893, Mr. Helmer was married (second) to Miss Josephine Weatherhead, a daughter of John and Mary Weather- head. In politics Mr. Helmer is a Demo- vrat. He has served frequently in town- ship offices and for ten years was road superintendent.
DAVIS MARTINDALE, owner of a well improved farm of 104 acres in Staun- ton Township, Miami County. Ohio, comes
of a prominent and influential family of the county. He was born on the home farm in Monroe Township, August 2, 1861, and is a son of John and Delilah (Macey) Martindale. His grandfather, John Mar- tindale, Sr., came to Ohio from the East at an early date and settled in Montgomery County, near the Miami County line. There he resided until his death at a ripe old age.
John Martindale, Jr., was born on the old home place in Montgomery County, and was one of the following children born to his parents : Robert, Martin, William, Jessie, Samuel, Stewart, Martha, Rachel, Rebecca, Mary, Cynthia Ann, and John. He spent his boyhood in helping to elear the old farm, and received a very limited schooling. Farming continued to be his occupation throughout his active career, and he achieved a higher degree of success than the average. After his marriage he purchased eighty acres of land in Monroe Township, Miami County, and to this later added eighty acres, and this continued as his home until he and his wife moved to Tippecanoe City, where they are spend- ing the twilight of life in the peace and comfort of retired life. He became the owner of many valuable traets in various parts of Miami and Montgomery Counties, aggregating hundreds of aeres. He sold each of his sons good farms and still re- tains more than 500 acres. The foundation of his fortune was two thousand five hun- dred dollars, and his rise to affinence came through hard work, foresight and good business judgment. He was united in mar- riage with Delilah Macey, who also was born in Montgomery County, and their children are as follows: Henry Davis, subject of this record, who has 104 acres located in Staunton Township, two and a
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
half miles southeast of Troy; William, who is the owner of 103 acres in Butler Town- ship, Montgomery County; Warren, who has 111 acres in Monroe Township, Miami County; Edward, whose farm of eighty acres is also located in Monroe Township; and Ella, who is the wife of Samuel Near, of Miami County.
Davis Martindale spent his boyhood days on the home farm and, being the eldest child, started in to work for his father when quite young. He started op- erating his present farm as early as the spring of 1883, but did not purchase it until 1893. He has spent about $4,500 in improvements and has a' very desirable property in all its appointments. He has always followed general farming along modern ideas, and takes rank among the progressive citizens of the township. He was elected to the Miami County Fair Board in 1907, and has since served ca- pably in that capacity.
February 26, 1887, Davis Martindale was united in marriage with Miss Laura Ella Eidemiller, a native of Monroe Town- ship, and a daughter of John and Augusta Eidemiller, who came to this county from Germany. Three children are the issue of this union: Edith, Vernon and Blanche. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics, has been a member of the Cen- tral Committee since 1908, and has served as school director.
SAMUEL ZOLLINGER, president and treasurer of The S. Zollinger Company, wholesale grocers, at Piqua, vice-president of the Citizens' National Bank, of Piqua, and financially interested in other large enterprises, stands among the leading busi- ness men of this city. Mr. Zollinger was
born in Licking County, Ohio, August 22, 1538, and is a son of John and Susanna (Whitmore) Zollinger.
The father of Mr. Zollinger was a prom- inent eitizen of Piqua for many years. In 1848 he established himself here in the re- tail grocery business, in which he continued until 1881, his active career closing only with his death. For a number of years he served the township as trustee and his good judgment and thorough and practical methods were beneficial to his community as long as he lived. Hle married Susanna Whitmore and they reared a family of two sons and two daughters, namely : Sam- uel, the subject of this sketch; J. W., who died in 1905: Mary C., residing at Piqua, who is the widow of Dr. Knoutl; and Ma- tilda, who also resides at Piqua.
Samuel Zollinger became a clerk in his father's store after his education was com- pleted in the Piqua schools, and continued there until 1860. He then went to Cali- fornia. remaining in that State until 1863. When he came back to Piqua he entered into partnership with his father and ever since has been identified with the leading interests of this city, and succeeding his father as treasurer of Washington Town- ship, an office held by John Zollinger at the time of his death. in 1881. The son has served in this office ever since. Mr. Zollinger continued in the retail line un- til 1890, when the present company was formed by S. and J. W. Zollinger and the business ever since has been exclusively wholesale and conducted under the name of The S. Zollinger Company. Mr. Zol- linger has other important business inter- ests, including a large interest in the Cron- Kills Company, manufacturers of furni- ture.
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IHISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
In November, 1871, Mr. Zollinger was married to Miss Dora Dye, a member of one of the pioneer families of Miami Conn- ty, and they have two children: Susan, who is the wife of J. P. Spiker, a manufac- turer at Piqua; and Mary C., who is the wife of Frank MeEwan, a resident of Mad- ison, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Zollinger are members of the Green Street Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of which he is treasurer. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chap- ter and Council at Piqna, to Troy Com- mandery and Dayton Consistory, and he has been treasurer of the Chapter since 1871. He is also a member of the Pigna ('lub and is one of the directors of the Memorial Hospital.
O. T. ROSZELL, grain dealer, with busi- ness quarters on Sonth Mulberry Street, Troy, was born in 1858, near Tippecanoe City, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Rev. Joseph Roszell.
The father of Mr. Roszell was born in 1822, in New Jersey, and was nine years of age when he was brought to Montgom- ery County, Ohio, and sixteen when he came to Miami County. He was a min- ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
O. T. Roszell obtained his education in his native township and also at Tippecanoe ('ity, and followed an agricultural life n- til he was about twenty-four years of age. After his marriage he came to Troy and at first engaged in a grain business, but shortly afterward sold out and for a few months was interested in furniture man- ufacturing. Deciding that Tippecanoe ('ity at that time offered a better field for that business. he moved there and con- tinned in the manufacture of furniture for
ten years. He then carried on a milling and grain business at New Carlisle for three years, after which he came to Troy and established his present enterprise, first under the style of Roszell & Hale. On account of poor health, Mr. Hale with- drew, and since then Mr. Roszell has been sole proprietor under his own name. He deals in grain, seed, feed, etc., and is a rep- resentative business man of the city.
In 1887 Mr. Roszell was married to Miss Blanche Hale, a daughter of John Hale, of Miami County. They have five chil- dren, namely : Mabel, who is a member of the graduating class of 1909 at the Troy High School; Clarence, Earl and Ralph, all students ; and Dorothy, the youngest. Mr. Roszell is identified with both the Ma- sons and Odd Fellows.
LEWIS EDWARD SIMES, postmaster at Covington, Ohio, and president of the Covington Tribune Company and secre- tary of the Covington Home Telephone Company, is one of the prominent and rep- resentative citizens of Miami County, Ohio. He was born at Covington, May 7, 1873, and is a son of E. D. and Margaret (Stailey) Simes.
The late Edward D. Simes, whose death occurred at Covington, March 6, 1909, was a hero of the Civil War, and for years thereafter was engaged in business at Cov- ington. He was born in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1840, and in early boyhood accompanied his parents to Mi- ami Conty, spending almost his entire after-life at Covington. In response to President Lincoln's call for soldiers in 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 110th Regiment O. Vol. Inf., and gained promo- tion from rank to rank until he was com-
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
missioned first lieutenant. For several years he escaped the more serious hazards of war, but in 1864, in the Shenandoah Val- ley, while on duty, he was so seriously shot that he was taken first to a hospital at Win- chester and subsequently sent home on sick leave, and before he had sufficiently re- covered the war was over. Ile had two brothers in the army, one of whom died in the Wilderness and the other after the war. Mr. Simes assumed business responsibili- ties at Covington, in the course of time, and these he fulfilled carefully and effect- ively until failing health caused his with- drawal from active life. At times he served both on the City Council and the School Board. He was married April 14, 1868, to Miss Margaret Stailey, who died May 1, 1893, this domestic affliction being one from which he nover recovered. Their three children are two sons, Lewis Edward and George Miles, and one daughter, Mrs. May Simes Rothermel. Mr. Simes was a consistent member of the Christian Church and very active in all its avenues of nse- fulness. Ile was a member and frequently an official of Covington Lodge. No. 168. F. & A. M.
Lewis Edward Simes was educated in the Covington schools and for eleven years was associated with his father in a retail grocery business, after which he entered the telephone business, and since the (ov- ington Home Telephone Company was first organized has been its secretary. He is identified with other interests and is presi- dent and one of the organizers of the ('or- ington Tribune Company, successors to the Tribune Printing Company. Mr. Simes was married to Miss Irene Edge, daughter of W. W. Edge, of Troy, Ohio, where Mrs. Simes was born and reared. They have
two children, Margaret and Mary. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, an Elk, a Knight of Pythias, and also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Order of Gob- blers. In polities Mr. Simes is a Repub- lican and is serving his first term as post- master, his administration meeting with the approval of his fellow citizens.
ORIN A. and BERT ESTEY, who farm the old Jotham Estey place of 243 acres, located in Staunton and Lost C'rock Town- ships, are industrious and prosperous young business men, with a wide acquaint- ance through this section of Miami Coun- ty. They are sons of Jotham S. Estey, who is now living in retirement on the old homestead in Lost Creek Township.
The first of the Estey family to locate in Miami County, Ohio, was David Estey, grandfather of the subjects of this sketch. who was born in New Brunswick, July 31. 1792. He was there married, on Septem- ber 30. 1813, to Ann Knoop, and after the birth of their first child they moved to Miami County, Ohio, where he was among the pioneers. He settled on a wild and un- cleared piece of land in Lost Creek Town- ship, for which he subsequently got a deed from the United States Government, signed by President Andrew Jackson. He had followed Imbering in New Brunswick. and upon locating here erected water saw- mills along Lost Creek, finding a ready market for his huuber in Dayton and C'in- cinnati. Ile prospered in a business way and added to his possessions until he had 500 acres of very desirable land. Ho con- tinued to reside here until his death, in November, 1874. His wife, who was born March 19, 1791, died in 1873. They were parents of eleven children, as follows, all
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
but the eldest of whom were born in Mi- ami County: James: Michael; Eunice, who was the wife of A. Deffenbaugh ; Charles : George ; Simon: Mary, who was the wife of J. U. Eyer ; William ; Lucy, who married Ilenry Deweese; Jotham; and Maria, who is the wife of James Dickson and lives in lowa. The two last named are the only ones living.
Jotham Estey was born on the old home- stead in Lost Creek Township, October 5, 1833, and spent his boyhood days work- ing in the woods and fields. His educa- tion was limited to the "three R's." He was eighteen years of age when the Gold Fever carried him across the plains to Cal- ifornia, where he remained for five years, his time being mainly devoted to lumber- ing. He went in 1852, and in 1857 returned to Ohio, bringing with him $3,000 in gold dust. He then purchased eighty acres in Lost Creek Township, where he still lives. It was then mostly swamp and timber, and it took some years of hard work to clear and tile it, many miles of tile having been used. He now has 243 acres, of which 180 lie in Lost Creek Township and sixty-three in Staunton Township.
In January, 1858, Mr. Estey was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Hosier, who, after a little more than half a een- tury of wedded happiness, passed away on February 23, 1908, at the age of sixty- seven years. They brought into this world five children, namely: Clara, deceased wife of Sylvester Robbins; Orin A .; Eliza- beth, wife of Lavell Williams; Grant, whose home is in Kansas; and Bert. Jotham Estey is a Republican in politics. He is a member of the Union Baptist Church, to which his wife also belonged.
Orin A. Estey, who lives on the sixty- three acres of the farm lying in Staunton Township, was born on the home place in Lost Creek Township, Miami County, Ohio, June 15, 1861. He spent his boyhood in working on the farm and in attending the public schools. Being the eldest son, the care of the farm fell upon his shoulders while quite young. He follows general farming and is meeting with much success. October 28, 1885, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Mattie Small, a daughter of David Small, and they have two chil- dren, Mary Ellen and James. He has al- ways taken a deep interest in the affairs of Staunton Township, and at one time served as township trustee, to which of- fice he was elected on the Republican ticket. He and his wife are members of the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bert Estey was born on the old home farm in Lost Creek Township, September 28, 1878, and resided there until his mar- riage on December 19, 1900. He then rented land and engaged in farming for seven years. After the death of his mother, he in the spring of 1908 returned to the old farm in order to provide a home for his father. In January, 1907, he embarked in the threshing business, which he has since followed with good results, having a complete threshing outfit; and during the winter he operates a feed mill. He is a Republican in politics. Mr. Estey's mar- riage was with Miss Elizabeth Viola Stu- debaker, a daughter of Joseph M. and Mary Ann (Clyne) Studebaker, of Eliza- beth Township, and four children were born to them: Mary, who died at the age of one year nine months and eighteen days : Olivene C., Jay S., and Alva G.
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
WILLIAM H. CROMER, who is on- gaged in general farming and tobacco rais- ing on a tract of 120 acres, located about six and a half miles east of Troy, in Lost ('reek Township, has been a lifelong resi- dent of Miami Conty. He was born June 10, 1848, at Casstown. Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Elnathan and Mary (Gar- ver) Cromer.
Elnathan Cromer was a native of Vir- ginia and when a young man came to Ohio with his father, who located at Casstown, Miami County, and here engaged in agri- cultural pursuits for a number of years. He was first nuited in marriage with Sarah Cavault, who died leaving four children, namely: Catherine, who married Saben McDowell, and both are deceased: Albert, and two who died young. Elnathan subse- quently married Mary Garver, a native of Ohio and the mother of our subject, and of this union were born the following chil- dren : William, the subject of this record; Eliza, widow of Mathias Dye: Harriet, wife of Benjamin Morgan; and Caroline, who is the wife of B. F. Smith. Mr. Cro- mer formed a third marital union with Catherine Beer, who is still living at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and re- sides at the home of our subject. Mr. Cromer died in 1893, aged eighty-five years.
William H. Cromer was but a small child when his parents removed from Casstown to the farm on which he now resides, and where he was reared and attended the dis- triet schools of the township. At an early age he turned his attention to farming and when about twenty years of age took en- tire charge of his father's farm, of which he became possessor after the death of his father. Here he has always followed farm-
ing in a general way, making a specialty of growing tobacco, of which he raises from ten to twelve acres yearly. The large brick house which Mr. Cromer and family of- eupy was erected during his father's life- time, but the greater part of the improve- ments on the farm were made by him.
Mr. Cromer was mited in marriage March 27. 1870, with Mary Jane Harvey, who is a daughter of William and Ruth (Brown) Harvey, well known residents of Champaign County, Ohio, and of their union were born the following children : Clara, Howard B., Hettie ( .. Clyde R., and Eddie. Clara resides at home. Howard B., an enterprising young attorney, of Dayton, Ohio, has offices in the D. B. Build- ing on Main Street. Ilis primary educa- tion, which was obtained in the district schools of Lost Creek Township, was sup- plemented by a course of study at the Fletcher and Piqua High Schools, of both of which he is a graduate. He then took a seven-years' course in law at the Ohio State University, at Columbus, and is one of the only three who ever completed the course in a period of five years. He grad- uated in 1907, and shortly afterward em- barked in the practice of his profession at Dayton, where he has been eminently she- cessful. Hettie (. Cromer died in infancy, as did also Clyde R. and Eddie, who were twins. Mr. Cromer is a man of public spirit and enterprise and is over ready to support those measures which tend toward the advancement of the community in which he lives. He is politically a Dem- ocrat.
FRANKLIN A. DEWEESE. the well known florist and horticulturist of Staun- ton Township. Miami County, Ohio, has a
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
tract of nineteen acres, on which he has three large and modernly equipped green- houses. lle has lived all his life in the county, except for a brief period in Indi- ana, and has been closely identified with the affairs of Staunton Township, being at the present time a member of the School Board. He was born on his father's farm in Staunton Township, September 19, 1854, and is a son of Henry G. and Lucy (Estey) De Weese, and a grandson of Joshua De Weese.
Joshua De Weese, the grandfather, was born in Virginia and was a young man when he settled in the woods of Miami County, living the remainder of his days in Staunton Township. He died in middle life as the result of a kiek from a horse. In June, 1818, he was married to Polly Gerard, who was the first white child born in Miami County. She survived her hus- band many years and died at the home of one of her children.
Henry G. De Weese was the third of his parents' fourteen children, and was a na- tive of Staunton Township, being born on the old home place, January 8, 1826. Al- though he did not have the advantage of schooling, he acquired a superior educa- tion and was a broad and liberal-minded man. He was a Republican in politics and served the township efficiently as trustee for many years. He was reared to farm- ing, and after leaving the home place pur- chased the Edward Harter farm in Staun- ton Township, later buying what became known as the Defrese farm. On this prop- erty he conducted a stone quarry, and on October 19, 1874, was seriously injured while blasting. He never recovered from his injuries, almost losing his eyesight, and from that time on lived in practical retire-
ment. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Arminta Moore, May 28, 1904, at the age of seventy-eight years. Ile was married Angust 26, 1848, to Miss Lucy Estey, who was born in Miami Coun- ty, February 22, 1830, and died at the age of sixty-eight years. They became parents of the following children: Arminta, wife of Theodore Moore; Zelia, wife of William Loy; Jotham G. W .; Franklin A .; Henry II .; Maggie, deceased wife of A. Beedle; Florence, deceased wife of George Mc- Kaig; Docia E., wife of Charles Wilson, residing in California; and Alva Watson, of Piqua.
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