USA > Ohio > Williams County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 17
USA > Ohio > Fulton County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 17
USA > Ohio > Henry County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 17
USA > Ohio > Defiance County > Commemorative biographical record of northwestern Ohio : including the counties of Defiance, Henry, Williams and Fulton, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families > Part 17
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In Henry county, October 18, 1885, Mr. Metz was again married, his second union being with Miss Charlotte Hurford, who was born in Ohio, August 21, 1867, a daughter of the late William and Mehitable Hurford. Four children have been born to them, namely: Vera L., Carl B., Sarah A. M., and Nora L. Mr. Metz has always taken a leading and prominent part in local political affairs, and has most creditably and satisfactorily filled the offices of township clerk of Adams township, and school director. He believes in the doctrines of Christianity and cheerfully gives his support to all measures which he believes calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his community. His genial, pleasant manner has made him quite popular, and as a public-spirited, enterprising man he is recognized as a valued citizen of Adams township.
WILLIAM PRICE.
The fertile soil of this section has attracted an enterprising class of agriculturists, among whom a high type of citizenship prevails. The subject of this biography, a wealthy resident of Farmer township, Defiance county,
William -
Price
Sarah Ann Tharp Price
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settled in that locality in April, 1845, and by industry and good management has accumulated a handsome property, being the owner of three amongst the best farms in the county.
Born August 9, 1820, in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, Mr. Price is a son of John and Sarah ( Will) Price, both also natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in the city of Philadelphia. Our subject, who is the fifth in a family of eleven children-five sons and six daughters-was about three years old when his parents came to Ohio with their family, which then consisted of six children. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade and also a farmer, his sons doing the farming, purchased land in Sugar Creek township, Stark county, where he remained eight years, and then, selling out, removed to Wayne county, and spent two years there. The lands in Hancock county being disposed of by the government at that time, he availed himself of the opportunity to secure a tract for a homestead, where his remaining years were passed. He died December 26, 1869, aged seventy-nine years and eleven months, and his estimable wife breathed her last March 12, 1870, at the age of seventy-six years. When he came to Ohio his farm "stock" consisted of a blind mare, and when he settled he had just twenty-five cents. cash capital.
Mr. Price, our subject, remained at the old homestead in Hancock county until 1845, becoming familiar with all the details of farm management. On removing to Defiance county in April of that year, he settled on eighty acres in Section 28, but disposing of that he in 1852 bought one hundred and sixty acres in Section 10. In 1880 he removed to Section 3, where he bought one hundred and fifty-three and a half acres, and he now owns three hundred and eighty-nine and fifty-three one hundredths acres in all. As a citizen he is public- spirited, taking an interest in all that concerns the welfare of the community, and he is regarded as one of the influential workers in the local Democratic organization. At times he has held office in the township, having served six years as clerk, one year as assessor, and one year as land appraiser. Socially, he and his family are prominent, and he is an active member of the Masonic fraternity.
On May 28, 1846, Mr. Price was married in Farmer township, Defiance county, to Miss Sarah Ann Thorp, who was born May 13, 1825, a daughter of Isaac L. and Hannah ( Evert) Thorp, well-known pioneer settlers of that township, having located there in 1836 on removing from their early home in Wayne county. Of the ten children of this marriage only two are now living: Sarah Ellen (wife of Josiah B. Miller), and Rachel ( wife of Forest O. Hutchins) ; the others were Orley E., Joseph E., Mary, Laura J., Orpha I., John H., Lambertha A. (Mrs. Jonas Fullmer), and Virgil T. The mother
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of this family died August 31, 1878, in Farmer township, and on May 20, 1880, Mr. Price was married to Mrs. Fannie (Sweet) Wolford, who was born June 24, 1835, in St. Lawrence county, New York, a daughter of Thomas J. and Ormanda (Bowker) Street. Her first husband, Emanuel Wolford, died in Farmer township, Defiance county, October 10, 1872, leaving four children : Frank W .; Carrie E. (Mrs. H. M. Wolt) ; Ida O. (who married George Beerbower, and died in Farmer township, September 4, 1882), and Effie L. (who did not long survive her father, her death occurring November 13, 1872, at the age of five years). Mr. Price started in life with nothing save good health, courage and indomitable perseverance, all he now owns being the result of his own unaided efforts.
JAMES E. COULTER.
Mr. Coulter, who is a member of the law firm of Coulter & Kerr, and the editor and proprietor of the "Hicksville Independent," is descended from a family of remote Scottish birth, the early ancestors having been natives of the rugged Highlands of Scotland.
The first ancestor of the family name who came to America was William Coulter, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who emi- grated here between 1730 and 1740, and settled in New Jersey.
Samuel Coulter, his son, was well advanced in manhood when he came to this country. He first located in the western part of New York, but after- ward moved to Pennsylvania and made his home near Washington in that State. He was a connection of Colonel Washington Coulter, of Revolutionary fame.
William Coulter, son of Samuel, was a resident of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, for a long time, but passed his later years in Armstrong county, that State, residing near Elderton, where he closed his earthly pilgrimage. Interested in and active for the public good during his residence there, he became a prominent citizen, and was held in appreciation and esteem. He served as sheriff of the county, and was elevated to other prominent positions.
John Coulter, his son, was born in Armstrong county, and grew to man- hood there. In 1843 he came to Ohio, locating at New Rumley, Harrison county, where he married Miss Mary Tomlinson, who bore him six children, all of whom are living. William, one of the sons, served his country in the war of the Rebellion. John Coulter was a carpenter by trade. In the spring of 1854 the family removed to this county, and located on a farm just north of the present village of Hicksville. Here Mr. Coulter became a prominent
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and influential farmer, and in connection with his agricultural interests gave continuous attention to his business as house builder and contractor. Politi- cally, he was an advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he served his township in the office of trustee and in other incumbencies. Socially, he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. He passed from earth in 1889 at the age of seventy-one years. Mrs. Coulter preceded him several years, her death occurring in 1867. She was a member of the United Brethren Church.
James E. Coulter, son of John and Mary (Tomlinson) Coulter, and who is the subject proper of this sketch, was born August 15, 1846, at New Rumley, where the earliest years of his childhood were passed. When a lad of eight years he accompanied his parents to their new home in Hicksville, and he thinks it would require but little reflection to enable him to name every family residing there at that time. He remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. Some part of his time he attended the district school, and at the age of nineteen he became a pupil of Newville Academy, where he studied two terms. After continuing his studies five terms at Maumee Academy, which was under the auspices of the Methodists, and called Central Ohio Conference Seminary, he entered Baldwin University, where he remained three years, at the expiration of which time he was compelled to abandon university life on account of ill health, and his condition being such as to cause his disease to be pronounced consumption, he returned home with no hope of recovery. While an invalid there, his literary tastes led him to turn his attention to reading law, which he took up in December, 1872, and his health enabling him to complete a course of study in it, he was admitted to the Bar in 1876, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Hicks- ville. He has achieved a reputation as a lawyer, which has secured for him a merited place in the confidence of the community, and has enabled him to hold a large part of the legal practice of the village known as West End, of Defiance county. His law partner, Joseph Kerr, is an old schoolmate.
In connection with his professional labors, Mr. Coulter for the past six years has been editor and proprietor of "The Hicksville Independent," con- ducting the paper on avowed Republican lines ; and under his able management it has been increased in size and circulation more than one-third. He has always been a firm Republican, and was almost a pioneer in advocating an absolute gold standard. He has made his paper a strong and forcible exponent of his sound logic on this leading issue. In county and State politics, also, he has been an active worker ; was a member of the Republican Central Com- mittee eight years, and has frequently served as delegate to State, Congressional and Judicial conventions. He has been honored with the office of mayor twelve
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years, receiving the election ten consecutive years, and the appreciation of his worth in education matters has been attested by his election to the school board six years, all of which time he has served as chairman of the board. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
In 1875 Mr. Coulter formed a matrimonial alliance with Miss Viola Johnson, and their family consists of the following children: Mary M., M. Ethel, Stella J., Washburn, John R., James Earl, Audrey B., and Mina.
JOSEPH DOWELL KERR.
Mr. Kerr is a well-known attorney, and the firm of Coulter & Kerr, of which he is a member, enjoys a large and lucrative practice. Mr. Kerr had gained a high reputation as a business man before he studied law, and the experience thus acquired has been of great benefit in the practical work of his profession.
The Kerr family (who pronounce their name as if spelled Carr) origi- nated in Ireland, whence Joseph Kerr (our subject's grandfather), accom- panied by his brother, Robert, came to the United States in 1812, settling on a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where their remaining days were passed. Joseph Kerr, our subject's father, was born September 10, 1820, at Honeybrook, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and a sketch of his life will be found in that of Robert F. Kerr elsewhere.
Joseph D. Kerr, our subject, was born August 2, 1846, in Middletown, Holmes county, Ohio, and in 1857 he accompanied his parents to Hicksville, where he attended the public schools for a time. On completing the course of study offered there, he attended the normal schools at Williams Center for two terms, and then taught school at Hicksville and vicinity for three or four terms. During the Civil war he wished to enlist in the Union army, but his parents objected on account of his youth. In 1867 he went to Lagrange, Indiana, where he conducted a flourmill for six years; in 1873, however, he returned to Hicksville and engaged in manufacturing agricultural imple- ment handles, being the leading spirit in the organization of the firm of Kerr Brothers & Co., which became one of the largest business concerns in that locality, employing about fifty hands during the busy season. Mr. Kerr remained at the head of the firm for ten years, but in 1883 he sold his interest and began preparation for his profession, entering the Union College of Law at Chicago, Illinois. He took the full course of two years in that institution, and on graduating on June 12, 1884, he returned to Hicksville, where he was soon afterward elected to the office of justice of the peace. For a year his
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time was occupied with the duties of that position and the care of his farm near the village, but in 1885 he established himself in practice at Hicksville, where he has ever since continued successfully, making collecting a specialty. In 1889 he formed his present partnership with James E. Coulter. He is regarded as one of the substantial men of the town, and at different times has been chosen to office, having served as superintendent of the water works, member of the village council, and in other positions of responsibility. In politics he is a Republican, and in religious faith he is a Methodist, having been connected with that church for thirty years. During this period he has been a leader in the work of the society, and he served as recording steward for eight years, and trustee for a number of terms.
Mr. Kerr was married at Hicksville to Miss Flora A. Culler, a native of Columbiana county, Ohio, and a daughter of William T. and Mary C. (Cook) Culler, formerly of Columbiana county, but now residents of Hicks- ville. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr have two children, Paul Bentley, and DeWitt Culler.
THOMAS L. KARR.
This well-known resident of Defiance, has been for many years identi- fied prominently with agricultural interests in this section, and although he has now retired from active work he owns four hundred and twenty-eight acres of land upon which he has made valuable improvements.
Mr. Karr is a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in Coshoc- ton county, April 26, 1833. On the paternal side he is of Irish descent. his grandfather, John Karr, who died in Guernsey county, Ohio, having come from Ireland. John W. Karr, the father of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, in November, 1803, and died in Coshocton county, Ohio, at the comparatively early age of thirty-eight years. His wife, whose maiden name was Maria Gillespie, was born in Pennsylvania in Novem- ber, 1808, and passed from life in Coshocton county, at the advanced age of eighty-five. Our subject was one of a family of seven children-three sons and four daughters-and was the third child and eldest son.
In his youth Mr. Karr had the advantage of a country life, seventeen years being spent upon a farm in his native county. He then left home to make his own way in the world, and going to Guernsey county he served an apprenticeship to the carriage-makers' trade. This business he followed for about six years, but afterward engaged in farming in Coshocton county, where he remained until 1880, with the exception of a period of military
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service. In 1862 he enlisted in Coshocton county in the State militia, and in 1864 he enlisted in the regular army for one hundred days, serving four months. In 1880 he came to Defiance county, and located in Defiance township, where he continued his agricultural operations with marked suc- cess, and was also engaged profitably in stock raising. In April, 1895, he removed to the city of Defiance, where he has since resided. A man of much intelligence and public spirit, he takes an interest in all matters that relate to the general welfare, and he has held a number of township offices. He takes an active part in religious work, as he and his wife are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Defiance. Socially he is affiliated with Bishop Post, No. 22, G. A. R.,
On March 18, 1856, Mr. Karr was married in Coshocton county, to Miss Zipporah Elliott, who was born in that county July 18, 1834, a daugh- ter of Thomas C. and Margaret (Moorhead) Elliott. Her father was born in Pennsylvania, her mother in Virginia, and both died some years ago in Coshocton county. They had three children-one son and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Karr have a pleasant family of six children, their names being as follows: John H., Guy E., Tommy E., Melissa J. (wife of W. L. John- son), Ray G., and Dora B.
KIDDER V. HAYMAKER.
Our subject is one of the prominent and substantial business men of Defiance. In fact, his extensive operations in various lines have made him well known throughout the State of Ohio, his able service in connection with the State Insurance Department at Columbus, Ohio, winning him a wide reputation. Wherever he is known he is recognized as a man of in- tegrity, his rare abilities as a manager of large enterprises being combined with high sense of honor.
Mr. Haymaker was born February 14, 1856, in Noble township, De- fiance county, and is a descendant of an old English family, this branch having, however, been established in America at a very early period. His ancestors first located in Virginia, and later we find the family settled at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, then in Trumbull county, Ohio, from which point they made their way to the western part of the State with the advance of civilization. The various members have always held honorable sta- tions in life; a great-grandfather of Mr. Haymaker was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and was granted a large tract of land in recognition of his services.
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Judge William D. Haymaker, our subject's father, was one of the lead- ing men of Defiance county in his day. He owned a farm in Noble town- ship, near Brunersburg, where he also conducted a sawmill and a mercan- tile business. His influence in public affairs was marked, and he was one of the most prominent of the organizers of the Republican party in that locality, having previously been a Whig. In 1858 he was elected to the State Legislature, and his death occurred in 1859 before his term was com- pleted. Under the old constitution he served five years as associate judge of the county. By his first wife, Mary ( Blackman), he had two children, Adelia and Anna. His second wife, Almira (Braucher), had one son, Will- iam A., who died in 1875. By a third marriage, to Mrs. Elizabeth R. Hil- ton, née McMaken, there were three children: Kidder V., our subject; Carrie and Mary. Mrs. Haymaker departed this life August 23, 1898, aged seventy-seven years. Two children by her first marriage also survive, viz .: Maria L. and Eber E.
K. V. Haymaker was educated in the schools of Defiance county, and at the age of sixteen began teaching near his home. This occupation prov- ing congenial, he continued it for ten years principally in Defiance county. During this time he read law with Hill, Myers & Cameron, of Defiance, and Thomas O. Lowe, of Dayton, Ohio, and with this preparation he entered the Cincinnati Law School in the fall of 1880. On graduating in May, 1881, he was admitted to the Bar before the supreme court at Columbus, his professional work being begun soon afterward at Defiance, in partner- ship with Mr. Winn. Three years later the firm was dissolved, and a new partnership was formed with N. G. Johnson, this continuing until 1889. In 1888 Mr. Haymaker became interested in the Defiance Home Saving & Loan Association, of which he was chosen secretary and manager, and for five years he conducted the business with great success, assets to the value of a quarter of million dollars being accumulated. In 1893 he was appointed by William M. Hahn to the office of deputy inspector of build- ing and loan associations for Ohio, and this position he held for one year. On May 1, 1894, he accepted the post of secretary of the Security Building & Loan Co., at Defiance, which he organized and established on a sound and profitable basis. In 1895 he organized the Northwestern Telephone Co., at Defiance, of which he is now president. It is a successful venture with three hundred subscribers, the plant having cost fifteen thousand dol- lars. He is also president of the Northwestern Toll Line Co., which in November, 1896, completed a telephone toll line from Defiance to Toledo at a cost of seven thousand dollars.
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In October, 1881, Mr. Haymaker was married to Miss Eugenia M. Knight, of Farmers Center, Defiance county, daughter of Richard and Har- riet (Firestone) Knight. One daughter, Mildred, has blessed this union.
Mr. Haymaker has always taken a deep interest in politics, having be- gun to make campaign speeches for the Republican party before he was old enough to vote. He is an eloquent and effective speaker, and has been called upon in every campaign since to present the principles of the party from the stump. For years he was a member of the County Central and the County Executive Committees, and for some time he served either as chairman or secretary of the latter. In 1892 he was one of the alternate delegates to the National Republican Convention at Minneapolis. He is a leading member of the M. E. Church, and also belongs to the K. of P., the Independent Order of. Foresters, in which he is high chief ranger of the State, and to the Masonic fraternity, being past master of Tuendawi Lodge, No. 195, at Defiance. The name of this lodge is an Indian word signifying "meeting of the waters."
THOMAS CATO KINMONT, M. D.
THE FIRST MAYOR OF HICKSVILLE.
The Kinmont family originated in Scotland, the ancestral home being near Montrose, and its members for several generations have been noted as scientists and educators.
William Kinmont, the grandfather of the well-known physician whose . name opens this sketch, was a man of quiet tastes, and passed his life in agri- cultural pursuits near Montrose, Scotland, where he died in 1808. His wife was a descendant of the royal line of Stuarts, which so long occupied the throne of Scotland, and later furnished rulers to the United Kingdom. This worthy couple had four children-Jock, Jane, William, and Alexander. Until the death of the father the three sons attended school at Montrose, their instructor being a clergyman of the Church of England, and while there they secured the equivalent of a common-school education.
Alexander met with an accident during boyhood, his arm being torn off in a threshing machine, and as he was thus incapitated for any ordinary labor he was given a thorough education, notwithstanding the early death of his father. He pursued a course of study at Christ Church, London, and later became eminent for his scholastic attainments, and for his ability as a writer and thinker. In 1823 he came to America and located at Cincinnati, Ohio. where he established the Kinmont Academy, one of the first schools in that
Thomas & Kimmont M.D.
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city. This enterprise proved successful from the start, the school becoming deservedly popular, and while winning a high reputation as an educator he also gained fame as a writer on scientific and religious subjects, being the author of "The History of Man," and a contributor to various magazines. For many years he was a minister of the Swedenborgian Church at Cincin- nati, and he was called upon to act as interpreter in the famous debate between Alexander Campbell ( founder of the Christian Church) and other eminent men on doctrinal points.
William Kinmont, Sr., our subject's father, was born near Montrose, Scotland, February 2, 1796, and at an early age began to show remarkable ability and force of character. Soon after the death of his father he became private secretary to a wealthy farmer, and although he was at the time only twelve years old he was entrusted with all the accounts and banking business of his employer. He retained the position until he reached the age of fifteen, in the meantime acquiring a thorough knowledge of the French language, and then he went to London in search of wider opportunities. He carried a letter of introduction and recommendation to a banker of that city, who introduced him to General Kenega, by whom he was immediately engaged as a traveling companion and interpreter for an extended tour on the continent. On his return to London at the close of this engagement he called upon the banker, who employed him as a traveling companion for his two sisters, as they were desirous of finding a competent interpreter and business manager for a journey through Europe and other lands, where the customs and regulations, especially as to passports, might otherwise prove annoying to them; and this engage- ment Mr. Kinmont also filled with credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers. As may be supposed these trips were in themselves a liberal educa- tion, as he gained an intimate knowledge of the language, manners and habits of the people in the countries visited, and after his return from the journey with the ladies mentioned, he was employed as "esquire" to young Lord Manvers, to again make the tour of the continent, and to visit all the points of interest in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, there being no city or town of any importance that he had not a knowledge of. It should be noted that it required not only a thorough education and trustworthy character to enable one to secure such a situation, but the applicant must have social stand- ing and be related to the nobility, Mr. Kinmont's descent from the Stuart family being doubtless taken into account by Lord Manvers.
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