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 25
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 25
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 25
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 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
288
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
and bought one hundred acres of unimproved land. This he brought un- der cultivation and, having erected a log house and frame barn, he made his home there until 1879. During this time he took an active part in local affairs, and was a leading spirit in the Republican organization, being chosen to various important offices in the township. For four years he served as justice of the peace, declining a re-nomination at the end of his term, and he also held the office of township trustee, and as such was given, by the laws of Indiana, full charge of all the finances and business affairs of the township, including the expenditures for educational purposes. In 1879 he removed to Hicksville, and after conducting a dry-goods and grocery business for some time he sold out and established a bakery, grocery, and restaurant, which he carried on successfully for seven years. In 1888 he retired from business.
Ever since his removal to Hicksville he has continued his effective work for the Republican party, and he has also been prominent in municipal af- fairs, being twice elected to the city council, in which at this writing ( 1897) he is a leading member. He is deeply interested in religious work, having been a member of the Methodist Church for forty-five years, and for three years past he has been a member of the official board of the Church at Hicks- ville, while for some time he held the office of steward in the Church in De Kalb county, Indiana. His sympathies are always on the side of progress, and he is an ardent friend to all undertakings which tend to the elevation of society. Since 1872 he has been an active worker in the Masonic fra- ternity, having been initiated at Newville, Indiana, and he now belongs to Hicksville Lodge, No. 478, at Hicksville, in which he has held nearly every official position.
Mr. Nelson has had six children, all by his first marriage, and his de- scendants now include three generations, as he has ten grandchildren and a great-grandchild, a boy named in his honor, Walter Hugh. Of his child- ren, Ann married Walter M. Abel, of Concord township, De Kalb county, Indiana; Elizabeth is the wife of J. W. Wright, of Hicksville; John Fremont, a resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, married (first) Lavona Culler, and after her death wedded Nanny Eddy; Ella married W. C. Patterson, of St. Jos- eph, Indiana; Esther is the wife of S. A. Karn, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Emma married Alton Otis, of Davisburg, Michigan, and died March 11, 1898. The mother of this family died August 10, 1887, her remains being interred in the cemetery at Hicksville. In November, 1888, Mr. Nelson married Mrs. Mary Budd, née Murray, who died in October, 1889, leaving no child- ren.
289
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On November 4, 1891, he married Mrs. Lucina Lybarger, née Wolfe, who was born near Mt. Vernon, Knox county, Ohio, the daughter of Isaac and Harriet (McVey) Wolfe. Her family has been identified with that lo- cality for many years, and her grandfather, Peter Wolfe, a soldier of the war of 1812, settled there at an early day. He was of German descent, and was born in Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Nancy Richmond, who was of English ancestry. Mrs. Nelson now cherishes as an heirloom a tall, old-fashioned cabinet clock which once belonged to her grandfather, and has been in the family for more than eighty years. Her father was a promi- nent citizen of Knox county in his day, being extensively engaged in farm- ing and banking interests, and at the time of his death he was president of the bank at Danville. Politically he was an old-line Democrat, and for many years he was active in religious work, being a member of the Disciple Church.
Mrs. Nelson was married in September, 1866, at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, to her first husband, Martin H. Lybarger, and soon afterward they located in Carryall township, Paulding county, Ohio, where Mr. Lybarger engaged in farming and became prominent as a citizen, being an influential member of the local Democratic organization. He was identified with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Lodge No. 478 at Hicksville. As a business man he displayed much ability and at his death, which occurred February 18, 1884, he left a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres. Of the two child- ren of this marriage the elder, Guilford D. Lybarger, married Elizabeth Went- worth, and died at the age of twenty-three; his wife still survives him. He was a most promising young man, an agriculturist by occupation, and was an active member of the Masonic fraternity, Hicksville Lodge. His child, Luree, is also deceased. The younger son, Orley Lybarger, born in 1880, now resides in Hicksville with Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, in their pleasant home on High street, but conducts a photograph gallery in Auburn, Indiana. Mrs. Nelson, like her husband, belongs to the Methodist Church, and she takes an active interest in its work.
ALBERT FARNSWORTH.
Wherever there is pioneer work to be done, men of energy and ability are required. In wresting the land of Defiance county from its native wilder- ness; in fitting it for the habitation of men; in developing the natural re- sources of the community in which they live, few, if any, have contributed more largely than has Mr. Farnsworth, who now resides in Section 20, Hicks- ville township, and it is meet and proper that for the arduous and important labor he has performed he should receive due reward.
290
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Farnsworth was born March 14, 1830, in Boston, Massachusetts, a. son of Oliver and Edna (King) Farnsworth, natives of Vermont. About 1833 the family removed to New York City, where they lived for three years ; then came to Stark county, Ohio, and here the father worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner for four years. In the fall of 1840 he brought the family to Defiance county, and located in Milford township, where he con- tinued to make his home until called to his final rest December 24, 1882, at the age of eighty-six and one-half years. His wife, surviving him about six years, died August 14, 1888, aged seventy-eight. Thus passed away two of Defiance county's honored pioneers and highly respected citizens.
Of their eleven children two died in infancy and nine reached years of maturity, namely: Jane A., wife of Royal L. Taylor; Albert, the subject of this sketch; Frank; Ellen, wife of Clement Hulbert; Eliza, wife of J. B. Martin; Mary, wife of Sumner Johnson; Nathan E .; Lucy, wife of William Jackson ; and Edna, wife of S. Myheoffer.
Albert Farnsworth was ten years of age at the time of the arrival of the family in Defiance county, and he early became familiar with the ardu- ous task of converting the wild land into highly-cultivated fields, and with other pioneer work. Upon the home farm in Milford township he con- tined to reside until his marriage, and during his youth learned the carpen- ter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming until 1896. He began his domestic life in Milford township, where he made his home until 1883, when he removed to his present farm in Hicksville township, which is pleasantly situated just outside the village of Hicksville, and consists of seven- ty-seven acres of well-improved and highly-cultivated land.
On August 30, 1854, in Milford township, Mr. Farnsworth was united in marriage with Miss Eliza A. Martin, a native of Vermont, and a daughter of Reuben and Thankful ( Bolton) Martin, who in 1853 removed from Port- age county, Ohio, to Milford township, Defiance county. Five children were born of this union, namely: Newell A .; Emma, wife of Frank Place; War- ren A .; Effie, wife of F. A. Warner; Charles A. The mother of these children departed this life December 4, 1895. In Hicksville township, on October 8, 1896, Mr. Farnsworth was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Catherine (Tracht) Hilbert, a daughter of Peter Tracht, and widow of Isaac Hilbert.
During the Civil war, Mr. Farnsworth manifested his patriotism by enlisting in August, 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and was made a non-commissioned officer. After one year's service he was placed on detached duty in the Engi-
291
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
neer Corps. He participated in the battle of Murfreesboro, in the siege of Knoxville, as well as in several skirmishes, and when his term of service had expired he was honorably discharged. His experience was a remarkable one, he having been providentially saved from guerilla bullets and rope while serving as recruiting officer in East Tennessee, in the organization of colored troops; also in a successful rescuing of three comrades from a watery grave. taking them from a wreck in a frail skiff in Holston river while it was at high water mark and covered with rapidly floating ice.
While living in Milford township, he held the offices of township trustee and clerk, but has never cared for political honors. For forty-eight years he has been a worthy member of the United Brethren Church, having during that time served as class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school for ten successive years, and he still continues to take quite an active part in all Church work.
As an honored pioneer and highly respected citizen of Defiance county, he is deserving of prominent mention in a work of this character, whose duty it is to perpetuate the names of the representative and prominent citizens of this section of the State.
WILLIAM D. HULL.
The present township trustee of Adams township, Defiance county, Wil- liam D. Hull, our subject, was born May 15, 1864, upon the farm where he still continues to reside, and is a son of Emanuel and Jane (Osborn) Hull, both natives of Portage county, Ohio, the former born in 1830, the latter in 1837. They were married in Defiance county, and soon afterward located upon the farm in Section 36, Adams township, Defiance county, where they continued to make their home until called from this life, the father dying February 14, 1883, the mother on September 20, 1890. He was one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of the community, took an active part in local affairs, and efficiently served in some township offices.
The subject of this sketch is fifth in the order of birth in the family of nine children-seven sons and two daughters-and throughout life he has lived upon the old homestead in Section 36, Adams township, Defiance county. He was educated in the common schools, and early became familiar with farm work in its various departments. Choosing that vocation as a life work, he has met with fair success in his undertakings. His farm comprises one hun- dred and ten acres of rich and productive land under a high state of culti- vation.
292
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In Defiance county, Ohio, March 6, 1884, Mr. Hull was united in marriage with Miss Alice Geitgey, who was born in Noble township, Defi- ance county, in 1863, a daughter of the late Adam Geitgey, and they have seven children, namely : Zepha J., Alva E., Myrtle E., Franklin W., Emma A., Alta M., and Ray V.
Mr. Hull is actively identified with the Democratic party, and is recog- nized as a leader in local political matters. He has filled the office of road supervisor in a most satisfactory manner, and in the spring of 1896 was elected trustee of Adams township, a position he is now filling with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents.
HENRY DIETRICK BOKOP.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success through difficulties we find an unconscious recognition of the in- trinsic worth of a character which will not only stand so rough a test, but can gain new strength from the hard discipline. The following history sets forth briefly the steps by which one of our most successful business men has made his way in life, notwithstanding obstacles, and it cannot fail to be a source of encouragement to any aspiring youth.
Mr. Bokop, who is now a leading citizen of Defiance, was born Feb- ruary 23, 1854, at Graue, Hanover, Germany, the son of John D. Bokop, an agriculturist of that locality. After securing a practical education in the schools of his native land, Mr. Bokop, at the age of sixteen, came to the United States to seek his fortune, coming straight to Defiance, working on a farm for three years, then at the age of nineteen he commenced to learn the blacksmith's trade. In 1877 he took the position of foreman of the blacksmith department of the Turnbull Wagon Works. In 1882 he established a shop of his own, starting a general repair shop, which, a few years later, developed into a first-class carriage factory. He is a natural organizer, and in addition to the business mentioned he has given his at- tention to several other enterprises, all of which have proved profitable.
In 1892 he assisted in organizing the Defiance Box Co., of which he was elected general manager, and under his direction the business attained marked growth. In 1896 he assisted in organizing the New Manufactur- ing Co. This company was duly organized, and had a most promising out- look. Then in 1897, through his efforts, these two companies were merged into one, and Mr. Bokop was elected general manager of the entire plant, which now employs over one hundred hands.
Het. Bokop
295
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
He began his business adventures as an inventor, placing before the people a tire setter and cooler, known as "The Bokop Tire Setter and Cool- er." This device has been a very useful invention, is a great labor-saving device for blacksmiths generally, and has been sold in nearly every country in the world. It was in this invention that Mr. Bokop laid the foundation for his business success.
In politics Mr. Bokop is a Democrat, and in 1892 he was elected to the city council from the First ward; re-elected in 1894; served the city four years, and during the last year of the four he was president of the council. In 1877 he was married to Miss Eliza M. Martin, of Defiance. and two children have been born to this union: Clara and Frederick.
JOHN C. GRIM.
The official surveyor of Williams county, J. C. Grim, has won a high standing in professional circles, his reputation for skill and accuracy extending far beyond local limits, while as a citizen he is deservedly popular, his ability and high character having gained the esteem of all classes in the community.
A native of Williams county, Mr. Grim was born at Bryan July 14, 1857, and his family has been identified with this State from an early period. His tather, Joseph S. Grim (now deceased), was born in Stark county, and was married there to Miss Allison Cairns, a native of Scotland. Soon afterward he removed to Pulaski, Williams county, where he resided until 1864, with the exception of two years spent in Bryan. He was an excellent citizen, suc- cessful in his business as a wagon maker, and was highly respected by his associates. Early in 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-fifth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, with the rank of corporal, and in December of that year he met a soldier's death at Honey Hill, South Carolina. His wife survived him for many years, her death occurring May 5, 1891, in Pulaski, Williams county. They had five children, viz. : Martha, Margaret (who died in Bryan, August 29, 1889), John C., Andrew (who died in childhood), and Francis.
Mr. Grim's education was begun in the common schools of Pulaski, which he attended for some time in the winter only, the summers being spent in farm work. For two years he was employed as a clerk in a general store in that town, and in 1881 he began the study of surveying with James Paul, of Bryan. His talent in this direction was so decided that he made rapid progress, and he established himself in business readily as a surveyor and civil engineer. In the fall of 1888 he was elected to the office of surveyor of Williams county on the Republican ticket, and from
296
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
June, 1889, to September, 1898, he served continuously in that position. During this period he has also been employed by the Ohio State Canal Commissioners as a draughtsman, and the duties of that position were ful- filled with his characteristic thoroughness and fidelity. He takes an intelli- gent interest in all the questions of the day and is prominent in local affairs, being one of the leading members of the Republican organization in his county.
On April 7, 1886, Mr. Grim married Miss Myrtle Lockhart, daughter of Clark and Martha (Towers) Lockhart. Her father died some years ago in Ashland county, Ohio, and her mother is now the wife of John Scott, of Springfield township, Williams county. Mr. Grim and his wife have had three children, viz. : Florence E., Ruth, and Leland. Socially the family is prominent, and Mr. Grim is connected with various fraternal bodies, including Bryan Lodge, No. 215, F. and A. M., and Bryan Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons.
PROFESSOR GEORGE W. DUSTIN. 1
Although this gentleman has been identified with the history of Sher- wood, Defiance county, but a comparatively short time, he is honored with a prominent place among its leading and valued citizens.
The late Samuel Dustin was a Pennsylvanian by birth, born in West- moreland county. As a life companion he wedded Miss Catharine Zeigler, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and here they resided during the early part of their married life, but later he removed to a farm in Williams county, this State, where Mr. Dustin devoted the remainder of his life to agriculture. They had eight children-six sons and two daughters-George W. being the second in the order of birth. The father departed this life May 19, 1892; the widowed mother still survives.
George W. Dustin was born in the Williams county home, July 12, 1848, and was reared on the paternal farm. He obtained the foundation of a good education in the common schools of his native county, and later completed a course of study at the Normal College at Bryan, graduating in 1872. Prior to that, in 1868, he engaged in teaching in Williams county, and on his gradu- ation from college received the compliment of an appointment to the prin- cipalship of the public schools at Montpelier. After filling this position for more than three years, he taught at Farmer Center, Defiance county, six years, when he was chosen principal of the schools at Butler, Indiana, and accepting the position, was there one year.
297
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
On November 14, 1875, Professor Dustin was united in marriage with Miss Esther A. Poast, a daughter of the late John and Catherine ( Rodkey) Poast of Williams county. Their family consisted of ten children-four sons and six daughters-Mrs. Dustin being the sixth child. Her native place is Bryan, Ohio, where she was born May 19, 1852. The home in Williams county was saddened by the death of the father December 15, 1862, and after a long period of widowhood the mother passed away, at Bryan, February 24, 1897.
Professor and Mrs. Dustin have become the parents of four children, as follows: Carmie A., Winnie A. (deceased in infancy), Vena A., and Loyal A. In 1892. the Professor accepted the principalship of the Sherwood public school, which numbers about one hundred and twenty regular pupils, bringing to the work, in addition to a well-furnished and cultivated mind, an experience of nearly a quarter of a century of continuous engagement in the labors of his vocation. Possessing a just appreciation of the benefits of a liberal education, as also a love for literary pursuits, he gives assiduous atten- tion to the duties of his calling as instructor of youth, with fruitful results; and, in addition to these labors, he has served on the county board of school examiners for a term of three years, and was reappointed August 30, 1898, for a second term of three years.
Our subject and his wife are members of the U. B. Church, and take an active part in Church work. The former has interested himself largely in Sunday-school work and has been superintendent of several Sunday-schools. A man of ability in his calling, his position is one of influence, and he enjoys the confidence and high regard of the community.
DANIEL DEEMER.
Mr. Deemer, who is treasurer of Williams county, is a man whose ability, integrity, and public spirit have won for him the confidence of his fellow-citizens in an unusual degree. Although his county is normally Demo- cratic by about three hundred votes, he was chosen to his present responsible office in 1896 by a majority of six hundred, showing his popularity among all classes and parties.
Mr. Deemer comes of honorable ancestry, his great-grandfather, John Deemer, a native of France, having volunteered as a soldier in the Amer- ican Revolutionary army under General Lafayette, with whom he came to this country. After doing gallant service in the struggle for American independence, he settled in Pennsylvania at the close of the war.
298
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Philip Deemer, our subject's grandfather, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and at an early day located in Columbiana county, Ohio, his remaining years being spent in farming about four miles northeast of New Lisbon. His wife, Rosanna (Stacher), who also died near New Lisbon, was of German descent, but her ancestors had been residents of Pennsylvania for many years.
John Deemer, the father of our subject, was born November 12, 1827, at the old homestead near New Lisbon, and on arriving at manhood he engaged in business in the town of Columbiana as a brick manufacturer and broom maker. Later he carried on a hardware business there, and for many years he was a leading citizen of the place. On January 1, 1852, he was married in Williams county, nine miles northeast of Bryan, to Miss Martha Bushong, who died in Columbiana March 12, 1871. He afterward married a second wife, and his death occurred at Columbiana May 28, 1875. In religious faith he was a Methodist, as was also his first wife, both being devout members of the Church at Columbiana. He had three children, who lived to mature age, all by his first marriage: William M., a resident of Jefferson township, Williams county, is a farmer, and is also interested in business as a tinner. Jacob Edward, who resides at Pueblo, Colorado, is the manager for a large grocery company.
The subject of our sketch, who is the youngest member of the family, was born in Columbiana, June 29, 1862, and his education was begun in the schools of that town. At the age of fourteen years he came to Williams county, where he worked for some time at farming, saving his earnings in order to secure better school privileges. By this means he managed to pay his way at the normal school at Fayette, Ohio, for two years, and later for three years he attended the Northwestern Normal and Collegiate Insti- tute, at Wauseon, Ohio, the necessary funds being obtained by teaching. After completing his course in the latter institution he continued his teaching for a time, making eleven terms in all, and during the last two years he spent his spare time in reading law. In 1889 he was appointed clerk in the United States Census Office at Washington, D. C., where he remained until May, 1893, and the following summer he spent in Elizabethton, East Tennessee.
On the day previous to election he returned to Williams county, and settled upon a farm in Jefferson township, of which he became the owner in 1889. The care of this estate has occupied his attention largely, but he finds time to participate actively in all local movements of importance and especially in political affairs. From his youth he has been an ardent sup- porter of Republican principles, and his sound judgment has caused his
299
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
advice to be sought in the councils of the party. For seven years he served as a member of the county executive and central committees, and on August 31, 1895, he was nominated by the county convention against four other prom- inent and popular candidates, to the office of county treasurer, with the result stated above, and since November 5, 1895, he has filled the position with characteristic skill and fidelity.
On June 25, 1891, Mr. Deemer was married to Miss Blanche Brown, a native of Bridgewater township, Williams county, and a daughter of Abner K. and Amanda (Bollinger) Brown, prominent residents of that locality.
J. F. RAKER.
This retired educator, a veteran of the Civil war, and now a progressive agriculturist residing on Section 30, Swan Creek township, Fulton county, is a native of Ohio, born in Fairfield county, October 10, 1843.
Martin Raker, Sr., grandfather of our subject, was born in Pennsylvania, whence at an early day he came to Fulton county, Ohio, where he followed farming, and died in Swan Creek township in 1864. Of his children, Martin, Jr., the father of J. F., was also a native of Pennsylvania, whence in 1846 he moved to Fulton county. He married Elizabeth Dindore, and four children were born to this union: (1) Mary J., deceased wife of George Valentine, of Morenci, Michigan; she left four children-Lela, George O., Elmer and John C. (2) A. J., who lives in Swan Creek township, Fulton county. (3) J. F., our subject. (4) Martin L., deceased.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.