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 28
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 28
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 28
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 28
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The late Hon. Elisha G. Denman, born in Knox county, Ohio, in 1821, removed to Williams county in 1851-then in the prime of manhood- and there continued to reside till his death, which occurred at West Unity, in March, 1877. In early life he married Miss Almira H. Morrison, a native of Richland county, Ohio, where she was born in 1820, and at the time of their removal to West Unity, Williams county, Mr. and Mrs. Den- man were the parents of three sons, the youngest of whom, James K., was an infant four months old. Three sons added to the number in their new home completed the family circle. The father was a farmer by occupa- tion, but being a public-spirited and influential citizen, was twice chosen county treasurer, the duties incumbent upon which office he faithfully dis- charged, and he was twice honored with an election to the State Legisla- ture, where, likewise, he served to the satisfaction of his constituents. Mrs. Denman was spared to the family many years after the death of her hus- band. She departed this life at West Unity, in December, 1896.
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James K. Denman was born June 30, 1851, in Batemantown, Knox county, Ohio, but becoming a part of the new home at West Unity in his infancy, it became to him as a birthplace, and there all the tender mem- ories and associations of his childhood and early youth center. The foun- dations of his education were laid in the common and high schools of West Unity, and he subsequently attended the Bryan Normal School. He then entered the employ of Long Bros., druggists at Bryan, where he remained three years; but his tastes inclining to the medical profession, he again be- came a student, attending Wooster University, Cleveland, one term, and on leaving that institution completed a course in the Columbus Medical College, graduating and receiving his degree there, February 29, 1876. The year 1876 was further signalized by his location at The Bend, Delaware township, and the beginning of his medical practice here in partnership with Doctor W. W. Moats-this event occurring on the 5th of September. After an associate practice of one year, the partnership was dissolved, Doc- tor Denman continuing in practice here alone, however, the next two years, when he took up the drug business in Sherwood, and carried it on two years. At the expiration of that time he resumed his professional life at The Bend as a general practitioner. In the winter of 1895 he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Cleveland, bringing to his pro- fessional work here the benefits of this attention to modern advances in medical science and skill. The Doctor took his first post-graduate degree at the Columbus Medical College in 1882, and his second one at the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons at Cleveland in 1896.
In June, 1877, at The Bend, Miss Elizabeth Speaker, a daughter of the late Charles Speaker, of Delaware township, became his bride. She is a native of the town, born in 1851. The home of Doctor and Mrs. Den- man is located at The Bend, in Delaware township. The Doctor owns a large farm of two hundred acres which he conducts in connection with his professional duties. They have two children: Charles G. and Emma.
The Doctor is a member of the Defiance County Medical Society, and the Northwestern Medical Society. He is medical examiner for the Union Central and New York Life Insurance Companies. Socially, he is affili- ated with the Knights of Pythias; politically, he is a Democrat. He is ac- tively interested in whatever pertains to the welfare and advancement of the community, and his fellow townsmen have manifested their regard for him by entrusting him with the office of treasurer of the township for a period of seven years.
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PHILIP WEIDNER.
This member of the firm of P. Weidner & Co., general merchants of Kunkle, Williams county, has demonstrated the true meaning of the word "success" as the full accomplishment of an honorable purpose. Energy, close application, perseverance and good management-these are the elements which have entered into his business career and crowned his efforts with pros- perity.
Mr. Weidner was born August 23, 1840, in Richland county, Ohio, a son of Wendal and Catherine (Weidner) Weidner, who, though bearing the same name, were not related previous to their marriage. Both were born on the Rhine, in Baden, Germany, were there married, and in 1831 crossed the Atlantic, becoming residents of Richland county, Ohio, where they spent their remaining days. The father purchased eighty acres of timber land, which he transformed into a good farm, and upon that place died in 1873 aged seventy-three years ; his wife passing away in 1855. They held membership in the German Reformed Church, and politically he was identified with the Democratic party. Their children were: Mrs. Chris- tine Pfingsday, who was born in Germany; William, a resident of Mans- field, Ohio; Henry, who lives on the. old homestead; George, of Williams county ; Catherine, of Mansfield; Philip, the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth, wife of J. Dohm, a farmer of Williams county.
The common schools of his native county afforded our subject his edu- cational privileges, and upon the home farm he was reared to habits of in- dustry. On leaving the parental roof in 1860, he came to Williams county, where during the first year he was employed at chopping timber and clear- ing land at twelve dollars per month, and then engaged in carpenter work until the spring of 1865, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-sev- enth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Hancock's Corps, Army of the Potomac. When the war was over he was mustered out at Baltimore, Maryland, and at Columbus, Ohio, was paid off and received an honorable discharge. Dur- ing his service he was mostly engaged in guard duty.
On his return to Williams county, Mr. Weidner resumed work at the carpenter's trade, but in the fall of 1865 he purchased eighty acres of tim- ber land, and began to clear and improve the place, erecting thereon a small frame residence. Having secured a home, he in 1867 married Miss Cath- erine E. Stiving, a native of Richland county, and a daughter of Philip and Leah (Dohm) Stiving. Her father was born on the Rhine, in Baden, Ger-
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many, and in 1821, when a lad of thirteen years, came to the New World with his parents, Jacob and Savilla (Weidner) Stiving, who subsequently became residents of Richland county, Ohio, where they invested their capi- tal in raw land. Jacob Stiving, as well as the other members of the family. labored at anything by which he could make an honest living, and at in- tervals worked on his own land in order to make a home for the family. Finally he was able to devote his entire attention to the cultivation and im- provement of his own land. He died upon that place, and his wife later made her home among her children in Williams county, where she passed away at the age of eighty-two.
Philip Stiving grew to manhood in Richland county, where for sev- eral years he operated rented farms, and where most of his children were born. On coming to Williams county in 1856, he purchased a tract of wild land, which he converted into a good farm, and meeting with success in his undertakings, he later became the owner of four hundred acres of valuable land, and a half of that amount he placed under cultivation. When he arrived here, in order to reach his new home he had to cut a road through the forest, and the family made their temporary home in an old shanty un- til a more substantial log house could be erected. This was afterward weather-boarded and made into a comfortable home, and in subsequent years was replaced with an elegant two-story brick residence, supplied with all modern conveniences. In connection with general farming he also dealt quite extensively in stock, especially cattle and horses. Both he and his wife died in 1888, the latter surviving him only six months. Before leav- ing his native land he joined the Lutheran Church, always adhered to that faith, was a kind and indulgent husband and father, and had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. To his children he left a valuable estate, and they have carried forward the work he inaugurated, and are to-day prominent and useful members of society. In order of birth they are as follows: Catherine, wife of our subject; Jacob, a farmer; Mrs. Mary Traxler; George, a farmer; Mrs. Sarah A. Greek; Peter, a farmer; Mrs. Emma J. Keller; and Savilla L., wife of J. Kunkle.
Mr. and Mrs. Weidner began their domestic life upon his farm, to the cultivation and improvement of which he devoted his energies until it became one of the best farms in the locality, a good orchard having been planted, a two- story frame residence erected and substantial outbuildings. In 1875 he left the farm and removed to the village of Kunkle, where he invested one thous- and dollars in a stock of merchandise, becoming third owner in a general store; but at the end of three years sold his interest, and for a year en-
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gaged in contracting and building. At the end of that time, however, he purchased the store, with which he was formerly connected, and so rapidly has his trade increased that he has greatly enlarged his stock, and in 1896 was forced to add a new store room to his building, now occupying a good double store, in which he carries a large and well-selected stock of general merchandise, including dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, groceries, etc. He also deals in country produce, buying and shipping large quantities of poultry, wool, hay, clover seed, etc. Being a popular merchant, he has met with well-deserved success, has become quite wealthy, and, besides his home in Kunkle, he owns a fine brick residence in that village, where he makes his home, and a good farm in Williams county. For eleven years he acceptably served as postmaster at Kunkle, but resigned in 1886 in order to give his entire attention to his business interests.
To Mr. and Mrs. Weidner have been born three children, namely : George, who is married, and is now interested in the store; Homer, who is also in the store; and Laura, at home. Although Mr. Weidner still super- intends both farm and store, he leaves the more arduous labors to his sons, who are wide-awake, progressive young business men. Since attaining his majority he has been identified with the Democratic party; socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 821, of Kunkle, and London Post, G. A. R., of Montpelier.
ELIEL TAYLOR BINNS.
"Man's sociality of nature," says Carlyle, "evinces itself in spite of all that may be said, by this one trait were there no other-the unspeakable delight which he takes in biography." This is especially the case where a man's own energetic and well-directed effort has been the means of his ad- vancement in life, and in the career of this successful merchant, who is one of the leading citizens of Bryan, there is much to instruct as well as inter- est the reader.
Mr. Binns comes of good old English stock, and both his parents were natives of "the Merrie Isle." His paternal great-grandfather, Jonathan Binns, and grandfather, William Binns, were lifelong residents of Bury, England, a town about fifty miles northeast of Liverpool. William Binns was a man of fine mental gifts, and gained an enviable reputation as an actor through his appearance in amateur theatricals on the local stage. In his youth he followed the barber's trade, but in later years he became the official auctioneer of Bury, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-
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six. He had four children, of whom our subject's father, Rev. Samuel Binns, was the eldest. (2) Henry came to the United States about 1840 and died of sea fever two weeks after his arrival at the house of his brother Samuel, who had preceded him. He left a widow and two sons, Henry and Edmund, who were reared by their grandfather Binns, but came to America in 1868. The elder learned the brass-molder's trade in England, and now owns and operates a brass and iron foundry at Passaic, New Jersey. The younger served five years in the British army before coming to the United States, and for three years after his arrival worked at the painter's trade, but is now employed by his brother as a bookkeeper. (3) Elizabeth died in England, unmarried. (4) Edmund, a cabinet maker by trade, came to the United States about 1840, and remained about nine months, but re- turned to Bury, England, where he died in 1880.
Rev. Samuel Binns, our subject's father, came to America in 1838, locating first in New York City, where he followed the tailor's trade, and was also engaged for a time in taxidermy, in which he was an expert. He prepared many fine collections, and some of the specimens of his skill were secured by P. T. Barnum for his famous museum in New York City. In 1842 Mr. Binns removed to Ohio, settling at Westfield, Medina county, where he followed his trade some fifteen years. As a business man he was fairly successful, acquiring a competence, and wherever he resided he took keen interest in all that concerned the progress and welfare of the com- munity, being public-spirited to an eminent degree. He was a thorough American in principle, his adopted country receiving his hearty allegiance. Soon after his removal to Ohio he united with the Methodist Church, and when his attention was once turned to theological questions he began the study of them with characteristic zeal and thoroughness. So earnest was he in the desire to gain an accurate knowledge of the Scriptures and their real meaning, that he mastered the Greek and Latin languages without an instructor, an achievement which demonstrates both his ability and energy. Through his study of the Bible he was led to embrace the Universalist faith, and about 1854 he was ordained as a minister of that Church, in which he remained in active service for thirty-five years. His decided character made him a power in the denomination, his whole force being thrown into any work that he might undertake, and he was regarded as one of the most ef- fective debaters in the Church in his day.
Among the charges which he held during his long service in the ministry were the congregations at Amity, Knox county; Newway, Licking county ; Belleville, Richland county; Lyons, Fulton county; Fayette, in the same
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county, and his death occurred at the latter place on June 12, 1889, his re- mains being interred in the cemetery there. He was married, in 1836, in Bury, England, to Miss Ellen Taylor, who survives him and still ( 1898) re- sides at Fayette. Although now in her eighty-third year she retains the use of her faculties, being as bright and active as most women of fifty. Of the ten children of this estimable couple only five lived to maturity: (1) Eliza married James Murphy, and died at the age of thirty-three, leaving three sons-Eliel, a farmer in Knox county; Clayton, an attorney at To- ledo; and Edwin, a farmer in Iowa. (2) William married Miss Lois Ford, and resides near Fayette. (3) Sarah married Otis Ford, of Fayette. (4) Eliel Taylor, our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (5) Ella mar- ried James Vail, and resides at Weston, Michigan.
Our subject was born September 16, 1850, at Westfield, Ohio, and was chiefly educated in the district and graded schools of Fayette. At the age of sixteen he began clerking for C. L. Allen in his general store at Fayette, and after three years' experience he went to Bowling Green, Wood county, to take a similar position with C. F. Button. Returning to Fayette seven months later, he spent the winter of 1869-70 in the employ of C. L. Allen, and in the following spring he "went on the road" selling and putting up eave-troughs in various places in Hillsdale county, Michigan, in Steuben county, Indiana, and in Williams county, this State. On September 4, 1871, he made his home at Bryan, entering the employ of Walker & Killets, dry- goods merchants, and on the dissolution of the firm, three years later, he remained with Mr. Walker four years longer. In the meantime he made some profitable investments in real estate, every available hundred dollars being put to good use, and in 1878, having accumulated sufficient capital, he opened a new dry-goods store and embarked in business on his own account. From the first he followed the wise practice of paying cash for his stock, thus secur- ing a good discount, and during his first year his capital was turned five times, his sales amounting to twenty-five thousand dollars. As he increased his trade he enlarged his stock, and at times his business has amounted to sixty- nine thousand dollars annually. In addition to his dry-goods store he is interested in other enterprises, being the founder of the firm of A. L. Shaffer & Co., boot and shoe dealers, at Bryan, a prosperous concern.
He was active as a promoter of the N. & S. R. R., and of the oil and gas company organized to develop the territory adjoining Bryan. His real-estate holdings are still extensive, and he now owns eleven buildings and five busi- ness rooms at Bryan. His shrewdness and insight into character is shown by the fact that in a credit business extending over a period of seventeen years,
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in which his outstanding bills have usually amounted to five or six thousand dollars a year, he has collected all but one hundred and seventy-three dollars, which may yet be paid, while in all his career as a landlord he was never lost a month's rent from a tenant. He has always been an advocate of public im- provements, his influence being given toward securing for his town a good water-works system, electric lights, and suitable school buildings, while he was one of the chief workers in the movement for securing the present fine court house at Bryan, and spent some time at Columbus in order to gain legislative approval for the project. In politics he is a pronounced Republican, and he is a stanch friend to the temperance cause.
On September 16, 1879, Mr. Binns was married to Miss Allie N. Walker, who died May 3, 1880. On April 20, 1882, he formed a second matrimonial union, this time with Miss Rhoda E. Lane, by whom he has had two daugh- ters : Laura, now ( 1898) aged sixteen, and Mildred, aged seven. Mr. Binns and his wife are prominent in the best social circles of Bryan, and he is identified with the Masonic fraternity. He is a leading member of the Uni- versalist Church in his locality, and for a number of years has served as trustee and superintendent of the Sunday-school.
JOHN ELLSWORTH SCOTT.
The well-known and popular postmaster at Bryan, John E. Scott, was born in Williams county, August 18, 1861, a son of Doctor William C. and Elizabeth ( Millhouse) Scott, pioneer settlers of the county. The father is now deceased, but the mother is still living. They had a family of six chil- dren-five sons and one daughter-of whom John E. is the fifth in the order of birth. He was reared upon his father's farm in Center township, and began his education in the common schools of that locality. He also pursued a business course in the Fayette Normal School, and for thirteen terms successfully engaged in teaching in Williams county.
In 1886 Mr. Scott was appointed railway mail clerk under President Cleveland's first administration, but after serving for two years and eight months he was obliged to resign on account of ill health. Accepting the position of deputy treasurer of Williams county, he served in that capacity for four years, and in February, 1894, was appointed postmaster of Bryan, being the present incumbent. He is a most efficient and obliging official, and by his prompt and able discharge of duty has won the commendation of the many patrons of the office. In the fall of 1897 he was the Demo- cratic nominee for treasurer of Williams county, and was elected, although
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the county was carried by the Republicans for Governor Bushnell, etc. He is recognized as one of the most influential members of the party in his community, and has always taken a very active and prominent part in polit- ical affairs. Socially he is an honored member of the Knights of the Mac- cabees, and the Knights of Pythias, serving as past chancellor of the latter order. An enterprising, public-spirited man, he has become a valued and useful citizen of the county.
On October 6, 1886, in Williams county, Mr. Scott married Miss Addie, daughter of James Fisher, of Center township, and they have one child, Winifred.
HARMAN C. LEADERS.
No foreign element has become a more important part of American citi- zenship than that furnished by Germany. The immigrants from that land have brought with them to the New World the stability, enterprise and per- severing characteristics of their people, and have fused these qualities with the progressiveness and indomitable spirit of the West. Mr. Leaders, the present superintendent of the Defiance County Infirmary, is a representa- tive of this class.
Julius Leaders, father of our subject, was born in Germany February 29, 1820, was married there to Henrietta Myers, and they had three child- ren : Harman C., Mrs. Augusta Stengel, and Mary M. Leaders, the last named being deceased. In 1856 they came to America, but the mother died two years after their arrival. In 1859 the father for his second wife wedded Sophia Walters, of Germany, and they had five children-four sons and one daughter: Dora (Mrs. Decker), William, Charles, George and Elmore, all yet living except Elmore. The father passed from earth at Brunersburg, Defiance county, May 1, 1898, aged seventy-eight years, two months, three days. During the war of the Rebellion he was drafted into the army, and served ten months.
By trade he was a lifelong tanner.
From May, 1856, until the following August the family lived in Buffalo, New York, and then came to Defiance county, Ohio, locating in Noble town- ship, where Harman C. Leaders grew to manhood. During his youth he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he has been principally employed throughout life, and for five years he engaged in bridge building. He has met with excellent success in his undertakings, is now the owner of a good farm in Mark township, Defiance county, and to some extent has engaged in agricultural pursuits.
:
ALICE A. GLEN L. HARMAN C.
CORNELIUS F. HELEN M.
ADA I.
ETTIE H.
HARMAN C. LEADERS' FAMILY.
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In Brunersburg, Noble township, Defiance county, Mr. Leaders was married October 27, 1872, to Miss Helen Mary Dowe, who was born at that place, May 5, 1848, and they have become the parents of seven child- ren, two of whom are now deceased: Harman and an infant unnamed ; those living are Cornelius F., Ada I., Glen L., Alice A. and Ettie H. Of these-Cornelius F. and Glen L. are carpenters, by trade, good industrious men.
Mrs. Leaders is a daughter of John Frederick (Sr.) and Barbara (Speaker) Dowe, natives of Germany, the father born in Hanover in 1830, the mother born in Baden in 1816. They were married in Defiance county, December 16, 1846. In their family were six children, viz .: Helen Mary (Mrs. Leaders), Charles F. (deceased), two who died in infancy, Clara (also deceased), and J. F. (living). The mother, who came to Defiance county in 1834, died March 15, 1895; the father passed from earth in April, 1880. They were members of the M. E. Church. By occupation he was a blacksmith, and was widely known throughout the community in which he lived. He served in the army during the war of the Rebellion, being drafted in 1862. After the expiration of his term he served as a substitute until his final discharge on account of injury received in the serv- ice. For many years he was a justice of the peace; also for sometime was infirmary director, both of which incumbencies he was filling at the time of his death. Mr. Leaders' maternal grandfather, Lucas Speaker, was born in Germany, whence he came at an early day to Defiance county, where he died.
Mr. Leaders is one of the most popular and influential citizens of his community, and he has often been honored with official positions, being town- ship assessor, constable, clerk, and for eight years treasurer of Noble town- ship. On February 2, 1897, he was chosen superintendent of the Defiance County Infirmary to succeed William Phillips, and is now filling that office in a manner creditable to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. A public-spirited, enterprising citizen, he gives a cheerful support to ob- jects which are calculated to advance the moral, educational or material wel- fare of his township and county.
SOLOMON ZARBAUGH.
This representative and prominent citizen of Holgate, Henry county, was born March 24, 1847, in York county, Pennsylvania, a son of John and Mary (Bookman) Zarbaugh, also natives of that county. The father
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