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 31
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 31
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 31
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 31
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CHARLES J. C. BOYNTON.
This prosperous and substantial agriculturist, whose home is in Section . 2, Pulaski township, Williams county, was born April 14, 1831, in Maine, of which State his parents, Alpheus W. and Sarah (Stockbridge) Boynton, were also natives. There the mother died in 1836, and when our subject was six years old the father brought his family to Ohio, locating in Maumee, where he made his home for four years. In 1841 he became a resident of Pulaski township, Williams county, and for twenty years successfully engaged in mercantile business in the village of Pulaski, whence he removed to Bryan, dying at that place February 22, 1875. He was one of the prominent and representative citizens of his community, for nine years acceptably served as county commissioner, and was also notary public for many years. He was four times married, and by the first union had six children-four sons and two daughters-Charles being fourth in the order of birth.
The subject of this sketch accompanied his father on his emigration to Ohio, and was ten years of age when they came to Pulaski, where he grew to manhood. As a clerk in his father's store he early became familiar with business methods. Since 1853 he has successfully engaged in farm- ing, having in that year formed a partnership with his father for the purpose of carrying on that occupation, and that connection continued until the latter's death, which occurred in 1875. Our subject now owns and operates a valuable farm of one hundred and ninety acres in Pulaski township, which is improved with good buildings and is under a high state of cultivation.
In 1857 Mr. Boynton wedded Miss Mary Clampitt, who died in Pulaski township in 1860. Of the two children born to them-Sarah E. is now the wife of Bartlett Thompson, of Pulaski; and one daughter died when only six months old. For his second wife Mr. Boynton married, December II,
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1862, Miss Catherine Kennedy, a native of Ashland county, Ohio, and a daughter of G. W. Kennedy, and Charlotte (Glesner), of Pulaski township. Williams county, the former of whom died in 1877, the latter in 1852. Seven children blessed this union two of whom died in infancy, the others being : Alpheus W., Heman C., Horace D., Dora, and Josephine. Of these- Alpheus W. is now living in Los Angeles, California, where he was mar- ried, in September, 1897. Of our subject's brothers, Alpheus W. and Thomas H., the former died May 21, 1888, aged fifty-four years, the latter passing away January 1, 1888, at Randall, Kansas. The subject of this sketch has been a member of the M. E. Church for thirty years; has held the office of steward for most of the time, and that of trustee for all of the time, holding the office at the present. His wife and two daughters are also mem- bers of that Church.
LEWIS D. BLUE.
Many of the leading citizens of Defiance county served their country dur- ing the dark days of the Rebellion, making a record honorable and glorious, and among them must be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who is one of the prominent farmers of Highland township.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Blue was born near Piqua, Miami county, Sep- tember 3, 1832, a son of Uriah and Martha (Deweese) Blue, the latter being of Welsh ancestry. At an early day they became residents of Miami county, Ohio, where they continued to make their home until called to the world beyond. The father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, died in 1849, the mother in about 1841. To them were born fifteen children, Lewis D. being twelfth in the order of birth.
Upon the home farm in Miami county the subject of this sketch con- tinued to reside until 1856, when he removed to the city of Piqua, living there until the spring of 1859. Since then he has made his home in High- land township, Defiance county, where he owns a well-improved and highly- cultivated farm of sixty acres, and to agricultural pursuits devotes his time and attention with good results.
On the 8th of January, 1856, in Miami county, Mr. Blue was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Kelly, who was born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, February 14, 1836, and is third in the order of birth in a family of eight children. Her parents, Richard and Martha (Levering) Kelly, were also natives of Philadelphia, whence they removed to Piqua, Ohio, about 1839, at which time they had two children: Elizabeth (Mrs. Blue) and
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Nelson. There the father died, but the mother passed away at the home of our subject in Defiance county, January 21, 1867. Mr. and Mrs. Blue have six children living, namely : Anna B., now the wife of George H. Rohn, whose sketch appears elsewhere; Nelson S .; Clarence; Burtice E .; Mattie G .; and Nellie G. They lost three children that died in infancy.
In response to the President's call for troops during the Civil war, Mr. Blue enlisted July 18, 1862, in Company D, One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, remaining with that regiment until honorably discharged October I, 1863. He then recruited a company for the Second North Carolina Mounted Infantry, and was commissioned second lieutenant, serving as such until discharged on account of physical disability October 16, 1864. Returning to his home, he resumed farming, and in that occupation he has since been engaged. He is now an honored member of Bishop Post, No. 22, G. A. R., and in religious connection both he and his wife are leading and active mem- bers of the Baptist Church at Defiance. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. Taking a deep interest in educational affairs, he has most efficiently served in school offices. In 1888, while returning from the en- campment held that year at Columbus, Ohio, he was injured in an accident, a "wreck," on the B. & O. R. R., from which injury he has never yet fully recovered.
MICHAEL W. SCHAEFFER.
In Section 22, Springfield township, resides one of the wide-awake and progressive farmers of Williams county, in the person of Mr. Schaeffer. He was born September 26, 1832, in Montgomery county, Ohio, a son of John C. and Mary (Winters) Schaeffer, the former a native of Germany, the latter of Maryland. In September, 1840, the family removed to Evansport, Ohio, but in the following February took up their residence in Springfield township, Williams county, where the father died October 7, 1851, and the mother passed away March 15, 1883. Our subject is seventh in the order of birth in their family of eleven children, ten of whom reached years of maturity.
The first eight years of his life Michael W. Schaeffer passed in his native county, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Evansport, and later to Springfield township, Williams county, where he grew to manhood and still continues to reside. He is actively engaged in the cultivation and improvement of his valuable farm of two hundred acres, and, being a thorough and skillful farmer, he is meeting with a well-deserved success in his undertakings.
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At Evansport. Ohio, Mr. Schaeffer was married May 11, 1856, to Miss Nancy Grimes, a daughter of Richard and Jane Elizabeth (Duffy) Grimes. Her father came to this State from Guernsey county, Ohio, at an early day, and located near Florida, in Henry county, where both he and his wife died when Mrs. Schaeffer was quite young. She is one of the oldest of their eight children, and is a native of Henry county, born July 27, 1837. Mr. and Mrs. Schaeffer have ten children, namely: Ina M., now the wife of M. Slusser; Ambrose H., who married Flora Swank; Alta M., wife of Elmer Christy ; Sarah, wife of E: L. Ditto; Mary, wife of F. H. Reynolds; Thomas J., who married Margaret Prettyman; Katie I. ; Ervin V. D .; Ollie E., and Fred W.
For nearly forty-seven years Mr. Schaeffer has been an active and prom- inent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he is officially connected. He has ever taken a deep and commendable interest in local affairs, and has faithfully discharged the duties of several official positions to which he has been elected in Springfield township. He is a man of exem- plary habits, commendable purpose and unbending integrity, and in all life's relations merits the confidence which is so freely accorded him.
SAMUEL I. GRUNER.
The present principal of the High School of Brunersburg, Noble town- ship, S. I. Gruner, is one of the most successful and popular educators of Defiance county, as well as one of its enterprising and progressive young men.
Doctor Samuel Gruner, father of our subject, was born in Berne, Swit- zerland, in 1824, and in early life emigrated to America. In this country he was united in marriage with Mrs. Hannah Wandt (née Miller), a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1834, and in New Washington, Crawford county, Ohio, they began their domestic life. From there they came to Defiance county in 1864, and located on a farm in Noble township, where the father died in 1872, honored and respected by all who knew him. The mother is still living. In their family were five children-one son and four daugh- ters-three daughters deceased.
On the home farm in Noble township, Samuel I. Gruner was born Sep- tember 10, 1866, and was there reared to manhood. With the exception of two years spent in Seneca county, Ohio, he has always made his home in that township, where he now owns and operates a good farm of sixty acres, having become thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits during his boy- hood and youth. In the common schools of Noble township he acquired his elementary education, subsequently entering Defiance College, where he
yours truly
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was graduated in 1895. Since 1887 Mr. Gruner has engaged in teaching exclusively during the winter seasons in Defiance county, mostly in Noble township, and since the winter of 1895 he has been principal of the High School of Brunersburg. A man of scholarly tastes, he is well fitted for his chosen calling, having the power to readily impart to others the knowledge he has himself acquired.
Mr. Gruner affiliates with the Democratic party, and takes great in- terest in political affairs. In the spring of 1894 he was elected clerk of Noble township, and has since most creditably served in that position. In religious faith he is identified with the German Lutheran Church of Defiance. In short he is an exemplary young man, with a bright future before him, and is well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by those who know him best.
JOHN CLINKER.
This prominent resident of Tiffin township, Defiance county, has for many years been identified with agricultural interests, and his homestead is regarded as one of the best managed farms to be found in that locality.
Mr. Clinker comes of good old Colonial stock, his grandfather, Chris- tian Clinker, a native of Germany, having come to this country in time to take an active part in the struggle for independence. This gallant soldier lived to the advanced age of ninety-eight years and six months, his death occurring in 1854, in Tiffin township, Defiance county, where he settled in 1852. His wife (Rebecca McCarty) who died in Wayne county, Ohio, was a first cousin of General Anthony Wayne, of the war of 1812 fame. Our subject's father, Samuel Clinker, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, and was married March 27, 1825, in Columbiana county, Ohio, to Miss Eliza- beth Messerly, a native of Maryland. After their marriage they resided for some time in Stark county, Ohio, and later in Wayne county, but in 1851 they settled permanently. in Tiffin township, Defiance county, where the father died September 14, 1854, and the mother some years later. They had six children, viz. : Mary ; Hannah, who married Isaac Garver, of Defiance county, and died in Washington township; John, the subject proper of this sketch; Rachel, who died October 19, 1839, at an early age; Jane, who died in Medina county, Ohio; and Levi, now a resident of Tiffin township, Defi- ance county.
Mr. Clinker was born in Wayne county, August 1, 1833, and remained there until 1851, when he accompanied his parents to Defiance county. After his father's death he continued to reside at the homestead with his mother
19
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until his marriage on October 4, 1858, to Miss Nancy Gier. He then located upon his present farm, a fine estate of one hundred and ten acres in Section 31, Tiffin township, where he has made substantial improvements, erecting commodious and tasteful buildings. In politics he is a stanch Republican, but, while he has always taken great interest in the public questions of the day, he has not aspired to official position. As a citizen he is held in high esteem, his influence being none the less potent among his associates for being exerted in a quiet way. Of the five children who have blessed his home the first, Alice, died when two years old; Amy is the wife of Amos Ewing, of Defiance ; Al. Everett and Elmer Grant are also residents of Defiance ; and Mary E. is the wife of John Meiser, of Williams county, Ohio.
Mrs. Clinker was born in Wayne county April 17, 1838, the daughter of Samuel Gier, formerly a prominent citizen of Delevan township, Defiance county, where his death occurred in 1876. He was a native of Westmore- land county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Miss Sarah Adams in that State. They afterward came to Ohio and located first in Wayne county, but in 1851 removed to Delevan township, Defiance county, to spend their remaining years. They had twelve children: Jacob, Catherine, Henry, Margaret, Charlotte, Sarah, Mary, Susanna, Samuel, Nancy, Joseph, and Williamn.
GEORGE W. MYERS.
This truly representative American citizen, a typical Ohio farmer, and a brave veteran of the Civil war, is a man whose energy and enterprise, while affording an instructive lesson to mankind, seem worthy of being held up as examples for emulation.
Born in Stark county, Ohio, April 30, 1833, Mr. Myers is a son of Henry and Elizabeth ( Rogers) Myers, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom was born in 1798. From his native State the father moved to Stark county, Ohio, thence, in 1847, to Fulton county, settling in Section 3, York township, where he purchased eighty acres of land, the property whereon his son, our subject, now lives. Here the father died in 1854.
George W. Myers received his education in an old-time log school house, the seats and desks being made of slats. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and in 1861 he commenced for his own account on the farm that he has since resided on. To the original eighty acres above referred to he added forty acres, having now one hundred and twenty acres of as good land as is to be found in the township. His labor thereon was early interrupted, how- ever, by the war of the Rebellion, which claimed his services. On October
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28. 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, and with his regiment was at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, at the siege of Vicksburg, Tallahatchie river, in the engagement at Champion Hill, and in the Atlanta campaign. In July, 1865, he was honorably discharged from the service at Cleveland, Ohio, and returned home.
On December 30, 1860, Mr. Myers was married to Rhena A. Farwell, a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, born October 17, 1835, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Thompson) Farwell, who were of English descent. John Farwell was born in Cheshire county, New Hampshire, whence at the age of twenty-eight he came to Ohio, locating in Coshocton county, in Au- gust, 1833. thence in October, 1847, moving to York township, Fulton county. They had five children : James O., who died in the army during the war of the Rebellion; Rhena A. ( Mrs. G. W. Myers) ; Orvil (deceased) ; Priscilla, wife of Orin Tabor, of York township; Adelpha, who lives in Wauseon, Ohio; and James (deceased). Great-grandfather Farwell was a native of England ; grandfather Farwell was born in New Hampshire; he had a family of ten children, all now deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been born three children, one of whom is deceased; those living are: Nettie, wife of Charles Field, of Wauseon, by whom she has one son; and May, wife of Fred Skeels, by whom she has one son, Floyd, born July 18, 1894.
Politically, our subject is a Democrat, his first Presidential vote being cast for James Buchanan. Socially, he is a member of Losier Post, No. 135, at Wauseon, and he is universally regarded as one of the most useful, most loyal, and most successful of Fulton county's worthy citizens.
WASHINGTON DEAN.
The subject of this notice is fairly entitled to be considered not only one of the enterprising farmers of Washington township, Defiance county, but one of its respected and honored citizens, and a man of more than ordinary ability. A native of Ohio, he was born in Vernon township, Crawford county, May 5, 1834, and in a family of eight children-four sons and four daughters- he is the eldest son and second child. His parents, Samuel and Margaret (Tarr) Dean, were married and made their home in Crawford county for some years. There the father, who was a carpenter by trade, was killed by falling from a scaffold, in 1849, but the mother is still living at an advanced age.
In the county of his nativity Washington Dean was reared and educated, continuing to make it his home until the fall of 1857, when with his mother le came to Defiance county. In Washington township he purchased eighty-
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two acres of land, which he has since owned, although he worked in Indiana for a few years prior to his marriage. He now has ninety-four acres under a high state of cultivation, and improved with good and substantial buildings. The neat and thrifty appearance of the place denotes the industry and pro- gressive spirit of the owner, showing him to be a painstaking and systematic farmer.
In Washington township, Defiance county, Mr. Dean was married, in March, 1872, to Mrs. Clara Whitcomb. They have reared one child, Edith Boyer, now the wife of Harvey Borrick. The family have many warm friends, and are widely and favorably known throughout the county.
PETER COUNTRYMAN.
Mr. Countryman, who owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land in Section 31, Milford township, Defiance county, and has distinguished himself as one of its most active and enterprising citizens, located here in 1855. Since that time he has given his close attention to the improvement of his land, upon which he has erected good buildings, and the soil of which he has brought to a high state of cultivation.
In Ashland county, Ohio, Mr. Countryman was born July 1, 1833, a son of Jacob and Lydia Friedline Countryman, who were born, reared and married in Somerset county, Pennsylvania. Subsequently they lived in dif- ferent counties in Ohio and Indiana, making their home for a time in Ash- land and Wyandot counties, Ohio, and spending their last days in DeKalb county, Indiana. In their family were eight children, five sons and three daughters, of whom our subject is the second in order of birth.
In 1853 Peter Countryman removed with his parents to DeKalb county, Indiana, remaining with them until his marriage. On July 12, 1855, in Auburn, that county, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Hart, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, September 16, 1835, and was one of a family of seven children, four sons and three daughters. Her parents were Frederick and Susan (Buffenmier) Hart, both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born in Somerset county, the latter in Lancaster county. From Ashland county, Ohio, they removed to DeKalb county, Indiana, at an early day, and there the mother died; the father passed away at the home of our subject in Milford township, Defiance county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Countryman have eight children living, namely: Frederick; Austin B .; Emma, wife of William Barron (they have two children-Clarence and Mabel) ; Willis; Allen; Lillie, wife of Francis Cover (they have one son-Lloyd) ; Alta, wife of Samuel ,
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Moore (they have two children-Forest and Geneva) ; and Ora. They had another son, Clarence, who died in infancy. Of this family Frederick mar- ried Martha J. Greist, of Newville, Indiana, and they reside at Haviland, Pauld- ing county, Ohio. Austin B. married Mary Gunsenhouser, of Newville, Indi- ana, and they had one son-Irving, now deceased; they reside in Milford township, Defiance county. Allen married Minnie Christoffel, of Butler, Indi- ana, and they have three children-Glenn, Kenneth and Lavera; they also make their home in Butler, Indiana. Willis, in 1897-98, made a trip round the globe, visiting all the leading countries of the world.
Having purchased his present farm, Mr. Countryman located thereon after his marriage, devoting his time and attention to its cultivation until after the outbreak of the Civil war. In the fall of 1861 he responded to the Presi- dent's call for troops, enlisting in Company F, Forty-fourth Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry, for three years. He met the enemy in various engagements, including the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River and Chicka- mauga, and signalized himself by his bravery and fidelity to duty, receiving the approval of his officers and warm friendship of his comrades. At Shiloh he was wounded in the left hand. When his term of service had expired he was mustered out at Nashville, Tennessee, in November, 1864, and returned to his home in Milford township, Defiance county, to resume the peaceful duties of farm life. Both he and his wife are earnest and consistent members of the Disciples' Church, and are held in high regard by all who know them.
FRANK W. REITER.
The popular sheriff of Henry county, Ohio, F. W. Reiter, was born Octo- ber 18, 1863, a son of Charles and Mary (Herkey ) Reiter.
Michael Reiter, his grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania, but removed to Henry county, Ohio, with his family about 1852, and there made his home until his death, which occurred in 1868. His son, Charles Reiter, was born near Allentown, Pennsylvania, and when he came to Henry county settled about one mile east of Napoleon, where he carried on farming, and also engaged to some extent in surveying. He became prominent in the political work of the county and held several responsible positions. He was deputy county clerk for a time, and gave such satisfaction that at the next regular election he was elected clerk, and in 1869 he was elected sheriff of the county, assuming the duties of the office in January, 1870, and continuing in same until his death, which occurred January 30, 1872.
He married Mary Herkey, a native of Germany, and became the father
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of three children who grew to maturity: Frank W .; Clara, who married Sam- uel W. Long, of Vanwert, Ohio, and died leaving one child-Clara E .; and Sarah, wife of John McGinley, of Mungen, Wood county, Ohio. The father was also greatly interested in matters educational, and served as one of the school examiners for many years; he was, himself, highly educated, being a graduate of Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, also of several other institu- tions, and from his keen insight in the political questions of the times might also be termed a political scholar.
Frank W. Reiter was educated in the high school of Napoleon, and at the age of twenty-one left the schoolroom and engaged in agricultural pursuits on the old homestead. Here he remained, quietly attending to his own affairs until in January, 1897, he was called from the farm to assume the duties of sheriff of Henry county. At the time of his election to his present office he was serv- ing his township as clerk. He has always taken a keen interest in the work of the Democratic party, in principles of which he places implicit confidence. For many years Mr. Reiter was a member of the Ohio National Guard, enlist- ing as a private and so serving until the end of his first year ; then for one year he was corporal, and for two years second lieutenant. From second lieutenant he was promoted to first lieutenant, which rank he held for eleven years, re- signing only when elected to his present office of sheriff, as the duties of the two positions might at times be found conflicting. Mr. Reiter is also promi- nent in musical circles, and for eighteen years he has belonged to the Napoleon Cornet Band, in which he plays the baritone.
On October 31, 1895, Mr. Reiter was united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Ice, who was born June 11, 1875, a daughter of Miner and Rebecca Ice, of Napoleon. One daughter, Dorothea, born August 10, 1896, has blessed this union : In his fraternal relations Mr. Reiter belongs to Lodge No. 156, F. & A. M., and to the K. P. of Napoleon No. 284. The family are quite prominent socially, and have made many friends during their residence in Napoleon.
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