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 34
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 34
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 34
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 34
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sent to Louisville, Kentucky, whence it marched through Tennessee to Ath- ens, Alabama. At that place Mr. Kehnast was detailed as orderly on the staff of General Dodge, then commander of the left wing of the Sixteenth Army Corps, in which position he served until disabled, when he was sent to the hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, thence to Cleveland, Ohio. Having recovered sufficiently, he made a visit to Defiance on a short furlough, and was then ordered to report at Louisville, Kentucky. He was anxious to re- join his old company and regiment, but on reaching Louisville he was ordered on detached duty, to act as train guard on the railroad train running back and forth on the Louisville & Nashville railroad, between those two cities. In this position he was kept until the close of the war, during which time all his wages were sent to Mr. Weisenberger. On July 26, 1865, he was honorably dis- charged and mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, whence he immediately left for Defiance, arriving there during the night, and the very next morning resumed his work for Mr. Weisenberger.
In that occupation he remained until the spring of 1867, by which time he had accumulated sufficient capital to buy a half-interest in a grocery store at Defiance, the firm becoming Wolfrum & Kehnast. This was a success- ful venture, and was continued until 1870, when he sold his part of the business, and purchased for cash a half interest in the hardware business. of J. H. Vevington, Mr. Kehnast associating himself with C. F. Switzer, under the firm name of Switzer & Kehnast. This enterprise developed into a very extensive and successful business, becoming the leading store in its line and carrying a larger stock than any other store of its kind in Defiance.
In 1875, having acquired a prosperous and large business, and earned a vacation, Mr. Kehnast made a visit to his native place, and again met the aged mother and renewed old and loved associations. This proved to be the last time parent and son met, as the mother was laid to rest four years afterward. During this trip to the Fatherland Mr. Kehnast visited many places of historic interest, including Wartburg, where Luther was so long imprisoned and where he finished the translation of the Bible; the city of Berlin, at which place he visited his brother Richard, then a soldier in the German army; thence went to Magdeburg and Cassel; and saw the place, Wilhelmhöhe, where Napoleon III was imprisoned after his capture at Se- dan in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870; to the historic cities of Darm- stadt, Heidelberg and Frankfort, thence to Basel, in Switzerland; from there to the famous city of Strassburg, on to Carlsruhe; and later to the old and famous city of Worms, where he crossed the Rhine and returned to his native place. He afterward tarried a while at the city of Hanover,
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from there proceeding to Bremen, at which port he embarked on a steamer for Southampton, England, where he spent a short time in viewing that city. He then continued on his journey homeward, by the way of New York, and arrived at Defiance after a most enjoyable three-months' trip, invigorated and possessed of renewed energy to again take up the cares of business. The hardware store was continued under the firm name until the death of C. F. Switzer January 21, 1888, when Mr. Kehnast bought the interest of his deceased partner, and he has since carried on the busi- ness alone.
Mr. Kehnast may be correctly styled a self-made man. With no means except his hands and brain, he landed on the shores of America a lad of thirteen, a stranger unfamiliar with the language of the country ; at sixteen was a volunteer soldier in the army of his adopted country in a great war; at eighteen he had accumulated sufficient capital to conduct a profitable busi- ness on his own account; and at the age of twenty-three he was half owner of his present large and extensive hardware business. To his native and natural ability he constantly added by study and application, and thus be- came a disciplined man, having "the control of himself." This, combined with strict integrity and a most genial and social nature, naturally made for him friends, inspired confidence and secured trade.
Socially, Mr. Kehnast is an active and interested working member of the Masonic fraternity, and is past eminent commander ; a 32nd degree Ma- son, and a member of the Scottish Rite; is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and is a past commander of Bishop Post, No. 22, Depart- ment of Ohio, at Defiance. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. He has always taken an active interest in the politics of the country, affiliating with the Democratic party, and using his influence and means liberally in differ- ent campaigns, and on several occasions has been elected to and served in local offices of honor and trust, such as treasurer of Defiance city; mem- ber and president of the city school board; member of the city council, etc., in all of which he acquitted himself with honor and fidelity to the public in- terests. He has been an extensive and observant traveler through Canada and the United States, from the upper lakes to New Orleans, Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico, and from the prominent cities of the Atlantic coast to the far West. He is one of the most thoroughly informed of the business men of Defiance, as well as one of its most substantial and highly respected citizens.
In 1870 Mr. Kehnast was married to Miss Jennie Kniss, who died in June, 1879, leaving two children : Nellie, born in 1871, was married March
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1, 1893, to Godfried M. Watkins, and resides at Defiance ; and Minnie, born in 1872, resides with her father. In 1887 Mr. Kehnast was married to Miss Lizzie Sauer, his present wife. The family reside at No. 646 Jeffer- son street, in a handsome and cozy home built by Mr. Kehnast in 1871. A portrait of Mr. Kehnast will be found accompanying this sketch.
CHARLES COOK.
Mr. Cook, who is a successful and highly-respected farmer of Madi- son township, Williams county, is a native of Pennsylvania, born Decem- ber 27, 1840, in Lehigh county, and is a representative of a family of Ger- man origin which was founded in that State at an early day.
Henry Cook, father of our subject, was also born there, where he grew to manhood and wedded Miss Mary Laub, they making that State their home until 1848, when they removed to Wayne county, Ohio. Later they lived in Holmes county, whence they removed to Seneca county, and in 1858 became residents of Brady township, Williams county. The father was a man of limited means, never owning a farm until coming to Will- iams county, when he purchased a wooded tract, which he improved, but afterward 'sold and bought another farm. His wife died in 1883, and he passed away in 1890. Both held membership in the German Reformed Church, and in politics he was a Democrat, by which party he was elected to some minor offices. Their children were Jonas, now living in the West ; Mrs. Clarissa Woodring; Daniel and Henry, who were both Union sol- diers during the Rebellion; Mary, wife of J. Osburn, also a Union soldier ; Charles, the subject of this sketch; Angeline, wife of Mr. Keller, who was in the army; William, who also served his country; Franklin and Benja- min, who died when young; Mrs. Susan Critchfield; and Elizabeth, wife of J. Burch.
During his boyhood Charles Cook received a limited common-school education and upon the home farm obtained an excellent knowledge of agri- cultural pursuits. After reaching man's estate he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed to a considerable extent until 1861, when he laid aside personal interests and enlisted for ninety days. With the army of the Potomac he was on duty in and around Washington, D. C., and in Vir- ginia, taking part in many skirmishes. On the expiration of his term, he returned to Columbus, Ohio, and was honorably discharged at Tod's Bar- racks. Returning to his home he resumed carpentering, and in 1863 was married, but the following year he left his bride, again going to the front
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as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, which was assigned to the army of the Potomac. He was in ac- tive service in Virginia and Tennessee, and at the close of the war was sta- tioned at Dover, Delaware, whence he went to Washington, D. C., where he was mustered out, receiving his final discharge at Columbus.
The winter after his return to Williams county, Mr. Cook purchased eighty acres of heavy-timbered land in Madison township, to which he later added another eighty-acre tract, but has since sold forty acres, so that he now has one hundred and twenty acres, ninety of which he has placed un- der a high state of cultivation. In 1883 he replaced his log house with a commodious two-story frame residence, which is a model of beauty and convenience, and in 1879 he erected a good barn .. Upon the place there is a good orchard, a windmill, sheep barn and other buildings, in fact it is one of the model farms of the community.
In 1863 Mr. Cook married Miss Barbara Daso, who was reared in Williams county, a daughter of Nicholas Daso, a native of Germany and a prosperous farmer of this section of the State. He is a member of the German Reformed Church. Mrs. Daso was killed in a cyclone which oc- curred here in 1893. In their family were six children: Barbara; Chris- topher, who died after his return home from the army; Elizabeth; John; Levi (deceased) ; and Jacob. Mrs. Cook, who was a member of the Ger- man Reformed Church, died in March, 1872, leaving two children, namely : Elizabeth, now the wife of M. Ebaugh; and George W., a resident of Mont- pelier, Williams county. In the fall of 1872, Mr. Cook married Miss Helen A. Richeson, who was also reared in Williams county, her father, a farmer by occupation, having removed here from New York State at an early day. Mrs. Cook was one of four children, the others being Miram, a Union sol- dier in the Civil war; Sarah, wife of G. Andre; and Matilda, wife of R. Shafer. By his second marriage our subject has three children: Adam H., of Montpelier ; Mary A. and Ella, at home. The mother of these child- ren was a member of the Winebrennerian Church, and died in that faith in 1888. In the same year Mr. Cook wedded Miss Catherine Pfingsday, of Richland county, Ohio, a daughter of Christopher Pfingsday, a stone mason and farmer, who when a young man came from Germany to this country, where he died in 1871. He was a Democrat in politics. Mrs. Pfingsday is still living, as are her children: Christina; Catherine (Mrs. Cook) ; and Jane Annis, of Pioneer; Leah (wife of C. Snow) ; Elizabeth (wife of G. Crawford, deceased) ; and Lotta (wife of J. Grasher). One daughter, Leona, was born of the third marriage, but died at the age of seven months.
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Politically Mr. Cook was first a Democrat, later voted independently, but at the present time generally supports the People's party. Socially he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Grand Army Post, No. 655, of Montpelier, while in religious faith he and his wife are both identified with the Presbyterian Church.
AUGUSTUS L. RIDENOUR.
This well-known agriculturist of Farmer township, is a representative of one of the prominent pioneer families of Defiance county.
John Ridenour (his father), who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1807, settled in Defiance county in 1845, taking a leading part in the de- velopment of that locality, and in this generation the various members of the family have shown equal enterprise and public spirit. John Ridenour was married in Harrison county, Ohio, January 29, 1839, to Miss Susanna Hilbert, who was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in 1811, and about two years after their marriage they removed to Wayne county, Ohio, ar- riving there in the spring of 1841, and remaining until September, 1845, when they settled permanently in Section 19, Farmer township, Defiance county, then a part of Williams county. His death occurred there on November II, 1860, that of his wife on March 2, 1898, when she had reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years, four months, nineteen days. They had nine children, two of whom died in infancy, and seven lived to maturity, as fol- lows: Alfred, Augustus L., Rebecca (Mrs. Jacob Lane), Martha (Mrs. Sellers), Lomon, David and Daniel.
Augustus L. Ridenour, whose name appears above, was born July 3, 1841, in Wayne county, and was about four years old when his parents re- moved to Defiance county. He grew to manhood in Farmer township, and was married November 29, 1864, in Harrison county, Ohio, to Miss Eliza- beth Stahl, a native of that county, born July 3, 1840, and four children have blessed this union: Loma A. (now the wife of W. M. Battershell, of Farmer township, Defiance county), John W., Anna E., and Charlie L. Of these, John W. was graduated from Fayette Normal Music and Business College in 1887; from the Western Ohio Normal School at Middlepoint, Ohio, in 1891; from Thiel College at Greenville, Pennsylvania, in 1894; and from the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1899. On June 20, 1894, he was married to Miss Sarah Almeda Avery, of Middlepoint, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Florence Julia, born January 9, 1896.
William Stahl, father of Mrs. Augustus L. Ridenour, was born in Charles
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county, Maryland, January 24, 1808, and died June 6, 1876. On February IO, 1829, he married Susanna Canaga, who was born in 1811, and they then settled on a farm in Rumley township, Harrison county, Ohio, nearly all of which he cleared. They had a family of four children: Sarah, Maria, Elizabeth and James. The mother of these was called from earth May 17, 1872. The father was an active member of the Lutheran Church for many years, and was a charter member of the one at Jewett, Harrison county. For several years he served as trustee of his township, also as captain of militia at all the general trainings of the early days, and the sword which he then wore is now in the possession of his son.
Jacob Stahl, father of William Stahl, and grandfather of Mrs. A. L. Ridenour, was born August 13, 1784, in Maryland. . He married Elizabeth Shilling, and to their union were born ten children, named, respectively, Elizabeth, William, John, Margaret, Lydia, Mary, Matilda, Catherine, Su- sanna and James. Jacob Stahl came to Rumley township, Harrison county, Ohio, in 1816, and settled in Section 36.
Soon after his marriage Augustus L. Ridenour settled in Milford town- ship, Defiance county, where he resided until January, 1878, and he has since made his home in Section 30, Farmer township. He owns a fine farm of two hundred acres, which he has improved in a handsome and substantial manner. As a good citizen he takes an active part in all movements of public interest, and his influence is always felt on the side of progress. He and his family are deeply interested in religious work, and are prominent mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
PARMENUS PARTEE.
Mr. Partee, who is a well-known farmer of Tiffin township, Defiance county, has spent his entire life in northwestern Ohio. His parents, the late Joseph and Lorinda (Kibble) Partee, were married and began their domestic life in this section of the State, making their home for many years in Will- iams county, where both died.
To this worthy couple were born eight children-five sons and three daughters-of whom our subject is the youngest son and seventh child. He was born in Williams county, April 2, 1839, and was quite young when his parents died. In the county of his nativity he continued to reside until he attained his majority, and then came to Defiance county, locating upon the farm in Tiffin township, where has since been his home. It consists of eighty acres of arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation,
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having also erected thereon good and substantial buildings, besides making many other useful and valuable improvements.
In Tiffin township, October 9, 1861, Mr. Partee was united in marriage with Miss Anna Kinsig, who was born in Switzerland, August 5, 1841, and came to America with her parents, John and Elizabeth (Myers) Kinsig. Coming direct to Ohio, the family lived for nine years in Fairfield, and then removed to Tiffin township, Defiance county, where the father died August 12, 1893. Mrs. Partee was the eldest daughter and second child in the family of seven children-three sons and four daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Partee have become the parents of seven children, namely: William F., John W., Mary J. (now the wife of Ephraim Webb) ; Celia A. (wife of Elmer Diehl) ; Charles H., Rose B., and Edward B.
Since casting his first vote Mr. Partee has been a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, though he has efficiently filled some school positions. His private interests claim the greater part of his attention, and the success that has crowned his efforts is well deserved.
MARTIN V. GARVER.
This gentleman, who is secretary and treasurer of the Bryan Manu- facturing Company, at Bryan, Williams county, deserves special mention in a volume which aims to preserve for future generations a faithful record of our leading men. Few of our citizens have taken as prominent a part in the practical work of developing the commercial and industrial interests of this section, his name being associated with various important enterprises.
He was one of the organizers of the Bryan Manufacturing Company, which was founded as a stock company, in 1870, by citizens of that locality for the purpose of placing upon the market the Champion wheel barrow, now known and used in all parts of the civilized world. His brother, John A. Garver, was the original patentee of this invention, but later our subject patented valuable improvements which have done much to bring the bar- row into the universal favor that it now enjoys. For the first ten years af- ter the organization of the company he was a member of the board of di- rectors, for the succeeeding ten years was a stockholder only, and for five years following he held the office of president; but since that time he has served as secretary and treasurer, taking upon himself also the general man- agement of the business. The institution is of great benefit to Bryan, em- ploying about thirty-five men with an average weekly pay roll of two hun-
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dred and fifty dollars, while the lumber used is purchased mainly in that vicinity, putting into circulation nearly one thousand dollars per week for labor and material. The capital stock is thirty-four thousand two hundred dollars, three-fourths of which is owned by our subject and the estate of his brother, the late D. A. Garver, and they turn out, on the average sixty-five thousands dollars worth of goods per year. Their tasteful and attractive catalogues, of which they issue one hundred thousand annually, show forty different kinds and sizes of barrows, ranging in price from twelve dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars per dozen, one grade being made entirely of steel. The plant includes two large warehouses for storing the product ; a main factory two stories high and eighty by one hundred and fifty feet; a tray factory forty by seventy-five feet; a blacksmith shop twenty-five by forty feet ; a building containing a room for the iron department, and an elegant office building twenty-five by thirty-five feet. Mr. Garver has also been actively interested in the Farmers' National Bank, at Bryan, and he and his brothers were at one time the owners of four hardware stores lo- cated at Bryan, Wauseon, and Edgerton (Ohio), and Butler (Indiana). Our subject and his brother, D. A. Garver, were the promoters of the Central Union Telephone Company's line from Toledo to Bryan, and in 1883-84 they built the Williams County telephone line connecting Bryan, Pioneer, West Unity and Montpelier, which they subsequently sold to the Central Union Company. About 1887 they were interested in the construction of the line from Bryan to Defiance, Paulding, and Hicksville; in fact, a list of their interests in various directions would include most of the business operations of the section for many years past.
The Garver family originated in north Germany, where, according to tradition, its members were engaged in agricultural pursuits. The name was formerly Gerber, but in later days among the American branches of the family it has assumed its present form. During the seventeenth century sev- eral members of the family came to this country, locating in Virginia, New York, and New Jersey, our subject being descended from the latter branch. As the frontier line was gradually extended west his ancestors removed to Pennsylvania, and his grandfather, Martin Garver, made his home near Con- nellsville, Pennsylvania, upon a farm, where he resided many years. In his old age he went to Bucks township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, to reside with a daughter, and there he died at the age of eighty-eight. He and his wife reared a family of ten children-seven daughters and three sons.
Martin Garver (2), the father of our subject, was born in 1804, and in early manhood engaged in farming. Later he became a merchant at
21
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Williams Center, Ohio, and he was much esteemed among the pioneers of that locality. The family has been identified with the German Baptist Church for generations, and he died in that faith on January 10, 1864, his remains being interred in Fountain Lawn cemetery at Bryan. His esti- mable wife, whose maiden name was Susan Shaffer, passed away January 31, 1897, and was buried by his side. Her paternal grandparents were na- tives of Scotland, and her ancestors in both lines were early settlers in this country, both grandfathers having served as soldiers in the Revolutionary army. Our subject was the youngest in a family of eight children, the oth- ers being Jacob, who owns a farm of two hundred and sixty acres one and one-half miles south of Bryan ; John A., a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, who owns six or eight farms, and is also engaged in business as a banker, hard- ware merchant, and sewer pipe manufacturer; George, who resides in Des Moines, and is engaged in a real-estate and coal business; Mary, who died at the age of eight years; Anna, who died at the age of five; Benjamin, who died when three years old; and David A., mentioned above, who died at Bryan October 26, 1891, aged forty-five years.
Our subject was born June 17, 1848, in Bucks township, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and in 1852 was brought by his parents to Bryan. He was educated in the academy at Williams Center, where he took a complete course, and during the first thirteen years of his life he resided upon a farm, enjoying the freedom of a typical country home. At thirteen he became a clerk in a hardware store at Bryan belonging to his brother John A., and continued in that capacity until he was taken into partnership, the latter arrangement lasting thirty years without interruption. During this time he and his brothers became stockholders in the Bryan Manufacturing Com- pany, and in the Farmers' National Bank, of which our subject was cashier for five years. On the death of his brother, D. A. Garver, in 1891, he re- signed that position in order to devote his attention to the management of the manufacturing plant. Notwithstanding his business cares he has always taken much interest in local affairs, being especially active in educational work. For nine years he did effective service as a member of the Bryan school board, holding the office of president during seven years of that time. He is also prominent in religious work as a member of the First Universalist Church at Bryan, and although he has never united with any temperance so- ciety he is an earnest advocate of that cause, his efforts being directed to the practical reformation of drunkards through personal work. In a number of instances he has succeeded in saving men from the debasing power of drink through his kindly influence. In politics he is a stanch Republican, as he
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believes firmly in the doctrine of Protection and Reciprocity, and although he is not an aspirant for official honors he gives liberally of his time and means toward the work of the party. He has a pleasant home at Bryan, and he and his family are prominent in the best social circles of the city. In 1872 he married Miss Ella E. Lane, and the union has been blessed by two charming daughters, Mabel, now (1898) aged seventeen, and Olive, aged thirteen.
NICHOLAS BOHM.
One of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Richland township, Defiance county, is the subject of this sketch, who is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits in Section 35, South Richland Precinct, where he has made his home for over a quarter of a century. The place, which comprises eighty acres of rich and fertile land, has been improved by him with good buildings, and all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm are there found. Within the last few years poultry has received much attention, and the result has been several flocks of improved strains of chick- ens and ducks.
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