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 44
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 44
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 44
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 44
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
The first seventeen years of his life George Tracht spent in his native county, and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county, remaining under the parental roof until 1870, when he went to Taze- well county, Illinois. After working upon a farm there for five months he went to Brown county, Kansas, where he was similarly employed some fifteen months, returning to his father's home in Hicksville township, at the end of that time, and remaining there until his marriage.
In Hicksville township, September 17, 1874, Mr. Tracht wedded Miss Matilda Hofmeister, who was born in Hancock county, Ohio, February 25, 1854. Her father, Jacob Hofmeister, was a native of Germany, born July 12, 1814, and in that country married Miss Fredricka Schwarz, who was born there August 30, 1822. In 1852 they crossed the Atlantic and took up their residence in Mahoning county, Ohio, where they continued to live until com- ing to Defiance county in 1861. Here they made their home in Hicksville township, where the mother died February 8, 1886. Their children were Margaret, now the wife of M. Collins ; Fredricka, wife of A. Dierstein ; John, who died in Hicksville township when nearly twenty years of age; Jacob; Paulina, wife of Edward Tracht; Matilda, wife of our subject; Marietta, wife of A. Weber, of Hicksville township; and William. To Mr. and Mrs. Tracht have been born ten children, namely : Lillie M., Elmer R., Oscar J., Charley W., Olke P., Harold H., Claren E., Alice E., Floyd A. and George E. All are still living with the exception of Alice E., who died at the age of six months ; and George E., who died when eighteen months old.
For three years after his marriage, Mr. Tracht continued to live on his father's old homestead, and then removed to a farm in Section 13, Hicksville township, residing there until he located upon his present place in 1893. For one term he served as township trustee, and for twelve years he has been a capable and prominent member of the school board. Politically he has always affiliated with the Democratic party, and religiously has been a member of the Lutheran Church since the age of seventeen years. His wife belongs to the same Church, and in the social circles of the community they and their family occupy an enviable position. As a public-spirited, enterprising man,
514
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Tracht is recognized as a valued citizen of Hicksville township. In 1893 he erected his elegant and comfortable residence, and in 1896 built his barn, which is one of the finest and most commodious in the county.
R. F. LAMSON, M. D.
Doctor Lamson has for nearly a third of a century been one of the most prominent and successful physicians and surgeons of Williams county. He is at present residing upon his farm in Bridgewater township, but ex- pects in the near future to lay aside all business cares and remove to the city of Bryan, where he owns a pleasant residence.
Doctor Lamson was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 20, 1838, a son of Andrew and Clarinda (Hughes) Lamson. The Lamson family is of English origin, and its first representatives in this country located in Vermont. Richard Lamson, grandfather of our subject, was a pioneer and one of the most prominent citizens of Licking county, Ohio, which he rep- resented two terms in the State Legislature. He was one of the influential members and a leader in the Whig party, and was called upon to serve in several local offices. He married a Miss Morgan, whose ancestors were also from England, and were early settlers of the Green Mountain State. Throughout his active business life Andrew Lamson, the Doctor's father, was employed as a saddler and harness maker ; in politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and after the war he was a Democrat. He died in 1896 at the home of his son in Williams county at the ripe old age of eighty-one.
Mrs. Clarinda Lamson, who is still living in Bryan, at the age of seventy- seven, is a daughter of Jonathan and Lavina (Davis) Hughes, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Licking county, Ohio, and is a grand- daughter of Elias Hughes. Her father was reared in Virginia, and early in life became an avowed enemy of the red men, as his father, brother and sweetheart were all killed by the Indians. So deep was his hatred that he was willing at all times to go to any part of the country to aid the white men in the Indian wars, and followed the frontier in hope of revenge. He became a noted Indian fighter, and was the last survivor of the battle of Point Pleasant, his death occurring in Licking county, Ohio, when he had reached the advanced age of ninety-eight years. During the early days when Ohio still maintained her militia companies, he became quite promi- nent in military circles, and was commissioned colonel of a regiment; and during the Civil war, although then eighty years of age, he shouldered his squirrel gun and joined the troops which checked John Morgan's raid through Indiana and Ohio.
515
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In the common schools of Utica, Ohio, Doctor Lamson commenced his literary education, later attended the Wesleyan University at Delaware, this State, and at the age of sixteen commenced teaching for the purpose of securing funds with which to complete his education. He successfully taught for a number of years, then fitted himself for the legal profession, but finally decided to take up the study of medicine and make its practice his life work. He began reading with Doctor J. H. Madden, and in the winter of 1860-61 attended a course of medical lectures. In the following year, however, he laid aside all personal interest, enlisting in the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and for two years he served with the army of the Cumberland, taking part in several important battles and the sieges of Fort Donelson and Vicksburg. Owing to ill health he was discharged at the end of that time and returned home, but when somewhat recovered, he entered the United States Military Railroad service in the South. After serving in that de- partment for some time, his health again broke down, and for almost a year he was confined in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee, being there at the time of Lee's surrender.
In 1861, previous to entering the army, Doctor Lamson was married to Miss Elizabeth Wanzor, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, May 10, 184I, a daughter of Ransford and Elizabeth (Burt) Wanzor, the former a native of New York and of German descent, the latter of South Carolina and of Welsh extraction. Her father, who was a farmer by occupation, moved to Michigan later in life, and there died at the age of eighty-three years. He was a member of the Society of Friends, while his wife was a Baptist in religious belief. In their family were eight children, namely : Charles, a farmer and stock raiser of Kansas; Mrs. Eunice McCart, whose husband was a colonel in the Civil war; Mrs. Abigail Hartzel; John C., an engineer residing in Chicago; Elizabeth, wife of our subject; Mrs. Mary Bar- ton; Ransford, a farmer of Kansas; and Sarah, who died unmarried. The Doctor and his wife have one child: Maud, who was born in 1868, and is now the wife of Charles Anderson, of Chicago.
On his return from the war Doctor Lamson located in Bryan, where his father's family and his wife had removed in the winter of 1865-66, and after teaching for a short time he took up his residence in Bridgewater township, Williams county, in 1866. Here he commenced the practice of his profession, soon gained the confidence of the best people of the com- munity and succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. In 1876 he entered the College of Medicine and Surgery in Cincinnati, and after his graduation resumed practice in Bridgewater township, where he remained
516
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
until 1888. During the following six years he successfully engaged in practice in Bryan, but in 1894 he returned to Bridgewater to look after his farm and landed interests here. Many of his old patrons have again sought his services, but he is now planning to retire permanently to his pleasant home in Bryan, where after a useful and well-spent life he may enjoy the. rest which he so well deserves. He is a strong adherent of Democratic principles, is one of the leading men of his party in Bridgewater township, and during President Cleveland's first administration was appointed pen- sion examiner. Socially he is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias, has filled all the chairs in his lodge, and also belongs to the Uniformed rank of that order. In religious faith his wife is a member of the Episcopal Church. Wherever known they are held in high regard, and have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout Williams county.
STANTON E. MILLER, M. D.
This successful physician and surgeon of Florida, Henry county, has been in active practice in that locality for about ten years, during which time he has established a high reputation for professional knowledge and skill.
A native of Ohio, Doctor Miller was born in York township, Fulton county, February 28, 1862, and his family is entitled to pioneer honors. His grandfather, John S. Miller, was born near Reading, Pennsylvania, whence when a young man he removed to Ohio, locating first in Seneca county, where he was engaged in business as a mechanic. About 1835 he settled in Henry county upon a tract of unimproved land, which he cleared and cultivated for a homestead. In 1832 he married Miss Rebecca Wright, who was a na- tive of Pennsylvania, and they now reside at Liberty Center, Ohio. This worthy couple had six children: Charles, George, Emeline, Warren, Eli, and James. The father died November 10, 1897, at Liberty Center.
Rev. George Miller, our subject's father, was born at Republic, Seneca county, Ohio, in 1834, and for many years has been a prominent minister in the Christian Union Church. At present he resides at Liberty Center, and much of his time is devoted to agricultural pursuits. His wife, whose maiden name was Ellen C. Leist, was born near Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, and died in Fulton county June 7, 1897. Their children were Mary, Stan- ton E., Homer H., Lucy M., Charles E., Jay H., and Blanche A.
Doctor Miller had the advantage of a wholesome country life during his boyhood, and was educated in the public schools of Liberty, where he
517
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
completed a course in the high school, and at Fayette, Ohio, in the normal school. He then began his preparation for a professional career and in Sep- tember, 1883, he entered the medical department of the Northwestern Uni- versity, at Chicago, where he was graduated in the spring of 1887. He immediately engaged in practice at Florida, opening his office in April, 1887, and from the first his abilities have met with gratifying recognition. As a citizen he is popular, and he is identified with various organizations, including the Masonic fraternity and the National Union.
The Doctor was married in Liberty Center, to Miss Alma A. Babcock, who died in Florida, January 24, 1888, and their only child died during infancy. On October 2, 1890, the Doctor formed a second matrimonial union, this time with Miss Effie S. Kemmer, daughter of Peter Kemmer, a well- known resident of Florida. John S. Miller, the grandfather of our subject, sat on the first jury empanelled in Henry county.
PROF. JOSEPH F. KINSTLE.
One of the most popular and successful educators of Henry county is the subject of these lines, who is residing in Section 25, Pleasant township. He was born in that township, June 24, 1865, and throughout his active business life has been prominently identified with its educational interests.
Frederick Kinstle, father of our subject, was born in Baden, Germany, September 5, 1819, and near Cleveland, Ohio, married Miss Margaret Okuly, also a native of Germany, born on the River Rhine, August 31, 1833. They began their domestic life in Cleveland, but in 1855 became residents of Pleas- ant township, Henry county, where the father died May 1, 1890. In his family were the following children : Mary, Louisa, Wendel, Frederick, Lizzie, John, Joseph F., Albert and Michael.
Professor Kinstle was reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys. and in the common schools near his home he began his education, which was supplemented with a course in the Normal School at Danville, Indiana, and also the Normal School at Ada, Ohio. After successfully teaching for a few years, he entered Pio Nono College at St. Francis, Wisconsin, near Mil- waukee, where he pursued both his literary and musical studies, graduating from that institution in 1892. On his return home he resumed teaching in the South Ridge special district in Pleasant township, of which he has since had charge together with the other schools of the township. He is a gentleman of scholarly tastes, and has the power of readily imparting to others the knowledge that he has acquired.
518
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Since casting his first Presidential ballot Professor Kinstle has supported the men and measures of the Democratic party, and has taken a leading part in political matters in his locality. Since the spring of 1894 he has capably served as justice of the peace, and has filled the office of township clerk since September, 1895, with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Religiously, he is a devout Catholic. As a teacher he has but few equals in the county, and as a citizen he commands the respect and esteem of all who know him.
HON. DENNIS D. DONOVAN.
Few men are more prominent or more widely known throughout this section of the State than Dennis D. Donovan, the present popular mayor of Deshler, Henry county. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the welfare of his community, and since attaining his majority he has been prominently identified with its public affairs.
Mr. Donovan is a native of Henry county, born near Texas, January 31, 1859, a son of the late John Donovan, who died in Deshler, May 23, 1897. His mother, Mrs. Catherine ( Hannan) Donovan, is still living. Upon his father's farm our subject spent the days of his boyhood and youth until sev- enteen years of age, when he entered the Valparaiso (Indiana ) Normal School, where he pursued his studies for several terms, in the meantime teaching school to some extent. While at Valparaiso he began the study of law, which he continued for some time in the office of Hon. G. H. Barger, of Columbus, Ohio, and subsequently entered the law department of the George- town University, at Washington, D. C., where he graduated in 1895.
Previously Mr. Donovan had become greatly interested in local politics, and his fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability, elected him to the Ohio Legislature in 1887, and again in 1889. So acceptably did he serve in that body, that in the fall of 1890 he was chosen to represent the Sixth Congressional District in Congress, and two years later was re-elected, this time representing the Fifth District. Here in the councils of the State and Nation was the first great opportunity that had come to him to exercise to their umost the marvelous abilities with which nature had endowed him. He is a born leader of men, and in those august bodies his qualities were quickly recognized. The measures which he advocated always met with warm and cordial support, and he proved a most able and efficient representative of his district.
Prior to his election to Congress, Mr. Donovan had engaged in various
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 519
business enterprises, but now gives his attention exclusively to the practice of law. Since 1882 he has been a resident of Deshler, and has been a leading spirit in all local affairs. In the spring of 1896 he was elected mayor of the town, and while serving in that capacity he has greatly advanced its interests, the reins of city government having never been in more capable hands.
In Baltimore, Maryland, Mr. Donovan was married in December, 1891, to Miss Genevra Wattimire, only daughter of J. C. Wattimire, of Deshler.
HERMAN H. HUBER.
"The authentic picture of any human being's life and experience," says a well-known author, "ought to possess an interest greatly beyond that which is fictitious, inasmuch as it has the charm of reality." The varied histories recorded in this volume will be of lasting value as affording a true and im- partial view of the men whose work and influence wrought out the high state of civilization which we see around us to-day, and among these it is most fitting that we should name the worthy agriculturists who have made our rural districts habitable, establishing homes, churches and schools, and maintained law and order.
The subject of this sketch, a prominent resident of Mark township, De- fiance county, was born in that county, in Farmer township, July 22, 1853, a son of Anthony and Frances ( Feghter) Huber, both of whom were natives of Germany. They crossed the ocean in 1840, and after spending one year in Butler county, Ohio, located permanently in Defiance county, securing a farm in Section 31, Farmer township. Both are now deceased. They had eight children, viz. : George H., Lewis C., Caroline T., Eliza ( wife of Matthias Thiel), Agatha R. (wife of James M. Phillips), Herman H., Francesca ( who died when nine years old), and Anthony A.
Mr. Huber, our subject, was reared to farm work, and has never been engaged in any other occupation. He remained at home until his marriage, which occurred March 7, 1878, in Defiance, and since that time he has resided at his present homestead in Mark township, Section 6. This is an attractive place, containing eighty-nine acres, and his buildings and other improvements show judicious expenditure of time and means. As a citizen he is much re- spected, and he takes an interest in all that concerns the welfare of the com- munity, being especially active in educational affairs. For some time he has served as a school director, and for three years past he has held the office of justice of the peace.
Mrs. Huber, who was formerly Miss Isabella Lash, was born August I,
1
520
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
1857, in Williams county, Ohio, and was one of a family of ten children, seven of whom (one son and six daughters) lived to mature age. Her parents, William and Elizabeth (Maxwell) Lash, were married in Wayne county, Ohio, and soon afterward settled in Florence township, Williams county ; but in the spring of 1872 they removed to Hicksville township, De- fiance county, where they now reside. Eight children have blessed our sub- ject's home, four of whom-Dessa M., Della F., Grover G., and Charlie W .- died in 1890 from diphtheria. The survivors are: Ola E., Minnie Myrtle, Gladys J., and Ruby Grace.
GEORGE RUSSELL.
In studying the lives and characters of the prominent men of any com- munity, we are naturally led to inquire into the secret of their success and the motives that prompted their action. Success is a question of genius, as held by many, but probably it is rather a matter of experience and sound judg- ment, for when we trace the career of those who stand highest in public esteem, we find in nearly every case that they are those who have risen gradu- ally, fighting their way in the face of all opposition. Self-reliance, conscien- tiousness, energy, honesty-these are the traits of character that insure the greatest success, and to these may we attribute the success that has crowned the efforts of Mr. Russell, ex-county auditor of Henry county.
Born in Hancock county, Ohio, April 4, 1850, our subject is a son of William and Eliza (Taylor) Russell, the former born in Jefferson county, Ohio, April 14, 1826, the latter in Washington county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 8, 1827. The father is still living, but the mother died in Findlay, Ohio, April 8, 1895. In their family were nine children: George, Martha J., John W., William T., Sarah C., Alfred E., Robert B., Charles, and one that died in infancy.
Upon his father's farm George Russell grew to manhood, and on leaving home in 1871, he located upon a farm in Blanchard township, Putnam county, Ohio, where he lived until 1874. He then returned to Hancock county, but in the spring of 1879 we find him a resident of Monroe township, Henry county, living upon the farm which has since been his home. In addition to farming he successfully engaged in school teaching from the fall of 1868 until the spring of 1888, with the exception of one winter. His fine farm com- prises two hundred and thirty acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good and sub- stantial buildings, including a well-appointed residence.
George Presell
523
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
In Hancock county, Ohio, Mr. Russell was married August 4, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Van Horn, a native of that county, where she taught school previous to her marriage. Her father, James M. Van Horn, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, January II, 1829, while her mother, Mrs. Mary (Morehart) Van Horn, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio. Both are still living and continue to reside in Hancock county. Their children are Sarah E., Harriet, W. S., Martha J., James F., Iro C., Elma F., Melinda A., Abraham L. and Ralph. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rus- sell, namely : Glen R., who died at the age of thirteen years; Arthur R., who is now a physician and surgeon at Napoleon, Ohio; Mary E., wife of Charles M. Burr; Florence, a teacher of Henry county ; Martha J .; Roscoe G .; Wil- liam J .; Grove V .; Forest S .; and Jessie R.
While faithfully attending to his private affairs, Mr. Russell has never neglected his duties of citizenship, and has taken an active and prominent part in public life. In 1885 he was elected justice of the peace in Monroe township, and in the fall of 1887 was elected auditor of Henry county, serv- ing in that capacity for a term of three years. He represented the Fifth District on the State Republican Central Committee in 1891, and the Sixth District in the following year. On February 1, 1891, he purchased the "Henry County Signal," which he published for four years, and then sold. In April, 1892, he was appointed postmaster of Napoleon, but after serving for two years and five months he was removed by President Cleveland for political reasons, Mr. Russell being an uncompromising Republican. He is now a member of both the Central and Executive Republican Committees, and does all in his power to insure the success of his party and advance its interests. With his wife and five children he holds membership in the Church of Christ, and is quite prominent in all Church and Sunday-school work. Socially he is a member of Morrison R. Waite Lodge, No. 284, K. P.
Doctor Arthur R. Russell, the eldest living son of our subject, was graduated in May, 1898, from the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati. He was married July 6, 1898, to Miss Sarah Welsted, of Napoleon, who for four years was a teacher in the Holgate Union schools.
HENRY C. LINDERSMITH, M. D.
Doctor Lindersmith, though one of the younger representatives of the medical profession in Defiance county, has already attained eminent suc- cess in his chosen calling, and is a popular physician of Sherwood. Born in Montpelier, Williams county, Ohio, October 12, 1867, he is a son of
27
524
COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
George W. and Frances ( Umbenhour) Lindersmith, the former of whom is now a farmer of Fulton county, Ohio.
Our subject, who is the elder of two children born to this worthy couple, was reared in Williams and Fulton counties, and completed his lite- rary education at the Fayette Normal University of Fayette, Ohio. In pre- paring for his professional career, he attended the Detroit College of Medi- cine for two years, and was afterward a student in the Barnes Medical Col- lege of St. Louis, Missouri, for one year, graduating from that institution in March, 1894. Coming to Sherwood, Defiance county, he at once opened an office, and has since successfully engaged in practice, his skill and ability soon winning him recognition.
Doctor Lindersmith was married in Sherwood, April 14, 1897, to Miss Mary E. Clark, a daughter of the late William Clark, of Mark township, Defiance county. The Doctor is a member of the Defiance County Medical Society, and also of Sherwood Lodge, No. 149, I. O. G. T., as he is a strong temperance man.
DOCTOR R. R. ALWOOD.
Doctor R. R. Alwood, medical practitioner, Montpelier, Williams county, Ohio.
JOHN FRANKLIN COULTER.
Mr. Coulter, who is manager and editor of "The Hicksville Independ- ent." is an enterprising young man, whose ability and energy are certain to gain for him a high rank in his chosen profession.
Born June 7, 1873, at Bryan, Ohio, Mr. Coulter belongs to a family which was identified with that locality in the early days. His father, Rev. William Coulter, a well-known minister of the Presbyterian Church, was reared in Defiance county, and as a young man spent over two years in the service of the government during the Civil war. At the close of the struggle he entered upon his theological studies, and he has preached the Gospel ac- ceptably in various places, being now the pastor of the Church at Sanilac Center, Michigan. His wife, whose maiden name was Kate Rosensteel, is a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania.
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.