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 47
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 47
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 47
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 47
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While still residing in Warren county, Mr. Phillips was married, at the age of twenty-four years, to Miss Cynthia Shawhan, who died in that county at the age of thirty-two years. Of the three children born to them- two sons and one daughter-only the daughter survives, and she is now the
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wife of Jacob Adams, Esq., of Highland township, Defiance county. On April 1, 1856, in Richland township, Defiance county, Mr. Phillips wedded Miss Mary Ann Kepler, a daughter of Samuel and Rachel (McKinnis) Kepler, who were the first white couple married in Hancock county, Ohio. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and were honored pioneers of Richland township, Defiance county. Mrs. Phillips, who was born in that township, March 9, 1827, was the eldest of their eight children-two sons and six daughters. To our subject and his wife have been born six children, namely : Rachel, now the wife of William Dickey; Samuel K .; Robert W .; Josiah M .; Isaac K .; and Mary E., wife of Albert Kusian.
Two years after his second marriage, Mr. Phillips came to Defiance county, first locating in Highland township, where he continued to live until 1872, when he removed to his present farm in Defiance township. In this county he has devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and in his undertakings has met with excellent success, owning at one time six hundred acres of fine farming land, but has since disposed of all but two hundred acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with all modern conveniences, making it one of the best farms in Defiance township.
Since its organization, Mr. Phillips has been an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and as a good citizen he has always taken a com- mendable interest in public affairs, giving his support to all measures which he believes calculated to prove of public benefit. Fraternally he has been a member of the Patrons of Husbandry since 1872, and is a charter mem- ber of Auglaize Grange, No. 371. Religiously he and his wife are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and wherever known they are held in high regard for their sterling worth and many excellencies of character.
PHILIP PETER.
This venerable and highly respected resident of Defiance is deserving of special mention in this volume. Like many of our successful citizens he is of German birth and ancestry, but he came to this country in early man- hood, and for more than a half a century he has had his home in Ohio.
Born February 19, 1820, in Germany, he is a son of Abraham Peter. who in 1840 brought the family to the United States and settled upon a farm in Seneca county, Ohio. Here our subject continued to reside until he reached the age of twenty-four, assisting in the work of the homestead. He then married, and engaged in farming on his own account in the same
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county, continuing about seven years. In 1849 he removed to Defiance county, locating upon a farm in Richland township on December 2d of that year. In 1879 he rented his farm and removed to the village of Defiance, where he has since resided in a pleasant home at No. 303 East Second street.
Mr. Peter has been four times married, first time in Tiffin, Ohio, to Miss Rosina Haiserman, who died in Seneca county leaving one son, John, now a farmer in Defiance county. By his second marriage, to Miss Kath- erina Kirhner, Mr. Peter had a large family of children, of whom the fol- lowing are living: William, Jacob, Frederick, Albert, Adam, Caroline, and Lizzie. The mother of this family died in Defiance, and Mr. Peter formed a third matrimonial union, which wife also died in Defiance county. Sub- sequently he was married in that county to Mrs. Maria Bentz Bahringer, who was born in Germany August 21, 1835, coming to America when nine- teen years old. After spending two years in New York City she came to Defiance county, where she was married on April 4, 1856, to her first hus- band, Adam Bahringer, who died April 12, 1876, leaving three sons, Charles, Andrew, and Adam.
JOHN W. DIETSCH.
Among the sturdy and stalwart citizens of Richland township, Defiance county, whose place of birth was in the German Fatherland, and who, with the industry and thrift so natural to the people of that country, have rapidly progressed toward that financial condition so much coveted by all, is the subject of this personal history.
Born in Bavaria, Germany, February 27, 1822, our subject grew to manhood upon a farm there. In 1845 he bade adieu to his native land and sailed for America, landing in Baltimore, Maryland, whence he went to Franklin county, Indiana. There he lived until 1849, in which year he crossed the Plains to California, hoping from the gold mines of that State to secure a fortune; but during the three years he spent upon the Pacific slope he met with only ordinary success.
On his return to the East, Mr. Dietsch came to Defiance county, Ohio, and located upon land in Section 26, Richland township, which he had purchased in 1848 before going to California. He at once began the im- provement and cultivation of his land, and upon that property has made his home continuously since 1852. Upon the place, which comprises two hundred and seventy-three acres of fine land, he has erected good buildings, and made many other improvements which add greatly to its value and at- tractive appearance.
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In Richland township, January 28, 1855, Mr. Dietsch was married to Miss Sarah Gackel, who was born in Alsace, Germany, January 18, 1835, and came to America in 1847. Eight children have been born to them, namely: Magdalena; Elizabeth, now the wife of George Wirth; Cather- ine, wife of Peter Engle; Louis; Henry; Phoebe, wife of Charles Thieroff ; Adam and John. The parents and children hold membership in the Luth- eran Church, and are widely and favorably known. Mr. Dietsch has ever taken an active interest in the welfare of his adopted country, and he is recognized as a valued and useful citizen of his community. For three years he acceptably served as treasurer of Richland township.
CHARLES H. NEWTON.
This prominent dairyman and farmer of Defiance township, Defiance county, was born August 20, 1856, in Potsdam, New York, a son of Town- send and Caroline (Brown) Newton. In their family were six children, as follows : Ella and Mary, both deceased; William; Charles H .; Helen; and Hattie, also deceased. The mother was called to her final rest in March, 1872. while living in Paulding county, Ohio.
When about six years old Charles H. Newton was brought by his parents to Ohio, and after living for a year in Defiance township, Defiance county, he removed to Paulding county, where the following twelve years were passed. He then returned to Defiance township, and here has since made his home. He acquired a good, practical education in the public schools of this State, and was reared to habits of thrift and industry, early becoming familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. Since starting out in life for himself he has successfully engaged in farming, and is now the owner of Riverside Dairy Farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty-two acres of rich and arable land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. The well-tilled fields, and neat and thrifty appearance of the place, plainly indicate the progressive spirit of the owner.
In Paulding county, Mr. Newton was married March 13, 1879, to Miss Minnie McCaskey, and they have two children : Lloyd and Rudy. Mr. New- ton has ever taken an active part in all matters of interest to his community, and is a stanch supporter of such measures as he believes will prove of public benefit. In politics he is a Democrat. In the Methodist Episcopal Church he and his wife hold membership, and in its work they take an active and prominent. part.
MRS. NEWTON was born December 8, 1852, in Fulton county, Ohio,
Missive Menton
LA Newton
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where she was educated. She is a daughter of M. O. and Jane (Martin) McCaskey, the former of whom was born in Wooster, Ohio, in 1827, the latter in England in 1830, whence she came to this country when fourteen years of age. Mathew McCaskey, grandfather of Mrs. Newton, was born in 1804, near Cincinnati, Ohio, married Lucina Nixson, and by her had a family of seven children, four of whom are yet living. Robert Martin, ma- ternal grandfather of Mrs. Newton, was born in Leamington, England, in ISOI, was married in that country to Susan Hoodless, and all their children, three in number, were born there, Mrs. Newton's mother being now the only survivor.
WILLIAM LASH.
This well-known farmer, residing in Section UI, Hicksville township, Defiance county, has for almost half a century been identified with this section of Ohio, and has contributed greatly to its material progress and prosperity. He has championed every movement designed to promote the general welfare, has supported every enterprise for the public good, and has materially aided in the advancement of all social, industrial, educational and moral interests.
Mr. Lash was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 19, 1825, a son of Henry and Nancy (Craven) Lash, who were born and reared in Penn- sylvania, and died in Wayne county, this State. On his father's farm our subject remained until he attained his majority, acquiring his education in the public schools, and assisting in the labors of the fields. In the county of his nativity he was married October 14, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Maxwell, also a native of Wayne county, born September 26, 1830. Her parents, Will- iam and Isabella (Johnson) Maxwell, were natives of Adams county, Penn- sylvania, and the father died in Wayne county, Ohio, while the mother passed away in Hicksville township, Defiance county, at the home of her son, W. R. Maxwell, a sketch of whom is given elsewhere, in connection with that of his son, Frank Maxwell.
Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lash, three died in infancy. Those living are Henry ; Elizabeth, now the wife of George Strain; Isabella. wife of H. H. Huber; Eliza, wife of Andrew Huber; Louisa, wife of R. Greer ; Laura, wife of C. F. Denious; and Ida, wife of Wilber Miller.
For four years after his marriage, Mr. Lash continued to reside in Wayne county, and then removed to Williams county, Ohio, of which De- fiance county then formed a part. In Florence township he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, and to the cultivation and improvement of
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that place he devoted his energies until 1871, when he bought his present farm in Section II, Hicksville township, Defiance county. Here he has erected a good brick residence, and made many other valuable improvements, so that the farm, comprising one hundred acres of fertile and productive land, is now one of the most desirable places of the community. Farming has been his chief occupation throughout life, and in his undertakings he has met with a well-deserved success. For several years he was a most efficient member of the school board of his district, and for two terms he capably filled the office of township trustee.
GEORGE C. ARMSTRONG.
Prominent among the early settlers of Defiance county, as well as rank- ing high with the prosperous and substantial farmers of later years, is the subject of this sketch. There have been some very energetic and active men of large capacity and enterprise who came to this locality in an early day, and made this the most prominent field of their life work. Scarcely any of them, however, rank higher than Mr. Armstrong, who has been identified with the agricultural interests of Delaware township since 1834, his pres- ent home being in Section 31.
Mr. Armstrong was born February 18, 1826, in Connecticut, a son of Lee and Mary (Spafford) Armstrong, and in that State the mother died in 1832. In the following year, the father, who was born January 24, 1795, migrated to Ohio, and after spending about six years in Henry county re- moved to De Kalb county, Indiana, where he died June 26, 1855.
The subject of this sketch was fifth in the order of birth in the family of seven children, and in 1833 came with his father to Ohio, in which State he has since made his home. At the early age of eight years he was bound out to Peter Blair, of Delaware township, Defiance county, with whom he lived until he attained the age of seventeen, when he started out to make his own way in the world. After his first marriage in 1850, he located on the farm which has since been his place of residence. All of the buildings upon the place have been erected by him. In his chosen calling he has met with excellent success, being now the owner of nearly six hundred acres of valu- able land, all of which has been acquired through his own industry, per- severance and good management, as he began life for himself empty-handed.
On October 13, 1850, Mr. Armstrong wedded Miss Mary Platter, who was born in Pennsylvania. April 3, 1815, and died October 5, 1853. In Delaware township he was again married, November 20, 1854, his second
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union being with Miss Caroline Platter, who was born in that township, February 13, 1834. To them were born six children, namely: Hattie, now the wife of Stewart Miller; William, who died January 17, 1888, aged twenty- nine years; Edwin, who died in childhood; Eda, who died at the age of twenty-five years; John, who died in childhood; and Libbie, wife of Rev. Richard Dempsey. The wife and mother departed this life August 4, 1871.
In Defiance county, November 23, 1876, Mr. Armstrong married Mrs. Permelia (Travis) Simpson, who is now the oldest woman living in Dela- ware township, that was born there, her birth occurring January 10, 1830. She is the fourth in the family of eleven children whose parents were Will- iam and Mary C. (Swartz) Travis, natives of Pennsylvania. On coming to this State they first located in Delaware county, but came to Defiance county at a very early day in its history. Both died in Noble township, the father on March 2, 1882, aged eighty years, the mother in February, 1872, aged sixty-nine. Mrs. Armstrong first married Evan W. Simpson, a native of Ohio, who died in Paulding county, this State, March 17, 1867. To them were born seven children, the eldest of whom died in infancy, the others be- ing: Mary, Foreman, Ada, Nina, William and Belle.
For years Mr. Armstrong has been identified with the Republican party, but he has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking, preferring to give his entire time and attention strictly to his farming and stock-rais- ing interests. He is one of the honored pioneers and highly respected citi- zens of Defiance county, and is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who appreciate his sterling worth.
DAVID MILLER.
One of the most prominent and reliable citizens of Tiffin township, De- fiance county, is David Miller, who is a native of Ohio, born April 18, 1825, a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Weaver) Miller. The father died in November, 1847, in Richland township, soon after coming to Defiance county, and the mother passed away in Tiffin township.
Our subject was the eldest in their family of nine children-six sons and three daughters. In his native county he was reared and educated, coming to Defiance county with the family in the fall of 1847. Soon after his father's death he settled in Tiffin township, entering a tract of land in Section 35. By industry and perseverance he soon converted the wild, un- cultivated tract into rich and productive fields, and now has one of the best and most desirable farms in the community. It comprises two hundred and
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twenty acres of land, upon which he has erected a comfortable residence and good barns and outbuildings. At one time he owned four hundred acres, but has since disposed of a portion of this.
In Tiffin township, February 13, 1851, Mr. Miller was united in mar- riage with Miss Polly Partee, who was born in that township, August 22, 1828, and they became the parents of eight children, as follows : Lewis, Frank- lin ; Orlando, who died in childhood; John; Allen; Sophia, now the wife of Clinton Whitney ; Malinda, wife of Edward Wisler; and Charlotte, wife of A. L. Parker. The family receive and merit the high regard of the entire community.
Politically Mr. Miller has always cast his ballot with the Democratic party, and has ever taken an active interest in political affairs. For two terms he most creditably served as county commissioner, and has also cap- ably filled the offices of township trustee and school director for many years. His public and private life are above reproach, for his career has ever been one characterized by the utmost fidelity to duty. The part which he has taken in the development of the county has impressed his name indelibly upon its records, and he well deserves mention among the honored pioneers.
TOWNSEND NEWTON.
This highly esteemed resident of Defiance, has been for many years identified prominently with the agricultural interests of that locality, but has now retired from active business in order to enjoy the competence ac- quired by his past years of toil.
Mr. Newton was born August 9, 1826, at Willsboro, Essex county, New York, a son of William and Laura ( Moore) Newton. His father, who was a native of Coldstream, Scotland, died in 1849, in Ellenburg, Clinton county, New York, and his mother, who was born in Essex county, New York, died in 1871, in Defiance, Ohio. Our subject was the third in a fam- ily of seven children-four sons and three daughters-and was reared to farm life in his native county. By the time he reached the age of seven- teen he was familiar with the details of the "bloomer" trade, and this he followed for some time in Essex and Clinton counties, removing to the lat- ter locality at the age of nineteen. Later he purchased a farm in St. Law- rence county, New York, and after residing there twelve years he sold out and bought a farm at Fort Ann, Washington county, in the same State. Two years later, in October, 1862, he came to Defiance to spend the winter, and in the following spring he purchased his former homestead in the south-
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western part of Defiance township, where the greater portion of his time has since been passed. In 1863, he removed temporarily to Paulding county, Ohio, and was employed as foreman for twelve years by Evans & Rodgers, but on returning to his farm he devoted his attention to agricultural pur- suits exclusively. Since September, 1892, he made his home in Defiance, having disposed of all his land with the exception of eighty acres, and he now occupies a pleasant residence in the village.
Socially he and his family are prominent, and he is an active member of the F. and A. M. at Defiance. He also takes much interest in religious work as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has never failed to show sympathy with all forms of progress in his community. As a good citizen he is interested in the political questions of the day, but he is not active as a politician, and when elected county commissioner he resigned the office at the end of two years of service.
On September 26, 1849, Mr. Newton was married at Fort Ann, New York, to his first wife, Miss Caroline E. Brown, a native of that town, who died March 25, 1871, in Crane township, Paulding county, Ohio. On April 2, 1872, he formed a second matrimonial union, this time with Mrs. Jane (Winters) Dickey, widow of James Dickey, and daughter of Isaiah Win- ters, a native of Jefferson county, Ohio, who died in Hardin county, this State, in 1856. The Winters family settled in Jefferson county at an early day, being identified with the locality for many years, and Mrs. Newton's birth occurred there July 24, 1831. Mr. Newton has had six children, all by the first marriage: Ella, formerly the wife of William Freese, died in Paulding county; Mary, who married George Freese, also died in Paulding county ; William E. and Charles H. are well-known agriculturists of De- fiance township, Defiance county ; Helen married George Cromley ; and Har- riet, formerly the wife of Houston Hanna, died in Mark township, Defiance county.
PETER MANGAS.
Among the worthy men whose histories are recorded in this volume none stand higher in the esteem of their fellow citizens than does this well- known resident of Defiance, who after many years of successful business life has retired to that village to pass his declining years.
Born September 25, 1825, in Prussia, he is a son of Caspar and Eliza- beth (Battar) Mangas, who came to America with their family in 1837, settling in Pleasant township, Henry county, Ohio, where their remaining days were passed. Our subject, who was the eldest of four children, re-
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mained at home until his marriage, at the age of twenty-five. During boy- hood he gave evidence of decided business ability, and after working for nine years as a driver on the Wabash and Erie canal he was promoted to the position of captain. Through his industry and enterprise he became the owner of two boats which previous to his marriage he traded for a tract of land in Henry county. This place, a fine estate of three hundred and twenty acres, he occupied as a homestead until the fall of 1895 when he removed to Defiance, and while he still retains the ownership he has given the management into other hands. As a citizen he has always taken much interest in the political issues of the time, and he is a firm believer in the principles and policy of the Republican party. While residing in Henry county he held numerous local offices, including that of justice of the peace. which he resigned after three years of able service. He and his wife are leading members of the Catholic Church of Defiance, and sympathize with all efforts toward local improvement.
On September 23, 1850, Mr. Mangas was married in Seneca county, Ohio, to Miss Sarah Jackman, who was born in France, May 20, 1835, They have had nine children, of whom all are living except Thomas, who died in Henry county April 5, 1894. The others are Henry, Frank, Peter, Jr .. Albert, George, Joseph, Andrew, and Frederick. The family is popular so- cially and they occupy a pleasant home in Francis street, Defiance.
JACOB HOY.
Mr. Hoy, who is one of the well-to-do and prosperous farmers of Henry county, resides on the southeast portion of Harrison township. He is one of the men who thoroughly understand the business they pursue, and he has secured a comfortable competence. His home place is a fertile and pro- ductive farm of eighty acres, which he has brought to its present highly cultivated state by the exercise of great industry, perseverance and excel- lent management. His improvements are of a substantial character, and everything about the place denotes prosperity and thrift. Besides this farm he owns another tract of eighty acres near Holgate, Henry county, which is also well improved.
Mr. Hoy was born August 31, 1831, in Pennsylvania, but when quite young removed from that State to Niagara county, New York, with his parents, George and Lydia (Kiefer) Hoy. A few years later they came to Wayne county, Ohio, and after a short time spent in that locality, they re- moved to Fairfield county, this State, where both parents died. Our sub-
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ject was the second in their family of five children who reached years of maturity, and upon his father's farm in Fairfield county he grew to man- hood, becoming thoroughly familiar with the labors and duties which fall to time lot of the agriculturist. Throughout his active business career he has engaged in the occupations of farming and threshing, and since 1869 has carried on operations in Henry county, living upon his present farm since that year.
In Fairfield county, Ohio, December 17, 1857, Mr. Hoy married Miss Sarah Shaffstall, also a native of Pennsylvania, and to them have been born seven children, as follows: Mary Ann, who wedded Lyman Hall, and died in Harrison township, Henry county ; Lydia S., wife of J. O. Blythe; Alice, wife of John Klein; Emma M., wife of Lyman Hall; George, who died when about ten years old; Minnie M., wife of Clinton Otis; and Carrie M., wife of Doctor H. C. Burson, of Grelton, Henry county.
Politically Mr. Hoy is identified with the Democratic party, and so- cially affiliates with the Grange. He has been quite prominently identified with the interests of the community in which he lives; has capably filled the offices of township trustee and school director, and has assisted materially in the development of his section of the county. He bears a high character for sterling integrity, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.
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