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 48
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 48
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 48
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 48
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HENRY DEEPE.
Mr. Deepe, who is proprietor of one of the best and most highly-culti- vated farms of Tiffin township, Defiance county, was born in Prussia, Ger- many, June 8, 1833, a son of Frederick and Rachel (Schroer) Deepe, also natives of Prussia, who in the fall of 1836 emigrated to America, locating first in Stark county, Ohio. Later they came to Defiance county, and in Tiffin township spent their remaining days.
Our subject is the eldest of their eight children-two sons and six daugh- ters-and was three years old when brought by his parents to the New World. After ten years spent in Stark county, the family removed to Defiance county, where he has since made his home, being reared in much the usual manner of farmer boys of his day.
In Tiffin township Mr. Deepe was married, November 8, 1855, to Miss Mary Redker, also a native of Prussia, who was born October 21, 1839. Her parents, Henry and Elizabeth Jane (Schroer) Redker, were born, reared and married in Prussia, and in 1840 crossed the broad Atlantic, becoming resi- dents of Tiffin township, Defiance county, Ohio, where they continued to live
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until called from this life. In their family were ten children-two sons and eight daughters-Mrs. Deepe being the eldest. To our subject and his wife have been born twelve children, one of whom, Sarah C., died in infancy. Those yet living are as follows : Pherobey J., now the wife of Wilbur Rum- mell; Mary E., wife of John McComb; John W .; Elizabeth E., wife of Ed- ward Clay ; Adelia, wife of Samuel Burk; Phoebe E., wife of Emory Elliott ; Nettie; Belle, wife of Walter Dickman; William H .; Lewis C .; and Chauncey M.
After his marriage, Mr. Deepe located in Tiffin township, where he now . owns an excellent farm of two hundred acres, on which he has erected good and substantial buildings, which add greatly to the value and attractive ap- pearance of the place. Throughout his business career he has devoted his time and attention to agricultural pursuits, and has met with a well-merited success in his operations. For over half a century he has been a resident of Defiance county, and as a public-spirited, progressive citizen, has given sup- port to all measures for the public good. As one of the representative men of his community, he has been called upon to serve in local official positions. Over his life record there falls no shadow of wrong, his public service was most exemplary, and his private life has been marked by the utmost fidelity to duty. Both he and his wife are sincere and worthy members of the United Brethren Church.
ELMER F. PARTEE.
This well-known and highly respected farmer of Tiffin township is one of Defiance county's native sons, and is a representative of one of her most prominent and honored families, whose identification with her history dates from the earliest settlement of the county, his paternal grandfather, Enos Partee, locating here December 24, 1825. He came from Highland county, Ohio, and his was of the second white family to take up their resi- dence in Tiffin township, with whose development and prosperity its mem- bers have since been identified.
William E. Partee, our subject's father, was born in Highland county, January 23, 1821, and was therefore only four years old when brought by his parents to Defiance county, where he grew to manhood amid pioneer scenes, aiding in the arduous task of transforming the wild land into pro- ductive and highly cultivated fields. On December II, 1852, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Wissler, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio, and they began housekeeping upon a farm in Tiffin township, Defiance county, making it their home until 1882, when they removed to the city of Defiance.
Mars Emma Partie
Elmer T. Parte
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
There she died November 7, 1890, and he passed away February 16, 1894, honored and respected by all who knew them.
Our subject, who is the only child of this worthy couple, was born in Tiffin township, November 19, 1856, and upon the home farm passed the days of his boyhood and youth, obtaining his education in the local schools. He remained under the parental roof until he was married, in Hicksville, Defi- ance county, October 12, 1882, to Miss Emma Lehman. She was born in Noble township, same county, December 8, 1854, a daughter of Christian Leh- man, a native of Germany, whence he came to the New World in 1830. In this country he married Catherine Bahr, who was also born in Germany, and emigrated to America in 1835. They continued residents of Defiance county until called from this life, Mrs. Lehman dying in Noble township, March 26, 1882, and her husband in Hicksville, June 30, 1891. In their family were twelve children, Mrs. Partee being tenth in the order of birth. She was a teacher, and taught school nine terms. Our subject and his wife have become the parents of two children : Verna U., born May 1, 1890, died May 10, 1890; and Elma F., born November 7, 1892.
Soon after his marriage, Mr. Partee located upon the farm in Tiffin township, where he still continues to live. It is one of the most desirable places in the community, comprising two hundred and eighty-one acres of valuable land, which he had improved and placed under excellent cultivation. His beautiful home is surrounded with good barns and outbuildings, and the neat and thrifty appearance of the place well indicates the industry, perse- verance and progressive spirit of the owner. In connection with farming, Mr. Partee successfully engaged in teaching school for seven winters. For three years he held the office of township clerk, and has always taken a com- mendable interest in local affairs. Socially, he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; in religious faith, both he and his wife are active and prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics he gives his influence to the Populist party.
JACOB F. GARMAN.
In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their way to success through unfavorable environments, we find an unconscious recogni- tion of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only endure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The following history sets forth briefly the steps by which our subject, now one of the substantial agriculturists of Defiance county, residing in Section 10, Defiance town- ship, overcame the disadvantages of his early life.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Mr. Garman was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1831. a son of George P. and Rebecca (Frankenberger) Garman, also natives of that State, the former born in Lebanon county, the latter in Bucks county. In 1846, with their family, they emigrated to Defiance county, Ohio, and lo- cated in Defiance township; but the father did not long enjoy his new home, dying here November 26, 1847. The mother passed away in the same town- ship in 1871. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Andrew Garman, was a native of Virginia, and removed to Pennsylvania after the Revolution- ary war. His death occurred in Lebanon county, that State.
Jacob F. Garman is eighth in the order of birth in a family of nine children-three sons and six daughters-and was fifteen years old when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county, Ohio, in 1846. As the schools of that early day were widely scattered his education was lim- ited to seven months' attendance at the district school nearest his boyhood home, but he has made the most of his advantages, and is to-day a well in- formed man. Upon the home farm in Defiance township he grew to man- hood, and throughout his active business life has successfully engaged in farming.
Mr. Garman was married in Defiance township to Miss Winnie A. Shirley, who died in less than a year after their marriage. He was again married in that township, his second union being February 23, 1868, with Mrs. Annie (Cromley) Knight, widow of George Knight, and daughter of Jonas Cromley, of Pickaway county, Ohio. She was born in that county, and died in Defiance township, Defiance county, August 19, 1890. Two children were born of the second union: David C., who is mentioned below ; and Nancy A., who died at the age of six months.
Fraternally Mr. Garman is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry. For two terms he acceptably served as trustee of his township, but has never cared for the honors or emoluments of political positions, though he has ever taken an active interest in all local affairs. His support is never with- held from any object which he believes calculated to promote the religious, educational or material welfare of his adopted county, and he is therefore recognized as one of its most useful and valued citizens.
DAVID C. GARMAN, son of our subject, was born in Defiance town- ship May 23, 1869, and there he has always made his home. His elementary education was obtained in the public schools, and subsequently he was a student in Defiance College for several terms, after which he was one of the popular and successful teachers of Defiance county for a time. In Henry county, Ohio, he was married December 24, 1892, to Miss Isora Abbott,
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
who was born in Defiance township, Defiance county, November 13, 1871. a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Gray) Abbott, of that township. They have two children: Winona, born November 24, 1893; and Vida, born June 6, 1896.
D. E. DOZER.
D. E. Dozer, attorney at law, Defiance, Defiance county, Ohio.
GEORGE FERGUSON.
Mr. Ferguson, who is chairman of the board of education of Richland township, Defiance county, where he is now successfully engaged in farining, has led a life of honest toil. Throughout his career of continued and far- reaching usefulness his duties have been performed with the greatest care, and business interests have been so managed as to win for him the confidence of the public and the prosperity which should always attend honorable effort.
Born in Albany, New York, September 17, 1837, Mr. Ferguson is a son of William and Julia (Allen) Ferguson, the former a native of New York, the latter of Canada. On coming to Ohio in the spring of 1850, they located in the city of Defiance, where the father engaged in mercantile business for several years, both spending their last days there. They were the parents of six children, our subject being second in the order of birth. He accom- panied them on their removal to Defiance, and assisted his father in business until seventeen years of age, when he went to Doniphan, Kansas, engaging in mercantile pursuits there for three years. On disposing of his business, he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, where he followed farming for three years, and at the end of that period returned to Defiance.
By the Secretary of War, he was soon afterward appointed paymaster in the United States Army, and for nine years most creditably filled that position, being seven years in the volunteer service, and two in the regular army. After resigning that important post, he engaged in the stock business in Indian Territory for two years, and then returned to Defiance, Ohio, where he was variously employed until locating upon his present farm in 1884, since which time he has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits with most gratifying results. His farm, which is pleasantly situated in South Richland precinct, comprises eighty acres of highly-cultivated and well-improved land.
On April 6, 1864, in Washington, D. C., Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage with Miss Adelaide Luce, a native of Ashtabula county, Ohio, by whom he has three children still living, namely: Charles F., Mary and Roy;
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they lost three, who died when quite young. The parents are both earnest and consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and in the social circles of their community occupy an enviable position. In his political affiliations, Mr. Ferguson is an ardent Republican, and is an earnest advocate of its principles. In 1893 he was elected a member of the board of education, and since 1894 has efficiently served as its chairman. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence reposed in him by his fellow citizens, and his devotion to the public good is unquestioned, arising from a sincere interest in the welfare of those around him.
JAMES WATERSTON.
One of the leading and representative farmers of Bridgewater town- ship, Williams county, is James Waterston, who is a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county, March 6, 1837.
Alexander Waterston, father of our subject, was born in Dalkeith, Scot- land, March 6, 1805, and was the elder of the two children of Simon and Janet (Thornburg) Waterston. Alexander was quite young when his father died, and he was then reared by his grandfather, with whom he learned the tanner's trade. Subsequently he learned both the butcher's and baker's trades, and for two years previous to coming to the United States he followed the latter occupation. In his native land he was married, in 1829, to Miss Janet For- rest, who was born in Penicuick, Scotland.
On crossing the Atlantic in 1831, Alexander Waterston first located near Wheeling, West Virginia, whence he, in 1834, removed to Belmont county, Ohio, where he engaged in farming on rented land for a number of years, later going to Richland county, where he purchased a tract of wild land and improved a farm. In September, 1853, he came to Williams county, locating in Bridgewater township. Here he purchased four hundred acres of land, only two of which had been cleared, and near the cabin already standing thereon he built another, covering the space between, which he converted into a wide hall, thus making a double house. To the original purchase he added another tract of raw land, making in all over five hundred acres, and with a will he set to work to clear and improve the place, assisted by his sons. He always took the lead in everything, hard work never daunted him, and he became one of the most substantial farmers and prominent citizens of the township. A man of strict integrity and sterling worth, his word was ever con- sidered as good as his bond, and it is safe to say that no man in Williams county stood higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens. As a true and loyal
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citizen of his adopted country, he took a deep interest in public affairs; was first a Whig and later a Republican in politics ; was called upon to fill various local offices of honor and trust, and was serving as township treasurer at the time of his death, which occurred on the old homestead March 11, 1875, when he was seventy years of age. His wife survived him many years, dying on the old homestead, August 27, 1891, aged ninety-one years. Thus ended two noble lives. They were reared in the Presbyterian Church, and always adhered to that faith. Of their eleven children, five are yet living. In order of birth they were as follows : Simon, a prominent citizen of Williams county, who was a member of the Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war; Alexander, Janet and Thomas (all three deceased) ; James, the subject of this sketch; David and Benjamin (both deceased) ; William, who resides on the old homestead; Wallace (deceased) ; Mrs. Mary Haines; and Mrs. Elizabeth Culbertson.
James Waterston obtained his education in the public schools of this State. At the age of sixteen he came with the family to Williams county, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-seven, assisting in the arduous task of clearing and improving the home farm. In 1864, after his marriage, he located upon a tract of land given him by his father, and after clearing away the heavy timber, he placed the land under cultivation, making a good farm which he sold in 1867. His present farm in Bridgewater town- ship, comprising two hundred acres, consists of three different tracts, which at the time of purchase was an unbroken forest. Most of the land is now highly cultivated, an orchard has been set out, a commodious two-story brick residence has been built, together with good outbuildings, and the place is now one of the most desirable farms in the county. Besides being a thorough and skillful farmer, Mr. Waterston is a successful stock raiser, and has upon his place a fine grade of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs.
In 1864 Mr. Waterston was married to Miss Emily Branderberry, who was born in Ashland county, Ohio, August 19, 1845, a daughter of Conrad and Jane ( Malcom) Branderberry, also natives of Ohio. In 1854 her parents re- moved to Bridgewater township, Williams county, where her father engaged in farming for some years, but he is now living retired in Montpelier. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the United Brethren Church. Their children are Emily, Jason, Robert, Sarah, Abigail and James. To Mr. and Mrs. Waterston have been born five children, namely: Emma, who died at the age of thirteen years; Mary, wife of Dr. Wirts; Gertrude, wife of W. Close; and Theodore and James R., both at home. In the United Brethren Church our subject and his wife hold membership, and in politics he is identi-
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
fied with the Republican party. He always takes a deep and commendable in- terest in public affairs and gives his support to all enterprises calculated to advance the general welfare.
PHILIP YOUNG.
Philip Young, farmer, post office Jewell, Defiance county, Ohio.
FREDERICK ROTHENBERGER.
The foreign-born residents of this section constitute a most desirable class of citizens, and the subject of this biography represents by his thrift, enterprise and public spirit, the best elements of the German race.
Mr. Rothenberger was born August 19, 1837, in Wurtemberg, Germany, the son of Jacob F. and Hannah (Stuber) Rothenberger, and the first four years of his life were spent in the Fatherland. During this period his mother died, and some time in the forties the father came to America with his children, locating first in Medina county, Ohio, where he spent eight years, and later, after residing for four years in Defiance county, he settled permanently in Flat Rock township, Henry county, where his death occurred in May, 1892. Our subject is the second in a family of three children, two sons and one daughter, viz .: Henry, Frederick and Fredericka.
As Mr. Rothenberger, our subject, accompanied his father in his various changes of residence, he came to Henry county when about seventeen years old, and he has ever since made his home there. He has always been engaged in farming, and now owns a fine homestead of three hundred and twenty acres in Flat Rock township, his comfortable and attractive buildings and other improvements showing judicious and liberal management. As a public-spirited citizen he takes an active part in all progressive movements in his locality, and he has been especially interested in educational advancement, having served for some time as a member of the board of education. In politics he is a Democrat, and he is prominent in township affairs, having held the office of trustee for about thirteen years, and that of treasurer for two years. He and his wife are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has held numerous official positions, and he also belongs to the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association, and the Monumental Pioneer Associa- tion of the Maumee Valley.
On March 9, 1862, Mr. Rothenberger was married in Flat Rock town-
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ship, Henry county, to Miss Eliza DeLong, a native of Knox county, Ohio and a daughter of Elias and Matilda DeLong. Seven children have blessed this union, viz. : Alva, Harry, Jennie (wife of O. J. McCrillis), Frederick, Carrie, Emanuel and Lillian.
AMOS FORLOW.
This age is not wholly utilitarian. On all sides we see some earnest souls laboring devotedly to bring about a recognition of some higher principle in life than selfish greed, and stimulating in the hearts of others a desire for spiritual progress. The friends of Amos Forlow will see in his years of faith- ful work in all forms of religious endeavor a source of present good to the community, and long after he has entered into his final rest his influence will continue in everlasting circles.
Mr. Forlow, who is a prosperous farmer residing in Section 1, Hicks- ville township, Defiance county, was born August 21, 1833, near Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, a son of Benjamin and Catherine ( Emerick) Forlow, the former born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1810, the latter in Ohio, in 1812. In 1843 the family moved from Butler county to Defiance county (then a part of Williams county ), and located in Section 36, Milford township. The mother died in 1876, but the father is still living at the ad- vanced age of eighty-eight years.
The subject of this sketch is the eldest in their family of fourteen chil- dren, and was about ten years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Defiance county, being reared to manhood upon his father's farm in Milford township. When about twenty years of age he left the parental roof, and started out to make his own way in the world, working for others as a farm hand for the first three years. He then purchased forty acres of land in Section I, Hicksville township, to which he has since added, his farm now comprising eighty acres of fine land, under excellent cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings.
On November 19, 1856, Mr. Forlow was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Myers, who was born in Pennsylvania, October 10, 1833, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Elizabeth Myers. The children born of this union are as follows: Frank L., who is now an attorney of Webb City, Missouri; Alice E., wife of W. H. Getrost; Adelia, wife of Rev. J. W. Lilly, of Hicksville, Defiance county ; Edward A .; Amanda, wife of Charles E. Hilbert; Cora B. : and George, who died in infancy.
During the dark days of the Rebellion, Mr. Forlow enlisted in August,
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1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in the battle of Resaca, the siege of Atlanta, the Atlanta campaign and the march through the Caro- linas. He is now an honored member of I. Doniphan Post, No. 52, G. A. R. He also had three brothers-John B., William and George-who aided their country in her successful efforts to preserve the Union.
Politically, Mr. Forlow is an ardent Republican, and formerly took quite an active and prominent part in local politics, serving as assessor of Hicks- ville township in 1866, 1867 and 1868. He and his wife are leading and influential members of the United Brethren Church, of Hicksville, and have always taken an active part in its work. For twenty-one years he served as superintendent of the Sunday-school, has been a delegate to the State and world's Sunday-school conventions, and has filled the office of secretary of the Quarterly Conference of the Hicksville Circuit. In connection with his Church work he has done all within his power to advance the cause of tem- perance in his community. Being one of the first settlers of Defiance county, he has taken an active interest in the Maumee Pioneer Association, of which he is now the honored president, after having served for twenty-one years as its secretary. Those who know him best are numbered among his warmest friends, and no citizen of Defiance county is held in higher respect or esteem than Amos Forlow.
JACOB CONRAD HALM.
In all parts of the United States, whether in rural hamlet or crowded city, there may be found those who trace their descent from the studious and philosophic German race. In every walk of life their ability and energy have gained for them a foremost rank, and they constitute an important factor in the development and maintenance of American institutions. The superior advantages of this section have naturally attracted a large number of this enterprising class of citizens, and the following sketch supplies a typical in- stance of a family which has for many years occupied a leading place in the business and social activities of the thriving city of Bryan.
The ancestors of our subject had their home for many generations in the south of Germany, in or near the village of Baltmannsweiler, Schorndorf, Kingdom of Wurtemberg. His grandfather, Jacob Halm, who was a wealthy land owner and agriculturist of that vicinity, throughout his life held a prom- inent place as a citizen by reason of his high character. Like all the members of the family, Jacob Halm was a devout believer in the doctrines of the Luth-
Jacob C . Halen~
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
eran Church, in which he was an active worker, and he died in that faith at the advanced age of eighty years. He and his wife reared a family of chil- dren, among whom was a son, Jacob (2), our subject's father.
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