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 6
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 6
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 6
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 6
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In his native township, Henry Kimble grew to manhood, early be- coming familiar with all the duties which fall to the lot of the agriculturist. and remaining with his parents until his marriage, with the exception of the time spent in the Union army. Hardly had the echoes from Fort Sum- ter's guns died away when he enlisted at the call for three months' men, and when his term had expired he re-enlisted, becoming a member of Com-
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pany D, Thirty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for three years, taking part in many hotly-contested engagements. He was a brave and fearless soldier, always found at his post of duty, valiantly fight- ing for the old flag and the cause it represented.
Returning to the old homestead in Springfield township, Mr. Kimble there engaged in farming for two years, after which he established a home of his own. On September 30, 1866, he was married to Miss Sarah Treon, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, August 26, 1848, a daughter of Henry Treon, who came to Williams county in 1854 and died in Pu- laski township, January 16, 1867. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kimble, namely: Mary L., wife of William Himes; William H., who mar- ried Corda Grey; Oris F., who married Della Iferd; Cora B., wife of Chaun- cey Dohner; Henry B., who died at the age of four years; and Harry E.
After his marriage Mr. Kimble located on the Treon farm in Pulaski township, where he continued to make his home until called to his final rest on July 31, 1896. For several years he served as trustee of Pulaski township. He was a charter member of the Elm Grove Grange, No. 644, of Pulaski township, and for several terms filled the position of master of the Grange; he was also a member of the State Grange, in which he was promi- nent.
HON. CHARLES ALEXANDER BOWERSOX.
The Bowersox family is of German origin, the name having been for- merly written Bauersauxe, but it is probable that the head of the American branch crossed the ocean at an early date.
Christian Bowersox, senior, the grandfather of the well-known citizen of Williams county, whose name appears above, resided near Baltimore, Mary- land, and for many years was engaged in business there as a boot and shoe dealer, having learned the shoemaker's trade in his youth. His death occurred in that locality, and his wife, Mary Bowersox, who survived him, died in Williams county, this State, about 1858. They were both devout and con- sistent members of the Lutheran Church, and their influence was always thrown upon the side of progress in the community where they made their home. They had three children: John Warner, junior, our subject's father ; David, who married Martha Breckenridge, and settled in St. Joseph town- ship, Williams county, where he died, leaving a family of children; and Eliza, who married Benjamin Cornell, of Maryland, and had several children, who survive her.
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John Warner Bowersox, the father of our subject, was born January 10, 1808, in Frederick county, Maryland, and until he reached the age of twenty he resided there and in Baltimore county, in the same State. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and about 1828 he located in Adams county, Pennsylvania, for some time, following that business at Gettysburg and in other towns. While there he was married, at the age of twenty-two, to Mary Jane Breck- enridge, daughter of Thomas Breckenridge. This family is of Scotch descent, and the name was originally Stuart, but during the early wars between Scot- land and England the ancestors of this branch removed to Ireland and assumed the name of Breckenridge. During the Colonial period some members of the family came to America, and from them are descended the Breckenridges of Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, and other localities.
Soon after their marriage our subject's parents decided to make their home in Ohio, and about 1831 they drove across the country in a "one-horse shay" to the little town of North Industry, four miles south of Canton, where the father worked at his trade until 1838. About that time he entered a tract of land in St. Joseph township, Williams county, and in October, 1838, he removed there with his family, which then consisted of his wife and two children, the journey being made in an old-fashioned wagon drawn by oxen. On his arrival he built a log cabin in the midst of the wilderness of heavy timber, and he and his family lived there in true pioneer style, their nearest white neighbors being three miles away, while bears, wolves and panthers abounded in the woods around them. The Indians were numerous, but were friendly, causing no uneasiness. For fifty-one years this worthy pioneer re- sided at this place, and at the time of his death he owned three hundred and forty acres of land, two hundred of which were cleared, representing many years of persistent and industrious toil. As a citizen he held a high standing, and he took keen interest in the issues of his time, being an uncompromising foe to slavery. For many years he was known as an "Old-line Whig," and after the organization of the Republican party he affiliated with that. In religious faith he was a Lutheran, and his home and barn were frequently used for holding meetings by preachers of all denominations. His wife was reared in the Presbyterian Church, the Breckenridge family having been iden- tified with that denomination for generations; but as it was not established in Williams county during the early days, she joined the "United Brethren in Christ," and in that faith she died in 1867, at the age of sixty years. Her husband survived her more than twenty years, dying April 14, 1889, at the age of eighty-one years and four months. He did not marry again. Their remains now rest side by side in the cemetery at Edgerton, with those of our
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subject's paternal grandmother, and where their deceased children were also interred. Of their eight children, the first died in infancy, unnamed. (2) James Grier married Salina Hall, and died near Edgerton at the age of forty- six, leaving one child. (3) John Wesley, who resides upon a portion of tlie old homestead in Williams county. married Amelia Yeager, and has two children. (4) Mary Emeline married (first) Jairus Casebeer, who died, leaving two children, and (second) wedded Daniel W. Weitz, by whom she has had five children. They reside in Indiana, five miles southwest of the old homestead in Williams county. She was born on the old homestead nearly sixty years ago. (5) Miss Nancy Ellen resides at the homestead, where she was born about fifty-seven years ago. During her mother's illness from con- sumption she remained faithful to her care, not marrying, as she had oppor- tunity to have done, and after her mother's death she remained there stead- fastly until her father's death in April, 1889. She assumed the care of mat- ters pertaining to her father's household, in every respect made the old home a place of welcome to the children and grandchildren, and other relatives of the family. After her father's death she remained steadfast to his memory, took care of many of the things he left, and still makes her home upon the farm where her father located fully sixty years ago. (6) Eliza Letitia died when but ten days less than sixteen years old. (7) Charles Alexander, our subject, is mentioned more fully below. (8) Francis Asbury died at the age of thirteen years and six months. Since the death of the father of this family the homestead of one hundred and eighty-five acres has belonged to our sub- ject and Miss Nancy Ellen, she living upon the farm, and they having their possessions together.
Judge C. A. Bowersox was born October 16, 1846, in the old log cabin at the homestead, and during his boyhood he learned the details of farm work while taking advantage of such educational opportunities as were to be found in the common schools, which he attended until he reached the age of sixteen. These privileges were not of the best, as may be supposed, but he made the most of them, becoming qualified to teach in schools of like grade, and when seventeen years old he took charge of a school for the winter term. From that time he continued to teach in winter and work on the farm in summer until he had saved enough money to enable him to undertake a collegiate course. During vacations he worked by the day in the harvest field, or any other labor that might present itself. He also taught vocal music, both in and out of the college. In March, 1870, he entered Otterbein University, where he pursued the classical course, graduating June 10, 1874, with the degree of A. B., and three years later the degree of A. M. was conferred upon
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him by the same institution. In this connection it is but proper here to state that his education was the result of his own efforts entirely, he never having received one dollar of help from any source, except such as he earned and paid for. Through his own individual efforts he graduated in the classical course from that institution with the highest grades ever attained by any student, male or female, up to that time.
On August 17, 1874, he became superintendent of the public schools of Edgerton, a position which he held for two years. In February, 1875, he was appointed a member of the county board of school examiners for two years, and in the fall of the same year he was elected probate judge for Williams county, in which position he served for three years.
During this period he read law, and in September, 1879, he was admitted to the Bar, when he at once began practice in partnership with Hon. Edward Foster, of Bryan. The death of Mr. Foster, in 1883, ended this partnership, and in the fall of that year our subject was appointed by Governor Charles Foster, to the position of judge of the Common Pleas Court for the Second Subdivision of the Third Judicial District of Ohio, to succeed Judge Owen, who had been transferred to the Supreme Bench. Judge Bowersox served one year, completing the unexpired term; but he then declined to become a candidate for election, preferring to return to his practice, which he has since continued with marked success. One might suppose that his time would be occupied with the care of the important cases which have been entrusted to him in a professional way, but he manages to give attention to numerous other interests, being one of the busiest men to be found in this section. In 1878 he purchased a one-third interest in the "Bryan Press," which he conduct- ed for one year, doing all the editorial work, although at that time he was serv- ing as probate judge. In 1880 he became a director in the Farmers' National Bank of Bryan-one of the most successful banks in Northwestern Ohio, having a capital of fifty thousand dollars and a surplus of twenty-one thousand dollars, with deposits amounting to two hundred thousand dollars-and after serving two years as vice-president he was elected president, a position which he has now held some ten years. He is also a stockholder in the Williams County Oil and Gas Company, of which he was president for some time, and he is vice-president of the Edon Banking Company. He owns a general store at Blakeslee, Ohio, and one at Edon, which is the largest establishment of the kind in Williams county. His real estate holdings amount to three hundred and seventy-six acres, all in Williams county, including two farms and a half- interest in the old homestead, and to his agricultural interests, as to the others, he gives his personal supervision.
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Nature gave the Judge a good physique as well as an active and well- poised brain, as he is of powerful and athletic build, standing six feet four inches in his bare feet, and weighing proportionately about two hundred and thirty pounds. Without this foundation for success he could scarcely have endured a tithe of the labor which his business and professional engagements entail. In addition to these, however, he has taken a prominent part in political and other affairs, and he has always been a close student of the various ques- tions of the day. His library is extensive and valuable, and he has given especial attention to literature and music. In August, 1890, he was chosen president of Otterbein University, his Alma Mater; but after two years of effective service he resigned on account of the pressure of other duties. His ability as a speaker is widely recognized, and he is frequently called upon to address societies and schools, and the larger audiences which gather on Inde- pendence day, Decoration day, and other anniversaries, his topics on these occasions covering a wide range and showing familiarity with the best litera- ture and art. As a campaign speaker for the Republican party he has done notable work, and in 1896 he made twenty-seven speeches at different points in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana, under the auspices of the National, State and local Republican committees. While he could not sacrifice his private interests to political work, he has for many years been a leading adviser of his party in this section, and he has served four or five times as a delegate to State conventions. In the fall of 1880 he was chosen to represent his dis- trict in the State Legislature, where he took an active part in the proceedings, looking carefully after the interests of his section and the State at large, and during the term he was chairman of the committee on Colleges and Univer- sities, and a member of the committee on Finance.
On June 10, 1875, Judge Bowersox was married to Miss Laura A. Jarvis, daughter of Samuel and Lydia Jarvis, of Westerville, Ohio. Mrs. Bowersox possesses marked artistic ability, being a painter of considerable note, and is a graduate of Otterbein University, where she and her husband met during their school days. Her fine mental gifts and culture have made her a favorite in the best social circles, and she is active in religious work as a member of the United Brethren Church, of which the Judge is a regular attendant. Their home is brightened by two children: Charles Ralph, born March 28, 1886, and Helen, born August 18, 1896.
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PETER KETTENRING.
Mr. Kettenring, who is president of the Defiance Machine Works, De- fiance, is one of the leading business men of this section, and the exten- sive foundry and machine works which his energy and foresight have built up are among the chief industries of Defiance, bringing to the city large amounts of money annually, and giving employment to many workmen. The plant is fitted up with a special view to the manufacture of woodwork- ing machinery, and is the only one of its kind in the world, as the patents are all owned by the firm, giving a practical monopoly in the business.
As Mr. Kettenring has made his way in life through his own efforts, beginning his business career without capital, the following history will be read with unusual interest. He was born January 6, 1836, in Thaleschweiler, Germany, in the Rhine district, where his father, Adam Kettenring, was then engaged in farming. In the spring of 1836 Adam Kettenring came to America with his wife and son Peter, and located in Pleasant township, Henry county, purchasing three hundred sixty acres of government land in an unimproved state. This he brought under cultivation, making a fine homestead; but in the spring of 1844 he moved temporarily to De- fiance, where he followed plastering and similar occupations for a few years. Later he returned to his homestead, and his death occurred there in 1887. He was a devout Methodist, and was one of the pioneer work- ers in that church in this section, his home being a regular stopping place for the itinerant preachers of the early days. His first wife, whose maiden name was Charlotte Alspaugh, died in 1854, leaving three children: Kate, Mary and Peter. The father married again, in 1864, but there were no children by the second union.
Mr. Kettenring, our subject, attended the common schools of Defi- ance until he reached the age of fourteen, but his education was mainly obtained in the practical school of business life, as he began at that age to earn his own livelihood. For two years he served an apprenticeship to the moulders' trade, with Kimball & Frank, of Defiance, who owned a small plant, employing about half a dozen hands, and he then went to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he was employed in the same line of work. In 1856 he returned to Defiance, and established himself in business on his own account in the same shop where he had formerly been employed. He made a specialty of the manufacture of plows, and also did much general repair work at first; but as time passed he built up a large foundry and ma-
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chine-manufacturing plant. In 1864 the establishment was destroyed by fire, causing a total loss, but Mr. Kettenring bravely began work again, and the enterprise has since been carried on with increasing success. Oc- casionally he would have a partner for a time, but the business was mainly conducted by him alone until 1872, when the "Defiance Machine Works" was incorporated with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Since that time he has held the position of president of the company, and his experience and skill are still leading factors in the success of the business. In 1894 and 1896 he made extended trips through Europe, and increased the trade of his firm materially, placing twenty-five machines in a plant at Zurich, Switzerland, and a number in an establishment at Christiania, Nor- way, besides many isolated machines in other cities. The variety and number of the machines constructed by the firm may be inferred from the fact that in 1895 they issued five thousand catalogues of two hundred eight pages each, containing artistic cuts and descriptions of machines varying in price from seventy-five dollars to one thousand five hundred dollars. When in full headway the plant employs about one hundred fifty hands, and in prosperous years the value of the output amounts to thous- ands of dollars annually. Their specialty is hub, spoke, wheel and bending machinery, plow-handle machinery, broom, rake, fork and hoe-handle ma- chinery, lathes for turning gun stocks, neckyokes, singletrees, ten-pins, ball bats, Indian clubs, dumb bells, table legs, axe handles, hammer handles, sledge handles, pick handles, hatchet handles, wagon axletrees and ox yokes. They make lathes to turn round, oval, hexagon and octagon and square at will. They make a line of over three hundred different ma- chines. While Mr. Kettenring's attention has been chiefly devoted to push- ing the interests of this firm, he is also identified with other important en- terprises, and for ten years past has been a director in the First National Bank of Defiance.
In 1856 our subject was married to Miss Frances Kahlo, and the union has been blessed with eight children, three of whom died young. The five living are William A .; Ransom P .; Charles H .; Alice M .; and Nellie. William A. and Alice M. are both married. The three sons are actively engaged in the business, all holding responsible positions, and all being thorough mechanics. Having been brought up in the business, they are thoroughly competent to continue the business for years to come; and there are two grandsons, who can follow after the sons. The company is now doing business in England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Switzer- land, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Russia, China, Japan, South
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Africa, New Zealand and New South Wales. In fact, they have the world for a market.
Mr. Kettenring was reared in the Methodist Church, and has always adhered to that faith, being a leading member of the society at Defiance, in which he has served as trustee for twenty-five years, and as treasurer for seven years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken all the degrees up to and including the Scottish Rite, to which his three sons have also attained. Politically he is a stanch Republican, having sup- ported that party from the first election of Lincoln in 1860 to the fight for honest money in 1896, and his three sons are in full accord with his prin- ciples.
MOSES W. DICKEY.
During his lifetime this gentleman was a prominent resident of Mark township, Defiance county, and he bears an honorable record as a soldier, having served in the Union army during the most trying days of the Civil war. As a citizen he was no less faithful to his obligations, and he well deserved the high esteem in which he was held.
Born November 25, 1832, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Mr. Dickey was a son of John and Mary (Deets) Dickey. When he was about four years old his parents removed to Allen county, Ohio, and four or five years later they settled upon a farm in Putnam county, this State, where their remaining years were spent. Our subject was the fifth in a family of nine children, eight of whom lived to maturity, and until he was about thirty years old he resided at the homestead in Putnam county. On April 7, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being one of the first to offer his services to the government. After four months he left the regiment, his term having expired; but on August 7, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, One Hundred Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained until the close of the war. He took part in numerous engagements, including sixteen hard-fought battles, but had the good fortune to escape injury. Among the battles in which he par- ticipated were those of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, as well as those of the famous campaign of Atlanta, under Sherman. When the struggle ended he returned to Putnam county, and on January 13, 1866, he was married there to Miss Lucinda May. The first five years of his married life were spent upon a farm in the same county, but he afterward removed to Pleasant township. Henry county, where he remained four years. In
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October, 1876, he settled in Defiance county, and he ever after resided at the family homestead in Section 13, Mark township, a fine estate of four hundred acres, upon which he made valuable improvements; he also owned eighty acres in Putnam county, Ohio. In addition to the offices already mentioned, Mr. Dickey served as justice of the peace in Putnam county, and was elected to the same office in Henry county, but resigned. He was township clerk three years, and assessor of Putnam county five or six years. He died of heart failure June 27, 1898.
Mr. Dickey, as is his widow, was a leading member of the German Baptist Church, and interested in all that concerned the welfare of the community. In politics he was a Democrat, and for some three years past he held the office of township trustee, his excellent judgment being appreciated by his co-workers in his party and by the community in gen- eral. Of the ten children who blessed his home two have passed away, Moses dying at the age of sixteen, and Pearl in infancy. The survivors are Charles E., Ella J. (wife of Jacob Fraker), Abbie E. (wife of Pomeroy Helmick), and Sidney F., Berten A., Alva M., Eli T., and Audrey P., all five yet at home. Of this family, Charles E. married Minta Meese, of Pennsylvania, and they live in Mark township (they have three children- Charles F., Robert M. and an infant unnamed).
John and Mary (Deets) Dickey, parents of our subject, were born in Pennsylvania. They had four sons and four daughters: Susan (Mrs. John Shafer), Mary (Mrs. Eli Sigler), Jonas (deceased), Jacob (of Putnam county), Moses W. (our subject), Lydia (Mrs. Leven Corkwell), David L. (of Put- nam county, Ohio), and Eliza (Mrs. Levi Troyer, also of Putnam county).
MERARI BUNAJAH STEVENS, M. D., PH. C.
In reviewing the lives of those whose gallant services have enabled our "great Republic of the West" to maintain its continuity and power, and in so doing to pass to increasing glory, it is indeed most fitting that we should award to these noble heroes the honor and praise emphatically their due, while our breasts swell with gratitude for their endurance in the toilsome march, their heroism in the fearful charge-in fine, for their total surrender of self to all the contingencies of cruel war.
The many friends of Doctor Stevens will be deeply interested in a record of his life-one so devoted to our country in its hour of need, and signalized in after years by benefactions so manifold to his suffering brethren in every station. The home of Harvey Root and Hannah Ann (Gale) Stevens was at
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M. B. Stevens COL. 85MyNA 1863
MB StevenSMD, Phlo Surgeon Bishop Post no22 Y.A. R.
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Tyrone, Livingston county, Michigan, and there their children-Monall G. (who died at the age of twelve years), Merari Bunajah, Alviso B. and Naomi M .- were born. The father followed the vocation of a teacher for a period of twenty-eight years, and, besides, engaged in the pursuits of agricul- ture and brickmaking. Soon after the death of his wife, which occurred at Tyrone in 1863, he moved to New York, and, entering the Union army, fell on the field of battle the following spring, as will be seen elsewhere in this sketch, where further particulars of the closing events of his life are also given.
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