USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 22
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Joseph Heslip Harbison was the youngest n.ember of his parents' family of eight children and is the only survivor. The others were all loorn in Maryland, but his birth took place in Coshocton County, Ohio, December 26, 1832. When he was but one year old his father died and when five years old he was bereft of his mother. They both rest in Linton township, Coshocton County. The orphan child was taken by his maternal aunt, Nancy Vance, a most estimable woman, of whom Mr. Harbison entertains a grateful memory, who reared him carefully for the next 10 years. She lived on a farm near Morristown and two miles from Bethesda. He attended the local schools and enjoyed a short season in a small academy at West Bedford. Encouraged by his practical aunt, he learned the cooper's trade in order to make himself independent. He was naturally inclined to be studious and, while working at the trade, continued to study by himself and in this way acquired enough education to receive a certificate to teach.
In 1858 he came to Spencerville, a village then of some 400 dwellers, encouraged to do so by his brother, John H. Harbison, who then conducted the only mercantile establishment in the place. At that time the beautifully situated hamlet bore the name "Acadia," but this was subsequently changed to the present one of
Spencerville. During 1859 he taught school and clerked for his brother, and continued to be identified with mercantile interests here until 1884. His school teaching, beginning at Acadia (now Spencerville) covered in all some four years.
From the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Harbison had taken a deep interest in its issues and the determination to do his part in the suppression of rebellion culminated in his en- listment, on July 21, 1862, in Company A, 81st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., 16th Army Corps, the regiment being later transferred to the 15th Army Corps. He served, with the rank of ser- geant, under Lieut. David S. VanPelt and Col. William H. Hill, and participated in the follow- ing engagements: Town Creek, Lay Ferry, Rome, Cross Roads, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, accompanied Sherman in the "March to the Sea," was present at the taking of Savannah, Columbia, Lynch Creek, Bentonville, was present at the sur- render of Johnston, was in the march to Richmond and then was in the Grand Review at Washington, which was particularly pleas- ing to him as there he was commissioned a lieutenant by Governor John Brough, of Ohio. He was finally mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, July 13, 1865, and was honorably dis- charged at Camp Dennison, July 21, 1865. Through this long period he had served his country with a fidelity which was recognized and suitably rewarded.
After his return to Spencerville, Mr. Harbi- son was admitted to partnership by his brother, under the firm style of J. H. Harbison & Com- pany. This continued a few years, and then our subject purchased the stock and the real es- tate of Mr. Fogle and opened a mercantile busi- ness of his own. He was appointed postmas- ter by President Hayes, succeeding N. Meeker. He continued in this office for seven years. Mr. Harbison's connections with almost all that has served to develop Spencerville has made him one of the most prominent figures in the life of the town for many years. He was one of the early members of the Town Council and had much to do with the measures which have
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WILLIAM H. STEPHENS
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caused its development from a hamlet into its present prosperous activity and place among the small cities of the State. Realizing the im- portance of good transportation, Mr. Harbison was one of the early promoters of the railroads and to his advice, assistance and encourage- ment are due many of the public utilities and successful commercial connections which are enjoyed by every citizen.
On March 21, 1866, Mr. Harbison was married to Sarah H. Patterson, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, of Irish descent. She was a popular teacher in the neighborhood of Spencerville at the time of her marriage. The eldest of a family of six children, she, with one brother, is the sole survivor. The brother, H. M. Patterson, was formerly associated in the mercantile business with Mr. Harbison, at Spencerville, but for 25 years has been a fu- neral director at Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Harbison have two sons, Willis Grant and Charles Post. The former was named for the poet, N. P. Willis and for General Grant, for both of whom his father entertains a great ad- miration. He was graduated from the Spen- cerville school, attended the Ohio Normal Uni- versitv at Ada, and for 19 years has been con- nected with the C. & E. Railroad. Charles Post was named for Mr. Post. one of the pio- neers of Amanda township. a friend of his fath- er. He also attended the Ohio Normal Univer- sity at Ada, later married Mary Koepling, and for some years has been the traveling repre- sentative of a large wholesale drug firm of Chicago.
Mr. Harbison has always been a supporter of the public schools. and introduced many of the best-known text-books here, notably the "Appleton Reader." Had his early education been different and his life a more leisurely one. Mr. Harbison would probably have developed his talent for poetry. He is a lover of good literature and is well acquainted with the best poetry. being able to recite many of the gems of Robert Burns. his favorite poet.
Mr. Harbison was made a Mason in 1856 and has always been an active member of the fraternity. He belongs to Lodge No. 306. F. & A. M. and the Order of the Eastern Star.
For 19 years he was worshipful master of the lodge at Spencerville. He is known in this connection all over the State.
Since he was 16 years old, Mr. Harbison has been a church member. In 1881 he united with the Baptist Church of Spencerville and shortly afterward was elected a deacon, an office he still fills. He has also served as clerk and as trustee.
Mr. Harbison owns considerable valuable property at Spencerville. He has seen every house but one built on the Lima turnpike, where his own handsome residence is located. He is known to everyone and by the younger genera- tion is affectionately greeted as "Uncle Joe."
ILLIAM H. STEPHENS, one of the best known fire insurance men of Lima, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in 1842, but has been a resident of Lima since 1865. His parents were Rev. Samuel and Eliza (Strain) Stephens. His maternal grand- father, Robert Strain, was a soldier of the War of 1812 and his maternal great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
Rev. Samuel Stephens was born in Virginia and in his youth served an apprenticeship to the trade of carriage-making. He was a devout Methodist and preached the Gospel for several years. After the birth of his son, William H., he removed to Arkansas, where, under contract with the government, he engaged in the manu- facture of wagons for the Indians. He died within two years of his arrival in Arkansas.
After the death of his father, the subject of this sketch accompanied the family to the old home in Washington County, Tennessee, where he obtained his education through attendance in the common schools. Later in life he moved to Indiana. He worked on a farm for some time in his youth and later was clerk in a store until he came to Lima, when he secured employ- ment on the C. H. & D. Railway. He con- tinued on the road for nearly 20 years and rose to the position of passenger conductor. He
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was a trusted and efficient employee, and only left the service of the railroad company because of an accident that deprived him of the use of his right limb and forced his retirement from railroading. Since that time he has been en- gaged in various lines of business and is at pres- ent successfully representing a number of fire insurance companies.
Mr. Stephens was married in 1870 to Lucy Havil, whose father was born in Maryland and moved to Lima about 1856, where he became a prominent brick and stone contractor. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have two children : Bert R., who is located at Springfield, Illinois, traffic manager of the Illinois Traction Company ; and Mary E., who recently married Louis W. Laud- ick, son of J. W. Laudick, of Lima, a well- known dealer in agricultural implements. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are by faith Presbyterians. Mr. Stephens has taken a leading part in all movements that pertain to the welfare of the city. He has served as director on the board of two banking institutions of the city, was councilman two years, was a member of the board of trustees of the Lima Water Works four years, and a member of the Sinking Fund Trustees two years.
J N. FLETCHER, the genial proprietor of one of the most complete and up-to- date harness and saddle shops in Lima, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1860 and is a son of John Fletcher, who was a harness-maker and conducted a shop in Dalton, Wayne County, for more than 40 years. Our subject was born and reared in Dalton and learned his trade in his father's shop. When about 20 years old he struck out for himself by opening a harness shop in West Salem, Wayne County. He was reasonably successful and remained there 10 years ; but see- ing the advisability of locating in a wide-awake, flourishing city, he removed in 1890 to Lima where he has since been engaged in the same line of business, and enjoys a fine trade and the confidence and good will of his patrons and neighbors.
Mr. Fletcher was married in 1880 to Miss Luginbuhl, daughter of John L. Luginbuhl, a prosperous farmer of Wayne County. Five children have been born to them, viz : Howard, who is bookkeeper for the Lima Electric Light Company; Clair, a student in the Lima High School; Ethel; Hazel and Madge. The family are adherents of the Epworth Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which Mr. Fletcher is a trus- tee. He is a modern Woodman of America and an Odd Fellow, being a member of both lodge and encampment in the latter order. Mr. Fletcher is now serving his third year in the City Council of Lima, having been elected to the office by a flattering majority, the largest given to any man on the ticket. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city. His home is situated at No. 415 South Cole street
m INER C. CROSSLEY, one of Lima's leading citizens, extensively en- gaged in the buying and shipping of stock and a large owner of val- uable real estate, is a native of Al- len County, where he was born in 1857, in Perry township. He is a son of Ross and Phoebe (Apple) Crossley.
The father of Mr. Crossley was born in Lebanon County, Ohio, and came to Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1832, with his parents who were among the pioneer fam- ilies. At that time the present prosperous city of Lima, with its population of about 22,000, had but five houses. He was a brick manufac- turer and made the first brick ever used in house construction in the city. About 1890 he moved to Lima and built a fine brick structure on -South Main street, 50 by 70 feet in dimensions. He also owned a handsome home on the corner of West Market and Baxter streets, where he died in 1899. He married Phoebe Apple, whose death preceded his own. Their children were: Henry, deceased; Isaiah, of Paulding County, Ohio; Cloyd, of Montana; Miner C., of this sketch; Elmer, deceased; Eddie, of Lima; Lavina, wife of Robert Hill, of Lima; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Tapscott, of Perry
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township; and Viola and Araminta, both resi- dents of Lima.
Mr. Crossley was a lifelong Democrat, but had many interests outside politics. He owned a great deal of real estate in this locality and in many ways was one of the city's most repre- sentative citizens.
Miner C. Crossley was reared and educated in Perry township and engaged in farming and stock buying until 1889, when he came to Lima. Here he was engaged in a meat business until 1902 and for some years was largely interested in oil. He has disposed of all of the latter in- terests and is now engaged in extensive opera- tions in the buying and shipping of stock. In 1892 he built the Crossley Block, a magnificent two-story building at Nos. 713-715-717 South Main street, and he owns other valuable prop- erty.
In 1878 Mr. Crossley was married to Ra- chel V. Cochrun, who is a daughter of J. C. Cochrun of German township, one of the first pioneers of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Crossley have one son, Clifford, who is engaged in the cigar business at Lima.
Politically, Mr. Crossley has always been identified with the Democratic party and has been in close touch with party leaders for a number of years. In 1902 he was his party's choice for county treasurer ; he has served on the Democratic County Executive Committee many times.
W. ZEITS, one of Allen County's representative men and one of Beaver Dam's leading business citi- zens, recently elected county record- er, was born in Perry township, August 7, 1874, and is a son of John and Phil- lipena (Kock) Zeits.
John Zeits was born in Nassau, Germany, in December, 1835, and was 18 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States. His father settled in Allen County, Ohio, near Westminster. John Zeits has lived in Perry township for the past 35 years. He married Phillipena Kock, who was born near Wittenberg, Germany, and died in November, 1904, at the age of 58 years. She was also 18
years old when she came to the United States. They had three children, namely : Mollie, wife of Rufus Creps, of Westminister; Lewis, of Perry township; and F. W., of Beaver Dam.
F. W. Zeits remained on his father's farm until he was 25 years of age, attending the local schools until 17 years old, and spending two years of this period at the Ohio Normal Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio. After leaving school, he taught several terms. At the opening of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company C, Second Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, under Capt. Frank M. Bell, and was mustered into the United States service. He spent three months in camp at Chickamauga Park, went then to Knoxville, Tennessee, and to Ma- con, Georgia, and was mustered out February 10, 1899.
After his return from the army, Mr. Zeits remained one year longer on the farm and then located in Beaver Dam. This was during the oil boom and he worked in the oil field for six months, after which he embarked in his present grocery and shoe business.
On June 10, 1900, Mr. Zeits was married to Lena Franklin, who was born in Allen Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a daughter of J. A. Franklin, of Perry township. They have one child, Vera.
Mr. Zeits is a stanch Democrat and was honored with election to the office of county recorder in November, 1905. He has efficiently served in a number of official capacities and in 1898 was elected township clerk but did not serve on account of enlisting for service in the Spanish-American War as above mention- ed. He belongs to Beaver Dam Lodge, No. 689, I. O. O. F., to Rainbow Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Bluffton; to LaFayette Lodge, F. & A. M .; and to Lodge No. 39, United Span- ish War Vererans, of Lima. He was con- firmed in the German Reformed Church.
ILLIAM H. MATTINGLY, a lead- ing undertaker and embalmer of Lima, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 1854 and is a son of Francis Mattingly. The grand- father, William Mattingly, came from Mary- land in 1812, making the journey from that
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State to Ohio on horseback, and settling in Muskingum County, where the father of our subject was born in 1822. Francis Mattingly was reared to manhood there and became one of the substantial farmers of that section.
William H. Mattingly was reared and ed- ucated on his father's farm. As soon as he was old enough to make his own way in the world, he went to the coal field of lower Perry and Hocking counties, where he soon became en- gaged in opening up the mining industry there, being employed by the Straitsville Mining Company. He continued with this company six years, making his home at New Straitsville, Perry County, until 1876, when he located in Zanesville, Ohio, and entered the undertaking business. He was a member of the firm of Brenholts & Mattingly for 12 years, and then disposed of his interests in the company and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Two years later he opened his present undertaking and em- balming rooms in Lima, and has been steadily increasing his business since. He has taken ad- vantage of every opportunity to perfect himself in every detail of the work, being a graduate of the Clarke Cincinnati College of Embalming, Myers', of Springfield, and the Egyptian and Sullivan schools of embalming. Mr. Matting- ly is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors' & Embalmers' Association and is chairman of the finance committee.
Mr. Mattingly was married in 1878 to Mary E. Carr, of Lancaster, Ohio, a daughter of James W. Carr, who was for years employ- ed in the bridge department of the Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley Railroad. Mr. Matting- ly is a stanch member of the St. Rose Catholic Church of Lima, of which he is secretary. He is financial secretary of Branch 23, Catholic Knights of Ohio and a charter member of Lodge No. 436, Knights of Columbus.
EORGE DILLER was born March 23, 1862, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and has passed his en- tire life almost within a stone's throw of his birthplace. He owns 60 acres of fine land in German town- ship and is one of the intelligent, up-to-
date farmers of this county. He is a son of Samuel Diller, who was an early settler in German township, where he purchased a farm and built a log cabin. The six brothers and three sisters which composed the family were: Andrew, George, Samuel, Henry, William, Barbara, Lydia (deceased), and Nancy (de- ceased). A remarkable fact concerning this family is that four of the brothers married Bren- neman girls, Andrew, Henry and George mar- rying sisters. Samuel married a Lydia Bren- neman, who was in no way related to his broth- ers' wives. He has four children. Andrew Diller married Nancy Brenneman and is the father of three children. Henry married Caro- line Brenneman and has three children, while George married Lydia Brenneman. William married Anna Shank and has a family of three children. Barbara married John Powell, of Virginia, who died leaving five children.
George Diller has been a farmer since his earliest boyhood, when he performed his share of the work on his father's farm. He was married in November, 1885, to Lydia Brenne- man, who is a daughter of John Brenneman, of Marion township. They have an only child, Lesta May, who was born January 1, 1887, and is still living at home. Soon after marriage, Mr. Diller purchased 40 acres of land which, with 20 acres recently added, comprise his pres- ent holdings. In 1899 he built his new resi- dence, a modern frame building, at once com- fortable and convenient. He has remodeled his barns and made many minor improvements to his property. Mr. Diller is a member of the Mennonite Church and a man who stands well in the community.
OHN BLACK, a retired master me- chanic of Lima, is also one of the city's old and honored citizens. He was born in Scotland in 1848, and is a son of John Black, whose ancestors as far back as can be traced were of Scotch birth and rearing.
John Black, the father. emigrated to Amer- ica in the early '50's and commenced his busi- ness career as a locomotive builder in the Niles Locomotive Works, at Cincinnati, Ohio. There
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he continued until he secured a position as an engineer on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, being thus employed for several years and later being connected in the same capacity with the C., H. & D. Railway, running between Cincin- nati and Richmond, Indiana. He then be- came a master mechanic in the C., H. & D. Rail- way shops, at Richmond, and when that road gained control of the D. & M. Railroad, in 1863, he was appointed master mechanic of their shops at Lima, and continued as such, and as general master mechanic, for a period of 23 years. His death took place in 1893. During his entire residence in Lima he had been a prominent and useful citizen, serving frequent- ly as a member of the City Council and support- ing and assisting in formulating ordinances for the general welfare. Politically he was a Democrat
John Black, our immediate subject, was reared through youth in Scotland, attending school and serving his apprenticeship to the machinist's trade prior to coming to America in 1869. He joined his father in Lima, and immediately commenced work in the machine shops of the C., H. & D. Railway, remaining there for a period of 20 years and two months. From the most subordinate position, through careful and persistent work, he was promoted to be engineer, and foreman and finally, in 1889, general foreman. He then became con- nected with the "Nickle Plate" Railroad as gen- eral foreman in their Chicago shops, where he remained one year, after which he served for three years as master mechanic of the Rock Island shops at Chicago.
The death of his father at Lima recalled John Black to this city, when he abandoned the railroad business altogether. He had accumu- lated property, both in Chicago and Lima, and has since devoted his time and attention to his investments. In 1900 he built the Black Block in Lima, this being a fine four-story brick building of Bedford stone front, with di- mensions of 185 by 50 feet, and containing stores, offices and apartments. It is occupied by leading business men, and is the scene of much of the city's commerce. Mr. Black also built other fine buildings, and owns valuable
real estate in Chicago. He is one of the stock- holders in The Ohio National Bank of this city.
In 1876 Mr. Black was married to Kate Hardesty, who is a daughter of the late Reuben Hardesty, one of the pioneers in the lumber trade of Lima. The four sons of the family are: William G., who is general foreman of the "Nickle Plate" Railroad shops at Fort Wayne, Indiana; John, a graduate of the Uni- versity of Chicago, later serving two years as a chemist with Parke Davis & Company, of De- troit, then a student in mechanical chemistry at Cornell University, and at present assistant pro- fessor in that department ; Charles H., a grad- uate of the Englewood High School, Chicago, served an apprenticeship in the C., H. & D. shops, and is now a machinist at the Lima Locomotive & Machine Works; and Robert C., a recent graduate of the Lima High School, who has entered Purdue University to pursue a course in mechanical and electrical engineering .. All of Mr. Black's sons are practical young men, who know how to apply the education they have been given by an indulgent father and re- flect credit upon him and his generous thought- fulness.
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e LARK L. HOYT, of Myers & Hoyt, grocers of Lima, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, in June, 1858. He is a son of William Hoyt. who came to Ohio in 1832 and lo- cated at Kenton, Hardin County, where he en- gaged in farming until 1862, at which time he moved to Lima, where he lived until his death, 12 years later.
Clark L. Hoyt, since he was four years old, has always resided in Lima. After leaving school, he entered the shops of the C., H. & D. Railway, and had been there two years when he went on the road as fireman for the com- pany. Five years later he took charge of his first engine, and for 21 years was one of the most trusted and esteemed engineers on the road. By this time he was tired of the work and desired to engage in some business in which he might have regular hours and more
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time with his family. He therefore purchased an interest in a grocery store in partnership with Mr. Myers, taking possession in June, 1904. They have a nice, clean store and carry a full line of staple and fancy groceries. Mr. Hoyt is equally at home at the throttle of an engine or behind the counters of his store, and is well pleased with the change.
He was married in 1888 to Nora V. Cope- land by whom he has three children-Eldean, Lenore and Lucile. The father of Mrs. Hoyt was Willis Copeland, who was for many years engaged in the dairy business in Lima, and ran the first dairy wagon in the city. He died in 1894. Mr. Hoyt is a prominent Mason, a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Broth- erhood of Locomotive Engineers. He is a Re- publican in politics, and was at one time a mem- ber of the City Council of Lima.
n ELSON. WILBER CUNNINGHAM, cashier of the Commercial Bank & Savings Company, of Bluffton, was born at Lima, Ohio, February 24, 1856, and is a son of Col. James and Martha (Kennedy) Cunningham.
The late Col. James Cunningham was a pioneer in Allen County and for years was one of its most prominent men, serving two terms as a member of the State Senate and filling many offices with honor and efficiency. Ex- tended mention of Colonel Cunningham will be found in the historical portion of this work.
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