USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 23
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Nelson W. Cunningham was a student in the local schools until 14 years of age and then entered another school, a printing office. For the following five years he worked in the office of the Allen County Democrat, which was then under the editorial charge of D. S. Fisher, at Lima, after which he came to Bluffton, then a village, and founded the Bluffton News, which he ably conducted for the succeeding 16 years. In 1893 Mr. Cunningham purchased a half in- terest in the Commercial Bank, a private bank- ing institution which had been founded at Bluffton in 1887 by Frank Scott. Mr. Scott and Mr. Cunningham continued sole owners
until June 3, 1902, when it was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio, commenc- ing business as a State Bank on July 1, 1902. At this time Mr. Scott became president and Mr. Cunningham, cashier. The institution is one which commands the confidence of the pub- lic. It is under the management of men of proved business integrity. There is probably no sounder, safer banking institution in Allen County than the Commercial Bank & Savings. Company, and the citizens of Bluffton and vicinity readily give it support and reap accru- ing benefits.
In 1883 Mr. Cunningham was married to Eva A. Ballard, who was born in Allen County.
UGH E. HUGHES, a prominent farm- er and successful stock-raiser of Su- gar Creek township, who resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres which is situated in section 22, was born November 2, 1839, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales, and is a son of Evan and Cath- erine (Evans) Hughes.
Both parents of Mr. Hughes were born in Wales and their death occurred in 1852, separ- ated by one month, the mother being aged 44 years and the father, 60 years. Their children were: Susan, Hugh E., William, John and David. Our subject and his two brothers, John and David, all came to the United States and the two brothers mentioned live in Mis- souri.
Hugh E. Hughes, like many others of his countrymen who have contributed largely to. the State's prosperity, came to American shores. in young manhood, poor in purse but rich in health, energy and stability of character. In- dustry had been considered a cardinal virtue in his home and he was prepared to work hard in the new land to which he had come, accepting that necessity as a stepping-stone to future in- dependence.
Mr. Hughes reached the United States. shortly after the close of the great Civil War, in 1866, and settled first in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, where he worked one year and then came to Gomer, Allen County, Ohio. A
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year later he went to Missouri and there acquired his first farm, a tract of 40 acres in the vicinity of Dawn, Livingston County. He remained in that State for six years. In 1874 he returned to Ohio and after his marriage early in the year bought 80 acres of land in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, on which he and his family resided for 10 years. He then disposed of the farm, which he had greatly improved, and on February 25, 1884, purchased his pres- ent farm of 80 acres in section 22. This prop- erty has undergone much improvement since Mr. Hughes has been its owner. His commo- dious barns and large, comfortable house give an appearance of thrift and good management, and his fields and stock, his machinery and gen- eral orderliness, show that a careful, competent man has been at the helm. He carries on gen- eral farming and stock-raising. In addition to the home farm in section 22, he owns another 80 acres, in section 23. the latter being in charge of a tenant. These farms and all else he possesses have been acquired by Mr. Hughes through personal endeavor.
On March 28, 1874, Mr. Hughes was mar- ried in Sugar Creek township, by Rev D. M. Evans, to Margaret Hughes. ... 1 is born
July 31, 1841, near Vaugh ), and is a daughter of Jenkin and Jane ( Morgan) Hughes. The parents, both natives of South Wales, located, prior to the birth of Mirs. Hugh E. Hughes, in Putnam County, Ohio, where the father died in 1887, aged 84 years and the mother in 1886, aged 80 years. They were most worthy Christian people and reared their children carefully. They had nine children, Mrs. Hughes being the seventh in order of birth. Three of her brothers were in the Civil War. David served in Company D, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .; Evan belonged to the 6Ist Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf .; and John served in the 151st Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf.
Mr. Hughes and his wife have had three children-Jennie, Katherine and Jenkin, of whom the last named died in infancy.
Mr. Hughes votes with the Republican party, but takes only a good citizen's interest in politics. He is a charter member of the
Vaughnsville Congregational Church, one of its deacons and formerly served as the Sunday- school superintendent. Mrs. Hughes has been a member of the church since 1855.
HARLES PUGH, manager of the Pugh Stone Company, conducting of Lima, was born in Oneida County one of the most important industries New York, November 23, 1858, and is a son of the late William Pugh, whose por- trait is shown on the opposite page. Our sub- ject's father located in Allen County, Ohio, in the early '6os, and was among the first to en- gage in the construction of pike roads here. The headquarters of the company have been located in Lima for almost 30 years.
William Pugh, born in Wales, Novem- ber 26, 1832, was a shoemaker by trade, and followed that calling for a few years at Gomer, in this county, after which he engaged in a spec- ial line of contracting. He furnished crushed stone for road-ways, and built pike roads for a great many years, later furnishing stone for concrete and cement work. For about 15 years he was also engaged in the ice business. All in all, William Pugh was an influential citizen of the county. He served as a member of the Lima Water Works Board and was holding that position at the time of his death, February 28, 1900.
William Pugh was married about 1852 to Mary Evans, a native of Wales, and they had nine children, as follows: William, deceased; Annie, who married Joseph Jones, of Lima, and has two children-Mary M. and Richard W .; William C., deceased ; Charles ; Mary ; Lisabeth, deceased; George, who married Lucile Mum- augh, and has one child, William; John, de- ceased, and Elizabeth. William Pugh and wife came to America from Wales, in 1857, after their two oldest children were born. Their third child was born en route to this country. The parents landed in New York City and went directly to Waterville, New York, where they resided about eight years before coming to Al- len County, Ohio. Mrs. William Pugh died March 4. 1896, aged 65 years.
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Charles Pugh was reared and educated at Gomer, and, upon leaving school, was put to work in his father's stone quarry. He soon be- came the latter's able assistant, and in 1877 lo- cated at Lima, where he has since resided and superintended the interests of the company. Since the death of his father, Mr. Pugh has had the sole management of the business. During recent years the company has done a large amount of cement construction, being especially busy in getting out crushed stone for cement and concrete work and for repairing pike roads. The quarries and crusher of the Pugh Stone Company are located on East North street, within nine blocks of the heart of the city.
In 1890, Charles Pugh was married to Clara Miller, who is a daughter of one of Allen Coun- ty's oldest and most esteemed citizens-Uriah Miller, of Elida. This union has resulted in the birth of four children, namely : Beulah June and Charles Victor, both deceased; Virgil N. and Gladys E. Mr. Pugh is one of the sub- stantial, reputable business men of Lima, and has a pleasant home at No. 925 East High street. He is a member of the Improved Or- der of Red Men and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
E D. WALLACE, for more than a quarter of a century an esteemed and honored citizen of Lima, was born in 1847, at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. He is a son of the late John Wallace, who for many years was engaged at Poland in the furniture and undertaking bus- iness. Mr. Wallace is by occupation a very successful agent for, a number of insurance companies, while by trade he is a miller, having learned that calling in his early youth at Youngstown, Ohio. After working at his trade in that city and in Sharon until 1870, he en- tered the store with which he was connected until he located at Lima in 1880.
Arriving in Lima on December 1, 1880, Mr. Wallace at once engaged in the general insur- ance business, with which he has since been identified, having become proficient and emi-
nently successful in his work. He represents a number of companies, among which are the fol- lowing : Ohio Farmers; Eureka, of Cincinnati; Metropolitan, of Chicago; Central Manufac- turers of Van Wert; Mutual Life, of New York, and the Maryland Casualty, of Balti- more, Maryland.
Mr. Wallace was married in 1870 to Miss Alice Draa, daughter of Perry Draa, of Trum- bull County, Ohio, and a descendant of Sir Francis Drake, the name having been changed from the original spelling "Drake" to "Draa." Three children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Wallace, viz: Glen I., who is in the insurance business at Lima; Julia L., wife of Orrin Simpson, who is with the Central Gas Company of Columbus, Ohio; and Frank N., who is associated in business with his father. Mr. Wallace is a member of the Trinity Meth- odist Episcopal Church, of Lima, in which he takes an active interest. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias.
D ANIEL McKERREN, notary public, who is one of the well-known business men of Lima, conducting a real es- tate and pension claim business at No. 2021/2 North Main street, has been a citizen here for the past twenty years, He was born November 30, 1850, in the city of Londonderry, Ireland, and was brought to America by his parents, Daniel McKerren, Sr., and wife, nee Margery Sweeney, both origin- ally from the parish of Clondavodag, in County Donegal, Ireland. The first permanent settle- ment made by the parents of Daniel McKerren was at Greenville, Darke County, Ohio, where they lived a few years, then removing to near Fort Recovery, Mercer County, Ohio, where they purchased forty acres of land, and lived there a few years. Later exchanging this property for eighty acres in the northern part of Darke County, they removed to the latter county and lived there until they retired from farm life and moved to Lima, where they died, having passed the four-score mark, leaving be- sides Daniel, two other sons,-James D., and John, both of whom have since married and lo-
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cated in the city of Detroit. They also had one daughter, Mary, who married James Costello of Lima; both have since died.
Daniel McKerren, the subject of this sketch, after leaving the farm home of his parents, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in various places until the fall of 1875, when he married Catharine M. Hillen, then a school teacher, the daughter of James and Mary Hil- len, who lived a few miles northwest of Sid- ney, Ohio, where they owned a farm of eighty acres. To this union was born eight children, of whom one died in infancy. The oldest child living, James D., married and resides on North Metcalf street, Lima, being employed as a cigarmaker at the Deisel-Wemmer factory. The second son, John H., married and now lives in Akron, Ohio; he is a molder by trade. A daughter, Catherine C., married and resides at Sidney, Ohio; previous to her marriage she was cashier at Feldman's store. The next, a son, Daniel E., deceased December 1, 1901, was at the time of his death 19 years old, and was collector for the Metropolitan Bank of Lima. Charles J. is employed as an account- ant in the Buckeye Pipe Line Company's of- fice. Mary Agnes, still living at home, will finish her high school course this year. The youngest member of the family, Bernard A., now 13 years old, is going to school. Mr. Mc- Kerren is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and is the financial secretary of the C. M. B. A.
AMUEL M. BURNS. Among the S pleasant farm homes of Allen County, that of Mr. Burns is certain to attract the attention of the casual observer. It comprises 88 acres of fertile land, 78 of which are located in section 31, Rich- land township, with 10 acres adjoining in sec- tion 1, Bath township. Mr. Burns was born May 6, 1833, in Chautauqua County, New York, and is a son of E. R. and Katherine (Dull) Burns.
The Burns family, as the name implies, is of Scotch origin. Edward Burns, the grand- father of our subject, was first cousin of Robert
Burns, the Scotch bard, and was a native of Scotland. He was pressed into the British Navy at Edinburgh and brought to America to help make war, on the Colonies. Reaching Quebec, he, with four others, deserted from the British and joined the Continental Army in time to take part in that engagement. He served all through the war under the immedi- ate command of General Washington, and was fortunate in that he was neither. wounded nor taken prisoner. After peace was declared, he settled in Vermont where he married, reared a family of 12 children and lived until his death, which took place before he had reached the prime of manhood.
E. R. Burns was the ninth child in his par- ents' family and was born in Essex County, Vermont. He went to New York where he married Katherine Dull, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and four children were born in that State. In 1837 they left New York for Ohio, making the journey by means of an ox team. Their first stop was in Lake County, Ohio, where they lived about two years. From thence they moved to Hancock County. Much of their way lay through dense timber which had to be cut away before they could proceed, and their final stopping place was in the heart of the forest, with the nearest neighbor one and a half mile away. Here the father entered 80 acres of land and erected a small cabin 18 by 24 feet in dimensions. Of their five children- John D., Mary Ann, George L., Samuel M. and William-Samuel M. is the only one now living. The parents remained on this property in Hancock County until they passed away, the father aged 84 years and 9 months, and and the mother in her 80th year.
Samuel M. Burns remained at home and assisted in clearing and improving the home- stead until he had attained his majority, when he went to Tazewell County, Illinois, and re- mained there one year. He then returned home and, with his brother John, rented the farm and cultivated it for four years, at the same time working at carpentering in the vi- cinity. In 1856 he went to Nebraska where he spent two years working at his trade-he also preempted a claim there and made some im-
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provements upon it. Returning home, he was married April 3, 1863, and again rented the home farm, which he operated with his brother William for one year, the brother managing the farm while our subject was engaged at carpentering. In 1864 he crossed the plains with a dozen or so companions and spent a year, and a half in California, where he worked at his trade or on a ranch as opportunity of- fered. The return trip to New York was by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
About 33 years ago Mr. Burns came to Allen County and purchased his present farm, also renting land in the vicinity. He has about 25 acres cleared and has erected all the build- ings now standing on the property with the ex- ception of the dwelling. In addition to his farming operations, he derives - considerable revenue from the 12 oil-wells which are located on his property.
Mr. Burns was married in 1863 to Mar- garet Jane Stratton, who was born in Union township, Hancock County, Ohio, September 15, 1843, and is a daughter of Thomas and Celia (Jones) Stratton, both of whom are nat- ives of Wayne County, Ohio. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Burns, seven of whom are living, namely: Cynthia J., wife of J. C. Elliott, of Bath township; Celia Kath- erine, wife of Nelson Bassett, of Bath town- ship; William, of Oklahoma; Anna Viola, wife of L. E. Bassett, of Richland township; Harry D., of Orange township, Hancock County ; Edward, who lives at home; and Willard S. Mr. Burns is a Democrat, but was an adherent of the Populist party while it was in existence in Ohio. The family are members of the Dis- ciples' Church.
ILLIAM C. BELL, a member of the well-known business firm of Mosier & Bell, operators of the Mosier Steam Laundry, at Lima, was born in this city, November 24, 1870, and is a son of the late W. M. Bell, who was long one of its active business men.
Mr. Bell attended the public schools of Lima and spent three years at the University
of Notre Dame, in Indiana. After complet- ing his education, he was associated for II years with F. E. Harman, following which he spent one year in the grocery business at Marys- ville, Ohio, and four and a half years as fireman on the C., H. & D. Railway. In June, 1903, he purchased a half interest in the Mosier Steam Laundry, to which he has since given his un- divided business attention, developing it into one of the successful industries of the city. The laundry is well equipped with all modern appliances, and its work is of such a satisfact- ory character as to necessitate the employment of a large force. The office of the laundry is located at No. 121 West North street.
On March 28, 1897, Mr. Bell was married to Stella Craig Jones, and they have one daugh- ter, Alice, attending school. The family home is at No. 2111/2 North Main street, in the Bell Block. The family is connected with the Market street Presbyterian Church, of Lima. Mr. Bell is a member of Lima Lodge, No. 162, B. P. O. E., and Lodge No. 100, K. P., of Marysville, Ohio.
G. PARKS, a representative business man of the city of Lima, proprietor of large livery, feed and sale stables, at No. 216 East Market street, was born near Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio, in 1864, being a son of Samuel and Sarah A. ( Philbee) Parks.
The father of Mr. Parks was a pioneer settler of Van Wert County, locating there when the country was a wilderness. He lived into advanced age, dying in April, 1903. He married Sarah A. Philbee and they reared a family of ten children-five sons and five daughters, all of whom survive. For almost a half century both parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
S. G. Parks was reared on his father's farm, and was educated in the local schools. He was 24 years old when he left the farm, go- ing to Decatur, Indiana, where for one year he engaged in a livery business. He continued to conduct a similar business at Van Wert for
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two years, and at Willshire for two years, and, during the excitement attending the first operations in oil, operated a livery stable at Mendon, Ohio. In July, 1895, Mr. Parks purchased the livery at Spencerville and, in addition to his Mendon barn, operated two establishments at the former place. Later he sold his Mendon interests, but continued at Spencerville until 1899, when he also disposed of his business there and bought the fine estab- lishment, of which he is still proprietor, at Lima. In addition to this prospering business, Mr. Parks has had numerous oil interests, of which he has disposed. He is a large property owner in this city, including business blocks and dwellings, located on East Market street and Central avenue. He is numbered with the city's substantial men.
On March 4, 1885, Mr. Parks was mar- ried to Hulda Royston, of Willshire township, Van Wert County, who is a daughter of Moses Royston, one of the pioneers of that county who still survives at the age of 87 years. Mr. and Mrs. Parks have two children, viz: Orla L., a student at the Lima Business College; and Pearl D., a student at the Lima High School.
J H. WALTER, proprietor of the South Side Planing Mill at Lima, and one of the city's well-known and substantial general contractors, was born in Wit- tenberg, Germany, in 1853.
Mr. Walter came to America when 17 years of age, having been educated and taught the carpenter's trade in his native land. He lo- cated in Cattaraugus County, New York, where he lived for a number of years, working at his trade and engaged in general contracting. He also owned and operated a planing and a saw- mill.
In 1901 Mr. Walter came to Lima and here he has found a good field in his specialties. He has done much in the line of general contract- ing, and has operated the large plant known as the South Side Planing Mill, which is situated at No. 925 South Main street. This is one of the city's important industrial plants.
On September 14, 1875, Mr. Walter was married to Mary Mann, who died without is- sue, August 16, 1897. On November 10, 1898, he was married to Agnes Brown, who is a daughter of George Brown, of Lima.
Politically, Mr. Walter has always been identified with the Republican party. Since coming to Lima he has accepted no political office, but while living in New York served as excise commissioner. Fraternally, he is a Royal Arch Mason. He is a member of the German Evangelical Church, but, as no organ- ization of this religious body holds services in Lima, he attends the German Reformed Church. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Walter accompany this sketch.
OHN LUDWIG BEUTNER, a leading agriculturist of Marion township, who carries on general farming and stock- raising on his valuable farm of 110 acres in section 23, was born at Del- phos, Allen County, Ohio, February 26, 1860, and is a son of Frederick and Johanna (From- bach) Beutner.
Frederick Beutner was born near Sonne- berg, in Saxe-Meiningen, Germany, February 25, 1819, and spent the usual time at school required of German children. He learned to be a shoemaker and, after deciding to seek his fortune in America, took passage in 1851 in a sailing vessel, which, after a voyage of three months, landed him in the city of New York, with 50 cents in his pocket. Fortunately for him, the individual to whom he entrusted his money, as pay for securing him employment as a shoemaker, was honest and he worked for a time in New York and then went to Buffalo, where he continued to work at shoemaking for a year. About 1853, after his marriage, Mr. Beutner and wife came to Delphos, Ohio, by way of the Lakes and the Miami and Erie Canal, and opened a shop opposite the paro- chial house, later removing to Main street. He also bought land. A few years ago he bought his present farm of 120 acres in section 22, Marion township, which he still owns. He
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lives with his two sons, dividing his time be- tween their homes. Haing a good knowledge of land values, he has accumulated considerable property and now enjoys a comfortable com- petency. At Buffalo he married Johanna Frombach, who was born in Germany, Septem- ber 4, 1827, came to America in young womanhood and died December 15, 1904. They have four sons, namely: Frederick and Carl, who died in infancy; and John Ludwig and Frederick Philip.
Prior to coming to the United States, Fred- erick Beutner traveled to many points of inter- est in his own and other European countries, crossing the Alps and working at his trade through Switzerland and Italy. Although now bearing the weight of 87 years, he still enjoys walking and frequently passes other pedestrians on the road when walking to Del- phos, a distance of four miles. He frequently walks as much as 15 miles a day, and in sum- mer often goes afoot to his farm in Van Wert County, west of Delphos. He is a well-known citizen and enjoys a very large measure of public esteem. He was reared a Lutheran but is a man of liberal mind, ready to see good in every religious organization. In his politi- cal views he is a Republican. He helped to develop the town of Delphos, always support- ing the measures which, in his judgment, were for the welfare of the place.
John L. Beutner attended public school at Delphos and learned the shoemaker's trade with his excellent father. He is entitled to the name of self-made man, for from the age of 14 years he has depended for a livelihood entirely upon his own exertions. When he was still a boy at school he always found some profitable way in which to spend his holidays and vacations. He remembers when he was willing to work in the elevators for. 20 cents a day and board himself rather than to be without work. He continued to work at shoemaking until failing health warned him to give it up and his physi- cian recommended the open air and farm work. Hence, in 1883 he came to his present farm, on which at that time there were only a log-hut and log stable. Now all of his 110 acres, with the exception of 15, are under cultivation and he
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