USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 30
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who married Rev. A. J. Fish; and Brazellas Franklin, who died in Springfield, Ohio, at the age of 54 years.
Abram P. Kiplinger attended the common schools and remained at home until his 18th year, when, in January, 1862, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, as a member, of Com- pany E, 60th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. At Harper's Ferry he was taken prisoner and later sent to Chicago on parole, remaining there seven weeks until his term of enlistment had expired. Re-enlisting in Company H, 32d Ohio Regiment, he became a member of the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, 17th Army Corps, under the command of General Blair and was sent to Vicksburg where he joined a com- mand detailed for guard duty. He returned home on a veteran's furlough for 30 days, and, after, he had recuperated and visited relatives and friends, once more sought the scene of army activities. He first went to Cairo, where he took a steamer to Clifton, Tennessee, and thence assumed a wearing march which only terminated when General Sherman's army was reached near Atlanta. The siege of Atlanta continued 120 days and on the 22d of July, 1864, from II o'clock in the morning until 9 o'clock at night the contest was a hand-to-hand fight between the contending forces, the latter part of the engagement being fought in dark- ness. In this fierce engagement Mr. Kip- linger's regiment lost 140 men, but it was the beginning of the end of that great struggle. In October a 300-mile dash was made after Gen- eral Hood, which ended in the latter's army be- ing scattered and broken up. After this came the memorable "March to the Sea." The army left Marietta, Georgia, with 70,000 head of cattle, which were to furnish fresh meat for the men on the march; but, like the marches, the meat was tough and little enjoyed by the weary soldiers. Leaving Savannah after a three- weeks' stay there, the army made a 55 days' march through the Carolinas, covering a dis- tance of 550 miles by way of Columbia, which they burned. Then on through Orangeburg to Raleigh, being compelled to wade through swamps in order to reach the Rebels, who felt secure in the belief that the undertaking would be too great for the Yankees to attempt. At
Raleigh the last fight with Johnston occurred, the soldiers marching thence to Washington where the Grand Review was held. After go- ing into camp at Louisville, they went to Co- lumbus where they were discharged.
Mr. Kiplinger was a carpenter by trade, and he now returned to that occupation, for 17 years being engaged in that calling in Lima. In September, 1883, he moved to his present residence in Perry township where he has 67 acres of land and devotes his time to farming and fruit-raising. Mr. Kiplinger has given especial and successful attention to cultivating strawberries and small fruits and vegetables.
Mr. Kiplinger was married June 23, 1868, to Orissa Kelsey, by whom he has three chil- dren-Velora, Ella and Ethel. Velora was born December 1, 1869, and is the wife of Milliard Winegardner and the mother of three children -Imogene, Doyle and Lester L. Ella was born March 7, 1874, and married A. C. Smith, of Auglaize County. Their children are Beatrice and Albert Nolen. Ethel was born September 26, 1884, and married Doc. Horn, October 25, 1905. Mrs. Kiplinger is a native of Vermont and was born September 5, 1848. Her parents were Elias and. Mary Ann (Gilbert) Kelsey, the father a native of Vermont and the mother of Plainfield, New Hampshire. Her maternal ancestors were "Mayflower" pilgrims; her grandfather Kelsey and grandfather Gilbert took part in the war of 1812, and her great- grandfather Kelsey was a soldier in the Revo- lution. Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and are con- sistent Christian people. Mr. Kiplinger is a prominent member of the G. A. R. and a stanch Republican.
A group picture of Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger and family accompanies the foregoing sketch, being presented on a preceding page.
TTO G. TAGUE, who is extensively engaged in the oil industry in Ohio and Indiana oil fields, is also well- known through this section as a newspaper man and since 1902 he has been proprietor and editor of the Oil News, a monthly journal which he founded and
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which is entirely devoted to the oil indus- try. Mr. Tague was born in 1877 in Switz- erland County, Indiana, and is a son of James Tague, who superintends his son's large oil properties.
Mr. Tague was educated in the public schools of Ohio and when his education was complete he went out on the road for the pub- lishing firm of Rand, McNally & Company of Chicago, and was connected with their ad- vertising department for four years.
In 1900 Mr. Tague left off traveling in order to accept the editorship of the Van Wert Times, at Van Wert, Ohio, but in less than a year he came to Lima where the field was larger and was connected with the Repub- lican-Gazette until 1902 when he established the Oil News. This journal filled a long-felt want and its circulation extends all over the world, subscribers being found in South America and in South Africa.
Mr. Tague has not been satisfied with liter- ary laurels but has been interested in a very practical way in large oil interests for some years. He is president of several oil companies in the Ohio and Indiana fields and he is also interested in Dr. S. A. Baxter's copper mines in South Dakota.
In 1902 Mr. Tague was married to Laura M. Watts, who is a daughter of A. H. Watts, superintendent of the motive power department of the Cincinnati & Northern Railroad. Mr. and Mrs. Tague are the parents of one daugh- ter,-Beatrice.
Fraternally Mr. Tague has membership with the Masons and the Elks. His offices are in the Opera House Block, Lima. He is one of the city's busy and successful men.
m P. COLT, local manager of the National Supply Company, of Lima, has been connected with this company for the past 12 years, eight of which have been spent in Lima in his present office. He was born in Erie County, Pennsylvania, in 1870, was there educated and reared on a farm, which was his home until he reached his ma- 84
jority. He then came to the Ohio Oil field and secured employment with the Manhattan: Oil Company. Two years later he accepted a' lucrative position in the clerical department of the National Supply Company, of Wood County, and has worked his way up by the interest and energy he has shown in the busi- ness. The main offices are at Toledo, Ohio, with 70 branch offices, where all the tools used in the production of oil are handled.
Mr. Colt has operated in every oil field in the Union, except Texas. He established the first supply store opened in Kansas, and started the store for the National Supply Company in. California. In 1897 he came to Lima as the local manager of the company and conducts. a very successful business. He has large busi- ness interests, being engaged in oil production in the field of Ohio and Indiana; director. in The Lima Trust Company; stockholder in the- Crystal Ice & Coal Company; stockholder of the First National Bank of Cuba, New York ;: and also in the Lima Driving Park Associa- tion. He is a genial, affable gentleman who,. notwithstanding his complex business interests,. finds time for recreation and a social hour with his friends. Mr. Colt was married in 1894 to Hattie Clayton, of Bluffton, Indiana.
A NDREW J. CHAPMAN, one of the substantial farmers of Allen County, was born in Butler County, Ohio, May 22, 1833. He has been a resi- dent of Perry township since 1837, and is the owner of a fine farm in section 35. His parents were Lewis and Catherine (Mc- Taggert) Chapman, who moved from Penn- sylvania to Allen County in 1837. Eight years later Lewis Chapman, who was a farmer, died. He was a Democrat and a member of the Hard- Shell Baptist Church at Lima. There was born to him and his wife, Catherine McTaggert, five children, three of whom died in infancy. The two surviving are J. H., who was born August 16, 1834, and Andrew J. Mrs. Chap- man passed away in the autumn of 1877.
Andrew J. Chapman attended school in
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the same district in which he now lives ex- cepting the time spent in the Civil War, and re- mained at home until his marriage. . He first enlisted in September, 1861, in Company D, 54th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. After serving for 19 months and 18 days he received a certificate of discharge from the surgeon on account of disability. Having regained his health, he re- enlisted in 1864 in Company B, 151st Ohio, and served 100 days, receiving his discharge August 27. 1864. The first important en- gagement in which he participated was at Washington City, when General Early made his raid upon it. Returning to Ohio, he again took up farming and has continued in that oc- Cupation ever since. He bought 90 acres of land in section 35, Perry township, and about 1875 built a comfortable modern residence and otherwise improved his property, making it one of the most desirable in the township. In addition to this farm, Mrs. Chapman owns 38 acres in section 25, Perry township, which she inherited from her father.
Mr. Chapman has been twice married. On May 2, 1866, he was married to Letitia Kerr, daughter of Alexander E. Kerr, who resided in Auglaize township. She died in November, 1867, and on May 9, 1869, Mr. Chapman was united in marriage to his present wife who was formerly Anna Bowdle. Mrs. Chapman was born April 23, 1845, and is a daughter of Jesse L. Bowdle, of Perry township. To this union seven children were born, as follows : Harley Weston, born February 28, 1870, who married Ora Sherfey and resides in Lima; Effie W. (Stevenson), born January 3, 1872. who has three children, Lucille, Walter and Evelyn, and lives in Perry township; Laura L. (Moyer), born July 14, 1874, who is the mother of four children-Naomi, Doyle, Charles and Ernest; Sarah E. (Naylor), born April 24, 1878, who is the mother of one child -Vera; Jesse G., born December 11, 1880, who married Bessie Baker, has one child, Pansy, and resides in Kossuth, Auglaize County ; Bessie M., born October 29, 1883, and Charles H., born August 31, 1886, who lives at home. Mr. Chapman is a Republican and has served as assessor and township treasurer.
He is a member of Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
APT. C. F. DONZE, one of the prominent citizens of Lima, who is identified with the city's material development and its business and social life, is a native of France, a country which has contributed largely to the good citizenship of America. Captain Donze was born June 5, 1844, and accompanied his parents to America at the age of five years.
The parents of our subject settled in Will- iams County, Ohio, and there the boy was reared and educated, and imbibed the patriotic feelings which induced him, a youth of but 17 years, to enlist in the defense of the flag of his adopted country. In August, 1861, he be- came member of Company A, 38th Reg. Ohio Inf., remaining with the same company when it veteranized two years later. He was with the same regiment until the close of the war, with the exception of the times when on detached duty. His service covered three years and II months, and he was mustered out on July 22. 1865 at the close of the war. He took part in every engagement of the regiment, partici- pating in the whole campaign under General Rosecrans through Kentucky and Tennessee, the battles of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge, then on to Atlanta, thence to Jones- boro, back to Kingston, and under General Sherman in his famous "March to the Sea;" then up through the Carolinas to the Grand Review at Washington.
Captain Donze did not escape injury during these years of exposure and dangers. He was wounded on several occasions, the most serious one being received at the battle of Jonesboro, Georgia, on September 1, 1864. Enlisting as a private, he was rapidly ad- vanced, later becoming sergeant and color- bearer. With him it is a cherished privilege to meet his old comrads at the yearly reunions and to carry again his old flag. which he so gallantly upheld when bullets rained about him
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and the enemy's deadly shells were exploding above his head. His company went out with a membership of 101; 120 recruits were must- ered into the service during the war, and of the original muster, 29 answered the muster- call at the close of the war.
After his army life was over, Captain Donze returned home and spent his first win- ter attending school. In the spring of 1866 he engaged in a hardware business at Bryan, Ohio and at other points under the firm name of Garver, Donze & Company. In 1878 he came to Lima and continued in the hardware busi- ness for some seven years, later in the furniture line and still later became interested in milling. In April, 1904, he sold out his milling interests and since then has not been in active business life. Although this is true, it does not mean that he has retired from all activity as to pub- lic concern and public-spirited movements, for he is now, as formerly, alive to everything which closely concerns his city. He is a large owner of real estate and built the Donze & Krauss Block, on North Main street and the fine three-story Donze Block on South Main street, which is 50 by 90 feet; also a block on Spring street, which has 50 feet frontage and a part of which is 60 and the remainder 97 feet deep.
Captain Donze is a member of the City Board of Review of Lima, a member of the board of trustees of the Masonic Hall Com- pany and a member of the executive committee and of the board of directors of the Lima Pro- gressive Association. He belongs also to the Country Club. In addition he is a Mason, be- longing to the Blue Lodge, Council and Com- mandery at Lima and to Antioch Temple, of the Mystic Shrine at Dayton. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.
ILLIAM WARLOW POWELL, a retired butcher of Lima, resides on a farm in section 13, Bath township, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He was born in Montgomeryshire, North Wales. May 20, 1830, and is a son of James and Mary Harriet (Cowdal) Powell. His
mother was related to Nelson and Warlow and both parents were natives of Wales, as were their ancestors as far back as can be traced. 'Squire Thomas Powell, the grandfather of our subject, was a magistrate of Wales and an earnest follower. of John Wesley, taking an active part in the religious strife of that age. One of his sons, Matthew Powell, led the Welsh guerrillas at the famous battle of Water- loo. The family were remarkable for their longevity, the grandparents passing their 80th milestone and the father being past 90 at death. James Powell was a leather dresser, having learned that trade with his father.
William Warlow Powell was one of eight children, five sisters and three brothers, and was the only one of the family to leave Wales. He lived on a farm until he was about 22 years of age when he learned the trade of a butcher, working at the business both in Wales and England. After mastering the trade in Shropshire, he opened a shop for himself in Newtown, where he did a good business for that country. Having made the acquaintance of a butcher in London, who catered to the wants of the royal family, Mr. Powell supplied him with Welsh mutton for the royal table for three years. In the fall of 1865 he came to America and proceeded from New York to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained a short time before coming to Lima. Here he opened a butcher shop which he conducted for 20 years, and soon worked up a lucrative patronage, which continued with him until his retirement from the business. He then turned his atten- tion to agriculture, moving on the farm with his wife's father. Mr. Powell has been equally successful in his farming operations and now owns three adjoining farms in Bath township -one of 40 acres, one of 54 acres and the homestead on which he lives, which consists of 80 acres.
Mr. Powell was married in 1868, to Martha Jane Cobean, who was born in Logan County, Ohio, February 9, 1840, but has been a resi- dent here since early girlhood, her father, Sam- uel Cobean, having brought his family to this locality when it was little more than a wilder- ness. Their family consists of the following children, viz : Mary H., wife of C. H. Palsor,
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of Lima; Emma R .; Ida Bell, wife of Joseph I. Thayer, of Perrysburg, Ohio; Susan; Sarah; and Thomas E., a farmer. of Bath township, ยท who married Dona Stinson; whose father lives in Bath township. Mr. Powell is a de- vout Methodist, having joined that church in Wales when a lad of 17 years.
J W. ROWLANDS, one of Lima's lead- ing citizens, a prominent merchant and vice-president of the Lima Driv- ing Park Association, was born in this city in 1861, and is a son of Daniel Rowlands, one of its honored retired citizens, who was formerly largely interested in real es- tate. Daniel Rowlands built the paper mills at Piqua and Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and for a number of years was manager of the Lima Paper Mills. He also served on the Water Works Board at Lima.
J. W. Rowlands was educated in the pub- lic schools of Lima and the Ohio Normal Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio. With the exception of a period of eight years, during which he traveled in Indiana, Dakota and the West, he has lived continuously at Lima, where his business and social interests are centered. In 1886 Mr. Rowlands became associated in the furniture house of C. Betzer & Company, but in 1893 embarked in the same line of business for him- self and, through enterprise and ability, has established the largest trade in the city. Mr. Rowlands has a fine location at No. 204 North Main street, where he utilizes 560 feet of floor space in displaying his goods, while his warehouse gives him 300 more feet. His stock is up-to-date in every particular, and, in addition to all the new conceits of fashion, in- cludes all the old standard goods, with prices to suit the workingman and millionaire alike. In addition to his large business in this line, he is financially interested in a number of other successful enterprises. He is a large operator in Lima real estate, is one of the original stock- holders in the Lima Trust Company, a stock- holder in the Lima Telephone & Telegraph Company, and a director and vice-president of the Lima Driving Park Association, giving
his personal attention to these various inter- ests and being naturally, one of the busiest men of the city.
In 1883 Mr. Rowlands was married to Lizzie M. Koller, of Tiffin, Ohio, who is a daughter of Henry O. Koller. They have two. sons-Carl K. and Walter D.
Mr. Rowlands has served on the City Coun- cil and has been president of that body. Fra- ternally he is a Mason and an Elk.
A DAM D. LUGIBIHL, who conducts. the leading hardware store at Bluff- ton, was born about six miles north of Bluffton, August 24, 1848. His par- . ents were Christian and Barbara. (Hilty) Lugibihl, both of whom were natives. of Alsace, France. The father was born No- vember 21, 1809, and came to the United States in 1824 with his father, Christian Lugibihl, Sr. Later he came to Ohio, where in 1835 he entered a quarter section of land in Riley township, Putnam County, which he farmed until his death. On February 1, 1838, he was married to Barbara Hilty, who. was born April 5, 1814, and died October 3, 1853, just two years before her husband, who. passed away on October .3, 1855. Nine chil- dren were born to them and eight of this num -- ber grew to adult years.
Adam D. Lugibihl was a child of five years when his mother was taken from him; when his father died two years later he came. to Allen County and made his home with his uncle, David Lugibihl, for five years. The following four years he lived with a sister, then one year was spent with a cousin and one. with a brother at the home. He had by this time reached the age of 18 and was ready to do for himself. He secured employment with a carpenter in order to learn the trade, which he followed in various places until he entered his present business. In this manner he managed to see considerable of the Western country and at the same time to keep constantly at work. The summer of 1867 was spent in St. Clair County, Illinois, and the. two years following that in Kansas City ..
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In 1870 he was employed on the con- struction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and during 15 months he was with the com- pany the principal meat provided him was buf- falo meat. Two months were spent in Denver and then in December, 1871, tired of the life of a rover. he returned to Ohio. In June, 1872, Mr. Lugibihl and Peter Diller purchased the small stock of hardware at Bluffton, which had been carried by Ransom Bartlett, and opened the store under the firm name of Diller & Lugibihl. At that time the railroad had not yet reached Bluffton, but under the excellent management of the new firm the business grew and prospered until it was necessary to have additional room for the stock. Having erected a handsome brick building in 1873, they pur- chased the adjoining building in 1885, thus se- curing one of the best locations in the city and enabling them to make a much better showing of their goods in the large double store thus ac- quired. For 26 years these gentlemen con- ducted this large hardware business together, until November, 1898, when Mr. Diller retired and Mr. Lugibihl purchased the entire business, which he has since conducted very successful- ly by himself. It would be almost impossible to call for any article in the hardware line which is not to be found in his stock, from a tin cup to agricultural implements and build- ers' materials. About five years ago he became associated with H. D. Zerbach in manufactur- ing the "Boss' cream separator, the latter gen- tleman being manager of the plant, which is known as the Bluffton Cream Separator Com- pany. Mr. Lugibihl is also a stockholder in the Bluffton Cement Block Company, and is not afraid of showing his confidence in Bluf- ton enterprise by investing his money in her industries.
In 1874 Mr. Lugibihl was married to Em- ma Reed, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio, November 18, 1855. Her parents were James and Susan K. (Lapham) Reed, the for- mer from State of Pennsylvania and the latter of New England birth. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lugibihl, namely : Edith, born in 1876, who is the wife of Bert Mann, a resident of Bowerston, Ohio; Pearl,
born August 21, 1878, who died April 26, 1883; Harley, born January 4, 1882; and Myron, born March 30, 1887. Mr. Lugibihl is a Republican, but has devoted little time to politics. He was a member of the Bluffton Council for three terms and gave the same energy to the transaction of the city affairs that he does to the conduct of his own busi- ness.
AVID W. STEINER, M. D., who is associated with his two brothers, Dr. Isaac F. and Dr. Oliver S. Steiner, in the practice of medicine and surgery, at Lima, is one of the eminent men in his profession in this section of the State. He was born near Bluffton, in Putnam County, Ohio, and is a son of Rev. Isaac and Mary Paulina (Rothen) Steiner.
The mother of Dr. Steiner was a daughter of Rev. David Rothen. Rev. Isaac Steiner, the father, was a minister of the Church of God and was actively engaged in ministerial work until his death. He owned a farm in Putnam County, where his children were reared.
Dr. David W. Steiner was educated prim- arily in the district schools and later entered the Northern Ohio University, where he was graduated with the degree of M. A., in 1880. He then became a student in the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan, grad- uating in 1883, and becoming assistant profes- sor of physiology and also an interne in the university hospital, where he remained until 1886. On January 10, 1887, he located for practice at Lima, where he has become one of the leading men of his profession. In 1897, a brother, Dr. Isaac Franklin Steiner, became associated with him, and in 1901 a second brother. Dr. Oliver S. Steiner, became a mem- ber of the firm. They are located in the Steiner Building at No. 123 North Elizabeth street, , which they built in 1903. It was erected mainly as an office building and the Drs. Steiner oc- cupy the first floor. The upper stories are rented as apartments. The structure is one of the finest in Lima, four stories high, with
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marble floors, and is finished in oak. It is modern throughout.
Dr. David W. Steiner is consulting physi- cian in the Lima Hospital and also controls a large and lucrative practice. He is examiner for a number of the leading insurance com- panies, these including the New York Mutual Life, Michigan Mutual Life, Home Life, of New York, and John Hancock Mutual Life. He is a member of the Ohio State and the Allen County medical societies and of the Northwest- ern Ohio and the American medical associa- tions. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
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