USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 35
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CARL W. E. BOEGEL
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those who knew him best and those who bene- fited so often by his professional skill.
The late Dr. Sager was twice married. Prior to coming to Jackson township, he was united to Hannah Custard, a daughter of Dan- iel Custard, who became a merchant in Lima. She died in 1840, leaving one daughter, Ara- minta, who married a Harrison Tingle and moved to the Pacific Coast, where she died. The second marriage of Dr. Sager was to Bethiah Gilbert, who was born in Vermont, September 2, 1820, and is a daughter of Jo- siah Gilbert, who came to Allen County in 1840. She still survives, an honored member of our subject's family. The children of this marriage were: Newton, the subject of this sketch; Norval, who died unmarried, in 1883; Annetta, who is the wife of Wesley Biterman, of LaFayette; Norton, who lives on a farm in Jackson township; Lavina, who is the wife of Doddridge Kinzie, of LaFayette; Mary Belle, who is the wife of George B. Muir, living one mile north of LaFayette; and Nellie, Arthur, Ina and Norman, who died in youth.
In closing the record relating to the late Dr. Sager, mention must be made of his many years of active interest in the Masonic frater- nity. Soon after the organization of the Ma- sonic lodge at Lima, he became a member of that body and continued his interest in the or- der as long as he lived. He was a charter mem- ber of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M., at LaFayette, which was named in his honor.
Newton Sager, our immediate subject, was reared at LaFayette and became a student in the village school when a child of six years. He continued to study in the LaFayette schools until he was about 20 years old, when he en- tered Baldwin University, at Berea, near Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained one year. He then read medicine with his father for a period of four years and went from this excel- lent instruction to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. After several terms there, he entered the medical department of the Univer- sity of Worcester, at Cleveland, where he was graduated and received a diploma in Febru- ary, 1871.
After graduation Dr. Sager returned to LaFayette and entered into practice with his
father, at first relieving the older physician, who was beginning to feel the weight of years, of his heavier duties and gradually taking over the larger burden of the practice, contin- uing the partnership until the close of the father's life. Dr. Sager is a regular general practitioner and, by his fellow-citizens, has been deemed worthy to take his father's place. His methods are those of the younger school of practitioners and his reputation is that of an eminent man in his profession.
In April, 1871, Dr. Sager was united in marriage with Sarah M. Hughes, of Knox County, Ohio, who is a daughter of Hiram and Emily (Lane) Hughes, who came to Ohio from Connecticut. They have two daughters -Grace and Georgiana. The former married John E. Myers, of LaFayette, and has one daughter, Evadne. The latter married Albert- son Watt, of LaFayette, and has two children -Namona and Rodney. The family has al- ways been a leading one of this section and is prominent socially.
Like his late father, Dr. Sager is identified - with the Democratic party and for years has been more or less a leader of its movements in this locality. He has served three terms as township treasurer. He belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity and is a member of Sager Lodge, No. 513, F. & A. M., which was named for his father who was instrumental in having it established at LaFayette.
e ARL W. E. BOEGEL, proprietor of the Star Carpet Cleaning Works, at No. 430 North Pierce street, Lima, has been a resident of this city for the past 14 years. He was born in Hesse-Nassau, Germany, November 16, 1866, and came to America in 1890.
Mr. Boegel was educated in his native land, and there learned the tanning business, at which he worked in Athens, Ohio. From Athens he came to Lima, in April, 1892, and for three years was in the employ of Schultheis Brothers, tanners. In order to perfect himself in Amer- ican business methods, he then took a course in the Lima Business College. Shortly afterward
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he established the Star Carpet Cleaning Works. In this establishment all the cleansing is done by compressed air it being the first of its kind in this section, if not in the State. The use of compressed air has completely revolutionized the industry, and Mr. Boegel's enterprise has met with most satisfying results the new method being acknowledged as both labor-sav- ing and sanitary. Mr. Boegel has also both oil and real estate interests and is one of the city's substantial men.
On September 7, 1893, Mr. Boegel was married to Barbara Stelzer who was born in Rhein-Hessen Germany and was II years old when her parents brought her to America. They located at Spencerville, Ohio, where she was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Boegel have two children-Katharina Christina and Elizabeth Ruth. The family belong to the German Re- formed Church, in which Mr. Boegel has been Sunday-school superintendent for over four. years. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, being a Knight Templar. With his wife he belongs to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Boegel is a man whose honorable business methods and straight-forward, exemplary life have brought him the respect and confidence of his fellow-cit- izens. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
E. WOOD, one of the leading con- tractors and builders at Lima, of which city he has been a resident for the past 13 years, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, in 1872, and is a son of John Wood.
The father of Mr. Wood still survives and is engaged in farming. During the Civil War he was a soldier in the Army of Virginia and for 18 months was a prisoner of war at Fort Delaware.
F. E. Wood was reared and educated in Virginia and after completing the common- school course pursued a special course in civil engineering, under the well-known instructor, Professor Taylor, following that profession in his native State for three years. In 1892 Mr. Wood came to Lima and turned his attention
to general contracting and building, meeting with very satisfactory success. He has erected many of the substantial buildings of the city, among which may be mentioned the Stamets Block, the Blattenberg flats, the Campbell Block, and the Golly & Finley Iron Works. He is thoroughly conversant with his business and has won the entire confidence of the build- ing world.
Mr. Wood was married, in 1899, to Susie Schell, who is a daughter of Jacob Schell, of Upper Sandusky. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have three children-Serelda, Thelma and Corola. Fraternally Mr. Wood is an Odd Fellow.
ALTER S. MILLS, chief of police at Lima, is one of the city's reli- able, valued and respected citizens. He was born in 1869 in Amanda township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Squire and Maria Jane (Sutton) Mills.
Rev. Nathan Mills, the grandfather of Mr. Mills, was born in 1764, and became a well- known teacher and Quaker preacher. Prior to 1824 he moved to Noble County, Ohio, and in that year the father of our subject was born. In 1835 with the first settlers Squire Mills came to Allen County and has seen it con- verted from a wilderness into a fertile farming country. He cleared the land on which the Metropolitan Block in Lima now stands, as well as the tract from that point north to the Pennsylvania Railroad. He still owns the 80-acre tract of land which he received from Congress and preserves as an interesting relic the old parchment deed. Mr. Mills, who is 81 years of age, now resides in Amanda town- ship, being its oldest voter, and next to the oldest resident. He has always lived at peace with his neighbors, and takes pleasure in the fact that he never was entangled in a single law suit. In his day those things were not honorable. Since the days of Andred Jackson Mr. Mills has been deeply interested in poli- tics. Formerly a strong Whig, later he be- came an equally stanch Republican.
Mr. Mills married Maria Jane Sutton, a
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daughter of Thomas Sutton, who was a pioneer along the Anglaize river and they reared a family of five children, namely : Lor- etta, who is the wife of G. W. Morgoet, of Lima; Thomas, who for some years has been a resident of Muncie, Indiana; Susan E., who is the wife of Rev J. H. Winans, a prominent Baptist clergyman now located at Bellefon- taine, Ohio; Annie V., who is the wife of J. M. Reeves, of this county, formerly identified with a Chicago cream separator company, also dealers in creamery supplies; and Walter S., of Lima.
Walter S. Mills was reared and educated in the schools of the county and in the Ohio Normal University at Ada. He began his business career by learning telegraphy in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and for a year prior to entering the university followed that occupation, passing a like period in Indian Territory as a cattle herder and coal miner.
After his experience as a telegrapher Mr. Mills entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company and remained with that corporation for four years, being at different times fore- man of a pipe gang and in charge of the still in an oil refinery. He was also employed by the LaFayette Car Company for one year, in the car repairing department, and during that period was in the shops at Pullman, Illinois. For some four years he was with the freight department of the L. E. & W. Railroad. In 1900 he came to Lima, and for 14 months served as patrolman on the city police force, and was then appointed chief of the depart- ment.
Mr. Mills married Lethia A. John, daugh- ter of Jesse J. John, one of the representative citizens of Elida and a pioneer of the county. They have four children, viz: Anna J., Carl- ton J., Helen J., and Elizabeth Avenella. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are members of Grace Method- ist Episcopal Church at Lima.
Politically Mr. Mills is a Republican and two years ago was nominated for the position of sheriff of Allen County, but he declined to make the canvass. He is a member of Garrett Wycoff Lodge, No. 585, F. & A. M .; and of the Odd Fellows, Eagles, Maccabees and Pathfinders.
R EV. DOMINIC ZINSMAYER, pas- tor of the Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist, at Landeck, was born at Constance, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, July 29, 1844.
From the college at Constance, Father Zinsmayer went to the schools of Freiburg, where he completed his literary and theolog- ical training. In 1869 he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Rappe, of the diocese of Cleveland, Ohio. This prelate was at that time on his journey to Rome to attend a coun -. cil at the Vatican. A few weeks after his or -- dination, Father Zinsmayer came to America, reaching New York in February, 1870. He was domiciled for a short period at Brooklyn,. New York, and was then given charge of the- Defiance missions under the auspices of the- Cleveland, Ohio, diocese. After 15 months of exhausting labor in that charge, he became- the first resident Catholic priest at Bucyrus,. Ohio, where he continued for six years.
Father Zinsmayer established schools at that point, erected a church edifice and built a new parochial residence. From Bucyrus he- was transferred to the Shelby settlement of Richland County, where he labored for seven. years, during which time he succeeded in pay- ing off the church debt and in placing the church on a sound financial basis. He also se- cured for the church there a fine pipe organ which cost $1,700. His next charge was at Sheffield, Lorain County, Ohio, where he re- mained II years, and there, as at other points, he proved himself not only a man of great spiritual power but also one of executive abil- ity. When he left that church, it had almost been transformed by improvement and he is affectionately remembered by a large congre- gation. Since September 15, 1894, Father Zinsmayer has been pastor of the Church of St. John the Baptist at Landeck.
The church to which Father Zinsmayer came in 1894 was organized in 1866. The. father of the movement was Peter Gengler, one of the zealous churchmen of his day, the- father of Dominick N. Genzler, justice of the peace at Landeck. He soon interested others and a frame building was erected under the- charge of Rev. F. Westerholt, who came here
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at stated seasons from Delphos, being pastor of the Church of St. John the Evangelist of that city and the successor of Rev. John Otto Bredeick, who was the founder of the Catholic Church at Delphos. At that time Landeck had about 40 Catholic residents. Father Selt- zer became the regular pastor, and he was suc- ceeded by Father Brem and he by Rev. J. B. Heiland. The latter officiated for some years and was followed by a priest who remained but a few months, and then Father Zinsmayer took charge.
When Father Zinsmayer came to this charge, he realized that the first need was a new church. He had saved $7,000 and this he contributed and by a general subscription sufficient sum weas realized to enable the par- ish to build the present handsome edifice, which has but $7,000 indebtedness upon it, the sum of $33,000 having been paid. No de- scriptive words can give an adequate idea of the beauty and structural dignity of this build- ing. It is constructed of brick with stone trimmings, in 13th century Gothic style. The steeple is 150 feet high. The interior of the Church is architecturally beautiful and is adorned with rare works of art of a Scriptural design; the whole place is heated by steam and a fine pipe organ has been placed. A new brick schoolhouse has also been built to ac- commodate 52 pupils, this being but one of the four schools the parish supports. In 1877 the parochial residence was built.
The present church edifice was dedicated July 31, 1904, by Bishop Hartsman of Cleve- land, the corner-stone having been laid in 1902. It has been conceded that this church in its al- most priceless interior furnishings, including pictures and statuary by masters in art, has no equal outside the large cities. The windows in particular, gifts from different members of the congregation, are most beautiful, one of these having been dedicated by Father Zinsmayer, representing Saint Dominic receiving the Rosary from the Blessed Virgin Mary. An- other window represents the Holy Family.
The congregation includes 115 families at present and the new church has a seating ca- pacity for 750 individuals. Father Zins-
mayer has opened all the usual avenues for re- ligious and material progression, including an altar society of 100 members and a sodality of 40 members, and gives encouragement to the Catholic Knights of Ohio and the Ladies of Ohio, which have about 35 members.
B F. MATTHEWS, a well-known arch- itect of Lima, whose fine profession- al work may be seen on many of the city's busy streets and attractive ave- nues, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Perry County.
From childhood until he was 14 years of age Mr. Matthews lived upon his father's farm in Athens County, and then went to Nelson- ville, where he completed his high school course and resided until he was 30 years old. After leaving school he learned the carpent- er's trade and was employed for a prolonged period in a planing mill and in various build- ing operations, thus becoming interested in mechanical drawing and designing and discov- ering that he possessed considerable talent in this direction. In 1891 he determined to give serious attention to these professional lines and went to Columbus, where he engaged as draughtsman and superintendent with John Flynn, a well-known architect of that city. He remained with that gentleman for three years, and during that period of study assisted in making designs for a number of important structures of that city, including six fire de- partment buildings and St. Mary's Academy.
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When prepared to enter the field as a com- petent architect, he formed a partnership with H. C. Jones, an association which continued in force for one year. From 1895 until 1898, Mr. Matthews pursued his professional work alone at Columbus, where he had many com- missions, both in the city and in the surround- ing towns. In 1899 he opened an office in the Cincinnati Block in Lima, and for the past six years has given his best efforts to the peo- ple of this city. He employs two draughtsmen, and he is kept busy designing and superintend- ing the construction of buildings. In a long
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list of substantial business and public buildings and elegant, tasteful homes credited to Mr. Matthews, may be mentioned the following : City Market House; the grand stand at the Lima Driving Park; the pavilion at McCul- lough Lake; the Adgate Building; Dr. John- son's fine residence apartments and the hand- some homes of W. S. East, A. L. White, Dr. W. B. Van Note, W. T. Agerter, E. M. Good- ing, R. T. Gregg, O. W. Bell and George Me- haffey.
Mr. Matthews was married in 1886 to Lizzie Powell, of Nelsonville, Ohio, and they have three sons, H. Orville, Lewis Powell and Burl Burnham.
Mr. Matthews is a member of the Knights of Pythias at Nelsonville, and is the designer and superintendent of the $20,000 building now being erected by the order at that place.
e OURTLAND CARL, one of the prominent merchants of Lima, who has been established here for the past eight years, was born in Cler- mont County, Ohio, in May, 1860, and is a son of Thomas Carl, formerly of Cincinnati.
Our subject was reared and educated in his native locality, and began his business life as a clerk in a grocery store at Scott's Cross- ing, this county. After four years of training, he removed to Cincinnati. There he was con- nected with the street car system for six years, then embarked in a gasoline and oil business, and for two years controlled a dressed poultry business. In August, 1897, he came to this locality, was engaged in a meat business for some 14 months in South Lima, and then ex- changed his stand there for his present grocery and meat business, favorably located on the cor- ner of Central avenue and North street, Lima. In addition to all the standard and fancy groceries and meats, Mr. Carl transacts a large business in country produce. He is vice-presi- dent and a director of the wholesale fruit house of The Lusk Brothers Company.
In 1882 Mr. Carl was married to Hattie
Scott, who is a daughter of W. B. Scott, of Scott's Crossing, her family being among the pioneers of that section of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Carl have two sons, viz : Clifton, who is in the employ of The Lima Gas Light Com- pany, and Scott, who is still in school. Mr. Carl is an Odd Fellow.
D AVID EZEKIEL HOVER, a well- known resident of Shawnee township, where he carries on general farming and stockraising on his estate situ- ated in sections 14 and 15, was born November 22, 1837, in an old Indian cabin in Shawnee township, and is a son of Manuel Hover.
Ezekiel Hover, the grandfather of our sub- ject, with his brothers, Emanuel and Joseph, who at an early date had removed from Penn- sylvania to Trumbull County, Ohio, settled in Allen County in May, 1833. All married members of the Adgate family. The children of Ezekiel and Sarah (Adgate) Hover were: Emanuel, born May 18, 1808; Maria Belinda, born December 15, 1809, who married Abra- ham Boyd; Sarah Ann, born February 9, 1818, who married Amos Alvord; Caroline, born March 28, 1814, who died young; St. Clair, born September 13, 1815; Charles Ad- gate, born May 13, 1818; Newton, born De- cember 18, 1820; Columbia Ann, born October 7, 1827, who married George Lathrop; and William Ulysses, born March 18, 1830.
In 1836 Emanuel Hover returned to Trumbull County, and after marrying Marga- ret Carlisle in that year, located in Amanda township, Allen County. He lived at Fort Amanda, in 1837, and then settled in Shaw- nee township, residing in the log cabin which his father had occupied before him. After Emanuel Hover's death in 1840, his widow re- turned to Trumbull County, and in 1849 was married to Jonathan Howard. She celebrated her 89th birthday on December 18, 1905, and still retains her faculties, encumbered by few physical ailments. The parents of our subject had two children-David Ezekiel and Sarah
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Ann. The latter was born in August, 1839. She taught school at Lima in 1861 and 1862, married John Hanson and died in 1881.
In 1840, at the death of his father, David E. Hover went to live with his grandfather, residing with the latter and an uncle until 1860. On December 18th of this year he married Susan Boyd, who was born in Ma- honing County, Ohio, and died in 1886. She was a daughter of John Boyd, who moved from Mahoning to this county. The five children of the above marriage were: Charles Adgate, born November 22, 1861, who resides on a farm adjoining his father; Frank M., born October 13, 1863, who died October 8, 1865; a third child, who died in infancy; Margaret Anna, born March 3, 1868, who re- sides at home; and Howard B., born March 3, 1868, who is a druggist at Lima.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. David E. Hover commenced housekeeping in the old Shawnee Council House, but two years later came to the present farm in sections 14 and 15. The land was partly cleared, but Mr. Hover has made all the improvements. He has given much attention to the growing of sheep, and shortly after the Civil War, in 1870, sold wool at 90 cents a pound. He is one of the town- ship's reliable citizens, and at various times, has been appointed to a number of honorable positions. Since 1895 he has been a trustee of the Children's Home. He is secretary and clerk, as well as trustee, of the Shawnee Ceme- tery. Politically he is a Republican, and cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln.
ILLIAM F. MOHLER, a promi- nent farmer residing in section 24, Shawnee township, was born in Pennsylvania, November 12, 1841. His father, Henry Mohler, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and later moved to Indiana, where he died. William F. Mohler has been engaged in farming for many years with very successful results.
Mr. Mohler married Mrs. Mary (Spyker) Sharp and is the father of two sons, Clarence
and John Roscoe, Clarence married Clara Bradford and had five children, all of whom are deceased. He is employed in the oil field and resides at Wapakoneta. John Roscoe married Goldie Swyart and lives at home.
Mrs. Mohler was born in 1840 on the Spy- ker homestead in section 25, Shawnee town- ship, and is a daughter of Samuel and a sister of Joel Spyker, sketches of whom appear in this volume. Mary Spyker grew to woman- hood was married to Charles D. Meffley, a native of Allen County, where his father, Peter Meffley, had located after leaving Penn- sylvania. The young couple made their home at Elida for a time, later moving to Criders- ville where Mr. Meffley conducted a dry goods and hardware store. He was thus engaged when he died, about 1865, leaving his young widow, before she had reached her 25th year, with two small children. The elder child, Shelby Ellsworth Meffley, was born in Criders- ville, Auglaize County, Ohio, January 12, 1862, and is today the leading merchant of that place, where he carries a large stock of staple and fancy groceries and has an extensive patronage among the best citizens of the con- munity. He was married February 21, 1893, to Etta Tidd Spyker, a most estimable lady, who was left an orphan in early childhood and adopted by John Spyker. To this union five children were born, namely: Charles Theo- dore, Edgar Allen; Mary Elizabeth; Shelby E., Jr .; and Catherine Gertrude. The younger son, George W. Meffley, was an infant of seven weeks when his father died. He now re- sides at Ottawa, where he conducts a dry goods store. He married Mary Ann DeFord of Ottawa and they have six children living : Samuel Fletcher DeFord, Gladys, George W., Robert, Harold and De Graces.
Mrs. Meffley was married to Dr. Hiram Miller, a native of New York, who was prac- ticing medicine at Cridersville. They had three children, William W., deceased; Margaret M., deceased; and Charles, who married Nellie Bitsler, and lives on a farm adjoining that of his mother. After the death of Dr. Miller, his widow married Daniel Sharp, a native of Co- lumbus, Ohio, and a man of considerable prop-
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erty. They had two children Frederick Henry, who married Dula Reichelderfer and resides at Cridersville; and Eva Gertrude, who mar- ried Charles Berry. Mrs. Mohler is a consist- ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose faith has strengthened her in her hours of adversity.
D AWSON & McLAUGHLIN, the beauty of any city is almost entirely dependent upon the good taste of the architects who build the city. After the great fire of London, in 1666, the authorities, wishing to beautify and perfect the new city, engaged Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's, to superintend the re- building of the great city. Had this plan been fully carried out, London would be a far more beautiful city today than it is.
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