USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 36
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The architecture of the city of Lima until in very recent years has not had much to com- mend it. . The dwellings have, in part, lacked that which constitute beauty to the eye.
Among the men who have studied archi- tecture under the really great masters is Charles Wilmott Dawson, born at Plainfield, New York, December 10, 1867, who came to Lima about six years ago. . Mr. Dawson entered Haverford College, where he studied for two years, preparing for his future profes- sional work. He then matriculated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, grad- uating from that noted institution in 1888. Not content with his course of study thus pur- sued, he spent a full year in careful study under the great Henry Van Brunt, at one time president of the American Institute of Archi- tects. Mr. Dawson has had 18 years of suc- cessful professional work in various parts of America. He has traveled widely, and has gained a thorough knowledge of his profession. In Lima he has constructed the most promi- nent commercial buildings found in the city today; these buildings are largely to his credit. Among them is the extensive manufacturing plant of The Deisel-Wemmer Company, the wholesale warehouse of The Moore Brothers
Company, the Central Building and the Renz Block. Mr. Dawson has also constructed a large number of the most beautiful residences to be found in Lima, including those of J. D. S. Neely, F. T. Cuthbert, Henry G. Wem- mer, W. J. Wemmer, W. K. Boone and G. E. Bluem. Mr. Dawson has long been noted for the thoroughness with which he does his work.
He is unswervingly honest, paintaking and accurate. At the beginning of the present year, 1906, Mr. Dawson associated with him in the business, Thomas D. McLaughlin, a young man of great promise, who was born at Oil City, New York, August 4, 1882. Mr. McLaugh- lin obtained his first collegiate training at Lima College, Lima, Ohio, where he did most excellent work. He then spent three years at Hamilton College, New York, in careful preparation for professional work. Mr. Mc- Laughlin then became a pupil of the architec- tural department of Columbia University, New York City, where he studied architecture for three years. He has had experience in the va- rious practical lines of architecture, at one time being superintendent of construction for The Buckeye Pipe Line Company.
The confidence which the people repose in this firm is further shown by the fact that they have been unanimously selected by the trus- tees of the Lima Library Association to con- struct the new $50,000 Carnegie Library. Such remarkable preparation and talent for the work in hand is rarely found as in the firm of Dawson & Mclaughlin.
ILLIAM L. PARMENTER, a prominent attorney of Lima, junior member of the law firm of Cable & Parmenter, can be claimed as a product of this city, for here he was born on May 12, 1867, here obtained a part of his education and here has met with professional success. He is a son of the well-known citizen, Cornelius Par- menter, who has been identified with journal- ism in this section for many years.
In 1884 William L. Parmenter was grad-
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uated from the Lima High School, being rec- ognized as one of its brilliant pupils. Two years later he entered the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor, and was graduated from the law department of that institution in 1888. In July of that year he formed . his present partnership with Davis J. Cable, adopting the present firm style, and together these attorneys constitute one of the strongest law firms in the city. Mr. Parmenter has been secured by a number of corporations as special attorney. one of these being The Lima Trust Company. His career has been followed with interest by old family friends, and his many victories have been the cause of sincere congratulation. He has interests outside his profession, including banking and other business enterprises.
On June 2, 1891, Mr. Parmenter was mar- ried to Hattie A. Crippen, who is a daughter of the late Milton A. Crippen, and they have two children, Warren C. and Mary E. Mr. Parmenter is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. .
OHN P. STAMETS, who was one of the honorable business men and old- time citizens of Lima, died here on April 26, 1897. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, July 5, 1829. In his early business life, Mr. Stamets left his native State and moved to Ohio, where he resided in Wayne and Ashland counties. During the five years prior to coming to Lima, he resided in Bucy- rus, where he was engaged in the dry goods business. In 1877 he located at Lima, engag- ing first in a hardware business and later, in the sale of wagons and buggies. Failing health induced him to dispose of many of his interests, several years before his death. The deceased was a man of business principle and commanded the respect of all associated with him.
On February 1, 1855, Mr. Stamets was married to Malinda Kern, who, with one son, Lorin E., still survives him. For 45 years he was a consistent member of the Lutheran
Church, and alike in his religious, business and social connections, his worth as an upright Christian man was recognized. He was known as one of the city's most liberal con- tributors to worthy objects of charity. In his political sentiments he was a life-long Democrat.
Mr. Stamets was a large owner of real estate, and erected the handsome flat building which bears his name, his widow and son re- siding there in much comfort.
AMUEL MOWERY is a substantial farmer who owns and cultivates 80 S acres of fine land in section 36, Bath township, and is also proprietor of a farm of 60 acres in Perry township. He was born January 17, 1855, in Pickaway County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Gensell) Mowery, both of whom were natives of the county named.
The family is of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock, although Jacob Mowery, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia. From that State he migrated to Pickaway County, and later settled in Allen County, where he died at the age of 80 years. He and all his children spoke the German language, and were upright, honorable men and women, whose descend- ants today are among the most highly esteemed residents of this county.
Samuel Mowery, Sr., was born in Pick- away County, this State, about 1819, being one of a family of 17 children, eight of whom became residents of Allen County, viz : Jerry, Amos, Isaac, Joseph, Samuel, Kate, Esther and Lydia. In early life he learned the tail- or's trade, in which he engaged until after his marriage, when he turned his attention to farming, at which he was very successful. He came to the county about 1858 and purchased a tract of land, for the payment of which he was obliged to mortgage his property for $1,500. Soon after this he contracted con- sumption, as the result of an attack of the measles, and died in his 40th year-18 months after coming to this country. The deceased left
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a widow and eight children, viz: John F., of Henry County, Ohio; Jacob, of Bath township; Henry, of Henry County; Samuel; Susan, now deceased; Leanna, wife of M. L. Whip, of West Cairo; and Caroline and Cassie, both deceased. Some years after Mr.' Mowery's death, his sons paid off the mortgage on the farm and continued the cultivation of the property. Mr. Mowery was a member of the Lutheran Church and a man who enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. He was mar- ried in Pickaway County to Elizabeth Gensell, born August 15, 1820, and a remarkably well- preserved lady of 85 years, who resides with our subject. She was married a second time to a Mr. Shuler by whom he had one son, E. W. Shuler, a resident of Henry County.
Samuel Mowery, the subject of this biog- raphy, has been a resident of Allen County since his third year, and for more than a quar- ter of a century has resided on his present homestead, upon which he has erected a mod- ern residence, and convenient and commodious out-buildings.
He was married February 17, 1880, to Anna Hanthorn, of Perry township, a daugh- ter of Ashby and Nancy (Daniels) Hanthorn. They have no children. Mr. Mowery is a strong Democrat. He is a member of the English Reformed church, of Jackson town- ship, of which he has been deacon for the past two years.
)NATHAN M. McPHERON, who resides on his well-improved farm of 80 acres in section 16, Perry town- ship, engaged in general farming and stock-raising, belongs to one of the pioneer families of the county. He was born on the old family homestead, a tract of 80 acres situated a half mile east of his present home and which he now owns, on April 17, 1848. He is a son of John and Hulda (Cross- ley) McPheron.
James McPheron, great-grandfather of Jonathan M., was born in the North of Ire- land and was of Scotch descent. He came to the United States prior to the Revolutionary
War, accompanied by his wife and three child- ren,-James, John and Robert-and settled in Greene County, Tennessee. Two more child- ren were born after the parents came to this country-William and Betsey, the latter of whom became the wife of David Logan.
William McPheron, son of James and grandfather of Jonathan M., was born in: Tennessee in 1781. He learned the trade of blacksmith and followed the same, in addition to manufacturing gun-barrels for a number of years, and was an expert in the latter business. While living in Tennessee he also followed farming and had a distillery, a custom very common in the early days. In 1835 he moved to Champaign County, Ohio, and located near the town of Liberty which, through later sur .- veys, has been located in Montgomery County. He followed his trade there until 1837, when he came to Allen County. He purchased 80 acres of wild land in section 10, Perry township, and erected a black-
smith shop. The rest of his active life was spent in clearing his land and in pursuing the making of gun-barrels and in working at his forge. He was a well-known and re- spected citizen, a leader in Democratic politi- cal affairs. He was at one time elected town- ship trustee. He was a zealous member of the New School Baptist Church. After a long and useful life he died on his farm in 1844.
William McPheron married Jane McCam- ish, and they had the following children : James, who died in Illinois; Elizabeth, who married David Logan and died in Indiana; William, who died in Indiana; Margaret, who married William Goetz and died in Indiana; John, who died at Dayton, Ohio; Thomas, who died in Indiana; Samuel, who died in Miami County, Ohio; Susan, who married Samuel Crossley, and died in Perry township; Andrew, who died in Indiana; George, who died in Perry township; David, who died in Perry township; Alexander, deceased; Mar- tha (Wilson) who resides at Terre Haute, In- diana; and Mary A., deceased, who was the wife of Henry Lippincott.
John McPheron, father of our subject, was born in Tennessee, and was a boy in years
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when he accompanied the family to Allen County, Ohio. According to the law his time was his father's until the age of 21 ; but when 16 years old he bought his time by the payment of $80 and started out for himself. Out of his wages of $8 per month, he managed to save the sum of $100. This hard-earned money he used in payment for 80 acres of land, the same being the homestead on which our subject was born. The latter has in his possession the ori- ginal deed for this property, secured from the government. Mr. McPheron resided on this farm during the remainder of his active life, dying aged 66 years. He was a life-long Democrat. His religious connection was with the Christian Church.
John McPheron married Hulda Crossley, a member of the well-known Crossley family of Perry township, and their children were: William C., who lives in Perry township; Hester Ann, deceased in 1898, who was the wife of Enos Osborne; Jonathan M., of Perry township; Sarah Margaret, who married James Bailey and resides near Westminster ; Jacob, who resides in the northeastern part of Lima, and three children who died in infancy.
Jonathan M. McPheron was reared on the home farm and was educated in the district schools of Perry township. He remained at home until 1892 when he came to his present farm in the northeastern part of section 16. As noted above, he owns the old farm which is one of considerable value on account of oil having been discovered there, seven wells be- ing in operation. The Ohio Oil Company, of which he bought his present farm, reserved the oil rights on it. It is well adapted to both farming and pasturage and Mr. McPheron has ma le a success of his agricultural labors.
When 32 years of age. . Mr. McPheron married Sally Franklin, who was born in Perry township. She was a sister of Clifford Franklin, a merchant at Yoder, and of James Ike Franklin, who lives in the southern part of Perry township. The children born to this marriage were: Elvin Otto, who resides on the home farm: Walter Ray. of Perry township. who married Edna Hardesty, a daughter of
Joshua Hardesty, and has one child; Myrlen Ross, who resides at home; Charles Dean, also at home; and a babe that died in infancy. On April 10, 1898, Mr. McPheron was mar- ried to Alice Ditzler, of Perry township.
In politics Mr. McPheron has always been a Democrat, but is no seeker for office. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and belongs to the congregation which holds services not far from his home.
J OHN MARTIN, one of the best- known and oldest business men of Lima, who has conducted a saddle and harness business here for more than a quarter of a century, was born in Richland County, Ohio, December 19, 1827. and is a son of Charles and Christiana (Men- chey) Martin.
Charles Martin, father of our subject, was born in Germany and in 1820 became one of the early settlers of Richland County, Ohio, where he remained until after the birth of his son John, removing then to Crawford County. Some years later he located in Huron County, where he lived until his death, which occurred about 1875. He reared a family of five child- ren, namely : Henry, John, Mary, George and Samuel.
John Martin obtained his education in the district schools of Crawford and Huron counties and assisted his father in the opera- tion of the home farm until 1845, when he commenced to learn the saddle and harness- maker's trade at Savannah, Ashland County, which was then in Huron County. He finished his apprenticeship and became a journeyman at Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. Later he settled at Tiffin, Seneca County, this State, where he engaged in business. In 1876 he came to Lima and established himself at his present business site, No. 144 South Main street, which is also his residence. Mr. Martin has seen Lima expand from a town into a city, and in every legitimate enterprise has assisted in its development. During all the years of his business life he has enjoyed a satisfactory
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HARISON HEFNER
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amount of patronage,since he has retained his customers through honorable and intelligent dealings. It has been a matter of pride with Mr. Martin to keep a complete stock of goods, standard in every way, and to continue to con- duct his business in the same honorable way in which it was started. His stock is valued at $3,000. He has survived many of the old business firms.
At Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio, Mr. Mar- tin married Lucy K. Parker, who was born in Hancock County, Ohio. Her father, who was a native of New York State, was a farmer in the years of his early manhood, later becoming an attorney. Mrs. Martin's mother was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Martin, of whom three reached maturity, namely; C. F., born in Pleasant township, Hancock County, Ohio, September 29, 1854, who is a resident of Ottawa, Ohio; Samuel H., born in McComb, Ohio, February 10, 1857; Harry H., born August 2, 1863, and who died May 23, 1896, and Eva May, born August 8, 1866, who is the wife of Wallace Landis, of Lima. Mr. Martin is a Republican.
ARISON HEFNER, a retired farmer residing at LaFayette whose portrait is herewith shown, was for many years actively engaged in farming and stock-raising. His homestead-a tract of 200 acres-is situated in section 19, Jackson township. He also owns another farm of 200 acres. He is a native of Colerain township, Ross County, Ohio, where he was born Decem- ber 25, 1834, and is a son of Isaac and Mary (May) Hefner, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
When a young man Isaac Hefner located in Ross County with his parents being among its first white settlers. There he married Mary May. When he came to Allen County "vith his wife and children in 1840, he was a porr man, and could neither read nor write; but hie pos- sessed a shrewd business sense which enabled him to see and take advantage of the opportun- ities offered and which placed him among the
leading men of his time and section. On com- ing to this county, he entered 80 acres of land from the government and dealt extensively in cattle. He added to his acreage from time to time until he became a very large land owner. He possessed at the time of his death about 1800 acres all of the land being in Bath and Jackson townships. He was a Democrat, but did not take an active part in politics. He was a member and liberal supporter of the Reformed Church, furnishing the timber for the erection of the first log church which was built. Later he donated the land when the present edifice was erected for both church and cemetery, and contributed to the building fund for the brick church. He passed away in 1884 at the age of 75 years. His wife survived him many years, dying in 1901 at the advanced age of 94 years. Two of their nine children died in infancy. The seven who grew to maturity and are still living are as follows: Jacob, of Jackson townhip, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; Harison; Amos, of Auglaize township; Clar- issa, wife of Jacob Mowery, of Bath township; David, of Bath township; and John and Albert, of Jackson township.
Harison Hefner has been a resident of Jack- son township since his sixth year. He remained with his parents until his marriage when he purchased 371/2 acres of land in partnership with his brother Amos. Later he bought his brother's share and converted the property into a most desirable homestead by building an at- tractive brick residence and two large barns, with other improvements to correspond. As he prospered he added to the farm from time to time until he owned 1,000 acres, 120 acres of which was in Auglaize and 160 in Perry town- ship, the remainder being in Jackson. Most of this large tract has been turned over to his chil- dren; he still retains 400 acres, 200 being in- cluded in the homestead. He has been a suc- cessful breeder of thoroughbred shorthorn cat- tle for many years.
On April 30, 1861, Mr. Hefner and Mahala Ice were joined in marriage. She was a daugh- ter of Samuel Ice and a native of Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio. Her death, which occurred December 22, 1901, at the age of 60 years, was felt as a personal loss by all
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who knew her. Her children were as follows : Anna, wife of Lige Frederick; Charles E .; Samuel Martin, deceased; John G., deceased; Jennie' Alice, wife of Jacob Bogot; Brice B .; Willard; and Harry H., who cultivates the homestead farm. Mr. Hefner has been a life- long Democrat, and has served as trustee of his township for three years. He is a member of the Reformed Church and one of the most in- fluential men of Allen County.
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ASPER L. COCHRUN, one of Amanda township's leading citizens and substantial farmers, resides on his home farm of 101 acres in section IO, his place being known as the "old Archelaus Martin farm;" he also owns 179 acres in Auglaize County. Mr. Cochrun was born in Amanda township, February 1. 1859, and is a son of Simon and Lucinda (Miller) Cochrun, a grandson of Wesley Cochrun and a great-grandson of Rev. Simon Cochrun.
Rev. Simon Cochrun was a Revolutionary soldier, and for almost half a century was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His birth occurred about 1756, in Kentucky, and he died in this county in 1845, aged 89 years, II months and 6 days. He had three sons, one of these, Wesley, becoming the grandfather of Jasper L. Cochrun.
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In 1832 Wesley Cochrun settled on a farm some four miles from Lima, on which he re- sided until the close of his life, at the age of 88 years. Of his large family, seven reached maturity ; John, Simon, William, Rebecca, Susan, Jane and Sarah. Simon Cochrun, father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1822 and died February 11, 1895, at his home in Amanda township, where he had settled in 1855, when our subject was four years old. For many years he was a teacher in the local schools and was a man much honored by the entire community. He married Lucinda Mil- ler, a daughter of William and Nancy Miller, and five children were born to them, namely : James, Lambert Y., William, Elizabeth, and Jasper L.
Jasper L. Cochrun was reared on the home
farm, attended the common schools of Amanda township, and preparatory to teaching enjoyed two terms at the Ohio Normal Uni- versity at Ada in 1877 and 1878. He was 19 years old when he commenced teaching and continued in the profession for five consecutive years. He then entered into partnership with his oldest brother, James Cochrun, under the firm name of Cochrun Brothers, engaging in the buying and selling of stock and the rais- ing of cattle and hogs. His brother later re- moved to Spencerville and engaged in business there, but our subject has remained on the farm and has carried on extensive farming and stock-dealing operations for a number of years. He buys and ships from two to four car-loads of stock a week, and keeps from 20 to 50 head of cattle, being one of the leading stockmen of his part of the county.
In June, 1881, Mr. Cochrun was married to Catherine Belle Cameron, who is a daughter of James and Sarah (Borsock) Cameron, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Cochrun is one of a large family and was born at Spencerville, February 28, 1859. Of the four children born to our subject and wife, three survive: Paul Wesley, James Lee and Helen Ruth. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Cochrun is a trustee. Both he and his wife take an active part in church work and he has served as Sunday- school superintendent and class leader. He was only 17 years old when he united with this church, and but two survive who then were members. He has seen many changes in his section of the county and has done his full share in bringing about its development and improvement. For many years he has been a member of the Knights of Pythias.
IS COTT T. RUMBAUGH. who owns a fine farm of 114 acres, situated in sec- tion 32, German township, was born in Bath township, this county, on October 13, 1859, and is a son of Benjamin and Mary Jane (Roberts) Rum- baugh.
Benjamin Rumbaugh, father of our sub-
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ject, was also a native of Bath township. He died at Lima, in February, 1903, and was buried in Greenlawn Cemetery. The mother of our subject still survives and resides at Lima.
Scott T. Rumbaugh was reared and edu- cated in Bath township, and remained there until he was 25 years old, when he came to Lima and secured work in the L. E. & W. Railroad shops. In 1902 Mr. Rumbaugh bought the fine farm which he now occupies, and in 1905 erected the handsome residence which is the family home, the old farm house being occupied by his son-in-law, Charles Smith.
On December 25, 1884, Mr. Rumbaugh was united in marriage, at Allentown, with Rachel Coon, who is a daughter of Wesley and Caroline (Craft) Coon, and a sister of Mrs. W. H. Benedum. The Coons were very early settlers of Allen County, locating in the vicinity of Spencerville.
Mr. and Mrs. Rumbaugh have two child- ren living, viz : Tressie, born June 22, 1887, who was married April 11, 1903, to Charles Smith, and has one child-Frank, born Octo- ber 9, 1904; and Pauline, born May 15, 1900. A twin boy and girl, Nellie and Edgar, born June 13, 1895, lived but a few hours.
Mr. Rumbaugh and wife are members of the United Brethren Church, at Allentown, and accord it liberal support. He is a mem- ber of the Knights of the Maccabees.
OMER CLARK BENNETT, M. D., M. E., Ph. G., D. P., M. Ph., editor and publisher of The Electro-Thera- peutist, a monthly journal of electric- ity as applied in medicine and surgery issued at Lima, a member of the faculty of the the National College of Electro-Therapeutists, and an author of numerous works on electro- medical treatment, is one of the leading physi- cians in his school of practice. Dr. Bennett was born in 1865, in Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio, and is one of a family of three children born to his parents, the late Rev. Silas Bennett, A. M., D. D., an eminent divine, and Catherine K. (Clark) Bennett.
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