USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 4
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55
Digitized by Google
451
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
dustrious, thrifty man, a devout Methodist, and and in early years a Democrat, although after the nomination of Lincoln he supported the Re- publican ticket until his death in 1899. His wife died in Hardin County in her 49th year, leaving 14 children, all of whom grew to adult years except the youngest, who died in infancy. Of this family, 12 were married and eight are now living.
Ira R. Wetherill attended public school and engaged in teaching district schools for several terms, supplementing this with a course in the university at Ada, and, later, in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland. Graduating from this institution in 1881, he at once began the practice of his profession at Beaver Dam, where he remained 10 years be- fore locating in Bluffton. He enjoys a large general practice and has been very successful in his work.
In 1874 Dr. Wetherill was married to Sus- an A. Lattimore, who was born in Hardin County, Ohio, April 24, 1857, and was a daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Shanks) Lattimore of that country. Mrs. Wetherill died in 1895, leaving three children, namely: Ova, wife of Row Ewing, of Bluffton; Webb; and Cliff, a freshman in the medical college at Columbus, Ohio. Webb is a soldier in the United States Army, and served three years in the light artil- lery, two of them being spent in the Philippines He served three years in the coast artillery, when he was stationed at Fort Hamilton, New York and has but recently reenlisted in Califor- nia in the light artillery. The Doctor is a Re- publican. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Bluffton and is a genial, popular gentleman. He is president of the Bluffton Telephone Company, having held the office dur- ing the past four years.
JACOB STALEY, an influential agricul- turist of Allen County, has resided on the farm of 150 acres in sections 19 and 20, Jackson township, his entire life, having been ushered into the world on homestead farm September 11, 1839. His parents were Jacob and Eunice ( Fisher) Staley, both of whom were natives of Virginia. . 24
Jacob Staley, Sr., was born in 1800 and was. married in his native State before coming with his parents and family to Ohio. He was one of a large family of children born to Peter Staley and his wife, all of them came to Ohio. They were as follows: Wilkes who was a farm- er and conversed almost entirely in the German language; Peter; John; Sally (Hall) ; Betsey (Mauch) ; Jacob; Eva (Suddith) ; and Katie (Fisher). Jacob Staley was a man of tall, spare build, capable of accomplishing a large amount of work. He entered 160 acres of land on Hog Creek and lived there until his death at the age of 62 years. He voted with the Whig and Republican parties and was a devout mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife passed away in 1887 at the age of 86 years. Their children are as follows : Betty (Grant), deceased; Eva (Watt) ; John; Jemima (Boyd) ; Eunice (Hall) ; Jacob and Hannah (Mrs. Thomas Watt).
Jacob Staley, the subject of this biography, has been a farmer and for 25 years was en- gaged in quarrying stone, giving up that occu- pation only about three years ago. He has been very successful as a stock-raiser and general farmer and has put many of the improvements on the farm. On December 5, 1861, he was married to Olive Hall, of Jackson township, who was born May 10, 1842, and is a daughter of William M. and Lydia G. ( Walton) Hall, who came here from Pickaway County and were among the first to take up a claim. Mr. and Mrs. Staley have no children. Mr. Staley is a Democrat.
LIFFORD L. KIPLINGER, a leading contractor and carpenter of Lima was reared and educated in this city where he was born 46 years ago. Daniel Kiplinger, his father, is now in his 76th year, and is one of the most respect- ed citizens of Lima. He is a native of Spring- field, Clark County, Ohio. In 1854 he came to Allen County, where he soon became one of the most successful contractors and carpenters. At the time of his settling in Lima, it was a village of some thousand inhabitants and, as Daniel Kiplinger was among the first contractors to
Digitized by Google
452
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
locate here, he built a large per cent. of the structures erected in this vicinity. He is the 'father of two sons, namely: Clifford L. and Clarence, who is located at Columbus and is agent of the Pittsburg Reduction Company, having under his management three States- Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
Clifford L. Kiplinger began working at the carpenter trade when he was a lad of 15 years and, after mastering it, became a partner with his father, with whom he was associated in the contracting and building business for 13 years. He then engaged in the same business by him- self, and has been busy with general contract work during the eight years he has been alone. He is a first-class workman, and many of the finest buildings in Lima and vicinity stand as monuments of his skill. Mr. Kiplinger was married in 1885 to Lizzie Moore, whose father Amos Moore, was at one time a prominent con- tractor of Zanesville, Ohio, where he died in 1873. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kiplinger, Lawrence, the elder, was graduated from the Lima High School before he had reached his 17th year; he then entered the offices of the Buckeye Pipe Line Company, where he is still employed. Karl, the younger son, is still attending High School. Mr. Kip- linger is a member of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Lima.
D AVID W. HIGBY, superintendent of the Allen County Children's Home for the past seven years, was born in Hardin County, Ohio, July 25, 1854, son of Elisha and Rebecca ( Priest) Higby. His father was born in Canada but came to Columbus, Ohio, where he was mar- ried. Afterwards he located in Hardin Coun- ty where he and his wife died. Their family consisted of four children, viz: Mattie, who married George Woods and now resides in To- ledo; David W .; Joseph, deceased; and Lydia, who married Richard Walker and lived in Har- din County until her death.
David W. Higby became a carpenter and worked at that occupation in his native county until his 24th year, when he came to Allen County. Locating in Harrod, he worked as a
millwright and also conducted the Central House there until 1899. Having been appoint- ed by the Board of Directors as superintendent of the Allen County Children's Home, he took up his duties at once and has discharged them in a manner to win the hearty commendation of all. The home has been in active operation about 12 years, and is one of the institutions of which Allen County may well feel proud. furn- ishing, as it does, temporary care and shelter for hundreds of homeless children until the management can place them in permanent homes. Eighty-two little ones are now being cared for in the institution. They will be placed with families where they will be given parental love and reared to lives of usefulness and honor. It would be impossible to give an estimate of the good that is done in thus caring for children, many of whom would otherwise grow up in ignorance, poverty and vice. The farm belonging to the home has about 1521/2 acres of land and this, with the work about the building which is a fine brick edifice, requires the employment of at least 10 persons. Mr. Higby has been in charge since the sixth year after it was opened. He has everything in the most perfect working order and at the same time keeps the expense within reasonable limits.
Mr. Higby was married in 1878 to May Eubanks, a native of this county and a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Darby) Eubanks. Mrs. Eubanks was twice married, her second hus- band being Enoch Harvey. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Higby, namely : Maude, born December 23, 1880, who is the wife of Cliff Breese; and Blanche, born Feb- ruary 23, 1885. Mr. Higby is a Democrat but does not take an active part in politics. He is a member of Lima Lodge, No. 91, Knights of P.ythias Lodge, and is a man who will ever be found true to his friends.
A BRAM HARROD, a highly esteemed retired resident of Lima, was born in Mercer County, Ohio, April 27, 1850, and is a son of David and Jane (Rick- mire) Harrod.
The father of Mr. Harrod was born in 1792 in Knox County, Ohio, and the mother in the
Digitized by Google
453
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
same locality two years later. After marriage they settled near Fort Recovery, in Mercer County, in 1837, and lived there on a farm until 1852, when David Harrod went west on a pros- pecting tour, in search of a suitable location to which to remove. He was taken ill with chol- era on a steamboat on the Missouri River and died far from home.
Abram Harrod lived at home in Mercer County until 1875 and then went to California, where he spent one year and then settled at Ge- neva, Indiana, where he engaged in an undertak- ing and furniture business for some seven years, removing then to Portland, Indiana. There he embarked in an implement business which he continued four years. On January 1, 1886, he came to Lima and became traveling salesman for Henry Parham in an implement business. After seven years in this employment, he took up the duties of county recorder, to which he had been elected on the Democratic ticket. He served six years and eight months, having been reelectd. Since retiring from this position he has been traveling representative of a Court House supply firm. Recently he has been ap- pointed market master by the Board of Public Service of Lima.
On May 15, 1875, Mr. Harrod was married to Harriet Smith, of Van Wert County, Ohio, who is a daughter of David and Jane (Hart- zog) Smith. They have two sons, viz .: Bert G., who is connected with the Lima Locomotive Works, and Robert L., who is traveling for a wholesale implement firm of Kansas City, where he resides. He is a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan, but imperfect hearing interfered with his profes- sional career. Mr. and Mrs. Harrod are mem- bers of the Methodict Episcopal Church.
Ľ T. FURNAS, proprietor of the Apex Skirt Company, of Lima, was born at Pleasant Hill, Miami County, Ohio, in 1852, and was there reared and ed- ucated. His first commercial venture was in his native village, where he conducted a dry goods store for about three years. He next went West and was in the dry goods busi-
ness in Luzerne, Iowa, about four years, when he returned to Ohio and for II years conducted a merchant tailoring establishment at Colum- bus Grove. In 1883 he came to Lima and pur- chased the business of John Siegfried, mer- chant tailor, and for 20 years devoted his time and attention to working up a large trade. Dur- ing recent years he saw the possibilities awaiting the individual who could supply the ever-grow- ing demand for ladies' tailored skirts, and in 1903 the Apex Skirt Company was established by him. The success of the undertaking has shown the correctness of his theory. He has traveling salesmen in Michigan, Illinois, Indi- ana, Ohio and Pennsylvania and the company employs a large number of workmen to keep up their orders.
Mr. Furnas was married in 1874 to Anna Tinker, daughter of Samuel Tinker, of Ches- ter, Massachusetts. They have two children, Everett C. and Anna. The son is engaged in business with his father.
OHN W. ROTHE, one of the substantial farmers and representative citizens of German township, where he owns land aggregating 292 acres, situated in sec- tions 13, 14 and 23, was born in Ger- many, November 29, 1830, and is a son of Frederick and Mary Rothe.
In 1855 John W. Rothe, accompanied by his parents, came to America and located in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, where he bought 50 acres of land for which he paid $12 per acre. It was a piece of woodland on which a round-log cabin stood, and this was the fam- ily home for 10 years. Mr. Rothe then pur- chased 80 acres in sections 13 and 14, German township, subsequently adding to this until he now owns 292 acres of some of the finest land to be found in the county. Prior to coming to the United States he had learned the blacksmith trade at which he worked during his younger years ..
In 1856 Mr. Rothe was married to Mary Fuchs, and they have had two sons-John and Frederick. The elder son, John Rothe, died in
Digitized by Google
454
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
1898; his wife, Elizabeth Lease, died in 1899 and their only child died when one year old.
Frederick Rothe, the second son, resides on the home farm and superintends its cultivation. He married Tinnie Houseman, and to them have been born four children, viz. : Rudy (the only daughter), who died at the age of six years; and Albert, Calvin and Leonard, who at- tend the district school in section 13.
Mr. and Mrs. Rothe are worthy members of the German Reformed Church at Lima, of which Mr. Rothe has been a trustee and deacon. These good people are looking forward with pleasure to a celebration of their Golden Wed- ding," which occurs January 27, 1906. They will have a wide circle of friends to wish them continued peace and prosperity for they are well known and most highly esteemed.
ARRY THOMAS, one of Lima's lead- ing grocers, who is well established in the Holland Block, in the city's busi- ness center, was born in 1864 at Lima, and is a son of the late Lewis Thomas. The father of Mr. Thomas was born in Wales and came to Allen County about 1850. For a number of years he was engaged in the brewery business at Lima.
Our subject was reared and educated at Lima and began business in boyhood in his father's employ. After completing his second year in the Lima High School, he became a clerk in the grocery store of F. A. Holland, with whom he remained 18 years and then be- came the junior partner of the firm. Two years later, in 1891, the relationship of the part- ners changed and since that time Mr. Thomas has continued the business as sole proprietor.
Mr. Thomas was married October 22, 1889, to Belle Bowdle, who is a daughter of M. W. Bowdle, of Westminster, Ohio, the family be- ing among the early pioneers of Allen County. Mrs. Thomas' father still survives at the age of 88 years. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children, viz .; Holland B. and Lenore Y. The family belong to Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Thomas being one of the board of trustees. He is much interested in the Sunday-
school work, is a teacher and has been superin- tendent, and he is first vice-president of the Ep- worth League. Mr. Thomas occupies a very high position both personally and in a business way in Lima, and is looked upon as one of the city's sterling citizens and representative men.
C HOMAS C. ROBERTS, general farmer and stock-raiser of Allen County, owns a quarter section of land in Perry township and is one of the most influ- ential and prominent agriculturists of the country. He was born at Westminster, Al- len County, Ohio, April 14, 1853, and is a son of Josiah B. and Margaret (Winrot) Roberts. His grandparents, William and Hannah ( Mor- rison) Roberts, were natives of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent, the latter being a daugh- ter of Andrew Morrison. The grandfather was a carpenter, working at his trade in West Virginia, where he reared a family of three children, viz : Josiah B .; Margaret T., wife of Samuel Davison French, whose sketch and portrait appear elsewhere in this work; and Catherine, wife of Jacob Moss, of West- minster.
Josiah B. Roberts was born February 20, 1822, at Frankford, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, making his first trip to West Liberty, Ohio, when a boy, but returning to his native State. About 1835 he located at Westminster, Allen County, and was obliged to cut his way through the dense timber in making the jour- ney from West Virginia. He conducted a store at Westminster for several years, and in 1854 purchased the homestead which is now occu- pied by his son, Alton. He moved his family to this farm in the fall of 1854 and lived upon it until his death. His wife, Margaret, was. born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Isaac Winrot. Of the II children born to them, but six reached maturity, namely : Oliver C., who resided in Perry township and was a member of an Ohio regiment enlisted for the 100-day service in the Civil War-his con- stitution was undermined and he was taken with jaundice, which probably resulted in his death later; William A., who died in the
Digitized by Google
455
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
spring of 1905; Lenora (Mrs. Hiram Hold- ridge), of Lima; Viola (Dunlap), who resides in Hardin County ; Thomas C .; and Alton, who resides on the home farm. In politics Josiah B. Roberts was a Republican.
Thomas C. Roberts was an infant when his parents removed to the farm where he grew to manhood and became familiar with the work which has made him one of the most practical and progressive agriculturists of his day. Soon after his marriage he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, and has carried on general farming in connection with stock-raising. He has improved the property with substantial buildings and his method of cultivation is steadily increasing its value by adding to the productiveness of the land.
Mr. Roberts married Elizabeth T. Moore, who was born in Perry township, but was reared in Lima, where her father, William Moore, founded the wholesale house of The Moore Brothers Company, one of the largest mercantile concerns in the city. Her mother was formerly Amanda Ballard. Mrs. Roberts is the mother of two children-Florence, born in 1882 and Ruth, born in 1886. Mr. Roberts is a stanch Republican.
€ LIAS H. JOHNS, one of the honored retired residents of Lima, was for a great many years prominently identi- fied with the city's business interests and public affairs. Mr. Johns was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, June II, 1834, and is a son of Elias and Adaline (Otley) Johns.
The Johns family were among the pioneers of Washington township, Union County, Ohio, removing there from Charlestown, Virginia. The father of our subject was a man of enter- prising spirit. When he located in Washing- ton township, in 1852, he erected the first hewed-log house there. When his life ap- proached middle age, he removed from the farm to the village of Essex and there engaged in mercantile business.
Elias H. Johns obtained his education in Virginia prior to the removal of the family
to Ohio and from the age of 18 years until his enlistment in the Union Army he followed school teaching. Mr. Johns was one of the first patriotic young men of his neighborhood to respond to the call for troops in 1861, becom- ing a member of Company B, Second Battalion, 18th Reg., United States Infantry. With all the loyal enthusiasm of the time he entered the service and nobly performed a soldier's duty and almost gave up his life for his country. On the terrible battle-ground of Stone River, he with scores of his comrads fell, and such were the prevailing conditions that he was left to suffer without surgical care for a number of hours. His life was in the balance when he was taken to a hospital. From December until the following September he was under treatment in army hospitals at Murfrees- boro, Nashville, Louisville and Camp Den- nison. From the effects of that dreadful day of battle, Mr. Johns never fully recovered, although the day came when he was able to take a position in the recruiting service, in which he spent the remainder of his term of enlistment, being honorably discharged in 1864. In spite of the injuries suffered when just in the flower of his manhood, Mr. Johns has sur- vived many of his comrades and, approaching the evening of life, he is still vigorous of mind and body, and in most entertaining manner can recall those days which must always possess vital interest for every true American.
After his return from his army service, Mr. Johns came in the same year to Lima and en- tered into business, opening up a grocery which he continued to operate until 1879, when he became associated with Townsend & Moser for four years, and later with the late Judge Hughes, in the manufacture of furniture. Close attention to business and careful invest- ments have provided Mr. Johns with ample competency, which his leisure permits him to enjoy. He owns considerable property here, including his pleasant home at No. 222 South Pierce street.
In 1857 Mr. Johns was married to Eliza- beth Cheney, of Union County, Ohio, a daugh- ter of William Cheney, who was a farmer all his life. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johns, two are now living, namely : Silas
Digitized by Google
456
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
H., who is assistant superintendent of the Pru- dential Life Insurance Company's agency at Lima; and Septa J., who is the wife of W. A. Hall, a journalist, of Racine, Wisconsin.
Mr. Johns has always been an active and interested citizen and for a number of years was a valuable member of the City Council. His advice was always considered as he was known to be a practical, reliable public-spirited man. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and of Trinity Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He has for many years been prominent in the York. rite bodies of the Masonic order and at present is secre- tary of Garett Wykoff Lodge, No. 585, F. & A. M. He is past master of the Blue Lodge, past high priest of the Chapter, past thrice illus- trious master of the Council and past eminent commander of the Commandery.
A F. KNISELY, M. D., eye, ear and throat specialist, at Lima, enjoys a reputation for professional skill which extends far beyond this city. Dr. Knisely was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1859, and received his liter- ary training in the common schools and his scientific education at the Ohio Medical Col- lege, Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1884.
From college Dr. Knisely entered the office of Dr. Seely, of Cincinnati, where he remained two years, gaining much valuable experience in a varied practice, and then removed to Chi- cago, where he continued in practice for five years, making diseases of the eye, ear and throat his specialty. He then returned to his old home at Uhrichsville, Ohio, for a short season, after which he returned to his work in Chicago for another period of five years. The climate of the "Windy City" did not agree with him entirely and as a matter of prudence he gave up the position he had won in his profession there and returned to Ohio, locating at Lima in 1897. He enjoys an extensive practice in his specialty. He is also a leading member of political and social circles.
Dr. Knisely was married on April 12, 1880,
to Mary De Grieff, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and they have two sons, viz .: Allen D. and Virgil M. The former was educated at New Philadelphia and Chicago and then spent two years in the Ohio State University, after which he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After two years there he became a student at the Louis- ville Medical College, where his graduation will take place in June, 1906. The second son is a student in the Lima High School.
Dr. Knisely is prominent in Masonry, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Com- mandery at Lima and the Shrine at Dayton. During his residence at Uhrichsville, he was one of the officers of the Masonic lodge there. He is a member of the First Evangelical Luth- eran Church, of Lima.
OHN HEFNER, a well known agricul- turist of Jackson township, was born in this vicinity July 12, 1849, and be- longs to a family which has been close- ly identified with the history of the county for 65 years. He owns and cultivates a large farm of 280 acres in section 30 and 31, Jackson township and section 25, Bath town- ship and is regarded as one of the best farmers in the county. His parents, Isaac and Mary (May) Hefner, came originally from Pennsyl- vania to Ross County, this State, and, in 1840, removed with their family to Allen County where they remained until their death, the former in 1884, at the age of 75 and the latter in 1901 at the more advanced age of 94. Isaac Hefner accumulated large tracts of land, which are still in the possession of his descend- ants. The following children were born to him and his good wife: Jacob, of Jackson town- ship; Harison, of Jackson township; Amos, of Auglaize township; two that died in in- fancy ; Clarissa, wife of Jacob Mowery, of Bath township; David, of Bath township; and John and Albert, who live in Jackson township.
John Hefner was married in 1880 to Miss F. R. Growdon, who was born in Auglaize town- ship, Allen County, Ohio, April 13, 1857. Her parents were Brice and Sarah ( Ash) Growdon, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
Digitized by Google
457
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Mrs. Hefner died January 2, 1900, leaving seven children, namely: Sarah Olive; Tillie A .; Jesse William; Harvey R .; Mary; Robert and Leah. Edith died at the age of nine years and two died in infancy. After his marriage, Mr. Hefner moved at once to his present prop- erty and has devoted his entire time to farming and has found it to be far more profitable to feed the products of his land to his stock than to put it on the market in the natural state. He handles all kinds of stock and his premises are well provided with barns and sheds to properly accommodate them, large cribs and grainaries affording storage for his grain. Sixty-seven acres of his land lies in section 30 and 87 in section 31, Jackson township, the remainder being located in section 25, Bath township, it is all in one body, excepting a tract of 40 acres. Mr. Hefner is deacon of the Reformed Church and was formerly elder. He is a strong Demo- crat and has been an efficient member of the School Board. He is a member of the Au- glaize Grange, of which he was one time treas- urer and has always taken a lively interest in advancing agricultural interests in Allen County.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.