USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 52
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To our subject's parents 12 children were born, the survivors being :. Elizabeth, wife of A. F. Bectel, of Elida; T. J., a clerk in the master mechanic's office on the "Clover Leaf" Railroad; J. W., of Spencerville, a member of the firm of Whirrett Brothers; D. A., of this sketch; and Ida May, wife of W. H. Beilharz of Chicago.
D. A. Whirrett was five years old when his parents moved to Delphos, and here he was reared and obtained his education. After leav- ing school, he assisted his father in the latter's lumber-yard and from that turned to his pres- ent business, that of manufacturing and whole- saling wood stirrups, sweat-scrapers, etc., at Delphos. Being unmarried, he still resides with his aged parents.
In April, 1902, Mr. Whirrett was elected city treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He has been more or less prominent in political life for, a number of years and frequently has represented his party at important conventions. The offices and factory of Whirrett Brothers, one of the most important industrial concerns of the western section of the county, are situ- ated on the west side of the Miami and Erie Canal, north of the Delphos Mills.
A M. DILDINE, a well-known citizen of Lima, who is now associated with the Prudential Insurance Company of America, has been a resident of this city since 1891. He is a man of large business experience and is entitled to the highest measure of respect for his years of service in the Civil War. Mr. Dildine was born in Seneca County, Ohio, June 29, 1843, and is a son of the late John H. Dildine, also
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of Ohio, who was well-known in political cir- cles in and about Fostoria.
Our subject was reared in his native county and attended school at Tiffin and Fostoria un- til he was 18 years of age. With boyish en- thusiasm he then joined his comrades in en- listing for service in the Civil War which had aroused both young and old all over the land. On August 12, 1861, he was made a member of Company E, 49th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He remained a soldier of the Union Army for four years and three months, enduring in full degree the hardships, pain and disablement which fell to the lot of many of those who fought for the flag. His regiment reported first to General Anderson, in Kentucky, and from Louisville they went South, where they met the enemy in battle at Rolling Fork. The regiment remained in camp at Green River during the greater part of the winter 'of 1861; but this comparative quiet was followed by the terrible battles of Shiloh and Stone River and the memorable struggle at Chickamauga.
It was on the second day of battle at Chick- amauga that Mr. Dildine received a serious wound in the left foot, which necessitated his being sent to the hospital. He was first placed in the hospital at Stevenson, Alabama, and later was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was under treatment for five months. His courage was not diminished in any way, how- ever, by his long period of suffering and in fact he had not yet given up his crutch when he re- enlisted. Subsequently he went out with his regiment and participated in the Georgia cam- paign and was unfortunate enough to be wounded a second time, the accident occurring at the battle of Pickett's Mills, Georgia, May 27, 1864. This was a very serious affair-a gun shot wound in the right hip. He was treated for some 15 days in the field hospital and was then transferred to Chattanooga and later to Nashville, Tennessee. For six long and weary months the young soldier lay on a cot in this hospital, submitting to many opera- tions, as many as 48 pieces of bone being re- moved from his hip; but at last he was able to get about again on crutches, and he was then transferred to Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Here accommodations were intolerable and he succeeded in being transferred to Cleveland, Ohio, where he remained until he was must- ered out of the service in June, 1865.
No longer a boy with youth's cheery atti- tude toward life, but a man, crippled in the defense of his country, he represented a great class which deserved then and still deserves the respect and gratitude of the whole Ameri- can people. With a few added years and a whole world of experience, Mr. Dildine re- turned to his home in Fostoria, still on crutches, and for 22 months he was obliged to depend upon their help. He secured a position in the postoffice which he filled for a time and then, as he grew stronger, served in a grist-mill for some nine months.
Realizing the incompleteness of his busi- ness education and with an eye to the future, Mr. Dildine took a course in a well-known commercial college at Chicago. For the next nine months he was with the United States Express Company at Vermilion, Ohio, and for some 15 months was connected with a whole- sale grocery house at Saginaw, Michigan. Upon his return to Fostoria he was made dep- uty postmaster a position he filled for six years or more and then reentered business with the wholesale house of Davis & Foster. In 1891 he came to Lima as bookkeeper for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, but shortly after- ward accepted a position as yard clerk in the C., H. & D. Railway office. Subsequently he was made chief clerk, and remained with that corporation for 101/2 years. Since then he has been associated with the Prudential Insurance Company of America.
During his residence in Seneca County, Mr. Dildine took a very active part in politics, and for about seven years he was a member of the Republican Executive Committee, and was township chairman for five years. He has always been interested in Grand Army af- fairs, and at present is serving his third term as commander of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., at Lima. He has been secre- tary of the 49th Ohio Regimental Association for the past 25 years.
Mr. Dildine was married September 14,
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MR. AND MRS. DANIEL HARPSTER AND FAMILY
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1869, to Isabel K. Claire, who is a daughter of James Claire, of Saginaw, Michigan. They have three children, viz: Maud, wife of Ed- ward Beck, of Lima, Ohio; Emily, wife of Hugh Mulholland, of Clio, Michigan; and Archie B., who is a first-class machinist on the United States steamship "Chattanooga."
Mr. Dildine is a member of the Wayne Street Church of Christ. The pleasant family home is at No. 551 North McDonald street.
E W. MOSIER, one of the proprietors of the Mosier Steam Laundry, at Lima, has spent the greater portion of his life in this city. He was born at Elida, German township, Allen Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1859, and is a son of the late John Mosier, a county pioneer.
John Mosier was born in Somerset Coun- ty, Ohio, and was reared on a tobacco farm there. He learned the trade of a shoemaker and before the Pennsylvania Railroad was constructed followed that occupation in Elida; but removed to Lima in 1870.
E. W. Mosier was II years of age when his parents came to Lima, and this city has been the scene of his business enterprises and his satisfactory successes. As a boy he was indus- trious, working first for Mr. Lloyd in his lum- ber-yard, and then at the hub and spoke fac- tory, where he was employed for some time. He was also employed in a furniture shop for two years, for about three years in the King & Day handle factory, and for five years in a wheel factory. In this manner he became well trained in various manual capacities, and es- tablished such a reputation for efficiency that he was engaged to superintend the mill de- partment in the coach shop of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, where he remained for 13 years.
In 1895 an opportunity presented to enter into business for himself and, in partnership with Henry Blosser, he purchased the old Nia- gara laundry plant. A good business was con- ducted by the firm, and six years later Mr. Mosier purchased his partner's interest. He conducted the establishment alone for two years and then sold it. For a few months he
traveled in California, but shortly after his re- turn to Lima purchased the American laundry plant, establishing the Mosier Steam Laundry. This enterprise he managed alone until 1904, when he admitted W. C. Bell to partnership. Business prospects are so bright that it is the intention of the firm to erect a substantial brick structure, in the near future, on the de- sirable plot of ground which they have already purchased, on North Central avenue, between High and North streets. The new building will have a 74-foot frontage, with a depth of 100 feet, and, in accordance with modern ideas, will be one story in height. . The laun- dry will be equipped with all modern conveni- ences and machinery, and when completed will compare favorably with any similar building in the State.
In 1889 Mr. Mosier was married to Mellie Freily, who is a daughter of John Freily, a prominent citizen of Ada, Ohio. They have one child, Ethel, a bright pupil at school.
Mr. Mosier is classed with the useful citi- zens of Lima, taking an interest in pub- lic matters and promoting laudable civic move- ments. He is a member of the Lima Board of Health. His fraternal connections are im- portant and of long duration. He is a 32nd degree Mason, and connected with the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Lima, and the Consistory at Toledo. For over 25 years he has been affiliated with the Odd Fellows, belongs to all its branches and has been a representative at the Grand Lodge for two years. He is also identified with the Knights of Pythias. With his wife, he is a member of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church.
D ANIEL HARPSTER, one of the sub- stantial farmers and representative citizens of Monroe township, residing on his valuable farm of 130 acres, sit- uated in section 27, is also a survivor of the Civil War in which he took no insignifi- cant part. He was born in Monroe township, Allen County, Ohio, July 7, 1841, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah (Walls) Harpster.
The Harpster family was established in
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Ohio, by the grandfather, Peter Harpster, a veteran of the War of 1812, who settled as a farmer among the pioneers of Pickaway Coun- ty. His ancestors were German, but he was born in Pennsylvania. His son Jacob, father of our subject, was born in Pickaway County and came to Allen County immediately after his marriage with Sarah Walls. She was a daugh- ter of Robert Walls and died at West Cairo, aged about 70 years. The family consisted of eight children, as follows: Elizabeth (Gar- ner), deceased; Christiana (Mort), deceased ; Thomas, who served in the Civil War, rising from the ranks to the position of captain, and resides at Cairo; Daniel, of this sketch; Jane (Eiche), of Delphos; Robert Newton, now of West Cairo, who served with our subject in the Civil War; Susan, widow of Gurst Rath- burn, of West Cairo; and Anthony, deceased. The father of this family followed farming and blacksmithing during his active years, and died in Monroe township, aged 70 years. He was always a stanch supporter of the Demo- cratic party.
Daniel Harpster attended the district schools in boyhood and assisted on the home- stead until the outbreak of the Civil War. From the first enlistments he was eager to offer his services, although but a boy of 20. years, and on September 1, 1861, was enrolled in Company E, 8Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. George A. Taylor and Col. Thomas Morton, the regiment being known as Mor- ton's Rifle Regiment. This command came into prominence in many of the great battles of the war, fighting valiantly at Shiloh, Cor- inth and Farmington, on the "March to the Sea" with General Sherman, and in front of Atlanta. At the engagements last named Mr. Harpster won promotion. Having been placed on detached duty, he brought in three Confed- erate pickets, for this act of bravery and strat- egy being made color sergeant. At the expi- ration of his term of service, he reenlisted in the 192nd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and re- mained in the service until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge in Sep- tember, 1865, after taking part in the Grand Review at Washington City.
Mr. Harpster returned to Monroe town-
ship, after his army service was ended, and with his brother Thomas, purchased a farm which they operated for two years, when our subject sold out his interest and bought his present property, which was then an unimproved tract. He has made all the excellent improvements here and has developed a fine farm, carrying on stock-raising operations of quite an exten- sive character. For three years he was also a contractor, and built many of the excellent roads and bridges in his section. He has been very prominent in public affairs in his town- ship, taking a continuous and intelligent in- terest in its welfare. In politics, like his father, he has been a strong Democrat, cast- ing his first vote for George B. McClellan. For 20 years he has served on the School Board, and has been township trustee for two terms, and is one of the three county commis- sioners of the soldiers' relief organization in Allen County.
Mr. Harpster was married (first) in 1865 to Amelia A. Snyder, who was a daughter of Philip Snyder, and they had two children, viz : Frank, of Norwalk, Ohio; and Hattie, de- ceased. In 1876 Mr. Harpster was married (second) to Alice Miller, who was born in Monroe township and is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Ward) Miller, natives of Perry County, Ohio. Seven children have been born to them, namely: Lizzie (Herron), now de- ceased, who left three sons; Clay, of Monroe township; Loverna (Miller), of Michigan; Sarah (Middlestetter), of Lima; Mary, living at home; Daniel, Jr., and Rue. A view of the family is shown on a nearby page.
UY PATRICK, mayor of Spencer- ville, has the honor of being the youngest citizen ever elected to that honorable office, in the whole State. He was born in 1882 in Willshire township, in the southwest corner of Van Wert County, Ohio, bordering on the Indiana line, and is a son of L. Y. and Cynthia Jane (McColough) Patrick.
The Patrick ancestry dates back to Ire- land, where it was later leavened with both
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Scotch and English connections prior to the family being established in Virginia, where Mr. Patrick's grandparents, Washington and Mary Jane Patrick, were born, and whence they moved to Fulton County, Indiana. There L. Y. Patrick was born; but he was mainly reared and educated at Sheldon, Iroquois County, Illinois. He learned the trade of horse-shoeing, which he followed in Fulton County, Indiana, from 1862 until 1867, when he returned to Sheldon, removing thence to Willshire, Van Wert County, Ohio. While re- siding there, he took a prominent part in pub- lic affairs and was a member of the Town Council. In 1896 he came to Spencerville. He is prominent in the leading fraternities, being a Knight Templar Mason, a Knight of Pythias and an Odd Fellow. He was married first on December 23, 1869, to Louisa Jane Avery, who died in December, 1873, survived by two daughters viz: Mrs. Homer C. Underwood, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Mrs. J. W. Mc- Donald, of Medina, Ohio. In September, 1874, Mr. Patrick was married to Cynthia Jane McColough of Adams County, Indiana, and they had five children born to them, the two survivors being Hila and Guy Patrick. James W. died in 1875; Rutherford in 1882 and Ollie, two weeks after the latter, a heavy family bereavement.
The early boyhood of Guy Patrick was passed at Willshire, but his education was com- pleted at Spencerville and at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he was graduated in the law department in 1901. Since then he has been connected with the office of Attorney R. R. Kennedy, of Spencerville, as a registered law student; but he is also one of the town's popular and successful business men. For sev- eral years he was connected with the large mer- cantile house of Taft & Company, at Spencer- ville, but since 1904 he has been the proprietor of a large merchant tailoring establishment which has received the custom of the leading citizens. He has secured the best cutters and fitters and the work turned out by his estab- lishment is so satisfactory that already he con- trols a fastidious trade, which formerly placed its orders outside the town.
Mr. Patrick as a student demonstrated his
natural gifts of oratory and on several notable occasions he has borne off the prizes in contests. He possesses also the genial manner and quick wit for which the sons of Ireland are notable the world over, and to these valuable assets adds the energy, enterprise and manliness which mark the successful young Americans of to-day. After being honored by the Republi- can party with the nomination for mayor, in the face of a Democratic majority of 80 voters, in the city, he determined to win if personal hard work could accomplish it. The result was his election, the vote being very close. He was the only member of his party elected to a town office, a testimonial to the personal re- gard in which he is held by his fellow-citizens; in fact, Mr. Patrick is the only Republican ever elected to the office of mayor in this town. That his administration will be one to which he may in future years turn with pride, is the conviction of all who have watched his career from boyhood. He is a Royal Arch Mason.
ARL C. REIS, one of the representa- tive merchants of Lima, whose business is located on the corner of North and Jackson streets, was born at Fremont, Sandusky Coun- ty, Ohio, in 1880, and is a son of the late M. J. Reis, who for more than a quarter of a cen- tury was a conductor on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, and was well and favorably known in railroad circles.
Until he was 18 years of age, Carl C. Reis remained at Fremont, where he enjoyed excel- lent educational advantages. Then he came to Lima, entering the grocery line, first as a clerk. After three years, in partnership with C. B. Wells, under the firm style of Reis & Wells, he purchased a grocery and went into business. The partnership continued for one year, when Mr. Reis purchased his partner's interest and has since continued alone. Mr. Reis' concep- tion of business principles has made him a fine merchant. He carries a complete and care- fully selected stock of all staple and fancy gro- ceries, including delicacies of all kinds, salt meats and feed. His business territory and
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his reputation have both so expanded that his grocery is now conceded to be the most relia- ble, the most attractive and the largest in the city east of Main street. In addition to this establishment, Mr. Reis is interested in Lusk Brothers' wholesale fruit and produce busi- ness, thus assuring him superior advantages in the way of supplying his customers with fine produce and choice fresh fruit. His inter- ests have become so large at Lima, that he has disposed of a branch business formerly con- ducted at Bluffton.
Mr. Reis was married on February 9, 1903, to Mary Wilson, who is a daughter of Mel- ville J. Wilson, who is prominently identified with the grocery trade at Toledo. Mr. and Mrs. Reis have one son, Wilson Carl. Mr. Reis is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Home Guards of America. Both Mr. Reis and wife are prominent in Lima's social life, and are identified with St. John's Catho- lic Church.
HARLES H. FENNER, of the firm of Fenner Brothers, photographic artists of Lima, with a well-ap- pointed studio at No. 2021/2 North Main street, was born at Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio.
Mr. Fenner was educated at Gallipolis, and as his older brother and late partner was en- gaged in a photographic business there, he also became interested. Several years later he em- barked in the dry goods business, and for II years he was connected with The John Shillito Company, of Cincinnati, subsequently going out on the road for some four years for a Brooklyn firm. When his brother located at Lima, in 1895, Mr. Fenner became associated with him and they continued in business to- gether until the death of William J. Fenner, in 1903, since which time Charles H. has been alone. The late Mr. Fenner married Nellie Fowler, who still resides at Lima, with the one daughter born to them-Aline Fenner.
The Fenner studio is the best equipped one in the city. Electric light is used in both the
taking and printing of photographs, whenever it is thought desirable. For some eight years before coming to Lima, the late William J. Fenner made a specialty of outside view pho- tography and the gallery is filled with many beautiful and interesting specimens of his ar- tistic work. In its equipments and work turned out, the Fenner studio compares favor- ably with those of cities much larger than Lima.
B. MILLER, proprietor of the Har- Z rod Creamery and the Harrod Stave and Hub Mills, was born August 23, 1864, in York County, Pennsylva- nia, which was the home of the Millers for several generations. The great- grandfather of our subject came from Ger- many about the year 1802 and located in York County. There Adam Miller, the grandfather, was born, lived and died. He was a school teacher and also handled insurance. The par- ents of L. B. Miller are David F. and Ange- lina (Bortner) Miller, both natives of Penn- sylvania, where they now reside.
David F. Miller was born in York County, Pennsylvania, in April, 1831, and has always carried on farming. He owns a farm of 160 acres, upon which he resides; but a stroke of paralysis has left him in feeble health and less active than formerly. He is a Democrat and has held a number of local offices. He was drafted into the army but, owing to the bitter opposition of his parents, he remained at home and sent a substitute to whom he paid $1,000. He married Angelina Bortner and to them were born nine children, only four of whom are living, namely: L. B., William B., of York County. Pennsylvania; Alice, who mar- ried A. B. Albright and lives in her native county; and Howard B., who lives with his parents and has charge of the farm. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller are consistent members of the German Reformed Church.
L. B. Miller received his education in the schools of York County and later took a busi- ness course in a commercial school in Philadel- phia. He engaged in teaching for a short time
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and after leaving college accepted a position as bookkeeper with John Wanamaker, with whom he remained two years until failing health caused him to retire and seek a change of occupation. Returning to York County, he worked in a produce and general merchandise store, and about this time also became inter- ested in the creamery business. This he learned, becoming thoroughly familiar with every phase of the industry. Embarking in the enterprise for himself, he conducted his creamery in York County for six years and then came to Allen County, and purchased the cooperative creamery at Harrod, which he has operated since the spring of 1898. In addition to this business which he has made a profitable one, he bought a new engine, boiler, etc., and established the Harrod Stave and Hub Mills, which manufactures walnut gun-stocks, squares for ball bats, etc., sending its output to prominent manufacturers of those articles. He has not yet begun the manufacture of hubs but expects to start that industry soon.
On August 23, 1891, Mr. Miller celebrated his 27th birthday by marrying Annie Hoke, daughter of David M. Hoke, of York County, Pennsylvania. Three children have been born to them, viz : David, born February 15, 1892, and who died at the age of two weeks; Leroy, born February 1, 1894; and Diamond May, born May 19, 1905. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Lutheran Church while Mr. Miller be- longs to the German Reformed. He supports the Democratic National ticket, but in local politics is independent. Fraternally, Mr. Miller is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
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J OEL G. HERSH, one of Lima's lead- ing professional men, with law offices situated at No. 561/2 Public Square, has been a resident of this coun- ty for some 16 years. He is a native of Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio, and a son of the late Newton and Lydia (Chew) Hersh, his early life being spent on a farm.
Newton Hersh was born in 1834, in Rich- land County, Ohio, dying there in 1901, on the old homestead which had been entered by his father, Joel Hersh. The latter, with his wife, Catherine (Berny) Hersh, was born at Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, the couple settling in Richland County at an early day. Politically Joel Hersh was a strong Whig, and through life was a friend and coadjutor of John Sher- man. He became one of the most prominent farmers in Richland County. He married Lydia Chew, a daughter of Samuel Chew, a substantial farmer of the county, who was killed in 1887 by burglars.
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