USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 48
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The parents of Mr. Standish were natives of New York and came to Allen County, Ohio, about the year 1821. Henry Standish secured a large body of land in Amanda township where he lived a number of years but subse- quently removed to Lima, where the remainder of his life was taken up in caring for his various investments. He was the father of eight child- l'en, seven of whom grew to maturity. Of these, Walter H., Wallace, Mrs. Angeline Had- sell and Mrs. Malvina Malby are deceased, while Marion and Mrs. Jerome Shockey, of Lima, Ohio, and Mrs. Lemuel Carlisle, of Avoca, Iowa, are living.
The late Walter H. Standish spent almost his whole life in Lima. Here he was educated and from here, in 1861. he enlisted in the 20th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and served faithfully through his full term, and was honorably dis- charged. He returned home but ere long was again in his country's service, this time enlist- ing in the navy and serving in the Mississippi squadron, under Admiral Porter. During the whole period of his service his duties were faithfully performed and he set an example of obedience as well as bravery. After his second return to Lima. he began to look about for a business location. finally deciding to visit Knox-
ville, Tennessee, where he spent two years in the dry goods business. In 1865 he came home and followed the same line of business for a year and then engaged for five years in business at Toledo. In 1877 he returned to Lima and settled here permanently, engaging in an exten- sive merchantile business until 1885, when he established a cooperage manufacturing indus- try, operating factories in various parts of the State.
Mr. Standish was married on February 12, 1872, to Florence Selfridge, who is a daughter of the late O. B. Selfridge, Sr. They have two children, Harold S. and Miles W. Mrs. Standish still survives and resides af No. 512 West Market street.
In all that goes to make a good citizen, Mr. Standish was notable. He was honest and up- right in business, was loyal and patriotic both during and following the war, was a sincere friend and a devoted husband and father. Not very active in politics, he still took enough in- terest to endeavor to bring about good legisla- tion. He was for several terms president of the City Council and chairman of the Board of Equalization. The fraternal organizations to which he gave support were the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Masonic order ; in the last mentioned order he held the office of junior warden of Shawnee Commandery, No. 14, K. T., of Lima.
EORGE FELTZ,county auditor of Al- len County, was born in Seneca Coun- ty Ohio, March 18, 1843, and is a son of Florentz and Margaret (Locf- ler) Feltz.
.The parents were born in Germany, where the father followed the occupation of garden- ing. He served in the French Army for nine years and came to the United States in 1840, settling first in Seneca County. Ohio, where he engaged in farming until 1850, when he re- moved to Mercer County, where he died , aged 85 years and four months. He had two child- l'C11.
George Feltz was liberally educated at St. Mary's College and at other institutions and
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REV. HARRISON MALTBIE
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then engaged in teaching for some seven years at Sidney, Ohio, and other points. In 1867 he came to Allen County, engaged in the insur- ance business and established and was the editor and proprietor of the Lima Courier. He was very active in the organizing of building and loan associations ; the three that he was instru- mental in establishing proved beneficial to all concerned. For 30 years he was secretary and manager of building and loan associations at Lima and at present is on the board of directors of The Citizens' Loan and Building Associa- tion.
Mr. Feltz is serving his second term as aud- itor of Allen County, having been first elected to the office in 1900 and reelected in 1903. In every way he has been an acceptable official, conscientiously discharging every duty and be- ing faithful to every trust.
Mr. Feltz was united in marriage with Elizabeth Holtgreve, who is a daughter of An- thony Holtgreve, of Delphos. Ohio. Mrs. Feltz was formerly a popular and successful teacher in Van Wert and Auglaize counties. They have four children, viz: Leander A., Albin G., Arthur C., and Otmar J. Leander A. is secretary and manager of The Citizens' Loan and Building Association, of Lima ; Albin G. and Otmar J. are managers of the dry goods store of Feltz Brothers & Company, of Lima, while Arthur C. is assistant cashier of The Ohio National Bank, of Lima.
The pleasant family home is situated at No. 321 North West street.
Mr. Feltz is a finished musician and for 30 years has been organist of St. Rose's Catholic Church, to which he and his family belong. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elks.
LEXANDER HAMILTON McCOY, deceased, was born in Madison County, Ohio, October 18, 1831, and died at his home, located in section 24, Shawnee township, Allen County, June 15, 1905. after a brief illness of one week. He was laid to rest in Shawnee Cemetery after impressive services by Rev. James Mount, of Van Wert, who was pastor when Mr. McCoy
united with the church in 1861, and Rev. J. H. Smith, of Allentown, a former, teacher of his children. His death was a serious loss to the community and one from which it will be long in recovering. A man of strong character, sterling worth and uncompromising principles of honor, he was unostentatious and preferred doing his many deeds of kindness in a quiet and unnoticeable manner, thus following the pre- cepts of the Master. He was a Republican and a prohibitionist who based his theories on facts devolved from a careful study of the situation. He was a devout member of the Methodist Episcopal Church to which he was a liberal contributor both of his time and his means.
His parents were David W. and Esther (Gillespie) McCoy, the former a native of West Virginia, born in 1805, and the latter a native of New York. They were married in Fayette County, Ohio, in 1830, and in 1837 located in section 26, Ridge township, Van Wert County, where David W. McCoy had en- tered 360 acres of government land. There were few white families in the township at that time and their family was reared in true pio- neer manner. There were four children, viz: Alexander H., the subject of these memoirs; Sarah Jane, deceased wife of Enoch Longs- worth; William C., a resident of Rockford, Ohio; and Eleanor, widow of David Harnly, of Van Wert, Ohio.
Alexander Hamilton McCoy came to Allen County in 1883 in the month of October, and engaged in farming and carpentering. He was married March 7, 1861, to Margaret A. Malt- bie, of LaFayette, Allen County. Mrs. McCoy was born in Centerville, Montgomery County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Rev. Harrison and Susannah (Dowling) Maltbie. To Mr. and Mrs. McCoy were born seven children, namely : David Harrison, who married Mollie Whyman, of Spencerville, and resides on the State road ; Jennie, wife of Charles Adgate Hover and the mother of two children-Myra Ethel and Harry Howard; Josephine, wife of Charles Ed- man, who resides near Hume-they have one child, Velma Lenore; George Albert, who married Ada Roberts, of Van Wert, and has three children, Jesse Ralph, Albert Russell and Margaret-they live on the old McCoy farm;
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Silas Arthur, who lives at home; Myra Luella, who died at the age of seven years; and Fran- cis Maltbie, who married Edith Peters, of Henry, Illinois, and has charge of the home farm.
Benjamin Maltbie, the grandfather of Mrs. McCoy, came from Connecticut to Montgom- ery County, Ohio, where her father, Harrison Maltbie, was born and reared a short distance below Dayton. He attended Lane Seminary on Walnut Hill, Cincinnati, walking a distance of five miles daily, that he might unravel the mysteries of the Greek and Latin languages. It was not his good fortune to graduate from this school, however, as an epidemic of cholera caused a cessation of studies. For several years he was engaged in teaching in Centerville and other places and then took up the work of the ministry, in which he was wonderfully success- ful. He preached at various places, including St. Marys, Leipsic, Hardin, Delphos, Wapa- koneta and other points. In 1847, either in January or February, he brought his family to Allen County where he had entered a large tract of land some three years before. With the exception of a few years, this was his home from that time until his death and is now the home of his daughter, our subject. He lived with Mr. and Mrs. McCoy from 1889 to May 27, 1892, when the star of his life sank low behind the western hills of life's horizon to shine with increased luster in the vale beyond. To his union with Susanna Dowling were born three children, viz: Silas Benjamin, a minister of the Gospel, who lives in Baltimore, Maryland; William Francis, who died May 5, 1905; and Margaret A. (McCoy). His second union was with Nancy Jane Wilkerson, by whom he had two children : James Hiram, who died in his fifth year, and Thomas A., who re- sides in Lima. His third marriage with Emily Jane Wilkerson, a cousin of his second wife, resulted in the birth of one child which died in . infancy. He was married again to Ann Moore.
Mrs Margaret A. McCoy is a most estim- able lady, whose pleasing personality has made her friends wherever she is known. In the church her unselfish devotion to the cause of right has made her an example well worthy of
emulation, while as a wife and mother she is without a peer.
A portrait of Rev. Harrison Maltbie accom- panies this sketch, being presented on a fore- going page.
ENRY F. DESENBERG a reputable agriculturist of German township, is a native of Allen County, having been born in Jackson township, October 16, 1867. He is a son of John and Rachel (Dickenson) Desenberg and a grandson of Jacob Desenberg, who came from Pennsyl- vania to Ohio, settling in Ashland County. The father removed at an early day from Ashland County to Jackson township, Allen County, where he died in 1876. The mother is still living.
Henry Desenberg was reared and educated in his native township and it was not until his 19th year that he located in German township and engaged in farming. He owns 40 acres of land in section 15 and resides on a tract of 42 acres, which descended to his children through his first wife. He has been twice married. On December 7, 1889, he was married to Prin- cess East, daughter of Samuel East. She died March 21, 1900, leaving three children,- Harley, Grace and Princess. On August 10, 1901, he was married to Mrs. Hannah Beck- man, widow of the late William L. Beckman and a daughter of Albert and Mary Ann Hunt, of Wood County, Ohio. Mr. Desenberg is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Elida and also of the Eldia Methodist Episcopal Church and is a man who is well liked and popular.
RED L. BATES, M. D., one of the most thoroughly equipped physicians and surgeons of Lima, and the junior member of the important firm of gen- eral practitioners, Vail & Bates, was born at Bryan, Ohio, November 29, 1866, and is a son of Rev. John L. and Mary (Law) Bates, being one of a family of two children.
Fred L. Bates received his early education-
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al training in the public schools and the Sidney High School, and then commenced his col- giate work in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware. He read medicine with Dr. S. Brumbaugher, of Dayton, Ohio, was graduated at the American Eclectic Medical College in 1888, and then matriculated at the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, where he was graduated in 1889. In 1896 he spent three months at the great Ormond Hospital for sick children, in London, England. Dr. Bates has built up a fine practice in Lima and the vicinity, and is known and respected as an able member of his profession. He has kept fully abreast of the times and in 1904 took a post-graduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic. He is instructor in anatomy and physiology in the training school for nurses of Lima Hospital, and was formerly professor of chemistry and advanced physiology in Lima College. He is assistant surgeon for the Penn- sylvania and Lake Erie & Western railroads and medical examiner for the Canada Life As- surance Association, the Washington Life In- surance Company, the Bankers' Life Insurance Company and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen. He is a valued member of the Allen County Medical Society, of the Ohio State Medical Society, of the Northwestern Ohio Medical Association and of the American Med- ical Association, attending their sessions and frequently contributing to their literature.
Besides being prominent in his profession, Dr. Bates is also one of the city's clear-headed, public-spirited citizens. For the past eight years he has been a member of the Lima Board of Education and has served as its able presi- dent. He has served on the medical staff of the Lima Hospital and in every way has dem- onstrated a helpful interest in the general wel- fare of the residents of the city where he makes his home.
In political sympathy Dr. Bates is a strong Republican. His fraternal connection is limit- ed to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He has well and the Woodmen of the World. He has well appointed offices in the Opera House Block.
A. BENDURE, manager of the Lima & Toledo Traction Company, at Lima, and one of the city's foremost citizens, was born in Illinois but was reared and educated in Kansas, to which State his parents removed in his childhood.
Ever since entering into business life, Mr. Bendure has been more or less connected with big enterprises. He was first associated in Ot- tawa, Kansas, with a large flouring mill busi- ness, and later at Kansas City ; subsequently he became interested in the manufacture of corn starch and glucose. He operated the first fac- tory at Ottawa, which manufactured sugar from sorghum, and glucose from the ordinary sorghum seed, using 500 bushels of seed per day. The company with which he was inter- ested manufactured granulated sugar that took first premium at the New Orleans Exposition. This factory was operated by the Franklin Sugar Company and the majority of the stock was owned in New York City. .
In 1881 Mr. Bendure removed from Otta- wa to Topeka and became foreman and cus- todian of the second incandescent electric light plant ever erected west of the Mississippi River. This was followed by an appointment as super- intendent of the construction of two electric light plants, one at Ottawa and the other at Cherryvale, Kansas. In addition to these im- portant contracts, Mr. Bendure built and oper- ated, in connection with a gas plant at Pitts- burg, Kansas, a third electric light plant and also an electric street railway system.
In 1892 he was called to Atchison, Kansas, where he transformed a horse-car line into an electric railway and built a large electric light plant which he operated as general manager for eight years, also contracting for and building water works and electric light plants at other points, his last work in this line in the West be- ing at Paris, Missouri. Then, in 1902, he came to Lima where he accepted a position as general manager of The Lima Electric Railway & Light Company. He built an entire new system, pow- er house, etc. Mr. Bendure is also a member of the executive committee of the National Roof- ing Tile Company. His location in this city has resulted in much benefit to the city, as he
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is just the type of man needed where enterprise and energy are appreciated and are sought. He is the originator of the Lima Progressive As- sociation, is interested in numberless move- ments designed for the public welfare and he enjoys to the fullest extent the confidence and regard of the public. For years he has been a Mason.
On July 1, 1905, The Lima Electric Rail- way & Light Company was succeeded by the Lima & Toledo Traction Company, which has leased the property and has powers almost un- limited.
ALVIN HALLADAY. Among the early business men of Lima, none was held in higher esteem than the late Calvin Halladay, whose death took place April 30, 1900. He was born at Suffield, Connecticut, June 4, 1832, and was the second of four sons born to his parents, Edmond T. and Caroline (Noble) Halladay.
Although Connecticut was his birthplace, it was in Ohio that Calvin Halladay was devel- oped into the capable young business man and still later into the prominent citizen and capital- ist. When he came to Ohio, in 1848, he was 16 years of age, just out of school and dependent on his own resources. He entered into an ap- prenticeship agreement with a Mr. King, with whom he remained during the stipulated term, providently saving what he could of his meagre salary, so that he was possessed of a small cap- ital when ready to engage in business for him- helf. His first partnership was as the junior member of the firm of Harriot & Halladay, merchants at Lima, which continued but eight months, when he went into partnership first with B. P. Holmes and later with a Mr. Brown, the firm of Halladay & Brown doing business here for 14 years. The firm style was then changed to Halladay & Holmes and this part- nership continued with great prosperity, until the death of B. P. Holmes, when Mr. Halladay sold his interest to A. C. Stutson.
After closing up his business affairs at Lima, Mr. Halladay went into a mercantile business in Hardin County, where he continued for three years, never removing his residence,
however, from this city. Subsequently he re- turned to Lima and resumed a business here on Main street, in which he was more or less in- terested until his death. He was a man of ex- ceptional business ability and built up a large estate. Strict honesty 'in business dealings, loyalty to his friends and care in the promotion of the welfare of his family made him person- ally respected and esteemed, while his strict sense of justice and responsibility made him an ideal citizen.
Mr. Halladay was married on September 19, 1854, to Isabella Kincaid, and they had three children, as follows: Edgar B., residing in Chicago, who has two children-Clara and Calvin; Fannie K., wife of Thomas R. Shaw, an oil operator of Lima, who has two sons- Ralph and Allan; Lelia, wife of John C. Win- chester, a merchant clothier of London, Ohio, who has two sons-Fred and James. Mrs. Halladay, one of the city's most highly respect- ed ladies, resides in her comfortable and well- appointed home at No. 751 West Spring street. Mr. Halladay was a 33rd degree Mason and very prominent in the business and social cir- cles of the city.
EORGE H. MEILY, one of the repre- sentative members of the Allen County bar, was born at Lima, Ohio, August 28, 1849, and is a son of John H. and Catherine ( Fisher ) Meily.
John H. Meily was a very prominent citi- zen of Lima and was identified with many of the industries and with public affairs here for many years. He was born in 1817 at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, where he learned the business of weaving. He was skilled in all kinds of ma- chinery as he was also an iron molder and after he removed to Mansfield, Ohio, in 1836, he worked at a foundry business for some 10 years. In 1846 he came to Lima, settling on the site now occupied by the Meily Block on North Main street, where he carried on the bus- iness of weaving coverlets. He built the first foundry in the county, which was located on the site of the Globe Machine Works. Later he engaged extensively in the manufacture of
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brick and did much brick building in this city, including the large brick Meily Block on Main street, the hardware store room on the Public Square and other, structures. He was also en- gaged in the sale of agricultural implements and dealt largely in real estate; in fact, he was a man whose energies were far beyond the average and who succeeded in all he undertook. For some years he was also a political factor and served for six years as county clerk. His busy and useful life closed in 1884, after some years of retirement. He had a family of nine chil- dren, all of whom were afforded far better ad- vantages than he was given in youth. He was a man who commanded universal respect.
George H. Meily was educated in the excel- lent schools of his native city and in 1868 he be- gan the study of the law, his preceptors being prominent legal lights of that time-Messrs. Lamison and Ballard. In August, 1871, he was admitted to the bar and to practice in the United States Courts in 1874. He has contin- ued in practice in Lima until the present time and is well and favorably known all over this section. He has been interested at various times in many of the large transportation lines of the State, and was one of the promoters of the Columbus, Lima & Milwaukee, Columbus & Lake Michigan, Detroit, Toledo & Milwau- kee, Lake Erie & Western, Chicago & Atlantic, Chicago & Erie and Michigan & Ohio.
Almost from the outset of his career, Mr. Meily has displayed a helpful interest in civic affairs, though a disinterested one, as he has been in no sense an office-seeker. His clients find him in his well-appointed office at No. 301 Opera House Block. His pleasant and com- fortable home is located at No. 541 West Spring street.
HARLES COLLINS, M. D. One of the well-known members of the medical fraternity at Lima, who has won public confidence through pro- fessional skill, is Dr. Charles Col- lins, whose well-appointed offices are located in the Holland Block. Dr. Collins was born July 28, 1868, at Lima, Ohio, and belongs to an old family here.
After completing the course in the Lima public schools, Dr. Collins entered Wooster College, where he completed his literary train- ing. He then read medicine with the well- known physician and surgeon, Dr. Brooks, and from his tutelage went to Rush Medical Col- lege, Chicago, where he was graduated in 1894. In the same year he went to London, England, and studied for the two succeeding years, tak- ing post-graduate courses in the world famed institutions of that great city.
Upon his return to Ohio in 1896, Dr. Col- lins settled at Lima, where he has built up a large and lucrative practice and is yearly add- ing to his reputation as a master of his science. He is a valued member of the Ohio State and Allen County Medical Societies, and of the American Medical Association.
Dr. Collins married Coleen Wright, and they have one daughter, Dorothy H. The pleasant family home is situated on the corner of High and Elizabeth streets. Mrs. Collins is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically Dr. Collins is identified with the Democrat party, but his large practice prevents his being very active in public matters.
MBROSE SNYDER has always re- sided in Jackson township, where he was born October 8, 1853, and where he is engaged in operating a farm of 120 acres, located in sections 14 and 24. He is a son of William and Eliza- abeth (Matthias) Snyder, and grandson of Adam Snyder, a native of Pennsylvania, who was still a young man and unmarried when he came to Perry County, Ohio. There he was married and lived until about 1834, when he came to Allen County and entered seven or eight hundred acres of land. His children were William, Rebecca, John, Sarah, Mary, Leon- ard, Susanna, and Nancy.
William Snyder was born in Perry County, Ohio, November 19, 1828, and has always been engaged in farming. He married Eliza- beth Matthias who was born in the same county as he in 1830. They are well-known residents of Allen County, residing on a farm of 80 acres
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adjoining that of our subject. They are mem- bers of the Reformed Church and honorable, upright people. Their children are Leonard, of Paulding County, Ohio; Ambrose; Samuel, of Hardin County, Ohio; and Jacob, of Michi- gan. The maternal grandparents of our sub- ject were Samuel and Elizabeth Matthias, who resided in Allen County during their later years.
Ambrose Snyder was married in 1875 to Amelia A. Shrider, who was born in Jackson township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1857, and is a daughter of George and Mary Jane (Clum) Shrider, formerly of Perry County. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Snyder, viz: Lulu, wife of James Zerbe; Pearl, wife of Ira Grant; Alice; Lorum; Clyde; Guy; Oscar and Paul. They also have three grandchildren. The family are pleasantly located in one of the attractive homes of the township, the result of their industry and thrift. They are members of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Snyder was formerly deacon, and is at present trustee. In politics he is a Democrat.
EORGE H. RANKINS, who owns a fine farm of 80 acres in section 16, Perry township, and is one of the rep- resentative men of his locality, was born May II, 1846, at Westminster, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Anna (French) Rankins, the former a native of Warren County, Ohio, and the latter, of Trumbull County.
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