USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part One > Part 52
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In recalling the different events of Mr. O'Day's 18 years of citizenship at Lima, noth- ing is found to his discredit; and on the other hand the list is long of honors bestowed and benefits given. It is conceded that he was one of the most public-spirited men who ever re- sided in a city which has been particularly for- tunate in this regard. A reputable charity can not be named which was denied his assistance ; a large amount of his largest, however, was be- stowed unostentatiously, and on many occa- sions the helping hand was extended without the recipient knowing from what source came the lifting of heavy financial burdens. It gave Mr. O'Day keen pleasure to thus regulate his charities.
To home enterprises Mr. O'Day was more than liberal in his contributions. He was one of the most actively interested citizens in as- sisting in the founding of the Lima Hospital, of which he became a trustee at its organiza- tion and continued one until his decease, ever looking after its interests. He assisted ma- terially in establishing a free Public Library at Lima, and by advice and funds made it a real
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charity and one deeply and widely appreciated. He was a member of the board of directors of The First National Bank of Lima, and his name gave added strength to the corporation. He was a charter member of the Lima Club and in that, as in other organizations where he met his fel- lowmen on an equal footing, his judgment was consulted and his wishes considered. Men were proud to know him and cherished his friend- ship.
In 1882 Daniel J. O'Day and Catherine Griffin, of Olean, New York, were united in marriage. Mrs. O'Day and their daughter, Catherine E., survive the deceased and continue to reside in Lima.
For some two years prior to his death, Mr. O'Day had been in a physical decline, so in the hope of regaining health, with his wife and young daughter, he made a leisurely tour of the European continent. Upon his return his health was apparently so improved that his family and friends seemed warranted in their anticipation of complete restoration. Shortly afterward, however, disquieting symptoms became appar- ent and a sojourn in Florida was made, but even that mild climate was insufficient to check the ravages the disease had already made. Hence his departure from life came in his own luxurious home, in the midst of all the comforts and alleviations which love could suggest, with his beloved wife and adored child by his side as he journeyed into the dark valley. The solemn end came as the bright sun of a beau- tiful Sabbath day broke over the land- scape.
From his coming to Lima until his death, Mr. O'Day was devoted in his church relation- ship. He was a Roman Catholic, was a valued member, of St. Rose Catholic Church at Lima, and for a number of years prior to his death, had been a member of its board of trustees. He was a charter member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, Branch No. 64, and of Lima Council, No. 436, Knights of Columbus.
Mr. O'Day rose step by step, as has been briefly outlined. Others have done the same, but few there are whose passing can be recalled with so little to mar a perfect, manly life. His true memorial is written in the hearts and mem-
ories of his fellow citizens. The influence of his life cannot be lost as long as men honor in- tegrity, virtue and devotion to duty.
OSEPH EDWARD PIERSON is one: of the industrious, hard working aggri -. culturists of Allen County, whose suc- cess in life is due entirely to personal and concentrated efforts. His farm, which contains 67 acres of land, is one of the most carefully improved in section 17, German township. He was born June 19, 1862, in. Amanda township, this county, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (DeLong) Pierson, who. moved to Allen County from Fairfield County in 1854 and who died there, the mother on May 15, 1886, and the father March 4, 1900. They sleep side by side in the silent city of the dead,. in Allentown.
The family located in Auglaize County, where our subject received his education and grew to man's estate. He has always carried on farming and, with the assistance of his es- timable wife, saved sufficient means to purchase his present farm in May, 1903. They took pos- session on the 10th of the following October, and have made many very noticeable improve- ments in the property since. He conducts gen- eral farming, and has leased the three oil-wells on his property to the National Consolidated Oil Company, of Lima.
Mr. Pierson was married April 20, 1884, to Maggie Esther Anderson by whom he has two children-Bernard Herman, born Febru- ary 13, 1886, and Harold Throne, born Feb- ruary 3, 1892, who is a student in the Elida schools. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Elida and are straightforward, upright people, who would be a credit to any community. Mrs. Pierson is a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Walker) An- derson, who came to this section of the State from Harrison County, Ohio, and are now liv- ing in Auglaize County. Her grandfather, Samuel Anderson, came from Ireland to Har- rison County. She has five brothers and three sisters, as follows : Jennie, who married Hardy
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Columbus Whetstone, of Auglaize County, and has three children; Keren, who married John Brown of Auglaize County; Gertrude, wife of Hubert J. Sunderland of this county, and the mother of three children: William; James Beatty; Samuel; Everett, who died December 22, 1904; and Joseph.
AMES W. HALFHILL, one of the leading attorneys of Lima and the OXG. junior member of the prominent law firm of Ridenour & Halfhill, was born at Mercer, Mercer County, Ohio, March 1, 1861, and is a son of Moses and Eleanor (Wood) Halfhill.
Mr. Halfhill comes of Revolutionary stock and colonial ancestry. There are many inter- esting facts connected with the early history of his family, one of these being the naming of the Plains of Abraham, in the Province of Quebec, once a notable battle-ground, in honor of Abraham Wood, a far-away ancestor. The family has been one distinguished in military life, members having been conspicuous in the War of 1812 and in the Civil War.
Mr. Halfhills youth was spent on his father's farm and his preliminary education secured in the common schools. Later he en- tered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, from which he was graduated with class hon- ors in 1884. In 1885 he entered upon the study of the law at Bellefontaine, Ohio, with Judge West, later attended the Cincinnati College of Law, from which he was graduated in 1887. With a former classmate, now the well known attorney, Jacob C. Ridenour, he formed a law partnership, and they located at Lima where they have become justly eminent, each in his own way. They have offices located at No. 51 Public Square.
Mr. Halfhill is stanch in his adherence to the principles of the Republican party, and is proud of the fact that he has attended every State convention since reaching his majority. He has been very active in party organization and management, and in 1889 and 1890 was a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee. In the latter year he was first elected
city solicitor and was reelected in 1892, this be- ing the only public office he has held. Mr. Halfhill is a man rich in scholarly attainments and he has the power to make these effective in his profession. As an orator and pleader be- fore a jury he has a force of personality which sways his hearers and convinces them of the justice of his cause. For years he has been a prominent figure, as has his able partner, in almost all the important legal controversies of the courts.
Mr. Halfhill has always taken a great in- terest in military affairs and particularly in all the organizations connected with perpetuat- ing the fame of the heroes of the Civil War. He has been elected an horonary member of the 46th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a token of the esteem in which he is held by that and similar, bodies. On numerous occasions he has been in- vited to deliver patriotic addresses and by word and pen has worked to bring about just legis- lation for every member of the veteran soldiery of the State.
On September 23, 1896, Mr. Halfhill was married to Cora A. Miller, the accomplished daughter of Rev. I. J. Miller, of Lima. Mr. Halfhill has a pleasant home and one son, James W. Halfhill, Jr.
Mr. Halfhill's efforts are always given to the support of worthy enterprises and, while not formally connected with any church or charit- able body, he is liberal in his benefactions to all. Personally he is a man of winning address and his future is bright with promise.
B ETER T. MELL, county recorder of Allen County, was born in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, Ohio, December 12, 1866, and is a son of John C. and Catherine C. (Jones) Mell.
The father of Mr. Mell was an agriculturist all his life. In 1832 he settled in Allen County and carried on farming in Sugar, Creek town- ship until his death in 1901. He had a family of six children.
Mr. Mell was educated at Cairo. Ohio. where he was graduated from the High School.
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He has been in public life for a number of years, being first appointed deputy treasurer of Allen County ; he was elected to his present po- sition before his term as deputy had expired, passing thus without any interruption from one county office to another, a most unusual oc- currence. He was the capable deputy treasurer for four years, and it was while serving in that capacity that he made so wide an acquaintance and gained the great number of friends who rallied to his support in 1889 when he was elected recorder. In 1902 he was honored and his administration endorsed by a re-election. His political affiliation is with the Democratic party. Mr. Mell is a substantial citizen as well as a popular one, owning a fine farm in Allen County, which he has under rental. His city residence is at No. 125 South Metcalf street.
Mr. Mell was married November 15, 1905, to Louise C. Hoover, daughter of John Hoover, of Lima. Fraternally Mr. Mell is a Mason and Knight Templar, belonging also to the Elks, Red Men and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He is a member of the Christian Church.
AMES C. PENCE, M. D., one of the experienced physicians and surgeons of Lima, and also one of the city's most highly esteemed citizens, was born March 16, 1859, in New Phila- delphia, Ohio, and is a son of Henry and Eliza- beth (Conwell) Pence.
The parents of Dr. Pence removed in 1864 from Eastern Ohio to Van Wert County, where the father engaged in farming and reared his family. He now lives retired in Buckland, Ohio.
Dr. Pence was five years old when his pa- rents settled in Van Wert County, and there on his father's farm he grew to manhood. Having an inclination in the direction of medicine, he read with a local practitioner until prepared to enter the Cincinnati Medical College. He first began to practice in 1885, and in the year fol- lowing was graduated at the Fort Wayne Med- ical College. In 1895 he attended lectures and was graduated at the New York Polyclinic. He took a post-graduate course there in 1902, vis- iting noted clinics and gaining experience in
every modern method of medicine and surgery. Dr. Pence's first field of practice was at Spen- cerville, where he continued for II years, com- ing to Lima in 1898. He ranks high both as a physician and as a citizen, and since January 2, 1905, he has been president of the Board of Education.
Dr. Pence married Mary Griswold, a daughter of Delbert Griswold, and they have one daughter-Helen M. Dr. and Mrs. Pence are members of the Presbyterian Church. Po- litically Dr. Pence is identified with the Repub- lican party. Fraternally he belongs to the Ma- sons and the Elks.
R AYMOND R. KENNEDY, attorney- at-law and secretary of the Spencer- ville Home & Savings Association, belongs to one of the old established families of the place. He was born here in the house which is now occupied by his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Mary Washburn, on the west side of the canal, south of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, on October 12, 1875, and is a son of Claude M. and Handia J. (Washburn) Kennedy.
Claude M. Kennedy, father of our subject, was born January 11, 1851, in Juniata County, Pennsylvania, and in the following year was brought to Spencerville by his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (Lawrence) Kennedy. The family is of English, Scotch, Welsh and Irish extraction. In the spring of 1874, Mr. Ken- nedy was married to Handia J. Washburn, who was a daughter of Thomas and Mary Wash- burn, the former, of whom is deceased. Three children were born to this union, viz: Brice, who died at the age of II years; Bessie, who died aged three years; and Raymond R., who is the only survivor.
After completing the common and High School course at Spencerville, our subject taught one term of district school and then completed his education in the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he was graduated in the law department, in the class of 1899, being admitted to the bar on October 14th of the same year. He opened his office at Spencer- ville six days later and has continued in practice
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ever since, although he has also had many poli- tical and business interests outside of his pro- fession.
Since casting his first presidential vote, in 1896, he has been very active in politics. That year he was secretary of the Bryan Club of Spencerville, which had 400 members, and in the succeeding year he was secretary of the Democratic Executive Committee of Allen County, and until the present he has served as a delegate on many occasions to congressional, judicial and senatorial conventions. In 1898, while still reading law with Attorney J. N. Bailey, at Spencerville, he was appointed to a position in the State Senate at Columbus.
Mr. Kennedy has been identified with in- surance interests at Spencerville for some years, having purchased the insurance business of J. J. Miller, who had established it in 1891. Mr. Kennedy represents 10 of the best companies of New York. In January, 1901, he was elect- ed secretary of the Spencerville Home & Sav- ings Association, and has served in this capacity ever since.
The Spencerville Home & Savings Asso- ciation is one of the important business enter- prises of Allen County. It was organized Oc- tober 3, 1887, by S. L. Ashton, a popular news- paper man of Spencerville. The present offi- cers are : Dr. L. R. Pence, president ; Raymond R. Kennedy, secretary; and A. L. Gamble, treasurer. The Board of Directors is com- posed of the following capitalists: Dr. L. R. Pence; F. C. Snow, editor and proprietor of the Spencerville Journal-News; J. H. Beach ; C. H. Baum; D. M. Connor; C. M. Kennedy and J. M. Beard, all of Spencerville. The officers are all elected annually. Since Mr. Kennedy's first election, on the first Monday in January, 1901, the business has rapidly increased. The June statement for the six months prior to June 30, 1905, showed that the loans and mort- gages amounted to $64,590.85, secured by real estate valued at $200,000. Loans are made on first mortgages only and must be well secured.
Mr. Kennedy is one of three trustees of the Victoria Colonization Company, which owns 18,500 acres of land outside of Victoria, Texas, a town of 7,000 population. The land has been improved, the company having erected
about 40 houses and dug as many wells. The locality favors the growing of rice and other products suitable to the climate. The venture has been very successful for all concerned. Other property owned by Mr. Kennedy is the Keeth House property at Spencerville.
On June 2, 1898, Mr. Kennedy was mar- ried to Susie Dunathan, who is a daughter of J. H. Dunathan. For a number of years Mr. Dunathan was a general merchant in Auglaize County, which he served two years as county commissioner. In August, 1881, he moved his store from Deep Cut on the canal to the present site just opposite the Keeth House in Spencerville, later selling it to John H. Taft, who is a prominent business man owning three stores in as many towns. Mr. Dunathan died in October, 1899. His wife survives and re- sides in Spencerville. The survivors of their II children are: Mrs. Henry Richardson, of Spencerville, whose husband is the proprietor of the Peoples' Drug Company; Mrs. F. E. Weining, whose husband is proprietor of the Spencerville Steam Laundry ; Harmon L., who is in the drug business at St. Marys, Ohio; Susie; and Thomas R., who resides in Pauld- ing, Ohio. Mrs. Kennedy is a graduate of the Spencerville High School, and is not only a lady of many accomplishments but also of un- usual business ability. She has a thorough understanding of the building and loan busi- ness and assists her husband greatly in his work in this connection.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Spencerville. With his accomplished wife, Mr. Kennedy is popular in the literary and social circles of Spencerville. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to Arcadia Lodge, No. 306, of Spencerville.
C. PENNELL, of the firm of Pennell Brothers & Morrison, is a leading cit- izen of Lima, and identified with many of the industrial enterprises of this and neighboring towns. He is a native of Erie County, New York, and the son of Rev. Randolph Pennell, who for many years was a minister of the Methodist Church and is
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now in his 92nd year and makes his home with his son, Frank, at Lima.
T, C. Pennell entered the employ of an oil company at Petroleum Center, Pennsylva- nia, on April 8, 1865, and has been actively en- gaged in the oil industry since, being identified with the production of that commodity in the fields of Venango, Butler, Clarion and Mckean counties, Pennsylvania, Allegany County, New York, and the Trenton rock fields of Ohio. He has been a producer since 1877 and at one time had as many as 115 oil wells, in which he was interested, in active operation. In 1903 the company of Pennelli Brothers & Morrison was organized for the manufacture of pulling ma- chines, and other appurtenances required around oil-wells, and he is also a stockholder in the Humane Horse Shoe Company, of Lima, as well as in the Lima Gas Engine Company, and in banks at Gibsonburg and Lima. Mr. Pen- nell was married in 1886 to Emma Tabler, of Lima, and is the father of two children, Stella and Hazel. He is a member of Shawnee Com- mandery, No. 14, K. T., of Lima, and is a man who stands well among his acquaintances.
FRANK PENNELL, who has been associated with his brother in most of the enterprises above mentioned, was born in Erie County, New York, in 1847, and was educated at the various places in which his father was stationed. He was reared on a farm, but has been employed in the oil fields since early youth, and for 20 years past has been an operator and producer in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. He is a stockholder in the Lima Gas Engine Company, and Pennell Brothers & Morrison, having locat- ed in Lima about two years ago, when the latter company was organized. He is a shrewd, cau- tious business man, whose straightforward deal- ings have won him the confidence of his com- peers and he is fast adding to the friends al- ready made. In 1876 he was married to Emma C. Chadman, of Center County, Pennsylvania. Their children are as follows, viz: Marie, wife of Dr. R. F. Palmer, a physician who is in the government employ at Roosevelt, Arizona; Bessie; F. C., who is a senior in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor ; Carrie, wife of R. Fought, a trav-
eling salesman of New York City; and Clar- ence, a student in the Lima Business College. Mr. Pennell is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
EORGE W. HARRISON, district manager of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, for the Lima field, has been in charge here since September, 1904. Mr. Harrison was born in Defiance County, Ohio, in 1867, and is a son of David Harrison.
The father of Mr. Harrison was born in Virginia, and he followed farming there for some years, but later went into railroaad work and subsequently became a superintendent of the Wabash Railroad, having removed to Ohio.
Mr. Harrison was reared and educated in Paulding County, Ohio, and at Goshen, Indi- ana. In young manhood he went to Northfield, Minnesota, and entered into newspaper work, becoming associated with Mr. Heatwole, form- erly a member of Congress, in the management of the Northfield News. Mr. Harrison re- mained here four years and then went to Aus- tin, Minnesota, where he started theDaily Reg- ister, conducting it one year. Then he accepted a position on the staff of the Minneapolis Tri- bune, as political editor, and was sent in this capacity into North Dakota, during the first Republican campaign, in the interests of the late President Benjamin Harrison, and that his ability was recognized was shown by an offer immediately made of the position of city editor of the Morning Argus, the leading Republican newspaper of North Dakota. During the ses- sion of the Legislature following, he was the representative of the paper at Bismarck and, through his ability and fair representation of passing events, made many friends both in and outside his own party.
After the close of the Legislature Mr. Har- rison bought the Free Press, at Lisbon, North Dakota, which he ably conducted for 10 years. In 1897 he was elected by a large majority. State commissioner of insurance, the duties of
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which office he discharged with efficiency until the end of his term, when he went to Chicago and resumed journalistic work, remaining in that city for 18 months. In the meantime he had been in consultation with capitalists at Fari- bault, Minnesota, which culminated in the in- corporation of the Faribault Printing Company, Mr. Harrison becoming president and manager of the organization, the object of which was the publication of a daily and weekly newspaper. His work as insurance commissioner had been of such a chracter that it brought him many flattering offers from the various old-line com- panies, but he declined official connection with them and did not really take up insurance work until, through the death of the Northwestern Mutual's agent at Lima, was left vacant an at- tractive field in his native State. A reorganiza- tion of the company having taken place, the main agency of the Ohio business being taken to Dayton, Mr. Harrison accepted the desirable position of district agent, sold out his news- paper and came to Lima. His field is a very large one, covering Allen, Putnam, Auglaize, Paulding and Van Wert counties. In Allen County, alone, this company has written over $2,000,000 worth of business.
In 1888 Mr. Harrison was married to Myrta E. Allen, of Northfield, Minnesota, who is a daughter of Edwin Allen, a raiser of fancy stock. They have four children, viz. : Loraine, George, Jr., Fay and Elsie. Mr. Harrison is a Knight Templar Mason and a Knight of . Pythias. He belongs to Christ Protestant Epis- copal Church.
5 ARRY O. BENTLEY, city attorney of Lima and junior member of the law firm of Wheeler & Bentley, was born April 14, 1873, and is a son of Win- field Scott and Mary ( Anderson)
Bentley.
The father of Mr. Bentley was born in Allen County, Ohio, and now lives retired at Bluffton. He reared two children.
Mr. Bentley attended the public schools of Bluffton and at an unusually early age entered upon the study of the law, entering the office of the well-known firm of Ridenour & Halfhill,
at Lima. From their tuition he entered the Ohio Normal University, where he was gradu- ated from the department of law in 1896, in the same year entering into practice at Lima. On July 1, 1902, he entered into partnership with S. S. Wheeler, and in April of the same year he was elected city attorney on the Repub- lican ticket. The firm occupies commodious quarters, consisting of four rooms in the Hol- land Block, these not being, however, too large for the amount of business transacted. His ad- ministration of the office of city attorney has distinguished him as a man of far more than ordinary ability. He has many personal and political friends.
Mr. Bentley was united in marriage with Blanche Neff, who is a daughter of Henry W. Neff, a well-known citizen of Lima, and they have one daughter-Jane. Mr. Bentley and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Their pleasant residence is situated at No. 317 West North street.
ILLIAM H. BENEDUM, one of the well-known, successful farmers of German township, who owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres in section 19, was born February 10, 1854, in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph Thomas and Elizabeth ( Holmes) Benedum.
Joseph T. Benedum was born in Leesville, Virginia, November 27, 1826, a son of John Benedum, also a native of Virginia. The grandfather of our subject moved to Carroll County, Ohio, when his son, Joseph T. Bene- dum, was nine years old and there the latter was reared, educated and married. The mater- nal grandfather, William Holmes, was one of the old settlers of Carroll County. Joseph T. Benedum died in February, 1903, and his wife in 1895. They were both buried in Greenlawn Cemetery, near Allentown. Their children were : William H., of this sketch; Mary, who died December 10, 1905, the wife of T. C. Long: John Wesley, who married Lizzie Vir- bryke and lives in Allentown ; Bertha, who mar- ried James Kennedy and lives in Allentown;
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