USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 12
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On June 11, 1904, dawned the sun on the 70th birth year of Gomer's best beloved citizen. The day and its significance had not escaped him, but he had no conception of the manner in which it was to be celebrated by his fellow-citi- zens and friends, even in far-off Wales. It has been the editor's privilege to peruse the glowing accounts published in the Ohio jour- nals, and it seems but a fitting close to this im- perfect biography to speak at length of the in- teresting events of that notable day.
Dr. Jones has a beautiful home, set in hand- some grounds surrounded by shrubbery and, in season, by beautiful flowers, cared for by Edith Jones, the admirable lady who presides here- her uncle's homemaker and often his almoner. When his birthday was approaching, Miss Jones, with Dr. Davis, a partner of 42 years, and several very near and dear friends, began to plan a little surprise for the beloved Doctor, with the intention of offering some entertain- ment at his home to those of his closest friends who would be delighted with an opportunity to do him honor on his natal day. By the time Miss Jones, and those with whom she con- sulted, had remembered 1,500 names, the pro- ject had assumed such proportions that the original idea was changed and the elaborate celebration was planned which later took place. An honorary committee composed of these citi-
zens undertook the task of sending out invita- tions : Dr. S. A. Baxter, Lima ; A. M. Bushey, Gomer; Rev. R. Lloyd Roberts, Gomer; Dr. Frank D. Bain, Kenton; Hon. S. D. Crites, Elida; Dr. C. B. Stemen, Fort Wayne, In- diana; Thomas H. Jones, Lima; Samuel T. Griffith, Cincinnati; Alexander Shenk, Del- phos; Judge J. M. Pugh, Columbus; Hon. J. G. Roberts, Elida, corresponding secretary. This committee sent out 1,200 invitations; out of this number, only 64 letters and telegrams of regret were received, and they came from admiring friends in different sections of the United States and from across the Atlantic.
Gomer is essentially a settlement of Welsh pioneers who brought hither their habits of frugality and industry, their high ideals of right and wrong and their religious convictions. Here they have multiplied and flourished and, in large measure, retained the leading charac- teristics of their native land. From Gomer have gone out many men and women who have taken an honorable part in the country's affairs. On the day mentioned, all Gomer was in gala attire and the whole town was interested in the celebration about to take place. The reception committee was composed of Miss Edith Jones, Mrs. Dr. John Davis, Mrs. William Price, Rev. R. Lloyd Roberts, Dr. C. B. Stemen and Hon. S. D. Crites. A bountiful feast had been pre- pared by hundreds of willing hands and after it had been enjoyed, Dr. S. A. Baxter, himself an honored and beloved citizen of Allen County, called the meeting to order as presiding officer. Then followed poems, speeches and the presen- tation of numberless beautiful gifts, all in such generous profusion, that the good Doctor's eyes filled with moisture, and when his time came to speak to this great concourse which represented only a part of his friends, he found that his ready wit, his easy speech and confi- dence of manner, which had never deserted him before critical bodies in public and business life, failed him, to a degree, in the presence of a seemingly boundless affection. Restraining his emotion, however, he heartily thanked those who had met to do him so much honor, his closing remarks being :
"You will pardon me if I am overwhelmed
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with emotion at seeing so many old and young friends. There are but few here, but those I know intimately. To these and to those who send regrets from all over this broad land, the land of my adoption, and schoolmates and friends of my boyhood days in my native land, my heart goes out to overflowing. The tokens of your esteem will be highly prized as long as I live, and this day will never be eliminated from my memory. May God bless you all."
Dr. Baxter presented many notable people present, all of whom spoke at some length, expressing beautiful sentiments of admira- tion, appreciation and good will. Among these were : Hon. S. S. Wheeler, E. B. Walkup, Dr. Beardsley, Dr. William Enslen and Hon. John G. Roberts. The last speech on the program was a sincerely eulogistic one, made by an old friend and colleague of Dr. Jones, Dr. C. B. Stemen, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Then with a touching prayer by Rev. I. J. Swanson and the singing of "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow," this remarkable demonstration was officially at an end. The remainder of the beautiful day was spent in visiting and social reunions of a most agreeable character. Much beautiful music was rendered during and after the exer- cises. Dr. Jones possesses musical ability him- self, as do almost all native Welshmen, and was an appreciative listener. The Republican- Gasette, of Lima, spoke of Dr. Jones editorially as "one whose life has impressed itself indelibly upon the character of the community and indi- rectly upon the whole country. His life has been one worthy of emulation. The splendid demonstration was the legitimate and sponta- neous outburst of gratitude from his friends and neighbors, in recognition of the beautiful life he has spent among them." The Times- Democrat was no less eulogistic, the Columbus Grove Clipper also giving a long and interest- ing account of the celebration, with words of just praise. Among the beautiful gifts brought by friends and relatives as tokens of the day. may be mentioned : A handsome silk umbrella, a gold cane, a leather chair, a gold shaving mug and brush, a handsome chair of unique design in leather and rattan, a 24-section book-case. a
clock, a filing case, a chair and a beautiful gol- den oak office desk of old English pattern. It was estimated that about 2,000 people partici- pated in this celebration.
h ENRY CLIFTON FRANKLIN, the genial proprietor of the general store at Yoder, came to this village in 1900 and the following year was appointed postmaster by President William Mc- Kinley, and retained the office until it was dis- continued in 1904. Mr. Franklin was born in Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, about five miles from Yoder, on November 28, 1867, and is a son of John Henry and Sarah A. (Schooler) Franklin, deceased. His grandfather, also named John Henry, was among the pioneers of Perry township, locating early in the '30's and remaining here until his death about 1874.
John Henry Franklin, Jr., was born in 1832, probably in Allen County, Ohio, where he lived all his life. He was a farmer by oc- cupation and was still a young man when his death occurred in December, 1868. He mar- ried Sarah A. Schooler, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living, viz: Sarah Elizabeth, who married Jonathan McPheron, of Perry township; James I., who lives on the home farm in Perry township; and Henry Clif- ton. . Mrs. Franklin was a native of Knox County, Ohio, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Fawcett) Schooler, who moved to Allen County where they spent the remainder of their days. Mrs. Franklin was married twice, her second husband being James Bid- dinger, of Auglaize township. The fruits of the second union were: William A .; Orlin and Ellen. Mrs. Biddinger died in December. 1894, at the age of 54 years.
Henry Clifton Franklin attended public school and remained on the liome place until he was 20 years of age, when he entered the employ of the Ohio Oil Company and for 13 years worked in the Ohio oil field. In 1900 he located at Yoder and started in his present business. Mr. Franklin is a Democrat, as has been the family for years, and it was in recog-
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nition of his merits that he received the ap- pointment of postmaster from President Mc- Kinley.
Mr. Franklin was married in October, 1893, to Olive O. Jacobs, a native of Perry township and a daughter of James A. Jacobs, whose biography will be found elsewhere in this volume. Two bright children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Franklin, namely : Yula, born August 6, 1894; and Milo, born February 25, 1 898.
OL. ISRAEL T. MOORE, president of The Commercial Bank, of Lima, a distinguished survivor of the great Civil War, and essentially a self- made man, was born February 9, 1831, in Butler County, Ohio, and is a son of Andrew P. and Elizabeth ( McTaggert) Moore.
The father of our subject was born in New Jersey, came subsequently to Ohio and was a large farmer and stock raiser. In 1834 he re- moved to Allen County and there reared his family of nine children.
Israel T. was three years old when the family settled in Allen County and he grew to the age of 13 years on the farm, attending the local schools, and then the family moved to Franklin, Warren County. In 1846 Israel T. Moore returned to Allen County, and here learned the trade of cabinet-making; but, find- ing the field well occupied in this line, in the following year he went to Cincinnati in search of a better business opening. There he en- gaged as a clerk in a grocery store, finding a position just in time to save himself from want, as when he landed in that city from the canal- boat his capital consisted of just 25 cents. His salary of $5 a month was not very generous, but it carried some perquisites with it and he very soon found his salary increased to $7 per month.
In the meantime an uncle, who was a cap- italist, had watched the young man with inter- est, when he found him thoroughly reliable and hard-working, he consented to loan him the sum of $200, to enable him to go into business with Joseph Cunningham. The partnership
was formed, the grocery business was estab- lished and for two years it was successfully carried on. Then a fire came and they lost all they possessed. Although this was naturally a bitter experience, Mr. Moore did not lose heart but courageously and immediately went to work again as a clerk, commanding now $28 a month, and held his position for two years, managing during this time to save the amount he had borrowed from his uncle, which he repaid with interest.
Mr. Moore continued in the grocery and produce business with his brother on Ninth street, Cincinnati, for some years, the firm be- ing known as Moore Brothers. Two years later his brother William opened up a branch store at South Warsaw, while our subject con- tinued the business in Cincinnati until 1855, when he sold out and joined his brother at South Warsaw. The business was continued here for a time and then they disposed of it and went into the stock business, later becom- ing interested extensively in real estate. Mr. Moore purchased a tract of 10 acres of land for his own use, later added 30 acres and still later 80 acres. While he had prospered in material ways, the young man felt the need of wider men- tal qualifications, and as he had accumulated enough capital to allow him to give up business for a while, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, where he remained two terms, during this time he secured the po- sition of teacher in the lower grades, which enabled him to pay for his own tuition.
In 1861, when the country was convulsed in the throes of the great Civil War, he felt the loyal enthusiasm of the time and was not slow to enlist in his country's defense. He entered Company D, 54th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., as a private, on September 10, 1861, and wore the Union blue until the close of strife in 1865. His rise from the was
ranks rapid, passing quickly through the lower grades to Ist lieutenant, then to cap- tain, later to major and during the last two years before his honorable discharge he was lieutenant-colonel, most of the time hay- ing command above his rank. At one time he had command of the goth Illinois in addition to his own regiment, and at another time his.
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command included, besides his own regiment, a troop of cavalry and two pieces of artillery. During his whole period he served under but two of the great commanders-Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman. It is unneces- sary to state that Colonel Moore took part in the hardest fought and most decisive battles of that great war. Without enumerating any of the skirmishes, he has 27 battles to his credit, his personal valor in these resulting in his pro- motion to the important rank of which he at- tained. He is a valued member of the Grand Army of the Republic, a body of men which will be respected as long as one hoary head is left. He helped to organize the society of the Army of the Tennessee at Raleigh, North Car- olina. Patriotic Americans, while proud of the achievements of the younger generation, can never forget that to the "Boys of '61" we are indebted for the peace and prosperity of the present.
After the close of the war, Colonel Moore came to Lima, and for the two following years he was engaged by a business firm of the city as bookkeeper. In 1870 the three brothers ---- Israel T., William and Henry Moore-com- bined their capital and embarked in a dry goods business which they carried on through one year. They then disposed of their dry goods line and Israel T. and William engaged in the grocery business. The grocery busi- ness succeeded from the first, our subject being a practical man in that line and they enlarged until they had an extensive wholesale as well as retail business. This they successfully car- ried on for a period of 10 years, when they closed the retail department and for the next IO years did only a wholesale business. In 1891 the death of William Moore brought changes, our subject buying his interest and the business was continued as a stock company for the next eleven years. No longer having need to accumulate, Colonel Moore then retired from the business and spent some time looking after his many investments and in recreations which his former busy life left him no time to enjoy.
In 1904. however, Colonel Moore once more entered the business field, this time as a banker, becoming the president of The Com-
mercial Bank, of Lima. Of this institution his son Harry M. Moore is the cashier and Clem S. Baxter is assistant cashier. Mr. Moore's reputation and known conservative methods have resulted favorably for this finan- cial institution, which enjoys a well-deserved prosperity.
Colonel Moore was united in marriage with Mary S. Metheany, who is a daughter of the late Robert Metheany, and they have had eight children, five of whom are now living and well established in life, one son, as noted above, being with his father in the bank. The family residence is located at No. 545 West Market street, Lima, one of the old, comfortable homes of this choice locality. Colonel Moore with his family attends the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is promi- nently identified with the Republican party as far as influence goes, but he is not a politician in the common acceptance of the term. In fraternal life he has long been a member of the Odd Fellows.
Few citizens of Lima enjoy in greater de- gree the esteem of his fellow-citizens than does Colonel Moore. In him they recognize the able business man, the brave and loyal soldier and the good citizen, one whose life holds special interest for those who, left as he was, to fight almost alone in early youth, conquered through manliness and courage. He has always shown an interest in young men, and on more than one occasion his practical advice has been accom- panied by financial assistance.
OHN CRIDER, deceased, was one of the representative men of Spencer township, for many years, during which time he was closely identified with its material development. He was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1843, and was a son of David Crider, a native of Vir- ginia, who early settled in Knox County and was a pioneer in Spencer township. in 1851.
The late John Crider was reared in Spencer township from the age of eight years and at- tended school during his boyhood as oppor- tunity presented. His father had entered a
SALATHIEL A. HITCHCOCK, M. D.
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farm in section 23, Spencer township, and young Crider assisted him in converting it from a swamp and wilderness into the valuable prop- erty it subsequently became. After his mar- riage he settled in a log house on this property, and even at that time the only roads in the vi- cinity were very poor corduroy roads. It re- quired years of hard work to clear away the forest growth to drain the land and to put it under cultivation. Later, when oil was dis- covered on the property, it was greatly en- hanced in value. Now six oil-wells are oper- ated where, in the young manhood of Mr. Crider, stood giant forest trees underneath which roamed deer in numbers and where wild turkeys nested.
In 1865 Mr. Crider was married in Allen County to Mahala Osborn, who was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1847, and is a daugh- ter of Lewis and Sarah (Farris) Osborn. One of her grandfathers was William Lee, who was drowned while attending to his duties as lock- tender on the Miami and Erie Canal. For his second wife he married Mrs. Elizabeth E. (Sampson) Farris and the survivor of their family is one son-David Lee. Mrs. Crider was four years old when her parents moved to Allen County and settled in Amanda town- ship. She was the only child of her parents and from the age of two years was reared by her grandfather. He was a native of Kentucky and settled on land where the city of Cincin- nati now stands, at a time when only five houses had been built in the embryo city. He raised broom-corn on the very site of some of Cin- cinnati's tallest buildings. He was also one of the earliest settlers in Amanda township, Allen County, coming to Spencerville when it was yet called "Arcadia" and was a village of 75 peo- ple.
Mrs. Crider has passed through many pio- neer hardships and can recall a great many in- teresting events connected with her early life both before and after her marriage. She be- came accomplished in all the housewifely arts and frugal ways necessary at the time and. with a just amount of pride, says that she could yet spin and weave if necessity required. Since the death of her husband, on February 11, 1887,
she has resided on the farm, which is under lease. It has been greatly improved and is one of the township's fine properties.
Mr. and Mrs. Crider had three children : Ida Elizabeth, who died aged eight years; Clarence Clyde and John Edward. Both of the sons are interested in the oil business. Mrs. Crider was one of the first members of the Union Christian Church, and her membership has never changed. She has in her possession the original deed to her home farm which was given David Crider in 1851.
ALATHIEL A. HITCHCOCK, M. D., whose portrait is shown on the op- posite page, is a representative mem- ber of his noble profession. He is located at Elida, in German town- ship, where he has been in active practice for over a quarter of a century. Dr. Hitchcock was born July 9, 1843, at Junction City, Perry County, Ohio.
Dr. Hitchcock was reared in Perry County and was prepared in the local school for his collegiate course at Lexington, Ohio. Upon completing that he entered upon the reading of medicine at Junction City and then entered the Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he was graduated in the spring of 1870. On August Ist of that year he entered into practice at Junction City, where he gained his early exper- ience, coming to Elida on February 5, 1879. He may be classed with the pioneers of the pro- fession in this locality and still continues active in it. In August, 1898, he was appointed United States pension examiner.
Dr. Hitchcock was married first on Decem- ber 31, 1863, to Ellen Beck, who was a daugh- ter of George Beck, of Junction City, Ohio. Mrs. Hitchcock died there in December, 1877, the mother of five children, viz: Charles W., Frank A., George, Luella and Maine, all sur- viving with the exception of George, who died in March, 1877. All the others are married. The eldest son, Charles W. Hitchcock, is a prominent lawyer in practice at Bay City, Mich- igan. He is a graduate of the Valparaiso Col-
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lege, Indiana. After serving six years as county commissioner of schools of Bay Coun- ty, Michigan, he was the candidate selected by the Democratic party for probate judge.
Dr. Hitchcock was married, second, on May 29, 1879, to Eliza J. Hummell, who is a daugh- ter of Isaac Hummell, of Carroll, Fairfield County, Ohio. They have three sons-Clay, Roy and Don. The Doctor and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elida. He is a member of the local subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows and the encampment at Lima.
HOMAS C. LONG, of German town- ship represents a type of manhood that is the pride of our American civiliza- tion-the self-made man who has worked his way, unaided, to an honor- able and prominent place among his fellows. Born in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1855, he was one year old when his parents moved to Amanda township, and was not yet nine years of age when death deprived him of their love and care. He was bound out to Samuel Miller, on whose farm he worked for about nine years, when he hired out to William Anderson for one month for the sum of $18. Drawing his pay for this work, he went to Lima and purchased two suits of clothes, one for Sunday and one for everyday, and then returned to German township and at- tended school in District No. 11 for the four winter months. When farm work opened up in the spring, he hired out at $18 per month to William Holmes and, during the seven months thus engaged, hoarded his earnings so carefully that he spent but $2, receiving Mr. Holmes' note for the balance. Again he took up his educational work, entering school in Shawnee township and attending through the winter and spring months. The following summer he took up painting and was able by close economy to clear $200 by his season's work. Again he started in school for the winter, spending all his spare time out of school in working for his board. When summer came again, he took contracts for painting and followed that work for two years.
In March, 1876, Mr. Long was married to Mary Benedum and a family of five children have been born to them, namely: Wardilla May; William Thomas, who is employed in the Indiana oil field; John Benedum; Harvey and Amos. Mrs. Long died December 10, 1905, aged 49 years. After his marriage, Mr. Long again turned to farming, having, in 1875, pur- chased 36 acres of land and in 1877 opened a stone quarry, to furnish stone for the building of pikes and bridges. He did well at this work and has been engaged in it ever since. Later he contracted for building pike roads, and most of the roads in German township have been con- structed by him, as well as many others in the county outside this township. In 1892 he went to Van Wert County where he put down 48 miles of pike in Ridge township, the work tak- ing him four years. During the past seven years he has done considerable repaving and about five years ago he began making cement. walks, barn foundations, etc., and has been very successful. He has purchased outright 125 acres of land and has a life lease on 90 more, where he keeps many head of cattle and horses. For some time he has been engaged in buying and selling stock, his ventures in this line prov- ing very profitable. Mr. Long is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Eagles and is a zealous worker in the Methodist Church.
EORGE L. ALTSTAETTER, proprie- tor of the "Pleasant Fruit Farm," a fertile tract of 80 acres, situated in section 17, Monroe township, was. born in this township, February 5, 1846, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Bucher) Altstaetter.
Jacob Altstaetter was born in Hessen-Darm- stadt, Germany, February 21, 1811. Prior to coming to America he worked as a carpenter, and during one year spent in Maryland he con- tinued to follow his trade. He desired a dif- ferent field of work, however, and thinking that Ohio would probably afford it he walked to Cincinnati; soon after he removed to Dayton, and while working at his trade there met the estimable lady whom he soon after married.
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At that time he was 25 years of age and almost immediately after, in the fall of 1836, he came to Allen County, and in the following spring settled on 40 acres of land, paying out all his capital, $50, for it. He built a log house and shop on the farm and, as the seasons permitted, alternated between work at his trade and clear- ing up his land. He was deft at furniture mak- ing and frequently the midnight hour would find him still at work fashioning chairs, beds and tables for his neighbors, for which they paid him in labor. A man of his industry could hardly escape accumulating capital, and he continued to invest in land until he finally owned 600 acres, which through his own ef- forts he almost entirely cleared. He was a hard worker all his life and expected others to be industrious also. In appearance Jacob Altstaetter was a well-set-up man, five feet in height, with a pleasant, intelligent countenance and shrewd, kindly eyes. He lived to be almost 88 years of age, dying on the farm on which he had settled, November 10, 1898. He was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, casting his first presidential vote in 1836. He was a worthy member of the German Evangeli- cal Church, very active in its work, and during the greater part of his life was one of the trus- tees. He was one of the first and prime movers in the project of building the first church of his denomination in the locality, giving first the ground and then the timber, and subsequently presenting the church organ. He was always liberal in church contributions and his advice and counsel always supported the efforts of the ministers. He was a good man and a perfect type of the thrifty, industrious, provident, home-building German.
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