USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 19
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Mr. Heath is a Republican and has given . his hearty support to the success of his ticket. whenever the men nominated were those whom he could conscientiously endorse. He believes in a clean administration and before being elected to the mayoralty, in 1903. he was one of the most energetic and efficient members of
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the Council and of the School Board of Harrod.
Mr. Heath was married December 21, 1892, at Galesburg, Illinois, to Clara A. Frisin- ger, of Lima, Ohio. Mrs. Heath was born April 4, 1874, in Allen County, Ohio, and is one of 10 children-seven sisters and three brothers-born to Thomas and Hannah Frisin- ger. Mr. and Mrs. Heath have one daughter, Hazel A., born July 8, 1896. The family are members of the United Brethren Church, and have made many warm and enduring friend- ships since moving to Harrod. Mr. Heath is a member of LaFayette Lodge, No. 846, I. O. O. F., and of Lima Lodge, No. 91, K. of P.
E. RUDY, the veteran automobile dealer of Lima, was born in Allen County 38 years ago and has been a resident of the city of Lima for the past 15 years. Mr. Rudy es- tablished a new line of business for Lima when he opened his garage and entered into the sale of automobiles, bringing the first machine to this county. He carries, in addition, a complete line of bicycle sundries and a good line of bicycles.
Mr. Rudy grew to manhood in Allen Coun- ty and enjoyed the advantage of a college edu- cation, having taken the scientific course in the Ohio Normal University at Ada, from which he was graduated. Two years of practical work in teaching followed, when he became a "knight of the grip" and for five years was salesman for a bicycle company, traveling over Ohio, Pennsylvania, and a part of New York in his Eastern territory, and through Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma in the West. In 1890 he settled in Lima and engaged in retailing automobiles and bicycles, his business growing to such an extent that it necessitated enlarged quarters, when he erected his garage, a large building 100 by 50 feet, which is located on Elizabeth street, near the Postoffice-a splendid site and a splendid business.
Mr. Rudy was married in 1892 to Anna Doolittle, of Pennsylvania, by whom he has
two bright children -- Mildred and Marcus. Mr. Rudy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church while his wife is a Presbyterian. He was a member of the Lima City Council for two years and is always ready to lend his hearty support to any movement of utilitarian import. Fraternally, he is connected with the Elks, the Red Men and the Odd Fellows.
H. ROGERS, a prominent attorney and one of the leading citizens of Lima, was born February 28, 1865, in Wirt County, West Virginia, and re- mained in that State until about 20 years of age. He is a son of the late Charles W. Rogers, and has fought life's battles single- handed, having worked his way through col- lege to his present eminent position with an ardor that insured success. Mr. Rogers first secured employment in the lumber business but, having a desire to find more congenial employ- ment and also to acquire an education, he en- tered the Ohio Normal, now the Ohio North- ern, University, at Ada, Ohio, and was a close student for five years, graduating in 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts.
Having been elected principal of the Frank- lin School, at Lima, he at once entered upon his duties, and for nine years was the capable and efficient executive who inspired both teachers and pupils to put forth their best efforts, and made the school one of the best in the State. During this period all his spare time and his summer vacations were devoted to reading law, and the same optimistic nature which over- came the obstacles in his college days now enabled him to disentangle the knotty points. and master the intricacies of legal lore. He was admitted to the bar in October, 1897; but he continued to hold his position in the Lima schools until 1900 when, much to the regret of the patrons, he gave up school work and began the practice of the law.
He was first associated with D. C. Hender- son, the firm of Henderson & Rogers continuing until 1902, when Mr. Rogers was elected mayor of Lima. He served in that capacity
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one year, retiring when the new code, which was passed by the Ohio Legislature for the government of cities, went into effect. Since then Mr. Rogers has practiced law alone and has built up a large and lucrative practice, which places him among the leading attorneys of Allen County.
While engaged in school work, he was also one of the members of the City Board of School Examiners, and continues to take a deep inter- est in the schools and, indeed, in any question of import to the municipality. In 1902 Mr. Rogers was nominated by the Republican party for Representative in Congress from the Fourth Congressional District. Although the dis- trict was overwhelmingly Democratic, Mr. Rogers succeeded in greatly reducing the nor- mal Democratic majority.
In 1892, our subject was married to Lucile E. Everett, daughter of the late M. A. Everett, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Four children have blessed their home, namely : Margaret, Everett Lewis, Josephine and William Addi- son. Mr. Rogers is quite prominent in frater- nal circles, being past chancellor of Lima Lodge, No. 91, K. of P .; a member of Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F .; D. O. K. K .; Woodmen of the World; and Lima Tent, No. 142, K. O. T. M.
ON. ROBERT MEHAFFEY, who has been identified with the financial inter- ests and public affairs of Allen Coun- ty for many years, and has been a lead- er in educational and temperance work, was born August 23, 1833, in County Tyrone, Ireland, and is a son of James and Martha (Clark) Mehaffey, who spent their en- tire lives in Ireland, where James Mehaffey was a farmer. The parental family consisted of five sons and one daughter. Two of the sons, James and Robert, came to the United States.
Robert Mehaffey was reared on his father's farm until he was 13 years of age. Then the death of the mother broke up the family to some extent, and Robert left home and went up to London with a friend. In 1849 he took
the step which, in a great measure, settled his future career. Taking passage at Liverpool on the sailing vessel, "Albert Gallatin," he was landed at Philadelphia in December of that year. He had an uncle who was a farmer at Beaver Dam, Allen County, Ohio, and after many experiences by land and water and pauses at Wheeling, Cincinnati, and other points, he reached Lima, in February, 1850, and joined his uncle shortly afterward. He worked for his uncle and another farmer until April, 1852, when he located in the village of LaFayette, which has since continued to be his home.
Accepting a position in a store with an idea of only remaining long enough to earn sufficient capital to take him still further West, Mr. Me- haffey remained with that employer for seven years; but at one time during this period he actually started for California, going as far as Council Bluffs, Iowa; he turned back on ac- count of the threatening activity of the Indians at that time. He bought a tract of 28 acres of land, but after farming for a short time de- cided to enter into the mercantile business for himself, as the town offered at that time an ex- cellent field. He therefore purchased a stock of general merchandise to the value of $520, and started in, doing all the work incident to the new venture, and for the II succeeding years he sold goods over his own counters, giving full weight and running over, and making a friend of every customer.
For a number of years Mr. Mehaffey had taken an active interest in politics before he ac- cepted any office. His first elective office was that of county clerk ; he was elected in 1869 on the Democratic ticket and was reelected three years later, being in office six years in all. He then became prominent also in financial affairs, as president of the First National Bank, of Lima. Later he sold his interests and was suc- ceeded by Dr. S. A. Baxter. His next enter- prise was handling cattle, and this proved very lucrative and he continued in this business for a number of years. Mr. Mehaffey gave great assistance in the organizing of the Merchants' National Bank of Lima, of which he was elect- ed president, a position he continued to fill until
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the bonds were all called in and the corporation went out of business. Mr. Mehaffey took charge of the concern and ran it as a private bank for the accommodation of merchants, and continued until he was called to take so promi- nent a part in State politics that he found it ex- pedient to dispose of many of his private busi- ness interests.
With very little effort on his part, Mr. Me- haffey was nominated and was subsequently elected to the State Senate from the 32nd Dis- trict, which included Allen, Van Wert, Aug- laize, Mercer, Paulding, Defiance and Williams counties, and in this honorable position he served through two terms. As a member of the Legislature, Mr. Mehaffey met the expecta- tions of his constituents and fellow-citizens and retired from public life with their increased confidence and added respect.
When Mr. Mehaffey returned to his home from the arena of politics. it was with the ex- pressed intention of giving the remainder of his life to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, finding on his extensive estate enough to oc- cupy his time and fulfill his ambition. How- ever, this was not accepted by his fellow-citi- zens, and when the capitalists of this section of the State found a field open for the establishing of another financial institution at Lima, they called upon Mr. Mehaffey to accept the presi- dency of the Metropolitan Bank, a position of honor, trust and responsibility which he still fills.
During his service in the Senate he was ap- pointed one of the trustees of the institution for the feeble-minded youth of the State and has served for the past 19 years. His first appoint- ment was made by Governor Foraker and he has been continued in the office by every suc- ceeding Governor and during the most of the time has been president of the board, although its composition is Republican and he has been a life-long Democrat.
Mr. Mehaffey was married on August 19, 1856, to Mary Elinor Richardson, who was born in 1834 in Green County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph H. and Edith ( Whitworth) (Smith) Richardson, natives of Wythe Coun- ty. Virginia. They were married there and
came to Greene County, Ohio, and in 1836 to Allen County, and settling near Lima on land which is now within the corporate limits of the city, but at that time was covered with timber, excepting a little space which had been cleared, only sufficient for a small garden plot. Mrs. Mehaffey remembers the old Tog house and that blankets were hung over the openings to exclude cold; and she also recalls the long nights when bright fires were kept burning out- side the cabin to protect the inmates from the wolves who howled in the near-by forest. Where this took place the prosperous citizens of Lima now hurry through busy streets and carry on traffic and pursue their social and busy life interests.
Mrs. Mehaffey had more educational advan- tages than were afforded many of the children of her time and locality. Her father was a scholarly man, had collegiate training in Vir- ginia, and taught the first public school in Ger- man township. When four years old, she was carried on his back to the little log schoolhouse and there laid the foundation for the perfected education and culture of later years. She was one of six children and the family has been identified with the educational interests of this section since her infancy until 1904, when a sis- ter resigned from her long connection with the public schools of Lima. The magnificent new school edifice, completed at Lima in the fall of 1904 and bearing the name of the Richardson School, was so named in honor of her father, Joseph Hicks Richardson, and a handsome pic- ture of this well-known educator adorns its walls. One of the pleasant avenues of the city was named Charles street, in honor of Mrs. Me- haffey's brother, Charles.
Mr. and Mrs. Mehaffey have had four children, viz: William R., a graduate of Ken- yon College. Ohio, who is now editor of the Lima Times-Democrat: George E., assistant cashier of the Metropolitan Bank, of Lima, who was educated at the University of Tennessee ; Alice, who died in infancy; and Eda Alice ( Hill), a resident of LaFayette, who is a grad- uate of the Cincinnati Wesleyan College. Mrs. Mehaffey has long been interested in mission- ary work in connection with the Methodist
MR. AND MRS. SOLOMON BINKLEY AND FAMILY
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(Four Generations)
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Episcopal Church. Since December, 1873, she has been identified also with that noble organi- zation, the W. C. T. U., and it was mainly through her efforts that the saloon element was overcome in LaFayette. She is a member of the State executive board and for a number of years has been county superintendent of the press-work carried on under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. Mrs. Mehaffey is a lady of liter- ary tastes and accomplishments and has written more or less continuously for publication since she was 14 years old. For the past 10 years she has devoted her pen exclusively to the in- terests of temperance and in her work has the support and approbation of her husband.
In addition to other honors shown him, Mr. Mehaffey was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of militia, during the Civil War, by Governor David Tod. He is a Royal Arch Mason, hav- ing been a member of the fraternity since he was 21 years of age. He belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church.
OLOMON BINKLEY resides on a farm of 117 acres in section 35, Jack- son township, in one of the most at- tractive and desirable country homes in Allen County. Through his labors his farm was converted from a wilderness of trees and underbrush to its present highly culti- vated state. Mr. Binkley was born October 10, 1829, near Thornville, Perry County, Ohio, and is a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Snyder ) Binkley.
His great-grandfather, Christian Binkley, who was a native of Maryland, was among the pioneers of Perry County, Ohio. He was of German ancestry and from the German inscrip- tion on his monument in Reading township, Perry County, it is learned that he died in 1832, at the age of 91 years.
Henry Binkley. the grandfather of our sub- ject, was also born in Maryland, and came with his father to Ohio in 1801. He died in 1825.
Emanuel Binkley was born in Reading township. Perry County, Ohio. December 27, 1806, and there reached manhood and married.
He came to Allen County in October, 1841, and remained here until his death on February 17, 1891, aged 84 years, four months and 20 days. He was a member of the Reformed Church. In politics he was. a Democrat. His wife, Elizabeth Snyder, was born in Thorn township, Perry County, Ohio, June 28, 1808, and died in Allen County, March 9, 1894, aged 85 years, 8 months and II days. Her father was Daniel Snyder, an extensive land-owner and the father of a large family. Our subject is the eldest of 12 children, namely: Solomon; Katharine (Hulinger), who died in 1904; Samuel, who died in 1892; Simon, who died in May, 1904; Mary, who died in childhood; Millie C., who died in 1898; Daniel, who resides in Lafayette ; Henry, of Richland township; Emeline ( Mow- ery), of Henry County; Matilda (Sherman), who died in 1902; Saloma ( Friedly), of Dun- kirk, Hardin County; and Elizabeth (Shaw), of Hancock County.
Solomon Binkley was 12 years old when the family located in Jackson township, on the Mar- ion road, where he lived for several years. In November, 1851, he purchased 40 acres of land adjoining his father's farm, for which he was to pay $5 per acre. He had worked three months for Dr. Newton Sager for $11 per month, and out of his earnings he had saved $30, which he applied on his purchase. By 1853 he had built a log cabin and began clearing the land, contin- uing its cultivation until the fall of 1862, when he sold the property for $1,200. He immed- iately purchased 120 acres of unimproved wood- land, for which he paid $1,500. Here, after building a cabin, he began clearing his land as before, and in 1869 purchased an adjoining 40 acres, which gave him a quarter section of land. He cleared and cultivated about 120 acres, and in 1875 erected a magnificent brick residence. Four years later he erected his barns, and other outbuildings to correspond, and now enjoys the comforts of a model home. He has allowed his son a portion of the farm, and retains only 1 17 acres.
Mr. Binkley was married April 29, 1852. to Anna Holman, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, November 27, 1834, and lived in Dela- ware County until 1848, when she located in
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Allen County with her parents, William and Sarah (Frederick) Holman. To this union have been born five children, namely: Cloyd, born August 2, 1853, who lives at home ; Sarah, born July 24, 1855, wife of Mark Guyton, of Auglaize township; John H., born May 21, 1860, who is a resident of Hardin County; Amos, born October 5, 1862, who lives on an adjoining farm; and Ida B., born March 29, 1869, who lives at home. Mr. Binkley is a Democrat and has served as trustee of Jackson township for two terms. He united with the Christian Church at LaFayette in 1855, and has served as a deacon of that body for more than 40 years. He takes a lively interest in all that pertains to agriculture, and is one of the most prominent members of Jackson Grange.
On a preceding page, in connection with this sketch, appears a family group, in which four generations of the Binkley family 'are rep- resented.
OSEPH C. ROSS, superintendent of the handle works of the O. B. Self- ridge Company, at Lima, was born in Chautauqua County, New York, in 1848, and is a son of Gilbert Ross, who is a resident of Meadville, Pennsyl- vania, and is in his 85th year. The family moved to Erie County, Pennsylvania, when our subject was seven years old, and he received his education in the common schools of that coun- ty. He was reared on a farm, remaining there until he was 21 when he struck out for himself. When our subject was 16 years of age, his father was drafted into the army and young Ross took his place, serving three months, until the close of the war, in Company A, 102nd Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., and taking part in the campaigns of West Virginia.
In 1870 young Ross went to McKean, Pennsylvania, where he obtained work in the handle factory of F. Lamson, with whom he remained three or four years. He then went to Corry, Pennsylvania, and for about seven years was employed in the handle factory at that place. Removing from there to Ohio, he enter- ed the factory of Lamson & Cleveland at Leip-
sic. Four and a half years later he moved to Edgerton, Ohio, and after three years at that place accepted a position in the factory of Sel- fridge, Woods & Company, of Lima, where he is still employed. Upon the death of Mr. Sel- fridge about 17 years ago, Mr. Ross was made superintendent of the works, and has given to the work his most careful and conscientious ef- forts.
In 1870 Mr. Ross was married to Mary E. Cleveland, a daughter of the late Pliny Cleve- land. They have no children of their own, but have an adopted daughter, Nellie Ross, whom they are giving the advantages of a good home and parental love. They are members of the Market Street Presbyterian church. Mr. Ross was a member of the Edgerton School Board while residing there; but has devoted his entire attention to his business since coming to Lima. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and of Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F.
OHN DEPPLER, well-known both as a contractor and farmer of Richland township, is a Swiss by birth and an American by long residence and sym- pathies. He was born October 10, 1847, in Tagerfelten, Canton Bern, Switzer- land. His parents were John and Fannie (Shifferly) Deppler, both of whom were na- tives of Bern. The father was a contractor and met his death a short time before the birth of our subject by the caving-in of a sand-bank. He was the father of two children, Elizabeth, who died in Paulding County, Ohio, and John. The mother married a second time, her second husband being Rudolph Smith, who brought the family to America in 1853. After remaining in Wayne County, Ohio, for a couple of years, they came to Allen County and settled in Rich- land township. Later they moved to Paulding County, Ohio, where the mother died in her 63rd year. By her second marriage she had two daughters and one son, all of whom have passed to the life beyond.
John Deppler resided in Allen County about
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10 years, being 18 or 19 years of age when he went with his parents to Paulding County. He was a carpenter and worked at his craft after returning to Allen County in 1869. Later he also engaged in contracting and continued this business until about five years ago, when he gave up the more arduous work and now enjoys the comforts of his pleasant home in well-earned ease. In 1889 Mr. Deppler pur- chased a small farm of 60 acres, to which he afterwards added an adjoining tract of 85 acres, the land lying in sections 11 and 12, Richland township. This he has converted into a most desirable home by erecting a good comfortable house and remodeling and build- ing the outbuildings to suit his needs. He car- ries on general farming, the work having been in charge of his son while he was engaged in carpentering and contracting.
Mr. Deppler has been twice married. His first wife was Mary Huber, daughter of Char- les and Nancy Huber, of Richland township. She left two sons-Albert, of Bluffton, and Eli. In 1888, Mr. Deppler was married to his present wife, who was Anna P. Garber, a na- tive of Wayne County, Ohio. Her parents, Peter and Anna (Shiverly) Garber, were na- tives of Switzerland. Peter Garber died in Wayne County. After his death, his widow and daughter came to Allen County where the latter met and married John Deppler. Three children, all sons, have been born to them, namely : John Calvin, who lives at home and looks after the farm; and Daniel Walter and Harry Edison, who are attending school. Mr. Deppler is a Democrat in politics. In religion he is a consistent member of the Mennonite Church.
5 ENRY VAN GUNTEN, who was elected sheriff of Allen County in No- vember, 1905, is the proprietor of the large piano and organ house which is located at the southwest corner of the Public Square in Lima. Here he carries a complete line of instruments of the best and most approved makes, and does a volume of business which not only embraces Lima, but ex- tends far out into the surrounding country. He
was born July 29, 1864, in Richland township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Anna (Snitter) VanGunten. His father has been a resident of this county since 1834 and is a prosperous farmer of Richland township.
Henry VanGunten was one of eight children and his early life was spent on his father's farm. In winter he attended school and assisted with the farming in summer. He learned harness- making and worked at this trade for about four years, until 1889, when he came to Lima and engaged in the sale of musical instruments, in which business he has been eminently success- ful. Determined to conduct a business to sat- isfy the most critical taste, he has stocked his store with only the most desirable instruments and those that he feels assured will meet the re- quirements of his patrons. He has the satis- faction of knowing that when a really superior article is wanted it is pretty sure to be VanGun- ten who makes the sale. Assisting him in his work is C. F. Woolery, who has charge of the piano tuning.
Mr. VanGunten married Amelia Beeler, daughter of the late David Beeler, of this coun- ty, and they are the parents of three bright boys -Avery L., Verrel D. and Leon F. The fam- ily are members of the German Reformed Church. Mr. VanGunten was elected sheriff of Allen County on the Democratic ticket on November, 1905. He is a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, Knights of the Mac- cabees, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Eagles.
C. PELTIER, whose farm of 160 acres is situated in section 4, Mar- ion township, is now numbered with the retired residents of this lo- cality, who have earned the esteem and confidence of their fellow-citizens, together with a comfortable amount of this world's goods. Mr. Peltier was born August 16, 1837, in Sugar Creek township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a grandson of Anthony Peltier and a son of James and Jane (Clark) Peltier.
Anthony Peltier was born in Canada, but was of French extraction. He located at De- troit, Michigan, in early manhood and became
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HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
a successful Indian trader, continuing his resi- dence there during the War of 1812. Condi- tions having changed on the frontier there, he removed to Maumee City, which is now denom- inated South Toledo, and there he continued trading with the Indians up to the time of his death. He was trusted by them and dealt hon- estly, being a devoted member of the Catholic Church.
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