USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 20
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James Peltier, son of Anthony and father of our subject, was born at Detroit, Michigan, in August, 1806, and died at Bluffton, Ohio, at the age of 83 years. He spoke both the French and English languages, understood two or three of the Indian dialects, and became a trader like his father. In 1830, at Findlay, Ohio, he married Jane Clark, who was a daughter of John and Sarah Clark. They had these child- ren : Louisa, wife of S. J. Brand, of Bluffton; William C., of Marion township; John W., of Lima; Enos, of Marion township; Joseph O., deceased; and Charles W., of Michigan. Four of his sons served in Ohio regiments during the Civil War. In 1834 James Peltier and wife moved to Lima, and in 1835 settled in Sugar Creek township, one and a quarter miles north of Elida, where he cleared a farm from the for- est, on which he resided until 1863. In that year he removed to Marion township and set- tled on the farm now owned by his son, William C. Peltier. James Peltier was reared in the faith of the Catholic Church, but after his mar- riage he changed his opinions, became identified with the Methodist bodies and for 20 years was a local Methodist preacher. In political senti- ment he was a Republican.
William C. Peltier was reared on his fath- er's farm and after completing a good, common school education began to teach. He became well known through Allen County as a teacher, his experience covering 23 winter terms in Sugar Creek and Marion townships. The opening of the Civil War aroused his patriotic feelings and he began to make preparations to enter the army. These culminated in his en- listment on August 1, 1862, at Lima, in Com- pany E, 99th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. J. C. Walters. Three years of the best portion of his life were devoted to the service of his
country, his honorable discharge taking place in July, 1865, at Salisbury, North Carolina. Ohio people do not need to be told of the doings of the gallant 99th Ohio during that period. Mr. Peltier participated in almost all of the battles, skirmishes and long marches which this body was called upon to endure. He was one of those who so bravely fought on the bloody field of Chickamauga. At Lookout Mountain he was wounded in the side by a rifle ball, but took part in the Atlanta campaign from Dalton to Atlanta, participated in the battles of Pump- kinvine Creek, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta. He was with General Thomas at Nashville and fought through the two days of battle there, December 16-17, 1864. He was in every battle of his regiment with the exception of Stone River, when he was in a hospital. Mr. Peltier has every reason to feel proud of such a record.
After his return from the army, he resumed farming and school teaching. He has always been interested in agricultural pursuits. His farm is divided into two equal portions, 80 acres being on each side of the road. The tract on which his residence stands he cleared from the forest, living in the meantime in a log cabin. Through ditching, draining and tiling he has made his property one of the best in the township. He has done much in the way of encouraging public improvements and has al- ways supported movements looking to the mak- ing of good, substantial, permanent roads.
On August 16, 1866, Mr. Peltier married Leah A. McBride, who was born September 18, 1842, in German township, Allen County, Ohio, and was a daughter of Alexander and Leah (Wolf) McBride. Alexander McBride was of Scotch-Irish extraction and was a pioneer in Allen County. He had 10 children, Mrs. Pel- tier being the seventh in order of birth. Four of her brothers served in the Civil War. Alex- ander McBride died on his farm, aged 70 years. He was a member of the Christian Union Church. In politics he was a Democrat. Mrs. Peltier died November 18, 1887. She was a most worthy member of the United Brethren Church. The children born to our subject and wife were: A babe which died in infancy :
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Cora, born June 22, 1868, who married Rev. J. J. Richards, and at her death, September 22, 1897, left a son; H. M., born September 7, 1871 (a well known educator and one of Allen County's Board of School Examiners), who married Callie Baxter, a daughter of Levi Bax- ter ; Nelson, born March 23, 1876 ( formerly a teacher, now a resident of Fort Wayne, In- (liana), who married Nettie North of Van Wert, and has one daughter, Leah Janette; James, born December 14, 1880 (residing on the home farm and teaching the district school), who married, on August 16, 1905, May Ed- wards, of Delphos. Mr. Peltier has given his sons 80 acres of land, which they have divided among themselves.
Politically, Mr. Peltier is identified with the Republican party. In religious belief he is a Methodist and is a member of Morris Chapel. During the period of its building he was one of the trustees and is now a steward and class- leader. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic post, and to Hope Lodge, No. 214, F. & A. M., both of Delphos.
OSEPH HESLIP HARBISON. Among the honored residents of Spen- cerville, whose residence here for al- most a half century has been marked with uprightness of life and sterling business qualities, is Joseph Heslip Harbison, a worthy representative of a pioneer family of the State.
The earliest records of the family have been lost, but it can be traced three generations back, through the family Bible, to the time of the grandparents, who lived and died near a little village named Ballamany, in the North of Ire- land. The little home was the shelter of a large family, many sons and one daughter- the names of the sons that have been preserved were Mathew, John H. and Robert. The birth of the last named, who was the father of our subject, took place in Ireland, whence he came to America about the year 1780. He settled at Baltimore, Maryland, where he enter- ed into business as a flour merchant, and became
one of the prosperous men of his city. In the great panic of 1827 he, with many others who had been considered men of capital, lost all his possessions and in a short space of time was re- duced from affluence to poverty.
In this extremity Robert Harbison turned his thoughts to relatives who were of the same lineage, and were settled in the Western part of Pennsylvania. It became necessary to found a new home and it is possible that the first idea of Mr. Harbison was to locate with his rela- tives, but this plan was evidently abandoned. About 1830, with his wife and seven children, Mr. Harbison, with the family possessions packed in wagons, left Baltimore and headed for the Western country. We may well be- lieve the month of journeying was a long and weary time, but without serious accident they finally arrived on the banks of Wills Creek, in Coshocton County, Ohio. Here Mr. Harbison took a life lease of his brother-in-law, Joseph Heslip, on some 80 or 100 acres of land in Lin- ton township, which had been originally enter- ed by his father-in-law. He did not live long enough, however, to develope this land or to place his family in comfortable circumstances. He was a soldier at North Point, in the War of 1812. His death took place December 1, 1833, and his wife survived him less than five years. Both were victims of consumption. Two of their children died in 1883, a son in February and a daughter in March.
Robert Harbison was married November 29, 1810, to Mary Heslip, whose death took place April 25, 1838. Her family were early settlers in Coshocton County, Ohio, where they owned vast tracts of land at one time. The children of this marriage were: Robert, Eliza Ann, Margaret, John Heslip, William, Susan, Mary, and Joseph Heslip, of Spencerville. The eldest son of the family was born May 1, 1812. and served in the Mexican War. He was on his way home when stricken with mortal illness and died at Cerralvo, Mexico, aged 35 yetrs and 23 days. Eliza Ann ( Platt ) was born Sep- tember 25. 1814, and died May 12, 1861. Margaret (McCune) was born December 27. 1817, and died December 27, 1865. Dr. John Heslip Harbison, a pioneer merchant and phy- 4
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sician, was born April 19, 1819, and died Feb- ruary 7, 1883, at Spencerville. He married Harriet Webb, sister of his business partner, and they had three sons and three daughters, two 'of the latter being twins, one of whom is Mrs. H. M. Ashton, wife of the postmaster at Spencerville, and the other, Kitty, is the wife of Dr. M. E. Renner, of Urbana, Indiana. William Harbison was born November 17, 1821, and died November 6, 1860, at Caledonia, Illinois. He married Harriet Cowgill; they are survived by a son and daughter-James and Mary. Susan (Julien) was born March 13, 1824, and died March 1, 1883, at Old Plain- field, Ohio, leaving no issue. Mary was born August 20, 1829, and died April 10, 1876. She first married J. C. Platt and was survived by a daughter, Luella, who is now deceased. Her second husband was a Mr. Ferguson.
Joseph Heslip Harbison was the youngest member of his parents' family of eight children and is the only survivor. The others were all born in Maryland, but his birth took place in Coshocton County, Ohio, December 26, 1832. When he was but one year old his father died and when five years old he was bereft of his mother. They both rest in Linton township, Coshocton County. The orphan child was taken by his maternal aunt, Nancy Vance, a most estimable woman, of whom Mr. Harbison entertains a grateful memory, who reared him carefully for the next 10 years. She lived on a farm near Morristown and two miles from Bethesda. He attended the local schools and enjoyed a short season in a small academy at West Bedford. Encouraged by his practical aunt, he learned the cooper's trade in order to make himself independent. He was naturally inclined to be studious and, while working at the trade, continued to study by himself and in this way acquired enough education to receive a certificate to teach.
In 1858 he came to Spencerville, a village then of some 400 dwellers, encouraged to do so by his brother, John H. Harbison, who then conducted the only mercantile establishment in the place. At that time the beautifully situated hamlet bore the name "Acadia," but this was subsequently changed to the present one of
Spencerville. During 1859 he taught school and clerked for his brother, and continued to be identified with mercantile interests here until 1884. His school teaching, beginning at Acadia (now Spencerville) covered in all some four years.
From the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Harbison had taken a deep interest in its issues and the determination to do his part in the suppression of rebellion culminated in his en- listment, on July 21, 1862, in Company A, 8Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., 16th Army Corps, the regiment being later transferred to the 15th Army Corps. He served, with the rank of ser- geant, under Lieut. David S. VanPelt and Col. William H. Hill, and participated in the follow- ing engagements: Town Creek, Lay Ferry, Rome, Cross Roads, Resaca and Kenesaw Mountain. He took part in the Atlanta campaign, accompanied Sherman in the "March to the Sea," was present at the taking of Savannah, Columbia, Lynch Creek, Bentonville, was present at the sur- render of Johnston, was in the march to Richmond and then was in the Grand Review at Washington, which was particularly pleas- ing to him as there he was commissioned a lieutenant by Governor John Brough, of Ohio. He was finally mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, July 13, 1865, and was honorably dis- charged at Camp Dennison, July 21, 1865. Through this long period he had served his country with a fidelity which was recognized and suitably rewarded.
After his return to Spencerville, Mr. Harbi- son was admitted to partnership by his brother, under the firm style of J. H. Harbison & Com- pany. This continued a few years, and then our subject purchased the stock and the real es- tate of Mr. Fogle and opened a mercantile busi- ness of his own. He was appointed postmas- ter by President Hayes, succeeding N. Meeker. He continued in this office for seven years. Mr. Harbison's connections with almost all that has served to develop Spencerville has made him one of the most prominent figures in the life of the town for many years. He was one of the early members of the Town Council and had much to do with the measures which have
WILLIAM H. STEPHENS
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caused its development from a hamlet into its. present prosperous activity and place among the small cities of the State. Realizing the im- portance of good transportation, Mr. Harbison was one of the early promoters of the railroads and to his advice, assistance and encourage- ment are due many of the public utilities and successful commercial connections which are enjoyed by every citizen.
On March 21, 1866, Mr. Harbison was married to Sarah H. Patterson, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, of Irish descent. She was a popular teacher in the neighborhood of Spencerville at the time of her marriage. The eldest of a family of six children, she, with one brother, is the sole survivor. The brother, H. M. Patterson, was formerly associated in the mercantile business with Mr. Harbison, at Spencerville, but for 25 vears has been a fu- neral director at Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Harbison have two sons, Willis Grant and Charles Post. The former was named for the poet, N. P. Willis and for General Grant, for both of whom his father entertains a great ad- miration. He was graduated from the Spen- cerville school, attended the Ohio Normal Uni- versity at Ada, and for 19 years has been con- nected with the C. & E. Railroad. Charles Post was named for Mr. Post. one of the pio- neers of Amanda township, a friend of his fath- er. He also attended the Ohio Normal Univer- sity at Ada, later married Mary Koepling, and for some years has been the traveling repre- sentative of a large wholesale drug firm of Chicago.
Mr. Harbison has always been a supporter of the public schools, and introduced many of the best-known text-books here, notably the "Appleton Reader." Had his early education been different and his life a more leisurely one, Mr. Harbison would probably have developed his talent for poetry. He is a lover of good literature and is well acquainted with the best poetry, being able to recite many of the gems of Robert Burns, his favorite poet.
Mr. Harbison was made a Mason in 1856 and has always been an active member of the fraternity. He belongs to Lodge No. 306, F. & A. M. and the Order of the Eastern Star.
For 19 years he was worshipful master of the lodge at Spencerville. He is known in this connection all over the State.
Since he was 16 years old, Mr. Harbison has been a church member. In 1881 he united with the Baptist Church of Spencerville and shortly afterward was elected a deacon, an office he still fills. He has also served as clerk and as trustee.
Mr. Harbison owns considerable valuable property at Spencerville. He has seen every house but one built on the Lima turnpike, where his own handsome residence is located. He is known to everyone and by the younger genera- tion is affectionately greeted as "Uncle Joe."
ILLIAM H. STEPHENS, one of the best known fire insurance men of Lima, whose portrait appears on the opposite page, was born in Washington County, Tennessee, in 1842, but has been a resident of Lima since 1865. His parents were Rev. Samuel and Eliza (Strain) Stephens. His maternal grand- father, Robert Strain, was a soldier of the War of 1812 and his maternal great-grandfather was a soldier of the Revolutionary War.
Rev. Samuel Stephens was born in Virginia and in his youth served an apprenticeship to the trade of carriage-making. He was a devout Methodist and preached the Gospel for several years. After the birth of his son, William H., he removed to Arkansas, where, under contract with the government, he engaged in the manu- facture of wagons for the Indians. He died within two years of his arrival in Arkansas.
After the death of his father, the subject of this sketch accompanied the family to the old home in Washington County, Tennessee, where he obtained his education through attendance in the common schools. Later in life he moved to Indiana. He worked on a farm for some time in his youth and later was clerk in a store until he came to Lima, when he secured employ- ment on the C. H. & D. Railway. He con- tinued on the road for nearly 20 years and rose to the position of passenger conductor. He
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was a trusted and efficient employee, and only left the service of the railroad company because of an accident that deprived him of the use of his right limb and forced his retirement from railroading. Since that time he has been en- gaged in various lines of business and is at pres- ent successfully representing a number of fire insurance companies.
Mr. Stephens was married in 1870 to Lucy Havil, whose father was born in Maryland and moved to Lima about 1856, where he became a prominent brick and stone contractor. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have two children : Bert R., who is located at Springfield, Illinois, traffic manager of the Illinois Traction Company ; and Mary E., who recently married Louis W. Laud- ick, son of J. W. Laudick, of Lima, a well- known dealer in agricultural implements. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are by faith Presbyterians. Mr. Stephens has taken a leading part in all movements that pertain to the welfare of the city. He has served as director on the board of two banking institutions of the city, was councilman two years, was a member of the board of trustees of the Lima Water Works four years, and a member of the Sinking Fund Trustees two years.
N. FLETCHER, the genial proprietor of one of the most complete and up-to- date harness and saddle shops in Lima, was born in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1860 and is a son of John Fletcher, who was a harness-maker and conducted a shop in Dalton, Wayne County, for more than 40 years. Our subject was born and reared in Dalton and learned his trade in his father's shop. When about 20 years old he struck out for himself by opening a harness shop in West Salem, Wayne County. He was reasonably successful and remained there 10 years ; but see- ing the advisability of locating in a wide-awake, flourishing city, he removed in 1890 to Lima where he has since been engaged in the same line of business, and enjoys a fine trade and the confidence and good will of his patrons and neighbors.
Mr. Fletcher was married in 1880 to Miss Luginbuhl, daughter of John L. Luginbuhl, a prosperous farmer of Wayne County. Five children have been born to them, viz : Howard, who is bookkeeper for the Lima Electric Light Company ; Clair, a student in the Lima High School; Ethel; Hazel and Madge. The family are adherents of the Epworth Methodist Epis- copal Church, of which Mr. Fletcher is a trus- tee. He is a modern Woodman of America and an Odd Fellow, being a member of both lodge and encampment in the latter order. Mr. Fletcher is now serving his third year in the City Council of Lima, having been elected to the office by a flattering majority, the largest given to any man on the ticket. He takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the welfare of the city. His home is situated at No. 415 South Cole street
m INER C. CROSSLEY, one of Lima's leading citizens, extensively en- gaged in the buying and shipping of stock and a large owner of val- uable real estate, is a native of Al- len County, where he was born in 1857, in Perry township. He is a son of Ross and Phoebe (Apple) Crossley.
The father of Mr. Crossley was born in Lebanon County, Ohio, and came to Perry township, Allen County, Ohio, in 1832, with his parents who were among the pioneer fam- ilies. At that time the present prosperous city of Lima, with its population of about 22,000, had but five houses. He was a brick manufac- turer and made the first brick ever used in house construction in the city. About 1890 he moved to Lima and built a fine brick structure on South Main street, 50 by 70 feet in dimensions. He also owned a handsome home on the corner of West Market and Baxter streets, where he died in 1899. He married Phoebe Apple, whose death preceded his own. Their children were: Henry, deceased; Isaiah, of Paulding County, Ohio; Cloyd, of Montana; Miner C., of this sketch; Elmer, deceased; Eddie, of Lima; Lavina, wife of Robert Hill, of Lima; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Tapscott, of Perry
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township; and Viola and Araminta, both resi- dents of Lima.
Mr. Crossley was a lifelong Democrat, but had many interests outside politics. He owned a great deal of real estate in this locality and in many ways was one of the city's most repre- sentative citizens.
Miner C. Crossley was reared and educated in Perry township and engaged in farming and stock buying until 1889, when he came to Lima. Here he was engaged in a meat business until 1902 and for some years was largely interested in oil. He has disposed of all of the latter in- terests and is now engaged in extensive opera- tions in the buying and shipping of stock. In 1892 he built the Crossley Block, a magnificent two-story building at Nos. 713-715-717 South Main street, and he owns other valuable prop- erty.
In 1878 Mr. Crossley was married to Ra- chel V. Cochrun, who is a daughter of J. C. Cochrun of German township, one of the first pioneers of Allen County. Mr. and Mrs. Crossley have one son, Clifford, who is engaged in the cigar business at Lima.
Politically, Mr. Crossley has always been identified with the Democratic party and has been in close touch with party leaders for a number of years. In 1902 he was his party's choice for county treasurer ; he has served on the Democratic County Executive Committee many times.
W. ZEITS, one of Allen County's representative men and one of Beaver Dam's leading business citi- zens, recently elected county record- er, was born in Perry township, August 7, 1874, and is a son of John and Phil- lipena (Kock) Zeits.
John Zeits was born in Nassau, Germany, in December, 1835, and was 18 years old when he accompanied his parents to the United States. His father settled in Allen County. Ohio, near Westminster. John Zeits has lived in Perry township for the past 35 years. He married Phillipena Kock, who was born near Wittenberg, Germany, and died in November. 1904. at the age of 58 years. She was also 18
years old when she came to the United States. They had three children, namely : Mollie, wife of Rufus Creps, of Westminister; Lewis, of Perry township; and F. W., of Beaver Dam.
F. W. Zeits remained on his father's farm until he was 25 years of age, attending the local schools until 17 years old, and spending two years of this period at the Ohio Normal Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio. After leaving school, he taught several terms. At the opening of the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company C, Second Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volunteers, under Capt. Frank M. Bell, and was mustered into the United States service. He spent three months in camp at Chickamauga Park, went then to Knoxville, Tennessee, and to Ma- con, Georgia, and was mustered out February 10, 1899.
After his return from the army, Mr. Zeits remained one year longer on the farm and then located in Beaver Dam. This was during the oil boom and he worked in the oil field for six months, after which he embarked in his present grocery and shoe business.
On June 10, 1900, Mr. Zeits was married to Lena Franklin, who was born in Allen Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a daughter of J. A. Franklin, of Perry township. They have one child, Vera.
Mr. Zeits is a stanch Democrat and was honored with election to the office of county recorder in November, 1905. He has efficiently served in a number of official capacities and in 1898 was elected township clerk but did not serve on account of enlisting for service in the Spanish-American War as above mention- ed. He belongs to Beaver Dam Lodge, No. 689, I. O. O. F., to Rainbow Encampment, I. O. O. F., of Bluffton ; to LaFayette Lodge, F. & A. M .; and to Lodge No. 39, United Span- ish War Vererans, of Lima. He was con- firmed in the German Reformed Church.
ILLIAM H. MATTINGLY, a lead- ing undertaker and embalmer of Lima, was born in Muskingum County, Olio, in 1854 and is a son of Francis Mattingly. The grand- father, William Mattingly, came from Mary- land in 1812, making the journey from that
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State to Ohio on horseback, and settling in Muskingum County, where the father of our subject was born in 1822. Francis Mattingly was reared to manhood there and became one of the substantial farmers of that section.
William H. Mattingly was reared and ed- ucated on his father's farm. As soon as he was old enough to make his own way in the world, he went to the coal field of lower Perry and Hocking counties, where he soon became en- gaged in opening up the mining industry there, being employed by the Straitsville Mining Company. He continued with this company six years, making his home at New Straitsville, Perry County, until 1876, when he located in Zanesville, Ohio, and entered the undertaking business. He was a member of the firm of Brenholts & Mattingly for 12 years, and then disposed of his interests in the company and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. Two years later he opened his present undertaking and em- balming rooms in Lima, and has been steadily increasing his business since. He has taken ad- vantage of every opportunity to perfect himself in every detail of the work, being a graduate of the Clarke Cincinnati College of Embalming, Myers', of Springfield, and the Egyptian and Sullivan schools of embalming. Mr. Matting- ly is a member of the Ohio Funeral Directors' & Embalmers' Association and is chairman of the finance committee.
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