USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
Astemmer
663
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
In 1870 he was employed on the con- struction of the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and during 15 months he was with the com- pany the principal meat provided him was buf- falo meat. Two months were spent in Denver and then in December, 1871, tired of the life of a rover. he returned to Ohio. In June, 1872, Mr. Lugibihl and Peter Diller purchased the small stock of hardware at Bluffton, which had been carried by Ransom Bartlett, and opened the store under the firm name of Diller & Lugibihl. At that time the railroad had not yet reached Bluffton, but under the excellent management of the new firm the business grew and prospered until it was necessary to have additional room for the stock. Having erected a handsome brick building in 1873, they pur- chased the adjoining building in 1885, thus se- curing one of the best locations in the city and enabling them to make a much better showing of their goods in the large double store thus ac- quired. For 26 years these gentlemen con- ducted this large hardware business together, until November, 1898, when Mr. Diller retired and Mr. Lugibihl purchased the entire business, which he has since conducted very successful- ly by himself. It would be almost impossible to call for any article in the hardware line which is not to be found in his stock, from a tin cup to agricultural implements and build- ers' materials. About five years ago he became associated with H. D. Zerbach in manufactur- ing the "Boss' cream separator, the latter gen- tleman being manager of the plant, which is known as the Bluffton Cream Separator Com- pany. Mr. Lugibihl is also a stockholder in the Bluffton Cement Block Company, and is not afraid of showing his confidence in Bluf- ton enterprise by investing his money in her industries.
In 1874 Mr. Lugibihl was married to Em- ma Reed, who was born in Hancock County. Ohio, November 18, 1855. Her parents were James and Susan K. (Lapham) Reed, the for- mer from State of Pennsylvania and the latter of New England birth. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lugibihl, namely : Edith, born in 1876, who is the wife of Bert Mann, a resident of Bowerston, Ohio: Pearl,
born August 21, 1878, who died April 26, 1883; Harley, born January 4, 1882; and Myron, born March 30, 1887. Mr. Lugibihl is a Republican, but has devoted little time to politics. He was a member of the Bluffton Council for three terms and gave the same energy to the transaction of the city affairs that he does to the conduct of his own busi- ness.
D AVID W. STEINER, M. D., who is associated with his two brothers, Dr. Isaac F. and Dr. Oliver S. Steiner, in the practice of medicine and surgery, at Lima, is one of the eminent men in his profession in this section of the State. He was born near Bluffton, in Putnam County, Ohio, and is a son of Rev. Isaac and Mary Paulina ( Rothen) Steiner.
The mother of Dr. Steiner was a daughter of Rev. David Rothen. Rev. Isaac Steiner, the father, was a minister of the Church of God and was actively engaged in ministerial work until his death. He owned a farm in Putnam County, where his children were reared.
Dr. David W. Steiner was educated prim- arily in the district schools and later entered the Northern Ohio University, where he was graduated with the degree of M. A., in 1880. He then became a student in the medical de- partment of the University of Michigan, grad- uating in 1883, and becoming assistant profes- sor of physiology and also an interne in the university hospital, where he remained until 1886. On January 10, 1887, he located for practice at Lima, where he has become one of the leading men of his profession. In 1897, a brother, Dr. Isaac Franklin Steiner. became associated with him, and in 1901 a second brother. Dr. Oliver S. Steiner, became a mem- ber of the firm. They are located in the Steiner Building at No. 123 North Elizabeth street, which they built in 1903. It was erected mainly as an office building and the Drs. Steiner oc- cupy the first floor. The upper stories are rented as apartments. The structure is one of the finest in Lima, four stories high, with
664
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
marble floors, and is finished in oak. It is modern throughout.
Dr. David W. Steiner is consulting physi- cian in the Lima Hospital and also controls a large and lucrative practice. He is examiner for a number of the leading insurance com- panies, these including the New York Mutual Life, Michigan Mutual Life, Home Life, of New York, and John Hancock Mutual Life. He is a member of the Ohio State and the Allen County medical societies and of the Northwest- ern Ohio and the American medical associa- tions. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
ISAAC FRANKLIN STEINER, M. D., who is associated with his two brothers, Dr. David W. and Dr. Oliver S. Steiner, in the practice of medicine at Lima, was born November 3, 1867, near Bluffton, Ohio. He spent his youth and boyhood on his father's farm in Putnam County, obtained his early education in the local schools and later taught school for several terms. He then entered Findlay College, at Findlay, Ohio, where he remained through the junior year, and next entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he spent one year taking a special course in pharmacy and chemistry and then completed the regular med- ical course, receiving his degree in 1897. Com- ing to Lima after his graduation in medicine, he became associated in practice with his brother, Dr. David. W. Steiner.
Dr. Isaac F. Steiner was married October 19, 1903, to Elizabeth Keil, who is a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Keil. Dr. Steiner is a member of the Allen County Medical Society, and of the Northwestern Ohio and the Ameri- can medical associations. He is medical ex- aminer for the Masachusetts Mutual Life In- surance Company; Michigan Mutual Life In- surance Company ; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers ; Knights of the Maccabees and other organizations. He is also visiting physician at the Lima Hospital.
OLIVER S. STEINER, M. D., physician and surgeon at Lima, associated in practice with his brothers, Dr. David W. and Dr. Isaac F. Steiner, is the youngest member of the firm. Dr. Steiner was born near Bluffton, Ohio, Jan- uary 21, 1874, and his youth was passed on his father's farm. From the public schools he went
to Findlay College until the senior year, and then by examination for the senior year entered Wooster University at Wooster, Ohio, where he was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. He then entered the medical department of the Un- iversity of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1901. Since then he has been associated with his brothers in the practice of his profession at Lima. In May, 1904, he received the appoint- ment of surgeon for the C., H. & D. Railway. In November, 1905, he was elected to the office of coroner of Allen County on the Republican ticket.
HARLES E. ECKERT, senior mem- ber of the firm of Charles E. Eck- ert & Son, funeral directors and embalmers, at Lima, was born at Miltonville, Ohio, in 1853, and is- a son of the late Capt. George Eckert.
Capt. George Eckert was one of the pioneer. pottery manufacturers of Ohio, establishing his business in that line in 1837. His title was gained as captain of a company of "Squirrel Hunters," called to the defense of the State during the Morgan raids.
Charles E. Eckert was reared and educated in Butler County, Ohio, and his first work was done in his father's pottery. He learned the trade and followed it there until he was about 30 years of age, when he went to Canada, where he remained three years, operating two large brick plants which he built. Upon his re- turn to Butler County, he was made superin- tendent of the Middletown Cemetery, and later entered the employ of A. T. Wilson, the Mid- dletown undertaker. Five years later he came to Lima and was employed for five years by Mr. Grosjean, the undertaker. On April 23, 1902, he went into business for himself, estab- lishing the firm of Charles E. Eckert & Son, which is one of the leading ones in its line in Lima. He is a graduate of the Clarke Cin- cinnati College of Embalming. His establish- ment is fitted with everything pertaining to modern embalming and the directing of funer- als. He is a member of the Ohio Funeral Di- rectors' and Embalmers' Association.
Mr. Eckert was married in 1873 to Delia
665
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Antrim, who died in 1893, leaving two child- ren, George W. and Keturah. In 1897 he was married to Minnie Dietz, of Trenton, Ohio.
Mr. Eckert belongs to the Royal Arcanum, the Knights of the Maccabees and to Solar Lodge, No. 783, I. O. O. F. He is a man of sterling character and enjoys the respect of his fellow-citizens.
ILLIAM H. SMITH, an expert stationary engineer of Allen Coun- ty, residing in section 22, German township, was born in this town- ship, December 4, 1856. His par- ents, William B. and Barbara (Conrad) Smith, came here from Fairfield County, later they returned to that county where they lived five years until the death of the father. The widow and children returned to Allen County after the death of the father in 1863 and she is still a resident of German township. There were eleven children, viz: Taylor, Harrison, George W., Martin A., Jacob H., Richard E., William H., Isabelle, wife of David Reed; Mary C., wife of Jackson Kellar of Michigan ; Barbara E., wife of John Baumgartner, and Sarah E., wife of Gilbert Snook.
William H. Smith began life as
a wage earner in the sawmill of Isaac East in German township. Later he learned to run a threshing machine engine and now has a license as a stationary engi- neer and is one of the most competent en- gineers in the county. He is at present travel- ing for the International Harvester Company, as an expert operator.
Mr. Smith was married in 1877 to Marga- ret Remegan, daughter of Peter Remegan, of German township. They have one son, Del- vert, born September 22, 1879, who is now in the employ of the Fort Wayne, Van Wert & Lima Traction Company, as motorman. Mr. Smith is a member of the United Brethren Church, of Elida, Ohio. In politics he is a Re- publican and was assessor of German township during 1904. . He has served a number of years on the School Board and also as road supervisor.
L. ARMSTRONG, well-known among the attorneys of Lima, is a native of R Mercer County, having been born in Celina, where he reached manhood. His father, Judge Stephen A. Arm- strong, is a leading member of the legal pro- fession in Mercer County, and for more than a quarter of a century, an honored and esteemed citizen of Celina. Judge Armstrong is a native of Canada, but has resided in Mercer County for the past 40 years. He has practiced his pro- fession in Celina for more than 25 years and was, for a time, associated with ex-Senator J. D. Johnson. Judge Armstrong was prosecut- ing attorney of Mercer County several years, and is now serving his second term as judge of the Court of Common Pleas.
R. L. Armstrong graduated from the Ce- lina High School previous to matriculating at the State University of Ohio at Columbus. He graduated from that institution in the class of 1900, and successfully passed his examinations for the bar, when he at once located in Lima, opening his office in August of the same year. He is a promising young practitioner, having already established a clientage, whose person- nel speaks well for his ability and character. Mr. Armstrong is an active worker in the in- terest of good government, and takes a lively interest in political questions. During the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Com- pany A, First Ohio Infantry, U. S. Volun- teers, and entered the service as Ist corporal early in I898. He was mustered out in November of the same year. Mr. Armstrong is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is also a Knight Templar Mason. He was married December 29, 1904, to Della D. Dow, daughter of Colonel C. F. Dow, pro- prietor of the Hotel Norval.
B HILIP WALTHER, one of Lima's representative business citizens, iden- tified with a number of her largest enterprises, and engaged in the man- ufacture of wood-fiber. wall-plaster, established the first plant of its kind in this section. Mr. Walther was born in 1860 at
75元
666
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
Mckeesport, Pennsylvania, and is a son of George J. Walther.
In 1864 the parents of Mr. Walther re- moved to Monroe township, Allen County, Ohio, where they resided for 18 months and then located at Lima, the father conducting a hotel here for a number of years. He died in 1892.
Philip Walther was educated in the public schools of Lima and subsequently took a busi- ness course in a commercial institution, after which he was employed in a furniture factory. After three years' there, he accepted an office position with a large local firm, and then as- sisted his father in the hotel business until 1887, when he entered the government service as a letter carrier. This position he resigned in 1889 to become a deputy under Auditor Cyrus D. Crites, and in 1893 he was elected to the auditorship itself. He entered upon the duties of the office in September, 1894, was reelected in 1896, and completed his public service in 1900. From early manhood he has taken an active interest in politics and on many occa- sions has been selected for public offices, his ac- ceptance of these honors often being impossi- ble, however, on account of the press of pri- vate interests. He is at present a member of the Board of Review of Lima.
In 1884 Mr. Walther was married to Mary Thoring. who is a daughter of the late Henry Thoring, and they have three children, viz : Charles F., Bessie and Pauline. The fam- ily belong to the German Reformed Church of Lima.
In addition to the successful business con- nections previously mentioned, Mr. Walther is a director of The Crystal Ice & Coal Company, Feltz Brothers & Company and Citizens' Loan & Building Company. He holds fraternal re- lationship with the Odd Fellows, Elks, Knights of Pythias and Lodge No. 267, Improved Order of Red Men (German).
His long experience, both in business and in public life, has brought him into contact with a large percentage of his fellow-citizens, who hold him in esteem, both for his business integrity and genial personality. His present business enterprise was started in 1900 and
promises to become one of the most important in this locality, the new chemical compound meeting a long-felt want of the trade.
ILLIAM A. McBETH, a prosper- ous farmer of Shawnee township, was born July 20, 1861, in Placer- ville, California, to which place his parents had moved during the gold fever. before their marriage. He is a son of James and Eliza (Gardner) McBeth, who were the parents of one other son, J. O., who resides in Lima. James McBeth was born in Scot- land in 1827, and came to America when he was about 21 years of age. He was a carpenter on a steamboat which plied between Boston and the Carolinas until he went to Cali- fornia. He remained there until about three years after his marriage, when he re- turned as far East as Ohio, and soon after en- listed in the 55th Ohio Regiment in which he served until the close of the war. He belonged to the Pioneer Corps which went in advance of the main army to build bridges, etc., and was with Sherman in his advance on Atlanta. He married Eliza Gardner, who was a native of West Virginia, but was reared in the vicin- ity of Mansfield, Ohio. After coming to Allen County, James McBeth became a farmer and purchased a farm of 180 acres. This land had, at one time, been owned by the Indian chief Turkey Foot, who had sold it to one Edwards, from whom Mr. McBeth bought it. The house then on the property had been built by its Indian owner. Later Mr. McBeth pur- chased the 70 acres upon which our subject re- sides, and still later he bought the 97 acres known as McBeth Park. He was county com- missioner for two terms. He died at the age of 68 years. His wife died in November, 1890.
James McBeth built the beautiful lake which ornaments McBeth Park, and conducted a private park and pleasure resort for about 10 years, when the ground was leased to the West- ern Ohio Railway Company. It is one of the most delightful spots in Allen County and is
T. W. DOBBINS
HE LAYAN
669
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
a favorite resort of those who wish to while away a few pleasant hours. The lake covers IO acres of ground and is 14 feet deep in many places, furnishing fine rowing and fishing, as it is stocked with perch, bass, catfish and sun- fish. William A. McBeth now owns the lake, having inherited it from his father.
The immediate subject of this sketch was a child of one year when his parents located on the farm about one mile from his present resi- dence in section 3. Here he grew to manhood and received his education, later entering the Lima High School and from this institution going to the Ohio Normal University located at Ada. He followed farming and stock-rais- ing, and lived at home until his marriage, after which he moved to a farm of 35 acres which was born November 18, 1858. They have been some oil found on his land and a few wells sunk, but not in any number.
Mr. McBeth was married February 3, 1886, to Aldulia Reed, daughter of Eman- nel and Elizabeth (O'Hara) Reed, and a native of Shawnee township, where she was born November 18, 1858. They have five children, viz .: James, a violinist and cornetist of rare ability, who is devoting his time to music and lives at home; Harry Gardner, a student; Dwight C. and Hazel D. (twins) and Quay W. Mr. McBeth is a Democrat and has held a number of town- ship offices. In religion he affiliates with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and fraternally he belongs to Lima Lodge, No. 205, F. & A. M.
E. HARMAN, one of the leading business men of Lima, where he has been established since 1877, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1857, and was about 10 years old when he moved with his parents to Ohio.
The boyhood and school days of our sub- ject was spent at Lima, and until 1877 he made himself useful to his father in the latter's gen- eral merchandise store, which the elder Mr. Harman carried on for a number of years. In that year he became bookkeeper and general
manager for J. R. Hughes, who conducted a large business in the line of house furnishing goods. In 1886 Mr. Harman bought an inter- est in the business and the firm name became Hughes & Harman, which continued for three years, when Mr. Harman sold his interest and established his present line, in association with his brother-in-law, under the firm style of Harman & Bell.
In 1894 Mr. Harman purchased Mr. Bell's interest in the business and has since continued to conduct it individually. Its original main feature was crockery and house furnishings generally, and to this Mr. Harman has added a fine line of furniture and carpets, pushing his business into the front ranks and enlarging his quarters to accommodate its expension. He is now using 40,000 square feet of floor space and transacts a business which reaches annu- ally into many thousands of dollars. Mr. Har- man is also a member of the directing board of The Ohio National Bank.
In 1883 Mr. Harman was married to Clara M. Bell, who is a daughter of William Bell, a pioneer of this section. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Harman be- longs to the Masonic fraternity.
W. DOBBINS, a citizen of Lima, who is held in general esteem, for a long period very active in the business af- fairs of this city and exceedingly prominent in Masonic circles in the State, was born at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, April 26, 1834, and is a son of Joseph Dobbins.
Mr. Dobbins comes of sturdy ancestry, a combination of Scotch and Welsh stock, with an added Irish strain. The family originated in Scotland, but during the days of religious per- secution fled to the North of Ireland. From that section came the paternal grandfather of our subject, who settled in Maryland in 1797. His movements later were to Washington County, Pennsylvania, and thence to what is now Mahoning County, Ohio, where he set- tled with other early pioneers. The maternal
670
HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY
grandfather, Thomas Williams, came from Wales and settled in Maryland.
Mr. Dobbins had the common experiences of other farmer's sons in his locality, but in early manhood turned his special attention to carpentry. He also taught school for several terms and spent several years in Missouri, where he was employed as a surveyor of gov- ernment lands. Shortly before the opening of the Civil War, he returned to Ohio and con- tinued his former occupations until 1864, when he enlisted as a private in the 180th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served until the end of the struggle. While this was the extent of his army service, he has been connected with military affairs previously, having served throughout the year. 1862 as provost-marshal. He was a strong supporter of the Union cause and testified to his loyalty in a very practical way.
Since 1863 Mr. Dobbins has been a resident of Allen County, and of Lima, since 1880. For some years he was engaged in farming and bridge-building, but since locating in the city his main interests have been in the lumber trade. He is treasurer of Garrett Wykoff Lodge, No. 585, F. & A. M. He was secre- tary and treasurer of Woodlawn Cemetery for, several years, and is at present one of the trus- tees. He sold the property which became the sites of both the Woodlawn and Gethsemane cemeteries, the latter being the Catholic burial- ground. Mr. Dobbins was one of the first members of the board of trustees of the Lima Water-Works. During his residence in Shaw- nee township he served for a number of years as justice of the peace. Endowed with ex- cellent business capacity, he has accumulated a competency and has always thoughtfully con- sidered the welfare of his family.
Mr. Dobbins was married in 1861, to Jane Fenn, and they had seven children born to them, viz : Mary Olive; Carrie, wife of George Sifert, of Lima; William F., manager of the Laurens Hull Lumber Company ; Joseph ; Grant, deceased; Arthur, with the Lima Tele- phone & Telegraph Company, and Emma and Cloyd, both deceased. Clarence Sifert, the eld- est son of Mr. Dobbins' second daughter, was
one of the 14 telephone and telegraph opera- tors on duty at the notable meeting of the Peace Commissioners of Russia and Japan, at Ports- mouth. Another son of Mrs. Sifert is in the telegraphic department of the Buckeye Pipe Line Company, of Lima.
For the last 30 years Mr. Dobbins has held some official position in the Masonic fraternity at Lima. He is a 32d degree Mason; is a member of the Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery, at Lima; is one of the older members of the Shrine at Dayton; belongs to the Consistory at Toledo, and has long been a member of the Shrine Club. He is also iden- tified with Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R.
Mr. Dobbins and family belong to the Presbyterian Church, and William F. is one of the elders. Mr. Dobbins resides in a very pleas- ant home at No. 120 West Spring street. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
RA R. LONGSWORTH, a prominent attorney at Lima, and a manufacturer and oil producer, has been a resident of this city since 1878. He was born at Van Wert, Ohio, October 2, 1859, and is a son of Dr. William N. Longsworth.
Dr. Longsworth was a native of Maryland, born in 1818, and came West in 1850. He studied medicine with Dr. Leander Firestone, of Wooster, and obtained his professional de- gree from the Fort Wayne Medical College. He died in 1903, one of the old and honored members of the profession. He was also en- gaged in a manufacturing business, and was quite prominent in politics.
Ira R. Longsworth was educated at Van Wert, and in 1876 was graduated from its High School. He was prepared by a tutor for the junior year at Wooster College, but in 1878 located at Lima and, finding a business opening as manager of his father's manufact- ing plant, forever terminated his collegiate career. He continued to manage his father's establishment, which was engaged in the manu- facture of handles for farming implements.
671
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
until 1882, and then purchased it and con- ducted the business at Lima until 1888, when he removed it to Anderson, Indiana. In 1898 he removed the plant to Somerset, Kentucky, and still continues its operation.
Although Mr. Longsworth deemed it ex- pedient at the time to give up his collegiate course, it did not prevent his studying for the law, and he was admitted to the bar in 1889, and opened an office at Lima. In his first part- nership the business name was Longsworth & Dotson, which was existent for one and a half years, and his last association was with Mr. Kephart, the firm of Longsworth & Kephart continuing for one year. With these exceptions Mr. Longsworth has practiced alone, and is favorably known in his profession throughout this section of the State.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.