USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 3
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In 1856 Mr. Rothe was married to Mary Fuchs, and they have had two sons-John and Frederick. The elder son, John Rothe, died in
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1898; his wife, Elizabeth Lease, died in 1899 and their only child died when one year old.
Frederick Rothe, the second son, resides on the home farm and superintends its cultivation. He married Tinnie Houseman, and to them have been born four children, viz. : Rudy (the only daughter), who died at the age of six years; and Albert, Calvin and Leonard, who at- tend the district school in section 13.
Mr. and Mrs. Rothe are worthy members of the German Reformed Church at Lima, of which Mr. Rothe has been a trustee and deacon. These good people are looking forward with pleasure to a celebration of their Golden Wed- ding," which occurs January 27, 1906. They will have a wide circle of friends to wish them continued peace and prosperity for they are well known and most highly esteemed.
5 ARRY THOMAS, one of Lima's lead- ing grocers, who is well established in the Holland Block, in the city's busi- ness center, was born in 1864 at Lima, and is a son of the late Lewis Thomas. The father of Mr. Thomas was born in Wales and came to Allen County about 1850. For a number of years he was engaged in the brewery business at Lima.
Our subject was reared and educated at Lima and began business in boyhood in his father's employ. After completing his second year in the Lima High School, he became a clerk in the grocery store of F. A. Holland, with whom he remained 18 years and then be- came the junior partner of the firm. Two years later, in 1891, the relationship of the part- ners changed and since that time Mr. Thomas has continued the business as sole proprietor.
Mr. Thomas was married October 22, 1889, to Belle Bowdle, who is a daughter of M. W. Bowdle, of Westminster, Ohio, the family be- ing among the early pioneers of Allen County. Mrs. Thomas' father still survives at the age of 88 years. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children, viz .; Holland B. and Lenore Y. The family belong to Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Thomas being one of the board of trustees. He is much interested in the Sunday-
school work, is a teacher and has been superin- tendent, and he is first vice-president of the Ep- worth League. Mr. Thomas occupies a very high position both personally and in a business way in Lima, and is looked upon as one of the city's sterling citizens and representative men.
HOMAS C. ROBERTS, general farmer and stock-raiser of Allen County, owns a quarter section of land in Perry township and is one of the most influ- ential and prominent agriculturists of the country. He was born at Westminster, Al- len County, Ohio, April 14, 1853, and is a son of Josiah B. and Margaret (Winrot) Roberts. His grandparents, William and Hannah ( Mor- rison) Roberts, were natives of Virginia, of Scotch-Irish descent, the latter being a daugh- ter of Andrew Morrison. The grandfather was a carpenter, working at his trade in West Virginia, where he reared a family of three children, viz : Josiah B .; Margaret T., wife of Samuel Davison French, whose sketch and portrait appear elsewhere in this work; and Catherine, wife of Jacob Moss, of West- minster.
Josiah B. Roberts was born February 20, 1822, at Frankford, Greenbrier County, West Virginia, making his first trip to West Liberty, Ohio, when a boy, but returning to his native State. About 1835 he located at Westminster, Allen County, and was obliged to cut his way through the dense timber in making the jour- ney from West Virginia. He conducted a store at Westminster for several years, and in 1854 purchased the homestead which is now occu- pied by his son, Alton. He moved his family to this farm in the fall of 1854 and lived upon it until his death. His wife, Margaret, was born near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Isaac Winrot. Of the II children born to them, but six reached maturity, namely : Oliver C., who resided in Perry township and was a member of an Ohio regiment enlisted for the 100-day service in the Civil War-his con- stitution was undermined and he was taken with jaundice, which probably resulted in his death later; William A., who died in the
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spring of 1905; Lenora (Mrs. Hiram Hold- ridge), of Lima; Viola (Dunlap), who resides in Hardin County ; Thomas C. ; and Alton, who resides on the home farm. In politics Josiah B. Roberts was a Republican.
Thomas C. Roberts was an infant when his parents removed to the farm where he grew to manhood and became familiar with the work which has made him one of the most practical and progressive agriculturists of his day. Soon after his marriage he purchased his present farm of 160 acres, and has carried on general farming in connection with stock-raising. He has improved the property with substantial buildings and his method of cultivation is steadily increasing its value by adding to the productiveness of the land.
Mr. Roberts married Elizabeth T. Moore, who was born in Perry township, but was reared in Lima, where her father, William Moore, founded the wholesale house of The Moore Brothers Company, one of the largest mercantile concerns in the city. Her mother was formerly Amanda Ballard. Mrs. Roberts is the mother of two children-Florence, born in 1882 and Ruth, born in 1886. Mr. Roberts is a stanch Republican.
€ LIAS H. JOHNS, one of the honored retired residents of Lima, was for a great many years prominently identi- fied with the city's business interests and public affairs. Mr. Johns was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, June II, 1834, and is a son of Elias and Adaline (Otley) Johns.
The Johns family were among the pioneers of Washington township, Union County, Ohio, removing there from Charlestown, Virginia. The father of our subject was a man of enter- prising spirit. When he located in Washing- ton township, in 1852, he erected the first hewed-log house there. When his life ap- proached middle age, he removed from the farm to the village of Essex and there engaged in mercantile business.
Elias H. Johns obtained his education in Virginia prior to the removal of the family
to Ohio and from the age of 18 years until his enlistment in the Union Army he followed school teaching. Mr. Johns was one of the first patriotic young men of his neighborhood to respond to the call for troops in 1861, becom- ing a member of Company B, Second Battalion, 18th Reg., United States Infantry. With all the loyal enthusiasm of the time he entered the service and nobly performed a soldier's duty and almost gave up his life for his country. On the terrible battle-ground of Stone River, he with scores of his comrads fell, and such were the prevailing conditions that he was left to suffer without surgical care for a number of hours. His life was in the balance when he was taken to a hospital. From December until the following September he was under treatment in army hospitals at Murfrees- boro, Nashville, Louisville and Camp Den- nison. From the effects of that dreadful day of battle, Mr. Johns never fully recovered, although the day came when he was able to take a position in the recruiting service, in which he spent the remainder of his term of enlistment, being honorably discharged in 1864. In spite of the injuries suffered when just in the flower of his manhood, Mr. Johns has sur- vived many of his comrades and, approaching the evening of life, he is still vigorous of mind and body, and in most entertaining manner can recall those days which must always possess vital interest for. every true American.
After his return from his army service, Mr. Johns came in the same year to Lima and en- tered into business, opening up a grocery which he continued to operate until 1879, when he became associated with Townsend & Moser for four years, and later with the late Judge Hughes, in the manufacture of furniture. Close attention to business and careful invest- ments have provided Mr. Johns with ample competency, which his leisure permits him to enjoy. He owns considerable property here, including his pleasant home at No. 222 South Pierce street.
In 1857 Mr. Johns was married to Eliza- beth Cheney, of Union County, Ohio, a daugh- ter of William Cheney, who was a farmer all his life. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Johns, two are now living, namely : Silas
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H., who is assistant superintendent of the Pru- dential Life Insurance Company's agency at Lima; and Septa J., who is the wife of W. A. Hall, a journalist, of Racine, Wisconsin.
Mr. Johns has always been an active and interested citizen and for a number of years was a valuable member of the City Council. His advice was always considered as he was known to be a practical, reliable public-spirited man. He is a member of Mart Armstrong Post, No. 202, G. A. R., and of Trinity Meth- odist Episcopal Church. He has for many years been prominent in the York rite bodies of the Masonic order and at present is secre- tary of Garett Wykoff Lodge, No. 585, F. & A. M. He is past master of the Blue Lodge, past high priest of the Chapter, past thrice illus- trious master of the Council and past eminent commander of the Commandery.
H F. KNISELY, M. D., eye, ear and throat specialist, at Lima, enjoys a reputation for professional skill which extends far beyond this city. Dr. Knisely was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1859, and received his liter- ary training in the common schools and his scientific education at the Ohio Medical Col- lege, Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1884.
From college Dr. Knisely entered the office of Dr. Seely, of Cincinnati, where he remained two years, gaining much valuable experience in a varied practice, and then removed to Chi- cago, where he continued in practice for five years, making diseases of the eye, ear and throat his specialty. He then returned to his old home at Uhrichsville, Ohio, for a short season, after which he returned to his work in Chicago for another period of five years. The climate of the "Windy City" did not agree with him entirely and as a matter of prudence he gave up the position he had won in his profession there and returned to Ohio, locating at Lima in 1897. . He enjoys an extensive practice in his specialty. He is also a leading member of political and social circles. .
Dr. Knisely was married on April 12, 1880,
to Mary De Grieff, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and they have two sons, viz .: Allen D. and Virgil M. The former was educated at New Philadelphia and Chicago and then spent two years in the Ohio State University, after which he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After two years there he became a student at the Louis- ville Medical College, where his graduation will take place in June, 1906. The second son is a student in the Lima High School.
Dr. Knisely is prominent in Masonry, a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Com- mandery at Lima and the Shrine at Dayton. During his residence at Uhrichsville, he was one of the officers of the Masonic lodge there. He is a member of the First Evangelical Luth- eran Church, of Lima.
OHN HEFNER, a well known agricul- turist of Jackson township, was born in this vicinity July 12, 1849, and be- longs to a family which has been close- ly identified with the history of the county for 65 years. He owns and cultivates a large farm of 280 acres in section 30 and 31, Jackson township and section 25, Bath town- ship and is regarded as one of the best farmers in the county. His parents, Isaac and Mary (May) Hefner, came originally from Pennsyl- vania to Ross County, this State, and, in 1840, removed with their family to Allen County where they remained until their death, the former in 1884, at the age of 75 and the latter in 1901 at the more advanced age of 94. Isaac Hefner accumulated large tracts of land, which are still in the possession of his descend- ants. The following children were born to him and his good wife: Jacob, of Jackson town- ship; Harison, of Jackson township; Amos, of Auglaize township; two that died in in- fancy ; Clarissa, wife of Jacob Mowery, of Bath township; David, of Bath township; and John and Albert, who live in Jackson township.
John Hefner was married in ISSo to Miss F. R. Growdon, who was born in Auglaize town- ship, Allen County, Ohio, April 13. 1857. Her parents were Brice and Sarah ( Ash) Growdon, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania.
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Mrs. Hefner died January 2, 1900, leaving seven children, namely: Sarah Olive; Tillie A .; Jesse William; Harvey R .; Mary; Robert and Leah. Edith died at the age of nine years and two died in infancy. After his marriage, Mr. Hefner moved at once to his present prop- erty and has devoted his entire time to farming and has found it to be far more profitable to feed the products of his land to his stock than to put it on the market in the natural state. He handles all kinds of stock and his premises are well provided with barns and sheds to properly accommodate them, large cribs and grainaries affording storage for his grain. Sixty-seven acres of his land lies in section 30 and 87 in section 31, Jackson township, the remainder being located in section 25, Bath township, it is all in one body, excepting a tract of 40 acres. Mr. Hefner is deacon of the Reformed Church and was formerly elder. He is a strong Demo- crat and has been an efficient member of the School Board. He is a member of the Au- glaize Grange, of which he was one time treas- urer and has always taken a lively interest in advancing agricultural interests in Allen County.
EAN VETTER, deceased, founder of the Delphos Hardware Company, at Delphos, and one of the city's most valued and respected men, was born in 1848 in Hessen, Germany.
After completing a public and normal school education by the time he was 20 years old, Jean Vetter came to America. He had also learned the locksmith's trade in his native land and soon found employment at Crestline, Ohio, in a Crestline lock shop, where he remained for the next five years. In 1875 he came to Delphos and opened up a hardware business on a small scale. The venture proved successful and de- veloped into important business of the Delphos Hardware Company. He erected the fine build- ing in which this business is located, and he also put up a number of other substantial structures in the city. After an active and useful life, he retired to the enjoyment of the fruits of his former energy : but two years later, on October 19, 1903, a sudden message came and he passed
away. For some time his health had not been of the best and an affection of the heart devel- oped. For a number of years he was a member of the Board of Education and was a liberal supporter of all educational and religious re- forms. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. His only fraternal connec- tion was with the Knights of Pythias.
Mr. Vetter was married at Delphos to Lina Eysenbach, the youngest daughter of the late Prof. Wendel Eysenbach, and they had three children, viz: Ella, wife of Louis Huber, who is interested in the Delphos Hardware Com- pany-they have one daughter, Mildred; Amelia, wife of William Du Wece, also of the Delphos Hardware Company-they have one child, John Vetter; Meta, wife of William. Steinle, son of Felix Steinle; and Ernest.
The late Prof. Wendel Eysenbach was born in Eberstadt, Germany, April 29, 1810. At the age of 17 he attended the seminary of Friedberg and was graduated there as a public teacher at the age of 20 years. After acting for a time as private tutor, he received an ap- pointment as public teacher, and for many years was popular as such. During the troubles of the Revolution of 1848 he was impeached by the government on account of his liberal sentiments and as a result of a trial was sen- tenced to punishment. However, in 1851-he escaped to America with his family and settled on a farm in Marion township, Allen County, east of Delphos, where he passed the remainder of his life, dying in May, 1886. He was a natural and trained musician and taught the piano for about 10 years, having many pupils in Lima.
In 1838 he married Margaret Schillings and they had four sons and one daughter who were born in Germany, namely: Louis, a farmer of Marion township; Henry P. a mer- chant and manufacturer of Delphos; William of Delphos; Theodore, a merchant of Spencer- ville; and Mary, widow of George Schilling. Their youngest child, Mrs. Vetter, was born in Ohio.
Professor Eysenbach's mind was a versatile one, turning as easily to science as to literature and music. He spent some years inventing and perfecting astronomical apparatus. He
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was probably one of the most learned men who ever lived out a quiet, useful life in Allen County and he commanded the respect and en- joyed the esteem of all who knew him.
OL. C. T. HOBART, general mana- ger and chief engineer of the Co- lumbus & Lake Michigan Railway, now in operation from Lima to De- fiance, Ohio, is a railroad man of long experience and scientific training. He was born in Vermont and was educated in his State University, where he was graduated in the polytechnic department.
For 12 years after entering railroad service 'Colonel .Hobart was in the operating depart- ment of the Central Vermont Railroad. From that time on he has been more or less continu- ously connected with great lines of transporta- tion. In 1866 he made the first survey of a pre- liminary nature, for the construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad; 900 miles were cov- ered before the party was attacked by the In- dians. Of the party of 21 surveyors, only eight ·escaped with their lives. The exigencies of his business often required long journeys through unbroken forests and over dangerous paths. One winter he left Montana by stage and trav- eled 700 miles to Salt Lake City, thence by stage 600 miles to Austin, Nevada. This was necessary in measuring the ground for the Cen- tral Pacific Railway. Afterward he worked back across the Sierra Nevada Mountains. He was then superintendent of the operating de- partment which built the road out to a point connecting with the Central Pacific and contin- ued it until it was in operation to Ogden.
Upon the completion of this great engineer- ing work, Colonel Hobart was engaged by the Northern Pacific, met the directors at St. Paul and after impressive services, in which the di- rectors took part, including Governor Smith of Vermont (the president of the company ), Col- onel Hobart was left in charge as superintend- ent of construction and operation. This was the initial step in the building of that great highway of commerce and promoter of civiliza-
tion-the Northern Pacific Railroad. For 17 years Colonel Hobart continued in charge of this great enterprise. When it was found de- sirable to construct a branch line from the Northern Pacific to Yellowstone Park, under a government lease, Colonel Hobart built the line and erected the hotel in the park for the entertainment of the people who visit that won- derful region. These hotels he later turned over to the Northern Pacific road.
On account of the delicacy of his wife's health, Colonel Hobart then gave up his con- nection with the Northern Pacific and went to the Argentine Republic, South America. Here he built 200 miles of railroad, under govern- ment concessions to American capitalists, through Paraguay and other portions of South America. The road was later abandoned. Upon his return to New York, he became vice- president of the Raritan River Railway and constructed the same.
It was while engaged in this great project that he was approached by Benjamin C. Fau- rot, who gave him such a glowing picture of the business possibilities of Northwestern Ohio and so convincingly placed before him the de- sirable climatic and other advantages for happy home-building, that Colonel Hobart determined to settle- in this section. From this determina- tion subsequently came about the building of the Columbus & Lake Michigan Railway (at first known as the Columbus, Lima & Milwau- kee). Within the current year in all probabil- ity, the road will have reached Columbus as one terminus and Eastern Lake, Michigan, as the other.
Colonel Hobart is a Knight Templar Ma- son, and belongs to the Protestant Episcopal Church.
OHN STEVENS, deceased, was one of the most highly esteemed citizens of German township, where his death oc- curred on February 1, 1896. He was born in 1846 in Somerset, Ohio, and was a son of Frederick and Agnes Stevens.
John Stevens was reared in his native place and attended the district schools. He devoted
HON. S. D. CRITES
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his life to farming and lived in Perry County until he was about 30 years old. Immediately after his marriage in 1878, he settled at Colum- bus Grove, Putnam County, Ohio, but 18 months later removed to German township, Allen County, and bought 50 acres of land in section 8. Subsequently he bought 10 addi- tional acres and this was his estate at the time of his death.
On January 2, 1878, Mr. Stevens was mar- ried to Margaret O'Neil, a daughter of John and Frances (Lawler) O'Neil, who came to America from Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens had these children: John Henry, born Octo- ber 28, 1879, who married Alta Smith, of Lima, January 1, 1901, and has one child, Velma-they are residents of German town- ship; Frederick, born June 17, 1882, who re- sides at home; Adam, born September 4, 1884, who died at the age of six years; Frances Esther, born April 5, 1885, who lives at home; Alice Margaret, born December 9, 1891, who resides at home, and Mary Agnes, her twin sis- ter, who died September 4, 1892.
Mrs. Stevens is a lady of excellent business capacity. After her husband's death she in- creased her farm of 60 acres to 90 acres, subse- quently selling 41 acres, just north of her pres- ent farm, to James McKenzie, who paid the handsome price of $100 per acre. She makes her home on her farm of 50 acres, three of her children residing there also. The family be- longs to St. Rose Catholic Church at Lima, and in the cemetery of this church the remains of the father were interred. He was a worthy member of St. Rose Catholic Church, was a kind and loving husband and an honest, whole- souled friend and neighbor.
ON. S. D. CRITES, whose portrait ap- pears on the opposite page, ably rep- resents the 32d Senatorial District in the Ohio State Senate. He was born in German township, Allen County, Ohio, November 28, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Mary J. (Cremean) Crites.
Jacob Crites, father of Senator Crites, was born October 19, 1822, in Pickaway County,
Ohio, came to Allen County as an early pio- neer and died in German township, in March, 1904. During a long and useful life he was identified with a large number of the important interests of the county and was a highly re- spected man and valued citizen.
S. D. Crites was reared on his father's farm and was instructed in all the practical work incident to the development of a large prop- erty. When 18 years of age he began to teach school. earning enough in this way to enable him to attend the National Normal University, at Lebanon Ohio, under the superintendence of that noted educator, President Alfred Hol brook. In 1870 Mr. Crites was appointed su- perintendent of the Elida public schools, a po- sition he filled with efficiency for 12 successive years, resigning at the close of this long period on account of failing health. From 1876 until 1888 he was a member of the Allen County Board of School Examiners and for nine years he served as a justice of the peace in German township.
In 1883 Mr. Crites decided to try the effects of the out-door life necessary in the successful carrying on of large agricultural operations, and devoted himself to extensive farming and to the raising, buying and shipping of stock. A few years of country life restored his normal health. He now has his farms under rental to J. L. Edmiston and Alva Benedum, owning two adjoining farms, consisting of 300 acres.
In 1895 he purchased the grain elevator, at Elida, which he renovated; at present he is operating it in partnership with his brother, D. H. Crites, who is the active manager. In September, 1903, Senator Crites organized one of the leading financial establishments of this part of the State, the Farmers' Bank of Elida. Aside from his public duties, Senator Crites devotes all his time to the interests of this bank and is ably assisted by his very capable daugh- ter, Zoe Crites, who is cashier.
Senator Crites has not only been a prom- inent figure in the educational and business cir- cles of Allen County, but for years he has been a dominating factor in its political life. His sympathies have always been in accord with the Democratic party. In 1901 he was nom- inated by acclamation, an unusual testimonial
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of party esteem, at the Democratic District Convention, for the position of State Senator, to represent the 32d Senatorial District, which is composed of the rich and populous counties of Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Mercer, Pauling, Van Wert and Williams. He was elected to this high position by a majority of 2,300 votes, and was re-elected at the expiration of his first term, practically without opposition. His work has been especially given, as committeeman, to finance, agriculture, benevolent institutions, common schools and school lands, fees and sal- aries, public works and public lands, peniten- tiaries, universities, colleges and banks, and building and loan associations. Upon his retire- ment from public life, Senator Crites proposes to devote himself exclusively to his banking in- terests.
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