USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 31
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Jacob Ridenour, the father of our subject, was born and reared in this county. His wife, Dorcas, was a daughter of Jacob Dixson, de- ceased, who in early life was a prominent farm- er of Licking County, Ohio, and later a resi- dent of Allen County. In 1862, when his son, Jacob Cloyd, was two years of age, Jacob Ridenour joined the Union Army as a private in the 118th Reg. Ohio Vol. Inf. He served in the East and took part in many of the hard fought battles waged by the Army of the Po- tomac under Hooker, Burnside, Meade and Grant. He died in camp at Washington, D. C., February 5, 1865.
Jacob Cloyd Ridenour was reared on a farm near Lima and obtained his preliminary educa- tion in the common schools of this county. He then entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada where he was graduated in the scientific department in 1882, and then became a student of law in the State University of Iowa, from which he graduated in June, 1885. On the
23rd of that month he was admitted to prac- tice in both the State and Federal courts of Iowa. Soon afterward he returned to Ohio. and accepted the principalship of the LaRue High School. On June 2, 1886, he was ad- mitted to the Ohio bar, after successfully pass- ing the examination before the State Supreme Court. He at once engaged in practice in his native city, soon showing that ability which has made his career one of unusual success. On June 21, 1886, he formed a partnership with Gideon Ditto, which continued until the: latter's death in July, 1887. On September I, 1887, Mr. Ridenour formed his present part- nership with James W. . Halfhill, which com- bination of legal talent has proved one of great. strength. The offices of the firm are at No .. 51 Public Square. In all the attributes nec- essary for legal success, Mr. Ridenour has. been liberally endowed, and it is safe to say that no name in the various courts of North- western Ohio, is more favorably known than his. He is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Associa -- tion.
Mr. Ridenour was married to Maggie: Bowsher, a daughter of Anthony Bowsher,. and they have three children. The family res- idence is located at No. 631 West Market street.
In political matters and public affairs Mr .. Ridenour has taken a very active interest. He is a stanch Democrat and from January I, 1894, to January 1, 1900, was prosecuting at- torney of his county. In 1900 he was a dele- gate to the National Democratic Convention from the Fourth Congressional District of Ohio. Fraternally he belongs to the. Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Elks.
R T. GREGG, one of Lima's leading- business men, is a member of the mer- cantile firm of R. T. Gregg & Com- pany, and has been a resident of the. city since 1901. He was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, December 4, 1861, and is a son of the late Thomas Gregg, a well -.
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known merchant who died in Fairfield County, in 1886.
R. T. Gregg was a small boy when his par- ents removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. His business life has been devoted almost entirely to mercantile pursuits, being inaugurated as a clerk in a dry goods house at Baltimore, Fairfield County. In 1887 he engaged in a mercantile business at Tiffin, as a member of the firm of C. F. Hansberger & Company, which continued for 14 years as the leading establishment of its kind in that city. In 1901 Mr. Gregg located in Lima and established the firm of R. T. Gregg & Company, in the Black Block. He has sole charge of this concern, which is classed among the leading mercantile enterprises of the city. He enjoys an enviable reputation both for the excellence of his complete stock of merchandise, as well as for the business in- tegrity on which his success is founded.
- In 1886 Mr. Gregg was married to Emma Beery, who is a daughter of Louis Beery, one of the leading men of Fairfield County. Mr. and Mrs. Gregg have three children: Ray Beery, a student in the Lima High School; Margaret Kathryn, and Robert T., Jr.
Mr. Gregg is a member and liberal support- er of the Presbyterian Church at Lima, and is identified, fraternally, with the Knights of Py- thias.
DAM STEINER, who is engaged in carrying on agricultural operations on his farm in Richland township, in section 35, was born on this farm September 16, 1854, and has always lived in Richland township. He is a son of John S. and Katherine (Steiner) Steiner. The grandfather, John Steiner, was a native of Alsace, France, where John S. Steiner, the father of our subject, was born in 1816. Three years later the family removed to Switzerland, and in 1826 came to the United States. They took up their residence in Wayne County, Ohio, and for many years struggled with pio- neer conditions.
At the age of 21 years John S. Steiner was . married to Katherine Steiner, a second cousin,
and the young people at once located in Allen County, where they entered a tract of 160 acres, which has been the homestead since. Later Mr. Steiner bought 80 acres more and still later another 80, a great part of which was cleared and put under cultivation. Mrs. Steiner was born in Switzerland, which was also the birthplace of her parents, Ulrich and Barbara Steiner, and she was a child of three years when her parents came to America. Thie children of John S. Steiner and wife were as follows: Levi, deceased; Joseph, of Richland township; Emanuel, deceased; Aaron, de- ceased; Emma, deceased; Adam; Regina, of Richland township; Leah, of Hancock Coun- ty; Magdalene, of Richland township; Bar- bara, deceased; Fannie, deceased; and one that died in infancy. John S. Steiner was a Demo- crat and a consistent member of. the Mennon- ite Church. He died in the spring of 1900, having rounded out a useful and honorable life. His widow still resides on the home farm and is tenderly cherished by her children.
Adam Steiner has always resided on the old farm, assisted in clearing and improving it and now owns 80 acres in sections 30 and 35. He also cultivates 80 acres for his mother and sisters. Part of the land is pasture, as he raises large numbers of cattle; the remainder of his land is devoted to the raising of corn and wheat. He was married in March, 1877, to Anna Spollinger, a native of Richland township, Allen County, Ohio, and a daugh- ter of Ulrich and Barbara (Geiger) Spollin- ger, who came to this country from Switzer- land. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Steiner are as follows: Josephine, deceased; Albert ; Lena; Edwin, deceased; Jesse; Fannie; Al- dine; Bertha; Cyrus; Sarah; and Ella. None of the children have left the parental roof. Mr. Steiner is a Democrat.
ALTER M. SCOTT, court stenog- rapher of Allen and Shelby coun- ties, has been a resident of Lima since February, 1892. Mr. Scott was born in 1874 in Van Wert County, Ohio, and is a son of W. P. Scott. The latter is tie and timber agent for the St.
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Louis & San Francisco Railroad Company, and resides at Springfield, Missouri.
Walter M. Scott is a young man of remark- able ability in his profession. He completed the ordinary common and high school courses at Springfield, Missouri, and then learned telegraphy in the railroad office at Exeter, Mis- souri, becoming an operator for the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad. Subsequently he was made train dispatcher at Fort Smith, Arkan- sas, thus continuing until 1892 when he came to Lima and was operator for three months for the C., H. & D. Railway. Mr. Scott then en- tered the office of Court Stenographer Emer- son Price, and remained as his assistant for IO years, when he was appointed court stenogra- pher for Van Wert, Auglaize and Mercer counties. This position he held for two years, efficiently performing its exacting duties. In May, 1903, his ability and faithfulness secured him the appointment as court stenographer for Allen and Shelby counties.
In November, 1897, Mr. Scott was mar- ried to Nellie A. Gates, who is a daughter of the late William W. Gates, formerly gauger for The Buckeye Pipe Line Company. Mr. and Mrs. Scott are members of the Presby- terian Church. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar and an Elk. Socially he is connected with the Lima Club and, in a business way, with the Lima Progressive Association.
E. SULLIVAN, manager of the store- house of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company at Lima, has been in the employ of this company since August, 1890, at which time he located here. He was born in 1868 in Salamanca, Cattarau- gus County, New York, where he was reared and where his father, Michael Sullivan, still lives and is engaged in railroading. Mr. Sul- livan received his common-school education in Salamanca and then entered the Slocum Busi- ness College, of Buffalo, graduating from that institution about 1885. He at once began working as a stenographer and shortly after was appointed court stenographer of Cattarau- gus County, a position he held for two years,
when he resigned to accept a more lucrative offer. Having accepted the position of private secretary for .Daniel J. O'Day, who was in charge of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company at Lima, Mr. Sullivan continued in that capac- ity for 13 years. Having become thoroughly conversant with every detail of the business, he was well fitted for the place which was then tendered him as manager of the company's storehouse, in charge also of the timekeeping department and the fuel business.
Mr. Sullivan was married, in 1901, to Winona Reichelderfer, daughter of A. C. Reichelderfer, of the Lima Gas Light Com- pany. They have one child, Marion Margaret. He is a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and a charter member of Lima Council,. Knights of Columbus, in which he has held various offices. Mr. Sullivan has identified himself with business interests in Lima, aside from those of which he is manager, and is one of the reputable, substantial men of the city. He is a member of the Shawnee Country Club, and an enthusiastic golf player who finds healthful, as well as pleasant recreation in the sport.
S. KIMBALL, notary public and attorney-at-law at Delphos, was born in Delphos in 1877, and is a son of Edward E. and Ida (Breece) Kimball, and a lineal de- scendant of Stephen Kimball, from whom he takes his second name.
Stephen Kimball, the paternal grandfather, was born in Connecticut and there married Mary Read, who was a representative of that family which was so prominent in the early history of Reading, Pennsylvania, as to give the name to that great industrial city. The children of this union were: George, who was killed during the Civil War while serving under Admiral Farragut; Edward E., father of W. S .; Oliver, of LaFayette, Indiana ; Mrs. Julia Harter, deceased; and Mrs. Charles Smith, of South Bend, Indiana.
James Alexander, one of the venerable res- idents of Delphos, is our subject's great-grand-
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father on the maternal side. He was one of the first captains on the canal and propelled a boat of his own for a number of years.
Edward E. Kimball, father of W. S., was born at Portland, Indiana, April 17, 1857. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and carried on farming until he came to Delphos, Ohio. For the past 20 years he has been connected with the Adams Express Company, and also operates a dray line. He married Ida Breece, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Alex- ander ) Breece, whose father came to Delphos from Delaware, Ohio. Of the five sons born to the above marriage, the three survivors are : W. S., of this sketch; and Charles and Ora, both connected with the Delphos Can Com- pany.
W. S. Kimball was educated in the Del- phos schools, graduating therefrom in 1895. He then read law for two and a half years un- der Judge M. Brotherton, of Van Wert County and, after a term in the law department of the ยท Ohio Normal University at Ada, was admitted to practice in 1901. Mr. Kimball has found a useful and lucrative field for professional work at Delphos. Politically a Democrat, he has served his party in many important posi- tions, being for two years chairman of the Democratic Central Committee, of which he is still a member. He is also serving on the Delphos Board of Education. He is a member of the National Union Fraternal Insurance Company and has been financial secretary of that body.
In November, 1899, Mr. Kimball was married to Edna Holliday, 'a daughter of Kimmel Holliday, and to their union one son, Paul Holliday, was born September 24, 1900. Mr. Kimball and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
RANK HOBERHOUR conducts a successful business in staple and fancy groceries in Lima, and is a man of sterling worth and upright character. Mr. Hoberhour was born in Bluffton, this county, in 1862, and is a son of Matthew Hoberhour, who was a shoemaker
by trade and later operated a grist-mill. He died in 1867, when our subject was a child of five years.
After leaving school in Bluffton, Frank Hoberhour became a carriage painter and worked at that business about 12 years before coming to Lima. Here he secured a position in the C., H. & D. Railway shops as coach painter and was so employed 12 years, leaving them only to engage in business for himself. Erecting a business block at No. 747 North West street, he fitted it with a complete stock of staple and fancy groceries and has estab- lished a substantial trade because of his honest, courteous obliging treatment of customers, and his executive ability.
Mr. Hoberhour was married, in 1883, to Rebecca A. Stevenson, daughter of the late H. K. Stevenson, who was a real estate dealer and insurance agent of Columbus Grove, Ohio. Of the children born to this union, three are liv- ing, namely: Edward B., a student in Lima College; Bessie Emeline and Francis. Mr. Hoberhour is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Royal Arcanum.
L. ACKERMAN, wholesale liquor dealer, is one of the influential mer- chants of Lima, of which city he has been a resident a little more than 10 years. He was born in 1866 in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio, where he was educated and commenced his business career. For about four years he con- ducted a restaurant and cafe in Mansfield, then came to Lima and also opened a cafe, which he continued until November, 1903, when he en- gaged in the wholesale liquor trade. This en- terprise has proved most remunerative; two salesmen are kept constantly on the road.
Mr. Ackerman is identified with several of the leading industries of Lima, being a direc- tor of the Allen County Oil Company, and of the Imperial Brewery, now in process of con- struction.
Mr. Ackerman was married, in 1895, to Kate Ziegler, daughter of Godfried Ziegler, of Wapakoneta. One child, Margaret Louise,
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has been born to them. Mr. Ackerman is a member of the Odd Fellows, the Eagles, the Red Men and the United Commercial Travel- ers' Association, and has formed many warm friendships since locating in Lima.
OHN AMSTUTZ, one of the prominent citizens of Allen County, formerly County Commissioner, resides upon his well-improved farm of 80 acres, located in section 2, Richland town- ship. He was born February 7, 1846, in Riley township, Putnam County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Steiner) Amstutz.
In many ways the father of our subject was one of the most notable men that ever lived in Richland township. He was born November 22, 1811, in Alsace, France, during the days of Napoleon, and remained cultivating the patrimonial acres until he was 21 years of age. In every sense a self-made man, he was one who deserved the esteem and respect in which he was held until the close of his life and the admiration expressed for his acquirements which, in many ways, were equal to those of the fortunate ones who enjoyed collegiate ad- vantages. Yet the only schooling John Am- stutz ever had was a period of three months in a German school, three days in a French one and two lessons in English. For years he both spoke and wrote all three languages correctly and easily.
In 1833 John Amstutz crossed the Atlantic Ocean, filled with the hope that in a new land he would find opportunities for both mental and material advancement. The old sailing vessel landed him at the port of New Orleans during a yellow fever epidemic and he was one of those who survived its ravages. He re- mained one year in New Orleans before he commanded enough capital to take him up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to Cincinnati, where he worked by the day at wagon-making until 1835. He then came to Allen County and bought 10 acres of land and on this little tract he built the first wagon shop erected in North- western Ohio. It is said that he made the first
school globe ever constructed in the State. He continued work at his trade until he retired from active life, at the age of 63 years, and his death occurred at the home of our subject at the age of 80 years and II months.
This really remarkable man so appreciated learning that it was always his great desire to advance the educational opportunities of the community. He accumulated the largest pri- vate library then in the county and not only absorbed the contents of his books, was con- versant with the best literature of the day and was one of the locality's best informed men, but he was generous in his assistance to others. He helped in the organization of Richland township and was the first school director, the township having but one district at that time. His character was so unimpeachable that his fellow-citizens would gladly have elected him to every office. He served as township treas- urer for 20 years and for 27 years was justice of the peace. Politically he was a stanch Dem- ocrat. His faculties were remarkably preserved and it is related by his son that his 80th birth- day he celebrated by writing, without glasses, .which he never used, the whole of the Lord's Prayer on a bit of paper which a silver dime could cover.
In 1836 John Amstutz was united in mar- riage, in Allen County, with Elizabeth Steiner, who was born March 17, 1815, in Alsace, France, near his own birthplace. She died on the present farm of our subject at the age of 53 years. Her parents were Rev. Christian and Elizabeth (Sutter ) Steiner. Her father was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, and went from there to Alsace, France, and in 1835 came to Allen County, by way of the city of New York. He was the first Mennonite preacher in this section and in 1836 organized the present Mennonite Church, which is the largest church of that religious body in this vicinity. According to the manner of filling the ministry, he was allotted to this church and, although he also engaged in farming, he was one of the most active pioneer ministers of his time.
John and Elizabeth (Steiner) Amstutz had 12 children born to them, our subject being the
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fifth member of this family, the record being as follows: Barbara; Mary Annie; Katherine, residing with our subject; Elizabeth, a resident of Richland township; John; Emma; Jacob, of Oregon; Alexander; Louis; Christina (2) and Alexander. (2). But four members of the family still survive.
John Amstutz, our immediate subject, and his father's namesake, has always resided in Richland township. When he was 13 years of age, he entered his father's wagon shop and was thoroughly taught the business, remaining there until he was 23 years old. He then rented a farm and settled down to an agricultural life, continuing as a renter for 10 years, when he bought'80 acres of land in section 2, Richland township. There has been 30 acres of this cleared but the only building on it was a log cabin. Now the farm is noted for its fine ap- pearance, all of it being cleared with the ex- ception of two acres of timberland. Mr. Am- stutz has always engaged in general farming. For three years he conducted a large quarry business at Bluffton, in partnership with his
son Wilhelm A. Amstutz, under the name of Amstutz & Son, which gave employment to from 20 to 30 men. In July, 1905, our sub- ject sold out to his son and partners and a stock company was formed with five members, the business being continued.
Mr. Amstutz was married February 28, 1871, to Sarah Klinger, who was born in Mon- roe township, Allen County, Ohio, August 25, 1851, and is a daughter of John Adam and Margaret Eve (Hoffer) Klinger, who were born in Hessen, Germany. They came from their native land to Allen County, Ohio, in 1850. Mr. and Mrs. Amstutz have had five children: Lona; Paulina; Philip, who died aged two and a half years; Wilhelm Albert; and Malinda, who is a member of the class of 1906 in the Bluffton High School. Wilhelm Albert Amstutz, the only son, is one of the most highly esteemed young. men of the town- ship, one who combines business ability with the admirable personal characteristics which go far toward the making of an honorable and useful citizen. He is of an earnest, thoughtful disposition and has always shown a helpful
interest in the affairs of the Reformed Church. For two years he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school, the youngest who has ever held this responsible position in this church. He has made many friends over the State and. through the county, as he has frequently been sent as a delegate from the Bluffton church. He is a graduate of the Bluffton High School.
All his life John Amstutz has been closely identified with the Democratic party and has frequently been elected to important offices. He served seven years as township supervisor, seven years as township trustee, 14 years on the School Board, seven years as county com- missioner, and in every case performed his du- ties with signal fidelity. He belongs to the Re- formed Church, of Bluffton, of which he is a charter member and for one year was trustee. He holds fraternal relationship with the Ma- sonic lodge at Bluffton, the Odd Fellows at Bluffton and the Elks at Lima.
EORGE W. KNITTLE. Among the well known farmers of German township, none is more deserving of mention than George W. Knittle, whose farm of 80 acres is located in section 17. He has lived all his life in Allen County. He was born in Sugar Creek town- ship, March 3, 1856, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza (Hamilton) Knittle, and a grandson of William and Rebecca (Tester) Knittle. Wil- liam Knittle came with his wife from Fairfield County, Ohio, to Allen County at a very early day, and here entered 40 acres of land from the government.
George W. Knittle was reared on his father's farm and has always been an agricult- uralist, the greater part of his life having been passed in German township. On October 21, 1875, he was married to Ida Belle Tester, daughter of Frederick and Sarah Jane ( Ump- stead) Tester, residents of German township. Mrs. Knittle was born February 20, 1860, and has had four children, only two of whom are now living. The record is as follows: Wil- liam B., born April 16, 1876, who married
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Alice Snow, of Elida and is employed in the oil field; Charles Frederick, born May 5, 1879, deceased in infancy ; Orla Guy, born April 22, 1889, now a student in the schools of Elida; and Beulah May, born January 19, 1897, who died at the age of seven days. When Mr. Knittle was married he brought his bride to their present home where they have lived con- tinuously except for a period of six years, three of which were spent in Lima and the re- mainder in Elida .. Mr. Knittle is a member of the lodge and encampment, I. O. O. F. at Lima.
ICTOR CARDOSI, wholesale fruit dealer, located at No. 127 West Market street, Lima, is one of the city's enterprising and successful business men. He was born at Barga, Italy, in 1862, and came to America in 1884.
Mr. Cardosi's commercial success .has been most remarkable. He was engaged in a retail fruit business at Wellston, Jackson County, Ohio, whence he removed to Lima in 1886, continuing exclusively in the retail line until 1891, when he became a wholesaler. Formerly all the banana trade was carried on by jobbers, but Mr. Cardosi now handles it within a radius of 25 miles. He is an extensive dealer in all domestic and tropical fruits, his stock comprising the very best and choicest to be found in the world's market.
In addition to really controlling the fruit trade in this section, Mr. Cardosi has invested largely in real estate. He owns five residence properties in Lima, and is proprietor of the fine Hetrick Block, built of pressed brick, one of the most substantial and ornate business structures in the city. It is situated on Mar- ket street, within half a block of the Public Square, has a frontage of 51 feet and a depth of 86 feet, and is four stories in height. Mr. Cardosi is a stockholder in the home telephone company, and is interested in other enterprises. Since coming to Lima he has made the city's interests his own; is a member of the Lima Board of Trade and a man who commands the 1
respect and confidence of his business asso- ciates.
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