USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 4
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In 1872 the subject of this sketch was mar- ried to Sarah Jane Reichelderfer, of Pickaway County, Ohio, who died in the same year. In 1876 he was married to Emma M. Ditto, and they have four accomplished daughters, viz : Mrs. S. O. Morris, of Lima; and Mabel, Zoe and Grace.
Fraternally Senator Crites is a Mason and has taken all the degrees up to and including the 32d. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Elida.
OHN W. SHANAHAN, manager of the Consumers' Fuel, Building & Sup- ply Company, of Lima, is one of the leading citizens of the city, being closely identified with a number of the most important business interests of Allen County. He was born in 1860 in Delaware County. Ohio, where his father, P. Shanahan, is still engaged in farming, and where our sub- ject was educated and grew to manhood.
Mr. Shanahan began his career in commer- cial circles as proprietor of a grocery store which was located on North Main street, in Lima. After some 10 years in this line, he turned his attention to farming and the produc- tion of oil, extending his operations until he is now connected with the Richland Oil Com- pany and the German-American Oil Company,
being a member of the board of directors of the latter company. In 1894 he accepted the position of manager of the Consumer's Fuel, Building & Supply Company, and has since efficiently served in this position. In 1901 he disposed of his grocery stock and has since given his entire attention to the constantly in- creasing responsibilities devolving upon him. He is vice-president of the Allen County Build- ing & Loan Association and holds the same office in the Allen County Agricultural Society.
Mr. Shanahan was married in 1891 to Kate Baker, whose father is A. C. Baker, a farmer of Ada, Ohio. They have four child- ren : George, Nellie, Catherine and Eugene. The family are devout members of St. Rose Catholic Church of Lima and Mr. Shanahan is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He has been an active worker for the good govern- ment of the city, having served as a member of the City Council for two terms and is at present on the Board of Public Safety of Lima.
CHULTHEIS BROTHERS, who own and operate the large tannery at Lima, are among the best known and esteemed citizens of the city, where they have lived since childhood. The firm is composed of John and Charles Schul- theis, successors of their father, Wolfgang Schultheis, who came to this city in 1863 and established the business. The elder Schultheis was born in Bavaria, Germany, where he learned the trade of tannery with his father, John Schultheis. Coming to America, he made his first stop in Columbiana County, go- ing from there to Cincinnati, thence to Wayne and Pickaway counties, Ohio, and finally con- ducted a tannery for a short time in Shelby County, Ohio. His next move was to New Bremen, Auglaize County, where he formed a partnership with John Kunzel in 1855, which was continued until 1863 when he disposed of his interests in the tannery and came to Lima. When the tannery was first started in Lima, Mr. Schultheis was associated in the business with his brother, but in 1867 he purchased his brother's interests and from that date until
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1891 he carried on the works alone. Since 1891 the business has been managed by the present firm.
Charles Schultheis is a native of New Bremen but has been a resident of Lima since his fourth year. He has worked in a tannery from boyhood and his practical knowledge of the business enables him to conduct it in a prof- itable manner. In 1895 Mr. Schultheis was married to Matilda T. Eckert, daughter of the late Frederick Eckert, who was widely known during his lifetime as owner of a large pork packing plant at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Char- les Schultheis is a prominent Elk and a mem- ber of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
EORGE W. HERRING, a prominent agriculturist of German township, owns a well-improved farm of 80 acres, situated in section 19, about a mile southwest of Elida. He was born November 4, 1869, in German township on the old Herring homestead, three-quarters of a mile south of his present home. His par- ens, Penrose and Lydia (Hunsaker) Herring, were both natives of Fairfield County, where they were engaged in farming before coming to Allen County. The father, who was born Au- gust 24, 1830, died November 5, 1893, and the mother on March 6, 1905; both were laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery at Elida. Mr. Herring's paternal grandfather was Philip Herring, who was born in Pennsylvania, whence he came to Ohio, settling in Allen County as a pioneer.
George W. Herring was reared on the homestead farm and has given the greater part of his life to farm work. He spent some time in preparing himself for office work in Valen- tine Brothers' school of telegraphy and short- hand at Janesville, Wisconsin, but while he was yet a student his father sickened and died and his presence was needed at home and the busi- ness course was accordingly abandoned. His farm of 80 acres is one of the best kept and most profitable in German township. There are 10 oilwells in active operation, five of
which are leased to Mr. Whipple and five to W. L. Russell.
Mr. Herring was married April 13, 1899, to Callie F. Sawmiller, daughter of John and Mary ( Bower) Sawmiller, residents of Aman- da township. Mr. Herring has served on the School Board and is now a member of the ad- visory board of German township. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religion a member of the United Brethren Church, of Allentown. He is a zealous worker in the church and is serving as treasurer of the Sunday-school.
A. CROSSON, one of Lima's well- known business men, a dealer in fancy and staple groceries, who has been a resident of the city for 26 years, was born in 1858 in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Columbia Crosson.
The father of our subject came to Allen County about 1851 and carried on his trade of wagonmaking. That he was an expert me- chanic may be inferred when it is known that a wagon that he made in 1852 has been in use to the present time. He now lives in retirement at the age of 78 years in a pleasant home at West- minster, this county, where two of his four children also reside, the eldest,-William L. and the youngest, -- Alwilda, wife of Miner Smith. Mary is the wife of N. D. McCoy, of Lima. Early in the days of the Civil War, Co- lumbia Crosson offered his services to his coun- try and served over four years, as a member of Company F, Fourth Reg., Ohio Vol. Cav. He was always active in politics and at numerous periods filled local offices.
Our subject was reared and educated in Allen County and began his business career by running a huckster wagon through the country. This gave him a little business experience and made him a good clerk when he entered the employ of J. Langan at Lima. He continued with Langan & Company, successors to the old firm, for about nine years. On Christmas Day. 1889. he embarked in business for himself, opening up a small grocery store at his present stand, No. 112 East Market street, where he
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has continued ever since, each year adding to his patronage and accommodations, until now he is one of the leading merchants of Lima. Mr. Crosson owns stock in the Lima Driving Park Association.
In 1879 Mr. Crosson was married to Lillie Starbuck, who is a daughter of James M. Star- buck, of Randolph County, Indiana, and they have four children, viz .: Elsie H., wife of C. T. DeWeese, of Sidney, Ohio; Columbia Mon- roe, who is in the automobile business at Port- land, Oregon; Edith M. and Lethia Hazel.
Politically Mr. Crosson has always been a Republican and for the past six years has been a member of the Board of Health. He belongs to the Lima Business Men's Association and to the Retail Grocers' Association of Lima, and was president of the latter for five years. His fraternal associations include the Royal Ar- canum, the Odd Fellows and the Red Men.
SAAC B. POST, president of the Citi- zens' Banking Company, of Spencer- ville, and long a resident of Allen County, was born at Shelby, Richland County, Ohio, June 21, 1837, and is a son of Hon. Charles C. and Elizabeth (Bryant) Post.
The branch of the Post family to which our subject belongs was domiciled in Pennsylva- nia during the active business life of his grand- father, Jeremiah Post, who was, however, a native of New York.
Hon. Charles C. Post, son of Jeremiah Post and father of our subject, was born in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1800, and came to Ohio in 1822. He settled for a time at Shelby, Richland County, and then moved to Wyandotte County, where he bulit a grist and sawmill, and a council house for the Wyandot Indians under contract with the general government. He became friendly with the Indians and was respected by them on ac- count of the justness with which he dealt with them. In March, 1841, he removed to Allen County, settling in Amanda township, where he built the old Post mill on the Auglaize River, which he operated until 1849. He then settled
on an estate of 485 acres in sections 8 and 17, about one mile and a quarter from his previous home. His residence continued here until 1883, when he went to live with his daughter, Mrs. Cyrus H. Hover, where he died when almost 84 years of age. Charles C. Post was a man of sterling integrity, one who enjoyed in the highest degree the esteem. of all who knew him. He took a prominent part in all that materially affected the good government of his community, and was elected by his fellow- citizens to represent them in the State Legisla- ture. His honorable life closed March 27, 1884. He married Elizabeth Bryant, who was born March 13, 1801, and died February 22, 1886, aged 85 years. Of their nine children, but four survive, namely: Martha, widow of Cyrus H. Hover, now of Lima; Adam Clark, of Carthage, Missouri; Isaac B. and Charles G., of Parma, Missouri.
Isaac B. Post was reared from the age of four in Amanda township, and was educated in the local schools in which he later taught dur- ing several winter seasons. In April, 1861, he enlisted for the 90 days' service in Company E, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and marched away with his comrades to serve in the mountains of West Virginia, under Gen. George B. McClel- lan, then the hero of the hour. On July 27, 1861, he reenlisted for three years in Company C, 32nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under General Milroy. The command returned to West Vir- ginia, and he served under Generals Sigel and Fremont in the Shenandoah Valley until the battle of Harper's Ferry, September 15, 1862, when he, with his regiment, was captured by the enemy and paroled. Subsequently he was exchanged, and returned to the field in com- mand of his company, of which he had been commissioned 2nd lieutenant in February, 1862. He served in the Army of the Tennes- see, and was with General Grant at Vicksburg. In 1863, for meritorious services, he was pro- moted to a captaincy and served as such in the Atlanta campaign in 1864. After this he was again promoted, being commissioned major. and as such served until the close of the Civil War, also filling the position of division inspector.
At the close of the war, Mr. Post returned
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to Allen County and for some two years dealt in hardwood lumber, and then turned his atten- tion to farming and stock-raising. He became much interested in agricultural pursuits, to which he devoted his time almost exclusively until August 4, 1883, when he formed a part- nership with Henry Wasson and opened a pri- vate bank at Spencerville, from which Mr. Wasson retired a few years later. The bank has greatly prospered and was reorganized in 1905 as the Citizens' Banking Company with these officers: President, Isaac B. Post; Ist vice-president, Dr. Jacob R. Welch; cashier, Ira B. Post. For a number of years before the reorganization of the bank our subject served as its head and also as its cashier, an office now capably filled by his only son, Ira B. Post. Mr. Post owns valuable farming lands, located mainly in Amanda township.
In October, 1873, Isaac B. Post was mar- ried to Emma E. Berry, who was born in 1851', in Van Wert County, Ohio, and is the only daughter of John and Eunice A. (Griffin) Berry, early pioneers of that county. Mrs. Berry is still living at the age of 82 years; she is one of three survivors of a family of 10 chil- dren, the others being a brother, aged 92 years, living in Mercer County, and a sister, Mrs. Par- rott, aged 85 years, who lives in Van Wert County. The only son of our subject's mar- riage, Ira B., above mentioned is one of the town's popular citizens a graduate of the Spencerville High School and prominent in social life. On July 23, 1899, he was united in marriage with Ida M. Robbins, and has one son, Stanley Bryant. Our subject and wife have in their home a daughter by adoption, Gladys M., who was born in October, 1899.
In political sentiment, Mr. Post has always been a supporter of the Republican party. He is public-spirited to an unusual degree and has taken a great deal of interest in improving Spencerville. All of his own property is kept in good condition and presents a more than creditable appearance. Some years ago he purchased considerable property in the city which he improved. He built the two-story brick block used by the Gamble Grocery Com- pany. He took much interest in building the new Spencerville Methodist Church, being a
member of the building committee. Since 1879 he has been an active worker in this religious body. He was a charter member of Fair Post, No. 322, G. A. R., and its first commander, serving for some time in that position. -1
HARLES KRUSE, an implement dealer and hardware merchant of Elida, was born October 2, 1860, in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Henry Kruse, whose biog- raphy will be found elsewhere in this work. Charles Kruse has been a resident of this vicin- ity since his sixth year, when his parents located on a farm near Elida where he was reared and educated. He engaged in farming and culti- vated the farm owned by his father in German township until 1903, when he moved to Elida. and purchased the hardware and implement bus- iness of Mr. Mosier, which he has since con- ducted. Affable and courteous, he has always been popular throughout the county and has worked up an extensive business, putting out a large number of wagons, machinery and other farm implements.
Mr. Kruse was married to Minnie Coun- sellor, daughter of Rev. Elias Counsellor, who was for many years a traveling preacher of the United Brethren denomination, but who is now stationed at Burgoon, Ohio. Six children, all of whom are living, have been born to this worthy couple, viz : Dora, Carrie, Duane, Elias, Zilpha and Isabelle. They are affiliated with the Lutheran Church, of Elida.
S. VICARY, proprietor of the Star Iron Works, of Lima, where he is also identified with many other im- portant business interests, and is deservedly counted among the city's leading and most influential men, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1844.
Mr. Vicary was but a lad of 16 years when he left home; but he had learned the machinist trade in his father's shops and, being of an ambitious and energetic spirit, decided to cut loose from old ties and make his own way in the world. He went to British Columbia to
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put his plans into operation, and soon found employment in a sawmill on Puget Sound, where he remained engaged in machine work for some years. Later he had charge of a big mill at Fort Madison, where he remained for two years, going from there to the Oregon Iron Works at Portland, Oregon. After one year there he entered the Marysville foundry in California, where he worked by the side of Prescott, who later became a national charac- ter. After some two years there, Mr. Vicary accepted the position of gang foreman in the shops of the Central Pacific Railroad, which he held about four years. Mr. Vicary had all this experience while still a very young man, displaying even then the stability of character which has made him one of the leading men of Lima while still in the prime of life.
As master machanic he then went to Ne- vada for the Nevada Central Narrow Gauge Railroad for two years, going then to Vir- ginia City, where he assisted in setting up sonie of the largest machinery in the Comstock lode, some of the greatest pieces of machinery that were ever put up in the mines at Virginia City. He helped to put in the machinery in the Jus- tice mine, a 1,200-horsepower engine, with all the modern improvements including the Cat- aract valve motion and condensing machinery. Subsequently he went to Bodie, Mono County, California, where he had charge of the great machine shops for two years, and then came to Ottawa, Putnam County, Ohio. His intro- duction to Lima was quite accidental. While on a visit to his first wife's people in Putnam County, he came to Lima to see the place, and was persuaded to accept a position in the shops of the C., H. & D. Railway. Later he became assistant foreman of the Solar Refinery. Mr. Vicary has traveled extensively, having been in every State and Territory west of the Rocky Mountains. He is known from Sitka, Alaska to Salt Lake City. Those who have had the good fortune to meet Mr. Vicary have found him a courteous and pleasant gentleman. He has resided in Lima for the past 23 years.
In 1894 Mr. Vicary bought the Star Iron Works at Lima, which under his ownership have become one of the city's most important industries, being the largest repair works in
this section of the State. Being a practical machinist, he thoroughly comprehends every detail of the most intricate pieces of machinery, and his supervision covers every branch of the work done. When he took charge of these works, he had about absorbed his capital, but through his thorough knowledge and business capacity he has become a leading factor in bus- iness life here, has won honorable prominence in financial circles and enjoys also the esteem and approbation of his fellow-citizens. He is one of the stockholders in The First National Bank and also of The Lima Trust Company.
Mr. Vicary was married in 1865 to Melvina Harden, in California. She was a daughter of Walker Harden of Putnam County. Her death occurred in 1878. In 1882 he was mar- ried to Anna Belle Melhorn, who is a daughter of John Melhorn, one of Lima's oldest pioneers, who still survives, aged 87 years.
Politically Mr. Vicary is a Republican. He is a Mason of the 32nd degree, a Knight Temp- lar and a Shriner.
ON. HENRY L. ROMEY, one of Bluffton's most prominent and es- teemed citizens, formerly mayor and postmaster, and closely identified with the city's varied interests, was born in Canton Bern, Switzerland, October 19, 1843, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Conrad) Romey.
Mr. Romey is of French extraction. His father brought the family to America in 1854, the mother having died two years previously, and with his one daughter and three sons, came to Allen County, settling on a farm four miles south of Bluffton. On February 1, 1862, Henry Romey enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering Company H, 74th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Captain Ballard and Col. Gran- ville Moody, the "preacher colonel." He served through three years of the war, a soldier on the field until after the battle of Stone River, where he was disabled, and after that a prison guard. His death took place May 3, 1904. at the age of 88 years. His children were: Henry L. ; Julius, a resident of Columbia City, Indiana, a
HON. THEODORE D. ROBB
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soldier in the Civil War with his father and brother Henry L .; Edward, of North Balti- more, Ohio; Rosetta, the only daughter, who inet death in childhood, falling from a train while on her way from the old country.
Henry L. Romey remained with his father on the home farm until 1862. His father en- tered the army in February and our subject followed his example, enlisting on June 15th, in the same company and regiment. The 74th Ohio made a notable record as may be judged in recalling the long list of important battles in which it took so proud a part, viz .: Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Dug Gap, Chick- amauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Buzzards Roost, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro, Averysboro and Bentonville, and the remnant of the regiment, with the tat- tered flags, was honored in the Grand Review at Washington. Mr. Romey did not escape in- jury in this long period of almost constant fighting, receiving a serious gunshot wound in his left foot at Jonesboro, September 1, 1864. This entailed four months of treatment in the hospital, but he rejoined his regiment in the fol- lowing January, and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, July 10, 1865.
After his return from the army, Mr. Romey worked at the carpenter's trade for a number of years, and then gave attention to fine cabinet- making, conducting a furniture store and also manufacturing furniture. He sold out in 1889 and went into the fire insurance business, was made a notary and is now serving his second term as justice of the peace.
Mr. Romey has been a life-long Democrat. Personally he is a very popular citizen of Bluff- ton, and was twice elected mayor, serving as such for four years. He was postmaster dur- ing the second term of President Cleveland, and has acceptably filled other offices; has been township clerk for six years; was treasurer for seven years and for three terms was a member of the Board of Education.
On March 16, 1872, Mr. Romey was mar- ried to Rosa Kenie, who was also born in Can- ton Bern, Switzerland, in December, 1852, and came to America with her parents in 1854. She
is a daughter of John and Barbara Kenie. They have had these children : Elizabeth, wife of John T. Badertscher, of Hancock County ; Carrie, wife of J. C. Welty, of Bluffton; Will- iam H., a furniture merchant, of Richmond, In- diana; Elmer C., assistant cashier of the First National Bank, of Bluffton; Samuel D., who is in the employ of his brother at Richmond, In- diana ; Richard, a student in the Bluffton High School, class of 1906; and Fred, who is attend- ing school.
Mr. Romey is the Bluffton agent for the Trans-Atlantic French line, the Red Star. line, the North German Lloyd and the Baltimore and American lines of steamships to Europe. He is a valued member of Robert Hamilton Post, No. 262, G. A. R., at Bluffton. For many years he has been a member of the Reformed Church and one of its trustees and liberal sup- porters.
ON. THEODORE D. ROBB, mayor of Lima and president of The First National Bank of this city, was born June 29, 1843, and is one of a family of eight children born to the late Hon. Thomas M. and Anna ( Moore) Robb.
The Robb family originated in Scotland but it has been settled on American soil for many generations. Thomas M. Robb was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1812. In 1815 his father, removed to Guernsey County, Ohio, and there Thomas M. Robb was reared until old enough to learn the printing business. The early part of his life was spent in newspaper work in various towns in Ohio. As late as 1854 he took upon him- self the editing of the Lima Argus and two years later he acquired control of the People's Press, which he conducted with marked suc- cess until the demands of other duties upon his time caused him to withdraw from journal- istic work. He was admitted to the bar in 1853 and what with legal contests, editorial work and political leadership, he became one of the noted men of this section of the State. In 1856 he was elected judge of the Probate Court. In 1873 he was elected to the State Legislature and continued as useful there as he
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had been in other positions of responsibility. His death took place in 1879.
Theodore D. Robb was only a lad in years when he came to Lima with his parents and the greater part of his education was secured in the Lima schools. He learned the carpenter trade in young manhood and followed it some four years and then began the study of the law under his distinguished father, and then entered the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, where he was graduated. He entered into practice with his father at Lima, the law firm of Robb, Hughes & Robb being formed. In 1874 the retirement of Judge Robb caused the firm name to be changed to Hughes & Robb, which con- tinued until the election of Judge Hughes to the bench. Our subject then went into part- nership with the late Judge James Mackenzie, the new firm being in business under the style of Mackenzie & Robb. This partnership was continued for five years, at the end of which period Judge Mackenzie retired from the prac- tice of the law. Mr. Robb practiced alone for one year and then became senior member of the firm of Robb & Leete, which continued until his election to the probate bench, in 1894, on the Democratic ticket. During the six years of his incumbency, Judge Robb distinguished himself as a jurist of great ability and retired with the respect and admiration of the bench and bar and the commendation of his fellow- citizens.
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