USA > Ohio > Allen County > History of Allen County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part Two > Part 47
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first. charge was a district school which he taught in 1882 and for which he received pay at the rate of $1 per day- for the first three. months. In 1886 he came to West Cairo and for four years was a successful teacher in the schools in the township. For three years he was superintendent of schools at LaFayette, resigning to accept the position of superintend- ent of the Monroe township schools. At the expiration of that period he was elected super- intendent of schools at West Cairo and has. held this place since. He is one of the most. .. advanced educators of the county, and has. ·been remarkably successful with his work, fit- ting the young men and women under his care to fill places of usefulness and honor in the social and business world. He served on the. County Board of School Examiners for six years, and has been actively identified with the growth and upbuilding of the community. He: was postmaster at West Cairo during Cleve- land's second administration.
Mr. Westbay was married in 1886 to Miss. Ritenour, a native of Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, and a daughter of Mandeville and Elizabeth (Hackney) Ritenour, both natives of that State. Mrs. Westbay has borne her husband four children, viz: Zeno Pearl; Cor- inne Savonarola; Naomi . Ernest; and Henry October. The family are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Westbay is a Demo- crat and has been honored with a number of offices in the village, serving as justice of the peace for nine years, before being placed in the. mayor's chair. Fraternally he is connected with the Sons of Veterans, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
OHN O'BRIEN, general superintend- ent of The Buckeye Pipe Line Com- pany, of Lima, was born at Forest- ville, Chautauqua County, New York, January 22, 1863, being a member of one of the old, well-known families of tha' place.
After completing his education in the For-
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MR. AND MRS. MONROE M. EAST AND FAMILY
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estville Academy, in 1878, Mr. O'Brien started out to make his own way in the world, with little capital but his health, education and en- ergy. Just at this time the oil field of Mckean County, Pennsylvania, was attracting residents of all parts of the Union and thither the young man made his way. At Bradford he became a messenger with the Western Union Telegraph Company, and incidentally learned telegraph- ing. He was subsequently engaged as a clerk in the Bradford office of the Erie Railroad and remained there as clerk and telegraph operator until June 1, 1880. He then entered the em- ploy of the National Transit, Company as a telegraph operator at Corning, New York. He remained there two years and when the Corning office was closed by the company, Mr. O'Brien was transferred back to the Bradford office. He was engaged at different pump sta- tions in the oil field as his services were needed and thus became fully acquainted with the dif -: ferent fields and all the details of the oil busi- ness. In the latter part of 1882 the National transit Company showed its recognition of Mr. O'Brien's fidelity and ability by recalling him from the field stations to their office at Brad- ford, then the scene of the companys greatest interests.
Mr. O'Brien remained in the Bradford of- fice for five years, when he was again pro- moted, being removed to the New York office, where he became manager of the National Transit Company's telegraph business. Five months later, on April 1, 1888, Mr. O'Brien permanently left the telegraph department, but not the company's service. He was then placed in charge of the Bradford oil field as assistant superintendent, a position he most efficiently filled for seven years. On June 1, 1895, he became superintendent of the whole Bradford district, and since then he has been steadily advanced until at present he occupies one of the most responsible positions in the gift of the company. On October 13, 1903, he was sent to Lima as assistant general superintendent of The Buckeye Pipe Line Company, The Indiana Pipe Line Company, and made general man- ager of the Prairie Oil & Gas Company, of the Kansas field. The death of Daniel J. O'Day
brought about his promotion as general super- intendent of The Buckeye. Pipe Line Company and the Indiana Pipe Line Company. He has severed. his connections with the Prairie Oil & Gas Company. He has other large interests, being a director of the First National Bank of Independence, Kansas; a director of the Inde -. pendence Iron Works; a director of the Bart- lesville (I. T.) Water Company and is also interested- as a stockholder-in the Lima Trust Company, the Bradford National Bank and in other financial institutions.
... Mr. O'Brien was married to Louise Newell of Bradford, Pennsylvania, on January 18, 1893, and they have three children, yiz : Lou- ise, Norman and Florence. The family be- longs to St. Rose Catholic Church at Lima.
ONROE M. EAST, a prominent citizen of this county, owns 941/2 acres of land in sections 16 and, 21, German township, where he is successfully engaged in farming. He has five oil-wells in active operation on his land, but has leased them to Dr. Charles E. Lawton, of Cleveland, who now operates them. Mr. East is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Mumaw) East, of German township. . A sketch of Samuel East may be found elsewhere : in this work.
Monroe M. East married Priscilla Alice Crider, of Auglaize County, a daughter of Isaac and Susan (Searfoss) Crider, who re- moved from Pickaway County to Cridersville, Auglaize County, where Mrs. East was born on March 17, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. East have six children: Susan Elizabeth, born August 19, 1878, who died on the IIth of the follow- ing month; Olive Ettie, born September 25, 1879, now living at home; Irene Belle, born September 25, 1881, who married Alvin E. Herring, of German township, on January 3, 1899, and has two children-Harold Glenn and Horace Burdette; Bessie May, born May 16, 1884, who married Oran Hepler, on March 31, 1902, and has one child-Cledith Eliza- beth; Samuel Cleveland, born May 11, 1888,
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who lives at home; and Catherine Gertrude, born April 12, 1894. Mr. East has taken a lively interest in educational matters and has served as a member of the School Board. In politics he is a Democrat.
On a foregoing page, in connection with this sketch is shown a picture of Mr. and Mrs. East and family.
A. CHAPIN, one of the leading archi- tects of Lima and one of the city's representative men, was born in 1853 at Mount Vernon, Knox County, Ohio, and is a son of Dexter Chapin.
The aged father of our subject, now al- most 80 years old, resides at Lima and still takes much interest in passing events. For many years he was one of the leading con- tractors here, and for a protracted period was active in city politics, during which he served three terms as a member of the City Council. His mother was a Franklin, belonging to the same branch of the family which gave the world Benjamin Franklin.
Our subject was only two years of age when his parents came to Lima, where they lived some time and then removed to Wapa- koneta and later to Cincinnati. While in Lima he attended the grammar department of the Lima High School. He also attended school at the other points where his father's business called him. At Cincinnati he worked with Mitchell & Ramelsberg, in the furniture busi- ness and then went into the office of Michael Renbaugh, of that city. He remained under in- struction there for several years.
Before the new Court House was erected at Lima, he returned to this city and went to work at the carpenter's trade while he prepared him- self to open the first architect's office ever estab- lished here. He has continued in this profession ever since and now has offices located in the Holland Building. To him has been entrusted the drawing of plans and designs for many of the most important buildings in the city of Lima, among which we may mention: Lima Paper Mills, County Infirmary, Children's Home, Holland. Building and the new High
School Building. In the erection of this fine structure last mentioned he was associated with F. L. Packard, the State architect, of Colum- bus. By experts it has been conceded to be one of the finest school buildings in the State. Many of the beautiful residences of Lima which attract favorable notice and comment from the visitor were erected from designs pre- pared by Mr. Chapin, who has also furnished plans for. the building of a great many of the large structures of the city.
In 1893 Mr. Chapin was married to Ella Ackerman, who is a daughter of the late Wil- liam Ackerman, who for years was identified with the manufacturing interest of Lima.
Mr. Chapin is a 32nd degree Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter and Commandery at Lima, in which bodies he has frequently held official position. He has done much toward making this city one of beauty and modern aspect and has been called in to assist in promoting various objects of public utility.
ENRY KRUSE, who has resided con- tinuously for upwards of 40 years on his present farm in section 17, Ger- man township, is one of the thrifty, substantial citizens of Allen County, was born July 24, 1833, in Prussia, Germany. His parents were Joseph and Anna Kruse. The mother died in 1843 and the father fol- lowed her in 1848.
After the death of his father, Henry Kruse, who was then 15 years of age, was bound out to a shoemaker for a term of three years. After serving out his time, he re- mained in the same service two years longer, receiving wages for his labor. He was desir- ous of starting in business for himself but, as the laws of the country did not allow him to take such a step until he was of age, he de- cided to try his fortune in America.
With 25 of his fellow townspeople, he be- gan the journey across the ocean, the trip being made in a sailing vessel and covering a period of eight weeks. An epidemic of small- pox broke out, which proved fatal to seven of their number, and caused a change in the plans.
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They had intended to land at New Orleans but this they were not permitted to do on account of the smallpox, although they were allowed to proceed up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers. A landing was made at Cincinnati. Mr. Kruse remained in that city three and a half years working at his trade and then went to Cham- paign County, near Urbana, Ohio, where he worked four years on a farm. About this time he was married and leased the farm for five years, until 1865, when he came to Allen County and purchased 68 acres of land where he has since resided. Mr. Kruse prospered in his business, and added to his original pur- chase until he owned at one time 200 acres. Most of this has been sold since, his son and son-in-law recently buying 140 acres of him. This leaves 30 acres in the homestead.
Mr. Kruse was married in 1859 to Doretta Booman, who was born in Hanover, Germany, November 24, 1833. Five children have been born to them, namely: Charles, residing on the homestead, who married Minnie Counse- lor, daughter of Rev. Counselor, of this coun- ty, and has six- children; Henry, who married Bertha Beckler, who died 10 years ago, leaving two sons, Earl and Kenneth; who live with their grandfather Kruse; Anna, who married Jacob Smith, lives about three miles south of Lima and has five children-Paul, Alice, Gladys, Dean and Floy; Emma, who married Lewis Freightner, lives in Lima and has two children-Evan and Robert; and Frank, who married Maggie Neely, lives in Lima and has one child, Grace. Mr. Kruse is a Democrat. In religion he is a Lutheran and is a trustee of the church of that denomination at Elida.
RANK C. SMITH, who is the senior member of the large contracting firm of Smith & Sherrick, of Lima, has been a resident of this city for the past 17 years. He was born at West- minster, Allen County, Ohio, in 1867, and is a son of Isaac N. Smith and a grandson of Abner Smith.
Abner Smith was born in Pennsylvania and removed to Athens County, Ohio, about
1822. Later he moved to Champaign County and in 1829 to Allen County, where he entered land near the present site of the town of West- minster. In 1830 he moved his family here and during the remainder of his life he was en- gaged in clearing and cultivating his property. He was one of the first trustees of Auglaize township and took an active part in its public affairs. Politically he was a Whig.
Isaac N. Smith, father of our subject, now lives retired in his pleasant home at No. 708 East Kibby street, Lima. He was born in 1839 in Auglaize township. When 14 years of age he started to learn the carpenter's trade and continued work at the same until 1864, when he enlisted in Company B. 15Ist Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., for 100 days, but his real service covered four months. He was detailed to the quartermaster's department and was stationed during the greater part of the time at Fort Reno. At the close of the war he returned home and resumed carpenter work until 1868, when he engaged in wagon and carriage man- ufacturing at Westminster. Mr. Smith con- tinued in business for 10 years and had a large establishment, where he also did repair work and dealt in agricultural implements. Some of the wagons built by him 40 years ago are still in commission in and about Westminster.
In June, 1888, Mr. Smith located in Lima, where he carried on contracting until failing eyesight caused him to retire from business. During his residence in Auglaize township, he was active in public affairs and was elected to many of the township offices. He served four years as assessor of that township, for years was school director and was a man whose ad- vice was asked and judgment consulted by his fellow-citizens.
Frank C. Smith of this sketch was reared and educated at Westminster, and learned the carpenter's trade with his father. He entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company and remained with that corporation for six years, during four of which he was in charge of the tanking department at different points. He built the first pump station in the Ohio oil field. Then for some four years he followed his trade by himself; but in 1898 he formed his present partnership with S. S. Sherrick. This
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firm is engaged in a general contracting busi- ness and is the leading firm in this line in Lima. Their large planing mill and sash, door and blind factory is located at Nos. 330- 332 South Union street.
In 1899 Frank C. Smith was married to Ella Biederman, of Auglaize County. They have one son, Walter Stanley, aged five years. Both Mr. Smith and his wife are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church at Lima. ... In politics Mr. Smith is a zealous Repub- lican and is a member of the Republican Cen- tral Committee. He belongs also to the Lima Board of Health, and is interested in all move- ments tending to promote the welfare of the city. His fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows and Red Men.
ENRY CLAY HART, M. D., now re- siding on his well-improved farm of. 160 acres, situated in section 25, Spencer township, was one of the earliest physicians to settle at Spen- cerville, where he continued in active practice for many years. Dr. Hart was born July 19, 1841, at Troy, Miami County, Ohio, and is a son of Levi and Sarah Sewell (Tullis) Hart.
Dr. Hart comes of sturdy American patriot stock, his ancestry reaching directly to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ- ence. The father of Dr. Hart was born in New Jersey and was one of a family of seven chil- dren. Previous to coming to Ohio he worked as a machinist; but later he became a farmer and died in Ohio in 1865. He was a liberal man in relation to education and religion and filled an important place in his community. He was survived until 1886 by his wife, who was born in Virginia. The family consisted of four children, namely: Francis C., Dorisa Ann, Henry Clay and John B., the last named deceased in infancy.
Henry Clay Hart grew up on his father's farm and secured his literary education in the schools at Delphos. He was employed later by a local business house as bookkeeper until he reached his majority, when, in August, 1862, he entered the Union Army. He enlisted in
Company F, 118th Reg., Ohio Vol, Inf., at Delphos, and was mustered out at Evansville, Indiana, from the Second Battalion, V. R. C., on July 6, 1865. For nearly 18 months he had held the position of post adjutant. His health being poor at this time, he was em- ployed mainly at detached duty and was prof- fered an honorable discharge by President Lincoln on this account. This offer he did not take advantage of and this evidence of patriot- ism brought him a personal letter from the President, commending him in high terms.
After his return from the army, the young man tried farming for a time, but his health was scarcely robust enough to enable him to make of it a success. He then turned his at- tention to medicine. He prepared for college with a local practitioner, and took a course of lectures in the University of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he was graduated April 23, 1869. In the same year he took up his res- idence at Spencerville, which at that time was a village of 300 souls. He was the third physi- cian to locate here, the late Dr. Campbell and Dr. Rails having come here a short time be- fore. Dr. Hart practiced here for 20 years and then went to Monticello for two years. On account of failing health, he then retired to his - farm which, when he purchased it, was a tract of dense woods lying along the canal, two and a half miles north of Spencerville. In addition to being a fertile and productive agricultural property, it is also valuable for the oil that underlies it, 12 wells having been already de- veloped. Dr. Hart has cleared all this land with the exception of three acres. The land is well tiled and substantial buildings have been erected. Dr. Hart lives retired, having excellent tenants to look after his farming in- terests.
In April, 1889, Dr. Hart was married to Elizabeth Vashti Rathgeber, who is a daugh- ter of Jacob Rathgeber, of Spencer township. Two years later the Doctor and wife retired to the farm where they enjoy all the comforts and a large number of the luxuries of life. Mrs. Hart takes great pleasure in her housekeeping and many of the Doctor's leisure hours are passed in his well-equipped library.
Dr. Hart is a stanch Republican and for
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years was active in party affairs. He has served in various offices and on numerous boards since coming to Allen County. Dur- ing two terms he was a member of the Spen- cerville Town Council and while on that body was appointed street commissioner. During his administration much of the east part of town was laid out, and it was Dr. Hart's sug- gestion that the street east of Pearl should be named "College" street. For two terms he was a member of the Board of Education, and- was chairman of the board when the school building was erected. For over 11 years. he was a member of the Board of Health. In every way he has been one of the public-spirited and useful citizens of Allen County and is held in general esteem. He is a member of the local G. A. R. post of which he has been sur- geon.
Dr. Hart is a well-read man and a pleasant conversationalist, whose reminiscences of the early days of his practice in this locality are of a most interesting nature. In those days he vis- ited his patients on horseback, the only possi- ble way, as his calls often came from distant and isolated farmhouses, and he has had thrill- ing adventures when answering the calls of duty, pursuing his way through cold and storm, often at night, following bridle-paths through the forest.
The Doctor could have built up quite a fortune but he has always given bounteously of his means to all worthy objects. He has contributed to the erection of all the churches of his neighborhood as well as to their support.
OL. HINCHMAN S. PROPHET, one of the prominent and represen- tative citizens of Lima, and one of the city's leading attorneys, with offices in the Holmes Block, was born at Evesham, Burlington County, New Jersey, and is a son of John and Catherine (Roberts) Prophet.
The parents of Colonel Prophet finally settled in Morrow County, Ohio, and spent the remainder of their lives there.
The father of our subject was a man of
sufficient means to give his son excellent school advantages at Cardington, Ohio, and he was but 20 years old when he commenced the study of the law, which he completed under the su- pervision of Judge J. A. Beebe, being admitted to the bar on February 2, 1860, before the Su- preme Court of Ohio. Scarcely had he had time to realize the completion of the ambitious efforts of several strenuous years, and feel that he had made a fair beginning on his career, when the Civil War was precipitated. Among the first to offer their, services, he served three months in Company C, 15th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and at the close of this enlistment as- sisted in the organization of Company B. 43d Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. Prior to 1863, when con- tinued ill health led to his resignation, he was promoted from 2d lieutenancy to the Ist lieu- tenancy, and from Ist lieutenancy to the cap- taincy. In the second battle of Corinth, in 1862, Captain Prophet was wounded. In his official report of the battle of Corinth, the commanding general made honorable mention of Captain Prophet, commending him for "conspicuous gallantry and efficiency in battle."
After his return home, he was commis- sioned colonel of the Second Regiment, Ohio Militia, by Governor. David Tod. He organ- ized and officered the regiment, but it was not" called into service. .
Resuming the duties which the call to arms had caused him to put aside, Colonel Prophet continued to practice law and for five years he also engaged in newspaper editing and pub- lishing. In 1868 he was appointed postmaster of Mount Gilead, where he was then residing. In the fall of 1869, he was elected without op- position State Senator from the 17th and 28th districts and served his constituents well through his term of office; and what is remark- able he never missed a roll call nor a vote. He was a member of several important commit- tees, among them "Common Schools and School Lands," and "Municipal Corporations."
He was also a member of a special com- mittee that visited the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors 'Orphans Home at Xenia, and on its recommendation the home was bought by the State.
In 1872 he removed to Lima, becoming a
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member of the firm of Prophet & Eastman, a firm which- has sucessfully handled a large part of the important litigation of this section for the past 25 years.
In May, 1870, Colonel Prophet, without solicitation, was made a member of the Phon- etic Society, established in Bath, England, by Sir Isaac Pitman, the inventor of phonetic shorthand. He was the first official court re- porter in the Northwest. He was a member of the Ohio Association of Stenographers, and also of the International Association. For four years he was city solicitor; for the same length of time was Prosecuting Attorney of Allen County.
In 1882 he was elected mayor of Lima; he served one term at this time, declining a re- nomination. In 1898 he was again elected mayor by the largest majority ever received · by any candidate for mayor of the city. He again declined a renomination. In school and other local positions, he has been generous of his time, money and advice, having served 19 years as a member of the Board of Education, being president of the board for 10 years of this period. He has served as president of the Ohio Association of Boards of Education, and is a member of the National Association of School Boards and the National Educational Association, and many other educational as- sociations.
Colonel Prophet was married December 25, 1867, to Frances A. Beebe, who is a daugh- ter. of Judge J. A. Beebe. They have four children, Edgar S., Herbert S., Grace Alice (Plate) and Kathryn E., who is a successful teacher at Lima. They enjoy the comforts of a beautiful home at No. 414 West North street, where hospitality abounds, and educa- tion and culture are found.
Politically, Colonel Prophet is identified with the Democratic Party. He is a worthy citizen and a Christian gentleman. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church at Lima. Colonel Prophet is a member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, the Grand Army of the Republic and a number of fraternal orders.
For five consecutive years Colonel Prophet
has been appointed a delegate by the Gover- nor to the National Conference of Charities and Corrections. His portrait accompanies this sketch, being shown on a preceding page.
APT. ALBERT E. GALE, a merch- ant tailor of Lima, was born, reared and educated in Lima, being a son of E. Gale, the pioneer tailor of this city. As soon as he was old enough to learn the business he entered his father's office to familiarize himself with the work and has been associated in the enterprise for the past 13 years. He is a shrewd, capa- ble young man and is destined to become suc- cessful in business.
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